• Published 18th Oct 2016
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Daughter of Discord: Of Love and Darkness - kahnac



An AU story concerning the possibility of what might happen if Tirek was involved in the events of Disneyfanatic's "Daughter of Discord" story.

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It's too easy

"Happy Birthday, Screwy. Hope you like the rose." Were the words of Prince Mothball. Now a few years older, and longing much more to be with his dear friend, Screwball. Despite his mother's orders to "break up" with his friend, and not see her again for a good long while-he still went out of his way to visit her at night, leaving something small, and significant to her. While she in turn would leave him a bar of chocolate, which he loved dearly. Though it was difficult to not be able to see her like he used to, he was able to make it work.

However, as he landed in the place where he used to meet, and hang out with Screwball, his previously happy face slipped into a somewhat somber one. A symbol that he was not happy with how things have been going for him, as of late. He let out a depressed sigh, as he began speaking his thoughts aloud to noone in particular.

"It's just not fair! I don't want to have to keep doing this. I mean, what kind of good friend am i if i have to keep sneaking out like this because i'm afraid of Mother? I just-i just wish things could be like they were before. I just want to be with her, again. Is that really so much to ask for?"

"That depends on who you should ask." said another voice fro the shadows. Which startled Mothball, and almost made him jump. However, his eyes widened in shock, and mild fear as he saw General Mantis himself, stepping out of the shadows. Right beside him were two other changelings that Mothball knew just as well: Private Acari, and Private Bombus. While the other two had neutral expressions, Mantis had a rather stern expression. One which made Mothball more than a little nervous.

"Oh! G-general!" he stammered. "W-w-what a p-pleasant surprise! W-what b-brings you out here?"

"I could ask you the same thing, young prince."

*eyes darting left, and right* "W-what do you mean? I'm just hunting."

*eyebrow raised* "In the area where you used to see Discord's daughter?"

"Uuuh, i-i-"

"With all due respect, your highness: cut the act." Acari added. "We heard what you said a few minutes ago."

"W-what?"

"Yeah, dude." said Bombus "We were actually following you for quite a while. Although we didn't go into ponyville, buuut-"

"So, wait. You 3 were following me?!"

"More like keeping an eye on you." said Mantis. "The queen actually suspected you might still be sneaking out to see that mare, and wanted to know if it was true, or not. I was going to just send these two, but....for curiosities sake, i decided to come along. At least so i could try to understand."

"Understand what?" Mothball asked curiously.

"Why, even after the Queen commanded otherwise: you would go out of your way to disobey her, and still see the Chaos child!"

Mothball actually flinched at the strictness of the General's tone. While he wasn't exactly Mothball's father, General Mantis did sometimes tend to him when Chrysalis didn't. So, in a sense, that made him as close as one could get. And though he didn't want to say anything, he didn't want Mantis getting mad at him. Unlike with his mother, he wasn't afraid of the General: he just didn't want to disappoint him. But he could see he wasn't gonna get out of this, so with a heavy sigh, he relented.

"I-i just wanted to see Screwball again. I know mother was against it, but i can't just leave her be. She's my only frie-oops!" he exclaimed, covering his mouth before he finished that word. But Mantis already knew what he was going to say, and he just shook his head before speaking up.

"My prince, this issue's already been discussed: friendship is weakness, the same as love. Whatever you think you feel for this mare is not real. We have no hearts, so we can't feel anything. Don't you understand?"

He did understand. He just didn't care, because he got aggravated when he was reminded of that day when he was discovered, and forced to leave Screwball.

"I don't care! I might not have a heart: but she's the only one who's ever made feel like i do! And unlike you, and the other Changelings, she doesn't hate me!"

Hearing this actually caused the trio's eyes to widen, and look to each other in confusion.

"Prince Mothball, don't be ridiculous. Noone in the hive hates you. You're the queens son, and-"

"And because of that, every single changeling is jealous of me! Don't try, and lie to me, because i hear it all the time! Every day, i hear them whispering behind my back, wondering why a changeling like me deserves to be next in line to rule! Why i have to be so.....DIFFERENT from every changeling in the hive! Even...even though i never asked for any of that! I never asked to be different!" he yelled, as he closed his eyes, trying to reel in the flood of emotions that were escaping.

And all the General, and privates could do was look at him with sympathy (surprisingly enough). They could tell he was really upset by this, and they'd be lying if they said that they weren't aware of the other Changelings disdain for Mothball, even though they hid it whenever Chrysalis was around. It seemed like, aside from her, they were the only ones who didn't scrutinize him behind his back. If only because they saw no reason to. But, of course, they never really explained this to him before for some reason. Before they could even consider doing so, to perhaps ease the young prince's upset state, he spoke again. This time, in a much calmer tone, now that he'd taken the time to relax, and calm himself.

"But screwball......she isn't like that. She understands-she knows what it's like to be different. She doesn't judge me, or consider me something that doesn't belong. She accepts me for who i am. Even....if i'm a creature with no heart. She cares for me. She actually makes me feel.....like i have a heart. That's why i can't stop seeing her. Even if everyone says my feelings aren't real.........they're real to ME."

He then lowered his head to the ground, no longer sad. But not quite feeling satisfied, either. Because he knew that nothing he said would matter to them: they were set in how things worked, and no amount of Mothball spilling his "feelings" was going to change that. His ears perked when he heard hooves approaching him. This was what he was expecting. General Mantis would come up to him soon, and reprimand him for acting like this. For fantasizing about something that wasn't real, and how his mother would be angry once he tells her everything. He waited.....and waited. Pretty soon, the clopping stopped, and Mothball saw Mantis' shoe covered hooves standing right in front of him. He let out a sigh, accepting the inevitable.

But he didn't expect to feel a hoof suddenly get placed on his shoulder. Nor to see the sympathetic expression of the general as he spoke.

"I'm sorry." he said gently. "I had no idea it's been like this for you. If i'd had known, i would never have let any of those Changelings disrespect you so. You are the prince, and deserve respect. And even though we have no heart.....no Changeling should have to put up with that. Just keep in mind......i never judged you, either. My loyalty is to the ruler of the Changelings, be it the queen.....or even the Prince."

Hearing those words helped lift Mothballs spirits a bit. Even causing him to slightly smile at such a revelation. At least, until he heard the next part.

"But i'm afraid that, as such, i have to inform the Queen of what you've done."

Mothballs eyes quickly widened into saucers, and a great fear came upon him.

"No, General, please! You can't tell her! If she finds out about this, she-she might do something bad! She might never let me leave the hive again!"

"It's not our choice, your highness." said Acari. "The Queen ordered us to inform her of your progress, and of all your activities. We HAVE to."

"Yeah!" said Bombus. "Did you already forget how she gets when she doesn't have her way? She gets mad, and FRE-E-E-AKY!"

"We must do as we are commanded." said Mantis "There is no other way."

"......So that's it? You're really going to do this? Let her punish me for-for this? I thought you DID care for me."

"You're highness, please! You are our prince: we DO care for you. We just-"

"Then please! PLEASE! I'm begging you not to tell her! I-i just want to see screwy any way i can! Even if i have to just give her a short glance through a window, that's all i need! But, please: don't take that away from me. It's the only way i can be happy. Wouldn't YOU be the same if you had someone you really liked?"

The General was about to rebuke the prince, before he quickly realized something. Upon being asked that question, he quickly remembered something that made him see that Mothball was right. While he never showed it, he had a secret infatuation with someone which he kept to himself, because he knew they would never return such feelings. And that so happened to be Queen Chrysalis herself. The reason for his devotion was that General Mantis actually had feelings for his queen. Which was ironic, considering he had no heart. But deep down, he knew Chrysalis would never feel the same way for him. So he kept such feelings, if they really were, in check, and simply played the loyal general for his Queen. But having seen how Mothball himself seemed to care so much for another simply reminded him of himself. And that question, as well as the pleading expression of his young charge proved to be the final straw. He knew what he had to do. So, with a long sigh as he closed his eyes before opening them again, he said:

"Very well. If that's what you wish for, your highness: then i'll keep this a secret. For your sake. The same goes for you two: understand?"

"Uh, y-yes, sir!"

"Sure thing, boss-i mean, sir!"

That little screw-up annoyed mantis somewhat, but he just shook his head and brushed it off. Though, when he turned to look back at the prince, he was surprised with a quick hug around his neck. Which made his eyes widen, and the two privates mouths to hang open. But Mantis' surprise changed to a somewhat proud one when he saw how happy Mothball was.

"Thanks you so much, general! Thank you!"

"Heh, no problem, Mothball. And you can call me Mantis, if you want."

With a pleasant smile, Mothball looked to the general as he let go of him, and said, "Okay, gene-Mantis. Thanks, again. I promise you wont regret it."

"Don't worry about that. We just need to act like none of this ever happened. Acari, Bombus: when the queen asks, Prince Mothball was hunting, just as he said he was going to. No matter what happens, she will NOT know of this. None of you will tell her, and I wont tell her. ......That way we can all stay in one peace. Your highness?"

"Yeah?"

"I recommend you return to the hive. We'll arrive shortly after, so no suspicion will be had. And i promise to you: we'll keep your secret safe."

Once more, Mothball gently smiled as his insect wings lifted him in the air, as he said, "Got it. Thanks again, Mantis."

The General simply gave him a nod of approval. He then took off back to the hive, at least hoping to bring this night to an end. He was already a good distance away, when he turned back towards Discord's castle one last time. Letting his thoughts speak out, once more.

"Just you wait, Screwy. Some day, i won't have to keep sneaking back here to see you. I don't know when, or how. But it'll happen. You'll see. Someday.....i'll be a part of YOUR world."

With that, he took off back home. Hopeful for the days that lay ahead of him. But just like before, he was unaware that he, and his fellow Changelings were being spied on once again. Two tree-tops, several meters away from where Mothball had been, began vaporizing into a thick black smoke-before finally materializing into the Qirin's, Orpheus, and Sisyphus: their 3rd eyes once again glowing, and once more broadcasting to their master.

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

"Oho, no! Ohonononono! Anything but this!" the demonic centaur said, as he watched the whole spectacle up to Screwballs departure.

And all that he saw made him absolutely ecstatic, as he chortled in amusement while returning to his throne. Leaning on it as he did so.

"I just can't stand it! It's far too easy! He doesn't even realize it yet, but the child is in love with the mare! And from what i've seeing, SHE is in love with the Changeling! And he's not just any Changeling: A PRINCE! Hehehahahah! Ooooh, their mommy, and daddy'll love that."

As he continued pondering over this recent bit of info, his gaze soon turned to a different part of the room: specifically, the hall outside the chamber. There, the shadow of multiple figures in motion could be seen.

"Still, both Discord, and Chryssy's headstrong, lovesick kids......would make quite the charming additions to my own collection."

As his shadow cast over that part of the room, the visage of the beings could be seen: equine bodies that seemed like undead ghouls, glowing an eerie orange from their mouths, AND from the cracks that formed along their bodies. All while the half of them which held their legs seemed to be meshed, and molded together, and then welded to the ground. This made them seem like prisoners: prisoners who were almost writhing in agony from a pain that could not be seen. And what was worse: there weren't just equine forms there. Aside from appeared to be pegasi, unicorns, and even earth ponies-there were also, surprisingly enough, Zebras, mules, diamond dogs, minotaurs, griffons, and even some Changelings as well. A large assortment of equestrians, all seemingly trapped in the domain of this demonic figure. Who simply laughed in dark pleasure at the sight of them, and the thought of what he had in store for Mothball, AND Screwball.

"Hmmmhmmhmhmhmmehahahahahahah! HAHA HAHAHAHAHAH!"

to be continued?

Author's Note:

Second part of the "Daughter of Discord" alternate series. And this time, we get some involvement from 3 changelings who seemed to be the only decent ones out of the whole lot. In that they didn't seem to hold any disdain towards him just for being different. They remained the only truly faithful soldiers, in my opinion. They being General Mantis, and both privates, Acari, and Bombus. All three who appeared in the Audio Drama currently still in development by DisneyFanatic2364. But i don't know if they'll have a bigger role in the drama series than they did in the story. Not that it matters. And in case you can't tell, they'll be supporting cast. Mantis, i honestly believe could sympathize with Mothball in his plight due to his secret feelings for Chrysalis. So i felt it would be good for him to play a good role in the story, along with his privates.

As for Tirek: let's just say we see that he's a "collector" in the same regards as Ursula herself. And by that, i mean he changes any living creature that comes to him into a sort of ghoul that's bound to remain with him for all eternity. Their basic design concept is inspired by Metal-Kitty , and some pony ghouls he created. I wanted to give these ones the vibe that in their current state: their in never-ending agony. Suffering for all time. Hopefully, i did a good job with that.

Now, once again in closing: i do NOT own "Bride/Daughter of Discord", or any characters involved. All credit for its creation goes to DisneyFanatic2364 . The original story belongs to her, and i lay no claims to it. I'm just making this series in honor of her.:)

MLP:FIM, and characters are owned by Lauren Faust, and Hasbro
Bride/Daughter of Discord and characters are owned by DisneyFanatic2364
I OWN NOTHING!!!