Dusk sighed in relief at the sight of the seal imbedded within the frightening, and impressively sized slabs of enchanted iron, created to deflect any form of magic either inside, or outside. Only the vertically slanted keyhole of blue could interact with magic in order to open the doors. And it appeared unharmed by any outside force. "At least we know Tirek hasn't gotten out this way, which is good."
"Um, Dusk?" Spike asked. "You say that like there might be some other way out of this place. That isn't true, though......right?"
"I wish I could say for sure." Dusk honestly answered. "But since we have no idea how Tirek escaped before, anything is possible at the moment. But we can't worry about that now. We just have to get in, and quickly."
"How do ya reckon we do that?" Applejack asked.
"Last time I was here, I used magic to enter. Celestia taught me the unlocking spell in case I ever needed to get in.......or out if I ever got stuck in here."
"How could you get stuck in a place like this?" Rainbow asked in obvious confusion.
"Honestly? You'd be surprised by how anything could happen." He sighed before turning back to the door. "Now we just gotta figure out how to get in. My magic's already weaker than before, and it's gonna go away any moment. Without the unlocking spell, I don't see any other way in. Unless-" he stopped when he suddenly noticed pinkie wearing an incredibly comical Pizza costume, looking ready to deliver the fresh pizzas he could smell in her bags. He gave her a deadpanned expression before asking, "Pinkie, what exactly are you doing?"
"What?" She asked back, clearly not understanding what he meant. "It's a classic trick in the book: nopony can resist the sweet aroma of a freshly baked pizza, so somepony's bound to come on out to get some. When they do, that's when we can make our way inside - right after we enjoy some of the pizza ourselves! It's genius!"
"Except for the fact there are NO ponies here." Dusk quickly remarked. "Cerberus is the only guard of the cavernous prison, and he has no means of opening the door on his own." HIs tone then turned considerate. "It was a nice effort, Pinkie, but.....let's save the random craziness for another situation. Okay?" Pinkie made a sound of disappointment, her pizza-dressed head lowered in brief sadness. Then she remembered she had pizza in her bags, and was already munching on the neightalian dish. Glad to see her happy, and pacified, the group turned back to the door. "Now the only remaining question is how we actually get in."
"I don't suppose any of us brought some kind of magical trinkets that could unlock it?" Fluttershy asked.
"That would most certainly be convenient, darling." Rarity said while looking through her satchel. "Sadly, I hardly have anything worth using for pickpocketing, much less opening a magical door."
Suddenly, Spike gasped as he remembered something. "Hang on a sec! I think I have something in here!" He then got started rummaging through Dusk Shine's bags. Pushing past books, and journals, and notepads, and other things ponies would call 'office supplies' until he found what he was looking for. "Here it is!" he cried out happily, presenting what appeared to be some kind of blue diamond with gold trimmings around it. Dusk himself gasped in shocking recognition. "The Key of Unfettered Entrance! When-....how did you-?"
"Princess Luna hoofed it to me before we left Canterlot!" Spike said proudly as he gave Dusk the key. "Said somepony found it, and they were keeping it under lock for study. But with the circumstances as they are, I guess she thought we needed it more. Glad to see she was right." Dusk himself chuckled pleasantly as he hugged his younger brother. "And it has enough magic in it to work. Great job, Spike. I have no idea what we'd do without you." he said, smiling proudly. Before Dusk headed for the lock, Spike thought of making a statement "what are little brothers for?", but begrudgingly decided against it. Right now, they had alot more important things to worry about now. With Key in hoof, Dusk went up to the imposing gates, and inserted the key into the slanted, square lock. Its essence interacted with the lock, and filled the markings on it with bright blue light. They interacted with the smaller squares, causing all of them to twist, and turn with an unlocking sound.
After a few moments, the gate unlocked. And the doors swung wide open for the ponies. They gave a brief cheer of triumph, before Dusk urged all of them inside. Needless to say, it was alot darker than they thought, even with the open door. With what magic he had left, he illuminated his horn to provide some kind of guiding light. He then made ready to carry the key with him, but something odd happened when he touched the jeweled relic: a touch made it glow brightly, and caused it to make a ticking noise that caught the group off guard. The girls, and Spike looked to Dusk with hope for an explanation. Buthe rubbed the back of his head with confusion, and only had to say, "Maybe it's telling us how much time it has before it runs out of juice?"
"Dusk, no offense......but that implies that the key might close the doors on us at any given time." Spike said.
"Sounds like times when I forget to check the timer on the oven, and accidentally blow up a souffle'." Pinkie said, shuddering shortly afterwards. "I always get the eebie jeebies when that happens. A souffle' is a terrible thing to waste, i tell you! So terrible!" She cried.
"Pinkie's jokes aside, I fear she may have a point, darling." Rarity added. "Should we perhaps be worried of what Spike said, and consider it a possibility?"
"Maybe," Dusk answered, taking a few moments to think it over, before his expression turned serious. "but we can't worry about it right now. We came here for answers, and we're not leaving without them. If it's any consolation, we'll do this as quickly as needed - which is needed, anyway, if we're going to end the magical famine before day number 3."
"So what are we waiting for, then?" Rainbow asked impatiently. Nodding in agreement, Prince Dusk lead his friends into the dark, and foreboding cave of Tartarus. What awaited them now was anyponies guess. But the only thing they truly hoped for was answers. So they entered into the unknown, holding to their mission. There was a brief scare from a random cockatrice, until they realized it had no magic to stone them with. The further in they went, the more mythical beasts they saw. Manticore, Chimera, Malwarth, Cockatrice, Mountain yeti, and many others were cramped into small, uncomfortable cages of iron. And all of them were utterly wretched, and miserable due to the incredible lack of strength all of them shared with their magic gone. A sign that the second day had passed, and the inherent magic of mythical beasts such as these had been drained out of them. For ponies, it seemed like an inconvenience.......but Dusk, much like Fluttershy, couldn't help but imagine how much more painful an experience this might have been for them. Seeing as how they were made from magic, itself.
Spike himself said it best: "I know it's supposed to make me feel better.....but it just makes me feel sad."
Dusk Shine definitely would have a chat with the Princesses about them caging the creatures like this. If Fluttershy could open an animal sanctuary, then perhaps a place could be found for even creatures such as these. Even they didn't deserve to be in an iron-barred cage. But those thoughts were interrupted by the only creature not in a cage, attempting to keep himself entertained by running around in circles. It, of course, was none other than Cerberus, the guardian of Tartarus. Feeling bored from doing nothing, and doing what he can to excite himself. Unfortunately that resulted in him nearly trampling the troupe, who had to take cover. Had Fluttershy not intervened by getting his attention, and talking with him he might have. Thankfully, he remembered her from his brief visit to Ponyville, and gave her a friendly lick of recognition, and appreciation. When asked, he agreed to allow them entry to Tirek's holding cell. Even escorted them to the jagged, stone bridge leading to the peak of the mountain holding his cage.
Now, it was finally time for answers, after all the time it took to arrive.
"Well, well, well." Came the hauntingly familiar voice of their old, and possibly worst enemy. Simply hearing him made their eyes narrow in contempt, and forgotten anger. Though they were surprised by the odd shape that seemed to surround the.........fully maned, and long-horned centaur, who peered through the shadows with wicked, yellow eyes - certainly not the sign of an aged, and withered old centaur. "If it isn't the illustrious Prince of Friendship, descending from on high to mingle with the commoners." The centaur said in a mocking tone, while giving a fake bow. Holding in his hand what they could now see was some kind of enormous cape. They'd question how he got it, but at the moment it didn't matter. "To dow what do I owe the honor of your..........company?"
"We're here for answers, Tirek." Dusk said seriously. "Magic is disappearing all over Equestria, and without any........trace...." his train of thought slipped as he, and the other ponies finally got a full look at the centaur. To say they were surprised was an understatement. None of them could have anticipated the now imposing appearance of the figure standing before them now.
"I know." He hummed, slurping his lips hungrily. "And it is truly such a waste of so much.......Mmm, delicious magic." He chuckled darkly.
"So you ARE behind it!" Rainbow accused. "Stupid, silly filly: if indeed I were in control of all that succulent essence, do you think I would still be locked in a cage, like some common animal?" Tirek questioned, getting questionable looks from the ponies. Especially Rarity, who pointed out, "Then perhaps you would care to explain where you got that barbaric attire of yours...........hmm, which even I have to admit seems to carry a certain flair to it that matches your aesthetic. Somehow, it just screams you, darling."
"Rarity, please no complimenting the bad guy on his choice of regular wear." Dusk said in a mildly annoyed tone, despite his own curiosity on Tirek's armor. Rarity huffed a bit in disappointment, but still complied. However, Dusk was willing to continue talking on the subject. "She does raise a point, however. I can feel the magical aura coming from that suit you're wearing. I don't know how you got it, but anyone can tell it had something to do with you being revitalized, somehow. Do you really expect us not to believe you when you say you aren't behind the magical disappearance when evidence contrary proves otherwise?"
Tirek chuckled once again, "Honestly, I could care less. It may have been a factor in me regaining my youthful disposition. But I assure you I am no stronger than I was when I first gained the ability to steal flight. My power is great, but nowhere at its peak. Therefore, it is impossible for me to have, in any way, directly been responsible for the calamity befalling your world.......especially considering if I were responsible, i would ensure you all knew it was me." Even applejack to sense the truth in his words, and all of them slumped down slightly in disappointment. Seeing that he had already gotten to them, it was time for him to proceed further. "But........I MAY know something about it."
Dusk perked in anticipation when the centaur said that, and demanded, "Then tell us what's going on, Tirek! Why is magic disappearing from Equestria?" He was hoping that Tirek would at least be a little more cooperative. But his insistent chuckling proved otherwise. "I could tell you, yes........but in all honesty, I see no reason why I should."
"Care to explain?"
"It's obvious, isn't it, boy?" Tirek hissed, lowering his head to meet Dusk at eye level. "The only incentive I have for explaining anything is if you offered me something in return. Unfortunately, you would refuse my request, and leave me with nothing. Thus, I have no incentive to tell you filthy ponies anything." His smirk was cut off when Rainbow yanked him by the beard, and got into his face as she threatened. "Well, these 'filthy ponies' kicked your flank last time we met. So unless you want a repeat of that, how about you actually be smart, and tell us what we need so we can go away, and never see you again?" Now Tirek had a sneer to match the ferocious glare the mare was giving him, and his patience had just died. "Actually, I have a better idea." He said darkly, briefly startling the rainbow maned mare. Then she suddenly found herself ensnared in a magical aura of Tirek's own magical essence, and forced to let go of the centaur. Her struggles in his hold proved in vain, and she was powerless to stop him from slamming her into the walls surrounding his cage a total of eight times, before finishing his strike by slamming her into his cage. Leaving her to slowly slide down to the ground, barely conscious. The others cried out to her in concern, and rushed to ensure she was alright. While they checked over her, Tirek made his point clearer by saying, "All of you worthless nags keep your hooves to yourself, and show your superior PROPER respect! I am conqueror of nations! Destroyer of Armies! Famine to entire countries, and the Bane of all that is Equestrian! And I will NOT be shown any form of disrespect by your kind! Understood?!" he snarled in anger as his magic flared.
Seeing this, Dusk stood in front of his friends in a defensive stance, and charged up what little magic he had to protect them. "Stand down, Tirek! Right now!" Several tense moments passed between the two, with the alicorn's friends watching with baited breaths. Even the dazed Rainbow found herself worried for her friend, given the circumstances. The two enemies glaring at each other with such anger it could put even the spartans to shame. But beneath his anger, Tirek felt a small sense of respect for this young alicorn. Even when he was now at his absolute weakest, he was still willing to fight him. Just like he was willing to give up the alicorn magic of equestria to protect his friends, after giving the centaur one of the most intense battles he'd ever experienced. Though he loathed the friendship aspect, he could not help but admire Dusk Shine's bravery and tenacity. Enough so that he powered down the magic inbetween his horns with an amused chuckle, and conceded. "No matter. All of you understand my point, and that's enough for me. Even my little protege knows to give me respect, and thus far she has proven to be quite efficient in her........plans."
The ponies gasped in shock, before AJ stepped forth and asked, "What little protege?"
"Hardly much to say, given we have never truly met in person. We are what you may refer to as "pen-pals". She somehow found a means to commune with me through telepathy. She heard of my immense knowledge, and skill in a certain field, and requested to become my 'apprentice' in exchange for the armor I now wear."
"What?" Spike questioned. "No way! How could anypony give you anything, let alone a freaky suit of armor, when you're locked away in Tartarus? That doesn't make any sense!"
"And yet she found a way." Tirek hummed in intrigue as he slowly scraped his claw against the bar. "Fashioned a one-way portal directly to me, and provided me with an armor that holds enough magic to revitalize me as payment for my knowledge. Naturally, I accepted her request, and she's been secretly learning from me ever since. Such an inquisitive mind, that one. Each question had so many details she wished to learn in the regard......of draining magic."
"And you just answered them?" Pinkie pie exclaim asked while hanging onto the bars so that she could peek her head through and invade Tirek's personal space. The centaur unphased by her, and instead answered back with, "Well, for one thing, I was bored. When an opportunity to find amusement arises, you take it." His eyes then began glowing with eerie light, as he leaned in towards Pinkie while his fanged teeth were on full display. "And all I actually did was set my little apprentice in the right direction to see what would happen." He leaned so far towards her, it made her handle on the bars slip, and for Pinkie to fall on her back. Fluttershy went over to comfort the grateful pony while asking, "Um....couldn't you just tell us your pen-pal's name? I mean, it's not like it could really hurt, right?"
Tirek brushed under his chin with his finger, as if he were actually in thought. Until he finally grunted, and said,"Uh...........no." To the indignatious expressions of the ponies gathered, Tirek had an enormous laughing fit. His very bellowing actually shaking the cavern they were in. Scaring all of the animals locked in their cages. The ponies also felt somewhat unnerved by this display, but Applejack would have none of it. "What in the hay do YOU think's so funny? This some kinda game to you?" "The best kind of game i've had in a long time!" Tirek aloud clapped his hands together. "Between those inbred wretches in their cages, and the giant mongrel, you ponies have been the best source of entertainment i've had in so long." "Well, you won't be laughing after we sock it to ya!" Rainbow proclaimed, actually attempting to charge him again. Only Dusk's magic held her back, and saved her from a possibly worse beating than before. Getting the message with her hooves crossed in a huff, Dusk spoke next. "We didn't come here to entertain you, Tirek! We're here for answers, and we're not leaving without them!"
"Actually...........you won't be leaving here ever again." Tirek smirked.
THis earned a shared look of confusion between the ponies, and Dusk asked, "What are you talking about?"
The centaur just laughed again. "Poor, simple Dusk Shine. All that genius intellect, and yet you remain anything but the brightest star in the sky." The alicorn growled in annoyance at the insult, but continued listening. "Didn't you find it odd how that jeweled key you used to enter began ticking as though it were some manner of clock - precisely AFTER you contacted it?"
Dusk began to grow concerned by the insinuation. "How did you know about that?"
"Maybe i'll explain, but right now you should be more worried about what its actual purpose is. And by estimation, it should evaporate into nothingness, and close the gates of this infernal prison in about ten seconds." Dusk gasped with the others, and jolted his head back to where they came from. True to Tirek's word, the blue, glowing jewel that was the key disintegrated into thousands of tiny, sparkling bits of mystical dust. And the gate began to slide shut at a pace too fast for the others to reach by hoof. "NO!!!" he yelled, making a dash for the gate with his wings. Channeling all his strength into his wings, and making it to the gate just as it got close to shutting. Pitting all his strength into holding it open, and he did as he could to hold them open. But all his alicorn strength was gone, and he was now a mere speck of meat against a giant of enchanted iron. His eyes desperately gazed out past the gate to the outside - to Canterlot, which he could see as a distant blot in the distance. Fear filling his heart for all that he was afraid would suffer because of his mistake. For those who would go through this ordeal alone, because of how he had allowed himself to be deceived. All would suffer because of his mistake, and it hurt him greatly.
With a final cry, the gates sealed shut, and the ponies and dragon within were imprisoned in Tartarus for all time.
Dusk's feelings of despair weighed him down, making him slide to the floor against the doors. His eyes filled with regret, and fear, as the small tears in his eyes that were barely noticeable. The wicked laughter of Lord Tirek echoing behind him. Even though it was a loud, torturous noise that actually mocked his failure, the alicorn payed it little mind. He was simply wallowing in his guilt, and sorrow for his failure - and the many who would end up suffering because of it. Yet he wasn't alone in h ordeal, as he felt a small, scaly paw touch his shoulder. Spike was looking at him, a sad but reassuring smile on his face. Doing his best to assure his older brother that while things seemed bleak, they couldn't just give up hope. If a chance existed, then all of them would find it like they always did.
Together.
Dusk, who only allowed his true feelings to shine around his family, gratefully smiled back with tears in his eyes. The young drake's silent message getting across, and earning him a nod of understanding. The two then embraced in a heart-warming hug that made the ponies, and even the other creatures, make sounds of adoration at such a brotherly display. They hgged until Dusk let all his feelings flow out. And once he had no more tears to shed, he wiped his face of any left. And a new, determined smile appeared as he opened his hoof to Spike. The latter shared the determination, and held his brother's hand as they flew back to Tirek's cage. The other mares quickly gathered around, asking if he was alright while also giving him hugs of comfort - much to Tirek's disgust. Finally, Dusk called off the embrace, and got his friends to calm down. "I'm alrigjht now, girls. Just.......just overwhelemed by unexpected circumstances."
"Unexpected might actually be quite an understatement, darling!" Rarity claimed. "With no magic, or magical key to open the door, i'm not sure how we might find a way out of this ghastly place."
Fluttershy stammered, "You mean we're just as stuck here as Tirek?"
Hearing the fear in the young mare's voice, Tirek held no amount of his amusement back in his wicked chuckles. "What a tragedy for you...........sheer delight to me. It appears my apprentice indeed heeded my advice, and her plan ended up working after all." This got the group once more confused as AJ asked, "What do y'all mean, Tirek? Was this all part of some plan to trap all of us in her with you?"
Tirek shrugged his shoulders, "Not mine, exactly. This was all her ingenious idea. Apparently, she found the key of unfettered entry in the same place she had my armor forged. I simply suggested she find a way to rig the key with a time spell that would activate the moment it had been inserted into any lock. Said lock just so happened to be the gates of Tartarus." He smirked. "Yet Luna had remained unsuspicious."
Dusk's eyes widened in realization. "Your apprentice was the one who gave Luna the key?"
"Indeed. Just as she set you on the trail which led you directly to me - and your unprecedented circumstances." His eyebrow then raised in an inquisitive manner towards the alicorn he considered a worthy enemy. "How about it, highness? Are the pieces beginning to come together, now?"
Though he gave Tirek a glare of disdain, his mind ended up considering all of the facts being presented. He remembered exactly why they were here. Just after a Friendship School field-trip went wrong due to magical loss, and word had come in of this being a natural occurrence, it had been one of his own students who actually insinuated the idea of Tirek's involvement. Dusk gasped. There it was. But....that was impossible. There's no way it could be who he thought it was. There's just no way............was there? Spike, being the inquisitive one, asked, "Dusk? What's he talking about?"
"I'm simply shattering your beloved prince's own perception of reality," he smirked, "and being reminded of how betrayal can come from any source - even his own, beloved students."
"Quit the horseapples, Tirek!" Rainbow exclaimed, finally having enough of Tirek's game. "We're all stuck in here together, now, so there's no reason you can tell us the truth! Who's your little "apprentice"? Why did you say it was a student of Dusk, and how were we betrayed? You got no reason to lie anymore, so just spill!"
"Oh, why not?" Tirek asked jovially. "The irony is just too perfect! You really want to know who my apprentice is? The answer is simple."
The group got closer to hear what he had to say, while a look of genuine betrayal on his muzzle.
"Her name..........is......Cozy Glow."