//------------------------------// // Celestia and Cyroxim // Story: The Frozen gate of Tartarus // by Optimistic Pessimist //------------------------------// Twilight and Cyroxim walked through the dark and dank paths of the forest. The mud had long frozen before the pair ever stepped there. The unusually cold weather chased away the terrifying creatures that lived there. Twilight had long since grown used to the cold and snow that came with the company of Cyro, and she hung by his side, with guaranteed safety. "Twilight, do you have any idea where we are?" Twilight looked around. She could hardly recognize anything with the snow around her. "I don't think so but..." A peculiar motion caught her eye. She turned quickly to a hooded creature rushing off to the right. She recognized the striped legs and golden bracelets of the zebra. Smiling, she turned to Cyro. "Follow me!" The pair chased after the hooded figure. They ducked under branches and across gorges. Twilight turned the corner to catch the figure closing the door to a tree. Twilight smiled. "Wait right here, Cyro." Twilight walked quickly towards the door and knocked. The zebra opened the door. "Twilight! you find me in surprise! Quickly; out of the cold and inside!" Twilight closed the door behind her. "What were you doing outdoors Zecora? You know it's dangerous." The zebra hung her cloak, revealing a variety of golden accessories about the zebras body. "I could ask you! What have you to do? The Everfree forest, with no open doors. Especially now, colder than ever before?" Twilight smiled. "I was just bringing the Frozeen Gate back to Tartarus." Zecora gasped. "The Frozen gate of Tartarus? Oh no, Celestia help us!" Twilight smiled. "You know of him too?" Zecora nodded. "Is that the reason for this cold? This one unicorn, as legend foretold?" Twilight nodded. Zecora sighed. "If he is here, then he best be going. Else the demons of Tartarus will be showing." Twilight smiled as she opened the door. Zecora stared in amazement as the unicorn stood undaunted by the cold. "Wish us luck!" Cyroxim watched as Twilight came out of the tree. "Who was that?" Twilight smiled. "An old friend. I know where we are now though. It's that way!" ~~~~ Twilight sighed. Ponyville was going to need another Winter Wrap Up when they get out of town. The Windigoes had absolutely covered everything with snow and ice. The leaves on the trees were frozen onto their branches, and the river going through town square had frozen over. Twilight looked around. She smiled as she saw the town library, her home in Ponyville. That was also where she kept her Element, the Element of Magic. Twilight quickly rushed over and opened the door. "Come on Cyro! Come in!" The icicle crested unicorn howled to the Windigoes above, and went into the house. Twilight started to look around. "Where did I keep it..." She was startled by a voice. She turned to find Spike coming down the steps. "Wow. Who turned on the air conditioning?" Spike froze in place ass his eyes fell upon the Frozen Gate of Tartarus. "Hey Spike!" The dragon turned to Twilight. "Uhm... Twilight? Who's that?" Twilight smiled. "He's the one who's going to save us all. The Frozen Gate of Tartarus!" Spike ran back up stairs. Twilight stared confusingly after the dragon. "Twilight? If you have nothing to find here, we must get going." Twilight nodded as she pulled out her tiara, the Element of Magic. It was golden topped with a beautiful purple star. "Let's get going." "I've been waiting for you, Cyroxim, Frozen Gate of Tartarus." They both turned their heads to find a white alicorn looking at them. Twilight looked up in amazement. "Princess?" Cyroxim had a different reaction. "Celestia? After a whole century, you're still alive?" Twilight stared back at Cyroxim. "You know her?" The Princess smiled. "Of course I'm still alive, Cyro. I'm an alicorn." Celestia smiled. "I trust that my student has brought you back to strength?" Cyroxim nodded. "Yes, she has." He looked back to her. "How you've grown, Celestia. I remember when you were just a little taller than my knee." Celestia laughed. "Things change in a thousand years, Cyro. Now go get those demons." Cyroxim nodded as he left the library. Twilight looked back to the Princess. "You know him? How?" Celestia stared after him. "I was like him, an outcast of society. I remember the first time I saw him. The poor colt was busy scraping snow off a rock. I was surprised when he stuffed it in his mouth. I always found a decent patch of grass to eat." Twilight sat there in amazement. "You know those records in the royal library?" Twilight nodded. "I wrote them. I was the only one who dared follow him. He was cold as the ice on the lakes; literally and figuratively. Everypony else just adjusted their coat and kept walking. They never noticed the Windigoes that flew above him, or how ice grew where ever he stepped. I was somehow used to it, and kept writing about him." Twilight gasped. Just like how she grew used to his cold. "I was also there when he defeated the demons of Tartarus. I watched as Cronus fell to the ground, and how the demons retreated. I was there when Cerberus returned to the cave entrance to guard Tartarus. When I finally worked up the nerve to go up to him, he was beginning to freeze over. I stood next to him as the ice covered his eyes. I think he was the last living thing that I saw." Twilight looked out the window. Cyroxim was waiting for her. "I was the one who put him into the cave. That way I was sure to know where he was in case it ever happened again. I didn't expect to see it happen again." She chuckled. "Good thing I was prepared." Twilight looked out the window. The Princess spoke up again. "That's enough. I think you should get going. I have full confidence in him and in you and in the others. I know you'll take Cronus down, once and for all." Twilight smiled at the Princess. "We'll make you proud! You can count on us!" The Princess smiled. "I'm sure you will." But before she left, Twilight asked one last question. "Has Cyroxim ever smiled?" The Princess thought for a moment. "No, I don't think so." Twilight looked back to Cyroxim. What a pony he must be. The Princess watched as Twilight met up with Cyro. As they walked away, the Princess looked to the ceiling. "I don't know whether it is my memory, or just time, but I remember it being colder than this."