Changing Diamonds

Rarity’s hooves pounded against the castle floor. Her lungs screamed for air, and her body was drained, but that didn’t matter. She had to catch those ponies. It was her duty. Her destiny.

Her old friends outpaced her, staying just out of reach. Despite them being faster, Rarity was almost surprised that Rainbow Dash was flying so slowly. Her wings flapped at a snail's pace.

“Get back here!” Rarity ordered, picking up pace. Rainbow Dash turned around, teasingly sticking her tongue out. Rarity grumbled. They were mocking her!

“Try and catch us!” Rainbow taunted. Rarity’s cheeks burned red.

Rarity lowered her head, moving her legs as fast as they could. She could do this; she had to do this.

Her knee buckled, dipping her body forward. Rarity’s back slammed across the polished floor, sliding her across the hall. She slammed into the wall, her rump dangling in the air.

Rarity grumbled, her legs shaking as she got up. Those ponies were around the corner laughing at her; she just knew it!

A quick glance around the hall showed that her targets were gone. She scowled, angrily stomping.

“Where are you!?” Rarity squawked. She scanned the halls, her ears flicking to any nearby sound.

Rarity’s eyes landed on a door at the end of the corridor. There was nowhere else they could have gone. The door was cracked, light spilling from within.

The changeling kept her body close to the ground, creeping towards the door. She slid one hoof before another, practically slithering through the hall. Rarity's ears twitched, hearing whispers coming from within.

What were they talking about? Something big, no doubt. Rarity had to admit her friends were clever. Rarity had to be careful with her next move.

She closed one eye, peeking through the crack of the door. The ponies were huddled together, hunched over something—a wooden chest.

Twilight rummaged through it, something glinting in her magical grasp. Rarity squinted, trying to see what the unicorn held.
What did she have? A weapon?

Rarity scoffed, rolling her eyes. The Elements of Harmony. What was the point of them putting on that overpowered jewelry when it wouldn’t work without her? Taking them down would be filly's play.

“Halt!” Rarity announced, propelling the door open. The ponies whipped their heads around, their eyes wide with anticipation.

She stalked into the room, scanning every corner of the room. She kept her head low, a snarl appearing on her face. With a swift kick, Rarity slammed the door shut.

No one gets in, no one gets out. Rarity circled those pitiful ponies, baring her fangs.

Emotions swelled through the room; Rarity could smell it—hope, disgust, fear, rage, and love. The love was the strongest, swirling around her head. Rarity shook her head, avoiding any unwanted thoughts.

Applejack’s ears were pinned back, a pleading look in her eyes.

“Come on, Rares, just make this easier and put on your element,” Applejack begged, holding the last element between her hooves.

Rarity eyed the purple gem. For a moment, she felt something. Remorse. She quickly shook her head. That wasn’t right! She should be feeling…

What was Rarity meant to be feeling? Hope? Pity? Remorse? Rage? She couldn’t tell. And quite frankly, she didn’t care at the moment.

Rarity stomped her hoof, snarling. She was above such emotions!

“I will never help you, ponies!” Rarity hissed. She wasn’t exactly sure that she meant that.

Twilight glared, a frown spreading.

“You three, block the exit. Make sure Rarity doesn’t get out.” Twilight instructed, pointing to the door behind her. Rarity scoffed. Why would she try to escape? Rarity had no intention of backing out. Not until her duty was complete. If anything, they should be afraid of her.

Rarity didn’t stop the trio as they rushed to the door behind her. Why would she? She had no intent on leaving. Rarity could deal with them when she was done with the others.

And she highly doubted they’d attack her from behind. Applejack, with her honest self, would’ve shown signs of such a plan. Fluttershy was too sweet to ever do such a thing. And Rainbow…Rainbow Dash was herself. She was too impatient; she wouldn’t wait long to attack.

The changeling glowered at the two remaining ponies. Pinkie’s eyes were filled with hope while Twilights were…well, Rarity couldn’t exactly tell. But she knew Twilight was smart. Anything she was feeling would be followed by a burst of magic.

“Pinkie, hold her down,” Twilight ordered, shuffling on her hooves. Pinkie Pie buzzed on her hooves, outstretching her arms.

The pink mare was a blur, lunging at Rarity before she could blink. Rarity scattered on her hooves, trying to dodge the attack. Pinkie pounced on Rarity, pinning her to the ground. To Rarity’s surprise, it wasn’t an attack.

It was a hug.

Pinkie wrapped her arms around Rarity’s torso, nuzzling her head into her neck. Rarity hissed, saliva flecking from her mouth.

Cold metal clanked around Rarity’s neck. Her element. Rarity hadn’t seen Pinkie grab it.

The changeling squirmed, trying to release from her grasp. To Rarity’s surprise, the pink pony was much stronger than she thought. Pinkie only squeezed tighter, nuzzling farther into her neck.

Her options were wearing thin. She didn’t know what to do if she didn't get out soon. So Rarity did the first thing that came to mind. She bit.

Rarity’s fangs pierced into Pinkie’s neck. Pinkie Pie didn’t waver, only sharply inhaling. Rarity could get out; she knew she could. She gripped Pinkie’s mane, trying to yank the mare's head back.

In Rarity’s struggle, she didn’t notice Twilight approaching. Twilight pressed her horn against Rarity’s temple.

“You are our friend,” Twilight stated. Twilight’s horn glowed, sending a shockwave through Rarity. With a quick glister, memories swirled through Rarity’s head.

Sweetie Belle's first day of school. Making clothes. Having tea with her friends.

Years upon years of memories flooded her head, all surrounded by the same feeling. Warmth. Love.

Deep inside, something bursts. Weeks of emotions poured through her core.

Rarity blinked, her head spinning and eyes burning.

“Wh-what happened?” Rarity mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

Rarity’s gaze wandered around the room. First, at Twilight, who stared at her hopefully. Second, her eyes landed on a pink mass pressed against her chest. Pinkie Pie was nuzzled into her chest, her arms still across her torso.

On the pink mare's neck was a puncture wound. It was red and blotchy, almost swelling. Rarity ran her tongue across her teeth. The wound was undeniably from her horrid fangs.

“Oh, Pinkie!” Rarity gasped, brushing back her pink mane. “I am so terribly sorry! We need to get that treated!”

Pinkie’s head snapped up, an enthusiastic grin taking over her.

“Eeeee, Rarity!” Pinkie Pie squealed, lunging upwards. “I knew you’d come through!” Before Rarity knew it, she was dogpiled into a group hug.

“I knew my memory spell would work!” Twilight beamed.

Her friends giggled and gave Rarity lapped-over praises. Rarity wished she could stay in this embrace forever. Their hug was warm; their love was warm.

Rarity couldn’t understand. After everything she had done, they still loved her. Tears flowed from Rarity’s eyes, and she began to hiccup uncontrollably.

“Oh dear, what’s wrong, Rarity?” Fluttershy asked. Rarity buried her face into her hooves.

“I’m so sorry.” Rarity sobbed.

“Aw, sugarcube, you don’t have anything to be sorry about.”

“I do! I lied to you all for weeks!” She apologized. “And you still have the nerve to forgive me.”

“Oh, Rarity, we would’ve loved you either way.” Fluttershy smiled. Rainbow Dash nodded, excitedly zipping around the room.

“Yeah! Being friends with a changeling is awesome!” The rainbow-maned pony exclaimed with a hoof pump. Rarity sniffled, wiping her tears face.

“Really?”
“Of course! You’re the best changeling friend ever!” Pinkie threw her hooves in the air, confetti flying from who knows where. Twilight took Rarity’s hooves onto hers.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a pony or a changeling; what matters is that you’re you.” Twilight smiled. “I think that’s enough.”

For the first time, her friend's love didn’t feel suffocating. It felt like what it was meant to be; love. Rarity wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks.

“Thank you, girls. You don’t know how much this means to me.” Rarity smiled. She stood up, stretching her hindquarters. “Let’s go stop that horrid queen.”

Rarity stomped down the hallway with a newfound belief in her step. Her wings chirped with confidence, something she didn’t know they could do. Her friends surrounded her, all of them moving as one. Rarity could do this!

The group approached the throne room doors. Behind the door was the faint buzzing of changelings and the obnoxious maniacal laughter of Chrysalis.

“You girls ready?” Twilight whispered. Everyone let out murmurs of agreement. Twilight turned on the heels of her hooves, bucking the door open.

Chrysalis lazed on her throne, her legs kicked over the armrest. Above the throne dangled 4 pods; 3 were completed, and one was being built. If Rarity squinted, she could see the outline of Luna, Cadence, and Shining Armor in the completed ones.

Chrysalis sat up, her eyes snapping to the door. Her hope quickly turned into a glare of disgust as she noticed the ponies around her.

“You, what are you doing?” Chrysalis spat, jutting her hoof toward Rarity. Rarity puffed up her chest, her wings chirping with pride.

“I’m done helping you.” Rarity stated a matter-of-factly, a smug smile forming. Chrysalis looked at her, dumbfounded.

Twilight fluttered her eyes shut, her element beginning to shine. Rarity felt her element hum against her chest. Though the feeling was familiar, it felt new. Invigorating, even.

The elements began to glow, lifting the mares off the ground. Magic flowed between them, filling Rarity with pride.

The changelings buzzed around them, staring at the light. They were enamored. Chrysalis looked in between the mares and her captivated subjects.
“Why are you staring? Stop them!” Chrysalis barked. A few changelings charged at the mares, only getting thrown back by a wave of magic.

Rarity didn’t need the queen's approval. She didn’t need to worry about what came next. And she didn’t need to worry about who judged her.

She was Rarity!

In a marvelous display of light, the changelings were blown back. They crashed through the walls and smashed through the windows.

Chrysalis clung to the frame of a window, her hooves digging into the shattered glass.

“No!” She bellowed, pulling her body through the window. In one final shockwave, she was shot back, following behind her subjects.

The last of the elements fizzled out, the mares beginning to descend.

Rarity’s hooves touched the floor. She felt glorious. Rarity patted her stomach. She also felt full. Not like when Chrysalis had fed her, this felt different. This felt genuine.

“Weeee did it!” Pinkie cheered, hopping on her hind legs. She cartwheeled over to her friends, stretching her arms out for a hug.

Guards rushed over to the pods, breaking them open. The first one out was Celestia, covered in ghastly green goop.

Celestia ungracefully staggered on her hooves, her legs trembling. Her eyes landed on Rarity, and a flash of fear appeared on her face. The fear turned into a squint of confusion, then realization.

“...Rarity?” Celestia questioned. Rarity suddenly became aware of her form. She was still in her changeling form.

Celestia approached Rarity, towering over the changeling mare. Rarity fought every urge to cower. Whatever Celestia had for her, she could handle it.

To Rarity’s surprise, Twilight nudged between them. Twilight kept a defensive stance, staring up at Celestia.

“Princess, it wasn’t her fault!” Twilight defended.

“Yeah, it was that nasty Chrysalis!” Rainbow Dash chimed in, hovering over Rarity’s head.
“She made Rarity’s brain all wonky!” Pinkie added. The rest of the group came to Rarity’s defense, speaking over each other. As much as Rarity appreciated her friends, she couldn’t let them defend her like this.

“No, it was my fault.” Rarity pushed past her friends. She dropped to a bow, squeezing her eyes shut.

“Your Highness, I’m ever so apologetic for what I’ve done!” Rarity squeaked. “I should have been honest with my friends and let them help me. If I was honest, none of this would have happened. This is all my fault.”

Celestia eyed Rarity, a slight squint forming. A warm smile appeared on Celestia’s face. She outstretched her hoof, offering it to Rarity. The changeling wearily took the princess's hoof.

“You have shown me that anyone can find friendship. Even changelings.” Celestia turned to the rest of the ponies. “As of today, I decree that any creature is capable of love and compassion if they choose it.”

Rarity smiled wider than she had in a long time, her heart racing. Her friends cheered, pounding their hooves on the ground.

“And Rarity,” Celestia added. “Remember to always rely on your friends.”