…
…
Diamond Tiara paced back and forth outside the Ponyville schoolhouse, nervously anticipating the results of a conversation between her father and her teacher, Cheerliee. Diamond's eyes were focused on the deep scars that were still on her body as a result of her mother's physical abuse against her.
A few moments later, the door opened and out stepped Cheerilee and her father, Filthy Rich.
"What's going on?" Diamond nervously asked her father and teacher. "Am I in trouble?"
"No, Diamond," Filthy Rich sighed as he walked over to console his child. "You're not in any trouble at all."
"Diamond Tiara," Cheerliee explained. "Lately, we've all been concerned with how you've been acting in class. You pay attention to every lesson I give you, but…when we do group activities in class, you try to distance yourself."
"You know why, Miss. Cheerliee," Diamond cried, showing her teacher the bruises on her body. "It's because of these bruises I have to carry because of my mother. I don't want to be seen with them!"
Cheerliee slowly backed away. It was clear that the marks were still there despite how much time had passed.
"Everypony feels as if maybe you can use a break from bein' here, get yourself back in order," Filthy Rich suggested. "I should know, I'm your father."
"But, but…" Diamond tried to say. "All my friends are here. What will they think of this? What about Silver Spoon?"
"We all want what is best for your mental health and well being," Cheerilee explained. "…Diamond Tiara, maybe temporarily going to a different school will help you out with your mental health. Your father and I think that the School of Friendship might be best for you at this time. They teach the same lessons as me and any credit you earn there will be matched here."
Diamond was shocked by this decision and could only feel like she was being abandoned! "But, who…who would want to be friends with me over there?!" She cried, looking first to her father and then her teacher. "A pony that walked over others while under pressure from a so-called mother? Answer me that!"
Diamond Tiara would soon get her answer in the most unlikely of ways.
…
…
Meanwhile, in a remote area of Ponyville, the former villains of Equestria who'd defected from Grogar were now living in a secure location guarded by guardsponies. As part of their probation, Chrysalis, Tirek and Cozy Glow had been forced to live under guard watch for an entire year. And they now had a probation officer to supervise their every move.
For Cozy Glow, being on probation meant that she was on the cusp of returning to the life she'd led prior to joining Grogar's ranks. And that included returning to the School of Friendship.
"Cozy Glow!" Tirek called up to his daughter's bedroom, causing Cozy's train of thought to be interrupted. "Cozy Glow, are you up there?"
"Yes, Tirek," Cozy stammered as she headed to the bedroom door and opened it to reveal her father figure on the other side. "What…what's going on?"
"The probation officer wants to see you," Tirek replied, and Cozy followed Tirek down the stairs and down to the front end, where Chrysalis was standing in front of a bulky, brown coated pegasus stallion with small wings. "Here she is, Fair Chance. My daughter figure, Cozy Glow."
The bulky pegasus pony stepped forward and looked down at the filly, inspecting her closely. "Hmm, you sure aren't the same filly who tried to erase all magic," He remarked in a deep, gravelly voice. "I've had plenty of criminals to watch over in my career, but you are my youngest."
Fair Chance then noticed one of the many markings on Cozy's back and gently touched them. "Are these the markings you claimed to have received?" He asked.
"They are, Mr. Fair Chance," Cozy Glow whimpered, trying to look back at him. "Grogar gave them to me."
"Indeed," Fair Chance murmured, before looking back at Tirek and Chrysalis. "Young filly, I can assure you that under the terms of your guilty plea, you will get the help you need. Of course, there needs to be something on your end…"
Almost right away, Cozy knew what was about to be brought up. "Will they accept me again?" She asked, much to the shock of the probation officer and her parental figures. "Will I be accepted again at the School of Friendship? I'm not really a monster, I just got…caught up."
"We all did, Cozy Glow," Chrysalis sighed, looking over at Tirek. "I just got caught up in getting revenge on Starlight Glimmer that…"
"-I think everypony and everycreature know by now," Tirek interrupted. "But, I know for a fact that not everyone believes that we should have a second chance. If, by some miracle you are accepted fully again, Cozy Glow, then that may be a sign that the maker will yet show mercy on us."
Cozy wasn't sure if what Tirek said was true, but she was a pony eager to start over.
"I've already sent word to the headmare and vice headstallion of what we intend to do," Fair Chance spoke up, sitting down on the black sofa that had been provided for the former legion's new temporary home. "They say that if you are willing to repent, Cozy Glow, then they will welcome you back with open hooves. But that means you have to be on your best behavior."
Cozy took an enormous gulp and looked nervously at her parental figures. What she was doing was taking an enormous risk on her part, but a necessary one. "I do repent for what I have done, Mr. Fair Chance," Cozy whimpered. "But, who would want to be friends with me after everything we have done before and during our time with Grogar?"
…
Back at the Castle of Friendship, Starlight had closed up the school for the day and got out of her headmare outfit, still trying to process the idea of bringing Cozy Glow back into the School of Friendship.
"Starlight?" Twilight asked as she saw her friend and former student sitting alone in the castle library. "Spike and Grubber say that dinner will be ready soon. We're having nachos and hayburgers."
"I've always wanted to try and taste Spike's nachos," Starlight chuckled, putting down the parchment containing Cozy's terms of reinstatement at the School of Friendship. "Um, Twilight, can I ask you something?"
"Of course," Twilight said as she stepped into the library and approached Starlight. "Is this about Cozy Glow rejoining the School of Friendship?"
With a silent nod, Starlight confirmed to Twilight that it was.
"Look, I'm not a big fan of this idea either. But we have to at least give her a chance," Twilight pointed out. "I mean, I gave you a second chance, right?"
"Yeah, but will the students give her a second chance?" Starlight wondered, showing Twilight the parchment. "Just because you say that…"
-"Of course," Twilight interrupted. "I'm a pony who wants to give second chances, but those I give second chances to have to earn them. Luna got a second chance, you got a second chance and surprisingly, even Discord got a second chance."
"Even though he shouldn't have?" Starlight remarked.
"Yes, even though he shouldn't have gotten one," Twilight answered in a somewhat remorseful tone as they left the library. "But if Tirek, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow say that they are truly remorseful for their actions then I have to believe them. But they have to prove that to me and to all of Equestria for that matter."
Just as they neared the dining hall, Spike came out while bending over as he belched out a scroll. "Sorry," He apologized. "I tried to keep it hidden, but it was urgent."
Taking the scroll, Twilight studied it and saw that it was coming from her friend and secretary, Moondancer.
"What is it, Twilight?" Starlight asked.
"Moondancer says that Filthy Rich wants to meet with me tonight," Twilight explained, much to Starlight's shock. "It's about Diamond Tiara temporarily joining…the School of Friendship?"
And Starlight felt an equally puzzled look befall her face upon hearing this. "Diamond Tiara?" She wondered. "Isn't that the filly who got beaten up by her mother at one of your celebrations?"
"Sheesh, don't bring that up!" Spike shivered, feeling his scales tingle. "I can't get it out of my head. To think that could've been going on for ages and we wouldn't have known if Spoiled hadn't publicly admitted it."
Still, Twilight was perplexed by this decision. In her mind, Diamond Tiara was getting therapy to help her recover from Spoiled Milk's abuse on her. But, switching schools was completely out of left field. Was it really what the troubled filly needed most? "Look, I'm happy to check in with Filthy Rich, but…"
"-Moondancer does say that it's urgent." Spike spoke up, pointing to the very end of the scroll.
Still confused, Twilight and Starlight went to dinner as they decided to bring up the topic with Celestia and Luna.
…
"I'm not surprised that Filthy Rich wants to make such a decision," Luna spoke up when the topic was discussed. "Diamond Tiara clearly hasn't been mentally well as of late."
"Luna, the students are popular with you," Starlight spoke up. "How would you feel about bringing somepony like Diamond Tiara into the school?"
Celestia immediately asked. "Well, does her regular schoolteacher have any objections to this?"
Twilight looked over at Celestia for a brief moment, trying to get into the mind of a mare like Cheerliee who wanted what was best for her students.
"I would assume she was approached about this first. Still, why would Filthy Rich recommend taking his daughter out of an environment where she has been most of her life?" Twilight wondered. "It doesn't make sense."
"I'm not like Gentle Gust and Gentle Breeze," Spike advised as he ate a nacho. "But it could be Diamond Tiara's having PTSD or something along those lines."
"That would seem most likely," Celestia spoke after finishing a sip of tea. "In a way, I think that a temporary change of scenery might do Diamond Tiara some good."
A look of confusion befell on the entire table just as Grubber was coming in with some more nachos. "Um, did I miss something?" The hedgehog asked as he served the nachos. "What's this about a temporary change?"
"It's about a pony that Twilight knows, Grubber," Starlight explained. "A pony named…"
"-Diamond Tiara?" Grubber guessed, feeling his spine tingle. "Ugh! That's the pony who got beaten up at the one year celebration, right? Kind of reminds me of the Storm King when he was in a bad mood."
It was then that Twilight started to get an idea over how to go forward with these developments. "Grubber, do you mind serving some tea later? I'm going to be expecting company."
"Of course, Princess," Grubber replied, bowing his head to her in respect. "Who's coming, if I ask?"
"Diamond Tiara's father, Filthy Rich," Twilight answered. "He seems adamant on this change occurring, he might be the best pony to decide what his daughter truly needs right now."
Somewhat suspicious about whether Filthy Rich was just like Spoiled Rich, Grubber said nothing further and went back into the kitchen.
And no sooner did Grubber return to the kitchen than did Spike start to develop another sudden movement in his stomach that produced another scroll, this time from the former Legion of Doom's probation officer.
"What is it now, Twilight?" Celestia asked.
"Cozy Glow says that she is willing to come back to the School of Friendship as part of the guilty plea." Twilight explained.
"Says who?" Luna questioned. "Who signed off on such an agreement?"
Twilight was quick with the answer. "Their probation officer, Fair Chance."
"The pony that looks like Bulk Biceps?" Spike asked.
Starlight could only sit back in her dinner seat and sigh, knowing the enormous task that now dawned in front of her as headmare. "I hope everything falls into place like it should." She sighed. Potentially admitting two emotionally troubled students was going to be really difficult to manage.
…
Later that night, Twilight and Starlight sat down in the study, waiting for the arrival of Filthy Rich as per the scroll. Both princess and headmare could only wonder what was going to come out of having two fillies with similar situations in an environment such as the School of Friendship.
Just then, there was a knock at the door and Luna popped her head out just as Grubber came in with the tea, placing it on the table.
"He's here, Twilight," Luna answered, opening the door further to reveal that Filthy Rich was with them. "I've also suggested that I be in attendance as well, given Diamond Tiara's mental state."
"Very well," Twilight acknowledged, gesturing for father and daughter to both come inside and sit down. And they did so. "Filthy Rich," She began to question. "It is to my understanding that you believe Diamond Tiara should have a temporary change of scenery, is that true?"
Without any hesitation, Filthy Rich nodded that his daughter's change of scenery was indeed true. "She's been actin' out in school as of late," Filthy Rich explained in a worried voice. "Preferrin' to be silent during classroom participation, thinkin' that she was going to get picked on when she clearly wasn't. It's like she doesn't even know anypony anymore. Not even her best friend, Silver Spoon. She hasn't spoken to her since the incident."
The fear in Filthy Rich's eyes made it apparent what both Twilight and Starlight were facing.
Twilight immediately saw fit to question. "Why do you think Diamond has supposedly been silent in school?"
"It's like Diamond thinks that because she bullied students for not havin' cutie marks, they would bully her in revenge, as silly as it sounds," Filthy reluctantly confessed. "That's what she's told me from what little she's been willin' to share. She even cries herself to sleep every night, princess! And I don't know what to do! I've tried to get her to open up, but she just seems to retreat further and further into this shell she's created!"
Twilight sighed in deep thought, knowing just what the gravity of the situation was in front of her. As princess, she was facing perhaps her greatest challenge in the form of a child's mental well being. "What does Cheerliee think of this? Has she approved of the decision?"
"She agrees with me that Diamond Tiara needs to be temporarily placed in an alternate settin'," Filthy answered. "I've heard plenty of good things out of the School of Friendship and how acceptin' the students are. It sounds like it's just what Diamond needs. Please, you've got to help me! If this keeps up, I don't know what's gonna happen to her!" And with that he got down on his rear knees, looking up at Twilight and Starlight for their help.
"Filthy, both of us want to help you," Starlight was the first to speak to the stallion. "But this is a sudden change for Diamond Tiara. Think about it. She's going to be leaving the ponies she built friendships with in her life at the Ponyville schoolhouse."
"They all want what is best for my baby!" Filthy cried in desperation! "Even Silver Spoon wants what is best for Diamond. Her best friend is cryin' out for help, don't you see?! DON'T YOU SEE?!" And Filthy Rich bent forward and sobbed quietly as Luna draped a wing over him.
It was then that Twilight began to get herself an idea that could help not just Diamond Tiara. "Filthy Rich," She spoke while gesturing him to look up at her. "I think there's a way we can try to help not just your daughter, but another filly who is in a similar situation."
…
The next morning, Filthy Rich led his daughter through the streets of Ponyville and towards the School of Friendship.
Feeling somewhat nervous, Diamond Tiara looked up and saw the school's structure next to the Castle of Friendship, gulping nervously. "Father, are you sure this is a good idea?" She asked, looking nervously at her father. "I mean, do you think I will be accepted here?"
"Of course, you will, Diamond," Filthy Rich replied with a smile."You will have plenty of support here as well as the support of the Ponyville schoolhouse, and me."
However, just as they approached the school, Diamond could see that there was no other form of activity. "But, it's Saturday," She remarked in confusion. "Where is everypony?" But no sooner did she say those words than did the doors open, and there stood Twilight, Starlight, Spike and the former princesses with an unexpected guest: Cozy Glow!
"Hello Diamond Tiara," Starlight said in a welcoming voice. "Welcome to the School of Friendship."
Nervously, Diamond Tiara stepped forward, trying to soak in the feeling that she was about to be starting a temporary journey. And then her attention turned to the small filly amongst the mares and the dragon.
"Who…who are you?" Diamond Tiara asked, walking up to Cozy Glow. "Are you…Cozy Glow?"
This made Cozy Glow step forward and approach Diamond Tiara. "Golly, are you…Diamond Tiara?"
"I am," Diamond said nervously. "So, it looks as if we are going to be together, if you will."
Both fillies looked carefully at each of the scars that were on their bodies. Immediately, they connected on the fact that they were both victims of abuse and that they weren't alone.
"Looks that way," Cozy Glow whispered. "And I think…we have a lot in common, at least from what I heard."
Both fillies looked back to the respective adults on their sides and knew that there was no turning back now. What's more was that the more they looked at each other, the more at ease they felt themselves becoming.A pair of smiles started to form on their faces, and all that the big ponies could do was smile in warm response to what was happening.
"Do you think that it will work?" Starlight whispered to Twilight.
"I think it will, Starlight," Twilight whispered in reply. "But the important thing is to take it one step at a time."
So, the first steps for both Diamond Tiara and Cozy Glow had been completed and a new friendship seemingly was starting to come to life.
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