Six Shadows to Warn You

The Lady and the Lich

By peacevic

"Raaarityyy..."

Rarity may not have heard her doorbell ring, but she definitely felt the chill that accompanied the creaky voice moaning her name. She turned to face her caller.

The pony-shaped thing stood taller than she did. Indeed, it was nearly as tall as Celestia. Beneath its hood rested a pair of glowing, gaseous eyes. These two orbs were the only things that could charitably be called organs, at least as far as Rarity could see. Everything else was bone.

"I have come for yoouuu..."

"Of course you have, Darling." Before the thing could say anything else, Rarity gently pushed it further into the store using her telekinesis. "For this is the Carousel Boutique, where everything is both chic and magnifique."

Rarity led her bony guest to a pedestal, which it reluctantly mounted. "Now, obviously the first thing we're going to get rid of is that cloak."

"Buuut..." It protested, far more confused than it had expected to be.

"Tut, tut!" Rarity scolded. "Billowy fabrics are so last season. Besides, it's all tattered and torn, and it looks so ghastly. We simply must try something a bit more form-fitting. How about a trench coat? That way, you'll still get the flowing effect and you'll be less likely to snag it on anything."

It thought for a moment. "Thaat ssoundss good..."

Within minutes, the thing's cloak was off and a brand-new coat was tailored to fit. Rarity beamed. "Excellent! Next, there's the matter of those bracelets. If ever there was a girl who admired a good gemstone, it's me. But even I think five is just too many. When it comes to accessories, one or none is the golden rule. Anything more is just gaudy."

The thing just looked at the aforementioned bands uncertainly.

"Tell you what." Rarity continued. "Since I'm always needing that little something extra to spice up my dresses, I'll take those of your hooves and apply the exchange to the price of your new attire. Fair market value, of course."

The thing nodded and lifted its hooves so Rarity could slide the bracelets off.

Bracelets set safely aside, Rarity looked the thing over appraisingly. "Yes... Darling, I must say your new look is coming together quite nicely. There's just one final thing." She pointed a hoof. "That necklace you wear, it's a little dull. I do a bit of metalwork, and I think I can spruce it up for you. After all, you don't want your spiffy image to be dragged down by something so bland, do you?"

It shook its head and quickly passed the phylactery over. Rarity took hold of it with her magic.

And immediately smashed it on the floor.

The lich burst into flames, howling as it was reduced to a pile of glowing ash.

Rarity looked down at the smoldering heap, sneering in contempt. "Fool." She scoffed.

She levitated a small crystal orb to eye level. After a moment, another pony's face appeared within it. "This is Agent Radiance, reporting in. The lich has been destroyed. Thanks for the heads-up."

After her handler acknowledged her, she powered down the orb and picked up a broom. She sighed at the pile. It really had been a nice trench coat...

But at least she got some nice jewelry to sell.