It had been a week since Diamond Tiara and her friend Silver Spoon were visited by Discord; one week since their cutie marks vanished and reappeared; one week since Silver Spoon started being nice to the Cutie Mark Crybabies. It was the weekend and she was going to have a day on the town and try to forget the misery that was unfairly put on her.
She let out an annoyed huff as she adjusted her tiara. “I can't believe she sold me out like that... my only friend in this lame town.” She turned to look at her side and smiled at her cutie mark. “I know you'll never betray me.”
She trotted out of her room and into the kitchen. Her mother made up blueberry pancakes for breakfast and the aroma it produced was heavenly. Unfortunately, her father started working early, so they don't spend much time together for breakfast anymore. “Good morning, sweetie. How are you this morning?”
Diamond put on a fake smile as she hopped onto her usual chair. “Good since I don't have school today.”
Her mother giggled as she set a plate with a pancake on it. “That's nice. Are you going to see Silver Spoon today?”
Diamond groaned as her mother poured warm maple syrup on the pancake. “I... I think I'm going to leave her alone today.”
Her mother set the syrup bottle down and gave her a concerned frown. “Is there something wrong, sweetie?”
Diamond took a bite of the pancake and slowly shook her head. She swallowed the bite and licked her lips. “No, mom. Everything's fine.”
After breakfast, Diamond cleaned herself up and trotted to the front door. “I'm going out, mom!”
“Have fun, Diamond! Say hi to Silver Spoon for me!” Her mother shouted from the kitchen.
Diamond closed the door behind her, turned around and started growling. “Like hay I will...”
Something or somepony knocked her over. When she recovered, she looked to her right and saw Fluttershy, escorting a flock of birds. “Watch where you're going!”
Fluttershy turned and offered to help her up. “I'm so sorry. These sweet dears have lost their-”
Diamond growled and swatted at Fluttershy's hoof. “I don't care about your dumb, filthy birds! Just get out of my way you lame doormat!” The birds scattered and Fluttershy started to sniffle. “What are you going to do? Cry me a river?”
Everypony's attention was now directed at the scene Diamond Tiara was making. Fluttershy bawled as she galloped away. Now some three dozen pony eyes were glaring at the unfazed filly as she picked herself up and dusted herself off. She figured her father practically owned the town, so there was nothing the crowd could do.
Before she took another step forward, a bolt of lightning shot, followed by the usual clap of thunder, blinding the filly for a brief moment, then came face to face with the embodiment of chaos himself. “We meet again, my little pony...”
Diamond swallowed hard and backed away. “D-Discord?”
He straightened up, never pulling his gaze away from her. “You've been very rude to my friends, Diamond Tiara. Normally I wouldn't call them my friends, but since Fluttershy was the only one willing to give me the benefit of the doubt, I gave friendship a chance and it's worked out for me pretty well so far. Why do you consider yourself above most ponies?” She opened her mouth to speak, but he covered it with a paw. “That was a rhetorical question, Diamond Tiara. This next one, however, is not. Do you think you're Celestia's gift to pony kind?”
She nodded confidently. “I certainly am. My parents tell me that every day. Without me, Ponyville would crumble.”
Discord grinned. “Well then, let me show you a Ponyville without Diamond Tiara.” He pressed a claw on Diamond's head.
She found herself back home. She looked around and saw Discord standing to her left, standing at equal height to her. “Why did you bring me here?” She trotted up to the front door and tried to open it, but her hoof went through the door and she tumbled inside. “Hey! What gives?!” She looked up and saw her parents holding each other... but they looked... sad? She quickly stood up and galloped to them. “Mommy, daddy? Are you two alright?”
Discord reappeared next to her. “They can't hear you, Diamond Tiara. Nor can they see you.”
Her mother pressed a hoof on her father's cheek. “We'll figure it out, honey. Maybe that zebra-”
Her father shook his head. “We tried potions, we tried magic... nothing worked.”
Diamond raised an eyebrow. “What are they talking about?”
Discord rested an arm on her back. “You see, when a mare and a stallion care for each other, a bond forms between the two. When that bond is strong enough, the two... oh how do I want to put this for such young ears? Well, they share their feelings in a physical way and, if left unrestricted, results in a new life being created.”
Her father nuzzles her mother and lets out a quiet sob. “I'm so sorry.”
Discord lets out an annoyed groan. “Unfortunately, in this world, your father is unable to do such a thing. That minor setback doesn't affect his business, as you can see.”
Instinctively, Diamond let out a disgusted huff. “Well what good is he if-” She stopped herself, her eyes shrunk and she placed a hoof in her mouth. I almost insulted my own father. For not being able to have children?!
“That's the first step in the right direction, Diamond. However, we're not finished here.” Discord snapped his talon.
She found herself at Sweet Apple Acres. Specifically... “Why are we at the blank flanks' clubhouse?” Discord snapped his talon again and they were inside the clubhouse.
At the podium stood Sweetie Belle, to her left was Scootaloo, to her right was Apple Bloom and across was- “Silver Spoon?!” She examined her friend closely, ignoring the other fillies and colts in there. Her cutie mark wasn't her namesake, but a scroll instead. “WHAT?!” She looked back to the crusaders and saw that they all had their cutie marks: a microphone for Sweetie Belle; a beaker for Apple Bloom and a trio of gears for Scootaloo. “WHAT?! HOW?!”
Sweetie approached Silver and shook her hoof. “Congratulations on earning your cutie mark, Silver Spoon.”
Diamond rolled her eyes. “Probably for doing something lame, no doubt.” Her eyes shrunk again. I... I insulted my friend... without even knowing what she did to earn it? She turned her gaze to Discord. “What did she-?”
Discord examined his paw. “She helped file paperwork at town hall. Apparently the behind-the-scenes thing in politics was intriguing to her, then POOF! Her cutie mark showed up. Not the most exciting thing in the world, but she enjoys it.”
Silver hugged Sweetie. “Thank you, girls. It was fun to be a part of this group.” The other foals in the clubhouse started applauding. She turned to them and smiled. “Thank you all!”
Diamond and Discord teleported outside of the clubhouse. She wasn't sure if she should be appalled or amazed. On the one hoof, Silver was in a room among other pathetic blank flanks and she was grateful to them, on the other, that meant that all this time, she was a blank flank herself. She looked up at him, almost in tears. “Why?”
“Why?” Discorded repeated. “They were supporting her, that's why.”
Diamond looked back to the clubhouse as Silver was leaving it with a big smile on her face. She looked up to Discord. “I want to go home.”
Discord shook his head. “Not yet, Diamond.”
He snapped his talon and the two were outside the schoolhouse. Diamond gave Discord a confused look. “Why here? What else can you show me?”
Discord pointed to the school. “Just watch.”
After a few moments, the bell rang, indicating the school day was over. The door opened and ponies raced out. Some more eager than others.
Cheerilee trotted out and raised a hoof to her muzzle. “Have a wonderful summer, kids!”
Diamond returned her confused gaze to her guide. “What is this all about? Why show me this? What's so special about the last day of school?” Discord would not answer. Diamond returned her gaze to the scene in front of her. That's it! There was nothing special going on here! Tears started forming in her eyes. “None of it matters...”
Discord nodded. “Yes, Diamond Tiara. It doesn't matter whether you exist or not, time marches on.”
“DISCORD!” A faint voice yelled.
“Time to return to reality.”
Discord removed his talon, Diamond Tiara was back in Ponyville Square. Beside them were Fluttershy, Princess Twilight Sparkle and their friends. “Discord! What are you doing?!” The purple princess shouted.
Fluttershy swooped in, lifted Diamond and held her close. “There, there. Everything will be fine.”
Diamond burst into tears and hugged the timid pegasus. “I'm so sorry, Fluttershy!”
Twilight grumbled and glared at Discord. “What. Did. You. Do?!”
The Draconequus shrugged. “I gave the filly a reality check. Nothing more.” He snapped his talon and vanished.
Diamond looked toward Twilight and the others and noticed Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Silver Spoon trot up. Fluttershy set the upset filly back on the ground, she galloped to Silver Spoon and hugged her. “We-we're s-still friends... right?”
Silver Spoon giggled. “Like that will ever change.”
Diamond looked to the crusaders. She hung her head and trotted up to them. “Will you forgive me?”
Scootaloo glared at Diamond. “Why should we? You've done nothing but harass us.”
Diamond sniffled. “I... I promise to be a better pony.”
Apple Bloom scoffed. “Do ya Pinkie Promise?”
Diamond sighed dejectedly before she performed the gesture, she knew full well that nopony broke a Pinkie Promise. “C-cross m-my heart... h-hope to f-fly... stick a cupcake in my eye...” After that, Silver and the crusaders hugged her.
Sweetie Belle grinned and hopped in place. “Good enough for me.” Apple Bloom and Scootaloo hummed in agreement.
The group broke up as Twilight trotted up to her and put a hoof under Diamond's chin, raising her head. “Are you okay, Diamond Tiara? What exactly did Discord do to you?”
The filly sniffled and wiped some tears away. “He... he showed me what Ponyville would be like if I didn't exist.”
“Diamond Tiara?!” Her father called from a distance. He saw his little filly and galloped up to her. “Diamond! I'm glad you're okay.”
Fluttershy trotted up to Filthy Rich. “I assure you, sir, your daughter was never in any danger.”
He glared at the yellow pegasus. “Like hay she wasn't!” He held his daughter close to him. “He didn't hurt you, did he?”
Diamond shook her head. “No... but I'll be a better pony from now on.”
Filthy looked confused. “Don't make a promise you can't keep, Diamond.”
Apple Bloom and the other fillies giggled. “Too late for that, Mister Rich. She made a Pinkie Promise.”
Diamond and her father pulled away. “Dad... if it's okay with you... could I stay out a while longer?”
Her father smiled and nodded. “Of course, sweetie. Just be careful around Discord, you hear me?”
Diamond nodded and turned to Silver Spoon and their new friends. “Alright, crusaders, what are you up to today?”
Author's Note
Thanks to everyone who enjoyed "What Goes Around". I hope this follow up is just as good.
