A secret hidden within Rarity's family tree is revealed. Now, Rarity must venture to where nopony has gone before to solve the mystery and save her sister.
"I-I don't know how to say this..."
"Sweetie Belle, you can tell me anything! That's what sisters are for!"
Rarity finds a secret hidden deep within her family tree through Sweetie Belle: a secret that would change her life forever. Now, she must travel to parts of Equestria nopony has ever been before, or at least she thinks, to solve the greatest mystery that was ever put into her hooves.
Rarity sewed a few folds into her new outfit. She leaned closer to make the lining as perfect as she could. She flipped her ragged mane to the side of her head; mentally reminding herself to give her mane a good brushing after she finishes her work. She finally finished a line and levitated the dress. So far, it looked elegant and beautiful; perfect to display in her boutique in Canterlot. She smiled at the thought and set her work back on the table; taking a drink of the cup of water by her work area.
A knock then came from the door; sounding fairly quiet. Rarity turned her head to the door and levitated her glasses away from her face to a clear spot on the table.
"Come in!" She remarked as she moved the many fabrics set all over the floor to the side of the room.
The door opened as a shy figure walked in. It was Sweetie Belle. She looked like she was trying to avoid eye contact.
"Sweetie Belle? Are you alright?"
Sweetie looked up at Rarity; and used the little amount of magic she had to shut the door. "I-I don't know..."
Rarity pulled up a chair for Sweetie to sit on. Sweetie sat down and put her head on her hooves. Rarity then wrapped her fore-hoof around her sister.
"What happened? Are you broken-hearted? Bullied? Hurt?" Rarity questioned; moving a small bit of mane out of Sweetie Belle's face.
"N-no..." Sweetie Belle responded; looking up into her sister's blue eyes.
"Well... then what's go you so hurt? I haven't seen you this pained in a really long time, darling."
Sweetie Belle sighed. "My whole life, and existence, has been a complete lie."
Rarity's eyes widened. "What?!" She stared back into her sister's eyes. "W-whatever do you mean, Sweetie Belle?"
Sweetie buried her face in her hooves again. "I'm not who you think I am. I didn't even know what I was until a few minutes ago." She sighed once again; this time more silently. "I'll just say I'm really happy I didn't have school today... I would have been expelled, most likely."
Rarity pat her sister on the back. "There, there. Is it really that bad?"
Sweetie nodded her head. "It is. I-I don't know how to say this..."
"Sweetie Belle, you can tell me anything! That's what sisters are for!"
Sweetie Belle stood up; looking heavily troubled. "I'm... I'm..."
"Yes...?"
"A... changeling."
Rarity looked at Sweetie in confusion. "Um... what? Sweetie Belle, you're not a changeling. Did you just have a nightmare?"
Sweetie shook her head. "I am a changeling, Rarity. I don't know why... I just... I don't know... transformed today."
Rarity stared at Sweetie for a few seconds. "Sweetie Belle... there are no known traces of a changeling in our family! Maybe you were just seeing things."
"I'm not just seeing things! I turned into Spike earlier!"
Rarity's eyes widened. "What? How?"
Sweetie looked to the ground. "I don't know! I just thought that it would be cool to be a dragon, and Spike popped into my mind. Next thing I knew; I was staring at a small purple dragon!"
Rarity shook her head. "I-I still don't know if I can believe this..."
"Fine! I'll show you!" Sweetie Belle responded. She was then engulfed by a small green light and grew in size. When the glow disappeared, Cheerilee was standing in Rarity's room.
Rarity stared with wide eyes. "I can't believe what I'm seeing..." she muttered to herself as Cheerilee disappeared in a flash of green; and Sweetie Belle was once again standing in her place.
"I told you!" Sweetie remarked as Rarity stood up and walked over to her sister.
"Sweetie... Have you transformed into an actual changeling yet?"
Sweetie thought and shook her head. "Nope. I probably could, but it would be a lot of energy to turn back into my true form."
Rarity nodded her head in agreement; her eyes still wide with shock. "What I don't understand is why you're just showing your transformation powers now. I saw you when you were born. You didn't appear as a changeling then!"
Sweetie thought. "Yeah. That is pretty weird. I guess I have changeling genes in me, or something." A huge smile then spread across her face. "Wait... I am a mix between a changeling and a pony... that means I'm not an evil creature... but a filly who has superpowers!" Sweetie then started bouncing up and down. "Oh, I can't wait to tell Scootaloo and Apple Bloom! They're gonna-"
Sweetie was cut off by Rarity's hoof in her mouth. "Don't tell them, Sweetie. And I don't think it's only genes from a changeling. It's very possible that you really are a changeling; you were just living your life in disguise."
Sweetie's smile quickly disappeared. "But... what should I do? What if I really am a monster?"
Rarity thought. "I'll go talk to Twilight. She probably has at least five books about changeling ancestry in that library of hers."
Sweetie wrapped her fore-hooves tightly around her sister. "Thank you."
Rarity returned the hug. "Thank you? For what?" She asked as Sweetie pulled apart.
"For not abandoning me just because I'm a changeling."
Rarity gave her sister a sympathetic smile. "Sweetie, you know I would never do that! Even if you were secretly a diamond dog, I would never leave you on the streets! You can't choose what race or creature you are! That's fate's decision."
Sweetie Belle smiled back at her sister. "Once again... thank you... so much."
Rarity nodded her head. "Think nothing of it! I will always be here for you, Sweetie Belle!" She then looked outside. "I'm going to have to see Twilight about this. Do you want to come with me?"
Sweetie Belle nodded. "Sure! But can we get crackers in the marketplace on the way back?"
Rarity giggled. "Of course! Now, let's get this mystery solved."
Twilight's castle was soon in eyesight. Sweetie Belle glanced to the ground, a sad look plaguing her face.
"Sweetie, darling, are you alright?" Rarity asked as Sweetie looked up to her.
"Is that even a question? Rarity, I figured out my life's a lie. And I'm alright with it!" Sweetie responded sarcastically as her ears folded back on her head.
Rarity tried to speak, but a lump in her throat prevented her. "Okay..." she finally got out as she approached the stairway to Twilight's castle.
Rarity knocked on the door. No answer. She knocked harder.
"I'm coming! Hold on!" A voice from inside called. The door was opened by Spike, who gazed up at Rarity.
"Oh... Rarity! What are you doing here? Do you want some tea?" Spike asked as Rarity smiled down at him.
"Thanks, but no thanks. I need Twilight to take a look at Sweetie Belle," Rarity responded as Spike got a caring look in his eyes.
"Oh! Is she hurt?" He asked as Rarity thought.
"Well... I don't think so..." She then looked around the main room of the castle. "Where is Twilight?"
"Oh, she's reading on her throne. I suppose you want to see her," Spike responded as he held the door open for the two.
"Thanks, Spikey!" Rarity remarked, causing Spike to flush.
"Uh... no problem!" He responded as Rarity and Sweetie Belle waved to him and continued their walk to the throne room.
They opened the doors to find Twilight deeply interested in a book. The alicorn continued to read the words, even though the door had loudly opened.
"Twilight?" Rarity questioned as Twilight kept her nose in the book.
"Yes?" Twilight asked as Rarity walked over to her.
"I-I need you to help with Sweetie Belle," she then turned to Sweetie Belle. "Sweetie, darling, be a dear and shut the doors?"
Sweetie nodded and lit up her horn. The handles of the doors became engulfed in a light green glow before the doors closed.
This caused Twilight to finally look up from her book. "What do you need? And why is it so secretive that you shut the doors?" Twilight asked as she levitated the book away from her, giving the two her full attention.
"Well, Twilight, darling, you see..." Rarity looked over at Sweetie Belle; who covered her face with her hooves as she sat on Applejack's throne.
"I-I can't say it, Rarity," Sweetie responded, putting her hooves on the map. She looked away, almost feeling ashamed.
"Alright, darling," Rarity responded as she got a stern look on her face. "Twilight."
"Yes?" Twilight asked, looking into Rarity's eyes.
"Sweetie Belle claims she's..." she lowered her tone a bit, "a changeling."
Twilight gasped. "What?!" She remarked, immediately walking over to Sweetie Belle. "Why? When did this happen? How did this happen? Sweetie, please tell me!" Twilight remarked; causing Sweetie to nervously back away.
"Well... I was thinking how cool it would be to be a dragon... Spike, in particular."
"And...?" Twilight asked, looking into Sweetie Belle's eyes.
"I just... I don't know... transformed into him."
Twilight stood in silence for a moment. "This doesn't... make any sense!" Twilight then lit up her horn. In front of her appeared paper and a quill, and some books on changeling history.
"Sweetie Belle, can you show me the transformation?" Twilight questioned as she levitated the quill with her magic.
"Um... of course!" Sweetie responded as she thought of her sister. She imagined her purple, curly mane and white coat, along with her lapis color eyes. She soon felt a heat around her and closed her eyes. When she opened them, she was the size of her sister. She looked to the side to see a purple, curly mane cascading down her neck.
Twilight looked at her, her pupils small and jaw hung open. She shook her head. "I-I don't believe what I'm seeing..."
Sweetie's ears folded back. She engulfed herself in the light again and shrunk, becoming herself again.
"Twilight? Do you think I am really a changeling? Or have changeling genes in my family tree?" Sweetie asked as Twilight opened the books she had; her pupils still very small.
"Sweetie, I don't have an answer for that. I don't think it's possible to inherit the changeling powers without being an actual changeling."
Sweetie looked down to the ground. "Oh..." She replied. Sweetie shut her eyes, trying not to let the tears fall. She didn't like the idea of being a changeling. Everypony was scared of changelings ever since the invasion. What would she do if ponies at school found out? She lifted her head up and wiped her eyes.
Rarity seemed to sense her distress. "Is there any way we can help her, Twilight? Help find out if she's actually a changeling?"
Twilight looked over to her friend with a look of sympathy. "I don't think so." She paused for a moment. "Well, the only way to figure it out would be to ask Queen Chrysalis herself. She should know about the changeling inheritance."
Rarity's eyes widened. She looked down to the ground, thinking for a moment.
"Rarity, please tell me you're not going to do what I think you're going to do!" Twilight remarked as Rarity looked up at her.
"It's the only way I could save Sweetie Belle from the thoughts of her being a monster. Maybe I could find a way to remove her changeling inheritance. Or, ask if there's any way to cover it up," Rarity responded as she got a determined look on her face. Twilight stepped closer to her.
"Rarity, Queen Chrysalis would never tell you something like that! If anything, she'll just feed off of you!" Twilight remarked as Rarity looked to the ground.
"That's a risk I'll have to take..."
"What?! Rarity!" Sweetie remarked. Rarity turned to find her sister behind her. "You're going to go to the ends of Equestria... for me?!"
Rarity nodded. She crouched down to Sweetie Belle's level. "Of course. I am now curious to see if a changeling is in our family tree somewhere. And, I have to find a way to help you."
"I'm not sure you should do this, Rarity..." Twilight remarked as Rarity looked back to her.
"Twilight, darling, I'll be fine. I just don't know where changelings would live..."
Twilight thought as a realization quickly popped into her head. "Discord!"
"What?" Rarity questioned as Twilight smiled.
"What? Me? Help Rarity find Queen Chrysalis?!" Discord remarked as Twilight nodded.
"Yep! You could help her find the changeling hive."
Discord let out a heavy sigh. "But... I planned to have a tea party with Fluttershy this weekend! I even made the perfect dessert!" He then looked Twilight in the eye. "You wouldn't want me to not serve something I've worked so hard on for Fluttershy, would you?"
Twilight backed away and got a small glare in her eye. "Well... I'm not saying that..."
"Then why are you asking me to help?" He then looked over at Rarity. "I think the better question is: Why do you want to see Queen Chrysalis?"
Sweetie Belle looked down to the ground. "I'm a changeling..." she admitted, causing Discord to poof up a cup of water and do a spit-take.
"What?!" Discord remarked as he took a step away.
Rarity nodded. "It's true. So, long story short, I need you to lead me to where the changeling hive is. I need to figure out this mystery. There could be a changeling in our bloodline!"
Discord sighed. "Alright, fine. I understand. Just... let me tell Fluttershy I won't make it for the tea party this week."
Rarity nodded. "Alright. I'll meet you in Twilight's castle; 8:00 sharp tomorrow morning."
Discord looked down at Rarity. "That's extremely early... but I guess it'll just have to do. I'll see you tomorrow!" Discord responded as he teleported himself to Fluttershy's house.
Sweetie Belle nudged Rarity. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Rarity nodded. "I'm committed now, Sweetie. Let's go home. Most likely, I won't be able to see you in a few weeks once I leave."
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.
