The Great Tartarus Heist!

by DapperLilArts

Down, down, down...

Falling into an abyss, no matter how safer it seemed with lower gravity, was still taxing.

Maud lost consciousness after the lava leviathan had destroyed their bridge– She remembered being dizzy, she remembered the world spinning, and then everything went dark.

When she woke up, she thought she was locked inside a coffin.

She opened her eyes, and yet, her surroundings were entirely pitch black. Her eyes were narrow, at first. It took a while before she gathered the strength to open them fully.

As soon as her eyes were wide open, and yet, she could see nothing, her heartbeat began to rise.

…At least that’s what she thought was happening.

Her caving instincts told her to remain still for a little longer and regain her strength. It told her to evaluate if she had any serious wounds, before anything else. It told her to, as soon as she could stand, to reach into her backpack, and grab her lantern.

…Except her backpack was not with her.

She tried her best to focus on her other senses first.

Touch first. She felt… Strange gravel below her. It seemed more like sand. Maybe it was… Slimy?

Taste, after. She could taste her own blood– She might have hit her head, when she tumbled.

…Then sound. That’s when she began panicking. Because although it seemed quiet, she could indeed hear something around her.

Not wind. The air seemed perfectly still. It was lukewarm.

But there was a strange howling above her. Seismic, even.

And faint, but undeniably there…

…She could hear a heart beating.

Finally, her body found the strength to try to move. She twitched, groaned, and as soon as she did….

“Don’t move.” A voice commanded near her.

It was a deep voice, almost growly, one that seemed to belong to a mare that spoke above her– Near, yet undeniably above.

Maud found it easier to obey. Her body seemed to be giving out, either way. Getting up would take up much more strength than just lying there.

Her eyes surveyed the darkness, even if she couldn’t raise her head.

Finally, she found the strength to speak.

“...Am I dead?” She murmured into the dark.

Silence.

Her ears twitched instinctively, waiting for a reply. She felt the anticipation in her spine. Her insides seemed to tremble– As if there was an orchestra playing besides her.

“...You are as close to it as any living thing possibly could be.” The voice replied simply, and yet, there was no malice, maybe even a hint of wonder on it, as if Maud was an attraction.

“I… I feel dead.” The earth pony muttered, almost fearfully into the dark. “...I think I’m deeper than any pony has ever gone. I think I…. I think I shouldn’t have come here.”

“...On that, we agree.” The voice replied quickly this time, so decisively, it almost shocked her.

She had no response. She just tried breathing, tried feeling her body, as it laid on bedrock. Her organs seemed… Fine. Her ribs weren’t puncturing anything wrong. And none of her legs seemed broken. And yet, she felt incredibly weak.

“My little pony… How have you come to be so lost?” The voice came closer, and a faint light followed it.

At long last, Maud could see who was speaking to her– Her eyes widened with awe and shock at the sight.

It was, undeniably… An alicorn.

She was tall, lean, and defined. Her fur was grey, and her feathers were slender– Her horn was large, her mane had shades of blood red… And her eyes were a piercing, glowing golden yellow.

The earth pony breathed a little faster, a little more worried, as she tried studying the form above her a little better– But in the darkness, she was hard to distinguish.

“...W-what… what are you… Am I dreaming? …Luna?”

“No. I am not one you know. Or any creature up there, for that matter.” The alicorn of the dark murmured simply, as she studied the earth pony. “...Do not move. I am still… Deciding what to do with you.”

Somehow, much to her surprise, Maud didn’t feel fear at this moment. There was a strange calmness, one that overtook most of her senses.

There was only a small, faint part of her that told her she was in danger. And it was the same part that could undeniably, unequivocally hear a heart beating, miles above her.

“I… I’m not dead, then.” Maud murmured in affirmation, mostly to herself, letting out a tired sigh. “I… That’s good. I don’t want to die.”

“Few do.” The dweller of the dark whispered, closer still. “And yet…”

“My sisters would be upset, if… If they never got to bury me.” Maud spoke quietly into the dark– Mostly to herself. “I… I’d like to tell them about this adventure. I’d like to live, so I can tell them I won’t do it again.”

Only hours ago, she was proud that she was undertaking this journey without any of her sisters to supervise or to micromanage.

…Now, she wished she wasn’t so alone.

She wished, bitterly, that she wasn’t in the darkest cave she had ever seen.

Quietly, but decisively, the alicorn looming above her let out a slightly annoyed sigh, as if she had come to a resolution. “...Alright. You can come with me, but… You must stay close. Step where I step, and do not stray into the darkness. I will not slow down or wait for you.” She stated without hesitation.

“I… I don’t think I can move.” Maud replied bitterly, shamefully. She felt ashamed for feeling so weak, so sluggish.

“You can. You can. Here…”

The faint, dark glow of the alicorn’s horn intensified slightly, as she bowed down towards the earth pony– And as she did, Maud felt a strange surge within her.

Her muscles tensed, her body felt a wave of cold– Then of warmth– And her instincts allowed her to move.

She could feel the blood pumping in her veins again. It wasn’t adrenaline, it was her body remembering to breathe.

She stood, and tried dusting herself off– But there was too much of it around her. “I… Thank you. Thank you.” She replied breathlessly. Without a light in the dark, she might have gone insane. The alicorn provided the only source around them.

“Follow.” She commanded, as she turned around. “And do not linger. Your soul was slipping away… You are lucky I sensed you before you faded, or before they found you.”

Maud did not question. She nodded, and followed along.

The only source of light was the alicorn– And yet, her light was so incredibly faint. It had hints of red, but around them it seemed like all color faded. All colors, except her blood-red mane.

The earth pony could see particles in the air, as if there were spores or specks of dust floating omnisciently around them.

The ground was… Strange. She wanted to sit and examine it, but the alicorn did not slow down, and she felt a shiver whenever the light was distant.

It was a mixture of sand, gravel, and what seemed to be bedrock. Their steps did not echo, most sound was dull, almost nullified.

This was not exactly a cave. It was dangerously, frighteningly open.

She felt the need to speak louder to be heard due to how dull all sound seemed– And yet, every instinct of hers told her to whisper.

She blinked in surprise, as they began passing by crystals, pitch-black shards emerged from the ground, enormous ones stood tall like columns, and she could not see the end of them.

There were other strange things she could notice in the path.

Things that resembled webs of black ichor seemed to tie the environment together in places– The alicorn’s path avoided them at every turn.

She could see long lines of the ichor, like bridges above them, reflecting the light slightly.

And yet, above everything… It was dark.

“...Who are you?” She dared to ask to the alicorn that did not look back at her.

And again, she was met with silence. The dweller of the dark took her time to consider her answer carefully. “...I am not the warden. I am the keeper.” She murmured. “I am stillborn… And I am guidance. And I am who will greet you when you pass… However soon that will be.”

Maud tried processing the answer, but all she could think of was the final curtain. “...Am I going to live through this?”

Again, she was met with silence. The road became erratic, and she hesitated on every step– Yet, the alicorn was unflinching.

“...Please. I… I don’t want to die down here.”

This was the first time she saw the dweller of the dark smiling. It was an ironic smile. “...It would be a privilege to perish here. The number of ponies that have lost their lives on this layer of Tartarus does not surpass double digits.”

Maybe, just maybe, some hope. “...Is that because it’s so safe?”

The alicorn chuckled– it was an incredibly short, incredibly coarse laughter. “...No.”

It wasn’t a matter of safety. It was a matter of common sense. And Maud could realise that simply put, no one would ever venture far down. Not by stupidity nor bravery.

The earth pony was drawn to color– The faint beige hint of her backpack in the darkness drew her eye. “...M-my things…!” She trotted over carefully, picking it up– All of the contents she previously carried where still there, and she let out an enormous sigh of relief. Reaching within, she smiled at the sight of her lantern, but before she could light it–

“Stop.” The dweller of the deep commanded, without turning around, only giving her a passing glance. “...Light will draw them to you. You are in enough danger already.”

Again, she did not question, she was simply relieved to be reunited with her belongings, and kept moving.

The path changed again. Maud flinched, as she thought she heard the heartbeat above them get stronger.

The alicorn moved without struggle, stepping between rocks and crystals.

Maud froze, looking up.

Again, she could see the faint light reflect off of tall crystals around her– And odd, gross webbing that connected a few of them in erratic patterns. But beyond that… She only saw darkness. No stars, no life.

“Don’t linger.” The alicorn commanded as she walked.

“...T-there’s a heart beating.” Maud shuddered, as her eyes were fixated in the darkness above.

“...It seems someone has fed the Beast. Your fellow visitors, I imagine. It will cease beating again soon enough. Don’t linger in the dark, or its offspring will find you, and what you fear will come to pass.”

“I...!” Maud’s body forced her to move, to follow the alicorn, to distance herself from the darkness, and from the strange sound above her.

Now, her ears constantly twitched. She thought she could hear skittering, scratching, growls, monstrous sounds in the distance she could not understand.

Faint, but inevitable.

Whether it was the dark playing tricks on her, or genuine danger, she did not care. She walked even closer to the alicorn.

She tried studying the figure once more, lit by its pale light.

…The dweller of the deep wore a stone crown. No jewels, no regalia. Her cutiemark was… What seemed, in the dark, to be an imposing, upside down mountain.

“...Are we in danger?” Maud didn’t dare cast a glance behind her.

“I am not.” The alicorn murmured back, still looking forward. “...You are also not, if you stay near.”

Maud took it as an invitation to walk even closer.

“...Are my friends okay?” She shuddered, realising that she hadn’t even considered that they might be here, too.

“...They are safer than you are. They are up there, making a mess of my realm further.” There was no malice, or even annoyance in her voice. All this was a minor inconvenience to her. “...The offspring hunger. They are stirred, and they haven’t hungered like this in many centuries. Your friends may not survive.”

“...Is there something I can do for them?”

“No.”

Finally, for what felt like hours, the alicorn stopped, right by a riverbank.

Maud blinked rapidly, observing the water.

It was completely, entirely still. She wasn’t even sure if it was a river, and not some kind of lake… Or an ocean.

It looked dusty. There was a light fog over it, and yet, its surface was entirely still. Were there… Things, deep inside?

“...Do not touch the water.” The alicorn warned. “...Although if you’d like your death to be swift and painless, by all means… Touch it.”

“I’m not going to touch it.” Maud took a step back.

“...Ponies up there must be getting smarter.” The dweller of the dark grinned, and her horn shone a little brighter, with its gray and red hue.

There was another, quiet rumble.

From the water, emerged a large raft– The water barely rippled. It seemed to be made of stone, yet it floated perfectly.

Seeing that the alicorn stepped into it and stood still, Maud immediately leapt into the raft as well. It was spacious, and yet, it was empty.

“...Do not gaze into the water for too long.” The dweller of the deep warned.

“...Am I going to die if I do?” Maud forced herself to look forward.

“...No. But last time, the previous… Visitor vomited into the water. It was unpleasant.” The alicorn shrugged. “We are moving now.”

Maud shuddered, as the raft moved at a quick pace across the water. And yet, there was no wind, no sound. It seemed like the structure moved in command of the alicorn before her.

The shore behind her disappeared quickly. And soon enough, it was only the raft, and the darkness. The alicorn that drove it closed her eyes, entirely following her own flow.

Maud glanced only briefly at the waters.

She thought, nigh imperceptibly, that she could see shapes of ponies beneath the water.

But, for the sake of her own sanity, she decided to believe it was only her imagination.

“Hold your breath.” The alicorn commanded, and she obeyed

An archway approached in the dark– So fast she flinched.

Suddenly, as soon as they crossed it, the entire landscape changed.

It was as if they were on an entirely different ocean. An entirely different sky.

Down, down, down.

Maud could see the reflections of stars on the ocean they rode in. And above them… Constellations, nebulae, maybe even the shapes of galaxies– Faint wind, no clouds, no sun, no moon.

She had no idea where she truly was– And those stars seemed close. As they moved across the ocean, the stars moved too, as if they were tangibly near, perhaps only a few miles above.

“...Do not fall on these waters as well.” The alicorn warned with a slight grin. “You will not die, but… Pulling you out from the depths will be an inconvenience.”

Maud stood entirely still, moving only her head as she surveyed the endless horizon.

There were columns, strange structures. She could see the remains of buildings emerging from the water, half finished, not exactly ruins.

And around them… There was more light, scintillating in the dark.

She blinked, and wondered once again if this was a dream. She could see an enormous whale soaring above them, blotting out the stars, with smaller offspring falling close behind– And several other strange fauna nearby.

To her left, she thought she could see a cloud of jellyfish– All glowing in the dark, their long tendrils extending deep into the water below, as they floated above it effortlessly.

And to her right, she thought she could see strange, glowing manta rays, skating above the deep swiftly and calmly.

“...harmless.” The alicorn murmured forlornly into the dark. “...We are almost there.”

Maud braced herself– She found a tinge of anticipation stir within her.

There was a larger structure ahead.

Not a palace– Not exactly. It resembled perhaps a temple, or perhaps a mansion, Its architecture was not easily distinguishable in the dark.

“...Home.” The dweller of the deep smiled; This time, genuinely.

The raft reached its destination. Maud hesitated before climbing out into a strange dock made of stone– It was as if there was a long bridge that simply… Lead into the water.

“...Follow.” The alicorn commanded.

The ground felt stable, and it felt safe.The earth pony followed much easier– Letting out a weary sigh of relief.

There was the faint sound of waves around them– The water was incredibly calm, but even just a mere breeze brought her comfort.

The strange home before her was lit with magic torches of several colors– orange, purple, green, none obeyed the same laws flames would usually follow. The stones were dark as well, few were polished in the exterior.

She gasped, as she finally saw vegetation. There were trees around the structure, adorned with glowing flowers and invitingly shiny fruit.

“That is not for you.” The dweller of the deep frowned. “Follow.”

And still, she couldn’t help but gawk. Vines and plants were common now. All entangled onto the stone in an intimate manner, the flowers lit the way just as much as torches, until they reached the palace interior.

The last glimpse she had of the outside seemed to demonstrate an enormous sprawling garden, and she could barely distinguish it from the water, given how much it glowed with strange flora.

The noise of wind rustling on leaves assured her, for a moment– No matter how strange the environment was.

The interior halls were polished, and they were kept. She walked over cold, dark marble floors, blanketed in beautifully intricate carpeting. There were many tables that held candles only, with several different colors on each flame.

And it wasn’t so quiet anymore.

To Maud, someone whose sister was so prolific, the sound she heard in the distance was unmistakable.

Somewhere, somewhere in this palace… There was a party.

“...Is there a… Party happening here?” She hesitated to ask.

“Not for you.” The alicorn repeated. “Follow.”

And she did. She passed through a great antechamber, and finally, onto a throne room.

The surroundings were impressively simple, yet undeniably beautiful.

The carvings were abstract. The columns were large and sturdy, and in the corner of the room, seemed to be several unfinished canvases, with several kinds of paint– Some that even seemed to glow.

Someone was painting in this room, yet there were no paintings in the halls she had passed. She had not seen into any of the rooms, but something told her this home wasn’t as empty as it seemed from afar.

They approached two thrones. One was large and made of obsidian-like marble, with no decorations, while the other was smaller, made of wood, and it was carved– Both empty, as the alicorn approached them.

Maud stopped, and sat obediently, cautiously.

The room was better lit, and now, she could see the mare that saved her clearly.

She resembled Princess Celestia; Perhaps shorter, perhaps taller– She couldn’t discern properly. She had indeed grey fur, and a mane with dark streaks and a blood-red coloration.

The alicorn made it to the main throne, large and imposing. “...Alright.” She took a seat, and finally looked into Maud’s eyes, after breathing in. “...It is time to discuss you.”

---

Biting her fingernails was a tragic symptom of being a human. Sunset had gotten annoyingly acquainted with doing as much, through all her time in CHS.

Tests, exams, even homework– Once her brain got going, once she hesitated on an answer to something, suddenly her fingers needed to be bitten by something.

It was so much easier with hooves. She felt like she could focus better. She never bit her hooves, back in the day!

And yet, here she was, handcuffed to a desk, with an exam before her, as she sat in an annoyingly uncomfortable wooden chair to boot.

“What did you get for question four?” She gritted her teeth, looking to her left.

Pinkie Pie was devoid of clothes, and slathering herself with honey. “...I got bees!” She affirmed with a gleeful smile.

“Okay, that’s not very helpful, but thanks, Pink.” She sighed, then turned to the right, her handcuffs clinking. “What about you, Twi?”

Twilight Sparkle frowned and pouted. “...How come Pinkie gets to be naked in your dreams and I don’t?”

“That’s not the answer to my question.” Sunset panicked slightly, turning back to her test, and biting her thumb’s nail for good measure..

“Please refrain from talking during the test!” Princess Twilight Sparkle informed with a smile, tapping her hooves on the front desk of the classroom. “You’re doing great, by the way! Such a good girl!”

“Aw, c’mon, even she gets to be naked in your dreams??” The Twilight sitting beside Sunset complained.

“That’s because she’s a pony, Twi.” The redhead murmured without taking her eyes off the test.

“Sunset Shimmer.” A calming, serene voice murmured before her, as an alicorn stepped into the classroom– And just like that, the structure seemed empty, her handcuffs vanished. “...Oh! You are a human here. That is surprising.”

“Oh. Uh. Hey, Princess Luna.” She looked up, then back at the test. “Question four. Any ideas?”

“You are dreaming, Sunset Shimmer.” The princess assured with a smile.

“...Oh! Awesome. Then fuck this.” She crumpled the test into a paper ball, and tossed out the window, which seemed to lead to a burning city. “...What's up? To what do I owe the pleasure? I’m, uh, pretty sure I never got to do this before– Dreamwalking, huh? I’ve read about it, but uh… Don’t you usually come to ponies that are having nightmares?”

“I am here on business. Your dream did not classify as one that required rescuing from, Sunset.” She affirmed with a pleased nod. “...But my sister asked me to check on you.”

“Oh. Sweet. Yeah, I kind of lost a lot of sleep yesterday, doing… Shenanigans.” She grimaced, not being sure if this was the best term that didn’t incriminate her. “...It was Celestia’s idea, but still. We almost got caught– But we didn't. You can tell her everything’s okay!”

“I will. But do not worry– The sun has only now risen, and it is a brand new day.” She came closer, getting comfortable by some of the tables, as she watched the strange landscape outside the windows, and the burning city beyond. “...I have not been very thoroughly briefed on what has been occurring… Mostly through my own volition, frankly. Although it is integral to my job, I would rather avoid politics when I can. Especially when…”

“...A child gets sent to hell?” Sunset chuckled. “Yeah. Equestrian politics are messy. My mom’s got it rough.”

“She will take care of it. She always does.” The Princess of the Night affirmed without hesitation. “...And I am glad I got to see you. I hope next time, I get to join you for dinner– Forgive me, my schedule was…”

“It’s okay, auntie.” She grinned confidently, nodding. “There’s always next time. I don’t fault anypony on this crazy family for having a busy schedule.”

Even the Princess of the Moon couldn’t help but laugh at the idea. “...Certainly, we are busybodies. Still– It is good to see you. I will keep a distant eye on the matters, but I am certain all will be resolved peacefully.”

“Thanks, Princess Luna.” The girl nodded. “Hey, um, I was pretty tired last night, with all the… Shenanigans. Are we allowed to sleep in?”

“Only if you want to, Sunset Shimmer.” She replied kindly, as she turned around, and headed to the door. “When would you like to awake?”

“...Give me two hours more, maybe? I still gotta check on the gate, see if my friends got the girl up to the highest layer already. I mean, I don’t think they’ll have done it that fast, and I’m pretty sure nothing bad could happen in two hours, so…!”

“I will stir you when you are needed…I have a feeling everything will be okay. And Celestia will likely have breakfast ready for you.”

“Of course she will. Thanks, Luna.” She smiled genuinely.

“It is no trouble whatsoever. Now, I am needed elsewhere…” She narrowed her eyes, looking through the open doorway, into the distant nothing. “...Your green roommate seems to be having a nightmare about being… Stepped on by large women…?”

Sunset let out a little annoyed groan. “Knowing her, it’s not a nightmare.”

---

“State, in order; What is your name, where are you from, why did you come here, and how have you fallen so far?” The strange alicorn that dwelled in the dark spoke curtly, decisively from her throne.

The earth pony felt incredibly small, and tried her best to follow along– Anything that might get her home. “...My name is Maud Pie. I’m from a rock farm, south of central Equestria, and I live in Ponyville. …I came here because I was asked to by a friend. Um… I didn’t plan on falling this far. Honestly, I’m pretty sure my friends never intended to come this deeply into… Wherever this is. And, um, I’m not going to tell anypony about this place if you let me go.”

“You are perceptive.” The alicorn murmured, frowning. “But promises are breakable, and your word means nothing to me. Now, explain to me, once more: What are you doing in my realm?”

Maud blinked in surprise, trying to remain calm. “I, um, didn’t realise you owned the place. I didn’t know anypony owned the place, sorry. I, uh. Who are you?”

“I’ll consider answering your questions, when you’ve answered mine.” She gritted her teeth. “Do not forget, I scraped you from pure darkness. Your soul was ready to let go.”

“Thank you. Did I say thank you? Thank you.” Maud nodded emphatically. “Thank you for not letting me go.”

All the alicorn did in response was grumble, and raise her eyebrow. “One more time, earth pony. Why did you come here?”

“My friends invited me on this adventure, um, mission, um, task? Because I’m an experienced caver. Everything was going fine, until something knocked me out of… A bridge, I think. It’s fuzzy now.”

“...So you were here on a ‘mission’?” She tilted her head analytically. “What was your objective?”

The earth pony hesitated, wondering if lying was a good idea, or if it would get her anywhere at all. Frankly, she didn’t even know if the truth would be intrusive, or if it would do any good in this conversation.

“We were… Rescuing a prisoner.” She spoke carefully.

The alicorn’s expression shifted slightly, to surprise, then indifference. “...I see. I suppose it was only a matter of time.” She shrugged with her wings.

“...Um… What?” Maud dared to ask.

“Prisoners usually attempt escape. I don’t believe in all my centuries, I've ever witnessed a prison break from the outside. Curious…” She hesitated. “...Who was the prisoner?”

“Her name is Cozy Glow. She’s a pegasus.”

This time, there was genuine surprise on the alicorn’s expression– Which led to cold resentment. “...So you ponies are imprisoning your own, now? Using my realm as a simple jail? What is next, will you begin throwing your garbage down here?”

“Hey, I’m just an earth pony. I don’t get involved with Canterlot politics.” Maud cringed slightly. “I, uh, don’t think most ponies would ever banish another pony to Tartarus. Not earth ponies, I’m sure.”

Somehow, the dweller of the dark smiled at the comment. “...Certainly.” She then adjusted herself in her seat. “...I have not been in the upper levels for some time. How have the Canterlotians butchered it? Who are they imprisoning now?”

Maud blinked in surprise, finding the question strange. For the ruler of a realm, she seemed entirely uninvolved with it.

But then she realised the simple truth. She ruled over the realm, yes. But she was not the one using it for external purposes. Ponies like Chancellor Neighsay and Starswirl were.

The alicorn before her had never imprisoned any creature. She was not the warden.

“...Well, most prisoners seemed to be actual beasts and monsters, so that’s nice, I guess. Um. But Cozy Glow is very much a different case.”

“...Is that so? Why?”

“Because she’s a child.”

The alicorn froze.

The lights in the room dimmed.

Maud’s heart began beating faster, as a chill ran down her spine. The blood-red mane of the dweller of the dark began flowing faster. “...A… Child?”

“She’s, um. Twelve. Or maybe nine? She was framed, and they imprisoned her down here, I think. My friends and I wanted to rescue her by the way.”

Those golden eyes intensified, in the dark. There was rage within them. “A child was imprisoned… In my realm. For nothing at all?”

“Um, sorry. Celestia was pretty opposed to it, but I guess it wasn’t enough, there was a stuffy elite unicorn that–”

The alicorn stepped out of the throne, and her step echoed in the chamber, causing the earth pony to flinch. Dangerous silence surrounded Maud, and she felt every light in the room dim– But she didn’t dare move.

“...First, they scavenge my realm like it's a common mine. Then, they began building upon it like it’s their own personal torture house. Then, they banish whatever inconvenient monstrosity they don’t wish to face down here. And now. After all these centuries of littering upon the earth– THEY HAVE THROWN A CHILD UPON MY REALM?!?!?!”

“Um. Yeah…! …If you don’t like it, you should absolutely go talk to Celestia. She could probably use the help of, uh, whatever it is you are.”

“Blood and darkness. Blood and malice and putrid darkness- I CANNOT–” She stopped herself, taking an enormous, furious breath. “...Who did this? Who is responsible for imprisoning a child in my realm?”

Maud was about to snitch, until they were interrupted.

Suddenly, the lights in the room began clearing the darkness– The torches regained their coloration, as a small door opened, as quiet, but excited hoofsteps trotted on their way to the throne room. “Terry sweetie, what’s making you all grumpy??”

Maud blinked in complete shock. An earth pony, much like her, and yet, not quite like her, entered the chamber, walking casually and happily.

She had a strange golden glow to her, and her mane was adorned with flowers that resembled some from the surface, not of this layer– And on her legs and torso, were a few green vines, comfortably entangled. “Clover just opened a bottle of primordial-aged moonshine! You are missing it, my love! Come on, I know you enjoy the quiet, but–”

Maud was even more surprised to notice the alicorn seemed to be almost… Blushing. “...My love, I am busy. This is… Important.” She pointed at the mare in question.

The flora-addorned mare gasped at the sight of Maud. “Oh my gosh!!! A PONY!!!” She galloped over to her, and began touching her with hooves, inspecting her mane, and pinching her cheeks for good measure. “Wow! She’s alive and she’s breathing, she’s really here!! And an earth pony, just like me!! Oh, if I had a nickel, heheh…! Aw, look at her, she’s just entirely out of her depth, isn’t she??”

“U-um. hi. Um. I’m Maud.” She stuttered out in complete confusion. “I have no idea what’s going on or where I am or who you are.”

All she got in response was a giggle, as the strange mare walked over to the alicorn. “Where did you find her? Was she in the abyss? My gosh, it’s been a while!”

“Indeed. Just now.” The dweller of the dark nodded. “She was fallen, barely clinging on. I considered just letting her go.”

“Don’t mind her, she’s grumpy sometimes.” The mare winked at Maud, then turned to her lover. “Wow, I’m getting all nostalgic now! Did she puke on the Well of Souls too?”

“No. And you’ll be jealous to find that she did not also fall on the primordial sea.” The alicorn grinned teasingly.

“Tease.” The mare stuck her tongue out jokingly. “Well, she is here, she is alive, and that is wonderful. Is she staying?”

Maud raised a hoof, as if to ask a question. “Um… I want to go home. If that’s possible. Please.”

“Sweetheart, it’s entirely possible. Don’t fret, okay?” The flower-adorned mare smiled kindly. “Now, my love, if you could–”

“No.” The alicorn replied simply, sternly. “Kore, my love, I am interrogating her. We are not finished here, and I cannot have a witness of my realm simply walk out. All it takes is for one pony to believe her, and…”

“...I know, I know.” The mare shook her head, letting out a disappointed sigh. “Shall we do this by the book then?”

“...Go back to the party, Kore.” The alicorn suggested, her expression softening, coming closer. “I can manage this.”

“Oh, please.” She grinned, giving the dweller of the dark a peck on the lips, then giggling. “If we’re doing this by the book, then I’m participating. She’s an earth pony, like me…!”

“...Fine. Please pretend, for a moment, that you have some decorum, my love.”

“No promises.” She swatted her lover with a tail, winking, then walked over to the very, very confused earth pony. “Hi! Hello. Sorry for the confusing entrance. What’s your name?”

“I’m, um, Maud. And I don’t want to die. Thank you.” She nodded simply, still entirely out of her depth.

“Aw, sweetheart, you’re not going to die…!” She assured kindly.

But the alicorn interjected coldly. “Do not make promises in my stead, Kore.”

Shrugging off and chuckling, the mare continued. “Well, Hi Maud! We haven’t had proper visitors with heartbeats in such a long time, don’t you fret over my wife over there, okay? She’s all bark, no bite, a complete sweetheart!” She beamed, pointing at the alicorn behind them, who grumbled and glared.

“Um. She seems like a lot more than just a barker and biter.” Maud blinked fearfully, glancing at the alicorn on the throne.

Giggling, the mare smiled kindly, before returning to her wife, and sitting on the smaller throne besides her, lounging comfortably. “...Did you at least introduce yourself, honey?”

“I was… Getting to that.”

“...Honey…”

“If I were to rend her soul from her body and leave her remains to sink upon the primordial depths, does it make a difference if she knows my name?” She pouted.

“Um. Please don’t do that.” Maud raised a hoof cautiously.

The mare teased her wife with an eyebrow raise, who sighed in resignation.

“...Alright.” The alicorn breathed in and out, before beholding Maud, and speaking plainly. “...Surely, you know of Celestia, who rules over the sun and the heavens, and of Luna, who masters the moon and the tides?”

The earth pony nodded quietly.

“...Welcome to my realm, little pony.” She stated coldly, simply. “I am Terra. The Princess of the Dark.”

Maud blinked in surprise, then looked at the other mare, who smiled comfortably.

“Aaaand I’m Kore. Her awesome wife. It’s wonderful to meet you, Maud.”

“Um. Yeah. Nice to meet you, I guess.” She spoke quietly, trying her best not to impose. “...I’ve never heard of either of you. No history books or anything…?”

“That is by design.” Terra murmured coldly. “I value my privacy, and I value secrecy greatly. I always have, in all my centuries of existence. Do you understand how you being here is a problem now?”

“I… Yep. Shit.” Maud blinked several times, looking down. “I, um…”

Letting out a delighted sigh, Kore shook her head. “I always told her she needs to take a stand and introduce herself to the world already. She has family up there she’s just ignored for a thousand years!”

"YOU are my family, Kore!" There was a slight hint of desperation on the alicorn's voice. “What is the point of introducing myself to a world I cannot walk upon?” She sneered, looking away. “Our only ties are by blood, and barely that. We do not know them, Kore. Besides… What she has allowed to be done to my realm on her watch…”

“Maybe, sweetheart, if she knew you exist, she’d be more interested in respecting your home’s boundaries?” Kore spoke incredibly patiently.

Her response was a grumble, and a shake of the head. “My role as the ruler of this realm is to shepherd souls to their final destination, and to ensure that The Beast remains dormant for eternity. None of which requires me to get involved with Equestrian politics.” She snarled, beholding Maud. “...The world up there is a mess. Of all I've seen of it, and of what they have done here– The very fact that this earth pony is here now proves it.”

“Oh, please. The stuffy jerks that don’t know where to put their enemies, so they shove them down here? Please, my love. They are the minority!” Kore assured.

“The vocal minority.” The alicorn snarled. “You there, earth pony. Tell my wife why you’re here– What brought you to my realm.”

She hesitated, knowing that the truth was rough. “...I… I came here to rescue a prisoner with some friends. The prisoner is, um. A pegasus foal. That was framed for a crime.”

Blinking several times, Kore’s expression waned, her smile twisted into a slight grimace. “...Tell me, at least, that she was a prisoner in the upper levels.”

“Um… no. She was in the layer with a lot of lava. I don’t even know if my friends got her out, actually.”

Her grimace went bitter, as she looked down, closing her eyes, shuddering out a sigh. “...Well, I suppose it was only a matter of time. Terra, you should have intervened centuries ago.”

“It is precisely because of things such as this that I do not intervene.” The alicorn shook her head bitterly. “Up there? Their politics? Their ethics? They are rotten. And Celestia just lets it happen.”

“The Celestia I knew was a fairly kind young girl.” Kore affirmed without hesitation. “She had nothing to do with construction on the upper levels, and I should know, I was there. You could simply–”

This time, the Princess spoke carefully, gently. “If I showed myself, if I revealed the truth of Tartarus to those above– And told them they could not use it as their garbage dump for monstrosities anymore… Do you honestly believe those that want to imprison a child here would not see it as an act of war?”

“Our home is worth fighting for.” Kore spoke without hesitation. “I think it’s about time we do some renovations of our own– No more prisoners… And I want a new garden, my love.” She teased with a grin.

Silently, Terra considered it, and Maud interjected. “Um. I’m pretty sure my friends would all back you. And like. I know the name of the guy that put Cozy Glow here. If you want to go beat him up…”

“I cannot set foot on the surface for long.” The Princess of the Dark sighed. “My body would be claimed by the styx and I would return here before I could dispense my justice. Believe me, I would have tried otherwise.”

“As much as it would be very hot to watch you string a Canterlot politician up, honey, I believe we should leave these matters to Maud and her friends. …They are alive, aren’t they? The visitors?”

Cautiously, with her horn gleaming slightly, and her eyes wondering, she scowled. “...Yes, at the moment, they are alive. Two of them are battling against the offspring, and seem to be enduring… The other two are evading your security measures, my love.”

“My security measures? Oh, I take no credit for that, no thank you.” She giggled. “I wasn’t even there when they finished building them!”

“Nevertheless…” The alicorn sighed bitterly. “It seems her friends fed the Beast, somehow. It will slumber once more, but this is not something I would like to repeat.”

“Oh, you can get up there and sort it out, make it return to sleep, Terry. It’ll be fine!” Kore smiled warmly. “...Now. We can’t ignore this.” She pointed at Maud. “We can’t ignore what’s happening up there. Not anymore.”

“I…” The alicorn hesitated, glancing at Maud. “...If we do this, There’s no turning back, Kore.”

“We are already at the ends of the earth, my love… I could go a little farther with you.” She smiled lovingly, kissing her wife for good measure.

Maud watched carefully, as the two mares whispered a few things to each other.

“...It’s not too late to simply let this go.” Terra murmured cautiously. “...She is just another soul. I don’t belong up there… Equestria world does not need me.”

“My love…” Kore smiled gently. “...The last time you were face to face with a wayward pony, lost in your home, you did not turn her away either. …Did you live to regret it?”

Her smile was true, and full of love. “I did not.”

“...Was the change bad?” Kore teased.

“It was not.” The Princess sighed, smiling.

“...Do you trust me?”

“I do.”

Silence passed. Maud couldn’t distinguish any more of the whispers.

She waited with bated breath for the resolution.

And finally, with a sigh of resignation, Princess Terra walked over to her slowly. “...We have more to discuss, my wife and I. What comes next will change my home forever, and I would like to take these next steps cautiously.”

Maud just nodded carefully.

“...I am extending you leniency, and letting you go, earth pony.” The alicorn affirmed stoically. “I would appreciate it if you did not share what you have seen and felt down here… I plan to introduce myself soon, in my own way. After that, you can write this in your memoirs, if you so desire.”

“...I will. Um. Thank you.” She spoke barely at a whisper.

“Ah, this is so exciting!” Kore trotted over to the earth pony, smiling truly. “Now, now, would you like to stay a bit longer? We’re having a wonderful party with some visitors from Elysium– Oh, and I could show you my garden, give you a tour…!”

The offer was genuinely enticing. Witnessing an underworld party would be incredible to retell to her sister, and visiting a garden could get her some amazing soil samples, but… “...Sorry, but my friends are waiting for me. I’d like to make sure they know I’m alive. But thank you.”

“Sure, sweetheart. With any luck, someday you and your friends can visit again! …Under better circumstances.” She chuckled awkwardly, moving to her wife. “Go on then, Terry. I can show her the way, I think she'll appreciate some pony-to-pony talk!”

“...Be careful.” The Princess warned, her expression softening. Her horn glowed and shimmered with darkness, and a black portal opened before them– One that shuddered with shadows.

Kore gave her a quick kiss, then trotted inside. “...Go on, then. Follow me! Oh, and hold your breath.”

Maud obeyed, excited to get out of there, not daring to look back at the alicorn.

The portal she moved through was bizarre.

Passing over pure shadow, she felt her mind slip away– Her body nearly gave out, before she was pulled across the chasm.

“Easy, there! You can breathe now.” Kore assured gently, before letting out a sigh of delight.

Blinking, Maud glanced around them.

…They were now in the first room of Tartarus. The strange, abandoned mess hall greeted them, and just beside them, was the great gate, as closed as it had ever been.

With a little chuckle, the flower-adorned mare took a seat in one of the tables, drinking it all in. “...Ah, this takes me back. I haven’t been back on this layer in a while… Too nostalgic, you know?”

Finally, Maud found the strength to ask direct questions. “...You were a normal earth pony once, weren’t you?”

“Centuries ago.” She murmured, a little gentler now. “...I was part of the construction crew in charge of beefing up security down there. We would sleep and eat here, then head down. …It was hard work.”

“...How did you…?”

“The same way you did! I fell. Took the wrong step, and… There I went.” She motioned with her hoof, down, down, down… “Pegasi and unicorn have it easy. They could have recovered from a slip… But I fell all the way across several layers, all the way onto the worst of them all.”

“...The abyss?”

“The abyss.” She murmured quietly. “...I was so lucky Terra was paying attention. I was so lucky Terra was aware of us…” She let out weary, nostalgic chuckles. “...Did you know they thought she was some sort of monster, or a cryptid? Some of the workers were terrified, thinking they saw a shadow alicorn glaring at them from the darkness. My foreman wanted to change the design of the security to suit her, as some sort of penance. Ah, they had no idea…!”

Maud nodded along, barely understanding. “...So you never left Tartarus?”

She grinned confidently, casually moving a dusty cup with her ancient hooves. “Only to check on Cerberus, really. But besides that… Why would I? I hated my job. My parents wanted to marry me off to some farmer… Now, I have my own palace, my own garden, and I’m immortal. Not to mention my wife is a hot alicorn. Honestly, weighing the pros and cons, no matter how pleasant sunlight is, I wouldn’t have made different choices. And hey, thanks to you, things are about to change…!”

“Thanks… To me?” Maud blinked.

“...Sweetie, are you aware how rare it is that somepony lives through the abyss? Are you aware of how rare it is for Terra to get visitors?” She chuckled lightly, shaking her head. “Me and you, in all these hundreds of years. Honestly… For better or worse, the child you mentioned getting locked up in here is a wake up call for my wife. Thank you.”

“...You’re… Welcome?” She grinned awkwardly. “...I’m just glad I’m alive.”

“Indeed! With any luck, Terry will come around soon, and set these matters straight. Honestly, whatever she decides, I know it will be best for Tartarus.” Kore smiled truly, before hopping out of her seat, and approaching the portal once more. “...Good luck, Maud Pie. I hope we see you again when your heart still beats.”

“...Chancellor Neighsay.” Maud spoke simply, leaning on a table.

"...Hm?" Kore turned slightly.

"That's the name of the unicorn that is responsible for imprisoning Cozy Glow here." She affirmed.

A knowing, almost devious grin manifested on the flower-adorned mare. "...Thank you, Maud. Thank you very much. Terra will be happy to know who's responsible."

"Good." She replied shortly, while watching the strange, dark portal vanish, immediately after Kore passed by it.

And just like that, she was alone.

Just like that, she wondered if she had dreamed this entire experience up.

Maud Pie. The caver that had gone further down than any other.

Some time passed.

Slowly, she took out the contents of her backpack, inspecting what she had. She finished drinking the rest of the water in her canteen, and proudly studied her soil samples– And quietly chastised herself for not being brave enough to ask to collect some when she had been all the way to the lowest depths.

She considered stepping down, and trying to venture into the labyrinth level– But decided against it, knowing it was safer to stay put.

Finally, she heard chatter and footsteps from the distance– Conserving her energy, she did not announce herself.

Trixie, Cozy Glow, and the changeling they had rescued entered the halls, and only after a while, did the magician notice her.

“M-MAUD?!”

“Hey, girls.” She smiled. “You won’t believe where I’ve been.”

Author's Note:

I can't believe it, my readers guessed it. Maud really DID go through a giftshop and elevator.

Okay. Okay. I hope you endured that. Funny enough, I think this is one of the most fun I've had writing a chapter of anything in a while. I usually steer clear out of placing ocs in these stories, because they can feel a bit intrusive and indulgent. I try my best to be respectful and write them as interestingly as possible!

The best examples are in Forgotten Sun and Shimmerverse, where I wrote Sunset's original caretakers in the orphanage she grew up (Who are wives), and her biological mother respectfully. In all three instances, I used the ocs to explore the canon characters further (Mostly Sunset lmao) And made them as compelling and entertaining as possible.

This chapter was an... odd case for me. This entire fic, I wanted to explore and expand Tartarus, taking inspo from mythology and games that use the same mythology. And I realized after a while of planning the story, that this wouldn't work without a hades. It wouldn't work, if there was someone, deep within this place, that should be calling the shots but isn't.

Here I go falling on the same pitfall of rewriting the tale of Hades and Persephone 🤦Classic pitfall lmao. I'd like to think that I did not fail like most adaptations. But if I DID it's mostly due to the fact I diverged so much from the actual myths.

She shepherds the souls, and keeps the deep. She didn't want to get involved with the living from above. ...Well, Cozy Glow, somehow, is the straw that broke the camel's back.

Ironic. Neighsay might have just inadvertently changed Equestria forever, all because he wanted to scheme here and there and decided to use a child as a fall guy.

...Can we get a shoutout to Terra having her shit together and enjoying her existence and even getting laid. I would mind my business too!!!

I plan on explaining a bit more of Terra's origins next chapter, but I'm sure you know most of what she is by now, heh. I do enjoy what I did with her design a lot, but I'll break down colors and such when I actually fully draw her, even in a sketch.

Anyways, I plan on drawing both Terra and Kore properly for the next chapter, even if just in colorful sketches. Maybe I'll reference them in future fics too, but you know how ocs are, best to focus on the main cast.

We're very close to the end now! I hope you enjoyed this one. We're back with our main cast next time.

Comments

[ZoeyHorse]

Time to come out of the hole

[Box-Corner]

Can we get a shoutout to Terra having her shit together and enjoying her existence and even getting laid.

Absolutely unbelievable, your red and almost-black alicorn OC has completely overpowered abilities.

Ok jesting aside, I say you handled it with genuine tact, and honestly? it's not even that crazy that A: Maud lived, considering she can split boulders in two at the drop of a hat, and B: that if somecreature WAS down there overseeing the big stuff that they would take issue if they knew what was happening.

Honestly, if Terra sorts things out, I wouldn't even consider it an Equis-ex-Machina, considering everything that was required to even make contact with her.

Lastly: Maud had zero qualms with tossing Neighsay under the bus and following it up with a stampede just to be sure. If he meets Terra I just KNOW he will attempt to posture his way out of things only to end up in early eternal torment.

[Fatail]

Okay. That picture of Maud? Added additional 5 years to my lifespan, at least.

The lore in this chapter is enough mystery and setup to be another story on its own. Starlit oceans, flying whales and parties within old mansions. Basically "What is this? What are those? Who is that?". So cool. All with red and black alicorn OC that is actually good and does not suck? What black magic is this?

Also, I guess a portal counts as an elevator? Sort of?

[FanOfMostEverything]

Sunset panicked slightly, turning back to her test, and biting her thumb’s nail for good measure..

"Do you bite your thumb at me, miss?"
"I do bite my thumb, miss, but not at you, miss."
"Well, good. The last thing any of us need is a miscommunication-borne double suicide."

Blood and darkness.

Well now you have me excited for pony Zagreus... who would probably have a lot in common with Sunset. Hot-headed, driven, irreverent...

Do you honestly believe those that want to imprison a child here would not see it as an act of war?”

I mean, Terra is presumably still a princess of Equestria. That wouldn't be a declaration of war but an assertion of royal authority. Granted, royal authority that the nobility might (and probably would) refuse to recognize, but it would give incredible political ammunition to Celestia and Luna. Still, that's the exact kind of thing that Terra wants to avoid in the first place.
Yeah, dubious excuse but entirely understandable motivation.

Classic pitfall lmao.

Well, Tartarus is a Classical pit, so...

In any case, great ponification of the myth. Looking forward to more, especially when Celestia and Luna learn they have an older sister (assuming that Terra, like Hades, is the eldest.)

[Box-Corner]

I can't believe I forgot this, but the ART! I love it's stylized look sooo much! It gives of the perfect vibe of "authority" alongside "impassive" which completely fits her vibes.

I bet Kore has at least once teased Terra about how the contrasting darkness, it makes her mane look pink by comparison, que underworldhorse grumbling.

Also Sunset's dream. Toooaatally nothing there to unpack. Heck Luna might not even question the clothing thing depending on what Sunset has shared about the other side of the mirror.

[Ryebuck Coppercap]

Neighsay is fucked lmao

Get rekt, idiot 😎

Now we just need Starlight and Tempest and the party will be all safe again

Also, Terra and Kore are an adorable duo

[Biglulu]

I love the worldbuilding you've done here.