Chapter fifteen: The Prisoner of Tartarus.
Tartarus! An ancient place. It is where the worst of the worst magical criminals in Equestria are imprisoned. Those who commit acts of crime that only slightly less bad than murder. Created in the last days of Pompony by the last king of that once great city. To hold there, the worst of their criminals. A pony that spawned the legends of Gorgon. A criminal who was to help establish in-pony justice, the supreme punishment for the deliberate killing of another pony. The death penalty. A pony whose crimes shook pony kind to the very core. He killed his own family. His mare friend, his children. His parents. But the worst was the way he disposed of their bodies. He ate them. I know unicorns once hunted other creatures for their meat to have as food. Using powerful magic needs a lot of energy and so they needed protein.
But they never hunted other types of ponies. Unfortunately for other ponies, this dispittable creature found a taste for hunting, capturing and torturing other ponies, before slowly, painfully taking their life and consuming their flesh. His name Tyrannirum Devastatio. Said Queen Twilight who suddenly felt a small pair of fore legs grip her tightly and a little body shiver next to hers. It was Daydream, she was scared. "Mommy". She says as she hides under Twilights wing. She was indeed scare but also was feeling the cold air that now was suddenly flowing through the kitchen. The only warmth was the large oven at the end of the kitchen.
So, Queen Twilight picked up Daydream and moved closer to the oven. "There we go this will help stop Gorgon from getting you". And kisses Daydream. She then continued the story. "Well at first his crimes went unnoticed. As he went after little Fillies and Colts of the serf class of the people of Pompony. But when the Princess was taken things changed. The royal Pompony guards tore the city apart trying to find her. Just like I would if it was you my little one. When they entered the stretch of the city where his cottage was. They heard a scream. He had attacked another little filly. His need to inflict pain on others needed fulfilling. The guards charged to where the scream had come from. There, the sight that fell before them was. Was so monstrous, so disgusting that they were physically sick. For they found him chewing on the little filly's severed leg. Her little body slumped up a post.
Barely alive as the guards chased him away, one took the little filly to the palace to be saved and healed. As the other two chased him to his cottage. What they found led to the creation of Tartarus. For they found what remained of the king's only daughter stewing in a pot. And there he was imprisoned for thousands of years. Buried in a very secret cell. And this was the pony that Harbinger and the Elements of Disharmony where going to set free. They had all gathered in the rocky gorge near that evil place. But when they did, they had a few surprises. As in two full legions of royal guards. Ever since the creatures escaped and the time Cosy Glow tried to banish all magic from Equestria and the return of Grogar. My self and the other Princesses decided to add extra protection from those that were imprisoned there. The troops were led by Spit Fire. "Great forgot about this". Says Flash.
Tirek said with a smile. "I have a solution. I'll be back in a few minutes". Five minutes later there was a high pitch screech coming from the air, in the guard camp the ponies look. Only what they saw was death. Tirek used the weapon systems of the gunship, firing the rockets and the mini gun. It rains hot metal down on the camp. Killing or wounding the guards. Poor Spit Fire was seriously wounded she lost a wing, a front leg and her two hind legs. Buzzing back and forth for ten minutes all that could be heard was the sound of the guard's pain, the weapons of the gunship and the evil laughter of the Elements of Disharmony. Tirek landed. "Well done my Element, now let us break open that prison and find our comrade". Harbinger chuckled.
At the gates they tried their newfound powers, but only a princess could open them. Tirek pulled out another weapon. It looked rather like pie dough. It was a weapon call C4. Which is an explosive chemical compound. And very dangerous. He and Cinch placed it were it would do a good job. "Stand back". Tirek says before removing a small device from a pocket. Pushing the button, there was an almighty bang. Dust and debris were sent shooting up into the air and out. As it settles there were the gates used to be. Was a great big hole, the rock surrounding it scorched like it was blasted by dragon fire.
And in they go. From the dark blacken hole came the whimpers and whines of the injured creatures and prisoners. Though criminals guilty of crimes against Equestria, but right here right now they were innocent victims of Harbinger and the Elements of Disharmony. They are soon set upon by Cerberus. The Guard dog, that remains inside the prison. Barking and growling he put up a good fight. But with their combined powers, buried him under 40 tons of rock and rubble. And so, they head past the cells and cages of the inmates. Their final destination. A second set of stone doors. For a prison within a prison. This cell was put there by Celestia and Luna. Because before I was born and before your grandparents and your great grandparents even your great great grandparents were born, he had escaped.
And terrorised Equestria this was just after the two Princesses had defeated Discord. Harbinger used his powers to open the doors. And slowly a grey mottled beige coloured pony staggered forward. His cleft hooves with their sharp points, the two horns on his head, and his wings. Like those of Thestrals only ending with a large razor-sharp claw. And his pointed sharp teeth. And his eyes. Two black pools of thick black tar. That oozed evil. And the black was only broken by the colour of the irises. Red. Deep red. Bowing before saying in a gravelly demonic voice. "Master you have returned. And I see you have found the last of my weapons I created for you".
"Tyrannirum. I have my faithful servant. And now is the time for you to fulfil your purpose". Replied Harbinger, with the sound of happiness in his voice. Tyrannirum then said. "I did create some amplifiers to boost our powers". He stopped then sniffed the air. "We will need to go to the ancient ruins in the forbidden jungles in what was once the temple of the striped horse tribe. But first I need to build my strength. With meet and." He sniffed the air again. "And I can smell a meal here. I smell meat. I can smell filly". He said before heading towards were the smell of the filly was.
The filly. It was Cosy Glow. And she was now in mortal danger. Yes, she was a criminal, guilty of trying to rid all magic from Equestria, but even she does not deserve to die in that most heinous way. "I can smell you little one". Says Tyrannirum as he approached the cages holding her and the Tirek that was already in this world. He was out of his cage and was trying to make his way out of Tartarus. "Who is that"? One of them asked as they saw him staggering. "Just let him go. He will keep the royal guards busy. Especially if he tries to steal the magic from our enemies". Replied Flash. Tyrannirum got closer to Cosy Glows cage. Who flapped her wings. And moved to the back of the cage. "Any pony wants southern fried wings"? Asked Tyrannirum and the rest chuckled. They were excited to watch this evil pony eat the little pony. "Come here little filly. It's time for you to be in my belly". Tyrannirum chuckled. "What"? Gasps Cosy Glow.
Her eyes widen, she now realized who this evil pony was. "You're. You're. You're the legendary Gorgon". She cries. The Tirek that was from our world stopped dead and froze. He had heard of him. He couldn't leave Cosy. Not to the likes of that pony. So, finding a dying unicorn that was once a prisoner he, took what magic they had left. Until he was strong enough. Meantime Tyrannirum had broken open Cosy's cage. And using what little magic he had started to play with his food. Making her dance around. And inflicting pain. The sound of her cries echoed through the remains of Tartarus. "All well time to eat". Tyrannirum says and then opens his mouth. Cosy could see his sharp fangs and jagged teeth. And smell of his fowl putrid stench of his breath. And as his mouth was close enough to bite down. Cosy vanished in a puff of smoke. It was the Other Tirek. He had used some of the magic he gathered to teleport her out of his grip.
Now the elements faced him and began to use magic spells to fight. But Tirek just absorbed the magic. And sent it back at them rendering them unconscious. That left Harbinger. His fierce form emerged from the shadows and sent energy blasts towards Tirek. "I think I should have recruited you instead". Remarks Harbinger. "I wouldn't help you I work alone". Replied Tirek. Looking in Cosy's direction Tirek then said. "And before you ask why? Why have I saved that 'pathetic' little Pegasus? I don't care what happens to her, but even I know that no one deserves to be left to Gorgon". Harbinger chuckles and hits Tirek with a glancing blow.
Dizzy and seeing double Tirek staggers to his hooves. Harbinger was about to deliver the deciding blow when Tirek is knocked down. He turns to see little outlined shape of a Pegasus enveloped in an energy field. Their cries of intense and overwhelming pain. It was Cosy Glow. She had jumped in front of Tirek at the last minute. And as the energy dissipated her little limp body drops to the floor. Coughing and spluttering. Tirek used the teleportation spell again. And placed her on his back. He was growing weak again from fighting. With one more effort he used the teleportation spell once more and he and Cosy Glow vanished in puff of smoke.
At the same time back at my castle I was discussing the latest reports that had come in, with Princesses Celestia, Cadence and Luna, about the attacks on other ponies in Primm. When suddenly there was a flash. And a puff smoke. As the smoke cleared, the outline of Tirek emerged. "Guards". Called out Luna. Tirek steps forward then collapses. Dropping Cosy Glow. "Safe thank goodness we're safe now Cosy". He says. But Cosy doesn't speak. She coughs and cries out in pain. "Celestia moves forward as the guards enter. "Speak Tirek speak. How did you escape Tartarus? Where is Cerberus? And the legions we left to guard it"? She says. Tirek gathered what strength he had to sit himself up. "Tartarus is gone. The prisoners, Cerberus and your legions are dead or injured. They came for him". He replied.
We were all shocked. "What do you mean they came for him? Who is Him"? I asked. He coughs and says. "Tyrannirum Devastatio. Please help her, she took a blast meant for me. Please". Luna and Celestia look at each other with shock for they knew who he was. "The Gorgon has returned". Says Luna. I was too busy looking at Cosy Glow to catch it. She was very weak. And had slowly started to turn white, her curly tail and mane was all white and now her wings were starting to turn too, I had seen this before. "I don't think I can. She is fading fast. But I know there is one sure way but to save one another must perish". I say. Tirek looks at me then with a hand grabs my face. I could feel him searching my mind with his. After finding what he wanted he let go. I drop to the floor, weakened by the experience. The guards go to rush him. "I'm okay, he just read my mind". I say.
He turns to Celestia and says. "Forgive me". And then opens his mouth, sucking up some of her magic. Stopping when he had enough strength. Celestia falls weaken by her magic being drained. He then moves closer to Cosy. Placing a hand on her head, the other on her heart. They glow and so does Cosy. Has time goes on Tirek grows weaker as his life force drains from him and transfuses into Cosy. The glow subsides Tirek then collapses next to her. Slowly Cosy cries of pain subside, and her cough diminishes. And her eyes flicker open slowly.
