Diamond Tiara of The Royal Guard

*****

Diamond Tiara made her way back home after seeing Silver Spoon and Pipsqueak off at the train station. It had been upsetting seeing her best (and -- admittedly -- only) friend leave. Especially since Diamond Tiara would be in boot camp when Silver Spoon returned before moving for good.

Once inside, she dropped her saddlebags at the door and headed for the kitchen. She was uncertain what she was going to do with the rest of her day. Without Silver Spoon, Diamond Tiara really had no interest in throwing her own graduation party since it would be nowhere near as fun. And -- as much as she would hate to admit it -- she really had no other friends to hang out, so going to somepony else's party was out.

There was always Sugar Cube Corner. Pinkie Pie would be holding a party for the graduating class as well.

"There's my princess," a voice called out, making Diamond Tiara jump slightly.

Standing there in the kitchen was her father, Filthy Rich. The pale brown stallion smiled as he moved closer to his daughter.

"I can't believe that my little girl is all grown up. You must be so happy to have finished school and start working at Barnyard Bargains."

"Yeah..." Tiara said with a nervous smile. "About that..."

"I know what you're going to say," Filthy Rich said, holding up a hoof, "and don't worry. I understand."

Diamond Tiara tilted her head, looking at her father in surprise.

"You do?"

"Of course," he relied. "I was a young pony once too you know, even if it doesn't look like it."

He ran a hoof through his mane that had started to go gray, showing his advancement in years.

"Anyway," he continued, "I remember what it was like to be your age. You go ahead and celebrate your graduation with your friends. Stay out as late as you want. You don't start work until Monday."

Diamond Tiara let out a sigh of disappointment as her ears dropped. She had been so hopeful for a moment. Then her father managed to shatter it with a single statement. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and straightened up her back.

"Dad, I'm joining Princess Twilight Sparkle's royal guards. My training begins Monday."

There. She had done it. It was out. Now she had to just deal with his reaction. Hopefully it would not be too bad: some sighing, some claims of disappointment, maybe a long conversation where she would explain why, but understanding. Her father was a sensible stallion, after all.

What he did was actually something, she never expected.

Filthy Rich started laughing.

"That's a good one," he said, still chuckling. "You almost had me going for a moment there."

Diamond Tiara's jaw fell open in surprise. A joke? He thought this was a joke? Why would he possibly think something like that? She had never said anything in her life that could possibly make it seem like she would joke like this.

"It's not a joke, Dad," she stated. "I'm going to be a member of The Royal Guard."

She continued to watch him, waiting to see how he would react.

"Diamond Tiara," Filthy Rich said in a stern tone. "You are an adult now. This is no time to be playing pretend."

Is this denial? Diamond Tiara wondered. Is my dad actually refusing to believe what I'm telling him?

"Why," she asked, "would you possibly think that I was pretending to become a guard?"

"Well," he responded, "you used to tell me how you were going to become a princess when you grew up."

"When I was a filly!" Diamond Tiara snapped. "This is real. I have already signed up to join. After this weekend, I will start boot camp. I am going to start my training. After that, I will officially be a guard member."

"I know what this is," Filthy Rich proclaimed (although by this point, Diamond Tiara was highly skeptical). "It's a negotiation tactic. You are trying to get a raise in pay and a better office, aren't you?"

"What? How..."

Diamond Tiara groaned and smacked her head with her hoof.

"Why would I use this as a negotiation tactic?" she asked. "I don't even know what kind of office I have or how much you were going to pay me."

"It doesn't matter," Filthy Rich replied. "My little girl is very valuable and always worth more."

Diamond Tiara grinned at her father's compliment, brushing back her mane.

"Thanks, daddy. I really- NO!"

She took a step back and gave her head a hard shake. What was she doing? She took another deep breath and slowly let it out, this time to collect herself and get back in control.

Feeling calmer and more focused, she tried again.

"Dad, I want you to listen to me very carefully. I have decided to become a member of The Royal Guard here in Ponyville. I have already signed up and start training after this weekend."

Filthy Rich looked at her, his eyes seeming to grow larger. He then narrowed his gaze as he straightened up, his jaw clenching.

"No, you aren't."

Diamond Tiara felt somewhat relieved. She had finally gotten through to him. Now they just needed to discuss this.

"Dad," she started.

"No!" He held up a hoof, cutting her off. "We are Riches, and we are rich. We do not become guards, we sell to them. You are coming to work for me, and that is final."

"Da-"

"Enough!" he shouted, stomping a hoof. "This is not up for discussion. You will stop this foalish idea this instant. I don't want to hear another word on the matter."

"It's not foalish!" Diamond Tiara yelled back, ears pinning back against her head. "And it's happening. I'm going to join the guard and there's nothing you can do to stop me."

"Young lady, so long as you live in this house, you will do as I tell you to!"

"Well then maybe I shouldn't be living in your house!"

With that, Diamond Tiara turned and started stomping for the door. Her hooves hit the floor hard, each step echoing through the mansion.

"Diamond Tiara Rich!" her father shouted after her. "If you step out that door, so help me, you are cut off. Do you hear me?"

Diamond Tiara stopped, just inches from the door, staring at the knob in front of her. Slowly, she turned around, looking at her father.

"Yes," she stated, "I hear you."

With that, she turned back around, opened the door, and ran out. She went as fast as she could, leaving her father -- her home -- behind. Possibly to never come back. Her eyes closed and jaw clenched as she fought back the tears that started to escape.

"Don't come back until you're ready to apologize and stop this nonsense!" her father shouted after her.

*****