@MDL:
! @Nia:
in her defense about the reforming thing, she wanted to have it ready as a back up in case shit hit the fan, which i assume also included 'elements failing'.
even if not, she was probably thinking "celestia wants to use his powers, so it must be terribly important." it would make sense that she'd do it for the greater good.
! Aaah, the things done in the name of "the greater good".
! What is one silenced voice in exchange for a riot-free kingdom? Or maybe ten, twenty voices, silenced to make life easier for ten times as many?
This is one of the most important things a Queen has to ensure, after all.
Isn't it for the greater good to rob those of their free will who are clearly not making good use of it? It wouldn't be as much "robbing" them of their free will as showing them a truth they couldn't see before. A gentle nudge in the right direction. They'd be accepting it gratefully if only they knew. But, of course, they don't. But that's what monarchs are for, isn't it. Yes.
! After all, Celestia is watching.
I can't let her think that I'm a bad Queen. I must make her proud. It would shed a bad light on her if I made mistakes. If I failed.
And these ponies are doubting, no, bashing my ruling skills. Skills that are, without a doubt, flawless. Perfect. I have the books to prove it.
This cannot stand. I will not let them make me look bad.
! Oh God, these ponies seem unhappy under my rule. Unhappy! Those ungrateful little …! I've done everything right! Everything should be perfect! And yet those ponies…! What else do you want me to do?!
This could lead to disaster. Even one unhappy pony is a risk to my wonderful kingdom, a stain on my perfect record; their depression will be spreading like a disease, I just know it. I must stop it, before even more start disliking their new lives, before they huddle together and decide to try to overthrow me. Which of course they couldn't, but I absolutely cannot let things escalate like that. It would be impossible to hide that from her, and the aftermath would be difficult to deal with.
I must make them obedient, happy citizens, no matter what the cost …
! Why won't they cheer up and be good?! Be happy and behave yourselves damn you. You will enjoy your lifes under my rule, and you will live by my carefully developed rules, because how could you not enjoy a life like that, it's awesome, and you will understand that, even if I have to make you! And don't you DARE raise your voice EVER AGAIN or ELSE it's STONE PRISON FOR ALL OF YOU
@TheCook:
Not only the reforming spell, but the lovely constant threatening to turn Discord back into stone.
EXACTLY!