//------------------------------// // Eternal Youth With A Price (Not working on) // Story: Stained Chronicles // by rubyde1uxe //------------------------------// December 29, 2046 It was the day that Twilight Sparkle had discovered a legend that said whoever eats of the apple from the Tree of Youth would receive their heart’s desire. It said that this tree was located in the darkest, deepest part of Equestria…. In the Changeling Badlands. She discussed the plans to her friends AppleJack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Starlight Glimmer. “Twi? Ah don’t this is a good idea.” AppleJack intervened. “Yeah Twilight. I’m with AppleJack. I don’t think this is a good idea. Especially with the changeling empire out there! You could get caught!” Starlight exclaimed with concern. “Darling. At least have one of us come with you.” Rarity said. “Yeah Twilight! We don’t want you getting taken by those meanies!” Pinkie shouted as she bounced up and down to and fro. “I understand your concerns, but think about what we could get from this! Eternal youth. We would never age! Yes we could still die, but not from old age.” Twilight explained as she wrapped a forehoof around Starlight. “Well if you’re going then let us go with ya.” AppleJack attempted to persuade but Twilight continued. “The more of you that come with me the higher the chance we would get caught. I don’t want that for you. For any of you. That’s why I need to go alone.” Twilight said, trying to be calm but firm to not cause any anger, but understanding. At last they all agreed on letting Twilight go alone. Before she sat off on her journey, they packed her supplies to aid her, gave her a well nourished meal, gave their hugs and goodbyes and set her off on her journey. RD really didn’t get much details about the way to the Changeling Badlands. So we will skip to the important part... ______________________________________________________________________________ Apparently when Twilight (when reached the badlands) had met one reformed friend of theirs. That friend was Thorax the reformed changeling. Twilight was thankful that she knew someone with a knowing of a thing or two. After a friendly greeting Twilight asked if Thorax had knew anything about the Tree of Youth.. “I think I’ve heard of something like that. Ya! I know where we can find it, but we need to be careful. Guards are guarding all around these parts. Plus, normal unicorns can’t use their magic due to the barrier.” So the two agreed to hang low and be careful. Twilight didn’t want to jeopardize anything. Now this is only the part where most of the walking, hiding, running and other boring things. Lets skip to when they find the apple tree. ______________________________________________________________________________ Twilight and Thorax dashed to the tree to quickly pick the apples and get out before the changelings caught up. The swarm engulfed the air and the ground with their dark deceptive bodies. What was even scarier was that Queen Chrysalis herself was chasing them. She wanted to suck the life out of Twilight and squash Thorax for betraying the hive. The tree bared golden apples. Looking tastier the more you looked at it. Twilight picked the apples, not hesitating to smell them. Which was a big mistake. “I got the apples! Let's get the heck out of here!” Twilight shouted as she closed her bag to ensure the apples don't bruise. Twilight shouldn’t have smelled the juicy golden apples for it made her crave the apples as if she needed them. She was already levitating an apple out of her saddle bag to give one of the eight apples a little ‘taste test’ but right before she bitten into the apple Thorax shouted, “Twilight! Remember the warning! ‘Take of my fruit for others or forbear, For those who steal or those who climb my wall Shall find their heart's desire and find despair (Magician’s Nephew, 92).’ If you eat the apple for yourself you will gain despair!” Thorax reminded her as he dodged a changeling that attempted to tackle him. As they made a ran for it they said that the changelings would shoot cannons with some kind of sticky substance that sticks anything to the surface and is impossible to be freed from (unless you are a changeling yourself). “We’re almost there!” Thorax shouted with excitement. “Just through the gate and then we’re free!” When they thought it was gonna be all fine and dandy the gates were shut on them. As their faces filled with shock, they tried forcing the gate open. “No no no no!” Twilight exclaimed. “How did we not see this coming?” Twilight tried to use her magic to pry the large gate open, but it was no use. They were still in the magic barrier that prevented any unicorn (besides changeling) from using their magic. “Mhuahahah!” Mocked Chrysalis as her deformed horn beamed brighter and brighter. “After all these years! I don’t only get to end our here traitor, but end the one who ruined my plans at Canterlot! Changelings! Tie these two pathetic bugs up. We’re feeding on them tonight!” Immediately, two changelings tied up both Thorax and Twilight and dragged them into the Changeling Castle. It looked like all hope was lost. ******************* The Changeling Castle was filled with excited changelings, waiting for the exciting moment that awaited them this current evening. Twilight and Thorax, both chained up to a pole in the center of all the attention, shrinked back in fear of the thoughts of what Chrysalis might do to them. Both sitting there in silence as they hear the changeling roars. Wanting to break the awkward silence, Thorax finally said, “I’m sorry Twilight, I just didn’t see it com-” Thorax started but was shortly cut off. “It’s ok. I forgive you.” Twilight interrupted, giving a weak smile. “Silence changelings!” Chrysalis shouted as she approached the ‘imposter’ and the ‘traitor’. “Of course as we know. These fools took the wrong steps into our lands and took of the Tree of Youth. Yes, the apples on that tree are useless to us BUT!” Chrysalis paused as she tried to remember her speech. “Ok fools. Any last words?” Chrysalis said grimly as her horn glowed. It took Twilight and Thorax a moment before they spoke. “Let friendship spread to all. Gone or not.” Twilight spoke bracing herself for her death. “I will miss your beautiful eyes, Queen Chrysalis.” Thorax spoke bracing as well. “Very well. Good riddance.” Chrysalis said charging her horn, getting ready to use her dismantling spell, when suddenly a voice followed from the dark part of the castle. “No! Good riddance to you Chrysalis!” Shouted two very familiar voices. “Who dare-th challenge the queen of the Changelings?!” Chrysalis shouted. Her horn glowing brighter.