I'll Wait For You

by flaminkomage

Rating: teen
Tags: Main 6, Romance, Drama, Princess Cadance, Shining Armor, Sex, Thorax, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Flurry Heart, Alternate Universe
Length: 15037

Flurry Heart and Thorax fall into a messy relationship.

Thorax couldn't explain it.

When the newest princess of the Crystal Empire was born, he felt a natural pull towards the ceremony.
Of course, the fact that the protective barrier surrounding the empire broke helped; he was able to slip in unnoticed.

Once his name was cleared with the Crystal ponies, Shining Armor still had his doubts. He proposed to keep Thorax disguised as Crystal Hoof, in case their subjects were to arise with questions, or run away out of fear.

Flurry Heart and 'Crystal Hoof' become close friends... both begin developing and feeling things for the other. Is friendship really enough for them?

Featured 9/16/16!

TAGS EXPLAINED HERE

Inspiration from the cover art by PimpArtist101.

Published 2016-09-16 01:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-10-26 23:37:37 UTC

Her Thirteenth

Author's Note

Wow you guys, I really wasn't expecting all the positive feedback on this story. :rainbowkiss: I'm honestly so surprised by how the ratings went.. XD I'm really glad you all like it!

Also, I'd just like to say that things will start going into much darker themes later on. >.<

Her Thirteenth

I'll Wait For You
Ink Mage

Chapter Two
Age Thirteen

"This was an awful idea," Flurry Heart said as she looked at Crystal Hoof with a disappointed expression. Crystal Hoof mock gasped and put a hoof to his chest in fake offense.

"Are you saying my beautifully magnificent god-like haircut looks bad?" he asked with a teasing smirk. Flurry Heart shrugged, running a hoof through the colt's mane and grimacing. Crystal Hoof sighed. "Okay yeah, it is pretty bad."

"Not to worry, I'm sure Mom can do something," Flurry suggested. Crystal Hoof nodded, inching out of the large chair he was put in. He looked over to see her standing by the array of different scissors and brushes. "Or... maybe I could do something else to make it look better. It's always worth a shot."

"No!" Crystal Hoof said quickly, not wanting his mane to look even worse. "I'm... I'm sure it'll look better in the morning."

Flurry Heart raised an eyebrow. "In the morning? Seriously?"

Crystal Hoof weighed his options. Of course, whenever he next transformed into this disguise, his mane would go back to normal. Though that wouldn't be the wisest decision.

"I could take some... mane growth repellent before bed?" he said, more of a question than a statement. Flurry Heart laughed, taking the apron off his chest and leading him towards the door.

"Right, right. You do that. If it works, I'll believe you," she said with a wink, exiting the bathroom and into the hallway. Crystal Hoof grinned, walking alongside her.

"Is that a challenge?" he asked playfully. Flurry Heart nodded, her nose pointing up as she failed to hold back snorts of laughter.

"And what if it is?" she asked hotly. Crystal Hoof chuckled, taking her hoof and twirling her around. He had been doing that a lot lately; grabbing her hoof at random times and spinning her around him. It felt nice.

"Then I'd be happy to oblige," he said, whisking her away. Flurry's long purple locks blew in his face as she stretched her wings and took off into the air.

"Come and catch me!" she yelled down at him, laughing at his shocked face.

Crystal Hoof gaped at her. "Hey! No fair!" he yelled, "I'm an earth pony!"

"So?!" Flurry exclaimed back. Crystal Hoof laughed, running after her till the two were in a high-speed race down the main castle hallway. Their hearts pounded as they tried to reach the end before the other.

Somepony suddenly walked in front of them, stopping abruptly upon noticing the two blazing figures coming their way. Shining Armor quickly ducked, sending Crystal Hoof flying in another direction and Flurry Heart gracefully landing besides him.

"Oh! Sorry Dad!" she said, brushing off some dust on her shoulder. She looked back and smirked in the general direction of the colt she was initially racing a few seconds ago. Crystal Hoof looked back at her with a glare. "Come on slow-poke! We still need to finish the race!" she yelled at him. Crystal Hoof broke into a huge grin, toppling back to his hooves and running towards her.

"And this time I'm not going to go flying off!" he shouted, streaming past her. Flurry gasped.

"Hey! You cheated!"

"Nuh-uh!" Crystal Hoof said as he reached out his hoof and touched the wall on the other side of the hallway. Flurry Heart breathed, flying into the air and making a bee-line towards him.

"Get over here!" she yelled angrily.

"Uh... yeah guys, I'm okay," Shining Armor said absentmindedly, walking past them without another word. He had a smile on his lips as he entered the kitchen. Cadance was already seated there.

"Any progress on the birthday party yet?" she asked in a hushed whisper. Shining Armor looked around him, checking if the coast was clear or not. Nopony was in sight, except a few stationary crystal guards. He nodded.

"Well, I've gotten her entire class coming, does that count?" he asked nervously, playing with his hooves. Cadance groaned, slapping her hoof on her forehead.

"Shining, babe, we've been over this. Invitations don't count as progress," she said. Shining Armor grinned sheepishly.

"Uh... oops?"

"Whatever. We'll just have to make do with what we have. I want to make this her best birthday yet," Cadance said. "She's turning thirteen! It's her first year as a teenager!"

"That didn't stop you from holding a giant party on her tenth birthday," Shining pointed out.

Cadance nodded. "Yeah! That was her first year in double-digits! You should know these things be now, Shiney," she said. Shining Armor sighed, draping a hoof around his wife and looking her in the eye.

"The next thing you know you'll be holding a party for her fifteenth birthday because it's one year before her sweet sixteen," he joked. Cadance looked thoughtful for a moment. "Oh please don't tell me-"

"Hey that's actually not a bad idea!"

Shining Armor muttered under his breath. "And a lot of work too."

The day of Flurry Heart's thirteenth birthday arrived, and ponies were lining up outside the castle; most were Flurry's friends. The colts and fillies tumbled into the main hall when Shining Armor opened them and instantly started running around.

"Happy birthday Flurry," a light grey filly with a multi-colored neon mane said. Flurry grinned, taking the large bag that was offered to her.

"Thank you, Neon Garay!" she exclaimed, placing the gift on a nearby table.

"Happy birthday Flurry Heart!" A pink unicorn with a two-toned brown mane trotted up to her, placing a box in her hooves. Flurry smiled at the filly.

"Thanks, Ink Mage!" she said happily, trotting deeper inside the castle while her friends chatted among themselves.

"Say Flurry," a colt spoke up. Flurry turned around to look at him.

"Yeah, Electric Flame?"

"I heard some rumors," Electric started. Flurry frowned. Electric was known for believing everything that was told to him. The others around them instantly perked up.

"What? What kind of rumors?" Flurry asked suspiciously. "Whatever you've heard about Dad it's probably-"

"No no, it doesn't have anything to do with your father," Electric Flame cut in. Flurry raised an eyebrow. "Some folks have been saying stuff about... the residents of the castle. That... there's a changeling living here."

The entire hall went dead silent. Crystal Hoof's eyes widened as he lowered down slightly. Shining Armor and Cadance's jaws dropped, both their heads turning simultaneously to look at Crystal Hoof. Flurry Heart gaped at Electric Flare, though it seemed a little forced. She looked towards her parents, following their gaze.

"Whatever you've heard is a big fat lie, Electric," Flurry said bluntly. Ink Mage and Neon Garay instantly burst into fits of laughter, clutching their sides as they giggled endlessly.

"Psshhh... changeling?!" Neon managed to sputter out. Ink wiped tears of mirth from her eyes.

"You've got to be kidding! Everypony knows those things are just old stories. They aren't around anymore!" she exclaimed. "Oh my I really have to cover this one on the school newspaper."

"Enough," Flurry Heart cut in, looking towards her friends. "It's alright, Electric. You didn't know any better. Trust me... those rumors are just rumors. And they'll stay that way." Ink Mage and Neon Garay instantly sobered. Both shot apologetic looks towards their best friends; Electric nodded.

"Whatever... I should have known," he said, shrugging.

Cadance suddenly clapped her hooves, getting the attention of all the fillies and colts. "Right, now that that's been taken care of," she started, "who'd like some cake?"

There was a chorus of 'me!' throughout the hallway, as everypony scrambled to get a good seat in the dining hall. Shining Armor followed his wife, not missing the opportunity to glare curiously at Crystal Hoof. Crystal Hoof looked away, nervously biting his lip.

How had this happened?

"Alright," Shining Armor said, tapping the chair that Crystal Hoof was sitting in. "What happened out there?" Cadance shot a look of concern at Crystal Hoof. The three were now alone inside Cadance's office. The party had ended a few hours ago, and Shining Armor was determined to get to the bottom of this.

"I... I don't know how ponies found out! I just-" Crystal Hoof started, trying hard to recall any slip-ups he might have had throughout the previous weeks. Cadance cleared her throat.

"No. They didn't find out. It's just a rumor," she cut in. Crystal Hoof sighed, releasing his transformation. Thorax looked between the prince and princess desperately.

"Please, you have to believe me! I haven't told anypony! I swear!" he pleaded. Thorax didn't know what he would do if Cadance and Shining Armor decided he couldn't stay with them any longer.

"It's alright, Thorax, we know you didn't tell anypony," Shining Armor said, rubbing his temple. "Though I would like to know how this rumor started up in the first place."

Cadance nodded. "That's right. We need to know in order to make sure it doesn't come up again."

Thorax frowned. "But I still don't get it! Why do I always have to keep my transformation when practically the entire senior empire knows what happened all those years ago?!"

"Thorax, listen to me," Cadance said, grabbing his shoulders. Thorax winced against the older princess' gaze, but didn't say anything. "What would ponies think if they saw a changeling just cruising down the streets of the empire? You're right. Only the senior part of the empire knows... the ponies who have been around for eleven years. Not everypony has though, and we wouldn't want ponies running away after they've lived here so long," she explained.

"But I'm good! I won't hurt anypony!" Thorax reasoned. Cadance sighed.

"Thorax, I know that. Shining knows that, everypony here knows that. But tell me one physical difference you have with any other changeling," she said. Thorax sobered, hunching down as her words sunk in.

"You're right... I don't look any different from other changelings when I'm like this. The crystal ponies could think anything," he said. Shining Armor and Cadance both nodded.

"Correct," Shining Armor said.

"Is there anything I can do?" Thorax begged desperately. Cadance looked away.

"I'm really sorry, I know how much this must hurt you," she said softly. Thorax sighed.

"So not even Princess Flurry can know? Not even now?" he asked quietly. Shining Armor firmly shook his head.

"That'll be like we broke her trust. She... she isn't supposed to know. There's a reason why we worked so hard to try to get her to forget about you," he said. Thorax nodded.

"Alright. Whatever. I'm going to bed," he said, getting up and walking towards the doorway.

"Goodnight," Cadance offered.

She got no reply.

Her Fifteenth

I'll Wait For You
Ink Mage

Chapter Four
Age Fifteen

"You really weren't kidding about the whole 'Year Before Sweet Sixteen Birthday Bash' idea, were you?" Shining Armor said with a groan, watching his wife flip through countless magazines and advertisements. Cadance only giggled, booping her husband with a quick flick of her hoof and smiling.

"Nope! I really wasn't," she said happily, placing a mug of coffee down on the large crystal table. Shining Armor sighed, putting his head in his hooves.

"Alright, what have you got in mind?" he asked. Cadance grinned.

"Okay, so what I was thinking was doing a giant dance party in that minor club downtown," she said, flipping a page in the magazine she was reading and showing it to her husband.

Shining Armor looked at it skeptically. "A club? She's only fifteen," he said.

"It's a club for minors, dear," Cadance explained, "no harm, no foul."

"I know... but it still doesn't seem very appropriate for a filly her age. If we're introducing her to the concept of clubs, who knows what she might go and do when she is of legal age?" Shining Armor said, quirking an eyebrow at Cadance. Cadance chuckled, laughing it off with a shrug.

"And what exactly is she going to be going out and doing?" she asked teasingly. Shining Armor's eyes widened as he looked at the mare in awe.

"What the hay, Cadance," he said, his eyebrows furrowing.

Cadance giggled.

"You're welcome for that," she said with a smile, twirling out of the kitchen happily.

Shining Armor sighed, resuming his previous state of his head in his hooves.

Thorax was getting restless.

Fifteen. Fifteen. Princess Flurry Heart would be turning fifteen in the matter of days, and Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor still hadn't allowed him to spill his secret to her.

What a laugh.

Life would be so much easier if Flurry knew. They could hang out normally, they could pull pranks... oh sweet Celestia all the pranks they would play... it would be so much more fun if Flurry knew, Thorax's life would have a purpose again.

Then again... what if all that stuff never did end up happening?

Thorax stopped. His heart began racing as he pondered over the possibilities.

What if fear ended up consuming Flurry Heart? What if she grew not to trust him? What if she didn't want to be his friend anymore? What if she got so worked up by the fact that her best friend since she was a child had been lying to her all these years? What would she think of him? What would she think of them?

Would she really believe that changelings are all bad creatures? Would she even dare to look at him, let alone give him another chance? What if she didn't care about their friendship in the first place? What if she was only being nice to please her beloved parents?

No.. such nonsense thoughts didn't need to be tolerated in Thorax's mind. Of course she was his friend, she would never have even given him a second look if he wasn't. He knew her too well.

But was it well enough?

What if Flurry really did end up hating him once she found out?

If she ever found out...

Thorax sighed, abruptly bursting into green flames and transforming into Crystal Hoof. He walked down the chilly hallways, his thoughts kept swimming back to him.

That was it. Flurry Heart really could never know if he wanted to keep his friendship with her from falling. They were doing just fine now, why change something with a risk of ruining it all?

Flurry Heart suddenly appeared in front of him, a grin plastered on her face as she bounced in place.

Crystal Hoof immediately plastered on a fake smile. He looked at her excited state, raising his eyebrows.

"Uh... is there something I need to be concerned about?" he asked slowly, as Flurry's face kept brightening by the second. She let out a squeak that sounded half-way between a squeal and a giggle.

"As a matter of fact, there is!" Flurry Heart exclaimed, "I just overheard a conversation between my parents!"

"And... this is a good thing?" Crystal Hoof questioned. Flurry Heart nodded happily, fluttering open her wings and hovering a few inches above ground level.

"Yes! Guess what they were talking about!" she said.

"Enlighten me," Crystal Hoof said.

"My birthday party!" Flurry Heart said, "they're letting me have a club party!"

"A... club party? Aren't you a minor?" Crystal Hoof questioned. Flurry Heart nodded.

"Yeah, but it's a club for minors! Meaning no cider and stuff, but who likes cider anyway?" she said, dragging him into one of the spare rooms. She sat down on the rough couch, and gestured for Crystal Hoof to sit besides her. He did as told. "Alright, now what's your story?" she suddenly asked as they got comfortable.

Crystal Hoof gave her a questioning look.

"My story?" he asked.

"Yeah, when I came up to you you didn't exactly look very happy. I know a fake smile from a real one. Some may call me, I don't know, the daughter of the princess of love?" Flurry said with a teasingly strict face. Crystal Hoof grinned, before dropping his expression and sighing heavily.

"Well, even if there was something wrong, I could never tell you," he said.

"And why's that?" Flurry asked.

"Uh... I... I can't say, actually," Crystal Hoof said, his ears flattening on his head. Flurry's expression instantly sobered.

"Ohh, secret personal guard stuff?" she asked innocently. Crystal Hoof stopped for a few seconds, before gulping and nodding. "Oh, I understand. I guess."

Gosh Crystal Hoof hated lying to her.

"Well, I guess I could give you little snippets? Without really telling you everything, of course. You understand," he reasoned, replaying back her words. Flurry nodded eagerly.

"Spill. Vent. All that good stuff," she said, her head leaning forwards; closer to him.

Crystal Hoof gulped. "Uh... right, well... let's just say, I have this friend," he said slowly. Flurry nodded.

"Friend. Got it. Go on," she encouraged.

"Yeah, friend. And... I'm kind of hiding something from her," Crystal Hoof continued. Flurry's demeanor instantly dropped.

"It's a mare?" she asked solemnly. Crystal Hoof inwardly flinched.

"Uh... yeah, I guess," he said with a shrug.

"And you say you're hiding something from her?" Flurry pondered. Crystal Hoof nodded, beginning to get more and more comfortable with the conversation.

"I am... and it's a pretty bad secret. It's like, my entire life has been a lie to her," he continued. At this point, Flurry's bubbly manner was back, a slight twinkle in her eyes as she smirked ever so slightly. Barely even noticeable.

"Well that can't be a very nice feeling," she said.

"It really isn't..." Crystal Hoof started again, his voice small and quivering. "I... I can't stand it!" he suddenly bellowed. Flurry didn't move, allowing him to continue. "I just... I've been wanting to tell her my entire life! Her parents refuse my boundless requests, and it just isn't fair!" Crystal Hoof yelled.

Flurry Heart didn't move a single muscle. Her large blue orbs eyed him as he vented.

"I've talked to her mentor, her guidances, every pony who was there during the incident all those years ago... I should be trusted! Not stown away like some old piece of furniture!"

By now, Crystal Hoof was rattling on without a care in the world. Flurry Heart still didn't say anything, or show any intention of doing so.

"I mean, I proved to them that I'm trustworthy! I proved to her family that they can trust me! But what do they do?" Tears threatened to fall from Crystal Hoof's eyes. "They let me stay in their fucking house while hiding this stupid secret from their only daughter?!"

Crystal Hoof panted, his voice getting increasingly louder and angrier by the second.

"I'm so done! I'm so tired of hiding my real identity. I've proven that I'm trustworthy countless times! Just because I'm a changeling doesn't mean I have any less heart!!"

Crystal Hoof suddenly stopped, finally coming back to his senses. He looked at Flurry with wide eyes.

Flurry Heart stood ghost still, staring ahead of her as she took it all in. Her face was becoming increasingly redder by the second. Crystal Hoof's jaw dropped at his mistake.

They stood in dead silence for what seemed like a century until something Crystal Hoof would have least expected happened.

She laughed.

Correction, she was laughing.

She, Princess Flurry Heart, the pony who was just bombarded with the biggest secret was laughing.

And she was laughing hard.

Flurry dropped to the ground, clutching her sides as she laughed increasingly louder.

"Wha... what?!" Crystal Hoof said in disbelief. Flurry Heart wiped tears of laughter from her eyes, pushing herself up to face him.

"You're hilarious, you know that!?" she said, before bursting back into a fit of giggles.

"I... I don't understand," Crystal Hoof stammered out.

"Oh please, Thorax," Flurry said. Crystal Hoof's eyes widened at the name. It sounded like a melody coming from her mouth. "Did you honestly think I didn't remember from all those years ago? I'm an alicorn. A naturally born one, too," she said, trying to calm her fits of laughter.

"You mean... you knew all along?!" Crystal Hoof exclaimed in disbelief. Flurry Heart was only able to nod. "I... I don't know what to say!"

"How about showing me your true form?" Flurry teased. Crystal Hoof laughed, summoning his transformation and erupting into dark green flames.

Thorax the changeling stood where Crystal Hoof once had. He grinned sheepishly at her.

Flurry only laughed cheekily, running in for a well overdue hug.

Author's Note

Sooner or later, the birthday chapters are going to stop. >.< XD

haha it finally happened!! XD :rainbowkiss:

and hey...

the party's just begun.

time to get into the real drama. XD

Her Sixteenth

I'll Wait For You
Ink Mage

Chapter Five
Age Sixteen

"Don't you think we should tell them soon?" Crystal Hoof complained, walking by Flurry Heart as she turned to him and gave him her signature smirk.

"Nah, they tortured you for fifteen years about this.... and it's only been a single year so far," she said slyly. Crystal Hoof threw his head back.

"You're so evil," he said simply, grinning at her. Flurry Heart shrugged.

"Yeah, I tend to have that effect on people," she said simply.

"But seriously, Flurry, your parents still don't know that you know about my changeling form. It's been far too long, we should tell them sooner or later," Crystal Hoof reasoned, "you haven't seen your father's anger like I have. Trust me." He shuddered.

Flurry laughed. "Oh are you really scared of my dad? C'mon, Thorax." She gave him a playful punch as they made their way into a secluded room. Crystal Hoof sighed.

"I'm not scared, I'm just... taking the necessary precautions to ensure the absolute and utter safety of the princess who controls most of the Crystal Empire's weather. Seriously, Flurry, your powers are the only thing that actually scare me," Crystal Hoof joked. Flurry grinned, lighting up her horn and creating a few swirls of snow around him.

"Oh, like this?" she asked teasingly, making a snowball with her magic and dropping it onto his head. Crystal Hoof squealed and shook his head roughly.

"Yeah! Exactly like that!" he exclaimed, as the two started laughing. Flurry looked to her cutie mark; a large crystaline heart between swirls of different-colored sprinkles of snow and frost.

"It is pretty awesome, isn't it," she sighed happily. Crystal Hoof raised his eyebrows at her.

"By awesome, do you mean downright frightening? Because there's a fine line between those two," he said, before erupting into flames and transforming into his changeling form.

Flurry smiled upon seeing him. "I love it when you do that," she said.

Thorax grinned. "I love it that you love it when I do that," he teased.

"Hey, I just got the most brilliant idea ever," Flurry suddenly said, her eyes widening as she appeared to think over something. Thorax nodded, gesturing for her to continue.

"Do go on, Princess. I am eager to listen to what your heart has to tell." He winked. Flurry slapped him playfully before clearing her throat.

"How about we break the news to my parents on my birthday? It's only in a few days, so it'll be perfect!" she exclaimed. Thorax looked at her curiously.

"Break what news?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowing.

"About how I know about your changeling-ness," she said. Thorax's eyes widened.

"I thought we weren't telling them," he said.

Flurry Heart smirked. "That would be an awesome return gift though, don't you think?"

"I take it back, you're not evil," Thorax said, "you're downright despicable." He grinned.

Flurry whipped her hair with her hoof for dramatic effect. "Well, I do have my moments," she teased. "Now come on! We have some serious pranking to do."

"Sixteen, huh?" Thorax snorted.

"Hey, everypony loves a good prank," Flurry said, moving to walk out the door. Thorax grinned, nodding.

"Well alright, who will I be taking the form of today?" he asked. Flurry smirked, thinking.

"What about... my father?" she asked cunningly. Thorax gaped at her.

"Your father?! Only Celestia knows what'll happen if he were ever to find out!" he exclaimed.

"Weren't we just discussing how you weren't afraid of my parents?" Flurry asked knowingly. Thorax sighed.

"Well played, Flurry Heart, well played," he said, before transforming into Shining Armor with a flash. Thorax struck a quick pose, shooting her a wink. "Well, how do I look? Fabulous, no?"

Flurry couldn't help but chortle.

"Cadance, dear," Shining Armor said as he looked over a giant array of papers and diagrams on a coffee table in the kitchen, "I get that it's her Sweet Sixteen and all, but isn't this a little too much?"

Cadance shook her head. "Shiney, if it was too much, I would have called in the flamingos!"

Shining Armor raised an eyebrow. "And those flamingos would then make it too much? Why not just call them anyway?" he asked, before his eyes widened. "Oh no, I didn't just give you an idea, did I?"

"You may have," Cadance smacked her lips together as she smirked at her husband's groan.

"You have got to be kidding me," Shining Armor said.

"Okay, come on, even you can admit that flamingos make everything better," Cadance said. Shining Armor thought about this.

"You're right," he said with a grin.

"I always am!" Cadance said, twirling on her left hind leg.

Shining Armor muttered something under his breath, turning to leave the kitchen. "I should go check on Array Six of the house guards. They promised me a full report on Area Fifteen and I need to get that done before dinner. Save me some salad, or something?" he asked, turning to his wife who was giving him a blank look.

"Honey, Array Six gave you their report two weeks ago," she reminded. Shining Armor stopped, planting his hoof on his forehead and sighing.

"Oh yes, it was Array Four then, my mistake." He made way to leave again, but Cadance stopped him.

"Uhm... no, Array Four gave you their report three days ago. Are you overworking again?" she asked, a concerned look plastered on her face. Shining sighed.

"Just ensuring upmost protection for our Flurry. She's getting older, she needs more protection and ponies looking out for her wellbeing," he reasoned. Cadance frowned.

"I think you got that a little mixed up, but alright," she said, "don't work yourself dry though, I still need my quality Shining time." She winked, making Shining Armor blush profusely. Cadance laughed, sending him off with a quick motion of her hooves. "I'm just teasing, go out and do what you have to do."

"Right... well, I'll go do that now," Shining Armor said, opening the door with his magic.

"Oh and, Shiney, it was Array Five Hundred Sixty Three that needed their report in by the end of today," Cadance called.

"I was close!" Shining said over his shoulder, exiting the room.

Shining Armor made his way through the castle, weaving in and out of all the many hallways and passages, trying to get to the training grounds before role call begun.

He suddenly heard voices from somewhere nearby, and if he wasn't mistaken, it sounded like his beloved daughter and... himself?

Shining Armor immediately broke course, determined to investigate this further. He walked through one of the restricted areas, only to come face to face with a scene he never expected to see.

Shining Armor- I mean, somepony who looked exactly like him was ordering a guard around, and Flurry Heart was behind and off to the side, laughing her head off.

"Now, do the chicken dance!" 'Shining Armor' declared. The guard gave him a questioning look, but didn't say anything as he began to walk around and cluck like a chicken.

"BAHAHAAHAHAHA!!" Flurry Heart laughed, rolling on the floor and clutching her sides.

Reality hit Shining Armor like a brick. That wasn't some random impersonator... it was Thorax!

Shining Armor's eyes narrowed as he stared upon the changeling. He really had Flurry Heart fooled, didn't he. Shining Armor knew that if Flurry knew who she was dealing with, she wouldn't be laughing so hard.

"Tell him to go and do my homework for me!" Flurry Heart yelled to Thorax. Thorax turned and gave her a wide grin, looking back to the guard.

"You heard my daughter!" he yelled, "go and do her homework for her!"

The guard instantly sprang up and ran out of the hall, going straight in the direction of Flurry's room.

Shining Armor thought his was the perfect time to make his presence known, but Flurry had other plans.

"Oh that was brilliant!" she said, wiping a few tears of laughter from her eyes. "Simply brilliant! Splendid! Hilarious! Miraculous! You name it!"

Thorax smirked through his disguise. "I know! That was by far the best transformation you've ever asked of me!"

Shining Armor frowned. What was Thorax going on about? What were these two talking about? Why wasn't Flurry questioning her so-called 'father' about his antics? Something wasn't adding up.

"My pranking record just went up by five million! Do you think its enough to beat Rainbow Dash?" Flurry asked, still trying to get over her laughs.

"Well, with me by your side, your pranks will soon be legendary!" Thorax said.

"Oh sweet Celestia, Thorax," Flurry Heart said, bursting into laughs once again, "that was bloody brilliant! Did you see his face? I-"

"What in Equestria is going on here," Shining Armor suddenly said, stepping out from the curtains he was hiding in. Flurry Heart and Thorax both froze on their spots, turning around slowly to face Flurry's dad.

Shining Armor was less than pleased.

"Shit," Flurry Heart said, instantly looking over to Thorax who had a dumbstruck facial expression on. Shining Armor ignored her, turning to Thorax.

"Thorax, what the hell is going on," he said in a calm voice. Thorax gulped.

"Uh... I..." he stammered, trying to make out words.

"First of all, remove that ridiculous disguise," Shining Armor said. Thorax dropped his head, nodding. He quickly transformed back into his regular changeling form, looking between Shining Armor and Flurry.

"Now, let me ask this once again. What. Is. Going. On."

"Oh Dad!" Flurry Heart suddenly exclaimed, running up to him and getting onto her knees. "It wasn't Thorax's fault! Honest! He never meant to tell me! I knew all along!"

"You... what?" Shining Armor asked in disbelief. Flurry nodded desperately.

"It's true! I remember when Thorax first looked at me when I was a baby! I always knew that my foalhood friend Crystal Hoof was in fact a changeling," she explained. "This isn't Thorax's fault! Please don't punish him for something he never did!"

Shining Armor gaped at his daughter, looking between her and the shocked changeling who was staring at Flurry. Thorax was looking at her with a meaningful look, a look that could only mean one thing, 'Thank You'.

Shining Armor looked at Thorax, and then at Flurry. He huffed, turning away so that his back was facing them.

"We'll talk about this tomorrow," he said, before trotting out of the hallway in another direction.

Thorax immediately looked towards Flurry Heart, who had a pained and relieved expression on her face.

God, she looked beautiful.

'Whoa, what? What am I saying?' Thorax thought to himself. 'I am absolutely not allowed to think of Flurry in that way. Nope, not at all.'

Thorax gazed upon his foalhood friend. She had just saved him. Saved him from the upmost wrath of her father.

'She saved me. She actually saved me...'

"Flurry, I-"

"Thorax, I just-"

They looked at each other for what seemed like hours, a faint blush beginning to tint both of their faces.

"You first."

"You go first."

They met eye contact.

"Thank you..." Thorax said softly, moving closer to her. Flurry did the same, stepping closer to him.

They moved till there was almost no space between them. Flurry suddenly dropped her gaze, a sad frown etching her facial features. She turned, looking away from him. Thorax looked at her almost helplessly.

"You're welcome," she almost whispered, before disappearing down the hall.

In the far reaches of the Frozen North, a young stallion emerged from the frosty bushes and cold snow storms of the south. He looked every direction, desperately trying to find someplace warm.

He spotted a nearby cave, a glowing warmth radiating from it. He moved closer to it.

It was the perfect campout spot to plan his next move.

After making a fire and warming himself up besides him, he took out a newspaper from his satchel, looking at the pictures with an icy stare.

It showed Princess Flurry Heart's sixteenth birthday party, a giant bash filled with fun and flamingos. His eyes sought one individual; he found who he was looking for in the very corner of the picture.

"I'll get you, Crystal Hoof... I'll get you back for all the pain you caused me. You bloody identity thief. You reckless stupid pony who took my face from me."

His eyes moved to the middle of the picture, where Flurry Heart was standing having a laugh with her friends.

"And I know exactly how I'll do it."

He smiled evilly, placing the newspaper away.

"All I need is a little time..."

Her Seventeenth

I'll Wait For You
Ink Mage

Chapter Six
Age Seventeen

The lone lapis colored stallion trudged into the bar at the edge of the Crystal Empire. Princess Cadance and Shining Armor did their best to limit the number of buildings which sold alcohol in the kingdom, but that didn't mean a few were left untouched.

The stallion made a gruff notion to the bartender, shaking his head as he laid it on the wooden table.

"Mix me up some of everything," he said in a deep voice. The bartender nodded, getting to work on making his concoction.

It had been a year since the incident in the cave, and the stallion wasn't any closer to his goal than he had been a year ago.

"Crys Dunkin?" somepony asked from besides him. The stallion jerked his head up to look at the newcomer. It was an older pony, one whom he recognized very well.

"Oh, it's you, Power Out. It's been a while, it's not very nice to see you," Crys Dunkin said in monotone. The stallion barked his head up and behind, letting out a brief chuckle.

"It's good to see you too, Crys Dunkin. It definitely has been a while, how's life been treating you?" Power Out asked him, sipping his drink. Crys Dunkin gave him a blank look.

"Have you not seen that ginormous lookalike parading around the Crystal Castle with my face on?" he buffed. Power Out shrugged.

"When you're as old as I am, you tend to overlook the minor details."

"Minor details?!" Crys Dunkin bellowed, stomping his hoof onto the ground. "Minor details? All this to you is a minor detail."

"Hey, dude, take it easy, I mean no harm," Power Out said, leaning back in his seat with another sip of his drink.

Crys Dunkin stared at the foaming mug in front of him, eyeing it suspiciously before picking it up and chugging it down in one gulp. He sighed, cleaning his now dirty lips and passing it back to the bartender.

"Another." He looked back to Power Out. "Don't tell me you don't know what's going on," he said.

"What?" Power Out asked. Crys Dunkin grumbled something under his breath.

"I think the rumors aren't just somepony trying to play a prank on the kingdom... there really is a changeling. And it's living in the castle under the impression of my face."

"A changeling? But those old thing disappeared hundreds and thousands of moons ago! During the royal wedding!" Power Out exclaimed, not bothering to hide his nervousness. Crys Dunkin deadpanned him a look.

"Really now? And what about that incident seventeen years ago?" he asked. Power Out's ears dropped to his forehead as he sighed.

"For all we know that stray changeling went back to the hide ages ago, we can't be sure of anything," he said. Crys Dunkin snorted, taking a large sip from his drink.

"Right, right. Call me when you expect me to believe that," he moaned at the increasingly larger headache he was starting to experience. "Anyway, now that I don't, and won't ever believe that, I'll tell you exactly what I plan on doing about this."

"And what is that?" Power Out asked curiously, leaning forward in his seat.

"I need to get my revenge for all the pain and doubt that has gone through in my life. Oh Power Out... you don't even know what I've experienced," Crys Dunkin said, "everywhere I went, ponies laughed at me, telling me that I was trying to get attention by dressing up like the princess' personal guard. It was pitiful." He stopped to sip his drink again. "I, of course, had no idea what they were talking about, until just a little over a year ago, when I saw a newspaper with a pony who looked exactly like me on the front page." He drank more. "I had no idea what was going on, but quickly put the pieces together, and decided I would need to take action on this... so I devised a plan."

"Well that could never mean anything good," Power Out joked, causing Crys Dunkin to glare at him. "Alright alright, I know you want to ask me. Yeah, I'll help."

"That's what I thought." Crys Dunkin's gaze lowered. "This Crystal Hoof pony seems to have gotten pretty chummy with the young princess, hasn't he?" Crys Dunkin let a deadly smirk pass onto his face.

"Well, yeah, I suppose. They've known each other practically their entire lives," Power Out reasoned.

"Have you noticed that this colt seems to never age?" Crys Dunkin suddenly asked. "It's all too suspicious for me."

"You can't possibly be serious! I highly doubt Princess Mi Amore and Shining Armor would allow a changeling to walk around the castle and socialize with their only daughter!" Power Out said.

"Ah, but seventeen years ago, that changeling proved himself worthy," Crys Dunkin said. "I imagine Queen Chrysalis is quite angered about this whole situation."

"The queen of the changeling hive?" Power Out inquired. Crys Dunkin nodded, glugging more of his now third mug.

"Yes... I suppose we would be nicely rewarded if... oh, I don't know, we were to bring him back to her?" he said with a smile creeping up his face. Power Out gawked at him.

"What are you suggesting?" he asked in a deadly whisper.

Crys Dunkin laughed, rubbing his hooves together. "I'm thinking we could have a bit of fun with this..."

"Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday Princess Flurry... Happy birthday to you!!"

Flurry Heart grinned widely as she cut open the chocolate filled cake. Cadance and Shining Armor were instantly by her side, taking cake into their hooves and splashing it onto their daughter's face.

"Hey!" Flurry exclaimed through snorts of laughter, "Mom! Dad! Stop it!"

Cadance and Shining Armor laughed as they finished smearing the treat on her cheeks.

"It's only tradition, sweetheart," Cadance said, taking her daughter in for a hug.

"Now go wash up while we cut this cake for you," Shining Armor said, lightly pushing her in the direction of the bathroom. Flurry laughed, nodding back to them.

"The first slice's mine!" she called, before disappearing down the hallway.

Crystal Hoof smiled gleefully upon looking over the celebration. Flurry's friends were huddled up in the living room, getting ready to play another round of Twister, and the adults of the party were busy chatting and drinking.

Crystal Hoof went to the bar, grabbing a drink for himself and uncorking it.

"Now now, Crystal Hoof. Remember to set a good example for our daughter," Cadance teased as she and Shining Armor approached him. Crystal Hoof grinned up at them, bowing his head slightly out of respect.

"Yeah Crystal Hoof, don't get too wasted," a new voice called out for them. The three turned to see Flurry Heart trotting towards them. Crystal Hoof's eyes instantly softened upon looking at her, as the two went in for a quick hug.

"I don't think I ever told you today, but happy birthday, Princess," Crystal Hoof said, shooting her a wink as they pulled away. Flurry giggled, letting go of him and striking a pose.

"How do I look?" she asked, flipping her hair.

Crystal Hoof laughed. "Ravishing," he said, grabbing her hoof and twirling her around.

Cadance and Shining Armor looked at them with amused smiles. Cadance nudged Shining Armor's side, shooting him a smirk and then glancing at Crystal Hoof and Flurry Heart. Shining Armor groaned, turning and walking away from them. Cadance laughed, following suit to find her husband.

"Enjoying the party?" Flurry Heart asked Crystal Hoof; the two barely noticing Cadance and Shining Armor leaving. Crystal Hoof nodded excitedly.

"Oh yeah, it's a blast. Though I can't wait till I can just go crash on my bed and call it a night," he said. Flurry nodded as the two began walking away from the main part of the celebration.

"I hear you, as much as I love my friends, I think I'll always love sleep a little more," she said with a wink.

"Of course," Crystal Hoof said jokingly, as the two made their way into the upper balconies. Flurry sighed, leaning over the railing as the cool breeze hit them. Crystal Hoof closed the doors behind them before turning to her.

"Can you detransform now?" Flurry asked softly, looking over her shoulder to face him. Crystal Hoof nodded, erupting into flames before showing himself as his true form.

Flurry smiled, letting go of the railing and slowly walking towards him. She held out her hoof for him to take, which he did.

Slowly, she placed his other hoof on her waist, and her left leg on his shoulder. Thorax watched her as she got into a comfortable position.

"Dance," she whispered, guiding him to begin the waltz.

Thorax bit his lip nervously. "Flurry... I've never done this before. What if I mess up?"

Flurry looked at him in surprise. "You've never learnt how to ballroom dance?" she asked, "haven't any of your marefriends ever danced with you?"

Thorax looked away shyly. "I've never had a marefriend before," he said quietly.

Flurry's cheeks instantly turned a bright shade of crimson. "Oh."

She suddenly grabbed his hoof, leaning back and letting herself fall into the rhythm she had built up for them. She slowly reached up so that her mouth was right besides his left ear.

"Then follow me," she whispered, before spinning herself and landing into his arms.

Sensing it was his turn, Thorax quickly took Flurry's hooves and started tapping his hind legs to a random beat on the hard crystal floor of the balcony. Flurry smiled at his attempt to please her, and quickly started following him. Wherever he was taking her with this.

She could tell he was very nervous. But it didn't stop him from trying his best, and Flurry admired that.

"You're a natural," she said once they started picking up the pace.

Thorax blushed, but didn't say anything.

Their foreheads connected as their dance came to a halt. Their breathing was in sync as they cooled down together.

Thorax's eyes drooped as if he had just realized something, and he slowly backed away from her. Flurry looked at him in confusion as he turned so that his tail was facing her.

"Thorax...?" she called softly.

Thorax took a deep breath, beginning to walk away from her.

"Happy birthday, Princess Flurry."

Her Virtue

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."

Her Punishment

I'll Wait For You
Ink Mage

Chapter Eight
Her Punishment
Age Seventeen

Shining Armor stormed through the castle hallways, his ears red in anger as Flurry Heart was dragged behind him. She was teary-eyed and cold, her constant cries to her father going without notice.

"Dad! Dad please! That wasn't him! I swear!" she kept telling him. Shining Armor didn't answer; he didn't show any sign of hearing her. Flurry Heart tugged on her father's hoof as he took her deeper into the castle walls.

"Dad! Stop! Where are you taking me?!" she cried out. Shining Armor stopped, entering a secluded room in the castle and throwing the door close as he approached his daughter.

"What did that bastard do?" he asked in a low voice. Flurry Heart shook her head.

"It wasn't him! I swear I-"

"Flurry, you're not in your right mind... tell me, how far did he go?!" Shining Armor pushed. Flurry Heart looked away, tears fighting their way out of her eyes. Shining Armor's eyebrows furrowed. He grabbed her shoulders and started shaking her. "Princess Flurry Cadenza Heart, answer me right this instant. How. Far. Did. He. Go."

"It..." Flurry choked out, "he..."

Shining Armor's eyes widened. "What?! Flurry, tell me! Please!"

Flurry snapped her head up and looked straight into her father's eyes. "It was close."

"Close?" Shining Armor let out a breath of relief.

Flurry could only nod. "Close. I... you came in before things got..." She coughed.

Shining Armor closed his eyes, enveloping his daughter into a much-needed hug. Flurry stood there stiffly, not embracing him back and biting her lip.

"Dad. You need to know something," she said, "that wasn't Thorax."

"Of course it wasn't, dear," Shining Armor said, shooting a dark look to the door of the room. He gently pushed her away before galloping out. Flurry sniffled, wiping away a few stray tears before sinking to the floor.

"He didn't listen to me..." she whispered, "he didn't... listen... to me..."

Shining Armor stormed out of the castle after notifying the rest of the house guards. He immediately walked to the stationary guards keeping watch outside the castle.

"Let everypony on patrol duty areas one through six know to look for Crystal Hoof," he told them in a hushed whisper. "If you find him, throw him in the dungeons and leave him to me. I need to talk to him. Urgent matter six-fifty-four."

"Sir!" the guards saluted with wide eyes before fanning out into the arena.

Shining Armor furrowed his eyebrows as he began his own search near the front portion of the castle.

At that moment, Crystal Hoof came into view, skipping with a basket of flowers in his mouth. He perked upon seeing Shining Armor. He quickly waved to him, setting down the flowers to speak.

"Prince Shining Armor, what are you doing outside the castle walls? Is there trouble?"

Shining Armor's face turned red. How could he be acting so casual about this entire mess?

"Get out."

Crystal Hoof's eyes widened as he received the order.

"What? What do you mean?" he asked, "I don't understand, Sir."

"Get. Out."

Crystal Hoof stepped back in shock. Shining Armor's ears were gradually turning bright scarlet as steam fumed out of his nose. He was getting angry. Very angry.

"I never want to see your sorry little face again," Shining Armor continued in a deadly whisper. "Do you understand me? Do we understand each other?"

"But... Sir... what did I do wrong?!"

"Oh you know exactly what shit you did wrong," Shining Armor said, "now if you value your life, I suggest you get out of my sight this very instant."

"Can I at least talk to Flurry-"

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!!" Shining Armor suddenly bellowed, attracting the attention of a certain pink princess from her balcony window. "YOU MAY NOT GO NEAR PRINCESS FLURRY HEART, LET ALONE SPEAK TO HER!!"

"I... I just..."

"YOU SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THIS BEFORE DOING THE DISGUSTING ACT YOU PULLED!!"

Flurry Heart cowered on the balcony step in fear of what was going to happen to her best friend.

"No... Dad please... stop..." she silently whispered to herself, knowing very well she would have no power in the matter if she were to butt into her father's angry rampage.

"W-what did I do... wrong?" Crystal Hoof said softly. "Why are you doing this to me...?"

Shining Armor didn't answer, his gaze was hard and cold as he reached his hooves out and pushed back the stallion roughly.

"Get..."

He punched him.

"Out..."

He kicked him.

"Of..."

He pushed him.

"My..."

He slapped him.

"Sight!"

With one swift motion, Shining Armor lifted his hoof to hurt him again, just before Crystal Hoof spun himself, transforming into Thorax with a burst of green flames and spreading his wings wide.

Thorax lifted himself into the air, just barely missing Shining Armor's raised hoof. He made his way to the princess who was standing on her balcony. He smiled softly upon seeing the silent tears running down her cheek.

He quickly flew towards her, ignoring the screams coming from her father. He stroked her chin, as she closed her eyes and relished in his presence.

"What happened..." he said softly, but not in a questioning manner. Flurry looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Do you have to go...?" she asked in a hushed whisper. Thorax only nodded.

"I'll be back... I'll be back Flurry, don't you worry about me. I'll fix all of this," he said, locking their foreheads together before turning away from her.

Flurry looked at his figure as it moved further and further away from the castle. She looked below her to see her father storming inside the castle with a red face. Her eyes narrowed as she replayed what had just happened over in her mind.

Silently, without another word, she flew down onto the crystal floor surrounding the castle, trotting slowly up to the fallen basket of flowers Thorax had been carrying mere minutes ago.

Tears glistened in the sunlight as they made their way down her cheek. She knelt forwards, picking up a few of the fallen petals from the roses and putting them into her hair.

"Please come back soon..." she whispered, closing her eyes and turning. She walked slowly out of the courtyard, into the streets of the Crystal Empire.

Author's Note

Terribly sorry for the short hiatus. >.< I'm just been extremely busy these past few weeks. :3 EDIT: Art in this chapter by NorthernLights8.

Her Twelfth

Author's Note

Okay but honestly why isn't there a Flurry Heart character tag.

Art in this chapter by NorthernLights8.

Her Twelfth

I'll Wait For You
Ink Mage

Chapter One
Age Twelve

He couldn't explain it.

When Flurry Heart was born, there was just some sort of invisible force pulling him towards the empire.

He didn't know what to do.

One minute the protective barrier surrounding the empire was there, and the next, it wasn't.

Thorax was able to slip into the kingdom going unnoticed. He weaved in and out of the frightened crystal ponies, inching his way closer and closer to the castle in the middle of the empire.

The crystalling was breathtaking, especially for the young changeling. Princess Flurry Heart looked absolutely incredible in the hooves of her parents. Thorax watched the ceremony in awe, laughing at Flurry's adorable facial expressions whenever somepony touched her, or tried communicating with her.

The fatal weather wasn't of any concern to him, but he definitely wanted to get closer. Somehow.

Thorax roamed the empire for days, trying to get ponies to trust him, to make friends with him, but it was proven impossible. He would disguise himself as a crystal pony, befriend somepony on the streets, then show them his true form, and just like that, they would run away, screaming for help.

Thorax knew, of course, why this was happening to him. They didn't... they couldn't trust changelings after the attack on Canterlot. Nopony seemed to listen to him though. Nopony at all.

He couldn't live like this much longer. He needed food before he starved to death.

Until that one day, when a small purple and green dragon roamed into his quarters underneath the empire. Spike was... amazing to him. He accepted Thorax for whom he was, and even offered to help him! Thorax was touched that Spike looked past his disturbing looks and brought him inside the empire.

By disguising himself as Crystal Hoof, he was able to enter the castle and meet many friendly ponies. Everypony was so excited to hear about Spike's friend, they didn't bother questioning him further.

When Thorax met Princess Cadance, he was nervous. But he knew that only she could introduce him to the baby, the one pony Thorax was so keen on meeting.

Thorax approached Flurry Heart with caution. He knew that if he got too close his changeling senses would take over and rid him of his disguise.

She was... she was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Thorax made sure to tell Cadance about that.

Unfortunately... it was just too much. The love surrounding the little princess was too much for Thorax. He couldn't control his hunger... he had to... had had to...

To put it mildly, Thorax couldn't help his sudden outburst, and his flee from the castle.

But what happened next, he never expected. Spike had come up to him, he had apologized for not defending him better, he promised to make it up to him.

He was a true friend.

When Thorax's name was cleared, he was able to live in the Empire freely as long as he was under the watchful eye of the guards and Prince Shining Armor himself. Shining couldn't bring himself to fully accept Thorax, but the changeling had to give it to him for doing his best.

Thorax was able to meet Princess Flurry Heart again, her laughter echoing throughout the castle walls as he played with her, swinging her around, chasing her, playfully bantering with her.

He watched her grow up.

He watched her become the beautiful young princess she is.

He was with her every step of the way.

But she didn't know it.

"Crystal Hoof, come in here please, there's something Princess Cadance and I need to speak with you about," Shining Armor said years later, beckoning for the small blue colt to come into his office.

Thorax gulped. Shining Armor didn't usually want to speak with him alone, whenever he did, he knew it wasn't a good sign.

Princess Cadance was already seated inside the room, giving Thorax a friendly smile when she saw him.

"Shining dear, close the door and tell the guards they don't have to keep watch," she said. Her husband nodded, turning and doing exactly that. The guards looked skeptical of the colt, but brushed it off and nodded firmly, giving their captain a salute before leaving their post outside the door.

"Uh... what's this all about?" Thorax asked, biting his lower lip. Cadance smiled, but Shining Armor looked stern.

"You can let go of your disguise," he stated. Thorax breathed a sigh of relief, before his body erupted into green flames and changed into his true form. That of a changeling.

"What's going on?" he asked. Shining Armor sighed.

"Well, as you know, Flurry Heart has now reached the wonderful age of twelve," he started. Thorax raised an eyebrow.

"Isn't her birthday tomorrow?" he teased, before instantly sobering at Shining's expression.

"Anyway," Shining said, "Princess Cadance and I have come to an... agreement."

Thorax looked between the prince and princess. Cadance was still smiling at him, a knowing look in her eyes. She shot him a wink, before taking over the conversation.

"Yes, actually, we were wondering if you'd be willing to take on the position of Flurry Heart's personal guard," she said spontaneously, clapping her hooves together. Thorax did a double take, stumbling backwards as her words sunk in. He knew Shining Armor would never allow this; he looked over to him, and sure enough, a hard glare was set in place.

"Uh..." He coughed. "Really?"

"Apparently," Shining Armor replied. "You see, Flurry Heart is a growing mare... not to mention the princess of the Crystal Empire, our daughter," his face softened, "I'd hate for anything bad to ever happen to her. And seeing as you are a changeling..."

Thorax gulped. "I'd... I'd be honored, Your Majesty's," he said.

Cadance smiled. "I'm sure you will," she said.

"But... Flurry doesn't-"

"That's Princess Flurry Heart," Shining Armor said.

"Oh, yes. Princess Flurry Heart doesn't know... she doesn't know who I am," Thorax supplied. Shining Armor only shrugged.

"And I don't think she'll ever have the need to," he said. "I don't think she'll take the news of your species lightly. She wasn't grown up thinking changelings are anything good."

"Of course," Thorax said.

"If suspicions do arise, just turn them down," Shining Armor said. Cadance nodded.

"I know she's very good friends with Crystal Hoof. And I don't know if her knowing that you're her personal guard now will change anything in your relationship. It's up to you whether or not you want to tell her," she said.

"That I'm her guard now?" Thorax asked. Cadance nodded. "Well... if I know Flurry-"

"Princess Flurry," Shining Armor but in.

"Right, sorry. If I know Princess Flurry, she's very persistent," Thorax said.

"I agree," Cadance said. Thorax nodded.

"Maybe I'll wait a bit to tell her," he said. Cadance nodded.

"Sure, do whatever you think is best." She smiled. "I know you two are friends. This isn't going to change anything."

Thorax gave her an uneasy grin, but nodded. "Sure, when should I head over to her quarters?" he asked. Shining Armor snorted, earning a disapproving look from his wife. His demeanor quickly changed as he lowered his head with a secret smile playing on his lips.

"Right. Well, I can call Flurry Heart over, or you can go there yourself," he said with a gesture towards the triggers that were used to signal the castle bells.

Thorax shook his head. "I think I'm fine with just walking, actually, Sir," he said. Shining Armor nodded.

"Got it, don't forget to activate that transformation of yours before she sees you, or anypony for that matter," he said.

"Wouldn't dream of it." Thorax gave his lopsided grin before making his way to the exit. "Goodnight, your highnesses," he said, before leaving.

Shining Armor turned to Princess Cadance.

"They'll be alright, won't they?" he asked. Cadance smiled, a slight twinkle in her eyes. Shining Armor groaned, recognizing his wife's look. "Cadance, dear, please don't."

"And why ever not, Shining?" she asked playfully.

"Because they only view each other as friends, that won't ever change, and you know it. They've been around each other too long for anything like that," Shining Armor argued. Cadance grinned, looping her hooves around Shining Armor's neck, pulling him down to her level so that they were looking at each other eye-to-eye.

"May I remind you how we started dating?" she asked. Shining Armor's ears turned bright pink as she continued. "And don't tell me you're going to play the over-protective father card on our little girl, you know her better than that. She's tough, much like you," Cadance said.

"I know, Cadance, but I have the right to be worried for her," Shining said. "Besides, he's much too old for her."

"You know as well as I do that changelings stop aging after a while. And with Flurry being an alicorn..."

"That doesn't give it an excuse!" Shining Armor mumbled. Cadance laughed.

"Oh just... let things go where things go, alright? Go with the flow," she said.

Shining Armor frowned. "Can I still look out for her, though?" he asked with a growing smile.

Cadance grinned. "Yes, but don't do anything severe," she said dismissively, moving back to her desk. "Now off with you." She winked as she brushed her hooves on the top of the hard wood.

Shining Armor mocked a bow and saluted, turning around in place. "Aye-aye, Princess."

Cadance giggled. "Then you are dismissed, good sir."

Flurry Heart's long curly purple locks blew in her face as she walked down the halls of the Crystal Castle. She entered her room, glaring at the stationary guards that were surrounding the doorway.

"You don't have to stay around me all the time," she said sternly. One of the guards stepped out of position, shaking his head firmly.

"Her majesty Princess Cadance thinks otherwise, Princess," he said. Flurry Heart huffed, crossing her hooves and pouting.

"Aren't I a princess too? Don't you need to take orders from the royal family?" she asked hotly.

The guard frowned, weighing in his options as he searched for how to answer the young princess. "Well, yes, Princess. But I'm afraid your mother's orders come before yours. You know that," he settled on, ending the short conversation with a bow. He stepped back to his original place, putting on a stone-faced expression once again.

Flurry Heart sighed. She hated when they did that. "Whatever," she mumbled under her breath, stepping into her room and locking it tightly behind her.

She sighed, moving to her desk and taking out the many papers from school she had to complete before the next day. Homework on the day before her birthday? On that matter, school on her birthday? Who in Equestria would want that?!

"Stupid homework..." she mumbled, picking up a pencil with her magic and fluttering into the air. She sorted the textbooks into piles with her magic, staying in the air as she leaned forward, trying to find a comfortable position in nothing. She took one of the books out, staring at math equations. She groaned.

There was a sharp knock on the door, causing her to jump in surprise, her magic momentarily stopping as her books flew in all sorts of different directions.

"What in the hay..." she said. "Come in!"

A lapis-colored colt entered the room, his hair standing up straight as he tumbled into the room. Flurry Heart instantly grinned, floating down to the ground to greet the guest.

"Crystal Hoof!" she exclaimed happily, pulling him in for a brief hug. "I haven't seen you all week! What's been happening with you?"

Crystal Hoof smiled in her direction, instantly noticing the scattered papers all around the room.

"Were you working in the air again?" he asked. Flurry Heart frowned.

"Uh... maybe?"

Crystal Hoof sighed, before erupting into a fit of light giggles.

"Anyway, didn't the guards interrogate you or something?" Flurry Heart asked. Crystal Hoof lifted an eyebrow.

"Interrogate me? Why would they do that?" he asked curiously.

Flurry Heart sighed. "Because they're all over-protective jerks. Don't they know I'm almost twelve?! I can take care of myself," she said. Crystal Hoof's eyes widened as if he just remembered something.

"Oh right! Speaking of which... happy early birthday, Princess," he said with a wink, taking her hoof and twirling her around. Flurry Heart laughed, leaning back and landing on her bed. Crystal Hoof followed suit, and the two laid side-by-side.

"Hehe, thank you," Flurry Heart said, "seems like it was just yesterday Mom and Dad were throwing cake at my face. My sixth birthday party."

Crystal Hoof grinned. "Ooh I remember that one! It was so much fun! Our friends from Ponyville came!" he exclaimed. Flurry Heart nodded excitedly.

"Yeah! Remember when we played that prank on Rainbow Dash?" she asked. Crystal Hoof chuckled.

"That was amazing! She never even saw it coming!" he said. Flurry Heart sighed, still laughing a bit, cuddling into the sheets. Crystal Hoof smiled from besides her, pulling up from the bed as he smiled down at her.

"Goodnight," he said softly. "You... you may be seeing a lot more of me from now on."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Flurry Heart asked, pulling up the covers as she closed her eyes. "Oh and would you mind looking over my notes for the test tomorrow?"

Crystal Hoof grinned. "It means that I'll be spending more time with you from now on. And absolutely not," he said.

Flurry Heart pouted, her eyes still closed. She looked incredibly adorable. "Well you're nice. And that sounds awesome," she said. Crystal Hoof laughed, turning around and heading to the doorway.

"Goodnight Princess," he said.

"Night."

"Wake up..." Flurry Heart hissed in her parents' ears. "Wake up wake up wake uppp!" Flurry bounced on her father's stomach, causing a gasp of surprise and a startled screech.

"Flurry! What are you doing in here?!" Shining Armor asked as he stood up. Cadance took a deep breath, recovering from the initial shock of her daughter waking her up.

"Same thing I do every year! Come on! It's time for me to open my presents!" she exclaimed, before turning and running out the hall, undoubtedly to wake up the rest of the castle.

Cadance smirked, looking at her husband. Shining Armor returned the look with a glare, watching her climb out of bed. "She really did go on you in more ways than I thought," Cadance said as she pulled on a robe.

Shining Armor snorted. "Oh ha ha very funny," he said, putting a hoof around her and bringing her in for a sweet kiss. "Now come on, you don't want to keep our sweet little angel waiting."

"Of course I don't. Do you?" Cadance asked playfully. Shining Armor scowled, taking a cup of coffee and retreating down the stairs.

"You don't think Thorax is transformed, do you?" Shining Armor asked suddenly. Cadance looked thoughtful.

"Well, considering it's five in the morning, I don't think he is," she said, before both of their eyes widened.

"Oh sweet Celestia," they both chorused together. Shining Armor quickly changed his pace to run, making his way to Thorax's room. Cadance followed close behind, a concerned look plastered on her face.

"Crystal Hoof! Crystal Hoof!" somepony yelled from a few corridors away. Flurry was looking for him. Shining Armor gasped, tugging open the door to Thorax's room and stumbling inside.

"Thorax!" he yelled, causing the changeling to wake up with a start.

"What! What? What?!" Thorax yelled, rubbing his eyes before looking around with a dutiful expression. "Is there trouble? What's going on, Prince Shining Armor?"

"Transform! Quickly!" Shining Armor yelled. Thorax's eyes widened as he realized what was going on. The three of them heard soft footsteps inching their way closer to the room. Thorax stumbled out of bed, erupting into green flames; in a few seconds, the light blue colt stood in his place.

"Oh, there you are!" Flurry Heart's voice echoed through, as the young princess made her presence known. Cadance quickly pulled her daughter in for a hug, kissing her forehead as she praised her.

"Oh happy birthday, sweetheart!" she exclaimed, picking her daughter up and twirling her around. Shining Armor smiled softly at the scene.

"Happy birthday Flurry," he said, kissing her cheek before looking back at Crystal Hoof.

"Uh... happy birthday, Princess Flurry," Crystal Hoof said nervously, twiddling with his hooves as he remembered what Shining Armor had told him the day before. Shining Armor nodded in approval, before sweeping his daughter into his hooves and trotting outside the room.

"Now what would my little princess like for her birthday breakfast?" he asked, rubbing her stomach. Flurry Heart giggled, rolling her eyes.

"I'm not five, Dad," she said, "I don't need special birthday breakfasts."

"You may be older in age, but you aren't older in heart," Shining Armor reminded with a teasing smirk. "Now come on, do you want to be late for school?"

"Ugh! School! Why do I have to go today anyway?!" Flurry whined. Cadance stifled her laughs.

"Who said you had school, honey?" she asked sweetly. Flurry Heart gaped at her.

"What...? Dad did!" she said, before pointing at Crystal Hoof who was standing on the side. "Crystal Hoof did too!"

"Uh... surprise?" Crystal Hoof said, shrugging with a sheepish grin. Flurry Heart gasped.

"What?! This is awesome! There's no school today!" she exclaimed, leaping out of her father's arms and dancing around the kitchen. "But isn't it Thursday?"

"Yes, but we were able to persuade your teacher to let you off for one day excused," Cadance said. Shining Armor nodded.

"Anything for our little girl!" he said, giving her a rough noogie.

Flurry Heart whooped loudly, taking Crystal Hoof's elbow and pulling him into a tango step. "No school! No school! No school no school no school!" she sing-songed. Crystal Hoof laughed as he joined in, singing in a low voice as the two played around.

Cadance shot a sly look at Shining Armor, raising her eyebrows for extra effect. Shining Armor groaned, mentally facehoofing in her direction.

"We're screwed."

Her Fourteenth

I'll Wait For You
Ink Mage

Chapter Three
Age Fourteen

"So... you're having a slumber party tonight for your birthday? Can I join you?" Crystal Hoof teased as he and Flurry Heart walked through the hallways of the castle. They were heading downstairs for dinner.

Flurry Heart smirked. "Sure you can! You can join us as we shine our hooves, make our manes, and talk about colts," she said, shooting him a glance to see his reaction. Crystal Hoof's eyes widened at the last part. He turned to look at her.

"Colts?" he asked, before his lips drew up in a playful smile. "And who is this mysterious pony who caught the princess' eye?"

Flurry giggled under her breath, before reaching out to tap his chest. She winked. "I guess you'll never find out," she said, walking ahead of him. Crystal Hoof gave her a lopsided grin as he followed her.

"Should I be worried? Concerned, even?" he asked. "Oooh what if I tell your parents?"

Flurry stopped, turning around to stare at him. "Oh you wouldn't dare."

Crystal Hoof smirked. "Try me. You know how protective they are over you, even as much to appoint me as your personal guard," he said. Flurry rolled her eyes, memories streaming back to her.

"Oh haha... I remember that day, when I found out what my parents put you up to," she said, holding back a laugh as she saw his face change.

"I still can't believe you knew all along," he said. Flurry Heart smiled.

"There are a lot of things I know, that you all don't know I know," she said before grimacing, "did that come out right?"

Crystal Hoof grinned. "Yeah, I get what you mean, and... I won't question it further, I guess," he said with a shrug. Flurry Heart nodded, before hearing a chiming sound of the doorbell.

"Oh! Those must be my friends!" she exclaimed, spreading her wings out and fluttering into the air. "Gotta fly, see you tomorrow?" she asked, turning back down to look at her companion. Crystal Hoof nodded with a bow.

"Always the pleasure, Princess," he said, before turning around. "Wait..." He looked back at her. "As your personal guard, shouldn't I stay with you?" he asked. Flurry's eyes widened.

"Oh! I... uh..." she stumbled on her words.

"Not to worry," a new voice chimed in. Flurry Heart and Crystal Hoof both turned to see Princess Cadance standing tall in front of them. She shot them both a smile before continuing, "Crystal Hoof will join Shining Armor and I in the kitchen for dinner. There's something I must discuss with him. Flurry, you and your friends can head on upstairs. I'll bring dinner in a few minutes, alright?"

Flurry Heart grinned, leaning up to kiss Cadance on the cheek. "Thanks, Mom!" she said, before hurrying to the door and opening it. Two fillies stumbled inside, both wearing big smiles.

"Flurry Heart!" Ink Mage and Neon Garay exclaimed at the same time. The three went in for a group hug, before separating and making small talk while walking upstairs.

"Happy birthday!" Crystal Hoof managed to yell up to her before the three fillies disappeared.

Cadance turned to Crystal Hoof, smiling at his fond expression. "You really care about her, don't you?" she asked with a knowing glint in her eyes. Crystal Hoof's eyes widened as he stared at her.

"I'm not sure what you're implying by that, but I'm going to chose not to answer," he said smartly, putting his nose up in the air and marching towards the kitchen. Cadance laughed as she quickly scrambled to follow him. The two joked more as they made their way inside the kitchen where two other ponies were waiting for them.

"Sunburst?!" Crystal Hoof exclaimed, gaping at the sight of Flurry Heart's crystaller and mentor. Sunburst and Shining Armor looked up to see the colt. They both smiled as Sunburst fixed his glasses.

"Hullo, Thorax. Is it nice to see you again," he said. Crystal Hoof grinned, instantly erupting into green flames and detransforming back into his changeling form. Sunburst smiled wider.

"Hello, Sunburst! It's awesome to see you again. It's been forever!" Thorax exclaimed, shaking Sunburst's hoof as he and Cadance took a seat at the large dining table.

Shining Armor and Cadance quickly exchanged a loving glance, before returning their attention back to Sunburst and Thorax.

"Sunburst is here to discuss a few things concerning Flurry Heart," Cadance explained. Thorax's ears perked up as he looked between the three ponies sitting besides him. He gulped, and nodded cautiously.

"I see... well, what do you want to talk about?"

"You," Sunburst said, causing Thorax to mentally choke. "We want to talk about you, Thorax. As Princess Flurry's mentor and past crystaller, Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance thought it was only fitting for me to join in on this conversation," he said.

Cadance and Shining Armor both nodded, looking over to Thorax.

"We know it's been hard for you, all these years, keeping such a big secret from one of your best friends. And we are all truly sorry for doing this to you," Shining Armor started, leading his wife on to take over.

"That's right... and we just wanted to say that we-"

"You're letting me tell Princess Flurry Heart about who I really am?!" Thorax interrupted eagerly. "About time too! It's been horrible trying to fend for myself without her knowing."

Cadance frowned.

"Oh... I'm sorry, Thorax. But that's not what we wanted to talk to you about," she said, putting her head down in shame. Thorax's eyes widened as he sighed, sitting back in his chair.

"Oh... ah, I should have known. Whatever, continue, please," he said, waving a hoof at them. Sunburst took a deep breath.

"Alright, well... we were thinking the other day, about your kind. And... well, we were wondering... uh... if it is possible to transform into a pony who doesn't exist... if it is possible to transform into a pony that was created out of imagination?" he said, more of a question than a statement.

Thorax's eyebrows furrowed as he considered the question.

"No, that's not possible. Changeling transformations can only transform a changeling into somepony that is living and breathing. Somepony that is alive. We can't change into ponies that have already passed away, or ponies that never were living at all," he explained, before he tilted his head. "Why?"

Shining Armor looked at his wife in alarm. "So... technically speaking, there's another Crystal Hoof out there?"

Thorax did a double take. He had never considered this.

"I... uh.. wow..." he started, "I guess? I mean, yeah. Yeah there is," he said quietly, trying to figure out what this meant. Shining Armor, Cadance and Sunburst breathed out. Cadance closed her eyes, deep in thought. Shining Armor was getting redder by the second, and Sunburst just looked flabbergasted.

"I can't believe we never saw this earlier..." he said, turning to the prince and princess. "Do you want to take any precautions to keep him away?"

"Well, I don't really see any reason for that," Cadance said, "he never did anything wrong."

"Besides," Shining Armor put in, "if he hasn't shown up yet, what are the chances he will ever?"

Thorax shrugged. "It is very unlikely..." he said slowly.

"Alright, so that's settled. We're just going to see where the road takes us?" Sunburst said. Cadance and Shining Armor looked at each other, before giving him an affirmative nod.

"I guess we are," she said.

"So what's going on with you and that cute colt downstairs?" Neon Garay asked Flurry Heart as the three made their way into Flurry's room. Flurry quirked an eyebrow at her friend.

"What, Crystal Hoof?" she inquired. "He's my personal guard. Nothing more to it," she said.

Ink Mage raised her eyebrows. "Oh really? Do you want anything else out of your strictly professional relationship?" she asked with a teasing smirk.

Flurry Heart shook her head. "No, and besides. Our relationship isn't strictly professional. We've been friends since I was a baby," she said.

Neon Garay sighed. "So he's available?"

Flurry slapped her friend as the three laughed.

"Hey!"

"I'm just teasing, Flurry," Neon said, putting a hoof to her mouth in an attempt to stop laughing. Flurry Heart grinned at her two friends, reaching out besides her bed.

"Do you guys want to do something?" she asked, pulling out a drawer. Neon and Ink nodded excitedly, beginning to rummage through her stuff.

"You have three hoof shiners?" Neon exclaimed.

"Woah, look at all these magazines! Oooh," Ink said, flipping through a bunch of scholarly articles. Flurry Heart just rolled her eyes.

"Feel free to take anything, I don't normally use this stuff," she said. Ink gasped, instantly taking as many books as her hooves could carry. Flurry laughed. "Alright, maybe not that many," she said teasingly. Ink Mage grinned, picking out a select three magazines and using her magic to put the rest away.

"Yeah yeah, I'll get them out of your grasp someday, Flurry," Ink said, clapping her hooves together and giving her an evil smile. Flurry raised her eyebrows.

"Oh yeah? Well I'd like to see you try," she said.

"Is that a challenge?"

A pang of nostalgia hit Flurry Heart like a wave. She still remembered that day, an entire year ago, when she and Crystal Hoof had almost an identical conversation.

She smiled giddily before answering.

"And what if it is?"

"Then I'd steal your hoof shiners," Ink Mage replied, before grabbing the bottles and whisking them into the air with her magic. Neon and Flurry both laughed at their friend's antics, before happily joining in.

"Be careful! Those are new!" Flurry exclaimed between her laughs. Neon grabbed one and read the label.

"Ooh, pink shiners? What fun! Ink, come here! This should work nicely with your coat," she said, gesturing for the unicorn to come forward. Ink Mage nodded, settling down in front of Neon and sticking out her hooves for her to coat.

"Don't forget about me!" Flurry exclaimed, shimmying her way next to Ink and resting her own hooves on a pillow. Neon gasped in fake annoyance.

"Hey! Don't I get a turn?" she asked teasingly. Ink Mage nodded, grabbing another bottle labeled, 'Clear' and painting Neon's hooves with it. Quite sloppily too.

"Ink," Flurry started, eyeing her friend's work, "you're horrible at this."

"Ehh, books are more my thing," Ink replied, capping the bottle and laughing with her friends.

"Want some cake?" Flurry asked with a lopsided grin, gesturing over to the giant platter in the corner of the room.

Neon Garay and Ink Mage both gasped simultaneously.

"How did I not see that big beautiful chunk of amazingness before?!" Neon exclaimed, licking her lips eagerly. Ink nodded.

"Agreed! That thing looks heavenly!" she said, as the two rushed over to the dessert.

Flurry laughed lightly. "Hey! Save some for me!"

Author's Note

Art in this chapter by NorthernLights8!

I really just can't even begin to express my thanks for everything you guys have done for the success of this story. :rainbowlaugh: You all are brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

Oh and, I've been getting some assumptions and predictions in the comments... I won't tell you if you're right or wrong, but I will say this- what's going to happen is something you would have never expected. Trust me.

Oh and, I forgot to mention last chapter. Ink Mage is my personal OC, Neon Garay belongs to xXRainbowHeartXx, and Electric Flame belongs to NorthernLights8.