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thoraeth · 4 months

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A/N: Hello there 🖤 After years of drawing art, I'm writing my first fanfiction. It's SFW and features canon + original characters/events from One Piece anime. Please consider English is not my mother tongue, so I apologize in advance for any typo!

Words: 1800

TW: violence, language, abusive family, morally grey characters, angst, physical self-consciousness.

Synopsis: Business is a war and war is a business: Cross Guild knows it very well. When a good deal shows up and the client requires a marriage of state, someone has to take a bullet for the team. That someone is Buggy. Once again, the genius jester lands on his feet. Ava, the wife he keeps brushing off, won't stop working until 'Buggy's delivery' takes over the Grand Line. But even if Berry can buy your freedom, love is not for sale.

Ao3 link: Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3

Chapter 1 - You Do

They all laugh.

A violent, sour burst of laughter runs through the crowded chapel as the groom makes his entrance.

Everyone turn back to get a glimpse of that spectacle: under the bright stained-glass windows, he’s crawling on the floor, rolling over the red velvet carpet.

Two men are walking behind him. One is wearing a wide brimmed black hat, a huge sword on his back. The other, smoking a chunky cigar with a lazy grin, keeps kicking the groom forward.

The trio stops at the altar, leaving the soon-to-be husband on his knees. The poor thing is now a tangle of hair and ripped clothes, wailing in pain. And yet he does nothing to fight back or escape the ruthless amusement around him, he just lowers his head and grows quiet.

A noblewoman comes towards them. She's slender, tall, extremely elegant. She reaches for the smoking man with her hand, expecting a courteous hand-kissing in vain.

“It’s lovely to see you back in Fugu Island.”

“Cut the small talk, Lady Read. Hand over the contract.”

The woman replies with a stiff smile. ‘The manners of this rat suit his hideous scarred face’ she thought ‘Better settle the matter quickly and send these pirates back at sea’.

“In due time. Is this him?” she pointed to the man on the floor

“You asked for the boss.”

“Indeed. And yet, know that I see it…” she giggled “Married to a clown!”

Laughter again. In the front row, guests stand up smirking and whispering to each other. The ones in the middle hold an agitated woman: she's rapidly breathing in her white dress, face hidden under a thick veil. Lady Meara Read grabs her arm and pushes her on the floor, next to her designated husband.

“Crocodile, Mihawk.” Meara says “May we proceed?”

“Let’s make this quick.”

“As you wish, milady.”

“Very well then. High Priest, when you’re ready.”

As an old man in religious attire mutters incomprehensible words, the wedding ceremony starts.

It could have been a normal event, except for one detail: the couple is completely ignored. No vows, no touching, no “I do”. Both the spouses keep their eyes fixed on the ground, absent minded while their companions force gold wedding bands on their fingers. Half an hour later, those fatal words:

“Buggy the Clown, Ava Read, I pronounce you man and wife.”

The veiled woman feels numb and weak, finding it difficult to think straight. It’s her actual wedding and it’s all so sad. Not that she’d ever hope for a fairytale, but this is just bitter. An old dress, those dirty herbs in her hands… and a man who doesn’t even want to be there.

Ava tilts her head to take a look at her assigned companion.

He coughs every now and then and his clown face is swollen, covered in scratches and cuts. She stares at the long blue hair that covers his shoulders and forehead, noticing knots and dirt he probably got from the aisle floor.

The pirate must have felt observed, because he turns his head towards the bride: two stunning blue eyes meet Ava but the sheer rage pervading the man’s face makes her drop her gaze immediately. ‘What if he’s as violent as the other two…’ she thinks, her stomach clenching.

Suddenly Meara and the Cross Guild men are upon them.

“Up, lovebirds, time for business.” the scarred man grunts.

He and his fellow drag Buggy and Ava away, while Lady Meara addresses the rest of the room in a stilted tone: “Nobles of Fugu, our family really appreciated your presence here today. Please enjoy the feast that is waiting for you at Read Manor.”

The guests slowly walk away, leaving the chapel empty, deadly silent. No one’s in sight and negotiations kick off.

“Now that this charade is done, how long till you speak to Celestial dragons?”

“It will take some time, Crocodile. I’ll urge them, but they notoriously take their time to answer lower relatives.”

“They better change their mind quickly.”

“Manners.”

“Excuse him, Lady Read.” the swordsman interrupts “But indeed, we must hurry. We can’t protect Fugu if we are not allowed to move our men legally.”

“What?! You won't do anything until Cross Guild is given clearance again? Pirates could attack anytime!”

“Our hands are tied” said Crocodile, leaning against the altar “you insisted on doing things the noble way.”

“We respected your terms, milady, but there are consequences to any decision.” added Mihawk.

“Right, so you did it all for nothing. Congrats, m-i-l-a-d-y.”

Buggy’s high-pitched voice comes from the altar's steps. He’s sitting hunched over, his cheeks squished against his knuckles.

“Shut your fucking mouth or I'll hook you.”

“You what?” the clown screams “I did what you two told me, I played the fool and behaved. What do you want now?”

“Buggy, please calm down.” Mihawk says gently.

“I'm calm. Very calm. But maybe I should act like my fake wife and pretend I don't exist.”

Ava stands right in front of him and she feels her heart sinking. Ears ringing from the nerves and the sickness, she forces herself to say something but words don’t come out. Meara steps forward, her voice cold and stiff. “You should be thankful to have a noble wife, jester.”

“You all forced me, I needed none of this. You could have just paid normal Berry as a normal person.”

“We are aristocracy, this is the way we seal a deal.”

“Who cares, it's stupid!”

“And yet you’re here because our ancestors married into people who can now save your venture.”

“To hell with you all! I’m out of here.”

Buggy sprints on his feet, but he feels awkwardly weak and dizzy. He tries to detach. Nothing happens.

“Really guys?” he yells, furious. “You’ve put seastone on me?”

Crocodile and Mihawk exchange confused looks. As far as they know, there is no seastone nearby, although Crocodile is now wishing he had brought some to keep that idiot at bay.

Buggy waves and pinches his captain coat, looking carefully around his arms and legs, swearing under his breath.

Mihawk approaches him tensely and grabs one of his wrists.

“Lady Meara, this is not part of our agreement.” His golden eyes pierce the noblewoman as he speaks.

“I couldn’t risk any unpleasant surprise.”

The swordsman shows Buggy his ringed finger. With an angry grimace, the blue haired jester takes his wedding band off and toss it at the two women. “We’re done here.” he says, stomping faster and faster towards the chapel’s doors.

“Wai-”

Meara gasps as Crocodile appears behind her and puts his sharp hook to her throat.

“High rank, low blows.”

“I…I swear…I didn't mean to harm any of you”

The hook presses harder.

“I would have just offered Buggy to rest here for a couple of days…”

Mihawk sits on the altar, planting his black sword in the marble pavement.

“You tried to kidnap a Yonko.” He states solemnly.

“N-no, I just…”

“Having the big dog here would discourage many crews, no doubt.” grins Crocodile. “Unfortunately, that has a very different price.”

“W-would Buggy consider it, if we pay?”

“Oh, no doubt. But save your berry, if you want my advice.”

Mihawk has had enough. He slowly walks towards the exit, leaving a crack in the ground behind him. His fellow joins him right away, pushing away Meara and leaving her shaky.

“You won’t have it your way this time, Read!” laughed Crocodile, relighting his cigar.

The two pirates get out in the open and are welcomed by the intense light of the setting sun.

At the vast harbor in front of the church, there’s an air of peace. Ships and fishing vessels move slowly in a gentle wind, few men still around mending nets. The sea sparkles in warm colors.

While going down the marble staircase, Mihawk freezes.

“You ok, ‘hawk?”

“Mh” he sighed “just a second, I think I heard something.”

“Fuck it. Fuck it all. I’m not going back with those assholes.”

Buggy is tinkering with a bundle of ropes, balancing in the middle of a swinging sailboat.

They said the wedding was fake, a trick to get those bloody nobles to pay fast.

“Seemed true to me.” he thinks “Can I undo it? There must be a way to reverse it...”

“Here you are! I’ve been looking all over the harbor for you.”

Buggy looks up, moving away his messy hair: It’s Mihawk.

The man’s smiling, standing on the dock. There's someone with him, but the clown couldn't care less.

“Get lost. I need some time away from you idiots.”

“I see. But I'm afraid you can't just go your way.”

“Says who?”

“Those six zeros still missing from Cross Guild’s coffers.”

Buggy bites his lips. They hold that fucking ‘you owe us’ thing against him every time. He can't even breathe without permission anymore.

“Anyway, I understand today was tough for you.” Hawkeyes says “So I persuaded Crocodile to let you enjoy a short honeymoon.”

“A what? Oh no, is it that girl there?”

“Buggy.”

“Did you hit your head or something? That was fake! Leave me alone!”

“Buggy, listen.”

“She’s better off here anyway!”

“They hit her.” Mihawk said, raising his voice “I found Meara raging on her. A pitiful sight. She must have given her something too, she barely stands.”

“And… what should I do about it?”

“I know a woman. On an isle, about one and a half days of sailing. Take the girl there.”

“You’re coming too?”

“No. Eat, drink, rest, do whatever you need until she’s ok. A week should be enough, I think.”

“Just so we're clear: then I have to take her in Karai Bari or…” the clown asked.

“You would never put your wife in danger, do you, Buggy? It's safer to have her stay with my friend. Permanently.”

The jester's eyes light up with hope.

“Fine! If you so insist, I'll prove my generosity once again. Ava, get a move on.”

The veiled woman is hesitant at first. “At least he remembers my name” she thinks.

Looking up at Hawkeye, Ava prays his doing is in good faith. She leaves the swordsman side and staggers to the boat, her legs too shaky and unstable.

“Take that stuff off your face, you'll see better.” Buggy croaks.

No answer. The woman gets in slower than an old granny, followed by the angry glare of the blue haired pirate.

“Oh, and don’t go off book. I can find you anywhere.”

“Fuck you ‘hawk.”

“Godspeed, lovebirds!”

Buggy takes something out of the water and the boat begins to move.

The distance between them and the stone dock increases rapidly, as the wind blows into their veils. The jester contemplates the horizon ahead while Ava sits in the back of the ship, none of them saying a word.

She stares at the view they're leaving behind, breathless. The sky has turned an intense blue with thick dark clouds and Fugu Island gets smaller and smaller in the silence of the night. The feeling of wind whistling in her ears, those cold droplets on her skin, explodes in Ava’s chest.

“I could…really live.” She whispers.

It is a happiness so great it almost breaks her.

#one piece fanfiction #buggy fanfiction #buggy d clown #buggy the clown #buggy one piece #one piece buggy #op buggy #captain buggy #cross guild #sir crocodile #crocodile one piece #dracule mihawk #hawkeye mihawk #one piece mihawk #buggy x oc #buggy pirates #grand line challengers

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stardust-swan · 7 months

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Chic Cottagecore Plans for Autumn 🍂🍄🥀

🍄 Make: apple pie, fancy hot chocolates, different types of soup, homemade pumpkin spice mix, cinnamon rolls, mushroom risotto, root vegetable tarte tatin, pumpkin tagine, homemade tea blends, and preserves and syrups for winter

🍄 Crochet or knit

🍄 Embroider some mushrooms

🍄 Watch the Harry Potter series, Kiki's Delivery Service, Frankenweenie, Hocus Pocus, Coraline, the Addams Family, the Corpse Bride, the Nightmare Before Christmas, Twilight, Dead Poets Society, Labrynth, A Series of Unfortunate Events, the Love Witch, Jennifer's Body, Carrie, Rocky Horror Show Picture, the Witches, Maleficent, Monster House, and Paranorman.

🍄 Read Gothic novels, Jane Austen, The Little Book of Hygge, and Autumnal poetry

🍄 Go to Starbucks and Costa and try out some of the new drinks they have for Autumn

🍄 Take walks in nature and admire the trees changing colour

🍄 Play games like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley

🍄 Curl up with a good book, blanket, fluffy socks, and cup of cinnamon tea when the weather is bad

🍄 Take Polaroids of the fall foliage

🍄 Light cinnamon scented candles

🍄 Put a pouch of whole cloves in the sweater drawer

🍄 Listen to the Taylor Swift Folklore and Evermore albums

🍄 Make an Autumn floral arrangement

🍄 Make pinecone bird seed feeder

🍄 Make Autumn terrarium

🍄 Visit the Farmers Market to find seasonal foods for Autumn like pumpkins, apple cider, and gourds

🍄 Plant bulbs for spring

🍄 Go to a candlelight concert

🍄 Look up art galleries and concert halls to see if there are any exhibitions or events on with Autumn themes

🍄 Wardrobe: soft sweaters, turtlenecks, high-waisted jeans, cardigans, flannels, plaid skirts, woollen dresses, opaque tights, trench coats, crocheted scarves, Doc Martins, chunky Mary Janes. Colour scheme: burgundy, forest green, tan, black, plum, mustard yellow, olive, terracotta, and burnt orange.

🍄 Makeup: copper eyeshadow, terracotta or berry lipstick, brown eyeliner, subtle gold highlight

#cottagecore inspo #cottagecore aesthetic #cottagecore #cottage aesthetic #cozy cottage #autumn #autumncore #autumn mood #chic #chic aesthetic #fall aesthetic #fallcore #halloween #halloweencore #autumn aesthetic #autumn ideas #girlblogging #stardust swan

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dragoncityinteriordesign · 1 year

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Okay, I know everything about the Guardian Fashion Experience is regrettable. That said, you have got to see what the guests are wearing to this rich people wedding.

Shout out to Purple Suit Guy, the guy who first made me start paying attention to the guest clothing here. I love his look. Bold and stunning. Absolute outdoor wedding wear.

Who invited Xiao Hua? (Note: Whenever he shows up during the standing scenes, he's always with that guy in the grey suit, but when he's seated, they're apart. I can only assume they came together but whoever is doing the seating arrangements is homophobic.)

He's got a tie so skinny he must be in a ska band. She's regretting several of her life choices, and about half of them have to do with lace. I don't see her in any of the later images, which leads me to believe she got smart and called an Uber.

Guest on the left has paired a moderately fancy dress with a thrift-store cardigan and extremely chunky shoes. Guest in the middle has decided that cold shoulders and furry fringe will bring back mid-'00s plus-sized fashion, but now for skinny girls. And Velvet Jacket Guy ... well, you get what his deal is.

I'm surprised this lady didn't get bounced immediately. If there's one thing I know from spending too much time on Reddit, it is that you are always the asshole for showing up in a wedding dress when you, specifically, are not the person getting married.

Another white-wearer! This lady, however, has taken the extra steps to prove she's not the bride by wearing silver-trimmed sneakers.

She chose his tie so they'd match. She's going to catch that bouquet if she has to shank every other woman at the venue to get it.

I love everything about this woman's style. She has decided on a an already-bold patterned dress, then accessorized with dark hose, dark shoes, dark fingerless gloves that hook around her thumb, and dark glasses. I want to be her when I grow up.

At first, this woman's look is fairly normal, but those sunglasses take it to the next level.

I'm just not a fan of red and pink. The dress looks like it would be great on its own, even with the weird racing stripes. Why the vest?

I know it's not as socially embarrassing for men to show up to an event wearing the same thing as it is for women, but these guys landed on nearly the same white shirt, mustard vest, and mustard pants. That sticks out. At least by the time the fistfight breaks out, one of them has put his jacket back on. (Also you can see that in the interim, Velvet Jacket Guy has ditched his titular item of clothing, rendinger him merely Guy.)

And right there in the middle of that previous picture, this guy has made a bold fashion choice with the pea-green jacket and coordinating tie, but I think it's working for him.

This is a fairly nice if largely unremarkable dress, but the red-soled shoes add an expensive-as-hell pop of color.

I can't get a good shot of this denim dress, so I can't tell if I love what it's doing with that black side panel or hate it. Maybe it's cute? But I don't get why it's stopping at the waist.

A black shirt, no jacket, grey pants with inexplicable black thigh stripes, and brown shoes. Something sure is happening here.

#guardian #zhen hun #dragon city fashion #rich people

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witchofthesouls · 1 year

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For the TFP!kids being other + being turned into sparklings AU, how enraged would be the bots when they realise the cons are in custody of their sparklings? The Nemesis is about to flood with energon soon, cause there's no way they won't launch an assault to get then back (besides the fact that if they don't get them back June will do it herself, and that spells endless torture and horror beyond imagination for all parties involved)

Also, I think that one of the few reasons bots and cons would willingly work together without being at each other throats would be if the kids were kidnapped by MECH

Would Raf ever shift to his root mode? Chunkiest dragon pup turns into the chunkiest sparkling ever

June would be the only one that could coax Raf to shift into his root-mode. Yep, he’s a chunky, orange and yellow sparkling. Very round. More like newspark with his limited mobility and milky optics, but it will happen very rarely. Like count in a single hand, that few times.

Raf absolutely hates being in his root-mode at this point. He can barely move, his senses shift differently that’s frightens his limited view. It’s far easier for him to cope in his alt-mode.

Eventually when his optics fully clear to a bright red, he’ll be far more tolerant to switch to his two-legged form to toddle around.

Ratchet definitely taken pictures of the confused newspark before the wailing sets in.

The little Predacon distrusts the medic for bit. Raf remembers the coding-stall to keep from switching into his alt-mode. It takes a godly amount of granite and basalt to get him back in his lap. Not even the heedy call of heated plating and expert digits scratching his back could tempt him.

It’s a bit hilarious how jealous Ratchet would get that Raf would waddle his way to Optimus for his cuddles afterwards.

If the kids were taken by Decepticons, June would be able to tolerate it. Provided the trio is well-cared for and no experimentation is involved. Health checks, sure. But anything else deeply invasive to the pursuit of Knowledge and Progress. Ohhhh, the Things she would do. She will make rain E N E R G O N…

Humanity may have forgotten its roots, but Earth and its inhabitants are full of hunger.

Mudmen, affectionately coined for humans for their extreme adaptability, had held their own with and against Others, waging their own cycles of war and peace. After all, humans are both prey and predator as well.

Across the world, they are many tales of animal brides and grooms and unintended human spouses and children stolen away. There’s a unique quirk in humanity; magic takes well to their bodies and genes…

Should Airachnid ever, ever let her temptation override her self-preservation to target a nearby Jack… she’ll live just long enough to regret it.

June lived in a far darker time of sapient beings devouring other sapient beings. She won’t be moved by the spider’s tears or her regret. Not at all. Airachnid had simply failed to consider that far larger predators can and will eat her.

Her Insecticons could pose an issue with their sheer numbers, but June had far more experience hunting more gruesome beings. For all of their brute strength and superior sense, they hadn’t learned to truly fear what lurks in the dark, sunless depths of the sea, nor the pitiless shadows of the land. The nightmares that croon from the darkest pits of their hearts.

Soundwave will get a glimpse of what truly is beneath June’s civil mask from the whispering remains of Jack’s dreams upon waking up, and will personally gift-wrap Airachnid to June’s immense maw should the spider try something stupid.

There are reasons why the sparklings would have set guardians among Decepticon High Command. Raf may be with Predaking, but no one is stupid enough to go toe-to-toe with a protective Predacon. Especially since Predaking keeps Raf very close to him.

Should any of the kids fall under MECH’s terrible hands, June would already be on top of it. The Foundation behind Jasper Hospital would lend its own massive resources to the cause for the children’s Other heritage and MECH’s purpose of “technological advancement.”. For there are Rules in place. Treaties and Conventions from unspeakable horrors. And MECH has broken them.

They will track by any means necessary. Any. There’s nowhere on Earth Silas/Leland/MECH could hide and won’t be found.

It will be a Hunt, especially if the Esquivels get involved (-scales set aflame and a massive wingspan that blocked out the sun-) for Mr. Esquivel is definitely not human…

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rom-e-o · 3 months

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More inspo! I see TeTe getting Bess that matching jewelry set.

Oh my gosh, this whole post is whimsigoth concentrate, and I'm absolutely living for it.

The jewelry set is absolutely a gift from TeTe! It come sin this luxurious, velvet box with silver lining for her birthday one year.

"To a young woman I've become blessed to know, and even more blessed to call family. Happy birthday, Bess~"

Now, onto these gorgeous gowns!

BESS, BESS, BESS of course! The velvet. The roses. It's too perfect for her. Gorgeous iconic dress. I could see Wolf proposing to her in this dress, or confessing to her in this dress. SOME BIG moments with this dress come to mind. It feels so HER.

Another Bess gown. this feels like moonlight concentrate. It's giving 'subtle' bride. Maybe bride-to-be? again, moon goddess energy. It feels similar to the first one Wolf saw her in with that down-the-street model strut. He's be speechless from this.

Are those TINY EMBROIDERED SUNS? If so...Connie would literally sparkle in this. This with some stilettos, choker and a martini glass in hand is a vibe.

Bess pulling this out at the end of a show and slinging it on to escape out the back door with her handsome beau to avoid paparazzi? Yes, please.

and 6. A Twin moment? Maybe for al all-black gala par party? These dresses are the canvases. I love the idea of them wearing similar black dresses, but they look so different on each one because of their preferred accessories and aesthetics.

Gal or Bess, for sure! With these accessories, I can so see Bess wearing this for a casual post-work date. Grabbing a bite and walking along the Thames, hand-in-hand with her lover. This dress also reminds me of sparkling ocean waves at night. That makes me easily picture Gal pulling it off too with some chunky boots. This dress would look especially dashing with a man's coat layers on top, on loan from a handsome boyfriend for the walk home in the cold.

#scroogeverse #ICONIC inspo

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sugarcubeshark · 4 months

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Heeeyyyyyy😈

💐 once you receive this lovely bouquet of flowers you have to mention five things you love, publicly, and send it to 10 of your favorite followers if you want. SPREAD POSITIVITY! ⛅️

Heyy BBG 🤓💅

SO, I'll be silly and answer these!!

1. Absolutely my friends, especially since the Pandemic, I've been grateful for meeting such great people in my life, especially with how creative everyone I know is, especially with their art, their words, just overall personalities, absolutely adore that to be honest.

2. I really adore gaming content, especially things like Survival & Psychological Horror games, Sandbox like games, of course fighting games, shooters (depending on what type tbh), and single player games that let you be creative with your look and story, also The Sims 💀

3. My pets, which is a bit of cats but specifically my cat Baby, my baby, my baby girl since 2020, she's this void / black cat who's between a regular sized cat & a munchkin cat, she's chunky yet loveable, she's got a great personality and she's been my cuddle buddy for years now, absolutely love her sm

4. My first ever fixation / interest being a piece of Goth Media, which is Corpse Bride. Absolutely thankful I've been such a lover of Gothic media since I was a little kid, especially with films and music, due to me randomly finding the movie at Walmart one day and my parents bought it, the rest is history. Btw they bought like 10+ DVDs after how much a watch the shit out of Corpse Bride 💀

5. My OCs. My main Persona for regular content fully now is my son ÜK, I've had him for YEARS now, to which he has a full design now (done by a couple friends of mine 🫶), and my Drag OC Persona being Okay Mother, a bald performer who does Björk numbers (MY DREAM 🙏🙏), but yeah!!

I felt so silly and teehee

(have some ÜK)

(These are done of ÜK by @crunchsoup & @coolguyideas 💜💜💜 )

#little ask request by my friend ^^#oc mention #ÜK OC #video games #movies #shows #ur mama #meow #cool artist 💪💪#teehee

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brideofdiscord-rewritten · 10 months

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Bride of Discord Chap. 2:

The Gala

The Grand Galloping Gala was arriving in seven moons, and Twilight had called all her friends to help with the preparations. It was an event the group of friends looked forward to most, as planning a party had been how they met, and served as an effective reminder how they were practically meant to be.

The four approached the palace gate, pearlescent gold swirled overhead, enveloped by lavender marble slabs. Beyond the gate, the sturdy granite and basalt. Inside surely held strong oak or teak. It looked like a pinnacle of wealth. As the gates was opened, by willing guards, Instead of Twilight they were greeted by her brother.

"ladies," Shining Armor said. "We're so glad you could make it! Twilie and the others are already having dinner. They asked me to escort you."

Applejack sighed in relief. "Thank goodness! I'm starved!"

Pinkie Pie bounced down the hallway. "Dinner with the princesses! That's the type of thing nopony else could possibly dream of!"

"You love having dinner with any pony, darling," Rarity chuckled breathlessly.

"food's a love language! And I'm Trot Jones!"

The group laughed, Applejack grabbing onto rarity's withers for support, rainbow dash running off as the laughed, Fluttershy coving her face, and letting off silly girlish snorts.

In the dining hall, Celestia sat at the head of the table, Twilight and Spike on her right, Luna and Cadence on her left. When she saw her friends, the purple alicorn forgot her manners for a moment, leaping out of her seat and attacking them with a hug.

"I'm so happy you guys made it!" she exclaimed. "I haven't seen you in so long, I was doodling your cutie marks on my notes!'

"We're more than grateful to be here with y'all!" Applejack declared. "Now hows 'bout we chow down?!"

As they ate like starved timberwolves, the friends caught up with one another. Twilight told them about the new spells she had learned, Rarity talked about the dresses she had in mind for the Gala, Applejack asked if the event could be painted professionally for the hospital patients, and Pinkie ranted lovingly about the other cultures she'd learned from . Fluttershy politely listened to the conversations, a bit nervous about being in the presence of royalty, but happy to infodump when animals were brought up, especially when it was an animal from another era. Then Shining Armor and Cadence tapped on their crystal glass and announced something extraordinary.

"Shall I tell them? I can't keep it in any longer!" the alicorn asked her husband.

"I think you have the right," he replied with a wink.

She smiled at all of them. Her teeth were glassy white, albeit slightly crooked. It was endearing, especially so after cadence announced: "We're having a baby!"

Every pony gasped. Except for Luna, who'd seen cadence's dreams, watching afar as she dreamt of fish, waking the next morning as a mother.

"Wait a second!" Pinkie cried. Then she took a sip of water and spat it out. "You mean to say you're having a bouncing, giggling, grabby, chunky, silly little FOAL???!" she twitched slightly in excitement.

Cadence laughed. "Of course, Pinkie."

Twilight flapped her hooves as her jaw hung open "I'm going to be an auntie! To a BABY!"

"That would explain your glow, why you're positively radiant! When are you due?" Rarity asked, astonished.

"Ten months," answered Shining Armor.

"How wonderful!" Fluttershy complimented. She wondered who the baby would look like more, based on their genes.

"This calls for a toast!" Celestia announced. She lifted her goblet, lined with rubies. "Here goes to the child of princess Cadence and sir Shining Armor, may their legacy live on through their deeds!

The others lifted their goblets and cheered in agreement.

Luna's mane of midnight ink and twinkling stars adorning the smoky Prussian blue gave way to reveal her almond eyes. Framing her soft and enticing face, sharp in it's regality. Her eyelids drooped alluringly. She brought up her hoof and whispered to her sister.

"hehe, their deed brought a new legacy alright-"

"Luna! You MANIAC!" Celestia whispered, her voice cracked. They giggled, and laughed louder each time they looked at each other. Spike only squinted and pouted.

"Wait," Spike paused. "I'm not gonna be the one to change its diaper, am I?"

Everypony laughed as spike shrugged. He would not be getting an answer. Fluttershy only smiled softly. She was truly happy for the young couple, but for some reason, that happiness could not be reflected through her face. Applejack noticed Fluttershy's depression and stopped laughing slowly. Her friend had been this way for quite a while now. While she engaged in social activities as much as possible, she never seemed to take pleasure in them, instead seeming rather depressed as she walked out the door. It bothered the cowpoke and she was determined to find out what was going on.

The next day, preparations for the Grand Galloping Gala began. Pinkie Pie brought her party cannon into the ballroom and fired balloons and confetti all over the place. In a comedic manner it all fell perfectly into place.bPrincess Celestia was sure the Gala was going to be less boring this year. Less upright. Rarity called the girls in one by one to take measurements and ask their opinion on their dresses, though they knew to trust the unicorn's vision and to not make too many suggestions.

After gathering foodstuffs and baking supplies from the market, Applejack decided to take a stroll in the garden. She would not have to make the food until the day before the event, so she had some time to herself. Of course, knowing herself, she'd likely get onto her duties hours before she was supposed to, simply for pure amusement. She followed a melodic sound and encountered Fluttershy conducting her bird chorus. She stopped them in the middle of a song.

"No dearie, it's more like…" she sang a few notes in that sweet voice of hers. "Understand?"

"Howdy, Fluttershy!" Applejack said in a voice loud enough to startle the birds. The pony beamed apologetically. "Oops, sorry Fluttershy, I'll call them back."

The pegasus sighed and gave a small smile. Her features lifted and the smile line on her face became more defined. "It's okay. We were about to take a break anyway."

Applejack studied her face carefully. "Is somethin' wrong, Sugar Cube?"

"What? Oh no, nothing is wrong."

She wasn't convinced by her tone. "Fluttershy, I'm gon' be honest with you. You seem down in the dumps as of late. You know I can't remember the last time I seen you smile? I mean really smile, like you meant it?"

Fluttershy paused and turned away. "It's nothing, really. It's not stopping me from anything."

Applejack took a deep breath. "It's those nightmares, ain't it? You're still havin' them, aren't ya?"

The pegasus floated to the ground and hid her face, unsure. Her friend put an assuring hoof on her back.

"Sugar Cube," she said slowly, "it's been three years. Discord's long gone. You got nothin' to fear anymore. You gotta let it go."

She sniffed. "I know, but the nightmares just won't go away, even when I'm not asleep! It's like everywhere I turn, he's there, watching, waiting to…to…I don't know! Take me away or something! I just…I can't…"

Tears began to prickle her eyelashes. Applejack stroked her mane in comfort. It was soft, excepting the sticks and marigolds peppered inside. Rainbow dash loved braiding flowers into her mane, but taking it out was hard without a stick, which broke In her thick mane.

"Hey, it's okay. Discord's not comin' back and he certainly ain't gonna take us away. If he did, you'd be able to kick his butt! It just ain't gonna happen. Come git some hot cider if you're feelin anxious, okay sugar?"

Beyond the castle gold and the groves of daisies, past the vines of thorn and trees with spikes in place of branches in a cave far away, their old enemy was watching the scene in a mirror. He could not help but laugh in a gravely manner.

"It's just too amusing!" he exclaimed. "Oh, the dramatic irony of it all! Ooh, imagine the looks on their faces when I appear out of the blue after all this time!"

The image in the mirror faded and only his reflection was visible.

"And why have we been hiding all these years?" his image mocked.

"why it's elementary, you silly fool, it's in their face! How they go about their lives, oblivious to my presence! It'll make it all the more easy to get them with their guards gone!

"Except for that wimpy pegasus."

"Oh, nopony will listen to that quivering drip!" He cackled, "Oh, that pony is in for quite a fright!" He bellowed

"Exactly what's the plan this time? Turning them into their opposites again? My my, how WELL that plan turned out!"

"NO, of course NOT! we can't do something that can be undone. We'll have to make a more…permanent change." He tapped his chin with his eagle claw.

"The problem is those Elements of Harmony," his reflection said. "As long as they are willing to use them, we are not safe."

His eyes widened as an idea hit him. "Yes, but what if they weren't willing to use them?"

The reflection smiled evilly. "Ooh, I like the sound of that! So what's the plan?"

"I'll tell ya later. Or I wont! You'll find out soon enough, you're me! Those ponies are in for the surprise of their lives!"

He broke into a roar of maniacal laughter, which echoed throughout the cave. He then glanced around at the emptiness of his lair.

"You know? I've really got to stop talking to myself."

The Gala was only a day away when Spike coughed up a message for Princess Celestia. He held his stomach as Celestia read unaware.

"There is a crisis in Saddle Arabia," she announced to the other princesses after reading the parchment.

"What sort of crisis?" Luna asked.

"I am assuming it has to do with the blockade and airstrikes by Yemane. lacks detail, but it says they need you, Cadence and I to come to their aid."

"should I come with you, princesses?" Twilight questioned.

"That is simply what it says. All of us, excepting you. My apologies twilight, but Even if they requested all of us, one of us will have to stay behind. As my duchess and right hoof pony, I am entrusting you with my kingdom. I have no doubts that you could do this task and prevail."

"What about the Gala? Your presence is expected!"

"We must leave immediately. We have been before, and the ponies are not missing anything by not seeing us for the hundredth time. I know you can take charge."

The young alicorn froze. "me? Rule Equestria? Run the Gala? By myself?"

Celestia nodded. "You will have your friends and brother to help you, of course, but yes. Until we return, all royal duties will be appointed to you."

Her eyes became enlarged and shining. "Do you think I'm ready?" She wondered out loud.

The tall alicorn lifted her chin with her hoof. "I do." Her face charming and regal, grinned enduringly.

When the others heard about this, they panicked.

"You mean they're not going to attend the Gala?" Rarity exclaimed. "Oh, and I made such beautiful dresses! I got to take their measurements and discuss complimentary gems and for WHAT?!"

"We're doing this all by ourselves?" Fluttershy asked horrified.

"Aw, no sweat! We've handled party ponies before!"

"But something as big as the Grand Galloping Gala? Those ponies are rich! They have expectations! It seems like a performance. Oh, I'm feeling lightheaded..."

Rainbow Dash caught her before she hit the floor.

"I'm nervous too," Twilight declared. "But don't worry, girls. I know we can pull this off if we work together!"

This lifted every pony's spirits and they cheered. Well, every pony but Fluttershy, who uttered a half-hearted, "Yay."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" said Rarity. "We have a gala to prepare!"

"I'll go get my birds to practice. Oh! And my geckos."

Her four friends watched in confusion as the pegasus trotted sadly off.

"is flutters okay? She doesn't seem as excited about the gala! She's performing! Do you think her stomach hurts or something!?"

"You know how she is with social events," Rarity said.

"But I've never seen her like this before," Twilight noted.

"It's them nightmares again," Applejack explained. "Theys gettin' worse."

The duchess's

face filled with concern. "How longs this been going on?"

"A while. I can't remember the last time I saw her really smile."

Pinkie pondered. "You know what? Neither can I! I mean when she does give a smile, it looks forced."

"You know she's been getting invitations from an enormous array of stallions?" Rarity mentioned. "But she rejects all of them! I simply cannot understand it! If I received that much attention, I would bask in it! I hope she's feeling loving about herself..."

"You say she's having nightmares?" Twilight asked. "Do you mean the ones involving…?"

She didn't need to finish. "Exactly. She can't seem to get that monster out o' her mind."

"But he's been gone for three darn years!" Rainbow dash reminded them. "What is she afraid of? If he wanted to attack why not do it when where chilling?"

"We gotta find a way to turn her frown upside-down!" Pinkie declared. "But how?"

They all thought for a moment. Then Rarity's face lit up.

"What she needs is a social boost! She should do more at the Gala tomorrow night than conduct the bird choir! She should sing a song!"

"You're right!" Pinkie agreed. "She has an amazing voice, but she doesn't show it off. This could be her chance!"

"What about her stage fright?" Applejack questioned.

"Oh please," Rainbow huffed. "It's high time she got over it, she's awesome! She's gotta know it by now!"

"I suppose she could sing," Twilight said. "We'll have to ask her first."

Fluttershy was reluctant in the beginning, but then decided it would be something to take her mind off of everything and accepted. Besides, with her they could prove they had manners and talents that these rich ponies couldn't dream of!

The posh ponies were astonished when they entered the castle the next evening. The ballroom was decorated like a sweet sixteen, the table was covered in 'standard' baked goods, the orchestra was playing the Pony Pokey and Princess Twilight was greeting the guests instead of Celestia. She of course only did this for the first few minutes and then left to mingle. The scene was also lively due to the presence of the Canterlot orphans. The Canterlot elite were shocked at first, but soon settled into the rusticity of it all. They had to admit, the Gala was a lot more entertaining this year. Plus, the gems adorning dresses all over the place entrapped their eyes.

Pinkie Pie was in the middle of a song when she suddenly cried, "RAINBOW DASH!"

The Wonderbolts had just entered the ballroom and Rainbow Dash was tackled by the enthusiastic pony.

"I'm so glad you're here! I haven't seen you since we gathered!" Pinkie shrieked.

The blue pegasus wrapped an arm around her and laughed. "Good to see you too, Pinkie! Sorry I couldn't visit, my wings were SORE! On the bright side, my legs are super buff!" She flexed, and her stifle tightened, defining her muscular build. She spent a minute admiring her muscles, flexing her forearms. "Oh man, that's beautiful, hehe."

She was then met with Twilight and Applejack, both of which offered her a hug.

"Hey, wheres Rarity and Fluttershy?" she asked, glancing around.

"Fluttershy's practicing her song and Rarity went to pick up the Cutie Mark Crusaders from the train station," Applejack explained with a chuckle. "Though, they're not exactly the Cutie Mark Crusaders anymore."

"Whoa, whoa. Back up. They're not friends anymore? I thought our lessons meant somethin'! I mean, did they even know who they were talkin to?! Kinda a big DEAL! And flutters said yeah??!!"

"She's singing! It's official!" Twilight exclaimed.

Applejack was about to reply when a young voice cried, "Rainbow Dash!"

It belonged to Scootaloo, who was racing towards her role model. Rainbow greeted her adopted sister with a bear hug.

"I missed ya, Scoots! Let's have a look at ya. Wow, you've grown, kid. And…" She paused. OH!! THATS WHAT THEY MEANT!"

Scootaloo lifted her flank to reveal a shield cutie mark, with a small wing in the middle. A lighting strike was in the middle.

"Can you believe it? I finally earned my cutie mark! Sweetie belle and apple bloom have the same kind!"

Rainbow and Twilight gasped. Applejack smirked. "Tried to tell ya."

"Congrats, kiddo!" The older pegasus noogied her purple mane playfully. "I always knew you had slick moves on that scooter!"

"it's actually for helping others with their cutie marks!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "How could I not have known that was my special talent?!"

"EVEN BETTER!!"

Then Rarity approached with Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom who, like Scootaloo, were dressed elegantly. Apple Bloom wore a glittering red dress and had switched her pink bow with a sparkling green one. Sweetie Belle wore glass slippers to match her blue dress with translucent trimming. Scootaloo's hair was short and scrappy and her dress had a magnificent blend of orange and purple.

"Wow," Twilight marveled. "You girls look beautiful! Did you make them those dresses, Rarity?"

"Would you believe it?" Rarity replied. "Dear Apple Bloom here came up with the designs!"

"Really?" Applejack said.

"Yeah! Her gift of design is truly a miracle!" her sister exclaimed. "And guess what appeared as scootaloo's did?"

Apple bloom's flank revealed another shield, this one with an apple in the middle and a heart inside the apple.

"I wanted it to be a surprise! We was so good at trying to find our cutie marks,when we tried to find other's this appeared!"

Applejack sniffed and hugged her little sister. "My little Apple Bloom has finally blossomed!"

"But you said Sweetie Belle had her cutie mark too," Twilight said.

"I do!" the little unicorn piped as she revealed her flank.

Sweetie Belle's cutie mark was a shield with a star and musical note. Twilight did not need to ask what her talent was.

"You three sure have come a long way," Rainbow noted.

"We all have," said Twilight.

Neither of them noticed the gray stallion listening from afar. His deer antler and goat horn were hidden under his top hat, the only things that would not change, along with his yellow and red eyes. He smiled to himself at the alicorn's statement.

"We have indeed, Twilight Sparkle, including me."

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bodrewritten · 6 months