Spike led Thorax into the throne room of the Crystal Castle confident he could convince the others that the changeling could be trusted. That he meant no harm, and instead wanted to be an ally and live peacefully with them. That he could make them see Thorax for what he really was. That they could befriend the changeling and accept him as one of their own.

They didn't.

And consequences followed.

SPOILERS IN COMMENTS!
First featured on 11/12/2016. -- Now with a TV Tropes page. -- Review by Arcanum Phantasy -- Review by PaulAsaran

Starlight and Sunburst are roommates. Shenanigans ensue. Shenanigans with a body count.

Thanks to Tired Old Man, Nova Quill/Firimil, and
Steel Resolve for there edits and suggestions. Especially Nova who may have accidently prompted me when she compared a certain purple unicorn to a certain hat wearing Llama.

Finally, thanks to BobTheDalek for his great work on this piece and just in general.

During "The Times They Are a Changeling", Spike was able to use the magic of song to prove that Thorax wasn't evil, convincing everyone in earshot, especially Shining Armor and Cadance to trust him and let him stay in the Crystal Empire.

... Except what if it hadn't been that easy? What would it take then to prove something like that, especially to a pony who had so bitterly said, "There's no such thing as a nice changeling" ?

Yep, an alternate take on the ending of The Times They Are a Changeling, the only part of the episode I felt was rushed.

Proofread by Doctor Candor and Malefactory

The ponies call her, "Gaia." The mother of their world. They see her as an alicorn with long red hair, and would surely celebrate if they knew of her return.

They don't. And Celestia will keep it that way.

(A Ponification of Dostoevsky's "The Grand Inquisitor")