//------------------------------//
// Chapter 18: Secluded 
// Story: Souls Apart 
// by GnollReader 
//------------------------------//

"The tower is closed. You're not getting in." the imp said with a flat voice.

Celestia eyed it with worry. Standing behind the imp were at least a hundred more, and the looks on their faces made them appear anything but ridiculous or cute. If anything, their determined expressions told Celestia that they were dead serious and ready to fight.

"The necromancer wishes to express his deepest apologies for what happened this morning. He has already ordered that we repair any damages done." the imp continued, "He has further decided that in order to avoid further conflicts, he will remain in his tower for the rest of his stay."

"You can not be serious." Luna replied, "He can't just stay inside his tower for the rest of his..."

"He can." the imp interrupted her with a glare, "And he will if that is his wish. The tower is locked down. We will supply him with anything he needs." the other imps nodded with grim determination. They were armed to the teeth with spoons, forks, pans and the occasional rolling pin.

Celestia started to take a step forward, but the moment she did she was pushed back by an unseen force so strong it actually surprised her.

"We may not be as skilled or powerful as our master." the imp spoke with a low voice, "A little push is all we manage at best. But it'll be a good thousand of us doing the pushing, so even you shall find it difficult to step past us. And we are more than capable of absorbing whatever magic you have to throw at us. Even if it kills us."

"This is madness." Celestia spoke with a careful voice, "I only wish to talk with him."

"Not important." the imp replied, "The tower is closed. And it will be moved into the forest on the next occasion."

"Into the Everfree?" Luna asked with surprise, "That is far too dangerous!"

The imp's gaze turned even harder, "Not important. The boss wants to be alone, and that's it."

Twilight turned to Calindria, "Maybe you can talk to them."

The imp looked at the paladin with a scowl, "The necromancer also stated that we are allowed to let out Tobie should the paladin try to enter the tower."

The paladin turned pale, "He brought Tobie back to life? You're bluffing!"

"Try me." the imp sneered, "The boss gets creative when he's upset."

Celestia shook her head, "We are all worried for him. No serious damage was done and we only wish to help him."

"We're not letting one of you take him." the imp replied with fire in its eyes.

"None of us intend to harm him." Celestia tried to plead with the imp, "Please, let me talk with him."

"Excuse me?" a little voice spoke up, making everyone present turn around to see Pipsqueak walk up to them, "Isn't the tower open today?"

"Sorry kid, the boss says the tower remains closed." the imp replied with a kind smile before turning around to face Rainbow Dash with a growl, "That goes for all of you."

She had been trying to sneak around the imps, but now Rainbow Dash found herself under the stern gaze of a hundred pairs of eyes.

"Pfff... this is ridiculous." she spread her wings, "I'm just going to fly in through the window!"

Celestia watched with concern as Rainbow Dash flew towards the window. What concerned her even more was the fact that the imps weren't even sparing her a single glance as she headed upwards.

"Alright, prepare for awesomeness!" Rainbow Dash called out before shooting inside.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then the doors to the tower were thrown open from the inside and a huge set of tentacles chucked a wide-eyed Rainbow Dash outside.

"He decides were the doors and windows go." the imp gave her a disapproving look as she lay before him, "And the kraken never tires. Even if you manage to get inside you're going nowhere but outside again."

"Is mister necromancer in trouble?" Pipsqueak asked with worry.

"He threw a fit, blew up half of the castle and now he's locked himself in his own tower." Calindria replied casually.

"He had a small accident." Celestia corrected her with a small glare, "But I am afraid he won't allow us to talk with him."

Pipsqueak pondered on this before walking towards the imp, "Can I talk with him? I don't want him to be sad."

The imp raised an eyebrow before turning to another imp, "Ztak muk tapra..." he turned to the foal, "What was your name again?"

"Pipsqueak, sir."

The imp turned back to the other imp, "Ztak muk tapra Pipsqueak."

"Uztahh?" the other imp asked with a surprised face.

"Uztahh."

The other imp shrugged and gave Celestia another glare before heading inside the tower. When he opened the doors, she saw countless imps waiting behind them, undoubtedly ready to intervene should they try to enter the tower by force. After a few moments he returned and joined the imp at the front.

"Mkazh."

The imp nodded and turned to Pipsqueak, "You can enter. The others may not."

Pipsquak turned to the princesses, "Don't worry, I'll talk with him."

Calindria saw Celestia's face, "You're not actually considering this, are you?"

Celestia sighed, "I do not wish to resort to violence." she turned to Pipsqueak, "Please tell him that I am not angry with him and that I only wish to talk." she looked up at the imp, "He will be safe?"

"The boss would have my hide if not." the imp replied with an even voice, "He'd never let a kid come to harm."

"Very well then." she turned back to Pipsqueak, "You may go, but be careful."

"I promise I won't take long!" Pipsqueak ran through the imps and into the tower, the heavy doors closing behind him with an audible thunk.

The rest of them remained outside, waiting for his return under the watchful eyes of the imps.


---


"Hey kid..." the necromancer sighed, "Did you meet Tobie on your way up?"

Pipsqueak smiled, "I did, he was really nice. He looked a bit strange with all those arms though."

"Don't I know it..." he whispered so Pipsqueak couldn't hear him, "I wanted cocks, but I all had were arms... not that Tobie seems to mind much... not that hard though, without a brain..."

"Huh?"

"Never mind kid..." he waved his hand with a tired expression, "Tell me, is Celestia outside?"

Pipsqueak nodded, "She is."

A small smile crossed his lips, "And does she have her guards with her?" The necromancer sat down in his armchair with a heavy sigh, "Won't be much longer now, I guess..." he rubbed his temples, "You should probably get out before they bring this place down with me inside it."

"The princess said she isn't angry with you." Pipsqueak said, "She only wants to talk with you."

"Sure she does..." he chuckled, "That's what deities always want..." he pulled out his pipe, "Might as well..."

"What's that?" Pipsqueak tilted his head as the necromancer started to stuff it.

"Nothing for kids..." the necromancer mumbled, "Bloody last batch I have anyway..."

"You should let them help you." Pipsqueak spoke up, "Everypony is worried about you and only wants to help."

"Kid..." he put the pipe between his teeth, "I'm beyond help."

Pipsqueak shook his head, "We learned in school that you can always say sorry and that it's okay to ask for help. Princess Celestia only wants the best for all of us."

The necromancer gave him a sad smile, "That's what I'm afraid of, kid."

"What does that mean?"

He shook his head with a sigh, "Never mind... go down and tell her I'll talk with her if that's what she wants..." he flicked his wrist and a small flame came into existence in the air, putting fire to the head of the pipe, "It can't be helped now anyway..."

Pipsqueak smiled, "Okay, I'll go tell her now!"

"One more thing..." the necromancer drew in a breath from the pipe, a small blue cloud exiting his mouth as a small grin spread over his face, "On your way down... could you tell Tobie that the paladin is waiting for him outside?"