//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 - Breaking Out Of Tartarus // Story: Glimmer & Glow // by Yosh-E-O //------------------------------// Starlight was telling a partial truth about her and Trixie going on ‘The Road To Friendship’. The honest aspect being Trixie was traveling with her on a friendship mission. The not so factual part is their trip was to Tartarus to get Cozy Glow. “You absolutely sure you want to do this?” asked Trixie as she hauled her wagon along the route to Tartarus’ entrance. “I have to,” replied Starlight with determination. “That filly deserves a second chance just as much as I did.” “It does seem out of character for the Princess Of Friendship to send a foal to such a place,” added Trixie with a hint of displeasure. “Then again Celestia and Luna seemed okay with it, too.” “I think Cadence had her doubts,” remarked Starlight as they neared the gate. “However I think she was more concerned on making sure something like that never happened to Flurry Heart.” “Have you ever thought about being a mom?” asked Trixie with genuine curiosity. “Me…?” gasped Starlight as she let out an uncomfortable chuckle. “No, no, no. I have enough trouble with the children at the school. Last thing I need is to bring my work home.” Trixie sighed. “The great and powerful Trixie understands,” she replied. “A foal would completely cramp my style.” “Not to mention cramp your wagon,” teased Starlight. “Precisely!” exclaimed the blue-coated mare who was clad in a purple wizard’s robe. “And just so you know, Trixie is taking no responsibility nor accountability for what you are about to do. We are friends but Trixie has a reputation to protect.” “You do realize coming with me already makes you an accomplice,” Starlight stated somberly. Trixie groaned. “Fine,” she grumbled. “Maybe they’ll let us share a cell in Tartarus together.” “I don’t think it will come to that,” assured Starlight as she reached into her saddle bag and removed a toothless key. “Ooh!” awed the magician with the white mane. “What’s that?” KLUNK CLICK CA-KLUNK The gate to Tartarus started to open as Starlight removed the key. “It’s a Key Of Unfettered Entrance,” she stated. “This one enchanted by yours truly to have more than one use and to only be used by me.” “Are you saying you don’t trust your best friend?” whined Trixie. “It’s not you I don’t trust,” worried Starlight as the gate opened to reveal all the menacing creatures locked within. “It’s them.” *** Starlight’s protection spells and Trixie’s smoke bombs helped the duo bypass many threats along their journey through ‘Bad Guy Central’. PWOOSH CA-CLICK! “Hey!” cried Cozy Glow as a massive plume of smoke engulfed her just before she was magically yanked out from her cage. “I got her!” cried Starlight. “Ready for the grand exit, Trix?” “Sure am!” the Unicorn cried as she mustered all her magic into blasting illusionary, yet quite noisy, fireworks The denizens of Tartarus were completely distracted by Trixie’s use of magic as Tirek awaited the smoke to clear from his gasping view. “What’s the meaning of this!” he bellowed before another fit of smoke-induced coughing struck him. It was then that the smoke cleared to reveal Cozy Glow’s cage had been opened without her still inside. “WHAT!” he bellowed as he stomped angrily about. “You can’t just leave me behind!” The centaur’s outbursts caught the attention of Cerberus along with other occupants of Tartarus. “You think I did this?” he cursed angrily. “Would I still be locked in here if I did? Go get that puny pony before she escapes!” However it was already too late as Starlight had already inserted the key at the gate and made a hasty escape with Trixie and Cozy Glow before any creature could even get close to the magically sealed door.