…
…
The pony formerly known as Spoiled Rich sat in a courtroom as the jury of her peers walked back in with the verdict in hoof. She had been on trial for abusing Diamond Tiara as she saw fit and was now about to face the consequences of her actions.
"Has the jury reached a verdict?" Judge Fair Trial asked.
"We have, your honor." The jury forepony replied as she stood up looking at the judge.
"Will the defendant please rise?" Judge Fair Trial requested.
Doing as they were told, both Spoiled Milk and her defense attorney rose to their feet. In the gallery, Diamond Tiara and Filthy Rich watched with disapproving glances as well as disgust.
Taking a deep breath, Spoiled Milk anxiously awaited her fate.
"On the charge of foal abuse in the second degree," The judge asked the jury. "How do you find the defendant, Spoiled Milk?"
"We, the jury," The forepony answered. "In the aboved and titled action, find the defendant Spoiled Milk…guilty as charged."
Spoiled Milk darted her eyes back and forth in shock and disbelief!
"I understand that the prosecution wishes to revoke the defendant's bail?" Judge Fair Trial inquired.
"Yes, your honor, we do." Fair Justice the prosecutor answered.
"So ordered," The judge nodded. "The defendant's bail is revoked and she is to be placed in the Canterlot Dungeons until sentencing at a later date to be announced. Court adjourned."
As the gavel sounded and a guardspony came forward to throw the hoofcuffs on Spoiled Milk, she turned to see her ex-husband pulling his daughter's view away from her. "Filthy, I…" She pleaded with tears in her eyes, but Filthy Rich was having none of it. "Please…"
Getting up from the courtroom, Filthy Rich took Diamond Tiara away as Spoiled was hoofcuffed and led away back to the Canterlot Dungeons.
"All right, let's go." The guard pony instructed as Spoiled Milk was led out.
From the prosecution table, Fair Trial watched with a disapproving glance. "Unbelievable," He sighed as he gathered his papers. "If there is one thing I can't stand, it's ponies who abuse fillies."
"Easy for you to say," Spoiled Milk's defense attorney replied, catching Fair Trial's attention. "You'd be surprised at how many clients I defend…that don't deserve defending."
"Was this another one?" Fair Trial asked.
"Yes, Fair Trial, it was." The defense attorney nodded.
Watching the defender leave the courtroom, Fair Trial placed all his papers in his suitcase and was just about to leave when he was suddenly stopped by the judge.
"Fair Trial?"Fair Justice called, motioning for him to come forward. "I wish to see you before you go."
Confused, Fair Trial came forward and followed Fair Justice into his chambers. "What is it, your honor?"
"We are not in session, Fair Trial," Fair Justice replied. "You can call me by my normal name."
"Yes, of course, brother," Fair Trial whispered. "What is it?"
"It's about that changeling who took the changeling kingdom hostage over a year ago," Fair Justice answered . "Her highness suspended the writ this morning."
Fair Trial realized what had to happen next. "On charges of terrorism, threatening to physically harm among other things. What happens now?"
"Hopper is hanged." Fair Justice declared
"What has that to do with me?" Fair Trial wondered.
"I want you to ensure that the sentence is carried out in accordance with Princess Twilight's wishes," Fair Justice firmly replied, much to his brother's shock! "It is to serve as a warning to Grogar and all who aid him what fate awaits those who threaten Equestria or its allies without remorse."
…
…
Exiting the courtroom, Spoiled Milk was led back to her cell in the Canterlot Dungeons where she was alone with only the rats and the guards around her cell for company. As she was ushered back into her cell, Spoiled noticed several of the guards carrying planks of wood in their magical auras. "Excuse me," She asked one of the guards who'd escorted her back to her cell. "What's going on?"
"There is to be an execution to take place at sunset," The guard pony answered. "A rogue changeling."
"Hold that cell door!" Another guard called as two guard ponies escorted the changeling prisoner down towards Spoiled Milk's cell. This made the ex-rich pony indignant.
"What's going on here?" Spoiled Milk demanded. "Why are you leaving me here with this disgusting bug?!"
"A chance at repentance according to the supreme princess," One of the guards answered as they threw the changeling inside the cell. "Perhaps you might give him some last minute company at least."
"But, but…" Spoiled Milk pleaded, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. "I don't want to be left with this creature! Changelings are evil! Please, don't do this to me!"
Rising to his feet, the changeling looked over to Spoiled Milk, coughing up some absorbed love that he had consumed.
"I don't know and I don't care who you are," Spoiled Milk protested in a loud firm voice before it fell silent. "You are not consuming any love I have in me…which I don't really…have."
"Of course you don't," The changeling coughed. "I can't sense any inside you, pony. It's too bad, really."
He then proceeded to walk up to Spoiled Milk, but she backed away towards the wall of her cell. "Who…who are you?" Spoiled Milk cried while standing against the wall on her hind legs. "And what do you want with me?"
"A chance at repentance before I am hanged," The changeling answered. "Ever since my comrades and I were arrested, these ponies have…destroyed my self-confidence. All I ever wanted was to restore our queen to her rightful throne. Thorax was a disgraceful usurper that had no right to call himself our king."
Going back on all fours, Spoiled Milk suddenly remembered who this changeling was. "Wait a minute!" She gasped! "You're the one who took the entire Changeling Kingdom hostage. You're Hopper!" Suddenly frightened, she dashed to the bars and cried out to the guards. "HELP! SOMEPONY GET RID OF THIS CHANGELING! HE'S A MONSTER!"
"They won't listen to you, pony," Hopper sighed. "When Princess Twilight makes up her mind, she sticks to it. They will hang me at sundown either way. They've already done the same for my brother and my friends."
…
Returning to their home amidst a scheduled downpour, Diamond Tiara and Filthy Rich were left to absorb the trial that Spoiled Milk went through.
"How did it go, sir?" A butler asked as he removed Filthy Rich's raincoat.
"Guilty as charged, Randolph," Filthy Rich solemnly answered. "She kind of deserves it after all the abuse she inflicted on my little Diamond."
Diamond Tiara said nothing and instead just looked down at the floor in sadness.
"Diamond?" Filthy asked. "Do you want to…?"
"I just need some time alone, dad," Diamond said sadly as she made her way up the stairs to her room. "I just feel so…conflicted right now."
Filthy Rich could tell that his only daughter was struggling internally.
"By the way, sir," Randolph went on. "Princess Twilight and Diamond's friends will stop by later. Apparently, the princess feels that there are two ponies that can help Diamond Tiara."
"Who are they, Randolph?" Filthy inquired. "This better not involve more therapy, I'm already payin' a lot as it is for the two of us for therapists after what Spoiled did."
Randolph only answered. "She didn't say, sir. It doesn't sound like therapy will be involved, at least not in the official licensed sense."
"Listen, uh, please let us know when Princess Twilight arrives," Filthy Rich said to his butler. "I'm just goin' to rest in the study for a while."
"Yes, sir." Randolph saluted.
Leaving his butler alone, Filthy Rich secluded himself in the study to reflect on the verdict of his ex-wife just as Diamond Tiara was doing in her bedroom.
Meanwhile, up in her bedroom, Diamond Tiara laid down on her bed and looked up at the ceiling. All she could do was reflect on how this moment had come about. Her mother had molded her into the pony that she was and Diamond was now trying to picture herself as a different pony, what she could've been if not for her mother doing what she'd done.
"Look at me," Diamond thought to herself as she looked at a picture of herself and her mother at a high society event. "What did she turn me into? What did you force me to become, Mother? Because of you I turned into a bully, into a monster and yet…you were still my mother. I couldn't bring myself to say no to you."
Placing her hoof on the picture, all Diamond could do was turn the picture face down on the nightstand. The more she looked at it, the more she could hear her mother's sharp and abusive words play out in her head.
"Diamond Tiara! Why are you making that face? That is not the face of a winner." Spoiled Rich had sneered when Diamond Tiara lost the class president election.
"Because... I didn't win." Diamond Tiara had quietly said.
"What?!" Spoiled Rich had gasped in shock and anger. "You mean I hefted all these party supplies to celebrate nothing?!"
Hearing her mother scold her like that caused Diamond Tiara to tremble in her bed. She could feel every bone in her body shake.
"Sorry, Mother." Diamond had apologized, but it wasn't good enough for her then mother.
"It's bad enough you lost to that transplant from Trottingham, but imagine if you'd lost to one of those 'blank flanks'," Spoiled Rich had sternly colded. "As a Rich pony you must always think of your social starts here in Ponyville and reaches all over Equestria. Don't ever forget that, Diamond Tiara. Ever!
The scolding sounds of her mother's voice caused tears to form in the corners of Diamond's eyes. She was an abused pony and the scars were present as she could only cry into her pillow.
…
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Back in the dungeons, Spoiled Milk and Hopper were left alone to think about their respective fates.
"So," Hopper asked, looking over at Spoiled Milk. "What are you in for?"
"Foal abuse," Spoiled Milk sighed while looking up to the ceiling of her cell. "To which it wasn't really my fault. It was how I was raised and I felt that my daughter should be raised the same way."
"It seems like physical harm is not favored by those around us," Hopper sighed while looking down at his holed hooves. "But it's how we get our power and authority. It's how I was taught by my queen."
"The jury saw it otherwise," Spoiled Milk bitterly remarked. "I had the right to raise my daughter as I saw fit. I tried to make it seem like I would only use it if necessary but they didn't see it that way. Because of it I've had everything I ever worked for taken away from me."
"Just like when that no good Starlight Glimmer dethroned my queen to make room for that traitor, Thorax! A total pushover who suggested we make 'friends' with the ponies!" Hopper snapped before spitting down at the floor, causing Spoiled Milk to recoil in disgust. This made him look over at Spoiled Milk. "What's the matter with you?"
"Can you please not do that?" Spoiled remarked and gagged. "It's disgusting!"
"Get used to it, pony! It's how these prisons work!" Hopper snapped right back. "Besides, chances are you won't have me around for long."
Wiping sweat off of her brow, Spoiled was forced to take in the behavior that comes with being a prisoner. "Hopper," She asked him. "Did you ever...?"
"Did I what?" Hopper coldly interrupted. "Spit on the floor? Of course I did!"
"I don't mean that," Spoiled corrected. "Did you ever feel like there was a chance where you felt like one day your actions would haunt you?"
"Well, it didn't take too long for you to start repenting, did it?" Hopper sneered. "Guess me being here is starting to get to you."
"No it is not," Spoiled sighed again. "I guess after my husband ended our marriage following my arrest, I've been thinking…maybe I did go too far on my daughter. I beat her when she failed at something, but all I could see in that was discipline."
"The discipline I enforced made us tougher and more loyal to our queen," Hopper complained. "Otherwise we would never have served our queen the way we did. Life was better when she was in charge of our kingdom and I still believe that!"
As she listened, Spoiled Milk could only wish she would go back and erase what she had done to Diamond Tiara.
…
Back at the Rich family mansion, the rain continued to pour down on Ponyville as Twilight's carriage landed in front of the mansion.
"Are you sure that this will work?" Spike asked as Twilight stepped out of the carriage. "Gentle Gust and Gentle Breeze taking on another patient."
"It has to work, Spike," Twilight replied. "Diamond Tiara needs help…professional help. Beyond what we can give. I'm sure they'll both be willing to offer their services to Filthy for a reasonable price." With an umbrella over her head, Twilight made her way to the front door of the mansion and knocked on the door with her hoof.
A few moments later, a maid answered the door and gasped loudly at Twilight and Spike. Hastily, she gestured to Twilight, allowing both her and Spike to come inside while bowing respectfully to them.
Just then, Radolph came into the front hall and immediately bowed down to Twilight.
"At ease," Twilight suggested while raising a hoof. "Is Filthy Rich home?"
"He's in the study," Randolph replied while gesturing for Twilight to follow him. "I'll take you to him."
In his study, Filthy Rich could only look at the pictures of his family before it had been split apart forever. The more pictures he looked at his ex-wife, the more disgusted he felt. For the first time, he could only see a monster in his pictures, a guilty monster at that. Just then, he was interrupted by the sounds of a knock on the door and he placed the book on the coffee table.
"Enter!" Filthy called, and Randolph came in followed by Twilight and her entourage. Seeing the Supreme Princess of Equestria, Filthy Rich lowered his head in respect. "My home is blessed by your bein' here, Princess Twilight."
"I shall leave you both alone. If you require my presence again, just call." Randolph declared as he left the study.
Once the door was closed, Twilight was left alone with the distraught Filthy Rich. Right away, Twilight got down to business as she sat down next to him. "How was the verdict?" She asked while looking directly at him.
"Guilty," Filthy Rich bitterly answered. "She deserves it after puttin' my child through such torment. I can't believe I ever saw anythin' in her," Then he looked up. "I…I understand that you have somethin' to offer me?"
"I do," Twilight declared while motioning for Spike to join him on the sofa. "You see, Filthy Rich, there are two ponies that I go to for my mental health. They've helped me and Spike, and I am sure they can help Diamond Tiara too."
Filthy blinked slowly. "Who are they?"
"Their names are Gentle Gust and Gentle Breeze, but I'm sure you've already heard of them." Twilight declared.
Filthy nodded again. "Yes, yes, I remember from when you were hospitalized, Princess," Rising to his hooves, he began to pace back and forth in front of Twilight and tried to process the information. "Do you…do you think they can help Diamond Tiara?"
"I can promise you that they will, and for a very reasonable price too," Twilight answered. "Gentle Gust and Gentle Breeze are two of the nicest ponies I have ever come across. In fact, the first time I met them they offered me a cup of hot cocoa."
"You might say it's their way of making you feel welcome." Spike added as Filthy Rich took in what Twilight said, taking a deep breath.
To him, Filthy just wanted to see his daughter healthy and happy again before this nightmare that had begun to play out before his eyes. "Princess, I think we'll…take you up on your offer. But, what if Diamond doesn't want to go? What if she views this as somethin' different from what you're makin' it out to be? I don't want her to end up hatin' me too."
"I can assure you that she will love them, Filthy," Twilight said in a gentle voice. "In fact, I view them like grandparents to me. You have my word."
"I think this is…this is probably the best for my daughter, given all of the circumstances that are happenin' with this war and all," Filthy Rich sighed. "But what if she doesn't want to go? What will she think…?"
Suddenly, all heard the sounds of tiny hoofbeats enter the study and there in the doorway stood Diamond Tiara, disheveled and with her eyes red from crying.
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…
Both Twilight and Filthy Rich stood up in surprise when they saw Diamond Tiara standing in the doorway.
"Diamond, were you cryin'?" Filthy asked while bending down to her level.
"No, just had something in my eye," Diamond Tiara lied, sniffling slightly as she wiped away at her nose. "It's nothing, really." But Filthy could see through the lie in a heartbeat. The truth was evident upon his daughter's face.
"Diamond, your father and I were just talking," Twilight explained as she bent down to her level as well. "There are these two ponies named Gentle Gust and Gentle Breeze who helped me when I had my mental health breakdown. I think it would be good for you to go and talk with them about what you've been going through."
Diamond Tiara looked away in anxiety.
"It may be good for you and it may be good for me too, Diamond," Filthy Rich encouraged. "Sometimes we all need somepony to lean on."
"Will they…will they hurt me in any way?" Diamond asked, tears once again forming in her eyes. "Because I think I've been hurt enough!" Lightly sobbing, she was helped back to the couch by her father as Spike pulled over to let her sit down.
"No, Diamond, they won't hurt you," Twilight reassured her young subject as the filly audibly sobbed into her father's chest. "They just want to help you the same way that they helped Spike and I. As supreme princess, the last thing I want is to see one of my subjects treated so badly. What your mother did at the celebration was completely unacceptable."
"But…" Diamond sobbed while looking back at Twilight. "It's how she was raised."
"Honey, your mother's family was twisted in every sense of the word if that's how they approached child raisin'," Filthy Rich remarked. "I have personal standards that I follow on a daily basis and I never…never…raise a hoof at anypony. I may get angry with you sometimes, but I will never strike you! You have my word on that."
"These are the kind of things that you can and should talk to Gentle Gust and Gentle Breeze about," Twilight gently encouraged. "And if it feels better, we can have all your friends go with you: Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Silver Spoon, all of them! It worked for me, so it can work for you too. What do you say?"
"They have hot coco." Spike added.
For the first time all evening, Diamond Tiara's face produced a small tearfilled smile.
Just then, a guard pony came into the study, catching Twilight's attention. "Your highness," He declared while saluting Twilight. "The warden is awaiting your order for the execution of the Changeling, Hopper."
Taking a deep breath, Twilight knew that she had a royal duty to carry out and a personal one at that. "Is everything ready?" She asked.
The guard pony nodded. "Yes, your highness."
Without saying a word, Twilight motioned for the execution to be carried out.
"Twilight, they'll be waiting for us," Spike advised. "The execution can't be carried out unless you are there."
"Very well then," Twilight said to her royal advisor before turning to Filthy Rich. "I need to go to Canterlot for the execution. But, if you need anything at all.."
"Don't worry, I will contact you if anything changes, Princess."Filthy promised. Hugging Twilight and Spike, both Filthy Rich and Diamond Tiara watched Twilight leave
…
Back in the dungeons, Spoiled Milk and Hopper continued their little conversation
"Of course it gives you power," Spoiled Milk cried. "But it's power that ultimately leads you down a different path. My daughter's purpose was to maintain our social standing, be among the best of the best."
"And my purpose was to bring our queen back to power," Hopper declared. "There…there was something about inflicting pain on others that…that gave me a sense of pride in what I do to serve my queen. But I guess all that's for nothing now, as I go meet my maker."
Sighing, Spoiled couldn't help but feel sorry for him. "Who knows what will happen to me?" She asked herself. "I won't end up like you, but I will probably spend the rest of my life in a jail cell in Tartarus, all because I raised my daughter the way I wanted to raise her."
Stopping for a moment, Spoiled took another deep breath. "Honestly, I'm scared for what the sentence is going to be," She whispered to Hopper. "You may not be scared of your sentence, but I am."
Almost as if on cue, the doors to the dungeons opened and the warden along with a pair of guard ponies stood in the doorway of the cell. "Hopper the Changeling?"
Without saying a word, Hopper rose to his feet and faced the warden and the guards.
"It's time." Opening the door, the guards pulled Hopper in their aura and carried him out of the cell. All Spoiled Milk could do was watch Hopper being carried away and thinking of what her own fate was going to be.
But the Warden had one last bit of news for Spoiled Milk. "Sentencing is tomorrow morning," He told her. "But there may be a chance at escaping a worse sentence."
Not knowing what it was, Spoiled Milk was left to ponder what the outcome was going to be. She could only hope she would not end up like Hopper, who was on his way to the gallows.
…
…
Meanwhile, Hopper was led to the gallows where Twilight and Spike along with Thorax, Pharynx and Ocellus were there to witness his execution. Hopper looked up at the roped noose that hung from the gallows, waiting for his neck to be placed through.
"Hopper the Changeling," said the overseer of the execution. "You have been convicted of an act of war against Equestria and her allies. To this end, you are hereby sentenced to be hanged by the neck until death. Is there anything you wish to say before sentence is carried out?"
Saying nothing, the noose was placed around Hopper's neck and looking to Twilight, the overseer saw her motion to begin the execution. Looking towards the executioner, the overseer silently commanded him to pull the lever and with a sudden jerk, Hopper was dropped, and the sounds of bones in his neck cracking were heard.
Hopper, leader of the rogue changelings, was dead.
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END OF EPISODE
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