“She’s pretty smart and pretty good at magic for such a small filly, so foalsitting her was always fun! I loved seeing her learn new things because she’d be so happy and excited to share what she learned to her mother.” -✉️ Derpy ✉️
Daughter of Discord Rewritten Chapter 10: Seven Years Later
May 23rd, 4:04 PM
Cw: child abandonment 💀
"Now make a wish and blow out the candles!" Pinkie Pie shouted from above, popping up from below to hug both Screwball and Dinky.
The seven-layer cake sitting in front of Dinky and Screwball had thirty candles, fifteen for each of them. The party was held at Screwball's this year, and a good thing too, because there were many guests and much space was needed.
"Quick, quick!" A young pony said. "Make a wish before they melt!"
Cheese sandwich picked up the young foal, carrying him on his shoulder. "C'mon Doodle-Palooza, give them time to think about it first!"
Screwball looked to her friend. "You ready?"
Dinky nodded. "On three."
"One…" they counted together, "two-"
"wait, after saying three or in place of saying three?"
"uuhh, after!"
They inhaled simultaneously and extinguished the tiny flames while Fluttershy snapped a picture. There were cheers from every pony and a cry from a baby.
"I got this one!" Discord declared, rushing to a purple baby carriage. He took a baby bottle out of his bag and fed it to the infant. "Here you go, little fella! My zany little buddy!"
The young colt let out a burp, coughing up white fire. "That's my special boy!"
Discord put his hands around the birthday girls' shoulders. "So what did you gals wish for?" He smirked and slinked a gift box across their table.
"I wished that Dinky's wish would come true," Screwball said.
"Aw, thanks, Screwy!" Dinky sniffed.
"In that case," the draconequus said, "what'd you wish for, Miss Doo?"
The unicorn blushed. "Uh…I wished for…muffins!"
Lightning Dash chuckled lightly. "Classic dinks."
Discord smiled and snapped up a plate of assorted muffins. "Here you are, but I think you should have the cake first."
The foals scrambled into a line as Discord cut the chocolate-frosted yellow cake. "Here you go, girls," Discord said, handing Dinky and Screwball each a slice.
The latter gasped as the plate floated out of her hands and over to a high chair. There sat a gray foal with a lock of pink hair and swirly red eyes. He clapped his hooves as the cake landed in front of him
"Zany!" Fluttershy exclaimed, swiping the dessert out of his reach. "this belongs to your sister!"
"That's okay, Mom," Screwball assured her as she took back her cake.
When Zany had arrived, Screwball had been worried that this meant she was no longer special, but after spending time with her new baby brother, they became the best of siblings. Zany was just as crazy as she was; only he was little and had less control over his powers. It had surprised everyone that he looked more creature-like than Screwball, but at about this time, it had become the norm as more species came to live in ponyville.
The other guests included the mane six, Apple Blossom and her parents, Cinnamon Twist and Maple Cinnamon, Taco Grandé, Autumn Glory, and of course, Dinky's mother, Derpy. Thunder and lightning arrived late from a visit to cloudsdale.
"I'm glad I have a day to hang out with you guys. I've been so busy with preparations for the Grand Galloping Gala next week," Twilight sighed.
Thunder Dash practically vibrated with excitement standing next to Rainbow Dash.
"you're gonna be performing that night?"
Rainbow Dash noogied his head and took him under her wing, quite literally. "Of course! Tell ya what, you and your friend lightning wanna go to flight school right? Work on the coast? Apply for roaring gales academy. Tell em' Rainbow Dash sent ya."
Lightning and thunder looked at each other in amazement. They squealed and bro-hoofed before digging into the cake."
"yer spoilin' those kids, darlin." Applejack laughed and kissed Rainbow Dash. They sat on a beanbag as Dash laid her head into her arms.
"what can I say? I got'a soft spot for cloudsdalites. And farm girls-" Rainbow was plonked on the head by her girl, and they play-fought as the others ate.
"I can't wait to see Apple Bloom," Applejack sighed. "I haven't seen her or the others since Hearth's Warming Eve."
"They sure have been busy," Rarity said. "I mean they're performing at the biggest event in all of Canterlot! Not to mention they only just returned from their tour in Las Pegasus."
Sometime after they had graduated from school, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had formed a band. Even though they had received their cutie marks long ago, the name the Cutie Mark Crusaders had stuck. All around Equestria, they held events to help ponies find their own marks.
"Flurry Heart will be there too," Fluttershy pointed out. "And you all like her, don't you?"
"of course," Screwball pleaded. "But you still want me to wear a dress?"
"well, it doesn't have to be a dress, but it's a formal event. Even your father's wearing something fancy."
"That reminds me!" Rarity exclaimed. "You two have to open your presents!"
Dinky squealed and raced towards the mountain of gifts.
It was tradition that after the double birthday party, the girls would sleepover. They especially loved Screwball's home because of all the fun rooms.
"Girls, time for bed!" Fluttershy called.
The teenagers groaned.
"Mom, we're fifteen!" Screwball insisted. "Can't we stay up just this once?"
"we were just about to glue stuff to the ceiling with this hot glue gun!"
"Sorry, girls," the pegasus said, ushering them to Screwball's room, "but Rarity wants you all at the shop in the morning to try on your gowns."
Her daughter sighed. "Okay, Mama, we'll go to bed."
That did not necessarily mean they would sleep. The night air was cool and crisp, as the gala took place on the last day of May. Screwball's room was littered with trinkets, illuminated with dainty fairy lights.
"Guess what I heard about Gold Digger!" Lightning Dash whispered once Fluttershy had shut the door.
"What?" Apple Blossom asked, sitting up from her sleeping bag.
Lightning gestured for them to move closer. "His dad made him get a job, but no one would take him in! He had to work on the... ROCK FARM!"
The four mares burst out laughing, but then got quiet when they heard Fluttershy.
Screwball listened with her super hearing as her mother flew to her room. "Coast is clear."
"How did Gold Digger get on a rock farm?" Cinnamon Twist inquired. "His dad is the biggest businessman in town!"
"something about a blue-collar attitude adjustment," Lightning smirked. "I don't blame him."
"There is justice in the world," Screwball giggled. "My only regret is that I wasn't responsible for it."
"y'know, I never been to the gala!" Autumn Glory expressed. "Mama Rarity didn't want me to mingle with that kinda crowd."
"It's kind of dull," Screwball said flatly. "Well, until Daddy and I shake it up a bit!"
"Don't forget the Wonderbolts!" Lightning exclaimed. "You can never get bored watchin' em' do their tricks!"
"And the food is great!" Dinky piped. "Plus, with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, this should be the best Grand Galloping Gala ever!"
"I hope so," Apple Blossom said. "I want this night to be the best night ever!"
"How so?" Lightning asked slyly. "Are you going to ask my brother to dance?"
The yellow pony blushed. "What?!"
"Come on, Blossom," Screwball said, rolling her eyes. "We all know you and Thunder have been digging on each other since the day you met!"
"So? If I embarrass myself that could all change."
"We'll help you," Screwball assured her. "What are friends for?"
The mares went quiet as a low cackle echoed throughout the room and lightning flashed.
"If you don't go to sleep right now, you won't have any friends!"
Lightning, Dinky and Apple Blossom shrieked while Screwball simply rolled her eyes.
"Dad, that's not funny!"
"Don't make me get the balloons!"
She ducked under the covers. "Goodnight!"
"What's so scary about balloons?" Lightning inquired.
Her question was answered when a bunch of balloons with crooked grins surrounded them and started laughing. The girls squealed and hid in their sleeping bags.
"Okay, okay! We'll go to sleep!"
The balloons disappeared in a flash. "Sweet dreams, girls!"
"Pssst," Dinky whispered, nudging her friend. "Screwball, are you asleep?
Screwball groaned and sat up in bed. "How would I answer that if I was?"
"I have to tell you something, and you have to Pinkie Promise to keep it a secret."
"Is it about what you really wished for today?"
"How did you know?"
"Dinky, I can tell when you're lying."
"Right. You still have to Pinkie Promise."
Screwball wearily made the gesture. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."
Dinky looked down at their sleeping friends on the floor and leaned toward Screwball. "I wished that my dad would come to the gala."
The earth pony scoffed. "I was wondering when you were gonna tell me."
"You mean you know?"
"I'm your best friend, Dink. I've seen the way you look when your mama brings him up."
The unicorn hugged her friend and Cried ever so gently, so as to not rouse any pony awake. "Ma said she doesn't know if he's even alive. Maybe he would've stayed if I was normal. My parents wouldn't have to do so much to take care of me because of my eyes-"
"Dinky..." Screwball sighed. She rubbed circles into her Friend's back. "I dunno what to say. I'm not the best with these kinds of things." She sniffled and laid down. "I'm sorry Dinky. Auntie Twilight said Your dad was a great stallion. He loved you. And I'm sure he would've stayed if he could. It was a freak accident, okay? None of it was your fault."
Dinky sighed. "I know. I know he wouldn't leave me on purpose like that. Maybe you're right, but you can't tell any pony, especially not ma."
"I won't. But you'd better. You might feel better if you talk about him."
"So now that I've told you my secret, can you tell me yours?"
Screwball's smile faded. "What secret?"
"I don't know." The unicorn looked toward the open window. "Maybe why you left a chocolate bar at your window?"
Panicking, Screwball made the evidence vanish from sight. "What chocolate bar?"
Dinky rolled her mismatched eyes. "Really? How stupid do you think I am?"
"You're not…" She sighed in defeat. "Fine. But you have to Pinkie Promise now."
Once that was done, Screwball whispered as low as she could. "You remember a few years ago, when you thought I had a special some pony?" Dinky nodded. "Well…you weren't entirely wrong."
The unicorn gasped. "Why didn't you tell me?! I'm your best friend!"
"I can't tell you. It's nothing personal, Dinky. It's just that if my dad found out, I'd be in big trouble, so the fewer ponies who know, the better. Anyway, he loves chocolate, so I leave some out for him in case he comes by."
"He visits you in your sleep?! Talk about a stalker!"
"It's the only way he can see me these days. His mother's…very controlling. I haven't actually seen him in a while, but if I wake up and the chocolate is gone, I know he's been here."
Dinky stared with her mouth open in wonder. "Have you…kissed?"
Screwball glanced down. "No. It wasn't anything like that, but…I don't think we need to."
"Oh. So I guess we'd better go to sleep then."
"Huh?"
"Well, if your special some pony does come tonight, I don't think he'd want us to see him."
Screwball smiled. "There's not an ounce of stupidity in you, Dinky. You're the smartest pony I know."
The two best friends slid back under the covers and closed their eyes. Before Screwball drifted to sleep, she wondered what Mothball was doing. She had not seen him since her twelfth birthday and he had been coming less and less, but he never forgot her birthday. Whatever his mother was doing to him, she was keeping him on a tight leash. She had only met the queen once, so Screwball could only imagine what she was putting the prince through.
Autumn Glory spoke up from below, in her sleeping bag. "Dinky, if it's all the same, I never met my dad neither."
Dinky smiled at her and whispered: "do you miss him? Even though he left you? I'm mad at him, but if I saw him I'd jump into his hooves."
"yeah, I feel exactly the same dinks. But if we always think of what could'a been, we can't see our future."
Screwball closed her eyes and turned away in contemplation. What could have been...
Mantis circled his royal brother as he sat upright on the throne. "Now, what have we learnt about love?"
"It is weakness for the victim, but strength for us," Prince Mothball said with indifference.
"What are the Equestrians?"
"The enemy."
"And what is your duty?"
"I must find food for the hive, drain the enemy of their power, and take my rightful place as ruler of the changelings." Mantis scowled.
"And what must you do to anyone who tries to stop you?"
"I must dispose of them."
Chrysalis chuckled darkly. From behind them. Mothball flinched as she trotted towards them. "You are ready."
"Mother, may I go hunting now? I am quite famished."
"Very well. Go, boy. Reclaim your pride!"
Once the hive was out of sight, Mothball let out a relieved sigh. He thought he would never get out of there! He had not fibbed about being hungry, but the main reason he said it was so he could see Screwball. It was her birthday and this time, he was going to let her see him. After going six months without visiting her, he was more desperate than ever!
Back in the hive, Mantis sat next to his mother.
"follow him."
He was over the Everfree Forest when a thought occurred to him. What if he were to accidentally feed on her, especially when his stomach was this empty? It was best to fill up first, so he changed his course toward Ponyville.
Since it was so late at night, few ponies were out and about. Mothball ducked inside an alley as his eyes followed a grey pegasus. He had much improved in his mind reading and took the form of the first stallion that appeared in the mare's mind. Sometimes, he could make out the pony's name. He couldn't this time.
"Lightning? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at Screwballs party?" Aquafresh questioned.
Mothball cast a spell on her, turning her disproportionate eyes green. She would forget all about this experience. He should really sift through the ponies he can turn into!
Screwball! He nearly forgot! He was about to take off when a vase of roses caught his eye. He was sure the owner would not miss one flower.
The flight to the chaotic cottage seemed to take no time at all. Before he knew it, he was at Screwball's bedroom window. As usual, a bar of chocolate was sitting there, but that was not the first thing he noticed. He stared at the young mare's face as she slept peacefully. She looked even prettier than last he saw her. How he longed for her to open her eyes, so he could stare into infinity.
He stiffened as he heard a snore that had not come from Screwball. He looked closer to see the unicorn friend sleeping beside her. He glanced down at the floor and finally noticed two other mares in the room.
The traditional sleepover had completely slipped his mind! There was no way he was going to let her see him now. The others might wake up! He wished they would just take him in if they did. Play dress up with him and just make him an equal that they could call names and play with. That could never be.
He sighed sadly as he took the bar of chocolate, replacing it with the rose.
"Happy Birthday, Screwball," the prince whispered.
He stole one more glance at her before chasing after some particularly loving rats along an alley.
A loud crash rang throughout the quiet room, startling the ponies awake as bits and pieces flew asunder! No pony spoke for a beat.
"you said you didn't glue anything to the ceiling yet?"
