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// Chapter 6 - Not-so Sweet part 2 
// Story: Story of Diane Pie: Role in Life 
// by Middle Ground 
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	After the conflict that happened at Sweet Hearts, Tough Love and I made our way back home. We got inside, walked up to the second floor and saw Miss Jubilee eating a salad. She then noticed us and stopped eating.
"Diane...? Love...? What are you two doing back home so early? Did you two decide to take the day off?" Miss Jubilee walked over to us and then stopped when she noticed Tough Love's sad expression.
"Love, what's wrong?! What happened?!" Miss Jubilee then walked up to Tough love, checking to see if she was hurt. Tough Love then walked up stairs without saying anything.
"Diane, what happened? Why is Tough Love sad?" Miss Jubilee needed an explanation and I told her everything. After I told her everything that happened at the bakery/café, Miss Jubilee became troubled.
"I can't believe this.... She finally fulfills that contract only to be cheated. But...just how was she cheated exactly?" I couldn't answer Miss Jubilee if I wanted to.
"Miss Jubilee, what is going on...? What was Tough Love doing with them?" I needed answers now and I hope Miss Jubilee could answer me. She gave a deep sigh when I asked her my questions.
"I can only tell you what I know, Diane. Tough Love was born into a family of business ponies like myself. Her father, Honest Business, was another good friend of mine. He was a well-respected contractor and he did his work as honestly as his name was. Her mother, Charity, was a very kind-hearted mare. But sadly, she was very sick and frail, and she passed away from illness when Love was only three. And worse, Honest passed away from the grief when Love was five. It was a very dark time for Love, and it only got darker after that. The colt you told me about, High Demand, was supposed to be the successor of the contracting business. And if that wasn't enough, he turned it into a business for cheats and swindlers. Love was put into hard labor every day during her early life. When she became ten, she confronted High Demand and that was when the deal was made. One billion bits and she was free from her connection to his business. For seven long years she has worked as a baker of sweets until she got enough money to pay off the contract. As for me, I took her in after wanting to visit Honest Business. I should have been there much sooner...." Miss Jubilee must regret not being there when Tough Love needed help.
"Can't we get the police involved? They might be able to help us." I figured that might be a stretch, but it was an idea.
"I wish.... The contract is both binding and legal. And from what Love told me, a number of legal witnesses were involved in the viewing of them signing the contract. I'm afraid what ever is in that contract is perfectly legal." What could we possibly do to help her? If the contract was perfectly legal, then what can we do? We then saw Tough Love walking down from the third floor. Her eyes were red from crying earlier.
"The contract had fine print that I should have read from the start. When I paid the one billion bits like the contract said, I could only choose one of two options. Option A was for me to be free. To disconnect myself from them forever. Option B was to buy the bakery as my own while still being connected to them. I couldn't have both. If I chose Option A, I could be free of them, but I could no longer bake in Sweet Hearts again. If I chose Option B, I could buy the bakery, but my suffering would continue. If I have to, I'll just start a new bakery. But...it's been my livelihood for years. I've done so many things and made so many ponies happy there." Tough love was beginning to cry again. Miss Jubilee and I both hugged Tough Love to comfort her.
"We'll help you as best as we can. We can figure this out." I agreed with Miss Jubilee as we tried to comfort Tough Love. She then moved away from us and made her way back to the staircase.
"I....I need to be alone." Tough Love then left and went back upstairs. Something tells me that this is not going to be an easy problem to fix. We waited for Day, Charm, and Bitter Sweet to return and we told them everything. Day and Charm didn't understand too much since they were still young, but Bitter Sweet understood the weight of the problem perfectly. Unfortunately, we're up against the legal system and there was nothing we could do. But...there was one thing I could do. I don't know if it will work though. The others did their best to comfort Tough Love, but the sadness she was under was too strong. I had to do something and there is only one pony I know who might be able to help us. We all went to sleep for the night and I knew who to call while I slept. My dream was just an empty void and only I stood alone.
"LUNA!!! LUNA!!!" In the dream, I called out to the only pony who can travel through dreams and who could possibly do anything about a bad contract. At first, nopony came. But then I saw a small light making it's way towards me through the void and I recognized it almost instantly.
"Princess Luna...?! Is that you?! I need your help...!" The light then took form and it became the blue princess I know. She opened her eyes and gave me a smile.
"It's been a while, Diane. We are glad to see you're doing fine. You say you need our help?" I was so relieved to know she was willing to help.
"Princess Luna, one of my family is in trouble and I don't know what to do. Surely, only you can do something about it...." I didn't know who to turn to in this dark time.
"You must keep this in mind that you shouldn't rely on my status as Princess of Equestria. You must know that I had just returned to Equestria after my 1,000 years of banishment. Whether my authority has any sway on the majority of the citizens, I cannot say. Whatever the issue is....I may not be able to help you." Princess Luna was serious and I can't blame her. I clearly remember her return and the image of Nightmare Moon was also clear. So the chances of Princess Luna being able to do anything about this problem is....slim. But I had to ask for her help.
"Princess, please listen...." I told her everything that happened and unfortunately for me, by the time I finished telling her, a loud noise woke up early in the morning. I was not only very annoyed, but I hope Princess Luna knows what to do about this. I got up out of bed to find Bitter Sweet and Miss Jubilee watching Tough Love gathering a few bags.
"Good morning.... What's going on?" I was confused to see what's going on.
"Tough Love is going to go to the bakery and get all of her stuff. She's worried that High Demand might empty it before she could do that." Bitter Sweet seemed very concerned for Tough Love.
"I'll just have to start over from scratch, I guess.... Though, finding a new location is not going to be easy in this city. It was already hard to do the first time." Tough Love sounded so life-less.
"I'll help you find a new store location if you want. Just ask me." Miss Jubilee was also concerned for Tough Love.
"Thanks, but I'm sure I'll manage. Now if you will excuse me, I must go and get some things I left at Sweet Hearts before High Demand empties it. I'll be back later." Tough Love then left the room and began making her way out of the building. My concern for her drove me to follow Tough Love outside.
"Where are you going, Diane?" I stopped to answer Bitter Sweet's question.
"I'm going to go help her. I used to work there too...." I then left in a hurry as I joined Tough Love on her way to Sweet Treats. Along the way, I have been trying to convince her that things will work out, but it seemed very difficult right now. We finally made it to Sweet Treats and then saw High Demand speaking to a familiar face.
"Princess Luna...?! What are you doing here?!" I was not expecting her to show up here so soon! And Tough Love certainly didn't expect her to be there too. We then see High Demand finish talking with Princess Luna, gave her a piece of paper, and then began leaving. He then walked up to us with a serious look on her face.
"Tough Love, this establishment is no longer my concern. I got a better gig waiting for me in Canterlot thanks to Princess Luna. The only condition is that this establishment returns to you. And that the one billion bits you used to pay for your freedom would be used for something more constructive. As for the contract, with this sudden offer, our deal and it's conditions are all null and void. As always, pleasure doing business with you." High Demand then began to take his leave. I don't know what Princess Luna did, but I am so happy for Tough Love. I could see the look of shock on her face.
"Oh, and one last thing. Your father, Honest Business, was great at his work. I looked up to him when he was alive. Good luck." High Demand then left for good this time after giving us his piece. I then looked at Princess Luna and was so happy to see her.
"Diane, this is the only time I can give you my help. As for you, Tough Love, do not give up hope. Good day." Princess Luna then gave Tough Love the deed to the establishment and then vanished in a flash of light.
"I am so happy for you, Tough Love! You got your bakery ba-" I was then interrupted by Tough Love grabbing a hold of me. She was trembling again, and held onto me.
"Thank you...so much! Thank you...!" Tough Love began crying tears of joy as she held onto me. I'm just so glad that it all worked out. Thank you, Princess Luna.