What a terrible night it had been. There she’d been, waiting so patiently by the front door. She had brushed her own mane and tail and teeth and everything. The moment she saw her mismatched pair of parents appear in the drawing room, she had tried so very hard to garner their attention. Especially the big, brown and gray, and ever-infuriating noodle she called her da. Annie had spent what seemed like a hundred hours on learning this new trick, and it was sure to gain her father’s approval this time. No more namby-pamby sparks from her paws, or steam from her ears. It was high time she showed her da she was just as powerful as he!
Then maybe he wouldn’t be so scared about hugging her anymore…
Nevertheless, Lord Discord did as he always did - grabbed his travelling trunk, kissed his wife on her butter yellow cheek, quickly ruffled the top of his daughter’s head, and turned to leave. Annie’s squeaks and grunts of protest went completely unnoticed. She was going to completely miss her only opportunity and it would simply never strike again…
Aha! Mama dearest always to the rescue. Fluttershy suddenly lifted a hoof, telling her husband to wait as she trotted into the kitchen. Athena acted as fast as she could - shooting forward like a dart, she shoved herself into that dark little trunk. She heard the familiar high-pitched zing of her father teleportation, and before she knew it…
The draconequus chick gave a huff of frustration, sitting on her haunches and tapping her claws impatiently against the smooth, shiny floor. Taking a few deep breaths, she closed her turquoise eyes and lowered her ears. She relaxed just like Da had told her, lifting her gray, spotted paw. Squeezing her eyes tightly, she tried to remember the next step to the teleportation thing he had attempted to teach her…oh! That’s right! Picture clearly the place you want to go, then just snap!
Problem was…she didn’t know where he was!
“Rawnh!” Athena stamped her paw against the floor, her muzzle crinkled in utter frustration. Suddenly, one big, round ear flicked up, then the other. There was a tiny, stacacco sound echoing from the end of the hallway…and voices!
A masculine, slightly-nasally one, probably bragging about his latest accomplishment…
Her Da!
Giving a squeak of delight, the fuzzy little creature leapt forward, speeding down the hallway as fast as she possibly could. Her hindquarters nearly slipped out from underneath her as she zoomed around a sharp corner, but she scrambled to keep her balance. The voices grew gradually louder - there were a few she slightly recognized, some she didn’t. But at the moment, she didn’t care who else was there because all she wanted was her father. Those other ponies had had him all to themselves for nearly the entire day! It was her turn now, and this time, she was keeping his attention. For good.
The instant she spotted the adult draconequus, floating above his companions and twirling his wrist as he told some form of a joke, she mustered all of the moxie within her. Bursting into the tall room with sparkly windows, Athena let out the loudest, sternest command she could muster.
“RAWHN-RAH!”
The six (far bigger) creatures before her all turned in unison, looking down with wide eyes. Athena planted all four feet firmly on the ground, her soft ruff puffed out in a gesture of defiance. She furrowed her brow and puffed out her cheeks. This was it. Determination overcame the little creature as she stared down her father. He blinked several times in surprise, slowly sinking to the floor.
“Well! It appears we have a visitor, my friends. Good evening, Lady Athena.” A soft, warm voice came from the side. One big ear pulled in the direction of the voice, and for the first time. the draconequus chick tore her gaze away from Da. She gave a hurried glance towards the familiar figure of Princess Celestia. The regal alicorn was smiling gently, looking rather amused. Princess Luna stood at her side, looking rather puzzled. “The child has been unable to demonstrate any sort of teleportation skill, however did she make it all the way up here?”
Athena’s gaze softened slightly, lifting one paw and giving a slightly-sheepish wave towards her aunts. Hopefully, this hullabaloo wouldn’t stop them from visiting Ponyville next week. Auntie Tia brought the best cake.
“Oh, she’s just as darling as you described her. And as lovely as her grandmother.” A deep, unfamiliar voice said from her other side. Turning her head, she finally caught sight of the other three figures attending the meeting. The unicorn who spoke was tall, gray, and thin. He wore a rather large hat and had a rather large beard. The other pony, she had met briefly several months ago. The dark unicorn was now sporting a set of gleaming armor, was smiling widely. She gave a tiny little wave. “Hi, Annie!”
The last creature was someone she had never met - a pale pink, feathered being with a huge, brightly-colored crest. Her magenta eyes were severe, and she didn’t smile like her companions. It was then, Athena noticed she sported two sets of rather sharp claws. Swiftly reminding herself that she was here for one creature only, she snapped back around towards her father. He had been frozen to the spot, but now slowly approached her, his ears folded back. A familiar look of worry crossed his features.
“H-how did you get up here, Annie? Does your mother know about this? She must be worried sick.” He lowered his head towards his daughter, reaching out one clawed hand. “Come along, its time to go~~”
Athena gave a snort of indignation, giving her head a firm shake and stepping out of her father’s reach.
“Now, Annie, I mean it! You could have been hurt! Oh, by the Creators, your mother will never forgive me for this. Oh, dear, are you hurt? Young lady, you come here right this instant ~~ “ Discord made an attempt to grab the chick, but she easily evaded his grasp and instead squeaked sharply again. Flaring her wings, she gave them a small, clumsy flap. She reared on her two hind legs, wobbling slightly. Nevertheless, she remained upright. Taking as deep a breath as she could muster, she raised her arms to the sides, just like her Da had. All six creatures watched her, looking slightly alarmed.
Before any of them could do anything, Athena snapped her fingers as hard as she could, feeling a surge of strange, but delightfully zesty tingles race down her spine. A crackle of thunder echoed across the huge room, and everycreature looked towards the ceiling. Instead, they were faced with fluffy, roiling pink clouds of…cotton candy?!
Oh, no.
No one had time to brace themselves before a torrential downpour worthy of a cyclone burst from above. It was silky, brown and…sweet. Just like her Da had made for her and all of her friends. It was everypony’s favorite trick. Athena had been practicing for practically ever to replicate the utterly amazing feat. And the look on her father’s face made it instantly worth it. A gigantic smile split his muzzle, pricks of liquid pride brimming at the edges of his eyes. Athena could care less that the other five were shouting in alarm and protest, getting simply soaked too the bone in overly-sweet chocolate milk.
“Oh, Athena Eris Petunia Shy, you simply amazing creature you! Come here, daughter!” Discord crowed, opening his arms and bending down towards his delighted offspring. Athena chirped in joy, springing forward and into her Da’s arms. She didn’t care in any way shape or form that he was dripping in chocolate milk, or that his beard was now plastered to the top of her head. All she cared was that he was hugging her tighter than he ever had. He stroked her hair, gifting her forehead with several kisses. “Oh, you are going to be a little nightmare! Yes, you are.”
Athena nuzzled her Da fervently, allowing herself a small sigh of relief. Mission accomplished.
Next on the list: scare up an afternoon snackie.
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When little Athena was born, it took awhile for her to to connect with her Da. Discord was utterly terrified he would end up doing something to hurt his own daughter. By the time she’s three, Athena’s magic is sporadic and weak, which is very unusual for her species. Even chicks born from one pony parent had stronger magic than her. So Annie takes matters into her own paws and…this is the result.
As is obvious here, draconequus chicks mentally develop a little bit faster than pony foals. And when you’ve got the powers of multi-dimensional phenomenons, the mothers of long times past often had their various limbs full.
This is also why Novo takes quite some time to warm up to Discord’s enthusiastic little spawn. It took her hours to get all of the chocolate milk out of her crest and feathers, and she didn’t even like chocolate.