Guard Tiara: The Grand Guard Games

"Mom," a voice called out. There was a knock on the door followed by a creak as it opened. "Mom?"

There was a groan from the bed, the form in it shifting to roll over and pull the blankets tighter around it.

"Mom," a pink filly with white and orange streaked mane called out again as she moved further into the bedroom. Reaching the side of the bed, she lifted a hoof and pressed it against the form, shaking it gently.

"Mom, it's time to get up. Breakfast is ready."

"Five more minutes, Bright."

"Mama wanted me to tell you that she made your favorite," Bright Future stated.

Rolling over, Diamond Tiara poked her head out from under the blanket and opened her eyes (if barely) to look at the filly.

"Did she really?"

"Yes," Bright said with a nod.

With a tired smile, Diamond Tiara reached out and ruffled Bright's mane. This got a scowl from the filly, which made Diamond smile wider.

"Mom," Bright whined as she tried to push the hoof away. "I got my mane just how I wanted it."

"But you're so cute when it's mussed up. You look just like your Mama when she was your age."

"No I don't," Bright Future huffed, reaching up to smooth her mane. "Mama showed me the pictures. She always had her mane nice and neat, with it all tied up in a bow."

For a moment, Diamond Tiara considered correcting her daughter. While it was true that most of the time Apple Bloom had her mane tied back, there were plenty of times that it could get quite messy and unkempt. Especially when she was about Bright's age. Although most of the time it was from doing something dangerous and kind of reckless in an attempt to get her cutie mark. Probably better not to give the young filly more ideas than she would have on her own in that regard.

"Okay, you got me," Diamond said. "I just like the way you look." She then ruffled Bright Future's mane again, getting a groan of frustration from the filly. Snickering at the reaction, Diamond pushed the blankets aside and moved to get up.

"Want any help?"

"No. You go on and have breakfast. I'll be there in a moment."

"Okay," Bright said as she took a step back. Turning away she headed out the door and off to the kitchen.

Diamond Tiara watched her go before stretching out. She let out a groan as several of her joints popped and shifted. Once that was done, she made her way to the edge of the bed. Looking down at the floor, Diamond Tiara made sure she was properly lined up before dropping.

One back leg hit the floor, her hoof thumping against the wood. The remains of the other slid easily into the waiting slot of the artificial leg, a metallic click filling the air as it locked in place around the splint. There was a slight groan from the device as the weight settled, and a squeak from one of the gears as it moved.

Satisfied that her artificial leg was properly attached, Diamond Tiara moved the rest of the way off the bed. Heading toward the dining room, she licked her lips in anticipation of the food waiting for her. It was like she could taste it already. Her stomach made it clear it was just as excited as she was.

Reaching the dining room, she found that Bright Future and Silver Moonbeam were at the table and already eating. With a smile , she moved to give each of them a kiss on the cheek. For a moment, she considered ruffling Bright's mane again, just to get a rise out of her. Instead she ruffled Silver's who did not mind it as much: the little batpony tended to have her mane messy all the time anyways.

"Did you even brush this morning?"

"Yes," Silver replied, puffing out her chest and spreading her wings a little. "Hair and teeth just like you and mama tell me."

"She also tried 'flying' down the stairs again," Bright added.

Turning, Silver Moonbeam looked at her sister with her one good eye, narrowing it.

"I need to practice to get good," she said.

Diamond Tiara smiled, rolling her eyes as the two started bickering. According to Apple Bloom, it was normal behavior for siblings, especially when they were as close in age as Bright and Silver. Since Diamond Tiara never had siblings (well, none until well after she was grown up actually), it was something she had no experience with, but Apple Bloom did. So she would have to believe this was normal, which was a comforting thought.

As Diamond Tiara moved to her seat, Apple Bloom came in, carrying a plate filled with buttermilk biscuits. Before it was even set down, Diamond grabbed one, coating it in apple butter.

"Are you okay?" Apple Bloom asked, leaning in close to Diamond. "You were tossing and turning a lot last night."

Diamond took a slow bite of the biscuit, considering the question as she chewed. The warm softness of the biscuit and the sweet gooeyness of the apple butter flowed across her tongue, giving her a moment of warmth.

How long had she been cold? Why was it so cold? It was a sunny spring morning.

"Just had a weird dream," she finally answered. "Although... not really sure how much of a dream it was? Kind of like reliving an old memory I guess?" She rubbed her head. "It... I think it was back when I was in the guard... just starting out? I... uh..." She gave a shake of her head. "It's already getting fuzzy, but I think I had chased a changeling that had stolen The Crystal Heart?"

"Oh, sweetie," Apple Bloom said as she reached up, taking a hold of Diamond's face. "That wasn't a dream. This is."

Raising an eyebrow, Diamond Tiara turned to look at Apple Bloom. Except instead of Apple Bloom, Diamond was looking at the glowing blue-white form of a crystal alicorn.

"And it's time for you to wake up. But a warning: beware the frozen blood of the shadow ponies."

There was then a blinding flash of pale blue as everything around Diamond Tiara vanished.