//------------------------------// // 3: A New Reign of Terror // Story: Transmutation // by RarityTookManehattan //------------------------------// The skies above Ponyville began to darken, and the deep echoing laugh sounded throughout the town. The previous calm that Twilight had managed to instil faded, replaced by a new sense of panic keenly felt by all within the bubble. Rainbow Dash stood in a defensive stance, preparing to fly at any moment - without realizing that she no longer had wings. Rarity gazed in fear up at the dark sky and subconsciously shrunk closer to Applejack. Fluttershy became as small as mouse, then (ironically) squeaked in fear as she tried to figure out how to become full-sized again. Pinkie teleported up onto the roof of the town hall by mistake and jumped up and down on the tiles in her panic, causing some damage to the building's infrastructure. The group of friends all continued to stare up at the sky, glancing around wildly to find the source of the laugh. Twilight, however, had already recognized the deep voice, and her heart sank. "King Sombra!" she yelled, despite her fears. Her voice echoed through the silence. "Show yourself!" The deep voice laughed again, and Sombra appeared reflected in the huge red bubble. "Hello, Ponyville - my new kingdom," his booming voice called. Some of the citizens' mouths fell open in shock while others screamed aloud in pure terror. "I see you've noticed some of my little... changes." His huge eyes stared down at the main six and Discord in their new bodies. "You did this to us?" Twilight cried in horror. "B-but how?" He laughed his sinister laugh once again. "If I told you that, what kind of villain would I be?" he asked. His booming voice contained hints of sarcasm. "Well then," Twilight called, trying not to let her panic show. "Why? Why would you do this?" King Sombra's face smirked down from the bubble. "I thought you were supposed to be smart, Twilight Sparkle? Isn't it obvious?" Twilight stared blankly, but Discord looked all too aware. "You've taken the power from those who can use it and displaced it on those who can't, yes yes bravo," Discord called up sarcastically, clapping his hooves. "However you seem to underestimate my dear pal Fluttershy's natural skill for chaos! In only minutes your new kingdom will be overthrown and we'll all be forced to live under the Lady of Chaos' new terrible reign. Isn't that right Fluttershy?" He glanced down at his friend, who was currently the size of a mouse. She squeaked something in response that no-one quite heard. "See? She's already made her first tactical move and shrunk herself." Sombra looked unimpressed. "This weak, puny filly is no threat to my power," he commented. Fluttershy shrank further. "Her crippling fears prevent her from using the magic that under your control, Discord, could've been so dangerous to my reign." Discord shook his head indignantly. "Why, I completely disagree, King Sombra. Any minute now Fluttershy will lose her temper and then we'll all be sorry and you can't say I didn't warn you. Isn't that right my dear?" He glanced down at his friend, nudging her a little with his hoof so that she popped back to normal size. Fluttershy quaked a little but tried to be brave. With great effort, she screwed her eyes tight and attempted to focus all of her anger. The ground began to shake. Discord watched eagerly and the citizens of Ponyville held their breath. After a few seconds the quaking stopped and a pretty flower popped out of the ground. King Sombra's cruel laughter echoed throughout the town and Fluttershy hid behind her new plant in embarrassment. "She is as significant a threat to me as the blades of grass under her feet," he commented. "With your practically unrestricted chaotic powers I would've struggled to make progress, Discord, but now they are as good as destroyed." Discord looked unfazed, although he cast a slightly worried glance at the flower concealing Fluttershy. "And you, Twilight Sparkle - I have heard great tales of your power, and the way you wielded all of the alicorn magic against your foe Tirek. I couldn't face becoming ruler with you in my kingdom, even without the other princesses' empowerment. However, with this simple-minded earth pony in possession of your powerful magic I am free to act as I wish." Pinkie opened her mouth in shock. "Simple-minded? I'm not simple-minded, you big meanie!" she yelled, unintentionally teleporting again so that she was on the balcony of the her home. "Pinkie's right," Twilight added. "She may not have any experience with magic, but that doesn't mean she can't learn!" King Sombra shook his head with amusement. "Oh really?" he asked. "I thought your skills were a result of careful study, of concentration and hard work? Are you telling me this hyperactive pony has the focus to hone her raw magical power?" Twilight bit her lip and before she could articulate a convincing response Sombra added: "I thought so." "Well why did you give me wings?" asked Rarity with defiance. "And me! What am ah supposed ter use these for?" yelled Applejack, awkwardly flapping her new orange limbs. "How was it helpful to take away my awesome skills and replace them with this useless thing?" wailed Rainbow Dash, squeezing a few feeble sparks from her horn. King Sombra paused for a moment, a dark smile on his face. "I just wanted to be thorough in ensuring that the six elements of harmony would feel... disharmonious," he answered. "Although I'm sure that Twilight's lack of magic will be enough to render any powers the elements would have had useless either way." He smiled sadistically and Twilight looked crestfallen. "Now enough questions! This is my kingdom now, and you will abide by my rules. Any festivals, gatherings or parties are henceforth banned." Pinkie's hair deflated like a balloon. "Oh and don't bother trying to overthrow me - with neither alicorn nor draconequus magic you'll struggle to impact my incorporeal form." A dark mist descended where previously there were clouds, and somepony near the town hall screamed. "Enjoy enslavement, subjects!" King Sombra's face vanished from the bubble but the dark mist continued to hover ominously in the sky. An uneasy silence hung in the air. "Well someone has a power complex," muttered Rainbow Dash. Pinkie Pie teleported next to her, making her jump in shock and then grin in embarrassment. "Anypony up for a secret anti-autocracy party?" she stage-whispered. Twilight face-hoofed.