"Give my regards to Cerberus."

This was the last thing they heard before the three powerless alicorns landed in Tartarus. After giving all their magic to Princess Twilight, they waited for Tirek to try take it from them. Their plan worked, for Tirek could not find any magic in Celestia, Luna, or Cadence. Unfortunately that meant that they were completely at his mercy, and while they knew him enough to predict that he would come for him, they couldn't tell what he would do with them.

Tirek was not one to waste an opportunity. He knew that simply ending the live of his enemies was of no use to him. The punishment he gave them was just in his eyes. These ponies were the cause of his torture in Tartarus, them and his brother. Since his brother was far out of his reach, these princesses would have to do.

The princesses landed on a perfect circle of stone ringed with tall spires of jagged rocks that seemed to lean in as if listening. Only the flat surface of the dome-like area was lite, and from no apparent source because the only shadows to be seen were cast outward from the stone spires. They landed roughly five feet from each other and about ten feet from the edge of the plateau like structure. While relatively unharmed, they knew that it wasn't going to stay like that for long.

"Well, this isn't so bad. Right Auntie?" Cadence's voice was weak, but in the sudden silence it didn't matter. "I mean, I don't see any monsters or anything."

"Cadence, what do you know or Tartarus?" Asked Celestia in a nervous but somehow still regal tone.

"Umm, just that its the one place that can hold beings that could potentially destroy the world."

"Cadence, think. If every entity, soul, and creature that is capable of ending the lives of our wonderfully ponies is trapped down here, what's keeping them from leaving?"

"I-I don't know, Auntie. Something immensely powerful for sure, but what?"

"I don't know, Cadence." Celetia hung her head. "I just don't know."

For the first time since being trapped in the crystal cavern, Cadence felt true fear. It was a short lived moment of revelation because even though they had increased in volume their voices did not echo, and the echoing sound of dripping had filled the silence.

"Luna! Oh by the Creator, Luna! I'm so sorry." Celestia rushed over to her sister sounding as if she had accidentally hit her.

"Luna? Luna, what's wrong?"

Cadence approached the her aunts out of concern. Luna had moved closer to the edge of the plateau, about three feet from it. Celestia was hugging her from behind with her forelegs and wings. Luna's muzzle was about eight inches from the ground as she hunched over. As Cadence got closer she could she that Luna wasn't just crying, but full on weeping. She had streams of tears running down her face as she drew in quiet shuddering breaths. Her eyes held shut by as much force as she could muster making her grimace.

"L-luna?" whispered Celestia softly. "Luna, I'm sorry. I had no idea he would put us here. Luna, please say something."

"Y-you... y-you pr-promised..."

"I know. I know I promised, but I still haven't broken that promise. You're my sister I would never lie to you." Then she softly kissed the back of Luna's mane trying to comfort her.

"You pr-pr-promised-d tha-at..." Unfortunately Celestia's comforting did nothing to bring her sister out of her traumatic state.

"Promised what,Celestia?" Cadence had no clue as to what Luna muttering about, but Celestia did.

"I promised her, after she turned back from Nightmare Moon, that because I forgave her and love her she did not belong in Tartarus. At first she didn't believe me, and about a week after she returned I found her twenty paces from the gates of this horrible place. I told her that we belong together, that were I belonged, she belonged. Then I asked her if I should be in Tartarus. She said 'Of course not, you have done nothing to warrant such an accusation.'" She looked away.

"'I banished my only family to the moon for a thousand years'"

Everything was quite for a set of time. To Cadence, it was a few hours. To Celestia, it a few days. To Luna, it could have been years.

"I promised her that neither of us would set hoof in Tartarus, because neither of us deserves to..."

"And you do not."

The deep voice had not come from any of the princesses, but they could not even discern which direction the voice had come from. Each of the princesses reacted differently. Luna froze as she held her breath and opened her eyes wide; her pupils turning to pinpricks. Celestia frowned and looked for the source of the voice. Cadence jumped, letting out a squeak, and rushed closer to her aunts. They didn't have to wait long before the owner of the voice showed himself, or an aspiration to represent himself at least.

Two shapes appeared parallel to each other. They remained equidistant and in sink with even the slightest of movements. The one on the right was a hot white that seemed to suck inward as if it was a two dimensional shape that was torn away leaving the brightness in the dark. The shape to the left was so similar that the difference between was accented to the point were it was the defining quality. This shape a sucking dark that made the sky-less shadows of Tartarus seem illuminated, but the shape seemed full and solid as if something was breaching from the other side.

The general shape seemed bipedal, like a diamond dog, but that was the end of the similarities. The four limbs were completely straight with jagged edges. They tapered down to points, making them stand on the tips of their 'legs'. The heads of the creatures were round, but faded upwards.

"How did you end up in my realm?"

The deep voice came from a spot between the two shapes. A spot that could not be looked at no matter how hard the princesses stared. Every time they tried their eyes would drift to either the white or black shapes. Whether there was something physical occupying that space or not may never be known, but a presence was definitely felt from it. Listening close you could find a high pitched quite voice behind the deep one. Celestia was the first to find her voice.

"T-this is you realm? Are you the ruler of Tartarus?"

"Ruler? I hope not. I created... Tartarus you called it, I would have hoped for a higher title for all I've done."

"Created?" Celestia's voice was barely a whisper, but that hardly mattered in the silence

"Yes. I created this place, and it has had many names. Tartarus, Hell, Abyss, Prison of the Damned, Void, New Jersey... That was a strange day. But, anyway, I am Nex Null, Creator of Perfection, Harshest Soul, and The All Hungry. You may call me Null."

"What do you want with us?" asked Cadence in a pleading tone.

"Want? I want nothing. I am here because I can be. I cannot be seen, heard, touched, or known by the creatures of my realm. I created it for the other Nex to dispatch of the mistakes and dangers of their realms. Here I feed. I sap their strength, fog their minds, remove their power, consume their memories, and reduce them to blank slates. When they leave they are a pure untainted soul in a powerless body... and as much as I love to feed on you, you have not been marked. Tell me, from were do you hail?"

"Equestria." Celestia stated, subconsciously standing straighter and pushing out her chest in pride.

"Equestria? I'm not sure I know that realm. Has it ever had any four armed, bi-pedal, red haired, dog faced beings call hashterra in it? No, that's not were your from. No, your from... No. Yes? No. Wait... Does the name Discord ring a bell?"

"Figures Discord would be familiar with the creator of Tartarus," mumbled Cadence.

"You have no Idea the places he gets to do you? I don't even know if he has ever been marked for a realm or not. He is one of the only entities to have avoided my powers. He's practically immaterial and can think through the strongest insanity. But, if you know him that narrows down the options a bit. Let's see... I'm guessing the main inhabitants are equine like you? So that helps. Hmm... What color is the grass there?"

"Green?" answered Cadence with a raised eyebrow.

"Green. Green! Is there a fruit called a jirrewm that grows on floating trees? Floating as in on water, and not anchored to the ground. Not floating as in on the air."

"No" Cadences fear was slowly losing to her curiosity and confusion at this point, allowing her to stand straight and relax her muscles.

"Kumquats then? You must have them somewhere."

"Yes, we have Kumquats."

"Ah, yes I know where your from now. She would definitely mark you. So... how did you get here?"

"Tirek imprisoned us here as revenge for his imprisonment."

"Tirek, Tirek... Oh! Tirek. Yes, I remember him. He kept absorbing the magic from the others to replace what I took. Clever plan, if not for the fact that I feed on everybeing here leaving him with almost nothing. Its almost funny because... Umm... whats with her?"

"My sister is in a state of shock," Celestia answered. "She once allowed a demon of corruption to taint her being to get revenge upon me and my subjects for neglecting her work. After she was cured, she was under the assumption that we would send her here, like we do with all creatures of evil intent."

"Right. I heard your conversation earlier. So why is she still crying? Haven't I explained the fact that I can't feed of you, or won't at least."

"Why should we believe the word of something like you?"

"I am a Nex. The word nexus, which originally meant 'center of', comes from our name. We create the centers and guide all that comes from it. Do to our position in reality, we cannot interact with what we create, only what another Nex has created. Through all time, and even before, we can only watch as we maintain the positions we have. Its a boring existence. If I lied, it would only add to that boredom. I haven't had a conversation like this in eons."

"So we're just entertainment to you?"gasped Cadence.

"In a sense, but don't think for a moment that I would treat you unfairly because of it. I may be harsh, but I have morals and a code."

"Do you have it in you morals to help us?"

The area was quite as Luna asked her question. Celestia looked at her with a strange mix of hope and concern. Her tone was flat, eerily so. She hadn't looked up or way from the space she had designated for her gaze.

"So you can talk. I was worried you were mute for a while there."

Luna turned her head to stare at the white shape for a few seconds before switching to the black one.

"That one."

"What?"

"I was unsure on which of the two figures I should be looking at. I decided on the dark one."

"I'd prefer that. The white one tends to hurt the eyes in this darkness."

"Do you have it in your morals to help us?"

"Like a broken record... Yes, I could help you. I'm assuming that you want out of here. While I'm sure you will eventually be given a way to leave, I could help."

"Get them out of here."

"NO," Celestia's voice wasn't as loud as it was forceful. It was a voice that had ruled a nation. "I will not let you leave yourself here."

"But-"

"I said 'No'. Now, Null, how exactly will you get us out of here?"

"Hehe... Of, course. Never jump without looking." The shapes moved closer to the ponies revealing the fact that they were almost a head taller than Celestia. "I can change your vectors in reality, but to do that I would need to mark you. This will not be permanent. I will split my influence from you and you will simply need to take it with you. That is my only request."

"What do you mean 'spit your influence'?" Cadence asked.

"Interesting question. In a sense, I will mix my traits with yours so that I may control your future to some extent. Then I will remove what I gave. Unfortunately, that will mean removing a small bit of you, but don't worry. You will not change, just simply be tired... er, more tired."

"What would be the result of this separation?" asked Celestia in a business tone. "You mentioned the fact that we would need to take it with us."

For the first time the princesses had met him, Nex Null hesitated. "...You would be a fantastic lawyer."

"Thank you. Now answer the question."

"... Imps."

"What!?" Cadence covered her mouth after her outburst.

"Cadence, Imps are mythological creatures that-"

"I know what an Imp is!... sort of, but that's not what I'm surprised about. Its the fact that he is planing on effectively giving us children in exchange for our freedom. Was all that horse-apples about 'marking us' and 'splitting your influence' innuendos of some kind?"

"Oh dear Cadence. Get you mind out of the gutter," Null's tone was light hearted considering the accusation. "What do you expect me to do with that much life energy, which would be half yours by the way, put it in an inanimate object? Besides, they would be almost mature, I think, and born of energy. I will not be defiling you, if that's what your worried about."

"I, umm... Okay, sorry." Cadence lowered her head for jumping to conclusions.

"But, essentially, they would be your children. I would appreciate it if you watched over them for me. After the process is complete, neither you nor the Imps will be able to see, hear, or interact with me ever again. So my condition stays, take them with you and I'll help."

The princesses thought on their ultimatum. Cadence was the first to speak. "I'm confident Twilight can defeat Tirek, but we have no idea if she can get us out of here. I say we take his offer."

"You should go with Cadence, sister. Leave me here," said Luna.

"No, I'm not leaving without you. This is not negotiable."

"Fine. I will go so that you will go."

Celestia turned to Nex Null. "We accept."

"Fantastic. This will be fun."

Before any of the alicorns could register what he had said, the shapes rushed forwards and moved past the princesses, one on each side. As they past, each alicorn would shut her eyes and shudder, as if a cold breeze past over them. As soon as the shapes past Luna(the last one in line), the shapes disappeared. After a second of shuttering their bodies started to glow. Cadence had light grey and dark blue smudges of light coating her. The light on Celestia was covered in was dark grey and brown. Luna's coat had alternating pulses of light blue and orange. Eventually the glow grows to the point that you could no longer see their bodies. After that point the light collected into small bright motes and flew through the air landing a few feet from Luna.

The light from Cadence condensed into a light grey shape that hovered a few feet from the ground. Its body consisted almost entirely of mist with a few floating metal bars. Its main body trailed downward and tapered off to a small wisp. The two limbs at its sides did the same. Two large masses on its back contained the metal bars. They were arranged similarly to bones in a pair of wings, giving the being a bat-like appearance. Its head had almost no defining features but a smiling face made from holes that revealed constant blue, electric arcs that filled its form.

The motes from Celestia almost immediately solidified into brownish grey stones.  The two largest stones rested on the ground with the smooth sides facing forward. On the other side, several smaller rock came together to form three three-jointed fingers and one two-jointed thumb per stone. The result resembled a set of gorilla forearms. Another pair of cylindrical stones rested on the ground behind the fists. Then the lights started to form rapidly spinning cyclones of dust and rocks that rose up to meet a flat stone plate that floated on top of a mass of spinning dust. The last thing to form was a short stone head with a wide lower jaw. While not entirely sophisticated looking, it didn't appear barbaric. Once completely formed the outline of its body could be traced by following the spinning dust, which seemed to fly everywhere but outside the beings general shape, as if an invisible shell encased it.

The orange glow that emanated from Luna immediately collected and turned into a large flame. Then the blue motes followed and coated the entire thing in ice. The shell of ice had a bipedal, draconian shape, minus the tail and wings. Its limbs were very thin compared to its size, giving it a gangling appearance. The look was compounded by the fact that it couldn't straighten its arms or legs. At its knees and elbows, it had a small, fire-filled spike that jutted out, like an extension of its forearms or shins. Its hands and feet had three long, hollow claws each. Its head was very draconic, having several spike out the back of its head, but were still flush with the rest of its head giving it a blown back look. Its mouth was a simple zig-zag shaped crack in the ice shell that gave it the look of pointed teeth. At the tip of its snout was to similar slits in the shell, giving it a nose. Its Eyes were constructed in the same way. The flame on the inside was slightly blurred and blued, but could be seen clearly through its eyes, nose, and mouth.

"Hello, I am Thermos," pronouncing its name ˈTHərmOs, "and this is Kinetic," it gestured to the creature of rock, "and that is Static." pointing to the being of mist and lightning.

Then the three creatures seemed to spin as their shapes blurred. The blurs changed size and shape before slowing down revealing that they had changed shape, size, and species. Thermos was now a unicorn stallion of a slightly smaller build. His spiky mane and tail were red with orange tips. His coat was blue with white on the tips of his horn and ears, as well as on his hooves. His cutie mark was half a blue flame and half orange crystal.

Luna looked up and made eye-contact with him as he look at her and said, "And I am your son."

Kinetic was now a towering earth stallion. His mane and tail were a dusty yellow color and were styled in short military fashion. His coat was a flat grey and was only a few inches shorter than Celestia, not including her horn. His cutie mark was a large 'M' with a small 'F' next to its top right corner.

Celestia had a grin on her face as Kinetic walked up to her. "Hello, Mother," his voice boomed.

Static turned into a small pegasus filly hovering in the air. She had a dark grey coat with a two-toned blue mane. She seemed to be about eight years old, because she had no cutie mark.

"MOMMY!!" *Thud*

Cadence was now on her back with said filly standing on her. Her voice was light and high, but seemed to have a subtle crackle, as if it were coming from a phonograph.

"So when do I get to meet Daddy? Or Step-Daddy I guess. I don't really know much about my Daddy. Or Father. Father, yeah that's it. Null can be Father, and Shinning can be Daddy. Do you think Daddy will like me? I know it might be hard for him. I mean, he just got a daughter and doesn't know. And then theirs the weird stuff like my brothers, our powers, the fact that I can't touch ground. Oh! Yeah, I can't touch the ground. I go all Bizzt! But you wouldn't let that happen, right Mom?"

Cadence had enough time to say, "Uhh..." before every thing flashed rainbow, taking all six out of Tartarus leaving the plateau empty of everything but unheard laughter. Next Chapter: Introductions Estimated time remaining: 26 Minutes