//------------------------------// // Ch 2: Collapse // Story: Transitions // by appelpieman //------------------------------// Chapter Two: Collapse “Twilight? Do you have any idea why Celestia and Luna have asked to have a private talk with the two of us?” Cadance questioned as the two princesses walked together through the opulent halls of Canterlot castle towards Celestia's private study. “None at all I’m afraid.” A sigh of annoyance crossing the purple alicorns face. “All I have been able to find out is that it involves the two of us ‘our destiny’ and discord in some form.” “Destiny?” “That's all I’ve managed to get out of Luna and even that took some convincing.” “Discord?” “He just told me that ‘he didn’t want to ruin the surprise’.” “No hint?” “No actually. But this Discord were talking about, if the secret is good enough he won't tell.” “True. Did you go to Celestia?” Twilight snorted. “I’d get even less information than from Luna.” Shaking her head, a faint smile on her lips, she continued. “I guess we just have to see what's been planned.” Approaching the study door the attending door guards bowed and opened the rather plain door into the rather spacious room. Heading in towards the two elder princesses, the guards outside shutting the door, the pair nodded their greetings before settling on the pillows next to the fire place. “You are both probably wondering why I have asked you to meet with me and Luna today.” Celestia addressed the pair, a smile on her lips but sadness in her eyes. “Well, to be blunt, the pair of you are going to have to get used to sharing a kingdom.” “WHAT!” Both Twilight and Cadance echoed each other as they descended into rants and panic on what Celestia could mean. The two main theories centring on how they had failed at their duties and how the elder princesses were abdicating. These theories swapping pony, rapidly changing and becoming more contrived by the second. This continued until the intervention of princess Luna. “Sister this is serious. Tell them what is actually planned.” With her smile disappearing, Celestia continued with a serious demeanour. “As I was saying. We are entrusting both of you to not only the ruling but the creation of a kingdom.” “But there are no uncivilized lands that haven’t been claimed. I should know. I spend enough time dealing with diplomats.” Cadance spoke out, rapidly thinking of what Celestia could mean. Twilight nodding in agreement whilst thinking the same thing. “That is true. That is why it not in this world that you will form your kingdom, but another.” “B-b-b-but... How? And more importantly why?” Twilight spluttered out, clearly shocked. Cadance sat dumbstruck, her jaw open. Luna then took over with only a glance at Celestia. “Ancient magic, so old that even we do not understand it, nor did the pony who taught us it. And as to why?” Another glance between the two elders was exchanged. “To save a people from themselves.” --- How the hell did I forget about my flatmates? I only see them every-day. God I am an idiot. Right think. I have three options, one is to panic, though definitely tempting it’s not really helpful. Option number two is to hide and hope for the best. It may work if I'm really quiet and she goes away. Third option, reveal myself new body, gender and all. Likelihood of that going well? Probably around negative one thousand. “Jay please! I’m desperate!” Rebecca one of my two female flatmates begs while hammering on the door, and I mean hammering. It sounds like she’s swinging a sledgehammer at it halfway up. Wait a second. Halfway up? Is it possible? Is it possible she’s a pony? This make it more difficult to decide. Do I take the risk and check? Or do I hide and not know. Explaining will be awkward to say the least if I open the door. But if she's a pony too, then that makes it easier to explain. Or... I could open it a crack and check. Sighing I come to a conclusion. It's a risk but that could pay off, I might as well take a peek and find out. Slowly moving toward the door I suddenly become aware of several things I probably mentally glossed over earlier due to panic. Number one of this list is the realisation that I am now in the possession of a tail, shortly followed by the sensation or lack of, that I feel between my hind legs. Yep that feeling now rising to the top of the weird list, right up there with knowing I’m currently a mare. That's only the beginning though, as I become increasingly aware of my body I start to notice things I hadn't before. I can feel my ears; not only in a different place, but also moving as I focus on the frantic knocking on my door. Being brought back to focus on the task at hand I feel my wings move nervously as I draw close to the door, now seeming less door-like and more an object of dread. As I reached my destination the knocking slowed and came to a halt only to be replaced with a quiet sobbing. Freezing for a second, I quickly look for a way to open the now awkwardly designed door. After deciding to prop myself up with one hoof on the door-frame and to use the other to manipulate the lock and handle, I ready myself to face my flatmate. I quietly unlock the door and slowly pull the handle down, aiming to open it a crack. This is until the door is forced back, throwing me back on to my hind hooves, causing a shriek to pass my lips and my wing to instinctively flair out in shock. Following this I’m brought down by a figure who must have been leaning against the door only to force it open as I released the latch. My unwitting attacker then falls, managing to pin me to the floor by lying sprawled over my midsection. As we lay there groaning, me on my back wings still splayed, I took the chance to examine my assailant. What I saw confirmed my earlier hopes and fears, across me now lies a pony, head resting on my forearm near my wing. A yellow furred, green haired unicorn to be precise. It seems my guess was correct, chalk one up to me. Jay one, universe probably around a hundred. “Well that hurt.” The unicorn groaned, her voice confirming her identity as my flatmate Rebecca, her eyes still closed. Not wanting to reveal myself just yet I stick to humming my agreement. “What? No panic about a pony attacking you?” She says in a jovial tone, raising her head and opening her eyes to look straight into mine. We both freeze, unsure on what to do, her jaw dropping and me fighting down a panic attack. … … With the tension building the urge to break the silence becomes unbearable. So in desperation I say the first thing that pops into my head. “So... Umm... Hi Becks.” A grin of desperation on my face. “Jay?” My companion replies slowly, not breaking eye contact. “Is that you?” Unsure on what to say I reply true-fully. “Yeh. It sadly is.” Looking away to hide my shame. “The same happened to you?” Still looking away I reply quietly. “Yes.” “If so.” A look of concern making its way onto her face. “Why do you sound like a girl?” With this I feel my tail moving instinctively to hide my shame. This little detail coupled with that question brings all the pain, confusion and panic I had locked away to the front of my mind. So with this I start to softly cry, turning my head away from Rebecca and try to hide. In my state I’m only dimly aware of the wait trapping my body down being removed, allowing me to fold my wings and roll onto my side into a foetal position, as well as a comforting hug and words being given. “Shh. It’ll be alright.” A comforting voice says as I feel myself drift off to sleep seeking to escape the madness that my life is.