Therapy with Twilight Sparkle

Twilight felt surprisingly fresh the next morning. She blazed through the boring daily song and dance of bathing, eating and scolding Spike for not brushing his teeth. She spied a lonely cloud drifting above Ponyville. An unmistakable tail hanged off its side. Suddenly, a great idea arose in her mind. Silently taking off her balcony, she sped towards the cloud and performed her evil deed. A loud yelp and a look over the shoulder reaffirmed her success – Rainbow fell through the weakened line in the cloud and was looking very dumbfounded. "You are on, Dash!" Twilight yelled.

The next two minutes consisted of a frantic race culminating in a cerulean hoof applying a noogie to Twilight's skull. Rainbow was a lot faster but Twilight was the one controlling the situation - until Rainbow Dash executed an expert level maneuver no doubt used by her in the past to administer curative noogies to many fillies and colts.

Then their training began. In five hours a completely spent but happy Twilight plopped down on the cloud next to Rainbow. They chatted for half an hour before continuing their conversation on the ground in Twilight's third most favourite joint in the town, since Dash did not approve of Sugarcube and Hayburger on training days. Twilight told Dash about her little misadventure with Rarity.

"Odd. Rares told me once that she would never be yoked into a partnership. Still, I'd like to witness the looks on those clerk faces. Could we go into the bank together?"

"What, just so you can laugh at them? No way. I have a better proposition though." She told Dash about the spellbook and potential pranking applications.

"No word to Rarity though, understood?"

"Deal!"

After spending a little more time together, they finally said their goodbyes. Twilight walked back to the castle, taking great care to NOT move her aching wings. She nestled into her bed and continued reading the theatrical spellbook. Finishing it in a few more hours, she put the book down. The sun was getting lower and soon the moon would come out.

It was not just an idle observation. Oh no. Twilight was planning to observe the moon for quite a few days already. Holding the power of the four alicorns sparked her interest in solar, lunar and love magics. To study them, she would have to study the subject of the magic first. Studying the sun came with annoying preparations and studying love involved passionate romantic relationships with ponies, which was out of question for a busy studios young mare such as herself. The moon was perfect. Not to mention she liked the look of the night sky.

Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by frantic bucking of her front door. Startled, she exited her room and trotted down the stairs. Spike was already at the door, suspiciously eyeing it.

By the intensity of the bucks, it was either two children or two elderly mares. But why so late? She opened the door, readying her horn just in case. A pair of panting fillies stood before her – An earth pony with a tiara leaning on a slightly chubby unicorn filly for support. She levitated them onto a couple of cushions and took a better look at them while they were catching their breath. Sweetie Belle bore a look of intense worry. Diamond Tiara just looked like she had seen a ghost, her pupils nearly completely dilated and her weak body trembling like a leaf. Sweetie Belle finally caught her breath and drew her into a hug. She relaxed slightly, but was still shaking.

"Sweetie Belle, Diamond Tiara? What happened?"

"R-rr-rr-ar-it-y..." stammered out Diamond Tiara and went back to trembling and sobbing into Sweetie Belle's mane.

"Twilight, help! We were visiting Mister Rich with Rarity and then she began waving some papers around and saying a lot of mean things I'm not allowed to say. She scared Diamond Tiara and I think Mister Rich. I'm scared too. I've never seen my sister so angry before."

Twilight suddenly remembered Rarity's odd request. She was already piecing the puzzle together in her mind. "Sweetie, tell me EXACTLY where Mister Rich lives in relation to my house and anything else in the town" The filly told her. "Thank you. Spike, take care of them. Comfort them and give them Fluttershy's special tea. My presence is needed."

The purple dragon nodded and ushered the fillies upstairs to warm beds.

Twilight calculated, concentrated and teleported directly into the foyer of Filthy Rich's house. She heard voices from the living room. Sneaking over, she stopped near the door and she sent a discreet magical eye into the room

The usually immaculate Filthy was slouched in his armchair. His eyes had steel in them and that steel was directed at the white unicorn mare in front of him, but the subtle twitching of his face betrayed a shadow of fear. A family portrait stood framed on the coffee table – Filthy himself, his wife and his daughter, all with carefree smiles on their faces. The rest of the table was taken up by a large amount of documents.

"Diamond Tiara would never hit your sister, much less nearly break her hoof. Besides, have you seen her and your sister? Tiara spends her time chatting with Silver Spoon and reading fashion magazines. Sweetie Belle is always running around getting exercise with her two friends. Besides, while I acknowledge that Diamond is not at her best behaviour and can say incredibly mean things but she wouldn't hit a fly."

"I don't even care anymore Mister Rich. I have had enough of bullying in Equestria. Time for somepony to take matters into their hooves. Your daughter has caused much grief to the children of this town. Do you know that she bullied Scootaloo over her underdeveloped wings?"

Filthy flinched as if somepony struck him, "Unfortunately I do, Miss Rarity, but I can't control her any more than you can control me with these old documents. They just prove that I engaged in some mildly shady dealings several years ago. Nothing short of a very crooked court will find me guilty. Please, if you would just calm down and listen to reason."

"I don't want to listen to anything you have to say, Mister Rich. I am tired of seeing frowns on the faces of children. And yes, I can, indeed, control you with these documents. You will have lost the moment I accuse you. Imagine the headlines! "Filthy Rich's Shady Past: Dream or Reality?", "Element of Generosity accuses Ponyville magnate Filthy Rich of underhanded tactics" and so on and so forth. These cases last for a while and word gets around. By the time you are deemed innocent the good name "Rich" will be ruined for a long, long time." She flicked her tail and laughed.

He reeled back slightly, "You need to go see a therapist. You are trying to run me out of town for being a father to a slightly bothersome filly. I have already put my hoof down. My family is not leaving. Diamond Tiara is staying in Ponyville."

"You love your family, don't you, Mister Rich?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"As I said ten minutes ago, Mister Rich, I will do ANYTHING to see my little sister happy. She means the world to me. Take a look at these –" she threw an envelope at him. He opened it.

Inside were highly suggestive pictures of him and Rarity. Filthy went white in the face and looked up at the unicorn standing before him.

"Why?"

"Mister Rich, all of my life I've tried to be generous to every pony I met. As I matured, I began to realize that you can't make everypony happy. A mare has got to prioritize. Right now, my priorities lie with myself, my friends and my family. Emphasis on family. If there is no Diamond Tiara in this town, there is no bullying in this school. No bullying will make my sister happier. Believe me, ruining your family won't make me happier and I would do it with a heavy heart. But if I have to do it, I will."

Twilight could not take it anymore, "That is quite enough, Rarity! –" she screamed, barging inside.

Rarity suddenly felt her legs give in underneath her, "Twil-"

"So this is what you meant by "small background check". You needed materials for blackmailing Mister Rich. You also got somepony to help you take the provocative pictures. Undoubtedly, someone you can trust, a close friend, another unwitting pawn in your plan. Was it Pinkie? Rainbow? Maybe Fluttershy? Oh and congratulations on performing your crime in front of the fillies – Diamond Tiara is traumatized for Celestia knows how long and your little sister has learned something new about you. Bravo." She concluded with a slow, sad clap of her hooves.

Rarity started crying, but Twilight cut her off.

"I don't want to hear you cry. Go back home and sleep. Tomorrow morning I want you both at the castle at... Mister Rich, when would it be convenient for you? I need you there to correct her if need be."

"Ten o'clock will be fine, Princess," he already composed himself.

"Ten o'clock it is. Now go and rest, you will need a clear head tomorrow to try and justify yourself. Your sister will be staying with me in the meantime."

Rarity galloped away, tears streaming behind her.

"Should Diamond stay with me for tonight?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now, is there anything you require?"

"I already have what it takes to get through this night, assuming it's real –" he gestured at the wine rack. "But, tell me one thing, Princess Twilight. Is this a dream?"

"No, it is not a dream."

"I would never imagine Rarity going so far with something like this. She always seemed like such a sweet and kind filly"

"Neither would I, until today. See you tomorrow, Mister Rich."

"Good night, Princess."

Twilight solemnly walked out of Rich's large house, deep in dark thoughts. She took her time walking back towards the castle, thinking about how to approach this situation tomorrow. Finally reaching her castle, she entered. Spike was pacing nervously back and forth, clearly waiting for her. "Is it as bad as Sweetie Belle told me, Twilight?"

"Probably worse, Spike. I don't even think you would like to know the entirety of it. Now Spike, could you please get me the key to the special juice box? I had a stressful day and tomorrow is going to be worse."

"Twilight, you are going to defuse the situation tomorrow right? Don't you think you need a clear head to do this? I don't exactly trust you to stop on one glass."

"You are probably right Spike. Make me some herbal tea. Zecora's recipe please. The one for sleep deprivation?"

"Coming right up, Twilight."

After drinking the tea Spike prepared for her, Twilight spent twenty minutes rolling in her bed trying to fall asleep. Finally, the herbs took their effect and she slowly drifted off to sleep.

Waking up, Twilight went down to prepare breakfast. She even skipped her usually thorough hygiene procedures this morning, just giving her mane a quick brush. Spike was already there, food waiting for her. She reached down and kissed him lightly. "Spike, I don't know how I would live without you."

"You wouldn't."

They sat opposite each other and ate their breakfast in dour silence. The accursed hour was getting closer. Thankfully, the fillies upstairs looked like they would be sleeping in for the whole day. It was good. Two less problems to worry about.

She heard a pony knock at her door. The punctual Filthy decided to arrive half an hour early. He looked over her shoulder, searching for something.

"Diamond is sleeping soundly upstairs, Mister Rich. Don't worry. She was in good claws."

Filthy gave Spike a thankful look.

"Help yourself to the food. Rarity will be here in twenty minutes tops and we can start sorting this mess out."

In two minutes, Rarity walked inside. Her mane and coat were neatly combed once again and she bore a neutral expression on her muzzle, but her eyes were very glassy. A pair of saddlebags was on her back.

"Shall we begin the hearing " – Twilight began, but looked over her shoulder as soon as she heard the sound of hooves behind her – "Sweetie Belle?"

"I think I should be here for this, Twilight."

"You were not sleeping?"

"This is not my first time feigning sleep. I am fine. Diamond is still fast asleep." Twilight noticed that while speaking the filly looked anywhere except for her sister. This was in sharp contrast to Spike, who was looking very sadly at the platonic love of his life.

"Are you sure you want to be here for this, Spike? You can go outside if you want to."

"I don't want to be here. I need to be here."

"Okay then, everypony take a seat." Once they all sat down she looked at Rarity, "Speak."

"I think I should go first, Twilight. It will help you understand, " Sweetie chimed in.

"Go on."

"We were crusading the day before yesterday. We were trying for "Cutie Mark Crusaders Entomologists". I was running after a butterfly, but hit a pothole on the road and sprained my hoof real bad. Scoots and Bloom got me to Rarity's, since my parents decided to have a shopping trip. She saw me limping and then kind of freaked out and stopped noticing me at all. It happens when she gets focused on something, like a design. I don't know the rest."

"Thank you Sweetie. Proceed, " Twilight said, looking at Rarity.

"When I saw Sweetie limping, I thought she got beaten up by Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Knowing Silver is just doing anything it takes to stay Tiara's friend, I decided to pay a visit to Mister Rich. I didn't even register that I needed to help my sister. I had to interrupt Mister Rich in the middle of an important conversation. He denied my accusations of his daughter and was understandably annoyed at my interruption. I approached him a second time later and was rudely shot down. By then I had enough of it. I have been having certain thoughts for a while. A flawless plan hatched in my mind. I would make sure that Diamond would nevery bully another Ponyville foal again. It was an impeccable plan, really, with fail-safes all over. My first step was to visit Sugarcube. I asked Pinkie to help me with a prank and told her to bring a camera. She was happy to help. Then I visited you and you helped me get the information on Mister Rich's past dealings from the Royal Canterlot Bank. By the time we finished it was already 10 p.m – the time Mister Rich goes out on his evening walks in the park. I grabbed Pinkie and got there. I told her to roll a cart to trip me and Mister Rich down and take pictures of us as a prank. I then walked up to Mister Rich and strolled along with him, apologizing for everything I said. The cart struck true and the deed was done. We helped each other up, apologized once again, then parted ways. I went to sleep. The next day I waited before it was nearly sundown, got Sweetie Belle, because I wanted her to see what happens to bullies and then went to Mister Rich. You know the rest."

"How much of what she said was a lie, Mister Rich?"

"None of it, as far as my side of the story is concerned."

"Very well then. Rarity, you said you have been "having certain thoughts for a while." What exactly do you mean by that?"

"Thi- this is none of your business," Rarity stammered out.

"Rarity, dear friend, this IS my business. Besides, you just tried to blackmail a pony you were always in good relationships with. I can't resolve this case without understanding your true motivations. It's not like you to do such a deed, even if your sister got hurt."

"Okay, Twilight. I suppose there is no harm in telling everything, now that I am already knee-deep in manure. You see, I have been highly annoyed by our little team being treated like dirt by strangers. But it is not only about us. Oh no. Equestria is a happy place, but there are still jerks, bullies and other unsavoury ponies out there. Naturally, they need to be cleaned up. I decided to speed the process up, any way I can. A sharp mind, a few clinking bits and a delicate hoof can go great lengths to learn the levers of any pony you need to have control over. I would talk to those ponies, try to make them change their mind, then press a few of those levers if that didn't work –" she levitated a few folders out of her saddlebags "– I have compiled quite a bit of information over the last week. These documents are on Suri Polomare, Trixie Lulamoon, Doctor Caballeron and those three morons at the weather factory. The situation with Diamond Tiara was unplanned for, but nearly worked, " she paused, "Thank Celestia you arrived when you did. I don't know what I was thinking."

Twilight rose the folders and looked at them. One by one, she immolated all of them except for one. "Rarity, I appreciate your efforts to help clear Equestria of evil, but by yesterday night's experience it would probably result in a lot of broken fates and shed tears. Besides, why Trixie? She made her amends."

"She made my hair go green."

"Never thought you would be so petty, Rarity. Still, good findings on Doctor Caballeron. We will put them to good use once this situation is over. If this situation is over. Now, I have to ask you again, what made you do all this?"

"Do I have to say everything in front of Mister Rich?"

"Yes, since he is the one who will determine your punishment, not me, and he needs to understand your motivations clearly. I am officially giving him the right to decide on your choice of punishment. Now, proceed."

"Okay then. Do you remember the Inspiration Manifestation spellbook fiasco? Well, when I got home, I proceeded to sit down and continue to gorge myself on the remaining ice-cream. I thought to myself, "Why is it always so easy for evil forces to corrupt me? The Nightmare. The spellbook. Discord. That one stings the most. I know he used his magic to turn me, but still, he did not toy with my emotions to make me mistrust my friends. He appealed to my greed. Then I got it. The answer was right there. It was so easy to corrupt me because I am the least moral out of our group. Don't shake your head. Rainbow is brash, but fiercely loyal. You are utterly devoted to our friendship. Pinkie's life revolves around making us smile. Applejack and Fluttershy are very caring, selfless and always act natural. Spikey... I am almost jealous of how good his heart is. I am generous because I am the Element of Generosity. Spike is a dragon. He is generous, good and caring in spite of his nature." She gave him a sad smile.

"You all are nothing like me, Twilight. I am greedy and impulsive. I am jealous and selfish. My smile is often a mask, hiding my true emotions. I have mistreated all of you many times. Our outing in Manehattan? Your birthday in Canterlot? And still you love me and treat me as your best friend. I have been striving to be more like all of you and less like me, but nothing came out of it yet. So I came up with this little plan to do good for Equestria in the way I can, the one that doesn't require kindness, compassion or a good heart. That is all."

"Mister Rich? Have you reached a conclusion?" Twilight intoned, still deep in thought herself.

The stallion was sitting with his head in his hoof, deep in thought. Every pony(and dragon) at the table was fidgeting nervously, waiting for his decision. After a minute he rose his head and said in a very even voice, "I forgive her for what she has done, since nothing too bad came out of it, but with a caveat. I can understand what she is going through and she is already punishing herself more than any banishment or incarceration would. I don't want to ruin such a great filly's life. However, I don't want Diamond Tiara to live with what she witnessed yesterday. If anypony can help her forget what she saw, I will be more than happy to put all of this behind us."

The room went quiet again. Sweetie Belle and Spike wore unsure smiles. Rarity wasn't sure whether she wanted to cry, laugh or kiss Filthy Rich's hooves. Twilight finally broke the silence.

"I am, among other things, a memory spell expert. I can't cut the memory out without affecting neighboring ones. Mind is not pony insides and I am not a surgeon. I can, however, block her from remembering the ordeal. This is just a band-aid though and further interactions with you, Sweetie Belle and Rarity will trigger the memory. I could also slightly modify her memory of yesterday's evening. This is the healthiest way and provided I don't add or remove any new ponies, no memories will clash.

After a moment of thought, Rich said, "I believe you can do this, Princess. Be gentle with her, please."

They went upstairs. Diamond Tiara was kicking her hooves under a blanket. Her eyes were closed and she bore an expression of fear on her face. She obviously had a nightmare.

Twilight walked up to the filly, closed her eyes and gently touched Diamond's forehead with the tip of her horn. After a moment she withdrew.

"She will wake up in ten minutes. Mister Rich, yesterday Rarity visited you to discuss a business partnership. Bored, Diamond Tiara made a bet that she could outrun Sweetie Belle to my castle and back. When they went outside a dark shadow scared them and they arrived at my place exhausted and promptly took me and Spike on our offer to let them rest."

"That was oddly specific, but thank you, Princess."

Rarity walked up to him, her ears drooping and her hang low, "Mister Rich, I don't know how I will ever make up for what I did yesterday and how I will ever repay you for the kindness you have shown me."

He gently lifted up her head, "You can repay me by sorting yourself out. It pains me to see such a promising businessmare destroy her own life. As for making it up for me, nothing. No harm done."

She nodded thankfully.

Diamond Tiara yawned loudly, opened her eyes and jumped out of the bed. "Daad, can you explain to me what I'm STILL doing in this castle and why is this blank flank still here? –" she gestured towards Sweetie Belle and got closer to Filthy Rich.

"Young filly, you and I are going to have a nice, long talk today." He said his goodbyes and exited the castle.

Rarity finally broke down from the stress and began to cry. Everypony moved in to comfort her. Then Twilight ordered everypony to sit down and started talking to Rarity. She took her time, explaining to her that one can't do good with evil without causing more evil. That her friends loved her. How Rarity blew her negative sides out of proportion and forgot about all the good ones. How everypony in their group was more than a little flawed in their own way. With Rarity's sanity restored, and their friendship blooming anew, they kissed each other goodbye.

Mentally spent, Twilight laid down on her bed. This almost got really bad. She had no idea one of her friend would feel that terrible. She decided it was high time to get some sweets to eat away her worries. Twilight entered the balcony with determination. Unfurling her wings, she dove straight towards the Sugarcube Corner.