Approaching Apotheosis

Act Three: Fahrenheit 295

“Princess Procho…” I said slowly, trying to think of what to say. “I have been hearing your voice for quite some time now. It’s good to put a face to a voice– or rather, an amulet to a voice.”

“I have to say,” Procho chuckled, “the reports never mentioned how… different you look. Like an aberrant from the Underhive. If I didn’t know better, I would be suspicious of what you are. You are lucky that Philomena vouches for you.”

Philomena cawed, arching her back as she spat flames in my direction.

“... She also apologizes for the delay,” Procho said.

“You can speak bird?” I asked incredulously.

“I’ve had a lot of time on my claws,” she answered. “But first: I heard that you defeated Queen Chrysalis. Is this true?”

I nodded, “I am the undisputed Pontiff of the Hive Eternal.”

“She’s dead…” Procho’s voice trailed off.

“She’s alive,” I corrected her. “You just missed her trial. Guilty of being a tyrant, killing drones without trial, so on. She’ll serve her two century sentence as an agent of Equestria in anonymity.”

“The Queen is alive– and serving Equestria?

“That is correct.”

Procho laughs. It’s more of a bird’s caw than anything else: a single shrill note, starting high and ending low, dragging itself out.

“What has the world come to?!” She wheezes. “This is a new age, without a doubt! Where up is down and down is up! Where changelings walk undisguised as slaves of ponies! Where the hatred of gods shakes the sky!”

Cadance cleared her throat, looking nervous, “S-slave?! There are no–”

“To think,” Procho interrupted, “that your words were cast back centuries, ensnaring my imagination for eons… the wonder I held for you, usurper, was beyond words. A whisper in my mind. A warrior whose tales reached even the far shores of Griffonia. Yet here you stand, and I see you plainly. A usurper. An aberrant. A fool. You act and look nothing like a changeling should.”

I stepped forward ahead of everyone else, closing in on the amulet and the phoenix.

“I think that’s quite enough,” I said, my patience wearing thin. “Princesses, I will handle this for now. Procho, I understand you’ve been through a lot, but I’m not going–”

“That’s Princess Procho to you, usurper. I am the heir to the Fourth Hive. And if you are so intent on destroying my mother’s legacy, I–”

I chuckled, baring my fangs in a wide smile, “Ha! You are nothing, Procho. The Fourth Hive no longer exists. You are no Princess. I was being kind and respectful before, but you are rapidly wearing out your welcome. Now, I am sure you’ve been through a lot, and I am more than willing to start over and forget this. You have a lot of questions. So do we. Instead of spitting on our hospitality, why don’t you try some cooperation instead?”

The trapped soul hissed within her gem, “You insolent welp! I am Empress G–”

Philomena spread her wings and cawed harshly, fanning flames across the frozen courtyard. I leaned back from the display as the phoenix fixed its unblinking yellow eye on Procho. The former-princess sighed deeply before she began again.

“... Y-yes. You are correct, Philomena. I must apologize. You are correct… King Phasma. I have been through a lot. Recent events have worn my patience down to blunted claws, and I have been separated from my kind for far too long. In fact, I realize that I have been upholding the Masquerade protocol as a griffon’s soul for almost ten times longer than I was even alive as a changeling.”

I nodded, “So, are you ready to begin again with a new first impression?”

“I would say yes,” Procho slurred her S’s in the griffon-fashion, “but there remains the question of my mother’s fate. I might apologize for my harshness, but I will not tolerate her enslaver. You and your pony overlords hold no interest to me…”

“She’s not enslaved!” Cadance insisted. “She is a prisoner of war, serving out her sentence for crimes against Equestria and the Hive Eternal, as determined by a court of law!”

“And what crimes could a Queen possibly commit against her own kingdom?” Procho asked, incredulously. “She is the Hive Eternal. Her word is law.”

“I say otherwise,” I shrugged, “and the rest of the royals agreed that I stay as King. So my word is law, and my word is that every changeling has a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Meaning Chrysalis retroactively has broken the laws protecting those rights. I’m talking about executing changelings who didn’t deserve death, Procho.”

“A Queen serves the Hive Eternal in whatever way she sees fit. If she has to remove the chaff so the swarm can survive, then that is the Weaver’s will.”

I scoffed, “Pfft. You’ll have time to de-program from religious fanaticism later. You don’t have to take my word that I’m in charge now, you can ask Chrysalis herself later.”

“I fully intend to,” Procho said. “But I am glad to hear that you won’t stop me. In fact, I want nothing more than to see my long-lost mother immediately. I have an after action report to deliver.”

I shook my head, “I said later. I don’t think she’s in a mood for visitors, and I want to break the news of your survival and return in a way that makes her more… receptive to what I want her to do.”

“Bold of you to proudly announce that you plan on manipulating my mother to my face.”

I couldn’t hold back the laugh for long, “Ha! You have been away for a long time. Boldly manipulating people is what our f– us royals do best. You will get to see her tomorrow, Procho. Is that acceptable?”

“Hmm. Tomorrow,” she repeated. “... Yes. Yes, that is acceptable. Tomorrow. One day. Two hundred seventy years of waiting, now only one day remains.”

I gestured to the row of alicorns behind me, “Now, I assume you have other questions? Or are you ready to begin introductions?”

“I suppose we should address the alicorn in the room. Or, alicorns, rather. Word of your… alliance with them reached Griffonia, of course. As had word of you burning down their glittering city of gold. As you can imagine, I had only rumors to work with. Explain to me why and how the Masquerade Protocol was broken, and why you stand shoulder to shoulder with our greatest enemy. Are you their conqueror? Slave? Puppet?”

“It started as a wartime alliance with Nightmare Moon. You familiar with her?”

“Hmm. Foal’s tales told to pony offspring to keep them pliable?”

“Close. This foal’s tale was real. An alicorn possessed by a demon, trapped on the moon.”

Princess Luna stepped forward, “For a thousand years, I watched the world turn without me. The demon and I were so full of hatred we would take any opportunity to take our revenge. When we stumbled across Prince Phasma in a dream, we were quick to strike an alliance. We intended on overthrowing our sister, Princess Celestia. I believe you are familiar with her.”

Celestia smiled and waved at the gem.

“Then what?” Procho said, moving on.

“Nightmare Moon died. The demon was purged, and Princess Luna was freed. Our alliance was dead in the water. Which brings us to the Masquerade Protocol; it was Chrysalis who killed it. Our food supply had dwindled to the point where mass starvation was an inevitability, and she decided to go for one massive invasion– a final hurrah and chance at survival for changelings. She assigned me to handle it. To my credit and detriment, I succeeded relatively well. Only, then I alone stood against Chrysalis without Nightmare Moon.”

Procho grunted, “Why did you even try to usurp our Queen?”

“Ascension,” I said, seizing up as a shiver went down my spine.

I began to regale the tale of the Invasion of Canterlot, my rebellion, and eventual near-demise at the hooves of the demons. I made extra sure to lay on the compliments and praise thick onto Luna for saving my life, who smiled and gave me a wink. I wrapped up the story with a short summary of growing the Fifth Hive as a resistance against Daybreaker, and explained who the Umbrum are to begin with, followed by their defeat and the second invasion of Canterlot– and the end of the Fourth Hive.

When I finished giving my far-too-rushed story, Procho went silent for a minute. I looked back at the ponies, and Celestia gave me a reassuring smile, and Cadance a single nod, before I turned back and waited for Procho to finish her rumination.

She at last broke her silence, “Very well. That all tracks. I suppose. This all depends on my meeting with my mother, of course. I do not know how I feel about this transfer of power, however.”

“As I said, the other royals voted I stay King.”

“Just how many siblings do I have alive?”

“Hehe, just me,” I chuckled. “The other royals– two Princes of the Fifth Hive– aren’t related.”

“... What.”

“They ascended– in the ancient usage of the term. They were born drones and were made royals by the Goddess. I was there. Lots of us were, in fact, there.”

“... Do you expect to believe any of that?”

“Again, Chrysalis will confirm all of this. Reality doesn’t have to be believable, little miss soul-trapped-in-a-gem-for-three-hundred-years.”

“Ha!” She barked a single laugh, quieter and more reserved this time. “This is quite the development. A never ending streak of unbelievable twists, King Phasma… It certainly demands a lot to be believed.”

“Then I probably shouldn’t tell you how old I am. Now then, shall we begin again? My name is King Phasmatodea, ruler of the Fifth Hive, Pontiff of the Hive Eternal. You are welcome to stay, so long as you follow everyone’s rules.”

“Princess Prochorodes, of the Fourth Hive. No matter its current state. I will obey your laws so long as they are reasonable. As for our preys’…”

I leaned forward, “You will follow Equestria’s laws when they aren’t in conflict with the Fifth Hive’s. That’s not up for discussion. I don’t know what you are capable of doing in your current form, but whatever your limits are, you will stay in line or we will have issues.”

“So long as they are reasonable,” Procho said, intent on having the last word.

Celestia began to walk forward, “I assure you, Princess Procho, that we–”

“That’s far enough,” Procho growled.

Celestia stopped in her tracks, looking to me to see how I wanted to handle this.

I shrugged,“Tomorrow, then, you will have proper introductions to the Princesses of Equestria and Princes of the Fifth Hive. Tonight, I can bring you to a private room where you won’t be disturbed.”

“... You, King Phasma, have my permission to pick up my amulet.Ensure that my meeting with my mother is a priority.”

Slowly, I walked closer until I could retrieve it with my telekinesis. Philomena cocked her head at me, but made no protest. Sharing a look of acceptance with Luna, Celestia, Cadance, Lace, and Coxa, I headed out the door alone. Well, I did have a contingent of eight guards with me at all times now– but other than them, all alone.

I decided to leave Procho’s amulet in Luna’s research room, stashing it in my desk on the far side of the two story spacious laboratory. On my way out, I passed God-Splitter. I turned to look at it as I walked: the Adamantium and Mithril weapon of war spun slowly on its pedestal.

‘Do I tell her about God-Splitter? She hasn’t exactly earned any extra attention or care from me. If I don’t tell her, it could be an interesting blind experiment. Half her soul, laying across the room. Will she react? Will she dream? She hasn’t said anything yet, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t feeling anything right now. This is the closest the two halves of her soul have been together since… since… Another thing I will have to ask her, I guess. But do I tell her?’

When I climbed the stairs to the door and pulled it open. Slowly, I looked over my shoulder across the dark room.

‘If I were in her situation, how would I react to someone withholding that truth from me?’

I would demand answers in blood. That wasn’t a question.

“One last thing, Princess Procho.”

“Yes?” She called out, voice muffled and quiet from the distance and her spot in a locked and enchanted drawer.

“Do you see my war hammer?”

“... It is on the edge of my vision, yes. Is that Adamantium?”

I nodded, before realizing she wouldn’t be able to see the gesture, “It is. Forged by Chrysalis, and enchanted just the same. I named it God-Splitter after its ability to destroy any spell it touches. It would take me years to be able to replicate the enchantments I can see on it. It was made from your weapon and the material you brought back.”

“Chelicerae…!” she all-but-whispered with reverence.

“The very same. I bring it up because there’s something you should know about. God-Splitter contains the other half of your soul.”

Before she could react, I left the room and pulled the door shut.

My marefriend dragged herself into bed, flopping on top of me. She let her chin rest of my shoulder as she hugged me tightly.

“That was an experience.”

I snorted, “Yeah. We’ll definitely scan her amulet with spells later, when she’s more agreeable to that.”

She lifted her head, scowling at me, “A centuries-dead changeling is dropped into our courtyard by a phoenix, after spending its time in Griffonia, and the first thing you have to say in private is that you want to scan the amulet? You have much in common with my sister, Phasma.”

I shivered, “Agh! Don’t say that!”

“And her apprentice, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Oh come on, I’m not that bad with my nerdiness?”

Her scowl softened into a smile, “Is that so? Then it must have been some other stallion who has been nagging me to play Mahjong with him.”

“It’s a really fun game, you’ll love–”

She rested a hoof on my lips, “Yes, yes. That was not an invitation to opine.”

She slowly lowered her hoof. We stared into each other’s eyes for a moment, simply enjoying being pressed against one another.

“You know,” she began, “the Dreamscape is becoming more turbulent. I will need your help hunting errant Nightmares that plague the ponies. Soon we will be up to our withers in these blights.”

“I’ve got work tonight,” I sighed.

“More clandestine meetings? I doubt your drones appreciate having their sleeping hours taken up by work, as well as their daylight hours. What is the urgent matter?”

“I need to speak with… Thorax,” I said the name despite the lump in my throat. “He’s going to have to be here for all of this tomorrow.”

“Oh, of course. Send him my well wishes, I miss our Sunday outings.”

“Um… about that. Last time I spoke with him, he declared he was done with me and left for Manehattan.”

She tilted her head to the side, “You have not spoken to him since? Written a letter? Anything?”

“He needed space.”

Luna frowned, “Uh huh. Is that the truth, or is it the view you took to defend your own feelings?”

I groaned and shut my eyes, “Goodnight, Luna.”

“You can not run from your mistakes forever, Phasma.”

“I’m literally going to go face them right now, woman!”

“Ha! I will concede that point. Goodnight, Phasma,” she said, nuzzling my cheek.

“Goodnight,” I repeated, returning the gesture. “Make sure your schedule is clear in the afternoon for the weapon demonstration I mentioned.”

“... Phasma, tomorrow is Hearth’s Warming.”

“The fuck is a Hearth’s Warming?”

I found the buggy fruitcake on one of those swan boats you see in cheesy romantic movies. Yeah, those things. He was with his coltfriend, Double Diamond, relaxing in the earth pony’s lap.

I walked across the surface of the pond, solidifying the dream as I went. I stopped before the lovebirds, clearing my throat and catching Thorax's attention.

“Phas? What are you doing standing on water?”

“This is your dream, Thorax.”

“Oh,” he said, leaning back to loom up st Double Diamond.

“I can bring him here if you want, but I have urgent business to discuss.”

Thorax sighed longingly and sat upright, “You could have said hello sooner, Phas.”

“You said you wanted a vacation. From me.”

He pursed his lips, “I did say that. In that case, thank you for respecting my boundaries. I saw the news. I am proud of you, Phas. How you handled Chrysalis I'd masterful, and you did so well to get over-”

My features pulled back into a scowl, “I didn't choose her fate; I merely approved it.”

“Oh,” he said again, with the same inflection. “Then uh… I appreciate the honesty?”

‘At least he's not mad at me any more. Or rather, his anger cooled to a low boil.’

“Thorax. Urgent business.”

“Right! Right!” He said, straightening up. “What is it?”

“I need you and Pharynx in Canterlot tomorrow night.”

“Are you… inviting us over for a Hearth’s Warming dinner?”

I groaned, “Not you, too. We're changelings, Thorax. We don't celebrate Hearth’s Warming.”

“We could! Its a good holiday! The second best, behind Hearts and Hooves day! I don't think I need to tell you why changelings will love that one.”

I rubbed my face, “Fine, fine. I'll bring Christmas over and all the drones will celebrate a holiday for a religion that doesn't exist in this world. That sounds hilarious enough to implement.”

“What's a Christmas?” He asked, tilting his head in confusion.

“Hearth’s Warming for humans. But with religious undertones. We're getting off topic!”

He nodded, “What's the urgent business?”

“Philomena, Celestia's phoenix, has returned. And she brought Princess Procho's soul-enchanted amulet with her. I told Procho that I would introduce her to everyone tomorrow, including her mother.”

Thorax's eyes widened, “That is urgent! A new friend! I'll tell Diamond to cancel our dinner plans- I don't want you hanging around your mother without me, if possible.”

I clicked my tongue, “Tch! I am perfectly capable of filtering out her input, Thorax.”

“Then why don't you?”

“... She makes too much sense, sometimes.”

He stared at me, “We'll be there. And Phas?”

“Yes, Thorax?”

“Happy Hearth’s Warming.”

“Yeah, merry Christmas to you, Thorax.”

He leaned forward, placing his hooves on the edge of his swan-shaped raft.

“What did you get your marefriend? I am curious.”

“The concept of Trench Warfare. Though, I've been told weapons demonstrations can be delayed a day if they are not life or death situations, so it'll have to wait another day.”

“War?!” He reared back in shock, “Phas! Tell me you didn't forget to get Luna a gift?!”

I turned away and stalked towards the edge of the pond, where it fragmented away into pure white.

“Phas!” He called out, clambering overboard and trotting over the still water. “This is a Hearth’s Warming crisis! You and I have got to get a gift tomorrow! I won't let you end the day without giving one to your special somepony.”

“I swear,” I grumbled, “it's like you're more pony than changeling.”

“And you're not more human than changeling?”

“... Everywhere is closed, Thorax.”

“Don't worry! I’ve got a friend in ponyville who can whip up a Hearth’s Warming emergency gift! Rarity! She owes me a favor after I modeled for her last week.”

“Rarity?” I turned to face him. “The element of Generosity?”

“Mhmm!”

“I don't want to see the Elements, Thorax.”

He gave me big puppy dog eyes, “Don't you want to get a gift for the person you love?”

I faltered, “Well, yes, but she already knows I didn't know what tomorrow is.”

“That's another thing. How don't you know?”

I shrugged, “It never came up.”

“Never?”

“Never never.”

“Don't you live in a castle filled with Hearth’s Warming decorations, in a city coated front street to street in garland and ornaments?”

I kicked at the water, “I've been busy. Figured it was just winter decorations or something.”

“What about the rest of the country? You aren’t cooped up in the castle all day every day, right?”

“You’re right, I just ignored all those banners strung up saying that tomorrow is Hearth’s Warming. It never came up, Thorax!”

“What about your businesses!” He threw his hooves up.”You had to give ponies the day off!”

“I don’t handle the day-to-day stuff anymore!” I yelled back.

Thorax grabbed me by the collarbone- ‘collarchitin?’- and shook me, “I refuse to believe this B.S.! You couldn’t possibly have not known what Hearth’s Warming is!”

“I didn’t, okay?!”

“Aaaagh!” He yelled out, almost skewering my neck when he faceplanted into my chest. “You. Me. Ponyville. Tomorrow.”

“I’ve got– Thorax, I’m busy!”

He lifted his head to stare daggers up at me, “Then I’ll just have to ask Rarity to wing it, and you’ll owe both of us big time.”

“That… could work,” I said, tapping my chin. “Just be sure to mention it’s for Luna. Mentioning my name isn’t going to win you any favors with her.”

Then his eyes lit up, “Ooooor, you can take us both to Rarity right now, while she’s sleeping!”

“... Panar damn it.”

We were gathered around the Christmas Hearth’s Warming tree, relaxing on the many sofas and chairs that formed a semi-circle across from the tree and raging fireplace. Celestia was regaling us with one of her stories, this one was about when she accidentally outlawed figs. And fitting with her character of being a functional alcoholic, Celestia was idly twirling a goblet full of wine.

Honestly, goblet was selling the thing short. It was a gold chalice that made tankards of beer look like shot glasses. Celestia probably could have beaten Thor in a drinking contest, all things considered.

It was a decently sized party, with the guests ranging from the three Princesses and now three Princes of the Hive, to Shining Armor, Coxa, Lace, Elder Sanguine, several members of Celestia and Luna’s staff, Bray Call, Quick Search– who I managed to drag away from a party in the barracks, and a few members of the Fifth Hive’s bureaucracy. And Double Diamond was there. Couldn’t leave Thorax’s top out of the picture, after all.

Luna relaxed into my shoulder, fiddling with the end of her scarf. Rarity had delivered– something simple, of course, given the time crunch. Luna wore a bright orange scarf, and I wore a dark blue one. I had expected Luna to give a smile while inwardly not care for the little gift, but its simplicity made it all the more endearing to my alicorn.

I guess being surrounded by the ritziest and gaudiest decorations all day every day made you appreciate honest pieces of work.

I planned on taking the scarves back to Rarity when I had the chance. I had the idea of adding a little moon to my blue scarf, and a little phoenix to Luna’s. For now, though, I simply had to give the unicorn a hefty tip on top of her rush fee for the pieces. According to Thorax, when he said it was for Luna, she was going to do it free of charge. Then he mentioned my name, and suddenly she had a chart to consult for rush holiday delivery fees.

I found that far more hilarious than Thorax did. Money didn’t matter much to me anyways. Not in quantities that were less than the GDP of developed nations. The Fifth Hive was raking in the dough, and within six months our income would grow exponentially to fifty times its current size at the minimum.

‘Which reminds me, I need to talk to Celestia about getting another massive loan for enchanting the Red Right Hoof’s armor sets. A quarter of a billion bits should cover it. Not now, though. Apparently these people don’t like talking about war during the one day of the year that is dedicated to kindness, generosity, and uh… stuff.’

For now, I relaxed with Luna, cuddling up against her and nodding along to Celestia’s dramatic tale. I had the entire morning and a chunk of the afternoon off. Not by choice, of course, but because the Princesses insisted on a day of rest, so any plans involving them had fallen through.

This evening, I would still need to bring Procho to Chrysalis. Something I was simply indifferent to. I’m sure it would be an emotional, sappy scene of a daughter and mother uniting for the first time in centuries. But really, it’s Chrysalis we’re talking about. How sappy could she possibly be?

Thorax returned from the nearby kitchenette with three whole pans of freshly baked cookies, offering it to everyone he passed. The army of treats were whittled down as Thorax made his way around the circle, till he grabbed his seat with Double Diamond at the far end of the circle.

I pulled Luna close and smiled ear to ear, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

‘Not the found-family I would have imagined having, but thank Panar everything has worked out so far.’

“Merry Christmas, you Godless heathen,” I whispered to her.

“Happy Hearth’s Warming, you bloodstained war criminal,” she smiled back.