Daughter of Discord: Of Love and Darkness

by kahnac

The Key to Equestria's Undoing

"Okay! I'll never sneak out to see you again! Goodbye!", said Mothball, the young prince of the Changelings, as he quickly zoomed into the sky. A sad smile, and tears falling from his eyes. Due to being discovered by his mother, Queen Chrysalis, who was under the impression he had befriended Screwball, the Daughter of Fluttershy, and Discord, as part of some plan he had devised, she decided it was time to put it on hold, and break up his so-called "friendship" with the little Draconnequus pony. He wanted nothing to do with it, but he had no choice. He was only lucky that Screwball had the power to sense when another is lying, so he was able to subtly warn her of his mother having caught him, and that he was currently being watched. Thus they were able to stage their "break-up" with the hope that they'd see each other again someday. A thought that stretched across Screwball's mind as she watched her dear friend take to the skies to his home. The other two who had accompanied him swiftly following behind as they returned to the hive.

But all Screwy could think aloud to herself was, "*giggle* You're lying.", as she happily smiled before she teleported herself back into her room before anypony else would noticed.

As Mothball, and his Changeling escorts who had spied on him to make sure he followed his mothers orders, flew back towards their hive, they were unaware that THEY were the ones being spied on.

Peering out from a nearby cave was a pair of demonic creatures that were like a cross between ponies, and dragons.Also known as Qirins. Their scaly skin was pitch black, and they had decent-sized tails, while their yellow-eyed heads bore a small pair of tusks on each side of their mouths. They also had bat-shaped wings that seemed large enough to carry them. And strangely enough, they had what seemed to be a tattoo of an eye placed precisely on their foreheads. But they apparently weren't just for show, as they began glowing an eerie yellow as they kept watching the Changelings. As it happened: this was another form of a scrying spell. One that used living beings as a means to cast it. Which means that, as of now, the two Qirins were being used as living video camera's for an unknown party. But who could it be?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Somewhere, in a darkened chamber in some unknown location, a goblet-shaped cauldron was releasing a plume of grey smoke. Which had actually swirled around itself, forming a sort of mystical projection of Mothball, and the other two changelings as they returned to the hive. And in the darkness of this mysterious domain, a deep, devilish voice began speaking his thoughts, all while being concealed in the shadows of his large, gnarled throne.

"Yeees, hurry home, little prince. We wouldn't want to make dear mommy angry, would we? Or worse yet: let dear, old, daddy Discord find out about your secret playdate with his daughter."

Afterwards, the figure let out a rather loud grunt at the very thought of Discord, as he bore an irritated expression concealed by darkness.

"Daddy Discord", indeed. Ohoho, BAH!" He exclaimed swining his hand backwards in a dismissive manner.

"That such a great, and powerful being should stoop so low as to not only befriend those.....ponies" he said in disgust. "But worst of all: he fraternizes with one to produce an offspring! How pathetic! And to think: I offered him a chance to reclaim his greatness."

Suddenly, a red, brawny hand reached down to a plate sitting right next to him. On it were a bunch of parasprites, their wings seemingly damaged. As they saw the hand reaching down towards them, they quickly scurried to the side in the hopes he wouldn't catch one of them. Sadly, he did catch one: a parasprite that was sleeping until it woke up - only to find its wings in the clutches of the mysterious being.

"But it seems he enjoys playing the errand boy for those worthless, weak-minded equines."

He then plopped the struggling, squealing, pleading parasprite into his mouth, which he ate in just a few seconds. After his snack, the figure suddenly leaned down on of his seats arms, revealing more of his features: a muscular, humanoid figure with bright-red skin, silver cuffs on his wrists, his torso being covered in pitch-black fur reaching all the way to the back of his head. His face was also red, with a ring in his nose, and he had a long white beard, as well as plume of white hair in between his large, curved horns. At first glance, anyone would mistake this for being a devil. Though none's to say they would be wrong.

"And now, here i am," he said, as he put his other hand up to the bridge of his nose. More frustration coming over him. "Wasting away to practically nothing. Banished, and exileded, and practically starving! And with not but my own powers sustaining me."

As he said that, he looked to a stool standing a few inches in front of his throne. On top of it was a small, black pouch with some kind of engraving on top of it. But the most disturbing thing about this bag was how it seemed to pulse with life. Beating like a still-living heart was being kept inside. He quickly reached for it, fastened it around his neck, and began rising out of his throne.

"All the while, HE and his flimsy, foolish nags frolic in happiness!"

When he stood, it was not only revealed that he was even taller than Discord: but also that he was a centaur - his dark-furred, lower half was of equine, or at least bovine, relation. Save for the cloven hooves, and the mildly elongated tail which swung behind him as he moved.

"Well, i'll give them all something to be happy about soon enough. OPRHEUS, SISYPHUS!"

The sudden shout from their master startled the two Qirins, making one of them smack their head on the ceiling of the cave they were in. But even so, both listened to the bidding of their master with glee.

"I want you to keep an especially close watch on this pretty little daughter of his. But also keep your eyes on the young, Changeling prince as well. He could be just as useful as her."

With that, the Qirin's did as instructed, and were off. Back in his domain, the demonic centaur adopted a malevolent smirk, as he held up his bag. Letting the top open slightly.

"Yes. Useful, indeed. Wouldn't you agree, my friend?"

As if to answer his question, a black mist suddenly began slithering out of the bag, and wrapping around his neck. He reached up a finger to caress the tendril-shaped form of living shadow like it was a pet, as he gave a deep chuckle.

"Of course. Just wait: our time will come. But it will be done more.....discreetly. Just like Discord, the witch Chrysalis dared to spurn me: even after i told her of that royal wedding two years ago. It would have been a chance for us both to take control of Equestria, but she had to cast me aside. I'll happily return the favor by playing her at her own game. And in turn, rid myself of my enemies through her own machinations. Changelings, ponies, and even Discord himself, will destroy each other, and plunge the world into true chaos. A mighty avalanche which will bring ruin to all that stands before. And the young children who find kinship in eachother will be the stones that sets it all in motion."

The dark mist then began slinking behind him, before splitting into a series of tendrils that slithered before him, twisted, and circling around. All while the Dark One clasped his hands together, and his piercing, yellow eyes glowed in the rising darkness. The thought of his plans bringing a devilish grin to his face. Finally, he spoke in a rather ominous tone, saying:

"Oh, yes indeed. Prince Mothball, and little Screwball. Two creatures who may be the key to Equestria's undoing."

to be continued?

Author's Note:

Hello, again. Another MLP fic ready, and this time one that i made especially for one named DisneyFanatic2364 as a tribute to her awesome fanfic series "Bride/Daughter of Discord". Two of the best fanmade stories i have ever seen before. And the audio dramas for them have been super-stellar. Even if one of them is still a work in progress, but i digress.

While the main story "Daughter of Discord" is fantastic, and i do love it so, i was recently inspired to think of perhaps an "Alternate universe" where some things happen differently. The biggest one being: what if Chrysalis wasn't the only villain of the story? What if there was someone behind the scenes, manipulating both sides for his own benefit? And was using both Screwball, AND Mothball to do it? Said villain being none-other than the big bad of Season 4 - Lord Tirek. Now, while most do believe that Chrysalis does seem to have Ursula's qualities, i'm afraid i don't really see them. She reminds me more of a toned-down version of Rhoodaka from the Bionicle series (which i'm sure was the intent). And in DOD, she has more of TLK2's Zira in her, what with her molding her son into the rightful ruler of the Changelings, AND Equestria. Which is why the role of Ursula would be handed down to the devilish Tirek. Now, he wouldn't act like the sea witch, perse, but he would still be the same thing she was: a devil-figure who can deceive anyone, holds incredible magic in their control, knows how to pull the strings of ANYONE with ease, and makes deals with others only to screw them over in the end. Just take away the Drag queen elements, and we've got a perfect set up.

As for the two Qirins: i gave them the names of the man with the lyre who went to the underworld to save his wife, and the man who tricked persephone, and was banished to Tartarus for all eternity. And make no mistake: Tirek is still in Tartarus in this little alternate reality i've concocted. But his imprisonment has taken a different turn which will be explained in the next part of this series. But for now, i hope everyone enjoys reading this.

And Miss @DisneyFanatic2364? If you read this: then know that i am NOT trying to change your story in anyway. This is just an idea for a non-canon alternate version of the story made as a tribute to you. I lay no claims to the story, or the characters you've used and created. Just please don't be upset with me for making this. I swear i meant nothing bad by it!:(

MLP:FIM owned by lauren Faust, and Hasbro
Bride/Daughter of Discord, and Mothball owned by @DisneyFanatic2364
The Little Mermaid owned by Disney
Orpheus and Sisyphus owned by me
All other characters belong to their respective owners.

Comments

[Even Evil Has Standards]

A Little Mermaid approach. Nice

[Golden Fang Ryu Shenron]

"But it seems he enjoys playing the errand boy for those worthless, weak-minded equines."

Hey!

...keep going.

[kahnac]

8985440
Can do.:)

[Starlight Fan]

All this and still no Starlight. Oh, melancholy sigh. Curse the timing of her debut appearance and fanfiction AUs.