The Taste of Victoryby ServingSpoonChaptersConquests: The BodyConquests: The HeartConquests: The MindConquests: The Body"Hmph.. just look at this dump!" Diamond Tiara had scoffed in dismay as she looked around our new real-estate venture. "Seriously.. like would it have KILLED them to lug a few chairs up in here?" I joined in. "How da hay should I know?" Babs shrugged. "pfft you're like, supposed to be a an expert on blank flanks!" DT smirked. "What did youse say, piggy?" Babs growled and pulled her tail plume over her flank "How youse like me tah send youse crying we we we all the way home tah yah momma?!" Babs got up in DT's face, nose to nose. To her credit Diamond never flinched, but I could tell her legs were shaky. I had to do something to have her save face. If Bab's escalated into violence, Diamond would fold, and she'd loose Babs's respect. "Girls girls, shouldn't we like, be concentrating on setting up our defenses? The CMC are bound to..." "Shut up, Spoon!" DT snapped at me, causing me to shrink back and lower my posture in submission, tucking my tail and ducking my head like a whipped dog. Even my glasses fell lower on my snout, due to gravity and the force of my prostrating myself. "Hay! Leave Spoony outa dis, Pinky!" Babs replied in outrage "Youse got a beef, take it up wit me, half pint!" Babs growled. I had to admire her concern for me. But part of me whished Diamond would yell at me some more, as strange as that sounds. "WELL.. youse got something tah say, bacon bits!?" she glared at Diamond. I could see indecision and a twinge of fear in DT's cobalt blue eyes, but she was on her own. I had been ordered into silence and I found myself liking it. "What-ever." Diamond scoffed and gave Babs the brush off. I inwardly applauded my mistress for her tact and courage. I wish I had such courage. "Silver Spoon.. be a dear and fetch me a chair.. I am NOT setting my perfect flank on the floor of this dusty old fire trap!" My ears perked up, I had been given an order. Every fiber in my legs sprang for the door with a "Yes Diamond Tiara." and a small grin on my face. "HOLD UP Spoony!" it was spoke with urgency but with calm indifference, not the cruel icy tone my mistress used to command me, that sent shivers from my withers to my hind quarters. I turned quizzically but did not utter a single word. "Now idn't da time tah go dividin our forces!" Babs barked like a drill sergeant. "Da Cutie Mark Crybabies ur still out dhere. We can't let Spoony go alone, she'll be ah sittin doik.. IIII mean duck. If youse gotta have a chair for your royal rump, I'll go wit er. You stay behind and hold down da fort till we get back, capice? Diamond hesitated for just a moment. I couldn't tell what exactly was going through her mind, till she adopted a wry confident smirk "That was like, just what I was about to say." she cooed "Silver's sweet but she's kina ah wimp." her barbs cut deep as she hurled them without forethought. She hit her target without trying. "Silver can't go two seconds without an escort.. she's so pathetic.. like a lost puppy." and she twisted the knife. It hurt so bad, but part of me wanted more. Part of me wanted her to humiliate me infront of our new freind. It was true. For an earth pony I was pathetic. A disgrace to my race. I was not all that strong, and I couldn't grow mold if I needed the penicillin to save my life! Diamond wasn't that much physically stronger then I, but she made up for it with just her tone of voice, the type that says "I'm the boss and you all can suck it!" My mistress was a cunning and smooth operator. She had completely disregarded Babs orders and basically said "great idea, glad I thought of it." while throwing in a few insults my way to keep me in line. Not enough to break my spirit, mind you, but just enough to bring me down and keep me towing the line. At 11 years old Diamond Tiara was a master in the art of manipulation. She got her three worst enemies to work for her and spy on all their friends and neighbors, and with a few off the hoof compliments, she got them to think what they were doing was a good thing. This she told me later when we got together and laughed about how they basically ate up her praise. The poor ignorant foals. They should know better by now. Diamond Tiara gives nothing away frivolously, least of all compliments. Babs emerald green eyes narrowed, but she turned toward the door to join me "Common Spoony.. lets get her royal pain-ness her buckin throne." she grumbled as I instinctively got the door for her. There was quite a bit of testosterone being thrown around, for a room full of fillies and I was glad to be getting out of the tense situation. "Oh and Silver.." I heard just as I began following Babs out "Yes DT?" "Get me Daddy's favorite chair, and his pipe if you can find it." her order came with a cruel smile that once again sent shivers to the base of my tail and I had to draw my plume close to my nethers, fearing my arousal might be apparent as I queried "You mean.. the big heavy Lazy Colt?" I adopted a worried grimace. It was a long way back from Diamond's mansion and if Mr. Rich caught me.. I felt my young sex quiver at the though of Filthy Rich bending me over his lap like my father would and spank me hard. What the hell is wrong with me? "That's the one!" she practically sang it out "Don't worry, Spoon.. Daddy wont be home for 5hrs and I'm sure Babs Samaritan here will give you a hoof." she smirked cruelly toward Babs as if to say "let's see how chivalrous you are now, bitch." Babs blew a lock of her ginger mane out of her eyes and smirked back "Buck dat.. I'm jus ere tah protect er.. I aint carryin no damn chair fur nopony." content that she had gotten in the last word, Bab's trotted out with her head held high. I closed the door to follow. I could just barely here Diamond give her the raspberry, from behind the door. "real mature DT." I scoffed to myself as I grabbed the ripcord with my teeth and pulled to release the counter weights that lowered the gang plank. It wasn't long before we found ourselves at the doors to the very stately residence of Diamond's father; Filthy Rich. It didn't take me long to find the pipe right beside the small table by the chair. But first I had to lift the chair onto my back. Like coiled springs, my legs seemed to compress under the weight of the recliner, as I took the mouth piece of the pipe into my muzzle, the smell and taste of weeks of old tobacco soot instantly adding to my torment "eeyuch!" I gasped in disgust, while still biting down on the pipe and beginning my long, slow, journey out the door. While she watched the whole time, at least Babs was kind enough to get the door for me. I knew Diamond wouldn't give me up, even under the worst tortures a parent can dish out. She would lie for me and say the chair must have been stolen. Briefly I considered the possibility she might tell her father the chair is at the CMC clubhouse and let him draw his own conclusions. In that case I would have to put my hoof down. There were times I have refused to take on a task DT gives me, but never in public. Always in private, always "behind the scenes" so my mistress authority was not undermined to her enemies. If they hated her now they would truly despise her, and I as well, if we carried out some of the more cruel ideas she came up with in the throes of her anger. Like Captain Jackass Sparrow's compass, her moral compass doesn't point north. It points to me. And being the spineless little lackey I am, that doesn't help much. It didn't help at all on "Family Appreciation Day". My Loyalty was tested and technically I failed. But Diamond didn't hold it against me for long, even though she suffered the humiliation her father put her through as punishment. I just put on a bunny costume and hopped along with her, following her lead over the watering cans. We laughed together and poked fun at each other, and then got to have a nice slice of toast and Zapapple Jam when our "work" was done. Suddenly my trip down memory lane took a detour, as I felt some of the weight lifted off my back "Moove ovah!" Babs bumped me aside with her flank to mine, to where we were both under the chair. I looked at her with confusion. "What? Youse tink I was goin tah make youse carry dhis ting all da way back to da farm?" she smirked. I just nodded at first. "But you said..." "I SAID I aint CARRYIN no chair fur nopony." she cut me off abruptly before smiling more genuinely "I nevah said I wouldn't help youse out." It was a good thing she did. I had, in my zeal to complete my task, underestimated my abilities and we haven't even gotten out of the neighborhood. "Thanks Babsy." I smiled back. "Fh'get about it." she replied in that distinctive Manehatten accent of hers. We passed out of our ritzy neighborhood and came upon Barnyard Bargains. "In't dhat where Piggy's dad woiks?" I could hear the concern in her tone, and rightfully so. "Naah, he works at the corporate office in Canterlot." I assured through my teeth. Trotting along past the store I suddenly had a great idea. "Hay Babsy.. lets set it down here, and take a break. I have something I need to pick up." Babs nodded, just as glad as I to shed the extra weight. Once we set the chair on the street I dug around in the cushions. "common.. ah here we go." I proclaimed with a sense of triumph as I pulled out 5 bit$. "Why don't youse put dat nasty pipe in da cushions?" Babs grimaced and stuck out her tongue "Like, duuuuh.." I rolled my eyes at my own stupidity and spit the pipe out, "eeeyah.. why didn't I think of that?" I stuck out my tongue and spat several times. "What I need is something to get that Celestia awful taste out of my mouth." I smiled sheepishly. And I thought I was supposed to be the smart one in our group. "What dah hay does Diamon Tiarah want wit dhat ting anyway? She gonna take up smoking er sometin?" Babs recoiled in disgust. "I don't know." again I roll my eyes. "I'll be right back." I returned with 3 bottles in a paper bag, holding it in my mouth. "What youse got der, Spoony?" Babs asked as she got down out of the chair "You'll see. like common, DT will be waiting!" She picked up on my eagerness with an inquisitive eyebrow raised before we hitched up once again with the chair on both our backs. "Because like, you know.. we SO have nothing better to do but deliver this stupid chair, so DT stops whining." I roll my eyes and fain annoyance to save face. Babs gives me a nod as we begin our tandem trot once more, my ploy seeming to have worked. The bottles in the bag clinked together, now hanging around my neck. It's times like this a good levitation spell would come in hoofty. "Why do you let dat brat push youse around so much?" And there it was. She would have to ask the one question I have been trying all day to avoid, as we were headed out of town toward the farm. At this point I was hoping the CMC would ambush us, but it seems our enemy was as spineless as I was. "Maybe a monster will start attacking from Everfree" I thought, anything to get out of answering that question. "I mean don't get me wrong, ere. Youse both fun tah hang around with, but she's bein a real joik tah you. What gives? Aint youse supposed tah be like, best friends?" there was nothing I could say to that accept "I can't say." I replied with a sigh. "Can't? er WON'T?" I blushed as she pressed her nose into mine, our lips could have touched she was so close. I could have sworn they brushed together a couple of times, but my heart was pounding in my head so loud, I barely noticed. Was it fear, or something else? And with my being pinned under the chair, there was simply no where to go. "I can't Babsy.. I don't know the answer.. I'm just like, used to it I guess." I admitted with a sigh and hung my head "But more then that.. I just cant say more.. I Pinkie Promised." "Youse promised Pinky?" I could tell Babs was referring to Diamond. "Yeah." I said to avoid talking further, my eyes darting back and fourth, looking for another pink pony who sometimes tends to pop out of nowhere when one mentions a "Pinkie promise" and she was the last thing I needed. Babs took the hint with a "All right. but youse just say da word and I'll pound on er a little bit foh yah." she dropped the subject as I just smiled and nodded to her "I hope you like Colta Cola." I smirked and hoofed her a bottle from my grocery bag. "Doesn't everypony?" she winked, causing me to blush some more as she bit off the cap and started chugging it. We soon made it back to the club house where we dropped Diamond's new chair and I hoofed to her one of the Cola bottles and took my own. With a "Cheers" We rang them together to toast our victory. Author's Note There should be one or two more chapters left "heart" and "soul" and this was originally supposed to be a one shot. In the next Chapter we finally get to the sexy stuff and maybe some feels. I don't know yet if it will be full blown clop but it's rated mature just in case. Conquests: The Heart"Youse guys tink of anything yet?" Babs Seed's exasperated sigh brings me out of my revelry in the past. The sound of a bottle she is playing with, fills the air as she spins it around on the floor with her hoof, and blows that one errant lock of her mane out of her face. The only "Tink" we had was the sound of the glass against her hoof and the wood, as she spun it back and fourth. "I got nothing." Diamond Tiara admitted as she tipped a bottle of the bubble solution she found, into her father's pipe and started to puff on it again. "You know Diamond.. you COULD have shared the bubbles with us." I said matterafactly and adjusted my glasses. "At least it would have been something." Diamond gave me a glare, as if I had just accused her of eating the last morsel of food on a small dingy out in the middle of the sea. Her cold blue eyes again gave me chills. But I didn't shrink back from her this time. I gave her a wry smirk that says "you know I'm right." "Yeah maybe.." she responded, tossing the empty plastic bottle over her shoulder, tapping her chin with the mouth piece of the pipe in mock contemplation and smirked wickedly in response. "You want a little puff on Daddy's pipe, Silvy? Be my guest." she sneered gleefully and tossed the pipe to me. I caught the pipe in my hooves. By some miracle, not allot of the sticky bubble formula spilled onto my coat. "Eee-ew like, no thanks, DT." I hoofed it gently back to her. She knew I hated the smell of cigarettes and tobacco In general. I inturn knew full well, how much Diamond Tiara Rich The Third, loved the smell of her father's pipe. It harkened her back to simpler times when she was a younger foal and her father was home more often. It soothed her when she was lonely and not getting along with her mother; Ruby Tiara Rich The Second. "You know I cant stand that stuff." I groused at her. "Yeah I do." she chuckled. She loved to tease me, as much as she loved to berate the other foals in her class. But with me, it was different. She meant no malice toward me. It was just one of the many subtle ways she shows her love for me. I wondered if Babs understood that when she teased her earlier? I could tell Diamond Tiara liked Babs Seed as much as I did. I was sure we would be lifelong friends. Sudenly I had an idea worth mentioning. "You know, the Cutie Mark Crusaders have a name for their group. We should like tottally name ours!" I spoke up with a clopping of my forehooves and an excited (squee). Diamond Mulled this over a bit as she puffed on her pipe. "That's like the best idea I've heard all night!" her praise was music to my ears and I fought hard not to squeal in gratitude. I had pleased my mistress. "Not bad Spoony.." Babs Seed gave me a soft noogee with her hoof "EEE my MANE!" I giggled and meekly protested. "So what should we call ourselves?" Babs asked, blowing that one tuft of mane out of her face. "How bout Diamond and Her Rubies "I.. think you mean Rubes." I grimaced at Diamond's derogatory proposal and adjusted my glasses nervously. "Who youse callin ah RUBE?!" Babs barked again and glared at DT. "Fine.. you come up with something, geniuses!" Diamond spat back. "Well Rubes oh Rubies, it still makes us sound like sum kina trashy rock band." Babs stuck out her toungue in disgust "Well maybe you're just like too stupid to appreciate my brillaint proposal!" "Ixnay on the oopidstay." I drew my forehoof across my throat in a slashing motion toward DT, my teeth clenched in apprehension. "Who youse callin OOPIDSTAY!?" Now Babs Seed was up in my face, and this time I did back down in submission as she growled at me. "HEY OOPIDSTAY!" Diamond bellowed "You leave Silver Spoon alone!" she declared in no uncertain terms. There was a long pause as Diamond and Babs glared daggers and growled at eachother. "Sorry Spoony." she finally relented to me, allowing Diamond to have her little victory. I only nodded meekly in acceptance, offering a sheepish smile. "No harm done." Once again the club house was silent. I caught sight of the slight smirk from Diamond, out of the corner of my eye, in celebration of her victory. "It idnt dhat I don't like rock music, but dhat idnt us." Babs clarified. "Well.." I chuckled slightly "Diamonds and rubies are rocks." I smiled coyly. "Silver Spoon.. you are like, such a nerd." Diamond scoffed and rolled her eyes in mock intolerance. "I know." I blushed and smiled more sheepishly, hanging my head slightly. She never meant anything by it. Just another way she says "I love you.". Diamond always did have trouble giving her feelings a voice. Especially in the presence of other ponies. I alone have seen her sweet side. And it is sweet in deed. "Dhat was baaad Spoony.." Babs chastised me for my horrendous pun. "You really are ah goobah." she chuckled. Diamond raised an eyebrow in concern but relaxed when I just laughed along with Babs. "Anyway.. what I mean is.. we aint no band.. we're moh like ah GANG." Babs smirked evilly. "YEAH!" Diamond replied and tossed her fathers pipe over her shoulder, to join the empty bottle on the floor. The left over bubble formula spilled out on the unvarnished planks, soaking into the wood. I never said Applbloom's construction was perfect. Far from it. Only impressive for a filly her age. She still had much to learn. "A Gang.. I like IT!" she clopped her hooves together. As DT's clopping died down there was once again silence "A gang?" I thought to myself. The word stung worse then any barb Diamond could throw my way. Was I really just a common thug, now? And who is our leader? Are Diamond and I just Babs's cronies or do the two of us serve Diamond Tiara? A gang needs leadership and I know no better pony for the job, besides Diamond. But Babs had something she didn't. Brute force. "But if she is the muscle, and I the brains, then what does that leave Diamond? Is she the heart of our group? Or was I the heart and Diamond the brains?" I pondered to myself. Yes I was academically smarter. My grades were better, my studies deeper, but Diamond had a gift for knowing ponies and knowing how to make them do her bidding. Her ideas were always a work in progress and it was up to me to fill in the blanks. Makes me wonder why she never hired me as an executive assistant for the Foal Free Press. "How about The Sugar Lump Gang?" I proposed, or rather just blurted out awkwardly. It tasted right, coming off my tongue and an after thought indicated it was the perfect moniker. Something we all had in common after our first three way hoof shake. Something impartial and unspecific to either of the three of us. It wouldn't strike terror into the hearts of our enemies like the "Hell's Pegasi" or the "Shadowbolts" but I didn't really want to be feared more then I already was. I know Diamond felt the same way. She didn't need to threaten with violence to get ponies to respect her, even if they despised her. Babs was different. I could tell as she wrinkled her nose at my impromptu presentation. "That's really CUTE.. Good idea, Silver!" Diamond gave me a hard congratulatory smack on the back with her hoof, "OOF!" that nearly nocked my glasses off. A bold move, more physical then was typical. Apparently Babs Seed was wearing off on her or maybe she was just demonstrating her ability to be physical with the non violent gesture. I can't rightly fault her for feeling a little threatened by our new friend. "Yeah.. shoh.. why not?" Babs shrugged, though I could tell she was less then thrilled. Diamond jumped down and initiated our signature hoof shake in celebration of our new name. "Bump, bump, sugar lump, RUMP!" We all three pressed our behinds together and sat back on the floor laughing and smiling and then that awkward silence returned to haunt our good mood and good times. "Well what do you girls wanna do now?" Diamond huffed in exasperation "It's getting late and this place is BORING." "Same ting we do every noit, Pinky." Babs Smirked "Try tah take ovah da woild!" I chuckled at that. Diamond however was completely lost. Author's Note Sorry. I did say the sexiness would happen in this one, but I just had to end it on that last line. (nervous squee) Next time I promise we'll get to the good stuff in "soul". Conquests: The MindIt was getting late in the evening, the autumn wind came crawling through the open window of the clubhouse, like a specter on Nighmare Night, chilling us slightly as our winter coats had not fully grown in yet. It was long after the wave of adrenaline from our conquest had ebbed. Now there was only the sound of the wind and the creaking of an old restored tree house, built as sturdy as any one mare could. I could feel the finely hoof sanded planks under my cannons as I sat on my haunches and tried my best to think of some idea worth breaking the terrible, awkward silence for. But there was another sound that I figured only I could hear. Sweetie's mournful wailings where still fresh in my ears. I wont lie to you, just so I could build up my self image in your eyes. That is not my style. I prefer to remain in the shadow of a better pony, or a stronger pony at least. One in particular. She protects me and confides in me. She who shares our deepest thoughts and feelings in our solitude. She who my heart beats for alone. She is the pony I love, and yet we must keep our affairs a secret, for our family and society at large may not approve. But I digress. I am veering off the subject at hoof. My name is Sylvia Catherine Spoon, but you may call me "Silver". I am a filly of age 12 and for the lack of a better word, I am a bully. Now more then ever it seems. Making fun of the blank flanks was fun, but I did not relish the helplessness and despair I heard from our adversaries as we took their last refuge from our torments. I know that feeling. I hate to see ponies cry. Had I my way, I would rather make them smile. But I would do anything for her. Diamond Tiara lay back in quiet contemplation, supporting her self on the hoof rest, staring at the ceiling as the lantern's flame danced across the room. She absentmindedly puffed away on her father's pipe, blowing bubbles like she was Sherclop Holmes or something. Babs Seed and myself sat around a small bulls-eye painted on the floor of the clubhouse, directly under a single lantern. She had revealed to Diamond and myself that the "blank flanks" used this as a thinking spot, to conjure up good ideas. But all I could think about was how supremely bored I was! I couldn't help but notice how our "fearless leader" was lying in the floor with me, sprawled out on her barrel with her pasterns tucked under her chin, supporting her freckled face. Diamond lorded over us like a Queen in the comfy chair she ordered me to bring from her house, smoking on the pipe that she told me to steal for her. Her father was going to be pissed, when he went to light up, only to have his flame doused by bubble formula, residue. But that wasn't my problem, for the moment. Not that I mind how things are playing out. It just confuses me is all. Diamond is far more then merely my best freind. I'd follow her anywhere. To Tartarus and back, if she would but ask me to. Such is my devotion for her. If she only knew how right it felt to be at her hooves like this, would she think me a freak? Would she abandon me? I close my eyes, grit my teeth and shake my head to dispel my doubts. My small tantrum seems to go unnoticed by my cohorts. I figure it is best that way. When told we were going to take the CMC club house, I blindly followed behind Diamond Tiara and Bab's Seed as they jockeyed each other silently for leadership of our little gang. But it is not my willingness to follow that confuses me, it is the role of my mistress in this. Diamond Tiara is a born leader, she takes nothing from nopony, but with Babs Seed, a slightly larger and more imposeing filly, it seems at times that my mistress's authority has been usurped, just as easily as we had taken the club house. Babs Seed had taken command. It was her ideas, and her cunning execution that left me asking "who do I serve?" I can't say why, but it feels right to follow Diamond Tiara. She has such a commanding presence and hides her insecurities so well, they are mine alone to know. Alas our victory was short lived and tempered by our adversaries decision to cry and run away. We had expected a fight. We wanted one. Or so my two patrons did. Still I was as excited as they were and waited at the ready to defend against some water balloon attack, some elaborate and ultimately doomed assault, or at the very least they could try throwing some apples at us. Luna knows there are plenty of felled apples out here, that would make quite a mess and leave quite a stink on our coats. We waited for hours but no sign of our enemies. We were even prepared with a full story that we were just playing, should Applejack or Big Mac be informed of the pint sized invaders encamped in their orchard. But alas it seems Babs threat made an impression, as no grownup was brought to try and roust us out of their tree. We had brought nothing to do. I had my pearls and glasses and DT had her crown. We had nothing to amuse ourselves with, and found nothing of interest in the clubhouse, not even a seat or stool. Apparently Applebloom, Scootalloo and Sweetie Belle, didn't spend much time at their headquarters, before running out to get all sorts of trouble in the pursuit of their marks. Had we driven them to this insanity, or were they always nuts? I finally give up on thinking of something to do, deciding my respected colleagues had done the same. There just was nothing TO do and it was getting dark. I busied my mind, admiring the craftsmareship of the clubhouse it self. Babs said her cousin rebuilt it herself and redesigned the drawbridge style ramp that was currently raised, should our adversaries return and lay siege to reclaim their keep. She kept rolling her eyes and saying how Applebloom had bragged on and on, but all I could think of was "she has a right to brag." something that went unsaid, lest I anger my new patron as well as my mistress. "If AB built this place, I am surprised she has no cutie mark in carpentry and engineering." the thought crosses my mind and yet again I hold my tongue. Again I become bored as the light outside fades, leaving only what is illuminated by the single lamp to scrutinize. I had already gone over every plank and bolt in an attempt to asses any possible weaknesses of our new fortress, and could find none. We may have not taken the "high road" but we had certainly taken the high ground. Scoots would have to learn quite rapidly how to fly if they were to ever hope to get the drop on us, now. Rather then whine and upset my friends deep contemplation, I chose instead to reflect on the events that led me here, basking in our victory and wallowing in self doubt and most of all, boredom! It had been such a marvelous week. Though I secretly felt bad for the Cutie Mark Crusaders, I couldn't help but marvel at the cunning and ruthlessness of Babs Seed as she implemented terror tactics that Diamond could only dream of! A sequence of events in rapid succession, all leading up to our current state of victory over our self imposed enemies. It was the coolest thing I had ever done, and by far the cruelest. We had evolved beyond lobbing half hearted, ill contrived insults at our adversaries. Instead of merely watching and waiting for the CMC to do something stupid we could laugh at, which was an almost certainty if one had the patience, we had taken that final step toward being villains in our own right. Taking initiative, taking the fight to them. And we had expected more resistance. Ever since being publicly disgraced and demoted as editor and chief of the Foal Free Press, Diamond Tiara has taken a personal vendetta against the CMC and I find myself either unwilling or unable to stop her. Her cruelty is as beautiful to me as her kindness. I had applauded Granny Smith's presentation. I knew it might anger Diamond, but the mare deserved my applause and my respect. I was as shocked as everypony else when Diamond jumped to her hooves and insulted Applebloom's grandmother in full view of the entire class. After the "Gabby Gums" scandal came to light, I thought she knew when to cut her losses and admit defeat. Obviously I was mistaken, like so many times in my life. Much to my surprise, Diamond didn't seem at all opposed to relinquishing control, to follow Babs's lead. I did what I did best and tagged along, offering the same support to our new leader as I would my precious Diamond. That was until only a few hours ago. My allegiance was tested and the lines between who is the head of our group blurred even more.
Conquests: The Body"Hmph.. just look at this dump!" Diamond Tiara had scoffed in dismay as she looked around our new real-estate venture. "Seriously.. like would it have KILLED them to lug a few chairs up in here?" I joined in. "How da hay should I know?" Babs shrugged. "pfft you're like, supposed to be a an expert on blank flanks!" DT smirked. "What did youse say, piggy?" Babs growled and pulled her tail plume over her flank "How youse like me tah send youse crying we we we all the way home tah yah momma?!" Babs got up in DT's face, nose to nose. To her credit Diamond never flinched, but I could tell her legs were shaky. I had to do something to have her save face. If Bab's escalated into violence, Diamond would fold, and she'd loose Babs's respect. "Girls girls, shouldn't we like, be concentrating on setting up our defenses? The CMC are bound to..." "Shut up, Spoon!" DT snapped at me, causing me to shrink back and lower my posture in submission, tucking my tail and ducking my head like a whipped dog. Even my glasses fell lower on my snout, due to gravity and the force of my prostrating myself. "Hay! Leave Spoony outa dis, Pinky!" Babs replied in outrage "Youse got a beef, take it up wit me, half pint!" Babs growled. I had to admire her concern for me. But part of me whished Diamond would yell at me some more, as strange as that sounds. "WELL.. youse got something tah say, bacon bits!?" she glared at Diamond. I could see indecision and a twinge of fear in DT's cobalt blue eyes, but she was on her own. I had been ordered into silence and I found myself liking it. "What-ever." Diamond scoffed and gave Babs the brush off. I inwardly applauded my mistress for her tact and courage. I wish I had such courage. "Silver Spoon.. be a dear and fetch me a chair.. I am NOT setting my perfect flank on the floor of this dusty old fire trap!" My ears perked up, I had been given an order. Every fiber in my legs sprang for the door with a "Yes Diamond Tiara." and a small grin on my face. "HOLD UP Spoony!" it was spoke with urgency but with calm indifference, not the cruel icy tone my mistress used to command me, that sent shivers from my withers to my hind quarters. I turned quizzically but did not utter a single word. "Now idn't da time tah go dividin our forces!" Babs barked like a drill sergeant. "Da Cutie Mark Crybabies ur still out dhere. We can't let Spoony go alone, she'll be ah sittin doik.. IIII mean duck. If youse gotta have a chair for your royal rump, I'll go wit er. You stay behind and hold down da fort till we get back, capice? Diamond hesitated for just a moment. I couldn't tell what exactly was going through her mind, till she adopted a wry confident smirk "That was like, just what I was about to say." she cooed "Silver's sweet but she's kina ah wimp." her barbs cut deep as she hurled them without forethought. She hit her target without trying. "Silver can't go two seconds without an escort.. she's so pathetic.. like a lost puppy." and she twisted the knife. It hurt so bad, but part of me wanted more. Part of me wanted her to humiliate me infront of our new freind. It was true. For an earth pony I was pathetic. A disgrace to my race. I was not all that strong, and I couldn't grow mold if I needed the penicillin to save my life! Diamond wasn't that much physically stronger then I, but she made up for it with just her tone of voice, the type that says "I'm the boss and you all can suck it!" My mistress was a cunning and smooth operator. She had completely disregarded Babs orders and basically said "great idea, glad I thought of it." while throwing in a few insults my way to keep me in line. Not enough to break my spirit, mind you, but just enough to bring me down and keep me towing the line. At 11 years old Diamond Tiara was a master in the art of manipulation. She got her three worst enemies to work for her and spy on all their friends and neighbors, and with a few off the hoof compliments, she got them to think what they were doing was a good thing. This she told me later when we got together and laughed about how they basically ate up her praise. The poor ignorant foals. They should know better by now. Diamond Tiara gives nothing away frivolously, least of all compliments. Babs emerald green eyes narrowed, but she turned toward the door to join me "Common Spoony.. lets get her royal pain-ness her buckin throne." she grumbled as I instinctively got the door for her. There was quite a bit of testosterone being thrown around, for a room full of fillies and I was glad to be getting out of the tense situation. "Oh and Silver.." I heard just as I began following Babs out "Yes DT?" "Get me Daddy's favorite chair, and his pipe if you can find it." her order came with a cruel smile that once again sent shivers to the base of my tail and I had to draw my plume close to my nethers, fearing my arousal might be apparent as I queried "You mean.. the big heavy Lazy Colt?" I adopted a worried grimace. It was a long way back from Diamond's mansion and if Mr. Rich caught me.. I felt my young sex quiver at the though of Filthy Rich bending me over his lap like my father would and spank me hard. What the hell is wrong with me? "That's the one!" she practically sang it out "Don't worry, Spoon.. Daddy wont be home for 5hrs and I'm sure Babs Samaritan here will give you a hoof." she smirked cruelly toward Babs as if to say "let's see how chivalrous you are now, bitch." Babs blew a lock of her ginger mane out of her eyes and smirked back "Buck dat.. I'm jus ere tah protect er.. I aint carryin no damn chair fur nopony." content that she had gotten in the last word, Bab's trotted out with her head held high. I closed the door to follow. I could just barely here Diamond give her the raspberry, from behind the door. "real mature DT." I scoffed to myself as I grabbed the ripcord with my teeth and pulled to release the counter weights that lowered the gang plank. It wasn't long before we found ourselves at the doors to the very stately residence of Diamond's father; Filthy Rich. It didn't take me long to find the pipe right beside the small table by the chair. But first I had to lift the chair onto my back. Like coiled springs, my legs seemed to compress under the weight of the recliner, as I took the mouth piece of the pipe into my muzzle, the smell and taste of weeks of old tobacco soot instantly adding to my torment "eeyuch!" I gasped in disgust, while still biting down on the pipe and beginning my long, slow, journey out the door. While she watched the whole time, at least Babs was kind enough to get the door for me. I knew Diamond wouldn't give me up, even under the worst tortures a parent can dish out. She would lie for me and say the chair must have been stolen. Briefly I considered the possibility she might tell her father the chair is at the CMC clubhouse and let him draw his own conclusions. In that case I would have to put my hoof down. There were times I have refused to take on a task DT gives me, but never in public. Always in private, always "behind the scenes" so my mistress authority was not undermined to her enemies. If they hated her now they would truly despise her, and I as well, if we carried out some of the more cruel ideas she came up with in the throes of her anger. Like Captain Jackass Sparrow's compass, her moral compass doesn't point north. It points to me. And being the spineless little lackey I am, that doesn't help much. It didn't help at all on "Family Appreciation Day". My Loyalty was tested and technically I failed. But Diamond didn't hold it against me for long, even though she suffered the humiliation her father put her through as punishment. I just put on a bunny costume and hopped along with her, following her lead over the watering cans. We laughed together and poked fun at each other, and then got to have a nice slice of toast and Zapapple Jam when our "work" was done. Suddenly my trip down memory lane took a detour, as I felt some of the weight lifted off my back "Moove ovah!" Babs bumped me aside with her flank to mine, to where we were both under the chair. I looked at her with confusion. "What? Youse tink I was goin tah make youse carry dhis ting all da way back to da farm?" she smirked. I just nodded at first. "But you said..." "I SAID I aint CARRYIN no chair fur nopony." she cut me off abruptly before smiling more genuinely "I nevah said I wouldn't help youse out." It was a good thing she did. I had, in my zeal to complete my task, underestimated my abilities and we haven't even gotten out of the neighborhood. "Thanks Babsy." I smiled back. "Fh'get about it." she replied in that distinctive Manehatten accent of hers. We passed out of our ritzy neighborhood and came upon Barnyard Bargains. "In't dhat where Piggy's dad woiks?" I could hear the concern in her tone, and rightfully so. "Naah, he works at the corporate office in Canterlot." I assured through my teeth. Trotting along past the store I suddenly had a great idea. "Hay Babsy.. lets set it down here, and take a break. I have something I need to pick up." Babs nodded, just as glad as I to shed the extra weight. Once we set the chair on the street I dug around in the cushions. "common.. ah here we go." I proclaimed with a sense of triumph as I pulled out 5 bit$. "Why don't youse put dat nasty pipe in da cushions?" Babs grimaced and stuck out her tongue "Like, duuuuh.." I rolled my eyes at my own stupidity and spit the pipe out, "eeeyah.. why didn't I think of that?" I stuck out my tongue and spat several times. "What I need is something to get that Celestia awful taste out of my mouth." I smiled sheepishly. And I thought I was supposed to be the smart one in our group. "What dah hay does Diamon Tiarah want wit dhat ting anyway? She gonna take up smoking er sometin?" Babs recoiled in disgust. "I don't know." again I roll my eyes. "I'll be right back." I returned with 3 bottles in a paper bag, holding it in my mouth. "What youse got der, Spoony?" Babs asked as she got down out of the chair "You'll see. like common, DT will be waiting!" She picked up on my eagerness with an inquisitive eyebrow raised before we hitched up once again with the chair on both our backs. "Because like, you know.. we SO have nothing better to do but deliver this stupid chair, so DT stops whining." I roll my eyes and fain annoyance to save face. Babs gives me a nod as we begin our tandem trot once more, my ploy seeming to have worked. The bottles in the bag clinked together, now hanging around my neck. It's times like this a good levitation spell would come in hoofty. "Why do you let dat brat push youse around so much?" And there it was. She would have to ask the one question I have been trying all day to avoid, as we were headed out of town toward the farm. At this point I was hoping the CMC would ambush us, but it seems our enemy was as spineless as I was. "Maybe a monster will start attacking from Everfree" I thought, anything to get out of answering that question. "I mean don't get me wrong, ere. Youse both fun tah hang around with, but she's bein a real joik tah you. What gives? Aint youse supposed tah be like, best friends?" there was nothing I could say to that accept "I can't say." I replied with a sigh. "Can't? er WON'T?" I blushed as she pressed her nose into mine, our lips could have touched she was so close. I could have sworn they brushed together a couple of times, but my heart was pounding in my head so loud, I barely noticed. Was it fear, or something else? And with my being pinned under the chair, there was simply no where to go. "I can't Babsy.. I don't know the answer.. I'm just like, used to it I guess." I admitted with a sigh and hung my head "But more then that.. I just cant say more.. I Pinkie Promised." "Youse promised Pinky?" I could tell Babs was referring to Diamond. "Yeah." I said to avoid talking further, my eyes darting back and fourth, looking for another pink pony who sometimes tends to pop out of nowhere when one mentions a "Pinkie promise" and she was the last thing I needed. Babs took the hint with a "All right. but youse just say da word and I'll pound on er a little bit foh yah." she dropped the subject as I just smiled and nodded to her "I hope you like Colta Cola." I smirked and hoofed her a bottle from my grocery bag. "Doesn't everypony?" she winked, causing me to blush some more as she bit off the cap and started chugging it. We soon made it back to the club house where we dropped Diamond's new chair and I hoofed to her one of the Cola bottles and took my own. With a "Cheers" We rang them together to toast our victory. Author's Note There should be one or two more chapters left "heart" and "soul" and this was originally supposed to be a one shot. In the next Chapter we finally get to the sexy stuff and maybe some feels. I don't know yet if it will be full blown clop but it's rated mature just in case.
Conquests: The Heart"Youse guys tink of anything yet?" Babs Seed's exasperated sigh brings me out of my revelry in the past. The sound of a bottle she is playing with, fills the air as she spins it around on the floor with her hoof, and blows that one errant lock of her mane out of her face. The only "Tink" we had was the sound of the glass against her hoof and the wood, as she spun it back and fourth. "I got nothing." Diamond Tiara admitted as she tipped a bottle of the bubble solution she found, into her father's pipe and started to puff on it again. "You know Diamond.. you COULD have shared the bubbles with us." I said matterafactly and adjusted my glasses. "At least it would have been something." Diamond gave me a glare, as if I had just accused her of eating the last morsel of food on a small dingy out in the middle of the sea. Her cold blue eyes again gave me chills. But I didn't shrink back from her this time. I gave her a wry smirk that says "you know I'm right." "Yeah maybe.." she responded, tossing the empty plastic bottle over her shoulder, tapping her chin with the mouth piece of the pipe in mock contemplation and smirked wickedly in response. "You want a little puff on Daddy's pipe, Silvy? Be my guest." she sneered gleefully and tossed the pipe to me. I caught the pipe in my hooves. By some miracle, not allot of the sticky bubble formula spilled onto my coat. "Eee-ew like, no thanks, DT." I hoofed it gently back to her. She knew I hated the smell of cigarettes and tobacco In general. I inturn knew full well, how much Diamond Tiara Rich The Third, loved the smell of her father's pipe. It harkened her back to simpler times when she was a younger foal and her father was home more often. It soothed her when she was lonely and not getting along with her mother; Ruby Tiara Rich The Second. "You know I cant stand that stuff." I groused at her. "Yeah I do." she chuckled. She loved to tease me, as much as she loved to berate the other foals in her class. But with me, it was different. She meant no malice toward me. It was just one of the many subtle ways she shows her love for me. I wondered if Babs understood that when she teased her earlier? I could tell Diamond Tiara liked Babs Seed as much as I did. I was sure we would be lifelong friends. Sudenly I had an idea worth mentioning. "You know, the Cutie Mark Crusaders have a name for their group. We should like tottally name ours!" I spoke up with a clopping of my forehooves and an excited (squee). Diamond Mulled this over a bit as she puffed on her pipe. "That's like the best idea I've heard all night!" her praise was music to my ears and I fought hard not to squeal in gratitude. I had pleased my mistress. "Not bad Spoony.." Babs Seed gave me a soft noogee with her hoof "EEE my MANE!" I giggled and meekly protested. "So what should we call ourselves?" Babs asked, blowing that one tuft of mane out of her face. "How bout Diamond and Her Rubies "I.. think you mean Rubes." I grimaced at Diamond's derogatory proposal and adjusted my glasses nervously. "Who youse callin ah RUBE?!" Babs barked again and glared at DT. "Fine.. you come up with something, geniuses!" Diamond spat back. "Well Rubes oh Rubies, it still makes us sound like sum kina trashy rock band." Babs stuck out her toungue in disgust "Well maybe you're just like too stupid to appreciate my brillaint proposal!" "Ixnay on the oopidstay." I drew my forehoof across my throat in a slashing motion toward DT, my teeth clenched in apprehension. "Who youse callin OOPIDSTAY!?" Now Babs Seed was up in my face, and this time I did back down in submission as she growled at me. "HEY OOPIDSTAY!" Diamond bellowed "You leave Silver Spoon alone!" she declared in no uncertain terms. There was a long pause as Diamond and Babs glared daggers and growled at eachother. "Sorry Spoony." she finally relented to me, allowing Diamond to have her little victory. I only nodded meekly in acceptance, offering a sheepish smile. "No harm done." Once again the club house was silent. I caught sight of the slight smirk from Diamond, out of the corner of my eye, in celebration of her victory. "It idnt dhat I don't like rock music, but dhat idnt us." Babs clarified. "Well.." I chuckled slightly "Diamonds and rubies are rocks." I smiled coyly. "Silver Spoon.. you are like, such a nerd." Diamond scoffed and rolled her eyes in mock intolerance. "I know." I blushed and smiled more sheepishly, hanging my head slightly. She never meant anything by it. Just another way she says "I love you.". Diamond always did have trouble giving her feelings a voice. Especially in the presence of other ponies. I alone have seen her sweet side. And it is sweet in deed. "Dhat was baaad Spoony.." Babs chastised me for my horrendous pun. "You really are ah goobah." she chuckled. Diamond raised an eyebrow in concern but relaxed when I just laughed along with Babs. "Anyway.. what I mean is.. we aint no band.. we're moh like ah GANG." Babs smirked evilly. "YEAH!" Diamond replied and tossed her fathers pipe over her shoulder, to join the empty bottle on the floor. The left over bubble formula spilled out on the unvarnished planks, soaking into the wood. I never said Applbloom's construction was perfect. Far from it. Only impressive for a filly her age. She still had much to learn. "A Gang.. I like IT!" she clopped her hooves together. As DT's clopping died down there was once again silence "A gang?" I thought to myself. The word stung worse then any barb Diamond could throw my way. Was I really just a common thug, now? And who is our leader? Are Diamond and I just Babs's cronies or do the two of us serve Diamond Tiara? A gang needs leadership and I know no better pony for the job, besides Diamond. But Babs had something she didn't. Brute force. "But if she is the muscle, and I the brains, then what does that leave Diamond? Is she the heart of our group? Or was I the heart and Diamond the brains?" I pondered to myself. Yes I was academically smarter. My grades were better, my studies deeper, but Diamond had a gift for knowing ponies and knowing how to make them do her bidding. Her ideas were always a work in progress and it was up to me to fill in the blanks. Makes me wonder why she never hired me as an executive assistant for the Foal Free Press. "How about The Sugar Lump Gang?" I proposed, or rather just blurted out awkwardly. It tasted right, coming off my tongue and an after thought indicated it was the perfect moniker. Something we all had in common after our first three way hoof shake. Something impartial and unspecific to either of the three of us. It wouldn't strike terror into the hearts of our enemies like the "Hell's Pegasi" or the "Shadowbolts" but I didn't really want to be feared more then I already was. I know Diamond felt the same way. She didn't need to threaten with violence to get ponies to respect her, even if they despised her. Babs was different. I could tell as she wrinkled her nose at my impromptu presentation. "That's really CUTE.. Good idea, Silver!" Diamond gave me a hard congratulatory smack on the back with her hoof, "OOF!" that nearly nocked my glasses off. A bold move, more physical then was typical. Apparently Babs Seed was wearing off on her or maybe she was just demonstrating her ability to be physical with the non violent gesture. I can't rightly fault her for feeling a little threatened by our new friend. "Yeah.. shoh.. why not?" Babs shrugged, though I could tell she was less then thrilled. Diamond jumped down and initiated our signature hoof shake in celebration of our new name. "Bump, bump, sugar lump, RUMP!" We all three pressed our behinds together and sat back on the floor laughing and smiling and then that awkward silence returned to haunt our good mood and good times. "Well what do you girls wanna do now?" Diamond huffed in exasperation "It's getting late and this place is BORING." "Same ting we do every noit, Pinky." Babs Smirked "Try tah take ovah da woild!" I chuckled at that. Diamond however was completely lost. Author's Note Sorry. I did say the sexiness would happen in this one, but I just had to end it on that last line. (nervous squee) Next time I promise we'll get to the good stuff in "soul".
Conquests: The MindIt was getting late in the evening, the autumn wind came crawling through the open window of the clubhouse, like a specter on Nighmare Night, chilling us slightly as our winter coats had not fully grown in yet. It was long after the wave of adrenaline from our conquest had ebbed. Now there was only the sound of the wind and the creaking of an old restored tree house, built as sturdy as any one mare could. I could feel the finely hoof sanded planks under my cannons as I sat on my haunches and tried my best to think of some idea worth breaking the terrible, awkward silence for. But there was another sound that I figured only I could hear. Sweetie's mournful wailings where still fresh in my ears. I wont lie to you, just so I could build up my self image in your eyes. That is not my style. I prefer to remain in the shadow of a better pony, or a stronger pony at least. One in particular. She protects me and confides in me. She who shares our deepest thoughts and feelings in our solitude. She who my heart beats for alone. She is the pony I love, and yet we must keep our affairs a secret, for our family and society at large may not approve. But I digress. I am veering off the subject at hoof. My name is Sylvia Catherine Spoon, but you may call me "Silver". I am a filly of age 12 and for the lack of a better word, I am a bully. Now more then ever it seems. Making fun of the blank flanks was fun, but I did not relish the helplessness and despair I heard from our adversaries as we took their last refuge from our torments. I know that feeling. I hate to see ponies cry. Had I my way, I would rather make them smile. But I would do anything for her. Diamond Tiara lay back in quiet contemplation, supporting her self on the hoof rest, staring at the ceiling as the lantern's flame danced across the room. She absentmindedly puffed away on her father's pipe, blowing bubbles like she was Sherclop Holmes or something. Babs Seed and myself sat around a small bulls-eye painted on the floor of the clubhouse, directly under a single lantern. She had revealed to Diamond and myself that the "blank flanks" used this as a thinking spot, to conjure up good ideas. But all I could think about was how supremely bored I was! I couldn't help but notice how our "fearless leader" was lying in the floor with me, sprawled out on her barrel with her pasterns tucked under her chin, supporting her freckled face. Diamond lorded over us like a Queen in the comfy chair she ordered me to bring from her house, smoking on the pipe that she told me to steal for her. Her father was going to be pissed, when he went to light up, only to have his flame doused by bubble formula, residue. But that wasn't my problem, for the moment. Not that I mind how things are playing out. It just confuses me is all. Diamond is far more then merely my best freind. I'd follow her anywhere. To Tartarus and back, if she would but ask me to. Such is my devotion for her. If she only knew how right it felt to be at her hooves like this, would she think me a freak? Would she abandon me? I close my eyes, grit my teeth and shake my head to dispel my doubts. My small tantrum seems to go unnoticed by my cohorts. I figure it is best that way. When told we were going to take the CMC club house, I blindly followed behind Diamond Tiara and Bab's Seed as they jockeyed each other silently for leadership of our little gang. But it is not my willingness to follow that confuses me, it is the role of my mistress in this. Diamond Tiara is a born leader, she takes nothing from nopony, but with Babs Seed, a slightly larger and more imposeing filly, it seems at times that my mistress's authority has been usurped, just as easily as we had taken the club house. Babs Seed had taken command. It was her ideas, and her cunning execution that left me asking "who do I serve?" I can't say why, but it feels right to follow Diamond Tiara. She has such a commanding presence and hides her insecurities so well, they are mine alone to know. Alas our victory was short lived and tempered by our adversaries decision to cry and run away. We had expected a fight. We wanted one. Or so my two patrons did. Still I was as excited as they were and waited at the ready to defend against some water balloon attack, some elaborate and ultimately doomed assault, or at the very least they could try throwing some apples at us. Luna knows there are plenty of felled apples out here, that would make quite a mess and leave quite a stink on our coats. We waited for hours but no sign of our enemies. We were even prepared with a full story that we were just playing, should Applejack or Big Mac be informed of the pint sized invaders encamped in their orchard. But alas it seems Babs threat made an impression, as no grownup was brought to try and roust us out of their tree. We had brought nothing to do. I had my pearls and glasses and DT had her crown. We had nothing to amuse ourselves with, and found nothing of interest in the clubhouse, not even a seat or stool. Apparently Applebloom, Scootalloo and Sweetie Belle, didn't spend much time at their headquarters, before running out to get all sorts of trouble in the pursuit of their marks. Had we driven them to this insanity, or were they always nuts? I finally give up on thinking of something to do, deciding my respected colleagues had done the same. There just was nothing TO do and it was getting dark. I busied my mind, admiring the craftsmareship of the clubhouse it self. Babs said her cousin rebuilt it herself and redesigned the drawbridge style ramp that was currently raised, should our adversaries return and lay siege to reclaim their keep. She kept rolling her eyes and saying how Applebloom had bragged on and on, but all I could think of was "she has a right to brag." something that went unsaid, lest I anger my new patron as well as my mistress. "If AB built this place, I am surprised she has no cutie mark in carpentry and engineering." the thought crosses my mind and yet again I hold my tongue. Again I become bored as the light outside fades, leaving only what is illuminated by the single lamp to scrutinize. I had already gone over every plank and bolt in an attempt to asses any possible weaknesses of our new fortress, and could find none. We may have not taken the "high road" but we had certainly taken the high ground. Scoots would have to learn quite rapidly how to fly if they were to ever hope to get the drop on us, now. Rather then whine and upset my friends deep contemplation, I chose instead to reflect on the events that led me here, basking in our victory and wallowing in self doubt and most of all, boredom! It had been such a marvelous week. Though I secretly felt bad for the Cutie Mark Crusaders, I couldn't help but marvel at the cunning and ruthlessness of Babs Seed as she implemented terror tactics that Diamond could only dream of! A sequence of events in rapid succession, all leading up to our current state of victory over our self imposed enemies. It was the coolest thing I had ever done, and by far the cruelest. We had evolved beyond lobbing half hearted, ill contrived insults at our adversaries. Instead of merely watching and waiting for the CMC to do something stupid we could laugh at, which was an almost certainty if one had the patience, we had taken that final step toward being villains in our own right. Taking initiative, taking the fight to them. And we had expected more resistance. Ever since being publicly disgraced and demoted as editor and chief of the Foal Free Press, Diamond Tiara has taken a personal vendetta against the CMC and I find myself either unwilling or unable to stop her. Her cruelty is as beautiful to me as her kindness. I had applauded Granny Smith's presentation. I knew it might anger Diamond, but the mare deserved my applause and my respect. I was as shocked as everypony else when Diamond jumped to her hooves and insulted Applebloom's grandmother in full view of the entire class. After the "Gabby Gums" scandal came to light, I thought she knew when to cut her losses and admit defeat. Obviously I was mistaken, like so many times in my life. Much to my surprise, Diamond didn't seem at all opposed to relinquishing control, to follow Babs's lead. I did what I did best and tagged along, offering the same support to our new leader as I would my precious Diamond. That was until only a few hours ago. My allegiance was tested and the lines between who is the head of our group blurred even more.
