//------------------------------// // Chapter Eight: Transmutation // Story: When You Were Young // by Art Inspired //------------------------------// Transmutation As the draconequus slept, the guard that had almost scathed Discord entered the princess’s room where she was still writing her diary entry. “Uh… your highness?” he asked. His voice was very low, but still somewhat kind sounding. “I just wanted to say sorry for almost hurting your guest… but, if I may ask, what’s Discord doing here?” The princess smiled while putting her book down. “Well, it’s a difficult story, but to put it lightly, his mentality has change, and his powers comes from the lack of friendship.” The guard snickered at this. “Ah, I see… So, as long as he’s got somepony to cheer him up, he’s harmless.” “That is correct, yes,” her highness said as she looked over at him. “And… this may be an odd question, but what do you plan on doing if he changes?” Celestia assured the guard, “I am able to hear his thoughts. If at any time he needs help, I’ll be there.” The guard shook his head with a smile. After he bid her good night, the guard waited outside until he heard utter silence. After a moment of waiting, he then detected the sound of a soft and cute snore, which signaled him to proceed to Discord’s quarters. As he walked hastily down the dim halls, his face began to morph, and his armor changed to the princess of the day’s royal accessories. His white mane pigmented into long, flowing hair, almost resembling the colors of the rainbow, and his cutie mark of a basic shield transformed into the sunshine cutie mark that could only be found on the princess. Upon entering Discord’s room, the sleeping being awoke to the sound of his door creaking. In the dark, he could make out Celestia’s form and wondered what she could possibly want with him. “Celly? Is that you?” he asked as he sat up. The visitor said nothing. As she stood there, staring, Discord felt uneasy, as though he was being confronted about some crime he'd yet committed. Suddenly, he felt himself rise. The blanket was tossed off the bed and his entire body was hurled towards the dresser. Crackling noises were unheard as the room had been sound proofed by the mysterious figure that took Celestia’s anatomy. With Discord rubbing his back, he gazed at the being that attacked. “Who are you?!” As a light flickered on the candle sitting on the table, he was stunned to see the princess herself looking frantically furious. “Get out!” she groaned. Her voice, the maddest he had ever heard her sound like. “What? … B-but, I thought we were friends!” Discord felt his body being lunged at the window, his whole body being sent flying clean out of the castle. He caught the winds pull and floated there. Looking back, he saw Celestia’s horn light up, meaning if he didn’t leave now, she wouldn’t waver her choice of assault. watching him fly off, confused beyond comprehension, her horn dimmed, and all was silent. Striding away from the window, the glass rearranged itself into reparation, as did the dresser, she scoffed for a second. Everything was restored to normal, and appeared as though nothing had ever occurred. The princess morphed back to the original guard and exited the premises, grinning devilishly. He soon enough would exit the Canterlot grounds and enter the outskirts of town. He noted the plains he trotted upon had buds of glow pods. These little, green phenomenon’s, which were blown upwards by the wind glowed like fireflies and shone their luminescence of impressive magnitude upon the stallion. “Everything is falling into my hooves like snow,” he said. His voice now took two distanced vocal points, and sounded as though different beings spoke as one. His hooves slowly disintegrated into holes which resembled swish cheese, and his mane shriveled into algae shaded greenery. His yellow eyes dilated, and eventually changed into the same blush as his mane. Finally, his back exploded with ashes circling all around his mass. As his horn, black as the night glowed, his body was revealed to be the being that almost ruined one of the most important events in equestrian history. If it wasn’t for Twilight and her friends, she would have taken over the entire town of Canterlot, and possibly all of Equestria as well. Queen Chrysalis stood with confidence, and a posture that showed reliance in her plan. “With Discord ruined and completely friendless, I will be able to capture his will and use it to my advantage. I’ll make him think I am his only ally, and with his chaotic powers at my grasp, and his love for me that I can feed upon, I will be able to rule this kingdom and its subjects just as I’ve always planned!” With her maniacal laughter echoing throughout the night sky, she knew she had work to do before her highness awoke. Flying in the direction of the draconequus, her whole scheme seemed flawless. Discord landed next to an oak tree with frustration and anger in him blood. “Why would she befriend me only to throw me out the window?” “It’s because she doesn’t like you!” The creature turned slowly to see the being staring at him. Her decrepit shape was enough for him to know she meant bad business. “Her whole plan was to build you up, and then crash you down. Once your powers return, she’s just going to imprison you in stone once again.” Her hoof rose before him as she continued, “Unless…” Discord’s eyebrow rose as he asked, “Unless what?” “Unless you had that spell of yours removed. You know… the one that’s allowing her to hear you. If I’m not mistaken, it’s only active when she is awake.” Discord wasn’t sure about this, but somehow, he was unfortunately able to bring forth the question, “Would you help me rid myself of this spell? And if so, what do you get out of it?” The changeling smiled, and explained, “I’m a love fiend. All I need is enough love from you to gather the power I need, and your curse will be lifted.” Though Discord felt compelled to decline, his mental state begged for chaos and mayhem. Yet, he accepted. The queen chuckled, and began to feed.