//------------------------------// // The Start Of A Journey // Story: The Young Warrior // by Melody Song //------------------------------// “All changelings old enough to hunt for their own love gather in the throne room for a Hive meeting!” Pharynx bellowed Pharynx, as the General, handled the warrior drones’ meetings. Thorax, who was technically his advisor, sat beside his brother nervously. Apex was sitting proudly beside some other nymphs who were waiting to be paired with mentors. Of course, like Pharynx, the other warrior drones had selected nymphs. These discussions had happened in a private room, the only outside witness being Thorax. He was taking notes the whole time Pharynx and the others discussed. Today, the pairings would be announced. “Drones, we’re gathered here today to honor our ancestors through the performance of the sacred apprenticeship ritual.” Pharynx looked down at the nymphs, nodding to them. “Each of these young nymphs are five years of age, and ready to learn how to defend our Hive. They will each train alongside an experienced warrior drone, until they are ready to defend their fellows, for the good of the Hive.” Pharynx then called forward each of the nymphs by name, one at a time. First went Ocellus-discipula, a young nymph who was older than them by a couple years. She had decided to give up her warrior training to pursue the life of a medic. She was immediately apprenticed to the current medic, Cilia-medica. Then came Nix. She became Nix-discipula and was apprenticed to Tibius-eques. After Nix, her twin brother, Nox, became Nox-discipulus and was paired with Fema-equea. And so it went. Clarica turned to Clarica-discipula, then went to Eaarax-eques. Iqquelia to Iqquelia-discipula and was placed under the guidance of Nightburn-eques. Finally, after Zenith-disciupulus went to Hunter-eques, Apex was the only one left. “Apex-puer, come here.” Pharynx said Apex gulped and stood, walking forwards, his black chitinous hooves echoing in the silent room. Pharynx leapt down from his seat, which caused murmurs to start working their way through the crowd. Before, he had merely paired the mentor with the apprentice, not moving once. Now, he stood and stared down at Apex. “Apex, you are now five years old and it is time for you to be apprenticed. Until you receive your warrior title, you will be known to others as Apex-discipulus. From this day forward,” Pharynx took a breath before continuing, “I will be your mentor, until you have reached warrior status.” This statement drew gasps and murmurs of shock. Pharynx hadn’t chosen an apprentice in his whole time as a warrior or General, and he’d been a General since the fall of his predecessor, and own mentor, Fortuna-domina, two years ago. It would have been the right time to take on an apprentice. But he hadn’t. Now, Pharynx-dominus was finally choosing a nymph. Pharynx leaned down and continued. “I will pass down all I know to you, until you have gained a warrior title.” He then touched his forehead with the nymph’s. Apex stepped back and bowed his head. He was a warrior apprentice. Just like he’d wanted. He saw the other nymphs going alongside their mentors to their parents. Apex’s stomach was hollow and empty as he realized he had no one to congratulate him. He tried to sneak away, until two hole-filled forelegs scooped him up. “I’m so proud of you Apex.” Thorax nuzzled his stomach gently. “Hehehe! R-really Thorax?” “Yes, you’re going to be a great warrior, especially with Pharynx as your mentor.” Apex smiled and hugged Thorax, grateful that he at least had one changeling to be proud of him. He even saw Pharynx giving him what could have been a smile from where he stood. ------------------------------------------------ “Again!” Pharynx shouted Apex, who had just finished attacking a dummy, stopped and panted. They were in a sandy field outside the Hive, which was used for training by some mentors. Pharynx tended to wait until it was empty to use it. “Apex-discipulus!” “Sorry sir!” Apex leapt again and tackled the dummy once more, tearing at the soft cloth it was made of with his fangs. “Pharynx, let him rest, he’s been training for over an hour.” that was Thorax. He had been sitting at Pharynx’s side, as usual. “...Very well. Get over here Apex.” Apex stopped and trotted over, sitting beside Pharynx. Thanks to Thorax, they now usually trained for an hour or more, then had a quiet reflection time to both critique Apex’s skill and discuss things like the warrior drone’s code. Thorax held out a canteen of water to the nymph. He took it and began to drink, until Pharynx snatched it away. “Don’t drink too much or you may get sick from the cold.” “Alrigh’ sir.” “Your form wasn’t too sloppy this time around.” Pharynx noted, a hint of pride in his tone. “Th-Thank you sir.” “I think you did a very good job.” Thorax smiled at Apex, who smiled back. “I remember my time as Thorax-discipulus, and you’re doing a fantastic job, much better than I did.” “The same could be said for anyone. Except maybe Ocellus-discipula, but she’s no longer the warrior’s problem.” Pharynx snarked at his little brother, who sighed. “Sir?” Apex looked up “Yes grub?” Pharynx then shook his head. “I mean, yes, Apex-discipulus?” “I… I heard Zenith-discipulus talking, an’… he’s gonna to sneak in’o the ba’alion to follow Hunter-eques.” “Doesn’t surprise me. They have become as close as brothers.” Pharynx said “You aren’ going to s’op him?” “He’s not my charge. You are.” Pharynx replied “...Sir… why do we go to war wi’ others when i’ costs so ma’y lives?” “...I’m afraid I can’t answer that, Apex.” “Why no’?” “...Because no one knows, grub.” The battle alarm suddenly went off. Pharynx cursed under his breath and stood up. “Thorax, get Apex back to the Hive. I’ve got to deal with this.” he then took off towards the Hive. “Alright then. Come on Apex.” Thorax held out a hoof to the nymph. Apex took it, and let Thorax pull him onto his back. He giggled as he rode on the older changeling back to the Hive. “Thorax?” “Yes Apex?” “Are you a warrior like Pharynx? You ne’er say much ‘bout your training.” Thorax grew silent, then sighed. “Well… I used to be Thorax-discipulus… but…” Thorax entered the Hive and stopped talking. He took Apex down a corridor. Apex recognized it as the one that would lead to the room Thorax and Pharynx shared. As princes, they had a private room together. Thorax entered the bedroom and set Apex down on the large nest the brothers occupied. “You see, Apex…” Thorax sat down. “...I was an apprentice, once. But… during the attack on Canterlot… I refused to fight.” “You did?” “Mhm… I just couldn’t attack innocent creatures… and when I saw… them…” “Who?” “True friends. They had so much love for each other and… and I couldn’t just feed on it. I… I wanted to share it, Apex…” “S-So why didn’ you?” “I couldn’t approach them, there were too many others around, both changelings and ponies. After that, I was deemed a worthless apprentice and my mentor, Athrex-eques, gave up on me.” “Wha’ ‘bout Pharynx?” “He was already General at that point. He’d excelled faster than anyone else and became a warrior before I could do half of what he’d accomplished. F-Fortuna-domina had been fatally wounded in the attack on Canterlot, so he became the General immediately following. It’s thanks to him that I even have a role.” “R-Really?” “Mhm. He refused to give up on me. He trained me little by little-” “I though’ I was his firs’ ‘pren'ice.” “You are.” Thorax nuzzled him. “You are the first changeling Pharynx has named as his apprentice. He only trained me so that I could be his advisor. And… and so mother wouldn’t punish me.” Apex nodded in understanding. He’d heard stories of what Queen Chrysalis would do to those who were incompetent at everything. He didn’t want to know what she’d do to one of her own sons if she were to believe he was one of those changelings. Thorax nuzzled Apex. “You know… if it weren’t for you and Pharynx, I don’t think I’d have a reason to stay here…” “Really?” “Mhm.” Thorax held Apex close. “Sometimes, I just want to leave this place behind… it’s only brought me grief, aside from you and Pharynx.” “Thorax…” Apex hugged him tight. As they hugged, Pharynx suddenly burst in. Thorax looked up in concern. “What’s going on?” “The planned raid in Ponyville didn’t go well, we have to send all available soldiers.” “B-But that would include you!” Thorax exclaimed “I know. And while I’m gone I’m trusting you to keep Apex-discipulus in check with his training.” “M-Me?!” “Yes, you. You’ve watched all our training sessions, you know the level he’s at, and everyone else will be away.” “O-Okay…” Thorax looked down at Apex as Pharynx began putting weapons into his saddlebags. “A-Are you leaving now?” “We leave at first light.” Pharynx replied, inspecting his crossbow before setting it in the bags. Pharynx then turned to them, and locked his eyes on Apex. The nymph was staring at him, blue eyes wide. His gaze suddenly softened. “Why don’t you stay in here tonight, Apex?” he suggested softly. Apex let out a soft gasp. “R-Really?” “Yeah… why not?” Apex smiled and held Thorax tighter. “Thank you sir.” “Just call me Pharynx, grub.” “Th-Thank you, Ph-Pharynx…”