//------------------------------// // Monday // Story: Diamond Tiara IS Special // by sbloom85 //------------------------------// Monday After returning home from the cemetery, Diamond proceeded to do the schoolwork that had been neglected. She would ask Miss Cheerilee if she could stay for private sessions to catch up on what she didn't understand or go through. In the past she wouldn't have bothered herself and paid somepony else to do it for her as it was all boring to her, but she was now determined to complete as much as she could on her own. There were some simple math equations that were given to her, mostly division and multiplication and a few addition and subtraction problems. There were also some reading problems to solve, some were included with reviews of recent history. She thought back to Apple Bloom's grandmother and her reminiscence of the founding of Ponyville. Before that she believed that if it weren't for her family, Ponyville wouldn't exist, after the presentation, she didn't think much about it, but now, she realized that without the symbiotic relationship between her family and the Apples, Ponyville would be a different place right now, that's if it existed at all and it was all thanks to the annual blooming of the zap apples and the cooperation between two families. If there was one constant, it was that she never wanted to dress up as a bunny again. Silver Spoon seemed to enjoy it, though and that's all that mattered to her. At the end of the day, in between small meals, she had caught up with most of the work. There was an essay that needed to be written about life in Ponyville compared to Cloudsdale, Canterlot and Appleloosa. She visited Canterlot a number of times on field trips, a city populated mostly by unicorns. She read about the pegasus-exclusive city of Cloudsdale and the earth pony town of Appleloosa, but never visited either. It was impossible for an earth pony to visit Cloudsdale without the help of a unicorn for a walk on clouds spell, or be stuck on a hot air balloon or some kind of aircraft. Appleloosa would be a long train ride, but the sights of the vast open plains and buffalo piqued a new curiosity within her. She already had an idea of what to write and decided to jot down notes before she went to bed. It was finally Monday and Diamond Tiara looked at herself in the mirror to make sure she was ready to face the other fillies and colts at school. She had put a few pounds back on over the weekend and started looking like a healthy filly again. She could still see her ribs, but not like it was just a couple of days ago. There was a brief knock and her bedroom door opened. Her father peeked his head in and smiled at his daughter. “Is my little filly ready to go back to school?” She giggled. “Not before breakfast.” He nodded. “Speaking of which, it's almost ready.” Her smile hadn't faltered as she licked her lips, her mouth watered in anticipation and she galloped out of her room, passing between her father's legs on the way out. He turned and saw his daughter rounding a corner, heading toward the kitchen. He smiled and shook his head. “Kids.” This morning's breakfast was the same as yesterday's, but Diamond wolfed it down as if she was eating it for the first time. Her appetite was catching up and she ended up eating more than she could handle, giving her an uncomfortably full belly. She vowed never to do that again. A half hour had passed and Diamond was ready. She approached the front door just as it was knocked on. She opened it and saw Silver Spoon outside. The filly greeted her with a warm smile. “Good morning, Silver Spoon.” Silver's smile turned into a grin. “Morning, DT! You have no idea how happy I am that you're coming back to school.” Diamond nodded and closed the door behind her. “I imagine you're not the only pony.” Diamond and Silver rounded a corner and a rushing colt ran into Diamond and the two tumbled. She wasn't happy about the accident and when she recovered her senses, she found herself on top of the still dazed unicorn colt, perpendicular on his back. She scowled at him as she got up. She opened her mouth to say something, but she took a deep breath and her anger softened. “Are you alright?” The colt shook the cobwebs out of his head. He looked up to the filly he ran into and fearfully backed away. “Please! Leave me alone!” She extended a hoof, offering to help the colt up, but he flinched. “Go away!” He scrambled to his hooves and took off in a blur. Diamond looked to Silver in shock. She was sure some ponies would hold a grudge against her, but ponies fearing her? “Silver Spoon? Have we seen him before?” Silver shrugged. “He looked kinda familiar, but...” She looked to the ground and smiled. “Oh! He forgot his saddle bag.” This gave Diamond an idea. “Let's pick it up and return it to him when we see him at school. I'll carry it.” Silver raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you'll be able to carry it.” Diamond looked pleadingly into her eyes. “Please, Silver. I want to.” Silver lowered her head to pick up the bag and saw a name tag. “Astro Tale.” She picked up the bag and set it on Diamond's back. Diamond looked at the bag with curiosity. “Is that his name?” Silver slowly nodded. “I imagine so. Come on, DT. You don't want to be late on your first day back, do you?” Diamond shook her head. “No, I don't.” Diamond and Silver reached the front of the school. “I hope he comes in today... I feel bad for scaring him.” Silver gave her friend a gentle nudge. “It's not your fault.” Diamond raised an eyebrow as she adjusted the two saddle bags on her back. “It might have been... maybe I harassed him.” Silver smiled. “Come on, let's see if we can find him.” Diamond shook her head. “There's only one classroom, so we shouldn't have a problem with that.” Silver giggled. “That's the spirit, DT.” The two headed up the stairs to enter, but Diamond stopped. Her ears perked as she heard faint sobs. She looked to her confused friend. “Go on, I'll be in in a bit.” Silver nodded and went inside the building. Diamond walked around the building and saw something, or somepony at the gazebo. She smiled and began trotting in that direction. The cries grew louder as she got closer. Slowly and quietly, she climbed up the stairs. It was him; it was Astro Tale. Hearing him cry made her throat tighten. “A-are you Astro Tale?” The colt looked at her and looked at her fearfully. “W-what are you doing here? Please! I just want to be left alone!” She nodded. “I'll leave you alone, but first...” she struggled as she slowly lifted his saddle bag off of her, set it on the ground and gently pushed it his way, “I wanted to return this to you.” His eyes widened in surprise as the filly nudged his bag. He sniffled and wiped his eyes. “Y-you...” She backed away as he approached his bag. “You dropped it when you ran away earlier. I'll understand if you don't want to be friends with me. I was mean to lots of ponies and you probably suffered too.” He looked up to her. “I-it wasn't just me... you teased our group... calling us 'hopeless basement-dwelling nerds'.” Hearing the insult made Diamond's ears fold back and cringe. “I saw you, yesterday... at town hall. I heard your speech.” He hung his head. “I was afraid. Afraid you were fooling everypony. I didn't see you up close like this. You really have changed.” She blushed. “I'm trying. It would probably be too much to ask to be your friend, but I hope we can start fresh.” She extended a hoof. “Maybe you can introduce me to your friends?” He shook his head. “I don't know, Miss Tiara, I-” She giggled. “Please, call me Diamond, or DT.” He smiled and nodded. “They might still be upset with you.” She hung her head and nodded in agreement. “I deserve it.” He walked up to her and rested a hoof on her back. “Meet us here during recess.” She raised her head and smiled. “I will.” The school bell rang, signaling class was about to start. The two foals walked to the schoolhouse side by side. The bell for recess rang and the foals started filing out of the schoolhouse. Before she joined the others, Diamond walked up to Cheerilee. “Miss Cheerilee?” The schoolteacher smiled. “Diamond Tiara. You have no idea how good it felt to see you walk through that door this morning. It was like a weight was lifted off of me.” Diamond smiled. “I'm not going to let that happen again, Miss Cheerilee. That's a Pinkie Promise.” She made the gestures that came with said promise. “The only thing I haven't done was the essay.” Cheerilee chuckled. “That's okay, Diamond. Half of the ponies haven't done it either. It wasn't required.” Diamond nodded understandingly. “I'm glad to hear that. I finished the other work as best as I could.” Cheerilee flipped through the papers. “I can see that. I have a lot to do yet, but I'll make to have your work graded by Wednesday.” Diamond nodded. “You're a wonderful teacher, Miss Cheerilee.” She let out a tiny gasp as she remembered something. “Oh shoot! I have somepony waiting for me at the gazebo.” She turned around and galloped out the front door. Outside, her friends were waiting for her. Recess began and Diamond and Silver followed the Crusaders to the small playground. Diamond looked beyond the school grounds and saw Twilight flying toward the school. She was surprised the princess kept her word. Twilight landed just outside of the school grounds and walked onto the playground. All the foals stopped what they were doing, looked her way and bowed. The new princess smiled. “Please rise, everypony.” The ponies complied, in awe that the new princess was visiting their school. Diamond slowly made her way to Twilight and bowed before her. “Good day, Your Majesty.” Twilight motioned for Diamond to rise and she did. “Good day to you, Diamond Tiara. You look well today. I see you're gaining some weight back. It was hard to see you look so thin.” Diamond's ears flattened and she nodded in agreement. “I know.” She looked back to the gazebo and then to Twilight. “I'm supposed to be meeting somepony.” Twilight nodded. “Don't let me stop you. Would you mind if I came along?” Diamond smiled and shook her head. “After you, then.” Diamond and Twilight began a slow walk to the gazebo. Diamond looked up to Twilight with curiosity. “Do you still write Princess Celestia friendship letters?” Twilight nodded. “On occasion, but lately other ponies have come to me asking to send some. Did you have something in mind?” Diamond nodded. Twilight magicked a quill, some ink and a parchment. “Normally I'd have Spike do this, but you're a special case. So, what's on your mind?” The two arrived at the gazebo and Twilight sent the letter off. “Good job, Diamond Tiara. I'm proud of you.” They climbed up the stairs and saw a lone colt staring off into the distance. He heard Twilight's voice say “Diamond Tiara” and he turned. He saw the filly was right in front of her, along with Princess Twilight Sparkle and he bowed. “Your Majesty!” Twilight smiled. “It's okay. You may stand.” The colt complied. “Diamond Tiara. I'm sorry my friends aren't here. They're still afraid of you. Please don't be mad with them.” Diamond smiled. “It's okay, Astro Tale. I can't say I blame them.” Astro nodded. “Thank you for coming.” Twilight squeed, the kind one would when suffering from cuteness overload. “This. Is. Adorable!” Diamond Tiara wasn't sure if she should feel embarrassed. She looked to Astro and it looked like he felt the same way. Twilight giggled. “I'm sorry. I'll leave you two alone while I talk to Cheerilee.” Astro blinked a few times in confusion. “What was that about?” Diamond shrugged as she watched Twilight canter off. “I think our princess is a little nutty.” Astro gasped. “What did you say?” Diamond looked to Astro. “Don't get me wrong, she's a wonderful pony, if a bit off. How long have you been in Ponyville?” Astro shrugged. “Almost a year. My family moved here in the summer. We came from Los Pegasus.” Diamond nodded. “Twilight Sparkle has been a princess for about a year. Two and a half years ago, there was an incident in town... involving a doll and... I think friendship problems.” The colt raised and eyebrow in confusion. “I'm going to have to talk to the Crusaders about it.” Astro looked like he was starting to freak out. “'Crusaders'?” Speaking of the devils, the Crusaders and Silver Spoon made their way to the gazebo. Scootaloo gave her a wicked grin. “Who's this, Diamond? Is he your new coltfriend?” The other Crusaders started chuckling, but Silver cleared her throat as she saw her friend's face go flush, but hers wasn't the only one. “This is probably not the best time to be teasing DT.” Scootaloo heaved a heavy sigh. “I guess you're right. Sorry, Diamond.” Diamond waved a hoof dismissively. “After what I did, it's only fair.” The bell rang, signaling that recess was almost over. Apple Bloom waved a hoof, gesturing everypony to follow her. “Come on, we don't want to be late.” Diamond nodded and looked back to Astro as the two stood up. “Want to meet back here tomorrow?” The colt gave the question a brief thought and slowly nodded. “Sure.” The group headed back to the schoolhouse. Apple Bloom looked back to Astro. “What do ya do for fun?” He smiled. “My friends and I get together and play some Ponies & Drakes. I also like to read.” Diamond looked at him curiously. “What about?” He shrugged. “Science fiction, mostly. Stories set in outer space.” Diamond giggled. “Hence the name 'Astro Tale'.” Astro nodded. “Yep. Someday I plan on writing my own stories.” All the fillies giggled and Scootaloo circled around him before patting him on the back. “Good luck with that.” He nodded again, with a big grin on his face. “Thanks.” Suddenly, Diamond Tiara was teleported away. The others stopped and looked to where she stood. “W-where'd DT go?!” Dear Princess Celestia, Over the course of a month, I have undergone a drastic change. I used to believe that I was the center of everypony's universe, that I should be treated like princess and that I could do no wrong. I was wrong and I hurt others without realizing what I had done. My ordeal has taught me many things: be polite and patient toward others; live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment. Other than Silver Spoon, I had no real friends before Discord. At first, I thought Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo befriended me out of pity, but their intentions were genuine, they wanted to be my friend. A colt I had teased about his interests was still afraid of me, but through a single act of kindness, I showed him I changed and I think he's starting to like me and I have Discord to thank for what he has done for me. Your humble subject, Diamond Tiara Princess Celestia set the letter down, slid it across the table with her hoof and, with her magic, lifted a glass of wine to her muzzle and took a sip. She looked to her companion and smiled. “You have done well.” Her companion lifted the letter and scratched his tuft of chin hair in confusion as he read it. “Really? I didn't see this coming.” Celestia took another sip and set it back on the table. “Neither did I. You should go see her and let her thank you herself.” Discord shook his head and set the letter down. “Friendship has been interesting so far, Celestia, but I'm not sure if I'll ever get used to it. But I will go see her.” Celestia nodded in affirmation. “Good. Speaking of 'friendship', how are things with Fluttershy?” Discord chuckled and sipped some wine. “She still tries to give me her stare whenever I do something naughty. After the Tirek fiasco, it seems that it might be breaking my defense against it.” Celestia let out a playful hum. “She's going to have to teach me how to do it, maybe I can improve its potency.” Discord let out an annoyed huff. “I assure you, Celestia, after dealing with Tirek, I will never betray you and your ponies again.” He stood up and poured the rest of the wine into his mouth, magicked the glass away and gave a quick curtsey. “If you'll excuse me, I have a filly to see. Ta!” Diamond found herself on a hill overlooking Ponyville. She could see everything at this vantage point: town hall; the clock tower; Ponyville Urgent Care; the schoolhouse. She turned around and saw something else, a pair of yellow and red goofy eyes. She let out a quick yelp and fell backwards. Discord snaked his way behind Diamond and embraced her in a gentle hug. “Sorry about spooking you, Diamond Tiara. I couldn't resist.” Diamond let out an annoyed grunt and picked herself up. “Discord. I should've guessed it was you.” She turned around and reciprocated Discord's hug. “Thank you.” The draconequus settled on the ground and propped his head up on his paw. “For what, my dear?” Diamond smiled, lowered her head and shook it. “For showing me that other world.” She started slowly pacing back and forth. “For a while I thought it was true... that there was nothing special about me. Now I realize that in a way, I am.” She looked to him and he was listening intently. “I know I'm not special to everypony, but I am to a few, and I'm happy for it.” His eyes started welling up hearing the filly spill her guts. He sniffled and wiped his eyes with his talon. “I hate to admit it, but you've grown on me as well, Diamond.” She trotted up to him and snuggled beside him. “No more pranks?” He nodded. “No more pranks.” She looked up to him with a serious look on her face. “Pinkie promise?” He let out an annoyed sigh and nodded. “Cross my heart, hope to fly,” he manifested a cupcake in his talon, “stick a cupcake in my eye.” He did and she burst into laughter, not expecting him to actually do it. He teleported away, letting her fall onto the ground. He reappeared standing in front of her. “It was good to see you, Diamond, but right now I've got errands to run for Fluttershy.” She nodded. “Tell her I'm sorry.” He nodded, some crumbs from the cupcake flew off his face and snapped his talon, sending Diamond back to the school. Diamond found herself sitting at her desk next to Silver Spoon. Disoriented, she looked around the classroom and shook her head. Silver laid a hoof on her back and had a sympathetic look on her face. “Diamond? Are you alright?” She nodded. Twilight walked up to her. “Discord?” She nodded again. “Well, I'm glad you're okay.” She set some papers on her desk. “I helped Cheerilee grade paperwork during recess. Congratulations, Diamond, you passed.” She walked away from the still disoriented filly. In one month, her life had been turned upside down. She used to be a stuck up filly who cared little for everypony's feelings, now she's a humble filly, not wanting to hurt others anymore. It was Discord who nudged her on this path and she felt better knowing that he was around. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She smiled, opened her eyes and looked to Cheerilee. “Did I miss anything?” The teacher shook her head. “No, we were just about to resume.”