Of Softness and of Chaosby Creativa-Artly01ChaptersChapter 1-Rain?Chapter 2-Coming to UnderstandChapter 3-A Specific TripChapter 4-Dinky…Chapter 5-Visiting Derpy as a FamilyChapter 6-Adventures in the ForestChapter 1-Rain?It’s a rainy, stormy day outside when Fluttershy hears a knock on her door. She opens it to see a rain soaked Thunderlane. “Honey, why is the rain brown?” Inquires the mare. “Is he back?” “That’s not rain, my love,” responds Thunderlane. “It’s chocolate milk.” “That means two specific chaotic beings are back,” gulps Fluttershy. “Who?” Responds Thunderlane, “who is the second? I know Discord is the main one.” “The second is mine and Discord’s daughter, the princess of Chaos, Screwball.” “Honey,” says Thunderlane as he comes in to dry off before sitting down next to his wife, “what do you mean? When did this happen? You can tell me. I won’t be mad. I just want to understand.” “Fine,” sighs Fluttershy, “Discord and I started forming a bond when I was tasked with reforming him years ago and we had a child, a daughter that ended up with his chaotic powers.” She stops as she hears the door fly open with a whoosh. Discord and Screwball soon enter the premises. Flittersoft hears the noise and ducks behind her mother’s wing to hide. “Mom…who…who are they?” Says the filly terrified, absolutely shaking and trembling, cowering behind her mother. “My ex and your sister,” responds Fluttershy, “the King and Princess of Chaos: Discord and Screwball.” Discord slinks towards Fluttershy in a snakelike motion before wrapping himself around her in a hug. “Oh, hello honey! My love! My Fluttershy!” Squeals Discord like a school foal with a nasally cold. “Hello, Discord,” responds Fluttershy softly and politely. “Nothing’s changed since I last saw you,” says Discord as he comes to the front of her and runs his claw through her mane. “Yes, it has, Discord,” responds Fluttershy softly and calmly, “I have a family now. I have a husband and a daughter.” “Yes, that’s me and Screwball, remember?” Says Discord. “And you were, but now my husband is Thunderlane,” she lets Discord down as softly and sweetly as she knows how, “and Flittersoft is our Screwball’s sister.” “But don’t you still love me?” Asks Discord, his lip now quivering as he grasps his goatee and nervously runs his paw and his claw through it. “Yes, but I had to move on,” responds Fluttershy, “And I hope you can too.” “I have,” responds Discord, “I have to some degree. I’m married to Celestia now. We have two foals: Shifter and Sol who have my powers and I’ve adopted Starburst, her firstborn daughter as my own. Sweet filly but she has Sombra’s powers. She’s an unruly little thing.” “No different than Screwball was for us,” Fluttershy reminds him with a smile and a look. “Ha. Fair!” Responds Discord with a laugh. Screwball finally peeps up. “Mom…can…can I meet my sister already, please?!” Inquires the impatient mare. “Sure,” nods Fluttershy. She nudges Flittersoft forward with a smile. “It’s okay. She’s not going to hurt you.” She reassured her daughter with that same understanding smile. Flittersoft steps forward and finally speaks. “Hi,” whispers the filly, “it’s nice to finally meet you.” “You too!” Squeals the bouncing chaotic pink mare. At this, a terrified Flittersoft rushes hurriedly back under her mother’s wing. “Screwball, you scared your sister,” responds Fluttershy. “Do please apologize.” The mare bows her head and comes towards her mom and sister. Flittersoft peeps out of Fluttershy’s wing. “I…I’m sorry for scaring you, I was just so excited,” says Screwball to Flittersoft. “I’ve never had a sister before. This is exciting and new for me.” “It’s fine, I forgive you, I understand,” responds Flittersoft quietly. “It’s nice to have a big sister.” “And it’s nice to have a sister, period,” giggles Screwball. She closes her eyes and opens them again having now formed a cotton candy cone in her hooves. She hands it to Flittersoft. Flittersoft begins to nibble on the sweet pink sugar fluff. With a single word Screwball stops the chocolate rain outside the window too and brings it flying into a glass jug on the counter. She turns to Fluttershy. “I want to make this work, mom. I really and truly do. I’m going to do my hardest to make this work.” “I know, baby,” says Fluttershy as she runs her hooves through Screwball’s white and purple curls. “I know.” With that, Discord leaves and returns to Canterlot while Screwball remains behind. She wants to spend a little more time getting to know her sister after all. Once left alone, Fluttershy leads the fillies into the kitchen as Thunderlane returns to work. The mare soon returns with a glass of tea for herself and two cups of juice for the sisters. Screwball disgusted uses her magic to turn her juice to chocolate milk. “Some things never change,” giggles Fluttershy as she busts a smile. “I never really cared for juice of any kind,” responds Screwball with a smile. “Chocolate milk has always been my favorite.” “Yeah, I remember,” sighs Fluttershy, “sorry about that.” “It’s fine, mom, it’s no biggy thanks to my magic, you know that,” responds Screwball with a laugh. The loud bursting laugh sends funfetti and confetti and other things throughout the house. “Screwball! Dang it! Not again!” Screams an irritated Fluttershy. “Sorry, mom, I’ll clean it up.” The mare does so with a clap of her hooves. A scared Flittersoft quivers and shakes in fear under the table. What her sister just did honestly terrified her. It was so sudden, so loud, so uncalled for-just like the visit itself in the gray filly’s own humble opinion. Fluttershy begins searching around the kitchen for her daughter after noticing she’s disappeared. She soon looks underneath the table. “Flittersoft, honey, what are you doing under there?” Asks Fluttershy softly as she takes the filly in her hooves and lifts her back up. She slinks back under Fluttershy’s wing. “Sister is scary,” the filly manages to finally say. “She’s insane, mom. Crazy. Unpredictable. Why is she still here?” “Because she wants to get to know you, and I want you to try to get to know her, too,” responds Fluttershy in a calming voice. “Please just try.” “I’m done trying,” responds Flittersoft stubbornly. “She’s terrifying.” The filly folds her hooves and flies down the hall to her room where she locks herself inside after slamming the door with a thud. Fluttershy flies down the hall after her and sits down outside her daughter’s door where she’s soon joined by Screwball. “Mom?” Says Screwball worried. “Did I do something wrong?” “You scared your sister, now she’s not coming out and I don’t know what to do,” cries Fluttershy, her head buried in her hooves, draped over by her long pink locks. “Well, I didn’t mean to scare her, I’m just so excited to have a sister, when I’m excited my powers go all loosey goosey. I can’t help that.” “I know,” responds Fluttershy. “Just give her time to warm up to you. She will. With time. I hope.” With this, Fluttershy hugs Screwball and tries to comfort her other upset daughter. Being a mother of two total polar opposite daughters is turning out to be more difficult than she could’ve ever imagined. Now, she just hopes that she can find some way to make it work. Chapter 2-Coming to UnderstandOver the following days, Screwball continues to do her own thing causing Flittersoft to run under her bed or under a table or something every time her sister uses her magic. “Do you have to use your powers all the time? Can you just chill?” Asks a pissed off Flittersoft in her light dainty voice not unlike that of her mother’s. “Don’t be so scared, sis, I’d never hurt you,” responds Screwball as she shrugs off her sister’s comment. “I don’t know if I can believe that,” huffs a dismayed Flittersoft. At hearing this, Screwball snaps her chaos away and floats back down to the ground. She goes to the table and takes Flittersoft’s hoof in her own. “What can I do to make you trust me, sister?” Asks Screwball. She’s doing her darndest to understand her sister. “Maybe not be so chaotic all over the time, maybe do things I wanna do with me,” responds Flittersoft. “Why don’t we walk and talk? I want to go hang out with my friends. With Soara, Airess, Conch, Sunflower.” “Ok, we can do that,” agrees Screwball. Flittersoft goes upstairs and grabs her bag and Pippy and they head on their way. As they walk, the sisters talk and crack jokes. “Okay, so how can you fly as an earth pony? Is that part of your chaos magic too?” Inquires a curious Flittersoft. “Yep, it is,” responds Screwball with a smile and a laugh. “What else do you wanna know?” “Honestly, I don’t know,” responds Flittersoft. “We’re here.” The two enter the ice cream shop where they’re greeted by Flittersoft’s friends. Flittersoft flies over and sits down with them before beckoning Screwball over. “It’s okay, sister. Just behave and it’ll all be fine.” Screwball nods and flies over to join them as well. “Girls,” says Flittersoft, “this is my sister, Screwball.” “Hi, nice to meet you,” say the fillies to Screwball. “That’s a cool name by the way,” adds Soara. “Screwball is an awesome name!” “Well, thank you,” blushes Screwball. “I’m just glad to hang out with normal ponies for once.” “Are you not normal?” Inquires Airess. “No, I’m not, I…I have chaos magic,” responds Screwball. “How else could I have flown over here without wings? But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I can make the sky rain chocolate milk. Turn the world upside down, among other things if you catch my drift.” “That means only one creature is your dad, doesn’t it?! Exclaims Soara. “Yes, the King of Chaos himself, my daddy is Discord,” responds Screwball. “Wow! That’s so cool!” Exclaims Soara. She turns to Flittersoft. “Your sister is awesome!” “Thanks, I guess,” responds Flittersoft. “I guess she’s not too bad.” She looks at her sister. “Do you really mean that?” Asks Screwball with inquiring eyes full of happy tears. “Yes, yeah I do,” responds Flittersoft with a smile. Screwball smiles back before immediately hugging her sister in a great big bear hug. A few moments later, the waiter Lollipop Stick comes over and they order their ice cream cones. “Rainbow swirl for me,” says Soara. “Chocolate for me,” says Screwball. “Chocolate for me as well,” says Flittersoft. “Strawberry for me,” says Conch. “Blueberry for me,” says Airess. “Vanilla for me,” says Sunflower. “Sure thing, I’ll be right back with those,” responds Lollipop with a smile. A few moments later, she returns with the cones and hands them to the fillies. The fillies happily take the cones and begin licking on them. They continue to talk. Screwball even shows off a bit of her powers. Eventually Flittersoft calls back over the waiter. “Yes, what do you want?” Asks the waiter nicely. “Can I get a bowl of nuts?” Inquires Flittersoft. “For my chipmunk.” “Yes, sure thing, kiddo,” responds Lollipop. A few moments later, she returns with the bowl and Flittersoft lets Pippy free on the table and the little chipmunk dives into the nuts and begins munching away. Flittersoft smiles as she watches the happy little chipmunk. “What pets does Everypony else have?” Inquires Flittersoft. “We still have Tank,” responds Soara. “Daddy has a pet lightning beetle,” says Airess. “His name is Twinkle.” “That’s cute,” responds Flittersoft. “Thanks, I helped name him,” responds Airess proudly. “My family has a new puppy,” Sunflower chimes in. “His name is Astro.” “Cute,” respond the others in unison. “I have a dragon-fly,” responds Screwball. “They’re miniature dragons with little insect wings that breathe fire.” “Wow! That’s really cool say the rest in disbelief.” They continue to finish up their cones and chitter chatter for another hour of two before all heading their separate ways. Soara and Flittersoft head to RD’s house for their normal weekend sleepover while Screwball heads home on her own while Airess returns to her home and Sunflower returns to her uncle’s as her uncle and aunt are her legal guardians ever since her mom and dad passed away two years ago. “Hey, sweetie, did you enjoy your day at the ice cream shop?” Asks her Uncle Red Flour. “Yeah, thanks,” responds Sunflower. “Where’s Auntie Cornflower?” “She’s still at work at the hospital, honey, you know that,” responds her uncle. “She’ll be home in three hours.” “Okay,” responds Sunflower. She then climbs up the stairs to her room and goes inside. She’s soon greeted by her cousin, a filly named Safflower. “Oh, hey cos.” “Welcome home,” responds Safflower. “I wish I could’ve gone with you. Was the ice cream store fun?” “Well, maybe next time,” responds Sunflower, “and yes, it was super fun!” “Okay, can I please next time?” Begs Safflower. “Okay, fine,” Sunflower eventually gives in. She then lets her cousin follow her into her room where the two enjoy a card game while Astro lays on the floor beside them. They giggle and laugh all the while. Meanwhile at Rainbow’s house, Flittersoft and Soara enjoy their sleepover. “Your sister is so cool!” Squeals Soara. “How come we’ve never met her before?” “Well, I didn’t know about her until a few days ago, literally,” responds Flittersoft as she cuddles Pippy in her hooves. “She and her dad just showed up one day at mommy and daddy’s door bringing their chocolate rain with them of course. We’re just now learning to get along for Celestia’s sake. Only this morning for crying out loud, I was hiding from her under a table or under my bed. She’s a little bit crazy.” “Nah, just unique in her own way,” responds Soara. “Have faith in her, she’s your family.” “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Flittersoft reaponds with a smile beginning to peep across her face. Meanwhile, elsewhere, Screwball is off somewhere in the Everfree Forest messing around with her magic at her favorite childhood spot, her chocolate lake with marshmallows floating in its depths and candycanes and gumdrops lining its shores. “It’s nice that sis and I are finally getting along,” she sighs to herself, “I never meant to scare her. Really, I never mean to scare any pony. I just need to learn to be more careful.” “Yeah, you do,” she hears a soft voice behind her say. She turns around and sees her mom. “Mom!” Says a surprised and startled Screwball as she turns to face her mother. “What are you doing here?” “Just came from tea at Zecora’s,” responds Fluttershy with a giggle. “She and her daughter Zaphira invited me over. Now, why don’t we head home?” “Okay,” agrees Screwball. The two then fly home. As they fly, Screwball tells Fluttershy all about her day. Chapter 3-A Specific TripThe next morning at Rainbow and Soaren’s house, the fillies wake to the smell of freshly baked pancakes. “Mornin’ girls,” says Rainbow with a smile. “Time to eat up before we take Flittersoft home!” The fillies run over to the table and sit down and begin munching on the pancakes. Rainbow comes over and sits down with them after getting her coffee. “So, I heard from your mom that Discord and Screwball are in town. For how long?” Inquires Rainbow. “Screwball for the next few weeks, ya just missed Discord, he only stuck around for two days,” responds Flittersoft. “Do you like having your sister in your life?” Inquires RD once more. “She’s alright, I’m warming up to her, I guess,” responds Flittersoft, “but she’s absolutely crazy! Heck, for the first few days of her being in our house, I was absolutely terrified of her and would hide wherever I possibly could, but it’s getting better.” “Well, that’s good,” responds RD, “now finish up. It’s time to get you home.” Flittersoft nods and finishes her breakfast. Soara does the same. A few moments later, the three fly to Ponyville and to Fluttershy and Thunderlane’s home. Once home, Flittersoft is immediately pulled inside by an over excited erratic Screwball. “What’s wrong with you?” Flittersoft says with a look more than words. “I want to take you somewhere special, come on!” She pulls Flittersoft by the hoof and pulls her out the door. She then uses some of her magic to transport themselves to a specific part of the Everfree Forest. Flittersoft looks around trying to orientate herself. “Where are we?” Asks a confused Flittersoft. “Why does it smell like candy? Like chocolate?” “Oh,” giggles Screwball, “because it is. We’re at my chocolate milk lake in a small secret glen of the Everfree. You wanna swim?” “Swim, in chocolate milk?” Says a weirded out Flittersoft. “Yes, indeedy,” responds Screwball. She creates a snorkel with her magic for herself and a second for her sister. “You’re going to want this.” Flittersoft puts it on and Screwball leads her into the lake. They then use the snorkels like straws to drink the chocolate milk. They munch on the marshmallows. Screwball makes them cotton candy with her magic. “Well, do you like it?” Screwball eventually inquires. “It’s tasty, fun, unique, I guess,” responds Flittersoft, “but it’s also really really fun!” “See, I told ya,” giggles Screwball. “I come here all the time especially when I was younger when I wanted to escape mom and dad and their fights.” “Your dad and mommy fought? What about?” Inquires Flittersoft as she takes her sister’s hoof in her own. “Yeah, mostly about me, my powers, whether I should use them, and when I fell for a colt whether we were allowed to date or not because he was really a changeling prince, ya know, the usual,” giggles Screwball with a nervous laugh. “Oh, wow, that’s intense,” responds Flittersoft, “I’m sorry you had to go through all that.” “Thanks,” responds Screwball with a smile, “ya know it’s nice to finally have some pony to confide in that’s not Dinky.” “Dinky, Derpy’s daughter?” Inquires Flittersoft. “The one whose dad is never around because he’s a time lord pony. That Dinky?” “Yep, that Dinky,” responds Screwball with a giggle. “She’s my best friend. I haven’t seen her in years. I should probably go visit her sometime.” “Yeah, you should, I’m sure she misses you a lot,” responds Flittersoft. “Yeah, me too,” says Screwball as she lets out a sigh. “I never meant to up and leave her, it’s just mom and dad’s divorce made it hard for me to see my friends because I ended up going back to the chaos dimension with dad.” “Well, go see her tomorrow or so,” says Flittersoft. “I’ll even come along if you want.” “Nah, I’d rather do it on my own, but thanks,” responds Screwball. “Now let’s get back to enjoying our swim!” Flittersoft nods and they put in their snorkels and dive underneath the chocolate milk. There, they swim with gummy fishes and dance with gummy seahorses and gummy dolphins. They even have a chat with a gummy whale. Needless to say, it was an interesting swim for Flittersoft. Until now, she’d never swam with gummy sea creatures or talked to gummy sea creatures before. Heck, they even ended up dancing with gummy starfishes. After several more hours, the sisters return home via another transportation spell. There, they are greeted by Fluttershy and a hoof-full of towels. “Girls, dry off before you come in the house please,” says Fluttershy in her soft and sweet motherly voice. The pair happily comply and dry off before they head inside and upstairs to Flittersoft’s room to play with Pippy who has just woken up from her nap. “So, did you have fun?” Asks Screwball with a smile as she sips on a glass of chocolate milk. “Yeah! Most fun I’ve had in a long time actually, normally it’s just school, weak flyers club, and that’s it,” responds Flittersoft. “It was a nice change of pace hanging out all day. Thanks for that.” “You’re welcome, would you like to do it again?” Asks Screwball. “I can arrange that.” “I’d love that, thank you!” Responds Flittersoft as she pets Pippy who has since cuddled up to her wing. “I can’t wait!” “Me too,” responds Screwball, “I’ll get on arranging that right way!” She squeals excitedly. She then disappears her empty cup with her magic. She then poofs some dice and jacks into existence with her magic and they begin to play. They play for hours before they hear Thunderlane come home from work and are called down to dinner themselves. The girls then tell Thunderlane all about their day and he tells them about his less exciting one in return. It’s truly been an interesting day all around and honestly, Flittersoft wouldn’t have it any other way because it turns out she enjoys having Screwball around after all. Chapter 4-Dinky…The next day, Screwball leaves into town and walks down the way until she finally reaches Derpy and Dinky’s house. She lets out a sigh. “Here goes nothing.” She then knocks on the door. She hears a familiar voice inside. “I’ll get it, mom!” She hears a voice holler. Soon, the door is opened and Screwball is staring face to face with her old best friend Dinky. “Hey Dinks,” says Screwball, “long time no see.” “Hey Screwy, come in, it’s been too long,” says the purple blond maned unicorn. “Yeah, way too long,” agrees Screwball with a sigh, “and I’m sorry about that. You know daddy got custody of me when he and mom divorced.” “Yeah, that shocked me, we all thought they were perfect for each other, but guess we were wrong,” responds Dinky. “Hah, ha, yeah,” says Screwball with a nervous laugh. “How’s your mom?” “Shook, her recent surgery instead of correcting her eyes made her mostly blind, she can’t fly anymore, she’s devastated, so with dad gone somewhere, I’m her primary caretaker now.” “Well, sorry to hear that, Dinks,” says Screwball. Screwball finally comes all the way inside and she and Dinky go and sit down in the kitchen together after Dinky takes her mom her lunch. The two then get back to talking and catching up which they end up doing for hours. Meanwhile at the Thunderlane household, Fluttershy, Flittersoft, and Thunderlane enjoy lunch together. “So Screwball is spending the day with Dinky, that’s sweet,” says Fluttershy. “It’s nice that they’re catching back up. The divorce absolutely devastated your sister, ya know?” “I know, she’s told me,” says Flittersoft before taking another bite of her sandwich. “Heck, I am the one that told her that maybe it would be smart and therapeutic to catch up with Dinky.” “That’s sweet, looking out for your sister like that,” responds Fluttershy with a smile. “I’m glad you two are starting to get along.” “Yeah, me too, it’s kinda nice having a sister,” responds Flittersoft. “Mom, can you help me fix my braid in a minute? It’s not holding.” “Sure thing, baby girl,” responds Fluttershy, “I’ll meet you on the couch in a second.” Flittersoft nods, finishes her lunch, and goes and sits on the couch where she’s joined by Fluttershy while Thunderlane heads back off to work. “So, how long have you two been getting along?” Inquires Fluttershy. “A few days now, maybe more,” responds Flittersoft. “It’s actually kinda nice.” “Well, that’s good,” responds Fluttershy. “I’m glad you girls are getting along.” “Yeah, me too,” responds Flittersoft with a smile. She continues to talk as her mom undoes, tightens and fixes her braid. A few minutes later, she’s done and the two head out for an afternoon walk after Flittersoft grabs Pippy. As they’re walking the two continue to talk before walking into the ice cream shop. There, they get two ice cream sundaes and a bowl of nuts for Pippy as well. They continue to hang out for another two hours or so before returning home. As they approach the house, they are greeted by Screwball. “How was your day at Dinky’s? How’s Dinky holding out? I heard about her surgery,” inquires Fluttershy. “Catching up with Dinky was nice,” responds Screwball, “but Derpy isn’t doing so great. The surgery made her mostly blind. She can’t fly anymore.” “Oh, I thought it had gone smoothly, I should probably go by myself sometime,” says Fluttershy. “Poor Derpy, I honestly had no idea.” “It’s okay, mom,” says Screwball, “Dinky said her mom was hiding that from all her closest friends not just you.” She hugs her mom close to her and they walk inside together followed close behind by Flittersoft and Pippy. Once inside, Flittersoft takes Pippy upstairs and puts her down for a nap before rejoining her mom and sister in the kitchen where Screwball tells them all about her day. Screwball throughout the following week does more trips to Dinky’s often times now with her mom who has started bringing food to Derpy. Derpy couldn’t be more grateful. She just wishes that she had told her dear friend sooner. Chapter 5-Visiting Derpy as a FamilyA few days later, Fluttershy and her girls make their way to Derpy’s after putting together a basket of all of Derpy and Dinky’s favorite goodies. “Bubbles, muffins, check and check, we’re good to go,” says Fluttershy that morning as Screwball uses her magic to tie the ribbon to the basket. They then head out the door. A few minutes later, they arrive at Derpy’s where they’re greeted at the door by Dinky. “Hey Dinky,” says Screwball. “Can we come in?” “Sure,” nods Dinky. She leads the three inside and over to where her mom is sat in a rocking chair near a windowsill. “What happened?” Inquires Fluttershy. “How did the surgery go so wrong?” She sits down in front of Derpy and hands her the basket. Derpy feels inside and pulls out a blueberry muffin to snack on. With the help of Dinky’s magic, Derpy gets the wrapper off. Derpy finally speaks. “Flutters, I wish I knew what went so wrong. All I heard as it was happening was the panicked voices of my doctors saying they messed up, saying it made me blind. I began to panic. That surgery was supposed to fix my eyes not make me go blind. I sued, only got a measly 200,000 bits out of 700,000 I was owed. We’re still working to get the rest of the money. I also wish doc was here. It’s hard going through this without him.” She lets out a sigh. “Where the heck in time and space is he? I wish I knew.” She begins to tear up and cry. She misses the Doctor so much. A few minutes later, the girls go upstairs to talk and catch up with Fluttershy and Derpy’s permission of course so the two of them can continue to talk in private. “So your dad still hasn’t come back, that must be rough,” says Flittersoft to Dinky. “Yeah, and mom is taking that super hard and I can’t blame her,” sighs Dinky, “I just wish he were here, for her sake. Right now she needs him the most. You’d think time would be able to wait.” “Yeah, you’d think,” adds Screwball. “You really do deserve him back in your lives.” “Yeah, don’t we know it,” giggles Dinky, “but heck if that ever happens.” She goes to a shelf and pulls out a worn photo album and opens it and shows the pictures to her friends. “He was there when I was born then he just disappeared…into the time stream. Who knows when or where he even is anymore?” She lets out another sigh. “I just wish he were here with us. I miss him.” She begins to tear up and cry a bit herself. “I just want him home, here with us, with mom and me.” “Yeah, and you will someday, Dinks,” responds Screwball as she goes over and hugs her friend. “Surely, he’ll come back someday.” “Yeah, here’s hoping,” sighs Dinky with a sniffle. They change the subject after a few minutes before going on to talk for hours on end. Meanwhile, downstairs, Derpy and Fluttershy do the same. It’s been an all around great visit, Fluttershy just wishes it was under different circumstances that weren’t her best friend being almost completely blind that is. Chapter 6-Adventures in the ForestLater that afternoon after their visit, Flittersoft and Screwball fly off into Screwy’s little corner of the Everfree Forest. There, Screwball makes their fun with her magic. She also magics them snacks such as chocolate milkshakes and super buttery popcorn. Flittersoft giggles as she listens to Screwball share her stories. After awhile, Screwball magics them a paper sailboat and they sail on the chocolate milk lake. After awhile of that, the two sisters go on a fly to a separate part of the forest where they are greeted by castle ruins overgrown with vines. “What is this place?” Flittersoft inquires. “I’ve never been here before.” “It’s the ruins of the Palace of the Two Sisters. It’s faded with time but it’s still here.” “That’s really cool, mom’s told me stories about this place but I haven’t seen it in person until now,” says Flittersoft still in awe. The two head into the ruins now on hoof as they don’t want to disrupt anything. Meanwhile back at the house, Fluttershy is greeted by Thunderlane, RD, and Soaren who are on their day off of practice. Fluttershy greets her husband with a kiss. “It’s good to see you,” she says with a smile. “Yeah, and it’s nice to have the day off of practice,” chuckles Thunderlane. “Now where’s my daughter?” “She’s out in the town with her sister,” responds Fluttershy bluntly. “I didn’t think you’d mind.” “And I don’t, I was just curious,” responds Thunderlane. He grabs food and canned cider out of the fridge for himself and his teammates with his wings. They then go and lounge on the couch in the other room. A few minutes later, Fluttershy hears crying as Dinky dashes through her door. “Dinky, Dinky, what’s wrong?” Asks Fluttershy concerned. “Did something happen to your mom?” “Yes,” sniffles the young unicorn mare. “She’s fallen, dislocated her hip and wing.” “Can you take me to her?” Inquires Fluttershy. “And have you called the doctor?” “Yes, and the medical doctor, yeah, he’s on his way,” responds Dinky. Dinky and Fluttershy head towards Dinky’s house. As they’re running, a portal opens in front of them and Doctor Whooves hops out. “Dad!” Exclaims Dinky. “You’re back!” “Well, it finally reached me about Derpy in the time stream. What happened? Is something wrong?” “Yeah, mom is blind and she just fell and dislocated and possibly broke her hip and wing,” responds Dinky, “you’ve missed a lot.” A few minutes later, the three arrive at the house where they’re joined fifteen minutes later by the doctor and pony ambulance. They load up Derpy with Doc at her side and take them to the hospital. There, Derpy is examined and x-rayed and the bones are indeed confirmed to be broken. They’re immediately bandaged and Derpy is strung up in casts. The entire time, Doc never leaves her side and a few minutes later, they’re joined by Fluttershy. Dinky transports into the Everfree forest first and grabs Screwy and Flittersoft before transporting them to the hospital. Once there, the three enter Derpy’s room. Dinky runs over to her mom while Flittersoft and Screwy look on in shock. “What happened?” Inquire the confused young mares. “Mom fell,” says Dinky, “broke her hip and wing.” A few minutes later, the young mares are ushered out so the adults can talk alone with the doctor. None of them ever imagined this is how the day would go and they absolutely hate it, especially where poor Derpy is concerned.
Chapter 1-Rain?It’s a rainy, stormy day outside when Fluttershy hears a knock on her door. She opens it to see a rain soaked Thunderlane. “Honey, why is the rain brown?” Inquires the mare. “Is he back?” “That’s not rain, my love,” responds Thunderlane. “It’s chocolate milk.” “That means two specific chaotic beings are back,” gulps Fluttershy. “Who?” Responds Thunderlane, “who is the second? I know Discord is the main one.” “The second is mine and Discord’s daughter, the princess of Chaos, Screwball.” “Honey,” says Thunderlane as he comes in to dry off before sitting down next to his wife, “what do you mean? When did this happen? You can tell me. I won’t be mad. I just want to understand.” “Fine,” sighs Fluttershy, “Discord and I started forming a bond when I was tasked with reforming him years ago and we had a child, a daughter that ended up with his chaotic powers.” She stops as she hears the door fly open with a whoosh. Discord and Screwball soon enter the premises. Flittersoft hears the noise and ducks behind her mother’s wing to hide. “Mom…who…who are they?” Says the filly terrified, absolutely shaking and trembling, cowering behind her mother. “My ex and your sister,” responds Fluttershy, “the King and Princess of Chaos: Discord and Screwball.” Discord slinks towards Fluttershy in a snakelike motion before wrapping himself around her in a hug. “Oh, hello honey! My love! My Fluttershy!” Squeals Discord like a school foal with a nasally cold. “Hello, Discord,” responds Fluttershy softly and politely. “Nothing’s changed since I last saw you,” says Discord as he comes to the front of her and runs his claw through her mane. “Yes, it has, Discord,” responds Fluttershy softly and calmly, “I have a family now. I have a husband and a daughter.” “Yes, that’s me and Screwball, remember?” Says Discord. “And you were, but now my husband is Thunderlane,” she lets Discord down as softly and sweetly as she knows how, “and Flittersoft is our Screwball’s sister.” “But don’t you still love me?” Asks Discord, his lip now quivering as he grasps his goatee and nervously runs his paw and his claw through it. “Yes, but I had to move on,” responds Fluttershy, “And I hope you can too.” “I have,” responds Discord, “I have to some degree. I’m married to Celestia now. We have two foals: Shifter and Sol who have my powers and I’ve adopted Starburst, her firstborn daughter as my own. Sweet filly but she has Sombra’s powers. She’s an unruly little thing.” “No different than Screwball was for us,” Fluttershy reminds him with a smile and a look. “Ha. Fair!” Responds Discord with a laugh. Screwball finally peeps up. “Mom…can…can I meet my sister already, please?!” Inquires the impatient mare. “Sure,” nods Fluttershy. She nudges Flittersoft forward with a smile. “It’s okay. She’s not going to hurt you.” She reassured her daughter with that same understanding smile. Flittersoft steps forward and finally speaks. “Hi,” whispers the filly, “it’s nice to finally meet you.” “You too!” Squeals the bouncing chaotic pink mare. At this, a terrified Flittersoft rushes hurriedly back under her mother’s wing. “Screwball, you scared your sister,” responds Fluttershy. “Do please apologize.” The mare bows her head and comes towards her mom and sister. Flittersoft peeps out of Fluttershy’s wing. “I…I’m sorry for scaring you, I was just so excited,” says Screwball to Flittersoft. “I’ve never had a sister before. This is exciting and new for me.” “It’s fine, I forgive you, I understand,” responds Flittersoft quietly. “It’s nice to have a big sister.” “And it’s nice to have a sister, period,” giggles Screwball. She closes her eyes and opens them again having now formed a cotton candy cone in her hooves. She hands it to Flittersoft. Flittersoft begins to nibble on the sweet pink sugar fluff. With a single word Screwball stops the chocolate rain outside the window too and brings it flying into a glass jug on the counter. She turns to Fluttershy. “I want to make this work, mom. I really and truly do. I’m going to do my hardest to make this work.” “I know, baby,” says Fluttershy as she runs her hooves through Screwball’s white and purple curls. “I know.” With that, Discord leaves and returns to Canterlot while Screwball remains behind. She wants to spend a little more time getting to know her sister after all. Once left alone, Fluttershy leads the fillies into the kitchen as Thunderlane returns to work. The mare soon returns with a glass of tea for herself and two cups of juice for the sisters. Screwball disgusted uses her magic to turn her juice to chocolate milk. “Some things never change,” giggles Fluttershy as she busts a smile. “I never really cared for juice of any kind,” responds Screwball with a smile. “Chocolate milk has always been my favorite.” “Yeah, I remember,” sighs Fluttershy, “sorry about that.” “It’s fine, mom, it’s no biggy thanks to my magic, you know that,” responds Screwball with a laugh. The loud bursting laugh sends funfetti and confetti and other things throughout the house. “Screwball! Dang it! Not again!” Screams an irritated Fluttershy. “Sorry, mom, I’ll clean it up.” The mare does so with a clap of her hooves. A scared Flittersoft quivers and shakes in fear under the table. What her sister just did honestly terrified her. It was so sudden, so loud, so uncalled for-just like the visit itself in the gray filly’s own humble opinion. Fluttershy begins searching around the kitchen for her daughter after noticing she’s disappeared. She soon looks underneath the table. “Flittersoft, honey, what are you doing under there?” Asks Fluttershy softly as she takes the filly in her hooves and lifts her back up. She slinks back under Fluttershy’s wing. “Sister is scary,” the filly manages to finally say. “She’s insane, mom. Crazy. Unpredictable. Why is she still here?” “Because she wants to get to know you, and I want you to try to get to know her, too,” responds Fluttershy in a calming voice. “Please just try.” “I’m done trying,” responds Flittersoft stubbornly. “She’s terrifying.” The filly folds her hooves and flies down the hall to her room where she locks herself inside after slamming the door with a thud. Fluttershy flies down the hall after her and sits down outside her daughter’s door where she’s soon joined by Screwball. “Mom?” Says Screwball worried. “Did I do something wrong?” “You scared your sister, now she’s not coming out and I don’t know what to do,” cries Fluttershy, her head buried in her hooves, draped over by her long pink locks. “Well, I didn’t mean to scare her, I’m just so excited to have a sister, when I’m excited my powers go all loosey goosey. I can’t help that.” “I know,” responds Fluttershy. “Just give her time to warm up to you. She will. With time. I hope.” With this, Fluttershy hugs Screwball and tries to comfort her other upset daughter. Being a mother of two total polar opposite daughters is turning out to be more difficult than she could’ve ever imagined. Now, she just hopes that she can find some way to make it work.
Chapter 2-Coming to UnderstandOver the following days, Screwball continues to do her own thing causing Flittersoft to run under her bed or under a table or something every time her sister uses her magic. “Do you have to use your powers all the time? Can you just chill?” Asks a pissed off Flittersoft in her light dainty voice not unlike that of her mother’s. “Don’t be so scared, sis, I’d never hurt you,” responds Screwball as she shrugs off her sister’s comment. “I don’t know if I can believe that,” huffs a dismayed Flittersoft. At hearing this, Screwball snaps her chaos away and floats back down to the ground. She goes to the table and takes Flittersoft’s hoof in her own. “What can I do to make you trust me, sister?” Asks Screwball. She’s doing her darndest to understand her sister. “Maybe not be so chaotic all over the time, maybe do things I wanna do with me,” responds Flittersoft. “Why don’t we walk and talk? I want to go hang out with my friends. With Soara, Airess, Conch, Sunflower.” “Ok, we can do that,” agrees Screwball. Flittersoft goes upstairs and grabs her bag and Pippy and they head on their way. As they walk, the sisters talk and crack jokes. “Okay, so how can you fly as an earth pony? Is that part of your chaos magic too?” Inquires a curious Flittersoft. “Yep, it is,” responds Screwball with a smile and a laugh. “What else do you wanna know?” “Honestly, I don’t know,” responds Flittersoft. “We’re here.” The two enter the ice cream shop where they’re greeted by Flittersoft’s friends. Flittersoft flies over and sits down with them before beckoning Screwball over. “It’s okay, sister. Just behave and it’ll all be fine.” Screwball nods and flies over to join them as well. “Girls,” says Flittersoft, “this is my sister, Screwball.” “Hi, nice to meet you,” say the fillies to Screwball. “That’s a cool name by the way,” adds Soara. “Screwball is an awesome name!” “Well, thank you,” blushes Screwball. “I’m just glad to hang out with normal ponies for once.” “Are you not normal?” Inquires Airess. “No, I’m not, I…I have chaos magic,” responds Screwball. “How else could I have flown over here without wings? But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I can make the sky rain chocolate milk. Turn the world upside down, among other things if you catch my drift.” “That means only one creature is your dad, doesn’t it?! Exclaims Soara. “Yes, the King of Chaos himself, my daddy is Discord,” responds Screwball. “Wow! That’s so cool!” Exclaims Soara. She turns to Flittersoft. “Your sister is awesome!” “Thanks, I guess,” responds Flittersoft. “I guess she’s not too bad.” She looks at her sister. “Do you really mean that?” Asks Screwball with inquiring eyes full of happy tears. “Yes, yeah I do,” responds Flittersoft with a smile. Screwball smiles back before immediately hugging her sister in a great big bear hug. A few moments later, the waiter Lollipop Stick comes over and they order their ice cream cones. “Rainbow swirl for me,” says Soara. “Chocolate for me,” says Screwball. “Chocolate for me as well,” says Flittersoft. “Strawberry for me,” says Conch. “Blueberry for me,” says Airess. “Vanilla for me,” says Sunflower. “Sure thing, I’ll be right back with those,” responds Lollipop with a smile. A few moments later, she returns with the cones and hands them to the fillies. The fillies happily take the cones and begin licking on them. They continue to talk. Screwball even shows off a bit of her powers. Eventually Flittersoft calls back over the waiter. “Yes, what do you want?” Asks the waiter nicely. “Can I get a bowl of nuts?” Inquires Flittersoft. “For my chipmunk.” “Yes, sure thing, kiddo,” responds Lollipop. A few moments later, she returns with the bowl and Flittersoft lets Pippy free on the table and the little chipmunk dives into the nuts and begins munching away. Flittersoft smiles as she watches the happy little chipmunk. “What pets does Everypony else have?” Inquires Flittersoft. “We still have Tank,” responds Soara. “Daddy has a pet lightning beetle,” says Airess. “His name is Twinkle.” “That’s cute,” responds Flittersoft. “Thanks, I helped name him,” responds Airess proudly. “My family has a new puppy,” Sunflower chimes in. “His name is Astro.” “Cute,” respond the others in unison. “I have a dragon-fly,” responds Screwball. “They’re miniature dragons with little insect wings that breathe fire.” “Wow! That’s really cool say the rest in disbelief.” They continue to finish up their cones and chitter chatter for another hour of two before all heading their separate ways. Soara and Flittersoft head to RD’s house for their normal weekend sleepover while Screwball heads home on her own while Airess returns to her home and Sunflower returns to her uncle’s as her uncle and aunt are her legal guardians ever since her mom and dad passed away two years ago. “Hey, sweetie, did you enjoy your day at the ice cream shop?” Asks her Uncle Red Flour. “Yeah, thanks,” responds Sunflower. “Where’s Auntie Cornflower?” “She’s still at work at the hospital, honey, you know that,” responds her uncle. “She’ll be home in three hours.” “Okay,” responds Sunflower. She then climbs up the stairs to her room and goes inside. She’s soon greeted by her cousin, a filly named Safflower. “Oh, hey cos.” “Welcome home,” responds Safflower. “I wish I could’ve gone with you. Was the ice cream store fun?” “Well, maybe next time,” responds Sunflower, “and yes, it was super fun!” “Okay, can I please next time?” Begs Safflower. “Okay, fine,” Sunflower eventually gives in. She then lets her cousin follow her into her room where the two enjoy a card game while Astro lays on the floor beside them. They giggle and laugh all the while. Meanwhile at Rainbow’s house, Flittersoft and Soara enjoy their sleepover. “Your sister is so cool!” Squeals Soara. “How come we’ve never met her before?” “Well, I didn’t know about her until a few days ago, literally,” responds Flittersoft as she cuddles Pippy in her hooves. “She and her dad just showed up one day at mommy and daddy’s door bringing their chocolate rain with them of course. We’re just now learning to get along for Celestia’s sake. Only this morning for crying out loud, I was hiding from her under a table or under my bed. She’s a little bit crazy.” “Nah, just unique in her own way,” responds Soara. “Have faith in her, she’s your family.” “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Flittersoft reaponds with a smile beginning to peep across her face. Meanwhile, elsewhere, Screwball is off somewhere in the Everfree Forest messing around with her magic at her favorite childhood spot, her chocolate lake with marshmallows floating in its depths and candycanes and gumdrops lining its shores. “It’s nice that sis and I are finally getting along,” she sighs to herself, “I never meant to scare her. Really, I never mean to scare any pony. I just need to learn to be more careful.” “Yeah, you do,” she hears a soft voice behind her say. She turns around and sees her mom. “Mom!” Says a surprised and startled Screwball as she turns to face her mother. “What are you doing here?” “Just came from tea at Zecora’s,” responds Fluttershy with a giggle. “She and her daughter Zaphira invited me over. Now, why don’t we head home?” “Okay,” agrees Screwball. The two then fly home. As they fly, Screwball tells Fluttershy all about her day.
Chapter 3-A Specific TripThe next morning at Rainbow and Soaren’s house, the fillies wake to the smell of freshly baked pancakes. “Mornin’ girls,” says Rainbow with a smile. “Time to eat up before we take Flittersoft home!” The fillies run over to the table and sit down and begin munching on the pancakes. Rainbow comes over and sits down with them after getting her coffee. “So, I heard from your mom that Discord and Screwball are in town. For how long?” Inquires Rainbow. “Screwball for the next few weeks, ya just missed Discord, he only stuck around for two days,” responds Flittersoft. “Do you like having your sister in your life?” Inquires RD once more. “She’s alright, I’m warming up to her, I guess,” responds Flittersoft, “but she’s absolutely crazy! Heck, for the first few days of her being in our house, I was absolutely terrified of her and would hide wherever I possibly could, but it’s getting better.” “Well, that’s good,” responds RD, “now finish up. It’s time to get you home.” Flittersoft nods and finishes her breakfast. Soara does the same. A few moments later, the three fly to Ponyville and to Fluttershy and Thunderlane’s home. Once home, Flittersoft is immediately pulled inside by an over excited erratic Screwball. “What’s wrong with you?” Flittersoft says with a look more than words. “I want to take you somewhere special, come on!” She pulls Flittersoft by the hoof and pulls her out the door. She then uses some of her magic to transport themselves to a specific part of the Everfree Forest. Flittersoft looks around trying to orientate herself. “Where are we?” Asks a confused Flittersoft. “Why does it smell like candy? Like chocolate?” “Oh,” giggles Screwball, “because it is. We’re at my chocolate milk lake in a small secret glen of the Everfree. You wanna swim?” “Swim, in chocolate milk?” Says a weirded out Flittersoft. “Yes, indeedy,” responds Screwball. She creates a snorkel with her magic for herself and a second for her sister. “You’re going to want this.” Flittersoft puts it on and Screwball leads her into the lake. They then use the snorkels like straws to drink the chocolate milk. They munch on the marshmallows. Screwball makes them cotton candy with her magic. “Well, do you like it?” Screwball eventually inquires. “It’s tasty, fun, unique, I guess,” responds Flittersoft, “but it’s also really really fun!” “See, I told ya,” giggles Screwball. “I come here all the time especially when I was younger when I wanted to escape mom and dad and their fights.” “Your dad and mommy fought? What about?” Inquires Flittersoft as she takes her sister’s hoof in her own. “Yeah, mostly about me, my powers, whether I should use them, and when I fell for a colt whether we were allowed to date or not because he was really a changeling prince, ya know, the usual,” giggles Screwball with a nervous laugh. “Oh, wow, that’s intense,” responds Flittersoft, “I’m sorry you had to go through all that.” “Thanks,” responds Screwball with a smile, “ya know it’s nice to finally have some pony to confide in that’s not Dinky.” “Dinky, Derpy’s daughter?” Inquires Flittersoft. “The one whose dad is never around because he’s a time lord pony. That Dinky?” “Yep, that Dinky,” responds Screwball with a giggle. “She’s my best friend. I haven’t seen her in years. I should probably go visit her sometime.” “Yeah, you should, I’m sure she misses you a lot,” responds Flittersoft. “Yeah, me too,” says Screwball as she lets out a sigh. “I never meant to up and leave her, it’s just mom and dad’s divorce made it hard for me to see my friends because I ended up going back to the chaos dimension with dad.” “Well, go see her tomorrow or so,” says Flittersoft. “I’ll even come along if you want.” “Nah, I’d rather do it on my own, but thanks,” responds Screwball. “Now let’s get back to enjoying our swim!” Flittersoft nods and they put in their snorkels and dive underneath the chocolate milk. There, they swim with gummy fishes and dance with gummy seahorses and gummy dolphins. They even have a chat with a gummy whale. Needless to say, it was an interesting swim for Flittersoft. Until now, she’d never swam with gummy sea creatures or talked to gummy sea creatures before. Heck, they even ended up dancing with gummy starfishes. After several more hours, the sisters return home via another transportation spell. There, they are greeted by Fluttershy and a hoof-full of towels. “Girls, dry off before you come in the house please,” says Fluttershy in her soft and sweet motherly voice. The pair happily comply and dry off before they head inside and upstairs to Flittersoft’s room to play with Pippy who has just woken up from her nap. “So, did you have fun?” Asks Screwball with a smile as she sips on a glass of chocolate milk. “Yeah! Most fun I’ve had in a long time actually, normally it’s just school, weak flyers club, and that’s it,” responds Flittersoft. “It was a nice change of pace hanging out all day. Thanks for that.” “You’re welcome, would you like to do it again?” Asks Screwball. “I can arrange that.” “I’d love that, thank you!” Responds Flittersoft as she pets Pippy who has since cuddled up to her wing. “I can’t wait!” “Me too,” responds Screwball, “I’ll get on arranging that right way!” She squeals excitedly. She then disappears her empty cup with her magic. She then poofs some dice and jacks into existence with her magic and they begin to play. They play for hours before they hear Thunderlane come home from work and are called down to dinner themselves. The girls then tell Thunderlane all about their day and he tells them about his less exciting one in return. It’s truly been an interesting day all around and honestly, Flittersoft wouldn’t have it any other way because it turns out she enjoys having Screwball around after all.
Chapter 4-Dinky…The next day, Screwball leaves into town and walks down the way until she finally reaches Derpy and Dinky’s house. She lets out a sigh. “Here goes nothing.” She then knocks on the door. She hears a familiar voice inside. “I’ll get it, mom!” She hears a voice holler. Soon, the door is opened and Screwball is staring face to face with her old best friend Dinky. “Hey Dinks,” says Screwball, “long time no see.” “Hey Screwy, come in, it’s been too long,” says the purple blond maned unicorn. “Yeah, way too long,” agrees Screwball with a sigh, “and I’m sorry about that. You know daddy got custody of me when he and mom divorced.” “Yeah, that shocked me, we all thought they were perfect for each other, but guess we were wrong,” responds Dinky. “Hah, ha, yeah,” says Screwball with a nervous laugh. “How’s your mom?” “Shook, her recent surgery instead of correcting her eyes made her mostly blind, she can’t fly anymore, she’s devastated, so with dad gone somewhere, I’m her primary caretaker now.” “Well, sorry to hear that, Dinks,” says Screwball. Screwball finally comes all the way inside and she and Dinky go and sit down in the kitchen together after Dinky takes her mom her lunch. The two then get back to talking and catching up which they end up doing for hours. Meanwhile at the Thunderlane household, Fluttershy, Flittersoft, and Thunderlane enjoy lunch together. “So Screwball is spending the day with Dinky, that’s sweet,” says Fluttershy. “It’s nice that they’re catching back up. The divorce absolutely devastated your sister, ya know?” “I know, she’s told me,” says Flittersoft before taking another bite of her sandwich. “Heck, I am the one that told her that maybe it would be smart and therapeutic to catch up with Dinky.” “That’s sweet, looking out for your sister like that,” responds Fluttershy with a smile. “I’m glad you two are starting to get along.” “Yeah, me too, it’s kinda nice having a sister,” responds Flittersoft. “Mom, can you help me fix my braid in a minute? It’s not holding.” “Sure thing, baby girl,” responds Fluttershy, “I’ll meet you on the couch in a second.” Flittersoft nods, finishes her lunch, and goes and sits on the couch where she’s joined by Fluttershy while Thunderlane heads back off to work. “So, how long have you two been getting along?” Inquires Fluttershy. “A few days now, maybe more,” responds Flittersoft. “It’s actually kinda nice.” “Well, that’s good,” responds Fluttershy. “I’m glad you girls are getting along.” “Yeah, me too,” responds Flittersoft with a smile. She continues to talk as her mom undoes, tightens and fixes her braid. A few minutes later, she’s done and the two head out for an afternoon walk after Flittersoft grabs Pippy. As they’re walking the two continue to talk before walking into the ice cream shop. There, they get two ice cream sundaes and a bowl of nuts for Pippy as well. They continue to hang out for another two hours or so before returning home. As they approach the house, they are greeted by Screwball. “How was your day at Dinky’s? How’s Dinky holding out? I heard about her surgery,” inquires Fluttershy. “Catching up with Dinky was nice,” responds Screwball, “but Derpy isn’t doing so great. The surgery made her mostly blind. She can’t fly anymore.” “Oh, I thought it had gone smoothly, I should probably go by myself sometime,” says Fluttershy. “Poor Derpy, I honestly had no idea.” “It’s okay, mom,” says Screwball, “Dinky said her mom was hiding that from all her closest friends not just you.” She hugs her mom close to her and they walk inside together followed close behind by Flittersoft and Pippy. Once inside, Flittersoft takes Pippy upstairs and puts her down for a nap before rejoining her mom and sister in the kitchen where Screwball tells them all about her day. Screwball throughout the following week does more trips to Dinky’s often times now with her mom who has started bringing food to Derpy. Derpy couldn’t be more grateful. She just wishes that she had told her dear friend sooner.
Chapter 5-Visiting Derpy as a FamilyA few days later, Fluttershy and her girls make their way to Derpy’s after putting together a basket of all of Derpy and Dinky’s favorite goodies. “Bubbles, muffins, check and check, we’re good to go,” says Fluttershy that morning as Screwball uses her magic to tie the ribbon to the basket. They then head out the door. A few minutes later, they arrive at Derpy’s where they’re greeted at the door by Dinky. “Hey Dinky,” says Screwball. “Can we come in?” “Sure,” nods Dinky. She leads the three inside and over to where her mom is sat in a rocking chair near a windowsill. “What happened?” Inquires Fluttershy. “How did the surgery go so wrong?” She sits down in front of Derpy and hands her the basket. Derpy feels inside and pulls out a blueberry muffin to snack on. With the help of Dinky’s magic, Derpy gets the wrapper off. Derpy finally speaks. “Flutters, I wish I knew what went so wrong. All I heard as it was happening was the panicked voices of my doctors saying they messed up, saying it made me blind. I began to panic. That surgery was supposed to fix my eyes not make me go blind. I sued, only got a measly 200,000 bits out of 700,000 I was owed. We’re still working to get the rest of the money. I also wish doc was here. It’s hard going through this without him.” She lets out a sigh. “Where the heck in time and space is he? I wish I knew.” She begins to tear up and cry. She misses the Doctor so much. A few minutes later, the girls go upstairs to talk and catch up with Fluttershy and Derpy’s permission of course so the two of them can continue to talk in private. “So your dad still hasn’t come back, that must be rough,” says Flittersoft to Dinky. “Yeah, and mom is taking that super hard and I can’t blame her,” sighs Dinky, “I just wish he were here, for her sake. Right now she needs him the most. You’d think time would be able to wait.” “Yeah, you’d think,” adds Screwball. “You really do deserve him back in your lives.” “Yeah, don’t we know it,” giggles Dinky, “but heck if that ever happens.” She goes to a shelf and pulls out a worn photo album and opens it and shows the pictures to her friends. “He was there when I was born then he just disappeared…into the time stream. Who knows when or where he even is anymore?” She lets out another sigh. “I just wish he were here with us. I miss him.” She begins to tear up and cry a bit herself. “I just want him home, here with us, with mom and me.” “Yeah, and you will someday, Dinks,” responds Screwball as she goes over and hugs her friend. “Surely, he’ll come back someday.” “Yeah, here’s hoping,” sighs Dinky with a sniffle. They change the subject after a few minutes before going on to talk for hours on end. Meanwhile, downstairs, Derpy and Fluttershy do the same. It’s been an all around great visit, Fluttershy just wishes it was under different circumstances that weren’t her best friend being almost completely blind that is.
Chapter 6-Adventures in the ForestLater that afternoon after their visit, Flittersoft and Screwball fly off into Screwy’s little corner of the Everfree Forest. There, Screwball makes their fun with her magic. She also magics them snacks such as chocolate milkshakes and super buttery popcorn. Flittersoft giggles as she listens to Screwball share her stories. After awhile, Screwball magics them a paper sailboat and they sail on the chocolate milk lake. After awhile of that, the two sisters go on a fly to a separate part of the forest where they are greeted by castle ruins overgrown with vines. “What is this place?” Flittersoft inquires. “I’ve never been here before.” “It’s the ruins of the Palace of the Two Sisters. It’s faded with time but it’s still here.” “That’s really cool, mom’s told me stories about this place but I haven’t seen it in person until now,” says Flittersoft still in awe. The two head into the ruins now on hoof as they don’t want to disrupt anything. Meanwhile back at the house, Fluttershy is greeted by Thunderlane, RD, and Soaren who are on their day off of practice. Fluttershy greets her husband with a kiss. “It’s good to see you,” she says with a smile. “Yeah, and it’s nice to have the day off of practice,” chuckles Thunderlane. “Now where’s my daughter?” “She’s out in the town with her sister,” responds Fluttershy bluntly. “I didn’t think you’d mind.” “And I don’t, I was just curious,” responds Thunderlane. He grabs food and canned cider out of the fridge for himself and his teammates with his wings. They then go and lounge on the couch in the other room. A few minutes later, Fluttershy hears crying as Dinky dashes through her door. “Dinky, Dinky, what’s wrong?” Asks Fluttershy concerned. “Did something happen to your mom?” “Yes,” sniffles the young unicorn mare. “She’s fallen, dislocated her hip and wing.” “Can you take me to her?” Inquires Fluttershy. “And have you called the doctor?” “Yes, and the medical doctor, yeah, he’s on his way,” responds Dinky. Dinky and Fluttershy head towards Dinky’s house. As they’re running, a portal opens in front of them and Doctor Whooves hops out. “Dad!” Exclaims Dinky. “You’re back!” “Well, it finally reached me about Derpy in the time stream. What happened? Is something wrong?” “Yeah, mom is blind and she just fell and dislocated and possibly broke her hip and wing,” responds Dinky, “you’ve missed a lot.” A few minutes later, the three arrive at the house where they’re joined fifteen minutes later by the doctor and pony ambulance. They load up Derpy with Doc at her side and take them to the hospital. There, Derpy is examined and x-rayed and the bones are indeed confirmed to be broken. They’re immediately bandaged and Derpy is strung up in casts. The entire time, Doc never leaves her side and a few minutes later, they’re joined by Fluttershy. Dinky transports into the Everfree forest first and grabs Screwy and Flittersoft before transporting them to the hospital. Once there, the three enter Derpy’s room. Dinky runs over to her mom while Flittersoft and Screwy look on in shock. “What happened?” Inquire the confused young mares. “Mom fell,” says Dinky, “broke her hip and wing.” A few minutes later, the young mares are ushered out so the adults can talk alone with the doctor. None of them ever imagined this is how the day would go and they absolutely hate it, especially where poor Derpy is concerned.
