As if she were in a train station, Twilight waited at the gates, shifting her hooves beneath her. If would be nice if this were a train station. It’d be far more pleasant. From beyond the caves out of her sight, she felt Cerberus’ scrutinizing eyes like x-rays, watching her and watching all of Tartarus with a sight that twisted through the tangles and turns of the dim prison.

Twilight waited. Her eyes rested on the small cell in front of her and her heart raced. Then she saw him.

“The young princess. How nice of you to visit me. Again,” he added. Though he gave her a small smile, his nostrils were flaring.

“Tirek, I want…no. I need to know if you regret what you did,” Twilight said. She found herself unable to control the beating of her heart.

“We've discussed this before.”

“But I want to know if your answer has changed.”

“Only the heartless or the young—how ironic it is, for the young have much heart—can truly say that they have no regrets. I do not lament my actions; it is what I sought at the time. It is still what I seek,” he said.

“You don’t feel bad about anything? What about your brother?”

“My brother was a fool. Nothing else needs to be said about him.”

“But—”

“Tell me princess. You know your destiny. You know what you were meant to do. But I know what I must be. Your sun goddess speaks light of the truth, but only because she has been blinded by how she serves. Her life is forever a service. My life, a gift.”

“It’s not a gift if you’re trying to hurt ponies. You wanted to hurt my friends.” Twilight’s eyes narrowed.

“There are those who find friendship, a priceless treasure and others who find it a hindrance. Discord, the fool he is, is a pony at heart.”

“Is it only ponies you hate?”

“You mistake my actions for hatred. It is not that,”

“I still don’t understand.”

“Your friends are important to you, aren't they?”

“Yes. They’re very important to me. But what about you? Don’t you have any friends?”

“What’s the difference between a friend and stranger? A friend and an acquaintance? Is Discord truly a friend or is he an acquaintance? Creatures are creatures. We are all on this earth and we do as we please. It is not hatred. It is convenience, and just as easily, that convenience can be taken from you. When you have everything, it’s quite easy to have nothing. One day, young princess, you will be at the top and though you have your petty friends at your side, you will see how it feels to truly be alone,” Tirek said.

He solemnly stared at his shadow, and Twilight was quiet. “But I’m sure you've come here for more than my philosophical quibbles. Let me guess: my horns?”

Twilight gulped. She tried to keep her eyes steady, but she knew she wasn't fooling him.

“All of us princesses discussed it. We haven’t decided yet.”

“My life is long as long as theirs. They will continue to take their time.”

Twilight tried once more. “Tirek don’t you want friends?

“You and your princesses will never be able to give me what I want. Now go. You waste your time here.” Without another word, Tirek turned and walked away from her, his shadow disappearing behind a lurking cave. She saw no more of him.

Outside Tartarus Spike was waiting for her.

“How did it go Twilight?” he asked.

“He seemed indifferent about it. He didn't care much for what I had to say,” she told him.

Spike reached his tiny arms over Twilight and gave her a long hug.

“Don’t let it get to you. He’s probably just upset because he might lose his horns.”

“Maybe.” She paused. “Spike, do you think the princesses ever feel lonely?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, they've been alive for a long time. I don’t think anypony truly knows how they feel.”

“Well, maybe you should ask them about it,”

“Yeah. You’re right Spike…I should. Come on. Let’s go.”

And the two began to walk home.