//------------------------------// // A Liar Exposed // Story: Foal For A Day // by SuperPinkBrony12 //------------------------------// Diamond Tiara could hardly believe just how much her life had changed in the past 24 hours. She’d gone from losing the election for Student President, losing her only friend, and getting yelled at by her mother for the umpteenth time, to finally understanding the meaning of her cutie mark with the help of her new friends. Thanks to The Cutie Mark Crusaders, Diamond Tiara was able to finally stand up to her mother after all the years of abuse she’d suffered through, and even patch things up with Silver Spoon. Now, Diamond Tiara was enjoying the cute-ceañera for Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. Sugarcube Corner was bustling with ponies big and small alike, some eager to see the crusaders new cutie marks and some simply interested in chatting with friends or playing party games. Not since her own cute-ceañera had Diamond Tiara felt so happy about her life. Unfortunately, Diamond Tiara’s happy mood faded when the party was over. That meant it was time to go home. Diamond Tiara had not seen her mother, Spoiled Rich, since she’d told her off and sent her to deliver the request for the new playground equipment. “She’s probably already at home, thinking about how to punish me for standing up to her,” she thought unhappily to herself, her head dropping down low. “Maybe I should just not bother coming home and run away?” But Diamond Tiara shook her head, running away from her problems wouldn’t solve anything, her mother would surely come looking for her eventually. Far better to go home and face whatever punishment was coming to her, rather than run away and make it ten times worse. “Hey, Diamond Tiara! Wait up!” a trio of voices called out. Diamond Tiara turned to look, and saw Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo come rushing out the front door of Sugarcube Corner. In seconds, they had caught up to her and were walking alongside her. “We were wondering if, we could walk home with you?” Apple Bloom asked. “You know, so you don’t have to face your mother all on your own.” “Thanks for the offer, but I don’t think it will help,” Diamond Tiara replied glumly. “Even if she’s not home when I get home, she’s sure to come home eventually. I just don’t know what to do about her. I mean, what if she locks me up in my room and forces me to act like her? I don’t want to end up like she did!” “Doesn’t your dad know about what your mom’s been doing?” Sweetie Belle asked Diamond Tiara. Diamond Tiara shook her head. “I’ve never told him, he’d never believe me anyway. He’s always so busy with business meetings or business deals that he almost never bothers to say much to me.” “But he clearly loves you very much,” Scootaloo replied. “I mean, everypony in class saw how you had him wrapped around your little hoof, when you brought him in for Family Appreciation Day. I know if my mom was trying to make me do things I didn’t want to do, I’d tell my dad right away. If he really loves you as much as he seemed to do when he came to our school, I’m sure he’ll listen to what you have to say.” Diamond Tiara realized that Scootaloo was right, and slowly lifted her head up a little. But there was still one question that she needed answered, before she made up her mind. “Do you think he’ll believe me? I mean, what if Mother’s already gotten to him?” “You just have to try, Applejack always says honesty is the best policy!” Apple Bloom said seriously. “And if your dad doesn’t believe you, I’m pretty sure he’ll believe one of his business partners.” “Thanks, girls,” Diamond Tiara said with a smile, hugging each of them tightly. “Even with Silver Spoon I’d never dream of talking about my home life, you truly are the best friends I could ask for,” But she’d only trotted a few steps, before she turned around and added. “I know this doesn’t make up for it, but I’m sorry for the way I treated you all. I just wanted to say that while I still had the chance.” “Good luck!” Apple Bloom called, as Diamond Tiara set off for home. “Feel free to stop by our clubhouse if you want to talk us!” Sweetie Belle added. “We’ll always be here for you.” Celestia’s sun was beginning to set by the time Diamond Tiara arrived home, and she breathed a much needed sigh of relief with she saw that her mother wasn’t waiting for her. “At least now I may have a chance.” she thought to herself. “Good evening, Mistress Diamond Tiara,” Randolph greeted. “It is lovely to see you looking cheerful again.” “Thanks, Randolph,” Diamond Tiara replied, then she asked. “Is Father home?” “Indeed, he is in his study. But I’m afraid he’s in the middle of signing some important business documents, and he told me that he doesn’t want to be disturbed.” Randolph told Diamond Tiara. “But I need to see him, it’s urgent!” Diamond Tiara pleaded, shooting Randolph her best pair of puppy dog eyes. “Please, just this once?!” Despite his many years of service to Diamond Tiara and her family, Randolph could never resist Diamond Tiara’s puppy dog eyes. “Oh, very well. Right this way, Mistress Diamond.” Randolph replied, as he led Diamond Tiara inside and straight to the door of her father’s study, then he knocked on the study door. “Who is it?” Filthy Rich called. Randolph cleared his throat and announced. “Excuse me, Master Rich, your daughter wishes to speak to you on a matter she says is most urgent.” “I thought I told you to tell her I didn’t want to be disturbed?” Filthy Rich called in reply. “Please forgive me, sir, she appealed to my one weakness,” Randolph apologized. “You may hold it against me however you like, but I suggest you hear her out.” “That won’t be necessary, Randolph,” Filthy Rich replied. “She may come in. If she says it’s urgent it probably is.” And he proceeded to unlock the study door. The door turned with a faint creaking sound, and Diamond Tiara nervously swallowed a lump in her throat. This was it, the moment of truth! She carefully trotted through the open door, into her father’s study. Filthy Rich was seated at an oak wood desk, the study fireplace illuminating the room and providing a powerful source of natural light. Rising from his desk chair, Filthy Rich trotted over to his favorite sofa chair and sank into it. Now, he and his precious little princess were face to face. “What is it you wanted to talk to me about, Diamond Tiara?” he asked. “I’m not mad, but I’ve told you before that I don’t like bein’ disturbed when I’m workin’.” Diamond Tiara felt ready to break into a cold sweat, as she looked at her father. One way or another, there was no turning back. “Well, Father,” she began nervously. “It’s about….. Mother.” “What about her?” Filthy Rich asked, the most puzzled look forming on his face. “I understand her position on the school board is suddenly in jeopardy, but when I asked she refused to say why.” Diamond Tiara opened her mouth to speak, but for what seemed like minutes nothing would come out. She knew what she needed to say, and she knew that this might be her only chance to tell her father, but she couldn’t get the words to leave her tongue. At last, just when it seemed like she was going to remain silent for good, she confessed. “Mother has been treating me horribly for years! She’s been telling me what to do, what to say, and who to hang out with! She’s wanted nothing but perfection from me, and anytime I failed she has always berated me and chewed me out even when I did my best! Just recently, she forced me to run for Student Pony President, so that she could put a statue of me in the school yard instead of fixing up the playground! And when I lost, she called my opponent a ‘Transplant from Trottingham’! Then, the next day, out of spite she refused to let the winner of the election use the school board’s funds to pay for a new playground, and called my friends ‘Confused, insignificant lowlifes’ just because they didn’t have their cutie marks!” By this point, tears were forming in Diamond Tiara’s eyes, as she added. “I know I shouldn’t be saying this, but I hate her! She doesn’t deserve to be my mother! She’s never treated me with the love I deserve, she’s tired to raise me to be just like her! But I don’t want to be like her, I want to be myself! I want a real mother, one that’ll actually treat me right!” Filthy Rich’s mouth dropped open in shock at what he’d heard! Had he really been so caught up in his work, that he failed to notice his wife treating their daughter so horribly?! Spoiled Rich had always claimed she was simply working to build Diamond’s character, was that what she believed or just a lie she’d been telling to keep Filthy in the dark?! “Spoiled is going to have a lot to answer for when she gets home!” he thought to himself. Then, he bent down to Diamond Tiara’s level and kindly said to her. “I’m glad that you told me this, Diamond. I only wish you had come to me sooner. Rest assured, I will have a stern talk with your mother when she comes home tonight.” “You mean, you believe me? Just like that?” Diamond Tiara asked. “As much as I don’t want to believe it, my fatherly instincts tell me that what you say is true,” Filthy Rich replied, as he gently stroked his sobbing daughter’s back. “I’m sorry I wasn’t aware of this for all these years. No matter what happens, can you forgive your old stallion for being so blind?” “Of course, Daddy.” Diamond Tiara nodded. It was dark by the time Spoiled Rich returned home. She was still in a very bad mood about today, and it showed in her face which remained in a harsh scowl and a disapproving glare. “The nerve of Diamond Tiara to say no to me like that!” she thought to herself. “She is going to grow up to be the future owner of ‘Barnyard Bargains’, what’s so wrong with expecting her to have more class? ‘Barnyard Bargains’ is ripe for expansion, and the nobles of Canterlot will judge whoever owns it very harshly. I’m simply preparing Diamond Tiara for the struggles she will face in her adult life.” Yet, as she entered the Tiara family household, Spoiled’s thoughts began to shift to something she had never really considered. “So why does it bother me so much that she stood up to me?” she thought. “Why do I care if she wishes to flush her life down the toilet? Heck, if it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t have been toilet trained so fast.” But that line of thought led itself to a whole bunch of memories from when Diamond Tiara was just a foal. Almost from day one, Filthy Rich had fawned over his “Precious Little Princess” as he often called her, whereas Spoiled Rich had been rather distant. Oh sure, she still did what was required of any mother: nursing, changing diapers, you name it. Yet, not once during that time had Diamond Tiara ever called her “Mommy”, even though she called Filthy Rich “Daddy” on nearly every occasion. “Why do I care so much that Diamond Tiara never called me ‘Mommy’?” Spoiled Rich thought to herself. “And why do I feel so guilty about not spending more time with her when she was a foal?” It was those thoughts which would continue to lurk in the forefront of Spoiled’s mind, as she was surprised to find her husband waiting for her with a look of anger that Spoiled had never seen on him before. “Oh, hello dear,” Spoiled greeted in the most pleasant tone she could manage. “I thought you would be working in your study, why are you out here?” Filthy Rich glared at his wife, and in a tone that seemed to indicate just how close he was to losing his cool he said to her. “Diamond Tiara told me how you’ve been treatin’ her all these years. Don’t you realize this kind of behavior could’ve gotten us sued?!” “What are you talking about? Diamond Tiara’s making up stories to make me look bad!” Spoiled Rich protested. “Whatever she told you, it’s not true!” “Don’t bother tryin’ to lie to me, it won’t work!” Filthy Rich protested, shutting down Spoiled Rich’s line of argument. “Diamond seemed pretty upset by the time she was done talkin’ to me about your behavior, and I could sense that her tears were genuine, ‘cause I’ve had plenty of experience with the times when she’s cried about somethin’ that wasn’t an issue. What do you have to say for yourself?!” “But Filthy, darling, I only wanted what was best for her,” Spoiled Rich nervously replied. “If I could put up with all kinds of harsh demands from my parents at Diamond Tiara’s age, I see no reason why she can’t do the same. You don’t get ahead in life by being nice. A rich pony like her should be more aware of her social standing, and be on the lookout for any way to improve it.” “I don’t care if that’s how you were raised!” Filthy Rich said angrily. “Didn’t it ever occur to you that you were puttin’ too much pressure on our daughter?! I know that one day she’ll probably take over the family business, but nopony will want to come to Barnyard Bargains if the owner is as nasty as you are! What you’ve been doin’ is wrong! Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t just divorce you and take Diamond Tiara with me?!” “Please, Filthy, give me another chance!” Spoiled pleaded. “And why should I?!” Filthy demanded. “After all the years of torment and sufferin’ you’ve inflicted on our daughter, why should I give you a second chance?! For all I know you’ll just go right back to makin’ her life miserable! She told me how happy she was to finally be freed from your influence, and how it helped her turn over a new leaf at school. You expect me to let you take all of that away?!” “I just want a chance to make things right, to prove that I can be a good mother,” Spoiled insisted. “Just give me a chance to try something, and if it doesn’t work then you can divorce me and take Diamond Tiara away.” Filthy wasn’t sure he should trust Spoiled, but deep down he wanted to believe that beneath his wife’s stern and harsh exterior lay a pony that was capable of good. “You want me to believe that you’re sorry?” he asked Spoiled. “Prove it! I will be gone this weekend for an important business meetin’. You can use that weekend to try whatever it is you have in mind, but don’t think you can fool me, I will have Randolph stay behind to keep an eye on you. Give me any reason to believe that you’re lyin’, and I’ll fill out the divorce papers the instant I return! Do I make myself clear?!” “Crystal.” Spoiled gulped. “Very well then,” Filthy reluctantly nodded. “I hope you won’t make me regret this, for my sake and for Diamond Tiara’s sake.” While Spoiled Rich left to go pick up the “supplies” she would need for the weekend, Filthy Rich trotted to Diamond Tiara’s room and informed her of his decision. “Your mother and I have come to an agreement,” he explained to her. “This weekend, while I’m gone, she’ll be tryin’ something that she thinks will help her to become the mother you deserve. Randolph is stayin’ behind to keep an eye on her, and he’ll send me a report about whatever your mother tries to do. If she gives me any reason to believe she’s not sincere about this second chance, I’ll file for divorce when I come back.” “You really think she can be trusted?” Diamond Tiara asked nervously. “I don’t know,” Filthy Rich replied. “But everypony deserves a second chance. Whatever your mother does, as long as she doesn’t try to force you to be like her, I want you to give it an honest chance. Okay?” “Okay, Dad.” Diamond Tiara reluctantly agreed. When Friday afternoon came, and school had let out for the day, Diamond Tiara felt incredibly nervous as she made her way home. “A weekend with my mother in which she gets to try something she won’t even tell me about,” she thought to herself, shuddering at the possibilities. “What could possibly go wrong?” she thought sarcastically. Time seemed to slow to a crawl, as Diamond Tiara reluctantly trotted through the front door of the Tiara family mansion. Sure enough, there was her mother, standing there with a most unusual look. Diamond Tiara was used to see her mom scowl or look unhappy, so the fact that her mother was smiling only made Diamond feel even more uncomfortable than she already was. "I know you’re nervous, Diamond Tiara,” Spoiled Rich said to her daughter, in a tone that sounded surprisingly sweet and without any hint of malice. “But I truly do want for us to have a better mother/daughter relationship, and I think this might help us.” “What do you have in mind?” Diamond Tiara reluctantly asked. “Follow me to your bedroom, and you’ll see.” Spoiled Rich explained. Reluctantly, Diamond Tiara did as was asked of her. She only stopped when her mother stopped, which was right outside Diamond Tiara’s bedroom door. “Are you ready for your surprise, my little Diamond?” Spoiled Rich asked. When Diamond Tiara reluctantly nodded, Spoiled Rich took that as a sign to proceed. Grasping the doorknob and turning it, Spoiled Rich slowly opened the bedroom door. What Diamond Tiara saw when the door was open, nearly made her eyes pop out from widening in surprise! Laying at the foot of her bed, was a large, white, and incredibly thick diaper! Resting next to the bed was an opened box of diapers labeled “Silly Filly”, as well as a pack of wet wipes, a canister of foal powder, and a tube of rash cream! “Is this my surprise?” Diamond Tiara asked, nervously backing away. Spoiled Rich nodded. “But, why do you want me to put that on?! What’s it’s going to prove?!” Diamond Tiara asked, her heart beating a mile a minute. “When you were a foal, I never truly took care of you like I should have,” Spoiled Rich explained. “Heck, the day you were old enough to begin potty training, I stripped you of your diapers, marched you to the bathroom, and made you sit on the potty until you did your business. I realize now that I should’ve treated you with the love and care a mother is supposed to provide, and since I can’t regress you to a foal, this was the next best thing. I don’t expect you to act completely like a baby though.” “No way! I’m not wearing that… that… that... thing!” Diamond Tiara protested, and tried to run away. Unfortunately, Spoiled Rich blocked her path. “Please, Diamond, just give it a chance,” Spoiled Rich pleaded. “If you’re really uncomfortable about this, we can stop doing it after today. But at least for the next few hours, can’t you at least give it a shot? I won’t try to force you to do anything if you really don’t want to.” “Well…. I did promise Father I’d give whatever you had in mind an honest chance, though I wish I hadn’t said that,” Diamond Tiara reluctantly replied, as she trotted over to her bed and laid down on it. “If you really want to diaper me and have me act like a baby, I guess I can play along a little. But I’m not going to sit in a high chair, talk like a baby, or use my diaper!” “Fair enough,” Spoiled agreed. “Now hold still please.” It had been years since she’d last had to diaper her daughter. Diamond Tiara sighed, took a deep breath, and gazed up at her bedroom ceiling as her mother pulled the diaper up between her legs and taped it shut. Soon, Diamond Tiara’s nostrils were hit with the scent of foal powder, as her mother worked some in. Surprisingly, Diamond found the scent of foal powder to be rather soothing. “There, all done.” Spoiled said at last, and allowed Diamond Tiara to hop down. Diamond Tiara was surprised at just how thick the diaper was, and how much it weighed. Walking was going to be rather difficult. “So, what do you want me to do?” she asked her mother, “Whatever you feel like doing, Diamond.” Spoiled replied.