//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7: The bowtie 
// Story: Discord's Tooth 
// by Brightly-litt 
//------------------------------//

	When things finally calmed down (for me), Screwball went back to the current conversation. She looked at us like nothing weird had happened, but the looks we were giving her must have told her otherwise.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I black out and say something weird again? Well, that happens sometimes, when I try to be serious for too long, but don't worry, its normal." she smiled, closing her swirly-pupiled eyes and sticking her tongue out.
"That's quite alright," The Doctor said, "I have those sometimes, too."
Alright, I thought, this confusing nonsense was getting too much for me. I can barely stand the strangeness and silliness of the Doctor. Two strange and silly ponies is just too much.
I cleared my throat, grabbing the attention of both ponies and said, "I hate to interrupt. . ." I tried to find the right word, "whatever it is you're doing, but I believe it's time we explain to you why we're here."
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After we explained to Screwball that we were from 800 years into the future, which the Doctor explained as dangerous knowledge to reveal so much (honestly, I don't think Screwball would remember it after 800 years, so that was no problem), the only question she seemed to be worried about the most was about her family, in which she asked,
"Tell me this, though. Will my Daddy ever come back to me? To stay?" The one question melted mine and the Doctor's hearts (so, three hearts in total). I wanted so much to tell her, but I let the Doctor explain it to her.
"My dearest Screwball, because we ARE from the future, I can tell you ONE thing about your daddy, he may be different in the future, but he will and always will be there when you need him most. All in all, it will be like he was never turned to stone."
Those words touched my and hers heart, seeing tears welling up in Screwball's purple, swirly eyes. She then went and got the draconequus tooth out of the glass, hesitated for a moment, then continued to walk to the table. She sat the tooth down next to her in the chair, and the Doctor asked,
"Is something wrong? You know, I am only trying to do what's best for the sake of everypony. I mean no harm, only help." he stated.
"He's right, Screwball. I've traveled with the Doctor for almost a year, and there is nopony more knowledgable or qualified than he, understanding the consequences of altering the past, thus changing the future. There is really no need to look so worried." I stated.
She wiped the few tears she shed from her face, and said, "Oh, I know that. I understand the situation, it's just that. . . well, I don't want to part with the only item of my daddy I have!!" she sniffled and looked at us.
"Well," the Doctor started with a small smile, "why don't we make a trade, something of equal sentimental value." He looked at me, then motioned toward the bowtie around my neck.
I understood completely. I took off the bowtie, then I went over to Screwball, holding my hoof out for her to take the burgundy accessory.
"This," the Doctor explained as she took it, "is my most valuable possession in my whole ship, besides my Sonic. It's been my one article of clothing I loved so much, that I never left anywhere without it." He chuckled. "I even said bowties were cool, but now, since I regenerated into a new pony, I seem to have outgrown the need for it anymore, being now, neck ties are cool. That bowtie just sits in the ship's wardrobe room, gathering dust, so now, I've decided to pass it down to you."
Screwball's smile widened a bit as she took it and put it in the display case. As soon as she closed it, something amazing happened, the bowtie glowed brilliantly in the case for a few brief seconds. When the light vanished, the bowtie in the case turned purple, matching Screwball's coat and mane color. Amazed by the phenomenon, I asked the Doctor what happened.
"Easy," he said, "My old bowtie found a new owner, and I think it really likes her."
So, all in all, a happy ending. Screwball thanked us by giving us some of her cake, which, I must agree, IS much better than Appleloosan pies, and returned to the TARDIS. As we were leaving, I congradulated the Doctor on once again savng all of ponykind from further chaos, and he just smiled and said,
"That's what I do!" And we set off back to our own time.