Spoiled Rich growled in her lonely, dankly-lit office, as the sounds of intolerable foalish laughter rang out all around her.
Once again, it was state-mandated recess time for all the horrible colts and fillies she was forced to share a school with, and it was safe to say it was not her favourite time of day by any stretch of her febrile imagination.
Yet here she was, the second most important pony in town, (after a certain Princess Of Friendship, she magnanimously accepted rather begrudgingly) being forced to endure the shrieking squeals of joy and playing from outside, and she truly hated it.
The alleged double soundproofing put in by those blabbermouth salespony twins did precisely nothing to stem the unwholesome din, and her long-gone migraine, which had returned with a vengeance since her poor deluded daughter's brainwashing, was throbbing like crazy.
Can't an upperclass mare work in peace, without some outrageous racket permeating my delicate eardrums?! Spoiled thought ruefully, as she applied the final touches to modifying Scootaloo's personal file, having already finished with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle's, it's a disgrace that's what it is. I don't know how Cheerilee puts up with it.
Ah, Cheerilee. That pitiful, unfortunate creature, unable to get a wealthy stallion of her own so she chose to waste her time labouring in the impossible task of teaching those junior hooligans some manners. Poor thing would never know the reassuring stability of a steady marriage, an obedient husband and a limitless chequebook. It was all so tragic for her, Spoiled nearly laughed herself into a stupor just thinking about it.
Anyway, the dastardly deed was almost done. All Spoiled had to do was officially sign each document and slide it into every one of those awful corrupting filly's permanent records, and they'll be lucky to get a job as a toilet scrubber in their future careers. They'll pay dearly for veering my daughter off her destined course, you just see if they don't. Now to add my beautiful signature and we're good to...
BANG!
That was the unmistakable smack of a ball loudly reverberating against Spoiled's wall, and not expecting it as she was, it had the undesired effect of causing her inky quill to dribble across the page just as she was about to complete her masterpiece.
All my hard work, ruined. Spoiled stared aghast at the illegible paper full of not entirely true allegations about Scootaloo's supposed scooter shenanigans, that she'd have to start all over again now. She'd also concocted specially trumped-up charges for the flightless filly's friends, with the apple muncher's accusations being by far the worst. Naturally, considering she was their despicable leader.
Still, that didn't mean that whosoever dared kick that infernal circular plastic toy full of hot air would get away with their blatant misbehaviour, no way. When you mess up or even delay Spoiled Rich's carefully plotted plans, you soon find out you've made the biggest mistake of your miserable life. Or indeed, what's left of it.
The irate head of the school board ascended from her plush swivelling chair and went to stomp brusquely outside. Normally, a lady of her fine standing would've stepped along with all the decorum and grace you'd expect a valued member of the aristocracy would, but as far as careless peasants were concerned, sometimes she just couldn't hold in her rage.
She headed straight to the back exit (where she'd heard the undignified bump originally) and almost broke the door off it's hinges in her haste to discover the culprit. Scanning around the playground carefully and ignoring the immature tag players and uncouth jungle gym users (bought on her coin, no less) she soon homed in on a bunch of happily giggling youngsters in the corner.
I've got you now, Spoiled smirked, ready to unleash the wrath of a thousand suns on these poor unfortunates squandering their spare time by passing a cheap ball around on the dirty ground. Wait until I tell your parents you hindered the essential duties of the most senior pony at your pathetic little elementary. Get ready to feel a world of pai...
But then, Spoiled spotted something so unbelievable, so astonishing, so incredibly far-fetched that her current scheme of sneaking up behind the diminutive thugs and taking them by surprise was instantly jettisoned. Instead, it was all Spoiled could do to rub her eyes, stare in bewilderment, rub her eyes again, just to make sure that yes... this was actually happening.
M-My daughter... my precious, privileged, perfect daughter, i-is playing games with the ruffians. N-Not only that... s-she's covered in mud, l-looking like she's having the time of her life, a-and she's not even wearing her tiara. I-I see those two idiot colts with her, the lisping fool, that transplant from Trottingham that she should have beaten with ease at the election, and... a-and...
She didn't know why she was so shocked, but she was. Those three parasites with the matching striped shields, who'd torn her loving family asunder and ruined her chances at everlasting happiness without a care in the world, now dared to include her daughter in their infantile activities, too. Despite all her stern warnings to the contrary, regardless of all her constant threats to stay away from them, Diamond had apparently ignored every single instruction and had fully assimilated into the collective without a care in the world.
E-Everything I've taught her, e-everything I've ever guided her towards, g-gone for good... Spoiled couldn't help but act like a drama queen, as this was the first she'd seen of her offspring in 'common' surroundings since her 'forced' conversion to the side of all things good and icky. I-I never thought I'd see her partake in such mindless tomfoolery, a-and to derive such pleasure from it...
It just so happened, at that precise moment, Diamond Tiara was weaving through the defence with the ball at her hooves, dribbling straight for the goal with great determination.
She passed one dozy defender...
Then another...
Soon, she was in the clear.
Using all of her until now untapped earth pony strength, she blasted the ball straight to the artfully drawn chalk goal.
The desperately diving Silver Spoon never had a chance. YES!!
Without any hesitation whatsoever afterwards, the jubilant filly went full in for a very mucky hug with her teammates, right in the middle of the wet, soily pitch.
This didn't go unnoticed by Spoiled, who immediately opened her mouth to object most strongly to the indecent spectacle unfurling right in front of her eyes...
...But the profane words of chastisement never came out.
WHACK!!
You see, Diamond Tiara had walloped the ball with so much power when she smashed it at the wall...
It immediately had the effect of ricocheting off the brickwork, and returning at speed almost as hard as when it was hit.
...And guess whose curved nose was right in the path of said bouncy object as it made it's return journey?
Let's face it, you already know the answer.
It wasn't this tragic incident that caused the odd tale that's about to unravel, though. What really sealed it was the hard, unyielding item that struck the back of her head, on her heedless descent to the ground.
Scootaloo's helmet, lying right next to her parked vehicle.
The same one she was about to accuse the pegasus filly of not wearing regularly, to get her into major trouble.
Who says karma doesn't have a sense of humour?
But soon, as a concerned Diamond and her friends gathered all around Spoiled's rapidly fading husk, it wasn't long before Spoiled sensed nothing at all.
.........................................................
"...Don't know how it happened."
"....Was a complete accident, honest Miss."
"...Nopony is blaming you, dear. We know you didn't mean to hurt your mother."
"...Didn't even see her there. It was like she was spying on us, or something."
"...Wouldn't put it past her. She was probably going to puncture our ball and try to ruin our fun."
"...Scootaloo! This is no time for... oh wait, she's opening her eyes! H-How are you, Mrs Rich?"
Spoiled's first realisation she was back in the waking world came curtesy of a bright light shone directly into her eyes, and the sensation of somepony opening her lids to make sure they weren't bloodshot.
The next noticeable thing regarded the room she found herself inhabiting. It was as white as a Hearth's Warming Eve morning, even down to the comfortable bed she now lie in and the pale uniform worn by the equine thoroughly examining her.
As her vision slowly cleared, she saw other ponies present in the room: A purplish one with smiling flowers on her butt who looked a bit worried, along with a smaller pinkish filly who had the design of an elaborate metallic hat in the same intimate location.
There was also a yellow earth pony, a white unicorn and an orange pegasus around the pink filly's age there, but their special marks couldn't be made out as they were standing away from Spoiled at the foot of the bed. They didn't seem as caring as the other two though, with the winged pony especially looking away with disinterest.
"I said: how are you feeling, Mrs Rich?!" There's that purplish mare going on again. I have no idea who she is or who she's referring too, but she seems nice enough. I suppose I better humour her.
"I'm fine, me dear." Spoiled spoke in a weird accent that nopony had ever heard from her before, sounding a bit like Applejack but if anything, even more yokel. "What 'appened to me anyway, me luv? Did aye knock me bonce on that steel bucket agin? Darn bloody thing. Aye keep telling the mister to keep that bloomin' pail secure on a piece'o string, but 'e never listens to me! 'E'll be the death of me yet, you mark me words!"
Everypony in there gasped in amazement at what they'd just heard, including the nurse who even lowered her surgical mask to do so. Diamond's jaw had hit the floor, the Crusaders were gazing at each other in utter confusion and Miss Cheerilee looked about ready to faint herself. Of all the ponies in all the towns in all of Equestria, the last one they expected to talk in such a fashion was Spoiled. Literally.
Frustrated by what she perceived to be a lack of answers from those gathered around, and despite her overall unsteadiness having just regained consciousness, Spoiled nevertheless managed to stagger to her hooves before heading straight towards the infirmary door.
Apparently, her accent wasn't the only thing that'd changed about her... the formerly poised pony was now trotting with her shoulders slumped, her muzzle close to the ground and moving rather clumsily instead of with her usual elegance. If anything, her new walk reminded one of a certain cranky old wig-wearer instead of the proud wife of a local tycoon.
Their outright disorientation intermingling with the many questions buzzing around in their heads, it was Diamond Tiara who managed to speak first. Her words were little more than a stammered whisper, but under the present circumstances, it was it was probably the best she could do.
"W-Where are you going, m-mother?!"
Spoiled turned around with mild amusement to confront the pink filly, a warm look on her face and a gawkish grin from ear to ear.
"Land's sake, child! Aye ain't your kin, and I'm way too young to be droppin' any babies anytime soon, but if aye may say so, aye would be pleased as punch if you were. Aye have to leave 'cos aye have a shift at Mr McGruber's farm in around half a hour to pump the udders, or he'll have me guts for garters, so he will. Aye did oblige meeting y'all though. If y'all come down when aye not be so busy, I'll get you all a free drink of the white stuff, chock full o'calcium for growing little fillies. Oh hang on jus' a tick, where me manners? You'd think aye was gone an' raised in a barn, or something. Me name is Spoiled Milk. We ain't met before. How y'all doin'?!"