She didn't know how long it had been since she first set hoof within that cave, but all Twilight could focus on right now was just how wrong this place felt. It was the kind of place that felt, deep down, like it had never once known an ounce of warmth, and while that might have seemed appropriate, given the kinds of people who dwelt here, it did make it more than an uncomfortable experience for those like Twilight. Eventually, the young unicorn made it to the bottom of the stone stairs, turning to look upon Cerberus, who was not far behind her. She sighed before turning, walking a few steps forward before stopping. It was here that she looked up, gazing at that was unquestionably the entrance to Tartarus proper. It was a massive stone archway, carved in the shape of an open set of jaws, complete with jagged and dangerous-looking teeth. Narrowing her eyes, Twilight paid close attention to what was written atop it, scratched there in ancient times in what was now a long-forgotten language. Even so, Twilight knew enough of ancient Equestria to know exactly what was written there. Abandon all hope, ye who enter here. How...appropriate. As she moved closer, she stopped when she began to hear a whining sound. She turned, looking upon Cerberus, as he seemed to show great concern for her. Putting on a small smile, Twilight spoke softly to the ancient guard dog.

"Don't worry, Cerberus. You don't have to go any further. This is your post, after all. As for me..."

Looking back to the archway, Twilight's expression became a harsh one.

"...I know exactly what I'm doing."

Taking a deep breath, Twilight began to walk ahead, not paying any heed to the archway that now passed over her. After that, it did not take her very long to reach what she had been journeying to find for so long. Tartarus. She looked out at this place, a vast chasm so massive in scope that it could well have held some small nations within itself. All around, there were jagged rocks and even small mountains jutting up from the ground below. Looking up, Twilight noted that the ceiling was so high up, and the place so dark, that it actually gave the impression that there was no ceiling, just darkness that went on forever. The air was like ice, as well as still, like no living creature had ever disturbed it in millennia. As Twilight walked upon the narrow stone bridges and paths of this place, she grimaced at how harsh and crumbly those walkways were. This place...it truly is the worst fate anypony can expect. And speaking of ponies, it was not long before Twilight actually caught sight of some. Although, these were not the flesh and blood ponies she knew from the surface, but rather mere shades. They were hoofprints in the sand, echoes of the lives that once were. Mares and stallions who had done great wrongs in their life, now condemned to dwell in this place, with no hope of escape. Twilight looked upon them, her eyes filled with sympathy and pity, listening to their pained words.

"I betrayed...and am now lost," one stallion moaned.

"I hurt...I broke...I...I...I twisted," another mare cried.

"My life led others to suffer...and now...my life is to suffer," another called out from the distance.

Even children were not spared from this place, as the shade of a young filly now walked right past her.

"Mamma didn't love me like I wanted her to. So I...made her go away. Then...I fell sick...and woke up here. Now...I miss Mamma. Where...where is Mamma?"

Tears threatened to form in Twilight's eyes as she looked upon them, dozens upon dozens of ponies, all wandering about, perhaps not even truly realising where they were or what they were at this point. How...how long have these poor souls been here? But, her unspoken question yielded no answers from those forsaken denizens, whose pale green glow was the only true source of light down here. Shutting her eyes tightly, Twilight did her best to drown them out, lest their pain and sorrow overwhelm her. On and on she went, hearing the calls and wails of the damned, until eventually, there was only silence. Nervously, Twilight opened her eyes, and looked upon a part of this barren land that, if possible, seemed even more desolate than the last. There were no fallen souls of ponies here, merely tall stone spires, sharp and imposing, rising up towards the ceiling like grasping fingers. Determination filled Twilight's eyes as she saw this, and for a time, her head began to swivel around, looking upon each spire in turn, clearly looking for something. After some time had passed, her eyes locked onto a lone stony hill in the distance, with an ancient and broken staircase leading up to it. Atop its peak was an object that, even at this distance, Twilight recognised as a cage. She frowned, letting out a snort from her nostrils before making her way towards it.

She never took her eyes off it, not once, and through it all, she felt her heartbeat grow with every step. Up she climbed, looking to the top of the spire, knowing full well who and what it was that she would see there. Eventually, she managed to reach the summit, and when she did, she had to bite her lip to keep herself from screaming with anger. For there, before her, was a creature that none would assume was a threat, but that she knew most definitely was. A centaur, dark in his fur and bearing a long, white beard. His face was bright red, and his nose bore a golden ring pierced right through it. His body was frail, weak and withered, and lay upon the ground in an unmoving fashion. All around this creature was his cage, forged from thick iron, heavy in appearance and shouting to all the world that the being within was a prisoner, and that he wasn't going anywhere. Twilight narrowed her eyes, seeing, even from this distance, that the aged centaur within was struggling with his breathing, as if every inhale was painful to him. Tentatively, she began to walk forward, always sure not to go too fast. Her expression, throughout it all, was one of barely-contained rage, like a cooking pot, with boiling water just beneath its lid. In time, when she reached a satisfactory distance, she stopped, raising a hoof to her mouth and clearing her throat.

The intent was clear, to make it known that she was there, and it achieved that effect almost immediately. The centaur began to rouse, his eyes opening ever so slowly. When they finally opened, they gazed upon the young unicorn just outside of his bars, before snapping even wider. His breathing sounded even more laboured now as he began to lift himself up, which Twilight could see was taking a great deal of effort on his part. A full minute went by before he was at his full height, and even then it was clear that old age had taken his toll, as he bore a very distinct hunch to his posture. He looked upon her, half-angry and half-confused after seeing her, but, as ever, Twilight remained quiet. She did not speak, but instead, looked down slightly, for it was only now, after the creature had stood up, that she noticed what he was wearing. There, hanging from his neck, was a golden pendant of some kind, ancient in its design. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of it. Scorpan...you loved your brother so much, and how did he repay it? With betrayal. He looked upon you as his enemy, and turned his back on you. He is no brother to you, not like brothers should be. Looking up, Twilight stared right into the centaur's eyes, which were black and utterly devoid of pity. A silence passed between the two, until finally, the dark prisoner finally spoke, his words feeble and almost wheezy.

"Well...it has been many ages since I last received a visitor."

The young unicorn said nothing, instead simply resorting to staying her ground, looking right at him. The silence caused the centaur to raise an eyebrow slightly.

"Do you, perhaps, not know who I am, child?"

At this, Twilight gave a single, grim nod.

"Tirek. The devourer of magic. The bane of Equestria's ancient past. Enemy of all ponykind."

Tirek gave a hearty chuckle at that, which soon led to him going through an uncontrollable bout of coughing. Twilight narrowed her eyes at this pitiful sight, but continued to stay silent as he finally spoke up again.

"Well then...it's good to know my reputation precedes me. And who, if I may ask, are you?"

Upon hearing that question, Twilight finally began to move, slowly circling around the cage, all while keeping her sights on him.

"My name is Twilight Sparkle. Student of Princess Celestia."

With the utterance of that name, Tire's ears perked up.

"Ah, then you come as her representative? I suppose it was only a matter of time before the almighty alicorns finally decided to pay me some attention."

The scorn with which he'd spoken of her mentor got under Twilight's skin immediately, causing her to look to him with greater anger in her eyes. But, ever she kept silent, at least, until Tirek began to speak up again.

"Tell me, young one...what is it that you were sent here for?"

Twilight shook her head as she continued to circle around him.

"I wasn't sent by anypony. I come here of my own accord."

The look Tirek bore after hearing that was one of clear curiosity.

"Interesting. In that case...what are you here for?"

Having finally walked a complete circle around him, Twilight stopped at the front of his cage once more, speaking up with a somewhat harsh tone.

"Legends speak much of you, Tirek. What you did...what you planned...who you turned against. I came to ask...do you regret it? Any of it?"

Upon hearing that question, the ancient centaur merely laughed.

"Regret? Why, in all of Equestria would I do that?"

A grimace crossed Twilight's face.

"Why? Why? Just look at where you've ended up! Buried in the realm of the condemned. Cut off from all life, all hope...all family."

That last word caused Tirek to wince somewhat, as he now turned away from her, anger growing in his eyes.

"Family? I assume you refer to my brother, Scorpan? If that is the case, then let me save you the trouble."

He looked back to her, slowly walking to the bars as fast as his tired old legs could carry him. Cautiously, Twilight took a step backwards, always making sure to stay out-of-range of the power she knew he had. When Tirek finally reached those bars, he raised his hands and held onto two of them.

"Yes, I turned against him. But, you know what? I don't care! He betrayed me by choosing your kind over me! We could have conquered your wretched realm, but instead, he decided that being your friend was better. He turned his back to his birthright! Our birthright! Every scrap of magic you accursed ponies have! Were I free, I would lay waste to your homes! I would take what is rightfully mine! And I would looked upon your empty and unmoving bodies with glee! Your kind are less than the mud on my hooves! And my brother...now...he is even less!"

Twilight stayed where she was, watching with a neutral expression as Tirek spat out every word, his voice filled with hatred and venom. Her eyes drifted down to the ground, a small sigh escaping her. I thought as much. Even here...even as low as this...he is beyond help. Looking up again, she gazed at him, where he finally noticed the steely look she was giving him. There was something in her eyes, however brief, that caused him to show, for the first time in all of this, a slight pang of concern. Taking a deep breath, Twilight frowned at the withered creature before her, before starting to light up her horn. Tirek looked to her, showing more than a little worry at this, all while Twilight concentrated. That cage is not mere iron, but magic also. Forged with techniques long lost to ponykind. Nopony knows how to use it...except me. Narrowing her eyes, she caused her horn to glow ever brighter, with Tirek taking a few steps backwards. But, before he could withdraw any further, he was taken aback by something latching onto his wrist. Turning, he looked down to see that, out of nowhere, a metal chain had formed there, binding his wrist and pulling it violently to an upper corner of his cage. Within moments, a second chain appeared, this time repeating the process on his other hand. Then, a third, a fourth, and then two more, each binding itself to his hooves and holding him in place. As he struggled to resist, with his meagre strength doing little to avail him, he looked to Twilight with bile in his expression.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

But Twilight stayed quiet, instead lighting up her horn yet again. Before Tirek realised what was going on, he looked down to find, to his shock, that his golden amulet was being pulled off him. With a single yank, Twilight's magic ripped it off him, causing it to levitate towards her instead. She glanced at it, gazing upon the ancient markings etched into its surface, before glaring back to Tirek.

"This was a gift from your brother. A sign of the love he bore you. But...you don't deserve it. I know what a loving brother is...and you are not one of them!"

Watching, Tirek observed how Twilight levitated the amulet into her saddle-bags, after which she took a step forward, her voice loud and commanding.

"Tirek...I, Twilight Sparkle, now pass judgement on you. You are beyond friendship. Beyond redemption. Beyond even the love of family. You are a wretched, hate-filled creature that has no place in this world. If your time here has not changed you..."

Her eyes narrowed, her voice seethed.

"...then you'll never change."

For the first time in what was undoubtedly a very long while, Tirek actually bore a look of fear as Twilight stared into his eyes. She lit up her horn a third time, and within moments, the magic imbued into the cage began to react to it. Tirek darted his head left and right, trying to see what was going on, before gaining a look of horror when the truth was revealed to him. The bars of the cage were growing, becoming thicker, all around him. It took a minute, but soon, the bars became so wide and thick that they actually began to fuse together, forming an uninterrupted metal surface all around the cage. As the gaps faded, the light within faded with it, and at long last, only one gap remained. Within it, Twilight saw Tirek, and the look of terror upon his face. Slowly, the light finally faded from his face, and the final gap at last vanished. Tirek's cage was now a sealed metal box, with no hope of escaping it. But as she looked upon the creature's new prison, Twilight did not bear any look of triumph, nor satisfaction. Instead, she continued to glare angrily at it, before her eyes drifted to the side of the spire she stood on. Frowning, her horn lit up, soon causing the box to be bathed in her magical aura. After a moment or two, it began to levitate wholesale, with Twilight guiding it right over to the edge. Once there, she looked down, seeing the endless darkness below. This place is made of ancient powers. That chasm down there...it is endless, bottomless. When one falls down there...they never come back up. Looking back to the box, there was a pause, after which she bore a look of utter contempt.

"Never again, Tirek."

With a single, almighty throw, Twilight hurled the box into the chasm, watching as it fell like a rock in a river. It took some time, but the thing finally fell far enough that it was consumed by the darkness, unable to be seen any further. She waited, perhaps expecting to hear some kind of "clang" when it reached some kind of bottom. But, she knew that wasn't going to happen. Instead, she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before releasing a sigh. It's done. He still lives...but in his weakened state, he'll never break free of that. After opening her eyes again, she turned around and began to slowly walk back to the entrance of Tartarus. As she walked, the shades of deceased ponies, which before had given her pause, now passed around and even through her, with her being completely unfazed by them. On and on she walked, for how long, she didn't know. Eventually, she reached that archway, turning to look back at this foul place one last time. Her eyes glared at the spire in the distance, where her enemy had once been, before turning around. Once past the archway, she came across Cerberus, who looked at her, whining slightly. Putting on a small smile, Twilight raised a hoof and patted him on the paw slightly. But, her smile faded when she got back to her journey, walking right past him and back towards the staircase that led to the surface.

Much time passed before she finally reached the top of those stairs, and when she did, she raised a hoof, shielding her eyes from the light of the sun above her. After giving herself some time to adjust to the new light level, she took a few steps forward, after which, she turned, looking upon the open cave behind her. There was a near deathly silence as she regarded this entrance to Tartarus, her expression never betraying her intentions. In her mind, however, things were very different. Cerberus is the eternal protector. He will never need to eat, nor drink, nor even breathe, thanks to the power than birthed him. He can stay at that post for all eternity without ever needing to come to the surface. There was doubt in her eyes, but it did not last long, for soon she looked forward with resolve. Forgive me, Cerberus...but this is for the good of Equestria. She assumed an aggressive stance, aiming her horn at the top of the cave entrance. There was a bright glow about her horn and, within moments, she blasted forth a powerful surge of magic, striking the rock around the cave. Again and again she attacked, and soon enough, the entire entrance began to collapse, like an avalanche, filling in that vast chasm with boulders and stones of every shape and size. But, ever Twilight continued, striking away at it with her magic, until, at long last, the cave was completely filled in.

With the light of her horn dying away, she walked slowly towards it, looking upon her work. There was not a single gap in-between the rocks there that any creature could get past. Only the strongest could even hope to budge even the smallest of the boulders, but Twilight knew in her heart that all that dwelt within Tartarus now was weakness and despair. She let out a sigh for a brief moment, placing her hoof upon one of the stones. Nothing is getting out. Not now...not ever! But, her expression became one of anger as she considered that. And yet...people once thought nothing could escape it before...yet Tirek was able to do so. I...I can't risk that happening! Stepping backwards for a small distance, Twilight's horn glowed once more, and she shot forth a spell towards the nearest stone. But this spell, unlike the last, was not one of destruction, but of enchantment, as the stone before her now glowed slightly before that light faded. Twilight let out a small sigh at this. With that spell, this stone will never be lifted, nor broken. She looked up, seeing the many hundreds of rocks that remained, and narrowed her eyes. And so, she got to work, enchanting every boulder, every stone, every tiny pebble she could find, all in an effort to create the most impregnable barrier this cave could have. And all the while, she kept muttering the same thing, over and over again.

"Never again...never again."