Chapter 17: To Change a Changeling
It was a lovely day in the surrounding area of the newly renovated changeling hive. Suddenly, a familiar lilac unicorn, cerulean blue unicorn wearing her cape and hat, and an aquamarine unicorn appeared.
"Ha! Straight to the changeling hive!" Starlight boasted with Jade beside her, "I told you I could do it."
"Well, not exactly straight, Starlight," Trixie pointed out as she walked up to the lilac unicorn, "We've been popping all around Equestria, and we still have to walk."
Starlight just scoffed in reply.
"It's like twelve steps away," said Starlight. "Before Chrysalis' throne was destroyed, the closest magic would've gotten us was waaaaaaaay over there."
Starlight pointed to their original spawning point.
"She's got a point, Trixie. So don't doubt her too much." Jade said, agreeing with Starlight.
The lilac unicorn mare smiled in response before she hopped forward with Jade following her. While Trixie still looked annoyed, she quickly hopped after Starlight and Jade.
"So, guys… on a scale of one to ten," said Starlight to Trixie, not wanting to think about it any further, "how happy do you think Thorax is gonna be about our surprise visit?"
"Definitely ten," Trixie replied, "I mean, who wouldn't be happy at the chance to marvel at the overwhelming talent that is the Great and Powerful Trrrrrixie?!" Trixie stood on her hind legs, posed, and tossed some mini fireworks around herself.
"Sometimes, Trixie, I never understand you." Jade said with a blunt look, making Trixie glare at her.
"Trixie," Starlight reminded Trixie. "we're coming to offer Thorax encouragement and support. His letters make it seem like the responsibilities of being a changeling leader are a little overwhelming."
"Yeah, so try not to tick him off a bit." Jade said sternly.
"Yeah, I know," said Trixie, "That's basically what I said."
"Not really," Jade muttered to himself.
"He's dealing with the wants and needs of his subjects," Starlight continued to explain, "Redesigning the hive, a dread maulwurf wreaking havoc outside…"
"It does sound like a lot," said Trixie, "but are you sure that last thing is real?"
"The dread maulwurf?" Starlight replied, "Sure it is. Thorax said it's like half-bear, half-mole, half-raging-pile-of-claws! But now that the changelings don't feed on the love of everything around them, plants have started to grow back. But this mualurf keeps eating them all up."
"'Maulwurf'. Uh-huh." Trixie said in disbelief and doubt, "You're just trying to scare me, but it won't work. Because not only am I the Great and Powerful, I am also the Unscareable Trixie!"
"Says the pony who screamed so badly when she first saw Thorax and Grazer, Starlight had to seal you in a bubble to shut your mouth." Jade remarked. Trixie snorted.
"Well, changelings don't scare me anymore," said Trixie smugly.
Suddenly, the rock that Trixie was standing next to transformed. In its place was a Changeling. He had the same appearance as his other counterparts' original forms before metamorphosing, but his eyes were colored purple as well as his shell, and he had a redneck fin and tail. The Changeling growled at the trio.
Trixie screamed in fear as she quickly hid behind Starlight's back
"Please tell me Thorax also mentioned a terrifying-looking changeling who greets visitors but is actually nice!" Trixie said nervously, smiling.
"Nope," said Starlight meekly.
"'Fraid not," Jade added timidly.
"And I'm not nice," said the changeling menacingly and charged at the two ponies from the sky.
Starlight and Jade immediately fired several magic blasts at the changeling, but because the changeling was flying, he avoided all the attacks easily.
"Starlight," said Trixie as she rushed forward, "you got us here. I'll take us home."
Jade saw the changeling grab a large bag and flew toward them.
"I'm predicting an epic fail and we're immediately bagged right after," Jade remarked bluntly as Trixie lit up her horn.
"Teleportation spell, go!" Trixie called out, and one second later, the three ponies were bagged and dragged away.
"Did I save us?" Trixie asked.
"Nope," Starlight squeaked.
"You think?!" Jade asked angrily.
*Main theme*
As the renegade changeling continued to drag the bag along, Jade was thinking of something about the renegade changeling bringing them to the hive.
"Is it just me or does something about that changeling look very familiar?" Jade asked curiously.
"We don't have time for this, Jade!" Trixie snapped before giving Starlight a panicked look since she was sitting on top of the lilac unicorn, "What are you waiting for?! Use some magic to get us outta here!"
"Calm down, "Unscareable Trixie"," Starlight replied sarcastically, "We have to find out what's going on. Thorax might need our help."
"And I want to know who that changeling is." Jade added.
"We need our help!" Trixie argued. She then made her horn glow as she chanted, "Teleportation spell, go! Teleportation spell, go!" She then gasped, "Teleportation spell—!"
"Ugh! Why do you keep doing that?" Starlight retorted irritably, "You know it doesn't work that way."
"I know, but this is my process," Trixie replied.
"AAH! OMPH!"
The three ponies tumbled out of the sack. Starlight landed on her stomach while Trixie landed on Starlight's back upside down. Jade landed beside Starlight on her stomach as well.
"I've captured these trespassers!" said the renegade changeling.
There on a rather large floral throne was Thorax and some other changelings were sitting around it.
"Starlight! Trixie! Jade!" said Thorax, "It's okay, Pharynx. You can let them go."
"But they were lurking on our grounds!" Pharynx protested, "In the old days, I would've already feasted on their love. Especially since I wanted to settle the score with this unicorn mare's older brother after he humiliated Chrysalis two times!"
Jade gasped.
"Wait a minute! I knew there was something about you that felt familiar! You impersonated Chase at Shining Armor and Cadance's wedding when the first changeling invasion began." Jade said as she glared at Pharynx.
"You got that right, girl!" Pharynx sneered with a smirk.
Thorax then got between the three ponies and Pharynx.
"Well, that's why they're called the "old days"," said Thorax, "because they're old. We don't do that anymore."
Some celestial music was played as the view zoomed out to show a much more floral changeling hive.
"Dah!" Pharynx said in annoyance. "I liked the old days better." Pharynx stomped off with a huff. Thorax watched him disappear before addressing the three ponies.
"Uh, what are you three doing here?" Thorax asked.
"We just wanted to surprise you," said Starlight and then added sheepishly, "Surprise."
"Guess this didn't work out since there was some unexpected company." Jade added with a nervous smile.
"Well, it's great to see you!" said Thorax, "I'm sorry about the welcome committee." Just then in the foreground, Pharynx hissed loudly at two changelings, scaring them off.
"I thought Ember helped you get more assertive so you could deal with all the renegade changelings who didn't wanna change," Starlight asked.
"Oh, she did," Thorax answered, "Really helpful. I was able to convince all of them to change, except for one of them…My brother…"
"Your brother?" Starlight Glimmer remarked.
"Yep," Thorax answered, "Pharynx is my elder broodmate."
"Ha!" Pharynx cried out as he walked up to a bush and angrily began to rip it to shreds. Trixie gave Pharynx a skeptical look while Jade gave him a disapproving one.
"Oh, yeah," Starlight said sheepishly, "You guys have the same…um…eye shape?"
"What a ridiculous comparison!" Pharynx retorted, "We are noting alike!"
"You could say you're like water and oil," Jade remarked, "At least that's accurate."
"You mean water and slime!" Pharynx snapped before stomping off. Thorax just sighed sadly until he heard the sound of something cracking and Pharynx started grunting.
"Stop doing that!" Thorax ordered.
"The hive looked better with holes," Pharynx grumbled and then hissed at a changeling that was nearby, scaring it, and then stomped off with huff.
"Ugh. Well, how about I show you the rest of the hive where it's less loud and bangy?" Thorax suggested.
Trixie, Jade, and Starlight shared concerned looks with each other before they followed him.
(Scene changes)
Thorax led his three unicorn friends to another yet large and open-air chamber, where many Changelings were doing activities for fun and entertaining. The three unicorns were amazed and surprised by the changes at the Changeling Kingdom.
"There've been a lot of changes since you were here last," said Thorax, "I'm trying to start some new activities since the only thing we did before we hunt and patrol."
"What kind of activities?" Jade asked curiously.
"Swing Dancing," said Thorax as two changelings were seen dancing with each other while a few others sit and watched. "There's also a once-a-week potluck lunch." Thorax then walked over to a table where two changelings were covered in paint, "Ooh! And who can change shape and organize craft time?" Thorax then changed into a flamingo, "This guy!"
The two changelings behind Thorax lifted a sheet of paper showing drawings of the three ponies. Surprisingly, Trixie was drawn without her cape and hat.
"Very cool," said Jade, "and nice drawing guys!"
"I am really impressed, Thorax," said Starlight, "The hive, all the activities…"
"Gah!" a changeling named Sclerite cried out as she walked up angrily to Thorax covered in blank ink. Thorax returned to his true form, "He did it again! Pharynx dumped an entire can of blank paint on me!"
"I didn't know he was into Goth type colors," Jade remarked.
"He's not! He's not into any type of coloring at all!" Sclerite continued angrily and looked at Thorax, "He said my fuchsia color wasn't "intimidating to our enemies"! What enemies?!"
"Uh, maybe against Zhao and his Quinkan army?" Jade asked curiously, causing a record player scratch sound to be heard in the background as all of the changelings gasped in shock and fear while looking at Jade.
"What?" Jade asked, confused.
"The Quinkan? Here?! Now?!" A female changeling asked in horror.
Jade realized how scared they are.
"Guys, settle down! It was just a question! The Quinkan haven't followed us here." Jade said firmly.
The changelings sighed in relief before they went back to their usual activities.
"Thanks, Jade." Thorax said to Jade with a smile before he faced Sclerite, "I am so sorry. I promise I'll talk to him."
"You're the ruler of the hive, Thorax!" said Sclerite angrily, poking his chest, "You need to do more than talk!" Sclerite stomped off angrily as Trixie took a step forward.
"Well, maybe not everything here is amazing," said Thorax sadly.
"Seriously, Thorax," said Starlight, "What is up with your brother?"
"Ugh, Pharynx used to be head of patrol," Thorax explained to everypony as he wiped the black paint off him. "And as you already figured out, Jade. He was Chrysalis's choice when it came to impersonating Chase. Too bad he was always too aggressive to keep from blowing cover, but that's not the point. Now we're peaceful and there's no need to patrol or impersonate ponies, for infiltration purposes at least."
"Really, no need to patrol at all?" said Jade, "Even a good ruler needs some protection for his kingdom."
"I honestly don't see the need for a patrol," said Thorax, "so Pharynx just stalks around the hive making everyone miserable. The other changelings are sick of it, and if I can't get him to accept love and friendship and change like the rest of us, everything I've done here is at risk." Starlight and Jade exchanged looks with each other.
"You thinking what I'm thinking, Jade?" Starlight asked.
"I sure am Starlight," said Jade with a smirk. Then she and Starlight gave Trixie a smile. Trixie could tell by their smiles exactly what they were thinking.
"Uh-uh," said Trixie and shook her head.
"Hmm?" Starlight and Jade hummed encouragingly as the former gave her a bigger smile and Jade added sparkly anime eyes to her smile.
"Uh-huh," Trixie conceded with a large eye roll.
"Trixie and I know a thing or two about what it's like to be outsiders," Starlight told Thorax as Jade nodded in agreement, "Maybe we could talk to him for you."
"Do you really think you can help?" Thorax asked in surprise.
"Thorax, if there's anypony who can help your brother, it's me." Trixie said egotistically, "And with Starlight and Jade helping, it might take slightly longer, but I guarantee you we can do it."
Starlight and Jade groaned in annoyance, making the latter levitate and drop a pebble on Trixie's head, making her yelp in pain.
Before either pony could say something to Trixie, two changelings appeared carrying some shrubbery in their fore-legs.
"Thorax, we're ready to start work on the trail of plants to lead the maulwurf away," said one changeling named Frenulum.
"Oh, I have to head outside," said Thorax as he stared to hover in the air, "You sure you're okay handling Pharynx?"
"Absolutely," said Starlight.
"Positively," Jade added. It was then a scream was heard. The group looked to see Pharynx throwing a temper tantrum as he started to rip apart some greenery nearby. The three ponies blinked.
"Yeah…we totally got this," said Trixie as she chuckled nervously.
"Yeah…we're in trouble…" Jade groaned to herself.
As Thorax took his leave, Pharynx continued to grunt angrily while ripping apart the vines. Starlight, Trixie, and Jade just watched him in the foreground.
"So, how do you wanna play this?" said Trixie, "I'm thinking "good pony/bad pony"." You yell and blast him with magic, Jade uses her water element attacks since they're super effective against bugs, while my natural charisma will convince him that—"
"How about you just shut up and talk with Pharynx without dramatic flare, genius." Jade cut off Trixie sternly.
"Jade's right." Starlight nodded. "It's better than playing 'good pony, bad pony."
"Fine..." Trixie groaned in annoyance.
Three unicorns approached Pharynx, who is still busy tearing down the vines and plants. He stopped as he found them approaching him. He scoffed as he ignored them and minded his own business.
"Hey, Pharynx." Starlight greeted, getting Pharynx's attention, "I know when we first met, it didn't go so well."
"I put you in a bag and I started a rivalry with the alicorn master's little sister." Pharynx remarked, "I thought it went great."
He then continued to grunt as Trixie gave him a skeptical look while Jade snorted.
"Do you really need to resort to bagging us?" Jade asked with a glare.
Pharynx just ignored her and continued ripping up the vines.
"Right," said Starlight, trying to find another subject of conversation and cleared her throat, "So…not a big fan of the vines, huh?"
"Care to share with us why, Pharynx?" Jade asked.
"They're a safety hazard," Pharynx explained, "An enemy could hide in them or use them as weapons. I don't even know why they're here."
"Because they're pretty?" Starlight suggested.
"That's ridiculous," said Pharynx and stomped off.
"Guess you're not much into décor," Jade remarked, "and that's perfectly fine."
"Really?" said Pharynx.
"Oh, totally," said Starlight, "We get you. But…" Starlight cleared her throat again, "…maybe don't express how you feel by destroying them?"
"I don't take advice from ponies," Pharynx snapped, "The only thing I take from you is breakfast. At least I used to. I get quite a hearty meal from that unicorn mare's family."
Jade had enough as she zipped in front of him with an angry glare.
"Look, Pharynx. I don't care if you like me or not, but no pony harms my family and gets away with it." Jade said sternly.
Pharynx kept quiet as he glared at Jade.
"Well?" Jade asked sternly.
Then Pharynx punched her in the face, making Starlight and Trixie flinch in surprise as they cringed.
"Ow!" Jade yelped, rubbing it. "Cute. Real cute. Now just calm down."
Pharynx punched her again.
"Ow!" Jade yelped, rubbing her face. "Man, I hate this changeling." She lowered her hooves. "Okay, so we're past the scared part."
Pharynx punched her again.
"Ah!" Jade groaned.
Pharynx sent another punch at her, but this time, she blocked it with her horn lit as her now left aura hand caught it.
"So far we're Pharynx: 3, Jade: 0, but that's gonna even up real quick if you don't keep your hooves to yourself!" Jade warned sternly. "Besides, do you really think Thorax won't get mad at you for trying to hurt me? Or the fact you keep trying to wreck all his hard work" Pharynx growled.
"I don't take orders from that goody-four-hooves!" Pharynx yelled, taking his hoof away from Jade. "And I don't care if he worked so hard to make this place all pretty and whatever! So zip it or I'll feed on you right now!"
Jade narrowed her eyes and stood her ground.
"Do it," said Jade bluntly. Trixie and Starlight's jaws hit the floor. Pharynx was also stunned.
"Huh?!" Pharynx exclaimed.
"Do it," said Jade sternly, "If you don't care about Thorax at all, then what's stopping you from feeding on my love? I can't stop you so…what's holding you back?"
"Nothing's holding me back!" Pharynx yelled, "I can feed on you right here, right now!"
"Then what are you waiting for?" said Jade. "Do it then."
Jade just remained calm as Starlight and Trixie cringed and held their breath. But to their surprise, Pharynx didn't do anything. He just kept glaring at Jade.
"You know I could've escaped by now," Jade pointed out, "What are you afraid of?"
"HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS!" Pharynx hissed loudly and stomped off. Jade just shook her head.
"Yeah…that's what I thought," Jade remarked. Starlight then rushed up to her.
"What were you thinking?" Starlight asked.
"Calling his bluff," Jade remarked, "Thorax is his brother after all. Do you really think he'd risk upsetting his own brother for a quick and easy meal? The fact he just stomped off means that his bad attitude is just front. He's hiding something and doesn't want to open up about it. If you get where I'm going with this…"
Starlight and Trixie blinked and the latter then smirked.
"I gotcha," said Trixie, clearly impressed as she rushed off toward the still grumbling Pharynx, "You know, you're a lot like the two of us!"
"Doubt it," Pharynx remarked bluntly.
"It's true," Trixie continued, "Do you know who Twilight Sparkle is?"
"No," Pharynx answered plain and to the point.
"Seriously?!" Jade remarked, "My sister-in-law is the princess of friendship and you were posing as her husband before!"
"Puh!" Pharynx replied with an eyeroll.
"Well, to jog your memory," said Trixie, "She's the most well-liked, studious, do-goodiest pony in Equestria. She's also Alicorn Jiu Jitsu Master Chase's wife and the mother of Nyx."
"Ugh! She sounds awful," said Pharynx, "And if I didn't despise Chase before, I certainly do now." Jade gave him a death glare, but it went unnoticed.
"Oh, you hate her. I used to," said Trixie, "She made me unsure about my place in the world, which led me to act out against her."
"And I used to be a dictator who ran a village with an iron hoof," Starlight added with a smirk.
"Really?" said Pharynx, "Hmm. Maybe you two do understand me. Well, I mean except for her!"
Pharynx glared at Jade, making her glare back at him.
"Yes! We do," said Starlight, "But now, Trixie has come to terms with being second-best…" Trixie froze and blinked as Jade giggled silently. "…And I no longer control ponies against their will. And our lives are so much better for it,"
"Wow," said Pharynx, "So all three of you are losers. Stay away from me, or I'll do to you what I did to the vines."
Pharynx didn't resist getting into Starlight's face to make his point as Jade and Trixie glared at him.
"Oh please," said Jade indignantly, "Your threats mean nothing to us. I gave you a chance to feast on my love and all you did was have a temper tantrum."
"HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSS!" Pharynx hissed loudly and angrily in Jade's face.
SMACK!
"Give it a rest!" Jade remarked as she slapped him across the face, "You don't scare me anymore." Pharynx was stunned for a few moments before he just scoffed and walked off irritably. Trixie was most impressed.
"Way to stand up to Pharynx, girl," said Trixie.
"Thanks, but Pharynx is still using his bad attitude to hide what's really bothering him," said Jade, "He's clearly not trying to sabotage Thorax and he clearly doesn't want to upset his brother either otherwise I'd be drained of my love right now. I just wish I knew what his problem was…"
Jade rubbed her chin and began to think, but she didn't have long to do so when Thorax arrived behind the three ponies.
"Well, "Operation: Lead Maulwarf Away" is coming along," Thorax told the group, "How'd it go with Pharynx?"
"Your brother is, um, challenging," Starlight replied as Jade just smiled sheepishly.
"Oh, that bad, huh?" Thorax said in disappointment.
"It wasn't great," said Starlight.
"Pharynx's behavior is so confusing," said Jade, "On one hoof, he seems like he's got genuine concerns, yet he acts like a bully to others about it."
"You wanna talk it out?" Thorax asked, "You can come with me to the feelings forum."
Jade, Starlight, and Trixie looked rather puzzled and skeptical.
"The feel-like-what-now?" Trixie asked.
"Oh, it's a place for changelings to express their feelings so we all gain a better understanding of each other. It really helps bring the hive closer together." Thorax explained.
(Scene changes)
It wasn't long before Trixie, Starlight, Jade, and Thorax were sitting in a large circle with some other changelings. The leader of the forum, named Tymbal, wore a hippie style vest, glasses, and a similar style headband. One green changeling was standing in the center of the circle as spoke what was on their mind.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm a blue changeling," said the green changeling, "Sometimes I feel like I'm a purple changeling. But here I am, a green one."
"You can be anything you want to be," said Tymbal, "Be blue one day and purple the next. Be both on the same day!"
"But then I feel like I'd be living a lie," the green changeling replied insecurely.
"It's very brave of you to share something so personal. Does anyone else have similar concerns?" said Tymbal.
"I used to have similar concerns," said one changeling and then held a self-made pot in his fore-hoof, "but craft time has given me such a creative outlet. I feel great now!"
"Uh-huh," said a second changeling beside the first, "Everyone loves craft time." The other changelings chattered in agreement.
"Well, everyone except for…you-know-who," said the first changeling bitterly.
"Yeah," said the second changeling, "you-know-who spends all his craft time making spears."
Thorax was starting to look rather uncomfortable as Jade, Starlight, and Trixie had concerned looks on their faces.
"He's scary and intimidating," said the first changeling, "You-know-who makes me uncomfortable."
"He makes us all uncomfortable," added the green changeling.
"Everyone, please!" Thorax called out, "I understand Pharynx can be challenging at times."
"That's an understatement," said the first changeling.
"He teaches little changelings to growl and hiss!" said the green changeling.
"My soup's too hot!" shouted a third changeling with a bowl in front of them. Everyone stopped grumbling and looked at him. Even Jade looked rather puzzled.
"What?" said the third changeling innocently, "I thought the feelings forum was for sharing our problems."
"Uh…." Jade said slowly, unsure of what to say.
"It sounds like your lame "feelings forum" is for talking about me behind my back!" Pharynx snapped as he arrived looking more agitated than ever.
"That's not what these changelings are doing, Pharynx," said Jade as the other changelings backed away.
"The feelings forum is for talking about anything that's bothering you," said Tymbal, "Is there something you'd like to share, Pharynx?"
"Yeah, Pharynx," Jade added, "if you share what's got you so grumpy and upset with the others, we can come to understand why you feel this way and maybe come up with a solution."
"Actually, there is something I wanna say," Pharynx replied.
"The floor is yours, Pharynx," said Jade.
Pharynx wasted no time speak up.
"The changelings used to be a fearsome swarm!" Pharynx said sternly, "Now we sit around talking about our feelings so much, you can't even stop a maulwurf from eating all your "pretty plants"! I could've sent that thing packing before, but I guess now we'll just try to lead it away and hope that keeps us safe!"
The other changelings looked rather glum, especially Thorax. Pharynx then flew off somewhere else.
"I don't feel safe with him around!" the first changeling remarked.
"I'd feel safer if he were gone!" said the green changeling.
"I can't do that," said Thorax firmly.
"We want him banished!" they all yelled and started arguing.
"Everyone please! Please listen to me!" Jade pleaded but she was left unheard. The third changeling then slurped their bowl of soup.
"Hey, my soup's cooled down!" said the third changeling, "These feeling forums are great for solving problems!"
No one else agreed since all but Tymbal were still arguing. Then…
BWONG!
…Tymbal rang a gong to get everyone to stop arguing.
"Everyone, please," said Tymbal, "If we are interrupting each other, we are not affirming each other."
The rest of the changelings continued to argue. Tymbal's patience quickly hit its limit.
"That's it! Feelings forum is over!" Tymbal shouted angrily.
The other changelings just stomped off, grumbling with each other. Poor Thorax looked very upset. Jade, Starlight, and Trixie shared worried and concerned looks with each other.
(Scene changes)
A little while later, the three unicorns moved to another chamber, where no Changelings could hear their private conversation. Starlight looked guilty and worried.
"I..." Starlight sighed, "I want to say something, but it goes against everything I've been taught as Chase and Twilight's pupil."
"Ooh! Then, by all means, say it." Trixie said with an eager smile.
"I think Pharynx is a lost cause." Starlight sighed.
"What?!" Jade asked in shock and concern.
"Mm…" Trixie hummed thoughtfully and sadly. "I'm all for second chances. Third, even. But he just seems like a bad bug."
"And Thorax has a duty to the whole hive, not just his brother." Starlight said in concern.
"If he keeps sticking up for Pharynx, the hive might decide they don't want Thorax as their leader." Trixie nodded in concern.
"No! If you think that kicking him out is a good idea, think again!" Jade scolded Starlight and Trixie angrily, "I don't believe that. He deserves that second chance."
"Then, what can we do? How do we change him?" Starlight asked in concern.
"Yeah. It's not like we have a second option to understand and change him into one of them." Trixie nodded in agreement.
"There is, actually. We should talk with Thorax. He might have something that could help us," Jade said calmly.
Unable to think anymore, Starlight sighed in concern.
"It's better than nothing, I guess..." Starlight said, reluctantly.
Starlight, Jade, and Trixie headed off to see Thorax. Unknown to them that one of the rocks popped the eyes. It then transformed into Pharynx, who looked surprised yet uncertain and doubtful.
(Scene changes)
Soon enough, the three Unicorns entered the throne chamber, where Thorax was sitting on his throne looking miserable.
"Thorax, we have something to tell you," Starlight said gently.
"It's about Pharynx, isn't it?" Thorax said slowly.
"Mmmmmmmmaybe?" Trixie said in a hesitant tone and smiled sheepishly.
"How'd you guess?" Jade asked, looking the most calm of the three ponies.
"Look, I know he's an aggressive warrior type," Thorax replied before any of the three ponies could say anything further, "but when I was little, every young changeling wanted to be like that."
Flashback
Three young changelings smirked as they attacked a collection of stuffed pony dummies that were on the ground. Young Thorax was sitting a short distance away playing with some dolls.
"…Every changeling except for me," Thorax narrated, "The others would pick on me for not wanting to fight." It was then the three other changelings approached young Thorax.
"Look at the little grub playing with his dollies!" the leader of the three changelings teased. The other two young changelings laughed, making young Thorax feel sad. Then young Thorax cringed as the three changelings deviously approached him.
"Step away from my brother!" yelled a voice. The four changelings looked to see that it was young Pharynx. He glared at the three changelings and stomped his hoof firmly on the ground.
"But Pharynx never let them hurt me," Thorax continued as the three young changelings backed down.
"We were just complimenting his dollies," said the leader of the three young changelings. Young Pharynx then turned into a giant bug and roared at the three young changelings. The three changelings shrieked and ran for their lives. Young Thorax walked up to his brother.
"Thanks, Pharynx," young Thorax and held a fore-leg for Pharynx to shake, but Pharynx grabbed it and started making young Thorax hit himself.
"Why are you hitting yourself?! Stop hitting yourself! Why are you hitting yourself?!" Pharynx taunted.
"Ouch! Cut it out, Pharynx!" Young Thorax complained.
"They're right, you know," said Pharynx sternly, "You need to have tougher skin." Pharynx walked off, leaving Thorax alone and looking rather glum.
End Flashback
"Aw, that was a really sweet story." Trixie commented gently before showing sour, "Until the end."
"I know Pharynx loved me in his own way, and I know there's still good in him. He even supported our revolution against Chrysalis's turning our kind into monsters," Thorax said calmly and firmly, "That's why I keep sticking up for him."
"I knew it," Jade said firmly. "So maybe the other reason is that maybe the reason why he's so grumpy is because he also cares about the hive in his own way, right?"
"You could say that, Jade." Thorax.
Then something came to mind for Jade.
"By the way, Thorax. About the changelings freaking about the Quinkan question I asked, has it begun to spread rumors around these parts of the hive?" Jade asked curiously yet with concern.
That got Thorax's attention.
"Oh, yeah. After Wuya held Twilight, Dojo, Nyx, and Spike captive to get the Sword of The Shadows, the news spread out to not only around Equestria, the changelings heard about it as well." Thorax said. "I guess Pharynx also wants to make one of us to be strong warriors like you, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, and Chase since you guys are already known to be the Elite Ninja. So there may be a slight chance that Pharynx is also jealous of you for being a better fighter than he is."
"I knew there was also something I didn't like about it." Jade groaned in annoyance.
"Don't worry, Jade. He's a good sport once you get to know him." Thorax said with a chuckle. "Anyway, what did you wanna talk about?"
"Me?" Trixie spluttered, "Oh, nooo. But, uh, Starlight has something she—"
SLAP!
"OW!" Trixie yelped from being smacked in the back of her head by Jade. She then glared at the martial arts pony. "Why you-MMMPH!"
Trixie was cut off when Starlight put a fore-hoof over her mouth.
"Actually, Thorax, Um, never mind!" said Starlight quickly, "C'mon, Trixie, Jade, we got a…thing to do."
Starlight then used her magic to pick up Trixie as she and Jade then ran off.
They headed to the small chamber for their discussion.
"What are you doing?" Trixie asked angrily, "I thought we agreed we'd tell Thorax he had to kick his brother out of the hive!"
"No, we didn't," Jade disagreed, "I'd say we tried to talk with Thorax about it. And it worked."
"Yeah. We should try to talk to him again. One last time." Starlight nodded.
"I doubt it'll work," Trixie disagreed before gasping in surprise, "I've got the idea! We use a trail of plants around to lure the maulwurf here. The changelings may not be able to stop it anymore, but Pharynx certainly can. When it attacks, he'll save his brother, showing everypony his good side, the others will accept him, and Pharynx will finally let love and friendship into his life and transform!"
"Trixie, that is the stupidest plan I have ever heard of," Jade remarked dryly.
"WHAT?!" Trixie demanded in anger and shock.
Starlight sighed.
"I have to agree with Jade. It's best we talk before we do something silly. So, we split up and found him. Got it?" Starlight asked firmly.
Jade and even Trixie begrudging nodded in agreement. Starlight and Jade headed off, leaving Trixie alone to show angry and disappointed looks.
"Jade always doesn't appreciate my help and genius! And not to mention, she always get Starlight on her side than mine," Trixie said angrily. She huffed before smirked, "Not this time. I'm gonna show her that my plan is better than hers. I'm sure of it."
(Scene changes)
Traveling through the Changeling Kingdoms for hours, Starlight and Jade were still searching and looking for Pharynx. They even asked some Changelings if they have seen him or not. But so far, there was no sign of him.
They all wondered where he went or even what happened to him. They then met up at the kingdom's entrance, where they were informed by Trixie that she might have the plans.
"Starlight, did you find him?" Jade asked in concern.
"I didn't." Starlight replied back with a shake of her head. "I looked everywhere. And no sign of him. I hate to think of what really happen to him."
"Like he ran away from home?" Jade asked with concern.
"That's one of the worst possible to think of..." Starlight said as she began to think.
"So, what do you think Trixie wants us here for?" Jade questioned curiously.
"I have no idea. I hope that nothing really bad is happening to us." Starlight replied back with a deadpan look.
"Hey, girls! Look what I just did for my most spectacular plan I ever made for Pharynx to stay here!" Trixie exclaimed proudly. Starlight and Jade turned and looked at the front. They gasped in shock as they found a trail of plants and leaves leading straight to the hive. She smirked proudly, "What do you think? Best. Plan. EVER!"
"Trixie! Are you crazy?! You can't do that!" Starlight snapped in concern, "You're gonna get us into trouble!"
"Why not?" Trixie asked amusingly, "You did find Pharynx, right?"
"No, we didn't because he's gone! He's not at the hive!" Jade exclaimed in fury.
"WHAT?!" Trixie asked in shock and feared, "Then, all the plans I made are for nothing?! Who's gonna stop the dread maulwurf I'm leading here?!"
Starlight gulped in concern and worry about it.
"Thorax is gonna kill us for this." Starlight said with dread.
(Scene changes)
"YOU DID WHAT?! ARE YOU GUYS CRAZY?!" Thorax shouted in shock and disbelief.
The Changelings were screaming and panicking in fear and worry. Thorax was glaring at Starlight, Jade, and Trixie as they explained about Pharynx going missing and leading maulwurf to their hive.
"Why would you do that?!" Thorax asked in shock and anger.
Jade glared at Trixie, who was whistling innocently. And just before the amber unicorn could answer, Starlight stepped forward to speak up.
"It's my fault, Thorax. I thought if Pharynx saw you were in danger, the loving, caring side of him would come out when he protected you!" Starlight answered fearfully.
"But instead, he's out there alone somewhere between us and that rampaging monster!" Thorax said in concern and worry as he flew off at once, "I have to save him!"
"I'm coming with you!" Starlight insisted.
This caused Thorax to turn and glare at the lilac unicorn.
"Of course you are! This is all your fault!" Thorax said sternly.
Starlight looked guilty and ashamed. Trixie approached and patted her back.
"Oh, don't be too hard on Starlight. Her heart was in the right place." She spoke in condescending tone, causing Jade to gasp in shock before she glared at Trixie.
"Oh no! You're not pinning the blame on Starlight again this time!" Jade said angrily.
"And how were you helping along? I was doing most of the work." Trixie said dismissively.
"Ugh! You barely do anything! This is why I didn't wanna bring you with us in the first place!" Jade said agitatedly and furiously.
"Excuse me?!" Trixie said offendedly.
"Your ego is driving me and Starlight crazy! You won't take responsibility for your actions, and you put the blame on others!" Jade continued angrily.
"What makes you think you can tell me off like that?!" Trixie argued back.
The changelings gasped and chatted in concern and worry.
"Girls, stop!" Starlight pleaded as she looked uneasy and worriedly.
But her pleas were ignored.
"Well, I haven't forgotten the mess you have made like banishing Chase and Twilight out of Ponyville with that alicorn amulet, setting Starlight up to upstage two of my family members, making the cutie map disappear, and nearly driving Starlight crazy!" Jade snapped.
"Well! Everything worked out!" Trixie snapped in anger.
"Yeah, right. It seems you haven't learned your lesson at all." Jade said sternly.
"Well, I learned my lesson when Starlight became friends with me a long time ago." Trixie said arrogantly.
"Maybe that was a mistake." Jade answered dryly, making Starlight and Trixie gasp in shock. She continued, "Everything Discord said about you was true! You really are nothing more but a self-absorbed, below-average illusionist!"
Trixie gasped before she glared angrily at Jade.
"You take that back! RIGHT NOW!" Trixie demanded angrily.
Trixie screamed in fury as she charged at Jade to attack her, only to get caught by Starlight as the lilac unicorn mare used her magic to stop her from attacking Jade. This annoyed and angered Starlight.
"That's enough!" Starlight snapped in anger, "I'm getting tired of you two bickering and fighting with each other! This is not the time for quarreling!"
"She's right. We have to find and save Pharynx now because you both are coming with me," Thorax said sternly, making Jade nod and Trixie groan in annoyance before looking away from the aquamarine unicorn mare. He turned and looked at the Changelings, "Who else is coming?"
All of the changelings stood behind with unsure and worried looks.
Thorax groaned.
"Ugh," Thorax said in defeat, "Fine." Starlight then took a step forward.
"Oh, sure, you could all stay here, not help Pharynx and he won't bother you anymore," said Starlight as she stood before the changelings, "It's your choice. But remember when you didn't have a choice! When you were forced to obey Chrysalis! You might have been unstoppable, but you weren't free to choose! And now you are, because of Thorax! Well, it's his brother out there, and now it's your chance to prove you're just as strong embracing love as you were feeding on it! Now is your chance to show what changelings can really be! Not because you have to, but because you choose to!"
There was a long silence. In fact, the only reply was just a bunch of stares and a cough from a random changeling.
Jade looked angry.
"Are you really going to just stand there after everything?" Jade asked sternly as she stepped forward, "I know that Pharynx has caused you all a lot of grief and a lot of you would rather he'd be gone than here right now. But at the end of the day, Pharynx is changeling, just like the rest of you. Just because you no longer feed on love and want to patrol anymore doesn't mean you still don't look out for each other. True friends don't abandon each other, even when they are being difficult. It's easy to love and care for someone when they return the favor and treat you kindly, but it's another when they are rude and mean to you. To truly love and care for one another is when you help those even when they aren't nice to you or thank you for caring. The same can happen for Pharynx if you just reach out to him and try. Even if he refuses to change, then it's his loss, but you can feel better about yourself knowing you made the effort to try. You made the effort to care! You made the effort to be a loving and caring friend! So who's with me? If not for him, but for the sake of love and friendship?"
"That was an amazingly epic speech, Starlight and Jade," said Trixie as they were in some wasteland outside of the hive, "I just can't believe not a single changeling was moved by either one."
SLAP!
"OW!" Trixie yelped as she felt the back of her head sting badly as Jade gave her a stern glare.
"When this is over, Trixie, Chase will not like what you have been doing." Jade said sternly, making Trixie back down in fear as she knew where this was going.
Starlight just had her head low, looking rather agitated. Jade looked just as upset.
"Jade, it's not your fault for doing this. I know it's really Trixie's fault." Thorax said as she approached Jade with a gentle look. "But it's only cause it's Pharynx. And I honestly can't blame them. If he wasn't my brother, I don't think I'd be here. We're gonna have to face the maulwurf by ourselves."
Jade turned to him and nodded in agreement.
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!
Suddenly a loud growl was heard and in the distance were some purple claws moving about as Pharynx was seen engaging in a battle with the dread maulwurf, which had purple fur with large buck teeth and giant, sharp, yellow claws. The group of four were stunned at the sight.
"Okay, we're gonna need a better strategy for this." Jade said with uncertainty before she glared at the monster as the four rushed to go help Pharynx out.
Pharynx then transformed into a large bug and charged at the maulwurf. While he was able to push the maulwurf back a few yards, the maulwurf swatted his claw at Pharynx, knocking the changeling back and making Pharynx turn back to normal form. It was then a beam of water smacked the maulwurf in the face, making the monster roar in surprise.
It turned to see Jade on her hind legs, her horn lit, aura hands on her front hooves as she used her water element while using her aura hands wave the water in the air.
Jade then jumped in front of Pharynx to defend him in a crouching ninja position while glaring at the maulwurf.
"I had no idea a pony could pull off a move like that!" said Pharynx in surprise.
"You'll find I'm full of surprises!" said Jade with a confident smirk.
Then she sent a wave of water at the maulwurf at its belly, making the maulwurf roar in anger.
"Pharynx!" Thorax called out as he, Starlight, and Trixie approached.
"What are you doing here?!" Pharynx asked.
"I'm here to save you!" said Thorax.
"Get outta here! Let me handle this!" said Pharynx, "And take Jade with you before she gets hurt!"
The maulwurf did some multiple swipes at Jade, who avoided each attack by doing several backflips, followed by a high backward somersault once she was out of attack range.
"She can defend herself." said Thorax, "But you gotta admit that triple backflip followed by the backward somersault was pretty cool."
"For once, I agree," said Pharynx, "But she's no match for that thing! Now get out of here!"
"We're not leaving you!" said Starlight as she and Trixie slid down a slope to join the battle.
Jade charged forward at the maulwurf, landing a devastated kick at the beast as it fell on its back. It then got up and growled at Jade.
Trixie then tossed multiple smoke bombs at the maulwurf to stunned it while Starlight fired a strong magic blast at it, but all that did was make the maulwurf very angry. Everyone flinched.
"Thorax, you didn't say this thing was strong! Did you?!" Jade asked with worry.
"Uh… I may have forgotten to mention in my letters that maulwurfs have really thick hides!" said Thorax worriedly.
The monster then roared again as Pharynx went for a side attack, but the maulwurf grabbed Pharynx by its teeth and chucked him to the ground.
"Pharynx!" Jade called out as she, Starlight, and Trixie rushed up to him.
"I thought you said you could beat this thing!" Starlight remarked.
"Yeah, with the rest of the swarm! Not alone!" said Pharynx.
"Good thing you're not alone!" Said a voice.
The group looked up and there on the cliff and hovering above it were several changelings who were ready for action. Pharynx was stunned while the rest of the group smiled excitedly.
"I told you both they were epic speeches," Trixie bragged.
With Thorax, leading the charge, the changelings then gave a battle-cry as the charged the maulwurf and attempted to knock it over. However, the maulwurf attempted to swipe its claw at the swarm, forcing them to fall back. But the changelings would not be deterred as they put on some determined looks and charged at the maulwurf's face once more for a combined punch to the face. Some changelings then charged at its feet so they could knock it over. Just as they were about to dog-pile it, the monster roared and forced the changelings to fly away and scatter.
"It's no use," said Thorax, "We're out of practice and he's too tough!"
Pharynx then flew off as Trixie used her magic to lift a rock and threw it at the maulwurf, but the rock simply shattered and made it angry.
"And strong!" said Trixie, "Too bad we can't get it to fight itself!"
"That's it!" said Pharynx as looked at his brother, "Thorax, remember when we were young and I made you hit yourself?"
"Now is not the time to make fun of me, Pharynx!" Thorax remarked and then blinked before he realized what his brother was actually trying to say, "Oh, right! Of course!"
Jade rolled her eyes.
"I didn't know Thorax was so slow on the uptake," Jade remarked instinctively
"I can hear you, Jade," Thorax retorted irritably.
Jade smirked at him.
Thorax and Pharynx started to fly around the maulwurf making it swipe and hit itself constantly.
"Why are you hitting yourself? Why are you hitting yourself? Why are you hitting yourself?" Pharynx taunted.
"Yeah, maulwurf, why are you hitting yourself?" Thorax taunted as well as he flew past the maulwurf's face.
The maulwurf smacked himself in the face. Thorax hovered over to the stomach area.
"Why are you hitting yourself, huh? Huh? Huh?" Thorax taunted some more.
The maulwurf swiped, missed the changeling, and smacked itself hard on the stomach. It winced painfully as it fell forward and landed on its stomach. Pharynx then landed on the maulwurf's arm and hissed menacingly at it. The maulwurf went to bite Pharynx, and ended up biting down on its own claw.
"Ooh. That looks like it hurts," Trixie remarked as Starlight and Jade smirked in agreement.
The maulwurf roared in pain and then dug a hole underground to escape the two changelings. It had had enough.
"We did it! It's gone!" Starlight said happily.
"Great job, everyone! Nice work!" Jade called out, going back on all four legs as all the changelings cheered.
Thorax and Pharynx then landed before each other.
"What were you doing out here?" Thorax asked.
"Leaving," Pharynx said bluntly, "I'm done with all of you."
"Oh," Thorax replied before adding in a casual tone, "It's just, why bother fighting the maulwurf then? You coulda left it alone.
"Well, I couldn't just let it attack you!" Pharynx remarked.
"Just like you didn't attack Jade." Thorax said plainly. "Especially when you and her didn't get along for the first part you both met."
Jade nodded in agreement.
"My point, Pharynx," said Thorax, "was that I thought you were done with us, and you didn't care."
"I never said that," said Pharynx sternly, "The hive is the thing I care about most."
"Well, you certainly don't act like it," Thorax retorted.
"Well, I'm sorry if I don't get excited about pretty flowers and feelings circle and—" Pharynx snapped but was cut off.
"It's a feelings forum," Thorax corrected.
"Whatever," Pharynx replied, "It doesn't matter. Even if I do care about the hive, I obviously don't have a place there anymore." It was then two changelings stepped forward.
"Actually, you do," said the first changeling. "And because we've been wrong. Um, the hive may be a gentler, nicer place…"
"…but that doesn't mean we won't have to defend ourselves," said the second changeling, "clearly."
"And who better to help us do that than the only changeling who never stopped protecting us?" Thorax suggested.
The others chattered in agreement. Pharynx was rather speechless for a few moments.
"You all want me to stay?" Pharynx asked, rather touched.
"Unless you still want to leave the hive," Thorax answered with a teasing smirk on his face.
"Why would I want that?" said Pharynx, "I love the hive!"
The others cheered.
Suddenly, Pharynx began to glow and was quickly encased into a cocoon. He then transformed as the cocoon opened up. The others oohed and aahed as Pharynx was now light green with some shades of red and was just slightly shorter than his younger brother.
"Oh wow!" said Jade in amazement.
"He did it! He transformed!" Trixie said excitedly.
"I always knew you had it in you!" said Starlight.
"Really?" said Pharynx, "Because I thought you said I was a lost cause and you were going to tell Thorax he should kick me out."
There was a long pause as the changelings all looked at Starlight, Trixie, and even Jade. Even Thorax gave them a knowing glare.
"Oh! Starlight! How could you say that?" Trixie remarked in mock-shock.
"Ugh! What?! That's—! I mean—! But you—!" Starlight stuttered.
Jade groaned in irritation.
"Alright, that's it! I have had just about enough of you throwing Starlight under the wagon!" Jade demanded angrily
"What do you want me to say?!" Trixie retorted.
"Just admit you played a part in it, especially you led a trail of leaves for the maulwurf to come and attack the Changeling Kingdom!" Jade ordered sternly. "Now!"
Trixie groaned.
"Okay, fine!" Trixie said annoyingly. "I tried to encourage Starlight to tell Thorax that he should kick Pharynx out and also planted the trail of plants for the maulwurf to follow. I'm sorry. Happy?"
"Wow, you're really bad at giving apologies." Jade remarked dryly.
"Lucky for us, you weren't a lost cause." Thorax said in relief.
"Lucky for me, you didn't give up on me," said Pharynx. The other changelings gathered around him and began to chat. Thorax, Trixie, Starlight, and Diamond Tiara watched the scene with smiles on their faces…for a few moments.
"Soooo…glad everything worked out," said Trixie.
"Yeah!" said Thorax before adding sternly, "Let's talk about how you three not only led the maulwurf to the hive but also drove my brother away from it!"
Trixie cowered down and hid behind Starlight, feeling ashamed.
"We are so sorry about that," said Starlight, "but I would like to point out that our admittedly terrible plan did bring everything together in the end."
Starlight then chuckled nervously, but Thorax still kept glaring at them.
"Hey," Pharynx called out, "Do you guys want to hear the story about how I used to make Thorax hit himself?"
"Oh, absolutely, yes, right now!" Starlight pleaded in a relieved tone.
"Yes, yes, you must tell us that story," Jade added in a similar tone.
She and Starlight were both grateful for a chance to get the awkward attention off themselves.
"Well, when we were young," Pharynx began, "every changeling wanted to be a warrior. Except for Thorax. He was a little weak. I had to protect him…"
As his voice faded out, the others just sat and listened quietly to the story.