//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 // Story: A Technological Displacement // by Tenebris Lucifer //------------------------------// I woke up in my bed at the tower, and started my morning routine, after that I made my way downstairs. “Morning Arbiter.” I said to a passing drone as I heard a small ping notifying me of Arbiter connecting to my mind. “What's got you in such a good mood today?” He questioned. “Project Overlord is a success,” I state Cheerfully. “Truly?” He asked with excitement. “Yep, Now I only need to create the other variants.” “But don't you have a previous accommodation to take care of?” He asked. “Hmmm” I paused in thought for a second weighing my options, “Very well then I suppose that the correct action to take is to see if they have received permission for that filly to receive surgery.” Opening up a warp gate I hop back into the room I had been staying at for the last couple of days. Closing it behind me I quickly check the time. ‘Three pm, I should have enough time to check and see if they got that letter back’ I thought as I opened the door… Only to find Miss Sparkle arguing with the barkeep right in front of the door. “Look Ms. Sparkle we can’t just just break into the room Mr. Sky rented,” The frustrated barkeep told her. “But the Princess-” Ms. Sparkle started. “I would if I could but there are laws and I would rather not break the law, unless of course this fine stallion has committed some sort of crime.” The barkeep cut in. They finally noticed me standing there looking at them with an incredulous look on my face. “Ah Mr. Sky,” the Barkeep greeted me with an apologetic smile, “I'm sorry did our argument wake you up?” “Wake me up?” I questioned, “Isn't it three in the afternoon?” “It is. However you didn't come down to get breakfast and no one saw you leave the tavern so…” “Ah, I apologize for that, I was wrapped up in my work until recently.” He nodded, “no need to apologize however, it appears that Twilight here needed to speak with you about something.” I turned to Ms. Sparkle. “Is there something you required from me?” “She had beads of sweat dripping down her face, her eyes were looking anyway except at me. “Well ummm…” “Don't tell me that you have a crush on me,” I say cutting in. “What?” She Squeaked. “Well isn't that the usual cliche in these situations?” I said impassively. “NO!” She yelped out before quickly recovering, “I just came by to tell you that the Princess wants to talk to you. From the outside they both only saw my eyes widen slightly to the news however, I was having a slight panic attack on the inside. After all, I was gonna be meeting a being that had the potential to destroy me, but I quickly rationalized that she would have no reason to harm me. Though just to be sure I quickly threw a temporary spell on her that linked my lifeforce to her so that I had a hostage if necessary. Quickly collecting the rest of my wits I finish the conversation. Ms. Sparkle told me to go to the library in 4 hours so I'll assume that I have about three and a half hours. Locking the door I reinforce every runic configuration in the room before opening a gate to the base. “Three more hours I mutter to myself whilst going through the various levels of the tower. Down to the very room where it all truly started. The summoning room. I quickly gathered everything I needed for another summoning except this time I was going to inject dark mana into the runic circle in the hopes of summoning a being that could grant me the power to conceal my powers and obscure my presence. Drawing the circle with chalk and the symbols with iron filings I infuse them with eldritch magic this briefly caused my body to twist and malform but i continued without a care, with the feather on hand i started the ritual. The feather turned black and was ingulfed in the eldritch magic, the iron filings glowed with an ebony sheen as they to were swept up into the vortex the feather had created, the only thing left untouched was the salt. The portal glowed with a sickly purple glow as a large snake slithered out of the portal. “And who summons me?” It asked with a slick voice “Benjamin Morningstar,” I declared. “And what do you desire?” It questioned. “I way to hide my magic from the likes of those who worship they light,” I answered truthfully. “Then you are in luck for I am Botis, Master of lies,” The Snake declared boldly. “And what do you want in return for it?” He chuckled, “A favor shall be enough, however should you fail to fulfill the favor your soul is forfeit.” “Fair enough,” I replied with a shrug. I felt my soul being etched with the power of Botis, it felt slimy regardless of this I persevered, The power was subtle as knowledge of various nefarious spells were etched into my mind. I also felt a powerful mind controlling spell being applied, Magnus took care of it easily and silently, and with that the snake gave me one final look and left. I smiled ever so slightly at my new powers, various experiments flowed through my mind but I put them aside for now. “Arbiter I’m leaving!” I yelled out. “Where to sir?” Arbiter asked. “To meet Celestia.” End of part one