//------------------------------// // Chapter 160 - The Diamond Connection // Story: Dadonequus Discord (Book 2) // by CrazedLaughter //------------------------------// “You have an awesome name, Ocellus. It’s nice to meet you.” Said Diamond, after properly introducing herself in such a way that made her grander than she seemed. Indeed, while you were spending your time practicing, you let Ocellus hit it off with Diamond, and it seemed to be going well so far. Meanwhile Mr. Rich had excused himself to work on baking a new cake. “Oh, erm.” Ocellus was nervous, and yet, she was already feeling so well loved .  First Mr. Rich, and now Diamond. “And it’s nice to meet you too. I really don’t bother you? Really?” Diamond shook her head “Not at all. I happen to think changelings are totally cool. Actually, I…” Diamond stopped herself. Diamond knew Ocellus knew that she knew about Chrysalis. You were being honest with her thus far, keeping her updated. Just the same, you had kept Smolder and Ocellus updated, although with them, less so simply because they were less inclined to trust Chrysalis. Ocellus knew Diamond knew, so it should be ok to talk to her about it. “...I think Queen Chrysalis is awesome too. What do you think about her being reformed soon? You know, after she totally fails her evil plans. I think it’ll be great! She’s like a sister to me, you know?” Ocellus turned her head a bit, just hearing those words ruined the mood she had. It made her feel a sense of disgust. “So you really do think that? I know Anon is really optimistic about it, and I know everycreature in the know is trying to pull it off, but it doesn’t sit right with me. I’ve had to get over it, over her, and hope Anon is right. Even though I know it probably won’t be. She’s cruel and hateful, I really can’t see her being friendly at all with anypony but Anon. And even with what I remember, she was kind of mean about it.” Diamond’s ears folded, she frowned. She didn’t think Ocellus would have such a harsh perception of Chrysalis. And yet, her words seemed familiar to her. “I know she can be harsh and stuff, trust me, I know. But we have connected a lot, and she treats me pretty good. I’ve even been wanting to visit her again lately, I just haven’t gotten a chance yet because Anon is usually busy or he’s already used up his magic. I happen to think she’s a lot less evil than before.” “I’d like to believe that. I know she saved an Equestria with Anon, she’s talked about it to us before. Though, the way she put it, it was a necessity. It’s things like that that make it a possibility though, since she'd never really try to save any Equestria. But everything else? Given the fact world domination has always been something she wanted, it makes me believe she would give up her friendship if it meant dominating Equestria.” Ocellus explains, being a damned downer about the subject. “You really don’t like her, huh? Even though she’s your mom?” Diamond asked, feeling terrible as that familiar feeling grew in her. Ocellus reluctantly nodded. “I don’t, the entire hive doesn’t. I think our old captain, Scrappy, is the only one of us who still likes her. I can’t even imagine what she thinks of us. She wanted King Thorax destroyed for defecting. So I can’t imagine how much she hates us now.” “I don’t think she hates you or her hive. I think she misses you all a lot, even if it’s in her own way. Anon has told me that she’s lonely, that she wants you all back. Ok ok, before you say anything, I know it’s probably to do more evil stuff. But I also know she really does care about you.” Diamond pauses for a moment and sighs. “Actually, I know how you feel.” “You know how I feel?” Ocellus was now confused. “What do you mean?” Ocellus didn’t even know how to respond to that. “I mean, you know, not liking your mom. I know what it’s like. My mom, I mean, she wasn’t totally evil, but she hated ponies she saw as beneath her. She taught me that only ponies that were like us were worth it, and that blank flanks were worthless little ponies. She taught me to be the best, and that anypony who tried to stop me was bad.” Diamond looked down, gulped, and then looked to Ocellus’s eyes with a sad expression. “It actually took a bunch of blank flanks to show me I was wrong, to make me realize this wasn’t the kind of pony I should be. I… I never wanted to be bad, or be hated, it’s just…” Diamond tears up a little, as she wipes her eyes. “It’s just all I knew, and Daddy didn’t even realize what was really going on either, so he never said I should do anything differently. If I wanted to change, I had to stand up to my mother, and tell her she was wrong. And even though I bettered myself, my mother was still, well, a big jerk. Though, eventually, she began to realize how wrong she was too. That she cared more about me and Daddy than being spiteful. I-I mean, she’s still spiteful, but she likes my friends, she likes Anon, and she tries to be a nicer pony overall. Again, sorta? Erm, she can still be scary, and mean, but she is also super nice when she wants to be. I-I guess what I’m saying is that I know how you feel because my mother used to be bad, and so was I. I know it’s not evil bad, but it was still pretty bad. I’d even plot and scheme to ruin the Cutie Mark Crusaders day, which erm, I guess I also know how it is to lose a lot because they’d win every time. Erm, what I’m trying to say is, I kinda know how it is as both her and you? I-I didn’t insult you, did I?” Diamond didn’t usually act subdued, she was usually so dominating. But this time? She felt hurt, she saw so much in Ocellus that she saw in her former life, the part that was controlled. Ocellus could see it, she could hear it, feel it. It made her stop, and think. “I didn’t know. And I really don’t know what to think of that. But your story does sound sort of like ours. Was your mother really that bad? Were you?” Diamond nodded. “Mhmm, nopony was good enough for her. She was hateful, and so was I. Every time I lost, I got so angry, and just wanted to ruin the Crusaders even more. Humiliating them even made her happy, as she felt I was putting others in their proper place.” Ocellus went wide eyed for a moment. That was pretty heavy, she didn’t expect that at all, especially from someone so nice. “It’s almost hard to believe, considering I’ve always heard you were nice. And your dad, he’s super nice too, he even gave me a coupon book. But Chrysalis, she’s... “ Ocellus stopped, and began to really give it some thought, trying to be unbiased. “Actually, the fact she likes Anon, and you. In a million moons, that is something none of us would ever come close to even thinking that could happen, it never even came up as a possibility. But she seems genuinely happy when she’s around Anon, I remember that. In fact, this whole curse thing. The Chrysalis I know would never put herself at such a heavy disadvantage on purpose, not even as some sort of challenge. She takes advantage of everything, and everycreature. I-I guess, maybe, she has been softening up. And to take that kind of risk is so unlike her, it’s weird, the risk of losing is really big.” “I know, right? Anon and I think it’s because she wants to fail. She thinks she wants to win, but she just wants to fail and get things over with. Oh, plus, you know she’s talked to Scrappy recently too, right? From what I was told, that went really well!” Diamond said, suddenly feeling more excited that Ocellus seemed to be seeing her side of things. “Er, no, I didn’t know that. Scrappy is at the school all the time and he never mentioned anything to me. Oh, unless he’s just keeping it all a secret because of her. I know he’s really loyal to her still, he still calls her his queen. Weird, so, did he go to visit her? And she was totally ok with it? She didn’t get mad at him, for, you know… Treason?” Ocellus asked, curious. Diamond went wide eyed. She didn’t know Ocellus didn’t know. And suddenly, she realized that if she told Ocellus he met Chrysalis at the school, she’d probably tell Twilight and the whole thing would be over. However, unlike you, Diamond was good at keeping her emotions together for moments like this, she had to learn to be the future heiress of the Rich estate, and that required being composed at any moment. “Oh, well, he does everything pretty literally. As long as Chrysalis isn’t skulking around to hurt Princess Twilight, then he won’t call her out. You know how he is, and so does she. It’s just what I heard, but they were happy to see each other again. And it makes me think she’d love to see you all too. Maybe not now, but one day.” “I… mnngh, I’ve really messed up, huh? I was so scared of her, so scared of her hurting everycreature else, that I just didn’t want to believe, no matter what I was told. Everytime I saw a glimmer of hope, I’d just go back to not believing in her. She can really reform, can’t she? Do you really believe it’s possible?” Ocellus asked, suddenly lost in her own thoughts, believing now she really was wrong. “Like you said, she wouldn’t have cursed herself if she wanted to win. She’s just doing this because she still has that feeling of evilness, but it’ll pass, trust me.” Diamond said, trying to reassure her. “Yeah, yeah, I guess that makes sense. W-wow, I can’t believe it’s really possible.” Ocellus said, amazed about it all. “Anything is possible, especially when my Anon is involved.” Diamond said, looking back at you with a warm doting smile “He’s dreamy, isn’t he?” “Erm, yes?” Ocellus said, not sure what to say about that. “I knooow, right?! Oops, but you already hang out with Anon a lot at school, so you probably know how really great he is. Which brings me to my next question. So, when you’re out of school, would you like to come to one of my tea parties sometime? You can meet my best friend, Silver Spoon. And we can talk about all sorts of things!” Diamond said, happy to make a connection with Ocellus. “That sounds nice. Erm, would your best friend like me?” Ocellus asked. Diamond just muttered to herself. “She better.” Before looking to Ocellus “I think so” “Then I’d really love to now. I actually would like to take on a real tea party. Professor Rarity says they're really great!” Ocellus said, as excitement began to fill her. “Good! B-but you’re also ok about Chrysalis? Right? I mean, when she reforms, she’ll probably be joining us too. Is that ok?” Diamond asked. “I…” Ocellus flinched for a moment. She took a deep breath. Somehow, it was still a little hard to accept. But if things really are heading to a reformation, then… “I’d love to. I don’t mind at all.” “Yeah! It’s gonna be so awesome!” Diamond said with a cheer. And as their chat was going on, you were practicing with your training sword as Scootaloo watched.  You didn’t have any charges left, given you used the two you had for Chrysalis’s car and to return back to Ponyville with Lyra and Bon Bon, but thanks to Discord’s upgrade, you could use basic unicorn telekinesis and barrier spells with ease, even with you looking like you were possessed by Sombra. In fact, using telekinesis seemed really easy to you, as you were able to slash your sword and stab it with lightning speed with little effort. “And that! And take that!” “Anon, do you really think you can take on Lance? He’s pretty fast, and really good with a sword. Like, super good with one. And last time I checked, you never really swung one before.” Scootaloo said, as she spoke to you with caution. “Do you see this, Scoots? Check this out!” You make the sword spin like a buzzsaw before stopping it instantaneously, blade out. “I can make this thing strike any way I want. And with my reflexes, this guy is toast.” “Anon, I’m just saying maybe you shouldn’t take him on without thinking. I’m serious, the guy is almost as fast as Rainbow Dash, and he doesn’t even fly! He showed us a demonstration with Mr. Rich, giving him two swords while he had one. Anon, he didn’t even need his magic to overpower him and send his swords flying. I mean, even when Mr. Rich fell back on the table and accidentally sent Mrs. Rich’s cake flying at Lance, he just parried it like it was nothing and sent it flying too. I haven’t even seen him fight using his magic, Anon, the guy lives up to his name with just his mouth!” Scootaloo explained, really wanting you to take this seriously. “Wow…” You stop to look at Scootaloo, a little astonished by her attitude. “You’re usually a lot more optimistic than this, Scoots. Is this guy really that good? Like, good enough for you to compare him to Rainbow Dash?” “E-err, no, not really. I’m just saying he’s pretty fast. I also sat down and watched his whole two hour beginner’s film thing and there are so many stances, styles, and swords to master that it nearly made my head explode! This guy has mastered them all, Anon, he’s gonna be really tough to beat.” Scootaloo told you, with worry in her tone. “Scootaloo, relaaaaax.” You tell her as you pick up your sword with your magic and give her a smirk. “Watch this.” You then jump forward and stab the sword forward, pull back, and stab with what nearly looked like a hundred stabs in only a small moment. You then looked to Scootaloo with an arrogant grin as you spin the sword and have it stab into the ground. “Pretty fast, huh?” “Yeah, woah. That’s pretty crazy considering you don’t have any charges left. When did you get so good with a sword?” Scootaloo asked, immediately impressed by your lightning quick strikes. “I’ve always been good with a sword. And thanks to our training, I’m fast on my hooves too. I don’t need my chaos magic to beat this guy, I promise you that.” You say with a chuckle as you wipe your brow. “Huh, I never knew that.” Scootaloo then slowly turns her head towards Ocellus, then back to you. It seems she was slightly irked by her, and yet, she couldn’t tell why. “So what’s with her?” “Huh? Oh, Ocellus? Friend from school.” You say as you jump back while you swing the sword upwards, then downwards. “Changeling, huh? Is she like Scrappy?” Scootaloo asked, keeping her eyes on her. “Not really.  She’s, hm, how to put it. She’s cool, but she studies a lot and seems to have a problem with everything I do.” You tell her. “Huh, even with the whole Chrysalis thing?” Scootaloo asked. “Yeah, even that.” You say, lunging forward with a stab. “Yeah… I really hope that works out for you, Anon. But I don’t even get her. She’s evil, but she’s nice to you and Diamond. She wants to reform, but she wants to try to pull off this crazy plan. And is she really still hurt about her hive becoming good?” Scootaloo asked, curious, trying to understand. “Yeah. C’mon Scootaloo, don’t doubt me now. I know you don’t really like her, but then, look at Diamond. She was practically yours and the rest of the crusaders’ enemy. Now she’s good, and my marefriend. Chrysalis has feelings too, we just need to help her see and understand them.” You explain to her, putting down the sword to further focus on the conversation. “Yeah, I get that, even Scrappy is hoping she reforms. But what about the other changelings? Scrappy says they hate Chrysalis.” Scootaloo says, turning over to you “I mean, things don’t seem very hopeful if even her own kids hate her.” “That’s why we gotta turn things around.” You raise your leg, looking at your shackles, before showing it to Scootaloo. “It’s my last chance to save her, Scoots. Please, it’d really help me to know you’re on my side.” “Yeah, no, Anon, I got your back. I just, I just get this feeling. I don’t know what it is, something about me just doesn’t like her. But hey, I guess that’s why we have to look past that and stuff, right? Thinking about it, even Zecora wouldn’t be our friend if we just hated her because of those silly stories. Oh, wait, you probably didn’t know about that. I’m kinda glad I didn’t know Applebloom yet when that happened. I heard about Poison Joke, and that doesn’t sound fun at all to deal with.” Scootaloo said as she shook her head. She couldn’t get over a bad feeling she always had. Of course, this feeling probably having to do with her memory erased by Luna from when she was super drained by the entire hive. It was a feeling she could never explain, but was always there “Yeah, I heard about that.” You reply “You seem to hear about everything.” Scootaloo said with a slightly awkward chuckle. “Sometimes we think that dimension you came from was from some future of Equestria more than anything else. Still, it must have been crazy. Being a human colt, getting torn from home. Do you ever miss it?” Scootaloo asked, curious if you ever got homesick. “Nope.” You really didn’t. The human world was nowhere near as cool as Equestria. That and you were genuinely loved here. “Especially since all of you, and Dad, and Aunt Fluttershy. Everypony really, you’re all like family to me.” Mushy, but you meant it. “Aw, hey, Anon. I mean, we are sort of like family too. We’re still crusaders after all. Though, you really should help us with helping other foals get their cutie marks. It’s fun, and it always feels good when they finally get their mark.” Scootaloo said, trying to encourage you to partake in more crusader activities. Especially the camp. “That really is more your guys thing. I have my own crazy stuff I gotta worry about. Like seriously, Chrysalis right now is my top focus and priority. That right there, is like, well, trying to help her find her cutie mark, right?” That did seem like a pretty good equivalent. “Huh, I guess that makes sense. Hey, I never got a chance to ask, how are Rainbow Dash’s classes? They're wicked awesome, right?” Scootaloo asked, nearly shaking her tail like a puppy as she happily awaited your response. “Loyalty class?” Given how her and Applejack butt heads at times, and Dash’s general nature, honesty and especially loyalty class are always a roller coaster of quality. “Eh, it’s fine. Nothing super crazy yet, not until extracurricular stuff becomes available and we start using the stadium.” “Man, that already sounds so cool! It’s like training with Rainbow Dash all over again! I wish I could go to that school sometimes. I don’t really see why I can’t. Puh, it kinda stinks.” Scootaloo said, rubbing her right hoof along the ground as she groaned disappointingly. “Why can’t you, exactly?” You ask, you’d think Twilight would let the Crusaders in if they asked. “I asked Rainbow Dash about it once. She said it's because I’m overqualified.” Scootaloo groaned yet again. Wait… WAIT… WUT?! SCOOTALOO IS OVERQUALIFIED?! THE CRUSADERS ARE OVERQUALIFIED?! AND YOU’RE NOT?! HOW?! YOU UNDERSTOOD THE ELEMENTS BETTER THAN ANYONE! HOW THE FUCK ARE YOU NOT OVERQUALIFIED?! “Wait, huh? You’re overqualified?!” “Yeah, I guess, or something like that.” Scootaloo said as she laid on her belly, resting her head on the side of her leg, annoyed, not really noticing your own bewilderment. “And what about me?! How am I not overqualified?!” You asked, startling Scootaloo with your loud outburst. “Wha?! I-I dunno! It might be because you're shifty, you get caught in a lot of lies sometimes, your loyalty is with a crazy bug queen, your magic isn’t even yours really, you’re kinda selfish, and you can be pretty mean. Erm, these aren’t all things I thought of, it’s just others have said it, so it kinda makes sense why Twilight wanted you to attend her class.” Scootaloo explained, taking a few steps back from you in case you suddenly decide to whack her with your sword. Holy fuck, it wasn’t like the crusaders weren’t those things! S-sheesh, you knew you had quirks, sure, but was it that bad?! “Bah, that’s just exaggeration and-” But before you could finish that thought, Lance calls out to you from the middle of the back yard. “Little Hero Colt, Anon! I await you, as warm ups are over! Pick up your sword, your friends, and face me! I shall go over the rules more thoroughly before we duel.” Lance called out, awaiting your presence. Welp, there it is, do or die time. You take up your sword with your horn, and head over to Lance as the others begin to follow, with varying degrees of excitement and belief in you. It was time, time to make sure you repay a debt you got thrown into. And you are doing it with style, no question about it. Scootaloo whispered to you “Good luck” as you stepped up to face off against Lance.