Love You To Your Core

Thorax awoke with a terrible ringing in his ear. Everything was muffled, giving him a splitting migraine. His ears twitched, trying to capture any noise. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for the ringing to fade.

The first thing he noticed was a clutter of voices, all angry. The second thing he gathered was the hard, cold ground beneath him.

The changeling peeked open his eyes, his vision blurry. Thorax glanced around, seeing about a dozen or so changelings. They prattled to each other, concern lacing their voices. One changeling spoke harshly, pointing to the sky.

The memories of that day had come back to him. The wedding in Canterlot. They had failed.

Relief flowed through his body. In Thorax’s opinion, the whole invasion felt like too much. He didn’t see the point of it. It was too much violence and hatred.

Thorax shakily stood up, his body aching. That blast had really taken a toll on him. He stretched his achy body, his attention remaining on the changelings.

“What do we do?” One changeling asked.

“Where is the queen?” Another spoke. The changelings conversed with each other, their statements short and tense. As they spoke, Thorax let his gaze wander.

Trees stretched as far as the eye could see. Thorax sniffed the air, taking in the scent of fresh oak. The dusk air was crisp and fresh. Much fresher than anything he had ever smelled. Thorax closed his eyes, a smile creeping onto his face. He could stay like this forever.

“Retreat to the hive!” One changeling ordered, snapping Thorax from his daze.

“Retreat! Retreat!” Another called. In one swoop, the group flew off, their wings buzzing.

Thorax stumbled over his hooves, his wings scarcely opening in time. He wobbled, teetering off the ground.

“Wait up!” Thorax shouted, outstretching his hooves to the sky. His wings thrummed, barely keeping up speed. The changelings ignored his cries, continuing their journey without as much as a glance back.

Thorax panted, his wings (and his body) aching.

“Wait for…” Thorax trailed off, his gaze wandering to the horizon.
The sunset was beautiful. It swirled in wondrous yellows, purples, oranges. Thorax was breathless. It was unlike anything he had ever seen.

Thorax closed his eyes, basking in the vanishing sun. It felt glorious. The ‘ling inhaled, letting the fresh dawn air take over.

This is what life was about. Not the hustle of pleasing a queen.

He would stay like this forever if he could. Thorax blinked. Well…why couldn’t he?

Thorax looked back in the direction of the other changelings. They were so far that they only looked like specs. What awaited him back home? More training for something he never wanted to achieve? Thorax didn’t want that. He never wanted that. And quite frankly, he was never good at any of that stuff.

Would anyone notice if he were gone? Heck, they weren’t noticing right now! Not a single changeling had checked on him.

He was no use at the colony. He couldn’t fight, couldn’t lead, and heck, he couldn’t even serve the queen properly.

Thorax thought back to the wedding. Pony love was glorious. It wasn’t just the newlyweds, but the friends who helped! That’s what Thorax wanted, not whatever Chrysalis was offering.

He looked back at the sunset once again, a smile forming. Thorax closed his eyes, taking in the warmth of the sun. The hum of the changeling's wings grew distant, being replaced by a gentle breeze.

Sooner than later, the sun had fully set. The cool night air brushed his skin, making him shudder. Thorax sighed, fluttering his eyes open. The night sky was just as beautiful, thousands of stars twinkling in the vast blue.

As much as Thorax wanted to stay up here, he knew he’d have to come down. He had a new life to live.

His hooves hit the ground. These were his first steps as a new changeling! What would he do in this new world? Maybe he could get a real, non-changeling job or even make friends!

Thorax shook his head. He was getting ahead of himself. He didn’t even know where he was. For all Thorax knew, he could be in the Dragonlands.

It was time to use a changeling's best source of navigation; smell. Thorax stuck his snout into the air, taking in steady inhales. A mixture of familiar things came to mind. Trees, animals, rocks; the usual things you’d find in a forest.
One familiar smell hit him. Love. Thorax deeply inhaled, beginning to salivate. Wherever that smell was coming from, it was big.

Just because he had a new life didn’t mean he had to starve. He’d just…find a more efficient way of getting love. A way where no one got harmed.

As Thorax trekked, the smell became more distinct. It wasn’t one source of love; it was multiple. Some sort of colony?

It couldn’t be a changeling colony; his kind knew nothing of sharing love. Maybe it was a group of good-willed griffons or kind-hearted kirins. Whatever the species was, they loved each other deeply.

As Thorax trekked, the trees began to thin, and shrubbery grew in numbers. His journey came to a head when the forest ended. If he kept walking, he’d go straight into a clearing. What could be out there?

Thorax lowered himself, peeking through some shrubbery. In the distance was a plethora of structures. He squinted, looking at a mass of buildings in the distance.

It was a town! Though it wasn’t many, ponies wandered the streets. The changeling's wings buzzed with excitement. This was his shot! His chance at a normal, non-hate-filled life!

Thorax stuck his hooves through the bushes, his heart buzzing with excitement. He quickly yanked his hoof back, snapping back to his senses.

He couldn’t enter town like this. It would cause a panic! Thorax wracked his brain, trying to think of a new look.

His mind wandered back to the sunset. It was beautiful in ways he couldn’t imagine. Nothing was stopping him from looking like that, was there?

Thorax squeezed his eyes shut, visualizing the sunset once again. With a quick flash, his form changed.

His coat was pale yellow, while his mane was a light purple. His legs were speckles with blotchy orange spots. They resembled holes. On his flank was an orange sun peeking through a grey cloud. Thorax wasn’t exactly sure what these marks were for, but it felt like it was good for him.

Thorax stretched, inspecting his body. This seemed right. In a way, it felt right.

With a pep in his step, Thorax leaped from the bushes, heading to the town. Were ponies all he hoped to be? Maybe they’d greet him with open arms. Maybe he’d be the most popular creature around!
A thought struck Thorax. What if they didn’t like him? What if he was exiled? What if they did something worse?!

Thorax shook his head. No, no! If ponies were anything like the ones at the wedding, he was sure to be safe.

He padded through town, his head hung low. The streets were sparse, ponies retreating to their homes. Were they leaving because of him? No, no, it was just getting late. Even changelings went in at this time.

On one hoof, Thorax was relieved that the town was clearing out. On the other hoof, he was a little disappointed that he had no one to see his new look.

“Oh, horse apples!” Someone swore. Thorax’s ears swiveled, his attention snapping to a mare. She was older, her hair crisp and white. She sat before a cart, its detached wheel between her hooves.

What was someone her age doing out at a time like this? She should be resting!

Every ounce of him wanted to help the mare. Chrysalis wouldn’t approve of such a thing.

Thorax blinked. Chrysalis wasn't here; this was his life! Thorax puffed out his chest, marching to the mare. He was going to be a hero today.

“Do you…need help with that?” Thorax asked squeakier than he had hoped. His cheeks flushed red. He was meant to sound heroic.

The mare squinted at Thorax, her face lighting up.

“Thank Celestia, somepony showed up. I thought I’d be stranded out here!” She said with a southern twang. “My wheel popped right off this dang here cart. I ain’t got a clue on how to fix it.” She explained.

Thorax looked at the detached wheel and then to the cart. The wheel didn’t look broken, just…separated.

“Mind if I try?”

“Go right ahead!” The mare said, jutting the wheel toward Thorax.

Thorax shimmied under the cart, feeling the dirt drag through his new coat. Thorax firmly planted his hooves on the ground, pressing his back against the cart.

In one swift movement, he lifted the cart from the ground. Thorax reached forward, grabbing for the wheel. With one hard yank, he popped the wheel back on the axle. He ran his hoof against the wheel, giving it a testing spin. It spun perfectly, not wavering.

Thorax steadily placed the cart on the ground before scooting back. He popped off the ground, grinning ear to ear.

“There you go, ma’am,” Thorax said with an award-winning smile. His insides thrummed excitedly. This was his first act of good!

“Oh, aren’t you just a sweet thing?” The elder complimented, pinching Thorax’s cheeks. Thorax grimaced at the touch, gritting his teeth. Were all ponies this touchy?

Her hooves wandered, poking his side. “And so skinny. When was the last time you ate?” She lightly scolded.
.
Thorax opened his mouth to open before quickly closing it. When was the last time he had eaten?

“Oh, where are my manners?” She blushed. “I’m Goldie Delicious. Now, what’s your name, youngin?”

Crap, Thorax hadn’t thought of that! His name wasn’t a pony name; it was a changeling name. He’d stick out like a sore hoof if he used his real one.

“It’s uh…Bronze…Hoof?” It sounded more like a question than a statement.

“Bronze Hoof? That sounds like a Romane name. You from there?” She asked. Thorax had no idea what she was talking about.

“Yes. Yes, I am.”

Goldie Delicious began to shuffle away from Thorax.

“Let’s get a-moving. I don’t wanna be more late than I already am.” She ordered, moseying off.

“Well, I-uh…” Thorax stammered. He really didn’t have anything better to do, did he? He looked at the departing Goldie Delicious. He couldn’t just leave an old mare at this time of night. Thorax didn’t even know how she managed to pull this cart without breaking anything. It weighed a ton!

Thorax looked back at Goldie. What if her cart broke again?

“Alright.”

Thorax trekked through an apple farm. Goldie Delicious kept pace ahead of Thorax, surprisingly spry for her age. The trees around them were tall enough to block out the moonlight, keeping the pair in darkness.

“It’s just this way,” Goldie reassured. Thorax squinted. It was just occurring to him that he had no clue where they were going. What if she led him somewhere dangerous? Thorax didn’t think he could handle that.

They cleared through the trees, coming across a barn. In front of the barn sat an old mare swaying in a rocking chair. From inside, Thorax could hear things being moved. It sounded like pots and pans being shifted.

The elderly mare perked up at the arrival, leaping from her chair.

“Goldie!” The green elder greeted with open arms. Goldie Delicious picked up pace, hugging the mare.

“Granny Smith!” Goldie responded, nuzzling into the other elder's neck. They pulled apart, Granny Smiths' brows furrowed with frustration.

“Now, you were supposed to get here hours ago. Where in the sam-hills have you been?” Granny Smith scolded. Goldie waved her hoof.

“Oh, I just got into a little bit of trouble. You know how much of a hassle it can be.” She explained. “But this lil gentleman helped me carry my stuff,” Goldie informed, pointing to Thorax. The disguised changeling couldn’t help but blush.

“Well, aren’t you just a sweet thing?” Granny Smith crooned. Granny Smith looked turned her attention to the barn.

“Mac, get out here and help!” She bellowed. The clambering from within the barn quickly stopped, being replaced by heavy hoofsteps. A red stallion walked from the house.

The stallion towered above Thorax, making his knees lock. Thorax wasn’t around ponies often, but by Chrysalis, this was the biggest, bulkiest pony he had ever seen.

“Big Mac, bring Goldie’s bags to her room,” Granny instructed.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac responded, moseying his way to the cart. He barely glanced at Thorax as he passed. Goldie looked at the night sky and then at Thorax.

“You best be getting on your way. It’s getting late.” Goldie Delicious instructed.

He hadn’t even thought t about where he’d go. Usually, he’d find a spot in the hive to curl up to at night. But he couldn’t do that here. He barely knew where he was! Thorax began to stammer over his words.

“I, uh, don’t have anywhere to go,” Thorax muttered. It felt terrible to admit, but he didn’t.

“Ya’ don’t got any relatives to stay the night with?” Goldie asked. Thorax's ears flattened against his skull, and he bashfully shook his head. The elders gasped, throwing their hooves to their mouths.

“You ain’t got no family at all?” Granny asked in disbelief. Thorax thought back to the hive. Were they his family? They sure didn’t feel like it. Sure, there was Pharynx, but he couldn’t help in a time like this.

“No…” He muttered. Honestly, this all felt a bit patronizing to admit.

“I couldn’t imagine!” Goldie exclaimed. Granny hummed, rubbing her chin.

“How about you stay for the reunion?” Granny Smith suggested. Thorax’s eyes boggled from his head.

“Really?!” He gasped. He hadn’t done anything to earn such an invitation.

“Yup! Everyone deserves some family love.” She confirmed. Thorax’s heart thrummed in his chest. Wow, his first family. It took everything in him to bounce where he stood.

Big Mac walked out of the barn, catching Granny’s attention.

“Mac, show him to his room while I catch up with Goldie.” She instructed.

Big Mac only hummed in response, his gaze finally landing on Thorax. His breath caught in his throat. His eyes were a deep, piercing green. Thorax’s joy quickly subsided, being replaced with unease.

Wordlessly, Big Mac led him inside. Thorax trailed behind the stallion, his head low. To his surprise, the inside of the barn didn’t look like a barn. It looked like a quaint cottage. As cozy as it seemed now, Thorax couldn’t revel in it.

Thorax kept his fixed gaze on Big Mac, refusing to look away. Big Mac was quiet. Too quiet. Could he tell? The anticipation made Thorax’s stomach cramp. He followed the stallion upstairs, the steps creaking under his weight.

The second level was eerily quiet, sending a chill through Thorax’s spine. The elderly mares chattering from downstairs quickly grew distant.

Big Mac stallion came to an abrupt stop, chilling Thorax’s core. Oh, Chrysalis, he knew. He had realized he wasn’t a real pony and was going to do something. Something bad.

Thorax clenched his jaw, trying to keep his teeth from clattering. Big Mac turned to him, an unreadable expression on his face.

“Here’s your room.” Big Mac said, tilting his head towards the open door. Thorax glanced through the doorway. Sure enough, there was a bedroom.

“Oh, uh, thank you.” Thorax stammered. Big Mac nodded, leaving him alone. Thorax let out a breath of relief, wearily entering.

The room was cozy, though a bit barren. It smelt of dust, apples, and oak. It smelled a bit like home.

Thorax climbed into bed, the structure creaking under his weight. He flopped onto the soft pillows, closing his eyes. This was the first day of a new life.