The Frozen gate of Tartarus

by Optimistic Pessimist

The Historical Records Wing

"What did you need Twilight?"

Twilight Sparkle was walking through the large expanse that was the Royal Library. Books were lined up neatly, organized right down to the authors name. Twilight drove down her urge to dust the books.

"Are you aware that Cerberus is away from Tartarus, and that he is currently at Fluttershy's abode?" The white alicorn who was walking along side the unicorn went wide eyed. "Really? Why wasn't I informed of this?" Suddenly a gray pegasus flew up beside her. She was flying upside down, holding her hat on her head. "Princess! Cerberus-" The Princess stopped her. "I know Derpy. Could you fly a little faster next time?" The wall-eyed pegasus flipped and sat on the ground. "Okay..." She trotted slowly towards the training hall.

"The most interesting part is, when Fluttershy asked what it was doing there, he said the most peculiar thing." The Princess listened intently. "He said, 'I can't stop it. Only the Frozen Gate can.'"

The Princess stopped in her tracks. Twilight turned back to the Princess. "What is it? Does that mean anything to you?" The Princess simply turned the corner. "If you want to know about the Frozen Gate, you'd best come with me."

As Twilight followed the Princess further down the aisle, she couldn't help but to notice there were less and less books and more and more scrolls. She also couldn't help but to notice all the scrolls were getting more dusty too.

"Do you know who the Frozen Gate is?" Twilight shook her head and watched intently as the Princess looked up and down the shelves. "These scrolls are all original. That's why we have gemstones here. They're enchanted to keep time off of them." The Princess pulled out a scroll yellow with age.

"I can read that. I don't expect you to be able to." Twilight Sparkle looked it over. "I've seen some of these symbols on Starswirl the Bearded spells. These are all very powerful magics." The Princess nodded. "I'm impressed you can recognize some of the symbols. That scroll is from pre-Equestrian history, and contains the story of the Frozen Gate." Twilight looked it over again. The Princess looked at the scroll. "Give it to me, I will translate for you." Twilight handed it over as the Princess cleared her throat.

"The Frozen Gate. Tamer of Windigoes. Master of Ice. He lived in solitude. He lived for himself and yet, he lived not for himself. He lived in hopes of one day they may reach the fields of green and the skies of blue which he could never seem to reach. He alone bested the Guard Dog Cerberus, and single hoovedly defeated the demons of Tartarus, including the mighty titan Cronos. When the heat of the evils of Tartarus left the surface, the world was left too cold. His heart froze him over, and he remained trapped in ice ever since."

Twilight took the scroll back and looked at the crude illustration. There was a single unicorn frozen within a glacier. Twilight put the scroll back as she turned to follow the Princess.

The Princess walked quickly. "Twilight, I will warn Ponyville and your friends of the demons that may come out of Tartarus. I will advise them to evacuate and hide here in Canterlot while your friends fight them off. You will go out to seek the Frozen Gate." Twilight stopped. "How?" The Princess took several scrolls from down the aisle. "Take these scrolls, and teach him. He no doubt has gotten weak from being imprisoned in the ice for over a century." Twilight took the scrolls hesitantly. "But where is he?" The Princess sat down and began to write. "He's in the mountainous regions of Baltimare. Find him in the highest peak. There should be a cave there."

Twilight nodded slowly. "I'm on my way."

"Twilight." The unicorn turned back to the Princess. "Yes?" "I know you can teleport and everything, but please. Don't teleport him back here. We cannot risk losing him if he is unprepared for battle. Teach him, and maybe learn a few tricks on the way back." Twilight nodded.

"Will do Princess." And with that, she disappeared in a purple flash.