//------------------------------// // Episode 24: "A Diamond Divided" // Story: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 11 // by twilightsparkle3562 //------------------------------// … Twilight was in her study at the Castle of Friendship after another long day of ruling Equestria alongside her friends. Sitting down on her sofa, she was looking through the book of memories Starlight had given her while she was in the hospital for her mental breakdown. As she looked through the book, Twilight couldn't help but think of how long it had been since her coronation. "Hey Twilight, what's up?" Spike asked as he made his way into the study. "Nothing much," Twilight replied, her attention focused on the book. "Just figured I'd go through the book after another long day of ruling. Anyways, I've actually been doing some thinking." Spike became confused at this remark. "Such as?" "Such as it's been almost six months since the coronation and my breakdown," Twilight sighed, closing the book and looking at her little brother and royal advisor. "We should do something to mark it, even in light of the troubling times we find ourselves in now." "Funny you brought that up," Spike declared as he flew over to Twilight's desk, retrieving her calendar and taking it over to her. "All you went through: Celestia and Luna rescuing their parents, declaring war on Grogar, it's been a wild ride. What did you have in mind for a celebration?" It didn't take long for Twilight to give her response. "I'm thinking we do something formal but simple," The princess suggested. "It would be like the Grand Galloping Gala, only smaller." "I kind of like the idea, Twilight," Spike smiled. "Besides, I haven't worn my tuxedo since your coronation. And maybe Rarity and I can have our waltz that I promised to give her." "Um," Twilight replied while cocking her head to the left and raising an eyebrow. "You never promised her a waltz at the previous galas as far as I can recall." "Come on, Twilight. We should at least have a dance floor," Spike huffed. "I mean, ponies and other creatures may want to dance. Brighten up the mood a bit, like at the Amity Ball." "I suppose you're right," Twilight chuckled while getting off the couch and walking over to her desk. " Maybe DJ Scales and Tails can make an appearance if possible. What could go wrong aside from having high expectations and a green creature made of slime crashing the party?" Neither Twilight nor Spike or any of their friends for that matter would be expecting what would happen with this event. … … On the night of the celebration, Twilight and her friends were all dressed in the dresses they had worn to their second Grand Galloping Gala, and welcoming invited guests into the Castle of Friendship, including all of the rulers of Equestria's allies, many of whom were dressed up just for the occasion. "Twilight, I must say this is quite the party we're hosting," Starlight commented while wearing a purple headmare's outfit, watching the guests walk into the castle. "The medal ceremony for me and my friends wasn't like this." "Well, let's just say we're trying to make our own Grand Galloping Gala in a way," Twilight smiled. "You never got the chance to attend one, until now." Delighted, Starlight went over to Sunburst who was standing at a stand to enroll new students for the School of Friendship next semester. "Sunburst, save a dance for me later?" Starlight excitedly asked him. "Oh, sure, Starlight," Sunburst replied with a faint blush. "Just remember we're supposed to be trying to get more students into the School of Friendship." "Don't forget that you also have help from us," Apple Bloom spoke up as she, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo arrived at the table also wearing their respective gala dresses from the last Grand Galloping Gala. "We know a thing or two about tryin' to get students enrolled." "Yeah, only this time it's a little bit more…subdued." Sweetie Belle commented, remembering what her and friends had tried to do with Cozy Glow long before they would learn the truth about the seemingly innocent filly. The Crusaders promptly stood next to Sunburst as families from all over Equestria came by, interested in what the School of Friendship had to offer. Just then, they noticed their former nemesis Diamond Tiara and her parents arrive. The Crusaders couldn't help but notice the antagonizing look on the faces of Diamond's parents. … "This is great, girls!" Sunburst remarked as the night went on. "Thanks to you, we now have over twenty families possibly interested in the school." "Hey, no problem, Mr. Sunburst," Scootaloo smiled as she held up some of the applications for acceptance. "It also helps us in recruiting more members for the Cutie Mark Crusaders. We're really branching out! I'll bet we could totally become part time teachers at the school someday at this rate." "Um, is it just me or did the Riches look a little…irritable to anypony else?" Sweetie Belle asked while looking over at her fellow crusaders. "They're probably havin' a bad night or somethin', and Spoiled always seems to be in a bad mood," Apple Bloom commented. "Still, I think we should see Diamond Tiara just to make sure everythin's alright. Hey, Mr. Sunburst, could we take a bit of a break? We're just gonna go see Diamond Tiara really quick and make sure she's okay." "Sure, go on ahead, I can handle things on my own. Just don't take too long, I may need your help again later." Sunburst nodded as he gave his blessing. And so the Crusaders all trotted over to see Diamond Tiara standing with her parents as they were talking to some of the Canterlot Elite also in attendance. Diamond turned around to see the CMC walking towards her, but her mother forced her attention away from them. "Pay no attention to them, Diamond Tiara!" Spoiled Rich whispered in a hissing tone. "They are nothing but commoners, understand?! I may tolerate you hanging out with them after school, but on a night like tonight I will not have them becoming a stain on your social standing." To the CMC's former bully, Diamond wanted nothing more than to escape from the living nightmare she was trapped in. Fortunately, her mother was soon distracted with other guests, allowing Diamond Tiara to sneak away and towards the Crusaders. "Hey girls," Diamond chirped, hugging them. "Good to see you, I needed to get away from my parents. My mother especially." "Yeah, what's up with your mother anyway? She seems nastier than ever," Scootaloo remarked. "Did she really learn nothing from when we got our cutie marks and you stood up to her?" "Apparently not," Diamond Tiara glumly answered. "But she and father are in one of their high horse talks with the elite. If she ever caught me talking to you, I would get a beating from her for sure." All three of the Crusaders' eyes widened with shock upon hearing this from their former enemy! "A what?!" Apple Bloom gasped. "A beating, and I mean it literally," Diamond answered as she looked all around. "Is there anyplace we can go to before my mom finds out I'm talking to you?" Sweetie Belle nodded. "Sure, come with us." Leaving the lobby, Diamond followed the Crusaders out into the back of the Castle where Trixie's wagon was located. "Diamond Tiara, what's going on?" Sweetie Belle questioned, looking around to see if the coast was clear (it was). "What do you mean by you'd literally get a beating if your mom saw you talking to us?" "There's…something about me that you don't know," Diamond whispered in a fearful voice. "You must understand that my mother is nothing like my father. She barely cares about me except for when it benefits her. If I ever failed at something, my mother would beat me and it would hurt. She always says I complain too much, even on the rare occasions where it leaves a mark." "That's horrible!" Scootaloo gasped in dismay! "Sometimes my aunts or my parents would discipline me if I acted up, but they'd never go so far as to actually beat me. Why would your mom do such a thing?!" "She thinks that being of higher stature is the life for me and that no matter what happens, she would always control my life," Diamond explained. "She's always telling me to bring down anypony who stands in my way. Ensure that the life she's carefully laid out for me isn't messed up." "She means ponies such as us," Apple Bloom realized. "Before we got our cutie marks anyway. But can't you at least stand up to her like last time, or tell your dad what your mom's been doin' behind his back?" "No, it's only made things worse for me when I've tried to stand up for myself," Diamond confessed as she fought back tears. "And there's something you all need to see." Lifting her party saddle, Diamond Tiara revealed to the Crusaders a black and blue mark on her right flank just below her cutie mark. "Diamond, that's wrong!" Apple Bloom cried. "When did this happen?!" "It happened earlier tonight," Diamond confessed while turning herself away from the Crusaders. "I tried explaining to my mom that I wanted to spend time with you tonight and…she hit me with her hoof." "What does your dad have to say about it?" Scootaloo questioned. "He seems like a nice pony." "He's too busy to even notice what's going on," Tiara unhappily sighed. "Believe me, I've tried multiple times to tell him the truth, but he's either too busy or he doesn't believe my mom is that cruel. I've stopped trying to convince him otherwise." "You should talk to somepony about this! Even just Miss. Cheerilee could help if she knew," Sweetie pleaded. "Because if you don't…" "DIAMOND TIARA!" The shouts of her mother caused Diamond Tiara to go into a panic, dashing underneath Trixie's wagon for safety! "DIAMOND TIARA!" Spoiled Rich called again as she came across the Cutie Mark Crusaders and sternly marched over to them. "Has my daughter been socializing with you?" She demanded. "Where is she?! I specifically told her to stay with me and not wander off! Can't she ever do what she's told like a good filly?" Before Scootaloo could speak, Spoiled Rich saw her daughter underneath the wagon and glared at the frightened Diamond Tiara. "DIAMOND TIARA!" She shouted. "GET OUT OF THERE THIS INSTANT!" But Diamond Tiara was too scared to move. "YOUNG FILLY, IF YOU DON'T COME OUT AND COME TO DINNER RIGHT NOW, I'LL DRAG YOU OUT OF THERE PERSONALLY!" Spoiled vowed with a snort But Tiara refused to move. "YOU LEAVE HER ALONE!" Apple Bloom roared, racing to Diamond Tiara's defense and infuriating Spoiled Rich even further! Storming back around to her daughter's hiding spot, Spoiled pushed Apple Bloom out of the way and grabbed her frightened daughter. "I WARNED YOU ABOUT TRYING TO GET AWAY!" Spoiled Rich snarled, taking her right foreleg and slapping Diamond across the face. "I WARNED YOU! AND YOU DISOBEYED ME!" Frightened, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle raced back into the castle to get help as Apple Bloom could only watch in horror as Spoiled continued to attack her daughter. "I'M GOING TO MAKE YOU UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES EVEN IF I HAVE TO WRITE IT ON YOUR SORRY FLANK!" Spoiled screamed as she turned Diamond around, tore off her daughter's party saddle and proceeded to beat her as Diamond wailed and cried in pain. Fortunately, at that very moment two guards raced over and pulled Spoiled away. "LET ME GO! LET ME GO!" Spoiled Rich demanded. "THIS IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" "It is now!" Twilight cried out in a stern sounding voice, approaching the angry Spoiled Rich while Filthy Rich ran to his frightened and battered daughter's side. "Care to explain yourself now, Spoiled Rich?!" Growling, Spoiled continued to struggle with the guards. "This doesn't concern you, princess!" "What in Equestria just happened?" Fluttershy nervously whispered to Rarity, who was consoling a frightened Sweetie Belle. "I was simply disciplining my daughter when your guards grabbed me, Princess Twilight," Spoiled Rich protested. "She disobeyed me and I was punishing her!. She has unfortunately been wandering off far too often for her own good. And I'm simply correcting the problem in the only way I can ensure the lesson sticks." "You weren't punishin' her!" Filthy Rich cried while glaring angrily at his wife. "This was torture and abuse! I knew you were the strict, tough love kind, but this is goin' too far! I won't let you get away with this anymore!" "Filthy, darling, I was simply doing what I was always taught to do," Spoiled explained. "This is how my parents always corrected my bad behavior." "There's a difference between discipline and abuse!" Rarity shouted. "No parents should ever lay a hoof on their foals the way you have." "Diamond is my foal, and I will deal with her as I see fit!" Spoiled declared. "I am sick of her behavior! Ever since she met those Cutie Mark Crusaders she's become nothing but trouble, and I won't stand for it! If it means I have to knock some sense into her, so be it." Having heard enough, Twilight knew there was something that needed to be done. "Spoiled Rich, you are hereby under arrest for domestic abuse," She firmly declared, much to the shock of Spoiled. "Guards, take her to the Canterlot dungeons and make sure she is under constant watch." Embarrassed and humiliated, Spoiled struggled in vain against the guards as Filthy tried to calm his daughter down. … … For the rest of the night after that, the celebration went on but the mood changed. "I can't believe this," Apple Bloom lamented as she and the other Crusaders sat at a table. "No wonder Diamond was always bein' mean to us before we got our cutie marks." "Who knew Spoiled Rich was so evil?" Scootaloo added. "This is ten thousand times worse than anything we've ever seen as Crusaders." "Yeah, it's like if Diamond Tiara wasn't overpowering over us, then she would get a beating from her mother, and her father would be powerless to stop it from happening," Sweetie Belle realized. "This…this…this is just… horrible." At that moment, Luna sat down at the same table as the Crusaders wearing a dark blue dress with stars on them. She could see how depressed her proteges had become. "I'm really sorry you had to witness what you did tonight, my friends," She somberly declared. "No filly deserves to suffer such agony." "But it's not fair, Luna," Apple Bloom protested. "What'd Diamond ever do to her mother that warranted… that?" "It's just how some ponies are, I'm afraid," Luna reluctantly sighed. "What your friend went through tonight was wrong and uncalled for. But if I know Twilight Sparkle and her friends, Spoiled Rich will most definitely face charges for her actions. She will not get off the hook." At that moment, the rest of the party guests sat down at their tables as Twilight and her friends took to the stage, their faces filled with disgust and disappointment. "Good evening everypony," Twilight announced. "Or we all wish it was a good evening. My friends and co-princesses along with I want you all to know that Diamond Tiara has been taken to Ponyville Hospital for her injuries, and she will be okay." After the crowd quieted down, Twilight went on to say. "Tonight was supposed to be about marking six months since the six of us became your new rulers of Equestria, and allow us to turn our attention away from our war with Grogar. But that has all changed. We ask all of you tonight to keep Diamond Tiara and her father, Filthy Rich in your prayers and wishes as they go through a tough time." With a small round of applause, the six princesses got down from the stage as Spike began to play soft dancing music at the DJ station. … Sitting down at their royal table, Twilight and her friends continued to come to terms with what happened. But most importantly, they needed to figure out what was going to be done about Spoiled Rich. "What she did tonight was inequine!" Rarity snorted. "What's there to even debate? I say we throw the book at her and be done with it!" "I agree! She deserves no less for being so heartless and cruel!" Rainbow Dash angrily added. "I mean, seriously, if you beat up a filly just because it makes you feel powerful…." "-Sure, Ma and Pa got mad at me and Big Mac when we were younger, or even Granny Smith for that matter," Applejack interrupted and sighed. "But they never ever beat on us no matter what." "And I all beat on is balloons and party cannons," Pinkie Pie remarked. "I knew Spoiled wasn't a very nice pony, but now I wish I'd never thrown any parties at all for her family if this is how she treated her only daughter." Much like Luna with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Celestia joined her six daughter figures at their table. "I just wanted to see how you were all doing," She greeted while sitting between Twilight and Rarity. "I know you must all be shaken up by what unfolded earlier." "We're fine," Twilight sighed, looking up at her mother figure. "Sure, I knew Diamond Tiara was once a bully to the Crusaders, but Spoiled Rich is an even bigger bully. Celestia, did you ever deal with ponies like this?" "Yeah, did you ever have to deal with abuse?" Fluttershy asked. Taking a strawberry pick and twirling it around, Celestia sighed in solitude. "Plenty of times," She sadly replied, placing the pick back down on the table. "During my over a thousand years on the throne, I've seen many families torn apart by abuse. The victims were placed in safe care while the offenders were usually sent to Tartarus." The thought of sending Diamond Tiara's mother to Tartarus was a very risky decision. Only the worst of the worst were ever sent there, and only when deemed to be absolute monsters beyond salvation. "Perhaps there might be a way for Diamond Tiara to be away from her mother," Rarity suggested. "I mean, I get the fact she has a social standing, but not even that is excusable." "That depends on what Filthy Rich wants to do," Twilight declared. "It's up to him to decide what he wants to do with Spoiled." … Meanwhile, Filthy Rich arrived in Canterlot under escort to find his wife down in the dungeons. The same dungeons where Discord had been kept after Twilight had been hospitalized half a year earlier. He saw his abusive wife in a cell, her pale, grayish-pink coat and light greenish-blue shirt dirty and torn. "I hope you're happy," He frowned at his wife. "Really, I hope you're happy with yourself. Beatin' our only foal like that. Spoiled, how could you?!" "Filthy Rich," Spoiled whispered, looking at him with tearful eyes. "Please, you must understand! I was only trying to…" "-To do what?! Control her life?! Make her look and act like you?!" Filthy snapped, his front legs grasping the bars of her cell. "For the first time in my life, I'm beginnin' to see the real mare that I married. My mother was right, I should've married a nicer mare. Your cutie mark alone should've told me everythin' about what you were!" Right away, Spoiled knew what this meant. "I wanted my daughter to be raised right," She cried, tears forming at the edges of her eyes. "We have social standings to uphold and…" "-Oh, stop it, Spoiled! Stop it!" Filthy groaned in interruption. "I do business with the Apple Family all the time, and you don't get upset with me about it. So, why do it to our only daughter, huh? Why penalize her for wantin' to live her own life?!" Spoiled said nothing and could only cry softly. "You didn't answer me. Just as I thought." Filthy remarked in disgust as he started to walk out of the dungeons. "Where…where are you going?" Spoiled asked. "I'm goin' back to the hospital to be with my child." Filthy declared, much to Spoiled's horror. "What do you mean?! She's our child." Spoiled protested. "No," Filthy Rich firmly answered, his back still to his wife. "She's not your daughter anymore. I've come to a decision. A long overdue one at that," Spoiled was horrified by what her husband said next. "I want a divorce, Spoiled. I want a divorce!" Spoiled felt her heart sink and break into a million pieces upon what was just said to her. "Divorce me?!" She gasped. "Why?! I love you, Filthy! Honest! Please, don't do this to me!" "Sorry, but I don't love you now, Spoiled Milk," Filthy replied while turning back around to his now ex-wife. "Not after learnin' why you beat on Diamond Tiara like that, or that you've been doin' it for quite some time. From now on, whatever you decide to do is entirely your own. Don't ever call me or talk to me again! And you stay away from my daughter if you know what's good for you!" "Please, Filthy!" Spoiled Milk cried, her hooves clutching to the bars of her cell. "Please don't divorce me after all we've been through! You can, you can pay for a defender for me. Yes, that's it, you can pay for a public defender for me. I can change, I swear! If Diamond could turn her life around, so can I, right?!" Still Filthy Rich had nothing to say to his ex-wife and with his back turned he left the dungeons, leaving Spoiled sobbing in her cell. … At the Ponyville Hospital, Diamond Tiara opened her eyes to find herself in a hospital room with a teddy bear on her left. "Where…where am I?" She groggily asked, trying to make sense of her location. "Fa..Father?" "I'm right here, Diamond," Filthy replied in a tender voice. "I'm right here, baby." "Dad," Diamond replied before groaning from the pain. "Where…where's Mom?" "She won't hurt you again, sweetheart," Filthy promised. "I will be there for you more than I already was. And Silver Spoon's here too. She came rushin' right over as soon as she heard the news." Just then, the door opened to reveal Doctor Stable and Nurse Redheart holding what appeared to be x-rays of Diamond Tiara. "How is she, doctor?" Silver Spoon nervously asked. "Is my friend gonna be okay?" "It's too early to know for sure, your friend has several broken bones in her back and rear legs," Doctor Stable declared while turning his attention away from the x-rays. "And in addition to the bruising on her body, we also found injuries sustained on her chest bones. A few more blows could've broken them completely." "That Spoiled Milk!" Silver Spoon muttered to herself! "All this time and I thought she was just verbally abusive. Should've known physical abuse was right up her alley too." "I would recommend her staying in here for a few days for the wounds to be treated," Doctor Stable as Nurse Redheart adjusted Diamond's pillows. "If that's alright with you, Mr. Rich. There will probably need to be surgery to repair the damage." "It's alright," Filthy Rich nodded. "It's worth every bit to have my daughter back to full health. Besides, I'm probably goin' to need time to get my ex-wife's things out of my mansion, and if I find out any staff are still loyal to Spoiled Milk or were helpin' her cover up her abuse, they'll be fired on the spot." To Diamond Tiara, the fact that her parents were divorcing was both a relief and a sadness at the same time. She had always known them to be her parents and life without one of them was unthinkable to her, even if it would be for the better to have a father who loved her instead of a father who tended to ignore her and a mother who abused her At that moment, the doors opened and in stepped the Cutie Mark Crusaders followed by Celestia and Luna. "How is she, Filthy?" Celestia asked the troubled father. "A few broken bones and a lot of brusin', but she'll live," Filthy sighed while stroking Diamond's mane. "I can't believe this. Why would my ex-wife do this to Diamond Tiara? Why?" "Mr. Rich, if there' anything we can do to help," Apple Bloom suggested. "Please, tell us." To Filthy Rich there was only one option available as he looked down at his injured daughter. "She's going to need friends for support," He somberly declared to the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "Ever since you got your cutie marks, Diamond has spoken highly of you as has Silver Spoon. I think…I think bein' with fillies like you will be the best thing that ever happened to both her…and me." Losing control of his emotions, Filthy Rich leaned forward and sobbed hard as the Crusaders were led out of the room by Luna while Celestia stayed with the sobbing Filthy Rich. "I think you being there for Diamond Tiara seems like the best thing you can do right now." Luna commented. "But, Spoiled Rich, why would she do this to Diamond Tiara?" Apple Bloom questioned. "There had to be a better reason for it other than just because she was rich." "Sometimes we might never know the answers to such things fo sure, Apple Bloom," Luna explained while sitting down in the waiting room. "All that matters right now is being there for your friend and helping her, just like Princess Twilight and her friends once helped me." Opening her wings, Luna brought the three fillies together in a group hug just as Twilight and Spike came into the waiting room and Celestia came into the waiting room. "How is she?" Twilight asked Celestia. "Broken bones and lots of bruises. It'll be a long time before she recovers fully," Celestia cautioned. "In all honesty, I'm grateful that she's even alive. No one deserves to be treated like this." "Has Filthy Rich agreed to press charges yet?" Spike asked. "I think he should." "Yes, Spike, I'm goin' to press charges!" Filthy Rich declared as he approached the group, his eyes reddened with tear stains. "I'm divorcin' Diamond's mother because she doesn't deserve to be married to me any longer, not after what happened tonight. I only regret that I didn't do this sooner." "Look, Filthy Rich," Twilight pleaded while walking over to him. "My friends and I are going to do everything we can to help you get through this. If you need us for anything, anything at all, you can come either to the Castle of Friendship or my suite in Canterlot. Our doors are always open to you." Sighing, Filthy Rich faintly smiled at what was being offered to him. Still, he couldn't erase the horrific abuse that his wife had inflicted on their only child. Turning around, he walked back towards his daughter's room and could only wonder what was in store for Diamond Tiara now that he and Spoiled Milk were divorced. But, there was something he had to do first to make his separation from Spoiled Milk permanent. … Down in the Canterlot Dungeons, Spoiled Milk was left to sit and think about the position she now found herself in. For a full day and night, she sat alone with only the quiet of the dungeons for company. Part of her could only hope and pray that Filthy Rich would change his mind about divorcing her. Then suddenly, she heard the sounds of hoofbeats and Filthy Rich returned, standing in front of her cell and glaring down at her. Gasping, Spoiled Milk hoped that Filthy Rich was changing his mind. But instead, much to her disbelief, he took a gold ring off of his left hoof and taking it in his mouth, threw it down on the hard cold ground of the dungeons, smashing it into pieces before silently walking away. All Spoiled Milk could do was collapse to the ground, sobbing. Her marriage to Filthy Rich was over and she only had herself to blame for it.