A changeling flew in the sky during the rising of the sun. But it was not any evil changeling that sought revenge or trouble after the demise of Queen Chrysalis and her army. “(Pants) I still can’t believe this is happening to me!! I really cannot believe it!!” he cried, tears escaping his eyes as he speedily flew.
He rested on top of a hill just above Ponyville. As he looked down, he saw the pony residents happily talking and hanging out with each other. The more he beheld them, the more sorrowful he felt. “(Sniff) These ponies are so happy with their families, their friends, and their lives...the things which I have none...” he wept.
“My mother Chrysalis, my brother Pharynx, everyone of my friends...dead.” the changeling cried, tears wetting the grass. “I can’t go down to the ponies. They might reject me, cast me out, or even think that I’m trying to create a scheme to overthrow them. I have nowhere to go!!”
He was silent for a few moments before looking up to the sky, still weeping. “I might as well just go to some place else. A place where creatures will love me, appreciate me, and graciously accept me as one of their own. Even if it takes me a week, it’s worth a try.” he thought.
He turned around and flew off to the sky. As he flew in midair, he saw something unfamiliar in the Everfree Forest. Curious, he flew down and landed in front of a few trees. He slowly walked toward the river while looking around to make sure no animal would attack him on sight.
However, he was not the only wanderer in the dangerous forest. Behind a bush, Bane saw him heading toward a river. “Hmmm, that appears to be an interesting creature. It is surely one of those creatures I’ve seen at that large hive. Huh, apparently it survived the massacre.” he thought. “I think it would be best if I start to know this creature and learn about him and his species.”
Thus, the masked man quietly followed the changeling in the same direction the latter went. Once the changeling arrived, he saw a whirlpool in the middle of the river and recognized it as a portal. “A portal in the river? Huh, their princesses must have created it. Well, I wonder where it will take me.” he said.
“Hold up there! Mind if I have a word with you!” a strange voice called out. The changeling swiftly turned his head to see a clothed bipedal creature with a menacing mask approach him. He fearfully beheld him.
“What in the name of Equestria are you?! Who are you?” he cried.
“Fear not, little creature. You may call me Bane. You may not know me from this world of yours, but consider me as a...visitor if you will.” Bane introduced. He extended his hand to him in welcome.
The changeling’s fear slowly died down as he saw his friendly gesture and manners. He held up his hoof and shook Bane’s hand. “My name is Thorax. I am a changeling from a hive that my mother Chrysalis used to rule.” he introduced himself.
“Thorax, I see. A pleasure to you. I noticed you said ‘Used to rule’...did something happen to your mother or to your hive? I’m just wondering.” Bane asked, making sure he didn’t give any suspicious impressions.
Thorax flattened his ears in sadness. “I lost my mom and the rest of my friends and family thanks to the centaur Lord Tirek and his army. (Sniff) I have no family and home now. One of the changelings named Captain Clavicle betrayed us. I...I have nowhere to go and no one to love and care for me!” Thorax cried at Bane’s feet.
Bane looked upon him with compassion and somewhat felt emotional as he instantly remembered how Talia Al Ghul lost her mother at the hands of the inmates. He also remembered how he protected her and saved her by allowing her to escape the pit moments before he was nearly beaten to death by the inmates. Thankfully, Ra’s Al Ghul came just in time to give him the proper treatment to help him cope with the extreme pain on his face.
He bent down and softly patted his head in comfort. “I understand your pain, little one. I know what it’s like to lose someone you love... and to suffer the pain thereby. I physically felt that most of my life.” Bane recalled.
“You do? You also lost your mother?” Thorax looked up, face stained with tears.
“Not exactly. I once saved a friend...a mother’s daughter in the prison I was born in. Because I loved her enough to help her escape the pit, I paid the price for it. Those criminals beat me to a pulp; hence, it is the reason why I wear this mask.” Bane replied, pointing to his mask.
“Wow...I’m so sorry, Bane. I really am.” Thorax sympathized. “I wonder as to where you’re actually from. You said that you’re a visitor in Equestria.”
“Generally speaking, I am from a planet called earth. It is a place where my kind called humans inhabit. So this world is called Equestria?” Bane asked.
“Not exactly. It’s called Equus, but Equestria is the country that ponies live.” Thorax answered.
“Ahh, I see. I believe that we could journey together in search of something that would satisfy our greatest desires. Maybe even look out for any enemy who may seek to hurt us. We could be friends together. You don’t have to be alone, Thorax.” Bane proposed.
Thorax thought about it for a moment before he jumped in joy. “I would love to have a friend! We’ll be the best of friends, Bane!”
“I am glad to hear that, my new friend.” Bane said before the sight of the whirlpool-portal caught his eye. “Is this where you were headed?”
“Yeah, I was curious to see where it would lead me. Would you like to come with me?” Thorax asked.
“Sure. Why not?” Bane accepted.
“Great! Let’s go!” Thorax smiled, jumping to the whirlpool. Bane jumped after right him into the whirlpool until they both teleported.
In the midst of the Atlantic Ocean, Bane and Thorax jumped right out of the portal and landed on the surface of the water. They looked around and saw the dawn and seagulls calling above them. “Wow...this is amazing! We’re in a whole new world now!” Thorax said. “Hey, look there’s a city behind us!”
“It is indeed beautiful, Thorax. I always appreciated the beauty of nature and its...huh?” Bane said just before setting his eyes on the city which he never, EVER thought he would set his eyes on again...Gotham.
Instead of being in ashes—wiped out from existence—the city is in perfect condition as if nothing had happened. He could not believe it. Could his very eyes be deceiving him? He even noticed a billboard that said “Bane had Batman’s permission to die.” with a troll face inserted.
“That city looks beautiful, right?!” Thorax said excitedly.
“Yeah...that.” Bane replied, seething in full, extreme rage and boiling anger.
“I was right. I do need to relive my role as a city’s reckoning. It appears it has to be this accursed city...again. That centaur might be the tool for that to happen. But I need to keep this as a secret from Thorax.” Bane planned.