The Spirit Of Knowledge

So most of you are probably thinking I rushed to warn princess Celestia. Tell her to prepare, since almost nothing will beat her in a fight if she prepares for it. Or maybe I talked to this worlds discord, (Definitely not, been avoiding that.), or told anyone at all. All I have to say is, have you learned nothing about me?

After I got over the shock of what I learned, I rushed out of the library, straight for the castle. My mind was racing, wondering how the repairs went, and excited to see the throne room. I materialized outside the castle doors, and admired the view. The castle looked like it had been carved, a flawless sculpture. The stone was a pure black, with a gold rune every foot or so. The doors were twice my height, and made with a dark red wood reinforced with black metal.

When I opened them, they moved effortlessly across the stone, make no sound at all. Once I had entered, runes glowed on their backs, and the doors closed behind me with a soft click. I was in a hallway with a red carpet, and paintings of me and all my children. Between each painting there was a torch with golden fire, giving off nothing but light. The hallway opened up into the throne room, which left me breathless.

The throne was in the center, and elevated on a circular platform. The platform was carved to have three omnidirectional steps, with the carpet leading up to the lowest steps edge. The throne looked to be made of a deep black marble, with red coverings down its center to its seat. Around the throne was a giant library. In fact, it resembled the center of mine, with the throne sitting where the big book would. They had made the room circular, with bookshelves lining the walls, and added multiple floors. It looked like every room in the castle was directly connected to there.

Looking at the books, I saw they had managed to make physical copies of every book in my library, and had arranged them the way I liked it. There were three giant windows on each floor, and they depicted an event I had copied into Codex. They showed me waking up, my battle with her, meeting discord, and even escaping my stony prison. All the major events of my life were shown in twenty-four stainless glass windows. Eight floors in total. I realized I would have to change my terminology, and that I should've taken a better look outside. This wasn't a castle, they had built me a mage's tower. I lived in a damn mage's tower. How amazing is that?

Feeling a tap on my back, I turned around. Codex, Vlad, and all the others were standing there behind me. For some reason they had worried looks on their faces. It was then I realized I was crying. I was close to sobbing tears of joy. (Manly tears mind you, I mean give me a break. For me it was less than a month of freedom, and my basically biggest dream just came true. I hadn't even thought of building a mage's tower, but now that I had one? Way better than a castle.

"Don't worry, I'm ok. In fact, I've never been happier!" With a grin on my face I scooped them all into a hug, and forgot my worries. I smiled all the while as they showed me around.

Well, I had thought about leaving out the crying part but... I don't know. Something about excluding knowledge just really bugs me. Anyway, my new tower is even more amazing than I thought. Each floor has four doors, (except the first, big doors leading outside and all.), and each room is a pretty decent size. The first floor has the guest rooms, each room being able to fit four. Second floor has the kitchen, dining room, pantry, and a greenhouse. Third floor has a gym, obstacle course, floating obstacle course, and a pool. Fourth floor is for magical training. It has a rooms for practicing enchantment, spells, dueling, and infirmary. Probably a good place to have the infirmary.

The fifth floor is for... well, the guards. It's the barracks. Apparently, Codex's friends were so terrified of the Everfree he build guards to protect the tower. He built a bunch of mindless drones that take up three whole rooms, and the sentient guards that control them. So our guard units consist of three bodies, being controlled by a guard who sits in the safety of the tower. The link runs through the aether, but the... officers, can't control more than three bodies at a time, so their actual bodies never leave their room. They just sit plugged into a projector. Thankfully, they don't seem to care about that at all, or anything really. They just like guarding shit.

Putting possible implications and moral dilemmas aside, on to floor six. This floor is filled with rune circles that allow things to be teleported to and from my library. Thought that particular circle only takes up one room. Another room has a circle that teleports to my compony's main building in Canterlot. The other two are empty.

Floor seven has my children's rooms. The lion one and Vlad share a room, and Codex has his own. You know... I'm starting to feel bad about not knowing the names of my other children. I mean, I just didn't need to for so long. But now, I kinda feel like a dick for not naming/asking them their names. I know they don't care, because I treat them fine and do in fact love them, but I'm definitely going to fix that at some point.

Back on topic, the eighth floor is my favorite. It contains my room, a personal room for studying enchantment and magic, a giant ass safe, and a lounge. It has a hot tub, a sofa, a refrigerator, and best of all, a Tv. Now, you probably don't know what a Tv is. Or you do. Doesn't matter. This particular Tv, links to a remote controlled... ball? This ball sits on the very edge of the aether, so I can spy on anything I want to without getting caught. Well, as long as I'm not spying on a being that can see into the aether. They would detect that shit so fast. But, I can spy on the lesser beings of the world. Watch wars as they happen, diplomatic meetings, read diaries, and all kinds of fun stuff. It can even record things!

Don't worry though, I plan to only use my powers for evil. Uhh, you won't get that reference either. Anyway, after I finished squeeing admiring everything, I talked to Codex about the upcoming ceremony.

"So Codex." He turned to me as I called him, and tilted his head questioningly. "You talked a little about it before, but when is this 'award' ceremony, and what award are we receiving?"

Codex stopped walking, and I followed suit. "Well, Knowledge Inc. made it easier to run businesses, and basically got rid of homelessness. With all the jobs created, no one is left without anymore. Plus we expanded into literally almost everything. We built and bought orphanages, hospitals, and normal businesses. There is still private stuff and government owned stuff everywhere, but we own like 30% of Equestria. Which is another reason I think we're getting the award. We got so big and rich, that well, I think Celestia want's to appease us with it or something. Or she might not care about any of that, and she is giving us the award because of Twilight."

"Twilight? What would she have to do with the award, and what is the award?" Wait, I have an idea, and I hope it's wrong.

"Well, she comes to the castle once a week to see you, and we've turned her down for six months. So she might have orchestrated the whole thing to make you go to Canterlot. Where, she will be able to ambush, and finally talk to you."

Well, thank god my idea was wrong. What was my idea you ask? ... Don't worry about it. "Oh, well, that isn't to bad. Still haven't mention what the award is yet thought."

Codex's eyes went a little wider, and his cheeks turned pink. "R-right, umm well, we are being given the Equentarian award, the nobility award, and the Equestrian cross. The first one is for bettering Equestria through our company, I suspect the second is to allow Celestia to control us easier, and the third is to thank you for stopping Frost, though they probably won't actually say that." Oh god that pun, just wow.

"Alright, and when is the ceremony?" Codex looked away and dragged his hoof across the floor. His eyes wandered, and he took a mighty gulp. Suddenly, he stood ramrod straight, and with a mighty voice he spoke.

"Today..."

"You couldn't have told me earlier?" I shouted at Codex, as we rushed out of Knowledge Inc. headquarters.

"I said I was sorry!" I rolled my eyes at him, as we rushed through the empty streets. Why were they empty? Well, everybody was at the award ceremony, that we were late for. My own award ceremony!

"I know, and I do forgive you, I'm just stressed. Making a physical suite out of mana takes time, you have to get all the stitching just right or you will get called out on it. Not to mention the-"

"I said I was sorry!" (He created a half-sentient sec machine, that turned into a half-sentient rape machine. The less said the better, and let's just say Codex and me had a long talk.

"Where did you even get an idea like that?" Codex turned to me guiltily.

"Well, I read through the stuff you don't make books out of." ...

"Codex, I have that stuff locked away for a reason. That stuff isn't fit to read, or look through. I know curiosity is a bitch, but if I catch you looking through that again I will and can ground you." Well, at least he didn't get into my private, private collection. Don't judge me I got lonely.

Wait a minute... "Hey Codex?"

"Yeah?"

"Why didn't we just go through the aether?"

"..."

We materialized behind Celestia, as she was about to go and address the crowd.

"Well, I was worried you weren't going to come Shade." She turned to look at me, with a small smile on her face.

"Sorry, I would have been on time, but-" Codex shook his head franticly. "-some stuff came up."

Celestia gave a small nod as she replied. "Oh that's alright, I know how often things tend to happen at the worst of times. Are you ready than?" She asked me, with an expectant look in her eyes.

"I didn't rush here to make them wait longer, but after this I would like to talk to you." She just smiled as she walked out onto the balcony.

"Attention everypony, may I have your attention. I would like to introduce an old friend of mine, who helped Equestria long before it was even a nation. Who helped give our homeless homes, and acted noble in every instance. I would also like to introduce his son, Codex, who helped him in his endeavors. Together they founded Knowledge Inc., of which I'm sure you all know about by now. Please come forward, Shade and Codex!"

As we walked onto the balcony, the crowd below cheered. Well, mostly cheered, there was a few ponies with frowns. As we smiled and waved I telepathized with Codex. (If that wasn't a word before, it is now.) You sure you're alright with me getting most of the credit, because I don't mind correcting her.

Codex seemed to think about it, and gave a small nod. Whatever his reasons, it was likely he told Celestia that he only helped. Though, I couldn't think of a reason why.

"Today we are giving out three awards. First to Knowledge Inc. we give the Equentarian award. This wonderful company has endorsed business, built orphanages, and gave jobs to the jobless. On behalf of Equestria I say thank you." To the cheers of the crowd, Luna stepped out of the shadows, and Celestia stepped back. (And I might have jumped a little, I had no idea she was there.)

After the crowd calmed down, Luna continued the speech. "The second award is for both Codex, and Shade Mystic." She turned to look at us. "We give you the nobility award, thanking you for your service to this nation, and granting both of you the titles of Lord." After speaking, she gave us a small bow, which we both returned, and the crowd once again roared. Thought I did wonder, why weren't more surprised about my appearance? Most ponies are quite xenophobic.

My pondering was cut short, as Celestia came forward to stand at Luna's side. Unfortunately, they both spoke the next part together. Thoroughly creeping me out. "Together, we give the third award to Lord Shade Mystic. Long ago, Shade saved this world from a terrible fate, and now that we can repay him, we grant Shade Mystic the Equestrian cross. The highest award that we can give. With this award we grant the territory of the Everfree forest!" For a few seconds there was silence, before the crowd roared even higher. At that point I was getting worried. Why wasn't more ponies freaking out? This should be the first time they even had mention of me. As I scanned the crowd I saw Codex's face in my peripheral, he had a smirk of satisfaction upon his face. He did something...