Daughter of the brother Of Discord

Chapters

The Big news
The big delivery
Special
Insanity
Unusaully New Freinds
Lecturing
Secret
Caught
Five years later
To Canterlot
The Grand Galloping Gala
The mysterious stallions
Fights
Controlled
Misunderstanding
The Bitter Betrayal
Love will find a way
We are One
The Final Battle
The Power of True Love's Kiss
You truly are the Lord of Chaos
First Day of school
A lesson in friendship

The Big news

The best part about waking up each morning was seeing her sleeping beside him. He stared lovingly at her tiny figure breathing delicately. He reached out his eagle claw to stroke her silky blue mane.
Had they really been married for three months already? It was hard enough for him to believe that they had gotten married in the first place, that after eons of loneliness, he had fallen in love with the most beautiful mare in the world, and she returned his love. Seeing her each morning reminded him that he had not dreamt it.
She stirred in her sleep and slowly rolled over to face him. Her adorable blue eyes fluttered open.

"Good morning, My lovely queen," he whispered.

She looked up at him and smiled. "Good morning. What time is it?"

He checked the wiggly-handed clock on the wall. "Oh, about a quarter past nine."

"Oh, I should go help Fluttershy feed the animals."

She flipped onto her back and attempted to rise, but he stopped her by pulling her closer to his body.

"I'm sure they can wait," he said lowly.

"Chillcord..."

"Alright, if you insist." He snapped his fingers. "Done! Now you have plenty of time!"

He tightened his grip on her. She shook her head.

"Chillcord, I'm going to have to get up eventually. I have to meet the girls at the spa this afternoon."

"Yes, but in the meantime..."

"Do we have to go through this every morning?"

"Can I help it if I want to spend as much time with you as possible? Can I help it if I love you?"

"No, I suppose not."

"Besides, you were rather sleepy last night. You deserve a break."

She sighed in defeat. "Alright, but just a little longer."

As he kissed his beloved wife, Chillcord concluded that life could not get better than this.

"So how's the married life, Fluttershy?" Rarity asked as the spa ladies placed two cucumbers over her eyes.

Pinkie Pie let out a cheerful cry as she did a cannonball into the herbal bath, landing in between Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, splashing them both.

"Yeah!" the pink pony chimed, popping up from the water. "What's it like being One of the Lords of Chaos' wife?"

The yellow pegasus blushed. "It's wonderful. Things have been going great between us."

"So the romance hasn't faded yet?" Tara inquired.

"Oh, not at all! Discord makes every day memorable. Last night, he took me to see some fireflies. Oh, it was magnificent!"

"Aw, that's so sweet!" Pinkie Pie swooned.

"But seriously, you haven't grown tired of each other?" Tara pressed on.

"Tara, Don’t be so cheeky!" Twilight exclaimed while getting a hooficure. "Don't tell me you still don't approve of their marriage!"

"Oh no, it's not that. It's just that fifty percent of marriages don't work out and..."

Every pony stared at her in shock. The red pegasus sighed.

"I'm sorry, Fluttershy. I'm just getting the wedding jitters. It's got nothing to do with you and Discord."

"You and Chillcord havin' problems?" Applejack asked from the massage table.

"No, it's just...I've never given much thought to marriage before and what if Chillcord and I aren't really meant for each other?"

"I thought you loved him," Fluttershy said.

"I do, but...what if I don't love him as much as I think I do?"

"I wouldn't worry about it, Tara Armstrong," Rarity said. "Every wife feels this way."

"How would you know? You never got married!"

"She's right, T," Fluttershy assured her. "I felt the same way while I was engaged to Discord...both times. It's normal to be nervous."

"I guess you're right. What I'm interested in now is what's going on between AJ and Caramel?"

"Well, uh..." Applejack stammered.

"They've been spending so much time together," Twilight interrupted, "I’ve noticed that Caramel hardly spends two minutes on his chores."

"Sounds like you two are happy," Rarity sighed.

"We are," Applejack grinned. "How's Spike?"

"Oh, you know. Sometimes I wish he wasn't so formal all the time, but other than that, I think we're doing alright."

Pinkie Pie sighed dreamily. "I wish I had a special some pony like you guys."

"You'll find him someday, Pinkie," Applejack assured her. "You too, Twilight."

"I'm so busy with royal duties," the alicorn said, "I'm not sure I have the time."

Suddenly, Fluttershy grew very hungry. "Hey girls, can we get some lunch after this?"

Tara grew hungrier. ‘’Yeah, I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.’’

Everyone agreed and as soon as their treatment was finished, the seven friends went to the café. After the waiter had brought their food, Fluttershy and Tara made a surprising request:

"Do you have any whipped cream?"

He raised an eyebrow. They had ordered a plate of spaghetti and a glass of chocolate milk.

"We do, madam," he said, "but what do you want it for?"

"They probably wants it with her chocolate milk," Pinkie said, holding out her own glass. "Bring some for me too!"

The waiter shrugged and returned a few minutes later with a can of whipped cream. Fluttershy and Tara snatched it out of his hoof and squirted it all over their spaghetti. Every pony stared at them in confusion.

"Uh, Fluttershy? Tara?" Rainbow Dash said.

"Can you bring some hot sauce as well?" the yellow pegasus asked the waiter.

"Hot sauce?" he repeated. "Madam, I don't think..."

"Please?" she batted her eyes. "Some caramel sauce too?"

He sighed. "As you wish, madam."

"Fluttershy, Tara, are you okay?" Twilight inquired.

"I just have this craving for spaghetti, whipped cream, hot sauce and caramel," Fluttershy explained.

‘’Strange craving I know,’’ Tara explained. ‘’Boy, that feels good.’’

"But all at once?" Pinkie Pie asked. "Even I think that's a weird combination!"

"I'm telling you, that's what I'm hungry for."

"Madam," said the waiter, "here is your..."

"Thank you!"

They grabbed both bottles and splattered their contents onto her plate. their friends cringed as they began stuffing the concoction down their throats.

"Fluttershy!" Rarity exclaimed. "Table manners, please!"

"What's the matter, Rarity?" Tara snapped, her mouth filled with food. "Afraid to get dirty?"

"Fluttershy! Tara!"

The yellow and red pegasi shook their head, shocked at how they were behaving. Then they wiped their mouth with a blush.

"We’re sorry, girls. I don't know what came over me. I've been feeling strange today."

"No kidding," Rainbow said, staring at what was left of their recipe.

"So other than your peculiar appetite," Twilight said, "how else have you been feeling strange?"

"Well," Fluttershy pondered. "When I got out of bed this morning, I had a terrible cramp and I almost fainted on my way over here."

‘’And my cramping seizures have grown worse ever since last month!’’

"Have you been sleeping alright?"

"Yes. Actually, more than usual." She yawned. "For instance..."

She and Tara abruptly collapsed face down into their food. Applejack gently lifted their heads.

"Fluttershy, Tara, wake up!"

Their eyes snapped open. "Huh?"

The cowgirl began wiping their face again. "You sure you've been sleeping enough?"

"More than enough. I fell asleep at six last night and woke up at nine this morning."

‘’and I’ve barely slept at five and woke up at nine! Not normal for me!’’
"Maybe you're overworked?"

"I don't see how. Discord's been feeding the animals every morning for five days straight. I'm anything but overworked."

‘’And Chillcord’s given me stomach acids to keep me from overworking!’’

They suddenly put one hoof to her mouth and the other on her stomach. "Oh my." Their cheeks puffed. "I don't feel so good."

Twilight summoned a bucket with her magic and handed it to Fluttershy and Tara just in time. It was not a pretty sight, so they covered their eyes.

"Serves you right after eating that barf," Rainbow said.

"Maybe we should take you to the doctor," Twilight suggested. "We should see what this is all about."

Since he had fallen in love with Fluttershy and Tara, Discord and his twin brother, Chillcord, had been using their magic for good deeds. Ponies from far and wide would come to them for help. They always get a Schedule. Chillcord’s shift is Monday to Thursday while Discord was Friday to Sunday. Chillcord was now sitting on his throne listening to a Mare from Hoofington. He had lost interest in the middle of her speech and let out a yawn. A sweet voice brought his attention back.

"Chillcord, I have exciting..." Tara trailed off when she saw the visitor. "Oh, I did not know you had business. I suppose it can wait..."

"Nonsense!" the draconequus said, waving his paw. "Come over here, my dear."

Once she was at his side, he ran his finger under her chin. "I'll be with you in a moment." He turned back to the Mare. "So let me get this straight. Your village was attacked by parasprites."

"Yes," the mare nodded.

"So what do you want me to do about it?"

"Chillcord," Tara warned.

"It's a simple question," her husband said innocently.

"All our crops were devoured," the Mare explained, "and we have no food to last the winter!"

"So you want a bountiful harvest, I see."

"Yes!"

"What do you need me for then? You've got seeds, don't you?"

"Well, yes, but they won't grow in time."

He sighed. "Okay, okay. But it's going to cost ya."

Tara crossed her hooves. "Chillcord!"

"Oh," the mare uttered. "What's your price?"

"I want..."

The room turned dark and fire ignited behind Discord's throne.

"Your soul!" he hissed.

The mare cowered in fear. Then the draconequus broke into laughter as the room returned to normal.

"Oh, that was priceless! You should see the look on your face!" He wiped a tear from his eye. "I'm kidding, okay?" He snapped his fingers. "Your village now has enough food to last through the winter, and halfway through spring."

"Oh, thank you!" the mare said, backing toward the door. "Thank you, Lord Chillcord! We are eternally grateful!"

"Yeah, yeah. You can send me a gift basket if you want."

‘’We will repay your kindness,’’ The mare said before walking through the door.

Once the door was shut, the draconequus snaked his arm around his wife.

"Now that we're alone..."

He pressed his lips against hers before she could say anything. She took a moment to kiss him back and then pulled away.

"Actually, honey, there's something I need to talk to you about."

He chuckled. "Why would you want to talk when there are so many more interesting things we could do?"

"It's important!"

He rolled his eyes. "Oh, alright. What is it you want to talk about, my angel?"

She laid her hoof on her tummy. "See, I went to the doctor's today..."

Chillcord gasped. "The doctor's?!" He touched her forehead. "Are you ill?! Is it serious?! How many months do you have left to live?!"

She laughed. "Chillcord, I'm not..."

"Whatever it is, I'll cure you!"

"But I'm not..."

"So what is it? Pneumonia? Cancer? Tuberculosis?"

"Pregnancy."

"Oh my gosh, it's worse than I thought!" He paused. "Wait. Run that by me again?"

She shook her head and then looked up at him with a bright smile.

"Me and Fluttershy are having a baby."

Chillcord blinked. "What?"

"I'm due in ten months."

"B-but...you...me...us...baby?"

She nodded. "You're going to be a father."

He stared at her for a moment and then scooped her in his arms.

"Oh, honey, this is wonderful!"

Tara laughed. "I knew you'd be excited!"

"Excited? I'm thrilled! I was beginning to think it would be biologically impossible for us to have a baby! But then again, with me, anything's possible!"

As he hugged her, a horrifying thought occurred to him.

"What's it going to look like?"

Tara shrugged. "Does it matter?"

"But...what if it looks like...me?"

"I don't care. I'll love our baby no matter what it looks like, and you will too."

He forced a smile as she embraced him again. She's right, he thought. Though here's hoping it takes after its mother.
‘’Did ya get the news?!’’ Discord yelled as he teleported in the room.

‘’Yeah!’’ Chillcord replied.

‘’Ya know what their gonna look like?’’

‘’No, But I’m still excited!’’

Fluttershy flew down to Tara and hugged her, above them, Discord and Chillcord were hugging.

This really is going to be an eventful ten months.

The big delivery

Tara and Chillcord couldn’t wait for their new baby, Tara was not nervous especially, since she found out it was a girl.
‘’good girl….’’ Said Tara, clutching her stomach.

‘’wait it’s a GIRL!?’’ asked Chillcord, nervously.

‘’yeah,’’ said Tara. ‘’the doctor told me.’’

‘’but is she pony shaped?’’

‘’well-‘’ began Tara but she heard him mumbling repeatedly.

‘’ please be pony shaped’’

‘’its pony shaped.’’ Sighed Tara.

‘’yes!’’ said Chillcord, pumping his fist.

‘’ oh, Chillcord...’’ said Tara.

It was nine months since Tara was pregnant And Chillcord was having a chat with his brother discord, Telling his brother his funny story about the time He snapped at a colt. His brother burst into laughter As discord finished his story. ‘’Nice one, Discord!’’

‘’ thanks, Chill,’’ said discord. Soon they heard a knock On the door.

‘’I’ll get it!’’ said Tara as she went to the door.

She opened it, and everyone burst into the room.

‘’SURPRISE!’’ said everyone.

‘’wait wha- who invited you guys?’’

‘’we decided to give her a baby shower!’’

‘’oh, how sweet!’’ Said Tara.

‘’Open Mine First!’’ said Fluttershy, Holding out a gift to Tara.

‘’Thanks, Fluttershy!’’ Said Tara, Unwrapping the Present. Then She Pulled out a Rubber Duck.

‘’ aww!’’ said Tara, admiring The Rubber Duck. ‘’now she won’t fight over taking a Bath!’’

‘’Me next!’’ Said pinkie Pie Giving Tara The Gift ‘’it’s from me And rarity! I Picked out the design.’’

‘’Do You even know if its pony Shaped? We can only guess by the clothes I made.’’ said rarity

‘’wow! Chillcord asked me that nine months ago.’’ said Tara, turning To her husband. Chillcord chuckled nervously.

Applejack’s gift was a Bonnet with Candy on it. Rainbow’s gift with a rattle with lightning Bolts on it. Twilight’s gift was a book called ‘’ princess riley Lewis and The dragon of the mountain of doom’’

‘’I thought it would be nice’’ Smiled twilight.

‘’Spike has a gift too you know!’’ said rarity, pointing to Her husband spike. Spike gave it to Tara, Tara unwrapped the gift and pulled Out a ragged doll.

‘’Sir Cheezeball!’’ said Tara

‘’I grew over him.’’ said spike.

‘’Thank you so much girls…and spike. I’m sure our filly’s going to have the best aunts and uncle in the world!’’

They hugged her, But Fluttershy and Tara screamed. ‘’honey?!’’

‘’ the babies we think their coming!!!!’’ squealed Fluttershy and Tara.

Holding hooves ‘’ wait, now?! But it’s too early!’’

‘’Tell That to the baby!’’

‘’we need to get them to the hospital!’’ said Twilight.

‘’on it!’’ said Chillcord before discord could say anything and poof they we’re gone.

‘’well…I guess we’re walking’’ said Spike.

‘’ please some pony Help!!! The Baby’s coming! The Baby’s coming!’’ yelled discord and
Chillcord carrying their wives in their hands when they teleported to the hospital.

‘’But it’s only been nine months ‘’ said the doctor

‘’ well excuse us if their impatient! These are our kids after all!’’

The doctor was still skeptical, but it was clear that something was wrong with the mother and led the couples to the maternity ward. On the way, they passed by Derpy.

"Fluttershy! Tara!" she exclaimed. "I thought you weren't due for another two months!"

Fluttershy and Tara's breathing staggered. "So did I, but the baby had other plans!"

"Sweet! Our kids are going to have the same birthday!"

Derpy's stretcher steered away while Fluttershy and Tara's entered another room.

"I'll need to get an x-ray..." Dr. Stable said.

Discord and Chillcord summoned up the device and hung it over their wifes' stomachs. The doctor examined it with wide eyes.

"It's impossible, but the baby looks like it's ready to come out."

"Then what are you waiting for?" the draconequus demanded. "You're the doctor! Help our wives!"

Dr. Stable called for Nurses Sweetheart and Coldheart. They put on their scrubs and masks and got the patients into position. Discord and Chillcord had sum-moned up a mask as well and tightly held their wives’ hoof.

"It's okay, honey!" they assured them. "I've got you!"

"Just breathe, ma'ams," Nurse Coldheart said. "You're doing great."

"Oh, I see it!" Nurse Sweetheart declared. "Keep pushing!"

Fluttershy and Tara let out a cry that could be heard all the way from Canterlot.
________________________________________
The five ponies, three fillies and dragon paced around the waiting room. They stiff-ened when they heard Fluttershy's scream.

"What are they doing to her?!" Pinkie Pie squealed.

"If it hurts that much for one baby," Rainbow Dash clutched her stomach, "I can't imagine what it's going to be like for me!"

"I'm sure They're fine," Twilight said calmly.

When Dr. Stable entered the room, the alicorn jumped out of her seat.

"are They still alive?!" she asked frantically.

The doctor laughed. "Fluttershy and Tara have successfully given birth to a healthy baby girl and is going to be fine."

Every pony gasped.

"A girl?" Pinkie repeated. "This is fantastic!"

"Wait," Rarity said. "What does it look like?"

Fluttershy gazed down lovingly at the foal as she cradled it in her hooves. "Isn't she beautiful?"

Discord scratched his head. "It looks so...normal."

The infant was an earth pony with a pink coat, a curl of purple and white hair on her head.

"Isn't that what you wanted?" Fluttershy asked. "You said you didn't want our child to be judged by her looks like you were."

"Yeah, but...how do I know it's my baby?"

The pegasus was appalled. "Discord!"

"I didn't mean it like that! Maybe they gave us the wrong one? I mean look at it: no snake tail, no antlers, it doesn't even have wings! We both have wings, so shouldn't she have wings? It doesn't make sense!"

"I thought with you, nothing made sense."

"Well, yes, but there's nothing unusual about her!"

The baby's eyes then fluttered open, revealing them to have purple spirals for pupils.

"I'd say it's yours," Fluttershy said, cuddling her daughter. "Welcome to the world, little one."

"Maybe it's that Derpy's," Discord insisted.

"Discord, stop it! This is your daughter and she did not get switched!"

"I'm sorry, but it doesn't look like you or me!"

"My mother had a purple mane and my grandfather was an earth pony."

"Still, I need some proof that this is my..."

He trailed off as the baby started crying.

"Now look what you've done!" Fluttershy snapped. She looked sympathetically at the foal. "Aw, I think she's hungry."

She gasped as a bottle of chocolate milk appeared between them. The baby gig-gled in delight as it floated down to her. She took it in her hooves and sucked con-tently on the nipple.

"Discord, she shouldn't be drinking that stuff," Fluttershy said, trying to tug the bottle away, only for the foal to get a tight grip on it.

"I didn't give her that," the draconequus said, holding out his hands. "I swear."

"Then...how?"

She glanced down at the baby as the bottle slowly disappeared from her hooves. She then threw the chocolate milk away, creating a small explosion. A wide smile spread across Discord's face.

"It's mine alright!" He bent down and tickled the infant. "Cootchie-cootchie-coo!" The baby let out a laugh as she attempted to squirm away from the delightful tor-ture. "Aw, look at her! Isn't she just an adorable little screwball?" His face lit up.

"That's it! We'll call her Screwball!"

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. "Screwball? Wouldn't that be labeling our baby as...crazy?"

"Need I remind you of my name?"

"Point taken." She smiled at the laughing foal. "Screwball, it is."

They looked toward Tara and Chillcord, who were in a verge of tears.

‘’What does your baby look like, tara?’’ Fluttershy asked.

They showed the infant to the couple. They smiled at first, because they thouth it was just a unicorn, until they saw the wings. They gasped in shock.

‘’Your Baby’s an alicorn?!’’’

‘’I know, right!’’ Tara said. ‘’She is so precious! We named her Cherry Blossom.’’

Screwball stared at her new twin cousin. She stared back. Screwball smiled and gurgled in delight. Cherry Blossom gurgled Back.

They sighed in awe.

"Which one is it?!" Pinkie demanded, eagerly pressing her face against the window of the nursery.

"The one in the middle," Nurse Sweetheart said, pointing.

The ponies turned their attention to the pink foal sucking on her hoof.

"It's..." Rainbow speculated, "...normal."

It then opened its swirly eyes.

"Never mind."

Every pony jumped as Discord and Chillcord appeared behind them. "I know, isn't she precious? We named her Screwball and Cherry Blossom!"

"How lovely," Rarity grumbled.

"Aw, They’re so cute!" Pinkie squeaked.

"We had another arrival within the hour," Nurse Sweetheart explained, "from a Miss Ditzy Doo. Maybe you know her?"

"You mean Derpy?" Rainbow asked. "Where's hers?"

The nurse pointed to the cradle beside Screwball and Cherry Blossom's. Lying in-side was a gray unicorn with blonde hair. Her eyes were looking in opposite directions.

"That's Derpy's alright," the pegasus confirmed. "What's its name?"

"She called her Dinky," the nurse replied. "Dinky Doo."

Screwball and Cherry Blossom stared in wonder at the large ponies looking at her. They thought they were quite funny, especially the pink one. They then imagined what it would be like to tug on that poofy hair.

They turned her head as the baby in the crib next to them started crying. They could tell this pony was different from the others because of her eyes, and imme-diately liked her because of it. They wanted her to stop crying and a pacifier sud-denly appeared in the unicorn's mouth. The ponies saw this and gasped.

"Did I mention that They have our powers?" Discord and Chillcord said in awe. "Oh, They’re going to be such troublemakers one day!" They clasped their hands together. "They’re gonna make their daddies proud!"

" babies with Discord and Chillcord's powers?" Spike uttered.

"Oh boy," Twilight mumbled

Author's Note

Btw, this was an inspired story Based on Daughter of Discord. No copyright infringement.

Special

It was considered, cherry blossom proved to be a very sensitive baby.
It happened when she and screwball were three years old

Cherry blossom was sitting at a corner of her room. When suddenly, a strange looking box appeared in front of her. She examined it, then a message appeared in front of her.

‘’Tap me’’ she did as she read it. Then two eyes stared at her. Then out popped her mischievous twin cousin screwball. It almost Scared cherry blossom to death. She cried.

Screwball realized her mistake immediately.

‘’no! no! no! no! no!’’ Said screwball, trying to calm her cousin down. ‘’ you wake mommy, Daddy, uncle and auntie!’’

Cherry blossom couldn’t stop crying.

Screwball thought of something, then she had an idea.

‘’Hey, Cherry, Watch this!’’

In a flash: she was on a unicycle with plates on her hooves and a pie she was balancing on her nose. Cherry Blossom tilted her head. Then screwball slipped off the unicycle with the objects falling on top of her head: The four plates and then the pie. She made a pose meaning: ‘’Ta – da!’’
Cherry Blossom cried again, this time at full volume. Screwball was not happy but most compassionate to her twin cousin. After all: she was like a little sister to her, only her twin. She would not give up.
Screwball put her hooves on her head. ‘’ think! screwy! Think!’’

Screwball eventually had an idea. Thankfully, screwball had a beautiful Singing voice. And she made up a song named ‘’cousin screwball’’ she was waiting until the girls’ birthday, but that was an emergency.
She started off in a very soothing voice.

So here we are again.
We are so close around the bend.
We’ll tear the world apart.
And chaos will not ever end.
Cherry blossom stopped. And started to listen.

Our friendship will not die
And then we’ll learn just how to fly.
Cause’ I am your cousin screwball
And you *puts hoof on cherry blossom’s shoulder*
Are a piece of me *puts another hoof to heart*?
Cherry blossom:
Remember when one time
You took me to the day-care play,
We planned out our mischiefs,
And things were never just the same
Our wild pitches flew
Driving the ponies all insane
Cause’ I am your cousin cherry
And you are a piece of me

Screwball and Cherry Blossom:
cause’ we’re cousins forever
and no one’s gonna separate us.

They both laughed and hugged each other
They Were right. No one can separate them.

They were Inseparable. Inseparable that is, inseparable for mischief.
When Tara, Fluttershy, Chillcord and Discord Were sleeping peacefully, until they Heard a cry upstairs in the baby room. When they woke up and looked at each other angrily, they started to fight.
‘’oh, heck NO!’’ said Chillcord.

‘’Oh, heck YES!’’ replied Tara.

‘’No Way, Jose’!’’ Chimed Discord.

‘’Jose’, YES WAY!’’ Yelled Fluttershy.

It Didn’t settle until, they heard A Mischievous giggle and a cry. They looked at Each other and smiled. They went Upstairs to peek at the keyhole at what was Happening. When the duo finished, Tara, Fluttershy and Chillcord looked At Discord and shoved him into the room. As Discord carefully tiptoed nearer to the Cradles, he peeked inside each of them. As he did, he saw screwball and Cherry Blossom sleeping Peacefully in their cribs. He sighed and picked them up in awe, but as he felt them, they were softer than they Usually were. Knowing it was a trick, Discord Searched vigorously around the room until He heard mischievous giggles from above.
He tilted his head up slowly. Screwball was Comforting her cousin, because she knew cherry Was afraid of heights.

‘’aw! Screwy! You do love Your cousin!’’ said Discord as he reached out to the girls, ‘’come to daddy and uncle you Mischievous Little girls!’’.

Screwball gasped, Grabbed Cherry Blossom and zoomed to another direction.\

‘’Oh! So that’s how you wanna play? Huh Missy? C’mere!’’

Discord flew to where the girls were and tried to grab them, But Screwball was too fast. Discord Chased Them All Around But managed to get his antlers stuck.

‘’ get back here!’’ Said discord, angrily.

As the two fillies flew wildly across their room, Discord managed to gradually get his antlers Loose. Screwball handled her cousin carefully.

Cherry looked at her wings and started flapping Them. She started to smile every second she flapped Her wings, while holding her cousin’s hoof.

‘’Screwy wook! I can Fwy!’’ said Cherry Blossom Excitedly.

Screwball looked at her cousin, smiled, and let her go. As she did, cherry blossom Zoomed around the room by her cousin’s side. They laughed While looking at each other with closed eyes. Until they ran Into Discord, who had his arms crossed and finger tapping on his arm.

‘’Uncle! Uncle! I can FLY!’’ said cherry blossom, Reaching out to hug Discord.

‘’Oh really!? Well done Cherry Blossom, my little abomination niece!’’ said Discord, Accepting The hug.

But as he did, he sniffed her diaper. ‘’but you need A diaper change!’’

‘’But….I..’’ said Cherry Blossom, with tears Welling up her eyes.

‘’oh, no! ‘’ said Discord.

‘’OH, no!’’ said Screwball, Covering her eyes.

Cherry blossom let out a big cry, A cry that you could hear from all canterlot. Screwball glared accusingly at her father, as if to say: ‘’ Really?! I just tamed her!’’

Discord shrugged. ‘’It’s not my fault! She’s too sensitive!’’

Screwball rolled her eyes, then turned back to her crying cousin. In a soothing voice, Screwball managed to calm her crying cousin. Discord went in awe as screwball and Cherry Blossom Change each other’s Diaper.

Eventually, they went to their beds and their eyes closed. Discord put pacifiers in their mouths and they sucked them pleasurely.

‘’sleep well,’’

Despite the complications, Fluttershy, Discord, Chillcord and Tara were happy to have their little daughters and did their best to keep them happy. They both have an addiction of sugar, you see, whenever they eat too much sugar, they get hype, I mean, REALLY hype. Their powers, were as powerful as Flurry heart’s when she was a filly. Once they had learned how to teleport, they took the game hide – and- seek at new heights. They would often get restless, but Fluttershy was able to calm them down with them tenderness. When that did not work, she would use the Stare on them. Discord was grateful that Screwball had not inherited his immunity. Chillcord realized that Cherry Blossom’s Stare was more powerful than Fluttershy’s. So Cherry Blossom would always protect her twin cousin from Screwball’s mother.

The biggest issue was finding a babysitter. While Pinkie was the most eager, not even she could handle the fillies’ unpredictability. Rainbow Dash had to rest up for her delivery, Twilight was too busy on her studies and Rarity was too occupied with her store. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had tried, but not even three normal ponies could control these powerful, ecstatic infants.

Applejack proved to be the best babysitter, with the assistance of Spike (Caramel had a tour in Appleloosa). As she had to raise Apple Bloom from infancy, she had the most experience, though her sister could not do magic. Even though it was a pain searching for Them whenever they disappeared, she would not lose her patience and actually found ways to calm the fillies down. The cowgirl considered them quite adorable.

"I wish we had one," she had once said while cradling Screwball.

She had forgotten that Spike had been standing right next to her cradling Cherry Blossom. "What?"

Screwball and Cherry Blossom were excited about their powers, not realizing how unusual it was for fillies like them, and they got the most excited whenever Dinky was over. As Fluttershy and Tara had promised, they and Derpy would bring their daughters together for play dates. Screwball and so adored her little playmates and was fascinated with her funny yellow eyes and Cherry Blossom’s light blue eyes. She would stare at them for ages and wonder what the unicorn and alicorn were looking at with two eyes, one eye or the other.

She would amuse her playmates with her powers, making their toys levitate and circle in the air. Dinky would clap her hooves in pleasure. Cherry Blossom amused them both by making herself teleport. The only magical surges the unicorn had had were when her pacifier, the same one Screwball and Cherry Blossom had given her when they met in the hospital, was out of reach.

When Rainbow Dash's twins arrived, Screwball and Cherry Blossom were given two additional playmates. They were fraternal twins, a boy named Thunder Dash and a girl named Lightning Dash. They both had their father's light blue coats and their mother's violet eyes. Thunder's mane was streaked with blue, black and purple, while Lightning's was red, orange and yellow.

Screwball and Cherry Blossom took an immediate interest in their wings, finding them similar, yet smaller, to her mother's. The two could fly before they could walk. Screwball and Cherry Blossom were a little over a year old when they had discovered this and were just learning to walk on four legs themselves. They were able to fly at their age too, but Screwball noticed that she did not have wings. They also realized that their eyes looked in the same direction, but they already knew that Dinky's eyes were unique.

Some point at this age, they met a pony they had never seen before and jumped back at the sight of them. their short curly mane was purple with streaks of white and the other had Aqua blue hair, their coat was a light pink and cherry red, but it was their eyes that interested Screwball the most. They were different. They were nothing like Dinky's. They seemed to have no blackness in her eye, only a purple swirl. The other one had a black iris with light blue pupils.

Screwball reached out to touch the filly and at the same time, the filly reached out to touch her. Their hooves met, and Screwball flinched at the smooth texture she was feeling. It was not a hoof, it was glass. Her parents had already observed that Screwball seemed quite intelligent and understanding for a foal her age and it did not take long for her to conclude that the strange filly was indeed her. Cherry Blossom looked at her cousin and pulled her away a little bit. The other filly did the same thing.

That was when they knew.

Fluttershy found her daughter and niece sitting in front of the full-length mirror and flew down to them.

"So, there you are," she said, reaching her hooves out to them. "I've been looking..."

"Differ," Screwball uttered.

‘’Ent.’’ Cherry Blossom finished.

Their mother/aunt blinked in surprise. they had gurgled a few words before, Screwball’s first one being 'Dinky,' much to Discord's displeasure (he had hoped it would be 'Dada'), Cherry Blossom’s was ‘Dada’’ and uncle’’, but this was new.

"What did you say?"

The foal pointed to the mirror. "Differ."

‘’Ent.’’

Their hooves then tapped at the reflection of their eyes.

As Screwball and Cherry Blossom grew older and developed better speech, they began noticing other things that were different about them. Their diet was the first indicator. Their friends always stared at them when they drank their sip cup instead of the milk inside it. Their playmates, their mothers and Their own mothers did not do the things they did. Objects did not appear out of nowhere on their command, nor did they just come to them from afar. It happened to Dinky, but not as much. They noticed their fathers did the same things as Them frequently, even more often.

Ah yes, their dads. They were only starting to realize how different they were from the other ponies: their size, their shape, their appearance, their behavior. They only saw the contrast whenever their mothers or one of the other ponies was next to them.

When she was four, they finally approached Screwball’s parents about this. It was after they read her a bedtime story that she asked.

"Mommy, Daddy?"

"Yes, dear?" her mother responded softly.

‘’Why are Screwy and I different?’’

Discord and Fluttershy paused, their smiles disappearing as they shared a look.

"You're not different, honey," their father/uncle insisted. "You're just...unique."

"Like your friend Dinky," Fluttershy added.

"She doesn’t do magic," Screwball said. "Not like mine or Cherry’s. Twins have no magic. None. Why me? Why my eyes different?"

Her mother glanced to the side. "Sweetie..."

Cherry Blossom pointed to Discord. "Uncle very different."

He winced. "Cherry, I think you..."

"Why?"

The couple looked at each other again and sighed simultaneously.

"Yes, my loves," Fluttershy said. "You, daddy, and uncle are different. As you may have noticed, I am a pegasus, your fathers are draconequus."

Screwball tilted her head. "Like Uncle Spike?"

Her mother laughed. "No, honey. A draconequus. They are wonderful, majestic creatures with incredible powers that can bend reality."

Discord put his paw over his heart. "My dear, you flatter me! Yet your flattery is an understatement. I am the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony! It is my duty to make the world less boring with my little...quirks. After all, what would this world be without chocolate rain?"

Screwball and Cherry Blossom squealed and kicked their hooves happily in agreement.

"Anyway," Fluttershy continued, "it is very unusual for two different creatures to marry, so when your father and I fell in love, no pony really approved. We found a way through however and had you. You look like a pony, but you have your father's powers. There's never been such a pony born before."

"What your mother/aunt's trying to say is," Discord interrupted, leaning forward to brush his daughter and niece's hair, "you are special, because you are products of two species, two creatures who love each other very much despite their differences."

He smirked as he wrapped his tail around Fluttershy and pulled her closer. She was startled at first but then laughed and kissed him on the snout.

"Your father/uncle's right," she said to the filly.

"Well, duh!" Discord huffed. "Of course, I am!"

She nudged him playfully in the ribs with her elbow. "Don't you worry about being different, honey. Your eyes, your powers are what make you special."

The draconequus leaned forward. "And there's no pony more special than our little Screwball!"

The fillies smiled, assuring them that their words had helped. After their parents/aunt and uncle had kissed them goodnight and turned out the lights, Screwball closed her eyes and sighed contently.

Special. That's what they were. Special.

Insanity

As the years went by, Fluttershy, discord, Tara and Chillcord noticed that their daughters have been working together in possessed talents other than chaos. Like their mothers, they had the ability to communicate with animals, Cherry Blossom was the only one who had the ability of using the stare, and they had a beautiful singing voice. They discovered another gift of theirs one afternoon.

‘’Mom? Dad?’’ said screwball.

‘’Mommy? Daddy?’’ said Cherry blossom.

Fluttershy and discord looked at their niece.

‘’Your mother and father are not here. ‘’ Fluttershy reached out a hoof. ‘’ come over here, sweetie.’’
Cherry blossom was levitated onto discord’s lap, making her blink a few times.

‘’Where do babies come from?’’ asked Screwball.

Discord spat out the cup of tea he was drinking and had his wide eyes sharp at screwball. Fluttershy’s jaw dropped.

Cherry blossom wriggled. ‘’Um…. You can put me down now, uncle.’’

Screwball levitated her cousin and gently lowered her by her side.

‘’Why d-do you ask, dear?’’ stammered discord.

‘’Auntie rainbow dash and uncle Soarin had winter, so, we decided to ask.’’ Said Cherry Blossom.

The couple were frozen in place. Only the eyes locked at each other.

‘’well,’’ Discord said, scratching his neck. ‘’ When two ponies love each other ….’’

‘’the Stork!’’ Fluttershy intervened.

‘’Yea- wait. What?’’

‘’ the stork left you two at our doorstep!’’ Fluttershy chuckled nervously. ‘’Isn’t that right, honey?’’

‘’ um… yes! Yes, of course!’’

Screwball and Cherry blossom glared at them and blinked. They did not look convinced. ‘’ no, he didn’t’’

‘’yes, he did!’’ Discord insisted.

They raised an eyebrow. ‘’you’re lying.’’

‘’ I am not!’’

‘’ uncle. Please. Stop.’’

‘’ hang on a flying feather minute.'' Fluttershy interrupted. ‘’how do you two know we’re lying?’’

‘’We just…feel it.’’ They said.

From then onward, they knew not to lie to the girls, though their question was not answered until many years later.

Faith Carton and her friend Filly Silly continued to pick on them, but Cherry Blossom kept herself composed, most of the time. There were a couple incidents involving smack-in-the-butt trick and banging their heads to the ground, but she had not gone as far as the piano accident in a while. The joke was on them when Screwball and Cherry Blossom were the first ones in class to get their cutie marks. Cherry Blossom’s was a flower petal with two cherries on top while Screwball’s was a screw and baseball.

At this moment, the cousins were ten years old. Most of their friends received their cutie marks by now, all except Apple Blossom, who was as obsessed over it as her aunt Apple Bloom had been. Thunder had three thunder clouds and Lightning had a lightning bolt for cutie marks. They had received them for busting some nasty clouds which were difficult for the pegasi to take care of. Dinky had three muffins and cinnamon stick had a cinnamon stick, making their talents quite obvious.

They were in the schoolyard, making teams to play a game of basketball. Unfortunately, Faith Carton and Filly Silly were the captains. Their cutie marks were a carton of milk and a violin, respectively. The twins were picked first, because they were the best athletes. Then it came down to Apple Blossom, Cherry Blossom and Screwball.

‘’I pick blank-flank.’’ Said Faith Carton.

Apple Blossom sighed sadly and walked to the group.

‘’ Alright, let’s play!’’ Filly said, bouncing the ball.

‘’Hey! Screwball cried. ‘’What about us, you jerks!’’

The mare looked at the remaining two. ‘’Which do you want, Filly? Discord junior, or Chillcord junior?’’

‘’You’re kidding, right?’ Filly Silly grunted. ‘’Chillcord junior keeps concentrating on Charlie the butterfly and Discord Junior keeps turning the ball into an orange.’’

Screwball gritted her teeth. ‘’My name is Screwball.’’

‘’Exactly her point!’’ Faith Carton taunted. ‘’we’re not having some nuts play with us!’’

‘’knock it off you guys!’’ Lightning Shouted.
‘’you’re not being fair!’’ Thunder agreed.
‘’Why won’t you let them play?’’ Cinnamon Stick demanded.

‘’Why don’t they go back to where they belong, in the canterlot gardens with their dad and uncle?!’’

Cherry blossom was getting very upset. Screwball put a hoof on her shoulder.

‘’its ok Cherry, I didn’t wanna play basketball with those jerks anyway.’’

‘’hey, Discord junior,’’ Faith carton called. ‘’Catch!’’

Screwball turned to see a ball flying towards her. But, before she could catch it, it knocked her headfirst into a mud puddle.

‘’Screwy!’’ Cherry Blossom cried, kneeling to her cousin.

‘’Gosh, sorry!’’ Faith Carton said sarcastically. ‘’hope that didn’t cause any brain damage, if there was any brain left to damage!’’

Other kids laughed along with them. Cherry blossom looked down at her cousin, who was covered in dirt, tears forming from her hypnotic eyes.

Cherry Blossom grew angrier and angrier. Screwball looked up at her cousin and narrowed her eyes as she watched her angry cousin in horror.

Cherry Blossom turned her head to the bullies. Which made them grow silent and narrow their eyes.
‘’Oh no,’’ thunder muttered.

‘’now you’ve done it!’’ Lightning yelled.

Cherry Blossom yelled as she rose up and a light formed around her. The fillies covered their eyes to block the light. Screwball closed her eyes tightly and a strong wind hit her face and mane.

Faith carton opened her eyes, only to see an angry, floating Cherry Blossom in front of her. The filly’s eyes narrowed as she looked up. Cherry Blossom’s frightening grin made her shiver.

‘’Mama! Mama! Get out here, quick!’’ Apple Blossom called as she raced inside the school.

Cherry Blossom Levitated Faith carton and faced her on her stomach. As she did, she threw her back to the ground and glued her in the position she was in.

She also lifted Filly silly and pressed her into a sphere. Filly Silly screamed as she was thrown back to the ground.
‘’Apple Blossom I don’t know why you make such a- ‘’ Mrs Cheerilee gasped as she walked outside in the schoolyard.

‘’Cherry Blossom, what are you doing?!’’ Mrs Cheerilee called.

Cherry Blossom noticed the frightened Teacher and didn’t notice a ball hit her head, making her fall on Faith carton.
As she did, the fall made her bounce on the filly and they were flying into the air. After that, they were plummeting back to the ground, sliding on a ramp as they did.

And they were off, Cherry Blossom was sliding on Faith Carton and they were all over town. Even the news showed the pair.
The first place they went was Applejack’s farm. Then twilight’s house, then rarity’s, and pinkie pie’s and rainbow dash’s.

The last place they went was Cherry blossom and Screwball’s home.as they Bust through the window, Discord saw them in shock when he was reading the newspaper.

‘’I’m sorry, uncle! I’ll fix this!!!’’ Cherry Blossom cried as they passed him.

Then they passed Fluttershy and Tara, which made Fluttershy gasp and drop the plates she was holding.

Their last stop when they burst out the window, Cherry Blossom was about to punch Faith Carton when they were in the air, but she was stop with a – ‘’Cherry!’’

Cherry Blossom looked down to see her cousin, aunts, uncle, father and teacher looking back at her.

‘’Screwy….’’ Cherry Blossom whispered, realizing her mistake.

She looked at her teacher, and back at her bully, who was starting to cry. She let her go and lowered her with her magic.
Cherry blossom descended to the ground, guilt ridden.

‘’Oh, Cherry…’’ Mrs. Cheerilee said. She stood up with open arms.

Cherry Blossom ran to her in tears and hugged her. She knew she was in Big trouble.

Cherry Blossom and Screwball sat hunched at the school steps. Screwball looked at her cousin sadly. Even through the door was closed, they could hear the conversation clear as day.

‘’That half-thing nearly killed my girl!’’ A grown up said.

‘’She didn’t mean to hurt anypony,’’ Fluttershy insisted.

‘’She is a menace, you should expel her at once!’’

‘’No!’’ another grownup screeched. ‘’ a child like that should be put in an asylum.’’

‘’After all, what else can you do with the Devils’ Children?!’’

Fluttershy gasped and Screwball and Cherry Blossom hugged each other as they heard a slap.

‘’how dare you insult my husband, child, niece and Brother-in-law!’’

‘’Every pony calm down!’’ Cheerilee shouted.

‘’Calm down?!’’ One of the Grown-ups yelled. ‘’Look at my daughter! Look at his daughter! That half thing must be punished!’’

Cherry Blossom got angrier as she heard the words.

‘’Freak!’’

‘’ Menace!’’

‘’Mad pony!’’

‘’Mad Mare!’’

‘’They do not belong!’’

‘’That’s it!’’

The Grownups heard a yell and the door slam open. Cherry Blossom was not happy.

‘’How dare you insult me!!!’’ Cherry Blossom screamed.

She pointed to the first grownup “You! How would you like it if somebody hurt you!’’

She pointed to the next grownup. ‘’You! How dare you call me a mad pony!’’

She pointed to Mrs Cheerilee but then stopped and started to cry.

‘’Just leave me alone!!!’’

The filly ran out of the room. Screwball stood up.

‘’Cherry!’’ she reached out a hoof.

She turned back to the grownups and grew mad. ‘’Hypocrites!!!’’

She turned and ran after her cousin, the grownups looked at each other.

Screwball continued to search for her cousin. As she was searching for her, she was dressed in a dress suddenly.

‘’What the- how did I-?’’ Screwball was trailed off as she heard sobbing and looked in an empty room, knowing the environment had changed.

Cherry Blossom looked up.
Cherry Blossom:
I don’t know if you can hear me,
Or if you’re even there,
I don’t know if you would listen, to a filly’s prayer,
Yes, I know I’m just an outcast, I shouldn’t speak to you

Cherry Blossom gasped and turned around as her cousin joined in.
Screwball:
Still I see your face and wonder,
Were you once an outcast, too?
God help the outcasts, hungry from birth
Cherry Blossom:
Show them, the mercy, they don’t find on earth.

Screwball:
Please help, my people, the poor and downtrodden,
I thought, we all were, the children of god.

Both:
I thought, we all were, the children of god.
They both hugged each other and cried.

Nobody said anything at the dining table. The only sound was discord munching on his coal. Fluttershy gave Cherry Blossom a sympathetic look. the filly paid no attention. Finally, the draconequs slammed his fork.

‘’okay, what’s with the awkward silence?’’

‘’Cherry, ‘’ Fluttershy said softly.’’ isn’t there something you want to tell uncle?’’

Cherry Blossom looked up sadly and said nothing.

‘’About what happened at school today?’’

But, before anyone could say anything Chillcord, Discord’s twin brother, showed up, making Discord very excited.

‘’Did ya? Didja’ get the news?!’’ Chillcord said excitedly.

‘’Yes!! Yeah, I did!’’ Discord replied.

‘’Cherry really did teach those brats a lesson!’’

‘’I know, right!’’

Tara showed up angrily which made cherry blossom nearly choked on her food. Since he married her, Chillcord gave her the ability to teleport where she wanted to. Even if she was a Pegasus.

‘’Mommy?!’’

‘’you are in big trouble, young lady!’’ said Tara angrily.

But before cherry blossom could say even two words, discord picked her up and whirled her fast.

‘’oh, you have made your father and uncle, very proud!’’

Cherry Blossom could not help but smile a bit.

‘’Discord and Chillcord this is serious!’’ Fluttershy Shouted.

‘’Don’t you see what’s happening here?!’’ Tara Yelled.

‘’that our little girls have finally taught those brats not to mess with the house of Discord and Chillcord!’’

They glared at them. ‘’May we speak with you, alone?’’

Discord and Chillcord misread the question and looked at each other and wriggled their eyebrows.

They set the filly down. ‘’Alright then, darling, let’s talk.’’

As soon as they went in their bedroom and Fluttershy shut the door, She and Tara turned to see their husbands’ lips puckered.

‘’Discord!’’

‘’Chillcord!’’

‘’oh, you meant talk, Talk!’’ Discord said, ‘’ well, you could have been more specific,’’

‘’we need to talk about our daughters, discord.’’ Tara stepped forward.

‘’so, she got a little carried away, big deal!’’ Chillcord said.

‘’it is a big deal,’’ Fluttershy said. ‘’Doesn’t it concern you, how much alike you four are?’’

‘’why should it? They are our daughters.’’ Discord argued.

‘’that’s exactly why we should be worried!’’ Tara insisted.

‘’are you two saying you regret having our children?!” Discord and Chillcord shouted.

‘’No! we love them just as much as you do. But Cherry’s powers… they’re getting out of hoof!’’ Fluttershy said.

‘’She’s young, let her have her fun.’’

‘’Discord, Chillcord, the thing they called her today…’’

‘’Names are nothing.’’

‘’they called her a menace.’’

That caught Discord and Chillcord’s attention. Tara gasped. ‘’what?’’

‘’also freak, halfling…’’

‘’okay, Fluttershy, we get it!’’ Tara said.

‘’Don’t you see? She might wind up an outcast… like you were. What if she loses control? What if-What if we have to turn her into…’’

Discord shot his paw up. ‘’Fluttershy, don’t say it!’’

‘’…stone.’’

‘’Now, now, dear, let’s not exaggerate!’’

‘’Look, discord, we know it’s a horrible thing to suggest, but it could happen.’’ Tara said.

Chillcord stepped forward. ‘’ No, it won’t.’’

‘’How can you be so…sure?’’ Fluttershy asked.

‘’Because she’s Tara’s daughter as well.’’ Discord said. ‘’ She may have me and Chillcord’s demented minds, but she also has your good hearts. That’s how we know no matter how many times she loses control, she will not go down the path we left long ago.’’ He chuckled. ‘’Besides, you two have gone insane a couple of times yourselves.’’

Chillcord grinned cockily.

‘’Excuse me?!’’ Fluttershy said. Tara gave an offended look.

‘’What?!’’ The brothers said. ‘’ We love it when you go nuts. It’s so attractive.’’

Chillcord purred.

‘’That’s it! You’re sleeping on the couch tonight.’’

They paused as Tara and Fluttershy exited the room.

‘’w-what?! You can’t kick us out of bed! We’re the masterminds around here! We’re the ones with magic powers!’’

Fluttershy Flew down to her daughter and niece. ’’Screwball, Cherry, your daddies need a… time-out tonight.’’

‘’Okay, mommy.’’ Screwball snickered.

‘’time out? What do you mean a time out? Honey!’’ Discord said.

The pegasi slammed the door behind them. Discord tried the handle, but it was locked. Chillcord apologized and he was the only one who was allowed to come in. discord tried teleporting, only to realize that a magic barrier form around the room. He pointed accusingly at his daughter.

‘’They put you up to this, didn’t they?’’

Instead of an answer, a pillow and blanket appeared. He laughed nervously.

‘’Screwy,’’ he purred. ‘’ you know that new baseball bat you’ve always wanted?’’

A baseball bat appeared in her hooves. ‘’is that the best you’ve got?’’

‘’Whatever they’re paying you, I’ll pay you more!’’

Screwball pretended to think about it. ‘’nope, I’m just going to go to bed early.’’

He gawked as she turned to the stairs. ‘’Don’t you walk away from me young lady! I make the rules around here I- ‘’

Discord then had an idea. ‘’Why don’t we ask Cherry, first hmm?’’

Screwball shrugged. ‘’Fine.’’

They turned to the filly. ’’Who do you agree with, Cherry?’’

Cherry looked up sadly and said nothing. As she walked passed them and walked up the stairs, Screwball and Discord looked at each other.

‘’She’s had a rough day, daddy.’’ Screwball said, sadly. She followed her cousin, only discord looked up sympathetically.

‘’And…I’m sorry to hear that.’’ Discord whispered.

Unusaully New Freinds

Freak, monster, devil child, doesn't belong...

The words echoed throughout Cherry Blossom's nightmares.

Go back to the Canterlot Gardens where you belong!

"No," she murmured, tossing in her bed.

You're evil, just like your uncle!!

"No! NO!"

Screwball was instantly at her bedside. Fortunately, she had not put a magical barrier around her room as well.

"Cherry?" she gasped. "What's wrong?"

The filly shrieked as her eyes popped open. She sighed in relief at the sight of her twin cousin.

"I'm okay, Screwy. I just had a bad dream."

"Oh, I see." she sat upon her bed. "Care to talk about it?"

"It was...those things they said about me today...they won't go away..."

"Is that all?" She patted her on the back. "There, there. What do I always say?"

Cherry Blossom scrunched her nose. "What fun is there in making sense?"

"No, no, the other thing."

"Never bring pie to a cake fight?"

"No, no, no! I mean about name-calling!"

"Oh. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me."

"Exactly! Well, technically the sticks and stones won't hurt you either after a healing spell, but you get the picture."

She pulled away from his embrace and looked up at him desperately. "But Screwy, what if they're right? I lost my mind today! I even scared my friends! I eve scared YOU!"

She waved her hoof as if it were a minor detail. "Every pony loses their mind once in a while. You should have seen my mom at her first Grand Galloping Gala!" She tapped her chin. "Actually, you can!"

She clapped her hooves and an image appeared on the wall. Cherry Blossom gasped at the sight of a slightly younger version of her aunt in a torn ball gown, standing beside a huge net.

"I'll catch you yet, my pretties!" she said creepily to the animals cowering in fear. "Oh, yes. As soon as one of you little birds, or monkeys, or bears touches this net, you'll be mine! MINE!"

She then broke into maniacal laughter, lightning striking from nowhere. Cherry Blossom did not know whether to be scared or amused. It was hard to believe that the mare she was watching was her sweet, nurturing aunt.

Screwball poofed the image away. "Now you know not to get on my mom's bad side. The treatment she gave you and I today was nothing."

"Okay, so it's not as bad as I thought," Cherry Blossom admitted. "It's worse! I'm crazy on both sides!"
She groaned as she collapsed her head onto her pillow.

"Cherry, Cherry, Cherry," Screwball said, shaking her head. "Every pony's crazy! Some just show it better than others."

"I’m being one of them," she mumbled, flipping onto her side.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of, cuz’," her twin cousin assured her, stroking her head. "You have something that other ponies do not: chaos!"

"And where is that going to get me? Look at what it did to your dad!"

Screwball was taken aback by this. Cherry Blossom sat up and faced her.

"I'm sorry, but..." She hugged her knees. "Sometimes I think I might go too crazy...that I might turn evil...that they'll have to turn me to stone!"

"Oh, Cherry, don't say such a thing!" She tenderly wrapped her hooves around her. "No pony's going to turn you to stone, or bring you any harm of any sorts, not while I'm here to protect you." She wiped her tears from her face.

Cherry Blossom crawled back under the covers and smiled up at the pink earth pony tucked her in.

She sighed and sang the lullaby she had written for her. This time, she added a new verse:
"Remember that one time
I took you to that baseball game?
We got our cutie marks
And things were never quite the same.
our wild pitches flew
Driving the ponies all insane
'Cause I...am your cousin Screwball,
And you...are a piece of me."
It was a subtle reminder of how special she was to her.

"I love you," Cherry Blossom said as Screwball teleported in her bed.

‘’I love you too.’’

When Cherry Blossom awoke, it was nearly dawn. She often rose early, as it gave her the perfect opportunity to sneak out. She needed to clear her head.

she opened the door a crack and saw that her dad was still asleep on the couch. she looked at her cousin and made sure she was asleep. She floated into the air and slowly made her way to the front door. Seeing that she had not stirred her father or cousin, Cherry Blossom transported outside of the colorful castle and crossed the bridge into the Everfree Forest.
Teleporting was harder than it looked. At her current age, the filly could travel no further than a few feet. Even that would leave her slightly dizzy. This is why she ran the rest of the way.

She came upon a brown lake, one she had found a few years ago the first time she had snuck out. The water had not been brown then. She had turned it into chocolate milk, so the creatures of the forest would not come for a drink, so she would be left alone.

This was her sanctuary. This was where she could spread her chaos freely. No rules, no judgment, no ponies, just her and chaos.

Fifteen minutes later, she heard sounds in the bushes she turned around and readied her horn. But it turned out to be Screwball.

‘’Cherry?’’ Screwball gasped.

‘’Screwy?!’’ Cherry Blossom gasped as Screwball walked closer. ‘’ what are you doing here?! I thought you were in bed!’’

‘’I thought YOU were in bed!’’ Screwball replied.

‘’Well,’’ Cherry Blossom said. ‘’What ARE you doing here?’’

‘’I figured you’d ask that. Come with me.’’

Cherry Blossom followed her twin cousin. Screwball held out a hoof in front of her as they came across a giant bush.

‘’Wait here.’’

Cherry Blossom stared as Screwball went through the bushes. She wondered what she was doing.

‘’Close your eyes,’’ Screwball said.

Cherry Blossom closed her eyes as a soft pink hoof led her through the bushes.

‘’Now open them!’’

Cherry Blossom opened her eyes and her lips suddenly curled up into a smile. A chocolate lake was set up just like hers.

‘’You wanna play?’’ Screwball asked.

She was cut short as Cherry Blossom tackled her into the chocolate milk. Screwball assumed it was a yes.

‘’This gonna be so much fun!’’ Cherry Blossom giggled.

Miles away, in a forest much darker and more sinister than the Everfree Forest, Queen Chrysalis was sitting on her throne, plotting her next move. One of her servants approached cautiously.

"Uh, your majesty?" he whimpered with a bow. "The princes are here to see you."

"Oh, yes," the queen muttered. "Let them come forth."

The changelings who approached were slightly different from the others. While they had sleek black bodies with a green beetle's back, translucent wings and deformed legs, they had blue hair flowing down to their shoulders and green eyes with black pupils. They were quite young, foals at that, small male versions of the queen.

"Ah, my sons," she said with pride.

She stepped down from her throne to inspect their growth. She lifted their chins so that they may look into her eyes.

"Today's the day you go on your first hunt. If you are ever to one day rule as Kings, then you must be able to find food for your subjects. Are you ready, my dears?"

The princes straightened up and held their head high. "We are, mother!"

"Show me! What is the first rule of hunts?"

"Do not get caught!"

"And the second rule?"

"Make sure the pony you change into is not around!"

"And our motto?"

"Love is weakness for the victim, but strength for us!"

"Excellent! Now, since you are still young, I suggest you keep your targets simple, perhaps a young foal of some sort. And steer clear of Canterlot. They are always on the lookout for 'suspicious characters.' And don't return until you've had your fill. Go, my sons! Make your mother proud!"

The princes nodded and took to the skies. They had not left the Changeling Forest without an escort before and was not familiar with the outside world. They gawked at the greenness of it all. They imagined what it would be like to roll in that soft grass.

They shook these thoughts out of their mind. They had a job to do.

Their expedition led them to the Everfree Forest. The best way to catch an unsuspecting pony was in a closed area. They were not aware of the forest's danger or its lack of ponies. They landed on the path and began their search.

Their ears perked up as they heard a noise. They hid in the bushes and listened again. It was soft, it was haunting. It was the most beautiful thing they had ever heard.

The sound guided him to a clearing. They gawked at the sight. Where trees should have been, there were enormous candy canes with slightly less enormous gumdrops surrounding them. The ground was pink with orange and green polka-dotted toadstools and swirly lollipops growing up from it. What sort of place was this?

The princes jumped as something emerged from the muddy lake. It was a filly looking about their age wearing a mask and snorkel. The brown water dripped from her curly purple and white mane and pink fur. As she started humming, the princes realized that beautiful melody had been coming from her.

The filly sighed. "Snorkeling can get boring."

A small dingy appeared beneath her, a newspaper hat atop her head. The princes were astounded, swearing that they had not seen her horn.

"Sailing, however," she said.

She summoned a small mast and pulled up a flag with a screw and baseball on it, matching her cutie mark. Then she made an eye patch appear over her eye.

"Argh!" she cried. "Ahoy, mateys! Next stop, Fillydelphia, where we shall rob them of their gold, their jewels, and their cream cheese!"

Something else emerged from the lake. Another filly with aqua blue eyes, blue hair and soft red fur with a horn. One of the princes’ eyes widened at the sight of her. She was so… so…

‘’Beautiful.’’ He muttered.

He shook the thought out of his head. She was just… pretty, that’s all.

‘’Oh no! a shark! Steer the port! Steer the port!’’ the pink earth pony yelled.

‘’OM NOM Nom!’’ the red supposed ‘’unicorn’’ screamed.

‘’Ok! Enough with the games Cherry!’’ the earth pony said.

The unicorn emerged from the lake. But the princes gasped. That wasn’t a unicorn, She had wings. Wings! She was an… an…

‘’Alicorn?!’’ the muttered.

‘’ Ok, Screwy!’’ she replied. ‘’ let’s play pool monster!’’

The earth pony rolled her lollipop eyes.’’ Ok, Cherry.’’

The princes stifled a chuckle. These fillies were quite amusing.

"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!" she sang.

At that moment, something pounded hard inside the princes’ chest. They took it as their hunger and remembered what they were here for. They thought back to their mother's lessons and looked into the fillies’ minds for their loved ones. The first thing they saw startled them, for they were hideous creatures that they figured to be brothers. Next were pegasi that he assumed to be the mothers. That would not do. He had not mastered adult transformations yet. Then they saw them both. Then a unicorn filly with strange eyes. They gagged at the thought of turning into a girl, but it was the best they could do.

They closed their eyes and concentrated, adopting the pony's shape. In a blaze of green fire, they had both had turned into the unicorn. The disguised changelings jumped out of the trees and approached the sailing filly.

"There you are!"

Screwball shrieked in surprise. She had not told any pony. Let alone her friend.

"Dinky, what are you doing here?"

Cherry Blossom emerged from the lake, staring at them with her, precious blue eyes.

The princes gasped as the filly floated to shore, changing her paper hat into a propeller one. The first prince then got a good look at her eyes as she removed the patch. They were unlike anything he had ever seen before and he could get lost in those hypnotic spirals. The other filly jumped out and shook the chocoalate out of her mane. The next prince got lost in the blue eyes and mane. He watched as she did it in slow motion.

"Dinky?"

They snapped out of their trance, remembering they were disguised as the unicorn filly (Dinky, was it?). They borrowed one of the excuses their mother taught them:

"I came looking for you! Your mothers’ worried sick!"

"But why are you out here?" Screwball asked, tilting her head. "Don't you know it's dangerous out here?"

‘’Besides, the forest Scares you to death!’’ Cherry Blossom exclaimed.

"You're out here, aren't you?"

"Well yeah, but I practically live here. Besides, I thought this forest scared you to death!"

The changeling hesitated. "Uh, yeah! But I got brave! Your mom's looking for you!"

They could feel the love on their tongues. Friendship was not the most filling of meals, but it had a decent taste.
Screwball and Cherry Blossom, in the meantime, were growing suspicious. They could not explain it, but they could tell when ponies were lying, and Dinky was not one to lie.

"You're not Dinky," Screwball stated.

The changeling's false eyes widened and then he laughed. "Don't be silly! Of course, I'm Dinky!"

‘’Not you’re not!’’ Cherry blossom stated.

They squealed as they were lifted by the tail off the ground. They faced their adversaries upside-down. No! they could not be caught on their first hunt!

"Put me down! It's really me! I'm Dinky!"

"No, you're not!" the filly snapped, stomping her hoof. "Show yourself!"

‘’Or I’M gonna have to make ya’!’’ Cherry Blossom threatened as she pointed a carboard knife towards the fake Dinky’s nose.

Then the princes were unwillingly changed back to their true self. Screwball and Cherry Blossom gazed at the creatures in wonder. Swiss cheese legs, cobweb hair, a deformed horn, insect-like wings: they had never seen anything like it before.

"What are you?" Screwball asked, circling around them.

"How did you do that?!" the prince demanded, finally noticing something about the filly. "More importantly, how did you do that without a horn?"

"That's none of your business! Who do you think you are, posing as our friend? Impersonating ponies is not very nice!"

"But how did you know...?"

They cried out as she rammed their head into the ground.

"Answer my question! Who are you and what are you doing here?!"

"Are you nuts?!" the prince hollered before receiving another blow to the head.

"I'm not nuts! I'm Screwball!"

"What's the difference? Ow!"

‘’Let me handle this Screwy,’’ Cherry Blossom said.

Cherry Blossom used her magic to ram the creatures' heads multiple times into the ground. Screwball watched this amusingly. When she finished, Screwball approached them.

"I'll ask you one more time! What are you doing here?"

He waved his forelegs desperately. "Look, I don't want any trouble! I was just so hungry and…"

The filly's mouth broke into a smile. "Well, why didn't you say so?"

The princes cried out once more as she dropped him. He rubbed his head in pain. Cherry Blossom gave them a warning IM-watching-you glare before backflipping into the lake.

"If you're hungry, we can just give you something!" Screwball said cheerfully. "You like cotton candy?"

"Huh?" they uttered.

"How about chocolate milk?"

"What's chocolate milk?"

Screwball gasped as if she had heard a naughty word. Cherry Blossom emerged with a shocked looked. "You've never had chocolate milk?! What sick, twisted home did you grow up in?! Oh well. I'd say it's about time you tried it."

Cherry Blossom ran up to one of the changelings. She made a glass full of Chocolate milk in his face and shoved it in his mouth.

‘’Drink.It.’’ She demanded.

Screwball summoned a glass and dipped it in the lake. She handed it to one of the changelings, who looked at it like he had no idea what to do with it.

"Go on, drink it!" the filly urged.

The first prince cringed. "You want me to drink mucky water?"

"It's not mucky water. It's chocolate milk! Trust me, you'll love it!"

He figured he should tell her that he did not eat or drink, but for some reason he did not want to disappoint this filly. He was still trying to process how she had unmasked him and why she had not run away by now. So, he hesitantly took the glass and raised it to his lips.

His eyes shot open as the liquid touched his tongue. He then chugged the rest of the contents down his throat. The other prince had the same feeling.

"This stuff is amazing!" they exclaimed. "It tastes just like love!"

Screwball and Cherry Blossom tilted their heads. "Well, We don't know about that, but We told you it was good!"

Cherry Blossom giggled as the peculiar colt scooped his glass into the lake. She still did not know what he was.

"I've never seen a creature like you before," she stated.

"I could say the same about you," the prince said, looking her over. "How do you do all this with a horn? And your eyes are very..."

"Strange, I know."

"I was going to say beautiful."

she blushed. "Really?Well, We’re... unique ponies. You could say We’re the only ones of our kind."

"Really? Oh, what we would give to be the only ones of our kind!"

"Why? Are there many of you?"

They fiddled with their glass. "Let's just say we have five thousand brothers and sisters at home."

"Five thousand?!" Screwball exclaimed in disbelief. "Golly! Imagine the grocery bills!"

The princes burst into laughter. "Actually, we get our food from..."

they trailed off as they heard a loud roar in the distance. The foals turned to see a large manticore leap out of the trees. She was in a furious state, waving her scorpion stinger frantically. The princes grabbed Screwball and Cherry Blossom's hooves.

"Let's get out of here!"

"But we can..." they tried to protest.

"Run!"

He practically lifted her off the ground as he pulled her along. She was amazed at how strong he was, considering he was slightly smaller than she was.

"Wait!" they cried, tugging themselves out of their grasp.

"You crazy?" the changelings asked. "That thing is huge!"

They ignored him and approached the roaring beast.

"Easy, boy!" Screwball cried, holding out her hooves. "Or...girl. Which one are you?"

The manticore kept wailing.

‘’Its ok! Its ok! We’re not gonna hurt you!’’ cherry Blossom cried.

"Would you shut up and stop moving for one second, so We can help you?!"

This time, the creature stopped and turned her attention to the fillies.

"That's better," they said, nuzzling her paw with their snouts. "It's okay. we won't hurt you."

"You won't hurt her?" the princes uttered.

Screwball and Cherry Blossom looked up at the manticore with a smile. She then held out her other paw, revealing a thorn.

"Typical," Cherry Blossom sighed. "You manticores should watch where you step. Now hold still. This will only take a second."

She used her magic to make the thorn disappear. The manticore roared in her face. The princes were about to cry out when the beast began licking their manes. Screwball giggled.

"Yes, yes, I know. You're welcome." She smoothed out her damped hair. "Run along now and be careful."

The manticore nodded with a smile and vanished into the forest. The princes stared at the fillies in awe.

"How did you...?"

"Mom told us to show every beast a little kindness," Screwball and Cherry Blossom explained. "It amazes us how many angry manticores have thorns in their paws."

"That was amazing! You were..." he paused as he and the fillies locked eyes. "You must be the bravest ponies we've ever met."

Screwball blushed. "You were pretty brave yourself, trying to get me out of danger. Hey! We weren't properly introduced. My name's Screwball."

He raised an eyebrow. "Screwball? That's weird."

"I know. Wasn't my idea."

"No, I mean it's weird, because my name is Mothball."

She gasped. "We're both balls! We could invent a new sport with our names! Hey, you want to hang out?"

Prince Mothball blinked, as if he had never heard the expression before. "Hang out?"

"Yeah! I don't have school today. We can play all morning!"

"Play?"

She tilted her head at him. "What's the matter? Don't you know how to play?"

He said nothing.

"Oh. Well, we'll teach you!"

‘’Hi my name’s Cherry blossom!’’ Cherry Blossom held out her hoof to the other prince.

He accepted her hoof with a smile. ‘’Screwdriver.’’

The princes were skeptical about this. They should really be returning to the hive, but they were feeling so strange around these ponies. They assumed it was because of the positive emotions emitting from them to their stomach. Their mother had told them not to return until their bellies were full, and they could obey that command by staying with the girls.

"Well..." they stammered. "Can we have more of that chocolate milk?"

Screwball giggled. "Sure."

Neither of them noticed the changeling scout that had been hovering above, disguised as a fly. He had been sent to keep an eye on the princes. The queen was not going to be happy about this unexpected turn of events.

Lecturing

Fluttershy and Tara shook Fluttershy’s husband desperately.

"Discord, wake up!"

The draconequus only snuggled deeper into his pillow and groaned. "Oh, Fluttershy..."

"Wake up!"

He cried out as they rolled him onto the floor. He stood up and glared at them.

"What the heck was that for?!"

"Screwball and Cherry Blossom's gone!" Fluttershy shrieked.

His eyes widened. "What do you mean gone?"

"I went to wake them for breakfast, but they weren't in bed!"

He waved his paw and huffed. "I'm sure they just went to the bathroom or the garden or something."

"We've looked everywhere!" Tara gasped.

"The bowling alley?"

"Yes."

"The swimming pool?

"Yes."

"The ice cream room?"

"Yes."

"The bouncy room?"

"Yes! They’re nowhere in the house! What if something horrible happened to them?"

He chuckled and patted Them on the head. "Don't get so paranoid, honey and Tara. Screwball and Cherry are big girls. Wherever they are, they can take care of each other."

"Discord!"

He sighed. "Alright, if it will ease your worry, I will look for them."

He summoned a metal detector and scanned the ground. Fluttershy and Tara raised an eyebrow at this action until the machine beeped.

"I got Screwball’s scent! Follow me!"

"Ha!" Mothball exclaimed, taking Screwball's knight with his rook.

The filly simply rolled her eyes and moved her queen with her magic. The chess piece suddenly came to life and sliced the rook with a marble sword.

"Checkmate," she said.

"Aw, man!" the prince groaned.

"Don't feel bad. You put up a pretty good fight."

"How'd you get so good at this?"

"My dad and I would play using both our magic."

"Your dads have powers like yours? I thought you were the only ones." Screwdriver asked Cherry Blossom.

She bit her lip, not wanting to scare her new friend off. "we’re unique for…’’ Cherry Blossom looked at screwball. ‘’...different reasons."

"I never knew hanging out could be so much fun!"

"Five thousand brothers and sisters and you don't hang out with them?" Screwball asked.

"Well, they're not exactly our siblings. You see..."

He was cut short when Discord appeared between them, crushing the remaining chess pieces. Mothball and Screwdriver jumped back in fright. The draconequus was crouched down on all fours, his fur standing on end, his teeth growling at the changeling.

"Step away from my daughter and niece!" he barked.

"Daddy, wait!" Screwball protested.

‘’Uncle!’’ Cherry Blossom gasped.

"That's your dad?!" Mothball squealed.

Fluttershy then emerged from the bushes, rushing to her daughter and niece. "Screwball! Thank goodness you're alright!"

"Mom?" Screwball uttered as her mother took her protectively in her arms.

‘’Auntie- hey- ow! Let go of me!’’ Cherry Blossom cried, struggling to get out of Fluttershy’s grasp.

"Fluttershy, I told you to stay put!" Discord hissed. "Let me take care of these pests!"

He was about to lash out when Chrysalis materialized in front of him. The draconequus paused and returned to his defensive position.

"Chrysalis," he snarled.

"Discord," the queen chuckled. "It's been a while, Dissy dear."

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be living out your exile in the Changeling Forest?"

"I bear no ill will. I was only fetching my sons. I don't believe you've met Prince Mothball and Prince Screwdriver."

"Prince?" Screwball repeated.

‘’Prince?!’’ Cherry Blossom gasped.

"Sons?" Discord snorted. "Aren't all changelings your children?"

Queen Chrysalis laughed as she proudly showed off her sons. "Mothball and Screwdriver are a special case. They are the heir to my throne."

Her head shot up as she felt a great wave of love. She looked between the draconequus and the pegasus. Their love was radiating out of them in a way the queen had never experienced. Such love emitted from the fillies as well.

"And what's this?" she said with a dark chuckle. "I never fancied you a family man, Discord. And to think all it took to turn you from the evil Lord of Chaos to a fluffy do-gooder was a gooey romance with an itty, bitty, wimpy pegasus."

Fluttershy shivered but stayed strong and pulled her daughter and niece closer to her. Discord held out his arm defensively.

"I think you should leave now, your majesty. And if you or any of your little hatchlings ever come near my family again..."

Chrysalis shrugged her shoulders. "I wouldn't dream of it. Come, sons."

She did not give them a choice as she picked them up in her mouth.

"Bye," they mouthed to Screwball and Cherry Blossom as his mother carried him away.

"Bye," the fillies whispered sadly in return.

When they had returned to the castle, Screwball gave her parents a nervous smile that wavered as they glared down at her. Cherry Blossom had her arms folded as she face her father and mother.

"What do you think you were doing?!" her father bellowed.

Screwball drew a circle with her hoof. "We were...I was..."

"You know you're not supposed to go into the Everfree Forest alone!" her mother snapped. "You could have gotten killed!"

"I'm not a baby, Mom! I go out there all the time!"

‘’ Me too! And unlike you, We’re brave!’’ Cherry Blossom exclaimed.

She covered her mouth as their secret spilled.

"What?!" Fluttershy screeched.

"I don't think the fact that she was out in the forest is the issue here," Discord grunted. "What were you doing with changelings?!"

‘’We don't understand," Screwball said. "What is a changeling?"

"A changeling is a heartless, soulless monster that takes the form of the one you love and feeds off your love for them, which is exactly what that Prince Hairball was doing to you!"

"That would explain why they looked like Dinky at first. But thye didn't seem so bad..."

"They’re changelings!" he spat venomously. "They were feeding off your power!"

"But after I found out who he was, he stayed."

"So theu could satisfy their appetite!"

"Don't you, Mom, Dad and auntie always say that every creature has a heart?" Cherry Blossom mouthed.

He roared and slammed his fist against the wall. "Every creature but changelings! They have no hearts! Literally!"

He opened his chest, frightening Screwball and showing nothing inside. Cherry Blossom fainted in shock and fear.

"They are born without a heart! They are hollow! No heart, no compassion, no morals, no soul!"

"Discord, close that up!" Fluttershy commanded. "You're scaring our children!"

He groaned as she shut the lid. "Sorry for the dramatics, but you get the picture. Changelings are cruel, vicious and cunning! And of all the changelings you could have encountered, it had to be the queen's favorite son!"

"He was just a kid," Screwball muttered.

‘’Our age to the exact.’’ Cherry Blossom yelled.

"Doesn't matter! All changelings are the same!"

Fluttershy crossed her hooves. "You sound so sure. How do you know Chrysalis?"

He sighed. "Some time during my three years of exile, Chrysalis told me about her plot against Canterlot and asked me to join her. She said if the plan succeeded, I would be free to spread my chaos. I rejected her, of course, because not only did I think the plan was lousy, but I was a solo act."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Is that all?"

‘’Hey! That happened to me too!’’ Chillcord exclaimed.

‘’it did?’’ Tara growled and narrowed her eyes at him. ‘’What did you do?’’

"Well, we met a couple times over the centuries. You know she's about as old as I am? She stayed clear of me though, because I had no love for her to feed. Why? What did you...?" He paused when he caught the jealous rage in their eyes. "Wait, did you...?" He burst out laughing. "You...you thought...us and...and Chrysalis?!" He ruffled his wife and sister -in- law's hair. "Oh, you really are paranoid, my dear. You're the only mare who's ever caught my eye."

He then kissed her in desperation. "Okay?"

Fluttershy and Tara sighed. "Okay. As for you, young lady..."

Screwball hung her head. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disobey you and I didn't know Mothball was a changeling. We were just having so much fun and..." She closed her eyes. "I deserve whatever punishment you have for me."

Her parents looked at each other, made a silent agreement and nodded.

"You're grounded for a -," Discord started.

‘’no!’’

They were cut off as Cherry Blossom stepped forward to them defensively in front Screwball.

‘’Give me the punishment instead! Please! Punish any pony but Screwy! Any pony but Screwy! Please!’’

‘’Cherry, you don’t have to do this for me…’’ Screwball assured.

‘’No! I’m not letting let you take a punishment worse than death!’’ Cherry Blossom replied.

Discord looked at Fluttershy. Then behind him. Chillcord and Tara nodded in approval. He sighed in defeat.

‘’You’re… grounded for a week.’’

"You are not to leave the house, with the exception of school," Fluttershy clarified. "No friends over, no sweets..."

"Now honey, let's not go overboard!"

"NEED I REMIND YOU OF THE FIRST RULE OF THE HUNT?!" Chrysalis hollered, shaking the green palace that the changelings considered their hive.

"It wasn't our fault, mother!" Prince Mothball insisted.

"They used their magic to get rid of our disguise! We don't know how the other one did it since she's not a unicorn...and they’re just fillies!" Screwdriver insisted.

"Still, you disobeyed me!"

The princes cowered, fearing she was going to strike them, but the queen took a deep breath, calming herself down.
"Your hunt was not completely unsuccessful, however. Because of your carelessness, we now know that Discord is married, and has a daughter and niece at that."

"Mother," Mothball stammered. "If we may, who is Discord?"

"Discord is the Lord of Chaos, or was, until he was weakened by the love of a female. Be grateful you do not have a heart, son. We cannot survive without the existence of love. It is what gives us our power. Feeling love, on the other hand, will only lead to your downfall...as it will for my old friend."

"What are you talking about?"

"What did you learn about these girls?"

He pondered. "Her name is Screwball, she's very powerful..."

Screwdriver clarified. ‘’The alicorn’s name is Cherry Blossom, and She took after her twin cousin and…’’

"How powerful?"

"Like really powerful! It was incredible! They turned water into this thing called 'chocolate milk'...you should try it, Mother, it's awesome! They changed us back to myself just by yelling at us! They made these little things called 'chess pieces' move..."

"Hmm," the queen mused, rubbing her chin. "A spitting image of their fathers, no doubt." She smiled as a plan formed into her mind. "These little chaotic brats could be of use to us."

"Mother?" Mothball gasped. "You're not going to...hurt them, are you?"

"Indeed not. Not yet, anyway." She turned to her sons. "I want you to find out everything you can about this Screwball. You seem to have gained her trust."

"But I don't understand. What are you...?"

"As long as Discord is thriving with power, and is on Equestria's good side, I cannot make my attack! For centuries, we have competed for Equestria's throne! I've been searching for his weakness, until I assumed that creature to be as heartless as we were! But now…he has something he cares about. Two things, to be exact. We can use his precious little family against him and take our rightful place as the dominant race of Equestria!"

Prince Mothball and Screwdriver stared at their mother as she cackled evilly. They did not want to hurt Screwball or Cherry Blossom. They had been nice to them. All the other changelings resented them, even the ones their own ages, because they were next in line and they were not.

Mothball had expected ponies to run at the sight of him if he had ever been discovered, but this filly, she had been unafraid. While she had been curious, she had treated him like he was nothing unusual. He now understood the reason for that after seeing her father. She must hate him now that she knew what he was. Still, he could not stop thinking about her: her voice, her laughter, her magic, her hair, her eyes...those swirly, enchanting, hypnotic eyes...

He felt that pounding in his chest again. What was with that? He must be getting sick or something.

Secret

"You want to try apple bucking again?" Cinnamon Stick suggested.

"Uh-uh," Apple Blossom said, shaking her head. "Not after what happened last time! I couldn't feel my legs for a week!"

"You smell nice," whispered Thunder Dash, who had been standing right behind her. "I mean...maybe you're a teacher like your mom!"

She scratched her head. "Huh. Hadn't thought of that."

"You'll need some sort of practice," said Lightning Dash.

"We could play school!" Dinky exclaimed.

Screwball, Cherry Blossom and their friends were at Cinnamon Stick and Apple Blossom's clubhouse, which had been passed down to them from their aunt Apple Bloom. They had all been Cutie Mark Crusaders at one point, until Apple Blossom was the only blank flank left. Today they were going to fix that.

They were not alone. Thunder and Lightning had brought their four-year-old sister, Winter. She was the splitting image of her mother, from the wild rainbow mane to the cyan fur. The only difference was her father's emerald eyes. Cinnamon Stick had brought his younger sister, Cinnamon Roll, as well. The seven-year-old had a tan coat and platinum blonde hair tied up in a ponytail and she was just as eager to get her cutie mark, even though she had plenty of time ahead of her. The twins had also brought their family's pet tortoise, Tank.

While every pony pretended to be Apple Blossom's students, Screwball and Cherry Blossom could not concentrate. Cherry Blossom should be thrilled, as she had not had the chance to hang out with her friends since her grounding, but her mind was on the friend she had lost.

Prince Mothball and Screwdriver had looked so sad when their frightening mother took them away. They knew changelings had no hearts, but did that mean they had no emotion?

Their father had called them monsters, which appalled them. After all, neither he nor she liked being called such a thing. The princes had not looked monstrous. Sure, they were unusual, but so were they. In fact, they were fascinated by how different and mysterious they was.

Why had they stayed? Why had they not run off once their cover had been blown?

She remembered how he had reacted when that manticore had appeared. While he could have saved himself, he had taken her with him. Of course, she had been in no danger, but he had obviously thought otherwise and had tried to pull her out of it. If he was as heartless as her father had said, why would he have bothered?

"Screwball, Cherry Blossom, are you paying attention?" Apple Blossom demanded, imitating her mother.

Screwball and Cherry Blossom shook out her thoughts. "Sorry, guys. We’re...distracted today."

"Did you eat some bad muffins for breakfast?" Dinky asked.

They snorted in amusement. "No. I just...have a few things on our minds."

"Well, get those things out of your minds!" Apple Blossom ordered, banging her stick on the map of Ponyville. "We have a lesson here!"

"Cut the theatrics for a moment, Blossom," said Lightning. "Can't you see Screwball and Cherry blossom's having a crisis here?"

"Maybe they have low blood sugar," Cinnamon Stick suggested.

"I made some rolls this morning!" Cinnamon Roll announced.

"Don't be silly," said Thunder. "Screwball and Cherry Blossom eat nothing but cotton candy and chocolate! They’re never low on blood sugar!"

"Are they sick?" Winter asked.
"Now that's even sillier. Screwball and Cherry Blossom's the Princesses of Chaos. they never get sick!"

"Yeah," Lightning groaned, rolling her eyes at her sister. "Don't be an idiot, Winter."

The tiny pegasus gasped. "I'll tell Mommy and Daddy you said a bad word!"

"Idiot's not a bad word!"

"Yeah!" Thunder confirmed. "A bad word would be..."

He was cut off as his mouth was suddenly zipped closed.

"What kind of big brother are you?" Screwball demanded.

Thunder grumbled as he unzipped his mouth. "Just tell us what's wrong, Screwy and Cherry, so we can stop arguing about it."

They were not sure whether or not to tell their friends. They decided to run a test first.

"Do you guys know what a changeling is?"

Every pony gasped in horror, aside from Dinky and Apple Blossom.

"What's a changeling?" the two asked together.

"They're shape shifters!" Lightning declared.

"They're evil!" Thunder added.

"They're scary!" Cinnamon Roll shivered, hiding behind her brother.

"They take the form of the ones you love!" Cinnamon Stick exclaimed.

"And they eat that love!" Lightning finished.

"Like spaghetti!" Winter shouted.

"Our mom battled those guys at Flurry Heart's parents' wedding!" Thunder claimed, punching his hooves in the air.

"They were tough!" Lightning grunted.

"But our mom was victorious!''

"Our parents were there too," Cinnamon Stick reminded them. "So were Screwball's mom, Aunt Twilight, Aunt Rarity and Aunt Pinkie. But Mom said Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence defeated them in the end."

Lightning rolled her eyes. "Well, yeah, but mom fought them hard!"

"And knocked a hundred of them out!" Thunder added.

"Yeah!" Winter cheered. "Our mommy is awesome!"

"Shut up, Winter," Lightning muttered.

"You said another bad word! I'm telling!"

"Why did you ask, Screwy and Cherry ?" Cinnamon Stick inquired.

Screwball and Cherry Blossom now knew they could not tell their friends. While they trusted them with their life, they would not understand.

"No reason," they lied. "Did we hear something about cinnamon rolls?"

As Prince Mothball and Screwdriver headed to their chamber, they heard the buzzes among the changelings:

"How come they get to be Princes? They’re just little brats! I've served this hive longer than they ever have!"

"They’re nothing special, except that they look different! Talk about discrimination!"

"The least her majesty could do is to pick a female to be heir!"

"Maybe they'll choose a queen when they inherit the throne."

"Ha! We've never needed a king and we don't need one now!"

The princes quickened their pace and pretended not to hear them.

"And how come they get a bigger room?"

Their chamber was the second largest in the hive, next to the queen's. The others slept in hexagonal alcoves, shared by up to twenty changelings. They could feel their glares of envy wherever they went.

The worst part was that being Prince was an honor they were not sure they wanted. They were not as clever or ambitious as their mother. Even the privilege of calling her 'their mother' made them weary. She showed them no tenderness. She did not even come to tuck them in or say goodnight. She was not the one to nurse them as a larva. That job went to the nurse changelings, though they had received special attention even then. They had a personal nurse that was ordered to look after them and no one else. The only time their mother wanted to see them was to prepare them for the throne and tell them of her plans.

They did not understand what made them so special. The others were right. They just had the fortune or misfortune of looking different. Chrysalis' heir should have been a girl to give birth to the changelings. They had pointed this out to their mother once and her reply was that they could worry about finding a queen later. It was not something for a boy on the verge of adolescence to think about.

As they crawled into bed, Mothball’s mind wandered to the filly he had met over a week ago. He could not get her out of his head. The first time he saw her he thought she was pretty, even while drenched in chocolate milk. Her swirly curls were like wisps of purple and white clouds. Her fur was as pink as the sky at sunset. And her eyes, oh, he could not stop thinking about her entrancing lollipop eyes.

Screwdriver’s mind wandered to the young alicorn filly. He could not get her out of his head. The first time he saw her he thought she was pretty, even while drenched in chocolate milk. Her mane, oh, her beautiful blue mane, was like clear skies of blue. Her fur was as red as a cherry he’d pick on a warm, summer day, and her eyes, oh, her eyes, he could not stop thinking about her enchanting, sea-blue eyes.

Their chests pounded again.

"What the heck is wrong with me?!" they shouted, slamming their hooves on the bed. "They’re just stupid girls!"

They sighed in agony. No, they were not stupid. They had bravely faced that manticore and had tactically found a way to tame it. They still thought them crazy, (especially the red alicorn) but that made them more interesting.

Indeed, there was no pony like them. As they had said, they were two of a kind.

They had to see them again, not because their mother had asked them to find out more about them, but because they wanted to. It was clear they were not going to get any sleep anyway.

Sneaking out of the hive was not going to be simple. There were guards at every exit and even the hallways were infested with changelings. So Mothball and Screwdriver took the form of fruit flies. Insects were quite easy and the first things changelings learned to transform into. Their small body made them practically invisible to everyone in the hive and they were able to slip out into the outside world.

"And as Shining Armor and Cadence kissed, Rainbow Dash performed her famous sonic rainboom!"

Fluttershy had just finished telling her daughter and niece the story of the changeling invasion in Canterlot. Screwball and Cherry Blossom had requested it, not knowing what to expect. Queen Chrysalis sounded quite evil from her mother's description. Tricking a stallion into marrying her while imprisoning the real bride as well as Aunt Twilight certainly was quite monstrous. Were her sons anything like her?

"I hope I didn't scare you," Fluttershy said.

Screwball shook her head. "No. But Mom, do you really believe all changelings are heartless?"

‘’more heartless than manticores?’’ Cherry Blossom asked.

The pegasus smiled. "I'm sure your father/uncle was just exaggerating. Of course," she shivered, "after that incident in Canterlot, I almost believe him. Then again, I thought your father was a heartless monster before I got to know him."

"Hypocrite," the fillies huffed.

"Do you know why I went with your father/uncle?"

"Because Equestria was in danger?"

"Well, that was part of it, but before I accepted the deal, I went to Zecora for advice. She told me that if I married Discord, there would be great happiness in my future, and that all he wanted was some pony to love him. I came to him with the belief that I could tame him." She chuckled.

"I never expected what would become of it, like the fact that we would have beautiful, special little fillies along the way."

She leaned over and kissed her daughter and niece on the forehead. "Goodnight, my angels. I love you."

"Love you too, Mommy," Screwball said with a smile.

Fluttershy opened the music box on the side table. It had been a gift from Discord on Screwball and Cherry Blossom's fifth birthday. It played without the need of being cranked and alternated between "Hush Now, Quiet Now", "Daddy Discord." And ‘’Cousin Screwball’’. Fluttershy then clapped her hooves, turning the lights off.

Hours after her mother/aunt had departed, Screwball still lay awake in bed. The changeling princes would not leave her mind. She remembered how they had not heard of chocolate milk or playing before. What kind of life had he led to not have tasted chocolate milk? Knowing his diet answered the question, but still! Five thousand brothers and sisters, and they did not know how to have fun?

He must be lonely, she concluded, which was probably ridiculous if they had five thousand playmates at home. Unless he's an outcast like me.

You mean outcasts like us. Cherry Blossom replied in her thoughts.

Ever since They turned nine, they found out they could not only talk to each other physically, but telepathically. They could talk to each other through thought if they don’t want to say it out loud.

Screwball looked at her twin cousin. You’re right. Maybe they are outcasts like…

Her thoughts were interrupted by a rap at their window. They sat up in bed and turned toward the sound. Two dark shadows were at their window. They slid to the floor and cautiously approached. Their eyes widened when they saw their intruders.

Cherry Blossom lifted the window. "What are you doing here?"

"We wanted to see you," Prince Mothball whispered, "and have more of that 'fun' we were having the other day."

Screwball glanced around. "Are you crazy? What if our parents saw you?"

"Why do you think We came here after dark? So you coming or what?" Screwdriver asked.

"What if we don't wanna have fun with you? How do we know you won't just suck our love from us like a vampire?" Cherry Blossom asked.

"We'll be careful, we promise. Besides, if we wanted your love, we wouldn't have come like this." The brothers replied.

Despite how much they wanted to go with them, they had to be vigilant. There was a chance their dads could have been right.

They sighed. "Okay. Meet us at the chocolate lake in fifteen minutes."

The changelings brightened up. "Great! we'll see you!"

Screwball shut the window as Mothball and Screwdriver flew away. She grabbed her hat, but before she put it on, she and Cherry Blossom looked in the mirror and smoothed out their hair. Their hooves were on the doorknob when a thought occurred to them.

"Hold on a second."

They opened the window again and flew out.

It was much faster to reach the lake by flight than on foot. Mothball and Screwdriver had beaten her to it.

"I'm glad you came," they said with a grin.

"Don't get happy just yet," Screwball warned.

"We want to know what this is all about." Cherry Blossom demanded.

Mothball sighed. "I guess your parents told you a lot about changelings, huh? Well, my mother told me a lot about your parents."

Curious, Screwball sat down beside him. "What about them?"

"Well, for starters, she told me that your dad was the Lord of Chaos that took over Equestria two or three times."
Screwdriver said as Cherry Blossom sat next to him.

"He's not like that anymore," Screwball insisted. "Not since he met my mom."

"Yeah, she said that too. Hey, how did that happen anyway?" Mothball asked.

"My parents, you mean?"

"Yeah. Don't take this the wrong way, but how did a pony fall in love with the evil Spirit of Chaos?"

Cherry Blossom sprawled in the grass. "Well, it's a funny story really. The last time Uncle took over Equestria, he asked for a bride if he would stop his chaos. My mom was the only one brave enough to do it." She giggled. "I've heard the story so many times, yet they keep adding new things. For instance, Screwy's mom told me tonight that she went because she thought she could tame Daddy.

"They were engaged for a really long time. Every night, Dad would ask Mom if she loved him. They made a deal that they would not get married until she said yes. Daddy said that his plan had worked in reverse and he was falling for her instead. One day, he let her go."

Mothball and Screwdriver blinked in astonishment. "But I thought you said he was in love with her!"

"He was. He did everything he could to please her: gave her a comfortable bedroom, created a garden full of plants and animals, took her on romantic dates, you get the picture. But he knew she wasn't completely happy, because all she wanted was her freedom. So he gave it to her.

"A few days later, Mom and Auntie realized how unhappy they was without Dads and went back to them. On the way, they ran into a pack of Timberwolves. Dad and Uncle heard Auntie’s screams and saved her. They brought them back to the castle and then they confessed their love for each other! But they weren't ready for marriage yet and didn't tie the knot until a year later. Then they had us!"

Mothball had listened to the entire story intently, watching the filly's excited glow as she told it.

"That's…" he stammered. "That's the most romantic thing I've ever heard."
Screwball's cheeks turned pinker. "You know, our dads may seem scary at first, but they’re a real softie once you get to know him."

He laughed nervously. "I think he'd prefer to not know me."

"So what's your dad like?"

"Oh. You see, We...don't exactly have a father."

Screwball's smile wavered. "You never knew him?"

She understood that these things happen. Her friend never met her father, and all she knew about him was that he had been a doctor and explorer of some sorts.

"It's not that," Mothball explained. "The changeling race works like a bee hive. You know that bees have a queen, right?"

Screwball and Cherry Blossom nodded. Cheerilee had taught them about bees months ago.

"That's our mom, as you probably know. She gives birth to all the changelings, the workers, the soldiers, the nurses, the drones. That's what We meant when we said we had five thousand brothers and sisters."

"Wow," Screwball uttered. "I've always wondered what it was like not to be an only child."

‘’Well, Mom was going to have a baby a few years later.’’ Cherry Blossom predicted.

Mothball laughed. "What I would give for that! Just because I have a lot of siblings, doesn't mean we're all one big happy family! Actually, most of them hate us. I don't know if you've noticed, but we're a bit different from other changelings."

Screwball scooted closer to him. "Because you're princes?"

"Well…yeah. What I mean is changelings don't usually look the way I do. They don't have hair or pupils, for example. They're more bug-like than pony-like. When Mother saw that We were 'special,' she made me heir to her throne."

"You're special? What a coincidence! we're special too!" Cherry Blossom blushed. "Oh, I didn't mean to brag! It's just a fact."

Screwdriver giggled. "I figured. I've never met a half-pony, half uh..."

"Draconequus."

"...half-drakanaka before."

She stifled a laugh. "Good try."

"Your magic is really amazing! I've never seen anything like it!" Mothball said.

"Please, you should see our dads’! They can turn an entire orchard into an ice skating rink!"

"Still, We bet if you looked up the word 'special' in the dictionary, there'd be a picture of your faces." Mothball and Screwdriver blushed.

"I'm sure you'd be there too."

They groaned. "The only thing that makes me special is that I look different."

"So? There's nothing wrong with being different."

‘’If that weren’t the only reason we were Princes!’’Screwball and Cherry Blossom jumped back as they suddenly raised they’re voices. "Sorry, it just bugs us how every changeling envies us for being the queen's favorite, a position we neither deserve nor want!"

There was silence for a moment. Then Mothball suddenly felt something soft brush against him. He looked down to see a pink hoof upon his black deformed one. He then looked up at the filly it belonged to. As he did, his green eyes met her deep, purple ones. The spirals in them seemed to go on forever. Screwdriver did the same with Cherry Blossom.

"If you don't want it," Cherry Blossom whispered, "you don't have to take it. Also, what you are doesn't label who you are. I'm one of the daughters of chaos, but that doesn't mean I'm going to take over Equestria one day. I'm also the niece of the Element of Kindness, but that doesn't mean I'm Miss Nice-to-Every-Pony. I'm a little bit of both, but I'm also me."

Screwdriver stared at her for a long while, not breaking contact from those blue pupils.

"Why are you so nice to me?" he asked. "Even now when you know what I am?"

She smiled at him. "My parents taught me that no matter how frightening one may appear, every creature has a heart."

He pulled his hoof away and turned his back to her. "Not changelings."

Her smile disappeared and she looked at the colt sympathetically. "So it's true that you literally don't have a heart?"

He nodded. "Why do you think we feed off love? With no heart to keep our blood pumping, we need the love to survive, but we're incapable of feeling any love ourselves."

He turned to her as she gently laid her hoof on his shoulder. "I don't believe that."

Mothball and Screwdriver coldly flicked their hooves away. "What do you want from us?"

they blinked. "We want to be your friends."

Their head shot up and they faced them again. "Friends?"

They nodded. "If that's okay with you, of course."

Mothball could not believe it. He had never had a friend before and the fact that this pretty filly was making the offer was even more astonishing. What else could they say, other than: "Sure?"

They surprised them again by flinging her hooves around his neck. It took them a while to realize they were hugging them! They felt like theirstomach was literally going to explode from the affection he was receiving.

What was he doing? He was feeding off her feelings of friendship! What were to happen if it ever became more than that? He could drain her of her magnificent powers! He was probably doing that right now!

Screwball and Cherry Blossom suddenly pulled away, her cheeks coloring in a fashion the prince could not help but find cute.

"You, um..." they stuttered, "w-wanna...swim?"

Mothball stared at her for another long moment and then shrugged. She smiled and reached out to touch the lake, transforming it to clear water.

The filly was still getting over the rush of feeling his sleek body. Even though it was impossible, she could have sworn that in that moment her head had been on his chest, she had heard a heartbeat.

Author's Note

I decide to replace ''Prism'' with ''Winter''. I thought it fit right as Rainbow Dash and Soarin Dash's youngest Daughter. Winter Dash.

Caught

"Is your talent gardening?" Dinky guessed.

The children were in the schoolyard where Apple Blossom was showing off her new cutie mark: a pink flower.

"Nope," she replied. "My talent is perfumes!"

"Huh?" every pony uttered.

"Actually, I have Thunder Dash to thank for my cutie mark. When he told me the other day that I smelled nice, I got an idea!"

Thunder blushed. "You heard that?"

"I'm glad I did! See, that morning, one of Aunt Applejack's apple pies fell on my head and that's why I had that smell! I figured I could use that smell to make a perfume!"

She opened her saddle bag and withdrew a small spray bottle. She squirted some at Lightning Dash. The pegasus grunted in annoyance but then took a whiff of herself.

"Smells good," she said bluntly.

"So why is your cutie mark a flower and not a perfume bottle?" Dinky asked.

"Because I made the perfume with apple blossoms that I had pressed in my scrapbook," Apple Blossom explained. "They had fallen off the trees before they could turn to apples. Mom says my cutie mark means I can give every pony my apple-y flowery scent!"

While every pony congratulated Apple Blossom, Screwball and Cherry Blossom sat on a bench and doodle in the dirt with a stick.

"Screwball! Cherry Blossom!"

The fillies jumped and turned to Apple Blossom.

"Weren't you listening to my story?"

Screwball shook her head. "Sorry, Blossom. Congratulations on your cutie mark."

Their other friends had gathered round to see what they had been so occupied in.

"Since when did you become so girly?" Thunder inquired.

"What do you mean?" Cherry Blossom asked.

Lightning pointed to the dirt. It was covered in little hearts and a few big ones with the initials 'SB' and 'MB' and also ‘’CB’’ and ‘’SD’’ written in them. Screwball and Cherry Blossom dropped their stick. She had not realized she had been drawing all that.

"Ooh!" Dinky exclaimed. "Who's MB and Sd?"

"No pony!" Screwball insisted, using her magic to make the incriminating doodles disappear.

Apple Blossom scrutinized her face. "Wait a minute." She gasped dramatically. "No way! Screwy's and Cherry’s got a crush!"
"What?! No We don't!"

"You so do! You're blushing like crazy!"

Dinky squealed. "Oh my gosh! Who are they?"

"Are they cute?"

"What color are their manes?"

"It's not Thunder Dash, is it?"

"Is it Cinnamon Stick?"

"You girls know we're standing right here, right?" Cinnamon Stick scowled.

"So spill!" Apple Blossom urged. "Who is it?"

Screwball and Cherry Blossom were literally saved by the bell. As the other foals hastened inside the schoolhouse, they let out a sigh of relief.

Over the past month, she and Prince Mothball have been meeting up frequently. In those meetings, they had played, laughed and confided in each other. Neither of them had told anyone about it and it was becoming harder and harder for Screwball to keep the secret from her friends and family.

Apple Blossom was not the first to notice anything weird about her behavior. Last week, at dinner, her mother had been the one to observe Screwball's lack of appetite.

"Is everything alright, honey?" Fluttershy had asked.

The fillies had not responded as they spread their mashed potatoes over her plate.

"Hmm?" Then they had returned to reality. "Oh. We’re just not hungry."

"I think I know what the problem is," their fathers had said, snapping their fingers and turning the potatoes into cotton candy. Then their eyes had widened at the shape they had made in their food. "Now when did you become all about hearts and kisses?"

Screwball had quickly eaten her meal and pretended like nothing had happened.

Cherry blossom and Screwball:
We met two odd buys,
Who don’t have any hearts,
But they, are so charming, like the moon and the stars,
Screwball:
He makes me a-squeal,
Don’t wanna talk about it.
Cherry Blossom:
Well have a cup of water, cuz’
Both:
Odd is so chaotic!
When They came home with a dreamy look in her eyes, their parents were especially suspicious.

"Tell me you also think there's something wrong with our daughter," Discord and Chillcord said.

"Not wrong," Fluttershy replied, shaking her head, "just peculiar."

‘’very peculiar.’’ Tara said

"I'll say! When we bowled yesterday, when they knocked down the pins, they jumped back up and stood in the shape of a big heart! And when they jumped in the pool, their splash was heart-shaped too! Now they’re making goo-goo eyes?! What happened to our non-kissy, non-mushy little girls?"

"You mean you don't see it?" Tara giggled.

"Don't see what?"

She put her hoof to her forehead. "Honey, I believe our daughters are experiencing their first crush. Well, Crushes."

Discord And Chillcord blinked. "Crush? Then that means...there's boys?" Their body was suddenly engulfed in flames. "WHO ARE THEY?! WE'LL BURN THEM TO A CRISP IF THEY THINK THEY CAN DATE OUR DAUGHTERS!"

They would have burnt down the entire house had Fluttershy not dumped a bucket of water on them. She and Tara made sure to always have one handy whenever they blew their top.

"Would you get a hold of yourself?" Fluttershy demanded. "This is a good thing!"

"How can it possibly be a good thing?" Discord and Chillcord snapped, their eyes filling with tears. "How can it be good that our little girls are growing up?" Discord scowled. "I'm getting to the bottom of this!"

Screwball and Cherry Blossom glanced up from their homework as Screwball’s dad swung the door open.

"Who is it?" he demanded.

The fillies blinked. "What are you...?"

"You mothers are on the crazy suspicion that you have crushes."

Screwball and Cherry Blossom's cheeks turned pinker. "We...um..."

"It's not true, is it?"

They sighed in relief. "Yeah, right. No crush here!"

Discord laughed and ruffled Their mane. "I knew she was just pulling my leg! To think my daughter would get all mushy over a boy!"

They smiled nervously. "Yeah. To think."

"What do you call these things again?" Mothball asked, examining the strange substance in his hooves.

"Donuts," Screwball answered with her mouth full.

"They're fantastic!" Screwdriver exclaimed.

"So you can eat whole foods?" Cherry Blossom inquired.

"Sure, but they don't usually taste very good. Chocolate is an exception. It tastes just like love." Mothball said.

"Oh, okay. Your turn."

After swallowing the rest of his doughnut, Mothball tapped his chin. They had been going back and forth with questions ever since their first meeting.

"Your unicorn friend," he said, "the one with the strange eyes? How did that happen? Was it an accident?"

Screwball shook her head. "It runs in her family. She and I were actually born on the same day and we've been friends ever since! One year we have the birthday party at my house, the next at Dinky's and then at mine and so on."

He scratched his head. "What's a birthday party?"

Cherry Blossom blinked. "Wow. You really need to get out more. A birthday party is a party you have to celebrate the date of your birth."

"In that case, if we had birthday parties at the hive, there'd be one every day."

Screwball snickered. "Aunt Pinkie would have a blast!"

"She's the crazy one, right?"

"You bet your tail she is! Although she's not really our aunt, she's still our favorite! She can turn any bad day around just by being herself. Plus, she gave me this cool hat!"

Mothball sighed. "You have an amazing family, even if most of them aren't related to you."

"I don't get it. Aren't there changelings your age for you to play with? Cherry Blossom asked

"Well, sure, but we don't play, we train. We learn how to hunt so we can feed ourselves. I have to learn especially. Mother says if We’re going to be Kings, We have to find food for the hive."

Screwball glanced down and circled her hoof in the ground nervously. "Does it...hurt?"

"Does what hurt?"

"When you feed on ponies' love...do you...hurt them?" Cherry Blossom asked.

Mothball cringed. "Well...when we drain them of their love, we drain them of their power. They slowly weaken, but...they're not hurt if we're not around them for long."

He paused and backed away from Screwball and Cherry Blossom. "Maybe we shouldn't..."

The fillies gasped and pointed to the sky. "Look! A shooting star!"

They closed their eyes and concentrated.

"What are you doing?" the prince asked.

"If you make a wish on a shooting star, it'll come true," they explained.

"What'd you wish for?" Screwdriver asked.

She laughed. "Silly! You can't tell your wish, or else it won't come true!"

"I fail to see how a star can possess magical wish-granting abilities."

"You're talking to an earth pony with chaotic powers."

"Fair point."

"Ooh, there's another one! This one's yours! Go on! Make a wish!"

Mothball glanced at the filly and then at the star. He thought the idea a bit silly, but he did not want to disappoint his friend. Before the star burnt out, he shut his eyes and silently made his wish: I wish I wasn't a changeling, so I could have a heart.

But their forbidden friendship was not to remain secret forever. Mothball was prepared to meet Screwball for a game of beach volleyball. He had made a hole in his wall leading outside, concealed by a changeling poster (the only decoration he was allowed). He was about to lift it up when a chilling voice stopped him in his tracks:
"Going somewhere, sons?"

The princes gasped and turned to face their mother. Mothball faked a grin.

"W-what are you talking about, Mother? We were just...smoothing out this poster!"

Chrysalis chuckled. "You can cut the charade, sons. I know of your secret exit, and where you've been sneaking off to the past several weeks."

Mothball gulped. There was no use hiding now that he had been caught red hoofed. He got down on his knees.

"We’re prepared for my punishment, Mother," they said, shutting Their eyes with a shiver.

"Punishment?" Chrysalis said, raising an eyebrow. "You want me to punish you for doing exactly as I told you?"

They opened their eyes and looked up at her in confusion. "What?"

"I asked you to find out whatever you could about the halfling and you have. You are quite brilliant, my son! The silly filly doesn't suspect a thing! Of course, your mission will have to be cut short."

"What do you mean?"

The queen smirked as she laid her hoof on the colts’ shoulder. "You are doing so well, my sons, you are ready for the next level of your training, and it will require long and tedious hours, so your little scheme will have to be put on hold."

Mothball and Screwdriver choked at what their mother was saying. She had known what they had been doing all along and now he had to stop, but what did she mean by the 'next level' of training?

She seemed to read his thoughts. "This spawn of Discord could be more useful than I thought. They could be the key to our success! And you, my sons," she lifted his chin towards her, "will be the one to turn that key in the lock."

A chill ran up their spine at the tone of her voice. "What do you mean, Mother?"

She let him go and walked to the curtain covering the entrance. "First lesson in your new level of training, son:" she grinned at him evilly, "breaking a heart."

The prince could not speak. His mother chuckled darkly.

"Go," she commanded. "Meet your little girlfriends and inform them you are unable to see them again. But don't just tell her. Break her! Be cruel, be cold, be vicious!"

"You..." Mothball stammered. "You...w-want me to...w-what?"

"Break the filly's fragile heart and enjoy the pleasure you'll get from it!"

"B-b-but..."

"If you don't do as I say, I will know."

His legs quivered. She would know. She had spies everywhere. He had been a fool to think he could sneak out unnoticed! She had only let him go so he could do her dirty work. Now she was asking him to break the beautiful heart he admired and envied and to emotionally hurt the pony it belonged to. He wanted to refuse, but how could he? He could not disobey his mother.

As Mothball approached the chocolate lake, he saw that it was surrounded by sand. Screwball stood by a net, bouncing a volleyball on her head. He smiled at her innocence and then frowned at what he had to do.

When Screwball saw their friends, she caught the ball in her hooves. "What took you so long?"

"I, um..." they stuttered. "I...had trouble sneaking out."

She shrugged. "That's okay. You want to serve first?"

Her swirly eyes sparkled with excitement. He looked away so he could avoid getting lost in them. He searched the trees for changeling scouts, but did not expect to find any, for they were masters of camouflage. He would bet his life that they were watching right now and would report to their queen on his actions.

Mothball stepped closer to Screwball, still avoiding her gaze, and took a deep breath. "We can't play volleyball tonight, Screwball."

Screwdriver nodded in agreement. ‘’Sorry, Cherry.’’

The fillies’ grins wavered, but Screwball kept it up. "Okay. We can play something else, if you'd like."

"No, Screwy...I...see...I can't play with you anymore."

‘’MB’s right. Again, sorry Cherry.’’ Screwdriver agreed.

This time, their smile vanished completely. "What? Why?"

Their mother's words rang through their head: Be cruel, be cold, be vicious!
"I..." Mothball narrowed his eyes and lifted his chin in an uppity fashion. "I don't want to play with you anymore! You've...you've gotten boring!"

‘’Uh… Yeah! Yeah You too, Cherry!’’ Screwdriver yelled.

Screwball dropped the ball in disbelief. "Mothball, what's going on? Why are you lying to us?"

Cherry Blossom started to verge up tears. ‘’Was it something we said?’’

They winced. They had forgotten that they were living lie detectors. Then an idea struck them. They knew they could tell they were lying, but their mother did not.

"I'm not lying!" Mothball insisted. "I've grown tired of you! It was fun for a while, but...then it became dull. And to think I risked getting into trouble for you! You're lucky no one caught me!"

‘’Yeah! Its not like any pony’s watching us so abruptly!’’ Screwdriver screamed as he pushed away Cherry Blossom.

Screwball's eyes widened in realization. She could sense the falseness in every word, including the last sentence. They had been caught, possibly by their mother. But why were they acting like this?

"It really is amazing I was never caught!" Screwdriver continued. "I mean Mother has spies everywhere, and they don't know a thing about this!"

Another lie. Screwball and Cherry Blossom understood now. They were being watched, and so they were pretending to be cruel. After a long pause, they realized they had to play along.

"Well, fine!" Screwball snapped. "Maybe we’re tired of you too!"

‘’Yeah! In fact! You’re so ugly even my face feels sour!’’ Cherry Blossom snapped.

Mothball was slightly taken aback, but straightened up and tried to look cold. "If we're so tired of each other, then maybe we shouldn't see each other anymore!"

"Fine with us!"

He could not tell if she had gotten his message, but the spies were watching and he had to retain his image.

"You know? You were never my friend! You're just a stupid, funny-eyed girl!"

Cherry Blossom gasped and almost struck him with a lightning bolt, but remembered it was a lie and controlled herself.
"Well...you weren't our friends either! We just liked disobeying our parents! After all, how can we be friends with heartless monsters?"

He felt a pain in his chest, but told himself she was acting. "Okay then! I'll never sneak out to see you again!"
They then turned on their hoof and took to the skies. Screwball bit her cheeks. It was the best she could do to contain her grin.

They had been lying.

Five years later

"Now make a wish and blow out the candles!" Pinkie Pie screeched.

The seven-layer cake sitting in front of Cherry Blossom and Screwball had thirty candles, fifteen for each of them. The party was held at Screwball and Cherry Blossom’s this year, and a good thing too, because there were many guests and much space was needed. Three energetic, poofy-haired fillies hovered over the birthday girls. One was blue, one a deep magenta and the third a light red.

"Quick, quick!" the blue one urged.

"Blow them out!" cried the magenta one.

"Yeah, so we can dig in!" the red one clapped.

"Blueberry, Raspberry, Cherry!" Pinkie Pie shouted, ushering the girls back into their seats. "Calm yourselves!"

Screwball looked to her twin cousin. "You ready?"

Cherry Blossom nodded. "On three."

"One..." they counted together, "two...three!"

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.

"That yours or mine?" Discord asked Applejack.

"I got this one!" Spike 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! There's a good little Applespike!"

It turned out that it was possible for ponies to have a dragon for a child. At a glance, the foal looked normal: an orange earth pony with green hair, until you saw his green reptilian eyes and scaly orange tail.

But, what really caught Applespike’s eye, was Zanabelle, one of the new members of the draconequus family. She looked just like her twin cousin, Zany, his new best friend. Her pink mane, those red lollipop eyes, that grey with red lace dress…

The young colt let out a burp, coughing up green fire. Spike only smiled.

"That's my special boy!" Applejack sighed.

Discord put his hands around the birthday girls' shoulders. "So, what did you gals wish for?"

"I wished that Cherry's wish would come true," Screwball said.

"Aw, thanks, Screwy!" Cherry Blossom sniffed.

"In that case," the draconequus said, "what'd you wish for, Miss Blossom?"

The alicorn blushed. "Uh...I wished for… two million cupcakes for every pony!"

Lightning Dash’s jaws dropped. ‘’Wait, what?!’’

Discord chuckled and snapped up Two million cupcake to flood the place. They raised the babies, so they wouldn’t suffocate. "Here you are, but I think you should have the cake first."

"Cake, cake, cake!" the Pie triplets chanted, pounding their hooves on the table.

"Girls!" Pinkie said firmly. "That's not very polite. You know the birthday girls get the first bite of the cake! It's one of the major rules of birthday parties!"

The foals scrambled into a line as Discord cut the chocolate-frosted chocolate cake.

"Uh, how many calories does this have?" asked a white unicorn filly with an elegantly coiffed blue mane. "I'm on a diet."

"Oh please," Winter groaned, rolling her eyes.

"Don't be such a party pooper, Gemstone!" Rarity laughed, patting her daughter's head. "There's nothing wrong with a little cake. Besides, you're too young to be dieting."

Gemstone was Winter's age at nine and was the daughter of Rarity and Spike. Screwball had not wanted her to come because she was so fussy, but she had rarely seen Aunt Rarity since her marriage and wherever she went, Gemstone went.
"Here you go, girls," Discord said, handing Cherry Blossom and Screwball each a slice of cake.

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. "You shouldn't be eating cake! Besides, this belongs to your sister!"

"Oh, let it go, honey," Discord chuckled. "He's only five months old and his diet already consists of chocolate."

"That's no excuse for him to steal from his own sister!"

"That's okay, Mom," Screwball assured her as she took back her cake.

When Zany and Zanabelle had arrived, Screwball and Cherry Blossom had been worried that this meant they were no longer special, but after spending time with their new baby brother and baby sister, they became the best of siblings. Zany and Zanabelle were just as crazy as they were; only he and she were little and had less control over their powers. It had surprised everyone that he looked like his parents when the case had not been for his sister. Then again, nothing made sense with this family.

The other guests included Rainbow Dash, Soarin and their three kids, Pinkie Pie's husband Cheese Sandwich, Apple Blossom and her parents, Cinnamon Stick and Cinnamon Roll, and of course, Dinky's mother.

"I wish Twilight was here," Pinkie said as she chomped down on her cake. "She's missing out on the fun!"

"You know she's busy with preparations for the Grand Galloping Gala next week," Rarity reminded her.

Thunder Dash groaned. "Dad, do we have to go?"

"What's wrong with the Gala?" Soarin asked. "I thought you kids liked seeing us perform."

"But it's so..." Lightning shivered, "girly!"

"It's not as lame as it used to be," Rainbow assured her. "Aunt Scootaloo's going to be there with the other Cutie Mark Crusaders."

Winter gasped in delight. She loved Scootaloo like she was her real aunt.

"Awesome! Is she going to do any of her cool scooter tricks?"

Rainbow laughed. "We'll see."

"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 Saddle Arabia."

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. Sweetie Belle was the lead singer, Scootaloo the main dancer and Apple Bloom the costume and set designer, though she still performed onstage with the others. Fortunately, Scootaloo's singing had improved since the talent show fiasco. They soon became famous all over Equestria and were greatly missed by their families and friends.

"Princess Flurry Heart will be there too," Fluttershy pointed out. "And you all like her, don't you?"

"I guess so," Screwball mumbled. "But you still want me to wear a dress?"

"Don't be rude, honey. Rarity's making the dress for you."

‘’I love dresses!’’ Cherry Blossom chimed. ‘’Can you make me a baby blue one please aunt Rarity? It could go so well with my eyes and mane!’

‘’But of course, Darling.’’ Rarity replied.

"That reminds me!" Rarity exclaimed. "You two have to open your presents!"

Cherry Blossom 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 and Cherry Blossom’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 play bowl one more game?"

"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."

The teenagers groaned in response. Cherry Blossom looked at them with sad eyes, but then became very stern and turned to her aunt defensively.

‘’No, Aunt Fluttershy.’’ Cherry Blossom stomped her hoof.

‘’What?!’’ The yellow pegasus said.

‘’No!’’ Cherry Blossom said.

Fluttershy gave a look meaning she was getting close to her Stare. ‘’How dare you. How dare you! To bed, Now!’’
The rest of the teenagers ducked under the covers. Cherry Blossom looked at them and back at her aunt. But she kept her composure.

‘’Fine!’’ She snapped. ‘’If you don’t leave us alone, then you left me no choice!’’

Fluttershy gasped as Cherry Blossom opened her eyes, shooting an ominous glare at the pegasus. she squealed in fright as she did so.

‘’I’m sorry! I- I didn’t mean to spoil your fun!’’ Fluttershy tried to cover her eyes with her hooves.

‘’Get. Out.’’ Cherry blossom gritted in her teeth.

‘’Ok! Ok!’ I’ll leave!’’ Fluttershy whimpered as she slowly closed the doors. ‘’Have fun, girls.’’

"Guess what I heard about Gold Digger!" Lightning Dash whispered once Fluttershy had shut the door.

"What? What’d you here? What’d you here?!" Apple Blossom asked, sitting up from her sleeping bag.

Lightning gestured for them to move closer. "His dad told him to find a job, but the only job he was able to get was at..." she paused to snicker, "a rock farm!"

The five mares burst out laughing, but then got quiet when they heard Fluttershy's voice:

"Girls, you better not be talking!"

‘’Auntie!’’ Cherry Blossom called. ‘’Don’t make me use the stare on you again!”

Fluttershy squealed frightened as she quickly flew to her room. She listened with her super hearing as her aunt flew to her room. "Coast is clear."

"How did Gold Digger get on a rock farm?" Dinky inquired. "His dad is the biggest businessman in town!"

"Apparently, no pony liked his personality," Lightning smirked. "I don't blame them."

"There is justice in the world," Screwball giggled. "My only regret is that I wasn't responsible for it."

Cherry Blossom giggled.

"I can't wait for the Grand Galloping Gala," Apple Blossom sighed. "I'll bet it's going to be magical!"

This was Apple Blossom's first Gala. Children were not often invited, but because their mothers were bearers of the Elements of Harmony, and Lightning's parents both Wonderbolts, Screwball and Lightning had gone a couple times before and Screwball never went to a party without Dinky. But this year, because Apple Bloom was performing, all members of the Apple family had been invited, which meant it was going to be quite crowded.

"It's kind of dull," Screwball said flatly. "Well, until Daddy and I shake it up a bit!"

‘’Screwy!’’’ Cherry Blossom warned. ‘’remember what auntie said.’’

Her cousin waved her hoof. ‘’Oh, hollygosh! I’m sure she won’t mind a few minor pranks.’’

"Don't forget the Wonderbolts!" Lightning exclaimed. "You can never get bored watching my parents 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!"

"I... I don't know what you're..."

"Don't even try lying to me. I'll know if you are."

"You should ask him to be your date!" Dinky suggested. "You two would look cute together!"

"I... I don't think he'd..."

"I think he would," Lightning said.

Apple Blossom blinked up at her. "You do?"

"I'm his sister. There's nothing about Thunder that I don't know."

‘’besides,’’ Cherry Blossom flipped her mane ‘’ He finds you attractive.’’

"Oh but...I don't think I'll be able to..."

"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!"

‘No, uncle!’’
‘’What did you say?!’’ the voice said.

‘’No! Don’t make ME get the cement!’’ Cherry Blossom called.

‘’Oh no! not the cement! Anything but the cement!’’ the voice cried.

‘’If you don’t want the cement, then get out of our room!’’

They heard a scream as it disappeared.

‘’We better go to bed, before they send my dad after me.’’ Cherry Blossom said.

‘’Agreed.’’ The rest said.

"Pssst," Dinky whispered, nudging her friend. "Screwball, are you asleep?"

Screwball groaned and sat up in bed. "Not anymore."

"I have to tell you something, and you have to Pinkie Promise to keep it a secret."

"Is it about what you 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 Cinnamon Stick would dance with me at the Gala."

The earth pony scoffed. "I was wondering when you were going to tell me."

"You mean you know?"

"I'm your friend, Dink. I've seen the way you look at him."

The unicorn blushed. "I'll bet you haven't seen Cinnamon Stick look at me the same way."

"Why wouldn't he?"

"Well...I'm not exactly...normal..."

‘’Besides, ‘’ Cherry Blossom said.’’ Normal, is a thing for boys.’’

"Dinky, his dad is the famous Caramel seedling. Do you really think he cares about normal? I'm going to give you the same advice I gave Apple Blossom: go for it, girl! What have you got to lose?"

Dinky sighed. "Maybe you're right, but you can't tell any pony, especially not Cinnamon Stick!"

‘’I promise.’’ Cherry Blossom said.

"I won't. But you'd better."

"So now that I've told you my secret, can you tell me yours?"

Screwball's smile faded. "What secret?"

‘’What?!WWWWWWWWWWWHAT?!’’

"I don't know." The unicorn looked toward the open window. "Maybe why you left chocolate bars at your window?"

Panicking, Screwball made the evidence vanish from sight. "What chocolate bar?"

Cherry Blossom made her evidence disappear and made an innocent whistle.

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."

‘’Not a word, to any pony.’’ Cherry Blossom warned. ‘’ever.’’

Once that was done, Screwball and Cherry Blossom whispered as low as they could. "You remember a few years ago, when you thought we had a special some pony?" Dinky nodded. "Well...you weren't entirely wrong."

‘’Yeah, he was dreamy Back then.’’ Cherry blossom sighed.

The unicorn gasped. "Why didn't you tell me?! I'm your friend!"

"Says the mare who didn't confide in me about her crush!"

‘’MmhMM.’’

"Fair point. Who is it?"

"That, 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."

‘’Yeah.’’ Cherry Blossom said.

"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."

‘’Yeah. She kept us apart for a while, until we first met. She tends to get a little…. Overheated.’’ Cherry Blossom explained.

Dinky stared with her mouth open in wonder. "Have you...kissed?"

Screwball glanced down. "No. It wasn't anything like that, but...at one point I kind of...you know."

"Oh. So, I guess we'd better go to sleep then."

"Huh?"

"Well, if your special some ponies do come tonight, I don't think they would want us to see them."

Screwball smiled. "There's not an ounce of stupidity in you, Dinky."

The three friends slid back under the covers and closed their eyes. Before Screwball and Cherry Blossom drifted to sleep, s wondered what Mothball and Screwdriver were doing. They had not seen them since their twelfth birthday and they had been coming less and less, but they never forgot her birthday. Whatever their mother was doing to them, she was keeping them on a tight leash. they had only met the queen once, so Screwball and Cherry Blossom could only imagine what she was putting the princes through.

Queen Chrysalis circled her sons as they sat upright on the throne. "Now, what have we learnt about love?"

"It is weakness for the victim, but strength for us," Prince Mothball and Prince Screwdriver said with indifference.

"What are the Equestrians?"

"The enemy."

"And what is your duty?"

" We must find food for the hive, drain the enemy of their power, and take our rightful place as rulers of the changelings."
"And what must you do to anyone who tries to stop you?"

"We must dispose of them."

Chrysalis chuckled darkly. "You are ready."

"Mother, may we go hunting now? we are quite famished."

"Very well. Go, my sons. Make Mummy proud!"

Once the hive was out of sight, Mothball and Screwdriver let out a relieved sigh. They thought they would never get out of there! They had not fibbed about being hungry, but the main reason they said it was, so they could see Screwball and Cherry Blossom. It was their birthday and this time, they were going to let them see them. After going six months without visiting them, they were more desperate than ever!

They were over the Everfree Forest when a thought occurred to them. What if they were to accidentally feed on them, especially when their stomach was this empty? It was best to fill up first, so they changed their course toward Ponyville.
Since it was so late at night, few ponies were out and about. Mothball and Screwdriver ducked inside an alley as their eyes followed a grey pegasus. They had much improved in their mind reading and took the form of the first stallion that appeared in the mare's mind. Sometimes, they could make out the pony's name, but all they could figure out about this one was that they were a doctor.

The minute the pegasus saw them, her eyes went wide, and Mothball and Screwdriver noticed that only one eye was directed at them.

"Doctor?" she uttered.

"Yes, Miss..." Mothball and Screwdriver said in a peculiar accent as he searched for the mare's name. "Hooves?"

They screeched as the mare tackled him in a hug and they both fell over. She squeezed so hard, the princes were going to burst, but his stomach was filling quickly, so they did not complain. That is, until the mare stood up and slapped them in the face.

"You've got a lot of nerve walking in here!" she cried. "Sixteen years and you don't even bother to call?!"

Mothball and Screwdriver raised an eyebrow. "I'm...sorry?"

"Sorry doesn't make up for the sixteen years you missed out on! Do you know how hard it was not to tell any pony who Dinky's father was?!"

"I'm really...Dinky?"

The mare glanced down at her hooves. "She's...your daughter."

Mothball and Screwdriver blinked. "You're...Dinky's mother?"

"Of course, I'm her mother! Weren't you listening? I mean how many mares have you...?"

The princes panicked. They swore they would not feed off Screwball, Cherry Blossom or their friends. Did mothers of friends count? Their stomach was nearly full, so it was about time they left anyway.

"Darling," he purred, standing up. "I can't stay for long."

"Oh," Derpy said. "Do you have to battle the Daleks or something?"

"The what?" He then recalled his mother's lesson to roll with anything. "Err, yes. But don't worry." He stepped forth and ran his hoof under the mare's chin, causing her to giggle. "I will return soon."

Derpy narrowed her eyes and slapped his hoof away. "That's what you said last time and sixteen years later, you show up out of the blue! You didn't even come to your daughter's birth!"

Mothball cast a spell on her, turning her disproportionate eyes green.

"I apologize, darling," he whispered. "But I really must be going. Now, you are to head home, get some rest and forget any of this ever happened. Understand?"

Derpy nodded absent-mindedly and began her journey home. Mothball and Screwdriver sighed and returned to the alley to remove their disguise. They despised toying with ponies' emotions, but it was their only method of survival. That poor mare had thought she was talking to her child's father, whom she had not seen for years! She had been on the verge of tears all because of them. If Screwball and Cherry Blossom knew what they had become...

Screwball! Cherry Blossom! They nearly forgot! They were about to take off when a vase of roses caught their eye. They were sure the owner would not miss two flowers.

The flight to the chaotic castle seemed to take no time at all. Before he knew it, he was at Screwball and Cherry Blossom's bedroom window. As usual, bars of chocolate were sitting there, but that was not the first thing they noticed. They stared at the young mares' face as they slept peacefully. They looked even prettier than last they saw them. How they longed for them to open their eyes, so they could stare into infinity.

They stiffened as they heard a snore that had not come from Screwball or Cherry Blossom. They looked closer to see the unicorn friend sleeping beside them. They glanced down at the floor and finally noticed two other mares in the room.
The traditional sleepover had completely slipped their mind! There was no way they were going to let them see them now. The others might wake up!

They sighed sadly as they took the bars of chocolate, replacing it with the rose.

Screwdriver smiled. ‘’Happy Birthday, Cherry,’’

"Happy Birthday, Screwball," Mothball whispered.

They stole one more glance at them before returning to the hive.

Author's Note

In case you ask, Zanabelle is pronounced: Zane-a-bell, simple as that!

To Canterlot

The disadvantage to having such a large estate was that it was difficult for one to find their children anywhere. Fluttershy had been wandering around for hours before she found hers over by the duck pond.

Screwball stood over her baby brother as she covered her eyes. "Where's the baby?"

Zany giggled as he vanished from sight. His sister opened her eyes and looked around. She smiled once she spotted the infant in the tree above. She floated up to him and snatched him.

"Here he is!"

The baby laughed as Screwball tickled his tummy.

"So this is where you two have been all day!" Fluttershy exclaimed, flying up to them. "Having fun?"

"Loads!" Screwball declared. "Isn't Zany just the cutest little baby you've ever seen?"

Her mother chuckled as she patted the infant's head. "I'd say he's tied with you. Screwball, honey, have you packed your things? Remember, we'll be staying in Canterlot for a week."

"Oh, I did that hours ago! Mom, why can't Zany come with us?"

Fluttershy sighed and took her baby into her hooves. "We're going to be very busy, and the Grand Galloping Gala is no place for a baby. Besides, who knows what kind of magical surges Zany will get while we're there? He might turn the ballroom to ice, the castle to gingerbread, put spiders in Princess Flurry Heart's bed..."

"One little harmless prank and you're labeled for life! Come on, Mom! I can keep him in line. The princesses haven't even seen him yet!"

"Perhaps another time, honey, when things are less hectic."

Inside, Fluttershy was crying at the thought of leaving her precious baby boy behind. He had rarely left her sight since he was born! She would not let anyone other than Screwball or Discord handle him! She figured Applejack was feeling the same about leaving Applespike.

"I don't know about this, Granny Smith," said Applejack. "Taking care of two foals plus Wynona and the other animals can't be easy, and Applespike can be a handful!"

"And there's no telling what Zany will do!" Fluttershy exclaimed.

‘’especially my little Zanabelle!’’ Tara said, tears welling up her eyes

"Now don't y'all worry about yerr little ones!" the elderly pony assured them. "They're in good hooves here!"

"Don't forget to feed him every hour!" Applejack reminded her. "There are some sapphires in the cupboard for when he gets picky! And if ya need to burp him, point his head away from anything flammable! Oh, and don't forget his seven-hour bubble bath has to be super bubbly! And keep your hoof away from his mouth. His teeth are starting to come in."

"Ouch!" Cinnamon Roll cried out, pulling her hoof away from her baby brother's crib. "She's not kidding!"

"And make sure Zany and Zanabelle doesn't drink too much chocolate milk," Fluttershy advised, "because then they get hyper and their magic gets out of control! You have to read them a bedtime story and sing a lullaby, otherwise they'll never get to sleep!"

"And Applespike will make a fuss all night if he doesn't have his binky!" Applejack insisted.

"I got it covered, hon!" Granny Smith declared. "After all, I had to take care of you, yerr brother and sister."

"That was different! Big Mac and I were practically grown up and Applespike, Zany and Zanabelle aren't like other foals!"

"Yeah," Cinnamon Stick nodded. "Just last week, the little tyke singed my eyebrows while I was feeding him!"

"Ya see?!"

Spike chuckled as he laid a claw on his friend’s shoulder. "Little Applespike will be fine, AJ! I think we know by now there's nothing Granny Smith can't handle."

"What about Zany and Zanabelle?" Tara asked worriedly. "Their actions are unpredictable! What if they teleport themselves into the Everfree Forest and gets attacked by Timberwolves?! What if they turn invisible and can't turn back?! What if…?"

Chillcord clasped his claw over her mouth. "Quit worrying, dear! Nothing bad is going to happen to our baby. They are Discords, after all!"

"Now come on, girls!" Spike insisted. "We're going to miss the train!"

The draconequus groaned. "For the thousandth time! We can get us all there in a second!"

"But train rides are fun!" Cinnamon Roll declared.

"But they take forever!"

"You can go ahead if you want, Dad," said Screwball, "but I want to take the train. You know, and spend alone time with Mom..."

Cherry Blossom smirked. ‘’Yeah, like Dad and mom… alone…’’

Discord and Chillcord stiffened. "What are you talking about? We love trains!"

Cheerilee entered the house with a saddle bag on her back. "Is every pony all set to go?"

"One second," Screwball said.

She turned to Zany and made her old stuffed dragon appear in her hooves.

"Here, little bro," she said, handing it to him. "Sir Cheeseball will keep you company."

The baby looked curiously at the toy and put its claw in its mouth.

"No, it's not for eating!"

She silently put a spell on Sir Cheeseball, causing Zany to squeal and release it from his mouth.

"You be good, alright?" she said, rubbing his belly.

"Everything will be okay!" Fluttershy assured her son frantically. "Mommy will be home soon!"

Discord reached in and ruffled his hair, causing him to giggle. Meanwhile, Applejack was saying their final goodbyes to herbaby.

"No frying any pony, ya hear?" Spike said.

"Ya really think he'll be alright?" Applejack whispered.

"He'll be fine!"

Discord had to pry Fluttershy and Tara from the crib.

"You have nothing to worry about, honey!"

"No!"Fluttershyscreamed. "He needs me! I have to stay with him!"

He sighed. "I didn't want to do this, but you leave me no choice."

He snapped his fingers and teleported her into his arms. She kept kicking and screaming, trying to get to her baby. Tara Screamed as if she was in pain.

"Have fun, y'all!" Granny Smith waved before she shut the door.

When she turned around, she gasped. Zany and Zanabelle were missing from their crib.

"Now where'd ya scamper off to?"

She heard laughter above her head and looked up to find the infants on the ceiling.

"Aw, nuggets."

"Do you have the tickets, Cheesy?" Pinkie asked her husband at the train station.

"Let's see," the brown-headed orange pony said as he dug around in his saddle bag. "They should be...huh? I seemed to have misplaced them!"

"What?!" Pinkie screeched. "Cheese Sandwich! the train is leaving in five minutes and Twilight is expecting us and if we don't show up she'll think we've forgotten all about her and she'll forget us and I'll be such a terrible friend and..."

"Wait, I think I know where they are!"

"You do?"

"Yeah, right..." he reached behind her ear and pulled out five tickets. "...here!"

Pinkie squealed. "I love it when you do that!"

"How does he do that?" Rarity marveled, scratching her head. "He has no horn, no sleeves, no nothing!"

"When are the others going to show up?" Cherry Pie asked impatiently.

"Yeah!" Raspberry Pie demanded "Where are Thunder and Lightning and Prism and Rainbow and Soarin...?"

"And Screwball and Dinky and Cherry Blossom...?" Blueberry Pie continued.

"And Discord and Fluttershy and...?"

"Okay, okay!" Gemstone screamed. "We get it!"

"The Apples should be coming soon," Rarity responded, "along with the Doos and the Discords. The Dashes will be arriving at the Gala with the Wonderbolts."

Spike came panting onto the platform, followed by the rest of the group. "Sorry we're late, guys, but it took a while to drag Fluttershy and Tara away from Zany and Zanabelle."

"I just know something bad's going to happen!" Fluttershy shrieked as she struggled in Discord's grasp. "I have to go back to him!"

"Honey, he's fine!" Discord insisted. "You're getting all worked up over nothing!"

"The train for Canterlot is leaving!" the conductor called from the train. "All aboard that's going aboard!"

Twilight Sparkle paced around her room, trying to settle the worries that were swimming in her mind.

"Keep it together," she said. "So what if there's another chaotic being flying around? Screwball and Cherry Blossom turned out okay, and Discord hasn't caused trouble in years!" She groaned and stomped her hoof. "Then why am I so bothered by this?!"

She thought she had sorted this out long ago! After saving her life, making her friend the happiest mare in the world and raising his powerful daughter so well, shouldn't Discord have her complete trust?

Since Screwball was born, she had feared the child would lose control and Equestria would be in a state of unrest once again! It was not that she did not love Screwball. She was her goddaughter after all. She was a little crazy, but she was also as sweet as Fluttershy. One night, the little filly had caught Twilight in the library and had summoned a swarm of fireflies to give her light. But despite her sweet moments, there were times when things got out of hoof.

When she got angry at some pony, spiders would appear in their bed or something would fall on their head! At last year's Grand Galloping Gala, she had made the chocolate fountain explode! Twilight shivered as she recalled how the filly had turned her horn into a candy cane. It was no mystery where she had gotten that idea.

Cherry Blossom, however, was much different. She takes after her cousin, in a lot of ways.

Now there was a second child of Discord. She had only seen him once at his birth, when he had made all the baby bottles in the hospital come to life. What if he turned out like his father had?

Of course, Discord was Twilight's main concern. Sure, he seemed good now, but what if he had a relapse or something? There was no predicting what he would do!

A knock brought Twilight out of her train of thought.

"Come in," she called.

Once she saw who was at the door, she stiffened. Standing there was a pegasus guard with a golden coat, blue eyes and a blue tail. He used to be taller than her, but being an alicorn for so long had increased her height and now they were at the same eye level.

At this moment, she would have preferred Discord.

For a while, neither of them said anything. They only stared at each other. Twilight tried to utter his name, but the shock muted her.

The guard shook his head and straightened up. "Twi...I mean your highness. Your friends have arrived."

Twilight snapped out of her trance and nodded. "Yes. Thank you...Flash."

She avoided his gaze as she walked out the door. She stopped when she heard his hoovesteps behind her. She turned to look at him, her eyes demanding an explanation.

"Princess Cadence had me transferred to your guard," Flash Sentry said.

"Why?"

"She didn't say. Anyway, my duty is to you now."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Very well. Carry on."

Twilight turned her back to him and continued on her path with her nose in the air. Flash Sentry followed her further.

"Actually, Twilight, I wanted to talk..."

"Oh, so we're back to a first name basis again?" the alicorn snapped.

"That's what I wanted to talk about."

"Well, it's a little late for that, isn't it?!"

"Maybe it wouldn't have taken so long if you hadn't ignored me for the past..."

"You'll have to excuse me. My friends are waiting."

"Twilight, why won't you listen to...?"

"Good day to you, sir."

She picked up the pace and resisted the urge to look back. That had been the first time they had spoken to each other in years.

When Twilight reached the entrance hall, the group had already met with Flurry Heart. The youngest princess had her mother's pink coat and her purple and blue streaked mane and stood at average height. She raced up to Screwball and Cherry Blossom and they did their traditional greeting:

"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!"

Flurry Heart laughed. "Have you all gotten taller?"

"Maybe," Dinky shrugged. "Or you're getting smaller."

"Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy!" Twilight called as she rushed down the steps.

Her best friends greeted her with a hug.

"Geez!" Pinkie exclaimed, looking up at the alicorn. "And here Flurry was saying the kids have gotten taller!"

Twilight gasped at the sight of Spike. "Not as much as Spike has, that's for sure!"

As she embraced her oldest friend, she was shocked to find that she went up to his neck now. It seemed like only yesterday that he had hatched out of his egg.

"I'm so glad you're all here! Come on! Flurry and I will show you to your rooms."

As they trudged through the corridors, Rarity gave Twilight her usual pestering.

"Twilight, darling, there's this friend of Fancy Pants' who is around your age and..."

The alicorn groaned. "No, Rarity! I'm not getting roped into another one of your blind dates!"

"Oh but Twilight, you're the only one of us who isn't married! We just want you to be as happy as we are!"

"Rarity, I hate to say this, but alicorns are immortal. I have plenty of time to find a special some pony and I will get one when I want one!"

The unicorn sighed. "Oh, very well."

"By the way, where is Caramel?"

Applejack's face grew whiter than usual. "He, um...has a business conference and couldn't make it, but he might make it to the Gala."

"Hey!" Pinkie piped. "Is that Flash Sentry? Hi, Flash!"

Twilight stopped in her tracks to see the stallion in front of her. There was that awkward silence again until Flash bowed courteously.

"Your highness."

Twilight nodded. "Sir Sentry."

He then stepped out of her path and let her pass. Twilight bit her lip. It was all she could do to stop herself from crying.

Author's Note

The reason I ship Applespike with Zanabelle, Well someone had to do it!
Btw, Zanabelle is a girl version of Zany

The Grand Galloping Gala

''Come on, girls!" Cinnamon Stick called from outside the ladies' dressing room. "Why won't you let me in?"

"It's not that we're embarrassed to dress in front of you," Screwball said.

"It's just we don't want you peeking!" Cherry Blossom finished.

"We want you guys to be surprised!"

"Surprised for what? I've known you girls forever!"

"Just go back to your father, Sugar!" Applejack commanded. "We'll see y'all tonight."

Cinnamon Stick sighed. "Whatever you say, Mom."

"So Screwball," Princess Flurry Heart said as she filed the younger mare's hooves. Even though she was a princess, she liked giving her friends makeovers. "Is there a certain some pony you're taking to the dance?"

Screwball blushed. "Not really. How about you?"

"No. My last boyfriend was too arrogant. I'm sick of all these Canterlot snobs! No offense, Rarity."

"None taken," the unicorn said as she attempted to curl her daughter's mane. "Gemstone, hold still! However did you get so many knots in here?"

"Probably from pulling at her hair too much," Cinnamon Roll snickered.

"Rarity, are you sure this hair straightener works?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"It always works for me," Rarity replied. "Why do you ask?"

"No matter how many times I straighten the Tri-Pies' manes, they become all poofy again!"

Since Pinkie thought it was silly calling her daughters 'the triplets,' she nicknamed them the 'Tri-Pies.'

"Ah!" Apple Blossom screamed.

"What is it, honey?" Cheerilee inquired.

"Look, Mom!" The filly had released her hair from her braids and held the strands up for her mother to see. "Split ends!"

Gemstone cried out in pain as her mother abruptly yanked the curler out of her mane.

"Did you say 'split ends'?" Rarity questioned.

"Wow!" Pinkie observed, taking a strand of Apple Blossom's hair. "Nasty ones, too!"

The unicorn gasped. "This is terrible! Don't worry, dear! I'll get to you as soon as I'm done with Gemstone, here."

"But Aunt Rarity, this is an emergency!" Screwball insisted. "There's a boy involved!"

Rarity gasped again and dropped the curler. "A boy?! Well, why didn't you say so?!"

She grabbed a pair of scissors and hastened Apple Blossom to a seat.

"Mom!" Gemstone protested. "What about my hair?!"

"Oh, um..." Rarity stammered. "Fluttershy, think you can...?"

"Of course."

The pegasus went over to the unicorn filly to finish the job while Rarity snipped at Apple Blossom's mane.

"So this boy," she said, "are you two close?"

"We've been friends for a while," Apple Blossom replied with a blush.

"And he hasn't asked you out yet?! Darling, you should have called me sooner! When's the last time you combed your mane?"

"Ahem," Cheerilee coughed. "I make sure she combs her mane every day."

"Well, then messy hair must be an Apple thing."

"Hey!" Applejack cried.

"Oh, don't take it personally, darling, it's true!"

"Ouch!" Apple Blossom yelped. "Stop pulling so hard, you dummy!"

"Blossom! Honestly, I don't know where she gets these horrid manners of hers! Probably comes from her father's side!"

"But Caramel is always polite," Twilight called from under the hairdryer.

"Oh, sure he is! He's always polite so that when he stabs you in the back, it'll be so easy to forgive him after a sweet apology and...!"

"Ow!" Apple Blossom cried out as Rarity suddenly yanked the comb through her hair.

The unicorn softened once she realized her mistake. "Oh darling, I'm so sorry!"

"Is everything alright, Applejack?" Fluttershy asked.

"You seem a bit on edge," Rarity noted. "Did you and Caramel get into a fight or something?"

Applejack froze. "What?! Oh, no!" She gritted her teeth. "Everything's fine!"

"Ow!" Apple Blossom cried again.

"If everything's so fine," Cheerilee said, "then please, be careful with my daughter."

The ponies decided to let the subject go and continue with their beautifying and chatting.

"You-know-who's going to love the way you'll look tonight," Cherry Blossom whispered as she styled Dinky's hair.

"Who's You-know-who?" Pinkie asked. "Draco Malfoy?"

Derpy tilted her head. "Who?"

"It's no pony," Dinky mumbled.

The Tri-Pies popped out from behind her.

"Ooh!" Blueberry exclaimed. "Dinky's got a special some pony!"

"This is awesome!" Raspberry cheered.

"We get to throw an 'I-Love-You' party!" Cherry clapped.

"Dinky's got a boyfriend!" the three chanted. "Dinky's got a boyfriend! Dinky's got a..."

"I do not!" Dinky insisted.

"Come on, girls!" Pinkie commanded, ushering her daughters away. "Let's give her some air! Besides, we still have to shine your adorable little hooves!"

"Yippee!" Raspberry piped. "I love getting my hooves shined!"

"Me too!" Blueberry cheered.

"Me three!" Cherry agreed with a bounce.

Dinky sighed.

"They meant no harm, Dinks," Screwball assured her. "They're just being the Tri-Pies."

"What if he doesn't like me?" the unicorn asked with a sniff.

"Trust me. Once I'm done with you, that boy is going to be putty in your hooves!"

Discord summoned a watch on his wrist so he could check the time. "Ugh! What is taking them all so long?"

All the males were waiting at the bottom of the stairs for the girls. Ponies were piling outside, waiting to enter the Gala.

Spike shrugged. "Girls take forever to change. When you live with them all your life, you get used to it."

"Hey, Discord," Cinnamon Stick said. "How's my breath?"

"You asked me that five seconds ago. Your breath is fine, son."

"Sorry. I'm just so nervous!" The colt tugged at the collar of his tux. "Is it getting hot in here?"

"Now what's this all about?" Shining Armor asked.

"I think I know!" Discord exclaimed. "It's a girl, isn't it?"

"Uh..." the colt uttered. "Maybe?"

"This is going to be the night, squirt," Spike said, patting his friend’s son on the head. "You're going to walk right up to her and ask her to dance."

"Who is it we're talking about?" the draconequus asked. Then a thought occurred to him and his body engulfed in flames. "IT BETTER NOT BE MY DAUGHTER OR NIECE!"

"It's not, it's not!" Cinnamon Stick insisted. "Chill, dude! Literally!"

Discord simmered down. "Apologies. I don't know if you've noticed, but I can be a teensy bit possessive of my daughter and niece."

"Eeyup," Big Macintosh nodded.

"Let me give you some advice, kid," Cheese Sandwich said to the colt. "The quickest way to a mare's heart is through her funny bone."

"We're here!" Pinkie chimed from the top of the stairs.

She and her daughters were dressed in brightly colored gowns matching their coats, decorated in candy and fruit. They bounced down towards Cheese Sandwich.
"Observe," the brown-headed stallion whispered. "Pinkie, my cute little doll, you look lovely tonight! Here! I got you some flowers!"

He brought a bouquet of roses out of nowhere and handed it to his wife.

"Aw, Cheesy!" Pinkie sighed, taking the bouquet in her hooves. "You shouldn't..."

She was cut off as the flowers blasted confetti in her face. The triplets laughed and for a moment, the males thought Pinkie was going to blow her top, but instead, she laughed along with them.

"Oh, you!" she exclaimed, punching her husband playfully in the shoulder.

"Yeah," Cinnamon Stick said. "I don't think Dinky's the type of girl whoooooo..."

He found himself stuck on that word once the rest of the girls appeared at the top of the stairs. They were all dressed beautifully, but it was Dinky who caught his attention. She was wearing a baby blue cape with matching slippers, a series of muffins embroidered along the hem of her skirt. Her light blonde hair was pulled up in a bun, sitting perfectly upon her pretty head.

As her lashes fell gracefully over her golden eyes, Cinnamon Stick felt like he was going to faint. Spike had to slap him over the head to knock him back into consciousness.

"Now's your chance!" the dragon whispered. "Go get her, Tiger!"

The colt gulped and approached the girls.

"Wow, Cinnamon Stick!" Screwball exclaimed. "You sure do look..."

"Dinky!" Cinnamon Stick squeaked. "You're...very...um...uh..." He blushed with embarrassment. "Pretty."

Dinky blushed in return. "So are you. I mean handsome! I...I..."

"Hey, uh, Dinky? Since, uh...neither of us are going with any pony..."

He looked back to his mother's used- to-be-boyfriend for support. The dragon urged him on.

"Do you want to, uh...go to the Gala...together?"

Dinky gasped, not believing her ears. "Like...a date?"

"Uh, maybe?"

He squealed as the unicorn flung her forelegs around his neck. "Yes, yes, YES!"

Then she pulled away awkwardly. Play it cool, Dinky.

"I mean..." She took a deep breath. "Sure."

Screwball smiled as the two walked together to the ballroom. She was not even bothered about Cinnamon Stick ignoring her.

"My, my, my," Discord said, gazing down at his wife and daughter. "Aren't you ladies gorgeous?"

"You're not so bad yourself," Fluttershy said slyly. "I'm not so sure Screwball got her looks from me."

‘’Especially, You, Chillcord.’’ Tara said as her husband kissed her hoof.

"You know when you talk like that, there's no resisting you?"

As he pulled her in for a kiss, the younger fillies cringed. "EW!"

"Doesn't Apple Blossom look beautiful, darling?" Cheerilee asked Big Macintosh as she showed off their child.

"Eeyup," he agreed with a smile. "Yerr awfully pretty too!"

"There's my little girl!" Spike said as Gemstone ran up to him. "Why, there isn't a filly in Equestria prettier than..." His jaw dropped at the sight of Rarity. "Well, well, well! How much is that pony in the window?"

The unicorn rolled her eyes, but gave the dragon a peck on the cheek anyway. Applejack sighed as she watched the odd couple.

"He used to say silly things like that to me all the time," she muttered.

"Who did, Mom?" Cinnamon Roll asked.

"Nevermind, sweetie."

The cowgirl observed as Twilight, Cadence and Flurry Heart received compliments from Shining Amor and as all the wives embraced and kissed their respective husbands. She had no one to greet at the bottom of the stairs.

Her attention was especially paid to Rarity and Spike. She remembered how the dragon used to treat her like a queen. Sometimes, Applejack wondered what would have happened if she had accepted his affections all those years ago, before he had chosen Rarity. Would she have been happier then?

Applejackhated it when she was jealous of one of her friends. It made her feel so horrid and selfish. Still, it pained her to see all her friends so happy while she was not. Even Twilight and Derpy seemed better off than her, and neither of them had a husband to bring them joy.

"Mom," Cinnamon Roll said, tugging on Applejack’s gown. "When's Dad coming?"

The adult unicorn stiffened. "He's not, dear."

"He said he would."

"But he's not, okay?"

"We owe it all to Rarity for making our gowns!" Twilight announced to the others.

Rarity put on a smile as her friends cheered.

"You certainly did a splendid job, Rarity," Celestia said as she and her sister joined the group. "Every filly here looks like a princess, thanks to you!"

"I do my best," Rarity replied in a cracked voice.

"Your highness!"

All heads turned at the sound of Flash Sentry, all but Twilight's.

"The guests have arrived. Should we let them in?"

"Have the Cutie Mark Crusaders arrived yet?" Celestia inquired.

"Not yet, Princess," Shining Armor said.

"They must have gotten delayed," Applejack suggested. "Traffic can get pretty hectic."

"I have a solution," Twilight declared. "Pinkie Pie, can you and Red Shoes handle the entertainment until the Crusaders get here?"

"You bet!" Pinkie chimed.

"Then open the doors," Celestia ordered.

Flash Sentry saluted the princess and took one last look at Twilight before turning to carry out the order.

"Why did you transfer him here?" Twilight whispered to Cadence as they climbed up the steps.

"Because you need to talk to him," Cadence replied sternly.

"He and I have nothing to talk about!"

"Yes, you do! You and Flash Sentry had something special, Twilight. Don't throw it all away."

"Woo hoo!" the Dash twins cheered when their parents came in for landing.

"You guys were awesome!" Lightning exclaimed.

"Bedazzling!" Thunder shouted.

"Stupendous!"

"Wonderific!"

"Amazing!"

"Super-ultra-extreme-awesome-azing!" Winter piped.

"You always put on a great show," Applejack agreed.

"Are the CMC here yet?" Rainbow asked.

"No. But wait until you see what Pinkie and Cheese are doin' now!"

Onstage, Cheese Sandwich was in his magician's cape and waving his hoof over a top hat. He reached in and pulled out a fluffy blue tail.

"Hmm, that's not a rabbit's tail," he said to the audience, though he was clearly not surprised.

The tail turned out to be attached to Blueberry Pie. The audience gasped when he kept on pulling to show Blueberry lifting Raspberry by the back legs, followed by Raspberry lifting Cherry. The ponies stomped their hooves in applause.

"How does he fit them all in there?" some pony questioned.

The crowd parted as two unicorn stallions in dark suits and sunglasses pushed through.

"Alright, alright, make way!" Snips exclaimed.

"Yeah, famous rock band, coming through!" shouted Snails.

"No autographs until after the show!"

At the sight of three mares following them, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity leapt for joy.

"Apple Bloom!" Applejack cried.

Snips and Snails blocked their path.

"Sorry, no fraternizing with the stars!" Snips declared.

"They're our sisters, boys!" Apple Bloom said, stepping between them.

"If you say so, Boss! But we're watching you!"

"Yeah!" Snails agreed. "Our eyes are peeled like lemons!"

The older mares squealed as they embraced their respective sisters.

"Would y'all stop growin'?" Applejack said as she got a look at all three of them.

"Where've you guys been?" Rainbow inquired.

"We got stuck in traffic," Scootaloo explained.

"Is that little Gemstone?" Sweetie Belle asked, looking down at her niece. "She keeps getting bigger and bigger!"

"Honey," Rarity whispered. "Say hello to your Aunt Sweetie Belle, would you?"

"Charmed," Gemstone muttered.

"Thank goodness!" Princess Cadence exclaimed. "We were getting worried! Come on, girls. Let's get you set up."

Twilight smiled as she heard the Cutie Mark Crusaders play. She was still greeting guests with Princess Celestia.

"You know, you can go mingle if you want," Celestia whispered. "I can take it from here."

"No," Twilight muttered. "I'm fine."

She wanted to join in the fun, but she knew if she left her position, she might bump into a certain stallion.

"If I didn't know any better," Celestia said, "I'd say you were avoiding some pony."

"I'm not," Twilight fibbed.

The elder princess raised an eyebrow. "Don't you at least want to say hello to Rainbow Dash?"

She had her there. The purple alicorn sighed and walked down the steps to join the crowd.

On the other side of the ballroom, the Dash twins were competing on who could kick their cup the highest. In order to win, they had to catch the cup as it fell. Thunder was about to beat Lightning. He was ready to catch his cup when something caught his eye.

"Dude!" Lightning cried. "You had that one in the bag! Why'd you drop it?"

When he did not answer, she looked in the direction he was staring. There was Apple Blossom, spruced up in a sparkling orange gown, her wavy hair swinging loose over her shoulders. Lightning gave her brother a sly look and nudged him in the side.

"What?" he said, snapping out of his trance.

"What are you waiting for? Ask her to dance!"

"I...I..."

She sighed. "I didn't want to have to do this."

Lightning moved around Thunder and kicked him hard in the rear, sending him sliding across the floor. Apple Blossom turned her head upon hearing his cry, but did not have enough time to get out of the way. He collided into her and they both collapsed to the floor.

After helping her up, they stared at each other and said nothing for a while.

"Uh..." she uttered, her cheeks turning pink.

"You wanna...?" he started to ask.

She nodded. "Sure."

They smiled and made their way to the dance floor. Lightning let out a sigh of relief.

"About time! Not exactly how I planned it, though."

Over at the buffet table, Rarity was taking a sip of punch. She shrieked when a straw appeared in the glass and squirted the liquid at her. She heard a couple of snickers from under the table and lifted the cloth to find Discord and Screwball.

"Oh, that was genius, my dear!" the draconequus said to his daughter. "Did you see they look on her face?"

"Well, if you didn't, you can certainly see it now."

The two stopped laughing when they finally noticed the unicorn.

"Err," Screwball uttered, rubbing the back of her neck. "Sorry, Aunt Rarity. We were just having a bit of fun."

Rarity rolled her eyes but then smiled. "Think you can pull something on Pinkie? I want to get back at her for replacing my shampoo with mayonnaise last week!"

Screwball suppressed a giggle. "Mayonnaise in your...? I mean sure! I got an extreme whoopee cushion with her name on it!"

"Lead the way, my little abomination!" Discord laughed before they disappeared.

Applejack shook her head. "Oh, those two."

"Applejack?"

The earth pony was taken by surprise and bumped her head on the table. She ducked out from under it and rubbed her head.

"Oh gosh! Are ya hurt?"

Her eyes shot open at the all too familiar voice. Her husband was standing right in front of her. She narrowed her eyes at him.

"What are you doing here?"

Caramel Seedling was taken aback. "Well, I did receive an invitation."

"That does not mean you are welcome here!"

She attempted to get around him, but he blocked her path. "I also didn't know how else to find ya!"

"You didn't check Ponyville? My hometown!"

"I had already figured ya gone there."

"Why didn't you come after me then?!"

He paused. "I didn't think you wanted me to. I thought you needed time to cool down. I want an explanation as to why you ran off!"

"You mean you don't know?!"

"Well, your message was quite vague: I know what you did? I never want to see you again? I'm leaving you forever? I'm taking the kids with me? How could you do this to me? No Longer Love, Applejack? I don't understand! What did I do?"

Applejack stuck up her nose and turned her head. "You know exactly what you did!"

"No, I don't!"

"Don't play innocent with me! I saw you with...her!"

Caramel Seedling scrunched his nose. "Her? There's no 'her.' There's only you, Apply! To whom are you referring?"

"That wretch! That filthy little stallion-stealer! That...that...Apple Cider!"

"Apple..." The stallion's eyes widened in realization and he let out a laugh. "Is that what this is all about? Darlin’, we only had lunch!"

"Yes. The 'old friend' you were seeing! Well, 'old friend' was certainly an understatement! Why didn't you tell me it was her?"

"Well, being the drama queen you are, if I had told you I was seeing an old marefriend..."

Applejack stiffened. "Drama queen! How dare you?!"

"Oh darlin’, I didn't..."

"Just leave me alone!"

With a huff, the angry cowgirl stomped out of the ballroom and into the garden. Rarity saw the couple's spat from afar and followed her friend outside. She found her over by a rose-bush, small tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Applejack?"

The unicorn sniffed and wiped away her tears. "You saw that, didn't you?"

"You were pretty loud," Rarity replied with a shrug. "I figured something was going on between you two. Mind telling me what?"

Rarity looked at the cowgirl. When it came to situations of the heart, it seemed Applejack was the one to turn to. It was she who had helped her reunite with Sweetie Belle after their quarrel. Perhaps she could help her now.

"How did you get so lucky, Rarity?"

The unicorn blinked. "Whatever do you mean?"

"You have a loving husband who isn't even your species and three wonderful children, two of which aren't even yours and one that's in a class by himself! I don't mean to offend, but one would expect a...unique family such as yours to experience hardships! I mean your entire family consisted solely of earth ponies before you married Spike! How can you be so...happy?"
Rarity was surprised by this question. She had not given the issue much thought before.

"I guess we just love each other so much, those little things don't matter."

She tapped her hoof on her chin and understood. Applejack had problems with Caramel because she thinks he isn’t loyal.

‘’Why don’t you join me at the spa after the gala?’’ Rarity suggested as she place her hoof on her friend.

Applejack sniffed. ‘’O…Ok.’’

Twilight was chatting with Rainbow Dash and Soarin when some pony tapped her on the shoulder. When she saw who it was, she turned back to her friends, but they had left her alone with him.

"Twilight..." Flash Sentry began to say.

The alicorn stuck up her nose. "Shouldn't you be on duty, soldier?"

"I need to talk to you."

"We have nothing to talk about!"

"I just want to settle what happened between us five years ago, and know why you broke up with me."

She spun around to face him. "I broke up with you?!"

"Well, yeah! Don't you remember that day when you completely ignored me and treated me like I didn't exist?"

"What are you talking about? You were the one who wanted things to be professional between us! And you know what? You're right! Our relationship should be professional!"

Flash was about to protest, but then sighed in defeat. "If that's what you want..."

"It is. Now, return to your post at once."

"But can I just say...?"

"That's an order."

Flash nodded and obeyed.

No pony noticed the two pairs of glowing green eyes watching from the windows.

"The Grand Galloping Gala, son," Queen Chrysalis whispered. "There's romantic drama around every corner! The perfect hunting ground! But we must focus on the task at hand. You know the plan?"

Prince Mothball and Screwdriver ceased their search and answered. "Yes, Mother."

Author's Note

So, which is a better shipping? Screwy Blossom or Cherrdriver?

The mysterious stallions

Discord, Screwball and Chillcord were rolling on the floor laughing after their successful prank on Pinkie Pie. She had sat down for a second only to set off a giant whoopee cushion that mooed like a cow. She snorted along with them.

"Okay, you got me! Good one!"

Discord and Chillcord's laughter died down as their wives approached them.

"Up to your old mischief, We see," Fluttershy said.

They smiled nervously. "Well, I...just a little?"

"So I take it you're too busy for a dance?"

The Discord jumped up and grabbed her hooves. "Never!"

Screwball and Cherry Blossom watched as their parents glided across the dance floor. They also saw Dinky with Cinnamon Stick and Apple Blossom with Thunder Dash. Flurry Heart was dancing with some unicorn while Rainbow and Soarin were grooving. The romance in the air made Screwball sigh.

"Can you believe they finally got together?" Screwball asked her twin cousin.

"Thunder and Blossom or Dinky and Cinnamon Stick?"

"Both! Crazy, huh?"

"Well, it was about time, don't you think?"

"Yeah. If there was some pony special in your life or mine, then this really would be an eventful evening!"

"Right," Screwball muttered.

"Excuse me?"

The two mares looked up at the sound of a male's voice. It belonged to a brown unicorn stallion with blue eyes and blonde hair. He held out his hoof.

"May I have this dance, Miss?"

Screwball looked around and pointed to herself. "Me?"

"But of course."

She glanced at Cherry Blossom, who mouthed, "Go on!"

"Um..." Screwball stammered. "Sure."

Her alicorn cousin winked at her as the stallion led Screwball onto the dance floor. He bowed to her before pulling her in. The stallion was exceptionally light on his hooves, even when dancing on his hind legs! As he dipped her and Screwball got a glimpse of his eyes, she could not help but think there was something familiar about him.

"Have we met?"

The stallion smirked. "No, we're complete strangers."

He was lying.

"Are you sure?"

"Well, I know who you are."

"You do?"

"You're Screwball, daughter of Discord, the Lord of Chaos."

"Was it the eyes?"

"Actually, it was the gorgeous purple and white hair."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, so it was the pretty lollipop eyes."

"You're just full of those, aren't you?" Screwball muttered.

The stallion chuckled. "You're as quick as you are attractive."

"You certain we've never met?"

"Hmm. We might have crossed paths once."

"Did you go to my school or something?"

"I doubt it. I was homeschooled."

"Homeschooled?" A certain someone came to mind, but she had to make sure. "What's your name?"

He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "If I told you, you'd know I was lying."

When he moved away, his blue eyes flashed green. Screwball's pupils dilated.

"Mothball?"

He smiled. "There's no fooling you, is there?"

Cherry Blossom watched them from afar, but her ears drooped. She was expecting some pony to be there.

''Ahem.''

She turned around and saw a red stallion with brown hair and brown eyes.

''May I…have this dance, Milady?''

Cherry Blossom looked at his hoof, then at his eyes. She squinted, they looked so familiar. She smiled in realization and accepted his hoof.

''Why of course,'' she whispered the rest, ''Screwdriver.''

Screwdriver looked with wide eyes as she pulled him lovingly in the dancefloor. They were in the middle when Screwdriver asked:

''How did you know it was me?''

She opened her mouth to say something when the music stopped, and Apple Bloom spoke into the microphone.

"Y'all havin' a good time?"

The audience stomped their hooves and cheered.

"Well, now we're gonna bring it down a notch! Boys, it's time to grab yerr sweethearts for a little slow dance! Take it away, Sweetie Belle!"

"Ooh!" Pinkie piped. "Can we, Cheesy? Can we, can we, can we? It would be so romantic!"

Cheese Sandwich chuckled as he took her hoof. "Anything for you, my little joy buzzer!"

Soarin looked at Rainbow Dash. "Babe, I know how you feel about slow dances, but..."

"Hey, it's no problem," she said, pulling him close.

As the music played, Screwball looked into the eyes of the stallion before her. They were not Mothball's, but that did not change the fact that he was there.

"In a perfect world," Sweetie Belle sang, '' One we've never known."

Screwdriver placed his hooves on his partner's shoulders and they began to sway to the music.

"We would never need,

To face the world alone."

"We got your roses," Screwball whispered. "It was...sweet."

They remembered how thrilled had been to see the flowers on their windowsill. It got them thinking about why Mothball and Screwdriver kept coming to see them.

The disguised princes, meanwhile, was so transfixed on Screwball and Cherry Blossom's beauty. They had almost not recognized them at first, Screwball dressed in an elegant purple gown and without her propeller hat and Cherry Blossom in a beautiful Baby blue dress and a few flowers on it to represent nature. they were even prettier than they remembered.

Her purple and white curls bounced gracefully over her shoulders.

"They can have the world."

Her smile brought warmth to his chest.

"We'll create our own."

And the more Mothball gazed into those endless eyes, the more that warmth pounded inside his chest.

It was at this point in the song that Discord noticed the young couple.

"Screwball and Cherry are with..." Smoke blew from his nostrils. "BOYs?!"

''What?!'' Chillcord yelled, dropping the piece of cake he was eating.

His head was on the brink of exploding when the feeling of soft hooves against his fur calmed him down.

"Take it easy, honey," Tara said gently. "They're only dancing."

"But dancing could lead to hoof holding, and hoof holding could lead to cuddling, and cuddling could lead to kissing, and kissing could lead to...!"

"Chillcord!"

He sighed. "You're right, you're right. I shouldn't overreact."

But he kept his eye on them as the song continued:

"I may not be brave, or strong, or smart,

But somewhere in my secret heart,

I Know, Love will find a way,

Anywhere I go, I'm home, If you are there beside."

Mothball and Screwdriver were so lost in Screwball and Cherry Blossom's gaze that they did not realize they were floating off the ground. Screwball and Cherry Blossom were not even aware she was lifting them.

"Like dark, turning into day,"

The princes then glanced down and shrieked.

"Somehow, we'll come through, now that I found you,"

They wrapped themselves around Screwball and Cherry Blossom, who only giggled.

"Sorry. Sometimes we can't help ourselves."

"Love will find a way."

Mothball grinned awkwardly. "You never cease to amaze me."

"I was so, afraid"

As the song reached its climax, ponies began taking notice of the young couples in the air and watched with awe as the stallion gracefully spun the mare. Discord's teeth ground together so hard, they cracked in his mouth. Chillcord twitched his narrowed eyes as he watched his daughter dance with some creep.

Sweetie Belle saw the couples too and sang the next verse with passion:

"Now I realized,

Love is never wrong!

And so, it never dies,

There's a perfect world,"

After bringing them up from a dip, the four locked eyes again.

"Shining In your eyes

And if only, they could feel it too."

At that moment, it was only them and Sweetie Belle's angelic voice.

"The happiness,

I feel with you."

Mothball and Screwdriver flinched as Screwball and Cherry Blossom lay their heads on their chests. They could feel the love transferring from them to them. It felt stronger than last they met.

"They'd know,

Love will find way."

Reluctantly, they ran their hooves through their manes. They were as soft as cotton.

"Anywhere We go, We're home,

If we are there together."

"We missed you," They whispered.

"Like dark, turning into day,

Somehow, things come through,"

They tenderly lifted their heads so they could look into those eyes again. "We missed you too."

"Now that I found you! Love will find a way..."

Screwball and Cherry Blossom closed their eyes and leaned forward.

"I know, Love will find… a way…"

Mothball and Screwdriver panicked once they realized what they were trying to do. They moved their heads as far back as possible. When it was clear they were not going to give up, they put their hooves to their lips. Screwball and Cherry Blossom opened their eyes in confusion.

"Why don't we talk outside?" they whispered.

The applause brought her back to reality. Ponies were watching. their dads were watching in disapproval. They nodded in agreement.

"Where are they going now?" Discord asked as the couples floated back to the floor.

Chillcord growled as he watched them leave the ball room.

"Does it matter?" Fluttershy responded. "I think it's sweet that Screwball and Cherry's found a nice colt."

"But are they nice? Do they have a sense of humor? Are they good enough for my daughter and niece? What's their names? Do they even have names?! Why aren't Screwy or Cherry introducing them to us? WHO ARE THOSE COLTS?!"

"Honey, your temper..."

"Temper, schmemper! I want answers!"

He pushed past the ponies and followed the young couple outside.

''Go get em', Dissy!'' Chillcord cheered as he tried to follow.

"Okay," Mothball said as he, Screwball, Cherry Blossom and Screwdriver ducked behind a bush. "I don't think any pony will find us back here. Oomph!"

Screwball tackled him in a hug.

"Where have you been all this time?" Cherry Blossom asked them both.

"Can't breathe!" the prince wheezed.

"Oops." Screwball pulled away awkwardly. "Sorry."

"I'm sorry. Mother rarely let us out of the hive, and when she did, she kept a close watch on us with her guards." Screwdriver replied.

"How'd you slip away?" Screwball asked.

He shrugged. "Dances are the ideal hunting grounds for changelings." Screwdriver leaned forward. "Plus, we couldn't pass off a chance to see you again."

"Why didn't you tell us it was you in the first place?" Cherry Blossom asked.

"we were afraid someone might hear."

"Well, it's good to see you." Screwball blushed.

After a long pause, the gap between them diminished. Once Mothball and Screwdriver saw this, they instantly drew back.

"Screwball, Cherry, you can't!"

they scowled at them. "Why not?"

"Do you know what happens when you kiss a changeling?"

"No, but we're about to find out."

They stopped their next attempt with their hooves. "Screwy, Cherry, a changeling's kiss is very dangerous and can be life threatening! If we kiss you, we'll drain all the power from you like a sponge! It's bad enough that you're sitting so close to us!"

they crossed their forelegs. "How is that bad?!"

"we don't want to hurt you! Okay?"

They groaned in annoyance. "Fine. But...you know you don't have to hide from us?"

Mothball sighed. "Screwball, Cherry Blossom, someone might see..."

"We don't care! We want to see the real you! Please!"

"Well...alright."

They took a deep breath and their body erupted into green flames, transforming them to their changeling selves. their hair were longer, they were a few inches taller than them, and their muscles had developed. Any other pony would have found the sight of them terrifying, but not Screwball or Cherry Blossom. In their eyes, they were the most handsome stallions in all of Equestria.

Mothball and Screwdriver could feel their emotions growing by the second. How could some ponies possess such intense feelings for yhem?

Neither of them heard Discord sneaking around the garden, frantically searching for his daughter and niece. He heard a pair of voices and followed them to a bush. He peered over the edge in time to see the mysterious stallions change form.

He was so overcome with shock that he was frozen in place! He expected his daughter and niece to do the smart thing and run away, but they did not! Instead, they raised their hooves to touch the wretched creatures' face!

He snapped out of his trance and growled as he recognized the changelings. Screwball, Mothball, Screwdriver and Cherry Blossom jumped back as he popped out of the bush.

"YOU!" he bellowed.

"Daddy, wait!" Screwball exclaimed.

''Screwy 2, Mothy, run!'' Cherry Blossom yelled.

Mothball and Screwdriver were about to run when Discord grabbed them by the tails. They tried to struggle, but the draconequus had paralyzed them with his magic.

"I WARNED YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER AND NIECE!" Discord shouted at a volume that could be heard from the ballroom.

Many ponies rushed out to the garden to see what the commotion was, including Fluttershy and her friends, Screwball and Cherry Blossom's friends and the princesses.

"Ah!" Cinnamon Roll screamed. " changelings!"

"Oh!" Gemstone cried. "they're so horrid!"

''The changeling apocalypse has come!'' Blueberry pie yelled.

''They've come to eat us all!'' Raspberry pie continued.

''Run for your lives!'' Cherry pie screamed.

Had Mothball and Screwdriver been able to move, they would have winced at that comment.

"Daddy, put him down!" Screwball pleaded. "It's not what you think!"

''Uncle!''

"Stay back, Screwball and Cherry!" Discord commanded. "This insect has fed enough on you!"

His eyes literally burned with anger, making Cherry Blossom gasp. "Uncle, stop!"

Without thinking, she used her magic to blast her uncle into a tree. As he cried out in pain, his spell on Mothball and Screwdriver broke.

"Go!" Screwball said to him. "Get out of here!"

The princes did not waste a second and vanished.

Fluttershy flew to her husband's side and tenderly stroked his head.

"Are you alright?"

''Dissy!'' Chillcord screamed as he ran to his sister-in-law's aid. '' Speak to me, please!''

They jumped as he suddenly sat up. He crossed his arms and glared disapprovingly at his niece. Screwball sat down next to her. Cherry Blossom made the mistake of glancing at the horrified crowd of ponies. Her friends' jaws had dropped to the floor and they were all staring at her in disbelief.

Screwball looked back at her father and held Cherry blossom's hoof defensively.

"Daddy,'' Screwball choked. ''we can explain.''

Fights

Discord paced around Screwball and Cherry Blossom’s bedroom, trying to control his frustration. His niece sat on the bed, glaring down at her hooves while Fluttershy and Tara stood a safe distance away from them both.
‘’It’s not like I’m not a reasonable uncle!’’ Discord ranted. ‘’ I let you bend reality, I let you stay up late, Heck, I let you eat dessert before dinner! Yet the one rule I make, the one thing I tell you not to do, you just go on and break it!’’
‘’But I….’’ Cherry Blossom started to say.
‘’ Did you know who that stallion was?!’’
‘’I…’’
‘’Did you?!”
Cherry Blossom hung her head and sighed. ‘’Yes.’’
‘’How long have you been seeing that boy?’’ He asked calmly.
Cherry Blossom spat. ''As long as I lived!''
Discord sighed. ''How many times have I told you, cherry? Changelings are evil! You can' trust them! Especially that one!''
''but,''
'' All changelings are the same: cold, hideous monsters! Well, except for the reformed ones.''
''But, uncle, weren't you the one to talk?''
Fluttershy and Tara gasped in horror. But then, they gave Discord a look meaning: ‘She does have a point.''
''Oh,'' He growled. '' Oh, Ok! So that's how you're going to play it, huh missy? Yes, I may be hideous, but at least I have a heart! Changelings aren’t capable of feeling any form of – ‘’
‘’ Uncle, can’t you understand, we love them!!’’
Tara and Fluttershy gasped again, Discord squinted his eyes angrily.
‘’No,’’ he uttered, he growled as he grab- picked her up. ‘’You are a pony, he is a changeling!’’
‘’I don’t care!’’
‘’ I have just had enough of you, girl!’’
‘’Just listen!’’ Cherry Blossom begged.
‘’I am the lord of chaos, you listen to me!’’
Cherry Blossom growled in annoyance, ‘’ This is So unfair!’’
‘’Unfair?!’’ Discord said.
‘’You were never there for me!’’ Cherry Blossom said, ‘’ This whole life for me is what you want! Do you ever bother to ask what I want? No! You walk around telling me what to do, what not to do, trying to make me be like you! Well Guess what? I’ll never be like you!’’
‘’Oh, you’re acting like a child!’’ Discord scoffed.
‘’ And YOU’RE a beast! That’s what you are!’’ Cherry Blossom yelled pointing to a picture and lifting the delicate glass with her magic.
Discord gasped. ‘’Cherry!’’
‘’I’ll never be like you!’’ Cherry Blossom continued as she raised the picture higher.
‘’Stop that, Young lady!’’ Discord warned.
‘’I’d rather die than to be like you!’’ Cherry Blossom screamed, Throwing it to the ground.
The picture frame of the family shattered, leaving the picture broken. Discord carefully picked up some of the pieces, his heart heavy. He then turned to his niece and screamed angrily.
‘’YOU. ARE A PRINCESS!’’ He shouted. ‘’And I expect you to act like one!’’
Cherry Blossom squeaked and stepped back a little bit, but maintained her angry appearance. ‘’Oh, yeah?!’’
‘’I’ll make you do it even if it means to kill that coltfreind of yours!’’ Discord yelled.
‘’You don’t even know him!’’
‘’I know he’s following in Chrysalis’ footprints! And I must follow the ponies’.’’
‘’ You will never be one of us!’’
Discord froze and turned slowly to his niece in shock, tears forming in her baby blue eyes.
‘’You’re a monster, uncle, ‘’ Cherry Blossom said. ‘’ And you always will be!’’
As she raced past Screwball, Screwball Screamed: ‘’Cherry, Wait!’’
She turned back to her father mad, and she yelled.
‘’You hypocrite!’’
As she turned her back and raced after her cousin, Discord was frozen in place by Cherry Blossom’s words. He had been hurt so badly he almost cried.
‘’So much for showing her who’s boss.’’
Discord turned to Tara, Whose hooves were crossed and her back against the wall.
‘’Besides, I think you were a little too hard on my daughter.’’
"Too hard on her?!" the draconequus repeated. "She deliberately disobeyed me! On top of that, she used her magic against me and called me a heartless monster! A hypocritical one at that!"
"But Discord, don't you see?" Fluttershy asked.
"Don't I see what?"
"This is precisely how we were treated when we0fell in love with you!"
The draconequus grew silent. He tried to find a proper response, but he found none.
"Our niece's right," Fluttershy declared. "You are a hypocrite! You forbid Screwball and Cherry Blossom from falling in love with a changeling, when the world forbade us from falling in love with you and Chillcord!"
"That was different!" Discord insisted. "We loved you back! Changelings are incapable of love! They say they care for you, but once their hunger is satisfied, they stab you in the back!"
"Honey, I know you're probably too upset to discuss this, but exactly what happened between you and Chrysalis that made you enemies?" Tara asked.
He sighed. "It was a long time ago, when I was just a kid alone in the wild. I met Chryssy, err, Chrysalis when she was just a princess. Even at that age, she was devious! She did not seem to mind my appearance and she said she was my friend. I told her I was looking for a home, and she told me of this land where creatures of all kinds are accepted."
"Equestria?" Fluttershy guessed.
"You got it. Well, she was clearly wrong! But that's not what ticked me off! Years later, when I took over Equestria, newly crowned Chrysalis and her changelings took advantage of my disorder and fed off the ponies!"
He looked at his wife sincerely. "She used me! She sent me to Equestria, knowing the ponies would reject me and make me so mad that I would take over so she wouldn't have to do it herself!"
"Are you sure that's what happened?" Tara asked as she massaged her brother-in-law’s stomach.
"Oh, I'm sure! She wasn't the least bit modest when she came to my lair to gloat about it!"
He groaned and collapsed on the bed. "I wish Screwball and Cherry Blossom would just realize that I don't want them to get hurt! And I certainly don't want them to face the same..."
"Shhh," Fluttershy whispered, stroking his head. "What happened with Chrysalis is all in the past now. Maybe her sons are different."
"How could you possibly know that?" Discord huffed.
"I don't, but seventeen years ago, I met some pony whom every pony thought was a monster. I thought he was a monster too, until I got to know him better. A year later, I married him, and have been happy ever since."
"But those changelings...they're evil!"
"You were evil too, weren't you?" Tara asked.
"Yes, but..."
"And you changed, didn't you?" Fluttershy asked.
"I did, but..."
"Well, what made you change?"
He looked up at her. After all these years, she was still the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Of course, he had cast an eternal youth spell on her not long after their wedding, so she did not look any different.
"You."
Fluttershy smiled. "Because you fell in love with me."
‘’I’m going to leave you too alone, now.’’ Tara said as she flew to the door.
He sat up. "It was more than that. You were my everything! My life was incomplete without you in it!" He reached out to caress her cheek. "I would give up my power for you!"
"Then don't you think Prince Mothball and Screwdriver could feel the same about Screwball and Cherry Blossom?"
He stiffened. "I...I..." He sighed heavily. "Maybe you're right, but...you can't be too careful. I suppose I should go talk to them."
Fluttershy shook her head. "Give them a moment to calm down."

Cherry Blossom did not know where else to go. She instantly teleported to her sanctuary. Her first instinct was to sob into her hooves.
Why could her father not understand? He was always supportive with everything else she did. Even though she knew he would never allow her to see Screwdriver, it never seemed to matter until now. Now that he had figured out her secret, he was going to make sure she never left his sight again. It would be only a matter of minutes before he found her.
"I thought you'd be here."
Huh. Sooner than I thought.
"Go away!" she shouted.
"Huh?"
Cherry Blossom did a double take and realized it was not her uncle's voice. She turned around to see Screwdriver. She quickly cast a spell to fix her hair and makeup.
"Sorry," she apologized. "I thought you were my dad. What are you doing here?"
He took a step forth. "I came to see if you were okay."
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just…Uncle and I got into a fight."
"Oh. I guess that's my fault."
"No. I was the one who told you to change into yourself. I'm also the one who threw my uncleinto a tree. You know I've never used magic on him before? We've always been so close and never fought." She sighed. "I guess it was bound to happen at some point."
She hung her head and was silent for a while. Screwdriver cautiously approached and sat down beside her.
"So how have things been? You know, other than trouble with the parents."
Cherry Blossom sniffed. "Okay, I guess." She smiled a bit. "I have a baby sister now."
The changeling raised his eyebrows. "A sister?"
"Yeah, her name is Zanabelle. She's the cutest baby you'll ever see!"
"Does she, um...do the things you do? I mean can she do magic?"
She nodded. "Though she has trouble controlling it. I can't wait until she's older! That way, we can play catch together and I can show her my wicked curve ball!"
"How old is she now?"
"Five months."
"What about your friends? How are they doing?"
"Dinky and Cinnamon Stick got together at the dance, so did Thunder and Apple Blossom. I think..." She scooted closer to him. "A lot of ponies got up the courage tonight to..." She touched his hoof with hers. "Tell the pony they liked that they...well..."
She did not need to say anything. Screwdriver could feel her emotion. Things were going according to plan. All he had to do was pretend he returned her affections and wriggle more information out of her. It is what his mother would want. But it was not what he wanted.
He pulled his hoof away. "Cherry, you can't! You can't have feelings for a changeling! You can't love something that has no heart to love you back with!"
Cherry Blossom looked at him seriously. "Why do you not see what I see?"
"See what?"
"This!"
She took his hoof again and this time placed it over his chest.
"Feel that?"
Something inside his chest was pumping rapidly.
"That's a heartbeat," Cherry Blossom stated.
Screwdriver stared at her in disbelief and then shook his head.
"That's impossible," he murmured. "I'm not supposed to have a heart! I'm exactly what your father and uncle says: cold, unfeeling..."
"If you're so cold and unfeeling, then why haven't you sucked me dry yet?"
"Because...because..."
He could not think of a reason, for there were too many candidates: because I don't want to hurt you, because I'm supposed to keep you alive, because I think you're really pretty...
He chose the safest one:
"You're the only friend I've ever had."
As she smiled, Screwdriver could have sworn he heard music. He figured it was his imagination until fireflies surrounded them in a heart-shaped pattern. Cherry Blossom batted her blue eyes innocently.
"Sorry," she said. "When I get emotional, I get a little carried away."
Exactly who is the seducer here?
Once again, he found himself lost in those blue angelic eyes. He did not know if it was her magic, or if her eyes truly sparkled. He almost did not realize she was leaning in, until her lips were inches away from his.
He wrenched himself away and the spell was broken.
"Did you not hear my warning?!" he snapped.
Cherry Blossom pouted. "I don't care!"
"You should! Do you think I would be able to live with myself if I hurt...?"
He paused, shocked at the words falling from his mouth. Cherry Blossom was equally surprised, not by his words, but by his frightened tone. Screwdriver decided he should get out of here before he gave her the wrong idea and so he could sort out this strange thumping inside him.
"You should go home," he said quickly.
Cherry Blossom blinked. "What?"
"Your family's probably worried sick about you."
She sighed. "I guess you're right. I'm in enough trouble as it is. Will I see you again?"
Screwdriver looked away. "I wouldn't get your hopes up."
"But..."
"For your own safety, Cherry, I think it's best you stay away."
It pained him to say it even more than it had the first time he had left. This time, it was for real, and Cherry Blossom knew he was not lying. He heard a sniff and resisted the urge to look at her, knowing those beautiful eyes were filling up with tears.
"Goodbye," he muttered.
Screwdriver took off before he could change his mind. Cherry Blossom's ears drooped as she began crying for the second time that evening.
She did not want to go back to Canterlot, but she felt she had no choice. Her parents would flip if she did not return soon.
Screwball watched from afar, and hung her head sadly and approached the young mare. Cherry Blossom knew it was her, inspite of the tears forming in her eyes.

"Any sign of them?" Fluttershy asked her friends.
Applejack shook her head. "We've looked everywhere!"
Discord was growing nervous. "You don't think they ran away, do you?"
When Screwball and Cherry Blossom materialized in front of him, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh, thank Celestia!"
"Where have you been, young ladies?" Fluttershy demanded, crossing her hooves.
"We were just getting some air," Cherry Blossom mumbled, not making eye contact with any pony.
"Cherry, I want to talk about..." her uncle started to say.
She turned his back to him. "I don't want to talk now. I just wanna go to bed."
Discord scowled. "How dare you turn your back on me?! You come back here, or I'll..."
"Let her go, honey," Fluttershy said, taking his paw in her hooves. "It's been a long night. She needs some rest."
"We could all use some rest," Twilight declared.
The others agreed and departed for their bedrooms, all except Applejack. She tapped the yellow pegasus on the shoulder.
"Fluttershy, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Fluttershy looked to her husband. After the family dispute, Discord needed her especially now, but Applejack's expression was desperate.
"This will only take a moment, dear."
The draconequus nodded solemnly and left the two mares alone.
"How do ya make it work?" Applejack asked suddenly.
Fluttershy's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"Your marriage. It can't be easy! I mean don't you two ever fight?"
"But of course. Married couples get into fights all the time."
"Then how are you still together?"
"The thing with fights is that we argue about what is bothering us and after the fight, we try to fix it. If we never talk about our problems with each other, how will one know what's troubling the other?"
"But..." Applejack stammered. "Don't most marriages end because of...a fight?"
Fluttershy shook her head. "Fights are normal. Of course, I wouldn't know, but I think marriages break up due to a lack of a fight."
"Caramel and I never fought, until..."
The earth pony trailed off, which caught Fluttershy's attention.
"Until what? Applejack, you can tell me anything. Whatever it is, I won't talk about it with anyone. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."
Applejack smiled a little and took a deep breath. "I caught Caramel with another mare."
Fluttershy gasped. "What? When?"
The whole story came pouring out. "A few days before Screwball and Dinky's birthday, Caramel told me he was going out to lunch with a friend. Then while I was shopping, Upper Crust said she saw him at the café with his old marefriend, Apple Cider! I tried telling myself it was only a casual meal, but I was curious and asked Upper Crust to lead me to them! When we got there, her filthy hooves were all over him! In public, nonetheless!
"Humiliated and hurt, I rushed home, packed my things, left Caramel a note, picked the kids up from her piano lessons and hopped on the next train to Ponyville!"
As tears sprung in Applejack's eyes, the pegasus stood speechless. She tried to process Caramel Seedling ever doing such a thing. He was always such a gentlecolt to all of them.
"Maybe it isn't what you think," Fluttershy suggested.
"And what if it is?" Applejack snapped.
"Did you even talk to Caramel about this?"
"Well, I...no. I was just so upset, I couldn't talk to him! I haven't even told Cinnamon Roll about it!"
"Then how do you know that's what happened?"
The earth pony said nothing.
"Look, I won't say anything, but you should not leave something like this unsaid, especially to Caramel. If you don't discuss this matter with him, it will never be resolved."
Applejack looked her friend in the eye. "You're right. I shouldn't hold my anger in. I must speak with Caramel. I suppose that means I should throw those divorce papers away."
Fluttershy grinned. "That's good, Applejack."
"But...I need to sleep on it. Thank you, Fluttershy. You really are the best friend a pony could ever have."
Twilight did not mean to eavesdrop. She had returned to ask Fluttershy about the changeling when she overheard the conversation with Applejack. It got the alicorn thinking about her situation with Flash. They never really talked about what happened five years ago. Perhaps it was time they did.
She was also thinking about what had occurred with Screwball, Cherry Blossom and the changelings, whom Discord had claimed was Queen Chrysalis' heir. Screwball and Cherry Blossom had turned against Screwball’s father to defend the boys. Twilight wanted to know why.

When Mothball and Screwdriver arrived at the hive, their mother was waiting.
"What did you find out from the halflings?" she asked.
The princes turned away from her. "We don't want a part of this anymore, Mother."
Queen Chyrsalis narrowed her eyes. "What did you say?"
"We said we don't want a part of this anymore!"
The elder changeling gritted her teeth. "Are you disagreeing with me?"
Mothball faced her defiantly. "Maybe we are. What are you going to do about it?"
Furious, her horn glowed green as she blasted a beam at him, sticking him to the wall.
‘’MB!’’ Screwdriver exclaimed.
"No one defies me!" Chrysalis bellowed, stepping toward him. "Especially my own sons! Now tell me what you know!"
Mothball and Screwdriver was scared out of their wits. He had never stood up to his mother before, nor had she ever used force on him! Nevertheless, he kept his courage.
"I don't care what you do to us! Why can't you just leave that family alone?"
Chrysalis growled. "I should have known you'd be too weak for the task!" Then she smirked. "And I know precisely what makes you weak. Those halflings, they’re something of...value to you, is she not?"
Mothball and Screwdriver froze in fear, causing Chrysalis to grin in triumph.
"I see they are. If I cannot get information from you, I could always go straight to the source."
"No!" they protested. "You can't! Please, don't hurt them!"
"You don't want them hurt?" the queen chuckled. "Then tell me what I need to know."

Controlled

Discord was taking a stroll through Ponyville, hoping to get his mind off things, when he saw Applejack running toward him.

"Whoa there, cowgirl!" Discord said, stopping her with his paw. "What's the rush?"

"Oh shoot," Applejack muttered under her breath.

Of all the folks she could bump into, it had to be him! She put on her best poker face, which was not very convincing.

"Oh, uh, howdy partner! I was just, uh...I have to, uh...I left the bath water runnin'! Yeah, I gotta get home, see? So, uh...bye!"

She thought she was free until the draconequus picked her up by the tail.

"Element of Honesty, huh?" he smirked. "So what's really troubling you, AJ?"

"Uh..." Applejack gulped. "I don't really wanna talk about it!" She started sweating. "Plus, it doesn't concern you!"

Discord shook his head in amusement. "You know I can always just peek into your head and discover what you're hiding?"

"No!" the cowgirl shouted, kicking her legs desperately. "You're not gonna like it!"

"Ooh! That juicy, huh? This is gonna be fun!"

"Discord, trust me on this! You don't wanna..."

"The more you say that, the more I do wanna!"

Applejack had no chance against the Lord of Chaos. He tapped his claw on her head and accessed her most recent memory. The scene shifted and he found himself standing beside Applejack in an alley. She stood there slack-jawed, staring intensely at something in front of her.

Discord looked in the pony's direction and soon his expression matched hers.

A changeling wrapped a red pegasus in a sack. The mare screamed. He was never more scared in his life.

For that mare was his sister- in- law.

''Applejack! Help!'' Tara screamed.

''Ta…ra.. wha?'' Applejack lost her words.

''Help! Please!'' She screamed.

''Don't worry Tara!'' Applejack assured. ''I'll save..''

but Tara was pushed in to the sack and the changeling flew up into the sky. Applejack ran towards them.

''Save me!''

''NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Applejack cried.

Discord had seen enough and flashed back to reality. Applejack was still hanging from his paw. The shock in his face struck fear in her heart.

"I...I'm sorry!" she stammered. "I...I wanted to tell ya but...I didn't know how to..."

She yelped as he dropped her. She rubbed her head and sat up. Discord's lips curled into a smile.

''This is perfect.'' He uttered.

''What?'' The cowgirl was confused.

''This is perfect!'' he repeated.

''Discord, what are you…?''

''No longer will you be in my way to get rid of this pathetic animal accident.''

Applejack screamed ash she was suddenly in a dug up sandpit.

''Goodbye, Applejack.'

But the cowgirl was gone.

She ran out as fast as she could to the nearest house.

''oh, Discord, what's come over ya?''

''Let me go!'' Tara cried in the sack.

'' Be quiet!'' the changeling replied. ''we're on our way to the Hive.''

Once they arrived the changeling handed her over to the other changelings. They took her to the secret prisons and trapped her with others. As she closed her eyes in fear, she felt something run through her mane. She opened one eye and saw a certain draconequus stroking her mane.

''Ch-Ch-Chillcord?''

''My lovely queen.'' He replied. ''I thought I lost you.''

Tara looked up at him with tears in her eyes, and hugged him. She was shocked to see her daughter and nephew in Chillcord's hands.

''Zany? Zanabelle?'' She cried. ''I thought you were with…''

Her senses got back to her as fast as lightning.

''Oh no!''

Screwball and Cherry Blossom sat on the park bench, Screwball's brother in the baby buggy beside her. Screwball reached in and tickled his stomach. He giggled, which made her smile a bit.

"Sometimes," they said, "I think you're the only one who understands me, bro."

A rainbow ball rolled up to her feet. Screwball and Cherry Blossom glanced down as a filly rushed up to retrieve it.

"Hey, Winter," they said.

The multi-colored filly looked up and grinned. "Hey, Screwy! Cherry! Whatcha doing?"

"Just...taking Zany for a walk."

"But you're sitting."

"Well, we're resting. What are you doing here?"

"Playing catch with the Tri-Pies and," she grimaced, "Gemstone. Well, not so much with her, cuz she's afraid she'll break a hoof if she touches the ball. Our parents are all busy today, so we decided to hang out."

"Where are the twins?"

"They're having a race somewhere. They didn't invite me along because..."

She brought out her wings. Even though Winter was nine, she could not fly yet. It was embarrassing for her, considering every pony in her family was an accomplished flyer.

"We see," Screwball and Cherry Blossom said.

"Well, I gotta get back now. See ya!"

"See ya."

The pegasus filly was about to leave when a drop of water splashed on her nose.

"Hey," she said. "It's not supposed to rain today."

The two looked up at the sky as it clouded in pink. A few seconds later, it started pouring down chocolate milk.

"Not funny, Screwball!" Winter exclaimed, placing a hoof on her hip.

"I'm not doing it!" Screwball insisted.

They stared at Cherry Blossom.

''Hey, don't look at me!''

they looked at Zany, but he was huddling under the buggy's canopy and sticking out his tongue in disgust. Strange, he loved chocolate milk.

"Hey, Screwy? Cherry?"

They glanced up to see a gray stallion and a blue stallion in front of them.

"Do I know you?" they asked.

"We're," they cleared their throat, "MB and SD?"

Screwball and Cherry Blossom saw their eyes flash green. They were Mothball and Screwdriver.

"Winter, I think you'd better get back to the others and go home." Said Cherry Blossom.

The filly raced back to her group. The Tri-Pies were sticking their tongues out and collecting as much rain as possible, while Gemstone was squealing under a tree.

"What are you doing here?" Screwball asked the disguised changelings.

''Yeah?'' Cherry Blossom agreed. ''What are you doing out here in the open?''

Mothball glanced nervously at the stroller. "We need to talk with you alone."

"We can talk here. It's only my brother." Screwball said.

"No, you don't understand. That baby is..."

He was interrupted when Discord materialized in front of them. Mothball and Screwdriver yelped and ran away from him.

"Wait!" Screwball called, but he was gone in a flash.

"Why hello there, Screwy and Cherry!" Discord said in a crazy tone. "You like what I've done with the weather?"

Cherry Blossom turned up her nose and turned away from him.

Screwball looked at her father curiously. "You okay, Dad?"

"Oh, I'm fine! Hey, honey! I'm sorry about our little fight last week! How about we make up over some father-daughter-niece bonding? You want to help your daddy/uncle make a cola storm in Manehattan?"

''Go away!'' Cherry Blossom cried.

''Cherry,'' Discord sat down and scooted closer to her. ''I'm sorry I hurt your feelings.''

She turned her head to him. ''You are?''

''yeah.'' He put her on his lap. ''I should have known you're growing up. Hey! Let's pour chocoalate on Ponyville!''

Her eyes lit up. "Cool! But...wouldn't our Moms get mad?"

Discord tensed. "Forget about your mothers! They're of no concern to us anymore!"

"I, uh...what?!"

He scooped her in his arms. "But we don't need her! We don't need any pony! All we need is each other! We can be one big happy family without your mother! You hear me? ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY!"

Screwball cringed. "Uh, Dad? You're really starting to creep me out."

He held her in the crook of his arm and gestured to the ponies running from the chocolate rain.

"We will rule this world together, my dear! I will be King and you," he turned her hat into a tiara and put a tiara on Cherry Blossom's head, "will be the princess! And this little scamper," he picked up Zany and made a tiny crown appear on his head, "will be a prince!"

The infant gurgled in delight while Cherry Blossom's stomach churned.

"But uncle, you promised you wouldn't..."

"Our first order of business will be to have revenge on those mares who bullied you in school!"

With that idea in mind, Screwball's mouth broke into a devious smile and her eyes flashed green. "What are we waiting for then?"

Discord laughed in a way he hadn't in a long time. "That's my girls!"

"Though Dad...I just have two things."

"Anything, my dear."

"First, you promise we won't seriously hurt any pony?"

He batted his eyes innocently. "Well of course not, sweetie!"

"Second..." She tapped her tiara and turned it back into her propeller hat. "Don't ever touch my hat again."

''I love my new tiara!'' Cherry Blossom squealed. Screwball made it disappear, making Cherry Blossom pout.

Discord laughed maniacally. "Come, my little abominations! We have chaos to do!"

Mothball had watched the entire scene from behind a tree. He hung his head shamefully. He ducked behind the bush and shook his head to his brother.

"We're too late!"

Misunderstanding

When Applejack arrived at the castle, Fluttershy was standing with her bags in her shoulder.

"Fluttershy!" Screamed Applejack, running out of breath.

The yellow Pegasus turned around. "Applejack?"

"We don't have much time! Tara's been kidnapped! "

"What?!"

"I saw her! One of the changelings wrapped her in a sack and took off with her!"

"Oh, no! What are we going to do?!"

"We don't know yet, but I'm sure Twilight does!"

"AJ! AJ!" Yelled spike as he ran behind her.

"Spike? What's going on?" Asked Applejack.

"Discord's gone Bananas!" said spike.

Fluttershy froze. "Discord? bananas?!..."

"it's true! I saw him with Screwball, Cherry Blossom and Zany making chaos out there!"

Fluttershy did not look convinced.

"It's madness I Tell you! Madness!" said spike, grabbing and shaking Fluttershy.

"No! I don't believe you! "said Fluttershy.

"don't believe me? Look outside!" said spike, pointing to the door.

Fluttershy walked towards the door and peeked outside. There, she saw pink clouds with chocolate rain pouring down, a soapy road leading to her house, and a pine bush right next to her House.

"No! It can't be true! Discord…"

"Twilight said to meet up at the castle at once. She said she has a plan to stop all this." Spike explained. "she also has a plan to rescue Tara. "

"Fluttershy! Fluttershy! "said Rarity, covered in chocolate milk.

"Rarity! What happened?' asked spike.

"Well I was walking in the park with Gemstone, when all of a sudden, chocolate rain started pouring all over us! We didn't know what was going on but, we knew who was doing it. So, we looked up, and there they were, laughing their heads off!"

"What?! but, Discord would never do that!" said Fluttershy, a little stammered.

"oh, he wouldn't, would he? Well, how do you explain the looks on their faces right now?!"

"calm down, Rarity. I'll find him and set things straight. Maybe something must've upset him."

"I hope so." Said rarity.

"What's the point about farming rocks, anyway?" Screwball asked her father.

The four beings of chaos were positioned comfortably on a cotton candy cloud, overlooking Pinkie pie's family rock farm. Faith carton was chipping at a boulder beneath them.

"life has some strange mysteries," replied Discord.

"Why don't we give her something useful to mine?" he grinned. "any ideas, sweetie?"

Screwball rubbed her chin and thought. "like… bricks!"

While Cherry blossom watched the scene, Screwball summoned some bricks and a microphone.

As she did, she yelled through the microphone: "INCOMING!".

Faith carton dropped her axe. "huh?"

As she saw the bricks plummeting down towards her, Faith screamed and managed to leap out of the way. Screwball summoned a banana peel on which Faith slipped on it and fell face down into a banana cream pie.

"Can I make it rain now dad?" Screwball begged, bouncing up and down. "Can I please?"

"Already?"

"Yeah! But I got something better than chocolate milk! "

"I don't see why, but go ahead."

With a cackle, Screwball summoned a flock of pink clouds. A strange blue substance dripped from them onto Faith carton. After a few seconds, her fur started turning into the color of the rain. She screamed and raced into the pie family's house.

Discord snorted. "what was that stuff?

"Blue hair dye!" Screwball bawled.

"Oh genius, dear! simply genius!"

The filly laughed and picked up her brother "did you see that zany? Wasn't that the most hilarious thing ever? That outta teach her to mess with ponies like us!"

As Screwball embraced the smiling infant, Cherry blossom poked her shoulder.

"Screwy, I think we should stop." Cherry blossom said in concern.

"Stop?" Screwball said. "why would we stop when we're having so much fun!"

"it's just, maybe you're going a little too distant on this…"

"Don't worry, Cherry blossom," said Screwball reassuringly. ''As soon as we finish, we'll go straight home.'' She paused and looked up at her father. ''Right, Daddy?''

Discord grew silent.

''Right?"

''ok, ok,'' said discord, '' but wasn't there another mare that teased you two?''

''Filly Silly!'' Screwball and Cherry Blossom looked at each other and gritted their teeth. ''how could we forget the little minion?! Wonder what she's doing now.''

''let's find out.''

Discord snapped his Fingers and teleported the Four of them to a large mansion. Two Colts, one Gold with gold and black hair, and a grey with white hair, lay sprawled in lawn chairs, basking in the sunlight.

''hey, I know him!'' declared Cherry blossom, pointing to the Golden Pony. ''That's Our Friend! Gold Digger!''

As if on cue, The Teenage Mare appeared in the doorway of the mansion, wearing a waitress uniform and carrying a jar of lemonade.

''Hurry It up, Red!'' Ordered Silver Tray. ''Do you want those 20 bucks or not?''

Filly Silly groaned. ''Coming, Silver!''

''gee,'' said Screwball ''I almost feel sorry for the woman. Almost.''

''Watch and learn Darlings,'' Discord coaxed. ''Watch and learn.''

He snapped his fingers and a coin appeared in Filly Silly's hooves. The mare's face lit up.

''Where'd this come from? What luck!''

''Yeah, but is it good or bad?'' The Draqonaquus whispered.

His paw glowed as he pointed it at the mare. Gold light enveloped the tray, tipping it over and spilling The lemonade over the two colts.

Silver tray squealed like a girl. 'Gross! This with take hours to wash off!''

''Filly!'' Said Gold digger.

''I'm sorry, I – I don't know what happened!'' his girlfriend protested.

''Its ok,'' Gold digger kissed her forehead. ''Just, go get some towels ok?''

Filly Silly smiled. ''ok…''

''Aww ~ he still likes her!'' said Screwball.

''You're right,'' Discord replied, rubbing his chin.'' We should help them get those stains out."

He snapped his fingers, summoning a bucket of water. Snickering, he dumped it over the colts. They screamed in shock.

''need a cool down, gentlemen?" Discord mocked.

'' . goodness'' Silver Tray exclaimed, looking up from the dripping water. ''Mister Discord!''

''Correct- a- Mundo!''

''Look, I-I don't want any trouble! I didn't do anything to your daughter and niece! I swear! It was all faith and filly!''

''Don't worry! That's why I'm here!''

As Filly Silly returned, He used his magic to turn the mare upside-down and repeatedly banged her head into the ground. Appalled, Cherry blossom teleported to her uncle's side.

''Uncle! Stop! You're hurting her!''

''Relax! I'm only knocking some sense into her''

''but…but...''

''didn't you used to do that to your foalsitters?''

''That Wasn't me! That was Screwy!''

''Hey! Let me go!'' Pleaded Filly Silly. ''Let me – ow!''

''Uncle, please!''

Discord groaned. ''ok, fine! I'll put the little piggy down.''

He did so, but also tied her to a large platter and stuck an apple in her mouth.

''I'd say she's learned her lesson''

Cherry blossom shook her head. ''uncle, let's just go home. It's been fun and all, but we should call it a day before we get into more trouble and – ''

''Relax Cherry!'' reassured screwball. ''it was only a few pranks. besides, this was only just the beginning.''

"She's right you know.'' Said Discord.

''but mommy and auntie will be worried!''

''who cares how they feel?!'' Scowled Screwball and Discord.

The filly gasped. ''Screwy! How could you say such a thing?! What's gotten into you two?! What's wrong with you?! What's Wrong with you?!''

They paused. Screwball put her hoof to her mouth, realizing what she just did. ''I'm sorry cherry, I don't know what came over me!''

''Hey! Aren't the Oreo gapplings playing the manehatten Giants this afternoon?'' said Discord, Changing the subject.

''yes,'' said Cherry and Screwball.

''And didn't the Oreo Gapplings beat the Zephyrs last week?''

''yeah, but uncle…''

She trailed off as he put his tail around her and tightened his grip. ''how'd you two like to crash it?''

''Yeah!'' Screwball replied.

''no!'' Replied Cherry blossom.

''well, how about raining on that parade in Manehatten?'' Discord suggested.

''Yeah! Screwball Replied.

''No!'' Cherry blossom said, a little louder.

''I'll let you eat chocolate cake!''

Cherry blossom's face lit up and licked her lips. ''the whole of it?''

''The whole of it!'' Said Discord.

''Done! But after that, we are going home!'' said Cherry blossom.

''But of course, honey!''

He let her go, but Cherry blossom looked at him in suspicion.

''Cross your heart, hope to fly? Stick a cupcake in your eye?''

He rolled his eyes and made the promise oath. '' Cross my heart, hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye''

Cherry blossom smiled in satisfaction, not noticing that his fingers were crossed behind his back.

Twilight ceased her pacing when her five best friends came bolting through the door.

''What's going on out there, Fluttershy?'' She Demanded. ''I thought you would have Discord under control by now!''

Twilight Stopped as Fluttershy shivered a bit.

''We don't know what's going on,'' the cowgirl explained.

''Now Discord's all crazy and making it rain chocolate milk like crazy!'' Pinkie shrieked.

Twilight's eyes widened in fear. ''Where's Screwball and Cherry?''

Fluttershy sank down and hung her head.

''Discord took them and zany with him,'' Rarity replied sincerely. ''now all four of them are on the loose!''

The alicorn hung her head. ''I was afraid this might happen''

''but that's not all!'' Applejack declared ''How are we going to save Tara?''

''I don't know yet.''

'' Discord wasn't himself lately,'' Applejack said slowly. ''This morning, he tried to bury me in a sand pit!''

''and he tried tying me to a huge cupcake!'' pinkie chimed.

''wait!'' Twilight exclaimed. ''did you say he wasn't himself lately?''

The cowgirl nodded. ''so, Discord's probably out there being a menace!''

''Hold up!'' Pinkie pie exclaimed. ''if discord wasn't in control, that means… someone is controlling him!''

Every pony glared at pinkie.

'' that actually makes sense.'' Said Rainbow.

Twilight sighed and looked at the chaos storm through the window. ''I'm afraid… we'll have to use the elements of harmony''

Every pony gasped.

''What?!'' Fluttershy screamed.'' Twilight, no! we can't! we can't turn them to stone! They're my family! And poor little zany and Zanabelle are just babies! And Screwball… and my niece… Screwball promised her she'd never let her suffer such a fate!''

''Fluttershy,'' Twilight said slowly, ''I don't want to use the elements on them either. Hopefully, we won't have to, if we can try to help discord. However, if things get out of hoof and he gets worse…''

''NO!''

'' It'll only be temporary. I know a spell that could release him from stone. Until he's learned to control himself. It'll be like a time-out."

''What about the kids?''

''we won't use the elements against them. Zany and Zanabelle are too young for such a harsh punishment. And screwball is smart. She will stop at nothing to protect Cherry blossom. She'll come around once we explain things to her.''

''I hope so.'' Said Rainbow. ''those fur balls are like family!''

''and ya don't leave family behind'' Applejack agreed.

''besides, the twins won't see me the same way again if I freeze their best friends.''

''Same with Cinnamon stick and apple blossom.''

''I know Gemstone will think me a monster!'' Rarity exclaimed.

''And the tri-pies will think I'm a mean cupcake-eating horse for the rest of my life!'' pinkie squealed.

Twilight turned back to Fluttershy. ''we'll only used the elements on them as the last resort, but we won't use them without your permission.''

Fluttershy shrugged. She and discord had been together for such a long time now. And she loves him with all her heart. She knew she wouldn't forgive herself if anything happened to him, her children, her niece… and her best friend.

''Just…don't hurt him.''

''look over there, honey!'' discord exclaimed, pointing to one of the screaming ponies. ''you missed one!''

Screwball nodded and aimed her paintball cannon at the pony. ''Cannonball!''

The colt cried out as he was splattered with pink paint.

Cherry blossom watched the scene, stuffing her face with pink cotton candy. But then she heard someone calling her ''Cherry! Cherry!''

Knowing who was calling her, Cherry blossom flew down into a hallway. Cherry noticed ponies running at the sight of her. She noticed one of them with a toothpaste cutie mark. It was aquafresh.

''What did I ever do to her?''

The Red Alicorn was confused. ''come on, Aquafresh, they were just jokes!''

She glared at her. ''looked around you, cherry. How many ponies do you see laughing?''

Cherry blossom stood frozen in place as the unicorn ran past her. She shook Aqua's words off and searched for who called her.

''hello? Did somebody call me? I'm right here!'' She called.

''Cherry!''

She turned to see her friend standing behind her. One of her eyes were looking at her, but both of them were scared.

''Dinky!'' Cherry Blossom exclaimed. ''Were you the one who called me?''

''yeah!''

''oh, so how'd the date go?'' asked cherry blossom.

''it was cut short,'' the unicorn said bluntly, '' on account of the rain.''

''oh.'' Cherry blossom chuckled nervously. ''oops.''

The unicorn looked at her sadly. ''Are you ok?''

''Screwball, I will kill you for this!'' Said cherry blossom, under her breath.

''Why is she doing this?''

''I don't know.''

Dinky stared at her for a long time. How could her friend be involved in these things? Was she hiding something? Was she keeping a real secret all those years?

''what's the matter? It's not like she hasn't been doing stuff like this before.''

''Yes, but…'' Dinky said in a choked voice. ''She wasn't…mean to other ponies before.''

Cherry blossom stared at her with wide eyes. ''What? D-Dinky, Wh-What are you talking about?''

The unicorn looked up at her. ''Cinnamon stick slipped on a banana peel and hit his head.''

The alicorn Froze. ''Dinky… oh no…. this is getting out of hoof… I'm going to go talk to her.''

''That's exactly why I called you…. To get you away…. From screwball.''

''what?''

The unicorn grabbed her. ''I'm not going to let my friend get hurt!''

Dinky tried to run with Cherry in her hoof, but she was stopped when Cherry flinched back.

''Dinky, I never seen this side of you…''

''Really!?'' Dinky snapped. ''Gee, that's real funny! Because I never seen this side of her! What happened to my friend? The pony who was protected by you, who would never hurt a fly? What happened to her?''

Cherry blossom grew upset. ''Dinky, what are you saying? She's still here!'

The unicorn shook her head. ''no, she's not my friend.''

Cherry blossom looked at her. ''Dinky, how can you say that?''

''I wanted to believe that Faith carton and Filly Silly were wrong about her, but… now I see they're right… she's just like your uncle. She's… She's bad!''

Cherry blossom had had it.

''Fine!'' she snapped. ''if you're not going to help me set things straight, or say anything like that about my cousin, then you're no friend of mine!''

Dinky froze at Cherry blossom's words. ''Cherry…. What are you saying?''

Cherry blossom turned her back. ''I'm going to help Screwy! Even if you won't!''

Dinky turned and ran away with tears in her eyes, leaving Cherry blossom with her head hung. Never before had Dinky spoken so harshly to her. And never had she ever said those things about her twin cousin.

As Cherry blossom walked through the street and looked around, she saw buildings floating, porcupine bushes, houses splattered in paint, the pink clouds, chocolate milk. Everywhere was a disaster.

Everything looked…wrong. This was not the town she grew up in, these were not the streets she played in, but she had had it. She wanted to make things right.

It's time she stopped and made her own chaos.

The Bitter Betrayal

''How do you suppose we'll find them?'' Rarity asked once they each had their necklaces on. ''They could be anywhere in Equestria by now!''

The ponies gasped as an all-too-familiar laugh echoed throughout the palace.

''he's here!'' Fluttershy shivered.

''Discord!'' Twilight called. ''Stop this madness!''

The Draqonaquus laughed again, still not revealing himself. ''Madness? I assure you I'm quite sane. After all, how else do you know I'm crazy on both times.''

"Discord, Listen to me!'' Fluttershy Called. ''Someone's controlling you! Let us help!''

''oh, really? How many other ponies can control the lord of chaos? Why, I'll practically put it to the mix!''

''Please discord, reason with ya'self'!'' Applejack Cried, looking around for the source of the voice. ''ya don't know what you're doin'! ''

''We have the Elements of Harmony, Discord!'' Twilight declared. ''Surrender Screwball, Zany, Zanabelle and Cherry Blossom and you won't be harmed!''

''I won't be harmed?'' he roared with laughter. ''That's rich! That's real rich!"

The alicorn stomped her hoof. ''Enough! Why are you even here?''

''Isn't it obvious?''

Fluttershy Squealed as Discord came out of nowhere and scooped her into his arms.

''I've come to collect my wife, of course!''

''What?!'' Fluttershy gasped. '' I – I thought you wouldn't.''

'' Oh, I wouldn't'' he purred, stroking her mane. ''But I don't blame you, my dear. It was those pesky ponies who ruined my life. Don't Worry. They won't be a problem anymore."

Her eyes widened. ''What did you do to them?''

He chuckled. ''Let's just say, you don't want to know.''

Applejack gulped. ''Did that involve…Chaos?''

''Oh, it involved chaos alright'' Discord sighed. ''I can tell by the way they screamed."

Twilight gulped but maintained her stern appearance. ''You've gone too far this time, Discord!''

''oh, blah, blah, blabby blah! Tell it to someone who cares, Princess! That title is so weak, by the way! I mean come on, who does Celestia think she is, handing a crown and wings to a plain, ordinary unicorn?''

''Hey!'' Rainbow Dash shouted, floating defensively in front of Twilight.

''After all, that crown should go to some pony who really deserves it.''

Twilight Gasped as her crown levitated from her head and onto Fluttershy's.

''Discord what are you…'' the Pegasus started to say.

''Picture it, my dear!'' Discord said, holding her out to face him. '' You and I will rule this land together as the Lord and Lady of Chaos!''

Fluttershy's eyes widened. ''what?''

''It'll be better than anything you've ever dreamed, darling! We'll improve this boring, pathetic world into a beautiful playground for our children! And since we have forever, there will be more children to come! We could repopulate!''

Fluttershy yanked herself out of Discord's grasp. ''What's gotten into you? I thought you had abandoned these thoughts!''

''I did not abandon them. I merely… set them aside for a while.'' He smirked as he put his arm around her. ''Come now, sweetheart. You've always been my queen. Now we can make it official.''

She shoved his paw away. ''Never!''

With a toothy grin, he grabbed her by the shoulders. ''But honey bunch, I thought you love me!''

''No!'' Fluttershy cried, kicking her legs furiously. ''You're not my Discord! You're not the creature I fell in love with!''

''Reality check, baby! I am!''

''Enough!'' Twilight bellowed, shooting a powerful beam at him.

Discord's paw recoiled as the magic stung him, releasing his hold on Fluttershy. The Pegasus dashed behind the alicorn.

''You leave us no choice, Discord!'' Twilight said, placing her crown back on her head. ''Unless you stop this insanity within twenty – four hours, the next time we meet won't be as pleasant!''

The Draqonaquus laughed like a maniac. ''You'll have to catch me first!''

After he had vanished, he continued laughing.

''What has happened to him?'' Fluttershy sobbed.

''He's flipped his wig!'' Applejack exclaimed.

''I'm sorry, Fluttershy. But It must be done.'' Twilight sighed.

''No, please,'' Fluttershy uttered.

''it's the only way to save Equestria… and Discord's sanity.''

The Draqonaquus chuckled evilly as his body transformed into Chrysalis.

''Oh, that was too easy! To think after all these years, ponies are still as gullible as ever!''

Meanwhile, the real Discord was looking for his son. Zany disappeared while Discord and screwball were spreading chaos.

''Ok, Zany, you win!'' he called. ''Olly Olly oxen free!''

The infant appeared in front of him. The Draqonaquus grinned and hugged Zany tightly.

'' oh, you little troublemaker, you!''

Discord put his paw to his head as he started to feel faint.

''Wow. Hostile takeover is hard work. What do you say we find you sister and cousin and take five?''

Zany cheered and clapped his tiny hooves. Discord scanned the area for his daughter and niece.

''look, there's Screwball!''

He swooped down beside his daughter, who was looking from a cloud worriedly.

''Hey screwy!'' Discord called, patting his daughter's head. The filly paid no attention to discord.

''I found Zany!'' Discord Declared, holding up the infant. '' Where's Cherry?''

Screwball pointed at the direction she was looking. The Draqonaquus scooped her up and swooped down into another cloud.

Cherry blossom stood still.

''Hey Cherry! Zany was missing but we managed to find him! After all the excitement, the little scamper's probably worn out. How about we take a nap on a cloud. Like we used to?''

He waited to receive an answer, but only received a mad glare. He cleared his throat.

''I said…''

''I heard you.'' Cherry blossom replied, almost inaudibly.

''Ah, she speaks! So, what do you say about that nap?''

''I want to go home uncle,''

Discord froze. ''later, darling''

She looked at him with wide eyes but hid it with a mad glare. ''I'm tired, uncle. You said after this game, we would go home, but the game ended two hours ago. You pinkie promised!''

''Have I taught you nothing, dear?'' Discord asked, holding up crossed fingers. ''Crossies don't count!''

Cherry blossom looked at him with wide eyes as he walked pass her. ''you…you lied to me?''

He shrugged. ''you are really slipping, my dear. Maybe you need a rest.''

''I do need a rest, uncle! In my own bed. I wanna go home!''

'' This is our home!'' Discord gestured to their surroundings. ''this city is ours for the taking!''

''uncle, stop! I'm tired of this game! Not only will it get us in trouble with mommy and auntie, but with the princesses and…''

''Stay out of this!''

Cherry blossom was shocked when Screwball stepped in. her eyes narrowed as she was hit by a powerful blast when Screwball yelled. She fell to the ground with a thud.

Screwball's eyes turned normal. She had realized her mistake with narrowed eyes.

''Cherry? Cherry!'' Screwball Cried.

When she looked down. she gasped. Cherry blossom was lying there. On her side, with her eyes closed.

Screwball Dashed down to her cousin. She ran closer to her frozen body.

She squeezed her hoof. No pulse. She pressed her chest multiple times, rapidly. She put her head to her cousin's chest. No heartbeat.

She sobbed and buried her face on her Cousin's chest. The only thing she cared about…was gone.

''Oh, Cherry!'' Sobbed Screwball. ''What have I Done!?''

Discord's eyes turned normal. He looked down and gasped. He went down with Zany in his arms to get a closer look.

''Cherry?''

Discord was about to put his eagle claws on the still filly, but screwball quickly pulled her away.

''No! don't come any closer!'' She scowled. ''Don't you dare lay a finger on her!''

Discord was taken aback as he was pushed away. He watched as Screwball put her cousin on her back.

As she turned to her father, her eyes were already burning with anger.

''Screwy… I… I didn't do anything!''

''oh, you 'didn't do anything' huh? Well, not the way I see it!''

''but I did nothing!'' said Discord, as he put his paw to his chest. ''I swear!''

''oh, and this qualifies as NOTHING?!'' Screwball yelled, tears forming in her eyes. ''I don't want this daddy! It wasn't so bad when it was just a few harmless pranks, but this…. This is wrong…. It-It's evil!''

'' Sweetheart, listen to me!''

''NO! You listen! all my life, ponies have told me that you were evil, and that cherry and I were evil too! I never believed them, but now… now I see…I see they're right! You promised that you would never be evil again! You promised the princesses, you promised mom, you promised me!'' she paused. ''But you lied!''

Her words pierced him like a sword. ''Honey, I…''

''Go ahead then! Spread your chaos! Just leave me out of it!'' she looked at her brother and cousin. ''leave us out of it!''

''Sweetie, what are you saying?''

Screwball turned her back at him. '' goodbye, Daddy!''

''Screwy, wait!''

But she was gone with the infant and the unconscious filly before he could stop her.

Screwball, Zany, and Cherry blossom reappeared in the Everfree forest. Screwball sobbed as she fell to her knees.

''Oh, Cherry!'' she sobbed. ''it's all my fault! I should have listened to you!''

She wiped a tear and turned to her cousin. ''it's just me, you and Zany. I never wanted this! I never wanted any of this to happen! What are we going to do? Mom will be looking for us…. And so, will the princesses. What if they punish us?''

She turned to her brother. ''don't worry, I won't let that happen to you. But… we can't go home, that'll be the first place they'll look. We can't stay with dinky or lightning. I can only imagine what my other friends are thinking about me. Every pony must think I'm a monster!''

She held out her brother and faced him. '' I really Screwed up this time, didn't I?''

She jumped as she heard a groan. She looked at her cousin. She gasped as Cherry blossom opened her eyes. She smiled widely as Cherry blossom stood up on the hooves.

''Sc-Screw- Screwball?''

''Cherry!'' Cheered screwball as she hugged her cousin tightly. ''You're alive!''

Fireworks formed around the trio. Cherry was shocked at Screwball's unusual behavior but hugged back with eyes closed.

''What happened?'' she asked.

''it doesn't matter, you're alive!'' replied screwball, as she hugged her cousin tighter.

Finally, as they pulled away, Screwball Held zany out. ''Did you see that Zany? our cousin's alive!''

She gazed into Zany's eyes. They turned green. A soothing voice inside her head told her to lie down, which made her eyelids heavy. Cherry blossom joined, because the voice was inside her head too. Sleep certainly sounded good right now.

Then two other voices screamed: Snap out of it!

Screwball and Cherry shook out of their trance. '' What in the name of Celestia….?''

They then looked at the infant, who's mouth was agape in confusion. In realization, Screwball dropped him.

''You're not Zany!'' they yelled.

The baby scowled as he changed form. Screwball told Cherry blossom to get behind her as she gazed in fear of the queen of changelings who stood before them.

''I underestimated your perceptiveness, I'll give you that.'' Chrysalis grinned. ''though the fact that I have kept this charade for so long just shows how good I am!''

Screwball chocked on her words. ''What… what had you done with my little brother?''

''And my little sister?'' finished Cherry Blossom.

''They're alive, I assure you. We changelings may be heartless, but we just love foals! Your baby brother and sister are quite powerful for their age. I think I will raise them as if they were my own dark prince and princess!''

Cherry blossom looked up at the changeling and shivered in fear, while Screwball gritted her teeth together. ''you leave my brother and cousin alone, you…. You monster!''

Chrysalis put her hoof to chest, pretending to be offended. ''monster? My, aren't you the one to talk!''

Cherry blossom stepped in quickly and defensively. ''DON'T. YOU. DARE. CALL. HER. THAT!''

Cherry blossom screamed as a giant hammer appeared in front of the queen. It came down hard on her head. But instead of causing damage, it squeaked. Chrysalis grabbed the mallet and chuckled.

''Rubber. How cute.''

Cherry blossom choked on her words and stepped back. ''What? But…. But I thought…''

She tried casting a spell again, but the only result was confetti. She tried again, but a sharp pain in her head broke her concentration. Screwball ran to her cousin's side and helped her up. Chrysalis made no effort to conceal her laugh.

''it's no use sweetheart, ever since I've switched places with your brother, I have been feeding off your love, draining off your power! Of course, thanks to my sons, there was not much power left to consume.''

Screwball and Cherry Blossom's heads shot up. ''Wait…. What?''

''Oh, you haven't guessed? My sons have been playing you since you've met!''

The two mares looked at each other in shock, then back at the queen.

''No… No… it can't be true. You're lying!''

'' oh really? Pitiful girls, you lack so much power now you can't tell a lie from the truth!''

''they…. Wouldn't they… they…''

''Care about you?'' Chrysalis cackled. '' They were only pretending! They were doing as mummy told them! Yes, the boys were quite useful in my plan. Not only did they drain your power, but if it weren't for them, I wouldn't have known about your brother and sister.''

Screwball looked at her cousin, who was crying quietly. She wiped cherry blossom's tear and hugged her reassuringly.

''unfortunately, my dears,'' Chrysalis said lowly. ''now that you're powerless, you are no use to me anymore.''

A rustling in the bushes made screwball and Cherry blossom turn around quickly. A swarm of changelings emerged from the bushes, surrounding them both.

''Feed on whatever they have left!'' Chrysalis ordered. '' then dispose them, slowly and painfully.''

Screwball and Cherry Blossom gasped in alarm. They had to get out of there, they had to find Zany and Zanabelle. Screwball closed her eyes and harnessed as much power as possible. It had caused a terrible migraine, but she didn't give up.

Just as the changelings were inches away from them, Screwball and Cherry blossom exploded into confetti. The changelings yelped in confusion.

''what happened, your majesty?'' asked one of them.

Chrysalis growled in anger and pointed to half the group. ''you lot! Find them! We can't let them tell what They've witnessed!''

The group nodded and separated for their hunt.

When Screwball and Cherry blossom arrived at one of the chocolate lakes, Screwball found she could no longer stand. Her strength failed as she collapsed to the ground.

"Screwy?!'' Said Cherry blossom. She shook her, but no response.

Suddenly Cherry blossom heard a sound in the bushes. She turned quickly and looked around with narrowed eyes. She tried readying her horn, but it only caused a sharp pain. She collapsed to the ground. All hope seemed lost for the Princesses of Chaos, until two figures appeared. Four green eyes staring at them.

Mothball levitated Screwball onto his back and Stroked her mane.

Screwdriver levitated cherry blossom onto his back and stroked her mane.

''Don't worry Cherry and Screwy, we're going to fix this, if it's the last thing we do.''

Author's Note

Plz don't hate me! :raritydespair: :raritycry: That's how the story Goes!

Love will find a way

Discord sat on an upside – down tree stump, his head in his hands.

''First, my niece,'' he uttered, ''now my children! What have I done?! Oh, Cherry, if you're still there, please…. forgive me.''

As he spoke, Zany and Zanabelle appeared in his lap before him, bringing a smile to the Draqonaquus' face.

''Ah my Boy!'' he exclaimed. Zanabelle gurgled. ''And girl!'' he finished. ''you'll never leave me, now, will you? You miss your duncle don't you?''

Had he not been caught up in his joy, he would have seen the devious smile on the twin cousins' faces.

Mothball and Screwdriver hiked through the forest, carrying the unconscious mares on their backs. Their ears perked up when they heard a group of changelings nearby and quickly hid behind the bushes. Screwball and Cherry Blossom groaned. They silenced them with their hooves.

''They must be around here somewhere!'' one of the soldiers said. ''I smell chocolate milk!''

The princes exchanged nervous looks, but had an idea. They both took the form of a soldier changeling and leapt out of their hiding place.

''you dumb bugs missed them!'' they said, pointing to the direction they had just come. '' they went that way!''

One of the changelings sniffed the air. '' they're right! The trail is fresh! We can still catch them!''

As soon as the three were gone, mothball and screwdriver picked up Cherry Blossom and Screwball and ran as fast as their legs can carry them. After a while, they came across a strangely decorated hut inside a grand tree. Screwdriver's jaw shot right open, but mothball closed it right back. The light was on, so whoever lives there was home.

Maybe they can help, they thought.

Mothball was about to knock when his brother poked him. That reminded him that they were still in their changeling guise. He waited until Screwdriver transformed into a blue stallion with black hair and has a music note for a cutie mark. Mothball transformed into an orange stallion with white hair and a flower for a cutie mark. Mothball knocked on the door.

''Who is knocking so late?'' a deep, female voice called from inside. ''I am coming, please wait!''

A black and white pony opened the door.

''Who are you strangers? Do you not know this forest is filled with danger?''

''Please!'' begged mothball and Screwdriver. ''please help us! Our friends here, they….''

The pony's eyes widened at the sight of the unconscious mares. '' Screwball! Cherry Blossom! Bring them in, place them on the beds, and tell me why they look near-dead!''

She guided the disguised princes over to the bed and helped him in setting Cherry Blossom and Screwball down.

''Can you help them?'' Mothball begged.

''Yeah!'' Screwdriver pleaded. ''Can you?''

'' I can, do not stress. But what is the cause of this sickness?''

They bit their lips. If this mare knew they were changelings, she would kick them out and keep them away from Screwball and Cherry Blossom.

''they… well… um'''

''Do not speak!'' the pony commanded as she examined her patients. ''they are weak, I can barely feel their heartbeat. I shall make a soup for them to eat and to help them get well. When they will recover, only time will tell.''

Mothball watched curiously as the striped mare searched her shelves for her bottles and flasks. While, screwdriver gently stroked Cherry blossom's mane.

''I've never seen a pony like you before,'' Mothball observed.

''that is because I am a zebra, not a pony,'' she said, turning to him with a bow. ''I am Zecora, the one and only!''

''Oh. Well, how do you know Screwball?'' Asked Mothball.

''And Cherry!'' finished Screwdriver.

The zebra answered their question as she pulled a bottle from a shelf. ''Seventeen years ago, their fathers came to me for advice, not everything was sugar and spice. When they met their mothers and reunited, I know they could not have recited.''

Mothball blinked, while Screwdriver spat out the chocolate milk he was drinking. ''you got their parents together?!''

Zecora chuckled throatily as she poured the contents of a bottles into a pot of boiling water.

''That, you could say, oh I shall never forget that day,'' she was about to pick up another ingredient when she noticed mothball standing and screwdriver sitting with nothing to do. ''how rude of me. Would you like some tea?''

''No thank you,'' Said Screwdriver. ''I appreciate the offer, but I already have a drink. So, I'll pass.''

Mothball sighed as he took a sip out of the tea. He was not a fan of tea, but he could not decline the zebra's kind offer.

After Mixing Several Herbs and Spices into the cauldron, Zecora mumbled a language the princes could not understand. Mothball sipped his tea in disgust. While, Screwdriver pecked Cherry Blossom's cheek. He carefully lifted her hoof and gazed at her hoof. All that matter to them is that how fragile their friends looked as they laid motionless in the bed beside them. Mothball held his cup in one hoof, and held Screwball with the other.

In a few minutes, the soup was ready. Zecora poured it into a bowl and approached the sick mares.

''Tilt their heads back'' she said to Mothball and Screwdriver.

Mothball nodded and tilted Screwball's head. Screwdriver tilted Cherry Blossom's head. Their mouths shot right open. Screwdriver's Jaw once again shot right open, Mothball Closed it back as he stared at Screwball's Open mouth. He felt like kissing her, but he knew he was a danger to her. Zecora put the bowl to the young mare's lips and slowly poured it into her mouth. She did the same with Cherry Blossom. When she was done, Mothball and Screwdriver carefully released the mares' heads and they closed back again.

Mothball and Screwdriver looked at Zecora. ''Are they going to be ok?''

Zecora Sighed as she pulled a purple blanket over Screwball and A Sky Blue, Soft blanket over Cherry Blossom. '' I do not know, I fear. For now, they must rest here.''

Mothball and screwdriver locked eyes on the mares. Screwdriver carefully lifted half of Cherry Blossom's body and hugged her gently. ''please get better guys.''

Zecora picked up mothball's Teacup and examined the tea leaves. Her eyes widened in fascination, her lips curling into a smile.

''Fascinating.'' She murmured.

''What?'' asked Mothball. Screwdriver only turned his head. ''what is it?''

''it is noble for you to help Screwball, I did not expect it from a changeling, Prince mothball.''

Mothball's jaw dropped.

''HOW DID YOU KNOW MY BROTHER IS A- '' Screwdriver started. He put his hoof to his mouth. Zecora chuckled.

'' And you, rescuing your princess is noble and triver, your brother is very timid, prince Screwdriver.''

''and how did you know I call Cherry Blossom princess?'' he covered his mouth again.

''You can drop the charade,'' Smiled Zecora. ''I promise, you can stay.''

They stared at each other, then at the zebra, then reluctantly changed back into themselves.

Screwdriver stepped forth. ''how'd you know? D-did our eyes give it away?''

''no,'' Zecora held out the teacup. ''The leaves told me all. Very clever. There is no tricking me prince Mothball and Screwdriver.''

The two brothers looked at each other, nodded, and faced the zebra.

''Please, it's just Mothball,'' Started Mothball.

''And Screwdriver,'' continued Screwdriver.

'' we're no princes. We're traitors to our kind.'' Mothball finished.

''Yes,'' Zecora nodded. '' You two did it because you fell in love with the mares you are to dispose of.''

"you don't have to tell me twice,'' Screwdriver admitted. ''she was the one for me ever since I laid eyes on her. I tell you, She's the mare of my dreams!'' he paused. '' my brother on the other hand….''

Mothball raised an eyebrow at Zecora. ''Are you psychic or something?''

Instead of answering, the zebra gestured Mothball to sit at the table and Screwdriver to stay where he was. Mothball hesitated to part from Screwball, but did as he was told. After a few seconds, Zecora and Screwdriver joined him. Zecora had a stack of cards in her hoof.

''well, your guess was only half right,'' Mothball claimed. '' Changelings can't love, let alone fall in love. We don't even have hearts.''

''Are you sure? After bringing Screwball for a cure?''

'' She's the only friend I've ever had. What was I supposed to do?''

Zecora shook her head. ''you are so blind to what made you betray. Let us see what the cards have to say.''

She shuffled the deck in her hooves and spread them on the table.

''Take three. For they will tell, the past, the present, and the future as well.''

Mothball shrugged and decided to humor with her game. Screwdriver watched closely as his brother took three cards. Mothball gave the cards to Zecora. The brothers watched as the zebra spread the cards and face them down. She flipped over the left card. It showed a dark figure with red glowing eyes which made the colts cringe.

''hey that looks like Screwball and Cherry blossom's dads.''

''The devil,'' Zecora explained.

''This represents the hell of your past. You two have been scolded and harassed. A demon took control of your minds, shaping you to be blind to your hearts, quite cleverly. As a result, you've been treated unfairly.''

The colt's eyebrows lowered and scrunched slowly. ''Our mother.''

''you see yourselves as demons as well. Two monsters that belong in hell. You think that you are heartless, emotionless and bad. These are the feelings that make you sad.''

Mothball said nothing. Zecora flipped the middle card. It showed a white Pegasus white light purple eyes and yellow cotton candy like hair.

Mothball pointed '' now that looks like pinkie pie.''

''your present involves temperance, a symbol of balance.'' Said Zecora.

''what?'' Screwdriver questioned.

''You two have given up your habits of a changeling and let your true emotions take wing. All your lives you followed your mother. You left that mare for another. The Pegasus' eyes are purple, representing 'desire' but it is white from head to hoof representing 'purity'. You have combined both with maturity. You are creatures that feed on love, but now you share it with those doves.''

She pointed to Screwball and Cherry Blossom.

''but, what does it have to do with- '' mothball began. He was stopped when his brother put a hoof to his mouth.

Zecora sighed. '' of this, you are not sure, now we will see your future.''

The last card showed a picture of two mares and two colts, staring intensely at each other. Their hooves entwined and horns touching. On top of their horns was a glowing pink heart. Zecora smiled at this one.

'' The Lovers.''

Screwdriver blushed and blinked awkwardly. Mothball looked at him only moving his eyes and back at Zecora two times.

''when it comes to love, your future is bright. Now do you believe I am right?''

''they are just a bunch of cards. They mean nothing.''

Zecora sighed. She circled around the table and without warning, placed mothball's hoof on her chest.

''hey, what are you- ''

''what do you feel?'' asked the zebra.

''your…. heart?''

''Yes, now come.''

As the two brothers followed her, Mothball realized something.

'' why aren't you rhyming anymore?''

Zecora did not answer and pulled the covers off Screwball. She then placed his hoof to her chest.

''What do you feel now?''

''Her heart. But what does this have to do with- ''

He was cut off when Zecora laid his hoof on his chest. She did the same with Screwdriver.

''And now?''

Something thumped wildly in their chests in a similar way in Screwball and Zecora's. they had felt It many times before, but they told themselves that it was just the love pulsing through them. Then why is it in the same spot as Screwball and Zecora's.

Where the heart should be?

Mothball and Screwdriver looked up at Zecora. ''there has to be another explanation. We're not supposed to have hearts.''

''That does not mean you cannot,'' Zecora said. ''What else could fill that spot? If you are heartless, Mothball, how do you explain your feelings for Screwball? And You Screwdriver, blushing like opossum, can you explain your feelings for cherry blossom?''

The Princes looked at the mares in the beds. Some of the color had returned to their cheeks, giving them a gentle glow. This made them smile, but also sad that they still weren't awake.

''I can't explain it.'' Screwdriver admitted. '' When I laid eyes on her, I was bewitched. Sometimes I wonder if she cast a spell on me, but the more time I spent with her, the more I was compelled to stay with her. I tried not to, because I didn't want to hurt her, but I kept coming back.

"I know she loves me. I've always known. I was supposed to feed off it, but you know something? No matter how much time I spent with her, she never seemed to wither, not in the slightest. I felt her love transfer to me, but her energy never diminished. I began to assume she was immune."

He hung his head. "That was clearly not the case, after what our mother did to her."

Mothball noticed Screwball shivering, so he pulled the covers back over her body.

"I can't stop thinking about her," he continued. "Everything about her: her laugh, her smile, her sense of humor, her hair, her eyes..." He sighed. "Oh, what I would give to see them again. Do you think she'll get better soon?"

When he received no answer, Mothball and Screwdriver turned their heads. The zebra was no longer behind them.

"Zecora?"

"Do not fear! I am here."

They glanced around the room and found her stirring her cauldron. As he approached her, Zecora took the tea-cup he had drunk from and dumped the leaves into the boiling water.

"What are you doing now?" Mothball asked, peering inside.

Zecora took some green powder from a jar and blew it into the brew. Green images started to form, making the changeling gasp. Soon he was gazing at four silhouettes, two that resembled Screwball and Cherry Blossom and others themselves. The figures embraced each other and bent their bodies in a way that they formed a heart. Suddenly, the image evaporated into thin air and all that remained in the pot was green liquid.

"What was that?" the prince questioned, still in awe.

"That," Zecora replied, "is what happens when two become one, when they possess a magic more powerful than the sun. What you think as a weakness is not so. Strength is what comes with the glow."

"Do you ever give a straight answer?"

"No."

They stared at her and then at Screwball and Cherry Blsoom.

"If nothing changes, I could make more stew," the zebra said, "but I'll need some herbs, and help from you."

Mothball and Screwdriver turned back to Zecora. "How can we help?"

As Cherry Blossom gained consciousness, everything came flooding back: her father's mental breakdown, her unpleasant encounter with Dinky, her twin cousin's brother turning out to be Chrysalis, Her sister gone missing…

Her sister.

"Zanabelle," she murmurred.

She and Screwball felt something cool on their foreheads, causing their to slowly open her eyes.

"Zany," Screwball said.

"Shhh," a warm voice whispered. "Take it easy, my little fillies."

When Screwball and Cherry Blossom's vision came into focus, they saw the zebra smiling over them and pressing a wet cloth to their foreheads.

"Zecora?"

"It is good to see you awake. Tell me, does anything ache?"

The young mares groaned. "Our headx."

Zecora left for a moment and came back with a cup of tea. "Drink this, but not too fast. You lack your strength, but the worst has past."

Screwball struggled to sit up. "How did we get here? How long were we out?"

"For an hour you have been here. It was one of your friends that brought you, dear."

"Really?" Cherry Blossom asked, sipping the tea. "Who? Dinky? One of the twins?"

The zebra was about to answer when a voice interrupted her:

"Hey, Zecora! I think I got the things you asked for!"

A gray stallion and a blue stallion carrying a saddle bag stood in the doorway. Not knowing Screwball was awake, he transformed into Mothball. The young mares gasped.

"YOU!"

The changelings turned in alarm, but then smiled. "You're awake! Thank goodness!"

Screwball looked accusingly at Zecora. "How could you let him in here?! Do you have any idea who he is?!"

"He is the one who saved your life," the zebra replied. "I do not know why this causes you strife."

"Humph!" the mare huffed. "Saved my life, my hoof! What happened, your highness? Didn't want to lose your primary food source?!"

Mothball's grin had faded. "What are you talking about?"

''Screwdriver?'' Cherry Blossom asked. ''Why are you here? Why did you bring me here?''

Screwdriver hung his head and drew a circle with his hoof. ''Cherry If you can let me explain…''

''Don't try playing innocent with my cousin, you traitor!'' Screwball scowled defensively. ''You corrupted her innocence once, I'm not letting you corrupt it again!''

''Please, listen…'' Mothball started.

"Don't play dumb! You've been using me all this time! You told your mother all our secrets! You betrayed us! I thought you were our friends!"

The prince was confused. "Screwy, let me explain..."

"we hate you!"

"Screwball, Cherry Blossom please lie down..." Zecora started to say.

"No!" Screwball screamed. "I won't be in the same room with him!"

Suddenly, the pillows flew off the bed and zoomed toward Mothball and Screwdriver. He managed to duck in time.

"Screwy, please!" he begged.

But the mare was already up and running toward the door.

"You don't have the strength!" Zecora yelled.

Mothball moved in front of the mare. "The changelings are looking for you! It's not safe out there!"

Screwball scowled at him. "I don't care, so long as I'm away from you!"

''Cherry?'' Screwdriver begged.

''We trusted you.'' Cherry blossom muttered to him before she followed her twin cousin.

Screwball pushed him back and raced outside. She did not know where she was going. She just wanted to get as far away from him as possible. And yet, her heart was telling her to go back, but she would not listen. She did not trust her heart anymore.

It did not take long for her to run out of breath. Cherry Blossom had gained some strength during her rest, but not enough to teleport. She panted with thirst and then spotted a river nearby.

As Cherry Blossom knelt down for a drink, she caught her reflection, making her pause. The mare in the water looked just like her, only paler and...broken.

She sobbed. "This is all my fault. If I hadn't been so foolish, if I had listened to Daddy, none of this would've happened. I'd still be at home with my family, my friends...Zanabelle."

Her little sister was her deepest regret. The poor infant had done nothing wrong, and yet he was paying the price for her actions.

She shook her head. "No, this...this was all Mothball! He...he tricked me!"

If that was the case, then why could she not stop thinking about how hurt he had looked when she had rushed out? For that matter, why had he brought her to Zecora's in the first place? Why had he not taken her to Chrysalis?

Why did her heart still ache at the thought of him?

She looked at her reflection again and splashed the water furiously.

"I don't know what to think anymore!" she bawled.

She buried her face in her hooves, not hearing Screwdriver as he came out of the trees.

''I'm sorry, Cherry.''

Cherry Blossom turned to him, her eyes watery.

''Why did you betray me, Screw? Was it something I said? Did I do something wrong? Was I a bad friend?''

He looked at her with sad eyes, wanting to wrap his forelegs around her and assure her everything was alright. She had every right to be upset with him and he could not help but feel guilty.

He had to let her know how he felt, but he was not sure how. He was not disguised as a pony with nothing to lose. He was his changeling self. After what he had done, would she believe him?

He thought back to the night of the Grand Galloping Gala, when they had danced together. She had looked so beautiful. He then realized that at some point that night, he had fallen utterly and completely in love with her.

''I can't fully explain.'' He said, slowly approaching her. ''But let me tell you a story.''

Cherry Blossom turned her head and hung her head. Screwdriver was thankful, because they were in a direction of a starry sky.

''it's about a mare I met.'' He said.

The young alicorn did not dare to look at him. But Screwdriver would not give up.

''Fifteen years ago, I met some pony who every pony thought was evil, yet I found her quite interesting. She's funny, sweet, kind, I thought I was only imagining stuff, but this girl, like she said, she was ''one of a kind''…''

This time, Cherry Blossom turned her head to Screwdriver.

''At first, I thought ''Oh sure, sure. She's pretty amusing.'' But the more I spent time with her, the more I realized: She's the one for me.''

Screwdriver scooted closer to her and pulled her close. Cherry Blossom stared at him.

If I never knew you,

If I never felt this love,

I would have no inkling of,

How precious life can be,

Screwdriver laid Cherry Blossom's head on his chest. Cherry Blossom closed her eyes.

If I never held you,

I would never have a clue,

How at last I found in you,

The missing part of me.

Cherry Blossom placed her head up and looked at screwdriver with wide eyes.

In this world, so full of fear,

Full of rage and lies,

I can see the truth so clear,

In your eyes,

Screwdriver lifted her hair with his hoof and placed it over her ear. Cherry Blossom smiled a bit.

So, dry your eyes,

And I'm so grateful to you,

I'd have lived my life through,

Lost forever,

Screwdriver stood up and extended his hoof for Cherry Blossom. She looked at it and then at Screwdriver. She accepted it and stood up.

If I never knew you,

Cherry Blossom joined in, but sang it with more passion.

I thought our love would be so beautiful,

Somehow, we'd make the whole world bright,

I never knew that fear and hate could be so strong,

All they'd leave us were these whispers in the night,

But still my heart is saying we were right!

Cherry Blossom's heart pounded as they started dancing.

Oh, If I never knew you,

(There's no moment I regret)

As Screwdriver dipped her, They locked eyes with each other.

If I never knew this love,

(Since the moment that we met)

I would have no inkling of,

(if Our time has gone to fast,)

How precious life can be,

(I've lived at last…)

Their memories together had flown back into their minds. Cherry Blossom smiled after Screwdriver whirled her. She knew… he was the colt for her. Screwdriver sang softly:

And I'm so grateful to you,

I'd have lived my life through,

Empty, as they sky,

Cherry Blossom sang along:

Never knowing why,

They both sang together, as Screwdriver dipped her again.

Lost forever,

If I never knew…you…

Screwdriver and Cherry Blossom put down their heads on each other. When they finished, Screwdriver confessed:

"I love you, Cherry Blossom."

The young mare caressed his face. ''I love you more,''

She kissed his forehead.

Screwball and Mothball watched from afar, sighing at the scene. They looked at each other and grinned. They decided to leave them alone for a while.

This was an eventful night.

Author's Note

Do you like it when I put a little Pocahontas in there? Sorry, I just thought it would fit cutely in their relationship!😉

We are One

"we never wanted any part of Mother's plan," Mothball explained.

He and Screwball were sitting at Zecora's table, eating soup with one hoof and holding hooves with the other. Well, Screwball was the only one eating anyway, since Mothball was not accustomed to solid food.

"But what were We supposed to do?" Screwdriver continued. "we were young, we had nowhere else to go. The hive is the only home we've ever known. The changelings never really felt like family, but..."

"We get it," Cherry Blossom said, giving his hoof a gentle squeeze. "No matter how crazy they are, you can't pick family." She hung her head. "And sometimes, you'd do anything to please them."

"Part of what our mother told you is true, though. we were supposed to feed off your love, but...we couldn't bear to hurt you. Eventually, we kept away from you altogether." Mothball explained.

"It's funny. You keep saying that the more time we spend with you, the weaker we get, but the thing is..." They put down their spoon and scooted closer to them. "When we're with you, we feel...stronger."

"You do feel stronger. We still don't understand how that's possible." Mothball and Screwdriver marveled.

"Perhaps I can explain," Zecora volunteered, "why they feel no pain." She held up the card 'Temperance.' "We spoke to you of balancing your traits. There is more to what this card dictates. You gain power from Screwball and Cherry Blossom's love, it's true, but from your love, they gain power too. What you give replaces what you take. 'Tis such a rare magic that you four make."

"So what you're saying is," Mothball attempted to clarify, "that instead of us taking away their power, we're...sharing our own?"

The zebra nodded.

"It makes sense," Cherry Blossom declared. "Love is the most powerful form of chaos there is." She smirked. "But I thought you didn't have a heart, you big softie."

"So did we," the princes said. "But Zecora told us something interesting. If I were heartless like our mother, we would have left you for dead." They gazed into their eyes. "But we didn't."

Screwball smiled and nuzzled her head into Mothball's chest. "I'm sorry I doubted you."

He grinned nervously. "Well, you had reason."

She slowly pulled away and looked at him seriously. "What else do you know about Chrysalis' plan?"

He sighed. "The night of the Gala, when we returned to the hive, Mother demanded we tell her everything we had learned from you. We refused, but then she threatened to hurt you, so..." He turned his head away in shame. " we told her. That's how she knew that you could see through lies and that you had a baby brother and Sister. She replaced Zany before you returned from Canterlot.

"He's alive, as far as I know. He's being held in the hive's nursery. Changelings find babies to be..." he winced, "a bountiful food source, because in their innocent age, they tend to love everything and everyone. I would have rescued him, but we scarcely escaped from the hive ourselves. we tried to warn you about Chrysalis in the park today, but we couldn't risk revealing myself to her."

Cherry Blossom's eyes were wild with worry. "Why is she doing this?"

"She wants revenge on your father. What for, we're not sure, but this was all so she could get him back into stone. With him out of the way, and his power transferred to Chrysalis, the changelings would be free to take over Equestria!"

Screwdriver shook his head. "She had it all planned out! She even got to possess you and him and have a changeling capture your aunt!"

Screwball's jaw dropped. "I knew Mom would never betray us!" She gasped. "Mom! Oh, she's probably gonna ground us for life after this! She might... No, she would never let Daddy be turned to stone."

''Our mother figured that, which is why she also planned to pose as Discord and act so evil that your mother and the other bearers of the Elements of Harmony would have no choice but to turn him to stone. Once that's done, she intends to dispose of them so that nothing can stop her!"

"Oh no! What if it's already been done? What if we're too late?" Cherry Blossom asked.

As she spoke, a frog crossed with a teapot hopped onto the windowsill. Its lid opened as it croaked.

"I think your uncle's alive," Mothball observed.

"But we might not have much time!" Screwball exclaimed. "We have to warn him! We have to save Zany and Zanabelle! We need to explain things to..."

"No," Zecora said. "You have not fully recovered, and you cannot risk being discovered."

"But if we wait too long, it'll be too late!"

"Your father is crafty, clever and cunning. He will sense the ponies coming. It will take time for them to hunt him down. I suggest you rest till morning comes round."

"But..."

They trailed off as Mothball and Screwdriver laid a hoof on their shoulder. "She's right. You need your strength if you want to go up against our mother." they hung their heads. "we wouldn't recommend it though. Our mother is clever too, not to mention she has a whole army on her side."

"we don't care! Our family's fallen apart and I have to help put it together again!" Cherry Blossom snapped.

"You'll need a plan first."

"Yes," Screwball said with a sigh. "we're sorry, our minds are so jumbled right now!"

"You should get some sleep."

"Yeah. Zecora, do you have a sleeping bag or something?" Cherry Blossom asked the zebra.

"You are welcome to sleep in my bed," the zebra offered. "I will find a place to rest my head."

"Oh, Zecora, really. You've done so much for my family already. I don't want to..."

"Nonsense. You both need your rest. For that, the bed would be best."

"But where can I...?" Mothball started to ask.

He trailed off as Zecora winked at him and Screwdriver. they were silent as she gathered the empty teacups and disappeared behind a curtain. Screwball, Mothball, Cherry Blossom and SCrewdriver simultaneously glanced at the bed and then at each other with a blush.

"I suppose there will be no harm in..." Screwball stammered, "snuggling?"

In a few minutes, they were lying under the covers, tight in each other's embrace, their hooves entwining. They were careful not to do anything...inappropriate, but Screwball tried to get a kiss from her love. Mothball leaned his head back in hesitation.

"Come on," Screwball groaned. "We already know you won't hurt me.''

"Yeah, but...I...I just don't want to risk it. At least, not now when you're not your strongest."

She sighed in disappointment. "Fine."

On that note, she turned her body away from him.

"I didn't mean it like that!" Mothball insisted. "I mean...now that we know how...different I am with you...I just...don't know what will happen!"

She faced him again. "Why don't we find out?"

He stared into her pleading spirals. He wanted to kiss her so badly, but he could not risk hurting her.

"Some other day," he said.

She sighed again and gazed up at the ceiling. He looked in the same direction and for a while, neither of them said anything.

"Did you know?" Screwball asked abruptly.

Mothball raised an eyebrow at her. "Did I know what?"

She locked eyes with him. "Did you know how I felt about you?"

He looked away shamefully. "I can sense emotion a mile away. I've always known."

"Why didn't you say anything?" Her tone was sounding angry now.

"Because I thought I couldn't return your feelings. And...I didn't want you to think I was just staying with you so I could feed."

Screwball could understand that, considering how she had treated him earlier.

"Sorry," she apologized again. "Also...I never properly thanked you for saving my life."

That made her feel even more guilty.

"That's okay," Mothball said with a shrug. "I never thanked you."

"For what?"

"For saving me...from myself." He winced. "Okay, that was cheesy."

Screwball laughed. "I love you anyway."

She took his hoof and snuggled against him again. He smiled and stroked her mane. Even though he had always known it, hearing her say those three words warmed his heart, which he supposedly had.

"What I mean is...I always thought I was a heartless creature who didn't deserve love of any kind, until I met you. Not only that, but you showed me what it's like to have fun, to be crazy, to be...well, a kid."

She smiled. "How long have you and your Brother been in love with us?"

"we were bewitched the moment we saw you. What we don't get is why you love me."

"When we first met, you were so different that I found you interesting. I knew you weren't as bad as Daddy said, because you tried to save me from that manticore. I...I can't really explain it, but...I just feel so...complete with you."

Screwball sighed contentedly as he wrapped his hooves around her.

"I feel the same way."

She was so happy that she finally had her prince, but her heart sank at the thought of her family.

"I have to make things right," she whispered.

Mothball shook his head. "It's hopeless. There's no stopping my mother."

"She was stopped before at Cadence and Shining Armor's wedding."

"Huh?"

Screwball raised an eyebrow. "You mean your mother never told you about that?"

"If she was defeated, I don't think she would have."

"Well, basically, what happened is that Princess Cadence and Shining Armor cast a spell that banished the changelings from Equestria. But they're all the way in the Crystal Empire now! By the time they hear about Chrysalis, it'll be too late!"

"What kind of spell did they cast?"

"I...I don't remember. My mom told me a long time ago, right after I met you, but I don't remember. I just know they cast it together and not even Chrysalis could fight it."

"That must have been some spell."

"If only I could remember..."

"We'll worry about it in the morning. For now, let's get some sleep."

As they held each other, Mothball could feel her love transfer to his body, but he could also feel his love going to her in return.

So he could not hurt her, but that did not make up for the fact that he was the Changeling Prince. He had to prove his loyalty, not just to her but to everyone.

He had to clean up the mess he had caused, and he knew exactly how.

When Screwball and Cherry Blossom awoke, they were alone. Their hooves went to the empty space beside them.

"Mothball?"

"Screwdriver?"

They stepped out of bed and looked around the hut. Their eyes fell upon a note on the table:

Stepped out for a moment, will be back before evening. MB and SD

A few minutes after Screwball and Cherry Blossom had read the letter, Zecora returned with a plate of scrambled eggs.

"Let me guess," the young mares said. "Daddy/uncle made it rain eggs."

The zebra shook her head. "No, my dear Cherry Blossom and Screwball. In fact, they were pouring from the waterfall."

"Typical."

The two waited hours for Mothball and Screwdriver to return, until Screwball grew impatient.

"Where could he possibly be?" she demanded, slamming her hoof on the table.

"Hush, my dear," Zecora said sternly. "You must have patience. It's not like we've been waiting for ages."

"But what is he doing?! Can't you look in your magic brew or something?"

The zebra rubbed her chin. "I will see what I can do. Hand me that jar of dust, would you?"

After Screwball handed her the jar, Zecora scooped up the green powder and blew it into the cauldron. As she said a few words, an image began to form in the brew. Screwball peered inside and saw the silhouettes of six mares she knew well. She gasped as she started hearing voices.

"His twenty-four hours are up," said the voice of Princess Twilight. "I'm sorry it had to come to this, Fluttershy."

"No!" cried Fluttershy's voice. "Just a little more time! Please!"

"You could try to reason with him once more, but it must be done. Come on, girls. Let's find Discord."

As the image disintegrated, Screwball felt a wave of panic.

"No! They're going to do it! They're going to turn Daddy to stone!"

''What?!'' Cherry Blossom's head shot up.

The fillies rushed to the door.

"Where are you going?" Zecora demanded.

"we have to warn him! Or, if we find Mom first, we'll explain things to her! we have to fix this! When Mothball and Screwdriver get back, tell them where I've gone!"

The zebra was about to protest further when Screwball slammed the door.

Mothball hid behind a dead tree so the changelings guarding the entrance to the hive would not see them. For a second, they considered turning back. Suppose he were caught, or worse, if his mother caught him! She would do worse than ground him! She would blast them to dust!

Then he remembered Screwball and the promise he made. He had to prove he could keep that promise and that his love was sincere. The task was dangerous, but he would face a thousand changelings for Screwball!

Under the circumstances, that might be exactly what he would have to do. He gestured Screwdriver to stayed behind. Screwdriver was about to protest, but sighed and obeyed his big brother.

The prince closed his eyes and took the form of a nurse changeling.

"I hope my smell doesn't throw them off," he muttered to himself.

The guards did not appear to be suspicious, which was a great relief to Mothball, but the most difficult part of the task was yet to come. He took the passage to the lower level of the hive where the nursery was. He immediately caught sight of the gray foal lying in a cocoon shaped like a cradle. Despite the number of changelings surrounding him, the infant was laughing and clapping his hooves. The changelings, in the meantime, were feeding off his unconditional love.

Now what? The prince had to think of a way to get the child out of there without arousing suspicion. He cleared his throat.

"Ahem."

The changelings turned to him.

"Her majesty," he stammered, "would like...the child...to be...brought to Ponyville! She wishes to...show him off to Discord."

The group murmured amongst themselves in confusion.

"Why would she do that," one said, "when she is disguised as the child at the moment?"

Mothball bit his lip. "Uh...well...she wants to..."

Then he grunted. "Oh, to heck with it!"

His horn glowed and the changelings scattered as he blasted open the cocoon. The baby applauded, as if wanting him to do it again. Mothball swept the baby in his hooves and felt its love transfer to him.

He's actually kind of cute, he thought with a smile.

"Stay where you are!"

The prince looked up and saw that he was surrounded by soldier changelings.

Author's Note

Welp, they at least got Zany! Btw, Who else ships Applespike with Zanabelle? Hey! SOMEPONY had to do it! :twilightblush: :trollestia:

The Final Battle

He was in his castle. Fluttershy stood at the door, pulling on her cape.

"Do you really have to go?" Discord asked.

The pegasus smiled. "I'm only going out for the night, honey. After all, it's not every night Twilight comes to town. We haven't had a Girl's Night in ages!"

"Yes, but..." He twaddled his fingers. "I thought we could...have a You-and-Me Night."

He glanced down sadly. Then he felt Fluttershy's soft hoof lift his chin, so his eyes could meet hers. While her Stare could never manipulate him in the way it did animals, her loving gaze would always warm his heart. Then she gently kissed him on the muzzle.

"Tell you what," she said. "Tomorrow, we can drop Screwball off at Derpy's for a sleepover and then we'll spend the whole night together. How does that sound?"

His lips slowly curled into a smile and he nodded.

"Besides," Fluttershy continued, "it's not like you'll be alone."

As if on cue, a four-year-old Screwball appeared between them.

"Mommy, Mommy!" she chimed. "Can you read me a bedtime story?"

"Sorry, honey," the pegasus said, taking the filly in her arms. "Mommy has to leave now."

"Where are you going?"

"Out with your aunts. I will be back before morning." She kissed her daughter on the forehead. "Be good for your father, now."

"I will, Mommy."

Once she was gone, Discord sunk onto the couch. Young Screwball tapped his leg.

"Why Daddy sad?"

The draconequus looked down at the sweet filly's spiral eyes. They were filled with concern, yet still adorable. Smiling slightly, he lifted the toddler onto his knee.

"Daddy just misses Mommy, that's all."

Cherry Blossom and Screwball looked at each other and nodded. Chillcord and discord watched curiously, and they put on cowboy outfits and outfits appeared on them. Cherry Blossom pushed a television in front of them. Screwball placed a disc in a recorder.

Applejack:

We interrupt this programme with this song.

Caramel:

Alrightie, Boys! Let get er' down!

Discord and Chillcord's faces lit up. Discord was super excited.

''Get er' Down, boys!'' Discord yelled. Chillcord pulled out a gun and shot it in the air as Discord yelled. ''YEEEEEEEHAW!''

Caramel:

I was minding my own business, living in Robert's nose. I'm just a teeny, tiny germ. Here's how my story goes.

He turned to the filly and squeezed her in the crook of his arm. "Yes, dear. Feel better."

The scene shifted, and Discord found himself in the garden. He glanced around at the greenery.

"Alright!" he called. "Where are you?"

He heard a laugh and spun around. Fluttershy, was peering out from behind a tree. Screwball was in her and Cherry Blossom's room to take care of her sick twin cousin.

"Aha!"

She gasped and teleported out of her position.

"You can run, but you can't hide!"

He was about to look for his wife when he heard another giggle, this one delicate and enchanting. He grinned mischievously and moved as quietly as possible towards the sound. He then spied a spot of pink behind a bush. Chuckling to himself, he teleported to that spot and surprised Fluttershy as he scooped her up in his arms.

"You're it," he whispered.

Fluttershy groaned. "We need to make a new set of rules for this game."

"Rules? My dear, have you forgotten who you married?"

He then brought his lips down upon hers. She moaned in response.

The image rippled as Discord woke from his dream. He sat up and realized he had fallen asleep on one of his clouds. He looked down and saw Zany and Zanabelle cuddled up beside him. He smiled at the infant's innocent faces and petted their pink mane.

That pink mane...

It was just like Fluttershy's.

Zany's eyes then opened, revealing his spiral eyes. If they were purple, they would be just like Screwball's. Zanabelle did a peek – a-boo. If it were much cuter, it would be just like Cherry Blossom's.

Discord recalled the memories from his dream.

"Those were the days," he muttered.

Since he had fallen in love with her, Fluttershy had always brought joy to his miserable existence. The reunion of his twin Brother Chillcord had doubled that joy. The birth of Screwball and Cherry Blossom tripled that joy. They were a family. They loved each other, comforted each other when troubled. Sure, they had had their ups and downs, but they would always work it out in the end.

Why could it not be that way again?

He knew the answer. Cherry Blossom was dead, and it was all his fault.

Since their marriage, there had scarcely been a day without Fluttershy. Even when she was not there, she would never be gone for long. Now that he thought about it, this was the longest they had been apart. There had been another time when they had parted under dark circumstances. During her captivity, he had nearly forced her into marriage and in his anger had physically harmed her. Then he released her and did not see her again for three days.

No one had told him that love did not always last forever.

Then there was Screwball: his daughter, his flesh and blood, his chaotic protégé. She was no different from her mother.

She had left him too, obviously not caring how he felt about it. She and her mother were probably in the home of that stallion, rejoicing at how they had broken the Lord of Chaos.

Discord shook his head. No, he was not broken! He was more powerful than any pony in Equestria!

"Look at the world I've created!"

He did so and thought it would prove that he was not weak, but as soon as he laid eyes on the chaotic town, his heart sank. It was all so beautiful, but who was there to appreciate it?

He glanced down at Zany who was smiling up at him with an open mouth. He at least had him.

"But you're a foal," he whispered. "You'll appreciate anything."

He put his paw to his heart. It was beating slower than usual and he could hear a string snap.

He had told his family time and time again that love was the most powerful form of chaos there was. How ironic it was that the very thing he lived for would ultimately destroy him.

"There he is!"

His ears perked up at the sound of Princess Twilight's voice. He looked down at the ground. The six bearers of the Elements of Harmony were directly below him, but the only pony he really saw was Fluttershy. While the others were glaring up at him angrily, her eyes were sad and pleading as he locked gaze with her.

Despite everything that had occurred the last two days, despite the tension between them, he still thought her the most beautiful thing in the world.

"Are you listening to me?"

Discord had been so focused on his wife that he had not heard Twilight's words.

"I said: your twenty-four hours are up!"

He scratched his head. "Twenty-four hours?"

"Yeah! And I see you're still causing chaos!"

Still confused, he picked up Zany and flew down to them. "Did I miss something?"

"Yes!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "Your sanity!"

"We will give you one more chance, Discord," Twilight said. "Unless you stop this madness now, we'll have no choice but to use our Elements."

Discord's eyes widened in fear and then tuned to Fluttershy. "You...you're letting them...do this?"

The pegasus hung her head shamefully. "I thought you had changed, but I was wrong."

He could not believe it. True, she had betrayed him, but he never would have thought she would be so cold as to turn him to stone! He shivered at the memory of his stone prison. He would be frozen forever. He would be alone in the cold. He would hear the world around him and not be a part of it. Fluttershy knew all this. Which is why he had to ask:

"Why, Fluttershy? Why?! What have I done to drive you away?! Was I a bad husband? Did I offend you? Was it because I yelled at Screwball? Because I apologized for that!"

"Hey," Applejack said, glancing around. "Where is Screwball?"

Discord bit his lip. "She...she...she's making cream cheese in Fillydelphia."

He could not tell them that Screwball had abandoned him. If he did, they would know that she hated him and would not care if he were turned to stone. But the fact that she was not with her mother worried him.

"Please, Discord," Fluttershy pleaded, stepping forth. "It doesn't have to be this way. We can go home, be a family, like we should. Be the stallion I fell in love with, the stallion I married, the stallion with whom I raised my children."

Her beautiful teal eyes were now stained with tears. "Discord, please..."

He wanted to do what she asked, to take her in his arms, but the memory of seeing her with that other stallion still burned in his mind.

"If you love me so much," he snapped, "why did you betray me?!"

"I didn't!" Fluttershy insisted. "It was..."

"If you love me so much, why do you still take their side?"

"Discord, please listen..."

"You would turn me to stone? Your husband?" He held up Zany and Zanabelle. "The father and uncle of these children!"

Suddenly, the babies vanished from his hands and then reappeared on Fluttershy's back. Discord's hands fell to his sides.

"Et tu, Zany? Zanabelle?" he choked.

His wife, his daughter, his nieces and now his son. Whatever was left of his shattered heart was destroyed in that moment. He fell to his knees in defeat.

What was there left to live for?

The six mares tilted their heads in confusion.

"Well," Discord uttered, lifting his eyes slightly. "What are you waiting for? Do it."

"Discord..." Fluttershy started to say.

"I said DO IT!"

She gasped, but then hung her head. Twilight turned to her sympathetically, though it was clear she was equally shocked.

"I'm sorry, Fluttershy," she whispered.

The six mares had used the Elements of Harmony multiple times, but this time, neither of them were willing to do it. Zany grinned evilly as Twilight's horn began to glow. Discord looked up at Fluttershy who had tears streaming down her cheeks.

He would not take his eyes off her, not even to blink. Despite the fact that she was crying, he wanted her beautiful face to be the last thing he would see.

"Fluttershy, I love you," he said under his breath.

He gripped his hands, preparing for what was to come.

"WAIT!"

Twilight stopped her spell and looked up. Everyone did the same. Screwball zoomed overhead and landed between her father and the ponies.

"You can't do this!"

"Screwball, sweetie," Twilight said gently. "Stand back."

"No! This is all a big mistake!" Cherry Blossom Screamed defiantly.

"Cherry? But how..." Discord uttered.

"Daddy! It wasn't your fault! You were possessed or something by a changeling! We Both were!''

the draconequus' jaw dropped. "What?"

"Yes!" Fluttershy shouted. "It's true! I would never betray you, Discord!"

"But...but...why were you going to turn me to stone? Didn't you want me out of the way, so you didn't want me to hurt you or Tara?"

"It wasn't going to be forever! We were just going to put you in a time-out! I didn't want to, but after the way you acted yesterday, talked about ruling Equestria, I... I felt I had no choice!"

"What are you talking about? I didn't say anything to you about ruling Equestria!"

"That was Chrysalis!" Screwball declared.

Twilight raised an eyebrow. "How do you know?"

Cherry Blossom spread her wings, flew up and pointed at Zany and Zanabelle. "Why don't you ask her yourself?"

The ponies gasped and turned to the babies. Their eyes were blazing with green fire. Fluttershy shrieked and dropped them as they started to grow. Everyone backed away as They took the form of Chrysalis. She growled at Screwball and Cherry Blossom.

"You two really are a thorn in my side, you know that?"

"It is her!" Applejack cried.

Discord grabbed Fluttershy and Screwball and pulled them closer, his teeth bared at the Changeling Queen.

"What have you done with my boy, my niece, my sister-in-law and My BROTHER?!" he demanded.

"Doesn't matter!" Chrysalis bellowed. "What you should really worry about is yourselves, as I put Plan B into action!"

She whistled, and everyone looked up as a swarm of changelings filled the sky.

Discord laughed. "You think a few bugs will stop me?"

He snapped his fingers, teleporting himself and the ponies.

"Ha!" Discord said when they reappeared. "I sure showed her, didn't...?"

He gasped and saw that Chrysalis was still in front of him. They had only travelled a few inches. The queen threw her head back in a laugh.

"You foal!" she taunted. "While I was disguised as your son and niece, I fed off your love! Whatever power you had left was wasted on chocolate rain!"

"No!" the draconequus cried, looking down at his paw and claw. "It's not possible!"

"Big mistake, Chrysalis!" Twilight exclaimed, powering her horn. "You're going back to the Changeling Forest where you belong!"

Just as the magic was about to transfer to her crown, Twilight's horn vanished.

"W-what?" she gasped. "H-how? W-why...WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN TO ME?!"

"I have absorbed Discord's power," Chrysalis chuckled, "as well as his daughter's and niece's. Now that you cannot use magic, nothing can stop me now!"

Pinkie narrowed her eyes. "You're not a very nice lady!"

"Really? I hadn't noticed."

They were now surrounded by changelings, in the air and on the ground. Chrysalis circled her victims.

"I've been waiting to get revenge on the lot of you for years!" she gloated. "It's a pity that Princess Cadence and Shining Armor aren't here to join the party, but I'll see to them later. I've watched you all in your perfect little lives and well...they were just too perfect! So, I spiced things up a little."

Twilight faced the queen. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, haven't you guessed?"

She gasped and spun around at the sound of her own voice and saw a duplicate of herself.

"It was I who told your boyfriend all those years ago that he was nothing but a peasant."

The alicorn stiffened. "What?"

Chrysalis turned back into herself. "That was all I did, of course. It was you who refused to talk things over with him. Shame, really. He had bought a ring for you, too."

Twilight clutched her heart. All that time, she had thought the reason Flash had left her was because he did not see how a relationship between a princess and a guard would work out. With all that talk of formalities, it had seemed the most reasonable, though it had not made sense since that had been the situation with her brother and foalsitter.

Now that she knew the real reason, she felt a weight of guilt on her shoulders.

"Flash," she uttered.

Chrysalis smirked and loomed over the white unicorn. "Your love life, Miss Rarity, was not so hard to ruin."

Rarity gasped as the queen transformed into Fleur-de-lils.

"I didn't even have to kiss him to make you angry," she said in her new voice. "But of course, I had to do it when you decided to go back to him. Oh, how he resisted me. He would not stop telling me how much he cared about you! If only you had listened to him."

The unicorn mimicked Twilight's gesture, tears forming in her eyes.

After turning into the queen, the changeling turned to Applejack. She turned onto Apple Cider.

''Your husband was as tough as can be! I didn't even have to kiss him to make you angry.''

"That was all you?" Twilight asked in disbelief.

"Indeed."

"I don't get it," Screwball said. "I mean I get why you're mad at them, because they helped defeat you and all, but why pick on my dad?"

The Changeling Queen darted her eyes at the filly. "So, he'll know what it's like to have a broken heart!"

Without warning, she shot a beam at Discord, sending him flying back into a floating cottage. Berry Punch stuck her head out the window to see what was going on. Once she did, she slammed the shutters.

"Dad!" Screwball cried.

''uncle! No!'' Cherry Blossom cried.

"Do what you like with the others!" Chrysalis commanded her army. "The draconequus is mine!"

The filly narrowed her eyes. "Not if I can help it!"

With a great shout, she pounced onto the queen. Chrysalis yelped in surprise but did not let her guard down.

"You little brat!"

Using her magic, she threw the filly off. Screwball landed within the crowd of changelings.

"Screwball!" Fluttershy shrieked, flying into the air. "Hang on, sweetie! Mommy's coming!"

''Screwball, No!'' Cherry Blossom screamed as she dove into the sea of changelings

"Stop her!" Chrysalis yelled.

"Oh no, you don't!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

Just as several changelings were about to apprehend Fluttershy, Rainbow whizzed through them, knocking them over like bowling pins.

"Hold your ground, girls!" Twilight commanded her friends. "Fight them off as best you can!"

The cyan pegasus pounded her hooves together. "Bring it on!"

The changelings glared at the ponies. The ponies glared at them.

''CHARGE!'' Pinkie pie Screamed.

They charged at each other. Some kicked each other, some punched each other. Rainbow was about to kick another until it transformed into her youngest daughter.

"Winter?" Rainbow questioned.

The filly blinked up at her and then smiled deviously. Rainbow realized the truth too late when Winter delivered a right-hook. Fluttershy caught her friend in the air.

"Don't let them distract you!" Twilight shouted. "Remember, they're just changelings!"

"Oh, really?"

The alicorn turned and gasped at the sight of her ex-boyfriend.

"It wasn't a changeling who broke your heart, Princess," the fake Flash Sentry said with a smirk. "I was the one who said it was over."

Twilight shrieked as she backed into another changeling disguised as Flash.

"But even after all those years," it said, "you wouldn't even talk to me."

"I said it was over," said a third Flash.

"But you agreed with me," said another.

Twilight tried to get away, but more and more Flashes appeared and were slowly closing in on her. She wanted to block their words out and fight, but they looked and sounded so much like Flash...

"Don't listen to them, Twilight!" Applejack called out. "They're lyin'!"

"And Heaven forbid they do that!"

The cowgirl gulped at the sound of her beloved dragon's voice. Soon all the changelings around her looked like Caramel.

"It's funny how you're always so intent on telling the truth..." one said.

"...but it took you forever to confess your feelings for me!" the other finished with a cackle.

"Why, if you hadn't told me, I would've married Apple Cider!"

"But if you really want the truth, AJ..."

"...even though I'm married to you..."

"...you'll never be as pretty..."

"...as classy..."

"...as sophisticated as Apple Cider!"

"That's what's always been nagging at your brain, huh?"

"The fact that I loved Apple Cider..."

"...second!"

Applejack covered her ears. "No! It's not true! Y'all are lyin'! Caramel loves me! He may have loved Apple Cider second, but he chose me!"

"You sure it was because I loved you?"

"Or were you just a last resort?"

The last changeling to speak screamed as he was blasted with magic. Rarity blew on her horn.

"The nerve!" she exclaimed. "Making dear, sweet Caramel seem like a monster!"

"And you say I'm unfaithful!"

Rarity turned and saw several changelings take the form of Fancy Pants.

"You still hold that dragon in high esteem..." one said.

"...and yet you accuse me of adultery!" another finished.

"Then again, you might be right about that."

"After all, I didn't tell you where I was going that day..."

"And I didn't bother defending myself when you caught me in her embrace!"

"Honestly, my dear, you became boring after a while."

"Always talking about Ponyville!"

"You couldn't even give me a son!"

"Stop it!" Rarity shouted desperately. "My Fancy Pants would never say such vulgar things! Or never say he still loves me! He loves Fleus-di-lils!"

The one directly behind her smirked. "Maybe not to your face."

The unicorn cried out and blasted as many changelings as she could, but they kept coming, shouting insults at her. Rainbow Dash decided to lend a hoof and bowled through the crowd. The pegasus hesitated when the changeling beneath her turned into Winter.

"You wouldn't hit your own daughter, would you?" it said, smiling up innocently.

Before Rainbow Dash could respond, she was attacked from behind by copies of Soarin and the twins. Meanwhile, Pinkie was grinning at a duplicate of Cheese Sandwich.

She snorted with laughter. "Oh, if Cheese were here now! He would get a kick out of this!"

The changeling tilted its head and then took the form of Blueberry Pie. Pinkie only snorted again.

"I love that trick of yours! Ooh! Do me! Do me!"

The changeling groaned. "Forget this!"

Then it tackled her to the ground. Through all of this, Fluttershy had been pushing through the army, searching for her daughter and niece.

"Screwy! Cherry?!" she called. "Screwy, Cherry, where are you?"

"Mom!"

''Auntie!''

Fluttershy saw her daughter and niece running towards her. Her relief was short-lived when a second Screwball and Cherry Blossom cut between them.

"Mom, stop! It's a trick! I'm the real Screwball!"

"and auntie, Listen to me! I'm the real Cherry Blossom!''

"No, you're not!" the first Screwball insisted. "I am the real Screwball!"

''You're Not the real Screwy!'' The second Cherry Blossom shrieked. ''But I'm the real Cherry Blossom!''

"No, I am!" said a third Screwball.

''No, I am!'' a fourth Alicorn yelled.

"I'm Screwball!"

''I'm Cherry Blossom!''

"I'm Screwball!"

''I'm Cherry Blossom!''

"No, I'm Spartacus and Chi-Chi!" Pinkie Pie shouted.

Once Chrysalis was convinced that her army had everything under control, she advanced toward her enemy. The draconequus was recovering from his collision, rubbing his head while attempting to rise.

"At last," the queen said. "You're mine!"

She cried out as she was hit with a ball of golden light.

"Guess again, Queenie!" Discord said. "I still have some power left!"

While the queen was composing herself, Discord scanned the crowd for his family. He spotted his wife in the center of a circle of Screwballs. By the way she was quivering, it was no doubt that she was the real Fluttershy.

"Mom, you have to listen to me!" one of the Screwballs cried desperately. "It's really me!"

''Auntie, you've got to Listen!'' one of the Cherry Blossoms yelled. '' it's me!''

"She's lying!" another one insisted. "I'm the real one!"

''I'm the real deal!'' A Screwball said.

"No, I am!"

Fluttershy glanced frantically at all the Screwballs and Cherry Blossoms. "Oh, which one is it? I don't know!"

Discord dove into the center and swept her up. He held out his paw to the army of clones.

"Hold it!"

The Screwballs and Cherry Blossoms all quieted down.

"Okay, there's only one way to find out who the real Screwball and Cherry Blossom is!"

He cleared his throat and sang:

"Oh, simple spawn of mine

Without you, I would be so lost

You have stuck by my side..."

Most of the clones looked at him in confusion, but two smiled and finished the line:

"No matter what the tragic cost."

Discord grinned and took the fillies in his other arm.

"That's my girls!"

The changelings scowled and charged the trio, but Discord was quick and teleported out of the way, causing their attackers to collide. They reappeared only a few feet away, but at least they were concealed behind a hay cart.

"I'm so sorry," Discord said finally.

"Me too," Fluttershy said, taking his paw.

"Now's not the time!" Screwball declared, ducking as a changeling flew overhead.

''She's right you know!'' Cherry Blossom yelled. '' we could get into serious trouble with the Princesses!''

Her father nodded. "Right. You three stay here. Keep each other safe. I'll take care of Chrysalis."

"What? Dad, I can fight!"

"No! I lost you girls once! I'm not going to lose you again!"

'' Uncle, Please!'' Cherry Blossom yelled. ''you could get hurt…!''

"Listen to your father and uncle, honey and dear," Fluttershy said before turning to her husband. "Be careful."

"I will," Discord uttered.

But Screwball still protested. "You're not strong enough, Dad! She'll kill you!"

''Screwball's right!'' Cherry Blossom insisted. ''you're gonna die out there!''

He kissed them on the foreheads. "I'll be fine."

Then he turned to his wife and Screwball saw the sorrow pass between their eyes. A tear fell down his cheek as Discord laid his hands on his love's shoulders and pulled her in for a long, desperate kiss. Fluttershy clung to him, never wanting to let go.

It was as if they were sharing their last embrace.

They did not want to pull away, but the screams from their friends forced them to.

"I love you," Fluttershy said abruptly.

Discord caressed her cheek. "And I love you."

They were leaning in to kiss again when a singed changeling fell next to them.

"You should probably..." Fluttershy started to say.

"Yeah."

Discord flapped his wings and rose into the sky.

"Hey, Chrissie!" he called. "Your mother eats stink bugs!"

The queen growled and chased after him.

The others were fighting off the changelings, but they were outnumbered. Rainbow Dash was prepping for a sonic rain boom when something tapped her leg.

"Mom!" Winter cried.

Rainbow huffed. "No way am I falling for that again!"

"What are you talking about?"

The filly yelped as the mare lifted her by the tail. "Time to teach you a lesson!"

She bolted into the sky. The filly in her grasp shrieked in terror.

"Mom, what are you doing?! Are you nuts?!"

"Says the one who thinks she can pull a fast one on Rainbow Dash! So long, sucker!"

"Mom, don't!"

Rainbow released the filly. She screamed as she plummeted to the ground. She flapped her wings, but they were not strong enough to lift her body. As soon as Rainbow saw this, her eyes widened.

"Winter?"

"HELP!"

Winter thought she was a goner. She closed her eyes and prepared for impact, but the ground never came. When she opened her eyes, she was on her mother's back.

"What gives, Mom?!" she exclaimed. "You trying to kill me?! You know I can't fly yet!"

Instead of answering, Rainbow set her on a balcony and hollered, "What the hay are you doing here?! I told you to stay inside!"

"I wanted to help!" the filly insisted.

"You could get killed out here!"

Winter folded her forelegs. "Yeah, you made your point when you DROPPED ME FROM THE SKY!"

"I thought you were a changeling! Where's your father? Where are the twins? Why aren't they keeping you out of trouble?"

"Rainbow!" Applejack shouted as she threw a changeling disguised as Cinnamon Roll off her back. "Could ya save the lecturin' for later and give us a hoof here?!"

The pegasus darted her eyes at her daughter. "Don't leave this spot!"

"But this isn't even our house!" Winter protested.

Her mother ignored her and returned to the fight. A second later, Dinky walked up beside the filly.

"What are you doing on our balcony?" The unicorn turned to the battle. "And what's going on?" She gasped. "Have our clones from the moon finally attacked?!"

Winter stared at the unicorn strangely and shook her head.

Down below, Twilight was kicking wildly at the Flash duplicates.

"I miss my horn," she grumbled.

Then she had an idea and spread out her wings. She flapped them so strongly that she blew the changelings off balance. Twilight smiled smugly.

"Oh yeah," she said, admiring her wings. "I love these things."

"There's too many of 'em!" Applejack yelled as she fended off duplicates of Cinnamon Stick.

"We need help!" Rarity cried, blasting copies of Gemstone.

Behind the hay cart, Screwball and Cherry Blossom were trying to convince her mother and aunt to let them help the others.

"Your father told us to stay put!" Fluttershy exclaimed.

"But Mom, I can fight them!"

''Auntie, Please!''

"No! I will not let you get hurt!"

Screwball and Cherry Blossom were about to protest further when she heard a familiar cry. She peered over the cart and saw a gray unicorn with mismatched eyes charging through the crowd, a light blue pegasus filly with multi-colored hair riding on her back. They both wore kitchen strainers as helmets and the pegasus waved a wooden spoon. Screwball could not believe her eyes.

"Dinky? Winter?"

It did not take long for Rainbow Dash to notice the pair.

"Winter Rainboom Dash!" she bellowed. "You are in big..."

She was cut off as a copy of Soarin pounced on her. Still charging, Dinky ignited her horn and blasted any changeling that got in their way. Some attacked from the side, only to be kicked in the face by Winter.

"Take that, punk!" the filly cried. "Taste..." she paused to punch another changeling, "the winter!"

At that moment, Thunder and Lightning Dash had flown in on the scene. They had been searching for their little sister for what felt like hours. Their jaws dropped when they saw her riding Dinky, battling changelings. Their mother had an equal expression on her face. Applejack smirked at her.

"You've got one tough little gal there, Rainbow."

"But we're still outnumbered!" Twilight declared.

Pinkie leapt into the air. "I've got it!"

She put her hoof to her mouth and whistled. Before you could blink, the Tri-Pies obediently answered their mother's call.

"Get the party cannons, girls!" Pinkie commanded. "And tell Daddy to bring the bunny!"

"Are we gonna throw a party?!" Blueberry asked excitedly.

"Oh yes, girls! Mama assures you it'll be a blast!"

"Yay!" the three cheered simultaneously.

As quickly as they had arrived, they left and returned with three miniature cannons matching the color of their fur and one larger blue cannon for their mother.

"Daddy will be here in a minute," Raspberry explained.

Pinkie's lips broke into a devious smile. "Excellent."

"Will this party have games, Mommy?" Cherry inquired.

"Yes! It's called 'Ponies vs. Clones!' The rules are...blast as many clones as you can! The one who gets the most gets a cupcake! No! Make that ten cupcakes! Oh, and..." She stuck a black moustache on her lip. "You must wear your moustache at all times!"

The triplets quickly obeyed, putting their moustaches on at the same time.

"Good! Now..."

She turned her cannon, surprising a changeling impersonating her.

"Say hello to my little friend!"

The Tri-Pies cheered as they fired confetti at the changelings, each hoping to earn some cupcakes. High above, Lightning slapped Thunder on the back, knocking him out of his shock.

"No way are we getting upstaged by our flightless baby sister and a bunch of confetti weapons!"

"Yeah!" her brother agreed. "Let's give them some Thunder..."

"And Lightning!"

They hoof bumped each other and then flew off to grab a cloud. After merging their two clouds together, they kicked back their legs, turning the large cloud black and causing it to rumble. Then a bolt of lightning struck one of the changelings, singeing its rear.

The twins laughed and continued kicking the cloud, striking all the enemies in range. Meanwhile, Pinkie was rapidly firing her cannon when Cheese Sandwich tapped her on the shoulder.

"Well, it took you long enough!" she exclaimed. "Wait. It's really you, right?"

The stallion tilted his head and touched his face. "Yeah. I'm pretty sure I'm me." He took off his magician's hat and held it out to her. "I got the bunny."

"Excellent!" She pointed to the Ponyville fountain. "Now get up there and show 'em your stuff, baby!"

Cheese Sandwich grinned as he jumped up onto the rim of the fountain.

"Changelings and gentlemares!" he announced.

Several of the changelings paused for a while and stared at the brown-headed stallion in confusion.

"Behold!" He showed the inside of the hat to his audience. "An ordinary hat! Completely empty!" He pulled back the sleeves of his magician's jacket. "Nothing up my sleeve!" He reached into the hat. "Presto!"

Cheese Sandwich pulled out a set of pink ears that were much too large to fit in the hat. He continued pulling and the changelings cowered in fear. Before them stood a six-foot tall rabbit with sharp fangs, long claws and a foaming mouth.

"Okay, Harvey," Cheese sandwich said, gesturing to the changelings. "They're all yours."

The enormous rabbit roared and some of the changelings screamed and fled. Others stood their ground, only to be thwacked by Harvey's incredibly large paw. The mares and fillies looked up at the monster in awe.

"Where did you...?" Applejack started to ask.

"A little magic trick gone wrong," Cheese Sandwich explained. "Been saving him for emergencies like this."

Pinkie sighed. "Isn't he just the greatest?"

While her army was being vanquished by a giant rabbit, Chrysalis scanned the town for her prey.

"Come on out, you coward!" she bellowed.

"Honestly, Chrissie!" called Discord's voice. "You used to love hide-and-seek! What happened to you?"

She growled. "You happened to me!"

Her ears perked up as she heard a twig snap behind her. She turned around just as Discord landed on her back. The two began wrestling each other, rolling in the dirt, taking turns pinning the other down.

"What did you mean by that?" Discord demanded.

The queen shouted and switched places with him, so she was on top. "I was perfectly fine until you came into my life!"

"Oh, how tragic!" He rolled her onto her back. "I'll send you an apology card!"

He cried out as she kicked him in the stomach, forcing him off of her. The queen stood and looked grudgingly down at him.

"You've heard that changelings don't have hearts. Didn't you ever wonder why that was?"

Discord was caught by surprise at this question. He scratched his head, trying to think of a witty comeback.

"Evolution?"

She groaned. "Even after all these years, you're still ignorant! Changelings weren't always heartless. I still had my heart when we met. You do remember those days, don't you?"

He scowled. "You mean when you tricked me, made me your pawn in your scheme to conquer Equestria?!"

"Oh, Equestria was never part of the plan. When you took over, I simply saw an opportunity and took advantage of it."

"But...you said..."

"I lied! The real reason I sent you to Equestria was, so you could feel the pain I had felt! I knew those ponies would never accept you, just as you never accepted me!"

"What are you talking about?!" Discord asked again. "You're not making sense!" He paused. "Wow. Never knew how annoying that could be."

"Now," the queen said ominously, "I can have my revenge!"

"For what?!"

"For rejecting me!"

Discord could not remember a time where he had been more shocked. He blinked multiple times before he was able to speak.

"Wait. You...me...you had a... crush...on me?" He paused. "I don't know whether I should be flattered or disgusted."

Chrysalis cried out angrily and charged up her horn. Discord quickly scattered out of the way and hid behind a rock.

"You rejected me!" she shouted again.

"In my defense," Discord called desperately, "I had no way knowing!"

He rushed to a garbage can as Chrysalis shattered the rock into millions of pieces.

"When I realized you had no love in your heart for anything," she growled, "I sent you to Equestria, so you would know what rejection felt like!"

Discord moved behind a crate as the queen destroyed his hiding place.

"I thought you and I were alike," she continued. "Two outcasts in a world of rejection. I thought you would understand."

She blasted the crate, revealing the draconequus huddled in a ball. He hurried inside a mailbox.

"But I couldn't stop thinking about you," Chrysalis admitted, her voice cracking. "I had to take the pain away. So, using a spell I had discovered in a book of dark magic, I removed my heart from my chest!"

Discord gagged. "That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?"

He teleported out of the mailbox when he heard her horn charge up. He watched as she made it explode into paper. Discord searched frantically for another place to hide.

"The spell did more than I thought," Chrysalis said, smirking at how helpless he looked. "When I became Queen and started having children, I discovered that my new race of changelings lacked hearts as well! Unfortunately, it meant we had to fill that empty space in our chests with love from others. Oh, but it was all worth it! From feeding off the love of others, we gain power! And power is stronger than any emotion you can ever inflict upon me! And with you out of the way, Equestria will be ours!"

"Now, now, Chrissie!" Discord said, holding up his hands as he backed away. "Let's not get hasty! It wouldn't have worked out. I mean didn't you eat your last three husbands?"

Chrysalis growled and was about to cast another spell when something hit her on the back of the head. She looked down and saw it was an apple.

"Who threw that?!" she demanded, spinning around.

Lined up behind a wooden table were two adolescent fillies, a colt with a bandaged head and a muscular red stallion. They were all wearing pots on their heads and were each holding an apple, except for the younger filly.

"Good shot, little cuz!" Apple Blossom exclaimed.

Cinnamon Roll cracked her hooves. "It's all in the ankle!"

"Now let's really teach her a lesson! The Apple Family way! Right, Pa?"

"Eeyup," Big Macintosh nodded.

"Ready?" Cinnamon Stick exclaimed. "Aim!"

The Apples raised their ammo.

"Fire!"

They threw the apples at the queen, who was too stunned to dodge them. Cinnamon Roll tossed some toward Cinnamon Stick. He set them on fire and batted them with his slingshot. Chrysalis shrieked as they burned her.

"Why, you meddling..."

She prepared her horn, ready to vaporize the lot when she heard Discord fall to the ground. She turned back to him and saw that he was running away.

"I'll deal with you later!" she shouted at the family.

Discord looked up to see the queen flying after him. He flapped his wings, hoping he would pick up speed, but she landed on him with a thud.

"Now, I can..."

She trailed off as she saw the battle's progress. Most of her army had fallen at the hand of...a giant rabbit.

"No!" she cried. "We will not lose! Especially not to a bunny!"

She fired at the rabbit's back. It roared as the magic enveloped him. There was a flash of light and in the giant's, place was a tiny, fluffy, white bunny. It hopped away in fear.

"Harvey!" Red Shoes exclaimed.

"Oh my gosh!" Screwball uttered. "She's gained more power than I thought!"

''She's getting more powerful by the second!'' Cherry Blossom shouted.

Fluttershy squeaked when she saw her husband lying beneath the queen's hooves.

"No more interruptions!" Chrysalis declared, her horn glowing green. "Say your prayers, Dissy dear!"

Discord tried to struggle out of her grasp, but he was too weak.

"Discord!" Fluttershy cried.

She flew out of her hiding place. Screwball reached for her tail but missed.

"Mom, don't!"

''Auntie!'' Cherry Blossom yelled. ''NOOOOOOOOOO!'''

''Stay away from my Husband you…'' Fluttershy cried as she flew closer to them. ''you...''

A beam shot from the queen's horn and a painful scream was heard. Every pony, even the changelings, went silent and turned to the sound. Screwball's eyes were wild, Discord's mouth fell open, the others stared at the horrific scene.

Even Chrysalis watched in shock as the yellow pegasus fell limply to the ground.

Author's Note

All is going to know, how this is going to Go.
I got that from Bride of Discord. Sorry DisneyFanatic! :raritywink:

The Power of True Love's Kiss

"No!"

Discord shoved Chrysalis off him and was instantly at Fluttershy's side. He took her limp body in his arms.

She felt so lifeless.

"No, no, no, no, no!" he uttered, desperately stroking her mane. "Fluttershy, speak to me! Please!"

He held his paw over her chest and closed his eyes. No matter how hard he concentrated, nothing happened.

"Come on!" he grunted. "Work, you stupid magic! Save her! Come on!"

After a while, he sighed in defeat. It was no use. He did not have enough power to heal her. His ears perked up when he heard a soft moan.

"Discord?"

He glanced down at her. Her eyes were open, but weary. Discord smiled and gently lifted her head.

"Yes, Fluttershy! I'm here!"

"I feel so..." she said in a dry voice, "so..."

His happiness faded. "No, Fluttershy! Please! Don't leave me! We'll find some pony to heal you! You'll make it! I can keep trying!"

''…sleepy.''

Discord paused. ''Oh.''

''Please, do me a favor, Discord.''

''Anything, Fluttershy! Anything!''

She rose up and whispered in his ear. ''kick her butt for me please.''

Fluttershy slowly closed her eyes and Discord Kissed her on the forehead.

''Sleep well, my dear.'' He whispered.

Discord looked at Chrysalis and rose up to her level. He created a fireball and looked at her angrily.

''You're lucky that was only a sleeping spell!''

He blasted a few fireballs at her, but Chrysalis managed to dodge them.

''is that the best you got, animal accident?''

Discord growled and blasted more fireball at Chrysalis. Screwball noticed changelings were charging at him.

''Dad! Look out!''

Discord spun around to see Changelings charging at him. He managed to punch them in time.

Chrysalis took advantage of his distraction and shot Discord with a powerful beam. The blast made him lose consciousness, causing him to fall. Every pony gasped in fright. Pinkie and the Tri-Pies rushed into their house and came back with a mattress.

"To the left!" Pinkie commanded.

"My left or yours?" Blueberry asked.

"Right!"

"So, we go right?" Cherry inquired.

"No, left!"

"Which way is left?!" Raspberry exclaimed.

Lightning Dash smacked herself in the forehead. "Oh, give us that!"

She and Thunder swooped down and grabbed the mattress. They positioned themselves under the falling draconequus and flew straight up. Every pony sighed in relief as he landed on the feathered bed.

The twins lowered him to the ground. Screwball raced to his side and shook him while Twilight checked his pulse.

"He's still alive," she confirmed.

"But not for long," Chrysalis said, landing in front of them with a thud. "If at first you don't succeed..."

Cherry Blossom stood on her hind legs and gripped her hooves into fists. This mare had kept Screwdriver away from her, kidnapped her brother, stolen her power and now practically murdered her aunt and uncle!

She had had it!

Chrysalis grew quiet as pink clouds covered the sky and thunder sounded. She looked at the young mare. Lightning struck behind her, her Light blue eyes glowing between flashes.

"Uh oh," Lightning Dash uttered, pulling her siblings behind a barrel.

The other teenagers and foals ducked for cover, knowing what was to come.

"You," Cherry Blossom breathed, "have messed...WITH THE WRONG MARE!"

Cherry Blossom rose up, stretched out her hooves and clapped. In a loud boom Chrysalis was sent flying into a tree.

''Oopsie.'' Cherry Blossom said sarcastically. ''Hope that hurt too badly!'''

As Chrysalis aimed her horn at Cherry Blossom, Twilight and her friends quickly moved the unconscious Discord and Fluttershy out of the way. The Changeling Queen shot a beam at her, but Cherry Blossom avoided it with a tilt of her head.

"Don't waste your breath, brat!" Chrysalis snapped. "I have your power and your uncle's! You cannot defeat me!"

"You may have the Power of Chaos," Screwball said, "but We've been using it much longer!"

A shadow cast over the queen. She looked up and saw a piano falling towards her. She gasped and blast it with her horn, turning it to bubbles.

She smirked. "Silly, but effective. I could get used to this."

"Well, you're not going to get a lot of time!" Cherry Blossom declared. "By the way, meat sauce or alfredo?"

Chrysalis blinked. "What?"

She yelped as acres of spaghetti dropped on her head, followed by a flood of meatballs. She growled at the filly.

"So, it's a duel you want, eh? Well, a duel you shall have!"

''Make That trial!''

Chrysalis looked down and saw Screwball flying next to Cherry Blossom.

''Very well then.''

She used her magic to get rid of the pasta and scraped her hoof in the ground. Screwball got down on all fours and mimicked the queen's movement. The changelings stood loyally behind their ruler, but she motioned for them to back away. The ponies watched with worry and anticipation.

"Draw!"

Chrysalis fired her horn and a flock of buzzards appeared. They charged towards Screwball, but she smirked and turned them into winged oranges. Then Cherry Blossom summoned a giant mallet, but Chrysalis saw it in time to move out of the way. Cherry Blossom continued to try to wack her with the hammer, but the queen turned it into rubber.

"Is that all you got?" the changeling taunted. "A bunch of childish tricks?"

"Okay," Screwball said with a shrug. "You asked for it!"

The water in the Ponyville fountain suddenly turned brown and burst upward. The water-spout spun in a spiral, eventually forming a hurricane. The cyclone blew towards Chrysalis. She jumped in the air to escape it, but it caught her by the tail and whirred her around. When it dropped her, the hurricane fell apart and soaked the queen in the brown liquid.

"Had enough, Queenie?" Screwball ridiculed.

Chrysalis groaned and slowly returned to her hooves. "How did you get your power back so quickly?! It should have at least taken a week to..."

"We're stronger than you took us for!"

Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Rarity had her head on Fluttershy's chest, checking her heartbeat.

"Fluttershy's breathing too deeply!" she said with terror.

"Thunder, Lightning!" Rainbow Dash commanded, putting her hooves under Fluttershy's forelegs. "Help me get Fluttershy inside!"

"But we want to watch the fight!" Lightning complained.

"Now!"

The twins each took one of Fluttershy's hind legs and helped their mother carry her into Derpy's house. Rarity followed behind, levitating a first aid kit she had summoned from home. Screwball saw her mother being carried inside and was not paying attention when a giant red boxing glove punched her in the face.

She was knocked backward into a pile of hay.

''Screwy!'' Cherry Blossom cried as she jumped into the haystack to search for her cousin.

"This is between me and the halfling!" she bellowed. "There will be no interference!"

She advanced toward Screwball as she sat up to rub her head. Cherry blossom rubbing it for her.

"Give up, brats! You may have had time to recover, but you're still weak!"

The young mares glared up at her. "We're strong enough to defeat you!"

The queen smirked. "You have spunk, children. No one said we had to fight. Join me, Screwball and Cherry Blossom! Together, we could rule Equestria! I will gain power, you will gain your own chaotic playground! You can even have my sons and inherit my throne!"

She knelt down to meet her eye level. "No longer will you be outcasts. No longer will you be mocked. You will be respected, worshipped! You can take revenge on those who have shunned you! And no pony, no one, will ever spoil your fun again!"

Screwball's eyes widened at the queen's words. Then they narrowed.

"What you're offering me," she said, "I've already gotten. And frankly," she rose to her hooves, "I don't want that kind of life!"

''Yeah, those things Are useless anyway!'' Cherry Blossom Screamed. ''Just. Like. You!''

Cherry Blossom shot a beam at her. Chrysalis dodged it.

Chrysalis did not show a glimmer of surprise. "Then you must die."

As she powered her horn, something appeared between the two.

"Screwy! Finally!"

"Mothball?" Screwball gasped.

''Screwdriver?!'' Cherry Blossom choked.

Chrysalis had not seen her sons and cast her spell without hesitation. Screwball hastily pushed Mothball out of the way, landing on top of him. His eyes were wide with shock.

"Are we late?"

Screwball panted. "Where have you...?"

She trailed off as she saw what he held in his hooves. Zany opened his mouth in a smile at the sight of his sister. Screwball looked at her brother and then at Mothball, who was wearing a nervous grin.

"Surprise?"

Chrysalis finally noticed Mothball and Screwdriver and dropped her jaw.

"How...how did you get past the guards? And how did you get the boy?!"

The princes recalled how they and Zany were cornered back at the hive. they were sure they were goners, until Zany had a magical surge and teleported them out of there. Unfortunately, they reappeared in the frozen tundra and since changelings were cold-blooded, it was not a pleasant experience for them. It took several teleportation spells from Zany before they finally arrived at the battle.

"Well, doesn't matter!" Chrysalis shouted. "You have disobeyed me for the last time!"

Screwball took Zany and teleported him to the other side of the flames onto Twilight's back. Then she stood firmly in front of Mothball and Screwdriver. The queen paused at this action and felt the love pass between the Four. She could sense its power and that instead of it transferring to Mothball and Screwdriver, it was bouncing back to the fillies and growing stronger each second.

This frightened the queen, but she covered her fear with a smirk.

"Oh, my sons," she said, shaking her head. "Have I taught you nothing? Love is weakness! Besides, you have no heart to feel it!"

Mothball and Screwdriver stomped their hoof. "You're wrong!"

Chrysalis jumped at Their assertive tone. "What?"

"You're wrong! I do have a heart! I've felt it! You've known all along, haven't you?"

"Mothball...Screwdriver…"

"Haven't you?!"

His mother stared at them for a moment and then grunted. "Alright. I suppose since I'm going to destroy you anyway, you might as well know."

The couples tightened their grip on each other as the queen circled them.

"You are right," she began. "You are more different from your siblings than you appear. You see, my dears, making a common changeling is simple. Making a royal changeling is a... two-creature job. Unlike your half-siblings, you have a father."

Mothball stiffened. "W-what?"

Screwdriver's eyes widened. ''What did you say?''

"It was a one-night stand with some random fool who thought I was his wife."

Screwball gagged. "That's just sick, lady."

Cherry Blossom gagged too. ''Yeah, even for you!''

"I was shocked to discover a prince had come out of it. At first, I was thrilled at the idea of having an heir or two, until I realized just how much of two ponies you really were. Seems your father, along with giving your life, gave you hearts.

"So, I tricked you into believing you didn't have one. I intended to shape you into cold, cruel changelings so you would become the evil tyrants you were born to be! I almost succeeded too, until these meddling halflings captured your interests!"

"So, it's true then!" Mothball exclaimed. "You've lied to me all these years!"

''That's not what mothers are supposed to do!'' Screwdriver pointed.

"Oh, Mothball, Screwdriver. I lie to everyone! But don't worry, my dears. I will put you out of your misery."

She fired her horn at him.

"No!" Screwball cried.

''NOOO!'' Cherry Blossom cried.

As they moved in front of them, a half golden, half dark blue bubble formed around the pairs that caused the green beam to bounce off.

"What?" Chrysalis uttered.

The four looked around the magic they were encased in. It reminded Mothball and Screwdriver of something and Screwball and Cherry Blossom were thinking back to their mothers' story.

"What is this?" the princes wondered.

"I don't know," Screwball and Cherry blossom said. "We... We were just thinking about saving you and..."

Mothball then recalled the image of the four ponies in Zecora's cauldron and the zebra's words:

That is what happens when two become one, when they possess a magic more powerful than the sun. What you think as a weakness is not so. Strength is what comes with the glow.

"Love is strength."

"What?" Screwball said.

Their forcefield did not last long and Chrysalis took her chance. Screwball quickly used her magic to seal her and Mothball in a steel box, hoping to buy them time. Cherry Blossom and Screwdriver teleported in side.

''What do you mean: 'Love is strength''?!'' Cherry Blossom exclaimed. ''That doesn't make any sense!''

"Zecora!" Screwdriver exclaimed. "When she was talking about balancing powers and strength, she was trying to tell us that our love is creating some sort of magic that could possibly defeat our mother!"

"But that makes no sense!" Screwball insisted. "She gains power from love! How can it be used to defeat her?"

Then she remembered who had defeated Chrysalis in the first place: Cadence and Shining Armor. Those two were in love. Cadence was the Princess of Love. Maybe...

Screwball gasped suddenly. "Chocolate milk!"

Mothball blinked. "Screwy, this is hardly the time for a snack!"

"No! Hear her out! You've said so yourself that chocolate milk is like love, right?" Cherry Blossom asked.

" We said it tasted like love, but..."

"Well, chocolate milk is the best thing ever and it makes you feel great, but if you drink too much of it, you get a belly ache. If chocolate milk is anything like love..." Screwball asked.

"...excess of it can make you sick!" The princes gasped and gripped her shoulders. "Screwy, you're a genius!"

She batted her eyes and flipped her hair. "Yeah, I know."

Their moment was interrupted when Chrysalis' horn burned a hole in the steel wall. The queen was growling in frustration.

"Enough is enough!"

The couples glanced at each other and stepped out of the box defiantly.

"We agree, Mother!" Mothball exclaimed. "This has to end now!"

They stood on their hind legs and squeezed each other's hoof. Mothball whispered to her.

"How are we going to do this?"

Screwball spun him around to face her. Cherry Blossom did the same with Screwdriver.

"Kiss us."

"WHAT?!"

Queen Chrysalis panicked for a moment but quickly reverted her expression to one of anger.

"Quit stalling and meet your fate!"

"Kiss us," Screwball repeated, pulling her love closer.

Mothball flinched away. "I... I can't."

"You have to."

"I don't want to hurt you!" Screwdriver said.

They tried to pry out of their grasp, but they held them firmly. They looked at Them sincerely with those purple swirls and Light blue eyes that enchanted them so.

"You won't," Cherry Blossom whispered.

Screwball did not savor the moment. There was no time for that. Instead, she was straightforward. Their lips met before he could protest. Screwdriver absent-mindedly dipped Cherry Blossom and kissed her passionately.

They expected Them to feel pain. They expected Them to slip away. They expected them power to transfer to them permanently.

Instead, they felt warmth, not just from them, but deep within themselves.

They found themselves liking the kiss. Their soft lips tasted of chocolate. Their gentle hooves caressed their face. They closed their eyes.

Their manes blew in the wind. They rose into the air as Pink beams in the shape of hearts burst from them. Chrysalis looked up in terror.

"No," she said. "NO!"

On the other side of the flames, Discord was recovering from his concussion. He rubbed his head as his vision came into focus. He squinted above the green fire and made out the figures of four ponies within a ball of golden light. His eyes popped open once he realized who the ponies were.

"He's kissing my daughter and niece."

He scowled.

"HE'S KISSING MY DAUGHTER AND NIECE!"

The others nodded dumbly, watching with their mouths agape.

"WELL, DON'T JUST STAND THERE LIKE IDIOTS!" Discord bellowed. "DO SOMETHING! GET THOSE CREEPS AWAY FROM MY..."

He trailed off when Zany jumped onto his stomach, gurgling happily.

"Dada!"

"Zany?" Discord said, taking the infant in his hands. "Is it really you?"

A tiny pink cloud appeared above the boy and dripped chocolate milk. The draconequus smiled.

"It's you, alright! But...how did...?"

The baby pointed up at the floating couples.
He gasped as Fluttershy taped his shoulder.
''Discord?''
''Fluttershy!'' Discord exclaimed as he picked her up and kissed her multiple times on the cheek. ''I thought I lost you!''

The light around them grew brighter as they rose higher. Then the four opened their glowing white eyes. The hearts burst and expanded towards Chrysalis. The queen cried out as the magic pushed her back. The other changelings attempted to flee, but the force field was too fast for them.

The army screamed as it was sent hurdling to the Changeling Forest, not to be seen again for a long, long time.

Author's Note

Hehe! I know, I'm evil, but last chapter's comin' up next!

You truly are the Lord of Chaos

One of the young couples floated back to the ground, their lips still locked. The world around them had changed back to normal and not a changeling except Mothball and Screwdriver was in sight. The fillies, Mares and Gentlecolts came out of their hiding places and cheered. Chillcord, Tara and Zanabelle broke out of their cocoons and were free from their mucky prison. Discord was struck in awe, but still angry.

''At some point, they should come up for air!'' he exclaimed furiously.

Applejack rolled her eyes and sighed. '' Hon, the boy just saved our lives, not to mention he brought Zany back.''

When Screwball pulled her lips from Mothball which sounded like a little pop, her coltfriend was smiling like an idiot.

''Woah!''

His eyes were animated hearts and most of the hearts popped up behind his head. This made Screwball giggle. Her friends rushed to her side and embraced her.

''That was incredible!'' Dinky shouted.

''Amazing!'' Cinnamon Stick added.

'' Heroic!'' Cinnamon Roll piped.

''Romantic!'' Cherry Pie sighed.

'' Awesome!'' Winter said. She then stuck out her tongue. ''Even if it did involve kissing, blech!''

''So, you guys aren't mad at me, after all I did?'' Screwball asked hopefully.

''Of course not!'' Cinnamon Stick insisted. '' we forgive you!''

Meanwhile, Mothball was on his hind legs, spinning in circles.

''Uh oh,'' Apple Blossom chuckled. ''Screwball, not only did your kiss just save the world, but it also made the poor boy all loopy!''

Screwball laughed. As the group pulled away, Screwball walked over to her coltfriend. She put her hooves on his shoulders to let him avoid tipping over. Mothball then got to his senses, only to get lost in her hypnotic eyes.

''I'm proud of you, Screwy,''

They turned towards Twilight, who got her horn back.

'' you lost yourself in your emotions, but in the end, you did not lose sight of what was important: the love for your family, the love for your friends and…'' she snickered. ''The love for your colt.''

Mothball blushed nervously. '' your majesty… I know I have done some bad things in the past, but I swear I'll be careful around ponies! I'll even live on chocolate milk!''

Twilight giggled. '' you are pardoned, Mothball.''

The alicorn's mirth diminished when Discord stepped in front of her. Mothball sank as the sight of his strict glare. Mothball went behind screwball, only to be teleported back in front of Discord. Screwball gave him a reassuring face.

Discord glanced between the two. Neither said anything for a while, until Discord sighed.

''Mothball…'' he started.

Mothball walked closer to him.

''I was wrong,'' Discord continued. '' You belong here.''

Discord smiled and extended out his paw. Mothball looked at it, then back at Discord. As he did, he reached out his hoof while concentrating on Discord and smiling. As they made contact, Mothball felt a shock of electricity and wrenched his hoof away.

Discord started laughing, revealing the joybuzzer in his paw. He clutched his stomach and collapsed to the ground. The Pie family laughed along, so did Screwball. the others either giggled or grinned in amusement.

Mothball looked at his marefriend in confusion. '' Why are you laughing? Your dad just electrocuted me!''

Screwball patted him on the back. ''Babe, that's how he rolls! Also, his way of showing that he likes you!''

The changeling looked at the others. Cinnamon Stick gave him a shrug.

''It's true.''

Mothball found himself snickering. But then, he realized something.

''Wait, where's SD?''

The ponies looked around, but Screwdriver was nowhere to be found. Every pony was silent suddenly when they heard someone shout. ''Cherry!''

When Screwball knew something was wrong, she dashed to see where the yell was coming from. She came to a halt as she found a deep hole, a hole that looked like someone had dug it in 600 years. The others who followed behind her, was trying to see the scene more clearly.

'' Help!'' Screwdriver said, holding on to something, or some-one.

Screwball noticed he was holding onto something. As she looked forward. She gasped, her eyes narrowed, and her ears lowered.

It was Cherry Blossom.

''No,'' She uttered.

''I didn't know what to do, I… I didn't do it I…'' the colt started as he looked up.

''Noooooo!'' Screwball cried as she dashed down closer.

When Screwball reached the colt and mare, she fiercely pushed Screwdriver aside and put her hoof on Cherry Blossom's still body.

She breathed nervously as tears welled up her eyes as she pressed her hooves on her twin cousin. She laid her ear to her chest, no heartbeat.

'' Cherry,'' she whispered.

She yelled. ''Noo! Don't go!''

She tried repeating what she did before, but it didn't work.

''I lost you once! I'm not gonna lose you again!'' She yelled, desperately hoping to save her cousin.

But nothing worked. No matter what, no matter how she tried, Cherry Blossom just wouldn't wake up.

Cherry Blossom, the thing she cared about more than chaos, was gone, forever this time.

''No.'' She sobbed in her cousin's stale fur.

''SHE'S DEAD!'' Screwball screamed. '' AND ALL BECAUSE OF HER!''

Screwball wiped her tear and continued crying on her precious cousin. Everyone looked down sympathetically.

''Oh no…'' Fluttershy uttered, tears welling up her eyes. She cried on Discord's stomach. Discord hugged her.

Chillcord teleported in front of them, with Zanabelle in his arms.

'' hey, Discord, what did I miss -?'' he started.

He then noticed the scene, he then noticed his unconscious daughter. He knew…. One look and he knew, his daughter, was dead.

''No,'' he uttered.

Zanabelle met his gaze and looked down, when she noticed her big sister was dead, she started to cry.

'' Beh Beh!'' she screamed.

Chillcord crawled down to the trio. At first, he gave Screwdriver an angry, accusing look. But Screwball stopped him with her hoof.

'' it's not his fault.'' She said.

Chillcord's head shot up. ''What?''

'' I said it isn't his fault.'' Screwball repeated. A little louder.

Tara was suddenly teleported in front of them. She looked at her elder daughter in shock.

'' is she…?''

Screwball nodded. Tara cried on her husband's fur. He stroked her mane sadly. Zanabelle used her magic and landed on top of her elder sister. She curled into a ball on her stomach.

Discord, Fluttershy and zany teleported to their relative's side, hugged them sadly.

Zany nearly laid a hoof on his twin cousin, but she shot up her head and looked at him with tears in her eyes. Zanabelle flung her hooves upon him, Zany patted her on the back sympathetically.

'' I love you.'' Screwball mumbled.

A golden tear fell from Screwball's eye and onto Cherry Blossom's chest. As it did, a pink light enveloped around Cherry Blossom which made everyone back away. They stared in awe as the light lifted her into the sky. The light was so bright no one could see the filly anymore. Suddenly the light made a powerful blast which made every pony block it. When it ended, Screwball was the first one to open her eyes to see a red filly with aqua blue hair in a white dress floating down in front of her. The filly smiled.

'' Hello, Screwy.''

Screwball did not waste a moment than running to her cousin and fiercely hugging her. Cherry Blossom hugged back happily. The rest opened their eyes. When they saw Screwball Hugging Cherry Blossom, they ran towards them and group- hugged.

''How…?'' Rarity breathed. ''How is that possible?''

''It… It isn't!'' Twilight exclaimed surprised. '' There's no way she could possibly… Oh, but who cares!''

Mothball dashed down beside his brother in shock. Not knowing what had just happened.

''How did she….?'' He began.

Screwdriver patted his back. ''To tell you the truth, big brother, I have no idea.''

Cherry Blossom looked at her sister and cousin in tears.

''Oh, little sis!'' Cherry Blossom hugged them both. '' I thought we lost you both!''

'' We thought we lost you!'' Screwball sniffed.

''Our family, together at last!'' Chillcord sighed.

''If only my mother Snowdrop would see this!'' Tara Sniffed.

''Promise me we'll never separate again?'' Cherry Blossom asked her father.

Chillcord whispered as he hugged her tightly. ''Never.''

Mothball and Screwdriver smiled as the family embraced each other. They were happy that the family were whole again, but it also made them sad. The changelings were the only family they had ever known. Now that they had left them, they only had each other. They didn't even have a place to live.

Then Fluttershy noticed them. She was surprised to see them here, but given the fact that Discord and Chillcord hadn't vaporized them. She figured that things had worked out among them all. She reached out a hoof to them. Mothball and Screwdriver beamed as they took it and she reeled them in.

''Welcome to the family.'' She whispered.

Pinkie pie blew her handkerchief.

'' That… was beautiful!'' she squeaked.

She smiled suddenly. '' Hey! You know what this calls for!''

She finished it when she jumped up excitedly in another location. '' A party!''

The roads were covered with streamers, balloons, fun games and floats which the heroes were on. Screwball and Mothball were on a pink float the shape of a giant three-layer cake and Cherry Blossom and Screwdriver were on a pink cloud. The ponies were watching the scene, thanking them for saving Equestria. Their attention was diverted when the chariots of the royal sisters landed on the concrete road. The ponies bowed to them as the two walked toward Twilight.

''Hello, every pony, did we miss anything?'' Luna inquired.

Twilight chuckled. ''Quite a bit.''

On the other side of the park, the colts and fillies were playing Pin the Tail on the Pony. Winter took off her blindfold and gasped.

"I won!"

The Tri-Pies cheered and pinned a blue ribbon in her mane. They squealed when the music changed.

"Ooh!" Blueberry squeaked. "I love this song!"

"Me too!" said Raspberry.

"Dance off!" Cherry declared.

Winter was about to follow the triplets to the dance floor when she spotted Gemstone sitting by herself with her head down. The pegasus filly walked up to the unicorn.

"Hey, Gem."

Gemstone looked up, surprised that some pony was talking to her. Winter held out her hoof with a smile.

"You wanna come dance with us?"

The unicorn's face lit up. "Really? I'd love to!"

Applejack grinned as she watched her daughter join the other fillies. Her smile faded as she caught sight of the many couples dancing together. The fact that her special some pony was not with her made her sigh sadly.

"Applejack!"

Her head shot up and turned to the stallion that was racing toward her. She could not believe her eyes.

"Caramel?"

Her husband stopped and caught his breath before answering. "Yes!"

"W-what are you doing in Ponyville?"

He grabbed her hoof and looked her desperately in the eye.

"Applejack, I'm sorry about earlier. I'll make it up to you! I still will! The thing with the kids was nothin'! the thing with Apple Cider was nothin'! She just went on me, that's all!''

"Still, I should have told you about seeing her earlier. Please, please forgive me, Rarity! I love you and only you!"

Applejack's eyes were watery. "You...you came all the way from Appleloosa...to get me back?"

He caressed her face with his hoof. "Of course. I wasn't going to lose you, not without a fight."

She could not remember a time when he was any more romantic. She flung her forelegs around his neck.

"I'm the one who should be apologizing," she insisted. "It was me who jumped to conclusions. I should have heard your side of the story first."

Caramel smiled in gratitude. '' Darlin', why don't we promise to always be open with each other and to never again hold back our feelings?"

Rarity pulled away and nodded. "Agreed. So, now that we're being open with each other..."

She took a deep breath and spoke rapidly.

"I'm tired of living in Canterlot. Oh, the ponies are so rude and vulgar! I think we should move back to Ponyville. I'll be closer to my friends and business is much better here. And I'd prefer it if you stop patting me on the head in public, I feel like a trophy wife! Oh, and you hardly spend any time with little Gemstone! You should take her to school every day from now on. Oh, and darling, that bow tie is so wrinkled! And you really need to find a new dry cleaner..."

Applejack watched the couple from afar and shook her head with a smirk. Spike approached her, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Rarity told me what the changelings said to you," he admitted.

The cowgirl glanced at him and hung her head.

"Do you really think I picked you as a last resort?"

She met his eyes. "No, but...sometimes, I can't help but think...you would've married her had I not spoken up. You hardly noticed me before then, and...well...I'm not..."

He laid his claw on her shoulder. "You're my wife, AJ. Sure, I liked Rarity first, but I love you."

"So...you don't think Rarity's prettier than me?"

Spike smiled as he lifted her chin. "Rarity's as pretty as a gem, but you, AJ, shine like gold."

Tears fell down her cheeks as Applejack embraced her beloved dragon.

After explaining the day's events to the princesses, Twilight felt a tap on her shoulder. She whirled around to face...

"Flash?"

The golden pegasus was not wearing his armor. It had been a long time since she had seen him like that. He looked down at his hoof as it drew circles in the ground. Twilight was about to ask the princesses to leave but saw they were already gone.

They were silent for a while and did nothing but stare at each other awkwardly.

"Hey," Flash finally said.

"Hey," Twilight repeated.

Another silence.

"Look," the stallion sighed. "I know you hate me, and you probably don't want to speak to me..."

"I'm sorry."

His ears perked up. "What?"

Twilight stepped toward him. "I'm sorry. What happened between us was stupid. I mean what we had was wonderful, but the way it ended was just plain stupid! I didn't even bother trying to patch things up with you. I...I've been an idiot."

Flash Sentry lowered his head. "I'm sorry too. It takes two ponies to end a relationship, after all. And...for what it's worth...I never wanted it to end."

She blushed slightly. "Can...can we start over? And at least be friends again?"

He raised his eyebrow at her. "No."

Her smile faded. "What?"

"I don't want us to be friends."

"Then...why did you come here?"

"To give you this."

He reached into his saddle bag and pulled out a small blue box. Twilight gasped as he opened it to show a sparkling amethyst ring.

"I was planning to give it to you before we broke up," Flash explained. "You don't have to say yes, but I at least want you to have it. See, I saved up a lot of money to get this and I was hoping that someday you might..."

"Yes."

He looked up. "What was that?"

Twilight shouted, "YES!"

She surprised him by fiercely pressing her lips against his. He smiled and wrapped his forelegs around her. Twilight had forgotten how wonderful it felt to kiss him. She silently swore never to doubt him again.

Derpy was dancing solo. She did not mind. She had accepted being single long ago. Her daughter was a little ways off with Cinnamon Stick, but the mare was not lonely. As long as Dinky was happy, she was happy.

"Derpy?"

The pegasus froze in place at the sound of a voice she had not heard in years. She turned slowly, praying she was not dreaming.

There he was. He had not changed: brown coat, brown mane, blue eyes, hour-glass cutie mark. He even wore the green tie she had given him.

And he still made her weak in the knees.

The Doctor turned his head to the gray unicorn with wonky eyes.

"Is that...?"

Derpy nodded dumbly. "Her name is Dinky."

"She's beautiful," he said, facing her again, "like her mother."

The pegasus blushed.

"Is she happy?"

"Yes," Derpy replied, "but she needs her father."

"Derpy," he said seriously, "you understand why I left."

She sighed. "Daleks?"

"Cybers, but that was a good guess." He paused. "I'm sorry I left you so abruptly, Derpy. See, there were other worlds that needed me. I came back so I could properly say hello."

Derpy shook her head. "I love hellos, but if you're going to say anything, say it to Dinky. I...I want her to meet her father."

The Doctor looked nervously at the young mare dancing with the brown colt.

"Alright," he said.

He approached the filly. She did not see him at first, but when she did, she stopped. Her mismatched eyes squinted at him.

"Do I know you?"

He smiled. "No, but I'm a friend of your mother's."

Cinnamon Stick rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that's what they all say."

The Doctor laughed. "Smart lad, here. Is he your boyfriend?"

Dinky blushed. "Yeah, you could say that."

"Well, I know this doesn't mean much to you, but I approve."

He turned to leave. Dinky watched him curiously.

"Wait!" she called. "What did you say your name was?"

He looked over his shoulder. "They call me...the Doctor."

Dinky's eyes widened. She continued to watch the stallion as he walked over to her mother and embraced her. Her mother was sobbing and looked as if she did not want to let him go.

"You did a good job taking care of her," he whispered.

Derpy said nothing, only tightened her grip on him.

"I love you," she sniffed.

He pulled away and gazed into her eyes. "I love you too."

Dinky recognized the stallion. She had seen him a couple times before: at the schoolyard, when she was hanging out with her friends. He had watched her. By the way her mother was looking at him, it was clear he was not just some stalker.

When she reached a conclusion, she raced towards him.

"Dad!" she called. "Dad, wait!"

''Yes?''

she tackled him in her embrace.

''I love you.''

''I love you too.'' he replied.

Discord and Fluttershy decided to get away from the festivities and walked to an empty area of the park. Their time alone together was long overdue and the first thing they did was share a passionate kiss.

"I never should have doubted you," Discord said. "I should have known you would never betray me." He chuckled nervously. "I'm such a nutcase."

Fluttershy smiled. "It's alright. It's all in the past now." She glanced back at the party. "Are you alright with Screwball and Cherry Blossom's coltfriends?"

"Well...their not exactly what I had in mind, but...they did rescue both our children and...Screwy and Cherry seem happy." He grunted. "Do they really have to move in with us though?"

"Now Discord, you know he can't return to the hive.They helped bring us back together. The least we can do is give them a place to stay."

"I've already given him my daughter and niece! Next thing you know, they'll be asking for my throne! Why, if I could get my paw and claw around their necks..."

"Honey!" Fluttershy gasped.

He sighed. "You're right. You're right! He'll take good care of Screwy. It's just that..." He turned away. "I don't want to lose my little girl."

Fluttershy chuckled. ''You truly are the lord of chaos.''

Author's Note

Did You really think, I would let Doctor Hooves leave his family again like that? You guys are seriously sick people.
Anyway, DisneyFanatic, Can you make episodes out of this? Please! I'll give you credit!

First Day of school

Screwball and Cherry Blossom were five when she started school. There was some debate that morning on who would take her. Fluttershy and Tara worried that Discord and Chillcord would shock the young colts and fillies, but they saw it as their duty as Screwball and Cherry Blossom's fathers to walk them to their first day of school. The pegasi finally gave in and allowed them to come.

As they slowly approached the red building, Screwball and Cherry Blossom felt her stomach churn.

"What if the ponies don't like me?" she asked her parents.

"Of course they'll like you!" Discord replied, playfully twirling the propeller on her hat. "Why wouldn't they? After all, who wouldn't like the most adorable fillies in all of Equestria?"

Silence fell over the schoolyard as the foals stopped their playing at the sight of the draconequus. Screwball gestured to them.

"Because we’re different?"

"And that's what makes you so adorable!" her father exclaimed, ruffling her mane.

"Everything will be alright, honey," Fluttershy assured the filly. "Dinky will be here, so will Thunder, Lightning and Cinnamon Stick. Just look at Cherry Blossom, She’s excited!"

Cherry Blossom was silent and had a frozen expression as she spread her wings and flew away as fast as a lightning bolt.

‘’I’ll go get her.’’ Chillcord wearily volunteered.

After Applejack and Caramel had tied the knot a couple of years ago, they had adopted two foals, a brother and a sister,
from the Canterlot Orphanage, doubting that having their own foal would be possible. The colt, Cinnamon Stick, was Screwball and Cherry Blossom's age and the filly, Cinnamon Roll, was but a toddler and not old enough to attend school.

"Your teacher is also Cheerilee," Fluttershy continued. "You remember her: Apple Blossom's mother? Oh, and she will be in your class too."

Apple Blossom was also around Screwball and Cherry Blossom's age. They had not met that often, but they knew she was Aunt Applejack's real niece. They also remembered Cheerilee, a very nice mare who always smiled. The idea of her being her teacher made Screwball and Cherry Blossom feel a little better, plus all her friends were going to be in her class.

"And don't worry if any pony makes fun of you," Discord added. "Just show them who's Boss and turn them into an orange!"

‘’No! an Apple!’’ Chillcord protested once he held Cherry Blossom. ‘’The sweeter the better!’’

"Discord! Chillcord!" Fluttershy and Tara shouted with a glare. "That's no advice to give to our children!" She looked back at the fillies. "If any pony cannot accept how special you are, that's their problem. As for your magic...don't get into any trouble and don't make any pony feel jealous..."

"She deserves to show off her powers!"

The pegasi shot them another warning glare before continuing. "Promise me you'll behave. Okay, honey?"

Screwball nodded. "I'll be good, Mommy."

Cherry Blossom only nodded.

"Good." She kissed her on the forehead. "Now, have you got everything? Your lunch?"

"Check."

"Your notebook and pencils?"

"Check."

"Don't forget your apple for the teacher!" Discord exclaimed, snapping his fingers.

An apple appeared in Screwball and Cherry Blossom's hooves. She gasped and then chuckled as a worm popped out of it.

"Discord," Fluttershy warned.

The draconequus laughed as he replaced the apple with a ripe worm-free one. "Just kidding, darling! Don't take everything so seriously!"

"Screwy! Cherry!"

The family turned to see the wonky-eyed unicorn rushing towards them. Screwball and Cherry Blossom embraced her friend happily.

"Isn't this exciting?" Dinky cried, bouncing up and down. "It's our first day of school! We're gonna have so much fun and make lots of new friends!"

The unicorn grew even more excited as three pegasi flew up the road.

"Hey, Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash greeted. "Looks like our kids are going to be in the same class."

"Thunder! Lightning!"

The twins landed with a thud as Dinky tackled them both. Applejack chuckled as she appeared behind them. At her side was a light brown colt with a black mane and autumn brown eyes.

"I see y'all are just as excited as Cinnamon Stick here," the cowgirl said, patting her adopted son on the back.

Dinky looked up and blushed slightly at the sight of Cinnamon Stick. Screwball and Cherry Blossom noticed him returning her blush.

"H-h-h-hi, D-d-d-dinky," he stuttered.

Dinky waved her hoof shyly. "Hi."

Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Applejack shared a knowing look.

Every pony looked up as the school bell rang and Cheerilee emerged from the building.

"Alright, kids! Come inside!"

Fluttershy gave her daughter and niece a light shove. "Go on! We'll come and pick you up at three."

After receiving another kiss, Screwball and Cherry Blossom held hooves and joined their friends as they raced up the steps. They stopped at the door.

"Oh, Ms Cheerilee!" she exclaimed, handing her the apple. "This is for you!"

"Why thank you, Screwball Cherry Blossom," Cheerilee said with a smile.

Once the children were inside, Fluttershy approached the teacher with concern in her eyes.

"Um, I should let you know that Screwball sort of...takes after her father in..."

Cheerilee held up her hoof. "I'm fully aware of Screwball and Cherry Blossom's...talents."

"Oh, well...sometimes she can't control herself and...if they cause you any trouble..."

"You just let me worry about it."

"She's also a little sensitive about her cousin’s eyes..."

"they'll be treated like any other pupil, I guarantee. Don't fret, Fluttershy. She's in good hooves."

Fluttershy smiled at the teacher as she closed the door, but she was still unsure. Discord scooped her up in his arms.

"She'll be fine, dear," he assured her. "After all, she is our daughters."

"That's what I'm afraid of," she muttered.

Cheerilee attempted to get her new students to settle down. "Alright, class! I know you're excited and all. You'll find your name on your new desk."

The schoolhouse had twelve desks in total. Screwball And Cherry Blossom found their in the third seats of the second row. She was thrilled to see that Dinky got the seat next to her. Thunder and Lightning sat in the front row while Cinnamon Stick got the back left corner. Screwball felt more comfortable being surrounded by her friends.

"Well, welcome to the new school year, my little ponies!" Cheerilee announced. "I'm your teacher, Ms Cheerilee. We're going to spend this morning getting to know one another. Everyone turn to the pony next to you and introduce yourselves."

When Thunder Dash turned to his right, he met the green eyes of an earth pony he had not met before. She had a yellow coat, a few freckles on her cheeks, and an orange mane tied into two pigtails. They sat there motionless for a second before Thunder spoke:

"Hey."

"Hey," the filly muttered in return.

He held out his hoof. "Thunder Dash."

Without breaking eye contact, she accepted his hoof. "Apple Blossom."

"Oh! You're the teacher's pet, err, daughter, right?"

She nodded slowly. "And Rainbow Dash is your mom?"

"Uh-huh."

They did nothing but stare at each other for a long while.

Cherry Blossom's desk partner on her right was a golden earth pony with black hair. He flinched at the sight of the alicorn's eyes. Cherry Blossom eagerly extended her hoof.

"Hi! I'm Cherry Blossom!"

The earth pony hesitantly shook her hoof. "Gold Digger."

"Isn't this all exciting?"

"Uh...yeah. Hey, are you...?"

Cheerilee tapped her ruler on her desk to get every pony's attention. "Alright, now we're each going to introduce ourselves to the class. State your name and please share something interesting about yourself. I will go first as an example." She cleared her throat. "My name is Cheerilee, I am happily married and currently teaching a wonderful class!"

Screwball tried to pay close attention to the others as they introduced themselves, but the only ones she really listened to were her friends.

"I'm Lightning Dash!"

"And I'm Thunder Dash!"

"And we're going to be Wonderbolts!"

"Just like our parents!"

The twins did a hoof bump before Apple Blossom spoke:

"My name is Apple Blossom and that's my mommy up there."

There was much chatter among the students, until Cheerilee's voice silenced them. "Yes, Apple Blossom is indeed my daughter, but I assure you she will be treated as equally as the rest of you."

Dinky was very excited for her introduction: "I'm Dinky Doo and I like muffins!"

Screwball giggled slightly and then realized it was her turn. "I'm Screwball and my dad's the first Lord of Chaos!"

The room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Screwball shrank at the thought that maybe she had gloated, despite what her mother had told her. She had not meant to brag, but the teacher had asked for something interesting, and well, that was the most interesting thing about her. Cherry Blossom tried to fix it.

‘’I’m Cherry Blossom, I was born an alicorn and My daddy’s one of the Lords of Chaos!’’

But she only made it worse.

She could not understand why every pony was so shocked. Based on how the twins were looking at her, she had the feeling that what she said was wrong. Why? It was not like they did not know. It was not like she had grown a second head.

"Did we say something wrong?" she asked the teacher.

Cheerilee shook her head. "No, Screwball and Cherry Blossom, you said nothing wrong. Let's continue."

"I'm Gold Digger," the earth pony beside her said, rather shakily, "and my dad’s filthy rich!"

Screwball did not hear the rest of the introductions, or pay attention as Cheerilee began the lesson. She was too busy listening to the whispers of the two Mares behind her.

"She's the one my mom told me about! Her daddy's supposed to be a big scary monster!"

"Yeah! I think I saw him this morning!"

"My sister tells me she's as much a freak as he is!"

"Yeah! I mean look at that hat she's wearing!"

She protectively held onto her treasured hat from Aunt Pinkie.

"And what's up with her eyes? Is she blind or something?"

Her head wrenched around her neck as she faced the mares. "I'm not blind!"

‘’Hey, leave my cousin alone, you meanies!’’ Cherry Blossom said defensively. ‘’She may be…different, but she’s a pony just like you!’’

‘’Cherry Blossom!"

She faced Cheerilee, realizing that she had said that out loud.

"What's going on?" the teacher asked crossly. "Are you paying attention?"

"Sorry, Ms Cheerilee," she pleaded. "But...they're saying mean things about my twin cousin."

"Tattle tale," whispered the mare behind her.

"Is this true, Faith Carton?"

The mare with dark red fur and and darker red hair shook her head. "No, Ms Cheerilee. We were just talking about her eyes."

The teacher squinted at her. "Your mother was a pupil of mine, so I expect you to be familiar with the rules of this class. Every pony, let it be known that from now on, there will be no talking during the lesson!"

Screwball glanced over at Apple Blossom and tried to copy her pose by sitting upright and folding her hooves on her desk. She could not get in trouble on the first day of school. Mom would get upset. Cherry Blossom made eye contact with Screwball.

‘’Sorry, Screwy.’’ She whispered

‘’It’s ok, Cherry.’’ Screwball replied.

She flinched as she felt a prick on the back of her neck. She glanced around and shrugged it off, assuming it to be a fly. Then she felt it again. It did not hurt really, but she found it quite annoying. Then something hopped onto her desk: a rubber band. She looked at the dark red mare out of the corner of her eye. He and his friend were snickering with pleasure.
Cherry Blossom noticed her cousin’s torture and thought of what her father had said numerous times that morning: If any pony makes fun of you, show them who's Boss. She did not want to disappoint her mother and aunt , but these mares needed to be taught a lesson. She had to be subtle in her revenge, for Cheerilee knew about her powers.

Cherry Blossom glanced at the rubber band that had missed and remembered Aunt Pinkie showing her something called a Cat's Cradle. She smiled deviously as she made a rubber band appear between Faith Carton's legs and copied the trick. When she was successful, she tried it on the other mare.

Then the bell rang for recess and the two girls tripped out of their seats.

"What the...?" Faith Carton uttered, looking at her tied legs.

Thunder and Lightning gawked at the sight and gave Screwball a questioning glance. She shook her head with a shrug. They turned to the red alicorn. She grinned deviously.

"Nice," Lightning muttered, giving her a hoof bump.

"Let's get out of here before the teacher notices," Thunder whispered.

The fillies agreed and rushed toward the playground. For the first five minutes of recess, Screwball and Cherry Blossom spun a rope while the twins competed over who could jump the longest.

"Nine, ten..." Dinky counted. "Uh...what comes after ten?"

"Eleven," Screwball continued. "Twelve, thirteen...hey, guys! Watch this!"

She let go of the rope, but it kept spinning as if some pony was still holding that end. Cherry Blossom gasped and released her end as well.

"Awesome!" the twins exclaimed.

"We have the coolest friends ever!" Lightning declared.

"And the sneakiest!" Thunder added.

"Who wants to play tag?"

The twins stopped jumping, entangling themselves in the rope.

"I do, I do!" Dinky hopped excitedly.

The four laughed at their friend's enthusiasm and followed her to join the other students as they gathered round. Screwball's smile faded when she saw that Faith Carton was the one who had made the announcement. Her green eyes met hers and they gave each other a mutual glare.

"Sorry," she said. "This game is for ponies only!"

"But we are ponies," Screwball insisted.

"No, you're not. You're only half a pony. Your twin weirdo over there is the only special pony around here. My big sister Lila Sugar told me so!"

Many of the foals gasped, not believing there was such a thing as a half pony.

"You saw those big monsters?" Faith Carton asked them. "That's their daddies!"

They shrieked in horror.

"My big sis said your daddy took over Equestria! Three times! He's the baddest of bad guys! He's evil!"

Screwball had no idea what she was talking about, but she stomped her hoof in anger. "Daddy's not evil!"

Cherry Blossom’s body Turned redder and her eyes turned red and her ears steamed as she saw the mare make fun of her twin cousin.

"He is evil! That means you're evil too! Look at her eyes!"

"Hey!" the twins cried, standing in front of their friend.

"Leave her alone!" Thunder Dash cried.

"What's wrong with you?" Lightning demanded.

"What's wrong with me?" Faith Carton repeated. "What's wrong with her? She's got funny eyes! Like her dopey friend over there!"

Cherry Blossom gasped and glanced at Screwball, who was on the verge of tears. Picking on her was one thing, but no pony made fun of Screwball! No pony! She might look different, but she was not a dope!

Faith Carton made Cherry Blossom so mad she just wished the sky would come crashing down on her! The students looked up as a dark shadow covered them and screamed when they saw a piano hurdling directly towards Faith Carton. They all scattered out of the way. Screwball managed to grab Cherry Blossom before the instrument hit the ground, smashing into pieces.

Then Cherry Blossom broke into maniacal laughter, scaring the pants out of everyone.

As soon as she heard the crash, Cheerilee rushed out and gasped at the sight of the broken piano. How had that gotten into the schoolyard? She looked towards Cherry Blossom, who had a guilty look on her face.

Fluttershy knew something was up when her daughter only come out of the building immediately. Screwball then explained that Cheerilee had kept Cherry Blossom after class. Expecting the worst, Fluttershy entered the classroom. Cheerilee was sitting expectedly at her desk, Apple Blossom sitting at her own and Cherry Blossom on a stool in the corner. As soon as she saw her mother, she faced the wall in shame.

"I appreciate you coming here, Fluttershy," the teacher said bluntly.

"What's going on?" the pegasus inquired.

"Apple Blossom, would you wait outside, please?"

The filly said nothing and obeyed her mother.

"Have a seat, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy pulled up a chair and sat across from Cheerilee.

"It appears that there was a little...accident today."

The pegasus glanced over at Cherry Blossom, who had her hooves crossed and mad eyes. "What happened?"

"Well...how do I put this? A piano dropped from the sky."

Fluttershy's eyes widened in shock. "A piano?!"

"Yes. I checked, and there was no moving cart in the sky at the moment."

"You think...Cherry Blossom?"

Cheerilee looked to the filly in the corner. "Well, Cherry Blossom?"

She turned her head slowly, wincing at the expression on their faces.

"I didn't mean to!" she insisted. "They were making fun of me and Screwy! I didn't want it to happen! They made me so mad!"

"Honey, you promised you would behave!" Fluttershy shouted, almost too loudly.

"They called uncle evil!"

Cherry Blossom’s eyes turned red as lightning struck behind her.

Her aunt's angry expression changed into one of fear. She then faced the teacher again.

"I assure you it won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't," Cheerilee said coldly. "You may go home now, Cherry Blossom."

The filly slid off the stool and smiled nervously up at her aunt. The glare she received in return caused her to hang her head.
"We're going to talk with your father about this."

Screwball walked with them as they walked home.

‘’How’d it go?’’ she asked.

‘’Pretty well,’’ Cherry Blossom replied bluntly.

"A piano?" Discord said, looking up from his bowl of paper and over to Screwball. "A bit dramatic, don't you think? A pile of bricks would have sufficed."

‘’No! it should have been a whale!’’ Chillcord protested. ‘’The bigger the better!’’

"Discord!" Fluttershy gasped.

‘’Chillcord…!’’ Tara gritted in her teeth, her eyes red, steam coming out of her ears.

"Would serve the brat right for picking on our daughter and niece!"

They were sitting at the dinner table. Fluttershy had just explained the events at school.

"I also tied her hooves into a Cat's Cradle," Cherry Blossom admitted, picking at her peas.

Her father guffawed. "You did?! What'd you use? A string or rubber band?"

"Rubber band. She threw rubber bands at me first."

"Giving him a taste of his own medicine, huh?" Discord clapped his hands. "Genius! Pure genius, that's what it is!"

Fluttershy was appalled. "Don't encourage her! She could have hurt some pony!"

"Those runts should have thought of that before they mocked our beautiful daughter and niece!"

"She said you were evil," Screwball stated.

They all turned to them with wide eyes.

"Who told you that?" Discord demanded.

"Faith Carton," she replied. "She said you were evil, and that I was evil too."

"Sweetheart," her mother said, stroking their manes tenderly. "You're not evil and neither are your fathers."

Screwball looked her father in the eyes. "He said you took over Equestria."

‘’And you forced mommy and auntie to marry you and daddy.’’ Cherry Blossom nodded.

Discord shrank guiltily into his seat. "Um...yes. I took over Equestria once...or twice, but that was a long time ago."

"You see, honey," Fluttershy explained, "your father was...evil, long before we met."

"Seems like a thousand years ago," the draconequus reminisced. "Actually, it was. I was ostracized because of my appearance and well...you could say I went crazy...like you did today with the piano. The princesses punished me by turning me to stone for a thousand years. When I was released...I met your mother. We didn't start on the friendliest of terms. She was one of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, the only things that could defeat me. She was Kindness, your Aunt Twilight was Magic, Rainbow Dash was Loyalty, Pinkie Pie was Laughter, Applejack was Honesty and Rarity was Generosity.
"I came up with a plan to dispose of the Elements of Harmony, but that didn't work out, so I tried something else. You see, I..."

He did not want to go into detail of what had happened. He did not want his daughter or niece to think him a monster. Thankfully, Fluttershy summed it up gently.
"He said he would leave Equestria be in exchange for a willing bride."

He sighed in relief. "Yes, I...had grown rather lonely over the years and...your mother was the one who accepted the deal."

Screwball's eyes widened. "You were forced to marry Daddy?"

‘’Hypocrite!’’ Cherry Blossom flew up and pointed at Discord and Chillcord.

Fluttershy hesitated. "At first, yes. But then I got to know your fathers, and..."

"That's when we fell in love," Discord finished, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Your mother is an amazing mare. Remember that. She was the only one who had truly accepted me back then. I then realized that I could not have Equestria and her at the same time, and I could not live without her, so..."

‘’So we got married.’’ Chillcord said.

Tara took his paw. ‘’Your father and I loved each other so much."

He grinned and kissed her lightly on the lips, making Screwball gag. "Yes, we did. She brought out the good in me and I don't do evil anymore."

"So never you mind what Faith Carton said."

"But she made fun of me too!" Screwball reminded them.

Discord turned to Cherry Blossom. "And that was wrong of her, but if that piano had hit her, would that have made you any better?"

She hung her head. "No."

"Good."

"So...Daddy's not the baddest of bad guys?"

Discord chuckled. "No. Well, once upon a time..." He trailed off as Fluttershy poked him in the ribs. "I mean no! I found something better than chaos."

He smiled at his wife and she returned his smile.

"Remember this, honey," Fluttershy said. "When it comes to love, appearances are insignificant."

"Indeed," Discord agreed as he hi-fived his twin brother. "It's the most powerful form of chaos there is!"

A lesson in friendship

Screwball, Dinky, Cinnamon Stick, Apple Blossom and the twins stood outside Screwball and Cherry Blossom's bedroom.

"Go ahead," Lightning said, nudging her brother. "Knock."

"I'm not knocking," Thunder insisted. "You knock!"

"No, you knock!"

"You knock!"

"Fine! Cinnamon Stick, you knock!"

"No way!" the earth colt declared. "I'm not crazy to go near her when she's in this state!"

"My coz is right," Apple Blossom agreed. "Suppose we get her upset and she loses it? She went through a lot yesterday. Maybe only one of us should go in."

"I'll go," Screwball volunteered. "She's my best friend."

No pony ever argued whenever Screwball said that, knowing that the two of them were closer than bread and butter. The earth pony was about to knock on the door when Dinky stopped her hoof.

"Be careful," she whispered.

Screwball nodded and knocked.

"Go away!" Cherry Blossom screamed from inside.

"Cherry, it's Screwball! May I come in?"

There was a pause. "Just you."

The door opened automatically for Screwball to step inside. The room was completely dark and silent, save for Cherry Blossom's sobbing and the thunder of the small storm cloud looming over her. Screwball raised an eyebrow at them questioningly.

"It's for moral support," her twin cousin stated.

"Right."

Screwball climbed onto the bed and carefully lay her hoof on Cherry Blossom's head. "You okay?"

"Do I look okay?!"

The pink earth pony jumped back at her tone. Cherry Blossom sighed as she rolled onto her back and sat up.

"Sorry, Screwy. I've just had a bad day."

"I understand," Screwball nodded. "The Tri-Pies told me about telling the others about us with Screwdriver and Mothball."

"Those tattletale triplets," Cherry Blossom muttered under her breath.

"Every pony fights with their parents now and then."

"But that's the first time I fought with uncle! I mean Mom's gotten sore at me several times before, but not uncle! We never had anything to argue about until now!"

She buried her face in her knees. Screwball patted her on the head.

"I saw the whole thing."

"What else did they tell you?" Cherry Blossom asked, not looking up.

The earth pony bit her lip. "Well...I don't know if they were just talking crazy like they normally do, but they said that they told the others ...you were, um...dating Screwdriver?"

This time, Cherry Blossom did look up. "It's true, okay?!"

Screwball's eyes widened. "Was he the special some pony you were talking about?"

"Yes."

"Wow. You weren't kidding when you said dad would get mad."

Cherry Blossom had expected a scream. "You don't mind?"

"Cherry, I'm the Princess of Chaos, My twin cousin is an alicorn, my eyes look like purple lollipops. I'm used to weird stuff."

Cherry Blossom smiled and hugged her twin cousin. "I knew you'd understand, Screwy! What do the others think?"

"Oh, they freaked out when the Tri-Pies told them. Guess it makes sense, since their parents did use to battle changelings."

The alicorn shook her head. "Screwy, face it. You may be my tcbff ( twin cousin best friend forever), but you can be really naïve sometimes."

"Exactly!" Screwball exclaimed, flinging her foreleg around Cherry Blossom's shoulders. "Which is why you have my support the whole way!"

Cherry Blossom grinned. "Thanks, Screwy. You know how Gold Digger and Silver Tray used to say I would become evil and have to be turned to stone? I don't see how that can happen when I have a friend like you."

"You know what they say!"

"Friends to the end!" they said together.

"Move over!" Lightning whispered harshly, shoving her brother away from the keyhole. "I want a look!"

"Guys, we shouldn't be doing this!" Cinnamon Stick insisted.

"Aren't you worried that your friend might accidentally get turned into an orange?"

"Come on! Screwball would never hurt Dinky!"

"What are they doing now?" Apple Blossom asked.

Lightning was about to answer when Thunder regained control of the keyhole. "They're hugging! That must be a good sign."

"And what are you little ponies up to?"

The four jumped at the sound of Twilight Sparkle's voice.

"We're not little," Thunder grumbled. "We're fifteen."

Lightning nudged him in the side and whispered, "Show some respect." She looked up at the alicorn. "Dinky went to comfort Screwball and we were spying, err, making sure they were okay."

"I tried to talk them out of it," Cinnamon Stick said.

"Didn't your parents teach you that it's rude to eavesdrop?" Twilight inquired.

The twins hung their heads. "Yes, Aunt Twilight."

"Good. Why don't you all join the others for breakfast? I need to speak with my god-daughters."

The teenagers knew best not to argue with a princess. Twilight knocked on the door, startling the two mares inside.

"Yes?" Screwball called.

"Screwy, Cherry, it's your Aunt Twilight."

"Oh. Come in."

The alicorn opened the door. Cherry Blossom bowed her head as a force of habit.

"Cherry," Twilight spoke softly, "I need to speak with Screwball and you alone. They're serving muffins in the dining hall."

The alicorn nodded.

"Are we still in trouble?" Screwball asked.

Instead of answering her question, Twilight simply said, "Follow me."

Screwball and Cherry Blossom had learned long ago that when grown-ups are this ominous, it was wise to listen to them. Screwball put on her propeller hat for good luck before following their godmother.

Twilight led them to a long hallway decorated in colorful stained-glass windows.

"Have you ever been to this part of the castle?" the alicorn asked.

Screwball shook her head. "Never."

"I'm not surprised. It's not exactly your father/uncle's favorite wing."

The first window Cherry Blossom saw had an image of Discord. "What is this place exactly?"

"This is the hallway leading to the Canterlot Tower, where we keep the Elements of Harmony. The images you see here are moments in history when the Elements were used, along with many other victories."

Screwball counted at least five windows in which her father was depicted. There was one particularly unsettling one showing her father treating a unicorn, a pegasus and an earth pony like marionettes as he dangled them over a fire. The one next to it showed two alicorns circling a white version of her father. She soon deduced that it was Princesses Celestia and Luna turning Discord to stone.

Twilight saw the horrified expression on the filly's face and felt guilty for showing her this.

"You must understand that your father was out of control then. That was before..."

She guided her to another window, one that was more pleasant. Their fathers were in this one as well, but so were a yellow pegasus with flowing pink hair and a red pegasus with short, blue hair. They were running in a field and all looking happy.

"Mom, Dad, auntie and uncle." Cherry Blossom stated.

"Beauty tamed the beast," Twilight said with a nod. "Your mothers saved Equestria with Fluttershy's Element of Kindness alone. In a way, they saved your fathers as well."

Cherry Blossom stared at the window of her parents for a moment and then looked around at the others. There was one of six ponies battling a dark alicorn. She recognized the heroes as her mother and five aunts. Her ears drooped and her eyes narrowed.

"That was the battle against Nightmare Moon," Twilight explained.

"Oh," Screwball said, remembering the story.

"That's how we all met. If you think about it, if the six of us had not recovered the Elements of Harmony that night, we would not have faced Discord a year later, and your parents probably would not have met."

Screwball pointed to the next window. "Is that Uncle Spike?"

''Uncle Whaaaaa?''' Cherry Blossom gaped in confusion.

Twilight chuckled. "Yes. That was our victory in the Crystal Empire."

"Hey! That's Cadence up there!" She looked at a pink window beside it. "There she is again with Shining Armor!"

"Oh, yes. That was when the two of them used their love to defeat the..."

Twilight trailed off, but Screwball and Cherry Blossom already knew what she was going to say.

"The changelings?"

The alicorn sighed and nodded solemnly. "Screwball, Cherry, the reason I brought you here is because there is a chance you could be on one of these windows someday. Whether you are depicted as a hero or a villain is up to you."

Screwball's eyes widened as she stared at her godmother. "You think we're going to turn evil, don't you?"

"All I know is that you have great power, Screwball and Cherry Blossom, and with great power comes great responsibility. Need I remind you of the story of Nightmare Moon?"

"No, but I have a feeling you're going to remind me anyway."

"Princess Luna was always a good ruler, but there was jealousy and darkness in her heart that took control of her a few times. You are like daughters to me, Screwball and Cherry Blossom, and I do not want something like that to happen to you."

"It won't!" Screwball insisted. "Why would I ever...?"

''Well, no offense,'' Cherry Blossom interrupted. ''But I didn't want to be you daughter either way.''

"Last night, you lost control of your emotions and used magic against your unclw."

The younger mare hung her head. "Oh, that. But he was going to hurt Screwdriver!"

''Screwdriver? Oh yes, the changeling princes. If you don't mind me asking, how do you know him?"

"Well, um...we kind of met as kids and...we became friends and..."

"You are aware that changelings physically have no hearts?"

"I know, I know! But he's different! I've felt his heartbeat, I swear! Are you going to tell me to stay away from him too?" Screwball insisted.

"Personally, and regretfully, I agree with your father. Changelings are too dangerous for young fillies like you to be dealing with."

"We're fifteen!"

"I'm saying this from experience. It is in a changeling's nature to toy with ponies' emotions. If this prince is truly your friend as he says, I have no right to lecture you, but...you must be careful."

"You know we can tell when ponies are lying, and they haven't lied to me about being our friend!"

"Are you sure?"

"Positive!"

Twilight sighed. "Well, the choice is yours to make. Before you go, there is one lesson I have left to teach you today."

"Yeah?"

"What do most of these windows have in common, other than the Elements of Harmony?"

Screwball rubbed her chin. "In all of them, a bad guy was defeated?"

"Yes, but how were they defeated? This includes your mother's taming of Discord."

"Oh, that. Mom said it was the Magic of Friends?"

"Technically, it's the Magic of Friendship, but yes. It may sound cheesy, but friendship is one of the most powerful forms of magic. The only thing more powerful was what saved your father."

"My mom?"

"And what did your mother offer him?"

Screwball glanced back at the window of her parents. "Love?"

"Exactly. True love between two creatures is the greatest magic you'll ever find. You may be a being of chaos, Screwball, but there is a chance you hold such magic in your heart. Never lose sight of it, okay?"

Screwball was a little confused, but then again, Twilight often confused her. She nodded anyway.

"Good," the alicorn said with a smile. "You going to breakfast?"

"No, thanks," the filly said. "I'll just eat in my room."

Twilight watched Screwball go with a sigh, wondering if the young mare had understood her lesson. Whenever she had the chance, she would teach Screwball control of her magic and the importance of friendship, hoping it would lead her down the right path. Considering how many friends she had, it seemed there was nothing to worry about.

But now that Screwball was friends with a changeling, and she suspected more, Twilight feared for the young mare. She had a choice between family and love, and that's a decision no pony should ever be forced to make.

Meanwhile, Cherry Blossom hid behind the pillar, hoping to cheer Screwball up with a good scare. But when she stared at her, she realized her godmother was right.

It was quiet in the Discord household. Not even the baby was up to his usual antics. Discord sat pouting on the couch, his head in his hands. Fluttershy flew up to him and patted his head.

"What's wrong, honey?"

He looked at his wife sadly. "Cherry Blossom hasn't spoken to me in over a week, ever since our fight. She does nothing but sit in her room with Screwy and Zany!"

"She'll come around soon enough. Or do you want me to use the Stare on her?"

He sighed. "No. I'll talk with her myself."

As if on cue, the door to Screwball and Cherry Blossom's room opened and the fillies floated out with Screwball's brother in her hooves.

"auntie," she said. "Can we take Zany for a walk in the park? I think we need some fresh air."

Actually, it was mostly her that needed air. She had been feeling very grimy lately.

"But of course, sweetie," Fluttershy said. "I would go with you, but I'm meeting Rarity at the spa."

"What's she doing in Ponyville, anyway?"

"Trouble at home. That's all I can tell you."

Screwball looked at her father for a moment. He opened his mouth to say something, but Cherry Blossom pulled Screwball's ear with her mouth, placed Zany in a baby buggy and rushed out the door before he could.

"What's the use?" Discord groaned. "Even if I manage to get a word in with her, she's not going to talk back!"

"Then it's time we put our hooves down!" Fluttershy declared. "We'll sort out everything tonight at dinner. Sound good?"

"I guess."

"Okay, I have to go now." She kissed him on the snout. "I love you."

Her kiss made him grin a little. "I love you too."

Mothball sunk into his bed. All exits were guarded, including the secret one. He had been confined to this room for over a week and had contemplated his escape ever since. Any moment now, his mother would carry out her plot! She thought he did not know about the new phase, but he had heard it from some foolish drones gloating outside his room.

He had to get out of here and warn Screwball! She and her family were in danger and it was all his fault!

In his time to think, Mothball had at least figured out which way he was going to escape. The main exit was out, because it led to the hive and he would be seen. If he went out the back and somehow incapacitated the two guards, he was less likely to get caught. But how was he to do that? It was not like he could make them obey him with a glow of his horn.

Wait a minute.

As prince, his mother taught him to control changelings as well as ponies. Only royal changelings could do that, otherwise any changeling would have the power to overthrow the queen. Mind control was not his strength, but if he could harness enough energy...

He lifted the poster and poked his head through the hole. Two sentries hovered on either side. He gestured Screwdriver to stay inside until it's safe to come out

"Hey, Hornet! Wasp! I'm getting kind of hungry. Do you think I can slip out for a moment and get a quick meal? I won't tell Mother!"

The sentry on his left, Hornet, smirked. "Nice try, your highness, but we weren't born yesterday!"

"Yeah," Wasp nodded. "Those guys are all in the nursery with the other larvae!"

"We have orders from the queen not to let you out of your room under any circumstances!"

Mothball closed his eyes as his horn began to glow.

"Hey, what are you...?" Hornet started to ask.

He was cut off as the prince shot a green beam at him.

Wasp gasped. "Sound the a...!"

He was silenced too as Mothball placed him under his control.

"It worked," the prince uttered. "Now, please remain quiet and listen carefully. I'm going out, but you are not to tell anyone. Understand?"

The sentries nodded absent-mindedly. Triumphant, the prince did not waste a moment as he took to the skies.

"Oh, I hope I'm not too late!" he exclaimed.

''Wait for me!'' Screwdriver yelled be hind him, running out of breath.

"Thank ya for helpin' me out today, Sugar," Applejack said to her adopted daughter as they stood behind the apple cart.

"Well, it was either this or spend the day with Gemstone," Cinnamon Roll giggled.

"Now hon, that's not very nice."

Though Applejack was still a little short with Rarity after their spat at the Gala. She felt guilty for not apologizing for her insensitivity.

She was silent when she heard Cinnamon Roll scream. She turned to her demandingly.

''Hon, what's this here all about.''

Cinnamon Roll pointed shakily at something. Applejack looked at the direction she was looking and her jaw dropped.

"Tara!"