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// Prologue: The First... 
// Story: Diamond In The Rough 
// by RayDawn 
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    Diamond Tiara was so elated when everypony was finally playing with her at the playground. She had finally conquered the inner demons that her parents, two rich snobs, had drilled into her brain and did a generous act by gifting the playground to the school.  Diamond Tiara decided to get some rest after playing with her new friends and sat down next to her best friend, and long time only friend, Silver Spoon. They were silent. Nearly a minute had passed and Diamond Tiara spoke up.

"I'm so sorry, Silver Spoon." Diamond Tiara was on the verge of tears as she said this, which shocked Silver Spoon.

Silver Spoon caught herself and looked at Diamond Tiara. "I'm sorry, too..."

Diamond Tiara immediately reacted. "What are you sorry for? You didn't do anything."

"Yes, I did. I didn't stop you from being mean. I just went along with you. That isn't what friends do. They're supposed to help each other become better, so I apologize for being a terrible friend." Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara had tears in their eyes.

"We were both bad friends, but now we can be better than before. We can't deny the past, but we can make our present as good as possible." Diamond Tiara then put a hoof around  Silver Spoon and she did the same back to her. The CMC came up to them and Scootaloo asked them something.

"We're getting ready to play Hoofball, are you girls going to join?" Scootaloo jumped the air and her wings hummed.

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon nodded and raced off to play.

After school

Diamond Tiara was walking down the road with Silver Spoon and the CMC. They were making small talk about how the day had went. It was pretty awkward. Soon, the fork in the road appeared and the girls split apart. Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Sweetie Belle went together and Scootaloo and Apple Bloom went the other way. The first house to appear was Sweetie Belle's. They approached Carousel Boutique and Rarity was at the door. She was about to go in. Sweetie Belle then galloped to her shouting "WAIT FOR MEEE! BYE GIRLS!" 

"Bye! See you tomorrow." Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara said simultaneously. They continued on their way until Silver Spoon had to leave. The girls did their signature "Bump Bump Sugar Lump Rump" and went their separate ways. Diamond Tiara continued and had thoughts of what her mom would do after earlier today. 

Mom has always been so controlling. She'll be super mad when I get home. I hate it when she shouts at me. Diamond Tiara thought this as she walked up and knocked on the door. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see her mother's expression. She had a smile on her face. A smile. Immediately Diamond Tiara was confused as her mother spoke.

"Hello there, darling. How was school? Have fun?" Spoiled Rich said. Diamond Tiara had her mouth agape as she her this.

"Ummm...It was good." Diamond Tiara half said, half whispered. She had been expecting a stern shouting in the face, but it never came. Spoiled Rich ushered her daughter inside and closed the door. Maybe she forgot? Diamond Tiara asked internally. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

Her mother's face changed the second the door closed. Instead of the light smile Spoiled Rich wore, her face was filled with anger and her eyes shot daggers at Diamond Tiara. If looks could kill, Diamond Tiara would've already been buried. She spoke in a shout. "DON'T YOU EVER DEFY ME AGAIN!!!" She threw up her hoof and slapped Diamond Tiara. 

Diamond Tiara was shocked. Her mother had never struck her before. Diamond Tiara shouted back, but her voice was a whisper to her mothers as she said with teary eyes "No! I won't end up like you! I want to have friends!" Diamond Tiara was sobbing loudly.

Her mother retaliated with another slap and yelled. "GO TO YOUR ROOM! AND NO DINNER FOR YOU!" Spoiled Rich had a crazed look in her eye and Diamond Tiara  was galloping upstairs in a flash. Diamond Tiara slammed the door closed and threw herself on her bed. She began to sob to herself. 

Maybe this just for today. Maybe this will only last a short time. Diamond Tiara hopelessly thought to herself.

Sadly, what Diamond Tiara didn't know was that this first disciplinary action was the starting of a long chain of escalating beatings that she would have to endure to be the pony she had aspired to be. She wanted friends so badly, and she wasn't going to get any if she followed her mother's way of being. But Diamond Tiara constantly asked herself after a beating. Are friends really worth this pain?