As Thorax sobbed into his hooves, something moved through the trees nearby. He didn’t notice, there wasn’t a single sound to warn him of an approach. Not that he would have been able to hear it over his own despairing wails in any case.

Finally, the movement in the woods behind the alpha stopped. Yet still, all was silent save for Thorax’s sobs. After a long moment, somecreature began to sing softly.

“Look to the stars, my darling baby boys~”

Thorax’s ears perked, but he didn’t look up, keeping his head firmly buried into his forelegs. He refused to believe what he was hearing was true. Soft hoofsteps at last marked an approach, and the gentle singing continued, closer to him this time.

“Life is strange and vast, filled with wonders and joys. Face each new sun, with eyes clear and true, unafraid of the unknown,”

Somecreature began stroking Thorax’s antler soothingly with a hoof. He stilled, struggling not to cry harder at what he was sure was a sick joke of some kind.

“...Because I’ll face it all with you~”

But at that line, Thorax hesitated to snap at whoever it was. The notes were sung in the perfect tone, voice calm and smooth in a way not even the best shapeshifter would have been able to mimic. Thorax finally acknowledged the voice, his head lifting up as he dared to see if it was true. The cloaked figure from before sat beside him, body completely covered, the mask still on their face. A hole-covered hoof reached up, past a familiar necklace clasping their cloak in place, and slid the paint-streaked mask down. Familiar golden eyes stared at him, flooded with tears.

“Look to the stars, and gaze up at the moon,” Fortuna sang softly, as Thorax lifted his head to press against her. “Even as these days pass, I’m always thinking of you.”

Thorax let out a happy sob, wrapping his hooves around the golden changeling and clinging to her tightly. Fortuna hugged back, singing the final lines with a shaky voice.

“Face each new day, and keep your hopes alive, I promise, I will be there soon. It won’t be long ‘til I’m with you~”

“M-Mom…” Thorax pressed his head against hers as her hood fell off her head. The cloak’s hood fell away to reveal her golden mane, now longer than it used to be as it trailed down over her neckfin and around her face.

“My son,” Fortuna pressed a kiss to the alpha’s forehead, stroking the back of his neck as she beamed sadly. “You’ve gotten so big.”

Thorax wiped his eyes, staring at her. “F-Forty, w-we thought that you didn’t care anymore.”

“Oh Thory, of course I cared.” Fortuna lifted his chin. “I cared more than you knew. That’s why I couldn’t come back, Chrysalis would have killed me if I had. She wanted me to die so you would be unprotected. I knew your brother would look after you when I couldn’t, I just had to make sure you were both safe.”

“W-We didn’t think of that.”

“I know, and I'm sorry I couldn't tell you. But when Midlight–”

“Midlight? Didn’t she die years before– before you did?”

Fortuna chuckled softly and stroked his head. “Not everything is as it seems, Thory.”

“I-Is she here too?” Thorax looked around for the pink changeling. He had known of her before her supposed death, though they weren’t close enough in age to be more than just a recognizable face, Thorax’s lack of rank aside.

“No, Middy’s dealing with a mob boss in Manehattan.” Fortuna blushed slightly, smiling. “But I couldn’t pass up the chance to see my sons again. Of course, I was trying to avoid anyone seeing me, since I knew I was supposed to be dead, but when Phary got hurt, well...”

Thorax turned to glance back at her as she trailed off, and she sighed, stroking his head.

“I couldn’t help it. I had to protect my boys, I just wish I could’ve looked after him longer. But I heard you searching and I knew I wouldn’t be needed. Is he doing alright? I saw you lot walking in the woods earlier.”

“You saw us? B-But then why didn't you say anything? We were trying to get you to come out.”

“I know,” Fortuna kissed his forehead. “But it didn’t take long for me to see you two needed to get some things off your chests, and that comment about Phary being sliced by an Ursa caught me off guard.”

“...W-We had left the Hive about a year ago.” Thorax told her softly, opening his wings and buzzing them. “It’s what led to the Great Reformation. We found a new life, i-in the Crystal Empire, me and Pharynx and his apprentice, my adoptive son.”

Fortuna smiled and nuzzled him. “Adoption, hm? Runs in the family, I suppose. So he was attacked?”

“He fought off an Ursa Minor to protect us, then lied about being hurt.”

“Typical Phary. I’d hoped he’d grown out of that habit.” Fortuna sighed. “Well, at least he’s seemed to have learned his lesson, based on your argument.”

“H-He’s the best big brother I could ask for, mom, he always has been. Thanks to you.” Thorax nuzzled him.

“And I’m certain you’re the best little brother he could ask for.” Fortuna smiled softly. “So, is he back at the Hive?”

“W-Well, yes, but he…” Thorax whimpered nervously. “F-Forty, he’s given up on the idea that you were going to come back. He thinks you don’t love us anymore, I-I thought he had a point.”

“Then let’s set him straight, shall we?” Fortuna smiled at Thorax, and he smiled back softly.

Back at the Hive, Hunter and Apex had found and woken Pharynx, taking him back to his room. Hunter had to return to handling the General’s duties, but Apex had remained behind with the beta changeling. Pharynx was lying in his bed, with the youngling curled up in his hooves, watching him carefully. The Prince stared blankly at the wall, his eyes boring into the stone.

“Uncle Pharynx,” Apex nuzzled him. “‘Re you gonna be sad fore’er?”

Pharynx just sighed and rested his chin on the pillow as he turned to meet his eyes. “I’ll get over it, grub. I did last time, after all.”

“How did you get o'er it then?”

“By focusing on other stuff, like protecting my baby brother.” Pharynx closed his eyes. “It was more important than my own grief.”

“Nothin’s more ‘portant than feelings.” Apex chirped, nuzzling his uncle. “You ge’ to feel sad.”

Pharynx sighed but smiled softly, tugging him over and nosing him. “Yeah, well, last time, it was a weakness.”

“Not an’more.” Apex snuggled up under his chin. “I’ll make you feel be’ter Uncle Pharynx!”

Pharynx chuckled dryly, nuzzling him. “Sure grub, if you want.”

Apex smiled proudly, snuggling up to him. “What can I do?”

“Just keep making me proud, kid,” Pharynx nuzzled him, sighing once more. “At least someone cares.”

“He’s not the only one.” Thorax smiled at his brother gently as he walked in, coming closer to nuzzle them both.

“Hey Thor.”

“Apex cheering you up?”

“Somewhat.” he admitted, and Apex puffed his chest out proudly. Thorax giggled softly, booping his son on the nose.

“That’s my good little warrior.” Thorax glanced up at Pharynx. “You doing okay?”

“How many times do I need to reassure you before you stop fussing?” Pharynx joked, chuckling.

Thorax smiled softly. “I’m not asking for me this time.”

“Who then? Cilia and Needle? They were just in here after Hunt and the grub brought me back, what do they want now?”

“Not them.” Thorax smiled and gently picked Apex up from Pharynx’s grasp, cradling him.

“What’s with the suspense? Just tell me who.”

“Mom.”

Pharynx gaped at him, but the alpha just smiled softly in response, glancing at the doorway. Pharynx followed his gaze as a familiar cloaked figure entered the room. The hood fell away from their head first, revealing a long golden mane and neckfin of the same vibrant color. The mask was slowly levitated away by a sparkling aura, then strong gold eyes were staring at Pharynx, tears trickling down their face.

“Hello Phary.” Fortuna spoke softly, and Pharynx stared at her for what felt like years, before he opened his mouth. He could have said any number of things, yelled at her, cried, screamed, told her how much he missed her. But in that moment, there was just one thing he could say.

“...Momma!”

Pharynx shot out of bed, causing Thorax to yelp in alarm and Fortuna to laugh as she was all but tackled by the betaling. He clung to her tightly, openly sobbing, the tears falling down his face.

“Oh Phary, I’m here, my angel.” Fortuna hugged him gently, then pulled back, beginning to nose at her son’s injuries. “Let me see you, how dare those changelings hurt my son–”

Pharynx didn’t allow her to look at his injuries for much longer, pulling himself into her again for another hug. Thorax beamed as he moved closer, sitting beside the two and setting Apex down at his hooves. Apex stared at Fortuna in complete awe until she noticed him, smiling down at him kindly.

“So, you must be Thory’s little one.” She smiled and took him in a hoof, lifting him up and setting him between herself and Pharynx, effectively adding him into the embrace. “I hear my angel from Elysium’s been training you.”

Apex nodded, and she smiled, nuzzling him as Thorax joined in the hug. He looked down at his son proudly. “Our young warrior, mama.”

Fortuna smiled, kissing her sons on the forehead, before smiling at Apex. “One I can’t wait to get to know.”

“Y-You’re staying?” Pharynx whispered hoarsely.

“I’m not leaving my boys again.” Fortuna held them both closer to her, giving him a comforting kiss on the forehead. "You'll never have to be without me."

The family held each other tightly, love wafting off the group, clouding up the air in the room. They were whole once again.

Author's Note

And this story is reaching its end, this is the penultimate chapter, everyone! The epilogue will be up next week as usual, stay tuned!

~Melody