Patrilineality

by Melody Song


The Beginning

“Hey Pharynx?” Thorax asked, trotting up to his brother’s nest and nudging him.

“What wimp?” Pharynx asked, opening a lavender eye and looking at his brother.

“Why is mom our only parent?”

“Huh?” Pharynx raised his head.

“All the other nymphs have a mom and a dad. How come we don’t have a dad?” Thorax asked, and Pharynx stood up, glaring at his brother.

“Why do you care? Is mother not enough for you?”

“N-No, Pharynx, I was just wondering-”

“Our mother is a Queen, you should be proud of her.”

“I am!” Thorax whimpered

“Good. Keep it that way.”

“But Pharynx, aren’t you a little curious-?”

“Curiosity kills, Thorax. Don’t question, you know that. Now shut up.”

“...Okay Pharynx...I’m sorry…”

Pharynx sighed “Look, I wonder where father is sometimes too, but mother hasn’t told us and you know she always has a good reason for everything.”

“... Even food?”

“For the last time Thorax, do you want to starve?”

“No…”

“Then forget about this whole ‘making friends’ nonsense. All it’s doing is making me have to protect you.”

“S-sorry Pharynx...but dad…”

“Is of no concern to us. Just go back to your nest and go to sleep.”

“...O-okay…”

-:- -:- -:- -:- -:- -:- -:-

Pharynx sat up and rubbed his eyes. “Whew, that was some dream…” he thought, yawning.

“Morning Pharynx.” Thorax said, entering the room.

“Hey Thor…” Pharynx said, yawning again.

“You sleep alright?” Thorax nosed him gently. Pharynx swatted at him playfully.

“Yes, your highness. You know you don’t have to say good morning to everyling all the time.”

“I don’t, just to you.” Thorax gave him a friendly nuzzle. Pharynx sighed, but smiled, drawing in the shared love.

“Well, thanks… I needed that.” Pharynx said, passively giving him some love in return.

Pharynx then got up, and the brothers headed out of his room together.

“Pharynx… it’s been almost a year since we defeated Queen Chrysalis…” Thorax said as they walked.

“Let me guess, you’re planning a celebration.”

“Heh, no, actually…” Thorax stopped and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “See, I was just… thinking… about the Old Days…”

“Really? You?” Pharynx asked “You hated the Old Days.”

“I know… I was just thinking about… some of the good moments. Like when you tried to teach me to fight, or when I looked after you when you were sick…”

“And?” Pharynx asked

“... Nevermind, it’s stupid…” Thorax sighed

“... Y’know what’s stupid?” Pharynx asked, and Thorax looked over at him. “I had a dream last night… about that time you asked me where our dad was.”

Thorax hesitated, then smiled slightly. “I remember. I… was actually thinking along the same lines… about mother…”

“Really?”

“Yeah…” Thorax looked at him. “But that’s a bit more important.”

“How?”

“Well, you were a bit wrong, well, what you said was wrong. We should know who both our parents are.”

Pharynx sighed “Well, mother wasn’t exactly the nicest Thorax, how do you know he's not the same? How would knowing who our father is be a good idea?”

“Ember and Tempest know who their parents are, so do Ocellus, Shining Armor, Twilight-”

“Just because they do doesn't mean we have to. Not everyone knows who both their parents are. And they’re fine.”

“Pharynx… don’t you ever wonder who our father was?”

“Not really, knowing his name is enough for me-” Pharynx broke off when he realized what he’d said

“Y-you know dad’s name?”

Pharynx sighed and looked away. Thorax’s antlers charged up with magic and he dragged his brother into a nearby empty room. He shut the door and turned to him.

“Explain. Now.” he demanded

Pharynx took a breath and sighed. “Being Chrysalis’ right-hoof ‘ling had its perks…I’ll admit that. It was a little while after you left. She pulled me into her chambers to talk, mostly about if I had any intention to follow you. I think she wanted to make sure her remaining son wasn’t a traitor.”

“So how did dad's name come up?” Thorax asked quietly. Pharynx shifted uncomfortably.

“She said ‘he’s just like his father’. I didn’t say anything about that one comment, but it did make me start thinking...I asked her who our father was.”

“And she answered you?” Thorax asked incredulously.

“She told me his name, yeah. But only because I sucked up to her, pretty much groveling at her hooves-ugh, makes me sick just remembering how much I used to look up to her-"

"Pharynx, focus."

"Right. Well, I was bowing and saying ‘forgive me’ and ‘I only ask out of concern for you, your majesty’. Things like that.”

“...So?” Thorax prompted.

“She… said our father was a changeling named Metamorphosis. Then she refused to say anything more on the subject.”

“But...this is big Pharynx...we know his name.”

“That doesn’t do any good, Thorax, in all my time as her General, I’ve never met or known a changeling by that name.”

“Okay…” Thorax sighed “But… what if he died or something?”

“Then mother would have mentioned it to me. I asked if he was dead Thor, she said no, and when I asked where he was, she just refused to answer.”

Thorax fell silent. Pharynx sighed and placed a hoof on his brother’s shoulder.

“Look, it doesn’t matter. He’s not here, but we have each other, and that’s what counts. Let’s just let this one go, okay? Not all things are meant to be known.”

“Okay…” Thorax sighed, then brightened. “Well, at least we’re going to visit Ocellus today.” he said, and Pharynx did a double take.

“Wait, we’re what?”

-:- -:- -:- -:- -:- -:- -:-

“It’s good to see you again Ocellus.” Thorax said as he trotted down the hall of the School of Friendship with her. Pharynx was trudging along behind them, still a bit upset that Thorax had forgotten to tell him about the trip.

“It’s nice to see you too King Thorax, and you Prince Pharynx.” the young changeling glanced back at the General.

They were heading for Ocellus’ dorm room. Thorax smiled and rubbed her head gently.

“Don’t mind him Ocellus, he's just being a grump."

"Hey!" Pharynx exclaimed, and Thorax flinched.

"So...how’s school been going?”

“Oh, really good, Headmare Twilight says my friends and I are naturals.” Ocellus said as they entered the student dorms.

“O-oh, hey Ember…” Thorax said, waving at the dragoness standing before them.

“Hey Thorax.” Ember greeted, her student, Smolder, beside her.

“Smolder and I share a dorm…” Ocellus explained, blushing slightly. Thorax blushed as well.

“O-oh, that’s nice…” Thorax trotted forwards to talk with Ember, at which Pharynx rolled his eyes.

“You feel it too?” Ocellus whispered

“Not really a surprise, seeing as they’re dating. Still, it’s about as strong as the love coming off you and your friend.” Pharynx replied, raising an eyebrow.

“W-we…” Ocellus stammered, then blushed “Don’t tell anyone?” she asked, giving him puppy dog eyes.

“Ugh...fine.” Pharynx sighed. Ocellus gave him a quick hug and then trotted to Smolder, nuzzling her while Thorax and Ember weren’t looking.

“Hey bug.” Pharynx smiled when he heard the voice that said those words, and turned.

Tempest Shadow strutted up to him, clad in purple and silver armor. Pharynx trotted forwards to meet her, and smirked.

“New gig? I like the armor.”

“Rarity thought I needed a ‘wardrobe update’ now that Twilight's officially employed me.” Tempest said, leaning forwards to give him a quick peck on the cheek. Pharynx blushed, and she grinned at his flustered expression. “Something wrong bug? You seemed a bit grumpier than usual.”

“Heh, it’s nothing. Just a little ticked off at Thorax, who forgot to mention to me we were supposed to come today.”

“Why? Didn’t want to come say hi?”

“Nah, I just had plans-I’m supposed to be running drills with my troops today. He could have at least given me a day’s warning, but no.”

Tempest laughed and nosed him gently. “At least you can still do your job. Twilight insisted she didn’t need me-and I quote-‘shadowing her’ today.”

“...Was it…?”

“A pun on my name? Not sure, honestly. I would say she’s above it but I live with her, I know all about her ‘sense of humor’ as Starlight Glimmer sarcastically puts it.” Tempest rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I knew the leaders were visiting so I decided to see if you’d be here with Thorax.”

“Hey Tempest.” Thorax said, he and Ember walking up to them, Thorax smiling. “Having fun bro?” he teased, nudging him.

“Yeah, yeah…what about you, bro?” Pharynx shot back, making Thorax blush.

“Thorax! Ember!" someone called