Anon the Lich 2 part 6

>You are Anonymous the Lich
>You have arrived in Equestria recently, and witnessed a disturbing sight.
>This world is host to a powerful weapon, one which had destroyed you not long before.
>You must tred carefully, and must precisely measure your steps.
>You have enough time to pull the strings behind the scenes, and pilot this world to destruction.
>You begin with a simple enough plot.
>You will study the "Elements of Harmony", weigh them.
>Test them.
>But first, you need a base of operations.
>Somewhere far away enough to allow you privacy, yet close enough to let you directly observe these ponies.
>The location was easy.
>An open meadow deep in the Everfree.
>The ponies avoided this place like the Plague, which suited you just fine.
>However, what you were about to do would attract attention.
>How best to divert it?
>A critical event elsewhere?
>Spark a war?
>A plague?
>No, no, no. Too straightforwards.
>Cause a shortage of food?
>Spark a drought?
>Provide the ponies with a vastly more interesting object?
>No, no, no, too severe, too much wasted potential.
>What about...
>Yes.
>Perfect.

>The land about your feet is traced with thousands of sigils.
>Green flames carve runes and sigils into the earth about your feet.
>Pentagrams of arcane wording cover the clearing.
>With a screech, you summon your full power.
>Green flames explode from the ground, arcing high into the sky, before expanding and dieing, leaving a massive pattern of runes in the air.
>From above a portal opens, likewise from below.
>You float up to the epicenter of this collumn, the spinning symbals detailing in a complex design the exact lay out of your new tower.
>Emerald flames slice through the air, blocks of stone fading into existence and slamming into their position. Wooden railings form, steel bars animating in position.
>From nothingness, your tower begins to form.
>The massive vortex of magical energy is nearly impossible to miss by any adept Wizard.
>Exactly according to plan.
>You knew well enough of this place from a few weeks spent watching, to know how to proceed and what to expect.
>Your tower is nearing completion. The crash of blocks and steel grates against your nerves, but it's secondary to this palty act.
>What you would not give for the freedom to create a truly majestic castle for yourself.
>The rift would have attracted too much attention however, in the week you would have been orchestrating its construction.
>This was an immense beacon of power, but in comparison, it was just a weak flash when held against what you were capable of.

>The tower nearly complete, you allow your feet to touch the floor of your new study, unstocked shelves ready to be filled.
>You sit down upon a high-backed chair, and sit at your desk, waiting.
>Oh, soon indeed.
>It took longer than expected before you felt some new forms of life picking through the Everfree.
>You had expected curious animals, atleast, but some immediate reaction.
>Three days had passed, and now you could feel the ponies coming to you.
>Just as you wanted.
>Your mind was awhirl with plans.
>It was mid-day atleast.
>The ponies departed early in the morning, so that they could get back in time before sundown.
>Good, you'd hate for anything to hurt them.
>You had to play this perfectly, or else it would fail.
>There was no chance for error, your skills would see to that.

>Twilight and the rest emerge from the thick foliage, and come upon a massive tower that is atleast six stories tall. Dark-gray stones comrpise its walls, and it is wide.
>"This.. Seems like the place that flash came from." Twilight says. The other five gulp, and slowly push forwards. An intimidating iron door stands before them, inate woodwork carved into its surface.
>Before they can bring themselves to knock, it swings open.
>Inside, are six cusions, a small coffee table and six cups, a tea pot sitting upon the ornate wood.
>"Looks like somepony lives here." observes Applejack, "Or, used to."
>"Nonsense. This pot is still hot." intones Rarity, "Whoever it is that lives here was expecting company."
"Indeed I was."
>The Ponies look around, frightened.
>You can't help but chuckle at their confusion.
"You, in fact. Welcome to my home, young ones."
>You seems to appear from a dark corner of the room, seated in a comfortable high-backed chair with velvet upholstery, your hands stuffed in your robe sleeves, you face hidden by the darkness of your hood. All save those burning fires.
"Please, sit."
>"Uhm, thank ye kindly for the offer, but I think we best be leavin'. Ain't that right, Twilight?" Applejack appologises.
"Nonsense. You only just got here. You must be tired."
>The door slams shut
"Please, I insist."
>Hesitantly, the ponies take seats upon the cushions provided.
>My, how easy it would be to snap their necks now and be done with it.
>But that would be counter productive.
>You would land in the same spot once more.
"First, I you must forgive me for my forcefulness. I've not had company in a long time, and when I saw you approach, I was eager to entertain."
>Pinkie pie is the only one not taking the gravity of the situation seriously.
>"Wowee, Mister, this place sure is dark! You can't have a party in the dark! Unless it's a surprise party, but the. You turn on the lights real fast!"
>Why in the world is she not afraid of you?
>Twilight is nearly shiving in her hooves, being caught in a situation like this, but they all seem to be rather brave.
"I agree, little one. It is dark, as I do not need the light to see, nor have had much to see as of yet."
>You lean forwards, the shadows still clutching to your skull
"First, allow me to inteoduce myself. I am Anonymous, a human from a far-away land."
>This tweaks Twilight's curiosity, overriding her previous fear at the situation.
>With a snapping spind, light fills the room, all except for your corner.
"Would you like some tea? A snack, perhapse? I would be an ingracious host if I did not tend to your needs."
>Rarity smiles, seemingly enticed by your civilty.
>Amusing, a civilized pony. What will they think up next?
"But, I am afraid I am at a disadvantage."
>The teapot lifts off the table and pours out a cup, lacking the magical sheen that you'd seen Unicorn magic produce.
"What are your names?"
>"This is Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy." explains Twilight sparkle, "And I am Twilight Sparkle."
>Fuckin' lie through your teeth Anon
"Fine names, very fine."
>You watch as Rarity drinks, the others avoiding it, as if it was poisoned.
>These Barbarians have no idea how to properly conduct a peaceful parley, do they?
"I can assure you, I shall not harm you. I only wish to talk."
>Applejack looks at you suspiciously.
>"Oh yeah? Then why'd you slam the door shut!" shouts Rainbow Dash.
"I simply did not wish for you to leave before we could discuss a point or two. You may leave at any time after I've said my peace."
>You shift, slightly, making sure your attributes are properly conceiled, your green witchfires burning dimly within the darkness.
>"So why are you wearing a hood then, mister, if you're not trying to hide something!"
>How annoyingly-
"Perceptive of you, Rainbow Dash. It is simple. I look different than you, and would not wish to scare you with an appearence you would find alien."
>They are still uneasy.
"If you wish..."
>You begin to draw your hands, bleeched white bones showing.
"... I could remove it."
>They make no move to stop you.
>You pull out your skeletal hands, which get a few unsettled looks, and pull back the hood, revealing your skull.
"Are your curiosities satiated?"
>"What are you?" asks Twilight, somewhat unsure if she wants to know the truth.
"A Homo Sapien, or, 'Human' in my tongue."
>It was technically true.
"We look much different than your average race. We evolved under different circumstances."
>Half-truths are best truths.
"Question for question, however. You're already asked two. I have one last for you."
>They still are uneasy.
"Would you be willing to help me with a problem, I'm having? I can't find my way out of this forest, hard as I try, and simply wish to find a book store, or a Library even, with which to stock up on books. I get very lonely out here, and would love to have some reading material."
>As if on cue, Twilight grins.
>You played nice enough.
>The ponies were not quick to judge, allowing you to speak for yourself before forming opinions.
>"Actually, if you need books, I'm sure I could lend you some. I live in the towns library, you see."
>Yes, I had.
"Thank you, Twilight. I appreciate the kind gift."
>"Think nothing of it."
>You've made a good first impression so far.
>"So, uhm... Mister Anonymous, sir, did... Did you build this all by your self?"
>This question, at long last.
"I did, actually. I am, by trade, a summoner. A wizard who can create things from nothing. I used my magic to create this tower."
>"So that's what the flash last night was..." mumbles Twilight under her breath.
>I heard that, you sneaky little-
"Ponies, before you leave, I have a simple request to make."
>They look at you curiously.
"I would very much like to learn about your hometown. If, that is, you have towns. I am still somewhat ill-informed upon this region."
>The six nod, and you feel a smile deep under your skeletal exterior.
>Everything was going so smoothly so far.
"In that case, I've kept you too long as is. Please, let me see you out."
>With a wave, your door opens.
>Twilight is in awe of your abilities, her eyes wide. The others leave before her, but she pauses on the threshold.
>"Anonymous, you said you were a wizard, right? Like a unicorn?"
>You nod your affirmation
"Indeed I am."
>You can sense where this is going.
>"How do you do it?"
>So many answers you could give.
>A detailed lecture,
>An advanced description of Magica and mana,
>No, instead you settle upon:
"Ambition, hard work, and study."
>She seems content with that.
"My kind are inately magical,"
>These ponies are so easy to fool.
"which means that, if we try, we can learn magic. It is very difficult though, and takes a lifetime of study. Now, I would hate for you to get home late and become unsafe. Ta, Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, and Applejack! Do take care, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie! Good luck on returning home safe and sound."
>You're going to need it, fools.