Apex-discipulus, the young nymph apprenticed to Pharynx-dominus, chooses his heart over following the rules, and follows The Rankless One into the unknown.
When Apex Cornea asked Pharynx-dominus, Head General of the Hive's army, to mentor him, he never expected the outbreak of near war with the ponies. He never expected his mentor to be called away. He never even considered that Thorax, the Outcast, the Heirless Prince, the Rankless One, would try to leave the Hive because he doesn't believe in their methods.
Even more so, he never thought that he would end up seeing the older changeling...kind of has point. Now, there is so much more in store for him than he ever expected.
*Rated with the Violence tag for later fight scenes and blood*
A young unreformed changeling wandered through the hallways of the Hive. The nymph totted along through the Hive, slinking around through the hallways, ducking and hiding from passing changelings. He was trying not to be caught by the nursery drones, they’d punish him for leaving the nursery without permission. He didn't want to, but he needed to find his parents. They were here somewhere, he knew it.
“Hey!” a changeling suddenly nipped the nymph up by the back of the neck, fangs digging into the nymph's chitin as he was hefted up.
“Ow! Hey!” He squirmed, and the older changeling dropped him.
“What are you doing out here, grub?” the changeling asked
The nymph turned to glare at him, then gasped and bowed. “Y-Your highness, I-I didn’-”
“Forget it, grub. I don't care.” it was Changeling Prince Pharynx, glaring at him through pupil-less lavender eyes. “I do care about what you're doing out here.”
“Pharynx?” Changeling Prince Thorax came up beside his older brother, peeking over and noticing the tiny bug. “Oh, hello little one!”
The nymph gave the smiling, friendly-looking changeling a tentative smile back. “H-Hello…”
“Shouldn’t you be in the nursery?” Thorax asked him.
“I-I couldn’ s’ay the'e. I need to fin’ my mommy an’ daddy.” He replied stubbornly, standing.
“Aww. What are their names, little one?” Thorax asked, lowering down to look him in the eye.
“Thorax!” Pharynx protested, his polished armor clinking as he moved towards his brother, his tone cautionary.
“Pharynx, he needs help.” Thorax shut him down.
“Whatever.” Pharynx turned and looked around, apparently keeping watch for whatever reason.
“Well, um…”
“Apex, y-you' highness.”
“Just call me Thorax, Apex. So, Who are your parents?”
“Hexia an’ Mandible.” Apex replied
Pharynx turned around, eyes widening slightly. “They had kids?”
“Jus’ me.”
“How old are you?”
“Five since ‘bout five days ‘go. I’s why ‘m lookin for mommy an’ daddy, they sai’ they’d spend the day w’ me. Why?” Apex trained his wide blue eyes on Pharynx, as Thorax wrapped a hole-infested foreleg around the nymph.
“G-Grub… Hexia and Mandible died on the battlefield days ago…”
Apex’s eyes widened. “N-No… y-you’e lyin’. Th-They sai’ they’d come back… they p'omised...”
Thorax nuzzled Apex, and Pharynx removed his armor's helmet.
“I’m sorry grub…” he said with a heavy sigh.
“C-Can I see them?” Apex asked in a low voice.
Pharynx sighed and looked away. “It’s against protocol…”
“Pharynx… come on, he should get to say goodbye to them... you know how important that is.”
“Thorax, I can’t just-”
“Pharynx, what does it matter, we’re Princes.”
Pharynx turned to his brother in surprise. “You know I hate that title, why would you use it to try and get me to pull rank-?”
“For once in your life, Pharynx, use your rank to help someone besides me.” Thorax pleaded, looking down at Apex, who stared at the brothers curiously.
Pharynx looked at the somewhat lanky nymph, then sighed. “I… not a word of this to anyone, got it?”
Apex and Thorax both nodded in agreement.
“Thank you, Prince Pharynx…” Apex whispered
“Yeah, well, it's not a problem. Just don’t call me Prince. Everything I earned, I earned without need of that title.” Pharynx grumbled, shoving his helmet back on and leading them down the hall.
Thorax lifted up Apex and set him on his back to carry him along. “Apex, I’m sorry about your parents…”
“I-I wan’ them back…”
Pharynx glanced back at the two, then veered right and led them down a dark hall. Thorax and Apex looked around, staring at the miniscule starstones that barely lit the corridor.
“Wh-Where are we Pharynx?” Thorax asked, looking around. "I've never been here before..."
“This is the Veteran’s Hall.” Pharynx replied quietly.
He led them into a room, which was much more brightly lit. It contained grave markers and headstones. Thorax gasped as Apex slid off his back.
“Here, kid.” Pharynx took Apex’s hoof gently and led him to a specific marker. “They were buried beside each other.”
Apex whimpered and sat down by the graves. Pharynx placed a hoof on his shoulder, sitting beside him. Thorax joined them.
“M-Mommy… d-daddy…” Apex sniffled, tears forming.
Thorax nosed him. “It’s okay little one, they’re in a better place now.”
“I-I wish they were wi’ me…”
Pharynx sighed. “They’d be glad you’re alive, grub.”
“B-But I don’ wanna be ‘live wi’out them!” Apex sobbed
Thorax pulled him in for a hug. “Don’t say that little one!”
Apex nestled against the older changeling, sobbing into him. “Th-Thorax, I-I wanna be wi’ my mommy an’ daddy!”
“You can’t be, little one, I’m sorry…”
“Waaahh!” Apex cried into Thorax’s chitin, and Pharynx moved closer.
“Grub… it’s a part of life.” Pharynx said, reaching out to rub the nymph’s carapace in comfort.
Apex’s little wings buzzed on his back as he turned to look at Pharynx. Thorax tightened his hold on the young nymph.
“They knew what the cost might be when they joined the battalion. They knew they might never see you again. They had to accept that. But they’re looking down at you now, from where they are.”
Apex sniffled. “Th-Then… train me.”
“What?” Pharynx blinked
“I-I wanna make them proud. I wanna be the bes’ warrior, an’ make them really proud of me. Y-You’re the grea’es’ General in our time, I wan’ you to train me… please.”
Pharynx looked down at the little nymph, who was wiping tears from his eyes, sniffling.
“I…” Pharynx looked away, as Thorax spoke up.
“You still haven’t taken on an apprentice yet…” Thorax said slowly.
“True…” Pharynx sighed. “Alright kid.”
“Y-You’ll train me?”
“Yeah.”
“Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” Apex lunged and hugged him.
“Hold it kid, we need to have the apprentice ceremony to make it official. But since you’re already five, and the next annual ceremony is coming soon, it won't be long.”
“Okay… thank you Pharynx, thank you…” Apex pressed up to him, making the General snort slightly from laughter as he nuzzled his stomach.
“G-Grub… get off me…”
“Okay…” Apex stepped back.
Thorax smiled and put a hoof around Apex. “You’re really going to help him?”
“Yeah… I am…”
“Thank you, brother.”
“Yeah yeah…” Pharynx looked down at Apex. “Now, let me make this clear grub, your training has already begun now that I’ve picked you. You will address me as ‘sir’ or ‘general’. You will obey my every order, whether you like it or not. Understood?”
“All changelings old enough to hunt for their own love gather in the throne room for a Hive meeting!” Pharynx bellowed
Pharynx, as the General, handled the warrior drones’ meetings. Thorax, who was technically his advisor, sat beside his brother nervously.
Apex was sitting proudly beside some other nymphs who were waiting to be paired with mentors. Of course, like Pharynx, the other warrior drones had selected nymphs. These discussions had happened in a private room, the only outside witness being Thorax. He was taking notes the whole time Pharynx and the others discussed. Today, the pairings would be announced.
“Drones, we’re gathered here today to honor our ancestors through the performance of the sacred apprenticeship ritual.”
Pharynx looked down at the nymphs, nodding to them.
“Each of these young nymphs are five years of age, and ready to learn how to defend our Hive. They will each train alongside an experienced warrior drone, until they are ready to defend their fellows, for the good of the Hive.”
Pharynx then called forward each of the nymphs by name, one at a time.
First went Ocellus-discipula, a young nymph who was older than them by a couple years. She had decided to give up her warrior training to pursue the life of a medic. She was immediately apprenticed to the current medic, Cilia-medica.
Then came Nix. She became Nix-discipula and was apprenticed to Tibius-eques. After Nix, her twin brother, Nox, became Nox-discipulus and was paired with Fema-equea.
And so it went. Clarica turned to Clarica-discipula, then went to Eaarax-eques. Iqquelia to Iqquelia-discipula and was placed under the guidance of Nightburn-eques. Finally, after Zenith-disciupulus went to Hunter-eques, Apex was the only one left.
“Apex-puer, come here.” Pharynx said
Apex gulped and stood, walking forwards, his black chitinous hooves echoing in the silent room.
Pharynx leapt down from his seat, which caused murmurs to start working their way through the crowd. Before, he had merely paired the mentor with the apprentice, not moving once. Now, he stood and stared down at Apex.
“Apex, you are now five years old and it is time for you to be apprenticed. Until you receive your warrior title, you will be known to others as Apex-discipulus. From this day forward,” Pharynx took a breath before continuing, “I will be your mentor, until you have reached warrior status.”
This statement drew gasps and murmurs of shock. Pharynx hadn’t chosen an apprentice in his whole time as a warrior or General, and he’d been a General since the fall of his predecessor, and own mentor, Fortuna-domina, two years ago. It would have been the right time to take on an apprentice. But he hadn’t. Now, Pharynx-dominus was finally choosing a nymph.
Pharynx leaned down and continued. “I will pass down all I know to you, until you have gained a warrior title.”
He then touched his forehead with the nymph’s. Apex stepped back and bowed his head. He was a warrior apprentice. Just like he’d wanted.
He saw the other nymphs going alongside their mentors to their parents. Apex’s stomach was hollow and empty as he realized he had no one to congratulate him. He tried to sneak away, until two hole-filled forelegs scooped him up.
“I’m so proud of you Apex.” Thorax nuzzled his stomach gently.
“Hehehe! R-really Thorax?”
“Yes, you’re going to be a great warrior, especially with Pharynx as your mentor.”
Apex smiled and hugged Thorax, grateful that he at least had one changeling to be proud of him. He even saw Pharynx giving him what could have been a smile from where he stood.
------------------------------------------------
“Again!” Pharynx shouted
Apex, who had just finished attacking a dummy, stopped and panted. They were in a sandy field outside the Hive, which was used for training by some mentors. Pharynx tended to wait until it was empty to use it.
“Apex-discipulus!”
“Sorry sir!” Apex leapt again and tackled the dummy once more, tearing at the soft cloth it was made of with his fangs.
“Pharynx, let him rest, he’s been training for over an hour.” that was Thorax. He had been sitting at Pharynx’s side, as usual.
“...Very well. Get over here Apex.”
Apex stopped and trotted over, sitting beside Pharynx. Thanks to Thorax, they now usually trained for an hour or more, then had a quiet reflection time to both critique Apex’s skill and discuss things like the warrior drone’s code.
Thorax held out a canteen of water to the nymph. He took it and began to drink, until Pharynx snatched it away.
“Don’t drink too much or you may get sick from the cold.”
“Alrigh’ sir.”
“Your form wasn’t too sloppy this time around.” Pharynx noted, a hint of pride in his tone.
“Th-Thank you sir.”
“I think you did a very good job.” Thorax smiled at Apex, who smiled back. “I remember my time as Thorax-discipulus, and you’re doing a fantastic job, much better than I did.”
“The same could be said for anyone. Except maybe Ocellus-discipula, but she’s no longer the warrior’s problem.” Pharynx snarked at his little brother, who sighed.
“Sir?” Apex looked up
“Yes grub?” Pharynx then shook his head. “I mean, yes, Apex-discipulus?”
“I… I heard Zenith-discipulus talking, an’… he’s gonna to sneak in’o the ba’alion to follow Hunter-eques.”
“Doesn’t surprise me. They have become as close as brothers.” Pharynx said
“You aren’ going to s’op him?”
“He’s not my charge. You are.” Pharynx replied
“...Sir… why do we go to war wi’ others when i’ costs so ma’y lives?”
“...I’m afraid I can’t answer that, Apex.”
“Why no’?”
“...Because no one knows, grub.”
The battle alarm suddenly went off. Pharynx cursed under his breath and stood up.
“Thorax, get Apex back to the Hive. I’ve got to deal with this.” he then took off towards the Hive.
“Alright then. Come on Apex.” Thorax held out a hoof to the nymph.
Apex took it, and let Thorax pull him onto his back. He giggled as he rode on the older changeling back to the Hive.
“Thorax?”
“Yes Apex?”
“Are you a warrior like Pharynx? You ne’er say much ‘bout your training.”
Thorax grew silent, then sighed. “Well… I used to be Thorax-discipulus… but…”
Thorax entered the Hive and stopped talking. He took Apex down a corridor. Apex recognized it as the one that would lead to the room Thorax and Pharynx shared. As princes, they had a private room together.
Thorax entered the bedroom and set Apex down on the large nest the brothers occupied.
“You see, Apex…” Thorax sat down. “...I was an apprentice, once. But… during the attack on Canterlot… I refused to fight.”
“You did?”
“Mhm… I just couldn’t attack innocent creatures… and when I saw… them…”
“Who?”
“True friends. They had so much love for each other and… and I couldn’t just feed on it. I… I wanted to share it, Apex…”
“S-So why didn’ you?”
“I couldn’t approach them, there were too many others around, both changelings and ponies. After that, I was deemed a worthless apprentice and my mentor, Athrex-eques, gave up on me.”
“Wha’ ‘bout Pharynx?”
“He was already General at that point. He’d excelled faster than anyone else and became a warrior before I could do half of what he’d accomplished. F-Fortuna-domina had been fatally wounded in the attack on Canterlot, so he became the General immediately following. It’s thanks to him that I even have a role.”
“R-Really?”
“Mhm. He refused to give up on me. He trained me little by little-”
“I though’ I was his firs’ ‘pren'ice.”
“You are.” Thorax nuzzled him. “You are the first changeling Pharynx has named as his apprentice. He only trained me so that I could be his advisor. And… and so mother wouldn’t punish me.”
Apex nodded in understanding. He’d heard stories of what Queen Chrysalis would do to those who were incompetent at everything. He didn’t want to know what she’d do to one of her own sons if she were to believe he was one of those changelings.
Thorax nuzzled Apex. “You know… if it weren’t for you and Pharynx, I don’t think I’d have a reason to stay here…”
“Really?”
“Mhm.” Thorax held Apex close. “Sometimes, I just want to leave this place behind… it’s only brought me grief, aside from you and Pharynx.”
“Thorax…” Apex hugged him tight.
As they hugged, Pharynx suddenly burst in. Thorax looked up in concern.
“What’s going on?”
“The planned raid in Ponyville didn’t go well, we have to send all available soldiers.”
“B-But that would include you!” Thorax exclaimed
“I know. And while I’m gone I’m trusting you to keep Apex-discipulus in check with his training.”
“M-Me?!”
“Yes, you. You’ve watched all our training sessions, you know the level he’s at, and everyone else will be away.”
“O-Okay…” Thorax looked down at Apex as Pharynx began putting weapons into his saddlebags. “A-Are you leaving now?”
“We leave at first light.” Pharynx replied, inspecting his crossbow before setting it in the bags.
Pharynx then turned to them, and locked his eyes on Apex. The nymph was staring at him, blue eyes wide. His gaze suddenly softened.
“Why don’t you stay in here tonight, Apex?” he suggested softly.
Apex let out a soft gasp. “R-Really?”
“Yeah… why not?”
Apex smiled and held Thorax tighter. “Thank you sir.”
The night before the warriors were supposed to leave, Thorax and Pharynx curled up in their nest with Apex nestled in between them. Pharynx and Thorax were up, thinking Apex was asleep. He wasn’t, instead listening quietly.
“Ph-Pharynx, I don’t think I can do this anymore…” Thorax was crying.
“Thorax, look at me. You’re better at fighting than anyling thinks, I know you are.”
“B-But I just… Pharynx, I don’t like it here, I want to-”
“Don’t, Thorax… don’t even say it…” Pharynx growled
Thorax wiped his eyes. “I’m sorry, I just…”
“It’s… fine… I just… I may not show it much, but… I like having a brother…”
“B-But what if… after tomorrow… I won’t?”
Apex had his eyes closed, snuggled up against Thorax’s black chitin. As the younger of the brothers whispered the implication, Apex pressed closer to him. Luckily, it wasn’t noticed by either. Silence fell over the room. Eventually, Pharynx spoke.
“I promise, Thor, I’ll come back to you.”
“...O-Okay…”
Thorax and Pharynx settled down to go to sleep after that. Thorax’s hoof reached and took hold of Pharynx’s, their leg holes locking together perfectly. Pharynx moved closer, and soon, Apex was safe and secure between the brothers, warm from their body heat and more peaceful than he’d been in a long time.
--------------------------------------------
Apex rode on Thorax’s back. They’d just finished seeing the soldiers off. Pharynx was leading them.
“Th-Thorax?”
“Y-Yes Apex?” Thorax asked, wiping a few tears away. Most of the changelings were gone so the halls were empty of anyone who would see.
“Zenith-discipulus left with them.”
“I know. He was walking beside Hunter-eques, brave as can be.”
“Wh-Wha' if he doesn’-”
“Perish the thought, little one. Hunter will look out for him. They’ll look out for each other.”
“A-An' Ocellus-discipula an’ Cilia-medica wen’ with them…”
“They have to. But they’ll be safe out there.” Thorax replied
“Wh-Wha’ are we going to do?”
“...I…” Thorax turned to look over his shoulder at the nymph. “I don’t know…”
“...You wanna leave, don’ you?”
“I-I don’t know what you’re-”
“I heard you an’ Pharynx talking las’ nigh’…”
“Oh… Apex… I-I can’t take another minute here!” Thorax exclaimed, then covered his mouth and lowered his voice. “Pharynx was my only protection from our mother. I want to leave so badly… but I can’t leave you behind… a-and Pharynx promised he’d return…”
Apex frowned. “I-I think if I hurry I can grab weapons an’ catch up wi’ them.”
“Apex, no. I don’t want you going into battle, you’re too young, you’re only five.”
“So was Zenix-discipulus, an’ the code says 'pren'ices can en'er the fray-”
“If the enemy outnumbers them a hundred-to-ten. Those warriors are leaving to even the odds, that part of the code isn’t necessary.”
“Bu'… I don’ wan’ you to feel like you ‘bandoned me. Being wi’ Pharynx would fix tha'.”
“Apex, I’d feel loss just as badly…” Thorax looked down, then seemed to think of something as he raised his head. “I’ve got it!”
“What?”
“You can come with me Apex. We’ll leave and be together.”
“Wha' 'bout Pharynx?”
“He… we’ll see him again. I know we will… what do you say little one?”
“I… I…” Apex hesitated. “I wanna be wi’ you Thorax… b-bu' Pharynx… an’... an’ the promise I made to mommy an’ daddy…”
Thorax sighed. “I understand. You don’t have to go with me.”
“...Bu’ I won’ learn an’thing here if you’re gone…” Apex continued his train of thought. “A-An’ m-mommy an’ daddy would wan’ me to follow my heart…”
“Apex, what are you-”
“I-I’ll go wi’ you Thorax.” Apex smiled and reached, rubbing his cheek against Thorax’s. “‘Sides, you need a real warrior to ‘tect you when you leave.”
Thorax brightened, giving a true smile for the first time in months. “Thank you Apex. I promise, I’ll look after you, little one.”
“We’ll ‘tect each o'er.” Apex said, nuzzling him.
Thorax giggled. “Come on, let’s see if we can sneak some food to take with us.”
“Okay.” Apex smiled. “You ge’ the food. I’ll ge’ my weapons.”
Thorax nodded, and Apex jumped down from his back. Then they headed off in different directions.
They stood out in the sandy training area. Apex nodded, using his magic to adjust the small satchel he wore, which contained his mini-crossbow and other supplies.
“‘M ready, Thorax.” he hesitated. “You know, you need a full name.”
“I don’t even call you Apex-discipulus though.”
“You do some'imes.”
“Yes, when there are other changelings besides Pharynx around.”
“So you need a real name.”
“Heh, I don’t know…”
“Well, I dunno any other terms ‘sides the ones we a’ready use…”
“Well, you would have learned more of them if Pharynx had stayed to continue your training… I should probably teach you the little I know of defense and other things as we travel, so you can defend yourself…”
“Wha’ you go’ on names tha' migh' fi' you?” Apex asked, and Thorax thought for a bit.
“Well… what about… Praevian? It means guide.”
“Mm-mm. You’re no’ really a guide. You took us he'e an' we don’ e'en know where we’re goin’!” Apex said, and Thorax chuckled.
“What about consilario? It means advisor.”
“Bu’ tha' was your role wi’ Pharynx. I wan’ my own special name for you, 'cause you deser'e one tha's special!"
"Well, alright, Apex." Thorax smiled at him. "So, what did you have in mind?"
"Well... you’re a’ways the'e for me… an’ you suppor' me an’ helped convince Pharynx to men'or me… wha' 'scribes someone like tha’?”
Thorax thought for a minute, then murmured something so quietly Apex barely heard it. “P-Pater?”
“Whas’ tha' mean?” Apex asked, and Thorax yelped, his eyes going wide.
“U-Uh… friend! It means friend."
"So Thorax-Pater?"
"Not quite. Words like friend usually come before the name.”
“Oh. Perfec'! Pater-Thorax!” Apex said happily, bouncing ahead. Fortunately for Thorax, the nymph hadn't noticed that the adult seemed to wince slightly out of guilt.
The two friends had had an eventful first day outside the Hive. They’d tried to get as far as possible, seeing as Thorax was now the only Prince -- and heir -- left since Pharynx had been the one leading the soldiers to Ponyville. They had to move fast before search parties were sent out.
“Here seems like a good place to stop.” Thorax said, looking at the small lake they stood by.
“Plen’y of wa’er.” Apex agreed
“We can’t drink any of it. It’s stagnant water.” Thorax replied. “Though if we can find a river that feeds into it we can drink from there.”
“Oh, okay Pater-Thorax!”
Thorax had gotten used to Apex innocently calling him by the name, and merely turned around to examine their surroundings, ignoring the guilty pang in his chest. He then saw a cave opening and cautiously moved towards it.
“Why’re you going slow?”
“There could be an animal in there-ahh!” Thorax screamed as a branch snapped from in the cave.
Apex drew his crossbow and aimed it, even though Pharynx hadn’t taught him how to use it properly. He would learn, but until then, he’d just have to hope he got it right.
Thorax scrambled backwards, dragging Apex with him. Then, they saw a rabbit scamper out.
“Oh…” Thorax blushed sheepishly.
Apex giggled. “I’s okay, Pater-Thorax. Le’s jus’ se’ up camp!”
Thorax nodded and led them in. They made it just in time, as it began to rain. Apex waited as Thorax found some dry wood underneath a bush and began making a fire.
“Here, see? You knock the flint together and-” Thorax created a spark that flew onto the wood.
“Woah…”
“Heh, cool, right?”
“Mhm!”
Thorax chuckled and pulled out some food, MREs. He grimaced as he ate his. Apex gagged as he swallowed some.
“Why’d you ge' these?”
“They’ll keep the longest. I figured we’d only eat them when we couldn’t forage or hunt.”
“Okay Pater-Thorax…”
After choking down their meals, Thorax laid down by the fire, and Apex joined him. He cuddled up against the older changeling, resting his head on his stomach.
“Pater-Thorax?”
“Yes Apex?”
“I-Is this wha' you ‘magined?”
“Well… not completely… but I’m free.” Thorax nuzzled him. “And I’m with you. That’s all I need.”
“Hehe, okay.”
“Why don’t you get some rest? We’re staying here for the night, the rain might last a while.”
“Okay Pater-Thorax…”
Apex yawned and rested his head on Thorax’s stomach. The rise and fall of his stomach as he breathed lulled the nymph to sleep.
“Pater-Thorax?”
“Y-Yes Apex?”
“D-D’you think mommy and daddy are proud o’ me? You think they think I did the righ’ thing?”
Thorax smiled and wrapped a foreleg over the nymph. “They loved you Apex. I’m sure that they’ll be proud as long as you’re happy.”
He’d been very hungry for love, as had Thorax. They continued on, despite hunger. Thorax had resorted to carrying Apex as he trudged in no particular direction. They’d been walking for over a week.
“I’m hungry too, little one… just a bit farther, I promise.”
“Then we ge’ food?”
“...Yes, yes we will.”
Apex sighed and rolled onto his back, staring up at the sky through the dense trees. This forest was strange to them. They kept hearing howls and branches breaking. Apex closed his eyes, starving and tired.
Thorax sighed. He kept moving, keeping the little nymph secure on his back. A vine caught in one of his leg holes and he stumbled. Thorax managed to keep himself upright and kept moving. Then, he saw it.
“Apex, look! The trees are getting thinner!”
Apex leapt up for a better look, leaning on Thorax’s head. “I see i’! We made i’ Pater-Thorax!”
Thorax chuckled and moved faster, full of renewed vigor and hope.
Then… they reached the edge of the treeline. Thorax’s already wide teal eyes went wider as his earfins drooped.
“N-No…”
“Wha' is i' Pater-Thorax?”
“Th-This is the town Pharynx’s troops were going to, Apex. P-Ponyville…”
Apex’s dark blue eyes widened as well. “S-So… w-we can’ go in?”
“They’re bound to be on high alert…”
“Nooo…” Apex moaned.
Thorax sighed and hung his head. “I-I’m sorry little one…”
“I’s no' your faul’ Pater-Thorax…”
Thorax sighed again and turned, heading back into the forest undergrowth. Thorax wandered through the forest, going as deep in as he dared to with no map and a nymph under his care.
After a while, Apex got off his back and began walking. He sniffed at the plants, occasionally veering off to bat at the fern-like plants that tickled his nose. The nymph only barely avoided touching Poison Joke due to Thorax hauling him away from it.
Thorax made sure to stay near the treeline, so they’d know when they’d passed Ponyville. But this turned out to give them a disadvantage, it appeared they were not alone. They heard hoofsteps several times and often Thorax had to coax Apex under a bush to hide.
However, Thorax’s senses were not as finely tuned as his brother’s had been. This caused many creatures to see them before they realized it was even there. Most were deterred from the two changelings due to their obvious hunger-panged frames meaning they wouldn't provide much of a meal.
But one creature paused as the changelings came into their sightline. It began to follow them along at a safe distance.
Thorax sighed and sat down, desperate for a break. Apex flopped down beside him, and the creature tailing them was able to observe their current health condition. Apex’s once healthy nymph body was now thin and gaunt. Thorax was thin as well, even thinner than Apex, making it clear he’d been giving most of the food to the nymph.
“‘M t-tired…”
“I know little one…” Thorax rubbed the nymph’s head.
The creature following them decided to make themself known. They stepped into the open, intentionally stepping on a branch to make Thorax look up, and his eyes went wide in shock.
“I-I don’t believe it… Pharynx!” Thorax raced for his brother and hugged him. “Pharynx…”
Pharynx shoved his brother off of him, glaring at the younger changeling. As Pharynx pushed Thorax back, the younger Prince got a chance to look at his brother. Pharynx looked almost the same as he’d looked when he first led the troops away to Ponyville. A few more scars were visible on his face and legs, but his powerful muscles still rippled as he stalked forwards, moving within a foot of the two. He wore his battle armor, and a crossbow was slung across his back, along with a saddlebag that most likely held supplies. Thorax stared at him, wondering just how long they'd been followed by the General.
“Alright, alright, I get it, you missed me.” Pharynx snapped harshly, tearing Thorax from his thoughts. “Now, what the heck are you two doing out here?! Don't you know how dangerous the Everfree Forest is?!”
Thorax gulped. “Well, uh, yes, but... we kind of... may have... left the Hive…?”
“You did what?! Thorax, I told you-”
“Phar, I’m really sorry, but I just wasn’t happy there… and Apex wanted to come.”
Pharynx groaned and facehoofed. “Thorax…”
“Y-You won’ tell an’one, will you Pharynx?” Apex asked in a small voice as he sat up and trotted over to the adults.
“Grub, you’re extremely malnourished, get over here.” Pharynx's expression softened as he spotted the weak nymph. The General quickly reached and scooped Apex up, his horn glowing as he siphoned a bit of his stored love into the nymph.
“Thank you Pharynx… I haven’t been able to feed him properly…” Thorax looked away. "Or myself..."
“Don’t think you’re getting away that easy.” Pharynx snapped at him, setting Apex back down. “I put you in charge of ensuring Apex-discipulus received training while I was gone and instead you took him from the safety of the Hive the instant I was gone. Nymphs are supposed to be kept safe in the Hive, not in the middle of a dangerous forest.”
“What good is a safe home if we’re constantly just being trained to be sent away from it?” Thorax shot back. “I know you claim to love the Hive, Phar, but have you ever once sworn your loyalty to it outside of ceremonial words? When you left, you promised me you’d come back. You said you would because of me, and because of Apex. You promised you would because we needed you. But you never said anything about coming back for mother's sake. And she’s the reason you’re out here, in a 'dangerous forest' where you could die, just for a fight against ponies who weren't even our enemies until she provoked them.”
Pharynx fell silent. “I… I just…”
“I know you want to protect everyone, Pharynx…” Thorax moved closer to his brother, and the General didn't move to back up. “But you out of all of us should know you can’t protect everyone. Especially not the ones you don’t love.”
Pharynx hesitated, then reached out and put a hoof on Thorax’s. He stared down at the ground as he spoke, his eyes glistening with the strain of fighting back against tears.
“I… I do love you, Thorax… I just… you know that I’ve devoted my life to defending the Hive… you can’t just ask me to turn my back on that…”
“Then don’t.” Thorax nuzzled him. “You love the Hive because the Hive is a part of me and Apex. You don't just love the Hive, you love us. Protecting and defending us is protecting the legacy of the Hive.”
Pharynx stayed silent, letting his brother speak as he thought.
“Let’s face it, I doubt many of us will return from these battles. After all the warriors are out of commission, apprentices will go next, then worker and nursery drones, then younglings, and then what? The Queen herself, probably. If you followed her then you'd fall too. But if you went with us, at least you’d have a chance to help one of the next generation and your fellow Prince. To have a chance to restart the Hive once all this fighting makes it fall.”
Pharynx sighed, then looked up at him. “Well… my exact words were ‘I promise I’ll come back to you’… didn’t say where exactly I’d return to you.... I suppose this counts.”
Thorax beamed and hugged him. “Thank you Phar…”
“No problem Tho-” Pharynx’s ears pricked, suddenly, and he turned around, his fangs bared. Thorax picked up Apex as he too, saw what was behind them.
Ocellus-discipula was standing behind them. Her delicate frame was stiffened in shock and her eyes had gone wide. A basket of green herbs was held aloft in her green magic, showing them why she was there. Pharynx’s eyes widened and he stepped forwards.
“Ocellus-discipula, what did you see?”
Ocellus-discipula hesitated, then spoke. “Leave now and I will pretend I have seen nothing. I wish you luck, Pharynx-dominus.”
The nymph then bowed her head respectfully and left them. Pharynx sighed, turning back to the others and removing his armor, letting it clatter onto the ground. The weight of the metal now removed, he stretched slightly before trotting closer to the nymph and his brother.
“Well, you heard her, let’s get going.” Pharynx said
“Where ‘re we goin’?” Apex asked, settling himself on Pharynx’s back.
“I figure if we make tracks for the north we can blend in with the ponies of an Empire that’s rumored to have sprung up almost a year ago. We can claim to be subjects, they’re probably still trying to gather a consensus so it’ll be easy to make up identities.”
“A-Alright…” Thorax looked over “Are you sure we can make it that far?”
“I know we will. It just might take us some time to get that far without using the trains and other pony transportation."
"How long...?"
"Probably around nine months, but we'll make it.”
“N-Nine months?”
“I’ll protect you, don’t worry.” Pharynx assured him
“An’ I’ll ‘tect us too!” Apex joined in
“That’s right, we need to continue your training, Apex-discipulus.”
“An’ we walked through a ginormous forest an’ we made shelter in a cave an’ that’s when Pater-Thorax screamed ‘cause o’ a bunny an’ we-”
Pharynx nearly spat out the water he had been taking a sip of. They’d stopped to refill their canteens at a stream.
“P-Pater-Thorax?” Pharynx stammered
Thorax blushed, but Apex kept chattering.
“You like i’? I tol’ Thorax I wan’ed a name for him like how 'm Apex-discipulus, an’ when I was ‘scribing all the stuff he’s done for me he sai' ‘Pater’ an’ tha’ i’ means friend! You wanna be called Pater-Pharynx, too?”
“E-Er, I’m good…” Pharynx said. “Hey, Apex, why don’t you scout ahead and practice aiming the crossbow at that big dead tree over there?”
“Sure!” Apex raced ahead, and Pharynx waited until he heard the crossbow going off to turn to Thorax.
“Thorax what the heck were you thinking?”
“I-I was just talking to myself, I whispered it! I-I thought he couldn’t hear me! And I knew he wouldn’t drop it so I panicked and… I told him it meant friend…”
“Yeah, that makes so much sense. Question though, why not just tell him the truth?”
“Y-You didn’t see him Phar… he was asking me if I thought his mom and dad would be proud of him… the wounds are still fresh-”
“It was three months ago when the raid happened!”
“I know… but he’s a nymph, Pharynx…”
“Well… I can accept that. But you’ve got to tell him sometime. We’re going to be teaching him our culture, he’ll find out anyway…”
“I know…”
“Tell him at some time during these nine months. Or I’ll find a way to.”
Thorax sighed. “That’s fair…”
They heard a soft thud, and Apex’s cheerful voice reached them.
“Pater-Thorax! Pharynx! I kill’d the tree!”
-------------------------------------------------
Thorax sat in a grassy field, watching Pharynx show Apex how to pounce. Apex eventually began pouncing at bugs and butterflies instead of the flower Pharynx was trying to make him target. Pharynx sighed and glanced over at Thorax, who pretended to be looking in the other direction, to avoid Pharynx’s pressing stare. Pharynx sighed again, then sank onto his haunches, wagging his rump in the air as he mimicked Apex’s playful stance. He chuckled, leaping on the nymph and sending them rolling down the slight hill. Thorax smiled before racing over to join them.
-------------------------------------------------
Thorax trotted beside his brother alongside the railway tracks. Apex was walking along the track, and after Pharynx had explained how trains worked, was pretending to be one. Thorax was giggling and smiling at the nymph’s antics. Pharynx looked at Thorax, and he shook his head. Apex was cheerful and happy now, he didn’t need this ruining it. Pharynx rolled his eyes and returned to scouting. He then abruptly turned and yanked Apex off the rails, dragging him backwards and glaring at Thorax to follow. Thorax galloped after him and they hid in some trees as a train came barrelling through. Thorax stared at it, wide-eyed. It could’ve crushed Apex…
-------------------------------------------------
Thorax smiled as he lay beside Pharynx and Apex, tucking into a good meal for once. Pharynx had refused to say how he’d procured the daisy sandwiches, but Thorax opted not to complain. They were fresh and juicy and perfect. Apex cuddled up close to Thorax, smiling as he took large and greedy bites from his sandwich, drinking from his almost full canteen as well. Thorax gave him a nuzzle, and he giggled. Thorax looked up and caught Pharynx’s eye. The elder changeling gave him a look, and he blushed before shaking his head. Not yet.
-------------------------------------------------
Thorax sat and watched as Pharynx stood knee-deep in a stream in the evening. Apex waited beside Thorax, having been told by Pharynx to stay quiet. Though he kept leaning forwards to see what Pharynx was doing. Pharynx lunged as the silver blur of a fish flashed by. He bit down under the water and resurfaced with a fish. He tossed it onto the shore, where Thorax picked it up and carried it to their fire. He then heard a splash and Apex laughing. Thorax turned and began laughing as well. Pharynx was sitting on his rump in the middle of the stream, a fish flopping on his head. He glared at the laughing changelings, and Thorax smiled. Not today. Pharynx was finally letting his guard down a bit. He couldn’t ruin that.
-------------------------------------------------
Thorax couldn’t believe their luck. They’d found a nice shady glen to rest in. Pharynx was building a fire, while Apex curled up by Thorax’s side. The little nymph had been tired, and when Thorax nuzzled him, he seemed a little warm. Thorax worried that he might have caught a chill from all the nights sleeping out in the open, despite how he and Pharynx did their best to keep Apex warm. Pharynx came over, lying down by them and opening a canteen of fresh and cold water. He splashed some drops onto the nymph’s forehead, then waited for him to stir before letting some fall onto the nymph’s forked tongue. Thorax heard Pharynx murmuring to him that he’d let him off for now, and Thorax was relieved. He didn’t want to have to tell Apex while he already wasn’t feeling well.
-------------------------------------------------
Thorax sighed as he carried Apex on his back. He was extremely relieved that Apex had merely caught a slight chill, he wasn’t in any danger. Apex hadn’t realized anything was wrong, and was chattering to Pharynx about what he wanted to learn next. Pharynx was agreeing to complex shapeshifting when they heard a growl. Pharynx shepherded Thorax and Apex behind him as large yellow eyes and stinking breath emerged from the trees nearby. Pharynx snarled and took his signature monster form. The Timberwolf went running, and when Pharynx transformed back he was greeted by an eager nymph begging him to teach him how to do it. Thorax smiled. There was no way he could tell him now, not when Pharynx was so engrossed in sharing his skills with the nymph.
-------------------------------------------------
Thorax hurriedly pressed cobwebs against the gash in Pharynx’s leg. He continued reprimanding him, why did he have to chase that quail, they had other food and Pharynx was more important. Thorax ignored Pharynx’s protests as Apex trotted up, goldenrod and burdock root clamped in his jaws. Thorax took them, grateful that Pharynx had learned medic skills as part of his General training, and that he’d taught both his brother and his apprentice the basics. Thorax began chewing the goldenrod, spitting it out on the leaf he’d prepared and beginning to lick it into Pharynx’s wound, seeing Apex trot over with the chewed burdock root. Though Thorax was concerned for Pharynx as he began wrapping the cobwebs around the poultice, he was grateful that this would distract Pharynx from making him tell Apex.
-------------------------------------------------
Thorax giggled as he ran alongside Apex. They just had to cross a valley in the Crystal Mountains and they’d have reached the Crystal Empire. Or the territory outside it, to be specific. Pharynx was rushing along behind them, the gash in his leg fully healed now. They were playing tag though, and Apex had tagged Pharynx. So of course they had to run faster than Pharynx. And Thorax didn’t have to see Pharynx’s reminding look. They reached the valley and settled down in an alcove, where Pharynx set to work building a fire. Neither wanted Apex to catch a chill again. Thorax curled up around the little nymph, warming him with his body heat. Apex yawned and rested his head against Thorax’s chest, asleep within minutes. Oh well, no point in waking him up just for one thing. He’d tell him later.
-------------------------------------------------
Thorax held Apex close against him as they moved. The winds had really picked up since arriving at the Frozen North, as it was called. Thorax could’ve sworn he heard a howling from within the winds. Pharynx stuck close by their side. Apex was shivering so badly, Thorax transformed into a polar bear and curled up around him. Pharynx transformed into an identical, but larger, bear, and closed the circle around the nymph, who transformed into a bear cub. There was no use explaining anything over this wind, and Apex getting warm was top priority, so Thorax was sure even though his time was up, Pharynx wouldn’t complain. Together, the brothers huddled closer to each other as the wind piled snow over them, unknowingly creating an air pocket that would be relatively warm. They pressed closer to each other and Apex, hoping the snow would die down soon.
Thorax, Pharynx, and Apex, now back in their original forms, walked through the dense snow. Well, Thorax and Pharynx walked. Apex bounced through the snow, giggling and throwing it everywhere.
“Pharynx, do you know where this Empire is specifically?” Thorax asked
“No, but I’ve been hearing whispers and rumors on it every time I stea-er, head into towns to restock supplies. It’s surrounded by this kind of magic that makes it look like it’s spring even though it lies inside the Frozen North.”
“Wow…” Thorax suddenly halted, his tongue flicking out. “Ph-Pharynx, do you taste that?”
Pharynx hesitated before stiffening. “L-Love… s-so… much… love…”
“We must be getting close to the Empire!” Thorax raced ahead, catching up with Apex. “Apex, Apex, taste the air!”
“Thorax, wait!” Pharynx raced after him. There was a strange thing moving in the distance that he didn’t like the look of.
Thorax didn’t hear him. He bounded over and scooped Apex up, nuzzling him.
“Hehehe! Pater-Thorax!” Apex giggled
That was when Pharynx saw the threat clearly. An Ursa. But it was a Minor. They’d have a chance. He raced forward through the snow, years of training ensuring it didn’t slow him.
“Pharynx?” Thorax asked, looking up at his brother.
“Thorax, get Apex and duck into the snow! That’s an order!” Pharynx barked, drawing his crossbow.
Thorax operated on instinct once hearing his brother’s tone. The two respected each other as equals, but Pharynx had the most experience. His word was law in unknown territory. Thorax picked up Apex and dove under the snow a few feet away. He burrowed down deep, covering the nymph with his own body
Thorax heard his brother yelling and screwed his eyes shut. Apex squirmed his way out from under Thorax and peeked out, then gasped and buried his head in Thorax’s side.
“Wh-Why can’ we help?”
“Pharynx has the most experience. I know nothing about the practical side to fighting and he’s not going to risk the life of a nymph.” Thorax replied, voice muffled by the snow.
Apex and Thorax both heard Pharynx shouting, and at one point the snow became red. It was hard to tell who the blood belonged to.
Eventually, the icy tundra grew silent.
“I-It’s alright, you two can come out now.” Pharynx called out, voice shaking.
Apex leapt up and ran to him. “Pharynx! You were real brave!” he hugged the older changeling, who gave him a hesitant smile back.
“Just doing my job, same as you one day.”
Apex stared up at him, eyes full of admiration and trust. Thorax came up to him next, noting the blood spattered everywhere.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine Thorax. I’ve been through worse.” Pharynx said, picking up the saddlebags he’d discarded when the fight began.
“A-Alright…”
“Come on, we’d better keep going. Why don’t you take Apex-discipulus and scout ahead?”
“Okay… come on Apex.”
“Coming Pater-Thorax.”
Pharynx limped along behind them, hiding the trail of blood following his movements. Thorax kept looking back to check on him, but he waved a hoof to tell him to focus on what was ahead.
“Wow! Looki’, Pater-Thorax!” Apex pointed
A large crystal palace loomed on the horizon, and they could see even from where they were that the snow covered land gave way to rolling fields of green.
“Oh wow…” Thorax looked over at Pharynx. “D-Do you think you can make it that far?”
“Ugh, will you quit it?”
“Sorry, I just-”
“For the last time Thora-” Pharynx’s eyes closed and his legs gave out, making him land in the snow with a soft thump.
“Pharynx!” Thorax yelped, rushing to his brother.
Pharynx’s breathing had grown shallow, flank rising and falling weakly. He began shivering as his body attempted to warm up. A small pool of blood began to form, alerting Thorax.
“H-He’s injured! Badly!” Thorax reached and stripped Pharynx’s bags off him.
Apex, who had followed Thorax, took the bags, then he began digging through them for supplies. There would be no chance of finding fresh herbs on the tundras of the Frozen North, so Thorax was very glad Pharynx had insisted on them packing as many as they could find.
Thorax carefully rolled Pharynx over, locking their hole infested hooves together and using all his strength. Pharynx’s body left a blood-stained indent in the place where he’d fallen. Thorax then began examining the wound.
“Is i’ bad, Pater-Thorax?”
Thorax gulped, not wanting to alarm the nymph. But it was bad. Large gashes narrowly missed Pharynx’s left wing, clearly left by the Ursa’s claws. They were dripping blood, and Thorax knew Pharynx must have transformed to not show the injuries, then put the saddlebags on to hide them. He probably had sent Thorax ahead so he could untransform, as it wouldn’t have held for long with his wounds.
“N-Nothing that can’t be healed.” Not a lie. It could be healed. With proper supplies and someone who knew what they were doing. “But we need to get him to shelter.”
Apex took up all their bags while Thorax used the last of his strength to heft Pharynx onto his back. He then began leading the nymph towards the Empire. Hopefully they’d find some shelter nearer to it.
As they walked, Thorax felt the snow becoming softer, and he gestured for Apex to come closer to him. As Apex trotted up to him, Thorax saw a rock up ahead that could be used as a landmark. He headed towards it, wondering if it would be big enough to prop Pharynx up against so he could treat him.
Thorax got closer to the rock, and just as he was about to lower Pharynx onto the ground to assess the injury, the snow gave way. Thorax screamed as he dropped, and his wings fluttered just in time, managing to make him hover instead. Apex came sliding in after him, squealing. He giggled as he slowed to a halt, rolling on his carapace and kicking his hooves in the air.
“Tha’ was fun!” Apex squealed, laughing.
Thorax shook his head with a small smile as he touched down on the snow beside the nymph, then looked at their surroundings. They were in an underground cavern, the snow opening above them where Thorax had fallen. An icy slope showed how Apex had gotten in, sliding down it at a quick speed. No wonder he had thought it was a game.
Well, it would be as good a place as any to set up camp.
Thorax got Pharynx off his back and laid him, wound-up, on the snow. He wanted so badly to lie down and sleep, but he had work to do. Thorax grabbed their bags and fished through them, turning up with some cobwebs and marigold. Hopefully they’d be enough.
“Apex, chew up the marigold, okay?”
“Okay Pater-Thorax.”
As Apex began chewing the marigold into a poultice, Thorax nudged Pharynx. It was imperative that they keep him awake, especially being in the cold, where it would be hard to start a fire. He watched the elder changeling stir.
“Ph-Pharynx, wake up.”
“Th-Thorax…?” Pharynx asked, eyes just barely opening.
“Y-Yes, I’m here.”
“...W-Why is everything so cold? And why is it all white? Wh-Where’s the nest?”
“Nest?” Thorax asked, confused
“O-Our nest. Where are we?”
Thorax realized what he meant. Pharynx didn’t remember where they were. It was from shock, most likely. He thought they were back in the Hive.
“W-We… We’re not in the Hive, Pharynx.”
“Wh-What?” Pharynx then seemed to remember and struggled to stand. “Where’s the grub?”
“‘M o’er here, Pharynx, sir.” Apex mumbled around a mouthful of marigold petals.
Thorax put a hoof on Pharynx’s shoulder and pushed him down. “Rest, Pharynx. Everything’s fine.”
“N-No, I need to p-protect y-you two…” Pharynx protested weakly, before falling back into the snow.
Thorax saw that Pharynx was shivering violently, and nosed him worriedly. Thorax’s eyes widened. Pharynx was burning up.
“A-Apex, apply the marigold.” Thorax instructed, trying to remain calm.
Apex trotted over and licked the marigold into the wound. Pharynx visibly flinched and moaned aloud.
“Shh, it’s okay.” Thorax soothed, stroking his brother’s neckfin. “It’s okay, this will help.”
Apex finished, and Thorax took over, wrapping the cobweb around Pharynx’s wounds. Once he was done, he managed to find some feverfew in their bags.
“You remember what this does, right Apex-discipulus?” Thorax prompted, using his full title to make it clear to the nymph that he was giving him a lesson, hoping to distract him.
“I-I’s fe’erfew, you use i’ to help cool someling down.”
“Mhm.” Thorax nodded, knowing that the small lesson would help to distract both of them. He turned back to Pharynx. “Phar, eat this, please.”
Thorax held a small portion near Pharynx’s mouth. They’d need to keep as much as possible left for the future. Pharynx reached and ate it slowly, grimacing. Thorax scooped up snow and laid a large clump of it on Pharynx’s forehead.
“Ah… c-cold…”
“I’m sorry Pharynx, but we need to cool your fever down before we can risk you getting warm.”
Pharynx grunted and continued shivering. Thorax sighed and flopped into the snow beside him, feeling like his hooves were weighted with heavy sandbags. He might as well get some rest. It would grow dark soon and Pharynx was incapacitated. They wouldn’t be able to move him, and it would only get colder.
“P-Pater-Thorax?”
“Come here Apex.”
Apex obeyed quietly, laying beside Thorax and snuggling against him. Pharynx moved slightly, groaning. Thorax shifted closer to him, his vision blurring from fatigue as well as tears he struggled not to shed.
“Pater-Thorax, i-is Pharynx gonna be okay?”
“He’ll be fine, Apex.”
With that, Thorax screwed his teal eyes shut, refusing to let the tears come, wrapping a hoof tight around the little nymph. He soon fell asleep, holding Apex close and pressing against Pharynx.
Thorax sighed as he entered the cavern, carrying a bag in his teeth. He looked over at Pharynx. The older changeling was leaning against an ice wall, his wound exposed but wrapped with cobwebs. Apex sat in the snow beside him, watching quietly.
“Where have you been? I was about to send Apex out to scout for you.” Pharynx continued. His voice was rather raspy.
“You wouldn’t have.”
“...Alright, maybe I wouldn't have. But still, where were you?”
“I… uh… I think I was spotted.”
“You what-?!” Pharynx broke off, coughing.
Thorax went to him, grabbing the bowl he’d carved from stone and filled with water from melting snow. He held up the bowl and let Pharynx drink from it. Pharynx’s injury was still as bad as it had been days before, and he was still running a fever.
“I’m sorry Pharynx, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Thorax said. “A townspony just caught a bit of a glimpse of me as I was passing. There’s a good chance they’ll think it was their imagination.”
Pharynx nodded in understanding, stifling coughs. Apex nuzzled against Pharynx, who put a foreleg around him. He’d been insistent on training Apex in subjects other than physical fighting, even while injured.
“Did’ya ge’ food?” Apex asked
Thorax nodded. He’d been getting food for them since Pharynx was down. “I found a snow hare.”
“Yay!” Apex grabbed up the two pieces of flint, and Thorax chuckled.
“Good job Apex. Now, we just need wood.”
Pharynx stifled another cough and shook his head. “The only plants left are the herbs, Thorax.”
Thorax gulped nervously. His effort had rewarded him with a food that was useless. He’d also lost energy from how long it had taken. Apex frowned and dropped the flint.
“B-Bu’ there’s so much love in the air, c-can’ we jus’ go ask for some?”
“Not how it works, grub. They’d just run.”
Apex’s earfins drooped and he nestled against Pharynx. “B-Bu’ ‘m hungry…”
Thorax frowned and laid beside them, nuzzling Apex. Pharynx sighed and moved his hoof, letting Thorax take over while he leaned back against the ice wall, half-lidding his eyes.
“I know little one, I’m hungry too. But we just need to wait a little longer, okay?”
“O-Okay Pater-Thorax…”
Thorax sighed and nuzzled the nymph. “I’m sorry Apex…”
“I-I’s no’ your faul’…”
Thorax sighed and pulled him closer. Apex rested against him, Thorax wincing every time he heard the nymph’s stomach growl. Pharynx, eyes still closed, began talking.
“Hey, grub?”
“Y-Yeah Pharynx?”
“You… you remember when you asked me why we go to war?”
Thorax and Apex looked at each other, both remembering the fateful day. When Pharynx had dodged the question and the alert had gone off.
“Y-Yes…”
“Well… I told you no one knows, but…” Pharynx looked over at them both. “There is a reason.”
“Huh?”
“...We go to war… to shelter everyone else. We throw ourselves into danger, knowing most of us won’t come back-” Pharynx broke off, coughing. “We-We do all that so that everyone else doesn’t have to think about it. So we can ensure a safer world for the next generation.”
Apex watched him wide eyed as he spoke, then reached and nuzzled him.
“I un’erstan’ now. Thank you Pharynx.”
Pharynx smiled softly and nuzzled him. “No problem, Apex.”
Apex giggled and brushed his small fangs against Pharynx’s cheek in affection. Pharynx chuckled, but began coughing again. Thorax passed him the bowl of water.
“Th-Thank you Thorax…”
“Of course, Pharynx.”
“Y-You know…” Pharynx murmured “I think they were wrong about you… magnus es… frater… mirum bello… amo te, frater…”
Thorax giggled softly. “Thank you Pharynx… diliget te.”
Thorax smiled as his brother gave a slight smile in return, eyes opening briefly. He then sank down, leaning heavily on the ice as he slipped into sleep.
“Wha’ were you guys sayin?” Apex asked, settling by Thorax.
“He said I was a great brother and warrior, and that he loves me.” Thorax nuzzled Apex. “I told him I loved him back.”
“Heheh, tha’s cool, i’s like a secre’ code.”
“Heh, we’ll teach you more of the ancient dialect soon.” Thorax said, knowing that maybe then, he could tell him the truth.
“Okay.” Apex yawned and cuddled up to Thorax, who snuggled him close.
At least down in the cavern they were protected from the freezing snow and wind. But as Thorax held Apex close against him, he felt his throat closing up. All the pain and worry and hunger was getting to him. He buried his head in the nymph’s soft chitin and began to cry.
Thorax cuddled close against Pharynx, who wrapped a hoof around him in his sleep. The sudden affection from his brother just made it worse. He cried for the first time in weeks, maybe months. Scared and alone, despite being beside the two changelings he loved beyond words.
The three changelings were woken abruptly by the sound of hoofbeats. Pharynx pricked his ears, listening.
“Armored hooves and clanking metal. They’re soldiers.” Pharynx murmured
“Ohnoohnoohno…” Thorax began hyperventilating. “I-I was seen, wasn’t I? Th-They’re going to find us and-”
“Thorax, be quiet.” Pharynx hissed. “No one is blaming you, but please, shut up. If you’re any louder they’ll definitely find us.”
Thorax clamped his jaws shut and nodded. Pharynx listened again.
“Apex, I want you, carefully, to sneak over and check on the entrance to this place.” he ordered calmly.
Apex nodded and crept over to the slope that led out, then came back.
“I’s covered ‘n snow.”
“Alright, that gives us less of a chance of discovery.”
The hoofsteps stopped, and they heard muffled voices. Then, hoofsteps sounded, and headed off in different directions. Thorax nearly breathed a sigh of relief before realizing one beat still remained, and the creature seemed to be talking to itself.
“N-Now wha’?” Apex asked
“We’re changelings, grub, we just transform.” Pharynx replied
“But Pharynx, you’re hurt. There’s no way you’ll be able to sustain a form for very long-”
“I’ll be fi-argh!” Pharynx winced as he tried to stand and fell back down.
Thorax gasped as he saw fresh blood seeping through the cobweb bandages. He reached over and readjusted them.
“Apex, stand guard but don’t make any sounds. I’m going to get Pharynx out of the open.” Thorax instructed in a low voice.
“O-Okay Pater-Thorax.”
Thorax hooked his forelegs under Pharynx’s, dragging him through the snow using all the strength he had. Luckily, while Pharynx maintained his muscular build, hunger had made him somewhat thinner and easier to manage. Pharynx’s eyes were closed, he was breathing raggedly, and barely struggling as Thorax moved him. Thorax took that as a bad sign.
He managed to drag Pharynx to a more sheltered alcove, just as they heard a scream, and Apex came dashing over.
“A-A big scaly thing jus’ fell in.” he whimpered. “I’ hi’ a rock.”
Thorax gulped. With Pharynx down, there was only one option. He lifted Apex and laid him by Pharynx, nuzzling him briefly.
“Stay with Pharynx. Don’t come get me unless he seems to get worse. Alright?”
Thorax smiled at him softly before turning and rushing out. The creature was a young dragon. Thorax sighed and studied him for a moment before taking his form while he wasn’t looking, then hiding and waiting. Maybe he’d think it was a reflective piece of ice.
Sure enough, the dragon bought it. For a minute, at least. Thorax was love-starved and weak, and the snow was slippery. He quickly fell over and untransformed by accident. As he scrambled up to explain himself, he heard the dragon scream.
“Ch-Ch-Ch-Changeling!!!”
The dragon stumbled and staggered away. Thorax tried to call out, but he fell into the ravine that Thorax always warned Apex about. Thorax shot forwards and locked his hooves around the young drake’s arms, pulling him to safety.
“Th-This is unexpected…” the dragon mumbled to himself.
“Please be careful. Th-The ice can be pretty slippery…” Thorax cautioned as he set the dragon a safe distance away from the ravine. “A-And I wouldn’t want you to get hurt because of me…”
“W-Wait, you’re… not going to eat me? Or drain me of my love? Or whatever it is you do?” the dragon asked, confusion wafting off him.
Thorax shook his head. “No, no. Never.”
“But… changelings are supposed to be evil, right?”
“W-Well, not me… all I ever needed in life was a friend…” Thorax replied. “My brother always says I've been different since we first hatched in the nursery hive…”
“How so?”
“W-Well, the other nymphs all wanted to fight and defend the Hive. They wanted to become apprentices so we could train and become warrior drones. M-My brother easily became the General, but I… I was still an apprentice, and too old to be one. During the attack on Canterlot… I didn’t attack or feed… I saw true friendship and… and I wanted to have something like that!”
“You… wanted friends?”
“Y-Yeah…” Thorax thought of Pharynx and Apex. “Then my mentor gave up on me, so my brother trained me instead. He knew our mother had a temper like no one else, I’d be beaten horribly for my failure. So he managed to teach me. I became his advisor and soon he took on an official apprentice. And I… I cared for them both, and I realized I did have creatures who loved me, even if one of them didn’t show it.”
“Huh. So… then why are you here?”
“Even with them… I still wasn’t happy.”
“But that doesn’t explain it. Why leave instead of staying with them?”
“I… I am with them.”
“What?!” the dragon looked startled as he realized Thorax wasn’t the only changeling around.
“When the raids in Ponyville happened my brother went with the soldiers, a-and his apprentice and I left. Neither of us wanted to stay. We found my brother and he… it turned out he did love us enough to come with us.”
“So then why come to the Crystal Empire of all places?” the dragon asked
“W-We’re starving!” Thorax blurted out. “And recently there’s been a huge outpouring of love, but my brother’s injured and his apprentice is only five, and… and…” he trailed off, overwhelmed.
“Well… the love would be from the Crystalling, basically a giant outpour of light and love for a new baby.”
“Th-That explains why we’ve been sensing love but can’t feed… I-I mean, maybe if we had a few friends, the love we’d share would be able to sustain us, but… no one would want to be friends with us…”
“Oh, is that all? I know someone the Crystal Ponies respect and admire so much, he’d be able to convince them to give you guys a try.” the dragon proclaimed.
“R-Really? Who?”
“It’s me!” the dragon puffed out his chest. “Spike the Brave and Glorious at your service! I’ll get those Crystal Ponies to give friendship with you a chance!”
Thorax beamed. “I-I’m Thorax… sorry I forgot to mention it earlier…”
“Heh, no problem. I’m Spike, like I said.” ‘Spike’ stuck out a claw. Thorax hesitantly took it and gave it a small shake.
“S-So you really think you can convince them to try out friendship with me?”
“Of course! Just leave it to me!” Spike looked around. “Now… how do I get out?”
Thorax had just finished filling Pharynx and Apex in on what had happened, after moving Pharynx back to his original spot. Apex looked hopeful and eager. Pharynx, however, seemed wary.
“You’re sure we can trust him?”
“Yes! He was honest, I could tell.” Thorax replied.
“Well… okay…”
Just then, they heard footsteps. Thorax helped Pharynx shift backwards into the shadows, tucking Apex in beside him. Thorax then went out to greet Spike. Being close by, this gave Pharynx and Apex their first real glimpse of him.
“S-So how’d it go?”
“Well… things didn’t exactly go the way I hoped…” Spike mumbled
“Big surprise…” Pharynx grumbled under his breath, pulling Apex closer to him.
“Oh…” Thorax’s earfins drooped
“I’m really sorry…”
“I… I understand… I guess you can’t expect ponies like this,” Thorax, still moping, transformed into a Crystal Pony, “to trust something that looks like this,” he changed back.
Pharynx and Apex watched the display silently. Spike snapped his claws as he realized something.
“That’s it! Transform into that Crystal Pony again!”
Thorax tilted his head in confusion, but obeyed. Spike smiled.
“All we have to do is get them used to you as a pony. Then, we can show them you’re a changeling, but they’ll already know you for you and accept you!”
“You really think that will work?” Thorax sounded hopeful.
“It’s got to.” Spike replied
Pharynx gave a loud cough, and Thorax glanced over.
“Uh… could you give me a minute?”
“Sure. I’ll wait up there.” Spike headed back up the slope, and Thorax went to the others.
“What is it, Pharynx?” he asked, transforming back.
“Thorax, you’re going to be walking into an entire Empire full of irresistible love while we’re being hunted!” Pharynx snarled in a low tone, coughing.
“I know, but if it means getting food for us all, I’ll risk it.” Thorax told him.
“I… Thorax, I don’t thi-” Pharynx broke off, going into a coughing fit.
Thorax grabbed their saddlebags and fished out the remaining tansy, passing the small portion to him. Pharynx swallowed it dutifully, giving Thorax a chance to speak.
“I know you don’t agree, Pharynx, but it’s our only hope. I’ll be able to bring food and soon we may even be able to get you proper care and shelter. Wouldn’t it be nice?”
“I… I suppose so-” Pharynx then yawned. “Huh… that’s weird…”
Thorax chuckled and nuzzled him. “Rest if you want, I’ll be fine. Spike will look out for me, and he’s a dragon!”
“O-Okay then, just be-” Pharynx yawned again and settled down. “-Be careful… ugh… why am I so tired…?”
“Heheh… maybe because I put some poppy seeds in with the tansy?”
“Y-You wha-” Pharynx yawned once more. “Th-Thorax you…”
“I’m sorry Pharynx but you do need rest, and I promise, I’ll be fine. Just sleep.”
“I… ‘m gonna… when you get bac’…” Pharynx slurred, lying his head in the snow and beginning to snore.
Thorax chuckled and nuzzled Apex. “I’ll be back probably a little after he wakes up. Look after him for me?”
“I will Pater-Thorax.” Apex replied with a smile.
Thorax smiled back at him before becoming the Crystal Pony again and heading up the slope to catch up to Spike. Apex sat by Pharynx’s head, listening to the General’s snores and trying not to go to sleep himself.
Pharynx was up again in a matter of hours. Apex had greeted him and was cuddling beside the injured changeling. Just as Pharynx was shoving Apex away from him, Thorax came back. Though he clearly wasn’t happy.
Thorax stalked into the cave, his eyes pooling with tears. He was hissing and spitting as he moved, shaking his head as though to clear it. Apex was most concerned about the hissing, which was highly unlike his friend.
“Pater-Thorax...?” Apex’s questioning look made Thorax wither.
Thorax collapsed in the snow beside them and began crying loudly. Pharynx reached out, wincing, and rubbed his back.
“It didn’t go well?”
“Everything was fine.” Thorax spat. “B-But then Spike's friends let me see the royal baby and… and the love made me drop my disguise. T-Then everyone surrounded me while I tried to apologize but I was hissing b-because I…”
“You went into a Feeding Frenzy?” Pharynx finished for him.
"Whas' tha'?" Apex asked.
"When changelings who haven't had a good meal in a long time encounter a large supply of love, we can go into a Feeding Frenzy, where we start hissing and trying to feed." Pharynx explained.
"So you did tha' Pater-Thorax?" Apex asked
Thorax nodded. “I-I tried my best and managed not to feed, but they were convinced I snuck in to feed on the baby. T-The worst part is Spike didn’t even try to defend me!” he growled
“Of course he didn’t… if I see that guy again, I’ll make sure he-!” Pharynx winced and reached a hoof to his injured side.
“No, you’re hurt Pharynx. I'll do it. Besides, I’m the one who trusted him, it's my fault…” Thorax muttered sullenly.
“Thorax?” a familiar voice asked, and Thorax jumped up.
It was Spike, he was calling out for Thorax as he walked down the cave entrance, looking around for the changeling.
Pharynx rose slightly, only to fall back down with a faint hiss. Thorax shook his head and gestured for Apex to hide. The nymph pressed against Pharynx as Thorax stood up and crept closer to the dragon.
“Thorax, I just want to apologize! I should’ve stood up for you, I know that!” Spike stopped near the ravine and looked around. "Come on Thorax... please...?"
Thorax then sprang. “LEAVE ME ALONE!” he bellowed, hissing at Spike menacingly.
Spike stumbled in shock and fell down into the ravine, claws scraping and clinging to the edge.
“U-Uh, a-a little help?” he asked pleadingly.
Pharynx and Apex looked on silently, though Apex looked up at Pharynx nervously.
“C-Can’ we help him, Pharynx?”
“No grub… this is Thorax’s battle to fight, all we can do is wait and see what he chooses.” Pharynx responded, and Apex nodded in understanding. Thorax, meanwhile, had started talking to the dragon.
“-In Equestria would I help you? I’m an evil changeling, remember?” Thorax snarled bitterly.
“B-Because we’re friends!” Spike said as his claws lost their grip. “You were the best friend I’ve had in a long time, like, ever. You're actually nice to me and you don't just see me as Twilight's assistant! But I messed up, and I made you think you weren’t worthy of friendship. But you are! I just… I wish I’d been a better friend to you.”
That did it. As Spike slipped off completely, Thorax lunged and grabbed him. He nipped him up by the back of his neck, careful not to puncture him with his fangs. Thorax then yanked him backwards and managed to pull him back to safety. Once Spike had found his footing, Thorax released him. The two looked down and stood in silence for a minute, then Thorax sighed and spoke up.
“It’s okay… I can tell you’re usually a good friend. I shouldn’t have expected you to give up the respect you earned from the Crystal Ponies.”
“No, I’m sorry.” Spike hugged him, surprising them. “I shouldn’t have left you alone like that. But I know how to fix it.”
“H-How?”
“I’m gonna do what I should have done in the first place.” Spike replied. “But I need your help.”
Thorax hesitated, and Spike took his hoof.
“I’ll be next to you the whole time, I promise. I won’t leave.”
Thorax nodded. “B-But how are you gonna get me there? They’ll probably try checking if I use ‘Crystal Hoof’ again.”
Spike thought for a minute. “Can you transform into objects? Like, rocks?”
“Of course.”
“Transform into a gemstone, then I’ll carry you in. I eat gems, so they probably won’t think to inspect any that I’m holding.”
Thorax hesitated, then glanced back to the shadows where Pharynx and Apex lay. Pharynx’s violet eyes were just visible, and he gave the tiniest of nods. Spike looked over to see what his friend was looking at, but Pharynx had already moved to blend in with the shadows again.
“Okay, let’s do it.” Thorax said at last.
Spike nodded, giving him a talon’s up gesture. Thorax gave him an awkward smile, then transformed, becoming a ruby. Spike reached down and lifted him up, then glanced around.
“Thorax said his brother was here. I won’t try to look for you, if you want to stay hidden, but I promise, I’ll take care of Thorax until we get back.” he then clutched the gem in one claw as he began to climb up the slope.
Pharynx sighed as the drake and his disguised friend disappeared through the hole that led out.
“Vide te mox, brother.” he whispered
Apex tapped Pharynx lightly on his shoulder. “Whas’ tha’ mean?”
“It means ‘see you soon’.”
“Can you teach me more?”
Pharynx sighed softly. “I’ll try. No promises, I’m still a bit tired.”
Apex nodded, nuzzling him. He chuckled.
“Alright, go find me a stick or icicle I can use to draw with, I’ll teach you the letters.”
“Yes sir Pharynx sir!” Apex gave him a playful salute before scampering off.
“And keep away from the ravine!” Pharynx called after him. “Clearly the ice around it is slippery and I won’t be able to move fast enough to catch you if you fall!”
Thorax stared in awe down at the little filly, who cooed and babbled. She reached her hooves out to Thorax, not knowing any better. The way she giggled reminded him of Apex. Apex and Pharynx…
“Y-Your highness?” Thorax looked up. “I am very grateful to you, all of you, but I’m afraid I need to return to the cavern where I was staying.”
“Why?” Shining Armor asked, clearly suspicious.
“I… I did not come here alone.” Thorax said, causing a few murmurs of confusion. “My brother and his apprentice came with me, I know I couldn’t have made it here without them.”
“Then why didn’t they come into the Empire with you?” Twilight Sparkle asked
“My brother’s apprentice is very young, I thought it would be unsafe to bring him into the city while we were seen as a threat. And while we were traveling, my brother had to defend us both from an Ursa Minor.”
“He fought off an Ursa Minor without help?” Shining seemed surprised this was possible.
“Y-Yes. My brother has always been a great warrior. He chased it off, but was heavily injured in the process. He can’t move very easily, and I did my best but I wasn’t trained in healing. Bringing him here would have meant his capture. Our transformations don’t hold for long when we’re hurt.”
Cadence and Twilight nodded in understanding. Cadence glanced at Shining, then looked back to Thorax.
“Then I will come with you myself, to help you move your brother here.” Cadence said
“Y-You? R-Really?”
“Of course. If he is as injured as you say, magic would be able to move him easier than you could on your own, without jarring his injuries.” Cadence replied
“I’m going too.” Shining said, lifting the foal out of Cadence’s hooves and laying her back in the carrier she’d been in before.
“I’ll come too. Starlight can stay here with Sunburst and keep an eye on Flurry.” Twilight announced, trotting over.
“And I don’t think we’ll need any guards.” Cadence added, looking pointedly at Shining. “Our magic combined will be enough should anything happen.”
“Spike, do you want to come?” Twilight asked
“Actually,” Cadence began, “I’ll be sending a few guards to work their way through the Empire, and gather everyone to explain the new developments concerning Thorax and his fellow changelings. I’m sure they would be much more eager to participate despite their fears if they saw Spike with the guards.”
“Well… if it’s okay with you, Spike.” Twilight looked at him.
Spike hesitated, then smiled. “I know that Thorax will be safe with you guys. I’ll help make sure they don’t run from him anymore.”
“Alright then.” Twilight smiled and hugged him. Spike glanced at Thorax, giving him a small nod of encouragement.
“Th-Thank you, all of you…” Thorax said
“Of course. I’d do the same for any one of my subjects.” Cadence replied. “Now, since seeing you in the streets may be off-putting still, Twilight and I will teleport us outside the Empire, then you can lead us to your brother and… apprentice, you said?”
“His apprentice, yes.” Thorax nodded. Cadence, Twilight, and Shining Armor moved closer, then lit up their horns. A bright flash surrounded the four of them.
“Sound it out.” Pharynx encouraged, as Apex stared at his crude writing. The fever had made him disoriented and it was somewhat hard for him to write. He was also writing with an icicle.
“L… Li… lignu… lignu…” Apex tried to say
“Go on, one more letter.” Pharynx prompted.
“Lignu… lign’m! I’ says lign’m! Whas’ tha’ mean?”
“Wood.” Pharynx translated. “Which we really need more of.” he muttered under his breath.
“Huh?”
Pharynx opened his mouth to reassure the nymph, then heard voices, and hooves beginning to walk down the slope. His eyes widened.
“Grub, get behind me. Now.” he ordered in a hushed tone.
Apex obeyed, sheltering between the elder changeling and the wall of the cavern. Pharynx winced as he heaved himself up, hunched over but ready to defend his charge.
“-Some strange shadowing over here…”
A horn lit up in the dark, blinding them temporarily. Pharynx hissed and adopted a scowl. It was worse than he thought. The Love Princess and her husband stood there, accompanied by the Friendship Princess. Pharynx shifted to better conceal Apex, snarling as fiercely as he could muster. At last, his worst fear had been confirmed, and they had been found.
“Ah!” Twilight yelped as she saw the new changeling. He had a gaunt but muscular frame, and though he seemed weak he was snarling menacingly.
“Is it a trap?” Shining asked harshly, having still not been completely trusting in Thorax’s word.
“Get away!” the changeling snarled.
“Pharynx!” Thorax pushed past them and approached the changeling. “It’s okay, stand down, they’re here to help.”
“Thorax? Wh-What are they doing here?” the changeling, Pharynx, asked. His voice had lowered significantly upon seeing Thorax, and his stance relaxed slightly.
“I’ll explain, just lie down, you don’t want to make the injury worse.” Thorax was looking at Pharynx’s side.
“I’m fine.” he dismissed it, legs shaking. “Just explain what they’re-” he began coughing, then fell down onto the snow, shivering violently.
“Pharynx!” As Thorax crouched down over him, they saw another pair of eyes in the darkness.
A small changeling squirmed out from behind Pharynx. He was tiny, seeming to be very young. He looked over at Thorax and Pharynx, then went over to the shadows, grabbing something and dragging it out. It was a pair of saddlebags.
“H-He’e…” he said, opening the bags and pulling out some green plants. “I-I think i's the las’ o’ i’.”
Thorax nodded and took the plants, inspecting them before offering them to Pharynx. The changeling took one look at them and shook his head.
“I-I’m fi-” he continued coughing.
Twilight and Cadence got closer, Shining behind them.
They could see now what Thorax had meant when he said his brother was injured. A sticky white substance was carefully laid like bandages, wrapping around Pharynx’s torso. It was already stained, and a fresh red color was seeping through it.
“Pharynx, please, just eat it.” Thorax urged.
“S-Save it. Th-The grub… get sick again-” he continued coughing.
“I’ll be fine, jus’ eat i’…” the young changeling said, but Pharynx still refused them, closing his eyes and laying his head down in the snow.
“What are they?” Twilight asked curiously.
Thorax glanced up, looking surprised. “They’re herbs. Don’t you use them to heal?”
“No, we have medicine and vaccines.”
Thorax just looked confused now. The young nymph ran over and hid himself under Thorax, hiding from the strange newcomers.
“So, what are they?”
“This is feverfew.” Thorax said. “It helps to cool high temperatures, and Pharynx has had a fever ever since the attack. We’ve run out of tansy to help with his cough but we still have this.”
“I thought you didn’t know any healing skills.” Shining said
“Pharynx was taught the basic skills, and he passed on what he knew to myself and his apprentice. Even though it wasn’t necessary information for us to know, I’m grateful he taught us.”
Pharynx continued coughing and shuddering. Cadence leaned down and lit up her horn. He was bathed in her blue aura for a second, and she stood, looking concerned.
“He’s sick because the wounds have been infected.”
“Do you know how that could’ve happened?” Twilight asked
“Well, I did have to carry him for a while before we discovered the cavern… I suppose leaving the wounds open could have allowed for it… and who knows where the Ursa’s claws had been before it attacked…”
“Come on then, I’ll teleport us back to the castle, we can get him treated.” Twilight said
“P-Pater-Thorax?” a small voice asked, and they looked to see the young changeling was nuzzling against Thorax. “Wh-Who ‘re they? Wh-Where’d the scaly d’ag-thing go?”
Thorax lifted the small creature and held him against his chest. “This is Pharynx’s apprentice, Apex.”
“B-But he’s so young…” Cadence said
“The Queen has instructed that every nymph must be apprenticed at five years of age.” Thorax explained. “Apex became an apprentice just this year, chosen specifically by Pharynx.”
Apex, as the ‘nymph’ was called, clung to Thorax, his hooves locking around the older changeling’s neck.
“Hello little one.” Cadence spoke softly, leaning down to him. “I’m Cadence. We’re going to take you to the Empire, where it’s nice and warm. Wouldn’t you like that?”
He nodded. “I-Is the’e food?”
“Of course sweetie.”
Apex reached and tapped her nose lightly with his hoof. She giggled and took him in her hooves.
“Well aren’t you just the most precious thing?”
Apex giggled as she nuzzled him. Thorax reached into the shadows and drew out more bags. All together there were two large saddlebags and a smaller satchel. He put them on, then sat by Pharynx.
“We’d better get going, it seems like your brother needs to be treated.” Shining remarked
Thorax nodded. “Apex, come here.”
Cadence set Apex down and he trotted to Thorax. The nymph cuddled up to him as the two alicorns and unicorn drew closer. They lit up their horns, and another flash surrounded the group.
Thorax saw the throne room materialize after the flash. He reached and pulled Pharynx into his hooves, the injured changeling now shivering even harder as his body struggled to adapt to the sudden change in temperature. Thorax looked up and saw the two unicorns from before waiting with the royal baby.
“Thorax?” Cadence approached “Let me take Pharynx, we’ll get him to a guest room so he can rest.”
“A-A guest room? Are you sure? I know we’d be okay in a servant’s room…”
“No. You’re staying in a guest room while your brother recovers. We’ll discuss future arrangements after that.” Cadence replied firmly, lighting her horn and lifting Pharynx.
“Ph-Pharynx!” Apex cried, and Thorax held him back.
“It’s alright, they’re going to help him.” Thorax explained.
“Come on then.” Shining said
“Alright… come on, Apex-discipulus.” Thorax said, and the little nymph followed him obediently.
“Apex-what?” Twilight asked, noticing the addition to his name.
“It is his rank. We use words from the ancient changeling tongue to signify rank. Apex is Apex-discipulus, an apprentice. Pharynx is Pharynx-dominus, because he used to be the head warrior drone.”
“But if you’re no longer living among the other changelings, why use the ranks?”
They were walking down a hall now, the unicorns following with the baby. Thorax picked up Apex to carry him and make sure he didn’t wander off.
“Pharynx insisted on continuing Apex’s training, when we thought we’d be living in the wild. And when you call someone of lower rank by their full title, they must listen to you. Calling someone of higher rank by their full title is a sign of respect. It’s also a way of calling their attention to you, emergency or not.” Thorax explained
Twilight nodded in understanding. Thorax kept talking, realizing that everyone was listening.
“Though… I think since leaving the Hive, that Pharynx himself has only used Apex’s rank once or twice, when he used to call him by it all the time. We’ve all been leaving behind parts of what we learned was natural… like stealing love.” Thorax sighed. “I don’t think any of us have had proper love meals since we left. A good thing, obviously, but I wasn’t sure how long we’d last.”
They entered a room with lavish furnishings, including a luxurious bed, a far cry from the nest Thorax had shared with Pharynx back in the Hive. Cadence laid Pharynx wound-up on the bed, pulling back the covers to half-cover him.
“I’ll call for one of our more sensible doctors to come look at him. We don’t want a panic starting when they arrive and see him.” Shining remarked, giving a half smile to show he was trying to lighten the mood.
As Shining left, Twilight looked over at Thorax, who had a foreleg around Apex to keep him from trying to get to Pharynx.
“So… what’s your rank?” she asked suddenly.
Thorax grew silent. “...I don’t have one.”
“But you said you were Pharynx’s advisor.”
“In a sense. But it’s not an official position. I was most widely known as ‘The Rankless One’. Many changelings used to say that he only made me his advisor simply because he felt sorry for his weakling brother. I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t some truth to it…”
“Nu-uh Pater-Thorax. Pharynx loves you, he sai’ so. He sai’ he thinks you’re a cap’ble warrior an’ a good brother.” Apex spoke
“He was delirious at the time Apex…”
“Bu’ he sai’ i’ ‘gain. When you were gone, he was talking in his sleep an’ he sai’ tha’ stuff.”
Thorax didn’t respond to this, instead going to his brother and standing beside him. Cadence trotted over, Apex following behind the alicorn.
“I’m sorry there’s only one bed. The couch in the room is just as comfortable…”
“It’s alright. Pharynx and I shared a nest back in the Hive, and one night, Apex joined us. We also would usually sleep close to each other while traveling, for protection and warmth. We’ll be comfortable sharing this bed.” Thorax explained.
“Alright then.”
“Wait a minute. Apex called you Pater-Thorax before. I thought you said you didn’t have a rank.” the unicorn stallion said suddenly, adjusting his glasses.
“I don’t. Apex is the only one who calls me that, a proper title usually has the rank as the second part of the name. I helped him come up with that nickname.”
“I fel’ bad Pater-Thorax didn’ have a name so he s’gested Pater. He sai’ i’ means friend.”
Thorax visibly winced, and Twilight noticed this.
“Thorax?” Twilight asked, and he looked away from them.
“Y-Yeah… ‘Pater’ means friend…”
Cadence took note of his hesitation, as well as the nymph’s trusting gaze. It was clear she wouldn’t let this slide for long. She glanced at Twilight and the unicorns. “I’m sure you three would like to talk to Thorax about his home, but let’s allow him to rest for a while.”
“But we need to head back to Ponyville soon.”
Thorax’s head jerked up. “You live there?”
“Yes…?”
“Is the fighting still going on?”
“No, it ended in a stalemate shortly after the summit in Canterlot twelve months ago.”
“Then… Pharynx must have left with us a few days before at most.”
Twilight processed this new information, before turning back to Cadence. She opened her mouth to speak, but Cadence preempted her.
“I know you’re curious, Twilight, but give them some time.”
“Well… if you could maybe send me letters containing the information they tell you?”
“Of course.” Cadence smiled, then beckoned with her wing for them to leave. “Why don’t you and Starlight spend some time with Sunburst? You do have to leave soon.”
They all nodded before heading out of the room. Cadence took Flurry Heart, the royal foal, from the stallion before they left. She then turned to Thorax and Apex.
“Now, I assume you’re hungry?”
“Mhm!” Apex jumped a little
Cadence giggled and reached, nuzzling him. “Well, I’ll go down to the kitchens, okay? I’ll see if I can get some food you two would like.”
“Thank you… the love you’d share by doing so would also help…” Thorax added shyly, picking up Apex. “Changelings can eat regular food, but we also must fill our love reserves to gain more energy and strength.”
“I see. Well, I’ll have you three well-fed in no time. Why don’t you rest for now?” Cadence suggested
Thorax nodded and laid down beside Pharynx. Apex jumped up onto the bed and crawled over, laying between Thorax and Pharynx. Cadence watched as Thorax pulled Apex closer and pressed against Pharynx. She smiled and cradled her daughter, watching them for a moment before leaving to find the promised food.
Pharynx’s wounds had been bandaged up with actual gauze, and he’d been made to swallow antibiotics daily for the infection. He was still very weak and spent most of the time asleep in their room. Other than eating, he only woke from coughing or fever dreams. Thorax and Apex rarely left his side. When they did, it was because of Cadence or Shining wanting to speak with them.
Thorax was called to Shining’s office a few days after their arrival. He found Shining and Cadence waiting for him, and they began questioning him on the changelings.
“So the changelings have always lived under the rule of Chrysalis?” Shining asked
“That is correct.” Thorax replied dully.
Shining fixed a curious gaze on him. Cadence seemed worried.
“Is everything alright?” the princess asked gently
“I’m just concerned about Pharynx… and…” Thorax stopped, not wanting to admit it. “And… puer noster bellator…”
“Is that more of your ancient tongue?” Shining asked for confirmation.
“Yes, it means ‘our young warrior’.”
“Apex.” Cadence murmured
“Yes.”
“I do wonder, Apex said ‘pater’ means friend. But you flinched when he said it.” Cadence recalled, looking at Thorax, who sighed.
“That’s because…” Thorax hung his head. “I… I am ashamed to admit it, but… I lied to him.”
“How so?” Cadence asked
“...He listed all the things I had done for him. I was reminded of one term in particular and mumbled it. I didn’t think he’d heard. But it was too late so I lied.” Thorax explained, feeling tears begin to fall.
Cadence moved and wrapped a wing around him. Thorax burrowed into her fur, crying.
“It’s okay Thorax, you’re not in trouble. Tell us, what does ‘pater’ mean?”
“I… I…” Thorax gulped. “Friend is ‘amica’. ‘Pater’ means… it means… f-father.”
Shining looked at him. “So, he was saying ‘Father-Thorax’?”
“N-Not on purpose… he doesn’t know. He’s only just beginning to learn the ancient tongue.”
“And what of his real father?”
Thorax wiped his eyes fruitlessly. “His parents, Hexia and Mandible, were killed in a skirmish around the time of his fifth birthday, we met a few days later. It was also when Apex asked Pharynx to be his mentor, which broke the tradition a little, but Pharynx consented.”
Shining nodded. “So he now unknowingly calls you his father.”
“I-I don’t want to replace his father, I-I just… h-he just kept saying it innocently… Pharynx was trying to convince me to tell him but I couldn’t. I kept making excuses to myself, and…”
“And the longer you waited, the harder it became to tell the truth.” Cadence said knowingly, and he nodded.
“I-I just was reminded of what Pharynx had told me what the definition of a father was. We never had one of our own, he learned this definition from his warrior drone friends.”
“Out of curiosity, how old are you two? You've mentioned before that Apex was five, but I don't think you've ever told us your own age.” Shining said
“Pharynx and I are both 20 years old.”
“Are you twins?”
“In a way. Eggs are laid in clutches from as small as one to as big as six or so. The queen is rumored to be able to lay over a dozen at once but no one has ever seen it. Pharynx and I hatched from the same two-egg clutch, I guess that's what ponies would call twins, but we just say broodmates."
“Alright, let’s just go with twins for now.”
Cadence nuzzled Thorax gently. “Don’t cry sweetie, we’re not upset. Shiny and I can help you figure out how to tell Apex, if you want.”
Thorax nodded. “Thank you…”
Cadence smiled softly. “For now, why don’t we focus on something happier?”
Thorax nodded, and the discussion continued on to things about changeling culture. Thorax even managed to teach them a bit of the old tongue.
Thorax sighed as he headed back to the guest room. When he opened the door, he looked up and gasped.
Pharynx was sitting up in the bed. He was lying on his side so he wouldn't risk laying on his wound, but he was alert. He had some kind of small white board in front of him, and Apex was tucked against his chest. Pharynx looked up, an unfamiliar writing device in his mouth, which he spat out.
“Thorax, there you are.” His voice was still raspy, but he seemed less congested. “Apex said the princess wanted you for something.”
“Y-Yeah, they had some questions. Why are you up?”
“I woke up.” Pharynx shrugged, “That unicorn, the one with the royal foal, was waiting here, talking to Apex. I think he had something he wanted to ask us.”
“Oh…” Thorax remembered the unicorn, Sunburst, was the royal crystaller. He was fairly nice, but a little shy and often nervous about approaching them.
“Don’t worry, I think he just wanted to talk to us about the baby. Something about helping him? I told him I'm not good with kids unless they want to learn the five ways to snap someone's neck with their teeth, so he said he’d come back later.”
“Alright… but what are you doing up?” Thorax asked, stepping closer.
“Teaching the grub.” Pharynx nodded down at Apex. “Sunburst asked if I needed anything. While I was resting I had some time to think about what I wanted to teach Apex, so I asked for something to write with.”
“Pharynx ‘s teachin me wo’ds in the ol’ tongue.” Apex said brightly.
“He’s a fast learner.” Pharynx added
Thorax smiled and crawled into the bed so he laid behind Pharynx. Thorax nestled close against his older brother, not caring about the fever that normally made his body uncomfortable to rest against. When no complaint was made, he rested his chin on Pharynx’s shoulder, looking at what he was writing.
“Pater-Thorax?”
“Y-Yes Apex?” Thorax glanced at the nymph, his earlier conversation with Cadence and Shining still fresh in his mind.
“Pharynx was tellin’ me ‘bout family wo’ds. He said mo’er ‘s ‘mater’. So how come friend is ‘pater’ when i’ sounds like the mo’er word?”
“B-Because…” Thorax screwed his eyes shut. He felt Pharynx shift slightly under his chin, and relished in the warmth and silent comfort being provided from his brother. “P-Pater isn’t friend. That’s ‘amica’.”
“S-So ‘pater’ means…?” Apex prompted
“It means father…”
Apex went silent, and Thorax felt tears beginning to drip down his face for the second time that day.
“...I didn’t mean to lie, Apex. I just… I knew you were still hurting from what happened and I didn’t want you to think I was trying to replace Mandible. I’m not, I swear. Y-You just make me so proud all the time and I just… I really felt like what you were listing was the traits of a father… you weren’t even supposed to hear it… I was about to suggest friend next, so I just said ‘pater’ was friend… I’m sorry Apex… I-I understand if you’re mad… I would be too. Just… know that I love you. I always will.”
Thorax kept his eyes closed, until he felt a small muzzle begin to nuzzle his cheek. He let out a surprised chitter and opened his eyes. Apex was crying too, but smiling.
“I-I love you too, Pater-Thorax.” Apex said
“Y-You said-”
Apex hugged him around the neck. “I know you’re no’ my daddy. B-Bu’ you can be my Thorax. I love you, Pater-Thorax, fore’er an’ e’er.”
Thorax reached and pulled him into a hug. Apex giggled as Thorax nuzzled him.
“You know, Pater-Thorax doesn’t really fit you.” Pharynx remarked, coughing lightly. “You need something more… I dunno, saccharine.”
“There ‘re o’er words for father, righ’?” Apex asked
“Mhm. Father, dad, dada, papa-” Thorax began, but Apex cut him off.
“Papa!” Apex nuzzled Thorax. “P-Papa Thorax…”
Thorax giggled and held him close. “I like that name, Apex.”
Apex smiled and snuggled against him. “You’re my papa…” the nymph’s eyes began to close, and he yawned. “P-Papa Thorax…”
Thorax stroked the nymph’s head as he fell asleep. Apex smiled and cuddled against him. Pharynx shoved the writing utensils aside and rolled over, pressing against them.
“D’you wan’ cuddles too Pharynx?” Apex mumbled, feeling the changeling come closer.
“D-Don’t be ridiculous, grub, I’m just… cold… and tired…” he yawned and closed his eyes, nestling against them and dozing off.
Thorax and Apex smiled at each other knowingly.
“Whas’ ‘uncle’ in the ol’ tongue?”
“Avunculus.”
“Hehe, ‘m gonna call him tha’ t’morrow.”
“Heh, okay.” Thorax nuzzled him, grinning and winking at the nymph. Apex giggled and yawned, before falling asleep.
“Will you stop treating me like a foal, Thorax! I can walk and that’s enough!”
“But you’re still sick!”
“And we’ve confirmed that pony and changeling biology is different enough that it’s not a problem for them. You and Apex have been with me this whole time so you’re not going to get sick eithe-” he broke off, coughing.
Pharynx was trying to walk down the hallway, Thorax tailing him. Apex had gone ahead to breakfast, wanting to play with Flurry Heart a bit. They’d been living at the Empire for a week, and Pharynx was nearly back to his normal self. Though it seemed his attitude had returned with his health.
Thorax and Pharynx bantered for a bit as they made their way down the hallway. The servants and guards paid them no mind, already used to the sight of Apex or Thorax wandering the halls. Since Pharynx was clearly not at his full strength and thus not a threat, the sight of the new changeling was nothing worthy of a panic. They'd gotten used to it anyway, as all the changelings had agreed to remain in their natural forms unless given permission by the princess or Shining, and so far, this rule had not been broken.
They entered the dining room, where Apex was sitting in a chair next to Flurry Heart’s high chair. Sunburst also dined with the royal family, and sat opposite Flurry. Shining and Cadence sat on Flurry’s other side.
“Good morning Thorax! Oh, and hello Pharynx, this is a surprise.” Cadence greeted the purple-eyed changeling with amusement as he sat down beside his brother, the two clearly frustrated with each other.
"What's going on?" Sunburst asked, noticing the glares the two were giving each other.
“Pharynx decided he was feeling well enough to join us.” Thorax remarked, the dryness to his tone telling them these were Pharynx’s words, not his.
"Thorax is acting like he's older than me and knows better." Pharynx added, glowering at his younger brother. Shining laughed.
"You two remind me of how Twily and I used to act."
"You constantly argued and could only agree on a couple things that were usually insignificant enough that they don't count?" Pharynx asked, and Shining shook his head.
"Well, no. We never had fights like you two. We did compete pretty often though."
"Thorax knows better than to compete with me." Pharynx responded, grinning. Thorax rolled his eyes -- though it was hard to tell -- and nudged his brother. The two exchanged glances for a moment, before Thorax huffed.
"Just because you're older doesn't mean you're smarter than me!"
"Um... where did that come from?" Sunburst asked, and Thorax blushed.
"I didn't think I said that out loud..."
"Well, you did." Pharynx turned to face the others. "Changelings born in two-egg clutches; or twins, as ponies call them; usually have an ability to mentally transmit emotions and occasionally thoughts if they put enough effort into it. It also helps us sense when our twin is in danger."
"Fascinating! So it's like a sort of... intuition?" Sunburst asked.
"Yeah. For example, when we were looking at each other before, Pharynx was transmitting smugness and authority, which told me that he was mocking me because he thinks since he's older he's automatically smarter than me. I was trying to transmit my response mentally but I guess it didn't work." Thorax added.
"Because you're an idiot." Pharynx said.
"Pharynx!"
"Well, I can transmit them, and you can't, so who's better at it?"
"Yeah, well... you... uh... you snore."
"...That was a pathetic attempt, Thorax."
Thorax glowered at him for a moment, before the two smiled at each other. Shining, Cadence, and Sunburst stared at the two for a moment as they suddenly seemed much friendlier.
"...Did you do that mental thing again?" Shining asked.
"Yes. Don't worry about it, Prince, if you don't like us having private conversations I'll just mimic Thorax and say whatever I'm thinking." Pharynx grinned at him. "I'm sure you'd love to hear about how I intend to prove I'm a better warrior than you."
Shining scoffed. "As if. It's fine if you want to have privacy like that, just maybe tone it down in public? It's a little awkward seeing you two just staring at each other."
"We will. I can see how that would look weird." Thorax said, and Pharynx mumbled something that sounded like an agreement.
Having finally stopped their bantering, the brothers turned to greet Apex, who hadn't noticed any of their conversation despite being right next to them. He was too busy babbling to Flurry, who was giggling and laughing from her position in her high chair. They had discovered the nymph was still young enough that he could comprehend most of what she said, and respond.
“Good morning Apex.” Thorax said, smiling at the nymph, who beamed back.
“Morning Papa Thorax. Morning Avunculus-Pharynx.”
The room went silent as Pharynx choked on the water he was drinking.
“A-Avun… what?!” Pharynx glared at the nymph, slamming his glass back onto the table. Apex merely giggled and watched him.
“Do… we want to know what that word means?” Shining asked
“It just means ‘uncle’.” Thorax translated, smiling at Apex.
“Grub…” Pharynx snarled, and the nymph giggled innocently. “Ugh. Did you put him up to this, Thorax?”
“He asked. All I did was tell him what Uncle was in the old tongue.” Thorax replied
“Ugh…”
“So, I take it that you…?” Cadence looked at Thorax expectantly.
“Mhm. Apex took it well, though, so I suppose I was nervous for no reason…” Thorax said, pulling Apex closer.
“Nearly gave me a cavity from the sugary sweetness those two were pouring out after Thorax told him.” Pharynx coughed slightly before punching Thorax in the shoulder. “Not that I mind, was taking him way too long to just tell the grub already.”
“Er… did I miss something?” Sunburst asked
“Pater doesn’t mean friend, it translates to ‘father’.” Pharynx explained, taking a large sip of water. “So now, we have ‘Papa Thorax’ instead of ‘Pater-Thorax’.”
Apex giggled and hugged Thorax. “Bu’ can I call you Avunculus-Pharynx?”
“I… well…” Pharynx stammered, making Shining snort in amusement. “I… just don't do it in public.”
“Yay!”
“And it never leaves this room.” Pharynx added, glaring at everyone else.
“I’m sorry, who died and put you in charge?” Shining quipped, eyes flashing with amusement. Unfortunately, Pharynx was unable to tell it was a joke in time.
“Oh please, mother would never relinquish her throne to a traitor of a son like m-” Pharynx broke off, eyes widening as he glanced at Thorax, who stammered.
“U-Uh…” Thorax flinched as the room grew quiet, and even Flurry stopped squirming in her high chair.
“Excuse me?” Shining's eyes narrowed as he eyed the two. “Are you saying that you two… you're the children of…”
Thorax and Pharynx hung their heads, looking away from the ponies, and Thorax gave a brief nod of confirmation. Cadence put a hoof to her mouth in shock.
“I… I wasn’t aware she had sons…”
“We grew up alongside all the other nymphs, treated as normally as they were.” Pharynx replied tonelessly. “We have differences from them, such as our color schemes, but otherwise we grew up like normal drones. Besides, I would hardly call the queen a suitable mother.”
“What do you mean?” Sunburst asked
Thorax hesitated, then spoke. “I… I don’t believe we should discuss this out in the open… Pharynx and I would be happy to explain to you in private, but… it’s a lot of things that Apex and Flurry Heart…”
“Understood.” Shining nodded “If you wouldn’t mind us perhaps discussing in private during a lunch meeting or something like that?”
“That would be fine.” Pharynx replied, and Thorax nodded nervously.
“Alright. But sometime soon, we will have to talk about it.” Cadence said, but she smiled softly at them. “But I think you two shouldn’t have to worry about it at the moment.”
“Thank you, your majesty.” Thorax said, giving her a hesitant smile.
After several more weeks, Pharynx had healed completely, and was doing much better. Because of this, he now participated in weekly sessions with Thorax, which had changed. Not only would they inform Cadence and Shining of life in the Hive, they would also be taught things about pony culture and pony knowledge.
“I don’t see why this… math is so important and beneficial.” Pharynx said as he lit up his horn to use the quill. He and Thorax were seated at Cadence’s desk, doing a math worksheet. Apex had gone to play with Flurry for the day.
“It does help, you’ll see.” Cadence replied, leaning over and gently tapping her hoof against one of Thorax’s answers, showing him where he’d gotten it wrong. “Though I must admit, I had similar questions in my school days.”
Pharynx grunted and held up his finished worksheet. “Done.”
Cadence took it with a look of bemusement, though that quickly turned to surprise and amazement.
“What?”
“They’re… they’re all correct. Even this last one, but Shining put that in there as a joke, he didn’t expect…”
“What, the question about what x is if one-hundred thirty plus two-x equals one thousand three hundred? X equals five, it’s easy, any nymph can do it.”
Thorax gave a small nod. “Yeah, but you always remembered that stuff better…”
“You picked up this math after one lesson?” Cadence asked
"Of course." Pharynx fell silent for a moment. “...Mother always told me ‘be the best’. ‘Rise above the others’. ‘Above all else, don’t disappoint’.”
“Oh…” Cadence reached and laid a hoof on his shoulder. “It’s alright…”
Pharynx shook her off. “It’s fine. I wouldn’t be Pharynx-dominus without her pressuring me. Raw talent helped, but…”
Thorax nuzzled his brother, then looked down at his worksheet. “Is this right, Phar?”
“Why are you asking me?”
“You got them all right.”
Pharynx sighed and looked over at Thorax’s worksheet. “You got the sixth one wrong, you need to carry the five over and add the twelve.”
“Oh.” Thorax quickly adjusted it.
“You seem to be a great teacher, Pharynx.” Cadence said
“Whatever.” Pharynx stood. “If you’ll excuse me, seeing as I’ve learned everything for today, I’ll be going.”
Cadence frowned. “Very well…” Pharynx left the room, closing the door behind him, and Cadence stood up. “Thorax, I would like to follow him.”
“He’s not going anywhere important…”
“Still, I know Shining would follow him and he’s still suspicious of you all, doubly so now that we know who your mother is. I’d rather it be me than him.”
Thorax nodded. “I understand. I can follow him, if you’d like. I’ve finished my work.”
“Yes, please. You know him better than myself. I'll come with you.”
Thorax nodded and led the way out of the room. The two stopped, Cadence following Thorax's lead as he seemed to hesitate.
“Thorax?” Cadence questioned, glancing at him.
“He can’t know we’re following him or he’ll change course.” Thorax explained, giving a sheepish smile. “I am, as of right now, using my brother’s own tactics against him. He taught them to me.”
Cadence giggled softly and nodded at Thorax to continue. “Go on, perhaps you can give me a lesson while we do this.”
“Do what?” Shining Armor strode up. “Does it have anything to do with why a guard told me Pharynx is wandering the castle alone?”
“He finished his work early and asked if he could leave.” Cadence explained. “Remind me later to show you his worksheet, it appears he’s extremely smart.”
“And the reason you mentioned a lesson?”
“Thorax is helping me track Pharynx, I was curious as to how he was going to do that.”
“Ah.” Shining looked at Thorax. “Proceed.”
Thorax nodded timidly. “Each creature has a personal scent that is unique to them. Pharynx’s scent is one that reminds me of a fruit you showed us, lemons. He says mine is the taste of those mangoes we sometimes eat for breakfast.”
“Interesting. So you’re using this to track him?” Cadence asked
“Essentially.” Thorax nodded
Thorax led them down the hall, stopping every now and then to open his mouth and scent the air. Eventually, they stopped again.
“Pharynx went into wherever that leads. I know Sunburst gave him a tour like you did for myself and Apex, but I’m afraid I don’t recall where this door opens to.”
“It leads to the training grounds.” Shining replied.
Thorax sighed heavily. “Then I know exactly what he’s doing.”
Shining raised his brow, lighting his horn to open the door. They entered the large training grounds, and heard the sound of fighting.
Pharynx was lunging at a training dummy. He snarled as he tackled it and pinned it expertly, eyes narrowed as he tore into it. He then pushed off against it, propelling himself into the air and spinning, wings open to slow his descent as he whipped around and came down on another dummy.
Thorax sighed and glanced up at their hosts, waiting for a reaction. Shining was standing with his mouth agape, while Cadence watched, transfixed.
Pharynx pushed himself away from the second dummy and lit up his horn, summoning a crossbow from a nearby shelf of weapons. He reared onto his hind legs and began firing it at the other dummies, toppling over most of them, each with perfect aim. Then, he spun around… and saw them.
“I… uh…” Pharynx slung the crossbow over his shoulder and dropped down onto all fours again, walking over. “I didn’t mean to-”
“How did you do that?!” Shining gestured to the dummies. “I can’t even get some of the guards to repeat-fire dummies, and that flip thing…”
Pharynx shrugged. “Hoof-picked to be trained by the previous general and naturally skilled in battle. Just comes instinctively.”
“That’s amazing.” Cadence looked down at him. “I see what you two were talking about earlier when you said you picked up things easily.”
Pharynx nodded sheepishly. “I apologize for making use of your weapons and training equipment. I had been eager to get back into my usual training routine and I never hear the guards talk about using the equipment at their leisure so I assumed it would be alright to borrow some that wasn't being used.”
Shining nodded. “I understand. It’s not everyone that enjoys extra training because they simply want to train.”
“Well, I do.” Pharynx said, adjusting the crossbow. “I need to get back into peak physical condition. The love around here is delicious but I’m not going to be fattening up on it.”
Shining chuckled. “Good to know.”
Thorax trotted over and began nosing Pharynx.
“Gah! Thorax, stop it! I’m fine, I’m not going to overexert myself or anything.” Pharynx shoved him away.
“You’re sure?” Thorax asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
“Yes, I’m sure.” Pharynx then smirked. “Besides, this was only a warm-up.”
“This was your warm up?” Shining asked, gesturing around at the training dummies.
“Of course.”
Shining smirked. “Alright, I like your style. Maybe we should spar someday.”
“Sure. Let me know when so I can prepare to run the knight into the ground.” Pharynx lifted the crossbow, spun it around, then fired it without looking, sending it straight into one of the only remaining dummies, which toppled over.
“Will do. But I think I’ll be the one driving someone’s carapace into a wall.” Shining replied playfully.
Pharynx was about to respond with an equally smug quip, but a bright flash distracted them all. A scroll came floating down from midair, and Cadence grabbed it with her magic.
“I-It’s from Aunt Tia.” Cadence said as she unrolled the scroll.
“Who?” Pharynx asked
“Celestia.” Cadence replied as she read the rest of the message. “Oh…”
“What is it?” Shining asked
“I’ve been keeping Aunt Tia and Aunt Luna informed of what’s been happening.” Cadence looked over at them. “They want to meet you two and Apex.”
“I can’t believe I agreed to this.” Pharynx grunted.
He was walking alongside Thorax, Cadence, Shining, and Sunburst. Flurry rode in the bassinet held by the crystaller and Apex was on Thorax’s back. They were heading onto the train that would take them to Canterlot.
“Oh come on Phar, it won’t be that bad.” Thorax said
“The princesses that mo-er, Chrysalis, nearly tried to overthrow want to meet us. Oh yes, we’ll have tons of fun.” Pharynx said sarcastically.
“Aunt Celestia and Auntie Luna have made it very clear they want to get to know you personally, not judge you for your mother.” Cadence told him.
Pharynx simply sighed as he sat down on the bench. The train car was deserted, being with royalty that ponies recognized had its perks. Thorax sat beside Pharynx, staring out the window in awe as the train began to move. Apex was curled up beside him, napping.
“Pharynx look! That tree’s moving!”
“It’s only moving because the train is moving.” Pharynx grunted, lying on his stomach and resting his chin on the bench, closing his eyes.
“But look at it!”
“I’ll leave that to you.”
“Aww, come on Pharynx…”
“Let. Me. Sleep.” Pharynx snapped, screwing his eyes shut.
“Aww…” Thorax pouted and sat back, pulling Apex into his hooves.
Cadence, Shining, and Sunburst chuckled. Pharynx groaned and settled a bit closer to Thorax.
“Why don’t you join Apex and Pharynx in their naps, Thorax? It will be a while.” Cadence suggested.
“Alright…” Thorax sighed.
Thorax settled down between Pharynx and Apex. He nuzzled the nymph and closed his eyes, flinging a foreleg over Pharynx’s shoulders. Pharynx grunted but didn’t protest.
Cadence smiled as the last changeling drifted off to sleep. She cradled Flurry Heart and leaned into Shining.
“Heh, who could think such sweet and calm changelings are evil?” she murmured, smiling.
“Hopefully your aunts will see things the same way.” Shining said
Soon, the train’s seat, while delightfully cushioned, gave Pharynx a cramp in his neck. He was then forced to open his eyes. The older changeling felt Thorax’s hoof over him and sat up, letting it fall.
“Hm… Pharynx? Wha…?” Thorax sat up, rubbing his eyes.
“Glad to see you two are awake.” a familiar voice chuckled. They turned to see Sunburst sitting on the train seat opposite them, but Cadence and Shining were nowhere to be found.
“What d’you mean?” Thorax yawned. "Where're the others?"
“Well, they asked me to wait here for you. Since I’m not on personal terms with the Princesses the same way Cadence and Shining are, I was alright with it, but you were asleep for a while.”
“Th-They’re waiting for us?” Thorax asked nervously.
“Mhm. Come on.” Sunburst headed out of the train, and Thorax scrambled up.
Pharynx stood and headed to the door, stopping to glance back at Thorax. He placed a still-sleeping Apex on his back, then joined Pharynx as they exited the train.
They were met with not just Cadence's warm smile, but the regal alicorn sisters, Princesses of all Equestria. Thorax stared up at the princesses in awe, mouth ajar. He only remembered to bow when Pharynx locked a hoof around his neck and yanked his head down.
“Your majesties.” Pharynx said, as Thorax hunched at his side.
“There is no need to bow, I don’t believe Luna or I are respected enough among your kind to call for it.” Princess Celestia spoke with a chuckle, her voice radiating warmth.
“If we are to be living among your kind we may as well show respect to those who lead them.” Pharynx objected stiffly, rising and standing at attention.
Celestia noted this with a small smile. “Are you a military changeling?”
“Pharynx-dominus, former General of the warrior drones, at your services, your highness.” he replied, saluting her.
“At ease. What do you mean by former?” Celestia questioned, eyes sparkling as though she already knew the answer.
Pharynx dropped his hoof but still stood at attention. “I imagine that upon realizing I had abandoned the hive, Queen Chrysalis chose a new General.”
Celestia nodded, apparently pleased with his answer. She then turned to Thorax, who shrank back slightly.
“And you, young one?”
“I-I a-am Th-Thorax…” Thorax replied, trembling. “I-I don’t have a rank, your highness, I’m sorry…”
“I see…” Celestia smiled at him kindly. "You don't need to be afraid."
“And who might this be?” Luna pointed to Apex, still resting on Thorax’s back.
Thorax glanced back and smiled. “Th-This is Apex-discipulus, Pharynx’s apprentice.”
“Why, isn’t he precious?” Celestia chuckled, seeing the nymph yawn and wrap his forelegs around Thorax’s neck. “He seems quite attached to you.”
Thorax blushed and nodded. “W-We have journeyed together for many months. He has come to see me as a bit of a father figure…”
Celestia nodded in understanding. “I believe I know the feeling. I see each and every one of my subjects as my children, in a sense. I guide and protect them, and make sure each and every one has what they need to thrive, so that one day, if it should ever be necessary, they can protect their fellow subjects too.”
Thorax and Pharynx looked at each other, surprised by the warm sentiments from the alicorn. Chrysalis had never displayed such sympathies. It was a new feeling that they could sense wafting off Celestia. Maternal love, like Cadence’s, but with a splash of ferocity, pride, and gratitude. She cared for her subjects, each of them, wanting to protect them all with a passion and thanking them for all they do.
Cadence moved closer to the brothers, smiling. She cradled Flurry Heart in her foreleg, the foal still napping. “Why don’t we head up to the castle? We’ll be taking a secluded route, you don’t need to wake Apex so you can disguise yourselves.”
Thorax and Pharynx nodded. Celestia then led them away, Luna at her side. They walked through empty alleys, heading for the large castle in the distance. Celestia noticed the two brothers were staying close, Thorax looked nervous and Pharynx stoic.
“Is something wrong?” she asked, looking back at them.
Thorax yelped, while Pharynx shot him a look and sighed. “Not really. It’s just… the last time we were in Canterlot was during the attack…”
“I see.” Celestia nodded. “Don’t worry. The guards and other residents of the castle have been informed of your presence, and no one will be delivering any accusations.”
“We’d probably deserve them…” Pharynx muttered. “Me, at least. Thorax didn’t attack anyone and Apex wasn’t old enough to be apprenticed at the time. They're innocent.”
Celestia reached with her wing and wrapped it lightly over Pharynx. He glanced up at her.
“You have redeemed yourself for your actions. Otherwise you would not be here with your brother and apprentice.”
Pharynx hesitated, then nodded slightly, though he still kept his gaze on the ground.
Celestia and Luna led them to a side entrance of the castle, which took them to the entryway. The royals began talking idly as they walked, clearly trying to distract from the stares the servants were giving to the changelings. Despite having been forewarned, it was still an odd sight to see three changelings casually walking behind royalty.
“We’ve been looking forward to your visit, you know.” Luna remarked to Cadence.
“Especially if it means we get to spend time with our precious little grand-niece.” Celestia agreed, reaching to stroke Flurry Heart’s mane, which roused the little one. Flurry yawned and opened her eyes, giggling as she looked up at Celestia.
“Aun’ ia!”
“Heh, hello Flurry.” Celestia nuzzled her.
“Aun’ie Lulu!”
Luna chuckled and gave a brief nod to the filly. “The little one seems quite keen in making clever nicknames.”
“Tell me about it.” Pharynx grunted
“Oh?” Luna turned to him, a mischievous twinkle in her eye that surprised the changelings. “Has she one for you?”
“Yes, Flurry does. And Apex is young enough to have some for us too.” Pharynx replied. “Though his name for me is in the old tongue. And apologies, but we agreed he would not say it in another's presence.”
Luna giggled. “Surely that rule can be bent for family…”
“Well, Flurry can show you her names for them.” Shining grinned. He took his daughter and held her out to them. “Flurry, look who’s here~”
“Tora! Tora, Tora!” Flurry babbled, reaching for Thorax. He giggled, shifting and revealing Apex to her. “A’ex! A’ex, u’!”
Apex groaned and shifted. “Min’ Flur’y…” he mumbled
Flurry huffed “A’ex. U’.”
Cadence giggled. “We figured out that Apex, as a five year old, is still young enough to be able to understand Flurry and speak with her. It’s been very helpful.”
Shining nodded. “Now Flurry, why not focus on Pharynx?”
Flurry looked up and giggled, reaching out to him. “Phar’yin!”
“Heh, Phar’yin. Amusing.” Luna chuckled
Pharynx blushed. “Yeah yeah…”
“Mm… Avunculus-Pharynx?”
Pharynx turned bright red as Apex opened his eyes, yawning.
“Wh-What is it, grub?”
“We there ye’?”
Thorax giggled and lit his horn, levitating Apex off his back and cradling him in his hooves. Celestia and Luna both moved closer to the little nymph, in awe.
“Why, hello there little one.” Celestia murmured
Apex blinked up at them, then snuggled into Thorax’s foreleg, the holes in his hoof locking the nymph securely in his grasp.
“Heh, yes little one.” Celestia smiled. “Aren’t you adorable?”
Apex giggled and hid his face in Thorax’s shoulder. Celestia chuckled, she and Luna rising. Flurry had watched this exchange with indifference, but now reached for her fellow young one.
“Tora! A’ex! Phar’yin! Hide an’ eek!”
“Heh, do you mean ‘hide and seek’, Flurry?” Celestia asked
“Changeling hide and seek?” Luna echoed, looking a them.
Cadence chuckled. “They usually remain in their own forms, but we allow them to play a version of hide and seek with Flurry. They have ten minutes to choose a disguise, inanimate or otherwise, then Flurry has to find them.”
“We also let Apex join her in searching. It helps his training.” Pharynx added
“Ah.” Celestia lifted Flurry in her hooves. “So you want them to play their hide and seek, hm?”
“Mhm!”
“Well, let’s let them.” Celestia smiled
“You can let them, sister. I will be rejoining the rest of you at dinner.” Luna spoke. “I must rest to be able to perform my duties.”
“Alright then.” Celestia smiled as Luna walked off. “Now, how about that hide and seek game?”
“Hide an’ eek!” Flurry agreed
“Let’s go then.” Celestia laughed, placing Flurry on her back.
“Apex, join them. Thorax and I will be the bait.” Pharynx said.
“Bait?” Celestia asked
“It’s what he calls the hiders.” Cadence explained, though Pharynx huffed at her.
“Well, would you, Shining, and Sunburst like to join in?” Celestia suggested
“Actually, I was thinking Shiny and I would visit his parents for the day, since you wanted to spend time with Flurry.” Cadence said timidly.
“A-And I was hoping to check out the castle library, i-if that’s okay.” Sunburst added, scuffing a hoof on the ground.
“Of course, you have my permission Sunburst, and you as well Cadence, I won’t keep you. I’d be happy to watch my little niece.” Celestia smiled at the foal, who giggled at her.
“Thanks Auntie.” Cadence nuzzled her, then they headed off.
“Okay Apex, time us, ten minutes.” Pharynx said
“Okay Avunculus-Pharynx.” Apex said
“How about I do that instead?” Celestia suggested
“Fine.” Pharynx said, then he and Thorax raced off. Celestia giggled, mentally counting down to ten minutes.
After ten minutes, Celestia set Flurry down. “So, how does this work?”
“I can t’ack them!” Apex exclaimed, opening his mouth. “Frui’y smell from Papa Thorax an’ sour from Avunculus-Pharynx. They wen’ tha’ way!”
Apex raced off, and a smiling Celestia followed with Flurry, who was giggling. Apex dashed through the halls, jaws parted. He darted from side to side, sniffing at the curtains, walls, and decorative vases. Apex suddenly turned and entered a room with an open door.
“Whas’ this room Princess?”
“This is one of the guest rooms.” Celestia explained.
Apex dropped down into a hunter’s crouch. “I know you’e in he’e Papa Thorax…”
Celestia giggled softly as Flurry joined him. She toddled around, then babbled and pointed at the bed. Apex stalked over, sniffed it, then giggled and sprung. He tackled the pillow, which screeched. Celestia laughed aloud as the pillow transformed into Thorax, who hit the floor. Flurry and Apex both clambered onto Thorax’s stomach.
“Heheh, go’ you Papa Thorax!”
“Cat’ Tora! Cat’ Tora!”
“Heheh, y-yeah, you got me! C-Can you get off now…?”
“Le’s fin’ Avunculus-Pharynx!” Apex said, getting off him. Flurry followed, letting Thorax sit up.
“I think I saw him transforming into something in the hallway.” Thorax told the young ones.
“Le’s go!” Apex grabbed Thorax’s hoof and dragged him away. Celestia, still laughing, picked up Flurry and followed.
Apex and Flurry sniffed around in the hallway, searching for Pharynx. Flurry eventually gave up and flew to Celestia. She smiled and cradled the foal as Apex continued. Thorax sat down near Celestia, watching Apex nervously.
“I-I don’t think Pharynx will mind if you don’t find him, Apex…”
“Bu’ I ne’er foun’ him a’fore an’ I go’a so I can make him an’ mommy an’ daddy proud!” Apex insisted
“O-Okay then…” Thorax watched the nymph hopefully.
Apex continued pacing around the hallway, searching for the general. He soon began yawning, his steps slowing. Thorax closed his eyes and ignited his horn, making it glow with a faint blue aura, which trailed over to Apex and gently guided him to Thorax.
“P-Papa Thorax, no…” Apex mumbled, stumbling into Thorax’s hooves.
“It’s okay you didn’t find him Apex, it’s naptime anyway.”
“Flurry can agree with that.” Celestia chuckled, looking down at the foal, who had fallen asleep.
“Nu-uh, Flu’ry’s jus’ a baby, ‘m five.” Apex replied, though he cuddled into Thorax.
“Why not just close your eyes for a little bit?” Celestia suggested
“Mm-mm…” Apex yawned and closed his eyes, resting his head on Thorax’s shoulder. He snuggled against the adult changeling, soon asleep within minutes.
Thorax smiled at the nymph. “You can come out now, Phar.” he spoke to the hallway.
In a flash of green flames, one of the wall sconces became the changeling in question. He chuckled as he flew over to them.
“Finally. Got to give the grub credit, he kept at it longer than I thought, it’s building his patience and stamina. I also had to resort to hiding higher than he could reach, his senses are improving.”
“So it does teach him.” Celestia smiled slightly. “I was under the impression it was a game cleverly disguised as a training exercise.”
“Oh please, like I’d say something was training when it was just a game. I’m a general.” Pharynx scoffed. Thorax nodded in silent agreement.
“Well, either way, it was nice to see Apex play. He’s not that different from a foal around his age.” Celestia said, looking down at the nymph. “And I must say, he couldn’t have chosen better creatures to be his surrogate family.”
Thorax blushed, nuzzling Apex. Pharynx huffed and glared at the floor. Celestia chuckled and smiled at them kindly.
“I think you three make a sweet family.”
“Th-Thank you Princess…” Thorax murmured, smiling up at her.
“Y-Yeah… thanks…” Pharynx muttered
“Of course.” Celestia responded, and the three fell silent. They watched the sleeping nymph and foal for a while longer, enjoying the quiet.
“I think we should get Apex to bed.” Thorax commented after a little bit, and Celestia smiled.
“How about I take you to your guest room?” she suggested, standing, careful not to wake Flurry.
“Alright.” Thorax agreed, also rising. Pharynx got up as well.
Celestia led them down the hall, stopping at a large room. “Since there are three of you, you’ll get one of the more extravagant guest rooms. It has two beds instead of one, and more space.”
“Thank you princess. We really don’t need that much space…” Thorax said, as Pharynx took Apex from him and carried him to one of the beds.
“It’s fine Thorax, this room isn’t used much anyway. Go ahead.” Celestia nodded at the room. Thorax stepped into the room. “Luna and I will come get you for dinner later.”
“Okay princess, thank you.” Thorax said, sitting on one of the beds.
“Of course. You’re our guests.” Celestia smiled at him kindly, then looked down at Flurry. “Now, I had better take this little one to Shining and Cadence’s room. I’ll see you three in a few hours.”
Pharynx nodded curtly, and Thorax smiled slightly. Celestia then waved her wing in goodbye before leaving.
Soon, Cadence, Shining, Sunburst, and Luna had returned. Hours later, at around eight, Celestia came with Luna to take them to the dining room as promised.
“So you’re aware, Celestia and I have informed the chefs of your dietary needs.” Luna told the three changelings as they entered the dining room.
“Fish?” Pharynx asked, muzzle twitching as he smelled the familiar scent.
“Indeed, I hope you like it.” Luna replied
“I had fish once!” Apex said, bouncing up and down as they took their seats.
“Only once?” Celestia asked him as she sat down by Luna.
“Uh-huh! Mos’a the good food is for the queen an’ we jus’ ge’ berries an’ some’imes love an’ mea’ tha’ the hun’ers catch. Bu’ fish is the bes’ so on’y the queen ge’s i’.” Apex explained
“I had it once back in the Hive, the queen gave me some as a celebration when I became the general…” Pharynx murmured thoughtfully
“So then when did Apex have fish?” Cadence asked
“I’ was while we were goin' to the Empi'e!” Apex said, smiling. “Avunculus-Pharynx was catchin’ us fish by s’anding in the s’ream, an’ while Papa Thorax was puttin’ them on the fire, Avunculus-Pharynx fell in!”
Shining and Luna began laughing as Pharynx blushed.
“I was standing on slippery rocks, and the grub distracted me!”
“Heheh, sure.” Shining chuckled, grinning at him. Pharynx growled and ate his food silently.
“Pharynx is usually a great hunter.” Thorax put in helpfully.
“Sure he is.” Shining teased, and Pharynx looked up, glaring and snarling. “Relax, I’m just joking.”
“Yeah, you better be.” Pharynx grunted, returning to his meal. The ponies let out a few last chuckles, then continued eating.
Apex ate his food happily, oblivious to the embarrassment he had just caused Pharynx. But as he nuzzled up between the two changeling brothers, Pharynx apparently couldn’t bring himself to care much. He merely rubbed the nymph’s head, watching him giggle and smiling slightly.
“Heheh, you do care about him.” Thorax murmured
“Whatever…” Pharynx muttered, but he still smiled at the cheerful nymph.
After the main course had finished, dessert was brought out. Apex was staring at the array of sugary-sweet looking treats even before they were set on the table. Luna noticed, sliding over a plate of a circular dish with a brown crisscrossed crust on the top.
“Apple pie, made with apples fresh from Ponyville.” Luna told them, beaming at the little nymph.
Apex eagerly reached for it, and Thorax seemed eager to do the same, though Pharynx eyed it with disdain. Thorax cut two slices from the pie using his knife, and with Cadence’s help on which were the proper utensils to use, then set them on two plates, giving the smaller one to Apex.
“Don’t you want any, Pharynx?” Thorax asked.
“I’m full.” he replied bluntly.
“Can I ha’e yours?” Apex asked eagerly, having already bitten his slice in half. Pharynx raised a brow at him.
“Not falling for that grub, you have enough energy as it is.”
Luna chuckled softly, sliding a plate of what looked like little disks of chocolate past him. “There are plenty of other options should you change your mind. I’ll request some be brought to us later.”
“And what makes you think something’s going to happen later?” Pharynx asked.
“I was resting in my chambers when my sister took the time to get to know you, I believe it is only fair I get a turn, is it not?” Luna asked rhetorically. Pharynx chose not to respond. “I would like for you three to come with me in a moment, once we give the young one some time to work off the sugar.”
Sure enough, after Apex and Thorax had finished their pie, and Apex had calmed down to his usual energy levels, Luna led the three up to a balcony on one of the highest levels. A comfortable armchair had been set out for her, as had a small couch for the changelings. A plate of the round disks lay on a table between them, along with a teapot and four cups.
“While it may be best to keep the nymph from having too many sweets, the two of you may have some cookies, if you wish.” Luna told the two adults, gesturing to the plate of disks.
Thorax picked one up after a minute, sitting on the couch beside Pharynx, with Apex curled up between them like a cat. He took a careful bite, his eyes widening at the flavor, before eating the rest of it. Luna chuckled softly, levitating two cups of tea over to the adults, giving Apex a smaller cup that he could lap at. She then looked up at the sky from where she sat in her chair.
“Do any of you know the constellations?”
“We know the stars we were taught of, but I doubt the names we were told are the same as what you know.” Pharynx responded.
“No, I suppose not.” Luna agreed. “Who taught you about the stars?”
“...My mentor.” Pharynx said after a minute. “And I taught Apex.”
“Do you know about the Mare In The Moon?” Luna asked.
“Cadence told us.” Thorax said, his wings folding down against his carapace. “Nightmare Moon… you were her once.”
“Thorax, hush!” Pharynx hissed, and Luna smiled kindly.
“It’s quite alright young one. I do not mind. Your brother would not be the first to say I am her, after all, it is the truth. However, I only bring it up to move us along to another topic. Has my niece informed you of my… other capabilities?”
“She said you raise the moon and stars, but…” Thorax trailed off.
“Well, I have one other ability she might not have mentioned.” Luna smiled and unfurled her wing to tap Apex’s nose with her feathers, keeping the youngling awake, his muzzle about to fall into his teacup. “To walk in the dreams of my subjects.”
“Y-You can see our dreams?” Thorax asked.
“Indeed. Rest assured, young ones, I never venture into dreams I know need not be disturbed by prying eyes. I only come into dreams when I am needed; to deal with nightmares that plague the innocent and occasionally the not-so innocent.”
“Good.” Pharynx huffed gruffly, using his magic to take a cookie from the plate, giving it a tentative sniff before biting it. He almost put it back before taking a second bite. Luna smirked at his reaction.
“Better than you thought?”
Pharynx chose to ignore her, looking up at the sky instead as he took a sip of the tea. “So did you bring us out here for an astronomy lesson?”
“I feel the most comfortable out in the open air of my night sky, as cliché as it might sound. My domain has always been the place I felt the most free.” Luna responded. “I thought it might be a good place to talk, not about anything in particular, simply whatever the conversation turns to.”
Pharynx nodded, keeping his eyes on the sky. Thorax followed his lead, then gasped, his wings buzzing, as something streaked across the white-speckled darkness.
“Falling star!” he cried, looking at Pharynx, who nodded. “Apex, did you see?”
Apex sat up, clearly holding back a yawn, and looked up as well. “Was i’ tha’ white thing? Or the o’er white thing…? They’e all blinky an’ white…”
Luna chuckled softly, her horn igniting to take back Apex’s cup, and lift him into Thorax’s forelegs, allowing the adult to cradle the sleepy nymph. “My sister and I called them Lucky Stars when we were young. Of course, they aren’t really stars, but aren’t they beautiful?”
“Fortuna showed us how to make wishes on them when we were Apex’s age.” Thorax told her, and Luna raised a brow. “F-Fortuna was Pharynx’s mentor.”
“She must have been a very good changeling to have showed you shooting stars.”
“O-Oh, yes, she was wonderful.” Thorax agreed, though before he could say more, Pharynx shook his head at him rapidly. Thorax then stopped talking, and focused on Apex instead.
“...You were afraid to meet my sister and I, weren’t you?” Luna asked Pharynx, and he finished his cookie before responding.
“Cautious is a better term. We know how powerful the both of you are, and while Cadence and Shining Armor might vouch for us, you might have only settled for tolerance. We didn’t know what to expect.”
“Wise words.” Luna nodded approvingly, opening her wings. “However, you need not worry. My sister and I do not only need the word of our niece and her husband to know you are not like your kin, we have seen it in your hearts.”
“Thorax and Apex find it easier to be good than I do.” Pharynx admitted softly, and Luna smiled gently.
“The fact they came upon the concept first does not mean they are the only ones with hearts so pure.” Luna told him, and Pharynx smiled a little bit.
Thorax smiled widely at the Princess, as Apex stirred slightly in his hooves, mumbling in his sleep. “Lulu…”
Luna giggled and smiled at him. “He reminds me of my sister… so full of light and energy… I hope he never has to have those things taken from him.”
“I won’t let that happen.” Thorax told her.
“Neither of us will.” Pharynx agreed, and Luna smiled.
“It seems it is more than just brotherhood you two are bound by.” Luna murmured, loud enough for the two to hear.
“Apex is the one thing we both love more than anything else.” Thorax agreed. Pharynx nodded, and though he made no attempt to voice it, it was clear he would put his own life at risk for the little nymph in Thorax’s hooves.
“Well then, perhaps it is time we saw him to a proper bed.” Luna chuckled, and Thorax laughed softly.
“Thank you for the tea, P-Princess.” Thorax said.
“Please, call me Luna.” she smiled and winked. “My friends do, and I am trying to make more of them.”
“A-Alright… Luna.” Thorax said, and she smiled.
“One last thing.” Luna said as they placed their cups down and made to stand up. “Do you recognize that star?”
Lighting up her horn, she directed the two awake changelings to a star high above them, shining brightly. Pharynx and Thorax both shook their heads, and Luna smiled, fanning out her wing to guide the three inside as she told them.
“That, my little changelings, is the North Star. It is called that because no matter where you are in the world, it will always guide you home.”
The visit soon came to an end. As the Crystal Empire’s leaders, Shining and Cadence couldn’t stay long. They left two days later, on the train.
As they headed back to the Crystal Empire, the train car they were in was mostly silent. Apex and Flurry played with some of Flurry’s toys. Thorax rested his head on the window ledge, watching the scenery. Pharynx laid on the train seat, and despite his relaxed appearance, he surveyed the train car cautiously.
Shining and Cadence were whispering to each other while Sunburst read a book. Eventually, Shining glanced over at the brothers.
“Uh… Pharynx, Thorax? Can we talk?” Shining asked slowly. The two looked over, straightening up. Shining and Cadence trotted over to their seat, so that Apex and Flurry wouldn’t overhear.
“Yes, Shining?” Thorax asked
“Cadence and I were thinking…” Shining looked at Cadence. “About… maybe taking you to a restaurant we know in the Empire. It serves some good… food that you’d like. The griffon dignitaries like eating there.”
“Meat?” Thorax asked
“Yes.” Shining nodded. “They import it from outside Equestria, we were wondering if you’d like to try it. They have non-meat choices for us, obviously.”
“That sounds nice. Would Apex come with us?” Thorax asked
“Of course.” Cadence smiled. “We can bring Apex, Flurry, and Sunburst.”
“Yep, but… well…” Shining cleared his throat. “After dinner, we were thinking that when we get back to the castle… we put Apex and Flurry to bed, and…”
“Get to the point.” Pharynx prompted bluntly.
“Well… after they go to sleep… we talk.”
“Talk? About what?” Thorax tilted his head in confusion.
“About… Chrysalis.” Cadence finally said
Pharynx and Thorax both visibly stiffened. Cadence and Shining put their hooves on the brother’s shoulders. Cadence then put her wing around them in comfort.
“It’s okay if you decide you don’t want to talk about her yet…”
Shining and Cadence led the group down the street of the Crystal Empire. Flurry was being carried by Sunburst, while Apex giggled and babbled to her from Thorax’s head. He had taken to perching there, as it made him taller. Cadence and Thorax were fawning over the cuteness of it as they entered the restaurant, while Pharynx and Shining discussed training techniques.
“Alright, we have a reserved private room, you three can order what you like, we won’t be uncomfortable.” Shining assured the changelings as they sat down.
Thorax beamed as he took a menu, holding it up between himself and Apex. The nymph had gotten off his head to sit in his own chair. Pharynx rolled his eyes at them and grabbed his own menu. Shining, Sunburst, and Cadence chuckled, taking some menus for themselves.
After ordering, Sunburst entertained them by talking about Flurry learning some new words and phrases. They laughed and talked happily. Most of them, anyway. Pharynx stayed silent, brooding.
Soon, the meal was finished, and Apex snuggled against Thorax sleepily, burping. Thorax giggled and picked him up, cradling him gently while Cadence held a similarly exhausted Flurry.
“Let’s head back to the palace. I think it’s the little ones’ bedtime.” Shining spoke up.
Thorax and Pharynx looked at each other, knowing what would come after that. But they nodded anyway, standing up.
They headed back to the palace, where Sunburst took Apex and Flurry to their rooms. Once he returned, Shining silently led them to his office. Then, he, Cadence, and Sunburst sat on one side of the desk while Pharynx and Thorax silently sat on the other side.
“Alright, so…” Shining began. “Your… mother.”
“She’s hardly what I would call a mother.” Pharynx spoke after a minute.
“Could you maybe tell us a bit more about what she was like?” Cadence asked gently
Pharynx looked at Thorax, who stared at the floor miserably. He sighed and looked up, lavender eyes flashing.
“Chrysalis is our mother only in the sense that she laid our eggs. She may have been a bit nicer to me, but ‘nice’ to her was merely ignorance. Thorax received punishments for acting differently than the typical changeling. I was being trained by Fortuna-domina at the time, so the only times when I witnessed what was happening was when mother called me to wherever she had dragged Thorax to so I could watch it happen.”
“You didn’t try to stop her?” Sunburst asked
“What could I do? I knew she wanted me to become a warrior, then king eventually, and I myself wanted to earn the position of Pharynx-dominus, not have it granted to me on a silver platter. Besides, I was a nymph, I couldn’t have taken on a full grown female changeling. So I had no choice but to keep my head down and my mouth shut. The best I could do was help Tu-Fortuna bandage Thorax’s injuries afterwards.”
“How bad was it?” Cadence prompted Thorax, eyes showing nothing but concern.
“...Once, mother got fed up with my whimpers of pain and tossed me against the wall of the room we were in. I woke up five hours later, Pharynx had found me after returning from his training and discovering no one had seen me since mother dragged me off.”
Cadence covered her mouth with a hoof in shock. Pharynx shook his head solemnly.
“For us it was simply the price that came with the title of Prince. Chrysalis would do it to me too, though I suspect that was more to toughen me up. Who knows, she might have thought that’s what she was doing when she hurt Thorax. But you can’t teach a cat to swim if it doesn’t want to.”
Shining nodded silently. “Anything else?”
“Hold on Shiny.” Cadence looked over at Pharynx. “Let’s talk about something else. You’ve mentioned her quite a few times, so… Pharynx, who is Fortuna-domina?”
“Who was Fortuna-domina…” Pharynx whispered, and Thorax took his hoof. “She… she was killed during the Canterlot invasion… one of the guards knocked her out right before the forcefield went up, and then…”
Cadence stared at him in shock. “Is that how you became…?”
“I was her apprentice, and had been made a warrior the year before. As the one she trained, her position was given to me…”
“More than that,” Thorax spoke up. “She was one of the best changelings we knew-”
“Shut up Thorax…”
“She was patient and caring, she even looked after me when she could, despite not being my mentor-”
“Shut up Thorax.”
“And she trained me a little herself when my former mentor Athrex-eques complained that I wasn’t getting the hang of fighting. We became close enough to-”
“Shut up Thorax!” Pharynx shouted, rising, and Thorax fell out of his chair. “None of that matters anymore! She’s dead! She’s not coming back, there’s nothing we can do! Isn’t that right Thorax?! Because that’s what you told me when we finally hit the ground! She’s gone!”
Thorax whimpered, as Cadence stood up and wrapped him in her wings. “Pharynx, calm down.”
Growling, Pharynx slowly sank onto his haunches, and they could see tears in his eyes. “...She’s gone… she's gone, Thorax... she... mom is dead...”
“Wait, what?” Sunburst asked in confusion, as Thorax peeked out from behind Cadence’s wings.
“We got close enough that we would call her mom.” Thorax whispered loud enough for them to hear, and at this, Pharynx fell onto his stomach, staring into space. “Phar… he was the one who first called her mom… she would call us her sons too…”
Cadence held Thorax closer, using her magic to bring Pharynx over to herself as well. She nosed each of them to get their attention.
“I am so sorry that she left you the way she did.” Cadence told them softly. “We never meant to hurt anyone with that forcefield. If Shiny and I had known that we would be costing you two your one sanctuary…”
Pharynx sighed and closed his eyes. “It's not your fault… I... I’m sorry I yelled at you, Thorax…”
“I-It’s fine… you know m-mother always said ‘punish the weakest’…” Thorax murmured. “I remember one time, she actually left the Hive with myself and Pharynx… S-She wanted Pharynx to… to prove his loyalty to her… by hurting me himself.”
“Did you?” Sunburst asked Pharynx. The elder changeling was silent, then shook his head.
“It was no more than a play-fight at best. Thorax pretended to struggle and cry out in pain as I feigned that I was beating and scratching him. I pretended to bite his shoulder, and he went limp on purpose. Mother didn’t know the difference. She commended me, and I carried Thorax back to the Hive to keep up the act.”
“It sounded like she wanted you to kill him.” Cadence murmured, and Pharynx rested against her as she continued to hold the two.
“She wouldn’t. Thorax was a disgrace in her eyes, but he still carried royal blood within him. He was a prince, same as me. That’s why she wouldn’t kill him herself.”
“B-But…” Thorax looked up, eyes swimming with tears. “That doesn’t mean she didn’t try. She just used a method that wouldn’t technically be her fault.”
“What do you mean?” Shining asked
“There’s a reason that she insisted I become a warrior drone…”
“She wanted you to die on the battlefield.” Sunburst realized.
Thorax nodded. “I-I’m lucky I never managed to become a warrior drone. But Pharynx…”
“But I thought you said she wanted you to be the commander of the Hive’s warrior drones.” Shining said, looking between them.
“She would rather I have been merely a prince, but yes.” Pharynx responded. “But I’m sure she knew that deep down, I loved my brother. That I didn’t want to lose him any more than he did me. And to her that was a threat to my loyalty. So she always gave me the most dangerous assignments, encouraging me, saying I was the only one competent enough to handle them.”
Thorax reached and took Pharynx’s hoof, tears falling down his face freely now. “We both lived through that, not just me. And it wasn’t just me and Apex that were lucky to escape. Pharynx was lucky too.”
“Thorax, Pharynx, do you know what ponies call that kind of treatment?” Sunburst asked
“N-No…?” Thorax whispered, nervous.
“Abuse.” Sunburst stated. “It’s child abuse.”
Pharynx nodded silently. He didn’t completely understand the word, but he realized by the tension suddenly in all three ponies’ emotions and the bluntness of Sunburst’s statement that it wasn’t good.
Cadence, Shining, and Sunburst fell silent, contemplating all they had been told. Thorax pressed against Pharynx, who shifted slightly, allowing his brother to cry into his shoulder. Cadence wrapped her wings tighter around the brothers and held them close.
“It’s okay.” she said, nuzzling Thorax and letting Pharynx subtly lean against her. “You’re safe now. We won’t let her harm you again.”
“Th-Thank you Cadence…” Thorax whispered, still holding onto Pharynx.
“Thorax, Pharynx.” Shining got their attention. “If you’re up for it, do you think we could talk about Chrysalis as a whole? Did she treat others this way?”
“A few. The most incompetent-those not good at any of the jobs-were sent directly to her for punishment. Sometimes worse.” Pharynx replied
“Shiny.” Cadence said, as Thorax pressed closer into herself and Pharynx. “I think that’s enough.”
“Sorry Cadence, I just want to know…”
“If you’re looking for knowledge on strategies and future plans, we have already shared all we know with you.” Pharynx told him dryly, and Thorax hugged his brother tight. For once, Pharynx didn’t resist it.
“You’ve been very brave.” Cadence said soothingly, nosing Thorax. “Was it a nice feeling, to get all this off your chest?”
“M-Mhm, it was…” Thorax admitted
“Yeah… a bit…” Pharynx agreed
“I think you two deserve a little treat, then a nice long sleep. I find everything seems better after you rest.” Cadence said, smiling softly.
Cadence then produced some love from her magic, which the two brothers instinctively siphoned into their mouths. As they did, some of their stored love went to each other, and Cadence as well, though none of them noticed it.
“Alright, now off to bed you two.” she nuzzled them gently, ushering them out of the office, to their room.
Pharynx supported Thorax on the way there, releasing him as they slipped under the covers of their bed. Thorax wrapped his hooves around a sleeping Apex, who snuggled closer against him.
“P-Pharynx…?”
“Yes?”
“Is it weird t-that I… I actually feel better… talking about it…?”
“No… it’s not… I feel the same way, brother.” Pharynx admitted, curling up beside him.
Thorax stared at his, Pharynx, and Apex’s reflections in the mirror. Their wings were glittering. Thorax was unsure what made their wings suddenly do this, but they were beautiful.
“But why?” Thorax asked again.
“For the last time, I don’t know, Thorax. Stop fussing over the wings, we were supposed to meet Sunburst at the park thirty minutes ago.” Pharynx said
“Oh, right.” Thorax blushed sheepishly. Apex giggled and pounced, tackling him. Thorax laughed as he sat back up, holding Apex. “Come on then.”
Thorax and Pharynx carried Apex out of the castle and down the street to the park nearby. As they entered the town, Thorax shrunk against Pharynx. The ponies who worked and lived in the castle might have known them for themselves, but the ponies in the town didn’t.
As they walked, Apex decided to get off Thorax’s back and walk. He was trotting a little ways ahead of them when he saw a crystal filly, her assumed mother was nearby, looking at something in a flower stall. The filly, meanwhile, was sitting on the sidewalk, playing with some figurines of Celestia and Luna.
Apex glanced back at Thorax and Pharynx. They weren’t paying attention. He smiled and then trotted over to the little filly.
“Hi!”
The filly looked up, hesitated, then smiled. “Hi!”
“‘M Apex. Whas’ your name?”
“Honeydew.” the filly held out the Luna figurine. “You wanna play with me? It’s no fun playing by myself.”
“Okay! I can for a li’le bi’ bu’ then I haf’a go to the park.” Apex said, reaching for the toy.
“Aw, okay. You can have Luna, Celestia’s my favor-”
“Honeydew! Get away from it!” the filly’s mother scooped her up, making her drop the Luna figurine.
“Mommy! I wanted to play with him!”
“You don’t want to play with that repulsive thing sweetie.” she said
“But my toy!”
“I’ll get you a new one.”
Apex, confused, picked up the toy and held it out to the filly. Honeydew smiled and opened her mouth to thank him, but her mother snatched it out of his hoof, giving it to the filly.
“Stay away from my daughter, you little beast.” she snarled.
Apex whimpered and backed away, but before he could say anything, Pharynx appeared in front of him, snarling. Thorax raced over and scooped up the little nymph. Apex pressed close against him.
“He’s not a beast!” Pharynx snarled
“Ahh! Stay away from us!” the mare cried, scrambling backwards, causing the filly to drop both her toys.
“P-Please ma’am, he didn’t mean any harm-” Thorax began to say
“Monsters! Trying to lure my Honeydew into a trap!” the mare cried. Thorax bit back tears and pulled Apex close. “She’s just a defenseless filly!”
“He was only-” Thorax tried again.
The mare didn’t wait for him to finish. She ran off, her daughter clinging to her back. The toys of Celestia and Luna lay forgotten on the sidewalk. Pharynx hissed in the direction the mare had gone.
“Good riddance. You okay grub?”
Apex nodded, slipping out of Thorax’s hold. He trotted over and picked up the toys.
“Leave them, Apex. They’ll just accuse us of stealing.” Thorax cautioned
But Apex held the toys close. He trotted back to Thorax, who sighed and picked him up. Pharynx led them the rest of the way to the park in silence.
When they arrived at the park, they quickly found Sunburst, who was watching Flurry Heart play. Thorax set Apex down, and he placed the toys by Sunburst before running out into the grass and sinking into a crouch. Pharynx chuckled and trotted over to correct him.
Thorax sat down by Sunburst, who seemed to notice something was wrong.
“Everything alright Thorax?”
Thorax sighed and shook his head. “Some mare started screaming at us when Apex tried playing with her daughter. She called us monsters and ran off. The filly dropped those.” he nodded to the toys.
“Oh…” Sunburst sighed and took off his glasses to polish them. “Well, I’m not Cadence, but I know for a fact that that isn’t how most of us see you. We know you’re not evil.”
“Maybe… but there will always be someone who does...” Thorax sighed, poking the toys with a hoof. Sunburst put his glasses back on, then laughed.
“Besides, who could think such a cute sight was the product of a monster?”
Thorax glanced up, then laughed. Apex was chasing butterflies, and Pharynx was slinking along after him, not even trying to keep to the proper form. He wagged his tail playfully and leapt, joining Apex as he batted at the butterflies. Apex giggled and spun around, tackling Pharynx.
“Go’cha! Die, trespas’er!”
“Heheh, not so fast, a little apprentice such as yourself is no match for me!” Pharynx rolled onto his hooves again, pinning the youngling under him with one hoof.
“Tha’s wha’ you think!” Apex growled playfully and squirmed out from under him. He leapt up and grabbed Pharynx, sending them tumbling into the grass.
“You won’t get away with that!” Pharynx exclaimed, laughing as he pinned the nymph once again. He leaned down and blew into the struggling nymph’s stomach.
“Ahh! Ahahahaha! P-Papa Thorax, hehehehehelp!”
Thorax laughed and ran over, pretending to shove Pharynx. He swayed slightly, grabbing Apex by the back of the neck and placing him on Thorax’s back. Apex cheered and hugged Thorax, cuddling up to him. Thorax smiled and nuzzled him.
Apex pounced from Thorax’s back, clinging to Pharynx’s neck. He laughed and was about to push the nymph off, but then Thorax pounced. Their combined weight sent the formidable changeling tumbling to the ground.
“Go’cha Avunculus-Pharynx!”
Pharynx groaned and went limp. “You’ve beaten me. I surrender.”
“Yay!” Apex bounced, hugging Pharynx and nuzzling up to him. Pharynx chuckled and wrapped his hooves around him. “I bea’ Pharynx-dominus!”
“Heh, yep.” Pharynx sat up as Thorax got off him and cradled the nymph. Apex smiled and cuddled into Thorax. “Good job, grub.”
“‘M gonna be the bes’es’ warrior one day!” Apex cheered. Thorax smiled and nuzzled him.
“Heh, yes, you are sweetie.”
Apex smiled, then looked behind Thorax. “An’ a warrior a’ways does whas’ righ’. Righ’?”
“Yes…?” Pharynx answered, confused. Apex let go of Pharynx and trotted to Sunburst. He picked up the two toys and trotted back to them.
“Then we shoul’ do the righ’ thing.” he explained, holding them up.
Thorax and Pharynx looked at each other, then smiled.
Apex quietly snuck up to the house Pharynx had tracked Honeydew and her mother to. He held a small velvet bag in his mouth. Apex trotted up to the porch, then set the bag on the doorstep. He tucked a small slip of paper into the top, holding it there with the drawstring. He knocked on the door before running back to Pharynx and Thorax, who waited in the bushes nearby.
“Done! Did I do good?” Apex asked
“You did great grub. Now let’s go before they see us.” Pharynx said, picking up Apex and leading Thorax away, back to the castle.
As they left, Apex climbed onto Pharynx’s back, smiling as he recalled what the note said.
Dear Honeydew, You dropped these when your mama took you away. I don’ know why she’s scared, my Papa Thorax says she jus’ doesn’ un’ers’and us. Bu’ you do. So I though’ we should give you back your toys. You only wan’ed to play, af’er all. Maybe nex’ time we can play with them longer. -Apex
Apex giggled and nestled against Pharynx, who grunted but didn’t complain. Thorax smiled at the little nymph. Most of the crystal ponies might still only see them as monsters, but they knew that they weren’t. To them, that was all that mattered.
“Honesty… Loyalty… Laughter… Kindness and Generosity.” Thorax recited to Cadence. They were in an unused room of the castle, so that Cadence could go over what the three had been learning with her.
“Good job Thorax. And the sixth one?” Cadence prompted, but Thorax hesitated, unable to think of it.
“Magic.” Pharynx finished for his brother, somewhat smugly. He was showing Apex a battle move in the corner of the room, but was clearly interested in making the two aware he was also listening.
“Thank you Pharynx.” Cadence smiled. “And we call these…?”
“The Elements of Harmony.” the three changelings said together.
“Miss Cadence?” Apex said quietly, trotting up to her. Cadence giggled.
“Yes, little one?”
“How come we call ‘em the El’men’s of Ha’mony if they use the Magic of Frien’ship?”
Cadence hesitated, then smiled. “Well, I suppose it’s because they go hoof in hoof. You can’t have harmony without friendship, and you can’t have friendship without harmony.”
“Is everything with you ponies about friendship and rainbows?” Pharynx asked, punching an imaginary enemy.
“Well, our magic tends to be strictly positive. You can of course use it for dark purposes, but you’d be corrupted, and due to the way most of us are raised, you’d be hard put to find a purely evil pony.”
“King Sombra.” Pharynx suggested.
“Sombra was actually a breed of creatures called an Umbrum.” Sunburst told them as he walked in. “Have you four been in here all afternoon?”
“Pretty much.” Pharynx replied
“Oh, I didn’t realize how late it had gotten.” Cadence said, looking at the clock. “Come on, before we’re late for dinner.”
Thorax scooped up Apex and joined his brother as they followed the ponies out of the room. They met up with Shining Armor in the dining room. Thorax smiled as he ate beside his brother and son with the ponies, laughing and talking casually.
After dinner, the three changelings went back to their room. As they got ready for bed, Thorax carried Apex to the bathroom to clean him up. As they headed back to their room, Thorax picked up a scent, and Apex could smell it too.
“I know. Stay quiet sweetie.” Thorax instructed, placing Apex on his back as Pharynx came out, also smelling the unfamiliar scent.
“You two, behind me, now.” Pharynx ordered, and Thorax obeyed.
They carefully made their way down the hall. Pharynx tracked the scent to Shining’s office. Thorax held Apex close and pressed against the wall. As they held still outside the office, Sunburst snuck up behind them.
“What are you doing here?” Pharynx whispered
“Th-There was a changeling in the royal bedroom.” Sunburst whispered
“And you know this how?”
“I was walking by, I barely got away in time.” Sunburst breathed. Pharynx rolled his eyes, then peeked into Shining’s office. He quickly ducked back into the shadows.
“It’s Eaarax-eques and Clarica-discipula.” he whispered
“Wh-Wha’re they doin’ here?” Apex whispered
“They took Shining and Flurry Heart’s forms. They must have captured the real royals.” Pharynx murmured
“Wh-What do we do?” Thorax whimpered
“First, we get away from here.” Pharynx said, and he began to walk down the hall. They chased after him as quietly as possible.
“N-Now what?” Thorax asked as they reached the entrance hall. Sunburst bit his bottom lip.
“Well, clearly Cadence, Shining, and Flurry are gone… Pharynx, do you think Chrysalis would strike anywhere else?”
“Canterlot and Ponyville, definitely.” Pharynx replied at once. “They probably struck Canterlot first, but Ponyville may not have been reached yet. Mother sees Shining and Cadence as more of a threat than Twilight Sparkle.”
“Then you have to go there, and warn them.” Sunburst said
“Got it. We should be able to make it by dawn if we sneak onto the next train. Come on Thorax.” Pharynx said, turning to leave.
“An’ me too, righ’?” Apex asked, trotting after him.
“Absolutely not.” Pharynx turned around to face him. “You’re just a nymph, and this could be dangerous.”
“Bu’ i’s no’ like I can s’ay he’e ei’er!” Apex hissed
“Sunburst has a house, you two can hide there.” Pharynx retorted.
“‘M coming!”
“You’re staying.” Pharynx snapped
“Papa Thorax?” Apex looked to Thorax, who sighed.
“Apex… I don’t want you to get hurt… Pharynx and I will be fine, don’t worry.”
Apex huffed and crossed his forelegs, pouting.
“Take care of him, Sunburst, please.”
“Of course.” Sunburst assured them
Pharynx and Thorax nodded, then pushed open the doors to the castle and left. Sunburst beckoned for Apex to follow him. Apex did, stopping to watch the two changeling brothers fly off. He narrowed his eyes, then opened his mouth, tracking both the brothers and Sunburst. The twin's scents were fading, heading for the train station, and Sunburst’s signature scent of inkwells was getting fainter as he moved towards his house. Sunburst hadn't even realized Apex wasn't following him. The nymph smiled proudly and promptly rushed after the brothers, keeping to the shadows and hiding when one of them looked back.
They eventually reached the train station just as the train to Ponyville was leaving. Apex watched as his father figure and uncle made a run for it. Pharynx barreled towards the train, leaping up onto the roof with a graceful jump. Thorax, meanwhile, tried to follow but stumbled, his forelegs coming down on the edge of the roof but his hind legs dangling down. After seeing Thorax struggle to pull himself up, Pharynx rolled his eyes and pulled his brother onto the roof. The two of them then headed further down the roof of the train, clearly looking for a place to wait out the ride where they wouldn't be seen.
Apex, confident that the two were far enough away that they wouldn't see him, tore after the train as well. Rather than trying for the roof, the nymph leapt onto the platform at the back of the train and hunkered down there. He curled up against the doors to the platform and closed his eyes, sleeping through the rest of the train ride.
By dawn, they had arrived. Apex waited until the train stopped to leap off. He breathed a sigh of relief as he trotted out onto the station platform. Only to bump straight into a black, chitin covered creature. He looked up, face filled with dread.
“Looking for us?” Pharynx glared down at Apex, Thorax standing beside him with an equally stern expression.
“H-Hi Papa Thorax… Avunculus-Pharynx…” Apex mumbled
“What are you doing here? I told you to stay with Sunburst!” Pharynx snarled
“I… I wanna help!” Apex drew himself up, standing firm. “I don’ care how dan’erous i’ is! I wanna be a warrior like you an’ help figh’ the threa’. An’ the threa’ is Chrysalis, so I wanna figh’ her!”
Pharynx blinked, seeming to consider his words, then sighed. He picked Apex up and set him on Thorax’s back.
“I-I can come?”
“Yes, grub. On the condition that if Thorax or I order you to do anything, you obey, no questions asked. That includes telling you to run and leave us behind. Understood?”
Apex hesitated, then nodded. “Okay Avunculus-Pharynx, I p’omise.”
“Good.” Pharynx said, then turned, leading them to the crystal castle in the distance.
---------------------------------------------
They weren’t able to get into the castle itself, but Pharynx noticed a glow from around the side, and followed it. There, they found Starlight Glimmer and another unicorn standing near a travel wagon. The second unicorn, who had a blue coat and blue-white mane, seemed to be having a panic attack. Pharynx crouched down, Apex leaping over to join him. They crept closer, catching the tail end of Starlight’s sentence.
“-best bet is to get to the Crystal Empire before the changelings do. That way we can-”
“It’s pointless.” Pharynx rose and strode out, deeming it safe to say Starlight and this other unicorn weren’t changelings. “There’s no more help coming from there.”
The blue unicorn shrieked and screamed, but Starlight merely put a silencing bubble over her and stared at him.
“Pharynx…?”
Thorax and Apex cautiously stepped out after him, and Starlight’s eyes widened.
“Thorax? Apex? What’s going on? Wait, do your wings look different?”
Pharynx blinked and glanced back at the sparkling wings. “I guess they do.”
“I told you.” Thorax remarked, and Pharynx hissed at him slightly.
“But that’s not the point. There's no help coming from the Empire.” Pharynx added. Starlight hesitated, then narrowed her eyes and ignited her horn.
“How do I know you’re not just some changelings pretending to be them?”
“You were there when Spike defended me to the ponies of the Crystal Empire.” Thorax pointed out, transforming into Twilight. “Princess Twilight said: As the Princess of Friendship, I should set an example for all of Equestria, but today, it was Spike who taught me-”
“Okay, I believe you, we don’t need the whole speech.” Starlight cut him off, and he changed back. Starlight turned to Trixie, removing the bubble of silence. “Trixie, this is Pharynx, Thorax, and Apex. They’re reformed changelings, they’re on our side.”
“Y-Yeah, s-sure Starlight, i-if you say so… but… if they could just stay over there for a bit…?” Trixie asked, pressing against the wagon.
“What are you three doing here?” Starlight asked, turning to face the changelings again.
“The changelings have captured Princess Cadence, Shining Armor, and Flurry Heart. Sunburst sent us here to get help from Princess Twilight.” Pharynx told her.
“B-Bu’ aren’ we too la’e for tha’?” Apex asked Pharynx
“Maybe not.” Pharynx turned to Starlight. “Well? What do you suggest we do?”
“Yeah Starlight, what do we do?” Trixie asked
“Me?!” Starlight glanced around. “B-But… Pharynx, you were a general, right? You have to know what to do!”
“I led changeling troops into battle and trained them for it. That’s clearly not what we’re trying to accomplish here. Besides, at this point my only objective is protecting my brother and… and nephew.” Pharynx told her, as Apex nuzzled up under his hoof.
“B-But there has to be somepony else who can handle this!”
“There is nopony else! Everypony with powerful magic is already gone!” Trixie protested
“You know, whenever ponies talk about powerful magic, they always leave me out. If I weren’t so evolved I might take it personally.” a strange but familiar voice said.
Pharynx looked up at the top of the travel wagon and snarled. Thorax yelped and grabbed Apex, clutching him to his chest protectively. Discord chuckled at their reaction, as well as the somewhat startled looks of Starlight and Trixie.
“Well, isn’t this quite the combination of secondary characters?” Discord then noticed Pharynx, who was standing in front of his brother protectively. “Now hold on, what are you doing here?”
“What do you mean?” Pharynx growled, taking a step forward and tensing his muscles in case the draconequus decided to do something harmful.
“I mean, you’re not supposed to show up until season 7!” Discord reached into his chest and withdrew a large packet titled SCRIPT. “And I don’t believe it mentioned any little changeling nymph at all… ah, I see, someone’s been editing it.”
Discord held up the “SCRIPT” to reveal purple colored writing over black print. He chuckled and tossed the script into a trash can he made appear, which began chewing on the script as it was dropped in.
“I suppose we can let that slide. Another hopeful fanfiction writer, doubt they'll get very far in, might as well roll with it. Anyway, if I’m going along with this…” he pulled out some knitting needles and began to work. “Where are Twilight and the girls?”
“Well... I would ask if you're the real you, but you just proved it’s the real you by doing all of that." Starlight shook her head to bring her attention back to the more important matter at hoof. "Chrysalis and the changelings are back. They’ve captured all the most powerful ponies in Equestria! Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Twilight and her friends-”
“They took Fluttershy?” Discord leaned over to them, suddenly feral.
“Yes! If we could just-”
“Where?”
“I don’t know, the Changeling Hive?” Pharynx said sarcastically.
“Exactly! And with you on our side we can-” Starlight was interrupted by a snap from Discord’s fingers.
In a blinding flash, they were standing on a cliff. Pharynx immediately began patrolling around their group, shaking off the strange gear Discord had put on him. He opened his mouth to taste for any familiar things. Thorax held Apex close to him, as the nymph poked the backpack on Thorax’s back. Trixie and Starlight looked at each other, also suddenly wearing gear.
“Papa Thorax, where ‘re we?”
“Hm, that’s odd…” Discord walked around, pulling out a map that for some reason was marked Portugal on the top. “I was trying to take us straight to Fluttershy, but…”
Pharynx ignored him, stopping at the edge of the cliff and giving off a threatening hiss, followed by an inaudible swear. This got most of the other’s attention, sans Discord, of course. The draconequus in question simply rolled up the map and stuck it in his chest, then leaned down to look under a rock.
“-There is no Fluttershy…” Discord murmured
“I-I think I have a pretty good idea where she might be…” Trixie whispered, pointing at what the ponies and changelings had seen by now, and drawing Discord's attention to it at last.
A large, black structure rose up in the distance, seemingly buzzing as changelings patrolled in and around it. Thorax trembled as Apex yelped.
“I-I had hoped to never see that p-place again.”
“N-Now wha’?” Apex asked, looking at Pharynx. This time, the older changeling barely acknowledged him, staring coldly at the place where the three changelings had once lived.
“This is strange.” Discord announced. “We’re here and that’s there, and I clearly meant for us to be there, and not here!”
“U-Uh, we could probably explain tha-” Thorax tried to say, but Discord cut him off with a sigh.
“Oh well, if at first you don’t succeed-” Discord raised his paw to snap his fingers, but a glow of unicorn magic held his paw in place.
“Wait!” Starlight looked around at them, her horn glowing as she held Discord back from trying to cast his spell. “Maybe we should come up with a plan first.”
“I second that notion, the Hive-” Pharynx was cut off as Discord laughed.
“Oh come on, why come up with a plan when I can do anything?” he bragged, puffing out his chest and grinning. "I'm me, after all."
“Bu’ the Hi’e-”
“That’s very nice.” Discord patted Apex on the head somewhat demeaningly. The nymph huffed, pressing into Thorax with a pout. “But really, it’s a waste of time, what else could you possibly need when you have me?”
“A draconequus with magic and half a brain might help.” Trixie muttered, glowering at him.
“Why are you here again? Pulling a rabbit out of a hat isn’t going to stop a swarm of changelings.” Discord remarked. “At least my magic can do something!”
“Y-Yes, b-but the thing about magic here is that-” Thorax tried to speak up, but Discord had already made up his mind.
“Like this!” Discord snapped his fingers, and in a flash of light, he was suddenly seated on a flying pig with armor on it, complete with jousting lance and his own armor.
“For Fluttershy!” he proclaimed, flying off the cliff and towards the Hive. Only for the pig to dissipate and DIscord to just barely grab the cliff ledge. Discord pulled himself back onto the cliff and sent another pig out. It also vanished.
"What in the name of Celestia...?" Starlight stared in shock as a wisp of magic that had been the pig was sucked away towards the Hive.
“We’ve been trying to tell you, you stupid snake!” Pharynx snarled at Discord. “Chrysalis’ throne prevents anything but changeling magic from working here! It’s how she protects the Hive!”
“How is that possible?” Starlight asked
“Her throne is carved from obsidian." Thorax stated, as though this explained everything.
"What does a rock have to do with anything?" Trixie asked, flipping her mane. "I get that they're 'cool' and all, I worked on a rock farm for a while. But one stone can't be that powerful... can it?"
"Obsidian is a stone that's very easy to imbibe with dark magic. She enchanted it so that it draws in outside magic the same way changelings draw in love.” Pharynx elaborated. "She told us herself. Any other kind of magic disappears the second it reaches the border of our territory."
Now, even Apex was able to share what he knew. "We'e all taugh' to believe she uses i' to keep us safe, bu' Avunculus-Pharynx says i's ac'ually to en...ensue..."
"Ensure." Thorax pronounced helpfully.
"Mhm! To ensu'e she always has the upper hoof in a figh' on her own land." Apex finished.
After hearing this explanation, Starlight gulped nervously and ignited her horn, stepping forward. She carefully pressed her horn against the edge of the cliff, where the changeling territory began. As the three had explained, the magic was sucked from the tip of her horn and whisked away to the Hive.
"Y-You might want to stop that, if you keep doing it for long enough Chrysalis is going to notice." Thorax cautiouned, and Starlight nodded in understanding, backing away from the border. Trixie trotted closer, trembling with fear.
“S-So… about that plan…”
“Without magic, I have no idea.” Starlight admitted, looking around. “But nopony else is coming, so someone had better come up with something. Pharynx, is there anything else you know about that throne that could help?”
“Well, if we could destroy the throne, that would break the enchantment on the obsidian. We would be able to get you three’s magic back.” Pharynx said.
“That’s great!” Starlight cried
“That’s a terrible plan!” Discord countered. “How are we even supposed to get there?”
“We walk?” Trixie asked rhetorically, jumping down the cliff. Thorax picked Apex up and flew down the cliff with Pharynx. Discord groaned.
“Walking? I haven’t walked that far in a millenia!” he moaned, and the others groaned.
As they continued to walk along the empty space, Discord continued complaining.
“I’m serious! I don’t know how you can stand not being able to disappear and reappear whenever you want!”
“I definitely miss you being able to disappear!” Trixie snapped
“Give him a break, we didn’t know we wouldn’t be able to use magic.” Starlight tried to calm the two down.
“We did.” Pharynx, Thorax, and Apex said in unison.
“That reminds me. If we get separated we need to have a way to make sure we are who we say we are.” Starlight said, attempting to change the subject.
“Ooh! Like a secret code!” Discord began walking faster. “How about, you say ‘we are’ and I say ‘doomed’! Or, you say ‘rescue’ and I say ‘Flu-”
Discord promptly fell down, having tripped over a rock. Trixie snorted with amusement.
“How about we say ‘klutzy’ and you say ‘draconequus’?” she teased
“Klutzy draconequus. Works for me.” Starlight chuckled
“Oh, I’ll definitely remember it.” Pharynx smirked, and Thorax giggled to himself, though he flinched as Discord glowered at them all.
“Klu’zy dra’onequus!” Apex giggled innocently. But his eyes widened as they realized just how close they had gotten to the Hive.
“No guards? Pathetic.” Pharynx scoffed, stepping in front to lead them closer.
“Okay, I am definitely grateful you three are here. I don’t think we’d find our way around here without someone who knows the place.” Trixie said as they walked in.
“You definitely wouldn’t.” Pharynx replied bluntly as the entrance closed behind them, making Trixie yelp. “The changeling Hive is powered by Chrysalis’ throne, it shifts and changes like we do.”
“And only a changeling can navigate it. It’s total chaos to non-changelings.” Thorax added
“Eh, decent chaos at best, I don’t know if I’d call it total.” Discord muttered as they entered a tunnel. With that, the somewhat brave squadron of creatures made their way into the Hive.
Pharynx just rolled his eyes at the being before returning to muttering to himself. “Can’t believe we haven’t run into any patrols. Did Chrysalis just select an incompetent drone to be the next general or did she pick no one?”
“How are we even going to destroy the throne once we find it?” Trixie asked, turning to Starlight.
“I… don’t know.” Starlight admitted
“That’s reassuring.” Trixie said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. Pharynx groaned and trotted faster to avoid hearing them. Thorax joined him, Apex riding on his head.
“I don’t suppose you packed any throne-destroying tools along with these useless sideshow props, did you?” they could hear Discord rummaging around in what was presumably Trixie’s bag.
“Asks the Lord of Chaos who can’t go for a walk without whining non-stop! You were the one who made this stuff appear!”
“Yes, but when the throne is destroyed, I’ll be able to rip the very fabric of reality to save our friends, while you’ll remain a self-absorbed, below-average illusionist.”
“Self-absorbed?! Why you-”
“Cut it out!” Starlight’s voice interjected.
“Are they trying to get us caught?” Pharynx hissed, glancing around. “If I could just remember which side tunnel…”
Thorax bit his lip. “It all looks the same…”
“Papa Thorax, ‘re we los’?”
“Of course we aren’t, sweetie. We’ll find the way to the throne room.” Thorax assured him, though he didn’t seem convinced.
“-And the three of us are good as useless! At least Thorax and Pharynx seem to know where we’re going!” Starlight sighed as she came up behind them with the others.
“Starlight, th-this may be a bad time, but-”
“We’re lost.” Pharynx bluntly interjected over his brother.
“Oh great.” Trixie dropped onto her haunches. “We might as well just sit here and wait for the changelings to come and suck up all our love. H-How often does your kind get hungry?”
Pharynx and Thorax glanced at each other.
“I honestly don’t remember the last time I was starving.”
“Me either, not since I made friends with Spike.”
“Bu’ Papa Thorax, I though’ changelin’s ‘re a’ways hungry.” Apex said, looking at the brothers.
“Well, that’s just fantast-”
“But none of you are hungry at all now?” Starlight cut Trixie off.
“I guess once we made a few friends in the castle and let go of our past, we just didn’t feel the need to feed anymore.” Thorax said.
“Is that when your wings changed?” Starlight asked, and Thorax looked at his shimmering wings.
“Yeah, I think so.”
Discord rolled his eyes and strolled up to an opening. “While I’d love to sit around chit-chatting about feeding and not feeding, I HAVE A FLUTTERSHY TO SAVE!”
Discord’s voice echoed around the cavern, and everyone else flinched. Though not from the sound.
“Could you please lower your voice?” Trixie hissed “You’re going to get us all captured!”
“You keep saying that, but aside from our buddies here, I haven’t seen a single changeling since we got in here.”
Pharynx pricked his ears, holding up a hoof for silence. A buzzing noise could be heard in the distance.
“Changeling patrol. We have to move.” Pharynx whispered urgently.
“O-Oh no…” Thorax began breathing heavily.
“For the hivemother’s sake…” Pharynx muttered. He grabbed Thorax by the shoulder and pulled him down. The others ducked down beside them. Apex pressed against Pharynx.
“This seems like one of those times we need a plan.” Discord said
“What kind of plan?! We have no magic and it’s not like my illusions are gonna save us!” Trixie hissed
“Your illusions, that’s it! Do you have any smoke bombs?” Starlight whispered excitedly.
“Are you kidding?” Trixie responded with a smirk.
-----------------------------------------
The changelings entered the area where the group was hiding, looking around frantically. Then, there was a flash of smoke.
“Looking for somepony?!” Trixie called with a haughty smirk. The changeling swarm flew towards her, but before they could grab her, she was gone in a puff of smoke.
“Is that the best you’ve got?” Another smoke puff showed she had reappeared on a different ledge. Quicker then they could fly, she was gone again.
“You’ll have to try harder than that!” she called yet again.
As the changeling patrol buzzed around in confusion, Starlight and Discord watched from their tunnel. Discord shrugged.
“Not exactly ‘great and powerful’ but effective.” he admitted, as they saw two changelings split off from the group as they left in confusion.
“Eh, I’ll take it.” Trixie said, popping up nearby. Just as three more Trixies appeared.
“Klutzy…” Starlight began.
“Draconequus.” all four said together, three of them transforming back into Pharynx, Thorax, and Apex.
“Ugh, I really think we need a new code word.” Discord muttered.
“Did I do good Avunculus-Pharynx?” Apex asked, looking up at the older changeling.
Pharynx blushed but nodded. “Yes, you did very well, Apex-discipulus.”
“I dunno, whichever one of you was doing the first me kind of gave off a bit too smug of a look.” Trixie remarked, staring at them.
“That was me.” Pharynx said, smirking the exact same way he’d done in her form. “Those guards have become soft since I’ve been gone, usually Tibius-eques and Fema-equea are more competent than this.”
“Either way, it was a good plan.” Thorax said cheerfully.
“Except we still don’t know where we’re going.” Trixie pointed out
“Nu-uh!” Apex trotted over to the edge of the tunnel. “Looki’, the pa’rol’s gone.”
“And?” Discord questioned.
“Wait a minute… Apex, are you talking about how two of them didn’t go with the group?”
“Well of course they didn’t.” Pharynx trotted closer to observe the area where they had just fooled the patrol. “With an intruder in the Hive, they went to warn the queen.”
“Then we can just follow them!” Starlight realized
“Yeah! Good thinking Starlight.” Thorax said, and she gave an embarrassed laugh. With that, they made their way down to the side tunnel the two changelings from the patrol had used.
“There’s the entrance to the throne room.” Pharynx whispered, rearing up from behind the large rocks they were hiding behind to peek out. “Chrysalis should be just on the other side of it.”
“Now what?” Trixie asked
“E-Even if I wanted to go in there, there’d be no way past those guards…” Thorax whispered.
“He’s right.” Pharynx said, dropping back down to sit beside his brother. “They’ve all clearly gone soft but they’re not dumb enough to let two ponies, a snake thing-”
“Hey!” Discord exclaimed in a low whisper. Pharynx ignored him.
“-And three exiled changelings walk into the throne room.”
“Then we clearly need some kind of distraction.” Starlight said, putting a hoof to her chin.
“Well, we used all of my smoke bombs…” Trixie said, digging through her saddlebags.
“Normally I’m the most distracting thing I can think of, but without magic…” Discord looked at his claw and paw. Starlight grinned.
“You shouldn’t underestimate yourself.”
Pharynx and Trixie both seemed to get what she was saying and smirked. Discord gulped slightly.
Starlight and Pharynx shoved Discord forwards, making sure to stay out of sight. Pharynx chuckled and pulled Apex against him, watching with a grin. Discord tapped the prop microphone they’d taken from Trixie’s bags.
“Hello changelings and changelettes!” Discord greeted, getting their attention. “Believe me, I’m just as surprised as you are that I’m here. When I heard I’d be performing for a bunch of changelings I was beside myself! But then I realized it was just one of you.”
The guardlings merely snarled. Discord rolled his eyes and continued.
“Seriously, this isn’t the toughest crowd I’ve performed for but it’s definitely the easiest to bug!”
Discord proclaimed this with a grin, but merely got confused chitters. Pharynx facehoofed from where the others were hiding. Discord groaned and pulled at his face.
“Come on! To bug? Is this thing on?”
Discord tapped the microphone. The guards snarled again, hissing. Discord huffed.
“Well, if you think you can do better, be my guest!” he tossed the microphone to them. It hit the floor and lay between them.
The changelings stared at it, then growled, hissing at the draconequus. Discord waved awkwardly before scampering off. As the guardlings gave chase, the five remaining members of the group snuck into the entrance.
“It is absolutely ridiculous that that worked.” Trixie said dryly.
“You’re telling me.” Pharynx muttered. “Either way, we can’t wait for Discord for long.”
“Mhm, the Hive will be swarming with more guards soon.” Thorax whispered
“Why now and not before?” Starlight asked
“Standard infiltration protocol.” Pharynx said. “Like how two of the warrior drones split off from the rest after the encounter with Trixie. Now that they’ve seen Discord on top of her, the patrols will be doubled.”
‘But if we do manage to destroy Chrysalis’ throne, we'll need him.” Starlight objected. “He could take on entire swarms of the changelings by sneezing if he wanted to.”
“Wha’ if he’s been cap’ured?” Apex asked, looking up at the adults with wide eyes.
As they tried not to let this thought sink in, the entrance opened again. Pharynx immediately grabbed Thorax and Apex and dragged them behind a rock before anyone could spot them. Starlight and Trixie followed his lead, pressing against the wall.
“Hello… fellow rescuers…?”
It was Discord, he was looking around for them. Starlight and Trixie cautiously crept out into his sightline. Pharynx peeked out to see what was going on, and Discord spotted him moving. However, Pharynx didn't leave the hiding place, ducking back down to guard Thorax and Apex.
“We can’t stay here. We’ve got to find the throne.” Starlight told him.
“Oh! I heard one of the changelings chasing me say they know where it is!” Discord said, clapping his paw and talon together.
Starlight and Trixie glanced at each other, then Trixie leaned forwards.
“Klutzy…?”
“Hm? Oh, yes, I can be klutzy. Now, follow me!” Discord said brightly, heading down the tunnel.
“That’s not Discord.” Starlight whispered
“Obviously.” Trixie replied
“This way! We’re almost there!” the fake Discord called, heading into a tunnel curving to the left.
“This is a changeling trick.” Pharynx spoke, he, Thorax, and Apex appearing behind the unicorns, making them jump.
“What do you mean?” Starlight asked
“If he says go left, we have to go right.” Thorax explained.
“He’s leading us to a swarm waiting to attack.” Pharynx added
“But one of us has to go after him, or he’ll come looking for us.” Starlight objected.
Both Pharynx and Apex stepped forwards, ready to offer themselves up as bait. But before either of them could speak, Trixie sighed and walked past them.
“Alright, I’ll handle it. You four just get ready to run into the other tunnel.” she said, trotting forward. Starlight caught her hoof before she could leave.
“Trixie, no, you can’t! We’ve already lost Discord, I can’t lose you too! Without magic, I-”
“Starlight.” Trixie held up a hoof. “You’ve got us this far with just my illusions, some rouge changelings, and Discord’s annoying personality. You don’t need your magic to figure out what to do next, you've already got us all the way here. I get that you don’t like being in charge, but you’re really good at it.”
“She’s not wrong.” Pharynx remarked. "Everything I've seen so far tells me you're a leader, no matter what you try to say otherwise."
"But I-"
“Listen to your best friend.” Trixie insisted, hugging Starlight tightly, before she turned around and chased after the fake Discord.
“Trixie-” Starlight tried to call out, but Thorax and Pharynx pulled her away, crouching down beside Apex.
“Hey! Discord!” Trixie called, and the fake Discord turned to face her.
“Yes, my best friend?” he gave her a smile that was obviously too wide to be his.
“Would you like to see a new trick I’ve been working on?” Trixie placed her hoof on the fake Discord’s paw, then pulled away to reveal a strand of knotted scarves. “I call it the changeling capture!”
“Now!” Pharynx hissed, springing up from his position.
Starlight, Thorax, and Apex followed Pharynx's lead, allowing the former general to guide them into the correct tunnel. They ran for it, heading even deeper into the tunnels of the Hive. Even as Trixie's scream and the sound of hundreds of hissing changelings rang in their ears, they didn't stop running.
As the group of four ran, Apex jumped onto the nearest creature’s back so he wouldn't get left behind. It turned out to be Pharynx, apparently. Apex scrambled onto the violet carapace, clinging to his uncle.
The group then came to a fork in the hall, where two different paths lay ahead. Buzzing sounds came from behind them; they were being followed, and they wouldn't have long until the swarm caught up. Starlight glanced at the changelings, and after a brief exchanged glance with his brother, Pharynx nodded to one of the tunnels. Pharynx veered into the tunnel to their left, Starlight fast behind him and Apex clinging to his back. Thorax, meanwhile, took off down the other tunnel at top speed. Apex whimpered as his papa left, but stayed quiet.
The three emerged in a dark corner of a room that Apex originally didn't recognize, but as he looked around, it began to become familiar. He saw the open space placed before a stone plinth, the throngs of unreformed changelings in the domed room, the glowing pods containing creatures he recognized hanging from the ceiling like a morbid chandelier. They were at the back of the throne room, and Apex nearly gasped once realizing where exactly they were.
Directly behind Chrysalis’ black, twisted throne. Apex shivered as the cold of the room swept past them, burrowing into his uncle. Then, a lone figure trotted through the doors. Starlight Glimmer.
“Huh? Bu’ you'e…” Apex glanced from the Starlight beside them to the one making her way into the throne room with an air of frightened caution.
“It’s Thorax.” Pharynx breathed, and Apex slid off his back, standing in place and staring as his disguised father walked up to the pods, staring at them in horror.
“Quick, while he’s distracting Chrysalis, we can destroy the throne.” Starlight whispered frantically.
Pharynx immediately ignited his horn, a changeling’s signature lime green aura emitting from it. He began to slowly carve into the rocks of the throne, but it wasn’t easy. Apex added his own, weaker aura, and Starlight grabbed a sharp rock to begin chipping away at the stone.
Apex stopped when he heard a splattering noise and Chrysalis laughing. Pharynx also froze, and they peeked out from a hole in the throne, careful not to be seen. Thorax-turned-Starlight was pinned to the floor with changeling goo.
“One little pony all by herself.” Chrysalis poked her head out from amidst the cocoons of all the taken ponies.
Apex whimpered softly as he saw exactly who they all were. Cadence and Shining. Luna and Celestia. Princess Twilight and her friends. Spike. Discord and Trixie. As Chrysalis flew down to the disguised Thorax, not even noticing that it was a disguise, all three hidden creatures ducked into the shadows, continuing to watch with bated breath.
“Oh, how will I ever prevent this daring rescue?”
The false Starlight flinched as guardlings came over to hold her there. Chrysalis stalked around the throne room, smirking.
“The Princess of Friendship’s sole pupil. Honestly, I didn’t think you were worth replacing with one of my drones.”
“Y-You won’t get away with this! I'll get my friends back!” the fake Starlight said defiantly, but Chrysalis merely cackled.
“Oh, but I already have. Nopony is coming to save you. Your little squad was it. And now, you’re the only one left.”
Then, the false Starlight grew confident, smirking at the changeling queen. “Thorax and Pharynx are still out there!”
Chrysalis leapt forwards, hissing with such anger that the disguised Thorax shrunk back in fright. Pharynx flinched and rubbed his temple, as Apex looked between the two.
"He's terrified... he's not going to be able to keep this up much longer." Pharynx whispered, and they continued chipping at the throne with renewed vigor.
“You do not ever mention the names of those traitors in my presence!” she snarled, then stepped back. “Thorax was a fool to leave, Pharynx and his little wrench fools to follow him. They have doubled such idiocy to return!”
Apex pressed into Pharynx, who held him close despite the urgency of their task to break the throne. The fake Starlight began to look frightened, which Chrysalis ignored completely, continuing in her rant.
“They are exiles! Former princes! Those two are no sons of mine as far as I'm concerned, and they are not my heirs! I will never rest until I have them in my clutches! I will make them regret their foolish whims of friendship and love! When I find where those three are hiding, they’ll learn exactly what happens to those who betray the Hive!” Chrysalis promised, leering at the fake Starlight, her fangs bared.
Thorax whimpered and shrank back away from his mother, doing his best to look like he wasn't scared. But just as Chrysalis pulled back and seemed about to continue, Thorax's eyes gleamed with a familiar teal hue. Pharynx’s eyes widened and he shook his head frantically.
"Come on Thorax, you've got this, don't give it away." he breathed, turning to slash at the throne with his magic in an effort to make Thorax's sacrifice worth something.
Apex was staring at his father figure in terror, praying that Chrysalis wouldn't notice the teal gleam that had flashed across his eyes. But it was too late. Chrysalis' eyes narrowed and she leaned closer to Thorax, a grin gracing her face now. Starlight began to work faster, desperation clearly clouding her common sense. Pharynx, meanwhile, froze in place, shaking his head and shutting his eyes. Apex watched the two, knowing Pharynx was trying to reach his brother, to tell him to hold the form.
“And it seems I don’t have far to look, do I…?”
"N-No... Papa Thorax..." Apex breathed, lunging forward. Pharynx grabbed him and held him still.
"No grub, we can't."
Chrysalis ignited her horn and blasted Thorax, who shrank back and whimpered in terror. The disguise burned away, leaving the trembling changeling stuck in the center of the throne room, completely exposed.
The other changelings hissed and stomped their hooves upon the reveal of one of the three traitors, jeering at Thorax. Chrysalis towered over the frightened changeling.
“Where is your brother and his weak apprentice?”
Thorax whimpered and shook his head frantically, pretending not to know. Starlight then accidentally made a very loud clanking sound with the stone in her hooves as it struck the throne. Chrysalis turned around, snarling. Starlight yelped and ducked behind the throne.
"I know you're in there, pony." she snarled, glaring at the throne. "Come out."
Starlight ducked further down, out of Chrysalis' sight. Pharynx, however, rather than hiding, growled and leaped out into the open, his wings flared. Chrysalis glared at him, distracting her from Starlight, as Pharynx had predicted.
“Pharynx!” Thorax exclaimed
“Pharynx.” Chrysalis yanked him up with her magic and tossed him to his brother’s side, pinning him down with the same goo.
“P-Papa Thorax! Pharynx!” Apex flared his little wings and shot out of the throne after Pharynx.
Apex ran to Thorax and Pharynx, his smaller size making it easier for him to dodge the guards as they tried to catch him. However, just as he was about to reach the two brothers, Chrysalis’ horn lit up, catching him in her aura. Apex squealed and thrashed, reaching for the two older changelings.
“Bad luck, little wrench.” Chrysalis sneered. She tossed him into the wall, and Apex yelped in pain. He could feel his carapace cracking as he slid down the stone surface, vision blurring as he fell limp. He could hear her talking to someone, most likely her guards. “Leave him, he’s useless to them now.”
“Apex!” Thorax cried, clearly worried. Chrysalis fired a beam from her horn, creating a scorch mark in front of Thorax and Pharynx, shutting them up.
“Now… as for you…” Chrysalis headed towards the throne, where Starlight hid. She began peeking into each one of the holes. “Very clever. Clearly these traitors have revealed to you the secret of my throne… I can’t just have powerful creatures using their magic against me, can I?”
Thorax and Pharynx struggled to free themselves from the slime, to help Starlight and Apex, but they couldn't move or use magic with the guards surrounding them. Meanwhile, Apex tried to sit up, his head swimming with pain as he tried to focus.
“But even with your rather embarrassing rescue attempt, everything has gone according to plan.”
“What plan?! Why are you doing any of this?!” Starlight asked from within the throne.
Apex opened his eyes, trying to make out his surroundings. “Haf’a… ge’ up… can’ s’ay down… P-Papa Thorax an’ Avunculus-Pharynx need me…” he thought frantically, struggling to stand up.
Apex rubbed his eyes and carefully stood up, wobbling a bit as his cracked carapace making it hard to move. But still, he got up on unsteady legs, opened his mouth, and tasted frantically for Thorax and Pharynx’s comforting scents. He began to slowly move towards the sweet and sour scents the second he tasted them, his vision clearing as he did. Starlight’s voice reached his ears at last as his senses returned. She seemed to be debating with Chrysalis
“-Thorax, Pharynx, and Apex left the hive and made friends. They shared love, and they don't need to feed anymore. Don’t you see? You don't have to live your lives starving all the time!”
"Ridiculous!"
Apex glanced over at her, sinking into a low crouch to be less visible. Starlight had been pinned down near the throne by two guards. Apex followed her gaze, which was directed not towards Chrysalis, but at Thorax and Pharynx. Specifically, their shimmering, sparkling wings. Apex then turned to stare at his own, the sparkles shining in the dim light of the throne room as he buzzed them a little.
“You know nothing of the changelings or what it takes to be their queen!” Chrysalis shouted, and Apex flinched, looking over at her. “I alone decide what is best for my subjects, not some mewling little grub like you!”
Starlight glared at her. “I know what it’s like to lead by fear and intimidation! And I know what it's like to want everypony to do what you say! But I was wrong. A real leader doesn't force her subjects to deny who they are! She celebrates what makes them unique and listens when one of them finds a better way!”
Chrysalis snarled at her, slamming a hoof on the ground. Apex held still, terrified of being caught.
“The only thing that my sons have found is what happens to those who turn their backs on the Hive!” Chrysalis whipped around and ignited her horn, pulling Thorax and Pharynx from their bindings and holding them aloft.
“No!” Apex screamed. Chrysalis eyed him as Pharynx and Thorax struggled in her magical grip.
“I’ll deal with you later, wench. First, I’ll drain every ounce of love from them, and show my Hive what a real leader is willing to do!”
Chrysalis opened her mouth, and all at once, a pink ball of light formed in front of each brother’s chest. Thorax whimpered and strained. Pharynx twisted and struggled, though his attempts to break free were slowly weakening.
“I-I can f-feel the love inside me slipping away…” Thorax panted, looking at his brother in terror.
“Starlight, if you have a plan you better do something! I don’t think we can hold on much longer.” Pharynx shouted, grimacing. Starlight hesitated, then raised a hoof in proclamation.
“Then don’t!” Starlight exclaimed, and Apex glanced over at her. “Sharing love is what made Thorax different to begin with! And Pharynx, you loved him so much you were willing to follow him! So you should share that with Chrysalis! Give her all of it!”
“H-How?” Thorax asked
Apex looked at their sparkling wings once more, then back at his own. They almost looked like the crystals in the Empire... but wait, no, not those crystals...
“Papa Thorax!” Apex screamed, racing to the brothers and abandoning all stealth. “I’s like the El’men’s of Ha’mony!”
Thorax's eyes widened and he seemed to understand what Apex was saying. Closing his eyes, he put his hooves against his heart and let a pulse of glowing pink love gather against them. Chrysalis stopped feeding momentarily out of surprise.
“I share my love willingly with you Chrysalis! I-I give it to you out of the Kindness in my heart, and with a Generous soul!” Thorax exclaimed, as Pharynx watched him, then took one of his hooves, touching his other hoof to his chest.
“I share my love as well!” Pharynx announced, closing his eyes. “I give it because I trust my brother Honestly, and I stand alongside him out of Loyalty!”
Apex looked between them, waiting, before realizing they were missing something. They were missing the final elements. The ones that would cement the magic and unite them in harmony. Apex willed his wings to work through the pain of his broken carapace and took off. He was unsteady, but managed to reach the two adults, immediately being pulled into Chrysalis' magical aura as well as she struggled to try and contain the three changelings.
“I sha’e my love!” Apex announced, closing his eyes. “I share i' with the spiri’ of Laugh’er! We will sha’e our love toge’er, ‘cause we are uni’ed!”
Thorax and Pharynx reached out, each taking one of Apex’s forehooves. Apex was held between them as they hovered, steadying the little nymph. With Apex carefully grasped in the brothers' hold, they were ready.
“Together, we will share our love’s Magic!” They shouted in unison, united as one whole. A family.
Apex saw Chrysalis being blasted backwards against her throne, before being enclosed in a warm, white light. His back no longer ached, and he felt full inside for the first time. It felt wonderful, like being hugged by Pharynx and Thorax. Just as he began to let himself relax in the bright, comforting light, it burst. Apex felt himself being lowered down, before hitting the floor gently. He looked up… into the eyes of two strange creatures.
One of the strange creatures, the taller one, had lime green chitin with a dark purple carapace and a glittering emerald underbelly. Violet, sparkling wings emerged from the carapace, matching the tail and resembling dragonfly wings. Three diamonds were embedded in the creature’s chest, and orange antlers rose above almost feathery-like ears, a smaller, curved horn on its forehead. Despite being completely different colored, there was no mistaking the warmth and pride in the creature’s now purple eyes as it looked down at Apex.
“P-Papa Thorax…” Apex whispered as he recognized him at last, then looked at the other creature.
This creature was a little shorter than the other. Cyan chitin, with a violet carapace and lavender underbelly. Red, dragonfly-like wings unfurled from its back, copies of the red tail. Three diamonds on the chest, red antlers on its head, tufted ears perked up to hear for danger, a smaller center horn resting between the antlers. The lavender eyes were the only trait Apex instantly recognized, despite the new expression of pride and happiness reflected in them.
“Avunculus-Pharynx!”
Apex rushed forwards and nuzzled against Pharynx, then Thorax. Finally, as he finished hugging Thorax, the nymph noticed his own form, and gasped. He was lime green too, with a fully healed red carapace, along with identically colored wings and tail. He too, had diamonds in his chest, and he could feel his horn still on his head when he reached up to touch his forehead. Apex looked up into Thorax’s eyes, he could see his own eyes reflected back as ruby red pools of wonder. Thorax scooped him up, holding him close.
Starlight, finally released and now standing beside them, looked around at all the other changelings.
“You see?! This is what happens when you give your love freely, instead of taking it!” Starlight proclaimed, as Chrysalis sat up from where she had been tossed against her throne.
The other changelings looked at each other, then at Thorax, Pharynx, and Apex. Finally, one rose off the ground, sending a wave of love out towards the Queen and a cocoon wrapping around them. Another joined in, and a third. Starlight rushed towards Thorax, Pharynx, and Apex, putting a shield spell around the four of them for protection.
“No! Noo!” Chrysalis screamed as love surrounded her on all sides. Apex snuggled against Thorax as he and his brother crouched low within Starlight’s shield spell.
Finally, once the last changeling had transformed, Starlight lowered the shield. Pharynx and Thorax straightened up from their crouched position, the four creatures staring around at the damage. The throne was gone, and the cocoons holding the captured ponies had fallen to the ground. The entire throne room had been blown apart, the roof completely gone and leaving only the floor they were standing on.
“P-Papa Thorax?” Apex looked up at Thorax, who nuzzled him.
“I’m here little one.” Thorax whispered, and Apex hugged him tight.
“Good job Apex.” Pharynx murmured, nuzzling the nymph gently. “We wouldn’t have figured out how to share love like that without you.”
“Truly, our little warrior.” Thorax said proudly, as Starlight yelped. Apex glanced up and shrunk into Thorax. Everyone was free from the cocoons. And they looked mad.
“Starlight, get away from those things!” Twilight cried out.
“Wait, Twilight, it’s okay!” Starlight held up a hoof to point at them. “It’s Thorax, Pharynx, and Apex!”
“Really?” Cadence moved forwards.
"How do we know for sure it's them?" Rainbow Dash asked, her brow furrowed. Apex pouted slightly, he knew it was an honest question, as she had never met them before, but he could also sense the frustration Pharynx was giving off.
“Hold on.” Trixie trotted forwards, a serious expression on her face as she posed a question. “Klutzy…?”
“Draconequus.” all three changelings said at once. A couple of the ponies began giggling, causing Discord to glare at them.
“It’s them!” Trixie announced, smirking at Discord. Cadence smiled in relief at this, only distracted by a newly transformed changeling flying over to her with her daughter, who she promptly embraced.
“I think it’s safe to say we won’t have any more troubles with the Hive. The changelings have found a new leader, and a better way.” Luna remarked, looking around at the reformed changelings as she trotted closer to them.
“N-New leader?” Thorax asked, eyes widening.
“Of course; you.” Luna said, smiling kindly.
“B-But… no, Pharynx is older, he should be-”
“If it were meant to be me, why did you end up being taller than me?” Pharynx questioned, smirking slightly. “I was never meant to be a king, Thorax. My role is to protect and defend my family, which includes the Hive now.”
“No!”
They all whipped around to see Chrysalis emerging, her horn ignited. She was glaring at them all.
“How dare you?! My pathetic, worthless, idiot son will never be the King! He will fall, then I’ll take his traitorous brother!” Chrysalis eyed them both with a wicked gleam in her eyes. “Pharynx will watch the brother he raised die, and he’ll be next! I’ll find new heirs to my throne!”
Pharynx stood protectively in front of Thorax, who clutched Apex to his chest. Everyone else took up protective stances around the brothers. All around them, horns ignited, wings flared, and hooves slammed against the ground.
“You want them? You’ll have to go through us.” Shining proclaimed, glaring at her. Chrysalis snarled but backed away. Starlight then stepped forwards, and held out a hoof.
“When Twilight and her friends defeated me, I chose to run and seek revenge. But you don’t have to. Join your sons in your rightful place and be the leader your subjects deserve!”
Chrysalis hesitated, then reached out… and slapped Starlight’s hoof away.
“There is no revenge you could ever conceive of that will match what I will do to you one day, Starlight Glimmer!” Chrysalis looked over at Thorax and Pharynx, wings buzzing as she snarled at them. “Enjoy playing King of the Castle while it lasts, Prince Thorax.”
With that, Chrysalis took off, flying out of the territory and into the distance. Thorax looked stunned, even more so as Celestia approached. He turned to face her, Apex climbing onto his back. Surprisingly, Celestia bowed to him slightly, and he jolted, bowing back nervously.
“Thorax, as the new leader of the changelings, I look forward to seeing how we can improve our relationship in the future.”
“I-I… I look forward to it as well.” Thorax stammered, and Celestia chuckled softly before turning to her ponies.
“For now, I believe it’s best we leave the changeling kingdom to the changelings.” she advised them.
“Who’s up for celebratory tea at Fluttershy’s?!” Discord asked loudly, making Fluttershy squeak in alarm. Celestia laughed softly and trotted over to help sort it out.
Thorax began to breathe quicker, worried, but Pharynx reached and put a hoof on his shoulder.
“You’ll do fine Thorax. I’ll be here to help you.” Pharynx said.
“An’ me!” Apex hugged Thorax around the neck, nuzzling up to him. Thorax giggled and pulled Apex close.
“You know, you may still be just five years old, but I think you’ve more than earned your warrior’s rank.” Pharynx told Apex, who gasped.
“Really?!”
“Heh, yes, really.” Pharynx nuzzled him. “If Thorax would be willing to allow me to perform the ceremony.”
“Of course!” Thorax held Apex close, cradling the little nymph. “I’m so proud of you, Apex.”
Apex beamed and nuzzled up to him. “'M proud of you Papa Thorax… wai’. Doe’ this mean you go’ a rank now?”
“He does.” Pharynx smiled as he stepped forward. “The highest rank. Thorax-Basileus. King.”
“King Papa Thorax.” Apex said, smiling up at Thorax, who smiled.
“All hail Thorax-Basileus!” Pharynx called to the changelings. “The rightful king!”
“King Thorax! All hail the rightful king!” the other changelings took up the cry.
Thorax smiled, looking down at Apex. The little nymph giggled and hugged him tight. Pharynx stood beside his brother, smiling proudly. Everything was as it should be for the time being.
“All changelings old enough to hunt on their own merit gather in the throne room for a Hive meeting!”
The familiar words from the familiar voice echoed around the Hive. Hundreds of changelings poked their heads out of burrows and other rooms, making their way towards the familiar summons.
But this time, it was a warm feeling that greeted the changelings, their own happiness surging as they felt a wave of pride envelope the room and all its occupants. There was no lingering fear anymore, as the changelings amassed in the now open, roof-less throne room. Pharynx was sitting tall and proud in front of the old stone plinth, which was now covered with grass and vines. A brand new throne made of oak rested on top of the plinth, and though the changelings were still in awe of the new atmosphere, Pharynx's commanding gaze urged for their attention. Silence fell across the large mass of changelings, and Pharynx smiled, genuinely.
Apex sat nearby, his chest puffed out and his head raised, wings extended slightly to show an authority. But he wasn’t alone in his wait this time. Now, Thorax was sitting beside him, licking him around the ears in an attempt to calm him, as he was radiating high energy. Apex just giggled and batted him away playfully, then straightened up as Pharynx began to speak again.
“Everyling, we are gathered here today for a special occasion.” Pharynx glanced at Apex, and the nymph was overjoyed to see pride reflected in his eyes. “Today, it is time for a young apprentice to receive his next rank.”
The changelings all began to murmur among themselves, wondering who it could be. Pharynx ignored the talking and rose onto his hooves, standing before them. Pharynx opened his carapace and fanned his wings out, his antlers lighting up with his newly red aura, silently demanding for the changelings to let him continue. Once they had all returned their attention to the beta changeling, he continued speaking.
“This nymph has not been an apprentice for very long, but he will continue to learn diligently as he grows. And due to his part in defeating the former Queen, he has more than earned his warrior rank.”
Thorax smiled, eyes watering with emotion as he nosed Apex gently, the nymph beaming up at him. Pharynx turned to face Apex, smiling at the young nymph.
“Apex-discipulus, come up to me.” Pharynx instructed, his voice carrying across the room.
Apex stood up, his muzzle brushing Thorax's in affection before he walked to Pharynx, head held high. Pharynx looked down at him as he stood before him. Apex flared out his wings, extending them as high as they would go, his red tail pausing in its wagging motions as the sheer magical feel of the old ceremony surrounded him. Pharynx gave the nymph a small smile, before raising his head to the sky and beginning to recite the ancient words of the naming ceremony.
“I, Pharynx-dominus, Prince-General of the New Hive, ask our ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard throughout his apprenticeship to understand the ways of your noble code, even through our exile from the Old Hive. Now, I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn.”
Pharynx then gazed down at Apex sternly, his face set but his eyes shining with comfort. Apex trembled slightly with nerves, but his certainty did not waver as he heard the next line.
“Apex-discipulus, do you promise to honor and uphold the code of the changelings, to protect and defend your Hive, even at the cost of your life?”
“I do.” Apex vowed, his voice sure. Pharynx flicked his tail, leaning down to rest his chin on top of Apex’s head.
“Then, by the powers of our ancestors, I now give you your rank. Apex-discipulus, from this moment on, you will be known as Apex-legatus.”
Gasps could be heard around the room, but though Apex was unsure why the rank was so strange, he paid them no mind. The nymph nuzzled Pharynx’s shoulder, as was tradition, before stepping back. His ruby-red eyes shone with excitement. Pharynx laid a hoof on his shoulder, and he looked up at him, sensing he was going to say something.
“Like me, you hold two ranks now. Apex-dynastes, a Prince of the changelings, and Apex-legatus. The deputy to the General. Bear these titles well.”
Apex nodded in understanding as the other changelings began to cheer, shouting his new title in an excited chant. Apex stood proudly, looking up at Pharynx.
“How come you ma’e me you' depu’y, Avunculus-Pharynx?” he asked quietly, and Pharynx smiled wistfully for a moment, seeming lost in a memory. Finally, he looked down at Apex and answered him.
“Because there’s no one else I trust more.” Pharynx rubbed his head, smiling. Apex giggled, nuzzling him.
“Do… D’you think I coul’ jus’ call you Uncle Pharynx? ‘Stead of Avunculus-Pharynx? So I don’ mix up your ranks?”
Pharynx sighed, but nodded after a moment. “Sure grub.”
Apex beamed, hugging him, and Pharynx hugged back. Thorax trotted up to join them, as a gold-colored reformed nymph with one violet eye and one yellow eye walked up. Thorax lifted up Apex, hugging him.
“I’m so proud of you Apex!” Thorax said, nuzzling him. Apex giggled and nuzzled him.
“Uh, hi Apex-legatus…” the nymph said shyly. Apex looked over and stared in shock as he recognized the nymph.
“Z-Zenith-discipulus?”
“I-It’s Zenith-eques now.” he said, giving Apex a slight smile. “I just wanted to say congratulations.”
Apex jumped down from Thorax’s hooves, his wings catching him. He landed by Zenith and smiled.
“Thanks. ‘M happy you go’ your rank too.” Apex said, smiling and holding out a hoof. “You wanna be frien’s?”
“Sure!” Zenith took his hoof, blushing slightly.
Apex smiled and nuzzled him, then trotted back to Thorax happily. Zenith smiled and trotted off, still blushing, though no one else seemed to notice. Apex, meanwhile, cuddled into Thorax’s hoof, closing his eyes in contentment as Thorax nuzzled him lovingly.
He was finally with his family. A family he could count on and would love and protect him. And he’d do the same for them. Always.