//------------------------------// // Meet Our Father // Story: Patrilineality // by Melody Song //------------------------------// “And just where have you two been?!” Metamorphosis immediately heard the words being bellowed by someone. It definitely didn’t sound like a changeling-even if all he had to go on about their new voices was his own sons. But a changeling couldn’t get that loud, and there was a certain feral growl to the tone that, while not unlike a changeling’s, didn’t sound particularly normal for one. “We-look, I can explain.” Thorax stammered “Oh, you’re gonna explain all right.” Whoever was speaking was definitely a female, and Metamorphosis heard steps, though it was strange, he only counted two...was she bipedal? How? “Do you have any idea how… how worried you two made us?! All we heard was ‘they said they’ll be back as soon as possible’ and ‘don’t worry, they’ll be back’. You didn’t tell us anything about where you were going and it’s obvious you didn’t tell your subjects either! So, are you going to tell us now, or are we going to be left in the dark?!” Okay, she emphasized subjects, and that she only heard a bare minimum from them. That meant she didn’t live in the Hive. So what was she? And who was the bearer of the second scent he’d tasted? This female reeked of the dying fire, so who did the storm scent belong to? “I-” Thorax began answering the female's question. “That was rhetorical!” “Wow, big word, don’t hurt yourself there.” Metamorphosis heard Pharynx say this, and his eyes widened. Okay, think. She definitely wasn’t a subject, Pharynx's attitude and rank as a general showed he had respect for those of lower rank than him. So she was either someone with an equally high status as him or someone he respected so greatly she was a good friend, or at least someone who he would usually exchange such banter with, to say it so coolly. “Watch it Pharynx, or I’ll wear those antlers of yours as a trophy!” the female snarled. Metamorphosis’ eyes widened. How dare she? “Of course you’re going to tell us, even if I have to beat it out of you, and I will!” “Seriously guys, where did you go?” a second female voice chimed in. Metamorphosis caught the taste of the storm scent wafting off her words. She was the second figure. He heard the all too familiar clinking sound of armor, and the steady beat of four hooves. She was a quadruped, unlike her fellow. But she didn’t sound like a changeling either… who were they? “I mean, you disappear without so much as a note or message for us, and expect us to be okay with that?!” the second female continued, voice rising in what was clearly anger. “We… we didn’t know you’d be here today.” Pharynx said. His voice was suddenly softer, more hesitant. Metamorphosis frowned. What being could this be that made his seemingly unshakeable son so wary? It couldn’t be good. “Of course you didn’t, that was the point! We show up here to surprise you and make you two feel a little better about everything we talked about, and you’re not even here!” the first female exclaimed. “Look, girls, we’re really sorry, we didn’t mean to scare you.” Metamorphosis heard Thorax say, also hearing his son’s hoofsteps, he’d moved closer to the females. “We just-” “I don’t want to hear it!” Metamorphosis had had it. No one spoke to his sons like that. He may have been horrible at fighting but he wouldn’t stand by and let these strangers yell at his kids. Metamorphosis snarled and left his hiding place. He leapt in front of Thorax and Pharynx, crouching into a battle stance. The first was a sky blue scaled dragon that stood almost as tall as Thorax, if you counted the dark blue spines on her head and discounted his antlers. Her horns curved down around her face, framing her bright red eyes and the diamond markings on her face that matched ones on other parts of her body. Her wings were flared open and she clutched a purple scepter with a red jewel in her claws. She was the one the ash smell belonged to. He should have guessed, of course a scent to do with fire would belong to a dragon. The second was a pony clad in purple and silver armor. She seemed taller than average, around Pharynx’s height, with a squared muzzle, unlike most pony mares' rounded muzzles. Her coat was a dark mulberry color and her magenta mane was in a mohawk style. The pony had teal eyes, a scar running down the right eye, and her horn was no more than a jagged stump on her forehead. The unicorn mare ignited the horn upon seeing him, and it crackled dangerously with an electric blue aura. Broken horn or not, the pony did not seem wary to use it. As the pony charged her horn with magic, the dragon aimed the scepter at him, the gem sparkling with a red glow. They were clearly not going to back down. Good thing he was ready for a fight as well. “Who are you?!” the dragon asked “I could say the same about you, dragon.” Metamorphosis growled “Who do you think you are to threaten them?” “And who do you think you are to question me?!” the dragon rose into the air with a few beats of her wings. “King Metamorphosis of the changeling Hive. Now step away from my sons.” he growled “No, you step away from our-wait, sons?!” she asked “King Metamorphosis?” the pony frowned, glancing between the brothers and Metamorphosis. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you!” Thorax stepped forward. “Ember, Tempest, this is-” “Why were you threatening my sons?” Metamorphosis growled “Oh, excuse us for being concerned about our boyfriends!” the dragon snarled Metamorphosis froze. He turned to his sons and raised a brow. “Boyfriends?” “I was getting to that…” Thorax began “Thorax, is this changeling really who he says he is?” the dragon asked, pointing her scepter at Metamorphosis. “Yes, Ember.” Thorax started to say. “You mean to tell me that you found your father and decided not to say anything?!” “Leave him alone!” Metamorphosis snapped at her “Why are you mad at me?!” “You threatened to beat them and rip off Pharynx’s antlers!” “Both of you be quiet!” the pony fired a blast of magic between them, and it exploded. Metamorphosis gave a small yelp of surprise. “Pharynx. Explain. Now.” Pharynx sighed and looked over at Thorax and Metamorphosis. “Thorax found something, we left without time to properly explain to anyone where we went. We ended up finding dad, and we were coming straight back.” “You still didn’t think to tell us?” the pony asked “We were going to the second we got back.” Thorax replied The dragon relaxed slightly, crossing her arms. The unicorn narrowed her eyes but didn’t speak. “I… guess that makes sense…” the dragon muttered “I’m sorry if I caused you any alarm or confusion.” Metamorphosis spoke. “I was just trying to protect my sons, and I’m afraid you sounded like a threat.” “I get that a lot.” the pony quipped, though she kept her eyes stern. “I, uh, think we’re a bit to blame ourselves…” Thorax added. “We kind of avoided mentioning we were… um… dating you two…” “And what’s that supposed to mean?” Ember growled “I-It didn’t come up in conversation, I mean! A-And we just didn’t want to startle dad with the information, and-” “Save it Thorax, I get it.” “Thorax, Pharynx, do you mind properly introducing me to these creatures?” Metamorphosis asked him, hoping to alleviate the situation. Thorax sighed in relief and nodded. He stood beside Metamorphosis, and Pharynx went to stand at his other side. “Dad, this is Dragon Lord Ember and General Tempest Shadow of the Friendship Guard. Ember, Tempest…” Thorax glanced at Metamorphosis. “This is our father, King Metamorphosis.” Ember, the dragon, didn’t move. The unicorn, Tempest, however, did. She trotted over and examined Metamorphosis. “I see the similarities now, he looks like what Starlight Glimmer told me Pharynx used to.” Pharynx chuckled softly and blushed. Thorax smiled at Ember, whose cheeks turned red. Metamorphosis watched this for a moment, then spoke. “I realize now I shouldn’t have reacted like that. It should have been obvious.” “D-dad, what do you-” Thorax began “I mean, of course, you can’t taste it now but for all the worry and fear coming off them, there was a definite concern, in the form of concern for a romantic partner…” “Dad!” Pharynx exclaimed, while Tempest Shadow began laughing beside him. “Okay, I like him.” she snickered “And they did yell at you for not telling them anything, so I take it you usually do tell them things right away…” “Dad, um, can we… talk about this inside?” Thorax asked, blushing “Very well, lead the way.” Metamorphosis said “Thorax, both you and Metamorphosis referred to him as King. Why is that?” Ember asked as they walked. “The real question is where is everyling?” Pharynx asked, looking at Ember and Tempest Shadow. “Said something about napping?” “Of course they did. Probably have been skiving off on patrol duties too.” Pharynx muttered “Anyway, back to my question.” Ember prompted “It’s because Metamorphosis was Chrysalis’ King, her first in all the years she’s been alive. When he left he renounced the title, obviously, but he’s technically a King.” Thorax told her. “He left?” Tempest Shadow spoke up, raising an eyebrow. “We’ll fill you in on that later.” Thorax assured them. Thorax took them into a nearby room, which surprisingly had a door. Metamorphosis noticed the other rooms they passed did too. Most likely a recent development, considering he also noticed the Hive was no longer shifting and changing. But Chrysalis’ throne powered the Hive, so did that mean it was no longer there? Or had Thorax and Pharynx found a way to disable the spell? Thorax opened the door and let them walk in before closing it. The room was sparse and empty, with one window to let light in and a table in the middle of the room. Thorax and Pharynx moved over to Tempest and Ember, while Metamorphosis stayed where he was. “Dad…” Thorax reached and slipped a hoof around Ember. Pharynx held still, but Tempest Shadow wrapped a hoof around his neck. “As you’ve already figured out… Ember and Tempest… they’re our girlfriends.” “And… if you don’t like it, then we don’t care.” Pharynx added, leaning into Tempest Shadow while blushing considerably. Metamorphosis hesitated. They had just a few minutes ago been ready to attack him, but… when he tasted them, they showed only concern and love for his sons. Metamorphosis smiled. “I can see how happy they make you, and how much they care about you. I don’t think this will be a problem. I assume this interspecies dating is normal now?” “Well, not exactly. We know a few certain… other couples like us, but not a lot.” Thorax replied, pulling Ember closer. “Though it’ll probably become more common the more the different creatures come together.” “Ah.” Metamorphosis then once again took in his son’s forms. “So, how might I go about getting a form like yours?” “All you really need to do is share your love willingly.” Thorax responded “Does he have to? He looks cool like this.” Pharynx said, making Tempest Shadow snort in amusement. Thorax shot him a warning glare, then looked back to Metamorphosis. “Ignore him dad, it’s your choice whether or not you want to.”