Elements of Disharmony part 16 (Changing Fate)

"Damnation upon this blasted Trinket!"
>You swipe your arm, blasting your desk and everything else in your study away in a massive concussive blast.
>Scrolls, books, priceless artifacts and rare trinkets slam into the far wall, but you don't care.
>You sink to your throne and brood, enraged.
>This final element was being quiet, tight-lipped.
>It was not calling out to anyone, and no matter how much you tried to coax it, it was still.
>To Tartarus with this wretched medallion!
"Sorcerer!"
>You have lost your temper for the first time in a forgotten number of years, and your mouth actually moves with your words.
>You head the sound of Ceramite scraping stone, before a heavy stomping pounds up the stairs to your study.
>The Sorcerer enters, giving an odd look to the debris which slowly begin to right themselves, the books returning to shelves and scrolls feeding themselves into the scroll rack.
>He approaches cautiously, eying you warily.
>"What did you want, Abomination?"
>You disregard the insult.
"What in the Nine Hells did you do to my copy of 'Decoding the Transmundane' by Phillion Tze?"
>He pauses, before giving you a double take.
"The blue book with the Carrion-Swarmed Gold Lettering!"
>"Uuuh, I didn't tou-"
"You pilfered my study you oaf, Where is it?!"
>He grips his sword defensively, leaving it on his hip
>"I don't even know how to pronounce that name, let alone where you left it."
>You roar in frustration.
>Your plan was falling apart at the seams!
>Everything was going so fine, until this!
>With a shriek of the damned, you are consumed in blazing green flames, your robes and bones ignoring the effects of the cold fire.

>With a pulse of energy, you evaporate, teleporting away.
>You needed to get some inspiration, something new to give you a better idea of how to proceed.
>In a wash of green flames, you arrive in the Starswirl the Bearded wing of the Royal Canterlot Archives.
>Namely, a small desk you usually sit at when you request access to this archive.
>Even if Celestia stonewalls you, you're sometimes able to get a few hours in here if you're smart.
>And you're very smart.
>But today?
>Celestia is sitting at your desk.
>In your chair.
"Ahem."
>Celestia looks up, expecting a Guardpony or a researcher.
>Her gentle smile deadpans the moment she sees you.
>"Oh. Hello, Anonymous. I see you invited yourself into the restricted Archives?"
>You give a flourish of your wrist, a chair materializing next to the desk as you sit down.
"I have hit a problem with my research, and I need access."
>She quirks an eyebrow
>"Well, not much I can do to stop you right now, is there?"
>You cast a glance up at her.
>Was she...
>You 'Sigh', before rising.
"I would appreciate company, while I read, if you have nowhere to be."
>Celestia looks at you oddly, squinting at you with a small smile.
>"I'll continue reading my book. I'll be here if you need me."
>You turn and walk into the sea of books and scrolls.
>What the fuck just happened back there?
>No, seriously, what was that?
>Celestia hated your very existence, was she... Warming up to you?
>As hard as that was to believe, it seemed so.
>You needed to ask her about that some time.
>And you certainly needed to check your calculations, you had not forseen her ever warming up to you.
>Ever.
>You return to your hunt for the spells you need.

>It takes far longer than you liked to track down a few important nich spells.
>They are mostly advanced scrying spells that with a few experimental changes could potentially allow you to search the multiverse over.
>With a dull 'thud' you drop the thick books and scrolls upon the ground near the desk, getting a strange look from Celestia.
>With a few motions from your fingers, the scrolls levitate up, the books as well, flipping through pages rapidly, back and forth, as you read them all.
>Celestia looks up from her own book again, smirking.
>"I've heard of Speed reading, but don't you think that's pushing it?"
>You don't take your eyesockets off the texts arrayed before you
"I do not have the luxury of time to sift through them in great detail."
>She sighs
>"And if you don't take your time, you're going to miss it. Here, I'll help, what are you looking for?"
>A book is wrapped in a shimmering field and ripped from your eyes, as Celestia begins to carefully flip through, looking for the spell in question.
>You pause.
>Something was up here...
>Why was she treating you with such...
>Kindness? Affection? Respect?
>You lacked a word for it, and your vocabulary was expansive.
>You stumble over what to say, before you decide to, perhapse, take the simple road.
>Any aid would go a long way.
"Long-ranged Scrying. Something with enough power to pierce the Ætherial veil."
>Celestia scoffs
>"Not even Starswirl could get a spell that could do both, the power needed-"
>You cut her off
"Was far too extreme for any Unicorn, no matter how prodigal, to attempt. It is thankful I am not a Unicorn."
>Celestia gives a surprised chuckle, and you feel the old impulse to smile.

>Wait, hold on.
>This was not normal.
>You loathed everything Celestia stood for, her core principals went against your own.
>Why were you enjoying your time with her now?
>Such thoughts were pushed from your mind however, as you returned to your work.
>You had to find the spell, desperately.
>It could be the only way to properly attune the corrupted Element of Generosity to find its wielder.
>You draw your hands into the folds of your robe, and begin to read in more detail.
>Starswirl the Bearded was one of the greatest Mages you had ever read about.
>He outclassed most Arch-Magos easily, and certainly would have been a peer in magewright.
>His insight and manabonds were so deep and strong, he would have been an actual threat to your existence.
>You casually pull up an biography on his life, and flip through a few pages while studying an interesting spell on time tra-
>There is a crackle of energy.
>You spring to your feet, energy gathering around your hands, as a ball of light forms in the center of the room.
>Celestia rises elegantly and cautiously prepares herself.
>From the orb, standing regally, is yourself.
"Read page Four-hundred Sixty five, you'll need it to get the rest of the book back."
>Without a word, the other you vanishes.
>You waste no time, and immediately flip to the prescribed page, opening up a True-sight spell.
>Celestia looks over your shoulder, confused.
>"What was that about?"
>You don't answer at first, trying out the motions, before closing the book.
"A gambit of mine I have yet to concoct. I would recommend you prepare for something drastic."
>She furrows her brow
>"Drastic? How dra-"
>"Princess, Anonymous. You need to come at once, something has happened inside the Garden."

>You turn to the guard who approached you, and nod.
>Something was bound to happen to this book, and you had an odd feeling this was important.
>Time to play your role.
>You waltz right out of that library, head held high, arms stuffed within the folds of your robes.
>You round the corner, and after a few paces, you exit the library and find yourself in the open Canterlot Gardens.
>And what a sight, it's!
>Nothing!
>You turn to the Guard, and find him decidedly missing.
>You look up at Celestia.
>She looks at you with worry.
>"This can't be good."
>You chuckle
"I suspect we shall find a certain book missing upon our return."
>With a flash of light and oily flame, you and Celestia re-appear in the Library, to find it ransacked, and many of the tomes you had decidedly missing.
>You hated being right.
>Aha!
>You spy movement.
>With a motion, dark hands reach up and grasp whatever it was, and drag it into view.
>It's another Guard, and he bucks for a few moments, before seeing Celestia and yourself.
>With a sigh, he smiles.
>"Princess, I'm glad to see-"
>You raise your hand.
"What are you doing here?"
>He pauses, looking at you incredulously.
>"I.. I work here? I hear a ruckus, and came to investigate. Princess-"
"What did you find?"
>He looks at you again, confused, before looking over at Celestia.
>"Anon, why are you interrogating my Guard?"
>You don't bother turning to look at her.
"I am simply getting the events while they are fresh in his mind."
>You have a suspicion.
>Why would you need a true-sight spell to retrieve the lost book?
>Because nothing was as it seemed.
>He sighs, then reluctantly answers.

>"I heard a noise in here. When I came in to check, there were six black Ponies. I ordered them to stop, but before I could do anything they fled."
>You nod.
"One last question."
>Your suspicions were rather strong right now, and you let your simmering embers boar into his soul as he shifted uncomfortably.
"What was an Earth-pony doing on the ceiling?"
>He freezes, and Celestia, pauses, looking at you, then him, then you again.
>"What do you mean, Anon? He was on the floor when you-"
"When I grabbed him, yes, but he was lying on his back. He could only be put there by force, or by falling. And he has no marks to show anything attacked him."
>Celestia's gaze hardens, and you can see the Guard beginning to sweat.
>"Princess, this is absur-"
>She answers far harder than you had ever heard her before.
>"Answer him. Now."
>You tilt your head.
"No, there is no need. I believe I understand."
>You raise your hand, nivious wisps darting between your fingers.
>With a flick of the wrist and some inaudible mumbling, there is a flash.
"Aaah... Ugly creature, you are, Doppelganger."
>With a flash of green fire, the Changeling reveals itself, shivering.
>"P-Please, don't hurt me! I.. I was just following orders! I promise!"
>You look over at Celestia.
>Time to let her take the lead.
>You drop the Changeling as she frowns, turning a stone cold gaze upon this thing.
>"What have you done with Guardspony Silver Spear?"
>He answers quickly, stumbling over his own words.
>"Knocked out! Gooed up! In the supply closet! Please don't hurt me!"
"What did you do with the books?"
>He flinches from you, and looks up pathetically.

>"They were taken to Iztic Tencotlican! In the mountains!"
>You nod.
"Then you are of no further use to me."
>You raise your hand, but a golden aura wraps around your hand.
>"That is not how we Ponies settle our disputes, Anon."
>You pause.
>... You had forgotten your promise to Twilight Sparkle two years ago.
>All of the recent events had driven it from your memory.
"I must apologies. I assume you have an intended method of dealing with... it?"
>Celestia nods.
>"I shall find some true Guards to lock it up, you head to the mountains. I shall meet you there."
>With a nod, you walk to the distant wall, and sink into a dark corner.
>Teleporting was out of the question, you would have to go the long way.
>You reappear in your tower, emerging from the shadows like sea foam collecting upon the beach.
>Your arms pull themselves from the inky shadows that stretch and writhe in the darkness of your throne’s high back.
>You settle upon your seat before your desk as the darkness begins to pull away, your robes swirling and piling about your form as if they were being dragged back into the darkness by a receding wave.
>You make a motion as charts and maps fly from your scroll rack, three fingers curling into a loose fist, before tightening your whole hand and leaning forwards, your right hand upon the table as your left fist sits below your chin.
>Mountains, mountains, mountains…
>Supporting population…
>Red Mountains are out, as are the Dragon-Peaks.
>Everfree Range?
>Possible, let’s not rule anything out.
>Briar Sanctum?
>No need to go in there if it can be helped.
>You would have to scour this planet at this rate, there was no way you cou-
>"They were taken to Iztic Tencotlican! In the mountains!"
>He.. She.. It, said ‘Iztic Tencotlican’.
>City or settlement, maybe a fort.
>In the mountains.
>You leap up, realization flooding you.
>It had to be in a location that could possibly support life.
>That narrowed your field of search immensely.
>Scrolls and maps fly about you in a flurry of activity, as you skim, search and pilfer the worn parchment and paper for what you need.
>You feel that warm feeling as you slowly narrow down where they could be.
>Topography, climate, flora and fauna…
>Everything connects, every tiny detail matters.
>It’s just like decoding one of your own plans, in fact.

>”Anon?”
>You grip your finalized map and look over, behind your throne.
>There, on your balcony, is a radiant Celestia, a blinding light blazing from behind her, the suns rays lighting up your study.
“Ah, yes, Princess…”
>You give her a slight acknowledgement, and motion across from yourself.
>She takes a seat across your desk, looking upon your scattered arcane texts and eldritch runes, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes.
“A philosopher of the Arcane, Princess?”
>You pose the question in a serious tone, but even as it escapes you a sudden realization blindsides you.
>Why were you making small-talk?
>Enough of this, you needed to keep on the task at hand.
>”Somewhat, yes. I must admit, your collection is impressive.”
>She looks about as you give an irritated swipe, books and scrolls clearing themselves and flying to their storage places.
“I have identified a mountain range which could, possibly, house our stolen tome and the brigands there-in.”
>Celestia nods in understanding, returning her gaze to you.
>You look up for a moment, catching her eyes on you, before her attention swings down to the map in your clutches.
>”Wonderful. I assume you have a plan, then?”
>You nod
“I shall go there, demand its return, and if they should refuse-”
>She cuts you off
>”We shall firmly reassert their desire to return it, before applying the proper motivation.”
>You look up at her, shocked.
>That…
>”Out of character? I’m not as pompous as you make me out to be, Anonymous."
>Okay then.
"I believe this plan is to my liking as well."
>Your ratty robes shift as you rise, and you stuff your hands into the folds of the dark cloth-like material.
"Let us depart?"
>"Yes, let’s.”

>This was certainly a new experience, to say the least.
>You were not a flyer, and given how Celestia effectively volunteered herself for coming along…
>And so, you were now standing in a chariot, as you were being spirited away to the distant Dusthewn Cliffs.
>Located in the Mild West, they were a series of high plateaus that had, for the longest time, been considered hazardous and haunted.
>You rock slightly from turbulence as the Chariot punches through the cloud cover.
>You carefully flip through a tome in your right hand, reading a few spells that could be useful in this situation.
>Your robes rustle and flap in the wind, your skeletal legs and arms open to the elements.
>Even you had to admit, skeletons were unsightly, so you were glad that the majority of your body was still shrouded properly.
>You can’t walk into this place with your rib-cage showing off to the world, now can you?
>Most Liches chose to abandon physical appearances, and eventually would become little more than jeweled skulls or hands, abandoning physical form for more focus on the mental.
>Why not take a little break over the centuries to upkeep your appearance and maybe enjoy some chess?
>You liked chess.
>You remember a game with one of your Generals that took a year to complete.
>In the end, you won when he had to forfeit the game to suppress a rebellion.
>All according to plan.
>You chuckle aloud at the thought, used to being alone and engaging in little idiosyncrasies like that.
>You lacked the lungs to actually make the sound, so had to put a little effort into magically simulating it.
>”What’s funny?”

>You freeze
>Oh C’Thulhu’s man-titties, you forgot, you were right next to Celestia.
>Better yet, why were you suddenly so relaxed around Celestia?
>Get your guard up, Anon, and keep it up.
>She was the enemy, the one who posed a threat to your plans.
>Your gambit to control Equestria was only threatened, and only slightly, by her.
>You had no space to be lax around her.
>… Didn’t you?
>To be entirely honest, you weren’t certain anymore.
>You were god-father to seventeen different Families, friends with most everypo[spoiler][/spoiler]ny in the Equestrian Heartland, and to be entirely honest, you hadn’t even bothered maintaining your plans for the last year or so.
>In fact, most of your time was spent defusing your own plans and ensuring that they never saw fruition.
“Just an old memory.”
>You look off into the dusty red earth below, lost in a wave of nostalgia.
>You looked down at your left hand, clasped around the railing, and wonder just what has happened to you.
>Once, you were fully content with your position as a truly insidious creature.
>You reveled in the divine comedy of mortal futility.
>Now, you only wanted to see your new little world of sunshine and rainbows tick for another day, and you were dredging other humans from thousands of alternate realities to do it.
“A distant one.”
>You don’t see it, but she looks over at you with concern, before casting a wary glance at the Guardspo[spoiler][/spoiler]nies pulling the chariot.
>After a brief silence, she finally speaks
>”I knew all along.”
>You tense, and look slightly up at her, and she takes that as a signal to continue.

>”I knew all along what you were. Where you were from. I knew the Elements hadn’t stripped Nightmare Moon from you, that you were a creature of darkness, like it.”
>This you all knew.
”I was… aware, of that.”
>She looks over at you, catching your eye sockets.
>”I never did anything though.”
>You give a slight chuckle.
“I suppose I did ingratia-”
>”No, I would have banished you regardless of what Twilight Sparkle insisted. She doesn’t understand you, not really. I did.”
>That would be news to you, and horrific news at that.
>Your safety shield was a lie, your smokescreen you had in place to try and continue your operations was false.
“So why didn’t you? Destroy me, that is. Obviously, I was a danger.”
>She smiles, giving a tense laugh
>”Honestly? It was one part fear, one part hope. You are incredibly powerful, I couldn’t guarantee I could defeat you and come out alive. But, more than that…”
>She searches for the words, looking at her gilded hooves and their jeweled slippers.
>”I saw something. The Elements, they hadn’t stripped you of your darkness, but it was clear as day, there was a fire there, a light, a… I suppose, a sun.”
>You ponder this revelation of hers.
>You had dodged being directly hit by the Elements of Harmony, but when you think back on that day three years ago, you can’t help but recall getting hit by the blast as you escaped, and re-appearing in the middle of the vortex prior to its disappearing.
>Could it be that, perhaps, you had not dodged the Elements?

>It’s hard to believe you could fail so greatly.
“So, the Elements of Harmony, they…”
>Celestia looks back up, nodding.
>”I had a slightest hope that, maybe, you would find something within yourself, a soul, or that maybe-”
>You finish her sentence for her, understanding flooding your being.
“The Elements had given me my humanity.”
>With a small, gentle smile, she nods.
>”That’s the most eloquent way to put it, yes.”
>It made sense, really.
>The Elements had healed your wounded, jaded and embittered mind, opening you up to emotions you had thought purged from you long ago.
>And with your ‘death’ at the hands of Molestia, your soul had rejoined your reforged mind.
>The end result being a renewed capacity for emotion, and more of a soul than you had begun with in life.
>You nod, looking up at her.
>You look for words, dumbstruck for some reply
>Something to say, something to add.
>You can only think of a single ironic statement, holding back a laugh at the hilarity of it.
“It would appear your gambit has succeeded.”
>You are rocked from your little dialogue with the sudden crunch of sand and gravel under the wheels of the Chariot.
>A quick look about assures you that you have, in fact, landed.
>You disembark hastily, eager to set your mind to other thoughts and tasks.




>You flip page after page of your large tome of assorted elemental magics over.
>Black magic was certainly an area of expertise, and you could cast freely from memory a vast and dangerous array of deadly spells.
>However, you were less well-read on elemental and non-fatal spells.
>You felt like an idiot having to lug around this tome just to keep your memory fresh, but it you hadn’t the time to properly memorize the motions and mana vibrations needed.
>Still, you needed access to everything, and a promise was a promise.
>You swore, falsely, that you would no longer utilize your black magic.
>Now, it was time to put that vow to use.
>You would save your full reservoir of spells for moments when they mattered, such as when you finally tracked down Discord and trapped him.
>That would be an enjoyable event.
>”Any luck?”
>You grind your teeth a little, a habit you have only recently picked up.
>You blame Shermanator.
“No, not yet. I was under the impression that a Divination spell was in this accursed to-AHA!”
>With a ‘snap,’ a light appears above you.
>A few motions and a thought, accented by a few words, the light traces a trail across the ground up to the side of the nearest plateau.
“Well, how convenient, we’re right there.”
>Snapping the tome closed, you strut off confidently, Celestia at your side, towards where you believe the stolen book to be.
>Well, where your spell told you it would be.
>Now, looking up the sheer rock wall, you’re less sure, and it keeps getting bigger and bigger.
>”This is an... impressive landmark.”
>You refrain from mentioning the Hedron Fields.

>Technically not natural, but still landmarks.
“Indeed. If their fortress lies below in any expansive means, then this shall be a challenging assault.”
>Celestia looks at you, shocked.
>You simply shrugged
“It is best to lie that we came here in peace, than to be unprepared for the inevitable.”
>You pause, before adding,
“Let me handle the talking. I may be able to sway them, potentially.”
>With a moments pause, Celestia nods
>”Hmm, if you insist. I trust you to know how to lie and swindle a little better than myself.”
>She adds a wink, implying that, no, no she does not.
>Smarmy horse.
>You’d show her up with a well-timed and witty reply, if not for the fact that it was that word again.
>Perhaps it was just used for a correct sentence, but you did not suspect her to act like that.
>Trusted you…
>She trusted you.
>This made things a great deal more complicated than they needed to be.
>It would be difficult to cast a slew of spells you were less familiar with when you were preoccupied with your current relationship with various ponies.
>Oh, and your current status of mental affairs and fortitude, that was certainly in question at the moment.
>You put aside your thoughts, and flip through your tome.
“Errupt… Errode… Arise… Arid… No no, too far…”
>With a ‘hmm’, you look up at Celestia, who raises an eyebrow.
“I’m looking for-AHA!”
>You put your finger on the rune drawn into the book.
>Red energy gathers around you, before darting into the ground.
>Clenching your left fist, you punch into the air, and with a shudder, the ground rises, taking you and Celestia up.

>The rock pillar slows before stopping before a large-bore hole into the side of the plateau.
>You make a motion with your free hand.
“After you, Celestia.”
>With a snicker, her horn begins to glow with a golden light.
>”Oh, such a gentleman, letting the lady enter the dangerous hive first.”
>You chuckle yourself and enter with her, flipping through your tome as you walk, keeping a full sense about you.
>You notice fairly quickly the Changelings hiding just behind the walls in numerous defensive tunnels.
>They don’t strike, not just yet, but you can see their life force through the rock, and can feel their shadows in the dark confines of the tunnel.
>”I’m getting a feeling we’re being watched, Anonymous.”
>Celestia looks at you after a few minutes of plying this path, and you give a light, barely audible chortle.
“I have been watching their poor attempts at stealth for a while now.”
>She looks at you incredulously, but it’s only a slight sign on her face. To her credit, she’s almost completely stoic.
>”And when were you intending to inform me? It would be prevalent to know we are being watched.”
>You are about to reply with a degree of snark, when you realize how right she is.
“I am sorry for that, I am unused to working with others. I shall endeavo- Duck.”
>You casually take a step to the side as Celestia looks ahead, eyes going wide as a stream of bats fly right into her face.
>After a comical and lengthy flailing, Celestia glares over at you.
>You simply shrug.
“I did warn you.”
>”Saying ‘bats’ would have been more effective.”
>After a moment of thought, you nod.
“I shall endeavor to keep that in mind from now on. Shall we continue?”

>Celestia's eyes narrow, but she 'Harrumphs', and stomps forwards.
>You chuckle, and join her.
"Forgive me, Celestia, I jest."
>She is silent, and you take a few steps ahead, feeling something in the walls move.
>You recite a simple incantation in your mind, and flames swallow your left hand.
"I sense something, Celestia. Prepare for an ambush."
>Her glow grows in intensity, and not a moment too soon.
>As if on cue, the walls explode outwards and the flutter of chitinous wings fills the tunnel.
>A guyser of flames flash from your hand, carving wide swaths through the air.
>There is an insectile screech, and you give a quick flick of your wrist, sending the blinded and lightly burned Changelings flying against the rock walls.
>You turn as Celestia allows her spell to die down, numerous Changelings bound in a thin coating of rock.
"Inventive."
>You nod in appreciation, and smile at her.
>Then you remember you can't smile, as you are a Skeleton.
>Damn it all, you really missed flesh sometimes...
>No time for this, you take off hurriedly down the tunnel.
"Celestia, I suspect our arrival has been announced."
>"You think?"
>She gallops past you, her wings tight.
>"There goes peaceful talks, it seems! I hope you've got some more spells, Lich, because we're about to get into a very bad position."
>You chortle
"I told you so."
>She moans, and looks over at you harshly
>"Now is not the time, lich. We need to find that book."
>You point ahead of yourself.
"Shall we try asking them, then?"
>You flip your tome open, and flick through page after page.
"Ice Gale, Ice Gale... Where's Ice Gale?"
>No, no, no..
>Aha!

>Ice gathered around your fingers, cracking and straining as you clench your fist.
>With a swinging motion, shards of ice splinter from your hand and a powerful blast of blizzard air slams across the tunnel, sending changeling flying, their carapace slowly being encased in icy prisons.
>You and Celestia run past, your tireless Ascended form able to keep up with her greater speed by virtue of her pacing herself.
>You slide to a stop atop a massive staircase, looking down upon a huge cavern.
>Precariously steep steps run down the side of the cavern, occasionally digging into the rock face.
>In the center, lies a massive building, connecting to the roof and floor with two Ziggurats, a central Hexigon chamber suspended between them.
>Very Kt'Ichic.
>You're sure the Carrion Lord would love the architectural style very much, given his fascination with those creatures.
>But enough of those things, you had a decidedly less threatening bug to deal with.
"Allow me a moment, Celestia."
>You flip through your book as Celestia's horn glows, a circle of light enshrouding the two of you.
"Accemble.. Dt'Kit... Soloman's Wrath... Aaah, where's Manhiem's Divinat- Ah, here we are."
>With a flick, a pulse of green fire slashes out, a sphere of ghostly light flying across the cavern.
>After a few moments, a spear of green flames flashes back from somewhere in the city, tracing a line for a few moments.
>And it leads directly to the central Hexigon.
>You turn to Celestia, as she lets the warding spell fade.
"Have you ever been in an Arcane Duel, Celestia?"
>She smiles.
>"I wasn't always the proper Princess, Anonymous. I can handle myself."
"Oh, I know."

>You allow your levitation spell to take hold as you float above the floor.
"Just wished to check you knew how to conduct yourself in a paired fight."
>She chuckles.
>"Oh yes, plenty of times Luna and I had to work together."
>Atleast you were stuck down here with a capable ally.
>Certainly more than you could say for the humans back in your tower, likely spending all your hard-earned bits.
>You soar over the open cavern, Celestia taking wing behind you, as you allows a powerful spell comes alive at your fingers.
>You hold the book closed under your arm, and with a thought, you finally call upon your Element.
>A twisting, iron staff made of a green metal twists and writhes in your grip, almost alive.
>Your form becomes hazy, as you begin to rapidly flicker in and out of the Nether, too fast for you to keep up yourself without dedicated focus.
>You spin and swipe with your staff, sending an arc of lightning down below you towards the rising Changelings, as Celestia releases a blinding flash of light.
>Taking advantage of the flash, you swing your staff above your head, following her as you telekinetically flip the pages, looking for one spell in particular.
>You knew it was in here...
>"Look out!"
>You spin, ripped from your reading as a Changeling flies at you.
>With no time to react, and his attack so well timed, you watch as you are about to be knocked out of the skies.
>A white hoof lashes out, catching the Changeling in the face, slowing him down a fraction of a second.
>You dive almost-wholely into the Nether for but a breath, and reemerge a second later.
>You thwack the Changeling atop the back of his head, and return to your tome.

>You flick through page after page, and skim as quickly as you can.
>You need something Big for this.
>Aaand..
>As you approach the central chamber, you slow to a hault, and swing your staff infront of you.
>Mana of all sorts of colors gather around you as you etch sigils into the air.
>Raising both your tome and staff, you let out the last few words of the rite
"Let The Wretched Prosper,"
>Energy arcs off your form, as pure red light dances sporadically about you.
"Let Ruin Reign!"
>With a sweep of both arms, a massive pulse of energy blinks from you to the central chamber.
>For a moment, nothing happens.
>And then it explodes.
>Rubble flies outwards explosively as Celestia screams out in surprise
>"We're supposed to recover the book, Anonymous, not destroy it!"
>You chuckle
"Don't worry. Manhiem's Divination is a protection spell. The book is indestructible as long as it's not opened."
>Celestia pauses, before looking at you.
>"Neat. Good work, Li-"
>"LICH!"
>Who was that?
>You look up, and see a Massive Changeling taking wing towards you.
>And she looks pissed.
>You dispel your levitation spell immediately, and begin to fall towards the ground.
>You give a thought, and at your command, a flash of green light signals the falling book.
"Celestia!"
>You point at the book as you tumble in freefall
>Without a word, she dives for it.
>Unfortunately, so too does the Changeling.
>With a swipe of your staff, you loose a weak spear of fire at her, the attack flashing over Celestia.
>You aim yourself to intercept the book if Celestia cannot reach it in time, fortunate that the Changeling dodges past your attack easily enough.

>Celestia grabs the book in a Telekinetic field just as the Changeling arrives.
>A field of blue mist enshrouds your staff's crown, and with a flick, you smother the spell the Changeling was preparing before she can cast it.
>You angle yourself and crash into the ground with extreme force, your legs shattering.
>Even so, you levitate into the air, and slam your staff into the ground, a ring of fire engulfing you and blasting out, sending Changelings skittering around.
>Celestia gives a cry of pain, and slides to a stop near you, still clutching the book tight in a mind-field.
>She rises shakily, as the larger Changeling arrives in a flutter of insect wings.
"Celestia, I know a teleportation spell, but I need you to ward them while I find it."
>She looks at you, then the book, and you realize what she's thinking.
>Damnation!
>You swing your staff up, blasting a flurry of icy shards all around you in a shockwave.
"Celestia, listen to me! I won't leave you here. I'd sooner leave the book then leave somepony in danger!"
>She has no reason to believe you, and moves to run, but a Changeling strikes out, slugging her in the horn.
>Her grip on the book releases, and it drops.
>Changelings pile atop her, and one makes a move for the book.
>It was so close...
>Leave Celestia, and get the book?
>Her life, for all of Equestria?
>It's not even a contest.
>You swipe out at the changelings atop Celestia, a flash of Lightning surging through them.
>You slap them off of her.
>You don't even bother trying to rationalize it.
>You planned to betray her on impulse, but in practice?
>No.

>You help her up, and turn to face the larger Changeling as the book is presented to it.
>It smiles, and looks down its nose at you as Celestia leans on you, your staff keeping you stationary.
>"Impressive, most impressive, but ultimately futile."
>You cant your head to the side, and slam the butt of your staff into the ground.
>You feel a familiar rustling.
"Is that true?"
>You laugh, boistrously.
"I doubt that."
>The ground explodes in a spray of dirt, as a skeletal figure grabs the book in its teeth, and with a twist, tosses it to your outstretched hand.
>You pass the book to Celestia as she calmly conjures the ward.
>The Changelings fruitlessly pound on the defenses as you calmly find the spell, and in no time, you leave this place, vanishing without a trace.
>With another flash, you reappear in your tower, Celestia looking at you awkwardly.
"Thank you, Celestia, for your aid."
>She smiles, slightly.
>"Yes, it was... a harrowing experience. Thank you, back there."
>You roll your now-free right hand.
"Do not mention it, I would have done so for anypony."
>With a smile, she walks past you, but stops short.
>"Anonymous, would you..."
>You chuckle slightly, and look her in the eye.
"Next week, we'll read together then.
>With a smile, she takes wing, leaving you alone once more.
>For the first time in ten thousand years...
>You feel lonely.