Diamond in the Rough

by MorningGlory

Rating: everyone
Tags: Diamond Tiara, Slice of Life, Babs Seed, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Other, Silver Spoon
Length: 4663

Diamond Tiara used to be a bully. But now, as she reaches adulthood, it seems she has some regrets to smooth over.

Diamond Tiara has now become a young mare. Graduation is around the bend and she wants to make right what she has done to those she wronged in the past. She apologizes and eventually her reasons behind it become very clear.

A trade with the amazing ABagOVicodin.

Picture by Taon-the-Chosen

Please enjoy!

Published 2013-08-27 17:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-10-03 19:09:46 UTC

Diamond in the Rough

Diamond Tiara sat at her desk, hunched over as she wrote intently. Graduation was a week away and she would soon be out in the world and making a name for herself. But she was full of regrets over the year. She faintly heard her father call to her that it was nearing bedtime. She ignored him, determination on her face. The crown she used to wear as a filly lay unused for years and her hair became more lush and full and seemed to flow like a white and violet waterfall. She was almost a full adult now and she had grown up on the inside as well.

Upon her desk was a framed photo of her as a little filly, before she found her mark. She was sitting on her father's back with a beautiful lavender earth pony with bubblegum flowing hair leaning on them, the mare's silver-blue eyes bright with sheer delight. The mare was very clearly her mother. The family looked very happy together, all of them smiling so bright it could almost compare to Celestia's sun. Her father had no bags under his eyes showing he was tired and worn. Diamond Tiara didn't have a sneer on her face she often had in her youth. In fact, she looked very innocent and gleeful.

Diamond paused for a moment, looking at the picture. Bittersweet emotions flickered over her face, ranging from joy and sorrow to calm and annoyance. After a rest and timing how long she had before her father would enforce bed for school, she began to continue her task, determination flaring in her eyes, though a smile was upon her lips.

While she worked, she also made a mental note to personally delivery it to everypony in school. After all, she couldn't just write a letter and not personally give it to them and take their feedback face-to-face. It wasn't polite. And Diamond Tiara had years to make up for being impolite and rude. A bittersweet look flickered over her eyes as she cleared her mind, focusing on her first letter- to her teacher.

****************************

Dear Miss Cherilee,

I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me over the years. You are the best teacher I could have hoped for and as graduation is nearing I just wanted to express my gratitude to you. When I was little and used to terrorize Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom, you often scolded me and I would ignore it. But now that I am older I feel that I know exactly what you mean underneath all those lessons. I have become the mare my mother never got to see and I have you partially to thank for that.

You motivated me to do what I could and to be who I was meant to be. Although I cannot ever atone for all that I did and how downright mean I was, you worked so hard to put me on the right path. You are an inspiration to me and I cannot thank you enough. I hope I can become a mare as sweet and loving as you- even though our class was probably the most stressful you had experienced.

Thank you.

Diamond Sapphire Tiara

****************************

Dear Daddy,

Well, your little filly is all grown up. I wanted to say I'm sorry for all the chaos I made for you so many years ago when I was nothing but a bully. You always told me that mom would want me to be as bright as Pinkie Pie's smile. You also said she had a phrase that a pony needed to always show love otherwise they would become like a dark, mean shadow. I didn't get it at first and thought you were silly. But after Silver Spoon really hurt Apple Bloom, I realized you two were right.

I have a lot to make up for and beginning this week, I'm going to finish righting all the wrongs I made. Thank you for being so understanding and helpful trying to get me on the right path.

I love you!

I'm sorry that it took me so long to figure it out. I'll make you proud!

Your princess

****************************

Diamond yawned before turning off the light and headed to bed, too tired to write anymore. All the other letters would come with time. But for now, she had to get some sleep for her last week of school. It was going to be bittersweet and she hoped she would leave with no regrets.

She fell asleep soon after her head hit the pillow, the letters laying on her desk in their envelopes. Although she had made some mistakes in her past and regretted them tremendously and knew it was simply because she was mourning her mother, she couldn't think of any regrets she had.

Diamond Sapphire Tiara was a strong young mare just like her mother was and by Luna she was not going to part with the fillies and colts she grew up with on a sour note. Tomorrow would bring more letters, more aches and more forgiveness to herself. It would never fully fix the mistakes...

But she was a diamond in the rough, after all. It takes a lot of smoothing over to get a diamond perfect. And she had a lot of edges left to file.

Author's Note

EDIT:

Due to the billions upon billions of replies I'm getting to continue, I have decided to break it up into individual chapters and the conclusions of DT giving her letters out. So the first chapter will be simple letters to her father and teacher to give some sort of intro. I will be enhancing the chapters and adding on throughout the next two days.

So enjoy! Y'all are awesome!

-MG

Dear Silver Spoon

Dear Silver Spoon

I wish I knew what to say. I truly do. But it seems like what I say anymore goes through one ear and out the other. So maybe seeing this... reading this will help you see how much I miss you.

You stopped being my friend after Sweetie Belle and I started hanging out more and you started some pretty mean stuff. I forgave you because you were my best friend for so many years. I know you still hate them and you still aren't too fond of me. I wish you would tell me why you were so upset with me. I thought we had put our childish behavior behind us and wanted to grow up and not have a life of just... irritation and stress. I mean, the reason we were so mean to them in the first place was so... Juvenile. Just because they hadn't found their special talent yet when we had. I feel like we were just secretly jealous that our talents were so... Well, irregular.

Do you remember when we had that sleepover? The last night you spoke to me? We had so much fun laughing and playing. Even before Twist and the rest of the fillies came over, you were so happy. Until Sweetie Belle came in. You had always been so upset that she became my friend. Were you jealous? Were you just angry? I remember hearing my dad and your mom talking in the hall while you were sleeping in a totally different room and refusing to sleep on the floor with us. Your mom said you were so miserable that I was being taken away from you. Why would you have felt that way?

You were still my best friend. I mean, we literally grew up together. You were the sister I never had. You were at mom's funeral and crying as if you lost your own mom. We knew each other so well, but all over jealousy I lost you.

And that breaks my heart.

But I hope one day you forgive me and put the differences aside for once and for all.

I miss you Silvs.

I love you

Di-Di

Author's Note

Wow... .This one became far too emotional too quickly... ;_;

-MG

Dear Sweetie Belle

Dear Sweets,

You really are one lucky filly. You know that? I dreamed to have such a doting group of friends like that CMC thing you started forever ago. And now I'm part of the group. Thank you. I had always thought I only needed Silver Spoon and my dad to get by, but really I needed a friend like you. I needed trust, love and honesty. I just didn't know it until too late. But I'm glad, in a weird way, that I helped you guys create the CMC. Even though you all have your Cutie Marks now and are moving on, it's a group that has taken off across Equestria and all the little fillies and colts who are dying to get their marks have you to thank for creating a group where they can fit in.

I can't wait to see where you go from here. With your sister's help, you're going to be the most famous singer in all of Equestria. Your voice and your kind heart are an inspiration and you could melt even a Changeling's heart with your lyrics. You used to be so shy, so awkward on stage. You wanted to be behind the scenes even though your spot was destined to be in the light and at center stage. It took you years to see that but I'm glad you finally did.

I hear you'll be performing at the coronation of Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor's daughter next week in the Crystal Kingdom. I am so beyond jealous! But dad needs my help with the family business so I won't be there half the week. But I will be there for sure the day of to see you perform.

You're going to so so far in life, Sweetie Belle. And I can't wait to see where the road will take you and the places you'll see. You deserve this life and to soak up the spot light.

And I'll be right there by the stage every night rooting you on.

Keep on singing! See you in the Canterlot Times!

Dimes

Dear Snips/Dear Snails

Dear Snips,

I know this is going to come out of the blue, and I'm sorry. But I felt the need to apologize to you as well as the rest of our class I damaged with my terrible bullying. I never exactly bullied you, but I was never kind to you either. You were an observer to all that I did. And it wasn't fair to have you watch me treat others so callously. But you never treated me any differently than anypony else. You were always kind to me, even before I had earned the respect and forgiveness of the class after my apologies. You never seemed to doubt my sincerity. And I have to thank you for that.

You had grown into such a great stallion over the last few years, too. Your schoolwork had flown through the roof and you were so passionate about everything. I had never seen such a whirlwind of change in one single pony before. It was astonishing. Even Cherilee was surprised but pleased by it. Silver Spoon developed such a crush on you. Can't say I exactly blame her, though.

I still remember the first time you ever got the guts to ask me to the Nightmare Night Ball. You were so nervous. I've never seen a pony who was usually so graceful fall over his own tongue. It was so cute! I think that's when I really first opened my eyes to the stallion you had become. After several more dates, you asked me to be yours and I still remember screaming so loud my dad had to come see what the hay was going on!

I can't wait to see the life we build together. After all, you're the one who made me fall in love. So you're stuck with me!

Love you!

Diamond

P.S. I found the ring. My answer is 'yes'!

******

Dear Snails,

I know you're going to look at me strange when I first give you this letter. But you deserve just as much of an apology as anypony else I've hurt or upset. A lot had happened over the last few years and I know I haven't personally done anything to bully you or degrade you, but I still need to apologize for letting you watch and ultimately see how far I had falling since I was a little foal. So I'm sorry.

I hear that you're going to be moving to Manehatten to be with Twist. I wish you the very best of luck. I know she's absolutely in love with you. You two have become perfect for one another.

Best of luck in all you do

Diamond Tiaral

Author's Note

I split the letters for Snips and Snails in this one part because they simply weren't ever bullied but they were affected by DT and SS. Yes, Snails' letter is significantly shorter but simply they just are classmates and not really friends.

Just one more chapter of letters to go. Y'all ready?

-MG

Epilogue

The day was shining brightly and Diamond Tiara felt positive. Today was her last and only chance to dole out the letters she had written for hours the night before. She was certain some reactions would leave her in tears and others would leave her unsure of how to respond. She was prepared yet not. After all, how can one ever prepare for a reaction they don't know will happen?

Regardless, she walked into the school with a purpose in every step. Fortunately, it was before school would begin and she began slowly putting each letter in the desks of her classmates respectively, smiling gleefully to herself. She hadn't felt so happy about a plan in years. And this time, it was beneficial to all parties instead of just herself.

The last letter she put up was for her teacher with a big, red apple she bought from Applejack the day before. Then she settled back into her desk with a minute to spare before the others began filling in and chattering, some happily going to her side and one lone mare sticking to the edge of the class room. After ten minutes of casual conversation, Cherilee came in and called the class to order.

Before the last lesson they would learn began, Diamond stood up. "Miss Cherilee? May I speak to the class?"

Although befuddled and slightly amused, the older mare nodded. "Of course, dear. The floor is all yours," she said cheerfully, waving her hoof to the front of the class as she settled to her desk, unaware of the letter and treat on it.

Diamond took a deep breath before she stood at the front of the class. "As you all know, this is our last day of class forever. Tomorrow we start our new lives as mares and stallions and we've grown a lot together. Because of that, I have myself carpal hoof last night writing every letter you will see on your desk. I saw a lot of confused looks but I ask you not to open them just yet." Murmurs of confusion surrounded the class as she took a breath before continuing.

"I've done something to each and every one of you that I deeply, deeply regret. And this is my final apology. Everypony, you may now open your letters one at a time, beginning with Scoot and ending with Twist. Then Miss Cherilee? I want yours to be the very last, if you please," she added respectfully, getting a nod from her teacher.

She waited in what seemed like a soundless bubble as she watched Scootaloo open the letter. As her eyes ran over the paper, Diamond saw flickers of emotion run through them. Soon, Scoot was flying up to the front of the class and hugging her wordlessly. She hardly saw Silver Spoon open her own letter respectfully.

And it continued on that way, with her friends hugging her tightly or crying from the touching letters. The only one who did not seem to respond was Silver Spoon. Even Babs had come forth and hugged Diamond- albeit quickly- and thanked her for the heartfelt apology. Diamond began to feel nervous, wondering what her former best friend was thinking. The gray mare had a stone face and was only looking out the window, but the letter was not thrown aside like trash. It almost looked as though she was contemplating it.

An hour passed after the initial opening and many "congratulations" were flying around after Snips read his letter and had ran up to the front of the room and pulled Diamond into a tight hug and kiss, causing their teacher to shed some tears- though she brushed it off as something being in her eye. Yet still, Silver Spoon was the only one who didn't react.

By the end of the day, the class left on a happy note. Diamond Tiara let her new fiance and friends leave and remained behind. Silver Spoon was slowly packing up, stone face still there and no expression readable. Diamond walked up to the other mare and took a breath. "Silv-"

"Just... Don't." The voice that came out from that stone face was like a mewling kitten, and Diamond realized that Silver was fighting her emotions all day. "You've got a ton more ponies waiting for you who clearly have made your life better than I have. So why bother?"

Diamond frowned. "Silver... I never said anypony made my life better than anypony else. All of you made my life so special in different ways, but that doesn't mean one was better than the rest. You were there for the majority of my life so of course I still love you and I always will. You're the sister I never had! But that doesn't make what we did right."

The ice began to break and Silver stood there, stunned.

Diamond continued before the ice would freeze back up again. "We hurt so many ponies with our behavior and we can never properly excuse it. I moved on from that and found out that a lot of the ponies we bullied became amazing friends. I don't want you to be alone. I don't want anypony to be alone like I was after mom died. So for once, stop being so bucking stubborn and just hug me and be my friend again." By the end of her plea, Diamond's eyes were full of tears.

The iceberg began to melt and Silver Spoon burst into sobs as the mares hugged one another tightly. After years of cruelty and terror, they both had finally allowed adulthood to take over and their bias had died away.

Cherilee watched from the doorway and thanked Celestia for the heartmelting sight in her classroom. Diamonds were made from coal with a lot of shaping, and it seemed that the little tiara had become the brightest diamond in her class.

Author's Note

Aaaaaaaaaaaand it's a close!

Thanks to everyone who made this by far my most popular fic and for showing it some love!

I love you all!

-MG

Dear Babs

Dear Babs,

I know our start to our friendship was... rocky at best. I had convinced you to turn your back on your own family in stress to fit in. I still have nightmares about terrorizing the trio endlessly. It was the most cruel thing I had ever done in my entire life and I had pouted- pouted- when you turned your back on me to show support for your cousin and apologize. I was so terrible to even start such a thing. And I truly have no idea why I wanted to be so downright evil. The only thing I do know is that I never want that to be how we leave off our lives.

You were so different, so interesting. And for some reason, I was jealous. I mean, you had a huge and loving family and a cousin who was so willing to put up with your strange accent and behavior just to get to know you and make sure you felt comfortable here. All my cousins merely terrorized me for being the youngest.

I know we aren't really friends but I still hope you'll forgive me for all the pain I caused. I hear you're moving back to Manehatten soon to start an international branch for bullied fillies and colts to help them get past bullies. As a former bully, I would like to offer my hoof and help out however I can. I think hearing from me will give them hope that not all bullies are heartless.

Thank you so much for deciding to come back to Ponyville. It's been great getting to know you!

Best wishes!

Diamond Tiara

Dear Scootaloo

Dear Scootaloo,

I'm sorry for when I bullied you when we were younger. I always though you were brave and pretty cool. You never gave up and you were determined to be the best pony you could be. Even in that dorky show you put on for the talent show when we were fillies, you had this... air of confidence. I wish I were as confident in who I was when I was a filly. When your Cutie Mark came in, I wasn't surprised to see it was a scooter zooming on fire. It suits your personality greatly.

I know you are planning to join the Wonderbolts after graduation. I think they already have one of the best flyers in Equestria. Now they need you and they will be the very best. You are a great flyer! And you already have a great reputation since Rainbow Dash recommended you and because of your closeness to all of the Elements. But your skills alone will make you a shoo-in for their team!

You were so... wary around me when I first apologized for my behavior. Do you remember how you used to swear up and down it was a new tactic to get close and then just hurt you? Or that I drank a potion of Zecora's and it made my personality change? I was so upset you didn't believe me but looking back I know why. I just wanted to thank you for finally giving me the chance and becoming such a great friend to me. I truly don't know what I could have done had you not finally accepted me for who I was and allowed me to join in your group of friends.

You better train up for the Wonderbolts, cause if I don't see your name in the papers over the next few years, I will personally hunt you down and kick your not-so-blank flank from here to Timbucktoo! (Joking, but I know you can do it!)

Best of luck in all you do,

Diamond Tiara

Dear Applebloom

Dear Apple Bloom,

You were the first of the "Crusaders" to really accept me after I apologized a few years ago for being such a mean little filly. I wanted to thank you for that. Without that, I probably would still be fighting with myself. I had wanted to make up for a time before I actually did, but for some reason you seemed to be more willing than most to accept that and give me the benefit of the doubt. I wouldn't have gotten up the guts to apologize in class like that if you hadn't tried to at least be halfway decent to me, even though I deserved it.

You were also the first one to stumble over me at the graveyard crying at my mom's grave. You never told any of the other fillies and colts that I did have a weakness. You helped me, you know. I never had gotten over the loss of my mom. And you taught me I can allow people in and be loving like my mom wanted me to be. It was weird, crying to you about her and not to my dad or Silver Spoon. I remember feeling bitter about trusting you, scared you would exploit me. But you swore an oath never to say anything and until I publicly apologized and announced I was seeking therapy to get over my mom's sudden death.

After a while, you and I became pretty good friends. You invited me to your little club meetings and I became so fond of all of you, even Twist and her silly lisp. I found myself often wondering how I fit in with the "Cutie Mark Crusaders" but when I saw Twist was there to offer support, I figured "Why the hay not?"

Do you remember that one summer when it was so crazy hot and you three tried to be the "Cutie Mark Crusaders: Lifeguards"? I had never laughed so hard in my life. Sweetie Belle couldn't swim, Scootaloo was poofy when she came out of the water and you were determined as all get-out to get your marks, even if no one was drowning. But at the end of the day when we were in Sugar Cube Corner having our ice creams and tending to our sunburns, it was the best day I had at the beach since before my mom passed.

Before I ramble any more, I just wanna say one more thing- I know you miss your Granny Smith but she would have been so proud of the mare you've become. Applejack and Big Mac are lucky to have a sister like you.

Thanks for everything

Diamond Tiara

Dear Twist

Dear Twist,

I know I bullied you and although you were always forgiving, i still feel the need to write this letter. I was so callous to you for your speech impediment and before I knew it, you worked through it. Now you only get that old lisp going when you're really, really mad. It wasn't really something you had much control over and in fact overcame before I could blink my eyes. It was uncalled for and I often wonder if you would have done the same to me were our lives reversed. When I became sure you wouldn't, that's when I became a grown mare and would soon see that being a bully was more harmful to my health than anypony else's.

I also hear that you and Snails are getting along great. I still remember that first double date that Snips and I set you on. You were so nervous you spent hours before it at my house frantically searching for what to wear and how to wear your mane. Eventually I calmed you down and helped defrizz your mane- several hours later, may I add- and you were still shaking like a leaf, though this time it was in excitement. I was certain at that moment you two would hit it off. I'm glad to see that- for once- I was correct.

Snips has told me the two of you plan on leaving Ponyville soon. I wish you nothing but the best of luck. Your talent with the holidays and decorating will make you a fine career and you'll be doing what you love. And at least your Cutie Mark makes total sense instead of mine! Joking aside, I have complete faith that you will excel in all that you do and that your happiness with Snails will go unparalleled!

My heart goes with you! (And I hope you'll be my planner for my wedding!)

Best of luck and lots of love

Diamond Tiara

Author's Note

The last letter is out folks. Now the next chapter will complete everything and show everypony's reaction to each letter they got from DT.

-MG