Broken Tiaraby Light in the darkChaptersConsequencesNopony's hurting meRescueTrain RideMemoriesConsequencesDiamond Tiara flashed a smile to her friends as she waved goodbye. The smile was fake of course, because Diamond knew what was waiting for her at home. What always was waiting at home for her. Her mother, Spoiled Rich. The mare was something that intimidated Diamond to no end. Her mother was manipulative and cruel. But above all of this, Spoiled Rich was a monster. A monster that would send foals screaming and crying for their mothers. Diamond knew this more than anything. She knew that what waited at home would beat her until she blacked out. Until Diamond felt like she was dying which would actually be a relief for the young filly. While Diamond's family was well known for their wealth, she knew the secrets behind the smiling family. Diamond knew better than anything that her family was messed up because she'd seen other filly and colts with their parents. She knew that mother's shouldn't beat their foals for a simple mistake. She knew father's shouldn't drink until they passed out, but that's exactly what happened at her house. She didn't understand why she deserved this, why anypony would deserve this. All of this ran through her mind as she made her way home. She hesitantly entered the gate of the fence surrounding her house. Diamond Tiara inhaled deeply as she entered through the front door expecting to see Spoiled waiting, but was happily surprised to see her favorite butler. "Randy," Diamond Tiara said hugging the old stallion's leg. "Hello Miss Tiara," Randolph, or Randy as his favorite little filly called him, said as he scooped the filly up making her giggle. He cradled her against his chest allowing her to cling to him for a little while. "Miss Spoiled is waiting in your room," he sighed setting Diamond down. "Ok" Diamond said hesitantly letting him go. "I should probably go up there then," she mumbled starting the trek up all the stairs not seeing Randolph's concerned gaze on her as she walked up stairs. He knew something was up. The sweet filly would sometimes show up with bruises on her coat or a cut somewhere on her body. Whenever he asked she would say that she had fell or tripped down something. He knew no filly randomly got hurt and started flinch away from those that she was closest to. He would have to do something to save that sweet little filly, he decided as he left the house and started his way home. Meanwhile, Diamond had made her way upstairs to her room. She hesitantly entered the room staring at the wooden floor. She used to have carpet but the wood was easier to clean and didn't stain. Her room was quite nice for a young filly her age. She had a full dark purple canopy bed with a giant wooden toybox at the end of her bed. There was a miniature version of her house in the corner of the room that she could play with dolls with. The part that ruined it all was the mare standing in the middle of the room. "Mother," Diamond Tiara said before her head was snapped to the side by the mulberry mare's hoof. Diamond held her cheek whimpering as she saw the bottle by her mother's back leg. If her mother was drinking she was so very, very screwed. "You've embarrassed me again Diamond Tiara" Spoiled Rich slurred out. "I don't like being embarrassed," the mare mumbled circling Diamond Tiara like an animal stalking prey. Diamond kept her mouth shut knowing her mother wouldn't care what she had to say. A pathetic sob escaped her mouth as her mother's hoof slammed into her eye temporarily blinding Diamond. Diamond cowered back against the ground. "I'll put you in your place this time," Spoiled Rich said her hoof kicking Diamond across the room into the wooden toybox, cutting her cheek on the side. The thing that Diamond prized the most flew off her head sliding to her mother's hooves. "Mother I'm sorry," Diamond Tiara sobbed seeing the glint in Spoiled's eyes as she looked down at the diamond tiara at her hooves. "Sorry doesn't cut it" Spoiled said as she raised her hoof off the ground. Diamond Tiara opened her mouth to protest only to close it as her mother slammed her hoof on the tiara Diamond always wore causing it to break in half. "That'll teach you," Spoiled said storming out of the room leaving her daughter shaking and sobbing as she crawled over to her tiara which was now shattered. Diamond Tiara sobbed cradling the tiara against her chest. The tiara was something she got when she was four years old, back when her father used to be sober. She grabbed the pieces of the tiara and set them carefully on her bed before going to the bathroom. She climbed on her stool to reach the sink and stared at herself in the mirror. This was some of the worse Spoiled Rich had ever done seeing as she normally never left a mark on her daughter's face. Right now though Diamond had a large cut on her left cheek from hitting the side of the toybox. Her right eye was bruised all around it and her side ached from slamming against the toybox. She turned the handle on the sink making warm water pour out. She reached her hoof into the water and brought it back placing it on her cheek. She hissed as the warm water seeped into the cut as she turned the water off. "How the buck am I going to explain this?" Diamond asked herself as she climbed off the stool. She paced back and forth in her bathroom. "I can't say I got this after school because I was hanging out with Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Silver Spoon." She sighed heading to her bed. "I guess I can just say I tripped down the stairs when I got home" she mumbled climbing into bed a pulling the covers over her body. She still didn't fall asleep until around midnight that night. Her body shaking at the sound of her mother moving around outside the door. Nopony's hurting meWhen Diamond Tiara woke up the next day, she immediately turned on her side to cover her face. She immediately regretted as the pain flared up from last night. She whimpered as she forced herself up knowing she had school. She looked at the clock to see it was flashing 7:32 a.m. Diamond knew she wouldn't have enough time to brush her teeth, bathe and eat. So she decided that skipping breakfast would have to do. Diamond Tiara headed to the bathroom and shivered at the cold feeling of the tiles on her hooves. She fiddled with the shower handle, finally managing to get the shower on. She climbed into the tub allowing the shower to blast her with warm water. Tears leaked from her eyes, rolling down her face as she sobbed silently. 'Why does mother hate me so much?' Diamond questioned herself in her head. She didn't remember ever doing anything to make her mother hate her so much. She had done everything her mother said up until yesterday, yet she was still beaten for it. She sniffled quietly as she stood there under the hot water for awhile until she finally decided to get out. Diamond shut the shower off and climbed out of the tub. She dried herself off quickly and efficiently. She ran a brush through her mane haphazardly before climbing onto the stool by the mirror and sink. She automatically flinched seeing the damage on her face. Her eye had swelled up over the night. The cut on her face looked infected to Diamond. She gently touched it with her hoof hissing at the contact it made with the cut on her face. Diamond brushed her mane to cover her black eye. She sighed turning the sink handle and grabbing her toothbrush. She scrubbed her teeth with a contemplating look on her face. 'What... what if I told somepony what Spoiled does to me?' Diamond thought. She hardly ever called her mother by her name but sometimes she did. The thought passed from Diamond's mind quickly. She knew she would never willingly tell somepony what happened at home. Nopony would care since most ponies thought of her as a spoiled brat with nothing good to say. She finished brushing her teeth and turned the water off, putting her toothbrush back. Diamond Tiara sighed as she headed downstairs slowly. She peaked around the corner to the living room groaning at the sight. Her father, Filthy Rich, was passed out on the floor with a bottle of hard cider in his hoof. Filthy Rich was a good stallion, he just loved hard cider a bit to much. The stallion was constantly seen with a bottle in hoof at home and sometimes even in public. Diamond loved her father so much. She really did. It's not like he got drunk and hit her. He'd never layed a hoof on her in fact. She just wished he didn't drink so much. She backed away from the living room peaking into the kitchen. Her stomach rumbled reminding her she hadn't eaten last night. She also knew she wouldn't have a lunch today seeing as her mother would still be angry with her. Diamond slunk into the kitchen like a guilty thief. She scrambled up onto a chair and grabbed a banana. She held it between her teeth as she climbed back down. She made her way to front door as she peeled the banana. Diamond took a bite from the banana as she opened the front door, stepping out, and closing it behind her. As she walked away from her house she didn't notice the blue eyes staring at her from a curtain in her house. Diamond kept her head down but she could feel the stares of townsponies as she walked to school. She walked at a slow pace trying not to strain her side. She noticed ponies were staring, probably at the cut on her cheek that had a slight tinge of green around it. She hurried her pace slightly coming to the lane that led to the school. She cursed lowly under her breath as she saw her new friends hanging out around the school. She barely made it to the schoolyard before the bell was being rung and she had to go inside. She sat at her desk laying her head down as she frowned. The whole school day Diamond Tiara remained out of it. She didn't react when her name was called and didn't even try to hang out with the CMC. "Diamond Tiara," the soft yet firm voice of Miss Cheerilee said, "I would like to see you after class." "Yes, Miss Cheerilee" Diamond sighed softly making Miss Cheerilee frown. The mare approached Diamond Tiara as the class talked amongst themselves. "Diamond," Miss Cheerilee whispered nudging the nearly asleep filly's shoulder making Diamond jump slightly. "Come with me," she said as she headed out of the classroom. Diamond stumbled out of her chair following Cheerilee out of the room. Miss Cheerilee never normally allowed this, but she would allow students not feeling well or acting strange to come out of the classroom to a little room to the side that had beds in it. "I think a nap would do you well," Miss Cheerilee said guiding Diamond to a bed towards the middle of the room. Diamond looked like she wanted to object but just nodded as Miss Cheerilee helped her into the bed. She was pleasantly surprised when the older mare tucked the sheets in around her. Diamond closed her eyes falling asleep in a matter of seconds with a soft smile on her face. Cheerilee brushed her hoof over Diamond's mane making it move slightly. She caught a glimpse of something dark colored so she quickly but gently moved the filly's mane to the side. She let out an involuntary gasp as she saw the dark blue almost black ring circling her students eye. Cheerilee decided that asking Diamond could wait until after school. A few hours later Diamond woke up to a gentle rub down her back. "Diamond," Cheerilee said softly, " I need you to wake up, sweetheart." The filly whined softly but rubbed her eyes, wincing when her hoof hit her black eye, sitting up in the bed. Cheerilee was polite enough to allow the filly a few minutes to get herself awake. "What did you wanna talk about Miss Cheerilee?" Diamond Tiara questioned softly as she yawned. "At first it was because of your lack of attention in class," Cheerilee said, "but then I noticed the black eye you had." Diamond gulped slightly as her black eye was pointed out. "Wanna tell me how that happened?" Cheerilee asked. "I hit my eye on something last night," Diamond said quietly. It wasn't a lie, she had hit her eye on something, her mother's hoof. "You also have a pretty nasty looking cut on your face," Cheerilee pointed out. "That happened when I hit my eye on something," Diamond said softly. She flinched as Cheerilee put a hoof on her shoulder. "If somethings happening at home, if somepony is hurting you, please tell me," Cheerilee pleaded gently. "Please," the mare asked making Diamond look up at her. "Nopony's hurting me," Diamond denied a bit to quickly for Cheerilee's liking. "Can I go now?" the filly asked softly. "Yes," Cheerilee agreed reluctantly as she watched Diamond hop off the bed and hurry out of the room. "I will get to the bottom of who's hurting you," the mare promised quietly as she watched Diamond hurry away from the schoolhouse. "And they will pay," Cheerilee said her voice darkening towards the end of the sentence. RescueA few weeks later Diamond Tiara could feel it. She could feel the weight of it all on her shoulders, and she knew that it would all crash down upon her soon. She was Diamond Dazzle Tiara for Tartarus' sake. She shouldn't feel this pathetic. She shouldn't feel anything. Diamond shook with sobs as she lay curled up in bed. Her body was aching. She was littered with bruises that made every move painful, she also knew that since it was the weekend nopony would notice or probably ever find out about what had happened last night. She had thought that since a few weeks passed her mother would be more forgiving, but Spoiled Rich never was. Spoiled had left her daughter laying at the bottom of the stairs bruised and bleeding as Filthy Rich only stared through blurred vision. Diamond flinched and sat up as a loud crashing knock came from downstairs. She got up, barely managing to stand up without falling back down immediately. She forced herself to head to her door as her shaking hooves managed to turn the knob. She inched out of her room with tremors of pain shooting down her body. She bit her lip as she peaked her head around the edge of the stairs and looked down. Diamond couldn't help the gasp of shock that escaped her lips. Standing at the bottom of the stairs in the foyer were two very familiar ponies. Silver Blade and Golden Ring stood there with a frown seemingly permanently etched onto their faces. Silver Blade and Golden Ring were her paternal grandparents and only grandparents seeing as Spoiled's had died before Diamond had even been thought of. Silver Blade was in a full out argument with Spoiled as he waved a piece of paper in her face. This was the first time Diamond had been close in any sense to her grandparents seeing as they were in Canterlot's elite. Silver Blade much like his name implied was a silver unicorn stallion with stripes of misted grey running through his fur. His mane was a close cropped black mane that spiked up in the back while his tail hung limp with the only action in it was where it curled up at the ends. His eyes were a striking light azure that was similar to Diamond's own. His cutie mark was a blade flying through the air. Golden Ring was a dark amber earth mare. Her mane was a soft golden color that perfectly complemented her orchid colored eyes. Her mane was pulled up in a tight bun that was tied with soft white lace while her tail was weaved with multiple with pieces of similar colored lace. Her cutie mark was a ring that was lined with different gems. Diamond let out a soft confused noise as she watched from the top of the corner of the stairs. She let out a soft whine of confusion wondering why they would even be here, much less in Ponyville. She was snapped out of her thoughts by Silver Blade's harsh voice. "You have to!! It's been declared that you are under investigation for foal abuse so they are giving us temporary custody," Silver Blade snapped as he stomped his hoof angrily. "Foal abuse!!! Who would dare ever accuse me of such an atrocity?" Spoiled Rich demanded to know. Diamond Tiara snorted as she turned her head with a soft sigh. "Excuse me," a soft male voice said. Diamond Tiara for the first time noticed the royal guards by the door. "Spoiled Rich, you must allow them to have temporary custody or we will be forced to restrain you until Miss Diamond Dazzle Tiara is removed from the premises," the lead guard informed them. "I said no!!" Spoiled Rich screamed making the guards sigh as they stepped forward. "Stop!! Please," Diamond cried out with a shaking voice as she hesitantly stepped out from behind the corner of the staircases causing the set of ponies to look upstairs. Golden Ring gasped as she saw the bruised filly standing there. Silver Blade unintentionally let out a soft groan as he noticed her while the guards eyes simply widened. "Damn you," Silver Blade snarled as he glared at Spoiled Rich. "How dare you!" He snapped as Spoiled narrowed her eyes. "GO to your room Diamond," Spoiled ordered as Golden Ring stepped forward. "Do not tell my grandfoal what to do," Golden said her voice dark with anger. She made quick work of going up the stairs and scooping Diamond Tiara up forcing herself to ignore Diamond's flinch. "Do you have anything special you feel like you would need if you were away from home for a while?" she asked softly. Diamond shook her head making Golden sigh. "Good then we can leave," she said as she plopped Diamond onto her back as she headed downstairs. Silver Blade made sure to stay in between Spoiled and his wife. The guard opened the door and allowed Golden Ring to exit as Silver Blade followed her. "Grandma, why are you and grandpa here?" Diamond Tiara asked softly as she pressed herself against Golden Ring trying to hide. Silver Blade noticed his grandfoals plight and summoned a blanket that he lay over her back making her mouth thanks to him. "We got an urgent letter to come to Ponyville. Me and your grandfather only arrived yesterday morning to be greeted with the message that Spoiled was being put under investigation for foal abuse and that Filthy was deemed an inappropriate guardian. They asked us to step in which we gladly did so," Golden Ring said as she walked towards the train station with her husband beside her. "Do...Do you know who reported her?" Diamond Tiara asked as she traced shapes with the tip of her hoof into Golden Ring's back. "I believe it was somepony named Randolph with the help of a Miss Cheerilee," Silver Blade said making Diamond Tiara nod hesitantly as she rested her head against the lower part of Golden Ring's neck. She sighed as the rhythmic steps allowed her to doze off. a few days ago Randolph entered the Castle of Friendship with a folder clutched in his hoof. Most of it was his own evidence proving that Filthy Rich was a neglectful parent and that Spoiled Rich was emotionally, physically, and verbally abusive to her daughter. Some was gifted to him from a very familiar local schoolteacher that had only given it to him if he gave her dates of Spoiled's future events. He had quickly agreed since it would help Miss Tiara. "Randolph," Princess Twilight Sparkle greeted the ancient stallion with mild shock. "Can I help you?" she asked politely. "Yes actually," Randolph said his ancient voice creaking slightly as he hoofed the folder to her, "I would like to report two very unfit parents that shouldn't have a foal in their custody." "Randolph that is a very serious accusation you have made," Twilight Sparkle said as she flipped through the folder before looking up at him with sad eyes. "Come with me so we can discuss this in privacy," she said as the old stallion nodded and followed her to a private room. A few hours later Randolph left the room with Twilight Sparkle. "I will discuss this with the other princesses about how to continue this," she said softly as she bid him good day. If Randolph had looked back he would have seen the tears shining brightly in her eyes at the memory of the filly's bruised and battered body. "I will fix this Diamond that I promise you," she whispered to herself. Train RideAuthor's Note Another chapter! Wow, I'm on roll this week. I plan on writing many more chapters this week to help me get back into practice for school. Train Ride Diamond Tiara felt slight rumbling under her which slowly roused her from her slumber. The first thing that she became aware of was a warm body curled up around her. She slowly opened her eyes, rubbing her eyes to get rid of any lingering tiredness, before looking around. From the looks of it she deduced she was on a train which would explain the rumbling. She also quickly realized that the warm body around her way Golden Ring who was laying still with her eyes closed. Diamond glanced across to the seat that was facing the one she and Golden Ring were in, seeing Silver Blade sitting there reading a newspaper. Silver Blade's eyes glanced from the newspaper to her. "Did you have a good nap?" Silver Blade asked, his voice gentle and soft "Yes," Diamond whispered as she squirmed slightly making Golden Ring open her eyes. "That's good," Golden Ring said as she sat up slowly. "Why were you curled up around me?" Diamond Tiara questioned. "Right to the question, huh?" Silver Blade joked making Diamond glance down and mutter a small apology. "No need to be sorry, love. Silver was only joking. To answer your question, I was curled up around you because you kept squirming and I was afraid you'd fall out of the seat," Golden Ring explained. Diamond Tiara simply nodded and stayed silent. "You've changed a lot since Silver and I last saw you," Golden Ring sighed sadly. "I knew we shouldn't have let them take you," Silver Blade muttered. "Let them take me?" Diamond Tiara asked softly. "When you were really little, still in diapers in fact, you lived with us," Golden Ring answered. "I did? Why?" Diamond Tiara asked, surprise evident in her voice. "Filthy and Spoiled Bi-- Rich were at a young enough age when they had you that they were still very interested in living their own lives and not caring for a foal. When you were around six months old, they dropped in and asked us to foalsit you. Naturally we agreed and were quite horrified with the state you were in when they dropped you off. Your coat was filthy and while you were always a small foal, you were severely underweight. That night of foalsitting made us realize that maybe it would be better for you to be with us until they grew up and knew how to properly raise a foal. You stayed with us until you were about three and a half," Golden Ring said slowly, giving Diamond some time to absorb the information. "Why'd I leave?" Diamond Tiara asked. "As much as we would have loved to keep you, we felt that over the years your parents had matured enough to properly care for you. We let them have a test trial for a month and you seemed fine. In fact you were really happy to be able to stay with them so we eased up, letting them have you back," Silver Blade explained. "Violet was right about the fact we shouldn't have let them keep you," Golden Ring sighed. "Violet?" Diamond Tiara asked. "Violet Shine and Rock Quarry, your mother's parents. They've stuck to that thought over the years," Golden Ring said. "I thought they were dead?" Diamond Tiara said questioningly. "No, they're very much alive. What gave you that idea?" Silver Blade asked shocked. "Mother told me that they had passed," Diamond Tiara muttered as her ears flicked back. "Well your mother was lying," Golden Ring sighed as she pulled Diamond close and kissed the top of her head gently while rubbing her back lightly. "Okay," Diamond Tiara said as she tensed up slightly. "Will I get to meet them?" she asked softly. "Of course," Silver Blade said. "They wanted to update your old room so it'd be more befitting of a filly your age which is why they didn't come with us," he added. "Alright," Diamond Tiara sighed softly as she hesitantly leaned against Golden Ring who kissed her forehead. "We have a few more minutes before we get to Canterlot," Silver Blade said as he glanced out the window. "I slept for that long?" Diamond Tiara asked surprised, usually the train rides she had been on before had been an hour and a half long so that fact she slept for so long shocked her. "Yep," Silver Blade smiled as he glanced at his grand foal, love shining in his eyes. "I was starting to get worried you'd never wake up," he said teasingly. "Mmm I've never slept that long during the day," Diamond Tiara murmured softly as she stared out the window. The last few minutes of the ride were silent as Diamond watched the scenery flew by. She always loved watching stuff blur together as the speed of the train refused to give them time to register. She flicked her ear as she listened to Silver Blade and Golden Ring talk to each with hushed voices. The train started to slow down before finally coming to a stop at the Canterlot station. Golden Ring scooped her up and placed her on her back, Silver Blade covering her with the same blanket as before as they made their way off the train and into the crowded station. Diamond Tiara's head swiveled as she took in the familiar sights with a small smile. MemoriesAuthor's Note Sorry my updates have been so few and far between. I've been hitting a few rough patches in my life in the past few months so I haven't been the most motivated to write. I'm trying to get better but I won't promise anything. Memories Diamond's mind started to wander as she closed her eyes once again. She wasn't tired, she simply just wanted to have a little time to think. All of the times she had spent in Canterlot had so far been great. Her mind flashed through some memories of happier times for herself. ~3 years ago~ Diamond stayed close to Silver Spoon having always trusted the other filly since she had a better sense of direction. She pressed against Silver Spoon with a small smile on her face as she looked throughout the marketplace. Her friend was extremely good at navigating the many stalls. "C'mon Diamond relax," Silver Spoon said as she rolled her eyes slightly. "You know I'm not used to big, open spaces," Diamond replied as she flicked her mane slightly. "Yeah, I know, but I promise nothing bad is gonna happen," Silver Spoon said dutifully. "I believe you," Diamond sighed as she looked around the marketplace, her eyes sparkling slightly with excitement. Unlike her parents, Silver's loved to have their daughter help out which gave her ample more opportunists. Silver's parents also loved to actually be involved with things she did, which made Diamond feel a bit jealous of her best friend. "So what do you think of the marketplace?" Silver asked, snapping Diamond out of her wandering thoughts. "It's great," Diamond smiled softly, happy to see her friend smile in return. Diamond let out a soft sigh as she opened her eyes for second. She glanced around, a small grin on her face when they passed a corner that led off to an alleyway. A small blush colored her cheeks as she thought about what had happened there. ~1 year ago~ Diamond had become much more confident with her ability to navigate the marketplace. She furrowed her forehead slightly as she tried to figure out where Silver Spoon was leading her. She was surprised when her friend led her into a dead end alley and turned around to face her. "Silver, why'd you take us here?" Diamond asked curiously as she tilted her head to the side slightly. Silver blushed slightly but didn't say anything. She suddenly leaned in and gently kissed Diamond with a small smile. "That's why," Silver Spoon said as she shrugged slightly. Diamond was still trying to process what happened but leaned forward this time instead and kissed her back gently. A small blush coated her face as she pulled back. "That was....kinda great," Diamond said as she smiled softly. "Yeah," Silver nodded as she looked around. "Want to do it again?" she asked making Diamond grin and lean forward again. In no way would Diamond ever claim her first kiss to be perfect. She always thought it was amazing though and stood by the statement. At the end of the day, they had gone back to Silver Spoon's moms place, their lips swollen slightly and goofy grins on their face. Silver's parents hadn't questioned why they seemed in such a great mood, but Diamond knew Silver would probably tell them later on. Diamond felt her heart flutter slightly as she thought of her best friend. They had never given themselves the label of 'fillyfriends' but they were exclusive to just each other. There had been many days when Diamond just wasn't feeling up to doing anything after dealing with her mom but Silver Spoon would always find some place where they could be together. Some days they would skip school and go lay together in the Whitetail Woods. Other times Diamond would have to sneak out the back door and they'd lay together in an empty field, watching the stars together. Diamond made a mental note to ask her grandparents about seeing Silver Spoon soon. She knew that Silver had been getting worried about the bruises or sometimes the lack thereof which meant that Diamond had either concealed them or her mother had held off to beat her even worse later. "A bit for your thoughts?" Silver Blade asked his grandfoal with a small smile. Diamond shook her head slightly as she grinned softly. "Ah well it was worth a try," he chuckled. "Golden, let me carry her for a while, you've been doing it for quite some time," he said as he lifted Diamond up off Golden Ring's back and lay her across his own, making sure to keep her wrapped up in the blanket. "It didn't bother me, I quite enjoyed carrying her," Golden Ring said as she glanced at her grandfoal and gently nuzzled her. Diamond, who normally would push away any pony trying to giver her physical affection, welcomed the nuzzle after being starved of affection for weeks. Diamond's ears flicked constantly as she listened to the loud chatter of the marketplace. She filtered through conversations as she looked around. "Golden Ring and Silver Blade have a filly with-" "Didn't know Golden was one to show affection-" "Where'd they find that street rat?" Diamond flicked her ears back on hearing that one. Apparently she wasn't the only one who heard that, seeing as Silver Blade's step faltered for a second. "Dear something just came up," Silver Blade said. "Could you please take Diamond back and continue home, I'll be home a bit later," he said as he transferred Diamond back onto his wife's back. "Sure," Golden Ring smiled slightly. "Just don't do anything to stupid," she said softly, her voice barely being heard by him. "No promises darling," Silver Blade smiled as he turned and disappeared into the crowed, his eyes trained on the pony who had made the last comment. Diamond watched after him curiously, her head tilted slightly. "So Diamond," Golden Ring said as she thought of something to get her grandfoal's mind off of Silver Blade's abrupt departure. "I'm just gonna give you a little warning, Violet Shine can be a bit much at first but that's because she's very excited to see you after so long," she smiled. The marketplace had thinned at places until it finally ended. Golden walked walked to a giant metal gate, which was opened for her immediately by two ponies. She walked up the path to a mansion of a house which made Diamond's eyes widen slightly. Golden made her way to the door and opened it after a moment of deliberation.
ConsequencesDiamond Tiara flashed a smile to her friends as she waved goodbye. The smile was fake of course, because Diamond knew what was waiting for her at home. What always was waiting at home for her. Her mother, Spoiled Rich. The mare was something that intimidated Diamond to no end. Her mother was manipulative and cruel. But above all of this, Spoiled Rich was a monster. A monster that would send foals screaming and crying for their mothers. Diamond knew this more than anything. She knew that what waited at home would beat her until she blacked out. Until Diamond felt like she was dying which would actually be a relief for the young filly. While Diamond's family was well known for their wealth, she knew the secrets behind the smiling family. Diamond knew better than anything that her family was messed up because she'd seen other filly and colts with their parents. She knew that mother's shouldn't beat their foals for a simple mistake. She knew father's shouldn't drink until they passed out, but that's exactly what happened at her house. She didn't understand why she deserved this, why anypony would deserve this. All of this ran through her mind as she made her way home. She hesitantly entered the gate of the fence surrounding her house. Diamond Tiara inhaled deeply as she entered through the front door expecting to see Spoiled waiting, but was happily surprised to see her favorite butler. "Randy," Diamond Tiara said hugging the old stallion's leg. "Hello Miss Tiara," Randolph, or Randy as his favorite little filly called him, said as he scooped the filly up making her giggle. He cradled her against his chest allowing her to cling to him for a little while. "Miss Spoiled is waiting in your room," he sighed setting Diamond down. "Ok" Diamond said hesitantly letting him go. "I should probably go up there then," she mumbled starting the trek up all the stairs not seeing Randolph's concerned gaze on her as she walked up stairs. He knew something was up. The sweet filly would sometimes show up with bruises on her coat or a cut somewhere on her body. Whenever he asked she would say that she had fell or tripped down something. He knew no filly randomly got hurt and started flinch away from those that she was closest to. He would have to do something to save that sweet little filly, he decided as he left the house and started his way home. Meanwhile, Diamond had made her way upstairs to her room. She hesitantly entered the room staring at the wooden floor. She used to have carpet but the wood was easier to clean and didn't stain. Her room was quite nice for a young filly her age. She had a full dark purple canopy bed with a giant wooden toybox at the end of her bed. There was a miniature version of her house in the corner of the room that she could play with dolls with. The part that ruined it all was the mare standing in the middle of the room. "Mother," Diamond Tiara said before her head was snapped to the side by the mulberry mare's hoof. Diamond held her cheek whimpering as she saw the bottle by her mother's back leg. If her mother was drinking she was so very, very screwed. "You've embarrassed me again Diamond Tiara" Spoiled Rich slurred out. "I don't like being embarrassed," the mare mumbled circling Diamond Tiara like an animal stalking prey. Diamond kept her mouth shut knowing her mother wouldn't care what she had to say. A pathetic sob escaped her mouth as her mother's hoof slammed into her eye temporarily blinding Diamond. Diamond cowered back against the ground. "I'll put you in your place this time," Spoiled Rich said her hoof kicking Diamond across the room into the wooden toybox, cutting her cheek on the side. The thing that Diamond prized the most flew off her head sliding to her mother's hooves. "Mother I'm sorry," Diamond Tiara sobbed seeing the glint in Spoiled's eyes as she looked down at the diamond tiara at her hooves. "Sorry doesn't cut it" Spoiled said as she raised her hoof off the ground. Diamond Tiara opened her mouth to protest only to close it as her mother slammed her hoof on the tiara Diamond always wore causing it to break in half. "That'll teach you," Spoiled said storming out of the room leaving her daughter shaking and sobbing as she crawled over to her tiara which was now shattered. Diamond Tiara sobbed cradling the tiara against her chest. The tiara was something she got when she was four years old, back when her father used to be sober. She grabbed the pieces of the tiara and set them carefully on her bed before going to the bathroom. She climbed on her stool to reach the sink and stared at herself in the mirror. This was some of the worse Spoiled Rich had ever done seeing as she normally never left a mark on her daughter's face. Right now though Diamond had a large cut on her left cheek from hitting the side of the toybox. Her right eye was bruised all around it and her side ached from slamming against the toybox. She turned the handle on the sink making warm water pour out. She reached her hoof into the water and brought it back placing it on her cheek. She hissed as the warm water seeped into the cut as she turned the water off. "How the buck am I going to explain this?" Diamond asked herself as she climbed off the stool. She paced back and forth in her bathroom. "I can't say I got this after school because I was hanging out with Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Silver Spoon." She sighed heading to her bed. "I guess I can just say I tripped down the stairs when I got home" she mumbled climbing into bed a pulling the covers over her body. She still didn't fall asleep until around midnight that night. Her body shaking at the sound of her mother moving around outside the door.
Nopony's hurting meWhen Diamond Tiara woke up the next day, she immediately turned on her side to cover her face. She immediately regretted as the pain flared up from last night. She whimpered as she forced herself up knowing she had school. She looked at the clock to see it was flashing 7:32 a.m. Diamond knew she wouldn't have enough time to brush her teeth, bathe and eat. So she decided that skipping breakfast would have to do. Diamond Tiara headed to the bathroom and shivered at the cold feeling of the tiles on her hooves. She fiddled with the shower handle, finally managing to get the shower on. She climbed into the tub allowing the shower to blast her with warm water. Tears leaked from her eyes, rolling down her face as she sobbed silently. 'Why does mother hate me so much?' Diamond questioned herself in her head. She didn't remember ever doing anything to make her mother hate her so much. She had done everything her mother said up until yesterday, yet she was still beaten for it. She sniffled quietly as she stood there under the hot water for awhile until she finally decided to get out. Diamond shut the shower off and climbed out of the tub. She dried herself off quickly and efficiently. She ran a brush through her mane haphazardly before climbing onto the stool by the mirror and sink. She automatically flinched seeing the damage on her face. Her eye had swelled up over the night. The cut on her face looked infected to Diamond. She gently touched it with her hoof hissing at the contact it made with the cut on her face. Diamond brushed her mane to cover her black eye. She sighed turning the sink handle and grabbing her toothbrush. She scrubbed her teeth with a contemplating look on her face. 'What... what if I told somepony what Spoiled does to me?' Diamond thought. She hardly ever called her mother by her name but sometimes she did. The thought passed from Diamond's mind quickly. She knew she would never willingly tell somepony what happened at home. Nopony would care since most ponies thought of her as a spoiled brat with nothing good to say. She finished brushing her teeth and turned the water off, putting her toothbrush back. Diamond Tiara sighed as she headed downstairs slowly. She peaked around the corner to the living room groaning at the sight. Her father, Filthy Rich, was passed out on the floor with a bottle of hard cider in his hoof. Filthy Rich was a good stallion, he just loved hard cider a bit to much. The stallion was constantly seen with a bottle in hoof at home and sometimes even in public. Diamond loved her father so much. She really did. It's not like he got drunk and hit her. He'd never layed a hoof on her in fact. She just wished he didn't drink so much. She backed away from the living room peaking into the kitchen. Her stomach rumbled reminding her she hadn't eaten last night. She also knew she wouldn't have a lunch today seeing as her mother would still be angry with her. Diamond slunk into the kitchen like a guilty thief. She scrambled up onto a chair and grabbed a banana. She held it between her teeth as she climbed back down. She made her way to front door as she peeled the banana. Diamond took a bite from the banana as she opened the front door, stepping out, and closing it behind her. As she walked away from her house she didn't notice the blue eyes staring at her from a curtain in her house. Diamond kept her head down but she could feel the stares of townsponies as she walked to school. She walked at a slow pace trying not to strain her side. She noticed ponies were staring, probably at the cut on her cheek that had a slight tinge of green around it. She hurried her pace slightly coming to the lane that led to the school. She cursed lowly under her breath as she saw her new friends hanging out around the school. She barely made it to the schoolyard before the bell was being rung and she had to go inside. She sat at her desk laying her head down as she frowned. The whole school day Diamond Tiara remained out of it. She didn't react when her name was called and didn't even try to hang out with the CMC. "Diamond Tiara," the soft yet firm voice of Miss Cheerilee said, "I would like to see you after class." "Yes, Miss Cheerilee" Diamond sighed softly making Miss Cheerilee frown. The mare approached Diamond Tiara as the class talked amongst themselves. "Diamond," Miss Cheerilee whispered nudging the nearly asleep filly's shoulder making Diamond jump slightly. "Come with me," she said as she headed out of the classroom. Diamond stumbled out of her chair following Cheerilee out of the room. Miss Cheerilee never normally allowed this, but she would allow students not feeling well or acting strange to come out of the classroom to a little room to the side that had beds in it. "I think a nap would do you well," Miss Cheerilee said guiding Diamond to a bed towards the middle of the room. Diamond looked like she wanted to object but just nodded as Miss Cheerilee helped her into the bed. She was pleasantly surprised when the older mare tucked the sheets in around her. Diamond closed her eyes falling asleep in a matter of seconds with a soft smile on her face. Cheerilee brushed her hoof over Diamond's mane making it move slightly. She caught a glimpse of something dark colored so she quickly but gently moved the filly's mane to the side. She let out an involuntary gasp as she saw the dark blue almost black ring circling her students eye. Cheerilee decided that asking Diamond could wait until after school. A few hours later Diamond woke up to a gentle rub down her back. "Diamond," Cheerilee said softly, " I need you to wake up, sweetheart." The filly whined softly but rubbed her eyes, wincing when her hoof hit her black eye, sitting up in the bed. Cheerilee was polite enough to allow the filly a few minutes to get herself awake. "What did you wanna talk about Miss Cheerilee?" Diamond Tiara questioned softly as she yawned. "At first it was because of your lack of attention in class," Cheerilee said, "but then I noticed the black eye you had." Diamond gulped slightly as her black eye was pointed out. "Wanna tell me how that happened?" Cheerilee asked. "I hit my eye on something last night," Diamond said quietly. It wasn't a lie, she had hit her eye on something, her mother's hoof. "You also have a pretty nasty looking cut on your face," Cheerilee pointed out. "That happened when I hit my eye on something," Diamond said softly. She flinched as Cheerilee put a hoof on her shoulder. "If somethings happening at home, if somepony is hurting you, please tell me," Cheerilee pleaded gently. "Please," the mare asked making Diamond look up at her. "Nopony's hurting me," Diamond denied a bit to quickly for Cheerilee's liking. "Can I go now?" the filly asked softly. "Yes," Cheerilee agreed reluctantly as she watched Diamond hop off the bed and hurry out of the room. "I will get to the bottom of who's hurting you," the mare promised quietly as she watched Diamond hurry away from the schoolhouse. "And they will pay," Cheerilee said her voice darkening towards the end of the sentence.
RescueA few weeks later Diamond Tiara could feel it. She could feel the weight of it all on her shoulders, and she knew that it would all crash down upon her soon. She was Diamond Dazzle Tiara for Tartarus' sake. She shouldn't feel this pathetic. She shouldn't feel anything. Diamond shook with sobs as she lay curled up in bed. Her body was aching. She was littered with bruises that made every move painful, she also knew that since it was the weekend nopony would notice or probably ever find out about what had happened last night. She had thought that since a few weeks passed her mother would be more forgiving, but Spoiled Rich never was. Spoiled had left her daughter laying at the bottom of the stairs bruised and bleeding as Filthy Rich only stared through blurred vision. Diamond flinched and sat up as a loud crashing knock came from downstairs. She got up, barely managing to stand up without falling back down immediately. She forced herself to head to her door as her shaking hooves managed to turn the knob. She inched out of her room with tremors of pain shooting down her body. She bit her lip as she peaked her head around the edge of the stairs and looked down. Diamond couldn't help the gasp of shock that escaped her lips. Standing at the bottom of the stairs in the foyer were two very familiar ponies. Silver Blade and Golden Ring stood there with a frown seemingly permanently etched onto their faces. Silver Blade and Golden Ring were her paternal grandparents and only grandparents seeing as Spoiled's had died before Diamond had even been thought of. Silver Blade was in a full out argument with Spoiled as he waved a piece of paper in her face. This was the first time Diamond had been close in any sense to her grandparents seeing as they were in Canterlot's elite. Silver Blade much like his name implied was a silver unicorn stallion with stripes of misted grey running through his fur. His mane was a close cropped black mane that spiked up in the back while his tail hung limp with the only action in it was where it curled up at the ends. His eyes were a striking light azure that was similar to Diamond's own. His cutie mark was a blade flying through the air. Golden Ring was a dark amber earth mare. Her mane was a soft golden color that perfectly complemented her orchid colored eyes. Her mane was pulled up in a tight bun that was tied with soft white lace while her tail was weaved with multiple with pieces of similar colored lace. Her cutie mark was a ring that was lined with different gems. Diamond let out a soft confused noise as she watched from the top of the corner of the stairs. She let out a soft whine of confusion wondering why they would even be here, much less in Ponyville. She was snapped out of her thoughts by Silver Blade's harsh voice. "You have to!! It's been declared that you are under investigation for foal abuse so they are giving us temporary custody," Silver Blade snapped as he stomped his hoof angrily. "Foal abuse!!! Who would dare ever accuse me of such an atrocity?" Spoiled Rich demanded to know. Diamond Tiara snorted as she turned her head with a soft sigh. "Excuse me," a soft male voice said. Diamond Tiara for the first time noticed the royal guards by the door. "Spoiled Rich, you must allow them to have temporary custody or we will be forced to restrain you until Miss Diamond Dazzle Tiara is removed from the premises," the lead guard informed them. "I said no!!" Spoiled Rich screamed making the guards sigh as they stepped forward. "Stop!! Please," Diamond cried out with a shaking voice as she hesitantly stepped out from behind the corner of the staircases causing the set of ponies to look upstairs. Golden Ring gasped as she saw the bruised filly standing there. Silver Blade unintentionally let out a soft groan as he noticed her while the guards eyes simply widened. "Damn you," Silver Blade snarled as he glared at Spoiled Rich. "How dare you!" He snapped as Spoiled narrowed her eyes. "GO to your room Diamond," Spoiled ordered as Golden Ring stepped forward. "Do not tell my grandfoal what to do," Golden said her voice dark with anger. She made quick work of going up the stairs and scooping Diamond Tiara up forcing herself to ignore Diamond's flinch. "Do you have anything special you feel like you would need if you were away from home for a while?" she asked softly. Diamond shook her head making Golden sigh. "Good then we can leave," she said as she plopped Diamond onto her back as she headed downstairs. Silver Blade made sure to stay in between Spoiled and his wife. The guard opened the door and allowed Golden Ring to exit as Silver Blade followed her. "Grandma, why are you and grandpa here?" Diamond Tiara asked softly as she pressed herself against Golden Ring trying to hide. Silver Blade noticed his grandfoals plight and summoned a blanket that he lay over her back making her mouth thanks to him. "We got an urgent letter to come to Ponyville. Me and your grandfather only arrived yesterday morning to be greeted with the message that Spoiled was being put under investigation for foal abuse and that Filthy was deemed an inappropriate guardian. They asked us to step in which we gladly did so," Golden Ring said as she walked towards the train station with her husband beside her. "Do...Do you know who reported her?" Diamond Tiara asked as she traced shapes with the tip of her hoof into Golden Ring's back. "I believe it was somepony named Randolph with the help of a Miss Cheerilee," Silver Blade said making Diamond Tiara nod hesitantly as she rested her head against the lower part of Golden Ring's neck. She sighed as the rhythmic steps allowed her to doze off. a few days ago Randolph entered the Castle of Friendship with a folder clutched in his hoof. Most of it was his own evidence proving that Filthy Rich was a neglectful parent and that Spoiled Rich was emotionally, physically, and verbally abusive to her daughter. Some was gifted to him from a very familiar local schoolteacher that had only given it to him if he gave her dates of Spoiled's future events. He had quickly agreed since it would help Miss Tiara. "Randolph," Princess Twilight Sparkle greeted the ancient stallion with mild shock. "Can I help you?" she asked politely. "Yes actually," Randolph said his ancient voice creaking slightly as he hoofed the folder to her, "I would like to report two very unfit parents that shouldn't have a foal in their custody." "Randolph that is a very serious accusation you have made," Twilight Sparkle said as she flipped through the folder before looking up at him with sad eyes. "Come with me so we can discuss this in privacy," she said as the old stallion nodded and followed her to a private room. A few hours later Randolph left the room with Twilight Sparkle. "I will discuss this with the other princesses about how to continue this," she said softly as she bid him good day. If Randolph had looked back he would have seen the tears shining brightly in her eyes at the memory of the filly's bruised and battered body. "I will fix this Diamond that I promise you," she whispered to herself.
Train RideAuthor's Note Another chapter! Wow, I'm on roll this week. I plan on writing many more chapters this week to help me get back into practice for school. Train Ride Diamond Tiara felt slight rumbling under her which slowly roused her from her slumber. The first thing that she became aware of was a warm body curled up around her. She slowly opened her eyes, rubbing her eyes to get rid of any lingering tiredness, before looking around. From the looks of it she deduced she was on a train which would explain the rumbling. She also quickly realized that the warm body around her way Golden Ring who was laying still with her eyes closed. Diamond glanced across to the seat that was facing the one she and Golden Ring were in, seeing Silver Blade sitting there reading a newspaper. Silver Blade's eyes glanced from the newspaper to her. "Did you have a good nap?" Silver Blade asked, his voice gentle and soft "Yes," Diamond whispered as she squirmed slightly making Golden Ring open her eyes. "That's good," Golden Ring said as she sat up slowly. "Why were you curled up around me?" Diamond Tiara questioned. "Right to the question, huh?" Silver Blade joked making Diamond glance down and mutter a small apology. "No need to be sorry, love. Silver was only joking. To answer your question, I was curled up around you because you kept squirming and I was afraid you'd fall out of the seat," Golden Ring explained. Diamond Tiara simply nodded and stayed silent. "You've changed a lot since Silver and I last saw you," Golden Ring sighed sadly. "I knew we shouldn't have let them take you," Silver Blade muttered. "Let them take me?" Diamond Tiara asked softly. "When you were really little, still in diapers in fact, you lived with us," Golden Ring answered. "I did? Why?" Diamond Tiara asked, surprise evident in her voice. "Filthy and Spoiled Bi-- Rich were at a young enough age when they had you that they were still very interested in living their own lives and not caring for a foal. When you were around six months old, they dropped in and asked us to foalsit you. Naturally we agreed and were quite horrified with the state you were in when they dropped you off. Your coat was filthy and while you were always a small foal, you were severely underweight. That night of foalsitting made us realize that maybe it would be better for you to be with us until they grew up and knew how to properly raise a foal. You stayed with us until you were about three and a half," Golden Ring said slowly, giving Diamond some time to absorb the information. "Why'd I leave?" Diamond Tiara asked. "As much as we would have loved to keep you, we felt that over the years your parents had matured enough to properly care for you. We let them have a test trial for a month and you seemed fine. In fact you were really happy to be able to stay with them so we eased up, letting them have you back," Silver Blade explained. "Violet was right about the fact we shouldn't have let them keep you," Golden Ring sighed. "Violet?" Diamond Tiara asked. "Violet Shine and Rock Quarry, your mother's parents. They've stuck to that thought over the years," Golden Ring said. "I thought they were dead?" Diamond Tiara said questioningly. "No, they're very much alive. What gave you that idea?" Silver Blade asked shocked. "Mother told me that they had passed," Diamond Tiara muttered as her ears flicked back. "Well your mother was lying," Golden Ring sighed as she pulled Diamond close and kissed the top of her head gently while rubbing her back lightly. "Okay," Diamond Tiara said as she tensed up slightly. "Will I get to meet them?" she asked softly. "Of course," Silver Blade said. "They wanted to update your old room so it'd be more befitting of a filly your age which is why they didn't come with us," he added. "Alright," Diamond Tiara sighed softly as she hesitantly leaned against Golden Ring who kissed her forehead. "We have a few more minutes before we get to Canterlot," Silver Blade said as he glanced out the window. "I slept for that long?" Diamond Tiara asked surprised, usually the train rides she had been on before had been an hour and a half long so that fact she slept for so long shocked her. "Yep," Silver Blade smiled as he glanced at his grand foal, love shining in his eyes. "I was starting to get worried you'd never wake up," he said teasingly. "Mmm I've never slept that long during the day," Diamond Tiara murmured softly as she stared out the window. The last few minutes of the ride were silent as Diamond watched the scenery flew by. She always loved watching stuff blur together as the speed of the train refused to give them time to register. She flicked her ear as she listened to Silver Blade and Golden Ring talk to each with hushed voices. The train started to slow down before finally coming to a stop at the Canterlot station. Golden Ring scooped her up and placed her on her back, Silver Blade covering her with the same blanket as before as they made their way off the train and into the crowded station. Diamond Tiara's head swiveled as she took in the familiar sights with a small smile.
MemoriesAuthor's Note Sorry my updates have been so few and far between. I've been hitting a few rough patches in my life in the past few months so I haven't been the most motivated to write. I'm trying to get better but I won't promise anything. Memories Diamond's mind started to wander as she closed her eyes once again. She wasn't tired, she simply just wanted to have a little time to think. All of the times she had spent in Canterlot had so far been great. Her mind flashed through some memories of happier times for herself. ~3 years ago~ Diamond stayed close to Silver Spoon having always trusted the other filly since she had a better sense of direction. She pressed against Silver Spoon with a small smile on her face as she looked throughout the marketplace. Her friend was extremely good at navigating the many stalls. "C'mon Diamond relax," Silver Spoon said as she rolled her eyes slightly. "You know I'm not used to big, open spaces," Diamond replied as she flicked her mane slightly. "Yeah, I know, but I promise nothing bad is gonna happen," Silver Spoon said dutifully. "I believe you," Diamond sighed as she looked around the marketplace, her eyes sparkling slightly with excitement. Unlike her parents, Silver's loved to have their daughter help out which gave her ample more opportunists. Silver's parents also loved to actually be involved with things she did, which made Diamond feel a bit jealous of her best friend. "So what do you think of the marketplace?" Silver asked, snapping Diamond out of her wandering thoughts. "It's great," Diamond smiled softly, happy to see her friend smile in return. Diamond let out a soft sigh as she opened her eyes for second. She glanced around, a small grin on her face when they passed a corner that led off to an alleyway. A small blush colored her cheeks as she thought about what had happened there. ~1 year ago~ Diamond had become much more confident with her ability to navigate the marketplace. She furrowed her forehead slightly as she tried to figure out where Silver Spoon was leading her. She was surprised when her friend led her into a dead end alley and turned around to face her. "Silver, why'd you take us here?" Diamond asked curiously as she tilted her head to the side slightly. Silver blushed slightly but didn't say anything. She suddenly leaned in and gently kissed Diamond with a small smile. "That's why," Silver Spoon said as she shrugged slightly. Diamond was still trying to process what happened but leaned forward this time instead and kissed her back gently. A small blush coated her face as she pulled back. "That was....kinda great," Diamond said as she smiled softly. "Yeah," Silver nodded as she looked around. "Want to do it again?" she asked making Diamond grin and lean forward again. In no way would Diamond ever claim her first kiss to be perfect. She always thought it was amazing though and stood by the statement. At the end of the day, they had gone back to Silver Spoon's moms place, their lips swollen slightly and goofy grins on their face. Silver's parents hadn't questioned why they seemed in such a great mood, but Diamond knew Silver would probably tell them later on. Diamond felt her heart flutter slightly as she thought of her best friend. They had never given themselves the label of 'fillyfriends' but they were exclusive to just each other. There had been many days when Diamond just wasn't feeling up to doing anything after dealing with her mom but Silver Spoon would always find some place where they could be together. Some days they would skip school and go lay together in the Whitetail Woods. Other times Diamond would have to sneak out the back door and they'd lay together in an empty field, watching the stars together. Diamond made a mental note to ask her grandparents about seeing Silver Spoon soon. She knew that Silver had been getting worried about the bruises or sometimes the lack thereof which meant that Diamond had either concealed them or her mother had held off to beat her even worse later. "A bit for your thoughts?" Silver Blade asked his grandfoal with a small smile. Diamond shook her head slightly as she grinned softly. "Ah well it was worth a try," he chuckled. "Golden, let me carry her for a while, you've been doing it for quite some time," he said as he lifted Diamond up off Golden Ring's back and lay her across his own, making sure to keep her wrapped up in the blanket. "It didn't bother me, I quite enjoyed carrying her," Golden Ring said as she glanced at her grandfoal and gently nuzzled her. Diamond, who normally would push away any pony trying to giver her physical affection, welcomed the nuzzle after being starved of affection for weeks. Diamond's ears flicked constantly as she listened to the loud chatter of the marketplace. She filtered through conversations as she looked around. "Golden Ring and Silver Blade have a filly with-" "Didn't know Golden was one to show affection-" "Where'd they find that street rat?" Diamond flicked her ears back on hearing that one. Apparently she wasn't the only one who heard that, seeing as Silver Blade's step faltered for a second. "Dear something just came up," Silver Blade said. "Could you please take Diamond back and continue home, I'll be home a bit later," he said as he transferred Diamond back onto his wife's back. "Sure," Golden Ring smiled slightly. "Just don't do anything to stupid," she said softly, her voice barely being heard by him. "No promises darling," Silver Blade smiled as he turned and disappeared into the crowed, his eyes trained on the pony who had made the last comment. Diamond watched after him curiously, her head tilted slightly. "So Diamond," Golden Ring said as she thought of something to get her grandfoal's mind off of Silver Blade's abrupt departure. "I'm just gonna give you a little warning, Violet Shine can be a bit much at first but that's because she's very excited to see you after so long," she smiled. The marketplace had thinned at places until it finally ended. Golden walked walked to a giant metal gate, which was opened for her immediately by two ponies. She walked up the path to a mansion of a house which made Diamond's eyes widen slightly. Golden made her way to the door and opened it after a moment of deliberation.
