//------------------------------// // Ch. 2: A Sparkling Castle // Story: Reconditus // by Vulpibard //------------------------------// So much to study. These little ponies appear to be the primary race of this country- perhaps even this world. I see no other species about. But what else is there to learn here? Well. The streets are broad, the roads follow no discernable pattern and all of the houses save a few are built with simple wattle and daub. Those few rest near the town center. Boisterously dyed and colorful buildings that look as much like carnival tents as  places of business. But given these colours, there was clearly a heavy distinction between the merchant class and the commoners of this village. Could it be a wealth disparity? Or some other restriction of supplies? Regardless, every other building looked the same. Which is useful for a lot of things; construction, real estate, block parties- and ancient, homicidal sorcerers interested in finding the few buildings that aren't homestead; It took me a matter of thirty four minutes to find my destination. Although even this brief trek was exhaustingly filled with acrylic, multi hued ponies. Nevertheless my goal soon stood before me. Aha, now this is a proper library.  A short distance from where I stood, a colossal tree rose up from the ground. It was perhaps fifty, no, sixty feet tall and broad as a house. Only someone with powerful druidic powers could have made this and left it looking so organic. A wizard would have left scorch marks or little experiments showing here and there, and a sorcerer would never have had the patience. Library trees are specially enchanted as a seedling and carefully cultivated over years before being put to use. It was a labor of passion, an art of dedication. As I approached the doors, I couldn't help but think of the last time I was in a building built into a tree. Had that been during the incineration of Elvenfall, or when I met that hermit of an archmage? What was his name again? Charles? Edward? No matter, he wasn’t alive anymore. Pushing the door open with one leg, I slowly scoured the scene for any magical traps before trotting in. The main room was round and warm, with books lining the walls and colorful rugs for the floor. In the center was a desk with the wooden bust of a horse mounted on top of it. Perhaps they are the only race.  I thought to myself. There was a lone lilac unicorn laying in the middle of the floor next to the desk with an open book. More unicorns, I groaned as I trotted over, Might as well get this over with. "Greetings, I was looking for the history section and hoped you know where it is." The beast looked up at me with eyes half closed, dull and annoyed. But she eventually registered that I wasn't one of her regular visitors and bolted upright. "History? Oh! Um, right over here!" She held out an eager hoof as she walked over to the eastern wing of the library, a deep blush growing on her cheeks. "Do you have a book in mind?" "Just a bit of light reading, covering the basics again." I consoled her with a shake of my head. Though it may have been funnier to keep watching her fumble. "Dont worry about me, I'm sure I could find it myself," I added, half-chuckling at her confused expression. Trotting over to one of the sections, I read a few titles before choosing a book. But, as I began attempting to get the book off the shelf, I was left cursing under my breath about the limits of hooves. In one final effort I tried biting the spine. "Couldn't you use your magic for that?" I jumped at the voice. "Magic?" "Levitation. It's one of the first things a unicorn learns." "Levitation," I deadpanned. Fascinating... I returned my gaze to the object I desired and reached out with my mind. Nothing happened. Raising an eyebrow, I began a different spell. Still nothing. Perhaps the weave acts differently in this plane. I attempted a few variations of the same spell, casting it in different ways until, finally, the book rose from it's shelf. "Well well, magic," Emotionally triggered apparently, more similar to divine magic than the style I use. But I could probably manage with practice. The unicorn took a step forward, "Are you feeling alright?" she asked, a worried expression plastered on her face. "Of course I am, just a little peckish, that's all," I replied subconsciously, otherwise ignoring her. I returned to my thoughts. If unicorns could cast spells like this, how much magic did they have? And what other creatures could use it? "Right, food! It is almost lunch time, eh heh," She turned away briefly, "SPIKE!" The loud yell was enough to snap me out of my stupor, and for once I took a good look at the mare. She was acting more than just a little nervous. Her face was flushed, pupils dilated, eyes darting to the door and back: She’s considering running. A stutter and temporary ‘forgetfulness’ didn’t help her much either. Even with my sub-par social skills I could tell the signs- She was scared. "You seem a little worried, dear, is something the issue?" The unicorn jumped out of her skin, Yes, I believe she is. Absolutely frightened "N-no, nothings wrong, I just don’t usually get visitors," she stammered, her cheeks reddening more. "So you live here?" She must be the one responsible for the tree's growth. Hemlock, Domin. You should have been more careful! Disguise your aura, throw on an illusion or two. This was supposed to be a library, not a residence! But it was much too late for that, she would suspect something if she sensed such a sudden change. "I do, but only- um, would you look at the time! I've really got to go. Spike!" she began backing away when a small purple lizard popped up around the corner. "Spike could you, um, make our guest a snack? I've got something I need to go- somewhere I need to meet- A pony to- bye!" She stammered before rushing out the door. The creature just stared after her for a few seconds before turning to me. "That's weird, I haven’t seen twilight like that since we came to Ponyville…” The reptile shook his head, ending whatever train of thought he may have had. “What kind of snack do you want?" "Just tea is fine," Ponyville? The town's named... Ponyville? "Alright, tea it is," I watched him as he scurried away to what I believed to be the kitchen. Was that a lizardfolk, or a baby dragon? It’s hard to imagine either living with ponies, as a servant no less. Let us hope it's a lizard.  Personally I would simply kill a dragon while it’s young, while it’s easier to harvest their valuable components. but I suppose these ponies must be more patient than that. Or just completely foolish. While adult dragons, yes, provide a greater volume of resources, they are incredibly dangerous things and formidable masters of arcana. I would hate to oppose them at my current state. Regardless, I returned my attention to the book. Now let's see what secrets this 'Ponyville' is keeping. Another five hours and three full teapots later, I had read nearly half the history section and come to the following realization; These creatures had some very, VERY, powerful magic just waiting to be abused. The nation, Equestria as I read, (they obviously had something for horse puns,) was founded by the three nations of pegasi, unicorns, and 'earth-ponies'. Shortly after their mythology said the deities themselves graced the choice nation with their presences. If one believed that such powers would lower themselves so far. It would make them more vulnerable... Hmm. Their pantheon consisted of a list of ‘alicorns’. Ascended beings through whom channeled the fundamental powers of the world. Even of the cosmos, if these myths were to be believed (creatures with enough magic to shift the very stars above. I would pray I never encounter them, but they’d likely be the ones to hear it.) There were several more of these beings. Celestia and Luna being the most prominent goddesses of the sun and moon. An alicorn known as Mi Amore Cadenza could harness the power of ‘love’ as they put it- though I had to consider the darker applications of shifting somebody’s emotions. Similar to her there was a race of creatures born from a much more ancient alicorn, cursed to become little more than vampires. These ones I had particular fascination with, though my reasons were simpler than usual. Changelings are fey, after all. And I am trained as a druid. The unseelie courts are probably the one thing I feel approaches my respect. There were mentions of other alicorns, or beings who approached this transcendence, but all had been slain or lost to time. Such as Cadenza's predecessor, Princess Amore. Sadly, there weren’t many books that detailed information on these lost powers. I would need to search elsewhere for such knowledge. I was in the midst of reaching out for a different reading material when I noticed the purple unicorn from before. She’d just been peeking in through the library window, but ducked again as soon as I glanced her way. Clearly, she was attempting subtlety... Or so I thought, but she  cast that assessment aside by pushing the most unsubtle person into the library. It was a pegasus like the child from before, but much larger and with a brilliant blue pelt. Equally vibrant was her mane, striped in five different colors. Like a fairy tale for a young girl. I hope not as easily corrupted, nor shallow. I turned my attention to her. "Can I help you?" "Yeah, Twi- I saw you wandering around town a while ago and was wondering who you were," Her voice was rather hoarse and cracking, like she had spent far too long shouting into the wind. And given her frown and furrowed brow I could assume this questioning was not entirely voluntary. "That's a simple matter if ever there was one, you may call me Reconditus." "Recon Ditus? What's that supposed to mean?" My eye almost twitched. My name was not one I enjoyed hearing mispronounced. "No, there shouldn’t be a space, my full name is Reconditus Domin Lunaris." “Reco whatiwhat?” “Ugh, just Reconditus.” Why am I doing this? “It means abstruse.” "Ab what now?" “A..” I gave a sigh. Philistines. “Just… call me Domin.” She blinked, and I was not sure I’d ever encountered a being so frustratingly daft. With a deep breath, I sought to change the subject. "Well then, what's your name?" "Me? Everyone knows who I am! The name’s Rainbow Dash- fastest flyer in Equestria!" She placed a single hoof on her puffed out chest. “Rainbow.. How fitting.” She seemed to take it as a compliment and puffed her chest out. The mare likely had a simple superiority complex, which explains her brash nature and boastfulness. And possibly the hoarseness- always needing to be heard above others, and wearing out her voice. Incredible, these ponies come in all kinds of personalities, maybe even...  I shivered. The presence of another dark mage of my magnitude would mean trading notes or competition. Both inevitably led to conflict- if I had a coin for every cult or wizard who sought to recruit and subsequently force me to work for them… Fortunately I doubt many of them had the intelligence to track me here. "I'm sorry, fastest-?" "Fastest flyer, nopony else can hope to beat me!" "Ah, I see," I tilted my head in acknowledgment, "Well Mrs. Dash, Perhaps you can prove it," She jolted upright and to attention, Tsk, so malleable... "You're on!" Her break for the door was stopped abruptly when the lavender unicorn ran around the corner and crashed into her friend. "Oh Rainbow you're here!" She shouted in faux surprise. "Um, yeah? You invited me over," I barely stifled a chuckle, "What's so funny?" "I find your friends interest in my activities... amusing, to say the least." I smiled slyly, "May I ask what you were doing in the other room after you sent Ms. Dash in?" The unicorn shuffled a bit, looking nervously at her hooves. There was a coughing sound and I turned to the other. "Twilight wanted me to find out who you were," Rainbow Dash explained, "She got kind of nerv-" Twilight shot her a look, "Curious when she saw how much um... magical energy?" Twilight nodded, "Magical energy you were giving off." My brow raised another millimeter. "Oh?" I trotted over to Twilight and leaned over to look her in the eye, "So you can sense magical auras?" She nodded sheepishly. "Well this still doesn't answer my question, what were you doing?" "N-nothing!" she stammered, backing away into a corner. "Oh, but it had to be something..." I slowly followed her a few steps before my vision was filled with two large pink eyes. "Look, I don't know who your are, Reco Ditu-" "Reconditus," "But if Twilight says it was nothing, then it was nothing, why do you even care?" "I have many enemies" I answered standing up straight, "I was being cautious." "What's that even supposed to mean?" She asked, jutting her head forward. I was reminded strongly of a Falcon or some other bird of prey and my eyebrow raised higher. "Enemies?" Twilight interrupted before I could reply, "Who would be your enemy in Equestria?" I smiled sagely at her. "Well until I find someone I can trust, that would be everyone." I began brushing myself off, "Now if you'll excuse me I have an appointment to make." I glared at Rainbow to emphasize these last words before trotting away, but she stopped me. "Are you calling me and my friend enemies?" I paused and tilted my head. "Pardon?" "We're not enemies, Twilight just saw somepony bust in here with some strong magic stuff and ask for the most book-nerdy, boring section of the library! It’s understandable she’d be interested-" "Rainbow-" the purple one started, raising a hoof, but was interrupted. "Not only that, but what kind of unicorn doesn't know how to levitate a book?" I rolled my eyes, this was irritating but I couldn't kill her here, the blood might stain a book! Of course if I burned her... I shook my head, dumb idea. Maybe a freeze spell. "So, you hold me prisoner in a library for not using a spell?” Rainbow hair paused. “Of course there's also the case of this 'magic power' you say I possess, did it not occur to you that provoking then subsequently cornering me was not the best thing to do?" "I, uh," the pegasus stammered, I hadn't realized I was walking forward until she was flattened against the wall. "Precisely, now as I said before I have a great deal of thoughts to clear up, a thing I thought a trip to the library might do," I turned to the Twilight pony, "No offence, your hospitality was commendable. But now I must find another avenue of relief," I trotted arrogantly to the door, "Good day," Well that could have gone better, I thought as the door slammed behind me, I barely learned anything. I need much more than early history if I want to stay undetected. I began walking back to the market. And as irritating as it was, information was my only strength. It took me too much time and effort to produce the emotions necessary to weave this world's magic. I gave a sharp tisk, I should probably put my anger to use. And upon seeing a familiar, un-attended stall, I obviously had my avenue.