"Dear Diary,

Ah ran into a filly who had the nerve ta stand up ta those no-good, two-bit, cow-lickin', monkey-jumpin', banana-beatin', silver-tounged, good-fer-manure fillies, commonly known as Surf and Turf. Ah know that what she meant ta do was stand up fer me, but honestly, Ah just couldn't stand the fact that it was her an not me instead. Ah mean, she acted like she was so big-and-bad with her dad bein' a fancy-shmancy hoofball player. She even used her fancy magic jiggermabob on her head ta whip those fillies into shape. If Ah was her, Ah wouldn't 'ave even stopped whoppin' 'em until they ran far outside of town. But not only did she beat 'em at their own game, she tried to act as if we were equals.

We're not equals. Never have been. Never will be. She can get used to this dusty old town fer all Ah care. But I'm going to the big time like my mom an' dad used ta do. Mah mom and dad used ta own a real fancy bar in Las Pegasus before it got burned down all of a sudden. We didn't hear much from 'em since, except fer the few letters they sent since it all happened two years ago. Big Macintosh did what he could ta help out Granny Smith on the farm and all. But all Ah could do fer the moment is pick up the apples that Big Mac drops on the way to the barn. But that's nothin' compared to the bright lights of the city. One day, Ah promise myself that ah would learn to speak proper and fancy like my Aunt and Uncle Orange does. Ah know that it takes a mighty lotta work fer me to get it right. In fact let me practice fer a bit."

Applejack placed the quill next to an old book that seemingly held most of her inner-thoughts. She looked to the window that held a view of the farm, known as Sweet Apple Acres. Much of the farm glowed a brown and orange hue due to the greenery clashing against the contrast of red in the sky. The sun sank below the hills of apple trees and the mountains that stood in the far distance. She looked down below and found an exhausted and panting Granny Smith and a sweaty Big Macintosh walking inside of the house, finishing off their day in the fields. Applejack closed her eyes, taking a long breath of the mountain air. The smell of plants and light scent of apples paraded her nostrils and filled her mind with the images of her mother and father. She remembered how they'd often let their newly acquired accents slip as they spoke. It reminded her of Aunt and Uncle Orange when they were coming from Manehattan. She always perceived that accent as the 'sound of success'. Exhaling a long breath, she imitated what she often heard from her parents.

"He-Hello. Mah-no. My name, is Applejack. It... Issss... A pleasure... making yer-NO! Making... Your... Acquaintance." She spoke as she stressed every vowel and consonant in the words to make it sound crisp and clear to the normal ear. After what appears to be minutes, Applejack finally pieces together everything she's taught herself.

"Why hello. My name is Jacqueline Samantha Apple, but my family and friends call me Applejack. It is an honor and a pleasure making your acquaintance."

The room stayed silent as Applejack finished her pre-rehearsed statement.. Not too long after, she jumped up and down in glee as she cheered herself on her accomplishment. No longer would the others tease her for her tangy, southern accent. She proved to herself that she could speak normally and she would soon prove that to all of those who made fun of her. Smiling as she achieved her short-term goal, she galloped back to her desk and continued from where she left off.

"Ah can't believe it! I spoke like momma an' daddy used ta when they came over. Now I can work on moving to the big city like I said I would. Ah can't wait ta show those rotten bullies what fer. Ah know that they'll respect me then, and as soon as Ah come back from the city, with mah brand-new cutie mark, they'll learn to respect me fer who Ah am and my real value in the world. Ah'll show 'em, and Ah'll even show Her.

That consarnit filly thinks that she can jus' act like we're equals and that she can keep savin' me like she's some sort of super heroine. Well, she can only watch as Ah one day look down on her and tell her that Ah can take care of mah self. Maybe one of these days, Ah might even save her instead. Just ta return the favor. It's not like Ah want to see her again.

It's not like Ah want her to save me again. It's not like Ah want her to be around me at all. It's not like she's my hero or that Ah'm sum sort o' damsel in distress. Besides, the only thing Ah like about her is that her coat is so soft n' all. She's not anything Ah would like to be around. She jus' seems like she's uppity fer her own good. What was her name again? It escaped me. Somethin' about bein' rare. Rarita, no. Ratira, bleh. Raroodle, nah. Raritee, yeah that's what it was. Raritee. Anyways, Ah guess Granny Smith will be needin' sum help in the kitchen. That's all fer today. Yers, Applejack."

Applejack was about to close the journal that she wrote in until a thought came to her. She remembered that the bullies Surf and Turf called the white unicorn a name. It sounded like a really good insult to use against the bullies if they just so happened to make fun of her again. She pondered on what it was before jotting down one last statement in her journal.

"P.S.: Surf and Turf is a are bitches." Ω

Rarity hugged her mother closely as she told her mother what to write on the parchment in front of them. The two were eagerly excited in receiving Shining Armor's first letter. They even bought brand new quills and ink just for the occasion. Pearl smiled as she remembered the expression on her daughter's face in seeing that there was a letter addressed to her. The filly bounced from hilltop to hilltop as she saw the name on the return address. She was even more excited in seeing that she now had an address to send her letters to. Pearl opened the letter quickly and read it out loud to her daughter. Needless to say that the letter was rather blunt and formal. It even contained his student resumé and a copy of his high school transcript. Much of the letter was pertaining to the little (and basic) things about him and what he would do in his free time.

"Geez, is his mother watching what he writes down too?" Pearl whispered to herself as she looked at the format of the letter. She chuckled lightly, remembering what she and Shining talked about in her conversation with him back at the hotel on Sunday night. The energetic and moderately inebriated teen discussed a laundry list of things his mother forbade him from doing and what he couldn't say to mares his own age. He was often discouraged from dating and was told many times that mares were 'the devil'.It was so bad that his father would convince him that mares were not 'evil' and that it was merely the hormonal developments that drove mares crazy and made them seem as if they had interest in stallions only, attractive ones at that. And being that Shining was often talked about, despite his 'non-interest' in the opposite sex, he would have to take extra precaution in not developing a small herd-like following.

Pearl giggled to herself and looked at her daughter, telling herself that her daughter was something that those other mares weren't. She knew that her daughter would not develop a one-track mind and seek the pleasures of sex over a fulfilling relationship. And also, she showed little to no worry as her Rarity would not be experiencing the effects of estrus until one-to-two years from now. She knew that her daughter would not take no for an answer when it came to being rejected by the young teen, so that was an issue. Another issue that she would encounter is that she would one day have to explain to her daughter that she and he were not meant to be due to the significant age difference that occurred between them. She even thought on how her daughter would take that news and what she would do as a result. But she took a deep breath as she convinced herself that this issue would not come up until after another one-or-two years. Relaxing her mind, her thoughts went back to the quill in her magical grip and the parchment set in front of her.

"Mother, what should I tell him about myself? I don't think I have much to say." Rarity asked as she looked up to her mother.

Pearl merely smiled and hugged her daughter once again as she answers her once again. "My dear, you can tell him anything you want, just as long as it is age appropriate. Just remember that and I'm sure that you'll be just fine."

"Yeah, kiddo. There isn't much to worry about. Just let your mind run free." Magnus screams from another room, overhearing the current situation.

Rarity sits at the living room table with her mother as she contemplates on what subjects she can talk about. She scratches her head with a free hoof and looks into the air, trying to grab an answer from the top of her brain.

"Nothing comes to mind. I don't know what I want to say." A frustrated Rarity states as she taps her hoof against the side of her head as if she's trying to jolt the gears of her mind to function.

"Then, let's start off simple then. It doesn't have to be anything complex. It can be something as simple as 'how are you doing' or 'how was your day', maybe even a 'would you like to visit me here in Ponyville one day?' The possibilities are endless." Pearl says as she hugs her daughter and nuzzles her affectionately. Rarity, however, does not share her mother's optimism.

"That's the problem! There's so much to say but I don't know what to start off with."

"Dearie, you cannot overexert yourself when it comes to an informal greeting. And I'm pretty sure that he would agree."

Rarity looks at the quill in her mother's magical glow. She contemplates further on what she should write, how she should start, and what questions she wanted to ask him that she didn't get to ask when they were in Canterlot. Taking a quick glance at the parchment that sat on the table, she decided that it was best that she would make those decisions for herself instead of having her mother make those decisions for her.

"Mother, may I borrow that quill for a moment?"

"Are you sure, my dear?"

"Yes. It would be best that I learn how to talk to him for myself and not have somepony else do that for me." Pearl looked at her daughter with widened eyes before the young filly continued with her statement. "If I don't learn how to do for myself, then I would never be able to learn to move forward. So I'll write to him in my own words."

"Well if you say so sweetie. I'll let you write your letter, but please remember to keep it simple. Also, try not to delve into his family and personal matters. It would be quite rude."

"Yes ma'am."

Rarity telekinetically removed the quill from her mother's possession and into her own. Before long, the room was filled with the scratching sound of the quill scribbling words onto the off-white parchment. Rarity looked at the paper as the lines began to take up space and the words continued to flow from within her mind to the front page of her letter. Pearl removed herself from the young filly's side, acknowledging the fact that she was no longer needed. Stepping away, Pearl almost felt saddened, mainly because her daughter began to make decisions for herself and teaching herself to be self-sufficient. In a way she missed being able to look after her daughter, guiding her through various tasks and situations. She even missed the times when she used to comb and brush her daughter's mane into the curl she donned ever since she first styled it in.

Much of those times were gone and in it's place stood a filly that became self-aware of herself. Soon, it would be known that she could possibly develop a crush on this stallion. She would often speak highly of him and even look at him with a distant stare as if she would be looking into his very soul, trying to find where she could possibly snag him for her own. She knew that her daughter had an interest in him from the first time that they met. With most other stallions of that age, she would often write them off and dismiss them without as much as a simple glance. She hasn't even took notice to many of the other colts (or few there were in the entirety of Equestria due to birth ratios) in her class. She doesn't speak with very many of her classmates and she doesn't exactly take into consideration that the whole colt population within her age group are actually chasing after her.

But Pearl knew that one day, it would all resolve itself. She believed that as soon as she realized that Shining Armor isn't going to take notice of her unrequited affections, that she would cry for a short time, meet a new colt her age, fall in love, possibly get married and have kids of her own. She knew that Rarity was the type who would move on with her life and not dwell into the past for very long. After all, she was her own daughter and she knew that Rarity took much from her. Looking back at her daughter, who nearly filled half the page with words, she smiled and continued to walk to the other room, leaving her daughter to her letter.

As Pearl closed off the room that led to her busy little author, she walked into the kitchen and saw that her husband was washing up the dishes from dinner. Magnus glanced at his adoring wife and smiled as she scoffed at her.

"And what is that supposed to mean, hmm?" Pearl asked seemingly offended by his gesture.

Magnus giggled and pointed to the closed door with a soapy hoof and made his case. "It means that she acts just like you. She does take after her mother in her wanting to do things by herself."

"Not that it's a bad thing, you know."

"Yeah, but I just can't help but think that she might be in over her head on this one."

"And guess where she got THAT trait from."

"You?" Magnus whispered as he continued to wipe off the silverware in the sink. Pearl overheard his quip and tacked him from behind.

"Ooof! Hey, I thought I was the one who was supposed to be the mounter."

"Well, think of this as the dawn of a new age in whi-"

"WHATEVER! It would be a new age when I'd have to retire."

"But seriously dearie, we need to talk." Pearl said as her tone shifted from playful to completely serious.

"Uh-oh. Not the 'Move-to-Canterlot' thing again."

"Yes, again." Pearl pulls her husband away from the kitchen sink to the table in order to get his full attention. She magically pulls out a seat and places him in it. With her husband now seated, she proceeds to rub his shoulders and rubs deep into his shoulders, giving him a relaxing hoof massage before she began her argument. "This isn't just for me dearest, but this is also for our daughter."

"How many times have I already told you that I didn't want you and Rarity to move there?"

"One-hundred-n-twenty-seven."

"Right. So what makes you think that I might consider it the one-hundred-n-twenty-eighth time?"

"Because I do believe that Rarity would be a lot happier when she's there. Also keep in consideration how often you do get to come to Ponyville. Which is..." Pearl gestured to her husband to complete her statement, spinning one of her hooves in front of him.

"Not very often." Magnus mumbled as frustration kicks in.

"Right! So you must be so tired of not being able to see us as often as you'd like."

"But I kept you here so that the press doesn't dig too deep into our personal life."

"There's this little apartment in the downtown area that I've been looking into. It's a bit pricey, but the location makes up for it. The room is on the top floor, the view is splendid, it's located just outside of the palace gates. In that case there would be security there non-stop. Non-stop security equals no paparazzi, no paparazzi equals no social interference and no social interference equals more privacy."

"Pearl... just stop."

"And also we can enroll Rarity into all sorts of classes, classes that will challenge her and bring out the best results for our daughter."

"Pearl, stop it."

"The fashion industry is booming in Canterlot. I'd say, if we were to get our little gem in there at this early of an age, I do believe she could even gain as much attention as upcoming designer Hoity Toity. Why I bet that she can even get an internship!"

"PEARL, SHUT UP!" Magnus screamed, trying to gain the attention of his babbling wife. "All you're doing now is thinking about what YOU think is best for our daughter. She is not some marionette that you can just control on strings."

"But Magnus, it's obvious as to what she truly wants to do. Not only does she want to be with her father, but also to design clothes."

"My daughter is not designing clothes. Her true talent is something else aside from that, not sewing together two pieces of cloth."

Pearl became angry with her husband's statement and decided that it was best to let him have it. "Well maybe if you were home enough, you'd see that she works hard on her beautiful creations."

Magnus, who became offended, offered his own rebuttal. "Well, it's not my fault that my job has me running around all of Equestria and not anywhere here in Ponyville. I do what I can to make sure there is a roof over our heads and clothes on our backs. And in speaking of which, let's talk about all the fine food that we have on the table."

"We don't even need clothes! And yes Magnus, let's talk about how every night I sleep alone, how you originally promised us Sunday morning that we would spend family time together after the game. Let's talk about the fact that a teenage boy managed to satisfy me that very night you promised me that we would be together."

"So what? I gave him consent to do so because I knew you would act even worse than this. I knew that he was a sheltered momma's boy because his father filled me in. I thought it would be best to let him have some fun."

"So is that what I am to you, you selfish son of a bitch!? I'M JUST SOME PASS-AROUND, TWO BIT WHORE!?"

"No. That isn't what I said!"

"You might as well, Magnus!"

"I can't talk to you when you're like this."

"Oh, so it's over because you say it is? HUH!?"

"NO IT'S NOT OVER!"

"Then tell me what am I to you, you two-faced, manipulative, arrogant, self-entitled, self-centered, can't-get-it-up-when-my-wife-needs-it-most, inconsiderate, little-"

Magnus violenty pushes Pearl into the table, letting his anger take over any rational thought that he previously held. His wife lost her balance and fell to the ground as she looked at the stallion who accosted her. The sound of flatware and cutlery filled the house as everything happened in what seemed like a mere blink of an eye. She began to hyperventilate as she rapidly backed away before a jabbing pain caught her hoof. Pearl, who stood in fear and vexation, stood up slowly to asses the damage done. Pieces of broken glass littered the floor and silverware was scattered across the room. She brought up the hoof that pulsed in pain and she saw that a small piece of glass had cut into her. She then stared into the eyes of her assailant.

"You..." Venom seethed from her teeth as she walked slowly to Magnus. Her speed increased into that of a full gallop and her teeth gritted shut as she lifted a hoof into the air, striking her husband square in the jaw. Feeling the full impact of his wife's punch, Magnus' head pivoted backwards and forwards, only to welcome his unscathed cheek to his wife's other hoof. Clenching his jaw from the pain, Magnus raised his hooves to subdue his wife when suddenly the door opened, revealing a more-than-scared Rarity.

"Mother, father. What's going on? I'm scared!" Rartiy asked, pleading that they would stop their physical assault against one another. As Magnus was about to speak, Pearl spoke first.

"Rarity, go to that new bakery that just opened. There will be a lot of ice cream and cakes over there and plus your god-father Custard Cake should be there." She asks as she tries to get their daughter away from the heated altercation.

"No. I don't wanna go. I'm scared!"

"Do as your mother says, sweetheart. Your mother and I have some talking to do." Magnus orders sternly, his wife glaring into her husband with indignation.

"B-but."

"The money is under the doormat sweetie. Now go on! Scram!" Pearl screams as she gestures to her daughter to leave immediately.

Rarity complies with her parents orders, rushing to the doormat. She opens a secret compartment, holding a bag of bits that sat there in case an emergency were to occur. She grabbed the small bag, opened the door and slammed it shut as she ran for the brand new bakery. Tears fell from Rarity's eyes uncontrollably as she galloped to the confectionery. Meanwhile, Pearl and Magnus were locking horns with one another as they continued to land hits, screaming at each other.

"Why don't you prove that you're stallion enough to take me on you limp-dicked shithole!" Pearl screams as she drives a hoof into her husbands eye socket.

"Really like you have room to talk, corridor-pussy lips." He shouts at the top of his lungs, sending his wife into the ground as he body slammed her to the floor. Pearl looks up at her husband as they both stared angrily into each other. "You know what, you were right. You are some two-bit prostitute."

"I only wished that you died, you slimy, soft-served bitch!" Pearl screamed at her husband, returning to him the pain of his previous comment as they both breathed heavily.

Magnus drove his horn into her neck, slicing deep enough to draw blood but not deep enough to cause serious damage. "Oh, so you wanna kill me? Well bring it then cunt."

"Cup, fetch me a slice of my homemade double mocha layer cake and a tall glass of ice-cold milk, will ya?"

"Yes daddy!"

"And be sure to-"

"To serve with a smile, check!"

"Atta girl!"

An olive earth pony stallion with a silver mane and a cutie mark of a custard pie walked up to a sobbing filly that sat at the table on the far end of the bakery. He stroke her mane lightly and tenderly as he comforted her. He could only smile slightly, given the circumstances of her being at the newly opened Sugarcube Corner during the closing hour. The shop was empty and many of the tables had chairs placed atop of them. The floor shone with a brilliance of crystal-clear waters. The counters sparkled as an adolescent pony, appearing to be seventeen, walked into view. Cup Cake was a well-toned cyan-colored earth pony mare who donned a pink and fuchsia mane curled into a swirl. Her cutie mark resembled three cupcakes with white frosting and multicolored sprinkles on top. She walked to the table balancing a small trey on her back that held a large slice of cake. She placed the items on the table before talking to the downtrodden filly.

"Hey, they say that chocolate is the best medicine for sadness. Well this is THE best chocolate cake in all of the universe. Trust me when I say this will carry you through a lot of depressing moods." The adolescent teen mare quoted as she smiled and kissed the filly on her forehead. "Bon Appétit."

"Thanks sweetie, Now go on and-"

"Yeah, yeah I know. Start on my homework." Cup interrupts as she makes her way to the upstairs room.

"What a beautiful daughter you have become." He whispers. "It's a shame that your mother never got the chance to see how well you've grown." Sighing, he returns his attention to the filly who barely touches her slice of cake.

"..."

"Well come on now, that is some good cake. It would be a shame to let it go to waste."

Rarity whimpers as she looks down at the fork halfway embedded in the layers of the sweet-smelling chocolate. As much as she didn't want to admit to herself that it smelled delicious, she knew that she would cave to her curiosity eventually. She lit her horn and cast her spell upon the fork, lifting it from the cake. Upon the fork's edge lied a small corner of the fudge-riddled treat covered in the brown chocolaty frosting that oozed from atop the cake. A small string of chocolate bridged the distance between the slice of cake and the fork until she separated the spectacle, setting the morsel onto her tongue. She finally devoured the front end of the fork, letting it rest on top of her taste buds. She sat still at the table for what seemed like an eternity, not moving as much as an inch, not even making a sound. The bakery ran silent, the only sound that was ever produced was the low-pitched hum of the air conditioning system. It was as if the world stood still.

"OH MY CELESTIA! THAT WAS DELICIOUS!!!"

The filly's voice transformed from a sweet timber to that of a raging manticore. Not even a second after she finished her statement, her fork brutally assaulted the cake and the platter that sat below it. A loud clanking noise breached the air as if an anvil struck against hardened steel.

"Well, I'm glad you like it Rarity!"

"OM NOM NOM NOM NOM NOAM! Can't talk now, eating! AOM NOM NOM NOM NOM! *SLUURP*"

The engorging filly demolished the cake as if she had the hunger of a full-grown stallion. Soon her rampage would meet it's untimely end, as does the cake on the plate and the milk in her glass. Rarity breathed lightly as she felt a slight bit of pressure rising from the depths of her stomach. She held to herself, trying to suppress what was coming up her esophagus, that is until...

"Mmmm"*BLLEEEEEEAAAAAAC!*

Custard merely looked at the rapidly blushing filly that remained in her seat. He could only stifle his laugh as the pure white filly turned red from embarrassment. Eventually, he coughed himself back into his composure and straightened his facial features to make himself look as if he was taking things seriously. Rarity only looked at the stallion and gave him a shy expression before she straightened herself. After she regained her dignity, or what little she had at the moment, she spoke quickly, making her request known as clearly as possible.

"Ahem... We shall never speak of this again."

Custard nodded in agreement. A long silence ensued before he would break the ice.

"Sooooo... You feeling any better?

"...No."

"Your parents got into it, huh?"

"...Yes." Rarity squeaked out as the tears started to flow.

"Hey, look here. I know that you don't wanna see something like that again. So here's how I'm gonna do things. I'm gonna leave you here with Cup, I'm gonna go over there and check things out. And when the fires die down a bit, I'll let you know when it's safe. Now, I know that you're scared, but let me assure you this: in the end, it will all work out for the better. And if it doesn't get any better there, then I'll arrange for you to stay here. How does that sound?"

Rarity sniffles as she nods her head in agreement.

"And also, the rest of the cake is in the back. All that you have to do is tell Cup that you would like a slice and then she'll cut you one and bring you a tall glass of milk." Rarity nodded once again before she pulled up the bag full of bits to pay him. "What is that? Oh no. You're not paying me. You keep those for yourself. And besides, I could never take bits from such a cute little filly."

Rarity put the bag of bits in her saddlebags. Before she could say anything, Custard left the bakery without as much as a simple 'I'll see you later. Cup came down stair soon after.

"Hey cutie, come on upstairs. I don't like it when fillies are often sad and alone."

" *sniff* Okay."

Author's Note

Starting from here onward, be prepared to see journal entries. There will be chapters that will have entries in them. Also, in case you haven't noticed it by now, the color font indicates who's entry it is (who's speaking in the flashbacks and also who's mind the reader is going into). That for those [new readers] who may not know exactly why the text changes colors so often. So when you see that the colors changed don't be too intimidated by it.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed the chapter.