The Young Warrior: A Stroke Of Luck

Thorax, Apex, and Ocellus wasted no time in rushing to Pharynx’s room, Cilia and Needle fast behind. They burst in, heading for the beta changeling’s bed, frantic to see him.

Sure enough, he was stirring from his position under the covers, groaning softly. Thorax reached out and gently rubbed his hoof along the back of Pharynx’s neck to help rouse him.

“Pharynx?” Thorax asked softly.

The Prince’s eyes opened slowly, and his soft lavender gaze turned to the changelings above, stare unfocused and dull. Then, as Pharynx slowly regained his senses, his eyes fixed themselves on the three. He groaned again, head mashing down into the pillow in place of being unable to lift his hoof to rub it.

“T-Tuney?” Pharynx whispered softly, and Thorax frowned.

“N-No Pharynx, it’s me,” He said, nosing his brother so he would look up at them. “Thorax.”

“I know that, dimwit.” Pharynx closed his eyes again. “She was here, the gold…”

“Phar,” Thorax nuzzled him. “Come on, stay awake.”

Pharynx jolted slightly, then sat up abruptly, looking panicked. His brain finally seemed to catch up with him as he recalled what had happened to him. “Rogue changelings! Thorax, we–!”

“Pharynx, it’s okay!” Thorax used his magic to lay his brother back down. “We know. Don’t worry, they’re not here, you’re safe.”

“But they…” Pharynx blinked, before taking a closer look at his surroundings. “Where am I?”

“Your room.” Ocellus piped up, gently nudging him. “Stay still, you’re not going to help your injuries by thrashing like that.”

“How bad is it?” Pharynx asked softly, as Apex jumped onto the bed and curled up between his forelegs, staring at him.

“I, well, they– oh Pharynx!” Thorax just hugged him tightly, tears beginning to fall. “Y-You could’ve–”

Pharynx sighed and rested his head on Thorax’s shoulder, closing his eyes as he understood the unspoken word. “But I didn’t.”

“Just barely.” Cilia spoke from where she and Needle had been standing at the door. “Sorry to interrupt.”

“It’s fine. As long as you’re here, why don’t you tell me how bad it is? Someone has to since these three won’t do it.” Pharynx responded, not moving from his current position, though his voice was dripping with authority.

“Glad to see you’ve got your attitude back.” Needle remarked dryly, smirking. “As for your injuries, tell us what you remember first, then we can talk.”

Thorax pulled back slightly and Pharynx sighed, resting his head on the pillow. “I was walking through the forest, doing a solo patrol, then suddenly became aware everything was silent. The unreforms showed themselves, attacked me without warning, and I fought back… then nothing.”

“Y-You can’t remember anything about the fight?” Thorax asked nervously.

“Bits and pieces.” Pharynx closed his eyes but continued talking. “They fired three arrows and missed twice, I think the third one got lodged in my leg. They bit me a couple times too. I did hold them off for a bit, but then they tossed the dagger at me and that’s all I can remember.”

“Unfortunately, that’s what we expected.” Cilia sighed. “You’re very lucky Pharynx, that dagger was coated with Berries of Eternal Sleep. If it had remained stuck in your side any longer, then it would have… well, you wouldn’t be here now.”

“Yeah, well, thanks for getting it out of me.”

“We didn’ do that.” Apex said, poking Pharynx’s cheek gently. “You did.”

“I think I would’ve remembered that, Apex.”

“Then who did?” Ocellus murmured, but her question went unheard as Needle spoke.

“Is there anything else at all you can tell us about what happened?”

“...Right before I blacked out, I thought I saw something charging at the unreforms.” Pharynx admitted. “It was covered by a dark cloak or something, so I didn’t get a good look, but I did see a flash of gold. I’m sure of it.”

“Alright, thank you Pharynx.” Cilia said, nodding to him. “Try to rest for now, if you need anything, I’m sure Thorax and the others will be here when you wake up.”

Pharynx nodded, and the two medics left. He sighed and closed his eyes. “You know what I was talking about, don’t you Thor?”

“Of course I do, but it’s impossible.”

“Maybe not, her body was never found.”

“I suppose Chrysalis didn’t exactly look too hard to find it…”

“You and I both know we’ve only seen gold like that in two places.” Pharynx finished, eyes opening to peer out at his brother. “Royal regalia, and…”

“Fortuna.” Thorax breathed softly, shaking his head.

“But that’s impossible, she died, like you said.” Ocellus objected.

“I know, but I'm sure I saw her.” Pharynx told Ocellus, closing his eyes once more. “Either her or Felix Monilia.”

“Who?” Ocellus asked, but Pharynx had fallen asleep again with a sigh. “Thorax, what did he mean?”

“Felix Monilia is the Old Tongue, Ocellus.” Thorax said, sitting down on the floor and gesturing for her to sit with him while Apex nuzzled against Pharynx. “Translated, it means–”

“Lucky Necklace.” Ocellus looked up at him. “Does it have something to do with her?”

“As far as we knew, it was some kind of family heirloom, Fortuna was the first to use it.” Thorax said, making gestures with his hooves. “It had a way of letting her move faster when she activated its magic. Time seemed to slow enough that she could dodge something moving towards her in a split-second. It also heightened her already sharp ability to see cause and effect, she could take down any enemy without them even knowing what happened.”

“So that’s why she was Aureum In Generali.” Ocellus murmured, and Thorax nodded.

“Partly. I think what Pharynx means is that it’s possible someone found Felix Monilia, and has been using it. Though why they’d show up near the Hive is the part that doesn’t make sense.”

“Maybe it really is For’una.” Apex said, and Thorax sighed.

“I don’t know Apex, I’m not sure what to think anymore.”

“You should probably get some sleep, Thorax.” Ocellus suggested. “Maybe you’ll think better once you’ve rested.”

Thorax nodded, opening his wings and fluttering over to land behind Pharynx, curling up and laying a hoof over his back. The beta changeling grunted in his sleep, but didn’t struggle as Thorax gently tugged him closer. Apex snuggled up under Pharynx’s chin, falling asleep as well. Ocellus cautiously climbed into the bed as well, looking at Thorax for permission. He nodded to her with a gentle smile, and she smiled back, moving closer before curling up in the space between the brother’s heads.

Together, the four changelings went to sleep, huddling close and instinctively sharing love. They slept peacefully, undisturbed for the time being.