“Okay grub, so this is how you do a perfect pounce straight from a crouch.” Pharynx said as he walked around Apex.
The Prince-General and nymph were in a sandy area outside the hive, where the older changeling was giving the younger some training.
“Hunter’s crouch.” he snapped the order.
Apex, who had been standing there, tail waggling, immediately dropped down and crouched as Pharynx walked around him. Pharynx stopped and tapped Apex’s dragonfly wing tail, which he lifted off the ground. Pharynx then pushed the nymph’s forelegs a bit closer to his sides.
“Alright, good. Now, once you’re in the crouch, press all your weight on your back legs. When I give the order, I want you to push off your back legs and propel yourself forward, just like normal.”
Apex nodded, then adjusted his stance. Pharynx nodded in approval and continued circling him.
“Alright… now!” Pharynx commanded
Apex sprang forwards, forelegs coming out in front of him, extended and ready to grip any prey or enemy that crossed his path. As Apex sprang, he felt very powerful and confident. However, the feeling was short lived as he hit the ground, promptly tumbling to the ground and rolling from the impact. He groaned as he stood up, feeling the dust and sand in his carapace.
Apex heard Pharynx sigh as he trotted to him. “Again, Apex? Every time, you end up stumbling.”
“Sorry Pharynx…” Apex said, head bowed and ears drooping.
Though Apex knew this wasn’t the old hive anymore, he couldn’t help but remember what would usually happen if he failed. He closed his eyes tight as he remembered being pinned to the wall, a magic aura sharp as a barbed spear digging into his underbelly as he wailed aloud. The wailing only to be stopped short by a hoof to his jaw…
“Hey, hey! Apex, snap out of it!” Pharynx’s voice penetrated the scenes flashing before the little nymph’s eyes.
“I-I… U-Uncle…”
“Shh, it’s okay.” Pharynx put his hoof around Apex in a slight hug. “It’s fine grub.”
“U-Uncle Pharynx, I-I don’ wanna go back…”
“You’re never going to see her again grub. Thorax and I are here. We’re always going to protect you, I promise.” Pharynx said, and Apex sniffled, nodding. “Now, do you want to get back to work?”
“...Yes.” Apex said “I wanna keep going.”
“Really? We can leave it here if you want.”
“No, I wanna try ‘gain. ‘M gonna be the bes’est warrior ever an’ protect the Hive.” Apex said, and Pharynx smiled, rubbing his head.
“And I’ll be by your side every step of the way grub.” he said, and Apex stood up.
“Thanks Uncle Pharynx.” Apex hugged his leg.
“No problem grub, it’s why we’re out here. Now come on, I think I have an idea for how to work with your stumbling rather than trying to stop it.” Pharynx said
“Really?”
“Well, we’ll still try to fix that, but for now it may work in your favor. Though we’ll need a-perfect.”
Pharynx was looking across the sandy area. Ocellus was sitting in the grass where the sand ended. She had come out to join them for some fresh air and was reading while they practiced. Upon noticing that the sounds of Pharynx barking orders and Apex’s war cries had stopped, she had stood up and was walking to them, eyes showing concern.
“Is everything alright?”
“Oh, we’re fine. Apex was just a little… upset.” Pharynx phrased the last word in such a way that Ocellus was able to understand and nod in comprehension. “Anyway, we were just looking for a victim-I mean assistant.”
“A… what?” Ocellus blinked, taking a step back nervously.
“Oh, calm down, I’m not gonna tackle you.”
“Oh… okay, so then what do you-”
“Apex is.”
“What?!”
“Huh?” Apex added, trotting over to them and looking up at Pharynx inquisitively.
“Here, you stand here…” Pharynx pulled Ocellus to stand in front of Apex. “Now, grub, you back up…”
Apex shuffled backwards as instructed, and Pharynx trotted to him.
“Assume the position you took before.”
Pharynx waited until he had, then leaned down to speak with him more privately, so Ocellus wouldn’t hear what he was saying.
“When you spring, you’re going to end up hitting the ground in front of Ocellus. When you no doubt tumble and begin to roll, I want you to use your body weight to propel yourself to her. Roll with the impact and use it to your advantage.”
“How will rolling a’ her help?” Apex whispered
“Heh, you’re going to roll to her at her diagonally when your body automatically shifts as you fall. So you’ll knock her legs out from under her and trip her.”
“Cool!”
Pharynx nodded “You won’t be able to use it every time, seeing as you’ll usually want to hit your target when you land, this is just to use in case you miss your mark or are trying to do it to surprise the victim.”
“Okay Uncle Pharynx.” Apex paused “How will I know I can do i’?”
“Well… my trainer, Fortuna, told me a tip she picked up once. See it, then be it. Picture yourself succeeding at what you want to accomplish, then do it. You think you can do that?” Pharynx asked
“Okay.”
“Alright, when I give the signal, pounce.” Pharynx instructed, straightening up and stepping away from him.
Apex readied himself, muscles tensing and form as perfect as he could make it. He concentrated on what he wanted to happen.
“And… in three… two… now!” Pharynx called, and Apex sprang.
The nymph felt a surge of confidence pass through him as he leapt into the air. He knew exactly how this would work, seeing what would happen before it did. He smirked, forelegs extended just as before.
Apex hit the ground and this time, though he felt himself overbalancing, deliberately fell into a roll, driving his body forwards with his own weight. He heard Ocellus squeak, and as he came into contact with her hooves, he tucked his legs in tighter.
Apex heard a loud thump as he stopped rolling, and stood dazedly. He looked down, shaking himself to get the larger clumps of dust and sand off his carapace. He saw Ocellus curled up in a defensive position, lying in the dirt. She looked up, glaring. For a minute Apex worried she was looking at him, but a quick glance behind him showed she was eyeing Pharynx, who was trotting up with a proud smirk on his face.
“Great job Apex, it worked perfectly.” Pharynx then looked down at Ocellus. “Though we’ll need a less weak target to practice on next time.” he added
“Pharynx, that wasn’t very nice.”
“Have you met me, Ocellus? I’m not nice.” Pharynx said, but offered a hoof to help her up anyway.
“You could have at least warned me.”
“Then you would have been able to prepare and brace yourself for the attack. The enemy isn’t going to be given a warning of what you’re going to do next on a battlefield.”
“But I’m not the enemy!”
“You were in this scenario. And don’t raise your voice with me, kid. You may be Thorax’s protege and close with him and myself, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to take that tone of voice from you.”
Ocellus sighed and rolled her eyes. Pharynx glared at her sharply, making her squeak and back away. Pharynx then turned his back to them, trotting a little ways away to do a quick look over of the area. A few Rocs had been sighted at the edge of the territory a few days previously.
Taking notice of the general’s distraction, Ocellus leaned down and whispered into Apex’s ear. He grinned mischievously and nodded, before dropping into a crouch and slinking towards Pharynx. Ocellus watched, following at a distance. Apex glanced back once he was close to the adult changeling, and she nodded.
Apex then sprang once more. He made no sounds and Pharynx, focused on the sky above them, didn’t notice the nymph until he’d slammed into him. Apex grinned in satisfaction at the surprised yell Pharynx gave as Apex rammed into his neck, locking his hooves around the bigger changeling as he stumbled.
“Apex, what the buck?!”
“What was that you mentioned earlier, Pharynx? Something about finding a ‘less weak’ target?” Ocellus asked innocently, trotting up.
“Hehe! We go’ you Uncle Pharynx!” Apex cheered
“Okay, that’s it!” Pharynx lunged at Ocellus, Apex still giggling on his back.
Ocellus squealed as Pharynx tackled her, sending them both to the ground. Apex scrambled off Pharynx’s back, joining the two in an impromptu wrestling match. The three changelings began tussling in the dirt, Pharynx growling in frustration, Ocellus yelping, and Apex giggling.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thorax smiled as he made his way through the hive, heading for the entrance. He had been very pleased to see Pharynx, Ocellus, and Apex heading off together earlier. Thorax knew Pharynx had just been taking Apex to train, with Ocellus coming along for some fresh air. But it was nice to see the general wanting to spend more time with the two nymphs.
As Thorax reached the entrance to the hive, he saw two figures heading towards him, a third perched on the first’s head.
“There they are.” Thorax thought, then smiled, raising his voice to greet them.
“Pharynx! Ocellus, Apex! How was your training? I want to hear all about-what in Equestria?!”
Thorax gaped at them. All three of the changelings-even Ocellus-were covered in dirt. Pharynx looked calm, if not a bit guilty, while Apex was grinning and Ocellus looked sheepish. The book Thorax remembered Ocellus having with her when the three left was now carried in her magic.
“Hey Thorax…” Pharynx said slowly, giving him a slight smile.
“Pharynx, what happened?” Thorax asked sternly
“We, uh… had a bit of an argument that ended with some friendly wrestling…”
“Pharynx!”
“I-It wasn’t his fault Thorax…” Ocellus stepped forwards. “I asked Apex to tackle him because he was teasing me, then we started tussling.”
Thorax sighed, but gave her a gentle smile. “It’s alright. And it at least looked like you had fun.”
“Uh-huh!” Apex chirped happily. Then, Thorax grinned, a glint in his eye.
“But, you know what this means…”
Pharynx’s eyes widened and he looked at Ocellus and Apex, also smirking. “Oh, yes.”
“Wh-What? N-no, I don’t think that’s necesar-” Ocellus began, only to be cut off.
“Bathtime!” Thorax cried eagerly. Apex’s eyes went wide, and he instantly objected.
“Nononono!” Apex cried, screeching in protest as Thorax lifted him in his magic.
“Come on my little sprite!” Thorax said chipperly, then looked at Ocellus. “You too Ocellus.”
“B-But I can clean myself…”
“I know, but I’d rather you come with us.” Thorax explained, and she trotted over, head bowed.
“Serves you two right.” Pharynx remarked, then Thorax narrowed his eyes at him.
“You’re coming too Pharynx.” he said, eliciting giggles and snickers from the two nymphs, who cast each other knowing smirks.
“What?! Thorax, I’m not some nymph, I can-”
“Let’s go Pharynx.” Thorax said, trotting away. Pharynx sighed and followed him, grunting.
Apex whimpered and continued to protest as Thorax took them to his room, and into his bathroom.
“No no no no no!” Apex wailed as Thorax set him down and began to run the water for the bath.
“Apex, you need a bath, all three of you do.”
“And Ocellus and I can bathe ourselves, so if you’ll just let us-”
“Pharynx, you’re both staying here.” Thorax snapped
“But why?”
“I want to make sure you actually get cleaned and don’t just brush off the big chunks of dirt and leave it at that.” Thorax replied, stopping the water. “Okay Apex, in.”
“No! You can’ make me!” Apex cried, crossing his hooves.
“Yes he can.” Pharynx smirked
Thorax lifted Apex in his magic and lowered him into the water. Apex screamed and flailed, sending water splashing out of the tub. Ocellus yelped and threw her book out of the bathroom as the water hit her, while Pharynx hissed and backed up. Thorax sighed as the water hit him.
“Apex, the water won’t hurt you.”
“I don’ wanna! I don’ wanna, I don’ wanna!” Apex screamed
“Apex, please.”
“Nononononono!” Apex yelled
“Grub will you knock it off?!” Pharynx yelled back, as Apex tried to climb out of the tub.
“Apex, hold still!” Thorax pleaded, gently pushing him back into the tub. Apex squealed as the water lapped at his sides.
“I don’ wanna, I don’ wanna, I don’ wanna!” Apex cried, sobbing now. Thorax sighed and bit his bottom lip. Pharynx growled and took a step closer.
“Grub, Thorax is only trying to help get you clean, and the longer you sit there screaming the longer you’ll be in there. And some of us would rather not sit here listening to you throw a tantrum.” Pharynx snarled
Apex stopped crying abruptly, taking in a deep, shuddering breath. “I… I don’ wanna…”
“Apex, I just want you cleaned up.” Thorax reached and stroked his head. “I promise, I’ll take you out of the bath as soon as you’re clean.”
“B-B-Bu’…”
“Please, my little hyper sprite.” Thorax whispered, and he nodded. Thorax smiled slightly and looked over. “Ocellus, I can run another bath for you once I’ve finished with Apex, if you want.”
“I, um… I wouldn’t mind just getting in with Apex… if that’s okay…”
“Heh, it’s alright. Come on.” Thorax encouraged.
Ocellus stepped forwards hesitantly, before climbing into the tub and grabbing one of the washcloths. Thorax picked up the other and put some soap on from the bar of it sitting nearby. He glanced over at Pharynx, who was trying to subtly sneak out the door.
“Get over here Pharynx.”
Pharynx groaned and trotted over, sitting by Thorax. “There, happy?”
“Pharynx.” Ocellus said suddenly “I think the water’s too cold, can you give us some more warm water?” she gestured to the knob that would bring heated water.
“Ugh, fine.” Pharynx moved closer to the tub, reaching for the knob.
Ocellus locked eyes with Thorax and jerked her head towards the general. Thorax smiled, nodding. He lunged and gave Pharynx a hard shove, knocking the front half of his body into the tub. Pharynx sputtered and gasped as he was forced to pull himself into the tub to right himself.
“Thorax!” Pharynx exclaimed, while Ocellus and Apex giggled.
“Heh, well, now all three of you can get clean at once. It’s not like you’re crowded in there.”
He wasn’t wrong. The tub was big enough for Thorax to fit in comfortably, with a little extra room. Thorax was embarrassed to admit it but he had tested that before. Both he and a certain blue dragoness were able to rest in it with no trouble during one of her visits to the Hive.
“Ugh… will you just get it over with already?” Pharynx asked “You’ve got the only other washcloth and I want to clean myself.”
“Sorry…”
Thorax blushed and took the washcloth, beginning to rub it on Apex’s chitin, getting under his wing casing, behind his ears, and his underbelly. Apex giggled and kept moving around, though that made it easier for Thorax to clean him off. While he cleaned him, Apex talked about what they had done that day.
After he finished, Thorax passed the washcloth to Pharynx and levitated over a towel from a stack of them. He lifted Apex out of the tub with his hooves and used his magic to wrap the towel around him.
“An’ Uncle Pharynx show’ded me how to roll an’ I tripped Celly an’ she fell o’er!” Apex said as Thorax dried him off, and Thorax smiled, chuckling.
“That sounds like quite a day, Apex.” he said, nuzzling him.
Apex giggled and burrowed into the fluffy towel, while Thorax cradled the bundle.
“Alright, do you need any help Ocellus?”
“U-um… well, if-if you could maybe get my back…” Ocellus said timidly.
“Of course Ocellus.” Thorax set Apex down a little bit away from the bathtub, then took Ocellus’ washcloth and cleaned her carapace off for her.
“Thanks Thorax…”
“Of course, Ocellus.”
Thorax noticed she was clean, and brought over another towel, wrapping Ocellus in it as she stepped out. Ocellus smiled and nestled against it, going to join Apex. Pharynx was the only one left now.
“Pharynx…”
“Don’t you even start.” Pharynx snapped, beginning to clean himself.
“But-”
“I don’t want to hear it.” Pharynx spat “It’s bad enough you made me do this while you three watch, I don’t need you trying to help.”
“But Pharynx, you missed a spot.” Thorax said, and Pharynx paused, blinking.
“Where did I possibly miss?”
“Here!” Thorax leaned over and booped him on the nose, giggling.
Pharynx stiffened, eyes going wide. He opened his mouth to respond but closed it. Then, he just looked away and kept washing.
“Uncle Pharynx?”
“Leave it grub.” Pharynx grunted
“Aw, but Pharynx, you looked so cute, how could I resist?” Thorax asked, and Pharynx looked over at him, glaring.
“Shut up, I’m not cute.”
“Aww, yes you are!” Thorax leaned over and hugged him.
“Thorax, I’m all wet!”
“Uh-huh.” Thorax kissed Pharynx on the cheek in a brotherly way, then let go. “Come on Phar, just finish rinsing off so I can help you dry off.”
“What part of ‘I don’t want your help’ is unclear to you?”
“That was about bathing, not getting dry.”
“I-ugh…” Pharynx finished and stood up, beginning to climb out of the tub.
Thorax moved too fast for Pharynx to protest. He pulled over another towel and opened it, so that when Pharynx stepped out he walked into it. Thorax wrapped the towel around Pharynx, pulling him closer as he began drying him off.
“Ugh, Thorax!” came Pharynx’s muffled protest, and Thorax chuckled.
“Sorry Pharynx.”
He stopped rubbing him dry and pulled Pharynx in for a hug through the towel, pecking him on the cheek again. Pharynx blushed and pressed into Thorax, biting the inside of his cheek and closing his eyes tight.
“Hehe, aww.”
“Shuddap.”
“Papa Thorax, Uncle Pharynx, ‘re you no’ figh’ing an’more?” Apex asked, and Thorax lifted him, cradling the little nymph.
“No, Apex, we aren’t fighting. We weren’t in the first place.” Thorax kissed his forehead.
Apex giggled, then yawned, snuggling up into Thorax. He rocked the nymph gently in his hooves, smiling.
“I think that means it’s someone’s naptime.”
“Nuh-uh, ‘m a big changeling, I don’ need naps!” Apex protested
“A nap sounds nice, actually.” Ocellus remarked, yawning as well.
“Alright, well, let’s get you two to bed then.” Thorax said
He unwrapped Apex from the towel and laid it to the side, Ocellus and Pharynx taking off their own towels and placing them there as well. Thorax took the cover off the drain to let the water drain out. He then carried Apex to his bed.
“Ocellus, do you want to join us?”
“I-I wouldn’t want to intrude…” Ocellus said, and Thorax smiled
“You won’t, come on, it’s alright.”
Ocellus nodded and followed them. Pharynx rolled his eyes and stood by the door.
“See, doesn’t it feel so much better now that you’re all nice and clean?” Thorax asked as the nymphs settled down on his bed.
“Mhm…” Ocellus sighed, slipping under the covers and snuggling against Thorax’s chest.
Thorax smiled and drew her closer, while Apex floundered around, trying to get comfortable on the bed. Thorax used his magic to lift Apex and set him beside Ocellus, and he curled up, yawning.
Pharynx sighed and looked at a crate at the corner of the room, antlers igniting.
“Here grub.”
Pharynx levitated over a white bear, setting him in Apex’s hooves.
“Blizzard!” Apex hugged the bear close, rubbing his cheek against the stuffed animal.
Thorax chuckled softly, smiling and pulling Apex close.
“Alright, ready for a nice, long, relaxing nap?”
“Uh-huh-” Apex broke off with a yawn, pulling Blizzard in close and snuggling against Thorax.
Ocellus murmured agreement and laid her head on Thorax’s foreleg, sprawled on her side as she rested. Thorax leaned down to nuzzle them both as they settled in for a nap, then looked over at Pharynx.
“Aren’t you coming Pharynx?”
“Absolutely not.” Pharynx replied, turning away.
“Come on Pharynx, you must be tired, you were out there training for a while.”
“And I’ve done much more than train a nymph for much longer than a few hours without needing to rest afterwards.”
“Pharynx…”
“No Thorax, I’m fine. How many times do I have to… have to-” Pharynx broke off, jaws opening wide and eyes closing as he yawned. Thorax smirked and raised a brow.
“Without needing to rest, huh?”
“Sh-Shut up…” Pharynx muttered, blushing.
“Heh, come here Pharynx, it’s okay.” Thorax shifted slightly so as not to disturb the nymphs, holding out a foreleg to Pharynx.
“No way Thorax, I’m not going over there just so you can pull me into another one of your snuggle piles!” Pharynx said, then yawned again.
“You sure…?”
“I-but… I… ugh!” Pharynx stalked over. “Five minutes.” he told Thorax, who grinned.
“Sure, ‘five’ minutes.”
“I’m serious.” Pharynx said, pulling himself onto the bed.
Thorax smiled and wrapped a foreleg around Pharynx, nuzzling him. Pharynx sighed and crossed his forelegs, but Thorax still buried his muzzle against him.
“What are you doing?”
“Heheh, you smell all soapy and clean from the bath.” Thorax explained, blushing.
Pharynx blushed as well, then leaned down and sniffed himself. He did smell like the soap, and he felt very refreshed and clean too.
“I… guess I do…” Pharynx stretched, reaching his legs out until they ached.
“Getting ready for a nice nap?”
“No way. I’m not some nymph. I told you, I’m just gonna lay here for five minutes, then I’m getting up.” Pharynx replied, only to yawn again.
“But?” Thorax nosed him gently.
“I… there is no…” Pharynx yawned once more, pressing his head into Thorax’s side.
“Hm?” Thorax hummed, moving slightly to gently adjust Apex and Ocellus.
Pharynx sighed, then wrapped his hooves around Thorax. “I… I do feel… a lot more comfortable… after that bath…” he murmured
Thorax smiled and kissed Pharynx’s forehead, and Pharynx snuggled against him, smiling softly.
“That… nice, warm, relaxing bath…” he yawned again and continued mumbling to himself before he slipped off to sleep.
Thorax smiled and nuzzled Pharynx, kissing his forehead.
“Heh, just five minutes, huh bro?” Thorax whispered, gaze soft. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you get some rest. Just sleep.”
Thorax then looked over at Ocellus and Apex, who rested at his chest, Ocellus sprawled on her side and Apex cuddling Blizzard close. Thorax smiled and reached to pull them both close. He kissed them each on the foreheads. He laid his head down between them and his brother, then went to sleep.