//------------------------------// // Chapter 33: Those Who Fight First Fight The Hardest // Story: Patrilineality: Making Up For Time We Lost // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Metamorphosis walked away from the kitchens, having just finished telling off Phalange, especially for the fact that he’d seemed to care more about the loss of cider than about Pharynx. The unreformed changeling sighed, slowing his step slightly. He knew he should probably hurry, so he could get back to his sons, he’d gotten up once Thorax dozed off to deliver some warnings to Phalange, among others. “Dad?” Thorax trotted up to him, and he looked up. “Yes Thorax?” “Why did you leave?” Thorax asked. Metamorphosis sighed, beckoning for Thorax to follow him. “I just got up to talk to Phalange.” Metamorphosis explained, leading them back towards Pharynx’s room. “Oh…” Thorax was silent for a moment, then spoke again. “What are we going to do dad? Pharynx needs our help.” “I know, but he might not need as much help as you think.” Metamorphosis said. “He said it was his first time drinking, so clearly this isn’t a habit that we need to help him break. It’s more of something he discovered doesn’t help and won’t try again.” “I guess so… but what about the changelings? The ones he said insulted him?” “We’ll talk to them.” Metamorphosis assured him as they stopped in front of Pharynx’s room. “But I do wonder if those other changelings were doing this on purpose.” “No, they wouldn’t,” Thorax said, eyes widening, “We’re all kind to each other, and after Pharynx transformed they accepted him.” “Then maybe that’s the problem.” Metamorphosis said. “They thought when he transformed, Pharynx would be like them, but instead, he acted mostly the same.” “Mostly… at least he stopped kicking holes in the wall. Kind of…” “Either way, clearly the other changelings believed that Pharynx would change after transforming, and when that didn’t happen, they began to get upset.” “S-So what about Pharynx?” “He must have realized what was happening, and tried to change into the changeling they expected him to be like. When even that was unsuccessful…” “He tried drinking earlier today.” Thorax finished his father’s thought “Exactly.” Metamorphosis sighed. “I just don’t understand why they thought things were going to be different when he transformed.” Thorax said, looking down. “He’s always been like this, why would they expect him to change just by transforming?” Metamorphosis shook his head. “It’s anyone’s guess, though perhaps it seemed to happen to them, so they assumed it would to Pharynx.” “I always knew they were idiots.” The two turned around, startled at what they heard, and then saw. Pharynx was walking out of the room, leaning against the doorway. They could see a few lines under his eyes and he looked a bit tired, but seemed okay. “Pharynx!” Thorax lunged and hugged him tightly. “Ack! Thorax, let go!” Pharynx said, wincing slightly at his own volume. “I was only sleeping, it’s not like I was dying!” Thorax released him, but still nuzzled him. Pharynx sighed and rubbed his temple. “How are you feeling Pharynx?” Metamorphosis asked his son. “Tired… and I still have a headache. But better, that serum stuff helped.” “I’m glad.” Metamorphosis pulled him into a gentle hug. “So, how much of our conversation did you hear?” “Not much.” Pharynx rubbed his eyes. “Enough to know that you were talking about the other changelings.” “About them… why didn’t you tell us what was going on?” Thorax asked “I… I don’t know…” Pharynx looked away, sighing. “I just… thought I could handle it, it was my problem. Besides, you and dad were always busy with something, and those idiots in my guard were my problem to deal with.” “That doesn’t mean we wouldn’t have understood!” Thorax exclaimed. “Phar, you know how I was bullied in the Old Days, I would have helped if I’d known you were going through that now.” “And just because you believed it was your problem doesn’t mean we couldn’t have helped. We would have at least listened.” Metamorphosis added Pharynx sighed and muttered something under his breath. Metamorphosis lifted his son’s chin to look him in the eye. “Pharynx, what did you say?” Pharynx sighed. “I said, I deserved it anyway.” “What?! Of course you didn’t!” Thorax cried “Didn’t I?” Pharynx stepped back, glaring at them. “You don’t know what it was like, dad, back then, but Thorax knows it all. Especially about what a horrible brother I was.” “What? But Pharynx, in the desire crystals-” “You wanted good memories of us so it showed you good memories. It doesn’t mean I was never a bad brother.” Pharynx spat “I never thought you were a bad brother.” Thorax spoke up, voice muted slightly. “Oh really?” Pharynx raised a brow at him. “I… well, okay, at times you weren’t exactly… the brother I needed, but you’re the only brother I have, and that was enough.” Pharynx grunted in disbelief. Metamorphosis reached and placed a hoof on his shoulder. “It doesn’t matter if sometimes you did things that hurt Thorax’s feelings-” “More like every day.” Pharynx spat “That may be true, but I know that you still loved him. Don’t think I’ve forgotten what the Old Days were like, fight or be fought, hunt or starve.” “Yeah, and I did a lot of that to my own brother. Who could possibly call me a good creature after what I did?” Pharynx pulled away from his father and brother. “No wonder those idiots still think I’m a monster… you should never have had me, dad.” “Pharynx, wait!” Thorax called, but Pharynx had already walked down the hall and disappeared from view. Thorax sighed and looked down at the ground. “He’s wrong. He was the best brother I could have asked for. And I know without him I wouldn’t be here today.” “I know son.” Metamorphosis hugged him. “Let’s just make sure Pharynx knows that too.” “Okay.” Thorax nodded. “I think I might know where he went…” “The overlook of the Hive?” Metamorphosis asked, as Thorax led him off. “Actually, Pharynx told me earlier he was planning on taking Apex to his training area to practice.” “And since we know Apex is in your room sleeping…” “He went there alone.” Thorax and Metamorphosis said as one, and Metamorphosis chuckled. “I believe this is one of the reasons Pharynx says we’re so similar.” “Yeah…” Thorax smiled, laughing softly. Metamorphosis smiled at this connection with his son, before continuing to walk. They headed out to the training area, and as they got closer to the sandy hollow, they saw Pharynx. He was sitting in the center of the sandy hollow as they approached. “Pharynx?” Thorax asked softly. “Go away.” Pharynx muttered. “What are you doing sitting here alone?” Metamorphosis asked “I-I’m training.” Pharynx stood up and sunk into a pounce. “Pharynx.” Metamorphosis stepped in front of him. “We have to talk.” Pharynx sighed and straightened up, then looked away, glaring at the ground. “Let me guess, about how you wish I was never bo-” Thorax and Metamorphosis both hugged him. Pharynx yelped in surprise. “We love you Pharynx, and I know you’re a good brother.” Thorax said, nuzzling him. “Why would you think we don’t love you?” Pharynx sighed and pulled away from them. “You know I did my best to protect you and hold up my own reputation, Thorax. But I don’t think you knew just how hard I tried.” “What do you mean?” Thorax asked “I mean that…” Pharynx sighed. “I always had to fight the hardest back in the Old Days. It’s how I excelled in rank so quickly. I trained harder than anyone else, but not just so I could be the best. I also trained so I’d be able to defend you. And not just you… you taught me how to feel pity, and… and after you left… sometimes I would take harder missions so others who I knew wouldn’t be able to handle them wouldn’t have to.” “You… you did?” Thorax asked Pharynx nodded. “I’ve always fought the hardest out of all the changelings… so that others wouldn’t have to do the same.” “Oh Pharynx…” Thorax hugged him tight. “That just proves what we’re saying, you’re a great brother.” Pharynx hugged back hesitantly, and Metamorphosis walked closer. He placed a hoof on Pharynx’s shoulder. “Pharynx, things like that, as Thorax said, prove that these changelings that degrade you for who you are are doing this for one reason only. They’re jealous of you and know that there’s no real reason for them to say these things.” “Yes there is. They don’t see me being soft. And I don’t want them to see.” Pharynx said “And that’s perfectly alright. But if they don’t love you and respect you as their Prince because of  who you are, then that’s their problem, not yours.” Metamorphosis said “And no matter what, you’ll always be my big brother.” Thorax smiled at him. “The best brother in Equestria and beyond.” Pharynx’s eyes widened, then filled with tears. He immediately buried his head into Metamorphosis’ shoulder, allowing both his brother and father to wrap their hooves around him. “You’re both huge d-dorks!” Pharynx said, voice muffled, though Metamorphosis could taste relief and happiness coming off his eldest son. “Heh, we know Pharynx.” Thorax smiled and nuzzled him. “But you love us anyway.” “S-Shuddap…” Metamorphosis and Thorax both chuckled, happy Pharynx was feeling better. Metamorphosis shifted his stance to get a more comfortable embrace of his son. They could stay there a little longer, to let Pharynx get it out of his system. He clearly had needed this for a while.