The kids waited outside of the castle while the grown-ups talked about how the situation with Screw Ball should be done.

"Boring! This is boring!" said Hail Storm as he lied all over the steps.

"I know; I thought they'd be done by now." said Butter Ball.

"Shouldn't they be out looking for Screw Ball by now?" Apple Jewel asked Fire Spark.

"My mom is very busy as it is; she has to take other matters at hand, too."

Perplexity sniffled as Dignity patted her back. Zany was flapping back and forth. Apple Shield watched his best friend and was feeling dizzy.

"Dude, can you please stop?"

"I can't! My big sister is gone and I don't like it!"

"Our mommies and daddies will find her." said Starling.

"I hope you're right…" Zany flew down to her.

In the throne room…

"We have to find her! She could be hurt or lost!" Tears rolled down on Fluttershy's face as she flapped around the room.

Discord comforted his wife, "There, there, we'll find her… or at least we would if we've haven't been wasting all this time when we could have been out there looking for my daughter right now!" he shouted.

"I know…" said Twilight, "But this couldn't have happened at a worse time… The Summer Sun is almost upon us and that's something that cannot be postponed."

"What can we do?" Rarity asked.

"We'll divide into two groups: one as a search party for Screw Ball and the other will finish preparing for Summer Sun. Apple Jack, Rarity, and Pinkie, it'll be essential that you stay here. Fluttershy, Discord, Rainbow, and I will go look for Screw Ball."

"But as a princess, shouldn't you stay here?" Rarity questioned.

"Fire Spark is old enough to take up the duties of royalty while I'm gone. Fluttershy and Discord need me more…"

The parents gave small smiles of gratitude. Fluttershy, in near tears, hugged her friend, "Oh, Twilight… Thank you."

"You've done so much for me already, Twilight; I can't tell you how much I appreciate this…" Discord smiled.

"Hey, Screwy is my goddaughter after all… She comes first."

"We better get going." said Rainbow.

They all headed out to the steps where the kids waited to hear what they had to say.

"Fire Spark," Twilight told her son, "I leave the kingdom under your care."

"You're going?" Starling asks.

"Yes, honey, but your daddy will be here to help your brother out."

Rainbow and Soarin' went to their son and Rainbow told him, "Alright kiddo, you're staying with Aunt Scootaloo until we get Screw Ball home."

"You know, it's quite peaceful without Screwy. She won't stop Butter Ball and me from playing anymore."

"Playing pranks?" his father raised his eyebrow.

"There's that, too."

Rainbow said, "Aw, you don't mean that. If anything, she was like a coach to you guys, teaching you how to be better."

"Yeah… I guess I sort of miss her… and for Perp's sake…"

"Good colt." his dad patted his head.

Meanwhile, Perp and Zany were in a squabble with their parents.

"But we want to come too!" said Zany.

"Absolutely not!" said Fluttershy, "I'll not have more of my children getting lost!"

"Your mother is right."

"But… Screwy…" said Perp.

"We'll get your sister back in no time…" Discord touched her cheek.

"In the meantime, you'll stay with your godmothers: Perp with Rarity and Zany with Pinkie."

On cue, the godmothers made their appearance.

"Don't worry, Perplexity. We're going have lots of fun dressing up!"

"And we'll have cake every night, Zany!"

"And chocolate milk?" he asked.

"Whatever you like!"

Fluttershy was about to object until Discord whispered in her ear, "Let them have some fun… to take their mind off Screwy…"

She sighed, "Yes… you're right." she quickly hugged them before they went to their aunts' side.

"Are we ready?" Twilight asked them.

"Yes, we're ready." said Fluttershy.

"Ready to get our daughter back."

Twilight flapped her wings while the Wonderbolt parents braced for take-off. Discord and Fluttershy braced for take-off, too. Soon, they flew up to the sky with every pony shouting good luck.

"Good luck!" yelled Apple Jack.

"Have a safe trip!" said Rarity.

"Watch out for anything scary!" shouted Pinkie. The kids had widened eyes while the parents glared at her, "What?"

Screwy was having so much fun with the outcasts, but soon noticed one outcast wasn't joining in their fun. She went straight to him.

"Penny for your troubles?" she materialized a penny in front of him.

"Cute." Moth Ball took the penny.

"You never seem to laugh…"

"Sorry, I'm… just not used to it. I don't think I can laugh."

"That story you told me… is that why?"

"Pretty much."

"Was it really that bad?"

"Every changeling that's ever been created is a mindless drone. I, however, had thoughts and could think for myself. To this day, it still baffles me how I couldn't give in to my- the queen's orders of feeding off love…"

"So… you never once smiled, laughed, or even had fun in your life?"

"About one year ago, I ran away. In that time, I still can't have fun… As Gregor's second in command, I need to be on guard at all times."

"So this life's no better for you…"

"No, it is. It's just that Gregor keeps his distance."

"Do you know why?"

"No, he would never say. You ask a lot of questions."

"What can I say? I'm curious. So this test I have to do…"

"You got me. Only Gregor decides what you have to do."

"Did the others have to do tests?"

"To prove their worth and to show they can keep up. There's one rule we live by: my trouble is my trouble…"

"As in, if you get into trouble, you have to get out of it yourself?"

"Yup. Why do think I was so uptight when you caught me? I had to make sure I didn't lose the group."

"I'm sorry…"

"Ah, don't be; you didn't know. Let this be a warning in future situations: whatever happens, we can't help you."

"I understand… but I thought you guys were one big happy family."

"We're close, but not that close."

"Just, how did you come across them all?"

"Well, when Gregor and I were starting out, we were in Appleloosa when we met Rosaceae. She was having trouble fitting in mainly for her looks. Ponies kept staring at her."

Screw Ball knew that feeling all too well… When she was starting school in Pony-Ville, the kids around her couldn't stop staring at her swirly eyes. It was even worse when they learned that she was Discord's daughter. She shook the memory out of her head and asked, "What about Camille?"

"We met her next. We were camping out, all three of us. We were getting hungry and found a farm with a storage bin. We were going to grab some hay and oats, but found Camille going through the same bin. When we learned of her past and diet, we took her in."

"The guys?"

"Butch was wandering above ground and he didn't care about gems like the rest of the Diamond Dogs. He hates getting dirty, but he has proven to be a good muscle. Sedate's a sweet guy; he hates making ponies uncomfortable. That's why he didn't like his Dad's methods so much. We caught a glimpse of one of Iron Will's seminars and when Rosa met Sedate, she offered to let him join us. As for Marvin, as you'll recall, we were in the woods when we found out he could talk."

"So, I'm the newest member?"

"Only if you pass the test."

"Which will be…?"

"Right now." Gregor came up to them.

"Where are we going?" Moth Ball asked.

"Oh, just a little cave in the mountains that I found. I have been meaning to get something I found in there, but I can't get to it."

"How come?" Screwy questioned.

"You'll see when we get there…"

They flew around for what seemed like hours when it was only twenty minutes. Discord turned to Fluttershy, "I just don't understand what could have caused her to run away in the first place. You two didn't get into a fight, did you?"

"How could you assume that?! Screwy and I may not always agree on some things, but we never once had an argument."

"I'm just saying the only reason Screw Ball would run away is if she had fight with one of us. And by us, I mean you, since me and Screwy never have a fight."

"But remember, she was acting strange last night. Something happened between lunch and dinner that caused her to act the way she did and for her to run off."

Twilight flew closer to them, "I did see her visiting Fire Spark. I was walking past his room when I overheard him talking to her. I seem to recall hearing them talking about how they got their cutie mark. Screwy was worrying about hers and what it meant…"

Fluttershy and Discord gave each other confused looks.

"I'll admit Screwy's cutie mark is unusual, but I thought that only meant she was special. Just like she was on the day she got it." said Fluttershy.

"So did I. Why should it concern her?" pointed Discord.

"And for her to take this sudden venture."

Twilight said, "I guess we'll find out once we find her."

They kept on flying.

The outcasts stood just inches away from the cave entrance. Inside, they could hear mighty snores.

"Is that… a dragon in there?" asked Moth Ball.

"It sure is." Gregor answered, "In there is a golden chain pendant I've been wanting, but I couldn't get past the dragon for fear it might wake up and I wouldn't get away in time. So I figured, the kid's got some magic stuff going for her, which could help her get the thing you want most. So, think you can do it? Or you don't want to join anymore?"

"No! I want to join! I can do this."

"Then what are you waiting for? An invitation?"

Screw Ball took a deep breath and walked into the cave, unaware that Moth Ball gave a worried look to her. She traveled deeper in and told herself, "Okay… just remember what Mom told you about the dragon she had to face… Dragons are stubborn but easy to talk to if you use the right attitude on them… They're protective of their treasure…" she stopped once she saw the dragon before her.

It was sleeping on top of a treasure pile. At the left side corner of her eye, she saw the pendant Gregor wanted, but it was on the dragon's tail. Using her magic, she lifted it from there and took it once it reached within her grasp. She turned around and quickly went out, but she tripped on a bunch of jewels. The dragon woke to the clatter and saw her; he rose up and roared at her. Outside, the outcasts had widened eyes while Moth Ball was itching to go after her.

"Poor kid." said Sedate.

"Yeah, I liked her." said Butch.

"She'll come through," said Rosa, "I'm sure of it."

"I hope you're right." said Camille.

By then, the roaring had stopped and all was quiet.

"I'm going to check it out." said Moth Ball.

"You better not try to help her." pointed Gregor.

"No, I'm not." he went in, and as he did, he was surprised to what he saw.

"…So if I promise to make sure no one disturbs your rest anymore, I can keep the pendant?" Screwy asked the dragon.

"It's a deal," the dragon replied, "anything for the daughter of the pony who was kind enough to help me with my errors."

"Thanks!" she turned to go, but then bumped into Moth Ball, "Oh, when did you get here? I thought I had to do this alone."

"I was just checking on you. When we heard the roars, I… feared the worst…"

"Aw, how sweet… but it's okay. Luckily, this was the same dragon my mom had to face back when she was a young mare."

"You're just full of dumb luck, you know that?"

"I guess I am."

They went back out when Screwy presented the pendant to Gregor.

"Well done. You passed the test; you're one of us now."

The outcasts gave a rousing cheer and lifted Screw Ball in celebration.