Season Spike Episode 3 Bully Problemsby Haoryu ChangerChaptersAnnoyance"That's not true... Is it?"Decisions"What did you just say to me?!"The DateThrice EncounterNever IntentionalNightmare For The Gem Or The MoonThe Last ThreeNo ChoiceAnnoyanceIt was a normal school day, like every other... mostly. The class was properly seated, the teacher was at the board teaching, the students were quiet, and it was not boring... Wait? Did I just say that school "wasn't boring"? Ms. Cheerilee was at the board. "Okay class, before the bell rings I'll give an introduction on our next subject; 2 digit-multiplication!" She heard a lot of groans but ignored them. Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle was waiting for what she knew was about to happen next. As she slowly hid under her desk, she glanced at the clock above the classroom door, and saw that it was 2:58. She knew it was bound to happen as soon as the dismiss bell rung. Apple Bloom looked at Sweetie, then to Scootaloo who looked back. They both nodded. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo had a talk with Sweetie Belle the other day, and they had a plan this time to get Sweetie free. They told Sweetie Belle about some "Master Plan" that was "going to work". They haven't told Sweetie Belle this plan yet, but Sweetie Belle trusts them. "Just thirty more seconds!" Sweetie Belle thought. "I hope their plan works!" Just then, the school bell rang. As soon as the bell rung, every pony in the class rushed up to Sweetie's desk, surrounding her. Sweetie Belle looked around her, not to see her fellow classmates packing their stuff, but her fellow classmates surrounding her like news reporters. "How is he?" "You're sooo lucky!" "Can I meet him?" Everypony in the classroom knew about Sweetie Belle's relationship with Spike. "Um? Um?" Yesterday, Sweetie Belle had to stay tucked in a locker for half an hour to shake off these "pests". "Sweetie Belle?" One voice said. Sweetie Belle looked down and saw Pipsqueak. "Yes Pipsqueak?" Sweetie Belle asked kindly. "Can you um, ask the prince to get in touch with Luna, to ask her to visit my dreams again?" "I, um?" Sweetie Belle got interrupted by Dinky. "He's my hero! Can I see him?" "Uh maybe-" "Can he teach me how to fly as fast as him?" This time, she got interrupted by Rumble. The questions and demands kept on flooding. "Apple Bloom, Scootaloo! Where are you?" Sweetie Belle thought. Suddenly, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo with black suits and sun glasses zipped in front of Sweetie Belle, blocking the other fillies and colts. "Stand aside! 'Future princess' needs some space." Apple Bloom said in a serious tone. "If you have any questions, see us never!" Scootaloo said in the same tone. Sweetie Belle face hoofed. "You guys aren't serious." They both turned and faced Sweetie Belle. "Hey! We might get 'body guard' cutie marks!" Apple Bloom said while taking off her sun glasses. "When you girls said that "you had a plan", I thought you meant something that will get me OUT OF HERE!" On the opposite side of the classroom, two fillies were watching this "unbelievable" occurrence. Diamond Tiara began to speak. "How could SHE be getting all the attention? She just happens to be dating a dragon that saved Equestria. It doesn't mean anything!" "It's not like she did anything AMAZING. Look at us, we're divine, beautiful, talented, uhg! She doesn't even have a cutie mark!" "We need to find some way to divert the attention to us. Then we'll be the winners here." Diamond put a hoof to her chin. "I just need to think of something." "Maybe we can call her 'cool' so she'll let US see Prince Spike." "No, don't you remember what happened last time. We got shunned by Princess Twilight." "Oh yeah..." "We need to hit her HARD, let her know that no pony steals our thunder!" Ms. Cheerilee walked up to the group of students. "Okay children, leave poor Sweetie Belle alone please." "'Poor'? She has Prince Spike, she's far from it." Snips said. "Spike is just a normal pony, er? Dragon, just like all of you. He lives a normal life just like us, and he deserves respect, and privacy. Do you all understand?" The students nodded. "Good, now go off, and stop wasting your afternoon." Ms. Cheerilee said kindly. Soon enough the colts and fillies started to pack their things and exited the room. Right as Sweetie Belle was about to leave, Cheerilee called her from her desk. "Sweetie, can I talk with you for a moment?" Sweetie Belle trotted up to her teacher's desk. "Yes Ms. Cheerilee?" "So um? How is he?!?" Cheerilee said while resting her cheeks on her hoofs. She said those last three words a little too quickly for Sweetie Belle's taste. "URG! You're all the same!" Sweetie Belle proceeded to walk out of the classroom angrily. Cheerilee ignored her words as she was daydreaming about her hero. Sweetie Belle walked out of the school. Luckily, those who were waiting there was only Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. "Thank Celestia you girls took off those stupid outfits." Sweetie Belle said. "Well we didn't get our 'body guard' cutie marks, so we didn't need them, duh!" Scootaloo said. Apple Bloom gave Scootaloo a stern look, then turned to a sad Sweetie Belle. "Sweetie? Ya alright?" "No! I'm not! It's been the same thing this whole week! Lunch, right after the bell rings, or freetime, I get flooded with our 'friends', then after, either you girls, myself, or Ms. Cheerilee saves me. But right after Ms. Cheerilee turns into one of them!" "Look, soon they will wear off, we just have to wait." Scootaloo informed. "I guess so." "How about we go get some shakes at Sugarcube Corner, that'll cheer you up!" Apple Bloom suggested. "Yeah! How about it? Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo asked. "Yeah sure, let's go." Sweetie Belle said with a sad smile. The Next Day (Friday) 11:29 AM Sweetie Belle sat quietly in class. She looked around to see the worried faces of Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. She gave them the "It's going to be okay" look and faced the front once again. Just after that, her worst nightmare happened. The bell rung. Sweetie Belle bolted towards the door as fast as she could. She made it out of the classroom and headed to the playground. Once she did, she went to go plop onto the merry-go-round. Though she ran as fast as she could, she wasn't the first one out. Other ponies from other classes were out but they weren't paying any attention to Sweetie Belle. "That's weird." Sweetie thought. "Maybe they wore off, like Scootaloo said they would." Sweetie started to smile a little. Soon after, her class started to come out of the school including Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. She waved at her friends and they met her at the merry-go-round. "Wow, ya sure got out of there fast Sweetie Belle." Apple Bloom said. "Yeah, not as fast as Rainbow Dash though." Scootaloo said. "I think the others got the 'hint'!" Sweetie explained. Sweetie looked to her left and she saw a big group of fillies and colts having a conversation. She couldn't make out what they were saying, but at times three or four of them would look back at her, and then quickly turn back to their group. Sweetie's smile turned back into a frown. "Or maybe not." Across the playground, once again, were the two evil bullies. "I think I got something!" Diamond said. "What? Really!" Silver Spoon said excited. "Yeah, I think- oh, no, it's just another stupid rock." What in Equestria are those two doing? "Five, four, three, two, one..." Sweetie Belle said in annoyance. (Ring) In a mere second, everypony in the classroom surrounded Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle screamed in annoyance. Ten Minutes Later Sweetie Belle was alone in the hallway, she was putting away some of her things in her locker. At the end of the hall, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were looking at Sweetie Belle with frowns on their faces. Suddenly, Diamond grew a smirk on her face. "Silver, I think I thought of something." "Really? What?" Diamond leaned closer to Silver. "Here's what we're going to do..." "That's not true... Is it?"Sweetie Belle was still at her locker, putting away her things. At the end of the hall, Diamond Tiara finished explaining her plan. "That's perfect! That'll show her not to steal our spotlight." As Sweetie finished putting away her things, she looked to her left to see Tiara and Spoon coming towards her. "Urg! Let me guess? You want to see my drakefriend, Prince Spike? Well, forget it!" Sweetie said as she slammed the locker door. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon both started to laugh, loudly. Sweetie Belle tilted her head in confusion. "What happened?" Diamond Tiara laughed as she talked. "You actually BELIEVE, Prince Spike is your drakefriend?" "What do you mean? He is." Sweetie grew more confused. "No he's not, he's acting. He doesn't love you one bit." Silver said, barely containing her laughter. This time, Sweetie was the one to break up in laughter. "Out of all the things... you two have said... to try to hurt me... that was... the saddest... attempt... EVER!" Sweetie fell to the floor. "We're not trying to hurt you, we're... telling you the truth. Think really hard Sweetie Belle. Why would Spike want to be your drakefriend?" "Um? He always says that I'm pretty, I'm cool, I'm nice." Sweetie said, checking things off mentally. "He calls me cute." Sweetie said while blushing. "I saved him from that darkness magic thingy, and the obvious, he loves me." The two bullies started laughing again. "Come on Sweetie Belle, I THOUGHT you were smarter than that." Diamond said. "Huh?" "Alright. Who's the pony Spike wanted the most before you?" "Everypony knows that, my sister Rarity." "Good, now who do you think is closest to Rarity?" "Mom and dad?" Sweetie guessed. "Closer than that." "M-Me?" Diamond Tiara nodded. "Spike wants to be with you, not because he loves you, because he wants to be closer to Rarity, the one he truly wants most." Sweetie's smile turned into a frown. "N-No, that's silly. That's not true... Is it?" "Of course it's true, Spike doesn't want to be with a Stupid, Untalented, Blank Flank Nobody like you." Sweetie Belle was on the verge of tears. "He... he doesn't-" "And what's worse, you take advantage too. You use your relationship to get more popular. You use HIM!" Silver Spoon added. "I... I..." Sweetie shut her eyes shut, trying not to let her tears escape. She failed, and tears were streaming down her face. "You don't deserve him, the way you use your relationship." Diamond Tiara said. She soon started to run away, hearing Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon laughing behind her. She ran out the hallway, and soon out the School. She ran past her two friends who were waiting for her. "Sweetie Belle? Hey! What's wrong?" Apple Bloom tried to call out to her, but she was long. "What's the matter with her?" Scootaloo asked worried. "Ah don't know." "That deals with her." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo knew that voice a little too well. They both turned angrily at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. "What's wrong with you two?!?! Sweetie Belle didn't do anything to you!" Apple Bloom spat out. "Yeah! What did you do to her?" Scootaloo asked. "We, didn't do anything. All we did was tell her the truth." Silver Spoon said smugly. "What, truth? Why is she cryin' like that?" Apple Bloom asked. "The truth hurts, doesn't it." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo grunted. "Ya'll will pay for this." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo began to run after Sweetie Belle. "Ah'll be sure to tell Spike about this. He'll banish you two for good." Apple Bloom said as she was running away. "Wait, Tiara, they're right! What if Prince Spike finds out about this. We'll be in deep trouble." Silver was worried. "Relax Spoon. Right now, Sweetie Belle is not going anywhere near Spike. She'll fix our problem herself." "I-I hope so." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo ran past several buildings. They looked all around but couldn't find Sweetie Belle anywhere. "Where's she?" "She can't be at Carousel Boutique, she ran the opposite way." Scootaloo explained. "Let's go check Sugarcube corner." Apple Bloom suggested. After searching every table in the sugar loaded place, they found no sign of Sweetie Belle. "Hmm, we didn't check the clubhouse." Scootaloo explained. "Yeah, let's go check." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo ran to their clubhouse, hoping to find their friend. They past the apple orchard, and soon made it to the clubhouse. Apple Bloom opened the door to find Sweetie Belle sitting, facing a wall. "Sweetie Belle?" Sweetie Belle was holding a picture of her and Spike. They were both smiling and looked like they were enjoying themselves. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. She wiped her eyes, but more tears replaced them. She sniffed as she remembered Diamond Tiara's words. "Why would Spike want to be with a Stupid, Untalented, Blank Flank Nobody like you?" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo trotted up to Sweetie Belle and looked at the photo she was holding. "What did they do Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo asked. She got no response. "Well, don't worry about it. I'll let Spike know about this right away." Sweetie gave a light gasp as she remembered another thing Diamond Tiara said. "You don't deserve him, the way you use your relationship." Scootaloo turned to the door and began to walk out, only to be stopped by Sweetie belle hugging her hind leg. "Please don't..." Sweetie said softly. "Sweetie Belle? What's wrong? Why can't I go tell Spike?" "J-Just please..." "O-Okay, if you really want it that way." 7:00 It was quiet for the next few hours in the clubhouse. Both of Sweetie's friends were trying to comfort her. Apple Bloom was sitting beside a sleeping Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo was pacing around the clubhouse angrily. "She cried herself to sleep Scoots." Apple Bloom said quietly while stroking her friend's mane. Scootaloo looked down, worried about her friend. "This isn't any normal teasing that's been happening. Something bigger happened between Diamond Tiara and Sweetie Belle, and ah'm gonna find out." Scootaloo turned to Apple Bloom and nodded. "I'm with you." Suddenly, Apple Jack opened the front door to the clubhouse and stepped in. "Alright girls, it's getting late, how about we head on-" "SHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" "What in tarnation?" "Big sis, we need to talk..." Apple Bloom said quietly. Rarity was enjoying her tea while sitting on her couch, when she heard a sudden knock at her door. "Now who could that be?" Rarity walked over to her front door and opened to see Apple Jack, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo, with a sleeping Sweetie Belle on Apple Jack's back. "Hello dear, I see you have your hoofs full." Rarity said giggling while taking Sweetie Belle with her magic. "Rarity, this is more serious than ya think. Can ah have a word with you?" "Why sure, come in the three of you." Rarity stepped out of the way to let the three in. "Just give me a minute to take this sleepy head upstairs to her room." Rarity trotted upstairs with Sweetie Belle on her back. "Alright, let me talk to Rarity about this. Are ya'll sure we should be keeping this from Spike?" "Sweetie Belle got so scared and begged us not to tell him. I don't know if ah can." "Well, we'll have to sort this out then." Just then, Rarity walked back downstairs. Apple Jack guided her to the kitchen, away from Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. She then told Rarity what Apple Bloom and Scootaloo explained to her. "They what?!?!" Rarity screamed. "Rarity, quiet down." "You wouldn't 'quiet down' if you found out that your little Apple Bloom was being hurt by some ruffians!" "Apple Bloom's apart of it too. And the only reason I stopped myself from yelling was because your sister had fallen asleep." Rarity grunted, but then sighed. "Sorry, it's just that hearing about my little sister crying herself asleep was just a shock." "I understand." "No pony deserves to fall asleep in that condition. I just pray to Luna that she doesn't have nightmares as well." "Right." "Who are these fillies anyway? Who do they think they are?" "I don't know myself. This is very serious." "But why is Sweetie so afraid to tell dear Spike. Isn't he her drakefriend?" "All of this is confusing, but we should get this sorted out tomorrow. It's late, I'm gonna drop off Scootaloo then go home." "Very well then." Rarity and Apple Jack trotted back to the living room. "Alright you two, let's get going." "Is Sweetie Belle gonna be alright?" Scootaloo asked. "...Ah'm not really sure, we'll have to wait until tomorrow." "A-Alright, bye Rarity." Apple Bloom and Apple Jack also said their goodbyes and headed out. Rarity shut the door and looked up the stairs. "Oh Sweetie Belle..." DecisionsCelestia's sun peered through the windows of Carousel Boutique, trying to get it's way in. On the second floor, in her bedroom. Sweetie Belle, was sleeping peacefully, her chest moving up and down slowly, contradicting to her soft breathing. For a slight moment. The curtains in her room swayed a bit forward, making the sunlight shine on Sweetie's eyes in the process. When the curtain returned to covering the sun, Sweetie Belle opened her eyes slowly. Sweetie Belle sat up, and looked around. She was a bit weary for a moment but gained focus soon enough. "Wha-what happened?" She said quietly while rubbing her eyes. Sweetie sat for a minute. She yawned then threw her blanket off of herself, and trotted to the bathroom. She brushed her teeth, washed her face, and continued on downstairs. Waiting for her in the kitchen was a delicious meal. The smell of toast with daffodils, made Sweetie's nose perk up, and she could also smell Rarity's "Divine" tea. Sweetie looked at the coffee table to see her food, and she looked her left to see Rarity making something. "Good morning Rarity!" Sweetie said as she sat down. Rarity turned around and smiled when she saw Sweetie Belle. "Good morning deary, but..." Rarity pointed above Sweetie Belle. Sweetie looked behind and above to see the clock that read, 12:07. "Oh..." Sweetie chuckled nervously. "I heard you in the washroom upstairs and I decided to make you something to eat." "It smells great Rarity! Thank you!" Rarity turned back to grab her tea in her magic, and walked over to the coffee table. "Oh, you're very welcome Sweetie." Rarity gave her a nuzzle on the cheek and proceeded to take a seat on the opposite end of the table. It was quiet for a while. The only sounds being Rarity's occasional sipping, and Sweetie's eating. Finally, Sweetie Spoke up. "Um, sis?" Rarity looked up at Sweetie Belle. "Yes Sweetie?" "What happened last night? I was at my school... and then..." Sweetie Belle trailed off, trying to think what happened last night. "Well, last night, you were at your clubhouse, and your friends and Apple Jack were so kind to bring you here after you dozed off." Rarity explained. A soft gasp could be heard from Sweetie Belle. Not hearing Sweetie's gasp, Rarity continued. "Apple Jack and your friends... told me that you, cried yourself to sleep..." Sweetie looked down at her food. "Is there... anything you want to tell me Sweetie?" Rarity said with reassuring eyes. "I-It's nothing, don't worry about it." "Sweetie Belle, no lady... OR gentlecolt deserves to fall asleep under such circumstances. I just want you to be safe." "I said it's nothing. I'm fine." Sweetie took another bite from her toast. "O-Okay, but... always know that, you can tell or ask me anything, alright?" Sweetie Belle nodded. "Good... So when are you leaving today?" "Hm? Huh?" "Remember? You said that you were going to the library today. To play with Spike." Rarity said. Sweetie's eyes widened. "O-oh y-yeah. I didn't forget..." Sweetie chuckled nervously. "I'm leaving just now." "So early?" Rarity came off of her chair and levitated her cup to the sink. "Not for Spike, I'm meeting him at five. Just to go... do some... stuff..." "Oh, alright. Be safe. I'll be upstairs all day working on some dresses if you need me." She then trotted out of the kitchen. "Okay sis!" Sweetie Belle hopped off her seat and put her dishes in the sink as well. She walked outside and started debating to herself if she should go to Spike or not. Meanwhile, Rarity was looking at her sister from an upstairs window. "Oh Sweetie Belle, why is it so hard for you to tell me. I know I can't just force you to tell me. If I only knew what's wrong. Scootaloo was at the front of the clubhouse. She opened the door to see Apple Bloom. "Hey Apple Bloom! What's up?" "Nothin'" "Still thinking about Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo said as she trotted over to Apple Bloom. "Stood up for the most of the night thinking about her." "Same here. I'm worried about her. What did Diamond Tiara say, to get her like that?" "That's what we need to find out. Then, we can help Sweetie Belle however we can." "Yeah, how about we go to the Boutique to go see if Sweetie Belle's doing alright?" "Okay! Let's go!" Sweetie Belle was sitting on the merry-go-round at the public park. There were not a lot of colts and fillies there, but Sweetie wanted to be alone. She wanted nothing more, than to be sure that what Diamond Tiara said, wasn't true. She knew herself, that Spike is not the type to do something that, but the facts that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon gave kept delving into her mind. In the middle of her thinking, she heard a voice. "Hey blank flank!" She looked up in fear to see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon themselves. Tiara and Spoon both laughed at poor Sweetie's horrified expression. "I never expected you to come out of the dark, after your "cry baby" act yesterday." "Cr-cry baby?" "Mhmm, I don't think Spike would like a cry baby as his fillyfriend. Don't ya think, Silver?" "He'd be better off with somepony who could actually do something in their life. Like, look at you. No cutie mark; no talent." Sweetie's eyes shut themselves, as she waited for the next barrage of insults, but they never came. Instead, she heard a familiar, friendly voice. "Stop that!" Sweetie turned around to see her two friends. "Apple Bloom? Scootaloo?" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo stepped in front of Sweetie Belle, blocking Tiara and Spoon. "What do you want from her? Leave her alone!" Apple Bloom yelled. "We won't let you hurt her anymore!" Scootaloo said. "Oh look, now we have three untalented fillies. Just great!" Tiara said mockingly. "Just leave!" "And if I don't?" Scootaloo grunted. The four fillies started yelling at each other for a few minutes, when just then, a voice called out. "Hey! What's going on?" "What did you just say to me?!"Apple Jack was nearly at the Boutique, she needed to talk about the issue the day before. They needed to fix this not only for Rarity's sister, but for her sister as well. Apple Jack arrived and knocked the front door to the Boutique. A couple seconds later, Rarity opened the door. "I thought I would hear from you again. (Sigh) This is about last night, isn't it?" "Yup." Rarity stepped aside. "Come in." Apple Jack walked inside and started to pace around. Rarity closed the door and watched her friend. "We can't just let this go Rarity. Not only your sister, but mine as well, are involved with this. Even that other filly, Scootaloo. We can't just stand by and let this happen. We have to go to their parents, or-or Cheerilee, sumthin!-" "I know Apple Jack. But as much as I would love to, Sweetie Belle hasn't nor will tell me anything about this. And if I don't know what's going on. HOW am I supposed to help her." "(Sigh) Ah know what ya mean. Apple Bloom has kept her mouth shut too. And every time I try to talk to her she just changes the subject, or ignores me. I don't want to force her to tell me, but at the same time, I want to help her." "(Sigh) I just wish there was something we could do!" Rarity whined. "Hmm, maybe we can't go to Spike about this, but how about Twilight? Ah mean, if Spike was involved with this as well, maybe Twilight knows about it, and she already has the answer." "Maybe you're right. How about we go to Twlight's and ask?" "Sure. I'm ready." "Alright, let me just get some things-" "Is it clothes?" "Why yes it is-" "No time. Come on." Rarity gave a Canterlot gasp, and followed Apple Jack angrily. After a couple of minutes of walking through Ponyville. Rarity looked to the right to see the public park. She raised an eyebrow and looked to Apple Jack. "Apple Jack, look." "What?" Apple Jack looked to the park Rarity was pointing at. "Doesn't the park seem... empty to you?" "Sure does. And it's about four PM isn't it?" "Hmm, odd." Rarity and Apple Jack walked for a couple more minutes and finally arrived at the Golden Oaks Library. Apple Jack knocked the door and Twilight opened up. "Hey girls. What's happening?" "Twi, we need to talk." Apple Jack said. "What happened this time..." "Can we come in?" "Yeah sure!" Twilight stepped aside and let Rarity and Apple Jack stepped in. "Is uh... Spike here?" "No, he went out to do something. Probably for his date with Sweetie Belle." Twilight started to giggle. "That's cute." "Now is not the time for that Twilight." Rarity said. "We need to discuss something." "Okay, let's sit down." Apple Jack and Rarity followed Twilight and sat down at their respective seats. "Okay, explain to me what happened." "You want ta go first Rarity? It is your Sister mostly." "(Sigh) If I must. Twilight, apparently last night my sister Sweetie Belle cried herself to sleep, because of some hooligans." "Oh my gosh! What happened?" "That's just the problem. Sweetie Belle wont tell me anything. She seems so secretive, and the number one thing she doesn't want right now is Spike to know. I guess she doesn't want Spike to do anything too harsh." "How about we tell Spike then? She doesn't know that I know, and I doubt Spike will hurt these ponies. Who are these ponies anyways?" "Ah think it's some fillies." Apple Jack replied. "You know, bullies?" Twilight scratched her head. "Not that I'm mad or anything, but, why ask me for help?" "We figured since Spike is somehow involved with this, you would know something." "Spike never mentioned this... I honestly have no idea what to do than to either tell Spike, or force Sweetie Belle to talk. But I know that's what we don't want." "Well if you get anything, be sure to let us know." Apple Jack said. Rarity and Apple Jack got up from their seats. "You got it." Twilight walked them to the door. "Hey! What's going on?" Scootaloo, being the only one hearing the voice, looked up. "R-Rainbow Dash?" Apple Bloom continued arguing with the two bullies as Rainbow landed. "Heya squirt." Rainbow Dash ruffled Scootaloo's mane. "What's up?" "Rainbow Dash! You need to help! Those two fillies yelling at back at Apple Bloom are making Sweetie Belle cry!" Rainbow Dash gasped as she had a flash back of Fluttershy and Gilda being bullied by Dumb-Bell and Hoops. Sweetie Belle was just sitting quietly on the merry-go-round, looking down. Rainbow grunted and made her way to the three other fillies. "Rainbow Dash?" Apple Bloom noticed. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Rainbow Dash. How very nice of you and your jaw to join us." Diamond Tiara said mockingly. "What?" "Oh I know you. The, "incredible" Rainbow Dash; fast Pegasis, Element of Loyalty, Scootaloo's idle, wonderbolt wannabe-" "So you know who I am? That just shows how popular I am." "That just shows how consistent you are." "Oh! You did not just go there!" Apple Jack and Rarity were strolling through the streets of Ponyville, when they came across the park once again. This time however, was more intense than last time. Rarity gasped when she saw her poor sister sitting on the merry-go-round looking sad. She started to trot over to her. Apple Jack decided to walk over to Apple Bloom. "Hey sis, what's going on here." "Apple Jack, those are the two fillies who were hurting Sweetie Belle." Apple Bloom pointed to the mentioned. "And what's Rainbow doin'?" "She just showed up and started to talk to them. But I think she's losing it." "Hello Sweetie." Rarity cooed. Sweetie Belle didn't respond. Rarity looked to where the others were. "You have some great friends, they'll always be there for you." "I know." Sweetie Belle said softly. "You're just another one of those stupid Pegasi, who dream too big. Just admit it, you're NEVER gonna become a Wonderbolt." "What did you just say to me?!" "I said to admit; that your lazy flank and yourself will NEVER become a Wonderbolt." "THAT'S IT! I'M GONNA TEACH YOU A LESSON, COME HERE YOU FU-" "COOL IT, Dash. They're just fillies." Apple Jack put a hoof to Rainbow's mouth just in time. "Now, I don't know what's gotten into you two but you must behave. Hear me?" "Hmph. Apple Jack; pathetic, poor, farm pony. I could just use my money and, POOF! Your business is mine." Apple Jack gasped. "Respect your elders youngin'." "Maybe they're right Tiara." Silver Spoon whispered. "I don't want to argue with fillies like y'all. So we'll be leavin' now." "I thought you were tough?" "If only yer weren't fillies, then I'd teach you a lesson." Apple Jack murmured to herself. Apple Jack, Apple Bloom, Rainbow, and Scootaloo all started to leave. "Running away?" "Why, you!" Rainbow turned around, ready to pounce the filly. "Dash!" Apple Jack called out. Rainbow stopped herself and turned back. They all continued to walk away from the two bullies, and towards Rarity and Sweetie Belle sitting on the merry-go-round. "...I had one of these when I used to go to school. Got hurt once but-" "Rarity? Ya ready to leave?" "Uh, yes! Let's go!" "Wait! I uh, have to meet up with Spike." Sweetie Belle said. "Oh yes! Go on dear." Sweetie Belle started to trot away. "Be back before it get's too dark! Okay?" "Okay!" Sweetie called back. "Alright, let's go." The Date"I didn't want to come, but it was the only excuse for me to leave." Sweetie Belle said to herself. She didn't want to be flooded by questions again from Rarity and her friends. She wanted to be alone, but now that she was on her way to Spike's there was no point turning back. Sweetie Belle approached the Library's front door. She raised her hoof, about to knock, but stopped before doing so. "M-maybe I shouldn't..." Sweetie started to debate to herself if she should knock or not. She stood still for a couple of minutes, then finally decided to knock. "Ohhh, maybe I shouldn't have." She waited a couple of seconds and then Spike opened the door. "Hey Sweetie Belle. How's it going?" Spike said happily, as he reached in to hug Sweetie Belle. "I'm fine, thank you." Sweetie said accepting the hug. "Come in!" Spike allowed Sweetie inside. "Twilight's out right now. She said she wanted to do some errands, but I know she just wanted to leave us two alone for our date." Spike closed the door. "That was really nice of her." Sweetie looked around. "Yeah. Anyways, follow me. Come look at what I set up over here!" Spike said excitedly. Sweetie giggled at his actions. How he ran towards whatever he did, so childlike, energetic. "Same old Spike." Sweetie thought to herself. Spike may have awakened his true powers, beaten powerful foes, and whatnot. But he's still the same old happy dragon. Sweetie followed Spike into the kitchen. The lights were off but there was candles around the room. Spike rubbed the back of his head. "Y-You like it? I thought it would be a little bit... romantic." Spike said sheepishly. "It's great Spike. I like it. It is, kinda romantic." "Ah well, I read some dating guides from the library." "Sounds more like Rarity's romance novels to me." Sweetie said giggling. "Well, it does have the name 'Romance Novel', so I guess that's a good thing." Spike said shrugging. "Anyways, come sit down over here." Spike pointed to a small coffee table that had two seats. Sweetie trotted over, took a seat and waited for Spike's next move. "Alright, give me one second." Spike zipped to the kitchen counter and brought back two bowls. "Here's the first dish; Some Caesar Salad, with croutons in your's and gems in mine." Spike put the bowls down in their respective places. "Thanks." Sweetie said. "No problem, dig in!" Spike and Sweetie Belle ate. None spoke a word. Sweetie Belle was staring at her food, taking a bite every other minute. She was thinking about what Diamond Tiara said. "Spike wants to be with you, not because he loves you, because he wants to be closer to Rarity, the one he truly wants most." Sweetie looked up, to see Spike eating peacefully. She decided to try to find out if what Diamond Tiara said was true. "Um, Spike?" Spike stopped eating and looked up. "Yeah Sweetie?" "Was there any other pony you wanted to be with, before me?" Sweetie asked. "Well... I kinda liked your sister, Rarity..." "If I weren't here, would you still want to be with her?" "Hm, why do you ask?" "Just trying to start a conversation, and to be honest, I want to know more about you." Sweetie wasn't lying. She wanted to know more about the drake she loved. "(Sigh) It was just a stupid crush. I never really thought about it until you came into mind. But I could never get her, no matter how much I tried. She was older than me for one thing." "Oh, sorry it never worked out between you two..." "Oh, you don't have to be sorry." Spike stood up and took his bowl. He walked to Sweetie's side of the table. "Cause now, I have my favorite little princess to be with." Spike said, planting a kiss on Sweetie Belle's cheek. Sweetie blushed at the name. "Favorite Little Princess." "You done with your salad?" "Um... kinda." Spike looked inside her bowl and chuckled. "Well I guess we're not any different considering I mostly ate the gems in my bowl." Sweetie Belle giggled. "Alright, you ready for the main course?" "Sure!" Spike took her bowl with his magic and went to the kitchen counter. Sweetie Belle looked at Spike ."Well, at least now I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that Spike is not using me to get closer to Rarity." Sweetie Belle thought. "But, am I still worth it to him? Maybe I'm not good enough for him." Sweetie Belle looked at her flank. "Spike doesn't want to be with a Stupid, Untalented, Blank Flank Nobody like you." "I don't even have my Cutie Mark yet. What will the Prince of Equestria look like if he's with a stupid, Cutie Markless, pony." Sweetie gave a mental sigh as she looked back up at her love. Spike was coming back from the kitchen. He brought two new bowls with him. Spike set one bowl in front of Sweetie Belle. Sweetie took a whiff. "What's this Spike?" "Alright, in your bowl, you have some of my special soup. Some spicy gravy with sweet potatoes, dumplings, and carrots." Spike said as he reached over, pointing at said ingredients. "I don't really like the dumplings, they get stuck in between my pointy teeth, so I replace them with gems." Sweetie nodded, understanding. She proceeded to take a spoonful of gravy with one of the chopped sweet potato. "How does it taste?" "It tastes really good! Thanks, my prince." Spike chuckled at her response. Spike and Sweetie Belle continued to eat happily. 6:30 Sweetie Belle was at the door, getting ready to leave. "Have a good walk home." "I will, thanks." Sweetie and Spike hugged, Spike giving her a kiss on the cheek in the process. "Alright, later." Spike said releasing Sweetie Belle. "Bye Spike!" She gave Spike a peck on the cheek and trotted away. Spike watched Sweetie walk away for a couple of seconds, and then went back inside to go relax. Thrice EncounterDiamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were both in Diamond's home. They were both trotting down one of the long hallways. Diamond's home was definitely High-Class, some Canterlot ponies would be jealous of it's beauty. The marble floors, exquisite furniture, dangling chandeliers, wide and tall hallways, violin playing in the background, it's everything a filly would ask for. "Today was excellent Silver! We made that filly pay." Diamond Tiara smirked to herself. Silver Spoon looked down to her hoofs. She was fine with bothering other colts and fillies before, especially the Cutie Mark Crusaders, but this time it just didn't feel... the same. And to make it even worse, Diamond Tiara started to argue with their older sisters. "Um, Diamond?" Diamond didn't look back. "Yes Silver?" "I..." Diamond Tiara reached the kitchen where two glasses of some high quality beverage, their personal bar tenders made, were waiting. Diamond lost her patience. "Come on, spit it out Silver." Silver made a tiny gulp. "I... Um..." Silver took one sip of her beverage with the straw. It tasted sour and sweet, like candy. She continued. "So, I was thinking, and... I think we should lay off." Diamond was in the midst of drinking when she heard what Silver said. "Lay off?" "You know, lay off of Sweetie Belle." "What?-" "Just for now!" Silver said quickly. "Why? We have Sweetie Belle right where we want her." Diamond began to take another sip of her drink. "What I'm trying to say is, now we have their older sisters in this. They are older than us." "We took care of them, didn't you see Rainbow Dash's face." Diamond started to chuckle, then went back "Yeah we did, but how much longer until Prince Spike comes. Are you going to talk like that to him too?" "Hmph, yeah right, after what we said to Sweetie Belle, she wont even want to go near him again. Then soon enough, they'll break up." Diamond Tiara said mockingly. "Wait, what? I thought we were only gonna tease Sweetie Belle. Not get them to break up." "Damnit, I slipped." Diamond thought to herself. "I... Thought you knew." Silvers eyes widened. "This was your plan the whole time; to break them up." "Well yes, duh." "So that's why this feels so wrong." "What are you talking about? This is the same thing we always do to the Cutie Markless." "No, it's not Diamond!" Silver got out of her seat. "We would always do harmless things like tease, or argue with them. But this, we can't just ruin their relationship!" Diamond also got out her seat. "What are you trying to say?" "I'm saying that I don't want to be any part of this Diamond!" "Are you abandoning me? For them?" "I'm not siding with anypony. And after being with you for all this time, I doubt that anypony would want me on their side." "C-Come on Silver cut the act." "I'm not acting. I'm done." Silver turned around. "Done? No, you were in this in the beginning, your not walking away early." "I was in, until I knew what your TRUE intentions were!" "No, I can't do this alone! Who do you expect to back me up?" "You were doing this alone! I was just watching some poor filly getting made fun of, on the verge of tears." "You!-" "You just want me around, so you wont feel lonely, cause your parents aren't ever around!" Diamond gasped. She soon turned angry and gritted her teeth. She then quickly pushed Silver violently from behind. Silver got pushed into the wall with a hard hit. She groaned painfully. Diamond gasped and looked around frantically for any possible spectators of her little outbreak. When she saw no pony, she looked back at Silver who was getting up weakly. Diamond looked a little closer and saw that her left fore hoof was bruised, and her glasses were slightly cracked. Silver looked at Diamond with teary eyes. "Why?" Diamond's mouth stood open a tad. "I thought we were friends?" "W-We are friends-" "Friends don't hurt one another!" Diamond was taken aback. "I thought you were better than this Diamond. Before, we would do harmless bullying. But now, your breaking relationships, hurting ponies, and most of all..." Diamond was speechless at Silver's next words. "...you lost your best friend..." Silver turned and started to walk away. Slightly limping because of her injury. Diamond watched, as her only friend, walked away on her. "I-I-I... I don't need her. The plan will just continue. Because no pony, is more popular than me, in school." Diamond shut her eyes and waved her hoof away. It was raining. Silver was sitting at the park bench. Her mane was getting wet, but she didn't care. She was looking back at earlier today, when Diamond was scolding Sweetie Belle. Just then, Silver shook her head, trying to get those thoughts out of her head. "What's wrong?" Silver got startled, she quickly looked back to see none other than Sweetie Belle. "O-Oh, i-it's just you Sweetie Belle." Sweetie was holding an umbrella. She sat down next to Silver and covered them both under it. "You're gonna get cold if you stay out like this." "Yeah..." "I was just on my way back home, but then it started to rain. When I was about to pass Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie gave me this umbrella. Isn't it so nice of her?" "Mhmm..." "Why are your glasses broken?" "It's a long story." "I'll walk you home if you want, I don't think Rarity will mind too much if I'm a bit late." "...Why, why are you talking to me like that?" "Hm? Like what? Is it something I said?" Sweetie squeaked. "No, it's just that... me and Diamond did so much bad things to you. Not only today, for a long time now we've made you and your friends feel bad." "Oh, that. Well, I can't just leave you here. That's just a bad thing to do." "B-But, you know that if Diamond and me were in your position, we would just laugh at you." "Maybe... But it's just the good thing to do. You feel nice when you do something good, you should try it one day too!" Sweetie giggled. Silver smiled slightly. "I-I just want to say sorry, for EVERYTHING. Not just today, not this week, everything. From the first day we met at Diamond's party. I-I'm sorry." Sweetie was taken aback from what Silver said so suddenly. "I...I accept your apology." "Oh, and do your best with Spike. He loves you, and there's no way he's using you, like we said from before." "Thanks. And um, I kinda figured the 'using' part already." "I'll be sure to apologize to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo too." "Yeah! And then we can all be friends!" Sweetie beamed. Silver smiled at Sweetie Belle. "Wait? What about Diamond Tiara? Is she gonna say sorry too?" Sweetie asked. "Um, I don't think so..." "What exactly happened?" Silver was debating if she should trust Sweetie Belle with this small bit of information. "Wait, this is the same filly who helped the pony who hurt her, of course I could trust her!" Silver thought. Silver turned to Sweetie Belle and explained what happened after they left the park earlier today. When she finished, Sweetie had pity for Silver. "Awww, I'm sorry Silver, I-I didn't mean to-" "It's okay. It's okay. Actually, it was better to talk it out..." Sweetie Belle decided to finish the sentence for her. "...with a friend." Silver looked at Sweetie surprised. "R-Really?" "Of course!" "Wow, I thought you all would hate me for all the things I've done." "We can push that aside, that's the past. Let's focus on the future." "Inspirational words, from Sweetie Belle!" Silver and Sweetie started to laugh together. Silver continued to laugh as Sweetie inspected Silver. That's when she saw her left fore hoof. Sweetie gasped. "Silver!" "What?!" "You're hurt!" Silver lifted her hoof and revealed the bruise. "Oh... yeah, forgot about that- ow!" "It's red! Come on, Ponyville Hospital is not too far from here, let's go!" Sweetie supported Silver on her shoulder and used her magic to carry the umbrella. Silver wrapped her left fore hoof around Sweetie's neck. "You're great at using magic Sweetie!" "Spike's been teaching me, but I've been getting these sparks every once in a while. Spike says it's more of my magic I can use, I don't know how to use it, I don't know how much, but come on! We just have get to the hospital!" "Alright, and Sweetie?" "Yeah?" "Thanks." Never IntentionalSweetie Belle waited patiently outside the hospital door on a bench. She was worried for her new and improved friend. Sweetie Belle brought Silver Spoon to the hospital in the matter of minutes. The doctors took her into the emergency room, just in case of anything serious. Thankfully, nothing was too serious. Two earth ponies, one a blue stallion, and the other a pink mare, walked out of the room and headed in their own direction. Sweetie Belle was about to stop them and ask about Silver, when a black Unicorn stallion came out of the room seconds later. Sweetie Belle quickly got off the bench and zipped to the stallion. "Is she gonna be alright?" The doctor gave a warming smile. "Oh, don't worry about your friend. She will be, just fine. It's just a broken hoof, we used a healing spell to help her recover faster. Probably by tomorrow afternoon she should be able to walk." Sweetie relaxed after hearing that. "You may go see her if you'd like." "Thanks." The doctor started to walk after the other doctors, and Sweetie Belle pushed the door open. She walked inside and saw Silver lying down on one of the beds. "Hey Sweetie, the doctors said I'm gonna be alright!" "Mhmm, how's your hoof feeling?" "Feeling better than before." She showed her hoof which had bandages wrapped around it. Sweetie looked to the right of Silver and saw her glasses. "Your glasses are broken." "Oh, that's alright. With the money I have, it's no problem... I sounded rude there, didn't I?" "No, you were telling the honest truth, which is never a bad thing. It would be bad if you boast about it." "Okay, good." "You didn't tell me the full story, did you? You never mentioned why, or how you broke your hoof." Silver looked down, a bit of tears started to form. "Oh! It's okay if you don't want to tell me! I'm not forcing you." Feeling a bit guilty. "No it's alright, I think it would be best if I told you. But... you have to PROMISE me you wont tell anypony about this. Especially Diamond Tiara." "I... I promise." "Okay, well... I have to start with explaining why Diamond is so hurtful to most ponies. You see, she may have a big house, lots of toys, amazing food, and A LOT of money, but, the thing she wants most, is none of those things..." "What does she want most?" "She wants... love." "Love? Like me and Spike?" "No, more like, you and Rarity. You see, since Diamond's parents are rich, and they have butlers, and servants, and stuff. They don't pay that much attention to Diamond Tiara, and she hates that. She sees everypony happy with their families, and she gets jealous." "I can understand that. I don't know what I'd do without Rarity, or my parents." Silver nodded as she continued. "She likes to pick on you all, not because she's a terrible pony, but because she's jealous. And she does the things she does because it takes her mind away from the loneliness." "Wow, I didn't know Diamond had that side to her..." "Everypony has that side to them. Anyways, my family leaves me alone too, but not as much as Tiara. I met Tiara when our family went to a party in Canterlot. We talked, found out that we were the same age, and we both lived in Ponyville, had rich families... So... we became friends, best friends." "She told me about her loneliness when we both knew each other for a good amount of time. And I..." "You, what?" "I... promised her, that I'll never leave her alone." "Oh..." "I-I had to break the promise! Even though she had good reasons, it wasn't right to do the stuff she wanted." "Yeah, I know." "Well, back to what I was saying, when we were kinda arguing at Diamond's home, I mentioned her excuse of having no love. S-She snapped and pushed me. That's when I broke my hoof. I know it wasn't intentional, she just lost it. I know because I've never seen her physically hurt somepony before, even if she does bad things." "I-I think I understand. I'm still mad a little bit, but now that I know it'll be easier." "Yeah." "So tomorrow, since your hoof will be healed, you want us to meet up with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo?!? I think they would love to have you around!" "S-Sure. You think they will mind?" "Of course not, they are the most friendly ponies I know!" "Okay, thanks... You really are sweet Sweetie Belle. I was an idiot to act the way I did." "Hey! Remember what I said? Don't look back at the past, look into the future!" "Y-Yeah! I remember!" "Well, we'll start our new future tomorrow, it's getting kinda late. So-" "Spoonsy!" A couple, one blue coated, earth Stallion with a grey mane and tail, and a grey coated, earth mare with a white mane and tail, with blue glasses, stood at the door. These were undoubtedly Silver's parents, Sweetie Belle thought. The pair rushed past Sweetie and to Silver, checking if she was alright. "We were so worried! The hospital called and said that you got hurt! We came as soon as possible." Her father said, with a deep but kind voice. "What happened deary?" Her mother asked, her soothing voice comparable to Celestia's. "Well, I kinda hit a wall very hard. It's a long story." "Well, thank Celestia you didn't get too injured. We're happy you're alright." The stallion said. "Everything's fine daddy. My... friend, brought me here as soon as she noticed I was hurt. She would have carried me if she had to." The couple turned and faced little Sweetie Belle. "Thank you, thank you so much for helping our little tea spoon." "I-It was no trouble." Sweetie said blushing. "Why, if you hadn't of come along, our deary would be in much more of a struggle." The mother said. "Here, as our gratitude, take this." The stallion gave Sweetie Belle a brown bag. "There's about three-hundred bits in there, it's all we have on us at the moment. Sorry if it's not much." Not much? Not much!?! Any normal filly would dream of having this much money. "I... I can't take this." "It's alright, really. You deserve it. Besides, we have much more elsewhere." "Well um... thanks!" "No problem. We'd like to let you know that you'll always be welcome in the family... wait... wait I recognize you!" The mother said. "Huh?" "Darling! That is Prince Spike's fillyfriend!" "What, are you serious? Why... yes it is!" the stallion realized as he inspected Sweetie for a brief moment. "Oh... Um... You aren't gonna ask to meet him, are you?" The pair chuckled. "Oh, no. As the higher ups, we know how much you suffer like that. You're lucky you don't get reporters every now and then, or do you?" "No." Sweetie Belle remembered when she and her friends got their classmates to see Twilight. She giggled to herself. "Well anyways, how about you'd be getting on home now. I think your family would be worried sick at this hour." "Yeah, I should get going... Bye Silver!" "Bye Sweetie Belle!" Silver thought it was nice, that somepony other than Diamond Tiara, called her by one name. She thought for a while, and finally realized. She would make a lot more friends. Nightmare For The Gem Or The MoonDiamond Tiara woke up, and sat up quickly. She was shaking, did she have a nightmare? She scanned around, her room was dark. She looked at her clock on the nightstand that read 4:00. She sighed. "It was just a dream." She rubbed her throat a little. "Maybe I should go get something to drink." Diamond Tiara got out of her bed and trotted out her room. The butlers were at their own households, so Diamond had to get a glass of water herself. Something she didn't do often. As she approached the kitchen, she heard some giggles coming from the other room. Curious, Diamond peeked into the room where she saw her parents. "Mom? Dad?" The two turned to see their daughter. "What are you doing up? Go on back to bed." Her father said. "Yes, what are you doing up?" Her mother asked. "I was uh, getting some water. I had a scary dream." "Yes yes, let us get back to our money." The two turned back around. Diamond Tiara gasped at her father's words. Her dad turned around yet again. "Didn't you hear me? I said I want some time with my money!" "A-are you... saying you'd rather be with some pieces of paper and metal than your own daughter?" Diamond asked weakly. ""Some pieces"?! These are worth more than anything! More than you!" Diamond looked down in sadness. She always stayed strong, but her parents were the only ones who truly knocked her down. "I thought your father told you to go!" Her mother yelled. "I..." "If your not going to leave, then how about we force you!" Diamond Tiara's father and mother both got up from there seats, and started to walk up to Diamond Tiara. Diamond decided on her only option. Run! She ran. She ran as fast as she could. She ran up the stairs and into her own room. She shut the door and hid behind her bed. Soon enough, the door slammed open. Diamond shrieked. "Why? I left just like you said. You can go back to the living room with your money." "What's the point?!" Her mom asked angrily. "If your going to be a nuisance, then you should learn a lesson or two." As her parents slowly approached her, Diamond was thinking about a plan to escape. Beg? Apologize? Fight back? No. Neither of those would work. She decided to do the unpredictable. She ran straight towards her parents. Caught off guard, her parents didn't react in time to catch her, and the darkness of the night didn't help. Diamond ran through the hallway. It was too dark to see where she was going, so she just picked the second door to the right. When her eyes focused a bit. She saw that she was in her parents room. But to Tiara's unfortunate, her parents slammed through the door yet again. "By running away is just making this worse. And even worse, you come into our room, where our stash of money is!" Diamond recognized the voice of her father, filled with rage. She heard the two sets of hoofsteps come closer, and closer, and closer, until... A big white flash in the air appeared. Diamond heard a booming voice. "Begone!" When the flash resided, Diamond didn't see the place around her as her house, but a dark void. She looked up to see Princess Luna. "Princess Luna?" Luna flew down gently, landing in front of Diamond Tiara. "Hello, little one." She said kindly. "So this was all just a dream?" Luna nodded. "Oh, good. Just a stupid random dream." "Do you think it was a random dream?" Luna asked. "What do you mean?" "Some dreams do occur randomly, yes. But some occur for a specific reason. Love, hatred, hope, anxiety, ... and even fear." Diamond gulped. "In your dream, your parents were about to attack you. Do you think they'd ever really do that?" "No... I-It just seemed so real. I know they would never do such a thing." Luna bent down and lifted Tiara's chin up, forcing her to look at Luna. "You can tell me what's wrong, young filly. You know you can trust me." Diamond sighed. "I-... You're the second pony I'm telling this to, so please, keep this a secret." Luna nodded. "Well, my parents, they... love money. Like, REALLY love money. Sometimes they think about money more than me. Sometimes I think they love the money more than me. And I'm scared. I'm scared that I'll be unloved forever." "I see all the families in Ponyville, and I want what they have, love." "...I can relate to that. Long ago, when I felt lonely because ponies slept through my night and stayed up during my sister's day. I was foolish then." "We... That's not the same thing." "What are you trying to say?" "You had your sister, your family who loved you. I don't." Luna stayed silent. "It's not the same thing, because YOU were jealous of your sister and her day. YOU wanted to let ponies live in the night. YOU were foolish, which caused your loneliness." Luna was taken aback from Diamond Tiara's sudden burst of anger. "Didn't you stop to think that ponies needed the day? The day had the sun which kept Equestria from freezing, it had its energy to help us grow food, to help us SURVIVE! Your night, was perfect for us to rest, where we were tired, and had busy days, it was dark enough to let us sleep! But, YOU were so blinded by your stupid jealousy, that you foolishly tried to cast us in eternal night, which would lead to our doom, and where you would be lonely once again." Luna was speechless. "YOU caused your own loneliness, but you still had love from your sister. I was born with loneliness, AND no love. So don't EVER say that you can relate to me!" "...Such harsh words from a filly, when I was just here to help..." "I don't need... your help!" "...Very well." Luna's horn shinned brightly, and she started to rise up into the air. "If you do not want my help, so be it. But do not DARE, come crying to me, when you can't resolve your problems!" A bright flash escaped Luna's horn, Diamond had to cover her eyes from the bright light. Diamond Tiara woke up and gasped. She breathed heavily and looked around, sweat dripping from her forehead. She noticed is wasn't as dark as the so called 'nightmare'. She glanced at her clock and saw that it was 9:00. She soon calmed down. "Well, today's the day before school. Time to make some fillies pay!" The Last Three"She is out of control!" Rainbow said angrily, as she flew around the room randomly. The Mane 6 were in the Golden Oaks Library. After Sweetie Belle left the hospital last night, Rarity had asked what took her so long. Sweetie wasn't specific, she told her that Diamond Tiara put Silver Spoon in the hospital. Rarity was furious, she gathered Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash, and took them to Twilight's to come up with a plan. They had to come up with a plan to put Diamond Tiara in her place. "Oh, come on. Are you three really that serious? All this, just from a filly?" Twilight said. "Oh-hoho, this is serious." Rainbow said. "Alright, maybe Rainbow is actin' a bit over dramatic, but she is troublesome." Apple jack said. "Perhaps, you should calm down a tad Rainbow." Rarity said. "Urg! Alright..." Rainbow flew down and sat next to Twilight. "Alright, so can you explain what happened again? ...in lesser detail." Twilight asked. "Well, firstly this filly made poor Sweetie Belle cry..." Rarity answered. "...and she also disrespected us... a lot..." Apple Jack said. "She said I'll never become a Wonderbolt!" Rainbow added. "...and she physically hurt her best friend." Rarity finished. "So, she's very disrespectful. You girls are getting clouded by your anger." Twilight put a hoof to her chin. "I've seen this before... in stories. Something is causing her to do these things." "Like, magic?" Rarity asked. "No, something that happens to her in life that makes her like this." Twilight got up. "I bet if I talk with her I'll understand better." Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were going around Ponyville, in search for a specific filly. "I'm telling you Fluttershy! This is the most grumpiest filly you'll ever encounter! And now it's our job to make her happy!" Pinkie said happily, as she bounced beside Fluttershy. "Um... Do we have to do this? Isn't she really mean?" "Well duh! She's grumpy! That's why she's a meany pants!" Pinkie answered. "How do you know what she, or he, looks like? You just know that there's a grumpy foal around because of your pinkie sense, but that doesn't tell you who." "It was the most powerful sense I got! I'll know who when I see who." Pinkie replied. They walked, and walked, and bounced. Until... "Found it!" Pinkie zipped over to Tiara, who was sitting at a table in front of a restaurant. "Hey there!" Pinkie said with a big smile. Tiara looked at Pinkie, then recognized her and the one behind as bearers of the Elements. "Ugh! You just keep on popping out!" "Hm? Popping out? I don't think I popped out on you recently." Tiara face-hoofed. "Can you just leave please?! I'm not in the mood for any more of this!" "Oh, no worries! I'm just here to help out with your grumpiness!" Pinkie then pulled out a party horn and blew into Tiara's face. Tiara was getting frustrated. Pinkie began to sing. "My name is Pinkie Pie (Hello!), And I am here to say (How ya doin?), I'm gonna make you smile and I Will brighten up your day It doesn't matter now (What's up?), If you are sad or blue (Howdy!), Cause cheering up my friends is just what Pinkie's here to do..." As Pinkie bounced around singing her smile song, Fluttershy approached Tiara. "Um... hello." She said shyly. "You're like, the only sensible one in your group. Sure, you're really sensitive and all, but you're still alright." Fluttershy took a seat in front of Tiara. "Thank's for being so honest." Tiara sighed. "Don't mention it." "Um... Pinkie told me that you were very uhh... upset. You can talk to me if you'd like." "No I'm fine. I don't think you could help even if I told you..." "Oh... Sorry..." "It's okay. I just gotta live with it." "Well, I'm not going to force you to tell me, but if you need anything just come over to my cottage. You know where I live." "Mhm." "I think Pinkie should be done singing in about... now." "So! Are you feeling better?" Pinkie saw Tiara's frown. Pinkie was shocked. "B-But, that's my smile song! How did it not work! And on a filly of all ponies!" "How about we leave now Pink-" "Hey! How dare you!" Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie looked behind themselves and saw Apple Jack holding back Rainbow. "So now you're after Fluttershy huh?!" "Rainbow! Calm down! Let Twilight handle this..." Apple Jack said. Diamond Tiara gritted her teeth as Twilight trotted over. "Hello there!" "Hi..." She murmured. "I heard you were a bit... mean, to my friends. May I ask what's wrong?" "It's none of your business!" "Look, I know there are some things that can make you angry, but you can't take it out on other ponies. It's wrong." "What's your deal? I said it was none of your business! Now leave me alone!" Diamond got out of her chair and started to walk away. "Wait!" Twilight ran to Tiara's side. Walking beside her at the same pace. "You are hurting others because of something bothering you. As princess, it is my duty to see it that ALL ponies are safe and happy." Tiara stopped, and looked at Twilight. "Hmph! By reading? Give me a break. All you do is stick your head in books all day. I wouldn't be surprised if your assumption of something bothering me, came from books." "I-It did come from books, but that doesn't mean that-" "That's also one of the reasons why you abused Spike. You were too into books and you treated Spike as your slave!" Twilight's mouth started quivering. "You know what's worse? Celestia even knew that you were too into books. She sent you to find some friends. If it hadn't been for her, you wouldn't even have a life!" That did it. Twilight quivered some more, and then she started to rain tears. "How dare you!" Rarity yelled. She trotted over Tiara. "My friends, sister, and your best friend!" "Don't even get started with me, terrible costume designer. You aren't even worth my time." ""Terrible costume designer?"" "There are One Bit shops that sell better than you!" Rarity gasped. Pinkie pulled out Rarity's drama couch and placed it behind her. Rarity fell on her couch. "Weep. Weep. Weep." The Mane 6 were back at the Library. Fluttershy was consoling Twilight. Rarity was pacing around the room angrily. Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash were sitting quietly, frustrated as well. And Pinkie was bouncing around, mimicking Rarity. The front door opened, and three fillies stood there. "Alright... Maybe now it's time to tell Spike." Apple Bloom suggested. No ChoiceThe CMC trotted up the stairs, stopping in front of Spike's and Twilight's room. "Ya certain he's in there?" Apple Bloom asked. "Should be." Scootaloo Replied. "A-Are you sure?" Sweetie asked. "Why are you so scared to tell him Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo asked. "I mean, he's your drakefriend and all." Sweetie didn't respond. "What happened Sweetie Belle?" Apple Bloom asked. "You can tell us, we're your friends." "I, um..." *Spark* "Ow." Sweetie rubbed her horn. "You really need Spike or Twilight to help you with that. Anyways, tell us!" Scootaloo demanded. "...Okay... Well, ever since Diamond Tiara and Silv- started to tease me. She always told me that Spike never truly loved me." Sweetie looked down in sadness. "I know that would never happen! It's just, Diamond would tell me that Spike was using me to get closer to Rarity, that I'm not good enough for him, that I was even using him." "She said it like she was stating facts, she said it so confidently, to the point where I started to believe it too..." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked at each other, with worried looks on their faces. Sweetie took a deep breath. "Okay, I think I'm ready." "Y-Ya sure?" Apple Bloom put a hoof to Sweetie's shoulder. "Yeah." "Alright, me and Bloom will let you tell him. We'll be right outside." Sweetie nodded and pushed the door open. Sweetie stepped into the room and looked to see Spike facing the nightstand. Spike turned around and blinked. "Oh hey Sweets!" Spike walked up to Sweetie Belle and gave her a peck on the cheek. "How's my princess doing?" Sweetie Belle blushed and smiled. "I-I'm doing great." "So, what's up?" "I... need to talk to you." "Okay, about what?" Sweetie took another deep breath. "Are you... Are you using me to get... closer to... Rarity?" Spike stared for a second then started to burst out laughing. "You sounded so worried, then you ask me that?! That was a good one Sweetie Belle. Good acting." Spike laughed for a couple of seconds then looked at Sweetie once again. He looked at her, not hinting any kind of laughter. "Y-You weren't joking?" Sweetie Belle nodded. "You see, some- one filly keeps teasing me. Telling me that I'm not good enough for you." Spike was at full attention. "She also said that you were using me. To get closer to Rarity." Tears started to well up in her eyes. "A-And she said that, I was using you! To get more popular." Spike got up and made his way towards Sweetie. "She also said that-" "Shhh" Spike said as he embraced her. "It's okay." Sweetie cried in Spike's shoulder, sobbing loudly. "I-I'm sorry Spike." "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have laughed." "You shouldn't be sorry. I'm supposed to be your fillyfriend. Yet I'm here believing the worst from you." "This could've happened to any pony." Sweetie continued to sob in Spike's shoulder, and Spike let her. She let out all the sadness residing in her. After some time went, Spike gently pushed Sweetie off of him and made them face to face. "I love you. You love me. We both know that." Sweetie nodded. "Are you gonna be okay?" "Y-Yeah... Now that I talked with you." The two sat for a couple minutes, until Spike broke the silence. "So, who is this filly?" "She's in my class. She's a filly who bullies other ponies, including Apple Bloom and Scootaloo." "She has to have a reason to hurt others." "How do you know that?" Sweetie asked. "It's just how life is. I can even bet Armak had a reason for his actions, other than evil." Sweetie nodded. "Do you know anything about why she does these things?" "I... promised to keep that part a secret." "Oh, alright. Can I meet her?" Sweetie bolted up. "You're not gonna hurt her, are you?!" Spike chuckled. "No, of course not. I just want to talk to her." Sweetie calmed down. "Oh, okay." Spike got up and held out a claw to Sweetie. "Shall we go my princess?" Sweetie giggled. "We must." She said, playing along. Sweetie reached out, allowing Spike to grab, and pull her up. Apple Bloom was seated down and Scootaloo paced back and forth. "They sure are taking a long time in there." Apple Bloom said. "Should we go check and see if everything's alright?" Scootaloo asked. "No, give them time... Wait! I think I hear them coming now." As on cue, the door opened, and Spike and Sweetie Belle walked out. "Hey girls!" Spike waved a claw. "Hey Spike." Bloom and Scoots said simultaneously. Spike walked past the two. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked at Sweetie Belle. "So, what happened?" Apple Bloom asked. "I told Spike about Diamond Tiara." "What's he gonna do now?" "He said he's going to talk to her about it." "Well, good. Did you talk to him about what she said?" "Mhm." "Okay." Spike leaned over the railing at the top of the stairs and saw six mares looking depressed. Spike face-palmed. "This is just pathetic!" Sweetie told Spike before, about what had happened between the Mane 6 and Diamond. Spike and the CMC walked past the Mane 6. Though they didn't try at all to be sneaky, the Mane 6 did not notice them. Diamond Tiara walked angrily through the public park. "Stupid Ponies!" She ranted. "Stupid Luna!" She kicked a twig on the ground fiercely. "Stupid Sweetie Belle!" "...Hey there!" Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes. "Why does everypony have to bother m-" She stopped ranting when she turned and saw Spike standing there with his arms crossed, and a grin on his face. "P-P-Prince Spike?!?!" Diamond was terrified. Why was she scared? She bad-mouthed The Elements, their sisters, and even Princess Luna. She didn't show any fear then. Why now? "Please, just call me Spike." Spike started to make his way towards Diamond Tiara. "I-I-I-I-I..." Spike stopped a few inches in front of her. "So... What's your name?" "D-Diamond Tiara." "Well Diamond, I heard some things. And do you mind if we talk?" Diamond was about to beg for mercy, but stopped. "Y-Yeah, sure." Spike sighed. "Everything that happens, has a reason... Well, except for Pinkie Pie, but, you know what I mean." Diamond nodded. "So, I would like to hear the reason why you pick on other ponies. The true reason." Spike said calmly. Diamond started sweating. "I don't know what to tell him! What if he doesn't believe me!" Diamond thought to herself. "I... don't know." Spike noticed Diamond looking frightened. "Look, I know the true reason isn't that you're evil, or anything like that. I don't even think Princess Celestia met any foal like that. You can tell me if there's something wrong, and I'll believe you." "P-Promise you won't tell any pony?" "Sure." "A-Alright..." Diamond began to explain her actions. She went more in-depth than with Luna, with Spike nodding every now and then in understanding. Tiara slipped a few tears here and there, but soon enough, she finished. "I can understand... how you feel unloved. It was the same with me and Twilight, but fortunately we resolved our issue." "L-Luna said the same thing, in my dreams. But I yelled at her. I was so stupid, now she hates me." "Heh, Luna's not the type to hold a grudge. Especially against a filly." "Do you think she would forgive me then?" "Of course." "That's good." Spike put a claw to Diamonds shoulder. "You can talk to your parents. If they truly love you, and I know they do, they will understand. And hopefully everything will be fine." "B-But I'm scared to talk to them. What if they shove me away? Saying that I'm nothing compared to their money." Spike chuckled and took his claw off of her shoulder. "I assure you, no parent would EVER do that." Spike pointed his thumb at himself. "And if anything's wrong, come to me. Alright?" Diamond nodded. "I'm sorry." "It's not me you have to be sorry to." "Yeah." Spike turned around. A second later, Sweetie Belle and the other two came out from behind a bush. "They didn't hear your story, but I think they'll still forgive you." Spike whispered reassuringly. The three CMC stepped in front of Diamond Tiara. Diamond looked down in shame. "I'm sorry you three. Especially Sweetie Belle. I shouldn't have done the things I did. C-Can we start over?" They stared for a second then smiled. "Of course! We'd love to have a new friend!" Apple Bloom said kindly. "Yeah, the more the merrier." Scootaloo said. "Sweetie Belle?" Diamond asked Sweetie. Sweetie trotted over to Diamond with a blank expression. She blinked then smiled. "I forgive you." Diamond smiled and immediately gasped for air as she was in a bone-crushing hug with three fillies. When they let go Diamond stepped back a little. "I still have to apologize to your sister and her friends." Diamond said to Spike. Spike nodded. "Let's go to the library then." Spike opened the door to the library. He saw the six mares standing, Twilight recollecting herself. "Hey girls." They all responded with a "hello", except for Twilight who just waved while smiling. "There's somepony who wants to speak with you all. I HOPE you let her talk." All six nodded. Spike moved to the side to reveal Diamond Tiara, with the CMC not far behind her. The Mane 6 gasped. "H-Hi everypony. I wanted to apologize for what happened throughout this weekend. You'll probably not forgive me, but... I want to start over. Both with you and your sisters." The Mane 6 were silent, until Apple Jack spoke up. "Well... You went as far as reminded both us and Twilight about us abusing Spike." Twilight's eye twitched. "Oh no, you pushed the wrong Twilight button!" Spike said. Tears started to appear in Twilight's eyes. Spike quickly teleported behind Twilight and tapped her in the neck lightly. Twilight fell to the ground, and started snoring peacefully. Every pony in the room looked at Twilight, worried. "Don't worry, she's fine. Oh, and she forgives you." Spike said to Tiara. Fluttershy turned back to Diamond Tiara. "Um... You don't have to be sorry." Fluttershy said. "Yeah! You didn't do anything wrong!" Pinkie said while bouncing around Diamond. "Well... I'm mostly apologizing to you three." Diamond said pointing to Rainbow, Apple Jack, and Rarity. The three mentioned stayed silent. "Look, I know you can't forgive me right away, but I just wanted to make sure we're on good terms." "I... I guess I can give you a second chance." Rainbow said scratching the back of her head while smiling. "If Discord changed, ah don't see why you can't." Apple Jack said. "I-I think I'll forgive you, but if any of this happens again, you can expect no more from me." Rarity said. "Thank you, I understand if it takes time for you, but I'll do my best to earn your complete trust." Diamond Tiara said. Diamond Tiara soon sighed of relief. "Now I said sorry to everypony. At least that's out of the way." "Not... everypony." Sweetie Belle indicated. "...Oh! Princess Luna!" Sweetie shook her head. "Not her either." Diamond thought for a second, then her eyes widened. "Silver Spoon! Where is she!? I have to find her!" "She's at the Ponyville hospital, Room 301." Sweetie answered. "Okay, thanks! I'll see you all later!" Diamond started to make her way to the hospital. "Bye!" The CMC said one after another. The Mane 6 and Spike waved. Diamond Tiara exited the library and began to run towards Ponyville's hospital. Tiara opened the door to Silver's room. She saw Silver in her bed at end of the room to the right. "Silver?" Silver looked at Diamond Tiara, grew an angry face, then looked away. "Hey-" Diamond was cut off. "I don't want to talk to you!" Silver said while still looking away. "Okay, fair enough. But please let me say what I have to say. Then I'll leave." Silver thought for a second. She turned and faced Tiara and nodded. "Fine." "Okay..." Diamond started to explain what happened since their 'incident'. She talked from her nightmare, to her apology towards the CMC and Mane 6. When Diamond was done, Silver had an understanding expression. "T-That's all. And, I wanted to say, that I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you." "No, I pushed your buttons. I shouldn't have mentioned your... parents." "No, I should've controlled myself. Can you ever forgive me?" "Tiara, I knew you for a long time. Heck, I know you more than your own parents. And I know when you really mean something." Diamond looked down in shame. "And... you really mean it." Her head shot up. "You're really going to forgive me? After I hurt you?" "Everypony makes mistakes. Some more than others." Silver smiled at Tiara. "Thanks. You really are my bestie." Diamond dragged a stool over beside Silver's bed. She then proceeded to hop onto it. "We'll both start over. As the best ponies we can be. Right?" Tiara asked. "Of course. I would love that." Diamond Tiara quickly reached over and tightly hugged Silver Spoon. "I missed you." "...I missed you too." Silver said as she stroked Tiara's mane. The two sat there. Talking, laughing, playing. Until Silver soon got released out of the hospital. They looked forward to the start of their new future. A better future.
AnnoyanceIt was a normal school day, like every other... mostly. The class was properly seated, the teacher was at the board teaching, the students were quiet, and it was not boring... Wait? Did I just say that school "wasn't boring"? Ms. Cheerilee was at the board. "Okay class, before the bell rings I'll give an introduction on our next subject; 2 digit-multiplication!" She heard a lot of groans but ignored them. Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle was waiting for what she knew was about to happen next. As she slowly hid under her desk, she glanced at the clock above the classroom door, and saw that it was 2:58. She knew it was bound to happen as soon as the dismiss bell rung. Apple Bloom looked at Sweetie, then to Scootaloo who looked back. They both nodded. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo had a talk with Sweetie Belle the other day, and they had a plan this time to get Sweetie free. They told Sweetie Belle about some "Master Plan" that was "going to work". They haven't told Sweetie Belle this plan yet, but Sweetie Belle trusts them. "Just thirty more seconds!" Sweetie Belle thought. "I hope their plan works!" Just then, the school bell rang. As soon as the bell rung, every pony in the class rushed up to Sweetie's desk, surrounding her. Sweetie Belle looked around her, not to see her fellow classmates packing their stuff, but her fellow classmates surrounding her like news reporters. "How is he?" "You're sooo lucky!" "Can I meet him?" Everypony in the classroom knew about Sweetie Belle's relationship with Spike. "Um? Um?" Yesterday, Sweetie Belle had to stay tucked in a locker for half an hour to shake off these "pests". "Sweetie Belle?" One voice said. Sweetie Belle looked down and saw Pipsqueak. "Yes Pipsqueak?" Sweetie Belle asked kindly. "Can you um, ask the prince to get in touch with Luna, to ask her to visit my dreams again?" "I, um?" Sweetie Belle got interrupted by Dinky. "He's my hero! Can I see him?" "Uh maybe-" "Can he teach me how to fly as fast as him?" This time, she got interrupted by Rumble. The questions and demands kept on flooding. "Apple Bloom, Scootaloo! Where are you?" Sweetie Belle thought. Suddenly, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo with black suits and sun glasses zipped in front of Sweetie Belle, blocking the other fillies and colts. "Stand aside! 'Future princess' needs some space." Apple Bloom said in a serious tone. "If you have any questions, see us never!" Scootaloo said in the same tone. Sweetie Belle face hoofed. "You guys aren't serious." They both turned and faced Sweetie Belle. "Hey! We might get 'body guard' cutie marks!" Apple Bloom said while taking off her sun glasses. "When you girls said that "you had a plan", I thought you meant something that will get me OUT OF HERE!" On the opposite side of the classroom, two fillies were watching this "unbelievable" occurrence. Diamond Tiara began to speak. "How could SHE be getting all the attention? She just happens to be dating a dragon that saved Equestria. It doesn't mean anything!" "It's not like she did anything AMAZING. Look at us, we're divine, beautiful, talented, uhg! She doesn't even have a cutie mark!" "We need to find some way to divert the attention to us. Then we'll be the winners here." Diamond put a hoof to her chin. "I just need to think of something." "Maybe we can call her 'cool' so she'll let US see Prince Spike." "No, don't you remember what happened last time. We got shunned by Princess Twilight." "Oh yeah..." "We need to hit her HARD, let her know that no pony steals our thunder!" Ms. Cheerilee walked up to the group of students. "Okay children, leave poor Sweetie Belle alone please." "'Poor'? She has Prince Spike, she's far from it." Snips said. "Spike is just a normal pony, er? Dragon, just like all of you. He lives a normal life just like us, and he deserves respect, and privacy. Do you all understand?" The students nodded. "Good, now go off, and stop wasting your afternoon." Ms. Cheerilee said kindly. Soon enough the colts and fillies started to pack their things and exited the room. Right as Sweetie Belle was about to leave, Cheerilee called her from her desk. "Sweetie, can I talk with you for a moment?" Sweetie Belle trotted up to her teacher's desk. "Yes Ms. Cheerilee?" "So um? How is he?!?" Cheerilee said while resting her cheeks on her hoofs. She said those last three words a little too quickly for Sweetie Belle's taste. "URG! You're all the same!" Sweetie Belle proceeded to walk out of the classroom angrily. Cheerilee ignored her words as she was daydreaming about her hero. Sweetie Belle walked out of the school. Luckily, those who were waiting there was only Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. "Thank Celestia you girls took off those stupid outfits." Sweetie Belle said. "Well we didn't get our 'body guard' cutie marks, so we didn't need them, duh!" Scootaloo said. Apple Bloom gave Scootaloo a stern look, then turned to a sad Sweetie Belle. "Sweetie? Ya alright?" "No! I'm not! It's been the same thing this whole week! Lunch, right after the bell rings, or freetime, I get flooded with our 'friends', then after, either you girls, myself, or Ms. Cheerilee saves me. But right after Ms. Cheerilee turns into one of them!" "Look, soon they will wear off, we just have to wait." Scootaloo informed. "I guess so." "How about we go get some shakes at Sugarcube Corner, that'll cheer you up!" Apple Bloom suggested. "Yeah! How about it? Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo asked. "Yeah sure, let's go." Sweetie Belle said with a sad smile. The Next Day (Friday) 11:29 AM Sweetie Belle sat quietly in class. She looked around to see the worried faces of Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. She gave them the "It's going to be okay" look and faced the front once again. Just after that, her worst nightmare happened. The bell rung. Sweetie Belle bolted towards the door as fast as she could. She made it out of the classroom and headed to the playground. Once she did, she went to go plop onto the merry-go-round. Though she ran as fast as she could, she wasn't the first one out. Other ponies from other classes were out but they weren't paying any attention to Sweetie Belle. "That's weird." Sweetie thought. "Maybe they wore off, like Scootaloo said they would." Sweetie started to smile a little. Soon after, her class started to come out of the school including Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. She waved at her friends and they met her at the merry-go-round. "Wow, ya sure got out of there fast Sweetie Belle." Apple Bloom said. "Yeah, not as fast as Rainbow Dash though." Scootaloo said. "I think the others got the 'hint'!" Sweetie explained. Sweetie looked to her left and she saw a big group of fillies and colts having a conversation. She couldn't make out what they were saying, but at times three or four of them would look back at her, and then quickly turn back to their group. Sweetie's smile turned back into a frown. "Or maybe not." Across the playground, once again, were the two evil bullies. "I think I got something!" Diamond said. "What? Really!" Silver Spoon said excited. "Yeah, I think- oh, no, it's just another stupid rock." What in Equestria are those two doing? "Five, four, three, two, one..." Sweetie Belle said in annoyance. (Ring) In a mere second, everypony in the classroom surrounded Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle screamed in annoyance. Ten Minutes Later Sweetie Belle was alone in the hallway, she was putting away some of her things in her locker. At the end of the hall, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were looking at Sweetie Belle with frowns on their faces. Suddenly, Diamond grew a smirk on her face. "Silver, I think I thought of something." "Really? What?" Diamond leaned closer to Silver. "Here's what we're going to do..."
"That's not true... Is it?"Sweetie Belle was still at her locker, putting away her things. At the end of the hall, Diamond Tiara finished explaining her plan. "That's perfect! That'll show her not to steal our spotlight." As Sweetie finished putting away her things, she looked to her left to see Tiara and Spoon coming towards her. "Urg! Let me guess? You want to see my drakefriend, Prince Spike? Well, forget it!" Sweetie said as she slammed the locker door. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon both started to laugh, loudly. Sweetie Belle tilted her head in confusion. "What happened?" Diamond Tiara laughed as she talked. "You actually BELIEVE, Prince Spike is your drakefriend?" "What do you mean? He is." Sweetie grew more confused. "No he's not, he's acting. He doesn't love you one bit." Silver said, barely containing her laughter. This time, Sweetie was the one to break up in laughter. "Out of all the things... you two have said... to try to hurt me... that was... the saddest... attempt... EVER!" Sweetie fell to the floor. "We're not trying to hurt you, we're... telling you the truth. Think really hard Sweetie Belle. Why would Spike want to be your drakefriend?" "Um? He always says that I'm pretty, I'm cool, I'm nice." Sweetie said, checking things off mentally. "He calls me cute." Sweetie said while blushing. "I saved him from that darkness magic thingy, and the obvious, he loves me." The two bullies started laughing again. "Come on Sweetie Belle, I THOUGHT you were smarter than that." Diamond said. "Huh?" "Alright. Who's the pony Spike wanted the most before you?" "Everypony knows that, my sister Rarity." "Good, now who do you think is closest to Rarity?" "Mom and dad?" Sweetie guessed. "Closer than that." "M-Me?" Diamond Tiara nodded. "Spike wants to be with you, not because he loves you, because he wants to be closer to Rarity, the one he truly wants most." Sweetie's smile turned into a frown. "N-No, that's silly. That's not true... Is it?" "Of course it's true, Spike doesn't want to be with a Stupid, Untalented, Blank Flank Nobody like you." Sweetie Belle was on the verge of tears. "He... he doesn't-" "And what's worse, you take advantage too. You use your relationship to get more popular. You use HIM!" Silver Spoon added. "I... I..." Sweetie shut her eyes shut, trying not to let her tears escape. She failed, and tears were streaming down her face. "You don't deserve him, the way you use your relationship." Diamond Tiara said. She soon started to run away, hearing Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon laughing behind her. She ran out the hallway, and soon out the School. She ran past her two friends who were waiting for her. "Sweetie Belle? Hey! What's wrong?" Apple Bloom tried to call out to her, but she was long. "What's the matter with her?" Scootaloo asked worried. "Ah don't know." "That deals with her." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo knew that voice a little too well. They both turned angrily at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. "What's wrong with you two?!?! Sweetie Belle didn't do anything to you!" Apple Bloom spat out. "Yeah! What did you do to her?" Scootaloo asked. "We, didn't do anything. All we did was tell her the truth." Silver Spoon said smugly. "What, truth? Why is she cryin' like that?" Apple Bloom asked. "The truth hurts, doesn't it." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo grunted. "Ya'll will pay for this." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo began to run after Sweetie Belle. "Ah'll be sure to tell Spike about this. He'll banish you two for good." Apple Bloom said as she was running away. "Wait, Tiara, they're right! What if Prince Spike finds out about this. We'll be in deep trouble." Silver was worried. "Relax Spoon. Right now, Sweetie Belle is not going anywhere near Spike. She'll fix our problem herself." "I-I hope so." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo ran past several buildings. They looked all around but couldn't find Sweetie Belle anywhere. "Where's she?" "She can't be at Carousel Boutique, she ran the opposite way." Scootaloo explained. "Let's go check Sugarcube corner." Apple Bloom suggested. After searching every table in the sugar loaded place, they found no sign of Sweetie Belle. "Hmm, we didn't check the clubhouse." Scootaloo explained. "Yeah, let's go check." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo ran to their clubhouse, hoping to find their friend. They past the apple orchard, and soon made it to the clubhouse. Apple Bloom opened the door to find Sweetie Belle sitting, facing a wall. "Sweetie Belle?" Sweetie Belle was holding a picture of her and Spike. They were both smiling and looked like they were enjoying themselves. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. She wiped her eyes, but more tears replaced them. She sniffed as she remembered Diamond Tiara's words. "Why would Spike want to be with a Stupid, Untalented, Blank Flank Nobody like you?" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo trotted up to Sweetie Belle and looked at the photo she was holding. "What did they do Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo asked. She got no response. "Well, don't worry about it. I'll let Spike know about this right away." Sweetie gave a light gasp as she remembered another thing Diamond Tiara said. "You don't deserve him, the way you use your relationship." Scootaloo turned to the door and began to walk out, only to be stopped by Sweetie belle hugging her hind leg. "Please don't..." Sweetie said softly. "Sweetie Belle? What's wrong? Why can't I go tell Spike?" "J-Just please..." "O-Okay, if you really want it that way." 7:00 It was quiet for the next few hours in the clubhouse. Both of Sweetie's friends were trying to comfort her. Apple Bloom was sitting beside a sleeping Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo was pacing around the clubhouse angrily. "She cried herself to sleep Scoots." Apple Bloom said quietly while stroking her friend's mane. Scootaloo looked down, worried about her friend. "This isn't any normal teasing that's been happening. Something bigger happened between Diamond Tiara and Sweetie Belle, and ah'm gonna find out." Scootaloo turned to Apple Bloom and nodded. "I'm with you." Suddenly, Apple Jack opened the front door to the clubhouse and stepped in. "Alright girls, it's getting late, how about we head on-" "SHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" "What in tarnation?" "Big sis, we need to talk..." Apple Bloom said quietly. Rarity was enjoying her tea while sitting on her couch, when she heard a sudden knock at her door. "Now who could that be?" Rarity walked over to her front door and opened to see Apple Jack, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo, with a sleeping Sweetie Belle on Apple Jack's back. "Hello dear, I see you have your hoofs full." Rarity said giggling while taking Sweetie Belle with her magic. "Rarity, this is more serious than ya think. Can ah have a word with you?" "Why sure, come in the three of you." Rarity stepped out of the way to let the three in. "Just give me a minute to take this sleepy head upstairs to her room." Rarity trotted upstairs with Sweetie Belle on her back. "Alright, let me talk to Rarity about this. Are ya'll sure we should be keeping this from Spike?" "Sweetie Belle got so scared and begged us not to tell him. I don't know if ah can." "Well, we'll have to sort this out then." Just then, Rarity walked back downstairs. Apple Jack guided her to the kitchen, away from Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. She then told Rarity what Apple Bloom and Scootaloo explained to her. "They what?!?!" Rarity screamed. "Rarity, quiet down." "You wouldn't 'quiet down' if you found out that your little Apple Bloom was being hurt by some ruffians!" "Apple Bloom's apart of it too. And the only reason I stopped myself from yelling was because your sister had fallen asleep." Rarity grunted, but then sighed. "Sorry, it's just that hearing about my little sister crying herself asleep was just a shock." "I understand." "No pony deserves to fall asleep in that condition. I just pray to Luna that she doesn't have nightmares as well." "Right." "Who are these fillies anyway? Who do they think they are?" "I don't know myself. This is very serious." "But why is Sweetie so afraid to tell dear Spike. Isn't he her drakefriend?" "All of this is confusing, but we should get this sorted out tomorrow. It's late, I'm gonna drop off Scootaloo then go home." "Very well then." Rarity and Apple Jack trotted back to the living room. "Alright you two, let's get going." "Is Sweetie Belle gonna be alright?" Scootaloo asked. "...Ah'm not really sure, we'll have to wait until tomorrow." "A-Alright, bye Rarity." Apple Bloom and Apple Jack also said their goodbyes and headed out. Rarity shut the door and looked up the stairs. "Oh Sweetie Belle..."
DecisionsCelestia's sun peered through the windows of Carousel Boutique, trying to get it's way in. On the second floor, in her bedroom. Sweetie Belle, was sleeping peacefully, her chest moving up and down slowly, contradicting to her soft breathing. For a slight moment. The curtains in her room swayed a bit forward, making the sunlight shine on Sweetie's eyes in the process. When the curtain returned to covering the sun, Sweetie Belle opened her eyes slowly. Sweetie Belle sat up, and looked around. She was a bit weary for a moment but gained focus soon enough. "Wha-what happened?" She said quietly while rubbing her eyes. Sweetie sat for a minute. She yawned then threw her blanket off of herself, and trotted to the bathroom. She brushed her teeth, washed her face, and continued on downstairs. Waiting for her in the kitchen was a delicious meal. The smell of toast with daffodils, made Sweetie's nose perk up, and she could also smell Rarity's "Divine" tea. Sweetie looked at the coffee table to see her food, and she looked her left to see Rarity making something. "Good morning Rarity!" Sweetie said as she sat down. Rarity turned around and smiled when she saw Sweetie Belle. "Good morning deary, but..." Rarity pointed above Sweetie Belle. Sweetie looked behind and above to see the clock that read, 12:07. "Oh..." Sweetie chuckled nervously. "I heard you in the washroom upstairs and I decided to make you something to eat." "It smells great Rarity! Thank you!" Rarity turned back to grab her tea in her magic, and walked over to the coffee table. "Oh, you're very welcome Sweetie." Rarity gave her a nuzzle on the cheek and proceeded to take a seat on the opposite end of the table. It was quiet for a while. The only sounds being Rarity's occasional sipping, and Sweetie's eating. Finally, Sweetie Spoke up. "Um, sis?" Rarity looked up at Sweetie Belle. "Yes Sweetie?" "What happened last night? I was at my school... and then..." Sweetie Belle trailed off, trying to think what happened last night. "Well, last night, you were at your clubhouse, and your friends and Apple Jack were so kind to bring you here after you dozed off." Rarity explained. A soft gasp could be heard from Sweetie Belle. Not hearing Sweetie's gasp, Rarity continued. "Apple Jack and your friends... told me that you, cried yourself to sleep..." Sweetie looked down at her food. "Is there... anything you want to tell me Sweetie?" Rarity said with reassuring eyes. "I-It's nothing, don't worry about it." "Sweetie Belle, no lady... OR gentlecolt deserves to fall asleep under such circumstances. I just want you to be safe." "I said it's nothing. I'm fine." Sweetie took another bite from her toast. "O-Okay, but... always know that, you can tell or ask me anything, alright?" Sweetie Belle nodded. "Good... So when are you leaving today?" "Hm? Huh?" "Remember? You said that you were going to the library today. To play with Spike." Rarity said. Sweetie's eyes widened. "O-oh y-yeah. I didn't forget..." Sweetie chuckled nervously. "I'm leaving just now." "So early?" Rarity came off of her chair and levitated her cup to the sink. "Not for Spike, I'm meeting him at five. Just to go... do some... stuff..." "Oh, alright. Be safe. I'll be upstairs all day working on some dresses if you need me." She then trotted out of the kitchen. "Okay sis!" Sweetie Belle hopped off her seat and put her dishes in the sink as well. She walked outside and started debating to herself if she should go to Spike or not. Meanwhile, Rarity was looking at her sister from an upstairs window. "Oh Sweetie Belle, why is it so hard for you to tell me. I know I can't just force you to tell me. If I only knew what's wrong. Scootaloo was at the front of the clubhouse. She opened the door to see Apple Bloom. "Hey Apple Bloom! What's up?" "Nothin'" "Still thinking about Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo said as she trotted over to Apple Bloom. "Stood up for the most of the night thinking about her." "Same here. I'm worried about her. What did Diamond Tiara say, to get her like that?" "That's what we need to find out. Then, we can help Sweetie Belle however we can." "Yeah, how about we go to the Boutique to go see if Sweetie Belle's doing alright?" "Okay! Let's go!" Sweetie Belle was sitting on the merry-go-round at the public park. There were not a lot of colts and fillies there, but Sweetie wanted to be alone. She wanted nothing more, than to be sure that what Diamond Tiara said, wasn't true. She knew herself, that Spike is not the type to do something that, but the facts that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon gave kept delving into her mind. In the middle of her thinking, she heard a voice. "Hey blank flank!" She looked up in fear to see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon themselves. Tiara and Spoon both laughed at poor Sweetie's horrified expression. "I never expected you to come out of the dark, after your "cry baby" act yesterday." "Cr-cry baby?" "Mhmm, I don't think Spike would like a cry baby as his fillyfriend. Don't ya think, Silver?" "He'd be better off with somepony who could actually do something in their life. Like, look at you. No cutie mark; no talent." Sweetie's eyes shut themselves, as she waited for the next barrage of insults, but they never came. Instead, she heard a familiar, friendly voice. "Stop that!" Sweetie turned around to see her two friends. "Apple Bloom? Scootaloo?" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo stepped in front of Sweetie Belle, blocking Tiara and Spoon. "What do you want from her? Leave her alone!" Apple Bloom yelled. "We won't let you hurt her anymore!" Scootaloo said. "Oh look, now we have three untalented fillies. Just great!" Tiara said mockingly. "Just leave!" "And if I don't?" Scootaloo grunted. The four fillies started yelling at each other for a few minutes, when just then, a voice called out. "Hey! What's going on?"
"What did you just say to me?!"Apple Jack was nearly at the Boutique, she needed to talk about the issue the day before. They needed to fix this not only for Rarity's sister, but for her sister as well. Apple Jack arrived and knocked the front door to the Boutique. A couple seconds later, Rarity opened the door. "I thought I would hear from you again. (Sigh) This is about last night, isn't it?" "Yup." Rarity stepped aside. "Come in." Apple Jack walked inside and started to pace around. Rarity closed the door and watched her friend. "We can't just let this go Rarity. Not only your sister, but mine as well, are involved with this. Even that other filly, Scootaloo. We can't just stand by and let this happen. We have to go to their parents, or-or Cheerilee, sumthin!-" "I know Apple Jack. But as much as I would love to, Sweetie Belle hasn't nor will tell me anything about this. And if I don't know what's going on. HOW am I supposed to help her." "(Sigh) Ah know what ya mean. Apple Bloom has kept her mouth shut too. And every time I try to talk to her she just changes the subject, or ignores me. I don't want to force her to tell me, but at the same time, I want to help her." "(Sigh) I just wish there was something we could do!" Rarity whined. "Hmm, maybe we can't go to Spike about this, but how about Twilight? Ah mean, if Spike was involved with this as well, maybe Twilight knows about it, and she already has the answer." "Maybe you're right. How about we go to Twlight's and ask?" "Sure. I'm ready." "Alright, let me just get some things-" "Is it clothes?" "Why yes it is-" "No time. Come on." Rarity gave a Canterlot gasp, and followed Apple Jack angrily. After a couple of minutes of walking through Ponyville. Rarity looked to the right to see the public park. She raised an eyebrow and looked to Apple Jack. "Apple Jack, look." "What?" Apple Jack looked to the park Rarity was pointing at. "Doesn't the park seem... empty to you?" "Sure does. And it's about four PM isn't it?" "Hmm, odd." Rarity and Apple Jack walked for a couple more minutes and finally arrived at the Golden Oaks Library. Apple Jack knocked the door and Twilight opened up. "Hey girls. What's happening?" "Twi, we need to talk." Apple Jack said. "What happened this time..." "Can we come in?" "Yeah sure!" Twilight stepped aside and let Rarity and Apple Jack stepped in. "Is uh... Spike here?" "No, he went out to do something. Probably for his date with Sweetie Belle." Twilight started to giggle. "That's cute." "Now is not the time for that Twilight." Rarity said. "We need to discuss something." "Okay, let's sit down." Apple Jack and Rarity followed Twilight and sat down at their respective seats. "Okay, explain to me what happened." "You want ta go first Rarity? It is your Sister mostly." "(Sigh) If I must. Twilight, apparently last night my sister Sweetie Belle cried herself to sleep, because of some hooligans." "Oh my gosh! What happened?" "That's just the problem. Sweetie Belle wont tell me anything. She seems so secretive, and the number one thing she doesn't want right now is Spike to know. I guess she doesn't want Spike to do anything too harsh." "How about we tell Spike then? She doesn't know that I know, and I doubt Spike will hurt these ponies. Who are these ponies anyways?" "Ah think it's some fillies." Apple Jack replied. "You know, bullies?" Twilight scratched her head. "Not that I'm mad or anything, but, why ask me for help?" "We figured since Spike is somehow involved with this, you would know something." "Spike never mentioned this... I honestly have no idea what to do than to either tell Spike, or force Sweetie Belle to talk. But I know that's what we don't want." "Well if you get anything, be sure to let us know." Apple Jack said. Rarity and Apple Jack got up from their seats. "You got it." Twilight walked them to the door. "Hey! What's going on?" Scootaloo, being the only one hearing the voice, looked up. "R-Rainbow Dash?" Apple Bloom continued arguing with the two bullies as Rainbow landed. "Heya squirt." Rainbow Dash ruffled Scootaloo's mane. "What's up?" "Rainbow Dash! You need to help! Those two fillies yelling at back at Apple Bloom are making Sweetie Belle cry!" Rainbow Dash gasped as she had a flash back of Fluttershy and Gilda being bullied by Dumb-Bell and Hoops. Sweetie Belle was just sitting quietly on the merry-go-round, looking down. Rainbow grunted and made her way to the three other fillies. "Rainbow Dash?" Apple Bloom noticed. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Rainbow Dash. How very nice of you and your jaw to join us." Diamond Tiara said mockingly. "What?" "Oh I know you. The, "incredible" Rainbow Dash; fast Pegasis, Element of Loyalty, Scootaloo's idle, wonderbolt wannabe-" "So you know who I am? That just shows how popular I am." "That just shows how consistent you are." "Oh! You did not just go there!" Apple Jack and Rarity were strolling through the streets of Ponyville, when they came across the park once again. This time however, was more intense than last time. Rarity gasped when she saw her poor sister sitting on the merry-go-round looking sad. She started to trot over to her. Apple Jack decided to walk over to Apple Bloom. "Hey sis, what's going on here." "Apple Jack, those are the two fillies who were hurting Sweetie Belle." Apple Bloom pointed to the mentioned. "And what's Rainbow doin'?" "She just showed up and started to talk to them. But I think she's losing it." "Hello Sweetie." Rarity cooed. Sweetie Belle didn't respond. Rarity looked to where the others were. "You have some great friends, they'll always be there for you." "I know." Sweetie Belle said softly. "You're just another one of those stupid Pegasi, who dream too big. Just admit it, you're NEVER gonna become a Wonderbolt." "What did you just say to me?!" "I said to admit; that your lazy flank and yourself will NEVER become a Wonderbolt." "THAT'S IT! I'M GONNA TEACH YOU A LESSON, COME HERE YOU FU-" "COOL IT, Dash. They're just fillies." Apple Jack put a hoof to Rainbow's mouth just in time. "Now, I don't know what's gotten into you two but you must behave. Hear me?" "Hmph. Apple Jack; pathetic, poor, farm pony. I could just use my money and, POOF! Your business is mine." Apple Jack gasped. "Respect your elders youngin'." "Maybe they're right Tiara." Silver Spoon whispered. "I don't want to argue with fillies like y'all. So we'll be leavin' now." "I thought you were tough?" "If only yer weren't fillies, then I'd teach you a lesson." Apple Jack murmured to herself. Apple Jack, Apple Bloom, Rainbow, and Scootaloo all started to leave. "Running away?" "Why, you!" Rainbow turned around, ready to pounce the filly. "Dash!" Apple Jack called out. Rainbow stopped herself and turned back. They all continued to walk away from the two bullies, and towards Rarity and Sweetie Belle sitting on the merry-go-round. "...I had one of these when I used to go to school. Got hurt once but-" "Rarity? Ya ready to leave?" "Uh, yes! Let's go!" "Wait! I uh, have to meet up with Spike." Sweetie Belle said. "Oh yes! Go on dear." Sweetie Belle started to trot away. "Be back before it get's too dark! Okay?" "Okay!" Sweetie called back. "Alright, let's go."
The Date"I didn't want to come, but it was the only excuse for me to leave." Sweetie Belle said to herself. She didn't want to be flooded by questions again from Rarity and her friends. She wanted to be alone, but now that she was on her way to Spike's there was no point turning back. Sweetie Belle approached the Library's front door. She raised her hoof, about to knock, but stopped before doing so. "M-maybe I shouldn't..." Sweetie started to debate to herself if she should knock or not. She stood still for a couple of minutes, then finally decided to knock. "Ohhh, maybe I shouldn't have." She waited a couple of seconds and then Spike opened the door. "Hey Sweetie Belle. How's it going?" Spike said happily, as he reached in to hug Sweetie Belle. "I'm fine, thank you." Sweetie said accepting the hug. "Come in!" Spike allowed Sweetie inside. "Twilight's out right now. She said she wanted to do some errands, but I know she just wanted to leave us two alone for our date." Spike closed the door. "That was really nice of her." Sweetie looked around. "Yeah. Anyways, follow me. Come look at what I set up over here!" Spike said excitedly. Sweetie giggled at his actions. How he ran towards whatever he did, so childlike, energetic. "Same old Spike." Sweetie thought to herself. Spike may have awakened his true powers, beaten powerful foes, and whatnot. But he's still the same old happy dragon. Sweetie followed Spike into the kitchen. The lights were off but there was candles around the room. Spike rubbed the back of his head. "Y-You like it? I thought it would be a little bit... romantic." Spike said sheepishly. "It's great Spike. I like it. It is, kinda romantic." "Ah well, I read some dating guides from the library." "Sounds more like Rarity's romance novels to me." Sweetie said giggling. "Well, it does have the name 'Romance Novel', so I guess that's a good thing." Spike said shrugging. "Anyways, come sit down over here." Spike pointed to a small coffee table that had two seats. Sweetie trotted over, took a seat and waited for Spike's next move. "Alright, give me one second." Spike zipped to the kitchen counter and brought back two bowls. "Here's the first dish; Some Caesar Salad, with croutons in your's and gems in mine." Spike put the bowls down in their respective places. "Thanks." Sweetie said. "No problem, dig in!" Spike and Sweetie Belle ate. None spoke a word. Sweetie Belle was staring at her food, taking a bite every other minute. She was thinking about what Diamond Tiara said. "Spike wants to be with you, not because he loves you, because he wants to be closer to Rarity, the one he truly wants most." Sweetie looked up, to see Spike eating peacefully. She decided to try to find out if what Diamond Tiara said was true. "Um, Spike?" Spike stopped eating and looked up. "Yeah Sweetie?" "Was there any other pony you wanted to be with, before me?" Sweetie asked. "Well... I kinda liked your sister, Rarity..." "If I weren't here, would you still want to be with her?" "Hm, why do you ask?" "Just trying to start a conversation, and to be honest, I want to know more about you." Sweetie wasn't lying. She wanted to know more about the drake she loved. "(Sigh) It was just a stupid crush. I never really thought about it until you came into mind. But I could never get her, no matter how much I tried. She was older than me for one thing." "Oh, sorry it never worked out between you two..." "Oh, you don't have to be sorry." Spike stood up and took his bowl. He walked to Sweetie's side of the table. "Cause now, I have my favorite little princess to be with." Spike said, planting a kiss on Sweetie Belle's cheek. Sweetie blushed at the name. "Favorite Little Princess." "You done with your salad?" "Um... kinda." Spike looked inside her bowl and chuckled. "Well I guess we're not any different considering I mostly ate the gems in my bowl." Sweetie Belle giggled. "Alright, you ready for the main course?" "Sure!" Spike took her bowl with his magic and went to the kitchen counter. Sweetie Belle looked at Spike ."Well, at least now I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that Spike is not using me to get closer to Rarity." Sweetie Belle thought. "But, am I still worth it to him? Maybe I'm not good enough for him." Sweetie Belle looked at her flank. "Spike doesn't want to be with a Stupid, Untalented, Blank Flank Nobody like you." "I don't even have my Cutie Mark yet. What will the Prince of Equestria look like if he's with a stupid, Cutie Markless, pony." Sweetie gave a mental sigh as she looked back up at her love. Spike was coming back from the kitchen. He brought two new bowls with him. Spike set one bowl in front of Sweetie Belle. Sweetie took a whiff. "What's this Spike?" "Alright, in your bowl, you have some of my special soup. Some spicy gravy with sweet potatoes, dumplings, and carrots." Spike said as he reached over, pointing at said ingredients. "I don't really like the dumplings, they get stuck in between my pointy teeth, so I replace them with gems." Sweetie nodded, understanding. She proceeded to take a spoonful of gravy with one of the chopped sweet potato. "How does it taste?" "It tastes really good! Thanks, my prince." Spike chuckled at her response. Spike and Sweetie Belle continued to eat happily. 6:30 Sweetie Belle was at the door, getting ready to leave. "Have a good walk home." "I will, thanks." Sweetie and Spike hugged, Spike giving her a kiss on the cheek in the process. "Alright, later." Spike said releasing Sweetie Belle. "Bye Spike!" She gave Spike a peck on the cheek and trotted away. Spike watched Sweetie walk away for a couple of seconds, and then went back inside to go relax.
Thrice EncounterDiamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were both in Diamond's home. They were both trotting down one of the long hallways. Diamond's home was definitely High-Class, some Canterlot ponies would be jealous of it's beauty. The marble floors, exquisite furniture, dangling chandeliers, wide and tall hallways, violin playing in the background, it's everything a filly would ask for. "Today was excellent Silver! We made that filly pay." Diamond Tiara smirked to herself. Silver Spoon looked down to her hoofs. She was fine with bothering other colts and fillies before, especially the Cutie Mark Crusaders, but this time it just didn't feel... the same. And to make it even worse, Diamond Tiara started to argue with their older sisters. "Um, Diamond?" Diamond didn't look back. "Yes Silver?" "I..." Diamond Tiara reached the kitchen where two glasses of some high quality beverage, their personal bar tenders made, were waiting. Diamond lost her patience. "Come on, spit it out Silver." Silver made a tiny gulp. "I... Um..." Silver took one sip of her beverage with the straw. It tasted sour and sweet, like candy. She continued. "So, I was thinking, and... I think we should lay off." Diamond was in the midst of drinking when she heard what Silver said. "Lay off?" "You know, lay off of Sweetie Belle." "What?-" "Just for now!" Silver said quickly. "Why? We have Sweetie Belle right where we want her." Diamond began to take another sip of her drink. "What I'm trying to say is, now we have their older sisters in this. They are older than us." "We took care of them, didn't you see Rainbow Dash's face." Diamond started to chuckle, then went back "Yeah we did, but how much longer until Prince Spike comes. Are you going to talk like that to him too?" "Hmph, yeah right, after what we said to Sweetie Belle, she wont even want to go near him again. Then soon enough, they'll break up." Diamond Tiara said mockingly. "Wait, what? I thought we were only gonna tease Sweetie Belle. Not get them to break up." "Damnit, I slipped." Diamond thought to herself. "I... Thought you knew." Silvers eyes widened. "This was your plan the whole time; to break them up." "Well yes, duh." "So that's why this feels so wrong." "What are you talking about? This is the same thing we always do to the Cutie Markless." "No, it's not Diamond!" Silver got out of her seat. "We would always do harmless things like tease, or argue with them. But this, we can't just ruin their relationship!" Diamond also got out her seat. "What are you trying to say?" "I'm saying that I don't want to be any part of this Diamond!" "Are you abandoning me? For them?" "I'm not siding with anypony. And after being with you for all this time, I doubt that anypony would want me on their side." "C-Come on Silver cut the act." "I'm not acting. I'm done." Silver turned around. "Done? No, you were in this in the beginning, your not walking away early." "I was in, until I knew what your TRUE intentions were!" "No, I can't do this alone! Who do you expect to back me up?" "You were doing this alone! I was just watching some poor filly getting made fun of, on the verge of tears." "You!-" "You just want me around, so you wont feel lonely, cause your parents aren't ever around!" Diamond gasped. She soon turned angry and gritted her teeth. She then quickly pushed Silver violently from behind. Silver got pushed into the wall with a hard hit. She groaned painfully. Diamond gasped and looked around frantically for any possible spectators of her little outbreak. When she saw no pony, she looked back at Silver who was getting up weakly. Diamond looked a little closer and saw that her left fore hoof was bruised, and her glasses were slightly cracked. Silver looked at Diamond with teary eyes. "Why?" Diamond's mouth stood open a tad. "I thought we were friends?" "W-We are friends-" "Friends don't hurt one another!" Diamond was taken aback. "I thought you were better than this Diamond. Before, we would do harmless bullying. But now, your breaking relationships, hurting ponies, and most of all..." Diamond was speechless at Silver's next words. "...you lost your best friend..." Silver turned and started to walk away. Slightly limping because of her injury. Diamond watched, as her only friend, walked away on her. "I-I-I... I don't need her. The plan will just continue. Because no pony, is more popular than me, in school." Diamond shut her eyes and waved her hoof away. It was raining. Silver was sitting at the park bench. Her mane was getting wet, but she didn't care. She was looking back at earlier today, when Diamond was scolding Sweetie Belle. Just then, Silver shook her head, trying to get those thoughts out of her head. "What's wrong?" Silver got startled, she quickly looked back to see none other than Sweetie Belle. "O-Oh, i-it's just you Sweetie Belle." Sweetie was holding an umbrella. She sat down next to Silver and covered them both under it. "You're gonna get cold if you stay out like this." "Yeah..." "I was just on my way back home, but then it started to rain. When I was about to pass Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie gave me this umbrella. Isn't it so nice of her?" "Mhmm..." "Why are your glasses broken?" "It's a long story." "I'll walk you home if you want, I don't think Rarity will mind too much if I'm a bit late." "...Why, why are you talking to me like that?" "Hm? Like what? Is it something I said?" Sweetie squeaked. "No, it's just that... me and Diamond did so much bad things to you. Not only today, for a long time now we've made you and your friends feel bad." "Oh, that. Well, I can't just leave you here. That's just a bad thing to do." "B-But, you know that if Diamond and me were in your position, we would just laugh at you." "Maybe... But it's just the good thing to do. You feel nice when you do something good, you should try it one day too!" Sweetie giggled. Silver smiled slightly. "I-I just want to say sorry, for EVERYTHING. Not just today, not this week, everything. From the first day we met at Diamond's party. I-I'm sorry." Sweetie was taken aback from what Silver said so suddenly. "I...I accept your apology." "Oh, and do your best with Spike. He loves you, and there's no way he's using you, like we said from before." "Thanks. And um, I kinda figured the 'using' part already." "I'll be sure to apologize to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo too." "Yeah! And then we can all be friends!" Sweetie beamed. Silver smiled at Sweetie Belle. "Wait? What about Diamond Tiara? Is she gonna say sorry too?" Sweetie asked. "Um, I don't think so..." "What exactly happened?" Silver was debating if she should trust Sweetie Belle with this small bit of information. "Wait, this is the same filly who helped the pony who hurt her, of course I could trust her!" Silver thought. Silver turned to Sweetie Belle and explained what happened after they left the park earlier today. When she finished, Sweetie had pity for Silver. "Awww, I'm sorry Silver, I-I didn't mean to-" "It's okay. It's okay. Actually, it was better to talk it out..." Sweetie Belle decided to finish the sentence for her. "...with a friend." Silver looked at Sweetie surprised. "R-Really?" "Of course!" "Wow, I thought you all would hate me for all the things I've done." "We can push that aside, that's the past. Let's focus on the future." "Inspirational words, from Sweetie Belle!" Silver and Sweetie started to laugh together. Silver continued to laugh as Sweetie inspected Silver. That's when she saw her left fore hoof. Sweetie gasped. "Silver!" "What?!" "You're hurt!" Silver lifted her hoof and revealed the bruise. "Oh... yeah, forgot about that- ow!" "It's red! Come on, Ponyville Hospital is not too far from here, let's go!" Sweetie supported Silver on her shoulder and used her magic to carry the umbrella. Silver wrapped her left fore hoof around Sweetie's neck. "You're great at using magic Sweetie!" "Spike's been teaching me, but I've been getting these sparks every once in a while. Spike says it's more of my magic I can use, I don't know how to use it, I don't know how much, but come on! We just have get to the hospital!" "Alright, and Sweetie?" "Yeah?" "Thanks."
Never IntentionalSweetie Belle waited patiently outside the hospital door on a bench. She was worried for her new and improved friend. Sweetie Belle brought Silver Spoon to the hospital in the matter of minutes. The doctors took her into the emergency room, just in case of anything serious. Thankfully, nothing was too serious. Two earth ponies, one a blue stallion, and the other a pink mare, walked out of the room and headed in their own direction. Sweetie Belle was about to stop them and ask about Silver, when a black Unicorn stallion came out of the room seconds later. Sweetie Belle quickly got off the bench and zipped to the stallion. "Is she gonna be alright?" The doctor gave a warming smile. "Oh, don't worry about your friend. She will be, just fine. It's just a broken hoof, we used a healing spell to help her recover faster. Probably by tomorrow afternoon she should be able to walk." Sweetie relaxed after hearing that. "You may go see her if you'd like." "Thanks." The doctor started to walk after the other doctors, and Sweetie Belle pushed the door open. She walked inside and saw Silver lying down on one of the beds. "Hey Sweetie, the doctors said I'm gonna be alright!" "Mhmm, how's your hoof feeling?" "Feeling better than before." She showed her hoof which had bandages wrapped around it. Sweetie looked to the right of Silver and saw her glasses. "Your glasses are broken." "Oh, that's alright. With the money I have, it's no problem... I sounded rude there, didn't I?" "No, you were telling the honest truth, which is never a bad thing. It would be bad if you boast about it." "Okay, good." "You didn't tell me the full story, did you? You never mentioned why, or how you broke your hoof." Silver looked down, a bit of tears started to form. "Oh! It's okay if you don't want to tell me! I'm not forcing you." Feeling a bit guilty. "No it's alright, I think it would be best if I told you. But... you have to PROMISE me you wont tell anypony about this. Especially Diamond Tiara." "I... I promise." "Okay, well... I have to start with explaining why Diamond is so hurtful to most ponies. You see, she may have a big house, lots of toys, amazing food, and A LOT of money, but, the thing she wants most, is none of those things..." "What does she want most?" "She wants... love." "Love? Like me and Spike?" "No, more like, you and Rarity. You see, since Diamond's parents are rich, and they have butlers, and servants, and stuff. They don't pay that much attention to Diamond Tiara, and she hates that. She sees everypony happy with their families, and she gets jealous." "I can understand that. I don't know what I'd do without Rarity, or my parents." Silver nodded as she continued. "She likes to pick on you all, not because she's a terrible pony, but because she's jealous. And she does the things she does because it takes her mind away from the loneliness." "Wow, I didn't know Diamond had that side to her..." "Everypony has that side to them. Anyways, my family leaves me alone too, but not as much as Tiara. I met Tiara when our family went to a party in Canterlot. We talked, found out that we were the same age, and we both lived in Ponyville, had rich families... So... we became friends, best friends." "She told me about her loneliness when we both knew each other for a good amount of time. And I..." "You, what?" "I... promised her, that I'll never leave her alone." "Oh..." "I-I had to break the promise! Even though she had good reasons, it wasn't right to do the stuff she wanted." "Yeah, I know." "Well, back to what I was saying, when we were kinda arguing at Diamond's home, I mentioned her excuse of having no love. S-She snapped and pushed me. That's when I broke my hoof. I know it wasn't intentional, she just lost it. I know because I've never seen her physically hurt somepony before, even if she does bad things." "I-I think I understand. I'm still mad a little bit, but now that I know it'll be easier." "Yeah." "So tomorrow, since your hoof will be healed, you want us to meet up with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo?!? I think they would love to have you around!" "S-Sure. You think they will mind?" "Of course not, they are the most friendly ponies I know!" "Okay, thanks... You really are sweet Sweetie Belle. I was an idiot to act the way I did." "Hey! Remember what I said? Don't look back at the past, look into the future!" "Y-Yeah! I remember!" "Well, we'll start our new future tomorrow, it's getting kinda late. So-" "Spoonsy!" A couple, one blue coated, earth Stallion with a grey mane and tail, and a grey coated, earth mare with a white mane and tail, with blue glasses, stood at the door. These were undoubtedly Silver's parents, Sweetie Belle thought. The pair rushed past Sweetie and to Silver, checking if she was alright. "We were so worried! The hospital called and said that you got hurt! We came as soon as possible." Her father said, with a deep but kind voice. "What happened deary?" Her mother asked, her soothing voice comparable to Celestia's. "Well, I kinda hit a wall very hard. It's a long story." "Well, thank Celestia you didn't get too injured. We're happy you're alright." The stallion said. "Everything's fine daddy. My... friend, brought me here as soon as she noticed I was hurt. She would have carried me if she had to." The couple turned and faced little Sweetie Belle. "Thank you, thank you so much for helping our little tea spoon." "I-It was no trouble." Sweetie said blushing. "Why, if you hadn't of come along, our deary would be in much more of a struggle." The mother said. "Here, as our gratitude, take this." The stallion gave Sweetie Belle a brown bag. "There's about three-hundred bits in there, it's all we have on us at the moment. Sorry if it's not much." Not much? Not much!?! Any normal filly would dream of having this much money. "I... I can't take this." "It's alright, really. You deserve it. Besides, we have much more elsewhere." "Well um... thanks!" "No problem. We'd like to let you know that you'll always be welcome in the family... wait... wait I recognize you!" The mother said. "Huh?" "Darling! That is Prince Spike's fillyfriend!" "What, are you serious? Why... yes it is!" the stallion realized as he inspected Sweetie for a brief moment. "Oh... Um... You aren't gonna ask to meet him, are you?" The pair chuckled. "Oh, no. As the higher ups, we know how much you suffer like that. You're lucky you don't get reporters every now and then, or do you?" "No." Sweetie Belle remembered when she and her friends got their classmates to see Twilight. She giggled to herself. "Well anyways, how about you'd be getting on home now. I think your family would be worried sick at this hour." "Yeah, I should get going... Bye Silver!" "Bye Sweetie Belle!" Silver thought it was nice, that somepony other than Diamond Tiara, called her by one name. She thought for a while, and finally realized. She would make a lot more friends.
Nightmare For The Gem Or The MoonDiamond Tiara woke up, and sat up quickly. She was shaking, did she have a nightmare? She scanned around, her room was dark. She looked at her clock on the nightstand that read 4:00. She sighed. "It was just a dream." She rubbed her throat a little. "Maybe I should go get something to drink." Diamond Tiara got out of her bed and trotted out her room. The butlers were at their own households, so Diamond had to get a glass of water herself. Something she didn't do often. As she approached the kitchen, she heard some giggles coming from the other room. Curious, Diamond peeked into the room where she saw her parents. "Mom? Dad?" The two turned to see their daughter. "What are you doing up? Go on back to bed." Her father said. "Yes, what are you doing up?" Her mother asked. "I was uh, getting some water. I had a scary dream." "Yes yes, let us get back to our money." The two turned back around. Diamond Tiara gasped at her father's words. Her dad turned around yet again. "Didn't you hear me? I said I want some time with my money!" "A-are you... saying you'd rather be with some pieces of paper and metal than your own daughter?" Diamond asked weakly. ""Some pieces"?! These are worth more than anything! More than you!" Diamond looked down in sadness. She always stayed strong, but her parents were the only ones who truly knocked her down. "I thought your father told you to go!" Her mother yelled. "I..." "If your not going to leave, then how about we force you!" Diamond Tiara's father and mother both got up from there seats, and started to walk up to Diamond Tiara. Diamond decided on her only option. Run! She ran. She ran as fast as she could. She ran up the stairs and into her own room. She shut the door and hid behind her bed. Soon enough, the door slammed open. Diamond shrieked. "Why? I left just like you said. You can go back to the living room with your money." "What's the point?!" Her mom asked angrily. "If your going to be a nuisance, then you should learn a lesson or two." As her parents slowly approached her, Diamond was thinking about a plan to escape. Beg? Apologize? Fight back? No. Neither of those would work. She decided to do the unpredictable. She ran straight towards her parents. Caught off guard, her parents didn't react in time to catch her, and the darkness of the night didn't help. Diamond ran through the hallway. It was too dark to see where she was going, so she just picked the second door to the right. When her eyes focused a bit. She saw that she was in her parents room. But to Tiara's unfortunate, her parents slammed through the door yet again. "By running away is just making this worse. And even worse, you come into our room, where our stash of money is!" Diamond recognized the voice of her father, filled with rage. She heard the two sets of hoofsteps come closer, and closer, and closer, until... A big white flash in the air appeared. Diamond heard a booming voice. "Begone!" When the flash resided, Diamond didn't see the place around her as her house, but a dark void. She looked up to see Princess Luna. "Princess Luna?" Luna flew down gently, landing in front of Diamond Tiara. "Hello, little one." She said kindly. "So this was all just a dream?" Luna nodded. "Oh, good. Just a stupid random dream." "Do you think it was a random dream?" Luna asked. "What do you mean?" "Some dreams do occur randomly, yes. But some occur for a specific reason. Love, hatred, hope, anxiety, ... and even fear." Diamond gulped. "In your dream, your parents were about to attack you. Do you think they'd ever really do that?" "No... I-It just seemed so real. I know they would never do such a thing." Luna bent down and lifted Tiara's chin up, forcing her to look at Luna. "You can tell me what's wrong, young filly. You know you can trust me." Diamond sighed. "I-... You're the second pony I'm telling this to, so please, keep this a secret." Luna nodded. "Well, my parents, they... love money. Like, REALLY love money. Sometimes they think about money more than me. Sometimes I think they love the money more than me. And I'm scared. I'm scared that I'll be unloved forever." "I see all the families in Ponyville, and I want what they have, love." "...I can relate to that. Long ago, when I felt lonely because ponies slept through my night and stayed up during my sister's day. I was foolish then." "We... That's not the same thing." "What are you trying to say?" "You had your sister, your family who loved you. I don't." Luna stayed silent. "It's not the same thing, because YOU were jealous of your sister and her day. YOU wanted to let ponies live in the night. YOU were foolish, which caused your loneliness." Luna was taken aback from Diamond Tiara's sudden burst of anger. "Didn't you stop to think that ponies needed the day? The day had the sun which kept Equestria from freezing, it had its energy to help us grow food, to help us SURVIVE! Your night, was perfect for us to rest, where we were tired, and had busy days, it was dark enough to let us sleep! But, YOU were so blinded by your stupid jealousy, that you foolishly tried to cast us in eternal night, which would lead to our doom, and where you would be lonely once again." Luna was speechless. "YOU caused your own loneliness, but you still had love from your sister. I was born with loneliness, AND no love. So don't EVER say that you can relate to me!" "...Such harsh words from a filly, when I was just here to help..." "I don't need... your help!" "...Very well." Luna's horn shinned brightly, and she started to rise up into the air. "If you do not want my help, so be it. But do not DARE, come crying to me, when you can't resolve your problems!" A bright flash escaped Luna's horn, Diamond had to cover her eyes from the bright light. Diamond Tiara woke up and gasped. She breathed heavily and looked around, sweat dripping from her forehead. She noticed is wasn't as dark as the so called 'nightmare'. She glanced at her clock and saw that it was 9:00. She soon calmed down. "Well, today's the day before school. Time to make some fillies pay!"
The Last Three"She is out of control!" Rainbow said angrily, as she flew around the room randomly. The Mane 6 were in the Golden Oaks Library. After Sweetie Belle left the hospital last night, Rarity had asked what took her so long. Sweetie wasn't specific, she told her that Diamond Tiara put Silver Spoon in the hospital. Rarity was furious, she gathered Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash, and took them to Twilight's to come up with a plan. They had to come up with a plan to put Diamond Tiara in her place. "Oh, come on. Are you three really that serious? All this, just from a filly?" Twilight said. "Oh-hoho, this is serious." Rainbow said. "Alright, maybe Rainbow is actin' a bit over dramatic, but she is troublesome." Apple jack said. "Perhaps, you should calm down a tad Rainbow." Rarity said. "Urg! Alright..." Rainbow flew down and sat next to Twilight. "Alright, so can you explain what happened again? ...in lesser detail." Twilight asked. "Well, firstly this filly made poor Sweetie Belle cry..." Rarity answered. "...and she also disrespected us... a lot..." Apple Jack said. "She said I'll never become a Wonderbolt!" Rainbow added. "...and she physically hurt her best friend." Rarity finished. "So, she's very disrespectful. You girls are getting clouded by your anger." Twilight put a hoof to her chin. "I've seen this before... in stories. Something is causing her to do these things." "Like, magic?" Rarity asked. "No, something that happens to her in life that makes her like this." Twilight got up. "I bet if I talk with her I'll understand better." Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were going around Ponyville, in search for a specific filly. "I'm telling you Fluttershy! This is the most grumpiest filly you'll ever encounter! And now it's our job to make her happy!" Pinkie said happily, as she bounced beside Fluttershy. "Um... Do we have to do this? Isn't she really mean?" "Well duh! She's grumpy! That's why she's a meany pants!" Pinkie answered. "How do you know what she, or he, looks like? You just know that there's a grumpy foal around because of your pinkie sense, but that doesn't tell you who." "It was the most powerful sense I got! I'll know who when I see who." Pinkie replied. They walked, and walked, and bounced. Until... "Found it!" Pinkie zipped over to Tiara, who was sitting at a table in front of a restaurant. "Hey there!" Pinkie said with a big smile. Tiara looked at Pinkie, then recognized her and the one behind as bearers of the Elements. "Ugh! You just keep on popping out!" "Hm? Popping out? I don't think I popped out on you recently." Tiara face-hoofed. "Can you just leave please?! I'm not in the mood for any more of this!" "Oh, no worries! I'm just here to help out with your grumpiness!" Pinkie then pulled out a party horn and blew into Tiara's face. Tiara was getting frustrated. Pinkie began to sing. "My name is Pinkie Pie (Hello!), And I am here to say (How ya doin?), I'm gonna make you smile and I Will brighten up your day It doesn't matter now (What's up?), If you are sad or blue (Howdy!), Cause cheering up my friends is just what Pinkie's here to do..." As Pinkie bounced around singing her smile song, Fluttershy approached Tiara. "Um... hello." She said shyly. "You're like, the only sensible one in your group. Sure, you're really sensitive and all, but you're still alright." Fluttershy took a seat in front of Tiara. "Thank's for being so honest." Tiara sighed. "Don't mention it." "Um... Pinkie told me that you were very uhh... upset. You can talk to me if you'd like." "No I'm fine. I don't think you could help even if I told you..." "Oh... Sorry..." "It's okay. I just gotta live with it." "Well, I'm not going to force you to tell me, but if you need anything just come over to my cottage. You know where I live." "Mhm." "I think Pinkie should be done singing in about... now." "So! Are you feeling better?" Pinkie saw Tiara's frown. Pinkie was shocked. "B-But, that's my smile song! How did it not work! And on a filly of all ponies!" "How about we leave now Pink-" "Hey! How dare you!" Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie looked behind themselves and saw Apple Jack holding back Rainbow. "So now you're after Fluttershy huh?!" "Rainbow! Calm down! Let Twilight handle this..." Apple Jack said. Diamond Tiara gritted her teeth as Twilight trotted over. "Hello there!" "Hi..." She murmured. "I heard you were a bit... mean, to my friends. May I ask what's wrong?" "It's none of your business!" "Look, I know there are some things that can make you angry, but you can't take it out on other ponies. It's wrong." "What's your deal? I said it was none of your business! Now leave me alone!" Diamond got out of her chair and started to walk away. "Wait!" Twilight ran to Tiara's side. Walking beside her at the same pace. "You are hurting others because of something bothering you. As princess, it is my duty to see it that ALL ponies are safe and happy." Tiara stopped, and looked at Twilight. "Hmph! By reading? Give me a break. All you do is stick your head in books all day. I wouldn't be surprised if your assumption of something bothering me, came from books." "I-It did come from books, but that doesn't mean that-" "That's also one of the reasons why you abused Spike. You were too into books and you treated Spike as your slave!" Twilight's mouth started quivering. "You know what's worse? Celestia even knew that you were too into books. She sent you to find some friends. If it hadn't been for her, you wouldn't even have a life!" That did it. Twilight quivered some more, and then she started to rain tears. "How dare you!" Rarity yelled. She trotted over Tiara. "My friends, sister, and your best friend!" "Don't even get started with me, terrible costume designer. You aren't even worth my time." ""Terrible costume designer?"" "There are One Bit shops that sell better than you!" Rarity gasped. Pinkie pulled out Rarity's drama couch and placed it behind her. Rarity fell on her couch. "Weep. Weep. Weep." The Mane 6 were back at the Library. Fluttershy was consoling Twilight. Rarity was pacing around the room angrily. Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash were sitting quietly, frustrated as well. And Pinkie was bouncing around, mimicking Rarity. The front door opened, and three fillies stood there. "Alright... Maybe now it's time to tell Spike." Apple Bloom suggested.
No ChoiceThe CMC trotted up the stairs, stopping in front of Spike's and Twilight's room. "Ya certain he's in there?" Apple Bloom asked. "Should be." Scootaloo Replied. "A-Are you sure?" Sweetie asked. "Why are you so scared to tell him Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo asked. "I mean, he's your drakefriend and all." Sweetie didn't respond. "What happened Sweetie Belle?" Apple Bloom asked. "You can tell us, we're your friends." "I, um..." *Spark* "Ow." Sweetie rubbed her horn. "You really need Spike or Twilight to help you with that. Anyways, tell us!" Scootaloo demanded. "...Okay... Well, ever since Diamond Tiara and Silv- started to tease me. She always told me that Spike never truly loved me." Sweetie looked down in sadness. "I know that would never happen! It's just, Diamond would tell me that Spike was using me to get closer to Rarity, that I'm not good enough for him, that I was even using him." "She said it like she was stating facts, she said it so confidently, to the point where I started to believe it too..." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked at each other, with worried looks on their faces. Sweetie took a deep breath. "Okay, I think I'm ready." "Y-Ya sure?" Apple Bloom put a hoof to Sweetie's shoulder. "Yeah." "Alright, me and Bloom will let you tell him. We'll be right outside." Sweetie nodded and pushed the door open. Sweetie stepped into the room and looked to see Spike facing the nightstand. Spike turned around and blinked. "Oh hey Sweets!" Spike walked up to Sweetie Belle and gave her a peck on the cheek. "How's my princess doing?" Sweetie Belle blushed and smiled. "I-I'm doing great." "So, what's up?" "I... need to talk to you." "Okay, about what?" Sweetie took another deep breath. "Are you... Are you using me to get... closer to... Rarity?" Spike stared for a second then started to burst out laughing. "You sounded so worried, then you ask me that?! That was a good one Sweetie Belle. Good acting." Spike laughed for a couple of seconds then looked at Sweetie once again. He looked at her, not hinting any kind of laughter. "Y-You weren't joking?" Sweetie Belle nodded. "You see, some- one filly keeps teasing me. Telling me that I'm not good enough for you." Spike was at full attention. "She also said that you were using me. To get closer to Rarity." Tears started to well up in her eyes. "A-And she said that, I was using you! To get more popular." Spike got up and made his way towards Sweetie. "She also said that-" "Shhh" Spike said as he embraced her. "It's okay." Sweetie cried in Spike's shoulder, sobbing loudly. "I-I'm sorry Spike." "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have laughed." "You shouldn't be sorry. I'm supposed to be your fillyfriend. Yet I'm here believing the worst from you." "This could've happened to any pony." Sweetie continued to sob in Spike's shoulder, and Spike let her. She let out all the sadness residing in her. After some time went, Spike gently pushed Sweetie off of him and made them face to face. "I love you. You love me. We both know that." Sweetie nodded. "Are you gonna be okay?" "Y-Yeah... Now that I talked with you." The two sat for a couple minutes, until Spike broke the silence. "So, who is this filly?" "She's in my class. She's a filly who bullies other ponies, including Apple Bloom and Scootaloo." "She has to have a reason to hurt others." "How do you know that?" Sweetie asked. "It's just how life is. I can even bet Armak had a reason for his actions, other than evil." Sweetie nodded. "Do you know anything about why she does these things?" "I... promised to keep that part a secret." "Oh, alright. Can I meet her?" Sweetie bolted up. "You're not gonna hurt her, are you?!" Spike chuckled. "No, of course not. I just want to talk to her." Sweetie calmed down. "Oh, okay." Spike got up and held out a claw to Sweetie. "Shall we go my princess?" Sweetie giggled. "We must." She said, playing along. Sweetie reached out, allowing Spike to grab, and pull her up. Apple Bloom was seated down and Scootaloo paced back and forth. "They sure are taking a long time in there." Apple Bloom said. "Should we go check and see if everything's alright?" Scootaloo asked. "No, give them time... Wait! I think I hear them coming now." As on cue, the door opened, and Spike and Sweetie Belle walked out. "Hey girls!" Spike waved a claw. "Hey Spike." Bloom and Scoots said simultaneously. Spike walked past the two. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked at Sweetie Belle. "So, what happened?" Apple Bloom asked. "I told Spike about Diamond Tiara." "What's he gonna do now?" "He said he's going to talk to her about it." "Well, good. Did you talk to him about what she said?" "Mhm." "Okay." Spike leaned over the railing at the top of the stairs and saw six mares looking depressed. Spike face-palmed. "This is just pathetic!" Sweetie told Spike before, about what had happened between the Mane 6 and Diamond. Spike and the CMC walked past the Mane 6. Though they didn't try at all to be sneaky, the Mane 6 did not notice them. Diamond Tiara walked angrily through the public park. "Stupid Ponies!" She ranted. "Stupid Luna!" She kicked a twig on the ground fiercely. "Stupid Sweetie Belle!" "...Hey there!" Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes. "Why does everypony have to bother m-" She stopped ranting when she turned and saw Spike standing there with his arms crossed, and a grin on his face. "P-P-Prince Spike?!?!" Diamond was terrified. Why was she scared? She bad-mouthed The Elements, their sisters, and even Princess Luna. She didn't show any fear then. Why now? "Please, just call me Spike." Spike started to make his way towards Diamond Tiara. "I-I-I-I-I..." Spike stopped a few inches in front of her. "So... What's your name?" "D-Diamond Tiara." "Well Diamond, I heard some things. And do you mind if we talk?" Diamond was about to beg for mercy, but stopped. "Y-Yeah, sure." Spike sighed. "Everything that happens, has a reason... Well, except for Pinkie Pie, but, you know what I mean." Diamond nodded. "So, I would like to hear the reason why you pick on other ponies. The true reason." Spike said calmly. Diamond started sweating. "I don't know what to tell him! What if he doesn't believe me!" Diamond thought to herself. "I... don't know." Spike noticed Diamond looking frightened. "Look, I know the true reason isn't that you're evil, or anything like that. I don't even think Princess Celestia met any foal like that. You can tell me if there's something wrong, and I'll believe you." "P-Promise you won't tell any pony?" "Sure." "A-Alright..." Diamond began to explain her actions. She went more in-depth than with Luna, with Spike nodding every now and then in understanding. Tiara slipped a few tears here and there, but soon enough, she finished. "I can understand... how you feel unloved. It was the same with me and Twilight, but fortunately we resolved our issue." "L-Luna said the same thing, in my dreams. But I yelled at her. I was so stupid, now she hates me." "Heh, Luna's not the type to hold a grudge. Especially against a filly." "Do you think she would forgive me then?" "Of course." "That's good." Spike put a claw to Diamonds shoulder. "You can talk to your parents. If they truly love you, and I know they do, they will understand. And hopefully everything will be fine." "B-But I'm scared to talk to them. What if they shove me away? Saying that I'm nothing compared to their money." Spike chuckled and took his claw off of her shoulder. "I assure you, no parent would EVER do that." Spike pointed his thumb at himself. "And if anything's wrong, come to me. Alright?" Diamond nodded. "I'm sorry." "It's not me you have to be sorry to." "Yeah." Spike turned around. A second later, Sweetie Belle and the other two came out from behind a bush. "They didn't hear your story, but I think they'll still forgive you." Spike whispered reassuringly. The three CMC stepped in front of Diamond Tiara. Diamond looked down in shame. "I'm sorry you three. Especially Sweetie Belle. I shouldn't have done the things I did. C-Can we start over?" They stared for a second then smiled. "Of course! We'd love to have a new friend!" Apple Bloom said kindly. "Yeah, the more the merrier." Scootaloo said. "Sweetie Belle?" Diamond asked Sweetie. Sweetie trotted over to Diamond with a blank expression. She blinked then smiled. "I forgive you." Diamond smiled and immediately gasped for air as she was in a bone-crushing hug with three fillies. When they let go Diamond stepped back a little. "I still have to apologize to your sister and her friends." Diamond said to Spike. Spike nodded. "Let's go to the library then." Spike opened the door to the library. He saw the six mares standing, Twilight recollecting herself. "Hey girls." They all responded with a "hello", except for Twilight who just waved while smiling. "There's somepony who wants to speak with you all. I HOPE you let her talk." All six nodded. Spike moved to the side to reveal Diamond Tiara, with the CMC not far behind her. The Mane 6 gasped. "H-Hi everypony. I wanted to apologize for what happened throughout this weekend. You'll probably not forgive me, but... I want to start over. Both with you and your sisters." The Mane 6 were silent, until Apple Jack spoke up. "Well... You went as far as reminded both us and Twilight about us abusing Spike." Twilight's eye twitched. "Oh no, you pushed the wrong Twilight button!" Spike said. Tears started to appear in Twilight's eyes. Spike quickly teleported behind Twilight and tapped her in the neck lightly. Twilight fell to the ground, and started snoring peacefully. Every pony in the room looked at Twilight, worried. "Don't worry, she's fine. Oh, and she forgives you." Spike said to Tiara. Fluttershy turned back to Diamond Tiara. "Um... You don't have to be sorry." Fluttershy said. "Yeah! You didn't do anything wrong!" Pinkie said while bouncing around Diamond. "Well... I'm mostly apologizing to you three." Diamond said pointing to Rainbow, Apple Jack, and Rarity. The three mentioned stayed silent. "Look, I know you can't forgive me right away, but I just wanted to make sure we're on good terms." "I... I guess I can give you a second chance." Rainbow said scratching the back of her head while smiling. "If Discord changed, ah don't see why you can't." Apple Jack said. "I-I think I'll forgive you, but if any of this happens again, you can expect no more from me." Rarity said. "Thank you, I understand if it takes time for you, but I'll do my best to earn your complete trust." Diamond Tiara said. Diamond Tiara soon sighed of relief. "Now I said sorry to everypony. At least that's out of the way." "Not... everypony." Sweetie Belle indicated. "...Oh! Princess Luna!" Sweetie shook her head. "Not her either." Diamond thought for a second, then her eyes widened. "Silver Spoon! Where is she!? I have to find her!" "She's at the Ponyville hospital, Room 301." Sweetie answered. "Okay, thanks! I'll see you all later!" Diamond started to make her way to the hospital. "Bye!" The CMC said one after another. The Mane 6 and Spike waved. Diamond Tiara exited the library and began to run towards Ponyville's hospital. Tiara opened the door to Silver's room. She saw Silver in her bed at end of the room to the right. "Silver?" Silver looked at Diamond Tiara, grew an angry face, then looked away. "Hey-" Diamond was cut off. "I don't want to talk to you!" Silver said while still looking away. "Okay, fair enough. But please let me say what I have to say. Then I'll leave." Silver thought for a second. She turned and faced Tiara and nodded. "Fine." "Okay..." Diamond started to explain what happened since their 'incident'. She talked from her nightmare, to her apology towards the CMC and Mane 6. When Diamond was done, Silver had an understanding expression. "T-That's all. And, I wanted to say, that I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you." "No, I pushed your buttons. I shouldn't have mentioned your... parents." "No, I should've controlled myself. Can you ever forgive me?" "Tiara, I knew you for a long time. Heck, I know you more than your own parents. And I know when you really mean something." Diamond looked down in shame. "And... you really mean it." Her head shot up. "You're really going to forgive me? After I hurt you?" "Everypony makes mistakes. Some more than others." Silver smiled at Tiara. "Thanks. You really are my bestie." Diamond dragged a stool over beside Silver's bed. She then proceeded to hop onto it. "We'll both start over. As the best ponies we can be. Right?" Tiara asked. "Of course. I would love that." Diamond Tiara quickly reached over and tightly hugged Silver Spoon. "I missed you." "...I missed you too." Silver said as she stroked Tiara's mane. The two sat there. Talking, laughing, playing. Until Silver soon got released out of the hospital. They looked forward to the start of their new future. A better future.
