Chapter 12

"Meeting the Executioner"

While Tirek was being hauled back to Canterlot to face justice for his crimes, Princess Celestia and the other princesses along with Scorpan were in the Canterlot throne room where they would be meeting one of Equestria's most feared punishers. Celestia knew that Tirek's punishment would have to fit the crimes that he had caused and she and the other princesses needed to find somepony who would be willing to carry out the punishment.

"We came as soon as we heard," said Twilight as she and her friends ran into the throne room where the three princesses were sitting at the throne.

"I am glad that you have come, Princess Twilight," said Celestia as she came down to hug her youngest equal. "It's time to begin administering justice to Tirek for his crimes."

"What are you planning on doing?" asked Rainbow Dash, punching her hooves together. "Are you planning to give him a ton of knuckle sandwiches or something?"

"Knuckle sandwiches?" remarked Pinkie Pie, excitedly. "What do you think should be on them?"

Being her typical self, Pinkie produced a picnic basket with sandwiches. However, all she got was a glare from her friends and she sheepishly put everything away.

"Just forget I said that," said Rainbow Dash embarrassingly. Suddenly, a loud knock was heard on the door and a royal guardspony came into the throne room, bowing to the four princesses. Everypony could see that he had a look of fear on his face.

"Your highnesses," said the guardspony, placing his helmet back on his head. "The executioner that you all wanted has arrived."

The ponies began to all grow nervous based on the guard's demeanor, but Celestia closed her eyes and nodded to the guard, allowing them to have the executioner step forward. Everypony watched as the guard allowed a large hulking figure in a cloak similar to Tirek, step into the throne room. He was a black alicorn pony with large black wings, a long sharp hook that replaced a horn and a gray mane and tail. His cutie mark was a large axe and he spoke in an accent which meant that he was from Trottingham.

"Who is that?" whimpered Fluttershy, who dove behind Applejack in fear of the figure.

"This is the executioner," replied Princess Luna who watched the figure remove his cloak and give it to a guard. "Welcome, Lock Down."

The alicorn pony stepped forward to the group of ponies, his red eyes glowing and spreading fear among all who were present as he approached Celestia and Scorpan, while everypony else watched.

"You've summoned me, my dear Princesses," he said in an oily voice. "I have received your message regarding the fate of Lord Tirek, who had escaped recently. I am honored to be a part of this."

To show that he meant his contribution, he shoved his hook to Celestia's throat and this made the elder princess cringe in fear slightly. Seeing that he was getting too close to her, Lock Down backed away.

"I'm sorry, your highness," he replied, stepping back to allow Celestia to give her space. "It's just been a long time since I executed an enemy of Equestria, especially as someone as big a threat as Lord Tirek."

"Indeed," said Celestia nervously, trying to shake off being approached. She tried to speak again, but was unable to as the executioner used his magic hook to produce a series of weapons used for executions.

"I have brought my tools for execution," he said. "You may choose whatever I can use to clean up the mess that has plagued Equestria."

This made Rarity feel sick to her stomach as hearing all of this turned her face green and she had no choice but to look away from all that was happening. Soon, Fluttershy joined her as did Pinkie Pie, who was also becoming scared. But, being a princess, Twilight joined her mentors and sister-in-law as Lock Down continued to offer his choices of execution methods.

"We want a weapon that will make it quick as possible," said Princess Luna, scanning the choices. "But there may be several choices that we will make depending on the charges against Tirek. He has committed numerous crimes against Equestria and we need to be doubly sure the punishments fit the crimes."

"As you wish, Princess Luna," replied Lock Down, who was now offering a noose for hanging; a sword for impaling and his signature weapon: an axe for beheading.

Twilight was also looking at the weapons and felt that Tirek should suffer greatly for his crimes. Not only did he imprison her fellow princesses and held her friends against their will, but he also destroyed her home along with all the books and possessions that she treasured greatly. In her mind, seeing Tirek suffer would help her recover in a sense from the loss of her old home.

"I think we should choose the weapons that would make him suffer as long as possible," said Twilight, much to the shock of her fellow princesses. "But, what if we choose to make him live? He destroyed my library after all."

Celestia then looked over at Twilight and felt her pain to an extent, but knew that ponies were sensitive to events like this and had to set the record straight.

"I understand your pain, Princess Twilight," she replied. "But we want to make Tirek's fate as quick as possible. We have a duty of keeping our integrity as princesses to fulfill."

Twilight wanted to protest about this, but she learned to never argue with someone as important in her life as Princess Celestia herself. Nevertheless, despite her objections, Twilight and the other princesses selected a noose, a pair of ropes for stretching and the axe for beheading.

"Very well, then," said Lock Down as the guards came out to escort him out of the throne room. "You will all notify me when the time comes."

Everypony watched as the executioner was escorted out of the throne room and the doors shut behind them. This gave a sense of relief to Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, who all sighed with relief upon being freed of the executioner's fearful presence.

"Glad he's gone," remarked Rarity, walking back towards the other ponies. "He was giving me the creeps."

"You and me both," added Pinkie Pie. "I nearly lost my appetite looking at him, very scary looking."

Little did they all know that this was merely the beginning of what was to come as Scorpan, who had been silent throughout Lock Down's visit, quietly left the throne room and came out onto the streets of Canterlot where ponies lined the streets to catch a view of Tirek's arrival with Discord at his side.

The trial of Lord Tirek would soon begin…