The wind blew gently through Sweet Apple Acres, rustling the leaves of the apple trees and Diamond Tiara’s mane as she walked down the path. The dust was getting all over her hooves, but it was worth it for what she planned to do.
It had taken years of hard work and gentle teaching, but Diamond Tiara knew the pony she wanted to be, and knew that meant being nothing like her mother. Spoiled Rich thought she was better than every pony else. Diamond Tiara had wasted away trying to live up to her mother’s standards, and that insecurity drove her to make every pony else feel bad about themselves to. She’d been a cruel little filly. To Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Bell… to every pony in her class, really. Even her now dearest friend. Diamond Tiara smiled softly. She had made amends to all of them, now she owed an apology to an older pony.
The door to the barn creaked open.
“Hey Diamond! What’re you doin’ here?” Apple Bloom stood in the door of the barn, seemingly startled but not scared by the other pony’s presence. She tilted her head at her.
Diamond Tiara blushed. She dug her hoof into the ground: a nervous habit her mother had admonished enough times that her voice echoed the critique through her skull. She shook her head. Confidence.
“I’m here to apologize.” Apple Bloom opened her mouth. “To Granny Smith, I mean.”
“What for?”
The blush painted her cheeks like a rose bush. “Do you remember Family Appreciation Day?”
Apple Bloom tapped her chin. “That was ages ago! Granny Smith probably didn’t even know you were being cruel.”
“That’s no reason to forgo an apology. Granny Smith’s quirks make her the astounding pony she is. I never should’ve made you feel embarrassed of her. I think I was jealous, honestly,” Diamond laughed hollowly. “I’m so sorry for my behavior, Apple Bloom.”
A few beats passed before Apple Bloom nodded. “Granny Smith is stupendous. I’m sure she’d be willing to listen to your apology. I’ll go get her for you.”
Diamond whispered a thank you as Apple Bloom started to trot away. “Oh, and Diamond?” She paused and glanced over her shoulder. Diamond felt rooted to the ground like one of their apple trees. “I accept your apology. We all know you ain’t that mean little filly you used to be. You’re a good pony.”
With that, Apple Bloom hopped away to find Granny Smith, leaving Diamond Tiara alone with her thoughts.
“Chin high, Diamond Tiara. You look pitiful walking like that.”
“Diamond Tiara, you are my daughter and I will not allow you to embarrass me. Now be a good little filly and go practice for the show.”
“Know your place, little filly. I am your mother. You dare talk back to me?”
“You wanted to talk to me?”
Diamond Tiara flinched. Behind her, the old mare stood with her walker and her flabby skin. Spoiled Rich would die if her skin ever looked like that, but Diamond had learned those wrinkles were a sign of some pony to respect. They might know a thing or two you don’t.
Granny Smith waited patiently.
“I…” Confidence. “I came to apologize.”
“Apologize? Whatever for?”
“I wasn’t the nicest filly, Granny Smith. Actually, I was a bully. I mistreated everyone around me and made people feel ashamed when really it’s our diffferences that make us special. I bullied Apple Bloom into forgetting how amazing you are. I mocked you behind your back and to your face. Do you remember Family Appreciation Day? Every pony was so impressed with you… and I called you a cooky old pony. My dad—Filthy Rich—he was mad at me for that, but no amount of punishment is the same as an apology. I’m sorry for how I treated your granddaughter, Granny Smith. I’m really sorry for how I talked about you.” Diamond Tiara bowed her head. “I want you to know I’m not that pony anymore. I have something for you. It can’t erase my words but I hope it shows you my admiration.”
Diamond Tiara reached into her bag and pulled out a necklace. Made of copper, the cattle tag necklace would be harder to get germy even on a farm. The chain glinted in the sun. In the center of the tag: a zinc apple shone brightly on top of an apple pie, matching Granny’s cutie mark and family namesake. She passed the necklace to Granny, who squinted at the object in her hoof. Diamond stood stock still.
“Well child you live up to your cutie mark. This necklace is fine-and-dandy,” She met Diamond’s eyes with a smile. There was an old warmth in them, like coming to sit before the fireplace at the end of a hard winter’s day. “You didn’t have to make this. I know you changed. I reckon all of us done things we regret as a filly.” Granny winked at her. “Now, I have a pie in the oven. Why don’t you make yourself useful and help me put on this here necklace and finish that pie. Oh, and you were right about that cooky part.”
Diamond Tiara grinned at the old mare. She couldn’t help what her mother thought of her, but she could help Granny Smith. She could choose to spend time around ponies who wanted her around, and laughed instead of judged. Oh, and help to make some delicious apple pie.
She helped Granny put on the necklace then trotted with her to the kitchen inside. Apple Jack stood there, collecting ingredients. She glanced over.
“Glad you could join us, sugar cube.”
Apple Bloom ran into the room. Seeing Diamond, she once again came to a halt in the middle of her motion. And once again, she smiled. “Oh this’ll be so exciting!”
Diamond Tiara smiled back. She wasn’t worried about crow’s feet (or lateral canthal lines as her mother called them). The warmth from the apple family seemed to lift her up. She felt as cozy as the pie in the oven, and just as loved. Soon they got to baking.They even let her take a pie home. As the sun set on Sweet Apple Acres and Diamond headed to home, she knew not even her mother’s scowl could dishearten her tonight.
Author's Note
This is based off the episode Family Appreciation Day. It’s been a few years since then but only a few. Thanks for reading!
