//------------------------------// // Please don't do that again. // Story: Bug Brother in Bitaly // by semillon //------------------------------// “Thorax, where in Mirage’s wings are you? Respond. Immediately.” Pharynx took his hoof off of his necklace’s gem as he entered the Bitalian consulate, the ground underneath him transitioning from beige earth to red velvet that used to feel soft, but now just felt scratchy on his hooves. He ignored the sensation, though. His brother wasn’t anywhere to be found. It was up to him to find him. Ocellus was glued to his side, staying as close as was politely possible, which, for changelings, was right up against him. She wasn’t saying much, the emotions coming off of her—nervousness, alertness, worry—spoke for themselves. She was trying to figure out where their leader had went as much as he was. “Are you okay?” he asked. “What?” Her large eyes slimmed down into a suspicious squint. “Are you okay? You’ve never been one to ask about feelings before.” “Maybe I just need some noise to fill my ears.” She tilted her head, but nodded. “I’m fine.” “What do you think of Bitaly?” “It’s beautiful, obviously. There’s so much history here it’s pouring out of the walls. It’s so much different than Ponyville, but the same at the same time? It seems like there’s story for every single thing I can see, that there’s a tradition and reason for every little detail. It’s the size of Manehatten, but it’s as comfortable to walk in as Ponyville. I feel like I could learn a lot if I was able to stay here for longer.” “And the summit?” They turned a corner, walking down an identical hall to the one they were just in. Columns, security and dignitaries engaged in idle chat stood on either side of them. The barest hint of a smile entered Ocellus’s voice. “Oh, it’s so so interesting. It’s like being back at school, except I have a hundred group projects with a hundred different creatures, and I get to learn all about them while benefitting the changeling race as well. I think I’m going to enjoy being an ambassador full time in a few years, once I graduate.” “You’re keen on the job, then?” “In essence, it’s professional friendship, and you learn all the time. It feels like I was made for this job, and in a way, I was, wasn’t I? Why else would you and Thorax and Mom and Dad have sent me to the School of Friendship?” Pharynx sent positive emotion her way—one could call it pride if they wanted, but she deserved a reward for being so sharp. She accepted it happily, giving him a fresh wave of gratitude in return. A cooling sensation brightened his palate. He licked his lips. Gratitude was something that tasted good only in small doses, but it sure tasted great right now. The conversation stalled as they travelled up a flight of stairs, having to show their passes to a couple of guardsponies guarding the entrance to the part of the consulate that contained the ambassadorial suites. This was where most of the pony emissaries were staying, and where they’d find Princess Cadance, Prince Shining Armor, and hopefully, Thorax. They were directed to the end of another hall, painted beige and lined to the brim with rooms, where a particularly large apartment was located, guarded by a trio of topaz-colored crystal ponies that stood to attention when they approached. “Identify yourselves, please,” said the one in the middle, who stood the furthest back and was directly in front of the huge double doors that led into the royal apartment. Pharynx was quick to comply. “Prince Pharynx and Ambassador Ocellus of the Badlands Changeling Hive.” “Your business?” “We’re looking for my brother, King Thorax.” “He’s not here.” Disappointment. Burnt wood and dirt. Pharynx disconnected himself from Ocellus’s emotions, keeping his expression neutral despite the terrible taste in his mouth. “Then we’d like to ask Princess Cadance a few questions about his visit with her today.” “She’s busy,” “She can’t be too busy for a couple of friends, can she?” He hated saying that word. It felt like he was spooning rocks into his mouth every time he did. “I’m not,” a muffled, musical voice said through the doors. The guards were off to the sides and standing at attention before Pharynx could say another word. The doors opened, and out of the sunny apartment came a pink alicorn with tri-colored hair that framed her face in slightly curled, elegant tresses. Princess Cadance smiled in his direction. Pharynx fought his urge to step back, reminding himself that he wasn’t at a wedding in Canterlot, and that this alicorn was now an ally. “Prince Pharynx.” “Princess Cadance,” he replied, bowing his head. He’d be respectful. For now. “And that cute young changeling beside you must be Ocellus?” “Yes, Princess,” Ocellus said. “Princess Twilight has had a lot to say about you and your husband.” “All good things, I hope.” The princess laughed. Pharynx exhaled through his nose. Where was his brother? “I hear you two are looking for Thorax?” “Yeah,” Ocellus continued. “He was supposed to be with you today, according to the schedule I helped him make.” Cadance shook her head. “Thorax came by the apartments three times in the last week, but he never came by today.” Nervousness. The two changelings shared an electric glance. ”Please,” Princess, anything at all would be helpful. We’re worried he’s in trouble, and we just want to find him.” Ocellus beat Pharynx to the punch, using an overly gentle tone in her words, almost rubbing her kindness in the prince’s face. If it were up to him, after all, he would have immediately accused the alicorn of lying and gotten into a row with all three of her guards. “I…” Cadance stopped, steeped heavily in indecision, and a slight dash of worry. “I didn’t see him today, no, but he did hand deliver a letter to one of my guards. He asked for my forgiveness for a last minute reschedule—today was mostly a visit to spend time together as friends, so I was more disappointed than anything, but I figured something came up that he had to address.” More worry. Pharynx snorted loudly. Cadance raised a brow, but Ocellus cut into her impending reaction by stepping in front of him. “I see. Did he say where he was going? What he was up to?” “No,” said Cadance, looking past the student at Pharynx. “I have no idea.” Pharynx waited for more emotion. Anger, resentment. Something. Anything. But he could detect nothing. Nothing but worry. The genuine kind. She was telling the truth. She had no idea where Thorax was. So Thorax “had business” to take care of. Thorax, who never left a negotiation room until everyone were satisfied, or at least everyone except for the changelings. Thorax, who wouldn’t have gone to a diplomatic meeting in the first place without first remembering that he had a dinner planned with Pharynx. Thorax, who didn’t really do much except for gawk over dragons and fawn over his family, friends and subjects. “Where next?” asked Ocellus. Pharynx could barely hear her over the wind. He glanced downward at the city—the buildings looked like little clumps of sand from so high up above. “Isn’t that obvious?” “I don’t think Ember—“ “She has to,” Pharynx said, looking up and focusing on the tower in the distance. Thorax had to have been there. Ember was in trouble, or she had some kind of problem that only he could solve, and it was the kind of problem that was time sensitive, thus rendering him unable to come and tell Pharynx that their dinner was cancelled, and that he was going to be up in the tower where the dragons were staying and he was completely, completely fine. Pharynx wasn’t worried for Thorax as much as he was worried for the hive. They couldn’t afford to lose their leader now. It would have drastic effects on them diplomatically. They would lose all progress they had made. Without Thorax, no one else except for Ocellus had any adequate enough experience to lead their race, and she was much too young to have so much responsibility on her hooves. But it was silly of him to be thinking about something like that. Thorax was fine. He’d stay their leader because he was fine. He was in the dragon tower that Pharynx was currently approaching, Ocellus in tow. They’d be let in without any problems, and they’d discover Thorax with an anxious or injured Ember, and everything would be explained, and Pharynx could slap him so hard his chitin would fall off and he would trigger an early molt. “Stop right there!” a growly voice called out. Pharynx stopped, about thirty metres from the old beige tower standing high enough to graze the clouds. He didn’t know why ponies had such a big building in the first place, but it was probably good that they did. Every dragon ambassador was crammed into that tower, and from what Thorax and Ocellus had told him, they were finding it quite comfortable. If he were the Bitalians, though, he’d probably be worried about them overstaying their welcome. He waited a few more moments for the owner of the voice to come out before looking around. “Hello?” he called. Ocellus fluttered closer to him. Shade came out of nowhere. The world was suddenly dim; the air above them, displaced. Pharynx looked up. A purple dragon flapped his leathery wings above them, duochrome scales turning half green in the sunlight that most of his body was obscuring. Ocellus gasped. “How did you—“ “Invisibility,” the dragon explained. “My name is Tephra. You are changelings…but you are not King Thorax. Who are you?” “Thorax’s brother,” said Pharynx. “I would like to see him now.” “I don’t know Thorax’s brother.” “I meant that I am Thorax’s brother. Take me to him.” Tephra glanced to Ocellus. “Who are you?” “Ocellus,” she said. “You’re tiny.” “I am,” she agreed, nodding at him and smiling like he had said something clever. Tephra stared at her for a moment longer before nodding himself, and turning towards the tower. “Follow me.” He led them to the top of the tower, through a window connected to a large room filled with gold bits and gems, in the middle of which lay Ember with her eyes closed. Her scales seemed to glow in the middle of the treasure, her limbs lazily stretched every which way. She looked as if she were taking a warm bath. Her head turned towards them as they touched the makeshift hoard. “This better be important, Tephra.” “Changelings are here, Dragon Lord Ember.” “…Thorax?” Her eyes opened, revealing pearly white sclera dotted with glossy pupils the color of bright, fresh blood, and Pharynx’s antlers. She examined him, then Ocellus, then yawned. “Oh, Pharynx and Ocellus. What’s up?” “Do you know where my brother is?” Pharynx clopped a hoof on the bits he was standing on. “We were hanging out this morning,” she said. “But no, I don’t. Why?” Ocellus was quick to speak. “He—“ “He’s missing.” Pharynx was quicker. “Missing?” Ember said, eyes flicking back and forth between them. “What do you mean?” “We don’t know where he is.” “Okay but what do you mean?” “Exactly what I said,” Pharynx growled. “You don’t know where he is?” Worry. The same kind that Cadance had given off. Even stronger, actually. Ember was worry and nothing but worry. She tasted terrible. “Is he okay? Do you need my help finding him?” “We’ll be fine for now,” he said. “Do you know anything about where he might be?” “No,” said Ember, furrowing her brows. “Look, if you can’t find him in a few more hours, come and find me — I’ll help.” “I’ll keep that in mind.” Pharynx was already at the window, Ocellus quietly in tow. “Thank you for your time.” “Pharynx. Pharynx!” Ocellus cried behind him. “Slow down!” He kept his eyes on the city underneath. He kept flying as fast as he could. “Why should I?” “We have to think about this!” “There’s nothing to think about. My brother is missing. Your leader.” “Just because Cadance and Ember didn’t know where he was doesn’t mean that he’s missing! We have to find out where he went!” He put his hoof on his necklace. “Thorax you better answer right now or I’m going to raise tartarus on this city. I’ll burn it to the ground. I need to know that you’re not missing, hurt or worse.” “Don’t ignore me. You said that these ridiculous necklaces worked. You demonstrated that they did. Why aren’t they working now?” “Thorax! Answer me!” It was too tiring to keep flying. He spotted a familiar building—a café nearby, ponies walking through the street. He made for the alley right beside it. A perfect spot to continue his way back, and possibly formulate a plan of action. He landed in the alley, pleased at the fact that no one else was around, and began to walk. Only for Ocellus to stand in his way. Green magic coursed through her form, swirling around her until there was a red, male earthpony standing in her place. “Let’s consider the worst possibility,” Ocellus said, her voice deeper and richer by a considerable amount. “The possibility that Thorax has somehow fallen prey to a villain. There’s a chance that he left some kind of a sign for us to find. Which means we have to retrace his steps. But we don’t know where he went.” Pharynx raised a brow before transforming himself, picking out an indigo mare with a silver and yellow colored mane. “And the point of disguising ourselves?” “To attract less suspicion, of course.” It made sense. Ocellus was good at making sense. If she were a pony, it’d be her special talent, for sure. Pharynx felt her send a wave of affection towards him. He consumed it voraciously. “Where could he have gone?” she asked. “I don’t know,” Pharynx grumbled. “That’s why we’ve been running around this stupid pony city in the first place. I have no idea—“ “Wrong. Think harder. Is there anywhere but the consulate that Thorax could have gone? Anywhere at all? Because then that would be our lead.” “I’m telling you that—“ He stopped. “Hold on.” Hope glistened in Ocellus’s eyes. “What?” “I might know a place.” The sun was setting, dissipating the formerly blue sky with the kind of pink that a third of the hive had chosen to make the main color for their exoskeletons. It sent a misty light down upon the neutral colored buildings of the city, giving each of them a dreamy bubblegum tint that made the crumbling artifact shop look like something out of Discord’s dreams. Pharynx stared the shop down, unimpressed. It looked like even more of a dump in the afternoon light. “You’re sure he came here?” Ocellus inquired. “I saw him enter and leave with our necklaces,” Pharynx tapped the band of silver around his neck. “Let’s go in, then.” And so they did. The shop was as dingy as its exterior. Dust lined every corner, and covered most of the long pews of glass cases that contained an single item of every piece of jewelry imaginable, all inlaid with jewels or runes colored neon. Pharynx swore that he saw a few glow, but by the time the thought had processed, they had stopped. Wherever. however Thorax had found this place, Pharynx didn’t trust it. “Hello,” an old, withered voice greeted him and Ocellus from behind a shelf. They watched as an old pegasus stallion stepped out, covered in necklaces and wings heavy with woven chains. “What shall I be doing for you today?” “We’re looking for someone,” Ocellus said, stepping forward and afterwards shooting Pharynx a look that said “I’m taking the lead on this one.” “I have many customers,” said the old pony. “Are you guards?” “We work for the government. We’re looking for someone who might have important, confidential information.” “Do you know what they look like?” Ocellus nodded, pulling out a small picture of Thorax at his Equestrian award ceremony thing. Pharynx had refused to attend. At that point he was still in his old form, snarling and growling at all of the change happening around him. Those were certainly fun days, but now he wasn’t sure if he was as willing to go back to them as he was before. The old pony examined Thorax thoroughly, staring the changeling king up and down, holding the picture closer to his eye, even rotating it so he could see upside down. “Yes, I’ve seen this changeling before. He’s quite polite, and kind. He was here today.” “When?” Ocellus said. “Possibly an hour ago. Possibly two.” “Why?” “He was looking for a sword. He wanted something interesting. Something ‘as cool as his big brother was’.” “And did he find what he was looking for?” “Eventually.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” Pharynx asked, stepping towards him. “It means he bought a sword,” the pony said with a shrug. “And then he looked like he forgot about something, and then he ran off in a rush.” “Which way?” “Didn’t see.” “Are you sure?” “Yep.” “Useless!” he roared, rearing up and detransforming, slamming his real hooves into the floor as he did. The stallion’s eyes widened and he backed up hastily, tripping over himself in the process. Pharynx’s wings fluttered out as his hackles raised. He inched forward, looming over the pony. “You’re useless. What have you been selling my brother? Junk? These necklaces don’t work and you can’t even tell me where no doubt your first customer in ages went after purchasing your trash?” “Pharynx!” Ocellus cried. “Stop!” “According to all the information we have, this guy was the last creature to see Thorax today.” “That doesn’t mean anything!” “It means I’m going to cocoon him and probe his mind to make sure he’s telling the truth.” “That doesn’t make sense,” Ocellus said, louder and slower, like she was talking him off of a ledge. He glared at her as she did, but allowed her to slowly approach. “I didn’t detect suspicious emotion off of him,” she stated. “Did you?” “He could have some way to hide it.” “Then so could Ember and Cadance, if you want to look at it like that. Just—just calm down, Pharynx. Please. We’re here as representatives of our race. We don’t want to start anything.” Pharynx looked at her, and glanced back at the terrified old pony on the floor. “…Fine,” he muttered. His wings buzzing angrily, he left the shop. He had a better idea, anyway. He was back at the loft. He didn’t remember the journey back. Only flying faster than Ocellus could possibly hope to fly, and nearly kicking down the door before remembering that he had a key on him. He had been in the same position for twenty something odd minutes. He was looking down, and staring at the gem. It was green in color. The kind of green that Chrysalis was in love with. It was shaped like a pyramid, and underneath its surface sand colored magic swirled around like a tiny tornado. All it would take to activate it was a single touch from a member of the royal caste, and the utterance of a keyword. He could do it. “Pharynx?” Ocellus’s voice soared through as she entered the room. He didn’t bother looking at her, instead listening as her footsteps got closer to the couches and to him, stopping when they got close enough. He heard her gasp softly, no doubt in reaction to the gem. “No,” she said. “No. We have to wait. Thorax might still turn up.” Pharynx kept his eyes gem, paying close attention to how it shimmered and shined. “We’re changelings. Someone has attacked one of our own. We can’t afford to wait. What if you’re next?” “You’ll protect me.” He was quiet for a time. “Maybe I can’t,” he said. “Maybe I should have stayed at the hive and sent Cornicle here with you and Thorax.” “Don’t say that.” He blinked. His left ear twitched involuntarily. “I’m going to bring the rest of the hive into Bitaly, and then we’re going to disguise ourselves, and kick down every door that exists in this city until we find my brother. And then I’m going to turn into a dragon and turn whoever took him away from me into ash.” “Okay, that’s enough,” Ocellus said. There was a detransformation. From what, Pharynx didn’t know. Ocellus was in her original form. She had no disguise to drop. He turned away from the gem to find his brother, standing and scratching the back of his head. “Surprise?” Pharynx reached out with his empathic senses. Thorax sent back an imprint—a wave of specific emotional beats that could only belong to him. Thorax was there. He was standing in the room with him. Thorax was fine. “Explain,” Pharynx said, feeling himself grow cold. “You were talking about how boring it was to guard me for the past month because nothing’s happened,” he began, beginning to move closer to Pharynx. “And then I was walking up to Cadance’s room and it hit me—you needed something to do! So I-I thought that you might appreciate the opportunity to feel like you were actually in danger, or that I was, and that maybe you were going to have to get into some action? I wouldn’t have actually let you if you did, but it totally felt like it, right? Right? I figured that maybe giving you a thrill again was gonna be much better than giving you a sword that you’d never use. And, uh, not gonna lie, it’s been pretty interesting seeing how you reacted. So there. That’s—that’s my gift!” Thorax laughed nervously, tensing up under Pharynx’s cool gaze. “Do you like it? Please say you do or else I’m gonna feel really stupid.” Did he like it? Well, for one, it was completely insensitive and completely insane. This wasn’t the kind of thing that anyone ever had in mind when they wished for more excitement. If he hadn’t known any better he would have thought that it was done out of spite, or revenge. It was almost mean. It was definitely manipulative. A smile grew, slowly but surely, until Pharynx’s mouth had stretched farther than it had ever gone. His biggest smile in his entire life. “I thought it was real,” he said. “I thought you were truly missing. I was prepared to potentially send our race to war over you.” “I—“ Thorax started. Pharynx raised a hoof, stopping him. He lowered it after and cleared his throat, looking at his younger brother and declaring “That was a truly impressive gift, Thorax. Thank you.” Thorax, whose emotions had been swirling back and forth from overjoyed to panicked, nearly deflated in relief. “So you’re not mad?” “Oh, I’m still mad. Be on your guard for the next month.” A laugh slipped out of him. He hadn’t felt a rush like that in ages. He stood and walked to Thorax, who cowered in his place but stood his ground. When he was close enough he closed his eyes and pressed his forehead into his younger brother’s chest. He heard Thorax gasp, surprise and delight swirling into a delectable meal for him to feed off of. “Please don’t do that again,” he said. “Okay.” Thorax coughed. “I don’t think I can stomach doing something like that again, anyway. I forgot how hard it was to act like another creature.” “Where’s the real Ocellus, anyhow?” “Who else would be doing all my work for today?” “…I would be more mad if it weren’t for how well thought out this was.” Thorax chuckled. “I take it you like your gift?” “Much better than a sword,” purred Pharynx. There was a moment of quiet as each brother soaked up the other’s presence. Eventually, Pharynx felt the other changeling fidgeting. He heard a hoof clop against a jewel. “Hey, you still wanna get dinner? I know a place that’s open until late.” He stepped back and looked Thorax up and down, taking in the strange dichotomy of his awkward smile and regal stature, his near-tangible aura and his tendency to get embarrassed if someone stared at him for too long. He pressed his own jewel, and he said something that he’d never say out loud. At this point in time, at least. Thorax’s eyes widened. Tears began to flow. Pharynx was wrapped up in long, green legs before he could think another thought. He let it happen, though. He even rested his head against Thorax’s neck, closing his eyes. “IloveyouIloveyouIloveyou,” Thorax repeated, over and over, holding him tight. “My brother,” Pharynx said. “You have another minute of hugging before I detach myself from you and drag you to a place where we can eat pony food.” “Okay,” Thorax laughed through his unrestrained sobbing. “But I’ll have to wipe my face up first.”