“Thorax!”
The changeling snapped to attention outside the door to the guest quarters he was guarding. It was a rather out of the way posting, but he could understand why they wouldn't want him posted outside the front gate for all the world to see. He'd offered, quite insistently really, to disguise himself as just any other guard, but Princess Cadance had requested that he 'be true to himself’, and so he donned the crystal armor overtop his own chitinous black hide. He'd been a citizen of the Empire for nearly a year now, and his gratitude at being offered the chance had led to him volunteering for the guard. He'd known that Shining Armor was skeptical, but with more hard work than he'd ever out into anything in his life, Thorax managed to excel in his training and properly earn his place.
“Captain Calciite, sir!” Thorax said, thumping his chest in salute. The captain was a tall, austere stallion who Thorax actually liked quite a bit, though his reputation as a cold authoritarian kept most recruits wary of him.
“The city is under attack, and these guest quarters are empty,” Captain Calcite said, in an almost casual tone. Well, as casual as Captain Calcite would ever get. “We are doubling guard on the little princess' nursery. Get moving.”
“Sir, right away!” Without another word, Thorax began a rapid march through the halls, his head swimming with questions. Who was attacking? Why? He figured he would find out later. The nursery was in the very heart of the castle, so he wasn't going to see any action. In a way it was a relief, but a part of him wanted to be out there with his fellow guards, protecting his new home.
He passed servants in the halls as they ran purposefully about their own duties, fear evident on every face. Several of them tensed as he came into view, but soon relaxed when hey recognized him. It had been a long, hard struggle to finally be accepted, Spike's word notwithstanding. Especially when he had joined the guard; it seemed to Thorax he had to work twice as hard as the next recruit to get the same recognition, but he had done it. The servants were still wary of him, for the most part, but he'd struck up a casual friendship with one of the younger maids. That they were both slacking off from their assigned duties to gossip in the vacant hallways fostered a strange sense that they were co-conspirators, and Thorax was extremely grateful for that.
Thorax sidestepped to avoid an older stallion who barrelled down the hall in the opposite direction. He was the royal butler, and another pony Thorax felt he could count as a real friend, rather than a co-worker or acquaintance. The old man enjoyed his drink on his days off, despite his insistent sobriety on the job, and no more than a week after Thorax relocated to the castle he found himself invited to the butler's table. “If I can share a drink with King Sombra, I bloody well can share a drink with you!” He had exclaimed proudly when Thorax had thanked him for the invitation. Now the old stallion was anything but jovial, intent on some pressing business, and evidently not concerned with right of way in the halls. Thorax knew that once the attack was over, an invitation for a drink would soon follow. He was looking forward to it.
At the final turn to the hallway that passed the nursery, Thorax heard a loud exclamation from the guard already posted there.
“Princess Cadance!”
As Thorax rounded the corner, he saw the guard bowing before the princess, his head low to the ground while she gave him an imperious smirk, one hoof poised regally by her chest. Her eyes darted up to meet his gaze as she noticed the movement at the end of the hall. The instant their eyes met, a feeling surged from Thorax’s horn to his gut, sending a chill through his body, and a horrifying realization to the forefront of his mind.
“That's not the Princess!” He shouted the warning, and broke into a mad gallop towards the bewildered guard, still bowing low. He looked toward Thorax, and as he did, the princess brought her hoof down on the crown of his head. There was a crunch as the stallion's head hit the floor, his body jerking violently before falling over limp. Thorax grit his fangs, and lunged at the false princess. She danced away from him, a green light sweeping across her form as the disguise was dropped. Positioning himself between her and the door, Thorax felt his mouth go dry and his legs quaver as he stared into the sneering face of Queen Chrysalis.
“I can't believe that worked again,” she trilled, her eyes glittering with unspoken laughter as they roamed over his armored figure, "But this is a aurprise. They have a pet, and you're one of mine. I can smell it on you ”
“I'm not a pet, I'm a guard of the Crystal Empire,” Thorax said shakily, trying and failing to project a confidence he didn't feel.
“Don't be a fool,” Chrysalis said, her tone almost compassionate as she took a step towards him. Thorax tensed and retreated. “You can never be one of them. You can look like them, act like them, but you will always be something else. You'll always be a monster in their eyes.”
The doubts bubbled in his mind as Thorax remembered the ponies flinching at the sight of him. The guard postings to vacant, out of the way corners of the castle, where the sight of him wouldn't tarnish the image of the Empire. He thought of the angry, fearful faces of all the crystal ponies, before Spike stood up for him.
Spike.
Chrysalis took another step, but Thorax stopped retreating. He thought of Spike, and the friendship they shared. The letters they had written, far outstripping the fake ones sent between Spike and 'Crystal Hoof’. The visits Spike had made, and the promises to show Thorax around Ponyville and Canterlot when he took his leave. Thorax had been reluctant to visit Canterlot again, but Ponyville sounded nice. Spike was his friend, but not just Spike. He remembered giggling with the maid about the cook's botched dye job, only to snap to attention when Captain Calcite walked by and fixed them with a disapproving stare and an almost imperceptible smirk. He remembered having his sixth drink, head fuzzy and the world crooked, while the butler tried to teach him an old crystal pony folk song about marrying a mare named Merry Mica. He remembered getting tongue-tied less than halfway through, and couldn't remember what happened next, but he was sure it had been fun too
Thorax lowered his horn, levelling it at the changeling queen who advanced another step towards the nursery door. He remembered Flurry Heart, the little bundle of love lying helplessly just beyond. He'd played with her on Spike’s last visit, and she’d given him a hug while Sunburst asked him curious questions about the nature of changeling magic.
“I don't look like them.”
“Hmm?” Chrysalis looked at him with a vague curiosity, as though he were some insignificant knickknack.
“I dont have to look like them, or act like them. I have friends, and they like me for who I am, not who I pretend to be. I won't let you hurt them.”
“Really? And how do you expect to stop-” Queen Chrysalis was interrupted by a blast of magic from Thorax's horn. Her own horn flashed to life, and the blast deflected harmlessly aside, leaving a black scorch on the shimmering crystal wall. Without hesitation, Chrysalis replied with a blast of energy of her own. Thorax tried to deflect it, but the sheer power punched through his defenses, slamming into his armor and sending him careening into the door. The door buckled and cracked, but the latch held, barred by the nannies inside. Thorax's armor was marred and dented, the ceremonial crystals cracked and falling free of their settings.
Thorax struggled to his feet and began to ready another attack, only for Chrysalis to slam her hoof into his neck, pressing him against the door. He struggled to push her away, until a wave of magic struck him, forcing his body through the door, hitting the ground hard in a shower of splinters. Thorax could hear the nannies screaming, and Flurry Heart crying, but it sounded a mile away as he tried to force air past the bruised muscles in his neck
Chrysalis stepped inside, the remnants of the door crunching under her hooves. The two nannies huddled in the corner, trying to shield Flurry Heart with their bodies. Chrysalis’ horn lit up as she turned to them. Thorax buzzed his wings as hard as he could, catching her off guard with a tackle that sent them both sprawling.
“Run!” He wheezed, and the nannies ran, one of them clinging tightly to Flurry. A growl came from the changeling queen as a wave of magic caught the nanny with the princess, lifting them into the air and sending them tumbling into the wall as the other disappeared into the hall, screaming for help. Thorax raised his hoof to strike at Chrysalis’ head, but the Queen's hoof was faster, catching him across the face just before another magical attack shot him into the air, slamming him against the ceiling. What little wind was left in him was forced out when Thorax hit the floor again, his vision blurring.
Chrysalis was on her feet again, walking towards him, and Flurry Heart wailed behind him. It sounded like he was under water. He struggled to his feet, the room spinning, and looked up to see two changeling queens standing in front of him. He tried to light up his horn to attack, but it only sparked and sent a wave of nausea crashing over him. Then he felt Chrysalis put a gentle hoof on his shoulder. It was almost comforting as she leaned down to whisper in his ear.
“I knew something was wrong with you the moment you hatched. I should have crushed you underhoof then and there, but I suppose I'm just too sentimental,” Thorax could barely follow her words, but couldn't muster the strength to push her away. “You're defective, and it would have been kinder to put you out of our misery early. Oh well, better late than never.”
A lance of acidic green energy formed between them, driving itself between the plates of Thorax's armor. It bore like a drill, deep into his chest, before dissipating with a crackle. Chrysalis patted him on the shoulder, and let him go. Without her support, he sank to the ground, a pool of bright teal hemolymph forming beneath him.
“You're...a... monster…” Thorax managed to croak.
“I'm your mother.” was all she had to say before stepping over him to retrieve Flurry Heart in a floating bubble of green magic. As the pair began sinking into a ring if green flames, Thorax could only watch, the edges of the scene slipping into darkness. Just before they disappeared entirely, Prince Shining Armor and a dozen guards burst into the room. The prince flung himself at the flames in a panic, but by the time he reached them, the floor was cold and solid once more.
Chrysalis and Flurry Heart were gone.
Thorax saw the prince giving orders, but couldn't hear the words. His whole head felt stuffed with cotton, like a doll. Shining Armor rushed to his side, and Thorax saw his own broken armor peel away. A moment later, he felt a pressure on his chest as Shining Armor clamped his hooves over the wound. He was saying something.
“I'm...sorry…” Thorax wheezed, the words heavy on his tongue. It felt swollen, too large for his mouth. Shining Armor shook his head and said something else. Thorax looked down, and saw the Prince's fetlocks stained teal. It was a shame, he'd always had such a fine white coat The world continued to bleed away at the edges, until all that remained was Shining Armor’s frantic expression.
'You are dying.’ The thought sprang to mind suddenly, and Thorax knew it was true. He had always thought, in the hive or alone in the wilderness, that he would be afraid when he died. Instead he just felt sad for all that might have been with his friends. For Spike. For never seeing Ponyville. For the drink he wouldn't share with the butler. For the maid, going about her day with no one to slack off with.
“There was so much...to do…”
Flurry Heart led Spike through the crowded plaza, laughing as the much larger dragon tried to carefully navigate around the throngs of tourists with minimal disruption. There were always crowds around the statue of 'Spike the Brave and Glorious’ in the grand plaza.
“C’mon Uncle Spike, hurry up!” She flicked her wings in annoyance, “It's almost lunch time, and you promised.”
“Yes, and we have a reservation, they won't give our table away. And could you try to be even a little bit regal? You're Princess Flurry Heart, not Princess Hurry Fleart”
“Uncle Spike!” She shouted, scandalized at the silly nickname. “That's gross!”
“Why? What's a Fleart?” Spike said with a sly grin. Flurry scoffed as she felt her face heat up.
“You know what it sounds like.”
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Eurgh!”
“Come on this way, Flurry. It's a shortcut, and the crowds aren't nearly as bad.” Spike gestured down a nearby alley, and Flurry fluttered up to perch in his shoulder. Spike thought to himself that she was getting too big to do that, but decided not to say anything. He wasn't sure which of them them would have their next growth spurt first.
The alley was a quiet little residential street, a sharp contrast to the bustle of the plaza, but a lack of storefronts kept the tourists away. It was a rather upscale neighbourhood though, and Spike always enjoyed the small and meticulously managed gardens hanging from the sides of the buildings. Before long, the alley ended in another, much smaller plaza. In the middle of the plaza was a pedestal with a life-sized statue of a changeling in guardspony armor.
“Wow! I've never been here before,” Flurry said, “But why is there a statue of a monster here?”
“He's not a monster,” Spike said gently, looking around. There were maybe a half dozen ponies in the plaza, all seemingly going about their business. One crystal mare gave them a brief bow, and Flurry waved enthusiastically back at her.
“Sure looks like a monster.”
“Well, so do I,” Spike said, flashing her a toothy grin full of sharp fangs nearly the size of her hooves.
“Ha, you're not a monster, Uncle Spike,” Flurry said, rolling her eyes. Monsters were supposed to be scary, not silly.
“Neither was he,” Spike said, walking over to stand by the statue. There was a marble slab engraved at the foot of the statue.
'In Memory of Thorax, Hero of the Crystal Empire'
“He was my friend,” Spike said, his eyes gaining a faraway look as the memories came. Not nearly enough of them.
“What happened to him?” Flurry asked, noticing the sad look on the dragon’s face. She hugged the side of his neck, breaking him out of his reverie.
“Oh? Uh, well, I'll tell you when you're a bit older.”
“Uncle Spike, please. I'm nine years old now. You can tell me.”
“It's not really a story for little fillies,* Spike took a long, melancholy look at the statue before turning away and putting on a bright expression, “Besides, you still need to tell me how your studies with Sunburst are going.”
“Eurgh. They are the boringest thing in like, ever!” Flurry said, flopping against the side of his face with a sigh.
“Don't let your Aunt Twilight hear you say that,” Spike chuckled, headed for the alley that would take them to his favorite restaurant in town. While Flurry continued her tirade against academics, Spike spared another glance at Thorax's memorial, and one more thought for his old friend.
'Thank you.’
“Cadance! You're home early,” Shining Armor said, a frown ceasing his features as he descended from his crystal throne to pull his wife into a hug, “Is everything alright with Twilight?”
“Oh, you know how it is. I just couldn't bear to be away from the baby for so long,” she said, returning the hug with a weary smile, “You understand, don't you dear?”
Shining chuckled and nodded. “I only hope that Twily does too.”
“She will some day, I'm sure. Sooner than her big brother would like, too.” She giggled at the sour expression that swept across his face, “So where is the little darling, anyway?”
“She’s in the nursery with her nannies. Sunburst just left for the day. I bet she will be happy to see you, why don't you head over? I'll look after court for the rest of the day.”
“Don't mind if I do,” Cadance said, taking a hesitant step towards one of the side hallways. She’d hardly moved before a great commotion erupted just outside the doors of the great hall.
“Changelings! Hundreds of them!” A guard bellowed between heavy pants, having clearly run without pause from his post, “Attacking the city!”
The throne room suddenly exploded into activity as petitioners cried out in fear, and guards leapt into action. They had been trained for this, and Shining Armor took charge, shouting orders in a voice that brooked no argument. “You, go to the armory, get my armor. You, go to the barracks, I want every guard at the ready,” his voice softened as he turned to his wife, “Can you check on Flurry?”
“I will, don't worry.” Shining Armor paused to share a brief kiss, before darting off to oversee his troops. As he left, Cadance set off at a cheery trot, deeper into the castle to find the nursery.
