Poshdate (Guess what got a sequel?!) · 12:09am Mar 7th, 2017
Which is to say "Posh Update," rather than "Posh is going on a date." Sadly.
As promised, "Teach Me Goodness" got a sequel, and one that I'm more proud of than I thought I'd be (making the featured box within a few hours certainly helps with that). When I did the RCL interview for "TMG,", I talked about an idea I had where Diamond Tiara tries to find a surrogate Cheerilee. The idea was originally that she'd run away from home and try to convince Twilight to adopt her, which Twilight, being well-meaning but somewhat naive, would try to do. A legal battle would ensue with the Riches, blah blah blah... I thought had a lot of potential (I had an idea for a scene where Spike and Cummerbund the butler compare notes on brewing tea and assisting Twilight vs. the Riches), but with other concerns and projects looming on the horizon, I didn't pursue it.
When Scribblefest rolled around, I dusted off the idea (it was one of the only things I could think of that I could potentially do in 6k words or fewer), revised it to make it fit within the word limit, cutting away all the drama and reducing it to a heartfelt conversation between two (three?) people, and put Starlight in the starring role instead of Twilight. The result isn't quite what I had in mind when I originally conceived it, but that's probably for the best. Twilight as a kidnapper seems... an odd direction to take the character.
I also think Starlight works better than Twilight in this role, in keeping with the running theme the show has of redeemed villains/antagonists supporting one another (Starlight and Trixie, Sunset and SciTwi, and now Starlight and DT).
I still have two more ideas for "TMG" sequels: the aforementioned holiday story with Cheerilee, and another about Big Mac that I might write, if the mood ever strikes me. But right now, I'm just glad to have one more thing checked off of the March Crunch list. Next up for me is a chapter of DannyJ's very excellent Dark Souls crossover, To Keep the Fire Burning. To be released on April 1st.
Hint hint. 
Oh, one last thing: Cut content! I had to snip away the last scene from Next Best Thing to get it under 6k words. The story's better without it, IMO, but if you wanted to see the original ending, you can check it out beneath the break. It's sandpaper smooth, and not proofread, meaning it's of slightly lower quality than the stuff I usually produce.
A banner, arcing downward in facsimile of a smile, was suspended over the doors to the Ponyville schoolhouse, welcoming the class to the new schoolyear. For a moment, Diamond Tiara stared at it with a hint of trepidation. But a look at Starlight's confidently smiling face solidified her resolve, and she climbed the steps and swept inside with her trademark poise and class.
She wasn't the first one there – the Cutie Mark Crusaders were at the front of the classroom, gabbing happily away at a young-looking, brown earth pony mare, dappled from nose to dock with white spots. The mare looked up and smiled – a genuine, warm smile, far more matronly than her youth would suggest her capable of – and stepped toward the newcomer.
"Good morning," she chirped as she passed between the familiar rows of desks. "I think I can guess who you are – Diamond Tiara, right? I've already heard quite a bit about you."
Diamond's face went ashen before the teacher could continue.
"Your friends think very highly of you," she said, casting a look at the beaming Crusaders. "They've been telling me nonstop about what a wonderful young mare you are – good, and generous, and a wonderful leader."
Reaching Diamond, the teacher bowed her head slightly and reached out with a hoof. "I'm Rocky Road – Miss Rocky is fine. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance – I'm looking forward to working with you this year."
Starlight watched as the color flooded back into Diamond's face. With a relieved grin on her face, she accepted her teacher's hoof, and pumped it firmly. "I feel exactly the same way, Miss Rocky."
Rocky Road giggled girlishly, before looking up and noticing Starlight. "Oh? I don't think I've met you yet, either. Don't tell me – older sister?
Starlight blushed. "Actually, I'm––"
"She's Starlight Glimmer," said Diamond Tiara, darting in front of a flummoxed Starlight. "The official, and personal, apprentice to Princess Twilight Sparkle. We were just hanging out a little before class, talking about history and stuff – no big deal."
Diamond brushed the back of her hoof against her chest.
Apple Bloom appeared at Rocky Road's side, a mischievous leer on her face. "Did I mention how humble Diamond Tiara is? She's real humble."
"Super humble," Sweetie Belle added, piling on top of Apple Bloom's back.
"The humblest!" Scootaloo finished, hopping atop Sweetie Belle. Their combined weight made the pony-pile sway and collapse into a heap of giggling limbs.
Diamond scoffed. "You're just jealous."
"Oh, yes," said Apple Bloom. "So jealous."
They locked their gazes together in a hard, tense staring contest, before breaking into fits of mutual laugher.
"I should probably get going," said Starlight to the teacher. "Just wanted to see Diamond Tiara off to her first day. Good luck to you – you've clearly got your work cut out for you."
"So I've heard." Rocky Road's eyes twinkled as she smiled good-naturedly at Starlight. "Can't wait to get started."
"And Diamond?" said Starlight. The pink filly looked away from Apple Bloom curiously. "Just so you know – you're welcome at the library whenever you want. Just try to keep to normal hours in the future, okay?"
"I'll do my best." Diamond hesitated, like there was something else she was about to say – but instead, she just mouthed "thank you," and turned back to her friends.
With a parting nod, and a wink, Starlight stepped out of the schoolhouse, back into the brisk Ponyville morning, just as another filly – silver-maned and coated – walked past her inside.
"Silver Spoon!" called Diamond Tiara from inside. "Guess what? I owe you twenty bits!"
Starlight thought about it, perplexed, before deciding that she was better off not knowing, and began her walk home.
Miss Rocky's named after the mother of an ex-girlfriend of mine, who was/is pretty much the Platonic ideal of a preschool teacher, incidentally.
That would've added a more optimistic conclusion, but I love the story the way it is. Thank you for sharing the 'deleted scene' though.
Pssssh! I haven't been on one date in all my 21yrs of existence friend!
.................................
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4445952
4445953 I go on 10 mi. runs! I enjoy an engaging conversation! I play mutiple instruments! I cook, and have a steady paying job! I'm a virIle young man! Why cant I get someone to love me!
... oh wait. Who needs love when you have ponies?
That DannyJ guy sounds like an asshole. You should throw rocks at him.
4446080 I throw worse things than mere rocks.