In order to improve their skills at detecting changeling infiltrators, Twilight Sparkle and the Council of Friendship ask their new friend Thorax to help them with a little training exercise. Their goal? Figure out which of their six friends is actually Thorax in disguise.

Dialogue heavy, as this story focuses on the cross-interrogation of the game itself.

Note: This story takes place before "To Where and Back Again."

Whilst their younger siblings take part in Equestria's annual royal summit, newly-met Shining Armor and Pharynx find themselves alone in a waiting room, with little to talk about other than what they share in common - a passion for homeland security, and a dorky little brother/sister.

* Cover art by the awesome Doodle-Mark!
* Featured 2/27/19 - 3/4/19!
* Story reading by Skijirama!

With Princess Cadence and Prince-Captain Shining Armor out on a date together, Thorax is charged with caring for their darling filly. Which means tonight is the perfect time for important things like pouncing lessons, complete with live guards to surprise!

Preread by Timaeus
Artwork by Inuhoshi-to-Darkpen
YouTube Reading by Lotus Moon.

This story is a sequel to The Face I'll Wear

Dear Small Pony Book,

Hello. My name is Thorax. I am a changeling formerly of the Badlands Hive, ruled by the terrible Queen Chrysalis. Nowadays, I am fortunate to call the Crystal Empire home, and their Royal Family my friends.

Since I'm rather new to living in pony society—without orders to infiltrate, of course—my new friends have been doing their very best to help me get acclimated to this strange, alien way of life. To this end, Princess Cadence has instructed me to tell you of my experiences so that we might use this as time to reflect together. However, I do find it strange. How am I to discuss my day to day interactions with a book? Especially one without a name? You can't not have a name, that would just be rude. So, I will just have to figure one out for you.

I'm not sure why Cadence is laughing at that, or why Shining Armor is groaning. This is a very serious issue.

These ponies are strange. But I don't think I'd have them any other way.

A little thing for me to fiddle with when I'm bored. Updates will likely be sporadic. Tagged as a prequel/sequel to The Face I'll Wear because it will explore some of the same themes and will show events before and after the story.

Preread by Timaeus.