//------------------------------// // Chapter 13: Root of the Dreams // Story: Patrilineality: Making Up For Time We Lost // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Metamorphosis sighed as he laid in bed. He looked over to see Ocellus had fallen asleep while reading. He smiled fondly and levitated the book away, marking her page and pulling the covers over her. It had been a long day. Thorax had gone off with Ember on a date, and Metamorphosis had seen him off. He’d spent the rest of the day bonding with Ocellus and giving Pharynx as much attention as he desired. With Pharynx, he hadn’t wanted much attention, but Metamorphosis could tell he was grateful. Thorax had come back in the evening, after saying goodnight to Ember from the doorway. Metamorphosis had joined Pharynx in teasing Thorax lightly. The most important memory drifted back to the forefront of his mind. When they were heading to bed. “Thorax, be sure to get me if he starts having a nightmare. I’ll be up for a while.” “Okay dad. You said you convinced Luna to look into them?” “Yes, though she seemed uncertain about the potential of success.” Thorax nodded. “Luna seems cryptic at times but I’ve gotten to know her, the crypticness is typically because she really doesn’t have a straight answer.” “Either way, wake me if anything happens. I’ll do the same for you.” “Okay dad… you know… I’m really glad you’re here. I don’t know how I’d be able to handle this without you… Tempest isn’t always available…” Thorax hugged him “I know. But you don’t have to worry about that. I’m here now, and you don’t have to go through this with him alone.” “You’re right. Thank you dad. I love you.” “I love you too son.” Metamorphosis smiled at the recent memory. He too, wondered what might have happened with his sons if he were not there. Then, he heard frantic whimpers from the other room, driving him from his thoughts. “Pharynx.” Metamorphosis whispered, sitting up and rushing to the room, which was connected to his and Ocellus’ room via a bathroom. Pharynx was moaning and thrashing in his bed. He was mumbling incoherently, and the dragon plushie lay off to the side. Metamorphosis levitated a pillow hastily in his magic and tossed it at Thorax to wake him. “Oof! D-Dad!” “Thorax, get up.” Metamorphosis urged, sitting by Pharynx and pulling his flailing son into his hooves. “Shh, shh, Pharynx, it’s okay.” Thorax scrambled up and was at Metamorphosis’ side in an instant. He rubbed Pharynx’s back while Metamorphosis held him. Pharynx had stopped thrashing around and was growing still. His breathing became heavy and fast. “Pharynx, Pharynx please wake up.” Metamorphosis urged Pharynx convulsed, then his eyes shot open. He was sweating and trembling, which Metamorphosis hadn’t noticed before. He embraced Pharynx as his eldest son began crying. “Oh Pharynx…” Metamorphosis nuzzled him. “It’s okay. Calm down, everything's alright…” Thorax grabbed Night Fury and passed him to Pharynx. Pharynx clutched him unashamedly and nuzzled against Metamorphosis. “Pharynx… was it bad?” “W-Worse…” Pharynx murmured “He is correct, I’m afraid.” Metamorphosis looked up. A glowing blue light descended from the ceiling. When it faded, it revealed Princess Luna. Thorax got up to give her a polite bow. Luna nodded to him, then went towards Pharynx and Metamorphosis. Pharynx glanced up and his eyes narrowed slightly in distrust, pressing closer against Metamorphosis. “Princess…” Metamorphosis nodded to Pharynx. Luna lit up her horn in a blue glow, then lowered it to Pharynx’s forehead. “Hey! What are you-” Pharynx broke off as Luna removed her horn. He suddenly yawned and cuddled against Metamorphosis. Luna stepped back and watched as Pharynx closed his eyes. He lost his tight grip on Night Fury and instead seemed to be resting peacefully by his father. Luna sighed. “Apologies. I could see that he was too panicked to be of much immediate help. I have merely sent him into a dreamless sleep. He’ll be calm the rest of the night.” Thorax nodded. “S-So what happened?” “I was ejected from the dream when he jumped awake, but from what I could gather it was as your father said. Pharynx, unreformed and surrounded by creatures who keep claiming he is a monster. Chrysalis appeared, were you aware that she did?” “He mentioned to me that she appeared, yes.” Metamorphosis nuzzled his son gently. Luna stepped closer. “There was something else. His dreams, they were influenced by something. A darkness I have not seen anything similar to in dreams since the Tantibus.” “Wait, ‘Tantibus’?” Thorax asked “A monster that I created. You both surely know of my former alter ego… Nightmare Moon. I made the Tantibus as a punishment for myself, to give me nightmares. It is similar to the darkness lurking within your son, but this darkness is different.” Luna placed a hoof on the bed. “Different how?” Metamorphosis asked “It was… sentient. I could hear it whispering to him. I don’t believe it knew I was there. It was hard to make out the voice, however, it seemed familiar.” Luna hesitated. “Tell me, is there anything that you know of that would cause this?” Metamorphosis looked at Thorax. His son shook his head and laid beside Pharynx, nuzzling him. Then, Thorax spoke in a low whisper. “I’m afraid I don’t.” Thorax admitted. The idea of someone influencing his son angered Metamorphosis. However, he took a breath and managed to clear his mind enough to think. Then, he remembered something. “I… believe I know.” Metamorphosis looked down at his son. “Dad…?” “While the Hive is not a hivemind, and can’t hear each other’s thoughts, there is a certain spell that enables a mindlink between two changelings. It was meant for if a specific changeling required instructions from a superior. But… the mindlink spell can only be cast by those of the royal family.” “The royal family?” Thorax asked “But… if you and I definitely aren’t doing it… and the only other members of the royal family are-” he gasped Metamorphosis nodded. “There’s a possibility… it’s Chrysalis.” Luna’s eyes went wide. “That explains why the voice was familiar.” “D-Dad, what do we do?” Thorax asked worriedly. “I don’t know… Princess?” Luna calmed herself. “Well… for now, I don’t believe there is anything to be done. However, when you return to your home, I would implore you to try to seek out Chrysalis. She must likely be nearby for this spell to work. Possibly, the reason it is worse now could be that Chrysalis has needed to pour more energy into the spell to strengthen it so she needn’t follow you here.” “Understood.” Metamorphosis said, recalling the spell did indeed have to be stronger to work from far away. Despite the idea of meeting Chrysalis again, Metamorphosis knew this had to be done. He still loved her, but he also knew what Thorax and Pharynx had told him was true. And she was the cause of her own son’s nightmares. “Here.” Luna smiled softly. She made a cluster of purple blossoms appear. “Lavender. I line the hallways and my sister and I’s room with them, they are known for helping creatures to achieve peaceful and restorative sleep.” With that, she set the flowers by Pharynx’s bed. Metamorphosis laid his son down and pulled the covers over him. Thorax wrapped a hoof over Pharynx’s shoulders and settled beside him. “Thank you Princess Luna. We will hunt down Chrysalis once we return home.” Metamorphosis assured her. “I wish you luck, and pray you remember what the cost may be for Pharynx if you don’t put him before your heart.” Luna said. “I’m sure it will be conflicting because of your history with her.” Metamorphosis nodded. Princess Luna smiled gently and disappeared in a flash. As Metamorphosis settled beside his sons, he wondered if he really could make the right choice.