//------------------------------// // First Encounter // Story: The Young Warrior // by Melody Song //------------------------------// A young unreformed changeling wandered through the hallways of the Hive. The nymph totted along through the Hive, slinking around through the hallways, ducking and hiding from passing changelings. He was trying not to be caught by the nursery drones, they’d punish him for leaving the nursery without permission. He didn't want to, but he needed to find his parents. They were here somewhere, he knew it. “Hey!” a changeling suddenly nipped the nymph up by the back of the neck, fangs digging into the nymph's chitin as he was hefted up. “Ow! Hey!” He squirmed, and the older changeling dropped him. “What are you doing out here, grub?” the changeling asked The nymph turned to glare at him, then gasped and bowed. “Y-Your highness, I-I didn’-” “Forget it, grub. I don't care.” it was Changeling Prince Pharynx, glaring at him through pupil-less lavender eyes. “I do care about what you're doing out here.” “Pharynx?” Changeling Prince Thorax came up beside his older brother, peeking over and noticing the tiny bug. “Oh, hello little one!” The nymph gave the smiling, friendly-looking changeling a tentative smile back. “H-Hello…” “Shouldn’t you be in the nursery?” Thorax asked him. “I-I couldn’ s’ay the'e. I need to fin’ my mommy an’ daddy.” He replied stubbornly, standing. “Aww. What are their names, little one?” Thorax asked, lowering down to look him in the eye. “Thorax!” Pharynx protested, his polished armor clinking as he moved towards his brother, his tone cautionary. “Pharynx, he needs help.” Thorax shut him down. “Whatever.” Pharynx turned and looked around, apparently keeping watch for whatever reason. “Well, um…” “Apex, y-you' highness.” “Just call me Thorax, Apex. So, Who are your parents?” “Hexia an’ Mandible.” Apex replied Pharynx turned around, eyes widening slightly. “They had kids?” “Jus’ me.” “How old are you?” “Five since ‘bout five days ‘go. I’s why ‘m lookin for mommy an’ daddy, they sai’ they’d spend the day w’ me. Why?” Apex trained his wide blue eyes on Pharynx, as Thorax wrapped a hole-infested foreleg around the nymph. “G-Grub… Hexia and Mandible died on the battlefield days ago…” Apex’s eyes widened. “N-No… y-you’e lyin’. Th-They sai’ they’d come back… they p'omised...” Thorax nuzzled Apex, and Pharynx removed his armor's helmet. “I’m sorry grub…” he said with a heavy sigh. “C-Can I see them?” Apex asked in a low voice. Pharynx sighed and looked away. “It’s against protocol…” “Pharynx… come on, he should get to say goodbye to them... you know how important that is.” “Thorax, I can’t just-” “Pharynx, what does it matter, we’re Princes.” Pharynx turned to his brother in surprise. “You know I hate that title, why would you use it to try and get me to pull rank-?” “For once in your life, Pharynx, use your rank to help someone besides me.” Thorax pleaded, looking down at Apex, who stared at the brothers curiously. Pharynx looked at the somewhat lanky nymph, then sighed. “I… not a word of this to anyone, got it?” Apex and Thorax both nodded in agreement. “Thank you, Prince Pharynx…” Apex whispered “Yeah, well, it's not a problem. Just don’t call me Prince. Everything I earned, I earned without need of that title.” Pharynx grumbled, shoving his helmet back on and leading them down the hall. Thorax lifted up Apex and set him on his back to carry him along. “Apex, I’m sorry about your parents…” “I-I wan’ them back…” Pharynx glanced back at the two, then veered right and led them down a dark hall. Thorax and Apex looked around, staring at the miniscule starstones that barely lit the corridor. “Wh-Where are we Pharynx?” Thorax asked, looking around. "I've never been here before..." “This is the Veteran’s Hall.” Pharynx replied quietly. He led them into a room, which was much more brightly lit. It contained grave markers and headstones. Thorax gasped as Apex slid off his back. “Here, kid.” Pharynx took Apex’s hoof gently and led him to a specific marker. “They were buried beside each other.” Apex whimpered and sat down by the graves. Pharynx placed a hoof on his shoulder, sitting beside him. Thorax joined them. “M-Mommy… d-daddy…” Apex sniffled, tears forming. Thorax nosed him. “It’s okay little one, they’re in a better place now.” “I-I wish they were wi’ me…” Pharynx sighed. “They’d be glad you’re alive, grub.” “B-But I don’ wanna be ‘live wi’out them!” Apex sobbed Thorax pulled him in for a hug. “Don’t say that little one!” Apex nestled against the older changeling, sobbing into him. “Th-Thorax, I-I wanna be wi’ my mommy an’ daddy!” “You can’t be, little one, I’m sorry…” “Waaahh!” Apex cried into Thorax’s chitin, and Pharynx moved closer. “Grub… it’s a part of life.” Pharynx said, reaching out to rub the nymph’s carapace in comfort. Apex’s little wings buzzed on his back as he turned to look at Pharynx. Thorax tightened his hold on the young nymph. “They knew what the cost might be when they joined the battalion. They knew they might never see you again. They had to accept that. But they’re looking down at you now, from where they are.” Apex sniffled. “Th-Then… train me.” “What?” Pharynx blinked “I-I wanna make them proud. I wanna be the bes’ warrior, an’ make them really proud of me. Y-You’re the grea’es’ General in our time, I wan’ you to train me… please.” Pharynx looked down at the little nymph, who was wiping tears from his eyes, sniffling. “I…” Pharynx looked away, as Thorax spoke up. “You still haven’t taken on an apprentice yet…” Thorax said slowly. “True…” Pharynx sighed. “Alright kid.” “Y-You’ll train me?” “Yeah.” “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” Apex lunged and hugged him. “Hold it kid, we need to have the apprentice ceremony to make it official. But since you’re already five, and the next annual ceremony is coming soon, it won't be long.” “Okay… thank you Pharynx, thank you…” Apex pressed up to him, making the General snort slightly from laughter as he nuzzled his stomach. “G-Grub… get off me…” “Okay…” Apex stepped back. Thorax smiled and put a hoof around Apex. “You’re really going to help him?” “Yeah… I am…” “Thank you, brother.” “Yeah yeah…” Pharynx looked down at Apex. “Now, let me make this clear grub, your training has already begun now that I’ve picked you. You will address me as ‘sir’ or ‘general’. You will obey my every order, whether you like it or not. Understood?” “Yes sir!” Apex straightened up. “Good.”