Dangerous Alchemy

**Dangerous Alchemy

By: Brickbrock24

Chapter 1**

I guess I should start off by saying a few things about myself. My name is Marelory “Hitchcolt” Conjurah (I know some of you are going to butcher my first name, it’s pronounced: mare-lore-ee!) A lot of my friends just call me “Hitchcolt,” however. I could be wrong, but I believe the nickname may have come from my love of the scary stories written by Grimly Hitchcolt. I really don’t mind my friends calling me Hitchcolt, even though I’m a mare.

As a young filly, I was fascinated by alchemy. When I wasn’t reading one of Grimly Hitchcolt’s stories or playing with my friends, I was spending every other second of my time studying the infinite possibilities that alchemy offered. I dedicated more time to getting lessons from Zecora and reading countless alchemy instruction and recipe books than I did with schoolwork and practicing my unicorn magic.

Overall, I believe my childhood was when I was at my happiest. I really did have the most wonderful friends, especially Nightshade. He was the kindest, sweetest, and most playful pony I knew. Even though I could never beat him at chess, it was still a load of fun to play with him, along with many other games. We shared a similar love for the holiday Nightmare Night and would always go to great lengths to come up with the most creative costumes.

My other close friends were Nightshade’s brother Sky Blade, Sponduli Moolalli, Roger, and Nightshade’s adorable little sister Zinnia. We all have a special place in Nightshade’s heart, and they all have a special place in mine. Sure, they weren’t perfect. Sky Blade could be a little less hot-headed and arrogant. Sponduli could stand to lose some weight and be a little less disgusting at the dinner table. All of us would stare in awe at the fact that the parts of Nightshade’s eyes that were normally supposed to be white were honey yellow and glowed in the dark. Sure, Nightshade could be a little less condescending when it comes to correcting grammar mistakes; but that’s beside the point. Nopony is perfect. What mattered was that Nightshade, Sky Blade, Zinnia, Sponduli Moolalli, and Roger were true, true friends. We always helped and looked out for each other, and that was good enough for me.

We shared so many joyful memories. I remember the fun we used to have at parties, festivals, and other enjoyable activities. Back when our lives were normal… I cannot fully fathom the dark magic that flows through Nightshade’s veins today or even exactly how he came to acquire such terrifying powers; but I do know that it has practically killed the once gentle and caring friend I knew. But even so, I hope that the good memories of our childhood lay somewhere in his corrupted heart. Zinnia believes that her brother can come back, and in my heart I believe she’s right. Perhaps this feeling comes from my hope to find an alchemy recipe to make myself the beautiful mare I once was.

I remember the day I got my cutie mark. I was on top of the world, and nothing, and I mean nothing, could ruin my mood. Getting my cutie mark at such a young age made me feel inspired and empowered. I felt like I was destined for greatness: to be the greatest alchemist Equestrian has ever seen! I ran home to tell my parents the news. My mother held me in a fond embrace and my father patted me on the head. They were so proud of me! How could they not be?

For the next year or so after I earned my cutie mark, all that was on my mind was alchemy. Alchemy was my life and passion! I had a mark on my flank to prove it! I spent countless hours everyday in the lab I set up in the basement (with the help of my supportive parents), experimenting with potions and other goodies. I managed to come up with several new recipes that I still use to this day. I couldn't test all of my recipes immediately, however. It would have been nice to be able to test my creations on animals; but that's a felony in Ponyville, and I didn't want to risk having the authorities breaking into my house to arrest me and take away everything I had worked so hard to achieve.

I knew my life was about to take a turn when my parents walked into my room one night and wanted to talk to me. Whether this change was for better or for worse, I did not know. Beads of sweat trickled down my face as I put down my pencil, closed my notebook, turned and stood up from my chair, walked over to my bed, and sat down. My heart throbbed in my chest like a caged animal savagely banging against the bars of its cage as I stared at my parents and waited for an answer. My anxiety eased when I saw them look at each other and exchange smiles. My father was the first to speak. He told me that he and Mom had been talking and had good news for me. Mom said that my talents as an alchemist were truly amazing. She had recommended me for a prestigious alchemy school in Manehattan. They had gotten a letter from the school that day. It said that, despite my young age, the headmaster saw potential in me and accepted me in.

My heart exploded twice. The next thing I knew, I was hugging my parents so tightly that they could hardly breathe. I must have said "thank you," like, a thousand times as tears of absolute joy flooded out of my eyes. After I released my parents from my powerful hug, Dad told me that we were leaving in two days and that I should start packing my things.

I was truly excited about this dream come true, but it was short lived when I realized something later that night. You can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs. I'd have to leave my friends in Ponyville behind. The friend that immediately came to mind was Nightshade. I knew he was going to be shattered when I went to break the news to him tomorrow. I wasn't sure if a colt as sensitive as him could handle such news. He didn't have many friends and was very close to the ones he did have. Had I been able to foresee Nightshade's terrible and cruel fate in the future, I would have turned down my enrollment in that alchemy school in a heartbeat and never leave his side. He needed me when I was living in Manhattan, and I couldn't be there to help him. The guilt still haunts me to this day!