It's About Time, part 2.5: Journey to Tartarus

[no_vampires_plz]

As the three humans, one Hyrulian, one unicorn, and one demon-dog press forward, the character of the woods around them changes. The undergrowth gets denser, the canopy above lets in less light, and the flora in general is much more... exotic than what one usually sees in the woods by the lake.

"Now, I know that the pathway to Tartarus starts somewhere in this general area," says Twilight. "But I don't know of its exact location. It's not something that ponies really want to advertise."

Comments

[fiss84]

While Cerberus is making his leap for freedom, 84 gives the Venus flytrap-like pod a good undercut that'd go through a bank vault to make sure it's good and distracted. She dodges a thrashing and flaming tendril to fly free once she's sure Ceberus is in the clear.

[no_vampires_plz]

And with one final, deafening shriek, the mandrake goes down for good, collapsing in a heap on the bare earth. A stench like baked potatoes soaked in pure vileness fills the space.

Twilight lets out the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Everybody okay?"

[gorgonfondness]

"I'm fine," Mia answers.

She opens her bag and gets out some of her healing items if anyone needs patching up: big orange nuts, about the size of pecans in their shells, and bottles of all-purpose salves.

"What's our course now? Get back to the surface?"

[sky_child]

A rope ladder made of vines drops down into the hole, and from above, Link asks: "Is it gone?"

[fiss84]

"I'm good," 84 calls out. "What was that ice thing?"

[basic_powers]

"I think that was a shield against fire from Mia." Moon Shadow's going to look from the vine ladder and then to Cerberus.

Are you going to need help getting out of this hole?

[no_vampires_plz]

Cerberus doesn't answer. He staggers drunkenly sideways and nearly topples over, leaning heavily against one wall of the hole instead. His eyes are glazed and all three of his mouths are drooling.

Twilight grimaces. "He took a bite out of the mandrake, didn't he." It's not a question.

[gorgonfondness]

Mia nods in confirmation of Moon Shadow's statement.

And then there's Cerberus.

"Is there anything we can do for him?"

She doubts whatever healing items she has probably aren't potent enough for the giant dog. And while she's got offensive and defensive spells down, healing magic isn't in her repertoire.

[sky_child]

He frowns. "Do you want me to get anything from up here? Or I can come down there, if you need me..."

He's not sure what he can do, but there has to be something.

[basic_powers]

"What does mandrake do?"

[fiss84]

"Thank you, Miss Mia," 84 says to be polite. She didn't really need it but that's beside the point.

Looking at the poor puppy she continues, "I'll fly him out...carefully," before flying down. Assuming no one stops her, she'll carefully pick Cerberus up, all the while making comforting noises to him.

[no_vampires_plz]

"Mandrake flesh is a narcotic. If he only had one bite, he'll probably be okay in a few hours--wait."

Twilight holds up a hoof in a 'wait a second' gesture, then casts a simple light spell to illuminate the hole--which, as it turns out, isn't merely a hole, but a tunnel running in a roughly east-west direction.

"This is the path to Tartarus. The mandrake was nesting right on top of it!"

[gorgonfondness]

The thanks is accepted with a nod and a smile.

"Then it seems we're ready to press on."

Mia supplements Twilight's spell with her own Lumos.

"I wonder if the creatures that live down here are anything like those in the Cave of Trial?" she wonders aloud. "If anyone would like something to deter the effects of poison or being turned to stone, I have some protective rings and armlets."

[sky_child]

Link squints down into the hole, then studies the vine, the area around him. The vine shifts up a bit from the hole--Link is tying it to something solid and heavy.

Then, without word, he climbs down the rope into the hole.

[basic_powers]

...Moon Shadow's just going to watch Link climb down into the hole with the rest of them before looking at Cerberus thoughtfully.

"...hey Twilight, how're we going to get Cerberus moving again if he's going to be out for a few hours?"

[fiss84]

84 lays what she hopes is a comforting hand on Cerebus' shoulder instead of flying him up. "Are you okay boy? Will you be able to walk with us?"

[no_vampires_plz]

Cerberus just blinks blearily at the empty air.

Twilight looks thoughtful. "Maybe we could cut that vine down and use it to make a leash?"

[sky_child]

"How long of a leash should it be? I can climb up there and cut it..."

And he'll handle the landing part.

[basic_powers]

"I don't think that vine'd hold him back or pull him along much..." No offense, but that dog is the size of a house, and even if 84 pulled back with all her might...well. It's still a vine rope. Not defendium alloy...

...well the only things he's got left in his pack that aren't weapons is the first aid kit and spare food..

...food.

"...I have a really crazy plan." He's just...you know, going to take out a bag of jerky where Cerberus can't see it. "...if he's anything like the other canines I know...he thinks with his stomach."

[fiss84]

84 spies what Moon Shadow is holding and sees where he's going.

"Should we tie it on a stick? Or maybe I could fly with it ahead of him to keep him going?"

[no_vampires_plz]

Twilight grimaces a little at the sight of the (ugh) meat, but nods. "Sounds like a plan. We need to head west, which is--" she points-- "that way."

[gorgonfondness]

"I can help keep us covered in the back," Mia says.

The last thing they need in this situation is an ambush.

[sky_child]

"--then I'll take the front."

This kid puts up a good act. Looking at him, you'd think he doesn't have any fears about what's ahead--whether he'd be useful enough to conquer them. Everyone here has magic. All he has is his sword.

But he can't go back on his offer. And honestly: he doesn't want to.

[basic_powers]

"Wouldn't we move faster if 84 carried me? I can hold a glowstick to light the way, and then Link and Twilight can ride on the carpet with Mia and provide covering fire for Cerberus and me?"

He's fairly...hard to digest, as is 84, and the faster they get this done...

The faster they're out of the tunnels, at least that's his logic as he digs out several glowsticks and cracks one, duct-taping it to his boot.

[fiss84]

"Okay," 84 says flying up and taking his words as an order. She carefully grabs a handful of harness while wondering where Moon Shadow's wings of darkness are but then she's sure he has a reason for not using them. Maybe he wants everyone to feel useful.

"Ready?" she asks and, assuming there is no objection, lifts off to carry him down.