The clock struck two as Rarity put the finishing touches on her latest order. “Magnifique, another job well done!” Rarity exclaimed with pride as she trotted into the kitchen to brew herself a fresh batch of tea for her afternoon tea time.
A time which varied each day depending on what projects she was working on but it was always part of her daily ritual. Much like Twilight Sparkle with her checklists Rarity had tea making down to a science.
Rarity first began by checking her cupboards and deciding on which tea she would brew, each day she had a different feeling for which tea was right for which, time and occasion. Once she made her decision she would slowly put the ingredients into the kettle and carefully watch the kettle as it was boiling over the stove. Some of her friends and her sister Sweetie Belle thought Rarity was a bit obsessive about her tea but as she would often remind them “Good tea must simply not be rushed.”
Like a young foal waiting to open their presents on Hearth's Warming morning Rarity excitedly yet cautiously turned off the stove and used her magic to slowly move the kettle to the kitchen table, she sat down to her daily reward. Today is one of her personal favorites green tea. As Rarity was about to take her first sip she was interrupted by a loud thumping sound which caused her to drop her cup of tea onto the floor.
“Must this happen during tea time?” asked Rarity dejectedly as she prepared to clean up the mess. After cleaning up Rarity heard the same loud thumping sound once more, sensing that her tea kettle was about to fall to the floor she used her magic to levitate is back to the table.
“Losing one cup is bad enough but a whole kettle truly would have been dreadful, who or what in the name of Equestria is making that horrid racket?” Rarity began to wonder as she looked out the window, her eyes gazing at her sister Sweetie Belle and her friends Applebloom and Scootaloo playing outside.
“Today we will earn our cutie marks. Sweetie Belle? we need water stat.” Applebloom proclaimed with authority as Sweetie Belle turned on the hose.
“Cutie Mark Crusaders mud wrestlers yay!!!” the three excited fillies said as they hopped in the mud.
“How uncouth! Of all of the ways Sweetie Belle could try to earn her cutie mark-- but that can’t be what is causing this incessant noise.”
As Rarity continued looking out the window she noticed the house next door which has remained abandoned since she was just a young filly but something was different about it but she couldn’t put her hoof on it until she noticed a large carriage in front of the house loaded with furniture and assorted boxes which was surrounded by four burly earth pony stallions getting ready to carry their next load into the house. Her curious onlooking was cut short though by Sweetie Belle and her friends walking through the front door.
“Sweetie Belle you and your friends need to clean yourselves up before coming in here, you will attract cockroaches.”
“But Rarity…” Sweetie Belle said before she was interrupted
“No but’s young lady it’s bath time for you filthy fillies” Rarity said as she filled a large bucket full of soap and water.
The young fillies reluctantly hopped in despite their objections and given a bath in Rarity’s front yard. While she was giving them in what her opinion was a much needed wash she heard a familiar voice.
“Are ya’ll trying to get yer cutie marks in taking a bath now or did Rarity here strong arm you into it?”
“Applejack!” The three excited fillies yelled as they hopped out of the bucket.
“Applejack what brings you, here?”
“We are supposed to meet your new neighbors today, apparently they came from Manehatten and Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie insisted that they get a good welcome.”
“How could I forget? I got so wrapped up in this order that I…”
“Now there is no need to fret I figured that might be the case so I came early to remind you, I will finish up here.”
“Thanks Applejack.” Rarity said as she rushed back into her house to get ready.
“I trust ya’ll behaved for Rarity.” Applejack said as she looked each of them in the eye
“We did honest” Applebloom tried to convince Applejack as she held her hoof behind her back.
“Now Applebloom, you know how I feel about lying.”
“We tried to get our cutie marks in mud wrestling, and after we were done we tried to remind Rarity about the plans to meet the new neighbors but she flipped because we still had a little dried mud on us.” Scootaloo said
“Aw okay, just remember she is a bit of a neat freak and the last thing we all need is her to be gettin’ persnickety.” Applejack laughed “knowing Rarity she may take a while so I got a game for us to play while we are waiting.” Applejack said as she pulled a board game out of her knapsack.
While Rarity was scouring her closet for the perfect outfit Applejack and the three young fillies eagerly played their game not noticing how much time had passed as the others showed up.
“This is ridiculous, what is taking her so long?” Rainbow Dash complained as she paced around impatiently.
“Now Rainbow Dash, Rarity is probably nervous about meeting the new neighbors and probably wants to make a good first impression. If you are bored I have the latest Daring Do book which I am sure will help pass the time.” said Twilight.
“Awesome! Gimme gimme gimme!” Rainbow Dash said greedily as she rushed over to Twilight and grabbed the book. “That drama queen can take all the time she wants I want to see what adventure Daring Do has next.”
But before Rainbow Dash could open the book Rarity stepped out the door dressed in her finest.
“Ta ta I am ready to go.” Rarity said with pride as she sauntered out as if she were a model
“Aw dang it, oh well lets go the sooner we welcome the newbies the sooner I can get back to Daring Do. So let’s go already.” Rainbow Dash waved her hooves impatiently toward the house next door.
*Thump thump thump!* Rarity and her friends still heard the sounds of moving furniture as they walked toward the house of her new neighbors.
“Well? What is everypony waiting for? Are we going to knock or what?” Rainbow Dash wondered as she tapped her left hind hoof.
“Honestly Rainbow Dash, don’t rush me. My new neighbor could be the stallion of my dreams.” Rarity swooned as she imagined her perfect prince charming.
“And just how do you know he is actually a he? It could be a nice hard working family that just got tired of the big city.” Applejack questioned as she remembered her time there.
“It could be but we won’t find out until we knock on that door.” Rainbow Dash sighed in annoyance
“Whoever it is, I will bet they like a good party I hear that ponies in Manehattan party all night long.” Pinkie Pie said as she started bouncing up and down excitedly.
“Aren’t you getting a little ahead of yourself Pinkie? Let’s start with introducing ourselves before we talk about parties, have you already forgotten that restraining order the last new resident filed against you?” Twilight reminded Pinkie Pie as she gave her a disapproving look.
”It is his loss; that mean doo doo head doesn’t deserve me as a friend anyway. Mr Meany Mc Meany Pants really needs to improve his attitude.” Pinkie Pie angrily muttered as she stuck her tongue out in contempt.
“Rarity's new neighbor could be some great scholar or scientist and that could mean he or she needs a little quiet every now and then to study. I could just imagine all the discussions we could have, or all the new books I might be able to add to the library.” Twilight speculated.
“Now who is getting ahead of themselves?”Applejack muttered to herself.
“I wonder if this new neighbor is going to have any pets? Angel Bunny could use another good influence.” Fluttershy thought to herself.
Rainbow Dash knocked loudly on the door as her friends were busy with their speculations about the new neighbors. The door soon opened and she and her friends were greeted by a stallion dressed in a tuxedo and a mare in a long flowing dress.
“There they are, oh my it is so nice to meet you my name is Rarity and you must be my new neighbors. These are my friends, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy.” Rarity expressed.
The stallion cleared his throat and just as he was about to introduce himself he was interrupted by a loud crashing sound. As everypony went to investigate they noticed a familiar gray Pegasus stuck inside the mailbox, her hind legs moving frantically as she struggled to get herself free.
“Derpy are you alright?” Rainbow Dash said
“I think I can get her out with my magic, just give me a moment... One two three...” Twilight said as she successfully pulled Derpy out of the mailbox.
“Special delivery for, I can’t seem to read these names but I am pretty sure this is the right address.” Derpy said as she handed the package to the sharply dressed stallion.
“Thank goodness you are alright my dear, injuries tend to bring down property values and I must take proper care of my investments. So sorry I couldn’t assist you, but you understand that it is nothing personal I didn’t want to be held liable if I unwittingly injured you any further.” The stallion said in a slightly condescending tone as Rarity and her friends all looked on with shock and disgust.
“Anyway, now that unpleasantness is over my name is Demitasse Spoon and this is my wife Caddy Spoon and we are...”
“Going to be missing all of your teeth if you say one more mean and disrespectful thing to Derpy or any of my other friends!” Rainbow Dash blurted out angrily
“How dare you threaten us you lowly worm!” Caddy Spoon shouted back at Rainbow Dash
“My dear let these uncivilized, low class ruffians get it out of their system so we can get this over with.”
“Are ya’ll the parents of Silver Spoon? Caddy looks almost exactly like her.” Applejack questioned
“Yes, what of it peasant?” they both answered in an annoyed tone
“I don’t like the way Silver and her friend treat my sister and now that I have finally talked to you, I know where that spoiled little brat gets her rotten attitude.”
“Are we finished here?” asked Demitasse in an impatient, slightly annoyed tone.
“Yes, you may be my new neighbors but the less I have to associate with the two of you the better.” Rarity said as she turned her back to them in a show of contempt
“Actually, we are not your neighbors thank Celestia.” Caddy proclaimed with an air of authority as she raised her muzzle in the air.
“If you are not Rarity’s new neighbors than what are you doing here?” Twilight inquired
“My wife and I may have bought the house next to this cheap hussy passing herself as a proper lady but we are merely renting it out.”
Rainbow Dash’s normally blue coat turned a bright shade of red as she flew over to the spoons, trotted right up to them and said.
“You can say whatever you want to me, I could care less but I told you if you insulted my friends again what would happen. You can both take your smug, snooty, holier than thou attitudes and shove them right up your...”
“Rainbow Dash stop! Those meanies aren’t worth it, besides Rarity's real neighbors are probably a lot nicer than them.” Pinkie Pie pleaded with Rainbow Dash
“Very well, I guess now that we are done I will leave this ahem “package” for the renters and we shall bid you all adieu. Come on dear, lets go back home to our glorious mansion and wash this peasant stink off of us.” Demitasse Spoon proclaimed as he walked and his wife walked toward an ornate carriage. A moment of silence overtook the ponies which was soon broken by Fluttershy.
“Well, that was unpleasant.”
“I am just glad Dinky wasn’t here to see this, yelling and loud noises tend to scare her. Speaking of which it is getting late, I need to go tuck her into bed so can you all do me a favor and make sure this package goes to who it is supposed to go to?” Derpy asked the ponies
“No problem.” Twilight took the package as she began to read the address
“This is the right address, but I can’t make out the names.”
“Oh, oh guys my Pinkie sense is tingling I think Rarity's real neighbors are on their way.”
“I see them right over there.” Rarity said as she pointed out a mechanical carriage pulling up to the house. As they got out of the carriage and walked toward the house to everypony's surprise Rarity's new neighbors were not ponies but were...
“Diamond dogs? My new neighbors are Diamond dogs? Oh no, oh no no no no this will simply not do.”
The ponies looked on at the unexpected neighbors; the first one a fairly tall, lean, friendly looking Golden Retriever. The second a stocky, muscular German Shepard with tattoos covering most of his arms and the last one a Chihuahua/Poodle mix with a seemingly permanent snarl like he had something to prove.
“Rarity, I know those other diamond dogs kidnapped you but remember how everypony was afraid of Zecora and she turned out to be completely harmless?” Twilight tried to reassure Rarity
“You are right Twilight, those other diamond dogs may have been horrid monsters but I still don’t know these ones.”
“Welcome, welcome, welcome to Ponyville my new friends. My name is Pinkie Pie and these are my friends Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Fluttershy and we all have this super awesome party planned for you.”
“Molte grazie. My name is Ace and these are my goombah’s Rocky and Bandit. We didn’t expect ponies like you to actually want to see us.” Ace said with a smile as he graciously thanked them for their hospitality as both his good manner and thick Italian accent soon let the ponies know that he was not your ”typical” diamond dog.
“Non c'è problema, this party was Pinkie Pie’s idea but we are all happy to have you.” Rarity mentioned as she greeted her new neighbors.
“Si Parla Italiano?” Ace asked Rarity
“Si, I speak a little bit it comes in handy.”
“Is there food at this party? I am hungry over here.” Rocky asked as his stomach started to growl.
“Why of course silly, food is just one of many things that make a great party.”
“Aaaaaaaawwwoooooooooo!” All 3 of them howled in agreement
“My Pinkie sense tells me yes, so follow us to the party.”
Author's Note
I know when everyone thinks of Goomba's they think of the creatures from the Mario games but it is an Italian word for friend/buddy/pal ect and is spelled differently as well. Molte Grazie of course meeans thank you very much. The reason I made them Italian will be a bit more clear in the next chapter.
Various ponies from all over town were at Sugarcube Corner, various arrows and fliers strategically placed all over town by a certain party mare made it obvious that there was yet another party tonight. Mr. and Mrs. Cake were making last minute snack preparations, Vinyl Scratch was tuning up her bass cannon as Rarity, her friends and new neighbors arrived. Pinkie Pie trotted up to the stage and took a microphone and began to speak.
"Hello everypony, how are we doing tonight? This party is to welcome Ponyvilles newest residents and my friend Rarity's new neighbors Ace, Rocky and Bandit come on up here.
Ace, Rocky and Bandit walked up to the stage and most of the ponies stared at them.
"What are those things doing here?" "Eeeew, they brought diamond dogs here." Pinkie Pie overheard through various hushed whispers.
Bandit began to growl angrily as he sensed the hostility of some in the crowd.
"Dai, non rovinare questo per me che ci stanno dando cibo gratis." Rocky licked his lips as he pointed to the food.
"Some things are more important than free food, cicciomba." Bandit angrily huffed as he pointed to Rocky's stomach.
"Come on, there is no need for name calling. If we can't get along with ourselves than how are we going to get along with the ponies? What is the harm in hanging out for a while?" Ace asked.
"Fine, this is at least a better reception than we have had in most towns but once we eat we are out of here."
The crowd of ponies watched as they spoke among themselves, one of the crowd spoke up.
"Are you worthless flea bags going to say something!?"
Bandit angrily grabbed the nearest microphone and responded.
"Here is your response, if you mess with me and my pals here I am going to rip out your tongue and feed it to ya."
The crowd looked on in shock and horror at the threat, Pinkie Pie grabbed the microphone in attempt to calm the tense situation.
"I forgot to mention that one of them has a bit of a dark sense of humor." Pinkie Pie smiled nervously as she hopped the crowd would buy it.
"I must apologize, we come from neighples and some of our jokes get lost in translation ya know; some of our jokes sound like threats. Things like rubbing ponies out, sleeping with fishes, torching stool pigeons, cement shoes that sorta thing." Rocky nervously stuttered.
"Yes, we watch a lot of mafia movies and love to pretend sometimes. In the language of my home, grazie mille" Ace smiled awkwardly.
"My cats will never be safe around you monsters!" A member of the crowd yelled.
"We don't eat cats, believe me I have tried. It tasted lousy and gave me the worst heartburn. It was already dead and we hadn't eaten in days, I tell ya even pecorino parmigiana and pasta sauce couldn't dress it up enough" Rocky corrected him in vain.
"I specifically told you not to tell any of the ponies about that." Ace face pawed as he watched the shocked and horrified reactions of the party goers.
"That was obviously a desperate thing done during a desperate time, the house they bought next to Rarity is nice so they have enough bits now to not have to resort to that sort of thing."Pinkie Pie feigned a smile as she tried to calm an increasingly tense situation.
"Run them out of town!" Another pony from the crowd yelled.
"Throw them out! Throw them out!" The crowd started to chant.
Tears began to well up in Pinkie Pie's eyes as she saw the blatant prejudice in front of her, she like many of the others treated Zecora poorly for being a zebra instead of a pony yet she was becoming increasingly overcome with disappointment as she witnessed history starting to repeat itself.
"Wait a darned minute, these here diamond dogs ain't done nothin' wrong and here ya'll are already judgin' them. Is this what Ponyville is about?" Applejack asked angrily.
"Listen, everypony remember how we all judged Zecora and how nice she turned out to be? If you don't do it for them at least do it for Pinkie Pie, look how much you are upsetting her. Twilight Sparkle said as she pointed to her distraught friend.
There were some nods, some sincere, some a bit more reluctant, but the tension died down and most of the guests pretend nothing happened.
"I am really sorry you had to go through that" Fluttershy apologized.
"There is no need to apologize signorina, we tend to get this response no matter where we go." Ace said with hint of sadness in his voice.
"Bah, whatever they don't have cannoli's here but the food still looks good." Rocky said as he stared at the various snacks and deserts.
"I suppose I errr...they will get used to the three of you eventually and Pinkie Pie I do believe our guests are expecting a party." Rarity said.
Pinkie Pie smiled and nodded at Rarity as she began to return to her usual cheerful self, she pulled out her famous party cannon and fired a stream of balloons and confetti into the crowd. Vinyl Scratch began to play some music.
"Come on Bandit, where are you going? Things just got started." Ace said as he saw Bandit walking out the door.
"Idiota, can't you see we aren't welcome here? Those pathetic, cowardly ponies will never welcome us anywhere. I spit on their false hospitality."
"Oh well mmmore for mmme." Rocky said with his mouth full of food.
Part of Ace wanted to go after his friend and convince him to join the party but another part of him wanted to stay and accept the hospitality he was offered if anything, to prove Bandit wrong. He did what he always does when he has a crisis of conscience, he took out a coin.
"Heads I stay, tails I go" He thought to himself as he flipped the coin. Once it landed he simply nodded as if were making a silent agreement to himself and rejoined the party.
It seemed as if everyone was having a good time, but Ace was concerned that they were simply tolerating the presence of him and Rocky rather than them actually being welcome. He saw Rarity dancing with a fairly attractive stallion which wasn't unusual for a party, yet his blue suit and top hat made him stand out at this informal event. He could tell with Rarity's obvious blush and barely contained swooning that though she was having a good time that it was probably best he gave her a bit privacy. Ace went to go get something to drink, he saw several large barrels marked "Apple Family Cider" with Rainbow Dash greedily drinking from one of them, her juice dripping down her chin as she only stopped to take the occasional breath.
"We are usually in short supply of mah family cider but this year we were able to release significantly more than usual so ya'll can go ahead and dig in." Applejack offered Ace.
"Thank's Applejack" Ace said as he grabbed a glass and sat down.
Ace occasionally had cider, but none of it was quite as good as what he was tasting now. Part of him wanted to greedily gulp down as much as possible, yet another part of him wanted to savor it as if were a fine wine.Ace was still conflicted but resigned himself that perhaps Bandit would need some time to come around. He stared into the glass almost as if he was staring into a mirror as he took the occasional sip. Ace didn't know what it was, but something told him that he should check on his friend.
"You can come back to the party after ya check on him." Applejack assured Ace.
"Yes, I suppose I will for just a minute."
Ace took one last sip of his cider as he set it down, as he began to slowly walk out the door he heard a loud shrill bark.
"Oh no, no I recognize that bark anywhere" Ace thought to himself as he rushed outside.
As he opened the door he saw Bandit with three stallions, one earth pony, one pegasus and one unicorn surrounding him.
"Leave town now, your kind isn't welcome here." The earth pony said with contempt as he stared angrily at Ace.
"No, you don't know what you are doing you are going to get yourselves hurt or worse." Ace warned the stallions.
"Don't make me laugh, this shrimp take us all on?" The pegasus responded.
Bandit pulled a switchblade from his pocket and started down his opponents, his eyes overcome with bloodlust. He was done talking.
"I guess we will have to do things the hard way then." The stallion smiled as him and the others began to charge straight at Bandit.
"Stop!!!!!!" A loud, familiar voice echoed.
"Applejack, you know these diamond dogs are nothing but trouble if we don't get rid of them now than who know what they will do" the unicorn rationalized.
"Trouble, you three are ones to talk ya'll are the most wanted criminals in town. I am relieved my brother is no longer associated with any of ya." Applejack shook her head in disgust.
"Big Mac was weak." The earth pony replied in disgust.
"I don't need you ponies fighting my battles for me, I can handle these fools myself."
"Bandit, remember what the boss said." Ace reminded him.
"It is your lucky day, I am not going to kill you after all but that don't mean I won't rough you up a bit" Bandit said as he began to make fists.
"There will be no fight today" Rarity said as she came out with the other mane 6.
"I guess we will have to run them out of town some other time when there are fewer witnesses" The unicorn said to the others.
"Fine, you flea ridden vermin better watch your backs." The pegasus said as he trotted away with the others.
"Who were those jerks?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Some very dangerous ponies who my brother got mixed up with when he was in high school, I guess I will explain later." Applejack replied.
"In any case, though Bandit is a bit prideful I am certainly grateful for everything, but it looks like it is time for us to go home."
"But you just got here, please stay and have some cake" Pinkie Pie pleaded.
"How is Rocky doing?"
"He is mostly just eating everything in sight, I am trying to give him a chance but I must say I have never seen such dreadful table manners." Rarity replied.
"I suppose that sounds like him, it is best not to bother him while he is eating; he will probably catch up with us later. Please do me one last favor and make sure he is okay."
"You are my new neighbors, it is the least I could do and I am sorry things couldn't work out tonight."
"Don't be, we get this response no matter where we go. Come on Bandit, we are going home." Bandit said with obvious sadness in his voice.
"It isn't fair, it just isn't fair, they didn't even do anything." Pinkie Pie pouted as she watched them walk away.
Author's Note
The racism angle is not one I originally planned when I came up with the story but it will be an important them throughout the story. Not all chapters will be this serious though as I am still intended this as for the most part a comedy.
