Family
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."
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Aaw...
Poor Chryssie...
I feel bad for Chryssie. I just want to hug her.
Wow... I really liked the story so far '-')/
The only thing I see you've confirmed from CMC Next Generation that had even a smidgen of doubt was the safe return of Dash and Soarin.
5273959
Oh ok sorry :/
But thanks :)
so far so good eveything is gong as i predicted
Zany is a trouble maker
Chryssie will want to get mothball back probley tell him about her previous heir
and the rest well in the words of riversong
SPOLIERS it fun to be smart
also like the Twinke Sparkel what a fabulous name
Wait... who got married? I may have missed something? Who exactly got married? I'm confused.
Ok, so it was Thuderdash and Apple Blossom who just got married, right? Just making sure.
I think... I think I'm gonna fangirl...
DIS IS AWESOME
Wait... is Chrysalis... dying?
Poor Chrysalis...
...
..................
I'm gonna take that back soon, aren't I?
Twinlke Sparkle? Phhhhhfffttt Hahahahahah! XD Don't worry you thought of a better name than I could ever have thought of for twilight's and sentry's foal.
Pffft... Twinkle Sparkle.
Well, I won't lie, the time jump caught me off guard, but I'm super glad that you updated so soon. And I feel sympathetic for Chrysalis, not having an heir and not being able to have one. Actually, I think a fanfiction I'm writing deals with that and has her find a half-human half-changeling to be her heir. Keep up the good work. I'm looking forward to the next chapter.
Even under a hard exterior someone as cruel as Chrysalis has a fear that can come to fruition sooner or later. I guess I do feel sorry for her.
NYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES! I greatly approve of new story!
Who got married? I got very counfused with all those OC's running around everywhere.
5277390 WHAT?!
But...I said Apple Blossom was in the dress and that Lightning was Thunder's best mare...their parents were in the front rows crying...I thought I made it clear...
5277395 Well I read fast so I guess I missed that
DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you got 3 of your stories featured!!!!!!!!!!!! two of them in the same time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that is awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5277395 Ah! My guess as to who was getting married in the chapter was correct. I was a little confused as to who was getting married too. Because I too read fast. :P
TWINKLE SPARKLE. I LOVE IT.
yay
I can't wait for more I love this next chapter please
when is the next chapter????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is an amazing story!!!
Just one question: do the original CMC ever get married? Because they've got to be adults if Applebloom's niece is getting married
So basically in order is chapter 1, CMC: The Next Generation", Chapter 2
5278933 Spoilers, sweetie. Spoilers.
Your stories are good enough to tolerate the flashlight
I have to admit I was a bit confused at first as to who was getting married or when this was, but it didn't take me too long to figure out that there had been a time jump and the couple mentioned is Thunder and Apple Blossom. Great chapter though
I don't mind the name Twinkle Sparkle either, it's definitely better than anything I could personally come up with.
It's fine I was excepting, even hoping for a time skip. Although I also hoped to see the New CMC with their cutie marks, also if Lemon Drop is still around or if he went into hiding like Cheese Sandwich did, Bon Bon and Lyra still wondering why he disappeared.
. Pleasing the Twilight X Discord shippers.
, or he's already chasing Jewel
, either way pleasing both Sparity and Rarijack shipping groups. 
(mostly)
. Preferably as Sweetie's coltfriend, or ex-coltfriend and current coltfriend of Babs Seed. I know I keep pushing him but still I really love Button Mash.
On the plus side an adorable relationship between Zany and Twinkle is clearly brewing
To hazard a guess Applespike is in love with Gemstone still, while Jewel is in love with him so he really takes after Spike
Side note I prefer Applespike though. Your fault
Side side note is Button going to make an appearance please, oh please
5280143 I'm not giving anything away.
I like where this is going, both the family-shipping of Mothball, and whatever is going on with Chrysalis. I wonder if Mothball is ever going to look for his real father (I still hope it's Shining Armor).
5282531 NO!
Sorry.
5282585 No it's not Shining Armor, or no he's not going to look?
Eh, either way it's fine, now that he has a gruff but loveable daddy-draconequis.
Oh, will we see more young Chrissie and Discord?
Does this mean there are going to be backround weddings throughout this story, or just one more?.......Maybe two now that I think about it.
I actually really like the name Twinkle. Also, can I just say I'm really happy to see Zany older? I was really curious about him! Actually I hope to see more of him! Twinkle, too, actually. I'm likin' that attitude she has.
Considering the nature of the Bride of Discord series, me.
Dunno, but I'm not complaining.
*chuckles*
Go get 'im girl.
Actually...
*rolls eyes and chuckles*
Now that's something you don't hear every day.
Haven't heard that one in a while.
It either has to do with the Changelings, or proposing to Screwball.
Well somepony had better get that phone. Because I bucking called it!
Agreed.
He has a point, he may be the Lord of Chaos, and may have a different mindset due to being a draconequus, not a pony and being an immortal, but he's right.
This is pure yes triple dipped in win!
More win!
Impressive.
is it wrong that I imagine the "understand" part being yelled like Captain Hook did in the Disney movie?
You always know how to make a situation that was serious once funny. The magic of using Discord.
Just shocked and touched.
Oh, my...
SIlly DF, why would I want to kill you?
Ahw, little Twinkle Sparkle.
I've never been a fan of the heredity of alicorn-status. Doesn't distract me from the story though, so I don't mind.
Mothball is good with foals.
Well, with Zany, but he is a class of his own.
Poor Chrysalis. Still feel bad for her. She didn't have it easy through her life, too.
5294434
I also don't think Twinkle Sparkle being an alicorn makes much sense. What did she do to earn it?
5296941 Be the offspring of an alicorn.
I would have named twi's kid Night Sparkle. But your idea is cool too.
5280143 why would Lemon Drop be hiding...................? oh, right, crazy girlfriend.Applespike liking one of the Pants sisters is my dream, please....just......PLEASE.and now that you´re "talking" about her I gotta ask: What´s DF´s headcanon future for Babs Seed? she´s never even made a cameo but here it´s all the Apple family so is pretty posible that she´s there.and Button could appear but I dunno, he made a cameo in episode 3 of the audio drama, you know?
5296941 she was born with it, like her cousin
YAY! Rainbow and Soarin returned home safely!
And Prism grew up so fast! So did Jewel, Applespike, and Zany!
Yeah.... You had to bring it back, didn't you?
Still not able to call him "Dad" yet. But he's getting there!
Lightning dated Aquafresh? Wasn't Aquafresh a girl? Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course, I just don't remember whether Lightning was established to swing that way.
Both Lightning and Aquafresh are girls, right?
Is Lightning homosexual? If so, when did she find this out?
When were they in a relationship? When did they break up?
Why did they break up?
Who's she gonna be paired up with? Will we find out later on?
Wait, so lightning's lesbo? Or....
Ah, I dunno.