Dark. Cold. Misery.
The pit of monsters and horrors and evils of the past, long vanquished and imprisoned, doomed to rot in this hellhole for all time. This was Tartarus.
It is said that the Pale One himself dug the pit to contain all manner of evil and monstrosity that threatened the good and peaceful creatures of the world. But overtime, his duty as the Keeper of Death forced him to appoint a new guard to stand vigil of the gates of Tartarus and it was thus he empowered three strong and loyal dog brothers and transformed them into the three-headed beast known as Cerberus.
Since then, whenever some irredeemable evil being was vanquished, the sentient creatures of the world knew to bring them here where they could do no more harm, and it was here, deep in the bowels of this forbidden place where languished the demon centaur who was known once upon a time as Lord Tirek...
Even after more than a thousand years, the power-hungry despot seethed with unceasing anger and hate. However, the millennia had not been kind, for what had once been a a terror to beware had long shriveled into a wizened weakling. But every century, every year, every month, week, day, hour, minute, second!!!
It had all only served to feed the festering craving for freedom, for power, but most of all!
For revenge...
*Click*
"What's...?" the cloaked form thought he had heard something and turned to the door of his cell... as it ever so slowly opened with an eerie whine from centuries of rust.
No... it couldn't be! His eyes had to be playing tricks on him, the long imprisonment had driven him mad!!!
...or had it?
Groaning as he rose up on his hooves, leaning against the wall to balance himself, Tirek approached the open door, and reached out... it was open! Tirek couldn't believe what was right in front of him, and yet... He took a hesitant step into the threshold, and cautiously peered out.
The way was clear, and all that could be heard were the echoing wails of his fellow inmates moaning like ghosts. Ignoring the wretches in the cells beside his own, Tirek slowly slunk through the hall until he came to another door that led out into the open, and looking out he saw...
The gate!
But... where's the beast? Tirek wondered, for Cerberus was supposed to be standing guard just outside the gate of Tartarus.
Outside...!
He looked further, seeing the outside! He saw the sky, he saw the sun, he saw the world!
"Urgh!" Tirek clutched his chest, feeling his withered heart hurt, and calmed down.
Freedom was at hand, but he was weak, and it would be sometime before he recovered enough strength. But as he sneaked his way out of the gate and breathed in the air of freedom for the first time in millennia, he swore, "My time will come... as will my revenge on every pony in Equestria!!!"
Present Day in the Crystal Empire...
It had been weeks since Aurora's trial, the public announcement of a reformation of Celestia's council, and Midnight giving Twilight her engagement band, and they, along with their friends had just arrived via airship in the Crystal Empire. Everything glistened and shined, peaceful and bright as always.
"Seems only yesterday I saved the Equestria Games here at the Crystal Empire. Hey! You guys remember that?" Spike asked as he leaned against a crystal statue of himself breathing a gout of flame, honoring Spike for his deed.
"You only mentioned it fifteen times on the flight here," Rainbow Dash barely concealed her annoyance.
"Yes, and we never hear a peep out of you on your exploits, my dear Rainbow Dash," Blueblood gave the rainbow-maned pegasus a teasing rise of his brow.
"Uh, heh, point taken..." Rainbow Dash chuckled a little sheepishly as they carried on down the street towards the crystal castle.
"We're glad you all wanted to come..." Midnight sighed as they kept walking.
"But we don't think it's going to be that exciting," Twilight agreed.
"War Chief Sombra wants all the alicorn princes standing by to provide extra security," Midnight grumbled.
"And all I have to do is smile and wave as the dignitaries arrive," added Twilight.
"Yes, but you get to smile and wave like a princess, dear!" Rarity spoke up.
"How exactly is tha' diff'rent from smilin' an' waving like, not a princess?" Applejack debated, which stumped Rarity for a moment until Twilight just kept going on.
"It isn't..."
The way she spoke and lowered her face, everypony noticed it, but Big Mac was the first to ask, "Sumpin' wrong, Twi?"
"Yeah! Why the loooong face?" Pinkie asked while pulling at Twilight's face in a clear cut case of violating one's personal space, and when she let go, Twilight rubbed her cheek while Pinkie shrank back at the stink eye Midnight gave her.
"I've just been feeling a little unsure about things lately," Twilight explained as she turned to look at all her friends, "it just doesn't feel as though my new role as a princess amounts to all that much."
"Aw, that's just nerves, Twi," Thunderlane waved off the concern, "you've got an important role in Equestria, just ask Princess Celestia!"
"I agree with Thunderlane," Fluttershy nodded kindly, "Princess Celestia wouldn't have asked you to come if she didn't think so."
"I... guess you're right," Twilight felt a little better.
"Of course we are, dear, now let's hurry along!" Rarity gestured everyone forward, "We can't have your important tole being diminished simply because you were tardy for your regal meet and greet."
A royal fanfare sounded before Blueblood announced, "The Duke and Duchess of Maretonia."
The dignitaries were the aforementioned Duke and Duchess of Maretonia, a smaller nation to the west, who had arrived to discuss new trade with the Crystal Empire and refine the trade agreements they already had with Equestria. Approaching the crystal castle, along with Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadance, Twilight stood upon the royal balcony. The princes, Midnight, Shining Armor, and Sombra, were all located equidistant from each other at the edge of the empire where the Thermal Barrier stopped, all three of them channeling their magic into the barrier to insure nothing uninvited could enter.
Just before they stood before the princesses, Twilight telekinetically pulled a cord that unfurled a banner displaying the Maretonia coat of arms, causing the duke and duchess to smile as they gave respectful bows to the princesses and they in turn.
From his position, Midnight saw the quick launch of fireworks that signaled the ending of the welcoming ceremony, which meant he and the other princes could stop. He then teleported back to the castle, FLASHING into existence as he heard Spike say, "That was it?!"
He looked and saw all his friends standing by the threshold of the doors out to the balcony, as Spike stepped forward, looking to Twilight at the safety rail.
"Princess Celestia had you come all the way to the Crystal Empire just to do that?"
His words weren't meant to, but they caused Twilight to feel bad, and Spike realized his mistake, "I mean- WHOA! Really regal and important, heh-heh!"
*WA-PISH/"OW!!"*
Midnight had whipped his long lion-like tail to Spike's tukhus, and he noticed the others were giving him stern looks for his lack of tact. Clearing his throat, Midnight stepped over to hold his mare's hoof, "Come on, Twi, let's join the others to greet the duke and duchess."
He looked to their friends while summoning a bag of bits, "Why don't you all have a day out in the empire? My treat."
"Um, are you sure?" Fluttershy was just a little worried for Twilight, but Rarity quickly accepted the bits.
"Oh my! Thank you, Midnight, there's this deluxe treatment available at the Crystal Spa that I saw being promoted on our way here! Come along, everypony, we don't want to get in the way of important national affairs."
Rarity got Fluttershy and Blueblood to follow her, but the others hesitated until Midnight assured them, "Go on! Have a nice time, we're... gonna be busy anyway, I'm sure."
Growling, Midnight propped his head up on his hoof as he leaned on the arm of a sofa in a lounge room in the castle. As it turned out, the dignitaries requested the participants of the meeting be kept to a minimum, and that meant they only wanted to talk to the Royal Sisters and Cadance while the princes and Twilight had been excluded. They were enjoying a round of nectar Sombra had been saving but Midnight's heart just wasn't in it.
He could relate to Twilight's misgivings about her role as royalty. He'd been there after his mother had been cursed and his father left and after he had to give up Twinken, albeit to a more depressing level. Due to Celestia, he sought purpose through subterfuge by reviving the Brotherhood of the Evening Hoods. To operate from the shadows to serve the light.
"Midnight!"
"Wha- Huh?!" Midnight sat up and noticed Sombra and Shining Armor both looking at him.
"I asked you, when's the wedding?" Sombra gave Midnight a concerned look but tried to mask it by saying, "I'm still waiting for my chance to bring you and Twilight together."
"Oh! Uh..." Midnight tried to think of what to say when Shining Armor spoke up.
"I have to give you credit for the engagement band you got Twily, Midnight. Most mares want some fancy looking piece of jewelry with the biggest rock, but that band on my little sis's fetlock? It just... suits her so beautifully well!"
"Yeah, well... I wanted something that would suit Twilight," Midnight replied as he recalled what happened at the jewelry shop. "After the clerk gave me the raw materials, I brought it all together, almost without even thinking about it. I just... let my love for Twily guide my magic as it fashioned the band."
"I did something very similar when I created the Crystal Heart," Sombra nodded proudly but he decided to stop beating around the bush. "But Midnight... I can tell something's bothering you. Do you want to talk about it?"
"Twilight's... just going through a little something where she feels she doesn't really do much of anything as a princess," Midnight admitted with a deep sigh. "I understand how she feels, but... I'm not sure what to say to her or how to help her! I can't just come up with some big and important duty for her and offer it up to her. She didn't even want to join us, she stayed by the doors to the meeting room!"
"She's still finding her way, Midnight," Shining Armor assured, "and you know her, she's using to having facts, research, and some subject to fall back on whenever she's trying to accomplish something or overcome it."
"And you know..." Sombra looked at a crystal hourglass, "that meeting should be wrapping up any moment now. Why don't we go and see the dignitaries out?"
"Better than sitting around here on our butts..." sighed Midnight as he got up and joined them out in the hallway.
It took only a couple turns but they heard some distant voices echoing down their way from ahead.
"...our desire to keep the number of those privy to these confidential discussions to a minimum."
"Of course."
They made another turn and almost bumped into the duke and duchess, giving them respectful bows and they returned the gesture as they took their leave. They looked to see Twilight had been waving after the dignitaries when she noticed them as well. She perked up a little as Midnight came over to give her a nuzzle and they heard soem hoof steps and saw the rest of the princesses join them, along with the princes.
Twilight looked to Celestia, "Is there anything else I can do to assist with their visit?"
"I'm sorry, Twilight," Cadance responded instead, "but their visit is already over."
"Oh..." Twilight lowered her head in glum.
"Is something wrong?" Sombra asked.
"I guess I just don't understand why I'm here," Twilight brought up, "couldn't one of the guards have unfurled the banner?"
"Having all seven of us in the Crystal Empire to greet them lets the dignitaries know that their visit is considered an important one," explained Celestia, to which Midnight scoffed.
"Is there something you have to say, Midnight?"
"Well, apparently, the dignitaries were only interested in speaking with you three," Midnight gave Celestia look with his brows furrowed, "so there wasn't really a need for the rest of us to just drop whatever business or plans we had at your word and be attendant for a meeting we didn't even get to be a part of! So, Celestia, you'll pardon me if I feel as though this might have been a clear and obvious waste of my time and Twilight's!"
"Midnight!" Sombra gave his descendant a reproachful look, only for Celestia to raise a hoof to her husband.
"Midnight... I understand if you feel slighted, but rule and leadership of a nation work rather differently than how you are used to leading."
"And besides!" Cadance cut in, hoping to ease the tension as he gave Twilight and Midnight a wing-hug, "It gives me a chance to see my favorite sister-in-law and my future brother-in-law."
"And we're happy to see you, all of you..." Twilight replied before falling silent again, an awkward air falling over them all.
"But..." Cadance gently prompted.
"But I... well it's just that Princess Luna raises the moon and watches over the dreams of Equestria," Twilight pointed out, "Princess Celestia raises the sun and helps ponies during the day, Prince Sombra is now War Chief, you and Shining Armor protect the Crystal Empire, and Midnight is the leader of the Brotherhood of the Evening Hoods!"
Midnight gave Twilight a look of guilt as he mentally kicked himself in the plot as she said, "And all I seem to do is... smile and wave."
She turned and gloomily walked away, Midnight almost following as he softly said, "Twilight...?"
He felt a hoof on his withers and saw Cadance give him an assuring smile, "We'll take care of her."
He stood there, feeling low as he watched the princesses follow after Twilight
Pacing back and forth in the courtyard of the Crystal Heart, Midnight worried for Twilight, and hoped he hadn't said or done anything to upset her. Oddly, he could have sworn he'd heard singing from the balcony above, and then he'd noticed Celestia, Luna, and Cadance flying aloft for a few moments before they alighted back onto the balcony. It was only a few minutes later when he saw Twilight appear from the castle entrance, looking better. Not her usual bright self, but better all the same.
"Twily?"
She looked up at him, seeing his concern, and gave him a small smile, "I'm okay. Let's go home, I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep."
Sighing inward, Midnight nodded, but as they started making for the airship at the edge of the city, Midnight said, "You know, an old friend once said something that helped me out when I was where you've been."
Twilight looked at him, curious, and he answered, "All good things will come to those who let the roads straighten itself out. I didn't understand it at first until I'd picked myself up and just kept moving forward."
"Well... what does it mean?" Twilight made a gesture with her hoof for Midnight.
"In the end, everything will be alright," answered Midnight and the look in his eyes caused Twilight to smile wide.
And with the airship waiting, they began the restful journey home.
Meanwhile, in a distant city, a unicorn was walking through the alleyways, levitating a basket of fruit. The distant sounds of the city echoing through the urban neighborhood, along with steam rising up from the storm drains, the yowl of a cat, and rattling of a trashcan tipped over.
Ooh... It was not a pleasant night to be outside, and the unicorn just wanted to get home. A sudden noise caused him to flinch and he looked back the way he came... only to notice an old soup can rolling over the cobblestones. Sighing with relief, the unicorn started to get back on his way-
Whoa!
Standing in front of him, a hunched and hooded figure, breathing heavily.
"Very sorry," the unicorn apologized with a light chuckle, "you... came out of nowhere."
"'Is he friend... or is he foe?' the pony wonders..." the figure spoke softly and eerily, the unicorn suddenly feeling he should be anywhere else, "I can assure you... I am no friend."
Then the lower half of figure's face became slightly visible... along with a skinny arm and hand!
"I am Lord Tirek...!"
The unicorn gasped as he felt his active mana suddenly weaken, the mana being drawn from his horn into the figure's hood as he growled, "And I will take what should have been mine long ago!"
As the unicorn's magic was stolen, his cutie-mark three gleaming green gems, vanished! His magic gone, his levitation on his basket of fruit faded, and the produce spilled over the alleyway ground as the unicorn keeled over, his eyes paled, his breath weak, as he looked up in terror at the figure that called himself Lord Tirek as his robed form grew a little larger... and his eyes gave a soft yet menacing yellow glow and the monster began to snicker with quiet malice!