Upon returning to the hideout, Twilight still had yet to figure out how she would explain the current situation to Thorax. Sure several changelings were rescued from the prison they were kept in, his brother included, but many more had perished.

The larger auto carriage that held the changelings couldn't be stored inside the base, so it had to be hidden outside. Fortunately there was an area that allowed it to remain hidden from sight. All the changelings were relieved that thier suffering was over, and they were ready to see thier leader once again. Pharynx and Twilight went to the room that had been given to Thorax, and surely enough, he was inside.

"Pharynx! You're alright!"

Thorax and Pharynx exchanged a hug.

"I'm glad you're alright to."

The reunion was certainly something that they had looked forward to. Thorax had lost count of how many days he had been without seeing another changeling.

"What happened at the hive? Is it safe to go back?"

This was something that neither pharynx nor Twilight had hoped Thorax would ask. As he would not like the answer.

"No... It's not.. You don't want to know what it has been like."

Unfortunately, this only gave Thorax more interest.

"Why not? Did any other changelings get away?" Twilight had a grave look, one in which Thorax didn't like.

"We did manage to free some of them, but many more died in the escape. I saw how they were being treated in there, and it wasn't pleasant."

"What did they do?! I need to know!"

Twilight really didn't want to tell Thorax what had happened, and neither did Pharynx.

"Brother please! Lets just focus on the present."

"No Pharynx! I don't want information like this withheld from me!"

Pharynx didn't want to argue with Thorax, especially after he got to see him again after so long. However, what had happened at the hive was so awful, that he just couldn't explain what happened, even if he wanted to.

"I can cast a memory spell that can show you what happened, but you're not going to like it."

Twilight remembered a spell that Trixie had once used to show her memories, and had learned it herself some time ago.

"Cast it then. I need to see this for myself."

Reluctantly Pharynx nodded and stepped back, and Twilight readied the spell. A large projector like screen emitted from Twilights horn and several memories from her mission played out on it. From the prison room with all the caged changelings, to the extraction of ones own life blood in the lab all played on screen. Thorax was horrified. All the suffering and torture that had gone on was displayed in a holographic image right in front of him. Even pharynx was disturbed to an extent. Once the memories had finished playing, the screen vanished.

Thorax just stared in the direction of where the screen once was with his eyes open. His front hooves were held up to his gaping mouth. After a few seconds, he spoke.

"Why...? Why would they do such horrible things!?"

Pharynx believed that it was revenge for the actions of thier former ruler, Queen chrysalis. But even as harsh as she was, Chrysalis would never resort to genocide.

"Thorax, I'm sorry you had to see that."

"Why are you apologizing?" Thorax asked. "Neighsay is the one who carried out this massacre! Don't you remember how unreasonable he acted when he found out that there were non pony students attending the school of friendship!?"

Both Twilight and Pharynx were surprised by his sudden shift in tone.

"Brother, we know you're upset, but try not to have a meltdown."

Thorax calmed down. "I'm sorry.... It's just, I already hated Neighsay alot when he tried to ruin the school, and now look at what he's done... hundreds of changelings are dead because of him... All because of his sick twisted pony supremacist mindset."

The mention of Twilights school then bought something else to thorax's mind.

"Ocellus! Was she amoung the rescued changelings? Please tell me she's here to..."

Twilight and Pharynx looked at each other. Neither of them had seen Ocellus during their escape, or even when they were in the hive.

"I didn't see her anywhere during my mission. I don't know if she's dead, or worse..."

"I didn't see her either brother, we're sorry."

This broke Thorax. Even though he had reunited with his brother, the realization that he might never get to see Ocellus again made him feel awful.

"No... She's... Dead...?" Neither of them knew the answer, but the possibility of her demise was quite high.

"We don't know Thorax, we're not even sure she was at the hive." Thorax put his forehooves to his face in defeat. Ocellus was the biggest bridge between ponykind and changelingkind, and Neighsay destroyed it.

"This can't be... Please... I need to be alone right now..." Pharynx tried offer assistance, but was rejected. After Twilight tried to give aid, both she and Pharynx were met with a stern request to leave. After which they had no choice but to carry out.

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"I know I have to do this... But.. What if he won't listen? I've held a grudge for so long... No. It's time I make right on my part."

These were some of the things that Shining Armor said to himself as he walked to Thorax's room. After he heard about what had happened at the hive from both Twilight and Pharynx, Shining felt as if he had contributed to the changelings suffering. After all, he did hold a huge prejudice against them after the wedding in Canterlot. Shining Armor reached the door, and lightly knocked on it.

"Thorax? Are you ok? Twilight told me what happened." No answer.

Shining wondered if he should enter, but would that only make things worse? No. He wasn't going to walk away just because he got no answer. Shining took a deep breath, and slowly opened the door. There was Thorax, lying down on his bed, looking at the ceiling. He didn't turn to face Shining, however he knew he was there.

"Thorax... I.. I feel like I owe you an apology." Shining sat on the bed next to Thorax.

"When we first met, I only assumed the worst of you. It was ignorant of me, and I'm sorry."

Thorax look at Shining, and sat up.

"Why are you apologizing? You had every right to hate us for what we did."

"No I didn't!" Shining protested.

"You said yourself that you left Chrysalis because you didn't want to steal ponies love, and I didn't listen." Shining began to feel very emotionally weak.

"It's... It's almost like I'm responsible... For the mass killings that are going on...." Shining couldn't take it anymore. He began to shed tears and cry.

Thorax just looked at him. "It isn't your fault Shining. If anyone is responsible, it's Neighsay. He's the murderer." Shining wiped the tears from his eyes.

"You're right. It's because of him that I haven't seen my wife and daughter in so long...."

Thorax put his arm around Shining. "Don't worry Shining. I'm it's more likely that Cadence and Flurry Heart are still alive, unlike Ocellus."

Shining didn't want to think about what might have happened to Ocellus, or any of the young 6 for that matter.

"Well Twilight said that she was last seen at the school of friendship, though that was one of the first places that the NEM attacked. I'm sorry... I probably shouldn't have said that."

"No.. It's fine." Thorax reassured.

Shining didn't get much reassurance that Thorax was going to OK though. He wasn't the kind of guy that would be mentally stable in his predicament.

"Hey.. I should go. Gotta make sure we are stocked up on enough supplies." Thorax didn't object.

He was thankful that Shining took some time to see him. It showed that he truly changed from thier first encounter. Though Thorax began to wonder if he had what it took to survive in this new world, like Shining did.

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The forest... It was a strange place. All these trees. It's like they are always watching your every move. At least that's what Thorax felt when he was alone in this place. A loneliness that scared him.

"Hello..? Is anyone there?"

There was no answer other than the howling of the wind. Thorax felt a chill run down his spine. He did not want to be here. But it was where he found himself. Suddenly, Thorax began to hear steps on the grass and branches. They were not his own.

"Who's there?" Thorax asked nervously.

"Thorax? Is that you?" Thorax recognized that voice. It was Ocellus. Excitement and hope flowed through him and he ran in the direction of the voice.

"Ocellus!" The young changeling came into view and she turned around to face Thorax.

"Thorax!" Ocellus walked up to Thorax as he approached, but before they could get close enough to each other, a strange magic force stopped them in thier tracks. They were mere feet from one another, stuck in place.

"What's happening?" Thorax asked "I can't move!"

"Well of course you can't. I've made sure of that!" That was a voice that neither Thorax nor Ocellus had hoped to hear. Right behind Ocellus opened a blue portal, and out stepped Chancellor Neighsay. He then grabbed Ocellus from behind and held her in a hostage pose.

"Let her go right now you monster!" Thorax shouted at Neighsay.

"Or what? You're going to invade Canterlot again?" Neighsay tormented.

Thorax was furious that Neighsay would assume that he would stoop as low as Chrysalis would.

"Thorax! Help me!"

"Oh shut up!" Neighsay ordered. He then cast a spell that removed Ocelluses mouth, rendering her unable to talk, or scream.

She then thrashed against Neighsay, but he still held onto her.

"Face it, you changelings are nothing but abominations. You kept us in fear for too long! Now it's our turn..."

Neighsay then stepped back into the portal, taking Ocellus with him.

"Ocellus! No!" The portal closed, and all thorax was able to do was watch.

His feelings of anger were washed over with sadness. He felt that it was his fault that Ocellus was gone, and that he as a leader, had failed. He held his head low, only to bring it back up when a bright green flame erupted in front of him. It was Queen chrysalis.

"Look at you. An absolute failure. What made you think that YOU could lead the hive!" Thorax didn't answer, she would not like what he had to say anyway.

"Did you honestly think that we could live peacefully with ponykind!? Years of hatred have only made them resent us! And now look at what's happened! You couldn't even defend the hive against Neighsays army, who then proceeded to drive us to extinction!"

Chrysalis had talked down to Thorax before l, but never like this. In a sense, she was right. Thorax had failed. He couldn't save those he cared for.

"Mother... Please..." *SMACK!* Chrysalis slapped Thorax, and hard. Leaving a mark across his face.

"Don't try and beg for my forgiveness. You already made your choice."

Chrysalis then proceeded to rip off Thoraxes mouth, and turn the ground beneath him into a green slime. That slime then proceeded to pull Thorax under like quicksand. He struggled and squirmed to get free, but it was no use. Chrysalis didn't even laugh, she just looked at her helpless victim in shame and disgust.

Off in the distance Luna was scouting the area, looking for any signs of where Thorax might be. She then saw him sinking into the earth in front of his disappointed mother.

"Thorax!" Luna bolted towards them both wings flapping hard. But before she got close enough, she was blinded by a bright light, and fell back to the ground.

Luna woke in an alarmed state. She wasted no time in hurrying to Thoraxes room. Once she got there, she knocked the door open to the sight of Thorax struggling in his bed. She ran over to him, and tried to wake him up.

"Wake up Thorax! Wake up!" He remained asleep, trapped in his nightmare.

Luna was going to regret what she was about to do.

"THOU SHALL AWAKE FROM THY SLUMBER!!" Upon hearing the royal Canterlot voice, Thorax bolted out of bed, startled by what he just heard. Fear was still present in him from the recent experience, only now it was accompanied by humiliation upon realizing he had wet the bed.

"What is..." Thorax was cut off when Luna hugged him.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help you." Thorax begun to tear up.

"It was... Just a dream?"

"Yes Thorax. I sensed it while scouting the dream realm, but it appears I was too late." Thorax returned the hug.

"I.. Saw Ocellus... And she was taken by Neighsay... My mother than appeared and told me how much.... Of a failure I was..."

Luna could feel Thorax on her shoulder. This was clearly more than he could handle.

"You're not a failure Thorax... You did everything you could."

The sobbing eventually stopped, and Thorax grabbed a tissue to wipe away his tears. He also felt a bruise across his left facial cheek, he likely hit himself against the wall or bed during his night terror. That probably was what the hit from Chrysalis really was.

Coming from the door, both Shining Armor and Pharynx looked inward.

"We heard you princess. Is something wrong?" Luna turned to face Shining Armor, who wore a look of concern.

"Thorax was having a nightmare, and I stopped it." Shining and Pharynx both had the feeling that Thorax would be scared after hearing the news about the hive. But were relieved that he was alright for now.

"Listen brother. If you need to talk to any of us, we're here for you."

"Th..thanks.." Thorax blew into his tissue as everyone else stepped out of the room. But Luna turned back.

"I'll stay by your side for the night. Something tells me that you'll need my aid."

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The next several days for Thorax were very difficult. The nightmares just kept coming. Some of them were worse than others, but they were all terrifying experiences.

One set of nightmares involved Ocellus being killed by Neighsay in numerous ways. Public beheadings in front of a crowd of angry Canterlot ponies was one such method, other times she would be chained to the wall in a torture chamber, while a shady pony butchered her with several knives and cleavers.

Other nightmares didn't involve Ocellus at all, and the one being tortured was Thorax himself. Sometimes Neighsay wasn't even the one inflicting the pain, but rather it was his mother, Chrysalis. Not to mention that the pain wasn't always physical, which in some cases felt worse.

Luna tried her best to stop the nightmares, however it became exceedingly more difficult the stronger they became. Ever since Luna had gotten away herself from Neighsays capture, it had become much harder for Luna to enter dreams, and when she did, it was even harder for her to stay. Perhaps Neighsay managed to weaken her powers when she was imprisoned. But Luna was determined, and she was not going to give up on Thorax.

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Twilight headed up to the entrance Zone where her brother requested her. It had been quite sometime since she got back from the hive, and in that time, Braeburn and Strong heart had left the base to seek out additional information and aid. After all, it would helpful to have extra eyes and ears out in the field.

Braeburn took the caged auto carriage as well as the shape shifting armor that Twilight had bought back from her last mission. They would prove to be helpful in rescuing more allies and infiltrating NEM ranks.

Once Twilight reached the entrance to the hideout, she saw Shining Armor looking at a tank behind the auto carriage, which contained a strange purple substance.

"Shining. You wanted to see me?" Shining turned to face Twilight.

"Yes. Thanks for coming. I was checking the auto carriage, and we may have a problem."

Twilight had noticed that the amount of slime in the tank was very little.

"We are running low on fuel for the auto carriage." Twilight and Shining had been relying on the carriage for transport. Hearing that the tank was almost dry raised both of thier concerns.

"Well where we can we get more?" Twilight asked.

"There is one place where it's mass produced. Klugetown."

Upon hearing that, Twilight felt a level of disgust. It was one of the first places that she and her friends visited when they were finding help to fight the storm king. It was not a very pleasant experience.

"But there's some good news Twily. We've managed to get in touch with someone who can help us. Plus, he claims to know where Neighsay is holding Rainbow Dash."