Thorax held Ocellus close to him, as they flew to Ponyville, heading to Twilight’s Castle. He didn’t know what was going on, but he knew something was wrong by the letter he was sent. He stopped when he saw a crowd of hybrids, banging on Twilight’s door. Ocellus gasped, and started getting scared again. Thorax flew behind a nearby house, and peeked from behind.

“ Ocellus, stay behind me. “ He said, sternly. Ocellus opened her light red elytra, and flew behind him. He snuck around the houses, and charged his antlers for aiming. A turquoise beam shot at some of the crowd, sending them flying. He hid behind the house, grabbing Ocellus. The hybrids looked in their general direction, and started walking toward their direction. He started to hyperventilate, before sneaking around the other side of the house. Ocellus followed behind, and they ran to the entrance of Twilight’s Castle.

“ T-Twilight?! Twilight!.. “ He carefully knocked frantically. He heard hoof-steps, and the door creaked open. He peeked his eyes through the crack, as he reached his leg through. He felt a pony grab his leg, and pulled Thorax and Ocellus inside. It was pitch dark, and he couldn’t see anyone. He felt Ocellus grip on to his back leg. His antlers glowed, and 7 ponies were all around him, in creepy looking masks. He stepped back, before charging his antlers.

“ Wait, Wait, Wait! D-Don’t shoot! “ One pony waved their hoof frantically, trying to stop Thorax. The charge of energy died down, and gave them an confused look. The lights all of the sudden flashed on, and the ponies took their masks off. There, standing, was Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Twilight were standing there. Thorax blinked, and just...stood for a moment.

“ Twilight! “ Ocellus smiled in relief, and ran and hugged her. Twilight stumbled back, but patted her back. Thorax stood for a second, before glancing around. The castle was full of—what seemed like weapons.

“ ..W-What’s going on in here? “ He said, glancing down a bit, before noticing a spider crawling up on his leg. He shook it off, and backed up.

“ What’s with the spiders? “ He looked to one of the ponies. None of them said anything, leaving Twilight, to be the only one to respond. She walked up to Thorax, nervously.

“ These things. They attacked Ponyville just this morning! I gathered up the girls, and we tried to fight them off, but they were too many! We decided to make base here, and...here we are.. “ she said, pointing around the room with her hoof. The Changeling leader wanted to yell at those darn creatures. They can mess with him, but they can’t mess with the Hive, his brother, or his friends. He still cared about all of those things, even with his anger problems now.

“ ..I-I’m sorry... “ He mumbled, rubbing his leg. “ I’m the one getting you in to this. Onyx Star is the one who sent them here, to find ponies for his...mangled..army.. “ He said, stuttering. Twilight’s ears perked up, at the name he addressed. Onyx Star.

“ I think I’ve heard that name before... “ She said. Thorax tilted his head, wondering how, where, when. Her horn glowed and she floated a book toward her. It was called, “ Unknown Ponies “. Pretty simple. She flipped through the pages, quickly, before stopping. She pointed to some text.

“ Onyx Star. He was young, before he let dark magic control him. He was an outcast from the other ponies. At adulthood, he still didn’t have his cutie mark, for some reason. No one knew why, but he finally got it, when he murdered a pony, for no reason. He liked it, and that’s when he started making an army out of different parts of creatures, including Changelings.. “ She closed the book, and looked to her friends, and then to Thorax. He was blinking, and was still in general.

“ ..So..he’s contained of dark magic, and only got his cutie mark when he killed a pony. WOW... This guy is worse than I thought.. “ He muttered, angered. He knew Onyx was bad, but not THAT bad. There was silence, before they heard a voice at the door.

“ Tsk, Tsk, Tsk...The Princess of Friendship, and the Elements of Harmony are just hiding away in this...castle. Pathetic.. “ The voice chuckled. It was obviously Onyx Star at the door. Everyone backed away, except Thorax. He started walking toward the door, and got real close to it.

“ Onyx Star. Haven’t seen you in a while. “ Thorax said, blank. He heard the pony giggle.

“ Ahh, King Thorax. I still remember when we met. We didn’t have to fight, you know. We could still make amends, be partners maybe.. “

“ Why would I EVEN TRY to be partners with YOU?! After what you’ve been doing to the Hive.. “ He hissed. He heard, yet, another evil giggle from the pony.

“ Your Hive doesn’t matter. They don’t know anything. They’re just bug-brains. Me, and my army, on the other hoof, are way smarter than those will ever be~ “ He insulted, fueling Thorax’s anger even more. He was REALLY close to opening the door, and smacking Onyx in the face. Instead, he banged on the door. He heard a few startled noise from Twilight, Ocellus, and the others.

“ They aren’t BUG-BRAINS! Just because they’re different from before, doesn’t mean- “

“ Oh, the old generation. Oh, how I missed it. Actually, it was their queen who inspired me to be this way. Chrysalis..was it? I must thank her some day. “ He smiled from behind the door. Thorax to his his left, glaring at the green outline of Chrysalis next to him. She laughed, nervously, before walking away. He turned back to the door.

“ Don’t you have dark magic in you, or something? “ He asked. He heard Onyx say, “ Mhm. “ Thorax didn’t ask much more, but he had one question. He looked to the group behind him. Elements of Laughter, Loyalty, Honesty, Kindness, Generosity, Magic, and a youngling.

“ Where’s Spike? “ He asked the group. The others tried to explain, but they didn’t say much. Ocellus looked to them, confused to.

“ Oh, the dragon? He’s right here. “ He said, as the king heard steps. Then, he heard muffled yelling, which sounded like Spike. Thorax gasped.

“ S-Spike?! “ The group hurried to the door also. They all were shocked.

“ Spikey! “ Rarity gasped, in horror.

“ Let him go! “ Rainbow yelled. Then, the doors creaked open. They, after a few seconds, flew open, and the army walked in to the castle. They all backed away in fear, but Thorax stood his stance. There, in Onyx’s magic grasp, was Spike. His screams were muffled. Onyx was only smirking.

“ Alright, you punks! You better let Spike go! “ Rainbow yelled, flying close to them. The hybrids shoved her away, hissing. Onyx just rolled his eyes, and sighed. Rainbow tried dashing at them at full speed, but the hybrids tried pounced on her, driving her away. Rainbow scowled, before she heard a low growl from Thorax.

“ Let. Spike. Go. “ He growled, stepping forward. Onyx lifted Spike into the air, letting him be able to speak again.

“ THORAX! “ He called. Onyx stepped forward as well.

“ You really want me to let go of this cute thing? No. He’ll be a good fit, for my army. Spike’s eyes filled his tears, as he heard ‘ good fit, for my army ‘, not wanting to be torn apart. Thorax’s antlers glowed turquoise, trying to grab Spike with his magic. Onyx’s horn glowed stronger, so as Thorax’s antlers. They started pulling Spike back and forth for a while, before Onyx shot at Thorax’s chest, cracking on of his chest-gems. Thorax stumbled back, gagging. Spike watched in horror, as the king started puking up black liquids. He collapsed to the ground, landing in the black liquid.

“ T-THORAX! “ Spike called, before being brought back toward Onyx. He smirked, and stroked one of the hybrids heads. He started walking away.

“ I should be places now. “ Onyx said, leaving. Twilight ran at him, tears in her eyes. He looked behind him, and slammed the doors in her face. Twilight just stared at the door for a moment, feeling upset, and angry. Just like Thorax. She sat down, and sobbed. Her friends, and Ocellus, came to comfort her. Thorax looked up at what happened, and mustered enough energy to get himself up, and walk toward her, stumbling in the process.

“ ..Twi..Twilight? I-I’m sorry, t-this is..m-my fault.. “ He called out, hesitatingly. Rainbow looked to the screwed up king.

“ Yeah, no kidding. “ Rainbow said, AJ hitting her in the leg. Twilight looked over to Thorax, and rubbed her eyes.

“ No-No..it isn’t. It’s my fault for not being prepared.. “

“ Why is it your fault? It’s my Hive, that’s his main target, so this probably has something to do with me, too! “

“ He’s also after Ponyville... “ She muttered. There was silence. Thorax hovered in the air for a moment, before opening the castle doors with his magic. Everyone watched, as the king just left, with no explanation.

“ T-Thorax? Where..Where are you going? “ Ocellus asked, nervously. Thorax turned to her, with a determined expression, like he was going to do something crazy.

“ I’m going after Spike. “

Author's Note

I don’t know whether to feel original, or unoriginal.