Chapter 9

A Monster in the Woods

“Come on Tock,” pleaded Celestia. “How many times do I have to say I’m sorry?”

The red Unicorn continued to go about his business as if the Alicorn wasn’t there. He continued to add extra imaginary items to an already full tray of fruit and glasses of water.

“Tock I…”

But his little brother Tick stopped her before she could finish. He, like his brother and parents were surprised when Celestia showed up with Luna at their house that morning. Their Mother and Father were so shocked by the unexpected visit, that they hurried to remove the house of as many unwanted untidy areas. Bowing repeatedly to their royal guests, they apologized for the mess no one else saw but them. When Tick and Tock spotted the Phoenix, they wasted no time in asking Celestia where she had found it. After she told them that the Phoenix was the one that came from the egg and that it was up to her to teach it how to fly, Tock’s look of wonder turned to what only could be described as jealousy. He was understandably wondering why he wasn’t the one looking after the mythical bird.

“Come on Tock!” Tick called to him from the table. “The Princess would have given you the egg if it didn’t fall upon her to look after it.”

“Oh yeah?” questioned Tock, his back still facing them. “Did she tell her parents that I would be a good candidate to look after it?”

Celestia didn’t answer, but Tock had already guessed what the answer was by the sudden silence.

“Tock!” said his mother trying to sound calm under the presence of royalty. “If you brought that egg home you know what would have been the outcome!”

“Who ever said that you or dad would know it was here?” said Tock sourly under his breath.

“Anyways,” started Luna pleasantly. “Celestia is about to take the Phoenix outside to fulfill her promise. We thought since you are the one who rescued it, it seems only fare to invite you to join if you’d like. But if you’re saying you wish not to experience the flight of a Phoenix…”

She stopped and focused on Tock who stopped what he was doing and at last brought the tray over. He stayed where he was standing and very calmly said.

“I am glad you thought of me Princess.”

“So, how about it big brother?” asked Tick.

“I suppose I might as well accept. And is Tick welcome to watch too?”

“If he wants to bare witness to such a magnificent sight, he can.”

“Are you kidding?” exclaimed Tick happily. “I wouldn’t miss out on a chance like this!”

“Then it is settled!” said Luna happily. “Tick and Tock, we will wait for you two at open field next to the Everfree Forest!”

They thanked Tick and Tock’s parents for letting them enter their house and left. The Phoenix hopped excitedly on Celestia’s back. Once outside, the two sisters headed for the field below the city. What they didn’t expect to find there were two more of their friends. Black Wood, an Earth pony, with shears for a cutie mark had stopped studying the frozen fungus on the ground to watch as Wind Chime put her new ability to the test by talking to a family of rabbits. Her warm smile changed when she saw who was coming near. She didn’t even notice when one of the adult rabbits beat its hind leg on the ground rapidly and began pointing at the mouth of the Everfree Forest. As the two sisters and Unicorn brothers approached their friends, Celestia caught the look Tock was giving Wind Chime. The yellow Pegasus stood up and waited for one of the newcomers to speak.

“Hello Wind Chime!” said Tick pleasantly. “Out giving a demonstration of your new powers? Impressive isn’t it Black Wood?”

Black Wood’s look told them that Wind Chime must have told him what had happened that day when she and Celestia saved Tock and the egg. He nudged the Pegasus forward.

“Go on,” he said encouragingly.

“R-right,” said Wind Chime straightening up.

It became clear to the rest of the group that the two had practiced what the yellow flyer was going to say. Tock was trying to be preoccupied with the bunnies that were trying to get the ponies attention by squeaking loudly and making frantic jesters to the forest. He felt his brother give him a push and slowly he went up to the equally uncomfortable Pegasus.

“So, um… Hi,” said Tock scratching his head.

His little brother egged him on.

“Look, about what happened in the forest. I guess I might have been a little stupid.”

Wind Chime raised an eyebrow.

“Ok, it was a stupid plan! And… If it wasn’t for you and Princess Celestia, it could have ended badly for me. So, thanks.”

“I- it’s ok, I might have gone too far by insulting you,” said Wind Chime digging the ground with her hoof. “I should never had said that to you and… I’m sorry.”

Tock made a face as if trying his best not to smirk at the situation. “Well, my plan might have been dumb, but at least I didn’t…”

“Tock!” Warned Tick.

“I’m sorry too. Next time I’ll try to stay with the rest of the group and not wonder off. And if I do…”

“I’ll know you’ve returned to normal,” finished Wind Chime smiling humorously at the red Unicorn in front of her.

Tick let out a sigh of relief. Wanting to move on, Wind Chime brought Tock over to Black Wood, where the two sat and watched the Pegasus try to communicate with the rabbits who were hopping up and down and waving their small paws. When Luna asked what Tick was so worried about he explained to her and Celestia that his big brother was in a foul mood ever since they left the forest.

“I thought he was never going to make up with her,” said Tick. “I tried to get them to talk to each other afterword but Tock was too stubborn and Wind Chime was reduced to tears making him feel even worse.”

They looked over to where Wind Chime was still trying to understand what the bunnies were trying to tell her. Tock and Black Wood chimed in to help her guess what they could be saying. One of the rabbits facepawed itself and tapped his back leg on the Pegasus’s hoof, then pointed at himself and finally at the forest.

“Oh, I see!” said Wind Chime confidently. “I think they want me to follow them. They must want me to see where they live. I’ll be back!”

“Hey, Wind Chime, wait up!” called Luna hurrying over to her. “I’ll go too.”

“Hang on!” said Celestia stopping them. “What ever happened to helping me out with the Phoenix?!”

“We’ll be back Celie!” said Luna. “Just start without us!”

As the two headed off into the woods Luna caught up with Wind Chime whispering something that only she could hear.

“There’s something we need to discuss.”

Celestia was left with the three stallions, pondering on how she should start the little bird’s first flying lesson. Perhaps she should start off small, but how was she supposed to know what a Phoenix at this ones age was capable of doing? She looked at the bird, taking in her red and orange feathers. The Phoenix squawked softly before leaping off Celestia’s back. She flapped her small wings as she ran across the ground hopping every chance it could. She hovered inched from the ground before landing on her tail feather. She unlike Celestia or Luna when they had just started their flying lessons didn’t let this stop her. She continued in the same cycle for some time before shooting Celestia a look that simply said, “Feel free to join in at any time.”

Tick, Tock and Black Wood watched as the tiny bird made one last attempt at flying. Celestia caught the bird before she fell again.

“Here, let me show you.” She said kindly.

She set the bird down and began opening her own wings. The bird looked up at the towering pony as her wings stretched out and tried to mimic the same motions. Celestia couldn’t help but to find the whole thing cute as she noticed the bird look from one wing to the next then at her own and let out a pouty chirp.

“Don’t worry, they’ll grow,” said Celestia sweetly.

She started to think back to what Snap Shot had taught her and Luna. She began tilting her wings slightly before starting from the top.

“Now the most important thing is to make sure you watch your flapping speed once you are airborne. Otherwise you will ware yourself out. But let’s start off with the basics!”

Celestia began to move her wings up and down slowly as to find the right speed for lift off. The bird flapped her wings too but she continued to flap them furiously.

“Wow there! Easily like this,” Celestia said patiently, as she continued her slow rhythm.

The small Phoenix tilted her head, observing the motions of the slowly rising and falling wings of her caretaker. She stayed observing the Alicorn for some time before she stopped and waited. Unsure if the bird understood. Tick, Tock and Black Wood were about to suggest that they wait until Wind Chime and Luna return when the Phoenix spread its small wings and began flexing them before she began mimicking what Celestia had shown her. Smiling down at the bird, Celestia reopened her wings and continued the slow movements. The Stallions watched in amazement as the future Princess of the sun bent her legs and the bird did the same. Celestia kicked off the ground and hovered feet above the small bird. The heavy flaps her wings made kicked small flecks of snow off the ground. The Phoenix positioned herself before she copied everything that was shown to her. After her feet left the ground, she was tempted to begin flapping furiously again after her body dropped slightly.

“That’s it!” Celestia said happily. “Now, try lifting yourself higher!”

This was easier said than done. The Phoenix was struggling to keep steady while she felt the heavy winds Celestia was sending her way. The small bird felt her body sway dangerously and began flapping her wings vigorously. Celestia saw what was causing the problem and landed, but the bird was still moving as fast as she could. The bird felt herself growing tired and started to loose altitude. The Phoenix gave one last effort to remain airborne, but her wings gave up and she fell. The impact she expected didn’t come. Instead she was sliding down a vast white feathery surface until she came to a stop on Celestia’s back. The young Princess had her wing stretched out to catch her small companion. The bird looked up at the Alicorn sulking.

“Now, don’t fret,” said Celestia reassuringly. “You did very well for your first try. In time, your wings will grow and you will fly!”

The bird cooed softly in response. Seeing that that the flight lesson for the day was over, the stallions were about to suggest that they head into the forest and look for Luna and Wind Chime when Luna came soaring out at top speed. She looked anxious.

“Luna, what is it?” asked Celestia looking serious.

“Sister, you need to come with me!” urged Luna hovering in place. “Wind Chime and I followed the bunnies and… It’s best if you see for yourself!”

Without hesitation, the five ponies and small bird hurried into the forest. Luna led them to a part of the Everfree where the snow was deepest and Wind Chime stood waiting for them on a tree stump. When they approached her the three stallions looked around as if expecting there to be danger lurking close by. Celestia on the other hand addressed the situation calmly.

“Wind Chime, where are we? What did you find?”

“Princess, the rabbits along with the rest of the animals want to speak to you and your sister,” said Wind Chime unsure what to think of the situation.

“Very well, where are they?”

Wind Chime pointed at a cave not too far from where they were.

“Wait, they’re all in there?” questioned Celestia.

“I don’t get it either,” said Wind Chime just as confused. “All they were able to tell me so far is that they must speak to you and Luna.”

“Alright, take us to them! You can be our interpreter!”

Black Wood took one look at the cave and didn’t trust it to fit all of them, so he along with Tick and Tock waited outside. The three mares went inside the cave where Celestia and Luna made their horns give off light. The walls were just as cold as the ground at their hooves. The cave itself wasn’t very large, which came as a shock when their light shun on the bodies of many fur coats. Almost every land animal was hiding out in this small cave. The same family of bears from before were some of the first to notice their presence. The two sister’s mouths dropped when they saw that the whole crowd that was cramped into this small living space would be natural enemies if they were outside and under different circumstances, but here they were living together under one roof. What was going on? A small group of deer were huddled together and looked up at the Princesses. Celestia and Luna didn’t need to tell Wind Chime to translate with this species. Like them, Deer were another species able to speak and be understood.

“So, you two must be the Pricesses of Canterlot,” said an elderly voice.

The light from their horns lit up the face of an old deer that had one of his antlers missing. His grey fur and deep brown eyes drooped sleepily as if he hadn’t gotten much sleep lately. Still he spoke in firm manner which told them he meant business.

“Well,” he said impatiently. “Are the Princesses or not?”

“Y-yes we are!” said Luna hoping that her voice sounded confident unlike the rest of her tensed body.

“So, young,” said the deer turning his head to eye Wind Chime. “Are you sure you brought us the ones we asked for?”

“Yes,” said Wind Chime, frowning at the rude stag. “These are they!”

The stag looked back at the two young Alicorns and sighed.

“Where are your parents?”

“Not here,” said Luna more confidently. “Now, what did you have to tell my sister and I?”

“No,” said the stag shaking his head tiredly. “We want to speak to the King and Queen.”

“They are not here!” repeated Celestia, starting to grow impatient herself. “You can tell us what’s troubling you though and we’ll try our best to help you!”

“Help?” questioned the stag doubtful. “What help can a bunch of kids do? No, it is the King and Queen we want!”

“That’s enough dad!” said a younger voice suddenly.

The light fell on one of the deer that approached the old stag and placed her hoof on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry about him your highnesses,” she said apologetically. “He’s normally not like this.”

“Don’t apologize to them!” said the stag sourly. “We ask for adults to handle a our situation and we are sent a bunch of kids and their pet! They should be the ones pardoning us!”

“I said that’s enough!” hissed the doe as the Phoenix on Celestia's back puffed up indignantly. “Aby, could you take grandpa please?”

A young fawn took the old deer’s hoof and escorted him back into the herd. All the while he muttered rude words under his breath. Wind Chime took her eyes off the herd to notice the bears calling to her and went over to see what they had to tell her. Celestia was pleased to know that the doe in front of her was willing to cooperate.

“What my father meant was, we need your help.”

“Alright, but first, you need to help us understand what’s going on,” said Celestia kindly. “What happened? Why are all of you in here?”

“Me and the rest of my herd were just passing by,” began the doe. “We were headed west when we came across this place.” Her body gave a slight shiver as if the thought of them now being stuck here made her feel uncomfortable. “My father, the old stag, didn’t like the way the forest looked and wanted us to keep moving. But I went against it, requesting that we give the young ones some time to rest. He reluctantly agreed but he told me that he didn’t like this place. Said that there was something wrong with it.”

“Why?” asked Luna. “What’s wrong with the Everfree? We know the Defiler damaged the forest but what else could have happened since then?”

“That’s what I can’t understand either,” said the doe worriedly. “The next day he went ahead to find the shortest way out, but didn’t return until late in the afternoon.”

She turned to look at her child and pouty father. Her expression turned to that of concern and suspicion.

“I know my father and there was nothing wrong with him until he came back that day. The things he said to the young ones, I… I couldn’t believe him! He would never have said those things to them! Something must have happened to him when he was on his own out there! Please, will you help us?”

Celestia was about to answer her when from the corner of the cave the mother bear groaned to one of her cubs. Wind Chime listened closely as the baby bear talked back to his mother and was answered by snorts and more groans.

“Monster?” Wind Chime asked politely. “What does he mean monster?”

The cub looked up at her and answered in his bear language. Celestia, Luna and the rest of the animals in the cave tensed up at the word monster. The cub went on explaining to the Pegasus before the mother bear let out a low growl and the cub fell silent.

“Now, mam. What your child is telling me could be useful,” said Wind Chime patiently.

The mother bear snorted in response.

“What was that about a monster?” asked Luna daring to speak.

“The cub here was just telling me about a weird thing he had seen in the forest a few days back,” said Wind Chime.

“Was it the same thing that made everyone else hide out in here?”

“It might be. He told his momma and papa about it, but they didn’t believe him at first. But that night, they too saw the thing. It flew above their den and when they went out to investigate, they saw that it was headed toward the mountains.”

“Did they ever find out what it was?” asked Celestia.

“No, they left their home the next day and before they knew it, more and more of the forest life grew unsettled and they wound up sharing this cave with them.”

“I guess this is where we come in,” said Luna thoughtfully to her big sister.

“Yes, I think your right,” Celestia agreed.

“So does that mean you will help us?” inquired the doe hopefully.

“Yes, you can count on us!” said Luna proudly.

“Be carful! Whatever that thing is, it might still be out there!”

“Don’t worry,” said Luna in an eager tone that took even her older sister by surprise. “Your Princesses are on the case!”

Back outside, the three stallions asked the returning mares what had happened. When Celestia finished telling them what the animals wanted them to do they stood at attention, ready for action. The two sisters spread their wings and kicked off the ground.

“Hang on!” said Tock looking up at the two. “What do you want us to do? We can help!”

“Not this time Tock,” said Luna seriously.

“But you’ll need all the help you can get if what’s out there is more than you can handle!” argued Black Wood as he and the two brothers made their horns glow as if to prove themselves worthy of joining in on the search.

“Black Wood’s right Luna,” agreed Wind Chime readying herself to fly as well. “Besides, you don’t even know what’s out there!”

“That’s why you can’t come with us,” said Luna. “Sister, I’ll fly ahead.”

Before any of their friends could object, Luna left. Tock and the rest of their friends looked up Celestia hopefully, but her mind was already made up.

“Tock, Luna is right. You and the rest stay away where it’s safe!”

“But, what if you need help?!” Tock shot back.

“We won’t! We’ll be fine, trust me!”

Tick was about press the matter further, but his older brother stopped him. Reluctantly he and the others turned to leave.

“Are you sure?” asked Wind Chime hovering above the stallions.

“Yes,” said Celestia taking charge. “You make sure the boys don’t go off on their own.”

The Phoenix gave off a slight chirp that alerted Celestia.

“Oh, I almost forgot!”

With her horn glowing she levitated the bird off her back and placed her on the Pegasus’.

“Sorry little one, but you have to stay behind too.”

The Phoenix looked back at Celestia in disappointment.

“Now, don’t look at me like that,” she said frowning back. “It’s for you own safety!”

Celestia turned her back on them and flew off. The forest trees might have been stripped of their leaves, but with them gone the vast amount of tress became clear. The snowy ground showed tracks of animals that have previously passed by. Thinking that this would be a good place to start looking for clues, she began to follow them. They led her to where she saw Luna who was trying to search for pair that moved away from the rest of the herd. At last, they found the hoof prints they were looking for and traced the trail to where they hoped the answer would lie. All around them, the forest was quiet, too quiet. The only sounds were from the snow in the trees falling every so often and from their moving wings. Luna had her eyes focused on the tracks while Celestia kept glancing around as if expecting to see something out of the corner of her eyes move across in the distance. Luna stopped so abruptly that she walked into her. Shaking her sister’s tail away from her face, she looked down to see what the hold up was. Below them the tracks had stopped and inches in front of them were paw prints that split off in two directions.

“What do you think they belong to?” asked Celestia. “Wolves?”

“Maybe, but I don’t think so.” said Luna swooping down for a better look. “No, these are too small to belong to a wolf.”

Celestia landed beside her sister and followed the first set of paw prints back to a dead bush where she poked her head inside. The branches cracked scrapped against each other as she moved her head. Through the many snapping twigs, she saw a hole big enough for something to be living inside it.

“Hello?” she called out. “Is anypony there?”

“Celie,” began Luna not sure if her big sister should mess around with a possible crime scene. “I don’t think anypony’s home.”

Her ears twitched as she heard something from behind them move under the cover of the tall trees. She was about to call for her sister, but Celestia was still fixated on the bush to notice what she had. Silently Luna opened her wings and kicked off the ground. From behind one of the trees, a pair of amber eyes popped out. The things breath showed in the air as it looked from side to side trying to find where the dark blue Alicorn had gone. It was about to move closer when it felt itself being lifted from the ground! It flailed around frantically until Luna brought it over to her sister and set him down in order see if his paws matched the imprints in the snow.

“Well, how about that!” Luna exclaimed excitedly. “A perfect match!”

“Easy Luna,” said Celestia taking note of the shocked thing before them.

It was a fox. Its body tensed up, ears lowered and he immediately began looking around for an escape rout.

“Does this look like a monster to you?”

“No, but it’s a start!” said Luna still convinced that they were on the right track. “Maybe we can ask it if he’s seen anything strange since he met the with the stag.”

The fox’s ears shot up at the mention of the old stag. While the two sisters were going over plans of action, the fox unbeknownst to them wasn’t a fox at all. He was Discord, Master of Chaos and he had to think of something quick before his cover was blown. He heard them mention a flying monster. Could they be talking about Scorpan? Suddenly, the plan formed in his head and he sat up, cleared his throat and began to speak.

“Excuse me, but did you say a flying monster?”

The two Princesses backed up a few paces at the shocking realization that the fox had just spoke to them. Luna’s mouth opened, but closed again at a loss for words.

“Y-you just spoke?” said Celestia still not sure if she had heard correctly.

“Why yes,” replied the fake fox. “Don’t all foxes?”

“Well, no. You’re the first we’ve ever heard speak.”

“No? But, how can that be? I… Oh no! The stag! The monster above us!”

The fox looked around nervously before continuing.

“We ran after seeing it, but he did something funny with his claws and I felt something hit me and… I don’t remember much after that.”

“Hmmm.” said Luna looking down at the fox. “You know, for somepony who was chased away from this spot and was too afraid to return, you have quite a way of hiding or should I say stalking us.”

“I-I have no idea what you’re talking about,” said the fox, his fur sticking out.

“Don’t you?” Questioned Luna. “Why were you following us?”

The shape shifter’s plan was working. She had caught onto his lie and now was the moment to pounce. He let out a dramatic sigh and shrugged. Luna grinned confidently and shot a look of meaning at her big sister.

“Luna, what are you doing?” asked Celestia clearly lost.

“Oh Celie,” Tut Luna. “Isn’t it obvious? He’s lying to us! So, how about it! Why don’t you tell your Princesses what you were really doing out here!”

“Oh, I suppose.” said the fox defeated.

The two sisters watched in aw as the fox’s body began to change. Its head shrunk with the snout being replaced by a beak. The rest of his body shrunk too turning fur into feathers and wings. The fully transformed bird flew to eye level and waited for one of them to speak.

“What are you?” asked Luna curiously.

“I am a Shape Shifter,” said the bird plainly. “I came here in search for a place to stay, but something about this place drew me to it. That monster you described must have been drawn here too. I told the stag to run, but alas, there was nothing I could do once the beast used its magic on him.”

“Wait, the monster knows how to use magic?” asked Celestia in shock.

“Why yes,” said the bird simply. “He can make those he wants change.”

“Change?” questioned Luna.

“Change,” repeated the bird patiently. “He can switch your personalities at will. Make you become something your not.”

“You seem to know a lot about this,” said Celestia.

“As much as I hate to admit it, the monster is someone I used to know.”

“Can’t you talk to him?”

“Talk to him?” the shape shifter laughed.

His body sank to the icy ground and took on a new form. This time, a blue Earth Pony with yellow eyes, short brown main and tail stood up. He started pacing the two sisters.

“If by talk you mean reason with him, Oh no, no. That won’t end well for me.”

“He won’t hurt you will he?” asked Celestia concerned.

“I’m afraid he might do so if I confront him. As you can see, I can alter my appearance. I might know a little bit of magic myself, but what good would that do against him? No, he’s too strong for me.”

“There must be something we can do to help,” said Celestia.

Discord had his back facing them. He smiled wickedly to himself. It was time to move onto phase two of his master plan.

“There might be something, but no, you wouldn’t want to help me with that you barely even know me.”

“No,” said Celestia stepping forward, “We want to help! As future Princesses of Canterlot it is our duty to protect our kingdom!”

The fake pony turned to face them. Luna was watching the fake stallion closely. She caught his lie before, but after that he’d been cooperating with them. Since everything was going so well, it wouldn’t hurt to put her guard down. She hoped.

“Please, let us help you,” Celstia insisted. “The animals of the forest are just as scared as you are. We can stop him if we work together! So, what did you have I mind?”

“Princess, you are too kind,” said Discord smiling at her. “Like I said before, there’s something strange about this place. But I don’t know what it could be.”

“Oh, that’s a long story,” said Luna her curiosity fading to sorrow.

“Oh, I bet it is. The strange feeling I’ve been getting isn’t normal. So, what happened here?”

Celestia exchanged a look with Luna before she started to explain what had happened five years ago. When she had finished the Shape Shifter’s eyes squinted and thought deeply.

“I see,” he said more to himself than to the two sisters. “That would explain a lot. I wonder what would happen if someone were to try and reverse the damage.”

“Our parents and the Unicorn Guild tried that,” said Luna darkly, remembering the stress it caused them. “But in the end they were unable to fix what the Defiler had done. What you see now is what is left of the Everfree Forest. We don’t even know what will happen once spring starts.”

Discord saw the look of worry on the Princesses faces and knew what had to be done. The last phase was ready to begin, and this time he knew what happened afterword would change the forest forever.

“Worry no further!” he proclaimed excitedly and took Celestias hooves. “I have a plan!”

“W-what?!” stuttered Celestia. “A plan for what?”

“A plan to fix the forest!” said Discord winking at her. “Now that I understand what has happened here I think I know what to do!”

“Wait, will it help the animals?”

“Oh, that and more! Trust me Princess! By the time I’m finished, you wouldn’t have guessed that this place used to be a wasteland!”

“And what will happen to the monster?” asked Luna.

Discord vanished with a pop and reappeared leaning on her back.

“Oh, he’ll have no choice but to go after that. Where he’s from, they prefer their land to be all dried up and plain.”

“They?”

“Why yes, he and the rest of his kind.”

Seeing the look Luna and Celestia were giving him he added; “No need to worry, he’s the only one I saw around here apart from myself.”

“Are you sure?” asked Luna raising an eyebrow questionably.

“Would I lie to you?”

The obvious answer to this was yes, but as Luna stared at the smirking pony she felt confused. Not sure what to think. What was going on? She saw through him before. Why couldn’t she now?

“What do you think Luna?” asked Celestia. “Should we give him a chance if he thinks he can help the forest return to normal?”

“I…”

She felt the fake stallions gaze on her. She found herself wishing he would stop. There was almost a strange similarity between Tick and Tock.

“Well, ok. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt. What other choice do we have right?”

“That’s the spirit Princess!” said Discord clapping her on the back. “Now that that’s settled, I must be off! Much to do if we want the forest back to normal by spring!”

The Shape Shifter was about to gallop off when Celestia called out to him.

“Hey, wait up! Can’t we know who you really are?”

Discord fell silent.

“We really must see who you are so we know who to thank if this works!”

“I’m afraid I cannot show my true self to you Princess,” said Discord turning his head slightly.

“Why not? It would be a lot easier to spot you next time.”

“If I were to show you what I really am you would only run away. No, it has to be like this!”

“We won’t run!” said Luna just as curious as her big sister.

The Shape Shifter sighed and turned to face them. There was no smile, no since of pleasure in his tone.

“I, will think about it,” he said slowly.

Before any of them could argue, he transformed into a bird once more and flew off. The two sisters looked on in amazement. Luna still couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right on their flight out of the forest. She tried to share her doubts with Celestia, but she was told that she was overthinking it and that everything was going to be fine. Luna finally agreed once they were at the mouth of the forest and their friends waved over to them.

“I guess your right sister,” She said smiling to herself as she spotted the two Unicorn brothers. “But you have to admit. That Shape Shifter’s attitude was a little like Tick and Tock’s.”

A shiver went down Celestia’s spine that had nothing to do with the cold.

“In that case, I hope you’re very wrong about that!”

The two giggled as they approached their friends who undoubtedly wanted to know what they had found out.