Pink Diamonds
"And so," Twilight declared from her friendship chair, "you can have the book first, in exchange for doing the dishes all week. Does that sound fair?"
Lyra and Bon Bon looked to each, smiled and hugged. They then bowed to Twilight before making their leave. Once they were gone, Twilight’s body slumped into her chair. "I swear, some friends bicker more than married couples."
"Tell me about it." Starlight joked. "Sure is nice of you to offer your friendship services to anypony who asks."
"Well as princess of friendship," Twilight declared. "It’s my job—"
"Your job to help ponies with friendship problems." Spike finished from Fluttershy’s chair. He was holding a comic with three pony girls flying through the air and fighting a giant squid on the cover. "Not to mention win princess points with Celestia."
Twilight lightly chuckled. "Well... I think that might be it for today. So how about—"
Before she could finish, the door creaked open as, of all ponies, Diamond Tiara, entered the throne room.
"Princess Twilight Sparkle?" she said, chest puffed out, "I am in need of your service!"
"Oh, hello... Diamond Tiara?" Twilight asked, remembering the filly from the Crusaders’ run-ins with her.
Diamond Tiara’s eyes widened. "Oh my gosh! The princess knows my name!" she began to jump and down. "And this castle is so majestic. I mean, it's not as grand as my mansion, but the crystals—"
"Um-huh!" Starlight coughed. "Sorry, but, you came here about a friendship problem?"
"Starlight!" Twilight said.
"What?" Starlight shrank in her chair. "Just wanted to get to the point."
Diamond Tiara blinked and faced Twilight. "Right," she straightened her tiara, then frowned. "I need your help with somepony."
“Alright,” Twilight nodded, taking notes. “What seems to be the problem?”
Diamond Tiara sighed. "So, the thing is, I use to be a real bully to my classmates. Ever since I've changed into the wonderful and caring pony I am today,” she held her hooves and batted her eyes, “I've been both exploring what my real talent has been, and by making it up to some of my classmates.” Her ears flattened back.
"Okay..." Starlight said. "So you need our help making them forgive you?”
“Well, not all of them." Diamond Tiara said, waving her hoof into the air for emphasis. "You see, I've been working real hard to earn as much forgiveness as I can.” Diamond Tiara paused to think about all she had done. From letting her classmates swim at her mansions pool, to helping Pip clean up a school carnival, to even giving Dinky and her mother a freshly baked basket of muffins. “Well and beyond in some cases.” she cringed at the memory of cleaning Snip’s and Snail’s bedroom. “However, there is one pony in our class who hasn't quite forgiven me." she stomped her hoof. “And I need to know what I’m doing wrong so she can accept my apology.”
Twilight rubbed her chin. "Well... Miss Tiara, the thing is, we can't just make somepony forgive you."
Starlight raised a hoof. “Actually—”
Twilight glared, and Starlight lowered her hoof. “Don't mind me. You were saying?”
“Thank you.” Twilight nodded, then turned back to Diamond Tiara. "So who is this pony that's still mad at you?”
Diamond Tiara took in a breath. “Her name is Twist. See, I've tried everything to get her to forgive me. I offered her gifts, to do her chores, I even hired a servant pony for the day. But nothing works!” she lowered her head. “I know it's just one pony, but from how horrible I've been, I can't rest until I know I've made up for every mean jab, blank flank, and action in-between. But it seems the harder I try, the madder she gets at me.” She squeezed her eyes shut, remembering the last time when she offered Twist a pair of cruise tickets, only to have the door slammed into her face. “Can you help me?”
The mares looked to each other, then back to Diamond Tiara.
“Well—” Twilight began, before Starlight cut her off.
“Don’t worry, we’ll do whatever we can to help you!”
Diamond Tiara’s face lit up. “You will?”
“We will?” Twilight questioned.
“Of course,” Starlight nodded. She then lowered herself to Diamond’s eye level. “Why don’t you come back tomorrow, and we’ll have a plan.”
“Oh, thank you, thank you!” Diamond Tiara said, wrapping her hooves around Starlight’s neck. “I’ll do whatever you say, just as long as I can be free of this guilt!”
Twilight nervously chuckled. “We'll do our best.”
Beaming, Diamond Tiara trotted off, leaving Starlight alone with her mentor.
“What?” Starlight asked. “I promise no mind control magic this time.”
*****
Back at the castle the next day, Starlight and Twilight were sitting at the friendship table. “You sure about this?”
“Of course!” Starlight let out a cough. “You don’t think we can?”
“It’s not that.” Twilight rubbed her neck. “Just, after what you told me about that one stallion from your village who—”
“And what is that supposed to mean?” Starlight took a firm step forward. “You think I’m going to get personal with this just because I also happen to have just one pony who hasn’t forgiven me? I mean, everypony else likes me.” she rubbed her chin. “A bit unrealistically the more I think about it.” Starlight shook her head. “Look, I know it’s a lot to ask, but… can you trust me? I promise not to get personal."
Twilight sighed. “All right, I do trust you… In fact, I think I’ll allow you to go solo on this one.”
Starlight’s eyes widened. “What? I mean, are you sure?
“Absolutely. I suppose the time has come to trust you more, and I think this will be a good case for you.” Twilight's ears fell back. “Just know that—”
The doors opened, and Diamond Tiara, smile wide, walked inside. “Hi, there, princess, ready to go?”
Twilight ruffled her wings. “Er… yes, but, well, I have… important princess things to do. Hehe, yeah! So instead, you will be accompanied by my student, Starlight Glimmer.”
Diamond Tiara’s mouth dropped. “What?! I'm not getting the princess?” Her eyes widened, and nervously chuckled. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay." Starlight said. "I know how stressed out you are.” She held out a hoof. “Shall we get going? I promise I'll do everything to help you.”
Diamond Tiara sighed. “All right.” She bowed. “Thank you.”
“No problem.” Starlight smiled and led the way.
Twilight turned from the pair as they exited the throne room, and frowned.
*****
“Sorry for what I said to you back at the castle,” Diamond Tiara said for the third time.
Starlight shrugged. “Hey, I’ve been called worse. Let’s just say I haven’t been the best of ponies in the past.”
Diamond Tiara raised an eyebrow. “You? But it seems like everypony in town loves you.”
“Not everypony,” Starlight waved a hoof. “Anyways,” she said once they reached the park. “What did you do to make her so mad in the first place?"
"Well, I don’t really know.” she said, sitting down on a park bench. “Er… I mean from all my other classmates. As I said, I used to be a real bully. Calling my classmates everything from dorks, to losers, to blank-flanks, and even one or two about their handicaps.” She chuckled nervously. “Maybe I made fun of her glasses or something, but I don’t know what I did that was so bad, she won’t forgive me.”
Starlight scratched her chin. “Yeah. You’d think after some of the things you’ve done, somepony still being mad at you for something smaller by comparison is ridiculous.”
“I know, right?”
“Right?” Starlight nodded. “So… what do you know about this Twist? Is there anything she enjoys?”
“Um… I know she makes candy."
"Makes... candy." Starlight wrote down onto a paper. "Okay. Hmm..." Starlight tapped her chin with the pen. "Maybe you could buy her some candy as a peace offering?"
Diamond Tiara laid on her back. “Already tried. Even bought some of the most expensive chocolates I could afford. Which is a lot by the way. And she didn't even touch them!"
"Hmm…” Starlight grumbled. “Wait! Didn't you mention she had a candy cane cutie mark when I asked you to describe her?"
"Yeah, so?"
"So," Starlight rubbed her chin, "maybe she doesn’t like chocolate, but..."
"Peppermint!" Diamond Tiara exclaimed. "I can't believe I didn't think of that!" She started to race off. "I have to go find–"
"Whoa there!" Starlight caught Diamond Tiara in her magic. "I know you're probably wanting to just race up to her with the largest candy cane we can find."
"Oh? So what's your plan?"
"Well..."
*****
"How is this any better?" Diamond Tiara whispered.
"Patience, little tadpole." Starlight instructed after they had set the giant candy cane on Twist’s door step, tied up with a bow, and a note. "I think when you've tried to approach her directly, you scared her off. So, we'll just ask her to meet back at the park to talk in an hour, and it will give her more of a choice. I find choice are a tad more effective."
"And what if she doesn't?"
Starlight frowned. "Er…."
The door to the house creaked open. "Shush!" Starlight pushed Diamond Tiara behind a trash can.
"This is what I get for—" Diamond Tiara muttered.
Before Starlight could hear what she said, the cream coated fully named Twist, opened the door. "Hello— AH!" she cried, as the candy cane fell on top of her.
“Oh…” Starlight moaned. “Maybe we should come back later!” she picked up Diamond Tiara in her magic and sprinted off.
*****
"Alright," Starlight said, setting some much smaller candy canes, neatly bundled into a basket, onto Twist's doorstep. "Sometimes, smaller is better, and safer."
"Now you tell me," Diamond Tiara said as they walked away.
“You'll see,” Starlight assured.
Diamond Tiara shifted around her hiding spot. “I hope so, ‘cause now she probably hate me more!”
Starlight looked down at her. “This really means a lot to you? Doesn't it?”
“Yeah, I mean… this whole mess is just stupid!" she slammed her head onto a wall. "I’ll never be free of this until everypony has forgiven me.” Her attention was drawn to a pair of pegasus fillies playing in the sky. “Did some pretty bad things in the past."
Starlight nodded. “I know the feeling.”
The door to Twist’s house opened, and Twist trotted outside, a cast on her back left hoof slowing her down.
“Here we go!” Starlight whispered, eyes fixated forward.
“Hello?” Twist shouted, but not before cautiously looking left and right before glancing down at the basket. “Oh cool! Candy that won’t hurt—” she glanced at the letter, and glared. “For Celestia’s sake!” she shouted out to the streets. “Just leave me alone!” she then tossed the basket into the trash can and slammed the door behind her.
Diamond Tiara face started to swell. She looked around, then threw her head into one of the trash cans, and screamed.
*****
“Guess she’s not coming?” Starlight asked, two hours later, lying on a picnic table, munching on one of the candy canes from the basket.
"You think?" Diamond Tiara snorted, having laid down on the table’s bench, sucking on one of the canes as well.
"Hey, I'm trying here!" Starlight shouted.
"I know," Diamond Tiara sighed, glancing at the sky. "I’m sorry."
Starlight rubbed her head. "It's okay. I probably deserved it. But let’s wait a few more minutes to be absolutely sure she's not coming.”
“Whatever.” Diamond Tiara chewed the rest of the candy cane in her mouth, then rolled onto her side. “What am I doing wrong?”
Starlight crossed her hooves. “I'm not really sure. I mean, there's got to be a solution.”
Diamond Tiara wrinkled her nose. “Hey, can I vent?”
“By all means.”
Diamond Tiara picked up another candy cane, then rolled into her back. “I mean, I know how this will sound since I’m the one at fault, but is it wrong of me to be mad at her? I mean, I’ve been nothing but nice since I've reformed, and all I get is her upper lip.” She looked at the candy in her mouth and tossed it away.
“Not really.” Starlight placed her hooves behind her head. “You know what’s worse? Having other ponies say you should forget about them because they're just one pony.”
"I know! Apple Bloom says I shouldn't let it bother me, but I can’t!"
"Keeps you up all night..."
"She didn't even stop walking when I begged to do her chores. On my knees!"
"Or spend hundreds of bits so his daughter can have a nice birthday!"
Diamond Tiara blinked. "Wait, what?"
Starlight shook her head. "Sorry." She pulled herself up off the tables and sat on the edge. "Though, I think we need a new plan."
"Like what?"
Starlight scratched her neck with a candy cane.
Diamond Tiara sighed and said, "I just wish she could see what a good pony I've become. I mean, the only thing I could think of..." her eyes lit up. “THAT’S IT!”
Starlight turned onto her side. "What is?"
“It’s her birthday tomorrow!" Diamond Tiara grinned. "I remember Apple Bloom mentioning it. What if I was the one in charge of her surprise party?”
Starlight sat up. “Yeah…” she smiled. “YEAH! That could work. Not only that, but we can also have a bunch of ponies in the same room who can vouch for you.”
“It will be big!” Diamond Tiara declared.
“There should be cake—”
“We’ll need music—”
“Can’t forget the games. Games make good ice-breakers.”
“It will be perfect!” they said at the same time. Catching that, the pair broke out in laughter.
Once she finished, Diamond Tiara frowns. "But you think it would work?"
Starlight smiled and lifted up Diamond Tiara's chin. "We won't know till we try."
Diamond Tiara nodded, her face morphing into that of a pony on a mission.
“Now come on!” Starlight said. "We have only a day to plan this.”
“Yup,” Diamond Tiara grinned, “if this doesn't work, I don’t know what will.”
*****
"That's it, make sure that banner’s straight!" Diamond Tiara instructed her classmates with a yawn. It had taken all night to plan, and all morning to set up, but Sugarcube Corner was now ready for the party. Steamers and balloons covered the ceiling, games and snacks filled the tables, as everypony in class were either helping with the last minute details or were ideally chatting while they waited for the birthday girl to arrive.
“Hey, careful with that cake!" Diamond Tiara shouted at a lavender-coated colt, with a red quartz cutie mark, who had been carrying the cake with three bears on it. He stumbled for a bit, nearly dropping the cake as his curly dark brown afro mane fell into his face. Finally, he managed to place the cake onto the table, giving Diamond Tiara a nervous smile.
“Sorry, Tiara,” he said once the cake was safely placed.
Diamond Tiara rubbed her head. “Wait, that’s yellow cake, not white, right?!”
"Um... Dia?" Scootaloo said. "You sure this isn't going a bit overboard?"
“I mean,” Sweetie Belle added. “Not that it isn’t nice you’re doing this, but—”
Diamond Tiara turned to them, eyes wide and twitching. “Yes?”
The pair slowly backed up.
“Allow me.” Silver Spoon walked past them. “Dia,” she placed a hoof on her friend's shoulder, “I love you, but you’re slipping.”
Diamond Tiara blinked a few times, then lowered her ears. “Tell me it’s not as bad as Baltimare?”
“Eh…” Silver Spoon waved her hoof. “You’re doing fine.”
Starlight lowered her head towards the floor. “What happened in—”
Silver Spoon cut her off. “What happens in Baltimare, stays in Baltimare. Leave it at that.”
Diamond Tiara sighed. “I know, I know, chill out.” She walked up to Starlight. "Think this will work?"
Starlight scratched her neck. "Maybe... though, are you okay? You look a little..."
"Yes?" Diamond Tiara’s baggy eyes narrowed.
Starlight backed up. "Never mind. Just," she patted Diamond Tiara’s head. “Be yourself. Don’t try to force anything, have fun, and things will work out.”
"She's coming!" Sweetie Belle shouted.
Diamond Tiara’s eyes widened. “Places, everypony!”
A moment later, Apple Bloom led Twist inside.
"So what is it you need—" Twist started to ask, hobbling inside, before everypony shouted,
“SURPRISE!”
Twist jumped in delight, until Diamond Tiara stepped forward and weakly added, “Happy birthday.”
“Ugh,” Twist scoffed and walked away, before Apple Bloom grabbed hold of her tail.
"Come now, Twist," Apple Bloom said, pulling Twist back inside, "Diamond Tiara put in a lot of effort for you. Give her a chance? Please."
Twist looked around at the party, her friends, glanced at Diamond Tiara, then quickly away. “Okay…" she smiled nervously. "I mean, this is so cool!”
Everyone cheered, even Diamond Tiara until she walked forward. “Yes, I hope you like—”
“How about some games?” Twist hastily suggested, hobbling towards 'Pin The Tail on The Pony.'
Diamond Tiara’s mouth dropped, but not before Starlight whispered, “Patience.”
“Right,” Diamond Tiara nodded, more to herself. "It's her day, let her be happy.” She walked towards the games. “Her day, her day…”
For the next half hour, Sugarcube Corner was abuzz with party music and giggling foals. Twist herself was smiling throughout, but would frown if Diamond Tiara looked her way. As for Tiara, she did her best to stay in the background letting Twist enjoy her party.
“Holding up all right?” Starlight asked, sitting down with Diamond Tiara after the cake was sliced.
“Yeah,” Diamond Tiara nodded with a smile. “It looks like your plan is working.” They looked to Twist, laughing with Apple Bloom. “At the very least, I'm glad to have made her day.”
“Maybe now is a good time to try and ask her?” Starlight winked.
Diamond Tiara's pupils shrank. “You sure?"
“If past experience has taught me anything, we can wait for any ‘big talk’ afterwards.” Starlight levitated a tray of brownies in front of Diamond Tiara. “For now, let's just test the waters and ask if she's enjoying herself.” She gave Diamond Tiara a nudge. “Go on!”
With a nod, Diamond Tiara carried the tray over towards Twist, who had just finished laughing at something funny.
“Hello.” Diamond muttered.
Twist’s body tensed up as she turned around to respond. “Hello.”
The crusaders and Silver Spoon looked nervously towards each other, then back to their friends.
“So... enjoying things?" Diamond Tiara held out a tray. “Brownie?”
Twist let out a grumpy sigh. “Sure.” She took a brownie and stuffed it into her face without looking.
"Look... I know you’re still mad at me—"
"Wonder why," Twist snorted.
“Hey now!” Apple Bloom said. “I know you're still upset with her, but you don't need to be rude.”
Twist’s eyes widened.
“No, Apple Bloom, it's fine,” Diamond Tiara waved off. “I'm sure whatever I did, I deserved it.” she turned to Twist. "Yes, I've been horrible, but I'm trying to do better. Honestly. But I hope you're at least enjoying the party."
Twist didn't say anything and started to cough.
Diamond Tiara’s eyes narrowed. "What? Now you're so mad, your not going to talk to me?"
"Um... Dia," Apple Bloom said, looking from Twist to the plate Diamond Tiara carried. "What kind of brownies were those?"
"Hazelnut. Why?"
Wide-eyed and gagging, Twist stumbled backwards.
"Twist is allergic to hazelnuts!" Apple Bloom shouted.
Diamond Tiara's ears flattened back. "Oh!" By then, more ponies had gathered around Twist as her face started to swell. "Here, let me help—" she offered, as Twist backed away.
"I don't need your—" Twist started, only to slam into one of the tables.
The half-eaten cake, which had been set on the other end, sprung into the air, where a moment later, it landed on Twist. The filly screamed as her puffed-up face broke through the frosting.
"Let me—" Diamond tried, only to knock over a punch bowl that spill over Twist’s body.
In the confusion from trying to get up and bat Diamond Tiara’s hoof away.
“Toe!” she shouted, her tongue sticking out of her mouth. “Ti toen—” Twist slipped on the punch, rocketed out of the shop, and crashed into a nearby fruit stand.
"Maybe she's not that hurt." Apple Bloom tried to comfort as the other ponies at the party watched as Twist pulled herself up from the mashed fruit.
After Apple Bloom said that, the cart’s sign broke off from the cart, and landed on Twist. All the party guest could do was watch in horror as the dust settled, and one hoof stuck out from the rubble.
The silence from the party was only broken when Snips meekly said, "Muffin?"
***
"By chance did you enjoy the rest of the party?” Diamond Tiara weakly asked from the hospital room. Only occupied by herself, Starlight, Twist, and one fully bandaged other patient.
Along with her other leg cast, Twist now had her right hoof in a cast, and her head was wrapped in several bandages, and her swollen tongue was sticking out.
"Wat to u dink?" she spat.
Diamond Tiara frowned. "I said I was sorry."
Twist rolled her eyes. "Thell, I ton't thordive you!"
Starlight cringed.
Diamond Tiara, teeth gritting, snapped back, "Why?! Why can't you? What did I do that was so bad that you're still mad at me?"
Twist’s body began to spasm as she spoke too fast for anything to get past her swollen tongue.
Diamond Tiara tilted her head. "I'm sorry, what?"
Twist face heated up.
"Hang on." Starlight, who been standing to the side, offered as she walked up to Twist. She lit her horn, and a dual beam stuck Twist's throat, and head. "Say something in your mind."
Like what?’ Twist’s eyes widened as her voice echoed throughout the room. Whoa! What did you do?'
"A ‘Speak Your Mind’ spell. I think it was meant to get secrets out of criminals, but works well if you, er… can’t speak for whatever reason."
Twist smiled at Starlight. Thank you.' she then glared at Diamond Tiara. 'As for you, just leave me alone!’
“No!” Diamond Tiara pouted. “Not until you tell me why you’re still mad at me. Everypony else isn’t."
The room filled with laughter. 'Oh what? Just because everypony else has forgiven you, I'm just magically supposed to?’
"Yes!" Diamond walked up to the bed. "I've changed, I'm willing to make up for my mistakes, I got you nice gifts, so how can you be so selfish and not forgive me?"
There was a pause, before the room shook with more mock laughter.
'Oh, I take it all back! I was right about you!'
"Huh?" Diamond Tiara said, her breathing increasing.
Twist eyes narrowed. You are the same selfish pony as before.'
"What?" Diamond said, taken aback. "But I—"
Twist’s mind cut her off. 'It’s always about you, isn't it? You may not look down at ponies anymore, but things still have to be ‘your’ way. Getting me to forgive you is just some goal, isn't it? So you can be little miss perfect? You don't really care about me, you just want everypony to like you.’
“I…”
Twist turned her head. 'Just go.’
Diamond Tiara turned sharply to Starlight. "Cast that spell on me."
"But—"
"Do it! She got to speak her mind, now I want to speak mine.”
“All right!” Starlight jumped, then sighed and lit her horn.
‘Thank you.’ she turned to Twist. 'You want me to say that I was just doing this to make myself feel better… You're not wrong.’
'I... huh?'
Diamond Tiara ears fell back. Maybe I just want to make you forgive me for personal reasons.’ she looked up to Twist, eyes stern. 'Maybe I only wanted to make you forgive me so I would feel better.'
Twist tongue spat. 'I knew—'
'Because of what a horrible pony I was. I still hate myself for what I said to the ponies who do like me now.'
Twist blinked.
'It hurts more than anything my mother has ever said to me. More than when I lost the election, and more than any of my worst days before. I was a bully, a bad one, I’ve done some horrible things, and I want to make up for it. And the idea that you were still hurt by me made me obsessed.’ She looked down. 'And all I've been doing to you is no better then when I was evil. You were supposed to have fun today, and I ruined it because of my needs.’
Diamond Tiara let out a long sigh before looking up at Twist. 'If I can't make up to you what I’ve done, I hope this last thing will.’
Twist tried to back up in the bed. 'If it's another servant for a day, you can—’
“You have my word I'll leave you alone." she spoke.
Starlight and Twist stared at Diamond Tiara.
'Huh?'
"Huh?"
Diamond squinted her eyes. 'I promise to leave you alone. Don't forgive me, but if that is the only thing I can do to make you happy, you have my word.’ she opened her mouth. “I promise you won't have to worry about me bugging you anymore. I'll go away, for real.” She walked out of the room as her eyebrows furrowed. Just know that I am sorry. Even if you hate me, don't ever think for a second that I'm not sorry for what I did to you. To everypony!’
Starlight stood by Twist’s bed for a moment as Diamond Tiara left the room. She was unable to move, and only came out of her trance when Twist tapped her side.
‘Could you take this spell off? I have a lot to think about.’
Starlight nodded her head. “Sure.” She did so, and then glanced at the filly, who had rolled onto her side.
She looked at Twist for a bit, before walking out to catch up with Diamond Tiara.
“Mph!” The fully cast pony shouted at her.
“Huh?” Starlight said, before casting the Speak Your Mind spell on him. “You need something?”
‘I can talk? I can talk again! Finally, I can at last let everypony know—’
*****
"Another!" Starlight demanded from hers and Diamond Tiara's table at Sugarcube Corner.
"Alright," Pinkie said, sliding two bowls of ice cream toward them. "But it's my policy to inform you that any more will—"
“I’ll say when we’ve had enough!” Diamond Tiara snapped. “Just keep them coming.”
"All right, you don't have to be a grump about it." Pinkie Pie then went back to cleaning up the rest of what had been Twist’s birthday party only a few hours ago.
As Pinkie Pie walked away, Diamond Tiara leaned on her elbow to eat more ice cream.
"You doing okay?" Starlight asked as she levitated another spoonful into her own mouth.
"Yes... No..." Diamond Tiara took a large bite. "I want to be, but I just can't."
Starlight pushed her bowl to the side. "Hey, I wanted Twist to forgive you as well."
Diamond Tiara looked away.
"Well, maybe I was using you too." she licked her spoon. “I mean, I guess I was hoping that if I was able to help you find a way to get Twist to forgive you, this one pony still mad at me would one day.”
“I had a feeling,” Diamond Tiara shrugged. “Don’t worry, I’ve done worse.”
“Thanks.” Starlight slumped into her seat. “Though, maybe if we can figure out what we did wrong and go back in time—”
“It's over!” Diamond Tiara said. Her eyes dropped as she watched Starlight winch back. "I appreciate the help, but I made a promise I plan to keep.” she lowered her head. “I just wish I didn't have to feel so bad.”
"Hey," Starlight lifted up Diamond Tiara's chin, “You're not a bad pony. You know that, right?"
"Yeah?" Diamond Tiara mumbled. "Then why do I want to say hurtful things to that... that little brat for being mad at me?” she rubbed her head. “Sorry. I'm happy she's happy now, but what's the point?” she chuckled. “If this is all being good does, why even bother?”
Starlight flinched and leaned into her chair, crossing her arms. "Yeah...But maybe that's not a bad thing."
"Huh?"
Starlight nibbled on her ice cream. "I mean... yeah, we couldn't get that one pony to forgive us, and it's likely they'll never forgive us. And no matter how badly we want to be happy with what we have, it's that one thing we don't have, that one pony who still calls you evil, that hurts the most. But I think I know why now."
“Why?” Diamond Tiara ate her ice cream, eager to see what could be said to make this all right.
"It's because we care. Because we try to be better, to do better, to be a good pony. However, with all the effort we put into doing, we put so much work into it, we want to know how we're doing, if we've done better and made up for everything. To be perfect." Starlight let out a chuckle. "But we get so caught up, try so hard to be good after we were so bad, try to make every bit of surface polished, one little scratch can ruin everything."
Diamond Tiara scooped another bowl of ice cream. "But we worked so hard."
"Yes, we did... and I'm sure neither of us want to admit this, but we’re never going to be perfect…. But maybe that’s not a bad thing.” Starlight pushed her bowl to the side. "Some scratches just can't be fixed. Some ponies... Just won't forgive you. It's not wrong to be upset about it, to want to fix it if it's possible, but—"
"If you don't, it will just set back all you've already done?" Diamond Tiara added.
Starlight blinked, then gave a warm smile. "I guess so."
Diamond Tiara set down her spoon. "I still don't like it."
"Neither do I. But hey,” she scooted closer to her companion. “Ponies can still hate us, and we just can't do anything about it. We tried our best, we failed, but would you have even tried when you were a bully?"
"... No."
"See,” Starlight beamed, “Neither would I.” she placed a hoof on Diamond Tiara’s shoulder. “You’re a good pony, Diamond. Don’t let anypony tell you otherwise."
Diamond Tiara smirked. "Yeah. I am, aren't I?"
Starlight deadpanned. "Okay, don't let it go to your head."
"Hehe... Sorry. You did a good job though. I'm glad you helped me.” she smiled and hugged Starlight around the waist. "Thank you."
"I should be thanking you,” Starlight hugged back. “That was a very big thing you did, promising to leave Twist alone." she blushed. “You're far more mature than me.”
"Yeah... she was." The pair turned their heads, to see Twist hobbling as her castted leg rested on a wheel cart.
Diamond Tiara looked away.
Twist sighed. "You're not bothering me. I'm talking to you."
“Oh.” Diamond Tiara smiled and jumped off her chair. "So, um… What bring you out here?"
“Mostly to pick up my presents.” Twist winked. Her face then flattened. "Also, after some time to think, I'd thought I'd say, I'm sorry."
All heads turned to Twist. "What?" Diamond Tiara and Starlight said together, eyes focused onto Twist.
"I mean…” Twist hobbled closer to the table, “you've been trying to be so nice to me all this time, and what I said to you back at the hospital was uncalled for."
Diamond Tiara hopped off her stool. “No, I'm sorry. You weren't wrong. I truly did want to make up for hurting you, but I was also doing it to make myself to feel better." She started to tear up.
"Yeah…” Twist lifted up Diamond Tiara’s face. “But it wasn't as if I acted any better by being a jerk to you."
"It's okay. I'd be mad at me too.” Diamond Tiara kicked her hooves. "By chance, does this mean—"
Twist shook her head. "No.” she sighed. “I'm sorry, Diamond, but I don't think I can quite forgive you yet for bullying me.”
Diamond Tiara looked away.
Twist gave her a warm smile. "But I can say thanks for throwing me a nice birthday party.” she giggled when Diamond Tiara looked at her in confusion. “Aside from the hospital visit, it was a pretty good day. And I do think you're a good pony at heart… Just no more giant candy canes when you're trying to say sorry.”
“Deal,” Diamond Tiara laughed. “It's not what I wanted, but I can live with that.”
"Same,” Twist nodded.
Starlight looked on, thinking they would hug it out before Twist said, "Bye," and steered herself out of the shop.
"See you around." Diamond waved. “Oh, Twist, wait!” she raced after her. “I forgot to give you your present.” She held out a card with a picture of a barn and two bits on the cover. “Hope it's not too big for your liking, but it should be enough to get you anything you'd want from Barnyard Bargains. Though if you see something a little more pricey, just say it was from me.”
“Thanks, Dia” Twist said, taking the card. “It's perfect.” With that, she walked out of the store.
With a smile, Diamond Tiara walked back to their table.
"Hey," Starlight wrapped a hoof around Diamond Tiara, "you got a lot further than I did."
"Hehe... yeah." She looked up to Starlight. “Thanks again for your help today. You're a good pony.
Starlight nodded. “My pleasure.”
****
Back at the castle, Twilight was reading a book when Starlight walked in on her.
"Oh, hey Starlight!” Twilight said, setting the book to the side. “How'd it go? Did you get Twist to forgive Diamond Tiara?"
“Oh, no,” Starlight rolled off. “We failed with that.”
"Oh? Well…I'm sorry. But I'm sure—”
“Hey, Twilight,” Starlight said, patting Twilight's shoulder when she passed by. “It's not the end of the world. Nopony’s perfect.” she then walked off to her room.
Twilight shook her head with a smile, and went back to her book.
