Traveling with haste the company left the forest behind them. Their path brought them north, where a desolate road awaited. Making halt by the edge of said road, the shady crew crept into hiding behind boulder-formations on both sides of the path. There they waited; like an ant-lion await its prey. No movement. No sound, except for breath and heartbeat of the hunters. Oh, the cruelty of time; it does not pity the hunted, nor the hunter.
Mace rolled a dice, painted in black and red so that three sides displayed each color. Staring first at the road before shifting his gaze onto the item. Number three and red would guide the spectacle, the battle-hardened pony thought to himself. The sound of hooves in the distance, at least four; six if miss Fortune hated their guts. Genuinely bad odds under normal circumstances. Luckily for them the circumstances were all but normal. The guards were conducting a remarkably short transport in secret and had almost reached the capital. Besides this was deep within Equestria's borders anyhow; there was little to be vary of other than timberwolves and small packs of diamond-dogs. These pale recruits wouldn't know what hit 'em. Silhouettes came closer, pulling a cart with a chest between them. Two guards behind the cart, which in turn was pulled by another two. Mace clicked his tongue in annoyance. Leading the squad a unicorn walked first in line. A lieutenant, by the looks of it... And the pair in the back did not look like pushovers either.
A cold wind swept by Lieutenant Valor Bound, leaving him in thoughts of his warm, soft bed. The wife and kids had probably stayed up to wait for him. The thought of seeing all of the family again, to hug his wife and perhaps finally perform the finishing touches on the scooter he was making for his son, Honor. Permission had been scarce lately, though there was hardly any reason to complain. Of course he was a bit regretful about leaving all his dear ones hanging like this, but he most surely intended to make it up to them all.
There was that wind again, blasted weather. To make matters worse it was accompanied by this sacrilegious fog. Sighing he asked himself what the weather team's night shift was doing. Did he pay taxes for this? Well, perhaps they were underponied just like the military? Anyhow, there was no point complaining, after all they would all soon be home. Casting an eye backwards made it clear that at least private Vivid shared his thoughts, her head was completely in the clouds, so to speak. Even Brawny, the 'ol drama queen, seemed lost in thoughts; he was not even making complains about his hooves any longer. Canterlot castle towered up only a few miles away now. "A sight for sore eyes", Valor said, a smile on his face.
"Are we, now? How sweet.", somepony said, and a flying hoof met his face.
Quite the tumble indeed, it was. Whereas the hind-guard were facing off and holding their ground against the assaulting force, one of the Ironhoof brothers, Bulwark jumped atop the cart and straddled its protectors. The beastly one tried his hoof at Strangling them, one leg bent around each, as the very cargo they were sworn to protect made advance or excessive movement impossible. Brawny made use of all his strength and managed to sent the large stallion falling down the side of the chart. Freeing himself from the leather straps the brave one dashed forth to face the enemy. Frozen in horror, he stood. When he had sent the Ironhoof brother flying... The fiend had still held a firm grip 'round Vivid's neck. Lifeless she lay, a hint of foam across her lips, her neck twisted an unnatural way. Screaming Brawny tossed himself against the humongous pony, but met midair with cold, metal and pain. Skewered, still hanging above ground; watching as his own lifeblood left its vessel. Slowly he came to realize. Opening his mouth for the last time he spoke, "...Oh... It's... A sword?". Before him stood a smiling prince Blueblood, whose face had been granted a stylish hint of red.
"And thus, the lamest last words in Equestria's history was spoken. My congratulations, Sir!", the prince cried out in zealous joy.
A painful murmur lingered yet over by the roadside. "Is he the last one?", somepony asked. Valor Bound heard the voices, yet they seemed so distant. The lieutenant tried to move his legs, but something was wrong, it all felt blurry. It was as if he had been spinning around too long, like he had done as a child. Well, it had never actually felt like this, but it was the closest association he had to this sort of.... Dizziness.
Slowly the senses returned, it felt like an eternity. He felt his legs move again. Something was still amiss though. What was it? He couldn't put his hoof on it, but there was no time, he had to escape. Pain, searing pain. Why? Was it his head? The hit he had sustained, perhaps? No, it wasn't that. He couldn't turn; he was still laying down despite having tried to turn. Every time he tried the pain would intensify, if such a thing was even possible. Screaming... His screaming was what he heard. Then he opened his eyes.
A sword, pinning both his front legs to the ground, through flesh, bone and marrow. A shape headed towards him. A shape he recognized.
"Lieutenant Valor Bound, for thine long years of service I, prince Blueblood, hereby grant you... The privilege to die by my horn", was the last words the poor soul ever heard.
Four ponies were all that remained, stained red and exhausted, but still they towered up triumphantly.
Did these proud sinners carry remorse, did they cry for the fallen and their loved ones' impending plight? Nay!
Walking down the path of greatness one is bound to trample the inferior insects crawling the dirt. What can justify taking the life of another being in pursuit of one's goals? The answer is simple; there's simply no need to justify it, at least not in the eyes of others. The very moment it becomes apparent that a vicious act will further the cause it is already valid by your own creed. Always, the end a pony seeks justifies the means, however crude it may seem.
A bloodstained sword floated down towards the chest, only to plunge down with tremendous force; metal against metal clang and spread its melody. Chest and sword, surrounded by the same blue shine as it's master's horn took to air and descended in front of the four. Spreading open it's gap the chest revealed riches beyond most ponies wildest dreams.
Letting out a sinister laugh, which degenerated into intense coughing midway, the prince placed himself beside the chest. Turning his head towards the rest, he then spoke, "Seems like this year's tax refund has solved our little problem of founding".
Blueblood tossed his eyes over yonder, towards the castle. For a while he seemed to be engrossed by thought. Then he lowered his head and said in a longing voice, "...I want to be groomed".