The Day the Diamond Brokeby TheSnarkKnight30ChaptersBrutal PunishmentThe WakeSweet KarmaBrutal PunishmentAfter fixing the school yard, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders went to The Sugar Cube Corner to celebrate. Scootaloo licks the frosting off of her cupcake. “I’d better be going now. I don’t want to keep my parents waiting. Before I go, I wanted to say I’m sorry for calling you blank flanks.” Diamond Tiara sighs. “It’s okay. We got our cutie marks now and that’s all that matters.” Sweetie Belle says. “I think we should have a little party at the club house this weekend. Y’all are more than welcome to come. I’ll make some fresh apple pie, Scootaloo can do tricks on her scooter, and Sweetie Belle can sing come of her songs. The Orchard is a perfect place to play hide and seek. We should invite Babs too.” Apple Bloom suggests. “That’s a great idea.” Silver Spoon says. “Your apple pies are the best.” Scootaloo says licking her lips. She flaps her wings joyfully. She can only hover off the ground for a second or two before gently landing on the floor. “Do you really have to go, Diamond Tiara? We were all having so much fun.” Sweetie Belle says disappointedly. “Yeah, but I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll ask my dad if I can go to the club house this weekend too.” Diamond Tiara says leaving her seat. Diamond Tiara smiles her whole way home. She can’t believe how many new friends she’s made in one day. She pushes the mansion door open. “Hey, Daddy! Guess what?” Diamond Tiara says in a peppy voice. There doesn’t seem to be any answer. The light from outside seeps into the room. She walks up the long spiral stairway made of marble. “Your father isn’t home. He’s on an important business trip.” Spoiled Rich says somewhat bitterly. She sips some expensive wine out of a fancy glass. “Oh, okay.” Diamond Tiara says putting her saddle bag down. Diamond Tiara tries to sneak off into her room unnoticed. "I am not happy, Diamond Tiara. Do you know why I'm not happy?" Spoiled Rich asks. The harshness of her voice makes Diamond Tiara stop in her tracks. "I don't know, mother." Diamond Tiara says timidly staring down at her hooves. “So tell me, where did I go wrong? What did I ever do to deserve such an ungrateful daughter? I can’t believe you would publicly humiliate me in front of all of those ponies at the school. You know how much I value my reputation, but you threw it all away. No daughter of mine should be caught dead with those blank flank scum.” Spoiled Rich hisses. She slams her hoof on the table. The glass of red wine tips over and shatters. The table cloth has a dark red stain on it. “They aren’t blank flanks anymore. They got their cutie marks today. That means I could hang out with them, right?” Diamond Tiara says. She could hear her own voice trembling. “No! Why would you want to stoop so low as to associate with a useless pegasus who can’t even fly and a low class redneck? Miss Cheerilee must be a fool to choose a low life blank flank to be class president over a pony like you.” Her mother says harshly. “I told you not to talk about my friends like that.” Diamond Tiara says raising her voice. Her mother scowls at Diamond Tiara. “I don’t like it when you use that tone of voice at me, young lady. Oh, and that’s another thing. When I say ‘Come, Diamond Tiara.’ You better come. Do you hear me?” Spoiled Rich yells directly in her face. Diamond Tiara tries to run away but then her mother pulls her by the tail with her teeth. She looks up at her mother feeling like she's the size of a breezie, she feels as fragile as a breezie as well. She's used to taking her negative emotions on the cutie mark crusaders, but now she's on the bottom of the food chain. “Ouch! Mother, why do you always have to be like this?” Diamond Tiara asks wincing in pain. She hates it when her mother yanks her around by the tail like strings on a puppet. For once in her life, Diamond Tiara wants to be in control and think for herself. “One day you learn that the only ponies who are worth your time are the ponies who are superior to all the rest. This is why I want us to move to Canterlot. I’m doing this for your own good.” Spoiled Rich says letting her anger get the better of her. It's bad enough that her husband associates with those hill billies in the Apple family. Seeing her daughter making friends with losers is more than she can bear. Ponyville is no place to raise a filly of such a prim and proper family to be raised “You’re not doing this to help me. You never cared about me. All you ever care about is my daddy’s money and I’m sick of it.” Diamond Tiara shouts stomping her hoof on the ground. Her mother stood aghast for a moment. How can her daughter say such a thing? She was the one who went into the school and demanded her C- would be changed to an A. “Take that back!” Her mother says hitting her in the face. Diamond Tiara falls to the ground. She lifts her head off of the carpet. Blood drizzles down her nostril. She feels something hard rolling around in her mouth. She nearly swallowed it before hitting the ground. She licks the bloody gap where her tooth is supposed to be. She spits the tooth out into her hoof and examines it. Tears roll down her cheeks. Spoiled Rich gasps. This was the first time she has ever laid a hoof on her daughter. It was a very unladylike thing to do, but also very empowering. She could do whatever she wants to her daughter since Filthy Rich isn't there to stop her. She's so much older and bigger than her daughter that it's easy for her to let her dominance go to her head. “You’re a monster. My daddy will hear about this when he gets home.” Diamond Tiara sobs holding her throbbing nose. Her mother didn't take the consequences into consideration. If her husband were to find out she could say goodbye to her fancy dinner parties and her weekly hooficures. “You don’t have to tell him. I’ll buy you a golden necklace just like mine.” Spoiled Rich says frantically. She knows that if Filthy Rich ever found out what she did to her daughter, he’d sue her for every bit she had. She would have to work for her own money or even live out on the street. “No! You can’t buy my forgiveness, mother. Daddy will see you for who you really are. You’ll spend the rest of your miserable life behind bars. I’m going to make my own choices and I will make friends with whoever I want.” Diamond Tiara sniffles. What she really wants is something money can’t buy; love. The only time she could recall her mother being nice to her is when she was with her in public or at the spa. Her mother stomps over to her with a glare more intimidating than King Sombra and Tirek combined. Diamond Tiara prepares her self for the pain of the next hit. “Fine! Nopony will ever believe you anyway. You’re nothing but a little brat. That’s all you’ll ever be.” Her mother says pushing her down the stairs. She hears her back leg snap over her screaming. She tries to pick herself up off the pool of her own blood. Her crown tumbles down the rest of the stairs. She cries for her father even though she and her mother both know he's not there. She looks at her back leg that now has the bone sticking out of her skin. The pain is unbearable and she can't move it at all. She swallows a lump in her throat wondering what her mother would do to her next. She could easily throw her in the pool outside and watch her drown. Even if the neighbors did hear her screaming, they would probably think Diamond Tiara was throwing another temper tantrum. Her mother gallops down the stairs heading straight for her. “I won’t tell. I promise. Just don’t hurt me anymore.” Diamond Tiara sobs. Spoiled Rich lifts her up off of the bloodstained stairs. “I tried to be a good mother for all of these years and this is how you repay me? I’ve had just about enough of you talking back to me for one day. If you want to act like one of those pathetic blank flanks, I’ll treat you like one.” Spoiled Rich snaps. “Stop… Please…” Diamond Tiara whimpers feeling the room spinning. Each time she takes a breath it gets harder to move. The only thing comforting her right now is that she got to be the pony she wanted to be. Even if it was only for a day. She just wishes that she didn’t waste her life being a bully to everypony around her. As her body goes limp in Spoiled Rich's hooves, she is overwhelmed by guilt. “Sweet Celestia, what have I done?” Spoiled Rich asks herself as she looks down at her daughter’s corpse. Spoiled Rich carefully washes the blood off her hooves. Her death could easily look like an accident. Ponies fall down stairs all of the time. All she would have to do is whip up a couple of fake tears and she’ll have everypony wrapped around her hoof. The WakeThe next day, Miss Cheerilee stands in front of her students. She sits behind her desk in silence. There is no hiding it. Something is definitely wrong. The students pick up on her unhappy mood almost immediately. Usually she'd prance inside the classroom eager to help her students learn. Not today. She walks to her desk without even greeting them. “Aren’t you going to take attendance?” Sweetie Belle asks staring at the blank chalk board. “No, Sweetie Belle. We won’t be having class today.” Cheerilee says holding back her tears. She needs to stay strong in front of her students. Controlling her emotions would be the adult thing to do in this situation, but it's not always easy being a grown up. Even at her lowest point she must always set a good example. Even when the pressure is eating her alive. “Awesome!” Scootaloo says flying a few feet off the ground. Her tiny wings could only keep her up for about ten seconds. She looks at her undeveloped wings and sighs. “What’s going on?” Apple Bloom asks. “I’m not sure you are all old enough to understand, but as a teacher I need to let you know the truth. There’s no easy way to say this, but I thought it would be best if we could all get through this together. I’m afraid I have some very bad news. One of your classmates has fallen down the stairs in a horrible accident.” Miss Cheerilee pauses. Silver Spoon turns to the empty seat beside her. “Diamond Tiara!” Silver Spoon gasps frantically searching around the room. She hopes that she just went to the bathroom or to go sharpen her pencil, but that doesn't seem to be the case. “We’ll make her some get well cards. She’ll be so surprised when she comes back.” Sweetie Belle says opening her crayon box with her magic. “I’m afraid Diamond Tiara won’t be coming back. She was taken to the hospital, but it was too late.” Miss Cheerilee says. Sweetie Belle drops the crayon box. All of the crayons roll across the floor. “What?” Scootaloo whispers sinking down into her seat. 'How could this happen' She thinks to herself. Just yesterday she was enjoying herself at the playground and now she's never going to go to recess again. “No… She can’t be dead. She just can’t.” Silver Spoon cries. Cheerilee somberly lays the crown down on her desk. Everypony stops what they are doing and watches Cheerilee speak. “This ain’t fair. We were just startin’ to get to know more about her.” Apple Bloom sniffles wiping her eye with her hoof. “In this tough time we should come together as a class and remember the good times we’ve had together. It’s always heartbreaking when somepony so young passes away. We will always miss having Diamond Tiara around, but if she were here she wouldn’t want us to be sad.” Miss Cheerilee says trying to stay professional. She stares at the sad faces around the room. She dismisses the class and looks through all of Diamond Tiara’s old projects. Her show and tell project about her father was always Cheerilee’s favorite. She thinks about how lonely Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich must be in that enormous mansion. Later that day, many ponies attend the wake. The church is full of colorful flowers. The sound of ponies crying drowns out the sound of the rain pouring outside. Every pony lines up to see the casket. The casket is kept closed because of how badly mangled her body is. Finally, it is Sweetie Belle’s turn. She is wearing a black dress Rarity made for her at the very last minute. “I’d give my new cutie mark away forever just so you can be alive.” Sweetie Belle weeps. Sweetie Belle gives her condolence to Filthy Rich. He believes that if he’d have been home, Diamond Tiara would still be alive. He spent so much time working that he hardly got to see the poor little filly. If he’d have known the last time he’d ever get to see her was when he dropped her off at school yesterday morning, he would have said a lot more than ‘I love you. Have fun at school.’ She’d probably say something along the lines of ‘Daddy, you’re embarrassing me.’ He wouldn’t mind. He would just laugh. He doubts that he’ll ever laugh again now that his little diamond isn’t shining into his life. Sweetie Belle stops in her tracks when she sees Spoiled Rich. Rarity stands behind her curious as to why she is holding up the line. “Darling, you need to give your condolence to her mother too.” Rarity says somewhat impatiently. “She scares me. She gets angry and yells a lot.” Sweetie Belle whispers. “Don’t worry, dear. We’ll go together.” Rarity says nudging her forward. Spoiled Rich is actually feeling somewhat guilty for what she’s done. As each person passes she wonders if they can see right through her. The fake crying seems to be working. Real tears would make her make up run all over the place. She’s never seen Filthy Rich so upset before. Even when she used all the money on his credit card he wasn’t this bothered. He hasn’t spoken since he heard the news. Pipsqueak approaches her. She recognizes him from when he asked for money at the school board meeting. He was the little runt who beat her daughter at the election. “I’m really sorry about what happened.” Pipsqueak says politely. Spoiled Rich turns her nose in the air. She didn’t need pity from a little termite like him. He awkwardly goes back to his seat. “I see your point. That was quite rude.” Rarity whispers to Sweetie Belle. “Maybe she’s just sad.” Sweetie Belle says trying to see the good in everypony. Sweetie Belle let Rarity do most of the talking when they spoke to Spoiled Rich. Rarity tries to stay on her good side by complimenting her outfit. "Not everypony could be as caring as you are, Sweetie Belle." Rarity says. Rarity and Sweetie Belle eavesdrop for a little longer. She hears Spoiled Rich talking to her husband about filing a lawsuit on the ponies who built the stairs. She tells him that she always thought those stairs were unsafe. She didn't seem outwardly sympathetic that he lost his pride and joy. Apple Bloom is next. Her heart sinks when she sees the casket. “Ah don’t know if you could hear me, but if ya can, could ya say hi to mom and dad for me?” Apple Bloom asks saying a small prayer in her head. “Ah’m sure she could hear ya loud and clear, Sugarcube.” Applejack says. Apple Bloom isn’t used to seeing her sister without her hat on. She even sleeps with it on sometimes. She even wore it a couple times at Cadence’s wedding, but she would never have the audacity to wear the hat at a wake. Scootaloo reaches the front of the line. Her primary objective is to not cry in front of Rainbow Dash. She is afraid that Rainbow Dash won't think she's sShe is failing miserably. Especially after hearing Apple Bloom talking in front of the casket. “I’m sorry I got mad at you and tried to run you over with my scooter… and…” Scootaloo pauses trying to come up with the right thing to say. She hides her face from Rainbow Dash. She doesn't want Rainbow Dash to think she's weak for crying over her fallen friend. “Are you going to be okay, Scoots?” Rainbow Dash asks nudging her with her wing. Scootaloo loses the last shred of her composure and throws herself on the ground. “No. I can’t take this anymore. I want to go home.” Scootaloo cries loudly. “Oh, ok. I’m totally cool with that.” Rainbow Dash says remembering how she felt when she had to say goodbye to Tank for the winter. The only difference is that Tank came back in the spring. “Before we go, can I ask you something?” Scootaloo sniffles. “Sure. What is it, kid?” Rainbow Dash says. “Do you think Diamond Tiara will go to heaven?” Scootaloo asks. Diamond Tiara did change her ways, but it was only for a day. She spent years and years being a bully, but if Scootaloo and her friends were willing to forgive her, so should whoever lets people into heaven. “I’m sure she will.” Rainbow Dash says reassuringly, although even she isn’t certain what happens after death. “So that would make her an angel, right?” Scootaloo asks. “Yeah, I guess so.” Rainbow Dash says. “Do you think if I die and I become an angel, I’ll be able to fly too?” Scootaloo asks. “I don’t see why not, but hopefully we have a long time before we have to worry about that. I don’t really know the answers to all of these questions. You’re probably better off talking to Twilight about them.” Rainbow Dash says. She was never really the religious type of pony. She would never be able to sit through all of the masses. Silver Spoon is the last pony in line. Her glasses are all fogged up from the tears drizzling down her face. “Remember the time we went for milkshakes and Pinkie Pie was throwing that huge party? That was the first time I heard you sing. You have a lovely voice. I bet you’re singing with the angels right now.” Silver Spoon says looking back at Scootaloo. She is on Rainbow Dash’s shoulders on her way out the door. By the end of the ceremony, there isn’t a dry eye in the funeral home. That night when everypony is asleep, Apple Bloom goes off on her own into The Everfree Forest. She knows the forest like the back of her hoof. It always looks gloomy and scary when it’s raining at night. Lucky for her even the Timber Wolves are asleep. “Zecora, are you awake?” Apple Bloom asks. “What are you doing out in the dark? Oh, I see you have gotten your cutie mark.” Zecora yawns. “That ain’t what Ah came here for. Ah just need somepony to talk to right now.” Apple Bloom says shaking the rain out of her coat. “Isn’t it past your bed time? I’m so tired I can hardly rhyme.” Zecora says rubbing her tired eyes with her hoof. “Ah can’t sleep. Mah friend just died and ah don’t understand why. Ah just want some answers.” Apple Bloom asks. “If getting answers is what you seek, I have a spell that’s quite unique.” Zecora says. “A spell? What kind of spell?” Apple Bloom asks. “It is a spell to contact spirits of the dead. You can find the truth and what was left unsaid.” Zecora says letting her inside the tent. She starts tossing ingredients into her brew. Thick green smoke fills the room. “Now say the name of whom you wish to see. Then I will use my potion set her free.” Zecora says stirring the liquid in the pot. “Diamond Tiara.” Apple Bloom says staring at the bubbling concoction in the pot. “The spell I casted is not meant to last. So say what you must and say it fast.” Zecora says putting in the final ingredient. A blinding light shines into the tent. It is even brighter than Celestia’s glorious sunsets. Diamond Tiara appears in the tent. Her body is transparent and floating into the air. "Apple Bloom? What’s happening? Who is this scary zebra? Why are you all wet?” Diamond Tiara asks. “Ah had Zecora send you here because ah wanted to see you again.” Apple Bloom says. “Apple Bloom you have to listen to me. My death was no accident. My mother threw me down the stairs and beat me to death. She was angry because she didn’t like my new friends.” Diamond Tiara says. “This is all mah fault, ain’t it?” Apple Bloom asks being overwhelmed by her own guilt. “No. Not at all. If it weren’t for you I would have never changed my ways. I would have been a lonely nasty pony with no friends for the rest of my life.” Diamond Tiara says. “Ah can’t believe your mother would do somethin’ like that.” Apple Bloom says angrily. “Neither will anypony else. Which is why I want you to give a message to my father.” Diamond Tiara says. Zecora gives Diamond Tiara a quill. She scribbles down words on the back of one of Zecora’s old recipes. “We’re going to really miss you. It won’t be the same at school without you there.” Apple Bloom says. “Don’t worry. I’ll always be watching over you. Oh, and by the way I did tell your parents you said hello. They were telling me how proud of you they were for getting your cutie mark and helping me turn a new leaf.” Diamond Tiara says. She looks down at herself. She is already fading away and five minutes hasn’t even gone by yet. “Ah wish ya didn’t have to go. I finally got to understand you and now you're gone.” Apple Bloom sniffles hugging Diamond Tiara. "I know, but you have to move on. Life is too short to get upset about things beyond your control." Diamond Tiara says. "In a way Ah kinda wish you still a bully. It would be a lot easier to say goodbye that way." Apple Bloom says. “Can I ask you to do one more thing?” Diamond Tiara asks. “Ah’ll do anything.” Apple Bloom says. “Tell everypony I’m in a better place, they don’t have to feel sad for me anymore, and I'm sorry for all the pain I might have caused them when I was dead or alive.” Diamond Tiara says. “Ah’ll tell em’. Goodbye, Diamond Tiara.” Apple Bloom says trying to hug her but her front legs go through her see through body. “Later, loser.” Diamond Tiara say giving a wink to make sure Apple Bloom knows she's joking. For the first time since she found out about her death, Apple Bloom smiles. It feels good to laugh after all of the sadness going on in Ponyville. On her way home, Apple Bloom tries to devise a plan to get the message to Filthy Rich without his wife finding out. Sweet KarmaThe next morning, Apple Bloom holds a meeting at the club house with her fellow crusaders. “Why did you hold a meeting now? Shouldn’t we be getting ready for the funeral?” Scootaloo asks looking over at the clock on the wall. The funeral is going to start in two hours. She isn't looking to seeing Rainbow Dash again. Not after the embarrassing breakdown she had at the church yesterday. “It must be something really important.” Sweetie Belle says showing more concern than her pegasus companion. Sweetie Belle knows Apple Bloom wouldn't hold a meeting for nothing. “It sure is. Ah ain’t sure if yall are gonna believe me, but I went to Zecora last night. She made a magic potion to let me contact the dead. Ah talked to Diamond Tiara and she said that… She was pushed… By her mother.” Apple Bloom says. “What?!” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle shriek in unison. They knew that Spoiled Rich was being mean to Diamond Tiara the day she fell, but they never put two and two together. Their innocent minds never registered how much of a dark and dangerous place Equestria can be. All they've ever known is a safety bubble of ponies who love and tolerate. The thought of a pony wanting to take Diamond Tiara's life over a foalish argument makes a wave of fright and sadness strike them. “Ah have proof of it too. Take a look at this.” Apple Bloom says passing around Diamond Tiara’s note. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle read the letter silently to themselves. They shudder at the thought of how sad and scared she must have been when her mother abused her. “What are we going to do to stop her? We’re just a couple of fillies.” Sweetie Belle says. “We’re going to have to work together. Scootaloo ah need you to try to contact the authorities. Ah’m going to try to tell Filthy Rich the truth. Sweetie Belle, you need to keep Spoiled Rich distracted.” Apple Bloom says showing her friends the map she spent all night drawing with crayons. It looks pretty sloppy since Apple Bloom had to use her mouth to draw it, but her friends still don’t seem to have much trouble reading it. “What if they don’t believe us? Remember what happened when we tried to prove that Trouble Shoes was innocent.” Scootaloo says. “They have to believe us. We can’t let Spoiled Rich get away with killing our friend. We just can’t.” Apple Bloom says. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go.” Scootaloo says hopping on her scooter. Sweetie Belle knocks on the mansion door. She hears hoof steps from inside. According to Apple Bloom’s plan Sweetie Belle was supposed to pretend to be lost, but as soon as Spoiled Rich answers the door Sweetie Belle stands frozen in fear like a deer in headlights. She stands on the door step with her mouth hanging open and her eyes like saucers. She is standing just inches away from a somepony heinous enough to murder a child. Sweetie Belle's mother wouldn't even think about hurting her or Rarity. They taught her how to use magic and took her to Sapphire Shore's concerts. These are all happy moments of mother and daughter bonding that Diamond Tiara never lived to experience. “What do you want? Can’t you see I’m busy trying to get ready for a funeral?” Spoiled Rich says scornfully. Sweetie Belle tries to answer but she only manages to utter a pathetic little squeak. Her face reminds Spoiled Rich of the face Diamond Tiara made when she smacked her in the face. Sweetie Belle starts hyperventilating as Apple Bloom sneaks in through the back door. Apple Bloom enters the room where Filthy Rich is sitting. His eyes are red and puffy from crying himself to sleep. He is silently reading Diamond Tiara’s obituary in the newspaper to himself. It reminds Apple Bloom of when they wrote all of those Gabby Gums gossip articles for the school newspaper. He is so preoccupied with his own thoughts that he hardly notices Apple Bloom. “You’re Mrs. Smith’s granddaughter, aren’t you? What are you doing barging into my house?” He asks folding his newspaper. “It’s an emergency! Read this. Hurry! Before your wife gets back.” Apple Bloom says giving him the message. He immediately recognizes the penman ship of his daughter’s. “Wh-Where did you get this?” He asks dropping his jaw. He reads the words in the letter silently to himself. Dear daddy, You need to stay away from mommy. She might kill you like she killed me. It may be hard for you to believe, but when you were at your business trip, mother berated me for making new friends she didn’t approve of. She pulled my tail, she gave me a nose bleed, she broke my bones, and then she made it look like it was all an accident. I never fell down the stairs. She made the whole thing up. All she ever does is lie. You deserve so better than her. You deserve somepony who will love you for what’s in your heart, not in your wallet. You are the best father a filly can ever ask for. No matter how mean I was for all of these years, you still never left my side. I want you to know that I’m in a better place and I will see you again someday. Love, Diamond Tiara P.S. Thanks for the fun playground equipment. “She killed her?” Filthy Rich says through clenched teeth. Never in his life has he been so betrayed. “We’re going to make sure she goes to jail. The police should be on their way here.” Apple Bloom says. Before their conversation continues any further, Spoiled Rich bursts into the kitchen. Sweetie Belle is hanging on to her tail for dear life.Pots and pans clatter when she bumps into the kitchen counter. “What are you doing talking to that filthy inbred?” Spoiled Rich asks in a demanding voice. “Who ya callin’ an inbred ya snooty gold-digger.” Apple Bloom hisses. Spoiled Rich is appalled by Apple Bloom's audacity towards authority figures. She is the head of the school board. She could have her expelled if she wants to. Filthy Rich stands in between Apple Bloom and his wife. “You killed her…” He whispers seething in hatred for the vixen standing in front of him. “I did nothing of the sort.” Spoiled Rich protests. He picks up her crystal lamp and tosses it at her. It misses and shatters against the wall. “YOU KILLED HER!” He screams grabbing her pearl necklace in his teeth and breaking the string around her neck. The pearls fall on the floor like rain. As she watches the pearls roll across the floor, Filthy Rich starts destroying all of her belongings he could get his hooves on. He takes her favorite dress and rips it to shreds all while shouting unintelligible swearing. She begs him to stop, but he is far too angry to control himself. "Honey, what are you doing? Stop!" She pleas as he destroys her golden mirror hanging on the wall. She looks out the back window at her giant statue. It was her favorite possession in the entire mansion. It made her look so flattering and sophisticated. She loved the way the marble statue’s water fountain poured into the pool. She gallops into the back yard as fast as her hooves could carry her. She carefully goes around the pool to avoid falling in and getting her mane wet. She stands in front of the statue. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle follow her outside to make sure she doesn’t try to get away. Filthy Rich storms outside swinging his golf club like a mad stallion. “Not my statue. Anything but that. No!” She screeches as he swings the golf club. Apple Bloom could hear the sirens of the police carriages. Scootaloo stops her Scooter in front of the house. “You killed my daughter. Give me one good reason why I should give you any mercy.” Filthy Rich growls. “We’ll take it from here.” A police officer says levitating ropes into the air to restrain her. “You can’t arrest me. These fillies are the ones who are trespassing on my property. I’ve done nothing wrong.” Spoiled Rich says. “Not according to this little filly.” The cop says looking down at Scootaloo. “You’re really going to listen to that handicap filly? I’ve been framed I tell you.” She says whipping up some fake tears. Nopony seems to be buying her charades this time. “We all know you’re behind this. There’s no point in denying it. We have a letter from Diamond Tiara that’s identical to her writing on her school assignments.” Scootaloo says. Sweetie Belle levitates the letter over to Spoiled Rich’s frazzled face. “These fillies are just jealous of all the money I have. They could have easily forged this letter.” Spoiled Rich says getting defensive. “Oh yeah? Well it’s a funny coincidence that you got into an argument with Diamond Tiara the day she fell down the steps.” Scootaloo says. Spoiled Rich tries to come up with a good excuse, but then gives up. “Fine! I did it! I killed our daughter.” Spoiled Rich confesses somewhat bitterly. “Why? Why would you do such a thing?” Sweetie Belle sniffles looking up at her with her sad green eyes. “Because she was worthless and a shame to the family. She lost the class president election to a runt. She started doing absurd things like talking to blank flanks. Do you have any idea how mortifying it is to have a daughter who doesn’t know how to behave like a sophisticated young lady?” Spoiled Rich asks twitching her ear in rage. “She’s still family. You NEVER hurt your family. EVER!” Sweetie Belle scolds no longer feeling intimidated by her harsh voice. "You were a blank flank once too, ya know." Scootaloo says. "Ugh! Don't remind me." Spoiled Rich says nearly gagging at the thought of it. "Ma'am, put your hooves up." The officer orders. “You can’t take me to jail. I’m the head of the school board. I have enough cash to bail me out of anything.” Spoiled Rich says grabbing Sweetie Belle by the tail with her teeth and climbing up to the top of the statue. “Not without me, you can’t. We’re getting a divorce. I won’t allow you to use any of my money anymore.” Filthy Rich says firmly. “Help! Get me down from here!” Sweetie Belle screams. “If anypony moves I’ll drop her.” Spoiled Rich says with her teeth still clenched on Sweetie Belle’s tail. “You wouldn’t dare.” Filthy rich says watching her dangling the filly over the edge of the statue. "Hold on, Sweetie Belle." Apple Bloom says. "Help me!" Sweetie Belle says. “Let her go.” The police officer shouts. “If you say so.” Spoiled Rich says dropping her off of the enormous statue. Scootaloo desperately moves her wings up and down. It still isn't high enough. She thinks of all the times Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon mocked her inability to fly. Each time they've said those things, it motivates her to push herself to limits she thought she would never reach. She is tired of being called a chicken. It's time that her friends should start calling her a hero. Rainbow Dash couldn't do the Sonic Rainboom right until Rarity and The Wonder Bolts nearly fell to their death. If Rainbow Dash can save her friends, Scootaloo can too. “Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom screams as she watches Sweetie Belle falling closer to the ground. Scootaloo flaps her wings as hard as she could. She soars up off the ground and catches Sweetie Belle right before she hits the ground. “I’m… I’m flying! I did it! I can’t believe I finally did it!” Scootaloo cheers putting Sweetie Belle down on the ground safely. “I told you you’d be able to do it if you kept practicing.” Sweetie Belle says joyfully. “Are you okay, Sweetie Belle?” Apple Bloom asks. “I’m fine.” Sweetie Belle says brushing the dirt off her coat. “Thank Celestia.” Filthy Rich says. As Spoiled Rich stares at Scootaloo in disbelief a bird flies out of a tree and poops in her mane. She grunts in disgust and swats into the air. “Spoiled Rich, you are under arrest.” The officer says levitating the rope closer to her. She still refuses to let herself be arrested. There is no way she would want to spend the rest of her life in a filthy prison. “No… NO! I’m too young and beautiful to go to jail.” Spoiled Rich screams scrambling up to the ear of her statue. The police stallion ties her to the statue with his magic. Filthy Rich and the officer try to climb after her. A small crack forms on the hoof of the statue. The legs of the statue crumble under their weight. The top part of the statue collapses into the pool and anchor her down under the water. She watches helplessly as the sinks to the bottom of the pool. The statue crushes her bones to dust as she tries to get herself untangled from the rope. Her shrieks cause bubbles to rise to the surface. “Should we help her?” Sweetie Belle asks stepping on some of the debris. “Help her? She almost got you killed.” Scootaloo says. She can’t even fathom why Sweetie Belle would want to help her. She deserves every ounce of this. All she ever cared about was herself and now her own greed is her downfall. “But she can’t hurt us anymore.” Sweetie Belle says watching her writhe in pain at the bottom of the pool. “If somepony doesn’t do somethin’ soon she’ll drown.” Apple Bloom says wondering how long she can stay under there before running out of oxygen. The police officer dives in after her. A big splash hits The Cutie Mark Crusaders. He tries to levitate the statue up off of her it floats a few inches off the bottom. His horn isn’t able to handle the weight anymore and she is crushed in between the statue and the bottom of the pool again. Sweetie Belle tries to untie the rope with her magic, but to no avail. Spoiled Rich lets out one more panicked gasp for air before losing consciousness. “Now what do we do?” Sweetie Belle asks peering into the water. “Is she dead?” Apple Bloom asks having mixed feelings about the situation. She is evil and she did kill Diamond Tiara, but drowning the way she did is a horrible way to go. She could have gone to prison and changed her ways. She thought Diamond Tiara would never change and look at her now. “Yes. She’s dead. You can all go home now.” The Police Officer says. “Thank you so much for letting me know what a horrible mistake I was making for loving that mare.” Filthy Rich says. “No problem. Ah’m sorry your wife and daughter. Ah know first hoof how bad it feels to lose a family member.” Apple Bloom says. “I’m just glad that I read that letter and I know she’s going to be okay.” Filthy Rich says. “Let’s go, girls. We’re going to be late for the funeral.” Scootaloo says hopping on her scooter. Her friend follow her leaving Spoiled Rich's body at the bottom of the pool. When Spoiled Rich opens her eyes she finds herself in a place hotter than Spike's fire breath. She is surrounded by nothing but darkness. She could hear cackling all around her."What's so funny? I order you to stop this foolish at once." Spoiled Rich stammers trying to get back up on her hooves. She is unable to her due to her previous injuries. She looks at herself. Somepony wrote 'Blank Flank' all over her while she was unconscious. She moves her tail and discovers her cutie mark is missing. "My cutie mark... It's gone? What did you do to me?" She gasps. The vain mare feels something drip down her neck. Before she has time to react, she finds herself in the jaws of a massive three headed dog. Cerberus thrashes his head shaking her like a rag-doll. She begs for help, but the only response she gets is more menacing laughter. After Diamond Tiara is buried, Silver Spoon and The Cutie Mark Crusaders visit her grave regularly. They still miss her, but they know she’s finally free from her wicked mother and will be watching them from up above. She sees Scootaloo improve on her flying, Sweetie Belle at her first singing recital, Apple Bloom enter the rodeo, and Silver Spoon win the spelling bee. Some ponies believe that diamonds are tears shed by Luna when she was trapped on the moon. Others says diamonds are a rare and beautiful gift created by Celestia to reflect the sun shining down on the earth. One thing’s for sure, if a diamond breaks, it can still shine. Broken diamonds can still be cut into something more beautiful.
Brutal PunishmentAfter fixing the school yard, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders went to The Sugar Cube Corner to celebrate. Scootaloo licks the frosting off of her cupcake. “I’d better be going now. I don’t want to keep my parents waiting. Before I go, I wanted to say I’m sorry for calling you blank flanks.” Diamond Tiara sighs. “It’s okay. We got our cutie marks now and that’s all that matters.” Sweetie Belle says. “I think we should have a little party at the club house this weekend. Y’all are more than welcome to come. I’ll make some fresh apple pie, Scootaloo can do tricks on her scooter, and Sweetie Belle can sing come of her songs. The Orchard is a perfect place to play hide and seek. We should invite Babs too.” Apple Bloom suggests. “That’s a great idea.” Silver Spoon says. “Your apple pies are the best.” Scootaloo says licking her lips. She flaps her wings joyfully. She can only hover off the ground for a second or two before gently landing on the floor. “Do you really have to go, Diamond Tiara? We were all having so much fun.” Sweetie Belle says disappointedly. “Yeah, but I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll ask my dad if I can go to the club house this weekend too.” Diamond Tiara says leaving her seat. Diamond Tiara smiles her whole way home. She can’t believe how many new friends she’s made in one day. She pushes the mansion door open. “Hey, Daddy! Guess what?” Diamond Tiara says in a peppy voice. There doesn’t seem to be any answer. The light from outside seeps into the room. She walks up the long spiral stairway made of marble. “Your father isn’t home. He’s on an important business trip.” Spoiled Rich says somewhat bitterly. She sips some expensive wine out of a fancy glass. “Oh, okay.” Diamond Tiara says putting her saddle bag down. Diamond Tiara tries to sneak off into her room unnoticed. "I am not happy, Diamond Tiara. Do you know why I'm not happy?" Spoiled Rich asks. The harshness of her voice makes Diamond Tiara stop in her tracks. "I don't know, mother." Diamond Tiara says timidly staring down at her hooves. “So tell me, where did I go wrong? What did I ever do to deserve such an ungrateful daughter? I can’t believe you would publicly humiliate me in front of all of those ponies at the school. You know how much I value my reputation, but you threw it all away. No daughter of mine should be caught dead with those blank flank scum.” Spoiled Rich hisses. She slams her hoof on the table. The glass of red wine tips over and shatters. The table cloth has a dark red stain on it. “They aren’t blank flanks anymore. They got their cutie marks today. That means I could hang out with them, right?” Diamond Tiara says. She could hear her own voice trembling. “No! Why would you want to stoop so low as to associate with a useless pegasus who can’t even fly and a low class redneck? Miss Cheerilee must be a fool to choose a low life blank flank to be class president over a pony like you.” Her mother says harshly. “I told you not to talk about my friends like that.” Diamond Tiara says raising her voice. Her mother scowls at Diamond Tiara. “I don’t like it when you use that tone of voice at me, young lady. Oh, and that’s another thing. When I say ‘Come, Diamond Tiara.’ You better come. Do you hear me?” Spoiled Rich yells directly in her face. Diamond Tiara tries to run away but then her mother pulls her by the tail with her teeth. She looks up at her mother feeling like she's the size of a breezie, she feels as fragile as a breezie as well. She's used to taking her negative emotions on the cutie mark crusaders, but now she's on the bottom of the food chain. “Ouch! Mother, why do you always have to be like this?” Diamond Tiara asks wincing in pain. She hates it when her mother yanks her around by the tail like strings on a puppet. For once in her life, Diamond Tiara wants to be in control and think for herself. “One day you learn that the only ponies who are worth your time are the ponies who are superior to all the rest. This is why I want us to move to Canterlot. I’m doing this for your own good.” Spoiled Rich says letting her anger get the better of her. It's bad enough that her husband associates with those hill billies in the Apple family. Seeing her daughter making friends with losers is more than she can bear. Ponyville is no place to raise a filly of such a prim and proper family to be raised “You’re not doing this to help me. You never cared about me. All you ever care about is my daddy’s money and I’m sick of it.” Diamond Tiara shouts stomping her hoof on the ground. Her mother stood aghast for a moment. How can her daughter say such a thing? She was the one who went into the school and demanded her C- would be changed to an A. “Take that back!” Her mother says hitting her in the face. Diamond Tiara falls to the ground. She lifts her head off of the carpet. Blood drizzles down her nostril. She feels something hard rolling around in her mouth. She nearly swallowed it before hitting the ground. She licks the bloody gap where her tooth is supposed to be. She spits the tooth out into her hoof and examines it. Tears roll down her cheeks. Spoiled Rich gasps. This was the first time she has ever laid a hoof on her daughter. It was a very unladylike thing to do, but also very empowering. She could do whatever she wants to her daughter since Filthy Rich isn't there to stop her. She's so much older and bigger than her daughter that it's easy for her to let her dominance go to her head. “You’re a monster. My daddy will hear about this when he gets home.” Diamond Tiara sobs holding her throbbing nose. Her mother didn't take the consequences into consideration. If her husband were to find out she could say goodbye to her fancy dinner parties and her weekly hooficures. “You don’t have to tell him. I’ll buy you a golden necklace just like mine.” Spoiled Rich says frantically. She knows that if Filthy Rich ever found out what she did to her daughter, he’d sue her for every bit she had. She would have to work for her own money or even live out on the street. “No! You can’t buy my forgiveness, mother. Daddy will see you for who you really are. You’ll spend the rest of your miserable life behind bars. I’m going to make my own choices and I will make friends with whoever I want.” Diamond Tiara sniffles. What she really wants is something money can’t buy; love. The only time she could recall her mother being nice to her is when she was with her in public or at the spa. Her mother stomps over to her with a glare more intimidating than King Sombra and Tirek combined. Diamond Tiara prepares her self for the pain of the next hit. “Fine! Nopony will ever believe you anyway. You’re nothing but a little brat. That’s all you’ll ever be.” Her mother says pushing her down the stairs. She hears her back leg snap over her screaming. She tries to pick herself up off the pool of her own blood. Her crown tumbles down the rest of the stairs. She cries for her father even though she and her mother both know he's not there. She looks at her back leg that now has the bone sticking out of her skin. The pain is unbearable and she can't move it at all. She swallows a lump in her throat wondering what her mother would do to her next. She could easily throw her in the pool outside and watch her drown. Even if the neighbors did hear her screaming, they would probably think Diamond Tiara was throwing another temper tantrum. Her mother gallops down the stairs heading straight for her. “I won’t tell. I promise. Just don’t hurt me anymore.” Diamond Tiara sobs. Spoiled Rich lifts her up off of the bloodstained stairs. “I tried to be a good mother for all of these years and this is how you repay me? I’ve had just about enough of you talking back to me for one day. If you want to act like one of those pathetic blank flanks, I’ll treat you like one.” Spoiled Rich snaps. “Stop… Please…” Diamond Tiara whimpers feeling the room spinning. Each time she takes a breath it gets harder to move. The only thing comforting her right now is that she got to be the pony she wanted to be. Even if it was only for a day. She just wishes that she didn’t waste her life being a bully to everypony around her. As her body goes limp in Spoiled Rich's hooves, she is overwhelmed by guilt. “Sweet Celestia, what have I done?” Spoiled Rich asks herself as she looks down at her daughter’s corpse. Spoiled Rich carefully washes the blood off her hooves. Her death could easily look like an accident. Ponies fall down stairs all of the time. All she would have to do is whip up a couple of fake tears and she’ll have everypony wrapped around her hoof.
The WakeThe next day, Miss Cheerilee stands in front of her students. She sits behind her desk in silence. There is no hiding it. Something is definitely wrong. The students pick up on her unhappy mood almost immediately. Usually she'd prance inside the classroom eager to help her students learn. Not today. She walks to her desk without even greeting them. “Aren’t you going to take attendance?” Sweetie Belle asks staring at the blank chalk board. “No, Sweetie Belle. We won’t be having class today.” Cheerilee says holding back her tears. She needs to stay strong in front of her students. Controlling her emotions would be the adult thing to do in this situation, but it's not always easy being a grown up. Even at her lowest point she must always set a good example. Even when the pressure is eating her alive. “Awesome!” Scootaloo says flying a few feet off the ground. Her tiny wings could only keep her up for about ten seconds. She looks at her undeveloped wings and sighs. “What’s going on?” Apple Bloom asks. “I’m not sure you are all old enough to understand, but as a teacher I need to let you know the truth. There’s no easy way to say this, but I thought it would be best if we could all get through this together. I’m afraid I have some very bad news. One of your classmates has fallen down the stairs in a horrible accident.” Miss Cheerilee pauses. Silver Spoon turns to the empty seat beside her. “Diamond Tiara!” Silver Spoon gasps frantically searching around the room. She hopes that she just went to the bathroom or to go sharpen her pencil, but that doesn't seem to be the case. “We’ll make her some get well cards. She’ll be so surprised when she comes back.” Sweetie Belle says opening her crayon box with her magic. “I’m afraid Diamond Tiara won’t be coming back. She was taken to the hospital, but it was too late.” Miss Cheerilee says. Sweetie Belle drops the crayon box. All of the crayons roll across the floor. “What?” Scootaloo whispers sinking down into her seat. 'How could this happen' She thinks to herself. Just yesterday she was enjoying herself at the playground and now she's never going to go to recess again. “No… She can’t be dead. She just can’t.” Silver Spoon cries. Cheerilee somberly lays the crown down on her desk. Everypony stops what they are doing and watches Cheerilee speak. “This ain’t fair. We were just startin’ to get to know more about her.” Apple Bloom sniffles wiping her eye with her hoof. “In this tough time we should come together as a class and remember the good times we’ve had together. It’s always heartbreaking when somepony so young passes away. We will always miss having Diamond Tiara around, but if she were here she wouldn’t want us to be sad.” Miss Cheerilee says trying to stay professional. She stares at the sad faces around the room. She dismisses the class and looks through all of Diamond Tiara’s old projects. Her show and tell project about her father was always Cheerilee’s favorite. She thinks about how lonely Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich must be in that enormous mansion. Later that day, many ponies attend the wake. The church is full of colorful flowers. The sound of ponies crying drowns out the sound of the rain pouring outside. Every pony lines up to see the casket. The casket is kept closed because of how badly mangled her body is. Finally, it is Sweetie Belle’s turn. She is wearing a black dress Rarity made for her at the very last minute. “I’d give my new cutie mark away forever just so you can be alive.” Sweetie Belle weeps. Sweetie Belle gives her condolence to Filthy Rich. He believes that if he’d have been home, Diamond Tiara would still be alive. He spent so much time working that he hardly got to see the poor little filly. If he’d have known the last time he’d ever get to see her was when he dropped her off at school yesterday morning, he would have said a lot more than ‘I love you. Have fun at school.’ She’d probably say something along the lines of ‘Daddy, you’re embarrassing me.’ He wouldn’t mind. He would just laugh. He doubts that he’ll ever laugh again now that his little diamond isn’t shining into his life. Sweetie Belle stops in her tracks when she sees Spoiled Rich. Rarity stands behind her curious as to why she is holding up the line. “Darling, you need to give your condolence to her mother too.” Rarity says somewhat impatiently. “She scares me. She gets angry and yells a lot.” Sweetie Belle whispers. “Don’t worry, dear. We’ll go together.” Rarity says nudging her forward. Spoiled Rich is actually feeling somewhat guilty for what she’s done. As each person passes she wonders if they can see right through her. The fake crying seems to be working. Real tears would make her make up run all over the place. She’s never seen Filthy Rich so upset before. Even when she used all the money on his credit card he wasn’t this bothered. He hasn’t spoken since he heard the news. Pipsqueak approaches her. She recognizes him from when he asked for money at the school board meeting. He was the little runt who beat her daughter at the election. “I’m really sorry about what happened.” Pipsqueak says politely. Spoiled Rich turns her nose in the air. She didn’t need pity from a little termite like him. He awkwardly goes back to his seat. “I see your point. That was quite rude.” Rarity whispers to Sweetie Belle. “Maybe she’s just sad.” Sweetie Belle says trying to see the good in everypony. Sweetie Belle let Rarity do most of the talking when they spoke to Spoiled Rich. Rarity tries to stay on her good side by complimenting her outfit. "Not everypony could be as caring as you are, Sweetie Belle." Rarity says. Rarity and Sweetie Belle eavesdrop for a little longer. She hears Spoiled Rich talking to her husband about filing a lawsuit on the ponies who built the stairs. She tells him that she always thought those stairs were unsafe. She didn't seem outwardly sympathetic that he lost his pride and joy. Apple Bloom is next. Her heart sinks when she sees the casket. “Ah don’t know if you could hear me, but if ya can, could ya say hi to mom and dad for me?” Apple Bloom asks saying a small prayer in her head. “Ah’m sure she could hear ya loud and clear, Sugarcube.” Applejack says. Apple Bloom isn’t used to seeing her sister without her hat on. She even sleeps with it on sometimes. She even wore it a couple times at Cadence’s wedding, but she would never have the audacity to wear the hat at a wake. Scootaloo reaches the front of the line. Her primary objective is to not cry in front of Rainbow Dash. She is afraid that Rainbow Dash won't think she's sShe is failing miserably. Especially after hearing Apple Bloom talking in front of the casket. “I’m sorry I got mad at you and tried to run you over with my scooter… and…” Scootaloo pauses trying to come up with the right thing to say. She hides her face from Rainbow Dash. She doesn't want Rainbow Dash to think she's weak for crying over her fallen friend. “Are you going to be okay, Scoots?” Rainbow Dash asks nudging her with her wing. Scootaloo loses the last shred of her composure and throws herself on the ground. “No. I can’t take this anymore. I want to go home.” Scootaloo cries loudly. “Oh, ok. I’m totally cool with that.” Rainbow Dash says remembering how she felt when she had to say goodbye to Tank for the winter. The only difference is that Tank came back in the spring. “Before we go, can I ask you something?” Scootaloo sniffles. “Sure. What is it, kid?” Rainbow Dash says. “Do you think Diamond Tiara will go to heaven?” Scootaloo asks. Diamond Tiara did change her ways, but it was only for a day. She spent years and years being a bully, but if Scootaloo and her friends were willing to forgive her, so should whoever lets people into heaven. “I’m sure she will.” Rainbow Dash says reassuringly, although even she isn’t certain what happens after death. “So that would make her an angel, right?” Scootaloo asks. “Yeah, I guess so.” Rainbow Dash says. “Do you think if I die and I become an angel, I’ll be able to fly too?” Scootaloo asks. “I don’t see why not, but hopefully we have a long time before we have to worry about that. I don’t really know the answers to all of these questions. You’re probably better off talking to Twilight about them.” Rainbow Dash says. She was never really the religious type of pony. She would never be able to sit through all of the masses. Silver Spoon is the last pony in line. Her glasses are all fogged up from the tears drizzling down her face. “Remember the time we went for milkshakes and Pinkie Pie was throwing that huge party? That was the first time I heard you sing. You have a lovely voice. I bet you’re singing with the angels right now.” Silver Spoon says looking back at Scootaloo. She is on Rainbow Dash’s shoulders on her way out the door. By the end of the ceremony, there isn’t a dry eye in the funeral home. That night when everypony is asleep, Apple Bloom goes off on her own into The Everfree Forest. She knows the forest like the back of her hoof. It always looks gloomy and scary when it’s raining at night. Lucky for her even the Timber Wolves are asleep. “Zecora, are you awake?” Apple Bloom asks. “What are you doing out in the dark? Oh, I see you have gotten your cutie mark.” Zecora yawns. “That ain’t what Ah came here for. Ah just need somepony to talk to right now.” Apple Bloom says shaking the rain out of her coat. “Isn’t it past your bed time? I’m so tired I can hardly rhyme.” Zecora says rubbing her tired eyes with her hoof. “Ah can’t sleep. Mah friend just died and ah don’t understand why. Ah just want some answers.” Apple Bloom asks. “If getting answers is what you seek, I have a spell that’s quite unique.” Zecora says. “A spell? What kind of spell?” Apple Bloom asks. “It is a spell to contact spirits of the dead. You can find the truth and what was left unsaid.” Zecora says letting her inside the tent. She starts tossing ingredients into her brew. Thick green smoke fills the room. “Now say the name of whom you wish to see. Then I will use my potion set her free.” Zecora says stirring the liquid in the pot. “Diamond Tiara.” Apple Bloom says staring at the bubbling concoction in the pot. “The spell I casted is not meant to last. So say what you must and say it fast.” Zecora says putting in the final ingredient. A blinding light shines into the tent. It is even brighter than Celestia’s glorious sunsets. Diamond Tiara appears in the tent. Her body is transparent and floating into the air. "Apple Bloom? What’s happening? Who is this scary zebra? Why are you all wet?” Diamond Tiara asks. “Ah had Zecora send you here because ah wanted to see you again.” Apple Bloom says. “Apple Bloom you have to listen to me. My death was no accident. My mother threw me down the stairs and beat me to death. She was angry because she didn’t like my new friends.” Diamond Tiara says. “This is all mah fault, ain’t it?” Apple Bloom asks being overwhelmed by her own guilt. “No. Not at all. If it weren’t for you I would have never changed my ways. I would have been a lonely nasty pony with no friends for the rest of my life.” Diamond Tiara says. “Ah can’t believe your mother would do somethin’ like that.” Apple Bloom says angrily. “Neither will anypony else. Which is why I want you to give a message to my father.” Diamond Tiara says. Zecora gives Diamond Tiara a quill. She scribbles down words on the back of one of Zecora’s old recipes. “We’re going to really miss you. It won’t be the same at school without you there.” Apple Bloom says. “Don’t worry. I’ll always be watching over you. Oh, and by the way I did tell your parents you said hello. They were telling me how proud of you they were for getting your cutie mark and helping me turn a new leaf.” Diamond Tiara says. She looks down at herself. She is already fading away and five minutes hasn’t even gone by yet. “Ah wish ya didn’t have to go. I finally got to understand you and now you're gone.” Apple Bloom sniffles hugging Diamond Tiara. "I know, but you have to move on. Life is too short to get upset about things beyond your control." Diamond Tiara says. "In a way Ah kinda wish you still a bully. It would be a lot easier to say goodbye that way." Apple Bloom says. “Can I ask you to do one more thing?” Diamond Tiara asks. “Ah’ll do anything.” Apple Bloom says. “Tell everypony I’m in a better place, they don’t have to feel sad for me anymore, and I'm sorry for all the pain I might have caused them when I was dead or alive.” Diamond Tiara says. “Ah’ll tell em’. Goodbye, Diamond Tiara.” Apple Bloom says trying to hug her but her front legs go through her see through body. “Later, loser.” Diamond Tiara say giving a wink to make sure Apple Bloom knows she's joking. For the first time since she found out about her death, Apple Bloom smiles. It feels good to laugh after all of the sadness going on in Ponyville. On her way home, Apple Bloom tries to devise a plan to get the message to Filthy Rich without his wife finding out.
Sweet KarmaThe next morning, Apple Bloom holds a meeting at the club house with her fellow crusaders. “Why did you hold a meeting now? Shouldn’t we be getting ready for the funeral?” Scootaloo asks looking over at the clock on the wall. The funeral is going to start in two hours. She isn't looking to seeing Rainbow Dash again. Not after the embarrassing breakdown she had at the church yesterday. “It must be something really important.” Sweetie Belle says showing more concern than her pegasus companion. Sweetie Belle knows Apple Bloom wouldn't hold a meeting for nothing. “It sure is. Ah ain’t sure if yall are gonna believe me, but I went to Zecora last night. She made a magic potion to let me contact the dead. Ah talked to Diamond Tiara and she said that… She was pushed… By her mother.” Apple Bloom says. “What?!” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle shriek in unison. They knew that Spoiled Rich was being mean to Diamond Tiara the day she fell, but they never put two and two together. Their innocent minds never registered how much of a dark and dangerous place Equestria can be. All they've ever known is a safety bubble of ponies who love and tolerate. The thought of a pony wanting to take Diamond Tiara's life over a foalish argument makes a wave of fright and sadness strike them. “Ah have proof of it too. Take a look at this.” Apple Bloom says passing around Diamond Tiara’s note. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle read the letter silently to themselves. They shudder at the thought of how sad and scared she must have been when her mother abused her. “What are we going to do to stop her? We’re just a couple of fillies.” Sweetie Belle says. “We’re going to have to work together. Scootaloo ah need you to try to contact the authorities. Ah’m going to try to tell Filthy Rich the truth. Sweetie Belle, you need to keep Spoiled Rich distracted.” Apple Bloom says showing her friends the map she spent all night drawing with crayons. It looks pretty sloppy since Apple Bloom had to use her mouth to draw it, but her friends still don’t seem to have much trouble reading it. “What if they don’t believe us? Remember what happened when we tried to prove that Trouble Shoes was innocent.” Scootaloo says. “They have to believe us. We can’t let Spoiled Rich get away with killing our friend. We just can’t.” Apple Bloom says. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go.” Scootaloo says hopping on her scooter. Sweetie Belle knocks on the mansion door. She hears hoof steps from inside. According to Apple Bloom’s plan Sweetie Belle was supposed to pretend to be lost, but as soon as Spoiled Rich answers the door Sweetie Belle stands frozen in fear like a deer in headlights. She stands on the door step with her mouth hanging open and her eyes like saucers. She is standing just inches away from a somepony heinous enough to murder a child. Sweetie Belle's mother wouldn't even think about hurting her or Rarity. They taught her how to use magic and took her to Sapphire Shore's concerts. These are all happy moments of mother and daughter bonding that Diamond Tiara never lived to experience. “What do you want? Can’t you see I’m busy trying to get ready for a funeral?” Spoiled Rich says scornfully. Sweetie Belle tries to answer but she only manages to utter a pathetic little squeak. Her face reminds Spoiled Rich of the face Diamond Tiara made when she smacked her in the face. Sweetie Belle starts hyperventilating as Apple Bloom sneaks in through the back door. Apple Bloom enters the room where Filthy Rich is sitting. His eyes are red and puffy from crying himself to sleep. He is silently reading Diamond Tiara’s obituary in the newspaper to himself. It reminds Apple Bloom of when they wrote all of those Gabby Gums gossip articles for the school newspaper. He is so preoccupied with his own thoughts that he hardly notices Apple Bloom. “You’re Mrs. Smith’s granddaughter, aren’t you? What are you doing barging into my house?” He asks folding his newspaper. “It’s an emergency! Read this. Hurry! Before your wife gets back.” Apple Bloom says giving him the message. He immediately recognizes the penman ship of his daughter’s. “Wh-Where did you get this?” He asks dropping his jaw. He reads the words in the letter silently to himself. Dear daddy, You need to stay away from mommy. She might kill you like she killed me. It may be hard for you to believe, but when you were at your business trip, mother berated me for making new friends she didn’t approve of. She pulled my tail, she gave me a nose bleed, she broke my bones, and then she made it look like it was all an accident. I never fell down the stairs. She made the whole thing up. All she ever does is lie. You deserve so better than her. You deserve somepony who will love you for what’s in your heart, not in your wallet. You are the best father a filly can ever ask for. No matter how mean I was for all of these years, you still never left my side. I want you to know that I’m in a better place and I will see you again someday. Love, Diamond Tiara P.S. Thanks for the fun playground equipment. “She killed her?” Filthy Rich says through clenched teeth. Never in his life has he been so betrayed. “We’re going to make sure she goes to jail. The police should be on their way here.” Apple Bloom says. Before their conversation continues any further, Spoiled Rich bursts into the kitchen. Sweetie Belle is hanging on to her tail for dear life.Pots and pans clatter when she bumps into the kitchen counter. “What are you doing talking to that filthy inbred?” Spoiled Rich asks in a demanding voice. “Who ya callin’ an inbred ya snooty gold-digger.” Apple Bloom hisses. Spoiled Rich is appalled by Apple Bloom's audacity towards authority figures. She is the head of the school board. She could have her expelled if she wants to. Filthy Rich stands in between Apple Bloom and his wife. “You killed her…” He whispers seething in hatred for the vixen standing in front of him. “I did nothing of the sort.” Spoiled Rich protests. He picks up her crystal lamp and tosses it at her. It misses and shatters against the wall. “YOU KILLED HER!” He screams grabbing her pearl necklace in his teeth and breaking the string around her neck. The pearls fall on the floor like rain. As she watches the pearls roll across the floor, Filthy Rich starts destroying all of her belongings he could get his hooves on. He takes her favorite dress and rips it to shreds all while shouting unintelligible swearing. She begs him to stop, but he is far too angry to control himself. "Honey, what are you doing? Stop!" She pleas as he destroys her golden mirror hanging on the wall. She looks out the back window at her giant statue. It was her favorite possession in the entire mansion. It made her look so flattering and sophisticated. She loved the way the marble statue’s water fountain poured into the pool. She gallops into the back yard as fast as her hooves could carry her. She carefully goes around the pool to avoid falling in and getting her mane wet. She stands in front of the statue. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle follow her outside to make sure she doesn’t try to get away. Filthy Rich storms outside swinging his golf club like a mad stallion. “Not my statue. Anything but that. No!” She screeches as he swings the golf club. Apple Bloom could hear the sirens of the police carriages. Scootaloo stops her Scooter in front of the house. “You killed my daughter. Give me one good reason why I should give you any mercy.” Filthy Rich growls. “We’ll take it from here.” A police officer says levitating ropes into the air to restrain her. “You can’t arrest me. These fillies are the ones who are trespassing on my property. I’ve done nothing wrong.” Spoiled Rich says. “Not according to this little filly.” The cop says looking down at Scootaloo. “You’re really going to listen to that handicap filly? I’ve been framed I tell you.” She says whipping up some fake tears. Nopony seems to be buying her charades this time. “We all know you’re behind this. There’s no point in denying it. We have a letter from Diamond Tiara that’s identical to her writing on her school assignments.” Scootaloo says. Sweetie Belle levitates the letter over to Spoiled Rich’s frazzled face. “These fillies are just jealous of all the money I have. They could have easily forged this letter.” Spoiled Rich says getting defensive. “Oh yeah? Well it’s a funny coincidence that you got into an argument with Diamond Tiara the day she fell down the steps.” Scootaloo says. Spoiled Rich tries to come up with a good excuse, but then gives up. “Fine! I did it! I killed our daughter.” Spoiled Rich confesses somewhat bitterly. “Why? Why would you do such a thing?” Sweetie Belle sniffles looking up at her with her sad green eyes. “Because she was worthless and a shame to the family. She lost the class president election to a runt. She started doing absurd things like talking to blank flanks. Do you have any idea how mortifying it is to have a daughter who doesn’t know how to behave like a sophisticated young lady?” Spoiled Rich asks twitching her ear in rage. “She’s still family. You NEVER hurt your family. EVER!” Sweetie Belle scolds no longer feeling intimidated by her harsh voice. "You were a blank flank once too, ya know." Scootaloo says. "Ugh! Don't remind me." Spoiled Rich says nearly gagging at the thought of it. "Ma'am, put your hooves up." The officer orders. “You can’t take me to jail. I’m the head of the school board. I have enough cash to bail me out of anything.” Spoiled Rich says grabbing Sweetie Belle by the tail with her teeth and climbing up to the top of the statue. “Not without me, you can’t. We’re getting a divorce. I won’t allow you to use any of my money anymore.” Filthy Rich says firmly. “Help! Get me down from here!” Sweetie Belle screams. “If anypony moves I’ll drop her.” Spoiled Rich says with her teeth still clenched on Sweetie Belle’s tail. “You wouldn’t dare.” Filthy rich says watching her dangling the filly over the edge of the statue. "Hold on, Sweetie Belle." Apple Bloom says. "Help me!" Sweetie Belle says. “Let her go.” The police officer shouts. “If you say so.” Spoiled Rich says dropping her off of the enormous statue. Scootaloo desperately moves her wings up and down. It still isn't high enough. She thinks of all the times Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon mocked her inability to fly. Each time they've said those things, it motivates her to push herself to limits she thought she would never reach. She is tired of being called a chicken. It's time that her friends should start calling her a hero. Rainbow Dash couldn't do the Sonic Rainboom right until Rarity and The Wonder Bolts nearly fell to their death. If Rainbow Dash can save her friends, Scootaloo can too. “Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom screams as she watches Sweetie Belle falling closer to the ground. Scootaloo flaps her wings as hard as she could. She soars up off the ground and catches Sweetie Belle right before she hits the ground. “I’m… I’m flying! I did it! I can’t believe I finally did it!” Scootaloo cheers putting Sweetie Belle down on the ground safely. “I told you you’d be able to do it if you kept practicing.” Sweetie Belle says joyfully. “Are you okay, Sweetie Belle?” Apple Bloom asks. “I’m fine.” Sweetie Belle says brushing the dirt off her coat. “Thank Celestia.” Filthy Rich says. As Spoiled Rich stares at Scootaloo in disbelief a bird flies out of a tree and poops in her mane. She grunts in disgust and swats into the air. “Spoiled Rich, you are under arrest.” The officer says levitating the rope closer to her. She still refuses to let herself be arrested. There is no way she would want to spend the rest of her life in a filthy prison. “No… NO! I’m too young and beautiful to go to jail.” Spoiled Rich screams scrambling up to the ear of her statue. The police stallion ties her to the statue with his magic. Filthy Rich and the officer try to climb after her. A small crack forms on the hoof of the statue. The legs of the statue crumble under their weight. The top part of the statue collapses into the pool and anchor her down under the water. She watches helplessly as the sinks to the bottom of the pool. The statue crushes her bones to dust as she tries to get herself untangled from the rope. Her shrieks cause bubbles to rise to the surface. “Should we help her?” Sweetie Belle asks stepping on some of the debris. “Help her? She almost got you killed.” Scootaloo says. She can’t even fathom why Sweetie Belle would want to help her. She deserves every ounce of this. All she ever cared about was herself and now her own greed is her downfall. “But she can’t hurt us anymore.” Sweetie Belle says watching her writhe in pain at the bottom of the pool. “If somepony doesn’t do somethin’ soon she’ll drown.” Apple Bloom says wondering how long she can stay under there before running out of oxygen. The police officer dives in after her. A big splash hits The Cutie Mark Crusaders. He tries to levitate the statue up off of her it floats a few inches off the bottom. His horn isn’t able to handle the weight anymore and she is crushed in between the statue and the bottom of the pool again. Sweetie Belle tries to untie the rope with her magic, but to no avail. Spoiled Rich lets out one more panicked gasp for air before losing consciousness. “Now what do we do?” Sweetie Belle asks peering into the water. “Is she dead?” Apple Bloom asks having mixed feelings about the situation. She is evil and she did kill Diamond Tiara, but drowning the way she did is a horrible way to go. She could have gone to prison and changed her ways. She thought Diamond Tiara would never change and look at her now. “Yes. She’s dead. You can all go home now.” The Police Officer says. “Thank you so much for letting me know what a horrible mistake I was making for loving that mare.” Filthy Rich says. “No problem. Ah’m sorry your wife and daughter. Ah know first hoof how bad it feels to lose a family member.” Apple Bloom says. “I’m just glad that I read that letter and I know she’s going to be okay.” Filthy Rich says. “Let’s go, girls. We’re going to be late for the funeral.” Scootaloo says hopping on her scooter. Her friend follow her leaving Spoiled Rich's body at the bottom of the pool. When Spoiled Rich opens her eyes she finds herself in a place hotter than Spike's fire breath. She is surrounded by nothing but darkness. She could hear cackling all around her."What's so funny? I order you to stop this foolish at once." Spoiled Rich stammers trying to get back up on her hooves. She is unable to her due to her previous injuries. She looks at herself. Somepony wrote 'Blank Flank' all over her while she was unconscious. She moves her tail and discovers her cutie mark is missing. "My cutie mark... It's gone? What did you do to me?" She gasps. The vain mare feels something drip down her neck. Before she has time to react, she finds herself in the jaws of a massive three headed dog. Cerberus thrashes his head shaking her like a rag-doll. She begs for help, but the only response she gets is more menacing laughter. After Diamond Tiara is buried, Silver Spoon and The Cutie Mark Crusaders visit her grave regularly. They still miss her, but they know she’s finally free from her wicked mother and will be watching them from up above. She sees Scootaloo improve on her flying, Sweetie Belle at her first singing recital, Apple Bloom enter the rodeo, and Silver Spoon win the spelling bee. Some ponies believe that diamonds are tears shed by Luna when she was trapped on the moon. Others says diamonds are a rare and beautiful gift created by Celestia to reflect the sun shining down on the earth. One thing’s for sure, if a diamond breaks, it can still shine. Broken diamonds can still be cut into something more beautiful.
