//------------------------------// // Chapter XXXVI: Parents // Story: Distorted Fate // by Silvak //------------------------------// As I sat in my seat in Cheerilee's office with Pinkie sitting next to me on my right side, with the brat on the far left with her father on her left side, I listened to Cheerilee recounting not only what she witnessed, but whatever testimonies the other foals gave. While the foals did say that Diamond landed the first blow, I was being accused of antagonizing her. Cheerilee seemed inclined to believe that since Diamond was the first to explain what happened. "See, daddy, Aether’s just a big mean bully!" Diamond whined after she finished her story, to which I only gave her a hate-filled glare, though Pinkie frowned- well, frowned more deeply at me for doing so. The moment Pinkie arrived at the schoolhouse, I saw that she was just sadly frowning, her mane somewhat less bouncy than normal. Normally seeing Pinkie like this would bother me, but with Diamond in the same room as me, any feelings of guilt were being overridden by sheer rage. "I'm sorry, Pinkie, but I must insist that you do something about your ward. I can't tolerate anyone hurting my precious Diamond," Diamond's father said. Before Pinkie could say anything in response, Cheerilee spoke up as she said, "Now wait, Mr. Rich. We don't know the exact reason why Aether insulted Diamond, or why she attacked Diamond so harshly. Now Aether, would you kindly please explain the reason behind your behavior?" Looking at all the adults for a moment, I turned my gaze back upon Cheerilee as I said, "It is simple, Diamond has been insulting me by use as my status as an orphan shortly after I have com-" "That is not true! She's fibbing!" Diamond shrieked. "Diamond Tiara, don't interrupt Aether. You already explained your side of the story, and Aether didn't interrupt you once. You should pay her the same respect and allow her to tell us her side," Cheerilee said, causing Diamond to pout in response. "Please continue, Aether." "As I was saying, Diamond has been bullying me shortly after I came to school, first calling me a blank flank, but when that did not bothered me as much, she made comments on my status as an orphan. It... bothered me and she knew it bothered me, hence afterwards she used that against me, often saying that my parents just abandoned me for various problems she said I had. Eventually, I finally had enough of her bullying, causing me to insult her in response. She then slapped me, which led to me attacking her. I may have went too far, but she really made me mad for so long, it just came out all at once," I explained as I kept my best to keep a neutral face. "She's lying, daddy! She's just making up fibs to make me look like the bully!" Diamond whined. Throughout the meeting, it seemed that her father believed that Diamond was nothing less than his perfect little angel, while portraying all her enemies as just bullies. "The class witnessed when Diamond first used taunts in regards to my parents. Her... statements on how my parents just abandoned me just made me furious, for I know that they really cared for me." "Then where are your parents now?" Diamond said, which actually caused all of the adults to look at her in surprised. Seeing their expressions, Diamond quickly said, "Well... since you're a liar, how do we not know that your parents didn't abandon you?" "Diamond, that is not something we may just ask other ponies, especially in this kind of situation," Cheerilee admonished Diamond. "My daughter did bring up a good point though. Ms. Pie, has Aether ever told you about what happened to her parents?" Diamond's father asked. Pinkie tensed up for a moment before she replied, "Not really... she told Applejack and Twilight that they're gone for good... but she never explained why..." "Hmm... by that answer, it may be possible that Aether doesn't know what happened to her pare-" Diamond's father said before I interrupted him. "I know what happened to my parents. I just do not like to talk about it." Raising an eyebrow, Mr. Rich said, "While you claim to know what happened to your parents, if you don't tell us, then I find it hard to believe that you actually know then." Giving him a glare, I replied, "Fine... but you may want Diamond out. This is not... pleasant to hear." Before Diamond could protest, her father decided to heed my advice as he herded her out of the room, making sure that she was far enough away that she couldn't just stick her ear against the door to listen in on what was going to be said. Meanwhile I could see the looks of dread on both Pinkie and Cheerilee's face at the implications of my last words. Once Mr. Rich returned to his seat, Pinkie asked, "Aether... you don't hav-" "I have to Pinkie, it had to come out eventually," I said in an empty voice. Taking a deep breath, I continued, "The answer to why I know my parents didn't abandon me is simple: They are dead." Pausing for a bit as I try to remain calm, I could hear all the ponies gasping in shock at the news. Really? I thought saying that Diamond should not be here would be enough of a hint that what I'm going to say was going to be extremely unpleasant. Though there was shock on his face, Mr. Rich asked, "How... how do you know that your parents are dead?" Sighing, I answered, "I had to bury what was left of them." This caused all the adults' faces to start to pale, as Cheerilee said, "Bury? You had to bu... wait... did you say 'what's left of them'?" Those last words really got to them, as Pinkie's face began to turn completely white as her hair suddenly become completely straight, Cheerilee's a shade of green, while Mr. Rich just looked at me in horror. Nodding, I replied, "Yes, what is left of them, alone... please do not ask me what happened to leave them in that... state." Okay, my response was a half-truth, as someone had to bring me their remains, but I still had to bury them myself. Back from where I came from, folk were respectful enough to return people the remains of their loved ones if possible, but other than that, they never helped put them to rest. I guess it was just people wanting their own remains returned as well. A moment of silence passed before Pinkie broke it when she asked, "Was... was that when you ended up alone?" Giving her a nod, she move to enclose me in a hug, which I hesitated at first but I returned her hug with one of my own. After a moment I pulled away from Pinkie, to which I saw her crying a bit. "Pinkie... I will be fine. It had happened so long ago that I only have a problem when it is brought up... but.... thank you for the hug," I said, to which Pinkie gave me a weak smile along with a nod. Turning to Mr. Rich, I then said, "Look, no matter what happened, or whether you believe me or not, just make Diamond not say anything about my parents to me, not even a slip up. That is the only way to prevent... any more physical 'stuff' from happening." Looking at me sternly, Mr. Rich said, "While I highly doubt that my daughter has been bullying you, I think it would be best that she doesn't mention anything to you about your parents. I don't want you to cause another... altercation," before he stood up and went outside to retrieve the brat. Damn, Diamond really has her father fooled. As the two return, with Diamond glaring at me as usual, Cheerilee coughed into her hoof as she waited for everypony to be seated. "Well... in light of... certain things, I feel like that the best course of action is for both Aether and Diamond to remain in class during the recess period for a week." "What! Why am I being punished? Aether is the bully here!" Diamond whined, though I just raised an eyebrow at the rather light punishment. "No matter who's at fault for the fight, you both participated in it, and hence you both need to be punished equally," Cheerilee reprimanded. "Now that this matter has been addressed, we may all take our leave now." Diamond was still pouting at being punished, though she shot one last glare at me before she and her father left the office. Pinkie and I waited for a short moment before we did the same, at which once we were out in the hallway Pinkie said, "Aether... I'm disappointed in you, you know that, right?" Sighing, I looked down at my hooves as I said, "Yes Pinkie... I am sorry for getting into a fight... I just lost control of myself... and-" before I felt a hoof on my shoulders, causing me to look up at Pinkie, to see her mane starting to return to its bouncy form. "It's okay, Aether. I may be disappointed, but I know that deep down that you're a nice pony," Pinkie said with a smile. Oh the irony, I thought to myself before Pinkie continued, "Though you're still in trouble, no chocolate for a month." "A month!" I shrieked. "Well, you are on a diet, so think of this as more help for you to lose weight," Pinkie said with a smile as she poked my belly, only for me to attempt to swat her hoof off it. "Fine... whatever," I grumbled as we made our way out of the hallway, only to come across the Crusaders before we got out of the building. "That was awesome how you beat up Diamond!" Scootaloo said, her wings fluttering in excitement. Blinking at Scootaloo's outburst, Pinkie frowned as she said, "Scootaloo! It’s not nice to say that it’s awesome to hurt ponies." Before Scootaloo could make a retort, Apple Bloom stuck a hoof into her mouth and said, "She didn't mean anythin'! We are just worried about how much trouble Aether is in!" as Sweetie Belle nodded in agreement. "I just have no recess for a week... and no chocolate for month..." I said, though I grimaced at the thought of having none of the delicacy for a whole month. "Oh, don't be so sad Aether. How about this, I was going to take you home, but since you showed that you're really sorry for what you have done... I suppose I can let you play with your friends," Pinkie said with a grin, causing the trio to cheer and hug me in joy. "Well, I have to go, I got cupcakes to bake!" Pinkie said before she bounced out the door. It sounds like she's rewarding me for being regretful of my actions, though I only regret upsetting her... I think she knows that I help keep these three from getting into too much trouble. "So, what plans do we have for today then? Unless you three are still grounded..." I asked. "Oh, we're not grounded anymore. So we can... oh wait..." Sweetie started to say till her face began to pale, though that was an amazing sight to see due to her coat color. Blinking in confusion, I looked at the other two fillies to see them pale as well. "What is wrong? What is going on?" I asked. "You may... not like what you're gonna see when you go over there..." Apple Bloom said. "What do you mean? What is outside that I will not like?" "Well... let's just say not only our class heard about your...'interests'," Scootaloo said, causing my eyes to widen at the implications of what she said. "No... you do not mean..." I said before I rushed out the door, the Crusaders behind me. Once outside, I saw Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash talking amongst themselves, though at the sound of the Crusaders coming from behind me drew their attention. At the moment their eyes landed on me, I instantly saw their expressions turn sour as they made their approach to me.         Well.... this just got so much worse.