To Change For The Better

I blearily open my eyes as I start to wake up and the first thing that greets me is an black hand on my face. I go to move it but my right arm is stuck, seeing what is blocking it first thing I see is a another Changelings face specifically Thorax's. "Huh" trying not to disrupt his slumber i slowly pull my arm from under him successfully not waking him up.

As I start to gather my surroundings I notice Pharnyx also still asleep over on his side. Not wanting to bother them I exit out of their hole to go back to mine.
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Upon reaching my hole I look at the Stealth revolver that I still haven't provided more bullets for 'Eh why not.'

Seeing as how their was nothing to do today I decided to make another bullet for it 'besides if anything I could just go back to the others if I'm feeling lonely.' As I shook myself out my musings I noticed that after I made another bullet I didn't feel tired at all, in fact I felt like I was brimming with energy.

'I wonderrr' curious i decide to push my self as far as I could by making enough bullets to fill the cylinder but I still felt very energized 'looks like that vial Thorax found wasn't completely full of shit.' "Now the question is can I make use of this in another way."

Fully curious on how much I could make use of this new increase of magic I made my way towards the training room.
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As I arrived I made my way over towards the rock dummy as I tried to summon my magic. 'Reject instead of consume, reject instead of consume.' I repeated this thought over on my head as I felt the familiar feeling of something slithering in my body towards my horn, I then tried to picture positive and negative charged fields separating, but not to fast as to be able to prevent the lightning from hitting the ground and wasting time and magic.

After a couple of seconds I start to feel some heat drain from the already damp like atmosphere, realizing what's happening I then infused a bit of love to try and compress the area around the formed lightning to force it into a spherical shape.

A little bit out of breath I look at the bright orb now in the air as lightning constantly jumps around inside of it.

"Wow, It's beautiful." I trail off as I approach the orb, entranced by the amount of deadly energy now turned into a beautiful display. But as I try to approach the orb It moves slightly away from me, confused I tried again as it moved away again, I then looked at my hands 'no way.' Excited I move my right hand slightly to the right as the orb slightly moves right "no way," I then try to move both of my hands up as it shoots up. Trying to contain my excitement I then try my best to aim at one of the rock dummies as I shout as loud as I can "PK THUNDER!" pushing my hands straight as the orb goes flying towards slightly past the dummy causing the orb to collapse on itself and release a small but still effective blast that causes the right side of the rock to become chipped. "Woah....." I then grinned "This is gonna be fun."
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Seeing as how I was able to successfully produce something with my magic without being exausted I then returned to my hole to try and make another weapon that could be very useful for more dangerous situations, as I closed my eyes I focused on forming the weapon and infusing a bit of love into it again constantly, making six magnetic like rails two on each side connected to a horizontal wooden barrel with a magnetic coil wrapped around the top of the gun and around a stump like stub near the butt of the gun with two wires connecting to the inside of an gun and a plier like tool attached to the side of the gun.

Completing the image I drop to a knee slightly out of breath as I take a minute to catch my breath 'Ok, so it seems like i can use more of my magic to substitute some of the love I originally used when making the revolver.'

I grinned "But, *pant* In the end *pant* I still managed to do it again." Now sitting on the floor was an Gun capable of firing lightning itself and it definitely looked functional "but to say if it actually does work is a whole different story."

"Well it still feels like I'm not exausted yet so I guess I can try and make the ammo for it."

Trying to catch my breath I started to summon my magic again as I started to form small mettalic balls contained in a dispenser like holder as they dropped to the floor. 'OK, I think thats enough for now.' Satisfied with what I was able to do with my new found increase in magic I decided to go to sleep.
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As I woke up I went to the feeding chamber to fill up on the low amount of love that they provide. After I'm done I return to my room to grab the ball like ammo and put It into a sort of slot on the side of the Hellbreath as I make my way back towards the training room.

After coming face to face with the rock dummy again I start to press down on the switch repeatedly under the side of the trigger repeatedly as I charge it up to the middle point of the meter, 'Ok now for the moment of truth,' as I bring the gun up and aim down the sights I pressed the trigger and out came a powerful electric blast that completely destroyed the upper right side of the rock "Holy, Shit..." looking back at the weapon I decided to test something, interested into seeing how much damage this weapon could do I started to press down on the switch until the meter could filled up no more.

Now slightly shaking as the weapon was fully charged I started to position the weapon as I aimed down the sights finger on the tri-

"Hi Joseph!"

I yelp not expecting any other ling to be here as I reflexively pull the trigger releasing the electric blast knocking me to the ground as it soared in the air towards the already damaged rock as a powerful blast erupts completely shattering the entire right side of the rock.

"Woah"
"Woah"

I turn around as I spot Pharynx and Thorax standing by the entrance completely fixated on the damage done to the rock. "What are you two doing here?"

They started to walk towards me as Pharynx answered "Well Thory over here wanted to hang out with you and since we both had nothing going on at the moment I decided to join."

"Oh o- wait a minute, Thory?"

Pharynx snorted and pointed to Thorax "Don't look at me he's the one who decided we have nicknames in private."

I look at Thorax, eyeridge raised as he looked away sheepishly "I thought it would be nice if we had something personal that we could call eachother when with friends, if you don't mind that is."

I shook my head "Hey don't worry I think thats nice, though im curious, what do you call Pharynx?"

"Don't. You. Da-."

"Pharny."

Pharnyx just sighed "I never should've agreed to this."

I laughed for a minute before trying to catch my breath "I'm *hah* sorry but Pharny."

Pharnyx glared at me "Don't."

Chuckling for a bit longer I finally catched my breath. "Well back to the topic at hand what is it that you guys wanted to do?"

Thorax looked at the floor embarrassed "W-well I was wondering if you don't mind, that is if, um youwanttojusthangout

"What?"

Pharynx groaned "What this grub is trying to ask if you would be willing to just sit somewhere and hang out so he can talk about how he looooooooves you so much and wants to express his dying love to you."

"PHARNYX!"

Pharynx started bursting out laughing as Thorax looked like he was about to explode.

"I'm joking, I'm joking, obviously he wants to just hang out and talk about whatever comes to mind.

I chuckled "yeah sure I dont mind, where do you want to hang out?"

Thorax sighed "Well if its really alright with you I kinda wanted to go back to where we first teamed up."

"The place where our test took place?"

Thorax nodded "Sure, that can work let me just put this back in my hole."

They both nodded as they walked away but not before Pharynx told me they were going to wait at the testing ground for me.
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As I enter the arena like area again I spot Thorax sitting crisscrossed and Pharynx sitting with his legs out talking to eachother.

"Hey, what are you guys talking about?"

"Hey Joseph, we were just talking about the first time we went against Pharnyx and that other ling, actual now that I think of it I never got the name of that ling, Pharynx, do you know what his name was?"

Pharynx shrugged "Tarturas if I know, he was just a random ling that I paired up with that looked strong enough."

He then slightly nudged Thorax "But hey, looks like you were tougher than him,congrats."

Thorax blushed, embarrassed over the praise from Pharynx "Thanks Pharynx."

Pharnyx then looked at me "I also want to thank you."

"Me?"

Pharnyx rolled his eyes "No Queen Chrysalis, yes you. I, I want to thank you for proving me wrong and helping me with problem that I wasn't aware of."

Confused, I asked "I think I know what your talking about with the problem, but, what do you mean by 'proving you wrong.'"

Pharynx then frowned, though it didn't seem to be aimed at me "When I was still thinking differently about how to deal the situation between me and Thorax I saw you paired up with him and I was upset because I thought you were trying to use,
Like everyling else had before, so I decide to insult him to try and see if you really cared about him at all or if you were just using him as I thought."

He chuckled "Imagine my surprise that not only did you actually defend him but insulted me back, to me that was a blessing in disguise, someling who cared about Thorax but also could stand up for themselves."

He then frowned "But, i still thought that of people saw me with you they would start connecting things back to Thorax so thats why when we met again I was so hesitant to work together until I reluctantly asked you for help, so yeah like I said thanks for that."

I put a hand on Pharynx's shoulder "I don't really know what to say to that, but I want to let know Pharynx that you don't have to worry about me faking anything with Thorax."

I looked over at Thorax as he was paying rapt attention to our conversation "I will never abandon him, because he's important to me too."

I looked back at Pharynx as he smiled at me and we nodded at eachother. "You know" We then both looked over at Thorax as he had a slightly serious look on his face."I know that I've said this before but Joseph you've truly changed our lives for the better, and I honestly can't imagine what our lives would have been like had you not have been here to support both of us,"

'Much worse for you' I thought

"So thank you, truly."

Before I could say anything Thorax pulled me and Pharynx into a hug as we were surprised for a moment before wrapping our arms around him, enjoying this nice moment to ourselves.

As we were enjoying the moment I heard a noise as something sounded like it was shining. Confused and slightly on edge we all quickly stepped away from the hug as we all started looking around the area rapidly for any indication of the noise.

"Do you guys see anything?"

"No nothing!"

"I hope it wasn't someling spying on us."

As we continued looking around I spotted something out the corner of my eyes as I looked for a split second until I focu-.

Wait.

What?

Doing a double take i look behind me as I spot shining, glistening wings, specifically Thorax's wings. They shimmered and shined as bright as the stars you would see in the night sky.

"Hey guyyyys, I think I found what made the noise."

They both turned around looking at me for an answer "Look at his wings" as I point to Thorax's wings leading to both of them looking at it in shock.

"Woahhh, what happened to my wings?"

"Or Better yet, why is it shining?"

Meanwhile I stood their dumbfounded 'But, but how? This wasn't supposed to happen for a while, so why is i-"

"I swear My Queen that these two have been very promising so far."
I also agree my Queen the new learner has gone through almost all of everything the Hive has recorded over the moons."

I paused 'ohshitohshitohshit' "Thorax!"

They both looked at me "Joseph? Whats wro-"

"No time, disguise your wings."

What, wait wh-"

"Quickly, just do it!"

Concerned and confused he seemed to still do what I said as I saw his Corsucate at work until his wings were back to the dull looking green color i was more familiar with.

"There now will you tell me whats wro-"

He paused as his eyes widened in shock "M-my Queen"

I turned around as I saw Buffy, a random changeling I didn't know and Queen Chrysalis herself making their way towards us. All three of us got on one knee as Pharynx spoke "My Queen, what have we done for you to grace us with your presence."

"Rise."

We all got up and saw her smiling at us. "I have decided that because of how much your mentors have been singing your praises to put you through a test of sorts to see if your truly worthy of those praise.

'Yeah because that isn't ominous at all.'

"So in my brilliance I decided that the best way to test you, to see if your truly ready for these roles, is to have you go through the real thing."

My eyes widened in disbelief as I couldn't believe the situation that she was forcing us in and as I looked around i saw that I wasn't the only as everyling looked on in disbelief or shock as we all stood frozen until Buffy tried to say something "M-My Queen surely thats a bit of a hasty decision to make with three lings that haven't completed their trai-"

His plead was cut off as I swore the atmosphere got heavier as Chrysalis turned her head slightly towards Buffy as she gave him a cold glare "Surely you aren't questioning my decision, right, Sentinel?"

Buffy's eyes widened as he immediately dropped to one knee "Of Course not my Queen I would never question your excellence!"

"Good."

As the atmosphere started to feel lighter she then turned towards us "My decision is final and will not be changed, but I am a, if anything, merciful Queen as I will allow you two young Sentinels to escort this here young Learner." I scoffed in my head 'Yeah right, throwing three young changelings out into an unknown environment is certainly merciful.'

She then leaned in close to Thorax "You should be grateful, after all, other Learners don't usually get two Sentinels to escort them all the time."

Thorax rapidly nodded his head "T-thank you my Queen I will remember this boon you have granted m-me."

She smiled in response "Now, seeing as how everything has been taking care I suggest you lings start preparing for your trip to the outside world."

She then suddenly looked at us coldly "I expect something useful when you return." She then paused as she looked at each one of us "But you are young and inexperienced so I guess I can be lenient, I'll give you lets say 3 moons to bring back something that is not only revolutionary to the Hive but something that we also don't already have." Her cold look then returned "You will leave in 30 minutes, so i suggest you find anything of use before you leave and you also don't need to wait all three moons to return, BUT, if you do return early, without ANYTHING of use you can consider yourself banished and forgotten from the hive."

We just stood shocked and frozen in place until she gave a cruel grin "Well then good luck."

As she walked away and out of the arena like room with Buffy and that changeling following her Thorax suddenly collapsed on the floor as Pharynx immediately went to comfort him, and through it all I could only think of one thing.

'What

The

Fuck.
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(Pharynx POV)

"Were going to die."

I sighed "Thorax."

"I ca-I, I just don't understand."

"Thorax."

"What did we do wrong? Are we being punished and if so for what?"

"THorax."

"WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO US."

"THORAX!"

"WHAT!"

I approached him as I put my hands on his shoulders "Calm down."

Thorax looked at me like I was crazy "Calm down? CALM DOWN!? You want me to calm down after I just heard that we are being sent to the outside world, WAY before mind you, any of us have completed their training that would have helped prepared Us for This.

But no, Now because our instructors praised us for our hard work and commitment to our roles Our Queen decided that the best way to prove that we are really 'worthy' of those praises was to send us out on a mission that relies solely on ME finding something out there that Is both revolutionary and never before seen in the hive, and you want me to CALM DOWN!?"

"YES! yes, I do because as bad it is we need to be able to think rationally and be able to plan out our situation, I know how you feel but we're only going to be able to get through this if we calm down, put our heads together and come up with a plan on how we're going to get through this, ok?"

Thorax stopped to breathe in and out a few times until he calmed down a little "Yeah, your right, I'm.. sorry I yelled at you."

I pulled my brother in for a hug "Its ok."

Thorax hugged me back and almost silently replied ""I'm just really scared Pharynx."

"I am too but, we Are going to get through this, ok?"

Thorax nodded back

"Good, and besides were not alone we still have Joseph coming with us too."

Thorax smiled a little bit at that "Yeah I guess your right about that, and who knows maybe with how he is he's already have come up with a plan."

(Joseph POV)

"I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO."

'Now I may be a dumbass but even I could've sworn that Changelings with roles were only eligible to leave the hive after they completed their training so what in the hell possessed Chrysalis to just send us off outside as just to see if we were worthy of praise from our instructors?'

I sighed as I looked at my 'bed,' placing the weapons i was able to summon on it. 'So we have a a Stealth revolver with six shots and the Hellsbreath with thirteen, sadly not much to defend ourselves with since someone is still going to be unarmed.'.

I shook my head "Later, right now we need to plan our next course of action."

Decision made i met up with Thorax and Pharynx as they were looking over a map of Equestria in their room.

Thorax and Pharynx lifted their heads as the former replied first "Hey, Joseph"

"Hey Thorax wished we were meeting on better terms."

Thorax looked slightly upset "Yeah me too, but we aren't so we gotta focus."

I nodded "Right, so any ideas of where were going?"

"Well Pharynx decided that we'd make our way from the Hive up to this city called Dodge junction and take a device they call a train towards a town called Ponyville, gather information and see what we can do from there."

"Sounds like a good plan." ' Yeah, if we just ignore the part about heading towards Ponyville but other than that it sounds like a sound plan.'

"Actually, Pharynx I have something to give you, its in my room if you don't coming with me."

Pharynx looked back at Thorax who gave him a small smile "Don't worry, I'll be ok on my own for a bit, you can go on."

Pharynx gave him a nod as we both stand up and leave the hole. As we're walking towards my hole Pharynx speaks up "Hey Joseph?"

I stop and turn to face him "Yeah?"

Pharynx looks into my eyes with the most serious look in his eyes I've ever seen from him "Whatever happens out there promise you'll be there for Thorax."

"Pharynx I-"

"JUST promise me please, I'm not gonna pretend that everything that happens outside is gonna be all happy and fun but, I need to know that if something does happen you'll be there for him. Please."

.
.
.
.
.
"Ok... I promise"

Pharynx gave me a grateful smile "Thank you Joseph, I really appreciate everything you've done for me and Thorax. I know I haven't said that but I really do."

"No problem Pharynx."

"So, what is it you want to give me?"

"Something that'll help you keep me from making that promise."

As we enter my hole I go to grab the Hellbreath and hold it out for Pharynx to take. He looks at confused "What is it?'

"Remember that weapon I summoned during our first time with magic?"

He starts to nod until his eyes widen "You did it again."

I nodded "Yeah, I did and I'm pretty sure I can do it again but I need time, speaking of time how much time do we have?"

Pharynx scrunched his face up in thought "i think around ten minutes."

"OK then that should be enough time to give you a rundown of the basics." As I start walking with him to the training area and as we get their we find it empty, good for us since their won't be any distractions. As we walk over to the Rock dummies I start to instruct him on how to use it "OK first, put the foot looking thing on your shoulder, right hand around the half circle looking thing inside of the grip, and left hand carrying the underside of the brown looking part."

As I finish with the instructions I see Pharynx follow them to a tee "Like this?"

I nod "Yeah just like that l, now when you go to use the weapon pull back on the half circle to release the shot and don't forget to press this little grip here to charge it up to do more damage with it since you'll see this little meter here fill up though I recommend to get it halfway as thats already capable of doing serious and also be prepared for the amount of kickback that's gonna hit your shoulder, because if you aren't prepared it will dislocated your shoulder ok? Ok. Go ahead and try a shot."

As I step back i see Pharynx repeat my steps albeit slowly buts that to be expected as he starts to charge up the gun, aims, fires, and falls on his ass, as the gun drops and the blast hits the ride of the rock dummy.

"Told you to be prepared."

Pharynx rubs his shoulder as he gets up "Yeah I know but I wasn't expecting anything like That."

"Well we can try ag-"

Before I can finish a sentence I feel a voice in my head as it says "Sentinels Joseph and Pharynx and Learner Thorax, prepare to leave the hive at once."

I sigh "Well I guess we can try again out there."

Pharynx nods distraced "Yeah..."

I go over to him and put a hand on his shoulder "We got this."

Pharynx nods this time with more certainty to it "Yeah, yeah we do."

He gets up and stretches his legs "Well let's get Thorax and, leave."

I nod as we head back.

After getting Thorax we arrived to the entrance of the hive waiting, and as we do a hole finally opens up. Looking at eachother we nod and finally leave the hive together.

First thing I notice is the wasteland infront of me as the sky looks to be polluted and the environment looks to be wasting away as the trees are dying and the grass is black.

As we stand there processing this new environment I decide to break the silence. "Well are we ready crew?"

After a few deep breaths from both changeling I get an answer.

"Yeah"
"As ready as I'll ever be."

"Then, Autobots roll out!"

They both looked at me confused and I looked away embarrassed as I tried to recover from the failed attempt at trying to be cool "*Ahem* we should probably get a move on."

And so we took our first steps, with no idea of what awaited us. But one we thing we did know is that we had eachother. And that, was good enough..