//------------------------------// // Part I: The Election, Pipsqueak v.s. Diamond Tiara! // Story: My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic: The Broken Diamond // by SuperPinkBrony12 //------------------------------// Inside their headquarters at an old clubhouse at Sweet Apple Acres, four little ponies better known as The Cutie Mark Crusaders (having chosen that name out of their desire to "crusade" for their cutie marks) were looking at a chart that depicted in crude sketches all of their failed attempts at getting a cutie mark. The chart had only gotten longer and longer over the years that they'd been together, a fact that did not go unnoticed. There was a growing sense of urgency for the four to get their cutie marks soon, because few of their classmates were still blank flanks and that number was shrinking almost everyday. "Alright, ya'll," Apple Bloom spoke up, standing on a small podium. "Now, back to the business of gettin' our cutie marks. Any suggestions for new ideas? The sky's the limit." Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Rumble, all exchanged nervous glances and seemed unsure of how to respond. At last, it was Rumble commented. "We've got nothing. Let's face it, Apple Bloom, we've been chasing those cutie marks for forever and have nothing to show for it." "I hate to admit it, but Rumble's right," Scootaloo added with a hint of reluctance. "Even Featherweight has his cutie mark now. I think only Dinky, Ruby Pinch, and that weird Button Mash kid are left." "Although, Button is kind of cute," Sweetie Belle admitted with a faint blush. "Whenever he's not busy staring at some electronic screen. And it seems like he's always spending time after school down by the arcade." "I think maybe it's time to throw in the towel," Rumble reluctantly suggested to Apple Bloom. "Even if one of us does get their cutie mark, the odds of all of four of us getting it at the exact same time are all but impossible." Apple Bloom would hear none of that! For she firmly leaped down from the podium on which she'd been standing, and replied firmly! "Are you kiddin'?! Shinin' Armor and his friends all got their cutie marks at the same time, and so did Twilight and her friends! Whose to say it won't happen again?! Besides, we're the Cutie Mark Crusaders, givin' up ain't part of our creed! Don't forget what brought us all together! It's even in our official anthem." And with that, Apple Bloom began to sing: We've been searchin' for our cutie marks, for a while now. Tryin' to figure out just how we fit in. So many ways we've tried before. Yet we'll keep on tryin' more. 'Cause the Cutie Mark Crusaders don't give in! "Come on, ya'll, you know the words!" Apple Bloom encouraged. And one by one, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Rumble all joined in as they sang together (alongside Apple Bloom): We'll make our mark! One way, or another. We'll make our mark! On the day that we discover. The ultimate reward, of our cutie marks! Their mood brightened by the song, a new sense of determination reached the young ponies. "Wow, it's amazing how that song always seems to get us motivated when we're feeling down," Rumble commented. "It's like magic." Meanwhile, Apple Bloom suggested. "Alright, Crusaders, whadya we wanna try our hooves at now?! I got a feelin' today's gonna be our lucky day!" Just then, the clubhouse door was flung open, and who should enter the confines of the clubhouse but the appropriately named Pipsqueak himself? The little colt who had transferred from Trottingham just two years ago (just before Nightmare Night), cried out. "Help!" "Hey, Pipsqueak, er.. I mean Pip," Sweetie greeted, hastily correcting herself on the colt's name. It was a known fact that Pipsqueak was a little bit sensitive in regards to his full name. "What's up?" Pipsqueak frantically explained. "I'm running for Student Pony President in the upcoming election." "You mean somepony's actually gonna challenge Diamond Tiara?!" Scootaloo exclaimed, hoping she'd heard correctly! Pipsqueak nodded. "But I can't defeat her on my own, especially since she has the help of her best friend, Silver Spoon, and her mother's financial support. So I was hoping you four would be my campaign managers," He offered. "You're the only candidates I could think of who were available on short notice." "Hm, I don't believe we've ever tried our luck at campaign managin' before," Apple Bloom concluded. "And it'd be nice to unseat that bothersome brat, Diamond Tiara. That filly's caused us nothin' but trouble," And then after briefly chatting with her fellow Crusaders, the farm filly said to Pip. "We're in! Together, we'll run a campaign that'll knock Diamond's horseshoes off and put that smug filly in her place!" "Oh thank you, Crusaders!" Pipsqueak happily exclaimed. "I'm forever in your debt!" "Don't worry about it," Rumble spoke up. "This won't cost you a thing. Just the experience will be reward enough, though if we can get Diamond unseated, that'll be a nice bonus." "You mean when we get Diamond unseated. Quite frankly, if not for her mother, Diamond would've never even gotten the position," Scootaloo corrected. "Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." "Let's stop talking and start campaigning!" Sweetie suggested in an urgent tone. "The election's right around the corner, that doesn't give us a lot of time!" Apple Bloom nodded. "You're right, Sweetie Belle! The time has come for us to hit the campaign trail and stick it to Diamond!" All the Crusaders joined in on the shout of "Yeah!", and Sweetie used her magic to pull Pip into the group salute. And with that, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were now officially Cutie Mark Crusaders Campaign Managers. The next day, at school, the Crusaders wasted no time in putting their candidate out there and making his position known. "So, Pip," Apple Bloom spoke up, drawing everypony's attention. "Since you're runnin' for student pony president, how would you help the school and by extension your fellow classmates, if you were elected?" "Yeah, tell us why everypony who's anypony should vote for you!" Rumble encouraged. Pipsqueak smiled, as he stood on a small wooden box, puffed out his chest to look important, and declared to the crowd of colts and fillies. "Well for starters, our playground equipment took quite the beating during Shining Armor's battle with that nasty Tirek a few months back. And the school board hasn't yet approved funds to get the new equipment we rightfully deserve," To emphasize his point, Pip turned his attention to the decaying swing set and pointed a hoof. "See? We clearly deserve better than that old, hoof-me-down set. So if I'm elected president, my first act shall be to go straight to the school board and right this wrong! And unlike Diamond Tiara, you can be sure I won't bow to their will!" Everypony cheered, that is until none other than Diamond Tiara herself appeared with her best friend Silver Spoon by her side. The two fillies eyed the crowd with looks of scorn and discontent. "Well, I think that's a silly idea, and a waste of money too!" Diamond Tiara protested. "It's just like last election, when Twist said she wanted to replace the window Discord tampered with, with just another plain old window," Then with a smug smile, the filly added. "But you all know that voting for me was the right choice, because I opted to give that window visual appeal. At great personal expense I might add." "Of course it doesn't hurt that your mother's Spoiled Rich, who happens to be president of the school board," Apple Bloom remarked with eyes narrowed in anger. "It's no secret your mother's the one callin' all the shots for you." "You're just jealous because Diamond's super popular and well connected, and you're not," Silver Spoon teased. "Which is why you'll be happy to know, that when Diamond Tiara is re-elected student pony president, the school will be putting a statue of her in the middle of our school yard!" The filly struck an excited pose! But Diamond immediately grabbed Silver by her ponytails and complained to her! "Silver Spoon! That was supposed to be my big reveal for my big speech." "I'm sorry, Diamond," Silver apologized as sincerely as possible. "I was only trying to help." "Well, I don't need that kind of help." Tiara added in a low growl, effectively silencing any further comments from her friend. A fact that didn't go unnoticed by the crowd. They all started to talk amongst themselves about the candidates, and the contrast between them. "Come on, everypony, be reasonable about this!" Scootaloo spoke up. "Do we really need a statue of Diamond Tiara?" "Especially where our playground equipment should be?!" Sweetie Belle added quite firmly. "Don't you think we deserve better?!" Pipsqueak, determined to keep the momentum that was being generated for him, stepped forward and proudly declared: "A vote for Pip is a vote for a new playground!" "A vote for Diamond Tiara, is a vote for MORE Diamond Tiara!" Diamond announced, as she too stepped forward. "And how could you possibly say no to that?" "Like this, actually," Rumble smirked. "Hit it!" And the Crusaders (including Rumble) approached and stood next to Pip as they began to sing: It's time to make a change. This is our chance. Don't be afraid to do what's right. He's it! Vote for Pip! We've got an opportunity. To have fun again. Vote for Pip and you can join the fight! It's time for a new leader, it's time to make a change. We're here to fight for what we believe. Vote for Pip! It's finally time that we beat her, and play a better game. 'Cause when we all vote together, then there's nothing that we can't achieve! Almost as though she'd expected such an action, Diamond started singing her own little song that went like this: I don't believe what I am hearing! I'm the only one you should be cheering! Pipsqueak?! Try "Pip's weak!" Don't you think? But a diamond's is perfection, it's a natural selection. So your vote better for me, not the weakest link! "How 'bout we let the voters decide?!" Apple Bloom suggested. "Oh, the voters?! Of course!" Diamond grinned rather fiendishly. Then as she trotted past all the ponies she sang: Everypony has their own little secrets. Oh, I know you do. A vote for me will help you keep them safe. Like your creepy super strength! Or your mane extension, just a little thing I won't mention. Or even those freakish large teeth in your face! "Blackmail and intimidation? Why am I not surprised?" Rumble commented to Tiara. "What's the matter? Afraid to fight fair?" "Just reminding the voters what's at stake, what they stand to lose," Tiara replied with a fake smile. "Got a problem with that?" "You won't get away with this! I don't need to play dirty to beat you, Diamond Tiara!" Pipsqueak vowed. Apple Bloom nodded. "Pip's right! Come on now, ponies! Don't listen to her!" And all the Crusaders sang in protest: You've gotta vote for change. It's time for a new leader. End all of the tyranny! Vote now and we can beat her! It's now another day, and we believe in what's right! Vote for Pip! Vote for Pip! Our victory is in sight! And indeed it seemed to be, the song rang out and the chants of "Vote for Pip!" were growing rapidly even as lines formed at the voting booth, Cheerilee watching the whole time to make sure everything ran smoothly. But voting had just gotten under way when Diamond loudly cried out! "Stop! Everypony who hasn't voted yet, listen up! This is important!" Then the filly sang: Pip makes promises that he can't keep, but I can do more. You could really use a new bookbag for example. 'Cause I'll make things happen that none of you here can even afford. To do, like, ever! Wouldn't you like a little something sweet? Here's a parasol to hide you from the heat. Who says that I can't be nice? But first there's one thing, an itsy-bitsy little string. And voting for me is the price! Surprisingly, Silver Spoon tapped Diamond Tiara on the back with a hoof and in a sweet tone of voice she sang in encouragement to her friend: I've just a tiny suggestion. That you should be aware. You could probably win this election. If you showed them all you really- "I don't recall asking you to speak!" Diamond rudely interrupted, to gasps of shock and horror from all watching! Seizing advantage of this unexpected development, Sweetie proudly proclaimed. "Well, Diamond Tiara, if that's the way you treat your best friend, then I choose Pipsqueak!" Tiara was rendered speechless, her mouth hung open in shock! Meanwhile, an entire chorus of colts and fillies started to join the CMC as they sang proudly: Stand strong and don't be afraid. Let's free ourselves from the past. He's it! Vote for Pip! We'll let our honor win out against the tyranny. And make a change that will last! Vote for Pip! It's time for a new leader, it's time to make a change. We're here to fight for what we believe. Vote for Pip! It's finally time that we beat her, and play a better game. 'Cause when we all vote together, then there's nothing that we can't achieve! Vote for Pip!