Chapter Text
The Hive of Amarah was worse for wear.
It wasn't abnormal for the Queen's forces to splinter into their own hives, and it was a vital part of the grander Changeling War-Machine; however, resources were growing sparse and horsepower moreso.
The Hive was two thousand strong at its height, able to bowl over Equestria's Border Princes with all the ease of a deep breath, and yet, within the recent months, more and more Changelings had been lost, be it to the Royal Guard of Equestria or by the gnawing love-famine.
Even with the numerous territories outside of Equestria's borders, no hive can stave off its hunger forever.
The skies around the hive - a glistening tower of Changestone, Changeling's Wax and whatever could be scavenged from the most destitute of the Holy Sun's empire - seemed to darken day by day until it hung over the remaining hemiptera as if Death itself was calling at their front door.
By the early Spring months, only a hundred of the once fierce army remained, any meaningful labour having all but fallen to the wayside as the biting chill ate at the carapace of all.
The Hive was left with Praetorian Pharynx as their leader, along with his younger, meeker brother Thorax. It was safe to say that Pharynx was less than happy about the sorry state of his people, his legion.
As with many days, Pharynx had gathered with many of his elite Changelings, all who remained steadfastly loyal to the end. Thorax sat across from Pharynx, who sat next to Arista, who sat across from Cornicle, who sat next to Frenulum, and so forth.
Pharynx paced, chittering lowly to himself in insurmountable irritation; negative emotions poured from him and left a bitter taste on the gathering's tongues, but they understood his anger, for their lives, their brothers and sisters in hooves, hung in the balance.
Besides the scraping of plates against plates and their leader's angered noise, the rest of the Changelings in attendance sat in silence. Thorax was the most visibly perturbed, casting his glance towards his older brother with the distinct tang of nervousness fighting on the taste buds of the congregation.
This was not the first time they'd sat here at a dead-end, nor would it likely be the last, and if this were to continue, then surely they would all starve before the Summer Sun Celebration, before they could feast upon the greatest bounty of Love the world round.
At the thought, many of the others joined in Pharynx's fury. It would not do.
Suddenly, Pharynx stomped a hoof, speckled with holes of varying sizes and shapes, into the table, cracking it greatly, "We have been sitting on our hooves for too long," He began with a growl, his purple eyes slowly dragging across the congregation of Amarah's 'finest', "I have come to a heavy decision, one I do not make lightly but one that I believe is necessary."
Each Changeling present watched with rapt attention as the Praetorian stood, all silent, all attentive.
After a beat of silence, Pharynx spoke again, "We are to make for Necromunda, to replenish our numbers and our supplies," He proclaimed, voice unbearably loud in the quiet of the table, "I understand that this is quite the undertaking for so few of us, however without it we are all doomed either to capture or death, likely both; any objections?"
For a moment, nobody spoke, out of both fear and respect in equal measure. It was Cornicle, a drone with particularly orange eyes and insides, that spoke, "Wouldn't it be more efficient for us to group up with another hive? We're closest to Argoth, so it wouldn't be too much of an issue for our forces to join theirs, no?"
Pharynx scoffed, pompousness radiating off of him, "While that suggestion may be tempting for any other hive, I choose to believe that my ranks wouldn't convene with less than the Queen's own. Besides, they're hardly holding up on their own; it won't do either hive good to bog one down with the other, and if they die out, then that's their fault."
Cornicle opened his mouth to refute this, but Thorax was quicker to the draw, "What about sustaining new breeders? It's my understanding that there remains some inactive breeder-class Changelings in both of our hives."
The elder Changeling hummed in consideration before once again shutting it down with a shake of his head and a breathy huff, "The conditions are hardly sustainable for both groups as they stand, and our lack of love reserves would mean either we starve ourselves or the grubs; either way, our lifespans are likely to be even further shortened."
Pharynx could feel discontent begin to boil across his taste buds, and he grimaced as everyone in attendance was, apparently, unable to think forwardly enough for their survival.
"Useless..." He murmured just quiet enough that only Thorax may have heard, and if he did, then the younger of the two didn't mention it.
The Praetorian sat once more and pressed his hooves together, "So, if none of you are able to come up with an alternative that may work, I do suppose that we are all in agreement, yes?"
When only half the Changelings in the room raised their hands, his grimace morphed into a snarl, "Then it is up to the rest of us to decide, if you cannot even be bothered to decide," He waved an obsidian hoof, "You are all dismissed. I hope to see that you come to some sort of decision soon because we're short of time."
All around discontent, all but Thorax left the room with all sorts of negative emotions swirling about them, a repulsive
flavour. The younger, youngest of the council, in fact, Changeling looked at his brother with something that the others wouldn't dare, lest Pharynx accuse them of thinking him weak: concern.
The elder chittered, half amused and half annoyed, "Even if you say nothing, I can taste it, you know. You are lucky that I value my broodmates above others, otherwise I wouldn't let this pass."
Thorax rolled his eyes, "Look, I can tell you're as afraid as anyone else, but you seem... Lost?"
Pharynx raised a brow and leaned back, "Explain."
"I dunno," The other flustered, "I can taste the desperation on you, you're probably even more afraid than we are, and I can tell you for a fact as the one who's more emotionally intelligent: We are terrified."
The Praetorian hummed in recognition for a moment before simply shrugging, "And so what if I am? I'm the Hiveleader now, and if I let you all die, then what am I then?" He leaned forward, expression deathly serious, "I'd be a failure to both all those we've lost and to our Queen almighty."
Thorax struggled to speak for a moment, eventually settling for a long, tired sigh, "You... You sure can handle this pressure?"
"I wouldn't have made it this far if I weren't," Pharynx remarked dismissively and shrugged again, "Besides, if I don't, then I'd like to see any of you manage it in my stead while I burn in Tartarus."
"I- Come on, Pharynx, even you aren't that arrogant!" Thorax expressed, tiring of his brother, "If you're afraid, it's not like you can't talk to someone about it."
Pharynx snorted, "Like who?"
"Me!" Thorax groaned, "I'm worried about you!"
"And I appreciate that, however worrying is a one-way track to spiralling into failure; we should keep this little meeting between us," Pharynx stood, "I have to tell the Hive about my plan."
"I..." The younger Changeling sighed, standing as well, "Alright, brother, just don't overexert yourself, please..."
The Hive was in an uproar.
Pharynx stood over the lot of them as all sorts of emotions pooled below, positive and negative. The Hiveleader drank it in and sighed in mixed relief and trepidation.
Sure, the Hive was overall taking it well, the hustle and bustle below showing that clearly, however this was only one step towards reaching Necromunda. Rallying the Hive was one thing, but getting them to all work together, to successfully make the long trek, was another thing entirely.
The travelling would be arduous; not only would they be giving up a stronghold right outside of Equestria and backtrack all the way through several hives on the way, but their supplies would not last them the whole way.
Pharynx was not stupid; he knew that other hives would not be immediately willing to give up supplies, especially if it gave them the chance to usurp him. The frown, seemingly permanently etched on his snout, grew fiercer at the thought.
The idea rankled him, frustrated to his very core. He was a Praetorian afterall, and more than that a Hiveleader; not simply enough to just be part of Chrysalis' royal guard, but to lead what used to be the strongest hive in Equus... Used to be.
As fast as his fury built, it sank again as he acknowledged the reality of things. They were desperate, he was desperate. So it was.
Movement behind him stirred him from his reverie, and as soon as the orange crystal of the Changeling's goggles caught his eye, he couldn't stop the edges of his snout quivering upwards.
"Cornicle. Nice of you to join me," Pharynx began, tone softening slightly, "What's your business here?"
The scientist Changeling snorted, amused by the Hiveleader's pleasantries, "Shouldn't you be prepping to leave for Argoth?" The question made Pharynx's burgeoning smile drop, and Cornicle's face grew irritatingly smug, "Our hive won't do good to have a leader who isn't prepared for the worst."
Pharynx let out a groan, the weight palpable in his chest as it left him, "Perhaps, perhaps. I'll be utterly frank with you, while I don't expect the other hives to be entirely welcoming, I fear Argoth may be the least of all," Once again, a sneer cracked his deep purple snout, "They've been suffering for much longer than us, and I fear that with our reduced ranks, they may try to absorb us into their own hive... By force, if need be."
Cornicle stood quiet at his leader's lamentations and gave a shrug in response, "Well, if that's your problem, then why not take them first?"
Pharynx raised a single brow, "Oh? So you're suggesting a coup?"
"Well, it's better than nothing, isn't it? If we're to survive, besides the tentative generosity of our fellows, it'll be through strength of numbers; the more hives we can convince to divert ranks the better," Cornicle's expression grew only more devilish, "And they may be in need of new leadership, don't you think?"
The Hiveleader was quiet for a moment, and he could feel the prickle of fear begin to form in his emotional well. And then, to the scientist's visible shock, Pharynx began to laugh.
Not a stereotypical evil laugh, nor one of any particular good-nature. The Praetorian grinned, a rare sight for even his own brother, and he stepped towards Cornicle in uncharacteristic revelry, "A worthy mind, you have, to be on Amarah's council! Not as if I wouldn't have taken any to begin with, but perhaps we can hatch a scheme, minimise casualty."
Cornicle, relieved, returned his own smirk to full smugness, a savoury flavour on Pharynx's tongue, "Perhaps, although it would be smartest to wait until we are there to finalise anything," The scientist began to turn, "In any case, we'd best prepare, no? I shall be waiting, Hiveleader."
Pharynx watched as Cornicle left him, and the momentum of their brief conversation carried further on, the Changeling striding over to where he'd kept his regalia.
A Changestring cape, dyed with indigo and iron for its rich black and carmine for its deep crimsons, met him on a pristine rack, paired alongside several similarly dyed Changestone rings, and, most importantly, his blade: the Joyeuse.
With eager anticipation for what was ahead, he applied these items to his tall, bulky carapace. With these on, he felt complete, and memories of his early life as a Praetorian clouded his vision. He was, for the first time in a while, giddy.
He would not let something slow him or his people down. They would reach Necromunda, and nobody would stop them, and they would once more wage conquest across Equestria. Pharynx would make sure of it. It was his duty.
The next morning was no less buzzing than the previous day, every Changeling in the Hive having gathered in the centre of their dwelling - one might've called it a town square had it resembled anything as pleasant - and were awaiting orders.
Pharynx strode through the crowd, the Changelings parting in perfect union to allow their leader passage. It stroked his ego, and so he was pleased.
Once in front of his legion, a hundred strong, the Hiveleader turned to them with a grin, "Today is a momentous day for Amarah, as I'm sure you're aware," He began, "For though we are giving up our home for now... We shall return in time, with replenished strength, with newfound resolve," He watched as several Changelings shuffled uncomfortably, while others returned his enthusiasm in droves, "We shall be navigating through many hives along the way, some we may partner with, and others we may conquer. All that matters is that Necromunda is always over the horizon, and our Queen is waiting for us. She shall lead us to victory now, and she will as we return. Amarah, our glorious hive, will not succumb to famine, and especially not to Equestria's elite!"
As Pharynx went on, more and more of the Changelings present seemed eager, his own passion proving infectious. A grin spread across his face once more, "No longer will we cower in fear of death or capture, of famine! She will be our salvation! We will bring glory to our empire and will spread across the world as the dominant species!"
A rising crescendo of cheers burst from the crowd, though Pharynx could taste that not all were swayed. Those who submitted to fate were weak, and Pharynx had no taste for them, however he could do little to change their minds until he could prove these claims, and he intended to with an immense spectacle.
He turned away from his hivemates and gazed out towards to Hive's exit, "Today we march for Argoth, and we shall conquer it in short order; that should prove to the other hives that we are not to be taken advantage of and shunted," Pharynx craned his head back towards his people, "You all shall be my hooves, my eyes and my ears. You are the blade that I wear upon my waist, and I should hope you sharpened enough to cut through our opposition."
Another round of cheers, and Pharynx's confidence skyrocketed, "Are we ready, fellow Children of the Underqueen?"
A resounding, echoing affirmation.
Pharynx scanned the crowd and saw some of his most trusted in the forefront. Thorax's face was transfixed on his own, their eyes meeting as the younger Changeling stared with awe shining in those emerald pupils.
Cornicle was there too, of course, as was Frenulum, as was Arista, as was the rest of his guard, his council. A shot of pride coursed through Pharynx's body and surely reached them, nourishing them just that bit more.
With his chest out, a proud stance, he addressed the crowd one last time, "Then we march! For the Queen!"