"Now your last hope has gone too.What're you going to do?Soon Equestria will be mine and your precious subjects'll sacrifice for me!
"No!It's not over yet.When we are here you won't able to do that!"a voice full of hope called from the backwards and came closer.
"Oh my my,the little queen of Equestria.It seems you've still something left hm?"
"We got hope Energia!Now or never this'll END FOR YOU!"a bright beam of energy began to shine from her horn.With a quick maneveur she flew to the creature and focused her magic.
POW
"AAAH!Damn you tiny alicorn!You won a direct ticket to your death!"demon whined and rubbed the wound.
The alicorn looked at her.Her energy skin was melted by her supernova and it was bleeding.She sighed deeply.Before she could open her eyes she startled by a loud scream.
"SUNBURST WATCHOUT!"
She turned behind.Her eyes were wide.She couldn't do anything to defend herself.It crashed directly to her heart."Ugh!" she groaned.The pain was slowly flowing her body.She couldn't resist it anymore and ended up on cold ground.Her breath was swallow,her vision was going blurry.All she could see was a nightblue pony came near to her.
"Sunburst!Sunburst you allright?"the nightblue pony leaned beside her.His face was a mix of anxious and sorrow.
"Galaxy...is that you?"she murmured silently.
"Yes I'm here my darling.I'm here."nuzzling her affectionately.
"Galaxy,please take care of my daughters.Please don't let them be sad 'cause of me"A tear drop was Rolling from her cheek.She coughed vigorously.
"Don't talk like that.You'll be allright,we'll be allright.We've more days to live."
But no answer came.Her eyes closed to her eternity forever...
"SUNBURST!"
She bounced from sleep.Her heart was pounding rapidly that it's not going to be normal.She pulled the covers closer to her and tried to catch her sighs.
"Sister!What's wrong?!"Luna slammed the door behind her.
"Just had a bad nightmare but it still feels like real Luna.Far from a dream it was more like a vision"
"It's no dream or vision Tia.It's something beyond my Powers.It's a flashback"she said.
"A flashback?"Celestia inquired.
"Yes.If it was dream or a vision I could control it but a flashback's a something from distance past."turned back and watched her nightsky from the window.
From distance past?Why?Celestia was wondering why now not another time.She hadn't serious visions or flashbacks nearly ages.That evil voice and screams were still roaring in her ears.Also the death of the female alicorn was as clear as a crystal in her mind.Those were too much familiar to her.There was a sign she must consider so it was no ordinary flashback.A long silence remained between them.Celestia broke it.
"I've got a really bad feeling about it Luna"She crossed her forehooves.
"Me either sister.Because I had same thing with you.That's why I'm here."
Celesti gazed at her.Luna's expression was hard to read.She squinted her eyes tightly but she can sense a worried atmosphere from inside.'We need to do something before it's too late' she tought.They were awake almost an hour but her eyes began to close and forced her to back to sleep.Mere hours later she had to bring day to Equestria so she listened her body and headed to the bed.While she was ready for it the door hit by a guard.
"Her highness...Tartarus...Tartarus gate is exploding!"He tried catch his breath.
"Tartarus Gate?!Hurry and find the Prince Shining Armor and Princess Twilight!"
******
"Resist my soldiers! For Equestria's sake!" he tried to encourage to his battalion.
"Commander Hildeguard!Messenger mission completed" a pegasus landed next to him.
"Good work Hurricane.I don't know how much we can hold it.I hope support team come soon"
The unicorn guards were trying to do their best.Even Cerberus was helping them to close the gape.Instead of closing it was getting bigger each second.They started to get tired of that.What kind of power cause that level of magic to create it?They didn't know what it is but they had to do it for the land they live.
Everything began a few hours ago.From the depths of Tartarus an unknown energy burst forced the gate.For more than 3000 years It haven't seen kind of force like that.It was protecting Equestria from many evil spirits,monsters and villains.In the depths there were the most dangerous things were staying.In the middle and top there were less evil things but still an inferno of the land.
******
There was a great hurry in Canterlot.Usually in that time of day you couldn't see something like that.Just Luna and her companions are awake in that hour.She does her dream duty or accepts bureaucrats.Despite this hurry the streets were covered by a mist of silence.There was going to be a important day for the city.
If you were awake you could see an unique scene colored by magnificent spectrum of night and day together.A pony silhouette appeared in that beautiful scene some time later.She glided towards the castle doors.She was no other than Twilight Sparkle.As she was going inside she saw her beloved B.B.B.F.F.
"Shining Armor!What are you doing here?Did princesses call you too?"
"Well Twily, I don't know why they called me either.We'll learn it soon."Shining answered and those two went in and encountered by a guard.
"You majesties,princesses are waiting you in the meeting room.I'll escort you to there"
And he guided them till they arrive the room.It was opposite the throne room and was rarely using for important events just like that.When they arrived princesses greeted them.
"We were expecting to see you"Celestia said.
"What happened Princess?Why did you call us?"Twilight couldn't hold her patience so long.Neither Princess Celestia and Luna replied just Celestia pointed them to take seats.Her expression was serious.
"We're here for Tartarus...Its door is not undercontrol anymore"Celestia told.
"And now the unicorn guards are trying to close a gape in it."Luna took a step forward."But it's not the main reason.One of the worst evil Equestria has faced is back"
Twilight and Shining Armor was very surprised what they heard especially Shining couldn't wait here doing nothing.He had to join his army as soon as possible because the time was against them.Each help means lands survive so he quickly jumped from his seat.
"We cannot stand here just like that I'll take a support team and go Tartarus now!"he turned to exit.
"Stop right here Shining Armor!You are not going anywhere"Celestia called him back.He remained frozen.While he was about the reply Celestia added
"Because we are coming with you to the...Tartarus!"
The past has forgotten
After Celestia’s dramatic finish, a stunned silence settled over the group. Still in a state of shock, they started to filter out of the room, not one of them uttering a single sound. Only the steady hoof steps could be heard through the thick silence. The silence was eerie and nopony wanted to spark something by saying a word, so they all breathed a sigh of relief as Celestia's most loyal maid arrived and broke the silence over them all.
"Princess, your breakfast is ready and-",
"We have no time for this”, Celestia interrupted gently, “Me and Princess Luna have a trip to attend to. Would you kindly prepare our chariot please?” Her voice was more serious than usual, and the maid noticed, hesitating for a second before quickly shaking it off.
“Of course Princess “she said and went away.
Shining Armour couldn't remain quiet any more. This whole trip would be putting them at risk, and he had to intervene. "Princess Celestia, we cannot go there without taking a contingent of unicorns with us. There is no way they can hold the portal open for long otherwise”.
Celestia sighed heavily. She knew he was right, as always, but she didn’t want to waste time unnecessarily. "Well than captain prepare a contingent and meet us there. You have 30 minutes, and no more. Our chariots will lead the way, so follow our trail when you are ready.” he nodded once and shot of to the barracks, leaving the rest to continue onwards.
Twilight was deep in thought about t what they were about to do. She couldn’t understand why they needed so much magic for a simple support mission. The princesses had been busy enough recently, so what was serious enough that would need the attention of all of them to resolve it? .She also recalled reading up about Tartarus in her books, and it was always described as a dark, desolate and hopeless place, filled with a l lanner of evil beings. She didn’t know what they were even going there for, but she hoped dearly for their safe return. She gazed at Celestia anxiously. There had to be something else going on, something she wasn’t being told. But she let it slide, for now.
Celestia noticed her gaze, stopping and turning her with a slight look of worry upon her gently features.
"What's wrong Twilight?” she asked softly. Twilight looked up at her mentor. "It’s just…..if Tartarus is so dangerous, then why would we possibly want to go there? She asked. "We have to check the portal” she told her; however Twilight could swear something was off in the way she said it.
Twilight shook her head, with a heavy sigh. She knew something was wrong but she didn’t want to question her princess. They stopped a large, ornate balcony, and as Celestia flared her horn, Luna removed the moon, allowing Celestia to bring in a new morning. As the cycle was set into place, they both let out a sigh. It was going to be a long day.
30 minutes later chariots were ready to go. Twilight was sitting with Celestia and Shining was with Luna. Behind them, the large contingent of unicorns was prepped to go, most of them sharing confused and uncertain looks with each other. They were to head further away from Canterlot than before, to the dark expanses of the Bad Lands. Its high mountains and breath-taking view faded into the distance, giving way to sharp Rocky Mountains and endless expanses of dust. The emerald green forests replaced with tiny bushes and weeds.
The weather was hellish, but when you were going a place partially hell it was not ironic. Twilight took a sharp breath, then instantly regretted it. That unbearable smell burnt her nostrils. It was like someone mixed tons of rotten eggs and burning trash. Luna was wrinkling her nose to the smell to, so using her magic; she cycled the local air, making it much more natural and easier to breath.
In the distance, a small camp slowly came into view, with two ponies, covering their mouths with cloth were watching the chariots like hawks.
"Commander! The support has come!" a Pegasus cried. "Thank Celestia. I thought they would never come”, the commander sighed. He involuntarily stuck his head in the bubble around the group, breathing his first fresh air breath in months. Then he went back to position, watching the princesses’ amused looks. "My apologies princess, what brings you here?" he enquired. “We must examine the portal commander. Please, show us the way." Celestia replied.
He lead them down the narrow corridor, his small force close behind. Shining Armour’s troops were taking their place alongside the others. These troops had been here for several months and were clearly worn down and tired, compared to the new, pristine troops the princesses’ had brought. Eventually, they reached their destination. The cause of their problems and the reason for their whole trip. The portal. The portal was no ordinary one. It was like a crack, carved into the rock face and it seemed to be sucking in the local energy, causing to grow steadily. Luna took forward and gazed at the Portal in awe, but also concern.
Twilight, Celestia and Luna flew towards the portal and focused their magic. They fired at the portal in an attempt to stop its consumption of energy and removing that which it had taken. Slowly but surely it began to shrink until finally, Luna gave a blast of searing, blue plasma like magic, closing it shut with a hiss. It was done, but it wasn’t permanent and they all knew it well. Although only the older alicorns understood why this was a bigger problem than it first appeared.
"It's definitely her. She's back “Celestia whispered to Luna, in an attempt to not let Twilight overhear. Luna nodded once, “I guess this means its time for her to know”. They sighed heavily, spreading their wings and taking off back towards Canterlot.
******
The Canterlot archives were the largest in all of Equestria. Possibly the most mysterious one too. Large archways and a seemingly bottomless pit would give that effect. They were heading to the west wing, the history section, and for some reason, Twilight could feel a chill going down here spine as the delved deeper into the mysterious place.
Not many ponies were allowed to enter the archives, just Celestia's pupils and some elite professors of the schools. But they didn’t use it all that often, so most the knowledge was buried away, gathering dust. Twilight was curious about what Celestia said earlier. What did she mean with ‘It's time?’. She was pondering this as they went deeper. In fact Twilight lost track of how deep they had actually gone. She decided to wait and see. She was certain she would be told all she needed to be told in good time. Down here, in the depths of the library, there were countless books and parchments adorning the walls, stacks seemingly miles high and as far as the eye can see. However, there was a single, solitary case at the end of a long hallway. It wasn’t like the others. It’s had a magically enchanted lock and several symbols of the sun and moon adorning it, and the silhouette of a figure Twilight didn’t recognise perched at the top. Inside on a dark blue cushion was s single book.
Celestia looked at Twilight cautiously, lifting the book above them. “Listen close to me now Twilight. In order for you to understand what that creature in Tartarus is, you will need to read this record of it. It’s not pretty, and there are a lot of details. But for now, we’ll give you the short version.” She settled down and took a deep breath."3.000 Years ago Equestria was not like now. It was ruled by our family ; however, back then they had a senator assembly, who had several powers and great responsibilities. It was a land with perfect harmony. One of the senators was controlling what we now know as, the Everfree Forest, named after the senator himself “told Celestia.
"It was the place that keeping harmony between our land and Tartarus. So that senator was the most powerful of the assembly. But despite the power he had control over, it wasn’t enough for him. He wanted more. So when the queen of Energius dimension attacked he betrayed his country and helped her to conquer the land" Luna added.
"The queen was no one other than Energia. A pony who eats energy to live. She wanted to control all life in Equestria, and to make herself immortal. Her minions, the Nightmare forces attacked those with power and wealth, turning them into Nightmare creatures. Sure enough, Equestria was consumed by darkness and despair. “Celestia shook her head and continued.
"The rulers fought against them but separately their power wasn’t enough. As a last solution they, and the Keeper of Destiny, created a seal called ‘Energius Equinoxium Unidas’ a.k.a Seal of Equinox to fusion their powers. After that though battle they were terribly weakened, to the brink of death. But they had succeeded, and Energia, was gone”
Celestia and Luna looked at each other. Twilight's eyes were wide. She hadn't heard anything about Equestrian history beyond what she had been taught. The truth was tragic. How could Energia have been able to cause this single handed?
If the thing in Tartarus was Energia, then all sorts or trouble could be awaiting them. She perked up at the sound of Celestia’s voice in her ear. "Twilight, if we want to defeat her, we have to find the seal". "I understand but where's it?” Twilight asked. “According to a legend it remains in the magical purgatory between Equestria and Tartarus. But we don't know where exactly is." Luna said.
Celestia stepped in front of twilight, focusing straight into her eyes. “Twilight, there is a dark magic at play here. Due to our part in the creation of this place, we are unable to enter it. That is why you must be the one to go in. You're the only one can find it."
Celestia gave book to Twilight. There was some more information about the seal and some vague details on the place she was going to enter. She knew she had to study this before entering, as jumping head first into the portal would be more than foolish. She tucked it into her saddlebag and flew to her home. One thing was certain; a whole new adventure was in the horizon.
