The next couple of months consisted of an extensive amount of training that took me to my limits.

I also made friends within the changelings who taught me: twins Benevolent and Malevolent. As it turned out, they were assigned to teach me in the first place, but Chrysalis had a change of mind and assigned Captain Con and Major Artifice because they were fiercely loyal to her. Apparently she was already scheming to get rid of me from the start. As punishment, those two were also banished. Call me harsh, but I don't want people in high positions that had relations to old rulers that hated me.

Anyways, during the training I was able to get to know many of the changelings better. It also helped with my relation with the entire hive. Turns out having a king with no name really inspired all of the changelings who hadn't gotten a name.

Speaking of such, in the first month of my rule, I made it a point to get every single changeling a name. Although, I did save a certain name for myself. Why? 'Cause back on Earth, I decided that if I ever had a son, I would name him Loki. I kinda liked the trickster god, I mean, he's the god of people who like to troll. Why wouldn't I want to name my son that?

Also what happened in my first month of rule, was that I appointed Sapphire into a commanding position in the guard. It pays to have honor and be willing to fight at a moments notice. Her sister, at Sapphire's request, stayed out of the guard and high positions. I agreed with her, but told Emerald first. She wasn't too hot about the idea, but took it in stride anyways. She knew her sister was just looking out for her.

But enough about the past, it's time to focus on the present.

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Today was the day I finished my basic training.

I had learned many things: from more advanced swordplay, to basic magic that was useful to changelings. I even learned a spell that allowed me to walk on water.

I had even made time to focus on some more advanced magics, such as basic transmutation. Transmutation is fun. I somehow made freaking Mountain Dew. Don't ask me how, it just involved a lot of fruit, air, and trial and error. Honestly, it's probably a thousand times more healthier. I also learned how to make other sodas, but Mountain Dew was just the hardest to do.

To say that I was happy it was time to finish my training, was an under exaggeration.

So, it was today that I stood in the throne room, wearing a custom set of formal, yet functional, armor pieces. Why was I in here? Because the changelings, as an entire unit, had a surprise for me.

I was just outside the doors, waiting for my cue to come in. When it came and I stepped in the room, I noticed that the entire hive had gathered into the throne room to see me rewarded. At the throne stood Sapphire and Emerald, as well as my teachers Benevolent and Malevolent. When I reached the throne, I was asked to kneel.

"We have gathered here today, everyling," Malevolent started.

"To celebrate the completion of training of our new king." finished Benevolent. I had forgotten that these two liked to talk like purely male versions of the Lutece Twins.

"We have also come to bestow upon him what he has bestowed upon us." said Malevolent.

"As you all know, he came here with no name, so we have all come to rectify this." said Benevolent.

"Today," they said together, "we give our king a name."

"I have been told to give you the name, my king." said Emerald.

"And I, the crown." said Sapphire.

"From today on," Emerald said, "You shall be known as Dox."

With that, a crown of ebony and emerald crystals was placed on my head. Following, I was asked to stand and address my subjects.

"My fellow changelings." I said. "As much as this day is about me, this day is about you. Today I plan to help the hive so that we will no longer have to hide in the badlands. Today, I go to Canterlot."

I paused to let the changelings take in my words. I got pure silence in response. It became so quiet in the room that you could hear a pin drop.

"That's right." I said. "I plan to go to Canterlot. I know what day it is, too. Today is the day of the royal wedding."

"Sir?" I heard Malevolent say. "Why there? Wouldn't that be the worst idea? You said so yourself, the plan Chrysalis had was canceled because it was bound to end in failure."

"Yes, I know." I said. "I plan to go there for a different reason. Two, in fact."

"And what are those reasons, sir?" Benevolent asked.

"I plan to warn the princesses about the traitors," I said. "I also plan to make a treaty, of sorts. It is my intention to make it so that we won't have to hide again, so that we can live out in the open."

It took a second, but the result was exactly what I hoped. The room erupted in cheer, praising the hive and its ruler.

"Those of you who I've contacted, you know your jobs." I said. "We leave immediately for Canterlot."

"Wait sir!" said Sapphire. "As part of the force you contacted, I'd like to advise that we teleport to the outpost we have in Canterlot."

"I see no problems with that." I said. "Let's get moving then.

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So it came to be that I was on the move for Canterlot from a changeling outpost about a mile away with ten other changelings.

“I thought you said that the outpost was in Canterlot.” I said.

“It is.” said Sapphire. “We’re in the outskirts. Where else would we hide an outpost of full of changelings? In the center of the city?”

“Touche.” I said. “Anyways, lets get moving.”

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The shield was just like how it was in the show: big and pink. Although, there weren’t any guards around that I could see. You would think, what with the whole princess wedding and all, that there would be more guards, but I digress.

Well, there’s something I thought I wouldn’t see for a bit longer.

“Hey Drake!” I yelled as I waved down my fellow human. “How’s it goin’?”

On the other side, I could see Drake stop as he stood next to a princess. She was pink and in a well pink dress with a white veil on. I saw him briskly walk forward before hearing him laugh “DM! How the hell did you get here and….. why are there Changelings with you?” he asked as he pointed to my companions.

“Long story man.” I said. “I can’t really tell you all of it right now, but I need to go see the Princesses. Oh, and the name’s Dox now.”

I saw him look back at the pink princess as he does a hand motion and she runs off “Dox huh? Well as much as I would like to man, you got to understand that well….. today is a Princess wedding and security is pretty tight, but also…. how do I know your Dox?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe the fact that I freaking knew you!” I said. “Jeeze man. The changelings never encountered you, remember? All they did was know of you. They don’t really know anything about your Dota powers.”

“Except that you just told them if it’s true! Just answer me this…. what three heroes did I turn into during the Equestria vs Griffon Kingdom war when you were at my side?” he asked with a raised brow.

“Gyrocopter, Venomancer, and that one red guy.” I said. “I can’t really remember much about him. I remember he had an scythe and that whole trippy experience when I stabbed you. I ripped him off your face like a mask.

That was all that was needed as I saw Drake smile and grin. When the sound of hooves reached my ears I looked to see six mares and one white stallion who seemed quite defensive of the pink princess “Hold on”. Drake walked over to them and seemed to say something softly as they seemed to relax…. sort of. I swear that blue winged one wants to kick me in the face for some reason.

The shield opened a bit as I saw Drake wave us in “Come in Dox and friends! They will let you in as long as I act as your guard. One wrong move and let me warn you I will be allowed, by Equestrian law to go Phoenix on you.” he told us in a serious tone.

“You touch them…” I warned. “You won’t like what’ll happen.”

“Hey! Nopony threatens my flyguy!” the blue one says as she flew up in my face. Drake patted her back as she stands down as he looked at me with a look as if I was serious. Of course I was….. if only I knew how to use these damn dice.

Drake simply motion “Follow. Trust me the sooner we get this done, the faster we can enjoy cake before Celestia ‘Royally decrees all cake to go to her quarters’” he said with massive airquotes.

“Good idea.” I said. I pulled Drake aside and said, “It appears that we both have stories to tell.”

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When we got to the castle, Drake simply pushed the guards aside as they just let us stroll on in. Apparently Drake had some pull around here, possibly as a war vet technically. As we walked down the halls, it wasn’t a surprise of the looks we got from guards, servants, and some white coated unicorn who simply looked at Drake and instantly shut his mouth. As we reached a large set of double doors, Drake simply grinned as he called out “Sunny! Moony! You have guest!” he yelled as he pushed the doors open.

There they were, sitting in their thrones: The royal princesses, Celestia and Luna.

Now I could enact my plan.

I walked to the feet of the thrones and got down on one knee, then bade the changelings to do the same.

“Princesses,” I said as I quickly bowed my head and then went back to looking at them. “I have come here on behalf of all changelings in this realm, to ask one thing.”

It did not take long for the sound of hooves to descend from the throne and to our position. Before my eyes, I could see a pair of golden slippers as a voice, sweeter than honey and softer than any cloud, spoke “Please raise your head young one” she said.

I did as I was asked and said, “I have come to ask for a treaty.”

This greatly surprised the changelings behind me. They thought that this would have been the last thing I would have done, bowing before the diarchs of the nation that they had invaded, captured citizens from, and drained love from for centuries.

The reaction that came from Celestia was unexpected. A soft giggle is heard “I believe both of our nations will benefit from this. However-”

“What doth your leader, Chrysalis say of this?” a new voice spoke as up on the throne, Luna descended, but with a look that was more skeptical than open hearted like Celestias.

It was at her arrival that I stood up to my full height and removed my cloak, revealing my fancy armor with the emblem of changeling royalty on the right breastplate.

Celestia looked a bit surprised, but quickly regained her composure “Sister. He IS the leader” she said. Just as she said that, I could see Drake walk between them as he looked over me. Every inch of my armor and emblem.

I could hear him inhale sharply “So….. let me get this straight….. you changed the future by doing something with the leader? The leader whom I already warned the princesses here of?” he asked in a oddly…. calm manner.

“Yes.” I said. “If you don’t remember, I went off to go find her and the hive. Turns out, instead of giving me training, when I brought up something I didn’t like, she had a change of heart and tried to imprison me. I took her out of power and banished her. Fun thing is, I just got officially crowned today.” I took out the crown I had in one of my pouches and showed it to Drake and the Princesses.

I could see Drake’s eye twitch a bit “I am honestly at a crossroads right now. A part of me wants to strangle you for changing the future…. but the other side of me wants to grab you, drag you, and buy you a damn mug of cider and honestly the latter is more in control…. however a question does strike me” he said as he taps his chin with a gauntlet finger.

“Yes?” I asked. “Please, ask away.”

Drake pulled me in close as he says “What will happen when you have to leave? Chrysalis might return and steal control. She be pissed and do a much more violent assault” he whispered to me as he let me go. He cross his arms “Still… damn glad to see your not dead DM” he said.

“Same here.” I said. I pulled him closer and whispered to him, “Talk with me after the wedding.”

Celestia politely cleared her throat “Not that this is intriguing. Shall we speak of a treaty after the wedding of my niece and soon to be nephew-in-law?” she asked. Luna still looked skeptical, but she kept quiet as she is apparently trying to get more with new modern negotiations…. probably.

“Sure.” I said. “It’ll be a perfect time. A momentous occasion to crown another. In the mean time, however, is there a place for me and these changelings to stay?”

Celestia simply nodded “You will stay with Drake” she said as she smiles at them.

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Me and the changelings got separate rooms in the castle. They were all right next to each other, too. I was in my room talking with Drake.

“So, Drake.” I said. “About that whole flyboy thing with Dash. What’s up?”

Drake just had this look on his face that said he regretted what Dash said. His face was beet red, hands trembling “Um…. remember the whole war incident? Also of what medics use to keep patients calm after war of anesthetic?” he asked nervously.

“Yeah?” I said. “What about it?”

He simply looked down “I was under anesthetic when I…. blurted out…. that I love to have a herd of all six of them together and well….” he stops as he groans softly.

“Good job.” I said, clapping slowly. “Just… good job.”

“Well… mix in how each of my heroes kinda appeal to them and before long I ended up dating them all…. that it’s also Celestia fault” he said with a huff.

“Again, good job.” I said.

“Not really…. turns out Celestia made a secret law of whoever dates one of the Mane Six, must date them all. All to keep their friendship strong and connected” Drake said as he chuckles “Also flyboy is because when I turned into a winged hero I couldn’t fly at first, but she helped me” he explained.

“Yep, totally not the most hilarious thing that I’ve heard in two months.” I said.

Drake simply chuckled “What’s more hilarious is how I shut Blueblood up. You know that white unicorn that instantly bit his lips when we passed him? Well…. to the nobles here, I am pretending to be a Phoenix God” he told me. He soon opened his gauntlet and let out a preview of a literal Phoenix in his hand “Now… they watch their mouths around me and my friends. Still, they pale in comparison to a problem that is going to start tomorrow” he told me. I could swear when I looked at him he actually looked afraid and scared, more so than at the battle.

“What are you talking about?” I asked. “What problem?” All Drake simply did was stand up and walk to a small calendar on a nightstand. He handed over a small calendar to me as tomorrow’s date was circled and on it, in bold read:

“......... What……” I said.

Drake simply nodded as he looked at him “Problem is I got an all powerful magical unicorn, a speed defying pegasi, a cowgirl pony, a ‘too cute to resist’ pegasi, another unicorn, and a logic defying pony that have already called dibs on me….. I’m pretty much fucked beyond reason Dox.” he said. As he sighed and rubbed his forehead “I still feel like I am going to get chased by more than those six” he said as he falls onto his ass with an audible thud.

Well crap.