Hi there readers:

How'd you all like it? Hope it turns out great!

Title: The Power of True Love

Summary: Takes place during Daughter of Discord. The last time Mothball saw Screwy was on the night of her birthday party. The last time Screwball thought of her Changeling prince, was after he'd sent her his last flower. Now many years later, Screwy's happily married to another stallion, has a life she can be happy in, and has everything that she's ever wanted in life. Mothball's sudden return to Ponyvile not only has her family questioning themselves, but it can also mean that old feelings have resurfaced. Can Mothball convince Screwball that he didn't mean any of it? Or will their own family get in the way, and force them to remain apart?

Pairs: Screwball/Mothball Screwball/Oc Mothball/Ginny Mothball/Screwball

Rating: K+

Warnings: Time travel, hidden identity, secret meetings, and undying truths

Hope you all like it!

Enjoy!

The Encounter

Screwball

It was a few hours later, when Furball found me in our room, just looking out the window, he said, "Screwball?"

I slowly looked down at the note that Mothball had given me ten years ago, after a few moments, I whispered, "Mothy..."

I closed my eyes, not wanting to face my husband, but I knew that I had to, however, before I could do anything else, I heard Mothy whisper, "Screwy..."

I jumped, I didn't need to know who did that, I already knew, yet at the same time, didn't want to think about, only his voice made a few tears fall, I quickly wiped them away; knowing that only he would make such a reaction from me, I just whispered in return, "Mothy..."

He said in my ear, "Those beautiful swirls of pure goodness... My one true place is just looking into those purple and white swirls... My Screwy... This Changeling can't live without you, Screwy."

I whispered, "Mothy..."

He said, "Screwy, meet me at the lake... You know what lake I'm talking about, don't you Screwy?"

I didn't have much to say after that, because I felt his hoof travel down my wavy purple and white mane, while he was doing that, he whispered, "Such beauty, I don't think any other stallion or changeling has seen such beauty in all of Equestria like you, Screwy... You don't know how crazy you make this particular changeling is about you, especially your swirls... I swear; you have me under some spell or something..."

I only shook my head, not wanting to have Furball start asking questions, sadly that wish did come true, and he said, "Screwball..."

I stuffed the note in my pocket, when I slowly looked at my reflection in the window, beside me, however, I saw a pair of green pupils looking at me, I could only stare at those enchanting pupils as Mothball appeared behind me, I couldn't take my off the Changeling himself, I knew that Furball was still in the room, but all I could do was only stare that the Changeling behind me, and so all I could do was turn around, but my Changeling prince wasn't there.

My heart chipped some more, it was as if he was doing this just to watch me fall apart right in front of him, seeing me so broken was his way of entertainment, I forced back the sudden tears that wanted to fall, I couldn't show any sadness in front of Furball, and especially not any sadness about a Changeling either.

None the less a Changeling prince, for that matter.

Furball said, "Screwball?"

I forced back my screams or cries, I didn't want to hurt any pony, but then again, I was suffering from a crisis here; and a big one too.

I just looked back out the window, and said in a low voice, loud enough for Furball to hear, "Yes?"

He said as he slowly came up to me, "You don't look so good, is something wrong? It was about them, wasn't it?"

I asked, "Them? What do you mean 'them'?"

He said, "About the... Changelings, I mean."

I asked, "What about the Changelings?"

He said, "Are you sure that you haven't met one before? You seem to know a lot about them, Screwball."

"Screwy!?"

Jane shouted, "DINKY!"

Shine shouted at her sister, "I SAW HER FIRST, JANE!"

Jane shouted back, "MOMMY! SHINE'S LYING AGAIN!"

Shine shouted, "NO I'M NOT! MOMMY!"

"SCREWBALL!"

I said as I walked out of our bedroom, "Coming!"

Once I got downstairs, I said, "Girls, Dinky and I need to talk. Can you two go play upstairs?"

After the girls went upstairs, I said, "Dinky, I need your help."

She asked, "Screwy, you look horrible, what happened this time? Was it Furball again?"

I said, "No, it wasn't Furball again! Dinky, I'm having another crisis here!"

She said, "What is it now? It better not been the girls, what did they do now?"

I gave her a look, and I said, "No, Dinky! It's not the girls or Furball!"

She said, "What is it then?"

I looked away, after a few moments, I looked back at her, and said, "Do you remember on our fifteenth birthday?"

She said, "What about it?"

I sighed, and said, "OK, so do you remember when we were both telling each other what we really wished for?"

She gasped, but before she said anything, there was a knock at the door, and I said, "I'll get it!"

When I had opened the door, however, I only found a note, I picked it up, and just looked at it. It had my name written on the front, when I turned it over, opened it, I saw a letter inside, after opening the top, I froze at the name who it was really addressed too,

Screwy...

Please, don't be mad at me... I only wanted to keep you safe and out of...

Oh; never mind that...

Just know that I wanted you to be safe and happy...

Screwy... Please don't be mad...

I understand if you are...

From;

MB

Pink clouds, lighting, and thunder appeared behind me, it had been ten years, ten long dreadful years since I had received anything from him, I didn't want to have anything to do with him, but sadly fate had other plans for the both of us.

I didn't hear anything at that moment, but all I heard was his voice in my ear, all I saw was him standing in front of me; just taunting me to go to him, and so he said, "Screwy..."

I was about to say something, when I suddenly found myself back in my and Furball's room, with the door shut, all I could see was him; he refused to leave my mind, even as he forces me back into a corner, his hooves trapping me, his right hoof gently rests on my heart, at his touch, I refused to let him have all the fun, as I slowly very slowly reached up, laying my hooves gently on his cheeks, he doesn't move away, I'm happy about that.

As we both just looked at each other, my heart swells with happiness, I couldn't believe that he's here, I felt his left hoof slip behind me, pulling me towards him, the moment we made contact, his right hoof moves to my cheek, my own hooves twine behind his neck, as we both lean in, I couldn't believe that he didn't move away, and the moment our lips touch, I couldn't have been more happier.

As I was about to pull away, his grip only tightens, I realized that tears were in my eyes, I was afraid that I would lose him, not again, I didn't care that Furball or the others where still in the home, all I really wanted and needed was Mothy, who now had me up against the wall behind me. As he let me breath; his lips moving along my neckline; gently sucking and licking, I could only run my hooves through his tangled mane, he was the only Changeling that would send me and my heart on air; I barely noticed that his hooves were in my mane; and that he went back to kissing me on the lips again.

All I was able to do was not let anyone disturb us, as we both found ourselves on the bed, I refused to let him go once we both were done, all we needed was each other, both of us found comfort in each other's hooves, it was a long moment, when I whispered, "Mothy..."

He whispered, "Screwy... My beloved Screwy..."

He was about to move; when I stopped him, and I whispered, "Stay."

He whispered, "Screwy..."

I gave him a kiss, and I whispered, "Please, Mothy, stay with me."

He wipes a tear from my eyes, and whispers softly in my ear, "Don't worry, Screwy, I'm not leaving you again, I promise."

I was going to lay back down on Mothy's chest; when Furball called, "Screwball!"

Mothy's grip tightens, and he said, "Screwy..."

I sighed, and said, "Yes, Mothy?"

He said, "Did you mean to not tell me that... You don't..."

I shot up, and said, "Mothy, I can explain. Please, just let me-"

He said, "Then spit it!"

I knew that I had some explain, and so I said, "It was a few years ago, I didn't want to do it, but I knew that I had to. It was to be excepted of me, once I put on his ring, I knew that I wouldn't be able to see or talk to you again... Mothy, I was scared, I'm still lonely without you; everyday I try to be happy for every pony, but I'm not. I can't live without you, Mothy... I love you."

Mothy gets out of the bed, after trotting over to the window, he said in a low voice, "You love me; when, you know, that even I'm incapable of love myself..."

I said as I slowly made my way over to him, "Mothy, you don't understand... Every time I think of you, I feel this gaping hole inside, one that only you, and you alone, can fill. Please, Mothy..."

He slowly turns to me, after wiping a few tears from my cheeks, he whispers as I felt his lips a few inches from mine, "You know very well, Screwy... Even I can't stop thinking about you, Mother didn't know that I was lying that night... All I want is for you to be safe and out of her grip. You're my Screwy, all mine."

His hooves pull me closer to him, as we both leaned in, I had to force myself from not attacking him, as I pull away, I whispered, "You're my Changeling Prince."

Just then, and to my great horror, he started to fade slowly away from me, I was in tears again, and he whispered, "Don't worry, Screwy... I'll be with you, in your dreams."

I whispered, "I promise."

He whispers, "I promise."

Once he was gone, I stumbled blindly to the bedroom door, when I had it opened, I rushed out of the home; ignoring Dinky or Furball's cries for me to come back, as I traveled through the forest, I refused to hide the tears, after some time; I found the cottage of Zecora, who showed up at the door, once she saw me in tears, she cried, "Screwball, come quickly!"

Once making it inside, she handed me a tissue, after I had calmed down, she asked, "What are you doing here, Screwball? Shouldn't you be at home with your family? Where's Furball? Why are you in tears?"

I said, "Every pony's at the house, I walked here, I... I miss... I miss him."

She said, "The Changeling, I assume?"

Once I nodded, she said, "The time is near, don't fear. for you will see him again, but you two may need to meet in secret once again."

I said, "But what if he comes from a different time?"

She said, "Time will tell, young mare."

I said, "But how much longer!? How much longer before I crack!? I need to know, please Zecora, I need to know."

I realized that I was in tears, she only walked over to the bug huge pot, and she said after a few moments, "It only lasts for a few more weeks, Screwball. You will know when the time is. For when you know, you and you alone; will have to be here when he's here."

After a few moments, I said, "In a few more weeks?"

She said, "Don't worry, you'll know when the time's near."

I said as I walked over to the door, "Thank you, Zecora..."

She said, "Don't worry, he's safe and will never want to leave you again."

As I walked through the forest, I decided to go to my special place here in the forest, I'd never ever told any pony, not even my friends or Furball or the kids about this place, I had kept this place a secret, it was where a new friendship had begun so long ago.

Once I got there, I couldn't help but think of our time here, the first time that I had met him, the first time that he'd tasted chocolate, we had so many memories here, it was hard to even think about him, as i walked up to the chocolate lake's edge, I dipped one of my hooves in, it felt the same, after lifting it to my lips, I remember his face, as I licked it off my hoof, I smiled to myself, it felt strange; I was way older now, and yet, here I was, at my special place again, and acting like a filly again.

I couldn't help but have a cup of chocolate milk myself, then another, and another, soon I found myself unable to stop myself from jumping in the chocolate lake, I was in my own little world, after some time of just laughing and enjoying myself, I saw him, he was standing beside the chocolate lake, I gasped, got out, without looking back, I rushed back home.

Once I got home, however, Furball asked, "Screwball, can I ask you something?"

I said, "What?"

He said, "Why do you smell like chocolate and mustard?"

I asked, "Chocolate and mustard?"

He said, "Yeah, because after you'd left, I got the strongest smell of mustard. And now you smell strongly of chocolate."

I said, "I have no idea what you are talking about, Furball."

He said, "Oh, and some mare and stallion came over-"

I said, "Who?"

Just then the door rang, I gasped at who it was.

Mothball

I didn't know what to do, but I knew that I had to write to Screwy, however, before I did, I heard a knock at the door, and I yelled, "Got it!"

Once the door was opened, I found a note, after picking it up, I turned it over, and saw my false name on the front. I turned it over again, opened it, there was a letter on the inside, after opening the top, I froze at who it really was addressed too;

Mothy…

I got your note… I just can't…

Oh; never mind that…

Just know that I'm happy and safe from… Her…

I hope that you could come back home…

I understand that if you don't want to…

Do you want some chocolate milk?

From;

SB

My vision blurred, I saw those purple and white swirls, only those swirls, those beautiful purple and white swirls of pure goodness, those eyes that see into my very soul; a hollow soul to be exact.

I could only whisper, "Screwy…"

Then I heard the voice, the voice of the mare that I fell in love with, and she said, "Mothy… Please, come back home… I need you… Please, Mothy…"

I couldn't help but say, "Screwy… My Screwy…"

She said, "You know that you're my Changeling prince…"

My legs were about to gave way, but instead, I held onto the door frame, my hands were sweaty, I forced back the tears, I only choked out, "Screwy—"

I felt her hoof trail its way down my arm, I fought back the cry, I wanted her, I needed her, I heard her light giggles, and she said, "You know, I wanted to tell you something, ever since you lied to me, but I knew that you were lying…"

I heard her voice in my ear, "I always knew that you were lying… Mothy, I don't think that you know, I kind of liked you…"

I felt a tear make its way down my cheek, I was about to wipe it away, when she stopped me with her hooves, I felt them on both my cheeks, I wanted to grab her, but I knew that she wouldn't be there, and so she whispered, "I want to see your pain, Mothy, just like how you're able to see mine… We are one the same…"

I slid all the way to the floor, but she whispered in my ear, "Come back home, Mothy… Come back to me… My Changeling prince…"

I was left with her hoof on my face, I felt it make its way down my cheeks, and down my arm, leaving me wanting more of her soft touch and voice.

I heard her whisper softly, "Mothy…"

Once she was gone, I moaned, put my head in my hands, I just couldn't forget her, she'll haunt me forever, but then at the same time, I wanted to go back home, I wanted to be with the other Changelings, I wanted to be with Mother, and most importantly, I wanted to see and be with Screwball.

Just then, I heard Ginny say from beside me, "Harry, is something wrong?"

I jumped up, moving away from her, after quickly hiding the note in my pocket, I looked out the window, however, I only saw my Changeling-self looking back at me, I couldn't quite hide it, but it seemed that only I could see my real self, a pony without a heart.

Ginny came up beside me, she didn't know that only I could see my real heartless self, she couldn't know that I'm a prince, to begin with, either, and I wouldn't want to have to show her the real me neither.

She said as she placed a hand on my arm, the same one where I could still feel Screwy's hoof, "Do you want to talk about it?"

I touched my arm, I could still smell her scent on my body, she made sure that her scent cling to me, making me want her even more, as I slowly turned back to the window, all I said was, "Don't worry, dear. I've been through some tough times lately…"

She said, "What's going on?"

I said, "Have you ever heard of My Little Pony?"

Just then Lily said, "I love My Little Pony! Daddy, can I ask you something about that?"

I said as I turned to her, "What is it, Princess?"

She giggled at the nickname, and she said, "Do you know who Screwball is? I mean, I know that she's the daughter of the Lord of Chaos and Fluttershy, and her dad used to know someone else, a creature that doesn't have a heart, I think their called Changelings."

I said as I sat down next to her, "Yes, sweetie, you're right. Screwy—I mean—Screwball is the daughter of the Lord of Chaos and Fluttershy, who I believe is the Element of Kindness. The Lord of Chaos took over Equestria, a land where ponies of all kinds live in peace and happiness, two or three times, he's a bad man… That is until he met the Element of Kindness, who taught him how to love, he didn't have any friends… Until he met another… A creature, who he stole the heart of…

"This… creature, a Changeling Princess, was named Chryalsis. She's… not to be messed with, especially if she gives an order. You see, she's the Queen of all the Changelings, her son, a Prince named Mothball, was heir to the Changeling throne… that is until he met someone special one day on his twelfth birthday.

She asked, "Who did Mothball meet, daddy?"

Before I was about to answer, I heard her say, "Mothy… you aren't telling that… the story, are you?"

I whispered, "It's only a fairy tale in her eyes…"

"Mothball!"

Fear went through me, I looked around me, I didn't see them anywhere, but I whispered, "M-M-Mother?"

Mother said coldly, "You know your path, Mothball! Go back to the hive, my son, and work on that lion transformation. A King has to have all his transformations and skills perfect in order to rule Equestria and find food for the hive someday, my son."

I refused to answer, a moment later, Mother snapped, "Mothball!"

Once upstairs, after the Silent Charm was up, the room warded, I couldn't deny the fact that I was in for my biggest punishment ever, as soon as I transformed back into my Changeling self, I froze when I saw Mother in front of me, her eyes narrowed angrily at me, and she snapped, "Mothball, explain this?"

I was about to answer; when James knocked on the room door, and he called, "Father?"

I moved out of the way as Mother's hoof swung at me, her eyes flashing, and she sneered, "Moth—"

I said, "I'm sor—"

She shrieked as she forced me up against a wall, "You have no right, NO RIGHT, to talk to that thing! Do you know what would happen if they found out about us!?"

I said, "Mother, they don't know anything about us… Lily thinks that it's just some fairy—"

Her hoof slammed into my face, and she said bitterly, "Lily, such a pathetic human name... Eliminate the humans, drive them out, and then when you're done, get back to the hive, and practice your transformations and please, just please, get something to eat! When I return, we shall crown you King of all of Equestria."

I looked down, this was an order that I have to do, but at the same time, I couldn't just go back to Equestria, I had only been here for a few days, and already, I didn't want to leave. I just said as I looked up at Mother, "Of course, Mother. I'll do it. Then Equestria will be mine…"

I cackled, of course it was all a show, she didn't know that I was also going to make Screwy my Queen, Mother only freed me from the wall, once I was free, she placed her hoof on my shoulder, and she said, "Equestria shall never be the same, my son."

I trotted over to the mirror; and said as I just looked at my heartless self, "You're right, Mother, Equestria will never be the same… Equestria will be mine! All mine!"'

She said as she came to stand behind me, with her hooves on my shoulders, "Yes, my son, Equestria shall be all yours… And no one will ever take that away from us…"

Once she was gone, I let out a painful cry, I sat down, I didn't want to rule Equestria, I couldn't do it, while I cried, I heard her say, "Mothy…"

I said as I looked around me, "Screwball…"

James said, "Father, are you in here?"

She said, "Not Screwball, Mothy, only you and my friends and parents' are allowed to call me Screwy. Just know that you're still my Changeling prince, no matter what my husband and kids say about you or about the Changelings. Even though I still want you beside me, my husband doesn't know anything about me being with a Changeling… All he knows is that I had met someone before, just not a Changeling, all I told him was that you weren't a stallion; and that you would be returning back home."

I said, "Hold on, Jamie! I'll be right out!"

After switching back into a human, I checked to hear if Mother or Screwy was around or something, so I whispered, "Mother… Screwy…"

Mother snarled, "Do it, Mothball! It is your destiny!"

Screwy said, "Mothy…"

I just said, "It's alright, Screwy, just checking. Although, both of you might want to leave for now… Talk to you later on, Screwy."

Once I heard nothing, I said, "What is it, Jamie?"

He said, "Father, who are you talking about with Lily, are you talking about Screwball? Because if you are..."

"Oh; Mothy... I miss you... You just have to come back to me..."

"I'm sorry, Mothy... I love you..."

Purple and white swirls danced in front of my eyes, they're all I could really see at that moment, I tried to ignore them, but then she says in my ear, "Mothy..."

All I could hear was her sweet voice; she's the only mare for this heartless Changeling, I had realized that moths ago, as I was about to move out of our bedroom, I felt her soft hooves making their way down my body, from my shoulders to my waist, then they wrapped themselves around me, I only said, "James, what about Screwball?"

Screwy giggled, that sent the thumping in my chest; even though I was a human, I had another thing that needed to be taken care of, while I'm human, I have a heart, but while I'm a Changeling, by night that is, I know that I don't have a heart, but I would also feel this thumping inside get faster and faster whenever I thought about Screwy.

He said, "Just because, I was hoping that... Maybe you could find a way to get her something for her birthday... Since she loves My Little Pony and all..."

Before I could say anything, I was forced back into the room, the door slammed shut, my vision only blurred a little, but I could see that Screwy was in front of me, I refused to be human in front of her, after I had changed back to my heartless self, once done, all I could do was stare at her, she too only could stare.

After a long moment, she tentatively reached with her front left hoof out to touch me, she froze just a few inches from my hoof, I slowly very slowly reached out towards her, once our hooves made contact, she slowly reached up to touch my face, I refused to say anything, all I needed and wanted was her, and she was here, in front of my eyes.

She tentatively took a step forward, slowly wrapping her hooves around my neck, we both just stood there, and in a tentatively light embrace.

She pulled back, only for me to slowly trace my own hoof up her arm, passed her shoulders, along her neck, and rest then gently on her cheek.

I gently took her face in my hooves, she slowly closes her swirls, I slowly very slowly lean in, making sure that I was gentle, I didn't want to lose her, not a second time, as I gently rested my lips against her soft ones, after a few moments, I realized that she wasn't in any pain; and that no screams what so ever had escaped her mouth.

Just then the front door opened, and I heard Ginny say, "Harry, it's Ron and Hermione!"

Screwy's swirls snapped open, I was about to pull away, when she whispered, "Stay."

I couldn't resist, I gently pulled her into my hooves, she rested her head where my heart would be, I gently ran my hoof through her wavy purple and white mane, it was so soft, it also looked like it was never or had never ever been touched; and it also felt the same as I would remember it had felt.

We both stood like that for a long moment, until there was a knock on the bedroom door, and we both heard Ginny say, "Harry, is everything alright?"

I was about to break away, only Screwy made her hooves cling to me; she also didn't want to lose me either, I felt the same, but I also knew that the humans would want to know what's going on, only I knew that this side of me was still, in fact, giving me a hard time, and especially if Screwy didn't want me to leave her side.

I saw tears in her swirls, I hated to see her in tears, I knew that this was, or maybe, the only time that we would ever see each other, as I gently kissed her, the tears began to fall; it wasn't a sight that I would never forget, I was about to break away, but she made sure that she had me in her hooves, she didn't want this to end; I felt the same, the tears only kept coming, staining both of our cheeks, reminding both of us that this might be the last time that we would see each other again.

As I gently pulled back, I heard her whisper softly, "My Changeling Prince."

I whispered in return, "My princess of Choas."

She said as she went over to the window, "We have to."

I said as I went behind her, gently wrapping my hooves around her, "Yes, we have to."

She whispers once more, "My Changeling Prince."

As she slowly fades away, I whisper in return, "My Princess of Choas."

She whispers, "Mothy..."

I whisper as she disappears, "Screwy..."

It took a few minutes for me to switch back into a human; in which I didn't want to, but I knew that the humans didn't know anything about me being a Changeling.

As I changed back into a human, I fell onto my knees, tears falling, I felt pain, I didn't even want to face anyone at that moment, but that didn't stop Ginny from coming in; once she saw me on the floor by the window, hugging myself, and in tears; she gently gathered me into her arms, I refused to believe that Screwy was gone, forever.

I heard Mother say, "Mothball!"

At the sound of my full real name, I knew that I had to stop this act of foolishness, I knew that Mother didn't want to see me in tears, as I pulled out of Ginny's comfortable arms, I tried to get myself under control, while I was doing so; Mother's hoof gently wiped the falling tears away, and she said gently, "There, there, my son, there's no need for this. Now, tell Mommy what's wrong."

I said after getting myself under control, "If you want to know, Gin, then all I can say is that I was only missing a close friend... Not here in the Wizarding World, out in the Muggle world."

Ginny said, "Do you want to see them again?"

All I said was, "Yes, but I would like to do this on my own."

She said as she rubbed my shoulders, "I'm sure you could find a way to see them again."

I was glad that she wasn't facing me, for I didn't want to face her look when she found out that it was indeed Screwball, nor the fact that I had to make things right for all of Equestria one day.

She whispered in my ear, "Do you want something to get your mind off of your Muggle friend? I'm sure I could help with that."

I said just before she kissed me, "What kind of help are you talking about?"

She said, "Maybe like this..."

She brings her lips crashing down on mine, her hands find their way into my shirt, all I could do was just not burst into tears, knowing that she tasted of chocolate, reminding me of Screwy, I refused to even answer Mother, as we both made love, all I could really think was of Screwy; and those enchanting swirls. Especially the swirls.

Once we were done, we both lay entangled in each other's arms and legs, all I thought about was not the woman in my arms, but of the mare that refused to let me go; all I could see was those swirls that see into my hollow soul; a hollow soul that I was born with.

After a few moments of just laying there, Ginny says, "Why were you on the floor and in tears, Harry?"

I said after a moment of thinking, "I just... missed my Muggle friend, that's all."

She said, "Who's that?"

I said, "Her mane's Screwy."

She said, "Like Screwball?"

I chuckled, which earned me a wack from Screwy herself, I muttered, "Just like your Father, I sware."

Screwy says, "Watch it, Mothy."

I said, "Kind of like Screwball."

Ginny said, "Tell me who did Mothball met on his twelfth birthday? I want to know the tale."

I said, "And how would Lily react to you knowing the entire story before she does?"

She gave me a look, and she said, "I want to hear who he met. Please?"

I looked away, sighed, and began, "He had met a strange filly, one who had purple and white swirls, instead of eyes; she had no horn like most of the ponies, and she was powerful, even if she didn't have a horn, she was born with magic. Mothball tried to disguise himself as one of her friends, but she found out really fast, after a few bumps on the head, he finally told her who and what he was. She was amazingly curious, she wanted to know more and more about the Changelings. He told her that he wanted something to eat, she asked him if he wanted some chocolate milk, he was curious himself, Mother never let him have anything, she had always told him that he was born without a heart, that all Changelings had to feed off of love, and he believed her.

"Until he met Screwball, after tasting chocolate milk, he wanted more of it, and he told her that it tasted like love. After drinking some more, they both asked each other all kinds of questions. They both found each other fascinating, Mothball had never seen an Earth pony without a horn. Soon, he realized, when he had gotten home, that his Mother had found out about his trip, she was angry, said that she knew who the Father of the filly was; and that it was Mothball's job to find out everything about this strange filly. Once he was in his room, his thoughts drifted back to the cute fully, he was so confused, what was happening to him; he asked himself.

"As the days went on, he realized that, at night time, he just had to see Screwball again. So he snuck out every night, and he went to see her. But then things changed that one night..."

I had to stop there, it didn't help now that I had to say it, let alone remember what happened that night, I felt Mother behind me, and she sneered, "Mothball, you didn't tell me what happened on your first trip! Now that I know what really happened..."

I rushed out of bed, away from Mother and Ginny, Mother, who I could hear behind me, I refused to let any tears fall, only Mother's hoof slapped me across the face, she held my face firmly in her hooves, forcing me to look at her, and she said bitterly, "You have to be punished, do you realized what you have done!? You could have gotten us killed!"

After a moment, I whispered, "Mother, you don't understand-"

Mother snarled, "Show her..."

My eyes widened, fear went through me, I whispered, "What?"

Mother snarled, "Show the human!"

I looked at Ginny, who was staring at me in confusion, I turned back to Mother, and whispered, "B-b-but I c-c-can't show h-her, Mother."

Mother shouted, "Show the human who and what you really are! SHOW HER!"

I refused to let the tears fall, and especially in front of Mother herself. I rushed over to our bathroom, shut the door, after a moment, Ginny's voice said, "Harry? Harry, what's wrong?"

She opened the door, I stopped her, and I said, "NO! Don't come in, Ginny. Please, just don't come in..."

I got my breathing under control, after changing back into my Changeling self, I looked at myself in the mirror, and I whispered, "I'm so sorry Zecora, I've tried to keep it a secret; but Mother has done it."

Zecora's voice said, "Prince Mothball, don't do it!"

I stepped out, and I heard gaspes from everyong.