Chapter 7: The Shocking Secret of Rarity

The gang continues onward to the castle of DuColt. Rarity and Spike begins to get closer as a song begins to play.

My beloved monster and me
We go everywhere together

Spike got on a tree to cause it to fall over a small brook, allowing Rarity to make it across without getting wet.

Wearin' a raincoat
that has four sleeves
Gets us through all kinds of weather

Once Rarity, Lorcan, Golden Heart, Gold Wing, Twilight and Fluttershy made it across to the other side, Spike smiles towards Rairty and got up to follow her. And just before Pinkie, Rainbow, Applejack and Pinkamena would get across, the tree swings back up right, causing to four to go flying while screaming.

She will always be the only thing
That comes between me and the awful sting

Spike is seen trying to swat at a bunch of flies and mosquitoes that are bothering him with Lorcan doing the same time. Rarity decides to help by grabbing a nearby spider web from a tree branch. As the others watch, she runs through the field, using the web to catch the bugs. Once Rarity's done, she gave the bugs trapped on the web to Spike. The Dragon smiles as he eats it like cotton candy, much to the disgust of some of ponies, especially when Rarity licks her hooves while they head onward.

That comes from living in a world
That's so damn mean

A bit later, Spike grabs a toad and blow it up like a balloon, presenting it to Rarity. The white princess smiles as she uses her magic on a snake, blowing it up and fashioning the thing into a balloon puppy. Rarity presents it to Spike who happily takes it; the others smiles in amusement (well, maybe not Lorcan) as the two held hoof/claw.

Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh

Rarity playfully nudges Spike, making him remarks, "Hey!"

La-la, la-la, la-la-la-la

Both of them nudges each other until Spike knocks Rarity down. The white unicorn laughs playfully as she chases Spike into the field, the two releases their balloons which float into the air, touching. The friends begin to expect that this is love forming right here.

La-la, la-la, la-la

---------------------

It took a while but the gang arrives at a windmill which is not too far off from DuColt. Spike sighs as he motions to it to Rarity, saying, "Well, there it is, princess. Your future is waiting for you."

"That's DuColt?" Rarity asks in shock and surprised at the place. This is definitely the castle that was rightfully ruled by Luna until Blueblood took it from her. And she is going to live there?

"Shoot, ain't too much but its home 'ta some other folks." Applejack remarks to Rarity with a nod. The cowpony didn't have the heart to tell the mare of how Blueblood is teaching his citizens and the fugitive creatures.

"Right, same here," Pinkie giggles a bit, "You know, Spike thinks that Prince Blueblood is compensating for something and I think it means that he has a really..."

"Pinkie," Lorcan scowls as he kicks Pinkie, making her yelp in pain. No need for Rarity to learn more than she has to.

"Well, better get moving." Spike said, looking away a bit sadly. He was getting fond of Rarity, shamed that the two must now part once the princess is given to Blueblood.

"Oh dear," Fluttershy whispers to her friends in worry, "I think Spike likes Rarity. It doesn't seem right letting her be given to someone like Blueblood."

"Yeah, but whatcha gotta do?" Rainbow asks Fluttershy with a shrug. "The sooner we get this done, the sooner Spike get his swamp back, right?'

Rarity hesitates as the gang prepares to leave. She doesn't want to leave Spike so soon. The mare wanted to get to her rescuer/friend so very well. She then got an idea on how to spend more time with Dragon.

"Yes, of course, but Spike? Everyone," Rarity ask with a look of pretend concern on her face. "I'm...I'm worried about Pinkie."

"Huh?" Spike asks Rarity puzzled.

"What do you mean?" Golden Heart asks Rarity, puzzled.

"Right, Pinkie's doing fine as usual." Twilight said to Rarity with a frown.

"Twilight, look at the poor darling." Rarity said, pointing a hoof at Pinkie while being so dramatically about it. "Oh dear, she doesn't look so good."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Pinkie asks shocked and confused while looking at herself. "I'm all right."

"Yes, but what they always say." Rarity said seriously as she trots up to Pinkie, looking at her in the eyes in concern. "And before you know, you're on your back; as in...dead?"

Spike and some of the others slowly realize what Rarity's up to. She wishes to stay around a while instead of going back to DuColt right away. Some of them nodded as did Lorcan who comments, "Say, she's right."

"Right, you do look awful, Pinkie? Do you want to sit down?" Spike asks Pinkie in pretend concern.

"Right; Oh, I can make you some treats." Fluttershy said to Pinkie gently.

"indeed , I will also make you some tea." Rarity remarks to Pinkie eagerly. The pink pony giggles, deciding to play along with this.

"Well...I didn't want to say anything but I do have this weird twinge in my neck. And when I turn my head like this, I mean, look!" Pinkie insists, turning her neck in a sharp way. Soon her head is completely sideways. "Ow; See?"

"Yeah, same here," Pinkamena exclaims as she turns her own neck.

"Ugh. As usual, you two are so random." Rainbow remarks in amusement by the two pink ponies' behavior as well as what they always do.

"I agreed. So is anypony hungry?" Golden Heart asks the others with a smile, "May as well get something to eat until we can move on."

"I will find us some dinner." Spike said as he heads off to find something for everyone to eat.

"I will get the firewood, darling!" Rarity exclaims happily as she heads off for some firewood.

"We will set 'de table up." Applejack remarks as she, Twilight, Rainbow and Fluttershy heads off to set a table for everyone to sit at while eating.

As the gang split up to do their certain tasks, Pinkie looks confused as she ask in worry, "Wait, where are you going?! Oh horse feathers! I can't feel my toes!" The mare looks down then gasps. "Yikes! I don't got any toes! Oh, I think I need a hug."

"I will give you one!" Pinkamena exclaims as she hugs Pinkie who hugs her right back. Yes, it's odd to see the same pony hugging one another...but this is Pinkie we're talking about, right?

----------

It was almost sunset that evening. Spike with Golden Heart and Lorcan's help was able to build a fire and was cooking their dinner. Rarity was in the middle of eating, impressed as Spike has cooked it for her.

"Wow, this is amazingly good." Rarity mumbles as she bites into whatever Spike has made, "Really good, darling. What is this?"

"Well, that's weed rat. Rotisserie style," Spike explains sheepishly.

"No kidding, huh?"

"Luckily, Goldie and I preferred carrots. Yum!, Pinkamena hums happily as she eats her carrot happily.

"Me; I only eat fish." Lorcan remarks, taking another bite out of his fish.

Rarity takes another bite from her food, saying, "This is yummy."

"Right, say the pony whose killed birds for their eggs." Golden Heart jokes a bit to Gold Wing, making the phoenix squawk a bit in mischief.

"And those babies are great in stews." Spike remarks with a proud look on his face. "Now don't take this for me to be bragging but I can make a mean weed rat stew."

Rarity giggles a bit then sighs sadly as she looks at the kingdom that is almost closer, "Well, come tomorrow night, I will be dining a little bit differently." Spike gulps down his meal, doing some thinking.

"Well, I hope you don't mind me by asking...by maybe you can visit me and Lorcan, if he decides to visit, in my swamp sometime. I will cook up all kind of stuff for ya like swamp toad soup, fish eye tartar, etc. Heck, you name it, I will make it."

"Ugh," Pinkamena remarks, tossing her carrot away in disgust. "Okay, I am creepy and all but I officially lost my appetite."

Rarity on the other hoof doesn't seem to mind. She smiles warmly to Rarity, saying, "Thank you, darling. I'd like that." Spike slurps up his rat tail, smiling warmly to the unicorn.

See the pyramids along the Nile

Rarity and Spike looks at each other in the eyes. Golden Heart grins, noting this. He speaks to Lorcan, "Remember the love you and Luna got for each other?"

"Yeah I know. My brother is experiencing it now." Lorcan said with a slow nod. He doesn't need to ask or interfere to bother. His brother has fall in love with Rarity. And the princess is with him.

"Err, Rarity?" Spike asks Rarity softly, leaning closer to her.

Watch the sunrise from a tropic isle

"Yeah, Spike?" Rarity asks Spike with a warm smile.

"Well, I was wondering...uh, that is to say..." Spike said, beginning to say. The four watching look on hopefully. What is it that their friend wanted to say?

Just remember, darling all the while

"Well, are you..." Spike said, hesitating a bit. He got to say what he himself wanted to say...that the Dragon is having a special...'feeling' for her.

You belong to me

Spike soon gave up, sighing as he points to the rat, asking, "Any chance that you're going to eat that?"

Rarity sighs as she prepares to give the rat to her. However the mare just smiles to Spike, both of them are leaning closer and closer. The four watch in anticipation. Could this be it...?

However Pinkie appears between the two lovers, asking happily, "Wowie, isn't this romantic?"

"Pinkie," Twilight groans in annoyance as she, Applejack, Rainbow and Fluttershy came over. The mare can tell that there is a romantic moment about to be happening and Pinkie went and ruin it.

"And look at that sunset!"

Suddenly Rarity gasps in horror as the sun is about to set. Lorcan then spots something changing with Rarity's tail, causing her to hide it in time. She is definitely about to try to hide again!

"Sunset; Oh my, oh no," Rarity exclaims, jumping up in alarm. "Err, it's late, very late, darling!"

"Huh?" Spike asks confused, wondering what's wrong.

"What's wrong, Rarity?" Fluttershy ask Rarity in concern.

"Hang on. Fluttershy, isn't it obvious? I know what's going on here." Rainbow remark, narrowing her eyes a bit. Rarity gasps, worried that her secret is exposed and this Pegasus pony is about to reveal it. "You are scared of the dark, aren't ya?"

Rarity sighs a bit in relief. Good, her secret is safe. She said with a nod, "Yes, that's it, darling. I'm scared." The mare heads to the stairs that leads to the front door of the windmill. "I should go inside, yes!"

Rarity quickly goes into the windmill. Pinkamena rolls her eyes, saying to her friends, "Suspicious!"

"Come on, I'm sure Rarity has a good reason for wanting to get inside the windmill." Twilight said to Pinkamena with a sigh.

"Awww, don't feel too bad, Rarity. I used to be scared of the dark too until..." Fluttershy begins to say, trying to cheer up her friend. Then the yellow Pegasus pony gasps in horror as she rush to hide behind the table, "Eep; Wait! I'm still scared of the dark!"

Spike sighs a bit and looks up to Rarity who peeks her head out for a moment, smiling to him while saying, "Well, night Spike."

"Yeah, night, Rarity," Spike said with a smile. Rarity quickly goes back into the windmill, closing the door. The others note Spike's goofy behavior and smile as he watches her does so. It doesn't take long for them to figure out what's going on.

"Ooooh; I think we all know what's going on here!" Pinkie exclaims happily to Spike, snapping him out of his stupor.

"Oh, come on, Pinkie. What are you talking about?"

"Come on, Ah is a honest pony an' Ah don't wanna hear it. Ah doesn't need Pinkie Sense 'ta know 'dat yew and Rarity are liking each other." Applejack said to Spike with a sly grin.

"She's right, Spike. You and her are definitely in love." Twilight said to Spike with a smile. "Imagine that."

"You both are crazy!" Spike scoffs as he heads over to the fire to fix it. "I am bringing her back to Blueblood, remember?"

Lorcan scoffs a bit at this claim, "Forget it, Spike. I know deep down that you don't want to. He doesn't deserve her. You do like how me and Luna deserved one another."

"Lorcan, you realize that if I don't give Rarity to Blueblood, you may never see Luna again?"

"Well, true, but..."

"Come on, Spikey Wikey, wake up and smell the cupcakes!" Pinkie exclaims to Spike in determination. "Go in there and tell Rarity how you feel!"

"Yes, you should. Otherwise, Rarity will be gone forever." Fluttershy said to Spike, going over and patting him on the back. "Just tell her."

"Pinkie, Fluttershy, I appreciate the support but...there isn't anything to tell!" Spike groans a bit, shaking his head. The truth be told, he does have a bit of love...maybe even more. But it's complicated. "Even if I did tell her that...well you know...I ain't saying that I do because I don't! You forget that she's a princess and I'm..."

Spike goes over to the hill and sat down, looking at DuColt in sadness. Twilight finishes for him, "A Dragon?"

"A Dragon, yeah."

"Spike, brother , listen. Luna is a princess and I am a Dragon too." Lorcan explains, trying his best to help his brother. "Despite our differences, we love each other deeply. Now if that can prove that love can overcome even the outer appearances, then it should be with you and Rarity."

"This is...difference." Spike said as he got up and prepares to head off.

"Hey, where are you going?" Pinkie asks Spike puzzled.

"Um ..... I'm just gonna sweep something."

As Spike heads off, the others saw a broomstick nearby, abandoned and not bother going to be used, especially since their Dragon friend isn't going towards it. They all look concerned. Spike just cannot bring himself to tell his true feelings for Spike.

"Should we help him?" Rainbow asks the others in concern.

"Best to give him some time alone." Golden Heart answers Rainbow with a sigh. "He needs time to think."

"Right; I can only hope Spike do the right thing and tell Rarity how much he really feels." Twilight said as she watches Spike go over to another hill, sitting down and doing some thinking.

Will Spike give Rarity to Blueblood just to get his swamp back? Or will he tell her how he himself truly feeling?

--------------

It was after dark as the gang minus Spike who is still thinking on what to do decide to go into the windmill to check on Rarity. As they walk inside, their unicorn friend is nowhere in sight.

"Uh, princess," Pinkie ask puzzled, looking around for Rarity.

"Princess Rarity," Golden Heart asks in concern, glancing around the windmill.

"Hey, princess, where are ya?" Lorcan asks Rarity as he looks around the place with a frown. "We wanna talk with you."

"Princess; now where should she be?" Rainbow asks with a frown.

Unknown to the gang, something is in the rafters above, looking at them, hiding in the shadows. She can't let them see her...not like this or it's all over.

"Eep; It's very spooky in here." Fluttershy said, getting scared of the dark atmosphere. The mare is almost tempted to run out of the windmill right now.

"Hey, Rarity, come on. This is no time for games!" Rainbow snaps in annoyance while looking around.

Gold Wing look up and saw the figure and squawks to the others. Pinkamena ask the phoenix puzzled, "What is it, Gold Wing? Something startled ya?"

The figure gasps as Gold Wing has indeed spotted her. She was trying to move into safely but slips and fell from the ceiling. The group turns and looks shocked and/or alarmed as she stood up, making Pinkie frightened, making her gasps, "Eep!" The figure is revealed to be a sleek white dragon with royal purple hair, "A DRAGON!"

"EEP! Another one," Fluttershy gasps in fright. She may have gotten used to Spike and Lorcan by now but this one appears to have come from out of nowhere!

"No, wait, wait!" The Dragon gasps as she grabs some of the group, keeping them from running off.

"No, help us, help us!" Pinkamena exclaims frantically, struggling to get out.

"Shhh, Pinkamena, quiet!"

"Let us go, ya vermint!" Applejack exclaims, trying to get freed herself. "Spike! Spike, Spike, Spike!"

"Girls, it’s okay, it’s okay," The Dragon exclaims in a familiar voice, trying to calm the ponies down without them alerting Spike to her presence.

Lorcan growls angrily as he got his claws out, his scar glows while he demands, "Okay, who are you?! What did you do to the princess?!"

"I am the princess."

"You're a liar!"

The ponies scream frantically. Golden Heart then notices something about the Dragon, speaking, "Wait; calm down; everyone, calm down!"

"It's me...in this body." The Dragon said, trying to calm the screaming ponies and the upset Lorcan down.

Lorcan finally calms down, finally realizing to his surprise as he spoke, "Wait...you mean..."

"Eep; She ate the princess!" Pinkie screams out in terror, fearing the worst. This new Dragon went and ate Rarity and right before Spike could tell her how she feels; shouting to the stomach, she calls out, "Rarity! Can you hear me?!"

"Pinkie," Some of the group exclaims to Pinkie in annoyance. They eventually calm down and begin to realize what's going. She is the only one who doesn't seem to et it.

"Listen, keep breathing! I will get my cannon and blow you out of there!"

"Pinkie," Rainbow exclaims to Pinkie in annoyance.

"Spike; Spike," Pinkie calls out frantically to Spike once more.

The gang quickly covers Pinkie's mouth to keep her from yelling anymore. The Dragon finally spoke gently, "Pinkie, it's me...in this Dragon's body. I'm the Dragon."

Pinkie blinks a bit as she looks into the Dragon's eyes...and recognizing them as Rarity's. The pink pony now saw a familiar Cutie Mark on the side. It didn't take her longer to realize the truth: this Dragon is really Rarity.

"Rarity; is that really you?" Fluttershy ask Rarity, making the Dragon nod in sadness.

"I don't believe it." Pinkamena said in amazement and disbelief by this turn of events.

Once Rarity lets Pinkie's mouth go, Lorcan sighs, speaking as if he knew all along, "Somehow I knew it. Whenever you hide out at night...I should've realized that this is what happens."

"Rarity; what happened to you?" Pinkie asks Rarity, stunned by her appearance.

"Yeah, you're well...uh...different." Twilight said in hesitation, wanting to explain Twilight without hurting her feelings.

"I'm ugly, okay?" Rarity asks in sadness as she walks away from the others.

"Awww; you ain't ugly! In fact, you are pretty...for a Dragon!" Pinkamena exclaims happily, trying to cheer up the depressed Rarity.

"What happened? Was it something you ate?" Fluttershy ask Rarity in concern. "I will be honest: I told Spike eating those poor rats was a terrible idea. I always say 'you are what you eat' and..."

"It isn't that, Fluttershy. I've always been this way, darling." Rarity explains to Fluttershy in sadness.

"Wait, what do yew mean?" Applejack ask, puzzled by that. "We don't haven't seen yew like 'dis before."

"Right, how come you never show us this until now?" Twilight ask Rarity gently.

Rarity looks into water in a barrel, looking at her reflection. She sighs sadly while explaining, "This happens whenever the sun goes down; 'by night one way, by day another. This shall be the normal...until you find true love's first kiss...and then take love's true form'."

"Awww, beautiful; didn't know you wrote poetry too," Pinkie said, sniffing happily.

"Uh, Pinkie; I think that's a spell." Rainbow explains to Pinkie worried.

"She's right. It means that I must fall in love with someone then I will be back to normal." Rarity explains sadly. "You see, when I was a filly, a terrible witch casted a spell on me. Every night I become this," The Dragon groans angrily as she splashes the water, "This horrible ugly Dragon like beast!"

"So is that why you ended up in that tower?" Golden Heart asks, now understanding why Rarity was put in that tower in the first place.

"Yes! I was put there to wait for the day when my true love would come rescue me. That's why I must marry Blueblood tomorrow and before he sees me like this!"

Rarity sobs in sadness, sitting down a bit. Lorcan sighs, saying, "Listen, Rarity. I'm sorry to hear that."

Fluttershy gives a hanky to Rarity so that she could wipe her tears off. Pinkie, trying to cheer her up, spoke up, "All right, calm down, Dragon lady. It isn't that bad. You're not ugly ugly. Well, okay, I can't lie, you are a bit ugly but you are well..."

"Pinkie; let me explain." Golden Heart said before turning to Rarity. "Look, you are only like this at night. It isn't all bad."

"Spike on the other hoof is ugly 24/7." Pinkamena chirps up, making the others glare at her. "What? It's true!"

"But everyone, I'm a princess. This isn't how a princess is supposed to look." Rarity sobs in sadness. She is supposed to be a princess that is a beautiful, not a Dragon!

"Well, listen, why bother marry that jerk Blueblood? Why at all?" Lorcan asks Rarity gently, trying to help her out. "Just forget him."

"I have to. Only my true love's kiss can break the spell...and you want to have Luna back. I can't just avoid helping others. It wouldn't be generous of me."

Pinkie did some thinking, then realize something. She spoke up, "Well, Rarity...you are a Dragon and so is Spike. You both got a lot in common."

"Spike," Rarity ask Pinkie in surprise.

"She's right, sugar cube." Applejack said, seeing what Pinkie is talking about. "Yew an' Spike definitely got it big fer one another."

"Right; you shouldn't have to marry someone you don't love. Deep down...you love Spike more." Twilight said, making Rarity think about this though in hesitation.

It was during this time that Spike was heading to the windmill with flowers that consist of a rose, a sunflower and a dandelion. He remembers what his brother and his friends told him. They are right. Spike must tell Rarity how he feels before it's too late; But how to say it?

"Ahem. Okay...hey, Rarity? Uh...how is it going, first off? Good? Well same here. Yeah, I'm okay too. Errr, I found these flowers and thought of you because...they're pretty...well, I don't like them at all. But I figure you would since you're pretty. Still, I like you anyway. I'd...err, uh...oh man, I'm in trouble." Spike mumbles himself in worry. He is so going to screwed up in telling his feeling. Still, the Dragon is about to knock on the door so may as well give it his shot. "Okay, here goes."

Spike was about to knock when he hears Rarity speaking. Puzzled, he leans to the wall to listen in as she speaks, "Look, I can't marry whoever I want, darlings. I mean, take a good look at me. I mean, who could ever love someone so ugly, stupid and that could steal treasure?! Face it, 'ugly' and 'princess' do not go together at all! That is why I cannot stay here with Spike!"

Spike looks stunned and heartbroken. Rarity must be talking about...and she is insulting him while speaking with the others. He back away, after all this time, the Dragon thought that the two are starting to have a connection...when there isn't any to begin with.

"My only chance to live happily ever after is to marry my true love, that's that." Rarity said with a sigh.

Spike narrows his eyes, sighing deeply. With an angry look, he threw the flowers to the ground and stomps away. If that spoiled brat would rather marry Blueblood, then fine; Time to get this over with.

Back inside, Rarity, unaware that Spike was listening in, sighs as she asks her friends, "That's just how it has to be. It's the only way for the spell to be broken."

"Well, come on, you got to at least tell my little brother the truth." Lorcan said to Rarity in concern.

"Oh, he's right." Rainbow said with a nod. "Spike will understand what you're going through."

"No, don't, please!" Rarity gasps in horror. She can't let Spike know, he may not understand! "You all must not breathe a word, no one else besides you all must know!"

"Awww, come on! What's the point of talking all day if you gotta keep secrets?" Pinkamena ask Rarity with a pouty look.

Rarity sadly pleads to her friends, "Please don't tell Spike!"

Applejack disagrees, shaking her head while saying, "Sugarcube, it'd be way more better 'ta be honest than lying."

Pinkie gave an evil eye to Applejack, asking, "So you'd rather break another Pinkie Promise?" She gave her friend more evil eyes, freaking her out. The last time that the cowpony broke a Pinkie Promise, it wasn't pretty at all.

Applejack, with her eyes getting freaked out, insists, "No, but it's just that-"

Fluttershy looks unimpressed as she adds, "She also preferred to cause animal cruelty rather than sharing half of the apple tree with the fruit bats, and letting one of her own friends go against her Element of Harmony just for-"

Applejack soon freaks out, yelling, "Okay, okay!..." She sighs while rolling her eyes, "Now I know how Shadow the Hedgehog feels..."

"Fine, calm down, okay, we won't tell anyone." Golden Heart said with a sigh. If Rarity insists that Spike and no one else must ever know, the group may as well respect her request.

"Right, you got our word." Pinkamena said as the group leaves the windmill to head to sleep for the time.

Lorcan however turns to Rarity who watches them go, saying, "But I think you should. My little brother can be sensitive when certain secrets are kept from him. I don't want Spike to feel hurt if he finds out from another source, something cruel."

"Right, I'm beginning to respect Spike like a brother or a son. I don't want him to feel lonely or hurt here." Twilight said seriously to Rarity. "You should tell him, please, for his sake."

"I gotta tell ya, ponies and Lorcan, when this is over, I am going to need a Super Duper bunch of serious therapy." Pinkie said as her eye twitches. "Look at me, my eye is twitching."

As Rarity watch her friends go, she pauses, remembering what Lorcan and Twilight. They are right, Spike will be hurt if he finds out from another source...or will never know and could be sad and lonely without her should that happened. But Rarity is worried as to how the Dragon would react should she does tell him.

Rarity then saw the flowers on the floor and picks up the sunflower, doing some thinking as she goes back into the windmill; Time for fate...and picking the petals off the sunflower...to decide.

Author's note
Rarity's curse is revealed...and poor Spike's feelings is hurt because he thought she was talking about him. In the next chapter, the Dragon bitterly gives her to Blueblood then snaps at his friends before abandoning them. But will true love and friendship ever emerge? Read, review and suggest.

Pinkie and Fluttershy are referring to two episodes with Applejack that involves her doing bad stuff.