//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Journey To Ponyville // Story: Patrilineality: Making Up For Time We Lost // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Metamorphosis buzzed his wings as he waited for his sons. Thorax trotted up, smiling. “Ready to go, dad?” “I’m ready when you are Thorax.” “We’re just waiting on Pharynx. He may not be happy about the selection of soldiers but he still needs to train them.” Metamorphosis and Thorax then heard hoofsteps and turned to see Pharynx stalking out of the Hive. “Pharynx, is everything alright?” Metamorphosis asked his son, noticing the less than happy expression on his face. “Yeah, I’m good… just a bunch of changelings being pebble-brains. One of them tried to hold the crossbow backwards and nearly shot himself in the chest.” Thorax’s eyes widened. “Is he okay?” “He’s fine. Retina, one of the smart ones, stopped him. She's the most competent of them all and for that I'm grateful.” “That’s a relief.” “Then one of the other idiots nearly skewered me with a poorly thrown spear…” “What?! Are you okay?!” “Do you see a spear sticking out of my skull?” Thorax sighed. “Sorry, I’m just… I worry.” “I know, which is why I don’t tell you about all that happens just on a daily basis during training.” “Wait… what happens?” “...So, are we going or what?” Thorax sighed and nodded. “Alright, I won’t press it, let’s go.” Thorax and Pharynx unfurled their gossamer wings, and took off. Metamorphosis buzzed his own purple wings and followed them. They’d been flying for a while, and as they neared Equestria, Metamorphosis transformed. He became a Pegasus stallion with a dark coat and red mane. “Dad, you don’t have to disguise yourself.” Thorax said “Actually, it’s not a bad idea.” Pharynx said “Ponies are used to seeing reformed changelings. There’s no telling how they’d react to an unreformed one, especially considering dad is so much different in appearance to the typical unreformed changeling.” “Exactly.” Metamorphosis nodded. “I am aware that I look like Chrysalis, what with my mane, eyes, and horn. From a distance, I could be falsely viewed as her.” “Well, alright…” Thorax sighed “But once we reach Ponyville, I want you to change back, so Ocellus and Princess Twilight can see you in your true form. I-If that’s alright with you, I mean…” Metamorphosis chuckled. “You don’t have to be afraid of ordering me around, Thorax. I may be your father but you are the king. I made it very clear when you brought me back to the Hive that I wish to live my life as a subject, not a leader. That means that you have every right to boss me around, your majesty.” Thorax blushed. “O-Okay dad… just… please don’t call me your majesty… I’ve told everyone I would rather just be called Thorax.” “Which is why everyling is so relaxed and barely listens to the policies that I have to put in place and enforce.” Pharynx grumbled. Thorax flew closer to Pharynx and gave him a quick side-hug. “And I’m very grateful that you do. We need a great general like you.” Pharynx smiled. “Thanks bro.” “Heh, anytime Phar.” Thorax nuzzled him before pulling ahead. “We’re nearing Ponyville!” “Already?” Pharynx asked “Heh, we were flying pretty fast…” “Fair enough.” They flew over the large forest before lowering down to land. They hit the ground outside the quaint little village with its towering castle. Metamorphosis’ eyes widened upon seeing the castle. “Dad? What’s wrong?” Thorax asked “It’s just… I realize how long it’s been since I saw Equestria myself. The last time would have been when I was a nymph, and we were taken to view Equestria.” Pharynx chuckled. “Then you definitely missed a lot.” “So this is the Princess’ castle?” “Mhm. Come on, let’s get closer.” Thorax smiled “Um… could you untransform, please?” Metamorphosis nodded and transformed back to normal in a flash. He stood beside Thorax as Pharynx led the way. Thorax led them along a path so they would avoid the town, heading directly for the castle. “Tempest?” Metamorphosis asked as he spotted the familiar unicorn trotting out of the castle. “She’s Princess Twilight’s guard.” Pharynx explained, unfurling his wings and fluttering over to greet her. Thorax and Metamorphosis gave each other knowing grins. Pharynx was oblivious to this, too busy blushing as he talked with the mare. “-Just finishing my rounds, I can escort you to the Princess if you want.” “Thanks Temp, but we wouldn’t want to throw off your routine…” Pharynx said “Don’t be silly.” Tempest smirked and pressed against him, intertwining her tail with his fragile one momentarily. “I’d love to escort you, my king…” Thorax and Metamorphosis both began snickering as they reached the couple. Tempest blushed and pulled away from Pharynx as they approached. "So, Pharynx is the king then?" Thorax teased. “Aheheh…” Pharynx chuckled and blushed. “I… she’s… I’m not trying to replace you, Thorax.” “I know.” Thorax smiled and nuzzled his brother. “It’s sweet.” Tempest chuckled softly. “Anyway, I’d be happy to escort you to the Princess. It’s pretty much my job as a guard anyway. And I’ll get to give my report to her highness.” “Heh, alright Tempest, lead the way.” Tempest nodded and led them into the castle. “All the better I’m taking you, anyway. Took me the greater part of a year to navigate this place after returning here once spreading word of the Storm King’s defeat.” Metamorphosis looked around, entranced by the reflective and sparkling surfaces. Thorax watched this and chuckled. “Pretty, right? It took me a while to get over it when I first saw it.” Thorax said with a smile. “Heh… it is pretty beautiful…” “Too bad it’s a maze.” Tempest remarked. “This way.” Tempest led them towards one of the doors… which looked exactly like the other doors. Before she opened it, however, they heard laughter coming from inside. “Strange… the Princess is usually in the library but she wouldn’t be making this much noise.” Tempest then ignited her broken horn, opening the door a crack. Whatever she saw made her roll her eyes. “Of course. Hey, Thorax, Phar mentioned you wanted Metamorphosis to meet Ocellus, right?” “Yes…?” “Well, here’s his chance.” Tempest pushed open the door all the way, so they could all see. Inside the library was a group of six different creatures, all engaged in various activities. Metamorphosis’ eyes had to widen in order for him to take it all in. A blue and yellow griffon was seated in the center of the room, which appeared to be a library. He was talking and laughing with a green-themed earth pony. An orange and purple dragon leaned against a nearby wall of books, eating a gem. A pink hippogriff -- a creature Metamorphosis had only ever read about -- zoomed around overhead, grabbing seemingly random books off the shelves. The fifth creature, a young yak, bounded around underneath the hippogriff, catching the books that the flying creature tossed down to her large companion. Lastly, sitting calmly beside the dragon amidst all the sounds and action going on around her… was a young reformed changeling. She had pale blue chitin with a light pink carapace and tail, and a pink frill down her neck. The changeling was reading a book, her teal eyes flicking over the pages rapidly. “Is… is that…?” Thorax smiled and poked his head into the room. “Ocellus!” he greeted brightly. The other creatures stopped and looked over at him, as the changeling tore her gaze from the book and looked up. “King Thorax!”