Luminous Atonement Chapter 1:
Kindness Knows No Bounds
"Thank you for volunteering to help out on such short notice, Fluttershy. Usually Cerberus can watch himself, but he's been very restless lately, and I want to make sure he doesn't run off again."
"Oh, it's not a problem, Your Highness," said Fluttershy cheerfully as she flew alongside Princess Celestia. "We're more than happy to look after your pets while you're away. Isn't that right, Angel?"
The little white bunny sitting in Fluttershy's mane didn't respond, but instead looked over at the regal-looking bird perched in the princess's back. The bird glanced back at Angel, and offered him an indifferent shrug. Celestia noticed the exchange and chuckled.
"I assure you, Philomena has promised to behave herself this time," said she. "Besides, she just went through her molting period, so you don't have to worry about that. Ah, here we are."
When they arrived at the Gates of Tartarus, it was nothing like Fluttershy expected. Just to the right of a large cave marked by sinister-looking torches was a luscious patch of green where Cerberus was prowling around. Once he noticed his mistress arriving, her barked happily and bounded over to greet her. Each of his heads took a turn mussing up Celestia's luxurious mane with their tongues.
"Alright, Cerberus. Down, boy," said Celestia with a giggle. Cerberus obeyed, standing at attention. "Now, Cerberus. Fluttershy here is going to be watching after you, so make sure you do as she says, alright?"
Cerberus looked over Fluttershy and sniffed her with his three noses. Recognizing her as the pegasus who gave him a belly rub when he ran to Ponyville, he gave her three affectionate licks. As he did so, Angel found himself tumbling out of Fluttershy's mane and landing on his bottom with a plop.
"Aw~. I think he likes me," Fluttershy giggled.
Angel got to his feet and gave Fluttershy a bemused look. Seeing the little bunny's grumpiness, Philomena swooped down next to him and started tickling his nose with her wing. Angel sneezed, and scowled at the great phoenix as she cawed mirthfully.
"Well, it looks like you have everything under control," said Celestia with a warm smile. "Just make sure that at least one of Cerberus's heads is paying attention to Tartarus at all times. He tends to get distracted."
"One head paying attention to Tartarus. Got it," said Fluttershy with a nod. "Don't worry, Princess Celestia. We're all going to have a great time together."
"So, is this a private party, or can anyone join?"
A familiar voice echoed from seemingly nowhere. Celestia raised an eyebrow, knowing full well who it was. She was proven correct as a brilliant flash gave way to Discord, who was carrying a picnic basket in his snake tail.
"Well well, this is quite a surprise," said Celestia, completely unfazed.
"Surprises are my specialty, Princess," said Discord. "You should know by now that with me, it's best to expect the unexpected."
"It's certainly good to see you, Discord," Fluttershy said pleasantly. "How have things been at the castle?"
"Oh, you know. Same old, same old," said Discord in a bored tone. "And my word, is it dull. I've actually been thinking about inviting all the creatures in Tartarus to a little soirée in the main ballroom. Of course, I'd have to make sure that the Chimera and Orthrus don't get invitations, but..."
"Discord..." Celestia said sternly.
"Kidding, kidding," said Discord with a lighthearted laugh. "We all know how Her Royal Snootiness likes everything to be just so."
Celestia rolled her eyes and gave Discord a knowing smirk. "Well, I'd better get going," said she. "I should be back tomorrow at dawn. I leave everything in your hooves, Fluttershy."
"I won't let you down, Your Highness," said Fluttershy with a bow.
With that, Celestia spread her great wings and rose into the air. As she flew off into the distance, Philomena screeched a cheerful farewell and waved while Cerberus yipped happily.
"So, how are things back in Ponyville, dear Fluttershy?" Discord asked, laying down the picnic basket and brandishing a picnic blanket from nowhere. "Anything new going on?"
"Well, not particularly," said Fluttershy thoughtfully. "Well, unless you count what happened last week."
"Hmm?"
"Twilight found this magic lamp, see, and..."
"Oh, rightrightright," said Discord. "Yes, I was just talking about that with Lunatic last night."
"Lunatic?" Fluttershy asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Princess Luna," Discord clarified, laying out a delicious spread of dandelion sandwiches, salads, bread pudding, and tea. There was even some bowls of kibble for Cerberus and birdseed for Philomena.
"Oh my," said Fluttershy. "Doesn't she get mad at you for calling her that?"
"Well, sometimes," Discord admitted, pouring himself some tea.
"Then why do you call her that?"
"Simple, my dear Fluttershy. Because there is no reason for me to call her that."
If it was anypony else saying that, Fluttershy would've gotten confused. But with Discord, it just made sense not to make sense.
"So, you've heard about what's been happening at Tartarus," said Fluttershy. "That's probably why Cerberus has been so restless."
"Well, in my professional opinion, he's worrying about nothing, just like Lunatic is," said Discord, drinking the teacup while the tea remained. Philomena seemed to squawk in agreement while Angel gave the draconequus a suspicious look. He then folded his arms and stuck up his nose.
"Angel, that's not nice," Fluttershy admonished. "I'm sure Discord wouldn't just be saying that."
"Trust me, my dear. Orthrus and I would not get along," said Discord, munching on the saucer that once held his teacup. "If he wants out of that prison, he's on his own."
Just then, a sinister roar echoed from the cave. Cerberus perked up from his meal and began snarling. Fluttershy jumped and darted behind Discord.
"Wh-what was that?" she stammered, shaking like a leaf.
Discord lifted his armpits and gave them cursory sniffs. "Hmm. Sounds like my cousin isn't too pleased with the fact that I'm here," he mused. "I probably should've put on some cologne before I arrived."
"Your cousin?"
"The Chimera. I believe your friend Rarity tangled with it," Discord explained. "Nasty fellow, but not all that bright."
As if responding to Discord's insult, a loud bleat sounded from the Gates of Tartarus.
"And, as you can probably tell, about as subtle as a rabbit with giraffe legs," he added with disdain.
"Oh, goodness," said Fluttershy. "So, you two don't get along?"
"Eh, you could say that," said Discord with a shrug. "Sheesh, you swap someone's body parts around one time as a joke, and all of a sudden, you're marked for life."
Fluttershy decided not to ask. Not that she could have anyway, as a serpent's rasp was heard from Tartarus. Discord was starting to get annoyed.
"Alright, you three-headed grump! I can take a hint! I know when I'm not wanted!" he roared. He then turned back to Fluttershy, clearing his throat and changing his demeanor. "I am so sorry I have to cut my visit short, my dear. But, you know how it is."
"Oh, I understand," said Fluttershy with a timid nod. "I enjoyed your company regardless."
"Well thank you, Fluttershy. At least somepony did," said Discord, glancing at the Gates of Tartarus as a cacophony of angry roars, bleats, and hisses echoed from within. "I'm going, I'm going! Just give me a second, will you?! Ugh, sweet Celestia Luna and Cadence on a pogo stick." He sighed in exasperation and gave Fluttershy a warm smile. "Ta-ta for now, dear Fluttershy. I hope we can do this again sometime."
With that, he snapped his fingers and disappeared, leaving the picnic spread behind. As soon as he left, the noises from Tartarus ceased.
"Well, that was interesting," said Fluttershy, helping herself to a dandelion sandwich. "At least he seems to be doing alright. What do you think, Angel?"
Angel gave Fluttershy an indifferent shrug.
"You're not too fond of him, are you?"
Angel rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Well, like I said, he's a real sweetheart when you get to know him," said Fluttershy. "You just have to give him a chance." She then looked up, and noticed Cerberus sniffing the ground. "Oh, Cerberus! Don't forget, Princess Celestia wants you to watch Tartarus!"
She then flew over to get the three-headed hound's attention while Philomena nudged Angel playfully with her wing. With a sigh of defeat, the little bunny turned to the great phoenix with a quizzical look. Philomena then batted Angel with her wing and flew off cackling. Angel growled and began chasing after her.
***
As the day wore on, Fluttershy remained diligent as she watched over Cerberus and Philomena. The two pets of Celestia were playing a delightful game of Chase while Angel lay down in the grass to rest. As she watched the two pets having fun, Fluttershy noticed something else coming over the horizon.
"Is that the Princess?" she mused. "She's quite early."
But it wasn't the Princess. Instead, it was a pony she didn't recognize. She was dressed from head to hindquarters in a dark cloak, and her wings were thin and bat-like instead of the typical feathers pegasi had. She landed in front of Fluttershy, her head remaining bowed.
"Um, hello," said Fluttershy shyly.
"Greetings, child," the old mare rasped, not looking up. "Tell me, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, me?" asked Fluttershy, hiding her face in her bangs. "Well, I'm just looking after the Princess's pets while she's away."
"My. How kind of you," said the old mare, gradually raising her head. Her face still remained hidden in the cloak.
"Oh, it's no trouble at all," said Fluttershy, staring at the ground. "I'm very good with animals."
The bat-winged pegasus said nothing for a time. Finally, Fluttershy cleared her throat and broke the silence.
"So, wh-what brings you here?" she inquired, the awkwardness of the situation starting to get to her.
"Child, you're shaking like a leaf," said the wizened old pegasus, concerned. "You have nothing to fear from me, I assure you."
"S-sorry," said Fluttershy. "I'm just not very good around other ponies. Especially strangers."
"Ah. Shame," said the mare with a sigh. "I was wondering if you'd do a favor for me."
"A favor?"
"A creature in Tartarus does not deserve to be there," the mare explained. "I was wondering if you could free him."
Fluttershy's eyes widened. "Me? Oh, I couldn't do that. Princess Celestia would get mad."
"Listen, child."
Fluttershy obliged, and a low howl echoed from Tartarus. It didn't sound angry like before, but rather it was somber and mournful.
"Does that sound like a monster of evil?" the mare asked.
"Well, no," admitted Fluttershy. "But..."
"Listen to the kindness in your heart, child," said the pegasus, cutting across her. "Do what must be done."
The howls from Tartarus grew softer in tone, but in Fluttershy's mind, they grew louder. Her eyes began to glaze over as she trotted towards Tartarus. Noticing this, Angel frantically pulled on his owner's tail, pantomiming a warning. But the kind yellow pegasus paid him no heed.
"That poor creature," said Fluttershy, only half-aware of what she was doing. "He doesn't deserve to be in there."
Angel palmed his face and tried again. Alas, his efforts were in vain, and Fluttershy strolled straight into the Gates of Tartarus. Cerberus's left head noticed this and bounded over to investigate. When he caught Fluttershy's scent wafting from Tartarus, he quickly ran inside. Equally concerned, Philomena and Angel followed at his heels.
***
The inside of Tartarus was not a pleasant sight. The only sources of illumination were a select few lanterns, which cast shadows that formed images of a pony's worst nightmares. Still, Fluttershy trudged on, oblivious to everything but the sorrowful howl that still resonated in her mind. Finally, she reached the source of the sound in a dark, desolate catacomb. It was just beyond a large solid slab of rock.
"Hmm. There has to be some way to open this," she pondered aloud. "Oh, maybe..."
Noticing a glowing symbol in the rock barely visible to the naked eye, she flew over and tapped it with her hoof. The symbol became brighter and brighter before fading completely, and the wall vanished before her eyes.
"Aww~. Now who locked you in here?" she asked. "Come on, now. It's okay. I'm here to help you."
***
Cerberus sniffed and sniffed, following Fluttershy's trail the best he could. Angel shivered, clutching to Philomena as she flew just above Cerberus, illuminating the path with her fiery plumage. After a while of searching, they finally found Fluttershy, walking back towards the entrance and cradling something in her foreleg. Or she would be, if there was anything to cradle.
"Shh. It's okay," she cooed to the empty air. "I'm right here. Nothing is going to hurt you."
All three animals were perplexed. What was Fluttershy doing? Didn't she know that she could've gotten hurt? Cerberus barked, hoping to get the pegasus's attention.
"Shh. I know you're scared," Fluttershy said softly, still oblivious to everything else. "But it'll be okay, I promise."
There was no time to argue. Cerberus quickly scooped up Fluttershy in his mouth and bounded back to the Gate, with Angel and Philomena not far behind. As they got back outside, his two unoccupied heads snarled angrily, demanding an explanation. But the mysterious pegasus from before had disappeared.
Growling and keeping a wary eye on things, Cerberus set Fluttershy to the ground as she fell into a peaceful slumber. Angel looked over his owner, scratching his head in confusion. Philomena merely shrugged, just as clueless. Unbeknownst to them all, a wisp of sparkling black smoke slithered out of Tartarus and into the evening sky...