//------------------------------// // Hostile Takeover 1 // Story: CMC Going Away // by PonyJoel //------------------------------// Rich is on his way to Baltimare as his team is now spying on Flim & Flam. Rich cannot wait to expose Flim & Flam, and have them locked up forever. They have gone too far in terms of replacing him. It's now 7:30 at night. The train stops in Baltimare. "Time to settle the score," Rich said as he gets off the train. The ransom letter he received earlier today has a map detailing where to go on hoof. "Hmm, a two-hour walk? Screw that. I'm taking the taxi there," Rich calls for a taxi and gives him the location where he needs to be. "I can only take you as far as I can, sir. The location of the address is restricted, by order of the Wonderbolts," The taxi pony explains. "The Wonderbolts?" Rich surprisingly responds. "I can only take you as far as I can. I have my orders from my company." "Understood," Rich nods. The taxi pony takes Rich as far as he can to his location. An hour and a half later, the taxi pony stops. Rich thank the taxi pony and pays him a hefty pay. Judging from the map from the ransom letter, he is only ten minutes away from walking distance. His heart slowly beat rapidly as his nerves start to take over. "Alright, Rich," He takes a deep breath. "Calm down. Have to save my wife and expose the two of their crimes," Rich told himself. What seems like an eternity for Rich, minutes go by as all sorts of possibilities cloud in his mind. He imagines Spoil and Diamond Tiara being tortured or suffering from trauma. Rich gathers himself and proceeds to the house. Confidence and courage builds up as he trots to the house. As he picks up the pace, Rich feels he'll be a better father for Diamond Tiara and, he'll make sure his beloved is safe, away from harm's way. Ten minutes later, Rich arrives at the household. Rich takes a deep breath and knocks on the door. Fire Flier peeps through the window to see Rich and the briefcase. "Perfect, he's here," Fire Flier happily states. "Diamond Tiara. Head down as I alert Tempest to warn your mother." Diamond Tiara smiles, sinisterly. She cannot wait to take over her father's business. Fire Flier puts on his brown robe and walks downstairs to open the door. Tempest goes to the basement to alert Spoil of Rich's arrival. Diamond Tiara goes downstairs to hide in the shadows. "Perfect," Spoil said as she starts to cry. Her tears are ruining her makeup. Exactly how she wanted. For when Rich sees her and wants to make her happy and spoiled even more. Fire Flier escorts Rich to the basement to see his beloved. "Spoil!" Rich cried. "Rich!" Spoil sobs fakely and realistically. "So," Fire speaks with a lowered tone. "You have the payment?" "50,000 bits as instructed. Now, release my wife," Fire chuckles. "Give me the bits, first." Rich opens the briefcase revealing 50,000 bits. Spoil's eyes widen in amazement. She couldn't help but smile, just by looking at the bits. "Excellent. You have followed up as planned." "Good. Now uphold your end of the deal." "I don't think so," Spoil said. "What?" Rich retorts. Tempest walks out of the shadows in her dark robe. She uses her magic to bind Rich to an empty chair, across from Spoil. "What's the meaning of this?!" Rich demands. His heart pumping, in anger and confusion. "It's a doublecross, Rich," Spoil confirms gladly. "Honey.., why..?" "I needed a real stallion to support me. You taking my bits away for losing Diamond Tiara was uncalled for." "Diamond Tiara is missing for crying out loud! Our daughter, Spoil! Did you cared about our daughter or my wealth?" Rich angrily asks. Spoil never cared for Diamond Tiara. She only cares about her status quo and wealth. "I cared about my social status and bits, Rich. When I gave birth to Diamond Tiara, I never cared about her. I let the butlers and maids take care of that brat. She is not part of my life. Not anymore, that is. I fell in with a winner and, now, I look in the face of a loser," Spoil turns to Fire Flier. "You can release me now. I uphold my part in this elaborate scheme." "Sorry, mommy," Diamond Tiara said as she steps out of the shadows angrily. "Diamond Tiara!" Rich joyously shouts. "Thank Celestia you are alright!" "You," Diamond Tiara glares. "Sweety, my little Diamond. I've been worried sick of you..," Rich said sincerely. "Is that so, dad?" Diamond Tiara responds coldly. "Baby," Spoil calls out sincerity. "Shut it, you deadbeat!" Spoil flinches a bit. "I heard you. You didn't care about me! How dare you not care about your child?! Your interest in wealth has blinded you, from me. Now, I'll have my revenge on you, and you dad." "Diamond Tiara. I admit I made mistakes that caused this kind of scenario when I sent you to the Royal Guard Boot Camp. I'm sorry that I wasn't the father you needed. Your mother forsook you and, I paid more attention to my businesses than you. I ask to give me, your father, another chance to redeem myself as a father figure to you. To you love and raise you, like a loving father should, I would do anything to have you home right now." Diamond Tiara is starting to have mixed results and feelings. Something in her heart is telling her to listen to her dad. Fire Flier and Tempest feel the sudden change in the atmosphere. They see the love of a father and daughter. Diamond's conscious starts talking to her about her motives when Spoil opens her mouth. "You ungrateful brat! Let me out, you sick psycho!" Spoil whines and thrash around her bindings. "I hate you, you little monster! You are no better than I right now, you brat!" The insults enrage Diamond Tiara. She is now sticking with her plans to take over. Rich sees her daughter's eyes. He knows a fire is lit and ready to explode. "Shove it!" Diamond Tiara grabs a sponge and shoves it in her mother's mouth. She tapes her mother's mouth, so she doesn't have to hear her anymore. Diamond looks at her father with rage burning in her heart. "I'm taking what's mine, father." "Wha-What would that be," Rich gulps a bit as he stares at Diamond Tiara. "I'm taking Barnyard Bargains, your workers, and everything else you own, dad." "H-How would you accomplish that?" Rich fearfully asks. "My associates is my ticket." Tempest disrobes herself and stares in the eyes of Rich. Rich starts sweating as Tempest's horn starts to illuminate. Tempest smirks then uses her newfound magic to manipulate Rich's mind. Rich's eyes go from light blue to dark green and red. His head hung low. "At my command, you are now my puppet," Tempest enchants. "Yes, mistress," Rich responds submissively. Diamond Tiara's eyes widen in amazement. Tempest's spell work on her father. Fire Flier disrobes as well. "So, DT. What shall we do with your mother?" "MMMPH!" Spoils shrieks fearfully. "The boat. As Starlight sent us away with the boat, we shall do the same. A bit of an ironic twist." "Nice idea, Diamond Tiara. I'll get the boat ready," Fire leaves the basement and heads out the door. Diamond Tiara smirks at her mother. Spoil struggles in her bindings. Diamond Tiara turns to look at her father. Rich sheds a tear, which bothers Diamond Tiara. She shakes her head. Tempest notice that Diamond Tiara is struggling with her consciousness. "Are we still in on the plan?" Tempest asks. Diamond Tiara shakes her head. She tries to clear it from any guilt towards her dad. "Yes. Gotta build on our army, right?" Diamond Tiara rhetorically asks. Tempest remains silent and heads upstairs. "Keep an eye on them. Until Fire comes back with the potato sack for your mother." "I will," Diamond Tiara answers. She turns to her mother in a panic state. As for her father, she couldn't help but frown at his situation. In her life, she wasn't given enough love, always resentment and retaliation, from her mother. From her father, he ignored her until she's done wrong. After hearing her father's apology and wanting to start things new, her mind is at disarray. She wonders if she's doing the right thing, going through with her plan after joining the Dark Order. Several minutes later, Fire Flier comes back down with the potato sack. "Alright, Diamond Tiara, let's put this spoiled brat in the sack." "Sure," Diamond Tiara quickly responds. Fire notices a strange behavior but, he didn't care enough. Fire Flier stuffs Spoil Rich in the potato sack. He carries Spoil upstairs and outside. Tempest takes out the oars of the boat and made room for Spoil. "Alright, it's ready, Fire." Fire Flier places Spoiled Rich on the boat. She continues to struggle and glares at the trio. "Any last words to your unkindly mother?" Tempest asks. "Goodbye, good riddance," Diamond Tiara said as she walks away from the boat. "Short and sweet," Fire said. "Agreed," Tempest uses her magic to move the boat in the sea. Spoil continues to struggle in hopes of escaping. Diamond Tiara enters the house and walks downstairs to visit her father. Rich, in his slavery state, looks down at Diamond Tiara. He sheds another tear. Diamond Tiara knows what she is doing is wrong. She made sure no one is looking and hugs her father. "Forgive me, dad. I'm starting to lose myself, for the worse," Diamond Tiara closes her eyes in shame. "I need to survive now. From a monster I was during the Gabby Gums incident, to become a demon by taking away everything you have." Her consciousness is getting the better of her. For the first time, she felt her father's sympathy for his mistakes and wanting to renew his family as a better father. With the path she's chosen, Diamond feels there is no turning back. She has to carry on with her vengeful plan against Starlight Glimmer and the CMC. To keep the guilty conscious out of her mind, she focuses more on Starlight Glimmer and getting her cutie mark back. After a while, Diamond Tiara goes upstairs to talk with Tempest. "Tempest, I have a favor to ask you." "What is it now?" "I'm having mixed thoughts flowing to me and, I want you to get rid of it for me." "Sounds easy enough. Anything to get your mind clear and ready for the takeover," Tempest uses her magic to manipulate Diamond Tiara's mind. She removes any remorseful thoughts and feelings out of her. Diamond Tiara's eyes change from blue to red. "How do you feel?" "Much better," Diamond Tiara smiles devilishly. She laughs as no guilt or sadness can cloud her mind. She can now focus on the mission to get back at those who betrayed her. "So, who's ready for a business trip?" Fire Flier asks. "I am," Diamond Tiara laughs evilly. The trio start planning for tomorrow's objective. To take over Barnyard Bargains and manipulate the minds of the workers and some loyal customers. They are also planning to have Rich transfer ownership to Diamond Tiara. The Dark Order will have their army to take down Starlight and the CMC. Then, they can strip everypony of their cutie marks with the Staff of Sameness rendering the strongest and powerful ponies; useless. Then and only then, they can conquer all of Equestria.