Rarity's heart pounded as she waited for Discord in Twilight's palace. Her thoughts whirled. When the draconequus got there, she would have to leave the comforts of her home to go places no pony has gone before. Well, sane pony at least. Changelings are creatures to not be messed with, but Rarity had a job to do. She was determined to rescue her sister from becoming a monster.
Sweetie Belle rocked anxiously on her hooves. She kept her gaze on the ground and didn't want to look up. She felt like she could break down and roll on the floor in a mess of tears. Twilight offered her to stay in her castle, but explaining that to anyone would really test her lying skills. She was specifically ordered by Twilight and Rarity to not tell anyone why Rarity left.
Twilight was nervously pacing around her castle. "Ugh! Where is he?"
A light appeared next to her. "You mean me? I'm right here!" Discord remarked as Rarity looked up. She felt like she wanted to take back her choice. Going with Discord would make it that much more difficult. She could barely take ten minutes of talking with him. Now, she's going to have to adventure with him for Celestia knows how long. She let out a sigh and approached Discord.
"Well... I'm ready," Rarity stated.
"But Rarity! You have nothing with you!" Sweetie remarked as tears started to form in her eyes.
"I know. Twilight told me that Discord would provide with everything. No need to fear, Sweetie! I'll be fine," Rarity responded as Discord looked at Twilight.
"I am? I have to provide for her needs?" He asked as Twilight nodded. Discord gave a slightly exaggerated sigh. "Alright. Fine. But I'm not making your tent into a mansion!"
Rarity nodded. "Deal. So... are you ready, Discord?"
Discord flicked his eagle claw to the side. "Of course! Why would I not be ready?"
"Do you have the map?" Rarity asked.
"Yep!" Discord then made a map appear. "It looks like, from my calculations, that the changeling hive is extremely far away."
"Let me see," Rarity responded as she took a look at the map. "Oh my."
"What?" Twilight asked as she took a look. "Discord... are you saying..."
"What? We'll be fine!" Discord responded as he pointed at the map. "I've been through the San Palomino Desert many times!"
Rarity let out a sigh. "Can we just teleport to the changeling hive?"
Discord shook his head. "I'm afraid not. The changeling signals that I was able to pick up with my chaotic powers don't give me the exact coordinates. It only gives me an approximate location. When teleporting somewhere, I need to know the exact location I'm going. Well, unless I want to go someplace completely random. That's always a good time."
Rarity looked over at Discord. "So... you're saying I have to walk through the desert?"
Discord rolled his eyes. "I can use my powers to make your journey more bearable, you know."
Rarity nodded. "I guess that would just have to do. I guess... we'll be off, then! We better get started!" Rarity stated. She then heard a small whimpering sound next to her. She looked to find Sweetie Belle in tears. "Sweetie Belle?"
Sweetie looked up and wiped her eyes. "Rarity... you don't have to go. I can live as a changeling my life. It's actually cool to be able to transform into anything. Please... I don't want you to get lost or hurt yourself!" She then locked her eyes with Rarity. Rarity showed a sympathetic smile.
"Sweetie Belle, I've told you that I'm very curious about this. Our whole family could be a changeling. I need to know if this is true or not," Rarity responded as Sweetie Belle gave her sister a small glare.
"Do you really think you're gonna get those answers from Queen Chrysalis? She would drain you of your love before you get to ask her!" Sweetie replied as more tears formed in her eyes.
"Well... that's why Discord is with me. He will be a big help on this journey." She then looked back to Discord as he waved. She looked over at Sweetie Belle. "Sweetie... you have to promise me something."
"Yes?" Sweetie asked as she wiped her eyes again.
"Please, don't tell anypony where I'm disappearing to. Or the secret about you being a changeling. Live your life as if this never happened. And, don't transform in public. Okay?" Rarity stated as Sweetie nodded.
"Y-you can count on me..." Sweetie responded as she wiped her eyes.
"Alright. I promise that I will stay safe and try my best to help with our situation," Rarity responded as she hugged Sweetie Belle. "Take care."
Sweetie Belle hugged her sister tight. "I-I will."
They then pulled apart. "Alright." Rarity then stood up and looked at Discord. "So... where are we going first?"
Discord looked at the map really quickly. "I'll teleport us to Appleloosa!" Discord then conjured up a cow-mare hat and a rope.
Rarity raised an eyebrow. "Can't we just go straight past the desert?"
Discord shook his head. "I have no idea what lies beyond the desert, so I can't teleport us there. And this way, we can get some food before setting off. Appleloosa has great cider, ya know."
Rarity nodded. "Alright. I guess we'll be off, now!"
Twilight gave Rarity a smile. "Be careful. I'll send a message to Discord every now and then to give to you. That way, you can write to me and Sweetie Belle about your experiences."
Rarity gave Twilight a smile back. "Alright! I promise I'll write back."
"Alright, alright. Hurry up! I don't have all day!" Discord remarked as Rarity rolled her eyes.
"Okay. Goodbye!"
"Bye, Rarity!" Sweetie Belle responded.
"We wish you luck!" Twilight added on. In a flash of light, the two were gone. The castle went eerily silent as Sweetie Belle and Twilight stared at the spot where the two had left.