Sapphire really liked the ponies he met so far in Ponyville. In particular, he could see Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash becoming long-time friends of his. Pinkie was zany and adorable. Rainbow was a tomboy and a bit of a braggart but she had a good heart and was lot of fun. Rainbow was also pretty much speaking the truth when it came to her talents, the Wonderbolts knew what they were talking about. Rarity also seemed like a classy pony who actually had a personality, something which was admittedly rare in Canterlot.
Filthy Rich seemed like a cool pony too but Sapphire wondered exactly what Filthy Rich knew about whatever Big Boss was plotting. Rich definitely seemed savvy enough to put on a front which wouldn't arouse any suspicion.
Sapphire would have to decide later whether he wanted to investigate Big Boss' plan more or if he should just do what Big Boss says. The latter definitely seemed like the safer route for him. Sapphire didn't want to come face to face with one of the Knives - essentially Big Boss' group of hired assassins. Sapphire knew one thing for sure, he didn't want to get any of the ponies he met involved.
Rarity had much to discuss with Fancy Pants and Rainbow Dash had to check up on the weather - it was due to rain tonight. Sapphire would have never guessed that Rainbow Dash would have been involved with managing the weather, but every adult pony needed a job.
So, it was now just Sapphire and Pinkie.
"Sapphire, how are you liking Ponyville so far?"
"You were right, Pinkie Pie, it definitely seems like a fun place."
"How long are you staying for?"
"I'm not sure. It really depends on how long this business trip takes."
"I see. Trying to cash in on the Wonderbolts' successes?"
"I am probably one of the reasons why the Wonderbolts have become especially big in recent history."
"Hmmm... I believe you. You don't seem like a McMeany liar."
"Thanks, Pinkie, I appreciate that."
"Oh my gosh, I have the best idea ever, I am going to throw you the most super duper awesome party ever", said Pinkie Pie while bouncing.
"A party?", asked Sapphire.
"Yes yes yes!! But a lot of it is going to be a surprise! Meet met at Sugarcube Corner at 6:30 PM. Oh wait, have you made any plans then?"
"Nope."
"Great, I have so much awesome party planning to do, see you at 6:30, wheee!!!"
Pinkie rushed off.
Sapphire went back to Flilthy Rich's mansion. It was 3:00 and he really was curious about what Pinkie had planned. Sapphire loved everything about Pinkie Pie so far, however, he knew that ponies had their secrets and aren't always what they seem. Pinkie Pie seemed so authentic and good to the core. However, there was something else about her which made her extra special. Sapphire wondered to himself, was he interested in Pinkie in that way? Sapphire barely knew Pinkie but he couldn't help it. He couldn't wait to see her again. It also seemed like she was going to put in a lot of work to this party she was holding.
Sapphire saw that Diamond Tiara was busily working on her homework in the kitchen. Diamond Tiara noticed Sapphire.
"Hello, Mr. Sapphire, I hope you are enjoying Ponyville so far", said Diamond Tiara sweetly.
"I am, thank you, Diamond Tiara. Also, you can just call me Sapphire."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. How has your day been?"
"It was a near perfect day. However, I got a bruise on my front leg which hurts a little bit."
"Oh no. Rough-housing with the other girls or even boys?"
"Not the fun kind of rough-housing. My friend Silver Spoon and I don't go to school with all nice ponies."
"Kids can be tough."
"I try to be nice and kind to every pony - always polite and courteous but there are these three wild fillies in my school. They hate me and Silver Spoon for no good reason. I will admit that I tease them once in a while, but one of them kicked me so hard in the leg today that it bruised", said Diamond Tiara with sorrow.
"That's cruel. I was bullied somewhat as a colt myself."
"You were? But you seem so strong and not someone that other ponies would push around."
"When I was around your age, actually probably a year or two younger than you, I was the first pony in my class at my school to get his cutie mark. See this?"
"Ooh, the Pi symbol, maybe you could help me with my homework, tee hee."
"I guess it meant that I was supposed to do something math-related. Three-quarters of the ponies in my class didn't even know what it meant but they would tease me for my cutie mark. I knew they were jealous that they didn't have cutie marks themselves but they would torment me to no end."
Except for Twilight Sparkle, Sapphire thought, he felt extra bad for what he did so many years ago.
"That makes so much sense, Sapphire. I was actually the first in my class to get a cutie mark too. How did you deal with the bullying?"
"I did something interesting. I decided to use my special talent for good and help other ponies, especially when they struggled with school. I gained friends by showing that even though other ponies pushed me around that I would still offer a helping hand and be a good pony." Sapphire thought to himself, that seemed like something Pinkie Pie would do too.
"But... I don't know if it would work in this case, these three ponies are extra nasty. I can think of a lot of things where I can offer my assistance but the lead pony would refuse their help", said Diamond Tiara nervously.
"The lead pony?"
"Yea. She's the nastiest of the three. The other two have been bullies too but I am pretty sure they follow her lead."
"Do you mind telling me their names?"
"Not a problem. I just didn't want to bore you with my lame life. Canterlot must be a lot more exciting. They are Apple Bloom, an earth pony, Scootaloo, a pegasus, and Sweetie Belle, a unicorn. None of them have their cutie marks yet so they take their frustrations out on me and Silver Spoon. Some other ponies too. Another friend of mine, Twist, was crying when Apple Bloom basically stopped talking to her when Twist got her cutie mark. Twist was really heartbroken but I helped her out. Apple Bloom is the leader and the worst of the three."
"I know this will be tough, Diamond Tiara, but maybe you could try talking to Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. They might want to help you but are too scared of Apple Bloom. There are some real intimidating characters out there but nopony should let them run their lives."
Sapphire wished he could follow his own advice regarding Big Boss.
"That would make sense, I think. Sweetie Belle and I would use to sing together sometimes but then Apple Bloom entered her life and it was all over. It seems worth a try."
"Be brave, Diamond Tiara, be brave. You got a lot of potential and can do great things. When I was your age nopony, incluidng myself, would have imagined that I would someday become the lead financial advisor of the Wonderbolts and triple their wealth."
"That is so neat, I love the Wonderbolts! Hey, maybe that's how I can help Scootaloo. She struggles with flying but maybe I can encourage her that she can become as good as a Wonderbolt. I'm pretty sure Apple Bloom doesn't do that, all that pony does is care about herself."
"Heh heh. She should probably meet a pegasus I met today, Rainbow Dash, she is one of the coolest fliers I know in Equestria."
"She knows RD, Scootaloo idolizes her actually but Scootaloo has given up on flying, especially since she really started hanging out with Apple Bloom. They now call themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders. I just want the bullying to stop. Thank you so much Sapphire for your advice", Diamond Tiara gave Sapphire a big hug.
"Do you need any help with your math homework?"
"I'm doing alright, I'm actually not so bad at math myself."
"Of course not, you seem like a smart filly."
"Oh Sapphire, you are just too kind."
"Hey, I am going to get ready for this party I was invited but keep me posted. I don't want to see any ponies be nasty to you."
"Sure thing, ooh, what party?"
"It's at Sugarcube Corner."
"Must be a Pinkie Pie party, I would love to go but I have too much homework. Have you met Pinkie Pie yet?"
"Yep, she's one-of-a-kind."
"She sure is. She knows how to throw a fun party. I wish I could go but too much homework."
"That's a shame, I hope your night isn't too boring."
"Nah, don't worry about me, Sapphire. You just go have fun!"
"You're such a sweetheart. Not many ponies like you so young."
"You're too kind. My daddy tells me the same thing and that is what will make me super successful someday."
"You could take over your dad's business."
"Yea, I could, but would I want to? I want to live in Canterlot, you must have a blast there."
"Canterlot has its ups and downs, kind of like Ponyville."
"Makes sense, I am just dreading go to school tomorrow. I feel like Apple Bloom is planning to beat me up real bad at recess tomorrow. I will just warn my teacher first thing in the morning but even if the Cutie Mark Crusaders don't beat me up, they are still going to be super nasty and unpleasant. Oh my, I should get back to my homework and you should get ready for your Pinkie Pie party."
"Indeed, Diamond Tiara, remember if you need any help with anything, I will be there for I don't know how long..."
"Thank you, Sapphire. My daddy said he thinks you will be here at least three months. He has said a lot of great things about you. I think you can be like the big brother I never had."
"That's really sweet. You certainly have come from a nice family."
Sapphire got himself ready for this big party. He wished there was something more he could do to help Diamond Tiara out besides giving her advice. She seemed very intelligent and self-reliant but didn't seem to be a fighter. Sapphire worried about her. Sapphire couldn't wait to see what Pinkie Pie had planned for him. Whatever it was, Pinkie was probably hoping it would make Sapphire smile.