//------------------------------//
// The Transformation 
// Story: Flying High 
// by arglefumph 
//------------------------------//

Princess Celestia was eating a hearty breakfast of hay and oats, when Blueblood's arrival was announced. Celestia got out of her chair to meet him by the door to the dining room.

"Hello, Nephew," Princess Celestia said kindly. "I see you got my message. Would you care for some food?"

"I am not hungry," Blueblood said. He let out a theatrical groan and sat down. "Can we get this over with?"

"Get what over with?" Celestia asked.

"The huge lecture that you're obviously planning on giving me," Blueblood said. "Why else would you ask me to see you, the instant I got out of jail?"

"I wanted to see how you are doing, after last night," Celestia said. "I hope you had plenty of time to think things over."

"It's too late for fake concern," Blueblood said. "If you really cared for me, you wouldn't have thrown me in jail for no good reason!"

Celestia frowned. She hadn't expected to completely reform Blueblood overnight, but she had been hoping for at least a little change in his behavior.

"I understand if you are upset," Princess Celestia said. "But just imagine how Twilight Sparkle feels.You were locked up for a night, but she would have been locked up for years if you—"

"Twilight is guilty!" Blueblood said. "She even confessed to attacking me! What more do you want?"

"She has an alibi," Princess Celestia said. "At least five ponies, including myself, saw her in Ponyville on the night in question. Please, Blueblood, be reasonable."

"I am reasonable," Prince Blueblood said. "Whoever tattooed...that seven-letter word on my forehead should be punished. Twilight is the only suspect, and so it is perfectly reasonable to punish her."

"That is untrue," Celestia said. "Nopony should be punished for a crime, before they are proven guilty. There is plenty of evidence to prove Twilight's innocence."

"Ugggggh," Prince Blueblood groaned. "I don't care what fake evidence she came up with! Even if she didn't attack me last week, she punched me in the nose yesterday! That's good enough for me!"

"She punched you in the nose?" Celestia asked.

"Yes!" Blueblood said. He touched his nose delicately. "...I even started bleeding a bit. It really hurt."

"I'm sorry you were injured," Celestia said. "But you can't make things right by injuring others."

"But...my nose!" Blueblood whined. "It hurt!"

"Would you like a hug?" Princess Celestia offered. "Maybe that will help you feel better."

"I am not four years—hey!" Blueblood said, as Princess Celestia swept him up in a large hug. His indignation was instantly washed away, as the warm sensation overtook him, and he was reminded of his mother's hugs. He opened his mouth to say something, and he got a mouthful of Celestia's flowing teal mane.

"Auck! Gauck!" Blueblood said, trying to push himself away. "Your hair is—ugh!"

Celestia rolled her eyes, and she used her magic to push Blueblood away to a safe distance.

"Th...thanks," Blueblood said, breathing through his mouth. "Your mane got stuck in my mouth, and...how do you keep it flowing like that all the time? There's no wind in this room!"

"Alicorn magic," Princess Celestia said simply.

"Of course," Blueblood muttered. "In any case, can we...not talk about Twilight Sparkle anymore?" For some reason, he no longer felt like fighting with Princess Celestia.

"As you wish," Celestia said graciously.

Twilight Sparkle could have used an alicorn hug at that moment. She had been wearing the Alicorn Amulet for forty-seven consecutive hours, and as the transformation came to an end, it took a heavy toll on her body.

Following orders, the guards had dropped Twilight off at her home in Ponyville, instead of dropping her off at the hospital.  After the day's events, Twilight barely had enough energy to go upstairs and crawl into bed. Sadly, none of her friends had been informed of her return ahead of time, so they weren't there to help.

Now she was rolling around on the floor, crying out. She couldn't take the pain anymore. Her forehead felt like it was going to explode.

The Alicorn Amulet was building up magical power inside Twilight's forehead, as it normally did with every unicorn that wore it. The problem was that the magic had nowhere to go. It pushed forward, to her skull, and backwards into her brain, intent on being released.

"Why is this happening to me?" Twilight screamed. "WHY?"

She sobbed on the ground for a while, until she heard soft hoofsteps approaching. "Twilight," a voice said. "Don't worry. It'll all be over soon."

Twilight Sparkle could have used an alicorn hug at that moment. She had been wearing the Alicorn Amulet for forty-seven consecutive hours, and it was taking a heavy toll on her body.

She collapsed onto the floor, after a hearty round of screaming. She couldn't take the pain anymore. Her forehead felt like it was going to explode.

The Alicorn Amulet was building up magical power inside Twilight's forehead, as it normally did with every unicorn that wore it. The problem was that the magic had nowhere to go. It pushed forward, to her skull, and backwards into her brain, intent on being released.

"Why is this happening to me?" Twilight screamed. "WHY?"

She sobbed on the ground for a while, until she heard soft hoofsteps approaching. "Twilight," a voice said. "Don't worry. It'll all be over soon."

Twilight looked at the hoof in front of her, which was clad in a dark gray shoe. She clutched the pony's leg tightly, in hopes of alleviating her pain. "What will be over soon?" Twilight asked.

"Your transformation into a unicorn," the pony said. "Soon...you will be me."

Confused, Twilight tilted her head upwards. A familiar-looking purple pony stared down at her. She was the mirror image of Twilight, except with slightly longer hair and a horn sticking out of her head.

Twilight picked herself off of the floor. "N-no!" she said. "You—you're me! You're Unicorn Twilight!"

"Yes," Unicorn Twilight said. "I know growing a horn is painful, but this is the only way you can achieve your destiny."

Twilight placed a hoof against her forehead, and she could feel a small bump. "My destiny?" she asked.

"Yes," Unicorn Twilight said. "You were always meant to be a unicorn, Twilight Sparkle. Your magical power is...unique. In time, you could become the most powerful unicorn ever."

"I...ow...really?"

"Yes," Unicorn Twilight said. "Then you can take revenge on all the ponies who looked down on you for being a pegasus. Blueblood, Trixie, Celestia...you will crush them underhoof and lead the way for Nightmare Moon's glorious reign as Queen of the Night!"

"Aaaaa!" Twilight cried. "I don't—this is too much—make it stop!"

"You can't stop it!" Unicorn Twilight said, her eyes glowing red. "The Alicorn Amulet will make you into me! We will rule the world, as Queen and Servant! We will—!"

Twilight ripped off the Alicorn Amulet and threw it on the ground. Unicorn Twilight instantly faded into purple-and-red smoke, and she was slowly sucked into the jewel on the front of the amulet.

"Nooooo!" she cried. "It is too late! You...cannot..."

There was silence for a moment, then Twilight stomped on the Alicorn Amulet for good measure. As she heard it crack, she felt instant relief.

"So that's what was hurting me," Twilight said to herself. "Lesson learned. Never accept ancient artifacts from evil—"

A huge column of smoke burst from the cracked crystal. It circled the room, then flew right at Twilight.

"AAAAAAAA!" she screamed.

Princess Celestia's conversation with her honorary nephew was heading towards a friendly direction, until he brought up a particular pony.

"My old student?" Princess Celestia asked. "Which one? Sunset Shimmer?"

"No, Trixie Lulamoon," Blueblood said. "Do you know where she is? I need to see her immediately."

"Why do you need to see her?" Celestia asked carefully.

"There's a rumor that she...has a daughter," Blueblood said. "I want to make sure it's not true."

Celestia bowed her head, as she tried to think of a delicate way to put things. "Trixie claims to be the mother of a filly named Scootaloo."

Blueblood's face instantly fell. "What was that name?"

"Scootaloo," Celestia said.

"Please tell me that is one of your bad jokes," Blueblood said. "That cannot be my daughter's name."

"We don't know for certain who Scootaloo's parents are," Celestia said. "She grew up in an orphanage, without a birth certificate."

"So maybe Trixie is lying, just to get money out of me," Blueblood said. "Yes, that makes sense. But why hasn't she come to me about it, then? Unless she...no, it must be true. Right before she left, she was pregnant with my child."

"Let's not jump to conclusions," Celestia said. "Without a paternity and maternity test, we don't know—"

"Forget that!" Blueblood said. "I am going there right now, and retrieving my daughter from that blue bit-chaser! Bluebelle is my daughter, not Trixie's!"

"Bluebelle?" Celestia asked.

"I am going to have her name changed, first chance I get," Blueblood said. "No, first, I need to get custody away from Trixie! I'll have her thrown into the same jail cell as Twilight Sparkle!"

Celestia frowned. For a moment there, it seemed like Blueblood could be making progress, but now, he was back on the subject of imprisoning Celestia's students. She could not allow that to happen, but what was the alternative? Separating a child from her parents?

"I..." Celestia said. "I believe a trip to Ponyville is in order. You should meet Scootaloo, before you make any plans."

Blueblood took a deep breath. "...Yes," he said. "That sounds like a good idea. I'll go there after my appointment at the, er, tattoo parlor."

"I'm busy all day until 1:00," Celestia said. "We can leave together." Somehow, I think it's best if I'm there to act as a buffer for Blueblood.

"Excellent," Blueblood said. "I promise to return by then."

Blueblood soon broke his promise, and he left early for Ponyville. Cursing her honorary nephew, Celestia took off for Ponyville immediately. As the four pegasi guards drew her in a golden chariot, the Princess of the Sun considered her options.

Perhaps this is a good thing. Being a father could cause Blueblood to turn his life around and become a better pony. On the other hoof, it could cause him to become a worse pony. And what if he raises Scootaloo to act just like him? It'd be like having two Bluebloods around.

The plan had been to land near City Hall, but as the passed over Town Square, Celestia noticed that there was a sizeable crowd gathered below. In the middle of it, creating a scene, was Blueblood.

So much for keeping a low profile... Celestia thought. She ordered two of her guards to take the chariot to City Hall, and she ordered the other two guards to come with her. Celestia jumped out of the chariot, spread her wings, and flew down to ground level.

For a moment, Celestia surveyed the scene. A crowd of schoolchildren were gathered around a purple pony that Celestia recognized as Cheerilee. All the children were chatting excitedly, except for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who were standing by themselves at a distance.

"I can't believe it," Diamond Tiara said. "I finally get my cutie mark, and Scootaloo upstages me with a huge disaster."

"She is so not getting invited to the cuteceñera," Silver Spoon responded.

Along with the children were several townsponies. They were gathered in a semi-circle, so everypony could see the spectacle that Prince Blueblood was putting on.

Celestia stepped forward to get a better look. On the ground in front of Blueblood, Trixie Lulamoon was crying through a black eye. "You can't do this!" she said. "You can't do this!"

"I am a member of the Royal Family. I can do whatever I want," Blueblood said. "Besides, she is my daughter!"

Not too far away, Scootaloo was watching with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo was hugging Fluttershy's leg and crying. Fluttershy patted Scootaloo's back and whispered words of comfort into her ear. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash stepped forward, with her wings spread wide in a defensive position.

"Hey, Big Shot!" Rainbow Dash said. "You think you can show up in our town and steal somepony? It's not gonna happen! If you want to get Scootaloo, you have to go through me!"

She snarled at Blueblood, who instinctively took a fearful step backwards.

"I have the law on my side," he said. "If you try to stop me, I will have you arrested for obstruction of justice! Who knows? Maybe I can convince the judge to bring back the death penalty!"

"That is enough!" Princess Celestia shouted, using the Royal Canterlot Voice. The crowd burst into excited whispers as she stepped forward, towards Blueblood.

Trixie threw herself at Celestia's hooves. "Princess Celestia!" Trixie said. "Thank goodness! You can't let him take Scootaloo! You can't—"

"Ah, Aunt Celestia, good," Prince Blueblood said. "Give the order to arrest these commoners! They are trying to keep my daughter from me!"

"Perhaps it would be best to discussion the situation in private," Celestia said hotly.

"No!" Blueblood said. "Scootaloo is my daughter! Either she leaves here with me, or neither of us leaves!"

"She's not your daughter!" Trixie screamed.

"Of course she is!" Blueblood said. "Can there be any doubt? She looks just like my uncle Bluenose!"

"I don't want to do this, but I have no choice," Princess Celestia sighed. "Blueblood, do you truly wish to claim Scootaloo as your daughter?"

"Yes!" Blueblood said.

"There here," Celestia said. She used her magic to make a scroll of paper, along with a pen, appear. The writing utensils fell to the ground, in front of Blueblood. "Make it official."

"What is this?" he asked.

"The adoption form," Celestia said. "If you wish to claim Scootaloo as your daughter, you must sign this."

"What the hay is she doing?" Rainbow Dash asked Fluttershy.

"Don't help him!" Trixie begged. "Why would you—?"

Celestia used a hoof to silence Trixie, as Prince Blueblood used his magic to sign the scroll with a flourish. Princess Celestia took the form from him and sent it away.

"It is finished, then," Celestia said, standing up straight. "By my authority, I now declare that Blueblood has a daughter, and he is no longer a Prince of Equestria!"

"What?" Blueblood shouted, spittle flying out of his mouth.

"The law states that the last remaining descendant of Prince Bluebill is an honorary member of the royal family," Celestia said. "Now that you have a daughter, you are no longer Bluebill's last descendant. Hence, not a Prince."

"Poppycock," Blueblood said. "Scootaloo is a minor. You can't give her my royal title."

"I am a member of the Royal Family. I can do whatever I want," Celestia quipped.

Blueblood flushed with anger, and he started to curse vehemently. Celestia turned away from him and walked towards Scootaloo, who was curled up under Fluttershy's wing.

Princess Celestia held out a hoof towards Scootaloo. "Don't be afraid," she said. "I promise I will take care of you."

Scootaloo nodded and grabbed the princess' hoof. Princess Celestia perched Scootaloo on her shoulder, so everypony could see her.

"Citizens of Ponyville!" Celestia cried in a loud voice. "I present to you the newest member of the royal family, Princess Scootaloo!"

The crowd started shouting happily, and Pinkie Pie set off two party cannons. The schoolchildren started running around, uncontrolled. Trixie hugged Fluttershy and cried.

"I have had enough of this nonsense—" Prince Blueblood said angrily.

His words were cut off, when a flash of purple magic hit him. Blueblood's head and hindquarters switched places, so that his head stuck out beneath his tail, and his rear stuck out of his neck. He shouted angrily, and the crowd laughed heartily at his attempts to walk around.

As Celestia turned to look, the sun was blotted out. The sky become dark, as a shadowy figure flew through the clouds and landed in front of Celestia.

"You're hailing the wrong princess," Twilight Sparkle said, as she rested on the ground. She adjusted the crown which rested on her head, just above her horn. "You should be hailing me, for soon.

Princess Celestia stepped backwards. "Twilight...you're an alicorn..." she said.

Twilight smiled grimly. "Yes, and once I kill you, the world will know the darkness of eternal twilight."