I want to thank everyone for the likes of this fanfic. It means the world to me that you all sit down to read this fanfic. Now, I am going to talk serious for just a few setences. It's not me thinking down on myself, but I don't think this story will be just as great as Bride of Discord. Here is my reason why. Despite its flaws, Bride of Discord is actually a great story. Doing this story would be like putting peanut butter on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, it already has what made it perfect. It is also like doing a sequel to what already was semi-perfect. DF put some of her hard work and time into the story itself. I am not even sure if I am still worthy putting together this story. I have doubts about myself. I have doubts about this story. Yet, it is an honor that I was allowed to do a gender swap version of Bride of Discord. If you all think that Groom of Eris is good, then I will keep writing it. I made a request to do this; it's only logic that I see through it.

Sorry about that folks, I was just feeling a little bit down as of late. I don't want to not bore you with the details. I hope you enjoy the chapter. Need to respond to the reviews. Also, I will allow people to do fan art on Groom of Eris; you just need to do a disclaimer for it. It's all I ask of you.

DisneyFanatic2364: Are you saying that you are questioning the idea of Gleaming Shield and Eris being together? This is Discord/Eris we are talking about. All I will tell you is Pinkie Pie or Bubble Berry logic. It should not be questioned. I forgot to check again; man I don't know how these slips ups get passed me. Hopefully you are feeling better.

Guest: You are right and I am trying my best to change a little bit up. I don't want to change it too much. I thank you for the comment, but I am not that good of a writer. I have no clue what joke I could have made there but thanks.

NOW ON TO CHAPTER 6

Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to the gender-swap ponies. I also don't own the rights to My Little Pony. My Little Pony is owned by Hasbro.

Chapter 6: The Decision

"I sure hope we don't run into any Timber Wolves" Butterscotch lowered his head upon entering the Everfree Forest.

"Don't you worry about it? I am with you every step of the way" Applejack reassured his friend. "If they do show up, then I will just beat them up"

"Thanks" Butterscotch feeling safer around his friend.

The dual soon found them within sight of a tree hut which was familiar to both of them. Applejack stepped forward knowing his timid friend would suggest that he should knock first. Thus by tapping his hoof at the door, Applejack and Butterscotch waited for the familiar male zebra to show up.

"Who is outside by the tip of my watch" a voice came from inside "Why it's Applejack and dear Butterscotch. Please do come in if you dare. I hope you are in for a scare"

Applejack and Butterscotch slowly stepped in the hut only to be confronted by the scary face. Applejack knew it was just a mask, yet Butterscotch was as white as Sheep's wool for a moment.

"Hey Zicoro" Applejack said as he looked to Butterscotch.

"Ah, I see Butterscotch is as white as a ghost. Don't be scared for I am a gracious host" Zicoro took off the mask as he saw Butterscotch calming down.

"Sorry about that Zicoro" Butterscotch felt embarrassed.

"It is my fault, I forgot surprises give poor Butterscotch quite a halt" Zicoro smiled as he sat down with the two stallions to drink some tea.

"So what brings you to this strange event" Zicoro asked "Maybe I can find a solution that I can help present"

"Well as you probably guessed Eris is back" Applejack hesitated

"Yes, I had heard the mistress was in town, when I found my hut upside-down" Zicoro said

Applejack and Butterscotch both noticed that the upside down bottles and the rug on the ceiling and the furniture all topsy-turvy.

"I also get the feeling you know about her 'demands'" Applejack sighed

"News in Equestria travels fast, I was almost aghast. I had heard that Eris had said…she wishes a stallion to wed" Zicoro raised a questionable brow to the two stallions.

"That's right" Applejack nodded

"Yes, and if she doesn't get a groom by tomorrow, then she was harm the princes" Butterscotch exclaimed. "And I…well"

"Butterscotch was thinking of being that groom" Applejack told the zebra

Zicoro looked at the Pegasus with curiosity "Is this so? Do you wish to go?"

"Yes…No…Maybe…I don't know" Butterscotch covered his face with his hooves feeling confused.

"This is why we are here, Zicoro. So you can talk some sense into Butterscotch. Tell him not to go. Its crazy talk" Applejack pleaded with the zebra.

"Maybe our sprits need some building up" Zicoro offered "But, I first need your tea cup"

Butterscotch slowly handed his tea cup to Zicoro. He looked inside the tea for a moment and then sets it down. Applejack handed his teacup and Zicoro smiled. He looked to Butterscotch.

"For a long time, there has been quite an unsettling feeling that has upset your heart. As a result, it has being tearing your soul apart. The feeling that has brought you here is from the creature that your heart mostly fears" Zicoro slowly spoke with his eyes closed

"You can tell all that from a tea cup" Applejack looked at the tea cup trying to decipher how Zicoro came to this conclusion.

"But from what I see, your soul will be set free. From the grounds of the tea, I see your heart in great gee. In this future, I see great happiness, and that is if you go with the draconeqqus" Zicoro opened his eyes

"What?" Applejack was confused "How in the hey will he be happy with Eris"

"She might not soar exactly like a dove, but maybe what Eris needs is some love" Zicoro told them.

"Love and Eris? You must be joking" Applejack shook his head in disbelief

"Eris just wants some stallion to love her" Butterscotch said slowly

"I might be incorrect, yet this path should be inspect" Zicoro nodded

"I haven't thought about that before" Butterscotch said

"It's because it's not true. Eris is a heartless creature" Applejack roared

"But, even the most heartless of creatures, are the ones who's hearts are trapped in the darkness" Zicoro smiled "But, don't you see? This is just like when all of you were blinded from seeing the real me?"

"You were different, we didn't know you then" Applejack said "It's not the same thing"

Zicoro went back to Butterscotch "The key to happiness is to show kindness"

"I see" Butterscotch was thinking long and hard about his decision. This made the Pegasus smile.

"Now then, Applejack shall we see what is in your tea. Is there something you are hiding from me" Zicoro turned to Applejack and smiled

"It's nothing and I pass on that" Applejack hesitated as he held back his tea.

"Why do you hide these feelings you harbor; for the one you call Barbara" Zicoro smirked at the young stallion.

"How did you know..." Applejack's cheeks were as red as roses "Let's get going Butterscotch; we are wasting our time here"

XxxX

"Do you think Zicoro was lying" Butterscotch was walking with Applejack

"I really don't know, but thinking you could be happy with that thing isn't a good choice" Applejack said.

He stopped when he heard a roar from Butterscotch "But it's my choice"

He couldn't believe the rage that Butterscotch was holding on to. "I am so sick of everyone thinking that I am weak and defenseless, that I can't do anything right. Eris needs a groom by tomorrow. I don't know how much more any pony can take at this moment. There isn't any pony that is offering to stand up. So, why can't I sacrifice myself for every pony" Butterscotch shouted

"Butterscotch, please listen to yourself. What will happen if you went with her? Who would watch over your animals? How would every pony else feel?" Applejack pleaded

Their walking had leaded the pair to Eris's castle as they saw how different the place was. The fog completely disappeared; only to be replaced by a layer of land that seemed to be Eris's handy work. Both of them walked away. Butterscotch thought he saw a creature staring at him by the window. He shook his head knowing Eris probably wasn't at the castle.

"Look, I know you are an amazing stallion Butterscotch. I have watched you over the years and you have done some amazing stuff. You have taken on a dragon and a manticore. I know this isn't a choice me or the others wouldn't want you accepting, but if this is your final answer, then I am not going to stop you" Applejack sighed and looked up to Butterscotch.

"If no pony comes by tomorrow, then do what you wish" Applejack hugged Butterscotch

"Thank you for trusting me" Butterscotch smiled

Applejack knew it was crazy to let Butterscotch do this. However, Butterscotch was his friend and friends stick together to the end. When the hug was released, Butterscotch had a smug look on his face.

Applejack raised a brow "What"

"So, tell me about you and …Barbara" Butterscotch smirked as he wasn't going to let Applejack's little secret go unanswered.

"There's nothing between us" Applejack denied

"O really, when did this all come about?" Butterscotch curiously smiled at his friend.

"When she saved me from the Timber Wolves a year ago" Applejack blushes "It's just a school pony crush nothing more"

"It's so adorable" Butterscotch continues to smirk upon hearing his friend's crush on a dragon.

"It's embarrassing and you can't tell any pony or dragon about this" Applejack raised his hoof to Butterscotch

"I promise" Butterscotch smiled

"Bubble Promise" Applejack raised his voice

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye" Butterscotch smiled

XxxX

Butterscotch woke up as he saw the sun hasn't been able to rise or the moon wasn't out at all. This nightmare would only end with Solaris and Artemis returning to fix it. Butterscotch looked at himself and then imagined the goddess of chaos behind him. He breathed slowly as he looked into the mirror.

"I know what I must do"

XxxX

"The deadline is near and no pony has come forth yet" Dusk Shine sadly sighed

"Dusk Shine, you have to come see this" Rainbow Blitz flew to Dusk Shine as his eyes widened with worry.

Dusk Shine and the others came into Butterscotch's room to find it completely empty.

"Where did he go" Dusk Shine asked

"Well, I came to check up on Butterscotch to see if he was alright and everything; only to find that he had left. I don't know where but we just got to find him" Blitz feared.

"Well, he couldn't have got far" Exclusive said as he felt a cold cup of water "This water is still cold"

Every pony looks in the room for clues. The only who didn't look too hard was Applejack. He knew where Butterscotch went. He wasn't sure how the others would react to such a thing. He looked to them all until he heard a voice saying.

"I found something"

The five stallions and Barbara looked at the letter that Butterscotch had written to them. Dusk Shine spoke out loud to read.

Dear Friends,

Do not come and find me. I am fine so please don't worry about me or hate me for what I am about to do. As you all know, the deadline draws near for Eris desiring a groom. This choice was my own and no pony forced me into it. No pony should have to experience this kind of dread. So it is without a doubt in my mind that I will offer myself to Eris. I know you all won't agree with this, but it is for the good of every pony that I make this choice. Solaris is needed to rise and setting of the sun. Artemis is needed for the rising and setting of the moon. Gleaming Shield is with child. This was the only way for Equestria to be safe. Applejack will explain. Please take good care of my animals, especially Angela. Goodbye.

Butterscotch

When Dusk Shine was done reading, every pony looked to Applejack, who kept his hat down so no one would see his face.

"Did you know about this" Dusk Shine asked him

"I tried to talk him out of it but he went and did it anyways. He made me Bubble Promise not to tell you all" Applejack cursed himself as tears came from his eyes

"Applejack, what happened" Dusk Shine ordered

"You see it's like this" Applejack sighed as he looked to every pony and told him of what Butterscotch was going to do.

XxxX

Butterscotch slowly made his way to Eris's cave. It was dark and spooky as he slowly made his way inside trying to build up the confidence in himself to make a big sacrifice. He slowly raised his voice.

"Eris, where are you" Butterscotch held his voice back as he didn't hear a sound.

"Well…Well…Well" Eris stepped out of the shadows staring down at Butterscotch "If it isn't the element of Kindness himself. Let me take a wild guess, you are here to negotiate some more?"

"Yes" Butterscotch shyly announced

"It's strange that Dusk Shine sent you of all ponies to negotiate with me. I told Dusk Shine and every pony that I will only take a groom and nothing else" Eris raised a questionable brow to the young stallion.

"And a groom you shall have" Butterscotch raised his voice in defense.

"O really, whose the lucky stallion" Eris smiled looking around for her lucky stallion to be.

"Right…here" Butterscotch slowly rose as he looked at Eris.

"Excuse me" Eris was confused by Butterscotch's revelation

"I will be your groom" Butterscotch gulped some saliva as he looked at Eris as it took a lot out of him to admit.

The cave was silence for a few minutes as Eris's shock turned into bursts of laughter. She couldn't help but laugh at Butterscotch's offer. She held herself in the air as she couldn't believe Butterscotch was making this announcement.

"O I get it. This is a joke right? Who put you up to this? This has to be Dusk Shine right? Maybe it was the prankster Bubble Berry? Rainbow Blitz?" Eris realized the seriousness of Butterscotch "You are being serious aren't you"

The slow nod from Butterscotch made Eris stood dead cold in her tracks. She couldn't believe Butterscotch was being this noble. She had to double check if this was real.

"No pony put you up to this" Eris asked

"I went of my own free will" Butterscotch said without a doubt.

"You…"Eris was aghast as she wouldn't think Butterscotch would step forward this easily.

"I know I am not the most attractive stallion. I will understand if you want some pony else" Butterscotch slowly was walking to the entrance of the cave.

"Now, hold on there. I didn't say I wasn't interested" Eris checked out the Pegasus from front to back as she grinned. She wasn't convinced that Butterscotch wanted this.

"Are you sure this is what you want? If you do this now, there is no going back" Eris looked at Butterscotch.

"I know" Butterscotch sighed as he knew he was at the crossroads of his decision. "If I decide to marry you will you let the Princes go peacefully and not harm a hair on Gleaming Shield?"

"You have my word" Eris bowed looking at her husband to be

"…and I will never see my friends again" Butterscotch sighed as he looked down viewing the ground thinking what would happen if he did go with Eris. His life would be a lonely one. It was still worthy of the sacrifice.

"Think of it like this. You can either spend an entirety at my side, catered to your every need; that or spend your short life in a world of darkness" Eris held Butterscotch's shoulders which were quite firm.

"Catered to my…every…need?" Butterscotch questioned

"If we are to be married, what's mine is yours. I will dedicate my life to answering your very call. It is a wife's duty to serve her husband and to make him happy any way she knows how. Whatever you desire, I shall make it happen. I shall give you whatever you want. Think of it as incentive" Eris winked

"So, what will it be" She smiled

Butterscotch was still weighing his opinions. He looked outside seeing it was still darkness and looked at Eris.

Suddenly the goddess summoned a small box with a ring inside it. Butterscotch strangely looked to Eris.

"What? I am a traditionalist; it is usually the stallions that ask a mare to marry them. " Eris smiles "So, I just need you to ask the question and I will do as you command.

"Well…" Butterscotch attempted to move forward.

"Butterscotch, don't do it" Dusk Shine shouted as he and the others attempted to stop Eris.

A magical wall blocked the five stallions as they repetitively pounded on the wall. Their rude interruption made the Goddess of Chao growl. "It is rather rude that you stallions must interrupt me. I was just about to accept a proposal"

"Pleases, let them through. Allow me to say goodbye" Butterscotch begged

"Alright fine, but hurry up" Eris snapped her fingers seeing the six friends reunite with one another.

"I told you not to follow me" Butterscotch worried

"We couldn't let you go with her" Dusk Shine looked to his best friend.

Butterscotch saw all the looks his friends gave him. He knew they would react this way. Seeing their faces made it difficult for him to leave them behind.

"I have to make this choice" Butterscotch told them

"No you don't. There has to be another way. We can find another way" Dusk Shine looked at Butterscotch.

"No pony chooses my fate but me" Butterscotch stand in defiance of his friends.

"Do you realize what she could do to you" Blitz worried

"We can't let you go with that monster" Exclusive pointed to Eris

"I will be just fine you guys" Butterscotch tried to reassure his friends of his safety.

"We should let him go" Applejack said as he moved forward from the rest of his friends who were shocked by what he said.

"Thanks a lot Applejack" Butterscotch was relieved that someone was willing to understand what he was saying.

"We need to respect his decision. It's for the good of every pony" He told the others as he hugged his friend goodbye. "Take care of Angela for me"

Applejack nodded as Butterscotch was saying goodbye to the rest of his friends. Blitz flew to his friend.

"You can't do this, you just…" Blitz wasn't one for tears and this would be one of a few times where he was crying his eyes out.

"You have stood up for me many times Blitz. It is now time for me to stand up for myself" Butterscotch hugged Blitz, comforting him.

"If she ever gives you any trouble, call me" Blitz smiled as he flew back to the group.

Butterscotch saw Exclusive was up next. Exclusive was trying to be strong, but Butterscotch can tell by his slow steps and his sniffing noises that he was ready to break out into tears.

"It's ok Exclusive I will be just fine. Pleases give away my suits" Butterscotch smiled

"I can't just give them away they were your…. I will just donate them" Exclusive hugged Butterscotch.

After Exclusive walked away in tears in his eyes was Bubble Berry, who was crying a river as Butterscotch walked over.

"Try to smile buddy. I will be alright" Butterscotch wiped away his tears.

"Don't you forget about us buddy. I mean I am sure you probably will but pleases don't forget" Bubble trying to smile for Butterscotch but he couldn't.

"I won't forget, Bubble Berry" Butterscotch hugged him.

The last to say goodbye was Dusk Shine, who kept trying to convince Butterscotch not to go.

"I will be fine Dusk Shine. I have been through worse. Plus, I think I can tame her" Butterscotch smiled

"You are good with animals after all" Dusk Shine sighed as he looked to his eyes seeing the confidence and frights that was developing in Butterscotch. "You are the bravest stallion I have ever met"

"Umm, hello, times are a wasting. Can I have my question pleases" Eris said with impatience

"You can wait" Butterscotch told her and then looked to his friends "Be safe you all"

"We will" Dusk Shine looked to Butterscotch

The light yellow Pegasus slowly walked to Eris, who simply stood there as he held out the ring and sighed. "Will you marry me?"

"O why Butterscotch, I thought you would never ask" Eris sarcastically announced "Of course, I will marry you"

Eris held Butterscotch as she smiled feeling like this was a win in her book. Blitz growled to her.

"If you hurt him…"

"O please, he will be just fine. Just as long as you don't try and take him back" Eris growled back. "Now if you all don't mind. We have a wedding to plan"

Rainbow Blitz tried to charge at Eris, but she and Butterscotch vanished before he could get to them. The Pegasus flew back to his friends when they suddenly saw Solaris, Artemis, and Gleaming Shield in front of them with their horns back.

"What happened? Where's Eris" Artemis asked

The stallions tried to fight their tears as Solaris stepped forward. Applejack spoke with most of his strength.

"She has…taken a groom"

"Who has she taken….Dusk Shine" Solaris asked his pupil, who simply stared at the growl.

"I am so sorry…Butterscotch"

XxxX

Finally I am finished with this chapter. Gees it was long. I hope you all enjoyed it.

The two difficult parts of making this chapter was the rhyming of Zicoro. The other was where did I want it to go after Applejack revealed his crush to Butterscotch.

Well I was thinking more about the situation with the sun and moon. It made me think back to the Season 4 episode Princess Twilight Sparkle. How the Sun and Moon were near one another. I mean I would like to think that it would be the same situation, but that's just me. Though, this fanfic was made before that episode, so it gets away with that.

Well here's to the next chapter. I hope everyone will like it. Tell me what you think in the reviews. Now, I will say the story from this point on will be a kind of different story than Bride of Discord. If you want to know why, it's because Eris is a girl. So the roles will be kind of hard to work with. I wonder how Butterscotch will be able to handle Eris.

Until then, See you all Later.