Rich Manor - Five Years Ago
Ah.. very impressive. I am so proud that my father struck a deal with Granny Smith Apple to sell her zap apple jam at the store. I got to remember to write a check for half of the profits to give to her. Filthy Rich reviewed the sales records for the day at his bargain shop. A satisfied smile crept across his muzzle until a thundering noise interrupted his thoughts.
“Diamond Sapphire Tiara! You get back here this instant young filly!” Spoiled Rich demanded as her daughter ran upstairs crying hysterically. The mare clinched an eye as she heard the filly slam her door Ehh.. why won’t she understand that I’m trying to do what’s best for her. She rubbed at her forehead as a heavy sigh escaped her lips.
Filthy quickly put his sales records folder in his filing cabinet before trotting out into the living room. He saw as his wife standing at the bottom of the stairs “Honey, what’s the matter? Why did Diamond run in crying like a newborn foal?” He looked curiously at his wife.
“Did you know that our sophisticated daughter was talking to that filthy, lower class filly of those apple farmers?” She turned to glare at her husband “Honestly Filthy, why do we still do business with those… those commoners?”
“Now Spoiled dear, don’t be speaking about the Apples like that. You know that their contributions are their reason why the bargain shop is succeeding.” He shook his head in disappointment “And if Diamond wants to spend time with the young filly of the family, then why should it be a bother?”
“Don’t you remember I deliberately told you Filthy that we should’ve sent her to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns!” Spoiled threw her forehooves in the air “But no, you wanted to send her to the second rate school of Ponyville Elementary which I am ashamed to be the head of the school board!” She turned to trot toward the parlor.
Filthy Rich rubbed at his forehead “Listen to me sweetheart, you know that we couldn’t send Diamond to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, because of the fact we live here in Ponyville. How would we have been able to get her to the school?”
“I would have found a way Filthy!” Spoiled scowled “She would have been better off learning what it is to be a true, refined lady than to learn how to add numbers or do stupid art projects!” She stomped her hoof against the floor.
Filthy gasped at hearing his wife “Spoiled Rich! How can you say something like that? You know that we are raising our daughter not only to be a respectful, responsible young mare, but also to receive a great education, and Ponyville Elementary has some of the finest, smartest fillies and colts I can recall.”
Spoiled flicked her mane with a roll of her eyes “This is useless talking to you Filthy. If you are unable to realize what is truly right for our daughter, and can’t see her true potential, then I’m leaving!” She scoffed and trotted toward the door. As she opened it, she turned back to Filthy “I’ll be at my mother’s when you finally come to your senses!” She trotted out with a slam of the door.
Filthy closed his eyes Oh, what am I ever going to do with that woman?
Rich Manor - Present Day
Princess Luna sat across from Filthy Rich was they were sharing a pot of mint tea as he was telling the story “After Spoiled Rich left, I believe it had a profound effect of Diamond” He sighed heavily as he turned his head “She felt that she not only lost the respect of her mother, but also the love of her mother.”
“Oh dear, I truly am sorry to hear that Mr. Rich.” Luna frowned as she sipped at her tea “Doesn’t she at least spend time with her mother at all since Mrs. Rich is the head of the school board?” She looked at the stallion curiously.
Filthy sipped his tea with a nod “Yes she does your majesty. When I am away at work, I always allow her to go over to her grandmother’s to stay with her mother until I get off.” As he placed his cup on the table, he looked at Luna with a firm look “Yet your majesty, I believe my wife is trying to manipulate Diamond into being just like her. Teaching her to look down upon other ponies that doesn’t fit her criteria of refined stallions and mares.” He shook his head disappointingly.
Luna finished her tea and cleared her throat “Well, please forgive me for asking this Mr. Rich, but have you considered on maybe getting a divorce from Mrs. Rich?” She looked at Filthy with sympathy.
Filthy looked at the princess in shock at the question “Y-your majesty, with all do respect, I could never even contemplate about doing that to my wife! Yes, I know she has been a tyrant as of late, but I still love her!” He calmed himself from shock as another thought ran through his mind “Yet, I do believe the best thing for Diamond is for her to learn how to respect others, no matter the social status.”
Luna looked at him with understanding “I know she needs her mother in her life Mr. Rich, but I also do believe that your wife may need some.. Well, if I am not overstepping my boundaries, but some therapy with how she acts toward others.” She looked at him awkwardly.
“Oh, absolutely not your highness! She wouldn’t even think about going for that!” Filthy Rich waved her hoof “That is out of the question, but I do appreciate your advice on divorcing from my wife. I will take that into consideration.” He gave a warm smile as he stood up from his chair along with Princess Luna.
Luna returned the smile as she trotted toward the door followed by Filthy “If you need any help with that if you go through it Mr. Rich, I could assist you in finding a family lawyer.” She gave a warm smile as she opened the door.
“I will keep that in mind your majesty, thank you.” He gave a bow of his head “Thank you for your time in listening to my tale. Also, I would like to apologize again for how my daughter treated your son. I hope with this punishment that we came up with will maybe help Diamond treat not only your son, but also other ponies with respect and kindness.” He gave a hopeful smile.
Luna patted him on the shoulder “I believe this will work Mr. Rich and I forgive you. The behavior of your daughter has apparently been enabled by Mrs. Rich.” She sighed softly “Just if you ever need me, I’ll be more than happy to offer my assistance. For now I must bid you farewell.” She gave a warm smile and a nod before trotting out of Rich Manor.
Filthy waved a hoof at the princess as she left before shutting the door. He took in a deep breath Well, it might be time for me to get ready for a confrontation with Spoiled.
Ponyville Elementary
As they arrived at the school, Timmy couldn’t help but look at Diamond worriedly after what happened with the colt from earlier. He swallowed nervously “Diamond Tiara, are you okay? That pony was mean talking to you like that.” He frowned as he carefully placed his hand on her shoulder.
Diamond tensed up at the touch of his hand, but she took in a calming breath “Timmy, I’m really trying my hardest not to be mean to you, so just please leave me alone. I’m okay, so don’t you worry about me. Let’s just get this day over with, okay?” She shrugged his hand off and trotted ahead.
Timmy frowned I wish there was something I could do to help her. I know she has been mean to me, but I don’t like seeing someone sad. A light, sad sigh escaped as he felt a weight on his shoulders. He turned to see Scootaloo “Hi Scootaloo.” He gave a soft smile trying to cheer up for his friends.
“Hey little dude, we saw you with Diamond Tiara. How come were you two coming to school together?” The pegasus filly looked at him curiously “She wasn’t trying to mess with you again or make you carry her books for her, was she?”
Timmy shook his head “Oh, no Scootaloo. I told Momma about what Diamond Tiara said to me and we went to talk with her daddy.”
“Oh gosh, Ah hope it went well little buddy.” Applebloom along with Sweetie Belle trotted up to the two “He didn’t seem too upset with ya, did he?”
“No Applebloom. Mr. Rich and Momma came up with a punishment for Diamond Tiara that she will have to accompany me to school, and be nice to me from now on.” He gave a soft smile.
“Oh wow! Filthy Rich punishing his daughter?!” Sweetie Belle gasped “That is great though, because she needs to be taught a lesson.” The other two cmcs chuckled.
The school bell started to ring “Well, let’s go in Timmy before. I wonder what Miss Cheerilee has to teach us today.” Scootaloo thought as the four entered into the schoolhouse.
As they sat down at their desks Miss Cheerilee had a beaming smile on her muzzle “Good morning class! Today, I have a special announcement. As you all know, the Summer Harvest Festival is approaching and it is time to for us to come together and build the Summer Harvest Parade floats!” She looked at the class “Now I’ll pair you up in groups of three.”
The CMC cheered “We will work together Miss Cheerilee!” They said in unison.
Miss Cheerilee chucked “I figured you three would want to work together, so it wasn’t difficult coming up to pair you three together.” She then though “Now let’s see, Diamond Tiara, you will team up with of course Silver Spoon and your partner will be…”
Please don’t pick the kid. Diamond Tiara closed her eyes taking in short hesitant breaths.
“Timmy!” Cheerilee exclaimed as she looked at the boy “Now Timmy, since this is your first festival parade you will be apart of, you just have fun and enjoy yourself, okay?”
Timmy nodded “Yes Miss Cheerilee, I will.” He then turned around to look at Diamond who had a scowl on her face, causing him to swallow nervously She doesn’t look happy that I am her partner.
Diamond sighed heavily Great, not only do I have to accompany the little run to school as part of my punishment, but now I have to work with him on the float. This is going to be a real pain in the flank.