Within the land of Equestria, it is seen to many as a utopia of peace and prosperity. Protected by its two princesses and the Elements of Harmony, the feeling of security is abounding to all within its territory. But many forget the tales of what the land was before the Princesses, of when Discord ruled and caused misery to all those around him. Yet why did Discord use these ways of manipulation and anarchy? Some suggest that he was always a mad spirit of chaos, twisted in body and mind, only wanting to cause harm. Others suggest that he was a noble spirit that had his mind poisoned by his pride and greed. Little is known of the Draconequus and his origins.
But what he left behind is well known, such as the Everfree, a forest ruled by chaos after Discords battle with the princesses, a "present" as Discord put it. “One for the world to enjoy and be constantly reminded that chaos is eternal and forever free”. The dark magic within the forest corrupted and moulded many great beasts of legend in its shadow that ravaged the land of Equestria for centuries before the construction of the Gates of Tartarus. A portal to an abyss that now holds all the most dangerous creatures of the Everfree, deemed untameable by Princess Luna.
The Gates of Tartarus stand still today, guarded by Princess Luna and Princess Celestia’s finest soldiers along with beast Cerberus, tamed by the powers of good, and saved from the Everfree’s magic. These guards are known as the Silver Line, with their armour and resolve they uphold the unity of the two sisters and wear their symbol proudly as a banner. These brave ponies stand guard, ever vigil to the threats that may come to release those trapped within, but with such fear over what was put in the abyss, was it ever asked, what was already in there?
Celestia and Luna both stood before the gates of Tartarus, its doors still inspiring fear and courage within the two Alicorn’s hearts.The gates themselves were without magic and thus preformed the illusion of just being a stone wall carving on a lone mountainous rock in a grassy field littered with limestone boulders. The jagged, aged stone seemed to blend away into the scenery, barely noticeable to the unknowing eye.
Stationed near the gates was a small but well equipped outpost of the Silver Line. Their main fortification was Fort Bifröst to the east but the gates themselves remained largely unattended. The strategy to this is to not announce the presence of the gate to everyone around. With the field of boulders masking its image, the gates main defence was its disguise. Celestia turned around from the door to face their captive. It was a frightening creature to behold, it had the head of a baboon but the body of a tiger and for a tail was a python.
“Truly a creation of Discord,” she thought, seeing it quite clearly in the light of day. She looked upon the beast, a pained guilt formed in her chest.
Equestria had not seen a ‘Nue’ for centuries, these creature were avatars of disease, only found in the depths of the forest, where black clouds linger, and never leave. Yellow eyes traced her face from behind the cage it was confined to, which was just tall enough for it to stand. For added security its paws were chained and both its heads gagged with enchanted iron, keeping the beast in a doped up state. The guards of the Silver Line all stood ready to defend the Princesses and the gate from the beast should anything go wrong, while Cerberus pulled the cart the cage was on.
She held her stare at the beast for a short while, gazing into smouldering gold irises, the exhaustion of the beast seeping into the Alicorn. Her trance broke when she felt a wing rest upon her back, turning to see her sister Luna as the accused disturbance.
“Celestia, we knowest what thou art thinking.”
Despite the mood of the situation Celestia couldn’t help but smile at her little sister’s display of old Equestrian.
“Is that so, Luna? Then tell me, what art I thinking?” She said slyly with a small grin that only grew with her Sister’s immediate removal of her wing on Celestia back and a frustrating stomp.
“You should be happy to know that I have gotten quite good at this modern Equestrian, I believe that we should speak it henceforth to prove it,” Luna proudly boasted with a smug smile that minutely lessened when she realised she said ‘we’ again and hoped her sister hadn’t noticed.
“Very well then, Luna. But if you are to speak modern Equestrian you may want to practice on saying I instead of we.” Celestia stifled a giggle as Luna blushed in embarrassment.
Her face although quickly saddened once again when she looked upon the Nue in the state that it was in. It had been hurt badly in the fight to subdue it when it had entered a local fair which started an outbreak of the cutiepox to all the young foals in the area. Its breathing was ragged and its coat stained with dried blood with some not its own.
“Are you positive it can’t be saved or at least tamed?” Celestia beseeched Luna, who was staring at the beast as well.
She stared at its eyes momentarily before looking at Celestia with a saddened wisdom that Celestia wished she didn’t see.
“We…Sorry, I am positive, Celestia,” Luna said her eyes never leaving her sister despite the pain she now saw.
“I have tried to save it with my magic and it only used it as a way to escape. Then when I tried taming it, the chaos within the beast would not allow it. There is too much inner struggle within its mind and the more I try to relinquish his hatred the more its different natures clash. Cerberus is a rare case with Discords beasts, being many but still one of the same. There are some things Celestia, that are beyond our reach and that we must accept.”
Celestia saw the truth in Luna’s words, her hesitation slowly leaving as resolve took its place. She looked once more at the beast before turning to the gates behind them. The gate itself was at a towering 40 feet tall, ensuring no creature was too large.
Celestia trotted to the gate followed by Luna. As their presence grew closer the stone began to glow as numerous runes shined across. Upon the doors centre held a circle, one half was a blazing sun the other a crescent moon. This symbol was held with great pride by the citizens of Equestria, a symbol to all of the protection and life that the Princesses give and the harmony of the two. Celestia looked upon the door and moved to the side holding the crescent moon while Luna went to the opposite, each lowering their horns at the base of the door.
As their horns glowed so did the ancient carvings. A shimmering but eerie light pierced through the bleak grassland before them as the magic crept up the carvings of the wall before enveloping the entirety of the sides. The door holding the moon began to glow a pristine gold, while the suns side was a shimmering blue. Slowly the magic converged, melding both colours together into a blinding white light enveloping all whom stood before it.
Celestia and Luna lifted up their heads and trotted away from the door as it began to open outwards. The Silver Line guards stood ready as the gate opened, none having seen such a sight in their life time ever since Luna’s banishment.
The guards held their breath as the gates opened to what lay within, but were confused with what was revealed.
Held within was a void of blackness. Eyes transfixed on an eternal loss, of all and everything, the corners of this black space seeming to beat against the doorframe, as if trying to escape. It was an insatiable emptiness, which greedily consumed all the light of the sun, devouring all that came into it, impossible to penetrate.
Celestia looked to Luna once more, receiving an encouraging nod before speaking.
“Guards, lead Cerberus to the gate. The Nue will be put within the abyss of Tartarus, as to forever protect the citizens of Equestria from is chaos magic.”
All the guards saluted as seven of them began to lead Cerberus with the caged Nue towards the gate. Once the void was metres away the guards dispersed, forming a semicircle around Cerberus, except for one guard, the Sergeant Stead Fast who began to unhinge the beast from its cargo. Hoofs unshaken, he moved unfazed by the enormous dog, where one of its head looked intently waiting to free and away from the gateway.
Stead Fast was a gruff light unicorn stallion, his coat was a dark orange while his mane and tail was light grey, both cut short because of the military style he needed to uphold. Yet his eyes were a startling bright gold. His most unique feature was his cutie mark, a map holding a red flag on it.
This feature was hidden however by his Silver Line armour. Heavy steel, coated in silver, it shined gloriously in the daylight with the same symbol adorning the Tartarus gates branded on its chest piece.
He has proven on and off the field to be a brilliant tactician, able to ambush most of the creatures that the gates of Tartarus held. Holding a strong heart his ability to attack was guided by empathy to all things. A gift Celestia saw straight away, which led him to where he was now.
“There you go old buddy, free from those heavy harnesses, now let’s pop this open.”
Stead Fast now done with releasing Cerberus, carefully hid his fears to the spectacle before him. He wasn’t scared of Cerberus. The loyal and loveable beast would never harm a guard of the Sliver Line. His fear was in the manoeuvre they needed to pull off to free the Nue from its cage then its restraints and finally while he is still dizzy from the enchantments, guide it into the gate.
Stead Fast called in two of the Pegasus guards once Cerberus was position next to the cage. There was a light blue Pegasus mare called Light Mist and Dusty Sky a dark brown Pegasus stallion, they had both proven invaluable to Stead Fasts tactics. Mist and Dusty’s roles were cover specialists, able to quickly shroud soldiers from danger and adapt to any given situation.
“Mist I want you and Dusty to start lifting up the cage door, as soon as the Nue is out get a safe distance, we can’t risk making the beast nervous or the spell might break.”
The two guards quickly went to work as they lifted the cage door up, the Nue inside stirred a little but was unresponsive to what was going around. Its eyes lacked a shine which Stead Fast could only guess they usually held. The Nue’s heads simply continued staring into space. He began to cast a small spell, slightly round its body. With breathing steadied, he slowly guided the beast, using his magic to not fully influence him but to sway its movements. Limbs staggering in a gentle dream like manner out of its enclosure. The chains along the creature’s feet made it difficult to move smoothly but it paid no attention to it. Heads heavy and low the creature moved like a puppet. Listening to Stead’s hushed strings of enchantment.
Stead Fast halted the Nue at the front of the gate. The beast was quite large, not as big as Cerberus but intimidating none the less.
“All right now to remove the chains,” he whispered to himself.
He swallowed nervously and steadied his magic willing his strength into the steel. One by one the cuffs on the Nue’s limps began to glow and release themselves, dropping heavily to the ground. Stead Fast ignored the sweat building up on his brow while his concentration moved to the mouth pieces. The mechanisms clicked as he steadily loosened them from the Nue’s baboon head. Its jaws widened in a deep yawn once freed to move, displaying its fangs to the already nervous guard.
Stead Fast stood as still as possible, not daring to move his eyes away from the Nue with the fear of being devoured by those jaws.
“Stay focused,” He repeatedly thought, quickly shaking his head he removed the second metal clamp on the python’s mouth before slowly moving away.
Shaken but relieved all the same he wiped his brow before slowly guiding it to the entrance. Around the gate, the air had an electric feel too it, like an indescribable energy alluding the reality that such moments as this were difficult to achieve without accident and none dared jinx it.
The Nue, still drowsy from the enchantments obliged to the sensation of his legs moving, beginning to pass through the wall of darkness into the abyss.
Celestia let out a breath she was holding as she saw the beast pass through the gate.
“It is done, Luna.”
She turned seeing her sister still tense and eyes narrowed at the portal. Worry took over Celestia. Suddenly she began to become aware of the foreboding in the air. Something was wrong.
She went to Luna’s side.
“Do you feel it? What do you think it is?” Her voice more hushed than she preferred. Luna did not answer, but every single hair on her body was standing, as her midnight eyes became possessed by the gate. Staring endlessly watching ever move in front of her.
Celestia gently nudged her sister.
“What troubles you? The beast is imprisoned,” Celestia asked. Finally Luna tore her eyes from the gate, blinking quickly as if just waking up.
She gazed at Celestia, as if unaware of how to answer, then to the gates.
“Celestia… Has the portal always been that wondrous to gaze upon?”
Celestia was taken by surprised from this reply. She looked over to the portal for herself and began to marvel at how glorious it really was. Pure black like the night sky, like her sweet sister, and a feeling of delight took place in her mind. Her muscles relaxed from hoof to shoulder, slowly enveloping her like a hug she desperately needed. Celestia eased along with the relief, eyes dilating towards the tremendous gate before her.
“Wonder what it feels like to embrace it?” Her mind thought, but rapidly halted. “What am I thinking?! It is the prison of monstrosities and abominations, how can it be enticing to look upon?” Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. The feeling of joy and relaxation still lingered as her heart pounded hard, her head clouding over as if fighting through a storm.
And as if lightning struck, she snapped back, body reeling with energy as she jumped.
“Luna, something is wrong!” Her voice, meant to be a regal bellow, only came out a whisper as everything turned to disaster.
Stead Fast continued to guide the Nue onto the gate till the beast was fully within the portal and forever within Tartarus. His eyes locked onto the portal its unending blackness, pure and beautiful in its form.
“Wow.”
It was all he could muster to say, and he stood slack jawed at the marvellous beauty that was darkness. He had never seen anything like it! Through all his concentration, Sergeant Fast completely missed comprehending what was right in front of him. The task was done, the Nue was in, and he gave himself time to just enjoy the moment, as his head kept repeating to him like an egging voice of reason. His legs began to move forward, steering him to the gates entrance.
“A little touch won’t hurt,” he whispered to himself, quickly asserting as he began to touch the portal before without a second’s moment of hesitation, walking in whole.
“NO!”
Celestia’s voice shone like a light into darkness, every stone and grain of earth shivering upon impact. Like shattering glass the reality reeled back to the Alicorns, as she saw the sergeant walking into the portal. Quickly she turned to see the other guards around her all staring strongly into the gate, others slowly advancing too it.
“Luna!” She shouted, “Quickly stop our ponies from looking at the portal, their eyes betray them, I’ll get the rope and save the sergeant!”
Luna was already galloping towards the guards closest to her. Her eyes wild with anger and strength as her power surged from her. Covering them in a star-lit shroud of magic, putting each one it smothered into a deep sleep. Celestia alternatively began searching for an item she never hoped she’d need to use. What she was looking for, was a rope, simple in its appearance but strong in its power, enchanted specifically for these scenarios. It has been like an eternity since it last use but ponies have fallen into the gate before, most have been from the spell holding the beast breaking, causing it to rampage, bashing ponies into the gate.
Celestia was still shaken from this type of situation though, as it took all her willpower not to dwell and concentrate only on saving Sergeant Stead Fast.
The first time somepony fell into that world, Celestia will never forget. So much sorrow was brought that day. She couldn’t sleep most nights, so she personally assigned a team of Unicorns and Earth Pony scientists to create a means of rescue. The idea, funnily enough was a rope. One strong, long and enchanted to ensure that if any pony fell through those gates. It would pull them back no matter what, its length would continual grow if there was magic to fuel it, as it searched like a snake for any creature it was ordered to find.
She rushed towards the cart the Nue was held, finding the rope upon it and grabbing it quickly. The rope itself was a bright white, to help the ponies lost within find it. She galloped to the gates themselves, locking eyes with Luna whom stopped the last guard.
Celestia halted at the edge of the abyss, quickly looking away so not to be hypnotised by it once more.
“Celestia, wait! We must make sure the gates magic is attuned properly, if not the use of the rope to save the sergeant could release anything from Tartarus,” Luna quickly shouted as she went to her sister’s side.
Celestia nodded slowly, it had been awhile since the gates had been used, even longer for the rope to be required. She lowered the rope to the ground and began to cast her magic. Eyes shined a blistering white for the two Alicorns as they surged their magic forth into the gate. Its design ensured that once a creature entered the gate that there would be no portal to return them. The rope was a loophole to this, as long as one half remained in Equestria the portal would stay open. But if not properly adjusted to this, the gate could allow any beast to come back.
The spell was a taxing one and would take some amount of time, Celestia could only hope that the sergeant managed to find safety and wait for the rope to find him.
Once Stead Fast stepped forth into Tartarus the feeling of bliss left him instantly, his eyes widened and breath quickened as it dawned on him where he was. A storm over head surged forth its formidable wraith. Dire winds blew against the harsh rocky land, pelting him with black hail, stagnant and sluggish. Quickly he cast a spell to illuminate the surrounding area, searching for the portal he exited but it was in vain, the gate had disappeared. The area around him was covered in a thick layer of slushing mud, blanketing the ground with no portal in sight.
Shadows suffocated everything in its grasp, not even the sky provided comfort as the moaning land allowed not the glamour of stars. The darkened air betrayed the sounds of wailing, singing, and sobbing. The choir of despair closed into a crescendo as Stead Fast felt his hoof onto his chest and began to weep.
A feeling of utter despair grabbed onto him, as emotions of hate and fear rushed through him. Even though he was in an open space with his own light source, the harsh horror of claustrophobia was crushing. Clouding his mind, his eyes darted to all sides of whatever landscape he was in, looking for the Nue and other beasts.
A realisation slammed into him and he lowered the amount of light his magic was brewing. “Where was the Nue?” his cowering mind thought. The portal magic was ancient and powerful, but confusing altogether. From what he knew he could have exited miles away from the Nue, or right next to it. No portal door was ever in the same location.
Listening silently in the shadows of the tempered storm he heard all manner of calls and yells yet distance was not made apparent. Discordant tongues, bloodied tones, and pained words twitching with fear induced rage were drawn to his ears. The swirling sounds swept on the spires of winds, chilling cold and foul smelling.
“Dammit! What had happened? Why did I enter the gate?” He screamed in defiance. His paces grew quicker, as he walked back and forth with his internal struggle. Even as his body was pelted through and through by lone pieces of hail, he paid it no heed.
“That slow - brained feather head of a princess! She's just left me here to rot while she goes and celebrates and now I’m going to die! I…I,” His trembled tone had lost its energy from his screams.
Defeated he slumped to the ground, losing all hope, smearing his coat in the brisk mud. Seeds of doubt grew vigorously in his heart.
“Now what do I do?” He thought cynically. His eyes surveyed the land, what little of it he could see through the unending void and constant fall of rain. Focusing his magic into a beam, he hoped to be able to spot some form of land mark.
The earth around him absorbed the black water, its revolting stench seeped through the layers of mud mixed filth. The frigid air made outcropping difficult to spot but eventually he spied a sharp jutting of rocks. His hope was minute but stood its ground in his heart at the idea of shelter.
"I can still make it," He confidently dictated. The echoes of this cruel shadowy world held a cowardly anger in him that slowly rotted away as he began to seize control of his emotions.
“Stead Fast, just breath.” Gently coaxing himself as his quick paced breathing slowed. Humming softly a single note, the vibrations ran from his throat into his body, like song he had no energy to remember or sing, as the single sound of a gentle ‘hmmmmm’ gave him strength enough to set aside the effects of this wasteland. His self-loathing subsided, and the anger dissipated till he finally started to feel more himself and began to ponder on his next actions.
Protocol on such a situation occurring was to find safety and stay in place so that the guards outside can throw in the rope and save him. Where he was now was extremely exposed to the elements, he was going to get hypothermia at this rate, and shelter was his only solution.
Looking towards the irregular pillar of rocks he began to survey it for any holes or fissures that could fit him, anything to escape the cold. As he approached the monolith, the more insignificant he felt before it. The stones abound on it looked melted, as if a dragon herd had purged the land. Climbing the mounds of rock he spied a big enough cavity for him to escape the rain before it claimed him. It was a cramped fit, but he eventually squeezed through the crack opening to a spacious chamber, providing enormous relief. Within these confines his temperature gently settled, allowing him time to think with protection from both the beasts within Tartarus and the very land itself.
Using his magic he lifted off the heavy armour he was wearing and proceeded to rub his chest for warmth, even if it was to provide protection against beast in this land, if he was to encounter one his death was all but assured. He was a tactician, not a fighter. While like all guards he is able to hold his own, more so since he is part of the elite Silver Line, his strength comes through his brilliant use of land and his soldiers abilities. Besides, this would not be anything like fighting a few Timber Wolves; every monster within Tartarus needed at least a squad of 8 to take down. One lone sergeant with no knowledge of the land and little combat magic, his armour would be just a drain on his energy.
“Least I’m out of the storm,” he determined. His tactical mind took in the setting. His best hope was to keep a lookout for the rope. It would be difficult, but not impossible to spot in this zone, knowing that it glowed.
His thoughts went back to what brought him here, remembering the pleasure he felt looking upon the gate and the luring sensation to enter it.
“Have I been hexed?” His mind considered. He had no idea of the effects the gate had on individuals, since it had not been opened in centuries. Without the two princesses working in harmony with their magic, the gate isn't stable. Not willing to risk the release of hundreds of creatures within Tartarus for the containment of a few, Celestia kept it closed. Thus with the rise of Nightmare Moon, so came the fall of Tartarus.
“The Princess surely would have informed us of any charms that caused such hypnotising effects…would she?” doubt filled his mind once more. His questions lingered and he found no relief in his conclusions. Without further information he couldn't preform a sound hypothesis on the situation, voting instead to await rescue then question what happened later.
Waiting for any signs of the rope was a boring duty. He stayed vigilant however, he had been in positions before where he had to wait hours on end, but this was different. The absolute noise of ancient abomination present in the same blackened depths he was in made harmony of his emotions an endless struggle. Always a questioning fear and pinch of doubt would distract him to the deeper depressions in the earth.
“What was in here?”
“Am I safe?”
“Will I be strong enough to find rescue?”
Finally drowning out the cowardice he opted to explore this cavern. The rope would be able to find him by tracking his location with its magic. Grabbing his sword and wrapping the holster on himself he began to venture forth.
The cave he was in was run deep, every step he made echoed, putting all his sense on edge. Curiosity always followed closely by suspicion of his safety. He could be trapped within Tartarus for an extended amount of time, the more he learned now about his occupation the safer he would be. Crunching soil beneath his hoofs a distant wailing on the wind caught his attention.
“…Wind?” He said to himself almost not believing that a draft could exist this far down.
He could feel it against his coat, it was strangely comforting, it felt stale and hot, heating up his wet body. Continuing through the den with the assistance of his light spell, the cave got wider and more twisted. The rock was smooth and hard, as if almost shaped that way but not quite natural.
The cave had come to another opening. The heat coming from it was monstrous. In the centre beheld many depressions deep in the ground all radiating a vibrant and pulsating red. Slowly advancing from the desire to learn what this light was, he came to the edge of one.
Peering inside drove his mind to a halt and body stiffen in alarm. The light source was a pool of magma, far below him and flowing strong as its crimson fire leap and snarled at his vision.
His muscles didn’t budge. Wrenching himself from his spot, he back tracked his steps not wanting to fall to such an end. His fate had not been kind to him today, and he seemed to fighting himself more than the treacherous land and his energy wasn't holding up.
“What kind of land is this?” He thought, mere moments ago he was being drenched by blistering hail, now he has a river of magma below him. Did nature itself go against harmony here?
Step by step he went up the cave to the entrance. Its single path soothed him as the threat of getting lost underground was not a worry. Feeling a gust of wind again on his back as he walked, the air howled behind him, as if stalking his every move. It licked his fur caked in muddy sweat, drying his coat and beating him down with wave after wave of searing heat.
Still, Stead Fast pushed forward, but in his gut he could sense that nothing here was normal or safe; not even the wind. He tried to ignore it concentrating on every little thing he saw as he trotted on.
Howls shifted into screams.
His eyes dilated as his breath got caught in his chest, grabbing his lungs in a crushing grip. He stopped his motion out of reaction more than fear as his mind cried at his body for movement but was in vain.
He slowly turned his head round behind him to the source, numbing out his survival senses. It was the sound of hundreds maybe thousands of voices all screaming, wailing and howling in unimaginable agony. The draft continued with the moaning of horror, creeping up his skin and spine, drying his throat but chilling his soul.
Yet he couldn't see anything, only making his gut pull into itself with fear.
He trotted at a faster pace; he needed to leave as he repeated to himself. “It’s the wind. Just the wind, just the wind…”
It stopped…Stead Fast gasped in relief, with tears drying from his eyes as soon as they were released. Finally, the twisted sound was gone. His mind was playing tricks on him, he thought. It must be his head, he decided, but those screams sounded so real.
With no choice but to strengthen his resolve, with a toss of his head he pushed onward with false determination
A moment passed before another breeze made it past him. He tensed again at the inevitable howling sound that would follow but was perplexed to not hear it.
“Just as I thought, merely the wind,” He chuckled, trotted along, humming that familiar tone in his throat to settle his fears.
“Are you sure?”
He didn't say that…
Turning around with utmost hast he drew his blade and held it firm with his magic, stomping hard on the ground he took his stance.
“Show yourself!” His voiced thundered down into the earth.
The tunnels behind him held no pony within them, still black as night as his voiced boomed within. Eye's fixed onto the shadow not daring to break off and give his opponent a chance to escape. Eventually his stance sagged once he was sure that there was nothing there. Before he holstered his blade a roar of soul ripping ferocity blew through the tunnel. His ears folded down at the volume as more screams of terror danced on the wind growing louder and stronger as if coming for him. Dropping his blade in the confusion and sudden fright he ran away with all his strength.
Galloping up the rocks and past the turns he made it once more to the caves entrance and his abandoned armour. His breath was ragged and tiring from his sprint, but he could no longer hear the wind in the cavern or the roar that shattered his courage. He slumped on his armour, making himself comfortable as he positioned his head to face the entrance and waited in the darkness.
Rest was not easy to gain as his mind constantly thought back to what he saw deeper in the cave. Those screams and that roar, but above all else, what was taunting him? His thoughts were interrupted when Stead Fast began to spy a faint glow from the edges of his hole.
The storm still lingered outside, its angered tempered slightly as a moderate drizzle replaced the swirling maelstrom.
Willing to risk it he climbed out just enough to see the source of the glow. Beyond his field of vision he saw a faint light behind a mound of rocks. Steadily he began to leave the small cave.
“That must be the rope, thank goodness.” He began to pace himself down the stone side looking out for the light. It was a distance away but he wasn't deterred, he trotted towards the light source. The blistering cold began showing its fangs, as his body became sluggish with his hooves waded through thick pockets of mud that gave off a haze of foul odour.
The taunting light still stayed out of his field of view.
“How long have I been looking for it now? It has to be close. I mean it is enchanted to search for me, not the other way round.”
His pace quickened as his body took the risk of exhaustion to chase the rope, as every rock he leaped over and corner he turned the light was still a distance away. The stone monolith that held his cave was long behind him now; it was the rope or bust with the rain slowly freeing him.
The corners of his eyes began to water, as painful emotions of despair and hate twisted within his chest. Running faster to drown out these emotions only seemed to fuel them; his mind was scratching and clawing at his body to stop moving, as exhaustion from running for what seemed like hours.
His hooves stumbled when the light changed its course dramatically, quickly darting to his right forcing him to bank hard. His exhausted body tumbled off the side of the path, throwing him into a ditch. His head slammed against his roll, twisting and finally halting onto the soggy ground. He quickly gasped for breath, taking in mouthfuls of water. If horror could be tasted, he felt it on his tongue. His bodies muscles cried for more air but his breathes became small and fragile. His body screamed in pain, torment and relief for no longer moving. Turning his head he looked over the rock to see the glow of light fade away in the distance.
His eye’s darted quickly, his legs tried to stand only to buckle under his weight and the pain of exhaustion. A despairing cry bounced of the surfaces of slag, echoing into the cruel world of Tartarus as Fast’s one and only hope of survival was lost to him. His eyes grew pained and swollen from the tears shed, unable to move, barley able to talk. The broken unicorn could only wait for his demises.
Gently his eye’s caught sight of a light again, blurred from the tears and pain he depleted his mouth of saliva calling out. “Help…Please.” Only able to produce those two words before his head began to whirl.
The light began to move closer. Stead Fast still couldn’t see it but he was feeling its presence. He began to have a panic attack. His chest burned while nightmarish thoughts consumed him. He could no long take it, he longed for an escape; he wanted to be dead which was better than to be here, constantly feeling despair and pain.
Suddenly the feeling numbed, he was engulfed by the light before him. Looking up he saw a blurred form of a being. It was a bipedal in shape, edges blurred by Stead Fast's loss of sanity, but all he could think was how strange his creature appeared to be, or at least from what he saw, as it stood exposed. White wings upon its back glowed unrelenting, continually making it difficult to view this creature, but somehow, Stead Fast's vision sharpened to the beast's face.
Upon its face, defined, smooth and bare, was a venomous smile. Its malicious lips thinned and stretched complementing the rest of his structure. A petite nose held place In the centre as the rest of its features outlines its most striking part. Small deep blue eyes stared down at him. Through those orbs, Stead Fast saw no hint of compassion or peace. Its eyes were hard behind the masquerade of beauty, pupils tingling, enjoying the distress as he saw the creature only frowning slightly as Stead Fast squirmed under its gaze.
“Why?” Barley a whisper he coughed out through his lungs. He was guided here, fooled by this light, broken in body and spirit by this creature for what reason? Did this beast of Tartarus hide the light from him? Or was he the light all along? The being came closer before crouching down, touching him gently.
Agony gripped him as he wailed a breathless scream. He began to spasm and convulse as the light got greater and greater, invading his chest and molesting his mind. Soon darkness filled his vision once again as the light vanished from sight, abandoning the sergeant to his sorrow just as he began to feel a tug around his body.
“Pull!” Celestia shouted as she began to extract the rope with her magic from the abyss. She had waited with Luna for hours hoping for the rope to show signs of Stead Fast on the other end. The rope could stretch to great lengths when enough magic is used on it but even then they have no knowledge of the size of Tartarus. The unfortunate ponies that have been pushed in before give slight details of the land. All describe it as hash and volcanic, filled with ash and glass rock. It assumed that the air within the abyss might be toxic in large doses but harmless for short periods but so much is unknown about Tartarus. The fear that Sergeant Fast was dead almost subdued Celestia before the rope showed signs of life.
Celestia and Luna both began to drain magic from the rope, shrinking its length and pulling Stead Fast out of the abyss. The rope wrenched out of the portal to Tartarus, within in its frim constraint it held the filthy form of the unicorn sergeant. He dully smacked the ground before the gates. A white earth pony mare wearing a nurse’s attire quickly began to approach him.
Celestia raised a hoof to block the nurse.
“Do not approach!” she commanded, “I and my sister must shut the portal. The curse may linger within it and we cannot risk more lives today.” The nurse bowed, opting to get her equipment ready while she waited.
Luna and Celestia got into position on the gate again one at each door. Slowly draining the spell from the aged stone as its runes faded once more and gates began to close. Once firmly shut, Celestia signalled the nurse forward to check on the sergeant. The nurses stationed here was a small number, but were highly trained for any and all situations due to the high risk of injury.
Nurse Caring Heart quickly approached the sergeant and began to give him treatment for his cuts and bruises. At the moment Stead Fast was unconscious while the nurse began to bandage him. Celestia trotted over, observing intently for any signs of Stead Fast waking up.
“Will the sergeant be alright Nurse?” She spoke with authority but still showed signs of worry. She knew how much these guards risked to ensure Equestria’s safety, and losing one is a tragedy.
Nurse Caring Heart smiled at Celestia
“Yes, the Sergeant will be fine, for the moment I'm treating his cuts and bruises but he seems to be suffering from severe dehydration. We’ll have to move him to the medical wing at the fort to treat him. We’ll get him rested as well as cleaned, he is quite filthy.”
Celestia nodded and began to lift up Stead Fast once the nurse had treated all his outer wounds.
The fort was located near the gates themselves, a fair walk away. Built to ensure that at all times the presence of the Silver Line would be close by. Celestia carried Stead Fast smoothly with her magic, her personal guards offered to carry him for her but she dismissed them. It was not a straining task for her to lift a pony. She owed Stead Fast at least that for not being able to protect him from this disaster. Carrying him close to her side, they moved quickly as others followed the Princess' pace.
Celestia wished Luna had come along with her to the camp, hoping that her little sister could learn something from the actions she was displaying. But she had insisted to stay at the gate and help the other guard.
Ever since Luna had returned she had quickly displayed an impressive ability to adapt, while still a slow process it is quicker than she had first expected her to adjust. But she still showed authority by having nearly everything done for her when it came to interaction with the common ponies. It will be slow but gradual change for Luna to appreciate their subjects, no matter how small, she just wished it would happen sooner.
The encampment came into a sight. Fort Bifröst, an impressive structure to say the least, along its piercing high and stone strong walls stood the flags of the Silver Line. The fort formed an intimidating ring of thick walls while three pillars of clouds encompassing it high above, piercing the sky with their form. Pegasus guards dashed between the towers high above, this specialized use of the cloud formations as lookouts and earth to form a fortification made Bifröst one of a kind. A true marvel of the military prowess Pony kind could achieve through cooperation together.
A bell was sounded high above when Celestia came into sight of Fort Bifröst. Gates opening, the guards formed two parallel lines all bowing to their ruler. Celestia kept her pose of authority, as she held the sergeant in her magic close. The Captain of the fort Firm Hold waited at the end of the formation to properly welcome Celestia. He stood proud in his armour, complementing his light blue coat as he held his head high of the Princess. Quickly he saw that she was carrying one of his sergeants who looked worse for wear, and his eyes grew cloudy. Quickly assessing the situation he ordered the guards to return to their garrisons as he followed in step with Celestia.
“Princess I would like to say that your visit at my humble fort is a welcomed surprise, but seeing as how you are carrying one of my Sergeant that looks like he’s on the brink of death I can hardly say that your visit is a pleasant one.” His tone still held respect for his princess but his chivalry was never a strong point.
Captain Firm Hold was loyal to both Princesses to the end, but when the lives of his officers came into question he knew where his loyalty was held. He was the one responsible and to make sure that their families and friends didn't suffer from the grief of a guard’s death. Celestia admired that greatly in him; to become a great leader you have to think for others above all else, and not be willing to throw lives away needlessly.
“Captain I will answer all of your questions, but I must ask that you hold your patience until the Sergeant is properly treated by the staff here,” Celestia said without missing a beat, she can respect his loyalty to his guard but she was not in the mood for questions.
Captain Firm Hold nodded strongly as he looked to his sergeant’s state. Battered and bruised, and covered in head to hoof in ash and dirt. His coat was unrecognisable, leaving him unidentifiable if not for the tell-tale sign of his cutie mark especially since his armour was gone.
Following the lead of the nurse they made it to the medical wing. Its white walls and ceiling were only complimented by the smell of aesthetics. Two other nurses stood on standby at the camp while the rest were at the gate with Luna, treating the guards that were affected by this yet to be determined curse.
“Over here if you would Princess.” Caring Heart guided as Celestia placed Stead Fast unto an empty bed, where the nurse quickly connected an IV to the sergeant.
“Take care of him nurse. Unfortunately I will be taking my leave now. My sister and I must discuss what has occurred here today.”
Celestia with her personal guard and the Captain began to leave the medical wing, ponies bowing in respect as she came in their presence.
Caring Heart assumed her job, quickly grabbing a sponge and bucket to clean the rest of the Sergeant where she had not dressed him in bandages. Dirt and sweat was washed away by the nurse, as she could only imagine as to how he got this hurt and filthy. Flipping him over she scrubbed his fur only to find that black patches were not coming off.
Cleaning around the area she was shocked to find his coat blackened in a peculiar fashion upon his chest. It looked like a print of some kind, shaped as if the print was trying to dig inside of him. It reminded her of the paw print from a Minotaur but was larger and held claws like a bird, but she had no recollection for any beast having such a paw as it certainly wasn’t a hoof.
She made a note to ask the sergeant when she could.
The Sergeant, in his state slept silently, but as Caring Heart pressed against the scorching scar; a voice squirmed around his unconscious state, becoming louder and menacing.
“I am free…”