//------------------------------//
// Epilogue 
// Story: Equine Royale 
// by MemoryLane 
//------------------------------//

	There Octavia sat, looking down at the carriage floor. Her eyes were absolutely red with tears. Just occasionally, she would sniffle, but she would hide it with a cough as so the guards at her sides would not be able to differentiate.	 It was a dreary day,  as Celestia's sun was covered by various grey, low hanging clouds. Octavia could have sworn that she actually felt a few raindrops hit the top of her head, although she did not pay much attention.

She had way too much on her mind, although the carriage's bouncing would frequently snap her back into reality. However, it was short lived. She always found her mind going right back into the depths of which she could not escape. The memories of Scootaloo, Ditzy and Vinyl still hung in her head, and she refused to let them go.

They all died untimely deaths. Terrifying and relentless ones. They died in a way that no pony ever should. Octavia could not help but think of Scootaloo's last moments. Drowning is one of the most terrifying ways to perish. The feeling of not being able to breathe. The unrelenting panic that must have surrounded Scootaloo. Octavia could see Pinkamena murderinging Scootaloo in her head; the pink mare smiling maliciously as Scootaloo thrashing the the way, silently and desperately pleading for precious air. Scootaloo must have been conscious for at least a little of it. There was no doubt in Octavia's mind that Scootaloo knew in her mind that she was going to die, right then and there.

Ditzy did not deserve to die either. Octavia was not quite sure what she had done to get into prison in the first place, much like Scootaloo. Octavia presumed that Scootaloo was convicted of a smaller felony. Scootaloo was physically active, maybe she tried to steal a candy bar or something? Either way, what Ditzy did surely was not deserving of her death. Octavia could clearly remember Ditzy falling to the forest floor in a pile...

Octavia did not like to think about Ditzy, nor any of the other ponies.

Octavia was going to miss Vinyl with every single fiber of her being. Vinyl Scratch was her best friend, ever since elementary school. Ever since that day where Vinyl Scratch lent her a few crayons in the third grade. Ever since then, they were unable to be separated. Vinyl helped her with everything, stallion troubles, money issues, you name it. Vinyl had Octavia's back, and Octavia had hers.

Octavia could faintly remember those nights where her and Vinyl would stay up all night playing music. They had always had a vastly different music preference, but that didn't stop them from making sweet noise. Octavia played her beloved cello, while Vinyl would play a very fitting melody in the background. Octavia suddenly found herself smiling, she still had the records at her home. At least she would have that to look forward too.

That devilish pink pony always tore at the back of Octavia's mind, beginning for its much needed attention. However, Octavia refused to acknowledge it. What Octavia did, yes, she regrets it with all of her heart. She wished that she did not have to kill Pinkamena. If anything, Octavia wanted to die. She had almost killed herself in the arena after Vinyl's death. But that was before she made the promise with Ditzy, and there was no way she was not going to follow that promise through. It was Ditzy's last wish, after all.

Eventually, the carriage reached Canterlot, her hometown. She was more than happy to be back. As she made her way through town, no pony said a thing. The ponies walking down the street stood wide eyes, some even had their mouths agape at the sight. Octavia had tried to wash Pinkamena's blood off of her coat, but the only way it was coming off was with a much needed shower.

The ponies off the town actually began to follow the carriage to its destination, although Octavia was not sure as to where it was going. She assumed it was the castle, but it was not for certain.

Octavia fiddled with the shackles that were tightly wrapped around her fore hooves, restricting her from any sudden movements. She had not planned on going anywhere any time soon. If anything, she was more than eager to get to her destination, to get home. Besides, the guards next to her were both armed with weapons, she would have no chance.

Octavia's ears perked up at the sound of a voice in the distance. It seemed to be broadcast through a megaphone. As time went on, the louder the voice seemed to get. Before she could make any sort of noise, her world suddenly went dark as a brown cloth was wrapped around her eyes, preventing her from seeing.

"Hey!"

"Shut up!" The one of the guards shouted before promptly smacking her across the face, a loud smack ringing out through the area. Octavia whimpered and a few of the townsfolk began to protest. However, the other guard simply held up a sword and gave them a hard glare. Each and every one of them silenced themselves.

With a rough shove, the guard brutally shoved Octavia out of the carriage, causing her to flop onto the ground, her shackles preventing her from effectively cushioning her fall. She felt her head almost want to give out, but the guard was in no mood to let her suffer. With an unamused groan, he pulled her off the ground.

Octavia was pushed and shoved down the street, the voice on the other end of the megaphone was only getting louder as time passed on. Eventually, Octavia could hear the voice perfectly, and it hurt her ears. It sounded like...Celestia? How...why? What could she possible have to say after that?

Octavia's hooves hit something wood, and she almost tripped as she met the stairs. She let out a sharp cry before she regained her balance. She really found the shackles to be unnecessary, but she knew better than to argue.

"Ah! Our guest of the evening has arrived. Welcome, my little pony," she said, almost kindly. Octavia was sick to her stomach. "Undo the blindfold, guards,"

And about five seconds later, Octavia's eyesight had returned, and the sight in front of her made her extremely uneasy. Princess Celestia stood directly to her left, and to the Princess' left, stood something rather tall. It was much taller than Celestia, and Octavia was wracking her brain over what it could possibly be, as it was covered with a blue tarp.

They were on a brown wooden stage in the middle of the towns park. Octavia could see a fountain in the distance, and the light green trees that littered the area, along with the almost endless crowd of ponies all watched in either awe, or nervousness. "I would like to be the first to congratulate you on winning the games. Marvelous work, Octavia."

Octavia said nothing.

Celestia turned back to the crowd, speaking gloriously. "I present to everyone, the winner!" The crowd was absolutely silent, as they all stared at Octavia expectantly. 

"D-does this mean I can go h-home? Please?" Octavia almost begged. She held no regard for her dignity anymore. She won the games, she should be able to go home and parent Dinky like she was instructed. Much to Octavia's surprise, Celestia shook her head. 

"I'm sorry, Octavia. But I can't let you go." Octavia's mouth trembled as she took in the words. She...wasn't allowed to leave? I thought that was the rules! If you win, you to leave...

"But...you said-" Octavia started, but was imminently cut off.

"The rules stated that you would leave the island and be stripped of your demeanors, allowing you to exit from the prison. However, you are not convicted of a new crime," There was a long pause, and a gigantic lump had started to form in Octavia's throat. "murder."

Before Octavia had any chance to move, yet again, two guards forcefully grabbed her forelegs, uncomfortable making her stand on her hind legs. Her eyes widened as the tarp was removed, showing everyone in the audience exactly what lied underneath it.

A guillotine.

"What? No! You can't do this!" Octavia beckoned to the Princess, who completely disregarded her argument. The guards began to slowly drag her towards her doom, the giant blade of the guillotine glinting menacingly despite the lack of proper light.

"This is the price you pay for murder, Octavia," Celestia stated. The guillotine was slowly getting closer and closer to Octavia, who began to promptly thrash in the guard's hooves. "You killed Pinkamena. Murder is unforgivable."

"No! This isn't fair!" Octavia shouted, her heart beating a mile a minute. No, she cannot die like this. She went through all of that Hell inside on that island, seeing her best friends die, only to be put to death. She had her hopes up, only to have them fall once again. She stared out into the crowd with soft eyes, silently praying for some pony, anypony to help her. However, no pony did.  However, her eyes did land upon a small filly near the front of the stage. Her eyes are bloodshot and a little lopsided as they stared sadly at the earth pony. The purple unicorn filly bowed her head, wiping a few tears off of her face. That blonde mane and tail were extremely familiar. Something clicked in Octavia's mind.

That was Ditzy's daughter.

"No! You can't! I have to look after Dinky! It was Ditzy's last wish! Please!" Octavia begged, hoping to use this to convince the Princess to change her mind. However, the guards continued to move Octavia closer and closer.

"I know of this, Octavia. Dinky will be put in a foster home, where a caring family are willingly waiting to adopt her." Celestia stated. Octavia's head was forcefully shoved through the hole of the guillotine as tears streaked her face yet again. 

"No! Please!"

Suddenly, a very large pony, which Octavia failed to notice, grabbed the large rope that kept the blade from slicing her neck. The pony was white, and had a large black cloth over his face so Octavia could not see him. "This is what happens when you murder! This is what occurs when you disobey authority! This royale will be a yearly occurrence until I deem it fit to cease!"

Celestia turned to Octavia, who was a bawling mess at this point. "Do you have any last words?" she asked grimly. Octavia sniffled, composing herself as she though about what the last words to come out of her mouth would be. She took a deep breathe.

"Dinky!" She shouted. The small unicorn lifted her head, almost with hope. "I tried to save her! Your mother loved you very m-"

Octavia's sentence was cut off, as the cloth-wearing pony let go of the rope, sending the blade headed straight for the cellists' neck.

***

#4 Octavia, dead