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"You know," Starlight started, looking around the shop. The boutique, usually filled with curious customers, was empty and quiet. She turned to Rarity who was gathering a bunch of pillows with her magic. "when you said you wanted my help with a complicated spell, this was not what I expected."

"Yes, well this spell requires a lot of magic and precision," Rarity explained with a smile. Inviting Starlight out had taken some serious acting and deception. To ensure no one noticed their absence or intention, she had to be sneaky. "so I thought it best to come to you for help, my dear."

"Yeah, I get that but…" Starlight's eyes landed on the dragon egg resting in a pillow, covered with a blanket. Even after explaining what she wanted, Starlight couldn't help but wonder how Rarity had gotten a dragon egg. Dragons would never give up their egg for anything so how? "Why-"

"I also knew you would be the least likely to ask any…" Rarity cut in, giving Starlight a calculated look. "unnecessary questions."

At that, Starlight started to feel a bit unnerved and annoyed but mostly annoyed.

"Look, I'm all for secrecy when it comes to my own problems" She admitted, shaking her head. "but I really don't want to be dragged into other ponies drama." The mare was still trying to be a good pony. Sure, she slipped up every once in a while but it was a process and she was getting better. But getting involved in other ponies problems was not something she wanted. Even for 'friends'.

"Yes, I understand, darling but no need to worry." Rarity assured, reading Starlight with an expert eye. She was a pro at reading ponies after all. "There are no strings attached and this is clean. It's just that due to the circumstances, I can't very well go to a hospital about this, now can I?"

"Definitely not." She agreed but remaining reluctant. "But why me?"

"I need a strong unicorn and you are one of the strongest in Equestria." She explained with a smile. "Is that not enough?" Starlight's eyes narrowed slightly, not completely buying her words.

"Not really but you are right about one thing. I'm not gonna question your judgment." Who was she to cast stones? She still kept secrets. "Just make sure I don't get dragged into anything to do with this, alright?"

"Of course." With that assurance, Starlight lit her horn, having already memorized the spell in advance.

"Just a note though," She warned, her magic lifting the egg into the air. "I've never done this kind of thing so it might hurt a bit." Such a spell, Starlight was tempted to know where she'd found it. Only hospitals and the Castle library in Canterlot had the spell.

The mare felt just a smidgen of admiration for this fashionista for having swiped it.

"Will the child be alright?" Rarity cried, feeling stressed. Starlight snorted as she continued.

"…Look at you, already like a mom and the bun isn't even in the oven yet."

***

Rarity found out quickly that she couldn't hatch a dragon egg without a dragon. The only other thing that should hatch it was strong magic, which she lacked. That and the spell tended to bind the baby dragon to the spell caster, which wasn't going to help her. So she came up with the next best thing.

A fetal transfer spell.

A spell developed for mares who, for whatever reason, had trouble conceiving. With a lot of bits and a specialized physician, the spell could be used to place a fetus into the womb of a mare. For obvious reason, the practice was rare and required strong magic and years of training. Unfortunately, Rarity couldn't risk asking a professional.

For one thing, they'd ask way too many questions. Questions she swore she would never answer. But mostly because the transfer of cross species unions were forbidden, as the practice was new and the differences between species pregnancy might cause the mother harm or death. As such, Rarity had to use her only trump card.

A one Starlight Glimmer.

Twilight couldn't be asked and she didn't dare look toward the princess so it was down to her. The spell was ultimately a success, though her pregnancy was a harrowing ordeal.

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Posted previously at: 2020-02-11T03:49:59 | Posted previously by: Jolliapplegirl