//------------------------------//
// Family 
// Story: Son-In-Law of Discord 
// by DisneyFanatic23 
//------------------------------//

	It felt weird being at a wedding. Five years ago, a wedding for Mothball meant hunting ground. After all, there was no event that had more love.

Who knew Mothball would end up being a groomstallion at one?

He was in one of his many disguises: a green unicorn with blue hair, dressed in a blue tuxedo to match the groom's. Standing in front of him was Applejack and Spike's adopted son Cinnamon Stick, Rainbow Dash and Soarin's fourteen-year-old daughter Prism and their older daughter Lightning Dash, who stood behind her twin brother Thunder as the best mare. The pegasus was staring into his bride's brilliant green eyes. Apple Blossom was in a simple but elegant white gown, her orange mane tied up in a bun. Behind her stood her teenage cousin Cinnamon Roll, followed by Screwball and their friend Dinky.

The five-year-old dragon-pony Applespike sat at Cinnamon Roll's hooves, his green reptilian eyes staring intently at the jeweled golden rings in the cushion he held. Cinnamon Roll kept glancing at her brother to make sure he didn't eat them. Beside him, with an empty basket in her mouth, stood Rarity and Fancy Pants' youngest daughter Jewel, a white three-year-old unicorn with a smooth lavender mane tied into a tiny ponytail.

Princess Twilight Sparkle stood between the bride and groom, giving her speech. Mothball didn't pay much heed to it as his gaze wandered around the crowd.

The wedding was held at Sweet Apple Acres, the bride and groom standing beneath the gazebo as they said their vows while the attendees watched from the two columns of wooden benches. On the groom's side was the Dash family, his parents in the front row. Soarin was sobbing his eyes out while Rainbow was patting him on the back, trying very hard not to do the same. Behind the family sat all their friends, including the Discord, Pants, Sparkle and Pie families.

The bride's side stretched out much further, as it contained every single member of the Apple family. Apple Blossom's parents, Big Macintosh and Cheerilee, sat in the front row, along with her uncle Spike, her aunts Applejack and Applebloom, and Granny Smith (it was a wonder how that pony was still alive).

Mothball turned his attention back to the bride and groom. Over the five years he had lived with Screwball, he had gotten to know her friends better. Thunder Dash and Cinnamon Stick had become his best friends and were quite helpful in dating advice, since they had girlfriends themselves. He couldn't help but smirk whenever he saw Cinnamon Stick and Dinky lean out of their lines to steal glances from each other.

Mothball could feel the love radiating off the soon-to-be-married couple as well as the not-married one. While he'd learned to control his feeding around ponies, he could still feel instances of love without trying. He was glad to see the two lovebirds tying the knot, as Screwball had told him they had been crushing on each other since kindergarten and had only started dating five years ago, not long before Mothball came into the picture.

After Twilight had used her magic to slide the rings onto the bride's and groom's hooves, she announced, "I now pronounce this couple husband and wife."

Thunder Dash and Apple Blossom didn't wait for the princess to tell them to kiss. The crowd cheered, but the bride's family was the loudest as they shouted "Yee-haw!" and threw their hats in the air.

The reception was even rowdier, as the bride and groom's first dance was to an upbeat country tune. Mothball stood and watched from the punchbowl with Lightning and Cinnamon Stick.

"Guess this means we're related now," the earth pony said to the pegasus.

"Guess so," Lightning giggled. "So," she said with a sly grin, "when are you and Dinky gonna tie the knot?"

Cinnamon Stick's brown cheeks turned red. "Well, uh…we kinda decided to wait until our baking business gets off the ground. You know. We wanna be able to provide for each other before we take any big leaps."

Lightning Dash sighed as she watched other couples join the bride and groom on the dance floor.

"Looks like I'm the only single one in the group."

"You still have time," Mothball pointed out. "I mean you guys are hardly even twenty yet."

"Yeah," Cinnamon Stick smirked. "Thunder had to marry my cousin now because Uncle Big Mac wasn't sure of his 'intentions' towards his daughter."

"Boy, do I know how that feels," the changeling muttered under his breath.

"I know we're all young," Lightning sighed, "but now that my brother's settling down, I kinda wanna settle down too."

"You sure you're ready after that breakup with Aquafresh?" Cinnamon Stick asked.

"Yeah, I think so."

"Then you're in luck. 'Cuz I think my cousin Apple Tart over there's giving you the eye."

Lightning looked in the direction he was pointing and then raised an eyebrow at him. "Aren't they all my cousins now?"

"Only by marriage. Besides," he whispered in her ear, "they're distant."

The pegasus grinned and made her way across the field.

"Think it'll work out?" Cinnamon Stick asked Mothball.

The changeling shrugged. "They both have a slight attraction. I can't predict the future though."

"Hey!"

"Oomph!" Mothball exclaimed as a pink hoof wrung around his neck.

"How 'bout a dance, Lover Boy?" Screwball demanded.

The changeling smiled. "Sure."

She pouted. "I wish you wouldn't wear that disguise. Ponies are used to you enough."

Mothball sighed. "The ponies of Ponyville are used to seeing me. Apple Blossom's cousins, however…"

"Oh, so what if they see you? What's the worst that could happen?"

"I don't know. A giant mob of cowponies carrying pitchforks and shotguns?"

"Oh, you!" she giggled, playfully nudging his shoulder.

"No, he's right, actually," Cinnamon Stick said with a shrug. "There's always a pitchfork or something at these things, in case the groom gets cold hooves. Did ya hear about my parents' wedding?"

Screwball rolled her eyes. "You're not helping. Whatever. I still want that dance."

She pulled her disguised boyfriend onto the dance floor. Mothball was usually a splendid dance partner, as all changelings learned to dance as a way of seduction. However, he was not prepared for square dancing. Screwball ended up taking the lead and twirled him on his hooves before dipping him.

"Just so you know," she said, bringing him back up to her eye-level, "you won't have to wear a disguise at our wedding."

"Oh, that's good, I guess." He paused and then looked at her with wide eyes. "Wait, what?"

"Ahem!"

They looked up to see Discord looming over them.

"Dad!" Screwball groaned. "I'm almost twenty! Lay off!"

"Chill, sweetie!" the draconequus said, putting up his hands. "I only wanted to ask my daughter for a dance. Your friend there is doing the same."

He pointed to where Apple Blossom and Big Macintosh were dancing; Thunder Dash and Rainbow a few feet away.

Screwball smiled as she took her father's paw. "Okay, Daddy."

She sent Mothball one last glance before pulling into Discord's embrace. The changeling was left in a daze at what Screwball had just said.

He stepped back and watched her laugh as her father spun her around. He had always loved that bubbling laugh of hers. It was one of the first things he had found interesting about her. It was so enchanting that he couldn't help but laugh along with it.

Her bridesmaid gown was red to go with the apple theme. She wasn't wearing her propeller hat, which was rare, allowing her purple and white curls to fly freely in the wind. Even from afar, he could see the sparkle in her swirly purple eyes. He longed for them to be near again so he could gaze into infinity.

Things had been going well over the past five years. Despite Discord's constant hovering, Mothball enjoyed living in the Castle of Chaos. There was so much space and with so many rooms filled with random things, it was hard to get bored. Fluttershy had taken the role of his adoptive mother and while her constant nitpicking could get annoying (fixing his mane and dressing him for the weather), he rather liked the warmth he received from her.

His thoughts were momentarily interrupted by a high-pitched scream: "MOM!"

Mothball looked down as a three-year-old purple alicorn with a short light blue and pink mane ran past him. She was followed by Zany, now five years old with a picture book hovering beside him, snapping like an alligator.

"ZANY'S TRYING TO BITE ME WITH MY BOOK!" the young alicorn screeched.

"Om, nom, nom, nom, nom!" Zany taunted as he used his chaotic magic to open and close the book.

It was stopped by a green aura that carried it into Mothball's hooves. Zany flinched under his glare. Even though the changeling was disguised, Zany somehow always knew it was his sister's boyfriend.

"Really, Zany?" Mothball said sternly. "How many times has your mother told you to play nice with the other kids?"

"I was playing nice!" Zany protested, crossing his hooves. "But Twinkle Toes is a scaredy cat!"

"I am not!" the alicorn filly exclaimed, walking up with an orange pegasus stallion at her side.

"What's going on?" Flash Sentry demanded.

"Zany here was chasing Twinkle with her book," Mothball replied, darting his eyes at the colt. "But he's very sorry and won't do it again. Right?"

Zany grunted. "Yeah."

The changeling nodded and floated the book down to the little alicorn. "Here you go, Twinkle."

"Humph!" she huffed.

"Now, now, Twinkle Sparkle," Flash said, patting his daughter on the back. "Zany said he was sorry."

"Humph!" she said again, turning on her hoof with her nose in the air.

Flash gave Mothball a silent thanks before following her. Mothball glared back down at Zany.

"She started it," the colt grumbled.

"I don't wanna hear it," Mothball said, taking his hoof and dragging him over to Fluttershy. "Mom, I think Junior here wants a dance with you."

Fluttershy saw the grumpiness in her young son's face. "What he do this time?"

"Fight with Twinkle," the changeling explained.

"Again? Zany, how many times have I told you…?"

"I told him."

That didn't stop Fluttershy from starting a long lecture with her son. Mothball smiled a bit and left the two alone.

Zany was another thing he loved about his new life. The little tyke was like a brother to him, and Mothball had been around for so long that Zany considered him his big brother. Even though the chaotic colt would make mischief on several occasions, he was still fun to play with and at times, super adorable.

Mothball glanced between Fluttershy scolding Zany and Discord dancing with Screwball. The four had really become his family, much more than the changelings had ever been. And as he watched his beautiful Screwball, he couldn't argue that he belonged here.

That's when he made a decision that would change his life forever.


	
Zany was bouncing off the walls when they returned to the Castle of Chaos. It took both Discord and Screwball to catch him. Once the colt was calmed down, Fluttershy took him in her hooves and flew him upstairs to put him to bed. Screwball yawned and decided she should get some sleep too. She hugged her father and kissed Mothball on the cheek before floating to her room.

For once, the changeling was grateful to be alone with Discord.

"Uh, Mr. Discord?" he asked with a twinge of nervousness. "Can I…can I ask you something important?"

Discord looked down at him with a neutral expression. It was not the first time Mothball had asked him for advice. Despite the continuing tension between them, Discord was the only older male figure in the boy's life, and he would sometimes come to him with things a son would ask his father.

"What the heck?" he shrugged, teleporting them both to the couch. "What you wanna talk about, kid?"

"Well," Mothball muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, "the wedding today got me thinking, and…now, I know you don't like me very much, sir, but…"

He took a deep breath.

"I want permission to marry your daughter."

He shut his eyes, expecting a scolding, or at least for the draconequus to summon a glass of water, drink it and spit it out. All he heard was silence.

Confused, Mothball opened one eye and was surprised to see Discord smirking.

"Well, it's about time!"

Mothball opened his other eye. "You mean you're not mad?"

"Mad? Why would I be mad? You're making a commitment to my daughter! What's more, you actually feel the need to ask me permission! If that's not a sign of a good son-in-law, I don't know what is!"

The changeling grinned hopefully. "So I can marry her?"

"But of course! Unless she says no, which I doubt. Why, I'll even give you a ring!"

He was about to snap his fingers when Mothball said, "Actually, I was hoping to buy one myself. You know how I've been working part-time at the perfume shop?"

Apple Blossom had recommended him for that job two years ago, when Discord had told him that he should work to build character. The job turned out to be perfect for him. Since changelings had an excellent sense of smell, he could tell the perfumes apart without even looking at the labels or opening the bottles.

"Well," he continued, "I haven't really done anything with the money I earned and it should be enough for a ring."

Discord blinked and then slapped Mothball on the back hard enough to knock the wind out of him.

"You, my boy, have earned my respect!"

Then Discord's face returned to its usual sternness as he leaned in closer. "But let's get one thing straight. You and my daughter are not to go any further than first base until after the wedding! Understand?!"

Mothball gulped and nodded. "Understood, sir."

"Good." The draconequus leaned back and smiled. "And you better make the proposal romantic! Otherwise she's never going to say yes! Well, unless you use three imprisoned princesses for leverage, but I wouldn't recommend that. So, uh…good luck, I guess."

The changeling grinned as he slid off the couch. "Thanks, Dad."

Discord's smile disappeared. "What was that?"

Mothball froze and bit his lip. "Uh…thanks…Mr. Discord?"

He turned to see the draconequus' expression. He couldn't tell if he was shocked, displeased or touched. Maybe it was all three. Discord shook his head with a huff.

"Go to bed, kid."

Mothball complied with his command, but as soon as they were facing away from each other, they could no longer suppress their smiles.


	
General Mantis was searching the hive for his queen. She had been in seclusion for days and had only just discovered that she wasn't in her chamber. He came across one of the older parts of the hive on the lowest level. He passed by a large hexagonal doorway and stopped. He turned back and realized the crystalized barrier had been blasted through.

He pulled back the old, tattered black curtain and found the queen lying on a large, black canopy bed. The room was dusty and hadn't been visited for years, until now. The general couldn't see the queen's face, but he did see that she held something small in her hooves which he could not identify.

"Your majesty?" he spoke softly.

Chrysalis' head shot up and turned sharply to the general. Then she let out a sigh and placed her head back on the black pillow.

"Oh, General," she murmured. "It's only you."

General Mantis glanced around the bedroom. "My queen, is this where you've been for the past few days?"

She dodged his question with one of her own, "How long have you been my general, Mantis?"

He paused to ponder the answer. "Almost a thousand years, my queen."

"Ah, yes," she nodded. "Then you've seen it all. You see why I grieve."

He tilted his head. "What do you mean, my queen?"

"You remember who slept in this room. Don't worry about breaking the law, I won't punish you. But you remember. The first one had the ambition, but lacked the power. The second had the power, but lacked ambition."

She curled up into a ball. The general couldn't remember ever seeing the queen this…vulnerable.

"Now, after all these years," she muttered, "I still don't have an heir."

"There's still hope, my queen," General Mantis insisted. "There are plenty of fertile stallions out there for you to…"

"Three months."

He blinked. "Come again?"

She sat up and looked at him. In her eyes was something the general had never seen in all the years he had served her: fear.

"Three months, Mantis," she repeated in a cracked voice. "I haven't given birth in three months!"

The general stiffened at what she was implying. "It…it could just be a hiccup, your majesty. After all, three months isn't that long a…"

"YOU FOOL!" she bellowed, leaping off the bed and onto her hooves. "DON'T YOU REALIZE WHAT IS HAPPENING?! YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO THAT WHEN A QUEEN LOSES HER FERTILITY…"

She stopped suddenly. The general gasped as her legs gave out. He flew over and caught her before she hit the floor. The color had drained from her face and her eyes were glazed over. They looked up wearily at the general.

"…she's no good anymore."