Embracing the power to share love rather than steal it, the changelings work to reinvent themselves and their kingdom while Thorax seeks to introduce a more peaceful hive to Equestria.
Following the defeat of Queen Chrysalis, the princesses of Equestria seek to build a relationship with newly-crowned King Thorax and forge an alliance between ponies and changelings that has never been seen before.
While the changelings adjust to the broad, sympathetic intricacies of shared love magic, Thorax works to embrace his role as the hive's new patriarch, demonstrating a benevolent rule far different from his predecessor. Through sleeping and resting together in groups, he aims to cultivate harmony and empathy in a once turbulent hive and find a place for himself within it at last.
With the help of Equestrian royalty, a few good friends, and his brooding older brother, Thorax must now champion the idea of peaceful changelings in Equestria and show the world that his kind can change more than just their looks.
The midday sun offered a tepid sensation, complimented by a cool northern breeze. It was something a little purple dragon felt for himself as he treaded the vibrant grass of Equestria's rolling hills.
Today was a day he'd anticipated all week, ever since Twilight had relayed the other princesses' plans to him. Today was the day Equestria was to check up with the still-rebuilding Changeling Kingdom and lay the groundwork for friendly relations.
But politics were merely a side quest for the young dragon. More importantly, today was the day he'd finally get to see his changeling friend again. As exciting as Twilight made pen pals out to be, chatting via scroll had gone out of style for him a long time ago, no thanks to Twilight.
"Spike," came a voice by the dragon's side, knocking him from his thoughts.
"Yes, Your Highness?" Spike replied.
"I'm very thankful for your assistance today, Spike. My sister would have had an entire squad of guards accompanying me today, but I much prefer the company of a good friend."
The sunlight filtered a rainbow of color through the ethereal mane of Princess Celestia. Even whilst on a casual stroll, the sun princess still managed to look regal and dignified. With Spike jogging along in hoof, the alicorn carefully navigated through thickets of brush and trees, her golden aura acting like a thousand hooves to mold a path before them.
"Oh, it's nothing, princess. You know me, always happy to help. Besides, I haven't seen Thorax since Starlight helped him defeat Queen Chrysalis. I can't wait to see him! I bet he's already doing a great job as the new changeling king."
Celestia nodded with a warm smile.
"Now, how could I forget how close you are with Thorax? Twilight told me of the events in the Crystal Empire in great detail. Standing up for a friend, even when faced with animosity for it took a great deal of courage, and no lack of loyalty."
Pushing past the last of the thickets, a landscape of lush greenery opened before them, and Celestia's magic dispersed. Once a crater containing a wasteland of sand and hot, jagged stones was now a series of blossoming hills full of fresh grass and newly-rooted trees. Rising from the heart of this oasis was a stone structure, its familiar holes now sprouting with vines.
Spike squinted through the sunlight. Tiny objects circled the crown of the hive's highest peak. Though their steady orbits were mechanical, the specks cast a personality all their own. They were zestful, carefree.
Spike borrowed his company's smile.
"You know, Equestria has a lot to be thankful to you for, Spike," Celestia remarked. A flick of her horn conjured a stairway of golden magic. Shimmering in the light, it descended the treacherous cliff face and touched down by a cozy-looking berry bush. Graciously gesturing her hoof, the alicorn followed after the young dragon as he began to hop from step to step.
"Your act of kindness towards a lone straggler put in motion events that have lead to a new age for changeling-kind. With that comes the chance for peace between ponies and changelings—something that has never happened before."
"Well...I guess that's true," Spike mumbled, rubbing a claw along his spines. "Thorax was just so alone, and I couldn't let him continue on like that. All he wanted was a friend, and nopony truly evil could ever want that, you know?"
"You're wise for your age, Spike. You've always had a pure heart, and more than anything else, that trait has brought you many friends and allies from across Equestria and beyond."
"Oh, it's not that amazing, princess. I just do my best to be friendly and kind to ponies I meet. I'm sure anypony else would have done the same thing."
Soon, they were close enough to see a small group of changelings waiting for them at the foot of the hive, their chitinous faces warm and welcoming. A few younger changelings had taken to the air above their elders, enthusiastically flailing their hooves in what Celestia could only imagine was a greeting. The nymphs catapulted over each other in rapid succession, competing to get a better view of the strange and fascinating creatures approaching them.
Celestia's smile brightened. She could not help sharing their wonder. The flourishing hive was a sight she never thought she'd live to see from the former minions of Chrysalis.
"A pure and compassionate heart is a gift, Spike," she stated. "It is a beautiful power that Equestria will always have a need for."
The throne room had been transformed into an open, illuminated space, the vast sky overhead now its only ceiling. The walls split off into multiple hallways, with lamps built from luminescent cocoon slime lining the corridors. A small, modest throne sat near the center, surrounded by a shelf of communal space.
It was here that Thorax had laid himself down, enjoying the rays of sun blanketing his shell. By his sides, a hoof-ful of changelings were curled up, some fast asleep, others relaxing and lightly chatting among themselves.
Thorax drew breath, and his eyes grew heavy upon the exhale. Never had he felt so at peace within the walls of the hive, stained with memories of friction and anxiety. It was not that long ago that he'd fled from his kind to pursue a foolish dream of love and friendship, worrying whether he'd succumb to the Frozen North, friendless and alone.
Thorax gazed at his hooves, where a blue changeling was utilizing them as a pillow. He then looked around the room, at the assortment of content, resting changelings. The brighter reality of today surrounded him, and once again, it politely shook his mind of lingering doubts.
It was no longer just a dream. No longer was he alone.
The drone on his hooves shivered, and the alpha changeling grinned. Was it the sun warming his underbelly? Was it the satisfaction of having taken in his fill of love magic? Perhaps it was both.
As if sensing his gaze, the changeling tilted his head back and peered skywards. Violet orbs locked with deep azure.
"Is everything okay, Thorax?" the drone asked curiously.
"Everything is perfect, Calor," Thorax answered. "I'm just excited about how well the re-construction has been going. Everyling is doing a great job, and I'm so happy I can help you all rest like this."
Calor reflected the smile, standing to his hooves and stretching his wings. Running with the signal, Thorax gently began to wake the other drones encircling him with his hoof.
Time really had flown by. The sun's position had noticeably shifted, yet he'd only just laid down with the drones. Or, so he thought, anyway. Such is the blissful ignorance that took over him whenever he rested with changelings.
"Tarsus, could you and the others take over the work being done on the left portion of Hallway X?" Thorax asked, turning his attention to a drone by his side. "Please let the squad there know that they should rest for a while, and that I'm still stationed here should they like to regain some energy."
Tarsus fluttered his wings and took to the air, watching a few other drones yawn and peer around in a haze of confusion before doing the same.
"Of course. Thank you, Thorax," Tarsus said with a nod, signaling the others to follow his lead. "I appreciate your help, as always."
"Yeah, thanks, Thorax! I feel great!" chirped Calor, making a few mid-air loops to demonstrate his point.
"Who knew being lazy together could be so filling?" a third pondered aloud, her voice fading off as the group headed through an onyx doorway.
Thorax stared after them. It was surreal how much had changed so quickly. His metamorphosis, his promotion to the hive's leader, the rebuilding of their hive. But even more than that, it felt surreal to simply be among his kind again. He wasn't condemned for being different anymore, forced to feel out of place.
He could talk with changelings, joke with changelings, even embrace changelings and be met with acceptance, not disdain.
Thorax's thoughts were brought to an abrupt halt when the throne room's doors burst open.
"Thorax!" called a red and yellow guard drone, fluttering into the room and saluting his king. "Her Majesty, Princess Celestia, and Spike from Ponyville are here to see you."
Thorax's lofty expression flipped to one of rising excitement. The princess he had been expecting, but Spike visiting was news to him.
"Oh, please send them in!" Thorax commanded, promptly fluttering up and perching himself on his throne. As much as he wasn't fond of them, politics brought out his formal side. He was a new leader in Equestria's eyes, and he wanted to make a good impression.
The guard drone fluttered out and was shortly thereafter replaced by a pair of telling shadows.
"Thorax, what a pleasure it is to see you again," came the soft and soothing voice of Celestia. Like a goddess, she strolled into the room, mane shimmering in the overhead light. Following her was Spike, who caught sight of Thorax and released a pent-up grin.
"Oh, the pleasure is all mine," Thorax assured, raising a hoof and beckoning his guests to join him. "I hope your journey went well."
"Oh yes, it went just fine, thank you." Celestia stepped towards the throne and settled herself on the stone floor. "We quite enjoyed the sights and sounds of nature that surround the hive, now."
"Thorax!"
Before Thorax knew it, two small claws had firmly wrapped themselves around his foreleg. Thorax assailed a hoof across Spike's head and chuckled.
"Hey, Spike! It's good to see you again. How are things going? Have there been any more adventures of 'Spike the Brave and Glorious' that I should know about?"
"Well, nothing major so far, but give it time." Spike lazily flopped down beside Thorax's throne. "Though, you should probably know that ever since Chrysalis's defeat, Twilight's been obsessed with establishing new changeling records for Equestria. She's bugged Starlight a lot, but of course, she only knows so much. Now she's taken to sending you letters, but I told her you were a bit busy for that right now."
Thorax laughed and rubbed the back of his head.
"Yeah, we've been so busy here lately. To be honest, I did get a few of Twilight's letters, but I haven't gotten around to responding just yet. I want to, but the construction has been constant, and it takes up most of my time just helping the other changelings."
"Oh, don't worry about Twilight; she won't take it personally. She's just Twilighting right now. She sort of woke up from a cocoon and found out an entire species had changed completely without her knowing. She'll calm down. You know, eventually."
Celestia giggled.
"Well, that's a relief," Thorax said. "I'm really excited to exchange information with her. We've all been discovering new things about ourselves, lately. I guess that's what happens when you transform and change your means of getting your food, though."
Thorax turned his attention back to the esteemed co-monarch of Equestria. She had crossed her hooves, and was observing the layout of the newly-established throne room. With every glance, Thorax could tell the princess wasn't so much observing the architecture of his hive as much as she was enjoying the atmosphere itself.
Even an emotionally-stunted creature could feel the difference between Chrysalis's hive and this one. For an alicorn as old as her, it must've been a remarkable feeling.
"Princess Celestia," Thorax began, "I want to thank you again for taking the time to journey out here to see me. I know you must be very busy."
Celestia's magenta eyes turned to fixate on him. Her ever-present, subtle smile never ceased to make Thorax smile in return.
"Think nothing of it, Thorax," she assured gently. "Equestria has the unique position of having four fairly autonomous figureheads. I would never ask a solo monarch to journey just for the sake of my own convenience. I may be your guest here today, but in the grand scheme of things, I wish to do everything in my power to ensure that you and your subjects feel comfortable and confident with myself and mine."
"Thank you, princess. That's really considerate of you. I'm just as excited as you are to develop our relationship from here on out. I'm confident ponies and changelings can become good allies, as well as friends. We're not so different, really."
"Thorax, we finished the work on the southern end of Hallway X!"
The small summit of friends turned their attention to an adjacent corridor. A group of drones emerged from it looking rather ragged, but proud regardless. At the forefront, the green and yellow speaker came to a dead halt upon spotting the Equestrian Princess engaging with his king, and his grin retreated into a toothy grimace.
"O-oh! I'm so sorry, Thorax, and, uh, Your Majesty," he stuttered out. "I didn't mean to interrupt your meeting. I-I forgot that was today."
"Don't worry about it, Tibia," Thorax replied. "That's wonderful news. What's the squad I sent over working on now?"
"They're starting work on Hallway Y's corridor connection between X and Z," Tibia replied, already regaining some composure. Meanwhile, the other changelings came to silent landings nearby him, maintaining their positions near the exit, just in case they were ordered to leave.
"Perfect. The southern end of the hive will be finished by tomorrow at this rate," Thorax surmised. "Thank you again, Tibia. Your squad has done great work today."
"Thanks, Thorax," Tibia murmured, rubbing one leg with the other. Being singled out and given praise in front of a foreign monarch had his belly convulsing in squirms.
"Thorax," spoke the voice of another drone. Crimson eyes peered around the curvature of Tibia's flank. "Are we interrupting? Would you like us to leave?"
"Oh no, no, of course not," Thorax stammered, rising from his throne with purpose and venturing out towards them. "You all deserve to rest now, so please don't let us stop you. Actually, you know what? This is perfect timing."
Thorax shifted his gaze to his guests. "Princess Celestia, Spike, let me show you something."
With a wave of his hoof, Thorax beckoned his drones to join him as he laid down on the floor. The changelings obliged, some trotting and others fluttering over to join their leader. Thorax let out a sigh, and he assumed the position he had held earlier, eyeing the drones now surrounding him. When they looked to him for permission, he gave a subtle nod.
"As you both already know, changelings feed on love," Thorax stated, as changelings began to settle themselves around him. "That much hasn't changed, per se—we still need love to survive, long-term. The thing is, we never realized we were able to sustain ourselves through friendship and romance, or rather, the feelings of compassion we mutually feel for other creatures."
At this point individual preferences became apparent. Some drones nested nearby, keeping a modest distance, while others pressed themselves into loaves against Thorax's sides with earnestness. The air sang with the pleasant chirps of wings rubbing carapace.
"After we transformed, we discovered something else." Thorax looked around at his newly-assembled nest. He rested a hoof on the head of a young changeling flopped in front of his chest, and the bug thrummed incessantly. "While long-term relationships sustain us from hunger, physical acts of affection, including resting together, rejuvenates our bodies rapidly in the present."
"That is...super cute, and that's coming from me," Spike chuckled, dropping down by Celestia's side. "Twilight is gonna go ballistic when I tell her about this."
Celestia cast an enchanting smile. She met each pair of colorful eyes that watched her with curiosity.
"Truly remarkable. How did you all come upon this discovery?" the sun matriarch inquired.
"About a week ago, a changeling that I know was working on the exterior of the upper hive," spoke a changeling laid against Thorax's left side. "It was freezing that night, so when he came back shivering, I offered to share my bed burrow with him. I turned into a huge, fluffy dog, and that helped him warm up. After a short while, we both felt so much more alert and full of energy than before. We tested it with other changelings we knew, and it happened every time."
"It works whether you're awake or asleep, but it works best when you do it with other changelings you know well because the magic is stronger if there's a pre-existing relationship." The speaker, a tangerine drone, flattened his face against Thorax's purple shell. "Thorax really cares about everyling, and we're all thankful for everything he's done, so it's effortless when he's around."
Thorax grew an awkward smile when the changeling looked up at him.
"The one time I didn't bring a note-taking scroll with me," Spike muttered to himself. "Twilight's gonna kill me for not being prepared."
"It's quite alright, Spike," Celestia said with a giggle, "I'll keep a record of this myself and relay it to Twilight. I imagine Princess Cadance, in particular, will also find this news fascinating. Love magic has always been her specialty."
"We've already come a long way from what our kind defined as absolute for so long," Thorax stated thoughtfully, chuckling at the feeling of a body pillowing his flank. "It makes me curious about what else we'll discover, and all the things we can accomplish now that we're more self-sufficient."
There was a moment of silence. A few changelings shifted their positions, and Celestia, after glancing at Spike, locked eyes with Thorax.
"Thorax, I believe now is a good time to bring up what I'd like to discuss with you today."
"Oh, absolutely. I'm all ears," Thorax said.
"Regarding our respective kingdoms, I believe the best approach for improving our relationship past a political level is to integrate your subjects into events and gatherings in Equestria slowly. Regardless of how promising our relationship may be looking towards the future, Chrysalis's reign was a long and cruel one, which left many scars upon both Equestria and its inhabitants."
Thorax nodded. His clutch of changelings remained silent, some paying attention with their ears perked, others tuning the princess out in favor of sleep.
"By introducing changelings little by little, I believe the fear and stigma many of my subjects feel towards yours may slowly ease to a point where changelings may freely roam Equestria as they please, with no panic from its other inhabitants."
Thorax's attention broke into something softer.
"That's just the kind of wisdom I'd always imagined a princess of Equestria would have," he responded. "I agree. Taking small steps is definitely the way I want to approach this, as well. We can't change the damage done, but we can soothe the fear that the aftermath left behind."
"Which brings me to my exciting announcement for you, today. Because you played such a crucial role in the triumph over Queen Chrysalis, I would like to cordially invite you to a special dinner at Princess Twilight's castle in Ponyville, in the upcoming week. My sister and I wish to grant Discord, Starlight Glimmer, Trixie Lulamoon, and yourself with the Equestrian Pink Hearts of Courage for your bravery and resolve in saving all of Equestria."
Thorax gaped stupidly, lost for words. Several changelings grinned and prodded his sides in a congratulatory manner.
"Naturally, if any of your subjects feel comfortable in going, they are more than welcome to join you," Celestia continued. "All attendees have been briefed of your possible attendance, which includes changelings other than yourself."
"W-wow, that's amazing, Princess Celestia. I'd be totally honored!" Thorax replied, his initial shock and surprise shifting to glee. "I'll definitely attend. And yeah, I'll talk with the changelings to see if any of them feel comfortable in going."
Celestia nodded. "Wonderful. And don't worry, I hold no expectations on the time it will take our subjects to grow comfortable with one another. I simply wish to leave out a warm welcome for when they are ready. Many wonderful events can be attended by anyone in Equestria and beyond, given an adequate invitation. You need only let me or Princess Twilight know in advance if you require any assistance."
Celestia's attention turned to Spike.
"Thanks to Spike, you are already welcomed with open hooves within the Crystal Empire. I recommend you keep in touch with Princess Cadance, Thorax. I believe coordinating with her and the crystal ponies would prove beneficial as an initial step for your subjects."
"I bet Cadance and Shining Armor would love to have you and the changelings visit them!" Spike chimed in. "Other ponies in Equestria would probably start to open up too, once they see Princess Cadance accepting you in her own kingdom."
"That's exactly right, Spike. Having already accepted Thorax, the Crystal Empire should have few qualms about giving his subjects a chance, and we have you to thank for establishing that connection."
"This all sounds great. I'd love to keep in touch with all of the princesses throughout this process, actually," Thorax thought aloud, playfully rubbing the head of the unsuspecting changeling laying below his chest. The drone jolted in surprise, immediately taking evasive action to try and avoid the alpha changeling's assaulting hoof. "I'm sure Twilight and Cadance will have great ideas and advice on how to proceed next."
Celestia rose from her spot with an air of contentment.
"I will be sending you a scroll as soon as I've addressed my subjects regarding your crowning, Thorax. The scroll will also include the dinner date and a list of Equestrian events that your subjects may find of interest in the future. In the meantime, I suggest you contact Princess Cadance and see what her thoughts are. I am confident she would be delighted to work with you on forging a relationship between the changelings and the crystal ponies."
Thorax could sense the political discussions coming to an end. He ventured to stand, to join the alicorn and his dragon friend, but five fast-asleep changelings had swiftly turned him into little more than a large pillow; he couldn't deprive them of the sleep they had just obtained. Instead, he gave Celestia a beaming look.
"I look forward to hearing from you, princess," he said, his volume noticeably restrained. "Thank you so much for your time. Being a new king doesn't feel nearly as frightening, knowing I have such kind allies ready to offer me help."
The sun princess took a few steps forward and looked upon the precious scene before her once more. The changeling monarch had been surrounded by colorful puzzle pieces, perfectly tucked into various shapes around his body. Beyond them was an even larger amount of drones, content with simply relaxing nearby their king. Many of them gazed at the towering alicorn with a child-like wonder, their colorful compound eyes hypnotizing.
"I've lived for several millennia, Thorax, and in that time, I have never had the pleasure to stand within a changeling hive and discuss a future relationship between our kingdoms," Celestia said, her voice equally lowered. "The compassion you have for your subjects, as well as other creatures, is truly unparalleled. I can tell you will be a loved king indeed."
The young changeling could feel his composure melt away. With great difficulty, Thorax fought back tears, his lip quivering as he spoke.
"T-thank you, Princess Celestia," he managed out. "That means so much coming from you."
"Are you alright, Thorax?"
Thorax's attention was drawn to the drones. As if by a silent alarm, they were waking up, one by one, some of them already sitting up straight and scanning his face carefully. Looks of puzzlement, concern, even slight irritation of having woken so abruptly sprouted among them.
"I-I'm fine," Thorax answered. "W-why did you all wake up so suddenly? There's no way you guys all had bad dreams at the same time...right?"
"I had a great dream, actually," one drone replied.
"I dunno, I just woke up to you crying," pitched in another, cocking an eyebrow. "That's a little unnerving to wake up to, by the way."
Thorax chuckled nervously.
"Yeah, I suppose it is, isn't it? Sorry to worry you all, like that. Try to go back to sleep, okay? If you guys don't get enough rest before your next shift because of me, I don't think I'd be able to forgive myself."
Spike, who had kept rather quiet for a while, was now watching the changelings with heightened curiosity.
"Hey, princess, what do you think just happened?" he asked, just loud enough for Celestia to hear.
"I believe Thorax and his subjects are continuing to discover the role love plays in their lives," she replied, her radiant smile still going strong. "Thorax spoke of how physical connection amplifies the relationships, the love that they share. Perhaps even drastic changes in emotional state can affect this unique connection."
"Twilight's gonna eat me alive," Spike mumbled, burying himself in his claws. "She'll be like, 'Spike, what were you thinking not bringing your note-taking supplies on a trip like this!?', and I'll be all, 'Oh, sorry Twilight, I was excited to see my best friend Thorax again, and kinda forgot that I needed to take notes on changeling eating habits.'"
Spike felt a gentle, soft hoof place itself on his head. It caressed just behind his first curvature of spines.
"Come on, Spike," Celestia said softly. "I think it's time we leave them be for now."
"Wait, we're leaving?" Spike fumbled, rising from his spot and assailing the princess with pleading eyes. "But, I've hardly gotten any time to hang out with Thorax! I mean, we just got here!"
"There will be time for that, Spike. However, it appears your friend is very busy right now. I think we've taken up enough of his attention for today."
The dragon crossed his arms and shot the sun princess with a skeptical look. It was a look Celestia was all too familiar with, and one she could only giggle at. If only the young dragon had a flowing blue mane to go with it.
"Why don't we return to Equestria for now, Spike, and we can have Twilight promise to make a follow-up trip very soon. As you've so aptly put, I'm sure she'll be very eager to make her own return to the Changeling Kingdom as soon as she can spare the time."
"Yeah, where she'll bug Thorax the entire time with a checklist of questions," Spike muttered, watching as Celestia turned her attention to the changeling king one final time.
"Thorax, you and your subjects appear to be doing exceptionally well. I wish to leave you to work on your hive, for now," she explained. "We now have a solid basis for a plan, and I will relay it to the other princesses. You may contact Princess Cadance when you feel the time is right, and in the meantime, please await my scroll by this time next week."
"That sounds perfect. I'll contact Princess Cadance as soon as the hive has been completed, which should be just another week or so," Thorax replied, feeling one of his subjects climb atop his back, much to the amusement of the other drones. Within minutes they had abandoned their timid and cautious attitudes in favor of regular shenanigans. The young king felt an innate pride in it.
"Seeya, Thorax!" Spike called, waving a claw and following the princess's lead towards the throne room doors. "Sorry we couldn't hang out much this time, but I'm gonna come back with Twilight really soon, okay? We'll hang out then! I've got a really awesome game that I wanna show you!"
"That sounds great, Spike! Please tell Twilight and the others that I send my regards!"
The two visitors departed the throne room with waving hooves and smiling faces. As soon as the doors closed behind them, Thorax felt the drone perched on his back stand up, resting his upper legs and head between Thorax's rigid antlers.
"Thorax, do you really think we can be friends with Equestrians after everything that's happened?" the drone asked.
Thorax could barely make out the drone's ears and snout in his upper peripheral.
"I know we can," he stated with a smile. "This isn't Chrysalis's kingdom anymore; it's ours. The races of Equestria have gotten to where they are today through coming together, and we'll do the same."
Thorax swept a glance about the room, at the various bug ponies staring back. His subjects, yes, but also the friends he had once wished so much he could have. Now it was up to him to guide and protect them, to love them and lead them.
The future was uncertain, and it caused him anxiety, but he was no longer alone. He was a part of the hive, and the hive would face that future, together.
"So, princess," Spike said, flicking bush brambles from his shoulder. "Will you be there to clean up my remains after Twilight blasts me to smithereens for forgetting to take notes about changeling hugs?"
Celestia giggled to herself, giving the dragon a modest look.
"Come now, Spike, give Twilight a little more credit than that," she said. "She's come a long way from the...enthusiastic pony she used to be while she was my faithful student."
"Yeah, she's changed a lot in some ways." Spike's expression soured immediately. "Though in other ways, she's still kinda obsessive. She's had two separate book-sort-cations within the last month, alone. If you ask me, princess, I think being cooped up in that castle and not getting to go on friendship missions is messing with her head."
"As I said, I will relay all of what we learned today to Twilight, myself. I will even make sure she has a return visit in place between the two of you before I leave for Canterlot. I know how much it means for you to spend time with your friend, and I'm sure it will be a priority for Twilight, as well."
Spike felt his breath breach the gaps between his claws. "Well, look at it this way, Spike old boy. On the plus side, she's not mad about those notes."
With the enthusiasm of a newborn foal, Twilight Sparkle trotted around her library, venturing from bookshelf to bookshelf and whisking books out in magenta auras of magic. In no time at all, two stacks of levitating books followed the young princess wherever she went, and were growing taller by the minute.
"Twilight, are you sure all of those are gonna be necessary?" Spike asked skeptically, putting together a small, modest backpack at the central reading table.
Twilight halted her collecting spree just long enough to shoot the dragon an incredulous look. What a ridiculous question to ask.
"Of course, Spike," she replied. "We're going to be visiting the changelings today, and unlike Princess Celestia, I plan on being there a while."
Spike cocked a brow. Her prances became overly-excited gallops, and the animated stacks of literature threatened to spawn a third.
"Princess Celestia covered the basics of the plan regarding ponies and changelings looking forward, and that was almost a week ago. But what's really exciting is that she wants me to be the one to work with Thorax on some initial friendship plans for the hive!"
"You mean as opposed to Starlight doing it, like in your little fantasy?" Spike quipped, trailing the alicorn with his gaze. "When you put it that way, I guess it does make sense. Geeking out over changelings is probably better than smacking them with a giant flyswatter."
"Oh, ha ha ha. I swear, I'll be an old mare by the time you let me forget about that one. Oh, and naturally, we'll also be there today to document all the new knowledge there is to know regarding changelings and their culture!"
Spike rolled his eyes. "Naturally. Though, I'm pretty sure that part is more you than it is Celestia's orders."
"Oh, Spike, I'm so excited!" Twilight exclaimed, far too giddy to pay attention to dragon sarcasm. "I hardly had any time at all to interact with the changelings when Queen Chrysalis was defeated, or at the award ceremony, but we have the entire day to spend with them, now! Oh, the things we're going to learn!"
Spike, having finished his backpack, headed towards the library doors.
"As long as you don't take up all of Thorax's time while we're there, then I'm on board for learning new things," he declared. "I learned a lot in the short time Princess Celestia and I were there, and I bet there's a whole lot more even still."
"Exactly, Spike, think of the possibilities!" Twilight replied with earnest, dotting her sentence by dropping two and a half stacks of journals and reference books on the central table with a resounding thud. "The changelings have been hostile for so long, we know as much about their culture as we did the dragons' before Dragon Lord Ember rose to power! And the entire changeling culture just went through a drastic change, to boot! I bet I can fill three books, easy!"
"Just make sure you give Thorax a little breathing space, Twilight," came a familiar voice from the hallway doors. "He doesn't seem to work well under pressure. When things got hairy for us, he looked like he needed a paper bag to keep himself from passing out."
Twilight turned her attention to the front of the library, where a light purple unicorn now stood, eyeing her with knowing amusement.
"Oh, Starlight! I'm glad you're here," Twilight said, a bright light flaring from her horn. All at once, the stacks of parchment and paper vanished, replaced by two unassuming saddle packs.
"I love this spell!" Twilight squealed with glee, clapping her front hooves together. "I sure wish I knew this 'bottomless bag' trick back in magic school."
Weathering a sigh, Starlight walked over to Spike. The unicorn's eyes synced with his in the observation of afternoon Twilighting.
"She...didn't register a thing I said, did she?"
"Nope, she's in the zone. Just ride the wave. She'll snap out of it eventually."
"Starlight, not that I'm worried, but are you sure you'll be okay watching after the castle?" Twilight asked abruptly, trotting over to the pair with her saddlebags now in place. "Spike and I will be gone for at least a couple of days, and you'll be by yourself unless you have Trixie over. Well, if the map calls some of our friends somewhere, then I suppose you might see them briefly, as well."
"Come on, Twilight, it's not like I haven't watched over the castle for you several times before," Starlight said with a chuckle. The trio left the library and made their way down the lavish castle corridors, with Twilight leading the way.
"I know, it's just that this may be the longest you've had to look after the castle before. Depending on how in-depth discussions go and what Thorax could use help with, we may be gone even longer than I'm expecting."
A magenta cloud forced open the castle doors, and Twilight trotted out into the warm, sunny afternoon. Her friends followed her down the castle's front steps, and together they convened on the modest dirt road leading to Ponyville.
Twilight levitated a rolled-up scroll out from her saddlebags and then turned to Starlight attentively.
"Alright, Starlight. This is a list of everything we have to eat in the castle. I've done some reorganizing of the food storage areas since the last time you looked after the castle, so if you can't find something, all you have to do is refer to this list and-"
A hoof pressed itself over Twilight's mouth. A teal aura gently took the scroll from her, and she watched it float by her protege's equally charming smirk.
"Honestly, Twilight, I can handle it. You and Spike should really get going, though, if you want to have plenty of time to talk with Thorax. I'll hold down the 'Fortress of Friendship' for you. In return, say hey to Thorax for me, will you?"
Her motherly anxieties now arrested, Twilight nodded.
"I will. And, you're right. I'm sure you'll have a relaxing time while we're gone. If you need anything, our friends are right around the corner...you know, proverbially."
Twilight turned to face the southwest winds, squinting at the distant horizon. Her former excitement reclaimed her. Her thirst for knowledge and her readiness to assist a friendly ally was now an all-consuming purpose.
She spread her wings and glanced at her draconic assistant. "Ready, Spike?"
"Born ready, Twilight!"
Spike climbed atop Twilight's back, and the two took to the air. As clouds engulfed them, the distant visage of Equestria expanded from over the mountain tops. Spike glanced back to find Starlight a mere speck on the ground, waving a hoof from the castle's front steps.
"So, Twilight, what are the chances we can actually start calling the castle, 'The Fortress of Friendship'?"
Spike wore a goofy, hopeful look. Twilight shook her head.
"Not a chance, Spike."
"Tarsus, can I ask you a strange question?"
With a flick of his ears, a teal changeling turned once again from his work. A few feet away, a green drone gave him a sheepish look.
"I suppose, as long as you're still doing your part over there," Tarsus answered with snark, flying upwards to smooth out a section of wall. "If your mouth keeps moving faster than your hooves, I can't be held responsible for my actions."
Nearly a week had passed since the sun princess had visited the hive. With the southern side's interior now complete, all that remained was a few watchtowers on the exterior of the hive's up-most crown. Thorax had pushed for them to take it easy, but the drones wouldn't have it. The satisfaction of completion was within reach.
"Do you think Thorax cries a lot?" Tibia asked.
"You're right, that is a strange question. Sure, I guess he does. I mean, when compared to most other changelings, at least. Literally all the time when compared to Chrysalis. Why are you asking?"
"Last week, when the sun princess was here, Thorax invited my squad and I to rest with him." Tibia moved to another section of the railing. He flipped himself upside-down in mid-air to give a little variety to the redundant work. "But then we all woke up to him crying. He didn't really tell us why, but he seemed okay. He wasn't hurt or anything. I just can't stop thinking about it."
"He's always been touchy-feely, maybe that means you cry a lot." Tarsus moved over to help Tibia smooth out the various railings surrounding the tower's peak.
"Heh. Yeah, he's a soft-shell, alright. You know, I wasn't sure what to think about the whole 'sleeping near your fellow changelings makes you feel stronger' thing at first, but it really works. It's really nice to see how happy it makes Thorax, seeing us spending time together."
"It's nice to feel like our leader actually takes us into consideration, for once. Could you imagine Chrysalis ever doing anything like that with us?"
Tibia snorted. "'If you fools have time to loaf around, you're not putting the needs of the hive first!'"
The two drones shared a small fit of laughter.
Just then, Tibia noticed something in his peripheral vision. North of the hive, approaching on hoof were two small shapes amidst the expanse of vegetation. Casting his work aside, the changeling fluttered out past the tower and narrowed his eyes.
"What is it?" Tarsus asked.
"Someone's coming. It's hard to make out. It almost looks like..."
Tibia let out a sudden gasp.
"What? Who is it?" Tarsus asked again, flying over to him.
The approaching figures peaked over the hill, and there was no mistaking them now. It was Spike, the small dragon from Ponyville, accompanied by a brilliant purple pony. Though the species eluded the changelings from this distance, the mane and coat color were unmistakable. So many times they had been taught to capture her on sight, been told of her and her friends' transgressions against the hive, by their former queen.
"That's the princess of friendship!" Tarsus shouted. "We need to let Thorax know right now!"
"Wasn't the friendship princess pink?" Tibia asked, putting a hoof to his chin.
"That's Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, you dope, the Princess of Love." Tarsus grabbed Tibia and pointed again towards the slowly advancing pair. "That is Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship. Now come on, hurry up!"
Tarsus buzzed down the tower exterior in a rapid spiral, vanishing inside by way of a hole at the hive's base. Tibia puffed out his cheeks and stuck out his tongue before dogging after his friend.
"He doesn't have to yell at me. I was never on intel. How am I supposed to know these things?"
"Do you feel that Spike?" Twilight asked with a radiant smile, trotting along with a spring in her step.
"My aching feet?" Spike replied, deadpan.
"We get to be an instrumental part in helping ponykind forge a brand new relationship. Isn't that exciting!?" Twilight ignored dragon sarcasm in favor of giddy remarks for the second time today. "And just look at their hive! It looks so amazing! They've done so much in just three weeks!"
"Remind me again why we're on foot, though? We flew all the way here, so why are we walking now?"
"Spike, it's incredibly rude to teleport or fly into the capital of another kingdom, even when being expected," Twilight said in her 'knowledgeable teacher' voice. "Especially for me. I'm a princess representing Equestria meeting with another kingdom's leader. We don't want to offend Thorax or the other changelings, do we?"
"This is Thorax, remember? I don't think you could offend him if you tried, Twilight."
"Even so, there's nothing wrong with being courteous, Spike. I'm sure your feet will survive."
Spike took a few more steps, mulling over a response, but soon came to a dead stop. Though his feet touched soft grass, the sensation of hot magma began to curl his toes, as if he was standing on a bed of molten rocks. He looked at Twilight with abrupt concern, wondering if it was just him. Maybe his feet really wouldn't survive, after all.
"Uh, Twilight?" he stammered.
"Ooh, I wonder if Thorax will let me see the young changelings, too. I bet there are larva and baby changelings we've never gotten...to see...before..."
Finally noticing the searing pain shooting up her hooves, Twilight pranced around desperately before taking to the air for safety. She glanced at Spike, seeing the rising alarm in his face.
"Spike, do you feel that-"
The sound of a roaring blaze drowned out her words. The two turned just in time to dodge a blast of fire.
Spike yelped in surprise and leaped behind a rock for safety. He stared past Twilight's figure with wide eyes, his lip quivering. "T-Twilight...what is that thing!?"
Twilight turned to face it but couldn't believe her eyes. Crouched low to the ground a dozen feet away, now blocking their path to the hive, was an orange lizard slightly larger than a timberwolf. Its six legs gripped the grass while its wide head pivoted to and fro. Beady black eyes sent a shiver down her spine, and she could see a long, thick tail slam the ground behind it. Upon her attempt to move, an otherworldly hiss erupted from its cavernous mouth.
"That's a-" Twilight began, only to feel her breath leave her. The creature lit its entire body on fire. "That's a salamander, Spike!"
"What's a salamander!?" Spike called out as Twilight quickly threw up a magical shield to quell the flames billowing from the creature's mouth. The fire dispersed across the bubble shield's surface, blackening the grass surrounding it.
"Magical reptiles that generate fire! Their saliva contains magical properties! It's used in a wide array of potions! But I don't understand! They live in arid places and near active volcanoes! Why is one here!?"
The creature was now a mere foot away from the princess, its gaping maw testing the resilience of her shield with an unrelenting heatwave. Twilight braced her legs against the ground, staring into the jaws of the lizard with fierce determination. Her horn was primed for a magical blast, and her heart raced to the endless inferno filling her view.
"Spike, stay where you are!" Twilight yelled, her horn sparkling with electric power. "I'm going to lower my shield, but don't worry, I have a plan!"
"Uh, Twilight, I don't think you'll need one!" Spike yelled back.
Twilight spared the dragon a glance. He was smiling. How could he be smiling?
"Spike, what are you talking about-"
"Tarsus, I need you to distract it with your squad while I push it back from the front!"
"Yes, Thorax!"
"Tibia, get Spike and Princess Twilight to safety!"
"Of course, Thorax!"
A blinding turquoise blast rained down from above, knocking back the salamander and disrupting its fiery attack. Twilight watched in awe as two groups of changelings rushed in from overhead. The drones surrounded themselves in magic auras using their horns and took turns slamming into the creature's sides, making it forget all about her and Spike.
"Princess Twilight, please, come this way!" Tibia urged, gently nudging the princess with his forehead.
"Oh, o-of course!" Twilight said absently, flapping her wings and taking to the air again. Spike had also been retrieved, and now enjoyed a scenic view from the back of a red drone.
With the pair safely escorted away from harm, Thorax touched down in front of the angry salamander, still hissing and covered in a deadly flame. Spike and Twilight looked on with bated breath.
"You have been told you are not welcome in this kingdom, anymore!" Thorax asserted, rigid antlers glowing with electric blue magic. "You will leave and make your home elsewhere, or you will be made to leave."
"I love when he gets intense!" spoke an excited changeling to Twilight's left. "Come on, blast him, Thorax! One more for good measure!"
"Yeah, what he said!" Spike reflected, only to get a light bonk on his head from Twilight's hoof.
The salamander flattened itself as it continued to hiss, but made no further attempts to attack. In perfect symmetry, Thorax held his ground, staring it down with calm reserve, ready to launch another blast of power at the slightest movement.
In the end, the tactic worked. The creature drew back, leaving a scarred trail of ashen grass as it retreated towards the far southern forest. Thorax stood firm until the creature was lost from view, at which point he let out a deep sigh.
"That was awesome, Thorax!" Spike proclaimed, breaking the tense silence with reckless abandon. "You've gotten so powerful! That thing totally turned tail and ran!"
"Thanks, Spike, but it was a team effort, for sure. And, I'm sorry about that, Twilight," Thorax said, his demeanor softening as he joined the small group. "Are you okay?"
"Of course. Thank you, Thorax," Twilight assured, pacing her breaths to calm herself. "I take it you've had problems with salamanders before?"
"Well, I guess you could say that." Thorax led the way back towards the hive, enticing his drones to trot and fly along after him.
"It may look pleasant and green now, but this entire region used to be a desert wasteland, where salamanders were quite common. After the changelings transformed, the land started to bloom with vegetation in a way it never had before. The salamanders are upset at the loss of their habitat, so they're more aggressive than usual. Unfortunately, they've also been inadvertently causing wildfires with all the new plants around. We've been trying to push them to relocate."
"They're not friendly at the best of times, but now they're even more grumpy," Tarsus chimed in, hovering above Thorax's head.
"That seems like an understatement," Spike mumbled.
"At any rate, I'm glad you both made it here safely, salamanders aside," Thorax said, relieved. "When Spike visited with Princess Celestia, he told me how much you've been curious about changelings, Twilight. I'm sorry I haven't been able to reply to most of your letters, but I'm happy to answer any questions you have while you're here."
Twilight's frazzled composure from being assaulted melted into oblivion.
"Oh yes, I am excited to learn more about you all!" she exclaimed with a grin. "Princess Celestia mentioned a few finer points of what she learned from her visit, but I'm really eager to see things for myself! And, of course, my visit today is for your sake as well, Thorax. Princess Celestia would like me to help you with where to go next regarding our kingdom's relations."
"And don't forget, Thorax, we gotta spend some time together today, too!" Spike added. "I brought my starter set for Ogres and Oubliettes, and I can't wait to show you how to play! I just know you'll love it. Some of the other changelings can play too if they want. The more players, the more fun!"
"Well, it's early in the afternoon," Thorax remarked, chuckling while using his magic to create an opening in the hive's thick exterior. "I'm sure we'll have plenty of time for everything. First things first, though, I'd love to give you both a brief tour of our hive's highlights. We've just about finished our re-construction, and to be frank, we're pretty excited to show it off."
"I wouldn't have it any other way, Your Majesty," Twilight replied with contained glee, following the changelings inside with Spike at her side.
"Ah, Starlight, old girl, you've got to start finding ways to get those two out of town more often."
With a look of delight, Starlight Glimmer sat down at the castle library's central table. With a large stack of spell theorems and magic history waiting to be read by her left, an extra-large pizza with basil and pineapple just picked up from Pizza Hoof on her right, and the castle absolutely silent until tomorrow evening, she was set for the afternoon.
"Take your time, Twilight. I think I'll be just fine here on my own." The unicorn giggled to herself, levitating a slice as she opened her first book.
"Thorax, can we help show the princess around, too?" a cyan changeling asked, trotting backward in front of his alpha in a not-so-subtle attempt to grab his attention.
"Can you breathe fire for us, purple dragon?" another drone requested, hovering over Spike's shoulder with a hopeful grin.
"Are you really powerful, princess?" a third asked Twilight. "I heard you destroyed an entire landscape battling a creature from far away. Is that true? How strong was the creature? Did the really tall princess we saw last week help you? Did her mane get in the way? It looked like her mane would get in the way."
"Come on, you guys, it's not very polite to crowd our guests."
Even when scolding, Thorax's voice fell on the drones like a warm blanket. Ears all around flopped dejectedly in response.
"It's alright, Thorax," Twilight said, mindfully observing the crowd. "It's perfectly natural that the changelings are just as curious as we are. You're generous enough to share changeling culture with us, so I'm happy to share knowledge regarding Equestria in return."
"Oh, you misunderstand, Twilight. I think they're mostly just interested in entertaining themselves."
Twilight furrowed a brow. "What do you mean?"
"Ever since the major projects on the hive were completed last week, a lot of changelings have been finding themselves pretty bored." Thorax peered around to find all compound eyes conveniently turned away from him. "I can't say Chrysalis's reign had many positive points, but she did keep everyling busy, constantly hunting for food. Coming up with some recreational activities we can do around our hive is high on my to-do list."
"Oh, well, if it's a list you need help with, I can most certainly help with that."
"And if the changelings are bored, I've got just the answer!" Spike chimed in, wiggling his backpack. "Ogres and Oubliettes is really fun and requires a whole lot of imagination and focus—it'd be perfect! I sure hope you guys have big tables around here!"
Thorax beamed, glancing at his drones. This time they met his eye readily.
"Well, Spike, if you'd like, you're welcome to take these guys and start teaching them how to play," Thorax suggested. "I'm sure they'd like to sit down and relax after that exercise against the salamander. I can give Twilight a brief tour of our hive in the meantime, and we'll catch up with you when we're done."
Spike looked at Twilight for a sign of confirmation, and she nodded.
"It's fine by me, Spike," she said. "Unless you'd like a tour of the hive with me first?"
"Well, I can take a tour of the hive any time, so I think I'll start teaching the changelings how to play."
Spike noticed several changelings were giving him their full attention at this point.
"What do you guys think? Wanna give my game a try?"
"I'll try anything once," one drone said.
"I have no idea what an oubliette is, but it probably beats laying around all day," another reasoned.
The remaining changelings nodded in agreement, and Spike grinned.
"Alright! Every changeling who'd like to learn how to play, follow me!" Spike dashed off down the corridor. Twilight yelled after him.
"Wait, Spike! Do you even know where you're going!?"
The dragon came to a screeching halt. He turned to find that not a single creature had moved, and were just staring at him.
Sweat oozed from his scales. Even his sheepish smile was met with apathy.
"Yeah, about that—Thorax, where's the best place to play my board game?"
"You can use the main eastern cavern, Spike. There are some table-like structures we crafted. I'll be sure to end the tour there."
Thorax shot a glance at Tibia, who stood at the rear of the party.
"Tibia, I don't know if you'd like to try Spike's game or not, but could you stay with Spike and the others for now? I want to make sure one of my lead guard changelings is with each of our guests. I'm going to take Tarsus with me while I take the princess on our tour."
"Of course, Thorax," Tibia replied dutifully.
With a nod and a motion of his hoof, Tibia rounded up the small group of drones plus Spike and made his way down the tunnel. Meanwhile, Tarsus appeared at Twilight's side from seemingly out of nowhere, causing the alicorn to jump.
"Don't take too long, Thorax!" Spike called out. "I want to show you how to play, too!"
"Don't worry, Spike, I promise I'll be there!" the regal changeling shouted back, waving a hoof as the group vanished through a morphing hole in the far wall.
"You know, Thorax, it's really amazing to be here right now," Twilight said softly, meeting Thorax's vibrant magenta eyes. "Standing next to the changeling leader, Spike running off to play games with changelings—none of this was even conceivable for so long. It's wonderful."
"Princess Celestia said something similar when she was here, actually," Thorax mused, leading Twilight and Tarsus down an alternate hallway. "And, I feel the same way. I didn't fit in with my kind for a long time, but now I actually have the chance to help every changeling discover the same friendship I was looking for. It's a great feeling."
"And now...we are about to enter a world of mystery and magic. A world of thrills and perilous danger, where only the bravest will prevail. A world where the very hearts of your fellow changelings will be put to the ultimate test. Changelings, I present to you...Ogres and Oubliettes!"
Spike wiggled a flashlight under his chin, highlighting barred teeth. Seven varieties of aloof interest stared back, and one changeling yawned.
"But I still don't get what an oubliette is," a drone said suddenly, clearly bothered by the fact.
"Yeah, purple dragon, what is this game even about?" another piled on, slumping his chin upon the cool stone. "Also, if we're gonna play with flashlights, then you should probably know that Chrysalis forbade fireflies and most other forms of yellow light in the hive."
Spike blinked. The drone seated nearest to him had seized his flashlight and now thrummed his wings feverishly as he stared into the blinding bulb.
"First off, my name is Spike. Secondly, I'm glad you asked." Spike laid out a large game map across the table-like rock. "Ogres and Oubliettes is an adventure game where you pretend to be someone you're not—a character of your choice—and go on all manner of adventures with your fellow players. We use dice and this book to determine if your actions are successful as we attempt to defeat the evil Squizard and his army of minions. Basically, you use your imagination to go on fantastic adventures from the comfort of your own home. Er, hive."
"Imagination?" one drone whined. "But wouldn't you rather go on a real adventure, fighting actual creatures?"
"Do ponies even go on real adventures? Or do they just play this game?" a second one asked, peering at the game map with scrutiny.
"No no, guys, this is just-"
"Are these the kinds of games ponies play? Because this is nothing like what changelings do."
"Uh, well, what do you all normally do for fun?" Spike asked. The changelings exchanged glances.
"Lots and lots of play fighting."
"Tackling, sneaking up and scaring."
"I pretended to be a rock and made another changeling jump in the air, once."
Spike raised an eyebrow.
"I think we Equestrians have a whole lot more to teach you guys about than just friendship."
Twilight quietly soaked in her surroundings as she walked. A levitating quill rapidly scribbled across three different books floating above her head. Changeling architecture was fascinating.
"Twilight?"
The imbued magic within the hive's structures must be linked to changeling DNA, activated whenever a changeling or group of changelings approached. It was both elegant and a perfect way to deter any outside intruders. Simply astonishing!
"Um...Twilight?"
She'd have to dedicate a chapter of 'Changelings and Changed Forms'—her first to-be book about changelings—purely to changeling hives and their inner-working mechanics. Maybe she could obtain a sample of the infrastructure for research purposes and-
"Twilight!"
Twilight shook her head as if from a trance. The frantic scribbling came to a stop, and she looked at Thorax politely.
"Yes, Thorax?"
"Are you okay?" Thorax wasn't sure if he should be concerned or laugh. Spike had given him an idea of her obsessive tendencies, but now he thought he could've calmly declared war on Equestria, and Twilight wouldn't have batted an eye. Well, not for a few seconds, at least.
"Of course!" she replied, placing her books and quill back into her saddlebags. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to space out like that. Your hive is just so interesting! I've never been in one before—well, not while fully conscious, anyway. It's a lot to take in."
Thorax nodded. "That's fine. I don't mind you taking notes. If anything, I bet knowledge about our kind will help change what others think about us. I just want to make sure we get to our main tour points on time. I don't want to disappoint Spike. He's been so eager to play his game with me."
"Of course. Please lead on, Your Highness."
The trio came to another morphing doorway. The hallway beyond opened to a massive chamber riddled with tiny, drone-sized holes covering its walls. Unlike previous rooms, these holes did not morph and were arranged in perfectly organized rows.
"This is the old nesting chamber," Thorax said, beating his wings and encouraging the princess to join him in the air. "It's sort of like a conjoined bedroom for changelings. Every drone who lives in the hive burrows a hole for themselves in the nesting chamber wall, and that's where they sleep at night."
"Oooh...", Twilight muttered aloud, her pupils dilating. With a mind of its own, her horn illuminated, and her plethora of quills and books came out once more.
"Of course, now that we've discovered how closeness rebuilds our strength, a lot of us have started sleeping in clusters. We were doing that in the throne room at first, but as more changelings started to participate, we ran out of space. Now we have a communal nesting chamber in the lower part of the hive. It's a large room with compact walls for extra warmth during the winter and lanterns that can be dimmed. Just about every changeling can fit in there, and it's super multipurpose."
"Princess Celestia did mention you all slept in groups now to regain strength..." Twilight's quill was a blur. "But if you're creating a new chamber dedicated to resting, what will become of this one?"
"Oh, we'll keep it around." Thorax's gaze became distant. "Not every changeling is into the closeness thing. Some prefer to rest alone, and that's fine. There are also times when changelings just want some peace and quiet. They can have that here; we'll probably downsize it soon, but it'll always have a purpose."
Twilight gave a satisfied nod and jotted down a few finishing notes.
"Alright, let's move on, Twilight. I've got a lot more to show you," Thorax led the way through another morphing hole with a smile. Twilight followed with glee.
"Consider me an excited sponge of knowledge, Your Highness!"
"Alright, so let's see," Spike muttered to himself as he drew another of the drones on a tiny character standee piece. This changeling was in battle armor, had duel spiked maces, and a large shield with a changeling face on its back. "We've now have 'Cynibor the Demolisher'."
"That Squizard is toast," said Cynibor's changeling counterpart, giving his neighboring drone a hoof bump.
"Yeah, he is," said the receiver. "My character has earth magic. He'll just summon a bunch of salt and shrivel that squid up."
"You're thinking of slugs, not squids, idiot," another drone scolded, emphasizing his insult with a tap of his own head.
"Well, my salt is powerful enough to shrivel squids."
"Says who?"
"Says me, so shut up."
"Don't tell me to shut up, slime-for-brains."
"Don't tell me what my character can and can't do, bug breath."
"Who else am I missing, though?" Spike ignored the ongoing bickering. He looked around the table to match game pieces to their owners. "Razo the Rowdy, Sir Demonax, Gadaric the Gallant, Cynibor the Demolisher, Phrixus the All-Seeing, Obax the Oubliette..."
At this point, the changelings put up a cease-fire. All heads turned towards the sixth drone in their party—a red and green drone—who shrugged.
"If he wasn't gonna tell me what an oubliette was, I was gonna be one."
"And of course, me, Garbuckle the Magician. But there are seven of you. So, who hasn't made a character yet?"
The changelings exchanged glances, giving various head shakes and hoof shrugs whenever suspicion befell them. Eventually, all eyes drew towards the last changeling in the room—a certain orange-tinted drone who had been quietly observing the game unfold.
"Yeah, it's Tibia," a drone muttered in monotone. "That's a shock."
"Thorax wanted you to play too, Tibia," another said mockingly. "I heard him."
"Actually, he said to come with you guys, and that's it," Tibia corrected. "But I don't mind playing. I just can't think of a character."
"You can be anybody you want, Tibia, that's what's so fun," Spike encouraged. "First, why don't you think of a class you'd like? Maybe you'll think of a name from there. There are magicians, archers, healers, warriors..."
"Well, I do like the idea of healing. . . Then I can help everyling when they inevitably get their butts kicked in battle."
There was a resounding wave of groans. Spiteful raspberries blew from around the table.
"Classic Tibia," Obax the Oubliette drolled. "All in favor of succumbing to our wounds should we fall in battle?"
There was a unanimous raise of hooves. Tibia rolled his eyes.
They visited several of the hive's pillar chambers, which served as hubs for the endless tunnels throughout the hive. Then they stopped by the throne room itself, something Twilight had only seen before from inside a cocoon.
Along the way, Twilight's quills faithfully archived every thought and observation, forming complete sentences and rapidly filling page after page. The Equestrian Archive of Foreign Bodies and Beings would have quite the update when she returned.
The very last stop was a personal favorite for Thorax, and Twilight was already certain it was her favorite part, as well.
"This...oh, this is just what I needed," Twilight muttered aloud, the speed of her quills having greatly reduced along with her focus. Both her books and quills were floating a safe distance away from everything wet and steamy, whereas Twilight sat right in the thick of it, her body submerged in steaming hot water.
"We only recently discovered this," Thorax said, giving a shiver of content. "It's a natural hot spring. It was completely closed off, but when we were excavating further underground to expand territory, we broke it open."
"Was that while Chrysalis was still in power?" Twilight laid her head back against the warm stone, and let her heavy eyelids close.
"It was. As you can probably guess, she allowed noling to use it but her, so we forgot about it until recently." Thorax extended his wings to let them flex and relax within the water. "Our wings don't work very well when they're wet, but we don't mind. This is one of the deepest, most secure places in the entire hive. Intruders would never be able to navigate this far, even by accident."
"Thorax lets all of us use the hot springs as long as he doesn't get complaints about changelings fighting over it," Tarsus added, letting just his lower hooves get wet. "He starts shooting disappointed looks whenever we start squabbling with each other."
"Oh, Tarsus, you don't need to get into that-"
"Some of the really young changelings have started calling him 'Papa Thorax' because of how attentive he is with them."
"Uh, Tarsus, I don't think the princess needs to-"
"Pretty soon, a whole bunch of drones began calling him 'Papa Thorax' whenever he gave us that disapproving look. Now, it's practically his title."
Twilight giggled to herself. Thorax failed to pass off the rose blush assaulting his face as an effect of the bath.
"It's funny. My friend, Fluttershy has something she calls 'the stare', which gets animals to obey her when they're misbehaving," Twilight mused. "But what you have, Thorax, that's adorable. I think it's good that you're so attentive with the changelings. It's nothing to be embarrassed about."
"I know, Twilight. Tarsus just thinks it's funny to put a spotlight on me every chance he gets," Thorax said, glaring a hole between his lead guard's eyes. Tarsus grinned shamelessly.
"But that's why I'm your favorite. Right, Papa Thorax?" he asked, cocking his head to the tune of a sly tone.
"Not with that attitude, you're not. In fact, I'd have to say Tibia is beating you to the top of that list today. He offered to keep Spike entertained, after all, whereas I'm doing most of the work here."
Suddenly, the sound of hooves crossing stone began to echo through the chamber. A few shadows meandered down the staircase, soon revealing a small group of changelings chatting amongst themselves. Upon spotting the occupants, their upbeat conversations came to an abrupt end.
"Oh, uh, hello Thorax!" one drone forced out, waving a hoof.
"Is that the friendship princess?" another drone whispered.
"Yeah, Princess Twisparkle."
"What are they doing in the hot spring, together?"
"We'll just come back later, then," the most forefront changeling announced, promptly spinning on his hoof and pushing his fellow changelings back the way they came. Several heads poked up above the crowd, eager to catch one more glance before they were ushered out of sight.
The sound of gossip-heavy whispering lingered through the chamber until the small squad vanished. Thorax met eyes with Twilight, and the two shared a mutual, hearty laugh.
"For better or worse, I think that wildfire is going to spread farther than that salamander's fire ever could have," Twilight said with a giggle.
"I'm terrified to say that you're right. First, a pleasant visit from Princess Celestia, now being seen in the same hot spring with you...I'm never going to hear the end of the rumors now." Thorax stood up and shook himself dry. "But on that note, it looks like we should get going. There'll be a line if we wait around much longer."
"I agree, and I think I have an excellent grasp of changeling hive layouts now, all thanks to you." Twilight gently squeezed her mane through a compressed layer of magic, then stashed away her books and quills before giving her full attention to Thorax.
"We should head over to meet Spike and the others. I'm sure he's antsier than ever to get you in on his game."
"Honestly, I wonder if he's managed to grab the interest of the drones. Hopefully they're at least a little bit interested."
"You can't cast an inanimate object spell. You have no mana!" a drone bellowed, pointing his hoof accusingly across the table.
"I do, and we both know it!" The accused changeling crossed his hooves. "You're just a sourbug because Spike gave me one of his mana potions and not you."
"Guys, guys, come on." Spike tried to interject but was swiftly drowned out by more yelling.
"Would you guys shut up and come help me already!?" A third drone pointed both hooves at his own character piece on the board. "I'm being attacked by a hungry hydra, all by myself! I can't think of how to not get eaten with you two going on about mana potions!"
"Not our fault you frolicked off by yourself," a fourth drone muttered under his breath, his head planted as he awaited his turn. Hydra-fodder-changeling gave him a dirty look.
The once calm and quiet cavern reverberated with bickering too plentiful to make out. Changelings flailed their hooves, pointing at one another and buzzing their wings in anger.
Spike slapped his face with his palm. It was almost as bad as trying to hang out with other dragons.
"C'mon guys, let's help Gadaric overcome the hydra, then we can all move on to-"
"You guys don't even care about teamwork. You just wanna level up till you can sweep everything you come across," Hydra-fodder-changeling grumbled. Sinister stares assaulted him at once.
"You ran off!"
"Only because I wanted to go on an adventure and you guys didn't!"
"Hey, hey!"
Like a thunderclap scaring fillies under their sheets, the drones shuddered violently at the loud voice. Their bickering was quelled in an instant. A few heads turned towards the far corridor with wide eyes, where Thorax stood with an aura of disapproval. A slightly taken-aback but very impressed Twilight stood just behind him.
"Uh oh, 'Papa Thorax' is back."
"Shut up, shut up, he'll hear you!"
"Really, you guys? Do I have to be around all the time so that you'll behave?" His tone dared a reply, but none came. The alpha changeling approached, and the drones seemed to shrink into the floor. By the time Thorax's shadow cast itself across the table, only the eyes and ears of changelings were visible past the table's edges.
"And why when we have guests here, of all times? Princess Twilight and my good friend Spike came all the way from Ponyville to visit us today, and he's trying to play a game with you. Can't you guys get along for their sake, if not your own?"
"Sorry, Thorax," one drone mumbled, touching the fronts of his hooves together.
"I guess we got carried away with the game."
Thorax turned his attention to Tibia, who had been quietly sitting at the far edge of the table, praying he wouldn't be noticed.
"Tibia, I left you here to look after everyone. Why didn't you keep things under control?"
"I, uh," Tibia stuttered, rubbing his leg under the sudden spotlight. "I thought it might be part of the game."
"And you didn't clarify that with Spike?"
"Well, no, because...as soon as I figured I should, it got way too loud to talk to him."
Thorax stared at him for a long while, then buried a hoof in his temple. Leading his former rowdy peers with kindness and understanding was not nearly as straightforward as he hoped it'd be.
"No harm is done, everyone. I'm not upset, and I'm sure Spike isn't either," Twilight assured, quickly nudging Spike in the head as soon as he opened his mouth. "Everyone has times when they disagree. I'm sure if you give some thought to how your fellow changelings might feel in the future, you'll all start to understand each other more easily."
The changelings nodded vigorously at their bailout opportunity, donning exaggerated grins as soon as Thorax glanced their way.
"Thank you, Twilight," Thorax said softly, eyeing the drones with knowing skepticism. "And I want to apologize to you, Spike. I'm sorry they messed up your game for you. If you're still up for playing, I think I'm ready to join in now, at least for a little while. I imagine Twilight would like to discuss some things with me, before the day's end."
"Oh, no worries," Spike said, picking up a few stray game pieces that had been knocked over in all the fighting. "They learned all the rules really well, and, frankly, this sorta thing just happens sometimes. We can pick back up where we left off. All we gotta do is make you a character."
"And I am perfectly content with letting Spike have his time with you and the changelings, Thorax," Twilight added in, finding herself a relatively comfortable spot on the stone floor and creating a nest of books and papers. "I need some time to reflect on my notes, anyway. You and I can discuss things further this evening. Please take some time to relax."
Thorax found himself a spot at the gaming table, and the group prepared to once again embark into the land of Ogres and Oubliettes. Meanwhile, Tarsus quietly made his way towards Tibia, and then prodded his friend's chitin.
"'Too loud to hear him', huh?" Tarsus hissed with snark, just loud enough for Tibia to hear. Said changeling glared.
"Yeah, so what? I'm not good at getting wound-up changelings under control; that's your thing. He should have stuck your butt here with the group, and I could have gone on the tour with the princess."
"True, but I think we've reached a hilarious development."
"And what's that?"
"That even 'Papa Thorax' is better at yelling than you are, now." Tarsus's grin widened, while Tibia's mouth flattened. "More importantly, I'm definitely his favorite again after this little fiasco."
"He's about to settle down and start playing the game, you know." Tibia's tone dripped with condescension. "You sure you don't wanna go snuggle his hoof or something, Tarsus? Being his favorite and all. Maybe he'll even let you curl up in his lap like a puppy."
Tibia stuck out his tongue. It was Tarsus's turn to frown.
Spike was a tough dragon, or at least he liked to think so.
He didn't make cute sounds when he saw cute things, and he didn't ogle at cute things when they occurred. Well, unless you counted Rarity fussing with her hair. Or sewing. Or talking. Pretty much anything Rarity did at all tended to be an exception.
However, even a manly dragon such as Spike couldn't help but beam at the touching scene before him.
Thorax had drawn in the other changelings like a magnet, without even saying a word. Where before the half-dozen drones had evenly spread themselves around the table, they had now all converged around Thorax, pointing out aspects of the game for him. The impatience they harbored for each other mere moments before had melted away, replaced by an eagerness to help their leader learn the rules of the game, and watch him play.
And it wasn't just Spike who had taken notice. Twilight had once again put quill to paper, watching the scene with a scholarly fascination. From what she could see, it wasn't from a sense of obligation in the presence of royalty, as many ponies did with herself and the other princesses. It was something more. It was a genuine love and respect they seemed to harbor for their monarch past simple rank. Just being around Thorax made them more relaxed, more positive.
Was it shared love magic? Was the changeling leader capable of somehow influencing mood through it?
The feathery tail of her quill caressed the peak of her chin. This elusive force, intangible and undetectable by any species other than the changelings, continued to tease and elude her. It wetted her perpetually insatiable appetite.
"And this is my character, Thorax," one drone proclaimed, making sure he had the alpha changeling's attention before proudly pointing at one of Spike's claw-drawn game pieces. "He's called 'Phrixus the All-Seeing', and he has a crystal ball thing that lets him see into the near future. It also happens to shoot lightning bolts."
"Lightning bolts?" Thorax repeated with a chuckle, comfortably sitting back on his haunches. "Isn't that a bit much?"
"Nah, more than half the characters have magical abilities in the land of Spiketopia," Spike stated. "It's all about your level. 'Phrixus the All-Seeing' is only level four, so he's not very powerful yet. His lightning bolts could charge a light bulb, but it won't fry a beast charging at him."
"Not yet, anyway," 'Phrixus' changeling added. "Just wait, I'll be causing thunderstorms to rain down and obliterate all opposition in no time."
"Well, my character is 'Sir Demonax'," another changeling declared, "and he has the power to summon lost souls to fight for him. No beast, big or small, can deal with an army of the undead!"
"So what you're saying is he's a coward and can't fight his own battles?" a neighboring drone taunted.
"Hey, buzz off! There's nothing wrong in having helpers in battle. Always fighting alone is foolish and arrogant, kinda like you."
"Well, I think it's pretty cool you all have such different characters," Thorax offered, addressing the entire table. "Everyling has something different to offer, which means we're all the better when we work together, right?"
A few smiles broke out in response, give or take a few persisting scowls.
"So I guess it's my turn, now? Is there anything the team needs most? What's the roster so far, Spike?"
"Well, Tibia is a monk and he's our healer, even though everyone else signed a blood oath to never accept his assistance in battle," Spike said flatly. "Otherwise, including me, we have two wizards, two warriors, a warlock, and a rogue."
"Thorax should definitely be a paladin," said the drone to Thorax's left.
"Then we'd have three wizard types; three warriors, one rogue, and one monk," said the drone to Thorax's right. "Imbalance, much?"
"It’s not just about what the classes are. It's about your roles." The leftside drone leaned across in front of Thorax and rested his front hooves on the rocky table. "If you had been paying attention to Spike when he explained the rules, you'd know that."
The pair of changelings resumed their earlier bickering, and Thorax shook his head in surrender.
Spike turned to Twilight wearing an aching look of pride.
"Twilight, they've learned so well!" he whispered, glee brimming from every word. "Even the class-to-role ratios!"
"You're an excellent teacher, Spike," Twilight quipped with a giggle whilst organizing her notes. "All those games with Big Mac and Discord seemed to have paid off."
"Oh please, I was a master of Ogres and Oubliettes way before I made it cool." Spike sat down again and picked up his dice. "Now then, Thorax, it's totally up to you. A paladin is a mighty and holy warrior; they are pretty cool. But you could also be a monk or another healing type; or maybe a wizard, like me."
"Yeah, be a paladin, Thorax!"
"No way, be a rogue! We get to sneak around and collect treasure!"
"Be a wizard, Thorax! We can start a wizard guild with Spike!"
All eyes turned to Thorax. The big changeling looked rather unsure of what to do with himself. He glanced around at the various faces, all watching him with gripped anticipation.
"You guys never make things easy for me, do you? Well, I guess I'll go with-"
"Thorax, we finished the last of the watchtowers! The hive is complete!"
The bated breath held across the table was condemned, and all attention turned upwards. A red and yellow drone had emerged from a morphed hole in the ceiling, with a small squad following behind him. They all landed before their surprised monarch, and saluted him with proud grins.
"Wait, it's done?" Thorax repeated, blinking in disbelief. "But, we didn't have any work on it scheduled for today. Didn't you guys hear me when I announced that Princess Twilight was visiting today? Everyling had the day off."
"We couldn't wait!" the lead changeling replied, the drones behind him nodding in agreement. "I hope that's okay. There were just a couple of towers left. We saw that Tarsus and Tibia stopped work when the princess got here, so we wanted to surprise everyling. And now it's done! Our new hive is finally done!"
On cue, the squad broke into cheers, and the rest of the drones at the table quickly joined their jubilation. Spike clapped for the sudden accomplishment, and Twilight watched as everyling tackled and embraced each other.
"I'm so happy for you all!" she said, emerging from her nest of knowledge and joining Spike by his side. "It feels wonderful to put the finishing touches on a new home. I found that out first-hoof myself quite some time ago."
"That deep tissue massage still gives me aches and pains, sometimes," Spike mumbled, rubbing a claw along his back.
The cluster of drones landed by their king, clamoring around him excitedly. Chuckling at the sudden assemblage, Thorax laid a hoof against each head in sequence. Some changelings shied away, staring up at Thorax with disoriented stares, while others nudged into the hoof, accepting the affection like a badge of honor.
"I guess we have an announcement to make to the rest of the hive," Thorax said. "Thanks for finishing the towers, guys. I can't believe how hard everyling's worked. You finished it all so quickly, even with all the damage it took."
"You're telling me! The entire throne room blew up!" a drone exclaimed. "Which, by the way, still doesn't make sense to me."
"You've helped us stay energized, Thorax," said another. "And you've been helping us stay organized and efficient, too. It was a group effort, and you're a part of that group now."
Suddenly, another drone jumped on him, and then another, and another. A heaping pile of changelings twisted and rolled at Thorax's hooves, losing themselves in a fit of laughter. Thorax spectated the play with a paternal fondness. He was a part of them now. Another thing he regularly had to remind himself of these days.
"Thorax?"
He shook himself from his thoughts and turned to the princess.
"I just talked with Spike, and we've decided that we'd like to stay the night, if that's alright with you. I planned on the possibility of not returning to Ponyville until tomorrow as it was, just to be safe. I'd love to understand what changelings do during nightly routines. We also have much to discuss regarding your plans, and I’d like to be there when you make your announcement to your subjects."
"Of course!" Thorax answered with no second thought. "I was actually hoping you'd want to do that, all along."
"I think Twilight just wants to see cuddling changelings. I mean, let's be honest," Spike commented. Twilight swiftly aimed a piercing glare at him.
"That is not true!" The alicorn tried to defend herself, though her frazzled voice was obvious. "I happen to have shared love magic as the main topic of my next chapter of notes, mister smarty dragon."
Thorax broke into a fit of laughter that Spike quickly shared.
As the golden sun neared the end of its journey across the sky, the excited group of changelings eventually settled down. To the pouting disappointment of several, Thorax had decided to go down the holy paladin path. Rallied by 'Xalvador the Noble and Just', Garbuckle the Magician and his crusaders managed to save Gadaric the Gallant from the hungry hydra and proceeded to storm the frightful castle of the evil squizard. Though inexperienced, their teamwork proved to be too powerful for the calamari's evil minions, and they were pushed back until all that remained was the demon himself.
In a climactic and legendary duel to be remembered for generations to come, Xalvador engaged the evil squizard atop his tower. With the aid of his trusty healer and a little luck on the side of the dice, the evil creature was run through by Xalvador's Sword of Light, banishing the squizard to darkness for all eternity. Thorax had never seen so much cheering from the drones. Spike could scarcely contain his elation in the end, now having successfully taught changelings how to play his favorite game, and witnessing his friend vanquish his in-game nemesis.
After packing the game away, and being told by Thorax about the hive's hot springs, Spike ventured off for a bit of relaxation.
Once the victorious changelings dispersed to various parts of the hive, Twilight accompanied Thorax outside for a much-needed breath of fresh air.
"Thorax, there's something that just fills me with this sense of joy," Twilight said softly, as she enjoyed the chilled breeze against her face and the tickling grass beneath her hooves. "The changelings were never meant to be monsters. All this time, ponies and other creatures have lived in fear of changeling attacks. They feared for their lives, their freedom; they believed that changelings were evil. But in the end, only one out of them all was proven to be truly evil."
Thorax's colors dulled in the shroud of the moon. When he turned to examine Twilight's thoughtful face, his deep-set eyes seemed to glint.
"I can't say whether or not Chrysalis will ever see a way of life without conquest," Thorax began, shifting his gaze to the grass below. "What I do know is that the shrewd and dark creatures that attacked and tormented others were taught from birth that they were outcasts, and that the only means to obtain food was through dominance. I may have been the first to escape and seek out a better way, but many of us simply never thought there could be a better way. Chrysalis was all there ever was, and for all we could tell, all there ever would be."
"I think you were born different for a reason, Thorax. You sought out a better way because you had a spark no other changeling had. Seeing you all so happy, so full of life today is proof enough that your actions are leading toward a better future for your kind. I think I speak on behalf of all of Equestria's princesses when I say that Equestria is happy to be a part of that future with you."
Thorax thanked her with a meek little smile.
"Now, to that end, what's on your mind?" she asked. "You've helped me so much today, so please allow me to help you. As a princess of Equestria, and as your friend, I am here to support you."
"Well, one of the things Princess Celestia brought up was the Crystal Empire. It'd be a good place to start introducing my kind to the public eye. I planned on contacting Princess Cadance as soon as the hive was completed, but that happened a day or two sooner than I had planned. I'm just not sure what the best approach would be, yet. Building relations with other lands still makes me nervous."
Thorax fluttered his wings. Just thinking of the daunting work ahead of him was both exhilarating and terrifying. He bit his lip in an attempt to calm himself down.
"To be honest, Twilight, I'm so new to being a leader, and it's really intimidating at times. I want to do what's best for my kind, but I don't even know what that is. The Changeling Kingdom was built around Chrysalis, by Chrysalis. I don't even have changelings I can turn to for advice because Chrysalis never had use for advisers. I mean, I can appoint some, but they'll be learning along with me, right?"
Twilight found herself relating to him more and more as he spoke. His anxiety, especially.
"Well, first of all, I think the Crystal Empire is a great first step. In fact, I'm sure the changelings and the crystal ponies have a lot more in common than you might think. The crystal ponies know a thing or two about evolving when happy and full of love."
Twilight placed her hoof across Thorax's back.
"And Thorax, I completely understand. When I was crowned as Equestria's fourth princess, I was confused, too. I was unsure of myself and the role I was meant to play in Equestria. Granted, I had the support of the other princesses and my friends from the start, but it was still my own quest to discover what my purpose was, and it was intimidating."
Twilight laid against the grass, and Thorax followed suit. The stars had begun to pierce the darkening sky.
"You may not have any changelings to help guide you, Thorax, but you do have us. We can help you get started on your journey to discover yourselves, in the same way that Princess Celestia once guided me to establish myself as the princess of friendship."
The king's quivering lip boasted invisibility in the dark, but his sullen stature did not, and it was something Twilight knew all too well. With the help of her hoof rubbing along his magenta shell, Thorax slowly digested the princess's words. The cool air filled his lungs and he labored a sigh.
"Why don't Spike and I accompany you to the Crystal Empire tomorrow afternoon? Princess Cadance is my sister-in-law, and Prince Shining Armor is my brother. And, of course, we're both aware of Spike's reputation there. I'm sure with two princesses and a local hero with you, every pony in the Crystal Empire will be happy to give your subjects a warm welcome."
Thorax looked at her with puzzlement. "But it's already nightfall. How can we possibly get in touch with Princess Cadance before tomorrow? Won't it be rude to show up without prior notice?"
Twilight giggled to herself, which only served to deepen the changeling's bafflement.
"It'll be fine, Thorax. I'll have Spike send a scroll to Princess Luna tonight before we all turn in. Princess Luna is rather special, you see. She protects the night in Equestria, and she can communicate with ponies in their dreams. I'm sure if we ask Luna nicely and explain the reasoning, she'll let Cadance know of our visit without even waking her up."
Bafflement skipped right on past hesitation and embraced its good friend, shock.
"But isn't that invasive?" Thorax asked. "That almost seems kind of rude. Are you sure she wouldn't mind?"
"Oh, not to worry," Twilight assured, waving her hoof dismissively. "Luna visits ponies in their dreams all the time, and usually for reasons not nearly as large-scale as this one."
"Well, alright. It sounds like a good plan to me. Well, the 'you coming with me' part, at least."
"Excellent!" Twilight’s gleeful anticipation now strangled any hope of a good night's rest. Not only was she assisting her friend with a first major step in politics, but she'd also be paying a surprise visit to her brother, sister-in-law, and absolute favorite niece.
"Let's hold off on diving deeper into things until tomorrow then," she suggested, getting to her hooves and enticing Thorax to do the same. "Princess Cadance is even wiser than I am. I'm confident she'll have plenty of ideas on how to integrate changelings with the crystal ponies."
Thorax nodded, once more finding an alicorn's logic to be flawless.
"That sounds great. If that's the case, would you like to head back inside now?"
Twilight gave a slight shiver before smiling sheepishly. Thorax mirrored it.
"I think now might be a great time to show you just how well the walls of the new nesting chamber keep us warm."
Situated at the hive's core, slightly below sea level, the communal nesting chamber was impregnable. It boasted the capacity to house every changeling within its walls, and it served as a heat trap. With walls three feet thick, a mere three tunnels acting as entrances/exits, and over thirty feet of earth separating it from the open air, not even a Windigo-fueled snowstorm could inconvenience them.
With such open space came recreation as well. Roughhousing, mock fights, and all manner of aerial activities during bad weather were common occurrences. The acoustics also provided Thorax a great deal of assistance in addressing the hive whenever needed. Even the nymphs benefitted—the hive nursery sat just east of the chamber, providing adult drones the ideal place to spend time while awaiting the young ones to wake from naps.
As dusk turned to night, the once empty chamber began to flood with changelings. They poured in like a released river from each available tunnel, their wings blending into a loud, monotonous buzz.
Thorax watched and waited at one side of the cavern as entire groups of changelings seated themselves on their haunches in long rows. Now and then, a drone would accidentally bump or shove another, and a resulting hiss or grumble could be heard.
Tarsus and Tibia stood before the front row, keeping an eye on the crowd and ensuring that everyling remained calm. Tarsus stood tall and proud, firm as a statue. Tibia paced to and fro, dropping his serious facade periodically whenever he spotted a bug he knew.
From between them, Thorax stepped forward, signaling the crowd's attention with a wave of his hoof.
"Thanks for coming so quickly, everyling. This will be a very brief announcement, actually. Other changelings may have already told some of you, but I wanted to make it official because I believe it's important."
In an ocean of blank expressions, a handful of faces were bisected by grins.
"This afternoon, a squad of changelings decided to finish work on the last of our watchtowers, as a surprise. Henceforth, I'm excited to say that, almost two days ahead of schedule, our new hive is complete!"
The resulting explosion of sound made Twilight jump from her modest corner. Every changeling in the cavern erupted into cheers. Hooves stomped, surprisingly intricate aerial displays launched, and the unrelenting chirp of hundreds of rubbing wings stroked the air. This assault on the ears went unperturbed for almost a minute before a combined effort from Tarsus, Tibia, and Thorax managed to regain calm.
"I'm really, truly thankful for all the work everyling has done to rebuild our hive. Just know that I'm proud of all of you, all of us, and that I couldn't be more excited to see what we can accomplish next."
Another round of cheers and stomps erupted, albeit far tamer.
"And now, before a lot of us turn in for the night, our gracious guest, Princess Twilight Sparkle from Equestria, would like to say a few words."
Twilight blinked. Wait, what? Her? In front of every changeling in the entire hive? But she hadn't prepared a speech, or-
Her anxiety wasn't given time to trigger a meltdown. Thorax was smiling and beckoning her on, and every pair of eyes was on her.
"Hello, everyone," Twilight began with a shaky voice, taking a few steps forward. "A lot of you may know me. I'm Princess Twilight, also known colloquially as the Princess of Friendship. I'm sure I've met at least a few of you before. A few of you may have even been me before."
Absolute silence. Sweat boiled off her forehead.
"Well, um, I guess the most important thing I'd like to say is that my friend Spike and I will be having a sort of sleepover tonight with you all, to try and better understand how changelings share love, especially while you sleep together in mass groups."
A brave hoof rose from near the back of the room.
"You mean you're going to watch us sleep so you can understand how we sleep?"
A few changelings snickered.
"Well, sort of. You all gain energy through communal resting now, and you all share love instead of taking it, and I know the ponies of Equestria would find that information very interesting. I know I sure would, or do, rather. For those who normally sleep in clusters with Thorax, please feel free to do so tonight as well. Spike and I will be here too, but please don't let our presence bother you."
Twilight could only manage her most awkward smile to date. The throng of drones blinked back, many of them exchanging confused looks with one another and shrugging. Eventually, however, Twilight was bailed out by her status, and the room filled with nods of understanding. She breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
"I'd just like to say 'thank you' to everyone for having us today. It's been a pleasure." She cast a glance at Thorax in hopes that he'd catch on that her speech was over. Thankfully, he had already stepped forward, drawing every changeling's attention with a flare of his wings.
"Alright, everyling, for those of you who'd like to turn in, please remain here with Princess Twilight and I. If the rest of you could please use the other main chambers for staying up, I would greatly appreciate it. Oh, and don't forget who's on the night shift for the nursery, please!"
Thorax dismissed the drones with another wing flare, and they took to the air in a synchronized takeoff, briefly obscuring the cavern from view as they filtered out through various tunnels. A fair number stayed on the ground, standing up and venturing over from their spots as soon as the path had been cleared.
"Twilight! Thorax!"
Twilight turned to find a waterlogged dragon emerging from a side tunnel, holding his knees and gasping for breath.
"Spike?" she said, her voice peaking. "What happened? Where have you been all this time?"
"Asleep...in the hot springs...didn't realize...what was going on until...I woke up, and everyone was gone," he panted. "One changeling came back and got me, said he saw me and wanted to make sure I didn't get lost trying to find this place."
"Well, you're just in time!" Twilight snaked a hoof around the young dragon and pressed her cheek to his. "The changelings are about to go to sleep, and so are we. We're going to have a big day tomorrow—we're heading to the Crystal Empire with Thorax before heading home. But first, I'm going to try and document the phenomena of shared love magic in person!"
"I knew exactly where your priorities were this whole time," Spike chided, accepting his fate as an obscene facial growth. "Poor Thorax and his struggles are just the day job. You're here to see cuddling changelings."
The mouthy dragon was gently discarded, not to mention ignored. In a brilliant flurry of magenta magic, quills and books danced from Twilight's saddlebags in a now-established routine. She laid down near where Thorax had staked out a spot, swirling her belongings around an orbit before slowing them to their writing stations in the air by her head. Once there, quills merrily spun in anticipation, while open journals gently rose and fell like breaths.
Somedragon coughed. Twilight continued to ignore the glare she knew was assailing her from behind. No, she was absolutely not showing off.
On a seemingly first come, first serve basis, a modest group of drones seemed to 'claim' Thorax. These select few pressed into his sides, securing their sleeping spots for the night. A few even shot mocking tongues at those unable to do the same, nuzzling Thorax extravagantly as a means to taunt them. Grumbles emerged from a few jealous individuals, but most settled just fine for resting nearby.
Thorax exhaled, accepting the notion of merely existing a moment before sleep. He stretched his gossamer wings and laid them across the shells of those few changelings closest to him, and playfully ensnared the drone by his hooves in a cuddle. A few wings ventured to chirp in a display of contentment, and a few drones unable to reach Thorax settled for embracing a receptive neighbor, instead.
One by one, changelings surrendered to the night and ceased all motion—all but Thorax and his immediate company, who watched the observing princess with heavy eyes.
Twilight experienced every waking moment, her toothy grin as subtle as a strutting peacock.
"So precious!" she squeaked.
"Aaand we've lost her," Spike announced quietly, laying down against his backpack and sealing his eyelids.
"From what I've been able to gather, the closer we are, both physically and emotionally, the faster we regain energy," Thorax explained, promptly gifting Twilight's quill ammunition. "Regaining energy through being close can't completely substitute actual sleep, but the amount of time you need to sleep per day is greatly reduced when being close while being asleep. Um, if that makes any sense."
"Fascinating," Twilight whispered to herself, her nose firmly planted in her journal. "Do you know if resting together is the only form of affection that works?"
Thorax cocked his head in thought. The drone trapped between the monarch's hooves twisted about in his sleep and abruptly clutched the big changeling's leg as a comfort object. He let out a long yawn before growing still once more.
Twilight suffered an out of body experience.
"Good question. I'm pretty sure even simple gestures like hugs or head patting work, but since they're so short-lived, they probably don't do anything substantial."
"Makes sense. Perhaps it's something that'll change with proficiency." Twilight’s twinkling eyes darted from drone, to cuddled leg, to Thorax. "Oh, how about distance? Have you noticed any trends regarding the effectiveness of energy transfer?"
"Well, I'm not sure if there's a limit." Thorax let out a small yawn of his own. "I guess as long as I care about them, they can receive some kind of energy from me if they're at least within my view. If they have any close relations with any others also nearby, that helps too. That's why sleeping in large clusters is so effective. It multiplies love magic exponentially."
"Like an intermingled web of power sources. Oh, this is just amazing! I can't wait to have these notes published!"
Eventually, only Thorax and Twilight remained awake. The curious princess's questions acted as a siren against the changeling monarch's onset fatigue.
But Thorax could feel his alertness dropping steadily, anyway. The noble cause of science was not the only force pining for his attention. Five changelings firmly pressed up against him as heated pillows, their rhythmic breathing and soft snores hypnotic, lulled him closer and closer to sleep.
Thorax gently laid down his head upon the awaiting shell of his captured drone, and his fate was decided. When a ceasefire arose between Twilight's questions, the young king was gone.
Amidst Twilight's racing thoughts, her quill nearly stabbed through her theorem on shared love magic field intervals. Her grin receded to an ugly realization.
In all her earnest, the alicorn had forgotten a rather important factor.
"Spike! Spike, wake up!" Twilight hissed, prodding the young dragon with a jittery hoof.
Spike turned over. The rules of the ignore game had been reversed.
"Spike, please? I really need you to help me with something, then you can go to sleep, I promise."
She prodded him a few more times and levitated an empty scroll from one of her saddlebags. With a head turn as slow as molasses, Spike faced the sheepishly grinning alicorn with a look of death.
Elsewhere, in the majestic city of Canterlot, a magical scroll burst into life from thin air, right in front of a blue alicorn's nose.
"A letter? From Twilight Sparkle? At this hour?" Princess Luna focused on the letter at once and untied its decorative ribbon. Her brows suddenly furrowed.
"Actually, no. She is up into the central hours of my domain quite often, isn't she? This makes too much sense."
Luna unravelled the pristine parchment and began to read. As she did, her lip slowly steamrolled to a perfect edge, while an eyebrow peaked at a nasty, jagged point.
An oceanic aura crumpled the offense and hurled it from her view. Luna snorted.
"Pray tell, Twilight Sparkle, when did I become little more than a mail pony?"
"Atop Chrysalis's decimated hive, King Thorax confronts his former peers. When their discussions are interrupted by a confused and scared changeling nymph, Thorax demonstrates the power of sharing love between changelings."
Twilight Sparkle clenched her eyes. She was awake. This was a problem because it brought the awareness of light pressing against her eyelids. With a groan, she moved and stretched, her muscles as groggy and stiff as her mind.
Next, she braved the light attempting to greet her. She immediately regretted it. Shapes and colors blurred in the wake of gleaming stars lining the walls. Those cocoon lamps must've had a daylight setting.
Twilight groaned again. She owed Rarity an apology. Bringing your own furniture with you on trips had plenty of merit. Why did she think a few loose papers would adequately cushion stone?
"Thorax, why would you do this to us!?"
Well, at least her ears were working.
"Yeah, you said you liked spending time with us!"
She opened one eye this time, the one nearest the ground and furthest from the light. Soon enough, the shapes and colors began to paint the hive around her, and memories of the previous day rushed back to her.
Twilight opened her remaining eye and raised her head off the floor. The drama playing out before her had now become clearer.
"Do you not love us anymore, Thorax?"
"Please, Thorax? Just a few more minutes!"
"Have we not been good cuddlebugs?"
Thorax suffered his drone's theatrics with skepticism. The changelings tightly clung to his hooves, assaulting him with pleading eyes, but it was a futile display. He met each face of desperation with a wizened smirk.
"You can stop the act, you guys," he said calmly, patting a hoof along one of their gripped legs. "I'll admit, it was kinda cute the first few times, but now it's become a morning routine. You're just looking for an excuse to laze around all day, and you know it."
The changelings took on wounded looks. One drone put a hoof to his chest and gasped dramatically.
"Besides, even if I did want to humor you guys, I can't sleep in today. Princess Twilight offered to come with me to the Crystal Empire so we can have an audience with Princess Cadance. I want to introduce our kind to the crystal ponies so that we can become allies."
Twilight arched her back and stood up. She noticed that the nesting chamber was now largely empty, with only a hoofful of changelings still around from the night before.
She turned towards the front of the chamber, where Thorax sat with a trio of drones who seemed to be trying their best to hold him down. His subtly playful demeanor was all the context Twilight could ever need.
A mustard changeling buried his face in lime chitin. "I'd much rather stay here than make friends with crystal ponies."
A second claimed Thorax's leg in a bear hug. "Yeah, isn't the Crystal Empire in the frozen north? I'm all good on freezing my wings off."
Thorax made an effort to stand. More than once, he nearly tripped and fell on his face, tugging to get his last hoof free from the vise-like grip of his former peers.
The moment their goal fell from reach, the changelings pathetically flopped onto their backs in a last-ditch attempt to overwhelm their sentimental king. But all that awaited them was that same seasoned, nigh-taunting smirk.
"Give it up, you guys. He's on to us."
"You mean we actually have to find stuff to do now?" Like a flipped switch, the drone stood and brushed his carapace of dust. "This is lame. It worked great the first few times."
"You guys oversell it. You gotta be more subtle. Don't make cute faces, just pretend to stay asleep," another chided. "If it's his call to wake us up, then he'll delay it longer."
"Have a great day, guys. I have faith in you!" said Thorax encouragingly. The drones grumbled and yawned in reply as they disappeared down a morphing side corridor.
"Well, that was rather huffy."
Thorax's floppy ears twitched. Before he could turn around proper, Twilight had joined him, a levitating hairbrush working through her bed mane.
"Good morning, Twilight. Don't mind them. It's just a whole thing they do."
Twilight cocked an eyebrow.
"Don't you think that was just a tad manipulative?" she asked as she put away her brush. Thorax motioned his head towards the chamber's exit. Twilight followed.
"Well, maybe a little bit, but that's not exactly abnormal for changelings. You have to remember that while we may have changed form and started sharing instead of taking, old habits still die hard. Most of the changelings weren't like me, Twilight."
"How do you mean?"
"Having a disposition for being honest," Thorax mused, smiling at a couple of passing drones. "Every changeling is different. Some changelings like the idea of communal energy restoration, while others think it's frivolous and degrading."
"And others use it as an excuse to be lazy," Twilight surmised. She could so easily conjure her journals, add a quick note in the margins regarding social response to cluster napping, but...no. Today was about Thorax. She'd just have to fight the urges.
Celestia help her.
"Yeah, there are lazy changelings who try to use it as an excuse to sleep all the time." Thorax rounded a bend in the corridor. "There are also changelings who get jealous when their friends share love magic with other changelings they don't know. And though I'm doing my best to curb it, there's still some bullying going on towards changelings who enjoy communal resting."
"Who knew something so simple could spark so many problems. I can't say I'm surprised, though. Even close friends have trouble seeing eye to eye from time to time, and the changelings have entirely altered their perspectives on all sorts of things. It's no wonder there are some hiccups."
"Seeing eye to eye has always been a problem for changelings, but I think we're making progress. Part of why I enjoy resting with them is because it's the one time I can really get changelings to spend time together. I know a lot of them only participate to benefit themselves right now, but I know that'll change over time. After all, if taking naps with your hivemates doesn't improve your sociability, nothing will."
Thorax offered a laugh, and Twilight gave back a weak grin. As she watched him, she noted the spark in his eye and the genuine weight behind his smile. Bless his heart. She could scarcely name another soul in Equestria quite as genuine.
"Yesterday, when you were playing 'Ogres and Oublietes' with Spike and the other changelings, I noticed something," Twilight said. "The other changelings were quarreling when we arrived, but as soon as you sat down with them, things changed, dramatically so. It was like your presence itself was able to influence their mood positively. Have you noticed anything like that before?"
Thorax giggled again. He kissed the ground with his gaze as if it were an old friend.
"I've thought about it a few times, yes. When I spend time with changelings who accept me as the hive leader and share their love magic with me, they're influenced by my magic in return. It becomes easier for them to befriend each other around me because of it."
"As the alpha, your love magic must be pretty potent." Twilight's thoughts raced, scrambling to remember every detail of the conversation for later recording. Even the chance of a sullen lip or fallen eye from her friend upon caving to her note-taking was a risk she would not take.
Today was about Thorax and his needs. The next note topic of Changelings and Changed Forms would have to wait.
Eventually, after a grueling, maze-like trip through the hive's inner tunnels, the pair passed through an apparent recreational space, where one question Twilight had been harboring was swiftly answered. Spike was among a small group of drones, apparently deep into a game of tag. Their mutual laughter reverberated off the stone walls as they bounded around, chasing down one another like excitable foals. Warmth filled the alicorn's face.
It was, however, short-lived. With a loud thud, Spike was relentlessly face-planted by a changeling from behind.
The one responsible cackled. "I got him! Bug pile! Bug pile!"
An alarming amount of drones fell limply from the air, ruthlessly piling onto the first. Only one tiny claw was visible from underneath the pile of chittering chitin, wiggling weakly.
Twilight winced. Maybe it wasn't tag, after all.
"Honey, can you please give the guards their duties for today when you're able?"
"Yes, dear."
"Oh, and can you please let Sunburst know we'll be requiring his assistance with Flurry Heart this afternoon during the meeting?"
"Of course, dear."
"Speaking of, I'm going to go check on her. Can you meet me in the main hall in half an hour?"
"Absolutely, dear."
"I love you, Shining Armor."
"I love you, too."
Shining Armor listened to the echoes of his wife's hooves leave their bedroom. When the silence surrounded him once more, he was overcome with contentment, and a choice. It would be the toughest choice he'd ever faced in all his years serving as a guard pony. It was also a choice he did battle with every morning.
Five more minutes, or no?
The longer he remained unsure, the more the room's silence speared him like Cadance's disapproval. The white stallion stretched out his hindquarters with a guttural groan, his rear-end rising from underneath a deep lavender blanket. Though they had both suffered from lack of sleep due to unnamed baby alicorns, he had weathered it the worst. At least Cadance had always been an early-riser.
Shining Armor emerged from the comfiest bed in Equestria with a stammer in his step and rubbed the crust from his eyes.
"Guards...Sunburst...Twiley...Thorax..."
Shining repeated his mandated chores to himself quietly as made his way down the hall. His mane was a disaster, his eyes were sunken, and his posture was lethargic; he was hardly an authoritative sight to behold. Furthermore, he was so lost in his own mind fog that he failed to notice a brown-coated guard pony only feet away.
"Prince Captain Shining Armor! Good morning, sir!" the guard barked, saluting his captain and prince with gusto. "How are you this fine morning?"
"Been better—I mean, never better," Shining stammered. "Hey, you haven't happened to see my wife leave Flurry Heart's room, have you?"
"The princess? I don't believe so, sir. I saw her walk that way and have not seen her since."
"Must still be with Flurry. Guess I'll go find the squads and give them their orders."
"What was that, sir?"
"Oh, nothing. . . Hey, actually, can you please inform squad's three and four to do castle rounds today? I'm going to have squads six and seven patrol the borders. There's a lot of commotion today, gotta switch things up."
The guard pony blinked. Shining Armor sauntered by, and a curious gaze followed his flank right out of the corridor.
"But, Prince Captain Shining Armor, there are only six squads in the Crystal Empire!"
"Before we head off for the Crystal Empire, Twilight, there's one more thing I have to do. You could call it a morning routine of my own. I hope that's okay."
"Of course! Work at your own pace, Thorax. I'm merely here to assist in whatever ways I can. What's this last thing?"
She couldn't see it then, but she could picture a toothy smile from his tone.
"Oh, you'll see soon enough. There's someling I have to check up on. He's usually up around this time."
The royal pair ascended a steepened passage, one much narrower than what they'd encountered thus far. Twilight bowed her head as she followed Thorax's lead, tinges of claustrophobia tickling the corners of her mind.
But grim hypotheticals were soon lost to the growing sound of sprightly laughter and a sporadic chirping, echoing from the end of the hall. The familiar pitch of children's voices played in her ears, and far lovelier pictures now filled her head.
"Thorax," she breathed. "Are those-"
"Hang on. We're almost there."
As Thorax exited her path, the sun's familiar warmth hugged Twilight's being, and she emerged from the passage with a cautious squint. When tiny, vibrant shells passed by, she gulped air, and her eyes widened despite the onset of painful tears.
A large chamber fitted with rows of carved windows filled her view, decorated with stone pillars that ran from floor to ceiling. In every corner and from every angle buzzed tiny changelings, with the occasional adult mixed among them. Radiant beams of light from the windows bathed them for the briefest of moments, rendering them iridescent and drawing inspiration for flight paths that frequented such spots. The bugs raced around the open space, chasing, leaping, and playing with each other in an endless cycle of glee.
Twilight's legs became jelly. Well, that was that. Starlight would have to become a princess in her stead because she was never going home.
"I was only able to show you the old nesting chamber yesterday," Thorax stated, his attention seized by devilish nymphs now lightly tugging against his antlers. "At the time of our tour, it was nap time for the hive's young, and I didn't want to risk waking anyling up. Meet the hive's youngest generation!"
Thorax was spouting words, or at least he may have been. Big-eyed, buggy cherubs had long since claimed Twilight's heart and soul.
"They're absolutely precious!" she cooed, extending a hoof to try and coax the nymphs closer. When two of them curiously fluttered over, Twilight squealed.
"Oh, that yellow one is Mandi." Thorax turned to address the bumblebee nymph with a silky voice. "Mandi, this is Princess Twilight. She's a pony visiting us from Equestria. Did you know she really likes hugs? Would you like to give her one?"
Twilight's heart stopped. Her eccentric expression reflected off Mandi's emerald eyes, and so she endeavored to reign it back into something less desperate. The fourth Equestrian princess should at least pretend her future didn't depend on the affections of a changeling nymph.
But oh, it did.
Mandi's curious glance bloomed, and two hooves curled about Twilight's neck. The alicorn's fresh tears ran free. No help was needed from the morning sun.
"Oh, just call me Aunty Twiley, sweetie," Twilight implored, gingerly wrapping one hoof around the small changeling's back. She turned to Thorax, who had resorted to more devious methods of obtaining snuggles from the nymphs assailing his antlers. Seized by teal magic, the young bugs involuntarily took turns having their snouts pressed to the monarch's and nuzzled.
"If it's okay for me to ask, whose are they?" Twilight inquired, scarcely able to bring herself to interrupt the scene. "They're not all...Chrysalis's by chance, are they?"
"Oh, no. That's a common misconception, actually." Thorax released his captured bugs to the ongoing frivolity filling the room. "Even in the case of a queen, a hive leader doesn't actually lay all the eggs. The leader just has the authority to watch over and raise them how they see fit. At least, that's what Chrysalis did. Changelings are only part insect—we actually mate and lay eggs in pairs like many creatures do. Having spent so much time around ponies, I thought it best to let nymphs be raised by their birth changelings, now, as well as the community at large."
Only by the magic of Mandi's embrace was Twilight's will held together, now. A magenta spark danced about her horn tip, and the books in her saddlebags fidgeted impatiently. At the rate changeling lore was being dropped, her addiction would need addressing sooner rather than later.
She opened her mouth, but a far spunkier voice than hers graced the air.
"Papa Thorax! Where have you been!? I've waited for you all morning!"
Twilight saw a crimson-shelled nymph bolt along the ground, beelining for Thorax. His miniature ears were pressed tight against his head as he charged, building up both speed and his impish smirk.
Without a second thought, Thorax sat back on his haunches, casting the bug torpedo a beaming smile Twilight had not yet seen from him. The inevitable tackle knocked Thorax clear over, and two more laughs joined the room's choir.
"You've been waiting for me?" Thorax's voice had lightened, softer than clouds. His front hooves securely pinned the nymph to his chest. "Now why would you go and do something like that?"
"Um, you promised we'd play a bit every morning, Papa Thorax," the nymph criticized, squirreling against his restraints with limited success. "But you didn't even look for me when you came in."
Thorax was met with a pout. He grinned.
"I was distracted. Maybe if you had been at the ready to poke and prod at me like those other nymphs were, you'd have gotten nose kisses, too."
The nymph revealed his tongue. "I don't want nose kisses, Papa Thorax, I wanna play! And lemme go! I don't want your hugs, either!"
Thorax's grin grew insatiable. "Hmm, that's something a nymph who wants nose kisses and hugs would say."
"No, they wouldn't! I mean, no, I don't! I don't want your hugs right now, Papa Thorax! Lemme go; I wanna run!"
"Alright, let me think it over." Thorax scrunched his eyebrows, and lightly bobbed his head to and fro for a moment. Finally, a snout pressed against the nymph's.
"No can do. You're getting hugs."
Thorax playfully smothered the captured nymph, curling his body and rocking in place. Whines of protest saturated the air.
Somewhere a few yards away, Twilight proceeded on with her heart attack. Her lip was now on its' second minute of being self-bit. But it would be fine. Starlight was a capable pony. She'd make an excellent replacement princess.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Twilight," Thorax reached out suddenly, eyeing the mare with newfound energy. "This is Apex. He's one of the hive's youngest adult nymphs, or rather, 'preadolescents' is what I think Shining Armor said ponies call that age range. Apex, this is Princess Twilight. She's from Equestria and has been here visiting."
With their introduction properly staged, Thorax got to his hooves and levitated the young changeling to a comfortable seat between his antlers, who then stared at the alicorn for a moment.
Twilight beamed. "Hel-"
"Hi, princess pony! I'm Apex. Your wings are really cool!" Gripping hold of Thorax's antler, the micro changeling leaned around his horn to get a better look. "Why do you have a picture on your butt? Do all ponies have butt pictures or only princess ponies?"
Thorax was ripped from his lackadaisical thoughts. With an onset grimace, he raised a hoof, seeking to get the mannerless drone under control. Unfortunately for him, his assaulting appendage was little more than an invitation to play.
"Quite rambunctious, isn't he?" Twilight said sweetly, giggling as Apex playfully punched and fought back Thorax's hoof. Thorax's eyes widened, and his mouth silently worded 'you have no idea'.
"Can you blow things up with your horn like Papa Thorax can?" Apex carried on, having successfully wrestled down the hoof. "What do ponies eat? Do they eat love? Another changeling told me they eat rocks, but I think he was lying to me."
Thorax looked beside himself, but Twilight's face lit the already glimmering room.
"You are just too adorable, Apex. I know I certainly don't eat rocks, but I have a close friend who eats rock candy, and her family has a rock soup recipe. The world is full of fascinating things. Even I learn new things every day."
Satisfied with her answer, Apex nodded enthusiastically. Thorax put a hoof to his face.
"If you don't mind me asking, how old are you, Apex?"
"I'm five months old!"
Twilight stared back in sheer bafflement.
"Five...months?"
"He's five months old since he was a larva," Thorax clarified, his eyes rolling upwards to glance at the perched drone. "Changelings mature rapidly from larvae into our adult forms, and then the aging process slows down. From now on, he'll just molt annually until he's the size of a typical adult."
A spark in Twilight's eyes had spread to her horn, and a magenta storm of writings, parchment, quills, and ink emerged at last.
"I'm gonna need you to tell me everything."
"I'm sorry."
"..."
"Honey, I apologize. I should have taken a cold shower or something before trying to get things done."
"..."
"Cadance, please don't give me that look. I know you're disappointed."
A group of guards off in the corner did their best to contain their snickering as, for the second time this week, Princess Cadance stared her husband into submission. The stallion rubbed the back of his head, having moved right past sheepish expressions and now assuming a defeated posture.
"I'm just messing with you at this point," Cadance said at last, breaking her frown with a giggle. Shining rolled his eyes, only to be caught off guard by a hoof under his chin.
"I know you're not a morning person, Shining Armor, but there are still mornings where you're way too out of it to get anything done. You've got to let me know when you're exhausted so that I can help. We're a team, and I love you."
Shining glowed.
"I love you too. And, you're absolutely right. I guess I've been trying to power through it a bit too often, lately." He wrapped one foreleg around her outstretched hoof and rested his forehead against hers. "I promise I'll do better to let you know in the future."
The two royal ponies shared a long, quiet moment, and sealed it with a warm kiss.
Shining Armor turned his attention back to the guards, who had since regained their composure. Putting forth a more commanding presence, he began a steady pace down the line.
"In a matter of hours, we'll be receiving a visit from not only my sister, Princess Twilight, but also her guest and ours: newly-crowned King Thorax of the Changeling Kingdom." Shining made eye contact with each guard as he passed them. "This is a major opportunity for not just the Crystal Empire, but Equestria as a whole. The changelings are no longer hostile. They are no longer lead by the tyrant, Chrysalis. They are now led by Thorax, who we've come to know as a compassionate changeling and a citizen of the Crystal Empire."
Cadance watched her husband take charge with a content smile. For what he lacked in alertness at times, he more than made up for with leadership and passion. She could see the respect and admiration the guards harbored for him in their eyes.
"King Thorax has honored the request of Equestria's princesses to forge an alliance together. Today, I want our empire to shine like it never has before. As the first of Equestria's major populaces to make contact with the newly-formed Changeling Kingdom, it is now our duty to treat Thorax and his subjects with the same respect we give all our friends and foreign neighbors."
"I want squads one, three, and four on the borders. I want squads two and five stationed in the castle. Lastly, I want squad six at the train station, awaiting our guests' arrival. I'm not sure if they'll be coming in by train, but I want it covered in case they do. If you encounter any problems, send a squad member to report to me. If you encounter our guests, make it your highest priority to escort them here safely. Dismissed!"
The assembly saluted and quickly dispersed into groups, galloping out in different directions.
As the room became quiet once more, Cadance lit her horn and gently rose the shimmering mobile bed of her young foal into the air. Still fast asleep, Flurry Heart sucked on her front hoof, blissfully unaware of what transpired around her.
Together, the trio left the castle lobby and stepped out into the grand sun of the afternoon.
"You know, come to think of it, I think it might be your fault I was so tired today," Shining said with a wide smile, causing his wife to raise an eyebrow.
"Oh? And how's that, exactly?" Cadance asked skeptically, Flurry Heart ever so subtly bobbing up and down next to her, wrapped in her turquoise aura.
"Princess Luna came to you in a dream last night, didn't she? And then you proceeded to wake me up and tell me about it. So technically, it's your fault I was so tired this morning."
Cadance playfully bumped her hoof against Shining's side.
"Well, I would say that'd be aunt Luna's fault then, technically. But if I know Twilight, it was her idea to ask Princess Luna to deliver the message to me at nearly one in the morning, so you can blame your sister for that."
"Now that you mention it, that does sound like Twily. . . But you can't ask me to lay blame on my visiting sister, can you?"
"Well, you certainly can't blame me for getting excited about Twilight visiting us and needing to let you know, can you?"
"No, I suppose I can't," Shining admitted with a hearty chuckle, looking up towards the sky and its herd of clouds. "Today's going to be an interesting visit. Seeing Thorax again will be great, too."
"He's always been so warm and kind. I'm sure he's already become a wonderful leader," Cadance added. "I can't wait to see where the day takes us."
As ponies around the Crystal Empire carried on with their morning, the crystal princess and her husband made their way to the east district. There was one thing left to do before the summit. Somepony, or rather some wizard, still had to be talked into foal-sitting.
"Oh please Papa Thorax, can I go!?"
"Apex, I don't know if it's such a-"
"I really want to see what a crystal pony looks like! Do they eat crystals, or do they live in them? That'd be so cool!"
"Apex, really, I don't think-"
"I'll stay on your head the whole time, promise! And I won't break everything, only some things!"
Exhaustion crept on Thorax just from observing the tiny drone zip around the chamber. Every so often, Apex would return to the big changeling like a boomerang to pitch yet another reason for why he should go before continuing his quest, utterly ignoring Thorax's many attempts at reasoning. It grew increasingly more difficult to say no to such an endearing ball of energy.
"Twilight, what do you think?" Thorax asked with a turn of his head.
Twilight, who had been pressed flat to the ground recording changeling aging information, shot up her head like a startled chicken.
"Oh, absolutely!" she exclaimed, only half-listening as she scribbled away. "The Crystal Empire is completely safe. The changelings will be fine."
"Well, I think bringing Apex would be great," Spike added. Having survived 'bug pile' intact, he now laid upside-down in Thorax's throne. "More diversity would make more sense for bringing a party to the empire, right? Plus, I think a little changeling like Apex would be a great way to woo the crystal ponies."
"Spike, are you suggesting we deliberately manipulate the crystal ponies into our favor by using cute things like changeling nymphs to win them over?" Twilight asked, gathering her now updated notes into her bottomless saddlebags and darting a smirk.
Spike upped the ante with an even cruder smirk. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying."
"Well, I suppose he'll be fine," Thorax muttered aloud, more so warming himself up to the idea than anything. "I do want to bring along one of my lead guards, though. I'll feel a little better knowing one of them can keep an eye on him, in case the princess would like a private discussion."
Thorax turned to face the open space. His chest inflated with air.
"Tarsus! Tibia!"
The monarch's voice echoed the walls like thunder, penetrating through the many zig-zagging holes of the hive. Within moments, the blue and green drones in question came flying into the chamber from opposite directions.
"Reporting in, Thorax!" Tibia said joyfully.
"What may we do for you, Your Highness?" Tarsus added, calm and collected.
"Hey, guys. Princess Twilight and I are leaving for the Crystal Empire shortly. I'd like one of you to come with us as part of the visiting party. I need the other one to stay here and look after the hive for me."
Tarsus and Tibia exchanged glances. With nothing but a head tilt, the tour fiasco from the previous day was remembered. The changelings bumped their hooves together in silent agreement.
"I'll go with you, Thorax," said Tibia, fluttering his wings and hovering at Thorax's eye level. "Tarsus is better at regimented duties, and I'm pretty good at first impressions."
"Fine by me. I'll stay here where it's warm. You know, where it's not the frozen north," Tarsus muttered, giving a mocking glance towards Tibia, who gave him a fresh tongue in return.
Thorax nodded. "Thanks, Tibia. And Tarsus, if anything goes wrong, I want you to send a pair of relay drones to the Crystal Empire immediately."
"Well, of course. I'll let the rest of the hive know what's going on. Best that we remain alert and ready for lock-down until you return."
"We're all set over here, Thorax!"
Thorax glanced behind him where a squad of changelings was finishing their preparations for departure. Each flared their wings and checked themselves for any abnormalities in the gossamer. When none were found, they put on contagious grins that signaled their king that they were ready and eager.
Thorax caught the eye of each drone. Apex and Tibia aside, that was a total of eight changelings. A decent amount, but not an intimidating one.
"All set, Your Highness?" Twilight asked, her saddlebags full and Spike secure on her back. Thorax nodded in reply.
"Yeah, I think we are."
Thorax took to the air, and the rest of his group did the same. As an envoy, they departed, emerging from the hive and into the open arms of a truly breathtaking afternoon.
"You know, I haven't been this excited in a long time."
"Trains are so cool! Why don't we have trains, Papa Thorax!?"
Sweat billowed down Thorax's face and underbelly. He watched in acute horror as Apex scampered around the train car like an adorable tornado. Eyes like daggers assaulted him from every passenger, and the king's apologetic grin grew wider every second.
Thorax had intended to chase the little changeling himself, but Tibia had assured him it was under control. However, the more Thorax watched Tibia fail, the more he became convinced that Tibia was terrible with changeling nymphs.
"Apex you little dolt, you need to sit still!" Tibia seethed through bared fangs, pursuing the drone with a burning tenacity. But no matter how close he got, Apex's agility kept him just out of hoof's reach.
"Can't catch me, Tibia!" Apex exclaimed with utmost peppiness, unburdened by what others thought of his impromptu adventure.
The ongoing commotion even drew the attention of passengers from the neighboring cars. Ponies pressed their snouts against the door windows to seek the source of the uproar. Upon spotting colorful changelings, some gawked in confusion while others gasped and quickly fled.
Wedged between all of this chaos and annoyance, Thorax's eyes hugged a spot on the opposite wall with exhausted discontent.
"Twilight," he mumbled quietly.
"Yes, Thorax?" Twilight asked, fending off death glares with her biggest smile and wave to date.
"I think I'm gonna have to maintain my stance that this was a really bad idea."
Just then, as if nature itself was concurring, an old grandmare's saddlebag sailed through the air—collateral damage of Apex's chase. Twilight's eyes trailed the bag's trajectory, and she caught it with a quick flash of magic.
"Oh, come now, Thorax. This is all perfectly natural behavior." Twilight levitated the saddlebag to its owner, who promptly ripped it from the princess's aura and left the train car with a huff.
"He's just like a foal, except with even more spunk and energy..."
Apex had managed to find his way atop one of the many lamps lining the car's walls. He gazed into the heart of the lamp in utter fascination, unaware that Tibia silently stalked him from the ground, flank in the air and creeping forwards like a predator.
"Twilight, I wouldn't have minded the idea of a train if it were just you and I," Thorax stated, watching with caution as Apex poked his hoof at the lamp. "But this is overwhelming for changelings like Apex, who've never even left the hive before. I know flying would be dangerous with the freezing temperatures around the empire, and teleporting wouldn't be appropriate for an important meeting, but..."
"I know it may—well, probably would've been the more quiet and peaceful way there," Twilight admitted, tapping her front hooves together. "But this is much more scenic. Apex is having fun, and look at the other changelings. They look really excited!"
The small convoy of changelings sitting around them looked delighted. A few had pressed their faces against the windows, watching the scenery fly by them in awe. Others admired the car's cozy and colorful interior, while a few more watched Tibia hunt Apex as ongoing entertainment.
Amused changelings weren't the only thing Thorax noticed, however. He could see that not every face was full of apprehension, fear, or irritation. In fact, a single adult mare and her young filly, sitting in the far corner, were observing the group with appreciative amusement.
"Mommy, look at the cute rainbow bugs!" the golden filly said, prodding a hoof against her mother's flank and pointing with the other. A few changelings perked their ears and cocked their heads at the blunt summary of their appearance.
"Yes dear, there sure are a lot of them, huh?" the filly's mother replied, a yellow earth pony with a short, sandy brown mane. She gave an apologetic smile to the changelings, gently tapping her daughter's head. "But you know it's not polite to stare, hun."
"Haha! Look the little rainbow bug mommy, he's runnin' way!"
"He is. It looks like he's having a lot of fun playing."
"Yeah! I like to play too!"
"You sure do. You like to play with daddy, right?"
"Oh! Yeah! He's really good at hide-and-go-seek! I wonder if the little rainbow bug has a daddy to play with him?"
"I bet he does, sweetheart."
Thorax found himself transfixed by the simple conversation. He felt his anxiety melt away in cascades.
With newfound willpower, Thorax turned his attention back to the ongoing chase.
"Alright, Apex, that's enough. I need you to calm down now."
"No way! Papa Thorax, Tibia and I are having way too much fun!" said Apex, dodging a tackle by leaping into the air and then bouncing off Tibia's snout. Said guardling hissed with irritation and put a hoof to his nose.
"Apex, I know you wanna have fun, but there are other ponies here who are trying to relax. I need you to listen to me, and calm down now."
Apex's carefree disposition deflated. The nymph met the big changeling's gaze from down the cabin, and upon finally locking eyes, Thorax softened his stern look.
"I want you to come sit with me for the rest of the ride and take it easy." Thorax placed a hoof against his seat. "If you can do that for me, I promise we'll do something fun together before I have my meeting with Princess Cadance. Alright?"
All eyes turned to stare, and the car grew quiet.
"Will you even play bug pile with me?" Apex asked. The other changelings gawked with equal investment. Thorax had never played bug pile, before or since he first left the hive.
Thorax gave a shrug, which became a nod halfway through.
"Sure, if that's what you wanna do. I mean, let's be honest, I'm already used to being suffocated by changelings through proximity, these days. But Apex, you need to relax if we're gonna do that, okay? Besides, I think Tibia needs a break, too. You've kinda worn him out from the looks of it."
"Tibia seconds that notion," Tibia muttered from the floor.
Apex beamed. The prospect of seeing papa changeling play his favorite game was too enticing. With a frantic dash, he bounded across the train car one more time, using his front hooves to climb up Thorax's seat. Once reaching the summit, he looked around for a spot to claim as his own, only to find Thorax wherever he looked. In the time it had taken Apex to cross the car, Thorax had laid himself down along the entire seat.
Thorax gave the drone a rather unsubtle, hopeful smile. Apex frowned.
"Papa Thorax."
"Yes?"
"You're trying to be a cuddlebug, aren't you?"
Thorax relished the nymph's incredulous expression.
"What makes you say that?"
"Because now you're laying down, and there's no room for me to sit."
Thorax reared his head upwards, looking down at his own haunches as if surprised to see himself stretching so far down the seat. "Oh wow, you're right. I guess I'm still not used to being so much bigger than you guys. I suppose you'll have to make do, huh?"
Thorax maneuvered his front leg to make adequate room, but Apex raised a hoof uncomfortably. The nymph glanced around at a few older changelings, scanning their faces for potential ridicule.
"Papa Thorax, you're not really gonna make me do this, are you? You know I don't like to do cuddlebug things in front of everyling..."
"Do you want me to play bug pile with you or not?" Thorax asked, his grin still strong. "You wore out Tibia to the point of exhaustion and disturbed quite a few ponies, Apex. I could get a few changelings to send you back home. I don't think quietly spending time with me is too much to ask for, do you?"
Apex grumbled under his breath, lowering his head in defeat and flopping his body against the seat cushion. Thorax laid his head down, in such a way that his snout just barely touched the nymph's. For a long moment, Thorax's magenta eyes swam around in Apex's mildly annoyed ruby ones.
"You're not gonna be a grump when we get to the empire, are you?"
"Maybe..."
"You know resting will build your energy back up for playing once we get there, right?"
"I s'pose."
The changeling king's soft eyes filled Apex's view. Together, the two listened to the monotonous droning of the train and the soothing white noise of changelings and ponies chattering amongst themselves.
A red tint held fast to Apex's face. Thorax's melancholy look spoke volumes, but he managed a smile all the same and gently laid a hoof on the nymph's head.
"I know it's not your thing, Apex. But hey, thanks for giving it a chance. That's all I wanted," Thorax said encouragingly. "Some changelings find it a little silly, but I'll be the first to admit that I love the chance to be close with you all. To me, it makes us feel more like a family."
Thorax arched his back, ready to sit up and give the drone his personal space back. But as soon as he'd made a move, a tiny hoof grabbed his leg.
"Well, maybe you don't have to stop that soon, Papa Thorax," Apex whispered, clearly trying to avoid any other changelings overhearing him. "If it makes you happy, I'll do it with you just this one time. You know, for your sake."
Thorax could spot the hidden guilty pleasure. It was as clear as a cloudless sky. Neither of them were any good at lying, and Thorax was thankful for it.
The entire train car had grown quiet. Thorax wrapped one hoof around Apex's tiny frame, gently pulling him closer. The nymph exhaled sharply, surrendering his senses to the comforting idea of a quick nap and the warm feeling of restorative love magic that came with it.
"Hey, Papa Thorax," Apex muttered while using the alpha changeling's neck as a pillow. "If anyling asks, you were really sad and I took pity on you. I mean, everyling knows you're a big softie, but I got a reputation."
Thorax stifled a laugh, lest he'd jostle the little bug pony.
"Sure thing, Apex. If anyling asks, you can say Papa Thorax overwhelmed you with a huge pout."
Apex chortled quietly to himself.
"Psst. Thorax." Thorax opened one eye and glanced out his peripheral vision to find a drone leaning over the back of his seat. "I'll let you know when we get there. I think Princess Twilight said two more hours. I'll check again. She went off to talk with some pony she knows from the other car—'Minette' or something."
"Thank you, Xenica," Thorax mumbled. "Do me a favor and keep everyling out of trouble until we get there, okay? Tibia and I are rather indisposed at the moment."
Xenica rolled her fuschia eyes.
"Now that you've subdued the tiny terror, it's smooth sailing from here, Your Highness."
"I can hear you, Xenny," said Apex vexedly from beneath Thorax's chin.
Xenica quickly shrank back into her own seat, and Thorax watched with silent joy as his youngest subject giggled in triumph.
"If Princess Celestia were to fall in love with a guard, what would you call that?"
Sky Lance used his eyes to bore holes through his friend's silver helmet. Once again, he was cornered with no chance of escape. He awaited the inevitable punchline.
"Knight and Day."
"Yup, that's about as terrible as I thought it'd be."
Sky Lance simmered in his everlasting distaste for puns. Straight Arrow, however, maintained a happy-go-lucky grin as he laughed.
"You really need to lighten up." Straight Arrow chuckled while eyeing the snaking train tracks for the due train. "I'm telling it to Spike the Brave and Glorious once he gets here. I'm sure he'll appreciate my humor."
Straight Arrow blew a raspberry. Sky Lance cocked a brow.
"Spike the Brave and Glorious is legitimately funny. Come to think of it, so is Thorax," Lance muttered smugly, his frown turning to a smirk. "You on the other hoof are just recycling quips you read in the Daily Crystal. Trust me, once Spike gets here we'll have some real humor."
"For your information, I told that joke to Princess Celestia herself, and she gave a modest laugh, way more than her usual giggle."
"Is that so. Well, from what Princess Cadance has told me, her aunt laughs at everything guards tell her. She was probably just humoring you."
Straight Arrow rolled his eyes.
"Oh, like the comedy-challenged pony is in a position to determine when somepony's humoring you or not."
Bickering filled the tranquil train station as the pair of guards began to lose their composure. This would go on for some time until the sound of a powerful brass whistle could be heard in the distance.
"Hah! Would you look at that! All we needed was a good joke, and Spike the Brave and Glorious beckoned my call."
"You're too much," Lance muttered. "I'm begging Captain Prince Shining Armor for a transfer the next chance I get."
"Love you too, Lance."
Arrow and Lance resumed their stances as the crystal train shot by with a blast of sound. The mighty transport's metallic wheels slowed and screeched to a halt, bringing a pair of sliding doors to a standstill between the two ponies. The train let off an expulsion of hissing steam, and the doors opened for royalty.
"Oh, greetings, sirs!"
Twilight exited the train with an air of optimism and excitement. The crystal guards gave slight bows of their heads.
"Good morning, Princess Twilight," Lance said.
"We take it you're doing well?" Arrow added.
"I'm doing just great!" Twilight declared with an outwards thrust of her hoof. "Thank you for asking. Spike and I just spent the night and the previous day with the changelings, and we've decided to lend them a hoof in negotiations with Princess Cadance today. But from the looks of things, I don't need to tell you that, do I?"
"That's one way to put it," Lance said with a small smile. "Captain Prince Shining Armor asked that we guard the train station in case you had decided to arrive by train today. It looks like he was wise to do so."
"I wanted the changelings to experience Equestrian train systems while we had the opportunity." Twilight looked back towards the open train doors. "They should be coming out any moment now."
"Oh, of course!" Arrow blurted, substituting his composure for that of a sprinter readying a marathon. "Does Thorax, er—King Thorax require any luggage to be moved from the train?"
Twilight replied with a series of giggles, much to the mutual confusion of the guard ponies.
"Well, I guess you could say he has some 'luggage'. But don't worry, sirs; I'm fairly certain he's got it."
For a few moments, the guards watched the train doors with patient curiosity. A moment later, their stern mouths bloomed into crooked smirks.
Thorax lumbered out of the train at a snail's pace, covered head to hoof in changelings. Changelings clung to his figure as if the very ground were composed of lava, with one per each of his legs, two on his back, two hanging from his antlers, and Apex atop his head. Every step was an exaggerated effort that erupted snorts and snickers.
"Erm, King Thorax?" Lance asked, the astonishment of the changeling's startling transformation overtaking his initial chuckle.
"Is that you, Sky Lance?" Thorax asked with a smile. "Oh, and Straight Arrow, you're here too. It's great to see you guys."
"It's good to see you too," Lance uttered. "You sure have changed, huh? Well, I mean, you all have, but you in particular."
Thorax attempted some manner of body language in acknowledgment, but this proved impossible while wearing changelings as clothes.
"Yeah, it's quite a sight. To be honest, we're still getting used to it, ourselves."
"Well, I like the antlers. Aesthetic and deadly!" observed Arrow.
"You actually know guard ponies, Papa Thorax?" the drone clamped around Thorax's left antler inquired, examining the muscular guards with mild interest.
"Yeah, I just sorta figured they all had number names and didn't talk," the right antler-ling added, immediately earning glares.
"Hey, be polite," Thorax scolded. "Don't forget that we are guests. And yes, lest you all forget, I lived in the Crystal Empire for a while, so I know quite a few of the guards here."
Thorax turned to face his companions properly. Unfortunately for him, his frontal view was even more hilarious than the side view. Straight Arrow's lips quivered dangerously.
"A-alright, I'm sorry, I cannot take this", he said at last. "Somepony's got to explain what's going on."
The more the guard laughed, the more the cling-lings grinned.
"Introducing the Mobile Bug Pile!" said Apex's ecstatically. "It was all my idea."
A few changelings shot him dirty looks.
"Alright, maybe it was only mostly my idea."
"What's a 'mobile bug pile'?" questioned Lance.
"Thorax promised to play a tag and tackle game changelings play, called 'Bug Pile'," said a certain dragon, just now exiting the train car. "Thorax promised to play it if Apex here would agree to sit still on the train. When Apex modified the idea last minute, Thorax couldn't back out of his promise since it's still technically the same game."
"Now, instead of everyling tackling a changeling after they get tagged, everyling tackles Papa Thorax instead!" shouted Apex with glee.
"We're seeing how far he'll carry all of us before he gets fed up," right antler-ling added with a smirk.
"Correction," Thorax interjected, "I'm dumping you guys once we get past the train station. I'm not carrying you through town, and I'm certainly not carrying you all the way to the castle."
A disappointed whine erupted from every changeling.
Lance and Arrow took the convoy's lead and navigated them out of the crystal train station. Twilight moved up alongside Spike, who was following Thorax's hooves and sharing suppressed snorts with the changelings on Thorax's back.
"As always, Spike, your timing is truly remarkable," Twilight commented, shaking her head with an amused eye roll. Changelings started to make faces just to elicit laughs from the dragon. "Though I'm rather curious when you found all that out. I didn't see you wake up once the entire train ride."
"Twilight, you do realize you talked to Minuette for like, half an hour, right?" Spike replied, crossing his arms. "I managed to have an entire conversation with Thorax and fall back asleep by whatever time you came back."
Twilight gave him an incredulous look. She placed a hoof to her chin whilst she contemplated her understanding of time and space.
"There's no way I was distracted that long. We were just catching up. I mean, she did most of the talking, per usual, but it couldn't have been that long a conversation...could it?"
"I've said it before, I'll say it again, Twilight. That pony is a time vortex."
"Reporting in, Your Highness!" a guard announced firmly, practically smacking his helmet with his routine salute.
"Yes, has there been any sign of Thorax and his group, yet?" asked Princess Cadance softly, hiding the growing anticipation in her voice. The majestic princess of love sat upon her crystalline throne, waiting with bated breath upon each new report from the squads.
"Not yet, I'm afraid, but we do have some encouraging news. Squad three has seen the Crystal Train arriving from the south, which our information tells us is the changeling hive's general direction. It departed from Dodge City just several hours ago."
"It's definitely a possibility." Cadance stood and descended from her throne. "Please have squad three check on the status of squad six. If they have encountered the changeling party, they'll be too preoccupied leading them through town to make a report. If the changeling party is here, send word to the other squads. If not, please continue your patrol of the border. Thank you, you are dismissed."
With a confident and stoic nod, the guard pony galloped off.
"Hah, see? You do a pretty good job yourself, hun. I couldn't have done it better, myself."
Cadance turned to find her husband leaning against her crystal throne, watching her every move with an etched look of pride. Cadance giggled to herself and joined him, gently meeting her horn to his.
"Oh, believe me, you're much better at it than I am," she said modestly. "I never was very good at commanding. When you do it, it's second nature. You don't even have to try. Just one of the many things I love about you."
"You make it sound like it's all that impressive. So I can raise my voice and look serious—big deal. You spread love into whatever room, whatever kingdom you step into. That is truly remarkable."
"Shining, come on." Cadance pouted but embraced the robust stallion regardless, and laid her head against his neck. "Don't downplay your strengths. You know I hate it when you do that."
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry," he said with a laugh, enjoying the attention and returning her nuzzles. "I guess I should take care not to add anything else to my list of things forgotten today, huh?"
Cadance closed her eyes, allowing herself to enjoy the warm embrace fully. A few moments of precious silence went on too long, and then she felt something off. Shining's body had frozen stiff, his muscles suddenly rigid and tense. With a rush of concern, Cadance leaned back to examine the stallion's face, only to find a look of surging horror.
"Shining Armor, what's wrong?"
"The crystal ponies," Shining Armor croaked. He frantically turned his gaze towards the vast windows overseeing the Crystal Empire, then darted back to Cadance with a single drop of sweat gliding down his cheek.
"I never addressed the crystal ponies to let them know the changelings were visiting today!"
"So, King Thorax, are you still getting situated as the new changeling leader?" Lance queried.
Thorax drank in the cool breeze sweeping through the crystal plains. Though his muscles were starting to complain, the silence of content changelings kept him moving at a steady pace. With a warm gaze, he looked at the curious guard by his side.
"Little by little," he replied. "I love helping and guiding the changelings. I'm just still getting used to being in charge. And, you know you don't have to call me that if you don't want to, Lance."
"Of course I do; I'm on duty," Sky Lance stated matter-of-factly. "Prince Captain Shining Armor would have my tail if I was informal with royal guests while on duty."
As the group traveled along the cinnamon dirt road leading into town, they took in the sights of the empire's skyline, from the rather modest crystal homes to the gleaming castle piercing the clouds.
Thorax paused in thought at the impressive spectacle but quickly clenched an eye when stray hooves poked his face. Overwhelmed with excitement, Apex had decided to stand atop his perch to take in the new surroundings. The little changeling radiated with bliss, drawing looks as he gasped softly, fluttering his tiny wings.
"Papa Thorax, why doesn't our hive sparkle like the crystal pony crystal castle?"
"Well, we sparkle now, so I say it's just a matter of time," a drone sarcastically quipped from Thorax's leg. The air vibrated with chittering.
"It may not shine in the light, but I really like our new hive," Thorax said with pride, gently using one hoof to guide Apex's stray legs out of his face. "And you know, the Crystal Empire doesn't have natural underground hot springs like our hive does."
"Yeah, I guess that is pretty cool," Apex admitted. "Plus, if the hive did start to sparkle, I think that'd hurt my eyes after a while."
"Speaking of shiny things, King Thorax, if you don't mind me asking, what are the little crystals for?" Straight Arrow asked, nodding his head towards the trio of gems decorating Thorax's neck. "Is that like, male/female identification or something?"
Thorax forced his mind back on track.
"Well, as far as I can tell, they're-"
"Why must you bother King Thorax with such personal questions?" Lance spoke abruptly, furrowing his brow to a razor point. "He's probably tired from his long journey, not to mention his...current predicament."
With an unsure glance, Lance surveyed a few drones parkouring around Thorax's hindquarters. This lasted only a moment, however, until Thorax fluttered his tucked wings and sent the drones tumbling, eliciting a chorus of snickering.
"For your information, Lance, I'm carrying on a conversation with my good friend. Perhaps you've met him," Arrow muttered sarcastically.
"While on duty, humility and professional behavior comes first."
"So cut and dry; you're like sun-baked straw."
"Sirs!" said Twilight sternly, extending her wings with a thrust. The two guards jumped in surprise, and eighteen compound eyes gave their attention to the sudden excitement.
"While it is important to maintain a respectful attitude, there's nothing wrong with some casual conversation." Twilight's wings curled back to her petite frame. She then turned to Thorax with an encouraging smile.
"Um, that's right," Thorax added, scrambling to continue Twilight's wisdom. "I'm the changeling leader now, but I'm not a foreign leader. I already have close relationships with the empire, so you don't have to worry so much about being so formal with me, Lance."
"As you wish, Thorax," Lance acknowledged, reluctantly backing down.
Thorax's laboring continued as the convoy neared town. Once again, the alpha changeling's soft streak had gotten the better of him.
For now, 'Mobile Bug Pile' would remain operational.
But while Thorax trudged onwards, Spike had stealthily hidden behind Thorax's lower legs, obscured from view for all present parties. He grabbed the attention of the changelings closest to him and put a claw to his lips.
"Hey you guys, I just had the best idea," he whispered, rousing the changelings' attention.
"Oh yeah?" one drone replied. "Do tell."
"Just a little something Spike the Brave and Glorious, also known as Spike the Hilarious cooked up for those moody guard ponies. Trust me, it's gonna be awesome. When I give you guys the signal, here's what we're gonna do..."
A muffled explanation ensued, and the two back leg-lings exchanged wicked grins.
Shining Armor's hooves thundered against the stone ground, shortness of breath burning his lungs. By his side, the normally reserved Cadance sprinted alongside him.
"You are impossible," she stated, her tone caught somewhere between a laugh and a reprimand. "I know today's meeting was short notice, but of all the things you had to do today, Shining Armor, how could you forget this one?"
"I'm sorry! A thousand times, I'm sorry!" he said frantically, his shaded blue mane undulating in the wind. "I remembered to inform the guard units, but the populace slipped through the cracks. I swear to your aunt, I'll dump cold water on my head every morning from now on if I have to. But right now we need to hurry—if Twily did arrive on the last train, they'll be hitting town any second now!"
"I'm still not sure why you're so freaked out. If Twilight is with them, I'm sure things will be absolutely fine."
"Hun, do you know why I wanted you to give the guards their daily orders today?" Shining lept a bench. Cadance simply watched her stoic husband with patient resolve, signaling him to continue. "It's because I thought it'd be a good idea for you to get outside the castle a little more often and mingle with the guards and the citizens like I usually do."
"And if you remember, I agreed that it was a wonderful idea. But, what does that have to do with the changeling's visit?"
The core of the empire approached—the edge of town would soon be visible. Shining Armor's gaze fixated on that still unclear horizon with mounting dread.
"Policing the empire means you deal with day-to-day problems a lot more often. The real ones, and the not so real ones."
Cadance shot him a confused look.
"Let's just say the crystal ponies tend to...overreact to things."
"Shining Armor, I'm still fairly certain Twilight can handle any initial shock just fine. Really, it's like you're suggesting I've never been around to witness a major...panic."
Cadance's train of thought derailed into shock and awe. Before her was a scene of tumultuous chaos that Discord himself would be proud of. Crystal ponies young and old charged aimlessly in every direction, their faces twisted with exaggerated terror. Shrieks of fright rang in her ears as ponies bellowed at the top of their lungs. They took refuge within their homes, under benches, or behind hanging plant pots.
At the mayhem's epicenter was the arriving convoy. At the forefront was Thorax, frozen in shock and still covered in changelings. The drones clinging to him peered around, some blankly staring while others laughed so hard they cried.
Just beyond the changelings were Straight Arrow and Sky Lance, who had just shaken off two drones atop their backs. Just a moment prior, the drones had launched a spontaneous tackle attack upon them, under the command of a certain dragon.
"Run for your lives, everypony!" a crystal mare exclaimed, her voice cracking as she pointed. "That multi-colored monster is attacking! Its babies just attacked the guards!"
Like an accelerant poured on a robust flame, the mare's words stirred the frenzy further. Ponies began running into one another and pushing others out of their way as they attempted to flee the area.
"No, no, no! No one is attacking anyone!" shouted Twilight anxiously, ascending through the air in an attempt to harness the crowd's attention. "The changelings were just playing! The guards weren't in danger!"
"Changelings!?" The crystal pony pressed her head between her hooves. "There are changelings in the empire!?"
A resounding gasp echoed throughout the entire crowd, followed by a respite of silence as every head turned to closely examine the intruders. Thorax blinked and gave a desperate smile—unfortunately, it had no effect.
"Look at their eyes! They are changelings!" a stallion proclaimed, lowering himself to the ground and concealing his face.
"A new breed of changelings that attack from a congealed form!" a mare added, hiding behind her friend.
The hysteria continued where it left off, leaving the combined efforts of Twilight, Lance, and Arrow a lost cause.
Seated ahead of the chaos, Cadance gradually turned her head. Sweat poured from Shining Armor's face as his wife's fury put heavy pressure on his entire being.
"Shining Armor."
"Yes, dear?"
"Turns out you were right."
"I know, I wish I wasn't."
"You were right, and you're going to fix this. Now."
"Alright, it's definitely time to get off, you guys," Thorax said decisively.
"What's their deal?" Xenica asked, fluttering off the alpha changeling's back and touching down to the ground. "I thought you said you used to live here, Thorax. Is running and screaming how crystal ponies usually greet guests?"
"Well no, but I-"
"Also, I thought the sun princess said she'd inform the ponies that we won't stuff them in cocoons anymore," another drone added, arching an eyebrow at an old stallion moving at a crawl's pace but obviously trying his best to flee. "These ponies sure look like they're expecting cocoon stuffing."
"I know Princess Celestia made her announcement by now—she sent me a scroll last week telling me she did." Thorax felt an abrupt tickling sensation. Something small and nimble was swiftly darting through his legs. A familiar set of tiny wings shivered there, overstimulated by the mass panic.
"Are we playing a game, Papa Thorax!?" Apex asked eagerly, his voice on the verge of a breakdown. "Is this the game you said we'd all play together? Did you get all the ponies to play too!?"
"Wha-Apex, when did you get off my head? Also, you picked Mobile Bug Pile, remember? That's the game that we-"
"Look at that pony! She can't fit through that window! I think her butt is too big. Can I go help her?"
There was a resounding 'no!' from the entire group, and Apex inflated his cheeks defiantly.
"Thorax, what should we do?" said Tibia, trotting up to the monarch's side. "Princess Twilight and Spike got swamped by the crowd."
"What happened to Lance and Arrow?" Thorax inquired.
"Lance ran off to get the other guards for back-up, and I think Arrow is just trying to stop ponies from hurting themselves."
Thorax let out a deep sigh and looked past the mayhem, towards the crystal castle. Taking to the sky to seek out the princess would probably invoke even more panic. Trying to reason with the crowd wouldn't work, either. Thorax had lived in the empire long enough to know that crystal ponies were like spooked cattle whenever confusion and panic took root.
Amidst his thoughts, two familiar faces caught his eye from beyond the mobs. With a dawning smile, Thorax gathered the attention of his drones with a wing flutter. Soon, all compound eyes turned to find the third princess of Equestria and her husband charging at them full-tilt, dodging ponies as they ran.
"I don't know what's going on, but it looks like we may find out," Thorax said. "Everyling, please stay close to me. I don't want anyling wandering off and causing even more of a panic."
"Thorax!" shouted Shining Armor. He slowed to a trot once he reached the squadron of changelings, and gave them their first welcoming smile whilst catching his breath.
"First of all, I'd just like to say thank you for taking the time to visit us today. Princess Luna informed us of your efforts with Princess Celestia and my sister. We are very excited to have you all."
"And of course, we're also excited to see you again, Thorax," Cadance said warmly, gently embracing her friend. Thorax's pearly teeth gleamed when he returned it.
"I feel the same way. I can't believe it's been a full month already since I was last in the empire. It's been so busy. We just finished rebuilding our new hive, and you wouldn't believe all the new things we've been discovering!"
"You've certainly grown up in more ways than one, haven't you?" said Cadance. Her smile cooled to something more serious. "But I'm afraid proper pleasantries will have to wait. First and foremost, we must apologize for this fiasco."
Cadance ever so subtly shot a look at her husband. Shining picked up on it within moments and turned to face the crowd of crystal ponies, all of whom had stopped in their tracks upon seeing the empire's royalty interacting with the strange newcomers.
"Attention, everyone!" Shining bellowed, his stolid voice carrying through the air. "I need you all to calm down. Our visitors are changelings from the newly-reformed changeling hive, led by newly-crowned King Thorax, a prominent member of the Crystal Empire. They may look different now, but they are Equestria's latest allies, and as such, deserve our utmost respect."
Like reclusive hermit crabs, crystal ponies began to emerge from their hiding spots.
"At this time, King Thorax and the changelings will be accompanying Princess Cadance and myself to the castle. I would like to formally invite all of the empire to join me in the castle plaza, for a more in-depth explanation of current events, where I will be more than happy to answer all of your questions and concerns."
Shining turned on his hoof, leading the convoy towards the looming castle and leaving the crowd to decide their next course of action.
As the mob dispersed, Twilight and Spike were liberated from its clutch. Twilight quickly caught sight of her brother, and thus enveloped Spike in magic before venturing over to join him.
"Cadance, if you can take Thorax and the changelings to the meeting room, I'd be happy to address the crystal ponies properly," Shining offered. "Shouldn't take more than ten minutes at most."
"What happened to me 'mingling with the citizens'?" Cadance asked with a smirk.
"Well, I have to clean up my mess, and you're way better with politics than I am."
Cadance put on a modest smile and met her horn to her husband's.
"Hmm, good answer."
Cadance led Thorax and his troop of drones down the crystal castle's iridescent halls. While the changelings glanced around at the architecture with reserved interest, Thorax examined every corner of his old haunt like an enthralled nymph. Chrysalis's old hive had never held sentiment for him, but the crystal castle was another story entirely.
Memories greeted him from every corner, every crystalline pillar. He couldn't help but prance in place.
"That's the fourth-floor washroom!" A teal aura gripped the doorknob, and upon a quick reveal, two antlers poked inside. "Still the same. Flurry and I played in here so many times."
"Despite my best efforts," Cadance admitted with a nervous chuckle.
"Ooh, and that's the crystal ballroom! There was this one time where we were all playing hide and seek, and I turned into an extra, out-of-place suit of armor. Shining Armor didn't notice me, but when he heard me rattle, he ran out!"
"He's sworn the ballroom has been haunted ever since," Cadance commented. "Never could get him to put two and two together."
The convoy came to a fork, and with a hoof, Thorax signaled the princess to stop. Turning to his charge, Thorax visited each face with painfully unsubtle earnestness.
"So, what do you guys think so far?"
With bated breath, he beamed and scanned their fidgeting forms for signs of intrigue. But as the bugs glanced around the hallway once more, all they could offer in return were shallow grimaces.
"Thorax, we get it," a green drone began, speaking for the group. "You lived in a castle, and that's pretty exciting, but, frankly? All the shiny crystals make my eyes hurt."
The drones nodded unanimously. Thorax's ears wilted.
"I'm pretty sure if Chrysalis ever saw anything this shiny in the hive, she'd have probably banished it," another drone added.
The thought of Chrysalis ranting and raving over highly luminescent rocks triggered a round of chittering. One drone sat back on his haunches to cover his mouth with his upper hooves, snorts escaping in bursts. But Thorax's disapproving look descended on the changelings like a storm, his shadow drawing their glossy eyes.
"What did I just tell you guys outside about being polite?" He lowered his head, forcing them to meet his gaze. Those nearest to him did a reverse careen of their necks, taking a few anxious steps backward.
"Oh, don't worry about it so much, Thorax," Cadance said cheerfully. "They're just being themselves. I don't take offense. In fact, Shining Armor said the same thing when we first came to the empire. The light really does take getting used to."
"Well, you'd think we'd be used to 'shiny' by now," Thorax mused. "We do sorta look like the colors of the rainbow, now, and don't get me started on how our wings and tails reflect light."
A sudden, lengthy gasp sounded. Someling had just been blessed by realization.
"Yeah, I almost forgot! Hey, guys, disco tail rave!"
Thorax and Cadance turned their heads at the bizarre proclamation. Once passive and apathetic, the squadron of drones was now clamoring around the crystal pillars lining the hallway's walls. With insatiable grins, they maneuvered their tails to filter the corridor's ample supply of light. Various shades of purple, green, blue, and red light flowed along the floor, and the drones began dancing.
Accomplished whistles and cheers filled the corridor, and Thorax took refuge in the flat of his hoof.
"Oh my goodness, that's so creative!" Cadance giggled, putting a hoof to her chest.
"Oh, please don't encourage them, princess," Thorax muttered in exasperation. "When they first figured this out I couldn't get them to stop for days."
Cadance's giggle only grew. For the remainder of the trip down the hall, the changelings danced as they walked, cramming the air with relentless yips and hoots.
"At any rate, Equestria is a colorful place," Cadance said. "Ponies, the homes they build, even the grass, trees, and sky all around us are immensely vibrant. If you want to talk colors, Thorax, I think you'll find that you fit in more than you did before."
"I dunno. I kinda liked having holes in my legs. It made me feel edgy," one drone thought aloud.
"Well, I hated it. Trying to walk anywhere without getting your hoof caught in roots was infuriating," another spat with contempt.
"Do you guys remember Scapus?"
"Was he the one who used to sleep transform into weird stuff every night?"
"No."
"Was he the one who got a gopher stuck in his leg? And Chrysalis fell off her throne laughing at him?"
"No, that was Cercus. Scapus used to change his form into a changeling without holes, and he made it a popular thing for a while."
"Oh, yeah, I remember him, now. That whole thing was pretty funny, too."
"It was funny until Chrysalis noticed it and flipped out," Xenica interjected, dramatically raising her hoof and standing on her back legs. 'What are you fools doing? We're perfect the way we are! How dare you desecrate the proud changeling image!'"
Violent laughter erupted once again as changelings began to play off one another's quips. A Chrysalis with a sun hat and purse appeared among them, followed by a dramatically uncharacteristic Chrysalis featuring Thorax's colors. Each new gag drew more and more abhorrent cackling until a sky blue spark commanded silence. Though undisturbed in their merriment, the drone's shrieks became mute from outside the teal dome that now surrounded them.
"Sound equalizer bubble," Cadance explained. "Cancels sound above a certain decibel level. Found it particularly helpful for handling Flurry's 'I need it now' tantrums. She doesn't get what she can't ask for with her indoor voice."
"Oh, you definitely need to teach me that one," Thorax chuckled, his sly eye gone unnoticed to the drones in hoof. "Getting everyling to calm down when they get into an uproar is one of the things I struggle with the most."
Cadance simpered. Somehow, that wasn't the least bit surprising. "Noise aside, I'm really glad to see that the changelings have transitioned so well. I mean, I'm a pretty optimistic pony myself, and I certainly did my best to encourage you whenever you came to me for advice, but..."
"Even you weren't entirely sure it was possible?" Thorax finished.
"Oh, no! I was confident it was possible. I just wasn't sure it'd be such a smooth process," she confessed with a sheepish grin. "You were passionate, Thorax, but I wasn't completely sure you'd be able to make much, if any difference, especially so quickly."
Thorax shot a glance at the squadron of drones behind him, happily babbling and bantering back and forth. One drone had begun to assail a neighbor with a head rub, much to the latter's apparent discontent.
"I definitely wouldn't have been able to on my own, not with the hold Chrysalis had on the hive," Thorax admitted, a melancholic smile budding his lips. "It was a domino effect, starting with Chrysalis's second invasion. What brought us to the best possible outcome was Starlight and her friends. I still wake up some days, amazed at how things turned out."
Cadance's dome broke at last, and the air fell quiet for some time as the group rounded a corner and ascended a staircase. The upper levels of the castle greeted them with the welcoming echoes of their hoofsteps.
"I know it's a touchy subject for you," Cadance broached at last, observing the flowing patterns of crystal beneath her hooves, "so please don't feel obligated to humor me if you're uncomfortable with talking about it. I've just always wondered what she was like, outside our borders. From the way it sounds, she must have been pretty terrible to all of you. Was she always like that?"
Thorax's expression hardened. Thoughts of a darker time invaded his head.
"As far as I know. There isn't a changeling alive today who remembers a time where she wasn't in power. If I had to describe her with one word, it'd be 'obsessed'. All she ever cared about was conquest and being in charge. Sure, she did a great job of dressing it up as 'ensuring the hive's survival', but from what I saw, her care for us went about as far as our usefulness to her. Starlight witnessed that first-hoof with me before you all were released."
Cadance found herself sullen.
"Even after the events of my wedding, I tried to convince myself that she truly had to do what she needed, for the sake of her species," she said softly. "Shining Armor and I had several arguments in those following weeks. He saw a heartless monster with no compassion, not worthy of mercy from the very start. I just couldn't bring myself to harbor those levels of contempt. I couldn't bring myself to truly hate someone. I had to hope there was something there that I could look past her actions for. Truthfully, I had harbored hopes that she at least displayed some amount of compassion for her own subjects, but I guess Shining Armor was right about her, after all. I don't know. Maybe I'm just naive."
They reached the staircase's summit and came to a standstill. The drones spread themselves out throughout the new room, while Thorax rested a hoof at the base of Cadance's leg, drawing her gaze.
"You really do represent love in its purest form, Cadance," Thorax said gently. "I don't think you're naive at all. The world is full of flaws, but that doesn't mean your approach is the wrong way. In fact, I think the ability to forgive and be ready to share compassion with anyone is an amazing thing. That's why you're a princess of Equestria."
Brilliant rays of sunlight filtered through the corridor and lit her smile. Cadance mirrored the gesture with her own hoof.
"Thank you, Thorax. One thing I can say for certain, you're the kindest leader the changelings have ever had, and I know that whatever Chrysalis lacked in compassion, you can make up for ten-fold."
Cadance turned to the wandering drones and spoke, pointing at the massive windows at the room's opposite end.
"This is one of the highest points in the castle. Very shortly, my husband will be joining up with us so we can have some discussions with King Thorax. But I thought you'd all enjoy the best view of our empire before the boring politics start."
She winked, and enthused smiles began to bloom all around.
"But how have we not heard about this!?" a blue mare with a sandy mane asked desperately. "If Princess Celestia sent out a message to all of Equestria as you say, we should have received news about it!"
Shining Armor stood atop the crystalline castle's lower balcony. Behind him stood Twilight, Spike, and a group of empire guards, nonchalantly distancing themselves from the relentless wave of criticism.
"Princess Celestia did send word to all of Equestria regarding the changelings," Shining Armor confirmed. "However, the Crystal Empire is a self-governed kingdom under Princess Cadance, and to a lesser extent, myself. Word from the rest of Equestria filters through us before it's distributed to citizens."
With hundreds of eyes watching his every move, the prince prepared himself for the painful honesty about to pour forth.
"I'm afraid this is mostly my fault. Celestia's contact with the empire was different from the rest of Equestria. It mentioned that King Thorax would, at some point, seek to visit the empire to forge friendly relations. Because it didn't mention an exact date, I decided to play it by ear and not announce anything until I had a far more solid time frame to work with."
Faces began to soften as ponies processed the situation.
"Unfortunately, it wasn't announced until last night that the visit would be today. I'm the one who failed to announce the state of affairs early this morning to you all prior to the changeling's arrival, and for that, I deeply apologize."
"Then, technically isn't it your fault for rushing this whole thing along in the first place, Twilight?" Spike whispered from the balcony rear. He darted an eye at Twilight, who suffered from onset timidity. The mare rubbed her front hoof while drops of sweat trailed her forehead.
"We forgive you, Prince Shining Armor!" came a voice from the audience, inspiring the entire crowd to nod in agreement. An outbreak of hoof stomps ensued, and the stallion's face grew content.
That went way better than anticipated.
"Thank you, all. Lack of communications aside, I am happy to say that Thorax and his changelings arrived safely, and they are very friendly and eager to meet you all. Equestria's princesses wish that we give the changelings a warm welcome and a second chance. That is why Princess Cadance would like to open the empire up for our guests today in the form of a low-key festival, to help them feel welcomed in Equestria for the very first time. I invite everypony who would like to take part in this festival to work with myself, Princess Twilight, and Spike the Brave and Glorious to help make this celebration of new friends and allies one to remember!"
The once concerned and fidgety crowd exploded with a synchronized round of cheers and flailing upper hooves. The royal guards descended from the balcony to the street below to assist the crowd in organizing. Shining Armor turned to his beloved sister with an uncanny smirk.
"So, just for the record, we both know you owe me one now, right?" he said slyly.
"We sure do, big brother," Twilight replied, gently shaking her head with a giggle. "I'm sorry for dumping all of this on you so quickly. Thorax and I were making such great progress last night, but he was concerned with how to contact the empire, so I thought I could help him by-"
A hoof gently covered Twilight's mouth.
"You should know by now you don't have to explain things to me, Twily. I already forgave you. And, you know, I'm actually kind of relieved to see that you still blaze through things when you're excited. Same old Twily."
Twilight closed her eyes for a brief moment. A huge grin crept up her mouth.
"If you make me blush in front of your entire empire Shining Armor, next time there won't even be an advance notice."
"Goodness gracious, just look at the time! We're going to be so late!"
A caped stallion raced through street after street of shimmering crystal. Floating along his side, engulfed in a field of golden magic was a modest carrying basket. Within the basket lay a baby alicorn, smiling and giggling as she excitedly watched the overhead clouds race by.
"So late! So, so late!" His mounting anxiety urged him to keep up his troubled mantra, even as the crystal castle drew closer with every step he took.
Eventually, he reached the castle’s base, and his eyes gazed at its tall towers with anticipation. Though he'd called the empire home for years now, the sight of the crystalline palace never ceased to amaze him.
"We're almost there, Flurry Heart. It won't be much longer now." He took a moment to meet the little filly’s eyes. She clapped her tiny hooves, and the stallion smiled.
"Let's just hope your parents won't be too livid with me."
As the cool northern breeze flowed through her mane, Cadance watched Thorax closely. The tall changeling was transfixed by the view from so high up. His face was filled with sentiment as he traced the network of rooftops and streets below.
Once again, the empire's charm had captivated Thorax's attention in ways his flock of drones didn’t share. They simply wandered about the room, passing the time aimlessly. One drone had antagonized a few others into playing bug pile with him. Another few had become loaves in the windowsills, thrumming their wings in contentment as they sunbathed.
"So, Thorax, tell me something."
Thorax jolted.
"Yes, princess?"
"While we wait, why don't you tell me all about 'Papa Thorax'?"
Thorax's mouth ran dry. He turned to meet an outright villainous gaze.
"Um, not much to tell, really," he stammered, rubbing the side of one leg. "It's just something some of the changelings call me now."
"Oh no, you don't. You're not getting out of this one that easily." Cadance let out a laugh as she prodded the alpha changeling's chest. "One doesn't get a cute nickname like that for no good reason, Thorax. And I know you know that you can't hide things from me of all ponies, right?"
Thorax continued to fidget. Memories of bumbling mistakes during his time in the empire began to fill his mind, particularly his failed attempts to hide said bumbling mistakes from the princess. She had a talent for pulling the truth out of him.
The changelings began to take notice of their king’s emotional distress. Like cats picking up a scent, they turned, and a pallet of colorful eyes shot his way.
"Well, I'm a lot more affectionate towards the changelings than what they were used to, with Chrysalis," Thorax said weakly. "Some of the nymphs began calling me that, and it stuck. Now it's a nickname for me that even some of the adults use."
Cadance's face blossomed. Her eyes lit like stars, and her toothy grin surpassed any Thorax had ever seen before.
"Affectionate?" she parroted with thirsty intrigue. "Oh, Thorax, that sounds lovely. What exactly does that entail?"
Thorax rubbed the back of his head. A couple of drones turned to each other with jaded looks.
"He's gonna have us do a demonstration of the cuddlebug thing for yet another princess, isn't he?"
"What is this, the third time? I think we should start charging admission."
"And then she goes, 'Let's just say I learned a friendship lesson while you were gone.' She's so modest. Freshly graduated, and she's already applying what she's learned to everyday life!''
Though he probably wouldn't remember the story's details come the next day, Shining Armor would certainly remember the bliss emanating from his sister's voice. The reserved stallion watched Twilight intently as she told her tale, giving slight chuckles whenever appropriate. When her tale finally ended, he gently nudged his sister's side with a hoof.
"Sounds like you've turned out to be quite the teacher, huh?" he inquired with a smile. "The student's progress isn't only reflective of them, but the teacher's effectiveness, as well."
"Well, I try not to brag, but I do feel pretty proud," Twilight admitted, twinkles in her eyes. "And I feel a lot better about my teaching after having talked with Princess Celestia. We had a heart-to-heart that I haven't had with her in a really long time."
"Princess Celestia is incredible, that's for sure. I've never met a pony as gentle and pure as she is—well, apart from my wife, that is."
As the pair made their way up the staircase, the echo of opening doors from far below caught their attention. One of these echoes persisted, fast approaching them as galloping hooves. Twilight blinked and looked back, as did Shining, and the two were met by a most welcome sight.
"Sunburst! Ooooh, and there's my adorable niece!" Twilight exclaimed.
"O-oh, hello, Twilight," Sunburst stuttered, using a hoof to readjust his glasses. "I wasn't expecting to find you down here—oh, nor you, for that matter, Prince Shining Armor. I would have thought you'd be with Princess Cadance by now."
Twilight side-eyed her brother, who merely chuckled.
"Twilight and I had to make an announcement for the crystal ponies first. You just barely missed it. But we're heading up to see Cadance and Thorax right now. Care to accompany us?"
The confidence Sunburst had just finished rebuilding fell apart again.
"K-King Thorax is already here!?" he rasped, his glasses once again falling down the bridge of his nose. "Oh goodness, I really am late, aren't I? I must apologize! Flurry Heart and I were so caught up building block structures to focus her levitation skills that we-"
"-it's alright, Sunburst," Shining Armor interrupted, raising a hoof. "From the looks of it, you and Flurry Heart are doing fine, and you both made it just in time. There's nothing to apologize for."
Shining’s expression then softened to that of foal-like glee, as he lit his horn and took the basket from Sunburst. Flurry Heart's eyes widened at the sight of her father, and Shining's pearly smile reflected back.
"How about we bring you to your mom, huh?" he said in a foal-like voice. "I bet she already misses you, especially with all those boring old politics she has to deal with! Yes, she does!"
Twilight turned to Sunburst with a grin.
"The last time I heard him talk like that was to me when I was a filly," she said nostalgically.
Sunburst readjusted his glasses once again.
"Well, I assure you, he's like that all the time, these days," he said with a chuckle. "I think he actually dotes on her more than the princess does."
"Well, of course. She's daddy's little girl."
The next few minutes passed by in relative silence, give or take a few coos from Flurry Heart. The group continued their ascent to the castle's utmost floor. Once there, Twilight realized something: somepony was missing. Or rather, somedragon.
Twilight rolled her eyes. No doubt Spike had been mobbed by the crystal ponies again. She really had to tag him with a transportation spell for easy retrieval, one of these days.
At last, the final door was reached, and Shining took the lead. Pink magic turned the doorknob, and Twilight cleared her throat and took a deep breath.
Spike would have to wait, for now. The wave of delicate, political discussion about to flow through that door demanded the alicorn's complete attention. With any luck, the Changeling Empire would remember this day as a momentous success, and the start of their political maturity in Equestria.
"T-Thorax, I wish to t-testify that this is c-cruel and u-unusual p-punishment!"
"I'm just demonstrating an alternate way of sharing love, Cornicle. It's purely for your benefit, I promise!"
Like a candle set before a flame, Twilight's composure melted, and the urge to giggle quickly rose to take its place.
Lounging on the far side of the room were Thorax and Cadance, loafed on either side of a cyan drone. Thorax had firmly pinned the changeling to the floor with one hoof and was now using it to rub the drone's exposed underbelly furiously. The drone contorted between fits of tearful laughter and desperate attempts to hold his composure, whilst his hooves twitched and his wings buzzed spasmodically against the floor. All the while, Thorax wore a sly grin, all too clearly enjoying himself.
The other changelings watched Cornicle suffer his torturous fate with a mixed response, from bemusement to uncertain terror.
"I wasn't prepared to witness this today," one drone muttered grimly.
"I think banishment is merciful by comparison," another whispered. "Just look at his face...he's been met with a terrible fate, hasn't he?"
"I see the discussions are going well," Shining Armor announced sarcastically, drawing attention from everyone in the room. He strolled across the threshold towards his wife, greeting her with a kiss upon securing her side.
"I was teasing Thorax about the time he asked me what tickling was, when he saw me tickling Flurry during his stay," Cadance explained, gently taking control of Flurry Heart's basket with her magic and bringing it to rest on the floor in front of her. "Some of the changelings seemed confused about what that was, too, so I may have convinced Thorax it'd be a good idea to show them. Oh, this poor thing never saw it coming. He shouldn't have been sitting so close."
"You two are cruel when you're left together."
"In my defense, he took the idea and ran with it. I think we're coming up on a full minute here, and he didn't learn that kind of evil from me, I assure you."
"T-Thorax! P-Please s-stop!", Cornicle choked out, tears rolling down his face. "P-Please s-show me mer-ercy, Your Hi-highness!"
Thorax cocked his head in mock thought, still grinning. The other changelings gazed on with bated breath, as if waiting for the final judgment on a proposed exile.
"Well, alright. I suppose that's enough demonstration," Thorax said at last, withdrawing his hoof and letting the changeling breathe full breaths at last. "Thanks for the assistance, Cornicle. If any of the others still have questions, can you field them for me?"
Cornicle nodded his head in a short series of jitters, forcing an exaggerated grin. He scampered across the tiled floor to retreat among his peers, who quickly encircled him in a curious buzz. The soft sounds of hushed chattering quickly filled the air, with the occasional head peering up over the crowd to glance at Thorax.
"You'd think they've never heard about something as simple as tickling before," Twilight said with a giggle, having settled herself on the floor by Shining Armor.
"Well, that's because they haven't," Thorax replied flatly. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they're all seriously discussing my sanity and how they may have underestimated my willingness to use torture tactics."
"Do they really not understand that you were just playing around?" Sunburst inquired. A maternal glare from Cadance convinced him to sit beside them at last.
"To be honest, things like affection and non-territorial playing are still new concepts for them. It's taken over a month for most of them to warm up to the idea of sleeping in clusters, and that's something tangible they can actually feel the effects of. I think it'll be some time still before a lot of them fully understand and appreciate spontaneous stuff."
"Doesn't that mean you may have just freaked them all out and made them more cautious around you?"
Eyes glanced around for the voice's source, except for Twilight, who immediately turned towards the doorway to find it. A young dragon leaned against the wall with his claws crossed, watching his tall friend with an almost crude endorsement.
"Oh, there you are, Spike," Twilight said aloud, mentally checking off a list item. "I was wondering where you disappeared to."
"The crystal ponies thought I might have some insights on the changelings." Spike casually walked over to the group of royal ponies and took a seat by Thorax. "They wanted to know why they looked so different and stuff. They caught up to me right as I was gonna follow you guys inside from the balcony."
"You know, I had been wondering where my fill of dragon sarcasm had gone so suddenly." The quip was followed by stuck-out tongues exchanged between them.
"Well, to answer your question, Spike," said Thorax, locking eyes with the flock of drones still watching him closely. "The changelings already know me pretty well, and for better or worse, they know me as a bit of a 'soft-shell'. So whenever I do something they find strange, they tend to write it off as 'Thorax being weird again.’ But I'm sure eventually they'll find these kinds of things more commonplace, or at least that's my hope."
"So you play around and tease them whenever you get the opportunity so that they'll loosen up and eventually learn how to better express and share love?" asked Spike.
"Yeah, that's about the gist of it. Of course, I do it simply because it's fun and rewarding, too."
"That's pretty devious of you, ol' pal…I like it."
"Well, you can thank Cadance and Shining Armor for giving me the idea in the first place." Thorax looked at the royal pair. "I learned so much while I was in the empire. I was made to be the poster changeling for sharing love, but even I had no idea just how many different ways there are for love to be shared. If I hadn't spent so much time here, I wouldn't have even known where to start in leading the changelings."
"It was a pleasure for us as well, Thorax," Cadance replied softly, levitating Flurry Heart from her basket and placing her between her front hooves. The baby alicorn now had a far better view of the many friendly faces all around her, and she fixated on those she knew best. "Having you stay with us taught us so much about changelings and their culture, and perhaps more importantly, it gave us a new perspective. Frankly, it was an experience Shining Armor and I very much needed, after our...less than positive experience with changelings at our wedding."
"Thwaa?" Flurry Heart eyed Thorax with cautious fascination. At that moment, the group of ponies smiled warmly at the baby alicorn, and a few changelings across the room shivered in content.
"Whoa, did you guys feel that?" one drone asked aloud, twitching his wings from under his carapace.
"Yeah, that was some burst of love."
"Do you recognize Thorax, Flurry?" Cadance asked in her sweetest voice. "He's a big changeling now, and definitely a lot more colorful, but he's the same old Thorax."
"Thwaaa...phhpthwaa!" Flurry gibbered again, beaming brightly the more she watched Thorax wave at her.
"Aha, hello, Flurry! I bet you couldn't see me very well in your basket before, huh?" Thorax lowered his head to meet her eye level. Flurry reached out to boop his snout with her hoof, and Thorax stuck his tongue out reactively, much to her amusement.
"She's just as friendly and happy as always," he said with a chuckle, letting the little alicorn gently grab onto his nose as she traced her gaze up to his imposing antlers. "I'm surprised she recognized me so quickly, though."
"Well, of course. She'll always recognize her favorite playmate," said Shining, sharing a mutually content look with his wife. "Changelings are the most effective hide-and-seek and 'peek-a-boo' players I've ever seen."
Thorax locked eyes with Shining Armor for a brief moment thereafter. A pure, undiluted joy filled his eyes.
"Thanks, Shining Armor. But really, it was my pleasure. I loved spending time with her! Not to mention, I wanted to do something to help repay you for your generosity of letting me stay in the castle. Helping you and Sunburst look after her was the least I could do."
Flurry began to try and pull herself up onto the large changeling's head, gripping the base of his antlers for support. But as valiant an effort as it was, she tumbled back down again, much to Thorax's immediate concern. When she giggled again, Thorax sighed in relief.
"Papa Thoraaaaax!" An abrupt and whiny voice pierced the air like a knife. "When can we go back outside? I haven't gotten to talk to a single crystal pony yet."
Thorax's train of thought derailed entirely, his attention stolen by its most talented thief. Tiny hooves climbed his back, and Thorax could only chuckle and wonder what had taken the nymph so long to cause a disruption.
Apex's ruby eyes appeared between Thorax's antlers, peering at the many faces surrounding him. But it only took a moment for him to disregard everyone else entirely and lean around Thorax's horn to demand his gaze promptly.
"Hello, Apex. Can I help you?" Thorax asked cheekily, determined to put on a show for his gracious hosts.
"Didn't you hear me? Come on, Papa Thorax, your ears are as big as my head! What good are they if you can't hear stuff with them?"
Thorax started to laugh, as did the observing ponies. Apex blinked and pulled his head up in surprise.
"W-What? What did I say?"
"Apex, you do know we were in the middle of a conversation, right?" As soon as Thorax spoke, Apex's head entered his view once again.
"Yeah, but you're not even talking with the ponies about polo ticks like you said you would. Why do we have to be up here? The princess pony showed us the room, so can we go, now?"
Eyes watched Apex with endearment, and Thorax called the nymph's bluff with a smirk.
"Well, I need to stay up here for a little while longer, but if you'd like to go outside, I don't see why not. As long as you stay with Tibia and the others, and if it's okay with Princess Cadance and Shining Armor..."
Thorax trailed off to give an acknowledging glance at the ponies in question. Shining Armor received a nod from Cadance, then turned back to Thorax with one of his own. He then turned to address the drones welcomingly.
"That's fine by us. Please explore the empire as you see fit, everyone," Shining stated. "The crystal ponies have been made fully aware of the situation, and I have guards stationed at key locations in and out of the castle, in case you need help. All I ask is that you remain inside the empire's walls. The frozen wastelands are dangerous, and we do not regularly patrol their depths. I wouldn't want anyone becoming lost and unaccounted for."
As if given the most exciting news of their lives, the convoy of changelings gave wide, open-mouthed smiles and departed from their perches. Some took to the sky and flew from the tall windows, while others trotted out the door to tour the vast castle on their own terms. Eventually, however, Thorax cocked an eyebrow at the one who hadn't moved an inch from his head.
"There you go, Apex, you're free to go outside, now. Just stick close to Tibia, alright?"
Thorax received no response this time. Only the still, dead weight of the nymph signaled his presence.
"Apex?"
"..."
"Apex?"
"..."
"Apex, what's wrong? I thought you just said you wanted to-"
"-I'm just gonna stay up here actually, Papa Thorax," Apex muttered, his snout hidden between his front hooves. Thorax exchanged glances with Twilight and Cadance, who smiled at him with discerning looks.
"Apex?"
"What?"
"Why don't you want to go outside now? You just said you wanted to."
"Well, I don't want to if you're not gonna be out there, too."
Thorax smirked to himself. A final piece of a puzzle had fallen into place. He felt a seed of affection take root in his chest, and a stoked fire spread rapidly through his body.
"Apex, you're not jealous of Flurry Heart getting so much of my attention just now, are you?"
Apex shifted his position and turned his head. Thorax could have sworn he heard him mumble something in reply.
"Apex, you know you don't have to be jealous."
"I'm not jealous of the baby pony! That's you saying that, Papa Thorax, not me."
Twilight looked on as if the scene was the climax of a soap opera. The rest of the group was just as attentive.
"It's true that Flurry Heart and I spent a lot of time together," Thorax admitted. "While I was in the empire, I lived here in the castle, so playing and interacting with her became a daily routine. And I wouldn't take back any of it—Flurry helped me understand the forms of sharing love that have led me to where I am today. It was an amazing learning experience, and one I'll never forget for sentimental reasons, as well."
Apex said nothing, but Thorax felt a sharp exhale of breath race across his forehead.
"But you know, you’re forgetting something very important, Apex." The big changeling reached up and gently rubbed his hoof along the nymph's tiny head. "Flurry Heart is Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor's child, not mine. That honor goes to you."
Apex’s ruby eyes shot open, and his body shivered.
"Really?" he squeaked. Thorax chuckled, and his twin antlers ignited in a blaze of teal magic. He levitated the small drone down between his hooves. Once there, a hoof wrapped itself around Apex's underbelly, pulling him close. The nymph peered upwards, again meeting Thorax's gaze from an upside-down perspective.
"Of course, Apex. Did you think you could get away with calling me 'Papa Thorax' for so long without it rubbing off on me?" Thorax asked rhetorically, perfectly content to hold the tiny drone forever. "Lately, you and the other nymphs have made me feel more like a parent than a king. But, you know...I don't think they have to be so different."
Apex felt his head briskly rubbed again by Thorax's hoof, but this time he met it with an eccentric chirp.
Twilight silently squealed. With exaggerated pupils, she turned to her brother and sister-in-law.
"Aren't they simply adorable!?" she whispered gleefully, her face pressed between her hooves. "The intimacy of their patriarchal dynamic is just so precious! I've been with them for two days now, and I still can't get over it! And you should see how they sleep together in clusters. They restore each other through sharing love while they sleep, it's so fascinating!"
"Whoa now, Twilight, calm down before you blow a fuse," Spike chuckled, gently patting the alicorn on her flank.
"It's a beautiful thing, indeed," Cadance replied warmly. The princess turned her lavender eyes back towards Thorax. He and Apex were practically lost in a playful world of their own. She appeared lost as well, entranced in a seven-mile stare that went far past the room's walls.
"I understand what Princess Celestia meant in her letter, now," Shining Armor said quietly, holding his wife in a close embrace as Cadance swept Flurry into one of her own. Even Sunburst seemed smitten, taking a chance to ruffle the young filly's hair.
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.
"As I mentioned during my speech to the crystal ponies, Princess Celestia sent a message to the empire after her initial visit with the changelings, which differed from the message she sent across the rest of Equestria," the stallion explained.
"My aunt doesn't become overwhelmed by emotion very often, but through her writing, I could tell she had, this time," Cadance added. She watched Apex leap behind Thorax's back in an attempt to hide, whilst Thorax ungracefully twisted around and fell over in an attempt to grab him. All the while, both changelings were at the mercy of their unbridled laughter.
"She wouldn't stop going on and on about how the empire would be the perfect place for the changelings to make their start. She was so insistent on that point, that it actually surprised me. But now I understand. Being in-tune with love magic, I felt something just now; something that puts everything she was talking about into perspective. Shining Armor felt it, too, because our magic is synced."
Cadance turned to meet Twilight's agape look, her eyes on the verge of tears.
"Even if you can't recognize it, I'm sure your mood has been impacted by it, Twilight. What I just felt was broadcasted love magic. The changelings don't just share love now. It looks like they can also spread love to other living things."
Twilight's eyes darted among random sections of the crystalline floor before a gasp filled her lungs.
"You...you mean like you, like the crystal heart...", she muttered to herself, a massive epiphany overtaking her mind. The hive's flourishing plant life, the changelings' polarized demeanors—as connections fired off, Twilight developed a mad grin.
"Oh my gosh, that makes so much sense! Why didn't I think of that? Spike, quick, help me take notes! This is going to make Equestrian history! No species but the crystal ponies have ever been capable of magically spreading love!"
Twilight scurried to pull her notes and journals from her saddlebags. Meanwhile, Thorax shared a long glance with Cadance. Two monarchs of love, their cherished children peacefully resting against their hooves.
A small squadron of changelings made their way across the rolling hills lining the Crystal Empire's outskirts. Unlike the rest of their party who’d stayed behind to tour the crystal castle, these changelings decided to explore the empire's bordering landscapes. It was a perfect chance to escape the bustle surrounding their king's political excursion, as well as take a moment to relax within this sunny oasis amidst the tundra.
Tranquil as it was, however, it wasn’t enough to dispel changeling drama. One drone in particular willingly sacrificed relaxation for the opportunity to vent his thoughts to the open air.
"He's so unorthodox!" Cornicle spat, his snout brushing the grass as he trudged along. "I mean, just what in the name of the Hive was that, anyway?"
"'Tickling'," said a lemon-hued changeling plainly, hovering above the grass and letting her hooves run through the blades. "It's the rapid stimulation of nerve endings to elicit laughter, often used by ponies as a means of affection and play. Did you not hear what Thorax said? It can also be used as an alternative way to share love-"
"-I know what he said, Apidae! And I was being rhetorical; I know what tickling is. I've been an infiltration scout before."
Apidae blinked. "What does infiltration have to do with tickling?"
Cornicle turned his head to give her a hardened glare. "Sometimes ponies greet their friends in really peculiar ways."
Apidae stifled a laugh. Stone-cold Cornicle stuck in a disguise while subjected to tickling was too perfect an image.
"Anyway, it sure didn't feel like I received energy from it," he continued skeptically. "In fact, all I got was a rush of adrenaline and loss of breath. Not exactly an effective way to eat. It felt more like torture to me."
Apidae giggled and turned herself upside-down, still in midair. "I doubt Thorax is even capable of torturing a changeling, Cornicle."
"Well, that would depend on your definition of 'torture'. I know I'll be skipping it for breakfast the next time it's offered. It would’ve helped if you guys hadn't let on that you were clueless about what it was. I'm the one who got stuck demonstrating."
The merciless smirks of Cornicle's peers haunted him on all sides. Their high-pitched chortles rang in his ears.
"It sounds to me like someling is just sore because 'Papa Thorax' stripped him of his dignity in front of Equestrian royalty," an orange drone teased in a sing-song voice, immediately setting the others into a dull roar of hysterics.
"Buzz off, Coxa!" Cornicle hissed. "If I wanted to hear your voice, I'd turn into a pile of slime and belch."
For a time, the changeling's chittering persisted, fanning the flames of Cornicle's frustration further. Eventually, however, the rowdy bunch managed to quiet themselves down. Cornicle continued to fill his fellow changelings’ taste buds with his sour disposition.
"I'm just so put off by him, now," he admitted with a small frown. "What happened to the timid changeling who'd shapeshift into rocks whenever the entire hive broke out into games of bug pile? The changeling you could barely hear whenever he delivered his scouting reports? He's so affable and sprightly now. It's bizarre."
"You make it sound like it's a bad thing!" Apidae replied with a jovial laugh. "I for one welcome our new cuddlebug overlord with open hooves. I'll take hugs and understanding over scraping by for food under a cold, tactical regime any day."
"Let us not forget that His Majesty was remarkably efficient with at least one role in the hive," said a deep green drone from the group's rear, pausing just long enough to draw in everyling's gaze. "He always enjoyed tending to the brood. Ironically enough, during his shifts in the nursery hive, he proved to be even more attentive and doting towards the hive's larva and nymphs than the queen was."
"Aphidel is right, Cornicle," Apidae added, tilting her upside-down head to capture the waspish drone's eye. "Thorax was always an attentive caretaker, only now he's the entire hive's caretaker. He hasn't really changed; he's just getting a chance to exercise what he was already good at. Also, you've never attended a cluster nap with him before, have you?"
Cornicle rolled his bright amber eyes. "No, I haven't, because I don't do cuddlebug stuff. It's demeaning."
"One thing I can actually agree with you on," Coxa stated with a chuckle.
"Well, I've noticed that it's usually during cluster naps when Thorax does his playful behaviors," Apidae resumed. "Just the other day, I saw him playing with Apex and two adolescents while the cluster slept. I think you're just late to the 'Thorax does strange things' party, Cornicle, because you're hardly ever around him."
The cyan changeling grumbled under his breath, sending a pebble flying with a smack of his hoof.
"Yeah, whatever. Doesn't change the fact that he's unorthodox."
"I can definitely see why you may seem unorthodox compared to Chrysalis, Thorax," Cadance said with a giggle, watching as Flurry Heart left her protective embrace to trot over to the tall changeling. Once there, she approached Apex, still contently pressed between Thorax's front hooves, and proceeded to get in his face and babble.
"I'm just far too different from her to make every changeling feel comfortable, at least not for a while," Thorax admitted solemnly, his magenta eyes half-closed, watching Apex defiantly shake his head at the invasive young alicorn. "But I take a lot of solace in the fact that, even if some of the changelings think of me as too soft, they're still freer now than they've ever been."
The crystal tower had fallen into a state of calm over the past few minutes. Twilight's excitement regarding changeling love magic had driven her to retreat into a silent study session, where she once again nested herself in a pile of books. Meanwhile, Spike took it upon himself to guide the group of changelings seeking a tour of the castle, even though he wasn't exactly well-versed in the castle’s layout himself. Sunburst, having had this forethought, had rushed off after them to assist.
The vast overlook was now populated only by the royal family, and the visiting changeling king and his young nymph.
"If I may, Thorax, that's a wonderful mindset to have," the pink princess complimented. "You're doing what Chrysalis wouldn't by putting the well-being of your subjects first. Even as a ruler, you can't make everyone happy all the time, but having the resolve to do whatever it takes to protect and serve your subjects the best way that you can? That's what it means to lead."
"I gotta say, though, from what I've seen so far, it seems like a good majority of the changelings are on board for your style of ruling," Shining Armor added, wearing an optimistic smile. "Well, I mean, there are only a few of them here in the empire today, but from how Twily's been making it sound, it appears things are going remarkably well."
The stallion sent a fond look Twilight's way, but not even the sound of her affectionate nickname stirred the purple alicorn from her furious scribbling.
"Well, I'd say it's somewhere between a sixty-to-forty ratio, right now," Thorax replied, mirroring the prince's smile as best as he could. "There are still a lot of changelings who are skeptical of how well I'll be able to lead, and I can't really blame them. If nothing else, Chrysalis was a very confident leader. While most of the changelings were willing to give me and sharing love a chance, many others made a leap of faith on the fact that they didn't want to continue starving anymore. A lot of changelings still think I'm a pushover."
Apex was now kicking his back hooves, seeking to press himself into Thorax's chest further. But Flurry could not be deterred. She doggedly fluttered about, trying to gain the nymph's attention with various hoof waves and prods. Apex desperately glanced upwards to try and gain Thorax's attention, but it was Shining Armor who took notice first.
"Flurry, come on now, if he doesn't want to play, you can't make him," he said sternly. He levitated the excitable baby pony back towards where he and Cadance sat, taking hold of her in his hooves. The alicorn's lip immediately started to quiver, and her eyes filled with tears.
"Oohoo, you know she won't understand that, hon," Cadance said sweetly. She used her magic to levitate Flurry's stuffed snail out from her carrying basket. Flurry grabbed hold of her stuffed toy and let loose a series of giggles, now content. Both mother and father chuckled at their daughter’s quick emotional rebound.
Thorax bowed his head to meet the gaze of the tiny nymph amidst his own hooves. Apex avoided his discerning eyes by pretending to try and get comfortable.
"Apex, don't you want to play with Flurry Heart?"
"No, I'm trying to take a nap," Apex lied, wrapping his hooves around Thorax's leg and squishing his face into it.
Thorax's chest ignited. The little nymph would certainly be the death of him.
"Oh, I see how it is," snarked Thorax. "When I wanted to spend time with you on the train after you misbehaved, I had to threaten to send you home. But as soon as you get invited to play by Flurry Heart, Papa Thorax is suddenly an irresistibly comfy bed."
Apex furrowed his brow and tilted his head to meet Thorax's crafty smile. "Well, I'm a growing changeling, and I need lots of sleep, and since you're the papa changeling, that means you're the one who gets to be the bed."
Thorax lightly chuckled while Apex settled against his chest, but he wasn't through with him just yet.
Thorax subtly squeezed his front hooves together, just enough to get a lazy grunt from the tiny drone. He did it again with a little more force and received a slightly louder grunt. Donning a mischievous grin, Thorax continued to squeeze, becoming caught up in the cycle like a nymph with a squeak toy.
"Cut it out, Papa Thorax!" Apex finally grumbled, shooting him a provoked glare. "Good papa changelings aren't supposed to tease nymphs, they're supposed to let them sleep!"
Having been caught red-hoofed, Thorax pursed his lips. His magenta eyes went to Flurry Heart, who was now in the midst of giggling incessantly at the two changelings. Thorax met her eye and gave a wink. Mission accomplished.
"Someone just got told," Shining Armor said cheekily.
"I sure did. You heard it here first, Twilight," Thorax stated, turning his attention towards the purple alicorn. "Changeling leaders are, first and foremost, stationary bed sets for nymphs. Even I'm learning things every day!"
Thorax, Cadance, and Shining Armor filled the chamber with three sets of laughter, and Twilight's shell of concentration was shattered at last. She giggled to herself, taking a moment to jot a note on the lower-left portion of her page before continuing her train of thought.
Adult changelings are popular cluster nap companions for nymphs. Nymphs may become agitated if their nestling disturbs them while resting, including, but not limited to, trying to move or play.
The landscape went on for what seemed like forever, dwarfing the city now far off in the distance. Blades of grass danced through the air, swaying gently to and fro in the breeze. Amidst the green slopes was the modest group of changelings, resting contently at the foot of a hill, sprawled out on their backs and sides. Even Cornicle had relaxed, his belly exposed to the baby blue sky as he traced cloud shapes with his eyes.
"Apidae, why do you enjoy it so much?" asked Cornicle.
"You'll have to be more specific," came a mumble somewhere to Cornicle's left.
"Why do you enjoy being close? With Thorax, with other changelings?" Cornicle lazily turned his head to catch Apidae’s eye. "Of all of us here, you're the biggest cuddlebug by far. I'm just curious what you see in it."
The air went silent, and Apidae closed her eyes. She felt the soft grass cushioning her head and tickling her body. She felt the warm sun shining down against her carapace, and the cool breeze providing relief from said sun.
She smiled. The world around her cradled every fiber of her being. She could fall asleep in this embrace, the same way she could in any cluster nap pile.
"Safety, assurance, devotion," Apidae listed, her voice calm and quiet. "It's comforting, warm, and has meaning. It's hard to explain."
She paused and took a deep breath.
"We hunted love like predators hunt prey for so long. We were detached from it because it was just sustenance for us. But no matter how much of it we obtained, we were never satisfied. For a long time, I wondered why that was, why we were doomed to an existence of always wanting more."
Her fellow changelings turned to observe her silently, caught off guard by such reserved boldness. Cornicle also looked on with heightened interest, turning himself over onto his stomach to better watch and listen.
"When Thorax emerged from his cocoon, I finally realized why we were never satisfied. It was because all along we were never really feeding ourselves; we were feeding greed." Apidae's eyes flickered with resentment. "Greed that our queen infected our species with. Greed that made us monsters who preyed on other creatures. I was so angry—at Chrysalis and us—but then my anger just became a sense of emptiness. We'd spent so long chasing something that never had to be chased. It'd be hilarious if it weren't so pathetic."
Apidae rose to her hooves, leaving a distinctive imprint in the grass. She turned to Cornicle with a new, dawning smile.
"I enjoy being close because it makes me feel like love is something that I can create myself, something that I can own. For the first time, I don't see love like food, but as an experience. And it's not every changeling for themselves anymore; it's all of us. If we're what we have, then I'd rather experience love, together."
As if complimenting her speech’s end, the breeze picked up, creating a low droning sound in each changeling's ear. Everyling gawked at one another, and at Apidae.
"Wow. I didn't realize I'd have to think about my feelings today," Coxa said bluntly, breaking the silence and pretending to retch. A few chuckles followed.
"I thought that was very well put, Apidae," said Aphidel. "Very wise words. Words that many changelings could take to heart."
Aphidel's gaze drifted towards Coxa, a subtle look of disgust taking root as the orange drone continued to be obscene for the amusement of the others.
"Was that a satisfactory explanation, Cornicle?" Apidae asked with intrigue, lending a hoof to help the changeling up.
"Yeah, it was," Cornicle admitted, rubbing the back of his head. "That was really insightful, actually. I'm a little shocked."
Apidae gave her fellow drone another smile, and for the first time since they'd left the castle, Cornicle smiled back.
"I suppose we should head into town, now, and attempt to befriend the crystal ponies," Aphidel announced to the group, casting her eyes towards the looming crystal buildings beyond the hills. "Though I'm sure King Thorax will be delighted to hear about our self-guided tour of the empire, I can't imagine he'd be anything but disappointed to hear that we elected to avoid all local inhabitants."
"Yeah, he'd give us one of his looks." Apidae snickered. She then puffed out her chitinous chest, lowered her voice, and made firm eye contact with a particularly bemused drone. "I'm really disappointed in you guys, but this is all I can manage, so please reconsider next time."
"I wouldn't get too comfortable with that thought," Cornicle said with a smirk. "I think I'm living proof that Thorax is slowly but surely devising new, horrific ways to reprimand changelings."
The group shared a moment of merriment, and then made their way back towards the city.
"You know, sister, it occurs to me that I'm rather detached from the changelings," a blue-hued alicorn pondered aloud whilst sliding books along a shelf.
"Oh, and how is that?" asked another alicorn, her rainbow mane reflecting the light of the sun as she lounged against a pile of embroidered throw pillows.
"As you'll recall, when the she-demon originally attacked Canterlot, I was not within the city," Princess Luna explained sharply. "By the time I had returned from my excursion, Shining Armor and Princess Cadance's wedding had blossomed, and I was none the wiser of the day's events. Only later did you inform me of what had transpired."
Princess Celestia watched the younger alicorn with a sentiment. Luna's ear twitched, as did her wings shiver—telling body language that Celestia knew all too well. She already knew where this conversation was headed.
"I'm sure you remember that night well, sister," she continued, spreading her wings and ascending the aged bookcase. "It took five guards holding me back and a lengthy speech from you to convince me to stay put in Canterlot. If either factor had waned, I'd have sought out that cretin, wherever she had gone and made her pay for her unforgivable transgressions against you and our subjects."
"Oh yes, I remember. Though your protectiveness was endearing, I was relieved you came to see reason," Celestia said calmly. "The ponies of Canterlot needed you, as did I. Although, now that I think of it, I do seem to remember the castle guards avoiding you in the hallways for weeks following that incident."
Celestia subtly fished for a response with her eyes. Luna huffed indignantly.
"Yes, well, I may have, in my frustration, resorted to using the Royal Canterlot Voice in front of them," she muttered, scowling at the ancient books and trying to ignore Celestia's shameless giggling. "However, a whole lot of good staying put did, in the end. I was unable to stop you, our subjects, or even myself from being tormented a second time when the she-demon returned."
“Starlight Glimmer reported to me that you were the one to warn her of the changeling’s intentions before you were captured,” Celestia pointed out. “That’s more than even I was able to do, Luna. You played an important role in this conflict, and it should not be forgotten or understated.”
“Relief that my distress call was heard aside, it still troubles me that I was once again unable to protect those things important to me with my own hooves," Luna countered. “Ever since Nightmare Moon, I’ve done my best not to let my emotions and pride cloud what’s most important. Of course, I am overjoyed everypony is fine and that the changelings are under a new rule. It is just a struggle at times.”
There was a short pause. Luna's wing beat quickened, and her voice took a darker tone.
"If I'm to be open about my feelings, Celestia, I will say this. If Starlight Glimmer had not gotten within my line of sight, the queen would not have escaped that clifftop unscathed."
Celestia nodded, her look solemn and reserved. "I understand your frustration, but please, let your mind be at ease now. The queen is no longer in power, and a wonderful new king has been crowned in her place. I'm quite certain Thorax is in talks with Twilight and Cadance as we speak, discussing a better future for both ponies and changelings."
"Which returns me to my original point." Luna side glanced at her sister. "I'm detached from the changelings, whether as enemies or as allies. While Cadance, Twilight, and yourself have all had dealings with them, I've yet to even hold a conversation with Thorax, let alone interact with any of his subjects. Even during the dinner, the most I could manage was welcoming the group as they arrived."
The sun princess watched the galaxy in her sister's mane shimmer in the light. "Come now. You had the distinct honor of donning Thorax with a Pink Heart of Courage. Does that not count for something?"
"Oh yes, I bestowed him with it alright," Luna grumbled, her eyes rolling in a long, slow arc. "After I successfully made fools of us both in front of our subjects."
Once again, the room was gifted with Celestia's lively giggling.
"If I'm to represent Equestria in our dealings with the changelings, I must know more about them. Not even our outdated archives are too trivial." The night princess set her sights on a book at the opposite end of the top shelf. "Now that I think of it, I was probably still occupying the moon during Equestria's first encounter with changelings, whenever that may have been. Details. It's an oversight I shall now quickly remedy."
Luna's blue magic aura seized her sought book and withdrew it. She then descended to the marble tile floor, face pressed within the book's bindings, and sauntered towards the center of the room, towards her sister and the plethora of throw pillows awaiting her flank. The book's cover, emblazoned with bright golden letters, read, 'Estranged Empires and Sovereignties'.
As Luna sat on her haunches and began to read, Celestia raised an enchanted cup of tea to her lips. "All will come in due time," she said softly. "One day soon, I'm sure Thorax and his subjects will grace even the streets of Canterlot. I have the utmost confidence in both my niece and my former student in their ability to help guide us towards that day."
Cadance's violet eyes anchored onto Apex. The tiny changeling was haphazardly sprawled across Thorax's front legs, his tinier hooves jutting out in various directions. He snored softly, with his head firmly pressed into Thorax's chest, and a thin line of drool shamelessly trickling from his mouth. Every so often, an ear or hoof twitched as he dreamed of all manner of shenanigans.
Thorax, finally at ease, labored a sigh. He nuzzled the nymph's head with his snout periodically, as if to check up on him. It was thanks to this that Cadance's puppy eyes persisted.
"I don't think I'm ever going to get over how adorable he is," she admitted with a chuckle. "Are all changeling nymphs like him?"
Thorax gave the princess an uncertain glance. "If all nymphs were like Apex, I'd have collapsed from exhaustion a long time ago, princess."
Cadance giggled. "A little too lively at times, is he?"
"Let's just say what you've seen today could be called his 'good behavior'. He can be a real hoof-ful when he hasn't gotten enough rest. And since he rarely takes cluster naps with anyling, or rather doesn't like to go to bed in general, he's a hoof-ful pretty frequently."
"I'd say I can only imagine, but I think we both know how Flurry can get at times," said Cadance. "Remember the ‘Bathroom Floor of Eternal Soap Bubbles’? Or perhaps the time she hijacked your transformation magic, and turned you into a squeak toy?"
A blush tinted Thorax's cheeks. "Touché."
The room fell silent, and as it did, Thorax actively avoided the eyes monitoring him. He was at a loss of what to say next, where to take the discussion. For all of his impeccable progress made in teaching rowdy changelings affection in place of aggression, his political skills were still perpetually nonexistent. Even among friends and allies, he was stumped on what to say.
As fun as catching up with Cadance was, it wasn't why he was here. He had responsibilities now.
The alpha bit his lip, and his ears curled at their tips. The silence stoked his anxiety, so he took a deep breath and met their looks head-on.
"I want to apologize for all the distractions today, princess. The changelings have been really antsy today, so it's been hard for me—for us—to focus. It's pretty much been a circus since I woke up this morning. Twilight's visit, then finishing our hive, and then our trip here has been a lot for them to take in. I'd hoped we'd be able to talk about our kingdoms before now."
The fabricated looks of annoyance he had expected played out to be warm, unperturbed grins.
"Thorax, come on," Cadance remarked jovially, "we've had dark kings try to conquer our home, and we've had the entire empire strive to land a national sports competition for weeks. Do you really think some distractions are going to set us off? You should know better than that."
Thorax beamed at Cadance's playfully chiding smile.
"And besides, we can hardly fault you for some early morning mayhem, anyway," Shining Armor added. "After all, I had a rough morning, too. I don't think I'll top 'misinforming the empire about changelings' for some time to come. So don't worry about it, we totally understand."
"Is there anything you'd like to see happen during your visit with us today, or perhaps in the future?" Cadance offered, shifting her position and Flurry’s to one more comfortable. "We have the privilege of knowing you personally, so I believe we can skip past formalities in favor of getting to the crux of the matter—how to integrate our subjects."
The anxieties had loosened their grip. Thorax couldn't tell if the princess was moving the conversation along, herself, or if she had once again read him like an open book. It was probably both.
"Well, I'd love to have the changelings mingle today, if possible," he stated. "Actually, I'm hoping some of them are already doing so. I was thinking about how because the empire was gone for so long, not even scout changelings are familiar with crystal ponies or their culture. They're really curious about the empire, and I think the crystal ponies could teach them a lot."
"There certainly is a kinship between our subjects," Cadance said with a nod. "Sharing love is such an important part of our lives. What's a source of nourishment for you is our primary means of defense and what ultimately unites our kingdom. I think it'd be second nature for our subjects to get along. I'd love to help teach the changelings about our rich culture, and perhaps we'll learn a thing or two from you, as well."
"We just need to provide an environment where the crystal ponies and the changelings can interact freely," Shining Armor put in. "A natural, laid-back environment. Luckily, it just so happens that we may have one of those."
Thorax cocked his sizeable head. Shining Armor put on a foalish grin.
"I didn't have much occasion to mention it before, Thorax, but I’ve actually put together a small celebration for your visit today."
"A celebration?" Thorax inquired. "Really? But, when would you have had time to put together something like that? I could've sworn you've been with us since we got here."
"I have been. I had the idea before your arrival, and things were set in motion following my speech to the crystal ponies," Shining explained. "It may be a last-minute thing, but I think it'll be a great way for the changelings to feel relaxed around the crystal ponies, and vice-versa. The royal guard is setting up carts, tables, and stands in the plaza underneath the castle, and I plan on checking in with them shortly."
"There's an array of staple cuisines from the empire, hoof-made on the spot," Cadance added. Thorax's face progressively lit up like a firework. "I know you don't need to eat in the same way we do, but we wanted to offer your subjects something unique from our kingdom for your visit. Food is a quick but effective fix, after all."
The last of Thorax's anxiety finally melted away. If there was one thing his hosts were always good at, it was becoming a glowing beacon for him when he was lost.
"Oh, that sounds wonderful!" Thorax exclaimed giddily. "All changelings are capable of digesting things. We just don't tend to do it very often outside of certain traditional ceremonies. I'm sure they'll love it. And I know first-hoof how good the empire's food is, princess, so you don't have to sell me on the idea, believe me."
"Well then, why don't I leave you two to it, and I'll go check on how the preparations are coming along?" Shining suggested. "I'll help finish things up, do some quality checks. I'll let you know when it's ready."
"Oh, please do. As soon as Princess Cadance and I are finished, I'd love to come outside and see things for myself," Thorax answered with a smile. "And feel free to have your guards direct the changelings towards the plaza if need be, Shining Armor. Though I have faith in them, they do tend to wander."
Shining Armor rose from his spot on the floor and stretched the stiffness out from his legs. He granted his wife and child a farewell kiss before departing towards the doors. But just as he crossed the threshold, he stopped and turned his attention towards his sister, who was still quietly muttering to herself from inside her circle of knowledge.
The stallion shook his head. For a moment, he'd forgotten she'd even been in the room.
"Twily?" he asked, louder than need be. Or rather, louder than need be for most other ponies.
"..."
"Twily, we're not really doing this again, are we?"
"..."
Raising an eyebrow, Shining Armor used his magic to roll up a scroll resting by Twilight's side. He lightly tapped her on the head with it.
"Bonk."
Caught by surprise, Thorax and Cadance giggled, but neither of them giggled quite as loudly as Flurry Heart.
Twilight's eyes moved from their spot within the page. "Shining Armor, did you just-"
"Bonk."
Flurry giggled louder. Shining grinned wider. Twilight turned to raise her head, challenging the stallion with a sly grin of her own.
"Oh, if you want the ‘Best Aunt Ever’ to entertain Flurry Heart with some slapstick, Shining Armor, I think you'll find she's outmatched."
All at once, Twilight abandoned her laboring studies. She rose from the floor, her magic commanding the many books, papers, and scrolls to rise with her. Twirling them around her in a brief display, she then sent them back into her saddlebags.
Twilight met her brother's eyes, only to find a gloating smirk. He relinquished the held scroll to his sister's magenta storm.
"Actually, I was going to ask if you'd like to accompany me on some preparations for something we’re putting together for Thorax," he said plainly, his mischievous smile holding steady. "I just figured that, as the B.A.E., the sound of Flurry Heart giggling was probably the best method for getting your attention."
Twilight nodded to the proposition and rolled her eyes at the smart-aleck reasoning. Joining Shining in his resumed trot towards the door, she waved a hoof at the trio watching her leave.
“We'll meet up later, Thorax! I finally finished all the relevant notes! I’ll have copies made when I’m next in Canterlot!” Twilight called. “And goodbye, my sweet niece! I hope we’ll have some time to play later!”
“We’ll be back up as soon as preparations are done,” Shining Armor reminded, stepping past the doors to allow Twilight through before engulfing them in his magic aura.
“Oh, hun, can you take a look around the cart wagons and see if there’s anything Flurry might be able to eat?” Cadance quickly put out before the doors could close. “I know once we go down there she's going to see the sights and smell the smells, and that'll be that. If there's even something small we can give her that should keep her satisfied.”
"Of course. Only the best for our little girl!" Shining exclaimed, displaying Flurry an array of ridiculous faces as he slowly disappeared beyond the closing door.
The resulting shut echoed like a muffled thunderclap, but inevitably submitted to the room's shroud of dead air.
Apex shifted around in his sleep, drawing Thorax's gaze to him like a watchful mother hen. Thorax's eye movements were a subtle, flickering occurrence, but they were not lost to Cadance.
"I have to say, Thorax, I'm impressed by the unique dynamic you've forged between you and your subjects," she complimented. "The balance between authority and intimacy is a difficult thing to maintain, let alone master. You've only just gotten here, but I can see that the changelings seem to both respect you as a leader and hold you in regard as a sort of parental guardian. It's fascinating."
Thorax gave a sheepish smile in return. Cadance shared it, laughing at her own seriousness.
"I'm sure you've heard enough of this already from my sister-in-law," she said apologetically. "I keep forgetting she's been shadowing you the past few days."
"Don't worry about it," Thorax assured. "Like I told Twilight, I don't mind the comments and questions. Even the changelings are still reeling from just how different things are now, so it's only natural ponies are curious too."
More silence followed. Thorax skillfully repositioned his hindquarters without disturbing his napping nymph.
"They just deserve better," he continued, watching Apex grimace from within his dreams. "We weren't born into this world to be monsters, scavenging on other creature's emotions; always hungry, always feared, always hated. At least, that's what I've always believed. Chrysalis called me a traitor, and maybe I was in her eyes, but even when I fled the hive, I was always thinking of my kind. I wasn't pulled from the changelings; I was pushed from them. I hoped to return one day, but only after I found a better way for us to live."
"With a little help from the friends you made, you did just that," said Cadance. "Visionaries are quite often seen as outcasts at first, Thorax. Real change is scary, even for changelings; but what is, isn't always what's best. We can always better ourselves, whether as individuals or as kingdoms."
Thorax allowed her wisdom to digest for a moment. He turned his gaze towards the illuminated windows and the beauty of the day outside.
"I guess being a guardian just comes naturally to me. I don't really think about it, I just want the changelings to be happy, and I want to be a positive part of their lives."
"Well, as a co-ruler of the Crystal Empire, I can confidently say that our nation would be more than honored to be close allies with a kingdom ruled by such a compassionate mindset."
Thorax fought it, but he couldn't stop his face from heating up, or the glowing display of teeth that followed.
"So, sister, let me get this straight."
"Yes?"
"All we knew of the changelings prior to Thorax's crowning is that they were, and I quote, 'frightening insect-like creatures who feast off the love of ponies. They can change their form to mimic anypony or anything they choose. Extremely dangerous. Flee on sight.'"
"Go on."
"I cannot. It is two sentences, followed by what I can scarcely even call footnotes."
"And what's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, if this were a children's trivia game. However, this is an ancient volume with pages spanning the thousands. We have entire chapters on the Saddle Arabians and even a fair amount of records concerning the griffons. In the thousand years I was occupying the moon, how did Equestria only come up with a mere two sentences detailing such a dangerous species?"
"Formerly dangerous species."
"Don't give me that. You know the point I make. Besides, even without her armies, the she-demon still lurks."
"If I remember correctly, the changelings are an invasive race not originally from Equestria. I don't believe we even encountered them until very near the thousandth year of the Summer Sun Celebration. What little information was known about them prior to the events of the royal wedding was from sources in Equestria's outskirts, which, as you can see, were somewhat limited."
"And you didn't send ponies to investigate such a disturbing description of a potential threat?"
"Research was done to be sure, but nothing was turned up. The described creatures could not be located, so they were ultimately forgotten about. Changelings can change form to not look like changelings, Luna. That was an obstacle that proved difficult to overcome."
"I believe I recall Twilight Sparkle describing to me a method she used for reverting changelings to their original forms, during the Canterlot invasion."
"You're using Twilight as a standards bar for preparation?"
Luna opened her mouth. She closed it again.
"Point taken. Nevermind."
Sighing, Luna closed the dusty encyclopedia and floated it back up to its proper place.
"At any rate, that was far less helpful than I'd hoped for," she muttered. "I suppose we'll just have to start at square one with the changelings as we did with the dragons."
"The fun is in the journey, as they say," Celestia chimed, effortlessly refilling her cup of tea with her golden magic. "But I wouldn't worry too much, Luna. If I know my former student, she's been documenting and recording all manner of information regarding the newly-established Changeling Kingdom since she first arrived there yesterday."
Luna rolled her eyes and stood from her extravagant throne of pillows, turning her attention to the door.
"Yes, well, you'll have to inform me if and when we receive such information. For now, I have notes of my own for the dream realm that I must review before the raising of the moon tonight. If I do not see you before then, sister, I bid you a very early goodni-"
A sudden flash of light broke her thoughts. Just to Celestia's left, an impressive stack of paper-clipped pages, neatly assorted with identification tabs, had appeared. While Luna gawked on with surprise and confusion, Celestia threw up a mildly curious eyebrow and levitated the first page from the stack. After a few moments, she giggled lightly to herself and returned to her tea.
"What? What does it say?" Luna asked impatiently, trotting over and seizing the page from her sister's grasp. With a curl of her lip, she began to read.
Dear Princess Celestia...I haven't written those words in so long, oh my gosh!
Spike and I are currently in the Crystal Empire with Cadance, Shining Armor, and Thorax. Things are going incredibly well! I'll be sure to update you on more events as they unfold.
Even more exciting, though, I've finished compiling a rough draft of notes for published documentation regarding the Changeling Kingdom. I've been learning so much over the past two days! I wanted to send you all of what I've learned thus far, see what your thoughts are, and ask how best to go about editing and publishing notes for the Canterlot Royal Archives. If you have any suggestions, please be sure to let me know at your earliest convenience!
Forever your Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle
There was an uncomfortably long silence. Luna lowered the page, took one glance at the tower of pages, and then turned to find Celestia staring back with a shrewd smile.
"How about that, Luna? Information on the changelings!"
"You have got to be kidding me. The next time you send her off on a foreign affairs mission, you need to confiscate her quills and parchments. And maybe Spike, for good measure."
"And these, King Thorax, I'm told are 'blueberry pastries'. They’re bread dough mixed with sugar and blueberry jam."
"Ooh, that sounds great! I don't think I've ever tried the blueberry ones before."
Thorax lowered his head to smell the aroma of baked treats. The changeling king stuck out on the street like a sore hoof, even among the empire’s sparkling inhabitants. Standing beside him was Aphidel, apathetic as ever while passively watching changelings trot around the castle plaza.
"Mmm! These are great!" Thorax exclaimed, grinning at the cart vendor with a mouthful of pastry.
"Well, thank you, um, King Thorax!" the sun-colored crystal pony stuttered. "Tender love and care are put into all of my pastries! I just love to bake."
"Well, let me just say you do an excellent job. I'll be sure to send the other changelings over to try some, too. I'm sure you'll sell out in no time!"
Satisfied, Thorax turned away, failing to notice the crystal pony's unsure, wide-eyed expression.
"So hey, thanks for joining me, Aphidel," Thorax said quietly, walking alongside the green drone. "After Princess Cadance and I finished our discussions, Flurry Heart wanted to play 'spot the changeling' with me like we used to, so I was a bit late. I hope I didn't worry you guys."
"We can handle ourselves. Your duties as the changeling's sole dignitary far exceed all other responsibilities," said Aphidel, her monotone voice a whisper under all the chatter filling the air. "You should be more confident in your actions, Your Highness. You’re making efforts to build relationships with other nations, rather than lining them up on a map as invasion spots. You’re breaking grounds, treading waters we’ve never tread before. That is what's most important."
"Still, I really wanted to be there with you guys as you experienced the empire today." Thorax’s face lit up as he watched changelings gallop from cart to cart, placing their hooves upon counters to better examine their wares. "I guess the most important thing is that you all get to make friends with the crystal ponies, right?"
Thorax paused. Aphidel glanced at her king, whose wings fidgeted from within his magenta carapace.
"That is what's happening, right? Like, that's what you've been seeing? Please tell me that's what you've been seeing."
Aphidel examined the crowds before answering. "From what I've seen so far, things are progressing smoothly, yes, give or take a few hiccups."
"Hiccups?"
"Crystal ponies seem to center their culture around many items and beliefs that changelings have little to no experience with. It could prove to be a bit of a barrier in initial communications."
"So, I just put this on my head?"
"That's right! I-It's a hat. You wear hats on your head for fun or fashion."
A turquoise changeling scrutinized a decorated sun hat held before him. Glossy Quartz fought to maintain her exaggerated smile, her hoof held aloft starting to quake from both fatigue and uncertain fright.
"I-If you don't mind me asking, do changelings even have hats?" she asked with a squeak.
"We don't."
"But what about if it rains, or if you want to keep the sun out of your eyes?"
"We tend to be homebodies when it rains. Water doesn't agree with our wings."
"And the sun?"
"Compound eyes let us see fine in the sunlight most of the time. Sometimes my eyes hurt when Thorax asks us to get up in the morning, but since we're homebodies, we usually wake up in the shade."
Glossy Quartz tilted her head, attempting to discern emotion from the changeling. Fluttering his wings every few moments in a low, hissing buzz, the drone stared back with idle interest. He patiently awaited further inquiries, blissfully unaware of the pony's mounting anxiety.
"Well, do you like this hat? Maybe it'll be your first!" she suggested desperately.
"I can always shapeshift into a pony wearing a hat if I want to wear a hat, though."
"But what about if you, yourself, want to wear a hat?"
"I could shapeshift into myself, except also wearing a hat."
"Do you always have to shapeshift, though? Can't you just put on a hat as yourself?"
"That's inefficient. Why wear a hat if I can just project myself wearing a hat through magic?"
Glossy Quartz felt her brow quiver. "You know, I don't think you're much of a chapeau person, anyway."
"You don't think I'm a what kind of what?"
"So, how did it go?"
Shining Armor's voice reached her ears, but Cadance's head did not turn. The princess's attention had shifted to a blue changeling trotting across the plaza. In a flash of green fire, the drone donned a particularly decorated sun hat, grinning to himself all the while.
"With Thorax?" Cadance asked back, leaning back against the crystalline bench. "How do you think it went?"
Shining Armor cocked an eyebrow. "That's not fair. I've been down here almost the entire time."
"Is it some great mystery, the nature of our dear Thorax?" Cadance mirrored the eyebrow and put on a crafty smile, upping the ante.
The stallion laughed. "Well, I know we're not about to go to war with him. I'm looking for details, dear, not the results. I know what that is."
Cadance looked down at her carrying basket, laying cozily between herself and her husband. Fast asleep, Flurry Heart gripped her stuffed snail tightly, cooing periodically.
"Thorax would like to open his borders to us and have the changelings visit us regularly," she explained, gently orbiting her hoof around Flurry's head. "He’s very passionate about the idea of changelings learning from our culture and vice versa. We agreed the best way to do that is to have our subjects experience the other side of the fence, themselves."
"So, regular field trips or something?" Shining mused.
"More like a dedicated public relations team. What he had in mind was a small group of changeling volunteers who will visit the empire several times a month. They'll act as a liaison between our kingdoms and share their culture while learning about ours."
"That's...a pretty cool idea, actually. I'd love to show them all the various events we have. Maybe they'd be up for our sports competitions, too. It seems like we rarely get to use our stadium past track practices these days."
"Leave it to you to default to sports, hun."
"Well, I am the captain of the empire's sports team for a reason," he defended, wearing a proud smirk. "Besides, it sounds to me like the whole idea is to immerse the changelings in our culture. Crystal ponies love their sports."
Cadance's attention shifted again. An eager young nymph bolted past the bench where she sat, now darting between the legs of changelings and crystal ponies alike. Hot on its trail was another, an adult drone baring his teeth in a threatening display of vexation.
The love princess giggled to herself. "No matter what the future holds, I'm certain having the changelings around will bring the empire a little more excitement."
"You think you're just so cute—Thorax's untouchable favorite."
"That's because I am!"
"And you think you can get away with anything because of that? Including that stunt you just pulled on that crystal pony's mane?"
"Pointing things out won't catch me, Tibia!"
Tibia buzzed his wings frantically and bit his lip. His target dared to fill his view but never grow nearer.
"Why is it I'm always chasing you, but you'll flop your little roadrunner rear end in Thorax's lap the first chance you get?" the lime drone taunted. "I thought you hated being a cuddlebug."
Apex ducked his tiny frame under a kettle corn stand, emerging through the spokes of a wheel on the other side. Tibia nimbly swerved between wheels and barrels to achieve the same end.
"You're the one who always starts chasing me first. Papa Thorax doesn't bother chasing me because he knows better!" Apex yelled back. "And I can change my mind whenever I want to because good changelings can change more than just their form!"
Tibia let out a low growl. "For someling who complained about wanting to interact with crystal ponies all day, you sure were quick to antagonize one."
"It's a party, Tibia! It's about being silly and having lots of fun! Besides, lemon looks much better in that crystal pony's mane than on that artwork!"
"Just wait until I tell Papa Thorax you weren't making friends with crystal ponies. You'll really get it, then. He'll be so disappointed."
A tiny dust cloud formed in the wake of Apex's hooves screeching to a halt.
"Papa Thorax thinks little jokes are funny too, Tibia..." The nymph tried to reason, but he was losing his confidence by the second as Tibia's relentless smirk haunted him.
"Oh, I don't know about that," replied Tibia in a sing-song voice. "Today is a really important day for Thorax. Everyling has to make friends with the crystal ponies so that the politics go well. You, however, are not making friends. I'm gonna have to tell him."
Apex's tiny ears flopped.
"Wait, that's what polo ticks are? No! Don't tell Papa Thorax! I don't want him to be sad!"
Tibia fluttered around in the air upside-down, resting his hooves behind his head. "Well, then you better go apologize to that crystal pony, Apex. It may not be too late to make friends with them if you hurry, and then the ‘polo ticks’ won't make Papa Thorax sad."
Apex tip-tapped his hooves nervously before running past the hovering drone, retracing his steps back the way he came. Tibia relished his moment of triumph with a grin.
"A shrewd changeling, as usual, I see."
Tibia raised his head. In his field of vision was an upside-down bright cyan drone, welcoming him with a cold glare.
"Hey, Cornicle," said Tibia, turning over in mid-air. "Have you made any friends yet, or are you still sore about getting your tummy tickled?"
Cornicle sneered. "Still a shrewd changeling, alright. I've talked to a few. I think they'd rather hide under a bed than carry a conversation with me, though."
Cornicle nodded his head to the side, guiding Tibia's gaze. "I was hanging out with Aphidel, but Thorax sorta took her away. They've been off in their own little world since he came downstairs."
"Really? What do you suppose they're talking about?"
The male changelings watched the pair curiously from a distance. Cornicle knocked a hoof against Tibia's side.
"To put in your own words, I'd say Aphidel has a future in 'polo ticks'."
"Hey Aphidel, I was wondering something."
"Yes, King Thorax?"
"You were one of the changelings who left to explore the empire earlier this afternoon, weren't you?"
"I was."
"Where did you go? What did you do? Did you get the chance to talk with the crystal ponies at all?"
Aphidel turned. The alpha changeling watched her with eyes the size of dinner plates.
"I should leave it to Cornicle to mention it to you, but since you asked, I shall explain in his stead," stated Aphidel. "Cornicle was rather distraught with your decision to use him as a demonstration for sharing love magic through 'tickling', so we ventured to the grasslands at the edge of the empire, away from the populace. We enjoyed the fair weather there while listening to Cornicle rant about his frustrations."
Thorax's giddiness deflated.
"Oh...I didn't realize he'd taken it quite so badly," he murmured, drooping his head slightly. "I was just trying to be playful. I may have overstepped a boundary with him."
Aphidel examined her king's sullen composure. After a few moments of silence, a shadow of a smile crept onto her lips.
"Don't feel too badly, Your Highness," she assured. "Cornicle was suffering a loss of dignity more than anything else. Not to play stereotypes, but most male changelings I've known are the same way. Once he realized his status as a 'tough male changeling' was not threatened in the long-term, he got over it."
Thorax picked up his head, another smile coming to him.
"Now that certainly sounds like Cornicle," he said with a chuckle. "Well, at any rate, I'm glad you all got to see the grasslands. They were one of my favorite places to think or take a nap while I lived here. It's always so tranquil there."
The two came to a stop just beyond a flugelhorn cart. A changeling had taken an immense interest in the sparkling instruments, flying above the crowd to play one as loudly as possible, only to elicit a harmony of groans from below. Thorax snickered to himself as two additional changelings tackled the drone mid-air in an attempt to cease his tedious trumpeting.
Aphidel spoke up. "Your Highness, you asked if we've yet to talk with and befriend the crystal ponies."
"Oh, yes! Have you had the chance to make any friends yet?"
Pinned by his two friends, the flugelhorn changeling reached with all his might for his instrument of revelry, but to no avail. They wrestled to and fro, drawing a rather large crowd. The resulting audience broke out into laughter, both changelings and crystal ponies.
"In a way," Aphidel said softly. "We know none by name yet, but familiarity will come with time, and time is no issue. Their ways are strange, yes, but I also see many similarities between us. Connecting with the crystal ponies should be an easy, yet rewarding process."
A glint shone in Thorax's eyes. "Does this mean you've considered my request, Aphidel?"
The green drone came to rest against the cool crystal ground, watching her fellow changelings wrestle and laugh, rolling around in a heap.
"Yes, King Thorax. I would be honored to frequent the empire as a sign of goodwill between our kingdoms. I’ll be in talks with Apidae. I believe she’d be delighted to assist in building a connection with the crystal ponies, as well."
Thorax sat back on his haunches. He pressed his front hooves together and shook with excitement.
With the success of the day's venture playing out before her eyes, Twilight couldn't help but beam. She let out a sigh, turning to the small dragon by her hoof.
"All's well that ends well, right Spike?"
"Twilight, you sound like a narrator."
"The changelings and the crystal ponies have hit it off, and Equestria now has a vast wealth of knowledge on a new ally."
"Seriously, Twilight, I'm the only one listening."
"With the changelings setting up roots in the Crystal Empire, it should only be a matter of time before they take wing to the rest of Equestria. That journey will be a welcomed one because Equestria's princesses will be there for them."
"Is this what it's like listening to me narrate my Power Ponies comics to you?"
Twilight giggled, rolling her eyes as she began to walk. "Come on, Spike, we should start saying our goodbyes. I think Shining Armor and Princess Cadance can take it from here, and we have a castle to get back to."
"You mean you have four books on changeling cuddling you want to go publish," Spike teased, taking a few strides and hopping up on the alicorn's back. "I've had you figured out this entire trip, Twilight, don't deny it."
"I'll have you know that communal energy restoration only takes up three chapters of approximately thirty-six and a half, thank you very much," she refuted, smirking while Spike laughed. "Though I'm sure those chapters will be among the princesses' favorites."
"If she even reads them," Spike mumbled, crossing his arms and kicking back.
"Of course she will, Spike. They're going to be official records. I wouldn't be surprised if she's looked over them by the time we get back to-"
There was a grotesque belch from behind. A decorated scroll with golden trimmed edges flopped down upon Twilight's snout.
"A-ha! See? Look at that. She's already gotten back to me."
Spike scoffed. Twilight's magenta magic brought the scroll to life and unrolled it.
Dear Twilight,
I'm glad to hear your excursion with the changelings has been going so well. I imagine you plan on returning to Ponyville by this evening, so I've taken the liberty of sending your documents to Starlight Glimmer for safekeeping until your return.
While I cannot say I had the occasion to give them a thorough read, I have skimmed through them, and I am fascinated by your findings. Following Canterlot's royal summit later this week, please accompany me in Canterlot. I would be happy to go over the details for how to refine and publish your findings.
PS: Princess Luna is very impressed with how in-depth your analyses are! She says Equestria could benefit from notes this detailed on all of our future allies.
~ Sincerely,
Princess Celestia
Twilight blushed. Before the young princess could even turn and gloat, however, Spike belched once more. A second scroll burst forth from his flames and flopped down over the first.
Thorax waded in heated water and felt the stress drain from his muscles. He let himself sink into a shifting mirror wrought with steam and sighed in relief.
His relationship with the hive's hot springs definitely needed revisiting.
The drones were still in a frenzy of excitement over his return from the Crystal Empire. Luckily, within all that confusion, Thorax had managed to slink away for a much-needed break. It'd take the changelings a while to find him, and this time, there were no purple alicorns for him to entertain while down here.
Consumed in a blue flame, Thorax became a golden fish. He dipped beneath the water in his new, tiny form and swam down to the base of the spring. There, he hid himself away, his tail and fins swaying lazily in place.
With lidless eyes, he watched the spring's surface, a gorgeous display of shifting light. He stared for some time, lulled to a doze by the surrounding warmth.
He failed to notice when a blurred shape entered the surface’s frame. When its shadow fell over him, however, his heart leaped.
Blue flames lit the room again, and Thorax erupted out from the water. He chuckled as he wiped his face.
"I have to admit, you guys are getting a lot better at tracking me down. I didn't think you'd-"
Upon opening his eyes, Thorax stopped and grimaced. Calor blinked through dripping water, his azure foreleg still guarding his face.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" Thorax cried, twenty apologies already lined up behind his tongue. "I didn't think it'd splash that far. Are you okay? Did any get in your eye?"
Calor lowered his leg and shook his head. He dispelled the tension with a smile.
"I'm okay, Thorax. The water is warm but it's not boiling. Always appreciate the concern, though."
Thorax sat back on his haunches and nodded. He watched the drone with doting eyes no amount of fatigue could hinder. "Well, alright. Did you need something from me? Or were you here to relax, too?"
Calor rubbed his other leg.
"Both, I guess? I wanted to welcome you back personally because, um, we all missed you! Plus I wanted to let you know that I just talked to Aphidel. I'd really like to be a part of that squad that goes to the Crystal Empire regularly."
He paused. That was a mistake. Starting again while faced with perfectly attentive eyes was nerve-wracking.
"I-I know I didn't go this time, but that's because I was so distracted with helping the nursery changelings after that big announcement you made last night. I really wanted to go, so I thought maybe next time I could. If that'd be alright with you..."
He paused again, watching the lip of the spring below his hooves. He was sweating through his carapace, but it wasn't from the steam.
"That's great, Calor," Thorax said gently. "You're one of the most lively, loving changelings I know. Those are the kinds of changelings we need in the empire; changelings who can show everypony how much we've changed."
Calor looked up at last and his breath caught in his chest. Thorax was smiling, layering the humid air with further warmth—warmth born from emotion and magic.
Calor felt his cheeks stain red. A changeling could drown in a room alone with Thorax, singled out by overwhelming affection. Then again, there was no other place he'd rather be.
"Oh, yeah, she said that was fine! I just wanted to check with you also, since it was your idea."
Quiet fell, and Calor fidgeted. He failed to notice the beaming look already hugging him from a half-dozen yards away.
"You know, I think you came to the right place," Thorax chuckled. "Here, why don't you sit down? You look about as nervous as I probably do tired."
In a moment of spontaneity, Calor lowered his head, exaggerating his hoof steps as he approached. He sniffed at the water, cautiously prodding at his reflection upon spotting it. He shook his head vigorously when his nose dipped beneath the surface.
Only when Thorax began to laugh did Calor peer up, his feigned look of curiosity suddenly a face full of glee.
Entering the spring’s depths, he was embraced by heated bliss, and he laid his head against Thorax with a sigh. A cheek lazily flopped upon his head, and that dark red blush returned.
"You know, I'm still surprised at how few changelings come down here," said Calor. Thorax hummed in response.
"I think a lot of changelings just don't like to get wet, even if the water is nice. All the more for us, right?"
"Yeah, I guess so." A firm hoof wrapped around Calor’s barrel and pulled him closer, and so he pressed further into the contrastingly cool chitin.
Luckily for the drone, the heat of his blush was his alone to feel.
"So, how’s the nursery hive doing?"
Calor swallowed. The weight atop his head lifted, and familiar eyes watched him fondly.
"They're doing really well, you know, considering Papa Thorax abandoned them suddenly to go visit crystal ponies," Calor replied, offering a bit of sass in his grin. Thorax's soft look switched to one of shock.
"'Abandoned'?" he repeated, a crack in his voice.
"Their words." Calor dug his nose into his king’s chest. Thorax scoffed.
"I spent several hours with them shortly before we left. Twilight was there, she can vouch for me! They told me they'd be good while I was gone."
"Oh, they were good. Total butterflies, in fact. They were just bored without you there."
"But they had you and the other adults, didn't they? You guys played with them, right?"
Calor withdrew his snout to lay his cheek along that green chitin instead. He thrummed pleasantly, soothing himself with his own vibrations.
"It's not the same without you," he muttered. "It's never the same without you."
Thorax fawned. "Also their words?"
"Nope, mine. But yeah, everyling thinks that, I think."
There was no response, at least none that were verbal. Shifting himself, Thorax closed his eyes. He held the drone closer, further saturating the air with empathetic magic.
For a long time, the pouring of water was all there was to hear. As minutes passed by, the small miracle of their continued privacy grew, and the more comfortable they became.
"I do think some hive activities would be a good idea, though."
Thorax opened his eyes. He observed Calor closely, curiously watching him shift and roll within his hooves to find a new position.
"For the nymphs?" asked Thorax.
"Well, sure, but also for the adults." Calor settled for pressing into Thorax's stomach in order to meet his gaze. "You said it yourself that you'd like to have more things for everyling to do, right? It was quiet without you here, Thorax. Really quiet. I think brainstorming some new hobbies is what we really should do next. A lot of changelings were hoping that's what you'd be working on, now that the hive is complete."
Thorax furrowed his brow in thought. He gently reintroduced his head to the wall, and from within a flurry of thought, gazed at the rolling stone ceiling. The decorative carts of the crystal fair swam to the surface of his mind, and they were not alone. His observations of the empire during his stay followed and brought memories he'd thought he'd forgotten—stories acted out on platforms made from wood, pictures drawn from chalk, and even carefree dancing. They made him smile.
"I might have a few ideas," he said. "I've learned so much about ponies from our visit, as well as my brief stay in the Crystal Empire. In the absence of our own traditions and hobbies, maybe we could try some of theirs."
An eager head lifted from his lime belly.
"Can I help?"
Thorax chuckled. "Let me meet with the other changelings before I make any promises. I need to ask Tarsus about where we could even find supplies for activities. Right now we're kinda stuck with rocks and plants."
Thorax suddenly giggled. Nuzzling assailed him from the blueberry clinging to him.
"What's wrong with rocks and plants?" Calor probed, cocking a brow and a smirk. "I played ‘Find-the-Changeling’ with the nymphs all day while you were gone, using only a veil of vines and a few shiny pebbles."
"I don't know if the adults would be quite so easy to entertain."
"You'd be surprised." Again, Calor retreated into lime chitin.
Tranquility returned with silence. Ever slowly sliding onto his back, Thorax felt Calor's weight like a heavy blanket atop his chest. He closed his eyes and succumbed to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
Thorax smiled a little smile to himself. Truly, it was no small miracle that had kept the other changelings from discovering his hideaway. He suspected interference, and the prime suspect now lay within hoof's reach, lightly yawning.
"Assuming you do find supplies, though," Calor said suddenly, laboring a yawn. "You'll let me help you with hive activities, right?"
"You really wanna help me out, don't you?" Thorax asked rhetorically. "I'm always grateful for help, but I'll need more than you or anyling else could ever give me alone. This is going to be a big undertaking. Noling is even sure how to explore self-interests, let alone decide what hobbies they like."
"I'm sure you'll figure it out. I believe in you, and so does everyling else."
Another pause; this one begging to be broken. Calor's confidence seemed to drift away, just as his worries once had.
"Well...mostly everyling, anyway," he murmured. "I'm not so sure about what he would think. Not that we should let it stop us, but he'll probably get riled up again if we start trying a bunch of new things."
Thorax sighed. Cold, violet eyes watched him from within his mind and pushed aside all thoughts of fun and progress alike. A venomous tone spoke in his head, and Thorax, for a moment, let it twist his face.
As always, you have really great ideas and feedback!
Since your last visit we’ve changed the hive around a bit. Think more flora and sunroofs. And my throne is actually made out of wood now. All the same, I'll definitely see if I can get it to retain magic. Having a little protection on our borders couldn't hurt. I always saw barrier spells as kind of dark, but I guess that's because a dark queen used the only one I ever knew.
I'm super excited to hear about your notes! Are they really published already? It feels like you were here just yesterday recording them! I guess time flies when you're leading a hive, or in your case, spreading friendship. Do you think you could send me a copy of it when you have a chance? I'm sure the changelings would get a kick out of reading it.
Also, could you tell Starlight I said 'hey'? Certain details aside, her visit with Trixie the other day went really well, and I'm glad they came. I think a lot of good came from it, in the end. I'll have to introduce you to my brother the next time you visit! He's a little more...forward than I am, but he cares about the hive as much as I do.
Sorry, I'm rambling again. I know you're probably pretty busy. Please let me know if anything else comes up, though! I always look forward to your letters!
Sincerely,
Thorax
Thorax pursed his lips. The more he read and re-read his attempt at a royal and regal letter, the less confident in his writing skills he became. It didn't help matters that Twilight was a dictionary with wings. In every letter she wrote, she inadvertently taught the changeling new words and phrases, and her essay-length tangents were difficult to live up to.
With a sigh, Thorax rolled up the undelivered parchment in a cloud of teal magic and laid it by his side with care. His eyes shifted to the several resting changelings encircling him, all curled up like bread loaves. Numbering nine total, they’d created a tight seal of bodies, using the alpha as their epicenter. It was midday, and for many of Thorax's subjects, that meant siesta.
Naturally, where there was siesta, there was Thorax, whether he sought inclusion or not.
"No, really, this is fine, you guys. I didn't wanna get up and go do things today, anyway."
His sarcasm was met with guttural snores. Thorax slumped his chin between his hooves. For as helpful as Ember's advice had been, assertive action over assertive vocalization still wasn't his strong suit, and peaceful, sleeping changelings continued to be a weakness of his.
Closing his eyes, Thorax surrendered himself to the sea of slumber, its shallow breathings a tempting lullaby. The accompanying warmth it gave off also served as an inviting anchor. He was nothing if not comfortable.
"Hey, don't...my tail...don't chew on that...it's mine."
A stray hoof brushed Thorax's snout, and a lavender drone by his left antler grimaced in his sleep, kicking his back legs. The drone seized a neighboring changeling as a foreleg pillow before calming down again.
Thorax's lip quivered, a laugh subdued in his throat. The little drone's unconscious shenanigans were more than enough to sway him like a leaf caught in a breeze.
Perhaps one more afternoon nap wouldn't hurt.
"Hey, hey! What did I tell everyone about sleeping in the hallways!?"
Furious buzzing and yelps of surprise filled the air as changelings quickly fled the room.
"It may take a while for your policies to become commonplace. The entire hive hasn't been made aware of this rule yet, seeing as there hasn't been an assembly addressing it."
"It shouldn't even be policy, it should be common sense. Sleeping in uncovered sections of the hive is unsafe. I've been telling everyone to stick to the nesting chambers, but here we are with bugs passed out on top of each other in broad daylight."
Pharynx scowled as he made his way down the corridor, his dark cyan chitin complimenting the stone beneath his hooves. Following him from a modest distance was Tarsus, shooting curious looks every time Pharynx grumbled to himself.
"I never liked all this remodeling to begin with. I don't know what Thorax was thinking," Pharynx added, kicking a rock across the floor in frustration. "'Let's take out the ceilings, guys, let the sun shine down on our hippie paradise.'"
"I'd be happy to help enforce designated rest areas, but have you talked with Thorax about these concerns yet?" Tarsus inquired, trotting a bit faster to keep up. "Those changelings who enjoy cluster naps might be more inclined to listen to him."
Pharynx gave a dry laugh. "My brother? Enforce limits on anything that has to do with warm and fuzzy feelings? You're a funny changeling, Tarsus."
"I'm serious. If you address it from a security standpoint, Thorax will understand. Besides, if both of the hive's leaders make it known they feel the same way, changelings will realize the gravity of the issue."
A hole in the wall opened, and Pharynx trotted into a cavernous chamber. Holes lined the high walls, and from inside them protruded the snouts of changelings, peering out of their burrows to watch the newcomers with intrigue.
"Thorax already knows how I feel about sleeping in exposed spaces," Pharynx stated. "As typical of him, he started following my suggestion without enforcing it. The only changelings he ensures sleep in safe areas are the ones who nap next to him. But I have a bigger concern than that—a problem that spawned this one."
Tarsus blinked. "Another concern?"
Pharynx curled his lip, his gaze firmly set on the plethora of nap spaces dotting the entire room.
"I have an issue with changelings who sleep all day when given a chance, and I have an issue with my brother, who enables those changelings by being their full-time stuffed animal."
A long pause punctuated Pharynx's thought.
"Well, I guess it's true that cluster naps are becoming more and more frequent," Tarsus acknowledged. "Resting and eating at the same time can become addictive, I suppose. That said, everyling is always ready to follow your orders when an order is given."
"Initiative is an irreplaceable advantage, Tarsus," said Pharynx flatly. "I think there are a lot of changelings who need to relearn that. We finally started up regular training drills and security sweeps again. I'm not going to watch that diligence succumb to laziness."
Pharynx came to a stop, and the room grew still. As he scanned the room with intent, changeling's faces retreated into their burrows.
"Listen up! I need a squad to head outside and do a little spring cleaning for me. I want that squad to start trimming the bushes scattered around the hive's grounds. Having pretty little gardens is cute and all, but you know what isn't cute? Enemies hiding in our overgrown shrubs. I'm gonna count to ten, and if there aren't at least two dozen changelings down here next to Tarsus by the time I finish, I'm gonna start taking volunteers by pointing at burrows."
Absolute silence. A few eyes blinked from within the shadows.
"Ten...nine...eight..."
A few changelings began to emerge from their hidey holes.
"Seven...six...five..."
More drones volunteered, leaving their burrows and fluttering down to the cavern floor.
"Four...three...two..."
A dozen more followed suit. Before long, a small crowd had trotted over to Tarsus, obscuring him from view entirely. Pharynx smirked.
"Now that's what I like to see. Tarsus, head on outside with them. If these guys finish the shrubs before I find you, put em' through some aerobatics training. The next time a Maulwurf tries to eat our plants, we'll send it packing with our own strength."
The crowd trotted towards the entrance tunnel, happily chattering as they went. Tarsus remained the only one still facing his gruff general.
"What about you?" he asked.
Standing alone in the center of the room, Pharynx turned his head and cracked a wicked grin. "I'm going to have a little chat with Thorax. He and I need to clarify some things, and as it so happens, he's long overdue for some brotherly torment."
A tickling sensation plagued Thorax's nose until he violently jerked his head with a loud sneeze. Recoiling with a grimace, his heart raced as a few changelings stirred by his hooves in response. When no glowing eyes opened, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Really tasty...don't tell him! He gets jealous...cooking."
A goofy smile was dragged out from Thorax as the snoring drones continued to babble in their sleep. He laid a hoof on the head of the closest one, his smile growing when the changeling's ear twitched in reply.
"You guys are way too fun to listen to," he mused aloud. "There's a part of me that'd love nothing more than to watch you dream all day."
Thorax looked around the otherwise vacant room. He’d lost track of time, something he often did during cluster naps. Not even the sun could be used as a reference point, here in the belly of the hive. For all he knew, it was evening already, which would’ve meant that not a single changeling had woken up since early afternoon.
"Just what am I gonna do about you guys?" he asked no one, slumping down again and feeling a soft breath run across his face.
"You could always turn them into paperweights. You're gonna need to keep all those letters the princess sends you organized, somehow."
Thorax's heart leaped into his throat, and he turned to find his elder broodmate standing over him, demanding his gaze.
"Oh, hey, Pharynx. I didn't see you there."
"Well, of course you didn't. Clearly, your conversation with yourself required total concentration."
The dark cyan changeling staked out a spot for himself on the stone floor, and Thorax's brilliant green cheeks flushed rose.
"I'm guessing that you heard all of that, huh?"
"Heard you mulling over your issues for all the hive to hear? Yeah, I heard it."
Thorax bit his lip. "Right. Um, so what are you doing here, then? Is something wrong?"
"You could say that. Actually, I'm really eager to join in on that conversation between you and you. I've got a few points I could add."
Thorax’s eyes widened with newfound attention. Pharynx extended a hoof towards the drone pillow pile, and Thorax forced out a sheepish smile.
"Oh...yeah. I had a feeling we might be having this conversation soon."
Pharynx's face hardened. "You did? What am I, Thorax, our mother? If you see the problem, you work to fix it yourself, not let the status quo continue and wait for me to point it out."
"It's not that simple, Pharynx."
"It isn't? Unless I'm losing my hearing from these twigs growing out of my head, it sounded like you acknowledged the problem, yourself, just now. There's no question we have drones laying around like rocks growing moss these days, Thorax."
Thorax sighed, the crease above his eyes stiffening. "Yes, I know it's a problem, Pharynx, and I never meant for it to get out of control. I'm just having a hard time balancing rest and activity right now. I'll handle it. You don't have to worry."
"The same way you handled the hive by replacing tracker training with a safe space?"
"It's a feelings forum, Pharynx."
"Whatever. The point is that you've been enabling the changelings, Thorax—again. You built a pretty, perfect paradise for them to forget about their troubles, and now you're letting them get away with being lethargic and lazy. I know you're all touchy-feely and that you love to shower them with affection, but you can't run a hive on love alone. I thought that was made pretty clear after the whole Maulwurf fiasco. You need to-"
"Would you stop lecturing me, please?" Thorax snapped, his timid exterior crumbling away. "You're always so quick to get on my case, Pharynx, but you know what? You don't understand me or how I feel nearly as well as you think you do."
Pharynx froze. He sat without another word, his brother's face for once far more intimidating than his own.
"I was always, always the outcast, Pharynx. I didn't have friends, and I didn't have anyling to talk to, because every changeling wanted to be just like you and not like me. When I became the new changeling leader, nothing changed. I wasn't any better at relating to the changelings than I’d ever been. All I had to offer the hive was love and...the kind of understanding I always wished Chrysalis had given us."
Thorax's frown melted as quickly as it had come. He turned his attention to the changelings at his hooves. A shell shivered as a drone stretched itself out like a cat, ungracefully knocking other drones in the head as it did so.
"We have a completely different relationship now. Everyling has come to thrive off embracing love, and for the first time in my life I feel close to them, Pharynx. For the first time, I feel like I belong with my kind, and I'm still reeling from that."
His early onset confidence had faded like a dying candle, and now Thorax hadn't the nerve to meet his brother's face.
"I guess I've just been enjoying all this quality time with them a little too much," he muttered. "Just like how I was too focused on making everyling happy before. Scold me if you want, Pharynx, but you should know that I care about the hive just as much as you do."
Thorax swallowed a lump in his throat. Pharynx's hoof was firmly placed against the base of his horn, blocking his face from view.
"For the Hive's sake, Thorax, I wasn't prepared to deal with feelings today."
Pharynx lowered his hoof. The elder changeling’s expression had softened.
"Look, I wasn't trying to scold you, and I didn't mean to presume anything. All I'm trying to do is protect the hive, the same way I always have. I see changelings sleeping around and shirking off duties, and it rubs me the wrong way because I want to keep them safe, too. You and I are running this place now, Thorax, and we need to work together to do it. That means we need to communicate better, and right now, it means you need to consider putting things in moderation, for their sake."
Thorax nodded solemnly. "I know, you're right. It wasn't so bad, at first. Originally, changelings who tried to sleep in were trying to get out of doing work, and I could handle that. Then I think everyling started to get used to how much I approved of them spending time together, so everyling started doing it for fun. And...maybe I didn't really want to tell them to stop spending so much time with me, either."
"Maybe a few changelings started to talk in their sleep more than they did before, too?" Pharynx said with a subtle smile.
Thorax beamed. "Yeah, maybe that, too."
"Truth be told, I'm glad you recognize the problem, at least." Pharynx’s smile transformed into a playful smirk. "When I walked in here, I thought I was gonna have to pry you loose from these lazy sacks of glitter."
With that statement, Pharynx had successfully unearthed a toothy grin and a laugh from his brother.
"Thanks, Pharynx. You know, we may not always get along, but I'm happy you're here. It makes me happy to know I have someling to help me lead the hive. I wouldn't want it to be anyling else."
"Alright, yeah, that's enough sappy, wishy-washy gunk for one day, thank you," the beta changeling retorted, getting to his hooves and cracking the joints in his neck. "Just do me a favor and follow my advice this time, alright? No one ever said you couldn't spend time with the drones or do your disgustingly cute cuddlebug nonsense. Just don't stockpile them and let them be loaves. The hive has duties and chores that need doing, and to Tartarus and back if I'm doing them all by myself."
Thorax chuckled. "Yeah, that's definitely fair. I'll call a hive meeting for later tonight. Would you mind helping me deliver it? You've always been better at the 'yelling and getting everyling's attention' thing."
"Well, obviously. What, did you think I wouldn't attend? I trust you to work with me to lead the hive. I don't trust you to relay what my expectations are. You might be a leader now, Thorax, but you're still a dork."
Pharynx returned his brother's toothy smile, and the two changelings lightly touched hooves.
Gone unnoticed below the royal pair were two sets of glowing eyes, closing to feign sleep whenever observed. Their faces pressed together, the soft hum of the drone's whispers were inaudible to all but each other.
"Looks like Uncle Pharynx doesn't approve of the cuddlebug philosophy a whole lot."
"'Uncle Pharynx'? You're a mad genius, Maxilla. But I wouldn't worry, I think he'll come around."
"Why's that?"
"The nymphs may or may not be expecting Pharynx to spend time with them tomorrow afternoon in the nursery hive, 'to get to know them all better and play games'. I may or may not have had something to do with it."
"Oh, no. He'll be up to his antlers in little changelings wanting to play camouflage-and-seek and bugpile. You're diabolical, Tergum."
"We gotta get Pharynx accustomed to the hive's new way of life, somehow."
Silent chittering persisted by Thorax's front hooves as the royal changelings continued their conversation.
"I'm heading outside," Pharynx announced, buzzing his wings and taking to the air. "I sent two squads to start trimming our hedges, and after that, I'm going to put the hive through rounds of aerobatics practices. By the time they're done, they'll be way too tired to cause any ruckus for us to shout over at the hive assembly."
Thorax snickered. "Sounds great, Pharynx. I'll get these guys to spread the word about the assembly once they've woken up, then I'll start getting the chamber ready. Just try and herd everyling here once they're done with practice, okay?"
Pharynx nodded, a content smile crossing his face. "Better communication already, Thorax."
Once he vanished through a tunnel in the wall, a hush fell over the nesting chamber once again. The quiet snickering had since dissipated, the drones surrounding Thorax now lifeless dolls. Thorax lowered his head towards the front of his hooves, his shadow befalling the pair of drones laying by them.
"By the way, you two, what time are the nymphs expecting Pharynx, tomorrow?"
Maxilla and Tergum dropped their charade, looking up in shock to find their king's gaze.
"Y-you overheard us, Thorax?"
"Well, unintentional eavesdropping seems to be happening a lot today," Thorax simpered. "I like the plan, guys. If I'm going to cut back a bit on spending quality time with everyling, it's only fair Pharynx do the opposite, right?"
Orange rays of sunlight filtered through the misshapen walls like spotlights, glistening off Pharynx's carapace as he walked. His not-so-little brother trotted by his side, hopping with each step he took. Oh, how Pharynx hated it. How any changeling could be so happy, so early in the morning was beyond him.
"Did you sleep well, Pharynx?"
Pharynx sighed. Five words in and he already missed his nest.
"If I say yes, will you quit the obnoxious bouncing?" he asked curtly. Thorax merely chuckled and stuck his tongue between his lips.
"Grumpy as usual, huh?"
"And about to get grumpier."
The two stepped through a doorway, and a tall, wide room riddled with changeling-sized holes laid before them. A deafening silence sat in the air, the only movement coming from occasional ear twitches from inside the holes. Thorax came to a stop and peered around the room with a proud little smile.
"Alright, if you can help me give everyling their tasks for the day, Pharynx, I have some things to go over with you and the guard changelings while you're here, okay?"
Pharynx cleared his throat. Every muscle in his body rebelled against him, but here he stood, resolute to raise his head towards the ever-invading sunlight. He frowned through his squinting. He longed for the perpetual overcast of days long past.
"What was it I did to warrant a promotion, again?" Pharynx asked dryly. "Oh, wait, that's right. I used the word 'love' in a sentence that didn't denote the idea of feeding on ponies. Whoops."
"Come on, Pharynx, seeing the sun this early isn't so bad," said Thorax. "As head of the new security squads, you'll be organizing the guard changelings, but keep in mind they do a lot of the work, too."
As the sounds of birds singing joined the illuminating sunlight, faint groans and yawns bubbled up from all over.
"For example, Tarsus and Tibia came up with some really nice diagrams for a new patrol route I've been working on," Thorax continued. "I know how much you loved to patrol, so I thought it couldn't hurt to have the guard changelings do maintenance patrols from now on. You guys can do trim the shrubbery, remove obstacles, scan for any signs of maulwurfs or salamanders that might be lurking around—those sorts of things."
While Thorax spoke, drones opened their eyes and poked their snouts out from their burrows.
Pharynx chuckled to himself. Chrysalis used to yell at the top of her lungs to wake drones up, yet here was Thorax, accomplishing the same feat with a mundane side conversation.
"Uh, Pharynx?" Thorax leaned forward to examine his brother's far-off look. "Does that sound okay to you?"
Pharynx slowly turned his head, locking eyes with the taller changeling. "You know, Thorax, even I have to admit you're adorable, sometimes."
Thorax blinked, his eyes widening.
"For example, you're adorable when you speak words in my general direction and think that I'm ever listening to you."
Pharynx donned a smirk, and Thorax rolled his eyes, playfully jabbing his broodmate in the side.
"Seriously, Pharynx, did you hear anything I just said?"
"Blah blah, 'here Pharynx, you get to be a gardener, it's just as fun as patrolling, I promise', blah blah. Which I seriously doubt, by the way, but hey, at least you're trying."
Thorax shook his head. Before he could retort, however, a swarm of changelings flew down to the cavern floor. They quickly surrounded the alpha and beta changelings and awaited instructions.
"You know, Dragon Lord Ember taught me a thing or two about being more assertive," Thorax declared, darting a glance at his brother before turning to face the drones. "Sooner or later, I bet I'll be able to match your sass, remark for remark."
"Oh, I'm shaking," Pharynx quipped in deadpan. "I, the one changeling who you couldn't get to change even after your backbone lessons, am truly terrified. Please, King Cuddlebug, don't hug me and replenish my energy. Whatever shall I do?"
The once silent crowd began to snicker under their breath, and Thorax cocked an eyebrow. "Do older brothers come with an off switch that I don't know about? Maybe a manual?"
Pharynx scoffed. "Afraid not. You wanted balance in the hive, Thorax, so now we got it. We've got you, the dork who loves to spread love and understanding, and me, the dork's brother who keeps his hippie paradise from going too far off the rails. It's a package deal, I'm afraid."
Thorax rubbed the back of his head and suffered a slight blush, signaling another round of background giggling. Those echoing chortles simmered down as Pharynx stepped up, recapturing the drones' attention with a flutter of his amaranth wings.
"Alright, that's enough fooling around," Pharynx announced. "I'm sure everyone remembers the assembly we had yesterday, right? Who can refresh us all on the finer points of that assembly?"
A sea of multicolored eyes blinked. A few mouths opened, only to close again. Pharynx’s brow furrowed.
"Well?"
"Cluster naps should only be taken amidst and following strenuous activities, or if a changeling is weak and needs help recuperating," recited one blue changeling. "Nymphs and those attending to nymphs are exempt from this rule. All cluster naps should be conducted in one of the two nesting chambers, or the nursery hive."
"That's right," Pharynx said with a nod. "I don't wanna see any changeling sleeping out in the open anymore. It's not safe. If you're tired and need to rest but aren't near a designated location, you may find a secure place to rest nearby. What are the two conditions for this exception?"
"Designated spaces need to have a ceiling at least two levels low," another drone answered. "And you should preferably let someling else know where you're resting. A guard changeling or hive leader is best."
Pharynx cast a proud glance at Thorax, to which Thorax returned a bemused smile and another roll of his eyes.
"And that all begins today, so keep that in mind,” Pharynx added. “From now on, guard changelings will tell you to relocate if you're sleeping somewhere uncovered, and if I find anyone loafing around in broad daylight, you'll get worse."
Pharynx sneered, and changeling ears flopped like wilted flowers.
"Just kidding," he added, taking a step backward and nodding his head to Thorax. "Someone here would have a fit if I spooked you guys too much. Just be mindful of where you sleep and don't be lazy, and you'll be fine."
"Thanks for that, Pharynx," Thorax interjected, mirroring his brother by taking a step forward. The vibrant alpha garnished his subjects' attention with a warm look. "To that end, everyling, I'll only be taking cluster naps with nymphs and those drones who actually need their energy restored from now on. Pharynx and I aren't too picky on what does or doesn't count as energy restoration. We're just trying to keep cluster naps from being a recreational activity."
The changelings nodded.
"And with that, let's move on. I need to have a quick meeting with the guard changelings this morning. While I do that, Pharynx is going to assign tasks to squads. We have a lot more plants to trim and a few other chores that I need everylings' help with getting done today."
Changelings turned to mutter to one another. From just behind Thorax, Pharynx gave a small nod of his own.
"Oh, I almost forgot something! Once all that’s been taken care of, I've got a surprise for you all!" Thorax’s pearly teeth gleamed. "We're going to be having a theater performance tonight! Apidae and Xenica have organized a really awesome play that I think you'll all enjoy! And thanks to Aphidel, we also have an array of snacks for everyling who attends!"
The formerly behaved pack of drones erupted into cheers, and Pharynx promptly buried his face in one hoof.
Nestled in the thickest part of the hive was the nursery, set apart by layers of stone and magic. With small, sheltered rooms for eggs and larvae and large, open rooms and tunnels for nymphs to explore, it was the perfect space for younglings to scamper and play.
Today, however, was different. Rather than jumping around and playing with one another, the nymphs sat on their haunches, their wings buzzing with anticipation. When a faint roar pierced the quiet, a tiny changeling's ear flicked to and fro. The nymph picked up his head, his mouth falling open as he looked about for the source. Not to be missed by his equally curious friends, other nymphs turned their focus on him.
"Did you guys hear that?"
"I hear you talking if that counts."
"Not me, Apex, all that yelling! You didn't hear someling yelling just now?"
"I only hear you yelling, Tergite."
Tergite inflated his cheeks like a dissatisfied pufferfish. "You must have slime in your ears, Apex. I'm telling you, there's a bunch of changelings yelling and stomping around somewhere."
"It's probably just Papa Thorax telling everyling about that play tonight," Apex dismissed, flopping over and glaring at the chamber's entryway. "Papa Thorax loves it when the older changelings do all the silly activities he started."
"Well, he should hurry up," squeaked a mustard yellow nymph. "Your brother said Pharynx would spend time with us today, Tergite. I bet the morning meeting is almost done already, and after that is when we can play with Pharynx."
"Duh, I know what my big brother said. Tergum doesn't lie. I'm sure he'll be here any second to let us know."
Apex bonked his head against the stone floor in a series of thuds. "It feels like we've been sitting here for hours already. It's like waiting for Papa Thorax to finish polo ticks with the crystal ponies."
All eyes turned to Apex. Tergite scrunched his nose. "What are 'polo ticks'?"
"Super long, super boring meetings. The crystal pony princess and Papa Thorax talked for like ten hours about it."
"I think you mean 'politics'."
"Polo ticks sound itchy."
The sound of hooves crossing stone began reverberating around the room, and the nymphs sat up at full attention. Through the entryway came a bright green drone, panting slightly and wearing a broad grin.
"Alright...are you ready, guys? Time to go see Uncle Pharynx!"
Unleashing their repressed energy, the nymphs shrieked, zipping through the air in tight circles. A gust of wind slammed into Tergum's face as the swarm of fifteen nymphs left the chamber.
"Hang on...did you hear something?"
Thorax bit his lip and turned his head to hide his blatant smirk.
"Who, me?" he blurted. "No, I uh, I didn't hear anything."
Pharynx flattened his mouth, drilling holes through his brother's face. "You're a terrible liar, Thorax. The dragon lord's little assertiveness lessons didn't do much for your bungling."
Having left the old nesting chamber, Thorax led the way through the tunnels with a spring in his step. Pharynx's gaze drifted to the tunnel’s corners.
"Hold on, I know what this is," Pharynx said under his breath. "You're planning something."
"I am?"
"Yeah, or rather, you've already planned something."
"What would I be planning?" Thorax asked with a chuckle. "I've been with you since I got up, Pharynx."
"We both know that doesn't mean anything."
"You don't trust me?"
Pharynx glowered. "Oh, spare me. We're talking about you, Thorax. The changeling who'd make cutesy drawings of us together, called 'big brother and me' when he was a nymph, and plaster them across the hive's walls. The changeling who'd try and hug me upwards of ten times a day if I didn't watch him like a hawk. My public dignity knows better than to trust you by now."
Thorax's chuckle turned into a laugh. "So what, then? You think I've got changelings stashed away, waiting to pounce on you so I can have them hug you for me?"
"You said it, not me."
"That's ridiculous, Pharynx. I'd never force something on you, knowing it makes you uncomfortable, just for my own enjoyment."
The brothers paused. Pharynx and Thorax exchanged telling looks, and Pharynx's ear twitched.
"There it is again…Thorax, seriously, don't you hear that?" he hissed, lowering himself to the ground. "It sounds an awful lot...like..."
Pharynx's eyes widened in horror. What began as a soft humming had become an overbearingly zealous group of voices, and a once void tunnel was now filled to the brim with tiny changelings, charging straight for him.
The beta changeling raised an alarmed hoof, scowling at the small throng of hyperactive eyes and ecstatic smiles that had swiftly surrounded him. Out of sight and mind, Thorax watched the scene unfold from the sidelines with an elated look.
"What are you all doing here?" Pharynx demanded. "You guys should have an adult changeling supervising you at this time of day."
"We had one, but he got left behind," a nymph squeaked. "So now you can look after us, Uncle Pharynx!"
Pharynx's scowl grew. "Excuse me?"
"We wanna spend time with you, Uncle Pharynx!" another nymph exclaimed, dancing on the tips of her hooves. "We've been waiting for you to wake up so we could play!"
"Yeah! We can play bugpile, or-or you can turn into a maulwurf and we can stop you from eating our plants! Oh! Or-"
"-Hold on, one second," Pharynx said sternly, lowering his hoof and waiting for quiet. "I don't know what this is or why you guys are running around the hive unsupervised, but playing games and frolicking around is Thorax's bag, not mine. If you want to play games, go annoy him."
Following his nod, the swarm turned their attention to Thorax, who waved to them.
"But we always play with Papa Thorax," a green nymph insisted, eliciting nods from her peers. "This time, we want to play games with you, Uncle Pharynx."
Pharynx quickly dismissed them, parting the crowd and trotting through it with no further hesitation. "Trust me, you don't. The one thing Thorax has me beat at is his ability to frolic around and play with nymphs. You guys will be far more entertained playing with him."
For a long moment, the sound of Pharynx's hooffalls echoed alone through the chamber as he ignored the pressing stares on his back. But something Pharynx didn't expect was soon audible, a sound that froze his body in place. It was the sound of sniffling, coming from a single nymph among the group.
"But...my brother, Tergum, said we could play with you today," Tergite mumbled weakly, sniffs dotting his sentences. "He said you wouldn't be busy until everyling was done with the morning chores. Can't you spend at least a little time with us?"
Pharynx remained fastened to his spot, facing away from those prying eyes. "I'm busy. Thorax has time allotted ahead of time to play with you all. I don't."
"Pharynx, come on," Thorax spoke up. "We're hardly busy today, and you know it. Look at their faces, and listen to what they're saying. They don't want me, they want you."
Pharynx grumbled. The beta changeling pivoted his head and regretted it. The disappointed faces of tiny drones assaulted him from all sides; and from behind them, Thorax offered a hopeful smile.
"You told me yesterday that it takes more than love to lead a hive," Thorax continued, trotting through the field of knee-high nymphs. "But by that same token, isn't love how we've come this far? How we've evolved into something more than predators?"
Pharynx let out a long sigh, shifting in place and avoiding his brother's face. "Thorax, you're the one who spreads love, not me. I'm here to provide what you don't already have. That's my role. And I'm certainly not a role model for anything but being a loyal soldier. You know that."
Thorax beamed and gently shook his head. "You're wrong, Pharynx. You may not express love in the same way I do, but that doesn't mean you don't care. Even soldiers are capable of expressing love. I know that, and the nymphs know that. These little guys want to bond with the changelings who lead the hive, regardless of what their strengths and weaknesses are. They know you're just as capable of showing compassion as you are capable of defeating threats against the hive. Maybe this is the perfect time to prove that to yourself, as well."
Trapped in a spotlight far hotter than any ray of sun, Pharynx curled his lip. His ears flattened to a horizontal shape.
"Surely there's something you can do with them, if only for a little bit," Thorax pressed lightly. "Something that's both fun and beneficial, maybe?"
Another long pause followed. When Pharynx next picked up his head, he closed his eyes and let out a deep breath.
"Fine. Maybe I can come up with something to do for a little while if it'll get you off my back."
The nymphs pounded the air with a resounding harmony of cheering, and Pharynx winced.
"That said, no screaming or aimless running around, got it? If you want to spend time with me, we're playing by my rules."
"We promise, Uncle Pharynx!"
Retracing his steps, Pharynx passed through the expectant nymphs once more, and this time, the tiny bodies followed him like a clutter of kittens. The changeling came to a stop when his snout touched his brother's, and there, the two shared an impromptu staring contest.
"You orchestrated this whole thing, didn't you?" Pharynx whispered, just low enough for Thorax to hear. "That was quite the little speech for a random chance event, Thorax."
Thorax wore a sly smile. "Tergum's idea, actually, but I may have capitalized on it a bit."
"You're despicable."
"Look at it this way, not a single one of them has tried to jump on you or hug you."
"Give it time. Don't try and put me off guard. I've seen how they are with you. When I limp back in here later with a sprained leg from getting tackled, I'll be coming for you."
The throng of nymphs bounced up and down, biting their lips as Pharynx turned to face them. The beta changeling cast out his wings, catching the sunlight and with it, the drones' attention.
"Listen up. Like I said, my rules. If I'm going to subject myself to this, we're going to make something of it. That means we're not just going to prance around without purpose. Regardless of what Thorax might say, that's his thing and not mine. No, I'm going to teach you guys how to track and hunt."
The nymphs tilted their tiny heads, murmuring to one another. However, confusion quickly became excitement, and the group nodded in sync with eager smiles. Clearly, the prospect of training like adult changelings enthralled them.
"Are we going to hunt and track you, Uncle Pharynx?" Apex asked, buzzing a few inches off the ground.
Pharynx sneered. "Oh, you'll be tracking me, alright, but you won't be tracking me like this."
Pharynx enveloped himself in a flash of green magic. A long, curled tail snapped out like a whip from the magic's wall, as did three sets of toed legs. When the magic fully dissipated, a horned lizard the size of a manticore emerged, its bulging eyes darting every which way. The nymphs gasped and gazed in awe at the exotic creature, many of them taking to the air to get a better look.
"This is a rippeleon," said the large lizard in Pharynx's voice. "Better known as a 'breakneck chameleon'. They are large reptiles distantly related to salamanders."
Without warning, the lizard scurried past the observing drones and climbed the entirety of the far wall. By the time the nymphs' gaze followed where it had gone, it vanished. When they turned to Thorax for answers, the massive lizard appeared before them again, causing everyling to jump.
"Unlike salamanders, they are docile and pose little threat to changelings. However, they are very quick and are capable of turning completely invisible, thanks to their magic-imbued skin. They're far more efficient with camouflage than their tiny counterparts."
Too stunned to cheer, the nymphs gawked as the rippeleon's body hazed into nothingness.
"This is what you'll track." Pharynx's voice echoed around the cavern from various spots. "Focus and use your sense of hearing to identify its location, then pounce. If, say, ten or more of you can tag it all at once, we'll call it a success."
From all the way across the room, the yells of excitement that ensued weren't quite so deafening, but they caused Thorax to smile all the same. He watched the nymphs faithfully chase after their designated prey, always just out of reach before it disappeared from view.
"Sorry that I'm late. Did I miss the best part?"
Thorax's lofty expression was salvaged. "Oh! There you are, Tergum. I was starting to wonder where you went."
Still laboring the occasional pant, Tergum trotted to Thorax's side, already relishing in the ongoing entertainment.
"Wow, I didn't think he'd get into it this quickly. Did you guilt him into it or something, Thorax?"
"I like to think of it as ‘helping him realize his potential’," Thorax replied, elevating his gaze as Pharynx dashed along the ceiling from his aerial pursuers. "All he needed to do was find some kind of training goal, a way to relate to them personally. Once he did that, he immersed himself right into it."
"Thorax!" boomed the rippeleon. "I'm taking them outside! Half an hour, no more! Mark my words! You better be here to deal with them when I get back!"
The steel-blue reptile crawled out an open crevice in the ceiling, gradually becoming more and more transparent. The group of nymphs quickly followed it, except for two who fluttered in mid-air from atop the chamber and peered down at their observers.
"Papa Thorax, you should turn into cool creatures like Uncle Pharynx, sometime!" Apex called, waiting for Thorax's resulting laugh before heading outside.
"Big brother, come outside and play with us too, okay!?" Tergite followed up, cupping his hooves to his mouth like a megaphone. "You and I need to be the ones to catch Uncle Pharynx first! Then everyling will know how awesome we are!"
"I'll do my best, Tergite!" Tergum yelled back, mimicking Thorax's grin. "You'd better start without me, though! You don't want to lose him! Pharynx is slippery!"
A profound silence fell over the chamber as the last of the excitable nymphs left. Thorax turned to Tergum, catching his eye with a graceful nod.
"I should thank you, Tergum. You meant it as a joke originally, but getting Pharynx together with the nymphs was a great idea. I think it'll be really good for him. He's been a little..."
"Detached?"
"From everything but the job, yes. This is just the kind of thing he needs more of. Seeing him bond with them makes me really happy. It also makes it easier for me to focus on not being too attached to everyling, knowing he's there for you guys, too, you know?"
Tergum chuckled. "Yeah, well, I'll believe the 'prohibition on excessive cluster naps' thing when I actually see it."
Thorax snickered. "Maybe we'll convert Pharynx into a cuddlebug before he notices that changelings aren't following it."
The pair then walked out of the chamber, sharing a mutual laugh.
Starlight tapped her hooves against her chair, just one of the many nervous ticks in her arsenal. Before her, suspended in her turquoise magic, was a folded letter gently bobbing up and down in the air. The letter's envelope lay discarded below, addressed with a pink butterfly stamp and one line neatly written in cursive that read, 'To Starlight'.
Dear Starlight,
I wish I had time to let you know myself, but I'm very busy at my nature sanctuary today, helping this season's litter of baby bunnies get accustomed to their new home; so I've sent Cleo to deliver this message to you for me, instead.
Starlight briefly looked past the paper to see Cleo, a red robin, chirping warmly at her from atop her dresser.
I know you're probably busy as well, so I'll get straight to the point.
Discord and I were having our regular Tuesday Tea this morning when the topic of our friends came up. We talked about the wonderful things they've been doing over this past year. It usually takes quite a lot to catch Discord's attention, but he became very interested when I brought up your visit to see the changelings with Trixie. He left not long after that, and he didn't even take his tea cakes with him!
Starlight, I think Discord may be planning to drop by the castle to see you. He seemed upset, though I'm not entirely sure what about. Please let Twilight know about this, as well. She gets anxious when things go unexpectedly, and though I find him endearing, Discord tends to do, well...everything unexpectedly.
Please say hello to Twilight and Spike for me.
Fluttershy
Starlight frantically read through each sentence, her eyes growing steadily wider and wilder with each one. When the letter finally finished, her magic faded, and the paper gracefully floated down onto the table. Starlight then left her chair and began to pace around the room, absently watching the floor as her mind raced.
"Discord is upset over Trixie and I seeing the changelings?" she muttered aloud, occasionally glancing at Cleo preening her wings. "Why would he be upset over that? That...doesn't make sense."
A loud bang shot through the room, and Starlight jumped. When she turned her head, she found her bedroom window thrown open. Cleo, now spooked, flew from her perch and out the window. A cold chill ran up Starlight's spine.
This was no ordinary burst of morning air. An unmistakable presence now leered over her.
"We've now reached the part where I say something to the effect of, 'why, Starlight, have you even met me? Not making sense is my very reason for getting out of my tree in the morning.'"
A shallow gasp fell from Starlight's lips. The unicorn shot a look over her shoulder, slowly tracing her gaze up the elongated body of Discord. The spirit's pointed yellow eyes met hers, and he crossed his arms. An eyebrow rose clear off his forehead.
"True to the form of not making sense," he continued, racing along the wall like a snake and rising next to where Starlight stood. "I am feeling rather torn up today."
As if on cue, the shrill sound of a tearing paper filled the room, as Discord's body was reduced to a pile of shreds. Starlight barely had occasion to grimace before the pile of scraps rose to life with a mind of its own, folding itself into a blizzard of crumpled origami shapes until Discord's form was rebuilt. His expression returned as a hard stare that left Starlight in a sweat.
"But why are you upset?" Starlight probed. "What about my trip with Trixie could have possibly bothered you?"
Discord's beady eyes rolled out from his head like golf balls, circling up and around his antlers before returning to his sockets. "You're an astute graduated friendship student, and you don't even realize what you did? Really, Starlight, I expected more from you."
The draconequus reached his eagle claw through thin air, pulling a bright yellow foam hand out from the ether. The prop, featuring a pointed finger and 'YOU!' emblazoned on it, floated up above their heads, incessantly pointing at Starlight.
"You and Trixie went to visit our newly crowned friend King Horsebug, yes?"
"We did."
"You did this because you consider yourselves friends with Thorax, now that Queen Cheeselegs is no longer calling the shots, correct?"
Starlight hypnotically watched the foam hand dance around her bedroom ceiling. "Well, yeah. That, and we're allies with the changelings now. When Thorax needed help, Trixie and I offered to visit him and see what we could do."
"Oh, how very thoughtful," Discord said calmly. "Though I do seem to recall a fourth member in that little troop of secondary characters that took on the changeling hive. A fourth friend to that gaggle of companions that faced certain peril, together. Hmm, now what was his name, again?"
As if yanked by an invisible force, the foam hand soared over to fit itself over Discord's lion paw, the lettering now reading 'DISCORD!'. Starlight blinked, and Discord now wore a black leather outfit with a wool overcoat. She blinked again, and a vibrant red guitar hung from a shoulder strap over his shoulder.
"One does not simply have a band reunion without the lead guitarist, Starlight. Honestly, it's as if you failed to invite me on purpose."
"Lead guitarist?" Starlight babbled. "Wait, you feel...you're feeling left out? I didn't-Discord, I didn't think you'd care to come along with us. I didn't know you and Thorax were even that close. I didn't think you'd-"
"Yes, you didn't ‘think’!" Discord turned on his hoofed heel and faced the still-open window. His wavy jet black hair now trailed to his waist, flowing in the breeze. "Just how many times must I assure ponies that the Lord of Chaos is truly reformed now, and that he is truly interested in creating and maintaining friendships these days? I feel it's been shown ad nauseam at this point, don't you think? I mean, we are pretty far along in the plot."
Discord cracked the joints in his limbs by twisting them. "But you know what? This is just fine. As Fluttershy always says, 'look for the positive, then create the positive'. I'll simply visit our dear friend Lord Beetlemoose myself. I promised the changelings I'd return with new comedic material, anyway, and now that they're all varying shades of fabulous and can think for themselves, I'm sure they'll be far more entertaining than they used to be."
In a way to defy all laws of gravity, Discord's feet left the floor before his upper body, slithering up the wall and out the window. As his body followed suit, he shot another look at the baffled unicorn and spoke with venom.
"Rest assured, Thorax and I will have a grand old time, Starlight. I promise I'll tell you all about it as soon as I return, and perhaps next time we can all organize a proper reunion for the four of us."
The serpentine spirit vanished, and Starlight's window panes promptly slammed shut. The unicorn bit her lip as she stared after him, mounting anxieties tumbling down a slippery slope. Her room was suddenly quiet and calm, but the volume of her own thoughts was deafening.
"Starlight!" The sudden, frantic voice of Twilight came with a pop of pink magic. "Oh, there you are. Are you okay? I thought I heard voices in here."
Starlight sidelined a worried look, and Twilight raised a hoof in distress.
"O-oh my, I'm so sorry! I really need to get better at knocking first."
"No, you're fine," Starlight mumbled, releasing a heavy sigh and trotting over to her bed. "It was nothing, just another friendship lesson I botched horribly."
Twilight cocked her head. While Starlight cocooned herself within a mass of pillows and blankets, Twilight took to the bedside, attempting to catch her pupil's eye. "Botched a friendship lesson? Starlight, what happened? Who were you talking to?"
"Discord," said Starlight, her voice muffled by the bedding. "He's put out that I didn't invite him to come with Trixie and I to visit Thorax. I guess he thinks we were having some kind of 'Chrysalis Overthrowers Squad' reunion without him."
Twilight giggled and sat back on her haunches, patiently observing the distraught unicorn as she fumbled around under the mass of feathered comforts. "Well, it is Discord. He's only beaten by Rarity when it comes to being melodramatic."
"Still, I could’ve at least asked him, couldn't I? He's right. Without him, we would never have been able to get past Chrysalis's guards, or even made it to her throne room. Now he probably thinks I'm ungrateful."
"Starlight, I think you're overthinking this just a bit," Twilight stated with a knowing smile. "There's no way you could’ve known Discord's feelings ahead of time. Nopony is omniscient, especially towards somepony as unpredictable as Discord. Why not try organizing a proper reunion for all four of you? Discord will feel included, and everypony will get a chance to see each other again."
Starlight let out a shallow laugh at her onset deja vu. Her head emerged from the depths of her blankets, and she shared a smile with her mentor. "Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I think I'll leave a message with Fluttershy when Discord comes back from the Changeling Kingdom, letting him know I'd like to have us all get together sometime. It's just like you taught me—’I can't change the past, but I can change the future’, right? Twilight?"
The color had drained from Twilight's cheeks. Starlight quickly bloomed from her cocoon and waved a hoof in front of her face.
"Uh, Twilight? Are you there?"
"Did you say Discord is going to the Changeling Kingdom?" Twilight repeated in a low whisper. Starlight's worried look returned with a vengeance.
"Um, yes? Is that a bad thing?"
Twilight began to dance on her hoof tips. "As in, he went on an impromptu visit to one of our foreign neighbors without letting anypony know in advance!?"
"Well, yeah, I guess so. I mean, he told me just now but I take it I'm not the one you were thinking of."
"This could be disastrous!" Twilight hissed, missing her pupil's input altogether and trotting towards the bedroom door. "Discord and foreign relations do not mix! The last time Prince Rutherford visited Canterlot, he almost declared war again over Discord's antics!"
"Okay, here’s a thought. I was overthinking things, but you're just preparing for doomsday," Starlight monotoned, rolling her eyes. "Thorax? Start a war, Twilight? I think we're sooner to come under siege by Fluttershy's animals."
"It was just an example, Starlight. I'm not worried about a war," Twilight galloped out of the bedroom, with Starlight following her. "I'm worried that Discord might startle the changelings."
There was a pause. Starlight gave a shrill, one-note cackle. "Startle? Like, 'hey, don't spook my goat, he might faint' startle?"
Behind her mask of concern, Twilight held back a giggle. "You know what I mean. The changelings are still rediscovering themselves, getting used to feeling emotions rather than feeding off of them. The last thing they need is erratic stimuli like Discord wreaking havoc on the entire hive."
Starlight curled her lip at the thought. "Fair point. So what's the plan of action, then? Warn Thorax?"
"No, it might be too late to warn Thorax with a letter," Twilight sighed, casting her magic on the doorknobs to her library. "And I have way too much work today to make a trip over myself. We'll have to send some ponies over to play damage control."
Starlight had been surveying the tiles along the floor, but a hanging silence caught her attention. She looked up to find Twilight staring at her, wearing a sheepish little smile. The unicorn gave a sigh of her own.
"What, me? I mean, sure, but, I'm not sure how effective I'll be, seeing as Discord seems pretty peeved with me. I suppose I can give it a shot. And...this just came to me, but maybe I should bring somepony along with me. He's been dying to see more of the changelings ever since the graduation dinner, and I have a feeling he might be helpful to have around."
"Tibia."
"Yes, Prince Pharynx?"
"You wanna tell me what I'm looking at?"
"Um, I could only manage a guess, Your Highness."
From atop the changeling hive's chilly peak, Tibia and Pharynx watched an impossibility hurtle straight towards them. A large, narrow vehicle was roaring across the open grasslands below, spouting a trail of boulder-sized soap bubbles from its trunk. The entire car was covered in polka-dots in every color of the rainbow and then some, and perched atop the mighty engine was a bizarrely shaped lamp wearing a tutu.
Sitting in the cockpit of such a monstrosity was a tall creature with an overgrown tooth, outfitted with aviation goggles and a yellow hardhat. The creature grinned from ear to ear, yelping in glee as it ran the car off a hill like a high-speed ramp.
Tibia bit his lip, sweating profusely as Pharynx's head slowly turned in his peripheral.
"Get Thorax," Pharynx growled. "If that's what I think it is, this day is about to go from headache to migraine, and he can share that suffering right along with me."
His head pounded like a drum, but Pharynx still cracked a smirk at the sight of his little brother losing composure. Discord continued to hurtle towards the hive like a projectile, and Thorax wore an ugly grimace as he watched, his magenta eyes wide and inconsolable.
"P-Pharynx, what is Discord doing here?"
"I dunno, you tell me," Pharynx answered flatly. "You're the frolicking pixie who makes friends with literally everyone. Why is the incarnation of chaos here, Thorax?"
Screeching to a halt just outside the hive's foundation, Discord exited his vehicle. The draconequus slammed the driver's door, and the entire car exploded in a veil of steam. Thorax started to hyperventilate.
"I'm not sure," he squeaked. "I didn't invite him if that's what you're inferring!"
"Well, I suggest you figure out why he's here before I treat him as a serious threat to the hive. I don't care what the ponies say his alignments are. I don't trust anything that powerful."
Pharynx wheeled on his hooves, bringing a familiar face to his attention. "Tibia, secure the hive. Standard lockdown procedures. Until further notice, I want all nymphs in the nursery and guard changelings stationed at all key points. And get Tarsus. For Hive's sake, where is he?"
"Tarsus was dealing with a stray salamander that set fire to some of the shrubs on the northern border," said Tibia. "If I don't see him, I’ll go find him."
Tibia's glistening wings buzzed to life, and he flew through a hole in the hive's exterior. A few moments passed before Pharynx wheeled around again, this time leaning into Thorax with an impatient glare.
"What are you still doing here?" Pharynx asked abruptly, nudging Thorax in the side. "Go flex those interpersonal skills and see what he wants. I'm preparing for the worst, but I'm not prodding a beehive preemptively either. Unless things go south, I'm leaving recon to you."
Thorax frowned. "Oh, I see how it is. Throw me to the wolf first to see if it bites, then move in. Aren't older brothers supposed to protect their little brothers from danger, Pharynx?"
Pharynx scoffed as he pushed Thorax along with his head. "Protect you from what? You're not in danger, you idiot."
"But you're putting me in a situation where I could be, when you could deal with it yourself."
"You're better at yammering, and you’re more of an obvious eyesore than I am, so you get to be the decoy. That doesn't mean I won't be nearby with troops, ready to pounce. Besides, this is retribution for making me babysit those hyperactive nymphs last week."
"Hey, I didn't make you do anything." Thorax looked back at him with a grin. "You decided to teach the nymphs all on your own. All I did was point out why spending time with them was important."
Pharynx pushed harder. "Quit arguing and go be a neon chew toy. That disaster is probably trying to get inside."
"Remarkable architecture, don't you agree?"
"Why yes, truly fascinating design. The flora reminds me of dear Fluttershy's cottage."
"Indeed! It's all very fitting, very fairy-like."
"Oh, I do so love fairies. They're effective against dark-types, you know."
"Yes, but who knew the changelings could evolve by destroying a magical stone rather than using it!"
A trio of Discords pursed their lips, nodding to each other in agreement. The furthest Discord spun around a white and red hat and straightened his deep blue jacket. Christened upon it were eight buttons, each the face of a different pony—Celestia, Fluttershy, and Twilight among them.
"Um, hello there, Discord. It's...nice to see you again?"
Three pairs of yellow eyes turned to examine a small convoy exiting the hive. At the forefront of the troop stood Thorax, wearing an awkward smile. A few drones curiously observed the mismatched creatures, standing just behind their king.
"Ah, there's the bug of the hour!" the Discords exclaimed merrily, merging into one form again like a mass of sentient play-doh. A spontaneous red banner with a crudely drawn Thorax sprung up from behind him, and confetti fell from someplace unseen. "You're looking as charmingly over-the-top as ever, I see. How's being a ruler going for you? Do you measure your bug ponies in feet or yards?"
A roll of measuring tape popped into existence, enwrapping the drones like a coiling python. While they chittered in mild annoyance, stamping and tearing at the invasive tape, Thorax shook his head.
"I'm doing well enough, and I guess we measure in yards since we don't have feet," he snarked mildly. "I see you're as over-the-top as ever, yourself, Discord."
Discord gasped. In the blink of an eye, he was by Thorax's side, pressing his snout against the monarch's. "Oh, you've got a bit of cheekiness to you now, don't you? I like you more already, Your Buggyness."
Thorax craned his neck away, raising a hoof in distress. "Uh, well, thanks, I guess. I did get a little help from a friend on becoming more assertive recently."
"How wonderful. Anypony I know?"
"Well, I'm not sure. Do you know Dragon Lord Ember?"
Discord scrunched his face. "Dragon who now?"
"Dragon Lord Ember? The new leader of the dragons?"
Discord crossed his legs and sat upon thin air, stroking a talon through his goatee. "Oh, the tsundere child of Torch, yes? I do believe Fluttershy said something to the effect of the Dragon Lord visiting Ponyville recently. Though I owe a limb to their ancestry, I never did take to the dragons. They tend to be a rather dull bunch—excluding your little friend Spike, of course."
Discord vanished, reappearing in a heartbeat just behind the hiding pack of drones. Without warning, he scooped them up like a collection of dolls and embraced them, smirking when they gave squeaks of discontent. "Nothing like you all, at least not anymore. You're all simply adorable now, and it's all thanks to our little team. Yay us~."
Thorax hid his wince. "If you don't mind me asking, what brought you to the hive today, Discord?"
Discord dropped the struggling pack of changelings in a heap, and his body deflated like a balloon. "A little pegasus told me that Starlight and Trixie came to visit you some time ago. I wasn't invited to that particular reconciliation, so I decided to pay you all a visit myself."
"Oh, well, that's very thoughtful of you," Thorax said in relief. "I'm honored. Frankly, I didn't think you were all that interested in visiting us. I kinda figured once you rescued your friend, Fluttershy, you'd move on."
An air pump materialized and proceeded to inflate Discord's limp form. Once fully pumped, he promptly got up close and rubbed his knuckles between Thorax’s antlers. "Nonsense! We overthrew a grumpy queen and saved the entire cast of protagonists together. We're practically besties."
Meanwhile, Thorax's drones stood off to the side and brushed themselves off of dirt, looking at the scene with uncertainty.
"So what exactly is that thing?" one hissed. "Also, why is it giving Thorax a noogie?"
"His name is Discord, and don't let him fool you; he's crazy powerful," another stated. "He's friends with ponies now, but he used to be a tyrant who ruled over the whole land. From what Chrysalis said, not only was there no love to feed on in those days, there was no way we could take him on either. We'd have been taken over, too, if not for the old throne's power."
"Thank you, Captain Exposition," a third deadpanned. "As for those of us who were actually on guard duty when Chrysalis was usurped, we've already met him. You left out the fact that he's completely nuts. Spend too much time around him and you'll get zany, too."
The first drone sighed. "Today’s going to be a long day. Pharynx is gonna lose his shell the moment this guy so much as coughs up a rabbit."
The trio shared a hollow laugh.
Thorax, now finally recovering from his headache, forced another smile as Discord's beady eyes fell upon him.
"Well, Discord, since you're here, would you like to have a tour of the hive?" he offered. "A lot has changed from the desolate place you saw last time you were here, and I still have to introduce you to my brother."
"Most definitely," Discord replied earnestly, floating through the air as if on a cloud. "I was just telling myself about how fascinating your new home is. I haven't seen the 'forest sprite' look pulled off this well since the wood nymphs of the Griffish Isles. Of course, that was over a millennia ago."
The spirit of chaos touched the ground again. Every movement he made drew the observing drones' total attention, like curious cats. With a raise of his brow, Discord snapped his fingers, and a laser pointer materialized between his paws.
"I'll give you a brief tour of the hive's new additions, then." Thorax gazed up at the towering structure behind them. "Everyling worked really hard to build it into something new that we could all enjoy, and I came up with some fun activities for us to do together. I think you'll really appreciate the theater troupe; they put on entertaining shows!"
The faintest of snickering tickled Thorax's ears. He turned to find his posse shrunken to the ground, their flanks in the air as they took turns pouncing and batting at an elusive red dot. Now and then, they'd strike the ground with their hooves, only to find the dot had escaped again.
"It's getting away, you guys! Get it!"
"Catch it, Cimex! What are you doing!?"
"I don't know! Why am I doing this!? Why is this so fun!?"
"I don't know what I was worried about," Discord said, sending the dot over a rock and watching the drones clamber over each other to follow it. "You seem to be every bit the ferocious hunters you used to be. Way to go, Thorax. Way to show everypony that you don't need some cranky old queen or her drab sense of color coordination to be effective."
Thorax sighed and buried his face in one hoof. "Hey, you guys? Who wants to help me show our guest, Discord, the hive? Maybe we'll have time to stop by the hot springs."
The red dot faded from every changeling's mind, and a slew of bulbous eyes emerged from atop the rock.
"Ooh, that's a good idea. I could use a relaxing soak," one chirped, turning to elicit nods from his peers.
"Yeah, and Pharynx never goes in the hot springs," a second added. "Can't become collateral damage of his tantrum if he's not around!"
Thorax chuckled. "Just wait inside for me, okay? I need to check on something real quick, and then we can all go together."
Discord wore a shameless grin. "You know, a soak does sound nice. So glad I thought of it. Lead the way, my little neon beetlefolk."
A decorative white towel stitched with his own face appeared around Discord's waist. In no time at all, the squad of changelings escorted the chaos spirit towards the hive, chatting his ear off the entire way. Thorax alone remained behind, watching the group step through the hive's morphing doorways and out of sight. He turned to the empty fields behind him.
"I know you're there, Pharynx. If you insist on eavesdropping all the time, you really should come up with new disguises. I've memorized the number of edges on your rock imitation."
For a moment, there was silence. Then, a turquoise flame enveloped a jagged rock a few yards away, and Pharynx's disapproving scowl entered the world once again.
"He's jealous."
"It seems like it, yeah."
"He missed out on you being a dork, me being an outcast and the ponies failing to address a situation properly...and he's somehow jealous."
"It's the principle of the matter, Pharynx. He just wants to be included."
Pharynx rolled his compound eyes. "Right, the entity of mayhem and catastrophe feels left out. How could I be so insensitive?"
The brothers made their way through the hive's exterior, the hot sun giving way to cool shadows across their backs. While Thorax embraced them, tall and calm, Pharynx skulked along, watching the paths ahead like a hawk.
"Things will be just fine, Pharynx, you'll see," Thorax encouraged. "All we have to do is keep Discord entertained for a while. How hard can it be?"
Pharynx shook his head. "Never ask that question, Thorax. Don't tempt the fates. I turn my back for one second, and he'll have the entire hive doing gymnastics. I'm not letting him out of my sight, and you'd better not either. I wouldn't have even offered a tour of the hive in the first place."
Thorax let out a one-note chuckle. "What else should I have offered? He would’ve wanted to see the new hive anyway. Besides, he's not that bad. I'm pretty sure the Discord you're thinking of was reformed quite a while ago. Granted, we may not be close friends, but I know him enough to know his boundaries."
An eyebrow accompanied a head turn. "Do you, though? Because I'm pretty sure he was incapable of using magic on the one occasion you spent any length of time with him."
Thorax's confident look grew sheepish. "Well, touché. Still, though, if Twilight and her friends have accepted him as a citizen of Equestria, he's bound to have improved a lot. I think he deserves the benefit of the doubt. He did help your little brother take on the entire hive to rescue his friends, remember?"
Thorax grinned, fishing for a reaction, but Pharynx merely scoffed. "The little brother I know would’ve hyperventilated under pressure. Let me guess; you were a map while the others did most of the footwork and planning."
Thorax frowned. "I think we're getting off-topic here, but I'll have you know I was way more than a map. I helped Trixie with a diversion and even fooled Chrysalis through a switch out with Starlight. It was a full team effort, Pharynx. Besides, I didn't hyperventilate that much."
The royal changelings reached a central chamber, and a grand ceiling opened up before them, as did a sea of expectant eyes. Within seconds, frantic changelings swarmed them, yammering over each other in an inaudible harmony. While Thorax grimaced in surprise, Pharynx's face grew stern, and he slammed his hoof against the earth, eliciting quiet.
"One at a time, we've been through this before," Pharynx said coolly, giving the guilty-looking crowd a pivoting glance before locking eyes with a particular drone. "Scapus, go."
Scapus, a red-hued adolescent, nodded firmly. "Pharynx, you gotta come see this! There was a really, really weird-looking goat that just walked through here wearing a bath towel. He snapped his claw and all the theatre costumes came to life!"
Thorax refrained from shifting his gaze, dreading the 'I told you so' expression coming off Pharynx in his peripheral.
"Then what happened?" Pharynx followed up, returning his attention to Scapus. "Did you see where he went?"
Scapus showed his teeth, glowing with excitement. "Of course! I heard it compliment Nydra on how well she made the theater outfits, and that's when it brought them to life. Then it said something about 'taking a dip', and he and a bunch of other changelings headed down-hive."
"But where'd the costumes go?" Thorax asked.
"I guess they must’ve felt dirty because they followed the goat thing to the hot springs."
Thorax was pinned to the adjacent wall with a look.
"How about that, Thorax?" Pharynx growled. "The theatre costumes felt dirty and decided they needed a wash in the hot springs. Gee, I wonder where the goat thing could have gotten that idea?"
"Thanks for the help, Scapus," Thorax said suddenly, hurriedly trotting towards the southernmost corridor. "Do us a favor and wait here until Tibia and Tarsus come back. Let them know what's going on too, and tell them where we went, okay?"
Scapus stomped a hoof and nodded. "Oh, sure! You can count on me, Thorax!"
Leaving the eager drone behind, the echoing sounds of running hooves filled the chamber, only growing louder when they entered the far tunnel. Soon enough, a second set of steps joined the first, and Pharynx joined his brother's side, lancing him with further glares.
"This just gets better and better," Pharynx said angrily. "One of our lead guards is still missing, we've already lost the omnipotent creature wearing a bath towel, and now said creature is off somewhere playing pied piper for laundry."
"As I said, it'll be just fine," Thorax mumbled shakily. "You already had the hive put on high alert, so he won't have much of a crowd, no matter where he goes. We'll catch up with him, take him on a brief, quiet tour of the hive, make him feel included, and send him on his way."
"Well, let's hurry and catch up with him before his wacky magic spreads too far. If even a single nymph catches wind that the goofy lord of pranks and nonsense is here, we'll never be rid of him, Thorax. We'll be stuck between an endless circus and a mountain of puppy dog eyes wanting him to stay."
"You think I don't know that?" Thorax hissed, desperately rounding a bend and soaring down another flight of steps. "I'm the one who gets asked constantly what he was like, and told how cool it'd be for him to spend time with us. I was counting on all the nymphs being tucked away in the nursery hive like you ordered when I invited him in."
"Just like how you were counting on him to stand there, obediently waiting for us to catch up?"
"Can we please just focus on finding him? Talking about uncertain outcomes is just going to make you mad and freak me out!"
A sly smirk unearthed from Pharynx's frown. "You know how you're always asking why I'm such a homebody? Why I hate having guests and breaking routines? I give you exhibit A, Thorax. Exhibit A."
As the sun warmed Equestria's lush hills and expanses of forest, two ponies walked a trailing path through them both. A young stallion with a striking orange mane hung on his company's every word, a light purple mare with a cutie mark that glimmered in the sunlight.
"Thanks for coming with me, Sunburst. Normally I wouldn't ask for a favor like this last minute, but Trixie is in Vanhoover doing a magic show tour this week, and Twilight's swamped with paperwork today. I hope the Crystal Empire will survive at least a few hours without you."
Sunburst stifled a laugh. "Oh, not a problem at all. I may have a bit more on my plate than studying and re-studying ancient runes and texts now, but the Crystal Empire is...well, uneventful, especially compared to Canterlot or Ponyville. These days our only major concern is keeping things intact when Flurry Heart has a tantrum."
Starlight shared Sunburst's laughter. "Luckily for you, her parents get to deal with that a little more frequently than you do."
"Exactly. Princess Cadance assured me that things would be fine, at least for the day. Now I can focus on helping you, help King Thorax."
"I had a feeling you'd be keen on revisiting the changeling hive too," Starlight said with a knowing smile. "Studying forms of magic has always been something you love. If you'd like to spend some time chatting with Thorax while we're there today, I don't mind. You know, after we fetch Discord and settle Twilight's worries."
Sunburst sidelined a bemused look. "Oh, certainly! I'd love to spend some time looking around the new hive and see just what King Thorax has accomplished. I still have to meet his brother, as well. I have to be honest, though; changelings aren't the only thing I'm looking forward to with this visit."
Starlight threw up a brow. "Really? What else?"
"Discord!"
"Discord? But, Sunburst, you've already met Discord several times, haven't you?"
"Yes, but I've yet to actually sit down with him before," he explained. "He's elusive and hard to find if you don't know where he's going to be ahead of time. Unlike Thorax, he was more akin to a force of nature than a guest at your graduation dinner. Not once was I able to hold down a conversation with him."
The pair came to a light woods, crunching dried leaves and branches beneath their hooves as they walked. The afternoon sun lazily made its way past the canopies above and cast long, twisting shadows across the ground as it did so. Sunburst looked up through the parting trees, watching the rays of light descend, and he smiled.
"As you said, Starlight, I enjoy studying magic, and of all the magical forces in Equestria, Discord's magic is one of the strongest and strangest. Nobody is really certain just how old he is or where he even came from. Is he truly a spirit, somehow connected to our world's balance of magic, or is he simply a rare, nearly extinct race of creatures long forgotten?"
Starlight held an unblinking stare as the stallion spoke, and together they broke through the forest's line of trees. Far in the distance, crowning the horizon was the changeling hive, bright with foliage and shimmering rock.
"I've never had an occasion to study him before," Sunburst continued. "After all, he was sealed in stone and called a myth by many for most of my life. Anything I could ask him has probably been asked since his release, but I figure while we're here to corral him, I may as well use the opportunity to try and grab a bit of an interview for myself."
"I...guess I've never thought much of him before," Starlight mumbled aloud. "I never heard of him before I met him, and by that point, he’d already reformed. You're right, though. His magic is even more fluid and versatile than anything Twilight or I could do, and we've spent our lives studying magic."
"He's the only known practitioner of chaos magic, which is arguably the most versatile magic known to Equestria. Unicorn magic manipulates the environment and ourselves, but chaos magic warps the fabric of reality itself. With any luck, this little excursion today will be the perfect opportunity for me to learn more about it!"
Starlight found her hooves trotting more hurriedly with each passing second. "One thing at a time, Sunburst. Let's just focus on ensuring Discord doesn't cross any lines first. Twilight was right. The changelings aren't used to experiencing chaos magic in the same way that ponies are, and Discord isn't exactly known for his finesse."
"Oh, of course!" Sunburst stammered, readjusting his glasses. "Corralling Discord is the priority. Although, he is reformed now, Starlight. How much trouble could he possibly get away with these days?"
Starlight scanned the approaching hive, waiting with bated breath for the grand stone peaks to become candy canes or the rich foliage to become sentient. Even as the hive remained quiet and unchanged, somehow she could practically feel the peace in the air being challenged.
"Sunburst, you'd be surprised what Discord can get away with."
"Oho, welcome, changelings, and changelets! Come one, come all, and witness a show unlike anything before seen by changeling eyes! Nymphs to the front, and remember, no pushing or shoving—we're a peaceful colony now."
Thorax felt his heart incessantly ring against his chest, his legs growing numb. Before him was the hive's hot springs chamber, morphed into three times its normal size by Discord's magic. Decorative red sofas, round tables, and dark oak bathtubs littered the expanded space, all occupied by drones of various ages. The entire room wrapped around a central stage, complete with a royal purple curtain and floating spotlights.
"Rest your rears and soak your hooves, my little bug ponies, and hear the tale of the brave and indomitable Captain Wuzz and his triumph over Queen Cheeselegs—the nasty cohort of the evil Squizzard!"
The purple curtains parted, and pieces of cardboard floated out from backstage. Caricatures of Discord and Chrysalis were crudely scribbled upon them. Applause and shouts of glee rang from the chamber as the cutouts began to act out a duel by continuously bumping into each other.
Detached from the commotion and standing at the far end of the room, Thorax looked on with a twitching eye and agape mouth, while Pharynx ground a hoof across his face.
"Well, that answers where the costumes went," Pharynx grumbled.
"B-but I don't understand. How did he get-the nymphs were-I thought you-"
"Looks like the whole hive is here too. So much for a 'quiet tour of the hive'. So much for a lockdown, either, for that matter. Welcome to Tartarus, Thorax. Population: us."
"Ah, hold onto your shells, everyling. Our esteemed leaders have graced our little show with their presence! Let's all give them a warm welcome! Perhaps someling would like to help them to their seats?"
A pair of spotlights sniped the brothers, and all eyes turned to see. Before Thorax or Pharynx could even blink, half a dozen nymphs eagerly flew from their seats, beelining towards them with huge smiles. While Thorax grimaced in surprise, waiting for his imminent tackle, Pharynx's sour look pierced through the numbers and connected with Discord's cunning smirk from across the room.
"Yeah. I definitely preferred it when we were evil and didn't get visitors."
Pharynx scowled. Tiny hooves hugged his carapace and propelled him forward while gleaming lights and a clamor of voices smothered his senses. By his side, Thorax shared a similar predicament. The king's floppy ears strained to a fold as fluttering nymphs yelled into them like reverse megaphones. Everywhere they looked, the brothers found frenzies of fervor, stemming from the draconequus at the center of the room, who enthralled his audience with an array of tricks.
"What did I tell you, Thorax?" Pharynx snarled, a dangerous twitch dancing around his eyelid. "We lost track of him for a whole two minutes and look what happened."
Pharynx jabbed his hoof, and Thorax followed it. Discord was now morphing changelings into perfect spheres and juggling them on stage, their elated expressions still visible on the flying orbs of green, blue and yellow. At the peak of their ascents, some drones fell from the controlled circle and reverted their forms, striking various poses in lavish outfits upon landing. On top of that, the reflective black capes they wore were complete with popped collars and tiny magician hats, some of which sprouted pigeons upon being lifted from their heads; all of which were further products of Discord’s magic.
"Okay, maybe this is a bit much," Thorax winced. One of the nymphs still playing about his body frantically grasped for his snout upon sliding off an antler. Thorax now spoke with a pinched nose. "Look, I'll talk to him, Pharynx. He's not familiar with changeling protocols. I'll let him know, and we'll get everyling to calm down."
A vulpine smile spread across Pharynx's face. "Oh no. This is a matter of hive security now, Thorax. I'll deal with it. If he thinks he can stroll into this hive and mess with our young without so much as a word of permission, he's in for a rude awakening. He can take his sob story of exclusion elsewhere because I don't entertain naiveté."
Thorax opened his mouth, but his tongue felt tied. Pharynx wasted no time in crossing the threshold, the cloud of buzzing nymphs around him scattering as if the prince's temper had ignited his carapace itself. He marched between the tables, causing heads to turn and adopt worried, anxious looks as he went. Soon enough, the entire crowd had dulled to a silence, Discord's merry laughter now isolated.
An arrow headed for a bullseye, Thorax thought. Though the arrow probably would’ve been more merciful.
"Show's canceled!" Pharynx shouted coldly, flying onto the stage. Those few changelings who braved eye contact squeaked at the hard glare waiting for them. "All performers may leave, except the director. Interested parties have questions for him."
A few final drones fell to the glossy wooden floor with a bounce, and after sprouting their legs again, scampered out of sight. Tension rose as dozens of eyes watched the confrontation brewing, but worst of all was Thorax, standing on three legs of jelly and nervously chewing the end of the fourth.
"'The show must be canceled'?" Discord repeated in a high tone, spinning his elongated head around like a giraffe and ogling the stern changeling before him. "Oh my, that's not how the saying goes at all."
Pharynx matched Discord's grin with an unyielding scowl, and an aged white eyebrow hiked the spirit's face. Floating off the ground, he twirled his goatee between two claws, eyeing the newcomer up and down.
"Well, now, I guess there's no mistaking a head rack like that one, is there?" Discord pricked a finger on the tip of Pharynx's antler while dressed in a golden tiara and pink ball gown. "You must be the big brother I've heard so much about. A pleasure for you to make my acquaintance. Now, what do I owe the dissatisfaction, Your Buggyness? Was it the distinct lack of staff giving out refreshments to everyling?"
Discord shot a look towards a half-dozen Discords playing chess backstage. Upon spotting their superior self, they haphazardly gathered up their game and fled, leaving a trail of knights, rooks, and pawns strewn about in their wake. Sighing, Discord turned to give a reassuring pat on Pharynx's carapace.
"I do apologize. It's so very hard to find good help these days."
Pharynx's mouth drew flat.
"Are you always this exasperating, or only when visiting your 'friends'?" he asked callously. Hooves covered mouths in shock throughout the crowd. "Actually, don't answer that. You've managed to overstay your welcome and tread on my patience in a matter of minutes, so we've gone far past the point of my caring."
Discord raised his paw, most likely to elaborate a point, but the loud crackling of electricity blocked his chance. Pharynx's antlers had burst to life; two conductors of a storm that illuminated his darkened chitin.
"Let me make this real simple for you. You may, for the most part, have my brother's trust, but you don't have mine. No one alters this hive's structure without our permission, and absolutely no one touches this hive's nymphs without our permission. If you'd like to reminisce with my brother, I recommend you do so outside the hive. Otherwise, you can take your leave now."
Silence rang in the air. Everything was motionless, except for Discord. The spirit's canine glinted. A challenge had been issued. Authority had been thrust upon him, and there was no turning back.
"My my, aren't you a perky one?" Discord hummed, promptly crossing his arms and legs as he continued to bob up and down in the air. "Grounded, authoritative, and viciously assertive. Why, you're like the lawful good version of Cheeselegs herself, aren't you? Let me guess, you're the bad cop of this dynamic duo."
A navy blue police hat and black nightstick with a wrist sling flashed into existence, hanging from the peak of Pharynx's antlers. On cue, the changeling's demeanor worsened even further. Digging a hoof against polished wood, Pharynx seized the objects from his head in an aura of magic and tossed them aside. His furious energy threatened to escape his antlers' containment, but it didn’t stop Discord from roasting a marshmallow over them like an open flame.
"You've got a lot of arrogance, draconequus," Pharynx said venomously. "And that's coming from Chrysalis's former right hoof."
Discord laid a single paw against his lips, gleefully squeezing his roasted marshmallow between two claws. "More than even Her ex-Royal Majesty? Look at me, beating other villains in things even after being reformed. Why, Your Buggyness, I'm flattered."
"It wasn't a compliment. I've grown to hate arrogance."
Discord snickered, circling the feisty changeling overhead. "Oh, but hate is such a strong word. Tell me, Sir Spoil Sport, what's so wrong with your little bug ponies having fun, anyway? Don't tell me you also mirror your old queen's habit of taking the fun out of everything. That'd be such a tragedy."
Discord's grey fur lit up with the blaze of Pharynx's magic, and their snouts fell inches from touching. However, the ensuing battle was interrupted by a soft buzz of wings. Flying over the crowd's heads, a single changeling made his way to the stage, where he promptly joined the heated pair.
"Pharynx, please stop this." Thorax demanded his brother's gaze but was ignored. "This isn't how to handle this. I understand you're worried about everyling's safety, but this is too much. Noling was even hurt. We shouldn't treat our guest like this when he hasn't done anything to warrant it."
Pharynx sharply turned his head, glaring at the taller changeling. "'Nothing to warrant it'? You can't be serious, Thorax. My job is to deal with things before they become issues, before someling gets hurt. I'm not here to blindly accept everything as it comes and then clean up the aftermath." The beta changeling locked eyes with Discord again. "It's called a preemptive measure. We all know what he's capable of, and clearly, he has no regard for rules. We don't need something like that in the hive."
Thorax's downtrodden ears hugged his head, and his eyes stared at the ground. However, just out of his peripheral, something caught his attention. Discord's beady eyes were not aimed at Pharynx, but rather they bypassed him completely, choosing to watch Thorax closely instead. It wasn't amusement, or even smugness that his expression held, but a hint of curiosity, as if he were patiently waiting for something. Thorax found himself staring back, and with a rising fire in his belly, he found himself raising his voice, focusing on his older brother once more.
"Pharynx, I'm sorry, but I'm not okay with this."
Again Pharynx turned, his harsh look changing into an incredulous one. "You're not 'okay' with it?"
His tone rang with condescension, but Thorax nodded through it. "This isn't fair to our guest. We shouldn't be offering ultimatums, and we certainly shouldn't be doing it in front of everyling."
Pharynx scoffed. "All I'm doing is confronting your 'friend' and making him aware of the policies he's in the process of breaking, Thorax. I’m making it clear that his behavior isn't tolerated here!"
"And you have to do that at horn point? After stepping in front of everyling and abruptly shutting down what many of them simply saw as a good time? Just look at them, Pharynx. You're making them uncomfortable. Do you really think this was the best approach for dealing with the situation?"
Pharynx scanned the crowd of observing drones. The bulbous eyes peering back reflected anxiety, even fright in the younger changelings. The prince's face clenched, and his rigid composure waned under the mounting pressure. When it finally became too much, he let out a short sigh, and his magic dissipated into thin air.
"Alright, fine. I'll humor you," Pharynx muttered, reeling in his temper. "Say I back down for now; what exactly do you suggest, Thorax? Where would you have us go from here?"
Breathing a little sigh of relief, Thorax looked up again. Discord's beady eyes still watched him and were now accompanied by the smallest of smiles.
"There's always a middle ground, Pharynx," Thorax stated, braving a hoof on his brother's back. "I promised Discord a tour of the hive, and so that's what I'll give him, but only if he promises to respect our wishes from here on out by toning down his magic in exchange. I'm sure he'd be okay with a compromise. Right, Discord?"
"Why, of course," Discord chipped in, placing a paw over his chest and giving an exaggerated bow. "If training the little ones to be capable magicians upsets His Royal Blueberry Bug that much, then I shall humbly accept the terms of a truce. I am a reformed draconequus, after all. Class is my middle name."
Discord adorned a mustache, monocle, and ironed blue suit, then sat at an oak desk to file a few papers and place a golden plaque that read 'Mr. Discord 'Class' Draconequus'. The crowd breathed life into the chamber with a new round of chittering.
Some tension, however, remained. Pharynx gave his brother a hard look that pinned him to his spot, a look that repelled any chance of direct eye contact. For a long moment, the two sat in their own bubble of awkward silence, Pharynx still as a statue, and Thorax fidgeting his hooves.
"I'm sorry, Pharynx," Thorax said at last, meeting only the bottom sliver of his brother's eyes. "I didn't mean to call you out like that. I just couldn't watch you two continue to fight. Everyling was getting really antsy, and so was I. I just thought-"
A blue hoof promptly planted itself over his muzzle, and Thorax twitched in surprise.
"Stop apologizing, Thorax. You just stood up for yourself really well, don't ruin it."
"..."
"Look, I don't trust him as far as I can toss a stone, and suffice it to say, I don't like him at all. If it were up to me I'd have blasted him off his rocket car the moment he got within range of the hive."
The hoof retracted, but Thorax remained silent. His brother's face was contorted, several emotions fighting for dominance. He wanted to say something, anything, but like earlier, his tongue had tied. He could count the number of times Pharynx had opened up to him on two hooves, and he couldn't miss out on a third.
"But this is your hive too, and I do trust you," Pharynx continued, his voice growing steadily more solemn. "Well, I trust you enough to know that you're right, anyway. You've clearly got a better grasp of the situation than I do, so I'll just stay out of it unless you need me. Honestly, I'm still getting used to the fact that you're even capable of resolving things like this yourself, these days."
"Pharynx, I-"
"Go give him his tour, Thorax, and come find me when you're done. I'm going to regroup with everyone and see if I can't get anything productive out of them after this visual sugar rush."
Pharynx took his leave, calling out to the crowd before Thorax could even respond. Soon enough, the beta changeling was obscured from view by a moving wall of glittery wings and shiny shells, haphazardly making its way out of the chamber. Thorax found himself blankly staring after them, even after they were gone.
"Hmm. I dare say that's the kindest thing I've heard him say since I arrived."
Thorax could see Discord's serpentine body coil up to a standstill, and as it did, the various seats, hot tubs, and stage below evaporated from existence.
"Discord, why were you so ready to follow my suggestion just now, when you ignored my request to stay in the entry chamber earlier?" Thorax broached. "Did you...know how Pharynx would react? Were you hoping that I'd confront him?"
Discord absently twisted around his claw, examining his wrist. Eventually, he cocked a brow at Thorax with a blatant smirk.
"Did I, the reformed spirit of chaos and disharmony, intentionally create a circumstance in which the king of the changelings was able to show his protective big brother how capable he's become by standing up to him? Why, Thorax, I haven't the foggiest idea what you're talking about. I simply wanted to parade around some laundry and teach pre-adolescent bug ponies how to conjure pigeons."
Through his giggle, Thorax could feel a warmth filling his carapace, and he looked at the ground and smiled. "Well, thank you for 'not' helping out, Discord. You 'inadvertently' helped me show Pharynx something I've wanted to show him for a while, and I really appreciate that."
"You're most unwelcome," Discord said with a satisfied nod. "Any side effects resulting from Total ChaosTM are purely coincidental, and shall not be held responsible by Draconequus Chaos Inc. or any of its affiliates."
The king and spirit shared a mutual laugh, and then made their way out of the chamber. They ascended through the winding tunnels of the hive, passing changelings on their way. Every so often, Discord would alternate from walking along the ceiling to fluttering along with his tiny wings, getting a chuckle from Thorax every time.
"So, Discord, you've seen the hot springs and the entry hive. Would you like to begin with the throne room, perhaps? Or maybe I can show you the nursery hive? Oh, or I can show you our lookout towers. They have an amazing view of the surrounding area."
"Surprise me, Thorax," Discord suggested, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "I'm nothing if easy to entertain. Besides, I'm just along for the ride; whatever the changeling hive can dish up, I'm sure I'll enjoy-"
A sudden quake in his tail cut him off, and Discord came to a stop. Thorax stopped too and looked back, blinking in confusion.
"Um, is everything okay, Discord?"
A sly look crept up Discord's face. "Everything is peaches and cream, my buggy liege. Let's just say that my chaos sense is tingling. It would appear you have even more guests to entertain today."
Starlight shook her hoof, flinging a lone bug tickling her into the surrounding grass. With steadily shortening patience, she continued to watch Sunburst trot around the changeling hive's exterior, drinking in the lush habitat like a colt in a candy store. He’d often make some manner of high-pitched noise and scribble something on a half-crumbled notepad before darting to a new location and repeating the process.
"You know, Sunburst, you're actually starting to scare me," Starlight commented. "All you need at this point is a purple wig and maybe a balloon full of helium, and then I could start planning school schedules and events with you in Twilight's office and not even know the difference."
"This is simply incredible, Starlight!" Sunburst exclaimed, not acknowledging her in the slightest. "It's not just diversity—the flora here is thriving! This is on the level of Canterlot's royal greenhouse, but it's completely wild, and I assume relatively untouched even by the changelings! It must be a result of their new magic. Oh, Celestia, who could have guessed I'd find such discoveries before even getting to talk to King Thorax or Discord!"
Starlight's vacant expression persisted, save for a brow slowly climbing her forehead. "We could even build you a paper-mâché Spike and a set of wings, too. Nopony would suspect a thing. Actually...that could probably work. Sunburst, how do you feel about being a substitute on call?"
"Um, can I help you?"
Emerging from a morphing hole in the wall was a bright yellow drone, keeping a safe distance from the strange pair of ponies. Relieved at the advancement of their little mission, Starlight's smile shone brightly as she walked over to the drone and extended a hoof.
"Why hello there, my name is Starlight Glimmer," she said pleasantly. She then pointed a hoof at the stallion. "And this is my friend, Sunburst. Princess Twilight Sparkle sent us from Ponyville. She was concerned that Discord might be planning to drop in on the hive unexpectedly today, and so we were sent to assist if needed."
The yellow drone returned the smile and extended his own hoof, nodding at the stallion as well. "You must mean the goat chimera. Yeah, he came by not too long ago and gave everyling a bit of a scare, but from what I last saw, everyling was really enjoying his magic show downhive, save Pharynx. I just got back, myself. Oh, I'm Tibia, by the way. It's nice to meet you."
At the mention of Pharynx's name, Starlight's anxiety triggered a grimace. "Do you know where Discord is now, Tibia? Or Thorax and Pharynx, for that matter?"
Tibia gave a modest head tilt and placed a hoof to his chin. "Well, I just saw Pharynx head out with a squad of changelings to the southern border forest. I think he said something about ‘rippeleon chase training’."
"There are rippeleons here!?" Sunburst shouted from behind Starlight. Starlight rolled her eyes.
"As for Thorax, I know he must still be in the hive, but I have no idea where," Tibia continued. "The goat chimera wanted to have a tour of the whole hive so they could be anywhere right now. I've kinda been stuck down here on guard duty since returning, so I don't really know much else. Sorry."
"No, it's fine," Starlight sighed. "I suppose the best we can do is head inside and take a look around, then. If that's okay with you, Tibia. My friend and I would really like to track down the 'goat chimera' as quickly as possible so that we can report back to Princess Twilight."
"Oh, sure." Tibia nodded towards the hive's base. "Any friend of the princess is a friend of ours. Thorax has told us guard changelings that ponies are always welcome. I can bring you inside, but I'm afraid I can't guide you around. I have to stay at my post. Maybe I can grab another changeling to help you out."
"That won't be necessary, Tibia. I can take care of our guests from here."
Tibia went rigid, with the voice of his superior swimming in his ear. Spinning around, he found that Thorax stood just behind him, alongside Discord. Thorax gave his subordinate a disarming smile, while Discord shot a devious look at the ponies assailing him with matching frowns.
"Why if it isn't the celebrated friendship graduate and her astute escort," Discord said, swirling a hand and conjuring an iced beverage from the ether. He sat upon his own tail and took a loud sip of his drink from a pink bendy straw. "Let me guess: Twilight simply had kittens when she found out I only told you about my little surprise visit today?"
Starlight’s eyes furrowed. "Well, as usual, it seems you've orchestrated everything from the start, Discord. Let me guess: you knew that Twilight would send me to corral you? I bet you even knew that I prefer not to travel alone and would bring a friend along."
Discord tapped the ends of his paws and claws together, using his tail to toss the now empty glass aside, where it evaporated upon hitting a rock. "Credit where credit is due. Mind you, not everything went according to plan. For example, even after all that setup I went through to get Team Save Equestria back together again—after you failed to, I should add—you went and brought the wrong friend, Starlight."
Discord put his head in his claw and feigned a sorrowful look, but Starlight was having none of it. "Is it my fault Trixie was busy this week? No, it's not. Also, I had planned on organizing a get-together sometime after this whole fiasco, but if this is how you're going to act, running off to inconvenience others at the drop of a hat, maybe I won't, after all."
"Hey, come on guys," Thorax interjected, raising a hoof. "Let's calm down for a second, okay? Look, Discord isn't being an inconvenience. I was just about to give him a tour of the hive, actually. Why don't you guys join us? Even if Trixie isn't here today, Sunburst is, and both Starlight and I are already friends with him. Maybe you can be too, Discord. There's no reason we can't all have a good time, right?"
Sunburst grinned shamelessly at this notion.
Discord opened one red eye from his crossed-armed tantrum. Upon spotting Thorax looking up at him with big, hopeful eyes, he couldn't help but grin too. Like a striking constrictor, he seized the fully grown changeling and lifted him off the ground in an abrasive embrace. "Oh, good ol' Thorax, always such a voice of reason. Very well then, I suppose Team Save Equestria + Sunburst is an acceptable alternative for our group tour this evening."
"T-thanks for giving it a try, Discord," Thorax wheezed out, forcing a meek smile.
As tempers cooled and smiles were salvaged, Starlight chuckled and helped Thorax out of his predicament by levitating him out of Discord's grasp. Once he caught his breath, Thorax rallied the group with a nod and headed back through the large archway. He briefly turned to the yellow drone still standing at attention.
"Hey, Tibia?"
"Uh, yes, Thorax?"
Thorax placed a gentle hoof on the drone's side. "When Pharynx comes back in, can you please send a changeling to come find me and let me know? I think he has a few things he really wants to talk with me about today, and I want to get to that as soon as possible."
"Oh, sure thing! I'll send Nepidae. She's on duty with me in an hour, and she's quick as lightning."
Thorax beamed. "Thanks, Tibia, you're doing a great job. Be sure to take a break when you get a chance, alright?"
"I, uh," Tibia stammered, a potent blush assaulting his cheeks. Starlight and Discord wore adoring faces at the obvious display of emotion, while Sunburst shared Thorax's radiant look. "O-of course, Thorax! I'll be sure to take a nectar break in a little bit."
With a satisfying show of his pearly teeth, Thorax rejoined the group and spearheaded them through the entry chamber. Soon enough, Sunburst's voice broke the calm.
"So, Mister Discord—do you mind if I call you 'Mister' Discord? I wanted to ask you a little about yourself while I had the chance. You see, I study ancient forms of magic and runic powers, and I've always been fascinated by chaos magic. Being the sole practitioner of the art, what can you tell me about it? How does it work? Do you focus your energy through your thoughts or your emotions?Also, would you say chaos magic is classified as unique spells or more as an all-encompassing power you simply utilize by the situation? Oh, I have so many questions! It's such an honor to meet you, sir!"
Though she held her hooves as steady as she could, Apidae watched them tremble under the weight of her fatigue. Slumping to the ground, her muscles relaxed, and she embraced the cushion of grass with a content sigh. The light pants of her fellow changelings sounded from all directions, and upon sitting up, she saw that many of them had sprawled themselves throughout the clearing. Past them all, Pharynx's dark figure sat on an unassuming boulder, facing away from the lot of them.
"That was pretty good, you guys," he said, flat but still harboring a hint of pride. "Seven minutes. We kept up with it for seven minutes. That's fifteen seconds longer than the other day and a full forty-five seconds longer than last week. Rest up for a bit, and we'll try some resilience training while disguised as inanimate objects; then we can head home."
Apidae let a breath rush through her burning lungs, soothing her from the inside out. She got to her hooves and ventured past the fallen, lazy forms of her fellow changelings to join the prince by his side. Once there, she flopped onto her flank. The beta changeling's face did not budge.
"What do you want, Apidae?"
"Not a want, per se," Apidae responded. "I just wanted to ask what's bothering you."
"Nothing. I'm fine."
"Okay. Counterpoint. You don't look fine."
Pharynx curled his lip, but his face still didn't budge. "Is that really anyone's business but my own, Apidae?"
The yellow changeling giggled, undeterred. "Well, of course not, but that doesn't mean we don't care about you, Pharynx. I can't speak for everyling, but when I see my prince looking like someling messed up his bedhive, I want to help, even if all I can do is listen."
Pharynx said nothing, opting instead to shift his violet eyes away. Apidae's smile only grew.
"I never asked for specifics, you know. I'll even settle for vague grunts if it'll help any."
Pharynx let out a cross between a growl and a hiss. At last, his head pivoted, and he scanned the clearing behind him. Though a few changelings had since gotten up and begun chatting among themselves, they remained, for the most part, far out of earshot from his perch.
"Does it have to do with Thorax?"
Pharynx's ear twitched, and Apidae's sly look knew no bounds.
"It's always about Thorax." Pharynx slumped his belly on the rock. Unfortunately for him, his empathetic drone was persistent. She circled the boulder until she stood just in front of him, then plopped back down again. "You're not going to leave me be, are you?"
Apidae shook her head, and again, Pharynx growled. When he did speak, his voice was just above a whisper.
"Thorax stood up to me earlier. Actually stood up to me. And he did a pretty good job of it. I should be proud, and I am proud; it's what I've been trying to drill into his head for years. All the same, I've felt...pensive ever since. I've lost my energy, my focus, even my excitement for chasing down rippeleons. I don't know what's going on, but I know it must be from what happened today."
Pharynx braved a glance and found Apidae beaming back at him. Taken aback, Pharynx rose from his spot, attempting to hide his onset blush with a show of his teeth. "What? What's that look for?"
Apidae tilted her head. "You know, you're an excellent big brother, Pharynx."
The floodgates fell apart, and Pharynx's cheeks flushed to a rose tint. "What are you talking about? Do you know what's going on, Apidae? If you know something, spill it. You've all been dealing with this 'feeling emotions' tripe a lot longer than I have."
Apidae was now laughing loud enough for ears to perk throughout the clearing.
"I don't think it's my place to tell you, Pharynx," she said with a wink. "But tell Thorax exactly what you just told me. Not only will you feel better, but he'll know exactly what you're feeling too."
With a blatant roll of his eyes, Pharynx leaped off his perch and brushed stray dirt from his legs. "Thanks for the wisdom, but I already planned on that much, Apidae. Furthermore, I'd be lying if I said I was optimistic. Knowing Thorax, he'll just gush at the first word of me feeling any emotions."
The changeling signaled his squad with a stern point of his hoof, and they quickly assembled into formation. With Apidae by his side, Pharynx took to the air, inspiring his changelings to do the same. Soon, the afternoon sky filled with a flurry of iridescent wings as the group made their way deeper into the forest.
"By the way, what happened to 'inanimate objects' training?" Apidae asked.
"I decided I don't like this area," Pharynx grumbled.
Thorax let out a sigh. His duties as a tour guide were complete, which meant he could finally allow himself a moment to rest. He meandered through the winding corridors of the lower hive, smiling at the occasional passing drone.
I've done my best to make the hive a livelier, friendlier place. We couldn't do that when our home was closed off to the rest of the world, or when we were so reclusive to each other.
Thorax turned a corner and was startled. A pair of adolescent drones soared around the bend like two flashes of green lightning, filling the hallway with the snippet of an ongoing argument before vanishing. He paused for a moment to watch the empty, quiet passage left in their wake.
We still have a long way to go, but I know we'll get there.
He became more conscious of his hoofsteps as he went along, all outside sounds now blocked by the walls. The more the quiet numbed his ears, the more his mind raced. Soon Thorax found his rose eyes wandering, as if trying to find something, anything.
Though I'm amazed at the progress so far, Your Highness, I have to admit I'm a little surprised. After your resounding success in the Crystal Empire, I thought you'd have reintroduced the changelings to most of Equestria by now. Is there anything, in particular, that's holding you back? Anything we can help with?
Thorax bit his lip.
We've just been really busy with projects closer to home lately. Pharynx has been preoccupied with rebuilding our guard teams while I've been keeping an eye on day-to-day activities and helping to look after the hive's nymphs. Once we're a little more settled, we'll continue to reach out.
The grinding sound of morphing stone made Thorax jump. He looked around the chamber he was now in, but it was void of changelings. Again his hooffalls echoed in his ears as he made his way across the room and through an entryway. It was one he knew all too well, one that planted seeds of anxiety in the corners of his mind. Thorax rapidly descended the slope before him, towards one of the lowest levels of the hive.
Thorax, you've been away from the hive before and left Pharynx to handle it, haven't you? I mean, you went to visit Ocellus at the School of Friendship at practically every opportunity we've given you. How would making further allies be any different than that?
The hive's lower intestines were noticeably darker, with far thicker walls. Unlike the structure above ground, it had undergone no remodeling. It once served as a safety bunker in case of catastrophic emergency, but that role had been largely replaced by the newly-built nesting chamber. Asides from the hot springs, the lower hive was now largely abandoned.
Thorax knew that wasn't entirely true, however.
Visiting Ponyville for a few hours isn't the same thing as leaving for days on end to go on political visits. Pharynx still isn't used to run-of-the-mill, everyday concerns that come up now that we're peaceful. I just wanted to wait for him to finish reforming our defenses before I dropped more foreign relation missions on the hive's agenda.
The quiet he’d felt above was nothing compared to the void of silence down here. He knew his unease was irrational; nothing from outside could enter the lower portions of the hive. Still, Thorax lit his antlers with an electric blue aura before allowing his muscle memory to take over and guide him through the dim halls.
Thorax, I don't think you need to be on standby for your brother all the time. Not to bring up a sore topic, but wasn't Pharynx high up in Chrysalis's command? He must be used to juggling all sorts of hive responsibilities. I don't think he'd want you to hold yourself back for his sake. You should talk to him.
"I just wish I was better at talking to him."
A familiar sight came before Thorax. The seemingly endless corridor branched off in a triple fork, but not before giving way to two side rooms, rooms that Thorax recognized at once. One was an old interrogation room, used to store cocooned prisoners that Chrysalis would later question about their native homes' weaknesses. The other served as the quarters for the hive's guard units, a place for planning patrol routes and infiltration tactics. It also held the bedhive for the patrol leader.
Thorax swallowed as he approached. It was his big brother's old room.
"Pharynx? Are you down here?"
His voice echoed into the dark before his face rounded the corner, but Thorax already knew the answer. He knew his brother too well. There was only one place unvisited by other changelings since the hive's metamorphosis, and that was how Pharynx preferred his thinking spaces.
Thorax stepped through the frame, and a pair of violet eyes pierced the dark.
"Cute light show," said Pharynx. "Don't tell me you're still scared of the dark, Thorax. You're supposed to be a king now. What sort of king is afraid of the dark?"
It just occurred to Thorax that his vibrant antlers continued to glow, casting a comforting blue light several yards around him. The light faded with focused thought, and Thorax stared back at his opaque sibling with an unseen smile. "Maybe one who understands the fear of the dark and can relate to little changelings who have that fear."
There was silence. Pharynx's eyes were the first to back down.
"Well, you found me. Congrats. I hope your little tour went well. If I go uphive and find that the draconequus left something—anything—out of place, he's out, and that's that."
Thorax chuckled, and his eyes began to adjust. Even in pitch darkness, changeling eyes could see outlines clearly. Thus, Thorax could now see his brother's form resting in the center of an otherwise empty room. The barracks were a skeleton of what they once were.
"Well, we almost made it through the entire tour," Thorax recalled, making his way over and laying down beside him. "Once Discord came across the afternoon group doing freestyle dance together, though, that was that. Starlight and Sunburst offered to stay and keep an eye on him, so I thought I'd come and find you. The drones told me you'd gone off by yourself somewhere. Did you have something you wanted to tell me?"
He waited patiently for a 'yes' that never came. Pharynx's eyes had dimmed, partially hidden by his eyelids and crossed hooves. Thorax examined the body language curiously. Just this afternoon, Pharynx had been steadfast and determined, but here he laid at his side, entirely dejected.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm peachy."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
"Well, is there anything I can do to help?"
"Cheeky little grub when you want to be, aren't you?"
Thorax perked up. "Whether you're pretending to be a boulder or are just in a bad mood, I like to think I can read you pretty well, Pharynx. You don't have to say it, and I won't ask you about it if you don't want me to, but I know something is eating at you. It's written all over your carapace."
"Oh, lucky me," Pharynx deadpanned, turning his head to glare. "My kid brother, the founder of the feelings forum, thinks he can psychoanalyze me. First Apidae, now you. These freaky empathy powers everyone seems to have now are starting to annoy me, Thorax."
"Why? Because it means you might have to talk about your emotions for once?" Thorax asked with a smirk, instinctively putting up his hooves to block a punch and laughing when it hit on cue. "So Apidae saw it too, huh? So something really is bothering you, then. She always was perceptive, even before we transformed."
"Or maybe you're both just crazy. What about you? You've clearly got something on your mind too, the way you came skulking in here. Let's talk about that first."
Taken aback by the forceful shift of topics, Thorax's expression deflated. He sat back on his haunches and stared into Pharynx's violet eyes—eyes which grew increasingly focused by the second.
"What's that look for?" Pharynx sat up and closed in on him. When Thorax leaned back at the invasion of space, Pharynx took it as a retreat and swiftly followed, pinning the younger changeling in everything but body. "Did something happen, Thorax?"
Thorax's contemplative look consumed him. This was it, he thought. This was his chance to get everything off his chest—his anxieties, his reservations; they were all on the precipice of springing forth. Pharynx's face showed fear of some physical disaster having taken place uphive, but Thorax knew the real problems sat in this very room, shrouded in the dark.
"Thorax, you had better spill it. Did that 'friend' of yours fly off the handle again? Did he-"
A brilliant blaze of blue light filled the room. Pharynx squinted and bared his teeth in response, but upon spotting the melancholic look on his brother's face, he quickly regained focus. For a time, they sat together in the antlers' radiance, listening to the murmur of static while Thorax gathered his scattered thoughts.
"Discord hasn't done anything, Pharynx," Thorax said quietly. "Nothing at all has happened, actually, and I think that's the whole problem."
Thorax found himself unable to meet his brother's gaze and hold his words together at the same time, so he settled for lamely watching his own hooves instead. The situation felt entirely too familiar to him.
"Pharynx, my correspondence with the princesses has been a lot more productive than I've let on," he began, his voice weak. "I have entire lists, pages even of Equestrian events that we've been invited to attend. In just these past few weeks, I've even received official notices from the hippogriffs and yaks, saying that they'd like to meet and discuss possible alliances together, in light of Twilight's school."
Thorax swallowed. It was a subtle sound, but painfully loud to him in the dead air.
"I didn't want to bring this up to you yet, seeing as you've been so focused on rebuilding our defenses. I told myself I'd talk with you about it later, that I'd help you focus on the hive first so that I wouldn't overwhelm you with all these expectations. Well, later became now, and I convinced myself to keep putting it off…I let myself think only about the hive, and I let the day-to-day routines carry on and on. I...I don't think I've replied to a single letter from anyone in almost a week."
Thorax felt his composure slipping. He did what he could to hold it back, but he soon lost control when Pharynx spoke in an abnormally calm voice.
"I was never really the one in danger of being overwhelmed, was I, Thorax?"
Tears pricked against the floor, and Thorax sniffed.
"Pharynx, I don't know where to go from here," he whimpered, clenching his eyelids. "I thought that everything would become easier with the princesses' help, that everything would become clear after we formed relations with the Crystal Empire, but it hasn't. Everything is a possibility now, and I...I feel like I can't keep up. I-I'm constantly scared I'll make a wrong decision or say something that'll anger someone, and it's paralyzing! You're right, Pharynx. What kind of leader is afraid of things like this? Of the dark, of the unknown?"
The dam had finally burst. Thorax curled his shimmering tail around his hooves like a blanket and retreated into a series of sniffs and sobs. Pharynx continued to watch quietly, his rugged exterior softening. A genuine smile subtly claimed his mouth. It was now the beta changeling's turn to bring light to the chamber, and so he did. The electric blue merged with a deep crimson aura, and those few remaining dark corners of the room were at last illuminated.
"Am I to assume this was triggered by talks with the ponies upstairs? Funny how they're causing you more concern than the omnipotent draconequus. C'mere, you big dork." Pharynx corralled the younger changeling with a motion of his hooves. "Take a deep breath and relax. The fate of the Changeling Kingdom doesn't have to be decided this afternoon."
Shaking like a leaf, Thorax put aside his status, expectations, and responsibilities. He let himself lay his head against his brother's chitin, and embraced the older changeling for the first time in a very long time. There was no backing away, nor were there scoffs of disgust that he'd come to expect. Instead, Thorax felt himself being held by a strong leg without fear of withdrawal.
"First of all, don't go twisting my words and using them against me," Pharynx said firmly, laying his chin on Thorax's head and staring off into space. "Namely, don't take everything I say so seriously. You're leading a hive now, Thorax, and although it was...very rocky at first, you're doing a decent job of it now. Do you think I'd have thought my meek brother would ever be capable of something like that up until a few months ago? Of course not. You're a lot braver than you give yourself credit for."
His eyes stung with hot tears, but Thorax smiled against Pharynx's chest. Through his brother's words, he could already feel himself becoming calmer.
"Secondly, I'm not sure what's more insulting, the idea that I couldn't handle some snide politics on top of running our hive, or the fact you'd even entertain the thought that I'd leave you to deal with things on your own just because I've got other stuff going on. You're an idiot, Thorax."
Amidst his shallow sniffs, Thorax laughed. He thought to reply but decided to quietly shift his comfortable position instead. All he sought was for this elusive moment to last, and as seconds turned to minutes, that's exactly what happened. By the time either of them uttered another word, Thorax had calmed down entirely.
"Do you still wanna know what was bothering me?"
Pharynx paused just long enough for glossy eyes to give their attention.
"Of course I do. You want to talk about it now?"
Pharynx gave a passive nod before dawning a sly little smirk. "Well, you did just fall apart in front of me. It was kind of embarrassing, Thorax. You've got me feeling bad for you now, so the least I can do is fess up as well."
"Shut up, Pharynx." Thorax giggled, weakly headbutting the changeling's chest. "Didn't you just finish complimenting me about bravery? Letting down your guard can also be brave, you know. Especially when you were afraid your brother would just make fun of you for doing it."
Pharynx's smirk turned into a modest smile, and his look grew pensive. Thorax didn't yet know it, but those words, those feelings, went both ways.
"It was you, Thorax," Pharynx admitted. "You finally stood up to me earlier today—really stood up to me. You stood there, held your ground, and told me to my face that you knew better than me. And you know what? For once, you were right. Something about that really got to me, and I didn't get why at first. I think I'm starting to, now."
It wasn't until Thorax felt a light prick on his head that he shifted his gaze upwards and lost his breath. Though appearing calm and collected, tiny tears had formed in Pharynx's expressionless eyes.
"Pharynx, y-you're crying."
Thorax could hardly believe his own words as they fell from his tongue. Never in his life had he seen his brother emote, and yet here he was, dripping light tears like it was no big deal.
"This may sound strange, but seeing you fall apart again relieved me. You may have felt overwhelmed lately, Thorax, but I sure wouldn't have known it. From my perspective, it's been just the opposite. I've seen you handle just about everything that's come at you, seen you finally start to grow up and become capable of solving all your own problems, just like a king should. And yes, I felt pride, but I wasn't entirely ready to accept that, either. I couldn't accept the idea that you might not be needing me much longer."
Heat surged through Thorax's every extremity. Too stunned to form words, he merely watched his brother fail to recover his composure, flicking water from his cheeks via hoof.
"We've never had much in common, Thorax," Pharynx continued. "I couldn't relate to you when we were young, so I tried to toughen you up instead and stood up for you when you couldn't stand up for yourself. Well, that hasn't changed. All these years later, I'm still struggling to relate to you, and that's a game of catch-up I've realized I'll never win. I've taken solace in the fact that I've still been able to look out for you, to help solve the problems you couldn't handle. When I saw how far you'd come earlier, I guess it threatened things for me. I didn't want to lose that."
Pharynx pulled back from the embrace and exhaled sharply, visibly drained and exercising great restraint to not fall further down the emotional rabbit hole. He did his best to avoid eye contact, but his efforts would not change his fate. Every ounce of Thorax's looming anxiety had now melted away, replaced by the sincerest smile he'd given in weeks. Without hesitation, he embraced Pharynx again, clinging to him tightly despite a grunt of discomfort.
"Pharynx, no matter how much I improve, I will always need my big brother to look out for me," he said softly. "And I hope you know how much I appreciate you telling me this. I just wish you’d told me sooner. I had no idea you were that fond of being a guardian for me."
Pharynx scoffed and rolled his violet eyes. "Did you think I protected your wussy behind from bullies for my health? You do realize protecting you was a full-time job, right? I practically had to compensate bullies just to stay on a schedule I could keep up with."
Caught in an awkward but all too genuine combination of lingering tears and laughter, Thorax withdrew his hug. Together, the changelings regained themselves, sitting back on their haunches and casting knowing glances at one another. A smile had been salvaged from Pharynx, one filled with something that Thorax hadn't observed from him in years. It wasn't backed by sarcasm, slyness, or a fake, ulterior motive. It was a look of simple, unobstructed happiness.
"By the way, do you happen to remember our little conversation about communication, Thorax?" Pharynx asked, cocking a brow as his brother took on a sheepish demeanor. "Yeah, all of that, again. Going forward, I want you to be honest with me upfront as soon as you're feeling anxious about responsibilities. I'm more than capable of shouldering whatever you might need help with. I don't crack under pressure. I can run this hive just fine by myself for however many political banquets and dance parties you might need to attend, and I'll even go with you if it's of earth-shattering importance. Tarsus is a good changeling. He'll keep things on lockdown for us when asked."
Thorax absently rubbed the back of his head, a blush reddening his cheeks. "Alright, I promise I'll keep you updated on any important correspondences from now on. I'll also start going through the pile of event invitations and letters I already have."
"Good. Take much longer and we'll be getting a knock on the hive door from Twilight Sparkle herself, asking what happened to you and why you're no longer attending tea parties."
Following his brother's lead, Thorax stood and stretched his legs. He simply couldn't stop beaming in Pharynx's direction. The mere depth of his brother's feelings was still making him giddy.
"I know it causes you pain to hear it, but I love you, Pharynx," Thorax said with a slight chuckle. "I consider myself extremely lucky to have a broodmate as watchful as you are. You watch over not just me, but the entire hive. Even if we don't have a lot in common, I hope you know how much you mean to me."
On cue, Pharynx adopted wide eyes and a shocked look. Not a moment later, the blue changeling proceeded to violently fake a gagging fit all over the floor, which sent Thorax into a fit. The next time Pharynx's face surfaced, he cocked a brow to accompany his new smile.
"For the record, I appreciate it, Thorax. But just so we're on the same page, I'm gonna go back to being apathetic towards everything feelsy and cute now."
"Fair enough. Although, now that we've had a heart-to-heart, are you sure I can't interest you in spending some more time with the hive in communal naps and activities?"
Pharynx put on a skeptical look before making headway to the entrance. "Absolutely not. You're not dragging me into one of those wastes of time."
Thorax practically skipped after his sibling, not the least bit disheartened. The two made their way out of the chamber and into darkness.
"You don't have to participate if you don't want to. You can just moderate! Won't you at least think about it?"
"Sure...no. There, I thought about it."
Thorax trotted up along Pharynx's flank, joining him by his side. The alpha's look could have lit the entire hall by itself. "Alright, alright, communal stuff is still out. What if you started to spend a little more time with the nymphs? If you're going to run the hive more often in my stead, you'll want to get used to that, anyway."
"I think I'll deal with things as needed and not before, in that case."
Thorax paused. A warm flutter in his chest encouraged him to venture just once more.
"Alright, well...if nothing else, would you at least let me hug you without the sour response more often? Once a year for my hatchday and for severe emotional distress is a little limiting, you know."
Pharynx came to a stop when Thorax's hoofsteps faded, and again he peered back. His younger brother's awaiting grin was abysmally wholesome. Pharynx opened his mouth to snap another variant retort, but this time something changed his mind. This time he shook his head in a bout of defeat and met that nympish smile with a tolerant, albeit exasperated look.
It was his own fault, he thought. He had opened up, and there was no closing that door again. Not with Thorax.
"Yeah, fine, whatever," Pharynx muttered, at last, noting the immediate stars in Thorax's eyes. "But there are stipulations to that, got it? Namely, no surprises. If you hug me from behind, I will buck you in the face. Also, don't abuse it. I'm not gonna put up with getting bombarded by your sappiness all day long. Most importantly, it's just you, Thorax. No other changelings, no nymphs, no friends, no frolicking woodland creatures—nobody gets free rides off your pass."
Thorax laughed a jovial laugh. "Pharynx, that sounded awfully rehearsed. Don't tell me you've had this speech in the wings, just waiting for when I'd ask to hug you more often."
"When you have an overly emotional changeling for a brother, you learn to have plans set up. Just be happy that you're the exception, Thorax. You're the one thing in all of creation that could even get me to make stipulations for getting hugs. Everyone else just gets blasted."
As I Always Say, 'Better a Social Butterfly than a Shy Caterpillar'!
Yona’s brow furrowed again. She squinted at the craft before her, tracing a pattern of twig-like trees and a yellow sun woven from cloth. The sun sported a comical smile, with carefully stitched strips of yellow cloth spreading outwards from its center.
But it was no use. Try as she might, the concept, as well as the proper reaction, were lost to her.
"Yona not understand," she said, delivering her words with the utmost care so as not to offend her friend. "Sandbar likes...creepy sunshine?"
Sandbar laughed. "No, no, it's just a fun design, Yona," he dismissed, setting the craft down between his hooves. "See, the sun has a smile because that means it's a really nice day. Professor Fluttershy says it's called a doily, but they're more of an art piece than drink coasters if you ask me."
Yona scrunched her face as she looked at her own blank canvas of white cloth. Colorful trails of yarn were strewn about the table, all discarded from her previous attempts. They looked rather pathetic.
"Yona not sure doily making is best for Yona," she figured, casting her gaze at her professor as she glided around the room. Gingerly hovering from table to table, Fluttershy tended to her flock of students with care, her face lighting the room each time a doily was presented to her. "Professor Fluttershy scary good at weaving and stitching. Maybe she teach Yona's friends to weave and stitch good, but Yona better at...unmaking things, not making them."
"Come on, Yona, don't say that. You can do anything you put your mind to." Sandbar rose from his seat and trotted around to Yona’s side. "It's all about trying new things, ya know? Sewing-er, seeing what you like, and what you don't like. Here, let's take a look at what you have for string colors. Maybe I can help you paint an idea."
Together, the pair hunkered down over Yona's incomplete project, their soft voices drowning in a sea of steady chatter. One voice, however, stood out from the rest, and from the other side of the classroom, no less. There, tucked away in the corner, a petite changeling excitedly worked away, crafting a scene of greenery into her doily and emitting the occasional gasp of excitement. Across from her sat an azure griffon, his beak planted into the table's wood like an unconscious woodpecker.
"Gallus, I think I'm starting to see moss grow around your neck plumage," the young changeling teased, giggling lightly at her own joke. "Why don't you at least try? Who knows, maybe you'll like it! I sure do!"
The griffon let out a painful sigh, dramatically scraping his talons along the crafted oak until his forelegs lazily fell from its edge. There was a bonk as he replanted his face, followed by an even deeper, more prolonged sigh.
Ocellus held her laugh in with a hoof. Perhaps Gallus was more like a mopey woodpecker.
"Can we bring Professor Applejack in here?" Gallus mumbled, only raising his head so that his rolling eyes could be properly seen. "I think her side tangents about apple history are the only thing that could make this class any more boring."
"Oh, now you're going to make fun of Professor Applejack's lessons, too?" Ocellus shook her head, her mouth tightening to that of a disappointed mother. "Gallus, I haven't seen you pick up that doily once. Are Professor Rainbow Dash's lessons the only class you'll ever put effort into?"
Gallus flopped upon one foreleg and proceeded to flick and prod at his assignment without care.
"Don't blame me for only liking the exciting classes, Ocellus. You and Silverstream might find everything fascinating, but I'm not quite as easy to please."
"So I've noticed."
Gallus's eyebrows became gnarled bushes.
"The point is, yes, I need more stimulation than this." The griffon picked himself up only to slump back in his chair. "To be honest, you guys are what keep me from falling to the floor, curling up into a fetal position, and weeping in turmoil through most of our classes. Haven't you noticed that things aren't as exciting as they used to be? Just look at Professor Fluttershy. We used to have classes with her animal friends, one of which is a huge bear! How'd we go from that to this?"
He motioned a claw to the front of the room. A line of students had lined up at Fluttershy's desk, prancing in place while holding their finished work high on one hoof and displaying them with pride. Their faint giggles reached his ears, and Gallus made a cat-like gagging sound.
"Well, who knows, Gallus, maybe our next class will have something more exciting for you," Ocellus offered, returning her focus to her craft. "If there's one thing I've learned from being a student here, it's that you never know what the day will bring you."
"Uhuh, sure. At least our next class has Smolder in it. I'm starting to think I'll outlive Grampa Gruff by the time we get to experience anything exciting during class again."
A muffled crash echoed through the classroom walls, rousing the attention of every student. Fluttershy took to the air.
"Now, everycreature, just remain calm," she said firmly. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. If you would please remain in your seats, I'll head outside and see what's going on-"
"It's Discord! He's in the courtyard, and he has a bunch of changelings with him! AHH! They are SO CUTE!"
The classroom erupted with chatter, and Silverstream was quickly joined at the window by the rest of the class, crowding together to get a view. Even Fluttershy, at the mention of Discord's name, succumbed to her own curiosity.
The school's courtyard, once a serene scene of students relaxing beneath the shady willows was now a scene of confusion and shock. The school's brilliant oak gate lay destroyed, shattered at the wheels of a peculiar-looking cart. Hitched to this display was a pair of even more peculiar, lizard-like creatures, vividly green with bulging eyes and wildly flicking tongues.
Various changelings were exiting the cart, their shiny shells reflecting the sunlight in a nearly successful distraction from the mayhem. They, too, looked confused. Most of them stayed by the cart whilst a crowd trickled into a mob on all sides.
Amidst this display of chaos, a familiar draconequus rose from the driver's seat. He sported an elaborate purple dress featuring confused pony faces, dangling earrings in the shape of the infinity symbol, and a rather decrepit looking chameleon perched atop his shoulder. His smile grew dangerously at the looks of amusement he garnished from his crowd. When his pet abruptly coughed up a hairball, that amusement turned into shocked gasps, and Discord fell into a fit of hysterics audible even from the student's vantage point.
"Alright, now this is what I'm talking about!" Gallus hooted, his once apathetic eyes now focused and sharp. With minimal effort, he forced his way past his peers, pressing his talons against the window and drinking in the scene below. "I was hoping Professor Dash might pop in and save us from this class, but this is way better!"
"Yona not like goat chimera," Yona said with conviction. "Yona remembers when goat chimera sent bugbear after Yona and her friends. Not fun at all. ‘Worst substitute of year’ award goes to goat chimera."
"Now that I'll agree with you, Yona," added Sandbar, peering out through the yak's braids. "But I wonder what he's doing here, and with all those changelings too."
"'What', indeed. Discord, just what are you up to this time?"
Something about Fluttershy’s tone caused every creature to turn away from the commotion outside and to her. Her expression was now serious and contemplative, and her eyes wielded a piercing glare that none of her students had ever seen from her before. Upon noticing her audience, her tension melted away, and she eyed her students with care.
"Everycreature, please stay here," she said calmly, fluttering towards the classroom door. "I need to step outside for a moment, in case Headmare Twilight needs my help. I'll be right back. In the meantime, if everycreature could help out by cleaning up the classroom a bit, I'd greatly appreciate it."
She opened the door to leave, but a voice caught her mid-air. It was a high-pitched request filled with contagious excitement.
"Professor Fluttershy, wait! Can I come downstairs too, please?"
It didn't take long for Fluttershy to find her. Ocellus hovered over the heads of the other students. She tapped her front hooves together and fidgeted in place, unable to hide her squeaky enthusiasm.
"I gotta see some of those changelings up close!"
"Discord, would you mind telling me just what in Celestia's name is going on here?"
Ah, there it was again. That delicious vexation, that sharp tone of voice, that frantic demeanor.
Oh, how he missed it.
"Why, whatever do you mean, Headmare Twilight?" Discord slunk down from his eyesore of a transport and put his claw upon his waist. To Twilight's disapproving stare, he merely puckered his lips. "I'm just doing what any good Vice-Vice Headmaster would do—chaperoning field trips!"
By now, the bulk of the school's populace had assembled in a conglomerate behind Twilight, and from out of the woodwork, the remaining Elements of Harmony emerged.
"Discord, I'm not exactly sure what it is you think you're doing," Twilight chastised. "But this is rather disruptive. Didn't Starlight give you a list of things you could do to help out the school after your last fiasco?"
Discord's lion paw waved about.
"Pish posh," he dismissed, abruptly teleporting behind two changelings and curving his body over to hug them. "That was a greatly exaggerated chore list, and we both know it. I took the hint, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be allowed to contribute a great idea now and again. You see, I went to visit the changelings today, and the adorable little bugs have just been yearning to get outside their comfort zone. I thought to myself, 'Discord, why don't you take them on a field trip to Twilight's school? No better place for bug ponies to learn more about ponies, and vice versa!' It was a very compelling argument."
Twilight cocked a skeptical brow, one so high that Applejack stifled a chuckle from a few yards away. She stepped forward.
"So let me get this straight. You were feeling left out that Starlight and Trixie visited the changelings without you-"
"Very inconsiderate of them, right? Thank you."
"-so you decided to visit the changelings yourself, without letting anycreature know in advance."
"Well, hold on, now. I knocked on your office door, but it said, 'out for a hayburger', so I figured I shouldn't bother you. One doesn't simply get in the way of Headmare Twilight and her favorite lunch."
Twilight paused just long enough to shake her head.
"Now you've come back from the hive to give me a headache, right after I sent Starlight over there to keep an eye on you."
"A happy accident, I'm sure."
With pressure pulsing in her temple, Twilight allowed the air to grow quiet while she massaged her forehead. She did her best to ignore the smug grin plastered high atop that snake-like head, but it was burned into her eyelids.
"Discord, are Thorax and Pharynx aware of what you're doing?"
All eyes turned to the newly-arrived Professor Fluttershy. The pegasus had ascended to the draconequus's height, now floating just in front of his face. The two shared eye contact for some time. Discord tapped his claws and paws together as Fluttershy patiently awaited the inevitable confession.
"Well, they knew I was spending time with the multicolored masses, so I wouldn't say they're completely unaware of it."
"Discord."
"I may have volunteered a random assortment of bug ponies for a field trip without immediately consulting the Wonder Twins about it, yes."
"Discord."
"Alright, I also may have left a wagon-sized hole in the side of the hive. Carlos and Ralphie got a little too excited, I'm afraid." The draconequus patted the heads of his chariot lizards, his claw elongating to an absurd length to do so. "I'll admit it's probably my fault for giving them too many bison flies before the trip. The things are practically catnip for rippeleons."
"Discord!"
Discord threw up his appendages in defeat.
"Oh, very well, then. I'll add 'apologizing to the beetlemeese' to my to-do list, post-haste."
He then sidestepped the pegasus, his gangly head curling around her as he did. "Honestly though, everycreature should be thanking me. The changelings do mean to mingle, to get out and into Equestria. It seemed to me they needed a good jumpstart, seeing as they've hardly stepped hoof outside their cozy little hive since the defeat of Queen Meanie. I'm simply providing them an opportunity to stretch their buggy wings."
To emphasize, the spirit gently pulled on the tips of a drone's wings, flexing them from their carapace for all to see. The poor drone looked as if he'd been caught bathing, his amber cheeks tinting to a rose shade.
"We appreciate the sentiment, Discord, but as usual, you seem to have a knack for disrupting whatever’s going on." Twilight had re-entered the fray, her calm expression reflecting her newfound composure. "The last thing I want to do is discourage you from trying to help out with the school, but I need there to be some...common sense. Yes, I realize the irony here. I need you to have a focus, a precise purpose for your visits and ideas, Discord, if you expect the school's staff to run with them."
An uncomfortable silence blanketed him from all sides, but Discord's brimming confidence held strong. His pearly whites sat on a darkened face shaded by the sun overhead, and Twilight felt her brow clench on reflex.
"Oh, but Headmare Twilight, this field trip does have a precise purpose," Discord purred, rising off the ground to sit back in thin air; a display of suspicious smugness. "The changelings are not here to simply be witnessed, or hold up adorable little signs that say 'love us, we don't bite anymore'. They are here to mingle, to make friends. Just think how excited our good boy Thorax will be once he sees his bug ponies are out mingling, and he didn't even have to attend a tea party for it to happen. In fact, the only thing we need for it to happen is..."
Twilight studied him, waiting for an explanation that never came. When the aged draconequus gave a subtle nod of his head, his white eyebrow sprouted from it, taking on a life of its own as it waved through the air.
It took the alicorn a moment to realize that the eyebrow was, in fact, pointing.
"Mom! Dad! W-what are you doing here? I never thought you'd come all this way to visit me at school!"
The subtle tension in the environment was lost from everycreature's memory. A different kind of scene had begun to unfold before the courtyard. A small, light blue changeling buzzed into view, her compound eyes wide. She peered across the yard with an insatiable glee, spotting two particular changelings just left of Discord's wagon.
The scene came full circle as the two changelings turned to the familiar voice and mirrored a smile as bright as Celestia's sun.
"There's our sugarbug!" a grayish-blue drone exclaimed, letting out a laugh as Ocellus darted across the clearing like a slung arrow. "There are so many students here. I was starting to look around for your comfort forms!"
Instinctually sitting back upon her flank, a turquoise drone with bright pink highlights opened her hooves and embraced the speeding blur once it came to her. While Ocellus pressed into the familiar chitin, the pink drone gave out a series of content chirps and laid her chin on her nymph's head. The world grew still, and sighs of adoration spread in a consecutive chorus.
"How are you doing, Ocellus?" Spiracle asked sweetly, raising her head to make eye contact. "You must be busy with your studies lately. We haven't heard from you in almost a week."
Ocellus adopted a sheepish little smile. Her father, Carapace, sat by quietly.
"Well, um, I-I'm sorry," Ocellus said, her anxiety readily reminding her of the hundreds of onlookers. She found comfort and confidence in her mother's vibrant eyes, however, so she fixated there, and her bright smile returned. "I have been busy, but not just with classes. I've been busy with my friends, as well! In our spare time, we've been working on a bunch of cool projects and exploring a lot of the more interesting places around Central Equestria! I'm sorry I haven't written as much lately. But hey, soon we'll be on break, and I can come home for a while!"
Spiracle nodded, invested from beginning to end. When Ocellus finished, she turned and eyed her mate with a knowing look.
"You don't have to apologize, sugarbug," Carapace said, gently rubbing a hoof across his nymph's head and messing with her decorative dorsal fin. "We know you couldn't be in better hooves here, but that doesn't mean we still don't worry, sometimes. I think we might’ve gotten a little too used to your letters every few days, also."
"I'm glad things are going so well, though," Spiracle summarized, sending a thoughtful look towards Twilight and garnishing a warm, respectful one in return. "Carapace and I are blessed to have you, just as we are blessed to have this opportunity for you. I'm so happy you're making the most of it, Ocellus. You'll have to tell us all about it during your break."
Carapace joined his mate as they tightly embraced their nymph together. A stamp on an already perfect envelope.
Transfixed, Twilight failed to notice the light tap of a hoof against her flank. Upon a repeated attempt, the alicorn jumped, wheeling toward a modest green changeling standing just to her side.
"Um, so sorry, Princess Twilight," he said meekly, rubbing his leg. "I didn't mean to startle you. My name is Elytra. This probably seems sudden, but I just wanted to say that I'm actually good friends with Ocellus's birth changelings and that I have nymphs of my own. If your school gives tours, would it be possible to request one while I'm here? Of course, I've heard of your school before, but our internal community teaches most changelings. This, though...seems really nice. I want to see if it's something my mate and I would like for our young ones, too."
Other nearby changelings overheard him and nodded in agreement. A small but enthused group of changeling parents had gathered before the alicorn could even form words.
"I'd like to request the same. Thorax has such high hopes for us to become a part of Equestria, and a large part of that is through making new connections," said a tangerine female, offering her hoof to Twilight. "If a school built by the princess of friendship can't help emulate that future and guide our young towards it, I don't know what will."
Twilight reached deep into her own throat for words, but they wouldn't come up. She flattened her lip, struggling to choke back tears. Swallowing, she gave a rather jagged nod before taking the offered hoof and locking eyes.
"I would be honored to give a school tour to anycreature looking for a place for their children to grow. Please allow me a moment to get our students and faculty back to their classes, and I'll give all of you a tour, personally."
Nodding, the small group dispersed, many of them joining Ocellus and her family, while others took the liberty of speaking to faculty members. Twilight was left to stare after them, and watch in wonder as changelings laughed along with Pinkie Pie, discussed class material with Fluttershy, and became enthralled by Rainbow Dash's enthusiasm.
"So...a 'random assortment of changelings', huh, Discord?"
Twilight pivoted to find Applejack casting a sly eye at Discord, who continued to sit in thin air, casually flipping through a manifested newspaper. Upon being called out, Discord unmade his newspaper in a flash of light, revealing that same smirk from before. This time, Twilight couldn't help but smile back.
"My, my. Mingling and school recruitment? Today is just full of happy accidents. I don't know about you, but I'd say that's two points for Vice-Vice Headmaster Discord."
With a colorful variety of discussions and questions behind her, and her faculty now finishing up the day's classes, Twilight began her slow retreat to her office. Her hooves ached, and her wings gave similar complaints, but they didn't spoil her pleased little smile. Today had evolved in a way she could’ve never foreseen, and now the alicorn had a stack of paperwork to humor.
Twilight opened her office door and was greeted by a familiar silence. She sighed to herself and closed the door behind her, making her way to her desk. There, sitting in the center, was a laughable stack of papers, and a curious sticky note attached to the top. Twilight sat down and levitated the note up to eye level.
Twilight,
These are your new student catalogs and a bunch of other important-looking stuff. Sorry, I was only able to tell if it was important-looking or not.
As per the note you left on my bed, you wanted these to be gathered before the end of the weekend. I didn't have time to file them for you, but I figured you'd be fine with that. It's your favorite part, after all.
If you need me, I'll be in Ponyville this weekend. Discord and Big Mac have been giving me stink-eye over the fact that we haven't played Ogres and Oubliettes in weeks. I also want to try and invite Thorax if he's not too busy.
Always happy to help,
Spike
Twilight laid down the note, giggling to herself. Thorax. She could scarcely imagine to what extent Thorax was stressing. Discord's antics had clearly bypassed her good friend and faithful student, as she had feared, which meant the hive must have borne witness to quite a fiasco. By now, Discord had surely returned the changelings he effectively kidnapped, but whether or not their absence or return was even noticed was unknown to her.
Knowing Thorax, she'd have a letter on her desk by Monday, filling in the blanks.
As Twilight wrapped her quill in magic and set her sights on her weighty task, there was a sudden, sharp knock on her door.
"Um, yes, come in."
Before the door had even opened properly, a voice she recognized all too well filled the office, and a mane of blue and purple filled her door frame.
"Twilight, where's Discord!?"
Starlight Glimmer entered the office with a stagger, disheveled and wild-eyed. A few stray twigs poked out from her mane, dirt sullied her coat all over, and she wore a look of panic. Her horn glowed at the ready, primed to cast spells of fantastic and terrible power at a moment's notice, and her right eye seemed to have a twitch.
Twilight put a concerned hoof to her mouth. Little did Starlight know it was hiding a giggle.
"He's not here, Starlight. You can calm down. Please, tell me what happened."
"It was a wild goose chase, Twilight, all of it," Starlight muttered, taking a deep breath and straightening out her mane as she passed by a mirror. "One moment, he was freestyle dancing with some of the changelings, and then the next thing I know, he tore a hole through the wall with that...darned wagon, and off he went, into the horizon with a dozen of them!"
Twilight's gaze drifted to the brilliant orange mane of Sunburst as he also entered the room, panting raggedly and seemingly on the verge of collapsing. The stallion took refuge in one of the modest chairs by the door, where he readjusted his haphazardly strewn glasses.
"Of course we followed him," Sunburst clarified, meeting Twilight's curious stare, "but he was several steps ahead of us the entire time, literally. There were numerous wagons, Discords, and sets of changelings, all taking different routes to Ponyville. Even with Starlight's cloning spell, they were too slippery. Most of them outran us, and the ones we did catch turned out to be scarecrows."
Twilight blinked. "You mean, fakes?"
"Well, yes, but I mean actual scarecrows too." His orange magic pulled his glasses before his face, and Sunburst cleaned them with a cloth. "Starlight blew out the wheel of one of the wagons, but when it came to a stop and we got a good look at it, it was full of straw imitations of Discord and a bunch of changelings."
For whatever reason, Twilight thought a bag of popcorn would be perfect at this point. She leaned on a hoof and looked at Starlight.
"What about Thorax and Pharynx? Were they aware of any of this?"
Having regained her composure, Starlight set aside a conjured comb, now riddled with the foliage once inhabiting her mane. "I don't think Pharynx is aware of anything that happened after they started having their play. He and Thorax came out from some side chamber, and Pharynx immediately headed off somewhere. Thorax, though, saw the whole thing. He was frantic and was about to soar off after them himself, but I assured him that we'd take care of it. I told him Discord was our responsibility."
Twilight rose from her desk, glancing out the window and at the sun, still crowned upon the blue sky. A moment of silence followed as her guests watched her with bated breath.
"I'm-I'm sorry, Twilight," Starlight started, her face and her tone growing melancholic. "It was my responsibility, and I failed. He had an answer to everything I tried, was in total control of every situation, right through to the end. Even with Sunburst, I-"
"Starlight, don't worry about it." Twilight gave her friends a reassuring smile. "All I needed was for the blanks to be filled in, and you did just that. I'm not disappointed or upset, really. If you want the short and sweet of it, everything turned out fine."
"But he--wait...they did?"
Twilight nodded. "I'll explain the details later, maybe when I'm a little less exhausted, but yes, everything turned out well. By now, I’d imagine Discord has returned the changelings to their hive, where they can relieve Thorax's worries themselves. Admittedly, it wasn’t the smoothest of afternoons, but in retrospect, it could’ve gone a lot worse."
As if a mighty weight had been lifted from their backs, Starlight and Sunburst let out dramatic sighs, slumping themselves over and letting themselves relax for the first time that day. For a time, the three ponies sat in each other's company, taking in the sun's warmth through the windows.
"So...I don't think I'm a great match for dealing with Discord," Starlight offered to the room, offering a chuckle.
Twilight mirrored her, moving closer to the pair. "I should apologize, Starlight. It probably would’ve been a better idea to send Fluttershy instead. She seems to be the only one who can talk sense into Discord. Princess Celestia called that long before I ever did, yet I always forget to utilize it."
"It's not your fault. We were short on time, and I was sitting right there in front of you. I'm just glad that everything turned out well. I was inconsolable on the way over here. Just ask Sunburst."
Two pairs of expectant eyes shifted to Sunburst. He cleared his throat.
"'Twilight's gonna flip! Pharynx is gonna flip! Sunburst, we have to get those changelings back right now!'" he mimicked, setting all three off into giggling fits. "I'm actually glad you picked Starlight to go, Twilight. If you hadn't, I'd never have gotten to tag along. I learned so much about the changelings and their new culture. Even a bit about Discord, himself. Plus, even when it's hectic, going on an adventure is always fun with a friend."
Starlight fawned audibly.
"Even if the intention wasn't successful, we all learned something today, even me." Twilight looked back at the impending stack of papers calling her name, her stare reflecting a journey in thought. "I'll give him this; shenanigans aside, Discord is a much more helpful friend than I typically give him credit for."
The trio fell back into silence. Having caught their breath, Starlight and Sunburst eventually stood back up, eyeing the princess curiously. Though her focus fixated on her work across her desk, she had yet to budge.
Starlight exchanged glances with Sunburst.
"Well, I think I'll head back to my office, as well," Starlight announced, making a motion for the door. "I have to tie up a few loose ends before I head home and take a long shower. I didn’t count on running a marathon today."
"Since I'm already in town, I might poke around for a bit before heading back home, myself," Sunburst added, following Starlight's lead. "A pleasure to spend a bit of time with you again, Twilight. I look forward to doing it again!"
"I guess I'll see you at home, Twilight?"
After so many times being disturbed, Twilight's thoughts were not to be torn asunder this time. With a content smile, she trotted behind her desk, gently pushing aside the stack of student catalogs in favor of a fresh scroll. Her magic ignited, puppeteering her quill to life, and she gave a parting nod to her company.
"Absolutely, Starlight. I'll be home in a few hours. I want to stay late today to finalize some things, myself. And enjoy Ponyville, Sunburst. Let me know if you grab any juicy antiques before you head home!"
The two finally took their leave. Twilight stared thoughtfully at her ceiling for a few moments, her quill rotating in place until she grinned and began to scribble upon the aged parchment.
Dear Thorax,
I realize this is rather sudden of me, and I know that you're probably busy as of late, judging by your lack of recent letters, but I was inspired by something today and wanted to reach out.
I may have some ideas for the next step the changelings could take in their efforts to reach out to Equestria, something with a deeper impact than dinners, parties, and casual events. If you can find the time, we should schedule a meeting this upcoming week. Spike's been itching to play his board game with you, anyway, so I figured I'd offer the castle, and we can all make a day of it.
I'll go over the details of my inspiration there, but, just to field a question...
How do you think the changelings would feel about returning to Canterlot soon?
Your friend,
Twilight Sparkle
One Does Not Simply Nap Alone in a Changeling Hive
Pharynx sometimes wondered just how viable it'd be to stuff his brother in a box and ship him off to live with the Equestrians.
"Okay, I'm heading out now, Pharynx. I'm not really sure how long I'll be gone, but I'll definitely be back by sunset. Well, I mean, unless I'm held up. It really depends how long things take, honestly, because Spike's game could take a while depending on the rolls."
Surely it couldn't be that hard. Sure, those huge antlers would make positioning a nightmare, and Thorax would probably complain about leg cramps the whole time, but with a big enough box, a few breathing holes, and a bunch of those little foam peanuts he'd heard about, they'd be in business. With any luck, the ponies would adopt Thorax as one of their own right away, and Pharynx wouldn't even have to deal with return shipping labels.
"Um, would it be okay if I ended up staying the night there? I wouldn't want to leave you with too much on your hooves, but Twilight made it sound like Spike is really eager to hang out again, and I haven't seen him in a while either. I thought it might be easiest to stay there till morning."
Would he have to pay extra for a 'live animal' sticker? Maybe Thorax could shapeshift into a rock or a sentimental gift from someone's grandmare. It would definitely be enough to fool the average post office pony, and twice as cheap.
Pharynx cracked a smile at the thought.
"Spike's game aside, the discussions could end up taking a while too. I don't know how they'll turn out, so better safe than sorry, you know?"
Thorax's voice trailed off to some corner of the room, and the space fell quiet.
Pharynx couldn't help but notice the sudden absence of white noise flowing from his brother's mouth. Casting a curious glance, he found Thorax staring off into the azure sky, perfectly framed by the open ceiling above. He lightly bobbed to and fro, autonomously rubbing his foreleg whilst his ears twitched as if disturbed by some high-frequency sound.
The longer Pharynx watched, the thinner his mouth grew.
"Thorax, calm down and stop fidgeting," he said sternly. He waited until Thorax returned his gaze. He still looked like a spooked deer, regardless. "Don't tell me you're still worrying about Princess Twilight's offhanded letter. I spent fifteen minutes trying to piece you back together from your little episode this morning."
Thorax's ears sprouted, and he broke eye contact.
Laboring a sigh, Pharynx rolled those eyes and his head in a synced arc. "Peachy. Another pep talk, gone to waste. For Hive's sake, Thorax, I've never known another changeling who frets so much about nothing. I'm starting to think you might be a pony we adopted and painted green."
Retorting with a sigh of his own, Thorax spread his wings and ascended to the ceiling. He bathed himself in the afternoon light, allowing the warmth and light to numb his senses and troubled thoughts. Eventually, he turned to his brother with a hopeful smile.
"Your pep talks don't go to waste, Pharynx," he said softly. "You know how much it means to me that you try to cheer me up. The fact that you care enough to try at all makes a difference. This is just something I'm gonna need to work out with Twilight myself before I start to feel any better."
Pharynx shifted his position, curling his ruby tail about himself. His sour mood was a blight to Thorax's taste buds, but it didn't stop him from feeling mischievous.
"Of course, that doesn't mean I wouldn't be up for a comforting hug when I get back, should things not turn out so well."
Pharynx's head rose like an alert cat. With a piercing glare, he feigned a jolting motion, as if to charge. Thorax jumped and fell into a benign fit of laughter.
"Alright, alright, I'm going!" Thorax chuckled, his blurred wings carrying him once more towards the clouds. "I'll talk to the guards and get the teams set up for you before I go, okay? Maybe you can make up some of the sleep you missed this afternoon. Send word if you need anything, Pharynx!"
The beta changeling watched his brother's form like a hawk until his shimmering tail vanished beyond the hive's rocky outcropping. If he was lucky, the alicorn princess would be gracious enough to play host to his brother for the better part of the day.
Pharynx snorted. He knew better than to get his hopes up. He'd have to take advantage of every minute. Thorax would be back before he knew it, and then he'd have to contend with his little brother's unyielding barrage of sappiness and insecurities. Again. Proper rest was non-negotiable.
The encroaching shroud of silence that surrounded him drew a pleasurable groan from Pharynx. He stretched his hooves out with a satisfying pop with a rekindled sense of peace. It was a rare moment for him to actually relax, what with him so intertwined with his guard's relentless patrols and ground upkeep. But after losing sleep at the hooves of his sibling, he was determined to make the most of it.
The sun's rays heated his shell but politely left his head alone. He drank in the cool summer air and closed his eyes. He technically couldn't sleep here, lest he break his own rules, but he could spare a moment to rest. He'd simply relocate once the motivation presented itself.
Just then, his ear twitched. A curious sound teased him from the long, twisting hallways, and from inside this veil of silence, it was absolutely deafening.
A growl rumbled deep within his chest. The echoing sounds were growing louder.
"'Pharynx, there you are'," Pharynx muttered under his breath, turning his dark eyes to the still-empty corridor. "'Thorax just gave us orders in your stead, but he's a huge dork and doesn't know how our routes work. Can you come downhive and give us your real orders?'"
Pharynx shifted his body to follow suit with his head. He watched in anticipation, waiting for the reveal of colors; of which guard had sought him out.
But nothing came. Soon enough, the sound of frantic hoofsteps ceased entirely. Pharynx furrowed his brow.
"Who's there?"
The very silence he had taken comfort in now caused him unrest. Pharynx got up to his hooves. He surveyed the room but found nothing. Nevertheless, there was no mistaking the sour taste of anticipation on his tongue.
"Trying to ambush changelings requires total suppression of your emotions," Pharynx announced, the shadow of a smirk playing around his mouth. Perhaps some of his recruits had taken to playing a trick on him. It wouldn't be the first time. Ever since his metamorphosis, the drones had been building up the courage to play around more often, having lost their fear of him. "I thought I taught you all that during the first week of training. Maybe somebody needs a refresher on the basics."
The chamber's continued silence only convinced him more. Someone was here, and it was only a matter of time before he found out who.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are," Pharynx taunted, lowering his head to the ground and stalking the edges of the room like a tiger. "You may as well give it up. There's no way you're going to get the better of-"
"Boo, Uncle Pharynx!"
His fortress of confidence crumbled in an instant. Pharynx leaped at the abrasive sound and wheeled around mid-air. He cast out his wings and held himself aloft, his de-fanged teeth bared on instinct. But what awaited him was far worse than any potential adversary, devious guard changeling, or even sentimental brother.
It was a nymph, and its extravagant grin made his stomach churn.
"Whoa, that was really cool!" the nymph exclaimed, raising his flank in the air and wagging his gossamer tail in an effort to mimic the older changeling's menacing posture. "I did get you though, didn't I, Uncle Pharynx! You never saw me coming, did you!?"
His hooves lightly touched rock again, and Pharynx tucked his wings beneath his shell. Cold eyes scanned the tiny nymph up and down, noting the red highlights that nearly matched his own. Said eyes widened abruptly when the nymph began to weave and dart through his legs with a series of lively giggles.
There was no mistaking that hyperactivity. A voice in the back of Pharynx's mind started to scream.
"You're the nymph Thorax is always fussing over. Apex, right?" he asked. The nymph came to a full stop upon his brother's mentioned name. "What do you think you're doing, running around the hive unsupervised? You should be on the lower levels, if not in the nursery hive."
Apex's enthusiasm deflated. He challenged a staring contest with the imposing co-monarch, puffing his cheeks defiantly.
"No, I'm a big changeling, now!" he declared, stomping his tiny hoof. "I can go where I want in the hive as long as there's someling else around. Papa Thorax said so."
Pharynx's investment in the situation was draining away at an alarming rate. With a lazy flick of his eyes, he returned to the comfortable position he once held. Although he could see his peaceful afternoon burning away, that didn't mean he had to give it up quietly.
"Oh, is that what he said?"
"Mhmm." Apex inserted himself before the elder changeling's face. "I told Tarsus where I was going, and he said to make sure I stayed put with you once I found you. Now that I'm here, I just have to stay with you!"
"How lucky for me." Pharynx slid his chin along the ground and away from the small nymph. Clearly, Tarsus was due for a reprimand. "And what did I do to deserve this? Surely there are other nymphs or adults to entertain you in more lively parts of the hive."
"Papa Thorax had promised to play with me today, but he said he had polo ticks to deal with," Apex explained, crouching down and gripping one of Pharynx's resting forelegs. "So I was playing truth or dare with my friend, Tergite, and I picked dare. He dared me to find you and see if I could get you to play with me instead! Everyling else laughed at his idea, but I knew I could do it! After all, Papa Thorax got you to play with us before! Everyling loved it when you turned into those really big lizards, remember?"
Ah, yes, there it went. His afternoon off, up in flames. Pharynx mourned it as it drifted into the wind. His brother's face entered his head, and Pharynx's lip curled. Even by leaving, the changeling had managed to set off further detriments because now he wasn't around to shepherd his flock.
"Well, aren't you a bold one," Pharynx snarked, dragging his hoof away only for Apex to seize it again. "I take it you're the ringleader of the nursery hive, then."
"Papa Thorax says I'm his ‘rambunkshious bedbug’!" Apex proclaimed with pride, puffing out his chest, lifting his hoof, and raising his snout to the ceiling. "I have no idea what that means, but he only says it to me, so it must be special."
"Well, that settles it then. If my brother says it, then it must be true."
Pharynx promptly flopped over to his other side, exhaling sharply and sending a thin veil of dust along the floor. When the nymph's face failed to reenter his view, he relished a moment of relief, but a prickly, tickling sensation of tiny hooves climbing up his side caused him to squirm. He shot an irritated eye down his body, where a small face watched him curiously from over the curve of his abdomen.
"I think 'gnat' would have been far more fitting," Pharynx mumbled, too low for the excitable nymph to hear.
"Uncle Pharynx?"
"Yeah, what?"
Apex began to speak, but gasped upon losing his grip on Pharynx's carapace. After a brief display of frantic flailing, he re-anchored himself, but not before Pharynx gave another jolt in discomfort.
"You've got feathers for legs, nymph. Sit still or get off," he growled, holding the ‘gnat’ hostage with a cool stare. "My brother is right about one thing: you are rambunctious. Thorax might enjoy being tickled and turned into a jungle gym, but I don’t."
Apex's eyes grew large. His head sharply sunk over the horizon of Pharynx's side, his front hooves framing his snout.
"I'm sorry."
Pharynx's head hit the floor with a sigh. Stellar. Making himself the bad guy would surely solve his plight. He could already hear the grating sound of his brother's voice, scolding him for scaring nymphs.
Well, the joke would be on him. There would only be one bad guy today.
Pharynx's antlers ignited, and Apex was gently lifted into the air. While the super-sized gnat was up and out of the way, Pharynx readjusted himself, laying back down again on his front. Once curled to his liking, he dissipated his aura and plopped the young drone atop his shell.
"You can be a pain all you want, up there. Can't be poked and prodded through my wing case."
Apex regained his former zest. Venturing along the ridge of Pharynx's crimson shell, he came to rest just below his neck, laying down like a miniature sphinx.
"Your shell is cold, Uncle Pharynx."
"Like my heart," Pharynx quipped dryly. "What's your point?"
Apex gently knocked his hoof against the extra firm chitin. "It's not very comfy."
"How astute of you. It's to keep our fragile wings safe, not make us feel warm and fuzzy."
"Papa Thorax always lets me curl up next to him," Apex insisted, his face lighting up at the mere name. "Sometimes he lets me lay on his belly too. It's warm there. He gets ticklish, but I think he likes that his laughs make me laugh."
Pharynx's eyes took a lap in his sockets.
"You and the other nymphs really do have my brother wrapped around your hooves, don't you?" he responded, laying his chin in the indent of his crossed legs. "Maybe you haven't noticed, but I don't do cute. You wanted a perch so I gave you one, take it or leave it. As soon as Thorax gets back, I'm sure you'll be able to drop him with a look and stake your claim with him again, anyway."
In a relative moment of silence, Pharynx closed his eyes. The subtle scent of earth and flowers filled his nostrils. The afternoon sun had reached its peak, and it bathed him in heat from hoof to tail. Even the subtle weight of Apex laying atop his back became an expected comfort, as it highlighted the rise and fall of his own breaths.
By the time the nymph's voice reached out to him again, Pharynx found himself awakening from a groggy state of half-sleep.
"Uncle Pharynx, how come you're not a cuddlebug but Papa Thorax is?"
The co-monarch opened his violet eyes. Assortments of clouds were now lazily floating overhead, casting random pockets of shade along the floor. He adjusted his chin and sealed his vision again, snorting.
"Thorax might be my brother, but that doesn't mean we share a lot in common," Pharynx remarked flatly. "Thorax has always been touchy-feely and socially inclined, whereas I keep to myself and prioritize hive safety and strength. I've never been interested in broadcasting my feelings."
"But I've seen you give Papa Thorax hugs sometimes," Apex pointed out, careening himself out and over the edge of Pharynx's shell to draw his gaze. "He's always so happy when you do. I've seen it. And when he visits the nursery to play with us, he talks about you a lot."
Pharynx's chilled heart rose a few degrees. He scrunched his face to smother a reflexive smile.
"Well, he is my brother. It's not like I don't care about him. I put up with his need for physical attachment more than I ever used to, but that doesn't mean I'm about to start skipping through fields of flowers, attending his silly activities, or being known as a 'cuddlebug'."
The last point was emphasized with a disgusted flare, but Apex wore an unseen grin all the same.
"Papa Thorax always seems happiest when he's playing with us in the nursery." Apex cautiously maneuvered himself up onto Pharynx's head. When no hooves reached out for him, he laid between the curved antlers, his snout pressing into the base of the general's horn. "He even tells the nursery adults to take a break if they want. We play all sorts of games, and then after everyling is tired, we take a nap together. He loves that part too."
Pharynx glanced up at his bestowed hat.
"You realize he's tiring you out on purpose, right? By playing with you all until exhaustion, Thorax makes the nursery drone's job easier since they're supposed to ensure you all get enough sleep. Of course, he's doing it for his own enjoyment, as well."
A flash of faded scenes played in his mind, and Pharynx observed the ground with a detached stare. Each one featured himself, standing over a weak, scared drone with watery blue eyes. Scenes of bullying succeeded each other, sometimes from others, other times from himself. Scenes of attempted interaction, brushed off by his own lack of empathy. Scenes of a nymph crying alone, clutching his makeshift collection of dolls.
"Thorax had no friends when he was a nymph," Pharynx muttered solemnly. "Not even I gave him the time of day unless I was trying to toughen him up or protect him from bullies out of obligation. On some level, he's probably enjoying the nymphhood he never had when he plays with all of you every day."
A bittersweet aftertaste. Pharynx felt the shape atop his head slump over.
"Aww, poor Papa Thorax. I hope he isn't gone too long today. I need to give him the biggest hug now."
The familiar silence soon crept in from all sides, but Pharynx didn’t welcome it. Neither the danger of falling asleep here nor the prospect of suffering this conversation any further appealed to him. Standing up abruptly, a gasp tickled his ear, and he promptly made his way out of the chamber, nymph-hat intact.
"Where are you going, Uncle Pharynx?"
"Before I was gifted with your presence, I was trying to take a nap," he dismissed, rounding a bend and descending through a morphing corridor. "While Thorax is gone today, that’s exactly what I plan to do. If you insist on tagging along, then I must insist that you don't disturb me, or I will dump you off with the first adult drones I can find."
Apex lightly bounced around between the trio of antlers and horn. "But you almost fell asleep back in that other place, Uncle Pharynx. How come you got up?"
"Sleeping in open spaces isn't safe. The hive has rules in place for never falling asleep outside secure, closed-off locations. All the adults are aware of this."
"How come I didn't know about that rule?"
"Because your age bracket is never allowed to sleep anywhere outside supervision, much less in open areas. The rule is redundant for you."
"You're a hive leader like Papa Thorax, though. So why do you have to follow that rule?"
Pharynx's lavender eyes darted upwards. "You ask a lot of questions for a gnat. If a general can't follow his own rules, how can he expect his charge to?"
Together, they traversed the many twisting passages of the hive. Before long, they were joined by others, changelings who passed by them in the hall or filled the occasional sprawling chamber when it unfolded before them. More than once, Apex nearly fell from his esteemed perch while waving desperately at nymphs he recognized.
But the denser the hive's populace grew, the more Pharynx felt the pressing stares of colorful, compound eyes on his carapace. A sickly sweet taste had begun to roll across his senses as changelings polluted the air with coos of adoration and hushed chatter, and he loathed every second of it.
"How did Apex ever manage that one?"
"Pharynx is really changing, isn't he?"
"Do you think Thorax's disposition is starting to rub off on him?"
Making no attempts to hide his disgust, Pharynx spat on the ground upon breaking through the crowd. When a hoof-ful of drones grimaced in response, he smirked.
"I preferred love magic when I had to go out and earn it," Pharynx remarked. "Now it just hits me like a pitched rock."
Apex giggled from atop his throne of red antlers, and Pharynx put on a deceptively crude smile, a spark coming to his once cold eyes.
"Oh, this is wonderful!"
"Said Pharynx, upon his brother finally shutting up."
"Did you, though? I mean, did you really?"
"Did I what? End up spending the afternoon with a typhoon on legs because someone wasn't around to distract him? What do you think, Thorax?"
Thorax pancaked his own cheeks between his hooves, his violet eyes glinting like stars. He bit his lip in a display of elation, a bubbling heat filling his body. Despite the gruff, utterly fed up look consuming his brother's face, Thorax's pride knew no bounds.
"I can't believe you two spent time together while I was gone! Did you have fun?"
"No."
"Did Apex have fun?"
"Judging by how much he squirreled around and how bad my headache was."
Thorax giggled. "Did you guys do anything in particular?"
"We played some games."
Thorax gasped. His hooves shot to his mouth. "You did?"
"Sure did. We played 'let's not take a nap', 'twenty questions in twenty seconds', and 'let's discuss Thorax'."
The ray of pride gave way to a tinted blush. "Aww, you guys were talking about me?"
"Mostly him. I just chipped in when I was able to make fun of you."
Pharynx stood up with a stretch of his back, containing a chortle upon spotting his brother's unamused brow. "Look, this has been cute, but I have things to do, Thorax. Against all odds, I got to take my nap today, and now I have squads that need a firm hoof reorganizing them for tonight. If you need me, you know where I'll be."
He walked away at a hurried pace, but it wasn't quite quick enough. The pressing stare he felt became a hopeful voice, echoing around the room.
"Did Apex take a nap with you? Pharynx did...did you actually have a cluster nap with someling else?"
Thorax felt his heart, his anticipation beat against his chest. His brother had become a still silhouette within the light of the doorway. When the curved antlers turned, at last, only violet eyes stood out.
"He's a gnat, Thorax. He does what gnats do best—stick to you like glue, wherever you go."
Pharynx left the chamber, and Thorax filled it with a chirp of unbridled glee.
Twilight greeted her castle walls with a sigh. The front doors closed with a click, and she trudged her way through the foyer.
Her eyes fell on the rug beneath her. It was made of a burgundy fabric with decorative gold patterning and corner tassels. Ruffles from Flurry Heart rolling around on it during her latest visit spotted its surface, but apart from that, it sat proudly, free of any wear or fraying. Twilight could still see the confidence brimming in Rarity's face upon recommending the rug to her, so long ago.
Oh, but you simply must! It's hoof-woven, darling. The Saddle Arabians are proud artisans who believe that hard work begets unmatched quality. Your new castle deserves nothing short of perfection. I will get this for you myself if I have to.
Twilight smiled, or at least that was her intention. Her facial muscles fared no better than the rest of her.
She inhaled sharply and balanced herself on shaking hooves. Celestia almighty, they ached. She tried to trot, but a sharp pain drew out a wince. So she took to the air instead. She winced again, but the discomfort was only a seven out of ten, this time.
Guess it was flying, then.
As she toured the familiar halls, Twilight scanned each venue with eyes and ears at attention. A certain unicorn was working overtime today at the school, but a certain dragon had no such excuse.
"Spike?" she asked aloud. The corridors remained still. As much as the quietness tempted her to take that rest she so needed, she at least wanted to locate Spike, first.
"Spike, Thorax should be here in about an hour or so," she called again, landing on cool crystal and finding that her hooves no longer despised her. "With any luck, I'll get some time to relax beforehoof. You would not believe the day I've had. I am never, ever letting Gallus and Smolder work together on a science fair project again for as long as I live. Did you know that certain ashes from the dragon lands are magic resistant and excel as paper mache lava? It's absolutely horrific to clean up."
Still nothing. That was fine, though. The castle was a seasoned listener, and a little self-recollection could work wonders on the nerves now and then. Spike was probably off taking a nap somewhere, himself. The lucky drake.
At this point, Twilight had found her library. She enveloped the doors in magenta magic and opened them with a pleasant hum. Inside, a familiar set of rose eyes met her own.
"Oh, hey Twilight."
Her feathers puffed up in surprise, and Twilight combed them down with a hoof. Thorax watched her with a contagious grin, sitting in what appeared to be a fort made from pillows and chairs placed in the library’s center.
Twilight allowed her gaze to drift across this structure until she spotted a splotch of purple and green, and she cooed. Spike had firmly flopped himself between his friend's hooves and had fallen asleep. An issue of Power Ponies lay open across his stomach, rising and falling with his rhythmic snores.
"Thorax, you're early!" Twilight said. “What a pleasant surprise!"
She trotted the perimeter of the fort once before reentering Thorax's view. The two shared a conversation with their eyes, and Thorax's goofy grin coaxed a giggle.
"I hope you don't mind the mess," said Thorax, his cheeks threatening to redden. "I came over a little early because, well...let's just say Pharynx wasn't very amused with me today for reasons I won't get into and needed some space. Spike wanted to show me his Power Pony comics, so we thought we’d wait for you in the library while we looked at them."
The changeling placed a thoughtful hoof to his chin. "You know, I don't even remember how we got on the subject of forts. Something about little ponies and a treehouse inspiring him?"
Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle pranced in her mind, and Twilight knowingly shook her head.
"No need to apologize," she said sweetly, skillfully summoning a nearby chair over to her. "I built my share of forts with my brother when I was young. ‘Bookfort Twilight’ once went two afternoons unassailed by the efforts of ‘Castle Armor’. It looks to me like Spike is just giving you another sample of pony culture."
Twilight took a seat and whimpered in pleasure. Her head flopped back uselessly.
Oh, yes. This could stay. She labored a groan unbecoming of any living creature, let alone a princess, and the changeling ogled her.
"Long day, I take it?"
Twilight chortled. "Yeah, something like that."
"Well, please don't mind me. You should relax if you're exhausted. Spike is way ahead of you."
Twilight picked up her head again rather suddenly. The changeling watched her with a selfless investment.
She grimaced. No, no, this wouldn't do. She wasn't a drone to be doted upon by her patriarch; she was an Equestrian princess, being an abysmal host.
"Goodness no," Twilight dismissed. "You came all the way here just to see me so that we could further discuss my letter. It sounded like you may have had some concerns. Please, let's talk. I have no intention of taking a nap right now."
Thorax fidgeted under the spotlight. The warmth in his eyes waned into anxiety. "Oh, it's not that bad, actually. I was just a little cautious when you brought up Canterlot, that's all. The changelings, they’re-we're making a lot of progress, but Canterlot is a...big step. I doubt there's another place in Equestria more scarred by the changelings than Canterlot."
"Scarred by Chrysalis, you mean."
Thorax curled his lip, unconvinced. Twilight stood up from her chair and joined the changeling where he sat.
"We were there too, Twilight," Thorax said in a hush.
"Carrying out your queen's will."
"Do you really think the Canterlot ponies will see it that way?" The changeling squeezed his live dragon plush. "We were the ones attacking them, not Chrysalis. We were the ones encasing them in slime and preparing them for long-term feeding storage in the middle of the street."
Twilight put on a coy smile. Thorax pouted.
"Okay, maybe I didn't, personally, but you know what I mean. When the ponies of Canterlot think about changelings, our actions against them are what they'll think of. The fact Chrysalis had us under her hoof isn't going to matter. Trust me, Twilight, I know how prejudice works."
Silence followed, and Thorax forced a chuckle.
"Maybe this has been bothering me more than I let on," he mumbled. "Pharynx was agitated over some insomnia I had last night over all of this. I may have woken him up a little too early for advice."
"Actions indeed speak louder than words or intentions," Twilight affirmed, laying a hoof upon Spike's smooth, scaly head. "By that same token, though, the fact the changelings chose to move past Chrysalis, chose themselves over their queen's ambition, speaks volumes. You, her successor, are actively trying to forge connections with Equestria. You see ponies as allies, as friends, not as food sources to rule over and pen up like cattle. That counts for something, Thorax. More than you give it credit for."
Thorax remained quiet but was clearly paying attention.
"As somepony who grew up in the stingy crowds of Canterlot, I know exactly how stubborn and petty some ponies can be. I won't lie to you. I can't say there won't be ponies who won't trust you, even with the support of myself and the other princesses. I can't say there won't be other races that won't trust you. But then, concerning yourself with what others think of you isn't your immediate concern, is it?"
Thorax surrendered, both to logic and the cushions below his hooves. Twilight rolled herself into a loaf and followed suit, withdrawing into the fort's shaded warmth. For a time, breaths lulled by comfort filled a space void of words. When Thorax smiled, at last, Twilight had a front-row seat.
"My concern is the changelings, and ensuring that they're happy, safe, and have space to grow."
"If the changelings are your priority, then what's the best thing you can do in regards to political visits?"
"Well, I want to reach out and show Equestria we've changed, but I also don't want to rush that, for the changelings or Equestria. For now, I guess as long as I make an effort to be communicative with other nations, that's all that really matters?"
"I'd say that's fair," said Twilight. "There will always be outliers who don't trust changelings, just as there will always be those who look down on ponies, dislike dragons, or judge griffons. But as long as you’re genuine and put your best hoof forward, there will be many more creatures who recognize it and accept you for it."
Thorax visibly twinged. Whether it was from excitement or nerves, the princess couldn't tell.
"I love my brother, but you're way better at giving advice, Twilight. Thank you. This is why I wanted to visit today. Um, while we're on the subject, though, I do have a confession to make."
Twilight nodded.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't also a little scared, personally, of such a big social move for the changelings."
"How do you mean?"
"Politics take a lot out of me, Twilight," Thorax admitted with a grumble, carefully maneuvering Spike against one hoof so that he could lay his own head down. "Ask Pharynx. I napped for half a day after we got back from our visit with Cadance and Shining Armor, and those are ponies I’m familiar with."
"What about when I came to visit? You know me, and that was for three whole days. You didn't seem fatigued, then."
"That wasn't politics, Twilight. That was a friend visiting who happened to be a princess."
Twilight smirked. "Don't tell me you're nervous about having discussions with Princess Celestia."
"No, not with Princess Celestia," Thorax mumbled. "I'm nervous about discussions with Princess Celestia in Canterlot, with Princess Luna, alone. I've never even had a conversation with Princess Luna before!"
“Oh, come on. She gave you that medal during Starlight’s graduation, didn’t she?”
"Yes, and it was horribly awkward! Did you see how big and bothersome my antlers were?"
Twilight bit her lip. Debating Luna's skill with first impressions wasn't an argument she was equipped to win. She watched Thorax measure the width of his antlers and laid her head against the carpet.
"Luna is amiable, Thorax. I'm sure you two will get along just fine."
A defeated sound tickled her ear.
"I know, I just, I'm overthinking the whole thing, I guess. An unfamiliar city, the politics, keeping a close eye on the changelings I bring along with me—it's a lot of things to keep track of."
Twilight beamed an unseen smile. "I'm sure the changelings will be fine without Papa Thorax for a little while."
She could picture the squirmy blush without so much as turning her head.
"How about this: you can meet with the princesses and then relax with the changelings while you explore Canterlot for the day. If I'm not particularly busy with the school that day, I'd be happy to give you a tour. I can show you where I used to live, where I went to school..."
She trailed off to see the effect of her suggestion. Thorax merely hummed again. He was like an overgrown, meek cricket.
"Well, that does sound nice. I guess if I'm not only there for the politics, things won't seem so daunting."
"As soon as you get a group of changelings together for a trip, just send me a letter for when you'd like to schedule something," Twilight continued, allowing her eyes to close. The need for a nap was being magnified within this place, one reminiscent of Bookfort Twilight. "I'm well versed in the other princess's schedules, and I don't mind organizing a meeting for you all. I'll let them know in advance that you're looking to have a meeting soon."
"Alright, I'll definitely keep that in mind. Thanks, Twilight. You're always so ready to help me out. I really appreciate it."
"Mhmm."
Twilight's mind treaded between her library's waking world and the limitless potential of Luna's realm. With Thorax's concerns satiated, she was left a prisoner of unrelenting fuzz and various protruding pillows and blankets from the fort's shambled wall. A portal of softness, it was, ready to shepherd her off into blissful rest.
To Tartarus with modesty. It was a rest she very much deserved.
"...Twilight?"
"Mmm."
"Sorry, I hope I didn't wake you. I, uh, I just wasn't sure if you'd like me to leave or not. Would you like me to leave?"
"Mm-mm."
"Was that a yes?"
Celestia help this over-considerate bug.
With two turns of her barrel, Twilight twisted herself about until the changeling's expectant look filled her view.
"No, Thorax. Why would you think I want you to leave?"
"Well, you're trying to take a nap, and I wasn't sure if me being here would make it harder for you. Spike can fall asleep on command wherever, but I know you struggle with anxiety sometimes like I do."
Butterflies hugged the sides of her stomach with warm, fluttery wings, and Twilight's cheeks dimpled accordingly.
"That's very thoughtful, but no, I'm just fine," she assured, igniting her horn to summon one of the library's throw blankets strewn across the fort's ceiling. Like a great bat, it spread its folds as wings and lay across the three of them, hugging their forms with its weight. "You're welcome to stay as long as you want, or at least as long as you're able without the hive missing you. You're a friend before a political ally to me."
Thorax grinned. "Same here, Twilight. Well, knowing Apex and the other nymphs, my absence is already causing tantrums, but that's fine. The other adults can entertain them too, and so can Pharynx, albeit on a limited scale. I'm enjoying spending time with you guys."
Thorax looked down at the drake between his hooves. Shameless drool marked Spike's lip, but it did nothing to curb Thorax's smile.
"Somedragon is making it hard for me to go anywhere, anyway," he chuckled.
With another spell, another pillow merrily danced its way over to the young princess. Slowly but surely, a cocoon of coziness was being formed, parts and pieces of the grand fort being remodeled into something more conventional.
"He's been making me a little jealous lately," Twilight eventually noted, settling on her side to face Thorax. "Spike and I have been inseparable for as long as I can remember, but I think you've got me beat on the nap buddy front. You're very special to him, Thorax. Granted, he adores all the friends we've come to make together, but he really cherishes the friends he's made on his own."
Spike pivoted in his nest of green hooves as if the mentioning of his name pierced through Luna's veil.
"He's special to me, too," Thorax said softly. "If it weren't for Spike, I don't want to think of how things might’ve turned out for the changelings or me. I might’ve never made a single friend. I might’ve frozen myself in the wastes, all alone. Chrysalis might’ve stayed in power, and the changelings never would’ve discovered shared love magic. He's 'Spike the Brave and Glorious' in more than just one empire, now. That's for sure.
"And you don't need to feel jealous, Twilight. If you'd like to cuddle as well, you're welcome to. Neither Spike nor I would mind."
Twilight's cheeks flushed. "Oh, uh, again, that's very thoughtful of you, Thorax. I'm fine, though; I've already created a sort of burrito for myself."
The burrito wriggled for emphasis. Twilight sheepishly smiled.
"Well, alright, but burritos are welcome to cuddle too, if they change their mind," Thorax laughed.
A faraway noise pulled at their ears, something soft and pattering. Upon a glance, trails of rain now raced down the glass dome ceiling. The sun had taken refuge behind a gang of clouds, freshly stacked by a team of pegasi. Their movements blurred to dashing colors through the lens of trickling water.
"Can you tell I'm used to being around changelings?"
Twilight turned. Thorax was staring at the ceiling, caught up in the whimsical behaviors of the pegasi overhead.
"I hope the offer wasn't awkward", he said. "I know ponies don't view cuddling the same way we do."
The alicorn beamed. "Why would I find it awkward? Ponies are known to cuddle too, you know."
"It's just, from what I saw in the Crystal Empire, close affection is more common in romantic partners than in friends. Friends mostly bump hooves, have short greeting hugs, or have lunch together and talk about their favorite sporting events."
She giggled. What an amusing turn in the conversation.
"Well, everypony is different. If you ask Pinkie Pie to cuddle, you're probably going to get a very different response than if you were to ask Rainbow Dash."
Twilight briefly thought about how each of her friends would react to such an offer. All of them seemed equally as humorous in her mind.
"Ponies are usually pretty cuddle-friendly in general, just not from strangers," she concluded. "As the saying goes, 'at least buy me a cider first'."
She snorted louder than she intended. Thorax looked as if he'd gravely mistranslated some delicate political message.
She coughed her attempt into obscurity. His aloofness was probably a blessing, this time.
"So, hypothetically, how many changelings do you think you'd bring?" she asked abruptly. "No pressure, of course, I'm just curious. Do you have a limit as to how many changelings you can safely look after? I know you brought eight or so to the empire."
"Hmm. No more than that amount. Maybe six," Thorax answered. "Eight was a good number for visiting Cadance and Shining Armor, but Canterlot is an even bigger spectacle. It's on a mountainside, and the castle has layers to it; there's a waterfall and everything. I won't be able to keep anyling in line at all."
Twilight giggled again. "Well, you definitely want to bring at least a few. I'm sure Princess Luna would be delighted to see, first-hoof, how love restoration magic works. Princess Celestia said she was very intrigued by my notes on it."
"Using changeling cuddles to win over others," Thorax jested with a weak laugh. "Now you're starting to sound like Spike. You're right, though, and I should probably prioritize changelings who don't mind being close, this time. If it can convince others that we've changed, I definitely don't mind showing how calm and friendly we can be, now."
Spike stirred from his dreams, clawing towards the surface with twists and turns. A melodic voice suddenly rang through the unseen halls.
"Spiiike! Princess Twiliiiight! Is anybody hooooome??"
Twilight's hoof found her face. That would be Gabby.
"I think you already have your answer to any possible political problem," she teased, removing herself from her burrito in a flash of magic. She made her way to the library door, then cast Thorax a reassuring wink. "When in doubt, just cuddle some changelings. It should work fine with just about every empathetic species. Luckily for you, you're already good friends with the Dragon Lord. Anyway, I'll be right back, Thorax. I need to tend to a friend before she gets lost."
The door creaked ajar, and on command, Spike rose from his spot, rubbing a sluggish claw along his spines.
"Oh, hey buddy ol' pal. Has Twilight shown up yet?"
"Achoo!"
"Gesundheit."
"Gratitude."
Luna tended to her snout with a levitated cloth. Celestia sipped her beverage.
"Did we borrow that phrase from the Germandis?"
"Yes."
"And that bit about somepony thinking of you when it occurs?"
"Canteroon." Celestia turned a page in her aged tome. "Though in my two-thousand years, I've yet to notice a definitive pattern."
"Surely the timing works out somewhere." Luna discarded the cloth. "Perhaps a foal is regaling their parents with the lovely dream they had last night."
A snicker grabbed her ear. She ignored it.
"I shall go this time," Luna announced, standing from her spot. With a wary eye, she glanced out the window. "Should we wait any longer they'll surely knock again. One would hope that our chain of command need not be this reliant on us for such standard proceedings."
"I do love the ant colony analogy," Celestia mused, laying down her beverage in favor of a blank scroll and ready quill. "Also, thank you. I will grab the next frantic question, should it come. With any luck, this will be the last one."
Luna mumbled as she crossed the lounge's threshold, opening the double doors with a confident swing.
"’Tis barely three past the afternoon, do not dare get my hopes up," she said with a grunt. "Pray tell, who are you writing to? That's not another invitation, is it? How many dignitaries could we possibly need for a mere museum opening?"
Celestia smiled. "Just extending a personal invitation to a friend. The museum opening is sure to be a populated event, but also a relatively tame one. It could be an excellent opportunity for certain allies of ours to meet with the Canterlot populace."
The galaxy in Luna's mane swung as she turned.
"Oh, I see where this is going," she said. "Last I recall, that was another princess's job. Your faithful student is taking too long for your liking, is she?"
"Just providing a little nudge, Luna," Celestia sang, finishing her letter and depositing it into the ether with a bolt of golden magic. "Twilight has a school to attend to, as of late. No harm in offering a helping hoof. Besides that, if we're to broach our plans for retirement to her and her friends anytime soon, we may want to do all we can to ensure she is as stress-free as possible."
The room paused for a time.
"Fair enough," Luna said, at last, venturing the long corridor beyond the doors. "Should he accept, by the way, do try and be present for when King Thorax arrives. I do not wish to drown in awkward silence. I doubt I can look the changeling in the eye after my tomfoolery concerning his pincer horns."
Reeling back her head in a short fit of giggling, the sun monarch commanded the lounge doors to close with a click.
"During a liaison visit between his hive and the Crystal Empire, a young changeling drops by a local plushie shop to pick up a special order. He never expected the plush maker to be a changeling, too."
"The Friendly Foreign Emissary Squad has returned from their latest trip to the Crystal Empire, Thorax. Aphidel reports that all is well in the north and that the crystal ponies are starting to show some interest in visiting the hive soon."
"Really? That's wonderful! Princess Cadance mentioned she’d talk to her subjects about the idea of visiting us in return, but I only brought it up in a letter a few days ago. Gosh, I'll have to schedule a tour for when they drop by, won't I? Oh, that reminds me of something—Tarsus, I want to create a dedicated tour guide committee for the hive."
Keeping in step just behind his king's gossamer tail, Tarsus scribbled furiously on a notepad crafted of rock and finely trimmed leaves. "A tour committee guide, Thorax?" he repeated. "But you love giving personal tours, do you not?"
"Well, of course, I do," Thorax replied. "But I'm not always going to be available to give tours the more common they become. With any luck, Tarsus, we'll be getting visits from a variety of friendly nations more often. Just the other day, I responded to a letter from Queen Novo about a possible underwater banquet with the hippogriffs. We'd have to transform into hippogriffs, of course. She also mentioned how she's never seen a changeling hive before and would very much like to."
"'Hive. Tour. Guide. Committee'," Tarsus muttered aloud as he scribbled. "And do you have any changelings in mind for such a position, Thorax?"
"Well, no, I don't have a list yet, but I know who can help me fill it. Have you seen Calor since the squad returned? Is he in another hive activity?"
"You're referring to a changeling known throughout the hive as 'the hyperberry bug'," Tarsus drolled. "I haven’t seen him, no, but do his whereabouts really need confirmation?"
"Just some rhetoric on my part. I wish he'd take it easy a little more often. His only two modes seem to be 'stop' and 'go'. When he's not cluster napping, he's running himself ragged."
"Adequately describes the nymph population in its entirety, Your Highness."
"...Huh, you're right, actually. But, Tarsus, are you calling Calor a nymph?"
For a moment, they stopped, and Thorax's smile waited to blossom into a laugh. Tarsus delivered a trademark dead stare.
"I merely offer evidence, Thorax. The only difference he shares from most knee-high changelings is height."
A short trip through the hive's winding tunnels eventually yielded a doorway, which retracted for Thorax and opened to a scene of apparent excitement. Shouts of equal parts concern and shock rang in the large changeling's ears, and before he knew it, something very fast collided with his nose in a most unpleasant boop. A tightly packed ball of foliage, tied together with leaf stems, fell to the floor and signaled gasps from every corner.
"Oh, no!" someling shouted. "The ball hit Thorax! Quick, what are the rules for if the ball hits a hive leader!?"
"I'm searching!" another squeaked from the corner, frantically flipping through an encyclopedia titled 'An Essential Guide to Buckball'. "There's nothing here! Oh, curses, why would ponies never account for a figure of authority being hit by a stray ball!?"
"Uh, guys?" Thorax gently lifted the ball with one hoof. "I think your ball went out of bounds. I was standing in the doorway, so-"
"Does that mean the other team gets a point?" yet another blurted. "Or does Thorax decide who gets a point? Thorax, you should know that they were cheating earlier!"
An accusing hoof was cast, and gasps once again rang out.
"We were not!"
"Um, you did, actually. You guys changed forms to have our team's jersey amidst that fumble earlier!" encyclopedia-changeling pointed out, holding out the book as if the tiny text was actually eligible to anyling else. "It says right here in the first chapter: 'once teams are chosen, teams remain the same the entire match'. You can't change just because you're losing, Mandible."
A throng of eyes latched onto a particular red drone, who was failing to hide behind a rock.
"Guys, please, let's just say that it went out of bounds. No more cheating and no more pointing hooves, okay? There's no reason to ruin everyling's fun."
The antics were abruptly arrested, and changelings quietly turned to Thorax. He took a few steps forward before lightly tossing the homemade ball to a nearby drone. He then spotted a familiar shade of cerulean and smiled.
"Calor. You were so adamant about helping me coordinate hive social activities. What happened? Don't tell me you've lost control of these guys already."
With the crowd’s attention diverted, Mandible fled to the obscurity of his huddled team. Calor, meanwhile, fidgeted under the spotlight thrust upon him.
"W-we were doing really well up until a few minutes ago. Honest," he explained, passing through his teammates with a few trots to respectfully face his alpha. "Everyling was having fun, and we were all laughing, and-"
Still beaming, Thorax beckoned the changeling. Calor's bumbling stopped, and he made his way towards him. With every step, whispering and chittering roused from the crowd.
"Uh-oh, someling's in trouble with Papa Thorax."
"Thanks for introducing us to the game, Calor. If you survive, come back and play, alright?"
Thorax pulled the blue drone to his side. "He's not in trouble, you guys. As the hive's new co-coordinator for activities, I need his help with something."
The monarch peered down and salvaged a smile from the blue drone.
"Tarsus, I hate to inconvenience you, but would you mind keeping an eye on everyling here for a few minutes?" Thorax asked. "We'll be right back, and then you can deliver your reports to Pharynx. I'm sure he's waiting for you."
At the mention of his co-supervisor's name, Tarsus's attention sharpened. Without hesitation, he laid his notes on a boulder nearby and donned a jersey with a flash of flames.
"Of course, Thorax. I'll cover for him until you return."
"So what did you need my help with, Thorax?"
Thorax watched his company bounce with each hoof step, exhibiting enough kinetic energy to reach the moon. Together, they emerged from the hive's shade and refuge and joined the lavish outdoor flowers working to kiss the sun.
"I wanted to talk with you about a couple of things," Thorax began, falling to his flank. "They’re opportunities I wanted to see if you'd be interested in. One is a little side project; the other is a bit bigger. You're always so eager to help out, so I knew I had to come to you first."
Calor perched himself atop a flattened stone, granting Thorax his full attention. A cool northern breeze fell over the meadow like a breath, swaying hundreds of flowers in a unified dance; but the meadow harbored a different beauty for the blue changeling today. Nature's splendors were merely a frame for even greater perfection.
"Firstly, how would you feel about helping me find volunteers for a hive tour committee?"
Calor blinked, returning to the material plane.
"Tours?" he asked. "Wait, but you love to give tours. A-and you're perfect at giving them, too!"
Thorax chuckled. "I've been trying harder to reach out to the other races, lately," he explained. "If things go well, tours are likely to become more common. Between all of my responsibilities in and out of the hive, I'll need some changelings I can rely on to give tours in my place when I'm not available. You know practically everyling in the hive, so you'd probably track down volunteers a lot quicker than I could."
"Oh," Calor said lamely. "Well, in that case, sure! I can definitely find some changelings who’d like to help. Did you want me to volunteer, too?"
"Well, I won't stop you from volunteering if that's what you want, but you've already got your hoof in a lot of things, Calor." Thorax laid down and stretched out comfortably. He closed his eyes briefly in the process, missing the reactive flutter of his company's carapace. "You organize and help run so many activities, as is. I don't want you to overwhelm yourself."
"I wouldn't get overwhelmed," Calor proclaimed. He sat up and placed a hoof just below his chest jewel. "If it helps out the hive, and if it helps you, I'm always happy to do what I can, plus it sounds like a lot of fun! Maybe I won't lead the committee, seeing as I already lead the Theatre Troupe, the Swing Dancing Meet, the Shadow Puppet Lodge, the Nymph Hide-and-Seek Society, sorta co-lead the new Buckball League..."
Calor trailed off upon noticing Thorax's growing smirk. A red tint hugged his cheeks once again.
"O-okay, maybe I could just find some changelings for now, and volunteer once in a while."
"That sounds like a wiser choice," Thorax approved. His smile then became more somber. "Please, please remember to take time for yourself. Sometimes I see how much you run around all day, and it worries me. I love that you want to help the hive, but let others help every now and then, you know? I'd hate to see you burn out."
Calor's ears wilted, their strength channeling to his quivering lip. "Aww, that's so sweet of you. But Thorax, you don't have to worry about me, honest. I might do a lot, but I know how to relax and regain energy, too. Or have you forgotten who Top Cuddlebug is among all the adults?"
"Oh, how could I ever forget who Top Cuddlebug is?" Thorax chortled. "You think I haven't noticed who's always first in line for communal rests in the nesting chamber? Who takes shifts in the nursery hive to play and rest with nymphs, like me? I think you could out-cuddlebug even me on your best days."
The blue changeling stuck out a playful tongue. He crouched low into a pouncing position, his gossamer tail wagging behind his flank. With a coaxed laugh from his prey being his signal, he leaped and collided with the sizable alpha's chest. A flurry of petals and loosened grass enshrouded them as they rolled three times over in the meadow's embrace, and soon they landed in a heap, plagued with mutual fits of giggling.
"Now I've got you!" exclaimed Calor, standing over his king with a crafty smirk. "Sorry Thorax, but now that you know my cuddlebug secrets, I can't let you return to the hive."
Staring up in rapt amusement, Thorax scoffed audibly. "'Secrets?' What secrets? The whole hive knows you give out hugs to anyling who strays within hoof's reach, you goofball. Though I can't say I'm not guilty of that as well, from time to time."
A fly caught before a venus flytrap, Calor was assailed by two forelegs locking around his barrel and pulling him earthward. His cheek pressed against smooth chitin, and his giggling knew no end. A tighter squeeze met his attempts to wriggle free, and so he succumbed to his fate with a defeated flop.
"Okay then, I concede," said Calor, curling his hooves around Thorax's form. He dragged out a sigh and closed his eyes. "Good idea, Thorax. That buckball game was tiring. It's definitely nap time."
"Hey, don't turn this into your victory!" Thorax laughed. "And don't get too comfortable yet, either. Tarsus is subjecting himself to your new game while waiting for us to get back."
"It's a fun game, he'll be fine. Besides, you still haven't told me about that other thing you wanted to talk to me about."
Thorax cocked a brow. "Well, I was getting to that, before someling jumped on me."
Thorax laid his head back against the grass, feeling his mind grow hazy and opening itself to the suggestion of sleep. What made that suggestion more enticing was that the cerulean drone he held gave off a potent brand of love magic, one unlike anything he'd ever felt. It was the touch of a warm waterfall, the aura of a fireplace in the dead of winter.
"The changelings were invited to Canterlot later this week," Thorax said at last. "It's for some sort of grand opening, but I think the princesses will want an audience with us as well."
"Ooh. Did you accept?"
"Well, I haven't replied yet, but-"
"Are you nervous?"
Thorax paused. "I was. Still kinda am. I'm nervous about the rightful bias the ponies of that city have towards us. I've turned down past invitations to similar events because of it."
"What changed your mind?"
"Remembering that we changed," Thorax murmured. "A friend reminded me of that the other day. I've spent so much energy worrying about how our past defined us, I forgot that the best way to move past it is to show everycreature something new."
Calor arched his back, seeking to remove himself. When Thorax let him go, the two turned over and stood, brushing themselves of foliage.
"It should go without saying that I'd love to go," Calor said whilst doing a series of rather impressive stretches. "I can help you when you're nervous, and I've never been to Canterlot. I was always a homebody patrol drone in the old days. Do you want any help finding changeling volunteers for this, also?"
"Oh no," Thorax said at once, heading back in the direction of the hive. He signaled the spritely changeling to follow. "You're already doing me a favor by coming. I can't ask you for anything else. Take my advice and rest up this week before we go, alright? We'll probably be gone most of the day. I'm not exactly sure how long pony building openings last."
"Aye aye, Papa Thorax. I'll still ask some of my friends if they'd like to go." Calor bounced along the trail around and in front of Thorax. "I assume you'd prefer cuddlebugs to grumpbugs, right? In case the ponies are curious about shared love magic?"
"I'd like to avoid a bias if I can help it, but shared love magic will probably be a hot topic until we're a little more commonplace. For just this trip, we should prioritize cuddlebugs," Thorax clarified. "Also, you're friends with basically the entire hive, Calor. What do you mean, 'your friends'?"
Gazing past his shoulder, Calor donned a sly grin.
"Oh, shucks, you're right. If everyling in the hive is my friend, then I guess I might as well track down and set up a full team for you, after all. Woe is me!"
Thorax opened his mouth to object, but a trail of dust was his only audience. A shrinking spot of blue now beelined for the hive's front entrance. Thorax furrowed his brow.
"Oh, you sneaky junebug," he hissed. "Calor, what about relieving Tarsus, or taking things easy, for that matter? Stop trying to help and go take a nap or something, please!"
With a flare of his wings, Thorax took to the sky and darted forth.
A sharp knock interrupted an otherwise peaceful lounge experience.
"Come in," Celestia sang.
"Unless you're a guard or a noble with a question, in which case, go away," Luna monotoned.
The parting doors gave Celestia just enough time to give a glare before resuming her flawless smile. It, too, was short-lived, however, for Equestria's fourth princess had stepped into the room.
"Hello, Princess Celestia! Hello, Princess Luna!"
"Oh, Twilight, what a wonderful surprise this is," Celestia cooed, rising from her seat at once and opening a wing for the young alicorn to fold under. "To what do we owe for this pleasure?"
"Indeed. Usually, it takes an escalated threat to the country for us to see each other," Luna quipped, having risen from her seat as well. Despite her fluent sarcasm, she too was smiling. "To clarify, there isn't an escalated threat to the country we are not aware of, is there?"
"Not this time," Twilight giggled, ending her embrace and summoning a scroll into existence. "Celestia and I were corresponding by letter last night, and I decided to pay a visit to continue discussions…um, of course, unless I'm interrupting something. I haven't gotten to see either of you in quite some time, what with this being an exciting time for Equestria. The changelings are on the cusp of obtaining social peace with the rest of the country."
Luna snorted. "'Interrupting something' she says. Surely you jest. There is little to interrupt before the moon bathes in the cosmos, for me. You are always welcome, Twilight Sparkle."
"And my afternoon has been lovely, for once," said Celestia, casting an eye out the heightened window. "The new museum has taken on much of the city's attention, granting me a rare but much welcomed 'low tide', if you will."
"You two have been conversing regarding King Thorax and the changelings?" Luna pressed on. "Anything of note or interest? Surely we have enough notes on the matter for several...thousand lifetimes."
Luna side-eyed the lounge bookcase. The largest tome available, centered on the top shelf, was titled Changelings and Changed Forms - Volumes I-IX by Twilight Sparkle.
"I was merely regaling Twilight about the letter I sent Thorax," Celestia explained, returning to her cushion and encouraging her company to sit as well. "In turn, she enlightened me to a conversation they had regarding his worries of visiting Canterlot."
"I see." Luna returned to her deep blue pillow bed. "Is he afraid that he and his changelings may be attacked? He should know no such thing would happen under our watch. He would most certainly have escorts to help guide them and keep an eye on them whilst in the city."
"His concerns seemed to be based on perception or bias, rather than physical danger," Twilight remarked. "Thorax is very aware of the negative views many Canterlot ponies may have towards changelings, given the two invasions."
Luna curled her mouth. "Can't say it's flawed logic. Violence can be suppressed. Thoughts and feelings, less so."
"According to Twilight," Celestia said, "at least some of his worries were appeased after their heart-to-heart."
Twilight blushed. "Well, I like to think I helped put him at ease. Thorax still struggles with low self-esteem, and I think he projects that—perhaps unintentionally—onto the changelings as a whole sometimes. The fact that Canterlot has a valid reason to hate him and his kind discourages him from politically interacting at all. He gained confidence from his visit with Cadance and Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire, but he's also aware that the empire had been fairly pro-changeling already, given the events with Spike, and Thorax's stay several months thereafter. The empire has also never been besieged by changeling armies."
"Canterlot is a different beast," Luna summarized.
"Even so, I have a feeling that Thorax will accept this latest invitation, where others have failed," said Celestia.
"And you're so certain of this?"
"Call it an educated guess. If Twilight's words have helped Thorax rationalize even half of his troubled thoughts, I believe he will be joining us in Canterlot very soon. The Crystal Empire is not the only success Thorax has to build esteem from, after all. Isn't that right, Twilight?"
Celestia gave Twilight a sly look. Twilight’s jaw dropped. She decided against going with her first instinct. Questioning how Celestia knew things was like asking Pinkie Pie how she did anything.
"That's true, actually. I haven't had occasion to mention it, but not long ago Discord dropped by Ponyville unexpectedly with a bunch of changelings. Long story short, the changelings I thought he’d randomly selected were actually changeling parents. A lot of them showed interest in enrolling their nymphs at the school. I believe Ocellus's success there was a factor."
"I suppose every once in a while Discord is more useful out and about than he was as a lawn ornament," Luna deadpanned. Twilight giggled. Celestia cackled. "How did that turn out for your school then, Twilight?"
"Wonderfully, actually. We have four more changelings coming into our new school year, and there will undoubtedly be more the year after that. I'm excited. Ocellus is very excited."
"To Discord's credit, it is rather ingenious," Celestia commented. "Twilight's school is a powerful social hub, one unlike anything Equestria has ever seen. The children of ponies and other creatures from settlements all over the continent now gather there. Those children, under Twilight and her friend's marvelous teachings, will learn of friendship among all creatures, including changelings."
"Those children will then return home to their families and friends, and tell them of the friendships they've made with changelings," Luna added.
"A seed of friendship for future generations. Thorax and his subjects need not visit every corner of Equestria in order to show the world that the changelings have changed for the better."
"Which leaves Canterlot." Luna stood again and walked to the window. There she overlooked the stone roofs and spires of the city below, now bathed in the retreating sun's orange light. "I see the purpose behind the action, now. If Thorax is to obtain true social peace across Equestria, he must heal the greatest wound left by his predecessor."
A lump sat in each throat as the carnage of the former changeling queen revisited them.
"Twilight, let's assume for a moment that Thorax does accept my invitation for this week's end," Celestia put forth, facing the young alicorn directly. "Would you be available to make an appearance? I do not need you to be his escort for the entire visit, but your presence, as well as your newly-acquired knowledge of changelings, may prove helpful."
"Oh, of course!" Twilight affirmed. "I'd already planned on joining Thorax should he decide to visit. Having been born here, I think I could give a pretty good tour. I also thought a look around Canterlot would be a great way to help alleviate his anxiety."
"A good idea, Twilight," said Luna. "I concur with my sister. Your presence may be helpful for Thorax, given your friendship. If nothing else, being a guide for the city and being in attendance during our meeting with him would be invaluable."
"Of course, I'm only too happy to help, however I can."
"Wonderful. I will send you a letter as soon as I hear from Thorax, Twilight," Celestia concluded. Her golden aura retrieved a leatherback journal and a quill. "If you could arrive in advance by a few hours, I believe that would be best."
"Later today, I'll assess my school schedule for this weekend," Twilight thought aloud. "There are several files to address and a faculty event to attend, but I'm sure it's nothing Starlight could handle in my stead, given the importance of the situation."
"Sister, what sort of decor should we specify for the changeling's potential visit?" asked Luna, turning to the white alicorn. "They are of so very many colors, now. Taking a complementary approach would render the castle hideous."
"Hmm, I believe you are the expert authority on appropriate decor, are you not?" Celestia insisted, not raising her eyes from her notes but smiling something magical all the same. "If we cannot match color aesthetic, then perhaps something to suppress the anxiety of grandiose political meetings would suffice."
The moon princess gave an amused hum.
"Best go for lavender flowers with a calming blue tapestry, then." Luna summoned a woven basket nearly the size of herself. From the popped lid emerged large and magnificent rolls of smooth fabric, enough to render Rarity comatose. They streamed through the air, suspended in the princess's deep blue aura.
"Cerulean is the warmest shade of blue. Wouldn't you agree, Twilight?"
The polished stone of Canterlot's streets branched out like great veins. Extravagant buildings framed them all, lining up together in a stream that seemed endless from within. Crammed in between was a throng of ponies, mostly aristocratic unicorns with dazzling outfits, their snouts inclined and their nostrils flared.
For Thorax, it was a sight seen from a modest distance. The wide girth surrounding him was both maintained and obvious. He watched as ponies passed by, and met their fleeting, uncertain glances. Hooves hurried from him upon growing too close for comfort. Hushed whispers fell on his folded ears.
Thorax swallowed. His eyes shifted to his charge, dutifully following him. Although surrounded by foul faces, the changelings' attention had long since been harnessed by Canterlot's splendor. The half-dozen drones trotted along with springs in their steps, their eyes darting from feature to feature. The capital’s elegance was a modern marvel compared to their homely hive.
"Everyling still doing alright?" asked Thorax. "If any of you guys want to wait with those nice guard ponies we met by the gate while I look for Twilight, that's fine."
"We're not nymphs, Papa Thorax. You don't need to dote on us," scoffed Xenica. "We’re capable adults who can look after ourselves."
"Do you not hear this, Thorax?" asked Apidae. "Do you not feel it? I know you worry about us, but you don’t have to now. We're enjoying the city, just like you wanted."
Hope sprouted in Thorax's face until it wilted once more under the weight of negativity surrounding them. "I'm glad you guys are enjoying the sights. I just thought it might be better for us to find somewhere less...crowded, and enjoy the city from there. Somewhere quiet and safe, maybe? Where I can find all of you once I fetch Twilight?"
He tapped the tips of his hooves together. His sheepish grin was given frowns, especially from a certain purple changeling.
"Is Princess Twilight not giving us a city tour? We shouldn't explore too much, or we'll leave her nothing to show us," said Xenica. "Besides, I don't think it's too crowded here. The ponies here are quite generous in giving us plenty of personal space."
"Xenny, I think they're avoiding us," hissed Apidae. She and Xenica glanced at Thorax, who before the crowd's judgemental eyes, looked like a timid nymph without a parent's legs to hide behind. "That's what Thorax is upset about, I think. You know how allergic he is to confrontation."
"Oh. Sorry, the only other time I've been around non-crystal ponies was on a railbus, and they all behaved this way, too."
"We'll stay by your side, Thorax," Apidae encouraged, fluttering along the alpha's side. "No sense in splitting up only to come back together later. Besides, I don't think Princess Twilight would want us to run around looking for her, do you? Don't you think she'd want us to take everything in at our own pace? Let's just focus on enjoying ourselves right now."
Thorax gave her a gentle smile. He patted the changeling atop her head and garnished a grin in return.
"As usual, you're right, Apidae," said Thorax. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't let myself get so flustered by our initial response. I knew what it was going to be. Change comes with time and we're here to help make that happen. How about this? The castle looks to be right around the corner, so let's make our way there. I know you guys wanted to see the castle, right?"
A few yips and cheers answered him.
"Thorax, if you want to make the ponies more friendly, let's just cuddle and show them that we're nice, now," suggested Calor, trotting up from behind and wrapping hooves about Thorax's flank. "Most of these ponies look like they could use hugs themselves."
"Forever my optimist," Thorax chuckled, his teal aura plucking the changeling from his hindquarters. "I don't think now's the best time for that, Calor. We'd just get in somepony's way. We should keep moving and get off of these streets. Twilight told me the castle grounds have tons of fresh grass and plants—huge, lush gardens, in fact. If nothing else, it should be easier for her to spot us there."
As the imposing castle drew nearer, the hustle and bustle filling his senses grew dull. Immaculate stone paths ruled over by high society were left behind in favor of sprawling grass, perfectly edged hedges and impressive stone sculptures.
By now, the group’s excitement had dulled too, but not their sense of wonder. Adoring sighs and gasps soothed Thorax’s ears, each aimed at various plants, statues, fountains, and other decorative features of the Canterlot Gardens. Thorax blinked, and he lost them. The changelings had gone off in a variety of directions to explore.
"How much water is even in this statue's bucket?"
Thorax first spotted Cimex, a lime changeling with amber eyes, crawling like a spider along the underside of a cobblestone bucket held by a nameless, bipedal pony. Upon reaching the endless froth of water springing from its opening, his tongue extended eagerly.
"Look how happy these are!" chimed Apidae, a short way past the fountain. She hovered around a narrow statue featuring young foals stacked upon each other in play. "I don't think I've seen any ponies this happy before. What do you think, Thorax?"
Thorax sighed contently and sat down in a sea of grass. He could hear the sounds of Calor and Xenica running around the sizable labyrinth close by. Meanwhile, the remainder of his party indecisively flew about overhead, pointing out far-away statues not visible from the ground.
The alpha hummed to himself, taking in the tranquility. The soft rustling of leaves and grass harmonized with the shrill chirps of his drones, all becoming muffled and far away in his lulled state. But the changelings were never truly far. A signal pulsed like heat in his chest, and it told Thorax all he needed to know. Their glee, their adoration; he could feel it all.
A thought graced his mind and brought him pause. It was not a sad thought, yet it drew a tear. It was not a tangible thought, yet it brought him joy. It was the way the changelings explored the garden with a nymph-like enthusiasm, the way they so readily greeted this historical landmark with such fascination. It was a subtle scene, but entirely alien to the last time he’d set hoof in this city, under such different circumstances.
Thorax sniffed away his sentimentalities. Somehow, someway, he knew they'd be okay.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, 'THERE ARE NO GUARDS ACCOMPANYING THEM'!? IS THIS A JOKE!? DO YOU TAKE ME FOR A FOAL!?"
The voice rippled like distant thunder, bringing every changeling equal alarm. All heads turned towards the castle's southernmost structure, a spiraling tower tucked behind the rest of the castle's bulk. The sudden silence only begged for a second outburst, and so not a changeling spoke.
Sure enough, the outrage continued, albeit far more contained to whatever chamber it came from.
"Do not waste both of our time with your excuses, lieutenant! Just go and find them! Please!"
More silence. The changelings cast nervous glances at one another, and Thorax stood.
"I wonder who that was," murmured Xenica. "Wouldn't want to be that lieutenant pony right about now, though."
"I don't know who was yelling, but I bet you it was about us," said Apidae, trotting ahead of the pack to get a closer look. She trotted right up to a sealed, golden gate separating the gardens from the castle's immediate courtyards. Lucious, creeping vines wound up and down the shimmering bars, camouflaging even the lock and handle from view. Apidae craned her neck and peered through the foliage.
"Well, what do you see, Dae?" asked Calor.
"The tower has a balcony and a door. I think the balcony is open, but there's nopony on it right now."
"Just fly over, Apidae," Cimex chided, buzzing his wings in preparation for flight.
"Please stay here, guys," Thorax ordered gently, trotting up to the gate himself. "Whoever is up there sounds pretty agitated, and they certainly don't need half a dozen changelings peeking in on them."
"You're going then, Thorax?" inquired Calor. "Do you have any idea who that was?"
With barely a hum, Thorax ascended the wall and came to rest atop it. He examined the area with a sweep of his head and then turned back to his posse. He smiled almost connivingly.
"Well, to my knowledge, there are only four ponies who can talk to guards like that. I like to think I know at least three of them pretty well, and that voice didn't belong to any of them. That narrows it down quite a bit, don't you think?"
Thorax hopped down to the other side, and six pairs of expectant orbs watched him through the gate.
"For goodness sake, shall I don clown shoes too if I'm to run this circus any further today?"
Equestria's lunar princess walked about the royal lounge, enveloping various objects in a deep blue aura and commanding them to follow her as she went. Fabrics, half-finished tapestries, sewing needles, pincushions, and all the like swirled in chaos above her head.
Luna sighed, and the levitated mass seemed to sag in the air and sigh with her. What a shamble this had become. Discord, the dog himself, would be proud of Celestia's hoofwork today. Once again, her dear sister was out in the light of her sun, tending to the populace's needs with the new museum's final touches. And once again, she was here, left to wonder how in Equestria she was to get any of the castle's decor finished when the guard ponies could scarcely even do their job.
Now she had loose changelings to contend with. The thought tensed her, but not from fear of vampiric bugs praying upon the populace. Quite the opposite, in fact. Though admittedly adorable, King Thorax and his entourage came off as rather meek to her during the award ceremony.
Luna huffed. The stuck-up aristocrats of Canterlot were hardly a brawling bunch, but give them enough incentive, and the vampony mobs of 937 B.B. could very well rear their ugly heads once more. She refused to see the changelings chased from Canterlot on her watch.
She then had another thought, and her eyes narrowed. Where was Twilight Sparkle in all of this? Had she not been asked to appear in Canterlot before the king's arrival? Was she held up? If so, by what? What if that thing turned out to be some new problem to throw atop the already burning pile?
The lounge doors thundered open, and Luna trotted out, a cape of fabric trailing behind her.
"Somepony would do well to fetch me a cider."
Thorax groaned in disappointment when the room's far doors closed promptly upon his inspection.
"Well, who is it, Thorax?"
He daintily landed upon the half-moon balcony, ignoring the impatient calls of his spectators. He raised a hoof, only to retract it again. He grimaced. Snooping around the castle uninvited would surely garnish more harm than good, right? True, he was a guest, but as of yet, he hadn’t even met with his hosts.
All the same, that mane was unmistakable. Perhaps the moon princess knew where Twilight was, or at the very least, could give them some guidance on which place might be best to wait for her.
Thorax took off and returned to his pack. The aged gate had grown a series of multicolored hooves, gripping its bars as tight as the vines.
"Change of plans, everyling," Thorax announced. "I'm pretty sure that was Princess Luna. I just missed her, so let's head around the front of the castle and greet her there. She might know where Twilight is, plus it'll be good to let her know we're here."
His words were a lit match to the drones' excitement. They pranced and stamped their hooves in a brief display before sieging the wall and clamoring around Thorax. He quickly found himself being guided along, with two pairs of hooves pushing his flank from behind, and two more beckoned him to move faster from the front.
Cimex put all of his teeth on display. "Or she'll give us a tour of the castle! Thorax, ask her to give us a tour of the royal pony castle!"
"Ooh, yeah, Thorax!" chimed Calor and Xenica simultaneously. Like forest sprites, they buzzed around the alpha's head while gripping their own heads, as if they might explode from such a suggestion.
"I don't want to impose on her if she's busy, guys," said Thorax. "I'm sure she has a lot going on. Please remember, there's a new attraction opening in the city today. I wouldn't be surprised if she has responsibilities relating to that. We have to be mindful that we're not her only priority."
Such humdrum only inspired eye rolls and teasing from the others.
"Your Majesty, I know you wished not to be disturbed, but the consultation line has grown upset, and-"
A sudden silence. Cyan irises snapped to attention, and a mouth curled. A guard pegasus was struggling against a river of fabric. It slithered around the walls, its endless shades of blue and indigo begging to be called upon.
But now an ugly white and gold palette stained the mosaic. Luna frowned.
Regurgitated from his silky fate, the guard pony hit the floor with a crash.
"Look, 'Sure Point', was it?"
Sure Point pressed his cheek to the floor in what little he could accomplish from a nod. Luna sighed and returned to her fabric.
"The consultation line can make do with waiting a bit longer. I set aside three hours this morning to deal with the whims and wishes of the populace already. Right now, I have greater concerns. The changeling convoy has already arrived in the city, and heaven knows where they're at, in part thanks to your fool of a superior. To make matters worse, my sister is detained at the museum site, and Princess Twilight remains missing in action."
Luna started pacing. "I will lead the search for the changelings myself if I have to, but I am on the brink of finishing the castle's decor in celebration of their visit. I have but one tapestry left to select; the most important one of all, destined for the royal dining room's walls. I know this seems trivial, but the castle must be ready for tonight. Following their city tour with Princess Twilight and their museum visit with my sister, the changelings will be our guests of honor here at the castle, where we'll be hosting a private dinner for King Thorax and his company. Do you follow, Sure Point?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. But I-"
"I take solace in the fact that the changelings are within the city's walls and are thus out of any true danger. All the same, the very reason for their visit is linked to their continual work, snuffing out the stigma surrounding their species. Our city is perhaps the greatest concentration of that stigma. Warranted? Perhaps, but now, horrifically outdated."
"Your Highness, I actually came to report that-"
"That the aristocracy's impatience puts foals to shame, yes, I know." Luna had finally selected a brilliant Somnambulan blue. With a life of its own, it soared from its sibling fabrics and flew about the princess in a series of concealing turns before coming to a standstill by her side. "Let them know that I have finished my tasks and that, once the changelings have been located, I may be able to entertain them a bit before tonight's dinner."
"That's just it, Your Highness!" Sure Point blurted, getting to his hooves at last. "The consultation line is upset, but it isn't over the continued wait. In fact, they've proven to be rather patient today, what with knowledge of the museum's opening."
"It's...what? Explain yourself. What has the line to grumble and fuss over, then?"
"It's the changelings, ma’am! They just appeared out of nowhere. King Thorax and half a dozen of his kin. They politely joined the line to see you by the front door, but things have begun to...turn ugly. N-no physical harm has come to them, of course. We would not allow it. But stopping words is a different matter. I had to inform you at once."
Luna’s irises sharpened to an edge, and her teeth unearthed in a spark of anger. The aerial pond of tapestries fell in an instant, and by the time they touched the floor, the pair had left the room.
"Take me to them!" she growled.
"Do you have no tact, changeling? Returning to a city so ravaged by your kind not once, but twice?"
Adrenaline raced through him, but Thorax was frozen. Standing before his charge, he faced each new battering with unflinching resolve. But as daggers continued to pierce said resolve, beads of sweat erupted from his brow. Every so often, his watchful eye searched behind him. The drones seemed just as unsure of the situation as him, rooted to their spots and giving each other timid glances.
A platinum mare with vibrant teal hair had stepped forward. She scoffed at the guard pegasus standing by the changelings, returning his scowl before once again casting her flippant anger upon Thorax. "I have a cousin, merely ten years old, he is. Care to wager how many visits to the therapist it took for him to cope with the trauma brought upon him from being encased in slime? The nightmares of hissing changeling faces that he still swears to see from his closet once a moon?"
"You can't judge us based on what happened when Queen Chrysalis was in power!"
Thorax felt his heart leap. He and other drones turned to see his group's meekest changeling join Thorax at his side. It was a light grey drone, barely an adult as of the past summer, named Clyepus.
"You have no idea what it was like! There was never any food, any warmth, or any friendship! And if you complained or stepped out of line, you were banished or worse!"
"Better traitors than monsters. Why not revolt?" a stallion from the crowd insisted. "One lunatic dictator against hundreds of rebelling soldiers? Please! If you were so miserable, then why was she allowed to rule for so long? Part of you must have enjoyed preying upon ponies."
"Chrysalis's methods were all we knew before Thorax!"
The familiar azure shell of Calor had too stepped forward, but he held a look unlike anything Thorax had yet seen from him. One that Thorax found unnerving, coming from him.
"Thorax?" The platinum mare spat the name as if it’d tasted bad. Again, she attempted to advance, but the guard's wings flared in a warning. "And what have you to say on the matter, Thorax? Let your drones do your work for you, do you? Sounds awfully similar to the old queen, if you ask me."
"Don't you dare compare Thorax to Chrysalis! He is nothing like her!"
The rest of his pack joined Calor in an instant before Thorax could breathe. They created a wall of bodies in front of their king, their gossamer wings flared and their heads lowered. A hushed silence befell the clearing for a long, tense moment.
"Look at you. You still act the same, even now," the mare said insipidly. "All that's changed is your colors and your willingness to speak instead of hiss. The princesses may trust you, but there is no looking back, not for those of us who suffered the brunt of your invasions. Once an undesirable, always an undesirable."
"Choose your words carefully, aristocrat, or you risk falling to the likes of a mere hypocrite."
The world froze, and the resulting chill sapped heat from every temper until only a cold sweat remained. All eyes looked towards the castle's front door, and there stood a scowl to chase all evils to the ends of Equestria. With rigid form and an unblinking expression, Princess Luna stepped down the castle steps with purpose.
"P-princess Luna, you're here-"
"Tell me what you see before you," Luna said flatly, cornering the mare in the middle of the square. "Do you see a princess? A leader who holds only the best interests of her subjects in her mind and her heart?"
The platinum mare forced a hideous smile, wrought with growing unease. "Why, of course, Your Majesty. Why would we ever expect anything less of-"
"How curious it is, then, that you neglect to remember a time when your princess sought to starve out the sun and rule over her subjects with an iron hoof. Neglect to recall that an ‘undesirable’ such as she was chained to the moon for a millennium for her lust of conquest, but was still bestowed the gift of a second chance, ultimately growing into the princess you now see before you because of it."
"I...I didn't mean to-"
"You meant every word. Now, are your feelings completely unfounded? Do I not feel for those of us who suffered greatly from the changeling attacks under the former queen? Don't be foolish. Even today, I draw guilt for not being within the city on that day, for not being able to help protect ponies like yourself, like your cousin, like my own sister, from harm."
The crowd fidgeted. Luna's look did not soften.
"But dare you to stand again before a creature trying so hard to change and throw dirt in their eyes, know that we will have fiercer words. The changelings venture far from their home today with nothing but earnestness to forge a bond with ponies that the former queen was too selfish to even attempt. Until you have a new reason to doubt them, you would do well to respect them."
Luna then visited each face around her. Each one met her piercing gaze with retreating hoofsteps. In a matter of moments, the palace's modest, empty courtyard sat before the princess, while marveled eyes praised her from behind.
"Sorry about that, King Thorax," Luna said, turning to offer a tone and smile far warmer than what had just transpired. She walked forward, and the two monarchs met personally for the first time. "I must apologize on our lieutenant's behalf as well, seeing as he's probably still out there, searching for you. It pains me to think that if we'd simply escorted you, as intended, none of this would have happened."
With a heavy sigh, Thorax closed his eyes, and a newfound wave of pleasant tingling filled him from hoof to horn. He needn't even turn to know that his changelings' attitudes had rebounded, also, no worse for wear. He reflected Luna's smile.
"You know, for better or worse, I was sort of expecting something like this to happen from the get-go," he admitted with a weak chuckle. "I'm just thankful you came along when you did. Lingering prejudices aside, we were looking for you."
Luna's brows rose. "You were looking for me? Whatever for?"
"We kind of heard you from the castle's garden a little bit ago. We wound up there because we were looking for a nice, relaxing place to wait for Twilight. We also thought you might know where she is."
"At least we accomplished the first part, right?" Apidae interjected, giving a courteous bow to the blue alicorn upon her notice. "We haven't found Princess Twilight yet, but we've never seen gardens like yours, Your Majesty! It was a pleasure to explore them."
"I love the statues that shoot water!" Cimex added, taking to the air. "I bet you could solve Equestria's water shortages with magic statues like that one!"
Luna laughed. A hearty, genuine laugh that dispelled the last of her rigid composure.
"Well, I'm not so sure about that, oh colorful one, but I am glad that you all found your way to the palace." With a flick of her eyes, she commanded her guards to return inside. "And I wish I could be of more help, but if you cannot locate Twilight, that makes two of us. Let's head inside for now, shall we? Dear sister's sun is particularly oppressive today. You didn't hear this from me, but I believe it's to encourage traffic for the new, fully air-conditioned museum."
The castle doors closed, and the changelings were embraced by cool air and the trailing aroma of freshly baked bread. Like mice to the pied piper, the drones followed their lunar host through halls decorated with vibrant banners and stained glass. Colorful eyes and noses peered into passing chambers and side corridors for that beckoning smell of grain. Luna giggled at such a display.
"Midday is luncheon for the castle's staff," she explained to Thorax. "I'd love to compliment a changeling's sense of smell, but if I'm honest, the cooks even draw me from my lofty chambers come this time of day."
"Oh, that's alright. I don't need a good sense of smell to tell it smells great," Thorax said, his magenta eyes lighting up. "We don't tend to eat, nor have bread available that often, but I've had it before while staying in the Crystal Empire. Although, I don't think any of these guys can say the same thing."
"Thorax, what is that?" asked Cimex, rising to his hind legs to better sniff the air. He fell back on all fours as a greyhound, bringing his snout to the ground. A few changelings egged him on with cheers and hoof pumps.
"You all can eat physical food?" Luna inquired, stopping for a moment. "Is love not all that sustains you, now?"
"It's complicated," Thorax sighed, watching his sizable grey puppy travel further ahead. With a flare of magic, he wagged the dog's tail, seizing his attention. A stern look returned the drone to his normal form, and he put on a sheepish look before returning to the group with a few frantic trots. "We can eat physical food, and we gain some energy from it, but it's never been able to sustain us, not before or since we transformed."
"Ah, a recreational usage, then. For ceremonies and the like, I presume?"
"Uh-huh. We have weekly pot lunches and some other food events, sometimes. Everyling loves the chance to eat physical meals for the taste. The social part is way more important, though."
Luna chuckled. "Not so different from ponies in the least. Should any of you care to sample the kitchen staff's work, please feel free to. They are gracious enough to allow my sister and I to partake while on our strolls by the kitchen. I can't imagine they would take umbrage with honored guests doing the same."
Any chance for modest refusal on his drones’ part was squandered when Thorax looked about to see colorful tails leaping from his side in an instant and vanishing around a corner. He winced, and Luna laughed, to the resulting screech of surprise from some poor kitchen staff worker.
"Oh gosh," Thorax breathed. With every faint cry and crash, his wince grew more rigid. "Uh, I guess now might be a good time to say I appreciate you entertaining us, princess. I'd hoped most of our energy would be spent on a city tour by now, but we're all still a bit antsy. You're sure we're not interrupting anything?"
Luna watched him closely. His body language, his smile as fragile as a dying candle flame. She smiled back, and he fidgeted. She sought his eye, and he made contact with the floor tiles instead.
The princess fought her snicker valiantly. Twilight's assessments were spot on, as usual. The poor king's self-esteem was adorably lacking.
"Walk with me?"
Thorax blinked. "Walk with you?"
"Mhmm." Luna nodded her head towards the hall laid before them. "You're most certainly not interrupting anything. Quite the contrary. I've something I wish to show you before Twilight and my sister inevitably steal your attention away for the day."
Again, Thorax blinked. Braving his anxieties, he trotted before the kitchen's open doorway and chanced a look inside. His fabricated fears of destruction were laid to rest before the sight of an immaculate kitchen/dining room. Long oak tables set with brilliant china and silverware were seated with a dozen or so ponies, generously partaking in what was assumedly a hearty meal of their own creation. Just past the ponies, his multicolored flock had organized themselves into an efficient lunchroom line along a buffet table. One by one, they left with modest helpings of bread, lettuces, and fruits.
"Thorax, come look at this!" called Calor, far louder than Thorax's comfort was willing to tolerate. His onset grimace quickly became a frantic grin for the dozen eyes latching onto him.
"They have bread with butter, garlic, and herbs! When we get back home, I'm definitely going to start a ‘Friends Baking Committee’! I don't think I can live without this bread! Come try some!"
"That's okay, Calor. I'm not very hungry, right now," Thorax countered. "Guys, do me a favor and stay here for a few minutes while you have something to eat, okay? Princess Luna needs my help with something. We'll be right back. No running off, and no bothering anypony. We're guests here, and we need to behave ourselves."
The group nodded distractedly as they consumed their loaves with gusto. With a defeated shake of his head, Thorax gave the observing princess his best face. His cheeks reddened at her most zestful giggle yet, and together they made their way down the hall.
"You have such attentiveness towards them," Luna said softly. "Never did I doubt Twilight Sparkle's notes, but there is a sense of wonder to be felt, experiencing the things she described firsthoof. You really are like their surrogate parent now, aren't you?"
"I'm a guardian, a protector, and a leader," Thorax rattled off, deflating a sigh in the same breath. "I suppose a parent is the closest comparison, although there are differences. Sometimes I'm just a good friend, and that's all I have to be. I want them to develop friendships for themselves, just as I did, and to discover themselves. Anything I can do to encourage that is what I'm here for."
Luna beamed. "To hear such aspirations from a changeling. My goodness, such marvelous times we live in. Forgive my late input on the subject, but it's such a lovely thing to see. Quite the contrast to what we've come to expect from the she-demon."
Thorax snorted. "The ‘she-demon’?"
"I don't deign to refer to her by her former, self-proclaimed title," Luna remarked, offering a wink. "Celestia says it's foalish passive aggression, but I say a snake such as Chrysalis doesn't deserve the recognition."
Thorax fell into the folds of thought once more, lowering his head as he walked.
"Would you believe that some changelings missed the way things were with her, at first?"
He noted the sharp turn of Luna's head in his peripheral.
"Not a lot, mind you. Almost everyling was ready to try something new, to not always feel starved and desperate. But some resisted change, all the same. Some of them missed her assuredness after seeing how meek I was."
"Hm. We have a term for such things here in Equestria." Luna’s tone was stern, but she wore a smirk. "'Stockhoof Syndrome', I believe. Irrational feelings of alliance with a captor or abuser. Can't imagine how else the witch might obtain affection."
Thorax laughed, which pleased her.
"In more pleasant news, however, we've arrived," Luna continued, guiding the changeling to her side. Thorax watched her, expecting more, but only patient curiosity awaited him.
And so Thorax looked around, and audibly gasped. The narrow, decorated hallway had given way to a commanding chamber, lined with bouquets of vivid purple flowers and deep blue tapestries. Lean pillars of light beset the tile floor in sequences of stripes, cast there by the tallest windows the changeling had ever seen.
Above all else was a certain smell. It soothed yet enticed Thorax’s nose. With each breath, his grin grew decidedly larger.
"This flower is known as 'lavender'." Luna summoned a bouquet from its home on the wall sconce. It held itself aloft in her marine aura, bobbing in the air between the two of them. "It is among the most calming of scents, as well as a lovely shade of purple. Do you recognize it?"
The invitation was too good to resist. Thorax ventured a more direct sniff. With a shiver in both body and tone, he expressed his approval.
"No, I've never seen or smelled anything like it! Do you always decorate the castle with it?"
"On occasion," Luna answered, returning the delicate plant to its place. "For today, I did this in light of your visit. You see, through Twilight's notes, I learned of the role communal rest plays in your magic. As a caretaker of the night, restful sleep is my specialty. I wasn't sure if you had heard of lavender before, so I decided to show you and find out."
Before Thorax could respond, another object was offered to him: a modest purple pouch with a silver pull string. The changeling raised a hoof to receive it. Specks of dirt clung to the sack's soft fabric, having been stored in the same pitcher the bouquet came from.
"Lavender's scent is said to promote restorative sleep, and some say it even brings about pleasant dreams. There are enough seeds in that pouch to grow several flower beds. I thought you might plant them near where you all rest. If nothing else, I'm sure it will bring your home a bit more personality."
"Oh my gosh, that's...so nice of you," Thorax whimpered, teetering on the edge of waterworks. "But are you sure? Do you have enough? I wouldn't want to take all you have."
"I have more of the plant than I could ever need," Luna dismissed. "For a previous birthday, I was gifted a greenhouse near the southern edge of the castle gardens; a joint gift from my sister and the castle's groundskeeper. In it, I grow a plethora of lavender, as well as some other personal favorites."
Thorax nodded before hanging the pouch on the lowest spike of his antler.
"I didn't know you were a gardener," he said. "W-well, I guess I technically don't know anything about you, asides from your role in Equestria."
Luna giggled. "I suppose it's surreal to see princesses engaging in simple things, no matter where you come from," she mused. "Raising the moon and defending dreams is a steep obligation, true, but I manage a few hobbies all the same."
The pair laughed as they went back the way they came.
"As for the gardening, I appreciate the compliment, but I merely dabble in the art. Compared to our groundskeeper, I'm just a novice. Though, I am thankful that the one flower I do care for may be of use to you."
"Oh, I can't wait to show everyling!" Thorax chirped. "I already know they'll love it. The hive has sprouted with plant life, but we don't have many scented flowers. Mostly a lot of vines and shrubbery. I'd love to see if I can use this to help calm little changelings down for cluster naps. I bet our feelings forum coordinator would love some, too."
"If I may tilt the topic, how do these 'cluster naps' usually work?" Luna asked. "In regards to you, I mean. Twilight's notes mentioned how large these periods of sleep can grow and how your magic, as the alpha, distributes among your subjects, but I'm left wondering how you manage to organize such gatherings."
"Organize them?" Thorax repeated.
"You saw the line of ponies outside the castle doors today, yes? Three days of the week, they line up to seek our counsel on personal matters of property distribution, financial deals, and the like. We do our best to aid them on a first-come-first-serve basis, hence the line and designated times. It would appear to me that 'cluster naps' might call for a similar approach. How do you handle whose turn it is to rest next to you, and whose turn it is to rest further away?"
Thorax's teeth glinted. "Well, I guess you could say there's a process. It depends on the group's size, but there is some overlap. Honestly, it'd be easier to show you than explain it. Would you like to see?"
Luna laughed. "Is my heart ready to witness such purity and love, up close? Well, suffice to say I'm ready to find out."
From atop a mound of compiled decorations, manifested paraphernalia featuring his own face, and a slew of benches, rocks, and walkways stacked haphazardly from the school's nearby courtyard, Discord sat upon a golden throne, crossing his scaled foot over his goat leg. With every wiggle of his clawed toes, he could practically see another puff of smoke escape the headmare's flared nostrils.
"What in Equestria is this, Discord!?"
Discord's eel-like neck swam in every direction but hers.
"Did somecreature hear something? I most certainly did. It almost sounded like...disapproval." His beady eyes lazily drifted down the mountain of table linens and forgotten 'Faculty Appreciation Day' banners. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is an appreciation event, Headmare Twilight. I'm here to be appreciated. If you have an issue with the ‘Lord of Vice Headmares’, I'm afraid you'll have to come back another day and go through the proper channels."
A series of desks materialized to Twilight's left. Here, five rows of Discords in proper suit and tie shuffled papers in perfect sequence.
"Substitute Vice Headmare, if we're going to get stingy about titles," Twilight grumbled.
"Don't pay him no mind, Twilight," said Applejack. Amidst playing cards with Rainbow Dash at a picnic table, the farmer pony leaned sideways on one hoof and shot Twilight a knowing look. "You haven' been here for most of his braggin' lately, but he's still tickled pink bout' how he set up all those new changeling students unassisted. Best leave him to it. He'll put everythin' back once he's done struttin' his ribbons. Ya know, hopefully."
"Besides, I've already tried doing something about it," said Starlight, offering beverages to seated staff and teachers. "It's not worth the headache. And anyway, shouldn't you be in Canterlot by now? Today is Thorax's big day over there, isn't it?"
"I can't in good conscience leave with things looking like this," Twilight pleaded, jabbing a hoof at a student-crafted statue for emphasis. Once a centerpiece to the courtyard, it now served as a cornerstone for Discord's pile of anarchy, pressed into the grass like an aged ruin.
"Well, now you're just insulting modern art," Discord muttered, filing his eagle claw with a potato.
"Discord, just because Fluttershy is on a wildlife safari in Zebrambwe does not mean you get free reign of the school. Yes, you are a valued member of our staff. Yes, we appreciate your input, services, and enthusiasm. And yes, we're very sorry if we ever shunned or ignored you in the past."
Starlight mumbled something about ripping off still-fresh band-aids.
"But this?" Another mulberry hoof dramatically motioned to the impromptu mountain. "This is too much, Discord. Can you please turn things back so that everyone can enjoy the faculty event?"
The potato sprouted wings and flew away, and Discord relished the handiwork done on his nails.
"Can I?" he repeated. "Why, of course. Shall I? Well, now, that's another question entirely, Twilight. You of all ponies should know the importance of proper phrasing."
Twilight's brow twitched dangerously.
"Come now, my dear, my allegiance is to chaos, to fun!" Discord flopped about in his throne like a beached fish and drew snickers from the attendees.
"It's not always about what you want, Discord," Twilight countered, hooves leaving the ground with the soft flapping of her wings. "You've long since learned that. You know what you ought to do here. If you're not being inclusive, then you're being selfish."
"Celestia's student to the bitter end," Discord droned, standing atop the crown of his chair. He tightened the belt holding together his form-fitting white robes. "Only a spoilsport deals in absolutes. If my one, isolated chance at frivolity this evening as a recognized faculty member is under scrutiny, then I shall do what I must to defend it."
Twilight's aura glowed, and a scroll soared into being. The scroll rotated with a twirl and revealed the butterfly cutie mark of its addressed recipient. Discord froze. Twilight smirked.
"You will try."
"Wait, we're cuddling now?"
Calor's jaw unhinged in a display of betrayal as Xenica rubbed up and under Thorax's chin.
"Sorry, Calor, she was swift," Thorax chuckled. "The left side is still open for you, though."
Calor raised a distraught hoof.
"But...there's no hooves there to hold me."
Calor gasped. Two hooves wrapped around his neck from behind and held him hostage. His grin bloomed in the same moment a familiar love enwrapped him tightly.
"I'll hold you, Calor," Apidae chirped. "And don't worry, you can be by Thorax. I'll be closer to the fire that way."
With the zest of lunch behind them, and the castle's staff long since departed, the small group of changelings huddled around the dining room's fireplace, a sole item against the eastern wall. The overhead lights had gone out, leaving the fire to solely illuminate the windowless room.
Luna breathed deeply, loafing herself a few feet away from the changeling pile. In the embrace of the flame's light, her ethereal mane sparkled, its contents revealed like a flashlight piercing murky water. She watched Calor and Apidae roll over each other in a moment of bliss, their giggles harmonizing with the crackling fire until Calor came to a jolted stop against green chitin.
"Can't go anywhere with you guys," Thorax mused, unrooting a hoof to assail Calor with a series of head pats. The blue drone thrummed incessantly.
"I've ventured sweet, candy-filled dreams of foals that are less adorable than this," said Luna, a giggle lacing her tone. "As soon as you mentioned resting, I knew just the atmosphere to set up. Few things in our world bring the kind of tranquility a fireplace does. As somepony who is largely nocturnal, excluding important dates like today, it has brought me comfort on more moons than I can count."
Thorax looked at the princess more closely. Her aura was eerie, spectral, but not scary in the slightest. He watched and waited, allowing the view of embraced changelings to sink in.
"Care to hazard a guess, yet?"
"Pardon?"
"How we decide who's turn it is to nap next to me," Thorax clarified. His pile turned their eyes towards him. "I guess it's not so easy to tell right now because there's enough of me to go around. Didn't think about that. Anyway, a lot of it has to do with relationships and how strong they are between myself and the changelings I'm resting with."
"Oh." Luna shifted in position to face her company better. Her gaze flowed from one pair of colored eyes to the next. "You mean to say that those changelings you have close relations with take priority? That this somehow affects the distribution of love magic?"
"Thorax constantly gives off love energy," Apidae revealed. "It affects all changelings nearby, regardless of his relationships with them. Of course, he benefits from being close to changelings, on top of that. This is different from the rest of us because we can only give love energy to one or two other changelings at a time, and it's only effective when they're nearby and our relationships are strong. Sometimes a strong feeling of empathy towards them works, too."
"So I see," said Luna. "And what of cluster naps? How does their size fit into all this?"
"When changelings share love through cluster naps, we create a kind of circuit." Apidae pressed a cheek against Calor's. "One changeling shares love with two neighbors, they share with four more, and so on. If any of those changelings are good friends or mates, the magic is amplified."
"Add Thorax's love signal to the mix, and it's quite powerful," Xenica added. "The more changelings in the chain who have strong personal connections, the more everyling in the chain benefits as a whole. That applies to Thorax, too."
"So love energy is amplified by relationships as it's distributed," Luna summarized happily. "So by resting with changelings that he knows well, Thorax can better serve the group as a whole."
"Sort of indirect favoritism, I admit," Thorax chuckled.
"Oh, I don't think so. Such changelings have surely earned their place by growing close to you as a friend. It's...a shockingly fair and effective form of magic. I'm beginning to understand how Twilight managed to write multiple volumes on the subject."
Voices fell to the fire’s warmth. The occasional carapace buzzed with emoting wings as drones curled and pressed into Thorax with deeper commitment. The more he found himself squished by them, the wider his etched grin grew.
"Speaking of Twilight, I feel it necessary to apologize."
Thorax blinked. In that short frame of time, Cimex wrapped his hooves around his neck like a necktie. "Apologize? For what?"
"I believe at this point your city tour may need to be postponed to a future date," Luna remarked. "With Twilight still absent, you're without a guide. I'd take you myself, but we're approaching the museum's opening. Knowing my luck, Celestia will appear to whisk you all away before we've even visited my favorite snack cart on the corner."
"Oh, okay." Surprise, amusement, sorrow. An array of emotions came to him, though they were not his own. They were fragile, fleeting glimpses of thought that quickly faded away again. His body warmed to them, and he curiously looked around to spot them.
But not a single face reflected them. A more powerful force had masked them, triumphed over them. It was an unwavering sense of contentment, and it bloomed forth from every changeling. In the firelight's shroud, their focus had depth. In Thorax's embrace, they had grown calm. In attendance of the moon princess, they had the patience to spare.
Thorax breathed, and the bodies all around him readjusted quietly. For the first time in a while, his anxieties had been silenced entirely.
"Maybe we won't have time to go on a tour of the whole city today," said Thorax. "But a city tour was Twilight's idea in the first place, so if she's not here, I don't think it'd feel right having one, anyway. We can always come back and have one some other time. I also think we're all just really enjoying this, right now. We don't usually get to enjoy firelight at the hive, and I certainly never have during the day."
"Fire means half-hour evacuation procedures led by Pharynx," Xenica mumbled. "Standing in long rows, waiting for him to call your name. Except all his calls are yells, and you have a headache by the end. This is better."
"I think learning more about you would be just as interesting as a city tour, Your Majesty," Apidae offered.
"Me?" Luna squawked. "Oh, no, what's to tell? Should I not be asking the questions? This visit is all about yourselves."
Luna floundered before the changelings, unable to dampen their self-fueled excitement. Thorax gave her a sheepish look as his charge drowned her in questions.
"How does your mane do that wavy thing? Is it enchanted? Do you have energetic shampoo?"
"Is your cutie mark just the moon and the black part is a coincidental beauty mark, or is the whole thing your cutie mark?"
"What does a moon princess do? Do you know why the moon looked weird for a long time? I noticed that when I was a scout changeling. Was that some kind of pony holiday? It looked like a unicorn, so I know it has to do with ponies."
"Did you really try to starve out the sun? Were you evil once, princess?"
Cast too deep and now beyond retrieval, the questions came to a ceasefire. All heads pivoted towards a tangerine changeling, the last of Thorax's flock, peeking out from behind the alpha's flank.
"Labrum, you can't just ask the princess pony if she was evil," said Xenica, matter-of-factly. "You have to let her possible evil backstory come up naturally in conversation-"
"Xenny!" Thorax hissed, knocking changelings from their comfort in a sudden jerk of motion. "Really, guys, not every nation has leaders as casual as I am. You need to be more polite!"
"Do not worry, Thorax. I do not mind. It is a loaded question, but not one I'm uncomfortable delving into." Luna crossed her hooves and looked skyward. Her chin glowed with a hellish light. "You've told me of your legacy. Allow me to tell you a bit of mine. You must understand that my time as a princess, though now pleasant, is marked by suffering. Suffering in the form of jealousy, remorse, and nightmares."
"Your Majesty! Oh, what timing. Your Highness, over here!"
A lone pegasus circled the sky overhead. Though he tried, his calls could not reach the sun monarch's ears. Hers had long been filled by ceaseless queries, a roar of voices as loud as any manticore.
Perfectly centered in a mob of rabid reporters, Celestia stood calm before a storm of noise and lights. The paparazzi pushed and shoved, clamoring to gain even an inch, while their microphones held aloft in unique spectrums of colored magic.
"Your Highness, is it true the new city museum will feature potentially controversial exhibits concerning the changeling horde and other defeated threats?"
"Princess, was the recent relapse of magic in Equestria truly the doing of a foal? Will this be confirmed by museum exhibits? Just how up-to-date will the museum's exhibits be?"
"Princess, is it true you've invited a group of changelings to attend the museum opening today?"
Frantic murmurs spread like wildfire. Celestia stepped forward and cleared her throat.
"I am pleased to announce that the museum will be opening very shortly," Celestia declared, her voice a contained boom within the city square. "I have just finished a personal tour with the museum's curator, Mild Menagerie, who remains inside, seeing to final preparations before the doors open this afternoon."
As the alicorn spoke, the crowd's tumult died down. All voices fell before hers, while microphones and cameras hung upon every word.
"I can confirm that our grand opening today will play host to honored guests, guests who I have personally invited. But I am afraid I’m not available for further comment; I have duties elsewhere. For those who plan to stay in line, I look forward to opening this chapter in Canterlot's grand history with you all very soon. All your questions and more will be revealed soon enough. That, I promise you."
As if waiting on the precipice of her final word, queries assaulted the princess yet again, but were in vain. Celestia's milky wings spread, and she took off from the street below, leaving a sea of flashing lights in her wake. She then finally approached the flying guard.
"My apologies," she said. "Preparations have been a bit of a nightmare this morning, but we're finally finished. I do hope you haven't been waiting too long for my attention."
"Your Highness," he groaned, clearly haggard and short of breath. "Not at all. I spotted you exiting the museum by chance on my way by. Princess Luna has dispatched me to locate the visiting changeling party, and I hoped they might’ve congregated at the museum with you."
Celestia's face grew hard. "I'm afraid they did not. Was Thorax not greeted and escorted from the city gates?"
"No ma'am," the stallion said weakly. "I regret to say that I relayed unclear orders to my squads this morning. They were under the impression that Princess Twilight would be meeting with and escorting the changeling envoy, not our squads. They greeted Thorax at the gate but did not escort him. We've since lost track of him."
A sigh as sharp as a spear's tip ruptured the guard pony's heart. Luna's wrath was nothing compared to Celestia's unspoken disappointment.
"Has anypony been in contact with Twilight? You're certain they're not simply off on tour within the city?"
"I suppose they could be, Your Majesty, but Princess Twilight is also presumably missing. None have seen her today, and she did not check in with any of our units as she typically does."
Celestia pressed a golden hoof against her temple. Beads of sweat slid between the stallion's cheek and inner helmet.
"Start from the beginning, lieutenant," Celestia ordered, lowering her hoof. Her motherly tone was gone, as was her patience. "How exactly did this impressive feat of miscommunication get started?"
The room shivered in her presence. A vortex of spite and malice that soured every changeling's tongue. Her icy blue eyes were as sharp as needles, and her bared fangs were just as much. When she spoke, a touch of frostbite caressed every shell.
"What have we here?" With an insult behind her every eye movement, the alicorn sized up the creature before her. "Just who, namely what, might you be?"
An unpleasant respite followed, ended by a sharp, escalating series of laughs. Irises of sickly green stared back proudly.
"Someone without an invitation to the local costume fair, apparently. Did you dress up just for little old me?"
The alicorn ignited her horn. Rigid black with a deep blue aura, it pierced the air with a commanding presence.
"Very well. We'll skip the pleasantries. I am Equestria's ruler, and I know what you are changeling," she hissed. "You should know that vermin are not allowed in my kingdom. Take your hordes and leave, or I shall dismantle you all where you stand."
Yards away, a half-dozen drones watched the thrilling altercation as it unfolded. They huddled together as one mass of large, transfixed eyes. On one side, pitch-black darkness framed the dark alicorn of pony legend, Nightmare Moon. On the other side, the fireplace illuminated the changeling tyrant, Chrysalis; her lithe, charcoal figure seeming to glow from the flames.
"Oh my, pretty and pompous," Chrysalis jeered. Her own horn sparked to life with a vibrant green aura. "All you princess types are the same, regardless of your allegiances. And here I thought I might come to offer an alliance of sorts. One driven queen to another."
Nightmare Moon scoffed. A zap of her magic struck the stone floor, singing it. "'An alliance'? How foalish do you take me to be, witch? You are parasites, abominations of nature. Any relationship with your kind is a detrimental one. Besides, as a true ruler, I do not need anyone's assistance. I will bring glory to the eternal night and rule Equestria myself, and I will do so without your kind in it."
Now it was Chrysalis's turn to scoff. "Oh well, have it your way. The fewer rulers there are to overthrow, the sooner the kingdom will be mine." Her magic now began to rake and scar the floor with aimless charred lines. "I really must thank you, Your Highness. One arrogant alicorn is so much easier to dispose of than two!"
The weight of magic and intention in the air came to a point, and both menacing bodies charged forward. In a decisive moment, horns collided at their hilt, sending sparks and streams of electric energy spiraling all around. Collected anger met undiluted madness.
"Yeah, get her, Nightmare Moon!" cried an enthused onlooker.
"Eternal night sounds way better than starving all the time!" another cheered. "We live in a hive, anyway, so we don't even see the sun that much!"
In a sudden moment of distraction, Chrysalis's gaze turned towards the audience, her output of ferocious magic dwindling to nothing.
"Hang on, you guys aren't even rooting for me?" she asked, her voice noticeably altered and lacking its former confidence. "You were all begging me to do this with Princess Luna just a few minutes ago."
"Uh, yeah, because we wanted to see Nightmare Moon blast the stuffing out of Chrysalis!" Xenica proclaimed. "Did you not hear how awesome Luna made her sound? And how she looks and acts even more awesome!?"
"Well, thank you all," Nightmare Moon chuckled, placing a hoof to her chest and bowing. "I'm not the greatest actress, but I like to think I can play myself fairly well."
Chrysalis slumped dejectedly, her ratty mane obscuring her face. "Well, what about my acting? I was doing pretty well, right?"
"Of course, Thorax, we hated you!" said Cimex. He fluttered up to the evil queen and patted her head. Chrysalis looked at him with despondence.
"What he means is, you were a great villain, Thorax," Apidae encouraged, flying to the queen's other side. "A hero is a hero, but everybody loves to hate a good villain."
"Yeah, Thorax. All the time you spend in the theatre troupe with Apidae and I is paying off," said Calor. He trotted over and hugged a hole-filled leg. "Remember when you couldn't even play a rock correctly? And how the show had to be put on hold because Pharynx couldn't stop laughing, and changelings were afraid he'd choke? He definitely wouldn't be laughing now!"
"Thank you, Calor, for reminding me of that," Chrysalis muttered. She enveloped herself in a flashy teal fire, and the colorful form of Thorax took her place.
Walking up from behind, Nightmare Moon's features faded in a silhouette of white light, giving way to Luna's more petite form. She pulled a pair of novelty vampire teeth from her mouth and gave Thorax a sweet look.
"I must say, Thorax, I have never had the opportunity to face the she-demon one-on-one, but through you, I've found an experience that even my dreams could not muster. Changelings truly are fascinating. My mind knew better, but the adrenaline coursing through me did not. That was a splendid performance."
By now, the rest of the drones crowded around Thorax to cheer him up, and Thorax gave them all friendly smiles.
"Thanks, princess. I do think I've gotten better at it. My brother believes that all changelings have an innate talent for acting, and that talent just needs to be developed. I'm probably the best example of that he's got now."
"I do need to make a point of meeting this fabled brother of yours," Luna mused. She used her magic to command the torches to light. Next, the doors were wrapped in her aura and flew open, flooding the chamber with the bright afternoon. A few changelings hissed.
"But for the moment, it's about time we check in with Celestia. The museum opening draws near. I've taken some time, perhaps selfishly, to get to know you all a bit better, but truth be told, I'd expected an interruption at the hooves of my sister or our returning lieutenant by now. Evidently, I am still the only one who knows where you are, and so it is up to me to deliver you all to the next step of your visit."
"Oh, before we do, can we go back to the gardens, Thorax?"
Eyes turned to Cimex, sitting by the now extinguished fireplace with a hopeful grin.
"There's something I gotta do before we go to the pony museum!"
"You should know better than to believe everything will go well, Celestia. You've been at this for how many centuries now?"
Celestia curled her lip and rolled her eyes. Flying alone above Canterlot, she had only her own ear to vent to, but it would suffice. Unlike other ponies, the clouds would not tell Luna of her returning foalhood habit, and that was all that really mattered.
She looked down at the miniature world below, and a sigh became a self-reflective hum. Part of her drew remorse, with the guilt-ridden face of her lieutenant returning to her mind. But then she remembered Thorax and his easily influenced changelings, and her stiff upper lip resumed.
No, there was no time for her maternal tendencies. She had guests to welcome and to help feel at home. No excuses.
"Of course, you forgot to ask the lieutenant how long he'd been searching, already. With any luck, Luna's made headway of her own in the meantime."
Equestria's heart, and its magnificent golden trim towers, drew closer, and so Celestia descended from the cloud cover. Her thoughts buzzed, a static that pulled and pushed her attention in an array of directions. The changelings were bad enough, but Twilight as well? What in Equestria had the power to keep even her former star pupil from sending a scroll of potential tardiness? Should she be concerned?
She bit her lip again. Nonsense, she was already concerned. The real question was of what. Twilight's safety? The ramifications of whatever could be holding her up? Both? She'd dispatched the lieutenant to send his very best pegasi to check up with Twilight in Ponyville. Surely that would be more than enough.
Right? Right.
"I'm sure everything is fine." The lush castle gardens scrolled below her now, quiet and pristine in a preserved perfection. The greenery never failed to tug a smile from Celestia’s cheeks.
"I'll aid Luna in locating the changelings, and we'll grant Thorax a relaxing museum visit. Should Twilight require us in any way, I'll see to her while Luna stays with Thorax. I certainly don't mind giving her a little more time to spend with the changelings, if need be."
Her tirade of optimism was abruptly cut short. As she touched down on the rear balcony of Luna's bed chambers, a familiar laugh caught her ear from the direction in which she’d just come.
"Honestly, Cimex, do you really need to say goodbye to the fountain? And do you need to do it right now? We could’ve just stopped by before returning to the hive later on."
"But we're already right here, Thorax. What if we forget? I wanna do it now, so I know it gets done!"
"I think it's rather adorable," said a familiar voice. "About as adorable as these plush forms of yourselves. Quite a sneaky way of getting free rides and hugs from ponies, I must admit. I cannot wait to show Celestia. She melts in the presence of stuffed animals."
"You can thank Calor for that," said Thorax. "He loves stuffed animals, too. He brought some back to the hive once, and they were a huge hit. Although, nowadays, most changelings don't even make or buy them. They just take turns being plushies for each other. I think it's innocent fun, but Pharynx says it's nightmare-inducing."
"All hail our fluffy overlords!"
Celestia took to the air again and scanned the garden’s expanse. There, sticking out like a sore hoof, was her deep blue sister, accompanied by a small pack of changelings. Thorax walked alongside Luna, the two seeming to chaperone the group through the gardens. One drone eagerly flew towards the water-spouting vase of the Aquarius Unicorn memorial. Upon reaching it, he lapped at the water stream for a few moments, and then tenderly embraced the statue's leg.
Her gaze shifted, and Celestia gasped so loudly and so shrill that colorful eyes turned towards her.
Set upon Luna's back were a pair of changeling-sized plushies, their hooves curled around her barrel in an anchoring hug. Before Celestia's eyes, one of them returned to their live form in a flash of magic, repositioned themselves to something more comfortable, and resumed their plushie form. Their big, adorable eyes and smiles seemed even bigger when built from string and fluff.
The group's voices reached out to her, but they did not breach Celestia's thoughts. Fluffy, huggable bugs had long since claimed her heart. Her eyes twinkled.
She took it all back. There would be no further sharing of changelings. Twilight would have to fend for herself.
"Do you think she'll be here?"
"I hope so. Don't think either of the princesses can handle any more bad news today."
"It's the lieutenant's flank on the line, not yours. I wouldn't worry too much."
"Reprimands have a trickle-down effect. You know that. Everypony's flank is going to get cooked in this fire."
"She's gotta be at her school, no two ways about it. You checked the castle yourself-"
A racket, faint but powerful, rippled in their ears. The two guard pegasi wheeled about.
"-in Tartarus is that?"
"Singing, I think."
"Singing?"
"It's Ponyville. Random singing seems to be pretty common if our squad reports are anything to go by."
"Excellent point. Lead the way."
They flew past the outskirts of Ponyville, rounding its limits until a visible commotion could be matched to the tsunami of sound. It was at the School of Friendship that something inexplicable was underway. The spirit of chaos, Discord, seemed to be at war with Princess Twilight.
Brilliant flares of fuchsia magic sheared the air in bursts, targeting an obscure pile of picnic decor and schoolyard items. Before they could reach their mark, each of them was dispelled, slashed in half by an elongated glowstick wielded by the draconequus before turning into harmless confetti. He snapped and cracked his staff, and it became a vivid amethyst.
Just beyond the duel was a grandiose stage, lined top to bottom with a full choir. They graced the clearing with a tune of power and lament, following their conductor's decisive tempo. Said conductor was another Discord.
"Discord! The event is over!" Twilight yelled, the depths of her annoyance muffled by the sheer volume of the choir. "If you refuse to put things back the way they're supposed to be, then I will instead! And, for Celestia's sake, what’s with the choir!?"
"The oppression of the fun police shall never return," Discord said cooly, bringing down another blow of incoming magic. "You stooped so low as to tattle on me to Fluttershy, Twilight. Now I'm sure to get a scolding later this week, and for what? A few benches, banners, and a statue? You simply couldn't allow me to have my fun, could you?"
"Don't turn this on me! You could’ve chosen to play cards with us, to chat and laugh with us!" Twilight continued to fire, despite Discord’s unyielding defense. "But no! Instead you chose to rudely take all of the decorations in a selfish stunt to show off. You don't think Fluttershy will have something to say about that?"
From the sidelines, the guards came to a landing. They exchanged dumbfounded glances and slack jaws, uncertain of what to do with themselves before the symphony of chaos.
"Let me guess: you two are here to check up on Twilight."
The pair turned to find a lavender mare approaching them. It wasn’t the mare they sought, but her mane was equally unmistakable.
"Oh, hello, Esteemed Pupil Starlight Glimmer," the first guard greeted. "Yes, we're here on behalf of Princess Celestia, who requested we be sent to locate Princess Twilight. She never appeared for her rendezvous with King Thorax in the capital today. It...sort of evolved into a whole thing."
"Things seem to be evolving into 'whole things' all over Equestria, today," the second said.
An entirely new platform flashed into existence next to the choir, this time staffed with wind and string instruments.
"I told her it wasn't worth it, but here we are," Starlight monotoned. "I guess she's just gonna relearn the hard way how Discord behaves when he's feeling patronized."
"A common occurrence, I take it?"
"You have no idea. Twilight has dealt with Discord more than me, but I'm probably the most recent example of invoking his...'wrath', I guess? But the funny part is she even referenced the time I belittled his behaviors today, and she still let him get the better of her."
"He's done this exact thing before?"
"Sort of. Involved a lot of poor decisions, a scavenger hunt, and a replacement running track. Long story short, it was inevitable, like I'm sure this will be."
"Really now, this behavior is most unbecoming of a headmare, Twilight!" Discord bellowed, carelessly tossing his glowstick into the air, where it split into two. He caught each one in a paw/claw in the midst of a pirouette. "One might even call it uncivilized!"
"If you would just clean up your mess, we could all go back to being civilized!" Twilight’s form whisked into a blur. She assaulted the throne from the rear, only to have Discord's hand stretch and twist to deflect the attempt. "And I could go on with my day, helping Thorax with his visit to Canterlot!"
The battle continued. Starlight and the guards wore brave faces before the madness.
"Gotta admit, this brings back memories," Guard One said suddenly. "I was doing patrol work when the last Chaos Plague happened. The whole countryside flipped into some sorta chessboard with trees using themselves as giant pieces in a game."
"I've seen it before, but not up close," Guard Two added. "Ground zero seemed to be Ponyville for that last one, and I was a cadet in Canterlot basic training. Worst we got was cola storms and dancing training equipment."
"I didn't even know about Discord before his reformation," Starlight admitted. The guards snorted at her final word. "This may not be a large-scale disaster, but it's certainly impressive. More impressive than anything I've seen him do so far."
"Isn't it, though? So kind of you to notice. I think it's my greatest composition yet."
Starlight and pals turned to find a tall, thin creature dressed head to toe in an archaic wig and suit, standing where no one had stood just moments before. They glanced back at the ongoing choir, which was now being conducted by a floating, self-aware conductor's wand.
"Such a shame she's grown so hard to rile up, though," Ludwig van Discord sighed. "I mean, just look at this display. I had to resort to some Grade A chaos here. How I mourn for days long past, where resident book horses could be triggered by a gentle prod towards self-doubt or by an open-ended question. Character development is such a fickle thing."
"Seemed pretty effortless from over here," Starlight said insipidly. She stepped before the draconequus, eyeing him skeptically. "What's your endgame here, Discord? There's no reward for you this time. Are you...are you trying to delay Twilight on purpose? You're not deliberately trying to sabotage Thorax's visit, are you?"
Discord twiddled his paws and claws behind his back, smugly watching Twilight engaging his doppelganger.
"Au contraire, mon petit poney. Our good boy Thorax is a big changeling now. He doesn’t need escorts to political tea parties and the like, anymore."
Starlight scowled. "So you are delaying Twilight on purpose, then. I bet you don't even care about this throne you're defending."
A halo appeared above Discord’s head. "In a word, I am, once again, providing Thorax an opportunity to grow. That is what good friends do, no? That is what the princesses are after, is it not? To fill our dear bugmoose with courage? I'm simply helping the development along, and giving Professor Friendship her daily exercise to boot."
Starlight put her hoof to her face in an attempt to curb her onsetting headache. From over its curve, she found lavishly decorated memorabilia now adorning the draconequus, most notably a brown foam hand reading 'Chaos for Classes! Discord for Headmare!'. Before Starlight could form words, Discord spoke with bubbly investment.
"Besides, Starlight, there's still so much bonding to be done between Thorax and the Humdrum Sisters. We can't have Twilight getting in the way; perish the thought! Every princess is to her time, my dear."
"Oh hey, the tall princess is here, now," Cimex said. Being busy hugging the sculpture goodbye made him the last to notice the new arrival. It also meant he was the last to notice something else. "Aged cocoon slime, her mane is gigantic! You could hide half a patrol squad in there, Thorax!"
The other drones snickered. Thorax sighed.
"You know, guys, I don't think my heart can take much more of your informalities."
Thorax put on a smile as Princess Celestia descended. Every one of her movements, from her wing beats to her hooves touching the ground, seemed to radiate a divine elegance, a finesse as absolute as the sun in the afternoon sky. She trotted, almost skipped, over to the group.
"Thorax, I'm so glad to see you've made it here safely," she said enthusiastically, offering a snowy hoof. "Today has been hectic, what between the museum's preparations and now all this. I've been half-expecting to find Discord around every corner. I'm relieved that you've all managed, regardless."
"Well, I am used to navigating with chaos around," Thorax chuckled, gently receiving the alicorn's hoof. "We have Princess Luna to thank for helping corral us so quickly. We couldn't find Twilight, and we didn't know where the museum was, so there's no telling how long we may have wandered without her."
"Oh please, I merely walked out a doorway," Luna dismissed. The pair of drones utilizing her back reverted to their regular forms and dropped onto the grass. Luna could make out a foalish despair coming off her sister's face as they did so. "You were wise to come to the castle, Thorax. If I had been absent, the palace guards would have known where to find us. Everything worked out in the end."
Suddenly, Thorax found his attention stolen. His posse had become excited, for they’d now realized that the fabled pony museum visit was at hoof. At that moment, Luna's stare targeted Celestia and grew stern.
"Everything worked out in the end...despite an unpleasant altercation with the nobility."
The changelings failed to notice the tautness of Celestia's brow, or that, for a moment, the sun's rays seemed to grow a tad hotter.
"How bad was it?"
"Bad enough to rile up the changelings in Thorax's defense," Luna murmured. "I thank the heavens they brushed off the encounter so readily. I hate to say I told you so, sister, but I will. Tradition and conceitedness still fester in this city, not to mention the grudge it has reason to harbor. I do not believe this will be as easy as you expect it to be."
"I never expect; only hope." Celestia salvaged her former smile. "And yes, before you ask, I still have hope for the museum visit."
"Do you?"
"Museums, like libraries, I find promote a certain neutrality." Celestia giggled. She looked at Thorax to find him forcefully pulling several struggling changelings into a hug. To her, the adorableness made up for the lack of context. "I believe it is an environment the changelings will thrive in."
"And you believe it will be enough?"
Pair by pair, every set of changeling eyes turned towards Celestia in expectation. Knowing this was her cue, she stepped forward.
"It doesn't have to be," Celestia whispered in passing. "The museum is merely a stage, Luna. A place for the changelings to show their true colors. Trust me. Setbacks aside, this visit will still be a resounding success."
Luna smirked knowingly as she watched her showpony of a sister scoop up the changelings with only her presence. They gathered before her like a flock to a shepherd.
"I regret to say that I'm not hiding Twilight under my wing. I, too, am unaware of her exact situation. However, I have dispatched some of our best scouts to Ponyville to check up on her. With any luck and a little bit of hope, Princess Twilight will be joining us before long."
As the sun princess spoke, she couldn’t help noticing the innocent wonder in each of their faces; how it shined in their eyes. Centuries of practice remaining calm and collected before manic crowds and cabinets of politicians could not shield the princess from changeling charm. She could feel her cheeks aching, her demeanor degrading to a foalish remnant of itself.
Praise to the ancient magics. Even now, they resemble giant, colorful plush toys.
"In the meantime, I'd be more than honored to be your guide for our museum trip. Through Princess Twilight, you've gifted Equestria a precious insight into your developing culture. As a bit of a history buff myself, allow me to return the favor today by showing you Equestria's many forms throughout the ages."
Luna watched as the changelings chittered, bounced, and buzzed their wings in glee. Ever so subtly, she began to retreat towards the castle, and her bed chambers. With the castle's decor finished, and the task of chaperoning now passed off to her sister, she'd become all too aware of a weight pulling her eyelids like curtains. They knew what was now within hoof's grasp, perhaps even better than her own conscience.
She yawned. These double shifts were starting to take their toll.
"Princess Nighttime, aren't you coming with us?"
The weights let up, and her unsightly yawn skittered back down her throat. Luna turned, rather jumpily, to find the group watching her from the garden's edge.
"Oh, no," she remarked. "You all...go have fun with my sister. I believe I'll, uh, briefly retire while you attend the museum opening. You see, I'm not used to being up this long during the daytime. Short spurts, usually, at most."
From beyond a few mildly disappointed faces, Celestia gave her a nod and smile. Luna returned them.
"I won't be long. By the time you return from your tour, I'll be up and alert. Besides sleep, there's one more item of business I need to attend to in the castle, anyway, so this is perfect timing."
"A splendid idea," Celestia said with pep. She unfurled one milky wing to prompt the group into following her lead. Thorax stuck to the rear, ensuring no stragglers were left behind. "We'll give my sister time to do what she needs to while we get to the museum. I’m quite looking forward to my turn to spend some time with you all. In fact, I was starting to get jealous of my niece and former student."
Every drone chuckled.
"So, being a princess, have you gotten to see the inside of the museum already?" Apidae inquired. She hovered a hoove's length off the ground to meet her host's eye. Celestia acknowledged her with an odd look.
"Now, what makes you think I could’ve seen the museum already? They haven't even opened their doors yet."
"Well, from what we know about pony politics from the Crystal Empire and past infiltrations of Canterlot, all major events tend to have a princess involved." Apidae shot a glance at Thorax and stuck her tongue out. "Plus, that's how the hive often works, too. Thorax and Pharynx have a role in almost everything major that goes on, from assemblies to feelings forums, training practices to evacuation procedures."
"Now hang on," Thorax interjected. "I'm getting better at delegating, Apidae, you know that. Just look at Calor. He helps run a lot of our routine social activities in my stead, now."
Calor excitedly waved his hoof in acknowledgment.
"I'm just teasing, Papa Thorax," Apidae assured. "Calor runs social activities. I'm a liaison for the Crystal Empire. Calor says you also want to start finding volunteers for hive tour guides. Everyling knows you're getting better at letting us help. Don't worry."
Thorax opened his mouth, but settled for shaking his head.
Celestia giggled and yielded with a nod. "Apidae, was it? You're very clever. Yes, I admit I have been on a brief tour of the museum in both its unfinished and finished states. These tours were not for my leisure, however. They were to understand room layouts, themes, topics, and other preemptive information. I didn't have the opportunity to read any of the exhibits beforehoof, which in retrospect, I'm thankful for. It’ll be much more enjoyable to experience them for the first time with you all."
"Um, Your Highness," said Cimex. “If you haven't read any of the exhibits, and you’re learning things along with us, then how are you a history buff?"
Being little more than a forgotten caboose, noling was there to console Thorax from his ugly grimace.
"Good question," Celestia cooed. "Allow me to clarify: I am unfamiliar with how the museum's exhibits will demonstrate Equestrian history, not the topic of Equestrian history itself. I may not look like it, but I'm a teacher as well as a princess."
"You teach pony history to little ponies?" asked Xenica, buzzing along to get closer to the alicorn.
"Not directly. I run a small magic school here in Canterlot, where I teach magic to truly gifted young unicorns. Of course, history is an important part of learning magic, so I do cover many history topics in my classes."
Before further questions could launch, Celestia made her budding smirk known.
"Of course, there's a more obvious reason why I'm already familiar with Equestria's history." She paused. And then she winked.
"Having lived through much of Equestria's history, I have a first-hoof knowledge of the subject."
There was a painfully long silence. When gasps pierced the air, at last, Celestia struggled to contain her giggling.
"Wait, how old is Equestria?" Calor blurted. His eyes shook, and he grasped the sides of his head. "Cocoon slime, how old are you!?"
Thorax winced.
"That's got to be thousands of years!" Apidae rasped, staring up at the sun monarch with a newfound fascination. "Princess Cadance taught us about the Crystal Empire's history and how the last time they were around was over a thousand years ago, before a curse. Equestria existed even then, according to her."
"Chrysalis had an extended lifespan compared to most changelings, but even she doesn't come anywhere close to whole millennia," Xenica said. "Were you around for Equestria's founding, Your Highness?"
Shrouded in mystique, Celestia wore a cryptic smile. Again she winked, and with a nod, motioned to a decorated sign crowning a fork in the path before them. Below the sign sat an arrow, pointing right.
Equestrian History & Foreign Exchange Museum - Grand Opening! 5 bits for adults, foals free with adult supervision.
Eyes scanned the text, then rebounded to Celestia. She addressed them with a thoughtful raise of her brow.
"Equestria, as an identified nation, is approximately two and a half millennia old. My sister and I do pop up throughout that timeline, though certainly not as a focus, for the most part." A ghostly smirk haunted her lip. "All the same, I'd imagine at least one of the exhibits will mention my full birthday. Hmm, I wonder which of you can find it for me first."
There was another chorus of gasps, and the drones sprang to life, trotting and flying ahead of their host and king with gusto. By the time Thorax could so much as release a breath, the drones had vanished in a cloud of dust.
"You hear that? Scavenger hunt, everyling!" shouted Calor. He emerged before the pack and morphed himself a detective hat in a localized burst of flame. "Find the princess's hatchday-"
"Birthday," Xenica interjected blandly.
"-birthday, on one of the museum exhibits! The first changeling to find it gets to show it to her!"
Thorax released his breath, and his window for reaching earshot slipped away. Futile as his continued efforts were, he leaped forward.
"Guys! Guys, please wait for us!" he pleaded hopelessly, gallops evolving into flight. "You can't just leave the princess and run off to-oh, forget it."
The pack had disappeared around a corner, along with what little remained of Thorax's reins.
There was nothing now that could drown out Celestia's giggling.
"I apologize, Thorax," she managed, placing a hoof to her chest as the dejected changeling sank back down to the street. "I had hoped to pique an interest in the museum, but it appears I may have riled them up beyond that."
"Don't worry about it," Thorax sighed, taking a deep breath. Upon collecting himself, he offered Celestia a more hopeful attitude. "Honestly, I'm to blame. I've been trying to keep them calm and respectful this whole trip, but this is a huge deal for them, and I need to respect that, too. I need to get better at directing their energy, rather than trying to contain it."
The two monarchs walked, navigating a modest side street nearly void of other ponies. Side by side, they nearly matched in height, towering over typical ponies, with Thorax losing by only a few notches thanks to the alicorn's horn.
"I was just about to compliment how well you handled them, actually," Thorax continued. "I've never seen anyling handle them so flawlessly like that. I mean, I can on a good day, but never when they're hyperactive. You made it look easy, like you've done this a million times."
Celestia looked skyward. The sun had enveloped her, a stellar marionette held aloft by her magic. Her ears twitched, as did her smile, to the chirps of passing birds and the distant city sounds she had grown so accustomed to. In pausing, a familiar calm overcame her, and she gave the world a smile to outdo all others.
"This smile is my pleasure," Celestia said, turning to sample it for him. "It's a pleasure because, unlike many smiles I put on throughout my day, it comes from someplace genuine. I feel no happier than when I’m guiding others, especially those with so much to see and learn. You and I both tend to gravitate towards mingling with our subjects, not out of obligation, but because leading is more rewarding when done personally. We may share a fair bit in common."
Such words put Thorax into a space of deep thought. He remained quiet as he and Celestia made their way. He barely took note of his surroundings, which seemed to mesh and morph in his distracted mind into something different yet familiar. Into something that was almost alive itself; alive due to forces from those like Princess Celestia. Was he just as capable of this level of creation with his own home, his own subjects? Did he harbor this talent from the very beginning?
Voices hijacked Thorax’s train of thought. The small crowd of changelings he'd been hunting for was finally in sight.
"Hurry up, Papa Thorax! You have to get your hoof stamped if you want to go inside."
There was an odd shoving sensation just below his wing case, as if an impatient lilac drone were nudging him along. Which there was.
"Cimex puppy-dog-eyed some poor ponies into letting him be first in line," Xenica informed. "He thought he was cute, but I think they're just afraid he's gonna stuff them in cocoons or something."
Thorax leaned forward. Sure enough, crowning the line was Cimex, inadvertently horrifying surrounding ponies by way of bouncing in place.
"You guys sure are serious about this whole scavenger hunt thing," Thorax mused. He stepped forward to a cowering earth pony working the stamp station. A trembling hoof emerged from behind the table and lightly pressed a stamp on his foreleg.
When Thorax turned, Celestia awaited him. He offered his imprinted hoof and an awkward smile.
"I guess we're ready now, princess. We better get going. I don't want Cimex to lose track of us in this crowd."
"Everything will be just fine, Thorax," Celestia soothed, seemingly commanding the museum doors to open with a turn of her head. Before a wave of brisk voices and pushing hooves, she remained calm and fixated, a life raft in the ocean of Thorax's anxiety. "I am confident that there is nothing within these walls that the changelings cannot handle."
"Your Majesty. You've returned," said a castle guard. His nose twitched. "Ah, and you've been to the royal greenhouse, I see. It must be time for your afternoon retreat."
Luna trotted up the steps, with bits of lavender affixed around her head. With half-lidded eyes, she peered from one guard to the next, a sharp eyebrow awaiting the slightest snicker.
"Sure Point."
"Yes, mam."
"Crisp Plackart."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"I require a favor. Please inform any passerby that my sister and I will be henceforth unavailable for further guidance to the populace today. She now attends the museum opening with the changelings, and I must check in with Chef Sedani regarding preparations for tonight's dinner. Following this, I will be taking a brief nap before our guest's visit resumes in the castle."
The guards nodded in unison. Luna moved forward and between them.
"Should I not wake by the time my sister returns, you have permission to open my chamber door and wake me." The castle doors yawned open, gripped in her deep blue magic. "The same goes if the units sent to Ponyville return and report that Twilight requires assistance. For now, I bid a pleasant afternoon to you both."
A heavy-set thud of oak beset uncertain glances. Sure Point snorted.
"Not it," he disclaimed quickly. "Her tapestries have already assaulted me today. I'm not playing alarm clock either. It's unsettling how fast she can peg a pony with pillows through that door crack."
Thorax stepped through the museum entrance and into an archway, bottlenecked alongside ponies and changelings alike. A crisp wave of conditioned air rushed his nostrils, and a beckoning light shined so brightly that he winced briefly.
"Thorax, there's even more pony statues in here! Maybe this is where they make them!"
Two hooves clamped around his leg and jostled him. Thorax looked down to see Cimex shaking with enough energy to clear the roof off the building. He pointed at a carving made of marble, located in the room’s center. On it was a trio of ponies, one of each tribe, all gathered around a towering, waving flag that proudly sported Equestria’s crest.
"'Courtship of Destiny'. A restored piece, from times immemorial. One of my favorites. I'm so glad it was chosen as the entryway article."
Celestia's narration guided Thorax. Unspoken words from indecipherable voices swam in his head as he looked closely at the relic. He was certain his taste buds had been fooled; a residue of love seemed to emanate from the cold stone. A window to a moment of glee and pride long forgotten.
Thorax blinked, and the moment was lost. Eager hooves heaved a familiar carapace up the statue's bulk, and anxiety erupted in his heart.
"Cimex, what are you doing!? Get down from there!"
Cimex, startled by the sudden reprimand, lost his grip. But just as weightlessness drew a gasp, he was wrapped in a familiar teal aura and safely retrieved. Caught and detained, he grimaced as he was levitated up in front of Thorax. Murmurs flooded the room, but Thorax didn’t hear them.
"You can't just go climbing things in here," Thorax implored with a frown. Cimex shied away, but a flare of magic turned the drone around. "I know you're excited, but you need to be respectful. We're guests."
"But I climbed the other statue!" Cimex pleaded, crossing his hooves. "Noling stopped me then, so why can't I now? The pony statues look like they're supposed to be climbed. Why would they shoot water to drink if you're not supposed to climb them, Thorax?"
"We are still unfamiliar with pony culture, Cimex. You can't make assumptions about things, especially in places like this. I let you guys have free reign of the garden because no one else was around, and I knew the princesses likely wouldn't mind. This is somepony's museum, and we're in public, therefore it's different. You have to be respectful."
Cimex pouted. Before Thorax could embarrass him any further, however, the slow clopping of a single pair of hooves sounded from behind the carving.
"Who could say that changelings are still heartless beasts after hearing such a thing. Such vigor and foalish wonder! I, for one, welcome you to Canterlot, King Thorax and company."
A middle-aged mare had greeted them. As she walked, top hats tipped and hooves bent slightly, but no response was as lovely as Celestia's. The newcomer found herself embraced within the sun monarch's wing, and they shared a few words of greeting.
"Thorax," Celestia said. "This is Mild Menagerie. She is the museum's curator and a dear friend of mine. It's all thanks to her hard work that we find ourselves here today."
"Oh, don't feed him that gibberish," Mild bantered. "I did nothing but offer a suggestion. She's the one who volunteered to assist me at early dawn these past few days to ensure the opening was ready in time for your visit. I can't imagine where she found the time."
"I have a few time spell tomes hidden away in the library. You don't know all my tricks yet."
"Oh, you wouldn't dare." Mild lightly jabbed a hoof against a snowy coat. "Think of what Luna would say. Think of what Sir Starswirl would say, now that he's returned.”
Celestia grimaced.
"I asked Mild if she would help give your subjects our tour today," the princess continued. "As familiar as I am with Equestrian history, I'm not yet familiar with the museum’s exact choices of presentation. Mild can help all of us truly appreciate what has been put together here."
Thorax jumped when he found his hoof gently lifted and pecked. Several changelings squished their cheeks and gasped at Mild Menagerie’s charming greeting.
"Ooh, oh, my. Thorax, I've seen this before on recon," remarked Xenica, climbing Thorax's shell to hiss in his ear. "I think she's proposing to you as a mate. Look out for a ring. You're committed after that."
Calor silently shrieked.
"Oh, m-my deepest apologies," Mild stammered, flustered. "You didn’t just finish explaining to this cute young lad about your unfamiliarity with pony culture in front of me! Clearly, I dropped my brain somewhere this morning. Just a respectful greeting you can find among the aristocracy, Your Highness."
Mild turned to the rest of the room. A distraught Calor decisively crouched, leaped, and clung to Thorax from behind.
"I will not judge anypony's feelings regarding the changelings, but no matter your current stance, know that we are living through history itself today." Mild stepped before the carving and addressed the room properly. "I've been told that the changelings are now fundamentally different in both body and mind from the creatures that once threatened our city. I've already witnessed all I need to know. I believe they deserve their chance to redeem themselves. I'll be escorting them today as they, too, learn all about Equestria's grand history. Please feel free to say hello during your visit. Thank you so much again for joining us for our grand opening, everpony!"
Though a few scowls remained, a greater wave of cautious welcome overtook the crowd. Before long, ponies went about their visit and explored at their leisure. Only the wide, enchanted gazes of foals remained, attached to the changelings by an insatiable curiosity.
Mild Menagerie drew the flock of drones to her, effortlessly taking the mantle of chaperone from Celestia. To their enthused bouncing and probing questions, she giggled and led them to a nearby exhibit.
Thorax let out a little sigh. It was getting awfully hot in here, all of a sudden. Then again, he did have an azure scarf to address.
"Calor, we can play bug pile some other time," Thorax said softly, gently patting the drone's head. "As glad as I am that you're following my expectations, I'm afraid I don't want you guys climbing me either, right now. I'm gonna need my mobility."
Blue ears wilted, but matching hooves obeyed all the same. Calor dropped to the lavish floor and darted seamlessly through hoof traffic to reach his friends.
For a time, Thorax merely stood and watched his charge explore the displays of history, fun facts, and vibrant artwork. Each new fixture was greeted first by Apidae, a ravenous sponge eager to learn about the world of ponies. Practically attached to her carapace, Xenica provided the occasional sarcastic downplay, offsetting every enthused comment Apidae could think of.
Mild Menagerie was like an epicenter for social gravitation, boasting three changelings by her side. Cimex, Labrum, and the freshly-arrived Calor attentively listened to her tangents. She babbled on about the first settlements in Equestria, but her eyes never stopped scanning for those not so cozy with her; such as Apidae and Xenica's self-guided tour ahead of her, and the straggler trailing behind her.
Clypeus brought up the rear, timidly meandering through ponies and tables with the presence of a discarded leaf in the wind. At one point, a bewitched pop-up of a mighty Black Dragon reared from a cardboard cutout of castle ruins, and it sent the adolescent spiraling, falling to the floor with a shrill chirp.
Papa Thorax bit his lip from afar and mentally weighed the implications of rushing to his side with a readied hug.
"I just love seeing their unique personalities," Celestia said suddenly. She awaited the inevitable head turn before continuing. "I always found the solidarity that Chrysalis demanded to be disheartening. It's a delight to see them embracing the world in their own ways."
Thorax simpered. "Princess Cadance said something similar. And, I've said that myself several times now. But thank you, Your Highness. It’s rather encouraging to hear it so much. I just hope we can show the rest of Canterlot what you've all seen in us."
Again, they walked side-by-side, shadowing Mild Menagerie's tour and absorbing the exhibits at their own pace. Mild's distant exposition offered insight on each display in advance, which Thorax quickly subscribed to. But whereas he entertained himself with the passing snippets of foreign history, Celestia was enchanted by a chance scene now playing out elsewhere.
A foal had bravely approached the changelings, unbeknownst to his distracted parents. A curious hoof prodded their shiny shells, and changelings turned to greet their fan. A surge of innate adoration pinged even Apidae from her scholarly pursuits and drew her to the foal, as well.
The foal's parents did take notice soon enough, after hearing their foal's giggling. Calor and Apidae were making silly faces for him, while the others offered welcoming grins. When the foal raised a tiny hoof for them, Apidae lightly pressed hers against it. And when he bounced and reared in excitement, Calor mirrored it with the same enthusiasm.
Once the foal's guardians retrieved him, Calor transformed and waved farewell as a sentient, stuffed lion toy. Held aloft by his mother, the foal's tiny hoof waved back in earnest.
Celestia beamed. Further laughter came, but not just from the foal. Uncertainty and caution had begun to melt away from each of his parent's faces, allowing them to join him in his glee.
"'A good heart, once nurtured, needs no guidance, for it will move mountains all on its own'."
The words were soft, but they pulled Thorax with more gravity than any white noise filling his ears. He locked eyes with Celestia and found something of equal parts mystique and joy.
"Princess...?"
"A quotation from my youth. Until just now, something I thought I'd forgotten. The changelings reminded me of it."
She looked for the young couple and their foal one last time, now glancing figures amongst the shifting crowd. With bodies stepping in and out of view, their shared bliss came in snapshot frames. The entrancing film ended when the father's tail turned a corner, but Celestia still stared.
"Allow me a compliment that you may have yet to hear, Thorax," she said. "You have clearly taught the changelings depths of kindness and empathy that only you could have taught them. I want you to know how impressed I am. I saw a glimpse of it, that day I visited you all in your hive. Today, I have the chance to watch it blossom, to watch them spread that kindness to others. You will win over Canterlot, Thorax. Not because of our assistance, or because of luck or circumstance, but because you are, without a doubt, the greatest thing to have ever happened to the Changeling Kingdom."
She paused. As Thorax's lip began to shiver and shake, she offered him a comforting hoof. But her offer was turned down. With a sudden sob by her ear, Celestia gasped in a moment of surprise before growing content in the same breath. Looks of shock and awe came at once from every corner, but she ignored them. Instead, she closed her hoof along a chitinous back, and for a moment, allowed the world to consist only of him.
"You know, I’d been hoping to get a hug from a changeling today," Celestia whispered. She gave a weak smile as he continued to sob, and enwrapped them both in a pair of angelic wings. "As a friend, a fellow monarch, and a proponent of peace, I must thank you for everything you've done for your kind, Thorax."
"Why doesn't anypony ever see the big picture? What I'm trying to do is create a world of fun and frivolity! Your rules are small, Twilight. You only see what's in front of you. I won't let you stand in my way."
Twilight touched the ground and pierced the sky again, a brilliant pink aura of magic her ethereal armor. She soared in an orbit around Discord. Her heart pounded and her mind raced, seeking an opportunity to counterattack. The draconequus's throne had become like dust in the breeze, a swirling mass of stone and fabric that now floated in the sky, surrounding him.
Her goal had been realized; his irreverent display had left the school's lawn. But now, all-out attack or defense was his to command, and she had but one chance to end this ridiculousness.
"If I can't stop a simple prank that disrupts my faculty event..."
Decision gripped her muscles, and so Twilight's body moved. The ominous cloud of matter shot out like tentacles ready to slam and pierce, but she evaded every blow. When a projectile nearly missed her chest, she slammed a hoof into its bulk and shot herself towards the sun. She arched in a slow curve before dropping like a stone, twisting her fall to further dodge incoming attacks. With clenched teeth, she pulled back a forehoof.
"...then how can I call myself a headmare, who looks after her entire student body!?"
The impact was a sonic boom. In an exchange of momentum, Discord's sickly visage was torn asunder, his mask ripped from his face as he plummeted to the grass below.
"That is the headmare I want to be!"
Starlight, observing the confrontation from a safe distance, could already feel her tongue drying, what with her jaw still hung open. She saw Twilight descend and stand over the small crater left in Discord's wake, where the villain laid in an apparent coma.
"What is even going on anymore?"
"Thorax, are you feeling any better yet?"
Thorax sniffed. From head to hoof, he found himself covered in changelings, each of them embracing him in whatever way they could. Like an emotional response team, they’d abandoned their tour to pounce upon him as soon as a tear had hit the floor.
Apidae was laid across her alpha's back, resembling a vivid mustard cape while anchoring herself around his neck with her hooves.
"There's no need to be upset. We're here to have fun, aren't we?" she asked, shooting glances at her assistants. Five colors replied with firm nods and squeezed Thorax tighter.
"I'm not upset," Thorax insisted, sniffing loudly once more. "I've just never received a compliment like that from anyone before, let alone a princess. And now, you guys are being so considerate over something so trivial on top of that. I'm just so-so shocked. And grateful."
A box of handkerchiefs wrapped in rose magic sailed through the air. Xenica, clutching Thorax's antler, reached out and retrieved it. She promptly offered him one before returning to her dutiful hug.
"If you need privacy, don't hesitate to speak up," Mild Menagerie declared. "When things get congested, it can help to step away and take a breath of fresh air. That goes for crowds and noses."
"Oh no, I couldn't possibly keep these guys from our visit," Thorax rebutted, smiling through his waterworks. As if to signal his recovery, he playfully poked changelings until, one by one, they willingly dropped to the floor. "We’ve barely gotten started. Let's continue. I was just caught off guard, that's all."
"The fault is all mine, anyway," Celestia admitted solemnly. "I'm afraid I sometimes let my sentimentality get the best of me. Though I meant every word, it might’ve been more productive to finish our tour first before dumping those thoughts on you, Thorax. I apologize."
True to Mild's advice, Thorax closed his eyes and labored a deep breath. When he opened them, the tears had vanished.
"Thank you for the concern, but you don't have to worry about me. I might overreact to things sometimes, but that doesn't mean they're negative responses. If you're overly sentimental, I'm definitely overemotional. That was so nice of you to say, Princess Celestia, I just-I didn't have anything to do but cry."
Changelings sat close to him, still attentive. Even when some started trotting about their immediate area, their eyes and ears would regularly return to Thorax, as if checking up on a vulnerable nymph.
"Besides, as you can see, the changelings are really attuned to my emotions." Thorax offered a hoof, and Labrum nudged it in passing. Another nudge then came from Clypeus, and Thorax sprung. The adolescent gave a series of chirps as he was given overdue hugs. "I can't even have a small panic attack without nearby changelings sensing it and coming to help."
"It's what he’d do for us," Apidae explained, teasingly batting at Clypeus's tail while he struggled for freedom. "Thorax likes to let his anxiety hold him back from things, sometimes. We've vowed to put a stop to it."
The drones exchanged hoof bumps, and Thorax let out a sigh.
"My heroes," he mumbled, rubbing a hoof along his head. Now with one hoof removed, Clypeus managed to pry himself loose.
"I'm curious. Can your every emotion be read?" Celestia inquired. Once again, she found herself watching a half-dozen changelings turn an unassuming spot into something warmer and inviting.
The deja vu would’ve been amusing if it didn't hold such meaning.
"It's nothing like telepathy, if that's what you're thinking-Calor, you are not a nymph. You cannot fit on my head."
Thorax winced as a tiny hoof stepped into his cheek anyway. Upon reprimand, there was a flash of blue light, a noticeable reduction of weight, and two coos from his female hosts.
Wonderful, Thorax thought. At least Calor was a quieter nymph than Apex.
"The changelings can sense what my emotion range is. Sadness, joy, anger, fear, and something we've just started calling 'urgency'. We still don't fully understand it, but I've come to notice a few things. It's not linked to thoughts, but the bodily response to powerful emotions. Tears when sad, that heat in your face when you're angry, or the fluttering in your chest when you experience fight-or-flight. I've come to learn that when I experience those things, any nearby changelings can, too."
"Noling else can do it," Xenica added. "I think it's his antlers. I bet they're emotion transmitters."
"So as the alpha changeling, you have an innate power to summon changelings without words," Celestia summarized. "And what about your brother? If it truly is related to antlers, would your brother not be able to accomplish this, as well?"
Thorax tilted his head in doubt. "Pharynx is...not the most expressive changeling. Fear, joy, and sadness aren't things he puts on display, which leaves anger and urgency. I've heard a few of his direct underlings express that they've felt something from him, but it hasn't been a consistent report. I guess that, if he does have the power, it's not as noticeable as with me."
"Well, his antlers are half the size of yours, Thorax," said tiny Calor. "You'd probably need to be a lot closer to feel his emotions, and we all know how Pharynx is with personal space."
The drones chittered.
"It would appear it's a power most utilizable by you, then, King Thorax. I've only known you for a handful of minutes, but it's already quite obvious that you seem to be very in touch with your emotions. Goodness, what a potentially useful power. Imagine what it could do for ponies."
Eyes turned to Mild Menagerie. "Well, now I just feel like I've failed you all as a tour guide! To think, here I am, learning so very much about you all, near the restrooms of this cultural achievement in pony history. Come, come, every...ling, is it? Everyling? Pardon my ignorance if that's not it. We still have so much to see, and only so much of Celestia's daylight to do so!"
Hooves stretched and stood, ready to continue. As the changelings huddled together for a moment, bombarding their alpha with hopes and requests for the day, Celestia turned to her friend.
"Mild, if I'm not mistaken, the next room contains several hooves-on exhibits."
Mild nodded with a smile. "You'd be correct. Not every exhibit is finished yet, and there are a few placeholder signs for unfinished exhibits, but the room still has plenty to offer."
"Sure to be a hit, given the nature of our guests. But I had a question about those placeholders. Would the curator and security team have an issue with any, let's say, impromptu exhibits?"
Mild smirked. "The curator and security team might inquire what our princess's idea is before responding."
Celestia tapped a hoof to her chin, eyeing the skylight. Her eyes slid to the changelings, who now patiently awaited their host's lead. Even Calor had resumed his regular size, having joined Apidae in observing Cimex, who had taken to scaling a drinking fountain.
"The princess in question cannot give details at this time, lest certain ears overhear, but no tables or fixtures would be required. Watercolor markers, some spare canvas, and maybe a few pieces of plywood would suffice."
Mild laughed. "I'm not sure what you have in mind, but knowing you, it's part of some grander scheme. I'll see if I can't secure a few supplies. I'll have you know, though, that I won't be doing any drawing or title making today or any other day. I can barely write my name in cursive, and that's good enough for me."
"Oh, I already have some helpers in mind," Celestia mused. "Though, I take umbrage with you belittling your skillset, Mild. Remind me to scold you on that later over tea."
The mares shared a mutual chuckle and rejoined their multi-colored troupe. Mild pranced ahead, drawing Thorax's attention.
With the alpha out of earshot, Celestia advanced and befell her shadow across two particular drones. They turned to her with bulbous eyes and uncertain, slightly hung mouths.
"Calor, Apidae," Celestia said, briefly sitting to meet with them. Upon their prompt and polite bows, she giggled and lifted each of their chins in succession. "How would you both like to help me with something? Think of it as a surprise for Thorax."
"A surprise?" Apidae repeated.
Celestia nodded. "The information Princess Twilight gathered from her visits with you has only recently been printed in book form, meaning our museum doesn't yet have a dedicated exhibit for the changelings, as they are now. I thought we could make one of our own, and show everypony just how much you've all changed."
Apidae raised a curious hoof.
"Oh, oh!" Calor exclaimed, bouncing in place. "Can I dance and play with more tiny ponies? Oh, princess, do you think any of them would like hugs? Thorax doesn't believe random hugs can make Canterlot ponies friendlier, but I beg to differ. Hugs make everyone happier, and happier and friendlier are basically the same."
Celestia's giggle grew, and she winked.
"Normally, I'd consider Thorax's word on the subject to be sage, but you know what? I agree. A nice hug certainly made me happier. No reason it couldn't do the same for somepony else, right?"
"Within the first year of the After Banishment—or AB—calendar alteration, a solar eclipse occurred for the second time in recorded history. Scholars believe Princess Celestia, exhausted from her busy schedule and newfound role in moving both the celestial bodies, forgot to move the sun prior to positioning the moon. Shortly thereafter, a religious cult calling for Luna's release, known as the 'Lunar Republic', gained traction in eastern Equestria. They cited the occurrence as a divine sign that Princess Luna was meant to rule Equestria as its sole monarch."
"Cimex, stop it."
"Within the first year of the After Banishment—or AB—calendar alteration, a solar eclipse occurred for the second time in recorded history. Scholars believe-"
"Cimex, you're going to annoy the ponies with that!"
"Within the first year of the After Banishment—or AB—calendar alteration, a solar eclipse occurred for the-"
"Cimex, don't be such a nymph!!"
"Within the first-Within the first-Within the first year-"
Cimex continued to press the button. For his transgression, he was mercilessly tackled to the ground by Xenica. They rolled about in a chirping ball of blue and purple gossamer.
From a safe distance away, Thorax looked on solemnly.
"It's just so tiring," he whined, gesturing to the colorful tumbleweed as it bumped around. "Their best behavior doesn't last, whether I ask nicely or sternly. I've never had this issue at home before. They've brushed off or ignored everything I say, and I seem to be the only one who can't get anywhere with them."
"Parenting of any kind is a trial as much as it is a joy," Mild Menagerie said sagely. She noticed that the crowds seemed to have largely grown used to the changelings and their foalish outbursts. "Have you tried channeling their energy into productive outlets, rather than scolding them for being energetic when not appropriate?"
"Well, not successfully, I guess. Princess Celestia did something like that shortly before we got here, and it was really inspiring. I can do that sort of thing when talking with a changeling one-on-one, or with nymphs, who are a lot more open to suggestion; but I still struggle with groups of adults at times."
Mild swept her gaze over each of the drones. Paired off in groups of two, not one of them had ventured too far from Thorax. Xenica continued to wrestle with Cimex down the central aisle. Labrum had come to the rescue of the timid Clypeus, who struggled to overcome a particularly tight wall of ponies.
Then there was Apidae and Calor. They’d been corralled by Celestia to an untouched corner, blocked off from view behind her wings. Whatever they were plotting was anyone's guess, although they were in no short supply of smiles.
"I'll tell you a little secret, King Thorax," Mild said abruptly. "In pony culture, parents often take the stern approach when it comes to reprimanding foals because the young are often incapable of ever being serious themselves. Adults, on the other hoof, know how to be serious but choose when not to be.
"Perhaps taking a stern approach with the adult changelings is your issue. They don't take your worries seriously because they've already calculated them in their own way, and are choosing to focus on having fun. It's natural to lay restrictions and have expectations, but if you frame them differently, you may find a world of difference."
Thorax hummed. Snapshots of the changelings stepping before him, protecting his honor from the city's naysayers, flooded his mind. He'd done nothing but stand there, but they'd taken charge of that situation, hadn't they? And what about their hurriedness to console him when he was visibly upset? Or reminding him of their visit's priorities whenever his anxiety got the better of him?
Now, Thorax felt like groaning. The changelings were his anchor, but he'd done nothing but stress the chain. He'd promised himself—and them—that he wouldn’t be a buzzkill on this trip. But instead, he scolded Cimex several times, encouraged the group to stay behind while he sought out Twilight, and had been a worrisome mother hen whenever the changelings had so much as casually spoken to the princesses.
Thorax did his best to drain the red from his cheeks. "That's great advice, thank you. The adults sometimes act like nymphs because they're still getting used to feeling emotions rather than feeding off them, and so like nymphs, I've gotten used to trying to keep them in check. But, you know, it's been several months since we transformed. I can't keep using that excuse forever."
Thorax tracked the ongoing racket of Cimex and Xenica. The slightest hint of true distress or pain, and there would be words for Xenica, but he wouldn’t intervene. Cimex would have to learn to deal with the consequences of his mischievousness sooner or later.
From his blindspot, Thorax heard Celestia's giggles join Calor's. Apidae's enthused questions and comments egged them both on. He could scarcely imagine what the princess had them working on, but he didn't dare pry. Should he spoil a surprise for himself, he'd never hear the end of Calor's distress.
Thorax then found his quiet pair, Labrum and Clypeus, carefully examining the tall cutout of some black and red creature. A centaur, most likely. It had been animated with a charm to flex its arms on loop. Clypeus was backing away from the odd art piece, but Labrum's chest halted him.
Labrum then spoke. Thorax couldn't make out the words, but he needed no context to sense the warmth coming off him. Labrum nudged Clypeus's flank towards the exhibit with care while closely following him, blocking any further retreats.
Thorax wore a sympathetic smile. It would be a lie to say he knew either of these changelings well yet, but he knew enough. He knew that it was rare to see Labrum openly expressing himself. Around Clypeus, however, he was another changeling entirely. He'd seen it in his glancing peripheral throughout the entire trip, and it'd only grown more obvious. There was something precious there.
Thorax's body moved on command.
"I'm sorry, Miss Menagerie. Thank you for your advice. If you'll excuse me, I think it's about time I started focusing on having fun, too."
"Go on, Cly. It won't bite you. That's the creature Princess Twilight fought, I think. I wonder if there's a talking button on it, somewhere. The buttons tell you about stuff."
"It's not going to jump out at me, is it?" Clypeus grimaced as he was gently nudged closer. "Labrum, you weren't here when the dragon jumped out at me earlier. The ponies are trying to give me a heart attack!"
The nudging stopped and was replaced with a pleasant ‘aww’. A tangerine leg draped around Clypeus's neck, and the grey drone thrummed as he was hugged.
"I'm here now, dragon or no," Labrum said. "I know you hate jump scares, but I don't think all the displays are like that one. This one looks like it's designed to flex, and that's it."
Labrum's face harbored hope for further exploration, but Clypeus shot it down when he inserted his head beneath an open neck. Pats befell his shell as he settled and relaxed.
"Let's just cuddle instead. That's less scary," he mumbled.
"Oh, is it?" Labrum fell to his flank. He squeezed the petite changeling tighter. "What a bold plan; cuddle the day away. Don't think I've heard that one from you before."
"Says the changeling known to leap on me when he's bored and wants attention."
Labrum exaggerated a sneer. "Yeah, okay, but there are times for cuddling all day, like when we're at the hive. Thorax wants us to explore the museum while we're here. If you don't do it now, you'll regret it later, Cly. C'mon, let's look at this exhibit."
Clypeus frowned. Labrum stuck out his tongue, and a grey nose was booped.
"Future Labrum surrenders himself to being a plush toy of your choice if you agree to explore with Present Labrum."
Skeptical lime eyes stared back.
"It's just a display, Labrum. Why don't we look at some other ones? I saw one that has these rainbow apples, and I think there were jam samples, too. It looked delicious."
Another boop. Clypeus gave a faux hiss, and Labrum laughed.
"You're a real scaredy-bug today. Don't worry, I'll check it out for you first—make sure it's spook-proof."
Labrum pulled away from the embrace and ventured towards the display in his friend’s stead. Like a retriever examining the unknown, he poked his head around the exhibit perimeter, scanning the intimidating cutout from top to bottom. Clypeus crouched down to the floor, watching and waiting with widened eyes for any sudden movements.
"No mechanisms for jumping out at you," reported Labrum. "It's really flimsy, actually. It would fall over if it tried."
"Promise?"
Labrum's welcoming face emerged beside the centaur's waist. "Promise. Now, can you see if there's a talking button on the front somewhere? There's nothing but cardboard back here."
Clypeus crawled up to the exhibit. A few written words were recorded on a wide poster board by the centaur's biceps, organized beneath a large, extravagant title.
The Terror of Lord Tirek.
Clypeus found his eyes scanning back up to the flexing likeness when a sudden voice caused him to seize up.
"In the year 142 BB—or Before Banishment, a pair of strange and powerful creatures descended on young Equestria. Brothers, Scorpan and Tirek, disagreed with how to handle their mission of stealing Equestrian magic. While one sought to retreat after learning of Equestria's charm, the other sought domination.
Though initially imprisoned for his crimes against ponykind, the tyrant Tirek would find a brief window of opportunity to carry on his conquest plans in 3 AR—or After Reunion. Thanks to the heroism of Princess Twilight and the Elements of Harmony, Tirek was again imprisoned within Tartarus."
"Well, he looks stronger than Chrysalis, but I'll bet she's more intimidating. What do you think, Clypeus?"
Clypeus jolted in place and turned in time to see a pair of antlers powering down. They'd just finished pressing the exhibit's button with magic.
A familiar warmth settled in the drone's chest and every extremity, injected by his king's mere presence.
"It looks like you guys are enjoying the museum so far," Thorax said. He smiled at the shy drones in sequence. They smiled back timidly, and for Thorax, that effort was just as loud as words.
"You know, I haven't gotten to see everything in this room yet. Would you guys like to check some of it out with me?"
With a little effort and even more patience, the alpha changeling beckoned the pair, and together they explored the farthest right aisle of exhibits. It was a section filled with middle-of-the-road history regarding agricultural advances and the founding of famous cities. Somewhat dull perhaps, but also calm and void of anxiety-triggering crowds.
A gossamer tail brushed against Thorax's own as Clypeus attached himself to his side. Thorax watched him as they walked. With a thin frame and shorter stature than the other adults, the grey drone was the very picture of vulnerability. What little Thorax knew about him was what Calor's ramblings had taught him. He was renowned within the hive for being easily spooked, but he also had a noticeable temper to counter those who dared to pick on him.
Thorax put on a tiny smirk. If he was here, he must be a cuddlebug. Calor's invitations had been triple-checked. And if he was as shy as he appeared to be, that meant one of the few changelings lucky enough to hug this bug was trotting along just behind.
Thorax cast a subtle eye at Labrum. Even by looking at him, his energy was hard to place. The changeling moved with the silent grace of a cloud and appeared just as calm. If Thorax hadn't witnessed the former enthusiasm first-hoof, he'd have pegged the drone to be just as introverted as Clypeus.
Another tail brush disturbed Thorax's thoughts. How unusual it felt not to have loud exclamations doing so instead.
"I'm sorry I haven't been more attentive with you guys today. Cimex, Calor, Apidae, and even Xenica are all really outspoken. They tend to steal my attention when they're around, along with everyone else's."
Uncomfortable silence begot a visible wince. Thorax felt his stomach tighten the longer it lingered. It reminded him of his brother, who’d often ignore him with such silence. Finally, Labrum stepped forward to match Thorax's pace.
Thankfully for Thorax, this silence was born not from an attitude, but a simple disposition.
"That's why Calor made sure to bring Cly and me together. If only one of us had come along, we'd probably be miserable by now. But we've been able to pair off together whenever we've needed it. Right, Cly?"
A sharp chirp signaled agreement. Clypeus left Thorax's side at once for Labrum's. The drone's wings buzzed in a brief display, heralding another hug. Adoration poured from Thorax.
"I'll never get tired of seeing changelings get along," he praised. "Having someling you feel comfortable around is invaluable. How I wish I had that at your age, Clypeus. It took me leaving the hive as an adult to find anyone even willing to be my friend."
While Labrum swam in the bliss of plentiful love magic, Clypeus's smile began to slip. His focus shifted to Thorax, a concentration uncharacteristic of him.
"I don't remember you from before I molted and became an adult, Thorax. You must’ve left by then, or maybe you were just avoiding other changelings. I'm sorry you never had friends back then, but I'm glad you went away. You ended up coming back and helping everyling because of it. I never would’ve met Labrum if you never became king."
Thorax fawned, but his sentimentalities were cut short. A sharp snout dug into Clypeus's neck and reduced him to a wriggling, giggling mess.
"If I might interrupt," said Labrum. "I thought you were the changeling who wanted to goof off all day today by cuddling. Where's this serious heart-to-heart coming from?"
Attempts to step away were foiled immediately as Labrum tripped and gripped the drone, trapping him in an awkward dance of struggling and tickling.
"What are you-no, not in front of the hive leader, Labrum!"
The snout climbed Mount Clypeus and peaked its chin, forcing it upwards.
"What are you worried about Thorax for?" Labrum giggled right along with him. "He eats this stuff up. I'd think you'd want to worry more about the ponies. I mean, they think we're all weird beetle creatures already, not to mention whatever it is I'm doing."
Clypeus's wings buzzed in a rush of anxiety, but the playful onslaught masked any chance of fear. "Yeah, exactly! So knock it off! You're a total bully when you want to be, you know-" His giggles turned into laughs, which prevented him from speaking further. Unbalanced and lacking a hoofhold, he gasped and pulled them both to the ground, where he was quickly subdued again. Clypeus twitched and flailed about helplessly, pinned beneath an invasive, nuzzling nose.
But his restraint was obvious to any observing eyes. Not for a moment did he truly try to fight back.
Entranced, Thorax found himself enamored with the infectious display. The creeping guilt he'd felt choking his mood earlier had subsided. Now, the more he watched a once shy, reserved changeling so openly laugh and play, the more confident he became. It was confidence in the empathy he'd tried so hard to teach the changelings for so long. It was alive and well, flourishing in even the most unlikely changelings.
Voices began to emerge all around him, and Thorax dared a glance.
"Daddy, the colorful bugs are playing around!"
"They're charming, hun. Not all that scary now, are they?"
"Are these really changelings? They look different, sure, but they act so differently, too."
"Right! I remember beasts that hissed and growled and ensnared ponies in cocoons. What happened?"
"Juvenile, perhaps, but not the least bit threatening. Maybe the new colors are for far more than show, after all."
"Changelings feed off of love. Under our former queen, we were taught that love had to be taken."
His heart raced, his hooves sweated, but Thorax still spoke, loud and clear for the entire room to hear. He wanted to escape to an unnoticed corner, but he did not. He wanted to cast away the spotlight he'd suddenly thrust upon himself, but he did not.
Instead, he stood tall, because a good friend had once stood at odds for him, hoping to bring about change. If that change was to be achieved again today, it was his turn to champion it.
"Our queen led us astray. Love never had to be taken because we can create it for ourselves. Just by expressing affection, we nourish our minds and bodies. Just by caring for each other, we become strong."
He turned to his playful pair and inspired them to stand; with one leg, he held them in a brief yet secure embrace. He looked again at the crowd, and among the looks of intrigue was one of pride. The gorgeous sun monarch now watched him fondly.
"I became king of the changelings because I showed them a better way to live. We're completely self-sufficient now, but we've come back to Equestria because we want to do more than live happily in seclusion. The changelings want to learn about pony culture and make new friendships, and I want to erase the image of changelings that Chrysalis created. And if I can't erase it, then I want to at least bring Equestria something better. You all deserve it, and so do we."
He stopped, but only because his lips had grown dry. A hoof sharply jabbed him in the side. It was Labrum, and he was grinning.
"Bravo, King Thorax."
Celestia parted the sea of patrons as she made her way towards the king. Mild Menagerie followed in her wake, greeting familiar faces along the way and graciously staying out of the alicorn's way as she addressed her subjects.
"Equestria shines as a beacon of hope and prosperity, not just for ponies, but for all creatures big and small who would have peace in place of strife. I am honored to have the changelings as our guests today. Their story has just begun, and one day soon, I hope to see our museum record even a snippet of that story."
The alicorn did not turn, nor did she spare any subtle glance, but changelings began to breach the borders of onlookers to join her all the same. They gathered under the shade of her wings, and as if on cue, a few happenstance camera flashes twinkled.
"In the meantime," Celestia continued. "Mild Menagerie and I have helped the changelings arrange an impromptu exhibit of sorts. I believe it would be particularly enjoyable for those with young foals. Before you leave us today, please consider dropping by and saying hello."
She cast her eyes across the room, and the room looked with her. Situated in an unassuming corner was a modest sign, held aloft by a pair of plywood boards. Written in perfect cursive upon it was, 'The Reformation of Love Bugs.' Small, dried trails of paint dripped from every other letter. A tasteful lavender rug, thick with woven fibers, served as a small sitting area just beyond it. There, a red and yellow changeling sat by a large stuffed bear.
The changeling beamed to her sudden audience.
"Hello, everypony! My name is Apidae. I’m a liaison between the Changeling Kingdom and the Crystal Empire. I love to sing, explore, and learn new things about new places and creatures. I thought it'd be fun to talk with anypony who's interested in our culture. If you have little ones, I'd love to tell them funny stories about adventures I've been on."
Suddenly, the large stuffed bear erupted in a haze of blue flames, stunning the audience. A cobalt changeling with a foalish grin sat in its place, and he waved enthusiastically.
"And my name is Calor!" Within moments, a small group of foals rushed to him, bouncing excitedly in response to the flashy display of magic. He offered his attention at once and bounced in place with them. "I help King Thorax create fun and creative activities for our hive. I love to make others laugh and feel happy! If anypony or their little ponies would like to dance or play, let me know! I also give great hugs. Just ask Thorax!"
Thorax felt his heart skip a beat as the mention earned him a few dozen fleeting, bemused glances.
"Surprise!" Celestia proclaimed softly, catching his eye. Mild Menagerie swiftly resumed her duties as curator, giving the alicorn a chance to talk casually. "Admittedly a thrown-together idea, but from the looks of it, a worthwhile one."
She invited him to look again. Already, Apidae had the ear of several adult ponies, politely talking them through an apparent tale or two. Not a yard from her side was Calor, in the midst of amusing his young new fans with a series of transformations into stuffed animals. Upon each change, he played peek-a-boo and made a goofy face. From foals and parents alike, the laughter could be heard from afar.
"Admittedly a little jealous of those little ones," Celestia whispered. Thorax chuckled.
"It's perfect. Princess Celestia, you really are incredible. Did you actually notice which changelings could best do something like this in such a short time? It took me over a month just to remember everyling's name."
His remaining drones snickered. Celestia shot a wink.
"Don't give me too much credit, Thorax. You've been at this for less than a year, whereas I've had several millennia of practice. Besides, I'm not the one currently winning over the ponies of Canterlot with their charm. You've woven your own destinies since the moment you entered this city. The innocent play of your changelings, your introspective words, and now this little creative side project. Changing the public's view of changelings does not look like a grand undertaking, Thorax; it looks just like this."
"She's right. Your speech was beautiful, Thorax," said Clypeus softly. "You looked so nervous, but you still did it. And you didn't even have to. Labrum and I were just playing around. You could’ve gone and done something else or just watched, but you didn't. That's inspiring coming from you."
Thorax cursed his fidgeting with a subtle but forceful lip bite. On reflex, his hoof went behind his head.
"You guys are going to embarrass me," he whined. "I just wanted to make sure everypony had the right idea. There's so much meaning behind how we spend time together now. More than anything, that's something I want to make sure everypony knows about the new changelings."
Exhaustion came to him like a sudden weight on his inhale. Thorax sighed and eyed the rays of sunlight streaming through the skylight. The sky had begun to saturate, which meant the evening was nearly upon them. Celestia's eternal smile revealed little, but if he had to guess, their time at the museum was nearly up. Once 'The Reformation of Love Bugs' ran its course, they'd likely be heading out. It would soon be time for dinner, which meant it was time for Papa Thorax to round everyling up.
"Should we go help Calor and Apidae?" Thorax offered to his group. "You don't have to help if you don't feel up to it, but it might be nice to have all of us over there. I'd like to be able to answer questions, too, if anypony has any for me."
Clypeus opened his mouth, but his attachment to the ground was altogether rejected. He chirped frantically.
"Aye aye, Thorax," said Labrum, effortlessly heaving Clypeus onto his back from underneath. "En route to Apidae and Calor!"
"Say the line, Starlight!"
"This is ridiculous, Twilight. You realize this is ridiculous, right?"
"It's Discord, of course it's ridiculous! Now say the line!"
The ungodly jaws of a jet-black dragon threatened to eviscerate her, but Starlight curled her lip still. Grasping a long, silver blade in an aura by her horn, Twilight swung helplessly in the face of the beast, a deep red cape billowing on her back. A climactic melody led by brass and wind instruments lamented on from somewhere unseen, and from all around them, plunderseed vines crept menacingly closer, blocking off all routes of escape.
A sudden flare of fire pierced through Twilight's shield of magic, and she fell on her back. The dragon's mighty claws upheaved the ground on either side of her, and a python-sized tongue flicked in anticipation. Starlight rolled her eyes.
"Say the line!"
"For Celestia's sake...now, sword of truth, fly swift and sure. Let evil die and good endure."
A blinding light enveloped Twilight’s sword, seizing it from her control. It soared through the air towards the dragon with perfect precision, slicing through its goatee as it did. When the beast's chest was struck, it wheeled back onto its hind legs and let out a deep, horrific cry of ‘death’.
"Aauuugh! Right in the ticker!"
"This is absurd," Starlight mumbled. The chaffing of her elaborate red gown was starting to infuriate her.
Sighing, Twilight stepped forward. A piece of her daring rescue armor popped from existence with every step. When she reached the dragon, he had been reduced to a gangly, serpentine draconequus lying on the ground.
"Game over, Discord. No more games, no more stalling. The faculty event is over, and thanks to you, I’m extremely late for what is no doubt an important day for Thorax. Are you done?"
In an eerie reverse-fall, Discord rose to his claw and goat hoof. Casually brushing himself of dirt, he snapped his claw, and a pocket watch appeared between his talons. He adjusted his monocle and eyed Twilight with a triumphant smirk.
"Bravo, Princess Twilight and friend," he said, summoning replicas of himself to give a short round of applause. "I didn't think you'd manage it, but of course, you did. What devotion you have to entertain a friend at the expense of other engagements."
"Like she had a choice," Starlight muttered.
A floating doorknob entered reality by Discord's waist, and he turned it. A mindscape of horrors and nonsensical sights could be seen in the realm beyond. With one hoof in the door, Discord turned and cast the mares a parting wink.
"Enjoy your respite, ladies. I believe I've had my fill of fun and frivolity for now. I'll be sure to sing the praises of your friendship to dear Fluttershy upon her return. She’ll be so delighted to hear what model friends you all have been, although probably after expressing her disappointment with the level of shenaniganry I had to resort to; but who cares about that, right? Oh, and Twilight...do tell our good boy Thorax that I have a limitless supply of paper bags, should he need to relieve any hyperventilation by dinnertime. Immediate family always makes visits so much more complicated."
The lord of chaos stepped through his makeshift doorway, and the realm of nightmares was sealed and whisked away in an instant. Twilight was left with her protegee in what was now a long-abandoned clearing, save a few remnants of party streamers tangled within the grass.
"Don't suppose you have any idea what that meant," Starlight broached, walking up alongside her mentor.
"Maybe, but it doesn't matter right now," Twilight said decisively. She turned and gave the unicorn a prompt hug. "More importantly, thank you for sticking around, Starlight. I could’ve handled him alone, but this was all a lot less aggravating with you around."
Starlight chuckled and returned the embrace. "You're welcome. Always easier to drudge through tasks when you have a friend there to hate them with you. Now get going, will you? I'm sure between Thorax and Celestia, there's a whole lot of 'where is Twilight?' going on up there. I'll finish cleaning up here."
Twilight nodded. She looked up to the distant city with renewed resolve. Her wings spread with purpose, and with a great burst of wind, she took to the sky.
As velocity brought forth a sense of thrill, she giggled to herself. "Teleporting into the capital would be rude. Sorry for the wait, Princess Celestia, Thorax. I'm almost there."
Across the picturesque outskirts of Ponyville did the young princess soar, a purple angel teasing the grass with every beat of her wings. The sweeping base of Mount Equus quickly approached her, cradled in an otherwise modest valley by a thin stretch of trees and the snaking river fed by Canterlot's waterfalls. None but wildlife called this remote stretch home, for not even the train passed by the southwestern cliff face on its way up the mountain.
Twilight shivered. For a moment, she empathized with Rainbow Dash. The versatility of unicorn magic had raised her, but the thrill of flight had matured her. No book nor spell could make her experience the world quite like she could with a simple pair of wings.
If friendship was magic, then flight was freedom.
"Really need to bring the girls here, sometime," Twilight pondered aloud. "Thorax and the changelings, too, for that matter."
It was a shame she didn't have the time to explore the falls, to find a cozy crevice somewhere and read a book. Perhaps Princess Celestia would allow her to bore herself a little hideaway here; a private area for those particularly testy school papers.
But not today. There was no time.
The alicorn's wing beats intensified, and with a sharp upward turn, she ascended the falls. The crown of Canterlot was barely visible at a perfect ninety-degree angle, giving the illusion that the waterfall was somehow infinite.
Twilight grinned. She was a titan, climbing Mount Olymquus to dethrone the usurper gods of legend. She was Daring Do, trekking the corners of the world to discover her next adventure. She was Equestria's fourth princess, closing in on her reunion with her good friend and ally, King Cuddlebug.
Twilight giggled to herself. Oh, yes, this was better than taking the direct aerial route. And far better than teleporting.
"Cimex, don't you want to say goodbye to your statue?"
Cimex and Apidae's turbulent conversation on acquiring cement mixers for the hive came to an abrupt end. Cimex glanced at Thorax and scanned for traces of sarcasm. There were none to be found. His nose twitched. There seemed to be no anticipation either.
It was unlike Thorax to play pranks, but as a prankster himself, Cimex would take no chances, especially when his stony idols were involved.
Thus, Cimex let his excitement unearth itself, and hugged the big changeling tightly.
"Sure as shell wax, Thorax!" he proclaimed before rushing back into the museum.
"King Thorax, do changelings have any practical use for blankets?"
Thorax blinked. His instinct was a resounding ‘yes’, because blankets were pleasant. A fact that he learned during his stay in the Crystal Empire. But were they practical? Maybe not.
"Well, between our body heat during cluster naps and the underground insulation in our nesting chamber, they’re not really practical, I guess. Not that it would stop us from using them, though. Why do you ask?"
Mild Menagerie offered Thorax a warm look.
"Should you like to entertain souvenirs before you depart Canterlot, I know of a fantastic seamstress who makes the loveliest blanket patterns, just up the street. I'm sure she could stitch up a pattern of our historical statues to use, as well as anything else that may strike your fancy."
Thorax opened his mouth, to suggest that such an offer was lovely, if unnecessary, but five avatars of delight pressed into him from all sides first. His world became an unpleasant flurry of wings and voices.
"Oh, I'd love a blanket to remember Canterlot, Thorax!" Apidae chirped.
"Same! I'll get something with the sun and moon on it," Xenica said. "We can use it as a prop and make a play for the other changelings about the roleplay you and Princess Luna did, Thorax. You should reprise your role as Chrysalis."
"I know what I'd get on mine," Calor hummed, rubbing his hooves together feverishly and casting his twinkling eyes on an aloof Thorax.
From the rear of the group, Clypeus raised his hoof, only to retract it when Thorax briefly acknowledged him with a nod. Labrum scoffed and mocked a pout at this. Such slander, to be replaced by a stretch of fabric.
"We don't have bits, everyling," Thorax reminded. "I'm not against souvenirs, but we don't use pony currency, so how do you expect we pay for things?"
The group sat on their flanks. Hooves raised to answer, but each suggestion died before sprouting. Only Calor's hoof stayed erect.
"Yes, Calor?"
"I did some side jobs in the Crystal Empire to get bits for my plush, but I stopped once I got him. So, um, can we make hugs a currency?"
Thorax sighed. "No, Calor, we can't make hugs a currency."
Ears wilted. Mild sadness settled upon them all. Celestia watched their enthusiasm fade with silent heartbreak. She stepped forward.
"If I may, Thorax, I do not expect guests of mine to pay their own way while visiting Canterlot, especially when they don’t follow our currency system. I'd be happy to cover any costs for souvenirs and keepsakes, assuming the bill stays at least semi-reasonable."
She winked, and the drones perked up immediately. Thorax hoofed his face.
"Okay, we can go now!" shouted Cimex, returning from the museum. He was quickly surrounded by the other changelings and briefed on the promise of personal blankets before Thorax could even speak. The resulting cacophony of excited chirps and skittering hooves made the king feel, more than anything else, tired.
"Yes, a fine nap, indeed."
Luna emerged from a cocoon of blankets and pillows and discarded them on her unkempt bed with a toss of cobalt magic. Grogginess sat like a weight on her eyes and in her nose, but she drank in the scent of lavender to loosen its grip on her. Her horn flared, and a myriad of pampering objects attended her as she stood.
"Bring on the changelings," she challenged to her hairbrush, which seemed to shy away as it continued to readjust the stars in her ethereal mane. She grinned and opened her chamber doors in a boisterous display. Helmeted heads all down the hall turned in sequence.
"I feel ready to take on the foul locust, Chrysalis, herself. What's an evening of entertaining guests?"
"Good late afternoon, Your Highness."
Luna's bravado turned to shrewd professionalism in an instant. As she walked, a stout unicorn joined her, his quill nervously tapping his enchanted parchment. Luna faced the approaching hallway with newfound composure.
"Greetings, Shorthoof Notation. How are preparations for tonight's dinner?"
"Final preparations are now being conducted, Your Highness. The main course has been seasoned and magically suspended, and the desserts are now being finalized. Chef Sedani wishes you to know that the parsley garnish has begun to spoil, so she had to run an errand for more."
"Understood. And the dining room?"
"It has been dusted, washed, and set accordingly. Chair arrangements have been altered to accommodate the guests."
Luna briefly turned. "And my suggestion?"
"Six chairs have been moved near the southern head of the table. Three to either side."
Luna surrendered a more playful sigh, and a smile slipped past her guard.
"Thank you for staying on top of things for me this past hour, Shorthoof. I will await Chef Sedani's return and personally see to the state of things with her." She spied the sun rays shining down through the windows with growing suspicion. Yellow had already begun to tint orange. "The museum's opening should have ended by now, which means my sister will be returning soon, assuming no unexpected delays. Before you return home for the day, please check in with the washroom staff and see that water pressure and temperature are as expected. Thank you."
With a prompt nod, Shorthoof broke off down a hallway and out of sight. Only the immortal stares of Luna's guards remained in her company now. Her gaze befell the decorative ruby rug beneath her hooves, and her lip curled.
Shorthoof hadn't mentioned a word from Ponyville. So then, where in Equestria were those scouts? Where in Equestria was Twilight Sparkle?
Luna's slight irk festered into concern, and she paced past her guards without acknowledgment. Chef Sedani aside, preparations had been completed. Celestia could handle everything from here on out. Perhaps it was time to take things into her own hooves. This situation had screamed for her attention all afternoon, and she'd chosen to sleep instead. What a foalish mistake.
Luna scoffed. Her head lifted and her wings spread out. With a contained burst of wind, she crossed the remainder of the hall in an instant, touching down with strategic grace before the castle's heavy oak doors. As her aura extended towards them, a meticulous array of thoughts and scenarios filled her head and sharpened her eyes to something lethal.
The longer this unidentified absence went, the more concerning it became. A finite list of things could forcefully hold up an alicorn this long, and not one of them was pleasant. The potential for a search, even a fight, was not off the table.
Luna forged a smirk. She mustn't forget her guard units. Be it rescue or assistance, she was primed and at the ready. Harm would surely not befall any of them, not on her watch. She could scarcely remember the last time she'd even been faced with the prospect of something so exciting.
The mighty doors swung open. A familiar purple alicorn eagerly waved at her with a smile from the other side.
"Oh, hello, Princess Luna! I'm so, so sorry I'm so late! You wouldn’t believe the afternoon I've had. Are Thorax and the changelings still here? I was worried the visit might’ve ended early without my being here."
Luna stuttered, flabbergasted. Twilight chewed her hoof.
"That doesn't sound good. Oh, please tell me they're still here."
"'Closed'? B-but how can they be closed!?"
"No, not the blankets! This is a travesty! An injustice! I will not stand for this!"
"Correction, we will not stand for this!"
The changelings fell to the stone road like chopped trees. They embraced the ground in a display of turmoil and drew attention from everypony within earshot. Thorax silently contemplated disownment from a few yards away, and ever the optimist, Celestia giggled.
"Still adorable."
"Yeah, sure I guess," Thorax murmured desperately. Mild's advice from earlier continued to berate his thoughts, challenging his next move. When an idea came to him at last, he gulped and cleared his throat.
"Guys, look, we can come back to Canterlot some other time and order some blankets then. Now that we've broken the ice, we're going to come back soon. Maybe Princess Celestia would be kind enough to extend her offer till then?"
He shot a glance that screamed 'save me'. Celestia cleared her own throat to hide a snort.
"Of course." She offered her hooves to any drone who wanted help getting back up. "You're all welcome back anytime, and my offer will not expire today, nor any other day. Anything for the cutest creatures to have ever graced my kingdom."
She winked again. Bulbous eyes expanded, and wings buzzed in short, erratic spurts as the drones yipped and cheered.
Now satiated, the group moved on. The castle and its garden soon emerged to greet them, and the drones grew noticeably antsier. Thorax sought his host's eye and joined her by her wing.
"You're going to ruin their appetite for dinner with compliments like that," he hissed.
"My apologies," Celestia replied in equal volume. She trailed the cracks in the stone path with her eyes. "I'm afraid I cannot contain myself today. It's surreal to me that your visit has finally arrived. The infiltration of my niece's wedding seems like a lifetime ago and so inconsequential now. All the malice and spite, the predation, it all left with Chrysalis, and I think that's such a blessing."
She briefly eyed the colorful changelings behind her fondly.
"It's a reality I find myself processing and enjoying in the little moments. I believe dozens of ponies got to experience it today, also. I cannot understate my limited involvement in today's event, Thorax. The changelings took hope and created something tangible with it, all on their own. It might be a small gesture, but the meaning is profound."
Thorax beamed at his subjects, and heads turned towards the embrace of omnipresent love magic. The setting sun captured the glint of his changelings' eyes, highlighting their flexed cheeks and toothy smiles.
"They're improving so much," he said, intentionally loud enough for all to hear. "I tried to find empathy in Chrysalis's hive for so long that I began to lose hope. I would cry at night, alone, wishing that things were different. Then after the invasion of Canterlot, after seeing ponies so easily employ friendship, I couldn't see a way to bring it to my hive without finding it elsewhere first. That’s why I left, and why I wanted to return one day."
His drones surrounded him. Thorax looked around to see those same glinting eyes offer him support from every which way.
"If I'd have known how upset you were, I'd have at least tried to meet with you, Thorax. Secretly, if need be." Apidae pressed herself into her king’s chitin. Her wing case vibrated in a pleasant hum. "Even before I changed, I always hated seeing others suffer, and I always felt like we were missing something. I didn't think there was anyling who felt the same."
"I'd have tried to help, too." Xenica rubbed the alpha’s side with a hoof. "I wasn't very touchy-feely until I was able to feel emotions, but I would’ve offered to spend time with you."
"I still can't believe you and I never had a conversation before we changed, Thorax." Asserting himself beneath his alpha's neck, Calor out-thrummed Apidae to the best of his ability. "The hive is so crowded, and bullying was so common that I never got a chance to talk to you one-on-one. But I saw you once or twice, and I always felt bad that you were always by yourself."
Thorax sniffed. The sun ignited his own watery eyes of rose. He lowered his head, and a half-dozen hooves hugged him. Safety and energy danced within his heart as one.
"You guys really are the cream of the crop when it comes to cuddlebugs, aren't you? Maybe I wasn't as alone as I thought. I guess I was rather shy and intimidated around everyling in retrospect. Those changelings I did approach wouldn't so much as talk to me. Maybe I got too discouraged."
One hoof, in particular, squeezed Thorax more tightly than the others. It was Clypeus, embracing Thorax front and center. With both hooves hooked onto his neck, his chirps put all others to shame.
"I think it's better you didn't find anyling you could relate to, Thorax. It's like I told you. If you had found someling to talk to, you might’ve gotten complacent and stayed. Nothing would’ve changed. We needed someling to get out and discover a better way. We needed you to leave so that you could come back and bring us something new."
From yards away, Celestia stood in the fading light and fought back infectious tears, smiling. Another moment to process and adore, but this one was gorgeous even in symmetry and light. The changelings' shells gleamed with stars of their own, illuminating them like fireflies.
"True growth often happens when we are at our lowest point," Celestia whispered. She gazed at the approaching walls of Canterlot Castle, and at her sun, hiding just out of view from behind the highest peak. "I know several ponies who have experienced that as well, Thorax."
As the sun dulled into a calming tangerine, night and friendship conversed in the castle foyer. The alicorns sat upon opposing chairs in a cozy corner of the room, sharing a brew of tea and a small coffee table.
"Discord," Luna murmured, bringing closure to Twilight's recollection. She discarded the word with obvious contempt, and her teacup clinked upon her tray rather sharply. "Why does that not surprise me? It absolutely fits the climate of today's events."
Twilight sipped her cup. "He's been on a bit of a mission lately to 'help', both around the school and with his friends. Admittedly, the results have sometimes been helpful, as I mentioned the other night, but they've all been disruptive and wildly inappropriate."
"Well, of course. He cannot puppeteer the minds and hearts of ponies anymore without falling out of favor with those he is close to, so he must cast his strings elsewhere."
A tiny grimace briefly switched places with Twilight’s smile.
"I take it you still don't fully trust Discord?"
Luna closed her eyes momentarily and breathed deeply.
"I understand that chaos and disruption are within Discord's nature. But unlike my sister, who secretly finds his reigned-in behavior amusing, I am time and time again irked by his erratic loyalties. He continues to step wildly out of bounds but never receives true punishment or reprimand. The incident with Tirek, for example. Lest we forget, he betrayed all of Equestria for a chance of reliving his glory days of unrestrained control."
Luna sighed. She levitated her cup again, only to slowly roll it on the edge of its coaster.
"Jealousy is forever my weakness, Twilight Sparkle, for even now I am not entirely free of it. I see this issue from the position of a leader concerned for her subjects and Equestria's security, but I also see it as an injustice to myself. When I stepped wildly out of line, I was banished for a thousand years. I learned my lesson. Discord suffered a similar fate but has repeatedly insulted my sister's decision to reform him."
She could feel her brows furrowing. The weight of her own monologue was getting to her. She looked at Twilight and saw nothing but intrigue. The purple alicorn was on the edge of her seat, only breaking eye contact when switching to the opposite eye. Luna returned the earlier charity and smiled.
"I rarely voice these concerns to Celestia because they are always a cause of disagreement. I cite an unstable supernova of power, seemingly always on the verge of moral regression. She cites an embodiment of nature that has defied its own existence in favor of friendship. To my sister, the very fact Discord could even be made to coexist at all is proof that it is all worthwhile, and that his metaphorical leash should be given slack."
The void of silence crept upon them. Twilight withdrew herself into thoughtfulness and examined the trim of gold patterning along her teacup's base.
"Forgive me. I do not mean to tarnish your views or relationship with Discord, Twilight Sparkle."
"No, no, don't apologize. I totally understand where you're coming from, princess, believe me. I was one of the last ponies in my group of friends to trust Discord after he reformed. I’d be lying if I said I don't question my trust in him sometimes."
Wrapped in magic, the teacup ascended to eye-level, and from there, Twilight's focus made the short jump to Luna. They shared a sympathetic smile.
"I recommend you talk with Fluttershy sometime, Your Highness."
"Oh?"
"Nobody is closer to or understands Discord as well as she does," Twilight explained. "Your sister pegged her as the best fit to reform Discord long before I even thought it possible. Every time Discord does something that irks me, I talk to her, and I see a new perspective. Did you know that after Tirek's defeat, Discord offered a bouquet of flowers to Princess Celestia? According to Fluttershy, he needed no prompt to apologize to her for his serious lapse in judgment. She believes he grew from the experience."
Luna’s brow furrowed again. "No," she said quietly. "Celestia never mentioned anything like that to me."
"Fluttershy and I discuss Discord a lot from time to time. Emotionally, he's not so different from a foal. A nigh-omnipotent, highly intelligent foal, but a foal nonetheless. Frankly, he's terrible at being rational. He operates on impulse and has a lot of pride. Tirek used that to his own advantage, and you saw how it turned out. But in the aftermath of his mistake, Discord came to own up to it in his own way. Since his reformation, his heart has always found its way to the right place, and I think that's what Princess Celestia sees in him."
The muffled sound of voices came like chittering mice from somewhere beyond the front doors. Luna and Twilight both turned and rose to their hooves. Twilight readied herself for the onslaught of newcomers.
"Being friends with a god-like entity with the emotional range of a foal is bound to be a very bumpy road, but for all his trouble, Discord has proven to be a good friend more times than I can count. The fact I can say that even after being delayed by him all morning must mean something, right?"
The doors opened to a wave of pleasantries, as well as her sister's inevitable squeal at her protege's surprise appearance, but Luna remained fixated on Twilight for a time. Her smile reflected gratitude as much as shared excitement with the rest of the room.
"Twilight! Oh, I'm so glad you're here!"
Twilight closed her eyes upon an embrace with Celestia. It was no ‘Sunshine, Sunshine, Ladybugs Awake’ shake, but it was definitely her second favorite princess greeting.
"Glad to have made it," she stated, greeting the group of changelings with a smile. "Discord held me up at the appreciation dinner I had for all the school staff. Still not exactly sure why. I definitely need to talk with Fluttershy about it when she returns from her trip, but until then, here I am!"
She nervously chuckled. Thankfully, seven pairs of changeling ears were aloof to it.
"How did the museum go?" Luna asked, eyeing Celestia and closing the doors behind the changelings with a motion of magic. "Afraid I've not stepped outside since waking up. I thought I would travel to Ponyville, to see just what became of Twilight, but she'd found the doorstep before I could leave. "
"It went wonderfully," Celestia recalled proudly. "We all got a thorough rundown of Equestrian history, to be sure, but more importantly, the changelings were able to interact with Canterlot ponies while we were there. Mild Menagerie gave us a tour and spent much of her time with us while we were there. It was lovely."
She looked at the changelings. All but Thorax grinned. Said exception sheepishly looked elsewhere.
"I wish I could’ve gone with you all," Twilight expressed. "If not for Discord, I would’ve been in Canterlot well before the opening. I'm sorry, Thorax. I really wanted to be there with you."
"You were there with us in spirit, Twilight," Thorax chuckled. "We learned a whole lot thanks to Celestia's friend. Not to mention, most of the exhibits had these really fascinating narration buttons that talk to you, so that was fun. Not to downplay whatever narration you could’ve provided, of course. Maybe we can go the next time I visit, and I can bring some other changelings."
At one time mentioned, Celestia's attention flickered. At twice mentioned, Discord's name caught it.
"Twilight, what exactly happened with Discord?"
Twilight sighed. A question had been posed, and so her autobiographical prowess cracked its proverbial ligaments.
"He took all the dinner decor and furnishings and made a giant pile of mayhem with it. He kept trying to press my patience, knowing that I’d want it cleaned up. So we, well, sort of mock-fought, I guess, for a while. There were costumes, illusions, and transformations I didn't even begin to try and understand. Must’ve been from Ogres and Oubliettes."
Curious eyebrows peaked all around.
"Eventually, he backed off," she concluded. "Seemed to me like he was holding me off for a certain amount of time. It felt like he didn't want me attending the museum opening with you all."
"Perhaps he was trying to garnish more attention for himself?" Luna offered. "Thorax has been in the spotlight among your group of friends lately, Twilight."
"If I had to guess, it sounds like Discord may be indirectly helping his friends again," Celestia countered. She held a hoof to her chin. "From what you told me, Twilight, Discord indirectly assisted Thorax in several ways during his own visit to see the changelings. Who's to say his delaying you today was actually about you, at all?"
As the coven of princesses continued, the changelings found cool places on the floor to seat their flanks. Clypeus sought comfort from Labrum again by bundling himself against the bigger changeling. Calor curiously examined the trim teacups, now forgotten by Twilight and Luna. Apidae pleasantly chatted with Xenica, and Cimex surveyed the grandiose foyer with foalish intrigue.
Thorax sat between them all, his large ears twitching to something strange and altogether out of place. Spooked, he peered at the closed front doors as if he'd seen a ghost. His eyes narrowed.
There was no way what he was feeling was right.
"Perhaps Discord wanted to give Celestia and I a plentiful chance to spend time with Thorax, one-on-one," Luna remarked.
"Perhaps. Did Discord say anything of note, Twilight?" Celestia asked. "I've certainly never known him to be shy about sharing exposition or riddles. Anything you can recall?"
Twilight pondered. She did her best to recall every word Discord had said. Obscure references, idioms, and jokes littered their entire fight, but nothing of substance. Certainly nothing indicating some sly scheme to keep Twilight from making memories with friends.
"No, I don't think he-"
Just then, she remembered something. There was something she'd dismissed before his retreat, something her pupil had not.
Don't suppose you have any idea what that meant?
Twilight bore holes through the floor as she paraphrased what she could from memory.
"'Twilight, do tell Thorax that I have a supply of paper bags, should he need to relieve any hyperventilation by dinnertime. Family always makes visits more complicated'."
A thunderous knock caused several changelings to jump. Three sets of crowns turned where Thorax had already ventured. There was a moment of quiet as a confirmation knock was waited for.
When it came, Luna nodded knowingly.
"Chef Sedani with the garnish, no doubt. If not, surely more aristocrats seeking advice. Best leave it to me, Thorax."
Luna moved to Thorax's side and politely shooed him away. Thorax pranced in place as if on hot coals.
"B-but princess, I have a feeling it's-"
The setting sun sprung forth into the foyer and brought with it an elongated shadow. Vivid blue-violet eyes commanded a face of total indifference. A pair of short, sharp antlers cast a telling silhouette.
"Hello, moon princess. Wow, you're a lot shorter than I thought you'd be. Is my dork of a brother here? I have a package for him and a message."
From between the changeling's antlers emerged a pair of tiny hooves. They heaved up a pair of crimson orbs sinister enough to pierce the soul. One of those hooves jutted out decisively at Thorax.
"I see him! See, Uncle Pharynx!? He's right there, we found him! I told you he'd be in the big pony castle because that's where I would go if I were him! By the way, hey Papa Thorax, we're here now!"
Gasps of mixed reception sounded from every changeling. Every changeling, that is, except Thorax, who shrunk against the floor in a full-blown panic attack.
"Apex?" he wheezed. "Pharynx, you brought Apex to Canterlot!?"
"Oh, right, the message." Pharynx cleared his throat. "Thorax, following your insistence on adopting broader vacations for hive workers, the nursery changelings have decided to go on leave this week."
"Wait, now? All at once!?"
"Yes, all at once. Apparently, they've all decided they're all excellent friends now and want to do something outside work together. Stellar job on not setting up contingency policies for when vacations lead to understaffing, Thorax."
Amidst his emotional crisis, Thorax frowned.
"And before you point at me, I'm opting out of nymph-sitting." Pharynx’s antlers ignited, and Apex was lifted from his head. "I have rigorous training regiments to run and other work to do that must remain nymph-free if I'm to get anything done. Besides, something tells me he prefers your sap to my sass, anyway. So tag, little brother, you're it."
Thorax sighed as he watched Apex float over to him. With a plop, the tiny nymph was dropped. He snickered from atop his new throne.
"Peachy. Now the tiny terror is here. Better evacuate the city, Your Highnesses. Noling can conjure headaches like Apex can!"
A pestering hoof prodded at Apex's crimson shell. He huffed and kicked at it with his back legs. Thorax, whose head served as the battlefield, winced through it all.
"I am not a tiny terror!" Apex retorted, leaping to his hooves and wheeling around in one motion. A grunt of discomfort from Thorax went unnoticed. "I am a 'rambunkshious bedbug'. That's what Papa Thorax said. And that means I outrank you, Xenny. Did Papa Thorax give you an awesome nickname?"
He paused, but only long enough for Xenica to barely open her mouth before adding, "I didn't think so!"
Xenica pursed her lips, playing along. Her hivemates snickered for her.
Apex's tail swished to and fro in front of Thorax's face. The alpha lazily blew at the pesky appendage, but his eyes pursued another target. His brother's uncanny smirk continued to mock him from across the room, and Thorax couldn't decide on returning one of equal snark or something more irate.
"Enjoying yourself, Pharynx?" The smirk had won. He wouldn’t suffer his brother's belittling before the eyes of Equestria's near-complete coregency. "Did you really come all the way here yourself, just because you couldn't handle Apex? Were all the messenger and escort changelings on vacation, too?"
An uncomfortable moment of quiet led to a decisive drop of Pharynx's head. It then shook slowly to the beat of a menacing chuckle.
"Sure, I'll bite," Pharynx cooed with an eerie smile. He stepped into the foyer proper, taking it upon himself to close the front doors with a burst of magic. "See, I was going to leave quietly and let you get on with whatever chimeric mesh of politics and touchy-feely nonsense is clearly going on here. But you know what, Thorax? You wanna sass me, instead? I got time."
Pharynx advanced steadily towards Thorax, who braced himself for the coming storm of sarcasm. The trio of alicorns, meanwhile, stayed unnoticed on the sidelines and watched with interest.
"Quite charming, isn't he?" Luna deadpanned. "He breaks Thorax's mold entirely. I must admit, after seeing such positive behavior from the rest of the changelings, I'm surprised to see one so..."
"Gruff?" Twilight offered. Luna nodded. "I've never met him face-to-face before, either. I've heard quite a bit about him from Thorax and Starlight, though."
"Was he not present during your initial visits to the hive, Twilight?" Celestia asked, fighting to contain her giggling at the brotherly faceoff.
"Not even once. Starlight told me that before his reformation, Pharynx was a figurative black sheep. He tended to stay away from the other changelings, and when he was around, he went out of his way to cause disarray because he disagreed with how things were being run. And according to Thorax, he didn't even see Pharynx for weeks after Chrysalis's defeat."
"Hmm. A spiteful sibling feeling cast aside. How such a thing could spark rebellion baffles the mind."
Luna grinned shamelessly, even as Celestia’s head turned slowly towards her.
Across the room, the boisterous taunting escalated.
"Don't tell me you're losing your touch, Thorax." Pharynx’s hoof was like a snake that dodged and weaved every attempt to block it from showering Thorax's carapace with light jabs. His sneer grew the more Thorax protested. "Don't tell me His Royal Dorkbug, he who has mastered the art of the hug, can't handle one more changeling. I mean, it's not like you're essentially on vacation right now. It's not like you have three princess escorts here to help you keep an eye on everyone."
"I don't object to having Apex with me, but I was trying to keep myself and our schedule as stress-free as possible by having our group be relatively small," Thorax said, annoyed. His temper boiled in an instant with a flare of his eyes. "And will you knock it off? I might be able to handle six drones and a nymph today, but six drones and two nymphs is too much."
The assailing hoof retreated. A choir of chittering sounded from behind Thorax and harmonized with the alicorns’ giggles.
"There's that bite your dragon friend taught you," Pharynx commented coolly. He cracked a joint in his leg, and like a switch turned off, his demeanor changed. "I brought the gnat myself because I don't trust anyone else to do it, Thorax. No changeling other than a hive leader should be transporting nymphs across borders, and I can't spare to send a sizable squad right now. We're understaffed as it is. Which I can't understate enough is your fault."
For the first time, Pharynx offered his attention to the greater crowd. He met each welcoming face with the same reservation: a face etched from stone, unflinching and unremarkable.
"Besides, I was starting to feel restless. Figured I should at least make an appearance; show your pony friends that I'm more than this faceless big brother who never leaves the hive."
"Well, that certainly doesn't sound like you," Thorax quipped. "You love being a homebody and a loner. It kind of sounds like you're saying that you missed us, big brother. That you missed me."
Thorax beamed. Pharynx rolled his eyes.
"Like a head cold, Thorax. What I miss is you distracting the drones with your sap so I can actually get work done. Speaking of which, is this little field trip about done yet? The first changeling to look me in the face and tell me it takes more than an entire day to look at pony drawings is getting laughed at."
Pharynx raised a hoof to step forward, and his brother was suddenly consumed in a flurry of buzzing wings and tightening hooves. At that moment, Thorax found himself embraced within an assembled shield of changelings. The drones challenged the beta with looks lively enough to disarm his scowl.
"Sorry, Pharynx," said Clypeus. The drone huddled himself behind Thorax, peeking out from behind the alpha's chest crystals. "We can't go home yet. The princess ponies invited us to have dinner with them. I think we're obligated."
"Which means we can't let you bugnap Thorax, either," Xenica continued, pressing herself into Thorax from his immediate side and wearing a sly little smirk. "Or continue to rile him up, for that matter. Could you tone down the tough love for a bit? Physical meals get spoiled by stress, you know. Adds way too much spice."
"Glad to know I'm just a meal ticket at this point, guys," Thorax mumbled.
"You should stay and come to dinner with us, Pharynx," Calor added, pulling himself over the curvature of Thorax's shell. "Thorax would love for you to come, assuming you don't tell embarrassing stories about him the entire time."
"Wh-hold on, whose side are you guys on, anyway?"
Pharynx visibly shivered. He buckled under the sudden eruption of concentrated love magic. Oh, what a horrible mistake he'd made, leaving the cold embrace of the hive's lower bowels.
"Cuddlebugs, I swear," he murmured. He turned to the princesses and motioned a hoof to the ball of glitter and buzzing wings. "And you lot are seriously buying this? You sure you don't want to go to war with us just on principle, at this point? This is way more terrifying than anything Chrysalis could’ve dreamed up, trust me."
The princesses chuckled. Ever the icebreaker, Celestia stepped forth to formally greet the co-monarch. While she did, Luna whispered into Twilight’s ear.
"I retract my earlier statement, Twilight Sparkle. He's actually quite funny."
"Hello, Pharynx." Celestia greeted the changeling with a bow. "Or is it 'Prince Pharynx' now?"
"Just Pharynx." The changeling nodded briefly in return. "Thorax and I disagree on a lot of things, but royal titles being superficial is not one of them."
"Of course. Well, in case my guards failed to properly greet two changeling dignitaries today, I'd like to welcome you to Canterlot, Pharynx. It's our privilege to host both you and your brother."
Celestia peered at Luna. The two shared a brief gaze, one that served as a signal for its receiver.
"As your subject so generously mentioned, you are, of course, welcome to join us for dinner," Luna said. "I do not know Thorax's plans for the evening, but it is certainly the last planned item on our list."
Twilight trotted over to her tall, colorful friend.
"Aren't they impressive?" Her pupils had become stars. "I call it the 'Sister Cycle Two-Step'. They use it with all the foreign dignitaries. It has a ninety-nine percent success rate. I know. I've checked."
She waited for a response to her fangirling. When it didn't come, she sought Thorax's face. It was sheepish and distracted, caught by a rather devilish glare that Twilight was only now noticing.
It was Pharynx, and thankfully for Twilight, he repeated himself.
"Well, Thorax? We're all listening. What are your plans for the evening? Are we heading back after dinner, or are you gonna find some excuse to have a sleepover?"
"Always ready to embarrass me in front of everyone," Thorax hissed. His timidity had started to evaporate the longer he stared down at his brother. When he next spoke, it was clear and concise.
"I don't know yet. After dinner, I wanted to see how everyling was feeling. Maybe we’d head home from there if everything was settled. Although that was before you dropped Apex on me, Pharynx. He'll be tired after dinner this late, and I don't think either of us wants to try a journey home with a nymph after dark. If you think he's made you miserable now, try after his sleep schedule gets messed up. I might just stay here with him until daybreak. If any of the adults want to go home sooner, they could go with you. I assume you wouldn't want to stay overnight."
Pharynx’s flicker of smugness quickly faded. He'd walked into that one. Voices piped up from around Thorax's legs before he could respond.
"Who’d want to go home early? Ponies have good food, pretty castles, and fireplaces."
"A nice dip in our hot springs tomorrow after staying a night in the castle sounds amazing."
"Sleepovers mean cluster sleep in cozy pillows, right?" To his own question, Calor looked at Thorax. The alpha smiled weakly.
"Um, I hate to impose, Your Highnesses, but would you even be open to the idea of some of us staying the night? If not, I'm sure we could find somewhere in the city to stay. I remember the concept of hotels, though I'm not exactly sure how they work. We can figure it out."
"Nonsense," Luna declared. "The castle is vast, and even with our live-in staff, has several unused guest rooms available. You'll not need to learn the intricacies of hotel etiquette tonight, Thorax."
Luna winked, and to her left, Celestia not-so-subtly danced in place.
"Fine. Plan B, it is," Pharynx said. He promptly turned his back to the group and made headway for the door. "As for me, you're right, Thorax. I can spare neither the time nor the patience for staying here till dawn. Enjoy your pony food. I'll have a patrol squad ready to meet you all back at the hive in the morning."
"Uncle Pharynx, you're leaving already?"
Pharynx stopped. He could feel tiny eyes watching him, with an aura of desperation surrounding them. He sighed.
"Yes, I am. I should help Tarsus and Tibia keep the hive safe tonight."
"But what about the princess ponies and the dinner?"
"You, Thorax, and the adults are here to have dinner with them." To this, a few reassuring head pats befell Apex from his adult hivemates. "My attendance is a non-issue."
"But, what about Papa Thorax?"
Pharynx rolled his unseen eyes. "What about him?"
"Remember? When we were flying here and I said I was excited to see Papa Thorax again, you said 'I figured so', so then I said 'are you excited to see him, too?', and then you said 'hardly', and so I said 'but he's your brother, shouldn't you be happy to see him?'"
The eye-roll skidded to a stop.
"You didn't say anything about Thorax after that, but I felt warmness when I asked you that." Unbeknownst to Apex, his tall, multi-colored chariot was already grinning slyly. "Papa Thorax says warmness happens when changelings share love or feel love. You must have been excited to see him too, right, Uncle Pharynx?"
"For Hive's sake, let's write them a novel," Pharynx groaned. "Reenact a play while we're at it. Can't get away from the chatter even when I'm about to leave."
He turned in a bout of frustration, ready to vent further, but was stopped again. Thorax watched him with a kind of limitless patience and an indecipherable smile. Pharynx couldn't bring himself to turn his back again, not while trapped by a look like that.
"I was right earlier, wasn't I? Bringing Apex here wasn't really about getting time to yourself, at all." His heart leaped, his energy capped, but still, Thorax spoke softly. "It was an excuse. You really were hoping to get us to come home tonight, weren't you?"
"The gnat is getting better at tapping into his freaky empathy powers." Pharynx glared at Apex, only to get a tongue in return. "And yes, it seems I am, too. Emotions still make me sick, but lately, I've gotten it down to dry heaving."
Thorax dared to beam a wholesome look once again. It wasn't a direct answer, but then, he hadn't expected or needed one.
His big brother missed him, and it was all he could want in the world.
"...Far be it for me to ruin the moment," Luna said, "but does this mean you'll at least be staying for dinner, after all, Pharynx?"
Pharynx closed his eyes and moaned. True to his confession, he could feel the otherworldly tug of some unseen force in his abdomen, cluing him into the anticipation and excitement saturating the room. He could feel heat numbing the depths of his chilled heart, chipping away at his precious indifference.
He raised his head and glared at Thorax. Ultimately, this was all his fault. If the once-great patrol leader would fall to the clutches of hippiedom, then an even greater call for brotherly torment would soon be in order.
"Yeah, guess that's what's happening now," Pharynx answered flatly. He trotted back towards the group to the onset of victorious cheers. There, he met Thorax and demanded his eyes.
"To be clear, I'm not staying the night. After dinner, I'll head back, with or without anyone else."
"Yeah, alright."
Thorax held a cheeky little smile. Pharynx would’ve uppercut it if he cared any less about making his brother cry.
"You're a dork. A tall, sentimental eyesore of a dork. If I wake up someday soon with new pansy colors because I fell too deep into this new age love philosophy of yours, I'm coming for you."
"I love you too, Pharynx."
Pharynx smiled, though it was more conniving than his brother realized. His gaze bypassed Thorax.
"Yeah, I know you do. Hey, moon princess, can I bother you for a second?"
Thorax blinked confusedly. He watched his brother trot over to the lunar monarch and embrace her without so much as a word, and as a result, his face twisted with shock. A silent gasp was audibly filled by his drones in his place.
"Goodness, whatever did I do?" Luna chuckled, returning the hug.
"Just in the right place at the right time, princess," Pharynx whispered, dragging out the embrace until he could hear his brother's stammering.
"B-but you...What are-why would you-"
"Geez, Thorax, guess I'm getting used to this 'feeling emotions' thing even faster than I thought." His smile contorted into something blatantly sinister. "Now, where's this fabled dinner at? I admit I'm curious to see how greens and grains compare to greens and small arthropods."
"B-but Pharynx, you've never spontaneously hugged anyling in your life, not even me." Thorax's voice cracked, and his lip bordered a pout. From amidst his mobile fortress of doting changelings, he grew visibly antsy. His maturity slipped away from him, but he didn't care. "I don't get one? Seriously? You're going to throw away your first act of charitable affection just for a chance to tease me? I thought you missed me!"
Pharynx scoffed. "Well, that doesn't sound like me, Thorax. Sure, maybe I missed you, but you know I don't hug dorks. I just tolerate hugs from them, now. I think we've been over my rules for this."
A knock interrupted the scene, and everyone's collective focus shifted. This time, it was Luna who reached the front doors first.
"Now for absolute certain," she said with confidence. "Dinner is just around the corner, everyone. Our esteemed castle cook, Chef Sedani, has returned."
Before Luna's aura could so much as turn the knob, the oak doors were blasted open. There, standing tall and proud, was a young mare wearing a comically tall toque. Her hoof extended towards the sky to present a small pouch of purchased parsley. She addressed the alicorns with a violent whip of her head, offering respectful nods and a single eye unobscured by her frizzy, orange bangs.
"I have returned, m'ladies," she crowed, dramatically clenching her free hoof. "The garnish has been secured. We shall have a feast unlike anything our changeling friends have ever seen."
There was a long, intense silence. Twilight was the first to speak.
"Is...is she by any chance-"
"Related to Photo Finish?" Luna finished. "Yes, and we get that a lot."
Celestia smiled knowingly and shook her head. "There's a reason Canterlot is often called the 'City of the Sisters', and I assure you it's not just because of Luna and I. Even you'd be surprised by how many pairs of sisters live here, Twilight."
"Where'd those white and black grains go? Ah, there they are."
Pharynx’s magic latched onto a pair of glass shakers hiding among a network of bowls, trays, and utensils.
"Salt and pepper, Pharynx," Thorax corrected, rotating a fork in his aura to wind up a spool of pasta. "We're uncultured, but not that uncultured."
"You know, I must be a glutton for punishment." Pharynx maintained his sneer, even as he devoured his noodles and smeared his mouth with sauce. "Because I don't even need this seasoning when your moping sours my taste buds for me, Thorax."
"I told him this would happen," Xenica sang. She drew giggling from the purple alicorn seated next to her. "You can't tell, Princess Twilight, but Thorax is very gloomy. It tastes like stale, sour berries. Not fun for anyling within empathy range."
Twilight ventured her own assessment of the tall changeling. His back hunched slightly, and he stared at the table glumly. Whenever his changelings tried calling to him, he only responded with a fleeting smile.
"Oh, I can tell just fine, I think," Twilight reckoned. She thought about saying something to him to cheer him up, but she didn't. He didn't really need it. Not from her.
"If you want a hug so bad, Thorax, stop pouting and come get one," Pharynx said gruffly, a napkin recklessly launching itself to wipe his snout. "I was just messing with you earlier. I won't stop you. You know what my terms are. If you follow them, you'll get your hug and get away unscathed."
Giggling sprouted from around the table.
"There are terms and conditions for giving and receiving hugs in changeling culture?" Luna mused aloud.
"Well, yes, but also no," said Apidae, dabbing a napkin to her face with her own cherry aura. "After we discovered that shared love magic is regenerative for both the body and mind, Thorax came up with the 'Physical Meal Therapy' policy. Hugs are now the normal social response for anyling who has a sour, sad taste. They instantly feel better, and noling else has to taste tartness on their tongue. It's a win-win."
"Pharynx is just a special case," Xenica added cheekily. "He is the undisputed leader of the anti-cuddlebugs."
"The grumpbugs," corrected Calor.
"That is not a term," Pharynx grumped.
"The anti-cuddlebugs are changelings who prefer not to share love magic through physical gestures," Apidae clarified, eyeing the elder pair of alicorns. "They still sustain themselves through friendships, of course. Even by anti-cuddlebug standards, though, Pharynx is known to be very strict. He won't let nearly anyling touch him, let alone hug him. Thorax is a big exception, but even he has to follow certain rules."
"A soft spot for his sibling, then," Luna summarized. "How sweet."
"It was that or suffer this moping of his every waking second." Pharynx abandoned his silverware in favor of grasping piles of noodles with his magic. "Being a changeling means being adaptive. I just happen to deal with needy family more than espionage tactics, these days."
"It isn't even about the hug," Thorax sighed. "I'm just surprised to hear that you've been experiencing the effects of love magic more recently, Pharynx. Last I knew, you were still unreadable by anyling in the hive."
"What, am I improving too fast for you, now? This is what you've wanted all along, Thorax. I'm registering my hippie card. So where's this moping coming from?"
"N-no, that's not it. I just thought you'd have told me about something like this before now."
"Poor Thorax." Cimex whispered in Labrum's ear. "This is definitely about the hug."
Labrum nodded.
"When were you going to tell me?" Thorax asked.
"Probably if and when it ever became relevant, Thorax," Pharynx replied. "I haven't told you for the same reason I don't attend your goofy feelings forums. I do not talk about my feelings. Not now, nor ever."
"But I-"
"And I'm certainly not going to keep you in the loop just for the sake of it, either. I'd never hear the end of your fawning. Seriously, you’d bumble over yourself every time I so much as greet someone and feel an exchange. I'm improving, Thorax, and that's where the topic can stay."
Thorax recoiled in his seat, suffering the loss for now. His mood quickly lifted, however, as he felt the tapping of hooves on his head. He spun another spool of pasta and offered it to Apex, still crowned atop his head. When tiny drops of sauce fled the nymph's tongue, they dripped onto Thorax's nose, and they both chuckled.
"So, Pharynx," Twilight started softly, putting on a toothy grin in hopes that it would counteract the beta’s foul attitude. "Princess Celestia and I visited the hive shortly after Chrysalis's defeat, but I don't recall seeing you. Thorax only said recently that you were avoiding the other changelings by using the hive's lowest chambers. He felt it best not to bring you up until you were there to introduce yourself-"
"Oh, is that what he said?" Pharynx interrupted. "Well, that's a shocker. How strange for Thorax to avoid awkward topics like he avoids confrontation—entirely."
Dead silence. Thorax shrank in his seat. As he did, Apex fell to his hivemates’ eye levels and waved to them.
"If you don't mind me asking, what made you decide to emerge again?" Twilight asked, sweat breeding on her brow. A thick layer of tension had fallen, but she’d gone too far to stop now. "Starlight Glimmer is my pupil, you see, and she relayed a lot of what she learned, but she never talked about your motives. I just thought I'd pick your brain while we had a chance to talk."
More silence. Twilight didn't dare turn, but the unsure looks from Celestia and Luna haunted her third eye. A cup of sparkling water didn't dare disobey Pharynx as it was magically whisked to his lips. He regarded the taste with a grunt.
"I separated myself because I wasn't sure if our queen would return in vengeance or not," he said at last. "Moreover, I wasn't sure how I was supposed to react if that happened. Do I turn traitor on the spot for a regime that, while extreme, worked well for centuries, or do I uphold it, even if it meant betraying my brother's hopes in the process?"
The silence became Pharynx's to command. He sighed, as if it were some great chore to do so much talking.
"I won’t lie; I was undecided at first. I'm loyal to the hive, not to a leader, but even so, Chrysalis was overthrown largely with the help of outsiders. A coup is one thing, but a coup involving non-changelings is just dirty. Thorax knew it, too. He was antsy for weeks, terrified of the rogue changelings, and dreaded Chrysalis returning for her throne. He was afraid he'd have to deal with her. Frankly, he's one lucky twit that she seemed to focus her fury on your pupil instead, princess."
Twilight's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, how did-"
"Everyone heard what Chrysalis said before she fled. I may not have shown myself at the time, but I was there. Chrysalis ordered the entire hive to converge in the throne room. I'm just one of the few changelings that didn't jump ship over the first promise of free food."
Pharynx drank in the weighted air. It festered with a sour aftertaste. He watched the changelings fidget in their seats, their melancholic faces plain to see. Meanwhile, the trio of alicorns watched him with heartfelt investment, rigid and at attention by comparison.
Pharynx cracked his neck. This was all starting to drain him. Thorax was just lucky the food wasn't half bad.
"Anyway, the rest should be obvious. He's a dolt, but it's always been my job to look out for Thorax. If I had stayed a loyalist, and Chrysalis did somehow take back the hive, she’d have destroyed him for certain. Loyalty was not worth that."
"...I was in the throne room, too, and I recall seeing Pharynx," Labrum spoke up. "I remember all of it. He looked about ready to jump in and attack Chrysalis himself, if Starlight hadn't helped."
Pharynx let out a groan. The tension in the air was sucked from existence by some supernatural love vacuum. The changelings' soft chittering had returned.
"Pharynx has a very powerful big brother mode," Xenica said, looking at Twilight. "Before Thorax left the hive, Pharynx protected him from bullies all the time. He also took the heat for Thorax whenever he ended up on the other end of Chrysalis's fury."
"Oh, you mean like the time Thorax failed to cocoon those outpost ponies?" Calor queried. "He told them to evacuate and then dressed up some scarecrow ponies to try and fool Chrysalis. She was furious."
Calor and Xenica shared a look and nodded. When Calor wreathed himself in flames, the ghastly visage of Chrysalis sat in his place. She descended on Xenica with a face unhinged, her ratty mane whipping about.
"Thorax, you stupid, crawling grub! Not only can you not follow the simplest order, but you also dare to insult your queen's intelligence, as well? A likeness made of hay and earth? Do you truly believe such a farce could deceive me!?"
Visibly unbothered, Xenica burst into flames as well.
"Please forget about him, Your Highness," a faux Pharynx said calmly. The tinier, red-finned drone seemed so inconsequential next to the towering changeling monarch, but he still stared her down with confidence. "Thorax is weak. He doesn't have the courage to handle fieldwork yet. It's my fault. I resolved to train him, and I believed him to be ready to handle an assignment, but I was wrong. I will see to his improvement."
The changelings resumed their pastel colors and laughed. Thorax whimpered.
"Do we really need to do this, though?" he murmured, his cheeks reddening. "I mean, just when I thought I’d forgotten about that."
"I was her head of patrol, Xenica," Pharynx muttered, having conveniently pinned his eyes to an adjacent door for the entire act. "I just knew I could get away with angering her, unlike him. Me getting yelled at made more sense than him getting hurt or banished."
"Big. Brother. Mode." Xenica spelled out with a widening grin. Pharynx snorted again.
"It is another reason I left, though," Thorax said. To distract himself from making eye contact, he began to mildly harass Apex with a probing hoof. "I wanted friends, and I wanted to introduce friendship to the hive if I could, for sure. But I also didn't want to burden Pharynx anymore. He went through so much because of me. I couldn't let him compromise his position just to continue helping me stay somewhere I didn't want to be."
"Don't spout gibberish, Thorax," Pharynx remarked sullenly. "Like any of that would’ve mattered on a day where she tried to hurt you. Labrum is right. If you hadn't done something in that throne room, I would’ve."
Thorax sniffed. Thankfully, only Apex noticed, so only one pair of glowing orbs pried for him.
He would definitely be needing that hug soon.
"I believe I know the rest of the story, thanks to Twilight. You decided to help the hive relearn how to defend itself, and through finding your place in it, transformed." Celestia towered over all other heads from her modest, self-chosen spot among a few changelings. From there, her smile was a beacon for each of her guests to see. "Forgive me if I'm romanticizing the situation, but it seems to me that you are exactly what the hive needed, Pharynx. If Thorax brings the changelings love, you bring them strength. Both are vital aspects of leading a nation, but they are rarely utilized in perfect tandem."
"Not even we do so," Luna added, almost dourly. "My sister and I have always been rather moderate in both aspects. We do not believe in rigid military strength, and while we are happy to offer a close relationship with those subjects who would seek it, it is not exactly common, nor do we have the time or ability to do so in a meaningful way."
"Thorax created a hivemind of sap through the sharing of emotion magic," Pharynx detailed, briskly swatting away the sentiments. "Which, by the way, is magic only changelings can freely interact with at will. Not even the crystal ponies can do so without using some rock as a conduit. Add to that, our society is remarkably different from ponies, before and after Chrysalis. Changeling society is largely contained to our hive, whereas ponies spread themselves across the continent. It seems masochistic to even attempt to compare your leadership style to Thorax's. Doubt any other species could even come close to replicating what the changelings have."
Luna withdrew within her noodles. Celestia gave a nod as if both acknowledging and chewing over the thought. When Thorax shot a glare, Pharynx's eyes rolled.
"Those are thoughtful comments, though. I'm sure Thorax finds them very flattering."
Thorax planted his nose into the fold of his hoof. Apex took it as an invitation to play, and he gripped the large, green leg like a springing python.
"Pharynx is right, though," Apidae said optimistically. "Most creatures have to communicate emotions through gestures, words, and actions; and even then, that creature could be lying. Changelings feel unfiltered emotions just through relationships, and our actions and words carry so much more weight in what they allow us to do with other changelings. It's definitely not fair to use us as role models."
"Oh, I think it's all the more reason to," Celestia challenged. She made eye contact with her former student before continuing. "As teachers, Twilight and I share a common perspective. A role model doesn't need to be a goal for complete imitation, only a guide for bettering oneself."
Twilight perked up in her seat.
"Couldn't have said it better myself, princess," she proclaimed. "A key part of friendship is a harmonious understanding of each other's dreams, limits, fears, and emotions. Ponies and other creatures might not be able to connect autonomously like changelings can, but we can still use the changelings as an example of what successful empathy looks like. Just because it takes more work for us to achieve the same result doesn't mean we can't do it, or that it isn't worth striving for."
Her words carried weight, and so none dared to follow them. For a time, the pleasant clinking of poorly-utilized silverware filled the air. It wasn't until Apex heaved himself up to the very edge of Thorax's head that another train of thought engaged the table.
Unfortunately for Thorax, this was no train, but a rollercoaster.
"Papa Thorax, will the princess ponies be cluster sleeping with us tonight?"
Pasta halted on its way between Thorax's teeth. "Will they-Apex, where'd that come from?"
Tiny hooves gripped his horn. Thorax raised his curious magenta eyes upwards.
"Where are the princess ponies going to sleep? There are so many of them." Apex pointed a hoof at the alicorns and wrinkled his nose. "And I don't think the purple one even lives here, Papa Thorax. Where is she going to sleep?"
Dumbfounded, Thorax wasn't quick enough to nip the contagion of cunning that now plagued every face, save his sibling.
"I second the favored nymph's point, Thorax," quipped Calor. "I don't think we've given nearly enough thought to proper cuddling procedures for when visiting princess ponies. Do you, Apidae?"
"As if! Cuddling is inevitable. Everycreature knows that castles are not big enough to accommodate so many ponies or changelings," Apidae stated with mock confidence. Her simper betrayed her, but it was enough to fool Apex and amuse the table. "Besides, why else would Thorax have brought along a bunch of cuddlebugs if we weren't going to have a session?"
She gestured her hoof like the hand of a clock, sweeping the table in slow motion, and signaling her hivemates to demonstrate her point by impetuously embracing each other. Xenica did her best to break Cimex's shell and drag out whatever chirps of distress she could. Not three chairs away, fifty percent of Clypeus's body seemed to melt into Labrum's orange carapace. When Apidae reached Calor, the blue drone buzzed from his seat and sniped her with a hug of his own.
Mere spectators, for the time being, Luna and Celestia made eye contact from across the table.
"Don't suppose the legislature would take too kindly to social policy reform encouraging frequent cuddling among citizens?" Luna's cheeks flexed, vulnerable to collapse at the slightest witty remark. "A topic for your next city hall meeting, perhaps?"
Celestia giggled. "And take attention away from the council's far more dull, ostensibly important issues? If you'd like to watch your sister get jeered right out of the session, then yes, I'd say it's absolutely worth a try."
Luna narrowed her smile. "So what you're telling me is you'd do it for sport."
The solar princess put a hoof to her chest and exaggerated a gasp, hiding her guile behind her eyes. "Luna, what an accusation! I assure you, I would derive no amusement from introducing a bill as critical as a 'Hugs for All' legislation. Here, Twilight will vouch for me."
Thorax watched his hosts play off each other without care. Twilight joined the antics at their call, her laugh begetting a desperate cough when 'hug legislation' tumbled so informally out from her mentor's tongue.
The alpha changeling bit his lip, and his dreamy look fell. He was suddenly aware that he was drowning in a wave of noise. Hooves prodded at him from all around. His brow furrowed to an onslaught of whiny pleas for royal snuggles and access to piles of pillows, and even a few preemptive claims for specific princesses. Soon enough, Thorax felt his patience snap in a flicker of paternal passion.
"Guys, sit down," he hissed, provoking chirps of surprise. "You can't assume that anypony is going to cluster sleep with us tonight. That is not our decision to make. Ponies don't express physical affection as freely as we do-"
"Neither do self-respecting changelings," interjected Pharynx, his sass effortlessly broadcasted through his tone. "Don't lump me into your sappy fairy cult through proximity, Thorax."
"You're getting that hug pretty soon with or without further teasing, big brother, so feel free to quit while you're ahead."
Pharynx shot up and glared. Thorax offered his tongue before returning to his flock.
"Ponies don't express affection as freely as we do. If any of the princesses are uncomfortable with the idea of sleeping together in clusters, you need to respect that. Okay?"
He paused to check for confirmation. Bulbous blinks were all he got.
"Do you guys understand me?"
"Well, I understand," Cimex answered. "But I don't think the princesses are uncomfortable, Thorax. In fact, I don't even think you've given us air hugs like that before."
The thrumming of contended drones clued in Thorax to potential shenanigans before the sentence had even ended. In the midst of his cautious and cordial efforts, the most loyal of his flock had been ambushed just out of view. A spectacle of struggling upheaved the quaint dinner in an instant, instigated by its least-likely saboteurs, who had shed their political postures in favor of readily clinging to unsuspecting changelings.
"Thorax, we were no match!" shouted Apidae, her one unpinned wing struggling to beat against Luna's clutched hooves. "Their hugs are too powerful!"
"Thorax, tell my Thorax plush I love him!" Calor cried, going limp in Celestia's grip.
"Sister, I do believe we've found our leverage for forcing a vote on hug legislation," Luna bantered. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Celestia planted her cheek onto her captive blueberry. "Woo the courts with docile, hungry changelings. But Luna, I worry about Twilight. She doesn't appear to be aiding in our efforts. It's unlikely the courts will see reason if the princesses are not unanimous."
Twilight simply sat by a twitchy, manic Xenica and sipped pleasantly from her cup.
"Oh, I'm contributing. I've just subdued my changeling using science instead of brute force." She took another sip before clearing her throat. "Cuticle, the material that small insect wings are made of, is indeed strong, but part of its success comes from the fact that insects have such low body mass. Somehow, changelings manage to fly with cuticle wings of the same density despite being the weight of your average equine. It's a bit like an earth pony trying to fly using tennis rackets layered with paper towels."
"We're an aerodynamic improbability, Thorax!" Xenica gasped, desperately clutching her head.
Thorax leaned back in his chair and felt the velvety fabric cushion him. It bolstered his smug look. When distressed drones called to him, he continued to ignore them, only this time with an aura far more sweet and pleasant to changeling senses.
"You'll get no sympathy from me, guys. You all were hoping the princesses would be open to cluster napping. You all insisted on staying over even when Pharynx and I gave you an easy way out. You'll just have to live with your choices now. Right, Pharynx?"
"Squeeze the happy right out of them."
"Yeah, squeeze the happy right out of them!" chorused Apex. A hoof bopped him on the head.
"Uncle Pharynx might be a lost cause, but you better hush," Thorax muttered. "The last thing I need is you taking after his attitude."
With a slip and a gasp, a fresh dose of chaos that Discord would be proud of claimed the room. A loud clamor of dishes and silverware was sent sprawling across the table at the sudden impact of a slung changeling, her faux attempts of escape earning her unforeseen freedom. What tableware managed to avoid the tabletop was tossed heedlessly through the air, where they rang with sharp clangs upon hitting the floor. A few unfortunate changeling heads also received unpleasant bonks.
Second-hand embarrassment froze nearly the entire room.
"O-oh, I'm so, so sorry, Your Highnesses!"
Apidae got to her hooves. She quickly eyed her hosts for signs of rage, but only mild shock held them. Despite this, her own bewildered expression remained unchanged.
"I-I was just going along with the fun. I didn't think I'd actually pull free like that. It's definitely my fault, so I'll clean it all up! Don't worry!"
Apidae began desperately plucking discarded tableware off the floor in a mortified daze. When a golden aura raised a mirrored serving platter before her, it reflected the tall, snowy alicorn now standing just behind her. Trepidation seized the changeling, and she fought the urge to scan the platter for her host's reflection, afraid of what face she might find.
A hoof outstretched itself, and she flinched. When it stopped and sat in the air patiently for her, she turned to it, and only then, did she see her host's smile.
"My dear, you'll do no such thing. Accidents happen to the best of us, and I believe we are to blame, anyway. I’d be happy to assist."
Apidae was helped to her hooves, and a blanket of golden magic commanded the room to life. Caught in a slow, mesmerizing aerial dance, the silverware and plates were rearranged in neat piles on the far side of the room. Changelings departed their seats in earnest to comfort their friend, and so Celestia turned her over to them while she tended to the mess.
From his isolated corner, Pharynx regarded the sentimental theatrics with a yawn. Far more important things were on his mind. Namely, the fact that he'd made a grievous error in judgment. He'd eaten far more than he intended, and now his mind and body were shackled with lethargy.
The beta groaned and allowed his head to hit the back of his seat. The mighty general of the Changeling Kingdom, defeated by somnolence. What a rookie mistake.
Pharynx shifted his brow. The flowing night sky entered his peripheral, but not from the aid of any open window.
"...I am no psychologist, but I know trauma when I see it."
"Well, color me impressed," Pharynx remarked. He watched the lunar princess sit next to him. "We've got a hive full of it, doc. Apidae is no special case."
"What sort of beast does it take to condition such fear over a simple mistake?"
Pharynx scoffed. "I never did understand pony fascination with rhetoric. But then, I suppose you are the only princess who hasn't held a conversation with our ex-queen."
"Actually, Thorax was kind enough to indulge me in something of an encounter today." Luna forced a chuckle. "We were entertaining the changelings while waiting for my sister and/or Princess Twilight. Your brother is quite remarkable with his impersonations."
"Fear is an excellent motivator. It's an even better memory trap. I've never met a changeling who couldn't impersonate her near perfectly. Although, I'm still surprised to hear that Thorax could pull it off. Maybe, then, you can imagine why I could never allow him to get on her ugly side."
Luna's stare transformed into something more curious, almost accusatory. "Can you really say you never felt any animosity towards her? Forgive me if I am blunt, but why would you ever choose to be loyal to a manipulative tyrant?"
Something dark and cold glinted in Pharynx's eyes. When he turned to the princess, she was drawn in by it. A pair of blue-violet black holes threatened to consume her breath.
"Don't let my halfway pleasant colors fool you too much, princess. I am not like my brother. I don’t put a stake in friendship, feelings, or whatever other sap ponies have enticed Thorax with. What I want in a home is safety, strength, and self-reliance. You saw a manipulative tyrant. I saw a crude but effective leader. Was she cruel? Of course she was. She thrived on suffering; practically demanded it. But you know what? Not a single creature dared to mess with us because of her. She was a bitter pill, but the only one we had. I, for one, found the benefits to outweigh the drawbacks, though that's a rare opinion in our hive."
Luna lowered her head. Truly, the sweet naivete of Thorax's changelings was not a foregone conclusion.
It was a curious thing. How strangely familiar it was for this story of struggle to focus on siblings, of all things.
"You must truly love your brother, then. To be ready to risk everything, to overthrow the queen if need be. These are not small declarations, Pharynx. You may have been content not to disrupt the status quo, but there were still lines you would never tolerate her crossing. The gap between good and evil is not always such a vast thing. I should know. Long ago, I let jealousy consume me, and I became something dark and twisted. Something bent on revenge towards both my home and my sister."
"...'Nightmare Moon', huh," Pharynx murmured. His attention remained on the scene of merry chatter across the room, but his tone had changed to something keener. "I recall hearing about her while undercover, once. So those were more than stories, then. What changed your mind?"
"I'm afraid it was less a choice of mind and more a prison of my own creation," Luna clarified with a sigh. She, too, watched her sister converse with changelings. With the majority of the fallen tableware retrieved and set away, Celestia had taken to addressing the spills with a conjured mop. Against her mild protests, she had gotten a few helpers. "I was imprisoned for a millennium because of my actions as Nightmare Moon, but even upon escape, it took the Elements of Harmony to bring me to my senses. I owe a great deal to Twilight Sparkle and her friends."
Luna guided the changeling in observing Equestria's youngest princess. Always one to take the initiative, she'd caressed the air with a spell from her repertoire. An attractive, morphing sphere of soapy water now hung a few yards off the ground, taking in dishes and silverware set by set. When Celestia turned abruptly and soaked her mane in it, the changelings joined in her laughter.
"Forming connections with others does not have to be such a harrowing thing. Twilight has taught many in the ways of friendship, including myself. I would encourage you to seek her out sometime, even if only to see a different perspective."
Pharynx huffed on reflex.
"Hard pass. Thorax has enough sociability for the both of us, and I'm content being a loner. Besides, as your sister said, he's the 'sap', and I'm the 'strength'. Not interested in messing with what works."
The far doors burst open with such intensity that the dishes rattled in place and teetered on the edge of falling to their doom. Echoing them was a wail that could only be described as banshee-like.
"Oh, no, my princesses! What has happened!? Was the fettuccine not up to changeling standards!? Oh, schande über mich, I shall fix this...right away!"
With that, Sedani frantically grasped at plates with curled wings, stacking them to obscene heights as she attempted to exit through the kitchen doors. Luna could only shake her head. Amusing as this was, it would be unfair to leave Celestia to deal with cleaning, excitable changelings, and their erratic cook, all on her own.
"Duty calls. And, fair enough, Pharynx. Allow me to leave you with something I've learned over the years, as somepony who also struggles to understand their sibling at times. You will miss out on all of the conversations you don't try to have. Even when Thorax comes off as annoying, even when his concerns or excitements seem trivial, try to take a deep breath and listen. You might be surprised with what you find when you come to see the forest for the trees."
Luna winked. With a flare of her wings, she joined the background in a single leap, offering her assistance where she could. As if waiting for her arrival, several plates leaped to their untimely deaths upon hitting the doorframe. They were all saved by a midnight blue aura, which whisked them safely into the kitchen to a choir of sighs.
Again, Pharynx was left alone with his thoughts. By all accounts, he should’ve been delighted. Not a soul was near him, nor had their sights set on him. Being a spectator had always been his preferred social setting. It was why he was such a skilled infiltrator and an effective general.
So why couldn't he enjoy it, now? The thought of standing up and leaving for home, alone in the dark, would, under any normal circumstance, be irresistible. He’d feel the cool breeze on his carapace as he mulled over his tasks for the next day, and when Thorax returned tomorrow to inevitably whine about how he hadn't even bothered to say goodbye to anyone, he'd have already thought up a comeback.
But try as he might, the changeling's muscles would not obey him, and the longer he sat, the more terrifying the situation became. This was no devilry of fatigue at work. He wanted to stay, and he hadn't the faintest idea why.
"Thorax," he found himself calling, noticing the swift perk of his brother's ears from across the room. Thorax excused himself and trotted dutifully over to his broodmate. Apex had since vanished from the alpha's head, having migrated to Cimex's back while the group was up and about.
"What's up, Pharynx?"
"I'm staying."
"You're what?"
"I'm staying."
Several of Thorax's facial features twitched. "O-oh, you are? Really?"
"Yes, really. I ate too much pony food, so I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. I forgot how inconvenient physical meals can be in the aftermath."
While Thorax began to fawn on cue, Pharynx curled his mouth to something bordering irate. His lie infuriated him, but what else did he have? Thorax, I want to stay because I don't know?
"This is great, Pharynx! Oh, Apex and the others will be so excited! I'm so excited!"
Pharynx labored a deep breath. He didn't take advice from ponies, but then again, life lessons from ancient alicorns were hardly typical advice. His brother's gleaming smile was waiting for him, along with several of his subjects. Startled, he scanned each face and found the same expectant elation.
Perhaps they'd overheard his brother's giddiness and come to investigate. Or perhaps they'd been summoned by Thorax's sudden state of joy.
But he knew better than that, didn't he? Thorax was a hopeless, soft-spoken dope even when excited, and it wasn't Thorax who now held the drones’ enthused attention.
Pharynx swallowed. Maybe someone else had summoned them, nonverbally. Maybe the sweat running cold down his chitin was not from nerves but a reflex to the strange, new heat freely flowing through his body. Maybe, just maybe, he'd tumbled down that final cliff face and landed where they all were.
Pharynx was embraced, and with an uncertain smile, he offered a hoof along his brother's wing case.
Come to think of it, he already knew of at least one reason to stay the night. With any luck, Thorax would be content with just his hug.
"...Yeah, you really are excited, aren't you?"
When Hosting a Sleepover, Secure Several Changelings
The bustling commotion within Canterlot Castle's hallways came to an abrupt end. A true paradise of coziness unfolded itself before the changelings, and they released a collective gasp of awe. A circular room marked with bean bags and a thick, decorative rug floor brought the distinct scent of parchment. Slender tables topped with candlelight lamps and a few books were strategically placed throughout. Several bookcases did their best to touch the ceiling, their shelves neat and proper.
Tall, stained glass windows of opaque whites and blues provided a breathtaking view of the city below. A fireplace provided warmth and light, not quite as large as the one downstairs but far more lavish.
"This is the lounge," Luna declared. "Without a doubt, it is one of my favorite rooms."
Celestia cleared her throat.
"Sorry, one of our favorite rooms. We spend more time here than any other room in the castle—even our own bedrooms."
"Our bedrooms are rather dull by comparison, actually," Celestia giggled, stepping aside to let the changelings get a closer look. "Legislation drafting, late night or early morning reading, answering letters from beloved pupils-"
Celestia paused. When Twilight's cheeks flushed, she shared an insider smile with her sister.
"-All of these things and more are done here." Her horn illuminated and closed the doors. "As soon as you mentioned staying the night, Thorax, this was the first thing I thought of."
"We have several guest rooms that are by no means lacking in charm," Luna added. "I mentioned these rooms upfront at dinner but, at the time, didn't realize the same thing my sister had. The guest rooms are scattered throughout the castle and would thus not serve our purposes. In regards to this cluster sleep, this is the very best option Canterlot Castle has."
"Besides, we love to show off this room," Celestia said giddily. "Most visiting diplomats only entertain our tours for so long before losing interest. But to changelings, a lounge is-"
"An absolute wonderland. Let's move in right now, Thorax," Calor breathed, squishing himself into a cherry bean bag and thrumming in pure bliss. "I'm never leaving, and you can't make me."
"Have to admit, this is the first time I've felt jealous of pony things since we went through that garden," Xenica said, flopping into the folds of a lilac bean bag and effectively camouflaging herself. It pulled her onto her back, where she uselessly curled her hooves up to her chest and sighed. "Thorax, why are we settling for rocks and plants at home, again?"
"Because we're all-natural."
"Because you're hippies."
Thorax and Pharynx looked at each other. One smiled. The other frowned.
"Quick, I require hugs!" Apidae outstretched her hooves from her spot on a teal cushion. Cimex and Calor dive-bombed her in perfect sync within moments, their impact dislodging both Apidae from her seat, and her seat from the floor. A brief tumble among several bean bags pulled them together like a gravitational well, covering the chirping drones from view and creating the illusion of wrestling furniture.
"Come on, Thorax," Twilight encouraged, selecting herself an appropriate raspberry bean bag. She motioned to a lime green one just across from her. "Not even my library has bean bags like these. I can't remember the last time I sat in one."
Curiously optimistic, Thorax made his way through the plushy minefield. Once he reached his pre-selected seat, he plopped himself into it and wriggled, seeking that perfect posture. Only upon finding it did he return his hosts' smile.
"Wow, these are really neat," Thorax admitted. Little did he realize that his commitment to one location was a declaration of war for his changelings. Calor and Cimex began to stalk their alpha from out of sight with their snouts to the floor, leaving a giggling, amused Apidae behind. "It's almost like you guys set all this up ahead of time."
"I can see why you would think that," Luna said, casting her sister a skeptical side-eye. "Ironically enough, this setup is how the lounge has been for a while now. Dear sister has taken to collecting bean bags and other cushions. Because this is where we spend much of our time, this room is where her collection lives."
"I always used to think that they were charming but rather impractical due to the 'beans' going flat over time." Celestia’s magic enveloped a rather sad, decrepit bag from afar. It deflated briefly before violently inflating to a full and healthy size. "But then one day, in my free time, I discovered a quick transportation spell. It allows me to stockpile bean bag filler in an unused closet and swap out beans as I need. Our staff readily recycles the old ones."
Luna leaned over to the nearest ear to whisper, which in this case, happened to be Twilight. "She didn't discover anything. Starswirl showed her how to do it."
Twilight fought to contain her snort.
"I never claimed to have invented the spell, Luna, but I did discover which closet was close enough to use for instant retrieval. We had to move a lot of supplies to the second-floor corridor. I'm very grateful for our staff humoring my silly little side projects."
"Ah yes, the press will be calling you 'Princess Broom Closet' in no time," Luna quipped, offering her most shameless smirk. It grew when Twilight collapsed in a series of snort-dotted laughs. "She who has bested a thousand bean bags."
The onset chittering and laughs stopped at the sudden and frantic chirps of distressed changelings. Quicker than anyone else, Thorax stood and wheeled in place with eyes wide as plates.
"Nope. No good, Thorax. You'd have been done already."
Thorax blinked. Cimex and Calor had been firmly pressed into the patterned rug just inches from him, pinned beneath a dark red bean bag. Strategically weighted down atop it was Pharynx. The beta only had eyes for Thorax, ignoring the squirmy protests of his drones.
"You're already a big, unsightly target as it is, Thorax. Don't make the enemy's job easier by being aloof, too."
Thorax chuckled in relief. "Does everything need to be a training exercise with you?"
"Yup."
"Noling here has any desire to be in the guard units, Pharynx."
"Fate and chance don't care if you're in the armed forces. Only if you're trained in self-defense and survival."
"But we're peaceful now."
"Wild beasts don't care about your politics, Thorax. How many times am I going to have to cite the maulwurf?"
"Okay, fine. But right now? Can't you at least try to relax like the rest of us?"
Cimex desperately clutched at the open rug, seeking to pull himself free. Pharynx swiftly pushed the bean bag down into his face and muffled him.
"I am relaxing. The boys are helping me."
Thorax eyed his struggling drones. He simpered. "It looks like you're being a bully, to me."
"They were asking for it. I was protecting your behind, like usual. You're welcome, by the way."
A vivid flash of light stretched across the floor. Following a respite of confusion, two flies buzzed out from beneath the cushion. Briefly, they orbited around Pharynx's antlers before beelining for the crowded safe space between Thorax and his royal hosts. Pharynx sneered.
"Oh, okay. We think we're taking the coward's way out of this, do we?"
In a twist of the old fable, the prince became a frog in a display of teal flames. He hopped onto Thorax's head and lashed his tongue out like a whip, trailing the flies every which way they buzzed. When the spasming tongue slapped Thorax in the head more than once, his lip flattened.
"Yeah, sure, guys. I'll just be here, I guess, actually trying to spend time with our hosts."
The princesses were already beside themselves, wiping away laugh-induced tears, but the show wasn't over yet. Red orbs slowly rose over the curve of Thorax's head, revealing an impish smile. They watched the frog with razor-sharp focus.
"Calor and Cimex are my friends, Uncle Pharynx! I won't let you hurt them!"
The blue-tinted frog was tackled, and it lamented its fate with a grave croak. Apex fell into a waiting cobalt seat with his prey, and from there, rolled onto the rug with it. Unable to get its bearings and transform again while being so roughly handled by excitable, nymphish hooves, the frog could do little else but flail and scan for opportunities to escape, every so often glaring at Thorax for merely sitting there.
Even Thorax had now cracked a smile. He heard the subtle buzzing of Cimex and Calor as they landed on his ear tip, and he regarded them with a gentle twitch. He then eyed the princesses, who were finally controlling their laughter.
"Is life at the hive always this lively?" Celestia asked.
Thorax exaggerated an exhausted look, then replaced it with a sheepish one. The remaining drones who'd managed to steer clear of the tumultuous antics converged by their alpha, pushing their bean bags right up to his and plopping upon them.
"More or less. Usually, I have nursery changelings to assist me with nymphs throughout the day. Can't say the same about ever getting help with Pharynx."
A loud croak protested.
"Do you decide who the nursery changelings are?" Luna inquired, adopting a more comfortable position upon her personal bean bag. A deep blue one, emblazoned with her cutie mark.
Thorax shook his head, and the flies resituated themselves. "Nope. Almost all positions in the hive go on a volunteer basis, now. Pharynx has a sterner process for joining the guard units, but that's it. Nursery changelings tend to either be cuddlebugs like us or birther changelings who really enjoy the process of raising nymphs."
"Birther changelings?"
Thorax floundered. "Oh, sorry. I mean 'parents'. There are a lot of terms in Equestria that don't carry over well, and old habits stick."
"Nymphs are looked after by their birther changelings, but also by the greater hive community," Apidae explained, sandwiching herself against her alpha's underbelly. "Especially when they’re larvae and pre-adolescent nymphs. That's what the nursery hive and the nursery changelings are for. Birther changelings can leave their young there if they need to, or just when they need a break, and other responsible adults will take turns helping to look after them for a while."
"A community-driven daycare center," Celestia mused. "How fascinating and lovely. I believe your extensive notes touched upon this at one point, Twilight, if I'm not mistaken."
"You are most certainly not," Twilight replied, smiling proudly.
"Alright, gnat, time to buzz off!"
Pharynx's gruffness pierced the conversation like a pebble in still water. He returned to his normal form, standing in the midst of everyone and towering over the feeble crimson nymph laid at his hooves. He promptly grabbed the tiny drone in his magic, regarded him for a moment while he giggled, and lightly discarded him into a bean bag.
Pharynx then turned to his original runaways, who also had reverted to their original forms. Their reflective, wide eyes poked out from behind Thorax. Pharynx growled.
"Step aside, Thorax."
"No, Pharynx, I don't think I will."
"Come again?"
"We're supposed to be calming down for the night." Thorax’s magic pulled Apex's cushion to him. "You're not helping. You wanted to stay, so stay, but please quit it with the roughhousing. Don't worry. I expect the same from them too."
Tension sat in the air as magenta fought with deep violet for dominance. But this battle had already been won, and they both knew it. Chasing the bratlings would do more harm than good and needlessly expend energy.
"Fine," Pharynx relented, obtaining his own seat with a jerky motion of red magic. His frown curled into something sinister as he laid down in it, not once taking his stare off the perpetrators. "Remember why we're all here together in one room, though, Thorax. You can't possibly keep everyone to yourself. Not tonight. Who are the princesses going to cuddle with? At least a few of the drones need to come over here so that everyone is included."
Ears wilted in terror from behind Thorax. The alpha hummed.
"Well, you're definitely right about that," he said, aloof to the frantic head-shaking at his sides. "Come to think of it, what happened to everyling calling dibs on specific princesses earlier? It was Cimex who wanted to be with Princess Luna, right? And Calor and Apidae with Princess Celestia? Come on guys, now's your chance!"
Apidae was the first to stand from her spot. The whole room fell to silence as she fearlessly traversed the gap between the bean bags and Pharynx. Eerily, the beta's attention didn't flicker towards her once. She was allowed to the other side, where she offered Celestia a much-welcomed hug around her neck.
Pharynx's grin seemed to be chiseled from stone. Apidae was inconsequential. He waited patiently for the blue and green drones he sought to pass by.
"B-but Thorax, I've decided that I want to cuddle with you, instead!" Calor hugged Thorax's barrel adamantly. He got a resounding round of adoring coos from his hosts, but a less than accepting chuckle from Thorax.
"We always cuddle, Calor. Like, every night in the nesting chamber." Thorax plucked the changeling off with magic. "I don't get it. You and Cimex were so thrilled earlier. Don't tell me you're going to disappoint the princesses, now. Look how comfy those bean bags look."
He guided their attention to the princesses and their friendly, waving hooves. It was a cruel thing. All the fresh love their hearts could ever crave...just beyond the black wolf of the hive, still eyeing them like sheep. Cimex joined Calor in the shared misery, and the pair got to their hooves.
"Let's do it for the princess ponies, Calor."
"Yeah."
"They need hugs."
"Yeah!"
"And we are the most elite of Thorax's cuddlebugs. We will only settle for the highest quality of cluster sleep buddies!"
"Yeah!!"
"Are you ready, Calor!?"
"...no, let's stay here!"
Pharynx's teeth showed in a subtle chortle. Thorax planted his face in his hoof.
Timidly, the pair made their way beyond the safety of Thorax's reach. Time itself seemed to slow, and their hooves shook, screaming for them to stop. Pharynx seemed to crouch and sink into his red cushion even deeper as they drew nearer, like a panther readying to pounce.
But then, as fast as he could blink, the drones vanished. Remnants of gold and blue magic dissipated where they had just been. Pharynx spun about to find them. The elder alicorns had already embraced them on the other side of the lounge.
He'd been given the old bait n' switch.
"Oh, I simply could not wait!" Luna exclaimed, batting her eye so quickly in a wink that it went unnoticed by all but her held changeling. "Could you, sister?"
"Not another step," said Celestia, her tone exaggerated and obvious. Being far taller than both Calor and Apidae, she engulfed them both with her hug, her mane obscuring them from view. "Could you imagine having to wait for them to come over here?"
"Do not speak such heresy out loud." Luna slid a white-grey bean bag up to her own and offered it to Cimex. The drone flopped to his side and thrummed, gripping her flowing tail as a galactic blanket. "We have waited long enough. We were promised a cuddle date, and we shall receive such."
Thorax watched Pharynx intently. He could swear steam was coming off his brother's head.
"You doing okay, Pharynx?"
"I was cheated."
"You were what?"
Pharynx scoffed. He exhaled, and like that, his interest in the escaped drones faded away. Instead, he switched to his brother.
"Thorax, I swear, if someone yelled 'fire', you'd be the last one to figure out why everyone was running."
Thorax frowned. Moreso, it was an attempt. He mostly just looked petulant and cute.
"Are your insults just aimless today, or am I missing a pattern here?"
"Nevermind," Pharynx muttered. He collapsed into his bean bag, appearing defeated. "I'm going to take your earlier advice and quit while I'm ahead. My shiny new hippie senses are telling me that the sap is about to begin, so I'll be going to sleep now. Wake me at your own peril."
The not-frown flipped, and Thorax showed sly teeth. "But Pharynx, you can't sleep alone in a cluster sleep session. You sure you don't wanna pull your bean bag over here with me? I've gotten pretty good at shifting cuddle positions without waking my buddy up-"
"-at your own peril, Thorax." Pharynx gave his brother a literal cold shoulder by shifting to his other side. "You got your hug. Don't push it."
Thorax sat still for a time. Once he was certain that his brother had fallen asleep, he lowered his head and whispered to Apex.
"You should definitely go sleep on Uncle Pharynx's head tonight, Apex."
"Ooh, that sounds like fun!"
Pharynx's ear twitched, and Thorax scrambled to cover the nymph's mouth.
"But you have to be quiet, okay?"
"Mkay," Apex said through a lime hoof. He was gently lifted, not by magic, but by two green hooves around his midsection. When Thorax lightly fluttered his wings to take to the air and deliver the rambunctious package to his brother's noggin, familiar giggling drew both his and Apex's attention.
Watching them was the only princess so far without a cuddlebug to distract her, though she seemed unbothered by this fact. All around her were all the friends she needed: piles of notes, scrolls, and tomes of magic. For Thorax, it was a sight of nostalgia. He returned her smile on impulse.
"I could watch you guys all night," Twilight whispered. Her eyes turned to her fellow princesses, who had since been pulled into a parallel universe of warmth and comfort. Amidst Thorax's confrontations with his brother, the remaining changelings had joined them, creating a tight nest of bodies and bean bags. Celestia, in her exuberance and warmth, had drawn in Calor, Apidae, and Xenica. Luna, in her calm reservation, had attracted Labrum, Clypeus, and Cimex. Celestia laid upright like a hen, while Luna laid on her side like a cat. Each was plastered flank to mane with changelings, already asleep with content little smiles.
"I will never, ever cease to be amazed by how much the changelings have changed. Thorax, your species is incredible. I hope you know that."
With Pharynx self-subdued, Apex effectively contained on Pharynx's head, and the drones demonstrating cluster sleep with the resident nobility, Thorax found himself pleasantly sighing in a room almost void of sound. He acknowledged his friend with a nod.
"I don't think 'thank you' quite has the same effect anymore," he said. "But I'm glad you think so, Twilight. I certainly do. We've come so far."
"Quite far." Twilight agreed. "But it wasn't that long ago that you and I shared a heart-to-heart outside the hive and talked about your future in Equestria, Thorax. I still remember how scared and unsure you were. Just look at you now."
Thorax deflected her gaze bashfully. He now faced the window and could see that it had started to rain.
"You've become close personal allies with the Crystal Empire. You've successfully enrolled dozens of nymphs in my school of friendship. And now you're here, in the crown of Equestria, making it known that the changelings can be friends, not enemies. And to think you've done all this within several months. I think that's impressive."
Thorax chuckled nervously. Technically, he’d procrastinated a good amount of those months, but maybe this wasn't the time to challenge his successes.
"You make it sound like I did any of that by myself. You, the other princesses, even Discord have helped me a lot. When Discord has to help you do something, you know you're in trouble."
Twilight wouldn't have that. "Funnily enough, it was Discord who provided me with the key I needed to figure out who I am as a princess, and ultimately allowed me to defeat Tirek. Again, with the help of my friends."
Her brow raised with her smirk. Thorax's hoof retreated to his head.
"Thorax, sometimes we need help when we first start. It doesn't mean you're incapable of doing things yourself. It means starting is hard, and until you get the grasp of your new role and yourself, it's okay to rely on others a bit."
The soft pattering of rain outside had joined the crackling of the fire inside. It was a harmonious lullaby that weighted the eyes and slowed the thoughts of the only two that remained awake. Thorax gave in and laid down in his cushiony seat. When Twilight did the same, she yawned.
"Besides, after today, I'd say you're past the point of needing our help any further. After Canterlot, I imagine you've got other cities to visit, other allies and friends to make."
Thorax nodded. "I'll admit, being here today has made political visits seem a lot less scary. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are as accommodating as can be. I'm really happy we all got a moment to spend time together like this, too. I know the changelings couldn't be happier. I can feel it, literally."
They turned in sync when a peripheral anomaly of suspected cuteness occurred. Clypeus had left Labrum's loosening grasp and slid the curvature of Luna's flank, running into Cimex at an awkward angle. The latter, still clutching Luna's tail for himself, unconsciously huffed in displeasure. His rear legs kicked the air.
"So was what you told your brother true?" asked Twilight.
Thorax blinked. "Was what true?"
"You said that he couldn't sleep alone in a cluster session. Is that true? Do changelings who prefer isolated sleep need to sleep elsewhere?"
Thorax started to smile. He had an idea of where this was heading.
"Well, no. I don't stop anyling from sleeping near us if they want. It's just that, by definition, if you're not sleeping alone, you're cluster sleeping, so those who aren't cuddlebugs usually keep their distance automatically. Since Pharynx is stuck here with us, I thought I'd tease him about it."
"So I see. Well, with any luck, maybe he'll find that he enjoys them. Exposure therapy can do wonders for anxiety."
Thorax's knowing look had peaked. He wasn't the most astute changeling, but he did know what anxiety looked like. Twilight's eyes were scanning everywhere except his direction.
"I sure hope you're right. Being able to cuddle with my brother would make my whole year. For now, though, I'm just happy that he lets me hug him, and lets Apex anywhere near him while asleep."
Twilight finally looked at him, but only for a moment. He raised a hoof to keep her eye contact.
"You know, I can think of someone else who might find they enjoy cluster sleep if they give it a try, too. Someone, or maybe somepony who opted not to last time, perhaps?"
With her co-princesses demonstrating how to effectively cuddle multiple changelings just yards away, the Element of Magic supposed she could probably handle just the one. She smiled, giving a short nod.
Twilight watched as Thorax summoned yet another seat from someplace behind him and placed it closeby. When she reached it, she kneaded it with a hoof for a few moments, until finally, she let herself slump into its folds. At the touch of a spreading, shimmering wing across her back, she inhaled deeply and relaxed.
She thought about speaking or apologizing for being so awkward, but she didn't. Entire conversations flowed through her mind, each less likely to occur than the one before it, but none of them materialized. Before long, such thoughts no longer commanded her stress, and she allowed the flickering light of the fire to lull her.
In the fire's glow, one crimson shell glowed brighter than any other.
"Tell me more about Apex."
Thorax didn't reply, but Twilight could feel his neck move.
"While I was visiting, you only ever referred to him as 'someling you had to check up on'. I've seen your relationship, but I don't know the backstory."
"Well, he's special to me," Thorax said simply. He hugged the nymph just out of reach with his eyes. "Apex was the first changeling I ever truly connected with. Consoling him when he was scared about our sudden transformation was my first real act as the new changeling leader. We took to each other right away, and it's been like that ever since."
"Do you know his birther changelings?" Twilight asked. "I remember you mentioned that most of the nymphs were not from Chrysalis. That one threw me off, to be honest. I was so sure you all followed a colony dynamic."
"Yeah." The long-distance hug had become more desperate. "I don't know who his birther changelings are, and noling else does either. When Chrysalis was removed, her militia training practices went with her. I made sure of it. It meant nymphs were no longer raised separately from their bir-er, parents, as the next generation of hive warriors. There was a huge meeting of all the changelings in the hive just outside the nursery chambers, where parents could identify their nymphs. There was so much emotion, Twilight. I cried all day."
A moment passed. His fresh tears glinted in the firelight. Twilight offered an empathetic look.
"Apex was all alone. He was the only nymph that wasn't claimed. And of course, he also had no idea who his parents were—most nymphs didn't. I knew right then and there that I'd look after him. I'd already connected with him, so it wasn't even a debate."
Again, Twilight glanced at that fiery shell. If that was all true, then it left a rather daunting question, one that she'd surely revisit the next day when her mind wasn't quite so fuzzy.
"That was very selfless of you, Thorax. I'm glad you both got to have a happy ending." A rush of maternal love bounded forth, and she sought her friend's eye. "And you know, I don't think Pharynx would notice if you decided to share him. I certainly don't mind."
She winked. Thorax froze briefly in thought. She was right. He pined for the small, snoozing nymph, but did he risk waking him up and invoking his brother's wrath? Did he risk Apex making noise upon waking up? Did he risk waking everyone else after they'd just finished getting comfortable?
Thorax bit his lip. It was so simple. Of course he did. Everyone else had gotten to cuddle a changeling, so it was naturally his turn to cuddle his changeling.
Decisive teal magic crept around Apex's form. His body sagged in its grip. Even though he floated through space ever so slowly, he stirred and twitched his eyelids. By the time they fluttered open, he'd already found himself in an awaiting embrace.
"...Papa Thorax?"
Thorax hummed.
"What's going on? Is it daytime already?"
Thorax chuckled. "No, it's not daytime yet. Far from it, in fact. Listen, I need your help with something, Apex."
"Me?"
Thorax beamed. Fatigue weighed on the nymph, but he still looked up at him with such focus.
"Princess Twilight and I can't fall asleep," Thorax lied. "We were hoping you could help us."
Apex furrowed his brow with what little energy he had.
"But how can I help? I'm just a nymph, Papa Thorax. You and the princess ponies are the ones with all the powers. Can't the purple princess put you to sleep?"
"I'm afraid I don't know any spells like that, Apex," Twilight cooed. She moved closer to the two, aligning her body so that together with Thorax, a nest had been created. Henceforth, the cuddle was complete.
Apex was besieged by the softest nuzzle ever conceived. When he looked up again, Thorax had curled up. The nymph was left a held treasure, untouchable in a pile of heat and safety.
"You're already helping, Apex," Thorax whispered. Their eyes were inches apart, reflected in each other. "You can't have a cluster sleep with just one changeling, right?"
Thorax closed his eyes, and Apex blinked his own. He wasn't entirely sure what was going on. The adults were likely just being strange again.
Apex pressed himself deeper into the collaborative hug, and when his motion stopped, all motion did. He didn't care if the adults were strange. They could be silly if they wanted. Right now, they were tired and going back to sleep, and so he would too. Adults were excellent blankets, and Papa Thorax gave the best hugs.
Thorax stirred. The scent of firewood and parchment tickled his nose. He could feel the familiar cushion cradling his body, as well as Apex lying beneath his chin.
His ears twitched. Steady breathing came from somewhere nearby. It was consistent with the warm coat pressed against his legs.
Thorax smiled. Perhaps everypony was still asleep. After all, there was no light bathing him and demanding that he begin his day. No changelings were poking him for attention, nor was there any older brother teasing him for kicks.
For now, all was tranquil, and the night (or early morning) was his to enjoy.
He started listening more closely. He could make out the sleep-induced noises of his drones, their auras calm and fuzzy—a sure sign of unconsciousness. Beyond that was the hissing of snakes, or maybe the squeaking of mice.
No, that couldn't be right. Were they voices?
With a jolt, Thorax rose his head and peered past Twilight's form. Blurred silhouettes moving in the dark confirmed his suspicions. He wasn’t the only one conscious. The changelings cuddling with the royal sisters were aloof to the hushed spat taking place mere inches above their heads.
"Sister, it is almost eight."
"It is. What a fine time to sleep in with our guests."
"You'll get no objections from me, but need I remind you of your calling? Starting everypony else's day?"
"Oh, but it's such a tiring thing."
The outline of Luna's snout twitched. "We literally exchanged the celestial bodies in tandem while cuddling changelings not nine hours ago, and you are a morning pony by literal definition."
Celestia giggled. Even in the dark, her smile was quite radiant.
"Even princesses deserve a break. How does the old saying go? 'The sun isn't up, so neither am I'?"
Luna scoffed. "And they call me the immature one."
Celestia hummed. She raised her head, and her mane stretched like a shimmering canopy to cover her snoozing drones from element or harm.
"Even if I did want to engage in your cruel scheme to wake them up preemptively, you know the rules as well as I do, Luna. The Solar Cycle Proclamation states that the sun may be expected to rise no earlier than four and no later than eight, depending on the time of year or other complications. We have minutes to spare."
Luna huffed in hollow defiance. She then yawned and placed her chin on the back of the nearest changeling she could find. Labrum's shell seemed to slowly vibrate in response. The princess smiled.
"Your platform is for an extension of only a few minutes? Ancient magics above and below, why do I even bother? Do as you will, sister. Far be it for me to advise you when we are technically within your realm of day."
Before long, she'd fallen back asleep. Celestia's mane adopted all motion in the room for quite some time, an eerie river of dim colors floating in a relative black void.
"Ponies will surely understand if I'm distracted by adorable changelings. I'm sure you can relate, Thorax."
Thorax's heart skipped a beat. When had the princess noticed him, let alone looked in his direction? He'd been looking at her distant form nearly the entire time.
Alicorns really were magical creatures.
"I can relate, but trust me, you shouldn't let them get too comfortable," Thorax warned affably. On impulse, he found Apex's small shell with his hoof and stroked it. "Some changelings will sleep all day if given a chance. Twilight saw it for herself when she visited, and Pharynx and I had some arguments about how to deal with it when it first became a problem. Cluster sleep is a bit like eating, sleeping, and having a blanket over you all at the same time. It's addictive if you don't have self-control."
Celestia laughed. A few bodies murmured and shifted.
"Never have I felt so distraught, not having been born a changeling. Every one of you is just a bundle of warmth now, aren't you?"
It was Thorax's turn to laugh, though it was far tamer. "Well, that's really kind of you to say. Not everyling is, but I like to think I've gotten the changelings to care more about others and each other. I do think cluster napping has really made a difference in bringing us together, more than any of our other activities."
Suddenly, Celestia’s horn lit, bringing her smile into the light. From beyond the distant horizon, deep orange sunlight washed over the mountaintops and reflected off the peaks of snow. It charged down the slopes and swept along the valleys of Ponyville, and all the way to Canterlot's front gates.
"Even after everything you've accomplished, you still sound modest, Thorax. I wonder what it’ll take to show you the impact you've had on your subjects' lives."
Thorax inhaled, and the light bathed him at last, warming the breath fresh in his chest. The dawn filtered through the stained glass windows like a kaleidoscope. Changelings continued to stir in their sleep, and their eyelids defiantly clenched to spite the caress of the morning's star.
Thorax watched the solar princess with intrigue. With the shadows now banished, he could see that her large wings had been extended to lay across the changelings at her sides. Her head rose to meet his gaze proper, and she offered a wink and a display of dimples.
Again, a wave of familiarity tickled the alpha's mind. Swap the monarchs, and it was a mirror image of their first meeting. The occupying hive leader, clustered with several snoozing drones, and the visiting alicorn seeking a closer political relationship.
Just how many similarities had there been on this visit already?
Thorax observed his own sleeping nymph. Those subtle pats had not roused him, so Thorax grew more daring. He moved around in his cushion as if searching for the cold side, his weight causing the bean bag’s surface to shift.
When Apex twisted about in reply, Thorax beamed. He closed his eyes and allowed himself another moment of bliss.
Oh, yes. Cluster sleep was addictive, and he was the undisputed leader of ‘Cuddler's Unanonymous’.
"Thorax, I have an idea, and I want to relay it to you before I involve Twilight and my sister."
"Oh, sure. Go ahead. I'm all ears."
His will to ensure Apex's continued rest dwindled dangerously. More hugs were to be had, and the best ones could only be claimed while he was awake.
"Your speech at the museum yesterday was truly inspiring." Celestia’s changelings started to move about under her wings and ruffle her layers of feathers. And when some changelings roused, all of them did. Yawns and groans came from all directions, even from Pharynx who audibly mimicked an irritable grizzly. Celestia found amusement in all of them.
"Thorax, before you leave this afternoon, I’d love for you to join myself, my sister, and Princess Twilight in addressing the ponies of Canterlot," she explained. She nodded in reply when Thorax's head shot up frantically. "Not so long ago, I addressed Canterlot and told them of our efforts to forge relations with the changelings, now under new leadership. That speech was recorded in transcript and sent to every corner of Equestria. You see where I'm going with this, I assume?"
Oh, no.
Thorax grimaced. Within moments, changeling heads sprung up to locate him and his broadcasted distress. They crawled out of alicorn wings and pulled themselves up before joining their alpha where he sat.
"You want me to give a speech about the changelings and send it across Equestria?"
Celestia shook her head. "All I would ask is that you give a brief speech, Thorax. Leave recording and distribution to us."
Thorax twitched nervously. Several changelings stood on their back hooves to hug him desperately.
"Deep breaths, Thorax," Apidae instructed.
"Don't worry. You can totally give a speech to the city ponies!" Calor said.
"Yeah, and if you can't, we'll just throw Calor out there, and he can pretend to be you."
Calor glared at Xenica, but only for a moment.
"Less preferable, but yeah, I could totally be you, Thorax. I've practiced."
"I believe it would be a fitting endnote to these initial efforts of yours to reach out in Equestria, Thorax, as well as a welcoming statement to those nations you've yet to visit," Celestia added reassuringly. "A state-wide address in Equestria will be news for the dragons, the hippogriffs, the yaks, and the griffons. You can make your intentions clear before even stepping hoof in another kingdom. So please allow us to give your voice power, King Thorax."
Only now did Twilight enter the waking world. She got to her hooves and found herself surprised to see that everyone but Luna had already gotten up.
More surprising was that Thorax looked as if the floor might give way from under him.
"Oh, horsefeathers. I slept in and missed out on something important, didn't I?"
An hour had passed for Thorax in what felt like a few erratic heartbeats.
Shortly after his panic attack, Twilight had offered to fetch them all 'donuts and coffee' from a local shop. During her absence, Princess Celestia had awakened her sister, much to the latter's disapproval, and the group headed out into the picturesque morning.
They had been led to a corresponding tower on the castle's grounds. Tall and decorated with a golden cap and outside stairwell, it stood at the royal gardens' edge. The princesses had mentioned that it was a library, and of course, they had a key. From the moment they'd approached the building, however, the alicorns seemed to have a sly look about them that Thorax couldn't place.
Was this not their library?
Inside was a circular room that overlooked the gardens and castle estates of Canterlot. Two levels of antique bookshelves lined the eastern and western walls, but collections of literature weren't what fascinated the changelings. A massive hourglass sat just by the northern window, which took up the entire wall. The changelings took turns pressing their faces to the glass surface, their cheeks squishing into pancakes and their large eyes magnifying to even bigger sizes.
It wasn't until much later, after the changelings had begun to explore some more, that an unfamiliar voice called out in shock.
“Whaa! A-are those changelings!? Princess Celestia, what is going on here!?”
A young mare, perhaps around Twilight's age, had emerged from some side room, jumping to her back hooves the moment she spotted her strange visitors. The princesses seemed to feign ignorance of her presence, but Thorax could read the cunning behind their smiles. This had all been planned.
“I'm sorry that we scared you. Princess Celestia didn't tell us anypony would be here. My name is Thorax. It's a pleasure to meet you! We are changelings, but as you can see, we're pretty different now, so don't worry. We don't feed off the love of others anymore.”
“My name is Moondancer. I-I had no idea that changelings could look like this. None of my books ever mentioned anything like it. Would you like to...come in and...sit down?”
They gathered in the library’s center, sitting on floor cushions in a sloppy circle. Pleasant conversations of defeated despots, rebuilt hives, and politically advantageous cuddling had hidden the fact that Luna had long since vanished from their get-together. By the time this was noticed, she had returned, and not alone. Trotting up the library steps behind her was a frazzled Twilight—four boxes of donuts and coffee floating in a cloud of pink magic above her head.
A touching reunion between Twilight and Moondancer clued Thorax in to the fact that they were old friends. With everyone settled in, the group partook in their delectable breakfast.
"She wants you to give a speech to the entire city?" Moondancer repeated, nearly doing a spit take of her cappuccino. She glared at a certain snowy alicorn, who foalishly averted her gaze. "Suddenly, those science reports in school don't seem quite so demanding."
Twilight nearly choked on her iced coffee.
"I've gotten used to giving speeches to the changelings at home," Thorax elaborated. "I'm just nervous around other creatures, and in a city that already doesn't have the greatest opinion of us. I guess I'm not really over my stage fright yet."
"Okay, first of all, the reason you can give speeches so easily at home is no great mystery, Thorax," said Pharynx. "At home, you’re a dork talking to a bunch of reborn dorks. I don't know the intricacies of hippie love magic, but our transformation seriously cooled down tempers in our hive. Even I have more patience for you these days."
Pharynx smirked at his brother's flattening brow.
"Secondly, your caring about what others think of you continues to be your first mistake. Who cares? Be yourself, and always improve. If anyone can't handle that, or the way you do that, they're not worth your time."
"Shound advish," Luna said through a mouthful of donut. "Personal growth is a personal journey. You should not allow others to define it for you. Oh, and Twilight, these are quite tasty, by the way. Clearly, I've made a grave error in never visiting Donut Joe's before."
"Perhaps if you ever cared to try new places with me like I always offer."
"What was that, sister?"
Luna's eyes sharpened. Celestia's sparkled with presumed innocence.
"Joe's place has become a tradition in my group of friends," Twilight said. She looked at Moondancer and smiled. "It's a place of reconnection and celebration. My friends from Ponyville and I go there every Grand Galloping Gala, and more recently, it's where my Canterlot friends and I catch up, too."
"Wow, you really are the Princess of Friendship, Twilight," Thorax praised. "I mean, I've taught the changelings all I know about friendship, but that's still so little. You have so many friends in all sorts of places, and they're all so different. Spike told me you got your wings when you became a princess. I can see that you’ve definitely earned them."
Equestria's youngest princess fluffed her wings and tamed a blush.
"Thank you, Thorax, but it's not the number of friends you have," she said sagely. "It's the compassion and effort to show empathy for other ponies, and that’s something that all of us are always learning about. Even after becoming a princess, I've had lessons to learn. Much in the same way that you still have lessons to learn as the changeling's leader."
"Or that my sister and I must learn as Equestria's figureheads," Celestia added. "As millennia have gone by, I've found that no amount of time will ever stop you from learning new things. There will always be new faces to meet, new perspectives to see in this world. I believe everyone in this room can relate to that lesson, personally."
Silence followed. Thorax let out a humble little sigh. Warmth filled him from within and from without as changelings closed ranks around him, drawn to his rising contentment. He cast a welcoming eye to Pharynx, as did the changelings. Pharynx rolled his own.
"Don't give me those puppy eyes," he mumbled. "If you want sap, go tap a tree."
Thorax chuckled.
"Um, it's 'King Thorax', I take it?"
"Just Thorax is fine, Moondancer," he encouraged. "I don't believe in titles that much."
Moondancer nodded. "Honestly, I'm not very good with advice. In fact, I'm probably the last pony to ask for advice. That said, it seems like Princess Celestia brought you here for a reason, and I wouldn't want to disappoint my old teacher."
As the young mare spoke, Thorax became visibly enraptured. Changelings clung to him all over, and his petulant brother continued to disregard his efforts to incorporate him into the group hug, but none of it could distract him. Just how spoiled was he to receive advice from not just princesses but even random ponies he'd never met before?
"I used to struggle a lot with leaving my comfort zones, too," Moondancer continued, adjusting her glasses with her magic. "Twilight helped me come out of my shell, and you know, it was scary at first, just like I knew it would be. But, looking back, I'm glad I did it. I'm happier now than I ever was, now that I'm not holed up in my home...thinking about the opportunities I didn't take, or the things that never were. So my advice? Give that speech a try. Chances are you'll be glad you did."
Thorax teared up in his typical fashion and proceeded to gush on the unicorn with thanks and appreciation. Soon after, their conversation was rerouted. Moondancer's sentiment became a gateway to further things they shared in common.
"So, you used to be a homebody, too?"
"That's an understatement, but yes, and I still am. Sort of. I still enjoy the peace and quiet that comes with being home or at the library. I just go outside with friends more often. What about you?"
"Oh, I know what you mean. Being home is really calming, now that the changelings and I get along. And, well, I guess it's more accurate to say I always wanted to be a homebody but wasn't able to until recently. I never felt like I fitted in with the changelings before our transformation. I actually ran away from home, just to try and find somecreature who’d want to be my friend. When everyling back home did transform, we started to consume love magic differently and produce it for ourselves. It became so much easier to make friends."
"Huh. I wish ponies came with an easy-fix transformation. That sounds really helpful. I never fitted in, either. I made some friends when I was younger, but...things didn't work out. It took me a while to give it all another chance, but here I am, I guess, complete with a library where I host card games on weekends for friends. I guess it worked out for both of us."
Thorax beamed. "Yeah, it seems that way. Making friends sure isn't as easy as they make it out to be, is it?"
Moondancer giggled. "No, no, it isn't. But you know, I'm finding it easier to make new ones these days."
Even Apex and the more rambunctious changelings in Thorax's troupe had locked away their high spirits in exchange for watching this moment. The sheer warmth and serenity radiating from their alpha was rare and dear. To interrupt would’ve been akin to halting magic; a feat as impossible as it was thoughtless.
Meanwhile, from across the friendship circle, Twilight wore a cheeky grin as she probed for Celestia's attention.
"You know, Princess Celestia, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you've had some sort of master plan for Thorax all along. I didn't realize you had a plan for me until I’d already become a princess, but ever since then, I've begun to pick up on your patterns. It was pretty sneaky of you, introducing these two."
"She takes lessons from the draconequus in being manipulative," Luna jabbed. "If you ask me, they are both getting stale and predictable."
"I cannot believe what I'm hearing," Celestia chimed, her smile as bright as her sun. She watched Thorax and Moondancer hit it off flawlessly with fond eyes. "Especially from you, Twilight. Do you mean to tell me that out of all ponies, you doubt the power of friendship? After all those friendship lessons, security threats, and mentoring challenges you solved with the help of your friends? That sounds an awful lot like treason, young lady!"
The trio laughed. Luna began to share another thought, but Twilight's focus slipped from her grasp when the high pitches of Apex and the other changelings piped up rather suddenly. She found that Thorax had pivoted to them, drawing them in with his welcoming body language. Or maybe it was those elusive love auras that she couldn't feel.
"You guys really think I should?" Thorax asked, an odd smile on his face. "I don't want to be overbearing. This is our first visit back to Canterlot, and we already made an impression at the museum. Maybe we should wait until next time. We could make a speech when we come back to pick up those blankets for everyling, right?"
Twilight recognized that smile all too well, and it was infectious. It was a tool found in her own repertoire. It was for when Pinkie sought her help in baking cupcakes with questionable but innocent ingredients, or when a student timidly stepped into her office and asked for her blessings in doing out-of-campus extra credit opportunities.
It was a farce, and the changelings fell for it. Thorax included them in the decision process, but he'd already made up his mind.
"Of course you should!" cried Calor. "We came to Canterlot to show everypony that we're friendly now, Thorax. What better way to do that than talk to everypony in the city at once?"
"Yeah! The museum was busy, but there's no way everypony in the city was there. Right?"
Cimex glanced at Celestia for confirmation. She nodded.
"There are a lot of ponies who missed your other speech, Thorax, so you gotta do another one," Xenica reasoned.
"If we leave now, there’ll still be a lot of doubt about us. If you address the city, then the rest of Equestria will know how hard we're trying to reach out, too. You have to, Thorax!" Apidae stated.
"At this point, I don't care what you do, Thorax. Just make a decision so that we can go home."
Brows furrowed by the half-dozen and glared at Pharynx. The beta unapologetically rubbed his snout with a hoof.
For a moment, Thorax pretended to fiddle with his leg. He darted a look behind him, to Moondancer, and to his left where the princesses sat. When he looked ahead again, he found a wave of shining faces, waiting with bated breath.
Thorax chuckled. Awake or asleep, the changelings would always be a weakness of his.
"I can't really opt out after a rally like that, I guess. Okay, I'll do it."
There were resounding cheers and hoof stomps. Their mirth inspired the observing Equestrians to laugh alongside them.
Celestia broke rank from her fellow princesses. She flared her wings and cleared her throat to get the group’s attention. Her regard fell not on Thorax but the new resident bookworm.
"Moondancer, I would first like to apologize for dropping by unannounced this morning and startling you. It was my intention to introduce you to King Thorax, but I truly did not expect you to already be at the library this time of day. It is my fault for not checking in with you beforehoof. I'm reminded why spontaneity is so often the precursor for plans gone awry."
Moondancer did not reply verbally. Instead, she nodded graciously and smiled. Celestia returned both.
"Secondly, there will be a mandatory, city-wide address exactly three hours from now. It will take place in the castle's southeastern courtyard, where Princess Twilight's coronation took place. Before you reach the courtyard, beseech the nearest guard you can spot to aid you in finding your very own balcony to observe Thorax's address."
Moondancer's lofty expression shattered. "B-but, Your Highness, the balconies are for Canterlot aristocrats and special guests."
"They are."
"But then, why would-"
"Moondancer, we’ve hardly spoken since you were a filly, but I was your teacher for quite some time. I still remember how you feel about large crowds. After inconveniencing you this morning, this is the very least I can do. You are welcome to bring along Twinkleshine and your other friends, should you happen to see them this afternoon."
Moondancer's mouth opened, but Luna spoke up.
"If you are dreading trouble along the way to your balcony, please spare yourself the stress. If anypony, guard or aristocrat, even attempts to give you or any of your friends trouble, they will answer directly to me. I have scolded both already during this visit, and I will do it again if need be."
Moondancer felt her hooves melt into the floor. She sniffed, overcome with gratitude.
"A-alright then. I'll be sure to, Your Highnesses. Thank you."
Celestia nodded. With purpose, she turned to Thorax. The alpha changeling had since reclaimed his youngest attendee atop his head. Celestia fought to retain her political composure as tiny red eyes peered curiously at her from between a set of equally tiny, clasped hooves.
"Thorax, I will not ask you to remain at my side, but please don’t wander too far from the castle. I will be in my personal study until then, prepping our speech recorder on what I expect. If you could find me shortly before it is time, I would like to go over the finer points of how things will proceed."
"Will do, Your Majesty," Thorax said readily. Apex poked out his tongue between his lips. Celestia felt her heart attack quickly approach. She turned to her sister, who patiently awaited her.
"Sister, if you could please rally the guards and have them spread the word of the address, I would be forever grateful."
"At once," said Luna. "I will also do a dream-check for those who may be asleep due to napping or night-shift schedules, and warn them."
Finally, Celestia turned to Twilight. Though maternal love pulled at her heartstrings, the snowy alicorn held back any tells of a quivering lip. They shared a glance, and as Twilight beamed, so did Celestia.
"Princess Twilight, if you’d care to indulge me, I would adore your company as I prepare for the address in the castle. It’s a process I believe you'd find interesting, and one I'd like for you to grow more familiar with."
"Of course!" Twilight agreed, her eyes glinting. "I'd love to. May I ask why, though? I'm not sure how many state-wide addresses I'll need to make as a more social-oriented princess."
The tip of Celestia's horn flickered as the sun continued its path across the sky. She took in the quiet splendor of her pupil's old library with a sigh, and for a long moment, sat amidst a flurry of memories. Voices in this room were loud and concise, yet ghosts to all but her. Had it really been that long ago when she last set hoof in this room?
Are you really sure I can live here, Your Highness? Isn't this your library?
Of course, Twilight. I wouldn't offer if I weren't certain.
But aren't these your books? Your scrolls? Your artifacts?
Consider them yours, now. Study them, learn from them, and share that knowledge. Record all of your findings, Twilight Sparkle, because one day, we'll sit down together, and you will be able to teach me about the wonders of our world.
I-I will! Absolutely! Thank you, Princess Celestia! Just watch. I promise I'll be the greatest student you've ever had!
...
"...Princess Celestia?"
Celestia blinked. She returned to Twilight with a look that glowed.
"Oh, no reason, in particular, Twilight," she said. "I just have a feeling the knowledge might one day serve you well."
Thorax could hear the crowd from beyond the balcony's red curtains. Thousands of indiscernible, simultaneous conversations came together to amass a deafening white noise.
He swallowed the lump in his throat, but his anxiety continued to pour forth. Changelings hugged him in a coordinated effort, but their strategy didn’t amount to much this time.
"I believe we’re all set," Celestia said to her scribe. Thorax's panic caught her eye, and she giggled. "Well, as ready as we can be, I suppose."
"I'll be okay," Thorax squeaked. Calor wrapped his hooves around his alpha’s neck from behind and draped himself over his back, thrumming with all his might. Unfortunately, this just made Thorax's voice sound like it was coming through a fan. "Just not used to crowds this big, that's all. The entire hive barely gets to over half this size. Th-that's a lot of emotions to be faced with all at once."
"Please," said Pharynx, leaning lazily against a pillar. "Just jabber on about 'unity' and 'friendship' for a few minutes and you'll be fine, Thorax. No one’s here for details. They just want to be reassured that we're not about to go to war. It's really too bad, by the way. Life is getting way too predictable without a good conflict."
There was silence. Somepony coughed, though it wasn't clear who.
"...As...candid as your brother is, he's absolutely right about one thing, Thorax," Twilight added. "For most ponies, just seeing the princesses publicly endorse you will be enough for now. That said, your positive attitude will really make a difference by showing you’re an active part of the process. That's why giving a brief speech is so important."
Twilight chanced a glance at her mentor and received a wink. Calm and regal in stride, Celestia parted the curtains and prompted a wave of cheers. She paused, even under such expectancy, to offer Thorax her most encouraging smile.
"I could stand on this balcony all day and passionately talk about friendships with other nations, Thorax, but for my subjects, there is no meaning behind it alone. Only when they see that passion emulated by our allies do they begin to feel it themselves. Today, it may just be words, but all promises have to start somewhere. Let's start this journey together. Equestria is ready."
For some time, not a word was uttered. Everyone held a stake in the events taking place out there. When Celestia spoke, her voice drifted somewhere between her regular pitch and her Royal Canterlot Voice.
“A wonderful afternoon to you all, and a heartfelt thank you for entertaining this sudden summons. I know that many of you have taken time away from your workday and other responsibilities to be here. I promise to be as brief as I can be. Yesterday, a series of efforts to introduce a new ally to the eyes of Equestria culminated in a visit to our city. Before our guests head home this afternoon, I wish to include you all in this marvelous occasion.”
Thorax's heart besieged his ribcage with steady thumps. His drones squeezed him tighter. Pharynx rolled his eyes harder. Twilight offered emotional support through proximity.
“For those who attended our city's museum opening, our guests need no introduction. For those who attended my previous city address, you may recall Equestria's efforts to extend a hoof of friendship to the new Changeling Kingdom, under the leadership of their benevolent new king. I'm delighted to say that progress has been made—not only with Canterlot but with our friends in the Crystal Empire.”
"Ah, thank goodness. Dear sister is still monologuing, I see."
Luna entered the room with an air of urgency, her smile mismatching her frantic eyes.
"Yup," Pharynx monotoned. "And that's not all. Thorax is still having an episode, the others are still drowning him in love magic, and I'm still fighting the urge to upchuck. All is normal on the front, lieutenant."
Luna approached the lumbering ball of hugged changelings. She raised a sly brow at the offensively adorable display.
"You will give a fine speech, Thorax," she encouraged. "And I'm glad that I arrived in time to witness it. Apologies for the close call. Ponies seem awfully lost and confused on where to locate their assigned balconies this afternoon."
"She's just about finished, Thorax," Twilight said suddenly. With a wave of her hoof, she politely shooed the cuddlebugs away. "Are you ready?"
Thorax swallowed again. The throat lump was stubborn. He looked around at his changelings and took a roll call in his head. Upon finishing, he found Apex flopping about in presumed boredom atop Calor's back and frowned.
"Apex, you're going to stay here with Uncle Pharynx while I go outside and talk with everypony, okay?"
"How long are you gonna be, Papa Thorax?" asked Apex. The nymph's head shot up between Calor's ears. "The daytime princess pony is talking to the ponies already about us, so why do you need to? This isn't more polo ticks, is it? Why can't we do fun things? I want more of those donuts the purple princess got us!"
"Answer my question please, Apex. This is really important. I need you to stay here with Uncle Pharynx and everyling else until I'm done, okay? I promise we're all going to head home soon after that. Maybe we can pick up some pony snacks on the way home."
Protests sprouted but were cut short by Thorax’s magic. Apex was whisked away from Calor's azure shell and placed upon a darker cyan, which provoked a low grumbling. Having been literally saddled with responsibility, Pharynx stood up straight with a sigh as Apex began to climb his neck and use his antlers as hoofholds.
"You'd better be quick about this," the beta muttered. "If I start to develop a headache from singing or tap-dancing, he's getting tossed off that balcony-"
"-Can you just not, with the attitude? I can’t deal with it right now. Just look after him until I'm finished, please. It isn't that hard. Weren't you the one who said we're all basically on vacation and have the princesses to help us look after everyling?"
Pharynx blinked. His sass had been halted in its tracks. Thorax advanced towards the curtain with Twilight and the scribe, just as finishing remarks could be heard.
Pharynx huffed, but his pride recovered just as quickly. He smirked to himself, resuming his lean against the pillar. He'd only himself to blame, hadn't he? Hit the dummy hard enough, and it'll always swing back to hit you, just as it's meant to.
"Careful, Thorax, or you might fool me into thinking you've actually grown an exoskeleton over there."
“Today, it is my greatest pleasure to introduce to you all the new leader of the Changeling Kingdom: King Thorax!”
Celestia's sun embraced him. He raised a foreleg to shield his eyes. As they adjusted, he spied lukewarm faces peering up at him by the dozens, with only scattered hoof stomps to go along with. His anxieties, old and set in their ways, ground against his heart, for a spotlight like none he'd ever felt before weighed down on him from all sides.
But he didn’t take a single step back. Fear gripped him, strangled his throat, yet he stood tall regardless. He lowered his leg with great resolve and drank in the afternoon air, crisp and cool from the mountaintop above him. He met the faces of one pony after another, and through the filter of light, smiled.
He'd not come this far to let the changelings fall into obscurity, to let his own faults stunt their growth before it could even begin. They deserved better. He deserved better. And by the Hive's name, it was about time the rest of Equestria knew it, too.
"Hello, everypony. My name is Thorax. A long time ago, I fled my home because I couldn't live with myself. I couldn't live with the way my kind preyed on innocent creatures, stealing something that should be cherished. I couldn't live with the way my kind rejected friendship, the only thing I ever wanted in life. I fled my hive and branded myself a traitor, and I’d be lying if I said I was optimistic. I wasn't sure I'd ever find another creature willing to offer something like me friendship freely. But I was determined to try. It was all I could do."
As if by magic, the scaled hide of a familiar face stuck out from the crowd. When Thorax found Spike's prideful grin staring back at him, he found that he was not alone. The rose garden streaks of Princess Cadance's mane framed an even grander look of pride, shared in equal part by her husband. They stood together and watched from one of the farthest rows, their heads gently laid against one another.
"In the least hospitable place in Equestria, I found someone, against all odds. His friendship cured my hunger, and with his help, I was able to show the Crystal Empire that not all changelings were the same. I found a family there in Princess Cadance, her husband, Shining Armor, and their daughter, Flurry Heart. They taught me about love, about the magic of friendship, and I was shown a world I never knew. I was in awe, and more than anything, I wanted to show the changelings what I had learned. I wanted to show them a better way to live."
A vortex of chaos magic tore itself open atop the roof of a far balcony, and Discord stepped out from it. Though far out of earshot, Thorax could still hear the snap of that eagle claw in his mind as Discord summoned a floating beach chair and umbrella with which to pamper himself. There, he sat and respectfully offered his attention, holding perhaps the most peculiar smile Thorax had ever seen.
In that aged smile, Thorax was reminded of another. One far more sinister and cold, accompanied by a foul laugh he'd not soon forget. The sting of tears came to him, fueled by emotions far hotter than distress. He clenched his teeth.
"Even with what I learned, though, showing the changelings a better way was not easy. Chrysalis was a tyrant who ruled over us using fear and desperation. She separated our young at birth and raised them to be warriors. From there, she taught us that we were predators, doomed to a life of hunger if we didn't seek conquest over others. She was cruel and selfish, and I don't believe there's a single changeling in my hive today who isn't repulsed at the mention of her name."
He paused, not for the crowd's sake, but his own. His composure demanded a cooldown.
"...It was only with the help of my friends from Equestria that I was able to show my hive that better way. We rejected Chrysalis together, and have tried our best since then to make our hive a kinder, gentler place to live. In doing so, I've done my best to erase Chrysalis's influence and replace it with what I learned from my friends in the Crystal Empire; that love and magic are interconnected and that they are things we can create for ourselves."
A soft hoof upon his flank made him jump. He turned to find that his fiery emotions had clouded his awareness of where his drones were. They now gathered around him, freely exposing themselves and their myriad of colors to the crowd. Not one of them attempted to speak or make an elaborate display. Instead, mirroring their king, they gave pleasant looks to those who’d have them.
Revitalized, Thorax's tear wells dried. He cleared his throat and stood that much taller. By chance, he found Moondancer sitting among a small group of mares that he didn’t recognize. When she noticed his gaze, she adjusted her glasses and nodded.
"Through friendship, we eliminate hunger. By resting together, we regain energy. We're no longer a swarm, but a pack. We live together, play together, and look after each other because that’s what packs do—what families do."
The sound of eager, buzzing wings preceded the sensation of tiny hooves, which clamored up Thorax's shell before he could react. He could see the trajectory of a thousand eyes trace his face to find the tiny, energetic creature now perched above it. A crown far more memorable than any pair of antlers.
Thorax curled his lip. He didn’t turn, nor did he need to. His brother's deadpan was audible even from here.
"Oh no, the gnat got away from me. What a tragic twist."
Hooves pressed into Thorax's scalp and lidded his eyes, and an immature, high-pitched voice rang out.
"Okay, hello everypony. My name is Apex and we're all cuddlebugs now, except me and Uncle Pharynx though! We're friendly and stuff now, so please don't ask Papa Thorax to talk too much about polo ticks! He does it a lot, but I don't think he likes to because he always gets nervous!"
Searing heat flooded Thorax's veins and secreted sweat. He should’ve known better. He did know better. With or without his brother's betrayal, his nymph was inevitable.
Snickers and adoring coos came from below. Unexpectedly, the clopping of hooves followed. Thorax watched it slowly spread until it finally grew into a contained uproar that threatened to vibrate the entire castle plaza. Cheers seasoned the rumble, and as individual voices fought with each other to catch his ear, Thorax could scarcely hold back his dopey grin.
"What a moving tale. Bravo to all of you!"
"The witch never deserved your loyalty! Long forget the queen, I say!"
"Spoken from the heart, yet so well-organized! Very impressive for a young monarch!"
"How old is he? The little one, I mean. He's adorable! In fact, you all are!"
Just then, Thorax could sense his brother's presence. The beta changeling joined Thorax by his side, wearing a smile that was neither sarcastic nor condescending. It was a proud one. He held out his hoof.
Thorax’s long-held grin crumpled to something more heartfelt, and he bumped his brother's hoof with his own.
But the sentiments did not end there. In an instant, both brothers found themselves sandwiched between a flurry of affectionate changelings. There, on display for a thousand Equestrians, the Changeling Kingdom's monarchs were made the victims of an awkwardly positioned hug.
Unbeknownst to them, royal eyes looked on with fondness from behind the curtains. They, too, had been humbled by the roars of acceptance, which were now likely audible to half of Equestria.
"This is a victory, Twilight."
Twilight looked at her mentor. Celestia watched the changelings whilst shedding a gleaming tear. It seemed an eternity before she turned, beckoning the purple alicorn with an outstretched wing.
Twilight trotted forward to find herself wrapped in those angelic wings, and she succumbed to those same tears.
"It is your victory, as well," Celestia continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "Despite your growing responsibilities elsewhere, you've poured yourself into helping Thorax find his start in Equestria, and I am so proud of you. This is what a compassionate and capable leader looks like, Twilight. I’m happy to have you here for this."
"I'm glad to be here too," Twilight whispered back. "But I can't take all the credit. A wise pony once told me, 'what is a princess of friendship without her friends?' If I can't help a single friend in need, how can I ever call myself a princess?"
"...Goodness me. Go on, keep it up, you two. I'll be gushing as well, at this rate," Luna giggled. She made efforts to join the pair, but as she did, a new set of voices stopped her in stride, hailing from the corridor.
"You won't be the only one, auntie."
"For a sun princess, she's always had a knack for starting the waterworks. Don't you think, Twily?"
Cadance and Shining Armor stepped into the room, beaming in tandem at their host's sudden excitement.
"Oh, Cadance, you both made it," Celestia purred, releasing Twilight from her grasp to greet her family. "I wasn't sure you'd be able to attend in time, let alone receive my letter."
"Of course we did," Cadance dismissed with a laugh. "How could we miss our favorite changeling giving a speech in Canterlot? Thorax is practically family."
"Thankfully for us, Sunburst had an old book that explained how to use a long-distance transportation spell," Shining Armor explained, giving his sister a hug. "We're both a little rusty. Usually, we prefer to take the train, but we've been chomping at the bit ever since Thorax's last visit to see him again."
"His speech was beautiful. He was never that brave or eloquent when living with us. He's grown up in more ways than one, that's for sure."
As they finished their greetings, the voices from beyond the curtain drew their attention. With the roaring applause settled, a steady back and forth had begun as Thorax did his best to take questions from the crowd. At every opportunity, he was interrupted by his brother's brusque counterpoints or his changelings' unbridled enthusiasm.
But then, judging by his foalish laughter upon each occurrence of either, he didn't seem to mind too much.
"Cadance, Shining Armor," Celestia began, eyeing the pair suddenly. "Now that you’re both here, I would adore the opportunity to catch up. I'm sure Thorax would be delighted to see you again as well before he heads home. First, though, I'm afraid I have some matters to attend to. Before the address is adjourned, I must see the guard units and check over their exit stratagem. Perhaps you'd care to wait for Thorax with Twilight for just a few minutes?"
"The more abrupt an address, the more hectic getting everypony out of the plaza becomes," Luna added.
"I seem to remember crowd control for large events being the Royal Guard Captain's job," Shining stated.
"You remember correctly, then. Ever since our niece ran away to the Crystal Empire and took our favorite guard captain with her, we've had trouble finding somepony brave enough to take the position. For now, my sister and I share the responsibility of overseeing the guard units. It is not a job we're unfamiliar with; just one we've not had to hold since centuries before my banishment."
Shining Armor hummed and nervously looked elsewhere. Cadance and Twilight laughed.
"We'd be happy to stay put," Cadance said. "Sunburst opted to stay home and watch after Flurry Heart this afternoon so that we could attend, so trust me, we're in no rush. I seem to recall that Twilight still hasn't shown me her full library, and if I had to guess, Thorax will be ready for something calm and quiet after this, too. I'm very excited to spend some time with everyone, and maybe visit a few old haunts while I'm at it."
"As it turns out, I've already given Thorax a bit of a castle tour. But I can think of a dragon I know who might want to spend time with him before he heads home. I'm sure the boys can entertain themselves long enough for me to give you and Shining that tour..."
Twilight trailed off, noticing that the royal sisters were having a hushed side-conservation. She sheepishly cleared her throat.
"Please, go on, Princess Celestia. We'll be here when you get back. I'm sure Thorax will need at least that long just to calm the changelings down."
Celestia pivoted her focus from Luna to Twilight, and back again. She nodded.
"Very well then. Luna, would you accompany me? We'll be back shortly. If we're fortunate, the guards had their coffee this morning and will already be on top of things."
"Spoiler alert: they didn't, and they won't be," Luna mumbled.
The elder monarchs took their leave. As they did, they listened to the whimsical sounds of family catching up. Past them, the more muffled sounds of Thorax conversing almost casually with the audience he was so frightened of just moments ago, was a joy to hear.
The halls extended in front and behind them the longer they walked. Before long, a reprieve of silence cradled the sisters. Their hoofsteps slowed in the wake of it.
"She has come far, even since the crown. I do not dote on her or keep up with her progress as much as you do, but even I can see it. Her published literature on friendship, creating and running her own school—it is all very impressive. Still, in your praises for her, do not forget your own contributions, sister. You've assisted Thorax quite a bit, yourself. Lest we forget, you are the one who first initiated contact and planted the idea for bonding with the Crystal Empire. Are you still so certain she is ready for unassisted governance?"
"I am. I decided to overreach, and it was not because I doubted Twilight. I overreached because Thorax was a timid and unsure leader, thrust into a position of power unexpectedly. I wanted to assure him that Equestria's leadership was ready to help, on all its levels, and that we had a solid plan right from the start. Had the Thorax we saw today risen to power all those months ago, I'd have been far more hooves-off.
"Besides, nothing will be truly unassisted, Luna. You heard my faithful student. A princess of friendship always has her friends."
Luna shook her head and smiled. "You're so very proud. It's adorable. And yes, that is fair, I suppose. I had nearly forgotten the precarious situation the hive was in after the she-demon's leave. You can scarcely blame the changelings for accepting a former enemy's help so readily."
"Twilight may not have directed the finer points this time, but I believe she excelled in what she did bring to the table: companionship and personal guidance. Do you not think she's ready, based on this experience?"
Luna chewed her lip. She looked up towards the ceiling. "I simply wonder if ally recruitment would have yielded a clearer picture of her progress if the candidate kingdom had been more...challenging. Even with desperation aside, it's unlikely that Thorax would have ever denied help, even the hoof-holding variety. I’d venture to say that failing to foster friendship with the changelings under Thorax may very well be impossible."
"Be nice, Luna," Celestia giggled. "What did poor Thorax ever do to deserve disrespect like that? Just wait until I tell Starswirl. Oh, the stern beard twirls you'll get."
Luna's eyes shot wide open. "My apologies, I did not realize we were in grade school once again. It was a compliment! He is charming and sweet and assuredly too pure for this world. I used to think only the yellow one held that power."
"Twilight is learning all the time, just as she always does, and there will be further opportunities for her to demonstrate it. Just today, I've introduced her to address recording and safety procedures. I have plans for further lessons in the coming weeks, as well."
"Sounds very unsubtle of you, sister."
More giggling ensued. "Perhaps, but I don’t believe there is a need to keep our plans from her for much longer, anyway. Wait too long, and, as you've alluded to, she’ll begin to see the signs."
"So it is time, then? You wish to tell her and her friends?"
Celestia stepped out of the cool castle and basked in the awaiting sun. The mountain breeze dove upon her and carried her mane. It flowed past her, flowing over the crowd, now dispersing after Thorax's address. So far, the guard units seemed to have control of the situation, though the pace of leaving bodies left something to be desired.
She threw her glance to the balcony. While some of the changelings had adjourned, Thorax remained, now joined by Twilight, Cadance, and Shining Armor. Celestia smiled something warm and yearning. She needed no context to see the joy in their expressions.
Thorax shivered, though there was no breeze. The entire valley had grown still now that the conflict responsible for shaking the land had decayed to recent memory. Upon making his way down the mountain, Thorax had taken to observing the fields at its base, where various groups of creatures met in the aftermath. He could only make out segments of their conversations, but even just the sight of so many different creatures getting along was enough to make him feel joy.
Thorax furrowed his brow. The more he thought about it, the more miraculous the whole situation became. After being rallied by mere school children, an excess of five different kingdoms had converged on a nameless hilltop outside Ponyville to assist Equestria in ridding itself of its darkest villains. The initial charge was even led by a unicorn who once held a reputation for xenophobia. True harmony was achieved in the face of true evil.
The irony was there, but Thorax wasn't laughing. In fact, the conflict’s end had left something foul and bitter in its wake. A problem he’d been avoiding now confronted him, demanding his attention with cold, calcified eyes. As he stood amidst piles of confectionary goo and sprinkles, Thorax found himself just as frozen as the statue he surveyed.
"Typical. Leave it to the Equestrians to hog all the fun, and just when we finally got to see some action, too. They always did enjoy being judge, jury, and...well, I suppose the last bit doesn't really work in this context. Is 'jailor' not literal enough? 'Sculptor', maybe?"
Thorax acknowledged his brother's hoofsteps and his humor with a lopsided chuckle, but his focus remained on the grim figures before him.
The sociopathic foal, Cozy Glow, clasped her hooves to her cheeks, her eyes wide in a moment of realized terror. Whether it was real or just another hollow ploy for empathy was anyone's guess, but for Thorax, it was unsettling either way. A short, thick buttress of stone sprouted from her lower hoof and tail, and connected itself to the centaur, Tirek, propping her up and effectively maintaining the illusion of flight. Decrepit and wretched, Tirek cowered from the inevitable in a similar fashion, having closed his eyes before the effects of petrification could reach them.
Only now did Thorax realize his breathing had become short and ragged. His mind knew what his nerves did not. The protruded tongue, bared fangs, and pouncing posture of the statue's third figure posed no threat, but it haunted him from his peripheral, daring him to meet its hideous face.
"Thorax."
"...Y-yeah?"
"What are you doing?"
There was impatience in his brother's voice. Just how long had he been sitting there? Thorax scrambled to turn his melancholy stare to a dopey smile.
"I'm fine, Pharynx. I'm just thinking. Is everyling okay?"
Pharynx flattened his lip. "Define 'okay'."
Thorax frowned and turned his head. "You know what I mean. Was anyling hurt in the fight?"
Pharynx guided his brother's gaze to a medical station tossed together at the far treeline. It consisted of a snowy tent with a cross and a series of wooden benches. There, a few changelings, dragons, and yaks were being tended to by a staff of nurse unicorns.
"A few scrapes, a few bruises," Pharynx assessed dismissively. "Nothing to write home about, and certainly nothing for you to coddle them over. Hive forbid we have even a little pride in our war scars. Most of them are just coming off the adrenaline. Not every day you get to face your ex-queen and her band of freak shows in decisive combat."
Thorax's ears nervously flexed. His face reflected the mild concern his heart felt. True, the changelings seemed to be casually chatting with the nurses, but just the sight of bandages on his subjects was distressing.
He'd need to make a mental note of which changelings would be requiring additional hugs later. His brother didn't need to know.
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Are you okay?"
Pharynx scoffed. "Actually, no, it was way too chilly on that hilltop, Thorax. You know, the one far away from the action? I'm rather upset about it. Those unicorns could’ve at least installed heating in their little barrier spell while we puppy guarded the princess and her friends."
"Guess you're fine," Thorax mumbled. "Your sarcasm is working."
"Is it? Wow, gold star, Thorax. So what are we doing next? We going home now, or what?"
"Shortly, yes. I wanted to stick around and see if any of the princesses wanted to talk. Also, I've been looking to see if Queen Novo was here. Have you seen her?"
"The hippogriff queen? Why?"
"We've been exchanging letters for a while. One of them said she'd enjoy us visiting her, or her visiting us sometime. Shortly after that, I got another letter talking about how she'd heard wonderful things about us from Silverstream, who’s really close friends with Ocellus. Ocellus even visited Seaquestria over this past school break. I haven't heard anything back from the queen since then. I wanted to see if she came here with the rest of the hippogriffs."
"I doubt it."
"Huh? Why?"
Again, Pharynx jabbed his head in a given direction and Thorax followed. A tall, commanding hippogriff with teal plumage was talking with Silverstream nearby the medical tent.
"See him? That's General Seaspray. He’s to the hippogriffs what I am to us, except wetter. You might’ve met him before. He probably visits the princess's school for Silverstream, like you do, for Ocellus."
"Wait, what do you mean 'wetter'? Like, as in the navy?"
"Yes."
"Pharynx, you're in charge of our navy too. We just don't have an official one because we don't live anywhere near water-"
"Missing the point, Thorax. Seaspray is not just the leader of the hippogriff's navy. He’s also their lead dignitary. In all situations where Novo would make a political visit, he goes in her stead. The hippogriffs may have emerged from their little ocean bunker, but that doesn't mean the queen has. I've heard the only time she ever comes on land is for special occasions on Mount Aris."
Pharynx paused. He waited for any kind of response, but none came. Instead, his brother looked at him with something sappy and terrifying.
"Pharynx...when did you get so knowledgeable about all the other kingdoms? I'm so proud of you!"
And there it was.
"You-I'm supposed to know about-my old job literally required me to-...You know what? Nevermind. I'm not entertaining this today. This was my day off before we all got collectively called on to come and solve your friend's problems."
Thorax blinked, and his brother advanced on him, pinning him with that familiar, unapproving glare.
"You can chase hippogriffs and seapony queens later. Let's talk about what's up with you."
"Me?"
Pharynx eyed the statue. He eyed Thorax. "Don't play dumb. Neither the princesses nor Seaspray are over here, so why are you over here, standing alone? What's so fascinating about some defeated enemies? You're acting weird, even for you."
Thorax was again consumed by the petrified triad. This time, he bravely faced the mad look of his former queen head-on. A flurry of painful memories bombarded him, stealing away his breath, but he couldn't look away. She couldn’t blink, speak or express her hatred, but Thorax could swear he could still feel it—an eternal flame of selfish fury, immortalized along with her body.
"Do you think she can still hear us?"
"...What?"
"Chrysalis, Pharynx," Thorax repeated firmly. "During Discord's last visit, he and I talked about his past a bit. He said that during the millennium he was petrified, he could still hear, even though he couldn't see or feel. Do you think it was because he's a special kind of creature, or is all petrification the same?"
As the true nature of the situation came to light, silence took hold between them. When Pharynx spoke again, it was only after exhausting a long and haggard sigh.
"I get it, now." Pharynx's tone had grown quiet. He walked behind Thorax and to his other side, where his former commander's image was clearer. He regarded it with a sneer. "It's closure, you're after."
Thorax didn't reply. He didn't need to. His brother's empathetic senses had long since fully developed. He knew Pharynx could feel his growing anguish.
"I just, I-"
Thorax feared an interruption, although he knew he shouldn't by now. He glanced over his shoulder and found only stern patience. Nothing in all the land, sea, or sky could waver his brother's attention. He watched and waited, as if expecting Thorax to collapse at any given moment.
With that comforting thought, Thorax fell apart.
"...I almost wish she had come back for the throne, Pharynx," Thorax breathed, shakes besieging his voice. "I'm so glad she didn't because I didn't want the changelings put in danger, but...I wanted her to know just how far we've come without her. I wanted her to see for herself that friendship and happiness weren't a weakness. They were how we became self-reliant."
Thorax began to sniff and hiccup through his tears. A firm hoof cradled his back.
"Don't tell me, Thorax. I'm not the one who needs to hear it."
Thorax raised his head, and all too suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu. He was again in the bowels of the hive, sobbing hysterically in a release of anxiety, and being comforted by his brother in a rare moment of compassion.
Thorax clenched his teeth. He cleared his throat as trails of tears stained his lime cheeks and blurred Chrysalis's gaping maw from view.
"I know you wouldn't care," he murmured, his voice growing steadier with each word. "I know you wouldn't hesitate to reclaim the hive by force if given the chance. I know that our happiness is irrelevant to you and that it always was. I used to hope that you'd one day change your ways, that you’d treat us better. I used to dream of a hive that I belonged in, that welcomed me for who I am, instead of demanding I hurt others to fit in. I stopped dreaming the day I ran away. I guess I finally realized it would never happen."
Pharynx's hoof rose and fell along the curve of Thorax's shell in a steady rhythm. It coaxed the younger changeling to continue.
"And it turns out I was right, wasn't I? You never changed, Chrysalis, and that's why you're here now. You couldn't accept that noling wanted to follow you after they were able to care for themselves, so you lashed out. You lashed out at everyone around you, doing what you've always done: inflicting pain on others for your own gain. Well, this time you went too far. Equestria has no more tolerance for your hate, and neither do the changelings. We may be irrelevant to you, ‘my queen’, but I want you to know that you’re irrelevant to us, too. The changelings are prospering without you."
The hoof came to a sudden stop, and Thorax nearly lost his train of thought. He could feel mild shock coming off his brother's aura.
"I guess this is goodbye. I think I'll always wonder what might’ve been, Chrysalis. What could’ve happened if you'd decided to consider Starlight's words, instead of rejecting them for the only thing you've ever known."
Thorax forced a weak smile in an effort to lift his mood. The next time his glance fell on the statue, his chest did not tighten, nor did his teeth clench. He supposed that was a good thing.
"Wow," said Pharynx.
Thorax chuckled."What? You're the one who told me to talk to her."
Pharynx dipped his chin, and his stare sharpened.
"You're right, I did. On the one hoof, well done. On the other, where in Hive's name did all of that come from? I don't know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't back sass. Have you been holding back this whole time, Thorax?"
Thorax's chuckle bloomed into laughter. The last of his gloom had been dispelled.
"I just…I've never expressed any of this out loud before, at least to this extent," he admitted. "Not even to you. Certainly never to Chrysalis. I guess I had a lot to say. I was always torn up over how she treated everyling—even more so about not being strong enough to do anything about it."
"Well, it's better that you didn't tell her off, before. You're right. She never cared, and I doubt she would now. It might be less impressive to sass a statue, but at least the statue can't hurt anyone when it's told something it doesn't like. For what it's worth, though, I doubt I could’ve sassed her any better, myself."
Thorax beamed. Before he could respond, a familiar figure called out to him. It was General Seaspray, and he bounded towards him with a smile.
"Ah, King Thorax, what a pleasure it is to see you well," said Seaspray, his gallop slowing to a standstill in a few steps. He gave an elegant and exaggerated bow before glancing at the statue at Thorax's side. "Quite a showing we gave those rogues, hmm? I cannot wait to relay our grandiose victory back to Her Majesty, Queen Novo."
Pharynx rolled his eyes.
"Which brings me to my reason for seeking your company." Seaspray reached into a large, brown satchel at his side with a claw. Curled in it upon exit was a wrapped scroll, which he readily offered to Thorax. "Her Majesty, Queen Novo, has requested that I deliver this to you posthaste."
"Thank you," Thorax replied, summoning the scroll with a spark of teal magic. He opened the letter's aquatic blue seal with a snap and unfurled it in his aura. Pharynx read it along with him.
Dear King Thorax,
I have to apologize for my silence as of late. Ever since my subjects regained their safety and started treading the land again, it has been a nightmare trying to coordinate just about anything in my kingdom. These hippogriffs got their heads in the clouds in more ways than one. You remember when I talked about the rebuilding of our village on Mount Aris? Well, you better believe I’m starting to have regrets already. If I have to come up there one more time and tell Sky Beak to put a lid on these screeching contests in the late evenings, I tell you, momma is gonna have a conniption.
Oh, Thorax, I do so appreciate you letting me vent my heart out in our letters. None of my guards and advisors listen to me the same way you have. Princess Celestia has always been a generous ear, as well, but she's been so busy lately with the state of things in Equestria and I can't blame her. You’ve been a sweetheart and a lifesaver these past months.
That’s why I've decided to honor you with the pleasure of visiting you and your subjects, personally. I figure it’s about time I stretch my wings a bit, and I've been hearing nothing but love from my niece about her adventures with her little changeling friend. I've been getting a might antsy about visiting my first changeling hive, myself.
Please do get back to me as soon as you can, so that we can plan a date and time.
Yours,
Queen Novo
Thorax re-rolled the letter and looked up to see Seaspray looking quite pleased with himself.
"Well, gents, if you'd care to craft a letter here and now, I shall be on my way home shortly and can bring it to Her Majesty before the sun sets. Otherwise, do feel free to reply at your own pace. I believe we could all do with a good rest after that fiery fray, hence I shan’t rush you."
Thorax grinned. He turned to Pharynx with renewed zest, and in doing so, drained his brother of all expression.
"Pharynx, Queen Novo, herself, wants to visit the hive! Isn't that great!? Oh, I have to set up a tour plan right away! I mean, sure, I set up a committee for it but, Queen Novo? I have to be there! Thank you, General Seaspray! If you have any spare parchment and quills, I'll happily reply now!"
Pharynx could feel his grouchiness twist his mouth and half-close his eyes to form a guise of indifference. He watched in exasperation as Thorax pranced about in anticipation while Seaspray wrestled with his saddlebag to draw out the requested items.
"You know, when the Equestrians wanted you to come over so they could hug changelings and gush all over you, you cried over me for a week about how scary politics were. But when the prissy hippogriff queen comes calling on a whim because you're the only one who will listen to her drama, you're delighted? I think we need to have a conversation, Thorax."
Epilogue II: There are Many Bug Ponies, but This One is Mine
"Gwrraa! I am the maulwurf, Papa Thorax, and I’m back for revenge! I’m gonna eat all your vegetables!"
A lime nymph leaped upon a boulder and reared up on his hind legs before a changeling nearly quadruple his size. The changeling cowered and desperately clutched his hooves over his head.
"Oh no, not all my vegetables!" Thorax cried. With a muffled thud, he fell to the floor. "You're so intimidating, maulwurf! Please leave us be! I'll give you some lettuce if you go home!"
Thorax held up a head of lettuce. Apex promptly swatted it away.
"I refuse!" The not-maulwurf jumped onto Thorax's back and proudly strutted around atop it. "I will have all of the vegetables, and then I will be the fullest maulwurf in all the land!"
"We are the mighty changelings. Fear us," Pharynx monotoned. The beta changeling examined the day's mail scrolls wearily from beside his brother's throne. He rubbed the space between his antlers with a hoof. He could never have imagined that peacetime would give him a greater headache than wartime.
"The mighty changelings are no match for the mightier maulwurf!" Apex proclaimed, now jumping up and down with reckless abandon. His euphoria masked the grunts coming from his conquered opponent. "I only left last time because Uncle Pharynx was super smart and outsmarted me! But he's not here to help you now, Papa Thorax. He's too distracted! Now give me all your vegetables!"
The bouncing continued. Thorax smiled, and with a flicker of his aura, caught his brother's eye.
"Somehow I don't think the maulwurf would even eat the vegetables once he gets them. How about it, Uncle Pharynx? Care to lend a hoof?"
Pharynx put on a smug grin as he continued to read. "Nope. Maulwurf is right. You're on your own over there. You let it come back, you deal with it."
"Yeah, Uncle Pharynx won't help, and neither will anyling else!" Apex blew a raspberry. The bouncing became more aggressive. "I have changed my mind. I want all your vegetables and that extra lettuce! I need lots of greens so I can sleep through the wintertime!"
"You'll also need something to keep you warm, maulwurf. You don't seem to have your usual layers of fat to keep you warm during the winter."
"You're right. Burrows get cold underground, Papa Thorax. You can ask the princess ponies for blankets, and I shall take those too!"
"Quit while you're ahead, Thorax," Pharynx said lazily. "We don't negotiate with intruders. I really shouldn't be letting you negotiate at all."
Apex's head pivoted.
"Do not meddle with maulwurf affairs, Uncle Pharynx! You’re supposed to be distracted!"
Pharynx blinked. He looked up at the nymph, but his attention had already returned to tormenting Thorax.
"Guess I must’ve forgotten my place there for a second. My apologies, gnatwurf. Hey, Thorax, quit messing around and step up. Toss this intruder out on his flank already. This is embarrassing."
"Just trying to breathe right now," Thorax growled. The assailing hooves pegged his head as Apex's brutal massage branched out in range.
"This one is tough. I won't get any blankets or vegetables at this rate," Apex narrated aloud. "Don't make this any harder than it has to be, Papa Thorax!"
"Ouch! Okay-ow! Alright, that's enough of that, maulwurf."
Teal magic seized the nymph’s hooves and playfully pulled him out from under himself, causing him to wriggle in the air. His protests drew giggling from Pharynx's guard changelings stationed at the throne room’s entrance. They watched as their alpha arched his back and turned to his captured intruder with a ready smile.
"Apex, I think you're starting to get too big for stunts like that." Thorax pressed a tiny nose and received a huff. "Playing aside, it's starting to hurt my back, okay? Let's do something else."
"If he'd turned into an actual maulwurf, you wouldn't have a back left to complain about," Pharynx mumbled. The guards snickered once more.
"And I’m not too big!" Apex added. "Don't call me fat, Papa Thorax! That's mean."
Thorax chuckled. He trailed his hoof upwards to poke the nymph’s deep red carapace.
"I'm not saying you're fat, you goofball. I'm saying you're growing, as you should be. You're only a little smaller than Ocellus now, and she's a pre-adolescent."
Apex crossed his hooves. His struggling had stopped, but the momentum he’d built up from it had him slowly spinning in place. The nymph was helpless to do anything but petulantly buzz his wings against the self-imposed gravity of Thorax's magic. With every rotation, a new goofy expression from Thorax awaited him, and with each one, a crack appeared in his grumpy demeanor until giggling finally shone through in all its joy.
"Have you tired yourself out yet?" Thorax asked. He already knew the answer.
"I'm never tired," Apex lied with a yawn. His stubborn frown and buzzing returned when Thorax adopted a smug look. "The maulwurf is saving his energy! Once you let him go, he'll be ready to fight!"
"All this third-party referencing is giving me flashbacks," Pharynx moaned, casting aside his finished scrolls to Thorax's throne. "Next thing we know, he'll start calling himself the ‘Great and Powerful Maulwurf’."
Thorax laughed. This time, his brother smiled for a change.
"Hmm, I dunno. If the maulwurf is tired out, it sounds like it might be cuddle time. I bet that would calm him down. Maybe then we can negotiate about blankets and lettuce a little more kindly."
Apex's brooding seemed to peel right off of him. Acute horror took its place.
"Maulwurfs do not cuddle! We are tough hunters of the underground! You cannot make me!"
"Don't give me that." Thorax watched as small hooves harmlessly grazed by his nose. Thorax taunted those hooves in turn by repeatedly extending his snout just within their reach before withdrawing it. "You need a nap today, anyway. I should know. Someling kept me up last night; asking about stars, what they're made of, how they work, and how likely it is they'll fall on us while we sleep."
"They’re blinkie, and I don’t trust them!" Apex defended. Even the slightest rose tint was a blemish on his evergreen cheeks, and Thorax's grinning clued the nymph into them. He desperately tried to cover his cheeks with his hooves, making his best impression of a hiss when Thorax showed signs of advancing.
His ploy was unsuccessful. He was quickly beset by hugging hooves.
"Uncle Pharynx, Papa Thorax is cheating!"
Thorax giggled.
"Is he?" asked Pharynx.
"Yeah, help! This is not a fair way to fight a maulwurf!"
"Sorry. Wish I could, but I seem to be very distracted." Pharynx lounged on the vacant throne for comic effect. The guards had finally lost their composure, and their legs bent under the weight of their chittering. "Should’ve been practicing your transformations more often like I told you to, gnat. You could get away from Thorax's sap more easily. That's what I'd do."
Apex could feel his defiance draining away as he was held fast to a wall of thrumming green chitin. Being so tiny, there was no room for rebellion when love magic came knocking. It flowed through him like a great wave, drowning and numbing his focus. But even still, he bit his lip and pushed against Thorax with everything he had.
"No! The maulwurf will not relent! Silly hugs will not defeat him!"
Thorax cocked a crafty brow while watching the attempt with amusement. "Give in to the hugs, Apex. Naps are your destiny. Mine too, actually. I could definitely use one about now, myself. Also, with all the other nymphs and changelings wanting my attention all the time, you hardly ever get me to yourself. Here I thought you'd jump at the chance to have my undivided attention. Don't you want to spend time with me? I want to spend time with you."
Apex stopped struggling, and with large, bulbous red eyes, he stared at Thorax for a moment without expression. Thorax readily stared back, relaxing his grip so that he might use one hoof to flick at the nymph's ears playfully.
Suddenly, Apex hugged Thorax. His body, too tiny to wrap around the large changeling, merely flattened itself against the larger carapace. Thorax made a sound that was weak and adoring, and he squeezed the nymph back. In doing so, he permeated the room with the miracle of love magic.
The guards sighed and shivered in content, overtaken by their alpha's aptitude for broadcasting energy through love. It was a blanket to enshroud them, a tropical wave to engulf them. Pharynx also shivered, although he looked far less comfortable.
"Hive's sake, Thorax," he grumbled. "Warn a changeling when you're about to gush all over the place. You're ten times more powerful than anyone else with that. It’s like getting smacked in the face with a few tons of sugar."
At the epicenter, Apex allowed the hug to go on without end. He was long used to it, being the trigger for such unrelenting love, but seldom did he slow down to think about it. He had, however, grown to learn that the more Thorax talked, the more he should consider granting the large changeling his desired hugs.
It always seemed to make him happy.
"How come we're playing alone in the throne room today, Papa Thorax? We usually play with the other nymphs in the nursery hive."
Thorax beamed. "Surprised it took you this long to ask. Well, today is sort of special, so I wanted to spend time with just the two of us. Well, you, me, and Pharynx. He's protective and gets moody if I tell him to go away."
A glare burrowed through the back of Thorax's head.
Apex giggled and anchored his chin against Thorax's carapace, to look up and meet his gaze.
"Is it my hatchday?"
Thorax chuckled. "No, you know your hatchday, Apex. I know you do. We celebrated it a few weeks ago. It'll be a while before your next one."
"Is it your hatchday?"
Thorax shook his head. Limitless patience poured from his being. "Nope, not my hatchday, either. It's a special day today because, a year ago, this was the day the changelings changed. Do you remember that, Apex?"
Apex nodded.
"Do you remember what else happened that day?"
Apex's tongue peeked out of his mouth.
"I changed."
Thorax nodded.
"That's right. You got your colors, too. That's the day almost everyling embraced a better way of life and a safer, friendlier hive. But that day was important to me for another reason. Can you guess what it was?"
The answer eluded the nymph, who continued to wear his adorable sleuthing efforts on his face. Thorax smiled ever brighter because of it.
"Is it because you became a king changeling?"
"You'd think so, but becoming the hive's leader wasn't very exciting for me at the time. I didn't enjoy it until I was able to make a difference in everyling's lives. See, on the day we changed, I met someling. Someling who ended up meaning a lot to me. I'll always remember the day we met."
The self-imposed mystery had outlived its purpose, so Thorax threw subtlety to the wind and pressed that tiny nose once more. Red eyes crossed as it happened.
"It's you, Apex."
"Me?" Apex repeated curiously. The hoof on his nose began to playfully rub his head, but he endeavored to lean past it to continue his stare.
"Of course, you." Thorax turned to his sibling, his soft composure shifting as he did. "Pharynx, I think I'm gonna try and get that nap in, now. We'll see how it goes with him. You can head downhive if you want to help everyling else with the project there. I know Tarsus and Tibia would appreciate it."
Pharynx silently mulled over the idea for a moment. "Yeah, alright." Stretching from his lackadaisical spread, he cast a stern eye to his guardlings. Their stances grew rigid. "You hear that, Palpilla? Haltere? Stay here with Thorax. Watch the gnat. If things even think about going south, find me."
Haltere saluted his prince. "Of course, Pharynx. Where will you be?"
"As Thorax said, downhive. We'll be repurposing those sections all week, and I should check in with the progress. You might see some communal guest rooms for visitors by the week's end. Definitely more storage."
Pharynx fluttered off towards the doorway. "If anyone tries to touch my brooding space, though, we'll have issues. See you later, Thorax. Gnat."
Pharynx departed, and all traces of a sour aura left with him. With his leave, the guards saluted their king in turn, and Thorax offered another wave of energy with nothing but an appreciative look.
"Today is special because of me?"
Thorax returned to the topic at hoof. Apex still regarded him with intrigue, waiting for clarification. All he got in return was that mystifying, unwavering smile he'd come to know so well.
"Today is special because of you."
Thorax laid upon the cool stone floor and placed Apex in the fold of his form. The world, in all its trials and tribulations, became irrelevant around the nymph. His anxieties shriveled in the greater purpose he found in looking after him. He was a miracle all his own, and even as Apex protested his placement in the sudden cuddle pile with unimpressed eyes, Thorax had nothing to offer but love.
I think it’s really great that you care so much about us, Thorax.
The monarch sniffed. It wouldn't do much good to worry his guards with waterworks, nor any other drones within empathy-shot, for that matter. He really did have a bad habit of crying too easily.
To me, it makes you seem like a...like a papa changeling. I mean, we’ve never, ever had one before, but...I think this is what it’d be like to have one. And that makes me really happy too because I think it’d be nice to have a papa changeling.
Thorax looked towards the sun and closed his eyes. Perhaps the warmth would dry his tears. Then again, maybe a king of magical empaths shouldn't be sorry for crying so much.
Thorax, do you think if I called you ‘Papa Thorax’ that other changelings would start to as well?
"...Papa Thorax? What are you looking at?"
Thorax smiled. The sun had heeded his wish.
"Nothing, Apex. Will you sit quietly with me for a while, even if you don't feel like sleeping? I'd like to take a nap, and I'd enjoy it more if you're with me."
Apex thought to protest. He did want to protest. Sitting still was boring, downright evil, even. But there was something in Thorax's voice and his eyes that made the nymph reconsider. Thorax could maybe hide his tears, but he couldn’t hide his emotions, especially not from this distance. A strange mix of excitement, affection, and melancholy had come together to baffle the nymph. It left him too few tools to respond with, save the one offered to him.
And so Apex pressed himself against Thorax and closed his eyes. Whatever was going on, he supposed he would have to stay put to find out what. With these thoughts in tow, sleep came to him quickly.
As his consciousness faded away, a voice seemed to reach out to him. It wasn’t urgent, but gentle, like a hoof waving a temporary farewell. It brought him comfort as he fell into a world of thought and make-believe.
"I'll see you soon, my rambunctious bedbug. I love you."
"...and that concludes our tour! Our hive isn't quite as breathtaking as Mount Aris or Seaquestria, but we love it here. We worked really hard to turn all this into a home full of warmth, and I hope I was able to show you that, today."
Thorax wore a smile before he even turned. The regality of the hippogriff queen and her entourage stared back at him, pleased and attentive.
"Oh. My. Gosh."
Princess Skystar somersaulted over her mother's guards to be by her side, as if that were the only way to accomplish it.
"Mom, there were baby changelings back there. The tiniest ones were as tiny as Shelly and Sheldon. We have to go see them!"
"Princess Skystar, I swear," Queen Novo groaned in exasperation. "You are in the presence of royalty other than yourself and you will be respectful. What did I say about how we behave in another creature's kingdom?"
"But mom, King Thorax said that was the end of the tour, so can't we-"
"Mm-mm, what did I say?"
Skystar's bubbliness faded as she fell to earth. She seemed to grow antsy, frantically looking down the twisting tunnels behind her, then back to her mother.
"'Let King Thorax decide on what we do while we're visiting.'"
"Mhmm. And what else?"
Skystar huffed impatiently. "'King Thorax and his brother will decide what they are or are not comfortable with us doing during the visit.'"
Novo nodded sagely, satisfied.
"That's right. We’re guests here, My Pearl, and we will give the changelings the respect they deserve. The same respect that I'd expect from any visitors of ours."
The hallway sat quietly for a time. When Novo spoke next, she addressed her host directly.
"So sorry about that, Thorax. The tour was delightful."
"Thank you," said Thorax. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. I was really kind of nervous, actually."
Queen Novo giggled. "Well, as you'll remember from our letters, I've never seen a changeling hive before. I thought this was a marvelous first impression."
"Yeah, and it's really pretty, too!" Skystar added. "Please don't belittle it by comparing it to our home. That's not fair to you. All homes are beautiful in their own way, and you've made yours beautiful with all of these plants! We don't have nearly this many pretty vines on Mount Aris!"
Thorax placed a hoof to his chest.
"Princess Skystar, what a lovely thing to say," Novo whispered, nuzzling her daughter. "Stars above, she knows how to bring both the storm and the sun out of me. So be it, then. I hate to be a bother, Thorax, but would it be too much trouble for us to visit the nursery area one more time?"
"Oh, not at all. The nursery is designed for play and high energy, and there are always plenty of adult changelings there to supervise. Visitors are welcome."
Princess Skystar squealed. Her claws instantly found her mother's leg.
"Come on, mom! Let's go see the baby changelings! They had such big, colorful eyes and little buzzy wings! They're like hummingbird ponies!"
Sighing in defeat, Novo locked eyes with her host. She ignored her daughter’s impatient calls to action.
"Will you be joining us, Your Highness?"
"Well, in a minute," Thorax replied, looking elsewhere. "Now that our tour is finished, I really need to check up on someling before I do anything else. If I don't, I'm sure to get an earful about it. I'll have some changelings escort you, for now, and I'll meet up with you."
Thorax motioned a hoof and drones flew past him on command. They bowed before the hippogriff queen and waited patiently for her to take the first step.
With unspoken understanding, Novo chuckled through a closed smile.
"Some things in our lives will always take priority, won't they? There's no need to rush; we're in no hurry. Anytime I bring my daughter anywhere I have to plan to make a day of it, whether I want to or not. I suppose we'll be seeing you soon then, King Thorax."
Thorax bowed respectfully. Novo mirrored it perfectly.
"Mom!"
"Gracious, yes, baby changelings, I hear you. I assure you momma is not old enough to be going deaf just yet."
The queen turned to follow the bouncing princess back the way they came, and her escorts closed rank behind her. The small entourage disappeared down a side corridor, and Thorax was left alone.
The young monarch turned to another adjacent hall. His ears twitched. He couldn’t see or hear it, but he could feel it, even from this distance. It was the anticipation of someling waiting to see him, somewhere beyond these walls.
He grinned a foalish grin. The feeling came from more than one source, and they were together. With that in mind, Thorax broke into a run.
"Oh wow, I can't believe my luck! I caught a rare red-bellied beetle boy! I better hold on to him so I can show Thorax!"
Calor curled around a nymph of vivid lime and cherry, tightly clutching him to his chest. Protests and giggles filled the air as the pair rolled about, bumping into walls and stalagmites alike.
"Let go, Calor!" the nymph cried.
"It can talk? Oh, I definitely have to show Thorax, now!"
Apex puffed his cheeks. He pried at the azure hooves holding him, but they were too strong. He attempted to transform, to reduce his size and escape, but observant eyes commanded hooves to tickle him and ruin his concentration.
"Hey, you can't do that! That's cheating!"
"Do what?"
Apex squeaked. Another hoof motion around his soft undershell made him twitch.
"You know what!"
"I promise I'm innocent." Calor rolled onto his side. Small hooves continued to flail in vain. He grinned an unseen grin.
"You are not innocent! You snuck up on me and that's not fair!"
"Well, of course, I snuck up. You would’ve run away, otherwise."
Apex blinked. "You just admitted it! You’re not innocent! Let me go so I can tell Papa Thorax on you!"
Calor made to respond, but then he heard a noise. His eyes flicked towards the doorway, and with a giggle, he rubbed his chin along the nymph's head.
"Oh, Papa Thorax already knows, I think," he murmured.
"What do you mean? How would he already know?"
"...I can't leave either of you guys alone, can I?"
Thorax stepped into the room, drawing immediate affection from eyes of red and blue. Calor released Apex, and the nymph scurried to his hooves and took to the air, hovering before the alpha changeling's face.
"Papa Thorax, just in time," said Apex, throwing an accusatory hoof behind him. "Calor is being a bully!"
Thorax glanced past the riled nymph. Calor stood and brushed his shell of dirt before returning the look. The adults shared a smile.
"I wasn't expecting to find someling looking after him already," Thorax said, motioning a hoof towards Apex. The nymph roosted himself on a throne of antlers and glared at Calor.
"I figured you'd still be caught up with Queen Novo," Calor explained, walking a bit closer. "I mean, you did tell the tour committee this morning that you'd handle her tour yourself. Then you told everyling that Pharynx was in charge until she left."
Thorax wore a sheepish half-smile. "Where is Pharynx, by the way?" he asked. "He told me he'd at least keep an eye on Apex."
"Probably outside with the upkeep drones," Calor replied. "Apex was coming in from outside when I found him, so my guess is he got bored and ran off."
"Uncle Pharynx never wants to do anything fun," Apex grumbled.
Thorax opened his mouth but said nothing. Calor watched him with a patient smile. The changeling's eagerness to help him deserved more than a passing phrase, this time.
"Thank you, Calor. I don't quite know what to say anymore. It seems like you're always there when I need you to be, even when I didn't know I needed you."
Calor's smile grew.
"You know me, Thorax. Always happy to help."
Thorax looked at the doorway, at his responsibilities that laid beyond it. Queen Novo seemed patient, but to what length did he dare test that? They were so close to the visit's end, and so far, everything had gone perfectly.
Thorax looked back. Calor chuckled, perhaps amused by his uncertainty.
Thorax chuckled, also. Something was telling him to stay, and the more he stood there, the more he agreed with it.
"Well, I have at least a few minutes, don't I? Why don't we sit down for a bit? My hooves are killing me."
Thorax laid down in the shade. With his eyes, he encouraged the blue changeling to do the same.
Little did Calor know it was a ruse. A lime hoof grabbed the drone and reeled him in, tipping him over in the process.
"Yeah, get him!" Apex cheered from his throne.
"Whoops. This thing just has a mind of its own," Thorax bantered.
"I've been gotten!" cried Calor, feigning distress as he readily hugged the hoof holding him.
The room reverberated with laughter. Calor slipped through Thorax’s hooves and strained his own to reach the crimson nymph mounted atop him. With a yank, he claimed the small changeling once more, who yelped in surprise.
"I know you're the real mastermind behind this betrayal!" Calor declared. Apex squirmed and flailed his legs.
"Help! Papa Thorax, he's doing it again!"
"Oh, is he?" Thorax smirked as he bathed the blue changeling in a teal aura and lifted him and Apex off the ground. He put a hoof to his chin while pretending to examine Calor from every angle, gently turning him over in the air as he did so.
In all honesty, though, he just enjoyed watching the two argue and play.
"I dunno, Apex," Thorax said at last. "I mean, he has a shell and everything. I don't think I can stop him."
"Try harder!"
"This is not how you rock someling to sleep," Calor criticized sarcastically. "What a terrible technique, Papa Thorax."
Thorax curled his lip. "If I can't figure this out, maybe I should come back with help. I bet Uncle Pharynx could—"
"No!" the other two shouted unanimously. Thorax nearly dispelled his magic from laughing.
"Well, alright, but I think you might be stuck then, Apex. You might just have to get used to being hugged like that all the time."
Never had the nymph's eyes widened quite so much. Thorax's lip trembled.
"But I don't want to get hugged all the time, especially by someling who cheats!" Apex pushed again at the locked forelegs holding him. He stopped suddenly when a thought came to him.
"Wait, that's it! Tickle him, Papa Thorax! He wouldn't let me transform that way! See how he likes it!"
"That won't work," Calor sang, squeezing his prisoner. "I'm not ticklish anywhere. Thorax is right. I have no weaknesses. You might as well surrender your ringleader to me now, Thorax!"
At first, Thorax said nothing. The aura holding the pair dissipated, and they returned to the ground. Two sets of eyes watched Thorax with rapt attention as he sat back on his haunches, wearing a mysterious little smirk. He then exhaled softly and stared back at them, as if waiting for something.
For Apex, it held no great meaning. There was a tingling in the air, sure, but that was always there. It was Thorax's magic, reaching through space to comfort and energize him. It made him smile, too.
But then Apex felt himself released, and he blinked a moment too soon. In a second, Calor was gone, and the nymph had regained his freedom. Getting to his hooves, he saw Calor and Thorax embracing. He shivered as he felt a great wave of warmth flow over him, and for a moment, he could have sworn the air itself tinted in color.
"No weaknesses, huh?" Thorax remarked softly. "Seems like the hive's 'top cuddlebug' might have some chinks in his shell, after all."
"Now you're the one cheating." Calor pressed his snout into the crux of his monarch's neck. "You know I can't resist an invitation like that."
"...Calor, why are you blushing?"
Calor had his eyes closed, being lost in the moment. They opened quickly to find a curious nymph buzzing behind Thorax's head, ogling him.
"I'm not blushing," Calor responded lamely, blushing even more. He pulled back from the hug to face Thorax. "I'm not blushing, am I?"
"Just a bit," Thorax lied. He hid his amusement behind his smile.
"Are you embarrassed?" asked Apex.
"No, I just-"
"Are you too hot? I felt a big wave from Papa Thorax just now and it was super warm. Is that it? It must’ve been it. It must’ve been really, really warm from this close to him!"
Calor returned his focus to Thorax with considerable effort. His gaze was like an anchor, still and welcoming. Apex's babbling dulled to white noise the longer he held that gaze.
"You know, I've gotten better with keeping up correspondence with the princesses of Equestria, lately."
Calor blinked, and he sighed a subtle breath. The topic had been changed.
"I remember you saying something about that, a while back. Is there anything new going on with them?"
Thorax motioned his head and invited his nymph to take roost once again. As soon as he felt tiny hooves lay across his forehead, he nodded.
"Well, I guess it isn't 'princesses', anymore. Princess Twilight had her coronation, and Princess Celestia and Princess Luna retired, which means Twilight is the new ruler of Equestria. Queen Novo and I talked about it. It's just her and Princess Cadance now."
Calor's brimming smile returned. He nuzzled into the king’s green chitin.
"You make it sound so lonely and sad," he chided. "Don't forget about all the other kingdoms. You, Dragon Lord Ember, Queen Novo, Prince Rutherford, and...do the griffons even have an official leader?"
"You could call him a village elder, I guess. I believe Grandpa Gruff was his name."
Thorax's eyes fell with his smile, lost in thought. Calor's snout dug into him.
"Hey, things change, we change! It's okay. We're all still here. I bet both of the princesses would like to see us again, soon. What about Princess Cadance? Have you talked with her lately?"
Thorax ears perked up.
"Actually, yeah. I was visiting the other week and we got to catch up a bit. Every time I see her, she teaches me something new about love magic, or how ponies show love. She’s always been so wise. On the last visit, we talked about what ponies call 'crushes', and how they fit into the nature of romantic love. Shining Armor had a 'crush' on her when they were younger. Apparently, that's how their love connection started."
Lost amidst his recollections, Thorax failed to notice the return of Calor's blush, or his avoidant eyes.
"What's a crush, Papa Thorax?" asked Apex. Thorax looked up to see what he could of the nymph’s hooves.
"Princess Cadance said it's like a seed of love. It's when one creature feels powerful love for another creature, but it isn't felt both ways. The potential for shared love can stay dormant, or it can blossom at any moment. It all depends on if it's cared for the right way."
"Well, I know you love me so we don't have a crush, then."
Thorax snorted. Calor continued to subtly fall apart.
"What does a crush look like?" Apex continued impatiently. "It's not just ponies who get to have it, right? Changelings know way more about love so it should be our thing!"
Thorax hummed to himself, still fixated on his upper peripheral. Thus far, the tighter squeeze of azure hooves went unnoticed.
"Don't be greedy, Apex. Love is for all creatures. Anyway, a crush is also like a sickness when it's not expressed. Cadance talked about how some creatures will start developing habits because of it. Their heart will race when they're around someone they really love, or they'll find themselves thinking of that someone. In a way, they’re like symptoms. She also mentioned how they'll blush, or seem timid and restless around...those they…"
Thorax looked down at Calor. He met his eyes for what seemed like the first time, and his train of thought derailed entirely. With rose cheeks and an insatiable fidget, Calor seemed ready to gallop around the room or hide under the nearest rock he could find. Perhaps he'd do both.
"Those they what?" Apex tapped Thorax's head with his hoof. "Papa Thorax, you're really bad at explaining things today."
Unfortunately for the nymph, he'd become background noise once again.
"Calor, you-" Thorax stopped and started repeatedly. The blush had infected his cheeks, as well. "Are you-with me? But I never-oh my gosh. Have I not picked up on something this entire time?"
An imagined moment came at last, and Calor found the courage to grin. Through a thin film of tears, he embraced Thorax tightly.
"Even now, I love how aloof you are. You're so pure, Thorax. Just clueless enough to be really, really cute."
Thorax continued to stammer. He returned the hug instinctively.
"Calor, I-I'm so sorry. I never realized or-or even considered your feelings might go that far for me. I've never even thought about that depth of love before...but I guess that kinda goes without saying at this point."
Calor didn't respond at first. He settled against Thorax and thrummed, amusing himself by making the alpha's words vibrate. It made Thorax laugh.
"...So, you're not upset with me?"
"Of course not!" Calor answered immediately. He lifted his eyes, still lit with elation and tears. "Thorax, I wanted to tell you for the longest time. You brought love to our hive. You encouraged everyling to give affection to each other instead of taking it from other creatures. You even invented things like cluster sleep that brought us closer together. It’s all been so incredible. You’re incredible! After getting to know you and opening up to you, I-I couldn’t help wanting to be closer to you. I developed feelings for you pretty early on if I'm honest. You just...never picked up on the fact that our wavelengths were a bit different."
Even Apex was quiet now. The three changelings sat in a void of calm, the sound of steady breaths their only companion.
"If anything, it's my fault," Calor continued. His voice was weak against Thorax's shell. "I was just so nervous at the thought of saying it out loud. Then, I guess over time, I got complacent with how things were and shrugged it off. I could cuddle with you and spend time with you whenever I wanted, so why risk all of that by talking about my feelings? I didn't want to risk our friendship getting awkward for you. It wasn't perfect, but I was okay, for the most part."
"...You know, I'm really glad Pharynx isn't here," Thorax said softly. He laid his head against Calor's. "He'd be making so much fun of me, right about now. The signs should’ve been obvious to me, in hindsight. 'Top cuddlebug', becoming the hive's event coordinator, always eager to help me with favors. It was all to spend more time with me, wasn't it?"
Calor snickered. "Don't forget the life-sized plushie of you that I got from that vendor in the Crystal Empire. I was surprised that you didn't pick up on that."
Thorax sighed loudly before laughing.
"Let's maybe not talk about that one," he murmured into the changeling's ear, eliciting further giggles. "But I guess I should thank you for being so patient with me."
"Of course. So then...can I ask what you think about all of this?"
Thorax pulled back to meet the drone's anxious eyes. He could feel Apex’s eyes on him as well, equally as invested. He labored a heavy breath. Several responses jumbled in his head.
"I've never given thought to it before," he reiterated. "I honestly never thought I'd be in this situation. For the longest time, noling wanted anything to do with me, let alone want to seek me out as a mate. I have to admit, the whole thing is really unfamiliar territory for me."
The light in Calor's eyes faded, and he looked away. When a lime hoof guided him back, he blinked in surprise. Thorax was smiling again, with a blush in full bloom.
"With all that said, I'm not against giving it a try. And...I can't think of another changeling I'd be more comfortable trying it with."
Calor squeaked. The tears fell fresh once again, and the two reconnected their hug. The room was filled with empathetic magic, but this time, it was uniform.
Shivering from his perch, Apex leaned out from Thorax's head and prodded Calor’s.
"So, does this mean I have to start calling you Papa Calor now?" He pouted. "Because I'm still mad you snuck up on me and I don't know how I feel about that yet."
The new couple laughed. The nymph was brought down and sandwiched between the two, and his ears vibrated with the combined strength of two adult changelings thrumming.
Suddenly, Apex didn't seem quite so averse to the idea.
Just then, a sour aura spoiled the room and caused all three changelings to turn. Cool violet eyes watched them from within the doorway. It was Thorax who spoke first, tilting his head to better see his brother.
"Oh, Pharynx, there you are. Did you-"
"It's about time, Thorax," Pharynx said dryly. His nose scrunched. "No mistaking that sickly aura. If you're here, finally figuring out you have a pining mate, then I'm gonna assume the hippogriffs are elsewhere, waiting on somebody to finish escorting them. How close am I, so far?"
Thorax grimaced. He'd almost forgotten about the queen.
"Well, you're right, but I was just about to go catch up with her."
"Don't bother." Pharynx sighed, as if mentally preparing himself. "I already told you that I'm willing to help you with political nonsense for your anxiety’s sake. Here's a time to own up to that."
"But Papa Thorax isn't anxious, Uncle Pharynx," said Apex.
The beta changeling shadowed a little smirk.
"Well, close enough," he mumbled. "And by the way, seeing as Thorax could probably use someone to look after him when I'm not around, I should thank you in advance for stepping up, Calor. Way to volunteer. Just understand that if he ever cries while under your watch, you and I will have extensive problems."
Pharynx glared a nasty glare. Only when Calor began to sweat did Pharynx sneer and chuckle to himself. With just a few steps, he was gone.
Thorax turned to Calor. With a subtle movement, their snouts connected, and magenta eyes swam in deep azure.
"Well, what now?"
"Whatever we want, I guess. Wanna tail Pharynx and watch him try to be an accommodating host?"
Thorax chortled.
"I like that idea!" yelled Apex, pulling himself up onto Calor's head. For once, he could stare down Thorax from his own height. "Come on, Papa Thorax, let's go see Uncle Pharynx fail spectacularly!"
"Seriously, who is teaching you this vocabulary?" Thorax mused. "It's certainly not me. Last I checked, you still couldn't pronounce 'metamorphosis'."
"Metamorfeesus!"
"Keep up, Thorax!" Calor called, tearing down the hall. He grinned at the joyous laughs coming from above his ears. "At this rate, we'll miss their introductions! I bet Pharynx grunts through most of his!"
Shaking his head, Thorax unfurled his gossamer wings. He took to the air and made his way after the pair of changelings he loved so much.
