Years before the events of the Young Warrior, Pharynx Elytron is chosen by Aureum in Generali, the Golden General, to be her apprentice.
As a young changeling, Pharynx Elytron was known by all his fellow nymphs as the toughest, most ferocious of them all. And if you touched his brother, you were guaranteed to be beaten up later. When it was time for them to be apprenticed, they all hoped to be picked by the best of the best, the legendary Aureum in Generali, Fortuna-domina. The changeling had never taken an apprentice before, but with two royal children in the newest batch of apprentices, the nymphs were sure she had to make her appearance. Yet, when it was time for the nymphs to be matched with mentors, Fortuna chose Pharynx, the one changeling that they were all sure didn't need the guidance the rest of them deserved.
“Step away from my brother!” a child’s voice rang out amidst the crowded nursery.
Three nymphs quivered in their hooves as a bigger nymph stormed towards them. His piercing eyes were unlike the others’ eyes, a deep lavender color, matching his jagged purple carapace and wings. His small red neckfin was flared up at the group of nymphs.
“W-We were just complimenting his dollies!” one of the nymphs squeaked out in a desperate plea of self-preservation. The older nymph wasn’t having it.
In a flash of transformation magic, the nymph was a roaring bug monster. The beast towered over the younger nymphs, who screeched and fled, crying for their parents. The older nymph transformed back and approached the quivering nymph hiding in the corner.
“Thorax, they’re gone.” he said, voice becoming slightly gentler as he approached.
Thorax peeked out, loosening his hold on the toys he’d been clutching, as though they’d protect him. He stood up and moved to his fellow nymph, smiling at him.
“Thanks Pharynx.” he said, but rather than respond, Pharynx picked up his brother’s hoof and began gently smacking his brother’s cheek with his own hoof.
“Heheh, why are you hitting yourself? Why are you hitting yourself?” he mocked, laughing.
“A-Ack! C-Cut it out Pharynx!” Thorax whimpered, pushing his brother back slightly. Pharynx rolled his eyes and stepped away from him.
“Hmph. They were right, you know.” Pharynx nodded in the direction the bullying nymphs had gone. “You need to have tougher skin.”
“I-I try! I just… I don’t think I’m like that...” Thorax said, and Pharynx rolled his eyes.
“Sure, whatever. But one day you're going to have to stand up for yourself. I won't always be able to protect you, y'know.” Pharynx grabbed his hoof and he flinched. “Come on, mother was looking for us.”
“O-Oh…” Thorax sighed and tucked his dolls into a small hiding place in the wall. Pharynx rolled his eyes again, making a mental note of the spot for later, then dragged him off.
The older nymph pulled his little brother through the winding hallways, as the small changeling somehow always got lost. Thorax always had trouble figuring out the right tunnels to take. Pharynx, on the other hoof, knew the paths instinctually like most changelings. Even as they shifted and morphed to confuse any enemies, he could find the fastest way to any room. Soon enough, they reached the throne room, and Pharynx released Thorax’s hoof.
Pharynx held himself high as he strode past the guards, who bowed to him, as commanded by the Queen. He grinned slightly, fangs bared, letting the soldiers know that their lives were in his hooves if he so chose. He loved to watch them tremble under his gaze. They may be bigger than him, and older. But they weren't the children of the Queen. This time, the image was marred slightly by his younger brother’s nervous squeaking, but Pharynx chose not to acknowledge it as he strode by.
The pathway opened up into a large throne room, and at the back of the room, Chrysalis-regina, Queen of the Changelings, sat tall and stern on her throne. Her head tilted downward slightly in a silent greeting, and Pharynx mimicked the nod in kind.
“Pharynx-puer, Thorax-puer.”
As usual, the Queen greeted her sons formally, using the appropriate suffixes for their names. It was nothing more than business to her, and they were used to it. In some ways, Pharynx respected her for it. Thorax didn't seem to share the same sentiments, but Pharynx hardly expected him to. They were very different creatures, despite being blood.
“My Queen, you summoned us?” Pharynx bowed to the regal changeling, Thorax following his lead.
“Rise.” Chrysalis stood from her throne and walked to them. The two stood up, straightening their stances and looking straight ahead. “Tell me, Pharynx-puer, who are you?”
“Pharynx Elytron-princeps-puer. Son of Chrysalis-regina.” he replied on command.
“Your brother?”
“Thorax Glyder-princeps-puer. Son of Chrysalis-regina.”
“And how old are you two?”
“Five come May.”
“Good.” Chrysalis walked past them, looking out a window nearby. “Come.”
Pharynx trotted towards her obediently, Thorax scrambling to follow. Chrysalis chose not look at them, surveying the territory below for a moment. Pharynx didn't understand what her fascination was with it, to be honest. It was completely barren, had been for as long as any changeling could remember. It was said that the ancient changelings were so love starved they drained the very land of love.
“One day, Pharynx.” Chrysalis spoke at last, and Pharynx looked up at his towering mother. “This kingdom shall be yours. All this land below, yours to rule, as you see fit. Do you know when that day will come?”
“When you pass on, mother?”
“Wrong.” Chrysalis gazed at him, eyes cold. “When you prove yourself worthy. I could be gone for years, you could be ruling with my crown on your head, yet unless you proved yourself you would never truly be King. Do you understand?”
Pharynx’s pupil-less, lavender eyes narrowed, gazing at her with full certainty. “Yes mother. I understand perfectly.”
“Good. You may leave.” Chrysalis told him. Pharynx bowed to her before leaving. Thorax tried to follow him. “Thorax-puer. Stay.”
Thorax whimpered, but Pharynx ignored it, walking out of the throne room.
Pharynx walked down the halls towards the room he and Thorax shared. He knew what his mother meant. Soon, when they were five, they would be apprenticed, and it would be up to Pharynx to prove himself as a worthy and capable warrior drone. If he couldn't, nothing would stop Chrysalis from having to appoint him her heir, they both knew Thorax would never be up to the task. But he would never be truly worthy of the crown unless he was able to show her that he could command an army. First Head General, then, heir to the throne.
Pharynx made it to the room he shared with his brother, stepping inside and sinking into the moss nest they shared. He curled up within it, dozing lightly, and only knew Thorax had returned when he heard sniffling. Pharynx looked up silently, seeing the younger nymph covered in small cuts and bruises. Pharynx ignored Thorax's cries as he gathered some cobwebs and began covering his cuts.
“P-Pharynx?” Thorax whispered, but Pharynx didn’t respond, merely finishing bandaging him up before returning to the nest. “O-Okay… I love you brother.”
Pharynx still said nothing, waiting until he felt his brother crawl into the nest beside him. Only then did he roll over and fall back asleep.
“All changelings old enough to hunt for their own love gather in the throne room for a Hive meeting!”
The female voice that spoke the words rang out through the Hive, and every changeling emerged from the halls to crowd around the rock at the back of the room, where the Head General stood. But Pharynx couldn’t care less about the crowd of excited nymphs and adults that joined him where he had been waiting. He was more intrigued by the changeling that had called for their attention. The female changeling would have looked like any average changeling, if it weren’t for the silvery wings, silver-gold carapace, and yellow neckfin that melded into a golden mane over her eyes. Her brilliantly gold eyes stared down at them all from atop her position on the rock, silently observing the crowd.
“P-Phar, who is that?” Thorax asked, also staring at her, though he seemed more intrigued in her colorful appearance than anything.
“Aureum in generali, Thorax.” Pharynx breathed. “The Golden General. Fortuna Larynx-domina, Head General of the Hive.”
The two nymphs were standing in front of the Head General, along with a small cluster of other nymphs. The General waited for all the other changelings to arrive before continuing.
"Everyling, we are gathered here today to honor the ancestors through the performance of our sacred apprenticeship ritual. Each of these young nymphs you see before you are five years of age, and are ready to learn to defend our Hive. They will be trained by an experienced warrior drone until they are ready to defend their fellow changelings, for the sake of the Hive."
Pharynx sat with his chest puffed out slightly, head raised in dignity and pride. Today, he would be apprenticed to a warrior drone, and begin his training. Pharynx pricked his ears and paid close attention as Cilia, Tibius, Hexia, Mandible, Hunter, Cornicle, and Fema were apprenticed. He needed to know which warriors would be left after they were apprenticed, to calculate his chances of getting a mentor he respected.
“Thorax, you are now five years old and it is time for you to be apprenticed. Until you receive your warrior title, you shall be known to others as Thorax-discipulus. From this day forward, Athrax-eques will be your mentor, until you have reached warrior status.” Fortuna proclaimed, the lilting, almost musical rhythm of her voice somehow soothing the nervous looking nymph.
Thorax moved from his spot beneath the rock and slowly went to the warrior drone he had been assigned to, standing beside him. Pharynx was now the only changeling left, and resisted the urge to buzz his wings. Fortuna had saved Pharynx and his brother for last, there had to be a reason. Fortuna stood from her spot on the rock, flew down to Pharynx, and walked up to him.
“Pharynx. You are now five years old and it is time for you to be apprenticed.” Fortuna said, staring at him deeply. “Until you receive your warrior title, you will be known to others as Pharynx-discipulus. From this day forward…”
Fortuna lowered her head, touching her forehead to his. Pharynx’s eyes widened, this was different from the others’ apprentice ceremonies.
“I shall be your mentor, until you have reached warrior status. I will pass down all I know to you, until you have gained a warrior title.” Fortuna said, and Pharynx bit back a gasp.
With that, the apprentice ceremony was over. Fortuna beckoned for Pharynx to follow her as the others dispersed, and he obeyed. Pharynx followed her silently as she led him down a hallway, until she glanced back at him, her brow arched in question.
“Shall we talk to each other or are we walking in silence?” Fortuna asked, and he blinked.
“You have not given me permission to speak, Fortuna-domina.” Pharynx said simply, staring straight ahead as they walked.
“And why do you refuse to look at me?”
“It is proper to not maintain eye contact unless given permission.”
“You needn’t be so formal, Pharynx. My name is Fortuna, you shall call me that and that only. Besides, it is more proper to ask questions, you’ll learn more.” Fortuna stated, a slight accent dripping into her words.
Pharynx blinked, no one had ever said that to him. “So… F-Fortuna, where are we going?”
“Here.” Fortuna stopped, leading him into the room. Pharynx followed, and his eyes widened.
“Th-The armory?”
Fortuna nodded, leading him through the armory, to a wall of swords. She levitated over a small dagger with a deep blue handle.
“This is to be your starter weapon, I shall show you how to use it during our lessons.” Fortuna told him.
Pharynx nodded, grinning at the dagger as he took it in his own magic, examining it from all sides. Fortuna gained his attention once more with a tap of her hoof.
“I only have one rule, Pharynx-discipulus.”
“Yes, Fortuna-domina?” Pharynx looked up at her, and she tapped a hoof against the side of the blade.
“Only use this – or any weapon you find yourself in possession of, for the defense of the innocent. Never for the harm of the unarmed.”
Pharynx blinked, looking down at the dagger. “But warriors hurt anyone who gets in their way. It is what mother taught me.”
“Your mother is a respectable leader, but no one is right all the time. Never attack if someone is innocent, that is my rule, and as you are my apprentice, I expect you to follow it. Do you understand?”
“...Yes, Fortuna-domina.” Pharynx agreed.
“Good. Now return to your den, our training shall begin tomorrow.” Fortuna told him, heading for the entrance of the armory. “Would you like me to walk you there?”
“I know my way around the Hive.” Pharynx dismissed, before gripping the dagger's hilt in his teeth and leaving the room, grinning. He didn’t know how to properly use the dagger yet, but already he knew he looked fierce holding it like this.
Pharynx quickly made it back to his room, seeing Thorax curled up in the nest, whimpering. Pharynx set down the dagger and stroked the handle with great care, before walking over, adopting a bored look.
“What’s wrong with you, wimp?”
“A-Athrex-eques is scary…” Thorax whimpered. “I-I don’t know if I can do this, h-he said so many things, I-I don't want to be his apprentice...”
“Well you better be able to do this, Thorax. You know what happens when mother gets… disappointed.” Pharynx chuckled, grinning at his brother’s terrified look. He couldn't wait for his training tomorrow.
Pharynx struggled and snarled from his position on the ground. A single hole-filled hoof was holding him down in the sandy hollow where they were training. Fortuna looked down at him from above, not moving her hoof as she spoke.
“You see Pharynx, this is why you must play to your strengths. With the way you attack blindly you’re ought to get killed one day.” Fortuna told him.
“Grrr…” Pharynx bit down on her hoof, and she released him. He was on all fours again immediately, glaring at her sharply. “Mother says in order to get what you want, you need to attack with whatever idea comes to mind.”
“Well, that’s an easy way to get sent to the Hospital Wing, or worse, a grave, isn’t it?”
“It works for her.”
“It works for her because she has not had to fight anyone herself since the old days. Even if she did, sooner or later it will come back to bite her. It will for you too if you continue to employ the strategy.” Fortuna warned him. “Come now, you’ve been training a while, let’s sit and talk.”
Pharynx resisted the urge to roll his eyes and followed his mentor over to their water canteens. She gave him his and he sat down, taking a drink. Fortuna sat beside him.
“Pharynx, why won’t you play to your strengths like I told you to?”
“I am.” Pharynx said stubbornly, putting his canteen down. “I’m being ferocious and snarling and biting. But you won’t let me transform.”
“You shouldn’t rely on it.”
“But my monster form can scare anyone!” Pharynx argued
“One day you’ll meet someone who isn’t scared of monsters, and then where will you be?”
“I’ll fight them in my monster form, then they’ll be scared.” Pharynx grinned. “Mother says that a transformation is a changeling’s greatest asset, and that the greatest strengths are the ones that cause harm.”
“Transformation is a valuable skill, but it shan’t be relied on like an extra leg, Pharynx-discipulus. That’s mad. Your greatest strengths are ones you’ve yet to discover. Strength needn’t be physical.”
Pharynx raised a brow at her, tilting his head in confusion. “What?”
“Take your brother for instance. What strengths has he got?” Fortuna asked
“None.”
“He has strengths, Pharynx.” Fortuna laughed softly, and Pharynx gave her a look.
“How is screaming and hiding a strength? Because that’s all he does whenever there's a threat.”
“Thorax’s strength is he knows when to back down.” Fortuna stated, looking at Pharynx. “He can recognize a fight he can’t win, so he hides from it to save himself.”
“He’s a coward.”
“He’s smart. You rush into battles without thinking and only win by transforming.” Fortuna gave him a soft jab. “But if you couldn’t transform, you’d end up badly hurt and lose. Your brother knows he can’t win, so he hides, he’s smart enough to know it would stop him getting injured.”
Pharynx couldn’t help rolling his eyes. “Whatever.”
“Pharynx-discipulus, you need to understand the strengths you have.”
“I do understand my strengths.”
“No, you understand that flailing your hooves and biting on random limbs will get you free if you hit hard enough. That is not your strength.”
“Then what do you think it is?”
“At this point, it is your size.” Fortuna reached and gave his head a gentle pat, making him squeak very uncharacteristically. Fortuna chuckled. “You see, with your size as a nymph, you could slip past any attacks and come at your enemy from below.”
Pharynx had to pause for a minute to find a retort. It was actually a smart idea, but...
“But mother said-”
“Pharynx-discipulus, I’m going to tell you something important about your mother.” Fortuna picked up the much smaller changeling and locked eyes with him. “Yes, your mother is the Queen, and she gives us orders that we must obey. But that doesn’t make her right.”
“What?”
“Just because someling tells you something and seems certain in what they say, it doesn’t mean they’re right. You can’t believe everything you hear, it’s not always going to be true. It doesn’t matter how much authority someone has, during at least one time in their life they’re going to be wrong about something.”
“By that logic you can be wrong too, though.” Pharynx retorted.
“But am I making sense?”
“I guess… but mother makes sense too.”
“Think of it this way; when she says those things to you, they make sense, right?”
“Yes…?”
“What about when she says those things to Thorax?”
“He tells me later that violence is never the answer.”
“Exactly. It’s all just your mother’s opinion on what strengths are. Opinions can be different.”
“But she’s not wrong.”
“In your opinion. In my opinion, your strengths are unique to you, and can change over time. Right now, your strengths are your size, your agility, and your bravery. And which of us is the mentor here?”
“...You.”
“Exactly, Phary.” Fortuna said, smirking at him.
“D-Don’t call me that!” Pharynx said, blushing in embarrassment.
“Why not?”
“I-I said so.” Pharynx said, pouting.
“If you say so, young prince.” Fortuna set him down. “Any more questions?"
"Yes actually. Why do you keep talking like that?" Pharynx asked, and Fortuna chuckled.
"My mother was stationed in Canterlot before she had me. Spent some time at university and such for a part of the mission. She picked up a spot of their dialect and when I came round, she passed it on to me. I don't really use it in public, but I've decided to make an exception for you."
"So... it's like, a family thing?" Pharynx's brow furrowed in confusion.
"I suppose you could say that." Fortuna smiled and tapped his nose, making the nymph yelp in surprise. "Come along then Phary, let’s work on a better move, given your actual strengths.”
Fortuna set the nymph down at last and stood up, walking into the sandy area once more. Pharynx followed her, trying not to think about how she’d called him ‘Phary’. He didn’t want to admit how much he liked it. It seemed almost… maternal? He thought that might be the word for it, it wasn’t like he knew, his mother never did anything like that.
“I did, ‘Tuney.” Pharynx retorted, but she didn’t seem fazed.
“Good, I’m glad. Dodging is an integral part of warrior training.”
“Yeah yeah… you didn’t have to walk me back to my room.”
“I want a word with your brother, Athrex-eques has told me he’s not much enthused with his training.”
“I could’ve told you why. He’s a wimp and thinks violence is worthless.”
“I am aware of your view on the matter, Phary, I’d rather have his perspective.”
Pharynx had gotten used to the nickname by now, though he hoped she wouldn’t let Thorax hear it, he didn’t need his sissy brother calling him ‘Phary’. He’d do it all the time, not just when they were alone, and Pharynx would never hear the end of it.
“This is our room. Wimp’s around here somewhere.” Pharynx said as they entered the room, but his eyes widened as soon as he saw what was inside.
A trail of blood was leading to a corner of their room, and a beat up, nearly unconscious Thorax was lying there.
“Thorax!” Pharynx raced over, nudging him. “Thorax, get up! C-Come on you wimp, get up!”
“Give him room, Pharynx.” Fortuna ordered, walking over calmly. She knelt down and gently picked up Thorax, cradling him.
Pharynx raced to one of the holes in the wall and pulled out a first aid kit, dragging it back to Fortuna, who picked it up.
“Thank you Phary. Here, let’s have a bonus lesson.” Fortuna said, laying Thorax down between them and opening the first aid kit. “Watch closely.”
Pharynx nodded, biting his lip in unabashed concern as he stared at his injured brother. Fortuna withdrew a roll of bandages, a cloth, and a bundle of cobwebs, then heading over to Thorax. As she began to wipe away the blood, she quizzed Pharynx on which herbs to use. Her voice was gentle and calm the whole time, even when they discovered a large gash on the back of Thorax’s head.
Surprisingly, by the time Fortuna was done, Pharynx felt calmer. The lesson, he realized dimly, had been her way of distracting him from the fact that his brother was badly hurt, calming him down. Fortuna lifted up Thorax and laid him gently in the brothers’ nest, and Pharynx ran over, nudging his brother as gently as possible.
“Thorax…?”
The nymph stirred, eyes opening slowly. “P-Pharynx?”
“Thorax, it’s me, Fortuna.” Fortuna leaned down and knelt beside him. “Could you tell me what you remember?”
Thorax whimpered, coughing slightly. “I-I told mother I-I’m s-scared of Athrex-eques… I-I told her th-that the reason I was doing badly w-was because he k-keeps telling me the only way for a warrior to win is to attack every pony in sight… I-I called it bad strategy… a-and he told mother…”
Fortuna reached and rubbed his back. “It will be alright Thorax, Phary and I are here. I’ve patched you up, so have a little nap, okay? You’re safe.”
Thorax nodded, then blinked and looked at Pharynx. “Wait… ‘Phary’?”
Pharynx glared at Fortuna, who giggled softly. He then looked at Thorax, who was strangely smiling.
“P-Phary… I like that…” Thorax giggled and closed his eyes. “Night Phary…”
“Fortuna!” Pharynx hissed, but she wasn’t staring off into space. He prodded her on the shoulder. “‘Tuney!”
Fortuna stood up and looked at Pharynx. “Pharynx, has Thorax been injured before?”
Pharynx blinked, taken aback, but nodded. “Y-Yeah… it’s fine though, mother doesn’t usually hurt him badly enough to knock him out for more than a few hours.”
“Pharynx, that is not okay.” Fortuna snapped at him, and he blinked in surprise. “This isn’t okay. Thorax is terrified of her-”
“As he should be, mother is to be feared and worshipped.”
“By her subjects if she must have it that way. Not her own sons.” Fortuna told him. “Pharynx, Thorax shouldn’t be hurt like this, it’s wrong.”
“But mother doesn’t think it’s wrong. She says that we must prove ourselves through our strength and power to become her successor. I do. I am free to go. Thorax doesn’t. He gets punished.”
“That’s wrong too. Remember what I told you Pharynx? Everyone is wrong sometimes.”
“Then you could be wrong! You could be wrong right now! How do I know you’re not?!” Pharynx asked, voice raising as he stood, glaring and snarling at her.
“Pharyn-”
“No! Tell me! Tell me how you’re not wrong! Tell me-”
“Because that’s not what a mother should act like!”
Pharynx froze, then stopped to observe the female. Fortuna was now on her hooves, glaring at him, her breath coming out in ragged pants. He could taste high levels of stress from her. She glared at him, her golden eyes piercing into his.
“A mother should not feed her children lies about how strength equals violence. A mother should not tell her children the only way to prove themselves is through gaining physical strength! A mother should not put her children down because they don’t meet her expectations!”
Fortuna began breathing faster, and Pharynx watched her in concern as she tried to control her breaths. Fortuna finally managed to calm down, and straightened up, looking at Thorax with tears in her eyes.
“...A mother should never beat her own children to the brink of death.” she stated. Pharynx looked at his brother, genuine concern hitting him hard.
“B-But mother-”
“Is no mother.” Fortuna lifted his chin. “Phary, don’t listen to her, please. All she does is tell you lies.”
“Then who am I supposed to listen to, oh great and wise one?” Pharynx snarked, glaring at her.
“That’s your own decision.” Fortuna hugged him. “But let me just tell you one thing. You are not your mother.”
“What?”
“You are not Chrysalis. You share her blood, but that doesn’t mean you are her. You needn’t be like her.”
“But she wants me to be the next king.”
“Because she believes that’s what you were born to be, what she raised you to believe you would be. But I don’t think it’s what you want. What do you want, Pharynx?”
“I…” Pharynx closed his eyes, then looked up at her, purple eyes stern with certainty. “I want to be Head General. Like you. I don’t want to sit around and give orders. I want to be at the front of the battle.”
“Then that is what you shall be. Fate can only take us so far. It is your abilities that will carry you beyond your mother’s short-sighted expectations, Phary. You shall serve the Hive as a devoted general. Not because you were forced to. But because you want to.”
Pharynx smiled softly, then looked at Thorax. “U-Uh… Fortuna, can you stay tonight? I-uh, I think Thorax would feel safer.”
Fortuna smiled and led him over to the nest. “Alright, I can stay.”
“Now, remember Pharynx, we’re to patrol the Hive today, and we won’t expect to cross any other changeling patrols. That means we must be on alert and focused on our surroundings.” Fortuna reminded the nymph as they made their way through the undergrowth at the very edge of their territory. It was the only land there that wasn't barren, and Pharynx liked the vegetation, it made him feel like he was on the hunt.
“I know, Fortuna-domina, ma’am.” Pharynx responded to her, walking beside his mentor sternly. Fortuna nodded at him in approval.
“Brilliant. Now, as you know, winter is coming. What does that mean?”
“Hibernation.”
“Exactly. So we have to do a good job at patrolling in the next few weeks, before the borders will be left unguarded through the winter.”
“I understand that it’s a big responsibility, Tuney, but I can handle it.” Pharynx dismissed.
“Oh, is that so?” Fortuna chuckled. “Hey Phary.”
“Yes?”
“Why not practice pouncing on that leaf just there?” Fortuna asked, and Pharynx looked over at it.
“But I can pounce on a full-sized bird and kill it in one minute.” Pharynx said, looking up at her. “Why would I pounce on something that won’t even run?”
“Because it’s fun to act your age.” Fortuna said
“I am acting my age!”
“No you’re not.” Fortuna cuffed him around the ears. “You may be growing up but you’re still a nymph. You’re not yet an adult. So show me Phary, how does a nymph pounce on a leaf?”
“They don’t.”
“Phary… come off it, you know what they say, all work and no play makes for a dull colt.”
“Then I’m dull. I don’t have time for playing. Training and beating up the dummies that try to hurt my brother is a full time job.” Pharynx said stubbornly.
“Oh come on, not even just one quick game?”
“You said yourself that we had to be vigilant.”
“True, but I didn’t say we couldn’t play.” Fortuna grabbed a leaf and threw it at him, giggling as it fluttered to the ground harmlessly.
“For a General you sure do act like a larvae.” Pharynx remarked, trying to hide a smirk.
“It’s all in good fun Phary. Go on, you try.”
Pharynx raised a brow, and she nudged him.
“Remember when I taught you to play chess?”
“Yes, I won.” he said proudly, grinning at her. Fortuna just gave him a smirk.
“After how many rounds?”
Pharynx hesitated. “...Ten.”
“Exactly. You lost the first nine times, but it was fun, wasn’t it?”
“I-I guess so…”
“There are all different kinds of fun.” Fortuna reminded him. “Some changelings like to read, others like to play mind games like chess, and others like to run around as though they were carefree and young nymphs again.”
“Well, I prefer mind games then.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy running around. You like sparring, right?”
“Yes?”
“It’s active and you’re running and jumping, right?” Fortuna pressed, and Pharynx nodded. “It’s similar to playing for you.”
Pharynx could tell where she was going with this, and he knew he wanted no part in it. “‘Tuney, stop it, that isn’t going to work.”
“Oh, it’s not, is it? I guess I’ll have to teach you another lesson then.”
“What?”
“Always enter a fight with a Plan B!” Fortuna then tackled him, causing him to fall over with a shriek.
“‘T-Tuney!” Pharynx exclaimed, and was about to start struggling, but then he realized something. Fortuna was hardly holding him down, her muscles were relaxed, and there was still a playful smile on her face.
“Is something wrong, Phary?”
"Tuney, I can get up easily, why are you holding me down?”
“So I can do this!” Fortuna leaned down and nipped him up by the back of his neck, beginning to carry him off proudly, like a warrior boasting their catch.
“H-Hey! P-Put me down!” Pharynx protested, wiggling. Fortuna giggled and hoisted him higher.
“Why, look, I’ve caught the elusive Phary Elytron! Only one of its kind, how rare!”
“‘Tuney!” Pharynx turned red, struggling. “Put me down!”
“Blimey, he’s a feisty one!” Fortuna said, grinning. Pharynx squealed and struggled. “But he’s not strong enough to break free from Aureum in generali!”
Pharynx crossed his hooves, pouting as he was carried off by his mentor. She continued patrolling for a little while longer, all while Pharynx dangled from her grasp. Then, as Pharynx closed his eyes, succumbing to his mentor’s teasing hold on him, something cold touched his nose.
“Eeek!” He opened his eyes, looking around. “T-Tuney, what was that?”
Fortuna chuckled and set him down. “Look up, Phary.”
Pharynx blinked and looked up, seeing a cloud of tiny white flakes. One floated down and landed on his nose. Pharynx yelped, then licked it off, swiping his tongue across his muzzle.
“Tuney, it’s cold!” Pharynx exclaimed, and Fortuna chuckled. “What? What is it?”
“It’s called snow. It came a little earlier this year, it usually only comes during hibernation.” Fortuna looked around. “It’ll cover the whole of the territory soon.”
“But it’s tiny!”
“Sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest difference.” Fortuna told him calmly, and he blinked.
Pharynx looked around in wonder, staring at the white flecks. He reached out to a falling snowflake, then tapped his hoof against it. It hit the ground, and a chill wind caused a few more to swirl around. Pharynx’s eyes widened, then, he let a giggle slip out.
Before he knew it, he was leaping and giggling, batting at the snowflakes. He growled playfully, trying to touch each and every one. Suddenly, he was brought back to reality by the sound of laughing. He turned red and looked over, seeing his mentor rolling in a thin layer of snow, laughing loudly.
“H-Hey! ‘Tuney, stop laughing!”
“Aw, but you’re so cute!”
“I-I am not!!” Pharynx whined, and Fortuna sat up, laughing still.
“Heheh, sure, sure. Are you having fun, at least?”
“...Y-Yes…” Pharynx admitted quietly. Fortuna stood up, walking to him.
“Then that’s all that matters. Come on, let’s see if we can do some hunting while we finish this patrol.”
“You did a good job today, Phary.” Fortuna told Pharynx, as they rested near the training sand pit.
“What are you talking about? I kept messing up the dodge and leap.” Pharynx corrected, raising his head slightly and buzzing his wings.
He’d gotten bigger lately, having had a couple molts, as had Thorax. They were thirteen years old now, and Pharynx knew he was nearing the end of his training. He had a feeling, since Fortuna had been taking him on more patrols and going over what he already knew, rather than showing him new things.
“Yes, but you’re improving. You just need more practice.” Fortuna remarked.
“Then let’s practice now.”
“We need to let our bodies rest and our minds wander-”
“If we are to faster end up in armor.” Pharynx finished for her, sighing. “But Fortuna-”
“No buts, mister.” Fortuna took a sip from her canteen. “Let’s have a talk for a bit. Shoot the breeze. How’s your brother doing?”
“Horrible.” Pharynx replied simply, rolling his eyes. “He still refuses to fight back, and when Athrex-eques takes him on hunts he refuses to drain ponies or set snares.”
“Hm…” Fortuna looked off into the distance. “It seems to be more than a lack of confidence or lack of ability… I think he’s just… not interested in the warrior’s life.”
“You don't think I know that? But I’ve already told him he should try being a medic like Cilia-discipula. He said blood makes him queasy. The one thing he’s really good at besides turning into a rock to hide is taking care of nymphs.” Pharynx told her, and Fortuna glanced over with a questioning look. “Mother… Chrysalis once had us take over for her when it was time for the naming ceremony of the nymphs. Thorax enjoyed it.”
“As much as I would encourage it, most nursery drones are female.” Fortuna reminded him.
“I know that!” Pharynx huffed and laid his head between his forelegs. “The wimp is going to end up rankless, and Chrysalis will have his chitin.”
“I know.” Fortuna sighed. “If I’d been allowed two apprentices, I’d have taken you both on. It would have been easier on Thorax than Athrex teaching him.”
“How is it decided, anyway?” Pharynx asked
“You can find out when you become a warrior.” Fortuna told him, winking.
“Wait…”
“Your assessment is two days from now. Enough time to perfect anything you think needs improvement, if you train hard.”
“H-How…? I'm only thirteen.”
“I convinced the Queen you deserved to move up in rank early.” Fortuna replied
Pharynx grinned with delight. Finally, he would get to be what he’d always dreamed. He may not be Head General yet, but surely Fortuna would step down at some point, and retire to the Elder Drone’s quarters. Then, once she had held the initiation ceremony for him, he’d get his shot.
“Thanks mo-” Pharynx broke off, clearing his throat. “Fortuna-domina, ma’am.”
“Oh come now, you can’t throw me off with formalities, Phary. What was it you were going to say?” Fortuna asked, grinning.
“...M-Mom…” Pharynx admitted, and Fortuna chuckled.
“Was that so hard?”
“You’re not my mother.”
“And yet you nearly called me mum.” Fortuna said, and Pharynx looked away. “Oh come now Pharynx, you can trust me, you know that.”
“You’re not-”
“Pharynx, it does not matter who you are related to by blood or not.” Fortuna laid a hoof on his shoulder. “What makes someone family is whether or not you care about them. You care about your brother, so he is family.”
Pharynx looked up at her, and she brushed her golden mane away from her face to look at him deeply.
“One day, Pharynx, you’ll have created your own family, of the ones who you care for deeply, and you would do anything to protect them. You would sacrifice yourself for them, if you must.”
Pharynx closed his eyes, thinking. He had never really considered that he could have a family other than the one he was born into. But if blood didn’t matter… then maybe… Pharynx opened his eyes and smiled softly.
“Would you be my family, mom?” he asked quietly.
“I already am, son.” Fortuna replied, smiling at him. Pharynx smiled back softly. He swore he could see tears in his mentor's eyes as she brought him in for a hug.
---------------------------------------
“The time has come for this apprentice to receive his next rank.” Fortuna announced to the crowd beneath the rock where she sat.
Pharynx sat at the very front, his brother beside him. Thorax was smiling with delight, while Pharynx puffed his chest out in pride, just as he had so many years ago, when they were made apprentices. Only now, Pharynx was becoming a warrior.
“Pharynx-discipulus, come here.” Fortuna said, hopping down from the rock as he stood, walking to her. “I, Fortuna-domina, Head General of the Hive, ask our ancestors to look down at this apprentice. He has trained hard throughout his apprenticeship to understand the ways of your noble code. Now, I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn.”
Fortuna locked eyes with Pharynx, who stood a little straighter.
“Pharynx-discipulus, do you promise to honor and uphold to the code of changelings, and protect and defend the Hive, even at the cost of your life?”
“I do.” Pharynx said firmly.
“Then by the powers of the ancestors, I give you your rank. Pharynx-discipulus, from this moment on, you shall be known as Pharynx-legatus, Deputy to the General.” Fortuna spoke, and Pharynx’s eyes widened.
“Deputy?” he whispered, as Fortuna ended the ceremony. He walked over to her, questioning in his eyes.
“You like my surprise?” Fortuna chuckled
“Why deputy?”
“Pharynx, it is customary for the current general to train their future successor, and to name that successor their deputy.” Fortuna told him, smiling. “What else did you think would happen?”
Pharynx hesitated, then moved closer and hugged her briefly. “Thank you, mother…”
Fortuna smiled and hugged him back, though he pulled back quickly. “You’re welcome, son.”
Pharynx heard his former mentor mutter as she fired another crossbow arrow at an attacking guard.
“I know a worse one.” Pharynx remarked, somersaulting in midair to buck a guard out of his way. Once he made sure Fortuna was looking at him, he pointed a little ways above them.
Thorax was hovering in the air nervously, eyes roaming the battlefield, showing nothing but pure terror. Fortuna sighed and punched a guard out of her way, flying to Pharynx. The male changeling was fifteen now, and nearly matched her in height, evidenced by the way she no longer had to look down at him to look him in the eye.
“We shouldn’t have let Athrex bring him.” Pharynx muttered. “For Thorax’s own good.”
“I know.” Fortuna replied, dodging a fired spell. “But we can’t do much about it now, except protect him. Remember this, Pharynx-”
“Is now the best time for a lesson?” Pharynx asked, and she smirked.
“You know me Phary, I can turn anything into a lesson.” she chuckled. “The lesson is short though, it’s only four words.”
“What then?” Pharynx asked, giving a lunging pegasus an uppercut that sent him reeling backwards.
“Always protect your brother.” Fortuna replied, kicking a guard away. “Not just him. A good warrior always defends those that can’t defend themselves. From the tiniest nymph to the oldest elder. Protect them without fail, and cherish the bonds you form with those who you care for.”
“I will Fortuna, I promise.” Pharynx swore, giving her a slight smile, right as they heard a familiar shriek.
“Speaking of protecting-Thorax!” Fortuna shot off, and Pharynx didn’t need to look far to see why.
Thorax had been surrounded by five guards, who were all armed. Worse, Athrex was nearby, only fighting one guard, and yet he did nothing. It made Pharynx feel a boiling cauldron of rage deep in his chest. He wanted to rush over and slam the guard away from Athrex to finish the job himself. But he had just made a promise to Fortuna that he needed to fulfill.
Pharynx raced forward and barreled towards the guards, snarling at them and firing his crossbow. He managed to drive two off, and Fortuna tackled a third. Thorax peeked out behind him.
“Thanks Pharynx…” Thorax whispered
“Eyes on your surroundings, Thorax, not me.” Pharynx ordered. “If you’re going to be here you’ll work best as a scout.”
“That’s what I told Athrex, but he insisted I-ahhh!”
Thorax broke off with a shriek as a magic blast hit him in the side and forced him away from Pharynx. Pharynx spun around and fired an arrow at the unicorn who had cast the spell, then turned around, looking for his brother. His eyes widened.
Thorax was struggling, pinned against the side of a building by a pegasus guard. Pharynx shot towards him, but a golden blur flashed by him before he could get there.
“Fortuna, no-!” Pharynx tried to call for her, but Fortuna was already there.
The General knocked the guard away, biting into his shoulder underneath his armor to drag him away. He howled in pain and struggled to free himself, but she held on tight. Thorax dropped from the wall, but Pharynx made it in time to catch him so he wouldn’t fall to the ground. He held his brother, supporting the smaller changeling as he tried to force his now bent wings to work. Pharynx’s eyes widened in terror as he realized all he could do now was watch his mentor.
The Royal Guard grabbed Fortuna by the shoulder and tossed her at the side of a building. Fortuna hit it headfirst, but managed to recover, growling threateningly at the stallion. The guard lunged again and slammed her into the building again, pinning her there. Then, before Pharynx could even register what was happening, Fortuna’s wings stopped buzzing, and she fell limp. Pharynx snarled and grabbed Thorax’s hoof, preparing to drag his brother over to save his mentor.
But just as he prepared to leap at the guard, something hit him in the side. A huge pink shield that burned like the sun had collided with him, and seemingly every other changeling, as the Royal Guards were unfazed. Pharynx howled in pain and heard Thorax screaming as well, his hooves flailing for his brother. Pharynx felt himself being thrown out of the city, instinctively grabbing Thorax and pulling him into his hooves, holding him protectively. The light was blinding, but Pharynx still raised his head, frantically searching for a glimpse of the golden mane, a shimmer of silver wings…
The last thing Pharynx saw before he was flung out of reach was his mentor’s body being forcefully tossed towards a forest in the distance. He reached a hoof out for her helplessly, hearing a scream that he only later registered to be his own. Thorax’s weight dragged him down, and he screwed his eyes shut, bracing for impact and holding his brother tightly.
The brothers landed hard on the ground not long after they left the city's limits. By the time they had recovered from their daze and sat up, they were scraped up and covered in dirt. But Pharynx didn’t care, and spat out his own blood before scrambling up from the dent they had made in the earth. He took off running, heading back towards the mountain city in the distance, determined to track Fortuna down. He could hear his brother getting up behind him, but paid no attention.
“Pharynx, wait!”
“I have to find her!”
“Pharynx, please! I-It’s too late-!”
“No it’s not!” Pharynx yelled, glaring at his brother, who was limping towards him. He continued running, not caring at the moment if his brother followed or not. “Fortuna! Fortuna!!”
---------------------------------------
Pharynx moved through the Hive, hooves instinctively guiding him to his room. He could scarcely believe that just a few days ago, Fortuna had been there, with all her wisdom, guidance, and power, and now…
Now she was gone. They never found her body, and were forced to merely put up a marker in the place where they would have buried her. Within main room of the Veteran’s Hall, with all the other great warriors long past, the single wooden post stood. Pharynx gritted his teeth, adjusting the strap of the saddlebags he wore. They were Fortuna’s.
Fortuna had apparently left most of her things to Pharynx, and among those things was her title as Head General. Pharynx had just had his naming ceremony. But this time, he had been numb through it all. No pride leapt into his chest as Chrysalis dubbed him the new General, not like it had when Fortuna had made him deputy. Though his brother offered him his congratulations, Pharynx knew it was also laced with sadness. Fortuna had been well known and though sometimes her ideals were not shared by others, the Hive respected her, and many of Pharynx’s fellow warriors had loved her company.
Pharynx entered his room, dropping the saddlebags, causing a few things to spill. One was a hoofband with the lesbian flag colors, another was a dagger with a deep blue hilt, and the last was a photo of Fortuna and himself. Pharynx gritted his teeth at the sight of the things, and put them back in the saddlebags.
“Pharynx?” Thorax caught his attention from where he was sitting in their nest. “D-Did you get everything?”
“Yes…” Pharynx walked over and flopped down into the nest, closing his eyes despite not being tired. He felt Thorax laying down beside him. “Everything I could.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, some of it is being put in the Veteran's Hall, that's probably the stuff she left to you... but... Fortuna left me her name, Thorax.” Pharynx admitted, tasting his brother’s surprise.
“H-Her name?”
“Yes… I don’t know what to do with it, but… I’m going to cherish it.” Pharynx told him.
“I-I’m really sorry Pharynx, if I hadn’t… she wouldn’t be…”
“It’s not your fault Thorax.” Pharynx opened his eyes and looked up at his brother. That's right, he didn’t blame him. Thorax hadn’t chosen to be attacked, and Fortuna had always taught him that some things can’t have assigned blame. She wouldn’t want him to be mad at his brother, he knew that. “You didn’t ask to join the invasion.”
“I guess…” Thorax whimpered softly, giving him a sad smile. “Remember when Fortuna brought me with you to training that one time, and I hid underneath her while you practiced with your dagger?”
Pharynx chuckled dryly. “Yeah, I remember. You were convinced it was going to end up in your head.”
Thorax blushed. “What about when she took you on patrol for the first time? You seemed so happy when you got back.”
“True… or when she taught me how to play chess…” Pharynx trailed off, closing his eyes again.
“I miss her too, Phar.” Thorax whispered, pressing against him.
“I know.”
With that, the room was silent. Pharynx did his best to fall asleep, but couldn't help shifting uncomfortably. Things just weren't the same anymore. Thorax suddenly pressed close against the older changeling, wrapping a hoof around his brother. Pharynx stopped moving, pressed against Thorax, and took deep breaths to calm himself.
Slowly, the fifteen year old, brand new Head General of the Hive, fell asleep.
Pharynx sighed as he and Thorax walked away from the Veteran’s Hall. It hadn’t been easy going in. Five years later and he still winced whenever he entered the place. Then the one time he'd worked up the nerve to enter it, he hadn’t been there to visit Fortuna, though he wished he could have.
“It was very noble of you to agree to train Apex.” Thorax told his brother.
“Whatever. I only did it because he shows promise.” Pharynx remarked
“Well, I think Fortuna would have been proud-”
“Don’t say her name.” Pharynx snapped at him, before stalking ahead of his brother. “I’ll be in the training hollow.”
“O-Oh, okay Pharynx, see you later.”
Pharynx left Thorax unanswered. Though he did head for the training hollow outside at first, he soon felt his hooves changing direction. He closed his eyes, walking into the room as if on instinct. The armory was the same as it always was, but Pharynx paid the weapons no mind.
He headed to the very back of the room, looking at the wall of swords. It had seemed like only yesterday he was here with the Head General, the changeling who he didn’t yet know he would come to love as his mother. Pharynx sighed and moved past the swords, to a single crossbow mounted on the wall.
He had insisted it be placed here, and he couldn’t believe his mother had consented. Fortuna’s old crossbow. Pharynx lifted it up off the wall, holding it gently. Her name was inscribed in the hoofhold, and the edges were tipped with gold. A silver arrow lay in the arrow fodder, polished enough so Pharynx could see his reflection in it.
Pharynx closed his eyes as memories swirled through his mind. He remembered it all.
Their first training session
When she taught him that his mother wasn’t always right.
When she stayed with him and his brother whenever Thorax was hurt.
Their first patrol together.
When he first called her mom.
When they prepared for the invasion, and talked casually about Fortuna’s interest in the current medic, Nalia-medica.
And then…
Pharynx clutched the crossbow tighter. He didn’t want to remember it. And yet it came anyway. The sickening thud of her body hitting the wall… the burning pain of the shield… her body flying beyond his reach… the screaming…
Those ponies. Pharynx swore under his breath and looked down at the crossbow, not realizing tears were streaming down his face.
“They took her from me.” he whispered hoarsely, snarling. “They took her from us!”
Pharynx roared in frustration, screwing his eyes shut. He choked back a sob. Those ponies had taken a life that could have been long and happy. A life that could have had children, a family… a life that he could have known as his mother.
For that, Pharynx would never forgive them. He placed the crossbow back on its mount and pressed a hoof against it.
“I promise, mom.” he whispered. “I’m never going to forgive them, I’m never going to trust them again. They will pay for what they did to you. I swear on my life. I. Will. End. Them.”
With that, Pharynx stormed out of the armory. He knew, in the back of his mind, that Fortuna wouldn’t have wanted this. She had always taught him to only attack those who attack first, not the innocent.
“Well, mom, he attacked me first by killing you.” Pharynx murmured to himself, heading for his room. “In a way, this is returning the favor.”
Pharynx could no longer feel anything. Just hot, boiling rage. He would find the pony responsible, and kill them. No, he’d kill their mother. See how much they like it.
“Sir?”
The voice drove Pharynx out of his thoughts, and he turned around, seeing the nymph he’d agreed to train. Somehow, the sight of the tiny creature melted away his rage. The innocent little thing scuffed his hoof on the floor.
“Yes, Apex-puer?” He asked.
“I-I was jus’ gonna ask you why you looked upse’… you don’ haf’a tell me.” he said quietly.
Pharynx sighed and beckoned for Apex to follow him. Apex did, and Pharynx led him towards his room. He walked in, looking around, and was glad Thorax was nowhere in sight. He sat down at the edge of the nest, and levitated over a saddlebag.
“Apex, do you know who Fortuna is?” Pharynx asked
“She’s Au’eum in gene’ali. My mommy tol’ me i’ means The Golden Gen’ral.”
“That’s right.” Pharynx closed his eyes. “I was very close with her.”
“My mommy sai’ she was really nice, an’ the grea’es’.” Apex added
“She really was.” Pharynx said, sighing. “Do you know where she is now?”
Apex tilted his head in confusion at Pharynx.
“She’s with your parents.” Pharynx explained, and Apex’s ears drooped. “It’s okay little one.”
“B-Bu’ aren’ you sad?”
“I never will not be.” Pharynx opened the saddlebags and withdrew the picture of himself and Fortuna, setting it before the nymph. “She was in a way my second mother. She practically raised my brother and I, and taught me everything I know.”
Apex picked up the picture, looking at him. “You’e smiling in i’.”
“Because I was with Fortuna.” Pharynx laid down on his stomach, Sphinx-style. Apex stepped closer. “She brought out the best in me, she was and always will be more than just my mentor.”
“I-Is she why you ‘greed to men’or me?”
“Partly.” Pharynx sighed, then reached into the saddlebag, withdrawing a gleaming dagger with a deep blue handle. “She gave me this when I was your age.”
Apex looked at it in fascination, reaching a hoof to graze the silvery metal. Pharynx took the nymph’s tiny hoof and placed the dagger in it.
“I think it’s time it was passed on to the next apprentice.” he told Apex softly. “Use it well.”
“I will Pharynx-dominus, sir!” Apex said, clutching the dagger close. Pharynx nodded.
“Good.” For a moment, Pharynx contemplated giving Apex the same rule Fortuna gave him. But then again, she had followed the rule herself and look where it led her. “...You may go now, Apex. You need to prepare yourself for the apprentice ceremony.”
“Yes sir.” Apex nodded and clutched the dagger in one hoof, walking out. Pharynx sighed, closing his eyes.
He knew Fortuna would be proud of him for taking on an apprentice at last. He’d been a warrior for seven years and never had one. Now he did. But she would have wanted him to tell his apprentice what she told him, he knew that.
Pharynx laid down in the nest and pulled the saddlebags over, taking out the lesbian hoofband and holding it in his hooves. As he stared blankly at the worn out hoofband, he tried to tell himself not telling Apex had been the right choice. He didn’t need another innocent going down the same path Fortuna had.
Pharynx had been patrolling the edge of the forest. The Everfree Forest, ponies called it. At least, that’s what the infiltration scouts had said. But Pharynx merely knew it as the forest where he had seen his mentor fall.
Yes, it was the same forest. Every piece of the memory was bored into his mind. He’d never forget, and never did. Upon arriving at the forest he’d scouted the near area for her body, but he hadn’t expected to find anything. And he didn’t. Her body was long gone, if it was in that area of the forest in the first place.
Pharynx was currently tailing something he’d heard earlier. Noises, like talking. He got closer, hearing voices clearly now.
“-tired…”
That voice sounded like... no, it couldn't be-
“-little one.” A second familiar voice sighed, and Pharynx’s eyes widened.
“What are you doing here, brother?” he growled in a low voice, moving forward silently. “And you brought the grub? How stupid are you?”
Pharynx had half a mind to storm out there and drag them both back to the camp, then send them home. He slung his crossbow over his back, preparing to walk out there. But as he moved, he saw something glinting in the clearing their voices were coming from.
Dropping into a hunter’s crouch, Pharynx slunk forwards, eyes narrowed as he tried to see what it was. Finally, he got a good look at it; a silver dagger with a deep blue hilt. Apex had it strapped to his side. Pharynx’s eyes widened, and he froze. Apex brought the dagger with him. He still brought it even though he was clearly leaving the Hive with Thorax.
Pharynx sighed, stepping back and straightening up. He closed his eyes, thinking. He knew that he couldn’t let Thorax and Apex keep going, they sounded hungry and tired, and if they went any further south they’d run into his troop’s camp. But he couldn’t take them back to the Hive, Chrysalis would surely kill Thorax and possibly Apex.
“What do I do…?” Pharynx looked up at the sky, eyes closing again. “What do I do…?”
For a moment, as he opened his eyes, Pharynx saw a flash of gold. His eyes widened and he looked around. Fortuna’s voice echoed in his mind.
“You will have created your own family of the ones who you care for deeply, and you would do anything to protect them. You’d sacrifice yourself for them if you must.”
Pharynx backed up slightly, leaning against a tree. He closed his eyes, chuckling dryly.
“Here to remind me I’ve been forgetting your lessons?” Pharynx let a tear drip down his face. “I know. I’m sorry ‘Tuney. You really were the best mentor I could have asked for. And I know what you’d want me to do…”
With that, Pharynx took a breath, and stepped in the direction of the voices. He headed over to the clearing, moving quickly and silently. He knew it didn’t matter, Thorax and Apex had obviously been traveling for a long time, the Hive was miles and miles away from the Everfree Forest. They’d be too distracted to hear him coming.
Pharynx closed his eyes again, smiling painfully as an image of a familiar golden colored changeling appeared in his mind. The image smiled at him softly, holding out her hoof to him. He smiled softly, another few tears dripping down his face. He wiped his tears away, opened his eyes, and stepped through the undergrowth, intentionally stepping down hard on a twig, snapping it. Thorax looked up, and his eyes widened as he saw who it was.
“I don’t believe it, Pharynx!” his brother exclaimed.
“I hope you’re proud of me, Fortuna.” Pharynx whispered, as his brother tackled him in a hug. He allowed his brother to hug him for a moment longer, before gently pushing him off and beginning to question them on why they were here.
--------------------------
“We did it mom.” Pharynx whispered
He was standing in the Veteran’s Hall, and before him was Fortuna’s grave. Or, the marker where her body should have been buried. But Pharynx kneeled down beside it all the same.
“I’m different now.” he told her softly. “I changed… in more ways than one.”
Pharynx ignited his horn, illuminating the space around him. Sure enough, he was different. He was taller, with cyan chitin, smooth violet carapace, along with red antlers and a red tail. But his lavender eyes remained the same, still smiling with the same affection as he always had when he looked at someone he loved.
“We’re reformed now.” he told Fortuna’s marker, chuckling. “I didn’t even think it was possible, but… you’d love it now mom. And guess what? You were right.”
Nothing but silence came in response, but Pharynx still continued, tears welling up in his eyes as he placed a hoof on Fortuna’s marker.
“Well, Chrysalis ran in without thinking, and finally it came back to bite her. You’d be proud of me… of us. My apprentice is my deputy now. Just like you made me, remember?” Pharynx smiled softly, staring at the ground. “He’s also… he’s my nephew now. Thorax, the saccharine soft-shell he is, took him in.”
Pharynx leaned forward, resting his head on the marker. He knew Fortuna couldn’t hear him, but it brought him a strange sense of comfort to speak with her.
“I’m not the only one who changed. Thorax is stronger now… he’s got the same spirit in his eyes you did in yours… he’s the king now, who would’ve thought the rankless drone would become our leader? Heh, but he wears the title well. He’ll be a good king. And I’m his loyal general.” Pharynx smiled. “I always will be. I know if you were here you’d have sworn yourself to him too… you always wanted this, didn’t you?”
Though there was no answer, and there would never be, Pharynx couldn't help continuing anyway.
"I never could kill them, you know." Pharynx whispered hoarsely. "The ponies who... who put you here. Traveling with Thorax and his new son, I... I saw a lot of things. Even when I was technically stealing to feed us, I saw all those ponies living their innocent little lives with each other... and I realized, I guess... that I had more important things to think about than revenge. Cadence and Shining... when I finally told them about you, they were genuinely sorry that they had taken you from us. I never expected that, but... but at the same time, I was able to welcome it. A-And after we talked... it... it didn't hurt as much... you taught me something else that day, Tuney... you taught me that it's easier to forgive someone... then let anger take you over..."
Pharynx smiled, rubbing his eyes as he stood up. The marker stood, stoic and silent, but for a moment, Pharynx imagined a smiling Fortuna gazing at him lovingly from the marker.
“I did it after all, mom.” he whispered to her, smiling. “I found my family. And you were right. I will do anything to protect them. I love them. I always will.”
Pharynx bowed his head to the marker.
“In a way, you were the first real mother I ever had.” Pharynx smiled softly. “And I know that we’re not related. But you always will be my only mom. I love you forever, Fortuna… mom.”
Pharynx was laying in his bed, curled up beside his marefriend, Tempest Shadow. He glanced over at her, waiting for her to tell him what she wanted.
“...Would you want kids? Like, in the future?” Tempest asked him, her ears twitching. Pharynx smiled softly at the motion, knowing it meant she was listening.
However, he didn’t respond right away. He stopped and glanced away from her, looking up at the ceiling. He closed his eyes in thought, trying to find the answer to her question.
Then…
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” the mare that was laying beside Pharynx whispered, cradling a small bundle in her hooves.
Pharynx didn’t know what was going on, but his body seemed to. His lavender eyes were filled with tears of joy as he reached to pull the blanket away from the bundle’s face. He stared at the bundle for a moment, then turned his head and pressed a kiss to the mare’s cheek. He rested his head on hers for a moment, wiping his eyes.
“She’s perfect. Just like you.” he told her, and she blushed and giggled softly, resting her head on his shoulder. Pharynx smiled and kissed the base of her horn… a horn that ended three inches above her forehead, jagged and shattered. “I love you Temp.”
“I love you too Phar.” Tempest nuzzled him gently, and somehow, he knew.
He knew it had been many years since he had joined his brother and apprentice on a life changing journey. The entire Hive was reformed, and his family was happy. He knew, somehow, that his family was growing, as he and his brother had taken mates. Especially now, as both brothers had even more than just loving mates by their sides.
Pharynx only wished someone very special was there to see it. He was left with a bittersweet taste in his mouth, sad that she was not there to witness it for herself, but happy he had fulfilled her dreams. Pharynx didn’t realize he’d sighed softly until he noticed Tempest looking over at him.
“Phar? You okay?” she asked in concern.
“Hm? O-Oh, yeah, I’m fine, just… thinking.” Pharynx said, smiling at her softly.
“Well, what should we name her?”
The two then both looked down at the foal Tempest cradled in her hooves. It was a filly, one that would become unique as she grew, the only unicorn-changeling hybrid. She mostly resembled a pony, with the slender horn of a unicorn, and her mother’s mulberry coat. Her eyes slowly fluttered open to reveal they had pupils, with lavender irises, like her father’s eyes. Pharynx brushed a strand of the filly’s matted and wild mane away from her face, smiling as he saw the streak of cyan buried in the magenta locks.
“Do you have any suggestions?” Tempest asked Pharynx, drawing them back to the matter at hoof.
“Well, she’s the daughter of a beautiful shadow, isn’t she?” Pharynx pulled Tempest close with a soft smile. “So she should have a beautiful shadow in her name.”
“Shadow, hm?” Tempest chuckled. “I like it. What about Shadow… Stalker? Like your pony form’s name?”
“If you think it fits, Temp. I better change my form’s name then, or things might get confusing.”
“You know, I always thought it sounded off… like it wasn’t right for you… maybe change the last part?” Tempest suggested
“Shadow… Striker?”
“No, too obvious… Shadow… Blade. Yeah, Shadow Blade. That sounds nice.” Tempest stated, and Pharynx chuckled.
“Shadow Blade it is then.” Pharynx then leaned down and kissed the filly’s tiny head. The newly christened Shadow Stalker yawned, looking up at her parents. “And your name is Shadow Stalker now, my daughter.”
The filly turned her gaze towards her father, looking up at the changeling, who smiled at her lovingly. His eyes watered as he saw a strange joy sparkling in the tiny filly’s eyes. Only a few days old and already brimming with life… with a spark… a spark he’d only seen in one other creature before...
“Tempest…?”
“Hm?” Tempest hummed in response, still gazing at their baby.
“C-Can her middle name be… can it be Fortuna…?” Pharynx asked softly.
“Fortuna?” Tempest asked, looking at him. “I guess so, Phar. Why that name?”
“She just…” Pharynx stroked his daughter’s mane gently, smiling as the baby giggled. “She reminds me of someone very special to me…”
Tempest smiled and kissed his forehead. “It fits… Shadow Fortuna Stalker it is then.”
“Welcome to the world, my daughter…” Pharynx whispered, closing his eyes and letting a tear fall.
“Pharynx?”
Pharynx’s eyes opened, and everything changed. He was still laying beside Tempest, but there was no foal in her hooves. She nosed him in concern.
“Are you alright? You blanked out for a while.”
“I’m fine.” Pharynx kissed her on the cheek. “I was just… thinking…”
“Okay. So, what do you say?”
Pharynx smiled at her proudly, his eyes watering as he made his decision. “…That I would love for my firstborn to be yours, Tempest Shadow.”
“I’d love that too, bug.” Tempest rested against him, smiling as she curled her tail around his own. “It probably won’t happen for a while though. If that’s okay.”
“It’s perfectly alright, I can wait. Work always comes first, I mean, if we were out of the picture, who would protect the dorky rulers of two nations?” Pharynx replied, smiling, and she smiled back up at him, laughing softly.
“You’ve got a point there.”
“I know I do.”
As Pharynx put his hoof around the mulberry colored mare, he closed his eyes once more, and his future daughter was in Tempest’s hooves again.
“I hope you like what I have planned for that day, ‘Tuney… I love you, mum…” he murmured, just low enough that Tempest wouldn’t be able to hear. He opened his eyes once more, staring up at the ceiling again, an expression of pure happiness as thoughts of what had once been clouded his mind.
For a moment, Pharynx could almost feel his mother’s loving gaze smiling down at him, and his family.