Author's Note

Hey guys thanks for waiting here is the next chapter.

Speical thanks to my friend and editor Codex92. Be sure to check out his work.

Show, Don't Tell

(3rd POV School house)

In the quaint schoolhouse of Ponyville, we tune in on the CMC, as well as their fellow classmates, as today was a special day: show and tell. On most occasions, the students would usually look forward to this special day that only occurs once a month. However, that wasn’t the case at the moment as one filly in particular was taking an exceeding amount of time with her show and tell project. A filly who made it her mission to flaunt her family’s wealth and privileges in the faces of her fellow students. “While me and my family were on our very expensive trip to Saddle Arabia this spring break, my daddy bought me this very expensive and absolutely beautiful gem-encrusted gold necklace.” Diamond Tiara, a filly with light pink fur, a pale purple mane with a white stripe down the middle, and a diamond-encrusted tiara worn on her head, held up a golden necklace that had a variety of bright, polished gems on it for her peers to gaze upon. However, both her fellow students and even the teacher of the schoolhouse, Ms. Cheerilee, weren’t impressed with her show and tell. The only pony who seemed to show any interest was her friend, Silver Spoon, a filly with gray fur and light silver gray mane tied in a single braid.

“Ugh, this is taking forever.” Scootaloo grumbled under her voice as they listened to Diamond Tiara continue on with her story.

“Ah know. No pony here gives a darn what she brings. And she makes sure to take the longest time when she knows we’ll be up right after her.” Apple Bloom whispered back while the little filly went on about how expensive the necklace cost to make.

“Psh, let her rant all she wants, girls, because when it’s our turn, her necklace will look like a golden key chain.” Sweetie Belle smirked as she glanced out the window, awaiting the arrival of their show and tell. “By the way, did you girls tell him when show and tell starts?”

Both Scootaloo and Apple Bloom flinched before looking to one another with worried expressions. Apple Bloom let out an audible gulp as she gave a forced, toothy smile to her fellow crusader. “Ah sure did. I told em after you had left the clubhouse to go get more food.”

Sweetie Bell sighed before looking back to the front of the class. “That’s good. I was hoping to tell him when I got back with more food, but you girls said he had to go over to Fluttershy’s for an important meeting. But if he knows when to come over, I’m sure he’ll get here any second.”

When Sweetie’s attention was focused back on Diamond Tiara’s ongoing story about how her father went and hired the best gold polishers in the kingdom, Scootaloo leaned over to the apple-farming filly. “Did you really tell him? Because the last time I saw him, both your sister and brother were hauling his unconscious body to Fluttershy’s cottage.” The little pegasus whispered so as to not inform Sweetie Belle.

Apple Bloom sighed as she shook her head. “No, but I asked my sister to tell Fluttershy when show and tell started so she could pass it to him when he woke up. Ah even went over earlier before school started to see how he was doin.”

“Really? Did you see if he was okay?” Scootaloo asked while she and Apple Bloom quickly looked to the front of the class when their teacher glanced their way before turning her attention to Diamond Tiara, who was now talking about how each gem was polished by only the silk cloths in all of Canterlot.

Apple Bloom shook her head again as she slumped in her seat with a heavy sigh. “No. When Ah went over to check and see if he was alright, Fluttershy answered the door and told me he was busy.” The little filly moved her hooves to her face as she spoke. “Ah could hear him throwing up in the bathroom all the way from the front door.” That bit of information made the orange filly cringe as she could only imagine the pain their friend was in.

“And that concludes my project for this month’s show and tell.” Diamond Tiara said in an upbeat tone as she placed the golden necklace away in a case. She gave a bow, expecting the applause of her fellow students. Except the only pony who was feeding her ego was her only friend, Silver Spoon, who would adjusted her glasses as she clapped her hooves.

Ms. Cheerilee, who had let out a sigh of relief that Diamond Tiara had finally finished her extremely long show and tell, gently nudged the little filly back to her seat. “Yes, and we are all happy that you shared that ummm…fascinating tale with us, Diamond Tiara.” She spoke in a forced tone as she watched the little filly trot over to her desk.

As she made her way over to her desk, which was right next to her best and only friend, she took a moment to slow her pace as she was passing the CMC. “I’d say try and beat that, blank flanks, but we all know you could never in a thousand moons.” She whispered with a smug smirk as she continued on to her seat.

Scootaloo was about to chase after the spoiled filly to give her a piece of her mind when she was quickly held back by her two friends. “Easy there, Scoots. Ah know she’s a royal pain, but she aint worth it.” Apple Bloom said while trying to ease her friend’s nerves.

“Besides, we have something, or should I say someone, that is way cooler than some dumb old necklace. And I’m sure he will be here any minute, so let’s just hold up class before he gets here.” Sweetie Belle added as she made her way to the front of the class, unaware of the look of fear in her fellow crusaders’ eyes.

“Alright class, settle down. We have one last show and tell to do for the day, and then you will all be free to go home.” Ms. Cheerilee called out as she looked over to the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “Girls, your show and tell?”

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looked at each other with worried grimaces and were about to tell their teacher that they may not have anything to show or tell about. However, before they could, Sweetie Belle cleared her throat. “Fillies and gentlecolts…and whatever Diamond Tiara is.” The students started to giggle to themselves as Diamond glared at the crusaders. “Our show and tell is something much cooler than a hunk of metal, and won’t take a thousand moons to talk about.” She glanced over to Diamond Tiara with a smug look on her face. The filly in question folded her front hooves over her barrel as the other students and even their teacher snickered into their hooves. “Today, we will introduce to you all our newest member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.”

The class let out a collection of “oohs” and “awes” at the mention of somepony new. But Diamond Tiara wasn’t so easily impressed as she let out a chuckle. “So what? You girls added another blank flank pony to your sad little team?” She said in a mocking tone as her little sidekick Silver Spoon giggled.

Sweetie Belle didn’t let this affect her, however, as she maintained a cool composure. “Actually, for your information, Diamond Tiara, he’s not a pony. In fact, he’s a dragon. And not just any dragon, but the same dragon who helped save Canterlot from the colossal dragon attack, and who was given the rank of duke.” She said in a proud tone, causing the class to gasp and talk amongst themselves.

Even Diamond Tiara was shocked by this news, but she stood up out of her seat and made her way to the trio of files. “You three are lying. There is no way someone as import as the hero of Canterlot, who also happens to be a duke, is a member of your stupid, rinky dinky club.”

“Diamond Tiara!” Ms. Cheerilee called out, getting the filly to be quiet. “You have no right to talk like that to anypony, and you’ve had your turn to speak. Now go to your desk, or I will be giving your father a call after class.” The spoiled filly glared at her teacher before turning around and stomping her hooves back to her seat. With the little outburst taken care of, Ms. Cheerilee looked at her students and smiled. “Continue, girls.”

“Thank you.” Sweetie gave a curt nod to her teacher, shooting a smug smile over to Diamond Tiara before continuing her presentation. “Matter of fact, we knew him way before he became a duke since he was a friend of ours. And today, he said he would come here for our show and tell.”

“Oh yeah? Then where is he, huh?” Diamond asked while looking around the room. “Because last I just checked, there is no dragon here. It’s one thing that you blank flanks are friends with Princess Twilight, but now a duke? Pft. As if.”

Ms. Cheerilee was about to reprimand the spoiled filly, when all of a sudden. “RRRRRRAAAAAAAARRRHHHH!!” A loud, thunderous roar silenced everypony in the school, making them all nervous except for three fillies, who quickly bolted to the door to run outside.

“Girls, wait! Come back inside!” Ms. Cheerilee called out to the three fillies, only for the rest of her class to quickly follow them outside to see what made that roar.

All the foals filed out of the school before turning their attention to the skies above. Flying at fast speeds through the air, cutting clouds with its black leathery wings. The fillies and colts all watched in pure amazement as the black creature performed a variety of tricks and spins while in the air. And just when they couldn’t imagine the display of superior flying was at its peak, the creature fired bright blue balls of fire into the air that exploded like fireworks. The foals clapped their hooves and cheered as they watched the creature flying down. Their cheers went silent as it suddenly started to dive bomb its way toward them. “Everypony, watch out!” Called out a little filly as they quickly ran back into the schoolhouse, all except the CMC, who stood their ground. The three little fillies stood there watching as the black creature flew straight for them.

Just as the creature was only a few feet from colliding with the girls, it spread out its massive wings, halting its descent and creating a strong gust of wind. The girls smiled up as they watched their newest member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders land before them at his full height. The black dragon slowly walked over to the three fillies, noticing the other students peeking from the doors and windows of the schoolhouse. “Sorry if I’m late, girls, but I had a hard time deciding how I was gonna make a cool enough entrance for your show and tell.” He moved his paw to gently rub the heads of each filly, getting a playful giggle from each of them. “But I think I managed something pretty good for you, right?” He asked with a playful smirk.

“I’ll say!!” Sweetie Belle squeaked as she moved in to hug the dragon. “I’m just glad you made it on time. Come on! I want to introduce you to the class!” She playfully tugged his arm toward the schoolhouse.

“Heh, sure thing, Sweetie. But if you don’t mind, I need a minute to talk with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Why don’t you go get the class hyped up for me, kay?” The little unicorn filly smiled and nodded her head before trotting back into the building. Meanwhile Johann stretched his wings out to gently rest them on two fillies’ shoulders. “Girls, I’m only gonna say this once, so make sure you listen carefully.” Using his wings to pull them both closer, he dropped his voice to a low, deep whisper. “If you two ever betray me again with Sweetie Belle’s cooking like yesterday, I promise to make sure you both eat twice as much as I did that day. Do you understand?” He glanced down at the two fillies as they rapidly nodded their heads in fear. “Good. I’m glad we’ve come to an understanding. Now, let’s head inside, shall we?”

And so, for the next fifteen minutes, the CMC went on to introduce their newest member to their club. They talked about their first encounter with each other up to the incident with the rampaging manticore. Many of the young ponies talked about how terrifying it was when the beast came into town, and that they had heard the roar of another creature, and only now found out that it had been Johann. Many of the foals thanked him for his help and protection, while others were left in awe by his skills as a fighter. Johann made sure to keep the parts where he was in both the arena and Griffonstone out, and went all to tell the young ones about his battle against the colossal dragon while also making sure to leave out any gory details for their young minds’ sake. Afterward, he told them about how he woke up in the castle and was honored with the title of duke.

Soon, the school bell rang, signaling the end of school. The foals cheered as they left, but not before saying their goodbyes to the CMC and their special guest. “Hey, Johann.” Scootaloo nudged Johann, who turned his head to give her his attention. “So, how did you get better? Apple Bloom told me she swung by Fluttershy’s to see if you were okay.” She asked in a low whisper to not get Sweetie Belle’s attention as she talked with some of her fellow students, who decided to stay and chat for a while.

“Well, if you must know, Fluttershy had gone to see a friend of hers. Zecora, I believe it was?” He asked out loud while rubbing his chin. “She brought me a potion made by her that managed to help me feel better.”

“Oh! We know her. She’s been teaching Apple Bloom how to make potions on the weekends.” The little filly smiled as her little wings buzzed with excitement. “Hey, maybe later, we can go over and introduce you to her and thank her.”

Johann placed a paw under his chin and gently scratched it with his claws before shrugging them. “Eh, sure. Why not? I’d like to thank the mare who saved me from yelling at the toilet all day.”

Just as the two were about to gather the other members of the CMC, both Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon came walking up to them. “Oh my Celestia! It’s really you!” Diamond Tiara gasped as she and her friend got closer. “The hero of Equestria. I can’t believe it!” She and Silver Spoon quickly shoved Scootaloo aside before continuing. “My daddy has heard all about you, and you saved the princesses and Canterlot. I’m Diamond Tiara, by the way.” She quickly wrapped a hoof around one of his arms and slowly guided him away. Scootaloo tried to intervene, but Silver Spoon quickly blocked her, making sure to block her every time she tried to get around her. “You know, my daddy is the owner of Barnyard Bargains, and if you’re looking to make a name for yourself, you could try and talk to him about making some business deals.” She glanced back and smirked as she saw the rest of the crusaders gather with Silver doing her best to block them. “And you know, being a duke and all means you could help invite him to social gatherings in Canterlot, which means the more business he gets, the more bits you could earn.”

“Wow, that is an interesting offer, Ms. Diamond Tiara. Tell you what, I need to go pick up my business cards, and then we can head over to make it a done deal. What do you say?” Johann asked.

The spoiled filly clapped her hooves together with joy. “Sure! I’ll wait here while you go get them.” With that, Johann stretched out his wings and took off into the air, just missing the CMC as they had finally managed to get past Silver Spoon. “You’re too late, blank flanks. I already got what I want, and soon, me and my family will be twice as rich.”

“What are ya plannin’, Diamond Tiara?” Apple Bloom asked as she and her friends stood side by side.

The spoiled filly scoffed while turning her nose to the sky. “Just getting ahead in life, unlike you losers. With your dragon friend wrapped around my daddy’s hoof, we will gain more recognition and double our family’s business.” Silver Spoon happily trotted alongside her friend. “And with his name under daddy’s belt, we will double our riches, making us two times better than you pathetic losers.”

“So you’re just using him to get what you want?” Sweetie Belle growled, her friends needing to hold her back as she tried to get at the rotten filly.

“Jealous? You should be. You three are so dumb not to take advantage of having a noble of his rank. Much like you did with Princess Twilight.” The girls were about to retaliate before stopping dead in their tracks. “I don’t know how you three get so lucky to hang around ponies who are better than you, but now it’s my turn to hog all the good fortune. But what can you expect from me? I mean, I have my cutie mark and riches. All I need now are some wings and a horn, and I will be exactly what I’m meant to be: real princess.” The spoiled filly was going to continue her little rant until she noticed that her audience were fighting a fit of giggles. “What’s so funny, you dumb blank flanks?” The girls suddenly burst into laughter, rolling on the ground while clutching their sides. “Stop laughing! I’m trying to tell you how much better I am then you!”

The girls only continued to laugh as they started to point behind Diamond Tiara. The little filly and her friend turned around to see that Johann was right behind them. But what was really making the girls laugh was how he made funny poses and gestures while he mimicked Diamond Tiara as she talked. He opened and closed his mouth when she spoke while moving his head side to, all while making funny faces. “What are you doing?!” Diamond Tiara yelled as her face started to flush red.

Johann had stopped his mocking to give the rotten filly a shit eating grin. “Who, me? Oh, I was just doing my interpretation of a spoiled brat monologuing like she’s some big, nasty, super genius.” He scoffed, making the same face she had made a moment ago, causing the crusaders to laugh harder.

Diamond Tiara was flustered as she found it hard to talk back. “But what about my offer?”

“Yeah, thanks, but no thanks. If how you act is any indication of how your father raises his kids, then I want no part in any businesses he’s running.” Johann said while walking past the two fillies to stand by the crusaders. “These three are who I know I can really trust. Because, like you said, they would never use my title to benefit themselves.”

“You would seriously choose to hang out with a bunch of dumb blank flanks!?” Diamond Tiara screamed, getting the attention of ponies who were passing by. “Are you that stupid to pass up a chance to make lots of bits over three fillies who don’t know their purpose in life yet?!”

Johann stepped forward until he was standing over Diamond Tiara, whose ears folded down as the dragon towered over her. He lowered his head down until he was mere inches away from her face as he glared at her, making her shake in place. He stared at her for what felt like an eternity before his lips curled into a smile. “Yep, that’s just about right. But hey, here’s something for your troubles.” He opened his mouth before letting his tongue slide out and slowly drag across Diamond Tiara’s face, covering it with his wet, slimy drool.

When he had finished, Diamond Tiara let out a shriek as she tried to rub the dragon’s saliva off her face, with little to no success. “Ughhh! I got licked by a dragon!! I have dragon germs!! Get some hot water! Get some disinfectant! Get some iodine!!” The little filly screeched as she ran away with her friend hot on her tail.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders, as well as anyone who saw, started to laugh while Johann stuck his tongue out.