Author's Note

... And the birthday chapters finally come to a close. Most of the main plotline takes place when Flurry is at the age of seventeen, and Thorax an undefined age quite near.

Her Virtue

*Shamelessly self advertises*
Hey, if you like this ship, you should totally check out the group I created for it: Flurrax! A group entirely dedicated to the shipping of Flurry Heart X Thorax. Also where my shipping senses and ideas can all go nuts. Hopefully we'll be seeing some more fics of this pair soon enough. (If there are any, please let me know)!

I'll Wait For You
Ink Mage

Chapter Seven
Her Virtue
Age Seventeen

Just to make something clear. Yes, I have indeed seen the new changeling forms as part of the leaked Season 6 finale. Despite Thorax now being who he is, (if you've watched it, you know), he is not of any more importance in this story than he was when we first encountered him in 'The Times they are a Changeling'. Therefore, Thorax will still be his original self throughout this story. This doesn't stop me from planning out a new Flurrax story between two royals though. ;)

Later that night, Crys Dunkin's plan went into action. He and Power Out stood in front of the castle, surveying the motion signal lights and various open windows.

"So... what do you want to do?" Power Out asked in an almost-inaudible whisper. Crys Dunkin shot him a death glare.

"We've been over this five times already, Power Out. You're not that old," he said, rolling his eyes. Power Out grumbled something before turning back to look at the tall crystal building before them.

"Uhm... you want to go first?" he asked nervously, biting his lip.

Crys Dunkin groaned, muttering something under his breath. "Useless. Completely and utterly useless."

"Hey, I happen to think my services are very useful indeed. Besides, I'm the only one who agreed to help," Power Out said, putting a hoof to his chest.

"That's because you're the only one I asked duffer," Crys Dunkin rolled his eyes.

"Whatever. Are you going or not?" Power Out asked. Crys Dunkin nodded, looking up at the balcony to a certain princess' room. He smiled wickedly.

"I've heard many wondrous things about the princess," he started, "and I for one want to explore them fully."

Power Out's eyes widened. "Hang on... you never said anything about that," he said. Crys Dunkin laughed.

"I couldn't say something like that in public. Not with those ponies sitting around," he said.

"Isn't it bad enough you spilled your entire plan in a pub?" Power Out asked suspiciously.

"Who said anything about that being my real plan? Sure, I'd like to get a good kick out of spilling the beans on the changeling... but who said I didn't want to have some fun with this first?" Crys Dunkin said in a low voice, taking out the rope in his saddlebag.

"Are you sure this is safe? She's a princess," Power Out said.

"I'm a stallion," Crys Dunkin said, throwing up the rope to latch it onto the balcony. "I have needs."

"So do I, but I wouldn't do something like this just for revenge... even if they could never know it was you."

"Revenge? Oh, my dear Power Out... revenge is a treat best served cold... this is only the beginning," Crys Dunkin said, hoisting himself up onto the rope. "Stay down here. Keep on the lookout for any guards coming by."

"Whatever. Don't mess up too badly."

"Heh... telling me not to mess her up too badly would be a better option," Crys Dunkin said with a smirk, winking at him before climbing up the rope without another word.

He got to her balcony, stepping over the railing and peering inside the glass.

Princess Flurry Heart was at her desk, and by the looks of it, she had just gotten out of a shower.

Flurry Heart smiled as the finished the last few problems of her worksheet due the following Tuesday. She grinned, putting them in her saddlebags and leaning back in her chair.

Her smile darkened as the remembered what had happened just a few hours ago.

Why had Thorax backed away? They were so close...

Close to what, she wasn't exactly sure.

Flurry sighed, shutting her eyes tightly and remembering what had happened seemingly every single time she tried to get closer to him. He had always backed away from her.

And she didn't know why.

Every time she inched closer to his face, he looked away. Every time she tried to close the distance, he bit his lip and turned away from her.

What was going on with him? Flurry was positive he felt the same way as she-

How did she feel about him, anyway? She had never stopped to consider.

Her smile brightened whenever she looked at him... whenever he twirled her around like he usually did when they greeted one another sent her heart soaring out of her chest. She was always grateful to have him as a friend... but lately her conscience was taking over; demanding she try for more.

She knew her parents would never approve of a relationship with Thorax... at least, her father wouldn't, but she knew she could persuade him into letting it go.

Suddenly, cool air from her balcony window hit her hair, sending it flying around the room.

"Grr... I hate when it does that..." Flurry cursed under her breath, using her magic to tie her purple and blue locks behind her ears. She quickly looked to the source of the air.

Her eyes widened as they landed on Crystal Hoof.

"Crystal Hoof? What are you doing here?" she asked with a raised eyebrow as she watched him climb through her balcony stairs. "And what did you do to yourself? You look... different. Older."

Crystal Hoof sent her a suspicious grin, tucking his hair away from his eyes and narrowing them.

"Princess Flurry..." he drawled, beginning to move in closer. Flurry bit her lip, starting to become extremely nervous.

"Wha... what are you doing?" she asked as he closed in on her. "... Thorax?"

His eyes didn't flash like they usually did when she addressed him like that... Flurry knew something was definitely up.

Crystal Hoof grabbed her body roughly, picking her up and pushing her against the nearest wall.

Flurry Heart screamed as he started to roam his hooves over her. He quickly placed them over her lips, stopping her from making any sound.

Crystal Hoof puckered his lips and crashed them onto her neck, beginning to work his way down.

Flurry Heart immediately started screaming again as the stallion's attentions were shown.

What was he doing? Why was he doing this? Unless... this wasn't the real Crystal Hoof. This wasn't her Thorax!

"Who are you..." she managed to whisper out as he touched her. The stallion grinned wickedly up at her, but didn't say anything.

Flurry Heart was completely screwed.

Shining Armor walked through the hallway of the castle, looking over his notes for tonights promotion ceremony. He rarely held them, but when he did, he made sure only the best of the best got the promotion they deserved. Since his wife was away on a royal business trip, she couldn't help with the matter.

"Let's see... I've already decided on these three, and I'm sure Keyboard Blimp would be a good addition to the guard," he spoke to himself.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" somepony's scream filled his ears. Shining Armor dropped his books and clipboard, immediately recognizing his daughter's voice.

"Flurry?!" he mumbled to himself, dreading the worst, "FLURRY?!"

Shining Armor quickly sprang to his hooves, running up three flights of stairs, eager to get to her room.

What was going on? She never screamed without a good reason.

Flurry Heart never really screamed that loud at all. Something really bad must be happening.

Shining Armor's protective father instincts kicked in as he blasted the door open with his magic. His eyes first rested on his daughter's limp figure being pushed against the wall by somepony very familiar looking.

His face turned bright red, angry air escaping his ears as he realized what was happening.

"CRYSTAL HOOF GET YOUR BLOODY CRAP OFF OF HER RIGHT THIS INSTANT!!!"

Crystal Hoof quickly released Flurry, causing her to fall to the floor, eyes closed. Shining Armor seethed upon looking at his daughter in such a state.

"GET OUT OF HERE RIGHT NOW!!" he yelled to Crystal Hoof. The stallion scrambled to his hooves and ran out the balcony door.

"AND DON'T BOTHER COMING BACK! EVER! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOUR IGNORANT LITTLE FACE AGAIN! DO YOU HEAR ME?!?!"

"Daddy!!" Flurry Heart interrupted his rampage. Shining Armor looked down into his daughter's pained expression. She clutched her sides, looking at him with tears bubbling from her eyes.

"Oh sweetheart don't worry..." Shining Armor whispered, tucking her in for a tight embrace. "Daddy's here, don't worry... don't worry... shh..."

Flurry Heart bursted into tears, clinging onto her father for dear life.

"Don't cry honey... I'm here now... it's going to be okay... it's alright..." Shining Armor stroked her back as she cried freely into his shoulder. His gaze hardened as he looked out the window, watching Crystal Hoof scramble away with another stallion. By the looks of it, they had wicked grins on their faces.

"I'll make him pay."