Canterlot Carousel/Rarity's Apartment

Moments after hanging up the phone with Fluttershy and hearing of the dire situation they found themselves in Rarity knew it was time to truly act. She could no longer stand idle by and allow this tragedy to befall her sisters precious friendship. Oh sure Sweetie Belle tried to hide how much she was hurting behind that infectiously sweet smile that everyone loved as much as Pinkie Pie's however? Rarity was no fool. She could tell this type of drama was certainly of the unfavorable type for her little sister and she was trying hard to put on a brave face like always.

'She's grown up so fast. It's almost like it was yesterday when she was a short little cutie with a squeaky little voice but now? She's looking more and more like her every time she has a growth spurt now.' A slight blush came to her pure white cheeks as she thought about how much her sister had grown both in maturity and in her body gaining more resemblance to their great, great, great, grandmother Diamond Dazzle whom for her day was viewed to be a very voluptuous and well stacked young woman which aided her greatly in becoming a singer when she was very young.

Sweetie Belle of course as anyone who knew her would know? LOVED to sing. She was a natural and ever since she had discovered that she was related to Adagio whom to her was like a musical popstar and idol on the levels of how Scootaloo viewed Rainbow Dash? She had begun singing more and more, writing her own songs, delving into new realms of music range from R&B to country since she was friends with Apple Bloom and she quite liked country ballads.

As she got up from her work chair she removed her red glasses that she had framed on her face whenever she was working on a design. When Fluttershy had called her she was drawing up designs for the outfits they would wear during the summer sun celebration in a couple of weeks and was just finishing up the touches on the pattern for Rainbow's outfit. Her hyperactive friend had detailed that she wanted her outfit to 'look awesome but not so awesome that there's too much going on' Rarity found this to be a challenge and was doing her best to find the perfect balance that Rainbow requested.

With a small sigh she then took a sip of some tea she had prepared herself. White jasmine tea always helped her relax and never failed to sooth her nerves and spark her fires of inspiration. After taking a nice sip of her drink she stood up and straightened out her skirt and took a calming breath as she prepared herself to have to coax her sister into going with her to go see Scootaloo though she knew in this situation if she had to assert her sisterly and somewhat motherly authority over her sister? She would without hesitation. She was responsible for Sweetie while her parents were gone on their retirement and she would not let them down.

Exiting her bedroom she walked down the hall until she reached her little sisters door which had a plaque on its face that Apple Bloom and Scootaloo worked on together to give Sweetie Belle in their shop class at school. It was a wooden plaque that was painted Sweetie's hair colors and had a little shield emblem with a musical note inside a star. Seeing this always brought a smile to her face and in this instance it lit a fire in her generous heart to want to help her sister. Raising her hand she knocked on the door firmly but gently as to not startle her sister if she was in the middle of practice still.

"Sweetie Belle, darling we need to talk." Rarity used her more seriously sister tone that Sweetie Belle knew quite well but she used it in the sense that she was concerned and worried not that Sweetie was in trouble. She would wait a few moments and heard nothing and knocked again knowing her sister was still there in the room.

"Sweetie? Are you o-" Rarity pressed closer to the door but before she could continue Sweetie replied.

"Leave me alone Rarity." Sweetie's voice was devoid of happiness or really any feeling at all. She didn't want to see her sister or anyone else. She just lay on her bed staring at her phone which was on the floor and the message she'd gotten which broke her heart the more she looked at words sent by her now ex-girlfriend.

'It's over. I'm sorry. Thank you for everything but I have to go away. I'll always be your friend.'

Rarity knew that tone. It was the tone of an aching heart, the tone of someone whom while they insisted on being alone? Likely desperately did not want to be. Rarity felt this same kind of turmoil and depression during those dark days when Sunset Shimmer had been the school's Queen B and she knew that Sweetie Belle needed her right now and if she was like this? It likely means she wasn't able to get a hold of Adagio or Apple Bloom.

With a weary sigh Rarity attempted to open the door but it was locked. She hadn't had the same rule her parents had about locking the doors, a lady had a right to her privacy dad! Either way it was still frustrating but luckily for Rarity? She had a sort of skeleton key or in this case? Diamond key. Using her magic geode she formed a key out of her crystal magic and opened the lock and opened the door and what she saw when she walked in made her heart sink.

"Oh Sweetie" Rarity said with a frown as she saw the state of distress her sister was in and all she wanted to do was give the girl a hug and tell her it would all be alright.

"G-Go away. Leave me alone" Sweetie said as she cried and wept on her bed to hide her mascara streaked face and crying eyes from her big sister. A lady should never show her shame right?

"And leave you here like this? I think not. What kind of sister would I be if I did that? Sweetie what's the mat-" Looking to see the girls cell phone on the floor her eyes went wide when she saw the message Diamond Tiara had sent. Part of her wanted to be infuriated but the other part of her wanted to see if there was something else afoot here and so she kept her rage at bay as best she could for the time being and hoped what she assumed was not the case.

"P-Please just go...I-I don't wa-nna t-alk a-a-bou-" She stuttered and sniffled and gasped for breath as she cried and tried to speak at the same time. She knew her sister wasn't going to leave. Why would she? She was too kind and generous to let her sister suffer alone so of course she'd stay and comfort her; not like she has anyone else to do it anymore right?

Rarity would sit down on the side of the bed and would hug her little sister close to her and run a white hand through her now longer purple and pink hair. Sweetie would stop resisting and would freely cry into Rarity's chest, her shoulders jumping, voice hitching, eyes producing so many tears Rarity was going to need to change her shirt but she didn't mind.

"Shhhhh hush now, quiet now; calm thy little heart. When you hear my singing voice in your ear is when the better times will start. Have no fear, do not fret, put your heart at ease. Wipe away your tears and smile bright, pretty, pretty please." Rarity would sing this little song for Sweetie whenever she was upset, sad, depressed or just having a bad day. She had done this for her since she was a baby had professed she would do so for as long as she drew breath. It usually always managed to get Sweetie to calm down, a good song always did that for her even when she was a baby all that was needed to put her to sleep were a few good notes from her mother or Rarity.

Sniffling and taking a few calming breaths she still didn't feel the best but she did feel a little better now. "T-Thank you Rarity."

"Not a problem at all darling. It's what sisters are for. Now; care to tell me what's troubling you? I can tell it's that rather heartbreaking message but I feel there is something I am missing." Rarity asked her sister hoping to get the details on what was going on from her.

Sighing Sweetie Belle put a little distance between her and Rarity and began to speak. "Just to let you know s-she didn't break up with me because she doesn't like me anymore or was playing with my feelings its...it's her dad and...and..." Sweetie bit her lip trying to keep down the more vulgar side of her very, VERY colorful vocabulary. She didn't want to upset her sister but she had so many choice words for the people who did this just to spite her and Diamond!

Rarity examined her sister's face and could tell besides these tears and her expression signaled that something was at play that she wished not to speak vulgarly about and normally while Rarity would commend her for this? Now wasn't the time for being polite for the sake of upholding a social norm.

"Speak your mind darling we can worry about your choice of words another time." Rarity reassured her. She had gotten used to her friends and their use of vulgar language and while she didn't always like it? She knew at times it was needed to help vent one's frustrations.

Hearing she had confirmation from Rarity she let it all out. " IT WAS THAT NO GOOD SLIMEY BACKSTABBING SLEAZY APATHIC SOCIOPATHIC PHSYCO CUNT COZY GLOW AND HER POMPOUS LOUSY LOW DOWN CORRUPT OUT THE ASS FATHER! HE BOUGHT OUT DIAMOND'S DAD'S COMPANY LIKE THE FUCKING CONGOLMRATE BUSINESS SNAKE HE IS AND IS NOW FORCING DIAMOND AND HER DAD TO MOVE AWAY TO MANEHATTEN! ALL BECAUSE SHE'S FUCKING JEALOUS AND ANGRY AND HATES FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE AND HAPPINESS AND-!"

Rarity put a single white finger to her sisters lips to silent her little tirade and took a deep calming breath and exhaled. This made this more complicated indeed. "Alright I think I get the idea. To say that is underhanded and unacceptable is a great understatement and I am sorry to hear this has transpired Sweetie but know that I will do everything in my power to make this right if I can. No one messes with my sister's heart and get's away with it" Rarity said with absolute seriousness in her tone as she thought out ways to aid her sister in her mind and when it came to matters of love she knew exactly who to turn to but that would come later once she'd helped her sister repair the damage to her friendship. Speaking of which?

"On that note however if I am to aid you with this I need you to promise me ONE thing ok?" Rarity asked as she removed her finger.

"Anything; name it" Sweetie nodded in agreement.

"You have to patch things up with Scootaloo." Rarity said plainly.

"Okay" Sweetie said rather nonchalantly

"And don't you give me any lip about- Wait I'm sorry did you just say okay?" Rarity was able to turn on her big sister mode more but then she heard Sweetie simply relent.

Sweetie rolled her eyes and scoffed a little poking out her lip in a semi-pouty manner "Well duh; I don't want to keep fighting with Scoots every time we see each other. I want us to be best friends again like it used to be but she just won't accept the fact that Diamond has changed and she won't admit that she didn't deserve all the things Cozy put her through...some of it yeah...but not all the horrible things she did that almost made Diamond want to-" Sweetie was about to continue but Rarity stopped her again with a finger to the lips.

"I know Sweetie and I am glad you were there to be here light in the darkness when she needed a friend willing to forgive even though you had no obligation to. I am so proud of you for maturing in to such a fine young lady. Diamond, Apple Bloom and especially Scootaloo are very lucky." Rarity said smiling and hugging her sister again.

Sweetie returned the hug. "I had a shining example of what to be. seven to be exact. So I should be thanking you."

Rarity smiled and kissed Sweetie on the forehead. "You can thank me by making up with your friend and fighting tooth and nail for your girlfriend!" Rarity said in a posh teasing tone of voice still giddy that Diamond Tiara; her former bully was her girlfriend. It was just too cute NOT to poke fun of.

"Filthy Rich won't so I will whether he likes it or not; he's just mad I turned his daughter gay. I mean can you blame her?" Sweetie said doing a cute little pose on her bed which earned her a playful shove from her big sister. Her normal sweet demeanor finally returning as her smile came back.

"Hehehe oh goodness what am I going to do with you?" Rarity laughed as she got up off her sisters bed and headed towards the door. "Anyway grab your shoes and wash your face while I go change my shirt; we need to go over to Fluttershy's. Scootaloo is there and something has come up involving her, Twilight and Sunset. We best make haste if we wish to resolve this conflict." Rarity said as she left the room to go and grab her car keys.

"Well if anyone can talk some sense into Scoots thick head its me. I'll be ready in a bit" Sweetie said as she got off her bed and searched around for her shoes and her hairband that held her hair up. Finding it she smiled at it as it had her name on it in barely readable text. It was a gift from Scootaloo when they were little and Scoots was still in special education classes with the other 'special' kids like Dinky Doo, Button Mash & Twist.

All students whom which Diamond Tiara had cruelly and viciously mocked and humiliated. Sure Sunset Shimmer was a living Hell for the High School students but for the most part she left the middle schoolers alone however even though Snip's and Snails were her main henchmen? Diamond was like a pseudo henchmen in that she was basically Sunset's will put into a child and Diamond enforced that will with great pleasure.

Even after Sunset redeemed herself and Principal's Celestia and Luna became more vigilant she continued her reign because her father funded many of the schools extra programs and trips and she could have the plugs pulled on any of them any time. She was riding high and loving it until tail end of that year when Cozy Glow transferred in and Diamond experienced a fall from grace far worse than Sunset Shimmer did.

Cozy Glow in just three months managed to systematically bring down everything Diamond Tiara had built off the heels of the fall of Sunset Shimmer as Queen B. She ruined her reputation. Got her kicked off the school paper, got her IP banned on social media, her grades began to take a dive after 'evidence' was found she had been running an illegal homework ring with the smartest students who attended still doing all her work for her and giving her test answers.

Cozy single handedly managed to ruin Diamond Tiara in such a way that even Silver Spoon; Diamond's closest and thought to be most loyal friend turned her back on her after Cozy revealed to her that Diamond purposely slut shamed a girl that Silver Spoon had a crush on just so the girl wouldn't take Silver's attention away from her. Diamond Dazzle Tiara had no one. Nothing. In their more private moments Diamond had confined in her that she considered killing herself because she felt back then no one would miss her or cry if she died an untimely death.

Sweetie remembered looking her dead in the eyes and saying 'I would cry every single day you were gone if you did that.'

She smiled as she remembered the blush on Diamond's face when she said that. She hadn't noticed before then but she was really cute when she blushed and it was at that moment the deeper feelings began forming and replacing years of built up hatred and bile the two had accumulated for one another. She didn't want to keep hating her and she could tell Diamond was done trying to hate Sweetie Belle for simply being different and never bending the knee to her even when she treated her like trash.

As she got on her shoes and put on her hairband she left her room after turning out the lights and also grabbing her phone off the floor. After that she took a quick trip to the bathroom to wash up her face and but made sure to not apply any make-up as she had a feeling the waterworks may stay up again when she saw Scoots or worse case scenario she got into a fight with her.

'Scoots always did have a temper but she really does mean well' Sweetie thought as she dried off her wet face with a towel that she prompt tossed in the hamper next to the shower.

She had a feeling seeing Scootaloo was going to be a little rough but that was nothing new she had gotten into plenty of tussles and fights with both her and Apple Bloom before. While she may have been the most girly of the three of them? She was nothing like her sister in the sense that she was fully willing to dirty herself and fight if pushed far enough whereas Rarity tried to avoid violence at all costs.

With a small sigh she looked at her phone and the background image it held on her lock screen. It was the picture of herself, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom huddled together in their treehouse smiling and throwing up peace signs and such for the camera. It was taken the night they formed the CMC and Sweetie kept this picture as her lock screen to always remind her of those good times and where it all started. Lately Scootaloo had been so wrapped up in her own hatred that she'd forgotten that and it was up to her to remind her whether she wanted to hear it or not.

"Hang tight you big featherbrain." Sweetie said as she went to go join her sister downstairs. Once they were both downstairs they left the house and went to Rarity's car. Getting inside together they wasted no time as Rarity started up the car and began driving. Rarity then looked to Sweetie and asked.

"Do you currently know where Diamond is darling?"

"It's Friday so she's probably at the mall working at her dad's store. She was probably on her break when she sent that text but that was a little while ago and she doesn't get off for another couple of hours at least." Sweetie said trying not to think too much about it and get her emotions raised again.

"Hm I see; then it would appear you will need to face Scootaloo alone then darling. But if you need me to be there for support I will gladly-"

"No; It's fine. This is MY friendship. I have to deal with Scoots because I'm the only the one she will really open up to even if I have to break her open first. She's really stubborn just like Rainbow." Sweetie giggled a bit and shook her head at how tomboyish and hard headed Scootaloo was.

"True but it is that stubbornness that makes their loyalty so worth while." Rarity said with an endearing smile. "Be a dear and text Fluttershy that we are en route and shall arrival shortly."

"Alright" Sweetie said as she pulled up Fluttershy's name in her phone and sent her a text message. She knew Scootaloo well enough and if her hunch was correct? She was probably hiding out in the treehouse or the backyard. That's where they always went whenever things got tough.

Fluttershy's Living Room: 20 Minutes Later

Twilight's Inner World

Twilight didn't like that she could be such a crybaby sometimes. Even after she started making friends, being less of an introvert, being more outgoing, dating Sunset, having sex regularly, graduating at the top of her class, experiencing actual magic! You'd think after all that Twilight would have developed thicker skin right? Well everyone was different and developed differently; Twilight was much the same way.

But none of her friends would ever judge her for this. They all had their insecurities about them even the great and proud Rainbow Dash and the super upbeat Pinkie Pie had things that made them fell small and insecure about themselves or hurt their feelings. Rainbow HATED when people would call her any kind of name or slur that made fun of her choice to be bisexual or anyone's sexual orientation in a malicious way and she could understand why after hearing all the horrible rumors that spread about her back in High School when she transferred.

For Pinkie Pie it was that she didn't like it when she couldn't get someone to smile or have a good day. She would take it personally if she went out of her way to make someone happy or smile or laugh and she'd fail. She would think she wasn't good at making that person happy or that person was just so deep in sadness that not even all her super hyperactive 4th wall breaking antics and energy could help them and that put the kind of frown on her face that NO ONE liked to see. Pinkie's smile was one of the many joys and treasures the group held dear and would protect it at all costs.

However when it came to the most sensitive girls in the group of friends she was apart of the chart was easy to figure out when it came to who was the most sensitive: Fluttershy, Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Sunset Shimmer. Sunset of course being the most strong willed out of any of them not because she was their leader or because she was older than any of them. No. It was because Sunset knew true suffering and pain, she knew heartbreak and loneliness, despair, a lack of worth and purpose. She had faced all these things and come out stronger and stronger each and every time and so naturally she had the thickest skin out of any of the Rainbooms.

'I'd be nothing without her. Hell this WORLD would be nothing without her because of me' Twilight thought within the confines of her inner mind space that she often treated into whenever she was in a state of emotional distress.

'Aww don't do that Twily you're being to hard on yourself! That little brat had no idea to yell at us like that!' Midnight huffed as she sat with Twilight in their ethereal mind space on a purple couch.

'But...'

'No but's! She had no right! I get it that she's going through whatever it is with Diamond Tiara and Sweetie but that has nothing to do with us! We were just trying to help! But little miss daredevil just had to get her first period at the worst possible time!'

This was a normal thing for her to do now. Well as 'normal' as arguing like a crazy person in your head with a magical ethereal being that looks exactly like you but sexier could be anyway. She and Midnight had built up quite the repour as it were with Twilight being the more straight woman and Midnight being the more bombastic one who was prone to outbursts but it was comical and even relaxing to a degree.

'I'm pretty sure that isn't completely the reason she snapped. I mean she's only 16 emotional outbursts like that are fairly common and she has been going through a lot and-'

'See? there you go making excuses for people treating you unkindly again! You can't keep doing that Twi; it'll cause people to step all over you or worse.' Midnight frowned as she was clearly referring to herself and the incident that brought her to life in the first place. Not that she didn't like existing however that didn't mean her existence as a part of Twilight was easy at all.

She had long since moved past the point of viewing Midnight Sparkle as something to be rid of or controlled. While she was apart of her she had her own essence and personality in a way even though it was near identical to that of Twilight herself it's just that Midnight was far less reserved than Twilight was. Ever since she and Sunset had gotten together she'd been in much deeper synchronization with the spirit inside her and they'd formed what one would certainly call a friendship of sorts. Twilight never fancied herself having an imaginary friend since she was a little girl but she of course didn't mind having one now.

Plus it was very difficult to argue Midnight's line of logic. Scootaloo had stepped out of line and hurt her feelings simply because she was hurting herself. Twilight could understand if she'd said something truly offensive or mean to Scootaloo but she hadn't and what did she get in return? Obscenities' shouted at her by a emotionally ravaged teenage daredevil.

She wasn't and couldn't stay mad at Scootaloo however for the time being? She wished not to see her. She was perfectly content with Sunset cuddling her and whispering sweet nothings in her ear while stroking her hand through her hair as they sat and sipped tea together in silence on the couch in the real world while inside her mind she sat comfortably with her inner self reflecting on events passed.

'Scootaloo is lucky Sunset didn't march back there and give her a piece of her mind cause girl she looked PISSED' Midnight giggled as she nudged Twilight playfully making the more nerdy Sparkle blush.

'Hehe yeah well what do you expect? Someone made her girlfriend cry. Remember how she snapped on me when I almost got the other girls killed at the friendship games? I can only imagine.' Twilight never liked seeing Sunset angry or upset because that side of her was truly something scary when it was in full blooming effect. She'd only experienced it once and that was at the friendship games which all things considered was rather tame.

'Heh vaguely. I didn't come into existence till AFTER that remember? Up until that point I was nothing more than just your ambition, drive and lust for knowledge.' Midnight said with a smirk as she sat there nonchalantly as time passed in the purple and pink ethereal world which had the look of preputial twilight and sunset depending on her mood and state of mind.

'Heh right, I tend to forget your kind of like an imaginary friend that I can basically just summon at will...well kinda anyway' Twilight said with a brief chuckle as she recounter their attempt to split once before which didn't give the best results. As it turned out she and midnight were like a sort of symbiotic relationship where Midnight couldn't exist without Twilight and vise versa. They completed each other in that Midnight was all of Twilight's deepest and strongest emotions given form and thought while Twilight herself was the mind body and soul that held it all together.

'Heh you still mad you can't just summon me up and haul me off to some foster home or something?' Midnight gave a snarky and snide smirk at Twilight who of course pouted at this line.

'Oh ha, ha very funny. I was a decent thought!' Twilight protested as she did in fact have the idea to try and split Midnight from herself at one point and have her just live a life elsewhere and pursue her own interests but she learned the hard way that wasn't going to work out.

Midnight giggled at this and hugged Twilight into her much large bosom and grinned. 'D'awwww I wuv you too Twily'

Twilight flailed in the imaginary mental grip of the more busty version of herself which in the real world translated out to her wiggled in Sunset grip and giggling a little which obviously was making Sunset Shimmer happy as Fluttershy brought them both fresh hot mugs of her favorite tea. Smiling at this as she opened her eyes in the material world she looked up at Sunset happily if not a little tiredly seemingly having cried herself to sleep a little as Sunset comforted her.

'She really is the best thing ever.' Midnight and Twilight thought in unison as their inner world lit up entirely with the colors of the sunset and twilight blended perfectly together to create an aurora of colors that put Twilight's mind at ease.

Fluttershy's Living Room

'Hehe there's that sweet little smile I was looking for. And here comes to tea. Right on cue.' Sunset thought as she smiled down at Twilight from her current position. She was happy to see the girl had calmed herself down after having just previously cried herself to sleep over what just happened with Scootaloo.

"Here you go girls; hot fresh Jasmine Mint tea. I'm going to go back into the kitchen and make some caramelized sautéed cinnamon apples; would you like some?" Fluttershy asked kindly smiling at her two friends as she gave them each their mug of tea. Fluttershy always liked to provide her guests with something that helped them feel comfortable and a nice sweet treat always helped lift her spirits whenever she would have a crying fit like that.

Twilight, now finally awake; looked up at Fluttershy and nodded as she took the cup from her and taking a small sip so she could clear up her scratchy throat. "Yes please."

"Totally; I love it when you make those. Thanks Shy." Sunset smiled happily at her meek friend. She loved it whenever Fluttershy or the other girls would put their skills to the test in the kitchen as each of them had something they were particularly good at making.

For Fluttershy it was tea and anything involving veggies, Applejack was just the best cook out of all of them period but her specialty of course was Southern style homecooked meals, Pinkie Pie was the master of sweets, Rarity made a killer lasagna, Rainbow Dash made some of the best chicken wings anyone had ever eaten, Sunset was amazing at making seafood and Twilight was trying her best to be a better chef in the kitchen. Though notably she could make really good pancakes now which Sunset was proud of.

"No problem girls; Sweetie Belle texted me for Rarity and said they should be here soon. I asked if they could maybe bring Diamond but well it seems things are a bit more complicated than we thought." Fluttershy stated with a weary sigh as she read over the text sent to her by Sweetie Belle giving her the details of what was going on and that they were on their way to her house now.

"Complicated how?" Sunset asked as she sipped her tea and looked at Fluttershy.

"She didn't say too much but apparently Diamond broke up with her."

"SHE DID FUCKING WHAT?!" Scootaloo screamed from the doorway having come in at the tail end of the sentence.

"oh dear..." Flutter-sigh.

It had taken some doing but Rainbow finally managed to get the rambunctious and furious daredevil to calm down enough to want to come inside and apologize to Twilight for hurting her feelings so badly before or at the very least try until something else could be worked out. However Scootaloo was too quick to enter the house and 'rip the bandage off and see how much it bleeds' that she went in right as the worst possible words she could hear at this point in time were spoken out loud. Sweetie Belle and Diamond Tiara broke up and Diamond was the one who broke it off. Not good.

"Dammit Scoots I said to wait for me to go in first! Argh" Rainbow groaned as she followed Scootaloo inside having finally gotten her to chill out and come inside so they could all talk for a minute but now things just got even more complicated.

"THAT'S IT! NO TALKING! NO WORDS! I AM GONNA GO FIND THAT SPOILED NO GOOD FUCKING CUNT STAIN AND IM GONNA WRING HER LITTLE WHITE-"

"Scootaloo?" Fluttershy spoke up loud enough for the emotionally raging teenager to hear her and when the girl turned to look at Fluttershy? The meek girls entire demeanor had an air of menace to it. Fluttershy bore her eyes into Scootaloo's and stared at her and simply said. "Time out. Now" Fluttershy pointed to the corner where a small chair sat that had a sign on it said 'Naughty Corner'

Scootaloo felt her mouth run dry and her anger subside at the sight of Fluttershy staring at her with that dead serious expression and looking around the room she could see she was getting a similar look from Rainbow and Sunset Shimmer. Especially Sunset Shimmer who looked like she was using all her will power to not curse Scootaloo out. Gulping she huffed and stomped over to the time out chair but not before being stopped by Rainbow Dash grabbing the back of her shirt.

"Oh no; first? You owe someone an apology." Rainbow said guiding her towards Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer and then outright pushing her in their direction to make her go apologize.

Scootaloo reluctantly advanced forward, a shameful scowl on her face as she looked down, stomping like an indigent and petulant teenager would whenever they were forced to apologize for something they did wrong. Stomping a few inches from Twilight and Sunset she spared a glance at Twilight and quickly said. "I'm sorry"

"It's o..."

"Like Hell it is" Sunset cut Twilight off glaring at Scootaloo. "You didn't even mean it. So either say it like you mean it or get the Hell out of my girlfriends face if you can't respect her enough to acknowledge when you fucked up and hurt her feelings." Sunset wasn't going to sugarcoat it or act like it wasn't that big of a deal.

She was able to feel how hurt Twilight was all throughout the time she held her crying form and even felt it before that when she was with Rainbow at Applejack's farm previously. Twilight was very hurt and offended by the things that Scootaloo said and Sunset would not have anyone disrespect her girlfriend or the foundation on which her friendship was built. Sunset was the Rainboom leader, their rock, the one who would always have the answers or a way to figure things out; she was Twilight's princess and as such? She would protect her right down to the smallest feeling.

Scootaloo scoffed and like any teenager who thought they were tough she rolled her eyes at Sunset. "What? You want me to get on my hands and knees and beg for forgiveness? Sorry but I'm not yo-"

SLAP

Sunset slapped Scootaloo right upside the head and made her stumble. Fluttershy and Rainbow said nothing and Twilight didn't either. They knew full well Scootaloo had crossed a line and Sunset didn't take anyone bad mouthing her about what she had to do in the past to gain the forgiveness of others which even included dropping to her hands and knees and begging to be forgiven. The first time had been by force after she'd been rainbow blasted into a crater and the second was during the whole situation involving Wallflower Blush and the memory stone.

"You'd better count how lucky you are to be Rainbow's pseudo sister and that I'm not the queen high bitch I used to be because otherwise? I would have slapped the ability to taste out of your damn mouth and if you EVER emotionally hurt Twilight again or shit talk my past? I don't give a fuck if I have to fight Rainbow to get to you; I will make you sorry. And you KNOW I will" Sunset kept her voice as even as she possibly could only raising it to emphasis a point to Scootaloo that she would not tolerate ANY disrespect from her.

Scootaloo looked at Sunset completely shocked that she would slap her like that and more shocked that Rainbow just let her do it. Had it been anyone else Rainbow would have stopped their hand before it had made it anywhere near her face but Rainbow Dash simply stood there making sure she didn't try and run off and Fluttershy did the same. She was at a loss for words, her attitude had seeped into her mind to be buried away for later and she simply turned away from Sunset and Twilight and dragged herself over to the timeout corner and sat herself down facing away from everyone completely humiliated and defeated.

Sunset sighed and looked apologetically at Rainbow and Fluttershy but before she could say anything Rainbow put up a hand and shook her head in understanding. She didn't hold it against her friend for what she had just done, Scootaloo deserved it and in a way? Needed it. Fluttershy of course didn't like the escalation to violence however even she knew there were certain lines you just don't cross and Scootaloo crossed that line just enough to make Sunset retaliate in such a manner and it took quite a lot to do that.

*Ding Dong*

The doorbell would sound and Fluttershy looked out the window to see that Rarity's car had just pulled up and that Rarity and Sweetie Belle were standing outside. Walking over to the door Fluttershy would open it and was greeted by a hug from both Rarity and Sweetie.

"Hi girls; I'm glad you could make it. You're just in time we uh kinda had to um..."

"I know darling, we showed up and saw what happened through the window. We figured it would be better to wait until tensions subsided a little bit though I suppose now is good a time as any." Rarity said as she released Fluttershy and came into the house and greeted Rainbow Dash with a hug as well and then smiled even more when Spike and Smolder came nipping ay her ankles happily.

"Hey Rare; just in time. Hi Sweetie." Sunset said as she sat up on the couch, still unwilling to let Twilight go intent on cuddling her the entire time if she could help it. Sweetie Belle and Rarity would both come over and give Twilight and Sunset a proper hug hello.

"Hi Twi. Hey I'm sorry about Scoots. Don't worry I'll set her straight." Sweetie Belle said with her normally sweet smile.

"Please do because if you don't? I sure as Hell will." Sunset said seriously as she was trying to calm her already still frazzled nerves.

"What did she say?" Sweetie asked calmly

"Well for starters she called your um..."

"For now ex-girlfriend. It's okay. Things are as I said through the text, more complicated than Diamond just breaking up with me..." Sweetie said evenly as she was trying to get all the information she needed to deal with Scootaloo.

"AND I'LL BREAK HER FUCKING FACE! OW! THE FUCK DASH!?" Scootaloo shouted from the corner only to have a rubber band shot in the back of her head by Rainbow Dash from across the room.

"Shut up and sit there till its your turn." Rainbow replied sternly.

"Well for starters she called Diamond Tiara a spoiled no good pampered cunt stain." Sunset said rattling off some of the choice words Scootaloo had to call Diamond Tiara.

Sweetie Belle felt a swell of anger at that but swallowed it down. She hated the 'C' word so much and only ever used it to describe really unsavory, unrepentant, irredeemable sacks of garbage like Cozy Glow. Diamond was NOTHING like that horrid piece of human filth and Sweetie would have to make it very clear to her friend this was the case. Taking a calming breath similar to how Twilight would whenever she needed to gather her thoughts Sweetie kept a straight face and a smile.

"Anything else?" Sweetie asked almost too sweetly.

"That's about it. Seems to me she's pretty pissed about you two dating and you deciding to give her another chance. I'm proud of you by the way. You did a good thing and don't let ANYONE tell you different or make you feel bad for doing the right thing and showing kindness and mercy to someone who needed it." Sunset wanted to make sure Sweetie knew she was on her side and was supportive of her choice to help Diamond Tiara be a better girl than who she used to be a year ago.

Sweetie smiled and hugged Sunset and Twilight. "Thanks. You keep being a good girlfriend to Twilight; I couldn't pick anyone better. Now if you'll excuse me" Sweetie Belle said still smiling as she turned her attention to her timeout locked down friend and huffed, puffing out her cheeks in a way Scootaloo knew well. Rarity giggled at this sight as she could tell her little sister was about to as Rainbow Dash put it? 'Get in that ass'

"SCOOTS YOU PETULANT FEATHERBRAINED CHICKEN YOU COME HERE RIGHT NOW!" Sweetie Belle demanded of her friend using her voice of authority that Adagio had taught her before she went away to Manehatten for vacation.

Sweetie Belle was one of the few people who could and would call Scootaloo a chicken without fear of her jumping up and attacking her outright because often times whenever it came to them as friends? That term was used as a term of endearment like how Applejack and Rainbow joke about calling each other otherwise offensive nicknames that they would beat the shit out of anyone else if they'd said them.

With that in mind however it didn't seem like Scootaloo was taking the bait and so Sweetie Belle went for the next best thing. She stomped over to Scootaloo and grabbed her by her ear and pulled her up from her seat; her ears were sensitive as she was diagnosed with sensory sensitivity as a young age which lead to this form of punishment being used against Scootaloo quite often. Dragging her across the room she ignored the daredevil's yelps and screams of protest.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow! Sweets lemme g-" Scootaloo whined.

"Don't you sweets me! How could you?" Sweetie said as she released Scootaloo's ear and crossed her arms over her petite chest and pouted. With her big sister and her friends watching she chastised her friend and didn't care how embarrassing it was for either of them to have to air their dirty laundry like this.

Scootaloo scoffed and glared at Sweetie. "Oh that's fucking rich! How could I?! How could you!?"

Sweetie kept an even expression and wouldn't let Scootaloo's snide comments get to her. "How could I what? Follow the example my sister and your idol set for us before they left High School? Be a generous and good person despite what Diamond has put me through? Hm. How could I indeed. Oh wait; I know! Because it was the right thing to do! Just because you don't agree doesn't mean it wasn't right!" Sweetie said finally raising her voice.

Scootaloo grit her teeth and grinded them together. "So just fuck me then huh? Fuck all the times I let you cry on my shoulder, fuck all the times I took the hard brunt of their bullying just to keep you safe, fuck all those times when Diamond and silver claimed you had no friends and no one would like you other than to just get close to your sister! FUCK EVERYTHING I'VE EVER DONE FOR YOU SINCE 3RD GRADE AM I RIGHT?!" Scootaloo shouted, tears welling up in her eyes as her cheeks burned red.

"Holding a grudge doesn't do anyone any good. Case in point? Look at you! You're an emotional and psychological wreck!" Sweetie stated plain as day.

"STOP USING FUCKING WORDS I DON'T KNOW YOU STUPID DICTONARY!" Scootaloo yelled using her oldest and most common 'insult' against Sweetie Belle. Of the trio of friends she was no doubt the smartest, Apple Bloom being the most optimistic and good with her hands and Scootaloo was the toughest. She was their enforcer. Their protector and yet despite that Sweetie threw herself to a wolf in sheep's clothing like Diamond Tiara and she couldn't fathom why!

Sweetie Belle sighed and shook her head. "Scootaloo what do you want me to do? Just tell me and I'll make it happen if it means we can be friends again. I hate it when we fight. I hate it when we don't get along and we're screaming at each other like this is some reality drama about who is dating who. I made my choice with Diamond and I have no regrets; please don't make yourself that one regret."

Those words stopped Scootaloo dead in her tracks. She would look directly at Sweetie Belle and said. "Y-You would pick HER over ME? You wouldn't dare."

Sweetie Belle kept her tone even and calm and said. "Would you choose hating her over trying to stay my friend?"

Scootaloo had no retort to that but the lack of answer was all the answer that Sweetie Belle needed to know she'd won for the most part. Now it was a simple matter of getting Scootaloo to try and at least think about changing her perspective on Diamond Tiara.

"So; where do we go from here? Diamond and I are well...on a break lets say for the time being. But she didn't break my heart because she wanted to. I'm pretty sure her Cozy has something to do with this and let me ask you something honestly; who do you hate more? Diamond Tiara, the girl who over the past year has been trying her very best to change everything about herself and not be the same bully she used to be? Or Cozy Glow, the single most evil Freshman to ever come into the halls of our school who not only proved she's worse than Diamond but worse than Sunset was back in her Queen B days? No offense Sunset."

"None taken. I was a Queen Bitch and that's why the B was capital. Cozy though? She's something else entirely. Even on the other side of the mirror Twilight had to well you know." Sunset slashed a finger across her throat to emphasize her point that Cozy Glow was such a complete irredeemable piece of shit that she made Twilight break her one rule about not killing her enemies but the filly turned nightmare alicorn left her no choice.

"Yikes." Rainbow winced. "Ain't think Princess Twi had it in her."

"You'd be surprised what can happen over in Equestria after you have to deal with invasion after invasion of enemy forces both foreign and domestic. Twilight even has her own royal guard now with the head of that guard having once been the solider who lead an attack on Equestria during the friendship festival she planned." Sunset explained the events of what Twilight called 'the invasion of the storm king' where a psychotic Yeti lead an attack on Canterlot in an attempt to usurp the throne and the power of the 4 princess' with an emotionally and physically scarred unicorn named Tempest Shadow as his second in command.

"Well good on her for handling her business." Rainbow said impressed at how far Princess Twilight had come since she'd first met her.

"Indeed; Princess Twilight has quite come into her own since her time coming here to see us that fateful Fall week. Truly that will be a moment none of us shall forget. It was thanks to her our school knew true friendship again" Rarity said fondly remembering when Twilight came back and it was through her efforts that her friendship was rekindled and she still had nothing but eternal thanks to the princess for all she'd done.

"And I want to keep that example up as best I can. So c'mon Scoots what do you say; friends?" Sweetie said putting out her hand to shake with Scootaloo since she knew the girl didn't exactly like hugs all that much since it was quote 'Super sappy'

Scootaloo stood there, flabbergasted and not sure what to say or do. She had been disrespectful, unkind and genuinely just fucked up over the past hour and a half and yet even through all that? Sweetie wanted to still be her friend? She couldn't begin to wrap her head around it but perhaps that was her lingering grudge against Diamond trying to hold onto some semblance of her hate but the more she thought about Sweetie's words? The more she realized she was right.

Diamond Tiara was indeed a horrible person a year and some change ago. She was cruel, vicious, spoiled, selfish, manipulative, a liar, a cheat and just the kind of bitch that Scootaloo wanted to punch so hard in the face but she'd sworn to Sweetie Belle that she wouldn't harm Diamond because Diamond's dad had a lot of influence and money. Not to mention both aunts worked for stores that her father owned and so all it would take was a single word from daddy's little princess and her aunts would be fired and blacklisted.

However compared to Cozy Glow that was all tame and child's play. Cozy didn't seek to just ruin Diamond at school, she sought to ruin her in general. She even managed to turn Silver Spoon; Diamond's most loyal and trusted friend against her to the point where now Diamond and Silver are no longer on speaking terms even though Silver Spoon is kind of friends with Apple Bloom since they had cooking classes together. Scootaloo hated Diamond and so back then she figured anything bad that happened to her was deserved; but over time and even now as she thought back to everything? She realized her enemy was not Diamond Tiara exactly but the ones who forged her into the horrible girl she'd been.

With a weary sigh Scootaloo dropped her shoulders and walked up to Sweetie Belle and hugged her tight and close. This caught Sweetie and everyone else in the room off guard as Scootaloo said.

"CMC's till the end...right?" Scootaloo said with a slight hitch in her voice as if she was about to cry.

Sweetie Belle smiled softly and hugged her friend back and ran a hand through her purple hair. "Always. Now; you go and apologize to Twilight right now!" Sweetie Belle released Scootaloo and flicked her on the forehead making the daredevil wince and pout.

"Ow! Okay, okay! Twi? I'm sorry. Like...really...REALLY sorry..."

"It's oka-" Twilight began to say but was cut off.

"No! No it's not. I blew up at you, cursed at you and made you feel small and unimportant like your words didn't matter when all you were trying to do was help even if you didn't know the full context. So I really am sorry for being so mean. And Sunset? I'm sorry for disrespecting your girl. It won't happen again." Scootaloo said with complete conviction and meaning behind her words.

"Good. I expect nothing less from you. You're a good girl Scoots. With a great group of friends who would go to the ends of the Earth to see you happy. Never forget that."

"I won't. I promise." Scootaloo stated.

"Pinkie Promise?" Sweetie asked with a slight pout still on her face.

"Awww c'mon do I have to-"

"Hmmmmmmmmm" Sweetie, Fluttershy and Rainbow all gave her the stare.

"Ok, ok, ok! I pinkie promise! Cross my heart and hope to fly stick a cupcake in my ey-ow! Ugh I hate doing that!" Scootaloo whined as she did the motion of the promise but accidentally smacked herself in the eye cause she was doing it to fast which prompted a laugh out of everyone in the room.

"Heheh ok, ok I think that's enough of all that for now. Who wants sautéed cinnamon apple slices with ice cream?" Fluttershy said smiling as she turned to head back into the kitchen to make everyone a snack to celebrate the two friends making up.

"We do!" Everyone in the room shouted gleefully which made Fluttershy blush and smile knowing they all enjoyed her snacks so much. With a nod she went to the kitchen and Rarity followed close behind.

"Well then sit tight darlings; Fluttershy and I shall tend to the kitchen and have a yummy set of snacks prepped right away!" Rarity said as she went into the kitchen to aid Fluttershy in making the group of friends a special treat.

"In the mean time you girls wanna play some video games? I've got Mario Kart!" Rainbow said with a smile as she pointed over to the 4K TV that had her game system(s) hooked up to it.

"You're on!" Sweetie & Scootaloo proclaimed as Mario Kart was their favorite game to play together. Smiling they rushed over to the controllers and immediately started arguing over who got to be player one.

"Dibs on the custom controller!" Scootaloo said.

"Hey no fair! You got to use it last time!" Sweetie Belle whined.

"I won last time and those are the rules!" Scootaloo proclaimed.

"Is not!" Sweetie protested.

"Is too!" Scootaloo retorted.

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!!!"

"Is too you mini marshmallow!" Scootaloo said using an nickname often used for Rarity against her friend.

"Oooooh why you-!" Sweetie puffed out her cheeks and was fuming but nevertheless was happy to see Scootaloo happy and laughing again for once.

"Heheheh just messin' with ya Sweets. Here ya go." Scootaloo said chuckling and giving her the first controller and taking a seat in front of the TV and patting a seat next to her.

Sweetie stopped puffing her cheeks and sat down and took the controller as the game started up. "Don't think because we made up that I'm gonna go easy on you."

Scootaloo grinned much like Rainbow and said. "I wouldn't want you to too...and thanks for forgiving me Sweets. I'm sorry for being such a featherbrain."

Sweetie smiled and leaned over and kissed her friend on the cheek. "Apology accepted and forgiveness given. Let's play!"

Sunset, Twilight and Rainbow would say nothing and simply watch them play together. Rainbow smiled the entire time and could tell her pseudo sister was finally starting to open up about her feelings a bit. Twilight was happy to see the two friends back together and Sunset was proud all around and happy to see that in the end? Friendship and forgiveness still won the day.

'The past is not today. It wasn't for me and it isn't for them.' Sunset thought as she cuddled Twilight closer to her as she watched the two friends go head to head in a Mario Kart grudge match. Then she saw Scootaloo pick Rainbow Road and she smirked.

'Oh Scootaloo. Ever the daredevil.' This would at least be a good test of just how strong their friendship as and she had to give Scootaloo credit; people called her a chicken but she was NO coward.

Author's Note

Forgiveness is not just given. It's earned even if you don't want to earn it. Next few chapters will be far less dramatic and tension heavy. And yes there will be clop ;D Stay tuned!