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// |Part 1| 
// Story: Spike's Big Day (In the Changeling Kingdom) 
// by RummyKun 
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	The train arrived in Ponyville as it slowed to a stop. The only two beings that were waiting on said locomotive picked up their luggage and boarded. The train was not nearly as large as the usual one that arrives here. In fact, this train only had one singular train car for holding ponies. The reason for this is because traveling to the New Changeling Kingdom was not a very popular trip, especially not now. This was the very first expedition between Ponyville and the aforementioned kingdom. 

Spike, now able to see out the windows due to his recent growth in height, looked at the beautiful and lush landscapes they passed on the train ride. Several blooming fields of various flowers, trees, and bushes were seen. The sun light bounced off of the small river, making it appear as the whole area was sparkling. It was an awe inspiring sight to behold.

The purple dragon could not help but feel happy looking at the beautiful flora. He then thought to himself: “I wonder if I could take Thorax here sometime… Would he like this place? Does he like nature? How do I know if this is the best spot to take him?” Spike took a brief pause. “Maybe I’ll just ask him what he likes, and maybe I can surprise him with this.” He smiled to himself.

Twilight looked at Spike’s display of various facial expressions; she giggled to herself. 

“So Spike, I hear that Thorax has a room right next to his,” She smirked. “I wonder if you’ll be able to stay in that room.”

“He does?” Spike’s smile became several times larger. “That sounds AWESOME!”

Twilight smiled, she knew how happy this made him. She may not have known what Spike really felt for Thorax, but she did know how giddy all this talk of Thorax made Spike. It made her glad to see just how much this trip means to her most valuable assistant, no, her closest friend.

After several hours pass by, the pair was within Changeling territory. The two looked out the window of the train, shock on their faces. Instead of the vast empty and barren land that they remember from previously being here, they were greeted with a large, beautiful village surrounding a huge central hive. The houses were each full of color and built with several different unique designs. They arrived at the station.

Twilight and Spike slowly made their way off the train and turned around before taking a long look at the completely remade kingdom. Their mouths hung open and their eyes widened. Spike slowly went from a look of shock to a look of excitement.

“It’s so different… It’s so new!” The purple dragon exclaimed as he observed each and every house within his field of view.

“Welcome princess Twilight Sparkle and Sir Spike the dragon.” A changeling guard said as he bowed to the pony and reptile in front of him. 

"We are very pleased that you have decided to come all this way." A familiar voice said.

The two looked over and notice that the guard was not alone. The voice that they recognized undeniably belonged to the one right beside him. That changeling being none other than Thorax.