Unforgiven Bloodline

Chapters

Out Of Jurisdiction
Mental Pictures
Most Effective Path
Under Pressure
Unwanted Attention

Out Of Jurisdiction

On top of a tall cylinder tank, leaning against its rusted guard rails, Chrysalis had a top view of the five monstrous buildings surrounding her and just above the web of power lines that seemed to come from everywhere. The roar of machines was always resounding. Spotlights shone all day since the building’s furnaces blocked up the sun rays with its smoke. A cloud of smoke drifted its way to her, toxic enough to possibly kill a pony.

Chrysalis inhaled deeply and let out a satisfied sigh.

Her mane was cut short and sharp. She sported complementary a grey tie on her neck and silver glasses, making her looking professional among the rest as she was the great executive. Still, the rest of her workers followed her appearance by keeping their chitins black, lacking any uniqueness.

“I like it as well, boss.”

Chrysalis turned back, and stared with her glowing green eyes at another changeling. He was wearing a red wing cover strap with a belt, and attached to it was his silver badge with ‘Morpheus’ boldly printed on it. Chrysalis raised her eyebrows.

“The smell of progress, is my favorite too.” The changeling explained. “And with that great speech to the production line, we’ll surely gonna meet the demands by this quarter.”

His employer nodded at the flattery and flicked her hoof to be left alone again.

“Oh, my apologies if I’m disrupting, but I also came to gave you this.” He pulled up and handed an envelope. It had a peculiar sweet scent on it that Chrysalis recognized, and upon turning it, she frowned.

“It’s from the Equestrians again. This somehow it slipped on its way to you. So I made sure to- ohhh…” Morpheus stood dumbfounded at the sight of the executive chewing up the letter.

“Anything else?” Chrysalis said, the glow in her eyes seeming to have intensified a bit.

Morpheus cleared his throat. “Um, yes, t-there was also an incident involving three of the workers in the north-east facility. One of the mishaps lost a leg, the other, a wing and the last one the operator... might just be mentally scarred after all that? But production will resume shortly on the plant.”

“Nothing out of the ordinary then.” Chrysalis replied annoyed and slowly approached the changeling. “And nothing that a bit of retraining won’t fix. If they thought that they could limp their way out from the sharp tools plant they’re wrong.”

“Y-yes, absolutely.” He replied, a sudden feeling of dread creeping in as his employer towered over him, her tie wiping his face wildly as a breeze blew by.

“Are you trying to waste time, Morpheus?”

Morpheus ears fell down, sweat suddenly rolling down his brow. Surely this reports should've please her. No changeling should ever show Chrysalis any sign of inefficiency in front of her, not unless that changeling was interested in a position as a sharp tools assembler. “N-no absolutely not… There is actually something else that I was informed, boss. Someling was bold enough to try to break into one of your offices last night. Thankfully the good for nothing scum was successfully detained and he will be punished. So were now trying to implement some additional measure-”

“You-- seriously? You should've started with that!” She groaned and stomped shaking the whole structure. Morpheus yelped. Pausing for a moment, she took a step back and fixed her glasses up. “You need to fix your priorities, Morpheus. It’s one of the things that can keep you from reaching success, after all, and there's nothing more that I despise than a changeling who has them all mixed up. Everything that has to do with the Equestrians goes at the very bottom of the list, got it?”

He bowed. “Noted, boss.”

“I’m not dealing with mad pony queen who can’t even keep her unstable and good-for-nothing sister in check. In fact, write her the truth, so she’ll stop bothering me with her petty persistent idea of exclusivity to her ponies.”

Then she lowered her head to look him face to face, her glare could pierce through her wide glasses.

“Now let’s go back to the top priority. Where's the interloper?”

Resting down on the cold floor of a dimly lit room, a faded black changeling was sleeping through the echoing of water drops, the dank smell of mold growing on the wall, a product of the leaking faucet mounted in there, and the throbbing pain in his stomach.

The door abruptly opened letting out a loud creak, brought out of his sleep. He squinted through brightness as light flooded the room until he met Chrysalis’s cold look.

Slowly, he stood. “Nice. You did show up,” he greeted trying to sound casual through his tired tone. He began stretching his legs, clacking each one of them. “Thought that this was it for me. All alone in a dank and miserable room.”

“And you were expecting something better when it comes? How charming.” Chrysalis replied, a crocodile smile on her face. The changeling dropped his ears and coughed. She took note of the fading color of his chitin, the drained look in his eyes and his thin body shape. Concerning in comparison to the usual state of a regular worker. “Are you the one who broke in my office?”

He raised his hoof. “Yep, guilty, though I wanna clarify. It was my way to reach you, to cut through the whole bureaucracy of this place. Y'know, taking the quickest road in the woods and nothing more.”

“Yes, the road to the dragon's den, good choice.” She frowned. “Who are you and why aren't you wearing the uniform?”

“Don't you remember me Chrysalis?” He asked surprised. She just gave him a raised eyebrow. He reached his chest. “I-I’m Polistes.”

Still nothing.

“Your mating buddy…”

Her widen like full moons. “The breeder.” She hissed. “You’re still around!? Everyling I asked told me you were long dead!”

“Well, they weren't lying. I was dead to everyling long before all this-” he coughed, “And I'm barely holding up right now, to be honest.”

“And what will is keeping you alive? I must know, you’re wasting resources!” she spat.

“The little ones, Chrysalis.” He said looking straight into her bright reptile eyes. “I can't even describe how I felt knowing that I have two-argh!”

A sudden force of magic coming from Chrysalis’ horn pinned him against the wall.

“Who told you about them!?” she growled.

“I-I snuk around and overheard your caretaker."

"Impossible, you're terrible at sneaking." She waved her hooves around. "Look where we are, you failed to sneak into my office!"

"Being dead to everyling had its perks, and it made it easy. This was on purpose, though. I told you that I was just looking to talk, that's all."

She dropped him. "So let me guess, you want to talk about them."

"I want to see my sons, Chrysalis."

"They are not your changelings, and you'll never see them. Now go and die!" She turned around to leave, but something grabbed her hind leg.

"Please, please! Just grant this last wish!" He said as he clung from her leg. "I'm dying just for- Uff!"

Chrysalis pinned against the wall again. "Don't you dare guilt trip me! Must I remind you that this was all on you! You volunteered for it and knew very well about the curse that could bring. The whole factory knows about it. It’s not my problem the rusted gears in your head began spinning now, and I really don’t care either.”

Polistes had nothing to say as the truth was hard to swallow. A moment of silence passed until finally she dropped him again, and Polistes let out a flurry of coughs.

"Just a look, Chrysalis… Please, nothing more..." He begged and kneeled before her. "I'll die in peace... and never bother you again."

"Go out in peace, hmm?"

Her horn began to glow a sickening green and so were her eyes. Polistes squinted his eyes shut and braced.

A loud crackling sound made him wince, his hoof met a soft and smooth surface, and a yelp coming from someling else made him peek. He found himself in some unrecognisable chamber alongside Chrysalis. The chamber was well lit and the walls were completely white, painful to his eyes. In the middle of it, a freaked out changeling leaned against an open container that had a golden symbol of a triangle with a diamond.

"I, uh… wasn't expecting you to appear like that, boss… and so soon," she said heavily breathing and with hoof on her chest. Polistes saw her red wing cover on her back and soon recognized her. A sudden cry from inside the containers made her gasp. “Nooo! just when I was done getting them to sleep.” she hung her head and sighed.

"Toxidia, I would like to have a word with you later," Chrysalis began "But for now, just go and keep an eye on that idiot, don't let him step closer."

Toxidia gulped and nodded, moving beside Polistes who gave an apologetic smile.

"Take a good look, Polistes." Chrysalis said bearing a predatory smile. She pulled out two squirming larvae from the containers. "Aww, you two must be mad right now, huh?" The hatchlings let out a high pitched cry that made poor Toxidia wince. She turned them to face Polistes. "Well, you can blame it all on him."

Polistes let out a smile as he saw the two hatchlings slowly calm down as they stared at him. He took a step, but was quickly halted by Toxidia. The two larvae hissed at him.

Chrysalis chuckled softly as she nuzzled them. "This is Calyx and Spiracles, they’re brothers and the future of the hive industry." .

"They're… beautiful…" Polistes said with glimmering eye, a single tear rolled down his cheek.

She sat on the floor as soon as Calyx began biting her neck tie, and laid Spiracles down. Playfully, she booped Spiracles who then bared his tiny fangs and hissed at the hoof.

"Never in all my three centuries of life have I been this eager. Eager to show these two the wonders of the biggest most successful factory in the world and take their first whiff of progress that it produces. Together we’ll laugh on mother's grave! Without you, of course, you won’t even have a grave.” Her tone was playful as she continued poking at Spiracles. “My two little heirs will never know you. They'll never hear about you, breeder, they wont even your name." Calyx climbed up onto her back and bit her.

Chrysalis chuckled. “Ah! Nicely done, dear!” She took the hatchling and nuzzled her. "Take a good look, because this is all what you're going to get before you’re gone."

The caretaker turned as she heard a whimper followed by a sniff. She felt a sting in her stomach at the sight of Polistes. He sat looking deflated, tears in his eyes but he never took them off his hatchlings. He greeted his teeth and shut his eyes trying to hold the need to break in front of Chrysalis, but ultimately failing in the end.

Toxidia wasn’t sure what to do. Initially she stepped away to give some space to the sobbing changeling but he was a heartbreaking sight that contrasted with the cackling of her boss lady. "You made a terrible mistake coming here, Polistes." Chrysalis went and grabbed Polistes by the legs and dragged him away. Away from this unnecessary suffering.

10 years later

“For changelings, I have a special deal! I’ll throw in five in total for just two bits, whaddaya say little ones?” The green changeling merchant said holding a blue sphere device on his hooves that, with a press of a honeycomb shaped button, blinked a blue light.

“Hmm, sounds like you want to get rid of it,” a little blue changeling said rubbing his chin. He was carrying a saddlebag full of consumables and wore a red snapback cap backwards.

“Wouldn’t it be better to actually get rid of it for good, sir?” A little yellow changeling beside the blue one asked. “Shift-disablers were like the worst device ever with their high collateral damage, and it almost cost the victory to the union during the revolt. Surprisingly, there are some that blame its flawed design for not being part of the production line in the first place, I say that’s not an excuse. They should’ve simply done it as a projectile instead of a throwable.”

The merchant eyes widened. “Wow, seems like you’ve done your research. That’s definitely not good for business...” He eyed the crowd passing by, composed of different types of creatures. Some looked back with raised eyebrows. “Let me tell you this, little one. It was me who made it, it was I who saw the revolt with my own eyes and I can assure you that it did in fact help. Your sources are wrong. You need to be more open-minded. For you, sure, a broken product. But for these creatures, I see a revolutionary self-defense device.” He put his hooves together. “Believe me, in do time a great partner will appear to go hand to hand with it.”

“It’s interesting how you use the term ‘partner’ instead of ‘sucker’, sir,” the blue changeling commented.

“Please leave. Leave now.” Seeing the merchant’s glaring gaze at them, both changelings left the booth. Trotting through the bustling market plaza.

“Was I too harsh, Spiracles?” asked the yellow changeling, “I just threw him the facts.”

“Yes, you were. You destroyed him, sis,” the blue changeling replied, making his sister hangs her head.

The market plaza was a small town dedicated to the trading of goods within the Griffonstone region, and settled just southeast of the changeling hive were a river split it apart. The flourishing economy from the plaza was evident as every structure showed beautiful and stylish architecture, neatly placed power lines on the rooftops, and its cobblestone roads were flooded with every single creature residing in the bordering regions.

A dog viciously barked at them, making them flinch as the dog vigorously pounced. Luckily the dog was yanked by a rope. The yellow changeling and her brother galloped away. laughing at the dog’s demise.

“Ah damn, what a rush, huh sis?”

The yellow changeling didn’t respond and kept going.

“You can slow down now. The dog isn’t following,” he said. His sister slowed, glancing around the plaza.

“Where’s Pa?” she asked, worried. “It’s been minutes and he still hasn’t shown up!”

A shadow passed above them, and as they look up to see who it was, both only got a glimpse of what seemed to be two gryphons zipping around the plaza with a gleam that could only come from armor.

“Should we be worried?”

“No, not yet. Let’s have another look around, give him a few more minutes before we panic.” He turned ready to take another stroll when suddenly...

“Spiracles, Calyx, wait up!” A familiar shout shot across the plaza. They both saw a multitude of wanderers until finally spotting a gray changeling with blue eyes coming towards them with a saddle bag.

“Hey, you made it out alive, awesome!” Spiracles smirked.

Polistes patted his son’s head. “Ha, don’t underestimate me, buddy. How else you think I got this old? How about you two, are you ready?”

“We were ready ages ago, Pa!” Calyx replied, annoyed.

“Oh, my bad, sweetie. Things took longer than expected, but it’s all good now. We’d better get going,” Polistes gestured, and both siblings took the cue. They trotted along the way to the gates, the only entrance and exit, as the perimeter of town was guarded by a wall.

“So, How did it go?”

Polistes turned back his attention to the little changelings and shook his saddlebag gingerly making it raddle. “I got it! Bought a full bag of goods worth a hundred less, all by myself.”

Calyx beamed a smile. “I’m so proud of you, Pa! You’ve definitely improved a lot.”

“I owe it all to your teachings, sweetie.” He gave her a pat on the head, and while doing so,he felt a slight bump and turned to Spiracles.

“Pa, You should’ve seen her back there at the market when you were away.” Spiracles said, shifting his attention away. “There was this poor changeling merchant and Calyx-”

“No, wait! Pa it wasn’t like that!” Calyx frantically waved her hooves.

As Polistes was about to open her mouth, a gryphon abruptly landed in front of them with a heavy stomp. Polistes yelp and flared his wings.

The griffon was wearing sunglasses and a black vest with a radio attached to it, marking him as a police officer. He fixed his shades and puffed out his chest.

“Um, can I help you officer…?” Polistes asked confused. Then another uniformed gryphon landed just a few steps behind them. Polistes glanced nervously between both gryphons, both brothers shuffling closer to their father. “W-what’s going on?” He asked with his ears dropped.

Spiracles sighed and stood forward. “Alright, alright, you got me.” He took his snapback out and pulled a pen-like device.

“W-what? Spiracles, you took that without paying!?” Polisted asked. Spiracles shamefully nodded. “What did you take anyways?”

“A cloud puffer…”

“Unbelievable! We’re gonna have a talk about this back home!” Polistes scolded and took it from his son. “Here you go officer, Sorry for the inconvenience. I promise-”

“We’re not here for that, sir,” the grey gryphon interrupted. He pulled out his badge to show the changelings. “We’re the Rapid Action Force, not some mere market security guards.”

Polistes stared at the badge in confusion before the gryphon put it back in his vest. Regardless, the agent snatched the puffer out.

“We spotted you dealing large quantities of amprilia tablets from a smuggler back there. So you’re coming with us.”

Calyx gasped. “You bought from a smuggler!?”

“What? I-I didn’t know he was- he was right there in the plaza. Standing in the open for crying out loud!”

Spiracles and Calyx backed away shocked as another gryphon agent jumped on Polistes, searched inside the saddle bag and revealed the large filled with red tablets. The siblings held each other helplessly.

“Hey, hold up! You don’t understand, I-I really need those. There’s a legit reason why, and I can prove it!” Protested Polistes to both of the gryphons. “And also how else am I supposed to get ‘em?”

The grey gryphon growled. “Don’t play dumb with us, changeling. Everyone knows that all healing and enhancing artifacts must go through the House of Curers, they provide the portion for every creature. You just committed a violation buying it on our streets.”

Polistes started to back away with his tail between his legs as the grey gryphon approached with an intimidating look. He halted as a wing wrapped around his back, holding him down. “We’re taking you under our custody, changeling." Said the gryphon, who swiftly chained Polistes hooves.

“Oh, come on!” Polistes shouted as he struggled, but he didn’t stand a chance against the powerful gryphon agent. “Damn curers making a monopoly out of every health issue. They can’t continue with this atrocity. This is abuse!”

“Please, you changelings had a monopoly yourselves for a whole century! Anyways, save it for the trail, changeling.” Both Polistes and the gray gryphon agent glared at each other.

“Pa, what’s going to happen!?” Polistes snaped from his sudden rage after hearing Calyx’s worried voice. “Are they going to take you to prison!?”

“I-It’s alright my younglings.” Polistes told his kids, trying to sound calm, but with a hint of despair in his voice. “This is all just a misunderstanding. We’ll get through this, but there’s a big favor that I need you two to do.”

Calyx was the first to nod, already getting a hold of the situation. “We’ll get Thorax and Pharynx right away.”

He shook his head. “No no, um… we don’t need to bring them up for this. I have someling better in mind. Go to the Blood Oak woods. Follow the trail and look for Danaus’s place. He lives in a big field so you won’t miss it and he’s a friend of mine so-”

“Not going to happen, sir!” The grey gryphon agent interrupted him, and turned to the brothers. “They’re coming with us as well.” He slowly moved towards the brothers. “Now, I didn’t bring enough hoof chains for this, so you’ll come with us in a civilized manner, right?”

A look of mutual agreement passed between the siblings and immediately, they took to the air.

“Idiots!” He groans and turned at his partner. “Take him to H.Q. I’ll be back in a minute.” He jumped after them.

“Don’t you dare hurt them! They’re just younglings- Aaah!” Polistes cried and dropped as the remaining agent struck him with a taser.

“Yeah, sure. You go after two kids while I carry this heavy bug.” He mumbled to himself as grabbed the unconscious changeling.

Just as their father told them, they flew as fast as they could on their way to the Blood Oak woods, the forest between the hive and Griffinstone. Spiracles, held his snapback tight fighting the harsh winds from throwing it away. He was carrying extra weight on his back, so Calyx slowed herself down a bit.

The feeling of dread was slowly subsiding. Both expected a chase since they noticed the agent taking off as well just a minute after they did, but in a matter of seconds, he disappeared from their sight. The two passed by a bridge without a problem and still, no sight of their pursuer. It remained clear ahead, they could see a couple of houses below, and the forest a few yards further.

“Guess this is as far as he can go, sis,” Spiracles grinned. “Just passed their jurisdiction.”

“Well thank the great hive leader! Those RAF agents seemed really fast, we definitely wouldn't stand a chance them with these tiny wings."

He rolled his eyes. “You get scared too easily. He knew it was gonna be pointless to chase us in the first place. That's why- WHOA!”

Spiracles was caught off guard by a rapidly approaching gleam of light, giving them no time to react as it zipped right across. The force was too strong for the little changelings as they were easily overcome and spiraled out of control. Both screamed in terror as their entire world was spinning fast. Fruits, vegetables and some cans were scattered everywhere alongside them, until the poor siblings plummeted into the woods.

Waking up to a stinging pain throughout his whole body, Spiracles groaned. When his vision slowly cleared up, Spiracles saw that he hadn’t touched the ground yet. He was hanging from a tree thanks to his saddlebag getting stuck on a branch. Despite the pain, his chitin took the fall very well and his snapback was still on his head.

“Sis!” He looked around and found his sister resting on a branch legs dangling. She moaned and groaned, but luckily he didn’t find anything broken on her.

“Jurisdiction, yeah right.” Calyx chided as she rubbed her head. “Unnecessary and uncalled for!”

Surveying the damage, she saw all their precious food splatted and smashed on the ground. Calyx sighed and closed her eyes.

“Hey buggers, are you alright?” The agent asked as he approached the base of the tree, kicking a some of the food out of the way.

“No! You almost ripped our wings off!” Both replied.

He looked at Spiracles suspending from the stretch slings of his saddlebag and laughed. The gryphon dug into his vest and took out the device that Spiracles stole. He placed it on his beak and took a deep pull, expelling a flock of small pegasy made of pink smoke from his beak. A sudden burst of fruity flavor made him click his beak pleasantly. “This is very lame, my friend.” He commented shaking the pen like device and all he got was glaring looks from up the tree. “Alright, I’ll give you ten seconds to get down before I come pick you up myself, got it?”

“No!” Spiracles quickly set himself free and landed, followed by Calyx fluttering alongside. “Sorry to break it to ya, flying psycho, but the only way we're going back is with some help for our dad,” Spiracles said, fixing his cap.

“Don't you know what you're asking for, lil’ changelings?” The gryphon adjusted his vest and stretched his wings. “This defiance and law breaking from you three is just what we need as proof to keep the buggers from entering our region freely.” He put the smoke device away and flared his wings out. “Come at me!”

The two siblings look to each other and took a deep breath, green flames engulfed their bodies leaving a terrifying giant red spider-scorpion and a black centipede at his side, snapping his pincers.

With an unimpressed look, the gryphon took a few steps back and retrieve a shift-disabler from his vest. He threw it at the giant insects, exploding instantly on contact. Sending blue sparks everywhere as the two creatures were launched back by the shock wave and crashed on the ground.

Involuntarily, Spiracles switched his transformation off and the same happened to his sister. They gave a dazed and confused look. “What the heck! What kinda crap is that!” Spiracles tried changing back but to no avail as he recovered quickly.

“One of your bug friends sold it to me, real cheap.” He said while shaking another one of the shift-disablers. “Might actually come handy for the RAF.”

“Ugh… and you had to be the one to buy it. Unbelievable.” Calyx ears drooped, recognizing the device from before.

The agent smirked. “Now then, why don’t you? With no way to fly or change, you might as well be foals..”

“Never!” With a mighty battle cry they charged, ready to take down the abusive agent who was just stood still, not even bothering to take a defensive stance. They galloped with all their might, screaming their lungs out, and with enough momentum, they lunged at him. In one swift move, the gryphon took them with his talons and shifted their weight to throw them off to the side.

Spiracles and Calyx landed one on top of the other in a heap. They both slowly got up and recovered from the failed attack. “Let’s try again, A pear was in the way so I had to hold back a little,” Spiracles smiled sheepishly and Calyx groaned.

Once more they charged at the gryphon, who still hadn’t moved. He casually waited for the attack, admittedly sensing more a bit more vigor this time but again, they met the dirt.

“Spiracles,” Calyx groaned. “This isn’t working.”

“Then I’ll go first, and you attack from the side.” Spiracles didn’t wait for his sister and rushed to the agent.

Spiracles pounced once more to the gryphon and as he expected, his foe halted the attack with his talons. That was the chance for Calyx to reluctantly strike like her brother planned, but unfortunately for them, the gryphon was well aware of the situation. The big avian spun with Spiracles still in his hold, and threw him at the fliching Calyx. As a result, Spiracles slammed and knocked his sister out.

“Had enough yet?” The gryphon clicked his talon, looking mildly amused by his work.

The pain was getting to them, as they took longer to recover. Calyx slowly stood up and helped her brother. “We can’t this up,” she said panting. “We need a different approach… he’s not going to play offensive with us… and going at him head on isn’t a good idea.”

“Any suggestion then, sis?”

Calyx shook her head. “Sadly, no…” Her ears dropped and she sat down.

Spiracles glanced at the gryphon, who was busy scratching a spot under his wing with his beak, and then to the clear sky above the trees. “Dammit, such a beautiful day. We could’ve been playing with Diarcia, Acrotis, and Tortrix back in the hive… instead, we’re here in this stinky place with this stinky idiot. All three of us locked up in a cell for who knows how long.” He hung his head. “What did we ever do to deserve this.”

“You didn’t mind at all when you took that stupid thing from the market, did you?”

He furrowed his brow. “That wasn’t enough to set us up for this, and I could’ve gotten away with that.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Anyways, we’re screwed now. Say goodbye to everything…”

Memories of their friends at the hive played, all the little moments Calyx enjoyed with them and all the mischief they’ve caused together. “And we never got to say sorry to Tortrix,” Calyx added. “Poor Tortrix...”

"To that bully? Never!" Suddenly, Spiracles got a bright idea. “I have a stupid plan, Sis.” Spiracles said, and Calyx raised an eyebrow. “We’re gonna flip him like we did with Tortrix, but obviously more hardcore this time, so you have to tackle him like you really mean it!.”

“Well, yeah it’s stupid. He's gonna see it coming, and he’s twice her size.”

“No, he won’t, trust me. I’ll make sure of that. The bigger he is, the harder he falls. It’s a basic law of nature, sis.”

Calyx frowned. “That’s not a law, it’s from a stupid saying, idiot!”

He waved her off. “Just focus your strength when you tackle his hind legs, okay? At least it’s better than nothing.”

Ksshhhhk! The gryphon coughed pink smoke from his device as his radio blasted some loud indistinct chatter, making him reply back with some sort of code. He tucked away the puffer and turned to the changelings. “Show’s over, buggers, let’s go.”

Spiracles pushed his sister. “Go go go!” He shouted and she quickly ran away into the woods behind Spiracles.

Flaring up his wings, the agent was about to take chase. But soon was met with an apple smashing on his face. He growled, but Spiracles kept on throwing whatever fruit he saw around him and rushed toward at the same time.

Furious now, the gryphon released an earth quaking roar that nearly stopped Spiracles in his tracks. Gritting his teeth, he pressed on and tackled the agent’s barrel. His strength alone wasn’t enough to knock him down though, and the gryphon just reared up with the youngling’s hooves in his claws.

“I admire your little sacrifice to let your sister escape,” The gryphon said as his talons dug deeper in Spiracles’s forehooves.

“You have it all wrong, pal.” Spiracles groaned as he felt the gryphon slowly stabbing into him. He buzzed his wings. “We always stick together, no matter what.”

“Ugh! That sounded so corny- GAH!” The gryphon yelp as something tackled from the back. He saw his hind legs in the air and Spiracles pushed him down to made sure he flipped and hit the ground hard. With a loud and solid pound, the gryphon went head first into the forest floor and rolled face down. Moaning in pain, he tried to stand up, but his forelegs began to wobble, and so the mighty gryphon guard collapsed again.

“Wooo hoooo!” Spiracles screamed ecstatically, jumping on top of the fallen agent. “Who’s. Corny. Now. Featherbrain!” The agent groaned every time the changeling bounced and stomped on him in triumph. When the stomping made the cloud puffer fall out of the agent’s vest, Spiracles smiled from cheek to cheek and went to grab it. Before he could though, the radio blasted again, making him flinch.

“Spiracles! What are you doing!? Have you lost your mind!?” His Sister shouted and pulled him away from the fallen agent. “Please, let's avoid making things worse!” And with that, they both ran deeper into the woods, Spiracles’s laughter echoing as they did.

Mental Pictures

“Sis…. you can... slow down now.” Spiracles said through panting as he leaned against a tree and his tongue stuck out. His sister did as he said and dropped to the ground from exhaustion, her barrel rising up and down rapidly. They’ve been flying deeper into the woods intensively without taking any breaks, trying to get as far away from the raging gryphon agent as they could.

“What a rush!” he said, still exhausted but with a hint of excitement still in his voice. “That was like a huge handicap for any changeling, but we still took him down! Wooo!”

“What have I done? This isn’t something to be proud of at all," she sighed. "Let's hope that, Danaus --who ever he is, can help us clear up any more charges."

They both laid down to rest with the melodic chirping of the birds and the distant cracking of the swaying trees to calm their hearts. Finally, the day seemed to slow down. Calyx rolled over to look at the canopy of leaves and branches above.

"If he can really do that, must be some powerful changeling," Spiracles mused. “Can’t wait to meet him.”

“What?”

“I'm talking about Danaus. If Pa trusts him to get him free, he must be powerful changeling. Even more than Thorax!”

“Nonsense!” Calyx moved to glare at him. “More powerful than Thorax? Noling. He and his brother run a whole hive, and they took down Chrysalis and her corrupted business.”

“Yeah, but they don’t have influence in the underworld. Think about it, Pa never mentioned this ling before, later he commits a crime and now he tells us that’s the go-to ling. I believe that he’s the boss of the smugglers, living in this forest, Blood Oaks.” He said wiggling his tail in excitement. “ Such a fitting name for a criminal to be, don’t you think?”

“No, you're exaggerating.” She turned her back on him and curled up in a ball. However, the silence of the forest allowed her to think about what her brother said.. Upon witnessing what her father buying from a smuggler back at the plaza, admittedly made her doubt a bit about meeting this stranger in the middle of the forest. Suddenly what her brother said could be more than nonsense.

Feeling something poking her back, she returned to earth to find her brother was already up again.

“Sis, where is this place?” he asked. “I kinda lost track of the trail.”

“I don’t know.” She stood up and looked around, just as lost as her brother. “There’s no other choice than to go up again and see where we are.”

“With the pissed off agent on the loose? No way, we'll be easy targets up in the open. We’re staying grounded.” He waved at her to follow and said, “Let’s keep moving.” Flaring his wings, he hovered deeper into the woods once more.

“Uh-huh, keep on walking aimlessly in the woods, that way we’re definitely gonna get there in the next five years, and we sure do have the time, so it’s no big deal.” Her tone dripping with sarcasm, Calyx started up her wings and followed close.

“Oh don’t be like that. I saw the place before we fell from the sky, it wasn’t that far off from here… probably,” he stated as he ducked and flew around the wild vegetation of the forest. “I’m sure we might stumble on it if we look.”

Of course, almost immediately, they came across on a tall wired fence that stretched far and wide. Spiracles placed his hooves on it and shook it wildly.

“Hah, what do you know!? You stick with me you’ll go places, nonbeliever.”

Calyx rolled her eyes and took a peek herself. The otherside was no longer surrounded by trees and plants, but instead piles of parts from various materials and torn off sheets of metal covered the place.

“Looks like a scrap yard, might not be the place since pah told us to look for a field. But still, we should go ask for directions. Some creature must live here.” She then turned at the sound of her brother clearing his throat. He was pointing at a signed stuck in the fence that read,

Private Property, Do NOT Enter!

"Looks like the owner doesn't welcome guesses," Spiracles said.

Her ears dropped as she read the sign. The spikes on top of the fence made a lot more sense now.

“So… are you just gonna give up?”

“It's not wise to get into more trouble, Spiracles.” She trotted off on her way back into the woods.

Suddenly, their ears flared up as a distant wailing screech from beyond the fence caught their attention. They both hesitated for a moment, until they heard it once more. Spiracles hopped over the fence to investigate.

“Wait, Spiracles!” Calyx shouted.

“It could be an emergency sis, come on!”

“Aren't we also in an emergency right now!?”

“Then that’s another good reason to go.” He flew into the scrap yard. Following the sounds of distress through mountainous piles of garbage. He kept searching and searching hurriedly until he noticed something groaning nearby. A slight rumble in a small pile caught his eye, and finally, he found the source of the sound. Shortly thereafter, Calyx landed at his side.

“Hey kids! Ow!" said a struggling black changeling lying beneath several pieces of metal pipes and a torn up machine. Only his head and left foreleg was peeking out. “Do you happen… to be with an adult…? I’m in a tight situation as you can see here. I heard a roar somewhere and everything started shaking."

Spiracles glanced at his sister. "Uh, no, just the two of us, sir."

"Ah piss, what am I gonna do now?" the changeling sighed. "Might as well tear me to pieces while you can for all I care…"

"But we can help you out." Spiracles said, approaching the victim. "Hang in there, we'll get you out."

The black changeling softly chuckled at him. "Kids, this thing on top of me weighs a ton, is no use." He gave it a few taps with his only hoof. "The whole thing is metal, you see. You two won't be able to do much with it."

Calyx took a look at the mess pinching him and her eyes widened. "A TC 110, wow!" She turned to Spiracles who looked back, confused by her sudden excitement. "It's a love supplement dispenser from the industrial hive! It could've been a relic if it wasn't missing the condensator, motor, the reserve… then again… it should be way lighter now since it’s incomplete."

The black changeling was amazed. "Then go ahead and give it a try, little lady." He glanced at Spiracles. "See for yourselves."

Rubbing his hooves, Spiracles got in position while Calyx moved some pipes out of the way. Once ready, he nodded to her and both began to push. The machine did budge a little and as they pushed more and used their wings, he was astounded to see them getting some lift. With his only hoof, he crawled and later squeezed his rear legs out. Once free, the black changeling uttered a sigh of relief and the siblings dropped the metal trap in place.

"See, wasn't even that- uuh," Now seeing him in full view, Spiracles was baffled at the changeling he just helped.

Half of his chitin had a large white mark running on his side that ended with multiple streaks on his barrel. His body looked skinny and his legs were perforated. It made them wonder if the poor ling could even stand.

"Are you alright sir?" Calyx asked with genuine concern and slowly approached him. Only to receive a glaring look back that made her freeze.

"I'm fine and stop calling me that. The name’s Scarab, kid," he said in a raspy voice. Picking himself up and dusted off himself, he continued, " And in case you're wondering, because I bet you are, no, this ain't a stain, it’s just a mark. Just a damn mark!" Scarab turned to the machine that had fallen on him to inspect it.

"Hey dude, there's no shame in that. We have weird birthmarks too, see?" He showed his left forehoof, a mark was hidden on the bottom that resembled a triangle with a diamond crossing its bottom side. "We both have it, the same mark and the same area. Almost like someling made it, but Dad told us that wasn't the case."

"Pfft, that's nothing compared to mine. That's easily hidden from the public." Scarab crouched and dug through a missing panel of the broken machine. "And by the way, mine isn't a birthmark. I got it late and needed to get used to the change, and you don't have any idea of all the mockery and ridiculing I had to swallow over the years because of it." Scarab winced through a series of clanks and banging as he began messing with the machine.

"You got it in the factory, right?" Calyx asked as the noises stopped. "I saw a couple pieces of the old equipment that was used there lying around. You used to work there, didn’t you?"

Scarab paused for a moment and got his hoof out, holding a shiny metal piece from the machine. Chuckling at it, he turned to Calyx. "Maybe, but don't assume just from all the things scattered here. This ain't my place. None of this stuff is mine, this is Gawlfer's mess. So, thanks for helping but you two better get going while it's clear. If Gawlfer finds two little bugs wandering around, he'll squish you."

"Two? What about you, pal?" Spiracles asked.

"Me? Well, nothing." Scarab spun the shiny part around with a jovial smile. "He's my friend. I just help sort this place. He has his head somewhere else, but he keeps bringing in garbage from anywhere. So many things start getting lost and I just can't stand it, honestly."

"Right…" Calyx said as she glanced at her brother.

Spiracles just shrugged. "Anyways, we're off then. Bye dude." Spiracles waved and took off to leave the scrap yard.

"Spiracles no!"

He stopped in his tracks, wondering why Calyx stopped him. "We're lost remember! You don't know where you going and I'm not gonna follow you." She turned to Scarab, "Sir?"

He cleared his throat and glared back.

"Scarab, sorry, can you please help us? We're looking for Danaus and-"

"Nope." Scarab cut her off. "I don't owe you two nothing so I ain’t doing any favors.’

"B-but all I’m asking is for directions!"

Spiracles flew back down. "Come on, how can you be like this? We just saved your flank!"

He stared stoically for a moment at Spiracles and took a deep breath. "I don't know him, sorry."

Calyx ears dropped and she turned away. "Thanks…"

"Thanks for nothing, pal." Spiracles glared and turned to his sister. "Let's go find Gawlfer, maybe he's not so heartless."

Before they made it too far, Scarab ran after them. "Wait, hold up, kids!"

It was then that a noise caught their attention. The crazed honking of birds started to grow in the distance. They glanced around to find what caused it, until from above, a skein of geese rained down on them, surrounding the trio as they landed, stretching their necks and honking wildly.

"Aw crap!" Spiracles fixed his cap. "Where did they even came from?"

"Gawlfer must've let them out," Scarab replied as he slowly backed away. "Just hold still kids, these birds will go away if we don't move."

The kids nodded and did what they were told. They held their places as still as possible, but the menacing geese kept creeping in on them, some even flapped their wings in an effort to look more threatening.

"Um, I don’t think it’s working, Scarab. Scarab?" Calyx turned to find Scarab running away.

"That filthy worm! Why did we even bother helping him!?"

Scarab flew with the part tightly in his grasp, ignoring the siblings bellow until three more geese showed up in front of him and he halted. "Alright, you caught me!" He released the part letting it fall back to the scrap yard. "See, I've turned it back. Now let me just- Aaaah!"

The geese viciously attacked Scarab, relentlessly pecking him down, not even stopping as the changeling fell behind a pile of scrap and out of sight.

"Oh my goodness! Is he alright!?"

Spiracles quickly took two small pieces of wooden planks. "Question is, are we gonna be alright?" He tossed one to Calyx. "Swing it in the air, let's make them back away as we go through the fence."

Calyx nodded in agreement and they both began swinging their weapons randomly, making the geese back away. Afraid but relentless, the geese just kept circling around honking angrily as the two pressed on. Any time one of the birds got dangerously close they warned back with a swing of the plank.

Suddenly, a honk from above caught them by surprise. As Calyx looked up just as it was already too late. One of the geese dove and caught her defenseless. She screamed in pain as the pecks got through her chitin. Other geese took advantage of the situation to join on the attack, but a swift spank from Spiracles, knocked it back and kept the rest from approaching their changeling prey.

"Sis, pick your plank up, I can't hold- OW!" Spiracles couldn’t finish as more geese attacked his exposed back. He kept hitting blindly and more feathers flew in the air, but there was no end to them.

"Screw it, let’s get out of here! Aaahh" In a panic, Calyx picked up her weapon and swung blindly as she ran, Spiracles following close behind.

As fast as they could, they zig-zagged through the heaps of trash piled in the field, the geese relentlessly chasing them down. Two geese managed to flanked the changelings, but only to meet a smack sending it flapping away. The endless harassment was all too much and Calyx couldn't take the torture any longer. “Just leave us be! We don’t wanna be here!” She yelled in a pained tone, but it was all in vain. One of the geese flew on top of her again and pecked at her head.

Letting out a cry of rage, she trashed around and whacked the attacker off her back. Her brother skidded to a halt as he found himself surrounded once more. The large birds didn’t wait for a second and jumped at him all at once, overwhelming the poor little changeling who just curled up on the floor covering his head as best he could.

Lucky for him, the attack subsided and all he could hear was every goose honking in distress. He peeked from behind his forelegs to see feathers raining down and Calyx panting and scared while the menacing geese fled in panic and featherless.

“Damn, sis, you’re on fire today!”

“I-I messed up again…” She said while taking back her breath. “Why do the animals hate us so much!? I don’t want to hurt them, but they always attack me! Why does this keep happening?”

Spiracles took his cap off and brushed away some feathers. Hat straightened back on his head, he put a hoof on Calyx’s shoulder. “Come on, don't be so hard on yourself. That’s my job. You know those kinds of birds are inherently bad to anyling. You saw what they did to that idiot of Scarab, it wasn’t just us."

“But that was probably our fault too! I don’t think they would’ve been so rowdy in the first place. I hope he's okay...”

Spiracles snorted. “That dirty crook got what he deserved, hardly a loss, really. Now let’s keep on going, because there’s a certain changeling that needs us right now. Hopefully we’ll make up today’s mistakes.”

Kshhhk! Beep!

The siblings gasped as their little ears picked up the frightening and familiar noise. Not a second passed, the kids hopped the fence and ran back into the woods.

What seemed like hours of intense galloping and the woods looked as if they’d never end. Their surroundings looked exactly the same in every direction with no sign of a road. In the still of the woods, Spiracles heard something as they galloped. The soothing sound of the flowing water. Following the noise, it eventually led them to a stream that snaked through the forest.

“Haha! Now we’re back on track! I remember seeing a river close by. So let’s go upstream!” Spiracles pointed.

Calyx looked skeptically. “You saw that too? Considering what happened last time you ‘remembered something,’ I think I’ll keep skeptical..” She replied with half closed eyes. “This isn’t even big enough to be a river, idiot, It’s a stream! We’re lost Spiracles, admit it! This place is way too big to keep on wandering around like this!”

“We’re not lost!” He tapped his head. “I took pictures of the scenery with my mind before that agent took us down. But, since you don’t believe me, why don’t you go up and take a good look for yourself while giving our position away? You heard pretty clear that that agent is still around, didn’t you?”

Calyx stared at Spiracles, but had nothing to say.

“That’s what I thought. Now, upstream we go!” Spiracles went onward, and Calyx frowned and sighed.

"Whatever you say, chief.”

Sitting at the stream were a couple of boulders next to one another. The sight spurred an urge in Spiracles. He licked his lips and hopped on the first boulder, then jumped to the second. With one final leap, he jumped, splashing into the stream.

“Quit messing around! You're gonna get us caught,” Calyx warned keeping her distance from the as she passed.

Spiracles kicked up more water as he galloped faster in an attempt to catch his sister, squinting his eyes as the cold water bathed his face and soaked his chitin. However, Calyx has stopped for some reason.. Following her line of sight, he spotted a conspicuous white plastic barrel sitting right in the middle of the stream.

Taking to the air, they both hovered to inspect the plastic cylinder. “Was this purposely placed here...?” Calyx asked spotting little holes punctured at its bottom where the water flowed through. Curious, Spiracles lifted its lid.

“Ouch!” Calyx yelped as something smacked her flank.

Spiracles dropped it, and glanced around. His sister was rubbing her flank when he spotted a slender black changeling on the other side of the stream. The stranger's purple eyes glared at them and then it threw another rock at him. He ducked in time to dodge, missing a potential hit in the head.

“Leave it alone you nosy-lings!” the stranger yelled.

“Did you just throw a rock at me!?” Calyx exclaimed.

“Stay away from my fish!”

Calyx raised an eyebrow. “There's fish in this stream?”

“Ooh!” Spiracles lifted the lid again and they both looked inside.

The stranger flew towards them. “Yes and they're mine!”

“Nope, nothing but water there, ma'am,” Spiracles replied, disappointed.

“If you leave it alone there will be soon,” the stranger said grumpily as she opened it herself. She took a quick look inside before shifting the barrel while murmuring to herself.

“What do you do with the fish you catch, anyways?” Calyx asked.

The stranger paused and licked her fangs. “I eat them, of course.” She saw the look of shock and disgust on the siblings and couldn't help but smirk. “What, you don't like it, little-lings?” she said in a mocking tone.

They both shook. “We’ve never met any-ling who does…”

“Then you two are missing out, it's brain food after all and it does the body go-" She paused and eyed their scraped up chitin. “Looks like you’d need some. But you're not getting any of mine, though.”

“Don't worry, we don't want it, ma'am.”

“Good,” she flicked her hoof. “Go away.”

Finally taking a better look at the stranger, Calyx noticed that she wore a red wing cover and a belt. “You know, it wasn't very nice of you to throw rocks at us.”

“And it wasn't nice of you two to touch what isn't yours,” She bickered.

“Alright fair enough, sorry,” Calyx replied. “We were told of a road that leads to Danaus’ place. Can you tell us where it is so we can leave.”

The stranger eyed them from top to bottom. “What’s your deal with Danaus?”

Spiracles clicked his tongue and shook his head. “Uh uh uh, that's not of your concern, ma'am.”

“We're just delivering a message! N-nothing suspicious or anything, ma'am,” Calyx quickly added with a sheepish grin.

The stranger frowned. “Call me Toxidia, no more ma'am, and it does concern me. He's my neighbor.”

Calyx raised an eyebrow. “You live here and still wear that?” She pointed at her wing cover and belt. “That’s the old factory uniform. Weird to see one being worn right now and in decent condition.”

She smiled. “Very observant, little-ling,” and tapped her belt. “I kept mine just because it’s useful and has endured the test of time. No creature has a problem with it here, after all. That era is long gone now...”

“Useful, huh...?”

“Yes... You two certainly are an insufferable little pair, but surprisingly not quite as ignorant as some others. Tell me, what are your names?” she asked lowering her head meeting them eye to eye. The young-lings slowly backed away as soon as they smelled her fishy breath.

“Calyx.”

“Spiracles.” Both replied holding their breath.

As soon as the stranger heard the names, she pursed her lips and shook her head, leaving the two with quizzical looks.

“Ugh, terrible names they picked for you two. Whoever gave you those didn't care at all. I almost feel pity,” she said with half closed eyes.

They both furrowed their brows and halted their hovering, planting their hooves on the water with a slight splash.

“Hey!” Spiracles called annoyed. “What's so bad about our names?”

“Oh, nothing much. Those are the names given to the heirs back in the industrial hive. The two cursed children of the last Executive.” She replied in a bitter tone.

“Heirs?” Spiracles asked, suppressing the urge to laugh. “What are you talking about?”

Calyx glanced at her brother. “There's no such thing, the last Executive had a cursed and couldn't have changelings of her own.That was her mother’s revenge, every-ling knows that, you're making this up.” Calyx crossed her soaked forehoofs and scowled at the older-ling.

Toxidia laughed. “Every-ling? And who are they to prove me wrong?”

Spiracles put his dripping hoof on his chest. “We're from Thorax's hive and we’ve, nor any-ling, ever mentioned that, not even our dad, and they all came from that factory. Who are you to say that’s true?”

Toxidia let out a heavy sigh and turned to her side and pulled a badge out of her pocket. “You might know about the uniform, but what about this badge?”

Calyx took a look. It was a silver badge with Toxidia’s name printed on it, but she shrugged. “No, all I see is a common badge, but in silver. What about it?”

Toxidia smiled. “Well, you’re going to learn something new. These ones are handed out by the Executive herself, for special duties. Only a few others had them, and all of them were from the high table. Me being the exception, of course. My duty was to take care of the heirs secretly while she was busy setting up her schemes for the industry.”

“Oh, and you're proud of that?” Spiracles asked.

“Of course not! I hated every single day that I spent with those horrendous hatchlings! Every day was torment. But… even now, I can't seem to throw this away.”

"If the last Executive did have two changelings, as you say, what happened to them during the revolt?" Calyx asked a bit intrigued. “You don’t seem worried or bothered at all.”

"Then you know the answer..." she smirked, her eyes shifted to the barrel in the stream and she tapped it a few times. "Though can't confirm it, I assure you, they didn't make it out. Those two were hidden in the sharp tools plant, the only one that got burned down. The last Executive didn’t have a chance to save them, she was... too busy being executed, and with me as the good caretaker that I was, they were left to burn with it!" Toxidia burst into laughter, going so far as to slap the barrel like it was her knee. “The workers had no idea of the huge favor they did by burning down that plant. Such a pleasing sight back then!”

The scene couldn’t have been more uncomfortable for Calyx. The unsettling laughter went on without pause until it really started to hurt. Actually, something had stung her in the leg. “Aaah! Ow owow Ooow!” she let out I cried in pain making Toxidia flinched. Calyx jumped and jerked her foreleg out of the water to find a smooth blue rock with two claws clamping on her. “WHAT THE HECK IS THIS THING!?” She tried to shake it off but the rock creature clamped tightier.

Spiracles quickly buzzed off to keep his legs away from the stream.

“Ha, look what came out to say hello!” Toxidia said and rushed to her. “Don't move or the crab will only pinch you harder!”

Biting her lower lip to numb the pain, she held her hoof still. Toxidia grabbed her foreleg with one hoof and with the other she grabbed the rock creature. With her muzzle up close, she bit down the creature's claw and yanked it free.

Toxidia tossed the creature back to the stream, then inspected Calyx’s hoof. Apart from some tiny bite marks, there didn’t seem to be any real damage, but a peculiar looking scar under the hoof caught her eye. “Hmm…” she squinted to get a better look at the scar, and it seemed to be a triangle with a diamond on its bottom side..

“That’s just my birth mark,” Calyx admitted, quickly taking her hoof back and massaging it. “I’ll be fine...”

Spiracles saw her sister hold back a tear as she continued to rub the bite. “This whole place really sucks. This whole day really sucks. Can you just tell us where the road is so we can leave?” He begged the bitter stranger.Toxidia gave them a bone chilling glare, but simply pointed back to the woods. “Keep going straight. In five minutes or so, you'll find the road.”

With a simple nod, they flew to the given direction. Spiracles looked back to see the stranger standing motionless, that dark glare still on her face.. Unable to discern what was causing it,e ignored her and faced forward.

“What's gotten into her?” Calyx asked.

“Not sure… Maybe fish aren’t so good for the brain after all.”

Most Effective Path

Relief washed over the siblings when they finally spotted the road. A second wind bubbling up inside them, they hurried along to make up for lost time. The road was well maintained, and they managed to get across it without any trouble.

Finally, their journey had reached its destination when they came across a gated entrance. On either side was a wooden fence stretching along a wide open field to the east and several fields with various crops to the west. Down the middle and straight up north they found a yellow house two stories tall, sitting on top of a small hill. Looking carefully, the two siblings saw movement on one side of the house, but it was too far away to make out what exactly.

“This must be Danaus’ place. Just act natural, okay?” Spiracles warned.

“He’s not a criminal, Spiracles. Everything in this place says that he’s just a farmer.”

Spiracles winked, “Exactly! Keep up that thinking, but let me handle him.” He adjusted his cap and started trotting to the yellow house, while his sister rolled her eyes and followed him.

“Aw, little changelings!” came from a female voice. The siblings made an abrupt stop and looked around the field until they spotted an orange hippogriff’s head in a patch of tall grass. She started making her way toward them until she’d exited the grass. She wore a stained blue button-up shirt, sleeves unevenly rolled up and her violet mane was pulled into a knot with some leaves stuck to it. “Ooo so cute, I could eat ya!” She appeared friendly enough, but that was before they noticed the gleaming machete in her claw.

“AAAHH!” the siblings screamed, Calyx jumped and hid behind Spiracles who slowly backed away from the rough looking greeter.

“Wait! I didn’t mean it! I’m sorry!” The hippogriff dropped her machete and flew gently towards them, giving them a welcoming smile. As she landed by the scared siblings, her eyes widened. “Oh no, you two look terrible!” She crouched and inspected their scratched up chitin, thenproceeded to gently caress Spiracles. “Those geese tore you up like a rag, huh?”

“Yeah… how’d you know?” Caryx asked.

“Easy, Gawlfer’s obnoxious pet birds are the only things that would do that around here. Bloody Oak is a peaceful place and Gawlfer has been nothing but trouble ever since he moved.”

She placed her talon on her chest and said, “I do my part to keep the trail clear as possible for visitors travel on, but it’s no good when his birds keep harassing anyone who uses it. I keep warning him, but now he’s definitely crossed the line.”

“Actually-” Calyx began, but was quickly cut off by Spiracles.

“We appreciate your concern and all, but what my sister wanted to say is that we can't really afford getting sidetracked. We’re on our way to Danaus.”

“Oh cool, I'm Facia Fairytale, his wife.” She flared her wings. “Welcome to Aura field, our sweet home. What ya can I help you with...?” She scratched her beak thoughtfully. “Perhaps, treating those awful wounds?”

“Nah, we changelings are made of tough chitin and can take this and much more,” Spiracles said posing his scratched up body.

“I’d like to get this all cleaned up, actually,” Calyx said as she looked herself over.

“We just want to talk about a favor with your husband,” Spiracles said as he turned to give Calyx a quick glare, to which she just rolled her eyes. "Of course, I'm more than willing to repay it. So if you can lead us to him we can discuss more on it.”

She cocked her head. “A favor? Do tell! Dan and I work mostly together on everything. What made you come here?”

“Our father got taken by the RAF a while back in the plaza market,” said Calyx. “Then they chased us down for no reason.”

“Oh dear!” She covered her mouth in shock. “Are you two completely on your own here?”

They both nodded with a sad look on their faces.

Facia squeezed both changelings in a tight hug. “Don’t worry little changelings, we certainly can take you in!” Both Calyx and Spiracles let out a pained groan as they felt her sharp talons digging in their skin. “Don’t you worry about a thing, all this terrible business is over. You two can be part of our family. Ooooh, I’ve always dreamed of having kids of my own!”

“WHAT!? NO!” Spiracles pushed to keep his face out of her chest. “We want him free. We’re asking you to help dismiss the charges.”

“What!?” Facia eyes widened and promptly let them go.

“Please, we think something terrible will happen to him,” Calyx added. “He has a serious illness that needs to be taking care of daily, and worst of all, he doesn’t know how to read… must be having a hard time now."

“T-this is some case with the law, it’s far too big and complicated for us to do anything about.” She stood up, but when both siblings ears drooped,she gave them a worried look. “I’m sorry, but this is an issue that should've been brought to a lawyer, or perhaps to King Thorax.”

“Well, that’s just great.” Calyx turned to her brother frustrated. “See!? That’s what I said in the first place!”

“B-but Pa told us that Danaus could help! Don't you two have contacts with the region's underworld or something?” Spiracles asked, looking for anything to get out of this mess.

Facia shook her head. “We’re just a couple of farmers, I have no idea why anyone would say that.” She sat and crossed her arms. “To think he knows us like- who is your father anyway?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Polistes.” They both replied in unison.

Facia’s eyes went wide as her wings flared once more. “I…” She shook her beak and stood up. “Come, little-lings. I’ll show you to Danaus.”

“So you do know our dad!” Spiracles stated as they both followed the big hippogriff through the trail in the open field, finally getting close to the big yellow farmhouse at the end of it.

“Umm no, not really. I never got a chance to meet your father.” She got off the trail, going left and the changelings followed. “But I'm still very grateful.” She signed. “If it wasn't for him, I never would’ve met Danaus. My true love bug.”

“Aww, how cute! It really pleases me to hear that dad helped you out somehow.” Calyx trotted to the hippogriff’s side. “Polistes isn’t a bad changeling, just misunderstood. I hope he gets to meet you so you can see for yourself.”

Facia gave a soft smile. “Don't worry, we'll bring your father back--Gah!” She immediately ducked and shielded the changelings with her wing as a pipe levitated just overhead.

They got up to see a huge water tank that sat at the far left of the field, standing firm on wooden beams right next to a stretching field filled with unknown plants.

“Dan!” Facia shouted as several pipes soared throughout the field landing between the plants one after the other. “You almost gave me a crossbill beak with that!”

Beneath the water tank was a purple changeling looking at a blueprint with his horn glowing. He flicked his head to them, then got up and trotted their way.

“Sorry hon, you alright?” Danaus eyed her up and down, ignoring the two little changelings on her side. “I was trying to be as efficient as I could mounting up the irrigation system.”

“I'm okay.” Facia glanced at the field, half of it already having lines of steel pipe sitting there. “Hmm, sure is looking neat, good job.” Facia got on Danaus side and extended her wing, her feathers gently caressing his back. “Just keep an eye out when you do that hun.”

He touched her beak and smirked. “Hm, a crossbill would be interesting though…”

Every feather on her body bristled as she furrowed her brows.

Danaus let a sheepish smile and. “It was kidding! You know I love you just the way you are, my blooming Sunset Dahlia.” He then turned to the little changelings standing in awkward silence. “You kids…” He noticed the scratches on them and turned to Facia. “Let me guess, the geese out causing trouble again?”

“Yeah, but we can talk about it later. There's something more important, Dan. This is Spiracles and Calyx, the children of Polistes.”

“Really!?” Danaus sat down. “Wow time really flies fast! Last time I ever spoke to him was when he moved to Thorax's hive. Now look, he has kids, all grown up and all. What's that ol’ rascal been up to?” He glanced around. “Where is he?”

“The RAF took him… they're going to take him to prison,” Calyx said and watched as Danaus eyes widened. “Can you help him out? The last thing he told us was to reach you.”

Danaus felt some talons gently stinging his shoulders, he turned to look at Facia who rested close by his side giving him a half smile. Uncertain on what to expect but, nevertheless, ready to support the outcome.

“Of course, your father was the only changeling that had my back when the Union turned on me.” He reached out his hooves to their shoulders. “I'll gladly return the favor and bring him back to you, little-lings.” The two siblings smiled at him and Calyx tail wagged side to side. The sight warmed Danaus’s heart, then he glanced over the scratches and stains on them. “You two have been through enough for today, so go ahead and clean up at the house. You’re free to use the restroom on the second floor. Wouldn't want that old-ling to see you two like that, huh?” He winked.

“Thank you, sir,” both changelings said in unison.

“No problem.” He smiled. “I'll head out now and bring Polistes back before the end of the day.”

“He's an efficient changeling, you can trust him on that!” Facia added.

“Now go on, Facia will join you in a minute.” Danaus waved at them as they made their way to the house.

“You sure you can do it, Dan?” Facia asked.

Danaus took a deep breath and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Yeah, there's… a method. It's ugly, I know you definitely won't like it, dear.”

Facia covered her beak, her eyes filled with shock and her feathers bristled. “Oh Dan…”

“No, I'm not busting him out like some lunatic! I haven't lost my mind yet.”

The hippogriff let a sigh of relief, letting all her feathers to lay down.

“So bring me, the saddlebag, dear,” He said as he turned to head over to the backside of the house.

“What do you need that for?” Facia asked. He paused, then turned to face her.

“Where else am I going to carry the bribe?”

Under Pressure

Aura is a series of open fields and land at the edge of the Blood Oak woods that makes up Danaus and Facia’s farm. Gentle winds blow calmly all the time around this area thanks to the mountains to the northwest that block convection currents, keeping the airflow on this side. Facia explained that the wind helps generate power to the house, and the water was pumped from an artesian well sitting on the northeast side.

Danaus had left hastily an hour ago, giving Facia time to care for the young-lings. Their wounds were treated and cleaned as much possible, and they were fed with freshly harvested fruits and veggies. With Facia having shown herself trustworthy, Calyx was feeling a bit energized and hopeful.

Facia decided to give the changelings a little tour around Aura since Calyx showed interest in the place. Without much better to do, Spiracles abided and went along. She showed them all the various products planted in patches across the fields and a greenhouse where they kept some hybrids. Calyx was impressed of how self sustaining the couple were in a place like Blood Oaks, but on the other hoof, Spiracles yawned with disinterest. Lastly, they stopped at a garden.

“These here are my babies,” Facia said as they stepped inside. A few prancing pony ornaments decorated the place and a round fountain sat in the center with dozens of small flowers of different varieties surrounding it.

“My own little garden. Twenty six different species from around the northern regions of Griffonstone. They’re almost like Souvenirs from our little travels that we had on our anniversary.”

Calyx took a look around, but she was only able to recognize a couple of the flowers Facia had. She was fascinated by the beauty each exhibited. The color changing petals on some, the shapes of a few others resembling familiar objects.

“They're absolutely beautiful, Facia,” Calyx said. “This is way better than a pet.” She spotted one of the flowers who its petals began to flap and flutter all the way to her face. From out of nowhere butterflies showed up landing on both siblings.

Seeing the charming butterflies crawling on the little changelings made Facia smile. “Aww, they seem to like you two!"

“Actually it’s the opposite of that, these things hates us as much as every other animal we encounter. Animals either hate us or fear us.” Calyx explained while one big monarch crawled to her eye. She quickly shook it off and said, “These are just mildly annoying since they can’t sting us or anything.”

“C’mon now, that's a bit exaggerated, isn’t it? We’ve all been bitten and chased by creatures, but you’re still young. Give ‘em a chance.”

“They’ve had enough chances already. We even got banned from a petting zoo once without even trying,” Spiracles said, shaking the persistent butterflies away until he hissed and scared them off.

“Oh dear…” Facia reached her chest. Her ears twitched as she heard the buzzing of bees approaching. “Heh, guess that’s enough of our little tour. Let’s head back little-lings. Come along.”

The siblings followed the hippogriff who hummed peacefully while keeping an eye out for any invasive bee.

“Ms. Fairytale?” Calyx asked.

“Yes, Calyx?”

“You met Danaus back at the factory, right?”

“Oh, no, I didn't really meet him there, but it was where I first set eyes on him so long ago. Dan was so polite. Actually the only polite changeling who greeted us,” Facia chuckled.

“So, you’ve been in that place then?”

“Yes, once. My dad basically dragged me by the feathers, he wanted to sell some stupid suplements he made back then. We ended up getting kicked out after they stole our crates.”

“Damn, tough luck.” Spiracles commented.

“Hmm, a supplement you say? Maybe your father product was what triggered the creation of the ‘TC 110’…” Calyx mused.

Facia gave her a confused look.

“It was a dispenser machine used to provide supplement to the workers automatically. I'm guessing since it was implemented just a few years before the Union Revolt,” Calyx explained.

“Oh wow, that's crazy. The old griff would’ve flipped if he ever found out...”

“Now I feel sorry for your dad, Facia,” Spiracles commented. However, he raised a brow shen he heard a soft laugh from Facia.

“Not really, in the end the ol‘ griff wanted to take advantage of you. He definitely learned not to mess with the changelings.” Suddenly, she halted right in the middle of the field. A breeze caressing her feathers and mane, the chimes playing in the distance.

“Something wrong, Facia?” Calyx asked.

“Oh, just an observation.” The tips of her claws were tapping each other. “I thought that you two were pretty young, but you seem to know a lot about the equipment from that place like you were there ten years ago. You do handle the subject very casually as opposed to other changelings that I've met though.”

“No, you’re right,” Spiracles replied. “We’re only 10, both of us were born after the revolt.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah, we were lucky to avoid all that. My sister is the one who’s obsessed with the machinery the changelings used to make and all.”

Calyx shrugged. "How can I not be intrigued!? Changelings were outstanding innovators and contributed greatly to the development of the kingdoms in the past! I believe that we still can be great builders in the future."

Facia nodded. "An interesting point, I must say. Let's hope for no more dark times though. You two were blessed enough to be born after all that. I thought I had it rough when I was a young before I went to that Industrial nightmare.” She shivered. “Can't imagine living in a place like that. Hazards everywhere, toxic substances as far as the eye can see and completely so barren of any vegetation. The constant pressure to perform weighed on Dan so heavily that he nearly went mad."

“We know, everyling made sure about it,” Spiracles said. He put a hoof on his sister’s shoulder and added, “That's why we've been enjoying our time and making the most of our freedom.”

Calyx shovedSpiracles off. “Correction, I've been enjoying it and you just do whatever dumb thing you can think of.”

A loud insectile buzz at their backs made them turn. Toxidia flying towards them in a hurry, and abruptly landed in front of the trio.

“Sorry neighbor but can't really help you today,” Facia said and gestured whipping her eyes at the little-lings. “And Danaus just left, so you’ll have to come back tomorrow.”

Toxidia frowned. “I’m not here to buy your so-called nectar of-”

“Oh silly me!” Facia cut her off laughing nervously. “I haven't introduced you to my little visitors! This is Toxidia, my neighbor, these two are-”

“Calyx and Spiracles, Spiracles and Calyx. The two innocent little changelings,” she hissed.

“Oh, so you’ve met before, nice.”

“Yes, we’ve met years ago. A decade ago to be exact.”

“Uh, don’t you mean like, an hour or two ago?” Calyx asked. “We literally just asked you for directions before we got here, and we only met today.”

“No, that is not the case. You see, I finally put two and two together after you told me your names and I saw that mark on your hoof.” She grabbed Calyx’s foreleg. “It’s the industrial triad, mother and two children.” She letted go and pointed at Spiracles. “And you also have it.”

Spiracles checked under his hoof to see his scar. His mind drew the image of the triangle with the jewel in its middle within the outlines of his scar. “Oh… that's kinda cool.”

She frowned. “You know who could’ve done such a horrendous thing like that? The old Queen, of course, your griddy, oppressive, and evil mother.” She spat. “She was trying to make that the new trademark for the expansion of the hive industry.”

“What!?” Facia exclaimed as she flared her wings. “I knew that mark seemed strange, but is that true?”

“No, of course not!” Calyx replied. “I bet she can’t even prove it.”

“Ah ah aah.” Toxidia tapped her silver badge. “This thing tells no lies. Even the animals know where your blood comes from, isn't that right Calyx? Rock crabs aren’t territorial, they don't go out of their way to attack anyling for no reason. You're both cursed, just like that monster before you."

Calyx just stood silent rubbing her hoof. A line was drawn in her mind contemplating the answer brought before her. Events from the past lined up, creating into a disturbing possibility that shook Calyx to her very core.

Toxidia gestured to her neighbor. "You know who I am Facia, I wouldn’t just come out of nowhere with an accusation like this.”

Having listened enough, Spiracles stepped forward. “C'mon, are you really gonna believe her? She's making us seem as if we’re some evil creatures and I assure you that is not the case… although it sounds kinda cool if I- ow.”

Calyx kicked his leg. “No it isn’t. We’re just regular changelings going through a rough day. Listen, all that we said before may seem weird to you, but from the bottom of my heart, we really do need your and Danaus's help, Facia. Polistes is in actual trouble.”

The hippogriff was met by Calyx's pleading look, and she glanced at Spiracles but he indifferent. They both looked so innocent to her, that they might’ve even been the most well-behaving little-lings she ever met.

“I want to believe you two,” She gave them a soft smile, to which both siblings beamed and wagged their tails eagerly. Then she turned to Toxidia and took a deep breath. “But with all these claims being made, I’ve realized that Polistes never told Dan about you two. He was as surprised as me, and I'm not so sure anymore.”

The young-ling's jaws dropped. They watched Facia stepped back from them with drooped ears and fear, as she sided with the smirking dark changeling. “Facia...”

The hippogriff shut her eyes and turned her head away from the kids.

“They lied and tried to manipulate you. Don't be ashamed, neighbor. They're exposed now.”

“What should we do now?” Facia asked.

“Now we talk to Danaus. Bring him over immediately,” Toxidia ordered with a stomp.

Facia gulped. “H-he went to help Polistes just like they asked for, almost an hour ago...” Suddenly she was grabbed and pulled face to face with her neighbor.

“Dammit, Facia! Do you realize what this means!?” Toxidia frantically shook her. “You just let Danaus walk into their trap! I was too late!”

An overwhelming wave of nausea hit the hippogriff’s gut, the mere thought of her husband falling into some kind of trap was overwhelming enough to make her sick.

Toxidia look at the sky. “May the great hive leader have mercy…”

Facia’s began to eyes tear up, and covering her beak to suppress her cry, she flew back to the house.

“Facia wait!” Calyx shouted, “That's not true! Don't leave!” However, instead of turning back to them, Facia slammed the door behind her.Calyx sank to the ground, at a loss as to how any of this could have happened.

Spiracles glared at the older changeling. “Why the hell you did that!?” He stomped furiously. “What do you want from us? You miss your old boss, can't live without her, huh? What is it, you fish eating creep!?”

“Miss her!?” Toxidia hissed, her split tongue sticking out from between her fangs and her translucent wings buzzing wildly. “That vile woman lied to me and abused me! She took us all for fools just so she and her close ones could get rich! How could I ever miss such a despicable creature!?” She took a step back from Spiracles and straightened herself to regain her composure. With a slight smile, she raised her chest. “No, I don't miss her at all. I bet you that she misses both of you though. Sentiments aside, as a responsible former caretaker for the great executive will gladly take you to your mother-- straight to the cauldron of tartarus were you belong!”

A sudden burst of green flames engulfed Toxidia and she grew in size. Where once a changeling mare stood, a silver scaled dragon took her place. Her furious red eyed glare washed over the siblings like a noxious wave. The energy used to make this transformation must’ve been immense, as Toxidia was nearly the side of the house now. Very slowly, the Calyx and Spiracles started to backaway.

“Wait, hold up! There's no need for that! W-we’re just kids, right? We can’t do anything to hurt anybody, right?” Spiracles laughed nervously, remembering that they both weren't in a position to confront a pissed changeling, especially since their magic had been disabled by the RAF agent.

The silver dragon raised her claw and swiped down at the siblings. Wild screams filled the air as they narrowly avoided the attack.

“I'll squash you like the little pests you are!” She growled.

“I guess she doesn't wanna talk anymore!” Spiracles yelled.

“Then let's scram!” Calyx said. Buzzing up their wings in an instant, they took to the sky as fast as they could. Down below, the monster loosed a bloodcurdling roar.

“Do you saw the size of that thing!?” Spiracles yelled.

“Yeah, guess her diet isn't as bad as you’d think!”

Taking a nervous look back, Spiracles watched the silver beast’s wings unfurl and launch the dragon into the air. Each violent flap of her huge wings covered twice the distance in half the time. He locked eyes with the monster just long enough to feel the bloodlust radiating like sunlight, ready to burn them the moment she had a chance.

“Faster sis, faster!” They did what they could to get away, but after such a long day of flying and fighting, their muscles wouldn’t take them any faster. The fatigue was so strong in fact, that they started to slow down instead.

“I-I can't… go any faster…” Calyx turned and gasped as she saw the dragon getting closer by the second. “She's too fast! We can’t out run her, we have to hide!”

Agreeing with a nod, Calyx and her brother dove into the Blood Oaks.The canopy fast approaching, they rotated to avoid their last fall into the woods. However, it was all in vain, as their pursuer had already caught up. The beast’s shadow fell on them before either changeling even noticed it. In one fell swoop, Toxidia caught Spiracles in a massive gleaming claw.

“Gotcha! Now isn’t this like old times? You could never escape me as a grub, the ten years didn’t seem to make a difference. Ha!” Toxidia laughed, tightening her grip as the poor little-ling struggled.

Calyx turned just in time to see the catch and gasped. If she stood by and did nothing, her brother would be a smear in a matter of seconds. Bubbling anger boiled in Calyx. This day had been nothing but trouble from start to finish. From her father’s smuggling, her brother’s theft, the attacks, the accusations, the betrayal, she’d had enough. Reaching the anger point, she turned on a dime and rushed head first after Toxidia.

Without warning, Toxidia’s mirth was interrupted by a wild eyed little changeling rocketing straight for her. Slamming into the beast’s stomach, the monster released the young-ling and let out a pained groan.

“That was amazing, Sis!” Spiracles shouted as he was approached by his worried sister. “You attacked a freakin’ dragon!”

“You little… urchin…!” Toxidia groaned as she hugged her belly.

“What? You really though she’d hug you or something?” Spiracles asked, the taste of victory in his mouth.

“Cocky little brat!” In a swift movement, Toxidia spun and swung her tail, striking down the two changelings. Caught unawares, they slammed down on the forest floor, back first, not even getting a chance to scream..

Calyx and Spiracles lay on the grass, gasping for air as they felt the life fading out of them. They turned to face each other with teary eyes, struggling to breathe with their aching muscles and twitching wings. Regaining a little strength, Spiracles was the first to get back up, or at least rise to a sitting position. He felt something a bit warm running down his snout, wiped at it, only to stare distraught at his hoof.

“Damn…” He said as he examined his own blood. “Almost whipped the chitin off us.”

His sister only moaned in reply. He turned to help her up, but just then, they felt a heavy step as trees were pushed aside and branches crackled and fell to the ground. The Dragon had returned. Observed the demon spawn, Spiracles bleeding and dazed, Calyx helpless on the grass, and chuckled to herself.

“No more running around little ones.” She brought her huge claws down, pinning the young-lings and slowly crushing them. “Time to die.”

The young-lings didn't resist, nor did they try to escape. Angered by the lack of struggle, Toxida stared Spiracles down and said,“Quit pretending and show me your true forms, filth!”

Spiracles could feel his breath escaping again, and his chitin was beginning to crack. “I'm sorry…” he managed.

“… What?” Confused, Toxidia pulled back enough to give them some air. They took a deep breath and Spiracles started again,

“We're sorry… for everything she did to you…” Another slight relief, and he took another breath. “We know she was a bad person, but until today… we didn’t know who our mother was. I don’t… know what happened, but… we’re not her…”

Toxidia growled, and shifted her weight to her arms again to crush them once and for all. Pain distorted the young-ling’s faces as their bodies started to give in. tears pooled and rolled down the young-ling’s eyes, and for a moment, Toxidia paused.

“I just want to go back with my dad to the hive and be with my friends again,” Spiracles cried. "The factory is gone isn’t it? Are we… really responsible for something we weren’t around for?"

Toxidia squinted her eyes shut and turned her head away. Her arms twitched and trembled. With a low growl, she slowly released the little changelings. She stepped back letting the brothers squirm and catch their breath, staring at the blood on her claws. “I've… made a mistake…” The dragon turned around and took to the sky.

The ground shook and the wind scattered leaves all around, eventually piling them up on the siblings.

“Sis, are you ok?” Spiracles said through the leaves covering his face.

“No…” she moaned .

Feeling the tender cracks along his exoskeleton, Spiracles sat up gingerly. “Let’s go back to Facia.” Calyx shook her head, not bothering to try and get up.

“That doesn’t sound like a good idea.”

“Oh, come on. I talked Toxidia out of killing us, I could probably convince Facia we aren’t evil too.” He got up on all fours, stretched his back, and extended Calyx a hoof. “Now let’s go. We got Pa to get back to.” ignoring the hoof entirely, Calyx brought one under her elbow, and the other under her chin, making the leaves above shift around the movement.

“She was so intent on killing us, so why did she stop? Even if she’s right and we are Chrysalis’s children, there’s no way you could’ve gotten through to her. There has to be another reason.”

Spiracles glanced around where the dragon left, and found no trace of her. Only the trail of leaves she blew off while taking to the sky. “Does it really matter?” He asked. “Who cares if the Old Queen was our mom? We’re not her, and we aren’t a threat to any-ling. I’m just living my life, and she’s not a part of it.” He extended his hoof one more time. “Are you gonna start the factory back up, sis?”

“No! Ugh, would you just carry me, please?” Her hooves poked out from the pile of leaves next to him. With a deep sigh, he proceeded to help his dear sister out. "Well, I still find it hard to believe that you convinced her to stop, but I can’t think of why else she would’ve. I’m proud of you, Spiracles," she said with tears in her eyes and holding her brother tight. Rolling his eyes, Spiracles gently trotted with his sister riding along in his back.

“Thanks, Sis.”

Unwanted Attention

The insessent knocking hadn’t stopped for almost ten minutes now. “Facia, can you please let us in?” Spiracles asked. “Let’s talk about it, please? We really need your help!”

Calyx sat on the porch and shrugged. “Maybe she left? You’ve been at that for a while, even I’m getting annoyed, I wouldn’t have stuck around. We could just sit here and wait after all. Danaus will come back with Dad, and… we can appreciate that we’re still alive today. On this beautiful day. ”

Spiracles sniffed and wiped a bit of blood from his nostrils. With Calyx content to lay back and rest, he wouldn’t get anywhere without doing something.. He turned to the door and tried the doorknob, and to his surprise, it was unlocked.

“Really Spiracles?” Calyx asked when she heard the handle turn. She stood up and joined him before the door opened too far.“Is she even in here?”

He shrugged, then both took a look inside. It looked empty from this point, so Calyx quietly limped through the door and moving further in to call for Facia.

“Facia? Are you here?”

No response, the house was dead silent. Calyx, figuring that Facia really did leave, turned to give Spiracles her theory, but what she saw caut the words in her throat. The froon door was slowly closing, and behind it was Facia, eyes raw and bloodshot, carrying a wooden bat raised above her head. The moment Calyx opened her mouth to scream, Facia brought the bat down on Spiracles’s head.

The Young-ling dropped unconscious instantly, and Facia raised the bat again encroaching on Calyx. She backed away from the hippogriff with her tail between her legs until she hit a wall.

“Where's my husband!?” Facia asked menancily. “What did you do to him!?”

Facia swung down, and Calyx narrowly avoided the bat as it crashed into the floorboards. She quickly set some distance between them . “Nonono wait! Danaus is fine, Facia!”

The hippogriff halted, but kept the bat primed to fall. She quickly checked her back to make sure the other changeling was still out, then stared down Calyx. “I gave you two my hospitality and let Dan slip away into a sickening trap. Tell me where's he! Tell me the truth!” she yelled as her feathers bristled and her wings flared.

Her eyes wandered to her downed brother and then to the fearsome hippogriff standing in between. Her claw gripped the bat tightly, and glaring eyes locked on her. Facia was ready for another round. Calyx flared her wings, with her heartbeat raising the pain on her leg was getting ignored. Her head lowered as her body slowly positioned, she was ready to charge forward. Closing her eyes, she let out a sigh. "We're not a threat to anyone," she said raising her head again. "We genuinely like you, you're definitely the nicest and most coolest bird we've ever met."

Facia, after a few blinks, lowered the bat, her feathers laid flat once more and Calyx slowly walked on to her.

“Danaus said he'll be back before sunset, we just have to wait,” Calyx said with a pleading look. Her ears twitched as tapping talons echoed through the house. She looked down to see Facia's talons ticking the floor impatiently, then finally, her claws relaxed.

“Fine, I'll wait,” Facia reluctantly replied.

Calyx let out a breath of relief and glanced over her brother who still lay on the floor.

“However…” Facia started up, making Calyx tense again, “I still don’t trust you. So keep in mind that if my husband doesn’t come back by then, you two will be facing the RAF again and we'll face consequences this time.”

“If that ever happens, Facia, we'll willingly turned ourselves in, believe me.”

“I don't. Let me repeat myself to make it clear.” she moved to a closet nearby and put the bat away, only to return with a rope. "I still don't trust you." She said while stretching the rope.

Calyx gulped and hung her head as the hippogriff cautiously walk to her.

“Again, I’m terribly sorry for taking up your time,” Polistes said, head hung in shame as he trotted along side Danaus through the Blood Oak trail. Just beyond this stretch was Aura fields with Facia and the young-lings.

“Relax, I already told you it wasn’t a problem. You did the right thing to call me just in case, bud. Imprisonment is a guarantee under the RAF,” Danaus smiled, "But you were lucky enough to strike a deal, and lucky to have such wonderful little young-lings.” Polistes nodded back with a shy smile as they passed through Aura’s gates. “I should’ve kept in touch all these years, I could’ve met them ages ago.” Polsties shook his head.

"Hey, I was the dummy for not telling you sooner. But since you insist, we can settle it as a fault on both sides." Danaus laughed softly and crossed the field.

Polistes took a look around. He was amazed by the huge farm the couple had built together, regretting even more the he hadn’t kept in touch with Danaus. However the feeling faded as a bitter thought came to mind. “They must be pissed.”

Danaus raised a brow, “Why is that?”

“The young-lings were chased all the way here because of me. Do you think they’re still angry at me?”

“No, not at all. Just a bit worried and tired. Whoever chased them couldn't keep up apparently, so it's cool. They should be fine now under Facia's care.” They climbed the porch and opened the door for Polistes. "Hey! I’m back! Guess who I brought with me!"

The house was oddly quiet, only the soft notes of the wind chime played along as usual. They expected the smiling faces of excited young-lings to rush them, but that never came. Polistes turned to Danaus with a worried look. Their ears twitched as rustling sound came from a nearby room.

“Facia?” Danaus called.

Polistes bit his lip, there was no immediate response. Danaus cautiously approached the room.

“Yeah, I'm here!” Facia finally answered.

Curiously, Danaus walked into it and immediately dropped his jaw. “W-what in the world is going on here?”

One step behind him, Polistes rushed to the scene. “Calyx! Spiracles!” He yelled at the horror in front of him. His children were tied up and beaten, and Facia was holding the rope. “Oh drag me in boiling oil! There's blood- are you alright Spiracles!?” Polistes hysterically began unraveling the ropes and tending to a dazed Spiracles and a tired Calyx. Facia attempted to slowly back away from the scene and out of the room before bumping into her husband.

“Good graces Facia, what did you do to the children!?” a horrified Danaus asked.

Facia opened her beak to speak, but the sheer weight of shame was caught in her throat. She had nowhere to hide, so she let out a deep breath and sank to her knees with it..

Finally seeing her father had Calyx feeling an indescribable amount of emotion, she’d never missed him so much in her life. The relief of knowing he was safe added to Danaus returning proving her innocence was just too much all at once, and the tears came unbidden.

“Actually Danaus, Facia saved us from your neighbor Toxidia. She knocked my brother out and tied us up,” Calyx explained.

Danaus looked at her confused.

Surprised, Facia turned to Calyx who just slightly nodded to her. “Oh Dan, she came like always, wanting to pick up her dose, and when I told her that today wasn't a good time. She went completely ballistic and broke into the house. I-I couldn't hold her off,” she sniffed.

Danaus quickly took her in his comforting embrace, feeling the slight sting of her talons on his back. "This is unbelievable, of all the changelings on this land!” he exclaimed.

“What kind of neighbor is that, who is she?” Polistes asked as he caressed his two kids.

Danaus frowned. “A changeling who’d better move far away from Blood Oak if she knows what's good for her Can't believe I trusted her...”

Suddenly, Polistes was enveloped in Facia's embrace, her talons slightly scratching his back. "I'm so sorry, Polistes!" He patted her back and winced at Danaus.

The trio crossed through the threshold to the woods of Blood Oak for one last time, and into the plains, taking the long way back home. Though wounded, Spiracles obstinately carried Calyx on his back, and Polistes was loaded up with supplies on his back. Feeling guilty about all that had happened, Facia and Danaus had given them enough to cover their losses and then some, if only to try and make up for the attacks and mistrust.

Night hadn't fallen yet when they spotted the hive across the open plains and the path home was looking clear. Polistes halted and took a good look at the two.

“Hmm, this won’t do. You two still look beaten and battered. We're gonna have to wait until it gets a bit darker out. With any luck, noling will give you a second glance then.”

“Dad, they might ask why we were out so late, y’know,” Calyx added.

Spiracles waved it off. “Yeah, but we can come up with a good excuse for that real quick, sis.”

Polistes nodded. “Mmhmm, now let's sit here and just relax a little okay sweetie?”

Calyx sighed and slid carelessly off Spiracles and into the grass with a thud. “Whatever. Today sucked. I just want to be home already." With nothing to offer to that, Poistes and Spiracles sat next to the limp changeling filly and took in the prairie sunset.

Opening his saddlebag, Polistes and took out an apple. “We don’t have much to cross before we’re there anyways. A short break shouldn’t hurt anything. Either of you hungry?” His kids just shook their heads in response. Shrugging, Polistes took a hearty chomp to the apple, the singular noise audible across the serene plains..

“Pa?” asked Calyx.

“Hm?”

“Are we in some kind of trouble with the RAF or is everything okay now?”

Polistes gulped. “Yes, sweetie. Everything is fine, no need to worry about them.”

A smile lit up Calyx's face as she switched her tail from side to side.

“Provided we don't set a hoof on any municipality of Griffonstone.”

“What!?” Calyx rolled over, now looking at her father upright.

“Well, we’re kind of banned from entry now. So uh… no more trips there. Ever.” He took another bite.

“No! This is terrible, Pa!” Calyx stood up.

“Chill, no it's not,” Spiracles said. “Banning us doesn't mean anything when you can shapeshift into any creature.”

“Ya know. I forgot about that,” Polistes mentioned as he took another bite.

Calyx scowled. “We’re not breaking any more laws, got it!?” Both changeling stallions nodded in unison.

"Speaking of," Polistes turned to his son and frowned. "Tomorrow, you and I are gonna have a serious chat about what you did back at the plaza."

Spiracles lowered his head. "I uh… right. I’m sorry Pa. I'll take whatever punishment you can think of."

Polistes stood shocked. “An apology? From you? Are you sure you’re my son? You’re not some other changeling in disguise, right?"

Spiracles threw his cap on the ground and rolled his eyes. "Come on Pa, we got hit by a shift-disabler today. I couldn’t be some other ling if I wanted to. I… don’t think I treat you very well, so… I’m sorry."

They both look each other in the eyes as Polistes tried to catch some hint of a scheme, but all he saw was sincerity. She smiled and patted the young-ling’s head "Sure, Spiracles. We can deal with the discipline later. Anyways, some good news is that they let me keep the tablets, and the charges were dropped. It wasn’t a good day, but at least everything turned out alright.” He took the final bite of his apple and tossed the core away as far as he could.

“Yeah, but what happens when you run out again?” Calyx asked.

“Well… There's no other choice, Sweetie. Just like before, I’ll ask the Curers,” he shrugged.

“Why can’t we ask Thorax instead?”

“Uuuh…” Polistes rubbed the back of his neck and winced.

“What? We're talking about your health here, Pa. We don’t have the money to go through them, and we really need the help..”

“You don’t exactly know why I… My body is… peculiar. There could be some… unwanted reactions.” The young-lings gave him questioning looks, but he stood up and avoided the stares. “You know what? We can talk about this another time. We’ve been through a lot today, we should just go home and get some rest, alright?” He patted his little-lings.

“Pa, now would be like, the best time to do that. We’ve been through a lot already and we have to wait anyways.” Spiracles pleaded.

“Yeah, I want answers, and I can make life awful for you if I don’t get ‘em.” Calyx pursed her lips.

Polistes squinted his eyes. “Like what exactly?”

“Read badly for him on purpose?" Spiracles suggested.

“You’d really do that?” He asked astonished and disappointed.

“No, we don't have the heart to do that.” Calyx clarified. “But you have to understand that we trust you. We went to some-ling we never met to a place we've never been and ran from the RAF just for you. We love you Pa, and all I ask is that you that trust with us.”

“Tell us the truth, please?” Spiracles begged.

Polistes blinked and the siblings waited, their eyes glimmering with the last rays of the sun. Guilt weighing on his back, he finally sighed and said, “You two really have grown… and I've been more of a fool. I was waiting for a better time to say this, but guess it will never come.” He gestured them to sit down.

“My illness is peculiar like I told you before and that’s the truth. However, it's root is what kept me from ever telling any-ling its real name. What really lies inside my body is the dark Ascaris.” He paused waiting to see if they'd react, but all he got were quizzical looks. “When changelings say that no one could ever fall in love with chief Chrysalis, they said it because of this. The dark Arcaris is a deadly curse she inflicts on her lovers. I should’ve died a long time ago, but I've been cheating it. The real reason the gryphons let me? They didn’t want anything to do with me after they found out I was cursed."

“Oh… this also means that we…” Spiracles paused with ears flat and his father nodded. “Aw crap, the industrial triad was really a thing.” He lowered his head and inspected his mark.

Polistes nodded again. “Now you understand… wait a minute. The triad? You already knew about it?”

“We were told by Toxidia, Danaus neighbor,” Calyx replied. “She revealed herself as our former caretaker.”

“So that’s why you two were tied up there!?” He ran a hoof down his face and groaned. “For goodness sake, see! That just proves it! We can't just go about this to any-ling. There isn’t a changeling alive that doesn’t hate The Old Queen and her factory! They could hurt you two, or even worse!” He hugged them tight. “I could've lost you today...” He trailed off before he had to pull away as a sudden fit of coughs assailed him..

“We're fine, Pa, what about you? Are the tablets working or not?” Spiracles asked.

He nodded as he cleared his throat. “For the past eight years they have been. I should have enough to last a few months for now.” He said in a raspy voice. “That’s enough time to do a lot, I’ll be fine for at least a while.”

The violet and blue hues had started to creep into the sunset as the sun sank beneath the horizon. Night was falling, and it was time to move. The trio stood, and continued the journey toward the hive.

“So, what are you gonna do once you run out? We can’t go to the Curers, and doing something illegal again isn’t gonna work either.” Calyx asked, followed by a concerned nod from her brother.

Polistes ears dropped. “Right now, I don’t know. But like I said, a month is enough to come up with something, so don't worry, sweetie.”

“Okay, but hear me out now, we could still go to Thorax for help.” Calyx pleaded.

Polistes frowned. “Of course not, Am I not being clear enough? What part of ‘The Old Queen’s cursed lover’ don’t you understand?”

“She heard alright, but I'm with Sis here, Pa,” Spiracles added, finally making Polistes halt. “This ain't the factory anymore, and Thorax is really nice. I don’t think anyling at the hive would be that upset about it, so why not give it a shot? It’s not like we have any better options.”

“You two… really think things will work out?” He asked,laughing softly. "Even after learning the ugly truth about your mother, you want to tell every-ling about it?"

"Well, is kinda your fault,” Spiracles started, “Instead of raising us in a secluded place, you went with the hive. We have friends there, and we’re thankful for that. Who we came from doesn’t define who we are, so what does that matter?."

Calyx added, “It’s true that today was awful. From what we learned to what we had to do to what we were put through, it was just one pile of crap after another. But we’ve survived this long. Toxidia didn’t kill us when she had the chance, so who knows? Maybe there’s hope after all.” She turned to Spiracles. “Don't you agree bro?”

He nodded. “Yeah, also, it's not like we're complete strangers to any-ling in the hive, y'know.”

“Exactly, and it's like you said, we've grown. Her blood doesn’t make us her, and every-ling there knows who we are.” Calyx extended her hoof, followed by Spiracles on the other side.

Polistes glanced at each one, they both held the mark of darker times on their hooves, but they smiled in spite of it, determined to do anything for their father. He smiled back and held their hooves.

The night had just begun, the grass was swaying in the gentle breeze and the hive shone bright in the distance.

The father couldn't help but chuckle. “I want you two to know that if your mother were here, she would be incredibly disappointed in you right now.”

“We wouldn't want it any other way, Pa.”