Diamond Tiara was a jerk. This was a well-known fact. Most everypony who knew her had come to accept that “jerk” was embedded in her very nature. Those counted among her bullying victims (and there were many) somewhat held the notion that Diamond Tiara did not try to be mean to them, but was inherently mean and could not help but bully them. They may not have liked it, but they understood it. Even Diamond Tiara’s best “friend,” if such a term could actually be sincerely associated with the filly, clearly understood how integral “jerk” was to Diamond Tiara’s personality. Silver Spoon was no angel, either, but never once had she counted Diamond Tiara as a pony more kind than herself. Diamond Tiara only slightly understood her own niche, her status as “jerk” faintly present in her conscious periphery. Though she made no effort to change that status. Rather, she celebrated it, and took every opportunity to reaffirm her connection to her “jerk” side.
It is, perhaps, Diamond Tiara’s attitude toward her inner “jerk” that made her unaware of the boundaries stipulated in the role. It is not easy for an ascribed “jerk” to earn the esteem of her peers or elders, but it is far too easy for that same “jerk” to earn their ire. The graduation from “jerk” to “monster” requires only a single assault of any form delivered to the wrong pony.
“Because of the rich soil, earth pony pioneers thought this region would be the perfect place to farm,” lectured Ms. Cheerilee, prodding with a pointer a section of a map of Equestria roughly in the vicinity of Appleloosa. “However, overly eager settlers didn’t consider that the land they were taking already belonged to the native buffalo. This insensitivity caused a feud that lasted a very long time. Only in these past few years have the pony settlers and buffalo natives made peace.”
Diamond Tiara’s focused lapsed, Cheerilee’s lecture decaying into the incoherent yammering Diamond Tiara usually heard while in class. Truth be told, Diamond Tiara didn’t really care about Equestrian History (or any other school subject) all that much. The only reason she’d been trying so hard to listen attentively and be engaged in learning was that it was a distraction. Diamond Tiara was a filly accustomed to distractions, after all. Although, most distractions in her life were more decadent and sumptuous than a boring teacher monologuing on settlers muscling in on the natives’ territory. That was why she gave up on the learning. This giving up, however, helped her to remember her reason for the distraction.
Every pair of eyes in the room, save Cheerilee’s and her own, were staring at Diamond Tiara. Well, Silver Spoon merely glanced her way every few seconds, but Diamond Tiara counted it anyway. Diamond Tiara could be very perceptive of information if it was important enough to her, so she strained her ears, listening for the quietest whisper, an inkling of exchange. Nothing. The whole room remained silent beneath Cheerilee’s droning. No information as to why she was currently the center of attention. Normally, Diamond Tiara wouldn’t mind. In fact, being the center of attention was nothing short of a daily goal. This attention, however, was different. Most of the time, when all eyes were on her, Diamond Tiara had done something humorous (often at somepony’s expense), done something fabulous, or had done something to intimidate. The cursory surveys of random students did not suggest feelings of amusement, amazement, or fear. She didn’t know what her classmates were thinking of her, or why they were thinking what they thought of her. As far as she could remember, Diamond Tiara had been a giver of anxiety for ponies her own age, never the receiver.
“The first orchard was planted by…” Cheerilee took a stuttering breath. She placed the pointer on the chalkboard rim, squeezed her eyes shut, gustily inhaled, and sneezed thunderously.
Diamond Tiara’s perception was not entirely her fault. Ms. Cheerilee’s speech had actually become harder to understand as the lecture progressed.
“Allergy season.” Cheerilee sniffed and rubbed at her eyes, which had begun to puff up. At her desk, she rummaged through drawers and cupboards. She sighed, scratching angrily at her eyes. “Shoot! Alright, class, I’m having some problems, so I’ll just run home and be back here before you—achoo! I… Please behave while I’m gone.” Cheerilee made for the door, sniffling ickily as she departed.
Diamond Tiara awaited a concerned comment from one of the students. She expected one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders—they were Cheerilee’s favorites, after all—to spout some empathetic little whine. Once again, nothing. More anxious than before, Diamond Tiara chanced a peek at Apple Bloom. As if expecting the look, Apple Bloom’s eyes met hers. Hot in the face, Diamond Tiara forced herself to look at the chalkboard. It was unnerving enough to have everypony in a classroom stare at you for reasons of which you were not knowledgeable. The look on Apple Bloom’s face, though, was something far beyond unnerving. Diamond Tiara was baffled. For years, she had been the discomforter. Being the discomforted was an experience she could barely comprehend, much less at the hooves of “that blank flank.” She looked at Silver Spoon, intending to ask a question. Though she hadn't quite decided on, “Why’s everypony acting so weird?” or “What’s their problem?” by the time she’d opened her mouth, both questions failed to escape her throat. The way Silver Spoon bit her lip and the way her eyes quivered was enough to communicate that Silver Spoon was just as nervous as she was and didn't want to try to explain anything at the moment. Either that, or Spoon also wanted to ask a question, but didn't dare interrupt Diamond Tiara. Unwilling to turn to her sole friend and unable to face anypony else, Diamond Tiara decided against seeking out an answer. Instead, she made up her mind that being the center of attention was a success by its own merits, no matter what warranted that attention in the first place. Content, Diamond Tiara allowed herself to relax and smile.
A very audible scoff.
Diamond Tiara’s smile collapsed. She recognized the source of the noise immediately. It was unmistakably Scootaloo that had responded to her smile. With a glare that could melt iron, Diamond Tiara spun to face Scootaloo. Her glare was iced, and she shrank into her seat. As expected, Scootaloo had been looking at her while her back was turned. Diamond Tiara did not, however, expect Scootaloo to trump her angry face. Diamond Tiara had seen the stubby-winged pegasus flustered, annoyed, and indignant. This face portrayed emotions Diamond Tiara had never seen, from Scootaloo or anypony else. Diamond Tiara was not scared of much, confident as she was. This face, however, was frightening. Not just spooky or creepy, but really truly frightening. Diamond Tiara’s eyes, in their fear, fled Scootaloo’s piercing gaze and settled instead on Diamond Tiara’s desktop. She felt slightly nauseous. Her self-assurance that being attention central was always good now seemed nonsensical. She wished that everypony would look at something else, if only for a moment.
A few minutes passed in silence. To Diamond Tiara, they were very long minutes. She nearly jumped for joy when Cheerilee finally returned. Yet, something was different about her teacher, aside from the swollen eyes and runny nose. It wasn't obvious, but wasn't subtle either. Cheerilee was looking at her. Cheerilee never looked directly at a student for more than a few seconds at a time if that student was sitting quietly, and Diamond Tiara was pretty sure that she was sitting quietly. Moreover, Diamond Tiara had reached a well-defined, yet unspoken agreement with her teacher: I don't act up in class, you don't expect any feedback from me. This was certainly an expectant look on Cheerilee's face, but not the same expectant look she normally employed. Cheerilee was usually excited to hear from her students, tolerated interruptions from know-it-alls and the slower sort with a patient smile, and always seemed happy to open a dialogue with the class. Diamond Tiara got the sense that something was wrong. Seriously wrong. One, Cheerilee looked like she expected an answer to a question, but hadn't actually asked a question in the first place. Second, Cheerilee didn't look as if she expected to be pleased with the answer. Diamond Tiara, unsure what to do, lowered her eyes.
"Now, where was I?" asked Cheerilee, her congestion already beginning to wane. "Ah, yes! The first orchard was—"
"Hey!" shrieked Diamond Tiara.
Cheerilee dropped her pointer. Diamond Tiara furiously scanned the room, a small book laying beside her desk. With an anxious groan, she picked up the book and set it on Diamond Tiara's desk.
"Did you drop this?"
"No! Somepony threw it at me!"
"You... Do you know who it was?"
"N-no, but it really hurt!"
"Um..."
Cheerilee glanced at the book. Even in her allergic stupor, she quickly recognized the book and recalled who had been reading it last. She grimaced, looking at the student responsible for the throw.
"Sweetie Belle, did you throw this book?" she asked.
"So it was you!" shouted Diamond Tiara.
"Diamond Tiara, please don't yell."
"But she—!"
"I didn't even touch that book," answered Sweetie Belle.
"It's true," added Apple Bloom. "Ah was watchin'. She didn't put one hoof on that there book."
"Yeah," said Scootaloo bluntly.
Cheerilee frowned, puzzled. She hadn't been looking when Diamond Tiara shrieked, so she couldn't know what happened for sure. The book had definitely been on Sweetie Belle's desk and in her possession prior to it becoming a projectile. Yet, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo had not lied just now (she could tell when they did). It was always possible that a unicorn magicked the book off of Sweetie's desk and into the back of Diamond Tiara's head, but none of her unicorn students had developed their magical abilities to allow for such a feat. As far she knew, anyway.
"W-well, whoever threw that book, don't do it again. Please."
"Are you kidding me?!" Diamond Tiara pounded her desk. "'Don't do it again. Please.' That's all you've got?"
Cheerilee blinked, sniffed, then turned back to the chalkboard and map. "Let's get on with class."
Diamond Tiara deflated. She'd never been a huge fan of Cheerilee, but this killed whatever respect she had for her teacher. Cheerilee was everypony's friend, and stood by each of her students unconditionally. The way Diamond Tiara saw it, Cheerilee was letting her favorites do whatever they wanted without penalty. She knew that Sweetie Belle had thrown that book and that her friends were covering it up. She felt angry, frustrated, uncomfortable... Victimized. Diamond Tiara, audacious as can be, considered herself a victim. A victim of bias. She reasoned that everypony in the class was biased against her. She didn't know why, but she counted herself a victim all the same.
"Just wait 'til my dad hears about this," she muttered.
Elsewhere, Fluttershy was flying on home after a busy morning sorting out a dispute between a badger and a snake. It had been pretty tense for a little while, but Fluttershy saw that both parties reached a compromise and that no animals were bitten. The situation had been so urgent that she hadn't any time to so much as check her mailbox. So, arriving back on her property, Fluttershy opened up her mailbox and peered inside.
A moment later, she entered her home. Angel Bunny stood there, chewing a lettuce leaf.
"Oh dear," said Fluttershy. "There wasn't anything in the mailbox. I mean, it's not like I was expecting any important mail today, but something would have been nice. Maybe a coupon."
Angel, seeing as how he was a rabbit, did not verbally respond. However, the suspicious eyebrow raise he gave Fluttershy got the message across well enough.
"Now, don't give me that look. I really don't need any mail today. There's no reason to get upset."
Angel stuffed the remainder of the lettuce in his mouth, his chewing slower as he scowled at Fluttershy.
"Well, I guess I've never not had mail in the mailbox every morning, but maybe it was just a little mix up? Things happen, and sometimes mail gets misplaced. I can wait until tomorrow."
Angel crossed his little rabbit arms, pouting profusely.
"Oh, come on. You remember what happened the last time I tried being more assertive. Besides, I'll just make things worse if I try to barge in there and demand my mail."
Angel cocked his head.
"Oh, okay, you win! I'll go check. I won't be demanding anything, just checking to make sure everything's alright. Alright?"
Angel shrugged, gulped down his lettuce, and hopped away.
Fluttershy sighed. "Sometimes, that bunny..."
Fluttershy went to town. As the post office came into view, she could see several other ponies converging on the building. A few of them looked angry.
"Maybe something bad did happen," Fluttershy whispered, taking flight from her walk to hurry to the post office.
Once there, a murmur of mail misplacement permeated the crowd outside. Fluttershy really hadn't been the only pony who opened up an empty mailbox that morning. She looked through the broad, tall windows and saw Rarity and Rainbow Dash inside. Rainbow Dash looked livid as she talked to Rarity. Concerned, Fluttershy gently weaved her way through the ponies in front of the door. A tiny bell jingled as she pushed open the door and stepped inside. Rainbow and Rarity didn't seem to notice. From a distance, Fluttershy heard their conversation.
"Granted, she's not the nicest filly in the world," said Rarity. "Far from it, actually. But this? Are you absolutely sure?"
"I'm telling you, I saw it with my own eyes!" said Rainbow Dash. "I don't know what that little punk said, but Derpy started bawling and flew back here."
"Maybe she didn't know what she was saying? After all, Diamond Tiara barely knows Derpy. Surely she didn't mean to make the poor thing cry."
"I don't buy that. Soon as Derpy flew off, the kid turns and keeps walking like nothing even happened. I knew she wasn't nice to Scootaloo and her friends, but they can take it. This? This is terrible, Rarity."
Confused, but not wishing to interrupt, Fluttershy instead turned to a fairly official-looking mare who sat opposite her behind a counter.
"Excuse me?" asked Fluttershy. "Would you happen to know what they're talking about?"
"You mean you don't know?" asked the mare in reply.
"Uh, no. That's why I... Uh..."
"Some kid said something to Derpy Hooves. She flew back here and locked herself in the bathroom."
"Oh gosh! That's awful!"
"You're telling me. You know Derpy, don't you?"
"Yes, I know Derpy."
"Have you ever heard her cry before?"
"Never."
"It... kinda breaks your heart." The mare wiped at her eyes.
Fluttershy bit her lip. "Has anypony tried to calm her down? "
"Of course we tried to calm her down. It kind of worked. Earlier, you could hear her from in the lobby. She still won't open the door, though."
"Do you know what Diamond Tiara said to her?"
"Nopony around heard what she said, and we don't dare ask Derpy."
"Oh my..."
"Can you believe that Diamond Tiara would do something like this?"
Fluttershy turned around. Rainbow Dash and Rarity stood there.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Rarity seems to think that Diamond Tiara wouldn't insult Derpy," said Rainbow Dash. "But I saw it! It's something she would, right?"
"I like to give everypony the benefit of the doubt," said Fluttershy reluctantly. "I never saw Diamond Tiara say anything mean to Derpy Hooves..."
Rainbow Dash frowned deeply.
"... but I wouldn't be surprised if she did."
"There you go," said Rainbow Dash to Rarity. "Fluttershy says it happened, then it happened."
"That's not how it works," said Rarity. "It doesn't prove anything."
"Why are you even defending her? She did something bad. Like, really bad."
Rarity grimaced, hesitating before saying, "I wouldn't be surprised if Diamond Tiara was responsible for upsetting Derpy, either. But we can't just assume that she—"
"I'm not 'assuming' anything! I saw it! Is that so hard to believe?"
"I heard Derpy was here! Where is she?"
Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity all looked to see who had joined the conversation. It was Spike, looking inordinately serious.
"She's in the bathroom," explained Rainbow Dash. "She locked the door and won't come out. Been in there for hours."
"Okay. I'm gonna go get Twilight. Be right back." He scampered off.
"Now Twilight's getting involved," said Rarity sorely.
"Twilight can teleport!" said Rainbow Dash. "She doesn't have to unlock the door to get in there!"
"Oh, I know that. Twilight could tear the building off its foundation and walk right up to Derpy if she so chose. That's not the point."
"What is the point, then?"
"The point is that you're being needlessly militant. This is a delicate situation, and you aren't being very delicate."
"What the hay are you talking about?"
"You want somepony to get Derpy out of that bathroom. I understand that. But you're forgetting Derpy's feelings in all this. Have you considered that maybe she wants to be left alone? That she locked the door to stop anypony from getting inside?"
"Derpy doesn't need to be alone right now. She needs her friends. She needs somepony cheering her up."
"There you go again. 'She needs,' 'she doesn't need,' you say. It's inconsiderate! You're being insensitive by declaring what Derpy 'needs'!"
"Insensitive? And leaving her to cry her eyes out is sensitive? You don't know what you're talking about!"
"I don't know what I'm talking about?! You listen to me, you—"
"Stop fighting!" screamed Fluttershy.
They did.
"I-I didn't mean to yell," said Fluttershy, cheeks red. "But I agree with Rainbow Dash. We need to be there for Derpy."
Rainbow Dash nodded.
"But Rarity is also right. We need to be considerate, and give her space if she needs it."
Rarity smiled sadly.
"Alright, so do I or don't I teleport into that bathroom?" asked Twilight, who'd been standing there for some time without their notice.
"I don't know," said Spike. "Maybe try knocking first?"
"That's a good idea. Excuse me, ma'am? Which way to the restrooms?"
The mare behind the counter indicated a direction.
"Thank you."
Twilight and Spike walked to the restrooms, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity following anxiously. Several other ponies, most of them postal staff, had congregated outside the door. They hurriedly cleared the way when they saw Twilight approaching.
"Have you all tried talking to her?" asked Twilight.
Each of them nodded in response.
"May I try talking to her?"
"Go for it," answered a quiet voice.
Twilight stood before the door. Faint sobbing emanated from inside. She took a long breath, then knocked softly on the door.
"Hey, Derpy. It's me, Twilight Sparkle."
The sobbing stopped. A stuttering breath.
"Hi, Twilight," said Derpy weakly.
"How are you?"
"I'm... sad."
"Oh no! Why are you sad?"
A sob.
"Because somepony was mean to me."
"Somepony was mean to you? Who?"
"Sh-she was pink, and had a little crown on her head."
Rarity groaned quietly.
"You mean Diamond Tiara?"
"I don't know her name. I accidentally dropped a package on her, and then she said..."
Derpy's sobbing picked up again.
"I'm sorry she said something mean to you. Do you want to come out? You don't have to if you don't want to."
"Could everypony just leave me alone?"
"Not a problem. We'll leave you alone for as long as you need."
"Thanks, Twilight."
Twilight took a step away from the door. "Okay, everypony. You heard her. Don't bother her. She'll unlock the door when she's good and ready. Until then, give her some space."
The postponies who had gathered around dispersed slowly. When they'd all gone back to work, Twilight turned to leave, but Rainbow Dash was at her ear quickly.
"Twilight, are you sure we should just leave her? I mean, it's not that she can't be alone, but—"
"Derpy will be fine," said Twilight. "Give her some credit, Rainbow Dash. She wants to be alone, so we'll leave her alone."
"But... Ah, you're right. As usual."
Twilight grinned.
"What about Diamond Tiara, then?" asked Rarity. "Word is bound to spread, and Rainbow Dash won't be the only pony angry with her. She runs the risk of being pulverized."
"Maybe she deserves it," suggested Rainbow Dash.
"Two wrongs don't make a right, Rainbow Dash," said Twilight. "We'll resolve this peacefully."
Rainbow Dash grumbled something unintelligible.
"But how?" asked Rarity. "She may very well never try to make amends. Not of her own volition, anyway."
"'Of her own volition,'" repeated Twilight. "That gives me an idea. Come on, let's go!"
Abruptly, Twilight began to canter down the hallway, Rainbow Dash and Rarity scrambling to catch up. Fluttershy, however, returned to the bathroom door.
Without knocking, she said, "Derpy, it's me, Fluttershy. We're gonna go talk to Diamond Tiara. We'll get this all sorted out. I promise!"
After this, she ran after Twilight. Derpy hadn't responded immediately, but after a minute, movement could be heard inside the bathroom. The door unlocked, and Derpy opened it a crack to peer outside. She sniffled, then smiled.
"Thanks, Fluttershy."
It was true that Diamond Tiara had long ago succumbed to the jerk side. However, her own wish and will were not the sole causes of this effect. Diamond Tiara was the daughter of Filthy Rich, part-time chain store tycoon and full-time aristocrat. Though he enjoyed luxuries that most ponies (in Ponyville especially) would never so much as know about, Mr. Rich was a generally well-respected and fairly well-liked member of the community. However, the intrinsic jerk quality of Diamond Tiara was still an inherited one. Filthy Rich was also a jerk, but he tended to downplay the fact, resulting in his other statuses more or less making up for it. So, not primarily a jerk, but a jerk nonetheless, and jerks beget jerks. And he did.
Besides his genes, Diamond Tiara's father gave something else to his daughter. A princess's attitude. No, not the mighty rulers of Equestria type of princess, but instead the type of spoiled and pampered literal heiresses that awaited thrones in the days before the alicorns' reign. Like an ancient unicorn princess from a history textbook or fairy tale, Diamond Tiara expected to receive everything she wanted and nothing she didn't. Her cutie mark essentially represented this, so perhaps it was fate that decided she be a princess in an era where the only real princesses were far nobler and not nearly so petty. But Filthy Rich was an enabler. If Diamond Tiara happened upon the idea of reward for everything and exemption from every penalty herself, then Filthy Rich at least affirmed the idea. He gave her much. Very much. He had "punished" her in the past, but nothing too serious or impactful. A rabbit costume might have been humiliating, but, true to ancient Equestrian aristocracy, Filthy Rich had used his daughter to improve relations with an important family. His intent hadn't been to teach her a lesson, and the intent of teaching her a lesson never really came up before or after. As such, Diamond Tiara had a very poor understanding of consequences. She knew that teasing others made her feel better about herself, but she understood no more beyond that. All because Filthy Rich never applied any parenting technique within the same order as discipline. Today, that was about to change. Well, somewhat.
"Daddy!" shouted Diamond Tiara as she burst through the door. "Some kids at school were being mean to me!"
She looked around. He wasn't at the door to greet her, which was not unusual. Yet, by now she normally would have received some response. A disbelieving "What?!" would have been nice. Instead, he offered no answer. As anxious as she was before leaving school, Diamond Tiara searched her house to find her father. Her home, as one would expect, was lavish, expensive, and big. Many chambers of varying purpose composed it. A more sophisticated type would include a study in which the head of the manor would... study. Mr. Rich, however, was less a born-into-wealth sort and more of a self-made stallion. As such, in lieu of a study, Mr. Rich could be found in his own bedroom at a desk when working at home. Diamond Tiara guessed that he was in the middle of reading some document, as he would never ignore her willingly. She decided to barge into his room and interrupt him, no matter how important the document. She was always and immediately more important than any paper, after all.
Crash!
"Daddy, daddy, da—!"
"Shh! Not now!" Filthy Rich hadn't even looked at her.
Jaw gaping, Diamond Tiara drew away from her father. She would have coolly replied, "Yes, now!", if it had been anypony besides her father. But it was her father. She'd never been confronted with a rejection from him before. She didn't know what to do. Filthy Rich didn't seem to notice his daughter's reaction, too absorbed in reading whatever was on his desk.
"Dad?" she squeaked.
"I said not now!" Once again, he didn't look at her.
Diamond Tiara left her father to his reading without another word. Thoughts collided in her mind. What could have been so important that he dismissed her so quickly? Was he in a bad mood? No, he'd been in a bad mood before and still was pleasant to her. Diamond Tiara paced the hallway, fretting silently over what to do next. Then the connection formed in her thoughts. Could the way her class and teacher were acting be related to this? Diamond Tiara wracked her brain for an answer. What had she done that was so bad that even her own father was upset with her? Nothing came to mind. She hadn't been any meaner than usual. Certainly, today's jerk level had been average at best.
Clank!
"Huh?"
Diamond Tiara looked at the source of the noise. During her nervous pacing, she hadn't noticed that her eponymous headware had slipped gradually off her crown and fallen to the floor. She picked up her diamond tiara, placing it back on her head. She winced, having accidentally scuffed a bruise with the tiara. The bruise suddenly became much more interesting. Why did she have a bruise on her head? Memories of something falling and striking her head swirled about, but she couldn't quite remember what that something was. She remembered being angry about it. Diamond Tiara sighed, continuing to pace.
The remainder of the day carried much this way. Diamond Tiara didn't try to speak to her father again, and Filthy Rich made no effort to explain anything to his daughter. Diamond Tiara concerned herself too much with worrying why everypony was mad at her to do much else. So when night fell, she went off to bed without so much as a fancy dinner. Though she went to bed, she did not instantly go to sleep. Rather, she laid awake, continuing to worry. After a while, however, the worrying exhausted her, and the silk sheets of her four poster were too comfortable to remain awake. So she fell asleep.
"Hey," whispered a mare. "Wake up."
Diamond Tiara stirred, but otherwise did not react to the request.
The mare drew in a deep breath, then yelled with operatic volume, "Wake up!"
Diamond Tiara gasped awake, nearly jumping from her bed.
"Wh-who are you? Wh-what are you doing in my room?!"
The figure stepped closer. Though the light was dim, the intruder was unmistakably Pinkie Pie, though she didn't look like her usual cheery self.
"Get out of my room!"
"Kidnap Celestia and almost plunge Equestria into eternal night," said Pinkie, as if talking to herself and not to Diamond Tiara. "It's forgivable. Turn Ponyville into a chaotic mess, plant evil vine seeds, and betray everypony to Tirek. Pushing it, but whatever. Live and let live. Making fun of the disabled? Nuh-uh." She leaned in close to Diamond Tiara, sneering. "You do not make fun of the disabled."
Diamond Tiara blinked. "I did what?"
Pinkie Pie scowled. "You're going to apologize. Right now."
"Apologize for what?"
"Get up. Come on. We're going."
"Oh no I'm not! You can't make me go anywhere! I will tell—hey!"
Employing a previously concealed burlap sack, Pinkie persuaded Diamond Tiara to accompany her.
"This ain't never gon' work," said Applejack, hanging a lantern on a hook.
"I think you'll be surprised," said Twilight.
"Why do we have t' bring 'em here, anyway? Ah mean, there's no problem usin' mah barn, but it just seems a lil' strange."
"Derpy actually requested they meet here."
"Really?" Applejack glanced at Derpy, who was wearing an impractical pair of sunglasses and sitting solemnly on the ground. "But why... oh, never mind."
"Thanks for giving us permission to use the barn on such short notice."
"Don' mention it. Just hope Diamond Tiara wises up and apologizes."
"Have a little faith, Applejack. Nopony's that heartless."
Applejack stared at Twilight for a moment. "Right."
"Are you sure we should do this?" asked Derpy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy by her side. "We don't have to do this."
"We'll be right here by your side," said Rainbow Dash. "We'll make sure she says she's sorry."
"How are you going to do that?"
"Um..."
"Don't worry about the details," said Rarity. "We'll make sure it happens."
"Okay," said Derpy, adjusting her sunglasses. "If you say so."
"Was it the best idea sendin' Pinkie to get 'er?" asked Applejack, gazing into the night through a slightly opened barn door.
"Well, she was the best choice after a little process of elimination," said Twilight. "Rainbow Dash is fuming, so sending her might endanger Diamond Tiara. Neither Rarity nor Fluttershy would be comfortable with breaking into a house. You aren't exactly a master of stealth or subtlety. No offense."
"None taken."
"And I... really didn't want to go."
"Ya got teleportin' powers. Why not?"
"Given the choice between Pinkie and myself, I'd select Pinkie as the better negotiator."
"Fair 'nough." Applejack looked back outside. "Lookie here. She's already back."
"Excellent!"
Applejack opened the door wider to allow Pinkie Pie and Diamond Tiara to enter the barn. Twilight's eager grin fell when she saw that Pinkie Pie was touting an angrily thrashing burlap sack.
"Pinkie!" said Twilight. "I thought we agreed that bagging her would be your last resort!"
"This is already shapin' up t' be a real productive evenin'," said Applejack, frowning.
Pinkie dumped the sack's contents on the floor. Diamond Tiara was not pleased.
"You hoofing idiot!" she yelled. "When my dad hears about this, you are so gonna get it!"
"Your dad already knows," said Rainbow Dash from across the room. "We wrote him a letter that explained everything, and he sent us one back." She held up a letter with Filthy Rich's signature at the bottom. "He says that he's okay with it."
"Ugh! That's what he was reading?! And he's okay with me getting kidnapped?!"
"'Kidnapping' isn't what we intended," said Twilight. "Not as our first plan, anyway. Speaking of which; Pinkie?"
"She didn't want to come along when I asked her to," said Pinkie flatly. "So I used the sack."
"You skipped over three contingencies!"
Pinkie shrugged.
"Aren't you normally all sunshine and happiness and all that garbage?" Diamond Tiara asked mockingly.
"Listen here, you!"
Everypony jumped at Pinkie's outburst.
"It's my job to put a smile on everypony's face. I don't sleep at night if a pony isn't smiling by the end of the day. So that's why we're here. Derpy Hooves smiles all time. She's always happy. Except for today. You did that. And now you are going to fix it. Understand?"
Diamond Tiara, her sarcasm quashed, asked confusedly, "Fix what?"
"She doesn't even know what she did!"
"Pinkie," said Derpy. "You don't have to yell at her."
Pinkie glanced worriedly at Derpy, then continued glaring at Diamond Tiara.
"So, you don't know what you said?" asked Derpy.
"No! I have no idea!"
Derpy sighed. She removed her sunglasses, staring sadly at Diamond Tiara.
"I'm sorry I dropped a package on your head."
For a split second, pain flared up in the small bruise atop Diamond Tiara's head. She suddenly remembered a brief encounter with a mailmare earlier that day. The pegasus had removed a parcel from her mailbag, but dropped it as a result of sneezing violently (it was allergy season, after all). This took place exactly above Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Silver Spoon had watched the small box plummet and land on Diamond Tiara's head.
"... and then I said..." Diamond Tiara quieted herself. She remembered being angry with Derpy after being hit with the package, but the specifics of her outburst eluded her.
"You said some pretty mean things," said Derpy, her voice quavering. Diamond Tiara, having previously been staring at the ground while recalling what happened, looked into Derpy's eyes.
"I... guess I did." Diamond Tiara willed herself to look away, but could not. Images of Silver Spoon's shocked face crossed her mind. This must have been what had everypony upset with her. Diamond Tiara had said something insulting to Derpy Hooves. It was clear now. Diamond Tiara could remember Derpy flying off while crying loudly. To her, it had been a momentary peeve on her way to school, but to Derpy it had hit hard.
"Did you really mean it?" asked Derpy pleadingly. Diamond Tiara was unsettled by the sight of Derpy's eyes, though at present no thoughts of teasing or joking manifested. She reasoned that Derpy's eyes had been the core of her insult, even if she didn't remember what she'd said. Looking at them now, though, Diamond Tiara had no desire to abuse. Those eyes were vulnerable, reddish from sobbing and allergic reactions. Diamond Tiara was accustomed to exploiting a vulnerability to put down others, but seeing Derpy's eyes now stirred a feeling she was unfamiliar with.
"I..." Diamond Tiara hesitated. She was certainly aware of the eyes watching her from all sides, some of them angry, some of them optimistically expectant. She feared saying anything that might further damage the situation, of that there was no doubt. But it was the pair of eyes that wasn't watching her pointedly that really got to her. Diamond Tiara knew the look of eyes that understood the pain they were feeling, as she'd caused much of that pain in the past. Derpy's eyes were both hurt and confused, as if they'd never expected the feelings of their owner. The strange feeling inside her intensified. She tried to pull away from Derpy's eyes, but once again could not.
"It was an accident," said Derpy, desperate. "I dropped that package on accident. I'm sorry if you thought it was on purpose!"
"You..." Diamond Tiara was impressed by the whole situation. Everypony in Ponyville was mad at her and expected her to apologize, but Derpy was the one apologizing. Apologizing profusely for an accident. There was a warmth in Derpy's eyes the likes of which Diamond Tiara had never seen before. The feeling inside her finally overtook her thoughts.
"I didn't mean what I said," said Diamond Tiara. "I was just mad because you dropped that package on me, and I didn't think before I spoke. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings."
Diamond Tiara bit her lip when the apology was finalized. Softness was not a quality she wished to portray, but her sudden sobriety did not return with force enough to retract the words of her softer self. Derpy Hooves beamed, and a cheerful gleam shown in her eyes. She zipped over to Diamond Tiara, embracing her in a hug.
"Apology accepted!"
"Well, ah'll be darned," said Applejack, snuffing lanterns throughout the barn. "The lil' brat actually has a heart after all."
"I told you it would work," said Twilight.
"Well, how'd ya know, then?"
"How'd I know it would work?"
"Yeh."
"Well, you know how high-class ponies metaphorically 'turn their noses up'?"
"Uh, yeah, but ah don't see what that has t' do with this."
"Well, sometimes ponies like Diamond Tiara literally turn up their noses. It's so they don't have to look other ponies in the eye."
"So what yer sayin' is that Diamond Tiara apologized 'cause she looked at Derpy's eyes?"
"Yes."
"There's gotta be more to it than that."
"Think about it, Applejack. If you had made Derpy cry, could you stand to look her in the eye and not apologize?"
Applejack blew out the final lantern. "No. Ah couldn't do it."
"Well, there you go. Once again, thanks for letting us use the barn. Good night."
"'Night," said Applejack, as Twilight teleported away. Applejack lingered for a moment, pondering Twilight's explanation. "It cain't be that simple. Can it?"
The following day, the school foals busied themselves with merriment and mischief (it was a Saturday). Normally, Diamond Tiara spent her leisure time surrounded by others, being snooty and doing whatever she pleased. Today, however, practically nopony knew where she was or what she was doing. The ill will towards Diamond Tiara had subsided, as Derpy had spread word of last night's apology. Life went on for Ponyville, except for Diamond Tiara. She'd returned home last night, but hadn't left her house all day. A visit from Silver Spoon, however, convinced her to spend what was left of the day outside.
"It's weird," said Silver Spoon, she and Diamond Tiara walking down a street. "Derpy was a mess when you made fun of her eyes, but now—"
"She's over it," said Diamond Tiara, staring at the ground. "Like it never even happened."
"Look! Here she is now!"
The two stopped and watched Derpy Hooves fly into view, mailmare garb and all. Derpy paused, looking down at Diamond Tiara. She smiled, waved, and continued on her route. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon didn't keep walking.
"I just don't get it, Spoon," said Diamond Tiara. "I made her cry. Shouldn't she hate me right now?"
Silver Spoon shrugged. Diamond Tiara glanced in the direction Derpy had flown off in, then kept walking.
