//------------------------------// // Chapter 59: The Divine Comedy // Story: Chaotic Harmony // by shirotora //------------------------------// Chapter specific tags: dark, some gore December 12, 1005, I walked at a steady pace through the darkness of the cavern. It really didn't seem like anything special. There was nothing creepy or ominous about it, just damp and dark. At least that was true for most of the trip. After a while I entered a large chamber. Now the chamber itself wasn't anything too different, but the massive three headed beast that could make me into a kitty nugget was a little unnerving. It was staring right at me, but did little else. After barely managing to keep my bowels from exploding, I carefully made my way through. That thing was friggin' scary. “I thought I was going to have a heart attack.” I said to myself after I passed through the room. I continued on for a while, wondering where the dim light was coming from. My thought's were interrupted when I stepped on something that tangled itself around my front paw. Fearing an attack, I jumped up in my bipedal fighting stance only to see an old worn bag around my wrist. My curiosity got the better of me and I sat down to look at it. I lit my left paw with my fire to cast a better light. A name was written on it, barely legible from age. “Candle Light?” I said aloud. I recalled how Twilight told me how Chronos escaped from here. This was the real Candle Light's pack. I opened it to take a look, thinking I could find out more about who he really was. Unfortunately there was only an old canteen, some spoiled food, and a photo that was too worn to make out any details. I placed the pack along the side of the passage, determined to grab it on my way out. After another five minutes of walking, I came to another open space. This one had a dock over water and a small boat tied to it. I looked around for Charon, hoping to barter passage from him. Not seeing the old fart I approached the small water craft thinking if I should just try to take it when I heard a voice behind me. “Hi, mister.” It said cheerfully, “You looking for me.” I turned around and came face to face with a small pink filly with a blond mane in pig tails. “Uhh... Charon?” I asked doubtfully. “That's me.” She said with a grin that would fit Pinkie, “You need a ride?” “Um...” I was still unsure of the kid, “Yeah. I need to get into Tartarus.” “Your retarded.” She said with the same joy, but held out her hoof anyway. I pulled out the two coins and gave them to her. She quickly unwrapped one of them and ate the chocolate inside. What the fuck? I facepawed. You'd think I’d be use to crap like this. ““Mmm, yummy!” She said, “I'll save the other for later. OK, let's go.” She headed toward the dock. We climbed in the rickety dingy and started down the river Styx. At least I figured it was called Styx. I couldn't be sure. “You know it would be easier to just kill yourself.” Charon said extremely cheerfully, “Ooh, I could do it for you!” I’m not sure where she got it from, but she was suddenly brandishing a battle ax that was twice her size. “Um, no thanks. I’m good.” I said. “OK, but you're going to wish I did.” Said the evil filly. We rode in relative silence. I distracted myself with an idea I had. I wasn't very good at altering things but I managed to attach the compass to my right gauntlet. Satisfied that I found a way to take two magic items into this challenge, I sat staring ahead of the boat. Charon tried striking up conversation with questions like “What's your favorite kind of torture” and “Have you ever feed a pony their own eyes”. It was quite unsettling. I had to hold myself back when we landed just to keep from jumping out and running as fast as I could. In stead I opted for a quick walk. “Bye, mister!” Charon hollered after me, “Have fun dieing!” I continued on down the cave until once again it opened into a large chamber. This one had a black velvet carpet leading to a large throne made of black obsidian. Sitting upon the throne was a fox that was even bigger than Celestia. Its right half was a brilliant, shimmering white that was a stark contrast the the left side that was decaying as if dead for a long time. “I wondered who was coming into my domain.” The fox sad with a silky smooth feminine voice, “I am Hella, ruler of the evil dead.” “Groovy.” I responded, “My name is Shirotora, and I'm here to right a wrong. Three days ago my wife was killed by Celestia. She wasn't even the target, but got caught in the cross fire.” “Yes I remember.” Replied Hella, “She was the second pony sent to me that way. The other was 857 years ago. He mutilated nine colts and twelve fillies. I'm quite fond of him.” She regarded me for a moment before continuing, “I assume you're here to try to retrieve her?” “Yes.” I answered. Hella gave an evil grin, “Now I can't just give up one of my wards. I’ll make you a deal. She's in here somewhere. If you can get to her and get her out on your own she's yours, if not both your souls are mine.” “OK, what are the rules?” I asked. “Simple.” She said, “You may take only one magical artifact with you, and any number of mundane items. You may also use anything you find within the realm. You win when you and your wife make it past Cerberus.” She smiled and held out a massive paw, “Do we have a deal?” I took her paw and shook it, “Fine. I chose my right gauntlet as my magic tool.” She looked at it and chuckled, “My my my, aren't you clever. Several enchantments in one artifact. That's almost cheating. I like you. Your other possessions will be waiting for you in a bag at the entrance.” In a flash all my other magic gear was sent away, “The game will begin when you pass through that door.” She pointed to a door to her left. I nodded and approached the door. I'll admit, I was terrified. I mean I was about to literally go to hell. Yeah, technically I was already there, but it wasn't hell hell. That was just past the door I was facing. I took a deep breath and stepped trough... the 'game' was on. Instantly I noticed a difference. The air was thick and smelled of fear and pain. It reminded me of a deer I was hunting several months ago. I had sunk my claws into its side but it pulled away leaving a terrible gash as it ran off. I hated the fact that it was suffering and tried to find it quickly to put it out of its misery. When I found it, it was laying on its side gasping for air, staring at me, pleading for mercy with its eyes. It was the worst hunting experience I ever had. I felt like such a monster. This smell was the same smell that deer was giving off but ten times worse. I shook off the memory of the poor creature and continued on. The cavern was illuminated from some unknown source. The walls were black and wet. The whole place just felt evil. It was a strange thought considering that the entire realm was made from the body and magic of Gaea, the goddess of good and light. Then again Tartarus wasn't really evil. How can a place that protects others from the worst beings imaginable be evil? It was the residents that were evil. They were the ones giving me that foreboding feeling. I took another deep breath and walked forward. At times I came to an intersection but the compass on my gauntlet told me exactly were to go. I walked for what was at least half an hour. I was on edge, thinking that every step would bring some terrible trap or creature down on me. “Huh, maybe this isn't going to be as bad as I thought.” My idiot mouth spewed the idiot words before I could stop it... fuck my life. The first screeching came from a side passage, one I didn't need to go down. Soon it was joined by a chorus of terrible noise. I decided fighting was pointless so I ran off down the passage indicated by the compass. I didn't bother to turn to look at whatever was chasing me. The fact that I was in Tartarus told me plenty about my pursuers. Instead I just ran like I had never ran before. It wasn't long before I heard screeching in front of me as well. Stopping wasn't in my plan. I activated my light sword and charged forward ready to fight. Admittedly it was a stupid idea to charge something I hadn't even seen yet, but I didn't have a lot of choices. It was either charge blindly forward or stop and fight ALL OF THEM. When I finally saw one I damn near stopped anyway. It was a grotesque mass of different parts that made no sense. It wasn't like Discord where the pats were different but in the right places, this thing had a pony head for a foot. Other mismatched parts were stuck on in random spots, like a dragon tail and griffin claw where it's head should have been. I swung and severed the claw and tail as I ran past. The next had a wyvern tail on its leg that it swung at me. I switched out the sword for the shield and jumped over the abomination. I wasn't trying to wast time fighting them so I opted for evasion, and it was working. Thankfully they were instinct driven and were mindless brutes. I managed to evade several more of the monsters before the cavern opened up and the ground vanished. Thinking quickly, I shot the tether at the opposite wall and retracted myself to it. I heard the screeching of those creatures pass as the continue their blind pursuit down the chasm to their re-deaths. I climb back up using the tether and continue forward. I kept my light sword active, ready for another attack. It took all my focus to move past the chambers where ponies, griffins, d-dogs, and various others were being tortured and tormented by demons. I’m not ever going to describe what I saw going on, but I will say it was like seeing 'cupcakes' being reenacted several times over. “Shiro, I've been waiting for you.” Said a voice from ahead. I looked to the source and felt my heart burst with joy, “Jynx!” I ran up and held my wife, “I thought you would be tortured down here. Are you OK.” “I'm actually great.” She said, “I've been treated wonderfully here. In fact I kinda want to stay. Why don't we both stay here?” “What?” I couldn't believe what I was hearing. “Come on.” she waved to me to follow, “This is the place they gave me.” It was spectacular. It was like the Hilton if it was made by an Arabian prince. Jynx was never one to care for extravagance, but then neither was I, but I still found it amazing. There was a grand chandelier, gilded tables, and sofas. There was even a fountain in the center. She led me to the bedroom where a massive emperor sized bed sat covered with silk sheets. I was led to it where she pressed her lips to mine. Any confusion or doubts I had about the situation bleed away. Her lips were even more intoxicating than usual. “You've done so much for all of us. Why not let us repay you.” she said. “Us?” I asked confused. “That's right.” Twilight said as she entered the room. “Us.” Fluttershy said beside her. A huge grin came over my face. I had always had a bit of an attraction to the pretty purple alicorn, and the sweet yellow dragony. I didn't think Jynx would be OK with it though, but apparently I was wrong. Twilight hopped up on the bed and pulled me beside her. Jynx and Fluttershy followed and the three of them kissed and rubbed me all over. I was lost in the bliss the three beautiful mares were giving me. 'Shirotora' The voice was soft and gentle, definitely female. 'Do not let them fool you, Shirotora.' Said the voice, 'They are not your friends and wife. You're being influenced by their magic. They are succubi and they mean to kill you. Escape while you can.' It was like a switch was flipped and instead of a lavish bedroom, I was on a stone slab with three hideously disfigured creatures latched to me. I flung them off me and jumped to my feet. “What's wrong, honey?” The one that was posing as Jynx asked. I let out a low growl, “I see you, demon.” All three of their faces became angry scowls. They leaped at me in their fury. It was the last mistake they made. They were deceivers not fighters, I made sure they learned that. With them taken care of I continued on. I berated myself a bit for not being able to see through the deception. It didn't matter that it was magic that did it. After fuming about that for a moment another thought entered my head. 'Who was that voice?' I thought. I knew it wasn't anyone I knew, but at the same time it seemed familiar. I was so caught up in my thought that I almost jumped at the feel of grass under my paw. Some how there was a five foot carpet of grass growing in the middle of the path. As I continued to stare three saplings rose from the soil, wrapping around each other until the were about four feet tall with a knob at one end. 'Take it.' The same voice from before said. 'If it was against me it would have let me die.' I reasoned and grabbed the staff. I could feel the magic coming from it. “Thank you.” I said to the mysterious voice, not sure if it could hear me. I gave the staff a few swings to get a feel for its weight. It was obviously meant to strike with the thicker end but the balance was perfect for striking with either end. Without anything to strap it to my back I continued on upright with the weapon in my paws. I wasn't sure who was helping me, but I wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Once again I found torture rooms. These places were going to give me nightmares. The screams were blood chilling. One of them seemed to be worse than the others. It wasn't more pained though, it was just more disturbing. As I got closer I realized why. It was because I knew that voice. I ran as fast as I could, following the compass, it was pointing to one of the rooms. My fear turned to anger when I saw Jynx nailed to a stone block. She was cut open and creatures were eating her insides while she watched, her eyelids removed. I felt a familiar darkness trying to take over. I had to fight it. I couldn't let it out here. Jynx was still a spirit here but the black beast is a creature of dark magic, for all I knew it could destroy her. It was already too strong though, so instead of fighting it I focused it toward the things hurting her. I jumped at them tearing one of their heads off with my bare paws. I vented most the anger I had on the few that were there, beating them with the staff, and then put the rest to the wall, cracking it. After the rage subsided, I turned slowly. I didn't wanting to see my beloved in torment, but to my surprise the horrible wounds were gone. So it can start again. I realized. She was unconscious but still whimpered in pain as I pulled the nails out of her legs. I grabbed two of the leather straps on the wall and tied her to my back. She was so cold. When I was satisfied she was secure I stepped out and was immediately greeted by a deafening choir of screeches and roars. It looked like getting her was the easy part. I took off the way I came as fast as I could. With Jynx weighing me down I couldn't out maneuver them, so instead I activated the light shield and plowed through the things I could. Everything else I bludgeoned with the staff, or sliced up with the light sword. The number eased up when I approached the chasm. I dropped to all four, sprinted toward the gap and flung myself into the air. My tether made up for what distance my legs couldn't clear. Upon landing the same chimeras that hassled me before where back on my heels as I ran from them. It wasn't worth fighting them before and it wasn't worth fighting them with Jynx strapped to my back. Instead I made a mad dash to the exit. I threw my shoulder into the door and found myself in the throne room once again. Unlike last time I wasn't greeted by the “friendly” face of Hella, but the furious visage of the goddess of the underworld. “Do you think I would let you go with my property?” She said with a scowl. “So you're going back on our deal?” I asked. “I said if you can make it past Cerberus. I never said I couldn't stop you myself.” She said with a malicious grin. Luna said to use this if I was betrayed, but never said what it was. I raised my hand and focused the foreign magic toward the angry deity. In a flash she was covered in jet black fire screaming in agony. I ran for the path in front of the throne. “YOU WILL DIE SLOWLY!!!” Screamed the extremely cross devil as the last of the fire was extinguished. “Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck, what do I do?” I said to no one as a ran. 'drive the staff into the ground' That same voice said. The voice helped me out before so why not, it wasn't like I had a better plan. I did as I was told and drove the small end into the rock path. In an instant I was throne away as it bloomed into a thick tangle of silver vines. “NO! YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSE TO INTERFERE!!!” Hella screamed at the vines. Without wasting time, I picked myself up, made sure Jynx was still safely secured to my back, and ran for the boat. Charon saw me approach and smiled as she pulled that massive ax of hers. “Oh, goodie now I get to Kiiillllllllll” She said as I punted her little screwed up flank into the river Styx. I jumped into the boat and began paddling as fast as I could to the opposite shore. As soon as I was close to the dock I leaped from the boat and hit the ground running. I snatched Candle Light's bag as I passed it and burst into Cerberus's chamber expecting a fight. What I found though was an ancient alicorn rubbing a massive three headed dogs belly saying “Who's a good boy” with that baby talk voice while it's tail wags and tries to lick the goddess. I decided I’ve had enough crazy for one day and continued onward. I wasn't sure how long I was down there but the sun was going down and night was approaching. I stopped a good distance from the cave and untied Jynx and laid her on the ground. She was warm, she was alive, and I was unconscious. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- “Thanks for coming with me girls.” Twilight said as Canterlot speed ever closer outside the train window. “Don't mention it, darling. We're your friends.” Rarity said. “'Sides, it ain't like anything's gonna happen.” AJ added as the rocked Autumn to sleep, “Plus Ah wanna see if the princess squeals like a filly at the prospect of a vacation. She gonna be happier than a pig in manure.” ************************************* AN: Well, half of the messed up crap is fixed. Pinkie is a mom despite not being able to conceive herself (I felt that would better justify letting her raise a changeling foal). And Jynx is back amongst the living, though there will be... side effects to her time in hell, but not all will be bad. I'm sure most of you can guess who the voice that Celestia was hearing is. That will be a very short story arc (possibly only one chapter) that will have an important impact on the ending. Then after that one the finale. Now being me, imma go out with a bang. I said I don't like sad endings and I don't, BUT I DO like bittersweet endings. Something that leaves you teary eyed but satisfied. Just sayin. Besides I'm going to have a surprise at the end, and I'm sure you'll love it.