Ponies of Grimrock

by Homage

Prologue: A Death Sentence

“The four of you have been found guilty of heinous crimes by the Royal Equestrian Court. You know the charges which have been brought against you. Now, for your misdeeds, you would normally receive the harshest punishment in Equestria: death."

Princess Celestia stood tall on the peak of Mt. Grimrock, accompanied by Princess Luna and flanked by several royal guards. Four chained figures sat in front of them, adjacent to a large pit, awaiting their punishment.

Luna added to her sister's speech: “However, due to the mercy of your Princesses, you will be given a chance at redemption. You shall be forgiven for your atrocities, immediately followed by being thrown into the mountain. If the four of you can make it out alive, you will be allowed to live out your lives, as free individuals.”

Twilight Sparkle sat chained next to three others, eyes full of tears. Nopony had ever left Mt. Grimrock alive. It was essentially a death sentence, especially since Celestia had binded her and the other three with enchanted chains that prevented teleportation.

She whimpered a bit, looking up at her former mentor. “Please... Princess...” she choked through her tears.

Celestia looked away. She couldn't bear to see her former student like this. “I'm... sorry, Twilight...” she replied, still not looking the unicorn in the eyes. “It... has to be done.”

Luna finished with, “Let it be known that on this day, these four individuals were pardoned for their crimes.” She finished with a nod to the guards.

The alicorns turned their backs on the prisoners, heading back to the airship used to reach the peak. The guards began to push the prisoners toward the edge of the pit. They tried to resist, but the guards were simply too strong. The first prisoner, a large, red stallion, tumbled over the edge. The other three quickly followed, as they were shackled together.

Twilight Sparkle was the last to fall. As she futilely clutched the rocky lip of the dark, gaping maw, she cried out. “Please... Princess!!!”

Celestia either didn't hear, or just didn't acknowledge her former student's plea. The weight of all four was simply too much for Twilight to handle with her short forelegs. Her hooves slid off the edge, and all four plummeted into the gloomy darkness.