“The Changelings are coming! The Changelings are coming!”
Numerous horns played melodious fanfare as the lone pony screamed his message through the streets. Normally, this cry would provoke panic and fear, but today it inspired adoration and celebration as Equestria gained a new ally.
Fleur de Lis, as was the case with most of Canterlot, only knew what she was told of the transformation: that Princess Twilight’s student and a single Changeling were responsible for overthrowing the Queen, and that a new King ruled in her place.
Careless for her prim and proper reputation, she shoved past every pony she ran across in her desperate rush to reach the main street, hoping to catch sight of the Changeling that had saved her those few years ago.
Thorax, he had said his name was. As a result, that one word had been burned in her memory as she hoped for his return, waiting by her open window each and every night, much to her brother’s concern. She could’ve cared less, however, as the wind seemed to whisper to her promises of his coming.
Now, the new King was to be paraded through the streets with as much regality and respect as any of the ponies’ royalty. The white mare flashed through the gathering crowd, not even noticing the blonde-maned stallion she had accidently thrown into a muddy ditch as she pushed towards the newly-set stanchions of gold and ruby that separated the crowds from the streets.
It was then that she saw them.
Tens of beings marching regally up the road, only told as Changelings by their beetle-like look. But that was the only thing they had in common with their old selves, if her eyes were to be believed: for where before they were black as tar, now they glowed with gold, jade, aquamarine, and she even spotted a crimson one near the back.
The procession passed her soon enough, and she began to scrutinize the practical swarm of Changelings that strolled by her, hoping to catch sight of- and hopefully recognize -the brave soul that spared her and her brother. However: once the litter that carried their Monarch came into view, she saw that no more of his subjects followed him, and her ears folded back as she lost hope.
‘He didn’t come...’ She thought sadly as she lowered her head, and started to make her way back through the crowd.
But at that moment…
“Make way for Thorax! Make way for the Changeling King!”
Her heart jumped into her throat, and her eyes went wide as saucers when she froze at the herald’s call. She dared not believe what her ears had tried to tell her: that Thorax, the lowly soldier that betrayed his people, was now their sovereign ruler. Her breath caught in her lungs as she whipped her head around, and studied the elevated being with pupils like needle tips.
His skin had transformed from its moldy black to a shimmering ivy green that settled into a calming orange around the neck. His beetle-like shell now covered his entire torso and rear, and a tail that resembled a mantis’ wing was draped over the back edge of the litter. Two golden antlers like a moose’s cast dark shadows over his regal purple shell.
His eyes, however, held her attention. Though they had changed from cyan to violet, she could tell by the light inside them who he really was. They still housed the warm, loving glow that she last saw when she kissed him in thanks.
In a burst of joy, she raised her forehooves into the air, and shouted in a voice clear as daylight.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Sitting atop his carriage was almost demanded of Thorax by his new subjects, though he would have preferred less ceremony about it. It was as much their victory as it was his, and he really didn’t like being in the spotlight.
Trying to distract himself from all the eyes staring at him, he began to glance over the crowd. Try as he might, he could not shake the feeling that he was supposed to recognize something here, something important, but he couldn’t remember what it was for the life of him.
He shifted his gaze to the buildings, the banners, and then rested it back to combing the crowds. He caught a movement of pink and white that made his heartbeat quicken, but was still unaware of why those colors caught his eye. He narrowed his search to where the pony last was, but they were lost into the crowd.
His herald called for ponies to make way, causing Thorax to roll his eyes. It wasn’t necessary for such dramatics when the roads were clear up to the castle, but the soldier did insist that he never actually got to make public announcements before, so Thorax allowed it.
Still, he felt that the praise was somewhat ig--
“THREE CHEERS FOR THE GREAT AND LOVING THORAX!”
Thorax felt his heart stop as the ponies began their “hip-hip-hooray's”. ’That voice…’ he thought as his neck slowly swiveled out to the crowd. ‘I… I know that--’
“STOP!”
He had barely realized the bellow had left his throat when the parade ceased in an instant. All went speechless as he stood up, and stepped down from his pedestal, scanning the throng with thorough intensity. Soon, memories began to flash into his mind like a tidal wave: the ruined building, the fight in the street, that really intimidating stallion. And above all, Fleur de Lis, the mare worth a million poems.
His eyes probed the crowd, but no familiar faces were seen in spite of his superior vision. Determined to find the source of that voice, he effortlessly stepped over the stanchions that rose neck-high to a pony, and walked through the stunned throng to the spot where he had heard the initial cheer.
She wasn’t there.
“Fleur?” He asked, letting his head dart every which way in a last attempt to spot her, and only confusing the citizens further. “Fleur?”
Still no answer came, and pony and Changeling alike stared in shocked confusion as the mighty king lowered his head in disappointment and sulked back to his carriage. The parade continued at his order, but the proceedings went by in dead silence, as nopony knew what to make of his outburst.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The stallion known to many as Fancy Pants had just turned the page of the morning paper when the door to his house flew open with a crash, and then slammed closed with a similar sound. Neutrally, he took a sip from his coffee as he lifted his head. But he couldn't help but grow concerned once his sister flew past the atrium without so much as a “Hello”, sobbing like a filly at a funeral. Quirking a brow, he set both paper and saucer down, and stood.
“Oh, dear me,” he chided softly. “I knew it was a bad idea to let her go to that celebration. Likely as not the poor bug she’s gone and attached herself to was killed in the uprising, the little hero.”
Shaking his head, Fancy slowly walked towards the stairs. Even though her door was closed, he could hear her crying and wheezing before he started ascending. He made his way to her door, and silently opened it, revealing to him the sight of his younger sister sprawled across her bed as her tears soaked the sheets beneath her.
Ears lowered, Fancy approached the weeping Fleur: and gently set a hoof on her shoulder.
“Tell me, how did it happen?” He asked softly, hoping his tone was more compassionate than he heard.
“Oh, dear brother,” Fleur choked, “he isn’t slain, but I’m afraid what has happened might cause just as much separation.”
Bewildered, Fancy shifted his head to the side to look her in the eye. “I beg your pardon?”
Weary from the weight of her tears, Fleur de Lis lifted her neck to gaze at her brother through puffed eyes. “The Changeling that won them over, their new king, is Thorax himself.”
Fancy Pants retracted his hoof as if he had been bitten, but quickly regained his composure from the initial shock enough to attempt comfort.
“Well… I must admit: that is not quite the tragedy I was expecting,” He blurted before he could stop himself, “mayhaps it might still work? He’s here to establish relations to Equestria after all.”
Fleur raised an eyebrow at her elder brother. “And… you’re supporting me in this?” She asked cautiously. Fancy massaged his brow lightly with a hoof as he sat beside her, causing the mattress to bounce as he sank into it.
“I’ll not pretend that I fully support this… romance of yours,” he admitted, “but far be it from me to stop you from doing what you think is right. Aside from now, that is.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that, Fleur: any fool could see that you’re going about this like some pessimistic old mare, and not the exuberant, dreaming youth that I’ve grown accustomed to as my sister. You want to take a step back when the door is wide open for you, like some contrived conflict in one of those high-school Disneigh motion pictures.”
He opened his eyes, and locked with hers intently. “As I’ve said: I do not fully support this Changeling fellow, but even I shall admit that his recent heroics have softened me to him a tad bit. But even so, no matter what, dear sister: I will always, always support the true feelings of your heart.”
Eyes brimming with tears of wonder and thankfulness, Fleur opened her mouth to speak. But barely a squeak had escaped her lips when there was a soft yet thunderous rapping at the door.
“Oh, blast it all.” Fancy grumbled, standing up. “Who in the world is knocking on our door when the entire city is gathered in the streets?”
Straightening his collar, he glanced back at his sibling. “Do forgive me, Fleur, but this calls for my attention.”
After Fleur gave a wordless nod of approval, Fancy hurried down the stairs as the knocking resumed.
“I’m on my way! Do keep your shirt--!”
His complaining was stopped short once he opened the door, and saw a large white stallion with dark blue armor staring down at him from barely an inch above eye level.
“Is this the residence of Fleur de Lis?”
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Even when the procession resumed its joyous clamour, Thorax barely noticed the noise and adoration: the memory of that mare’s lips against his own plagued his mind. He knew the moment barely lasted half a second before he was sent away, but in his head and heart it was lasting an eternity, and would not let up.
Even now, a single question nipped and bit the back of his brain like an obnoxious little tick: she had called to him, cheered for him, called him a loving king. So why did she disappear before he could reach her? Did she even remain long enough to know that he had called out for her?
“It is a pleasure to meet you again, your Highness.”
With a half-hearted glance, the King lifted his eyes to meet those of the Princesses: Celestia and Luna, who had greeted him with gentle bows. Emptily, he returned the gesture.
“It is beyond a pleasure to encounter the both of you once more as well, High Princesses.” He obliged, frowning slightly to himself.
‘Ow, ow. These stupid big words are making my head hurt. Please tell me that I won’t have to talk like this all the time now...’ He thought, making double sure that such feelings didn’t show on his face. ‘Although I will thank Bombus for that crash course in fancy-talk. Now all I need to do is find out where he of all Changelings picked it up.’
Slowly, he rose back to his full height, and nodded slightly. With a gentle flick of her head, Celestia motioned for him to follow them as they entered the palace, and passed through the grand halls into a chamber that resembled a living room.
Once the guards closed the doors, leaving the three sovereigns inside, Celestia unceremoniously dropped onto a large pillow and let out a breath Thorax couldn’t tell she was holding.
“Oh, by my mother’s mane,” she sighed with an air of amusement, “trying to keep myself from laughing during those ceremonies gets harder every time.”
“You speak the truth, sister.” Luna chuckled, raiding a miniature fridge cleverly concealed behind the couch. “That Coddled Rump was in the front row again, and I suspect he was trying to keep his mane from biting the pony next to him.”
Thorax merely stared ahead in confusion as the sisters shared a laugh, and Celestia seemed to notice. Casually, she levitated some tea in front of his snout, and gestured towards a pillow with her hoof.
“Please,” she said calmly, “come, sit with us.”
Shaking his head quickly, Thorax accepted the saucer and relaxed on the pillow, still a little on guard.
“Uh, sorry for being blunt,” he asked hesitantly, “but shouldn’t we be discussing politics and the like?”
Celestia took a leisurely sip of her own tea, and shook her head. “I think not, I trust you well enough with your new position to let the business come later. In truth, I find that befriending a nation’s leader is always a good step towards good relations between our countries. Thus,” she waved a hoof outwards around the room, “the relaxed atmosphere.”
“Not to mention, we find ourselves bored whenever formality is a necessity.” Luna added, carrying an unexpectedly large plate of shrimp and setting it amidst the three of them.
‘Oh, thank the merciful heavens above.’ Thorax exhaled, allowing a relieved smile to raise his cheeks as he took a sip of tea.
“And as far as small talk goes, I couldn’t help but notice your little… unscheduled stop, shall we say.” Celestia smirked. “Might I inquire what provoked that?”
Caught off guard, Thorax quickly learned how to do a spit take. Fortunately, he missed the plate of shrimp…
Unfortunately, the same could not be said of Luna’s face.
Once he opened his eyes and saw exactly where his tea had decided to land from its sudden flight, Thorax froze as his eyes bugged out. Luna just silently glared daggers at him with a blank expression as she summoned a towel, and dried herself off, never breaking eye contact.
“We’re not sure why, but we get the impression you’d rather discuss a different matter.” She finally spoke, her tone alarmingly neutral.
“Uh…” Thorax attempted, slowly regaining his composure. “Erm, no, i-it’s fine. I just… thought I saw an old friend.”
Catching the stutter, Celestia decided to weigh in. “An old friend from Canterlot? Aren’t you the stealthful one. I didn’t think it was possible for a Changeling to enter this city without detection since I doubled the guard after the attack.”
Thorax chuckled nervously. “No, no. I only met her once… during the attack.” He admitted. His hesitance seemed only to pique her curiosity, however, as her brow raised.
“‘Her’, eh?” She giggled lightly. “Do I detect a note of affection in your tone, or am I mistaken?”
Despite his confusion as to why a mare that he expected to act all regal was giggling like a schoolfilly, Thorax immediately shifted his gaze away uncomfortably. “To be honest, I’m not entirely sure… I still get confused about this whole ‘emotions’ thing.” He replied, prompting Luna to roll her eyes.
“Then allow us to enlighten you a little: that thing beating in your chest is called a heart, and the rest is as easy to decipher for you as it is for the rest of us.” She deadpanned. Celestia opened her mouth to speak, but settled with bobbing her head side to side as if she couldn’t disagree.
Thorax allowed himself a small chuckle. “So I’ve heard.” He was about to take another drink from his cooling tea when the door creaked open.
“You summoned me, Princess?”
Eyes wide, he dropped the saucer at the sound of the voice with a gasp.
Author's Note
FINALLY! 
Good Mother of the Moon, I've been promising this for so long, and yet only now have I been able to publish it!
I decided to do it in two parts in order to satisfy those who have been begging me for it (I'm not complaining, the fact that that happens is incredibly humbling), and to give me another week to write out the rest of it, and a couple other projects. 
As always, let me know if you see any errors, mistakes, etc., and I will fix them ASAP.
(Also: Trump joke!) 
Until Next Time, God Bless You!
~Amethyst_Dawn. 
Fleur was not sure why she was summoned by the Princess, but that question took an immediate back seat to what greeted her now. She was expecting to meet in a different room entirely than where she apparently was: some sort of meeting hall, with King Thorax staring directly back at her with eyes as wide as a fly’s.
Suddenly, a practical tsunami of blood rushed into her cheeks, and made her face burn like fire. She barely noticed when Princess Luna quirked her brow in amusement.
“Guards,” the Princess of the Night ordered, “you may leave us. Make absolutely certain that nopony disturbs us.”
“Yes, Princess.” Came the simple reply. Swiftly, the guards backed out of the chamber and closed the doors, leaving the negotiations to the Princesses.
“Luna?” Celestia questioned, seeing that both their new guest and Thorax had become little more than living statues once they saw each other. Luna merely offered a small smirk before she ventured to speak.
“I summoned Fleur de Lis here as a diplomatic gesture, for… diplomatic stuff.” She offered. When Celestia furrowed her brow slightly, Luna gave a bemused sigh. “Ugh, fine, she’s one of Canterlot’s greatest interior decorators: I wanted to hire her so she could help King Thorax in his design of a new hive as a gesture of goodwill and cooperation, that’s all.”
Celestia gave a face. One of those hard-to-describe faces that a mother gives when they want to believe their child, but something about the story sounds just off enough that she’s not sure if she should. That face that is universally understood, yet so obscure that no one has ever been able to describe it in a satisfactory manner. Keeping the face, she returned her attention to Thorax and this ‘Fleur’ mare, who were both still utterly still as stone. Slowly, she stood, and walked up to the two of them.
“I can understand this dear mare’s reaction to suddenly walking in on a foreign sovereign when she was possibly expecting to see only one of us, Luna.” She stated, draping a gentle wing over the unresponsive Fleur. “But Thorax…” She trailed off as a sentence from not three minutes ago clicked back into the forefront of her mind.
Swiftly, she shifted glances between the two stunned individuals, and her eyes narrowed into practical slits as her brow rose, and her lips curved into that obnoxiously knowing smile that a sibling gets when they find out your crush.
“Oh, I think I see now, Thorax.” Celestia chuckled as she backed away slightly. “This must be that ‘old friend’ you mentioned to us, hmm?”
Both of the dazed duo stirred with that remark: Thorax looked to Celestia with a near silent reply of “Yes”, while Fleur glanced between the three rulers as she tried to wrap her brain around the fact that the subject of her previous encounter with him had somehow come up in a political meeting.
Then again, once she thought that through, why wouldn’t it?
Luna, who had remained oddly quiet as a smug grin remained plastered on her face, finally spoke up. “With that being the case, I think we can establish a deal here, Thorax.” She offered. “You come to visit Canterlot often- in disguise, if you must -in order to receive decorative advice from this little mare, even court her if you so wish, and I’ll personally pay for all shipments of--”
“On one condition,” Thorax interjected as he stood up, and walked over to Fleur de Lis with his head held high. Fleur’s heart was already pounding in her throat when all focus returned to her, her eyes so focused on the new form of Thorax that she barely noticed the Princesses anymore: for where once she was easily twice his height, he now practically dwarfed her even without the antlers, and his shadow loomed over hers like some sort of living obelisk.
“I’ll only agree to that if she wishes it to be so, your Highness.” The rather large King stated, offering a surprisingly soft smile for one his size.
With all eyes on her, Fleur could only nod dumbly as her eyes wavered away from his just long enough to quickly examine his... err... muscular form, before summoning enough courage to speak.
“I-I-I agree, y-your Highnesses.” She stammered, taking another look at his thick muscles. By all means, she wasn’t a shallow mare: she would have been more than satisfied with the little Changeling that saved her life. But she would be the last one to complain about his… sudden growth spurt. “To b-both the consulting, and the courting.” She added, absentmindedly nuzzling his neck. Which was no easy feat, as she had to stand on her tippy-hooves to do so.
Celestia cooed slightly at the display as Thorax’s own cheeks suddenly went from green to red, and made her way back to her pillow to rest herself on it once more.
“I think our negotiations for today are done, then.” She chirped. “I think you two have a lot to catch up on.”
The pair looked back to the Princesses inquisitively, and when the only response they got was an affirming nod from the both of them, they left with a quick offer of thanks: leaving the sisters alone to finish the tea and shrimp. When the door was closed behind them, Fleur looked up to Thorax with a gentle smile, and spoke in a tone soft as silk.
“So, how do you want to take things from here?” She asked, bumping his upper foreleg with her shoulder.
Blushing slightly, the King looked down to her with a nervous yet sincere smile. “I think we should take it slowly for now, since we’ll be working together anyways. Maybe a few dinners here and there, the odd movie, stuff like that.” He admitted. “I mean, I do love you, no doubt there. But… we don’t really know each other yet, so…”
Fleur’s smile only grew. “Of course, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
With that, the pair left the palace as Thorax donned a Unicorn disguise, and they began the next chapter in their lives.
How did that chapter go? My dear readers…
… that’s an adventure for another day.
Author's Note
As always, feedback is welcome, and please don't be afraid to point out any mistakes or inconsistencies!
(And stick around for the Bonus Chapter!) 
Until Next Time, God Bless You!
~Amethyst_Dawn
