//------------------------------// // Lead // Story: Periodic Ponies // by Indigo Steel //------------------------------// "This is so exciting!" Twilight Sparkle shouted in said excitement. "I can't believe we've found one of Meadowbrook's Eight Enchanted Items!" They had indeed found one of the legendary items, and in one of the unlikeliest of places...a old chest in the attic of Applejack's home at Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack, curious about the old family heirloom and the stories she'd heard about it being magical, had taken it to Twilight to examine it, coming to the current conclusion after a day or so of studying and researching the item. Applejack commented, "Doesn't look like much, does it?" She shrugged, "Then again, ah ain't a magic expert." The item in question was a circle of metal, a bracelet that could be worn on either a forearm or hind leg. It was very simplistic; no runes or gems, just solid metal...lead, to be specific. "It actually makes perfect sense." Twilight said, "Lead is commonly used in the practice of alchemy, especially for transmutation." "Trans-what now?" Applejack asked, raising and eyebrow. "Trans-mu-tation." Twilight enunciated, "Turning one thing into something else...one standard transmutation spell involves turning lead into gold, because they're so similar in weight and density." Twilight ran a hoof over the simplistic circlet that sat inert on a table, "The reason it's so simple looking is because the magic effect it has was mixed right into the metal as it was smelted and forged, via potion, draught, or other concoction with magical properties." "Huh." Applejack responded. "So...what's it do?" Twilight beamed. "It does only one thing...but, to quote Pinkie Pie, it's a doozy! Watch!" The Alicorn Princess slid the lead bracelet onto her forearm, A mild sound and a brief vibration being the only outward telltale signs of the object working. She walked over to a massive crate of books recently arrived from Canterlot that was roughly four times her size. With one arm, she effortlessly lifted the entire crate! "WHOA, NELLY!" Applejack shouted in absolute surprise. "Yer stronger'n a Longhorn Bull Elephant!" Twilight giggled as she gently put the crate back down. "Isn't it great?" Applejack grinned. "It surely is! So where should we keep it?" Twilight removed the bracelet and handed it out to the farm pony. "Well, it IS rightfully yours, AJ. I recommend that you keep it someplace safe, okay? Oh! and also don't forget to wash your hooves thoroughly after touching it...magi and scholars at that time weren't aware of how poisonous lead could be when ingested or inhaled!" Applejack took the bracelet with a nod. "Ah surely will. Thanks for your help, Twi." "Anytime." Twilight replied. ************* Big Macintosh could only sit on his haunches, mouth agape and absolutely dumbstruck by the sight of his sister pulling not one, not two, not three, but FOUR carts piled high with baskets of apples, connected together like train cars. Apple Bloom rode on one of the carts, cheering her sister on. Granny Smith shook her head with a grimace. "Don't ya go hog wild now, Applejack! That there bracelet ain't a toy!" Granny's warning fell on deaf ears. Applejack was ecstatic! She had never felt lighter on her hooves, and her chores had never been easier. She felt like she could bend steel and change the course of a river! ************* Oh, how Applejack wished she had listened to Granny Smith. She could only sit there in the tub, weak as a kitten! EVERY muscle in her body ached, the hot water of the tub mercifully providing some relief. The door creaked open, and Twilight peeked her head in. "Applejack?" She said, walking over to the tub with a concerned expression. "How are you feeling?" "Like ah been rode hard, put away wet, and beaten like a dead horse." Applejack groaned. Twilight produced a pair of tablets, dropping them into the bath water. "These should help." She then placed two tubes of cream on the sink nearby. "These too, after you're out of the tub." She sighed, "I'm so sorry this happened, AJ. I forgot to tell you that alchemy can be a 'give and take' kind of magic. The bracelet is only good for a few minutes before it starts taking a toll on the wielder." The farmer responded, "It's all right, Twi. Besides, Granny Smith DID warn me...turns out ah weren't the only Apple to use that thing, and it got put away for a reason. So in th' end, ah only got m'self to blame." After a moment's silence, Twilight asked, "Would you like help out of the tub?" "Please." AJ said, "My whole body feels like it's made of lead."