Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara: The Reason For The Feud

Chapters

Prologue: A meaningful name
Chapter 1: A difference in upbrining
Chapter 2: Mother-less day
Chapter 3: My greatest shame
Chapter 4: The offer: reconciliation
Chapter 5: Changes and responsibility
Chapter 6: The best birthday ever.
Chapter 7: Under the night sky
Final chapter: The joy of friendship
Epilogue 1: Awkward
Epilogue 2: The new me, the old me.
Epilogue 3: Truce
Epilogue 4: Broken Tiara
Epilogue 5: Strength in numbers

Prologue: A meaningful name

“Huff, huff, huff.” Heavy breathing went throughout the room.

“Push! Push!”

It was a very special time. A time of new beginnings. The day they had all been waiting for just like the end of Winter Wrap-Up, where the planting of a seed brings forth new life to the soil.

Outside the delivery room Applejack hopped around anxiously, impatient to finally meet her new sibling. Big Macintosh was more restrained but he was pacing around, feeling just as excited. He gave a little laugh as he watched the little filly’s rambunctiousness, feeling it would probably do little good to try to calm her down. Granny Smith was keeping an eye on the two, chuckling to herself, part of her wishing she had their energy. She didn’t begrudge them their youth. After all, she had had a long life, overseeing the start of the town they lived in and gaining a large family.

She thought of how interesting it was that her grandchildren had the same look as their parents in everything but their colors. Their coats and manes were the same colors as their opposite gender parent. Summer Macintosh Apple was a big burly stallion, incredibly strong but so very gentle at the same time. Big Macintosh was honored to share part of his name. Pacific Rose Apple was a sweet mare who put family above all else.

When the door finally opened the three looked excitedly towards it, waiting for the good news, for the excited voice of their dad as he told them the gender of the baby. Much to their dismay, when he came out there was none of that. He looked distraught, close to tears. He stammered incoherently before he could take a deep breath, saying, “There was a problem.”

“What kind of problem, sonny?” asked Granny Smith.

Summer Macintosh closed his eyes for a moment, a few tears running down his eyes. “She’s dying.”

“WHAT?!” all three of them yelled.

“They told me all they can do is try to staunch the bleeding and give her some medication to be sure she goes peacefully.”

A sense of gloom pervaded the atmosphere. “And… the foal?” asked Granny Smith in a small voice.

“It’s a girl,” he responded just as quietly. “She’s healthy.

“All of you need to come in and… and…” He took a deep breath, finding it difficult to say his next words. “...and come say your last goodbyes. The doctors say she has an hour to live at most. Let’s make the most of it.”

The four walked into the delivery room, their mother having been moved to a clean bed. Her face was drawn, she was panting heavily, and sweat covered her body. Her face was twisted in pain, but when she heard the voice of her husband bringing in the kids she quickly adopted a calmer demeanor.

“Go on,” said Summer Macintosh. “I said a quick goodbye to her already. We both decided it’s more important to spend her last hour with you kids. We’ve shared enough. The two of us don’t need an elaborate send-off.”

Granny Smith walked over first, saying, “I agree. This time is most important for you kids.” She hugged her daughter-in-law tightly. “We’ll take good care of them for you. Especially our newest little Apple.”

“Thank you, Mom,” she responded, hugging her back before letting go.

With that she backed off, and Applejack and Big Mac both climbed into her bed on either side. She placed a hoof on both of them, as peaceful a look as she could manage on her face. The medication was kicking in, and as the pain began to cease she was more able to act as she needed to as their mother. “You don’t need to cry, my children. This is life. Before I go, though, I have to give you my last words as your mom.

“Big Macintosh!”

“E-e-eyup?” he stuttered out through his tears.

“You’re the oldest of my three lovely children. Look after and protect your sisters always. Don’t ever let harm come to them where you can. Especially your newest sister. She’s so young and fragile and needs to be looked after.”

“Eeyup.” He nodded. “I promise.”

She gave him a kiss and nuzzled him. “Thank you, my little Apple.”

“And Applejack?”

“Y-yes, Mom?” she responded

“The same goes to you. Look out for and protect your sister for me. Teach her all of the important things that family should know. Care for her like I would. Be the closest sisters in Ponyville.”

Sniffing and holding close to her mother she nodded. “No. We’ll be the closest sisters In Equestria!”

“That would be a wonder and a joy. It makes me glad to hear that, my little Apple.

“All of you…” She looked around at her children, her husband, and mother-in-law. “The task falls to you to teach her what it means to be an Apple. Love and togetherness, family, working together; these are the things I want you to impress on your new sister, because without these we’re only relatives, not family.”

After that the baby was brought to her, having been cleaned and wrapped in a warm blanket. The two children looked at her with mild interest, too upset to really be able to care about their new sister.

“Oh, my sweet child,” Pacific Rose said with adoration. “I’m so happy to have you today.” She held and cuddled her daughter, gently running her hooves through the red mane. The baby was being quiet.

A little while after that, her formidable self-control began fading with her strength, and tears began coming down her face. “This isn’t right. I’ve only just met you. I don’t want to be separated from you yet. I want to be your mom for much, much longer.” Applejack and Big Mac both held onto their mother tightly as she began sobbing, they starting to follow along right with her.

“My little Apple, I’ll never get to see you bloom.” She suddenly gasped and became silent.

“Mom!” The two children called out, thinking she had passed. To their surprise they saw her smiling now.

“That’s it. That’s it! I finally figured it out.”

“Figured what out?” asked Summer Macintosh.

“The name. I know what I want to name her. Apple Bloom.”

“Apple Bloom… I like it.”

“Me too. It fits her well. She will one day inherit the Apple family spirit, and grow on to be greater than any of us. That is my wish and my hope for her as her mother.” Holding her baby close to her she knew she had given her daughter the most important gift she had been able to give: she had given her daughter an identity, the name by which all would know her in the future.

Taking Apple Bloom out of her cover she gave the child a kiss before turning on her side and placing her hoof around her daughter, seeing her squirm gently in her sleep. Despite her pain there was joy in her eyes and love in her voice as she said it again. “Apple Bloom.”

Chapter 1: A difference in upbrining

Author's Note

In this story Diamond Tiara's mom is a nurse because I saw a remarkable resemblance between DT and one of the nurses at Ponyville Hospital. See my forum post here if you want to see the resemblance. http://mlpforums.com/topic/73107-diamond-tiaras-mom-is-a-nurse/

Chapter 1: A difference in upbrining

“Happy Birthday, Apple Bloom!” said Applejack. “Five years old today.” Around the barn was a mild setup of decorations. A group of her cousins and other relatives were around her as she laughed and giggled and ran around with them, having a great time with all her family around her.

“I know we don’t have many presents fer ya, but we did the best we could.”

“I don’t need no presents,” Apple Bloom said with a big smile. “Just having you here is good enough.”

*****

“Happy Birthday, Diamond Tiara!” said her dad Filthy Rich. “My pumpkin is five years old today. And boy am I celebrating it with all I have.” In her mansion was a group of his employees and their kids. There was a stack of presents going almost up to the ceiling, containing everything a kid would ever want.

******

Apple Bloom was crying, running over to Applejack. “I got hurt.”

A concerned look came to Applejack’s face. “Aw, c’mere you. Let me see.” She saw the bruise forming on her sisters leg. She put her sister on her back as she went and got some medicine. After applying the ointment and a bandage she gave her sister a comforting kiss and gently rocked her. “I’m here for you, Apple Bloom.”

*******

“DAAAAAAADDD!" cried out Diamond Tiara. "I got hurt!” Tears were running down her eyes as she found Filthy Rich in his room.

He looked down at her tiny wound. “Aw, come on, Diamond Tiara. That’s nothing. You shouldn’t be crying over a tiny thing like that. If you want to be a proper Rich you can’t go crying over every little thing. Just get up and keep going.”

********

“Applejack!" Apple Bloom said excitedly. "Can we play today?”

“I have to go Applebucking today, squirt," she replied. "Maybe later.”

“Can I help?”

“Well, sure. That sounds great. You know I always have time for you.”

********

“Dad, can we go out and play today?” asked Diamond Tiara.

“I’m afraid not, Diamond Tiara," Filthy replied. "I have to work today.”

“Can I come?”

“You wouldn’t understand it. I don’t want you to get overwhelmed. Just stay home and relax.”

“Oh… okay.” Diamond Tiara left the room and headed to her parents room. Her mother was asleep. She was a nurse down at Ponyville Hospital, and worked a whole bunch of odd hours depending on need. “Mommy. Mommy!”

Nurse Sweetheart opened one eye, mumbling, “Yes?”

“Can we play today?”

“I’m sorry, dear. I’m just too tired. I worked a double shift after a worker called out and they really needed some extra assistance.”

“Oh.” Her head went down as she began leaving the room. “Okay. I understand.”

********

“Granny Smith, will you tell me a story?” asked Apple Bloom

“Well, sure,” she responded. “You know I always have time for you, pumpkin.”

“And even when you are busy napping I still always have Big Mac or Applejack around to talk to.” A big grin came to her face.

“That’s right, youngin’. Your family is always there for you.”

******

Diamond Tiara looked around the mansion for either one of her parents. She only found some of their servants. When she asked about her parents she was told they were both working. “Again?” she asked in a distraught voice, her eyes starting to swim with tears.

“Now, now,” said her butler Randolph. “They work hard for you so you’ll always be comfortable and warm and fed.”

“I… I know. I just wish I could see the two of them more. The both of them tell me they love me, and I believe them, but I miss them when they’re not around.”

*******

"Woohoo!” Apple Bloom cried out as they all took a swim in the river. Applejack and Big Mac kept throwing her around into the water, while Granny Smith kept more towards the shallow end and just watched. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve had so much fun. I don’t know what I’d do without ya guys. I love all of ya so much! Yer always there for me when I need ya.”

“Yer pretty good yerself, sis,” Applejack responded.

“Eeyup!” Big Mac agreed.

********

Diamond Tiara’s heart was going dark. Time and again her parents promised her of their love. Her dad would buy her whatever she wanted when she would ask, and he told her that she was worthy of it. But there was just something missing, and she couldn’t quite understand it.

Her dad also told her she had to be tougher. He said the business world was unrelenting, and if you show any weakness you’d be crushed by the opposition. Maybe that was why she felt so upset… because she was weak.

She went to the kitchen, expecting her butler to be there making her breakfast, but to her surprise her mom was there, cooking pancakes.

“Good morning, Diamond Tiara,” Nurse Sweetheart said brightly.

“Mom, what are you doing here?”

“I decided to take the day off. I work too many long shifts and sleep at all the wrong hours. I do love helping ponies in need, but I wanted to take the time to go out with you today.”

Diamond Tiara’s heart began to soar, but it quickly went sour. It was the same old story, wasn’t it? She shouldn’t be feeling so joyful at hearing that. It was weakness. She had to learn to rely on herself. If she wanted any chance of being like her dad she couldn’t rely on anyone. She was all alone.

The light that had turned on in her went off as quickly as it had come. “Whatever,” she said indifferently. “If that’s what you want let’s just get it over with.”

******

Apple Bloom was hopping around her room happily. “Yeehaw! First day of school tomorrow.”

“I know!” said Applejack. “I’m so proud of ya. I just know you’re going to do amazing.”

“I have you ta thank fer it, sis. You and Big Mac and Granny Smith and all our cousins and aunts and uncles. All of ya helped me get here.”

********

“Well, it’s your first day of school tomorrow, Diamond Tiara,” said Filthy Rich.

“Yes, dad,” she responded sarcastically. “I know. I’m not some baby anymore. I’m grown up.”

“I know you are, precious.”

“So what are you getting me for my first day present?”

“Listen to you. Forging ahead and seeing what you can get out of things. You’ll make a good successor to the Rich name yet.”

“Duh!” Turning away she began walking towards her room. On the way there she saw the butler who always watched out for her when her parents were away. “Hey!” she cried out. “Get me some water! Chop chop! Or I’ll tell my dad you’re slacking.”

“Uh, yes. Of course, miss,” he responded, rushing off to get her drink.

Diamond Tiara smirked.

**********

“Good morning, class!” said Miss Cheerilee happily. “It’s nice to meet all of you. I thought we’d start things off by having all of you tell us a little about yourselves.” She looked down at the class roster. “Why don’t we start with… Apple Bloom?”

“Here!” Apple Bloom called out, raising her hoof. “I’m comin’,” Heading to the front of the class she sat on the stool and said, “I’m Apple Bloom, of the Apple Family at Sweet Apple Acres.” Her voice was filled with pride.

“Our family makes the best Apples in all of Equestria, and we have family all over the place. We’re very tight knit. I have an older sister named Applejack, a big brother named Big Macintosh, though we all call him Big Mac for short, and a grandma named Granny Smith. I love each of them so much! We all do so many things together and have great memories together.”

******

Diamond Tiara glared at Apple Bloom, feeling unnaturally angry and uncomfortable. She scoffed, letting out a derisive laugh under her breath. “What a joke,” she said to herself. “She’s such a baby. She doesn’t understand how dumb and weak she is. Strong ponies only rely on themselves.”

She gave her own presentation a little while later, about how she was a tough cookie who would bow down to no one and about her dads famous business. That was how she got Silver Spoon as an ally that day. Silver Spoon was impressed about the influential position of her father. Diamond Tiara liked it.

Her dad called them suck-ups. This peon would do whatever it took to stay on her good side, no matter what her own opinion was. She could use one of those. It was never too early to start demonstrating her business sense. She would prove herself to everyone. She didn’t need Silver Spoon. She just wanted her for her own purposes. Friendship was a joke, after all. Her own life made that clear.

*********

Apple Bloom was getting panicky. All of her classmates except her had their cutie mark. Even Twist had gotten one right when she needed a friend who could understand her pain. She couldn’t understand what was Diamond Tiara’s deal. The pink pony kept picking on her for no reason. At first it was for other things, but since Diamond had gotten her own cutie mark she had focused solely on that to get under her skin.

Why did Diamond Tiara hate her so much? She hadn’t done anything to deserve it. She had tried being nice and polite to everyone as her family had taught her, but it only seemed to make Diamond Tiara angrier.

*******

Diamond Tiara was at her Cutecenera, wearing the dress she had specifically bought for the occasion. This was how it should be. Everyone admiring her, looking up to her. It was all she deserved. Unsurprisingly, her mom had to work, but her dad was there fawning over her. It was the best day ever!

Or at least it should have been. A short while into the party a pony came running in. It was one of his employees. There had been a big screwup. He had to leave to fix it. She tried to get him to stay, but he wouldn’t. When he left she felt her joy fade away. She almost felt like crying. She knew she was being weak, but she couldn’t help it. This was supposed to be a magical day.

She spotted Apple Bloom off to the side, and a part of her cheered up. Why, she was acting just like that wimpy Apple Bloom would have. How could she have forgotten herself this much? Approaching her rival she began going after her for her lack of a cutie mark. Apple Bloom claimed that she did have one, but it was so amazing she didn’t want to show her up at her own Cutecenera.

She felt another stab of panic, deciding she didn’t care if Apple Bloom had one of not. She didn’t want anything else ruining her day.

But things went downhill anyway. Apple Bloom tripped, pulling off the sheet covering her blank flank. She felt immense satisfaction mocking her for her lie, but then two ponies who were transferring into their class stood up for her, showing her up and pulling everyone’s attention off of her.

‘That darn Apple Bloom!’ she thought angrily. ‘She’s going to pay for this. Her and her two stupid blank flank friends. I’m the special one here! I’m the most important! She is nothing! She’s just a weak little baby who keeps depending on everyone else.

"I alone am strong. I need no one.’ Her anger faded out as she looked to the ground, two tears coming down both her eyes. “No one…,” she said in a whisper.

Chapter 2: Mother-less day

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Chapter 3: My greatest shame

When Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle left Applejack said, “Apple Bloom, what’s this all about now? It’s not like you to skip out on school.”

Apple Bloom didn’t respond. She only turned around and began walking, her head low. Applejack followed behind her, figuring her sister would tell her what was going on when they got to… well, wherever they were going. Ten minutes passed. They continued walking on in silence, curiosity digging at Applejack’s mind.

Focusing on her sister, and not their surroundings, Applejack noticed when Apple Bloom began hesitating in her steps, and slight tremors started going through her. She finally looked around, and understood where they were going. Trotting a little faster to be even with her sister she took off her hat, put her head under Apple Bloom’s stomach, and threw her sister onto her back before putting her hat back on.

As they walked under the arches of the gate to the cemetery Applejack moved without thinking. She had taken this path so many times she had lost count. When she finally stopped she was looking down at the graves of their parents. Their mother, Pacific Rose Apple, as well as their father, Summer Macintosh Apple.

It was quiet for a few minutes more, until the sound of crying and sniffing came from Apple Bloom. She placed her hooves around Applejack, holding her hard.

Applejack took her favorite hat, placing it on Apple Bloom’s head, before lowering her head to see if she was going to get down. When she didn’t she lifted her head back up, asking in a gentle voice, “So what’s going on, Apple Bloom? What happened at school?”

“Diamond Tiara,” she responded simply.

Applejack tsked. “Well, t'aint so surprise there. What’d she do this time?”

“She got me so mad! We got into a big fight today because I was tired of her being nasty to me. When Miss Cheerilee broke us up I asked her why she was always picking on me, and she told me that she was jealous.” With another hard squeeze she continued, “She was jealous of the great relationship we have, and she said her parents don’t pay a lot of attention to her. At least she still HAS parents.”

“It don’t make what she says and does to ya right, but I can understand that. What’s the point of having parents if they don’t pay no attention to you?”

“Well, I know Mom and Dad died before I got a chance to know them, but…” Once more she gave a hearty squeeze. “Since I didn’t get to know them I’ve always thought of you as both a sister and a mom.” She felt Applejack twitch beneath her, and the next thing she knew her sister was putting her on the ground.

Applejack turned away from the graves, saying in a quiet voice, “That’s mighty nice-a ya to say, Apple Bloom, but the best I could ever be is your sister. I could never be your mom.”

“What’s wrong, Applejack?” Apple Bloom asked, distracted from her own sadness at Applejack’s sudden change of tone.

“I never did tell ya about the day our parents died, though ya asked many times. I kept telling myself I would tell ya when you were ready, but I kept putting it off, because I didn’t think that I could handle it. I just don’t feel proud of what I did.”

“What do you mean?”

There was a long silence, then, “Our parents both died on the day of your birth.”

“What?” asked Apple Bloom, feeling a cold feeling in her stomach. “How?”

“There were… complications during your birth. I don’t remember the exact details, as it’s been so long, but the doctors told us she wouldn’t last the hour. The best they could do is give her medicine to alleviate her pain and make sure she passed peacefully.

"While ya were being cleaned up she said her goodbyes to our dad, Granny Smith, Big Mac, and finally me. She made us all promise that we’d all take great care of you in her place... that we’d raise you with strong family morals and teach you to be an amazing pony with a heart full of love.”

Apple Bloom walked forward, sitting next to Applejack. “After that, the doctors placed the little bundle that was you into Mom’s hooves. She held you as tight as she could, rocking ya and speaking words of love and hope and protection. The whole time, up until her last breath, she just held you. She died with a smile, knowing that you had been born healthy and that you had been entrusted to a family who would always love you.

“All of us cried when she died, but our father took it the hardest. In a fit of hysteria he ran out of the hospital, right into the path of a cart carrying heavy construction materials, and he was crushed. On a day that was supposed to be filled with happiness and joyful times I lost two of the most important members of my family.”

There was another period of silence as Apple Bloom digested what she had heard, but then came confusion. “But what did you mean? You said that you did something you weren’t proud of.”

Applejack began shaking again, and Apple Bloom could see some tears coming down her eyes for a second before Applejack pointedly turned away from her. “Yes, I did.”

“What was it?” Apple Bloom asked, moving so she could be next to Applejack again.

Once more Applejack turned away, and found herself staring at the gravestones again. A sense of buried guilt emerged. “I… I hated you. That’s what.”

That sentence struck Apple Bloom to her core. In all her memories of her sister she could recall, she couldn’t think of a single time that her sister seemed to hate her. All she remembered was a lot of laughter, togetherness, joyful smiles, love; had a lot of it been fake? “What do you mean?”

“I… I wasn’t able to do what Mom asked. I… I couldn’t stand you. I treated you horribly. I ignored your need for attention. I let you do dangerous things without stopping you. I didn’t want to have anything to do with you.” Taking a few steps until she was directly in front of the graves she continued, guilty tears burning her eyes as she let out her greatest shame. “I blamed ya for it all. I told myself it was all yer fault that I didn’t have parents anymore. I was young then, and so very stupid. I took it out on somepony who had no idea of why I was treating her the way I did. Because I had to blame somepony for it, or else I might’ve blamed myself.

“One day, Big Mac tried to talk to me about it. I let my temper out on him. I told him it wasn’t fair. Big Mac had gotten along well with Dad, and I was like Mom. I was older than you, and mom gave me a quick goodbye, while she spent the last of her life on you. I told him I wished you had never been born, because trading in my two parents for one younger sister just wasn’t a good deal to me.

“Big Mac exploded on me. I ain’t never seen him get so mad. You know Big Mac ain’t big on words, but when he gets angry… well, I’m sure you remember what happened during your Gabby Gums days.”

Apple Bloom gave a quick, “Yeah.” She remembered all right, but she wanted to hear the rest. A lot of this felt so foreign to the little girl, not fitting with the Applejack she knew at all. So strange, in fact, that she couldn’t even picture the Applejack she was being told about.

“He told me that I was being totally selfish. I had had ten years with both my parents. I had tons of memories of being together and family life and the like. While you, on the other hand, had less than an hour with them, with a memory you probably wouldn’t even remember of being held. He told me I was breaking my promise to our mother, and sullying the last gift she had ever given the family: you, Apple Bloom.

"I couldn’t even respond to him, because he was so right. I ain’t never felt so ashamed of myself in all my life. I felt like I was a disgrace to the family. I bawled my head off, apologizing and crying like there weren’t no tomorrow. I resolved to do better, and I like to think I did a good job.”

She rubbed her hoof gently across their mom’s gravestone, leaving it on the name for a few seconds before putting it down. Apple Bloom tried once more, walking over and sitting next to her sister again. This time Applejack didn’t turn away. “I wanted to do right by our parents, and I found my hatred for you disappearing. I did my best to protect you from the things that would harm you. I tried to treat you to as much love as possible, so much so that hopefully you wouldn’t feel too crushed at not having a mom and dad like a lot of the rest of the kids.”

She finally turned to Apple Bloom, tears beginning to stream down her eyes again. “I’m sorry, Apple Bloom.” She put her hooves around her sister, squeezing her tight. “I’m so sorry!”

A memory came to Apple Bloom then. “I remember something. Every year on my birthday you would hold me on yer lap and hug me really tight. It kinda sounds like what ya were saying about what Mom did with me.”

“It was the only thing I could do. It was the only way to feel like I could connect with Mom. I did it to remind myself of how important ya are to me, and to try to do what Mom would have done for you. A birthday is supposed to be a happy occasion. I didn’t want to ruin it for you by being a blubbery baby.

"So I would hold ya close, hugging ya tight, and I would remember Mom’s last moments, doin' the same thing with a smile on her face even though she was dyin’. And that’s also the reason I would make that day one we went to visit the graves. You didn’t question it. You just liked to come to tell them it was your birthday and you were happy.

“It was wrong of me ta hide the truth from ya fer so long. Can ya ever forgive me?”

“I already did.” Apple Bloom responded, throwing her hooves around Applejack. “I don’t even remember those days ya didn’t like me.

"All I can think about when I think of you is the best memories of my life. Yer someone I can always talk ta when things get hard. Ya taught me the importance of family, and of working hard. Ya did an amazing job raising me. I know it was hard to tell me that but I feel much happier knowing that, because now ya don’t haveta feel bad about it no more.” As she let go she placed Applejack’s hat back on her head, her eyes shining with pride. “If Mom and Dad could talk ta ya right now I know they’d tell ya that they’re proud-a you.”

A shuddering breath racked Applejack, her sisters words destroying her feeling of guilt and self-loathing from all those years ago. She rubbed her head against Apple Bloom. “Thank ya, Sugurcube. I… I really needed ta hear that.”

“No problem. Yer the best sister a pony could have.” She nuzzled Applejack back. “I’ll say what I said before. Yer as good as a mom to me. So what ya was dumb when ya was young? I’m young, and I know I do dumb things all the time. Ya showed me what a mom should be like. Ya’ve always been there fer me when I needed it. So yer right. I don’t feel too sad about not being able to meet Mom, because I know now that we got to spend a special time together, even if it was only for a short time, and you help me to remember it every year on my birthday. And if you’re anything like her, then knowing ya is just like knowing Mom.”

Apple Bloom placed her hooves around the gravestone, hugging it like her life depended on it. “Thank ya, Mom. I love ya! Ya have a really amazing daughter.”

Applejack patted Apple Bloom’s head and said, “Two amazing daughters.” Apple Bloom just smiled.

They heard hoofsteps approaching, and soon enough, to their surprise, they saw their brother approaching. “Big Mac!” said Apple Bloom.

Carrying some flowers in his mouth he let out a muffled, “Eeeeyup.” He walked over to the graves, placing the flowers down, then he turned his attention to Apple Bloom. After looking back and forth to be sure no one else was around he asked, “Shouldn’t you be in school?”

“It’s okay, Big Mac,” said Applejack. “There was an issue at school and she just needed a little time to settle down.

“Y’know, yer such a strong stallion. Ya really should try ta stop being so dang shy. Most of the time you say so little that other ponies may think ya ain’t that bright.”

Big Mac let out a sheepish, “Eeeyup.” He couldn’t deny that. He just shut down around other ponies who weren’t his family.

“Well, she got into a fight with Diamond Tiara about parents. That’s why she needed to get out of school and visit the graves. I… I told her about the day our parents died. I thought it was the right time.”

Big Mac gave her an apprehensive look before he walked over to Apple Bloom, giving her a nuzzle. “Are you alright, little one?”

“Yeah…” Apple Bloom gave him a nuzzle back. “I think I am. She let me know how much Mom truly loved me, even if I only had her for a short time.”

“I also told her about the way I treated her when she was really young,” said Applejack.

“You can be really scary can’t ya, big brother?” Apple Bloom said with a small laugh.

Big Mac gave a look at the graves as the memory came back to him, of losing his temper at the way his sister was acting. He wasn’t too many years older than Applejack, but with his father gone he had taken over as the stallion of the house, determined to keep the family together. And what Applejack had said to him had felt like the biggest insult she could give. It was not the way she was raised. ‘Why should I have ta give up two parents fer one stupid sister? I hate her! If it hadn’t been fer her Mom and Dad would still be here! I wish she’d never been born!’

"You’ve got quite a lot of nerve! Do you even know what you’re saying? That is the most selfish, most ungrateful thing you could ever say. You’ve had a mother and father since you were born. Taking care of you, loving you, teaching you. TEN… YEARS! And what is it Apple Bloom got? An hour? An hour that she won’t ever remember because she’s too young? Mother died with a smile on her face, entrusting her to her family to take care of…’ It had gone on for a while, and he saw that Applejack had understood as she broke down crying and apologizing.

“You’ve gotten better since then, AJ.”

“I know. I feel a lot better about it, now that I’ve finally talked to Apple Bloom about it all.”

“I’m glad. I don’t like to yell at anyone.”

As Apple Bloom laughed and talked with her two older siblings, she felt like a very lucky filly. The two of them had each taken on the role of a parent to her as well as a sibling role. And suddenly, sitting on her sisters back, Applejack’s words came back to her. “What’s the point of having parents if they don’t pay no attention to you?”

Apple Bloom felt like she finally understood. “Applejack, Big Mac?”

“Yes, Sugarcube?” said Applejack.

“Eeyup?” said Big Mac.

“I think I get it,” said Apple Bloom.

“Get what?” asked Applejack.

“Diamond Tiara. On the Apple farm we may not have a whole lot of money, but we’re as close as a family can be. I wouldn’t trade my relationship with all of ya fer anything. I don’t think Diamond Tiara is all that different than me. Her family has a whole lot of money, and she has probably always gotten whatever little thing she’s ever wanted. Everything but the most important thing. Ya kin have all the stuff in the world, but it can’t compliment ya, it can’t tuck ya in at night, it can’t hold ya tight and tell ya it loves ya. THAT’S how ya guys make me feel I’m special. All the money in the world can’t buy that. If I were in her position… I would be jealous of me too.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“I gotta do what I can. Ya said that when Big Mac yelled at ya he made ya feel ashamed fer letting down Mom and Dad. It wasn’t right of me to hit her, no matter how angry I was. I want ta be able to come here and feel proud of what I tell our parents. Even if she doesn’t accept my apology I still have to try. If I don’t I’ll only hurt ya, because ya taught me better. Ya finally got over yer guilt. I don’t want ya to feel that again.”

Applejack gave her sister a loving nuzzle. “Thank ya, Apple Bloom. And yer right. Ya discovered fer yerself what Big Mac had ta tell me. One of the things he asked me when he was yelling at me that day was whether I could go tell our parents what I had been doing and hold my head up high with pride. And the answer o’ course was that I couldn’t. I woulda felt embarrassed and ashamed ta come here and tell Mom that I had been mistreatin’ ya the way I was.

“So, ya ready now, Sugarcube?”

Apple Bloom walked up the graves again, giving them each a hug. “Goodbye fer today, Mom and Dad. I have to go fix a mistake.” She walked over to Applejack, climbing up onto her sisters back. “Yeah, I’m ready.”

“I’ll see ya later, Big Mac. I gotta take her back ta school.”

Big Mac nodded, saying, “Eeyup.”

On the walk there Applejack said, “Ya know, friendship begins with a common element, something ya can feel empathy for. Like how Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle knew nothing about ya at the party other than ya were being bullied fer being a blank flank. They understood the pain of being picked on for the same thing, which is why they stood up fer ya and how ya became fast friends. Now yer startin' to see another side ta Diamond Tiara. If ya work at it, maybe she can be a friend too.” Applejack expected a sarcastic denial of that statement, but Apple Bloom was quiet.

She was quiet because she really was thinking about it. “Maybe… maybe she’s like Babs.”

“Yer cousin?”

“Yeah. Babs was bein’ a bully so she wouldn’t get picked on in Ponyville. She was actin' like she was real strong, when she was really afraid. I think that Diamond Tiara is scared, too, and that’s why she has to bully me, so she doesn’t have ta admit it.”

“And what do ya think she’s scared of?” Applejack knew the answer, but she wanted to be sure Apple Bloom had the right train of thought.

“I think she’s scared that her parents don’t love her. So when she sees us, acting happy and lovin' and havin’ a good time, it reminds her of how her parents aren’t that way. I think she just wants to be loved, but she’s too afraid to ask for it.”

“Well, didn’t ya just say that her parents probably bought her everything she ever wanted? That sounds like love ta me.”

“Well… um…”

“Come on, Apple Bloom. Yer on the right track. Ya should know the answer. After all, ya told me it before.”

“I did?” She thought about it, and then it came back to her. “Oh, yeah. It just ain’t as good as bein’ held and spending real time together.”

Soon enough they reached the schoolhouse. The sounds of happy fillies and colts echoed the closer they got. They saw it was recess period, the perfect time to talk with Diamond Tiara without interrupting class.

Author's Note

Constructive criticism and comments always welcome! =)

Chapter 4: The offer: reconciliation

Apple Bloom hopped off her sisters back, glancing in the window of the school, seeing Miss Cheerilee looking out the window, keeping an eye on the students. Diamond Tiara was also there, sitting in her seat, perhaps being punished for getting into a fight.

Applejack rapped at the door a few times, and then opened it. She tipped her hat before saying, “G’day, Miss Cheerilee. I’m just droppin’ Apple Bloom here back off.”

Cheerilee turned away from the window. “Oh! Hello, Applejack.”

The three of them met up halfway. “Miss Cheerilee, can I talk to Diamond Tiara alone?” asked Apple Bloom.

Cheerilee looked unsure if that was a good idea, but Applejack spoke up. “It’s okay. We talked things out, and she understands she did the wrong thing.”

“Welllllll… okay, then,” she replied, still looking a little uncertain.

“I’ll see ya at home later, Sugarcube.”

“Right.” Apple Bloom nodded. “I love ya, Sis.” She gave Applejack a hug. She suddenly turned toward Diamond Tiara, sensing more than seeing her classmate staring at her. But even as she did, Diamond Tiara looked back toward her desk, an unseen dejected look on her face.

“I love ya too, kiddo. Now just do as yer heart tells ya, ya hear?”

Apple Bloom nodded absently, distractedly still looking at Diamond Tiara as Applejack and Cheerilee left the small schoolhouse.

When the door closed the sound reverberated for a second, before it seemed to become deathly quiet. Even the sounds of the other kids playing just outside sounded muted.

Apple Bloom stood there for a time, knowing what she had to do, but still she held back because a part of her still felt angry. Another part of her thought Diamond Tiara wasn’t going to make this conversation easy. But as difficult as it may be, and as angry as she felt, both of those feelings were outweighed by the expression she had caught on Diamond Tiara’s face. She had only caught a glimpse, but she was fairly certain that she had seen a look of longing in her classmate’s eyes, and it made her think that what she assumed was true.

Taking a deep breath she walked forward, each step seeming to take forever, until she sat in the seat next to her. Before she could say anything Diamond Tiara turned to her, her usual expression back on her face. “And what do YOU want?”

Apple Bloom almost decided to just forget it at her attitude, feeling this was never going to work, but she also knew she couldn’t, not after what she had just learned. “I’m… I’m sorry I hit ya. That was wrong of me.”

“Of course it was. When do you ever do anything right?”

Apple Bloom noticed right away that Diamond Tiara was being much more scathing than usual, but that was probably because they were alone and she was in a bad mood. “When I left school I went ta visit my parents.”

Diamond Tiara averted her eyes, not making a nasty comment at that. Even she wasn’t enough of a monster to make fun of that particular aspect of her enemy’s life. Never mind that it only brought her thoughts closer to the issue that they had fought over in the first place. “So… what did you do over there?” she asked in as close to a civil tone as she had ever used.

“I just wanted ta visit. Every Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and birthday we go visit them. I took Applejack with me, and Big Mac showed up too.” Apple Bloom looked down at her desk. “It’s hard ta miss ponies ya never knew, but I do miss them. When I look at the picture of them in my room I always wonder how different I may have been if they had only been alive a little longer.

“So what does yours do?”

“Hmm?”

“Yer mom. What does she do?”

Diamond Tiara scowled, kicking her desk to offset her irritation. “She’s a nurse at the hospital.” In a biting, sarcastically mythical tone she added, “She cares for all the ponies of the land. The sick… the wounded… the old… she cares for them all. She lives for them, bringing them much joy. So much so, she tends to forget she even HAS a daughter.

"Oh, but one day she finally DOES remember. She wants us to go out and have a grand old time, on HER clock, of course. When SHE wants it to happen.” She let out a derisive huff. “So what? It’s not like I need her. I’ve done plenty well for myself without her. I have everything I ever need. All I need to do is ask for it and my dad will use his money and influence to get it for me.”

Apple Bloom could tell that Diamond Tiara was hiding the truth in her anger. “So why not just ask fer a hug?”

Diamond Tiara raised an eyebrow, looking at Apple Bloom like she had three heads. “Like THAT would help. All they care about is their stupid jobs. On the day of my cutecenera my dad bailed on me to go fix a mistake at his job. My mom had to work an extra shift the night before and was too exhausted to make it because she can’t ever say no.

"I hate them. I hate them both!” She gritted her teeth, seething with rage. “The only reason I care about them at all is for what they can get for me. That’s how a tough pony acts. They NEED no one, they show no mercy. So don’t try to push your stupid perfect family life off on me because it’s not the same. They’re completely USELESS, the both of them!”

Apple Bloom was crying. Tears were staining her desk at the utter venom with which Diamond Tiara cursed her parents. How could anyone feel that way about the ones who brought you into life? Maybe they really were worlds apart and couldn’t understand one another. Her voice quivered as she said, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry ya feel that way.”

Diamond Tiara was having difficulty processing Apple Bloom’s reaction. Her hated enemy was crying… how dare she! “I don’t need your pity! Don’t think your crying changes anything! It doesn’t. Nothing will! I’m all alone and beyond everyone else, and that’s just the way it is. The only pony who ever treated me right is my butler Randolph. He was always the one who comforted me when I was upset and lonely. But he’s probably just like all the rest. He just wants to suck up to me so I won’t fire him when my dad croaks and leaves everything to me.”

Apple Bloom let out a heavy breath. She was starting to feel this was beyond her ability to help. Still, though, she wanted to try just one more time. “Diamond Tiara, have ya ever come ta yer parents and told them about how ya feel? Ya sound so lonely and upset. Ya said before ya were jealous of the way my family gets along because ya deserve that relationship. I agree with ya. No foal should be unloved.”

“Talked to them? TALKED… to them? Maybe I WOULD talk to them if they were around long enough FOR ME TO ASK THEM!”

“Yer parents aren’t perfect. Neither were mine. They made mistakes. Sometimes we don’t even realize we’re making a mistake until it’s pointed out ta us. Give it a shot. What have ya got ta lose? If they really don’t care ‘bout ya then nothing will change. Everything will stay just the way it was and ya won’t be no worse off than ya are now. But if they do love ya like a parent should, but just don’t realize they’re not loving ya the way ya need ta be loved, then it will bother them and they’ll change fer ya, wanting ta fix things and make them right.”

Diamond Tiara looked off into a corner of the room, her expression a mix of fear and hope and hesitance.

Apple Bloom got up, taking a few steps towards the door. In her mind she knew what she wanted to say. She knew what she needed to say. She just didn’t want to say it, because it could cause a lot of difficulties and problems along the road. However… if she really wanted to visit her parents with pride she knew she had to do what was necessary to make them feel that way. “Diamond Tiara… I don’t know if yer goin' ta talk ta yer parents or not. And even if ya do… I don’t know if they’re gonna give ya what yer looking fer.

"However… if ya really want ta learn about what being loved feels like and how good it feels ta have true friends…” She stopped and took another deep breath. “How 'bout… how 'bout ya join the Cutie Mark Crusaders?”

Diamond Tiara turned to her, utter shock on her face. In an unreadable voice she said, “And why would I do that?”

“Because ya need someone who’s willing ta give ya a chance. Before today and what I learned I wouldn’t have… but ya need friends and love more than ya know. We Apples may be poor compared to you, but our love is top notch and without compare. No matter how much I hurt I know when I come home there’s gonna be a comfortin' lap waitin' fer me. As much as you’ll hate me saying it… I feel sorry fer ya. I’m much richer than ya in a way ya can’t even understand right now. I know that it’s too soon for ya ta make that decision, but I hope you’ll think it over, both about yer parents and about joining our club.”

In a suspicious voice Diamond Tiara asked, “And what’s in it for YOU? You want pool privileges? Or free food? Or the status of being near to the daughter of the best businesspony in Ponyville?”

Again Apple Bloom felt a few tears come down her eyes. Diamond Tiara was so jaded she couldn’t see anyone as being genuinely interested in her just for her. Anyone who tried to draw close to her was, in her mind, just a blood sucking tick out to mooch off her for something. It was so far removed from the love her family shared that she couldn’t help but become emotional.

“There’s nothin’ in it fer me but the value of yer friendship,” she said in a sad voice. “I’m willin' ta put my hoof out ta ya and ask fer us to become friends. Friends with no strings attached. That’s all I can do. You have ta be the one willin' ta return it, and that’s somethin' I can’t make ya do. Ya said before that one day yer mom tried ta right her wrong ta ya, and yer reaction was negative. Give them just one more chance ta be the parents they should be. Please...”

Letting out another sigh she continued, “I used ta have so much anger towards ya but my heart is breaking fer ya. I can’t stand ta see ya this way.” Sitting down she wiped her face of her tears. “I’m willing ta let the past go and start over. Are you? Take some time ta think about it. I don’t care how long it is, even if it’s a month or a year, but give me yer answer when ya find it.”

With a heavy heart she left Diamond Tiara alone as she went outside.

Going to Cheerilee she said, “We made up… as best we could. I’ve learned a lot of new things about her I didn’t know before. Maybe things can be different now.”

“That would be for the best,” Cheerilee responded. “The two of you are always going back and forth. But be that as it may that you reconciled the two of you both got into a physical fight and made a scene that interrupted class. The both of you are going to stay after school for a detention today and help clean up the school. Understand?”

Apple Bloom nodded. “Yes, Miss Cheerilee. I know that I was wrong, so I’ll take the punishment.”

Apple Bloom stayed off to the side for the rest of the recess, too lost in thought to think of joining her friends. Besides which, she was in trouble anyway, so she didn’t think she should be out there playing.

The rest of the school day passed by without incident. Diamond Tiara paid no attention to her for the last few hours, seeming very agitated and restless. During their detention they cleaned the blackboard, swept the floors, took out the trash, and scrubbed the floor. It was a relatively simple job that went by quickly. Diamond Tiara still didn’t talk to her during their work, and when they had finished rushed out before Apple Bloom could say anything.

Chapter 5: Changes and responsibility

Diamond Tiara went straight home, her heart pounding in her chest. Her mind was awash with a whole bunch of strange feelings she had not experienced for quite a while; she felt fear, indecision, nervousness, uncertainty… the things that practically defined weakness. The void in her heart was so prominent it felt real, like there was an actual missing piece of her. A piece that would only be complete with them. But wasn’t love… wasn’t friendship… all an illusion?

Could any pony truly just want to be friends, wanting nothing but the pleasure of another’s company? She could vaguely remember good times with her parents, of the sort that she was secretly looking for now. She could remember her mom reading her a story with a bunch of wacky voices for each character. She could remember riding on her dad’s back as they walked through town checking out the sights. Could she possibly make those kinds of memories again?

She thought back to what Apple Bloom had reminded her of. Her mom had tried to spend time with her, and she had even said she realized she was working too much and wanted to spend more time with her daughter. Her reaction had been to respond sarcastically, and during the whole day they spent together she had been a brat, asking when it was going to be over. She believed she couldn’t allow herself to love, or things would go wrong.

When she went into her mansion she looked up at the high ceiling, the height feeling imposing to her, reminding her of how small she really was. There was so much unoccupied space. She felt an odd sensation and a quick half smile came to her lips as she thought about how much fun it would be to play hide and seek in a place like this. The feeling quickly passed, leaving her confused at her thoughts. “What’s the matter with me?” she said aloud, her voice echoing a bit. “This isn’t like me at all.”

Walking down one of the long hallways she spotted her butler, Randolph, cleaning a statue her father had bought a while back. When he noticed her he gasped a bit and snapped to attention. In the past she had enjoyed that reaction. She had trained it into him by threatening his job repeatedly. Before she had felt thoroughly superior because of it, that a filly could bring a full grown stallion to a meek little toy. Now, though, she felt a bit… guilty over it. “Hello, Randolph.”

“Good day, Miss,” he said in a servile tone. “How was school? Your eye appears to have a bruise. Did someone hit you today?”

“…Yes. I got into a fight over something. I… um… it’s not important.

“Randolph… I… well… that is… you see…” Her eyes were looking everywhere but on him. Finally she gave him a quick hug and said politely, “Thank you for all of your hard work. And for taking care of me all these years when my parents were busy.”

He looked nonplussed and at a loss for words. She was talking like she used to. She had taken to being very bossy and demanding of him for the last few years, demanding perfection and using the threat of “I’ll tell daddy” every time he tried to protest anything. He wasn’t sure what exactly had happened, but he thought it was something positive. “Well, you’re very welcome, Miss. It is an honor to serve your father and to give aid to you.”

“Are… are my parents here?” A reserved frown came to her lips, but it faded when he told her that they were.

“They were in their room the last I saw of them.”

Diamond Tiara sighed, gulping back her apprehension as she continued down the hall to the master bedroom. The door was half open already so she knocked on it and entered.

Both her parents turned to her. “Well, hello there…” Filthy Rich stopped, noticing her condition. “What happened to your eye?”

‘Concern,’ Diamond Tiara thought, taking note of it. ‘He’s worried about me.’

“It’s… it’s nothing. I… I did something stupid and I paid for it.” A nervous grin came to her face. “So… um… do you have any plans today?”

“I need to go into the office and finish some papers for a merger we’re doing with another chain. After that I figured we’d take your mother out to dinner.”

“Well, that sounds nice,” answered Nurse Sweetheart.

“Dad… do you think you could… not go to work today?”

“What?” he asked, startled. “This is a golden opportunity for Rich’s Barnyard Bargains. We could grow beyond compare. The revenue would be incredible. Heck, I could even buy you your own mansion.”

Diamond Tiara looked down at the ground. “Dad… Mom… I… um… well…” She let out a small groan. Looking back up tears were running down her eyes, though she did her best to hold them back. “I don’t care about this mansion and having a bunch of servants and a bunch of stuff. What I really want is YOU. Both of you spend so much time working I almost never get to see you. And most of the time when you are home you’re either still busy or too tired.

"I’m your daughter. Can’t we just spend the day together for once? Please?” She sniffed, wiping her eyes as she quietly wept.

“Diamond Tiara…,” said her mother quietly, before the two of them looked at each other.

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

Apple Bloom sighed as she walked into the barn, hopping onto a bale of hay and just looking up at the ceiling. A few minutes went by when she heard Applejack calling her name. She lazily glanced over for a second, before going back to gazing upward.

Applejack walked forward until she was over her sister’s head. “So… I guess things didn’t go as planned.”

Apple Bloom sighed again. “I don’t know. I apologized, and I told her about how I went ta visit my parents. She brought me ta tears when she started talking about hers. She’s just so bitter that she says she hates them both. HATES them. I can’t even imagine that.

"I told her ta try talking ta her parents about her feelings, and I ever offered ta be her friend if she would accept me. I just feel bad fer her.” Apple Bloom blushed before averting her eyes. “Applejack… could ya… I mean… can you explain her feelings ta me?”

“Me?”

“Yeah… because… ya know… ya said that ya hated me when I was younger.”

Applejack was the one blushing now. “Oh... right.” Visiting her thoughts from the past she tried not to lose herself in them. “I said that I blamed ya fer what happened ta our parents. I was also very bitter. I saw ya as an enemy. Every single thing ya did annoyed me. Up until Big Mac talked ta me I couldn’t see a single positive thing about ya.

"After our argument when he pointed out all the things I was doin’ wrong I had a change o’heart. The things that used ta annoy me about ya stopped bein’ that way. I began ta see yer positive sides, and little by little love began ta replace hate.

"Soon enough hate wasn’t even a part of my feelings about ya. O’course, ya did still get on my nerves sometimes, but it was only a temporary anger. I became determined to do everything that would rise ya up and make ya a better pony.

“Diamond Tiara… I guess I can understand why she feels so strongly the way she does. However, ya’ve done all ya kin do yerself. Now the rest is up ta her.” She tried pulling Apple Bloom up to a sitting position, but her sister resisted, unwilling to move.

A tender smile came to her lips. “Yer really serious about helping her out, aren’t ya? But ya can’t do anything when yer all depressed like this. I know we went there already, but we should go see Mom again so ya kin tell her about yer hard work. And besides, yer birthdays only a week away. Cheer up.”

With yet another sigh she turned on her side. “Just ferget it. We go visit her on my birthday anyway. Why should I go again?”

A frown came to Applejack’s face, but then she grinned, letting out a little giggle. She walked away, before coming back with a feather. “Time ta get up now.”

“Applejack, I said I’m not-” She let out a squeal as she felt a tickly sensation on her side. She jerked away, saying, “Hey!”

Applejack had a playful expression on her face as she continued tickling Apple Bloom.

At first Apple Bloom felt annoyed, sternly telling her to stop, but after a short time her bad mood was passing away and she began to laugh harder. Finally, tears coming down her eyes from laughter, she said, “Okay! Okay! I surrender. You win!” She gasped oxygen into her system as Applejack took away the instrument of her “torture.” Sitting up she gave Applejack a hug. “Thanks, Sis. I needed that.”

“No problem. Now c’mon. Let’s go get Big Mac and Granny Smith.”

“Alright.” The two of them left the barn, heading to the house, getting their last sibling and grandmother before heading to the graveyard. Like usual they shared stories, both of what had been going on in their own lives since their last visit, as well as telling Apple Bloom of some of their own stories about memories of their parents. Apple Bloom told her parents about how she had done her best to make up with Diamond Tiara.

When she went home she felt a whole lot better, and for the rest of the day they stayed near each other.

The following day Apple Bloom got up, wondering what the day would bring. She headed to school after breakfast.

When she got there she saw Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Not having the chance to properly talk to them the day before, she reassured them that she was okay after what had happened, but she didn’t tell them about her attempt to befriend their adversary. She was still sorting out her own feelings on the matter, and she wasn’t ready for their likely rejection of the idea. She didn’t want to have second thoughts or regret her decision.

Diamond Tiara came in late, just when class was starting. She sat down in her seat next to Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom tried to catch her eye, but her classmate ignored her. Throughout the day, during the little breaks they had, and even during recess, she made attempts to talk to Diamond Tiara, but she was thoroughly ignored. Diamond Tiara acted like she heard and saw nothing at all.

The next day was no better. Diamond Tiara wouldn’t respond to her in any form, whether with annoyance, praise, or condescension. It was very discouraging to her.

Day after day the pattern continued. She could only guess that Diamond Tiara wanted nothing to do with her anymore. She assumed that Diamond Tiara had taken her advice, and it hadn’t gone as planned. It was her fault for getting her classmate’s hopes up, so she felt responsible for crushing those same hopes and dreams.

It was the night before her birthday, and she couldn’t sleep. Too many thoughts were whirling in her head, not the least of which was that she now knew there were three anniversary’s happening the next day. Tears were coming down her eyes as she looked at the picture of her parents on her dresser.

The two of them had both died on the day of her birth. Tomorrow was the day they had both died. Diamond Tiara hated her again, and she felt so lonely and empty inside.

Though she tried to fight it she drifted off unwillingly into sleep, unable to stay awake. Her night was plagued with strange dreams that didn’t make any sense. After a while she had a nightmare jerk her from sleep. Unable to take it anymore she hopped up and went to Applejack’s room. She snuggled in to her sister.

Applejack mumbled sleepily as she woke, feeling something pushing against her. “Whasis?”

“It’s me,” said Apple Bloom. “I can’t sleep.”

“Apple Bloom?” she asked with a yawn. “What’s wrong?”

She told her sister about Diamond Tiara, and her anxiety of what the next day represented.

“Oh, Apple Bloom,” Applejack said soothingly, holding her baby sister tightly as she cried. “It’s okay. Ya did yer best, and that’s all ya kin ever do. Let it go fer now, and let’s sleep. We kin talk about it more in the mornin’, okay?”

Apple Bloom sniffed. “O-okay.” She held her sister back, feeling her comforting hooves around her back and the warmth of her belly. She settled in, feeling more relaxed as she let out a deep breath, releasing the stress in her body.

The next day there was a class party for her near the end of the day, and they spent the last hour of school drinking punch, eating cake and snacks, and having a good time. She kept getting distracted by Diamond Tiara, though. She was basically participating in the party, but keeping her distance. Even so, several times she had that feeling she was being watched. Every time she looked, though, her classmate appeared to be investing her attention in something else.

As the last bell rang the class said their goodbyes and last "Happy Birthdays" before filing out. Apple Bloom went to leave with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, until she noticed that Diamond Tiara was the only one who hadn’t moved. “I’ll meet you guys at the barn!” she called out to them, before heading back into the schoolhouse.

As if sensing her gaze Diamond Tiara suddenly stood up, walking over to her, finally looking at her, an uneasy look on her face. “Here!” she said with a sigh, holding out a red envelope. “Happy Birthday.” As Apple Bloom took it Diamond Tiara walked past her, saying, “Don’t think this changes anything between us! I don’t want to be part of your dumb group.” Her tone just didn’t carry its usual snobby attitude, sounding more like when a nice person is trying to sound mean. Her heart clearly wasn’t in it.

Apple Bloom held the envelope, staring at it for a short time, wondering what was in it. After a full week of acting like she had ceased to exist what could possibly be in the card she was just handed?

As she slowly went to open it Diamond Tiara suddenly snapped around, saying, “Don’t open it here! You have a birthday party to go to, right? Do it before you go to bed or something.”

Apple Bloom felt confused. Diamond Tiara actually sounded a bit… afraid. She was probably just embarrassed. So did that mean she had actually said something nice in the card? Apple Bloom saw no point in mortifying her if that was the case, so she slipped the letter into her bag and left to go home.

As light as the envelope felt it seemed so heavy as she ran home, curiosity gnawing away at her. However, she wanted to respect her classmate’s wishes, so she did her best to push it out of her mind.

Chapter 6: The best birthday ever.

When she got home she went to the barn for her birthday party. All her friends were there: Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Spike, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle. And her family, of course: Applejack, Big Mac, and Granny Smith

Pinkie Pie, in typical fashion, was a ball of energy, hopping over to her and slamming a birthday hat on her head and putting a noisemaker in her mouth.

The top of the barn was decorated with streamers and balloons, music was playing on a record player, and there were drinks and food scattered around. She took all of this in, at first feeling excited. Then she saw Applejack and her feelings changed, not feeling the party spirit at all. It had little to do with the mysterious card Diamond Tiara had given her. Things had changed with the knowledge Applejack had imparted to her little over a week ago.

“What’s wrong there, Sugarcube?” asked Applejack, seeing the sad look on her sister’s face.

“Well, it’s just…” Apple Bloom squirmed a bit, a few tears coming down her eyes before she asked, “Can… can I have my mom hug now?” Apple Bloom just caught the tears that appeared on Applejack’s eyes before she sat down and grabbed her sister, holding tight to her.

Applejack had known it was inevitable. She had known from the start that telling her sister the whole truth of their parent’s deaths was going to change the way she felt about her birthdays and parties. It was the main reason she had held off as long as she did in telling her sister such a terrible truth.

With her eyes closed, Apple Bloom was picturing her mother holding her, imagining her voice(though she had no way of knowing what it sounded like) telling her that she loved her, smiling through her pain and the knowledge that she would only have a very short time with her brand new child. And then the tears came. She began sobbing. Applejack just held her harder.

As she was being held a feeling came to her, one she hadn’t felt since Applejack had told her the story: guilt. “It’s my fault!” she cried out. “It’s all my fault.”

“What’s yer fault, Sugarcube?” Applejack asked gently.

Looking up at her sister with teary eyes she cried out, “You were right! I killed our mom! If it wasn’t fer me-”

“NO, APPLE BLOOM!” Applejack said sternly. That was one thing she wouldn’t let stand. She didn’t want her sister going through the same thoughts she had. “It’s NOT yer fault. I was stupid enough back then ta put the blame on ya, but none of it is yer responsibility. Ya would never want ta be the cause of something like that.” Tears were streaming down her eyes as she tried to keep her composure, her heart aching. “It would break our mother’s heart ta hear ya say that. I’m glad as anything ta have ya around as my sister, and I’m so proud of ya.”

Everyone else just quietly watched the exchange between the two of them, Pinkie’s mane drooping a bit, none of them knowing what to say.

“Y’know, Apple Bloom, I guess I kinda lied ta ya back then, because looking after ya, taking care of ya, holding ya and tucking ya in at night, and all the other stuff…”

She looked her sister in the eyes with all the affection she could muster, and said in the most genuine love-filled voice, “Yer as close ta me as a daughter, and I’m so glad ta have ya every day.” Shock covered the young filly’s face, so complete she had even stopped crying. “So please…" She gently rubbed a hoof against Apple Bloom's face, wiping her tears away. "Please don’t blame yerself fer somethin' ya had no control over. I wouldn’t be able ta stand that.

"It would make me feel so terrible fer telling ya the truth of what happened ta our parents. As I told ya before, our mother died with a smile on her face, holding ya close ta her until her last breath. The only thing she wanted when she went was fer ya ta be loved, fer us ta do the job she wouldn’t be able to. But blame… anger… hate…? Not a speck of that was in her heart. So please cheer up, my little Apple. I can’t stand to see ya in pain like this.”

As Applejack patted her chin, in her mind’s eye Apple Bloom could imagine her mother doing the same thing for her, telling her the same words. She thought of the precious times she shared with Applejack, of people commenting at times that they were more like one pony than two, their bond simply that strong. She closed her eyes again, holding tight to her sister, never wanting to let her go, not knowing what she’d do without Applejack. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly, tears still coming down her eyes. “I’m sorry I hurt ya.”

“Its okay, Apple Bloom,” Applejack responded tenderly in a soft voice, rubbing her back.

For a few minutes things were quiet, the two of them just holding each other, Apple Bloom slowly feeling better. She believed that a piece of her mom still lived on in Applejack, so it was easy to imagine that it was her mom comforting her.

When they finally split apart they met each other’s eyes, each shining with love and affection. “Ya okay now?”

Apple Bloom nodded. “Yeah… I’m sorry.”

“Ya don’t have ta be sorry, Apple Bloom. This wouldn’t have been an issue if I had been honest with ya from the very beginning.”

“I love ya, Applejack.”

“And I love ya too, my little Apple.”

“Do ya…” She hesitated, then, “Do ya… do ya think…” Her nerve failed her. “Oh, never mind.”

“What is it?”

She took a deep breath, and asked the question digging at her. “Do ya think, from time to time, I could call ya… Mom?”

A mild look of shock crossed her face. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at that question, after what I just said. If it will make ya feel better then, yes, ya can call me Mom if you want.”

That finally put a smile on Apple Bloom’s face. She grabbed her sister, trying it out. “I love ya, Mom!” She liked it! She liked having a mom she could call her own. She didn’t have to feel different from her classmates anymore.

A mix of emotions assaulted Applejack, hearing those words. A little bit of the guilt from a long time ago surfaced, feeling she wasn’t worthy. She felt honored that her sister thought that highly of her. She felt fear, that her sister would diminish her love for her real mother by calling her that. But, more than anything else, she felt… content. More complete. “I love ya too…” She struggled with the last few words, so foreign to her tongue. “…my wonderful daughter.”

The joy Apple Bloom felt at hearing Applejack say that was without compare. She squeezed hard, before letting out a happy, “Yahoo!”

She hopped down to the floor. Now she was ready to party. “Let’s get to it! Yeehaw!” As she reared back and her spirit returned the mood picked back up. Apple Bloom danced, drank, ate, laughed, and opened presents, putting her heart and soul into having a good time, because she knew it’s what her mom, both of them, would want.

By the time it was all over it was getting dark. She thanked everyone and bid them farewell. She hopped onto Applejacks back, grinning from ear to ear as they went to the cemetery, telling her parents about the wonderful day she had.

Later that night, as she was getting into bed, she remembered something. So much had been going on during the past few hours that she had all but forgotten the card Diamond Tiara had given her. She debated on just leaving it for the morning, as if it wasn’t something nice she didn’t want that to be the last memory of her birthday. However, it kept nagging at her and nagging at her that she couldn’t sleep, her curiosity overtaking her.

Putting on a lamp she looked at the envelope. It didn’t have anything written on it, probably because she just didn’t want anyone to know she was actually going to the trouble of making her a card. A bit of nervousness gripped her as she tore the edge of it off, pulling out a piece of folded construction paper. It felt a bit stiff to her, not flexible like it should have been, meaning there was probably something inside it besides words.

On the front of it was a bunch of cross-outs of half written words, as if she couldn’t decide what to say and couldn’t be bothered to find another piece or erase what was there. Finally, on the last third of the piece, it just said, “Don’t tell those other two.” She assumed that meant Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Don’t tell them what? Well, she guessed she’d have to open it to find out what.

She opened it, seeing it folded a few times over. A look of confusion was apparent on her face as she opened each page. The stiffness had been from photographs glued to the pages. It took her some time to understand what she was seeing. At first she wondered why she had never heard of Diamond Tiara having a twin. It just took a while before she could believe that what she was seeing was Diamond Tiara.

She recognized Filthy Rich from when he had appeared for Family Appreciation Day, and a mare she guessed was Diamond Tiara’s mother, the nurse. They appeared to be at an amusement park. There were eight photographs in total.

Where her confusion and thoughts of a twin came in was from the smile on Diamond Tiara’s face. Whether it was on a Ferris Wheel, or Merry-Go-Round, in each photograph she wore a genuine smile. There wasn’t a trace of malice, smugness or condescension anywhere. She looked overjoyed, something she had only noticed out of the corner of her eye when her dad had made his presentation.

She studied each of the pictures in turn for over a minute, at first wondering why Diamond Tiara had given them to her. All of a sudden everything clicked in her mind. It seemed so obvious now. Her parents had given her what she had asked for, and that meant that she, Apple Bloom, was right and responsible for helping her reconnect with her parents. That meant she had to be grateful to her nemesis, and it was probably such a difficult thing for her.

She guessed that it had happened the day after their talk. The whole week, when Diamond Tiara was thoroughly ignoring her, it wasn’t because her parents had denied her request for more time with them personally, it was because she found it extremely difficult to abandon her rampant pride and express her gratitude.

Apple Bloom was willing to bet that she had been struggling the whole week to decide to give her these pictures, and she had finally made up her mind today, on the day of her birthday. It only made further sense that she seemed embarrassed and afraid to see her open the card right in front of her. She probably just wasn’t ready for that conversation, and it especially made sense why she didn’t want Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to know. Something was changing in her, and she didn’t know how to deal with it yet.

As Apple Bloom continued looking over at the pictures, she felt a swelling happiness in her heart. She felt genuinely happy for Diamond Tiara. She couldn’t spend time with her real parents, but Diamond Tiara still had that chance. And maybe, with what she was jealous of taken care of…

Apple Bloom carefully folded the paper back up so she didn’t damage the pictures, feeling indeed that it had made a wonderful birthday present. As she finished closing it up she saw there was something written on the back too. Countless scribbled out bits of “Th” and “Tha.” This time it didn’t end until the very bottom, crammed into the corner of the last bit of open paper. “Thank you.”

Chapter 7: Under the night sky

A short while later, as Applejack was locking up for the night, she saw Apple Bloom perched up against the fence, looking up toward the sky. Feeling a little concerned that something was troubling her sister she walked outside. “Hey there, Sugarcube,” she said lightly. “What are ya doin' out here?”

In a bit of a distracted voice she said, “I couldn’t sleep, so I’m just lookin’ at the stars.”

**********

“Diamond Tiara?” called out Nurse Sweetheart, seeing her daughter standing in the middle of the yard. “Are you alright, dear?”

“I can’t sleep,” she responded, looking up at the sky.

“You’ve been irritable all night, pacing around your room for the past hour. What’s bothering you?”

“Why?” she said, though she seemed to be talking to herself. “Why?” In her mind she could hear Apple Bloom’s words. ‘If ya want more attention… you could always join the Cutie Mark Crusaders.’ She just didn’t get it. Why would she say that, after all that they had been through? She certainly didn’t consider adding Apple Bloom to her friends. Or, at least, she hadn’t considered it before. But maybe…

She suddenly looked over at her mom, wondering if she had the answer. After all, they were starting to become close again now. “I’m… confused. I got in a fight with one of my classmates who I hate. But she still offered to be my friend.”

“Why do you hate her?” she asked, a neutral expression on her face.

Diamond turned away, an irritated look on her face, trying to word things to dodge her role in the way things were, but it just didn’t come as easy as it usually did. “I was jealous of her, because I wanted us to be close like she was to her family. She was the one who told me to come talk to you. I don’t know why, but I gave her some of the pictures from our trip to the carnival last week for her birthday.”

“Is that right?” she asked, a smile on her face. “I think you do understand, or else you never would have given them to her in the first place.”

Diamond Tiara looked at her mother perplexedly at that statement, before looking back up at the sky.

She began thinking of what had happened last week. She had actually started crying like a weakling, begging for time with them. They had looked at each other, looking guilty as anything. Her dad cancelled his meeting, turning down the offer, and her mom told her that, because of her reaction to the last time her mom tried to spend time with her, that she just didn’t think Diamond was interested in spending time together.

Taking Randolph along at her insistence they asked her what she wanted to do. She had said she didn’t care, as long as it was something they could all do together. Her mom suggested the amusement park. Mother’s Day became more about her than her mother, but she thought that her mom didn’t mind, as it meant they got to enjoy the day together.

Randolph took a bunch of pictures of the day, and sometimes she would go on rides with just him, letting her mom or dad take the photo. It took a little time to drop her guard, as she still wasn’t sure if she could trust them, but each of them promised to be more considerate of her emotional needs instead of just her physical needs. Her mom went to the hospital and carefully explained that she needed a steady schedule that didn’t go all over the place, and her dad decided to leave things more in the hands of his employees rather than going in all the time and almost never taking his mind off of work. Those actions on their part spoke to their sincerity to change. She was starting to find herself trusting in them again, just a bit.

*********

“The stars are really pretty tonight, don’t ya think?” said Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom certainly didn’t sound upset, so Applejack dropped her cautious tone. “Why can’t ya sleep, Sis?”

“Things finally worked out.”

“What do ya mean?”

“I’m just really happy! Diamond Tiara gave me a card fer my birthday. Her parents didn’t ignore her at all. She…” She stopped for a moment, before reminding herself the card only said she didn’t want Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle to know. It had said nothing about Applejack. “She gave me pictures of them at the carnival, and Diamond Tiara looked so happy. She was just acting the way she was because she didn’t want ta admit it ta me.”

“Well, that’s just grand!” said Applejack joyfully.

“Maybe we really can be friends. You can never have too many friends.”

“Well, Pinkie Pie would certainly say so, being friends with everyone in Ponyville,” Applejack responded with a chuckle.

Apple Bloom laughed too, but then sighed. “I wonder if it’ll actually work out.”

“Well, it don’t hurt none ta try. Ya took the first step, and today she took the second. You’ll just have ta see what happens at school tomorrow. After all, everyone has some similarities. At the very least we all watch the same moon and the same stars at night.”

“Yeah…” Her voice trailed off.

“Come on now, Sugarcube. It’s late, and it’s time ta go ta bed.”

“Just a little longer?”

“Heh. As yer sister I would probably have ta insist that ya go ta bed, but… as a mom maybe I let ya have a little while longer.” A big smile lit up Apple Bloom’s face, but then it faded away. “Is there something wrong?”

“Is it… is it really okay fer me ta call ya Mom? Do ya think our real mom is gonna be upset?”

Applejack walked until she was standing next to her sister, giving her a loving nuzzle. “As I told ya before our mother’s final hour was spent just holding ya and telling ya how much she loved ya, and her last wish was that we take care of ya and love ya in a way she no longer can. I don’t think our mother minds, as long as it makes you happy. As long as ya don’t ever forget what our mom did fer ya, I don’t think she’ll be hurt.” She looked up at the sky like her sister. “Yer right, ya know. The sky really is beautiful tonight.”

“Oh!” Apple Bloom cried out. “Shooting stars!”

“Two of them at the same time,” Applejack said meaningfully. “Right before our family reunion, when I was thinking about how I wanted our reunion ta be the best ever because we didn’t know if everyone would be able ta make it next year, I remember seeing two shooting stars, just like now. I didn’t think nothin’ of it at the time but…,” a smile lit up her face as a happy tear came down her eyes, “…maybe it was our parents saying hi.”

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom said, a teary smile also on her face, and then she yelled out, “HI, MOM AND DAD!”

Applejack winced as she heard some of the animals stir. “Please don’t do that,” she said with an exasperated laugh.

“I just wanted ta make sure they heard me,” Apple Bloom responded cheerily, unfazed. “They were finally able ta give me a birthday gift. This has been the best birthday ever!”

“I’m so glad ta hear that.”

“What about you, Applejack? Yer birthday is in two months. What do ya want?”

Applejack looked back at the sky where the shooting stars had disappeared. “It doesn’t matter. As long as I have ya ta take care of, then that’s all I really need.”

Apple Bloom jumped up onto her back, holding her tight. “Yeah. As long as ya have a hug fer me every year that’s all I really need too, because we Apple’s always stick together. Even if they’re not here next ta us…,” she looked up at the sky, “…they can still talk to us from time to time.”

“Yes, yer right.”

“Well, now I’m ready. Can ya tuck me in, Mom?”

“Ya catchin’ a free ride up there, Bloomy?” Applejack asked with a laugh.

“Yep!” she said proudly, a big smile on her face.

Applejack laughed. “Well, it still is yer birthday, so I guess that’s okay. I’d be happy ta tuck ya in.”

A bit of Apple Bloom’s cheeriness vanished as she asked hesitantly, “Can I sleep with you? I don’t want to sleep alone tonight.”

“Of course, my little Apple.”

“Thank you,” she said, sounding choked up.

“Come on now,” said Applejack, walking back toward the house. “There’s no need ta cry, Apple Bloom.”

“I’m just…” She sniffed as tears streamed down her face as she held her sister tight. “I’m just sooooo so so happy! I finally have someone I can call my mom. ”

Applejack paused for a second, feeling those tender feelings bubbling up again. “I’m glad too.” Glancing one last time at the sky she thought, ‘Just watch me, Mom and Dad. I’ll always keep my promise ta ya. I’ll take care of her the way you would.’

As the two lay in bed Apple Bloom asked, “Ya won’t ever leave me, will ya? I finally have a mom again, and if I lost ya I would lose a mom AND a sister.”

“Don’t worry,” ahe said in a reassuring voice, holding Apple Bloom tightly, putting all her love into a hug. “I’m never goin' anywhere. Yer too important ta me fer me ta even think of leaving ya.”

“I love ya, Applejack.”

“And I love ya too, my little Apple.”

Apple Bloom closed her eyes, feeling so warm and safe from Applejack’s tender embrace. She slowly began settling down, and soon enough drifted off.

Tender tears trickled down Applejack’s face as an outpouring of love filled her entire being. She would give her all to protect her sister. After all, Apple Bloom was, as Big Mac had said, the last gift their mother had given the family. And a wonderful gift it was. “Sleep well, my child,” she said as she closed her eyes.

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

“Come on, Diamond Tiara.” said Nurse Sweetheart. “You should go to bed. You won’t find the answer to your question in the sky.”

Diamond Tiara spared her mother a glance. Her mom was always so happy and outgoing. She spent her life helping others, because she said it made her feel like she was helping herself as well. Was that why Apple Bloom offered to be her friend? Because she was the same way? “Our family has been close with the Apple family… up until me and Apple Bloom. Maybe… maybe that can change.”

“Well, that would just be splendid. I think everyone needs some good friends. Just remember that friendship requires compromise. It can’t always be about you. When you help someone else, or give up what you want to do for someone else’s sake, you feel something special inside of you, a feeling that I experience every day I work at the hospital.

"Every time a patient makes improvement, or gets to go home, I feel such a rush of positive feelings it’s almost hard to describe. You can look at yourself proudly in the mirror and say, 'I did that.' And when that pony comes to you, grateful and thankful, you feel the reward of your good deed coming full circle back to you. Helping others is the same as helping yourself.

"However, I’m afraid that your father did spoil you a bit. You tend to try to find what you can get out of a situation instead of what’s in it for others. And if you’re selfish like that you’ll never make any true friends. I think Apple Bloom is having a good influence on you.

"I know it will be difficult for a time, because you’re not used to acting in that way. but when you feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from helping others you’ll want to have that feeling all the time. That’s why I became a nurse in the first place. It’s the easiest place to help a lot of people.”

Diamond Tiara wondered about that. Having lived for herself most of her life she didn’t know what this feeling her mother spoke of felt like… but she was curious. As she looked at her mom she heard Apple Bloom’s words, telling her that she was lucky she still had parents to spend time with. In a hesitant voice she asked, “Will you give me a ride?”

Nurse Sweetheart gazed tenderly at her child, letting out a little laugh at the blush on her face. “Sure, dear.” It had been so long since her daughter had asked for such a thing. She always played at being independent because of her father’s teachings.

She laid down in a sitting position, and Diamond Tiara gazed awkwardly before she allowed herself to climb onto her mom’s back. She kept that look as her mom stood up, walking her back inside. She enjoyed it deep down, but it was all still too new for her to admit her true feelings to herself. When they reached her room Nurse Sweetheart helped her into her bed, tucking her in. “Goodnight, Diamond Tiara,” she said kindly.

“Goodnight,” she said in a distracted voice. As her mother went to leave it felt like she was going in slow motion. She struggled with herself, her emotions rising high. And just as her mom was at the door, about to close it, she finally managed to cry out, “Wait!”

Nurse Sweetheart turned back towards her daughter. “Yes?”

She just stared at her mom, still struggling with the words she wanted to say. Once more Apple Bloom’s words forced their way into her thoughts. She didn’t have an unlimited time with her parents. Anything could happen to them and take them away from her at any time. She wanted to say what she had to now, because there might not be a later.

“I love you, Mom.” The words came out raspy, little more than a whisper, those feelings she had learned not to deal with holding her back.

Another thing her daughter hadn’t said to her in a while. Diamond Tiara had learned well to try to appear strong, despite what she was feeling inside. She walked back into her daughter’s room, giving her a kiss. “I love you too, my wonderful child.” Guessing her daughters thoughts from her squirming discomfort she asked, “Would you like to sleep with me tonight?”

Her face went red again as she averted her eyes and said, “…Yes.”

A short while later she laid in her mom's bed. Her mom put her hooves around her, hugging her close, and Diamond Tiara had to fight her natural urge to push her mother away. Once the impulse passed she slowly returned the hug. It actually felt kind of nice. She had forgotten how nice it was. She snuggled in closer, putting aside her pride for the moment to just let herself be babied, a small smile she couldn't suppress upon her face.

As she started drifting off she wondered if she could actually change. She wouldn’t be able to know the answer until the morning, when she went to school…

Final chapter: The joy of friendship

With the rise of the sun Diamond Tiara woke up to her mother’s eyes, staring lovingly at her. “Good morning, sweetheart! I didn’t want to wake you. It’s been so long since you actually came to me to ask for something personal like this. I enjoyed having you with me.”

She felt conflicting emotions: The desire to stay in her mother’s embrace; The desire to push her away and make an excuse for why she asked to stay in her mom’s bed the night before. In the end her mother made the choice for her. She gave her daughter a pat on the head, telling her she had to go make some breakfast before she left the room.

Diamond Tiara felt like she had worms crawling through her stomach. She felt so nervous. She had to see Apple Bloom again. There was no way to get around it, and she still didn’t know how much her feelings had changed toward her classmate.

When her mom called her to come eat, in order to get her mind off her dilemma, she asked her mom, “How did you and Dad meet?”

A mild look of surprise crossed her mother’s face. “Why the sudden interest?”

“I don’t know. Just curious, I guess. You and Dad seem like very different ponies.”

“Well, if I had to give the simplest answer, it’s because he didn’t forget his roots.”

“HUH?” she asked, now fully focused on her mom.

“It’s an expression, dear. It means you shouldn’t forget where you came from.” She saw her daughter still didn’t get it. “Well, let me start from the beginning. Your father was already a wealthy stallion from inheriting his grandfather’s business, but he told me that was the expression his grandfather most tried to impress on him.

“I first met him when he got into an accident. I knew who he was, of course, but I didn’t really know anything about him. Of course, as a nurse, I treated him to the best of my ability, but as just a pony I had the completely wrong impression of him. I thought his money made him arrogant and greedy, and that he looked down on the poorer people.

"We got into a discussion where I told him I was a nurse, not for the good money, but because I simply wanted to help people. When he started flirting with me I snubbed his advances. It wasn’t until a month or two after he left that I realized how wrong I was. Because of an accident a portion of the hospital was destroyed. A lot of ponies were hurt, and we just didn’t have the room for all of them.

“During that time your father organized a huge charity auction, using his popularity in the public eye to encourage people to donate, promising to match everyone’s donations bit for bit. He opened his mansion to those we couldn’t fit in the hospital. The next time I actually saw him he was dumping rags in water buckets and placing them over pony’s heads to keep them cool. He was panting and sweaty from working so hard, and all told he gave about a quarter of his fortune to get everything back up and running, with plenty left for anything unforeseen.

“I was, frankly, overwhelmed. I really felt ashamed of myself for judging him simply because he had money. I apologized profusely for being so petty. He told me he bore no grudges.”

“Dad never told me about all that,” Diamond Tiara said, sounding awed.

“Well, he doesn’t like to brag.”

“But why did he do all that?”

“I’m getting to that.” She let out a little laugh, seeing her daughter’s rapt attention. “I asked him the same thing. A part of me couldn’t help but wonder if he had done it simply to get my attention. He told me it was the same reason that he had grown an attachment to me. Back in his grandfather’s time things were really difficult. I don’t know if he’s told you about this, but his grandfather was one of the original founders of Ponyville.”

A sudden recognition crossed her features. “Apple Bloom’s grandma told us the story for Family Appreciation Day… though I didn’t really want to listen.”

“Well, those days were really difficult. They were basically nomads, on the brink of exhaustion and starvation. It was Princess Celestia who gave them this land to settle down in.

“The whole point is, before all this his grandfather had nothing; nothing but his other travel mates. He knew what it meant to be poor, to suffer, to have nothing, and having to be reliant on a generous soul to help you out.

“Your father couldn’t stand to see other ponies going through the same thing. I just happened to catch his attention because I embodied those features he most looked for in a mare. It’s the same reason he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing when people less fortunate were in danger. It’s one of his most endearing qualities, and it’s why I fell in love with him.

“So, getting back to your original question, to not forget your roots and not forget where you came from means to always remember that, no matter how far you come, you didn’t get there alone. A flower doesn’t bloom by itself. It gets its gifts from the sun, the ponies that water it, and the earth which fertilizes it. If you abandon those who helped you get where you are you’ll be insulting them to the highest degree.”

Diamond Tiara considered what she had learned on the way to school. Given what she had seen of her dad it was hard for her to picture him opening his estate to a bunch of random ponies, and taking care of all of them to boot. Hadn’t he always stressed to her the importance of being strong? Had she misunderstood his lessons?

What was it? What was it? What was this thing that was floating around everyone else that she just didn’t get? She felt anxious, her thoughts on Apple Bloom and her parents. All of them seemed to have something inside of them that she couldn’t comprehend. Why did all of them go out of their way to help others? Of course she knew what her mom had said, but she wondered how important it really was. Did it actually feel that good to do something nice for others?

As she walked into the school her heart started racing as she saw Apple Bloom was already there, chatting and laughing with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. As she went to her seat Apple Bloom turned to her, and their eyes met for a moment. She pulled away from those anxious feelings inside of her by returning to her usual self, snubbing her classmate by turning her head with a huff as she sat down. She was feeling a lot of things she didn’t usually feel, and she didn’t think she liked it. She had always known what was right. Now she wasn’t so sure.

Apple Bloom just stared after her for a moment before her attention was pulled back to their conversation of what new thing to try to get a cutie mark for. However, she couldn’t get out of her head the expression on her classmate’s face as they had made eye contact. There was something in Diamond Tiara’s eyes that she hadn’t seen before. She didn’t know exactly what it was, but she didn’t think it was a bad change.

Class seemed to pass by agonizingly slowly. Every so often, out of the corner of her eye, Diamond Tiara would look at Apple Bloom. One of those times she began thinking, ‘I wonder if she liked my card.’ She immediately shook her head after that. ‘What’s wrong with me? Who cares if she liked it? It was a dumb thing to do, anyway.’ However, she didn’t really believe that. Part of her, though she firmly denied it to herself, actually felt a little scared Apple Bloom hadn’t liked her gift.

After class, when everyone was getting ready to leave, Diamond Tiara couldn’t take it anymore. She’d had these uncomfortable feelings all through class, and she had to get them out or it was going to drive her crazy.

Before she could do that, though, Apple Bloom came to her first. “Hey, Diamond Tiara!”

“Yes. What is it?” she responded.

Their eyes met again. Once more Apple Bloom saw the change in her eyes. With a smile Apple Bloom said, “Thank you so much for my birthday card. It really meant a lot to me, and it was the best end to the greatest birthday of my life. I was so glad that I couldn’t sleep for a while last night.”

A rush of intense emotions ran through Diamond Tiara at that statement, little tremors running through her body. She felt a little short of breath. ‘What… what is this?’ she wondered. ‘What is this feeling?’ Apple Bloom had appreciated it. It had brought her joy.

Her mother’s words came back to her. “When you help someone else, or give up what you want to do for someone else’s sake, you feel something special inside of you; And when that pony comes to you, grateful and thankful, you feel the reward of your good deed coming full circle back to you. Helping others is the same as helping yourself. ”

‘Is that it? That feeling? The one she was talking about?’ The feelings bubbling up inside of her felt so strange, so foreign, so… right. ‘I… like it.’

Again her mother’s words came to her. “When you feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from helping others, you’ll want to have that feeling all the time.”

“You’re welcome,” she said, surprised at the quiver in her voice, the genuineness of her reply. She had learned from her father to always be strong, as showing weakness was what allowed others to take advantage of you. She guessed that it meant a lot more to her than she expected. She was still uncertain about these new feelings going through her, but she wanted to have this rush again… at least one more time. And so…

“Look, I know what I said yesterday, but I changed my mind…” She hesitated, but those feelings inside her were already fading. She did want more, and for that she had to do what her heart was saying. She had grown tired of putting up her invincible façade. “Okay, I’ll do it. I’ll… I’ll take your offer and become a Cutie Mark Crusader.”

“What?” said Scootaloo flatly.

“What!” said Sweetie Belle in shock.

Diamond Tiara’s eyes widened. She had completely forgotten Apple Bloom’s friends were listening. Apple Bloom didn’t look bothered. Quite the opposite. And she wondered if Apple Bloom was now feeling those same feelings she had just experienced. Had she helped Apple Bloom feel a sense of joy too?

“Sounds good to me!” Apple Bloom said with a smile. “The more the merrier.”

The duo of Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo felt like they were missing something. Sweetie Belle whispered, “Are you sure about this, Apple Bloom?”

Apple Bloom thought of the pictures Diamond Tiara had given her, as well as the different way she was carrying herself that morning. Something had changed in her, and Apple Bloom thought it was in a good way. “Yes. Definitely.”

On the way to their clubhouse Scootaloo, still suspicious, asked, “So why do you want to join the Cutie Mark Crusaders? What’s your motive here? To try and ruin things for us like you always do?”

“It’s okay, Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom said strongly. “I mean it.”

Stopping entirely Scootaloo said, “Well, I don’t think it’s okay! All she ever did was make fun of us for everything. Have you forgotten how she got you so mad and upset on mother’s day that you got into a hoof fight and had to leave and go to your sister to calm down? Or how she mocked me for not being able to fly and nearly ruined our chances of being a part of the Equestria Games? And she said that YOU invited HER to join? I want to know why, and I want to know NOW!” Scootaloo stomped her hoof at the last word.

Sweetie looked around uneasily, then said awkwardly, “This really should be a group decision. You just decided this on your own without asking or telling us anything.”

All of them stopped now. Apple Bloom glanced at Diamond Tiara, who had a decidedly uncomfortable look on her face. Apple Bloom whispered to the two, “Try ta imagine Babs fer a moment, and then look at Diamond Tiara.”

Scootaloo remembered the week that Babs had come to visit, bullying them out of fear. Fear of being bullied again right away after leaving her town to get away from it all. She actually hadn’t wanted to do it. She had just thought it was the only way, even if it meant betraying her cousin.

As she thought about that she glanced at Diamond Tiara again, and it was like a flash of recognition. The look on her face seemed so similar.

Apple Bloom continued, “Anyway, I can’t tell ya why. She asked me not ta tell and, as Pinkie Pie likes ta say, losing a friend’s trust is the fastest way ta risk a friendship.”

Diamond Tiara sighed. She should have known it wouldn’t go so easy. “It’s okay. This isn’t going to go anywhere unless we clear things up now.”

“Well, okay then, but it would be a lot easier ta just show them instead of telling them.”

“…Right.”

That being settled, they headed for the house instead of the clubhouse. As they went to the kitchen they saw Applejack. “Hey, Applejack. Can ya make snacks fer four ta take ta the clubhouse?”

“Sure,” Applejack responded as the group passed by. As she started heating up some apple fritters she suddenly paused. “Four?” she wondered aloud, a questioning look on her face.

When the group reached Apple Bloom’s room she went into her dresser drawer, pulling out the envelope Diamond Tiara had given her the day before. “Are ya sure it’s okay, Diamond Tiara?” she asked.

Diamond Tiara nodded, a self-conscious look on her face.

With that last confirmation Apple Bloom turned to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. “When we had that fight on mother’s day Diamond Tiara told me that she was jealous of me because I had something that money wouldn’t buy her.”

“We remember. I was there.” said Scootaloo in a bit of a sarcastic tone, her hooves crossed.

“And I told you guys that after I talked with Applejack that I apologized and talked with her about talking ta her parents about spending more time with her. The next day, and the whole week leading up ta my birthday, she acted like I was invisible. Up until yesterday I thought that she had done that and it didn’t work, which is why she didn’t want anything ta do with me. I had gotten her hopes up, and it had hit her hard.

“But that’s not the way it happened at all. After talking with her parents they DID grant her wish.” She pulled the card out of its envelope, carefully unfolding it to show the pictures of Diamond Tiara at the amusement park. As Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked over the pictures Apple Bloom continued, “The real reason she was ignoring me was because she was having trouble with the thought of being nice ta me and telling me thank you.

“I understand why yer upset, Scootaloo, but I don’t have a choice in the matter. If Diamond Tiara is offering ta try ta be friends then I’m not gonna turn her away. We Apples don’t do that. Family and friends are everything ta us, and I’d rather have her as a friend than as an enemy. And-” a small tear came down her eye. “-and just like Applejack, I want ta be able ta tell my mom and dad things that will make them proud of me.”

Scootaloo felt most of her misgivings fade away. “I understand, Apple Bloom.” Not believing that she would ever be saying those words genuinely, she turned and said, “Sorry, Diamond Tiara. I guess I’m willing to give you another chance.”

“It’s okay,” she responded.

“Apple Bloom!” called out Applejack. “Yer snacks are ready.”

“Oh, goodie,” Apple Bloom responded. “Let’s go get them and then go to the clubhouse fer yer initiation!”

With a rush she grabbed the bag of apple fritters, the other three not far behind.

Applejack had to do a double take to be sure she was seeing what she was seeing. At the tail end of their group was Diamond Tiara. She looked warmly over at the figure of her sister. “Well, I’ll be,” she said happily as she glanced up at the ceiling. “Mom, Dad… are ya watching yer smallest Apple? She’s come so far in such a short time.” She felt so proud of Apple Bloom for trying to make amends with her biggest rival.

When they reached the clubhouse they all climbed the ramp. “So, Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom said with a laugh.

“Yeah?” she responded, laughing as well though she wasn’t sure why.

“Did ya ever revise that speech of yours? Amigas, Bossom Buddies, Gal Pals, Allies.”

Sweetie Belle started cracking up. Imitating Scootaloo’s voice she said, “Eh-hem!... Well, you wrote this…. Oh, yeah.”

“Oh, ha, ha!” Scootaloo responded. “That was so funny I forgot to laugh.” However right after that she started laughing with the rest of them, clearly finding humor in it.

Diamond Tiara wanted to ask about the joke she seemed to be missing, but she was still feeling uncomfortable. She thought she had locked away feelings like this a long time ago, but she felt left out of their private joke, and she didn’t like it. “So is this really okay?”

“Whadda ya mean?” responded Apple Bloom.

“I mean, I already have a cutie mark so can I even join?”

“That don’t mean nothin’. While getting our cutie marks is why we formed our group in the first place, we’re also friends. So we try ta have fun and work together no matter what we try ta get a cutie mark for. And since we’re gonna have a member with one already that means we’re one step closer to our own cutie marks.

“Like Applejack always says, stop sweating the small stuff.”

Scootaloo gently played the drums, keeping a tempo as Sweetie Belle stood at the podium, reading the much condensed initiation speech. When it was over Apple Bloom threw Diamond Tiara a Cutie Mark Crusader cape.

There was something of a hopeful look on Diamond Tiara’s face. The three of them had accepted her pretty easily, despite all the nasty things she had done to them. Despite the weight of the cape, she felt lighter than she had in years.

As they sat and ate their apple fritters Apple Bloom was busy adding Diamond Tiara’s face to their attendance list, fully symbolizing her inclusion into their group.

Diamond Tiara had strange feelings going through her again. She had long dismissed Apple Bloom as naïve… stupid... living in a world of sunshine and rainbows. But now she realized that her new friends were the ones who had it right. She didn’t know how long this would last, or whether their differences would be too much to overcome, but she was willing to give this a shot, and that was what really mattered.

After they were done eating Diamond Tiara adopted her snobby attitude again. “Alright, look, I have a reputation to uphold. I don’t really want to be seen with a group of blank flanks…” With a fake sigh she dropped her attitude and said, “So I guess I don’t have much of a choice but to help you get those marks as quickly as possible.” With that she smiled like she had in the photos. It made such a striking difference in her demeanor.

“I guess so,” Apple Bloom said, laughing and smiling too. “Alright, Crusaders. Let’s go!”

“RIGHT!” cried out Scootaloo.

“YEAH!” said Sweetie Belle.

The three of them put their hooves together, and Diamond Tiara put her hoof on top, completing it before they separated.

As the four of them left the clubhouse Diamond Tiara began feeling a bit troubled by something, stopping in place.

“What’s wrong?” asked Sweetie Belle, stopping as well.

More guilt came to mind as she knew there was one last thing she needed to do to push her old self away. “Would you mind if we added just one more pony to the group?”

“Who’s that?” asked Scootaloo.

“Silver Spoon. I know I haven’t exactly treated her right, and we became friends for the wrong reasons, but she still stuck beside me throughout it all. I think she needs to start learning what I did too, and with you is the best way to do it.”

Apple Bloom smiled. “Like I said before, the more the merrier. If she’s willing to treat us more respectfully and not be a bully we’ll welcome anyone who is interested.”

Diamond Tiara let out a sigh of relief. She felt better. In fact, she felt better than she thought she ever had. As they started running again she felt her heart soaring in her chest. She had her parents back, and now she had some real friends to spend time with. Things were looking up, and she no longer had to hide behind the barriers she had put up around her heart.

‘Life is good,’ she thought as let out a giddy laugh.

Author's Note

Thank you for reading this to the end. I hope all of you enjoyed the saga of Diamond Tiara and hopefully can be a little more sympathetic to her when you see the show.

Comments and constructive criticism's always welcomed. =)

Epilogue 1: Awkward

“WHOA!”

“AAH!”

“UGH!”

“OOF!”

Four ponies went flying, colliding with the ground.

Scootaloo groaned as she got up, saying, “Well, it’s official. We are definitely not Cutie Mark Crusader trampoliners.”

“You said it,” said Apple Bloom, rubbing her stomach.

“It was fun while it lasted though,” said Sweetie Belle.

“I…I guess it was,” said Diamond Tiara. “Maybe I just need my dad to buy you a bigger trampoline.” With a strange tone she said, “A-after all, you’re my… my friends. If it’ll make me happy he’d do anything for me, so he wouldn’t turn down my request to help out ponies I… I care about.”

There was a hesitance in her voice every time she started talking about her feelings. She was still conflicted on this whole thing. She DID like having new friends, and was truly grateful to Apple Bloom for pushing her to renew her relationship with her parents, and with the three of them for forgiving her and letting her into their group, but… all of this was still new to her. She kept struggling with what she used to call her weaker feelings. She just didn’t know.

It was one thing to be a little affectionate with her parents in the privacy of her own home, but saying things like this in public went against everything she used to put into her public image. She saw that she just couldn’t change herself so quickly. It was going to take quite some time before she could even imagine being as free-spirited as the other three.

Apple Bloom also noticed her pauses. She too knew she would have to simply be patient. Diamond Tiara had spent a good many years believing it was wrong to show any softness or happy emotions too strongly. With time she believed her classmate would lose that attitude once she really saw how much more enjoyable life was doing things their way.

“I don’t think it’s the size of the trampoline that’s the problem,” said Scootaloo. “I think we just stink at it. We can check this one off the list of successful attempts.”

“Um…I guess so.” Awkwardly she asked, “So is this all you guys do when you hang out? Is… is this what you call fun?”

Scootaloo couldn’t figure out whether Diamond Tiara was genuinely curious or displeased and just trying to avoid being insulting. She was acting so different from the way they were used to she couldn’t decide. “Well, these cutie marks aren’t going to just make themselves appear. How did you get your cutie mark? Maybe that will help us.”

One of her rare genuine smiles cropped up with a slight blush. “Well… it came partly from both of my parents… of course I was a lot more selfish about it before but now I see how much they really love me. My mom told me that my name is a sign of how important I was to them. Diamond because I’m beautiful and worth more than gold, and Tiara because I’m their little princess. My dad was the one who bought me the diamond tiara to match my name.

“So I always thought it meant I was supposed to be special and… well… above most other ponies. I thought that meant I would one day be in a ruling position. As my dad taught me about business and being tough I began commanding around our butler’s and maid’s and ruling over the household. My eventual plan was to take over my dad’s business when he either died or was too old. Even if I was a bit angry at him for not always being there he would buy me whatever I wanted and I thought that just showed how much he loved me. That’s why I was angrier at my mom than him. And that’s why I was so happy when he came to visit on Family Appreciation Day.

“I… I…” She looked at the ground and let out a little sigh, squirming a little as she blushed. “I know now that I AM important… because you are my… my… friends.”

The trio smiled. Despite her difficulties in saying what was on her mind it was enough for them that she could work up the courage to say them at all. “GROUP HUG!” cried out Apple Bloom.

“W-WHAT?” Diamond Tiara said, looking at them as if they were out to destroy her as they all run to her and held her. “C-come on! Stop it! This is embarrassing!” Despite her words she did nothing to push them away. Just like with her mom the night before she secretly enjoyed the affectionate gesture, but her mind was still rebelling against it. She relaxed after a few seconds, feeling a grin come to her face.

“T-thanks, girls.” When they let go Diamond Tiara wiped a few tears from her face, a bit ashamed she was getting so emotional. Feeling exposed and vulnerable she backtracked to what was comfortable. She snapped at them, “Don’t do that again! We’re in public! I don’t need my reputation ruined by you goodie-goodies!” She turned away from them and walked a few steps away, feeling short of breath. She didn’t know if she could handle this.

Apple Bloom could see that both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked a little hurt by her outburst. She was more understanding. “Don’t be upset, guys. Don’t forget that this is our first day as actual friends. She’s gonna need time to open up to us for real. I think it’s still too early to go for group hugs.” Sweetie Belle looked mollified, but Scootaloo still seemed a bit ticked off. She was a little less willing to forgive because of Diamond Tiara making fun of her for not being able to fly yet. “Come on, Scootaloo! Stop being a sourpuss. I remember how you didn’t like group hugs either. Remember after you heard Rainbow Dash’s cutie mark story and all of us hugged and you didn’t want to do it?”

Scootaloo looked over to her classmate for a few seconds, and then shrugged. “Whatever.”

Before they could do anything more Diamond Tiara turned around and walked back over to them. “Look, I’m so…so…sor… I’ll try not to let it happen again, all right? I’ll try to be better.”

Scootaloo mumbled under her breath, “Can’t even apologize properly. Can’t wait until she makes a jab at my wings.”

Diamond Tiara grimaced. Why was she doing this? She should have known things would never work out between them. Their history was too strong.

Apple Bloom could see Diamond Tiara was on the brink of bolting. She gave Scootaloo a slight smack. Not trying to hurt her, only trying to get her attention. Scootaloo looked angrily at her, saying, “What was THAT for?”

“That’s ENOUGH, Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom said strongly. “I know Diamond Tiara isn’t perfect and there are going to be a lot of road bumps as she tries to become friends. But that’s exactly the point! She’s TRYING! She’s putting in the effort to change. She’s so used to throwing around power and superiority she doesn’t really know how to interact with ponies without it. Cut her a break, will you?”

Scootaloo met Apple Bloom’s gaze, and for a second Apple Bloom thought Scootaloo was going to escalate the conflict right then and there. For over ten seconds the two met each others eyes unflinchingly before Scootaloo shrugged again. “Fine. But if I hear even a slight mention of anything to do with my wings or not being able to fly then I’m done with her, and you’ll have to choose between her and me.”

“Don’t say that, Scootaloo,” said Sweetie Belle. “We all agreed to let her join our group.”

“And? I believe that it was APPLE BLOOM over there that said that if Silver Spoon was going to insist on being a bully she wouldn’t be allowed to join. If Diamond Tiara isn’t going to adhere to the spirit of the group she has no business being in it.

"If that happens and you still want to be friends with her because you think it’ll make your dead parents happy then I can’t stop you, but I won’t be around to hang out with you so long as she is. I had to deal with enough of their bullying inside of school and when we’d see them around town. I’m not going to take it as a 'friend' too. That’s all I’m saying.”

“Apple Bloom?” said Diamond Tiara.

“Yes?” she replied.

“T…thank you for sticking up for me."

“No problem!”

“And Scootaloo. I didn’t mean to snap like that. I’m just… confused. This goes against everything I thought my dad was trying to teach me. A part of me wants to be like you guys. But at the same time I just feel like this is all a big mistake. My head is so confused.” Her face clenched up. Forcing out the difficult words she said, “I’m… sorry… for mocking you about your wings.” The second time came a little easier. “I’m sorry. Can we… can we start over and go back to doing fun things? If I have to I can get my dad to help us out. After all, I’m his little princess. I’m sure my dad can pay someone to have something engineered that will get you flying faster than even Rainbow Dash.”

Scootaloo felt satisfied with Diamond’s apology. In a calmer voice she said, “Thanks, but… no thanks. I don’t want a shortcut or a cheap way of winning. If I’m going to get better than Rainbow Dash I’m going to do it the right way: through hard work.

“Well… anyone have any ideas for our next plan?”

“Well, why don’t we take a quick break at my house? We could use some relaxation. My dad has the best massagers around. Add in a great snack and we’ll be both relaxed and full. What better way to brainstorm than with that?”

“Sounds good to me!” said Scootaloo.

“I’m so in!” said Sweetie Belle.

“Me too!” said Apple Bloom.

So the four of them began running towards her mansion. Diamond Tiara felt relieved that things were okay again. She thought their friendship was going to be over as soon as it began.

Her mom was happy to see Diamond Tiara bring home some new friends. The very ones she had been enemies with so recently.

Diamond Tiara did her best to make all of them feel at home and provided every comfort they could provide.

Apple Bloom noticed how often she mentioned her dad buying something for them. Diamond seemed to be trying to bribe her way into being better friends by giving them gifts. Gifts alone didn’t make a loving relationship. She didn’t even seem to realize that was the exact reason she and her parents hadn’t been getting along for so long. She had an intention of mentioning it to her, but she got distracted by all the varieties of snacks and the extremely enjoyable massage.

Despite their period of relaxation they were still cutie mark-less by the end of the day. Even so they enjoyed themselves for the most part, so they still considered the day a success. Diamond Tiara was still very reserved and awkward throughout the day, but they all gave her some personal space and she hadn’t lost her temper again.

Epilogue 2: The new me, the old me.

The next day Apple Bloom woke up feeling happy. Despite a few hiccups, their first day of having Diamond Tiara as a friend had gone well. She was sure it was just a matter of time. Once she began seeing how much better things were when she was kind and polite instead of mean and nasty other ponies would be drawn to her more positive attitude, and then she’d want to leave her old personality behind for good.

She felt proud of herself for what she had accomplished. She hadn’t done it alone. If it hadn’t been for Applejack telling her the truth about their parents she didn’t think she would have ever thought of forgiving Diamond Tiara for all her bullying. Now that she had extended a hoof of friendship to her former rival she could see the changes beginning in her classmate. Diamond was still a little stubborn… a little scared of what was going on. As she had thought before it all came down to time.

During class the four of them went about their usual business. There weren’t any problems until after class. The four of them were in Ponyville park when they heard it.

“Um… what are you doing with THEM?” asked Silver Spoon dismissively.

Everyone went tense.

“I thought you said you wanted to talk with her about everything,” said Sweetie Belle quietly.

“Well, I never got the chance,” replied Diamond Tiara. To Silver Spoon she said, “I’m hanging out with them for a change. What’s the big deal?”

Silver Spoon began laughing. “Heh. Well, THEY’RE certainly not a big deal. You could do better, but I guess you need to hang around with the riff-raff to show how much better you are than them.”

Scootaloo was watching Diamond Tiara carefully, a cold look on her face. Now was the time to see if she really meant what she said.

“That’s not why we’re hanging out,” Diamond Tiara said in a small voice. “It’s… it’s because we’re… friends.” The last word was barely heard.

“F…fr-iends? WHY in Equestria would you want to be friends with the rotten apple, the squeaky voiced marshmallow, and the flightless wonder? Why don’t you ditch these losers and let’s go take a ride on my dad’s new boat?”

Scootaloo’s expression went unchanged. She actually had to suppress a smile. This was the perfect time to see if Diamond Tiara was going to stick to what she had learned or go back to her old ways. Who would she side with?

Apple Bloom could see Diamond Tiara looking between Silver Spoon and the three of them, looking torn. She hoped Diamond Tiara was going to make the right choice. Although… Diamond Tiara had partially brought it on herself for not speaking to Silver Spoon about things beforehand. Silver Spoon had no idea of the changes her friend had been going through so why would she be acting any differently?

“WELL?” said Silver Spoon when Diamond Tiara didn’t move.

Diamond Tiara kept looking between them, her eyes racing back and forth. She let out an annoyed grunt because of her indecision. She let out a huff and turned her back on the three crusaders and walked towards Silver Spoon.

Scootaloo smirked knowingly, thinking how she knew it wouldn’t last. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom looked hurt.

Silver Spoon laughed condescendingly. “You made the right choice.”

Diamond Tiara pushed Silver Spoon hard. “That’s enough from you! I’m not going to let you mock my friends like that! Scootaloo is very sensitive about her faulty wings.”

Both Scootaloo’s and Silver Spoon’s mouths were hanging open, and Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle let out a small cheer.

“Look, Silver Spoon. I’ve been going through a lot of changes recently. I’ve come to realize that who I was before was just not working out. I did wrong by you. I only used you to inflate my own sense of self-importance and I was a terrible friend to you. I don’t want to do the stuff we used to do anymore. These three are my friends now and that’s the way it’s going to stay!

“If you’re willing to change yourself and apologize then I’ll gladly become friends with you for real. But right now you’re just a bully and a jerk. So… this is goodbye for now.” She turned around from the speechless Silver Spoon and back towards the other three. “I’m a Cutie Mark Crusader now… and these three are my friends!”

As she walked towards them the three of them all hugged her. Even Scootaloo did it without any further reservation. It had come much sooner than she had expected, but Diamond Tiara had proved her loyalty right there… so she was willing to forgive and forget their past.

Silver Spoon just sputtered incoherently, betrayal clear on her face. “H-hey! S-so you’re just gonna abandon me? Is that it? What do they have that I don’t?”

Diamond Tiara turned around. “I don’t mind being your friend. I WANT to be friends with you. But we became friends for the wrong reason in the first place, and I can’t be around you if you’re going to treat them this way. When you’ve adjusted your attitude and stopped being a stuck up snob like I used to be we can be friends again. I’m sorry, Silver Spoon, but this is the way it has to be.”

She turned back around and began walking away, the other three close behind her as Silver Spoon stood speechless.

Once they had left her far behind Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo all heaped praise onto Diamond Tiara for sticking to her guns and not abandoning them.

For Diamond Tiara she felt happy at their compliments, but at the same time she also felt bad for Silver Spoon. She was starting to experience some new feelings inside, but Silver Spoon was still her same old self. She wondered whether she could do anything for her friend. The two of them had never really talked that much about their families. She wasn’t sure if Silver Spoon was just like her and had to deal with parental neglect most of her life, so she just clung onto a position of power in being friends with an heiress.

As they were walking along a voice called out to the group. “Hey there, Di!”

Diamond Tiara turned, and she saw a familiar face she hadn’t seen in a while. “Aunt Thunder Claw!” Her aunt was an earth pony like her, with a gray mane, red eyes, and a greenish coat. “What brings you around here? It’s been two years already. I thought you said you weren’t coming back to Ponyville last time because of that fight you had with my dad.”

“Ah, you know,” she replied. “Things change. I thought it would be nice to catch up. But it looks like you’re busy now. Should I come back later?”

Diamond Tiara looked at the other three. “Go on, Diamond Tiara,” said Scootaloo. “The Crusaders will always be around in Ponyville. Go spend time with your family and we can start again tomorrow.”

“Thanks, you guys.” With that she walked next to her aunt and the two of them began walking.

It was quiet for a time, the two of them side by side but not saying anything. Diamond Tiara kept looking around at the scenery, then back at her aunt. The two of them had been pretty close when she’d come to visit, which was hardly often enough. Thunder Claw had been a mare of strength. She always got what she wanted, was rich like her dad, and tended to look down on others she didn’t feel were as important to her.

But her visits had become less and less as the years went by, until one day her and her dad had gotten into an explosive fight. She had forgotten the exact details of the argument, but all she remembered was that her aunt had sworn she’d never step hoof in Ponyville ever again.

“So… are you still mad at my dad?” Diamond Tiara asked in a small voice.

“Hardly. There’s no reason for anger anymore. We all get mad and say things we don’t mean, don’t we? I trust you’re still milking your dad for all he’s worth, huh? I’ve always admired that in you. You understand your place in the world and take advantage of it. You’re just like me in that sense.”

Diamond Tiara’s face scrunched up a bit. After a few seconds she let out the breath she was holding and said, “No. I don’t want to do that anymore.”

Thunder Claw stopped, looking down at her niece questioningly. “Oh?”

Diamond Tiara stopped too. “Look… that’s the way I was in the past. Or, at least it’s the way I want it to be now. I used to feel that way. But because of Apple Bloom, the yellow earth pony, I began to see things in a new light. I started seeing exactly what I was doing it all for. I was really looking for love since my parents were ignoring me. I became a bully to get attention and to feel powerful. But while it felt satisfying for a while I was still so scared on the inside of being disliked. I just wouldn’t admit it to myself.”

“Hmph. I see.” With a bit of a condescending look she began walking forward again, Diamond Tiara following along. “So what changed?”

For the next fifteen minutes Diamond Tiara spoke about the bits of her upbringing that had influenced her, and how Apple Bloom had come to her rescue, offering her friendship.

“Interesting. So now you’re a goody four-horseshoes like the rest?”

“N-no! It’s not like that.” She had always got along with her aunt in the past because they shared similar mindsets. Like with Silver Spoon their interactions made her uncomfortable now because of how different her thinking was becoming. She didn’t want to be a snob anymore. Was that really how she had been treating everyone else?

“Kid, soon you’re gonna learn that those supposed lessons you learned aren’t worth a thing.”

Diamond Tiara heard a bitterness in her aunt’s voice. “What do you mean?”

“Heh! If I explained it to you now it also wouldn’t mean a thing. It’s something that has to be experienced. You were smart before, to see the world as an enemy. Now you’re being suckered and believing it’s the best thing for you. But whatever. You enjoy your friendship while it lasts. Soon enough you’ll see how naïve you’re being.”

A questioning look came to Diamond Tiara’s face. “You really haven’t forgiven my dad, have you? Is that what you’re talking about?”

“That is beside the point. All I can tell you as I’ve lived throughout the years is that friendship is a joke. It’s just a bandage to cover up the weakness of not knowing how to rely on yourself. If you can’t do it alone it means you’re failing in some area.”

“But no one pony is good at EVERYTHING! That’s why all of us have different cutie marks.”

Thunder Claw shook her head amusingly. “Obviously. I’m not saying one pony should be able to do everything in the world. I’m saying that relying on others for something you should be able to do yourself is the ultimate form of weakness. Instead of trying to climb the ladder to success you take a shortcut of having your friends be a foot-stool. And in the end did you actually learn anything yourself or did you just have them do most of the work FOR you?”

Their talk was really starting to get depressing. She didn’t want to start doubting the choices she had made. She enjoyed her new friends. “Look… can we just change the subject?”

“Heh. Sure. But I’m sure you wouldn’t be so uncomfortable with the conversation if your 'friends' were nearby to support you. It just goes to show how reliant you’re already becoming on them. I wonder what happened to your sense of pride and strength. Did you give it away to fit in? And then you threw away another friend to boot to stay with your new buddies. How do you think Silver Spoon feels about being friendless now?”

That question felt like a stab in the heart. Those… feelings. So uncomfortable. In a nasty voice she said, “Would you just shut up already! You don’t know me as well as you think you do!”

That brought a smirk to Thunder Claw’s face. “Now, you see? You went from weak to strong when pushed. It seems the real you is still alive and well, buried under the layers of useless 'friendship.' How delightful!”

A cold feeling went through Diamond Tiara at her aunt’s words. She had reverted back to her snobby self when the feelings became too much to bear. She tried to formulate a reply, to deny it, but her aunt was right. Every time things started getting too hard she would go back to what was comfortable.

Silver Spoon was nearby, laughing to herself as she watched her traitor of a friend being verbally crushed into the ground. She had at first wanted to see what it was the four of them were up to. She found it hard to believe what Diamond Tiara had been saying. It just didn’t fit that she would change so drastically in such a short span of time.

She had met Thunder Claw one time and found her to be an admirable woman, the kind of mare she wanted to be when she grew up. This was great! Her old friend would be back in no time once Thunder Claw talked some sense back into her. And what filled her with even more joy was hearing her trash Diamond Tiara for throwing her away, her only true friend. How could she choose those three blank flank losers over HER, after all they had been through together?

Silver Spoon was about to go out from behind the tree she was hiding behind to gloat when all of a sudden five ponies came out of nowhere in all different directions towards them. Each of them was wearing a bodysuit and mask.

Diamond Tiara barely had time to process the lasso heading over her before it tightened around her legs, knocking her to the ground. “Hey!” she cried out.

A similar lasso got Thunder Claw.

The two of them were tied up and a mask was placed over her head so she couldn’t see. The next thing she knew she was being picked up and whoever had her began running.

“We’ve got her,” said a stallion. “Take her to the spot and bring the other one with us.”

Silver Spoon was in a state of shock. Her friend had just been foalnapped! So had her aunt. The area had been deserted before, so maybe that was why they had chosen to attack then.

She saw an envelope sitting on the ground that the ponies had left behind. Going over to pick it up she opened it and saw exactly what she expected: it was a ransom demand, with a demand that Filthy Rich go there alone with an exorbitant amount of bits for his daughters safe return. She had to get to Diamond Tiara’s house!

Epilogue 3: Truce

All Silver Spoon’s frustration at Diamond Tiara had faded. As she ran in the direction of her friend’s house she came upon the three fillies she disliked most of all. Again, though, she felt no rage. This was bigger than her feelings.

As much as it stung her pride to have to ask THEM for help she couldn’t just allow those foalnappers to keep her friend. “Hey!”

The three of them turned to Silver Spoon and immediately all three of them gave her annoyed expressions. “What do YOU want?” asked Sweetie Belle. “Came to diss us some more?”

“No! This is something much more important than that! Look!” She held out the letter.

Apple Bloom could see how panicked Silver Spoon looked so she took it. As she read the letter her eyes went wide. “W-what is this? D-Diamond Tiara’s been kidnapped!”

“WHAT?” Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said loudly, both taking a place over her shoulder to read the note herself.

“Look,” said Silver Spoon, “this isn’t about whether we like or hate each other. We have to save her! We can go back to hating each other later.”

As much as they hated to say it they couldn’t disagree with it. “Fine, then,” said Apple Bloom. “A truce. Fer now.” She held out her hoof.

“Truce,” she responded, meeting it.

“Let’s go, then! I have a plan! We just need a few more ponies first.”

******

Diamond Tiara was finally set down and the blindfold taken off. She was sitting in a big cage in a pretty dark room. One of the ponies was still standing there watching over her. She looked around her and saw she was alone. “H-hey! Where’s my aunt?”

“That’s none of your concern,” said the stallion. “She’s not what we’re after so she’s somewhere else.”

“And what do you want?”

“Bits, of course. You’re the heiress of a very wealthy stallion. Just be quiet and wait. I’m sure your daddy loves you very much so he’ll pay whatever we demand.”

A part of her felt relieved they weren’t going to hurt her. She knew her dad would do anything to get her back so she wasn’t concerned about that. There was the big possibility they’d have to downsize everything to get by after, but… that was okay with her. So long as she had her parents that was all she really needed.

She sat down on the floor. There was no need to make a fuss. The old her would have complained and raised a fit, too worried about high society and money to want to risk having their wealth diminished by even a single bit. Taking a deep breath she actually felt a small smile come to her lips. There was no need to worry. She knew her dad loved her very much, so worry was unnecessary.

**********

The three Crusaders and Silver Spoon had split up into two groups. Apple Bloom and Silver Spoon headed to the schoolyard, while Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo headed toward the park. Each of them was to get as many recruits as possible.

As they were running along Apple Bloom thought of how she had hated Diamond Tiara up until she found out that one powerful piece of information she kept deep in her heart... of the intense jealously of not being close to her own family the way the Apples were. What if Silver Spoon had a similar secret?

When they were almost at the schoolhouse the two of them stopped to catch their breath. When they were almost back to normal Apple Bloom thought it was a great opportunity to see if she could glean any information about her other biggest rival.

“Silver Spoon, do ya know why Diamond Tiara joined us?”

The silver pony stumbled a bit at the question. “How should I know? I thought we agreed to save this for later. You really think I want to be working with YOU? It’s your fault Diamond Tiara threw me away. But no matter how angry I am at her for that I’m not going to sit around and do nothing when she’s been foalnapped.”

“This incident gives us the chance ta talk fer a change. It was through talking that Diamond Tiara and I managed to put our differences aside and find something in common that made us want ta become friends. She told me about how her parents were more interested in working than her most of the time, so she gave up on them and decided to rely on herself and throw her power around so no one could see how she was really feeling on the inside.”

“Can you STOP?” Silver Spoon said nastily. “You should be grateful I’m willing to work with a loser like you! I don’t have any sob story like that! All right? I just don’t LIKE you! I don’t like anything about you!”

Apple Bloom felt unfazed. There was a defensiveness in Silver Spoon’s demeanor now that seemed to show she wasn’t telling the truth. “I think it's fer the best that I was the one ta be partnered with ya and that we're alone. Scootaloo can be kinda nasty, and Sweetie Belle can be indecisive when it comes to group decisions, not wanting ta hurt anyone’s feelings. I guess that’s why I’m the unofficial leader of the group.

"I know that there’s something yer not telling me. I think you have the same sort of issues as Diamond Tiara. That’s why you clung to her as yer social hero. Being affiliated with someone 'cool' would make ya cool by association. Now Diamond Tiara wants ta hang out with 'losers' so yer only choice is ta become a 'loser' yerself or ta try ta push her ta be her old self. Why don’t ya give it a try before mocking it as stupid? I’d be willing ta be friends with ya just like Diamond Tiara if ya would only apologize and try ta be a better pony.”

Silver Spoon’s gaze was full of suspicion and distrust. “And why would you do that? You must want something out of it! The same way you’re probably using Diamond Tiara for something. What, did you finally run out of cutie mark schemes that don’t cost any money? No wonder you tried to befriend the richest girl in class.”

“Hmph. Y’know, Diamond Tiara said much the same at first when I offered ta be her friend. I’ll give ya the same response I gave ta her: the only thing in it fer me is the value of yer friendship. If Diamond Tiara can learn it then so can you. After all, if yer following after her that strongly you’ll be able ta imitate her. Ya can at least give it a try. If ya don’t like it ya can always go back ta the way things were before and ya won’t have ta deal with the lame Cutie Mark Crusaders anymore.”

Silver Spoon had a very sour look on her face. “I don’t get you. I don’t get you at all. That’s NOT how a normal pony would talk. You’re supposed to be angry and hate those that wrong you.”

“I did…up ‘til my sister told me about the past.”

“And what does THAT mean?”

“My parents both died soon after I was born. Applejack told me about hating my guts and blaming me fer what happened ta them. It was Big Mac who set her straight and showed her how wrong she was being. She managed ta befriend me, her worst enemy, because she forgave me and herself for something neither of us had control over. And that made me see a bit about the similarities of our situation, and it was why I wanted ta forgive Diamond Tiara.

“I want ta do things that will make my parents proud of me. Even if ya spit at the attempt I know that trying ta become friends with ya despite our history together will allow me ta do that.”

“You’re a fool,” said Silver Spoon, turning away from her and walking again. “You don’t know anything about me.”

Apple Bloom hesitated a moment and then continued walking, deciding to let things go. There were bigger priorities at the moment than their relationship, as Silver Spoon had said before.

“Hmph! Think you know sooo much!” Silver Spoon muttered under her breath. “My parents are jet-setters. They like to go on lavish and extravagant trips. They can be away for a month or more at a time. While they’re away I get the run of the house, and I’m used to the best of the best.

"The only reason I’m not there with them all the time is because they want me to get an education. They also said I should try to focus on the best in the class. Get in good with the rich girl and maybe you can use her status as friends to try to manipulate a merger and become even greater.

"Only the best is accepted. Only the most powerful is acceptable. Go big or go home! Be amazing! Be awesome! Be popular! Crush all those beneath you! You’re better than them! You were made for greatness! Accept nothing less! You don’t want to tarnish the family name… DO YOU?”

Apple Bloom had a curious look on her face. Somewhere along the way Silver Spoon began sounding like she was talking to herself. “So is that what this is all about? Yer parents don’t care about ya as a pony, only about what status and prestige you can give to them?”

“HUH?” Silver Spoon suddenly shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Look, let’s just hurry and go rescue that weakling Diamond Tiara.” She suddenly began running.

Apple Bloom felt like pressure to excel was what was pushing Silver Spoon to be the way she was. She couldn’t accept anyone as an equal or else she felt like she’d drag her and her family down. Only someone of equal wealth and status could be considered a friend.

Apple Bloom ran after her until she was running alongside her. “It doesn’t always have ta be that way. The most powerful status ya could have is a good friend. Ya can be great, Silver Spoon. Forget what yer parents say. Ya are of GREAT value. Ya just need ta see that it doesn’t make ya better than everyone else.”

“Oh, stop!” she snapped. “I don’t want to hear anymore! I don’t know what dumb tricks you tried on Diamond Tiara but they’re not gonna work on me!”

Apple Bloom decided to let it go again. Silver Spoon’s voice had been quivering at her last sentence, making her think she didn’t really believe what she was saying.

The two of them arrived at the schoolyard, seeing about sixteen kids playing soccer.

Apple Bloom thought this was perfect! With the kids here and the ones Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle could get this was going to work just fine for what she had in mind!

Epilogue 4: Broken Tiara

Diamond Tiara felt a little bored as she sat there. There was nothing to do so she looked around at her surroundings. The room was pretty bare of anything of interest. There were no windows to see to the outside of the room. The only illumination came from a few lanterns hanging from the ceiling. Where exactly they were she didn’t have a clue. It certainly didn’t look like a room in a house, but beyond that she couldn’t tell anything else.

Waiting was beginning to make her anxious. How long was she going to be in there? Were the kidnappers really going to let her go? Would her dad bankrupt himself for her? She knew she shouldn’t be thinking such bad thoughts but she had never been in a situation like this. Maybe…maybe it was time for a little bit of cunning. The guard was sitting in a chair and reading a magazine, only briefly glancing up from time to time.

She took a deep breath before saying in a commanding voice, “Hey! How about some water? I’m thirsty!”

“Oh, pipe down and deal with it.”

“Oh, is that the way it’s gonna be?” She ran towards one of the walls of the cell and jump tackled it, letting out a grunt of pain.

“H-hey! What are you doing?” He set down his magazine.

“My daddy won’t be happy if he comes to pick me up and I’m injured…will he?” Putting on a sad face she said, “Oh, d-d-daddy! They were so mean to me! And one of them kept hitting me!” She jumped at the cell wall again.

“Rrgh!” The stallion growled, annoyed. “Fine!” He got up and left the room.

Sticking her head out the cell she took a look at the lock on the door. It wasn’t a padlock or even one that required a key. It was a simple slide lock. She tried getting on two hooves and stretching for the lock but she just wasn’t tall enough. It was so frustrating. It was so close! If she was just another inch taller!

Letting out a loud huff she dropped down to the ground and looked around to see if there was anything she could use to extend her reach, but she was disappointed. There was nothing. So much for her escape plan.

She got on her back to look up at the ceiling. When she landed she felt something push against her and dig into her mane with a slight pain. Her eyes lit up as she got back on her hooves, a victory smirk on her face.

Taking off her tiara she used it to create the necessary leverage to push the latch into the unlocked position. She suppressed a laugh as the door to the cell opened slightly. It creaked just a bit but not too loudly.

She was sure the guard would be back soon and there was nowhere to hide in the room. Sure enough, she could hear the sound of grumbling and hoofsteps approaching. She had come too far to get caught now.

With a stroke of inspiration she carefully but speedily walked right next to the doorway. The open door would provide enough cover for the few seconds she would need to go further.

When the guard walked in he said, “Here’s your stupid water, you little…brat…” He gasped as he saw the empty cage and the open door. “No!” he yelled, dropping the glass and running towards it.

It was just as she thought. Taking advantage of the noise of his running she began running too, around the door and out of the room. Now all she had to do was find out where the exit was and she was home free. If she could escape she could get as many ponies as she needed to free her aunt.

She realized she only had a few seconds before the guard raised the alarm. If she couldn’t find a safe place to hide quickly she would just be captured again.

She listened carefully, waiting for the inevitable. She wondered if she actually had more time. The one in charge of her surely wouldn’t want to let anyone else know he had let their target escape. Maybe he would just try to find her on his own.

The place she was in wasn’t like most places she had seen. It looked like it had been abandoned for some time. There was a slight smell of mold in the air, as well as broken boxes and glass everywhere. There were few windows, all of them too high to reach. The rooms she passed by were just as empty as the other ones.

Still, it remained quiet. Had she been right, or did the stallion have another way of communicating with his companions? As she turned around another hallway she saw a big set of double doors that just screamed, “EXIT!”

She couldn’t believe how easy it had been. Thoughts of victory made her careless though. As she ran full-out towards the door she suddenly felt something move underneath her hooves, and the next thing she knew she was flying into the air, a rope tying her back legs up.

She covered her mouth, but it was too late. She was so surprised she had let out a loud yelp when she went flying up.

It only took a minute before four of the kidnappers found her hanging there. She groaned mentally. One of them let her down, and then dragged her back to her cell, locking her in again.

Her legs were untied as she began pacing around the cell. She had been so stupid! She should have known there was a trap there!

She couldn’t tell if there was a different pony guarding her now.

“That was a clever move,” said the voice of a mare. Though it was muffled by the mask it sounded a little familiar. “Truly brilliant, but you got careless at the end. And to think…you did it all by yourself, without any help from anyone.”

The pony lifted her mask off and Diamond Tiara gasped. “Thunder-coh-” She shoved a hoof into her mouth to drown out her words. Lowering her voice to a whisper she said, “You escaped too?”

“I managed to trick one of the guards by pretending I was sick. When I pretended to collapse he opened the cell to check on me. I gave him a nice whack and stole his costume.”

Diamond Tiara laughed slightly, trying to keep her voice down. “Nice! At least you had better sense than I did. Although I guess I wouldn’t have fit into one of their costumes anyway. Good job!” She put her hoof through the bars. She waited, but her aunt didn’t meet it. “Well? Aren’t you gonna let me out?”

“Why would I do that?”

“W-why?”

“You’re still such a child! If I let you go now how am I ever going to get the ransom?”

A chill went through Diamond Tiara. “W-w-what are you talking about?” Her hoof went back to the floor.

“Business has been way too slow, and I can’t keep up with the lifestyle I’m used to. I’m trying some new things but I need a large amount of bits to start my new investiture. Why not bankrupt your dad in the process for his slights against me? I’ll have revenge and he’ll never even know. It’s such a laugh!”

Rage made Diamond Tiara see red. How could she dare…! Suddenly her anger went away as she began laughing. A big belly laugh that rang through her entire body.

“Oh? What’ so funny?”

When she got her laughing under control Diamond Tiara said, “You got too confident. You think anyone is gonna believe you when you came up to me and flat out told me you masterminded this whole thing? Unless you’re actually gonna kill me I’m gonna tell my dad as soon as I get freed.”

Her smirk only became wider. “Stupid, stupid girl. Did becoming 'good' really drain your wits so much? Go ahead. Tell your dad. And your mom and your new friends and whoever else you wish. It makes no difference to me.”

Diamond Tiara felt confused. Why was she still smiling? “Do you really think anyone is gonna want to start a business with you when you’re known as a kidnapper?”

“Tell everyone you want. NO ONE is going to believe you.”

“You last left Ponyville after a huge fight with my dad. He’d believe me!”

An extremely self-satisfied smile came to her lips. It suddenly faded as a look of despair and horror came to her face. “W-w-what?” she said, disbelief coloring her voice. “How could you say that? I did my best to rescue her! I managed to trick the guard into coming into the cell and I stole his costume. I was trying to rescue her! W-w-why would…would…she say such a thing? L-l-like I would EVER participate in such a horrible act? I love my darling little niece. I came to town to make peace, and now she wants to tear the family apart again?”

Diamond Tiara watched in horrified amazement as her aunt burst into tears and weeping. Her cadence, the rise and fall of her voice, the fear and sadness, even the tears…all of it was so spot on that she believed her aunt. It was so convincing that even though she knew it was all a lie she still believed it. And if she did than there was no way anyone else would doubt that it was real. Ponies would think she was just confused from the stress of being kidnapped, and her aunt would look like the good girl.

With her act over she resumed her usual condescending demeanor. “Good enough for you? I can tell by your face that you see how hopeless it is. I’ve always been a good actor. You’re truly pathetic. You cling on to your dad’s prestige and act like that makes YOU special when you never did anything to earn it.

“The world is a dark place, sweetheart, and the only way to make it is to throw others under the train to save yourself. That was a lesson you had firmly ingrained the last time I saw you, but now you’ve deteriorated to a lovesick puppy starving for 'fwiend-ship.'

“Do you REALLY think anyone cares about you? Tell me, what was it that prompted your parents to start paying more attention to you?”

“It…it was…because I talked to them about it…”

“Exactly! How many years had they been neglecting you for their careers, and then all of a sudden they’re super caring…because you ASKED for it. More like parents who were forced to change their behavior because they didn’t want to lose their reputations. No one would believe a caring nurse could be such a neglectful mother. No one wants to purchase things from a stallion with a reputation as an indifferent family man. For being so 'loving' they sure didn’t make any effort to show you they loved you…up until-” she snorted “-you ASKED for it.”

“Uh, um…” Diamond Tiara was feeling cold again, despite the sweat starting to come down her face. Her breathing starting to speed up. She couldn’t respond to that.

“Oh, yeah. And what was it you told me before about the flightless pegasus? Didn’t she say that if you made fun of her wings even once she’d disown you as a friend and make the other two choose who they wanted to be friends with more? And do you really think that, if you get into a big argument that that won’t be the first area of attack you’ll choose? It’s not a matter of IF, but WHEN you’re gonna say it.”

“U-um…well…” Her voice came out small, barely audible.

“And then what’s next? The big division between you two is gonna force the other two to choose sides. Do you TRULY believe that they’re gonna choose the spoiled brat that’s just been made part of the group over a friend who’s been loyal and steadfast?

“And as for the earth pony brat… what was her reason for befriending you again? 'To make her parents proud of her,' right? So, in other words, it was only for herself... to make herself feel better.”

“So with all that do you REALLY want to tell me you think ANY of them actually care about you?”

Diamond Tiara tried to swallow, but her throat felt too dry. She was having trouble breathing and the room felt like it was spinning. A few tears went swimming down her face until they hit the ground.

She backed up a few steps, her mind going a mile a minute. ‘No… no! It’s… it’s not true! My dad… my mom… Apple Bloom. They-they-they… they DO care about me! D-don’t they?’

She tried to picture her trip to the amusement park… sleeping with her mom… Apple Bloom and the others allowing her to join their group. She tried, but every time she did doubt and misgivings came up.

Had she been wrong to begin trusting again? Was her aunt right? Were all of them just trying to selfishly look out for their own best interests? She didn’t want to believe it. She didn’t want to! But… but…

Buuuut no matter how much Diamond Tiara wanted to deny her aunt’s words she had a point. Her words had some stinging facts in them.

More tears began joining the first two, and then her emotions overflowed in anger and despair. She threw herself on the ground and began furiously pounding the ground with all four hooves, screaming in frustration and pain.

“Oh, look.” Thunder Claw laughed. “Her royal highness is throwing a royal tantrum.” With great amusement she watched Diamond Tiara acting like a toddler who didn’t get something at the toy store.

Patiently waiting until Diamond Tiara finished her rampage and had been reduced to simply panting on the floor she said, “I guess you finally see the truth again. It only hurts because you were foolish enough to start giving away your heart to those who don’t deserve it. If you had been the way you were before none of what I said would have affected you in this way. Surely you can understand that trusting others in friendship is the most foolish thing you can do.”

Diamond Tiara didn’t respond. There was a dead look on her face now. Except for an occasional tear or a blink there was no more movement from her.

“How about this? Be smart and trust in me. I’ll help you find your true self again. The ways of the liar and the trickster and the manipulator. Face it. If things go through as they’re supposed to it will only end badly for you. I’m going to come out a hero for this for 'trying to rescue you.' And if you don’t respond in that manner or try to accuse me of foul play you’ve already seen how convincing I can be on the subject. All that you’ll get in return for that accusation is disbelief and a scolding. Even if you don’t accuse me you’ll be seen as an ungrateful brat if you don’t sing my praises for it.

“You like your high end lifestyle. I can reduce the amount your father will have to pay if you join in with my act. If you work along with me we’ll patch up the problems between me and your father by talking about the depths I went through for you. Rescuing you and getting you to safety would definitely restore his trust in me, and he’ll be so thankful he’ll no doubt lend me the money I need to get my next franchise up and running.

“All you have to do is find your true self. Throw away the bags of bondage that you call 'love' and embrace the reality, and I’ll guide you into the transition. The only one you can really trust is someone who also knows you can’t trust anyone. We’ll always know to be on guard for each other’s betrayal. The only thing you’re missing is experience and good acting skills.”

Putting her hoof through the bar door she said, “So how about it? Do we have a deal? Throw away your notions of friendship and love and you’ll find the truest strength and pleasure of all, and you’ll never have to hurt like you’re hurting now ever again.”

Diamond Tiara stared blankly at her aunt. The pain… the fear… the unknown… the future. Was it worth it? Was friendship really worth all this work? All this frustration? Wouldn’t it be better to just…always be in control? Her aunt portrayed a convincing picture. Her words were so soft and smooth. The hoof was right in front of her. It would be so simple to lift her own hoof to meet it, to agree to the plan. Would it really be a betrayal if no one else ever really cared in the first place?

What was the right thing to do? She felt so empty inside at the moment, the conflict so strong in her mind despite the blankness of her emotions. Was the chance of future pain really worth the risk of choosing to open her heart to love?

Her left leg twitched a bit, rising a little off the ground, time seeming to stop for her as she struggled to make the biggest decision of her life.

Epilogue 5: Strength in numbers

Seeing Diamond Tiara’s hoof begin rising Thunder Claw said encouragingly, “Yes, dear. That’s it. Make the right choice for once. Don’t be deceived a second time. I’m the only one you can truly trust.”

Diamond Tiara felt so broken up inside at the moment she was willing to cling to anyone that would offer her comfort and take her pain away at the moment… even if that person was the same one who put her in that state in the first place.

She didn’t know if she could actually trust her aunt to keep to her word though, especially when she flat out said she shouldn’t be trusted. It was a strange sort of comforting to know that somehow. Everyone else around her always tried to hide their flaws and act reliable. The fact that her aunt was so honest in admitting her dishonesty somehow made her more trustworthy. She couldn’t explain why, but that was the way she felt.

She felt on the verge of throwing it all away. Everything that she had been fighting for recently. She hated all the discomfort and pain she had been going through, and it just made her want to lock her heart away again to feel safe.

Her leg twitched again and again as she kept starting to seal the deal, then pullied it away in indecision. She wanted the pain to go away, but a part of her just couldn’t bear going back to the way things were.

There was a sudden loud pounding that echoed throughout the chamber. Thunder Claw looked outside of the room. “Well, it seems your father is here. You can try to run but you’ll have to make the choice eventually. When everything goes catastrophically wrong you’ll beg for me to help you out. Soon enough you’ll see how naïve you’re being. That indecision is the voice of weakness still trying to hold you back. No one truly cares for you and no one ever will.”

Near the front doors one of the kidnappers went to the door. “Who is it?” asked the stallion.

A male voice answered, “I’m here to negotiate for Diamond Tiara’s release.”

“Good, good.” He opened the door and saw… a unicorn colt with a snail for a cutie mark. With a confused look he asked, “Are… are you a relative of hers?”

“I’m gonna go rescue her!” He slipped in past the stallion, who quickly ran after him and caught him. The door opened further, and now Apple Bloom was standing there. “Temporary Crusaders!” she cried out strongly. “CHARGE!”

“RIGHT!” came a group of voices.

“What is-” The stallion didn’t get to finish before there was an uproar of screaming and yelling, and countless fillies and colts began storming through the open door. In disbelief he dropped Snails on the ground. Quickly overwhelming him through sheer numbers Apple Bloom hogtied him just like she had practiced with her sister a hundred times.

“Help!” screamed out the stallion. “We’re being overwhelmed!”

The three other members of the group quickly came running.

“Don’t stop fer nothin’!” Apple Bloom yelled. “We’re gettin’ Diamond Tiara back whether they like it or not!”

They did their best to defend themselves but the kidnappers were quickly trounced. For every kid they pushed or hit another one took its place. From every side and every angle they were attacked until they collapsed and were tied up.

Diamond Tiara and Thunder Claw both were looking at the door. The amount of noise was almost overwhelming. It sounded like an army was charging throughout the building.

Panic was on Thunder Claw’s face as she chewed on the inside of her cheek. Who would be foolish enough to storm the building, putting the hostage at risk? She didn’t have enough time to prepare something before a group of kids passed by the door.

“Found her!” yelled Scootaloo. “Charge!”

The number of them was simply too much to fight off alone. She began getting kicked all over her body. When she tried to kick back to defend herself a pony would jump onto her legs. She got knocked to the ground. Apple Bloom came running in with her lasso to tie her up.

Straining to her utmost, Thunder Claw threw the children overpowering her off and jumped over the group towards the open door. Just as she reached it and thought she was home free she suddenly saw a pair of legs as she was bucked in the face, stunning her.

Silver Spoon felt a pit of disgust in her stomach to see that it was Thunder Claw. She had helped kidnap her own niece.

Diamond Tiara felt like she was dreaming. What was going on? Had all of them really come… just for her?

Apple Bloom finished tying up Thunder Claw, then with the assistance of Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo as supports she jumped on top of them and opened the lock. With a huge smile she opened the door and ran in. “Hey there, Diamond Tiara! Glad ta see yer alright!” She hugged her friend. “Silver Spoon told us about what happened. Soon as we heard ya was kidnapped all of us chipped in ta rescue ya.”

Diamond Tiara’s eyes shut tight as she began crying, regret burning so strongly in her heart. How could she have forgotten so easily? Apple Bloom cared for family and friends most of all. She would never let a friend get hurt if she could be there to stop it.

She threw herself at Apple Bloom too, letting her emotions run free. “Thank you! Thank you all!” She didn’t think she would ever forget it. The site of all her classmates storming the building to rescue her, putting their own lives in danger for her... never in a million years did she think that would happen. All the ones she had wronged through her years of being a snobby bully forgot their misgivings and came to save her. Snips, Snails, Truffle Shuffle, Rumble, Shady Daze, Featherweight, Pipsqueak, Twist, Dinky; even Silver Spoon had shown up despite her choosing her new friends over her old one.

Her aunt was WRONG! Wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong! She did have friends! Friends who cared about her very deeply. Love that flowed powerfully around her. Her aunt had almost made her forget by bringing up painful memories from the past, but she had overcome them again now.

“Apple Bloom,” said Diamond Tiara. “Let’s get out of here. My aunt needs a lesson in manners.”

“Yer AUNT?” Apple Bloom sputtered, looking over at the still stunned Thunder Claw.

“She instigated this whole kidnapping plot to get back at my dad. She had to get kidnapped too to make it look good.” Begging, she said, “Please! Believe me! My aunt is a masterful liar and deceiver. She even convinced ME and I knew it was a lie. She’s going to do her best to make it seem like she had been trying to rescue me. Please! Stick by my side. I can’t take another betrayal.”

There was a short laugh, and then she heard a voice say, “Funny you should say that.” Diamond Tiara saw Silver Spoon coming through the crowd. “But I guess this time I’d be willing to forgive you since you’re not hurt. You can just owe me one.”

She gave Silver Spoon a hug. ”Thank you.”

“Hmph! Don’t thank me. It was just the right thing to do.” She returned the hug for a few seconds. “You idiot. You and your dumb Crusader friends. But if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t have gotten so many to join us in our mission. So… I guess they’re not so bad.”

“Yeah… they really aren’t.”

Diamond Tiara went up to her aunt and looked down at her. Thunder Claw was coming to her senses. “So what do you say now?” she asked angrily. “I’m gonna make sure you’re exposed for the phony, backstabbing monster you really are, with my dear friends right by my side! Sure it may hurt sometimes, but…” She grabbed Silver Spoon and Apple Bloom, “…but my heart wouldn’t be complete without them!”

“Yeah!” said Apple Bloom. “I don’t care what ya say. Ya kin try yer phony act, but no matter how convincing it is, I know I’ll believe my friend over you.”

Thunder Claw groaned. “Y-you’ll regret this.” She sounded so deflated it barely sounded like a threat.

“The only thing I regret is allowing myself to be manipulated by you in the first place,” said Diamond Tiara. “I nearly fell for your speech and forgot what was important. When one of us is in danger, no matter our differences, each of us will step up to help each other out. That is the essence of the beauty of friendship.

“Hmph! Even if I had agreed to your deal you would have backstabbed me along the way.”

A smirk crossed Thunder Claw’s lips, some of her spirit coming back. “Obviously. Look at all of them at your side, but each of them will turn against you some day and betray your trust.”

“When I was alone those words seemed so powerful and strong, but… with so many by my side all I hear is the voice of a sore loser. I don’t want to turn out like you, a bitter old hag.”

“H-hag? HAG! How dare you!” She struggled to get out of her bonds but wasn’t able to.

“Don’t bother,” said Apple Bloom. “Besides my sister I’m the number one hog-tier in Ponyville.”

“Let’s get out of here,” said Diamond Tiara. “I want to go home.”

“Sure!”

Diamond Tiara still couldn’t believe how many kids had shown up. As they walked through the halls near to the entrance she saw the other four tied up, and there had to be at least forty fillies and colts gathered around them besides the group of fifteen to twenty that had stormed the room she had been in.

Working together, all five of the kidnappers were thrown into their own cage and locked up.

As they left the building Diamond Tiara breathed in the fresh air, feeling the warmth of the sun. “Thank you again, Apple Bloom.” Looking around curiously at their group she asked, “So how come you didn’t get any adults?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, it all worked out in the end because there were just too many of them to fight, but I thought you’d get your sister or some skilled unicorns.”

Apple Bloom stared blankly at Diamond Tiara like she was speaking another language. Then an embarrassed smile came to her face. Putting her hoof behind her head she rubbed it and laughed awkwardly. “H-heh heh. Yeah. That probably would-a been the smarter thing ta do, wouldn’t it?”

Diamond Tiara burst out into laugher. She couldn’t help it. Apple Bloom really hadn’t thought of it.

When they got to her mansion she opened the gate and walked in. She could see most of the kids had stopped. She remembered the last time they had been crowding around because the Crusaders were cool at the time, being friends with a princess. “Hey...,” She started with a bit of a forced smile. “You all want to go for a swim in the pool?”

Cheers went throughout the crowd of kids who all quickly ran towards it, leaving the rest of them behind. Only Silver Spoon and the other Crusaders remained. “That was awful nice-a ya, Diamond Tiara.”

“It was the least I could do after they all put in the effort to help save me. Let’s go get my dad.”

As the children all splashed and screamed and played in the pool the other five went in and looked around until she saw her parents in the kitchen.

When she told her parents about what had happened her mom quickly came over and hugged her. Her dad became furious, and with the help of several of his servants he went to town hall and had her aunt and her co-conspirators arrested.

While he was gone Diamond Tiara talked with Silver Spoon. “I want to thank you again. You came back to help me, even after I just said I didn’t want to be friends anymore.”

“Don’t worry about it,” she responded. “I’m just happy you’re unhurt. Being betrayed by your family is never easy.

“Well, you have fun with your 'party.' I’ll see you in class. It’s not like I have any friends anymore.” She turned around and began walking towards the exit.

To her surprise Scootaloo stepped in front of her. “And where do you think you’re going? You are a friend.”

“Yeah, right. I was just doing the right thing.”

“Yes, you did. All you had to do was tell someone else and let them handle it. But you came along for the fight to protect her when it would have been simpler to just sit around and wait for someone else to solve the problem. It sure shows to me that you still consider her a friend. You said we’d call a truce in our rivalry for today, and it’s still today. If you want to go back to being a jerk to me tomorrow then go ahead. But for today I’m glad you were around to warn us. At least until tomorrow I’m willing to forget our history. Let’s just hang out together and celebrate Diamond Tiara’s safe return.” She stuck out her hoof.

Silver Spoon’s eyes went to the corner of the room, her mouth stuck on one side. “Fine,” she responded, tapping Scootaloo’s hoof. “But just until tomorrow. I have a reputation to maintain. I have to…” Her voice lost all its spirit. “I have to be good for my parents, and do what they say. The family name is the most important thing you can possess… supposedly.”

Apple Bloom spoke up. “Why can’t we just be friends? If ya say yer mom and dad told ya to latch on to the popular or rich kids in class, and we’re friends with Diamond Tiara, then aren’t ya just doin’ what yer parents told ya to do if yer friends with us too?” She could see on Silver Spoon now that same look she had seen on Diamond Tiara: that hopeful look tinged with a strong reluctance.

“Silver Spoon,” said Diamond Tiara. “What I’ve learned over the past few weeks is that the family name isn’t the most important thing. It’s having love in your heart. I can hardly believe I’m saying those words, but they’re true. It started with Apple Bloom after we had that fight. Despite me making such a harmful comment she still offered to be my friend. Because of her suggestion I decided to give my parents another chance, and because of that and making friends with the Crusaders I’m a lot happier now than I ever was when I was making fun of them. It’s really uncomfortable right now because I’m not used to acting that way, but I’m slowly getting used to it.

“My aunt…” Diamond Tiara’s eye’s narrowed. “She almost broke me. She tried to get me to agree that it was all pointless and that everyone was going to betray me. Despite showing me just a little earlier how good a liar she was I still almost fell for it. I would have if you didn’t show up when you did. She would have escaped if you hadn’t been the one to buck her. That was pretty awesome!” She snickered.

Silver Spoon followed suit. “It was, wasn’t it?

“Look, I’ll give it a shot today to see if I like it. I can’t see myself as a Cutie Mark Crusader, but since Scootaloo is right that we’re still in a truce I’ll let you have the honor of my friendship…at least for today.

“Let’s all go in the pool with the other kids. We can have a big barbeque and hang out until the sun sets!”

There was excitement in her voice as she pushed her pride to the side. The other four cheered and ran outside.

Silver Spoon smiled as she jumped into the pool, splashing around with everyone. She felt just like everyone else for a change, and for once in her life she didn’t mind it at all.

Away from that horrible situation, surrounded by caring ponies…Diamond Tiara could see her aunt’s words for the lies they were. Her parents had made some mistakes, believing it was for her benefit. She would get into arguments with her friends, but so long as she came back apologetic they would forgive her. Love was all around her, she was loved and…she was starting to love back after all the heartaches of her youth. This was the life.

Author's Note

Diamond Tiara: How did you know that would work?
Apple Bloom: I play a lot of Friendship-craft. Foal rushes are almost always an effective tactic.