//------------------------------// // Double Trouble // Story: A Diamond For Your Trouble // by Cadiefly //------------------------------// Sugarcube Corner was packed. Every week on Tuesday there was a large sale on popular confections that everypony simply wanted to partake. On this particular Tuesday, all confectioneries were half off, ergo the reasoning for the bakery being so packed. At one of the tables at the far corner of the dining area, three little fillies were taking large sips of a milkshake. They joked with each other as they took turns getting brain freeze. Their grins were lighthearted, their laughter contagious. Every now and then, they would have a short conversation, mostly about something whimsical in nature. From her seat across the room, Diamond Tiara stared at the three of them, laughing and carrying on, with longing. What she would give to have that again. It had only been a few days since Silver Spoon had packed up and left for Canterlot, leaving her in this friendless state. She missed Silver Spoon's friendly banter and their slumber parties. She could have those kinds of outings again with the crusaders. Apple Bloom had said as much. If only that was a possibility. Unfortunately, she knew better than to give in to such desire, at least with commoners. She would never be permitted to befriend them. She shuddered at the thought of listening to her mother's disapproval once more. Her mother's voice, snide and cruel as she verbally punished her, came back to haunt her. The nasty remarks stuck in her head like a mantra. This was especially true during times of distress such as this, where something she wanted to do was certainly against everything she'd been taught. Where had that left her? She had no other foals she could befriend as far as her parents were concerned, at least not in Ponyville. She let out an irritable sigh and hung her shoulders, resting her chin on the table she sat around. The whole thing was disconcerting. Her eyes drifted to a piece of uneaten pie laying on her table. Normally, she would savor its delectable taste, sharing the afternoon with her best friend. That was gone now. Had she known the move ahead of time, would there have been any difference that she could make? If so, what could that have been? Maybe she could have requested Silver Spoon's father to turn down that promotion. Likely chance of that happening. Now all that she had left to cheer her up from her stressful life was the cutie mark crusaders, and she knew even that wasn't going to be enough to fill the growing void in her heart. "Oh Apple Bloom, why'd it have to be this way?" She asked to herself. 'No,' a voice popped into her head for the umpteenth time today, 'Hanging out with peasants without the chance of being elevated socially and politically is pointless.' She could only imagine what other things her mother might have to say about her affections towards another filly. Tears began to sneak up on her once again, and she steeled herself, quelling those emotions as best as she could. The disgust and hatred she harbored for herself, stemmed from her mother's harsh upbringing, were stronger than ever. How was anypony supposed to live like this? She was scared of it all. Scared of her feelings, scared of how everypony would react to them, but most of all, she was scared of her mother. She wondered if she could just end it all and be rid of this burden. Not for the first time, thoughts of suicide swirled in her head as she contemplated the potential repercussions. Knowing that it was wrong to feel this way did not make things any easier. Diamond knew that she needed to get help, but she didn't think she deserved that kind of attention, not after all of trouble she's caused everypony. She didn't feel it was fair to anypony with all this baggage she was carrying. A sudden anger coalesced within her heart. Her mother. Surely all of this was her fault, right? By not being able to choose her own friends and by not being able to choose her destiny, this conclusion was inevitable. Everypony needs a friend. Surely, even her mother would understand that. If she reasoned with her, it might be possible for her to move elsewhere, perhaps even Canterlot. That sounded real tempting. To reunite with her best friend would be amazing. She would get to do all the things that they used to do again. A smile formed as her imagination took hold for a brief moment. The fantasy was short lived. To move away meant to leave Ponyville, to leave her loved one. There was something about this place, her home, that drew her in. Images in her mind of her and Silver Spoon were replaced with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. More specifically, images of Apple Bloom. Her mind wandered to Silver's last words to her. 'Who knows, you may even be able to pull of that.' Her face took on a scarlet hue as she desperately tried to push these thoughts away. A determination festered within her, to convince her mother to allow her to befriend anypony, even the commoners. She still wouldn't be able to act upon her desires, but at least she'd be able to be friends with Apple Bloom and the others. Leaving the pie unattended on the table, she stood up and strode towards the exit. She weaved through the crowd of customers and stepped through the door with an air of confidence. Once she was outside Diamond Tiara broke out into a gallop towards her home, fully intending to give her mother an earful. Suddenly, she was stopped by a pair of colts when she bumped into them. She landed on her hindquarters with a resounding thud and a groan. She shook her head for a moment before looking up at the Colts, one red with a blonde mane and the other orange with a violet mane. They were staring back down at her with condescending sneers. "Well Lookie at what we have here, Butter Scotch. Little miss whiny in the flesh." The orange colt, the one called Butter Scotch, laughed menacingly, "Hah, miss whiny. Sure does cry a lot, huh Red Vine?" Together they laughed as they encroached on her space. When Diamond Tiara gave no more reaction, Butter Scotch gave her an unfriendly push. Diamond Tiara was dumbfounded. It had been so long since she had been on the receiving end of bullying, and she didn't know what to think of it. At this point, it was practically unheard of. Nopony messed with the likes of her and got away with it. She was Diamond Dazzle Tiara for Celestia's sake. And yet, there they were standing over her with menacing grins on their muzzles. Just what did they want with her? Honestly, these losers weren't even worth her time in asking. "As if you'd catch me dead crying. Unlike you pathetic dolts, I actually plan on going somewhere in life." The two colts looked to each other and then back to Diamond Tiara as if it was the funniest thing they had ever heard. They guffawed, holding a fore hoof to their stomachs. "Do you hear that Butter Scotch? I've never seen a mare more in denial!" They burst out into another bout of laughter. He continued, "Thinks just because she's got status, she's perfect. Thinks that she's above us 'common folk'! Well I've got news for you, shrimp. Just because you're rich doesn't mean you're not a shrimp... We're gonna enjoy beating the tar out of you." He smacked his fore hooves together in emphasis. All pretense of showing off an air of confidence to these louts withered away as she whimpered in response. Suddenly they seemed a lot bigger and more dangerous than before. She tried to make a mad dash to get away from these ponies. "That's right...you don't have your Sickly Fork to protect you anymore," Butter Scotch cried as he cut off her escape route. Suddenly the two of them pounced on top of her. For a moment, they were a mess of hooves and heads as they attempted to connect a series of blows to her. The next few seconds were the scariest moments of Tiara's life. She felt completely violated. She'd forgotten all about her station in life, who she was. Who they were. Nothing mattered except getting away from them. Everything was just a blur of hooves as her desperation mounted. A spike of adrenaline coursed through her as tensions rose. She began worming her way out of their grasp, inch by inch. One of their hooves managed to connect with her midsection with a harsh blow. She hacked as she recoiled from the kick. Her body failed her. She stood there, still, as she took a moment to catch her breath. When she could move again, she realized that they were still on top of her. She felt a sickening feeling in her stomach, a revulsion stronger than any negative feeling she'd ever had before for these colts. Were they trying to kill her?! Through sheer willpower alone, she had managed to escape their clutches. As she got to her hooves, she only spared a moment to glance back at them to see that they had already begun galloping after her. She didn't waste any time in fleeing, taking the shortest path back to her mansion. On the way to her mansion, they had passed some ponies in the streets. Some pony must have noticed the look of terror on her face or the way the two colts chasing her, because at some point they weren't following her anymore. When she had realized this, she had slowed her pace to a stop. Now that she was alone, her mind could finally catch up with her body. What the hay was all that about? They looked at her with such hate in their eyes, but she didn't remember what she could have possibly done to warrant such aggression towards her. Even if she had bullied them at some point, she didn't recognize them, and what they did was beyond anything she could have possibly done. She shuddered at the thought of their slimy hooves and sweaty bodies all over her. Her breathing was suddenly raspy, her mind a wreck. She began hyperventilating as she processed what had just happened. Everything could have ended up being so much worse. It almost was worse. Fear gripped her firmly to the ground, preventing her from continuing her trot home. Diamond knew that on some level she needed to continue onward. The logical side of her mind was trying to tell her to move forward, to tell her that she wasn't safe here and wouldn't be safe until she was inside her home. In the sanctuary of her room. Yet, even as she told herself this, her body simply wouldn't comply. Instead, her hindquarters gave out on her, and she fell to the ground in a mess, struggling to regain her composure. Her heart was pounding, and she clenched her eyes shut, their unyielding faces refusing to depart from the forefront of her mind. A lump caught in her throat as she tried to swallow. Each breath she took was shallow, and her chest heaved as it seemed to take on a life of its own. She could hear whimpering from somewhere, and she glanced around to see who was there. Was somepony watching her? Then she had realized that she was causing the noise. It took a great deal of effort to quell this new sensation. As it turned it wasn't possible, at least not entirely. The sound of her own whimpering, however, was enough to jump start her mind again. After regaining enough composure, when her heartbeat and breathing was only marginally elevated by comparison, she headed home, one tentative step at a time. When she got home, Diamond Tiara paid little attention to everypony around her. The staff of servants all gave her worried looks as she practically drug her hooves up the staircases leading to the second floor, where her living quarters resided. She was oblivious of their stares, however, as she reached her room and shut the door behind her. There she lain on her bed, quivering, for several hours. The comfort of her bed did little to shelter her from the onslaught that was the flashbacks of the assault buzzing through her head. Distraught as she was, she nearly missed the sound of rapping on her door. "Your food awaits you mistress Tiara." came the warming voice of Humfrey, her butler. "I'm not hungry, Humfrey." She said. She tried to say more, to alert the pony of the ordeal that she had been through, but her voice failed her, caught in her throat. She shivered, suddenly feeling cold. She tugged the covers on her bed around her flank and snuggled into the bed. "May I come in?" asked Humfrey. Judging by the tone in his voice, he could tell something was amiss. A sad smile played on Diamond Tiara's muzzle as she considered the butler's role in her life. He seemed to be the closest thing she had to a loving parent. "N-no, that's fine." She wish she had the strength to let him know what troubled her. So many emotions swirled around in her head as she tried to sort them out. She wouldn't even know where to begin to describe what she was going through. She felt so alone in the world and so scared that she never wanted to leave this bed again. She wouldn't be hurt by those mean bullies again if she stayed home forever, as if that was any life to live. Images reflected in her head suddenly of the cutie mark crusaders. She briefly smiled, recalling their attempts to cheer her up. She wiped tears from her eyes with a hoof, letting the happiness that was welling up inside her to push back the dark thoughts creeping up in her mind. It was only for a moment, however, as past images of their less than friendly encounters surged forth to the forefront of her mind. As if looking through from a third person's perspective, she watched herself bully the cutie mark crusaders. Her mind silently drew the comparison between how she treated the fillies and how she was just treated herself. When she saw how similar they were, with the exception of the physical aspect of their interactions, her eyes clenched shut once more. It had been so long since she herself had been bullied, she wondered if that was how it felt for them. She frowned when she considered the possibility. She didn't want them to feel that bad. It was just that teasing them relieved some of the mounting stress her mother gave her in ways that her friendship with Silver Spoon didn't. Yet, in the end even that was not enough. All the proof one needed of that was to look at the miserable state she was in right this very moment. She could feel some of her determination to befriend the three fillies return. She could see no other thing besides their friendship at this moment to combat these dark feelings stirring inside her. What she might do otherwise could possibly destroy her. Because of what had transpired today, she came to an understanding. One that would help her right her past wrongs and move forward. Surely it'd be difficult given her history with the crusaders, but it was worth it. The best place to start, she thought, would be by confronting her mother. Coming out of her reverie, she turned to look at her clock. It read 11:59 P.M. Had she really been in deep thought that long? Suddenly she felt sleepy. Tired eyes drooped closed as she told herself that one more day wouldn't hurt. Tomorrow, she would change everything for the better. It was the next day, and school would be in session shortly. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom were racing towards the school as usual, weaving through the traffic that was the general populous of Ponyville. Having narrowly avoided running into a colt selling carrots, Apple Bloom wiped her face of sweat with a hoof and continued onward. From the school entrance, Red Vine and Butter Scotch were waiting. When they saw the fillies approach, they blocked their path. "Well, well, if it isn't the Cootie Fart Blank-a-teers. If you wanna pass us, you're gonna have to pay the toll." Red Vine exploded in a fit of laughter as he invaded their personal space to intimidate them. "I don't believe it. More bullies?" Scootaloo said with a groan. "Leave us alone. we ain't afraid of ya. " Apple Bloom retorted as she butted heads with Red Vine. Both of them were glaring at the other, and it seemed as if a fight was about to break out at any moment. Diamond Tiara was watching the whole scene play out from afar. She tried to jump to their aid, but her body wasn't cooperating with her. Her own skirmish with the bullies were fresh in her mind, forcing her to relive that horrid scene once more. "You better be." Red Vine lashed out at Apple Bloom, smacking her in the face with a hoof. Sent reeling away, she ungracefully landed on the ground. She teared up as she caressed the newly formed wound on her cheek. A burning hatred erupted from Diamond Tiara. Forgetting everything, she leaped to action and placed herself between Red Vine and the crusaders. "Leave them alone," she growled. Every one of the fillies had surprised looks on their faces as they watched her defend them. "Or what?" Butter Scotch jumped in, "You're going to wine at us again?" If glares could kill, these two would be incinerated by now. "You scum are the worst. Treating us ladies like trash." She wanted so very badly to just brawl with them, to beat them into the dust, but she knew that given their strength she would very likely lose. She had to think of something fast. Without turning to the crusaders, she asked, "Can one of you get a teacher?" Wordlessly, Sweetie Belle got up and made a mad dash towards the school. Butter Scotch made an attempt to cut her off, but Diamond Tiara intercepted his advance. She snarled at him, daring him to try. One step was all he was able to take before he was bucked in the face by her hind hooves. He tumbled back onto his flank, and he just barely managed to keep himself stabilized before he fell back any farther. Turning to his companion, Butter Scotch grunted and said, "Forget this, Red Vine. We're gonna get in trouble." Red Vine was beyond the point of listening, however. He towered over the pink-furred filly and raised his hooves to stomp her into the ground. He let out a guttural roar as he brought them down on her. All of her conviction drained the moment he raised his hooves. Wide-eyed and terrified, Diamond huddled close to the ground and placed her hooves over her head. The attack on the filly never came however, as she was abruptly pushed out of the way. She turned to find Apple Bloom hovering over her some meters off to the side. Her face became heated as she noticed how close their faces were, and she looked off to the side, hoping that it wouldn't be noticeable. Thankfully, she gave no outward signs that she had. "Stand still so I can hit you!" Red Vine cried as he turned back to them. He advanced upon them again, and he was just rearing back his hindquarters for another attack when he was stopped by Ms. Cheerilee. He looked back to see her face and gulped. The jig was up. He looked around for his partner in crime, but Butter Scotch was nowhere to be found. He had fled when no one was paying him any attention. Cheerilee was looking down at him, not to thrilled with his less than upstanding behavior. "I am sure your parents will have some choice words for you when they find out the trouble you are in, young mister." She led him away from the other ponies, ordering him to stand at the door to the school before turning back to the fillies. "Are you girls alright? He did not hurt you, did he?" The sudden pain in her cheek returning, Apple Bloom brought a hoof to rub the tender wound. "A little." Apple Bloom mumbled. Frowning, Cheerilee came down to eye level with Apple Bloom and inspected the wound. "Oh dear. I will get you an ice pack for that." Returning her attention back to the colt responsible, she shot him a disappointed look and said, "Somepony has a lot of explaining to do. In the meantime you can wait here." With that, she walked over to the colt and dragged him inside by the ear. She returned a moment later to give Apple Bloom an ice pack. "Here you go, sweetheart. It looks painful. Are you up for school today, Apple Bloom?" "Ah think so, thanks." Apple Bloom responded. She turned back to Diamond Tiara and gave her a hug. "And thank you for standin' up fer us like that." Cheerilee smiled as she watched the two fillies. Seeing them like this was a nice change of pace from their normal exchanges. It was wonderful to see them getting along like this instead of being at each other's throats. Diamond Tiara was blushing madly as she attempted to extract herself from Apple Bloom's arms whilst also looking away. "Okay, okay. That's enough. Stop being so clingy all of a sudden. I-I was just getting back at him for what he did yesterday is all. It was nothing, really." She chanced a look back to her to see her reaction. "He did something to you too?" Cheerilee asked, her smile dissipating. "Did he harm you?" "Not exactly..." she responded. She then went into a full recount of everything that happened to her the previous day. She shuddered as she tried to overcome the trauma they had placed in her. After she was finished telling her tale, Cheerliee placed a hoof on her shoulder reassuringly and said, "I am terribly sorry for what they had done to you. nopony should have to go through that ordeal alone. What they did to you was inexcusable. Rest assured they will be punished severely for this. Please, if you ever need somepony to talk to about this, come to me. Traumatic experiences are best dealt with together." "Thank you, Ms. Cheerilee." she said. As Cheerilee walked back inside, she turned back to the crusaders. There was still something she had to say to them. "Apple Bloom. There's something I've been meaning to ask you. Is your offer still on the table?" A beam from ear to ear was fixed on Apple Bloom's face as she shouted, "Of course it is, Di!" Giving a small smile in return, Diamond said, "Thank you all for being there for me. I know I'm not the best at expressing how I really feel, but I have a lot on my plate right now. I know that's no excuse for how I treated you all...Will you give me a few days to work things out with my mother? She...isn't exactly the most accepting of ponies, and she'll probably flip out about this." "Uhm, sure." Apple Bloom said, unsure of what to say next to show her support. She didn't know what exactly could be done to help except by being there for her if something went wrong. It was not apparent was even going on in their family behind the scenes. After giving them another word of thanks, Diamond Tiara departed into the school, leaving the remaining fillies to ponder over what just happened. Scootaloo was the first to broach the subject. "What was that all about? What offer was that?" "Oh, right. Ah didn't tell ya yet. Ah told her she could be our friends." Apple Bloom explained simply. She jumped up to the top step of the school and began receding into the building. Sweetie Belle was hopping up and down in joy as she exclaimed with glee about how she was excited to be getting a new friend. She followed Apple Bloom inside shortly thereafter, all the while discussing what fun activities they could do with the pink filly. Scootaloo, on the other hand, was not nearly as excited. She wasn't sure how she felt about that piece of news yet. Diamond Tiara, a friend? Something didn't seem to set right with her about the notion, and she eventually settled into a scowl. Finding it hard to take the change of heart seriously, she distrusted the rich filly. She was the final one to trot into the building, a sense of foreboding veiling her mind.