//------------------------------// // Across the Eye // Story: Two-Sided Prequel II: Who You Work For // by FerociousCreation //------------------------------// Who You Work For Ch. 31 “When I first came to combat training, I was determined to be the best fighter the changeling hive has ever known,” Sea More began. “Before I was old enough to train, I was made fun of and shunned because of me being a halfling.” “You didn't have any friends?” Coco frowned. “Nope.” “Aww…” But Sea More shook his head. “No need to be sad about my past.” He glanced at Fang before resuming. “Anyways, my first day in combat training, my instructor was…” Sea More huffed hot air from his nostrils. “...Scar Splash…” The name alone made the mare’s spine shiver. The one who suppressed with fear unto Coco was also the training instructor for Sea More?! She clearly saw how angry Sea More was as the changeling stared at his reflection in anger. Sea More pointed at his scar. “You see this?” The pony nodded. “That freak did this to me the first day of training as an example of those who care about ponies!” Coco swallowed, “How old were you when that happened?” “Teenager,” Sea More grunted. “But that still didn't make what he did right.” He glanced at Fang. “You remember what he did, yes?” “How could I forget,” Fang frowned and looked at Coco. “Scar Splash asked all the changelings there if we cared about ponies and we all said ‘no.’ That is, all but one.” Coco didn't need to ask who that “one” was; she knew who the subject matter was. “When Sea More told Scar Splash he cared about ponies, Scar used the spear he was holding and slashed it across his face…” “That's horrible…” was the only thing Coco could muster up. Flashes of the past traumatic event that Scar Splash put her through ran through her mind. Was he that cruel? “While Sea More was… hurt,” Fang resumed, “Scar Splash told everychangeling that ponies leave scars. They bring us hurt. They don't want us. So we must all stay together as kin.” “I hate him, Sea More hissed. “I… hate him!” This was a new character Coco had never seen out of Sea More. She didn't see just anger, but rage. Rage that was pent up and has yet to be unleashed. Coco couldn't blame him. Fang placed a hoof on his friend’s shoulder. Sea More let out a heavy sigh, but held onto his angry face. “From that day forward, Scar Splash treated me bitterly,” Sea More spoke. “Everyday of training was full of grueling pain, aching muscles, and a beaten spirit. He tried to force my care for ponies out of me. But when I refused, that was more conditioning for me.” A smile slowly crawled onto Sea More’s face. “It's funny, despite his hard training and punishments, my character never changed. Or rather, my care for ponies never subsided. What did change was my ability to take a beating. It takes a lot to bring me down. Then one day…” Coco saw Fang smile. “This is the best part of the story,” he told her. “You will like what happens next.” The mare didn't know how to respond. All she did was continue listening. “When I came into training- oh, and this is years after being trained by Scar Trash.” Coco’s ears twitched when the word “trash” was spoken. “So one day, I was training on a dummy when I was struck in the head with a spear shaft. Of course, ol and behold, Scar was the one who hit me. He began his routine on trying to for force the pony loving side out of me and swung for my head again. Not wanting to deal with another blow to the head, I disarmed him and struck Scar in the temple.” The anger in Sea More’s face began to subside. “I told him that I was fed up with his conditioning and challenged him to a duel. He accepted. The rule of this duel was to disarm the opponent with no other special powers involved. He chose to stick with his spear. I chose a sword and shield.” Sea More shook his head. “Within seconds at the start of the duel, I sliced his spearhead from his weapon and knocked the shaft from his grip.” “It was impressive to watch,” Fang agreed. “Sea More really is a sword master.” “After embarrassing him, I told him to never strike me again.” Sea More shrugged. “And then he had to be a sore loser and tried to attack me when my back was turned. I easily turned him on his back and held my sword to Scar’s throat…” “And… you didn't kill him,” Coco spoke up. “Correct…” Sea More suddenly looked confused. “As I stood over him, he smiled at me sincerely. I remember the words he spoke to me.” “What did he say,” the mare asked. “‘I'm proud of you…’” The changeling was quiet for a moment. “To this day I don't know why he told me that… But still, after he got up, Scar’s old attitude returned, telling me he still hates my attitude toward ponies.” He then smiled. “When word got to Queen Chrysalis that I had defeated Scar Splash in a duel, she wanted to watch us do a rematch. The victor was obvious. My skill surprised the queen so much, she graced me with not only being the combat trainer, but also saw me as the best dueler the hive has ever seen!” Taking in a deep breath, Sea More looked at Fang with a cocky grin. “Why don't you tell her the rest? I am done talking about myself.” “What is there to tell?” Fang asked. “Tell her about us.” Both changelings nodded at the suggestion. “Sure. I'll do just that.” Coco adjusted herself as she was now more interested in the story about Sea More and Fang than Scar Splash and his mean nature. “I'm glad we are done talking about Scar,” Coco admitted. “Same,” Fang agreed with a simple nod. “I'm not happy with what-” Coco didn't want anymore words to be said about the changeling and placed her hoof over Fang’s mouth. “Can you tell the story about you and Sea More?” Coco asked, now wanting the subject to change. “And there goes the question,” Sea More commented right before he submerged himself underwater, then swimming away. “Where do I begin,” Fang spoke in a low tone. “When Sea More and I first met, we were at combat training.” He could tell Coco was not in the mood to hear about Scar Splash; it was written all over her face. “We won't be talking about him.” It was hard to believe, but Coco felt that Fang was telling the truth. “So, the first day of training was a rough one on Sea More. After our first day was finished, I stopped him from walking back to his hole and asked him why he just didn't submit and lie to…” Coco raised a brow, remembering that Fang said he wouldn't mention you-know-who. “...the trainer.” The mare’s attitude changed and was now listening intently. “I asked where he was from because I never saw him around, and Sea More told me he was brought into the hive by Chrysalis. I asked if he had any parents here in the hive. Sea More then said that he lives alone.” Coco Pommel gave a sincere gasp. “Aww, that's so sad.” The pony’s ears went back, upset that Sea More was most likely a loner most of his life. “It was upsetting yes,” Fang agreed. He glanced around to see where Sea More has gone off to and saw him paddling through the water. “I told Sea More that if I could, he can live in my hole with my family.” “Did he end up living with you?” Fang shook his head. “No. All Sea More asked of me is to be his friend and listen to why he cares about ponies. It didn't seem harmful to know why he did. And it was interesting to my child self that Sea More was a halfling as I called him. So, from that day forward, he and I became friends.” The changeling smiled. “Funny, despite all he told me about ponies and how nice they can be, I never thought there would be a pony who would understand us.” Coco giggled, “Are you referring to me?” “No.” “No?” Coco was confused. “Are you saying… that another pony made you like ponies?” Fang began to look flustered. “Yeah… She was quite the pony.” Something inside Coco’s heart made her dislike this mare. It wasn't like she was jealous of the pony, it's just Coco didn't like that it was a mare that changed his view on them. “Who was it?” Coco asked in a bit of a gruff, trying to be obvious that she didn't want to hear anymore of the story. “Star Fisher. Sea More’s mother.” “What?!” Coco leaned in toward Fang, now even more interested. “How? When? Did-” Fang held up a hoof to stop the question bombardment. He looked nervous about answering the question. “It's an embarrassing story to be honest.” “But that makes me want to know more about this story,” Coco smirked. Something touched Fang’s shoulder and caused him to flinch. Snapping his neck, the changeling saw Sea More standing from behind. “If you won't tell her, I will,” he spoke. “Fine…” he grunted, lowering his head in shame. The mare couldn't help but chuckle. “What is so embarrassing about Fang meeting your mother Sea More?” Sea More chuckled a bit, looking at his flustered friend. “You remember when Fang shot at me when I told him, ‘Says the one who had a crush on my mother?’” “You are right!” The pony could not believe that statement had eluded her so easily. Even she knows she would have asked Fang about that by now. Smirking, Coco leaned in toward her large toothed friend. “When was this?” Wanting to be left alone, Fang submerged his entire head under water. Coco and Sea More could not help but laugh at their sensitive friend. “Aww, poor Fang,” the mare spoke, patting his shoulder. Fang surfaced his head after feeling his attention is needed. “What?” he grunted, his ears pointed back. “If you keep embarrassing me, I will boil you alive.” But that statement only antagonized the mare. Coco leaned forward, pressing her snout on Fang’s. “Go ahead.” Fang could take it no longer. He flew away from the two hecklers and went behind the waterfall. Coco then regretted her teasing. “I think I went a little too far…” she frowned. “He just needs to cool off,” Sea More reassured. “Anyways, would you like to hear the rest of the story of Fang and my mother?” Coco couldn’t deny that she was interested. “Sure. But let’s not make fun of Fang anymore.” “I’ll do it for your sake.” Sea More had to think for a moment before he started his story. “So when Fang and I were teenagers, I asked my queen if I could visit my mother. At the time, it has been years.” “Were you not able to go because of restriction?” Coco asked. “No. Because Chrysalis has a large amount of respect for my mother, the queen had no rejections with me seeing her. The problem was was that I was too young to fly long distances. As I got older, my abilities obviously increased. When the day came for me to go see my mother, I brought Fang along. He was a bit hesitant on coming because of the hatred for ponies was drilled into his head.” “I thought you told Fang that ponies are good,” the mare commented. “I did, but that still was not enough to convince him. I wanted to use my visit with my mother as a means to change his mind.” Coco let a smile grow on her face. “And it worked, didn’t it?” The changeling nodded in agreement. “How did Fang grow to like your mother?” “It was interesting to watch,” Sea More admitted with a smile. “My mother was extremely friendly to Fang. When her love fed him, it shocked Fang. He never knew that ponies could direct love at changelings, nor did he ever think there was a pony who liked changelings. And when we left my mother’s home he-” Sea More couldn’t help but laugh. The changeling was having a difficult time keeping his composure. “What? What?!” Coco wanted Sea More to continue. She demanded that she hears the rest of the story. “S-sorry, hehe,” the changeling replied. “It’s just- always funny. Alright, so when he and I were flying back, Fang asked if we could see my mother sometime soon.” Once again, Sea More resumed his laughing. Coco let out a chuckle as well. “That’s cute.” “I’ll admit,” Sea More spoke, it was weird to see my friend have a crush on my mother. But it was nice to see him appreciate ponies after that.” “I am glad to hear that you did convince him,” Coco said as she looked at the waterfall, wondering if Fang was still behind it. “He is one of my best friends. And I just met him. But still, he is quite something.” Another chuckle escaped Coco’s voice box. “I wouldn’t be surprised if your mother had a crush on Fang as well.” For once, Sea More looked disgusted. “I would not like that actually…” “Why not?” “Just… imagine that they do get together. Then everytime I see Fang, I have to say, ‘Hey dad,’ or something like that.” The thought made Coco want to retract her statement. “Now that you mention it, it would be strange.” With the story finished, Coco Pommel quickly dipped her head underwater just so she can soak her mane. Looking back at the waterfall, then back to Sea More, the mare spoke, “I’m going to check on Fang.” “Go on ahead,” Sea More answered, gesturing toward the cascading liquid. As Coco went over to the falls, she noticed how the water was getting cooler. It was quite refreshing considering she was in the hot water for quite some time. After rounding the moving wall of liquid, Fang was sitting by himself. “Feels like dejavu,” he commented as the changeling gazed upon Coco. “I cannot disagree,” the mare admitted. She approached him and sat beside him. “Are you okay?” “I am calmed down now.” “About me or Sea More-” “Everything,” he spoke bluntly. “I am calmed down about everything.” The pony knew what he meant. She could only assume how Fang was feeling within the last few hours, with not only herself and Sea More heckling him, but how Scar was behaving toward him and her. Since he was on her mind, Coco asked, “What do you think is going to happen to Scar?” “I could care less about him.” Fang then turned his eyes onto Coco. “I have a question for you though.” “Ask away.” A nervous grin found its way on Fang’s lips. “It… may seem silly but…” Coco was curious as to why her friend was acting so strangely. “...do you really want to dance with me tomorrow at the gala?” If Coco had a mirror, she would have seen that she had duplicated Fang’s smile. “I wouldn’t mind,” she answered while looking away. “I’ve never danced though…” “Neither have I,” Fang admitted. “But I have observed the queen enough to know how to dance with a partner.” “Can you show me?” Fang blushed upon the request. “How about tomorrow?” “Sure,” Coco answered. Letting out a sigh, she said, “I think I am done with bathing today.” “Alright,” Fang answered with a nod. *** “So, this is it…” Queen Chrysalis sat on her bed having a difficult time sleeping. The day she had been looking forward to as well as dreading it was just around the corner. The only thing keeping the changeling comfortable was the darkness from the night. Chrysalis knew tomorrow was going to be a difficult one, knowing she was going to have to be around Princess Celestia. Peering through the blanket of black, the queen looked out her window from her bed, thinking about her friend. She thinks about how Coco was willing to help her kind and how selfless the pony is. Not only that, but Coco wants to try and have her to talk to Celestia about her hatred toward her. But why would the princess who raises the sun want to create a pact with a monstrous race? The only reason why Chrysalis was going to discuss her anger toward Celestia was because of her friend. “Oh Coco,” Chrysalis mumbled to herself, “I pray that everything goes well with Celestia. But…” The upset queen laid her head down on a soft pillow. “...I doubt everything will go according to plan… Besides, the goal is to gain love, not create a treaty.” After closing her eyes, sleep finally grasped Queen Chrysalis’ consciousness.