Priceless

by TheMasterofDespair

Prologue

Cold, distraught, and saddened could seemingly describe the young filly that sat on the deck of the train station, watching the gloomy night sky. The filly’s purple and white mane brushed gently against her pale magenta coat as the wind softly blew by. Perched on top of her head was a small tiara of which was identical to her cutie mark.

Beside her was a small bag that held only a hoofful of bits, and at the edge of her teeth she held a small yellow ticket, although half of the ticket was concealed, what could be read was the word, -hattan.

Rarely did anypony take the night train in Ponyville, making it quite unnerving to be around this hour. But the eerie atmosphere didn’t seem to bother this filly. Her mind seemed to be locked on the stars above.

“Well, what if I do? What are you gonna do about it?” Diamond then moved closer towards Babs, until their noses were practically touching. Their eyes were locked, either of them refusing to back down.

Babs’s ire stare however soon began to relax, to which she finally spoke. “Tell your mothers about your bad attitudes!”

Diamond shook her head, trying to her best to ignore that particular memory. Ever since she had heard it, it refused to leave her mind.

Her eyes now moved away from the sky, and down towards the train tracks. She wished the train would arrive already, but for whatever reason it seemed to be late.

With her thoughts still racing within her head, she involuntarily started to count every wooden plank on the railroad. She counted them one by one, from where she sat, until she could not see them anymore.

Soaked in mud, and missing her tiara, she marched home. Her once smug smirk now gleamed of both sorrow and fury. Too many thoughts were burning through her skull, she felt as though she couldn’t keep up. All she wished now was to be home, away from the source of her anger.

“Diamond, wait up,” called a familiar voice, so familiar she didn’t bother turning around to see who it was. The grey filly that was also soaked in mud, finally caught up to her. In her mouth she was holding Diamond’s tiara, even though it was tarnished by the mud, it still managed to sparkle in the sunlight.

“What a jerk. I guess once a blank flank always one, right.” Her comment didn’t seem to faze Diamond. She just ignored her and continuing walking home. “Look Diamond, maybe we should talk about it.”

“Talk about what? That Babs is a backstabbing jerk.”

“N-no, I mean what she said.”

“What does it matter? Its history, just leave me alone.”

“Diamond, I just want to help.”

“I don’t really care. If you really want to help me, then stay out of my face.”

“D-Diam...”

“Shut up, just shut up! I don’t want to hear your stupid voice anymore!” Diamond’s shouting seemed to finally get Silver Spoon to back down. She remained almost frozen in position, watching Diamond run home.

Diamond let out a soft sigh. She had grown bored of counting the railroad planks over and over again, and was looking for something else to pass the time.

She closed her eyes, and envisioned images of whatever her mind could conjure up. She tried to ignore any displeasing thoughts, and just focus on whatever made her happy. But her mind seemed to be clouded by hatred.

Her daydreaming however was soon shattered, by a nearby noise. By Instinct, see turned her head to face the train station. She knew it was just her imagination, but she almost wished somepony was there. That somepony had noticed her departure, and was here to bring her back home.

She tried her best to hold back her tears, but the more she spoke, the more her crying became evident. “Why did she leave?”

As much as he wanted to answer her question, Filthy Rich was at a loss of words. The only thing he could think to say was, “All she told me was that she wasn’t happy. She wanted to start a new life, a new beginning.”

“B-but I don’t remember her. I don’t even know what she looks like.”

“I understand. You were so young when she left. Blue Amber was a great mare, and I really wish she was still here.”

“D-do you know where she went?”

“Last I heard she was living in Manehattan, but that was a long time ago."

“But she could still be there, right.”

“It’s possible, yes.”

The silence that filled the night air began to fade, as a loud roar pierced from the distance. The mighty roar was soon joined by a blazing light of which shined ever so brightly. She could hear the screech from the brakes as it was crawling to a stop.

Immediately as it arrived the doors swung open, leaving a somewhat welcoming presence. But Diamond remained still, glaring unfeelingly at the open door. Her very fear was now keeping her from moving. She knew the train would only be there for a few minutes, so she had to act quickly.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to relax. She never left Ponyville before, at least not on her own. The only time she was ever away from home was the rare occasions that her father brought her along on his business trips.

Pushing aside her fear, Diamond grabbed her bag, and leisurely approached the train. She took small steps at first, but as she got closer and closer, her steps got bigger, until she lastly reached the door.

Once she was in the train she started to calm down, she knew this was only the beginning of her journey, so she had to be strong. She handed her ticket to the conductor, and made up a lie to disguise the fact that she was running away.

Within a couple of minutes the doors began to shut; now sealing her new found destiny. Diamond took a seat on one of the benches, staring out the window as the train moved forward. She watched as Ponyville faded into the distance, and began to plan her new life in the big city.