//------------------------------//
// Invitation for the New King (Thorax part 1) 
// Story: The Bar at the Edge of Nowhere 
// by Syric Philharmonica 
//------------------------------//

"In the land of Equestria it is uncommon but not unheard of for new royalty to either ascend or be crowned throughout the ages, such is the way of succession. And in the untamed reaches of the land the process of succession can end brutally. Fortunately, when it came time for the Changeling Crown to change bearers there was little to no bloodshed. Not to say that is was painless or a smooth transfer of power. It was a hard fought battle between the current Queen Chrysalis and Thorax, a common drone who had reached a form of enlightenment about the continued existence of their species. With the aid of the allies he had made outside the hive Thorax had managed to overthrow the Queen and become the first King, triggering not only the physical change into a proper ruler, but due to the changers he  had undergone mentally and his ability to generate love, Thorax had become something new. And with the agency provided by his ascension, The New King led his people out from Darkness."

-Antennae, Excerpt from "Our Love, Freely Given" printed 2017 with help from The Equestrian Press.





"So what do you think? Antennae and Writer's Block really outdid themselves!" King Thorax lifted his gaze from the freshly printed loose pages to regard his small draconic friend. The both of them were situated in Princess Twilight's enormous library. Spike had ushered Thorax into it almost as soon as he had arrived, Almost vibrating with excitement to show Thorax the good news.

"It's good, Spike. This is exactly what I wanted." Thorax gave Spike a calm smile before it slipped away, returning to the look of deep contemplation he had entered the castle with. "Listen Spike," Thorax said, using his magic to retrieve a letter with a broken wax seal. "You were not only my first friend, but the one who has helped me the most, so I feel that I can trust you with this. About a week ago one of the drone's came back to the hive with this letter addressing me as, 'King Thorax, The New Lord'." Thorax floated the letter over for Spike to read as he continued to explain. "At first I was afraid to open it, The letter arrived at the EXACT moment everything to do with my Ascension to King had settled down and I had a moment of free time. Not only that, but the sender only referred to themself as, 'A Knight'. So I need to ask for your help again."

Spike took in everything Thorax said before reading the letter so as to not miss anything he said. After Thorax had finished speaking Spike looked down at the letter in his claws and began to read from the top.





To The New Lord,


firstly, allow me to extend my sincerest congratulations on your Ascension. I am sure that none of it feels real at the moment, but by the time you receive this letter it should all be setting in. I have been blessed enough to bear witness the Ascension of others and they have confided in me all the thrill and terror that comes with the ceremony.

However, that is neither here nor there at the moment. The purpose of this letter is to extend an offer to meet. I have made it my responsibility to personally meet with all royalty in the land that we all share. Such is the duty entrusted to me as the Last Knight of Equestria. This meeting, should you decide to accept will be to help you understand your new responsibilities as King, Because I am quite sure that Chrysalis taught you nothing before the title was passed onto you.

I realize that you have no reason to trust me. If you do then you are either very foolish or very Naïve and someone else WILL take advantage of that. However I believe that you will lead the Changeling hives you rule over into an unprecedented age of incredible advancement.


Sincerely, A Knight.





As Spike lowered the letter to the table him and Thorax were seated at the King lowered his head to Catch Spike's eye before speaking. "Do you see the situation I'm in now? I hope you can help me figure out what to do."

Spike rubbed a claw against his chin as he mulled over what he had learned, the whole situation sounding eerily familiar to him before he snapped his claws once he remembered why.

"Ah! That's right, Twilight got one of these like you! She freaked out for a while before gathering the rest of our friends to decide what to do. It wasn't until The Princesses showed up that she decided to go see what 'The Knight' wanted." Spike revealed with a shrug as he leaned back in his seat, raising a claw to Thorax who was listening attentively. "None of us were allowed to go with her, which was mighty suspicious if you ask me, but she came back from the meeting with a new confidence around her. That meeting really helped her calm down and get all her thoughts in order about becoming royalty."

"I see." Said thorax as he brought the letter back over to his side of the table, gazing down at it with a moderately less worried crease in his brow. "So you think I should accept this Knight's offer?"

"Yeah, It helped Twilight a lot, It'll probably help you too!" Spike punctuated his statement with a thumbs up and a wide grin, one that Thorax was compelled to return, feeling much better about the entire situation now that he knew there was no malicious intent behind the offer.

"Thank you Spike," Thorax said as he stood with a sense of content with how this visit had gone, gathering up the letter and the Book's manuscript. "I think I WILL go see what this Knight has in store. Afterwards, we should plan something fun to celebrate. Think up something good while I'm gone alright?"

"You can count on me!" Spike exclaimed as he stood with a salute, already coming up with all sorts of plans and activities he was sure the Changeling would enjoy. Thorax Gave a soft chuckle as he turned to leave the library and find Princess Twilight, He had a few questions for the small alicorn.