Diamond Tiara of The Royal Guard

Once again, Diamond Tiara stood at the training grounds, but they were not exercising just yet. There was something else that had to be done first.

The fact that all of the ponies that she was training with were earth ponies was something Diamond Tiara had noticed, but she never gave it a second thought. Admittedly, she probably should have. After all -- although founded by earth ponies -- the population was pretty closed to balanced between the three types, or it was before a lot of ponies moved in to live in a town that had a princess.

Turns out that there actually were pegasi and unicorns that had also entered the guard. They had simply been put into separate training programs focused more on their own specific talents and abilities, such as flying while carrying other ponies, or creating shielding spells.

Now, the three groups were being combined. They were being set up in teams of three, one of each type. "It was supposed to maximize skill and capability," the commanding ponies said. The teams were then supposed start training together "to build trust, and start learning the best way to assist each other in and out of combat."

So, here she was, waiting as the commanders called out names: one earth pony, one pegasus, and one unicorn. The ponies in question would step forward, meet up with each other, then move off to the side and get to know each other while waiting for the rest to finish.

"Diamond Tiara," the drill sergeant called out.

"Rumble," the pegasus commander shouted.

"Dinky Hooves," the unicorn trainer added.

At the sound of her name being called, Diamond Tiara stepped out of line and moved forward. As she did, she thought about the names of the other ponies she had just heard. Rumble and Dinky sounded familiar, the latter vaguely, but she could not quite place them. Classmates? Schoolmates? Former victims?

If the last, would they be willing to forgive and give her a chance, or would they want nothing to do with her? Worse, would they want to get revenge against her? She was really hoping that was not the case. The idea of having another run in with a pony (or two) that wanted her hurt (or dead) for what she did in elementary school sent a feeling of dread through her stomach.

Two other ponies made their was toward where she now stood. One was a faintly violet tinted gray unicorn with a golden mane and tail. The other was a pegasus with more of a plain light gray coat and a darker gray mane and tail.

Bumble! Diamond Tiara thought, but bit her lip to keep from shouting it out loud.

The unicorn -- Dinky Hooves -- looked familiar, but she could barely place her. The pegasus -- Rumble -- she actually did remember a little.

He had been kind of the typical pegasus colt, interested mostly in flying and sports. Seemed more like the type who would want to join The Wonderbolts instead of royal guards. Also typical of young pegasi, he had a tendency to crash pretty often. So on the rare occasion that their paths crossed, she most often called him "Bumble."

He also had some brother that was supposed to be so great. Rubber Made? Super Lame? Lumber Mane? Blunder Tame?

No matter. Not really important at the moment. She tried to put on a small smile, hoping to look friendly as she moved to join.

"You have got to be shitting me," Rumble said, raising an eyebrow as they headed off toward the side. "Diamond Tiara? Really?" He looked her up and down. "You of all ponies not only joined the guard, but managed to make it through basic?"

"Rumble!" Dinky scolded, narrowing her eyes to glare at him.

"Oh, come on," Rumble said with a roll of his eyes. "You remember what she used to be like, don't you?"

"I remember," Dinky replied, turning to smile at Diamond Tiara. "She was quick-witted and could be very tenacious."

Oh, buck me! Diamond Tiara thought. It's her! I had completely forgotten about her.

Back in the days of elementary school, there had been one pony that Diamond Tiara had tried to mess with once, then left alone. Not because Tiara felt threatened, but because that particular pony was optimistic and positive. None of the insults seemed to faze her. Most often the pony in question would simply point out the positive. Although there were a few time when she would -- aggravatingly -- simply accept that what was being said was true and be okay with it.

For Diamond Tiara, it turned out that that particular filly had been named Dinky Hooves. Nothing Tiara had said seemed to faze Dinky in the slightest. So much so, it was pissing Diamond Tiara off. Unfortunately (at the time) she could do nothing about it. In point, she pretty much had to pretend it did not bother her and completely ignore Dinky. Otherwise, other ponies might get the same idea and all of Tiara's work would have been for nothing.

"I'm Dinky Hooves, and this is Rumble," Dinky said, motioning toward herself and the pegasus. "We actually went to the same school as you. Different class though."

"I remember you," Diamond Tiara said, looking ahead.

"I still can't believe you're here," Rumble added. "I figured you would end up running your dad's business... or an evil criminal syndicate..."

"And I figured you would be trying to become a Wonderbolt," Diamond Tiara retorted. She then slowed down, turning to look at the two of them fully.

"...So..." she said, shifting her front hooves, "...you don't have a problem working with me? After the way I was... back then?"

Rumble let out a snort, rolling his eyes.

"Oh, please. You think I'm going to hold a grudge over being called 'Bumble' a couple times and a couple snide remarks about my flying abilities? Puh-lease."

"I never had a problem with you," Dinky stated. "I mean, yeah, it would have been better if you were nicer sometimes, but you never really seemed that mean to me."

Diamond Tiara felt the edges of her lips twitch into a smile. She had no idea if it was by chance, fate, or intent, but it seemed that she had been teamed up with two ponies that held no grudge against her. This made her feel a little more hopeful. She would still have to work to put the bratty mare she used to be behind her and become a better mare, but it would make it easier to gain their trust and work together in the field.

"By the way," Dinky asked, "do you know a mare by the name of Aura?"

Fuck you too, Universe! Diamond Tiara thought. Fuck! You! Too!