Tributes

It’s often said that, eventually, all of society will split and become nothing but a fragile alliance. Everyone will be forced to choose a side, and they must hope they choose correctly. This is a story of greed and the cost it bears in such a situation.

* * *

In the years following the banishment of Nightmare Moon, there came a time when the fair Princess Luna began to realize a trend; nothing had changed in the past thousand years that she’d been imprisoned. Yes, she was once again the co-ruler of Equestria, but Celestia clearly held more power. Luna wanted more than just to control the night.

She became power-hungry and requested rather threateningly that her sister take control of half the land - leaving to Luna the other. Once Celestia had declined, the younger sister hinted that, without the land, she’d refuse to raise the moon. Her second offer was then obliged, as Princess Celestia did not wish for another war. The thousand years without Luna were rough, and the white alicorn felt unable to handle another millennium alone.

Equestria was split into two sections soon after the pair agreed on a fair separation point; the Solar Empire and the New Lunar Republic. Celestia would rebuild the ruins of her old castle, and Luna would earn the rights to the Canterlot Castle. It didn’t take long for word to spread that the west side of Equestria would now be under the control of Princess Luna.

Many ponies immigrated across the establishing border to stay with whoever they thought was best fit for a leader. Most traveled from the west to the Solar Empire, but some did feel Luna deserved a chance to prove herself. After all, the rules of Celestia’s deal DID include an always-open border, so they could leave if things went bad.

Upon hearing the news, Princess Cadence and Princess Twilight were outraged that they had not been notified first. Now they were in the New Lunar Republic with their own citizens to look out for, and they had no choice but to ask Luna for rights to their “kingdoms” - the Crystal Empire for Cadence, and Ponyville for Twilight. The new ruler refused their requests without a second thought. How fair would it be if Celestia held more land than her? Everything would STILL be the same way it always was.

Cadence and Twilight both sought the help of Princess Celestia next, but, as she only held control over the opposite side of Equestria, there was not anything she could do. The pair was soon demanded to fight for their new princess. At this point, both Celestia and Luna had themselves a respectable squadron of loyal servants - including some of the best royal advisers, so the other two were cautious not to upset or anger the ruler of the New Lunar Republic. However, that’s not to say they gave up. No, they continued to reason with Luna through letters until, finally, she sent out two different royal advisers to deliver a verbal compromise message to each of their respective areas.

The adviser positioned herself atop a large podium with the assembly of every resident in Ponyville. Twilight stood nearby and introduced her.

“Hello, everypony. Thank you all for coming here so quickly. This is Princess Luna’s assistant royal adviser. She says that she comes to bring us an important message.” Twilight nodded to the tall mare and walked off stage with her wings spread out. Even if she wasn’t technically a ruler right now, she wanted to keep the regal look as often as possible.

The adviser spoke loudly to the crowd. “Fillies and gentlecolts! It is true that you all wish to be your own part Equestria, yes?” Several ponies nodded. “I thought so. Now... today is a day of grand importance. If you should accept the offer I’m about to issue you, Princess Twilight will gain control of Ponyville and any parts of the Everfree Forest on our princess’s side of Equestria. If you shall decline, she asks that you do exactly as she says…” she looked down - likely at a notecard, “and that is devoting your life to her wishes and personal requests if she should target you with a demand.”

One pony in the gathering groaned. Everypony already knew this, and each pony in the crowd knew that the only real reason the adviser was here was to offer a deal. Said adviser saw the looks of boredom throughout the assembly. “Awwww, I see. You want me to… ‘get on with it’ as I believe they say,” she gave a laugh of amusement, “Fine. This is what Princess Luna proposes: a sacrifice.”

The crowd’s eyes widened, and they began chatting worriedly amongst themselves until the adviser resumed her speech. “A sacrifice of ten school-age ponies is to be held once every one hundred moons. The purpose of such a thing is to ensure you are, and always will be, loyal to our princess.” She stood up tall, looked at the notecard, and raised her voice. “By the orders of Princess Luna, Twilight Sparkle will give her agreement or denial to either me or my superiors before the moon sets on this night! Utopia comes not without a cost, so I wish you all the best in Twilight’s decision.”

She picked up her notecards with a simple levitation spell and walked off the stage. Everyone in the crowd was still gawking at the offer - everyone except Twilight. She felt nothing but betrayal from the once amazing leader. The purple alicorn already made her decision. “...Yes,” she muttered as the adviser walked past.

“Excuse me?”

“I said yes. The possibility of a utopia and not being controlled by somepony like Luna outweighs the cost.”

The ponies in front heard every word, and so they spread it to the back of the group. Before the adviser even answered back, everypony knew what Twilight had done. “Excellent!” she praised the decision and walked back up onto the stage. Once again, she spoke loudly and clearly. “I’ve just been informed by Twilight herself that she will accept our ruler’s humble and generous offer. I ask now that everypony still in school takes a piece of paper and neatly prints their name on it. Tomorrow, ten names will be drawn.  If you should fail to follow through with the instructions I’ve prescribed, you will be personally selected for one of the ten sacrifices. I wish you all the best of luck.”