//------------------------------//
// An offer they can't refuse 
// Story: The Price of Freedom (Mk. 2) 
// by kahnac 
//------------------------------//

"Cozy Glow?!" Dusk angrily exclaimed. "There's no way it could be her, Tirek! You're lying like you always do!"

"Oh?" Tirek inquired. "And what reason would I have to lie of such things? Are all of you so arrogant as to believe that ponies can do no wrong, and are incapable of performing any kind of evil? Pathetic." He then smiled dubiously. "And even though i'm not quite a fan of ponies... ...i've come to learn that even your kind has value aside from fuel to my endless power. Especially when I discover ponies as like-minded as myself. And her willingness to lure the six of you here on a wild-goose chase, and into the jaws of an inescapable trap was truly remarkable!" He laughed proudly.

"Uh....there's six of us?" Spike reminded the centaur.

"Oh." TIrek said in mock apology. "I am so sorry: I had no idea pets qualified as part of this group.' Earning a huff of angry smoke from the young drake, who almost tried to take a swing at Tirek, completely forgetting that the centaur can still harm him. Thankfully, Dusk was able to keep the young dragon at a distance. "Don't listen to him right now! We have to figure out how to get out of this place, and now!" He then began running to the gate, with his friends following behind. "I should never have left based on a hunch! Who knows what could be happening right now!"

"Don't beat yerself up, Dusk!" Applejack tried encouraging. "Nopony could have predicted Cozy would go, and do something like this!"

"Maybe not.....but now i'm only hoping Starlight can handle anything Cozy Glow has planned."

"HAHAA! Already you forget how Cozy Glow outsmarted the six of you, and lured you into a trap! Starlight Glimmer has no chance against her!" The others, desperate to get out, ignored the centaur's taunts, and eventually made it to the door. "So how do we get out of here?" Spike asked.

"Leave that to me, guys!" Rainbow shouted, before shooting through the air at the gates with her backleg outstretched. Her intention had been to break open the gateway to earn their escape. Instead, she found herself splattered against the iron gates like a bug on a windshield. Sliding down in an uncomfortable heap. The group gathered around her while she rubbed her head, with Rarity remarking, "Rainbow, Darling, i hardly think brute force is truly the answer to our problems."

"So....does ANYONE have a plan?" Spike asked, feeling his worries growing by the minute.

"I have no idea, spike!" Dusk admitted, looking around the cavernous realm of Tartarus. "According to Celestia, all of Equestria's most dangerous creatures, and villains are locked up in here. The only way in, and out of this place is through that gate.......and I don't even want to consider the notion of delving into the chasm over there." He moved on over to the edge of the cliffside. "I have no idea what's down there, but.........I get the feeling it's something beyond our understanding. Something beyond evil."

"That doesn't sound too nice." Pinkie said. "Though it can't be any worse than what might qualify as "Beyond Good". I mean, can you imagine being beyond good AND evil? That's silly!" She giggled. "How would anypony know what's good, or bad? Like whether they should increase the temperature of the oven when baking a cake to 500, or lower it to 10 and ruin it. It'd be even worse than-"

"Pinkie!" AJ exclaimed. "Simmer down, if you can, sugarcube. Now's not the time for being random." she said, causing Pinkie to squeak with embarrassment, and gain a sheepish look. Shaking her head, Applejack then said, "Well, ah reckon we oughta think'a somethin', an fast. It might already be close to time for all magic ta disappear."

"I agree." Rarity said, just as Cerberus made a jump over her head. "And I, for one, might not enjoy being trapped with such.........repugnant company any longer than necessary." Then she noticed Fluttershy giving her a bit of a stink eye, which made her look embarrassed, and giggle in the same manner. "N-not that there's anything wrong with our present company - excluding that magic-sucking brute, of course."

Fluttershy sighed, "It's alright, Rarity. We're all under alot of stress right now. But these creatures certainly have less love for being trapped here than we do." She looked to them again with sympathy as she flew over, and pet a cave monster by the snout with gentil care. "Besides, I would never call the poor dears monsters."

"Neither would I." Dusk agreed. "And once we get out of this place, i'll see to it that you and I find them a new home where they can't hurt anypony, and vice-versa." He kept looking around the dark cavern. "Assuming we truly can find a way out." Then an idea began forming in his head. "But.......I MIGHT have an idea on how we can get out, though it might be risky."

"I don't know." Pinkie said, standing next to the Chimera with a marshmallow on a stick. "Being stuck here with all these awesome creatures for all eternity doesn't seem too bad." Suddenly, the Chimera belched out a torrent of fire at the ponies head. The result was both roasted marshmallow, and roasted pinkie, who coughed out a puff of smoke. "Okay, maybe not forever."

"And yet, in the end, it is exactly what WILL come to pass!" Tirek proclaimed in a loud shout. "Cozy Glow has already shared the details of her scheme beforehand. And if she keeps to her own calculations, and careful timing, then by sunset tonight all of Equestria's magic shall be devoured by the dimensional rift she has undoubtedly formed, and eternally banished into the aetherium for all time!" It was at this point something bothered Dusk about this whole evil scheme. And it drove him to take flight back on over to Tirek's cage, and ask him, "Have you even thought about what draining Equestria of all its magic would actually mean for you?"

"From one point, it would mean the six of you would be trapped in here with me - forever."

"SEVEN!" Spike shouted.

"STILL NOT COUNTING PETS!" Tirek shouted back, earning a growl or anger from Spike.

"Exactly! It means you're stuck here. With us. Forever." Dusk smirked, thinking he had Tirek on the ropes, and had thrown his plan back in his face. But his smug sense of triumph turned to dismay as Tirek laughed in amusement. "Speak as if it is unending torment all you want, prince. But the fact is, under ordinary circumstances, I could live with such a thing. Knowing how much agony, and suffering the six of you would undergo at the thought of what either Cozy Glow, or any number of dark influences may arise to take advantage of your worlds newfound weakness." He then smirked. "In fact.........you could say that this may tip the scales of balance in favor of Darkness."

Hearing him say this gave Dusk cause for suspicion that Tirek was up to something. "What do you mean by that?"

"Oh, nothing much......other than a hint of things to come, i'm sure." His expression then turned coy. "Now, I believe your concern was finding a way to escape this place in order to save your precious world, weren't you?"

"Obviously, horn-head." Dusk remarked rather rudely. "But right now that isn't your concern. And we've been wasting all this time on the wrong person, anyway."

Tirek huffed in near indignation. "How like all of you miserable equine wretches to simply write off your only chance for salvation when he stands right in front of you." Just before Dusk could fly away, he cast a backwards glance at Tirek. The latter smirked at seeing his enemies attention being gained. "Or have you forgotten that I escaped from this cursed prison before? And that I have methods of doing so again?"

Dusks eyes again widened in realization, while the others were surprised to hear that. But Dusk wasn't completely sold on what Tirek had to say, and new there was some ulterior meaning behind it. "You're right, Tirek, we did actually forget that fact at the moment - even though it was a consideration back in canterlot. But how do we know you're even telling the truth in regards to that?"

"That's the thing, my boy - you don't." Tirek spoke with a snide, controlling tone as he stared his enemy in the eye. "But you cannot take that chance, can you? Every minute you spend arguing with me, and wasting every second conceiving of a foalish plan, Equestria suffers more, and more. My apprentice could be doing any number of things to your precious students.......even using them for her own ends. After all: would Celestia, Luna, or that boisterous old Neighsayer endanger the lives of innocent, young ponies willing to follow somepony who inspires loyalty in the youth of Equestria? Cozy Glow orchestrated plans to cripple equestria of its ultimate power, so it should stand to reason she has plans to use your precious school to take your kingdom by force. Ah, such invigorating potential in one so young."

"That isn't going to happen, Tirek!" Dusk declared challengingly. "I'm not gonna let it happen!"

A brief silence passed between the two enemies as they locked eyes. One with a reserved, calculating glance, and the other with a determined, angered glare. A sign of just how deeply the animosity between these two fell. But after a while, Tirek let out a chuckle of amusement, before saying something that made everyone's jaws drop. "Something we can agree on, at last."

"Say WHAAAAAAAA?" Pinkie exclaimed comically.

"And as such, i'm more than willing to aid you all in thwarting that miniscule wretches ambition." Tirek said with open arms, and his cloak blown backwards in dramatic flare. As expected, this caused quite a stir among the ponies. "Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa!" Rainbow said. "Time out, and hang on a sec: you actually WANT to help us stop Cozy Glow?" 

"Even though you openly admitted to being her secret mentor, and that y'all were the one who taught her how to drain Equestria of its magic?" Applejack asked

Tirek rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Yes! As though I wouldn't have to go through with explaining a second time."

Stopping with her play with Cerberus, Fluttershy asked, "But...why would you want to do that? Wasn't trapping us in here while Cozy sucks all of the magic of Equestria into another dimension? Why would you want to ruin your own plan?"

"Ah ah ah: you mean Cozy Glows plan - not mine." Tirek corrected. "It is true that I aided her in her ambitious goals, and to have all you sent here. That was my part of the plan." Suddenly, his expression morphed into an angered scowl. "But.........."

"But what?" Dusk asked with a cocked eyebrow.

"But the plan has long since deviated from MY original design!" He almost roared while grippin the bars of his cage with brutal force. They actually thought he might have broken through the bars right then and there. "When I agreed to mentor Cozy Glow, I did so with the intent of using her to initiate my freedom from this infernal prison. I lead her in the direction of the magical syphoning spell that would effect our world. The armor I now wear protects me from the spells influence because it also absorbs essence similar to how a plant consumes sunlight, and stores it in me without risk of it being taken away. This would be beneficial for our plan to cripple equestria. My plan was for my dear apprentice to call upon her spell, and absorb every last drop of magic. Then, using the magical sigils I taught her to utilize, send all of it directly to me. With all of that power flowing in my body, I would easily escape this dungeon of depravity. And together, she and I would rule all of Equestria for all time!"

Dusk crossed his hooves together. "But obviously, that wasn't the case."

Tirek growled deeply. "Indeed not! When she discovered the hidden caves beneath your school, she told me of the crystal roots residing down there. She even surmised that six artifacts related to the six great nations could work as the conduit for her parasitic spell, and the roots essence could be harnessed to power the spell. I applauded her for her creativeness......... .but then she revealed her intention of creating a vortex into the Aetherium, instead of Tartarus. It took all of my strength just to keep from roaring at the presumptuous, double-crossing brat! That was the moment I realized she had ultimately betrayed me! She simply took all that I learned her, and intended to leave me in the dust of eternal imprisonment - prattling on about how "Friendship is Power", and how she would soon become the Empress of Friendship." The centaur actually, visibly gagged when he said those words. "The idea of utilizing friendship is still appalling. Though I WILL admit, it is devious to use your own ideologies against you, Princey." He chuckled.

"She was hardly the first, Tirek." Dusk mentioned.

"I know. Cozy was quite gracious enough to tell me of your friends time-travelling escapade." The centaur rubbed his hands together as he chuckled. "Such a delightful idea for revenge - but wasted on a foolish, petty vendetta. How pathetic."

"Is there an actual rest-stop between now, and an actual point?" Dusk asked rudely, and impatiently, which wore on Tirek after a while. "The POINT, you uncharismatic wretch, and worthless excuse for a pony, is that Equestria, and all of its Essence belongs to me, and me alone! Magic is the vital essence of our universe - of this very world - and I alone hold the might, and will to control such power. It is my birthright to claim it, obtain life eternal, and become the Elder God of our generation! And I will NOT allow a novice child to jeopardize MY ambitions! That is why, when she voiced her concern of you, and your friends jeopardizing her plans, an idea occurred to me. Thus, I gave her the idea to set you all on the trail which would lead you here to me. And ensure that you would end up as imprisoned as I am. Now, here we are."

"Okay, that explains the basics." Spike said, rubbing his chin inquisitively. "But.....why go through all this, then? If you're against what Cozy Glow has planned, then why did you go to all the trouble to lock us down here with you?"

"The answer to that, my dragonian friend, is quite simple: you shall have the means of liberation, and the salvation of all Equestria."

Fluttershy smiled hopefully as she asked, "You mean, you'll really help us?"

But Tirek only laughed in amusement at such an incredulous question. "That's not what I said! None of you allowed me to explain: I am never one who gives anything away." He smirked. "What I do is bargain, and trade."

The others looked to each other in obvious confusion. Tirek merely facepalmed in response. "Must I be so exceedingly specific? If you wish for my help, which I assure you is indeed necessary, then first we must discuss the subject of payment! You can't get something for nothing, you know."

"But we don't any-

"I'm NOT asking much." Tirek interrupted Rarity, as he wrapped his right arm in his cape, and let it hang. "Just a token favor, a trifle matter. You'll never even lose anything of importance." He then looked directly to his alicorn adversary with a knowing smile. "I believe you know what I want from you is." He received an angry glare in turn, as Dusk said, "Just as I thought! Well, guess what, Tirek: we are NOT helping you escape just to take down Cozy Glow! We're alot of things, but we're not THAT desperate!"

"Heh. Please! Do you really think you have a choice? We may be in a mountainous cavern, but sun and moonlight still creep in through the cracks above." He threw back his cloak, and pointed to the jagged ceiling. "I've learned to map, and predict the times of day, and night. And by now, I predict it's already past 5 in the evening. In less than an hour, the sun sets, and your mission is doomed. Already you're out of tricks, out of magic, and out of options."

"That's where you're wrong, Tirek." Dusk said confidently.

"Y'all got a plan, sugarcube?" Applejack asked.

"Like I said: it's risky, but it might work." He then turned to look at the other creatures, before he and his friends made their way over to the cages. "Even with Cozy's spell at work, these creatures might have residual magic left inside of them. Tirek was right about magic being the essence of our world, and all who live on it. Maybe with their help, we could gather the magic we need to-"

"Don't tell me, let me guess!" Tirek raised his voice. "To cast a syphoning spell that will absorb the magic of all the creatures in Tartarus, and channel it into your horn so that you can focus it into the spell that would open the gate. Is that the gist of it?" Dusk, and the others were caught off-guard by how well Tirek somehow deduced Dusks plan. Before they actually had an opportunity to ask, he spoke, "The reason I knew you had such a plan in mind is because it was also my own plan for escape. Unfortunately, the only reason I haven't done so is because, as I mentioned, I am in no true condition to drain living magic so deeply ingrained in the monsters of this prison." He then gave Dusk a knowing expression. "At least, not without one final boost of energy from the only creatures I AM able to consume. Even at such a measly level as you find yourselves in."

All of the ponies, and even Spike, stood defensively against the centaur. "Forget it, Tirek! There's no way we'll let you take our magic again! There's no way I could ever trust any deals you offer after what you did to Discord!" Tirek appeared insulted, but was only playing for laughs. "Moi? I am insulted by such an insinuation! I merely defended myself from a potential threat before he could betray me, as a Lord of Chaos is known to do. Besides: if you recall, I held up my end of our bargain when we last faced each other. I follow my bargains to the letter, I assure you." But his pleasant expression turned into disdain. "And besides: if you want your little spell to work, you need all those capable of transferring magic........including myself. And none of you have the power to force me to surrender my power. Thus, your plan is flawed, and wasted."

Dusk began feeling uncertain as Tirek picked apart his idea. He was right about alot of things, and now the alicorn was unsure of how well his idea could work. Looking around at the other creatures, he knew what the alternative to Tirek's plan was. And he could not allow that monster to take what little essence the creatures had. They didn't deserve such a fate, and there was no guarantee they could be restored. He was at a cross-roads, with no idea what he should do now. "Don't listen to him, bro!" Spike spoke up, pulling Dusk out of his thoughts. "He's just trying to mess with your head. That's how he got Discord to help him before!"

"That's right!" Rainbow said. "We don't need that bull-headed creep's help! We know you got this, Dusk, and we'll do whatever you need us to do to help out!"

Dusk couldn't stop himself from smiling at his friends, and their encouragement. They could always be counted on to help him out of any rut. Now, more than ever, he was thankful to have them at his side. "Thanks, guys. I really needed that."

"That's what best friends are for!" Spike said triumphantly. "So what do you need us to do?"

"Rainbow Dash, and Applejack: we need you two to tire Cerberus out, after Fluttershy convinces him to lend us a paw." He turned to Rarity. "With Rarity pitching in, it shouldn't take too long for that to work, and to make the spell easier to cast." "I'm sure I can convince all the other monsters to help out!" Fluttershy said aloud, before whispering, "Though I would NEVER actually refer to them as monsters."

"Same here, Fluttershy." Dusk smiled. "Just get as many as you can to help out. I'm not sure how much magic I can hold in, but with any luck, it should be enough to open the gate." He suddenly felt a gentle tug on his mane, and saw Spike asking, "Well........I know it's pretty risky, too, but....what about Tirek? He must have a ton of magic stored inside of him. Especially with that armor keeping it held in place." This made Dusk quite weary. "I don't know, Spike. As he is, and as we are now, he holds the physical, and magical advantage over us. It's going to take a long while to figure out how we can get him to-"

"Just leave him to me!" Pinkie confidently said, bounce-prancing over to the evil centaur, much to Dusk, and Spike's concern. And despite both their protests, she ignored them, and approached Tirek's cage, just as Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Rarity began playing with Cerberus non-stop, while Fluttershy convinced the creatures to help them, to which the hybrids agreed. Pinkie slunk her way into his cage while his back had been turned, and immediately began barraging him with a silly, annoying song to get on his nerves. Even throwing in a him-styled birthday cake to add to the fun-based torture she was attempting to inflict upon him in order to force his cooperation. She was quite confident he’d easily crack under such annoying pressure. ”I know it's not your birthday, so You get a party, even though We'll sing and dance from one to ten And then we'll do it all again!”

Tirek was already getting annoyed with this idiotic, pink blob of an equine. He had no idea how she put a party hat on his head without his notice, nor how she produced a birthday cake -much less made in his image. But the fact she was so close to him, and physically touching him, that was putting her on thin ice. Her blowing a party favor in his ear didn’t help in the slightest. Nor did her moronic play at hosting some kind of child’s tea party. “More tea, Princess Pudding Rock?” She then actually reached her hooves down to his mouth, and pulled them open to make it look like he was speaking. All the while screeching in a horrid, highpitched voice, "Oh! Don't mind if I do!" Which was her bid at mocking him by making it seem like he spoke. Her bubbly laugh making a vein visibly throb on his forehead. He was this. close. to throttling this insolent pony dead. “I can do this all eternity.” Pinkie all but whispered in his ear in a cute attempt to be threatening.

Very big mistake.

Before she could even blink, Tirek grabbed her by the throat, and held her in a grip so firm, it would make a megaconda feel gentle in comparison. The others heard her yelp as she was grabbed, and immediately stopped what they were doing. The pink mare, who looked like pink broccoli, was brought before the low, humming, growling face of the centaur she had attempted to psychologically torture. Beads of sweat trailing down her head as she nervously smiled at the realization of her mistake. "Hey........if you don't......like birthday parties..........we could....set up a.....playdate!" This only earned her a ferocious, primal roar from the centaur that shook the very foundations of Tartarus. Startling all of the creatures awake, and even earning Cerberus' attention. Things got really intense when a familiar orb of fiery magic formed inbetween his horns - aimed directly for Pinkie's head.

"Oh, no you don't!" Rainbow cried out, once again charging the centaur at what was as close to her top speed as she could reach. Looking back, a manic grin formed on Tirek's face, and suddenly came a bolt of crimson lightning from his left hand, which struck the pegasus back. Seeing the moments playing out, both Applejack and even Rarity grew angered, and charged Tirek - the latter carrying the large bone she was using for Cerberus as a weapon. An idea struck the centaur's mind. Swinging Pinkie around like a Bolas, he hurled her right into Aj, and Rarity with enough force to make them form a trench of dirt when they slid backwards. Seeing Rarity possibly getting hurt like that ignited a spark of anger in Spike's heart, and mind that caused him to huff smoke through his nostrils, a growl to escape his throat, and for the young drake to fly after the centaur. "Spike, no! Stop!" Dusk cried out, but to no avail. Spike was consumed by his anger, and determined to make Tirek hurt for his actions. Once he was right next to the centaur, he took in the deepest breath he could, and unleashed a stream of green AND purple fire at the centaur in the hopes of burning him alive.

Tirek merely held his cloak over his body, and let the fire wash over him harmlessly. The ponies, and Spike watched in awe at the display. Whatever that cape was made of, not even dragon fire could burn through it - which ultimately made it potentially dangerous. Soon, Spike ran out of breath, and Tirek lowered his cloak with a dismissive body language that showed he was unimpressed by the display. But then he angrily glared at the now frightened dragon, who was about to make a dash for it.........until he felt the familiar sensation of magic grabbing his wings. His arms swung wildly around as he attempted to escape, before grunting in pain from his wings being held in Tirek's strong, muscular hand. The centaur laughing in amusement at the little dragon's pitiful squirming. Seeing his brother in danger, Dusk angrily charged the centaur, with full intent to attack.

But Tirek held up the drake threateningly, and said, "Stay where you are, boy! Another inch forward, and a head will role - his!!!" He charged his index finger, and held it to the drake's neck. A frightened gulp sliding down Spike's neck at the intense heat being held at his throat. Dusk, now worried for his brother's safety, but unwilling to endanger him pleaded, "Please, don't hurt him! Please!"

"That depends on you, your 'majesty'!" Tirek snarled. "I tried to be negotiable. To make you see reason. And yet, each and every time you spurn my offer. So NOW! Now, i am reduced to using force! So tell me: will you hear out my bargain? Or do I need to 'get the ball rolling' by having the head of your little friend do so, instead?"

"Don't listen to him, Dusk! He'll just - aargh!" Spike grunted as his wings were gripped harder, and the energized claw of Tirek gently cut into his skin. The other ponies, and even the other creatures, watched with concern at the display of horrifying confrontation as the innocent young drake's life was being threatened. Dusk kept trying to think of any other way, but in the end he couldn't think of anything. He refused to endanger his adopted brother, for any reason, and wouldn't do anything to harm him. And thus, it was with great regret, and shame fully displayed as his head lowered to the ground he landed on in front of Tirek, that he conceded. "Alright." he said in a defeated voice. "You win." The others gasped in horror, while Tirek grinned in satisfaction. "What are your terms."

"I thought you'd listen to reason." Tirek said, as he held Spike off to the side in his magic. "Seeing as how we want the same thing, I propose we invoke..........The Unbreakable Oath." Dusk looked up to Tirek with a confused expression. "The Unbreakable Oath? What is that?"

"Nothing troublesome. Merely a magical 'contract' in order to keep both parties true to our word. Here is what I offer: in exchange for giving me the means of escaping this cursed dungeon.....with NO intention of attempting to imprison me again, I will aid in both your escape, and in subduing the traitorous Cozy Glow. How does that sound?"

Dusks gaze was stern, and filled with contempt for the monster holding his friend, and family hostage. "If I really agree to this, i'd be giving you complete, and total freedom." Tirek rested his right arm on his left as he placed his fist under his chin. "That's right!" he said in a fake tone of shock, and concern, before his tone turned coy, and his hand slid forward. "But, you'll be free to save your home, AND your precious school." He chuckled smugly, right before he took a breath and placed both fists on his hips. "Life's full of tough choices, innit?" He chuckled again in a much deeper tone. "However, there are a few......precautionary conditions in the contract to ensure your conscience remains somewhat stable."

"........And.....what are they?"

Tirek smirked as he spoke. "Simple: One, no pony will be harmed by me in any way for an extended period of time. Two, once the task is complete, I will return the magic given to me following Cozy Glow's subdual. And finally, a ceasefire will be initiated for a great period of time in which neither me, nor anyone in the service of you ponies, will make any moves to strike against each other."

"How long will any of this last?" Dusk asked.

"Who can say for sure? Peace is always a fleeting, passing experience. But even a small period of peace is worth the price of admission..........don't you think?" Tirek then reached his open right hand to the alicorn, who slightly recoiled when he saw the hand engulfed in black flames with a golden outline. "Only remember this, dear boy: a contract forged of The Unbreakable Oath....is legal, binding, and completely unbreakable - even for the likes of Discord. An eternal agreement held until each side fulfills their end of the contract - under pain of death." The girls, and Spike gasped in horror. All of them beckoning Dusk to decline, saying there must be another way, or something akin to it. Dusk was ignorant to their cries, as he held his gaze - his stare meeting Tireks as a battle of wills was fought between them. Two prodigies of magic, products of their own times. But unfortunately, age and experience would win out this day.

"So.....do we have a deal?"

After what felt like years, Dusk did the only thing he could do that he felt was right.......though it would shame him for the rest of his life: he took Tirek's hand, and accepted the centaur's bargain. As the fire surrounded his own hoof, Dusk winced as he actually felt his very life force being pulled out of him. His vital essence joined with the maniacal centaurs, and swirled around their joined limbs in a swirl of black and golden fire before crafting a glowing, yellow contract that appeared in between Dusk, and Tirek as they broke off their hand/hoof shake. Dusk attempted to read the fine print, but the language was in a tongue even he couldn't recognize. Only his name at the bottom, and Tirek's in the first paragraph, were understandable. Either way, he now felt the weight of his actions come down on him as Tirek dropped Spike to his hooves, and called the contract into his hand. The mystical construct disappearing in a sprinkle of light. Both brothers held each other in a warm, comforting embrace as Spike cried from the fearful experience.

Tirek, however, now had a terrifyingly wide grin on his face, as he cited the incantation he would need for his wicked spell.

Centaurus, Unicus, now shades of the dark one, run free!

Consumptus magicus et motus fromatus! Transfero to me!

And with that, it all fell into place. Tirek's hands clasped together, and a shockwave of his own dark magic swept across the chamber. All who were caught in its field felt the unusual, and alien aura in their bodies. But that soon turned to agony as they felt their own essence being ripped from their bodies. Dusk, and his friends all remembered this sensation as they watched what magic remained in them disappear into the maw of the demonic centaur. Though all of them would rather wish to forget such an experience. The other creatures, unfortunately, were unprepared for such an ordeal, and were shrieking and howling in pain, much to Flutterhy's horror. Pretty soon, even Cerberus was drained of his inherent magic, despite only being half tired. The end result was him, and creatures like the Chimera, Manticore, Cockatrice, and Chimera actually divide into the animals that fused together to make them what they were while all the others felt completely weak, and near death. A saddening sight for all those present.

And while they all grew weaker......Lord Tirek grew far stronger than before. So strong that his size, and power overcame the cage surrounding him. A burst of fiery magic erupted from Tirek's position, and sent Dusk, and Spike flying towards their recovered friends with bits and pieces of debris flying everywhere. Once both got to their feet, All of them gasped at the sight of the now larger centaur towering over them - the same height Cerberus himself once stood at. The sensation of such energy was like a drug to Tirek. And he laughed with such wicked glee, and triumph that it almost caused the cave itself to collapse. "SO MUCH POWEEER!!!"

Tirek bellowed in triumph, flexing his enhanced body, and surging with dark power. "I had almost forgotten what this felt like!" He laughed with malicious glee, terrifying the ponies before him. The sight of their frightened gazes only made him laugh harder before he finally got to the matter at hand. "And now, it is time to take what is ours! FREEDOM TO THE OPPRESSED!"

A beam of his magic shot at the gate, and set the spell to unlock the massive door. And in mere moments, the enormous slabs opened wide, and let in the light of the outside world for the first time in hours. This gave the ponies a feeling of renewed hope. Then Tirek made a huge leap over their heads, across the entirety of Tartarus itself, and landed inbetween the doors with a tremorous thud. And what Spike might describe as a "supervillain landing" were he not afraid of the towering demon. Once he was upright, he cast a backwards glance at the ponies, and dismissively asked, "Well? I thought you wanted to escape as badly as I did. Or do you want to stay here, after all?" The group glared at the centaur angrily, but then turned to Dusk for action. He looked back to all of the creatures, who were now rendered absolutely powerless. His heart went out to the ones who looked as though they were drained of life, itself, and to Fluttershy, who was playing with the cerberus puppy trio with a sad smile. Before they left, Dusk spoke up loud enough for all of the creatures to hear him, and said, "Don't worry, guys! As the Prince of Friendship, I promise that once this is all over, you'll all get your essence back, and your magic restored."

"That's right, friends!" Fluttershy said proudly. "Soon you'll all be back to your wonderful, magical selves in no time!"

"And, as an added bonus.........I promise to find all of you a home where all of you can live happily, and without fear of hurting, or being hurt in kind!" Dusk added. "You're creatures of Equestria, too, and have as much right to live in it as any other. One day, i'll make this happen. Just be patient, and you'll see."

"LET'S GO!" Tirek roared, getting the ponies attention. And reluctantly, they followed Dusk out of the caves of Tartarus, just as it began to close once again. The centaur, staring at them with crossed arms, and a blank expression. Dusk managed to catch his breath, and asked if everypony was alright. Which, of course, they were. "You okay, too, Spike?"

"Yeah, don't worry about me, Dusk." Spike said. "My ego's bruised more than my wings."

"I'm glad to hear." He smiled, before his expression turned to determination. "Now let's get back to the school, and set things right."

"Apologies, your 'majesty'." Tirek rudely remarked once again. "But i'm afraid it's far too late to set things right now. Behold." His cloak was thrown back, and his hand pointed to the evening sky. A sky that was now growing dark as the last bit of sunlight faded away. A sight that filled Dusk Shine with horror, and shame. "No. No, nononono! We're too late!"

"Dusk, darling!" Rarity exclaimed worriedly. "Is everything alright?"

"No, Rarity, it isn't!" Dusk exclaimed in despair. "We were supposed to find the solution before time ran out! Before.....before......"

"Before the sun sets on the third day." Tirek said ominously.

"Now magic is gone. Gone forever, and we can't get it back now." Dusk said.

"W-what does that mean, Dusky?" Pinkie nervously asked, before being met with the distraught face of her best friend. Small tears forming in his eyes as the reality set in.

"It means....we've failed.