As soon as Sugarcube Corner closed, Pinkie went out, got the bearers of the elements of harmony, and began leading them to the bakery. With a lot of effort, Pinkie whispered quietly enough to the others to explain the situation as best she could. "...And so, Rhubarb's a changeling and he needs our help!" Pinkie exclaimed, "With everything I just told you being a compilation of my proof, it makes sense, right?"
"Uh...no." Rainbow Dash replied.
"Uh-uh." Applejack said.
"Not really..." Fluttershy murmured.
"Oh, heavens, no." Rarity replied.
"It's simply illogical." Twilight finished. Pinkie pouted.
"You'll see. We're almost here." A few more steps towards the bakery. Pinkie stopped short at the door and looked around suspiciously. "Were we followed?"
"I don't think so." Twilight said, looking around the darkening plaza. "Does Rhubarb even know we're coming?"
"Uh-huh. He even came up with this plan himself." Pinkie said as she fiddled with the lock.
"He...did?" Rarity asked dubiously. "Now, he's claiming he's a changeling of all things. What in Equestria is going on?"
"You'll see, Rarity." Pinkie pulled the door open and ushered everypony in and slammed the door shut melodramatically. "To the back room for parties away!" she rushed towards the back, and with a shared look, her friends followed.
In the back, Pinkie rushed in first. The windows had been closed and the lights turned on bright. Rhubarb stood in the center with Merry while Mr. and Mrs. Cake hung back for support. The changeling was visibly shaking in fear while Merry held one of his hooves and stroked it gently. She kissed his cheek and he smiled weakly. Everypony looked to Pinkie, who stepped aside for the other mares.
"It's your turn, Rhubarb." Pinkie hopped off to Mr. and Mrs. Cake's side.
"Rhubarb, what's the meaning of all of this?" Applejack asked, befuddled. "Pinkie's saying you're a changeling. That can't be right."
"Yeah," Rainbow continued, "she gave us this whole story about how you left the queen months before the wedding."
"So what's going on exactly?" Twilight asked. Rhubarb shared a look with Merry, who nodded and let go of his hoof. Rhubarb looked at the element bearers straight in the eyes and changed, leaving him in his changeling form. They heaved and he grimaced.
"Pinkie Pie is right. I am a changeling." he looked to them. Rainbow Dash had fallen from her hovering position and was flat on her flank gawking at him. Applejack was blinking over and over again, Fluttershy was hiding behind Twilight, and Twilight's head was cocked in confusion and a touch of fascination. "Before we go over this, I know I lied. I'm sorry. One does not simply walk into Ponyville as a changeling." he explained.
"I...I don't know what to say..." Applejack uttered. Pinkie bounced to them.
"I trust him," she said, "Mr. and Mrs. Cake trust him. Merry May trusts him. And you can too!"
"Rainbow Dash, you and I work together." Merry cut in. "Surely you can trust my judgement. I've dated a few stallions..."
"...but none that got your interest quite like him." Rarity pointed out. "Oh, young love...he's been siphoning love for months. And you're still healthy. How?"
"Because I love her back." Rhubarb said simply. Rarity looked down at the ground for a second and then smiled weakly.
"Rhubarb's a good coltfriend. He goes into my shop with you and waits patiently, and he bakes well and is friendly. The colt even puts up with when I try to put a new gentlecolt's outfit on him..." A nod. "I trust him."
"Rarity! Thank you!" Rhubarb said, sounding a little relieved. Rarity had a devious smile at this point.
"Really, now, a changeling is perfect when I need a volunteer so I can get a real demonstration of how a dress might like on somepony...surely you wouldn't mind, Rhubarb?" Scales very much wanted to protest, but he knew better than to do so at the moment and merely nodded.
"I guess...I guess he's okay." Rainbow flapped her wings and lifted herself into the air again. "Though I am still gonna be getting used to this for weeks. You have a strange taste in stallions, Merry."
"Well, shoot. He's always doing business with the farm for ingredients. Darn nice changeling to boot." Applejack added shakily. "So...alrighty then."
Fluttershy peeked at him. "You...you were that sparrow? That bat that needed help?"
"Yeah. And I really owe you one for helping me those nights. So...thank you." Rhubarb thanked her. The pegasus said nothing more and gave a tiny smile. Nothing more needed to be said from Fluttershy.
Attention then turned to the still-gawping Twilight Sparkle. As soon as she moved out of her reverie, she cleared her throat. "So, um...what's your real name? I doubt a changeling was named Rhubarb." she said, awkwardly beginning to pace. Scales frowned. He didn't like that question.
"My name was Scales. It shouldn't mean anything anymore."
"Why? I kinda like it." Rainbow asked curiously.
"It's a reminder of a time I didn't miss. A people I don't miss." he explained. Merry shoved him aside finally, looking frantic.
"Listen, girls, if you haven't noticed, Rhubarb's hardly got any holes on him anymore. I'm worried there's something wrong with him. Please, can you contact the princesses for help?"
"Of course," Twilight's tail swished. "Princess Celestia should meet him anyways. Oh, I forgot Spike. One moment." Her horn flashed a reddish pink color and Spike fell out of the air with a grunt. He glared at Twilight.
"Geez, I asked if you wanted me to come and you said no. And I was so ready to take a nap and now I'm awake again. What gives--" Spike turned his head and stopped short at seeing Rhubarb. The dragon then screamed in horror and tried to run when Twilight stopped him, holding out a hoof to block his way. "What are you doing?! We have to run!"
"Spike, it's me!" Rhubarb exclaimed. As a changeling, Rhubarb's voice was slightly distorted, but it was enough like his pony version's voice to cause Spike to turn around. He squinted his eyes and then they widened.
"Rhubarb?"
"Yes, Spike, it's me. Rhubarb." He changed to his unicorn form. "I suppose you want an explanation..."
"...to say the least." he confirmed. The story was explained all over again, and Spike, although still confused, began writing a letter to the princess explaining the situation. Twilight dictated the letter. As soon as they were finished, Spike sent it off. Nopony had to wait very long. Within ten minutes, Spike burped up a letter. Twilight picked it up and quickly read it. Finally she closed it and looked to the changeling.
"Princess Celestia wants to see you immediately. Go pack lightly. Us, you, and Merry are all headed to Canterlot."