Angel dashed out from underneath the bed and gave Discord a hard kick on his goat leg which made the draconequus lose his grip on Fluttershy. Discord yelled an "Ow!" and grabbed his goat leg, while hopping on his dragon leg.
Confused, Fluttershy looked down and gasped that her bunny was the source of Discord's physical pain.
"Oh your majesty, I'm so sorry!" She panicked. "I never knew my pet, Angel, to be so naughty before!" She send Angel a very firm look like a mother would when catching her son stealing a cookie from a cookie jar. Angel just pouted and crossed his little paws. When Discord sat down on the floor, cradling his leg, Fluttershy placed her hoof on it to check if there were any bruises. Her touch made Discord blush again. Clearing his throat, he waved his paw over his leg.
"It's all right, Miss Fluttershy," Discord assured her,trying not to sound nervous as he healed his leg with his magic. "I admit your pet startled me, but I am fine. Really." Fluttershy lifted her hoof off his leg, which allowed Discord to stand up.
Fluttershy turned her head back to Angel.
"Angel, apologize to King Discord right now," she said sternly. The bunny did not say anything. At first, he would not look at his owner or at the King. When Fluttershy verbally prompted Angel to make eye contact wit the King, he did but still scowled. Even though Discord towered over him, the bunny was not intimidated. Not even the slightest.
Discord stooped down to Angel's eye level, his eyes held a mixture of amusement and annoyance.
"Well, little furball. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Angel responded to the King with a bunch of angry peeping sounds. Discord raised an eyebrow at the bunny's foul language. Angel punched Discord's muzzle with his little paw which hurt a bit, but not as bad as his kick. Discord stood up and turned away to rub his nose.
"Stubborn little fellow, isn't he?" he joked, looking at Fluttershy.
Fluttershy scooped Angel up in her forehhooves before he could try to deliver another kick to Discord.
"Very stubborn," she giggled, in a apologetic tone. Angel made another angry peep, which sounded like a curse word. He was trying to insult Discord but both the King and the nanny ended up having a good laugh. Angel just continued to pout.
Sunset and Flash were secretly watching the scene from an open doorway. They had come upstairs to check on their king and the nanny. Apparently, the captain and the wise mare would not have to worry about intruding on their majesty. Their faces were full of surprise and excitement.
"It looks like Miss Fluttershy will not leave after all," Flash commented.
"I knew the two would get along," Sunset smiled big. "Now I won't have to worry about Fluttershy complaining about him and the other way around!" She was glad that Discord was finally able to show Fluttershy his good side. Which was what Sunset and the girls had told Fluttershy yesterday! Seeing Discord and Fluttershy laughing put her at ease. She and Flash just turned around to leave only to bump into something hard in the dark. They jumped back and shrieked at the the sight of two dark green eyes! The figure trotted out of the shadows, revealing herself.
"Lady Chrysalis!"
The changeling ignored the captain and the wise mare. She looked over their heads and scowled at the display in Fluttershy's bedroom. She tapped her hoof against the floor, at a slow rhythm. The sophisticated changeling had come up to see where Discord ran off to, and found him talking to a staff member that she had never seen before. Seeing her suitor laugh happily with a common mare, deepened her frown. How come he never laughed with her? Lady Chrysalis darted her eyes back to Flash and Sunset.
"Who is this mare and what is she doing here?" Her voice filled with a hint of venom. "Didn't Mrs. Harshwinny used to work here? Or was it Miss Lyra Heartstrings?"
She had lost track how many nannies Discord had to hire but last one she heard of was Mrs. Harshwinny. She was not aware that Discord hired somepony that was young and beautiful!
"That is Fluttershy, the new nanny," Sunset answered nervously. "Mrs. Harshwinny left so King Discord had to find a new nanny." The unicorn did not know why, but Chrysalis' cold look made her a bit uneasy. She swallowed and proceeded. "He asked Queen Celestia for a possible nanny and Fluttershy was sent to us."
Flash put his hoof on Sunset's shoulder to relax her. The gesture brought a smile on Sunset's muzzle.
"Pretty sweet, huh?" Flash said enthusiastically, hoof bumping in the air. Chrysalis did not share the enthusiasm. Her face was still scowling. Nevertheless, she kept herself from losing control of her annoyance.
"Oh yes, Indeed," she said slowly. "However, she is quite young for the job, isn't she? I thought it would be an older mare!"
"Yeah, that was we thought, too!" Flash chuckled nervously, as he rubbed the back of his head. Sunset chuckled along with him, too. Chryslais's facial expression did not change, making Sunset and Flash feel embarrassed about their attempt to have a good laugh.
"How long will this nanny last?" Chryslais asked abruptly. If she was lucky, then Fluttershy would leave early just like the others! Then her secret plan would not be ruined!
"Probably until the King remarries," Sunset shrugged while frowning. Discord had never discussed with them how long he needed Fluttershy but common knowledge held that once he remarries, he won't need any nanny to watch over the children.
"I see," Lady Chrysalis said, her muzzle pressing in a thin line. "Now if you excuse me, I like to rest from today. The carriage took some energy out of me." As she trotted away in the hallway, Flash turned to Sunset.
"What's up with her? She gives me the willies!" The captain shivered, his teeth chattering.
"I'm just as clueless as you are, Flash," Sunset shrugged frowning. "I too, wonder why is Lady Chryslais bothered by Miss Fluttershy."
Sunset's answer should have assured Lady Chrysalis that she had nothing to worry about but it didn't. The Changeling was still suspicious of Fluttershy. Seeing her beauty and youth made Chrysalis feel threatened and worried. It was expected that Discord should marry Lady Chrysalis so she would become the new queen of Draconia. What if the King becomes distracted by this new nanny? Even if Chrysalis and Discord marry, what if Discord kept Fluttershy around? Either way, she might seduce him! As she neared toward her guest bedroom, Chryslais planned to keep a close eye on Discord and find a way to get rid of that new nanny sooner or later...
"...After we sang our song, Father was so shocked and so mesmerized, that he pulled us into a big group hug!" Screwball finished, waving her hooves up in the air, which almost made her fall back on Mothball's bed. "But the best part was that Father changed his mind and begged Miss Fluttershy to stay! She did not have to leave after all!" The Princess had been telling the young changeling about today's events. Usually, Screwball would have gone to bed with her sisters at nine o'clock. However, the heir was not sleepy and wanted to talk with Mothball. She had asked Fluttershy to stay up late but much to her surprise, the nanny had forbade it. Letting the young stallion stay in the nursery is one thing (Mothball wanted to stay in a room where he could have access to bed and food. Since Pinkie and Applejack bring meals to the nursery, the pegasus agreed thus she would not have to worry about the colt sneaking around in the kitchen. Fluttershy did not really think of the unorthodoxy of the situation), but letting the two teens stay up late and talk is another thing! Fluttershy had firmly told Screwball that she had to go to bed at the same time her sisters do because it would not be fair if one stays up later than the others. Despite the filly's pleas, the buttercream mare still stood her ground. Screwball had been miffed that her nanny was not as moderate as she believed her to be. She was just as strict as her father! After the nanny left to retire to her chambers, Screwball still stood in the hallway, faced with a choice. She could either stay up late and secretly talk to Mothball or obey Fluttershy and go to bed. Apparently, like any disobedient child, the princess chose the former option. In her room, Screwball sneaked up from her bed and tiphoofed past four beds to the changeling. He had not gone to sleep yet, so Screwball did not have to worry about waking him up. Now the two teenagers were staying up and chatting. They just had to keep their voices down a bit as to not disturb the other fillies.
Mothball chuckled, putting his webbed hoof to his muzzle. He was sitting next to Screwball. It felt good to be out of the closet and be able to roam around in the nursery. He would not have to worry so much about hiding in the closet, now that Miss Fluttershy and the other princesses are on his side. Mothball enjoyed listening to Screwball's stories about her family. They seemed like a fun and normal family, like his parents! If only he knew what happened to them...
"Mothball, what's wrong?" Screwball asked with worry in her swirly eyes. "I'm not boring you, am I?" The Princess knew that the changeling was not bored by her stories. She was just trying to light up the mood.
"No no, not all!" the half-changeling squeaked, taking Screwball's hooves into his webbed hooves, surprising Screwball. "You never bore me! In fact, I find you quite interesting!"
Screwball's face flushed at Mothball's bold gesture. She could feel her heart beating frantically at how much warmth she felt from his hooves. It was a new and weird feeling that Screwball was feeling and she did not want it to go away.
Mothball realized what he was doing, and hastily let go of her hooves. He needed to be careful or else he might scare the princess.
Screwball was disappointed that her friend released her hooves. She missed his warm touch and wondered if he enjoyed that, too.
Mothball cleared his throat and changed the subject.
"So um, will Miss Fluttershy stay here?"
"Of course, you silly head!" Screwball smiled as she playfully rolled her eyes. She lightly nudged the young stallion on the shoulder, making him smile sheepishly.
The princess was still certain that something was bothering Mothball. She wondered if it had something to do with his missing parents or Starlight Glimmer.
"Were you thinking about your family?" She asked cautiously. Screwball did not want to make her friend upset but she wanted to help him.
Mothball took a deep breath and sighed.
"Yes, as much I like it here, I can't stay here for too long and I am worried about my parents." He explained. His eyes were downcast and his mouth was shaped like an arch.
When Screwball put her hoof on her friend's shoulder, he relaxed at her soft touch.
Screwball's face was full of concern and compassion.
"Do you know where they are?" She said, softly.
The colt shook his head, sadly with his eyes closed.
"No, I am afraid not. But I hope to find them someday!"
Screwball smiled a small smile that the boy is determined that he would be reunited with his family again. However, her smile turned into a frown when a question appeared in her head.
"How would you find them Mothball?"
"I have no idea!" Mothball shrugged, sheepishly.
Screwball narrowed her swirly eyes at the hybrid.
"What do you mean you have no idea!?"
The half-changeling put his webbed hooves up in defense.
"Hey, I just don't!" He hissed. "It's not like I have some magical ability to track them down in seconds!"
Screwball rolled her eyes, sighing annoyed.
"Oh Mothball, what a dumb thing to say! Why I-oh!" Just then, a light bulb appeared over Screwball's head and lit up. The lightbulb then disappeared. The Princess gasped, and began to drag the startled changeling toward the door.
"What! W-w-where are we going?" Mothball stuttered. He was nervous about the girl's crazy big smile.
"To see my Father!" The heir responded excitedly.
Mothball's eyes widened like saucers and his mouth formed in a shape of an oval.
"Your Father!?"
"Uh-huh!" Screwball nodded her head, excitedly. Her hoof held fairly onto Mothball's. Her big smile shined brighter than Luna's Moon. "My father has great power! He can help any pony! Perhaps, he can find where your parents are and bring them back to you! Oh wouldn't that be swell?"
Mothball was still nervous. He did not share his secret crush's enthusiasm.
"And you will not have to hide anymore!" Screwball added. Her hoof inched toward the doorknob...
"But wait!" Mothball shouted, making the chaotic princess freeze in the mid-air. Literally. "We can't talk to your father!"
The ice melted away from Screwball in seconds. She turned her head back to Mothball and scratched her ear.
"Why not? I don't understand."
Why couldn't she tell her father? Screwball knows that she and her father had not talked to each other in a long time until today. However, if there is one stallion that could fix everything, it's her dad!
Mothball felt a mixture of anger and fear running through his mind. His eyes widened and he flung his webbed hooves up in the air in exasperation.
"Why Screwball! Have you forgotten? I trespassed into your kingdom! I'm a refugee! What if your father throws me in jail?"
Of course, Screwball remembered those facts. She also understood that Mothball was scared and felt reluctant to ask for help.
"Don't be silly, silly-head! My father is not that strict (Or at least not anymore)!" The princess scoffed playfully. She murmured the last part to herself. Grabbing Mothball's hoof, she edged toward the door and opened the doorknob. "Come on!"
She swung the door opened and began trotting out.
"Now wait just a minute!" Mothball protested, his hoof releasing from Screwball's. "I still do not think it's a good idea!" The princess did not realize he let go of her hoof until she came back into the nursery three seconds later.
The teen colt trotted toward his bed, rambling all why they still could not ask for help.
"Your father will say no and toss me in jail! Wait, he is a draconequus so maybe he would understand? No, what if he hates the changelings just like Glimmer? Or maybe he likes Draconequei only? After all, his kingdom is called Draconia! Even if he does say yes, I do not want to put him or his kingdom at risk for hiding me! I know that Miss Fluttershy and your sisters know about me and I trust them, but I could not put them at risk because they are powerless-"
He stopped in the middle of rambling when he bumped into a lavender equine. Screwball had poofed and appeared in front of him. Frowning and crossing her forehooves, she narrowed her eyebrows at the young stallion.
"Mothball, do you want to find your parents or not?"
"Of course!" Mothball said, without hesitation at all. He sweated a little when Screwball put her face close to his.
"Then, help me by letting me help you!" she said very firmly. "I know my dad can be intimidating but I trust him that he could help out. And if he says no, then I will take the matters in my own hooves. Don't worry about me being in danger! I may be a princess but I have chaotic powers! I can use them against my enemies!" She added, ignoring Mothball's soft pleas.
Mothball closed his eyes and sighed, realizing that she won the argument.
"All right, we will talk to your father. But can we do it tomorrow morning? I'm still sleepy," He yawned at the last part of the sentence.
"Sure, we can do that," Screwball smiled, putting her hoof around the half-changeling's shoulder. "Tomorrow, just stay hidden until I get my dad to come in here so we can talk."
"You promised to do that?" Mothball asked hopefully.
"Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a cupcake in my eye!" Screwball nodded while sticking a cupcake in her swirly eye.
Mothball laughed. It was the first time that he had laughed since he came to Draconia. His heart had fluttered at Screwball's oddness.'Knock it off, Mothball. She's the Princess and you're a peasant boy! It won't work!'
In the King's bedroom, you will see a bed that hangs from the ceiling. Discord liked to sleep that way instead of on the floor because it's part of his chaotic nature. The walls were all dark blue with a dark brown dresser and brown closet both on the right of the room. There was one window that had white window sills and with curtains that were black and have very small multicolored flowers.
Discord had gotten into his covers in his king size bed. He looked over to the side. There, on his right side, was a second pillow. Discord sighed sadly. His wife used to put her head there. When she passed away, Discord felt very lonely. He could not find any pony who was not put off by his appearance. Even when the Flim Flam brothers paired him up with Lady Chrysalis, he still yearned for the company of his late wife.
'Or at least the company of your nanny,' his thoughts rang in his head. A small smile tugged at his lips as he thought of Fluttershy. After they had made up with each other, Fluttershy had asked him if he wanted to join her and the girls outside. It was the first time in a while that he said yes to somepony so eagerly.
When they went outside in the courtyard, the first thing Discord did was make it clean and presentable. He snapped his fingers and the grass and plants became green and alive. He also allowed the girls to add some touches to the courtyard with their own magic. Apple Bloom made the apple trees bear fruit again. Screwball added a bunch of flowers such as lilies, daffodils, pansies, petunias, and orchids. Sweetie Belle, using with all her magic, created a rosebush. Discord showed Babs Seed how to make an orange tree. All she had to do was to just by simply closing her eyes and concentrate on orange tree. After trying for seventeen times, Babs Seed finally designed an orange tree. Discord was so proud of her, that he picked Babs Sed up and tossed her up in the air, making the filly laugh. Scootaloo did not know what to use her magic with to help with the courtyard. When she heard Fluttershy telling Discord that they should mown the grass, the filly eagerly jumped for the opportunity. Scootaloo poofed a lawnmower that a scooter on top, so she could scoot on it. Rising on the gadget and going as fast as the wind, mowing the lawn was a breeze! The courtyard looked better than ever!
Discord remembered how happy he and the children felt looking at their finished courtyard. It had been a long time since they had cleaned it. He also remembered Fluttershy shining brightly in the sunlight. To him, it made her look like a goddess. Even her simple and plain blue dress made her look lovely.
Discord shook his head.
"No, Fluttershy and I just simply understand each other better! I may think she's gorgeous both inside and out, but that doesn't mean we are in love, does it?"
He took in a sharp breath when he felt a sharp pain in his heart.
"What? No, I can't be in love with her! She's a nanny, I'm a king, it won't work! The Draconian law said royals can only marry those who are also of Royal blood. They can't marry commoners or else they'll lose their crown. In my case, I must settle for a royal mare whether she'd be a princess, a duchess, a countess, daughter of a knight, or a noblemare. Not a commoner! That is one reason why the Flim and Flam brothers picked Chrysalis for me! She was born of noble birth and would know how to handle politics. Because she's a changeling, I'm assured that I would not have to worry about Chrysalis siding with politicians who are prejudiced against non-ponies like that foolish Starlight Glimmer! Also, Chrysalis was not put off by my appearance. If I marry an attractive pony, she would feel embarrassed being with me and have an secret affair with another stallion!"
'But you remember when you met your first wife! She was beautiful and she loved you!' His brain argued. 'Sure, she was scared of you at first, but eventually she became comfortable with you as she learned to love you! If it weren't for her parents, the marriage would have never happened, and the girls would have never been born!' Discord for once, agreed with his brain that things had turned out well for him and the late Queen. But what are the chances of him meeting somepony who was as loving, accepting, and compassionate, as she was? He would have to marry Chrysalis.
Discord's heart disagreed. It knows what it wants! It wants the sweet natured nanny but Discord does not want to admit it. His eyes closed and he slipped into slumberland...
Discord found himself on a hill. A big hill that you could run around with your forehooves spread out. There were yellow daffodils all over the hill. The sky was bright blue, with little to no clouds. Discord looked at himself. He was wearing a white tunic and white pants. The chimera gazed his eyes around the hill and saw something from a distance that made his heart stop. It was Fluttershy, all dressed in a flowing and long white dress. When she saw Discord, she smiled and ran toward him. Discord ran up to her, feeling excited. As they came closer to each other, Fluttershy accidentally slipped on her dress! She began to fall forward but was caught in the arms of a strong paw and a sturdy talon. Discord lifted Fluttershy up slowly and gently, as if she were fragile. Her teal eyes met his red eyes. Discord caressed Fluttershy's face with his paw. His touch made Fluttershy's heart flutter like a butterfly. Her face also flushed a lovely shade of crimson, which pleased Discord very much. Discord leaned toward Fluttershy, his lips slightly puckering up. Fluttershy's eyes closed, her lips also puckering...
Discord woke up with a jolt, panting. His eyes were wide like pancakes. It took him a long time for him to breathe again. As the chimera leaned back in his bed, Discord recalled the dream. His dream about him and Fluttershy on the fields. It was awfully very peaceful and sweet. The only question is what could the dream mean? Did that mean he was destined to be with Fluttershy? He could still feel her soft and smooth coat. Oh if only he could touch it again!
"Oh Discord, get a hold of yourself!" The king chided himself. He slapped himself in the face. "It was only just a dream!"
'A dream which you enjoyed!' His brain mocked.
Discord shook his head, gritting his teeth.
"I can't be in love with Fluttershy! My dream was just showing me my slight attraction to her!" His heart argued that what he was feeling for Fluttershy is more than an attraction. "It's against the law for me to fall in love with Fluttershy! If I marry her, I lose my title! Also I am courting Lady Chrysalis! As much I can't stand her, I can't break it off with her just because I feel something for my nanny!" He grumbled, as he got out of his bed and landed from the ceiling to the floor. He started to get dressed.
Despite what he told himself, Discord was still worried. Long ago, he felt this exact same symptoms with his late wife. Shaking those thoughts away, Discord opened a drawer from his dresser and picked out a white tunic.
"These gooey feelings will go away in a minute-I hope!" Discord added as he put his tunic on.
Little did Discord know was that Fluttershy had dreamt that same dream, too! The pegasus had woke up panting. Her eyes were wide like saucers and and her face was all red. Fluttershy did not know what she was feeling for the King but when he leaned toward her for a kiss, that was when it clicked in her mind.
"What, no! I can't be having feelings for the King! Or am I?" Fluttershy said to herself. She was not sure about what she was feeling for Discord. She had never courted any stallion before so these weird feelings for Discord felt strange to her.
"I wonder if there is somepony I can ask about it," Fluttershy pondered. "Either Rarity or Sunset will know!" The pegasus leapt from her bed and started to get ready for the day.
"Dad! Dad!" Screwball called, galloping into the dining hall. She found her father finishing his breakfast of cucumber sandwiches and fried daisies. He wiped his mouth with a purple polka-dotted handkerchief as Applejack came to take the plate away. The cook and the king turned their heads to the sound.
The orange earth pony frowned. It was not that she was displeased to see the Princess, she just did not want Screwball to get into trouble with the king. "Now Screwball, you know you are supposed to stay in the nursery-"
"Oh let her be, Applejack!" Discord chided the cook, flinging his talon at her. "My daughters can come and see me whenever they want!"
"Really?" Screwball and Applejack cried at the same time. Screwball's muzzle displayed joy and excitement. Applejack was so shocked that she almost dropped her plate!
"Of course!" Discord laughed merrily.
Screwball giggled, glad to see her father laughing again in such a long time.
Applejack was too stunned to carry the empty plate to the kitchen. Thus, Discord snapped his fingers. At the sound of his paw, the cook poofed and reappeared in the kitchen, with the plate still in her hooves.
Discord turned to Screwball and invited her to sit down. Screwball took a seat and sat down by lifting her skirts up and slowly but gracefully sat down. 'Just like a princess should do', as Rarity would say.
"So kiddo, how are you doing?" Discord chirped.
Screwball smiled. It had been years since her father acted cheerful. "Great! How about you?" she asked. "How did you sleep?"
Discord blushed and gulped inwardly. If he told her that he was feeling all right and she asked why, he might end up feeling her about his dream! He took a deep breath and said that he was well.
Screwball was not fooled. She had an ability to tell when equines lie.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, why wouldn't I be?" Discord scoffed, waving his paw and talon around.
Screwball gave him a hard look, which made Discord put his arms down and clear his throat.
"So, uh what's on your mind? Didn't you want to tell me something?"
Screwball brightened up. She was glad that her father reminded her because she almost forgot. "Oh yes! Well, you see, Dad. I have a favor to ask you but it is a long story."
Discord motioned Screwball to continue.
"I got plenty of time, kiddo! So what's the story?"
But before Screwball could fully tell Discord about Mothball, the King heared his name being called again.
"Discord! Oh Discord!"
This time it sounded low and seductive. Lady Chrysalis strutted toward Discord and sat down next to him. She looked at Discord only, not bothering to acknowledge Screwball.
"Ah, there you are! I thought you'd be here. So nice to see you," Lady Chrysalis said, in a tone that made Screwball uneasy. Great, the one time she gets to see her dad, only to be interrupted by somepony else!
Discord looked surprised by her presence. Since when does the changeling wake up so early? He had recalled that Lady Chrysalis was a very late riser.
Lady Chrysalis smile in a way that would make your flesh crawl and put shivers in your spine.
"Discord, what are you doing today?" she said in a tone that sounded so formal. Despite knowing Discord for more than a year or even mock-flirting with him, she always acts formal to him whenever they talk.
"I'm going to go over some paperwork in relations to the politics, my dear," Discord said formally. Two can play this game. If she were to be formal to him, then he would be formal to her back.
"Dad, do you think you can play baseball with me in the courtyard this afternoon?" Screwball softly pleaded.
The King made eye contact with Screwball who looked a little bit crestfallen. He smiled, liking the idea of bonding with one of his kids.
"Of course, my little abomination!" He merrily responded, by rubbing Screwball's hair. "Wouldn't miss it for the world!"
'Hey, why not give your daughter a new toy!' His mind told him. 'You need something to bestow to her for her sixteenth birthday!' Discord couldn't agree more with his brain. A birthday gift sounded like a good opportunity to strengthen the bond with his eldest. His train of thought was bothered by the changeling.
"Oh no, that won't do," She said snottily. "You can't do your paperwork or play baseball with Screwball."
Screwball made a scowl. She did not appreciate being talked as if she wasn't here in the room!
Discord did not appreciate someone telling him what to do or what not to do.
"I was talking to my-" Discord began.
"Listen, you had promised to give me a tour around your home, which you did not do yesterday," Lady Chrysalis said, again formally and cooly. "So let us do this tour now!"
Discord frowned. Two days ago, he had promised to give Lady Chrysalis a tour at his castle. However, that was before he ever thought of spending quality time with his children yesterday and today. He was a stallion that could not break any promises and did not want to make his guest more angry than she was.
"Very well, " he sighed in annoyance. He got up and extended his arm to Lady Chrysalis. She stood up and took his arm.
Screwball's eyes were misty. She looked as if she lost the marathon.
"Dad," she pleaded softly.
Discord shared with Screwball an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry, Screwball. Maybe tomorrow? Why don't you go play with your sisters in the nursery?"
Screwball sighed and nodded in defeat. As Discord and Chrysalis walked away, the changeling looked over her shoulder and shot Screwball a sneer.
The princess frowned, suspecting that Lady Chrysalis was being unfair!
Suddenly, Flim and Flam popped out of nowhere, startling Screwball by making her jump in the air. She fell and was caught by Flam.
"Uncles Flim and Flam, you frightened me!" Screwball yelled, her face red.
"We're sorry, my child," Flam apologized. "However, we would like to spend the day with you!"
"You would?" Screwball's eyes lit with hope. If the Princess couldn't spend the day with her father then, maybe she could spend time with her uncles. Besides, it's been a long time since she had seen her uncles. "I would like that."
"Good!" Flim exclaimed. "Now go fetch your sisters and your nanny!"
"Why?" Screwball asked, tilting her head in confusion.
"I'll you when you bring the others here!" Flim assured her pushing the Princess out of the dining hall. Screwball suspected that her uncles were keeping something from her. Nevertheless, the eldest filly fetched for Fluttershy who was about to ask Rarity about her confusing feelings for Discord. She also went to retrieve her sisters from the nursery who were coloring in their books. In the nursery, Mothball's face filled with hope as if to ask Screwball if she told her father yet. Screwball shook her head sadly at him, confirming that she didn't. Mothball's ears fell flat against his head as Screwball closed the door.
Soon Fluttershy and the girls were sitting down in the dining hall with Flim and Flam.
"We'll be taking you all to the village!" Flam responded. He expected the girls to squeal with joy. Instead, they all gave him winces as sweat ran down from their heads.
"Um, Uncle Flam, father doesn't let us go outside of the palace walls," Screwball reminded them. "You know that, right?"
"Oh course we do!" Flam laughed overconfidently.
"Did King Discord said it was all right?" Fluttershy checked with them. Although she had enjoyed walking through town, she did not want to disappoint the king again.
"Oh of course you silly mare!" Flim laughed boisterously. He patted Fluttershy on her head as if she were a silly child. The mare felt annoyed from his gesture. "Don't you worry your pretty little head about the king! We are-"
He was cut off from his speech as purple aura engulfed him and Flam by their necks, starling their nanny. The aura flung the stallions across the walls as if they were rag dolls! The brothers tried to free themselves from the aura with their unicorn magic but the purple aura was too strong for them! The uncles gazed down to see where the purple aura was coming from.
Screwball was glaring daggers at them. Her eyes were swirling and glowing purple.
"Uncles Flim and Flam," she murmured. Her voice sounded low and dangerous. "You know how I feel about lying, right?"
"Yes," They gasped, almost choking.
"Just because you can't lie to me doesn't mean you can fool my nanny!" She hissed, tightening her hold on them. "Now tell me the truth!"
"Okay, okay!" Flam wheezed. "We didn't ask your father for permission! We just wanted to take you to a local theatre and form you girls into a choir! We could not let your father know because we wanted it to be a surprise for him!"
Screwball's eyes stopped swirling and glowing. She released her uncles from her grip and they fell to the floor, gasping for breath.
"Can you tell us more about this choir?" Babs Seed asked hopping over to them in excitement.
"Yes," Flam wheezed. "But can we go somewhere where your father won't see us?"
"How about the courtyard?" Fluttershy suggested gently.
"...And this hall is the art gallery," Discord explained. He and Lady Chrysalis were looking at paintings of the Royals that have reigned in Draconia.
"Wow, Discord!" Chrysalis smiled. "These paintings are magnificent!"
"Yes," Discord whispered as he gazed at one particular painting of his daughters. They were standing and smiling in their formal gowns. "They are." The draconequus gazed at the window, taking note of the beautiful sunlight. While Chrysalis paid attention to a painting of King Q, Discord walked toward the window. From his view, he could see the courtyard. He was very glad that Fluttershy had talked him and he kids into cleaning it. It looked a lot better as a huge garden rather than as a dump. His eyes also caught Flim and Flam escorting Fluttershy and the kids across the lawn. Curiosity sparked inside Discord as he watched the two yellow fools conversing with his excited offspring and the mare of his dreams-er, his nanny!
"What are Flim and Flam bothering Miss Fluttershy and the girls about?" Discord pondered to himself. He thought that the girls were going to be in the nursery. He opened the window a little bit where he could hear them.
"You see, girls," Flim started."We were very impressed by your lovely and exquisite singing from yesterday!"
"We love your singing so much, that we want to hear more!" Flam added.
"So, my brother and I just have the most marvelous idea!" Flim emphasized. "Come on, don't stop!" He and his brother led the girls further away to the right of Discord's case. The further they went, the less Discord could hear.
"Uh oh, what they are up to?" Discord grumbled. He knew that Flim and Flam were always trying to think of ways to make money. Schmoozing his daughters into their scams was the last thing Discord wanted to happen! He almost did not notice Chrysalis beside him until she spoke.
"This art gallery has been wonderful," the changeling admitted. Now show me the dungeons-"
"Forgive me Chrysalis but I have to go and check on my children," Discord interrupted her apologetically.
"What? I thought they're fine now!" Chrysalis stated her eyes in shock and disbelief.
"I know, I know," Discord replied politely."But it doesn't hurt to check on them, once in a while!" He took the shape of a pink butterfly. "Besides you know how secretive nannies are! Well, ciao!" He flew straight out of he window, before Chrysalis could snatch him. As he fluttered away, Chrysalis let out a nasty growl.
"So much for having him to myself! Why does he care about those bratty princesses so much?"
"Uncles Flim and Flam, what are you trying to say?" Apple Bloom whined. She was growing tired of Flim and Flam's endless compliments on her and her sister's singing.
"What we're trying to say is one thing," Flim smiled. "Why don't you girls form a choir?"
The princesses gasped happily at the idea of being a choir. Fluttershy smiled, liking the idea for the girls, too.
"Uncles, are you serious?" Apple Bloom said extremely happy.
"Straight as a line!" Flim responded. "We'll be your stage managers and help you become famous! Remember how much your father loved your singing? Well, imagine him being moved by your beautiful voices! It's the first time, in a while, that we have seen him happy! If you start a choir, you will see your father smile again at your performances! So what do you say, kids? Do you want more admiration from your father?"
The princesses processed all this information from Flim. Singing on stage while heir father proudly praises them? Sounds a like a good deal to them! It would also allow them to continue mending their bond with the king! The princesses were so delighted that they squealed!
"Yay!" Fluttershy cheered. She was as enthusiastic as the girls but her cheer was so soft that she got stares from everypony.
"Is that the best you can do, Miss Fluttershy?" Flam asked frustrated.
"Well..,"
"Never mind that!" Flim waved it off. "The most exciting part is you too, will be in the choir!"
"Oh that's wonderful!" Fluttershy exclaimed, clasping her hooves in joy. The princesses jumped up and down excitedly. Singing with their nanny will be fun! Just like how they sang together during their first lesson!
"Splendid!" Flam cheered. "And the most other exciting part is that we will make you ladies famous!"
"Famous?" Fluttershy and the children repeated, confused.
"Why of course!" Flim answered in a jolly way. He put his hooves up in a shape of a picture frame. "Picture this! An opening night at the theatre! Miss Fluttershy and the princesses walked onstage, face the audience, and sing! The crowd goes wild! They laugh, they cry! And when the show is over, they applaud and throw flowers at you!"
"Are a lot of ponies going to come and see us?" Scootaloo inquired enthusiastically.
"Of course! You will be singing in front of hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of ponies!"
"What!?" Fluttershy squeaked. Her excitement had been replaced with fear. All of the sudden, being in a choir was not such a good idea after all!