Tributes

Come the setting of the sun, Rarity hesitantly put her sister to bed. “But Rarity, shouldn’t we talk about-”

“No,” Rarity interrupted, “Just go to bed, Sweetie. I will wake you when it’s time.” Rarity spun around and started walking in the other direction only to be stopped by the small unicorn.

“Hey, sis?”

Rarity turned her head back to the tired filly. “Yes, Sweetie Belle?”

“Will you… will you be there?”

“Whatever do you mean? Of course I will! I wouldn’t let you be alone!”

With that, the older sister turned off the lights, and the younger fell asleep with the solace that her big sister would be with her to the bitter end.

* * *

Just as with the slips of paper, everypony was escorted one at a time from their homes and brought to the edge of the Everfree Forest - out of sight from the general public. Pipsqueak, Snips, Twist, Diamond Tiara, Snails… one after another, they were brought to the designated location just to wait for the others.

Among the last few was Scootaloo - who decided to bring Rainbow Dash to her clubhouse for a long talk before the execution order was carried out. Two of Luna’s personal guards came and took her away. Rainbow followed behind them with caution. She knew that trying to stop them was pointless, but the cyan pegasus also came to understand the sense of loneliness Scootaloo had felt her whole life in only a few short hours. Losing her parents at such a young age without anypony to watch over her… it’d been both heart-wrenching and mind-boggling to experience, and Rainbow Dash acted as her only protector.

Very soon the escorts were knocking on the door of the Carousel Boutique for their last sacrifice. Rarity answered the door quickly and sighed as she eyed the “New Lunar Republic” badges they wore on their armored uniforms. “I’ll… go get her. Please excuse me,” she said with all the courage she could muster. A few footsteps and one small tap on the shoulder later, and Sweetie Belle was awake. She followed her sister to the door, who then followed her - behind the guards.

Dark green leaves marked the boundary between the Everfree Forest and Ponyville. Their ominous glimmering caused by moonlight made the entire scene look like something out of somepony’s dream, but this was no dream. Ten foals stood shoulder to shoulder taking quick breaths. Some - like Silver Spoon and Pipsqueak - were accompanied by their parents, whereas others - like Diamond Tiara and Button Mash - came with nopony but the guards as their company.

The same stallion from earlier approached the group with his spear in his right hoof. He marched to Pipsqueak with a grim frown. Pipsqueak swallowed. “Why are you doing this?” he asked weakly.

“You must understand that I do not take enjoyment out of this. However, if I were to disobey the princess’s orders, she’d have my head.”

“So you would have ours instead?!” Pipsqueak shouted. His parents always taught him not to talk back, but they let him now. It was his last chance to talk, so why interfere?

The guard pressed the spear’s tip against the colt’s neck. It pricked his skin, and a small laceration made itself known on his flesh. “Listen here, KID. Just because I don’t enjoy this doesn’t mean I can’t drag it out as long as I want, so watch your fucking tongue.”

Sweetie Belle teared up and looked at Scootaloo. “I’m… scared, Scootaloo.”

The orange filly slung her arm over Sweetie Belle’s shoulder and patted her comfortingly. “It’s okay; your sister I are here for you.”

“You won’t be here when it’s my turn,” Sweetie pointed out.

“Oh, yes I will. I won’t be going anywhere until it’s over.” Scootaloo smiled and put her hoof back in the grass. “You’re my friend, Sweetie Belle. I’ll stick with you for a long time.”

Sweetie Belle sniffed. “Pinkie promise..?”

Scootaloo giggled and nodded. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” she performed the all too familiar vow.

The guard pulled the spear away from Pipsqueak’s neck and raised it as a symbol of authority. Not expecting an audience other than the escorts and the sacrifices, he had to quickly make up a little speech. “Ponies, this is a night of which you should all remember. Let this mark a new era for Equestria - the separation of the Crystal Empire and Ponyville from the New Lunar Republic.” He once again put the spear to Pip’s neck - who now stood up as tall as his short legs would allow. The colt looked rather dignified for having certain death mere moments away from him. “Any last words?” the guard asked as an obvious formality. Pipsqueak thought for a moment.

“HALT!” a voice yelled from up above. Everypony tilted their head back, and the guard brought his weapon back into an idle position. It was Princess Luna. The escorts and squad leader bowed before her. Everypony else would have too if not for this awful, sadistic show of executions that she had orchestrated, so they only glared at her with hatred in their eyes. She didn’t realize only because she was focused more on the guard.

Luna looked down at him displeased. “Ahem,” she cleared her throat and turned to the hoof-drawn sacrifices, “It has come to my attention that my head royal adviser has misinterpreted my wishes. My request was that NINE school-age ponies be sacrificed. Not ten. Although I appreciate the occasional act of generosity, this is far from it.” The princess grinned evilly. “Know that she has been dealt with.”

Some ponies scowled at her practically hissed implications. They knew what she meant. “Funny enough,” she continued, “She was able to at least give the proper instructions to the Crystal Empire. Their executions are being carried out as we speak. It would be simple enough to just simply remove the final sacrifice, but I have something more… exciting in mind.”

Princess Luna cleared her throat again. “A tournament is what I propose. Yes, a tournament of which will give you all a chance to pay a tribute to your new utopia. The last foal standing will be declared the winner.” The alicorn lit her horn. “We shall begin immediately. You will all be brought to the Everfree Forest and sealed inside. This will ensure none of you try to escape your sacrifice. Oh, and one more thing,” she said, leaning forward as she did so. Her horn shined brightly in the night.