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// To the Empire: 1 
// Story: A Diamond in the Rough 
// by Ponyess 
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    I have bought a ticket for you from Ponyville to the Crystal Empire,  Princess Cadence will pick you up at the station!” Filthy Rich had pointed out, just a week before the summer break was due.

Thank you, Father!” I responded, while a new smile was growing on my face.

“You are quite welcome, Diamond.  The time you are to spend with the Princess will do you some good!” he responded.



Of course I still have several more days of school, before the semester is up.  Yet, the pride and joy of his words still warms me up, shining through the smile on my face.

He had made the announcement, just after I had gotten home from school the day before.  Not that I had forgotten about it, but I had not mentioned it to any Pony just yet.  I had intended to let on to my close friend, Silver Spoon the day before we were supposed to board the train, just after school  I had imagined this would make the most out of it, giving the effect I had expected.



To my surprise, Silver Spoon had not shown any sign of joy.  She had not been told of the trip.  On Thursday, she still was just as gloomy as usual, even if she was starting to warm up, but that was merely the summer she was looking forwards to.  Whatever her father had planned for her.  Her plans clashed with mine, but I was not yet told of it.

“Silver Spoon, why are you so gloomy?” I had inquired as I sat down in my chair, before the first class of the  Friday morning.

“I have nothing to do.  Every foal will leave the village, so I will be alone!” she muttered sourly.

“I thought you were going to follow me on the ride to the Crystal Empire.  Your father did not tell you?” I pondered distraught.

“No.  As a matter of fact, he told me that I was to stay in Ponyville!” she answered.

She was looking down.  First now, I realised what it all meant.  I was to go alone.  Silver Spoon was not to go with me, not even Filthy was going there.  This did change everything.  Yet, it was too late to protest, or refuse, I had promised him to go.



Of course I had tried to console her, she is after all my friends.  Thinking back, all these moments we had shared.  All the fun we had had together.  I can’t just forget all of it and leave her behind.  Yet, when my father had told me I was to go to the Crystal Empire, I had promised him that I was going.  I had been happy and looked forwards to it.  I had thought I was to have my friend with me.

School had been quiet, every Pony was looking forwards to the moment we were to head out and leave the building.  Going out and play.  The prospect of not having school to be back to for several weeks, the entire summer.  I can’t blame them.  It is what we all had been looking forwards to, for weeks now.  Even if my mood had changed drastically, the last few days.



I had rushed straight home from school and picked up my tickets and slipped my saddle bags on.  I had been packing them from the day I was told of the trip.  Slipping in what I had been told, or expected to need.  Day by day, I had filled my saddle bags.  Now they are filled up, ready to go.

“I am going to the station!” I announced as I closed the door behind me, trotting along the street towards the station.

The road is nice, we live in the better part of town, after all.  It wasn’t all that far to the station.  As I arrive, I could see the train waiting.  As I enter the train, then sit down I realise it was going to stand still for a few more minutes.

I present my ticket, just as the train starts to move.  I feel the train pick up speed as I sit down comfortably, even if I am not quite as comfortable as I had been expected the last few days.  Going alone, without my friend was taking its toll.





The trip to the Empire is long, taking several hours.  I had enjoyed a sandwich after about an hour.  Then I had had enough time to have a burger and hay fries, before the train stopped at the station at the Crystal Empire.





Just as I slipped off of the train, I could clearly see Cadence waiting for me.  She had known exactly what door I was to exit and had been sitting comfortably, just a few steps away.

She spotted me almost instantaneously, when I stepped off of the train, wearing my saddle bags and nothing more.  Once I had arrived at her castle, I could change into something more fitting for the big city.

Befitting Royalty, she had a cab awaiting, a mere minute from the station.

“Greetings, Diamond Tiara, and welcome to the Crystal Empire!” she greeted me on the spot as she set eyes on me.

“Greetings, Cadence.  Nice to see you!” I responded.

“Right this way.  I know the trip has been long, so we can relax when you get to your room.  Besides, I have prepared something for you to wear!” she continued, smiling back at me.

Thanks!” I responded, trying on a brave smile, she had after all taken the time to see me from the station in person.

Maybe this was something I could have expected from Twilight Sparkle, but since I don’t know Cadence well enough, I had not expected quite as much from her.  I had no idea, as to what she had planned for me, what I was to be doing the entire summer.





The ride from the station had been quiet, she had not asked me anything.  I guess she saved it, to when we were safely at her castle, in privacy and quiet.  I guess I do appreciate this, at least.

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