The Young Warrior: Eternally Paternal

In answer to Pharynx, Fortuna sighed and pulled out a scroll. “Got this message from Middy while I was distracting the nymphs. She said there’s more going on in Meta’s area than they expected, they need backup.”

“How much more is going on?” Tempest asked, raising her brow.

“Well, it turns out there were some very well-off mob bosses in Manehattan who were funding the griffons that Meta’s tracking. Middy took care of those during her mission, but the griffons have gone rogue. Meta and Middy can’t handle them all by themselves.”

“And you alone can turn the tides on that?”

“Well, no, but it wouldn’t hurt if I went to help.” Fortuna shrugged. “I have to grab my gear, then head over. I’ll probably just bail them out again and bring them back here.”

“But what about all the griffons?”

“Unfortunately we’ll have to let them escape. It’s too risky a mission to handle with just the three of us. Even we have our limitations, especially due to our crew’s size.”

“What if you had four extra hooves?” Ember suggested, and it was Fortuna’s turn to raise a brow. “I mean, we don’t have monthly sparring sessions for nothing.”

“What?!” Pharynx spun around to face the dragoness. “Are you seriously implying–”

“That we help your mother and her team not to be killed? Yes, yes I am.” Ember put a hand on her hip. “Pharynx, griffons are ruthless assassins when they want to be, the dragons used to get into territory skirmishes with them thousands of years ago. We lost plenty of good fighters.”

“I know that, Ember. But I just–” Pharynx sighed and shook his head. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt or die, sure, but that includes the two of you. Besides, you’re not seriously considering bringing Thorax, are you?”

“And what’s wrong with that, Phary?” Fortuna asked, arching a brow at him.

“He’ll just be a dead weight.” Pharynx told her bluntly.

“Phar– yeah, okay, he has a point, Em.” Tempest glanced at the dragon. “Thor’s not exactly skilled on the battlefield. No offense, Thorax.”

“None taken.” Thorax rolled his eyes slightly. “I’m used to it.”

“Okay, fine, I see your point. He isn't the best fighter.” Ember kissed Thorax’s cheek gently, making him smile. “I still love you though.”

“Nonsense!” Fortuna interrupted as she threw her hooves around Thorax, hugging him like a proud mother hen. “Thory can fight!”

“No, he can’t.” Tempest, Ember, and Pharynx chorused. Fortuna rolled her eyes, letting go of the alpha to face them properly.

“Ember.” Fortuna turned to the dragon calmly. “Attack him.”

“What?”

“You heard me. Attack Thory.”

Ember stared at her for a second, then sighed. “You’re not going to let me refuse, are you?”

“Either you do it or I will, and I have venom.”

Ember sighed and sank down into a crouch. “Sorry Thorax.”

“You needn’t be!” Fortuna called, though Thorax was looking very unsure of what was happening himself.

“Wait, can’t we talk about–”

Ember ignored Thorax and Fortuna as she lunged at the alpha. Almost instantly, Pharynx had sprung forwards to intercept her, but in a split second Fortuna had him pinned to the ground, sitting on his back to keep him there. Thorax cried out in alarm as Ember lashed her claws at him, but before she could hurt him, he swung his head. He caught her in his antlers, tossing her out the window – which thankfully was just a hole in the wall, because this was Pharynx’s room and he didn’t like pony windows.

Ember tried to jump back inside through the window, but before she could, Thorax followed her outside. In a flash of light, the monarch had transformed into his unreformed body. From there, he dodged Ember’s attacks as she struggled to adjust to fighting his smaller form. The changeling weaved through Ember’s lashing blows, having to twirl slightly to dodge several near misses. At last, Thorax slid under her attacks, skidded across the ground, flung out a hoof, and used one of his legs to catch Ember’s. The dragoness fell flat on her back with a thump as Thorax stood up.

As both fighters panted for breath, Thorax transformed back, staring at the defeated Ember in shock. He seemed just as startled as the watching creatures. Well, most of them. Fortuna was looking very smug as Thorax helped his girlfriend up from the ground.

“See?” Fortuna chuckled and rubbed Pharynx’s head. “I appreciate you looking out for your brother on the battlefield, Phary, but Thorax has his own strengths to play to. He just needs to be forewarned of what’s going to happen, then the adrenaline will kick in.”

“Okay, you have got to spar with us more often, Thor!” Ember spoke up, eyes wide as she and Thorax climbed back through the window. “Seriously! If you can do that in your old form just imagine what you could do now with more training!”

“W-Well, it’s not just that I’m not good at triggering my ‘fight’ response,” Thorax smiled sheepishly. “I’m grateful mom taught me how to defend myself by playing to my strengths, but I’m also just more of the peacekeeping type. That’s why I haven’t tried training since I was an apprentice.”

“Very respectable morals, Thory.” Fortuna nuzzled her youngest son, glancing at Pharynx. “I know you want to protect your family, Pharynx. I won’t force any of you to come if you don’t want them to. But Middy and Meta are my family as much as you lot. And I know that all of you have the ability to help me save them.”

Pharynx hesitated, looking back at Tempest and Ember, who gave him encouraging grins. He then looked at his twin, who offered a feeble smile.

“I’d like to come, and I guess I could fight a little bit.” Thorax offered shyly.

“...Alright, fine.” Pharynx agreed, and Fortuna hugged him tightly. “M-Mom!”

“Brilliant, Phary!”

“Mom, let go!” Pharynx protested, and the unreformed changeling released him, though she still beamed. “Besides, I have a condition.”

“Yes?”

“The second it seems too dangerous, we pull Thorax, Ocellus, and Apex out.”

“Wait, hold on, since when were Ocellus and Apex coming?” Ember asked.

“Well, knowing them, they’d follow us whether we like it or not so we might as well invite them.”

“Okay, fair point.”

“So, Fortuna, when do we leave?” Tempest asked

“Immediately.” Fortuna grinned at the group. “You won’t need any supplies, don’t worry, let’s just grab the nymphs and head out.”