-------------------- Request Chapter: Just read, you guys. It's good --------------------

The following takes place at an indeterminate point in time after the chapter "An Unusual Request."

Lily smiled up at Maggie as the woman padded into the lounge, where she and three other girls were sitting, chatting, reading, generally just enjoying their day off. In Maggie's hands was a sheaf of papers and envelopes, and she furrowed through them in front of the gathered girls.

"Lessee... Brenda, Brenda, Lily, here, this one's for you." She started handing all the mail out one by one to their recipients, moving through the gathered girls until they were all passed out. Lily seldom received mail that wasn't professional or junk, so she was intrigued by the simple white envelope. Her name, address, and the return address were all hand-written.

"Thank you, Maggie." She gave the manager a soft kiss on the cheek before padding up to her room. Whatever it was, it was more than likely meant to be opened in private. Shutting herself in, she slid a finger under the edge and tore open the envelope, revealing a surprisingly lacy card inside. Pure white with a dark blue, handwritten text, the card was trimmed in lace and even smelled faintly of lilac. Lily sniffed the scented ink before reading.

Dear friend,

You have been cordially invited to the wedding of Rarity and Nathaniel on Saturday, June 25th. The couple will be wed at sunset, with the reception to follow. You are welcome to bring one (1) guest. If you will be attending, please RSVP with...

The invitation went on as such, Lily skimmed through the details and made a note to call. So Rarity was getting married... Smiling, she turned the card over, noticed what appeared to be a personal note written on the back. She furrowed her brow and read on.

Lily,

I understand we haven't had much of a chance to chat since... Well, you know. Applejack may still be angry with you, but I see no reason to be mad. Please, if you would, come a little earlier? I would like to speak with you privately, just to bury the hatchet (So to speak) and make amends.

Yours,

Rarity

Lily flipped the card over several times, re-reading the personal note just to make sure. Yup, Rarity wanted to rekindle a friendship. Though news of Applejack's anger wasn't entirely shocking, she was surprised Rarity would ever want to speak with her again. Maybe she needed to re-evaluate her standing with all six of the wielders of harmony... She dialed the number from the card and let her mind wander as she listened to the ringing. A voicemail picked up.

"You've reached the Carousel Botique outside of normal business hours. However, if you are calling to RSVP for the wedding, please leave a message with your name, number of guests attending, and whose side you will be attending on, as well as a number I may reach you at. I will return your call as soon as possible. Thank you, and have a wonderful day!" Rarity's cheery voice made Lily smile. She started speaking as the tone sounded.

"Hello Rarity, it's Lily. I just recieved your letter, and I would love to RSVP for the wedding. I will not be bringing any guests, and I'd assume I'd be on your side, as I don't know who Nathaniel is just yet... You can reach me at-"

"Darling!" She was cut off as Rarity answered the phone. "So sorry I missed your call, I was busy looking over a catalogue in the other room. So good to hear from you again! I heard the first part of your message, tell me, can you make it a day or so early?" Lily glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall nearby. As usual, her schedule was completely open.

"I should think so. That's the thing about this business... You never really have to worry about taking a few days off. In the end, it's your call if you don't want to work for your food." Rarity was silent for a few moments...

"If you have to work, I understand..."

"No, no! Trust me, Rarity, the business is doing well." Lily chuckled. "Well enough I can take a week or so off without having to worry in the slightest. I can be there any time you'd like."

"Oh! Well then, not a problem. If you think you can make it around noon the day before, I'd be much obliged. You can stay in the guest room, if you don't mind family coming and going now and then."

"I wouldn't want to intrude. And besides, Maggie still owns the apartments down the street a ways. Granted, she has a different manager, but I think I can borrow an open room for a few nights, with her permission. I very well may take you up on the offer, though..." They set about chatting about nonsensical things, and Lily felt herself begin to bubble with a strange sort of girlish delight. Rarity's mood was infectious, rubbing off on Lily as they made smalltalk. It didn't last terribly long, as Rarity did have a wedding to plan. Bidding one another farewell, Lily hung up and marked the date on her calendar. Whispers of the wedding managed to get out one way or another, and the whole business was abuzz with women giggling in the halls, talking about dresses and ettiquette. Lily thought she heard Maggie mutter something about cursing the day a whore got excited for a wedding. Lily nudged her ribs playfully and smiled at the look she got.

"Oh, relax..." Lily said as the date slowly approached. More than once she had had to talk herself out of a corner, respectfully saying the ceremony was going to be small and intimate and she had already RSVP'd with no guests. Some shrugged it off, others whined and begged, and others still shot her mean looks. She didn't think anything of it. "Give it a week after the wedding. They'll go back to their usual, angry, sultry selves." Maggie grumbled again and gave Lily a teasing spank as she went off to her room to pack.

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The train ride to Ponyville was uneventful and boring, though when she arrived, she was greeted by a bubbly Rarity waiting on the platform. Wheeling her suitcase, Lily was assaulted by a warm hug. Rarity laughed in her ear and kissed her cheek as Lily tentatively returned the rather friendly hug.

"So glad you could make it, darling! Tell me, wasn't that trainride just AWFUL?" Rarity wasn't as bad as she had been in the spa that fateful day long, long ago... But she most certainly was still chatty. Before dropping her off at her borrowed apartment, she and Rarity stopped for dinner at a cafe, talking about the wedding and all that had happened.

"So who IS this Nathaniel?" Lily finally managed to ask, leaning over the table expectantly.

"Oh, you would not believe it!" Rarity began, obviously rather smitten with the man. Why else would she choose to marry him so soon? "He prefers Nathan, we just put Nathaniel on the invitations for, you know, traditional reasons. But one day, he just waltzes into the boutique, and begins criticizing my clothes!" Lily blinked. Rarity's work was masterful, how anyone would ever be able to nitpick on even the finest detail was beyond her. "Calling my fashion dull and drab, reminding me how a cross-stitch would have worked better than the one I had used, you get my point. I've had my fair share of snobbish customers, all with one thing or another to say, but... Well, to be frank, I just couldn't take some know-it-all from the street treating me so roughly!" The memory was making Rarity flustered, and she took a long swig of water to cool down.

"I finally confronted him, and just as I was about to give him a piece of my mind, he smiled and said to me: 'Yet with all these things, you are still the best dressmaker I've ever seen. Better even than the high-end tailors of Canterlot.' Then he asked me for a job! A JOB!" Rarity slapped a hand on the table, making Lily jump slightly. "Needless to say, I was so flustered at this point, I almost turned him away. But he spied a dress I was in the middle of patching up, and asked if he could try his hand at it. I'll say he wasn't the absolute best with a needle, but the job was neat and the repair was satisfactory. Not to mention he was deviously handsome. I told him to come back the next day, but the poor fellow told me he didn't have a place to stay. Well, you know me, I can't turn away talent with no place to stay. I offered him the guest room and the next day he started work." It all sounded rather fishy to Lily, but only because she had been in the same position with Maggie as Nathan had apparently been with Rarity.

"He fit in really well. He could sell a dress as well as myself, and he was rapidly improving with his needlework. I let him handle repairs and touch-ups while I could focus on making new dresses and styles." Rarity continued. "Late nights and take-out food led to one thing or another, and, well..." She flourished her left hand, displaying the elegant ring. The woven metal hugged her digit well, and was set with three small diamonds.

"How in the world could he afford that?" Lily wondered, taking Rarity's hand so she could scrutinize it closely.

"Oh, a lady never asks and a gentleman never tells." Rarity bubbled, giggling happily.

"I have to say, Rarity, I'm glad you found someone. And as for the whole business with me long ag-"

"Water under the bridge, darling. Don't even worry yourself about it. I'm over it if you are." Rarity smiled at Lily, who couldn't help but return the kind gesture. When the check came, Rarity reached for it, but Lily snatched it away. "Hey!" Rarity began to protest, but Lily stopped her with a single raised finger.

"It's the least I can do, Rarity. You've been awfully kind to me, even though I most likely don't deserve it. At least allow me to pay for dinner. Besides, you probably need to save every dollar for wedding expenses. I have to imagine making your own dress is saving some cost, but the venue and reception? No, you save your money." She smiled and slipped the payment with a healthy tip across the table, the two of them enjoying a little more conversation before standing and leaving.

"Would you like to meet Nathan? He said he was going to be busy meeting the planner for some last-minute touch-ups, but I would imagine he'd be close to finished by now." Lily smiled.

"That'd be lovely." They slipped into Rarity's car and pulled away, driving just the short distance to Rarity's boutique. When they got out, it looked like the planner was just leaving. Lily saw her speaking with someone in the doorway, though she couldn't see the other party. The planner gave Rarity a brief hug and chatted about some meaningless detail with a table arrangement or something. Rarity picked a white confectionary to be handed out to each guest before finally dipping inside.

"There she is, my beautiful bride." Lily stopped dead. Nathan, a tall, average man with a handsome face wrapped his arms around Rarity, kissing his giggling fiance' on the neck. His hair swept back off his forehead, the dark brown accentuating his similarly-colored eyes well. But it wasn't his appearance that startled her. No... Lily was much more worried about the dark aura emanating from this man. Rarity was a magi... How come she couldn't feel it? Nathan looked at Lily over Rarity's shoulder, and the quick flash of recognition across his chiseled features was enough to tell Lily he realized the same thing. She suppressed a shiver.

"How did the meeting go?" Rarity asked. Nathan made a show of sighing heavily, and the serreptitious glance cast her way told her he was bluffing.

"Exhausting... I swear, if you put up with people like her on a normal basis for your dresses, I'm going to have to quit." Rarity gave a soft laugh and kissed him again. "Darling, would you mind making some tea?" Rarity bounced off happily, leaving Lily and "Nathan" alone.

"Shift." Lily said darkly.

"You first."

"This is my natural form." Lily waved a hand over her body. It would have shocked Rarity, but to Lily, the sight of seeing another changeling shift before her was both natural, and served as a painful reminder of the recent past. "Explain yourself." Lily appraised the plucky young woman that now stood before her. Still wearing the dark slacks and button-down dress shirt Nathan had been wearing, the girl smiled. She was strikingly beautiful for a changeling, and the lack of green eyes, holes in her arms, and flickering wings told Lily she was on-par with a lieutenant.

"Name's Nyralith. Nyra for short."

"Never heard of you."

"Neither had Chrysalis. That's why I left." Lily tensed even more. Another rogue changeling? Couldn't be...

"Left?"

"Yup." Silence.

"... So..."

"Look, Liliana, this is hardly the time or the place. Let's chat about this tonight, after Rarity goes to sleep. Where can I find you?" Lily hastily scribbled down the address of the apartment she was staying in, handing it off to a shifted Nyralith just as Rarity re-entered with a tray full of steaming tea and cookies.

"You two have a good chat?" She asked with a sultry smile, handing out plates and baked goods in equal measure.

"Certainly." Nyralith's voice was spot-on... She was certainly talented. "I was just about to ask Lily about her line of work." Rarity perked up and shot her husband-to-be a playful glare.

"Don't get any funny ideas, mister." She warned with a low tone. Lily watched Nyralith chuckle.

"Why not? She is quite beautiful... And rumor has it you're a changeling. Mind if I see a demonstration?" Lily lowered her brow as both Rarity and the fake man turned their gaze towards her.

"I suppose there wouldn't be an issue with that. Who would you like to see?" Nathan set his tea down and leaned back in the chair he had taken, making an effort of thinking hard.

"I know! You and Rarity go into the other room, you turn into her, and I guess which is the real one?" Rarity's blush was brilliant, but could hardly match Lily's. Granted, hers was from pure anger. This little bitch was pushing her! She was testing possibly the most powerful changeling aside from Chrysalis herself! Lily stood stiffly, followed by Rarity. They padded into the opposite room, out of sight of Nyralith.

"You don't have to if you don't want to..." Lily silenced Rarity by transforming into the magi flawlessly, even down to the single stray lock of hair hanging inbetween her eyes. Rarity noticed and brushed it back into place, chuckling as Lily did the same.

"Let's go see how good our husband really is." Lily said, offering her arm.

"Yes, 'our' husband." Rarity laughed and looped her arm through Lily's as they went back out into the sitting room. Much to her surprise, Nyralith swept his arm around Lily's waist, pulling her into a deep, passionate kiss. She felt her eyes snap wide open in the changed man's strong arms, his lips pressed roughly to hers.

"Like I'd ever mistake my own wife." He said smugly, the look quickly wilting as Lily shifted back. Rarity was caught between anger and hilarity, mostly at the dumbfounded look on his face. She finally burst into teary-eyed laughter as Nyralith hung her head defeatedly.

"Y-you mistook Lily for me! Baahahahah! Oh my goodness, that's rich... And y-you said you could never mistake me-he-he-heee!" She doubled over with laughter, and Lily took the opporutnity to deliver a well-aimed punch at the other changeling's solar plexus. The blow winded him, making the taller man wheeze and shoot her a deadly glare. He quickly went to Rarity, pulling the hysterical bride into his arms as she wrapped him in a tight hug.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Her cheeks were flushed as she held him close, burying her face into his shoulder. "Under other c-circumstances, I'd have kicked your ass for kissing another woman. B-but... You just kissed a changeling!" She squealed, chuckling in her throat as Nyralith kissed her deeply.

If only you knew... Lily was tempted to spill the secret then and there, but stopped herself when Rarity smiled at her.

"Well? Isn't my Nathan a good kisser?" She boasted, laying one hand on his scruffy cheek.

"Oh, yes, yes indeed..." Lily fought to give a sincere smile. "You're a lucky woman, Rarity. You've got a killer guy to call your own." The glare she got from Nyralith was priceless. Lily gave a coy smile in return.

"She wasn't that bad a kisser, either." Nyralith muttered, just loud enough for her and Rarity to hear. "And she IS a changeling... I gotta say, the prospect of bedding two of you does sound enticing." Lily saw Rarity chew on her lip. Apparently she was weighing the opposite end of the spectrum... To her, two Nathan's would probably make for a blissful night.

"Save it for the honeymoon." Rarity finally said at last, though the look she cast Lily told her she was seriously considering the offer. "I need to take her to her apartment. It's getting late." Indeed it was... The sun was sinking low on the horizon, and despite how weary she had been feeling from the travel, Lily was now wide awake. She doubted she'd ever sleep again, not until she could put her racing mind to rest. The soon-to-be-weds bid their farewells as Rarity and Lily walked to the car, driving in tired silence most of the way. Rarity appeared to be rather spent as well, her eyes hanging low.

"Get some rest," Lily said as she pulled her luggage from the trunk. "You've got a big day tomorrow." Rarity smiled and gave her a warm hug.

"I'll be fine darling. Though I suppose a long rest is in order. A budding bride needs her beauty sleep!" Lily got a gentle kiss on the cheek and a more than suggestive smirk before Rarity slipped back into the car. Lily waved at her rearview mirror as she pulled away, turning into the apartment building. True to Maggie's word, the key to her old apartment was under the doormat, and she unlocked the tiny studio. Everything was exactly as she had left it, down to the backpack in the closet. It was clean, too, no sign of dirt, and fresh towels in the bathroom. She hoisted her suitcase onto the foot of the bed and stripped down for a quick shower.

Thoughts of the recent past plagued her as she scrubbed her skin, the drone of the hot water hitting the floor of the shower distracting her from the task more than it should. She lost track of time, losing herself in the hot water, the feeling of scrubbing herself clean. She moaned gently, taking time to massage shampoo into her fiery red curls, and after a little deliberation, shaved her entire body, save her head. Getting lost in the hot, steamy water and the hygiene, she didn't realize how late it was getting. Finally cranking the water off with pruny fingers, she padded out of the bathroom, dripping and nude.

"So," She said gently, her back turned to the open window. "Tell me why you're marrying Rarity under false pretenses."

"You don't miss a thing." Nyralith slipped through the window, her natural form having sprouted wings. Lily didn't even move to put her clothes on. She lazily toweled off her hair, her back turned to the other changeling. There was a silence, filled only by the sound of the towel running over her fiery curls. Finally, Nyralith heaved a sigh and spoke. "When you handed Chrysalis the essences, knowing she wouldn't be able to use them, everything changed. It wasn't when you ran, when you declared your independence... It wasn't even the fight after with the canterlotian guard. No, the moment you handed those six essences over, every changeling in the horde felt it. Every lieutenant, that is... Chrysalis' sway held over the masses of drones, but everyone powerful enough to be called lieutenant felt it. Ajax would have, too, if you hadn't killed him..." The memory left a bitter taste in Lily's mouth. she paused drying her hair, turned to Nyralith. This was the first time she got a good look at the first changeling she had seen since her injury just outside of the Everfree forest.

Nyralith was a tall, curvy woman. She wasn't fat by any means, no, she was truly a picture of beauty. Her angular form would probably have been ravashing, if she wasn't still wearing male clothes. Still, her sizeable bust swelled against the buttons, parting the fabric just enough that Lily could spot the flesh of her cleavage there between the straining fabric. Her face, round and beautiful, had full cheeks and lips, a wide, low bridge leading to a shapely nose. The shimmering cascade of her jet-black hair seemed to shift and move as she adjusted, pushing away from the wall. Barefoot, wearing slacks and a button-down shirt, the same as before, she had a very entrancing natural form. Lily found herself distracted with the peeks of flesh inbetween the buttons of her shirt.

"Eyes up here, love." Nyralith teased. Lily glanced up, but saw the hypocrite's eyes on her own curvy body. Lily stretched her arms over her head. Against better judgement, Lily found herself getting aroused at the beautiful sight before her.

"Same to you, bitch."

"Hey now," Nyralith's gaze darkened. "No need for petty insults."

"Sorry," Lily dropped the stretch, lowering a pair of emerald-green eyes at the other woman. "I have no respect for someone, changeling or not, who lies to a friend of mine."

"Like you did any better?" Lily watched Nyralith raise a hand to her chest, seemingly cupping her breast. She was about to remark on the lewd action when the changeling pulled a shifting, ephemeral blue orb from her core. Lily would know that color anywhere.

"You took her essence." Lily breathed. Nyralith passed the blue orb back and forth.

"At least I love Rarity."

"And I don't?" Lily countered. The withering look Nyralith shot Lily made her wither slightly.

"Not like I do." She tucked the essence away in her chest and advance towards Lily, raising a hand to cup her cheek, draw her gaze up into her icy blue eyes. "You could never love anybody the way I love Rarity." Her gaze flickered down, her lips curled up. "A different kind of love than you've got in your mind right now." Lily blushed at her arousal, feeling Nyralith's fingers pull away. "You won't be attending the service tomorrow. And you won't be coming back to our life any more. In fact, I think it'd be best if you stay away from Rarity, and the rest of the wielders of harmony." Nyralith padded to the window, stepping up onto the frame. She shot a glare back at Lily. "Put some fucking clothes on. I can smell you rutting from over here." And she was gone, the sound of flapping avian wings fading away into the night. Choking a sob, Lily collapsed onto the bed, crying herself to sleep.

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The ceremony went on as usual, Rarity was far too wrapped up in the preparations to even notice who was coming and going to the outdoor venue. Preparations were made, last-minute walkthroughs of the ceremony were discussed, and people were generally just rushing about, ensuring everything would be perfect. The day was shaping up to be completely cloudless, sunny and beautiful. Rarity was busy getting pampered, ready for the ceremony. It took seven full hours to get her ready and presentable before they even began putting the intricate dress on. That took an extra two hours. It was close to five in the evening before Rarity was even ready for the photographs, half to be taken before the ceremony, half after. Nathan, on the other hand, mingled for most of the morning and afternoon, and started getting ready around four. He was finished by six, and to him that was a very long time. Still, the small group of friends he had made in his short time working for Rarity were all envious of his deviously good looks and the fit of the custom-tailored suit.

When it came time, guests were ushered to their spots, the groom took his place at the altar, and the music began playing. There was, however, an empty chair at the front row, on Rarity's side.

"Please rise." Everyone stood as the traditional wedding music played, escorting an absolutely stunning Rarity down the aisle. Beside her was a proud father, but all eyes were on the bride. Rarity put the meaning of the word 'Beauty' to shame. Every single detail spent fretting over the past nine hours was just as it should have been. The falling golden light highlighted the dress, turning it to molten metal around her arms and shoulders. Her hair fell in a graceful, intricate braid down her back, not a single silken strand out of place. "Ooh"s and "Aah"s came from the audience as she slowly made her way towards the aisle, all the while carrying a blissful smile Celestia herself would have been envious of. She didn't even notice Lily's empty chair.

Rarity's father handed her off to a dumbstruck Nathan, who gladly accepted the hand, still stunned his bride was so... Entrancing. Together, they ascended the steps to the altar, both of them looking perfect for the role. Even perfect was too tame a word to describe it. They shared several hushed words before giving a nod to Twilight Sparkle, the stand-in 'Priest' for the service.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of Nathaniel and Rarity in matrimony blessed by the sun, the moon, and their friends and family. Please, be seated." There was a shuffle of feet as chairs were taken. There was a lack of guests on Nathan's side... One more did not go noticed by anyone. "The couple will now share their vows." Nathan cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed, and began.

"When I came into your store the first time, I had never been struck by such masterful work. I thought to myself, 'Now Nathan, this has to be the work of some shut-in of a hermit.' So I immediately began looking for imperfections. I see now how very wrong I was to criticize your work that day. When I saw your reaction to my scrutiny, I couldn't stand the pained look on your face. I'm so glad I've a way with words that, admittedly, smuggled me into your store for regular employment. Over many long days and longer nights working for the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on, I can't deny that I fell in love with you." There was a pause as he caught his breath.

"I was so scared you wouldn't return my affection, and I can honestly say I am the luckiest man alive to have your heart to call my own. I promise to be faithful through thick and thin, illness and health, and everywhere in between. I will do my hardest to not betray your trust, and I will be truthful."

"LIES!" Lily dove in from the sky, landing in a ring of dust. Shocked gasps echoed throughout the audience as she mounted the altar. Rarity looked stricken. "You're a damn liar, Nyralith." She pointed a shaking finger at the disguised changeling.

"What?" Rarity's voice trembled as she spoke, and Lily cast a sympathetic glance towards her.

"I'm sorry, Rarity. But I can't stand this any longer. I hope you forgive me." Lily opened her gloved hand and blew a thick dust over the nearby group. Small, crushed leaves fluttered about as she cast the ground powder out, covering everyone on the altar.

"Listen here, you, you-" Nathan was cut off as Applejack tackled Lily to the ground.

"You little bitch, Ah'll show ya for buttin' in where you don't belong!" Applejack raised a fist to strike her, but was stopped when she was greeted with jet-black skin, green hair, the insect-like wings splayed underneath her. "'Bout time you showed your filthy lil' face!"

"She's not the only one." Twilight's words stopped Applejack. A collective gasp came from the audience as Nathan, still in his suit... Slowly started to change. Nyralith came forth in a shimmer of the herb's magic, her body shrinking inside the suit, growing shorter, more slender. Long hair cascaded down her back, began to change to the same green as Lily's, her skin went from a healthy tan to ebony to pure, midnight black. She looked around, frightened, at all the stares. A cloaked figure at the back slipped away, her work done. Lily gave a silent thanks to Zecora and fished herself from underneath Applejack. Silenced reigned as Lily looked at the intruder, both upset at what she was doing to Rarity, and glad she had unearthed the traitor. To her surprise, Rarity heaved a sigh and dropped the bouquet of flowers, lifting Lily's changeling chin to her own eyes. She leaned in to give her a gentle kiss before slowly walking away, back down the aisle. Applejack, however, grabbed both changelings at the neck of their clothes, and dragged them off in an entirely different direction.

"Fuckin' changeling everywhere, I'm gonna hafta beat the crap outta each an' every one of 'em." Lily watched the guests begin to leave, confused and saddened at the change of events. Fluttershy was meekly following after some of them, Pinkie Pie was still holding several party favors in her hands, looking very confused. Twilight, however, followed after Applejack, calling for her to stop.

"Applejack! Stop!" She called, finally using a thread of magic to tear both the changelings away from Applejack's grip.

"Ah'm gonna teach these two a lesson, Twi! This one," She pointed at Lily. "For hurtin' Fluttershy. And this one," Her finger moved to Nyralith. "For breakin' Rarity's heart." Twilight sighed and righted the two changelings with another pull of magic, advancing towards a flustered Applejack.

"AJ, listen to me." She said, calming the furious farmer with a hand on her shoulder. "If Lily hadn't revealed... Nyralith, is it? For what she was. What would have been worse? Rarity finding out on her wedding day her husband-to-be was a changeling, or spending her entire life married to a lie?" Twilight's words had an obvious effect on all three parties gathered, Lily puffed up with confidence, Nyralith became markedly more sheepish, and Applejack cooled off. "As for Nyralith herself..." Twilight turned, casting a very angry glare at the alien changeling. "I want to hear her side of the story, myself. You may get to kick some ass yet, AJ." Applejack stood at her friend's shoulder, cracking knuckles audibly. Lily surprised everyone by moving in between the angry magi and the farmer with vengeance in her eyes.

"Lily, ah wouldn' want ta be in mah way when I git to ass-kickin'." Applejack said in a low voice. Lily didn't move.

"I want to vouch for her." Lily said softly.

"What?" Twilight was shocked.

"I said I want to vouch for her. Listen, Nyralith may be an underhanded, lying piece of shit, but she's no different than I was." Lily cast a glance over her shoulder. "She's changed into the ideal form for sexual seduction, wormed her way into Rarity's life, and wants to make her her own. In my mind, she's no different than any other changeling." That had an obvious effect. The truth of her words made Nyralith wilt visibly, trying to shrink in the suit. Lily lifted her chin. "But just like me," She offered a brave smile. "She can change, if given the chance."

"Lily," Twilight stepped forward to rest a hand on Lily's shoulder. "You're right. We've all been focusing on what we think has happened. We don't even know how Rarity feels about this whole deal. From what I saw, she didn't even look hurt, just... Sad. Lily, can I count on you to take Nyralith to go talk to Rarity? I think AJ and I need to have another 'talk.'" Applejack groaned and crossed her arms as Lily nodded and took Nyralith's hand, dragging the stuttering changeling away.

"Where are you-" Lily stopped by wheeling to face her, now out of sight of Applejack and the lecturing Twilight Sparkle.

"Do you love her?"

"Wh-"

"DO YOU LOVE HER?!" Lily's hair floated away from her shoulder as she felt the magic within her swell with anger. Nyralith shrunk even more at the sight.

"Y-yes..."

"I can't hear you."

"Yes! I love her!" She finally admitted, tears welling in her eyes, threatening to fall down her cheeks.

"Then shift to your normal form. There's a chance to save this yet." Lily did so herself, shifting into the fiery-haired, curvy whore from Canterlot. Nyralith followed suit, filling out the clothes a little bit better now.

"But, there's no way she would love me back!" Nyralith started to voice her concerns. "I mean, Rarity's into men, how would she ever even like a woman!"

"You don't know the half of it..." Lily groaned as she pulled Nyralith into her apartment.

"What?"

"How do you think I got Rarity's essence?" Lily asked, dragging the disbelieving changeling into her room.

"You don't mean to tell me..." Samantha Sunrunner showed up then, the busty, blonde-haired avian Lily had used to seduce Rarity. "Oh wow... I had no idea." She shifted back into Lily and started taking off Nyralith's clothes. "H-hey! Stop!" Her hands were batted away, the shirt half-open.

"You aren't confessing to Rarity in the clothes her husband wore to their wedding day. Now strip." Lily pulled a blouse and skirt from her suitcase, along with a spare pair of undies and a bra. No doubt Nyralith had worn male clothes to the wedding. Indeed, the larger pants fell down her legs as she got the gist of what Lily was doing.

"If this doesn't work..."

"Then you can come work with me in Canterlot. We can always use another changeling for our customers."

"Eew! Become a whore?!"

"Don't knock it 'til you've tried it." Lily muttered, tossing the panties and a sturdy bra at Nyralith.

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"Rarity?" Lily called out, stepping through the doorway.

"In here, darling!" Rarity's voice was surprisingly cheerful for one who had just had a wedding day ruined. Lily and Nyralith both padded into Rarity's work space at Carousel Boutique. It was almost midnight... Sure enough, the busy magi was working at a dress, her glasses perched low on her nose. Her hair was straight and hung down her back, and she wore a t-shirt and shorts now. Barefoot on the tile floor of her work space, Rarity was absorbed in her dress, humming happily. She glanced up, and did a double-take as Lily and the strange woman of a changeling slipped into the room. "Oh! Lily! I wasn't expecting you. And I'm guessing this is... Eer..." She struggled with the name. Nyralith stepped forward, rubbing her arm embarrassed.

"Nyralith... But... I prefer Nyra." She muttered softly. Rarity flashed a brilliant smile.

"Right. Nyra, then." Lily was surprised as Rarity strode forward and took her hand, raising the fingertips to her eyes. "Hmm... Not as rough, but definitely more slender, more flexible. Let's see..." She dragged a stuttering Nyra forward to the dress she had been working on, carefully handing her a needle and thread. "Cross-stitch, right here." Lily watched as Nyra paused, blinking for a few moments. "What? Get to work. Someone has to pay for the reception I never got." A few more blinks before Nyra set to work on the dress, with Rarity watching closely.

"Like that?" Nyra asked, standing straight.

"Hmm... Not bad... Strong, even... Yes, you still have just as much talent as you did when you were... Well, you know..." Rarity scrutinized the fabric before snipping the thread and finishing the knot on the inside of the hem. The dress was finished, and Lily smiled as the two of them shared a look. Slowly, she began slipping towards the door... "Oh, Lily?" Rarity asked, catching her with her hand on the knob.

"Y-yeah?" Lily stuttered slightly.

"I hope you aren't planning on leaving."

"Wh-"

"We still have the matter of my honeymoon..." The blush would have lit up the dark room. Nyralith opened her mouth to complain, but was silenced by Rarity's finger. "I don't think you have a lot of room to talk, missy. Besides, wasn't it you who said she was aroused by the idea of taking on two of myself?" Lily grinned and shifted into Rarity, same clothes and everything. She walked up and slid her hand around Rarity's waist, grinning suggestively at Nyralith.

"I- I don't..." Nyralith stuttered, glancing between both of them.

"Lily, darling, what do you say we show Nyralith here how it's done?" Smoothly, the two Rarity's descended on the unsuspecting woman, pulling her to the floor smoothly.

"Aah! Hey! I, what are you doing back there?! Don't take my skirt off, hey!" She started complaining, which only made the two Rarity's laugh at her feeble struggles. She was obviously enjoying it, and in the tangle of bodies, even Lily began to lose track of who was who. Soon enough, all three women were completely devoid of clothing, and Lily and the true Rarity sat up on their knees to look down at a whimpering Nyralith. She was a truly entrancing woman when naked, her slender form accentuated all the more by full hips, a shaved pubis, and a pair of rather large, shapely breasts. Lily felt jealous, surprisingly enough. Rarity, on the other hand, just dove right in and plastered her lips to the nipple of one breast. Lily followed suit, giving a firm suckle and a moan. Nyralith's gasp sent a tingle of desire down her spine. She felt Rarity adjust next to her, one hand laying flat on Nyra's twitching stomach, slowly pushing lower and lower... There was a cry of pleasure as Nyra arched up underneath them, one hand raising to her mouth so she could suck on her finger. Lily fixed that by pulling away from her rock-hard nipple and pressing her lips to Nyra's.

"MFF!" She groaned, wanting to vocalize. Lily robbed her of that by pushing her tongue into her mouth. Nyra met her willingly as Rarity's hand continue to work against Nyra's dripping womanhood. Lily opened her eyes just a little, watched Rarity adjust until her lips were working at the changeling's dripping sex. Lily pulled her mouth away and swung a leg out, positioning her wet center above the changeling's mouth. She took to it eagerly, though with a sort of amateur technique. Lily shivered nevertheless and began massaging her own breast, watching as Rarity began to twist around, lift her hips... Getting the hint, Lily helped Rarity by pulling her thighs over her own shoulders, positioning her wet center directly in front of her mouth. Groaning eagerly, she set in on Rarity's dripping center, licking and flicking her clit in equal measure. The groans and whimpers of desire she got in return made her own center slicker all the more, easing Nyra's tongue inside.

They were caught in a circle, Lily licking Rarity, Rarity licking Nyra, Nyra licking Lily... Rarity's slight weight was easy to hold up, but Rarity couldn't be comfortable as she was. Indeed, a few more long moments and she started to squirm. Gently, Lily set her down, regretfully removing her mouth from the delicious gash. She licked her lips, lapping up the remainders of the tasty juices with a low groan. The three broke apart, panting in the aftermath. To her knowledge, none of them had came... Yet... Rarity was intent on changing that as she pushed Lily down the floor, kissing the vision of herself eagerly. Lily chuckled as she and Rarity fell to the floor, feeling Rarity take the dominant position on top, her legs wrapping around Rarity's slender waist. She felt Rarity grind her womanhood against her own, rubbing their swollen, exposed clits together with an expert touch. Lily shivered softly, panting as Rarity reared up and looked back at a neglected Nyralith.

"I thought it was Nathan that wanted to fuck two of me? Well, what are you waiting for?" Lily caught a glimpse of Nyra quickly changing, her arousal apparent even in this form. Rarity leaned over again, her lips hovering just over Lily's as she ground their hips together even more. "Relax..." She urged, and Lily could only give a slight nod as she felt that thick head press to her wet lips. Rarity whimpered in disappointment, but allowed Nathan to continue anyways. The head pushed her apart, giving way to a thick, full shaft... Nyra apparently knew what a woman wanted... Rarity contented herself with rubbing her clit on the shaft as it pulsed in and out of Lily's dripping hole, but was not put off for very long. Smoothly, Nathan adjusted and pushed himself into Rarity next, leaving Lily panting and eager for more. She watched Rarity's face turn up with pure pleasure, fade away as Lily was penetrated again. Ooh, she was good at this... It was when she heard Rarity cry out, she had to glance down. She was the one getting attention, but Rarity's dripping womanhood indicated she was clearly in the throes of an orgasm. It was when Nathan pulled shimmering fingers out of her that Lily realized... Whenever he was inside of her, he was fingering Rarity. Not one to be left behind, Lily clamped her canal down around that thick shaft, bucking her hips as she rushed towards her climax.

"AAHN!" The two Rarity's cried out in tandem, the pleasure derived from the eager shaft almost too much.

"Okay, okay..." Rarity groaned, smiling down at Lily. "My turn. You know what to do." Lily grinned and shifted into Nathan now, and after having it inside of her, was fairly certain she had nailed the girth, length, and shape pretty well. She adjusted until she was on her knees in front of Rarity, while the 'true' Nathan settled on his knees behind her. Rarity opened her hungry mouth, eagerly taking Lily's throbbing shaft into her, just as Nathan slid in from behind. Spit-roast, that's what this was called... Lily was loving every second of it. Moaning and twitching, she felt Rarity's mouth work up and down her cock, while she watched that whip-tight body get pounded from behind. Rarity popped Lily out for just a moment to beg for more.

"Harder." She whimpered, flexing around him. "Faster! Please!" Lily grabbed her hair, forcing those beautiful lips back down against her pulsing cock. Rarity took to it with an expert touch, her mouth shivering in time with the rough, fast thrusts penetrating her dripping gash. Nathan, already loosened up from the tag-team earlier, gave in first, pulling out and stroking his shaft all over Rarity's back. The gushing orgasm landed in her hair, on her shoulders, most of it dribbling out to puddle on the small of her back, her pert ass-cheeks. She pulled Lily out of her mouth, stroking that shaft with a gentle touch.

"Now..." She panted, smiling back at the panting Nathan behind her. "I think it's time you got a taste of your own medicine..." Rarity rose up to her knees, still stroking Lily. "Change back to Nyra, now, darling... You stay like you are, Lily..." Nyralith obliged, but Rarity's intentions quickly became obvious as she pushed Lily inbetween Nyra's legs. Lily looked up at her, mouth open, but still hard as ever. Nyra's blush lit the room more than the moonlight pouring through the windows.

"I-"

"Do it." Rarity teased, watching the spectacle slowly play out before her. "I'll be back in just a moment. And so help me, if you aren't inside of her, I'll take it out on both of you..." Rarity stood, turning her cum-covered back on both of them as she slipped away. Lily watched her perky ass twitch as she padded off, smiling as Nyra kissed her neck.

"Might as well do what she says..." Both changeling set in on each other eagerly, Lily gently guiding Nyra down to her back. She spread eagerly, her wetness sliding down her thighs. Perhaps she had shifted too soon after the previous orgasm... Lily just smiled and guided her aching cock inside, sliding in with ease. Nyra arched her back with a loud gasp, feeling her slip in easily. Lily set in on a smooth, deep pace, not quite building herself up to another orgasm, but definitely keeping the pleasure constant. Nyralith was a very attractive mate, and she would have been enjoying this no matter who she was shifted as. But she had to stop when Rarity padded back into the room, now sporting the same strap-on Lily had used on her long ago. She smiled, the bottle in her other hand betraying the glistening on the purple shaft as lubricant. Lily felt Nyralith tense underneath her at realization where Rarity planned on putting that strapon.

"On your back, 'Nathan.'" Rarity teased, and Lily was only too happy to oblige. He pulled Nyralith up with him, the shocked changeling now on her knees above her own doppelganger form. Rarity sank to her knees, spreading lubricant onto Nyralith's back door. Lily felt some of it glide down to her own shaft, still buried within Nyra's twitching womanhood.

"W-wait, I've never..."

"Shh, shh..." Rarity placed her finger of Nyra's lips. "I think you deserve this. Who knows? If you relax, you might enjoy it..." Her other hand gently guided the head of the strapon against Nyralith's tight, lubricated pucker. She instantly flexed both holes, squeezing Lily wonderfully.

"Relax." Lily had the presence to grunt in Nathan's voice. "You'll get hurt if you... Aah... Flex like that again..." Nyralith thankfully relinquished the vice-like grip she had taken on the shaft within herself, and cried out when Rarity pushed her hips forward.

"Oh my, darling! Are you sure you weren't built for this? That went in with no trouble at all!" Rarity tossed the bottle aside and set into a smooth pace, sliding in and out of the tight ass with a firm touch. Nyralith surprised Lily by moving her hips back and forth, meeting each of Rarity's thrusts and pulsing her dripping walls around Lily's straining cock.

"Aahn! Oh, fuck yes! Rarity, that feels so... So good! Please, keep going! I'm... I'm... I'm cumming again!" Rarity drove deep inside of her just as she started gushing another orgasm onto Lily's cock, shivering all the while. The squeezing, flexing walls around her pushed Lily over the edge, and she started pumping her own seed deep into Nyralith's hole. The pleasure was enough to send Rarity over the edge, until Lily remembered the extra attachment that granted some pleasure to the wearer as well. Together, all three women came simultaneously, but they weren't over just yet... Lily started raising her hips smoothly, sliding in and out just as Rarity did the same from behind. Nyralith was victim to two sets of thrusting cocks, her pleasure holes dripping in response.

"She's taking this like a pro." Lily teased, flexing in time with her rough, deep thrusts.

"I'll say... I could never take it in the ass without turning into a whimpering mess..." Rarity teased, reaching a hand around to grasp one of Nyra's breasts. Lily reached a hand up to grasp the other, both 'Women' teasing Nyralith to another orgasm.

"Please..." She whimpered. "I'm gonna keep cumming like this... Please, stop..." She groaned, but Lily and Rarity were relentless. They switched positions, letting Lily take control of Nyra's twitching pussy for the next two orgasms. Lily surrendered to another just as Rarity did, pulling out and coating both panting women with a healthy dose of thick, creamy cum. Nyralith slipped Rarity out of her rear, turning onto her side and embracing the woman with a soft whimper.

"Rarity..." Lily shifted, her knees still spread in the same pose she had had as Nathan. Nyralith was the one speaking as she curled against Rarity's chest. "I love you so much..." Rarity, her mouth open and panting, just stroked the poor woman's hair with a gentle touch.

"I love you, too... Nyralith..." Rarity whispered softly. "And I forgive you." Lily, suddenly uncomfortable, stood and slipped away, leaving the two to lay on the floor, stroking and holding each other. Smoothly, she dressed once more, padding away without even being noticed by the two. She returned to her apartment for a hot shower, blushing slightly. Those two really were in love, weren't they? She sighed at the thought of what they had, curling up under her covers as she slowly, gently, drifted off...

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"Well? How was the wedding? Huhn?" Girls clamored around Lily as she walked through the door. Apparently, her call to Maggie telling her she'd be back late afternoon the next day had traveled despite her wishes to remain surreptitious in her return. They gathered around her in a circle, chattering questions and remarks in equal measure, the din slowly developing into a headache.

"The wedding didn't happen..." A collective groan ran through the gathered audience, and Lily smiled as they started asking why. "I guess you could say the plans changed..." She teased, pushing her way through gently. "Girls, listen, I'm exhausted. Please, let me go to my room for a shower, at least? I'll share over dinner. Please!" They let her through understandably, calling after her as she ascended the stairs that they expected a full story at dinner. She smiled and waved them off, but she wasn't alone when she slipped into her room. Maggie locked the door behind them.

"Tell me what happened." She said.

"Rarity's fiance was a changeling." Lily said, setting her suitcase down as she flopped onto the couch in her living room.

"No shitting?" Maggie lifted Lily's feet, setting them into her lap and massaging the sore muscles with a gentle touch. While Lily had originally wanted to be alone for a few hours before descending into the madness of the other girls, Maggie's fingers were quickly changing that...

"Yeah..." She groaned, stretching her toes out under Maggie's expert touch. "But she was changed into a man, and she had pretty much seduced Rarity into marriage without ever telling her. I had to step in, that was just wrong..."

"Agreed... How did you do it, though? How did you expose the other changeling?" Lily excused herself to grab a plastic bag from her suitcase. She tossed it on the coffee table before returning to Maggie's deft touch. "Hon, that looks like weed to me."

"It isn't..." Lily assured her with a soft groan. "It's a flower called Heart's Desire. When mixed with Magesbane and shredded very carefully, apparently the mixture is called 'True Form.' Zecora told me it'll dispel even the most powerful disguise spells, and after testing it on myself, found it'll reveal changelings. I brought this back so I can show Celestia and Luna."

"No need to tell us," Lily and Maggie both sat bolt-upright as the two princesses strode into the living room from a side hallway. Being caught like that, Lily gasped and sat upright, almost like a scolded child. "We heard the whole thing." Lily swallowed hard, Maggie seemed to have broken out in a thin sweat.

"Truly remarkable, if it does what you say it does." Luna chimed in, taking the bag from the table. She held it up to the light, scrutinizing the shredded herbs. "I wonder why our own apothecary hadn't discovered this mixture earlier, given the circumstances behind all the recent changeling activity..." Lily perked up slightly.

"Recent activity?" She asked. Celestia nodded and took a seat on the other side of the coffee table.

"Apparently, Miss Rarity's wedding wasn't the only one ruined by changeling interference. Many others have been going awry lately, though not all of them end with the same happy tale as yours did, I'm afraid." Lily gulped, afraid of what that could mean. "We'll clone this recipe and get it out to all major checkpoints. Why, one of the weddings here in Canterlot itself had been ruined by a changeling... The bride, from what I hear..." Lily swallowed hard again.

"I had no idea... So many changelings had defected..." Celestia lowered her gaze.

"Lily, I don't hold it against you, but understand that these changelings are simply not the same as you. We can't have all of them living in Equestria... There's the matter of different cultures, social norms, and laws to obey. I still have yet to decide if this other changeling partner of Rarity's can stay..." Lily sat up again.

"No! Nyralith is fine. Trust me, she learned her lesson, the hard way at that." The memory made her blush. "Rarity is capable of teaching Nyralith the difference between life as a changeling and life in Equestria... I can vouch for her personally." Luna and Celestia turned a serious gaze to Lily. In that moment, the two felt less like friends and more like what they really were... The indomitable, true rulers of Equestria.

"Very well, Lily. I trust your judgement..." Celestia admitted, stretching slightly. "If Luna has no objections..."

"None." Her sister admitted, though her expression remained serious. "But we cannot come to you for every single changeling who wants to find a home here in Equestria, Lily." To that, she received and indifferent shrug.

"I'm fine with that." Lily said. "I have no love in my heart for any other changeling. Save Nyralith, maybe... Do as you see fit with them. If you see fit to let them live in Equestria, that's fine. If you want them to leave, I could care less." Celestia looked shocked, Luna was still serious, though her lips did turn down in a heavier frown.

"Seriously, Lily? How can you say something like that?" Celestia asked. Lily smiled and threw her arm around Maggie's shoulder.

"I have a new family."