Convexa Tempus

Six

“Alright my little ponies,” Dawn addressed the class, “that’s the bell; I hope you each have a wonderful weekend.”

While the fillies began exiting, talking excitedly about how they were going to spend their days off, Dawn continued marking the class tests.

“Are you feeling better miss?” Pumpkin Cake asked, having stayed behind again.

“Much better, thank you for asking Pumpkin,” she said sincerely. She didn’t know what that brew Zecora gave them was but it had done the trick, she wished she’d seen her about it sooner.

She totally forgot what Dusk and her had discussed the night before about the summons being delivered to Spitfire and Zecora, and was quite contently working away until she was brought back to the real world by glass smashing. She looked up and saw Scootaloo had hurtled through one of the windows into the classroom, colliding with a row of tables and lying in a crumpled heap on the floor. Dawn rushed over to her, but quickly saw that she wasn’t hurt.

“What on earth Scootaloo?” she demanded, she wasn’t angry just concerned.

“Dawn I saw them,” she blurted out, “here in Ponyville.”

“Slow down,” Dawn said holding her shoulders with her hooves, “who did you see?”

“The guards, they’re asking for you, and Dusk!” Dawn’s heart sank, she didn’t know exactly what this was about, but she had a feeling it wasn’t going to be anything she wanted to be involved in.

They left the classroom in haste while Scootaloo asked a string of questions which she didn’t want to answer. They approached Sugarcube corner and came to a halt when they saw a unicorn guard asking directions from Mrs Cake who had her head out the door. They doubled back and walked the long way back to Sweet Apple Acres. When they reached the gate a voice bellowed out behind them.

“Stop Miss Dawn, I bring urgent news from Canterlot,” the voice called out from behind her. Dawn sighed and turned to see two guards walking up the path to meet her. Scootaloo took an aggressive stance but Dawn just shook her head and told her to go home, assuring her she would take care of it.

Dawn stood next to Dusk who was still filthy from working out in the barn, in the house as the two guards addressed them.

“We are sorry to bother you but Princess Cadance requests your immediate presence at Canterlot as a crisis has arisen and your assistance is required,” stated the guard. Dawn and Dusk looked at each other, while they didn’t need to be told they still asked.

“Is it Fate?” Dusk asked dryly.

“I can’t answer that,” the guard responded in a neutral tone, “all I can tell you is that while we can’t force you to come with us, the fate of Equestria may be in your hooves.”

Dawn lost patience, “Why us? We’ve played our part,” she demanded, “is it too much to ask that we be allowed to live our lives in peace?”

The guards looked apologetically, Dawn lowered her tone, there was no point taking her anger out on them, they were just following orders.

“Can we be given some privacy to talk about this?” Dusk asked politely, the guards nodded and left the house.

“They say it’s our choice, but why do I get the feeling that’s not exactly true?” Dawn said sarcastically.

“They do sort of need you,” Dusk replied hesitantly, “you are the wielder of the Elements of Harmony after all.”

Dawn groaned, what could she say to argue, she knew as soon as they bound to her she would never be left to her own devices again.

“But we stopped her; her grand plan depended on the civil war, which we stopped,” she said predicting Dusk’s response.

“She could have a plan B.”

The guards came back in after Dusk left to call them back.

“Have you made a decision?” they asked.

“We’ll see Princess Cadance and hear her out,” Dawn said coldly.

“But that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll help her,” Dusk added. The guards nodded in acknowledgement.

“We have transport arranged, if you would like to follow us.”

Seven

Grim starred over the battle field caring little for the slaughter taking place before his eyes. The unicorns fell easily, regardless of their magical skills. Grim observed how disorganised they were, while they started in formation listening to their leaders tactics, they soon became chaotic and hectic, easy for Grim’s elite fighting force to pick off.

“I’m surprised you’re not down their helping,” Grim said turning to the pony standing next to him. He was a heavy set pony, almost all muscle. While his coat was black he was also covered in dark red patches, his mane and tail were tied back, even though they were cropped short already.

“Weak game,” he said in a booming voice, “hardly worth the little effort it takes to kill them.”

Grim shrugged, “fair enough Brutus,” he replied.

They stood in silence watching the carnage continue, but not for long as the unicorns quickly began to retreat. Their soldiers began pursuing them but Brutus stopped them, his voice easily carrying across the battlefield.

“Leave them; they are not worth wasting your time chasing,” Brutus shouted, and immediately they halted, turned and began marching back to the hilltop where Grim and Brutus stood waiting.

“its getting cold…” the voice came from behind them, Grim and Brutus turned to see a grey speckled pony walking slowly towards them, he wore thick obscuring spectacles and had a twisted horn.

“I’m surprised to see you outside your grotto, Davitt,” Grim mocked. Davitt just looked past him before continuing what he was saying.

“… unusually cold, those tribes, brought something with them,” Davitt said. Grim ignored this; he didn’t like Davitt, and as far as he knew nopony did.

“Come on,” Grim said turning to Brutus, “we still have the Pegasus to take down.” The two turned and walked away from their position over the battlefield and began walking west to where the Pegasus tribe was reported to have made their camp. To Grim’s surprise Davitt began following them, he was still talking about the cold. Grim did feel a little chillier now that he thought about it, not that cold was a problem for him or any of Sullivan’s followers, but still Davitt had a point, it was unusual for it to be this cold this time of year.

Eight

Dusk stepped off the chariot gazing across the familiar city of Canterlot. Dawn stepped off and stood next to him.

“Didn’t think we’d ever have to come back here,” he said, Dawn just nodded in response. The guards led the way to the palace and they followed reluctantly. Dusk had to admit the capital looked considerably more pleasant without the crowds of radicals swarming through every street.

The locals here were shockingly uptight, not like their neighbours in Ponyville. Dusk also figured he wouldn’t enjoy their company so he had to supress the urge to wave and say hello to every passer-by, habits he’d learned from living in Ponyville. When they arrived at the Castle gates his memory went back to the day he walked along this path under the full belief he was going to die. Then Dawn nudged him and he turned to see her smiling reassuringly at him.

They entered the courtyard and he was struck by how different and appealing it looked without the stage assembled in it. Princess Cadance was pacing back and forth, but when she heard them coming a look of relief washed over her face.

“You came, I’m so sorry to ask you to come back here; I know it can’t be easy for you both.” Dusk relaxed, Cadance had a way of making him feel that no matter what she was on his side.

“Its ok,” Dawn said, clearly she was also relaxed by Cadance’s greeting. “We understand you wouldn’t have asked if you had a choice.”

Cadance led them into the castle, as they walked she asked them about their lives in Ponyville, and she seemed genuinely interested in what they had to say. As they entered the throne room, the few ponies gathered there stopped talking and looked their way. Well ponies used loosely, there was actually only two ponies; Spitfire and Marelin, but the others were Zecora and two phoenixes perched. Marelin strode forward and curtsied in front of each of them, kissing Dawn’s hoof.

“It is a pleasure to see you once again.” He said leading them to join the group.

They quickly exchanged greetings, everypony seemed happy to have them their, even the phoenixes sung happily to them.

“Yes it’s wonderful to have you in our presences again, but unfortunately its not good tidings that bring us all here today.” Cadance said, the atmosphere instantly shifted to a more serious one.

“I take it she’s back?” Dusk asked simply.

“Indeed,” Marelin confirmed.

“Ever since peace was re-established in Equestria Shining Armour has been organising search parties all over the land to locate her,” Cadance explained, “recently we received word from our scouts that she had been spotted in the frozen north, little south of the mountains forming the natural border of Equestria.

“Shining Armour took a group of soldiers with him to investigate, and a couple days ago he informed us that the sightings were true,” she continued, “It was for this reason that I assembled a number of individuals who could be trusted to aid us when this time came. It was made up of several ponies Princess Celestia held high regard of, as well as Marelin who’s served as a faithful advisor to the kingdom since I was reinstated as Princess.”

“Unfortunately not all were reached,” Marelin chipped in, “one passed away in the last month, and the others are unreachable for various reasons. The only two who showed up were Zecora and Spitfire.”

“It was for this reason we called you, we are planning an operation that we just don’t have the numbers for,” Cadance said, Dusk understood now why their summons came later than Zecora’s. “It was because of your efforts Equestria was saved before, and while we have no right to ask you for help a second time, we have no choice.”

Dusk met Dawns eyes; it was going to be hard to refuse now they were here face to face with all of them.

“What exactly is it you need us to do?” Dawn asked, Cadance took a breath.

“Fate was seen in the north, this raised our suspicions which were only confirmed when Shining Armour saw her. She plans to open the Gates of Tartarus,” Cadance announced. Dusk wasn’t sure what any of that meant, but Dawn seemed shocked upon hearing it. “You said it yourself, Fate’s plan, whatever it was, hinged on the civil war, but you stopped it and in doing so ruined her plan.”

“Exactly, how will opening Tartarus help her?” Dawn asked panicked, Dusk still wasn’t sure why. He wasn’t as educated as Dawn and therefor hadn’t a notion what Tartarus was.

“Excuse me,” he spoke up, “but what exactly is Tartarus?”

“Tartarus is a prison of sorts,” Marelin informed him, “it’s existed since before the beginning of Equestria. Within it is locked an abundance of creatures, that if they were released they could tear all of Equestria, perhaps the whole world apart.”

Could that be what Fate was planning? Then Cadance addressed Dawn, “the only way Fate could fulfil her goal, would be to turn back time.”

“Is that possible?” Dusk asked, it was a bit much to take in.

“There used to be a wing in the Canterlot library that contained time spells,” Cadance explained, “but during the campaign to have Princess Celestia abdicate, that wing was burned down.”

“And that would be the end of it,” Marelin added, “except there’s a loophole, which we believe Fate is aware of.”

“The time spells were created by Starswirl the Bearded, but he created them based on something he found, deep within Tartarus,” Cadance told them.

“Hang on,” Dusk cut in, “are you saying this ‘wizard’ saw this ancient prison full of monsters, and thought it was a good idea to take a look inside.”

“Looking back now it is a bit confusing, but so much of modern magic is based on the discoveries Starswirl made inside Tartarus,” Cadance justified. “It was in the deepest cavern, a place known as the Vault of Time; he discovered a divine power source, which he used to create the time spells.”

“So if Fate got to this Vault of time, she could use this power to go back and stop us from ruining her plan?” Dusk asked, knowing full well what the answer would be.

“Yes, and that’s why she must be stopped,” Cadance said.

Dawn sighed, “So what’s the plan?”

“Shining Armour is already waiting there for you,” Cadance told them, “if you choose to go, you’ll be travelling with several battalions of soldiers to the Gates of Tartarus, they will be the last line of defence should the gates open.

“Your job will be to stop Fate doing that, should that fail,” she hesitated, “we’ll need you to follow her into Tartarus and beat her to the Vault of time.”

The room fell completely silent. A suicide mission, she was asking them to take part in a suicide mission.

“The team will comprise of yourselves, Zecora, Shining Armour, and Spitfire. Philomena and Peewee will be left in charge of the soldiers on the front line holding back the creatures,” she said gesturing at the two phoenixes. “Marelin and myself will be holding the fort, the last thing we need is the kingdom breaking out into chaos, they need to be ready should the line of defence break and we have to protect ourselves.”

Dusk didn’t know what to say, she was speaking like they’d already agreed to join the mission. Then Dawn spoke up.

“Ill do it, but Dusk will have nothing to do with it.” Dusk’s heart missed a beat.

“Dawn! Are you insane?” he exclaimed.

“There’s no point in you going, but I have the elements, that gives me a fighting chance,” she responded.

“No, either we both go home or I’m going with you, I’m not letting you take part in a suicide mission alone,” he said flatly.

“She won’t be alone,” Spitfire said speaking up for the first time in a while, “but you’d both be valuable members to the group.”

Dawn hesitated, dusk knew she wasn’t happy about it, but she also knew he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. She sighed in acceptance.

“Alright, we’re both in,” she said turning back to Cadance.

“Wait!” a voice called out from the door way and they all turned to see something speeding towards them.

“If you’re going to Tartarus, I’m coming with you,” Scootaloo said coming to a few feet from them.

“Scootaloo? Did you follow us?” Dawn asked accusingly.

“I had to, I’m not losing anymore friends,” she said.

“Scootaloo you can’t come, it’s too dangerous,” Dawn said firmly, but she turned to Cadance.

“Please your highness, I want to help,” said Scootaloo gesturing to Spitfire, “tell them coach, I’m the best flyer in Equestria, I can help.”

“There’s no arguing princess,” Spitfire said causing everyone in the group to raise their eyebrows in surprise, “as much as I disagree with bringing her along, I can’t deny she would be a useful asset.”

Cadance approached Scootaloo.

“I remember you when you were just a filly,” she said smiling sadly, “you attended my wedding all those years ago; you’ve grown so much since.”

“Please your highness,” she pleaded, “I’m not a filly anymore, I can handle myself.”

Cadance nodded, the others accepted her decision and allowed Scootaloo to join the circle.

“So we’re all agreed, we know what’s required of us?” Cadance asked, they all nodded in acknowledgement, Dusk only doing so reluctantly. “Good, you leave in less than an hour; I wish you the best of luck.”

Nine

Shining Armour approached the huge corpse, his hooves crunching in the blood red snow as he walked. The body was that of a giant dog, with three heads. She’d already made her first move, Cerberus the long-time defender of Tartarus lay dead. He looked up at the gate, the colossal flat rock piercing the sky, clouds swirling around the peak. Strange that although the land for miles around was all snow and ice, the rock itself was dry as a desert. The dark stone looked so natural, like it had been formed by some random act of nature, the only obvious detail about it, was the line running from the base to the very tip. The crack where the door would open and the monsters would leave through.

He returned to the camp where his soldiers sat quietly, afraid of what was coming. While he sat eating stew, he heard a low hum coming steadily closer and he looked up to see a Canterlot blimp flying towards them, the rest of the soldiers had arrived, and so had the rest of his team. He ran to the landing plane in time to see the blimp touch ground. It took almost an hour for all the passengers to dismount, all the while Shining Armour examined each pony, they were in better condition than the men who’d been here with him for a whole week, the cold had made them weak.

Finally at the end his team walked down the steps, first Spitfire, Zecora, Dawn, Dusk, and finally Scootaloo? He walked up to them and greeted them each.

“It’s good to see you all again, but I wish it could have been under better circumstances,” he said before quietly asking Zecora to the side why Scootaloo was there, and she explained. He wasn’t pleased about it, but he knew he didn’t have the luxury of choice.

Philomena and Peewee flew over their heads dropping two letters at Shining Armours hooves. The first he placed in his saddle bag, he knew what it said and had no need to open it, it wasn’t his to read. The second was from Cadance, there was a brief paragraph confirming his instructions, but it was the second half he was more interested in.

“I know if this all works out, everything will be better, but I can’t help but fear something will go wrong. I may never see you again, I wish I could say this to your face but I’ve loved every second spent with you. Ever since we were wed I’ve known there was nopony else for me but you, I will always love you. Please succeed, or come home safe.”

He closed the letter and bowed his head.

“I love you Cadance,” he whispered to himself. Then he turned back to the group who were discussing the situation and shivering to keep warm. “Alright, I know we first planned to stop Fate from entering Tartarus, but we knew that it was a lost cause, and I’m afraid Cerberus is dead, and we are indeed going to have to follow her in.” the group didn’t say anything, just silently accepted it. Shining Armour continued, “I’m going to start assembling the troops now so were ready to move in as soon as the gate opens, I suggest you prepare yourselves.”

Shining Armour went about his routine of instructing the lieutenants how to position their troops when Zecora approached him.

“Are you afraid Shining Armour?” Zecora asked, he took a second to reply.

“No, or at least,” he hesitated, “it doesn’t matter, we have a job to do, fear will only hinder us.”

Zecora nodded, “this mission we have been assigned, do you truly believe for the righteous path it was designed.”

“How many have died Zecora, and how many will die. Is it so wrong to ask for a second chance?” replied Shining Armour, but Zecora just turned and began to walk away; he called after her, “remember Zecora, Dawn and Dusk can’t know the true nature of this mission.”

She stopped and turned slightly to address him, “you have my word, but to earn their trust, the truth must be offered.”

Shining Armour stood on the hill, the same hill he stood when he saw Fate. All the soldiers were assembled in their formations, creating an arc around the gate. The phoenixes soared over their heads, and at the very front stood Dusk, Spitfire, Zecora and Scootaloo. There was still some distance between them and the foot of the gate, it wouldn’t do any good for the gate to smash open and for them to instantly be beset upon by hordes of monsters. He walked down the hill to join them, Dusk didn’t notice him, he was lost in his own world. Zecora nodded at him before returning to staring intently at the gate.

“So once we get in there, what are we expected to face?” Scootaloo asked him breaking off her conversation with Spitfire.

“All our Intel is based on the writings of Starswirl, which having been written thousands of years ago use pretty obscure language,” he said. Scootaloo seemed disappointed at this, she was clearly hoping for something more substantial. “We know the vault is in the deepest section, so the plan is go down.”

But he was cut off by an excited muttering spreading through the crowd of soldiers. The whole group turned to see the line of soldiers spreading to allow the figure to pass through and join them.

It took Shining Armour a second to recognise Dawn, and realise what was different about her. She was wearing four golden gauntlets on each leg; a golden necklace and crown, each embroidered with a differently coloured gemstone, each a familiar shape.

“The Elements of Harmony,” Spitfire said in awe, “now there’s a morale booster for you.”

Shining Armour smiled as Dawn joined the group, this would give them a great advantage over Fate.

But the good mood was cut short by a loud crack, causing everypony to turn to the gate, all tensing up. A tiny spark of light broke through the crack in the gate, but the light had no colour, it was defying all logic but it seemed to be a dark light. The light steadily began breaking along the whole crack until the entire rock face was divided in two by the light, then the gates began opening.

Shining Armour Galloped along the front line calling out to the soldiers.

“Prepare yourselves, the time has come,” he shouted over the heads of the soldiers, “When that gate opens, all hell will break loose. You are the last line of defence between them and Equestria, your homes, your families, and your friends.”

The soldiers all braced themselves, raising their arms and tightening their formations.

“Once we go in there, nothing comes back out of that gate,” he shouted, and there was a cheer in response to his announcement. He charged back to where the others stood waiting.

“Ready everypony?” he asked them, they all nodded. “Alright, when I give the signal, we charge through that gate. Do what ever you can to break through whatever comes out of there.”

He had nothing else to say so he stood next to Dusk giving him a nod of encouragement. The gate was almost entirely open; the dark light was flooding out. Shining Armour tensed himself, there were only seconds left. Then the light flared and was extinguished.

“Charge now!”

Ten

Grim walked over the bridge again. He had just returned from destroying the Pegasi camp, like the unicorns it didn’t provide much of a show. He was here now to report the success to Sullivan, but when he arrives in the cavern, it was totally empty. Of course it had only been full the other day because they were there to pay their respects to their lord, but today it was totally deserted. He approached the edge of the platform and kneeled.

“My lord, the tribes have fallen,” but there was no response, then a voice came behind him.

“You’re wasting your breath.” He turned and saw a black unicorn with purple stripes walking towards him; she was draped in a black cloak.

“Nova,” he said bowing, “I seek an audience with our lord.”

“I could tell,” she said impatiently, “he’s in the sanctum and does not wish to be disturbed.”

Grim looked up at the beehive shaped rock in the centre of the cavern, while it seemed small from this distance and in comparison to the rest of the cavern, he knew it was still massive in its own right, big enough for even Sullivan to fit in.

“I have come to report that the three tribes have been crushed,” he said addressing Nova.

“I see,” she replied un-phased, “I see no reason to bother Lord Sullivan with something tedious like that.”

“Of course, I’ll take my leave,” Grim bowed once more and began to leave the cavern. He couldn’t help but dislike Nova, but as he walked she called out to him.

“Grim.”

“Yes my lady?” he said turning to her.

“It’s getting unusually cold,” she announced causing Grim to raise an eyebrow.

“You’re not the first to tell me that,” he said smiling to himself.

“You should track down the remainders of those tribes,” she said flatly, “we can’t leave loose ends.”