Thorn found his teeth chattering as he braved the cold and harsh climate of the northern Equestrian tundra. It’s times like this that he wished he had dressed in layers; unfortunately his mother had told him to pack only the necessities which were some street clothes, his armor, and sword. One thing was for sure, he absolutely hated snow now. He ran over the previous days event’s one more time

“Mother, how exactly will they believe I am not a threat? I mean won’t it seem odd that a person of my…breed popped out of nowhere with no rhyme or reason?”

Chrysalis merely chuckled, “Of course not. A person of your breed has entered the same way before, not many will question it. But that does not mean you shouldn't let your guard down, Shining Amour used to be captain of the royal guard and is versed in many forms of magical and physical combat.”

He nodded, “Of course mother. Is there anything else?”

Chrysalis nodded, “You will have to wear traditional garments of the species you are portraying. But do not fear I shall have the seamstress fashion them for you before you depart.”

He turned to leave but stopped, “Mother, what happens if I fail?”

Chrysalis merely responded with an eerily calm, “You won’t.”

Thorn glanced around his surroundings and shivered, this was ridiculous. He would most likely freeze to death before he reached his destination and nopony would know he had been out here aside from his mother. The thought of seeing her disappointed or possibly grieving for the loss of her cherished prince caused Thorn to clench his teeth and press on now undeterred, even though he was slowly losing all feeling in his arms. Then like a divine sign he beheld a light in the preverbal darkness in the form of a massive patch of green he smiled and sprinted down the hill he now stood…only to lose his footing and tumble down most of the way.

He stuck his head out of the snow and snorted in anger, “This is just ridiculous!!!!”

Throne stood up and kicked a chunk of ice…then clutched his foot in pain and anger, “I HATE THIS BLOODLY SNOW!!!!!!!!”

Thorn sighed in defeat and began to slowly limp toward the barrier. Some changeling’s have secretly asked how it is that even though he resembles those “other visitors” and yet does not possess any of the same attributes they have. Chrysalis merely ended the subject but Thorn looked into it and found that the invaders seemed to develop the abilities because they just that, invaders, foreigners to their world. Since he was born there he naturally grew up…abet with one special trait. At remembering this subject he looked at his right hand and instinctively touched his face, no, his false face. Thorn was raised to embrace his royal heritage yet he always insisted to stay in the form he was born in, the form he felt more comfortable as. He reached the dome and inhaled, the time had come. He stepped forward and shut his eyes, he felt warmth and energy crackle over him, and then felt nothing but the sun’s rays.

He blinked and quickly patted himself down, “I’m alive,” he looked around once more then yelled in happiness, “I’M ALIVE!!!”

Thorn nodded as he mentally cataloged that the barrier was not lethal to changelings, at least that’s what he thought. It might just not affect him due to his blood, he shrugged it off and approached a crystal block and observed himself. He was wearing black pants and a black “T-shirt” as her mother had said it was called. He was also wearing black slipper like shoes with white soles and around his neck was a brown woven thread with a small green rhombus shaped jewel attached to it.

He shook his head, “How can they honestly dress like this it’s so…plain.”

Thorn once more thought nothing of it and walked down the grassy hill…only to behold the majesty that lay before him. A massive palace that was like a heavenly paradise rose from the center of a massive city that was all composed of some form of crystal. As he walked forward he stepped on something with a crunch, he glanced down to see a red shard of something. He rolled his eyes and kept on walking. Right as he reached the train platform he turned a corner and almost ran into an oncoming group. He immediately hid around a corner as the group passed him by. He cursed himself for being so nervous, he was supposed to blend in and he was doing a horrible job to say the least.

He inhaled, “Okay, you’ve trained for this. You can do it.”

Thorn stepped out from around the corner and was being stared at by a surprised crystal mare, “Hello there.”

Thorn jumped half a foot and landed on a nearby bench in a frightened combat stance.

The mare trotted past him, “Weirdo.”

Thorn looked after her and then aguishly yelled, “Augh!”

*

For many hours Thorn was becoming a horrible conversationalist, he had either tripped over his own words or smacked into almost EVERY SUSPENDED PLANT in the Empire. Mother was going to have a conniption if he was done in before he even began, although he couldn’t really help it. Thorn had practically never been allowed to leave the hive during his upbringing for any reason; his mother was quite clear on that. All of his education, fighting knowledge, and various other things were learned in the safety and security of the hive because the queen refused to allow her only heir to enter a cruel world he was not yet ready for. He sighed as he sat on a bench in defeat. Who was he kidding; he failed at the assignment already. The day wasn’t even over yet and he was having no progress, it’s not like he could walk up to a pony and ask, “Excuse me could you tell me all of your countries secrets?”

He looked at his hands, “Mother I’m sorry.”

He then looked up and noticed it was getting dark, “Damn.”

*

Thorn was even having an exceptionally hard time finding a dwelling to stay the night in. For some reason even though the appearance of the invaders was a slightly the norm, he wasn’t received quite well. He last in he had tried to request a room at slammed the door in his face before he could even start his sentence.

He sat down upon a bench once more and stared into space, “Well it could be worse,” it immediately began to rain, “buck.”

Thorn than ran for the nearest shelter which was underneath the massive overhang of the Crystal Castle. He then saw it, The Crystal Heart. His gaze was lost in the small amount of light that spread from it; the light warmed him as he curled up beside the podium. His mind began to drift to times long past.

He remembered standing in the swamp outside the hive when he was merely eight gazing around in wonder as his mother’s call fell on deaf ears. He ventured through the swamps murk and grime until he came across paths that lead far away from the swamps entrance. He followed one and after many minutes ended up looking down at a small park area where ponies were having picnics and having fun. He tilted his head in slight curiosity and confusion; he stood behind a tree in the shadows and watched on.

“Hi there.”

Thorn turned his head and widened his eyes in utter shock. A being that looked almost similar to him but seemed to be a year younger stared at him with curiousness laced with childlike happiness at having found a possible playmate. The being seemed female and had a head of red hair and dark blue eyes.

Thorn remained silent as the little girl approached him, “Why are you hiding over here.”

Thorn backed up as she gazed at his appearance, “Is that armor? Are you a knight!”

Thorn fell against the back of a tree as the girl got closer, “Don’t be afraid, I’m nice.”

Thorn was panicking as she stopped noticing him on the brink of tears, “Oh I’m sorry. I can tell you my name if you want. It’s-“

Thorn was on his feet as he sprinted into the trees in fear.

*

Thorn was awoken in the early morn by a jab in his side; he turned his head and fell onto his back. A crystal guard pony was glaring at him in curiosity and slight annoyance. Thorn skirted away from the guard and felt his back hit something hard and noticed he had backed himself into a corner. He slowly reached for the gem on his neck but stopped himself when a second guard appeared. Before the guard could say anything, Thorn whipped around the column and rushed down the street. He then rammed headlong into somepony. Thorn’s eyes opened wide and beheld the alicorn he was currently on top of. He remembered her from the glass, Skaela, Skeeball?

One of the guards yelled out behind him, “Release Princess Skyla!”

Thorn looked at her in surprise, “Princess?!”

Skyla was surprised and slightly annoyed at the question, “Yes and who in Tartarus are you?”

Thorn panicked once more as he got off her and turned to run again…only to stare at the slightly surprised parents of said Princess.

Thorn backed up, “Oh come on!”

Cadance tilted her head, “Another human?”

Thorn didn’t answer because the guards were closing in, “Don’t attempt to escape again.”

Thorn looked from side to side and was attempting to formulate a plan of action. So far one did not come to mind only instinct, fight or die. He found his right hand going for his necklace once more but froze his hand as one guard got to close. Thorn had been trained in armed and unarmed combat with a unique take thanks to his heritage. His mother had revealed to him where the pressure point on certain varieties of ponies were which still stuck with him even now. Unfortunately for that guard his current mindset and stress had switched his defend me switch into permanent on position. The minute the guard got an inch closer Thorn whipped out his right hand and sharply jabbed where the guards neck connected with his body and the guard dropped like a puppet with its strings cut. The other guard was extremely wary of the intruder and approached with caution. Thorn circled the guard who mirrored him, the guard then spread his wings and bull rushed the changeling prince. Thorn dodged to one side and jabbed in quick succession where the guard’s left wing connected with his body and then the same point he had used on the other. Both guards were incapacitated as he turned to face an agitated Shining Armor.

Thorn raised his hands, “Listen I don’t want-“

He was cut off as a paralysis spell nailed him dead on in the chest causing him to drop frozen in the pose he was in, “Don’t go anywhere.”

*

Skyla poked the paralyzed human, “Dad, was that necessary?”

Shining gently eased his daughter away from his target and examined him, “Odd, I thought the Fairbridge's and Washington’s were the only humans that could get to Equestria.”

Cadance stared down at the human as well, “Perhaps he’s new?”

Shining rubbed his chin as he glanced at the guards, “New…if he is how did he know about pony pressure points?”

Skyla was talking to the human, “So what’s your name?”

Thorn’s mouth moved, “Thorn River.”

Skyla looked at her less than amused father, “What? I was curious.”

Shining approached the human, “Why are you here and how did you get here.”

Thorn thought quickly, “I’m about as surprised as you are. One minute I’m sitting at home and the next I’m walking in a snow storm.”

Cadance pursed her lips slightly in thought then turned to her husband, “Honey, release him.”

Shining looked surprised at her but relented, “Don’t try anything funny.”

Thorn stood up, “Uh right…so…sorry about…whatever I just did.”

Skyla stifled a giggle at his awkwardness.

Cadance gave him a kind smile, “Aside from the slightly ruff welcome, I am Princess Mi Amore Cadenza of the crystal empire and this is my husband Shining Armor.”

Shining Armor regarded him with a half glare.

Cadance then gestured over to Skyla, “And you've already met my daughter.”

Thorn sighed, “Yeah.”

Cadance approached Thorn who visibly tensed up which Shining narrowed his eyes at, “Calm down, I mean you no harm Thorn.”

Thorn didn’t relax, “You’ll pardon my lack of faith Princess Cadenza.”

Cadance nodded, “Understandable and please call me Cadance.”

Thorn relaxed slightly remained on guard as Cadance smiled once more, “Say Thorn, have you eaten yet?”

Thorn was confused at the statement, “…no.”

Cadance nodded, “Alright then. Care to join us for breakfast?”

Shining was immediately beside his wife and whispered, “What are you doing? You saw what he did to those guards, plus I find his story a little farfetched.”

Cadance whispered back in a slightly scolding tone, “Far-fetched or not he’s a stranger in this land and doesn't have a friend to speak of here. The least we could do for him is to be hospitable, after all what would Twilight do in this situation?”

Shining lightly smiled, “What you suggested and probably pick his brain.”

Cadance smiled, “Exactly.”

Skyla was still looking the human over when she was addressed, “Skyla bring our guest would you?”

Thorn raised an eyebrow, “I-“

Skyla cut him off, “Come on already. Trust me when I say my mom won’t let you go without a fight.”

Thorn sighed in exasperation, “Fine.”

As the royal family walked ahead of him he inwardly smiled, at last he had progress.