//------------------------------//
// Tartarus 
// Story: Derpy and Carrot Top 2: The Gathering 
// by Rtrotten 
//------------------------------//

"Derpy wake up."

Derpy groaned as she babbled, "Wah, what happened?"Derpy opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. She was lying near a small river that had been frozen over. The grass that she was laying on was wet and frost covered. The trees were few, scattered, black and burnt. The air had a dense fog over it, turning the air a solid gray. Derpy shivered as she sat up. She turned around as her tail flicked something cold. Sitting beside her, disassembled, in 6 pieces was her sword.

The pommel looked ready to serve and to secure the grip; it glowed a light purple in anticipation. 

The grip had been turned to stone; it had multiple scratches and holes making it seem like it wasn't complete.

The crossguard was glowing a mysterious deep blue and had numerous dents on the metal.

The scabbard was well worn and had seen many years of action; it emitted a black mist that mixed into the already gray fog making it appear to be the source.

The rain guard was steady and had an experienced brown tone that made it clear of its significant importance.
Lastly,
The edge, the blade, and point of the sword were glowing a magnificent silver. It had a golden glow over it and was reverently preparing for battle. This was the blades first time seeing war, but it seemed prepared.

Derpy didn't know why but a stream of tears had begun to flow from her eyes, "What does this mean?"





Derpy woke up to the sound of buzzing and the feeling of flying. She opened her eyes and saw her own reflection mirrored back at her in a green and slimy wall. Derpy looked up from her curled position to see five changelings carrying her, and the cocoon she was being held in, just above treetop level. She looked over her shoulder to see Carrot Top in the same position, unconscious. 

Suddenly the changelings made a quick and curved vertical descent. Within a minute they were all on the ground within the dark forest. Derpy tried to make out the small black movements that were occurring outside the cocoon but was unsuccessful. Soon enough the cacoon was opened.

Derpy fell out and looked up to the five changelings standing in a row, all holding spears and saluting. Derpy got up shakily, "What is this for?"

Chrysalis came out from behind the cacoon Derpy was in, "Well I need your help, but I didn't necessarily get to ask before."

"I guess I don't have much of choice now do I."

"No, not exactly."

"I need you to navigate for me."

"What do you mean?"

Chrysalis walked over to some bushes and motioned for Derpy to follow. Derpy, still suspicious, walked over and peered through a large bush. 

On the other side was the old town that they had found when following that map. Derpy turned to Chrysalis, "Why did you bring me here."

Chrysalis smiled, "You are one of few ponies that have ever left Tartarus."

Derpy looked in concern, "What do you mean Tartarus?"

Chrysalis's smile widened, "You didn't know that you were in Tartarus?"

"We didn't die."

"No, but you did teleport. There aren't a lot of portals that go to the underworld. One day a portal opened here, this was the town that led to the city of Acheron. Once ponies had an easy access portal to Tartarus, they were quick to inhabit it. Acheron in mythology is known as the river that you cross when you die. The city was fittingly named, "Acheron: A city of the underworld."

"What happened to everything then, why was everypony dead there?"

"We don't have time to have a history lesson."

"So what do you expect me to do."

"First we will make our way to the portal and take down anything that stands in our way, once inside we will have to get past those...spiders. Then you will lead us to the citadel of Acheron; we can find what we need after that."

"And what if I decide not to help you."

"Well for starters we can kill both you and Carrot Top."

Derpy shot Chrysalis a hateful glance, "You can't kill any of the skeletons."

Chrysalis smiled and started gesturing at multiple changelings as she turned and started walking toward the town. Derpy watched in astonishment as the changelings took out the skeletons without raising any alarm to others. Their silence and quick movements made it look like this was a casual thing. Chrysalis casually strolled through the center of town despite some skeletons that were standing guard. Chrysalis smiled knowing that the skeletons were no match for her changelings. Chrysalis got to the entrance of the cave and started pulling out stone after stone until they shifted downward. Chrysalis frowned as water started appearing, "This complicates things, no matter." In seconds in changelings began moving all of the rocks out including the ones that were getting further and further under water. Soon the water began to drain making excavating the stones easier. 

Once the patch was clear, Derpy slowly walked down the stairs as her armor lit up, illuminating her path. As Derpy stepped onto the cave ground, she realized that a small layer of water covered it. Derpy's steps sloshed as she continued forward not bothering to lift her hooves.

Derpy couldn't help but feel homesick at the sight of the cave, the stones and, the soggy webs. Derpy frowned as she saw many spider corpses floating on the layer of water. She focused on the building off in the distance as they continued on. Derpy looked in astonishment as she noticed that it had not taken in any water and that it was still in perfect condition. 

Chryaslais smiled, "Thank you Derpy, now all I need is for you to open the first door."

Derpy looked back in confusment, "Why do I need to open it, there is only a rock holding it shut."

Chrysalis shook her head, "Ever since you picked up that armor the kingdom of Acheron has been tuned to you in a way. Only you can open the first door and only I can open the second door."

"Acheron opened the second door, what makes you think that you can open it."

Chrysalis smiled as she pulled a small amulet from underneath her wing, " I don't know how many are in existence but here is the third alicorn amulet that I know of. They are all connected and I can use it to open the door; do your part now."

Derpy frowned as she turned and pushed open the door. Small symbols of fire danced over the doors as they opened. Chrysalis smiled as she stepped into the room, finally, now I can.." She was cut off by a loud thud from the cave behind them, "Changelings, prepare yourself and protect me." 

Multiple changelings rushed to Chrysalis's side as more flew back out into the cave. By the time things went silent, Derpy was already in the circle of changelings surrounding Chrysalis. They could hear every drop of water, every breath, every heartbeat. Suddenly there was a sloshing from out in the cave, this did not deter the changelings. Both Chrysalis and Derpy looked on in fear.

Suddenly a disembodied voice came from the darkness of the cave, "You may return to your forms now."

In the blink of an eye, the changelings jumped away from and turned toward chrysalis as green electricity enveloped them. Derpy unsheathed her sword as she went back to back with Chrysalis. Derpy looked where the changelings were and in their place stood the Order of Chaos. 





Derpy was thrown against a wall as a sword was placed in front of her neck. A small patch of blood has gathered around the edge of her mouth as she breathed rapidly. Derpy looked up at Kauter with fire in her eyes as she shakily tried to speak, "You didn't have to kill her," Derpy slowly rose from the ground. "You could have locked her up," Derpy shouted as she swung her sword at Kauter. Kauter ducked and in a split second was pressing Derpy up against the wall as he grabbed the sword with his armored talons. "You do not understand war Derpy, this is a tactical win for us. I have lived through every sun war and it is time to end it. This is our last chance and no one can stand in our way!"

Derpy shoved him hard as she walked out of the main hall that she once so long ago flew into. Her sword still in Kauter's talons began to heat up. Almost in slow motion, it fell to the floor. Derpy turned at the sound of her sword hitting the stone, that was when she saw Kauter burst into flames. 

"Kauter," Derpy shouted as she ran to aid the now burning griffon. Once again Derpy was caught off guard as she fell face forward onto the ground. She looked back to see a piece of chewed gum that had caught her hoof, she looked farther back to see Discord shaking his head as he blew a bubble. Derpy shook her head and once again returned to Kauter's aid but was stopped by a flash of white.

The smoke coming of his body is so black. His eyes have are always red and sometimes green. It's not a coincidince that his feathers behind his eyes are purple. What happened to those zebras? How has he lived so long? King...Kauter....King...

"Sombra!" Derpy came face to face with a long dead pony.