Tail Of Tarsus

Once again morning has come to the hive.  Although today the sun seemed brighter than normal, perhaps it had something to do with the roof being blown off the hive. Either way, it was pleasant to be awoken by something other than hissing. Instead, I received a hearty "Morning" from a small pink pony.

'Good morning, good morning, GGOOOOODDDDD MOOOORRRRNNNNINGGG!!!!!' shouted the little pink pony as bounded around the room.

I put my hooves together. "Very good Fang you are getting better," I said while secretly rolling my eyes.

In a flash, the Pink Pony was replaced with a now white changeling. He grinned at me.  Although I found it a little creepy that Fang's signature smile no longer had his signature fangs in it.

"However, you know you probably do not need to practice Pinkie Pie anymore, I don't think we'll be doing many more infiltrations."

"Not until I'm given another assignment I cannot." He smiled he big grin again. "Say have any suggesting for improvement?" he asked, "You always give such tips." I cannot remember the last time I gave him tips, but this was his way I guess.

"Nope, none" I replied. Considering I never actually met Pinkie Pie how was I to know.

Apparently, Thorax wanted to see the entire infiltration 'practice' team.  So Fang and I headed off.  Luckily Fang abandoned carrying the party cannon every place; it slowed him down to an intolerable pace.  According to Fang Pinkie Pie brought the every place all the time.  As much as I respect Fang's dedication, there is no way Pinkie Pie could possibly carry around that thing.  I think that mis-intelligence lost his place on the real infiltration team and got him regulated to the practice squad albeit the captain.

We gathered up the rest of the team: Cosa, Smoke, Krypt, Void, Occiput, Grave,  Deep-Blue, Grimm, Glass and Black Chitin (Who was now covered in white fur).  He of course needed to try and convince each drone that he was Pinkie Pie.  I put up with it giving him a nice smile, because that what friends do, right?

They all wanted to show off their new form, each of them a different color.  It had taken a good hour before we began for the remains of the throne room.  That was the moment that I realized the full implications of my problems.  Unlike past days there would be no breakfast.  While every changeling had experience skipping a meal, there would never again be another meal.

We all gathered up in the new throne room, bowing as always.

"Umm, Well...", said Thorax as he walked out in front of us, "You guys really don't have to do that."

We all got up.  Thorax began pacing before us. "Now umm..."

Thorax began to pace in front of us.  He cleared his throat.

Thorax spoke, "We, " he nervously rubbed his hoof against his front leg, " in the, I mean,"

"If I may, " another dark green changeling stepped forward from no-drone knows were "what Thorax was trying to say..." Our green friend explained that Thorax was reassigning all the Changelings to new less evil tasks.  He spoke very clear and well.  Much better than the mumble of Thorax I was so familiar with.  Everyone loved Thorax, but some part of me could not help but feel like he just was not qualified to be King.

"Thank you, Shadd." Thorax smiled at him.

"While I was in the Crystal Empire we had these things called theater.  Everypony watched them for entertainment.  They told stories and history, and I thought maybe you guys could do that too. I mean you're kind of like actors right." He looked across the group, "unless of course, you don't want to."

I looked at the rest of the group, they all shared the same uncertain confusion, except for Smoke who was nodding confidently.  Smoke always acted like he knew everything. He though it impressed the Queen.

Once again it fell on me to save everyone "What's an actor?" I asked.

Thorax sighed and began explaining.  Clearly he had already spend the entire morning explaining this stuff to his new subordinates.  His look of fatigue almost may me regret asking.  He began to explain what acting was.  It was like infiltrating, but for entertainment, like reading a live history book.  It was a job meant for a changeling.  Although really, the hive would function just fine without actors.  I couldn't help but wonder if Thorax should be focusing else place.  It was quickly settled that we would create a performance of the defeat of Chrysalis.  Thorax shook all our hooves, gave us a forced smile and dismissed us.  Every-drone else began to leave.

"Thorax, may I have a word," I asked.

"Absolutely, not his majesty is very busy" Shadd interjected, "waving me away"

"Shadd, it's just if I learned anything, " Thorax looked right at me, "there is always time to listen to the concerns of a friend or subject." Thorax put his hoof on my shoulder.  "At least that's what the princes of Equestria do." He gave that tired smile again.  I wonder if he slept last night.

I took a deep breath.  I could feel the gnawing of my stomach.  If anyone could help me, it was Thorax.

"Perhaps its best that I show you."

I took a few steps back, but before I could disclose my untransformed self, a voice echoed across the remaining chamber wall, "All Hail Queen Chrysalis."  We all turned to look.  But we saw nothing but the wall of the chamber, the open roof and some rocks.

Shadd took off and began to have just above Thorax.

No drone saw were it came from, but a black and green streak dashed straight across the room.  It crashed right into Thorax.  A proper black changeling slammed his crooked horn right into Thorax's chest.  He continued to fly forward thrusting the horn deep as they both slide across the floor leaving a burning green skid.  I did not even know a changling could move so quick.  Shadd acted quickly and launched a green blast into the changeling's flank.   The proper changeling was knocked off Thorax, but not before getting a few more stabs in. Thorax stumbled to the ground loosing beads of the purple fluid inside him.  As more rainbow changelings rushed into the chamber, Shadd escorted our king out of the room.  I guess I would not be talking to Thorax today.  The other changelings eventually subdued the assassin.  Seven of them carried him away one grabbing each limb, each wing and the webbed tail.  They did not look like there were having an easy time of it either.

Suddenly the room was empty again.  It was a little strange, but I felt no reason to stay. So I went home.