//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Meet and Greet // Story: A Thorax in my Side // by LaysPotatoChips //------------------------------// After the train had finally made it's way to the Chrystal Empire, Spike, Twilight, and Starlight made their way towards the Chrystal Empire on foot. With it always being winter time over their, it was cold as all heck. As the three of them where about to stop and take a rest, they all notised a pair of ponies running towards them at breakneck speed. They didn't know wheather to be greatfull or Worried. The last thing they all needed was another attack on the empire. Once the ponies got into their line of site, was when they all took a big sigh of relief. It was just two of Shining Armor's guards. After a few more seconds of unbearable cold, the guards finally pulled up at to the trio of ponies that lied before them. Before they even spoke, they bowed their heads in respect to the office of Princess Twilight and Spike the Brave and Glorious. After rising up, the blue colored guard spoke " Princess Twilight of Ponyville, Spike the Great and Glorious, and Starlight Glimmer, I have orders from Shining Armor to escort you all to the castle in a much more appropriate manner." With yet another sigh of relief, Spike, Twilight, and Starlight all gathered into the cart that was then pulled by both of the pegasi ponies, and within a minute, they where in the Chrystal Empire. And after another full minute, they where at the castle, where Princess Cadence and Shining Armor where waiting for them with big smiles on their faces on the top of the castle tower. After getting out of the cart, and making their way towards the thrown room. Spike, Twilight, and Starlight relaxed in the heat of the castle. Another minute passed, and soon enough, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor had made their way to the main castle thrown room. Shining Armor, in complete glee in seeing his favorite younger sister, ran up to her and said "Twily, It's been some time. How are you doing? Twilight responded with "I've been fine, how are you and the baby?" Shining Armor answered with "The baby has been doing wonders for us, ever since the royal chrystaling." Twilight responded back with "I'm glad." With the conversation having been ended between the two, Cadence trotted up towards Twilight and did their little theme song/dance "Sunshine, Sunshine. Ladybugs Awake. Clap your Hooves. And do a little shake!" This little dance was fallowed with a hug between the two. After the hug, Twilight, Spike, and Starlight all thanked everypony for taking them in. This was met with a simple," It's no trouble." by Shining Armor. "You all must be very tired from that long train ride here?" Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. It had been a very long ride, and their hooves/feet where killing them. "Well, I have already acquired two rooms for the three of you. Twily, you and Starlight are going to be sharing a room on the top floor of the Chrystal Castle." Starlight and Twilight thanked Shining Armor and a guard escorted them towards their room. As for Spike, he was really anxious as to what room he would be getting. Shining Armor smiled at the young drake, and said " As for you Spike, I have a special room ready for you, and theirs a certain somepony who really wants to see you." Spike's eyes lit up in joy, and he started jumping slightly "Is it Thorax." Spike asked Shining Armor nodded his head "You bet it is Spike, and the best part, you two are going to be bunk mates for the whole week. And as an added bonus, I have personally made sure that the both of you have an escort for the next week you are here. So he will be taking you wherever you want. The only rule is that it must be here in the Empire. Also, feel free to snack on some gems while your here. We have a nice stash waiting for you." Spike's eyes watered in joy, and his mouth drooled at the thought of so many gems. "Thank you so much Shining Armor!" Spike said with glee "Hey, you saved the Chrystal Empire three times, plus you helped me and my subjects learn a valuable lesson in friendship. You deserve anything your heart desires. So if you think of something, don't hesitate and ask any of our guards for anything you might Spike the Great and Honorable." Shining Armor Said Spike then make his way, with the help of a guard, to his room. Before he could enter the room. Spike was given a magic skeleton key that would never get lost in any way. After thanking the guards, Spike opened the door, and walked in. The room was truly amazing in and of it's own self. The room looked like an expensive suite in one of those fancy hotels in Mainhatten, plus their was a big bowl of gems lying on his bed. On across from his bed, sat his best friend Thorax. Spike immediately ran up to him and said "Thorax!" Thorax immediately saw Spike and ran towards him saying "Spike!" The both of them embraced with a fiery hug that literally beat any other kind of hug. Thorax gripped Spike's body like his life depended on it, and Spike did the same, but a lot tighter. The warmth of that was radiating from their bodies made the hug all the more desirable. A few moments passed and neither Spike, nor Thorax wanted to beak the hug that they where in. For Spike, it was because of two reasons. One, he really missed Thorax. And two, he was still really cold from the outside winter air. A minute passed before the both of them separated slightly so that they could say hello to each other. "Spike, I missed you a lot." Thorax said looking down at Spike's Emerald eyes "I missed you too Thorax." Spike said returning the stare The two of them hugged for another minute, before officially separating themselves and making their way to their respective beds. Spike knew that the two of them where going to have an amazing time together, and he really wanted to show it. "Oh man, Thorax do I have a big list of fun thing we can do together," Spike said happily "Oh really, I can't wait!" Thorax asked with a excited look in his eyes "I also have something for you." Spike said reaching into his bag and pulling out a large box "Wow, what is it? I wanna know!" Thorax said as his wings started fluttering in excitement "Here you go, Thorax. I hope you enjoy it." Spike said giving his the colored box Thorax immediately tore into the box and opened up the cardboard packaging. What he saw left him completely speechless. The gift was a brightly colored scarf, about seven feet long in total. It was literally every color that exsisted all rolled up into a scarf. There where also words sewed into the scarf with little gem stones. It read "Thorax" in blue dimond stones. Thorax had never seen anything so beautiful in all of his life, not to mention that it was the first gift he had ever recived. Thorax looked at Spike with tearing eyes, and ran up to the dragon and gave him another loving hug. " I love it Spike, thank you so much." Thorax said, tears of joy streaming down his face "It was nothing Thorax. You are my best friend, and I wanted to show it to you by making this scarf for you. Besides, I know it can get really cold out here, so this will hopefully warm you up." Spike said as he returned the hug. Thorax gave Spike another hug, until he realized that he himself had something for the young dragon. It was a heart shaped gem ( similar to the one that Spike gave Rarity), but this gem was bigger and more rarer than anything he could ever find. "I have something for you too Spike, wait here." Thorax flew up towards his dresser drawer and grabbed the gem. He then flew back up to Spike and handed him the gem. Spike's eyes went wide with amazement. Never had he seen a gem this big before. And it was the same type of gem that he had given Rarity on his last birthday. Spike looked up at Thorax and said "Thank you so much Thorax. It's nice, it really is." Spike gave Thorax another hug, and then proceeded to place his gift on the mantle next to him. Thorax, after the hug had ended, tried on his scarf, and it just made his entire body pop out with all of the colors in the scarf. Spike then pulled out the list and walked over to where Thorax was sitting and set the list next to him. " You and I are going to have an awesome week." Spike said giving the changeling a big smile as they planned out their week.