The days of fear, torture and fierce opposition is over in the changeling hives. There is no longer the need for an elite, combat-ready military ready to eviscerate, pillage and destroy whatever they are ordered to kill. There is no longer a hive, only a hollow shell of pony lights, pony love, pony customs and the fading of changeling tradition. As each day passes, the old 'Chrysalis' ways are replaced by perverted versions of 'Celestia' and her subordinates' disgusting aesthetic.

Pharynx didn't think he'd be alone in his thinking. He didn't think he'd be the only one who stood defiant, fierce and intimidating to those around him. He didn't think that they wouldn't understand. They had to understand. They were his own kin! They turn their backs to him, ignorant to the years they've all spent as warriors and guards, in exchange for a life of comfort and ignorance.

He didn't think the entire hive would betray him. He didn't think the outcasting would be so unabashedly obvious. Is this what Thorax felt when he left the hive? Was this fate's sick karma of tormenting him until the day he dies?

You abandoned your brother. Now, they all abandon you.

This was no longer home.

Created as a pick-me-back-into-writing-again-write-as-I-go-kind-of-like-this challenge for myself. Can't say I am completely satisfied with how I conveyed the story, but it did get me inspired again.

Source Image: https://www.deviantart.com/inuhoshi-to-darkpen/art/No-Need-for-a-Soldier-702973099

After her friends come to her aid during a time of need, Ocellus undergoes a dramatic transformation. This results in a flurry of new emotions and worries that cause the Student Six to fear that their friendship is in jeopardy.

Torn from his laid-back life as an intel operative, Vertex had resigned himself to stand before his queen, to learn of the hive's latest invasion, and the role he would play in it. Instead, he returns to witness the collapse of Chrysalis's empire, along with what it meant to be a changeling. Misplaced and frustrated, Vertex must turn to the hive's new leader for answers, but he may receive more than a mere recollection for his troubles.

A direct continuation off the events of the season 6 finale.

* Featured 4/9/19!
* A commission for Vertex, my very first one ever!
* Cover art & story art by the amazing 28GoodDays!
* Vertex the Changeling is (C) to Vertex & Golden Beam is (C) to Hywther!

Nopony ever said being Captain of the Guard and prince of a long lost empire was easy, but Shining Armor never imagined having to deal with a problem quite like this. Apologizing to the new king of changelings, Thorax.

With Thorax set to take the throne and rule over the new changeling hive, he arranges a visit to the Crystal Empire to seek guidance from Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence. And Shining realizes now he must apologize to Thorax for what unfolded the last time the two met.

Can Shining Armor prove to Thorax that he has learned his lesson, and what is Thorax's real reason for coming to see Shining on such short notice?

(Takes places before "Celestial Advice". Proofread on Deviant Art by Smity1038.)

Seeking to normalize cluster naps among the hive's excitable young, Thorax has invented a game. For five minutes he attempts to capture nymphs as they fly around the nursery hive. Upon capturing one, a swift hug and the phrase, 'squeeze the bug!' signals a countdown. The other nymphs have ten seconds to free their friend, lest Thorax get a point. Five points and Thorax wins.

Being a sentimental monarch is hard work, but tiring out little changelings so he can take naps with them - most especially with his favorite one of all - makes it all worthwhile for Thorax.

* Featured 11/19/19!
* Part of the Love Bug Continuity!
* A spiritual sequel of To Love as His Own.
* Cover artwork done by the awesome KamDrawings!
YouTube reading by Skijarama!

Spike led Thorax into the throne room of the Crystal Castle confident he could convince the others that the changeling could be trusted. That he meant no harm, and instead wanted to be an ally and live peacefully with them. That he could make them see Thorax for what he really was. That they could befriend the changeling and accept him as one of their own.

They didn't.

And consequences followed.

SPOILERS IN COMMENTS!
First featured on 11/12/2016. -- Now with a TV Tropes page. -- Review by Arcanum Phantasy -- Review by PaulAsaran

After an enlightening discussion with Ember, Thorax springs to action to unify the changeling race. One particularly tense encounter with a group of renegades later, Thorax returns to Ponyville to discuss current events with Spike... and he has a couple of burning questions for the young dragon.

The hive is in celebration. The invasion goes well, and soon all Equestria will surely fall. The victorious changeling soldiers will be covered in wealth and glory, and poor young Thorax fears the war will end before he can enlist.

It does not.

Let's face it. There's no way everypony was going to instantly change their minds about Thorax over a song.

So instead, Spike tries a different approach, by pointing out that Changelings are not the only threat Equestria has faced.

Thorax has the nerve to mysteriously, suspiciously go missing at a political summit that every single major power in Equestria is attending.

It's up to Pharynx has to find him and chew his ear out and make sure he's safe and sound and destroy whoever took him away.

No, he's not worried. That would be stupid. It's just that if he doesn't find Thorax quick enough he's going to raze Bitaly to the ground.

Everything is fine.