Dark, dank, and rife with monsters. That was the best description that one could give of the Gates of Tartarus. Set deep in a cave below a mountain, in this place, the rules of Equestria meant nothing. Fire flowed like water around the cavern, breath was visible like on a cold day, and as the Gates themselves approached, faint screams echoed around the chambers with every step. This was not a place that Rainbow Dash wanted to be. The Gates of Tartarus themselves were massive hunks of stone, covered in glowing runes that pulsated and writhed before her eyes, never seeming to stay in the same place for too long. Rainbow Dash may have been a loyal friend, and may have bragged that she would brave Tartarus for her friends, but she never imagined that she would actually have to do it one day. The Pegasus gulped nervously, and approached the door.
“Right, you’re Rainbow Awesome Dash. Tartarus is no problem. Just go in, get what you came for, and then get out. No need to linger,” muttered Rainbow, “Oh, ponyfeathers. Cerberus.” The giant three-headed dog had emerged from the shadows in the cave, and was now growling at the pony, drool dripping from its teeth. Rainbow Dash, however, had been given some advice on dealing with the massive black beast, so she straightened up as best she could, and yelled, “My Name is Rainbow Dash, and I Seek to enter Tartarus to find my friends and bring them back to Equestria!”
A few silent moments passed in the wake of the pegasus’ proclamation, before the dog let out a long, rumbling growl, and backed into the shadows once more. Rainbow Dash sighed in relief, and approached the Gates, and gingerly placed a forehoof on the cold stone, and gently pushed. The gate, with a deep rumble, began to open. Once it had ground open enough for her to fit through, she darted through the gap, and placed a hoof on the other side, stopping the door’s advance, and then she turned to face the plains of fire and ice which she would have to traverse to find her friends.
“Ok, what did Princess Luna say?” murmured Rainbow “All roads are the same in Tartarus. What matters is not the direction you travel, but what you want to do. Keep your mind on the friend you want to find, and you will find them, young hero.” Rainbow closed her eyes, spun around, and picked a direction.
“Hold on, guys, I’m coming!” called Rainbow, as she ran off into the distance.