//------------------------------// // Chapter One // Story: Mending Bonds:Daddy's Little Girl // by atomicpuffin //------------------------------// Discord yawned widely as he began to wake up fully. He sighed as his arm tightened around his beautiful wife. He lifted his head to look out the window, the sun was rising, signalling the beginning of the day. However there was still a definite chill in the air, it was winter once again in Equestria and the land was covered in a painting of white. Well all but the around the Chaos Castle, which had a rainbow of snow covering the land. Discord smiled, his girls had taken great joy in the sight when him and Kibou had surprised them by changing the snow's colors. "Daddy you're awake!" A tiny voice shrieked and he smiled. Speaking of one of those girls. Flitterbee ran into the room and launched herself into her parents' bed. Discord laughed and caught the energetic eight year old. She smiled up at him and he ruffled her beautiful mane. "What's up kiddo?" "Daddy! Did you see? The lake is frozen over! Come on let's go ice skating! Oh! I have to wake up Kib too!" Without letting him get in a word she took off out of their room and assumingly ran to get Kibou up. Discord chuckled again and heard the mare next to him groan. He smiled down and her and curled himself around her once more. He nuzzled her behind her ear and whispered, "Good morning my love. Care to join me and the kids in some ice skating?" She giggled and rolled over to face him. His heart melted at the love shining in her eyes. She shook her head and sighed as she snuggled against his fur. "Can't you let Kibou take her? I don't want to lose your warmth just yet...it's still too early." He chuckled again and rubbed his nose in her soft mane. He sighed and wished that he could give in to the tempting offer his lovely wife was presenting. "No love...You know it's tradition for me and the little ones to go ice skating as soon as that lake is solid ice. Besides, Flitter won't let up until…" "Why are you still in bed?! Come on! Come on! We're all ready to go!" She shouted from their doorway and they both turned their heads to see Flitterbee standing there with her ice skates hanging around her neck. Also behind her was a very grumpy looking Kibou, he mumbled as he rubbed his eyes. "Better do what she says dad. She's in a particularly difficult mood this year and she refuses to wait one more second." Discord laughed as he watched his daughter hop in place and smile at him. He loved the way his little girl's red eyes would light up when she was this excited. Her smiling face was one he couldn't ignore and could never say no to. Really he was nothing more than a slave to his two children. "Alright I'm up...but let's allow mom to sleep in hmm?" He gave Fluttershy a gentle kiss on her forehead and she mumbled a quiet thank you. He grinned and rose from bed, stretching out his cramped muscles. He smiled and said, "Alright...let's go skate." "Again!" She shouted and Kibou laughed. Flitterbee waited and felt his tail wrap around her waist. She grinned and held still waiting for what would happen next. "Ready Flit?" Her brother asked and she nodded shouting, "Launch!" She screeched as she was twirled and thrown into the air. She laughed as she flew through the air, her wings tight against her side to prevent extra wind resistance. She opened her eyes and laughed as she was caught in another, longer, tail. She laughed again and looked up at her smiling father as his tail wrapped tighter around her. She loved it when they tossed her in the air with their tails, her brother and dad only agreed to it when mom wasn't around. Their game would have given the pegasus a heart attack. "This is why winter is my favorite season!" She laughed and squeaked as she was gently tossed in the air and landed in her father's arms. He held her against his chest and nuzzled her mane. "Really? Cause I recall you saying something similar when we go swimming in the summer?" "Well I do...hmm...Okay! I love all the seasons because there's always some kind of trouble to get into!" She gave him her special grin that she shared with him and it made her father laugh and hug her tighter. "Indeed little one! The world is full of fun things to do if only you look!" Discord laughed as Kibou came over and skidded to a halt. He ruffled her black locks and gave their dad a strange look. She looked between her sibling and parent and frowned at the looks they were sharing. She flicked her long, white tail in annoyance and it caught Kibou on the nose. He yelped in pain and glared down at her, "What was that for Flit?" "I don't like it when you two are clearly talking about me, but using your magic so I can't hear." She pouted and her father chuckled again. He skated to the edge of the lake and set her down. She continued to glare at him and it reminded Discord of Fluttershy's Stare. "Sorry kiddo, we didn't mean to upset you. Can you forgive your dear old dad?" His eyes grew very large and he snapped his fingers holding out a bouquet of white roses. She giggled and wrapped her tail around the flowers, something that only she could do. Her friends were always jealous of the fact that she could use her tail much like her father and brother could. "Okay daddy...you are forgiven...hmm. Kib on the other hand." She turned away and put her nose in the air and started trotting towards home. She called over her shoulder, "He will just have to wait and see." Kibou stood next to Discord watching the little brat trot off as he rubbed his nose. He snorted and glanced sideways at his father. "Like I said...It's a good thing she wasn't born with our powers. Who knows what trouble that little nightmare would cause." Discord laughed and placed his paw on his son's shoulder and gave him a worried look. "Yeah, unfortunately she inherited something much scarier." Kibou gave him a confused look. "What?" "Hmm...her mother's temperament." Flitter ran to the door as her mother was opening it. She jumped and tackled to two colts standing on her doorstep. The three friends went tumbling, laughing as their heads popped out of some blue snow. Flitter looked over to see her mother smiling, but shaking her head. Her father had also come to the door and was smiling at the Terrible Trio. "So what mayhem will you three be causing today?" He chuckled and Fluttershy gave him a stern look. "Do not encourage them. Now darling, please just stay out of trouble today. Can't you three just have a nice, quiet picnic?" Her mother begged and all three children groaned. Flitter looked at her two friends, Dusks Light and CheesePie. Dusks Light was the only male alicorn in the world. He was a light orange like his father with his mother's mane and violet eyes. His cutie mark was a flaming star, Flit still couldn't figure out his talent and when he tried to explain she would fall asleep. CheesePie looked just like his father, Uncle Cheese, with his mother's crystal blue eyes and his cutie mark was confetti shooting out of a pie, he was definitely a party pony like his parents, but he was a little more calm than they were. Flit's own cutie mark was something of a mystery to her too. It was a tornado, but it was made of bees, not like a normal tornado? Her father had laughed when she got it, saying maybe she was more like him than he thought...whatever that meant? She smiled at her two best friends and winked. "Okay mom...today we'll do something nice and calm...for you." They put on their best, most innocent smiles and her mother breathed out a sigh of relief. "Oh good. Well you kids have fun. When you return I'll have some Hearth's Warming coco and cookies for you." The three friends squealed in delight as they turned to leave. There was a bright flash and her father was standing in front of them. His arms folded over her chest and one eyebrow raised at his daughter. "Now what are you three really planning on doing?" He asked and Flitter titled her head. "Whatever do you mean daddy? We're just gonna…" He snorted, cutting her off. He lowered himself to all fours and the two colts took a step back. Flitter continued to stand there and smile up at her father, knowing he couldn't resist her cute stare. "Nice try kiddo...but I know all the tricks...I invented most of them. So once more, what are you really planning today? I promise I won't tell mom…" He gave her a grin and she returned it giggling. "Okay...we're going to be explorers today. We wanted to look around the Everfree…" "Absolutely not!" Her father shouted, his grin gone, replaced with a stern look. Flitter frowned at her father and pouted. "But daddy…" "NO! No buts...Flitter I've told you countless times to never stray from the protected path. There's a reason for that. Promise me little one…" She looked away and his claws moved under her chin and made her look back into his eyes. She felt a little guilt at the worry shining in her father's eyes. She sighed, "Okay...we...we'll find something else to do...maybe play a few pranks." Her father let out a sigh of relief and his grin returned. He smirked and looked at the castle to make sure the coast was clear. He snapped his fingers and held out a box to her grinning. "You didn't get this from me…" Then in a bright flash he was gone. Flitter opened the box and laughed. The other two moved forward and glanced down into the box. "Uhhh...Flit...What's that?" Dusk asked tilting his head in utter confusion. Flitter smiled at her two friends. "Boys...we are in for the best pranks yet!" "Two clicks north...one click west…" "Ugh! Flitter speak normal please! Just tell us how many times to turn it!" Dusk grumbled and Flitter looked away from her spyglass and back at the two colts. She smiled and giggled, "Okay DL, turn yours once and Cheese turn yours twice...get it now geniuses?" Cheese gave her a big smile and whispered as he turned the handle on his side of the catapult. "Hey Flit don't blame Dusk. He's not use to using Uncle Discord's crazy inventions." "Shh...remember dad had nothing to do with this okay? Oh quick the target is about to move! Is the ammo ready?" "Flit there is no am-nevermind...yes." Dusk finished saying as the pie flashed into it's position. "Perfect...on my signal stallions! Ready...and…." "This was really sweet of you Kibou…" Storm giggled as Kibou and her were sitting at a table enjoying lunch. He grinned at her and set down his shake. "Of course. Only the best for my future bride." She blushed as he purred this, but couldn't hide the happy smile on her face. She leaned closer to him and he did the same. She closed her eyes waiting for his lips to meet hers. Kibou yelled and her eyes shot open. Kibou had been knocked backwards out of his seat. Storm gasped and jumped over the table to be beside him. However the sight of her beloved laying on the floor and his head covered in a smashed, blueberry pie made her fall backwards laughing. Kibou growled and looked around, "I don't know where you are you little brat, but I'm going to get you later for that." The three of them were laughing as they took turns looking through the spyglass as Kibou got up and wiped away the remains of the pie. Flitter stuck her tongue out at him, even though he couldn't see them from where they were hiding. "Whose next?" Cheese laughed as he reset their weapon of choice. Flit looked at Dusk and grinned. "It's your turn to choose. Who would you like to see get pelted?" Dusk shook his head and frowned, "Nah I'm good. How about you Cheese?" He looked back at the other colt who also shook his head. Flitter roller her eyes and muttered, "You two can be so boring sometimes...hmm...Oh! Perfect! DL look!" She passed the spyglass over and pointed with her hoof. Dusk followed her path until he spotted her intended target. He paled… "Oh no...Flit not her...we can't she'll…" "Scaredy-pony. What's the worse she can do? Screech us to death? Come on where's your sense of adventure?! Of excitement!" "Long gone...along with the rest of me if she catches us…" He muttered and glared at his grinning friend. Flitter rolled her eyes and looked back at Cheese. "What about you Cheese? You going to chicken out on me too?" He moved closer to them and took the glass to see Flit's intended victim. He also gasped and looked at Flit as if she was crazy. "But...Flit...she's so scary…" "Cowards...both of you! Fine I will take this one myself and all the glory from slaying the beast!" Dusk and Cheese tried to talk her out of it as she repositioned the catapult. She looked through the glass and adjusted the aim, ignoring her friends' pleas. She grinned, a grin that would make even her father cringe. "LAUNCH!" She shouted, however she failed to notice that the catapult chose to give her something else this time. Her father's magic made the ammo random for each pony. So instead of a pie flying through the air the three watched as a water balloon flew through the air. Staying true to its course it hit its target and popped, spilling its contents all over its victim. There was a moment of eerie calm and then an unholy scream filled Ponyville. All three cowered down and muttered, "Uh-oh…" "Um...Dusk...just a question...did...did that look like…" Cheese whispered and Dusk nodded. "Green dye...she's going to kill us for sure." "Only if she catches us...which of course she-" Flitter whispered and froze as she heard a voice right below them. "FLITTERBEE CHAOS! YOU BRING YOUR YELLOW FLANKS DOWN HERE NOW!" Flitter cringed and peeked over the top of Sugar Cube corner. "Oh….Hi Aunt Rarity...fancy meeting you here...I love your new look…" "FLITTERBEE! JUST WAIT UNTIL I GET YOU HOME! COME DOWN HERE NOW!" Her Aunt Rarity fumed at her and despite everything, Flitter giggled at her 'veggie aunt'... She turned and whispered to her friends. "Stay low...she doesn't know you two are here so just wait until we leave." "Flit you can't…" "Don't worry boys...when have you ever known me to get caught?" She grinned and unfolded her wings. She took off into the sky and raced towards home laughing as her aunt gave chase, screeching the whole time. Her two friends rose their heads up to watch as the pegasus mare led the scary monster away. They both sighed in awe and got goofy grins, then at the same time whispered, "Someday I'm going to marry that girl." They glared at one another and then broke into laughter. Her perfect record of not getting caught...was officially broken. And she had her traitor brother to thank for had seen her flying away from their aunt and had flown into the air to grab her, and since she was so much smaller than him, she had been trapped. She sent him another glare as she hung her head in front of her parents, while her green aunt explained what happened. Discord was desperately trying to keep a straight face as Rarity spoke. "Now I know she's still young and all Flutters, but look at me! It may take days to get this stuff out!" Rarity whined at the two of them and Fluttershy sighed. "I know Rarity and I'm sure she's very sorry for what she did...aren't you Flitterbee?" Her mother gave her a stern look and Flit's tail tucked under her legs and she nodded. Then she looked up at her aunt with large eyes and whispered, "Very sorry Auntie Rarity...it...it was just supposed to be a pie…" Discord had to cough to cover a laugh as Fluttershy glared at him then back to her daughter. "And?" Flitter's ears lay back and she sighed, "And I never should have been throwing things at ponies in the first place. I'm sorry." Both mares nodded at her, seeming satisfied with this. Rarity looked down at her coat and sighed, "I guess I should go home and start washing this out…" Her ears flattened and she pouted. Kibou moved closer and smiled at their aunt. "I got it." He snapped his fingers and Rarity's coat was once again white. She beamed at her nephew and gave him a big hug. "Oh thank you little hope!" She smiled and trotted out of the castle as Fluttershy and Kibou stood in the doorway waving. Discord snorted and muttered, "Spoil-sport…" Flitter smiled up at her father and then her smile fell when the front door was slammed closed. Her mother was facing the door with her back to them. She looked over and saw Kibou backing away from their mother, his ears laid back. "Um...you know what...I just remembered...I promised Storm I'd go with her to this thing...at this place...um bye!" He flashed himself out of the room and Flitter looked around, confused when she realized her dad wasn't standing next to her anymore. She looked behind her and noticed her father trying to quietly sneak out of the living room as well. Why do they both look so terrified? She thought as she continued to watch her father slink away. Then the answer came from in front of her. "Oh Discord…" Her mother softly said and Discord froze in place, his lizard leg in the air and the color drained from his body leaving him white. Flitter giggled at her silly daddy and then swallowed it when her mother landed next to her and continued to look at her father. Strange...mom doesn't look mad? Why are they… "Oh Fluttershy...I-I-I was just going to start on...uh...dinner? Yes dinner! What would my lovely, patient, smart, beautiful...forgiving...wife wish to have?" He said as he turned to face them. Fluttershy snorted and looked down at Flitter, who swallowed in response to her mother's stare. "Flitterbee, I'm afraid this stunt today is going to cost you. You are now grounded for the next week. If you can behave and change my mind, I will still allow you to accompany us to the Hearth's Warming Day festival in Canterlot. Otherwise you and...your father, will both be staying here...don't even think about it mister." Fluttershy said without looking away from her daughter. Flitter looked over and noticed her father freeze again as he had been trying to leave the room. "Now Flitter...say goodnight to your father and go to bed. I expect you to be on your best behavior this next week, understand?" "Yes mom...um...goodnight daddy…" She looked at her mother once more and whispered, "Good luck…" Before running to her room and shutting the door behind her. "Okay now honey...let's each take a deep breath and relax." Discord said as he floated in the air in a meditating position, incense burning next to him. However his beautiful wife seemed to be in no mood for his antics. "Where did she get the catapult Discord?" She asked and Discord fell out of the air and landed on his rump on the floor. He smiled nervously at his wife and shrugged, "Who knows how these things come to pass? Can't we just be happy that it was all in good fun and a safe activity for our lovely…" "Discord…" She took several steps towards him and he scooted back. He stopped when his back hit the couch and tried to smooth his way out of this mess. "Ah come on honey. Worse things have happened when me and Pinkie team up and I don't hear you-Yah!" He shouted and jumped over the couch to avoid her as she jumped at him. He used the couch as a shield and smiled at his gorgeous wife whose eyes were on fire. "I knew it! You did give her that thing didn't you!?" She shouted and jumped at him again. He flashed himself out of the way and smiled down at her. "Now I never said that, did I my love?" He purred and she stiffened at the sound of his voice. He grinned and slowly slithered along the floor and then curled himself around her, feeling her shiver as his fur slid along hers. He also gave off a growl at feeling her against him. "Come on love...it was just a small prank. Little hope fixed Rarity's coat...no harm, no foul. Why not let Flitter off easy? She was only having some fun with her friends. Come on honey, let the little girl have her fun." He rubbed his face against hers and she sighed and returned the affectionate display. "Discord...somedays that little girl is more like you than your son. All she wants is to cause trouble, I'm just worried one day she'll get too carried away and upset the wrong ponies…" "Nonsense love. Flitter is a sweetheart deep down, just like her mother. She's only enjoying her youth, nothing wrong with that. Besides, what could anypony do to a child of chaos?" He teased and Fluttershy looked up at him. "Discord...that's the thing...she may be your child but...she has no magic, like me. She's not strong like Kibou and you...how can she protect herself from the dangers of the world?" Discord smiled at his wife and nuzzled her again. "Oh darling...you worry too much. Flitter will be fine, besides she'll always have me and Kibou here to protect her from other dangers. What harm could come to this family with two chaos masters present?" Fluttershy giggled and kissed her husband. "I guess you're right. I am worrying over nothing, but I will not remove Flitter's punishment. She has to learn...and so do you." "Me?! What did I…" "Don't play innocent...just take your punishment with some dignity." She giggled as she walked away from him. Discord swallowed and watched her walking away, her tail swishing. "And...w-what punishment am I getting?" He groaned and she looked back at him, a wicked gleam in her eyes. Heavens, how he loved that look. He felt his body rise to the occasion, just staring into her teal eyes. She smiled and put her nose in the air, "You'll just have to wait and see…" He groaned and slid to the floor on his stomach and remembered that morning. 'He'll just have to wait and see...' "Yup...definitely her mother's temperament…" Discord growled and slammed his face into the ground.