//------------------------------// // Chapter 18: Trouble // Story: The Singing Heart // by Toonsgirl //------------------------------// Fluttershy shook violently like a pony who had no wintercoat on in the middle of winter. She felt as if hundreds and hundreds giant eyes were watching her! Haunting voices repeatedly played in her head, 'Fluttershy! Fluttershy! Fluttershy can't really sing!' The buttercream mare hyperventilated so much that the fillies became worried. "Miss Fluttershy, what's wrong?" Scootaloo spoke. Fluttershy could not hear the orange pegasus because fear and anxiety had clouded her mind. The haunting voices have become loud for her. She shut her eyes tight and put her hooves on head, trying to shut them off! "Snap out of it!" Screwball cried, shaking Fluttershy by her shoulders. She was able to read what was in Fluttershy's head. "Open your eyes! It's just your imagination!" Fluttershy snapped back to reality. Her eyes opened. She still saw eyes but only seven pairs of them, rather than hundreds. "My dear, what seems to be the trouble?" Flim asked. The mare shook in her hooves so much that the fillies thought Fluttershy's legs would break. "I-I-I-I-I-I-I-" Fluttershy gulped. Her eyes were as wide as saucers. Her teeth were chattering. "Come on, spit out, you silly mare!" Flim barked, waving his arms. "We haven't got all day! We got mon-music to make!" Fluttershy took a shaky breath. She shut her eyes again, trying to pull herself together. "I can't sing onstage! I can't! I can't! I'm sorry!" "What!?" Flim yelped. His face was a mixture of shock and frustration. "Why? What do you mean you can't sing onstage!" Flam grumbled. He seemed to be very annoyed. "I have...stage fright!" Fluttershy shouted. "What do you mean you have stage fright!" Flim pressed on. He was not as annoyed as Flam but he failed to comprehend how could a singing teacher not be enthusiastic for choir. Fluttershy let out a sigh that held sadness and exasperation. "I dread performing in front of others! At boarding school, I couldn't gallop hard, fly fast, or sing well, not with every pony looking at me!" Her mind drifted back to her years at Faust Academy, an all-girl boarding school. When Fluttershy was a filly, she used to be tall and gangly looking with long legs. She remembered standing In the school auditorium, looking nervous. The pegasus had been excited to sing a song that she and her teacher had worked on. When Fluttershy had walked onstage, she looked at the audience and became a little bit apprehensive at the bountiful amount of foals looking at her. The young Fluttershy only sang a few notes before she noticed the foals staring holes at her! She became so overwhelmed by their stares that she hiccuped on a note and fainted! "The other foals used to tease me, a lot!" When she had fallen, the foals cruelly chanted, "Fluttershy, Fluttershy, Fluttershy can hardly sing!" "I just can't risk that kind of humiliation!" She finished, her voice breaking. Her eyes watered a bit. "Oh suck it up-"Flam shouted before his brother quickly covered his mouth with his hoof. Flim whispered to him to let him handle this problem before trying to persuade the mare. "Oh come on, Miss Fluttershy! You've got to perform! After all, you are the one who taught the princesses how to sing!" The stallions were not concerned about Fluttershy's low self-confidence. They were both silently panicking at how far away their money dream was. The pegasus stood her ground and shook her head. She was certain in her decision not to join the choir. Flam grumbled and huffed. He swished his head to the princesses. "Girls, say something!" he pleaded. The sales pony knew how close the children were with their nanny. Whatever the fillies wanted to do, Fluttershy would go along with it and not question about it. If they could convince Fluttershy to change her mind, then he and Flim could carry on with their idea. "Actually, Uncle Flam and Uncle Flim, I do not want to sing onstage anymore," Screwball slowly revealed. She and her sisters had been listening to Fluttershy with sympathetic ears. They felt sorry for what she had to endure. "Me too!" Babs Seed followed. "Me three!" Apple Bloom admitted. "Me four!" Scootaloo joined in. "Me five!" said Sweetie Belle. One by one, they trotted to their nanny and stood next to her. "What!? But-but-but wait a minute, girls!" Flam protested. "You all can't quit!" "We're sorry, but if Miss Fluttershy is not singing onstage then, we won't sing either. Being in a choir won't be fun without her," Screwball explained firmly. The others nodded with "yeah!" or "yes!" The brothers shared looks of worry. This was not how they expected their deal to play it out in their heads! They huddled and whispered to each other. When they were done, they turned to Fluttershy. Flim cleared his throat. "Miss Fluttershy, my brother and I completely understand you have stage fright but you must sing with the children! It's important that the princesses perform for Equestria. It would be really good PR after they and their father have locked themselves away since the death of the Queen of Draconia (May she rest in peace). Besides, it would do the equines some good to see the Royal family in such favorable light again. Don't let them blow off this opportunity! Give it a chance!" It took all the nursemaid's strength to calm herself down. "I understand your point of view and I don't mind if the fillies sing," Fluttershy replied politely. Her face still showed signs of anxiety and sadness. "But why me? I really really don't want to sing onstage!" "Oh but you must do it!" Flam debated. "Horses and other creatures need to know whom the princesses have been taking singing lessons from! We also, have been told that you have a beautiful and a marvelous singing voice! So come on and join the choir! Or else we won't make any money-stars!" "What?" Screwball deadpanned. She caught their little slip-up. A pink butterfly that had been sitting in Fluttershy's mane during this whole time, flew out of the mare's mane. The insect transformed back into a certain angry draconequus. The girls except Fluttershy jumped at Discord's sudden entrance. Fluttershy's eyes widened at the fact that Discord was in her mane. Her cheeks turned pink and her mouth formed in a small 'o'. Why was the king in her mane? And what was he doing in her head? A smile formed on her face. For some reason, it did not bother her that he was in her mane. Flim and Flam screamed. Not because they were surprised at Discord's disguise but becuase he found out about their scam! Discord's eyes glowed yellow as they glare at the brothers. He was so angry that his crown bursted into flames! Strangely the flaming crown did not burn the king's head. "Your majesty," The two con artists whimpered as they slightly bowed their heads before their king. SO, WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA HERE!? WHO GAVE YOU TWO IDIOTS PERMISSION TO MAKE MONEY OFF MY CHILDREN AND MY NANNY!" Discord screamed. His yelling was so loud that Flim and Flam that they almost tumbled backwards. Their hats and vests also flew off from Discord's loud volume. "But Discord! It's not what you think!" Flam stuttered. He and his brother both got on their haunches, attempting to beg for mercy. DON'T LIE TO ME YOU FOOLS!" Discord roared. "I HEARD EVERYTHING! YOU WERE TRYING TO MAKE MY KIDS INTO A CHOIR SO YOU CAN MAKE MONEY OFF THEM, WEREN'T YOU? WEREN'T YOU?" He spat on the ground, turning the grass into an ugly shade of yellow. "Well, D-Discord. Don't you want your children to go out in public and be famous?" Flim smiled sheepishly, polishing Discord's lizard foot with his handkerchief. "NO!" Discord yelled, kicking the handkerchief away. "Mingle with the public?" Flam suggested feebly, kissing his paw. "NO!" Discord yanked his paw away from Flam. "Oh come on, Discord! Don't you want you and your children to be shown in good light for all the Equestria, especially after being locked up for years? What's so wrong with putting them in a choir? Think of how much money and fame they'll get!" Flam persuaded. "My children will not sing in public! You know why I can't let my kids out of the castle! What if somepony tries to kidnap or eradicate them?" Discord snapped. "Glad you brought that up, my king!" Flim chuckled nervously. In truth, he and his sibling had forgotten about the possible ponies that might be lurking around, trying to harm Discord and the princesses, like how they hurt the late Queen. The sales pony had to think of something on the spot."Like I said, Glad you brought that up! There won't be any rude characters roaming around here. We understand that you wife was mysteriously assassinated by somepony in the village and we never found out who done it. But we can assure you that your daughters won't fall to that same fate because whoever killed your wife is not here." "So what do you say, Discord?" Flam winked, putting his arm around Discord's shoulder as if they were good pals. "Can you see what we see?" "No, but can you see what I see?" Discord smiled wickedly. Judging by his smile, Fluttershy and the princesses gulped at what chaotic thing the ruler had designed. The chimera snapped his talons and there was a bright light. The light faded away to reveal a huge brown contraption. It had a giant knife that was made for slicing. The knife was attached to a rope, which was to be used as a lever. "Aaaah, what is that?" The sales ponies panicked. "The guillotine!" Discord answered gleefully. He rubbed his paw and claw together. "The g-g-g-g-guillotine!?" The two stallions gulped. "Yes, the g-g-g-g-guillotine, you deaf mules!" The king mocked. Grabbing them by thier nostrils, he tossed them like a bunch of rag dolls into the contraption. The chimera also magically tied the brother in ropes so they would not try to escape. The scam artists begged for mercy but their cries fell on deaf ears. With a mad grin, Discord gripped the lever. Before he could slice thier heads, a soft and sweet sound made him not pull the lever. "King Discord, wait!" Fluttershy shouted. "Please have mercy!" Her plea made Discord's heart flutter like a string on a guitar. The king's eyes softened a little but he was still angry at the two brothers. "But Fluttershy, they tried to put my daughters at risk and they were being extremely rude to you! Weren't they children?" While Discord had been sitting in Fluttershy's soft and silky mane, he had heard her story. The draconequus founded himself wishing to erase the mare's fear. He would do anything to take away her pain! He was not sure who to beat up: the school kids that bullied her or the two stallions for disregarding Fluttershy's stage fright, as if it was silly. Now that he's out of his secret crush's mane, Discord was going to make sure that his so-called friends will pay dearly! "Yeah!" The fillies chorused. As much as the children loved their uncles, they were turned off at how they mistreated their beloved nanny. "So that's why I have to put them to death!" Discord told Fluttershy gently but firmly. "But King Discord, don't you think that's harsh?" Fluttershy meekly said. Truly, she was touched that somepony stood up for her. Fluttershy had felt her heart thumping loudly when he told Flim and Flam off. He was one of the few equines that actually defended her! She had wanted to throw her forearms around the king, very badly! But it did not seem to be the right time. Still, chopping two ponies' heads off for a minor offense was something Fluttershy would not stand. She was the kind of pony that would not kill others who had trespassed against her. Yes, the two brothers had to face the consequences but it must be a punishment that truly fit their crime. "Maybe we should give them a different punishment?" she suggested. King Discord put his talon to his chin for a few minutes. "Hmm...all right, I won't execute them." The ruler snapped his claws and the guillotine disappeared. The brothers sighed with relief but were seized by their necks with his Discord's paw. "But I will banish them from Draconia! How's that?" "Sounds fair," Fluttershy nodded in content. She had thought that Discord would send them away to a far away land like Appleloosa. But the King had other plans. He unzipped a zipper in the air, which revealed a portal. Inside the portal were many grotesque faces and monster heads flying in a pink and orange area. The King tossed the confused brothers in there, before they could say anything. "Lasta Vista, boys! Have fun in the Fly of Despair!" Discord laughed maniacally. "Mwuahahahahahahaha!" "Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Flim and Flam screamed as they fell down. Their eyes were wide opened and their manes stood up. How long will they fall, they'll never know. The princesses peeked at the opening of the portal and cringed at the sight. They quickly backed away from the portal, fearing that they might fall into it. The girls would not have to worry any longer as Discord zipped the portal. He was still laughing his head off. "Oh Your majesty, that's not what I thought you were going to do!" Fluttershy chided, her arms crossed. She narrowed her eyes at the king who just finished his evil laughter. "Relax, Miss Fluttershy. They won't be gone for that long," Discord waved his talon off as if it was nothing to worry about. His expression switched from a laughing face to an angry one. "Besides, they should have thought of the consequences before seducing you all into doing something that you'd might regret." The nursemaid sighed in defeat. She hated to admit it but King Discord was right. What the brothers had tried to do was illegal. They should have asked their friend if it was all right to put the girls in show business and be their managers. Still, sending them to some dimension was too creepy. "Daddy, how long will Uncles Flim and Flam be banished?" Apple Bloom asked. "I don't know," Discord shrugged carelessly. "Probably forever!" "King Discord, please!" the nursemaid pleaded. Her voice was gentle and soft but still loud enough for the King to hear. "Not forever!" "Well..., for a year then," The ruler finally concluded. "Come on, let's go inside!" His eyes widened when he felt two forearms wrapping around his arms. His cheeks blushed that it was Fluttershy. She held him for five seconds before letting him go. "W-What's that for?" "For standing up for me," his employee smiled gently. Discord rubbed the back of his neck with his paw and muttered "your welcome" to her. He snapped his talon claws which allowed him and the girls teleport to the inside of the castle. Little did Discord and the girls know, was that a certain changeling had been spying on them from a bush. After the Royal family and the nanny had teleported, Chrysalis jumped out from the bush. She dusted the twigs and leaves off her. "So the little pegasus has stage fright, eh?" Lady Chrysalis chuckled darkly to herself. "What a perfect way to use it against her! I'm not sure how to do it now that Flim and Flam can't make that tramp and those brats into a choir, but I'll think of some way! Just wait and see!" Later in the afternoon, Discord was sitting in the library going over letters from Prince Ayaan. The Arabian Prince had suspected that some of his missing weather ponies had joined Starlight Glimmer's party. Starlight Glimmer, an important mare had promised ponies to make them equal by giving them the same job. The job would be to work for Starlight Glimmer and her party to bring New World Order to Equestria. Discord was surprised that Starlight a Glimmer was recruiting workers so secretly. True, he did recall attending one of her lectures but he thought Starlight was just being crazy. Surely, Glimmer would never cross the line by recruiting innocent ponies to join her, would she? Sadly, it seems like she has. The king wrote back to Ayaan that he would find his missing weather ponies. After he used a spell to send the letter to the prince, Discord heard someone calling him. He turned around to see that it was one of his daughters. "Dad, can I talk to you?" Princess Screwball walked nervously into the library. Her hoofs were twiddling together. "I wanted to tell you something this morning but didn't get the chance." Her father smiled kindly, thinking about this morning. "Yes, I do Screwball," King Discord recalled. "What is it?" "Before I say anything, pinkie promise you won't freak out?" Screwball gulped. She was twinkling with her hooves. "Pinkie Promise," her father vowed, sticking a cupcake in his eye. "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" He did not know why would he freak out at his heir's message but whatever it was, it couldn't be that bad, could it? "Um, I..I have made a new friend," Screwball said in a meek voice. She was not quite as anxious as her nanny but not as confident as her father or late mother. "Splendid!" Discord shouted joyfully. It was rare for Screwball and her sisters to make friends because of their chaotic powers. It became harder for them to meet other children after they were shut away in the palace. Discord did not know how or where his firstborn met a friend, but he was very glad that she met someone! He bounced in his seat like a colt who was going to receive Pinkie Pie's triple decker chocolate chip cookies. "So what's your best friend's name? A name, name! Hello, Gimmie a name!" Screwball started to sweat and shook. 'Aw man, he is going to freak out if I told him it's a colt! Come on, Screwball! Do it for Mothball!' She looked into her father's eyes and took a deep breath. "My friend's name is-" "Ah, Discord, there you are!" A low and seductive voice interrupted, from the other side of the library. Screwball groaned under her breath and gritted her teeth. She knew who that voice belonged. Discord growled inwardly and gritted his teeth as well. As Lady Chrysalis came up to his desk, he quickly masked his fake smile and turned to face her. She leaned her face toward which was too close for Discord's comfort. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he backed up from her in his chair. "I've been looking all over for you! I thought you disappeared!" The changeling continued. "Now that I have found you, can we get back to the tour?" Discord frowned and raised an eyebrow. The gallery was the last room he had showed her. By the time the king went out to check on the girls, the tour was already ending. (And he had been itching to get away from her no matter what.) "I've showed you almost every single room, didn't I? What other rooms did I miss?" His voice held skepticism and annoyance. Chrysalis formed a small smirk. The sly changeling caught him right there! A perfect way to get the king of Draconia to spend more quality time with her! "Oh just the dungeons, the courtyard, and the bedrooms!" she listed. "Did I not recall that you were not interested in seeing the courtyard earlier today?" Discord questioned firmly. "Well, news flash, my lady, the ship has sailed!" His toy boat sailed out of his glass bottle on the wall and flew out of the room, as he was speaking. "Now, I was conversing with my daughter. She has something to tell me-" "Whatever Screwball wants to talk about, can wait!" The noblemare rudely cut him off. She was trying her best to be as polite as possible. "You had promised Flim and Flam that you would spent your time with me! And that you would be a generous host! So let's see those rooms now!" "Yes, I did," Discord sighed sadly. The scam artists had told him to make sure that Lady Chrysalis has a marvelous time visiting his palace. Even though Discord had promised that she would, he was beginning to wish that he hadn't. He didn't realize that it would mean not having time to himself or with his offspring. The king turned to his eldest with an apologetic look. "Can we postpone this conversation Screwball?" "No!" Screwball uttered. She would have said more if Lady Chrysalis' eyes were not glowing green dangerously at her from behind her oblivious father's back. She quickly shut her mouth and formed a nervous smile. "Um, I mean yes!" King Discord nodded, content that his daughter was handling the situation like an adult. He ruffled Screwball's hair affectionately, making her giggle. The king turned to Chrysalis and extended his arm out for her which she took. As they walked away, Discord did not notice Chrysalis shooting another mean look at the heir. Princess Screwball frowned, realized that the noble changeling really was acting odd. Determined, she turned herself invisible and followed them. *In the dungeons* "So, in these dungeons is where we keep prisoners," Discord motioned. The dungeons have five rooms that each have bars. The walls were made out of ivory bricks. The King was holding a torch that helped him find his way through the dark. "But we let them go after good behavior!" Screwball piped, surprising the adults. She had turned herself visible. Discord recovered from his shock, used to his kid's magic. Chrysalis, on the other hand, silently glared at the princess. Screwball did not notice because she was looking at her father. "Hey Dad, remember Otis? The orange earth stallion who always gets drunk, and comes in here to sleep it off?" She asked in a nostalgia tone. "Haha, who could forget about that chum?" Discord laughed. Otis, was a pony who was known in Draconia for having too many apple ciders. Rainbow Dash and Flash would bring him to jail thus he would not hurt other citizens. Otis would stay until he overcomes his hangovers. This episode went on for long until Flash and Discord helped Otis overcome his drinking problem. "Very funny...," the sophisticated changeling mumbled dryly. Frankly, she found the subject of the conversation very inappropriate. *In the courtyard* "This is the courtyard," Discord explained. He, Lady Chrysalis, and Screwball, were standing on a white balcony. It showed a perfect view of the courtyard. "This where the children practice their magic and frolic around. We also grow apples and oranges which our staff uses for cooking." "How nice," his soon-to-be fiance muttered, while observing a bush of roses. "It used to be really messy until Miss Fluttershy helped us clean it up!" the chaotic pony chimed in. "Right, Screwy! She's been a big help to us!" the king agreed. His eyes glanced over the courtyard. He spotted Fluttershy playing a game of chase with Princesses Scootaloo, Babs Seed, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle. The fillies had wanted to go back outside and play before Queen Celestia lowers the sun. Their nursemaid had also joined them, also wanting to enjoy the sunshine before putting them to bed. Fluttershy was laughing as she ran trying to catch Apple Bloom and Babs, who were shrieking with laughter, as they tried to stay out of her reach. The pegasus thought she saw somepony on the balcony. She squinted her eyes to get a better look. The mare looked delighted to see Discord on the balcony! And he seemed to notice her too! They waved to each other, shyly, while both blushing. Discord chuckled as he watched Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle tackling Fluttershy to the ground. He became lost in her flowing hair for a moment before Screwball poked him hard with her stick. "Ow, Screwy!" the draconequus hissed, rubbing his side. "Sorry Dad," Screwball smirked. The chaotic filly pressed her mouth inside her father's ear. "But you can't stare at Miss Fluttershy like that. It'll make her feel like she's been put on display or something!" she whispered. Discord blushed in embarrassment that his kid caught him making googily eyes at his employee. He shrank down until he was the size of a hoof. His daughter patted him on the head to let him that let him know that all is forgiven. He returned with a smile. "Okay, I've seen enough of your courtyard!" Chrysalis shouted. "Can we go inside now?" Her voice was loud enough to make the king and the princess jump in fright. For a while, they had forgotten about their guest. The three royals had walked back inside the castle. The balcony was connected to the left side of the throne room. "So has Daddy shown you around the throne room?" Screwball asked politely. "No need to worry, dearest," Discord told his daughter. "She has already seen the throne room but we can see some other-" "What I really want to see are the bedrooms," the changeling interrupted him. "Especially yours," she purred at the last part. Chrysalis added heat to her eyes like she always did whenever she tried to seduce stallions. However Discord was no fool. "I'm sorry but I cannot show you my bedroom because I have a strict policy about ponies being in the room of their opposite sex," he explained politely but firmly. The changeling did not look amused. She was thinking of spending some nights there with him just for her amusement. Screwball snickered at her facial expression. "But I can show you the other rooms such as the servants' quarters (except Flash's room) or the nursery or Miss Fluttershy's bedroom. Which one do you want to do?" Discord inquired. Screwball silently prayed to Celestia that her father would not pick the nursery. Although she wanted to tell Discord about Mothball, she did not want him to discover him that way! The idea of just finding him in her room, on his own, would not be the proper way for introductions. What if he gets the wrong idea? Just then, Sunset Shimmer, galloped into the the throne room, panting. Her mane looked a bit messy and her muzzle was flustered. "Your majesty! Can you come into the kitchen for a minute?" "Sure Sunset," the king replied surprised at seeing Sunset looking weary. He wondered what the problem could be about. He excused himself and left with the wise mare. Leaving your child alone with an adult you do not know well, is a big mistake. Once the draconequus and the unicorn were out of sight, Chrysalis glanced at Screwball. "Child, come here," she motioned to her with her black hoof. Screwball obeyed by taking a few steps until she was close to the changeling. Then, something happened that Screwball did not expect at all. The changeling lifted her hoof and slapped the little princess in the face! It had happened so quick that the filly did not have time to respond. The impact was enough to cause the heir to fall down to the floor. She sat up and rubbed her cheek gently. Her swirly eyes enlarged when Chrysalis put her ugly muzzle close to her. "Can't you take a hint and get lost?" the changeling snarled. "Wait, what?" Screwball gasped. "I'm courting your father and he is supposed to devote all his time to me, not to a bunch of little brats who waste their time playing with dolls and dresses!" Lady Chrysalis snapped. "Hey, you had your time with him at your place! Now it's my turn and I want to tell him something!" Screwball barked. "Whatever it is, I don't care," the changeling retorted in an icy tone. "Now, scram!" Lowering her horn, she aimed green light at the filly, which made her disappear. It happened so fast that Screwball did not have time to shield herself! Once the princess was gone, Chrysalis gave a dark chuckle. "Good thing the Flim-Flam brothers taught me that spell!" Her ears picked up the sounds of her suitor's voice and his footsteps. She quickly wiped off her evil smirk. "Now Applejack, if Pinkie Pie said she didn't eat the Apple pie, then she didn't. Now you are an honest girl, you know when someone is telling the truth! Listen to your instincts!" Discord walked back into the throne room. "Sorry trouble in the kitchen!" he smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. Applejack had accused Pinkie Pie for stealing the Apple Pie. Pinkie had denied it. Sunset had only fetched him because the situation was getting out of hoof. His smile disappeared when he noticed that somepony was missing. "Hey, where is Screwball?" "Oh she went to play outside," his suitor answered in a careless tone. The king blinked. It was odd for his daughter to leave so sudden when she had expressed interest in helping him with the castle tour. "...Okay. Well, let me show you the nursery," he said, extending his arm out for her. Chrysalis took it as they descended upstairs. "Screwball, what brings you here?" Rarity asked, looking up from her sewing machine. The white equine wondered if her little mistress wanted a new dress. This time, it was not the case. When Screwball had been zapped by Lady Chrysalis, the filly had fallen down on her face. She pulled herself up. "I got here by accident!" she replied in a panicked tone. Princess Screwball had not recovered from the slap. "What do you mean?" Rarity asked confused. "Can't talk right now! I got to get upstairs quick!" Screwball answered very fast. She had to stop her dad from going into the nursery before it's too late! A flash of light surrounded Screwball before teleporting to the throne room. Discord showed the nursery to Chrysalis. The king went into a backstory of how he and the late queen decorated the nursery, with Rarity's guidance. He even counted five beds and said which daughter slept in. (He scratched his head when he saw the sixth bed. Who sleeps in that bed? Does Fluttershy sleep in here, too?) Chrysalis looked completely uninterested. The sight of the toys and the soft colors made her want to gag. 'Well, at least once I'm queen, I won't have to deal with those brats!' She thought bitterly. 'Or that little yellow pegasus!' Suddenly, Discord's ears picked up at a rustling sound in the closet. His suitor heard it too. They trotted to the closet. Discord put his talon on the doorknob, opened the closet and a little black body with green hair came tumbling out! The two adults dropped their jaws and their eyes enlarged. Out of the closet, was a changeling, who looked no older than sixteen! His mouth was full of pie crumbs. In Mothball's hooves, was the half-eaten Apple Pie! He swallowed as he noticed the adults staring at him. "Um..hi?" Mothball squeaked. The colt smiled sheepishly and waved his hoof. Lady Chrysalis released an ear-splitting scream that traveled through the entire castle! Overcome with shock, the changeling stumbled and fell onto the floor! "AH! WHAT'S A BOY DOING HERE IN MY DAUGHTERS' ROOM!?" Discord roared. "GET OUT!" "Wait, Your majesty, I can explain!" Mothball shouted, holding his hooves up. The apple pie had fallen to the floor, unnoticed by the boy. Before King Discord could tell the teenager to get out or send him to another dimension, the door swung wide open. "Daddy, wait! I-Oh...no!! Mothball!!" Screwball cried. Her eyes went big as her jaw dropped at the scene. King Discord's eyes glowed yellow and gnashed his teeth. Studying the two worried teens, he realized that something was up. "You are in deep trouble young filly!" he growled lowly.