Chapters Sweetie Belle frowned as she woke up before her sister, she walked over the mirror with a sigh. Her body glowed with light as the once white filly with a mulberry and rose mane shifted into a white furred spider with eight light green eyes looking at the mirror, she sighed “How did I become like this?”
Sweetie Belle had done this for this every day since she discovered she wasn’t really a pony “What am I?”
Before she could say another word she heard her sister call out “Sweetie Belle, you are not in the kitchen are you?!”
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes as she transformed back into her pony self before trotting down the stairs to see Rarity “I was just looking at myself in the mirror for a bit.”
Rarity smiled “Well since it’s the weekend I was wondering if you had gone out to crusade with you friends.”
Sweetie Belle shook her head “Apple Bloom is busy with chores and Scootaloo has practice with Rainbow Dash today.”
Rarity smiled “I see. Do you mind helping me with some dresses?”
Sweetie Belle sighed “I guess, it’s not anything like I have anything better to do today.”
Sweetie Belle rotted to the centre of the room and stood perfectly still as Rarity started using her as a mannequin for dresses “Is everything going alright at school?”
Sweetie Belle shrugged “I mean Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon still try to get a rise out of us. I must admit their teasing has grown stale and boring, so what if I don’t have a cutie mark. It doesn't matter to me anymore.” She didn’t mention due to her being a different species her chance of getting a Cutie Mark was zero.
Rarity smiled “Well I’m glad you’re no longer letting those bullies get to you, your cutie mark will come in time. Mine did when I least expected it, trust me it will come just believe in Harmony.”
Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow “That sounds oddly philosophical, where did you here that from?”
Rarity smiled “Someone I knew told me that, I never believed them until I got my mark. It changed my life for the better.”
Sweetie Belle frowned “I’m not sure about that, still I’ll take note of your words.”
Rarity frowned as she began correcting an off stitch “You will understand in time.” Several dresses later and Rarity was done, just as Sweetie Belle got out of the last dress they heard knocking on the door.
Rarity trotted over and opened the door only to see Apple Bloom standing there smiling “Ah was wondering if Sweetie Belle was free?”
Rarity smiled “We were just done actually, so she can go with you. Just try to keep the tree sap to a minimum if possible.”
Sweetie Belle galloped past Rarity “I’ll see you this afternoon sis.”
Rarity waved “I wish you luck, Sweetie Belle.” She then headed upstairs, a flash of green flame coursed around her body revealing a creature with black chitin and a purple web like mane as well as a pair of beautiful purple wings, three diamonds on either flank. Rarity sighed “Mum, why are you so against ponies? They are so kind.”
Sweetie Belle meanwhile was following Apple Bloom, Apple Bloom smiled eyebrows “Do you have ideas for us to get our Cutie Marks?”
Sweetie Belle frowned “I’m not sure, we have tried a lot of different things but none of them have worked.”
Apple Bloom frowned “Ya have been down in the dumps lately, can ya tell me what’s wrong. Ah’m worried about ya Sweetie.”
Sweetie Bell frowned “It’s personal, I’ll tell you and Scootaloo when I’m ready. I don’t have enough answers yet, so please don’t prod me about this.”
Apple Bloom smiled “Alright, Ah trust ya’ll tell me when the time is right. Now how about we get a milkshake from Sugarcube Corner, it will make you feel a little better.”
Sweetie bell and Apple Bloom entered Sugarcube Corner they took a seat only for as Pinkie put down two milkshakes, one Chocolate for Apple Bloom and one Strawberry for Sweetie Belle “I heard that you two were having a rough time because one of you was hiding something from the other and you need milkshakes.”
Apple Bloom sighed “Ah’m never going to understand Pinkie Pie, she is really strange.”
Sweetie Belle frowned “Why are you trying to understand Pinkie Pie, you remember what happened to Twilight when she tried to understand her? There are some things that are better left unanswered and Pinkie is one of them.”
Apple Bloom nodded “True, maybe Ah am just over thinking things.”
Sweetie Belle smiled “If you have anything you want to talk to me that requires a sensitive ear then tell me, I’ll always listen.”
Apple Bloom smiled “Thanks Sweetie Belle, if I never need help with sensitive matter I will speak to you.”
Sweetie Belle smiled “Let’s go for a gallop, I could use some exercise.”
Apple Bloom smiled “Just tell me if ya worn out, Ah don’t won’t to wear ya down too much.’
Sweetie Belle smiled “I won’t overdo it, I promise.” With that the two fillies finished their milkshakes and galloped out of Sugarcube Corner.
Meanwhile a pitch black bug like creature with dark green wings frowned (I have spotted them.)
Another voice pinged in his head (Keep a close eye on them, we need to capture them for Queen Chrysalis. They are the sisters of two bearers of Harmony and will be used as bait to eliminate a potential threat.)
The creature nodded (Yes sir.) Meanwhile were the other group of similar creatures were several cocoons were tied to the dark trees of the Everfree Forest.
One of the creatures frowned “Carapace, why are we doing this again? We are changelings, we are supposed to stay hidden. All this set up for an invasion doesn't make sense.”
Carapace rolled his eyes “Abdo, if we succeed we will never be hungry again, it is too good an opportunity to pass up. We can’t pass up this opportunity.”
Abdo frowned “I hope this works, because if it doesn't we are all in trouble. Big trouble.” Little did any of them know that their worries wouldn’t matter anyway as they would not live for much longer.
Author's Note
I wonder if any of you can guess what happens next?
The next morning at Sweet Apple Acres Big Mac, Applejack and Apple Bloom were getting ready for Apple Bucking when countless black creatures swarmed onto the farm. Applejack and Big Mac stuck at them only for them to grab Apple Bloom, all the creatures then flew away.
Meanwhile at the Ponyville Orphanage a single changeling grabbed the sleeping Scootaloo and took her out with ease.
At the Boutique Rarity galloped into Sweetie Belle’s room as she heard the sound of some thing breaking in, as soon as she saw the black creatures in the room she burst into green flames her purple wings flaring out “I can’t believe mother sent you after me, I am a free Changeling!”
The Changeling growled “It’s Princess Chrysalia, capture her!”Sweetie Belle began to stir as Rarity began flinging spells at the changelings, who dodged and fired back their own spells.
Sweetie Belle groaned as she stood up only to see Rarity fighting the creatures, she felt something, an instinct… no a hunger for these creatures. Sweetie Belle’s body glowed with light, she then fired three webbings in a row binding the three changelings to the wall. The changelings screamed “I can’t hear them!”
She leapt on the first changeling and slammed her fangs through the chitin pumping digestive juices into him. Rarity watched in horror as Sweetie Belle moved onto the next two changelings repeating the vile process and soon all the screams vanished as each ling was now a carapace filled with partially digested flesh. Sweetie Belle devoured the three lings doubling in size after each one until she was 1 Celestia tall and 3 Celestias wide. Sweetie Belle turned to Rarity, Rarity shuddered “Sweetie Belle don’t do this…”
Sweetie Belle saw the diamond marks on either side of Rarity’s body, she began to shake as she fought against her own instincts “She is my sister!”
Rarity looked at Sweetie Belle who had calmed down “Sweetie Belle, are you okay?”
Sweetie Belle frowned “Can you reassume your pony self, please? My instincts are painful to suppress and I may not be able to hold it much longer.” Rarity turned back into her unicorn form with a burst of flame, Sweetie Belle sighed “It appears we have a lot to talk about, first things first what are you and what am I?”
Rarity frowned “Well I am Changeling Princess, will be Queen in a century or two. As for you, well what little our kind knows of your kind comes from many millennia ago. It is a legend of strange spider-like creatures known as the Arachna that can shapeshift and feed off changelings, many thought it was superstition.”
Sweetie Belle sighed at her sister “Well they were wrong? But why would Changelings attack here?”
Rarity shook her head “I don’t know, they didn’t know I was here until now. It makes no sense.”
Rarity growled “That means they went after Scootaloo and Apple Bloom, in fact it’s quite possible they have them already! Our kind are ruthlessly efficient and would have planned a joint assault!”
Sweetie Belle grimaced “Well then let’s go to the Everfree, that’s where they would hide if they wanted to avoid us or bait a trap.”
Rarity frowned “I agree, still you should reassume your pony form as we go through town.”
Sweetie Belle sighed “Very well.” Sweetie Belle transformed back into her pony self with a flash of light. They then locked up the Boutique then burst into a gallop towards the Everfree Forest.
Sweetie Belle then transformed back into her true form once they were out of sight of Ponyville. She turned right as the white hairs on her body stood up “They’re that way, I can sense their buzzing.”
Rarity nodded “That is the Hive Mind, I’ve been cut off for a while. Queens and Princesses do fine without but lesser lings struggle. It’s actually why those ling you consumed were screaming before you even bit into them, your webbing can cut off the connection to the Hive Mind.”
Sweetie Belle frowned “ Well let’s go.”
Rarity’s eyes narrowed in the direction Sweetie Belle was looking “Those lings are going to pay!” Rarity burst into a gallop with Sweetie Belle scurrying beside, they arrived in a clearing to see Apple Bloom and Scootaloo rested in two pods full of green goop while four more rested there. Furthermore ten changelings were flying in the air.”
Sweetie Belle grinned as she fired off ten webs “Patooie, patooie, patooie, patooie, patooie, patooie, patooie, patooie, patooie, patooie.”
Rarity sighed as levitated the two pods down she then cut them open. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo landed on the ground, Scootaloo yawned “Is it morning yet?”
Apple Bloom looked up and started to cry as she saw Rarity. She wrapped in a big hug “Thank ya for saving me, Ah was so scared.”
Scootaloo looked around as she shook the last of the sleep out of her mind “Where are we?”
Apple Bloom turned to her “These Changelings captured us! They attacked Sweet Apple Acres!”
Scootaloo shouted “What?!”
Rarity nodded “They also attacked the Boutique but don’t worry, Sweetie Belle and I are safe.”
Scootaloo frowned “Where is Sweetie Belle?”
Rarity frowned “She’s currently eating behind me.” Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked past her to see Sweetie Belle’s huge spider form which was devouring the changelings her size doubling each time for each changeling consumed, she was now 1024 Celestias tall and 3072 Celestias wide.
Rarity was looking at the bottom of Sweetie Belle “Um Sweetie Belle can you turn back to normal know, you’re quite big.”
Sweetie Belle blinked as she saw everything around her was small “Oh right.”
She transformed back into her pony form, Scootaloo grinned “That was awesome!”
Apple Bloom eyes widened in shock “What are ya and why re you eating thosee creatures?!"
Sweetie Belle frowned “You must promise not to tell anyone, not even your sister. I am putting my faith in you both.”
Scootaloo nodded her voice grew grave “I understand, I will take it to my grave.”
Apple Bloom smiled weakly “I promise on my honour as a crusader.”
Rarity smiled “That’s good, because I am not a pony either.” Apple Bloom jumped as Rarity transformed into her true self.
Scootaloo frowned calmly “You’re a changeling, a Princess.”
Apple Bloom shouted “She’s a changeling, what if she tries to kidnap us? We should run, that might not even really be Sweetie Belle.”
Scootaloo frowned “You do notice she has Rarity’s Cutie Marks right, the other changelings didn’t have them. Besides I have my own secrets, my past is not something I am fond of.”
Rarity frowned “I will not judge you for having secrets, my kind are built on secrecy and Sweetie Belle’s species even more so as they are a fairy tale of my kind. We are shapeshifters who feed off love often disguising as somepony’s loved ones, sadly I was terrible at it but I could easily forge my own identity.”
Sweetie Belle sighed “I know little of what I am except that I eat Changelings. It's not much and I wanted to tell you when I had more information about my condition”
Scootaloo frowned “I believe we should get back, the Orphanage would be upset that I dissapeared. Plus Applejack and Big Mac would panic at the fact Apple Bloom is missing.”
Apple Bloom’s eyes widened “Ah have to get back, Ah need to…”
Rarity shook her head “I’m not letting wander through the Everfree alone, I’ll take you home.”
The group of four headed back to Applejack’s farm, Applejack and Big Mac were sitting on the porch. Applejack was sobbing as Big Mac had a hoof wrapped around her “Apple Bloom…”
Apple Bloom burst into a gallop “Sis!”
Applejack cried as she saw the little filly galloping towards, she wrapped her in a hug as tears flowed down her eyes “Ah’m so glad ya safe.”
Rarity smiled “Now I believe somepony else needs to go home, Apple Bloom will be fine with her sister.”
Sweetie Belle smiled “I agree, come on Scootaloo.”
Scootaloo smiled “Alright, let’s go.”
They calmly returned to the orphanage only a white pegasus mare to fly out with a scowl “Scootaloo where have you been, I have been looking at you all morning?!”
Rarity raised a hoof “It’s not her fault Foal Care, somepony had foalnapped her during the night. I managed to stop them from taking her away from here.”
Foal Care sighed “I see we have to up the security…” she then turned to Scootaloo with a weak “I’m sorry about that Scootaloo, I was just so worried about you. How about I make you something to eat.”
Scootaloo giggled as her stomach answered for her with a growl “I’d like that.” Sweetie Belle and Rarity smiled as they headed home their bonds strengthened by knowing the secrets of the other.
Author's Note
Sweetie Belle's Species can become massive, well at least the Queens do.
Sweetie Belle was having breakfast with her sister, she consumed the twenty pancake high stack on the table with ease before putting more on her plate. Rarity frowned “Isn’t that a little too much food Sweetie Belle.”
Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow “I’m massive, my true form is taller than an Ursa Major and much much wider. I need to consume a lot of food to support my body.”
Rarity sighed “I’ll speak to one of the local Griffons, it will hopefully decrease the amount of food you need to eat.” Sweetie Belle smiled as she devoured another pancake, Rarity frowned as Sweetie Belle swallowed “Are you ready for school?”
Sweetie Belle nodded “I have my books in my saddlebags, we don’t use them often but I have them in there” she then sighed “I wish Scootaloo brought hers more often, it’s miracle that she does well on every test despite the fact she doesn't pay much attention to anything.”
Rarity frowned “I can understand how that can be annoying, she is so much like Rainbow Dash. Sometimes I forget they’re not related, still it is odd that Scootaloo knew what I was.”
Sweetie Belle sighed “I know but I trust her, she wouldn’t hide something without reason.”
Rarity smiled “I know and that’s important. Trust in your friend no matter what, never forget that.”
Sweetie Belle smiled “Thanks Sis.”
After she finished her pancakes she grabbed her saddlebags and headed off to the Ponyville Schoolhouse. She arrived to see Apple Bloom and Scootaloo waiting for her, Apple Bloom smiled “How’s everything going Sweetie Belle, yesterday certainly was wild?”
Scootaloo grinned “You mean awesome right, you and your sister beat those bad guys like heroes.”
Sweetie Belle deadpanned “Heroes don’t eat the villains, Scootaloo.”
Scootaloo blinked “I forgot about that, do you need to eat meat?”
Sweetie Belle shook her head “Not in this state but I need to eat a lot of food in order to maintain my true body.”
Apple Bloom frowned “Let’s just go inside, Ah don’t want to be foalnapped again.”
Just at that moment two fillies approached them, Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes “Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon are you just here to mock us again?”
Diamond Tiara gave them a nasty smirk “You have lot of nerve Blank Flank, you are just some unicorn with delusions of grandeur.”
Scootaloo was about leap at them only for her tail to be Apple Bloom to pull her backwards with her mouth. She then frowned “Sweetie Belle will be fine handling those two.”
Sweetie Belle frowned not even bothering to look at the two“You two don’t really get it, I’ve stopped caring about your words. All you do is belittle others for you own self-satisfaction, as if it somehow makes you better than others. You are not worth even worth the energy to get angry at.”
The two bully’s jaws dropped as Sweetie Belle trotted over to her friends “Come on, we have class.”
Scootaloo grinned “That was awesome, you really told them.”
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes as they took their seats “They only have power if you give it to them, they are not worth our ire.”
Apple Bloom gave Sweetie Belle a puzzled look “Um, what does ire mean?”
Sweetie Belle sighed “It means very angry, to the point of intense violence.”
Scootaloo giggled “Thanks for the info, Miss Dictionary.”
Sweetie Belle pouted “Just because I pay attention in class and know a lot of words doesn’t make me a dictionary.”
Scootaloo smiled “I’m just messing with you.” They sat there looking to the front as the other students including Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon took their seats glaring at Sweetie Belle who was completely blotting out their existence.
Cheerilee smiled “I’m glad your all back for another week of school, how was your weekend.”
Sweetie Belle smiled “It was good for me, Miss Cheerilee. My bond with Rarity has only grown stronger.”
Cheerilee smile widened slightly “I’m glad Sweetie Belle, family is a very important thing.”
After school ended for the day Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were sitting in the centre of the massive Rich family living room. A massive plush couch sat in front of a grand golden fireplace with an intricate wooden table in front of the couch.
Diamond Tiara growled moved back and forth “For two weeks that filly has been ignoring every insult, every comment. Now she tells us we aren't even worth her timer, it doesn't make any sense!”
Silver Spoon frowned “I know but we can’t do anything about it right now. We need to take a calm and cautious approach to this.”
Diamond Tiara took a deep breath “What do you have in mind?”
Silver Spoon grinned wickedly “We follow them closely and find out what they are hiding.”
Diamond grinned “Well then let’s sneak up on their Clubhouse, and eavesdrop.” The two fillies grinned as they set out for Sweet Apple Acres. Once they arrived they snuck past the apple trees and hid in the bushes near the clubhouse.
Sweetie Belle was in the clubhouse with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Apple Bloom frowned “So any plans for getting our Cutie Marks?”
Sweetie Belle sighed “I’m not a pony, I can’t exactly get a Cutie Mark.” Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon shared a glance at that.
Scootaloo frowned “Well that puts a dampener on our plans.’
Sweetie Belle frowned “I was actually hoping to learn how to stagger my true form’s size. Being massive doesn’t help me very much so I was hoping I could develop stages of growth.”
Apple Bloom smiled “That sounds like a plan, which means we need to go into the Everfree.”
Sweetie Belle grinned “I can protect you from the forest if need be.”
Scootaloo whispered “I can handle myself.”
Diamond Tiara looked at Silver Spoon “We have to follow them.”
Silver Spoon’s eyes widened “Into the Everfree but it’s full of monsters!”
Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes “If those three can go in there then so can we come on.”
Silver Spoon sighed “Fine but if we die in there I’m blaming you for it.” Diamond Tiara galloped after Crusaders with Silver Spoon cautiously following behind her.
They arrived to see the Crusaders in a clearing. They hid in a far away bush, Diamond Tiara pulled out two pairs of Binoculars, Silver Spoon blinked “Where did you get those?’
Diamond Tiara raised an eyebrow “I took some from one of Pinkie Pie’s binoculars stashes, apparently she has them everywhere for Binoculars Emergencies. There was a sign on it that said for Binoculars Emergencies.”
Silver Spoon took one “That makes sense.”
The two observed the Crusaders, Sweetie Belle was focusing as the two watched. Apple Bloom occasionally had to put a hoof over Scootaloo's mouth as she was about to complain. Sweetie Belle grit her teeth as she burst in a flash of light and in her smallest spider form she was 1 Celestia tall and 3 Celestias across. Diamond Tiara blinked in shock “What is she?!”
Silver Spoon frowned “Quiet, we don’t want to attract a predator, we may find out if we keep watching”
Sweetie Belle took a deep breath “Okay, I need to get used to that.”
Apple Bloom frowned “Are you sure you’re okay, we don’t want you to overdo it.”
Scootaloo nodded “We don’t want you to hurt yourself, even Rainbow Dash gets hurt sometimes.”
Sweetie Belle smiled “I’ll be fine, it will get better with practice.”
Sweetie Belle swapped between the two forms several times as the four fillies watched in awe. Sweetie Belle took a deep breath as she was sweating “I think I’m staring to get the hang of that one but it’s a bit small, now let’s try a little bit bigger.”
Sweetie Belle’s size tripled now 10 Celestias tall and 30 Celestias wide, Diamond Tiara’s eyes widened “She’s even bigger!”
Silver Spoon hissed “I said quiet!”
Sweetie Belle meanwhile smiled “This is much easier, I’m not suppressing as much power in this form. I think this is what I should use normally unless I need to fit into a smaller building, yep this is middle sized.”
Apple Bloom smiled “Well that’s good to know.”
Scootaloo nodded “I agree.”
Sweetie Belle grinned “Now for large.” Sweetie Belle grew now being 100 Celestias tall and 300 Celestias tall, the four fillies looked up at the giant spider Sweetie Belle now was. Diamond Tiara screamed, her and Silver Spoon were far enough away for the Crusaders not the here them, Silver Spoon turned around to see a massive Hydra looking at the two fillies.
Sweetie Belle smiled “This is as large as I can be before hitting maximum size.”
Sweetie Belle transformed back into her filly self as Apple Bloom smiled “I’m glad this worked out.”
Scootaloo grinned “It is totally awesome, might make for a good Nightmare Night Costume.”
Before Sweetie Belle could respond they heard familiar voices screaming, Sweetie Belle turned to see a Hydra on the tail of Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle transformed into her middle sized form as she shouted “Diamond, Silver get behind me now!”
The Hydra came to a standstill as it slammed into Sweetie’s massive bulk, it’s multiple heads bit against her exoskeleton fruitlessly. She then bit into it with her fangs interjecting digestive juices, the Hydra roared in pain as it’s body started to dissolve.
Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon turned to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo “How can you be friends with her when she’s a creature like that?!”
Apple Bloom scowled “Here’s a lesson Diamond Tiara, a friend is a friend not matter what species she is. We knew Sweetie Belle as a pony one day, a spider creature the next. She is still Sweetie Belle and is still our friend, Ah want the both of ya to think about being friends with another means!”
Sweetie Belle meanwhile was eating her fill of Hydra flesh, after she was done she returned and looked a Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon “It was foolish too make so much noise in the Everfree.’
Silver Spoon grimaced “Tell that to miss ‘I must shout at the top of my lungs’ here. I warned her but she didn’t listen.”
Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow as Diamond Tiara glared at her friend “I’m surprised your not scared of me.”
Silver Spoon pulled three razor sharps knives out of her mane “My family are a group of monster hunters, these were enchanted to meld into my mane. They are not supposed to be used on Hydras, only Timberwolves and young Manticores.”
Sweetie Belle’s eyes narrowed “I hope you aren’t going to try and slay me.”
Silver Spoon shook her head “We only stop wild monsters, you clearly have the ability to think rather than act.”
Apple Bloom frowned “We should get back to Ponyville, it’s getting late ”
Scootaloo nodded “It isn’t wise to be out here when it’s dark.”
Sweetie Belle nodded as she transformed into her pony self “Come on you two, you just got attacked by a Hydra. I don’t like you two but I don’t want to see either of you dead, now come on.”
The group of five fillies headed back in the direction of Ponyville, Diamond Tiara began to shake as few timberwolves got close. Sweetie Belle put a hoof on Diamond Tiara as she glared at them for a moment and the Timberwolves backed away in fear. Diamond Tiara blinked at they started moving again “How did you do that?”
Sweetie Belle frowned “It’s quite simple predators can hear the heartbeat of others, my is calm and as still as the forest. The faster your heartbeat the lower you are on the food chain, ponies being herbivores are on the bottom and your hearts beat like lightning.”
Scootaloo and Silver Spoon nodded in unison as Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow that’s interesting. The rest of the trip back to Ponyville was quiet as predators avoided Sweetie Belle like the plague.
Author's Note
By the way Celestia as a measurement is the distance Celestia is from hoof to horn tip.
Rarity headed to Fluttershy’s cottage, she knocked on the door. Fluttershy opened the door, she smiled as she saw her fashionista friend “Rarity it’s good to see you, make yourself at home. I’ll start on the tea.” Fluttershy headed into her kitchen.
Rarity sighed as she took a seat on Fluttershy’s green couch and burst into green flames as she returned to her true form “I can’t do this at home.” Memories began to fill her mind.
Four Years Prior
Rarity was exhausted, she was partaking in something she would not usually been seen dead drinking. Yen empty mugs of coffee on the table, setting up the Boutique had been difficult. The lack of love from her family had been getting to her as the love acquired at Pinkie Pie’s welcome party was dwindling, it didn’t help her that she had been up the last few nights completing orders for customers.
She yawned as she stood up, she knew she needed to get a little love to sustain herself. She went for a trot into town, barely anypony gave her a look and the pink bundle of bouncing love wasn’t around when Rarity needed her.
She started to feel weak in the knees and collapsed to the ground as what little love she was fuelling her disguise. The last thing she saw before she blacked out was a butterscotch pegasus mare with a pink mane.
Rarity awoke in a wooden room on a green couch filled with multiple animals looking at her with scowls on their faces. She was slightly surprised that her hunger was greatly reduced, still the fury of the animals in the room made her feel sick. The butterscotch pegasus frowned “Are you causing her trouble?” All the animals save one shook their heads and left the building including the massive bear.
Fluttershy smiled at Rarity “Do you want some tea, then you can tell me a little more about your species.”
Rarity looked at her hooves “Oh dear, you’re not supposed to see this.”
Fluttershy smiled “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. I’ll be back with some tea.”
Rarity’s eyes widened as the though crossed her mind (She’s not scared of me, I was right. Mother had been lying to us for so long, trying to make us her obedient slaves.)
Fluttershy frowned as she returned with the tea her voice echoing “Are you okay?”
Present Day
Rarity smiled at Fluttershy as she shook herself out of her stupor “I was just thinking of the day we first met, you showed me true kindness that day helping me for the sake of helping me. No one pony or not had done that for me, you even accepted my true self and acted as if nothing was wrong.”
Fluttershy blushed slightly “You keep acting like I did something special, I just simply showed you kindness. It’s something any other pony could have done.”
Rarity shook her head “You saved my life that day, I was out of love. I was starving and alone, you helped me when I was on the verge of death unable to even maintain a disguise for a short time.”
Fluttershy blush grew “It really wasn’t that special, I was just in the right place at the right time.”
Rarity giggled “We do this all the time don’t we, you don’t want to accept my praise and I am always willing to heap more on regardless.”
Fluttershy sighed “So much has happened to us hasn’t it, we faced off against an Alicorn from a bygone age as well as a Lord of Chaos. I fear the time of peace for us has ended.”
Rarity frowned “That is a bit of pessimistic attitude to have, besides there is nothing wrong with a little adventure every now and then. It keeps life from getting boring, still I could use a little less life threatening excitement for a while at least.”
Fluttershy nodded “That’s exactly what I mean, it just feels like we can’t catch a break.”
As if answering her call, there was knocking at her door. She opened it to see Sweetie Belle panting “I heard Rarity was here, I was worried something had happened?”
Fluttershy smiled “She’s fine, she’s just relaxing on the couch. Just give me a minute to inform her.”
Sweetie Belle took a deep breath of relief “Thank you but there is no need, I just want to see my sister.”
Fluttershy shook her head “Rarity is a little busy, she will be ready for you shortly.”
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes and sighed before galloping past her, she entered the room to see her sister sitting on the couch. Rarity frowned “Sweetie Belle, are you okay? Should I change back to normal?”
Sweetie Belle shook her head “No, with some of the practice I’ve had today I have a better handle on it.”
Fluttershy entered with a worried look only to see Sweetie Belle taking a seat on the couch alongside Rarity. Fluttershy blinked at Rarity “She knows?”
Rarity sighed “Yes, my hive attacked us. She was after my sister and her fellow Crusaders, they hope dot use them against us” she then frowned “they discovered my sister was not exactly normal either.”
Fluttershy raised an eyebrow “Is she a changeling?’
Sweetie Belle shook her head and stepped into the room taking the smallest version of her true form “No, I’m not exactly sure what I am. I have a huge appetite though.”
Fluttershy saw the massive fangs and smiled “I see you are a predator, I can provide you with meat. It will be far easier for me to provide you meat then for you to get it from a Griffon merchant.”
Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened “You will do that for me?”
Fluttershy smiled “Of course, Rarity is my friend and you are too. I’ll deliver the food tomorrow.”
Rarity smiled as she trotted over to Fluttershy and gave her a strong hug “Thank you for everything, you’re a really good friend.”
Fluttershy blushed “It’s nothing really.”
Sweetie Belle smiled as she gave her a hug “Thank you Fluttershy, I really appreciate it.” Fluttershy was blushing like a tomato from the praise as the two resumed their normal forms and left.
When they returned home Rarity frowned “There is something I was meaning to ask, how did you discover you were different?”
Sweetie Belle frowned “Remember when that piano fell through our roof? It was that day.”
Rarity blinked “How did that happen, I would have noticed surely?” Sweetie Belle sighed as she began to explain what happened.
Roughly Two Weeks Ago
Sweetie Belle was alone in her room, she was looking at the practice make-up kit Rarity had bought her. It wasn’t incredibly flashy, it was something she had wanted to practice with properly and Rarity was more than willing to oblige.
Just as she was about to open it when a huge piano fell on her and the kit, Derpy frowned as she looked at the other two pegasi with her. They both had shame on their faces “We’re sorry Derpy.”
Derpy muttered “The boss is going to blame me for this again, I do a good job and he always blames me because of my eyes” she then shook her head “We need to lift this up.”
The three pegasi lifted up the piano, not noticing that a Sweetie Belle now an eight legged spiderlike creature laid on the ground groaning “Ow.”
She stood up only to see the kit had been completely destroyed, she frowned “Why cant I…” She didn’t even finish her sentence, her scream echoing throughout the building as she saw her spider like leg and scurried under the bed.
Rarity wasn’t home at the time so she didn’t hear the screams, Sweetie Belle took a few deep breathes to calm herself and braved the mirror. Her eyes widened as she saw herself in the mirror for the first time “This is real.”
Present Day
Rarity blinked “So that’s what happened on the day when I had to fix the roof, I wasn’t paying any attention to your whereabouts that day. I was a little concerned about the hole.” She then frowned “I’m concerned that you were hit by a piano, the moving team does this way too often.”
Sweetie Belle shook her head with a sigh “I didn’t want to tell you because I was scared you would reject me. It was foolish and dumb but I was scared of losing your love.”
Rarity gave her sister a hug “I will never stop loving you, never!”
Meanwhile in Fluttershy’s cottage, Fluttershy was taking a deep breath “Alright Fluttershy, it’s been two months now but it’s time to resume the hunt.” Her coat grew ragged as she doubled in size her teeth sharpening to points as claws formed out of her hooves using her secret for the first time in two years.
Author's Note
The final part in this chapter will have a great influence in the second story.
Fluttershy was in her kitchen with a smile, she had several pieces of meat on the table. She had been cutting them carefully with a knife, she smiled “Rarity and Sweetie Belle need my help, I will not disappoint” she then frowned “I remember when we first met.”
Four Years Prior
Fluttershy was trotting into town, she going to purchase some vegetables for some of her animals. She was walking towards the stalls when she saw a white unicorn mare with a purple mane collapse onto the ground, everypony save Fluttershy was in shock. Fluttershy galloped past and picked up the mare, placing her on her back.
She then began galloping back to the cottage, she winced slightly as the weight ton her back increased but didn’t stop. She returned home and placed the mare on the couch. Fluttershy blinked (I’ve never seen anypony look like this?).
The mare was quite large for a pony and her legs were full of holes, the conundrum for the Fluttershy only grew as she saw that the pony had buglike wings and a long crooked. She then touched the mare’s body, it was hard and solid. Fluttershy was concerned for a moment (What if she’s dangerous?) she then shook her head with a frown (Don’t think about her like that, she needs your help and that is all that matters at the moment.)
Fluttershy headed upstairs, she grabbed a book on different animals as well as a book on different magical creatures but none of them had anything of note inside.
She then heard a commotion downstairs, she trotted downstairs to see scowling at her guest (I can’t believe they’re doing this.) She frowned at them “Are you causing her trouble?”
The animals could tells he wasn’t pleased and left save her pet bunny, Angel (I will have to discipline him later.)
Fluttershy then approached the mare (Don’t scare her, she’s probably panicked from being in a stranger’s home.) She smiled “Do you want some tea, then you can tell me a little more about your species.”
Rarity looked at her hooves “Oh dear, you’re not supposed to see this.”
Fluttershy smiled “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. I’ll be back with some tea.” Fluttershy entered the kitchen (Well that failed, she’s obviously very secretive judging from the fact she has been disguising her true self.)
Fluttershy continued making the tea and then returned to the room only to see the mare’s eyes wide, she frowned “Are you okay?”
The mare smiled weakly “I was just thinking about how much you’ve helped me, my name is Rarity.”
Fluttershy smiled “I’m Fluttershy, I love animals of all kinds.”
Rarity frowned “I hope you don’t think I’m another one of your animals. I have thoughts of my own.”
Fluttershy giggled “Of course not, I would like to know more about you if it’s possible.”
Rarity smiled “I can do that, but promise not to tell anypony else, I’m worried how I will be treated if anypony found out.”
Fluttershy placed a hoof over her heart “I swear on my life I will not tell a soul.”
Rarity sighed “Well I'm a Changeling Princess, my kind need love in order to survive. My mother has the philosophy that ponies are inferior beings that are subservient to us, but I disagreed with her and ran away when I was only a few years old. I disguised myself and was taken in by my parents, a few years later they took in another filly named Sweetie Belle.”
Fluttershy smiled “If you ever need to talk to anypony about your true self, I’m always here.”
Rarity smiled “I also may come over for some love. I was honestly hoping to find Pinkie but the pink love bundle was nowhere to be seen.”
Present Day
Fluttershy giggled as she finished preparing the meat for Rarity and Sweetie Belle, the thought of Pinkie Pie being a bundle of love was rather accurate. She put all the meat into the sack and hefted it over her withers, she headed to Rarity’s place with a smile on her face.
Meanwhile Rarity had just woke up, she yawned as she stretched and headed to her bathroom giving her face a proper wash before applying her make-up. She then trotted downstairs to see Sweetie Belle sitting there humming to herself, Rarity yawned “Good morning Sweetie Belle.”
Sweetie Belle smiled “Good morning sis, what’s for…” She was interrupted by a knocking at the door, Sweetie Belle galloped to the door and opened it.
Sweetie Belle smiled as she saw Fluttershy, Fluttershy smiled “Can you show me the pantry. I have brought the meat for you.”
Sweetie Belle cheered “I’ll show you, this way.”
Fluttershy followed Sweetie Belle into the kitchen, Rarity was making tea and smiled “Fluttershy, I see you brought the meat.”
Fluttershy smiled as she took the meat out of the bag, Fluttershy frowned as she put the meat in the magic powered fridge “Are you sure you can handle meat?’
Rarity smiled “Changelings are omnivores we can eat meat too, I may even make myself a meat based snack every now and then. How did you learn how to handle meat?”
Fluttershy giggled “I take care of animals, some of which eat meat. You can’t take care of animals without understanding that they eat meat, Harry can’t survive solely on plants and honey.” She thought to herself (I also eat quite a bit myself.)
Sweetie Belle smiled “Thanks for the meat.”
Fluttershy smiled before she left “You’re welcome.” Just as she left Rarity and Sweetie Belle hear the sound of buzzing in the air.
Later that night in Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia frowned as she was reading a letter
To the Guardian of the Sun
An attack is coming on Canterlot, we don’t know when, we don’t know where but it is coming. Be prepared fort he sake of all you hold dear.
Celestia’s eyes narrowed, she had emergency meeting to call and with a Royal Wedding happening in two weeks she had little time to prepare.
Author's Note
This chapter is a little on the short side but I didn't want to bog the chapter down too much.
Chapter 6: Canterlot Conflict
It had been two weeks since Fluttershy had begun providing Rarity and Sweetie Belle with meat. Largely their lives had returned to normal, Rarity was busy making dresses while Sweetie Belle was going to school with her friends. Both Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon had been leaving their group alone but the peace they had found was about to be shattered.
Rarity unaware of future events was trotting through Ponyville with a smile, she was wearing a nice sun hat. She smiled as she arrived at the picnic with her friends, Pinkie and Applejack had made multiple treats for the picnic while Rainbow had made sure that there were no cloud in the area that day. Rarity sat down with a smile “Today is a beautiful day for a picnic.”
Applejack smiled “Ah agree, Rainbow did a good job with the clouds.”
Rainbow boasted “Of course I did, I’m awesome.” Rarity giggled at Rainbow’s boast, she took an apple fritter as well as one of Pinkie’s cupcakes. Pinkie’s cupcakes definitely were sweeter for most ponies but the Apple family recipes always pleased Rarity more as they were made with love of family.
Just then Spike ran over panting “Twilight … I got ... a letter” he then burped green flames.
Twilight Sparkle up the letter and began to read the letter
Dear Twilight
I hope you’re excited for the Royal Wedding.
Twilight blinked as she looked around “Did any of you hear about a Royal Wedding?” The other girls shook their heads, Twilight continued reading with a frown
I will be presiding over the ceremony but I was hoping you and your friends would assist me with setting up the wedding itself. Fluttershy, I would like you and you choir of Songbirds to perform the orchestra.
Fluttershy blushed “Oh, wow. I was not expecting to perform for a Royal wedding.”
Pinkie Pie, you are a pony full of joy. I couldn’t think of a better pony to run the reception.
Pinkie Pie cheered “HOORAY!”
Applejack I was hoping you could provide the catering for the event.
Applejack smiled “Ah’ll gladly do it.”
Rainbow Dash yawned “Boring.’” Twilight grinned as she read the next part
I would appreciate it if Rainbow Dash could perform s Sonic Rainboom as the bride and groom complete their I do’s.
Rainbow grinned as did several loops in the air “Best Wedding Ever!”
I was hoping Rarity would be willing to design the dresses for the big day.
Rarity’s eyes widened “Dresses… Royal Wedding…” Her eyes rolled back into her head as she collapsed to the ground.
As for you Twilight, you’re planning skills are second to none so I was hoping you could make sure everything goes smoothly.
From Princess Celestia
Twilight raised an eyebrow “Who’s supposed to be getting married, it doesn't say anywhere on the letter.”
Spike stood up “Sorry, I was supposed to give you this one first.” Twilight smiled as she levitated the letter over and began to read
Dear Twilight
You are cordially invited to the Wedding of Princess Cadenza Mi Amore and …
Twilight exclaimed as her eyes widened in shock “My brother!” An hour or two later the Six bearers of Harmony were on the train, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were with them. Twilight exclaimed angrily “How could Shining Armour not tell me he was getting married?! He’s my brother!”
Applejack frowned “I’m sure he had a good reason to, family would not forget about something like this without good reason.”
Rarity was about add something when she heard buzzing, she turned to Sweetie Belle who nodded. Rarity nodded back, the two had heard the buzzing and it was only growing louder as they approached the city.
Rarity whispered to Sweetie Belle “I hope the Changelings aren’t planning something today.”
Sweetie Belle whispered back “ I’m guessing we need to keep this quiet.”
Rarity nodded, she frowned as she saw the huge pink barrier “Why is that there?” In truth Rarity had her own suspicions but she kept them to herself.
Applejack frowned “It’s Royal Wedding, Ah thought of all ponies ya would know exactly why the security is so tight. This is a major event, one that will be recorded in the history books.”
Rarity muttered “I hope it’s not one that will be recorded for the wrong reasons.” Rarity and Sweetie Belle both felt a tingling as they passed the pink barrier.
The whole group save Twilight who was busy confronting her brother entered the castle to prepare for the wedding. Rarity was busy making the dresses for the wedding, Sweetie Belle was helping her sister by arranging the fabric into the correct places so Rarity could keep working.
Lyra, Minuette and Twinkleshine enter. They smiled at their dresses “They look fantastic.”
Rarity smiled at the golden, blue and pink dresses she had made for them, there was wing-like design on each. Rarity was more concerned with the wedding dress. A white dress with golden accents, a Pink Alicorn strutted into the room with an upset Twilight at her side. Rarity and Sweetie Belle winced as they felt buzzing around pink Alicorn, Rarity shook her head and smiled “Princess Cadenza, how do you like your dress?”
Cadenza frowned “I want a longer train with more beading” she then looked at the bridesmaid’s dresses I want them changed as well. She then fiercely glared at the Bridesmaids who maintained their silence
Rarity smiled “I can do that, it will take some time before it’s ready.”
Cadenza nodded and left, Twilight grimaced as she left. Rarity and Sweetie Belle shared a concerned look before resuming their work.
Later on when Rarity met up with her friends, Twilight growled “Cadence has been rude to everyone! She was not like this when I was a foal!”
Rarity felt a sickening feeling in her stomach, one of the ways to tell somepony was impersonated by a changeling is them acting out of character. Applejack frowned “Are sure she’s not acting this way because of wedding pressures? It’s possible.”
Rarity frowned “I need to get back to work.” She galloped back to the dress room, Sweetie Belle was busy organising the materials for when Rarity returned. Rarity whispered “We have a problem, the bride is a changeling. We need to wait until she makes her move and then strike.”
Sweetie Belle sighed as she whispered back “So much for the fairytale ending, looks like there will be a mess at the end of this.’
Just then Cadence walked in with a smile “My previous bridesmaids have dissapeared, I humbly request you to be one of my new bridesmaids.”
Rarity bowed with a smile “I’d be honoured, how many dresses need to be made.”
Cadence smiled “Five including you, I have my faith in you to have the dresses down by tomorrow.”
Sweetie Belle began gathering fabric knowing they would have a long night ahead of them. The next day late into the afternoon, Rarity was awoken for the Wedding Rehearsal. After quickly getting ready the rehearsal begun shortly afterwards, Rarity smiled as the Crusaders headed down the hall.
She frowned when Twilight burst in (I hope she doesn’t cause a scene.) Twilight did very well cause a scene as she exclaimed angrily “Brother, neither of us should stand next to Cadence! She has been doing something to you with her magic, she has changed from the mare we remember. Her magic is green! Not to mention how she has been treating everyone, the Cadence we knew would never be so cruel”
Rarity grimaced slightly, that was a clear sign of a Changeling and she had feeling Celestia would say something against Cadence. Shining Armour growled at Twilight “She has been alleviating my headaches, Twilight!”
Twilight turned to Cadence “Stop whatever spell you’ve used on my brother!”
Cadence cried and galloped out of the room, Celestia trotted past her “You have a lot to think about.”
Shining Armour growled “You forget about being my best mare, you shouldn’t even bother attending the wedding!” Twilight began to cry.
The fact Celestia was ignoring such steadfast evidence was odd to Rarity, Celestia should know Cadence was acting oddly… Rarity frowned as a dark thought passed through her mind (Unless… I hope I’m wrong but we may have another bigger issue.) She then looked at Twilight as she left the room (You were right, Twilight but I can’t reveal myself here. I hope you’ll forgive me.)
Twilight meanwhile was crying to herself (I have ruined everything, this is all my fault. I’ve lost everything my brother, my mentor, even my friends.)
Cadence then trotted towards her with a smile, Twilight looked up at Cadence “I’m so sorry I’ve ruined everything.”
Cadence laughed evily as her horn glowed green “You will be sorry.” A burst of green flames sent Twilight away.
Celestia stepped forward with her own grin, both Alicorns burst into green flames. Cadence was a normal drone who looked up to her a much larger Changeling. The larger changeling laughed maniacally “Now no one will be able to oppose me, Queen Chrysalis the destined ruler of this world.”
Meanwhile Twilight awoke in the abandoned mines under the castle, she looked around to see Cadence taunting her “You’re trapped deep in the underground caverns of the castle, no-one can find you here.”
Twilight growled “What do you want?!”
Cadence grinned “I’m taking your brother as my own, while your to down there alone and unloved.”
Twilight began angrily destroying the crystals around her, her eyes narrowed as she saw Cadence cowering in fear. She leapt at Cadence only to bump into a white wing, she heard a familiar voice “My faithful student, it’s good to see even in these trying times.”
Twilight turned around to see Princess Celestia smiling as her pink mane laid limp on her back, Twilight blinked “What happened to you?”
Celestia sighed “A week ago the fake Cadence confronted and captured me using powerful magic, she revealed herself as the Changeling Queen Chrysalis. Even now she plans to conquer our fair nation.”
Cadence growled “We need to return and find a way to stop her.”
Twilight nodded “Well then let’s go.” The trio travelled through the catacombs, desperately searching for an exit.
Meanwhile Rarity and Sweetie Belle were preparing for the wedding, Rarity and Sweetie Belle were wearing matching dresses. Sweetie Belle looked at her sister “Today everything will change for us one was or the other, the shadows that have hidden us will vanish.”
Rarity smiled “Maybe but if it does we will face it together as a family.”
The wedding soon begun, the Crusaders took their roles as Flower Fillies very seriously. Rarity frowned as the buzzing in the air was constant, Rarity was paying attention to Celestia on the dais when Twilight burst into the room alongside Celestia and Cadence. Twilight growled at the ‘Celestia and ‘Cadence’ on the dais “Those are fakes, imitations of the real things.”
The fake Celestia laughed as she burst into a flash of green “It matters not, Luna has been put into a deep sleep and none of you can best me” she then grinned “Heartsong, bring the barrier down.”
Heartsong grinned as she shed her disguise and grinned as Shining Armour under her influence let a huge horde of changelings in. Rarity pointed to Chrysalis and then to herself, she then pointed to Sweetie Belle and then to the balcony. Sweetie Belle nodded and the two sisters tossed off their dresses.
Sweetie Belle galloped towards the window while Rarity galloped towards Chrysalis, Chrysalis turned to her with a toothy grin “What does this pathetic, prissy unicorn think she can do to me.”
Everypony gasped as Rarity burst into green flames as her hole filled hoof smashed in Chrysalis’ jaw. Chrysalis stood up “So Chrysalia, my daughter I’m surprised your here. Still you are ruining my plans.” Chrysalis leapt forward delivering a mighty swing.
Rarity growled as she blocked the attack “You’re no mother of mine, I will stop you here!”
Chrysalis wiped the blood off of her muzzle as she recovered in the air “I have the whole hive behind me, I have no need to fight you fairly.”
Rarity grinned “I believe they will be quite busy dealing with their own problem.”
Sweetie Belle had just leapt off the balcony before shifting into her 10 Celestias tall and 30 Celestias wide spider form as she roared “Face me!”
Rarity then flew at her enemy, Chrysalis could barely react before Rarity punched the Changeling Queen in the stomach “You have invaded my home” she then punched her in the jaw “You have attacked my friends” her horn glowed as it blasted the Queen with magic.
Meanwhile Sweetie Belle was catching Changelings out of the air, her massive maw swallowing countless Changelings whole. The changelings tried to keep their distance as the massive spider attacked them relentlessly.
Chrysalis growled as she fired a huge blast of magic at Rarity “I am destined to rule this world, it’s my right!”
Rarity gritted her teeth as the spell sent her hurtling into the ground, Chrysalis laughed “You got a few lucky hits but now I…” Rarity teleported next to the queen and sent her hurtling into the ground, she then placed one hoof on Chrysalis’ horn with another on her neck, Rarity glared at the Queen “Yield or die!”
Chrysalis’ eyes wide in fear exclaimed “I yield!”
At that exact moment every changeling outside had their mane turn purple and flew towards Canterlot Castle. Sweetie Belle followed them with a shrug.
All the Changelings were bowing to Rarity, one approached “My Queen, what do you request of us!”
Rarity frowned “Put Chrysalis in the Castle Dungeons, I trust you can find your way there.” 50 other Changelings joined him and escorted the former to queen to the Castle Dungeons even though it would take them several hours to find it.
Celestia frowned “It appears we have a lot to talk about.”
Sweetie Belle’s multiple eyes looked in from the window “I agree with that.” Everypony in the room jumped, Rarity sighed as she knew she was in for a long couple of nights.
Author's Note
Changeling Queens can earn the title by combat.
Rarity and Sweetie Belle were sitting at a table with Celestia and Luna four guards, one of the Night Guard, one of the Day Guard and two from Changeling Royal Guard were in the room, the changeling guards were cautiously eyeing Sweetie Belle. Both Rarity and Sweetie Belle were in their true forms, although Sweetie Belle was in the smallest version of her true form. Celestia sighed as she drank a glass of liquid mana “This invasion is going to cause a lot of complications.”
Rarity frowned “I wish to create peace between ponies and changelings. Is that such a difficult thing to do?”
Luna nodded “Unfortunately your kind just invaded the capital, many will want your species purged from out nation.”
Sweetie Belle’s eyes narrowed “I hope you are going to prevent them from doing such a thing, I don’t want us to have a problem.”
Rarity turned to Sweetie Belle with a scowl “We are in the middle of diplomatic matters, you can’t just threaten them like that!”
Luna burst into laughter “Nonsense, I like some directness in my politics. It makes everything easier” she then smiled at Sweetie Belle “We’re not going to let that happen, the nobles like to think they are in charge of everything but they have no real power.”
Celestia frowned “Now for something more serious, what are we to do with Chrysalis? She could be a serious threat to security.”
Rarity frowned “I’ll deal with her after we’re done here, she is no family of mine. She lost that right when she put those I care for at risk, now she is my enemy and we Changelings deal with enemies swiftly and without mercy.”
Sweetie Belle frowned “Isn’t that a bit harsh?”
Rarity shook her head “Yes but that is our way. We have to make sure the future of our kind is secured and all threats eliminated.”
Celestia frowned “So you plan on executing her, that could be a problem we don’t have executioners in Equestria.”
Rarity shook her head “Executions are carried out by the Queen herself in public as a sign of strength and change. I plan on exercising the tradition here, with some careful manoeuvring we could sway the opinions of the masses that will be enough to start securing peace.”
Luna frowned “Is there anything else that needs to be discussed, because you seem to have a solid solution to the problem.”
Rarity nodded “Even in the short years I spent at the Hive I was taught politics and studied combat in my free, Chrysalis never understood why I studied combat. She preferred to brute force her way through an enemy, even though I was rusty my combat skill gave me the edge over her brute force approach. In the meantime I believe I need to discuss some things with my friends.”
Celestia and Luna nodded “Very well, you have given us a plan of action. We will set up a back up plan just in case.”
The guards left after their respective rulers, Rarity looked at her changeling guards as they entered the waiting room “You can leave us be now.”
The guards looked at Sweetie Belle “We’re not comfortable leaving you with her.”
Rarity commanded, her eyes narrowing “You will leave now before I am forced to punish you!” The guards both flew away in fear of their new Queen’s wrath
Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Twilight were waiting for them, Rainbow Dash flew into Rarity's face “Why didn’t you tell us about the Changelings?! We deserved to know!”
Applejack pulled Rainbow back “She can’t answer us with you in her face.”
Rarity frowned “Two reasons, one any of you could easily reveal we were onto them but more importantly any of you could have been replaced.”
Applejack growled “Why would think that, we could have helped you?”
Rarity frowned “She was even able to capture Celestia plus the fact that Changelings have ability to impersonate anypony.” She frowned at Rainbow Dash and Applejack “Could either of you raise your hoof against Apple Bloom or Scootaloo?” They stayed silent as she continued “I put my faith in Sweetie Belle as she is a member of a species only regarded by Changeling legends said to consume entire hives whole.”
Twilight frowned “But you knew I thought something was up, you could have told me?”
Sweetie Belle frowned “Changelings can feel emotions, they knew you were upset and if that suddenly changed it would make them concerned and guarded. We wanted them to feel like they were in complete control so we could strike them unaware.”
Rarity nodded “That was indeed the plan, when facing off against shapeshifters you are better off taking no chances.”
Pinkie Pie gave one of her very rare frowns “I understand, you did what needed to be done.”
Fluttershy raised an eyebrow “What are you doing with your mother.”
Rarity growled “After what she did she is no mother of mine, she will be executed tomorrow!”
Twilight frowned “I have no appreciation for her after what she has done but she is your family. Are you sure you want to go through with this?”
Rarity gritted her teeth “Twilight, you don’t understand my kind very well. A Queen when she dies her soul entered the Hall of the Fallen in the Hive Mind, each new Queen must slay the old. My daughter will one day kill me and rule the hive in my stead.”
Fluttershy whimpered “Why does that have to be?”
Rainbow Dash growled “Yeah, why does each Queen have to succeed the last like that!”
Rarity frowned “To prevent in-fighting, before it was established our royals fought amongst each other and our species almost went extinct. This rule removed the problem, each Queen grooms a single heir and that heir takes the throne. I am considered the regent Queen of the Hive as Chrysalis broke every law in the book, I have to kill her to truly be the true Queen.”
Applejack frowned “I don’t like it.”
Rarity nodded “You hold family in high regards, Applejack and I understand this isn’t you way but it is ours” she then looked at her friends “all I ask is that you let this happen. It is what must be done.” Sweetie Belle sighed as everypony in them room nodded solemnly accepting this course of action unaware that soon they would receive an uninvited guest.
Author's Note
I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Rarity in her true form was entering the dungeons with several changeling guards by her side, she frowned as she saw Chrysalis bound up in chains. Chrysalis smiled “It’s a pleasure to see you my daughter.”
Rarity growled “You’re no mother of mine, you are coming with us! It’s time for your life to end!”
Chrysalis’ smile grew “I’m glad, I was always worried that you would be too soft to do what needs to be done but here you are. I will go peacefully, rule the hive with strength and conviction.”
Rarity nodded as the guards took positions around the former Queen, ponies jeered at the former Queen as she took her death march. Celestia and Luna nodded as changelings exited to the balcony, Sweetie Belle was standing by the door as they exited.
Rarity looked towards the countless ponies with determination in her eyes “I know you fear us yet know this I have been living in Equestria for over half my life.” She pointed to Chrysalis is who stepped forward and sat before them “The Former Queen Chrysalis launched the invasion. I know many of you are scared of my kind but I will give my all to guarantee peace between our species. The first step to that goal is to remove the former Queen.”
Everypony gasped as a sword made of purple magic cut the Former Queen’s head off in a single, clean strike. Rarity spoke calmly “It is done, I hope my kin will find peace amongst you.”
She trotted back into the castle while throwing a purple ball of fire to disintegrate the body of the former Queen. Celestia frowned “That was rather fast, I was expecting more of a show.”
Rarity shook head “This is not the time to be dramatic, I did what needed to be done. Changeling politics are very direct, that’s what I learned anyway. I have studied both sets of politics.”
Luna sighed “I don’t know how effective your plan is, you likely scared a lot of ponies. We were hoping there would be more tact involved in your plan.”
Sweetie Belle frowned “I was watching the ponies outside, they seem to be very afraid. I believe you two should assure them.”
Celestia and Luna frowned “I do believe you are correct, our ponies are used to such viciousness.”
After the two Alicorns departed, Sweetie Belle frowned “Rarity, this is not like you. I’ve never seen you be so vicious and blunt.”
Rarity looked away “I am becoming the Queen I need to be, the Hive needs a vicious Queen.”
Sweetie Belle growled “No, it needed a vicious Queen! If the Hive wishes to live in Equestria then it needs to adjust. I’m not expecting the Hive to be like ponies but I am expecting them to learn to tolerate others and you have shown none of that since you became Queen.”
Rarity snapped back “Sweetie Belle, you may be big and strong now but you’re still a foal! You are too young to understand this, politics is a dangerous field and you must be ruthless to survive in it!”
Sweetie Belle felt tears well up in her multiple eyes “So that’s what you think of me sister, I thought you trusted me. You trusted me with you secret! You trusted me against Chrysalis! Why won’t you trust me here?!”
Rarity frowned “This is not a personal problem nor is it something that can be solved with power alone. I shouldn’t have you gotten you involved in the first place.”
Sweetie Belle burst into tears “I can’t believe you!”
Rarity sighed as Sweetie Belle scurried out of the room “You don’t understand.”
Celestia and Luna returned moments later with frowns on their faces. Celestia grimaced “We were able to explain everything to everypony, your plan almost made everything worse. Your ruthless attitude is not helping this scenario, your starting to act like Chrysalis.”
Rarity growled “How dare you compare me to her?!”
Luna grimaced “I don’t lie, you are just like her.” Luna then looked away “I met her just before I turned into Nightmare Moon, she offered me her help in exchange for equal rule of the Equestria but I told her, ‘No!’ I told her that ‘I would rule alone!’”
Luna’s eyes narrowed slightly “She attacked me viciously but I beat her easily, I can see the same vicious look in your eyes as the one she had all those years ago.”
Celestia frowned at Rarity “I don’t much of what my sister speaks but I am concerned that yours is not here.”
Rarity sighed “We argued about this very thing and I’m starting to see where she was coming from. If you say it with your experience, then I have been quite foolish.”
Luna sighed “Yes but you are still young and you have been acting unlike your usual self. I’m sure you sister saw that better than anyone and you just cast her concerns aside”
Celestia’s frown deepened “I agree. You need to speak to you sister, speaking from experience you could lose her as I did. Family is important and you must listen to them.”
Meanwhile
Sweetie Belle was sobbing in the guest room her tears dripping onto the sheets “Sister, I don’t know why you’re acting like this? We’re family and you have cats me aside because of some stupid position.”
She reacted as heard the sound of scurrying, she looked around to see no-one in the room. Sweetie Belle was not stupid and this was no dumb horror movie plot, she looked up to see two small spiders one red and the other blue both about the size of her spider form when she first discovered it. A third was the size of her smallest form with a pale white colouration.
She dried her tears and growled “Who are you?!”
The spiders leapt off the roof, the two smaller spider introduced the larger white spider “This is our exalted leader, Queen Spinneret.”
Queen Spinneret smiled “It’s a pleasure to see you again all grown up, Anaras, my daughter.”
Sweetie Belle’s eyes narrowed “Why have you only turned up now, I don’t know anything about you.”
Spinneret sighed “You are my royal daughter, a princess. That’s why you can grow larger than most Arachna.” She then smiled “I can show you around our nest if you like.”
Sweetie Belle grimaced “Fine but only if I can return here after I’m done.”
Spinneret nodded with a weak smile “Of course, you have lived here all your life. Still I hope I can convince you to stay.” The two smaller spiders opened up a portal with their webbing, Sweetie Belle and Spinneret hopped through followed by the two smaller spiders. Little did Sweetie Belle know that her sister was just about to return to the room.
Author's Note
I hope you enjoy this chapter, soon you will learn about Sweetie Belle's species.
Sweetie Belle frowned as she arrived in a small dark blue chamber, she looked at the
Queen Spinneret commanded the smaller Arachna “I wish to have a full report on hive functionality as soon as possible!”
They bowed “Yes my Queen.”
The two scurried out of the room rapidly, Spinneret smiled “It’s time for you to see the nest, Aranas.”
Sweetie Belle shook her head “My name is Sweetie Belle, and that isn’t changing. Now you had a nest to show me.”
Spinneret smiled became slightly more forced “Follow me Sweetie.” They exited the dark blue chamber, Sweetie Belle’s jaw dropped as she saw the massive nest with skyscrapers all around the massive dark blue castle they were standing on. Further in the distance were small towns and other cities.
Sweetie Belle looked around in awe “Your nest is massive!”
Spinneret giggled “The nest is like what ponies call a nation, our nest covers the Canterlot and Ponyville regions.”
Sweetie Belle nodded “That does make sense, you did place me in Ponyville.” She then smiled “I would love to know about our kind, I don’t know much.”
Spinneret exclaimed excitedly “I’ll show around the capital.” Spinneret climbed down the castle walls rapidly, Sweetie Belle followed more cautiously. She got off the wall. Spinneret and Sweetie Belle were now one a dark blue road. Spinneret cheered “I’ll show some of greatest achievements!”
Sweetie Belle frowned as several Arachna bowed to them, before she could say anything however Spinneret pointed to a huge cathedral like building “This is the art museum, we can paint but most art is made of webbing.”
Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow “I am more interested in our race’s biology.”
Spinneret nodded “Ah, I see. Well we have two glands that we use to produce our webs while we have different glands in our fangs that produce digestive juices.”
Sweetie Belle frowned “I’m more concerned about why we grow while the non-royal members of our species don’t.”
Spinneret smiled “That’s actually quite simple, we have a love conversion organ that turns the love in changelings bodies into growth energy which makes us larger. Queens only have it because we need to be large enough to lay eggs which judging by your size will be soon.”
Sweetie Belle shotued “What, I’m going to be a mother! I’m only not even ten yet.”
Spinneret shook her head “From the rumours I heard about you are quite mature.”
Before Sweetie Belle could respond one of the Arachna from earlier scurried over rapidly “We have a big problem, our scout shave reported an invasion force of three hundred thousand Arachna coming this way.
Spinneret’s eyes widened “Queen Venine, she is coming.” She then looked at the messenger “Get my daughter out of here, we can’t repel that kind of attack force for long.”
Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened as Spinneret scurried rapidly towards the edge of nest. The Arachna began to pull on her "We need to go?”
Sweetie Belle looked down at the Arachna “What is you name?”
The Arachna boasted “My name is Longshot, I have the best web aim in the nest. I am one of the best guards in the hive.”
Sweetie Belle sighed as she fired web at him tying him to the wall of a building “I’m sorry Longshot but I won’t lose this chance to learn about my species.” Longshot simply watched on in fear as his princess scurried away at rapid speed.
Sweetie Belle meanwhile was scurrying rapidly through the massive city, Arachna barely getting out of her way. Soon she was in open blue plains covered in mushrooms, she ignored as she caught up to the white spider Queen. Spinneret growled “What are you doing here, Longshot was supposed to get you out of here?!”
Sweetie Belle frowned “You shouldn’t have left a single spider to escort me out of here. Did you really think I would give up the only way to learn about my kind?”
Spinneret grimaced “I have been holding off her forces but my troops have been dwindling. Her forces outnumber mine one thousand to one, three hundred thousand would be barely put a dent in her considerable resources. I could maybe muster one hundred thousand Arachna at our full force. She will decimate us.”
Sweetie Belle grinned “How much do you know about the invasion?”
Spinneret sighed “Not much, just that you were there, I wanted to meet with you before I was killed by my enemy.”
Before they could say anything that had arrived at the border to hear the sound of fighting. Spinneret growled “Their here already!”
Sweetie Belle grinned “I’ll handle this!”
Spinneret watched in horror as her daughter scurried toward the battlefield towards the battlefield. She shook her head and gave chase “Don’t fight them, you can’t win!”
Sweetie Belle shook her head as she focused on the point where the battle was happening. Arachna on her side were wearing dark blue armour were facing Arachna wearing dark purple armour, she then roared as her body increases to 10 Celestias and 30 Celestias wide. She looked at the dark blue armoured Arachna with conviction “Retreat, I’ll take care of these fools!”
The attacking forces retreated rapidly cowered by the massive Arachna before them. Spinneret looked up at her daughter as she approached “How did you get so big?”
Sweetie Belle frowned “My adoptive sister wields an Element of Harmony, in planning the invasion they tried to capture me to use a hostage for my sister’s surrender but they got a surprise of their own.”
Spinneret frowned “Queen rarely consume more than a few changelings, we don’t want to grow too large, makes our eggs large as well.”
The ground suddenly began to shake, Sweetie Belle’s eyes narrowed at the exit. Spinneret screamed as she saw a massive Arachna of Sweetie Belle’s size scurrying through the tunnel “Sweetie Belle, that’s a brute. You can’t beat it…”
Sweetie Belle roared as increased to 100 Celestias tall and 300 Celestias wide. The raging brute Arachna was slammed by Sweetie Belle’s massive fangs piercing through the solid exoskeleton and delivering digestive juices into the victim.
Sweetie Belle quickly consumed the brute and then turned to Spinneret with a frown “What is a Brute?”
Spinneret slumped “It’s a barbaric practice that in my nest is outlawed, you fry an Arachna’s brain leaving only basic functions then use powerful alchemic reagents to cause it grow to a massive size.”
Sweetie Belle growled “That is horrid, why is she attacking us anyway?!”
Spinneret grimaced “Each Arachna Queen has a brood and we all fight for dominance over the underground. Queen Venine is the most vicious Queen, she wants to be the Sole Supreme Queen. Thus she invoked the tradition of the brood war one millennia ago.”
Sweetie Belle closed her eyes (It seems I’m needed here sis. Maybe you’ll respect me when I return.) Sweetie Belle opened her eyes and looked at Spinneret as she shrunk down to her smallest form “I will be staying here, for a while at least. Queen Spinneret, I will assist you.”
Spinneret shook her head with a smile “Please call me mum, we’re family after all. I want you to tell me all about your life on the surface.” Sweetie Belle smiled back she was ready to learn about her own kind.
Author's Note
This will be the end of this story but I hope you enjoy the Sequel which will switch between two characters.