//------------------------------// // Unbreakable // Story: A Diamond in the Rough // by DarkShockBro //------------------------------// A Diamond in the Rough: Chapter 10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I walked home, crying every step of the way. How could someone be that soulless as to destroy somepony's family? I may tease, and I may have been mean, but I know family is one of the most sacred parts of a pony, so I would never try to scar them in that way. The only words I heard coming out of my dad's mouth before I ended this horrible day was, "Diamond, I'm sorry. Sorrier than I've ever been in my life." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Discord was beyond a monster. Even after he had been turned back into stone, the day after my mother transformed, I spit on his statue a few times yelling, "You asshole!" before heading back home. I couldn't go to school in this state. The slightest act of wrongdoing against me would send me into an unquenchable rage, and I didn't know how many ponies I would hurt in that state. I spent the two weeks in my room, doing my very best not to shed tears, and to forget about this entire situation. I couldn't. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ But, on the very last day of the second week, curiosity about my mother lingered over me, until it eventually possessed me to get more info from dad about her. I approached him, and said, "Dad, could you tell me more about mom? Why does she hate us so much?" After a huge sigh, dad cleared his throat and began his tale. "Alright, Diamond. I believe it's about time I told you what I know about Glamour. Again, I'm not certain this is true, but it's the only way I can explain her actions. She married me off of the promise that she would split the profits of my business 50/50, but the royalties he had to pay to the Apple family left her unsatisfied with the those bits. She thought I was too old to be able to find a loophole since I had to continue to pay royalties, so she thought we should create a male heir only after gender control pills were made. But, I insisted that they create the heir now, and it turned out to be you, a female, who couldn't inherit our business. Enraged, she broke up with me and did all she could to make sure the relationships between the Apple family and the Rich family stayed bitter, by basically pulling the strings on your heart. She probably thought this would cause enough tension on the Apple family so that they would make a stupid business error, and the Rich's would again be the richest family in Equestria. Unfortunately, before she could complete this plan, she was infected by Discord, destroying both her plan, and our hearts. But, despite her flaws, we love her as a member of their family. Diamond, family is the most important value to me, and I hope that's been instilled in you." I was utterly shocked, and the only word that escaped from my mouth was, "What?!" "I'm very sorry, Diamond, but I know that this condition is only temporary. Just keep that faith high." I felt much better after that talk, but I wasn't sure how much of it was true. I didn't know Glamour much, but it seemed like she acted in the interest of business, and I heard her make a few comments about how dumb the business system is; about how only a male heir could inherit a business. Around that time, I also began to think about a few times when she said she could run Barnyard Bargains better than my dad. Unfortunately, the pieces were too disjointed for me to put together at that point, so I just decided to move on. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I wasn't really too worried about my academics, since I got them at home, but I didn't do nearly as well as I normally did, due to emotional strain. So, at the end of the first semester, most of my grades were B's. The day I went back to school was the first day of the second semester, and Cheerilee openly acknowledged she was glad to see me back in action. I was very quiet for the first week, because I wasn't planning on having those blank flanks see me crying. I wouldn't cry for them even if I got shot in the gut! Anyway, that week was nice and non-confrontational, and that week ended Apple Bloom's detention month. But, Apple Bloom was apparently still angry at me for pretty much giving her detention, because in the middle of the next week during recess, she arrived with a cutie-mark! Fortunately, it was just a hoop, and all she could really do was twirl it around her flank. Pft, big deal! Apple Bloom's stupid friends actually thought it was cool, so I thought it would be a good deal to give them a hard slap of reality. "That's it? That's your talent?" I asked scornfully. Silver Spoon chimed in. "Spinning a hoop around your waist? Puh-lease!" she said, and I began giggling to myself. Unfortunately, the day just spiraled downhill from there. Apple Bloom, being the little pain in the flank that she was, said, "Oh, you ain't seen nothin' yet." With that, she performed some of the most self-centered, egotistical, insultingly professional tricks with her hoop I had ever seen. Even my talent show performance wasn't that self-indulgent! And, sure enough when she was done, everypony started cheering for her! You could measure my anger using a seismograph at this point, and it was about to get worse. After Cheerilee tried to bring all of us in for class, she said, "Apple Bloom?" "Yes, Miss Cheerilee?" "I want you to take your loop-de-hoop into the yard, and give us all a lesson on your amazing loop-de-hooping!" Absolutely amazing. It's no wonder I never liked Miss Cheerilee. In my defense, after I tried doing the 'loopty piece of mule crap'. I was better than the other filles who tried it, but guess who noticed besides me? Nopony! Then, Apple Bloom went up to us and said, "Don't worry gals. Keep at it and you might get to be half as good as me!" I was resisting the urge to punch a filly in the mouth and watch her bleed. Fortunately, because that was a pretty awesome mental image, I was able to prevent myself from actually doing it. After Apple Bloom was humbled by her friends, something she didn't deserve after that display of arrogance, she said, "Nah, you just need a little practice. Soon you'll be able to... hoop and bump! Hoop and hop! Hoop and skip! And hoop and flip!" Damn, it was really hard to be more arrogant than me, but this Blank Flank was accomplishing it. In. All. The. Wrong. Ways! After Cheerilee prompted Apple Bloom to continue, what followed was one of the cockiest statements I've ever heard, and it wasn't even from my mouth! It was from that bumpkin's mouth! That statement was, "Well, all right, just a few more tricks. But be warned! These are advanced moves, not for beginners. Got that, Diamond Tiara?" I really hoped she would die during one of those 'tricks'. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, but after she pulled a using tail and hoop to fly trick, which she called the "hoop-la" she did crash into the ground, with another cutie mark! I took full advantage of this situation and promptly replied, "Another cutie mark? Hah! I guess that last trick was a lot of hoop-la. Those cutie marks are fake!" leading to everypony gasping. Take that, bitch! To prove my point, I asked, "Miss Cheerilee, have you ever heard of a pony with two cutie marks?" "I must say that I never have, but maybe Apple Bloom has two special talents!" I knew that was absurd, and so did Spoon, because she said, "Oh yeah? Then let's see you do that!" pointing to the spinning plates that were also on Apple Bloom's flank. She performed it. She had Two. Damn. Cutie-marks. I punched myself repeatedly, refusing to believe this was anything besides a dream. Only, it wasn't a hoofing dream! I took the time when everypony was crowding around Apple Bloom to lay on the ground until school officially ended. Early on, Silver Spoon said, "Diamond, I know those marks are fake!" "Shut up and leave me alone." She did so, and since I also didn't want to talk after school, I avoided her for the rest of the day. Even after I got home, my thoughts were clouded with vengeance. I thought from then on, my life's purpose was to destroy Apple Bloom in any possible way that I could. I refrained from using the blackmail immediately, because that would be way too simple. No, I needed something to break her down psychologically so much that she wouldn't dare to come back to school. That place was mine and any other pony who dared to challenge that authority would be punished! I refused to talk at all during the next two weeks of school, and focused more on my academics and music to block out any thoughts of vengeance, so I wouldn't become a sociopath. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ But, towards the end of the second week, I finally got the chance to ruin Apple Bloom's life. My father had to go to the Apple farm to discuss royalties, so I used my Diamond Eyes, and he took me with him. Once there, I saw Bloom and her grandmother Granny Smith dressed up in a bunny suits singing the alphabet, while hopping over water cans. You just can't make this stuff up! I proceeded to laugh right before my dad had to talk with Granny Smith about said royalties. Oh, and Granny Smith was a green pony with a white mane, and had more wrinkles than the entire population number in Equestria. I was rather angry that my beloved great-grandfather was killed instead of her, and I knew she was, most likely, the one who came up with the idea of royalties. Still, I thought of a way to use her against Apple Bloom. Considering that Granny Smith hadn't been a speaker at Family Appreciation Day, I thought I could encourage her participation next week. Once I came up with that plan, I talked with Bloom. I said, "Oh, you poor, poor thing, having to make all that zap apple jam with Granny Smith?" before doing a fake double-take in my mouth. Apple Bloom responded. "Actually, I've been looking forward to making zap apple jam for years!" "I'm not talking about the jam. I'm talking about Granny Smith! You must be so embarrassed!" "Uh, what do ya mean?" Oh, she knew exactly what I meant, but it wouldn't hurt to rub a little salt in the wound, would it? "You know, with all her silly ways, how she forgets things, and makes you wear these ridiculous costumes?" "Granny said that the water needs…" "Thank goodness you're here on the farm and not in town where everypony could see you! Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me!" I quickly stepped away from Apple Bloom, and proceeded to laugh like a maniac once I saw dad hitting Granny Smith with a spoon with a metal pot on her head! No, I am not making this up! As Celestia is my witness, next week was going to be awesome! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Later on that day, me and Silver Spoon were talking about the fact that my dad was going to participate in Family Appreciation Day tomorrow. During one part, she asked, "Diamond, is it alright if I catch a few Z's when your dad speaks tomorrow?" "Sure, but you're going to miss some great business tips!" "Sorry, Diamond, but I'm just not that interested in business." "It's fine. It's a phase that you just have to get past, but I can understand if you don't want to pursue it." But then, I came across Apple Bloom and her kooky grandmother. Oh, and get this, Apple Bloom was wearing a baby hat! This day was just so wonderful. Karma is a bitch, isn't it Apple Bloom? Anyway, after we stood around, Apple Bloom noted our existence, and Granny Smith said, "What? Are those fillies your friends? Hello, Half-pint's friends!" Silver Spoon responded by saying, while waving with me, "Hi, Granny Smith! Hi! Half-pint!" and I laughed harder than I believe I ever did before that day. Ah, it's the simple things in life! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ After that day, my dad arrived at school to give a speech about our business. I was all ears, but everyone else was asleep, including Silver Spoon. I didn't mind, of course, because becoming interested in business is a phase, and it was to the loss of everypony if they missed out on these tactics. During the last part of his speech, he said, "And, by capturing the whole sale market, purchasing in bulk and slashing all prices, we undermine every other gift market in town, and that's how Rich's Barnyard Bargains became the cornerstone of retail in Ponyville!" . It was such a pity we couldn't apply these tactics to the Zap Apples, which was the product we had to pay royalties on, but I clopped heartily once dad was done with his speech anyway. Then, Cheerilee said, "Well, thank you, Mr. Filthy, I mean, Mr. Rich, what a wonderful day of sharing! And thank you for being a part of Family Appreciation Day! Now, uh, let's see who will be bringing in a family member for next Monday's Family Appreciation Day. Um... oh! Apple Bloom!" "But Miss Cheerilee, Monday is Zap Apple harvest day, and Applejack and Big Macintosh will be too busy to come and speak!" By Celestia's mane, she was making this too easy for me! "Well, is there anypony else in your family that could…" And with that, I sprung the trap. "Miss Cheerilee. Apple Bloom's Granny Smith isn't working harvest. She could come!" What happened next was a pathetic attempt from Apple Bloom of trying to stop the inevitable, and the bell rang immediately after. Next Monday was going to be a fun day! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The weekend went by very quickly, and I managed to finish another saxophone piece. It would be nice to actually join a musical band later on, but I think we might need more ponies. After all, the saxophone that I play and the piano that Spoon plays don't really give us too much room for songs. Plus, I think we might need a colt for more diversity in our music. Monday finally came, and I'm assuming Apple Bloom pulled a failed stunt to try to stop Granny Smith from coming to Family Appreciation Day, because I heard Granny Smith had taken a train that contained Apple Bloom's uncle, Apple Strudel. As it turns out, he also came with Granny Smith, and gave Apple Bloom once of the fiercest noogies I had ever seen. I said, before Granny Smith began her lovely speech, "I can't wait to hear Granny Smith's presentation. If she can remember any of it!" and Spoon and I laughed. I really, really don't want to tell what happened next, but I have to, don't I? I do? Fine. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ She started by saying, "Long ago, when I was a little pony, things were very different here in Ponyville, 'cause there was no Ponyville!" From that very sentence, I could tell I screwed up big time. But, she continued, by saying, "That's right, my little ponies. Me and my family were pilgrim pony folk, back when I was a little filly. Oh, we ventured far and wide, collecting new seeds and sellin' the old. But my pa was the finest seed collector in all of Equestria. Then, one day, the Smith family found themselves in the most brilliant, most grand, most magnificent of all cities. A place called... Canterlot. Well, I bet your hooves to hindquarters I had never seen anything like it before or since. And as if the beauty of that city wasn't enough, suddenly, she appeared. Princess Celestia, the most regal of all ponies. When lo and behold, she stopped to look at my pa's seed collection. Then Princess Celestia saw that we were plumb-tuckered, and hankerin' to find our forever home. And bein' a royal Princess and all, she knew exactly the place for us to lay down our stakes. My pa gave the Princess a mighty thanks. We quickly found that land near the Everfree Forest, and we built our first home. Next, we planted our first orchards. But an orchard don't grow overnight, and we were getting mighty short on food. Now mind you, we were cautioned about the forest, and we knew that it was not fit to enter!" Dang it! I had really, really screwed up! Also, this was the first time I found out that Apple Bloom's last name was Smith. Yet, the psychological harm was just beginning! She continued her speech by saying, "But I knew there was critters livin' there. There must be somethin' to eat. It was dark and musty, and I won't lie, it was scary. But every inch was covered in plant life, and before I knew it wasn't I standin' in front of the most incredible apple trees! I had never seen anything that bore this kind of colorful fruit! Oh, I started picking apples quick as a whip! I turned, and there before me stood the timber wolves! I've never run so fast in my life. I did the only thing I could think of. My pa and I planted those special apple seeds, and before our eyes they grew like wildfire. Well, we had full grown trees faster than you could say lickety split. Then each year, I paid close attention to the signs of the zap apple special harvesting times. How the weather affects the Everfree Forest, how the timber wolves howl when the zap apples first start growing, and how they zapped away if you didn't pick 'em all in one day! And the fruits of our labor were the best fruit we ever tasted. Soon enough I was mixing up batches of zap apple jam. Just like harvestin' the zap apples had its special rules, so did makin' zap apple jam. I learned that you gotta be extra friendly with the bees, otherwise their honey won't taste rightly sweet to mix in with the zap apples. Who'd'a thought that glass jars needed talking to? Or that zap apples like pink polka dots? But magic is as magic does. Just funny that way. Then ponies started comin' to our farm from far and wide just to get a taste of my zap apple jam. Some of them decided to stay, like Stinkin' Rich, Diamond Tiara's great grandfather. Matter of fact, the first thing he ever sold was my zap apple jam! And before we knew it, we had ourselves a nice little town, bustling with all kinds of ponies. And that is how Ponyville was founded!" And with that, the story ended. What did I think of it, you may ask? It was the stupidest, most absurd story I've ever heard in my life! I refused to believe she could have done all of that, and even today, I still doubt the validity of that story. But, guess what? Nopony else did! Even worse, Silver Spoon actually clopped first when Granny finished! And Apple Bloom thought this was a wonderful time to rub salt in the wound. She said, very clearly, "If it weren't for my Granny Smith, your daddy wouldn't have Barnyard Bargains." After she said that, I felt every single eye from that classroom staring into my soul, and I could feel like my role as queen of the school was in some serious jeopardy. I had to think of an insult, quick, but the only thing that came out of my mouth was, "But she's just a kooky old lady!" Sure enough, it did nothing to impact the opinion of Granny Smith to the class. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ After the bell rang, I just sat there for about two minutes trying to ponder what happened. I didn't even hear Cheerilee say that she would call my dad. When I finally got up, the first pony who was going to get a piece of my mind was Silver Spoon. Once I saw Silver Spoon, I yelled, "You traitor! How could you do this to me?" "What did I do, Diamond Tiara?" "You just couldn't believe if was false! You just couldn't back me up! Our families have been enemies for centuries! We should be the richest family in Equestria due to our superior business skills! You have no idea how big of a slap to the face you gave my family when you clopped! I hate you!" "No! I'm sorry Diamond! I really didn't think you would mind!" "Shut up! I don't want to talk to you anymore! Our friendship? Forget about it! Goodbye, traitor!" I screamed, running away from school as fast as I could. I knew I had been cruel to my best friend, but I really felt like she needed to see what she had helped do to me. And if it took ending our friendship, at least for a little while, then so be it. Sure, I was exceptionally mad right now, but I still feel like I had to do it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ When I got home, I found my dad. "Diamond, why did you insult Granny Smith in class?" he asked me. "Did Cheerilee call you?" "Yes. Now, could you answer my question?" "You never told me that Granny Smith did all of that. I was in complete shock and felt obligated to downgrade the notion that the Apple family is better than our family, because I know it isn't!" "I sincerely apologize for all that you have been through, but I feel like you need to take the time to know the process of making these Zap Apples is." After he said that, he pulled out yellow bunny ears, and I knew exactly what he wanted me to do. "No! Dad, please! You can ground me for a year, but I'm done with the humiliation! Please, I beg of you! I'd rather die than get humiliated by our enemies again! Please!" "Diamond, listen. I'm not doing this as a punishment. I just want you to understand the process used in making these Zap Apples because eventually, we should establish control of them. I know how much pain you have been through, so I think grounding you or punishing you would be pointless. And, I promise that there will be absolutely no blackmail or anything that comes from this experience. Now, will you please go with me?" "I guess so." "Good girl." With that statement in mind, as we were walking to the Apple Farm, I began finding it very tough to breathe and I felt like puking. I told my dad, but he didn't think it was a huge deal, so we kept walking. As we approached the farm, I began stiffening up, so dad had to push me to get me to move. As we arrived, my breathing rate slowed, and I realized this was the last thing I wanted to do, especially because all three of the blank flanks along with Granny Smith were there hopping over water cans. My dad gave me one final push, and as I tensed up, he said, "Diamond Tiara!" "But, dad!" I said before he gave me one final push. I did see and hear him talking with Granny Smith about not having this mentioned ever again, but after about a little bit, I began to convulse like crazy, and my breathing rate continued to slow down. The next thing I know, I passed out due to a severe panic attack. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Back to Diamond Tiara's 'present day' room; Diamond's POV) With a cough, I reached into the box for my fourth diary. I was about to continue, when I realized that the drama in my life wasn't nearly as high later on in my life, or at the very least, not as consistent. So, knowing that the public would prefer to hear the dramatic details, I decided to suddenly close the diary. "Mrs. Tiara? Why did you do that?" "Hmm? Oh, I just realized that my life from that point wasn't as...dramatic, y'know? I've seen reality TV; viewers only eat up drama. I think it's best if I just stop here, if you don't mind. I'll give ya the rest of the diaries in case you actually find some dramatic details in there, but I just don't want to bore the viewers, is all." He nodded. "That's perfectly understandable, Mrs. Tiara. Well, if you're willing to give me the box, then I'd be most grateful." I returned his nod. "Of course. Just give me a sec." I went to my computer, and quickly began to put together a document, which I made and printed out in about a minute or so. When I concluded, the reporter looked quite bewildered. "Umm...not to be rude, but what exactly is that, Mrs. Tiara?" I smiled. "A simple contract. Nothing fancy; I just like to make things official, given my profession." He narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure there aren't any loopholes in here, Mrs. Tiara?" I couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Ah, I'm sorry, but that was funny. What would putting a loophole in here gain me? You're making me more popular in Equestria; you're helping me a lot! There's no way I'd deceive you, especially given the time I spent on this document. You can take a careful look if you'd like, though." Subsequently, he nodded, spent about two minutes reading the contract, and then signed it using a pen on my table. "Well, I suppose that's it. Thank you for your time, Mrs. Tiara." "And thank you for making me more popular...what was your name again?" "Photo Bucket. I'm sorry, I didn't realize I forgot to introduce myself." "Ah, well, thank you for everything, Mr. Bucket. I look forward to that autobiography, to be sure!" With a smile, he picked up the box and carefully shut the door behind him. When I heard the door close, I went to the window and looked over all of Ponyville. I smiled, because I knew that soon enough, all of them would know how special I truly was. It was early on in my business career, but I knew it would go along well for me and for many others. Equestria is a great place, and I'm sure it will appreciate what I'll bring to the table. Because, after all, I am a diamond in the rough, no matter what anypony says.