//------------------------------// // Love At First Fight // Story: Pride and Joy // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Pharynx was patrolling the outer perimeter of the Hive when Apex ran up to him. “Uncle Pharynx!” “Yes grub?” Pharynx sighed “Papa Thorax wen’ to do king stuff an’ he sai’ I could come spend time with you! So can i’ be training time, please? Please please please?!” Apex asked, bouncing around Pharynx. Pharynx rolled his eyes slightly at the nymph’s enthusiasm, but smiled. “Sure grub. Come on, you can help me finish this patrol.” “Yay!” Apex sunk into a pounce and sprang, wrapping his hooves around Pharynx’s neck and swinging himself onto the beta changeling’s back. “Ugh, grub…” “Please can I ri’e?” Pharynx levitated him off his back. “Warriors don’t need to be carried everywhere by their superiors. Ride around on Thorax’s head all you want, but not me. We’ll continue this patrol with you walking beside me. Is that clear?” “Yes sir Uncle Pharynx sir!” Apex said, his little dragonfly tail wagging. Pharynx nodded in approval. “Good. But don’t wag your tail so much, you’ll only draw attention to yourself or alert your prey to your presence.” “Okay Uncle Pharynx!” Pharynx sighed. “At least we’re not near enough to the Hive for anyling to hear you…” Apex just giggled innocently. Pharynx smiled slightly and rubbed the nymph’s head. Apex smiled and walked closer to him. “Uncle Pharynx? How come you’re doin’ this all by you’self? Why don’ you go’ the o’er lings doin’ this?” “I have to re-train a lot of the soldiers since they’ve gone soft with Thorax’s ‘activities’. I also have to train newer recruits, and right now I don’t trust any of them to get the job done right.” Pharynx explained. “Is tha’ why you’re training me?” “Partly. Teaching the next generation early on helps to prepare them for harder training when they’re older.” Pharynx gave him a smirk. “Plus it’s kind of funny that you’re doing better than the actual soldiers are at their training.” “I won’ le’ you down Uncle Pharynx! ‘M gonna be the bes’ warrior in the Hive, an’ General, jus’ like you!” Apex proclaimed Pharynx chuckled softly. “I know you will grub, I’ll make sure of it. Now come on, the Hive isn’t going to patrol itself.” “How would i’ do tha’ Uncle Pharynx? The Hive can’ move.” Apex said, blinking up at him innocently. Pharynx blinked, then facehoofed. “I’ll explain it to you later grub.” “Okay.” With that, the beta changeling and nymph continued the patrol. Soon, the two had patrolled the whole perimeter of the Hive. They were now heading to a sandy area Pharynx had been using to train Apex. As they headed into the sandy area Pharynx held up a hoof for Apex to stop. “Scent the air grub, any distinct smells?” Apex raised his head and opened his jaws slightly. “I smell… tha’ feathery airy scent tha’ birds have-” “Skip the animal scents.” Pharynx corrected himself. “Uh… nope. I don’ smell any Rocs or Ta’zulwurms or nothin’-wai’.” Apex stopped and trotted ahead. “What is it?” “A pony!” Pharynx’s brow raised slightly, both from surprise that Apex had smelled it before he did, and that a pony was this far from Equestria. He too, parted his jaws to taste the emotions and smells on the air. “Am I righ’ Uncle Pharynx?” Pharynx nodded. The scent was obviously from a pony, it had the distinct magical trace of a unicorn. Interesting though, the magic trace was faint, and unlike any he had ever noticed from a pony before. It was… crackling. Like lightning. Their personal scent was the smell of the air after a rainstorm. And the gender… based on the magical trace, it was a mare. “Shoul’ we go say hi to her Uncle Pharynx?” Apex asked, looking up at him. “Papa Thorax sai’ i’s the righ’ thing t’do.” “Maybe for him.” Pharynx snorted, stalking past Apex. “I’ll deal with this pony my way.” “Why?” “She approached the Hive from the side, almost as if sneaking up on us. Now stay behind me grub.” “Okay Uncle Pharynx.” Apex said, falling into place behind the older changeling. Pharynx trotted confidently up to the pony, who came into view. His eyes narrowed as he took in the pony’s features. It was a mare, as he’d predicted. But she seemed much different from other ponies. This mare walked like a soldier. Each step taken with measured precision and confidence. Her teal eyes were dead set at her target, which had shifted from the Hive to Pharynx. The black cloak she wore concealed most of her dark mulberry coat and completely covered her cutie mark. Her magenta tail was left free, matching the magenta mohawk on her head. The most startling thing Pharynx took in about her was her face. Not her eyes, or the squared muzzle usually reserved for stallions. It was the broken horn on her forehead, as well as the scar running down one of her eyes. These two things completed the look of intimidation on her face. Apex ran underneath Pharynx, poking his head out between the Prince-General’s forelegs as he walked. “Uncle Pharynx, she looks scary…” “It’s an intimidation tactic grub, just stay close. She’s a pony, she won’t hurt a nymph.” Pharynx said. “Though to be honest I wouldn’t be surprised if she was at least able to. The cloak covers most of her body but with the way she carries herself she clearly has some muscle…” Apex sheltered underneath Pharynx as they approached the pony. She stopped when she was a few hoofsteps away from them, and Pharynx did the same. He gently nudged Apex out from under him with a hoof. But he kept his eyes trained on the mare. “Pretty far from Equestria, aren’t you, pony?” Pharynx said cooly. The mare’s expression hardened. “Let’s get straight to the point, what business do you have with the Changeling Kingdom?” “I’m here to deliver a message to your leader.” she said. “I’m his brother, I can pass the message along to him.” Pharynx replied, knowing better than to trust that she actually had a message for Thorax. It was a classic infiltration technique. The mare snorted. “Didn’t expect to find someone competent out here. But the message I have is for King Thorax, no one else.” Pharynx growled. “Yeah, I’m sure. Well, you’re only getting me, so either pass on the message or head back to Pony-land where you came from before I chase you there.” “Listen, bug.” the unicorn mare slammed her hoof down on the ground before him. Pharynx didn’t even flinch. “I’m just here to deliver a message courtesy of the Princesses of Equestria-” “You don’t look like any Royal Guard I’ve seen.” Pharynx interrupted “I’m not one.” she snarled. “This is a favor for them, just take me to your king.” “Not without some proof.” Pharynx retorted. “I don’t have proof.” the mare spat. “Just let me pass, bugboy.” “Oh, now you’ve done it.” Pharynx snarled, sinking into a battle stance. He flicked his tail to signal Apex to get out of the way. “Don’t test me, bug.” she growled, dropping into an identical stance. “If you just came here for a fight…” Pharynx began, stalking around her, “Then you’ve come to the right changeling.” “I’m not here for a fight.” she prowled around beside him, the two creatures circling each other. “But if it’s the only way I’ll get by…” “You won’t be able to.” Pharynx smirked. “I don’t believe I introduced myself. Prince-General Pharynx of the Changeling Hive. And I won’t let you get past me just so you can do who-knows-what to my Hive.” “I see creatures like this all the time. Talk all they like, but it’s backing it up I want to see.” she replied, her broken horn sparking with electric blue light. “It’s more than just a fancy title.” Pharynx grinned, igniting his antlers with his red aura. “You’ll see soon enough.” As the two circled each other threateningly, Pharynx glanced at Apex. The nymph had sat down a little ways away from them. He’d likely be out of reach of any attacks. Good. “Enough talk then.” the mare got his attention, grinning slightly as the remains of her horn ignited in an electric blue aura. “I’ve been itching for a good fight for weeks now.” Pharynx chuckled softly. “It’s funny you think you’re winning this fight.” She smirked. “That’s because I am.” With that, the two creatures launched themselves at each other. Pharynx heard Apex cheering for him in the background. He smirked and charged at the unicorn, head ducked to lead with his antlers. She sidestepped him and barreled into his side. The two tussled for a few more minutes, until Pharynx thought he’d found a weak spot. He spun on his forehooves to knock her legs out from under her. He hoped she’d end up tangled in her cloak and fall. However, the mare leapt high into the air, coming down in front of Pharynx before he could realize what happened. Pharynx transformed, becoming his signature monster form. The mare didn’t flinch in the slightest. She merely ignited her horn. Electricity gathered at the broken tip, and she blasted him in the chest. Pharynx let out a grunt as he untransformed from her attack. She then tackled him to the ground. He swore under his breath as he looked up at the mare. Her horn still crackled with energy. “I’m not looking for any trouble. Just agree to take me to your king and I’ll release you.” she spoke calmly. Pharynx growled, but nodded. The mare stepped back and he sat up. Apex raced over and nuzzled him. “Grub, get off. I’m fine.” Pharynx shoved Apex away gently. “Can’ believe you didn’ win, Uncle Pharynx!” Apex murmured, looking up at him. “Yeah, you and me both, grub.” Pharynx muttered, then looked up at the mare. “Let’s go then.” “What? No more objections?” “You won the fight. You’ve proven you’re worthy of respect.” Pharynx replied simply, though he was still a bit bitter about losing. “Come on, or I’ll transform again and throw you back to Equestria.” The mare snorted in disbelief. “As if I’d let you.” Pharynx growled softly, but led the strange mare towards the Hive. Apex jumped onto his back, and he didn’t force the nymph off, too beaten to complain. Pharynx led the mare through the Hive, to the throne room. Thorax looked up when they entered. “Pharynx, there you are. I thought Apex’s training would take longer-what happened? Who is she?” “This pony has requested an audience with you, brother.” Pharynx said, trotting to Thorax. “An audience?” Thorax asked, as Apex flew into his hooves. “Okay… go ahead.” he told the mare, who had stepped forwards to stand in the center of the room. “Your majesty.” the mare bowed to Thorax, using formalities despite being covered in scrapes and bruises from her fight with Pharynx. “I am Tempest Shadow, I come on behalf of Princess Twilight Sparkle.” “Twilight?” Thorax spoke, confused. “Why couldn’t she come herself, is something wrong?” “Not exactly your majesty.” Tempest rose from the bow. “I was originally not planning on visiting the Changeling Hive, but the princess requested of me through a letter that I come here to pass along a message I’ve been spreading, along with a message of her own.” “Oh? What is it? A-And please, don’t call me your majesty…” “Very well.” Tempest Shadow nodded. “The message from the princess is a request for the changelings to send one young changeling to Ponyville. The princess is starting a new ‘School of Friendship’ and is asking all the leaders of Equestria and beyond to send a student.” “Okay.” Thorax smiled kindly. “And the other message?” “That is a personal message.” Tempest Shadow began. “I have been on the road for a while spreading it. The message is that… The Storm King is dead.” “The Storm King? From the legends?” “Yes. He’s gone, you need not fear him. He was turned to stone and his statue was shattered in Canterlot.” Tempest explained Thorax nodded. “Alright. Thank you Miss Shadow. Please let Twilight know I accept her invitation to send a student to Ponyville.” “I’ll be sure to pass it along.” Tempest saluted him, then turned to head out of the throne room. Pharynx followed her to the entrance of the Hive. “Tempest Shadow.” he caught her attention as she was about to leave the Hive, and she turned to him. “Yes… Pharynx, right?” Pharynx nodded. “You, uh… you weren’t so bad out there, when we were fighting…” Tempest raised a brow. “I pinned you in five minutes.” “Caught me off guard.” Pharynx brushed it off. “I didn’t expect a pony to be so good at fighting.” Tempest rolled her eyes. “Not all of us want to go… I don’t know, prance through meadows wearing flower crowns or something.” Pharynx chuckled softly at the mental image. “Either way, you weren’t such a bad fighter.” “Yeah, you weren’t so bad yourself.” Tempest said “How did you learn to fight like that?” Tempest hesitated. “I… trained myself. That’s all I’m willing to disclose.” Pharynx nodded. “And you seemed to know a lot about the Storm King’s defeat.” “Many ponies were there when it happened.” “Then why, out of all of them, did Princess Egghead pick you to come?” Pharynx didn’t wait for her response this time. “And your name, ‘Tempest Shadow’. Seems almost tailor made for the Storm King…” Tempest growled. “Fine. I used to work for the Storm King, alright? I was his Commander. But I’m a better pony now. I no longer wish for the conquest of other lands.” Pharynx smirked slightly. “Oh, I don’t care about that. A war would’ve been nice, I enjoy fighting. I just find it impressive you were good enough for the Storm King to choose as his commander.” Tempest shrugged. “I was the best of the best.” “Sure seems like it.” Pharynx smiled at her slightly, and she smiled back. “Thank you. You would not believe how incompetent the Equestrian military is though.” “Oh, I would.” Pharynx objected, and the two laughed. Then, Tempest looked up at the sun, judging the time. “I had better get going. The message for the princess won’t send itself.” Pharynx nodded in understanding, watching her go. “Pharynx?” Thorax trotted up to him, Apex on his head. “What are you doing out here?” “Nothing, just… making sure she leaves.” Pharynx said, watching Tempest fade into the distance. “Oh, well, come on then.” Thorax led Pharynx back into the Hive. “I was thinking of sending Ocellus to this new School of Friendship…”