Patriots of Equestria, Part 1

Leaving his captives to be interrogated, Thorax managed to arrive in Manehattan despite the continuing chaos that ensured in the hours after the bombings. It didn't really matter if he was discovered by suspicious ponies, for all that Thorax wanted to do was to be there for the ones who helped him become the leader that he was today. Upon arriving in Manehattan, he decided to temporarily assume the form of "Crystal Hoof," the disguise he used when being introduced to Princess Cadence and Flurry Heart while he was in hiding.

"I am here to see the princesses," said the disguised Thorax to the receptionist, before looking out among the crowds of the injured trickling both in and out of the hospital. "How many ponies are hurt?"

"I'm afraid that it is close to 200," sighed the receptionist. "To be honest, I've never seen anything like this. I've often wondered who would do such a thing to our citizens, our city, our land that we called home."

Thorax sighed in sympathy with the receptionist. Thorax knew that she was right, there wasn't anything quite like this in Manehattan or Equestria for that matter. But, at the same point, he knew that since his reformation, he couldn't keep secrets for very long.

"I'm going to tell you something," said Thorax, realizing that he needed to do this. "But, you can't tell anypony else."

Before the receptionist could say another word, Thorax dropped his disguise and reveal his true self, much to the shock and amazement of all in the waiting room. The receptionist was about to call for help, but she couldn't at the sight of Thorax's reformed body.

"I am not Crystal Hoof," he said. "I am Thorax, the new leader of the reformed Changelings and I mean you no harm."

"What makes you so sure that you want to see the princesses?" she asked suspiciously. "Everypony in Manehattan has heard all about what your kind did at the Royal Wedding a few months back."

The rest of the ponies cowered in fear, but Thorax remained steadfast, determined to not let his past get to him as the receptionist debated on whether to contact the authorities.

"Well, I want to assure you," reassured Thorax. "That I mean none of you any harm. My friends were among those attacked and injured in the blasts. I wish to see them."

The receptionist was just about ready to press the button, when a weak voice was heard from behind her.

"He is welcome to visit us," groaned the voice and Thorax looked sharply towards a purple alicorn pony sitting in a wheelchair covered in bandages being pushed by a baby dragon also covered in bandages. "I thank you for coming during this time, Thorax."

"Princess Twilight?" remarked Thorax, bowing his head slightly towards Twilight out of respect. "Thank Equestria that you are alive after what those two murderous Changelings tried to do to you all."

"It will take more than a few explosives to keep us down, Thorax," said Spike, who hobbled over and hugged his friend tightly in a short embrace. "Boy, it is sure good to see you again."

Thorax nodded as he followed Spike and Twilight into the room where the rest of the princesses were being kept while also being guarded by a pair of Manehattan police officers. Celestia, Luna and Cadence were being held in a room big enough for four ponies in the case, all four alicorn princesses. Shining Armor was also in the room, sitting next to Cadence, who was still in a medically induced coma.

"I came as soon as I found out what had happened," said Thorax as he looked at the injured royals. "How are you all feeling?"

"We are alive, but we are hurt," groaned Luna, feeling the pain of her broken legs and broken left wing as she struggled in the position she was in. "Those loyalists of Chrysalis have gone too far, Thorax."

"Indeed," sighed Celestia. "It pains me to hear that six of our subjects have died in this cowardly act. But, whoever did this to us will suffer the fullest extent of Equestrian law. Our minister of law, Instant Justice, will handle the investigation."

Luna's eyes widened and briefly turned over to her sister since her head was free to move about.

"Instant Justice is a reckless pony, big sister," she said. "There have been times where he has done some questionable judgments without our consent. Must he assume command in our place?"

"Yes, because he has learned from his errors," answered Celestia. "Instant Justice will do whatever it takes to get those two Changelings that attacked us to justice."

"If only if it were that easily," sighed Thorax. "Hopper and Thumper are two of Chrysalis' most loyal and dangerous warriors. Those two brothers will do anything to get what they want, even killing those who stand in their way."

"Then nopony is safe unless they are captured," remarked Spike, worriedly. "Will they come back to finish us off or…"

However, before he could say another word, Thorax raised his leg and silenced his friend, trying to keep him calm along with the princesses. Hearing that the possibility of the Changelings that tried to kill him and his wife made Shining Armor feel very cross and angry.

"The only reason I would want to have those two Changelings come back," he said, furiously as he picked up an empty flower vase. "Is so I could destroy them MYSELF!"

In a fit of rage, Shining Armor threw the vase against the wall and causing everypony to jump in shock and fear, including Thorax.

"Shiny, calm down," said Twilight, weakly but firmly as she was helped into her new hospital bed. "Being angry and throwing flower vases isn't going to do anything."

"I know, I know, Twily," sighed Shining Armor in desperation and fury as he looked at his comatose wife. "But, they can't be allowed to wander free, not after what they did to us and our subjects. I can't let the authorities handle everything, I need to get involved."

"You can't get involved, Prince Armor," ordered Thorax, stopping Shining Armor from leaving and forcing him to sit back down. "Hopper and Thumper are extremely dangerous Changelings that do more than just absorb love. I can assure you that are not afraid to die for Queen Chrysalis and that they will do everything in the power to finish what they started."

"But do they even know we are still alive?" asked Luna, but Thorax wasn't surprised at all as he walked over and looked out the window of the princesses' hospital room. For he knew that Hopper and Thumper's plan had already hit a snag simply because they failed to understand that the princesses were to be dead in order for Chrysalis to easily retake the throne.

…

Meanwhile, Starlight and her fellow unicorns had spent the entire day, canvasing every square inch up and down the route where the bombs were placed. They were exhausted and in need of a rest.

"We should try again tomorrow, Starlight," sighed Sunset. "No one is going to want to talk. Not after the first day."

"Heat mane has a point there," added Discord, much to Sunset's annoyance at being called such a nickname. "Perhaps we should at least call it a night, ladies. I want to make sure that Fluttershy is protected at all costs."

The four unicorns nodded in agreement and were just about to leave when an older male voice was heard from one of the shops along the route, which was a delicatessen.

"Wait!" he called in a thick Manehattan accent, revealing to be a brown earth pony wearing a plaid work shirt and apron and had a sandwich for a cutie mark. "Are you asking about those two supposed "colts" that were quick to leave before them bombs went off?"

"Yes, we are," answered Starlight, walking up to the pony. "Is there anything you want to tell us about them?"

"Come in," he said and Starlight along with her fellow unicorns and Discord, followed the pony into his shop where they would finally start to get answers to all of their questions…