A Changeling's Love

After having to wait on the train for what felt to be an eternity to him, Thorax has finally made it to Ponyville. After grabbing his baggage and stepping off, he thought to himself,

"It's been so long since I've seen the others. Especially Spike. I haven't seen him since the union between the Changelings and the Dragons. I just hope he hasn't left for anywhere else..."

Grabbing his luggage, he started walking to Twilight's castle. Upon making it, he knocked on the door to see if anypony was there. Not a sound was made.

"Huh? I thought Twilight and her friends would be here...?" Thorax said.

"Well, I am." a voice said.

Thorax turned around and saw it was Starlight Glimmer, who was more than happy to see him.

"Oh, Starlight! It's good to see you again! How are you?" Thorax said, filled with joy.

"I'm fine. Just got back from Trixie's and I just thought I would go back to the castle to rest. How are you? It's quite a surprise to see you here unannounced."

"Surprise!" Thorax said in a playful manner.

Starlight chuckled upon hearing that little gesture.

"So where's Spike?" Thorax asked.

"Right now, he's at the Apple farm, talking to Big Mac. He said he would help him with the baked goods he set up for Sugar Bell's shop. I dunno how long it'll take him, but he should be almost done. He's been there since this morning."

"Oh. Well, I can wait. Can I put my luggage inside the castle?"

"Sure. Just put them in the guest room."

"Where's that?"

"I think it's next door to Spike's room. I'm not really sure. Want me to help you?"

"It would be great if you would."

Hearing that, Starlight grabbed one of Thorax's suitcases and joined him. Walking around the castle, they searched ceaselessly for the room. Minutes and minutes on end, they were coming up empty-handed on where it was. But eventually, they came around Twilight's living quarters. Looking to the right side of the corner, they see Spike's door left open which led them over to the guest room next door, much to their relief.

"Wow. This place is a maze. How do you live like this?" Thorax asked, loaded with exasperation.

"Believe you and me, I got lost the first time I tried to find my way around this castle."

"Hmm. So what're you gonna do now?"

"Well, I'm gonna go and take a nap. If you see Spike, tell him that Twilight wants him to sort out some of the documents for the next party held at Ponyville. It's hosted by Pinkie."

"He'll be the first to know."

"Great... anyway, enjoy yourself, Thorax."

After Starlight went back to her room, Thorax grabbed his suitcases and went into his room to get settled in. He looked around the room to see what he could do. Noticing a book, he takes it from the shelf and sits down to read it while waiting for Spike to come back to the castle. After an hour passed by, he felt more than ready to search for him. But just when he was ready to walk around Ponyville, he suddenly heard Spike's voice. Filled with excitement, he bolted downstairs to go and see Spike. Thinking about the surprise it would be to see Spike again make Thorax giddy. Upon finally making it, he sees Spike sitting down from complete exhaustion.

"Hey Spike!" Thorax shouted, filled with happiness.

"Thorax...?" Spike asked, turning his head.

Filled to the brim with joy, Thorax ran over to Spike and hugged him very tightly to the point where the latter couldn't breathe.

"Uh... Thorax...?" Spike asked.

"Yes, Spike?" Thorax responded, still hugging the dragon.

"Could I... breathe... please...?" Spike said, beginning to faint.

Hearing this, Thorax said,

"Oh. Sorry."

Thorax put Spike down and let him breathe from being squeezed between his arms. After catching his breath, the two got to talking about what they've been along with how busy they were while away from each other. Talking through subject after subject, the two couldn't be any more happy to see each other. Then Thorax said,

"So how's life in Ponyville? You seemed to be exhausted when I first saw you come back from the Apple farm."

"Applejack wanted me to help Big Mac with some of the chores and Rarity wanted me to model most of her dresses while she flirted with some of the hunks that came by her shop. Twilight also wanted me to watch most of the students at the school. My week was an utter hell." Spike said.

"Oh. Well, that's not very nice."

"Comes with the job description of being the number-one assistant. You already remember what it's like with Chrysalis."

"Hmm. Can I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

Thorax felt a weirded out by Spike's expression, but not too weirded out due to Spike's carefree nature. He asked,

"Why do you ever really spend time with your friends? All they do is use you more like a servant and treat you as if you're disposable. I'm not trying to get you to break it off with them, but I'm pretty concerned about your well-being as a friend."

Spike was taken aback upon hearing that question. Thorax raised a good point, but he never really looked too deep into it up until now. While it was true that he was often treated like a slave and not really treated like how a true friend should be treated, Spike had no idea what to say. He said,

"I dunno. I guess I haven't really been treated fairly. I'm not really complaining though. I mean, I do get pretty steamed when they don't give me the gratitude I deserve, but that doesn't mean that I hate them. It's a complicated thing to answer if you have been around friends that don't really see you as much as you would see an ant. If I ever figure out the answer, I'll tell you. Okay?"

"Works for me. Say. Where did everypony else go? Also, how did you get those wings on your back?" Thorax asked.

"They all went for a vacation in Manehattan. Told me they won't be back until the end of the week. Also, the latter's a bit complicated."

"Hmm. How would you feel about getting lunch?"

"I don't see why not. I'm starving. I'll go see if Starlight wants to come."

"Wait!"

"Huh?" Spike asked in confusion as he turned around.

"Why not us? Besides, Starlight's taking a nap right now."

"Did somebody say something...?" Starlight said as she yawned.

"Hey Starlight. Me and Thorax are going out to lunch. Wanna come with?" Spike asked while Thorax frowned.

"Sure. Just let me straighten my hair up a little."

"Okay."

Starlight went back up to her room and did so. Spike said,

"Don't worry. When we get back, I'll tell you about Goblins and Oubliettes."

"Great." Thorax said with a visibly bummed voice.

"Don't worry. Next time, it'll be just us."

"Thanks."

After Starlight straightened herself up, the trio went outside of the castle and walked around Ponyville to see where they can eat.