//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Ember, meet Thorax. Thorax, meet Ember // by MrAquino //------------------------------// 1 Month later… Ember blinked at what she saw. Next to Spike wasn't the black, small Changeling she met before. To say Thorax had a new look was an understatement; Thorax, for a lack of better, had changed! On his legs, he stood as tall as Ember now, was now lime-green, which changed to orange, but was green around his, well… thorax. He had wings and a tail that looked like that of a Dragonfly’s wings, and large, orange, pincer-like antlers stuck out of his head. His purple eyes looked just as awkward as she was. It was unknown if it was his wings touching his legs, or the real thing, but crickets chirped as they sat in the more awkward silence. “... So…” Spike began. “Yeah… Thorax changed the last time you meet.” He awkwardly laughed as she turned to him, then back to the changed Changeling. “I didn't expect this to happen. What happened!?” “... About that,” Thorax answered, now with a deeper and more masculine voice. “Um… can dragons predict the future?” “... What?” “Pretty much what you said happened. I'm the new King of the Changelings.” Again, Ember blinked. “Yeah… considering the fact that I'm from a kind who values only strength and treasures over anything else… this has to be coincidental. I didn't you'd change, let alone, becoming king or… this.” “Hm… I guess you're right.” “And as a heads up,” Spike added “I did try to contact you.” “For this?” Ember asked. “Uh… no… it goes with how Thorax changed.” This got her attention. “What happened?” “Uh… well, it happened fast… but-” “Chrysalis kidnapped Spike and his friends and my kind took their places.” Thorax intervented. Not a lot of things would make Ember snap. She was quite the level headed dragon. This got rid of that. “...WHAT!?!?!?” She snarled. Thorax winced at the sight of the enraged Dragonlord. “B-but I helped save Spike… a-along with some friends.” Ember took some deep breaths, regaining her composure. “Tell me... what happened.” “... Twilight and her friends were attacked.” Spike spoke. “I-I tried to contact you! They got to me before I could deliver it. All I could see was a green cocoon around me with fake versions of everyone and I. Next, we were taken to the Changeling kingdom, where Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Shining Armor, and Flurry Heart were all in their own cocoon. Chrysalis mocked us, telling us how the Changelings have taken over all of Equestria.” “... That does not help. Not one bit.” “I know it doesn't,” Thorax replied “But I can make it better.” “Please, do. How did you save our friend?” “After we met, I was going through noticeable… changes.” “Something like this?” “Not entirely. For starters, my wings had a more brighter presentation. The thing I found out was that I wasn't as starving as before, and I wasn't hissing at the sight of love anymore.” “And what does that have to do with this?” “It wasn't just me, but one of my friends, Sunburst, noticed how the Crystal Empire’s rulers acted different. With permission, I changed into him and investigated what was wrong. I immediately knew that it was Changelings; we may look and sound the part, but we can't read minds, so we can't act the part. Sunburst told me to find his friend, Starlight Glimmer, and warn her about what may be a secret invasion.” “And you left him?” “I wanted him to come, but he wanted to look inconspicuous to the invaders. So, I went, and by the sight I witnessed that night, she, and another friend, Trixie, found out about it. Of course, Trixie panicked at the sight of me, and Starlight wanted proof it was the real me.” “Changelings can disguise themselves as others Changelings?” “... It's weird, I know. But she was there when Spike stood up for me, so I quoted what Twilight said about friends arriving from the strangest of places… as her, of course.” “Hm… what else Happened? Did you travel far to get there?” “We had another friend helping us; Discord, the ruler of Chaos himself.” “... I don't get it.” “It's a long story.” Spike answered. “He was a bad guy, but he's good, all thanks to Fluttershy.” “...huh.” “Yeah,” Thorax added “It didn't need to take much convincing for him to help us when Starlight told him they kidnapped Fluttershy. He took us close to Chrysalis’s castle… but not in there.” “Something wrong with that?” “Yeah… the queen's throne cancels all outside magic. We had to use other tactics to sneak in and, in case we were separated, we had a code.” “And that was?” “Silly Draconequus.” “... That's something.” “Yes . Discord and Trixie were kidnapped, but Starlight and I made it to the throne room. I disguised myself as Starlight while she attempted to destroy the throne.” “And did that work?” “No, not entirely. Chrysalis saw past my disguise and attempted to take all the love out of me. Starlight had a plan, but it was a gamble. If it failed, then she may had become the most powerful being in Equestria.” “Let me guess; You had to share love?” “Bingo. I gave her all of my love, and, in turn, I turned into this. Pretty much my example alone made every Changeling in the hive turn a new leaf and joined me, all turning into… well, more colorful Changelings.” “So they're not like you?” “No. They're just colorful. Only I look like this and… well… I guess I'm the king.” “...So you and about every Changeling in the castle are… good?” “I guess you can say I was the good one, but… yeah, more or less. But not Chrysalis.” “She didn't change?” “Starlight offered her friendship, but Chrysalis refused and escaped, seeking revenge. We don't know where she's at, and, as we're speaking, the changelings back home are rebuilding our castle, albeit, with major differences.” “... So you're meaning to tell me that Chrysalis is still out there AND every Changeling is good?” “Yes… we'll be on the lookout for her, but we're busy-” “I don't think every Changeling is good.” “... Excuse me?” “First off, Chrysalis might be making a new army, preparing to take over your and her kingdom back, and, any Changeling not in the castle has no idea what happened.” Thorax blinked. “... She's right.” Spike spoke. “As soon as we got back, the changelings that took our places were gone. I think that also happened with the Crystal Empire and Canterlot…. Holy guacamole! She may know all of Equestria’s Kingdoms!” Thorax slunk in his seat. “Oh no! We should've done something! I was too surprised at our new look to do something! What are we going to do!?” “I already know what we're gonna do.” Ember spoke, standing up. “Thorax, never in my life, nor in Dragon history, have thought we'd do this; We will forge an Alliance.” “... WHAT!?!?!?” “Think about it; When Chrysalis takes over all of the kingdoms, again, she's going for you. She will not stop until you're gasping for your final breaths. However, she will not be expecting me, or all of the Dragons by your side. None of the Dragons can go against me, Chrysalis and her changelings won't be able to feed on our love, or lack thereof, and you and your subjects will be more than ready. What do you say?” Thorax blinked,processing her offer. He cleared his throat and stood up. “What's the catch?” he asked. “... Thinking like a leader. Good to see that you're not blindly agreeing. It's simple; teach us love.” “... Teach you love? But you-” “I know what I said. We're fighters, it's in our blood, and you and I aren't too different than we think we are.” “... Is there a long term goal for this?” “Celestia was there, from what I've heard, and, seeing you like this, must've interested her in making your kingdom’s relationships grow well. Am I wrong?” “... No, you're not, actually. You wish to live peacefully with Equestria’s inhabitants?” “Yes. Unfortunately, Dragons resent ponies, but since they haven't seen or heard about Changelings, this may be helpful, actually. Perhaps, maybe not in our times, but in the next generation, dragons and Changelings can live in harmony with the ponies… even if they are eccentric… no offense, Spike.” “I think the same thing, sometimes.” Spike spoke. Thorax smiled. “I like the way you're thinking, but I think it needs a tweak.” He spoke. Ember raised her right eye. “And that is?” “We'll teach you love to the best of our abilities, but you teach us how to fight.” “Hm… I thought Changelings knew how to fight.” “We know how to infiltrate, and our fighting isn't great. We're going to need to know more tactics if we are to successfully defend ourselves.” Ember smiled. “Deal.” She stuck her claw out to him. Thorax accepted it. “... Shall I tell Twilight about this?” Spike asked. “Of course.” They answered in unison.