Applejack had shown the Cutie Mark Crusaders an old clubhouse that the foursome made into a more workable clubhouse. Though it was mostly Apple Bloom who got it up and running.

“This is much better then before.” Diamond Tiara said.

“Thanks Diamond.” Apple Bloom said as Scootaloo came up to them on her scooter which now sported a wagon.

“Hey girls.” Scootaloo said.

“Hey Scootaloo. What’s with the wagon?” Diamond Tiara asked.

“Thought it’d let us all get places fast. Plus I can practice my scootering. Though I would love to fly one day.” Scootaloo said.

“Ever thought about asking Rainbow Dash to train you?” Diamond Tiara asked.

“I…could ask yes. I’ll do it another time though. Where’s Sweetie Belle?” Scootaloo asked. Suddenly Spike walked past them holding flowers and heading for the clubhouse.

“…Isn’t that Spike?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Yep.” Diamond Tiara said.

Spike approached Sweetie Belle.

“Spike right? How’d you know I was here?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“I asked Rarity where you were. I thought I’d get you some flowers.” Spike said handing over the flowers. Sweetie Belle blushed.

“Why thank you. I wish I had something to give you in return.” Sweetie Belle said.

“I’d rather you not. Just in case that triggers my dragon instincts.” Spike said. “Twilight has been specific with me about that: I need to be careful in case my dragon heritage causes me to do things other dragons do.” He added.

“Wow. That’s so brave of you.” Sweetie said. Now it was Spike’s turn to blush.

“Well, I was wondering if maybe you’d like to hang out next weekend. At Twilight’s place.” Spike said.

“Sure. I’d like that. I’ll have to ask my sister for permission first though.” Sweetie said waving spike off. As soon as she did she was singing a small little song.

While she and the rest of the Crusaders didn’t do a whole lot today, they were getting the clubhouse set up today after all. Still Sweetie Belle wanted to talk with her sister.

Sweetie Belle mentally smacked herself. No her mother.

The reality is that while Rarity and Sweetie Belle will tell others they are sisters, the reality is that Rarity is Sweetie Belle’s mother. But they keep their true relationship a secret.

Still just in case anyone ever was listening in, they did lie about their true relationship to one another even in private.

Sweetie Belle entered her sister’s; no; her mother’s boutique and found her sister; no; her mother working on a few dresses.

“Hey there…” Sweete Belle paused. “Sister. I was wondering if I could hang out with Spike at Twilight’s library sometime.” She finished.

“You mean the dragon who seems to be about your age right? Well I think the two of you could really make a cute couple someday. And I’m not one to stop you from following your heart and pursuing a relationship with anyone. Regardless of species.” Rarity said.

“Thanks…” Sweetie paused again. “Big sis. I do hope me and Spike click very well.” She added.

“I hope you do too. He seems like such a gentle dragon.” Rarity said. Sweetie nodded at that.

In the middle of the week Sweetie came over to the library to hang out with Spike. Twilight allowed it as she needed to talk with Rarity about something. So Twilight went to Ratity’s place.

“Oh Twilight. What brings you here?” Rarity asked.

“Sunset brought something to my attention. Considering she has a little brother she once looked after, she knows all about how big sisters look after their little siblings. But every time you talk about Sweetie Belle as your sister, Sunset has been felt like it’s forced.” Twilight said. Rarity suddenly dropped everything she had her magic levitating.

“How? How did she figure that out?” Rarity asked.

“Must be a sibling thing. And I know that. Even if she’s only a surrogate big sister for me, she still treats me like I am her little sister for real. And I can’t help but treat her like my big sister for real. So I know a thing or two about how sisters act. And you and Sweetie Belle just don’t act like sisters even when you think you are.” Twilight said.

“Perhaps…it’s best I told everyone the truth. Go gather everyone would you?” Rarity asked. Twilight nodded.

“So what’s happening Rarity?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Well I haven’t been exactly honest with everyone. I know I refer to Sweetie Belle as my sister but that’s not the truth at all.” Rarity said.

“I knew it. Your not really blood related at all.” Sunset said.

“Actually Sunset…we are related by blood. But not as sisters.” Rarity suddenly showed off a picture of her, a unicorn stallion no one recognized, and a baby Sweetie Belle. “Rather, as mother and daughter.” Rarity said.

“Whose her daddy?” Applejack asked.

“His name was Lucky Belle. He was a very strange unicorn. At first, many believed that he had no unicorn magic. Yet Lucky Belle had what appeared to be insane luck. But then, as he grew up and strange things happened around him, one person took notice of it and realized that Lucky’s insane luck was in reality his unicorn magic interacting with the world in such strange ways that it would appear to the normal unicorn as Lucky being insanely lucky. Just to give an example, once Lucky was fighting a manticore when suddenly a hydra came out of nowhere and the two ran off with the hydra chasing the manticore.” Rarity said.

“What do you mean by was? If his magic worked that way, then how did he; you know; die?” Applejack asked.

“An incurable Cancer. Just after Sweetie Belle’s birth, Lucky Belle got diagnosed with stage 5 cancer. Seems his insane luck finally made him get insanely unlucky enough to get a very rare and incurable cancer strain. He died shortly after Sweetie’s first birthday.” Rarity said.

“That hurts…” Apple Bloom said.

“Yeah. So me and my mother have been masquerading as sisters. I guess the truth is out now.” Sweetie Belle said. Spike suddenly hugged her.

“I don’t care if your not really Rarity’s sister; your still beautiful to me.” Spike said. Sweetie Belle blushed.

“Thank you Spike.” Sweetie Belle said.

I suppose it’s time to tell a certain Pegasus the truth then. Tomorrow. Rainbow Dash thought to herself.

Dear Princess Celestia,

While there hasn’t been anything me and Sunset have learnt about Friendship specifically, our friend Rarity did come out and told the truth about her and her “sister” Sweetie Belle.

The reality is that Rarity is Sweetie Belle’s mother. But this has had no real affect on our group of friends. In fact nothing has changed. She’s still our friend and the element of Generosity.

I guess if I had to put a friendship spin on this, it’s that you can share your secrets with your friends, and it won’t effect how they see you as a pony. It might even bring you closer together with your friends.

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.

Author's Note

Yes the chapter name is a reference to “The Beauty & The Beast”.
The concept of Sweetie Belle being Rarity’s daughter was taken from the “Dear CMC” series, specifically “Dear Sweetie Belle”. Go check it out if you want to later.
Also more Spike and Sweetie Belle shipping. That’s a plus.
This chapter was originally meant for Father’s Day, but I missed posting it then. This is because just like with Sweetie Belle’s dad in the story, my father too died shortly after my first birthday (he died in October while I was born in August). I made this chapter for all those out there who had to grow up without their fathers in their lives and wanted to encourage them into not giving up hope.