Ember and Smolder ignited the fireplace with short blasts. Thorax, Ocellus, and Gabby all immediately flocked to it, lying down and stretching out. Gabby patted the ground beside her with a claw.
"Thanks guys! Gildie, come join me!" she urged.
"Fine... and don't call me Gildie." Gilda sighed, sitting down next to Gabby.
"Aww, but it's cute!" Gabby pulled her down and wrapped a wing over her. "Like you."
Gilda froze, blushing. Pharynx gagged and walked away, while Thorax and Ocellus stepped closer and lit up their horns. Small wisps of pink magic flew to them, and they drank them.
"S-Sorry... couldn't resist." Ocellus apologized.
"Was... that... love?" Shadowstar asked. Thorax and Ocellus nodded, sitting back down.
"It's strange though." Pharynx sat down by Thorax, watching the fire. "I was actually repelled by it, when usually I would be the one encouraging those two to feed."
"And we needed a lot less than usual to feel full... come to think of it, I haven't felt starved in a while..." Ocellus joined in
"That is weird... changelings can never get enough love to feel truly full. It's the whole reason Chrysalis wanted to start a war." Thorax said
"You realize that makes no sense, right? War causes death and famine, not love." Smolder said, sitting down by Ocellus.
"I'd agree with you, but you realize there's still love here, correct?" Shadowstar asked, sitting down. "I think Chrysalis' logic was that war instills fear. With that fear, bonds between family and friends grow stronger. Bonds between lovers too. Fear causes these bonds to grow more powerful, as creatures are faced with the thoughts of their loved ones possibly leaving forever, and begin to live every day as though it's their last, loving with all their hearts. And the love grows."
"That may have been a factor, though I remember this." Pharynx stood up, then, in a green flash, Queen Chrysalis stood in their camp.
The group all watched as "Chrysalis" cleared her throat, then spoke. It was a perfect imitation.
"Fool, do you not see? Perhaps you should learn to use your brain for thinking beyond strategizing, General. You see, war itself may cause more death than love, but think about what happens after. When the dust settles. Creatures will rise again, and new nations will be built. Now, every creature will begin to cling to hope, and we will feed on the love that comes from it. And with Celestia, that pitiful Dragon Lord, and miserable excuse for a ambassador out of the way... they will only have me to look up to, and with that will come their admiration! We will be fed for decades!"
"Chrysalis" then gave an evil laugh, and in another green flash, Pharynx was back. He chuckled and sat down by the fire again.
"Wait... was she speaking directly to you?" Shadowstar asked
"No, she was talking to her other General." Pharynx snarked, chuckling. "Of course she was talking to me. I needed to know the plan in order to, quote-unquote 'enforce it'. I'm her general, not to mention her so-"
Pharynx broke off, and Thorax moved to Ocellus, slapping a hoof over her mouth. Shadowstar blinked.
"Excuse me, what was that last part?"
"Mmph!" Ocellus cried through Thorax's hoof. "Mm mm mmph!"
"Come on, let her talk." Smolder grabbed Thorax's hoof and pushed him out of the way. "What's going on Celly?"
Ocellus blushed as she heard the nickname, but spoke. "Son. He said son."
The entire group looked over at Thorax and Pharynx. Thorax hid behind Pharynx, who stood up.
"So, you're also the children of one of the leaders." Ember said, stepping forward.
"It's not like we asked for her to be the one who laid our eggs." Pharynx muttered, looking down. "We couldn't be more different from her. It's funny, honestly."
"How so...?" Shadowstar prompted
Pharynx chuckled dryly. "She set such high expectations for us that we turned out drastically different than she wanted us to. Don't get me wrong. I was the best of the best and head general, just as she wanted. But I only did it to prove myself, to prove to the other changelings that I could earn positions, same as them, rather than it just being given to me. I never wanted to become general just so I could lead attacks on ponies. Sure, fighting's what gets me out of bed in the morning, but not at the cost of innocent lives."
"Wise words." Tempest spoke, before anyone else could. She trotted over, then, after a moment's hesitation, pressed her muzzle to his own. "From a smart bug."
Pharynx blushed and let out a uncharacteristic squeak. Tempest chuckled and nuzzled him. He smiled and closed his eyes, body glowing pink briefly. His wings suddenly shimmered and began sparkling, like his brother's. No one noticed.
"Well, Pharynx, Thorax..." Shadowstar stepped forward. "I think I speak for us all when I say that we don't care who your mother is. You've more than proven yourselves, and found your place in the Resistance. We all still love you. Platonically speaking, of course."
"For most of us." Ocellus put in, glancing pointedly at Ember and Tempest, who both blushed and looked elsewhere. "And now... it's my turn."
"What do you-" Pharynx was cut off as Ocellus stepped closer, a wide smirk on her face.
"I told you so!"
"For the love of-" Pharynx snarled at her.
"What? I've been wanting to say that for a while." Ocellus giggled. "I told you you should just tell them the truth, but no!"
"Ugh..." Pharynx shoved her and went over to the fire, lying down. Tempest settled beside him, and he smiled at her.
"You kind of remind me of Cadence." Shadowstar told Ocellus, who blushed and sat down by Smolder, leaning against the taller creature.
"W-What do you mean?"
"You both act like annoying but loveable sisters." Shadowstar replied, chuckling.
"You know, you are kind of like a sister to us..." Thorax looked over at her. "If you wanted to be..."
"Well, I guess we do kind of have to make our own family..." Ocellus murmured, her body glowing pink, and as she buzzed her wings, they sparkled in the firelight.
"What are you talking about Ocellus?" Smolder wrapped an arm around her smiling. "You don't have to do that."
"Why not?" Ocellus asked.
Smolder smiled, looking around at the others. Ember had laid down on her stomach next to Thorax, who was clearly falling asleep as he laid against her. Pharynx and Tempest were resting side by side, staring at the fire. Gabby and Gilda lay with their claws and wings around each other, Gabby nuzzling Gilda unrelentingly. Not that she seemed to mind. Gallus was lying on his back, and Sandbar was resting with his head buried in his chest fur, eyes closed. And Shadowstar sat before them all, smiling happily at his team.
Smolder pulled Ocellus a bit closer, lowering her head to nestle it between Ocellus' earfins. Ocellus giggled and blushed, and the dragon smiled, holding the changeling close. Smolder watched as the firelight danced across all their faces, connecting them through linked shadows amidst the flickering orange glow. The young dragoness closed her eyes before finishing her thought.
"You can't make a new family out of one you've already got."