The smell of musk first hit me before anything else had a chance to. It was a strong aroma-nauseating, if anything. It smelt like stallion without the stallion. I shake my head. There wasn't time to ponder Apple Bloom's gender.

I am livid and that's how I'll continue acting.

"Apple Bloom, what in the name of tarturus are you doing?!" Apple Bloom lowered herself. She immediately realized that wasn't a sane idea as she simply shook beneath my gaze. I nearly smirked at that-if I had done this as a filly, I would have shown more than enough glee. I'm tempted to show how happy I am, but I feel like being the bigger pony for now. I could show sadistic glee later. Sigh.

"Nothin', nothin' that would constitute your intervention," Apple Bloom had the gull to spit. I nearly growl at her.

No need to get into a heated argument at this point in time. I sighed out. Relax, don't stoop to her level. "It requires my intervention. It always does, whether you like it or not." I pointed towards the barn in question, despite being in it. My arm silently moves to point in all directions. Certainly I was not being frantic. Not at all. "You may not see it like I do, but she's been hurting. Hurting real hard because of manure you've been pulling."

Apple Bloom eyed Sweetie Belle cautiously. I can tell she was looking for something from her. Sympathy? Some sort of minor retribution? Sweetie Belle bit, pausing and refusing to eye Apple Bloom. Her face scrunched up for a moment, her mouth forming unspoken words. Once she found her voice, she turned to me. Years ago, I might have scoffed at her.

But that was then and this is now. Sweetie and I had an unspoken agreement that I hardly understood for a moment myself. Sweetie hadn't known her quite as long as I; that was a given. Scatenata moved here 2 years after I first met her-while being in school, it was a tremulous period. She met Sweetie Belle when she moved.

To this day, I still don't understand how Scatenata managed to hide in such a small crevice. At the same time, Sweetie Belle saw a side I was the only one able to see until that point. She didn't understand it at first; she was freaked out by the notion. She grew calmer about it the longer she managed to know her.It helped that Sweetie Belle worked for a hospital, part time now.

Apple Bloom couldn't possibly understand Scatenata's situation. Celestia knows why Fate decided to give her Scatenata's card. Whether Sweetie and I are her friends has little to do with debating the behavior Apple Bloom displays. It wasn't up for debate, anyway. News was spread around by this time. Small towns always had easy rumors spread. It was a given. The only saving grace that we could sense happened to be Scatenata having little to no information spread about her. They hadn't known how close Apple Bloom and Scatenata were just yet. I lowered my head to face her.

If only I hadn't dwindled my time. Scatenata wasn't an open book for many ponies. Nobility was her status; not many Ponyvillians understood how confidential that can be. They weren't nobility. They hadn't much on the line. Scatenata?

More than anypony could possibly imagine. My gut twisted. I knew exactly what she has to lose. To see somepony, unintentionally or not, take advantage of it, sickened me. I shook, only glancing at Sweetie Belle as she tapped my arm. I released myself. No need to get as angry as that. She wasn't worth it.

"I'm sorry.." Scatenata hiccuped softly. Her small hooves didn't hurt. She was too small to do an earth pony damage-whether it was to an adult or a filly like me. Her mane was so long at the time-she couldn't see past it without tripping over her bangs. While enduring this was, it only covered what I needed to see. "I'm..sorry for wasting your time...Miss..."

I gave a half smile. "Diamond. Diamond Tiara. Don't worry about formals. My parents aren't here, certainly the butlers aren't either. Just address me informally for now." I pushed her bangs away. Something didn't click with me right then and there- I wasn't old enough to see the extent of the damage myself. Or-maybe that wasn't it. I easily saw the extent. That wasn't it. I didn't see, however, the extent of the invisible markings.

I didn't understand why all the wounds were focused just below the base of the tail as they were. A filly wouldn't understand; a filly like me couldn't understand. She did, of course. To an extent. She was just as oblivious as I. Still, that didn't mean much to me at that time. I had to clean her up. Pulling away, I reached for peroxide and some bandages. Her eyes widened at that point. I could feel the room thicken in fear. I just shook my head, a small smile threatening to take precedence. "It will hurt a bit, but it'll help. Trust me."

"Dia and I...we know what you did..." Sweetie Belle said with carefulness I envied. She kicked the barn dirt, fidgeting as the tension only grew. My heart grew heavy, pushing against my chest. "You can't keep on with this, Bloom...You just can't."

"You're not in love with her, are you?" I flinch as the accusation came from my mouth. It was uncalled for, I know. I didn't stop myself. Sweetie Belle's eyes widen at the prospect, her mouth agape.

"Diamond!" Sweetie stumbled out. I stomped my hoof against the ground, groaning as I done so. I close my eyes, but nothing works. I can't get relaxed even if I didn't expect those words to come to me. Apple Bloom sat up, pushing herself against my muzzle. Sweetie Belle's horn flickered, but Apple Bloom flicked it away as she turned to me again. I backed away, unable to pull myself away from her gaze.

Her eyes showed so much anger I couldn't fathom how she could produce it. They radiated anger I'd expect Nightmare Moon would have enjoyed. My resolve didn't weaken, however, but it did stop my nerves. I stopped myself from moving once more, glaring at her directly in the eyes. "Well, you don't, do you?"

Apple Bloom scowled, nearly growling in the process as her muzzle met mine again. "I love her more than any apple in the world. I would give up my cutie mark if it meant I could be with her." Well, that was unexpected. I pushed her muzzle once more.

"Applejack's honesty doesn't run in the family; I can clearly see that," I begin. I try releasing the build up of air in my chest, but it didn't leave. "With every single encounter, I doubt anything you say about this is true."

She growled pushing me in retaliation. "What are you talking about?" Her eyes flashed for a second, recognition etched. Sweetie Belle trotted in, her curled mane bouncing as she separated us without her magic in use. Her hooves shook as she had. Unicorns, by default, were the weakest out of all the races. Two Earth Ponies wouldn't budge with a unicorn's strength-at least, without magic. Her head poked through despite this. I huffed, removing myself from the both of them. Her eyes still were frantically darting between the two of us.

"Guys, stop fighting!" She squeaked out. Green magic spit out of her horn. "Diamond, I told you, we were here for a single purpose!" I cringed. I made a promise; I wasn't intending it break it. It didn't stop me from grinding my teeth.

"Fine then, now that everything is settled..." Sweetie Belle simply glared at Apple Bloom before continuing. "Apple Bloom, stop antagonizing-"

Apple Bloom's scream interrupted Sweetie Belle immediately. "Why would you insinuate that?!" I blink, unable to comprehend her question for a few moments. Sweetie Belle seemed similar in my approach.

"Apple Bloom, we know what you're still doing to this day," Sweetie Belle chimed in flatly. "Its..not exactly a secret." She stuck her tongue out. That was putting it lightly.

"Its not a secret, you say? It smells like you just held an orgy in here!" I scrunched my nose. The scent still stuck against my nose. Sweetie Belle blushed as I gagged at the smell once more.

"I.." Apple Bloom didn't complete the sentence. Her eyes followed her hoof with a frown. "I do love her, okay?" Her words were so soft.

Scatenata only nodded; a sigh indicating defeat. My hooves traced the edges of the wound barely; only enough to dress it properly in peroxide and other ointments. She flinched, whimpering. "I'm sorry..." She whimpered. "I..don't mean to waste your time. I..I.." I turned to face her after returning the items in place. A scowl forming at the base. She immediately cringed, pushing herself backwards.

My heart sank when she did that, but I didn't understand at that time why it had. I shook my head, smiling instead. "I don't mind helping you. Really, I don't. You don't need to think you're a burden here." I offered a hoof. "I'm sorry for scaring you. That was my fault."

Scatenata eyed the hoof, staring back at me agape. "Why?" I blinked in confusion at the question.

So, I ask: "Why what?" Scatenata eyed me again before turning her head to me. I only saw thick violet fur in my path.I push her bangs away, hoping to look her in the eye. Her light purple eyes twinkled again, tears just forming at the base, ready to spew at any moment. Her nose crinkled as she wiped her eye with her spare hoof.

"Why would you bother helping a pony like me?" Her voice was soft; hardly audible; however, I did hear. Something burned against my throat when I did. "I'm..I'm not..."I pushed her muzzle so she could face me. As I did, I ignored the shock on her features.

"Don't you ever finish that sentence," I sharply state. She didn't speak at all, her mouth was mouthing a few inaudible words or squeaks, but those fell on deaf ears. "I'll always help you, remember that." I gave her a smile as I helped her up.

She didn't speak once more, a burning blush falling on her cheeks. I didn't know why I said those words, but I had. I hardly knew her then, but that was the least of my concerns. "Now, Nata, would you mind turning a little? Your wings look like they've been cut. I didn't think you were able to fly." I never did see a pony her age fly. She huffed cutely.

"I have and I did." It was a matter-of-fact. She didn't dispute it further. "Oh and Diamond?" Scatenata turned to me, her blush never failing. She nuzzled me, wincing as she had, but she continued to do so.

"Nata-"

"Thank you."

"I just....I don't want to hurt her, okay?" Apple Bloom's voice trailed off. Her eyes tracing the barn as she walked towards the back of the barn. "I..I don't know what to do, alright? I just don't know, but you can't ever say I don't love that mare." She trembled.

"Is that why you did what you did?" My voice didn't falter, not even once. "Is that why you made her..? Is that why you forced her into that position?!" Her eyes widen, backing away. Her arm resting on her chest as she stared.

"Well?!" Sweetie Belle moved forward immediately to block me. My eyes still didn't leave the earth pony. Apple Bloom visibly flinched as I stepped forward.

"I..." Apple Bloom stuttered, shaking. I pushed past Sweetie Belle as I pushed my muzzle into hers. "I.."

"That's enough, Tiara!" Sweetie Belle's magic flashed. My hoof immediately rubs my eyes as my eyes grew blurry. I frown as I shook my head. My vision clears quickly enough for me to notice I was outside the barn. I stare at the doors. They were locked, clearly. I didn't have the ability to intrude. However, from their conversation, it didn't matter. Sweetie Belle's voice erupted from the barn as Apple Bloom's grew quieter. I pressed my ear against the door in a vain attempt. The words were muffled with a few quiet tones, but nothing I could make out.

"....I'm glad we can work it out." Was that Sweetie Belle's voice? I shook my head in disbelief as I backed from the barn. The door opened widely, pushing past everything in its wake. Apple Bloom's a bit dirtied, but it wasn't much to go on.Apple Bloom caught sight of me before turning away.

Sweetie Belle turned to me with a sheepish grin to greet. "I'm sorry I teleported you out of there. It..wasn't right for me to do that without permission."

With a grin I sent her, I rubbed my neck. "I....guess I over did it back there." Sweetie Belle placed a hoof on my shoulder as she shook her head.

"Its fine, really." She scanned me carefully. Her eyes resting on mine. "Although I don't know as much about her as you, I trust your judgement." Her voice softened just enough for me to hear her. Apple Bloom choked, her head still faced away from us.

"I heard you and Scootaloo are going somewhere tonight, going to share?" Apple Bloom was hoarse about it. I swear it was from jealousy or something.

I can't believe that Apple Bloom loves Scatenata truly. Apple Bloom will never understand her actions have consequences because she didn't understand anything outside her bubble. Nobility or no, she had a lack of understanding. I wish to show her that lack.

"I am!" Sweetie cheered, a smile forming. I eye her. Something felt off about it. "We wanted to discuss something quickly. It'll be quick." She looked towards me, for a second, I swear doubt flashed in her eyes. I didn't bring up her doubt.

"That sounds about right," I nod. "Apple Bloom, do you remember?" The pony in question stood still, her body imaginably straight. Apple Bloom shook her head, her tail flicking in recognition.

"Oh, uh yes!" Apple Bloom chimed in, her smile crooked as always. Her face lit up immediately. "You wanted to talk to me about somethin'." Her head tilted for a moment, her face turned towards the ground.

"Why can't you tell me now? Her head whipped in my direction once more. "It can't be that confidential."

Apple Bloom has little knowledge of anything outside her realm of knowledge. While confidential information was difficult to give out, she was a rival. A rival that deserves some inkling of anything, whether I agree with her relationship or not. Its not like it will matter.

"Sort of."

She's nothing but a pesky speed bump. Scatenata didn't deserve the treatment Apple Bloom had instilled in her. She didn't deserve the card she drew from the lot. Despite this, it didn't mean that I wouldn't try to rid Apple Bloom of it by cheating. A feathered diamond was durable like an ordinary diamond; the only difference is that this feathered diamond had nothing to lose.

Apple Bloom, however, had much to.

Author's Note

After the next chapter or maybe the next chapter itself, everything changes from this point out. Think of this as a prologue.