The Masked

CHAPTER • 3

~~Progressing~~

As the sun rose above the horizon, its warm, brilliant colors painted the skies of Equestria, filling the world with light and warmth. While the ponies woke up, feeling refreshed and full of anticipation to face a new day full of possibilities, the merchants were already preparing their wares, ready to take their products to the busy streets of the city.

In the Royal Library, a majestic place located in the Castle of Friendship, Twilight found herself immersed in an immensity of books. They crowded around her as if hugging her, creating a welcoming and stimulating environment, perfect for the pursuit of knowledge. Using her purple magic, which always aroused curiosity and enchantment, she cautiously leafed through an old, carefully bound book, meticulously chosen from her vast collection. With tired eyes, she delved into the pages, eager for any clue that could reveal the mystery surrounding the enigmatic Sombra King, now known as Yugen.

However, as the hours dragged on and the sun reached its zenith, Twilight began to feel the weight of fatigue building up. Her back ached from hunching over books, while her eyes became heavy with the effort of reading page after page. A mixture of exhaustion and longing hung in the air of the library, and Twilight couldn't help but miss the valuable and comforting help of her beloved and faithful assistant, Spike.

As Twilight fought her exhaustion, a soft knock on the library door caught her attention. She looked up and saw Starlight Glimmer, a longtime friend and confidant. Starlight, worried when she saw Twilight's tired expression, entered the room carefully.

"Twilight, are you okay?" Starlight asked, with a mixture of compassion and curiosity in her voice.

Twilight sighed, feeling the weight of exhaustion lift a little with the comforting presence of her friend Starlight. "Starlight, I'm a little tired, but I'm fine." She said, offering a weak smile as a reassuring sign.

Observing the stacks of books around Twilight, Starlight couldn't help but feel a growing curiosity. Her eyes scanned the book covers before settling on Twilight again. With a hint of anxiety and a touch of curiosity in her voice, she asked, "That's good, but what are you looking for? It seems like you're in intense research."

Twilight was silent for a moment, pondering how to explain her quest. "I'm immersed in research about King Sombra." She responded finally, her expression turning serious at the mention of the dreaded name.

Starlight blinked at that response, surprised by the information. "King Sombra? Twilight, isn't this guy dead? As far as I know, he had been defeated." Starlight questioned, now confused.

Twilight sighed tiredly, feeling the weight of responsibility. "That's what I thought too, Starlight, but he managed to come back somehow. King Sombra's existence has always been shrouded in mystery and darkness, and his ability to resurface is equally mysterious and frightening."

She frowned, recalling past events. "Our first encounter with King Sombra was a difficult and threatening battle for the Harmony of Equestria. We thought we had defeated him once and for all, but it seems we underestimated his resilience and his thirst for power. Now, it is up to us to discover how he returned and prevent him from causing further chaos and destruction in our kingdom."

Twilight then closed her eyes for a moment, trying to gather her determination and focus. "That's why I'm diving into this research on King Sombra, Starlight. We need to understand his weaknesses, and his resurrection methods, and find a way to stop him once and for all. We can't let him endanger the peace and the harmony we achieved in Equestria."

Starlight listened carefully, understanding Twilight's determination.

"I understand your thirst for knowledge, Twilight, but remember to take care of yourself too. The search for answers can be exhausting and emotionally draining. I will always be here for you."

Twilight's expression softened as she looked at Starlight, recognizing the truth in her words.

"Thank you, Starlight. Your friendship and support mean the world to me. I promise I will be careful."

In a dark and distant setting of Equestria, where Celestia's glorious sun rays could not penetrate, two singular figures walked together: the young filly Cozy Glow and the mysterious masked and hooded, Yugen.

Cozy Glow felt intrigued and uncertain about that peculiar place. The silent, dark, and terrifying atmosphere aroused a feeling of fear that enveloped the poor, frightened filly. What terrified her most was the clear awareness of her destiny in those lands.

Casting a glance at the masked man next to him, who seemed to walk with unshakable confidence, as if the gloomy environment did not affect him, Cozy Glow recalled the conversation they had had hours earlier, before embarking towards Tartarus. The memory echoed in his mind, evoking both questions and fear.

[A few hours ago]

Cozy Glow and Yugen found themselves in a picturesque scene, sitting on a grassy hill, facing each other. Between them, an ancient map was unfolded, revealing the secrets of the surrounding territory. The wind whispered, swaying Cozy Glow's mane and making the masked man's hood dance. An aura of silence hovered over them, creating an introspective moment.

"Do you see this?" Yugen asked, pointing with his gloved claw to a specific point on the map, a few kilometers away from the peaceful village of Ponyville. His tone was calm as he said, "This is where we are."

Cozy Glow, understanding what was said, silently nodded its head in response. Her curious eyes remained fixed on the map, absorbing every detail.

Observing her intently for a split second through the dark holes in his porcelain mask, the masked man turned his attention back to the map.

"And here..." He pointed to a more remote part of Ponyville, his tone taking on a hint of somberness, "This is where we need to go."

Curious and surprised, Cozy Glow fixed her gaze on the specific point highlighted on the map, noticing with interest the dark clouds drawn over those distant lands.

"What place is this?" Cozy Glow asked, driven by curiosity.

Yugen remained silent for a moment, making it seem like he might not respond. However, before any uneasiness could set in, he issued a soft order: "Look into my eyes."

Cozy Glow, although unable to see his eyes behind the mask, promptly followed his instructions, fixing his gaze on the two empty holes.

And then, something extraordinary began to happen before them. The holes in the masked man's mask radiated an intense green glow, surrounded by a delicately distorting purple mist. The phenomenon was so unexpected and captivating that it drew a sigh of wonder from Cozy Glow before she slowly felt herself being enveloped by a sensation of her consciousness gradually fading away.

Upon regaining consciousness, Cozy Glow awoke in a deep void, surrounded by a surreal setting. Her eyes opened to a horizon covered by dense and ominous red clouds, which seemed to cover all the skies around her. An inexplicable feeling of unease washed over her as she tried to understand where she was and what had happened.

As Cozy Glow tried to get up, she was beset by a heavy and oppressive atmosphere. The red clouds seemed to move ominously, as if they had a life of their own, enveloping her in their ominous presence. The air became thin, making it difficult to breathe, and a feeling of helplessness enveloped her.

As Cozy Glow frantically struggled to find a way out of the oppressive void, a mysterious whisper echoed beside him. She slowly turned around and was faced with Yugen's intriguing presence, emerging from nowhere. Her eyes, now with crimson pupils emitting an intense green glow through the sclera behind the porcelain mask, radiated an enigmatic and powerful aura that Cozy Glow had never witnessed before. Feeling intrigued and, at the same time, apprehensive, Cozy Glow decided to interrupt the tense silence and launched her questions:

"Yugen, where exactly are we? What is happening here? Why are we trapped in this disturbing void? Please tell me!" Cozy Glow was soon silenced by the firm gesture of Yugen's gloved hand.

"Calm down, I'll explain it to you." He responded with an authority that conveyed assurance and knowledge. "We find ourselves in the Shadow Dimension, a utopian world that exists inside my mind. Here, I have complete control over everything that happens, from the landscapes to the events that unfold."

Cozy Glow looked around, his eyes shining with wonder at Yugen's incredible power and dominance.

"But how... How did we get here?"

Yugen sighed before replying, "You're here because I entered my own Shadow Dimension and brought you with me."

In an instant, Yugen's eyes stared intensely into his mind, as if delving into his deepest thoughts. Cozy Glow felt an inexplicable connection as he explained what he had just done.

"Yes, you are right. I used my power to access your mind while maintaining that eye contact. For, as they say, the eyes are the windows to the soul." Yugen said, with a thoughtfulness in his voice. "However, I must admit that this power comes at a small price, taking an uncomfortable physical and mental toll on me."

Cozy thought about this answer, however, something caught his attention, the red clouds that filled the skies of this peculiar world.

Curious, she pointed to the clouds and asked Yugen, "These red clouds in the skies... Do they represent something? What is their meaning?"

Yugen stopped for a moment, staring at the red clouds while a thoughtful expression appeared on his masked face. He then responded, his voice charged with meaning: "These clouds represent my current state of mind. They are a visual manifestation of the whirlwind of emotions and energies coursing through my mind right now."

Cozy Glow absorbed his words, trying to understand the complexity of this inner world. She realized that not only power and control but also emotions influenced this place. Curious, she asked:

"So, Yugen, how do your emotions affect this Shadow Dimension? And what happens to the clouds when you are happy or sad?"

Yugen smiled small, silently enjoying her curiosity. He replied, "My emotions play an essential role in this world. When I am happy and at peace, the clouds turn to softer tones, reflecting the serenity I feel. However, when my mind is tormented by sadness or anger, the clouds take over. a darker and more tumultuous tone, reflecting my inner turmoil, which to be honest, is almost always that."

Cozy Glow absorbed this new perspective, understanding that the Shadow Dimension was both a physical and emotional manifestation of Yugen's life.

"Okay, but why are we here?" Cozy Glow finally expressed the question that tormented her, wanting to know the real reason for her presence in that place.

Yugen didn't respond immediately. His intense eyes behind the mask stared blankly at Cozy Glow in oppressive silence before he turned around.

"Come with me." He demanded simply, her footsteps leading him away from the young filly, snapping her out of her shock, she promptly followed suit.

Yugen guided Cozy Glow through a shadowy void in front of him. Every step taken seemed to intensify the oppression of the surrounding environment. Finally, they arrived at an imposing black gate, adorned with glowing red symbols and rooted with twisted branches at its side. With a slow movement, Yugen opened the gate, revealing a vast and terrifying space: Tartarus.

Cozy Glow gulped as he saw the endless expanse of the abyss in front of him. An icy wind blew, carrying indefinite murmurs of anguished souls. Sinister flames danced a macabre ballet, illuminating the fearsome horizon.

"This is the Tartarus," Yugen explained in a low voice. "It's the place where damned souls are imprisoned after death."

Cozy Glow felt an icy chill run down his spine as he took in the gloomy atmosphere that enveloped the place. She was absorbed by the magnitude of that environment, being confronted by its malevolent essence, which seemed to hover in the air like a tangible presence.

Yugen gave Cozy Glow a serious look. "However, this is not the real Tartarus. Remember that we are still in the Shadow Dimension. What we are witnessing is only a modest representation of its vastness created by me."

Still dazed by the place she found herself in, Cozy Glow blinked as logic suddenly made sense in her mind.

"So this is the destination we're heading towards, right?" asked Cozy Glow with apprehension.

"Exactly," Yugen confirmed, validating his suspicions. "I thought I'd give you a little taste of what's to come, after all, I don't want to have to carry someone unconscious in my arms."

Cozy Glow was momentarily still, a chill running down his spine at Yugen's comment. She swallowed hard, fighting to shake off the fear that threatened to overwhelm her again. Her eyes locked for a brief moment on Yugen's two glowing red and green orbs before darkness swallowed her vision once more.

[Present]

Snapping out of her reverie, Cozy Glow was startled as she focused on Yugen, whose voice sounded for the first time in several hours.

"We arrived."

Immediately, Cozy returned her gaze to the front and let out a breathless sigh. It was undeniable. They had finally reached their destination. The gate, now more immense and threatening than ever, dominated the landscape before her. The massive structure of the gate stood before Cozy like a shadowy monument, a frightening masterpiece of otherworldly architecture. Curved, twisted branches, resembling grotesque and expectant claws, protruded from the sides of the gate, adding a sinister touch to its appearance. Every detail was meticulously carved, creating an atmosphere of uneasiness and apprehension.
A palpable energy was already emanating from the gate, enveloping it in heavy, unnerving vibrations.

The surface of the gate, enveloped by its grandeur, was covered in intricate and enigmatic reliefs. Every detail depicted arcane symbols and patterns, as if telling the story of an unknown and ancient universe, full of hidden secrets.

However, what caught Cozy's attention the most was the intense glow that emanated from these reliefs. A blood-red glow, vivid and sinister, that defied curious glances. It was a visceral light, which seemed to pulse in tune with a hidden and mysterious power.

As it swept across the shadowy contours of the structure, the blood-red glow gained in intensity, as if a blazing flame danced beneath the sculptural surface. This glow gave off a disturbing feeling, a seductive invitation for the fearless to venture beyond the gate.

Cozy felt a sense of oppression when facing that ominous gate. Her heart sped up even more, enveloping her with a growing uneasiness. The chill that coursed through her stomach increased, sending chills through her body. She knew there was no going back now.

Yugen's icy voice resounded in the air, causing Cozy Glow to jump in bewilderment. "Fear not." He declared with an indifferent coldness. His words were devoid of any trace of warmth or emotion.

They weren't friends, that much was clear. Yugen's impersonal voice made it clear that they were mere partners destined to achieve their joint goals. This partnership was not based on emotional bonds or camaraderie, but on common interests and goals to be achieved.

Cozy Glow felt the absence of any kind of emotional connection in Yugen's words. It was as if they were trapped only by shared obligations, maintaining a superficial relationship devoid of genuine feelings. There was no room for friendship or empathy within this dynamic.

Yugen wasted no time as he quickly approached the gate, closely followed by Cozy Glow.

They stopped in front of the imposing gate structure. Cozy Glow couldn't help but feel a shiver of fear run through his body as he was faced with the immense grandeur and intimidating presence emanating from the gate.

Cozy Glow, with his eyes fixed on the gate, noticed something that he had previously missed: a mysterious seal that locked the entrance.

Curious and a little intrigued, she approaches the seal to examine it in more detail. The runes engraved on the surface of the seal appear ancient and unfamiliar, evoking a sense of magic that permeates the surrounding air.

Cozy Glow hesitantly decides to extend the hull and touches the seal carefully. Feeling a slight tingle at her touch, a glimmer of information crosses her mind. She realizes that the seal is a powerful protective barrier, designed to keep out any unwanted beings.

Yugen coldly stops Cozy Glow's exploration and calls her back.

"Cozy Glow, get away from the seal immediately." Yugen orders, his voice brimming with authority. "I'll handle it."

Cozy Glow recoils in surprise at Yugen's firm attitude, but understands the seriousness of the situation. She hesitates for a moment, but finally takes a few steps back, giving Yugen space to act, wondering how he was going to open that seal.

Yugen approaches the seal and studies the runes with a discerning eye.

He then soon understands the extreme importance of utilizing his hidden power at this crucial moment. It delves deep into your essence, focusing your inner energy with palpable intensity. The left hole of his mysterious mask begins to glow impressively, emitting a mysterious and mesmerizing blue luminosity.

As Yugen prepares to launch his energy beam, he closes his eyes for a brief moment, focusing his determination on every pore of his being. His breathing becomes calm and rhythmic as he tunes his mind to the magnitude of the challenge before him. Through your spiritual connection, it channels your energy into a single point of concentration, gathering your inner strength.

The climactic moment arrives when Yugen, with a fluid and elegant movement, opens his eyes, revealing a left eye that shines with surprising intensity. A radiant blue beam erupts from that eye, cutting through the air like a blade of light, imbued with immeasurable power. Her trajectory is determined and impeccable, heading directly towards the seal of the imposing gate.

The beam of energy travels swiftly through the air, leaving behind a shimmering trail of ethereal energy that seems to defy the physical laws of the world around it. As approach the seal, the force contained in the beam manifests itself in a series of intense and powerful vibrations. The seal, unable to resist the lightning's overwhelming power, responds with a series of tremors and shudders that echo through the air.

As the energy of the beam impacts the seal at a specific point, a wonderful phenomenon unfolds before the eyes of Yugen and Cozy Glow who watched the entire scene in wonder from behind. The runes carved into the surface of the seal begin to vibrate at an increasingly intense frequency, until finally, they succumb to the tremendous energy imposed upon them. The runes fragment into countless particles of light, scattering through the air in a brilliant, resplendent explosion.

At that moment, the gate, now free from the barrier that kept it closed, opens majestically. Its massive metal doors creak and shake as if hailing Yugen's victory over the challenge placed before him. The sound of the bang resounds in the air, echoing throughout the place with a grandeur that seems to celebrate overcoming adversity.

Cozy Glow, shocked and unable to contain her curiosity, asks in a surprised tone, "Wow! What was that?"

Yugen replies nonchalantly, "Alicorn magic."

Cozy Glow's eyes almost popped out of his head at this information, "Wait, you're an Alicorn?!"

Yugen responds dryly, "No."

Cozy Glow looks at Yugen, clearly disappointed with the short and direct answer.

"And... well, then how do you possess Alicorn magic?" asks Cozy Glow, trying to understand the situation.

Yugen responds with a sarcastic tone, "That was just a gift given to me."

Cozy Glow, already a little stressed by Yugen's empty answers, insists on getting more information. "Okay, okay, but how exactly does this Alicorn magic you have work? Can you explain it to me?!"

"I'll tell you another time," Yugen replied in a tone that made it clear that there was something more behind his words. Cozy Glow felt instantly intrigued by the mystery surrounding Yugen and her eyes focused toward the object of her attention.

As he followed Yugen's gaze, Cozy Glow noticed the dark and sinister path that stretched beyond the imposing gates of Tartarus. A chill ran down her spine and her pulse quickened, clearly demonstrating the fear that enveloped her.

The darkness seemed inviting, but the foreboding of imminent danger hung in the air, instilling in Cozy Glow a feeling of apprehension.

Yugen, with his unwavering authority, glared at Cozy Glow from an angle that she could see his eyes, unmistakably communicating his command to move forward. It was impossible to ignore the determination in Yugen's eyes, which indicated the dark and sinister path that lay beyond the grand gates of Tartarus. Cozy Glow felt a shiver run down her spine and her heart accelerate, clearly revealing the fear that enveloped her at that moment.

The two then decided to cross the gates of Tartarus. With each step taken, the massive gates closed behind them, echoing the metallic sound that seemed to seal their fate.

THE MASKED