It has been five years Twilight Sparkle had healed a sick changeling egg of a rare deadly disease originally thought to only affect ponies. Five years since she hatched the egg. Five years since she had adopted the changeling hatchling and named him Iron chitin. Five years since her life was changed forever. But today would be different because today Iron Chitin would finally be old enough to attend Twilight Sparkle’s school of friendship.

The reason Twilight decided to enroll her adopted son Chitin in her school was not because she wanted him enrolled there, she didn’t. The main reasons she was enrolling Chitin was: one he showed a not so subtle interest in being enrolled, and two she believes it would give him the chance to makes friends with other creatures other than her niece Flurry Heart. Twilight decided that she would tell him during his birthday party that he would be having later that day. She decided it would be held at sugar cube corner and as usual her friend Pinkie Pie would be the one throwing it.

Later in the afternoon at the party for Chitin, Pinkie decided it was time for presents. So, after Chitin had unwrapped all his presents he had received from Twilight’s friends and the young six, the one he received from Ocellus being shapeshifting lessons. Twilight decided to finally announce that he would be attending her school of friendship. To which every creature present cheered. Not long after that everyone decided it was time to wrap up and head home.

In the weeks following Chitin’s birthday party, Ocellus was trying to teach Chitin how to shapeshift. But no matter what she did Chitin seemed to lack the ability to shapeshift, which frustrated them to no end. Finally Ocellus went to Twilight stating that Chitin for some unknown reason could not shapeshift. This caused Twilight to worry so she sent a letter to Thorax telling him of the situation. A few minutes later Twilight received a letter stating that Thorax would be sending his brother Pharynx to try to help in a few days.

A few days later, true to what Thorax had written. Pharynx arrived stating that he was ready to get started teaching Chitin how to shapeshift. Pharynx first went to Ocellus to find how she tried to teach Chitin. After Pharynx found out how Ocellus tried to teach Chitin, Pharynx tried a few other newly developed methods to try to Chitin how to shapeshift. All attempts failed to Chitin’s and Pharynx’s dismay. So, Pharynx thought if a new method wouldn’t work, maybe an older one would. But he would need Twilight’s permission to attempt it.

Pharynx went to notify Twilight. Upon hearing she asked Pharynx if there was another way to help Chitin. Pharynx told her there was one possibility and it was trial by combat. Twilight immediately looked like she was going to say no, but Pharynx promised her that he would do his best to not severely hurt Chitin and with Chitin pleading to at least give it a try Twilight caved in. But only if there was some creature there to make sure nothing went wrong. Chitin said that he knew the perfect group of creatures to help with this. So, after the young six agreed to watch Pharynx and Chitin’s sparring session to make sure nothing went wrong Twilight finally said ok.

It was decided that the sparring match would be held near Sweet Apple Acres so that if something went wrong some creature could run over to the farm and get help. After everything was set up Pharynx attacked first trying to hit Chitin in the chest but missed him entirely. This impressed Pharynx despite Chitin’s entire exoskeleton being made of an unidentifiable metal he still moved with the speed and agility of a full-grown changeling warrior. So, the fight went like this for the next few minutes of Pharynx trying to hit Chitin and Chitin just dodging everything thrown at him. Finally, Pharynx landed a hit on Chitin’s barrel sending him flying off to the side and in a flash of green fire Chitin transformed into a changeling giant form.

new cover image is Iron Chitin's giant form

Upon seeing this Pharynx started getting excited and he transformed into his own giant form. After this happened things started going downhill, Pharynx started getting too rough with Chitin. The young six immediately saw this and most of them tried to stop Pharynx directly but not before he took a swipe at Chitin causing Gallus to rush forward shove Chitin out of the way narrowly getting hit himself. After Gallus shoved Chitin out of the way there was another flash of green fire and Chitin had transformed again only this time, he had transformed into a griffin that bore a strong resemblance to Gilda when she was at flight camp only silver in color and male. This surprised every creature present and they all silently agreed that they should show this to Twilight.

When they all got back to Twilight’s castle (while Chitin was still in his griffin form) and told her what had happened. After they had all told what happened Twilight first scolded Pharynx for getting too rough with Chitin, and after she was done scolding Pharynx, she then started fussing over Chitin much to his chagrin. When Twilight finally calmed down enough Ocellus asked Twilight why Chitin only seemed to transform only after coming in physical contact with another creature. Twilight thought about this for about five until saying she believed it a combination of the Disease Chitin had as an egg and the spell used to cure him. After this she explained that without another example to base this off there would be no way for her to confirm it. She then asked Ocellus to help change Chitin back to his normal Form and she did by giving him a pat on his whither.

After hearing all this Chitin realized that he would not be able to transform on his own making him seem crest fallen. When Twilight saw she felt that she needed to do something to try and make him feel better to which an idea popped into her head. She told every creature that it had been a long day and that should head home and offered Pharynx a place to stay for the night which he accepted. After showing Pharynx where he was going to sleep for the night and tucking in a sad Chitin. Twilight quietly galloped to her lab and began working on something. What that something was, only the lavender alicorn knew.

Author's Note

how is everyone enjoying the story let me know what you think in the chat. i already have a third chapter in mind but let me know what the you all would like to see in future chapters