Today was the best day of their lives. The Cutie Mark Crusaders have finally got their cutie marks after who knows how long. They've tried so many things to get them, they tried doing creative things, professional stuff, and other skills. They once thought that if they get them, they'd rub it in Diamond Tiara's face. Although, they decided not to, because Diamond Tiara had changed her ways.
It turns out that it wasn't her fault she was a jerk to those crusaders and the other fillies and colts, it was her mother, Spoiled Rich. She taught her those ways, so she can be better than them. It came to her realization that wasn't how it works, and luckily she was able to stand up to that wicked mare who raised her.
The pink filly sat at a table with an extra empty seat, watching the three former blank flanks being hugged by their family members and idols. "I really owe everything that I've ever done to them.", she thought to herself.
"My little sister's all grown up.", Applejack cried for joy, as tears ran down her cheeks. She kept her forearms wrapped around Apple Bloom's torso as she hugged her. Her little sister returned the hug by wrapped her own forearms around her neck.
"I'm the proudest sister ever.", Rarity crooned, as she nuzzled her cheek against her sister's. Sweetie Belle blushed in embarrassment as a result to that. Luckily, nopony was teasing her for it.
"Well, it's about time.", Rainbow Dash said without any complaining. She contemplated Scootaloo's cutie mark, smiling as she did so. Not that Scootaloo minds having her flank being stared at in public, she's just glad that her idol is taking a look at her recently-appeared cutie mark.
"You three?", Twilight asked, getting their attention. "Words cannot tell me how happy I am for you. You came a long way to start a new life, and it now just began."
"Thank you, Twilight.", Apple Bloom said cheerfully.
"Yeah, thank you.", Scootaloo agreed.
"And to top it all off, we wouldn't have become the Cutie Mark Crusaders if it weren't for you.", Sweetie Belle pronounced. "Our lives can't be better without you, Princess." She, along with her two friends, bowed to Twilight. They also gave her a hug as a preamble.
Twilight blushed at the gesture. She wanted to wrap a hoof around the three filles and hug them back, but her front was being way too smothered to move. She giggled as the manes of the three fillies tickled her chest.
Diamond Tiara still watched from her table with happiness. But, she was sad that nopony is sitting with her. That is, until Silver Spoon came by and sat down on the seat that's been empty from the past couple minutes. "I thought you were still mad at me after yesterday.", she said.
Silver Spoon placed a milkshake in front of her friend and another in front of herself. "I was.", she responded. "But, I thought you could use some company. Are you ok?"
"Yeah.", Diamond answered. "Silvy, I'm so sorry."
Silver Spoon took her friend's hoof in hers. "I know.", she said softly. A slight chuckle erupted from her. "Honestly, I was really impressed with you on how you stood up to your mom and taught her a lesson. That felt good, didn't it?"
Diamond Tiara shrugged. "A little, I guess.", she giggled. She let out a quiet sigh. "All the horrible things I've done to those fillies, I still feel guilty about it. And I think you should feel the same."
Silver Spoon took a small sip of her shake. "But, wasn't that all you?", she asked.
Diamond scratched the back of her neck. "Well, yes.", she answered. "Don't forget that you were part of it too." She fidgeted with her hooves a little. "I really want to apologize to them and everypony, but I don't know how to start."
Silver Spoon smiled compassionately. "Let me help you with that.", she said, getting up on her hind legs and standing up straight. "Attention." Nopony heard her. She repeated a bit louder. "Attention!" This time, everypony looked at her. "My friend has something she needs to say about them." She pointed at the crusaders, who looked pretty curious indeed. She glanced at her friend with an encouraging smile. "Go ahead."
Diamond nervously got off her seat, before looking back at her friend, who nodded. She cleared her throat before starting to speak. "Um... H-Hi, every... p-pony.", she sputtered. The big group of ponies stared at her in silence. A single cough from one of them disrupted it. The pink filly took a deep breath and continued on. "Now, look, I know you all think I'm still the brat I am from all those years. But, I'm not anymore, I've changed. And, of course, we're all very impressed with the Cutie Mark Crusaders' cutie marks. Plus, I do have something to say about it. Don't worry, it's not something mean, like it normally is. They got them by changing my life." It left the ponies in a state of shock. "I know, I can tell, it's a bit of a shock to you all. Earlier, when they took me to their clubhouse, they showed me everything that they've done to get them. Throughout my life, all I've done was make sure that all fillies and colts are miserable. And just so you know, it was my mother who taught me to do all that. So, it turns out that it's her fault that I became a monster and not mine. And finally, I'm gonna say this from the bottom of my heart, that I am truly sorry for everything I've done. Especially the stuff to them." She finished off by looking down at the ground with sadness in her eyes.
The three former blank flanks smiled and approached their new friend. "Diamond, that was one heck of an apology.", Apple Bloom said, lifting Diamond's chin up to go eye to eye with her. "And we forgive you."
A smile slowly formed on Diamond's face. "Thank you, crusaders.", she said, feeling a little happy now. "Apple Bloom, I know you've mentioned one time that your parents are dead, but if they were here, I'm sure they would be happy for you."
Apple Bloom's smile widened and her eyes began to moisten. "Oh, Diamond.", she sobbed joyfully. "I want to cry in front of you, because you said something sweet for the first time in your life."
Diamond wrapped a hoof around Apple Bloom's neck and laid her head against her shoulder, allowing her to cry softly in it. "Aww, you let it all out, Sugar Plum.", she said, stroking her mane.
The sobbing from Apple Bloom stopped. She lifted her head up and looked at Diamond in the eye. "Sugar Plum?", she repeated in confusion. "Did you call me 'Sugar Plum'?"
Diamond nodded. "That's the new nickname I'm gonna call you from now on.", she said, giving Apple Bloom a bop on the nose.
It caused Apple Bloom to blush, her two other friends giggling between her.
"Sweetie Belle, I have a little something I want to give you.", Diamond said, turning to the white filly.
"You do?", Sweetie Belle asked.
Diamond nodded. "Bow down, please.", she commanded softly.
Sweetie shrugged and did what she was told. She then felt something being set on top of her head. She looked up to see Diamond's crown, resting behind her horn. "You're giving me your tiara?", she asked in shock.
"Yep.", Diamond answered. "Take good care of it for me."
"Diamond Tiara, that's generous of you, but I can't accept this.", Sweetie said, enveloping the crown with her magic and removing it from her head. "You'll probably need this more than I do."
"Hey, it's ok.", Diamond reassured. "This is how I repay you for changing my life. I know after all those times I insulted you for your beauty, but now I think it's your turn to become the most beautiful princess in Ponyville."
With tears of joy in her eyes, Sweetie Belle placed the crown back on her head and wrapped her forearms around the pink filly's neck for a hug. "Thank you.", she whispered.
Diamond returned the embrace. "Your welcome.", she responded quietly. She turned to face Scootaloo before breaking the hug. "And you, Scootaloo." She approached her. "Keep letting those wings grow, because one day, you'll be able to lift yourself off the ground."
Scootaloo thought happily that it was about time that Diamond said something very encouraging about her being able to fly. "Hey, what can I say?", she asked, shrugging. "I just need to be patient for the wings to grow all the way out."
"My, my, my.", a sudden voice said. "Those marks are mighty impressive, young fillies." It was Filthy Rich, who was standing at the entrance door.
Diamond was surprised. "Father, what are you doing here?", she asked.
"Well, I obviously can't miss out on a celebration like this.", the business stallion said. "And hey, I see you're getting along with those fillies." It was about time for him to see his daughter finally being nice to children her age. Of course, he was getting sick and tired of her being mean to them.
Diamond stared at her father, as her eyes began to moisten. With her eyes squeezed shut, she ran over to him, sobbing. She gave him a tight hug before burying her snout in the brown fur of his shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Father.", she cried. "I know you wanted me to be the perfect filly, but all I did was-" She was silenced by a hoof being gently put over her mouth.
"Shh.", the father hushed. "It's not your fault, you just made a poor decision. If this is somepony's fault that you were bad, it's your mother's."
"Uh, that's what she said earlier.", Rainbow Dash commented.
"Quiet.", Applejack hissed to Rainbow Dash. "He's on a roll."
"All I'm trying to say is that I'm so proud of you for what you have now become.", Filthy said. "I've waited for that so long for that, and here it is."
Diamond sniffed. "Father, are you going to disown me after all the bullying I've caused?", she asked.
"Bully or not, I'll never disown you.", Filthy reassured with a smile.
Diamond smiled back and hugged her dad. "I love you so much, Daddy.", she sobbed.
Filthy returned the hug, tightly. "I love you too, Sweetheart.", he said back. He then gently scratched the back of her neck, causing her to giggle.
"Daddy, stop that.", the filly said, while a blush formed on her face. "That tickles."
"That's what I do.", Filthy said, patting her daughter on the head.
The crusaders watched the father and daughter with happiness. As for Scootaloo, who was on the verge of tears. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle noticed it. "Scootaloo, are you crying?", the white filly asked.
"What?", Scootaloo asked.
"I said are you crying.", Sweetie said again.
"Nah, of course not.", Scootaloo said, trying her best to look cool. "You must be seeing things."
