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// Thorax's Conundrum, Spike's Irritation 
// Story: Thorax’s Conundrum, Spike’s Irritation 
// by Darth Revan the Gray 
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Spike the dragon was an oddity to his species truly. Raised by the passive ponies and not by his more competitive and brash kin made him into a far more peaceful and reserved drake. As such, it was not uncommon for him to enjoy some simple things in life. To Spike, that would be reading comics while enjoying a cup of hot coffee (something he recently go into). Especially since Twilight was busy visiting Cadance and Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire. Rarity was visiting her boutique in Manehatten, Fluttershy was busy dealing with her sanctuary, Rainbow Dash had to do a performance in Las Pegasus with the Wonderbolts, Applejack was occupied with harvest, and Pinkie was busy watching Pound and Pumpkin since the Cakes were off on a surprise cruise.
Spike would say him getting anytime to himself would be scoffable. Spike was usually occupied by numerous projects and professions he was accustomed to. Be it organizing the books in stock in the Castle of Friendship; aiding Twilight with her extensive study periods; tending to the chores around the castle, which all were annoyingly assigned to him; gem hunting with Rarity; any other random chore or errand the others needed him to do; aiding Twilight and her friends with running the School of Friendship; and having some work to do as Friendship Ambassador for the Dragonlands. 
Yep, Spike Sparkle-Solaris was surely overworked, thus he would enjoy any moments of free time he got. Generally said free time was spent playing Ogres and Oubliettes with his guy pals Discord and Big Mac, but the former was spending time with Fluttershy and the latter was spending time with his fillyfriend on a date. Spike sighed, of course his pals have mares they can spend time with while he is lonely. 
Regardless, Spike was adamant to enjoy his free time with a good comic and a cup of coffee with a little sugar and cream. 
What could possibly go wrong? 
“SPIKE!!!” A shrill yet familiar male voice cried from within the crystal palace’s walls. 
Spike sighed with resigned sadness; he should have known his free time wouldn’t have lasted. Setting the comic and mug down, he opened the door to his bedroom and flapped his wings to head to the source of the voice. 
There standing in the foyer of the castle was a single figure, one who Spike was well acquainted with and considered a good friend: King Thorax of the Changelings. “Oh Spike,” the insectoid equine said rushing forward to embrace the dragon in a hug. “I really need your help.” 
Spike rolled his eyes. Of all the times for his old changeling pal to visit, it had to be when he needed help with something. 
“What is Thorax?” Spike asked, feigning annoyance. Thorax’s frightful look morphed to one of moderate concern. Spike internally facepalmed, of course Thorax could sense his irritation. ‘Stupid empathic powers.’ 
He was happy Changelings weren’t telepaths or Thorax would have been hurt from that remark. And hurting Thorax of all creatures would be equivalent of kicking a puppy. 
“Is it a bad time Spike?” Thorax asked. “It doesn’t matter Thorax,” Spike said, trying to dodge his issues to get to the bottom of the alpha changeling’s own issues. “Why did you come screaming?” 
“Oh that,” Thorax said, his eyes darting to the side with worry etched in his features. “How do I say this… um did you ever think Chrysalis was the only Changeling Queen?” 
Spike allowed the concept to run through his mind for a quick bit. “In all honesty, I never really cared much of it.” 
“Wellllll,” Thorax said, sweating a little. “Turns out there are multiple hives, nine to be exact. And all have a queen like mine used to.” 
Spike raised a scaled brow as his annoyed expression morphed into one of surprise. “Wait a minute, there is more than one hive.” 
“Yep,” Thorax said in a lessened matter-of-fact tone. “And they all decided to finally meet with me today.” His expression morphed to one you’d find a child having when they have something important and shocking to tell their parents. 
“Well,” Spike said, his tone semi-hopeful. “Then this is a good thing. All they have to do is accept the idea of sharing love, and they can no longer starve and work to further changeling relationships with the rest of the world.” 
Thorax’s light green features were graced with a crimson tone as he appeared to be restraining a comment. 
“Something the matter Thorax?” Spike asked, his expression quizzical of his pal’s odd behavior. 
“You see,” Thorax said, moving to sit on his haunches. “That is where it all started. All nine queens come to my hive expressing interest in the idea of sharing love instead of taking it and going global with the knowledge of their existence.” 
“I fail to see the problem Thorax.” 
“Just let me get there. I was all happy for our hives to be on good will, especially since they mentioned never approving of Chrysalis’ actions from the beginning. Though, they mentioned how they were especially interested in meeting me. Something along the lines of ‘there has never been a male alpha changeling in our species history.’” 
Spike held a neutral expression the whole time, but when Thorax mentioned that last bit Spike began to form a thought in his head of where this is going. 
“Then they went on about not just bettering relations, but total unification!” Thorax said, shouting the last bit. “Next thing I know, I have nine ravenous Changeling Queens throwing themselves at my hooves to marry me on second. Only for them all to get into a brawl over who should me marry the next second.” 
Spike’s expression remained neutral. This wasn’t the weirdest thing he had dealt with in his 16-year-old life, but he wouldn’t deny this would be up for the top twenty. 
“Then why not tell them no.” Spike said, trying to run the idea by his pal. 
“ARE YOU JOKING!!!” Thorax screeched at the whelpling. “You weren’t there when they began to go into a magic and shapeshifting brawl over me, me of all creatures. Then when I tried to tell them that very idea, they denied it saying, ‘it is either marriage or total war.’ And that was a nine-fold separate threat since if I only marry one, the other eight will just declare war anyhow!” 
Spike, in just the short year and a half of his status as a Friendship Ambassador and being the adopted son of Princess Celestia Solaris, new his fair share of politics. Which helped him further understand the gravity of this sticky political issue. 
And this one stuck harder than tar. 
“Okay,” Spike said, placing a claw on the shoulder of his hyperventilating friend. “We just need to breathe and come up with something. Heck, if it makes you feel any better, I’ll write a letter to the Princesses and they can help you mitigate with the other queens.” 
Thorax’s erratic breathing slowed, and he took one final breath in and out to calm himself. He looked at Spike with a small smile. 
“Thanks Spike,” Thorax pulled his pal into a hug, which the dragon returned happily. “I knew you could help me.”
*BANG* 
“KING THORAX!!!” 
Thorax practically leapt out of his chitin when he heard those nine voices, quickly shapeshifting into a potted plant. Spike turned his head to find nine alpha changeling females barring a similar form to Chrysalis, but each wearing their membranous manes in altered styles and their wings, eyes, and manes all different colors. All of them standing in the castle’s doorway with a sparkle of lust in their eyes.
“Your eminence,” A Changeling queen whose mane, eyes, and wings were a ruby red, her mane tied in a bun. “You’ll be happy to know we have come with a compromise to our proposition.” 
Thorax made his eyes appear on the pot. “You have,” he said with a little worry and shock.
“Yes,” A Changeling queen with her aqua green mane poofed up somehow reminiscent of Pinkie Pies. 
Thorax shapeshifted back into his true form. “Great,” Thorax said, sighing with relief. “I was afraid you all would kill me if there wasn’t going to be a wedding.” 
“Oh, there will still be one.” The red maned one said with a cocky grin. 
“Wha… what?” Thorax said, starting to pace backwards. 
The Changeling queens looked at each other, turning their gaze back to the Changeling King. There voices sharing a joint happiness. 
“We have agreed to share you.” 
With that the nine Changeling Queens practically lunged like a predator catching its prey. Only for Thorax to fly at a speed that would make Rainbow Dash envious. 
Spike watched as the queens recomposed themselves, and laid chase. Shouting lines like: “Come back here you hunk,” “Want some love dearie.” “We shall rule with love.” 
Spike sighed; he flapped his wings and took flight. While pulling out a piece of parchment and a quill, already writing a letter to Celestia and Luna. Inwardly, he swore vengeance on what ever force forbid him a moment of peace.
He should just go tick his mother off enough to banish him to the moon. Then he could get a thousand years of peace and alone time.