Corruption

A steaming cup of tea sat atop the old oak desk. It's wisps of warmth and sweet aroma were ignored despite the brisk feeling in the air. A crystal beside the intricately-designed porcelain cup gave off a blue Inner light as it radiated the sound of a violin playing, a joyful and arid tune with its accompanying instruments. Something delivered a few days previous courtesy of House Star. The fireplace giving the occasional pop and crackle as it filled the room with its cosy light and the scent of charred wood. Frost collected around the edges of the window panes. Just beyond, the flakes of a gentle snow fell over the landscape. The trees and bushes of the parks and gardens veiled in a blanket of white. Residents scurrying back and forth through the streets from carriage to market stalls and shop to shop. The bustling pulse of life never slowing even as the playful spirit of winter followed and danced around those outside. Clouds covered the sky as far as the eye could see. Rays of the sun would peek sparsely through separations as the day went on.

Celestia stared at the crystal as its volume rose to a crescendo filling the room with a symphony of sound she had never heard before. Reaching its zenith before it's light dimmed and it grew silent. As she contemplated the trinket in front of her there was a commotion outside the door of her study. Her mind reluctantly switching focus to the cause of the noise. A stallion whom was immediately recognized walked into the room.

"We-we need to speak as soon as possible, Princess."

"Unless Shade sent you here specifically for an errand, you know you're not supposed to be so blatant in seeking me out Dusty Tomes. "

The one that now stood before her was a rather large stallion with a tan coat and muddy brown mane. Dusty Tomes had been the curator of the humans library for the past 8 years. The archivist looked nervous as he shuffled from side to side.

"I know Your Majesty, but... I don't think that will be an issue any longer. As of this morning I was relieved of my position and replaced. He knows. "

"I... see..." Celestia took a moment to digest that bit of information. "Do you happen to know how he came to that conclusion?"

"I do not, he walked into the library earlier this morning with a mare I had seen in passing. A Miss Page if memory serves. I was told that my services were no longer required and whenever I was to report to you then I was tasked with relaying a message. "Tell her I give her my best regards." The stallion said despondently. "I'm sorry I have failed you, Princess."

"...Don't worry Dusty Tomes. This will only need a restructuring and all will be well. You may rest for the day and your position will be moved to the Canterlot archives."

"Thank you so very much Your Highness, I will do my utmost. "

As the stallion turned to leave he paused. "...One more thing, Princess. "

"Yes?"

"In the past I have reported of a book he has been seen reading in the sublevels of the library. A book that has been kept in the Star vault, something of his own design. Four days ago I witnessed him doing the same but this time the feeling I had as he opened it was... wrong. Cold and twisted and... Somethings happened, Your Highness. I don't know what, but... Please be safe and take care my Princess. "

"Alright Dusty, I will." Her response was given with a concerned look as the archivist left her study. He was close to out of sight when he was almost knocked over by Arcfire as she rushed past.

"Princess Celestia!" The poor mare looked ragged. She must have ran a good distance.

"Calm Arcfire, take a breath."

"I teleported as far as I could and ran the rest of the way. You need to see what was just found in the Mages Tower."

"What is it?"

"It's a massive crate, but that's not important... Well it is but... The crate was transported past the anti teleportation ward of the Mages Tower. The caster somehow overwhelmed the barrier and was able to teleport it into the middle of the lobby!"

"All right, come and stand at my side."

Arcfire made her way over and Celestia charged a spell. The room flashed and they then found themselves standing in snow. As they walked up the steps of the Mages Guild, the area was filled with ponies scrambling about. It reminded her of an angry ant hill. Entering the lobby hadn't made it any better.

"Crystal!" Arcfire called out, her voice ringing throughout the large area. A small and somewhat twitchy mare flittering with her magic aglow in front of a box in the centre of the room whipped around to face them.

"Y-yes Archmage!?"

"What have you found?"

"Nothing yet, so far the only magic we can detect is the residual from the teleportation itself. Oh! It's good to see you Your Highness." Crystal hastily bowed.

Inclining her head, Celestia asked. "If I may?" Gesturing to the crate.

"Of course, Princess."

As her magic scanned the box she noted its size was quite large as far as crates go. Finishing the diagnostics she turned to the Archmage.

"I believe it safe as far as I can determine. "

The glow of her horn's magic never wavered as a bubble appeared around the object. Celestia began pulling at its walls and what followed was... paper. A flood of parchment rolled out the instant the walls were freed. Books and what looked to be Journals as well as letters and ledgers. Scrolls that numbered in the hundreds scattered everywhere. Her attention however was focused on the inner walls of the crate. Printed on the inside in bold elegant lettering were the words "Dirty laundry." The barrier dropped and the half-dozen that stood around were ordered to begin sorting. Half an hour past and everypony just looked at one another not sure what to say.

"It goes back three generations. What looks to be every back alley deal and illegal sale ever documented is here. Letters of correspondence with known criminals. Violations of equine rights, illegal magical contracts and the Bloomberg family seal is on almost every one of them..." The Archmage commented in bewilderment.

(Not Just the Bloomberg's, the Thatcher's, Reeds and... It's every house currently aligned with the Bloomberg's as well.) Celestia reflected.

"Arcfire, I want this evidence transferred to investigations. I have some...one to talk to." (I don't know how or why but I definitely suspect who is responsible.)

"As you wish princess." The Archmage stated as Celestia walked with a brisk pace towards the doors.

Celestia had launched into the sky the moment she was out of the Mages Guild. Her path straight for a six-story building a few blocks away. The architecture plainly seen, even in the falling snow. A structure of iron, basalt and glass that dwarfed the buildings around it. The massive panes of glass only possible because of a new tempering formula developed for this buil... Among the chimneys across Canterlot a large plume of smoke erupted on the other side of the City. Her response was immediate. Veering towards the pillar of smoke and faint flickering light of flames, she cast a spell that took the form of a golden ring in front of her. As the Princess flew through the spell the world became a blur. The kinetic spell shot her forward with enough acceleration it would have broken the bones of a normal pegasus. In what seemed to be the blink-of-an-eye she arrived, followed by a shock wave of wind and snow. A few others had gathered in the area, pegasi using their magic to convert the nearby snow clouds into rain. Unicorns turning any snow they could see into water and funnelled it onto the... green flames.

"STAY AWAY! DON'T LET THE FLAMES NEAR YOU!" Amplifying her voice so loudly almost everypony in Canterlot could hear.

Celestia cast a bubble shield large enough to encompass the entire home. (Balefire, I don't know who originally created that horrid spell but I hope they burn in it until every black and insane part of their soul that made them invent it, is nothing but ash.) That spell had no counter or dispel. Flames made of a magic that was twisted by hatred, rage and hunger. Consuming wood and stone as well as flesh and metal. Only extinguishing after the mana woven into the spell was expended. The Inferno burned with a heat even she could feel. Crawling along any surface it touched and leaving nothing but molten slag and ash in its wake. Celestia didn't hesitate to fly straight through the first story window. Casting a barrier over its inside to allow anything but air through to prevent a backdraft. Expanding her senses she could feel one living thing within the large home. Landing in a Hall she darted forward. (It's close but below me.) Focusing was followed by a flash, she appeared one level under. (Still lower.) Another blink an... she stood in the same place. (Anti teleportation wards, strong ones. Why?)

As the walls literally melted and the sickeningly green flames swirled and roared, the hallways and rooms became like blast furnaces. (I don't have time to search for stairs!) Beams and tiles fell from the ceiling and walls as they lost hold of their anchors. (This place is already lost, it won't matter.) Magic flaring, beneath her the marble floor began to quickly smoke and pop. In a few seconds a circle of liquid rock started pooling in the centre of her hooves. A few more and she fell through into a puddle of lava. (Another damnable hallway.) Before her was a plain hall and at it's end lay a vault door. (That's why.) Walking forward her horn blazed to life. There wasn't even a pause before the door's security measures were overrun and it was torn from its hinges. The room's only light was what areas of the ceiling were heated to the point of glowing. Drops of liquid rock fell and pooled on the floor, casting a dim red light. The dull roar of the muffled Inferno above a constant sound in the background. Then she noticed the sounds of Whispers just loud enough to be heard over the droning of the fires. Directly ahead in the room in front of her was what looked to be a stallion with a blue coat laying in its centre.

"No! Are yo.." As she rushed into the room, there was a dark figure in the corner of her sight. Attention snapping to the side, the creature levitated half her height off of the floor. Black, ratty and torn robes. Bony and emaciated form with no lower half. (Why in all that is holy.. What is a shadow wraith doing in this plane?) Flaring her wings and shooting forward she placed herself between the creature and the stallion that laid unmoving. "What are you doing here crea!.." The wraith loosed a hollow wail and spun around. In the instant its back was turned the flash of something silver made Celestia's instincts scream in alarm. A massive scythe pulled from the dark itself swept through the air with the heavy thrumm of a guillotine. It would have very well been one if she hadn't crouched. Head snapping back and legs giving out below, her knees brought to her barrel and wings pushed the air upward and herself down. Gravity was to slow. Hitting the floor she cast a spell that flowed like water onto the ground. It started flowing up the walls as she turned and dove over the prone stallion.

Grabbing him and digging her hooves into the marble, the sound of pieces of rock hitting the back wall clattered. Chunks of the floor flying back as the two ponies launched towards the door, leaving behind a few dozen strands of cleaved hair slowly wafting to the ground. They slid out of the door as a blinding light filled the room and hall. An unholy screech immediately followed. Celestia quickly stood over the body and looked to the vault. (With no darkness present then it won't be able to escape back to the shadow realm. The balefire will take care of the rest.) In less than a heartbeat the scenery changed from the molten hall to the streets of Canterlot. The dome was thankfully still intact. Looking to the stallion she held, she realized who it was she rescued. (Bloomberg.) His eyes were wide and unblinking. His lips moved subtly in a pattern as he muttered a breathy whisper over and over again. "Are you all right?" Celestia looked on in concern as no response was given. Leaning her head down to listen, she can hear the barely audible whispering of the stallion in front of her. "It can see me, It can see me, It can see..." Somehow she didn't think his shivering had anything to do with the snow. A spell to reinforce the barrier and a teleportation later she stood in the Redheart Hospital and watched the catatonic Noble being rushed away for care.

After relaying the information needed she then sat alone in thought. (A shadow wraith can only mean one thing and if I'm right...) "Shade..." With a scowl followed by a flash the Princess was gone.

She blinked to what she knew now to be the Noble House of Bloomberg or what was left of it, rather. The dome contained nothing but a crater of ash and molten glass. With the balefire gone she dropped the shield and cooled the area. Another incident to be investigated. Electing to skip the scenic route this time, the front door of the humans library was a teleport away. The huge iron entry opened the moment somepony set hoof in front of them. Entering a large room with a polished black basalt floor and shelves from floor to ceiling. Directly ahead a hexagon that rose like a pillar through an opening in the center of the building. It continue to the 6th floor as well as kept going through the floors below the first. A glass floor surrounded the central pillar from first and below, filling where the open space and walkways would have been. Platforms led to the pillar above. On this side of the hexagon the face had been turned into an open window and behind was a desk. A massive plaque above could be read by all those that entered.

[Knowledge Is Power]

[And]

[Power Corrupts]

[So]

[Read On My Wicked Friends Read On]

Celestia was not amused. The mare that sat behind the counter, what Celestia assumed was Dusty Tomes replacement, looked at the Princess with a raised eyebrow. The mare in question had a mane and coat of varying shades of grey. Her eyes however were a vibrant red.(That's quite a lot of scars for a librarian.)

"May I help you, Your Highness?" (A Manehattan accent.)

"I require an audience with Shade... Miss?" Celestia asked with impatient curiosity.

"Crimson Rampage, or Page if you prefer. Master Shade is currently in his study, I can guide you if you like?"

"I believe I can manage, where would his study be Miss... Page?"

"Top floor, central pillar. "

"Thank you." The Princess's wings flared as she leapt into the air. Flying straight to the 6th floor, only one platform extended to the pillar. Landing before the entry she opened it with a forceful swing.

"Shade!" She immediately saw him in a large armchair with a book in hand sitting in front of a lit fireplace.

"Whaaa!" Thump...

(That didn't come from him.) A couch on the side of the human moved with the sound. It's back facing the door.

"You foul cantankerous harpy! I will mur...Princess!?"

Shade looked on with an unreserved smile as... Diamond's head popped up from behind the couch.

"I apologize for calling you a cantankerous harpy Your Highness, I thought you were Page."

The humans smile grew a little bit more. Placing his book on the table at his side he cheerfully began."Princess it's been forever since you stopped by. How may I be of assistance?"

Giving a deadpan expression, she replied. "This is the first time I've ever been here."

"I know and that's unfortunate, I did say forever. You really should stop by more often." He said in a tone as if waiting for her response.

"... I would like to speak to you alone."

"Hmm alright, Diamond you stay here and go back to sleep if you can, if not pick up a book... perhaps you may learn something."

Shade stood then bowed as he gestured to a door between shelves. "This way if you would." He said ignoring the glare from the petite mare.

As they walked down an extravagant and intricately decorated hallway Celestia realized the human was walking with a subtle limp. "Why are you limping?"

"Worry not Princess, it seems mana gems that have been imprinted with absorption runes with no limiters can prove to be quite dangerous. I shall be right as rain in a day or so, but thank you for asking. Your concern is heartwarming."

"..."

They made their way to an open room with a clear glass ceiling. It seemed to be a very large greenhouse, the trees, vines, flowers and other such flora made for very beautiful scenery. At the center of the immaculate garden was a small table surrounded by a ring of flowers, the sound of birds happily chirping in the trees filled her ears.

As they took their seats Celestia was about to speak but was interrupted by Shade touching a crystal sphere that sat in the middle of the glass table. "Miss Page, the Princess and I are in the aviary. Would you be so kind as to bring us some coffee and tea as well as its usual accoutrements? Oh and do be careful, Diamond may be resting in the study."

The sphere flashed from Clear to what looked to be a miniature of the mare she had seen at the desk. "Of course, sir. The water is already on, I will be up shortly."

"I know it's your first day but you needn't be nervous. As I've said just call me Shade."

"Yes sir, Shade..." With another tap the crystal was clear again.

Interlacing his fingers and leaning back the human asked. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Your Highness."

Focusing her thoughts Celestia looked to him with a grim expression. "I know it was you, but what I want to know is why and more importantly how? "

"Whatever do you mean Princess?" His tone lowered as the peaceful smile faded.

"Now is not the time for games human, you have no idea the kind of powers that are in motion here." She didn't like his response, as they stared at one another Celestia's eyes began to glow. The flow of her mane increased and a rise in temperature was visible as well as felt. The heat radiated in waves as the glass of the table at her side began to droop, still solid but only barely.

The white of the humans eyes were replaced with void and slitted pupils looked back with luminous blue. As the alicorns coat became brighter his form grew darker. Small tendrils of black wisped upward and the glass in front of him was overcome with a creeping frost.

"This is indeed no game equine, you couldn't have come here with no evidence and expected an actual answer." As the moments passed the ring of flowers around the table on one side began to wilt, curl and smoke. On the other they began to ice, crack and fall. The temperature differential of the two opposing forces causing whipping air and fog to form. The birds flying to the outskirts of the aviary seeking safety from the swirling storm of howling winds at its heart.

As the tension built to a seemingly imminent breaking point..."Ooh buck." The sound of a platter and it's drinks skittering across the floor caused the attention of both the human and the alicorn to snap to its origin. A wide-eyed Crimson Rampage was seen diving behind a planter. "Boss, I want to help but me going head-to-head with an alicorn is... Na I'm sure you got this, go boss!"

As the winds died down and the fog settled, Shade turned back and replied. "The Princess and I were simply having a bit of a disagreement, nothing more Miss Page. Our... heated debate is now done and there will be no more of it. Interesting as always Your Highness, you can see yourself out."

looking to the human with a scowl, her form back to it's normal state. "Don't think this will be the last time we speak on this subject."

"There is a fine line between hope and delusion Princess."

Trotting to the exit Celestia ignored the sight of Miss Page hugging the back of a potted plant and continued her path. As she took to the air after exiting the building her wings flapped to slow her ascent before coming to a complete stop and hovering in the sky. The gentle snow still falling on the landscape. The only thought echoing through her mind was the pure and unbridled desire to know. Her horn then shown with a brilliant light and her body became wreathed in shimmering magic. She initiated a teleportation spell of such magnitude and speed her departure was followed by a thunderclap heard by all those in the city.

She stood on dry cracked earth, the landscape grey and lifeless. The dead plants and cracked soil littered with trees black and gnarled, twisted and broken by what horrid place existed here before. Magic began dancing across the flutes of her horn as she wove a spell that hadn't seen use in a long, long time. "I have to know" In the heart of the Badlands a small portal opened to the void. Shadows seethed and rippled, they shuttered and writhed. Just beyond the depths of the portal before her were memories she wanted to forget. Death and decay, the scent of burning flesh and the sounds of screaming. Loss, fear and pain. Walking through she was greeted with the smell of rot and the sight of a valley. "I have to know."

She looked onto the City of Tambelon.