//------------------------------//
// Love of Family 
// Story: The Singing Heart 
// by Toonsgirl 
//------------------------------//

The Draconian King seemed to be fighting well. He's still invisible, Chrysalis still hasn't hit him, and it's not even three o'clock!

"Dangit Discord!" the ugly bug snapped. "Where are you!?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out, crabapple!" the invisible chimera cackled. As soon as he said "crabapple", Chrysalis's muzzle was now the shape of a red apple.

"I'm losing my patience!" she snarled. Just then, a pink cloud appeared over her head and it rained chocolate milk on her mane. Feeling her mane all icky and sticky, she shrieked.

"Tee hee hee!" the King snickered. "I should have done that months ago!"

While Discord gleefully continued to harass the angry bug, the children and the servants were still fighting off the changelings. They got rid of one half of them; they just need to to take care of the other half. The remaining changelings surrounded the children and staff. No matter how many times they used their magic, the changelings were too strong for them to handle!

"Anybody got new ideas?" Rainbow Dash asked tiredly, after trying to punch a changeling.

"No!" Flash yelled while fighting another bug.

Rainbow growled in annoyance.

"Oo do me, do me!" Pinkie chirped to one changeling, who was taking forms of many ponies in front of her.

"We're doomed!" Rarity wailed. "Doomed, I say!"

"Rarity, stop crying and help!" Applejack snapped.

"I'm trying!"

"Sister, do you have any plans?" Sweetie begged Screwball.

"Just keep fighting the best you can!" The heir responded, feeling stressed out.

Suddenly, a changeling, larger than the others leapt at Apple Bloom who was distracted by another bug. It pinned the princess to the ground. It opened its mouth showing its pointy teeth.

Apple Bloom screamed at the sight! She tried to use her powers to free herself but the bug was too strong! Just before the bug could suck the love from the princess, a bright light appeared between them! The light was so bright that it blew the big changeling away from the princess. The light faded away to reveal...

"Miss Fluttershy!?"

Apple Bloom rubbed her eyes to make sure that she was not seeing things.



Discord flew down closer to the clock tower, while hiding from Chrysalis. Suddenly he saw a bright light and his jaw dropped. He could not believe his eyes!

'What is she doing here!?' the King angrily thought. 'I thought I told her to stay in Canterlot!'



The Big changeling whistled for his friends and signaled them to follow him to attack Fluttershy. But before they could charge, the pegasus did the most remarkable thing of all.

Gnashing her teeth, the buttercream pony looked straight into the changeling's eyes. Her eyes send a strange vibe to the changelings that was so unnerving and disturbing that they began to worry.

"HOW DARE YOU!" the pony shrieked. "HOW DARE YOU ATTACK MY FOAL! DO YOU THINK YOU CAN STORM IN HERE AND MURDER MY BABIES!?"

The mean bugs shook their heads and shivered.

The pony was not finished and began marching toward the bugs, who began to walk backwards nervously. "WELL, YOU ARE WRONG! SO WRONG! I WILL NOT LET YOU TRY TO ATTACK MY FOAL! IF YOU EVER LAY ONE HOOF ON HER, I WILL MAKE YOUR LIVES COMPLETELY MISERABLE! AND I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOU! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?"

The evil insects nodded their heads.

"THEN GET OUT!" Fluttershy's voice was so loud that it almost shook Draconia!

The bugs wasted no time! They took off and flew into the sky, far far away from that pretty but scary pegasus!

Fluttershy took a deep breath and sighed. She couldn't' remember being this angry before!

"MISS FLUTTERSHY!"

When she turned around, she was greeted by not only Apple Bloom, but also her sisters, Mothball, and the staff! They were so overjoyed at seeing her, that they all pounced on the startled Pegasus and gave her a huge group hug! Pinkie and the princesses hugged Fluttershy the tightest!

"YOU CAME BACK!" Rarity cried.

"WE WERE SO WORRIED ABOUT YOU!" Applejack was so happy, she shed tears.

Realizing thier former nanny needed air, they released her.

"Oh my friends!" Fluttershy weeped, smiling. "You have no idea how much I missed you all!"

"Thank you for saving my life!" Apple Bloom replied. "What you did to those changelings was amazing!"

"Yeah, it was so awesome!" Scootaloo smiled. "I was watching you doing that!"

"We all did!" Applejack reminded her.

"How did you learn to do that?" Sunset asked.

"Oh, it was just something my professors used to do," Fluttershy blushed shyly. "Whenever they wanted my classmates and I to behave, they always give us 'the stare!'" Her eye popped out at 'the stare' to demonstrate.

"Cool!" Sweetie Belle admired, her mouth making a circular shape.

"You're like the stare master!" Scootaloo marveled.



The King could hardly believed it! He never knew that his true love had such great power! Who knew that she would stare down at Chrysalis' army and make them flee? While Discord was distracted, a certain jealous ex-suitor sneaked up from behind him. The chimera sensed she was behind him. However, just as Discord turned around, Chrysalis shot him with mucus, throwing him to the ground!

When the family and the staff saw Discord falling to his doom, they gasped horribly.

CRASH!

The chimera fell to the ground, helpless.

"NO!" Everybody screamed.



"NO!" Twilight and Spike screamed.

"Keep reading," Shining Armor insisted. "The story is not over yet!"

"I hope it doesn't end in tears!" The baby dragon shook.

"Me too, Spike," Twilight agreed sadly, before resuming reading.



"Discord!"

Horrified, Fluttershy ran over to Discord. He was lying on the ground and maiming. His fur turned green and there were sickly peach polka dots on him!

"Oh please don't tell me you're dying!" the pegasus cried as she cradled his head in her arms. "Please don't die on me!"

"Shhh, don't cry Fluttershy," Discord gently whispered to her. He cupped her wet muzzle with his paw. "I'm not dying, I'm just sick." Red mushrooms popped out for his arms, much to his annoyance and disgust. "Very sick."

"Sunset, do we have a royal Doctor?" Fluttershy asked, her voice showing desperation. She hoped that they do, because the pony didn't know what would happen if Discord died! She couldn't bear to think of it!

"No, but Rarity and I will fetch the medical supplies!" Sunset assured the upset pegasus.

But Rarity shook her head, her muzzle showing concern.

"But darling, I don't think we have a medicine that can cure this strange disease!"

"Then we shall call for a doctor!" Sunset said, hastily.

But before she and Rarity could leave, a red aura levitated them and the rest of the staff up in the air and wrapped them up in chains. The staff was shocked and they tried to break free but they couldn't! The chains were too strong!

Mothball grabbed on the chains with his teeth. He tried to untie the chains but no matter how hard he tries, it wouldn't budge!

Chrysalis slowly hovers over them, smiling evily. She gave an evil laugh.

"Oh this is perfect!" she cackled. "The King is dying, the kingdom is falling, and his stupid friends are tied up!"

"LET US GO YOU WITCH!" Rainbow Dash growled. Oh if only she were free, she'd beat that ugly bug into a bloody pulp!

"YEAH, YOU BIG FAT MEANIE!" Pinkie Pie snapped.

"YOU MONSTER!" Flash snarled.

"SILENCE!" Chrysalis growled viciously at Discord's staff, who shrank from her.

Mothball hid behind the group.

"I am one step closer to getting the throne!" She announced. "Once I become ruler of this land, my subjects and I will be able to suck the love out of every creature here, starting with the girls! (The princesses shivered when they were mentioned) What better way to make them emotional than to kill their father? Oh yes, kill their precious nanny too! Once I kill them, I will feed on the girls' loves! Then I will move on to the peasants, then to every creature in Draconia, then to every pony throughout Equestria! Equestria will be mine! Not Starlight's, not Trixie's, not Svengallop's, but MINE! MWHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

After her speech, Chrysalis lit up her horn which turned red and pointed to Fluttershy and Discord.

"Say goodbye lovebirds!" She laughed cruelly, as red magic shot out from her horn.

Flutterhsy and Discord winced and their eyes widened. They looked at each other, thinking one thing. This is the end! They held each for comfort, for one last time.

Just then, a big sparkling blue bubble formed around the couple!

The sparkling bubble had been created by the princesses who had thrown themselves on the couple. The girls were also glowing blue.

"You will never defeat us, Chrysalis!" Screwball shouted.

"Why won't this magic of mine break your stupid bubble?" The overgrown bug screeched. She kept shooting her magic nonstop at the bubble trying to break it, but the bubble was very sturdy.

"You think you are all mighty and powerful, but we have magic too!" Screwball continued. She and her sisters levitated into the air and they glowed brighter. Each princess powered up their magic. "You may have riches, armies, and power, but deep down inside, you are still empty! You are still missing some things you can never comprehend!"

"Honesty!"

Apple Bloom sprouted her yellow wings and silver horn. Her red mane and tail had salmon highlights and her cutie mark glowed purple, cream, and pink.

"Generosity!"

Sweetie Belle sprouted wings with silver glitter. Green highlights were added to her pink and purple mane and tail and her cutie mark glowed purple, cream, and pink.

"Loyalty!"

Scootaloo grew a horn that sparked ruby pixie dust. Pink highlights were added to her purple mane and tail. Like Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, her cutie mark glowed purple, cream, and pink.

"Kindness!"

Babs Seed grew a pair of wings and a horn. Yellow highlights were added to her red mane and tail. Her cutie mark glowed silver.

"Laughter and Magic!"

Last, Screwball grew a horn and a pair of wings. She also sported a long white dress.

When the ponies finished powering up, they formed together in a shape of a heart.

"Here in Equestria, we hold these elements that are sums of the greatest power of all: the magic of friendship!" Screwball bellowed.

Bright light appeared over them and exploded which created a long rainbow coming from the girls' muzzles. The rainbow aimed at a confused an irritated Chrysalis and engulfed her.

"What's...happening?" the overgrown bug screeched.

The rainbow continued to swirl around her as Screwball opened a portal from thin air. The portal showed red boulders being surrounded by fire.

"As Princess and Future Queen of Draconia, my sisters and I banish you Chrysalis to Taturus!"

The princess and her sisters used their horns to lift their enemy and tossed her into Taturus.

"NO, NO!" Chrysalis shouted. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

As soon as the evil bug landed in the lake of fire, the portal was shut immediately. The light and rainbow sparkles faded away in thin air. Justice was served.

The girls laid on the ground. Not to worry, readers, for they were not dead but tired. When they opened their eyes, they stood themselves up and saw a huge crowd of Draconians surrounding them. Then, the crowd broke into a thunderous cheer and applause.

"Hooray for the princesses!"

"They're our heroes!"

The princesses blushed, not used to such attention, as they were hugged by Flash and the mares.

"You did it, Screwball!" Mothball beamed. He was so happy that he bestowed a kiss on her.

"That was awesome!" Rainbow Dash cheered, giving Scootaloo a noogie. "Way to go kiddo!"

The reactions from the staff and kingdom to thier magic were positive but what really mattered to the girls was seeing the joy and pride in their nanny and their father.



After the war ended, Discord was treated right away. The doctor prescribed to him an antidote for the terrible mucus. Fluttershy was relieved that the treatment worked on the King.

Soon Mothball was reunited with his parents. When he was escorted to Canterlot, he had no idea what the King had in mind for him, other than that it was a surprise. As soon as Mothball mad eye contact with his parents, he immediately ran over to them and gave them a hug. The family was reunited. Mothball gave Discord a thankful look as the King smiled at the reunion.

Later, Discord attended a meeting meant only for royals.

In the royal court, Celestia led the discussion of matters that need to be taken care of. They talked about many issues that needed to be settled such as giving the changelings and non-ponies their homes back.

When Queen Celestia asked what changes need to be made to some of the laws in Equestria, the chimera raised his paw up.

"I like to change...the marriage laws for the royals."

The whole court room gasped loudly.

"Change the marriage laws!?" Queen Spoiled Rich questioned, with a muzzle mixed with shock and disgust.

"I know, I know," the Draconian King continued. "It sounds unorthodox to your ears but royals only marrying other royals would lead to inbreeding, after a while. It truly alienates the royals from their subjects. You don't want to marry your own children, do you? I certainly wouldn't! Besides, we and our children will get a chance to marry ponies outside of royalty, like the peasantry! think of the many options royals would have!" He said this so he could legally marry Fluttershy.

Other royals disagreed.

"Dreadful!"

"Horrible!"

"Kings and Queens cannot marry peasants!"

"I would never let my Diamond Tiara marry below her status!"

"We must keep the Royal line pure!"

Discord seethed, as the royals threw more reasons against his proposal. How dare they talk that! Before he could attack them for putting a veto on his proposal, Celestia motioned him to stop. The Draconian King knew that meant that the Queen had something important to say.

"SILENCE!"

Everybody quieted down at her loud 'Canterlot voice.'

"How many of you are happy with their marriages?"

Everybody stayed deadly silent. Looking nervous or guilty, nobody raised a hoof (except for Queen Spoiled Rich who raised her hoof smiling proudly. She did not notice her husband, Filthy Rich looking down with regrets).

"Well then," the white alicorn continued. "Why would you want your children to also be stuck in loveless marriages? Don't you think that everybody deserves to find true love? To find happiness-even if they are royalty? You can still offer guidance to your children on marriage but whoever they want to marry, it is up to them only. I believe Discord also has a point that ponies should be free to marry whoever they want despite social class. Now think carefully, do you want Discord and future heirs marry for power or for love?"

All the royals considered Celestia's words thoughtfully. At last, everybody made a decision together...



"All right girls!" Fluttershy announced as she closed her book. "It is time for bed!"

"Aw, can't we hear another one?" Scootaloo pleaded. "Please?" Her sisters also made big pleasing eyes at their nanny.

"Well...one more story won't hurt," the buttercream Pegasus replied.

"Yay!" the girls cheered.

Suddenly, a light blue could puffed up in the middle of the room. It faded away to show Discord looking dashing in a light orange tuxedo, top hat, and a blue rose.

"Evening girls!"

"Ooo, Daddy you look soooo fancy tonight!" Sweetie Belle commented, her eyes full of stars.

"What's the special occasion?" Screwball asked, raising an eyebrow. "You rarely dress up unless it is for parties."

"I have a little surprise for our friend," Discord smiled and waggled his eyebrows at Fluttershy, who blushed.

"What is it?" she asked.

"My dearest Fluttershy," the draconeques took his lover's hoof in his. "Since you came to Draconia, you turned my home from a sad one into a cheerful one. You showed love to my children, kindness to my staff. And also, taught me how to love. So now I ask you thing: (opens a black box to show a ring. It was a silver ring with a heart shaped pink zirconia stone) Will you marry me?"

Fluttershy could feel her heart leaping for joy. Her lover proposed to her!? She could hardly believe it! But the ring proved to her that it was no dream at all, it was real! Overcome with happiness, Fluttershy kissed him!

The princesses, were so happy for the engaged couple, that they ran over and hugged them!

"Father, does this new law mean that Mothball can court me too?" Screwball asked hopefully. If her dad can marry a peasant girl, then maybe there is hope for her too!

"Of course!" Discord smiled proudly.



"'And so King Discord and Fluttershy had a splendid wedding. The girls were happy to have Fluttershy as a mother and the Draconians were thrilled to have a Queen again. There was a lot of singing and dancing during the reception. After the wedding, Fluttershy spent time with the girls in the mornings and with her husband in the evenings. Discord balanced between work and playtime thus he would never neglect his daughters. Mothball courted Screwball for a year. With the King's permission, the young changeling married Screwball. And they all lived happily ever after. The end.' What a terrific story!" Twilight sighed happily as she closed the book.

"And you thought you wouldn't like it!" Spike smirked.

"Still I think the idea of Discord being in a romantic relationship is silly," the princess of friendship frowned.

"I don't blame you," Shining Armor giggled. "Sometimes I wonder if that is possible."

His wife spotted a certain chimera walking up to Fluttershy who just happened to be sitting by a nearby treetop, drinking her tea. She smiled slyly as she watched the nervous Discord asking the patient Pegasus something.

"Fluttershy, would you be my special pony?" he stuttered.

To his surprise, the element of Kindness, shouted "Yes!"

"I think it is possible." Cadance smiled. She snickered when her husband and sister-in-law dropped their jaws at the sight of the odd couple embracing.

"I wonder if Discord could give me advice on how to ask AJ out," Spike wondered blissfully.

THE END