//------------------------------// // Back At The Hive // Story: Pride and Joy // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Ocellus trotted happily through the fields that led her home. She was leading her class, as well as Headmare Twilight, which made her feel very important. This, combined with the excitement from her friends and fellow students behind her, was giving her enough energy to press forward. It was so great that Headmare Twilight had finally been granted permission from all the parents/guardians to take the class on a field-road trip (as the students had begun calling it) to each of the different kingdoms. Of course, the kingdoms had been told at the beginning of the school semester that they’d be coming sometime around late spring, and that time was now. They’d stopped by Canterlot for a tour first, and now, they were on their way to the Changeling HIve. “How much further, Ocellus?” Gallus asked, wiping his brow. It was hot out in the Badlands, since there were no pegasi to control the weather. “Not too far! You can see the Hive from here, look!” she pointed to the large black spires in front of them. “So, all this used to be a wasteland?” a pony asked from the back of the group. “Mhm! But after King Thorax brought about the Great Change, the love-starved, barren lands began to return. We think it’s because there’s so much love now.” Ocellus explained As Ocellus was talking, many creatures began pulling out notebooks to jot down the information. Knowing their Headmare, there would likely be a test on this information as they took the train to their next stop. Of course, this had caused some debate among the students on whether it was really fair, seeing as five of them would already know everything about their own kingdom, and would likely have told each other already, plus Sandbar, as he was also their friend. Regardless of the fairness of the tests, the students remained eager. Ocellus most of all, she couldn’t wait to see her family and home again. She continued talking to the others about the history of the changelings, knowing it was something Thorax probably wouldn’t mention much, he didn’t like remembering that time. And despite her friend’s occasional jokes, all the students knew Ocellus’ lectures were far more bearable than their Headmare’s. As they neared the Hive, they saw something moving in the grass. Ocellus stopped, looking at it, and the others followed her gaze. The grass began twitching as whatever it was came closer and closer, then… “Wrow!” a small mew emitted from the grass, and an orange tabby kitten jumped out of the grass, chasing crickets. “Awww!” nearly everyone cried, and Silverstream scooped up the tiny kitten. “Oh, you’re so cute! Yes you are, yes you are!” she cooed, and the kitten mewed. “Hey! ‘M no’ cute!” it suddenly squeaked, and Silverstream gasped. “You can talk?!” “‘Course I can!” the kitten squirmed out of her grip, falling to the ground. In a green flash, the kitten hit the ground as a nymph. His ruby red eyes stared up at all the different creatures. “Apex!” Ocellus exclaimed, smiling at him, and he turned to face her, bouncing slightly. “Hi Celly!” “What are you doing out here? Nymphs are supposed to be in the Hive.” Ocellus said “Sillia’s watching me!” Apex said cheerfully. “We’re playin’!” “Apex!” a voice called. “Go’a go!” Apex yelped, running away. An icy blue colored changeling burst through the grass, panting. “Apex! You… get… back… here…” she gasped. “He went that way Sillia.” Ocellus told her, and she looked over. “Oh, Ocellus! Nice to see you! Thanks, the little scourge’s been getting away from me since I brought him out here.” Sillia panted, taking off again. Ocellus giggled and watched them go, then they continued on. They headed into the Hive, where Ocellus took them to the throne room. “King Thorax?” Ocellus walked in, seeing the king lounging on his throne, Pharynx sitting beside him. “Ocellus!” Thorax stood and trotted over. “Nice to see you and your fellow students. Hi Twilight.” “Nice to see you Thorax.” Twilight greeted, smiling. “We’re visiting all the different kingdoms to study the different aspects of friendship within them, I mentioned it earlier this semester, I believe.” “O-Oh, of course!” Thorax smiled brightly. “It’s great to see you. I don’t exactly have anything specific planned, but I can take you on a tour.” “That would be great!” Twilight agreed, taking over leading them. Ocellus dropped back to talk with Pharynx, who had followed them. “Hey Pharynx.” “Hello Ocellus.” Pharynx greeted, not looking at her. “So, uh, how are my parents? I know you don’t like them but…” Pharynx gulped and looked down at the ground. “Kid… I-” “Papa Thoraaax! Help!” a green blur came rushing towards them, leaping and jumping onto Thorax’s head. “Apex? What’s wrong?” Thorax looked up at him as Sillia ran up. “There you are you little-oh, Thorax, you found him.” Sillia stopped, panting. “Sillia’s chasin’ me!” Apex said, holding onto Thorax’s antler. “Because you wouldn’t stop running!” Sillia retorted, sighing. “Sorry if he caused you any trouble Sillia, thank you for watching him.” Thorax told her, as Apex dropped into his foreleg, snuggling against the king. “You can go rest now, if you want.” “Thank you your majesty.” Sillia said, giving a playful glare to Apex before leaving. Thorax smiled at the nymph, setting him on his back. “Sorry about that everyone, let’s continue.” After the tour of the Hive, Thorax showed them to a nesting chamber where they could stay for the night. As the group settled in, Pharynx left with Apex, leaving Thorax to talk with them. “You guys really sleep in these?” Sandbar asked, settling into a moss-lined nook in the wall. “We used to.” Ocellus said, setting her saddlebags in a nest. “There are separate rooms now, for changelings who prefer beds. But I kept a few nesting chambers open, for those of us who liked being together. Of course, we’ve made them more comfortable now.” Thorax explained. “Though this one will be empty tonight.” “Why?” Smolder asked, nudging Ocellus’ saddlebags aside and curling up in the nest. “Well, another thing we do is sleep in clusters, it helps us restore energy.” Thorax told her. “I created a communal resting chamber for that, which is where the changelings that usually stay in here will be tonight.” “So… you guys just cuddle together?” Smolder asked “I bet it’s great!” Silverstream said, and Thorax laughed sheepishly. “Y-Yeah, it is. Uh, before I go, Ocellus, could I speak with you?” “O-Oh, sure Thorax.” Ocellus said, trotting over to him. Thorax led her out, where they joined Pharynx in the throne room. Apex was curled up on Thorax’s throne, yawning. “Ocellus… we have something to tell you…” Thorax said, picking up Apex. “It’s… about your family…” “Wh-What about them?” Ocellus asked nervously. “Well… you see… there was a… accident…” Thorax said, looking away, eyes watering. “They tried attacking the town at the edge of the Badlands, a-and when Pharynx stopped them…” “W-What? What happened?” “They… they saved my life Ocellus…” Pharynx admitted, stepping forward. “Oculus… he pushed me out of the way of a crossbow arrow… and Pupae distracted the police so I could get Thorax out of the way…” “Th-They… they did…?” Ocellus began tearing up. “But… but they… they hated you…” “I know… I still don’t understand why they did it… but… they saved my life.” “Th-Then… what about Capillarie and Scorpia?” Ocellus asked, and Pharynx looked at Thorax. “Well…” Thorax trailed off as Apex whimpered. “Sweetie, it’s okay…” “No i’s no’!” Apex jumped down and ran to Ocellus, hugging her. “C-Celly, P-Papa Thorax sai’ they’re with y-your mommy an’ daddy an’ they’re no’ gonna be hungry or scared or sad an’more bu’ I don’ wan’ them to leave!” Ocellus gasped and hugged Apex “N-No… they…” soon, both nymphs had begun crying. “They weren’t able to survive without Pupae… I’m so sorry Ocellus…” Thorax stepped forwards and hugged her. Pharynx moved closer. “I-I understand… it’s not your fault…” Ocellus wiped her eyes and looked away. “I-I should go back to the others a-and get ready for bed…” “Okay Ocellus.” Thorax nuzzled her. “You’re welcome to join us in the communal resting chamber, if you want.” “Thank you Thorax…” Ocellus mumbled, turning and leaving the throne room. Thorax sighed and held Apex, cradling him. “Give her some time Thor.” Pharynx spoke. “Okay… come on my little hyper sprite, let’s get you to bed.” Thorax murmured, carrying Apex to the communal resting chamber. By the time Ocellus returned to the nests where her friends were, it was dark. Most of the kids were asleep, but her friends had stayed up to wait for her. They noticed she seemed upset, but when she didn’t tell them what happened, they simply wished each other goodnight and settled down to sleep. Ocellus laid down in a nest with Smolder, burrowing down into the moss and closing her eyes. Smolder watched her in concern, reaching and laying a claw on her shoulder. “Celly?” Smolder whispered. “You okay?” “Y-Yeah… I’m fine…” Ocellus mumbled, standing up. “I just… need some fresh air…” “Okay Celly.” Smolder reached up and kissed her on the cheek, sapphire blue eyes shining in the darkness. “I’ll be right here when you get back, take all the time you need.” Ocellus smiled at her softly, then left. She stepped cautiously through the Hive, looking around. Ocellus found herself entering the communal resting chamber. There, mostly everyone was asleep, all but one of them. This changeling was in the center of the huddle, the drones surrounding him were cuddling and resting on him. “Th-Thorax…?” Ocellus walked through the soft layer of moss on the floor, making the king look up. “C-Can I sleep in here tonight…?” “Of course you can Ocellus.” Thorax said, as Apex yawned and opened his eyes. “Celly?” “Hi Apex…” Apex smiled softly and wiggled, pressing himself against Thorax’s foreleg. “You can sleep nex’ t’me if you wan’.” Ocellus smiled and laid down beside the younger nymph, between Thorax’s forelegs. Apex nuzzled her, then closed his eyes, falling back asleep. Ocellus rested her head on Thorax’s chest, and he put a hoof around her. “Go ahead and rest Ocellus.” Thorax assured her, as another changeling entered the room. They both looked up to see who it was, recognizing the glowing lavender eyes. “Pharynx?” Ocellus asked, and he blushed slightly as he laid down beside Thorax, shoving a few sleeping changelings aside. “I couldn’t sleep, okay?” he muttered, leaning against Thorax’s shoulder. Thorax chuckled and wrapped a hoof around his brother, pulling him close. “Heh, okay Pharynx. Goodnight.” Thorax said, and he grunted. Thorax then looked at Ocellus. “Night Ocellus. Sleep well…” “Goodnight Thorax… goodnight Pharynx…” Ocellus murmured, closing her eyes. Thorax nuzzled her sadly before resting his head on the ground and going to sleep. The next morning, Pharynx woke up first. He got Thorax up, and not wanting to wake up Ocellus before she was ready, they took a still asleep Apex to the throne room. Thorax sat with Apex on the throne, holding the nymph. Pharynx sat by the throne, the two brothers waiting for what they knew would happen. Eventually, by the time Apex woke up, Ocellus entered the throne room. She was wearing her saddlebags and Smolder was next to her. The dragon rubbed Ocellus’ back gently, murmured something to her, then left. Ocellus trotted closer to them, looking down at the ground. “Ocellus?” Thorax asked softly. Apex sat up on Thorax’s head, and Pharynx looked over. “I… I had the night to think about things…” Ocellus spoke quietly. “A-And…?” Thorax asked hesitantly. Ocellus fell silent. Thorax stood up and walked to her. Pharynx followed him. “Th-They’re gone… They’re really gone…” Ocellus finally whispered, speaking through sobs. “I… Oh C-Celestia, I-I’m an orphan… I-I’m… alone…” “No Ocellus, you’re not an orphan.” Thorax assured her, as Apex jumped down to hug her around the neck. Thorax pulled her close. “I promise, I won’t let you be alone.” “Wh-What do you mean-?” Ocellus broke off. “Ocellus, I promise, I’ll always be here for you.” Thorax said, looking at her. “I’ll look after you. I’ve always seen you as good as my own daughter, anyway…” “You… really? You have…?” Ocellus looked at him. “Of course. And I promise you, Ocellus, I’ll take care of you, whatever you need, I’ll do.” Thorax hugged her. “You’re not just my protege, you’re my family. And I won’t leave you alone.” “Y-Yeah, me ei’er. Y-You’re a good sis’er…” Apex said, wiping his eyes and hugging her. “Same here.” Pharynx stepped over, smiling softly. “You’re a good kid Ocellus, I wouldn’t mind spending a little more time with you… as a member of the family…” Ocellus gasped, then hugged them back, smiling through her tears. Pharynx hesitantly stepped closer, allowing himself to be caught in the hug. She held on tight. “Thank you…” Ocellus whispered. “I-I love you all…” “We love you too Ocellus.” Thorax responded, holding her tightly. “We all do. We won’t let you go through this alone.”