Chapter 6: Inner Beauty Shines Out
(Rarity's Point of View)
Three months have passed since then. Cody was doing well in school. He had some good friends there. Fall is starting, making such beautiful colors of the leaves in the trees. Cody, especially, likes drawing the trees, expressing on how beautiful the colors of the leaves are.
My boutique got finished a month ago. It was as beautiful than before it was destroyed by Suri. I'm sure that everything will get better from now on.
My pregnancy has been doing fine. My belly has gotten bigger, so Flora is starting to take shape. It'll take a few more months for her to be reborn, but she'll be able to see the light of day again. It'll just take a matter of time.
My thoughts were interrupted when there was a knocking at my door. I looked towards the door and walked over towards it. It was getting harder for me to move around, but I'll be fine. When I came to the door, outside was Filthy Rich, Spoiled Rich, and their daughter, Diamond Tiara.
"Miss Rarity," said Filthy Rich. "Sorry to bother you, but we are in need of some assistance."
"Oh, I wish I could help you," I told him, "but I'm afraid that I'm on maternity leave. I can't work on anything until the pregnancy is done."
"I will not accept that," said Spoiled Rich. "I came here to pick up my dress from miss Suri Polomare! Where is she?!"
"She's been arrested for multiple charges," I told her. "Thievery on multiple counts, and for burning down my home, which was recently rebuilt. She is banned from ever even stepping foot in a boutique or even buying a piece of fabric or anything used for fashion."
"WHAT?!" Spoiled Rich shouted. "I requested that dress months ago! I want it now!"
"Now, honey," said Filthy Rich. "You heard miss Rarity. That Suri Polomare has been arrested for crimes that cannot be pardoned at the time. And we cannot expect miss Rarity to work when she is having a baby on the way."
"Rich, I was expecting to wear a new dress to this fancy party in Fillydelphia!" Spoiled Rich shouted. "I was expecting to pick it up today, and I will not let anypony say no to me! We're all expected to be there by tomorrow, and I will not miss it!"
"I don't want to go!" Diamond Tiara said. "You always make me go to these fancy parties!"
"You are goin and that's that!" said Spoiled Rich.
"Honey," said Filthy Rich, "if Diamond doesn't want to go, you shouldn't make her."
"Rich, we are all expected to be there," said Spoiled Rich. "And I want that dress I was promised!"
"I'm sorry," I told her. "I really am. But I am in no condition to work when I am pregnant. And also, was it really required for all of you to go even though your daughter doesn't want to go?"
"Actually, the host said that it would be fine if somepony doesn't want to go and stay home," said Filthy Rich. "She didn't say that all of us should go."
"Well, she's going! She needs to learn to be around high class ponies instead of pathetic commoners," said Spoiled Rich.
"Oh? Is that how you treat other ponies?" I asked. "You think that just because you're rich means you can talk down to ponies?! You are as much as a snob as Prince Blueblood, and he's the most hated out of all of the diplomats in Canterlot!"
"You dare raise your voice at me?!" Spoiled Rich shouted at me, angrily. "I'll make sure that you'll live out the rest of your life in a jail cell!"
"Have you forgotten that one of my best friends happens to be the Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle?!" I shouted back.
"Now, honey," said Filthy Rich. "It's not good to put a pregnant mare under stress. It'll hurt her baby."
"I don't care!" said Spoiled Rich. "She doesn't decide where what's right or wrong! Why should she not make my dress for the night I need it?!"
"I cannot make that dress!" I told her. "And as for you... you are a horrible pony who sees all other ponies below her as nothing! What kind of pony do you think you are?!"
"I am a pony who knows what's best for everypony!" said Spoiled Rich. "Nopony tells me how to live my life!"
That's when Filthy Rich got between us, shouting, "ENOUGH!" He then looked at his wife and said, "Listen. You can't just tell ponies what they can or can't do."
"We must teach these ponies where their place is!" said Spoiled Rich.
Filthy Rich frowned angrily. Then he said, "That's it. Diamond, we're leaving."
"Where are we going?" asked Diamond Tiara.
"To Town Hall so I can sign some divorce papers," said Filthy Rich. That made Spoiled go wide-eyed.
"WHAT?!" she shouted. "Rich, how can you ever think of such a thing?!"
"I've endured a lot of your behavior, but this is the last straw," said Filthy Rich. "I don't ever want you in my house again, and I don't want you near Diamond ever again. Who knows what would happen if you have her do things she doesn't want to do?"
"I can think of a few things," I said. "According to Sweetie Belle, Diamond Tiara used to be the schoolhouse bully due to what Spoiled Rich taught her how to act."
Filthy Rich glared at Spoiled Rich and shouted, "WHAT?! You told her to act like that?! That's it! You are never going to see Diamond Tiara ever again!" He then grabbed Diamond and said, "Let's go, Diamond. We don't want your mother to corrupt your mind ever again."
"Okay, daddy," said Diamond Tiara as the two of them were leaving my boutique. As for Spoiled Rich, she was going to yell at me. But with what just happened, she just can't find the right words. She then groaned and left the door, trying her best to convince her soon-to-be ex-husband not to file for divorce. I know that's not going to succeed.
2 Weeks Later...
(Cody's Point of View)
Things have been going well these past two weeks. Ever since Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich, or as she's now called Spoiled Milk, have gotten divorced, Diamond Tiara has been a whole lot more relieved. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were hanging out with me, Danny, Alex, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo for some snacks at Sugarcube Corner. It was basically some good eats. Even at times where the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cake, Pumpkin Cake, kept on trying to braid Alex's hair from time to time.
Mom's stomach has gotten a bit bigger since then. Her friends have come in to see how she was doing. Twilight, Starlight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Spike, Alex, Danny, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. They've been really supportive of Mom. Pinkie Pie would volunteer to watch over me and Flora about a month after Rarity had her and had to go back to work.
"I appreciate you all coming over to help out," said Mom.
"Of course, Rarity," said Twilight. "We wouldn't be considered your friends if we haven't come her to check on you and help out. You're our friend through and through."
"Yeah, don't sweat it, Rares," said Rainbow Dash. "We'll be here whenever you need some help."
"I appreciate that," said Mom. She then jumped a little. "Oh." She then rubbed her belly and said, "Feels like somepony is getting a little fussy. Probably wants to come out soon."
"Hey, Cody," said Apple Bloom, walking over to me. "Are ya excited?"
"About what?" I asked.
"About your sister coming back?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Yeah," said Scootaloo. "You should be happy that your sister is gonna come back."
"I guess so," I said. "But, how am I going to be a good big brother if I couldn't keep my sister safe."
"Whoa," said Apple Bloom. "Easy, Cody. Ya tried to keep your sister safe and ya said that those people were going to separate the two of ya back on yer world. Ya wanted to keep 'er safe for the sake of your old parents. Ah say that that's what a good big brother woulda done."
"Indeed," came Twilight's voice. She sat next to me, placed her right forehoof on top of my head, rubbed it and said, "You would do anything to keep what's left of your family with you. You're a better big brother than you think you are."
I was thinking of all of what happened after my mom and dad died. They made me promise to keep my sister safe. I couldn't after what happened, but now I have a second chance. I smiled thinking of that, I looked towards my new mom, and smiled. She saw me and came over towards me.
She put her mouth close to my ear and said, "Your sister is kicking. Do you want to feel it?"
I smiled and I put a hoof on her stomach, and I felt Flora kicking. I smiled at what Flora was doing. At least she was kicking as strong as she was when mom was pregnant with her.
"I remember when she kicked like this when my birth mom was pregnant," I said. "Flora was always a strong kicker."
"I'm sure she'll grow out of that phase," said Mom. "Now, we're just going to have to wait." She then grabbed me and pulled me into a hug. Her hug feels just as warm as a hug from my birth mom was. "It'll just be a matter of time until she comes out."
"I know," I said. "I just hope nothing bad will happen like last time."
"I know, Cody," said Mom. "I know." She then turned my face to look at hers. "You are a spirited young colt who would protect his family in need. You're a strong-hearted boy. You shine handsomely on the inside." I then hugged her, and she hugged me back. The moment was then interrupted when Spike started gagging.
We all looked over at him and saw he was gagging. I then said, "Dude. Way to ruin the moment."
Then Spike belched, and green flames came out of his mouth and then it all turned into a rolled up scroll. He then picked it up and unrolled it. He then went wide-eyed as he read it and said, "Uh, everypony. This letter... it's from Solar Eclipse."
"What?!" Rainbow Dash shouted. "What does it say?"
Spike cleared his throat as he started reading. "'To Twilight Sparkle and friends, it has come to my attention that just the previous night that Danny's criminal aunt and uncle, Natasha and Reginald, had both escaped from prison. Along with three other criminals. According to some of the guards, there were some scientists who were working on a machine that could restore forgotten memories, which was not good due to some memories they shouldn't remember. I just hope they don't have a secret way of getting back to Equestria for their get rich scheme of which includes Danny. But just in case, keep a very close eye on him from all who can help. Signed, Solar Eclipse.'"
"That's not good," said Rainbow Dash.
"N-no way they could have a way back here," said Danny, nervously. "Th-they can't. Can they?"
"If they have a way back, we'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe," said Rainbow Dash. "Those two good for nothing creatures don't deserve a good kid like you."
"We won't let anything happen," said Twilight. "As long as we're with you, nothing will happen."
Everypony else nodded towards Danny. He was happy to have friends and family that would keep him safe. Danny must've had a hard life before he came here. But when he's here, he doesn't have to worry about anything bad.