Who Are You, And What Have You Done With Diamond Tiara?

by Bucking Nonsense

Consequences

"Let's go for a walk, you and I."

Diamond Tiara's eyes widened in surprise. Looking up, and up, and further up, at Princess Celestia, the earth pony realized just how small she must seem to somepony so grand and powerful. The filly had seen the princess before, of course, but this was the first time she'd ever seen a member of the royal family up close, asides from Twilight Sparkle.

When Diamond Tiara had been practically dragged here by her father for this stupid meeting, she'd expected it to be some sort of a prank: they were trying to do something to 'scare her straight', or some nonsense like that. She'd expected to just be given a slap on the hoof punishment by some minor toady or something, since the princess was far too busy to bother with something like a filly trying to play hookey. But when they were escorted to the throne room by a pair of stone-faced guards, she'd begun to realize just how serious things were.

When the filly saw the princess sitting upon her throne, her face stern and cold, Diamond Tiara realized that she was now in more trouble than she had ever imagined. After a few brief words with her father, the princess asked him to leave so that the two could talk in private. Filthy Rich nodded, and walked out without hesitation. The fact that he'd not said even one word to his daughter worried the filly more than she could say. And now, the princess was personally addressing her...

Diamond, nodding nervously, said, "Yes, your highness."

The princess and the filly began walking, quickly exiting the throne room, and soon were walking through the palace proper. A short time later, they passed through a door with two guards watching, and were out on a balcony, overlooking the city. Diamond Tiara rushed up to the railing that marked the boundary between the palace and a long drop, her eyes wide in awe. The view was... breathtaking. You could see the entire city from up here! She could even see, way off in the distance, the town of Ponyville...

"Now that we're in private, let's get a few things out of the way," the princess said, her voice still firm, but... less stern than before.

Diamond Tiara turned back towards Princess Celestia, and steeled herself for... she didn't know what. She suddenly realized that this was the first time that she was in trouble, and didn't have some sort of way of getting out of it...

"Do you know why you are here?"

Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes and said, "Because I got caught..." She bit off the word 'Duh' at the end, as the princess' expression caused her to realize that the answer she had just given was the absolute worst one she could ever thought of.

"While technically true," the princess said, frowning, "it does not grasp even a fraction of the scale of your misdeed. You found a homeless child, barely any older than you are, without any means of supporting himself, struggling to survive on the streets, and what did you do? Did you offer him a helping hoof in friendship? No. Did you tell an adult, who might have been able to help him? No. You terrorized him into performing an action that both of you knew was morally and ethically wrong, and gave him reason to believe that his life would be in danger if he did not comply with your unreasonable demands. How would he have kept himself fed, while imitating you every waking hour of the day? The young boy was a half-day from starvation when you found him. In his own words, the only reason why he had not run completely out of energy before lunch yesterday was because your father hugged him before leaving him at school."

Her eyes widening in surprise, Diamond Tiara began to argue, "But..."

"Young lady," Celestia said, angrily, "If the next words out of your mouth are 'he's just a dumb changeling', or anything of that nature, you're going to find yourself in a great deal more trouble than you already are."

The filly shut her mouth with a click.

Sighing wearily, Celestia said, "One of the founding principles of our nation is equality for all. That means that regardless of who you are, or what race, or even species, you belong to, you are entitled to fair and just treatment, not just by the law, but by others. That does include changelings. If an exception were made for any race, it would be a violation of the very foundations of this land of ours. We might as well go back to the days before Clover, Pansy, and Smart Cookie, when everypony mistrusted everypony else. We may as well have let the Windigos freeze the world solid." Her eyes narrowed in anger, Celestia said, "So I hope you can understand now why you are in so much trouble. Your own actions have gone against everything that a pony is supposed to stand for, and I honestly cannot state in words how disappointed I am in you right now."

Diamond Tiara hung her head in shame. Bad enough to be told you'd done something that bad by anypony, but to hear it directly from the princess herself...

Celestia cleared her throat, and with a slightly lighter tone, she said, "You are still young, so I doubt you could have fully understood the full consequences of your actions without being told. Under normal circumstances, I would just let you off with a warning, and let you go on your merry way, confident that you would never do such a thing again. In truth, I am a busy pony, and this would be something that should not require my personal attention. However," the princess said, sighing, "These are not normal circumstances."

Confused, Diamond Tiara asked, "What do you mean?"

"What I mean," the princess said, skewering the filly with a glare fit to stop the youngster's heart, "is that this is not some incident of isolated mischief, but the latest in a long, and steadily escalating, chain of misdeeds. When Twilight Sparkle sent me the message indicating that a royal audience would be required, I requested, as a matter of protocol, a copy of your permanent record. The average permanent record for a filly your age would be, oh five pages long. SIx, if they were unusually rambunctious." Gesturing to one of the guards stationed at the doorway back into the palace, the princess said, "Let me show you yours."

An earth pony guard, surprisingly large and powerfully built, came in, hauling a wagon behind him. Upon the wagon was a massive stack of papers. The guard was straining to pull the heavy burden, sweat streaming from his body: the files, folders, and assorted documents were piled to the point that they were as tall as Celestia herself, and filling every inch of a wagon that could have held a half dozen ponies comfortably. Upon reaching the two ponies, the guard saluted, unhitched his burden, then walked back out, his work done for now.

Gesturing at the pile of documents, Celestia stated, "In any other school in Equestria, a record like this one would be cause enough for you to be expelled five times over. Cheerilee indicated in these files, more than once, that the only reason that she had given you as many chances as she had was because she believed that, deep down, you were a good pony. She has, for some time, worked with your father to try and come up with something, anything, to make you see that your actions were detrimental, not just to yourself, but to your fellow students. Their combined efforts could only be called heroic: most teachers would have given up on you long before now, and the fact that your father was willing to go to every meeting that your teacher requested without complaint speaks volumes for his dedication to you. However, whenever you were punished for your actions, you simply reacted by redoubling your misbehavior. You never showed any sort of regret for your actions, just anger at being caught and punished for performing actions that you knew were wrong as you were committing them."

With another long, weary sigh, the princess said, "However, were you expelled, your permanent record would bar you from entering any other school, save the most severe of reform schools. Your father did not want that, your teacher did not want that, you would not want that, and in all honesty, I do not want that either. Such schools are intended for children years older than you, and who have far more severe discipline problems than you do. While your actions have been deplorable, you have not truly crossed the line into truly monstrous behavior... yet. However, something needs to be done to end this downward spiral, and you have, through your own actions, proven you are either unwilling, or unable, to do so yourself."

Turning towards the Canterlot skyline, Celestia asked, "Tell me, Diamond Dazzle Tiara, have you ever heard of a 'Reform Spell'?"

Shaking her head, the filly admitted, "No, your highness."

"It's a spell that causes the recipient to feel immediate consequences for their actions. Essentially, it causes the one it is cast upon to feel discomfort, potentially verging on pain, every time they commit an action that they know is wrong without any sort of justification... and the spell continues that feeling until the misdeed has been remedied. It is a spell that is normally reserved only for repeat offenders, criminals who have committed crimes and have shown no remorse for their actions." Looking back at the filly, the princess said, "While the version that will be applied to you will be among the weakest versions of the spell, it should prove more than sufficient to deter you from further misdeeds."

Wait, she was going to cast that kind of spell on her? Before she could stop herself, Diamond Tiara sputtered, "Th-that's not fair!"

"Not fair?" Celestia advanced upon Diamond Tiara, the hooves of the princess striking sparks against the stones beneath her. "Not fair? Let's talk about fair, shall we?"

Her horn glowing with power, the princess lifted the filly up, and with a flap of her massive wings, both of them were airborne. In seconds they were so high above the city that the ponies below looked like ants.

Pointing at the city with one hoof, Celestia said, "Down there, Diamond Tiara, are ponies who work their hardest every day of their lives for everything they have, and will earn less in their lifetimes than your father earns in a week. You have never spent a day worrying about where your next meal might come from, or that you might not have a roof to sleep under tomorrow, while some of them live in constant fear of that. And you say that this is not fair." Pointing at the young filly, the princess said, "Everything you have ever had, up to and including your cutie mark, has been handed to you on a silver plate... and instead of being grateful for that, you've used what you have to make the lives of those around you miserable. And you say that this is not fair." Pulling the filly closer, Celestia said, "You've been given more chances than any other pony had any right to request to rectify your behavior, and have not. And you say that this is not fair." Their faces now barely an inch apart, Celestia said, "Right now, because of your mischief, I am here, talking to you, using time that could be better spent solving far more serious problems. Every minute, every second, that I waste here, is time that could be spent preventing the next potential disaster that could befall this land of ours. And. You. Say. That. This. Is. Not. Fair."

"Sorry," squeaked Diamond Tiara, clearly terrified.

Sighing, Celestia said, "You can apologize by being a better pony." The two began to lower gently back to the ramparts of the palace. Once they touched the ground, the princess' horn flashed with magic once again, and Diamond Tiara felt a strange feeling come across her. It wasn't quite a headache, but it might have been if it had lasted more than a second. "There. The spell is in place. At its current level, it will remain for a time no less than one year. Twilight Sparkle will be checking in on you regularly, and if she finds that the spell has been removed or tampered with in any way, shape, or form, I will not be pleased."

Gesturing to the guards again, Celestia said, "I will personally check on your progress in twenty-five days. If I should find that your behavior has improved sufficiently, I will consider removing the spell, or at least diminishing its strength somewhat. However, if I find that there has been no improvement, I will begin exploring more strict means of correcting this problem. The primrose path ends here, Diamond Tiara: if you want to have anything like the easy life you've led before, you will have to earn it."

The two guards reached the princess and the filly. "Take her back to her father, and tell him what's been done," Princess Celestia said, her expression stern. "If he feels that it is inappropriate, he is free to come here and discuss alternatives: I am more than willing to listen. Otherwise, he can take his daughter home." The guards nodded, and escorted the filly away.
-------------------------

"Wow," Sombra said, dropping the invisibility spell he'd kept over himself the entire time that the princess had been speaking with the filly, "I did not know you had it in you, your highness."

"Don't start that," Celestia said, sighing. "It breaks my heart having to do something like this to somepony so young."

Shrugging, Sombra, the former tyrant ruler of the Crystal Empire, now reformed and the head of the Bureau of Changeling Affairs, said, "Well, you came to me for advice on how to solve this. You could have said no to the idea, but you said yourself you couldn't think of anything better that wouldn't be considered cruel and unusual for a filly her age." Rolling his eyes, he said, "I admit, I do not like it much, either. However, one thing we can both agree on is that something had to be done: that young filly was a horn away from becoming the next me."

Nodding, the princess said, "Right. And that's something I'd much rather avoid. Even reformed, you're far too much of a headache on your own. I don't think I could handle you in stereo."

With a big, booming guffaw, the unicorn said, "Yes, well, I would much rather remain one of a kind, myself. Well, at least we finished this before lunch." Smiling broadly, the former tyrant said, "I was going to head down to Le Couteau Doré for something to eat: I promised Rochelle that I'd let her know how things turned out. You want to come with me? I know you have a weakness for her cooking."

With a chuckle, Celestia said, "No, I think I'll pass. Do give her my regards, though." With a sly look, the princess asked, "Are you going to ask her to come work at the Bureau again?" It would make for the fifth time he'd asked her: the changeling had caught the wizard's eye, and he felt that, as excellent as her cooking was, her other talents were being wasted...

Blushing, Sombra admitted, "Actually, I am considering asking her out..."

Author's Note:

For a little more about redeemed Sombra, look in on my story A Meal Fit For A King The full story of his redemption will come at a later date.

Comments

[Changeling-Drone]

I may have missed one of your stories.... When did sombraro become reformed?

[Clayton the hunter]

Uhh, I might have missed something but which one of your stories included a reformed sombra?

[sorrow_song]

Great chapter, can't wait to know what happens next

[okar2008]

...what.

SOMBRA?!?!?!?! Last we'd ever seen of him in any of your stories, he'd either been punched out by Cricket or just defeated as per usual (Spike + Cadance Javelin + Crystal Heart). I......ahem...humbly ask that you please give us some sort of backstory for that. If you want to, I mean.

(The power of the Fluttershy compelled me)

Also, a reform spell?! That's...yeesh. When had that been designed? Certainly not until after Nightmare Moon...

...do go on.

Edit: There's a love interest?! With a changeling?!?!?!?! I DEMAND ...um...could you please take a little time to expand further on this Sombra twist in your world-building? If you have time, of course...

(That Fluttershy...)

[Magical Trevor]

Why is everyone acting like we should already know Sombra is reformed? They're acting lime they're entitles to already know. Silly ponies are silly.

[Rockstar_Raccoon]

4137502
Hmm.... That sounds like a Fic Against Humanity.

[okar2008]

4141504 4141506 4141464 4141473

New Edit: Oh. A Meal Fit for a King Doh.

[Night Music]

4141504 The reform spell most likely came about when Discord was ruling, or is that not fannon with this story?

[Rockstar_Raccoon]

Well...... That was out of left field......
.....Now I'm completely unsure of where this is going.....

The idea of Sombra being reformed like that though is a bit far-fetched to me, so.... I dunno.....

[PhycoKrusk]

4141540
You try taking a love cannon to the face and see how evil you feel afterward.

I am well aware of my phrasing.

[Slavenger Karl]

Wanted 50 likes, got 550. Just Marvelous, dont you think, my bucking friend?

[Magthere]

Didn't realize those Sombra fics were part of this Universe as well, time to read up on those as well...

And at least your reform spells aren't acting like mind control so much as automatic conscience hitting you with something, with varying intensities it seems. (As I've yet to see what level this one's at I won't say what this one's hitting her with just yet).

[Bucking Nonsense]

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4141504
Regarding the "Reforming Spell", it was explicitly mentioned in Keep Calm And Flutter On. Discord ate all of Twilight's copies of the spell. However, that didn't mean he had eaten every copy everywhere forever. I prefer my version to the headcanon that some folks use: I'd rather it just be a spell that punished you for being bad, rather than one that forced you to be good.
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4141540
Sombra reformed is mentioned in my story, A Meal Fit For A King. I plan on doing a story on his reforming himself in the future, but as for what would cause him to reform? Well, let me ask you this: if Tartarus is a real place, and somepony like Sombra died, even temporarily, where do you think he'd go? And if he came back from that dreaded place, do you think he'd be in any hurry to go back?

[Crystal Static]

4141570 How big is this love cannon you speak of? Surely no bigger than 12 inches.

[Changeling-Drone]

4141591 in either greed wrath violence or treachery

[Rockstar_Raccoon]

4141570
I liek ur phrasing sir

[Bucking Nonsense]

4141605
I don't want to spoil the surprise

[Telaros]

Story had a great joke at the end there. Loved the bonus scene there at the end. Dang, if that was DT's rap sheet, I cower to imagine what sort of tales of unintended destruction the CMC have on their individual records! xD (Though I already read such a story that dealt with them in the form of am officer going through their records and investigating the 3. Should be in my favs if you wish to read it I can note you the link.)

This feels like a more complete base for the rest of the story now. I'm loving it. What will Diamond do?
What sort of thing will set Diamond off? That alone has tons of potential for FUN.
Will we see more Stinkbug or was he safely recovered and taken back?
Will DT have to take responsibility for him, too? Cute thought. Reminds me of Leech and Trixie's.

Have a fav. Loved Celestia's scene, that was pretty hard tightrope you walked with her. Nice to see you made it across!

The story should finally kick into full swing next chapter now. Who knows, by the end of all this, Celestia might end up with 7.1 Surround Sound!

"Take her back to her father, and tell her what's been done,"

him
Filthy Rich is the one who was being addressed at the end there.

4141504

been designed?

Considering how readily available, in the public library, Twilight attempted to use said reformation spell as a Deux Ex Machina which even Discord apparently felt the need to do away with her supposed only copies of the spell by eating them all up. It's not hard to imagine that Celestia herself would obviously know of such a spell herself. Being probably one who possibly saw it as a needed last resort for saving ponies from doing bad things that all would regret. i.e. It beats the death penalty or being encased in stone for all time.

[Komodo23]

..........Sombra? Reformed? Out of nothing like this?
That was... random. Sudden. Far-fetched.

The Diamond/Silver/bug part of the story is still enough for me to keep following this, though.

[Luna Secret Stallion]

"Do you know why you are here?"
Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes and said, "Because I got caught..."

Meh I would have said the same thing.
4141540

The idea of Sombra being reformed like that though is a bit far-fetched to me, so.... I dunno..

I love it !

[Skunktrain]

My mind got away from me for a second and came up with this on the spot:

"Sorry," squeaked Diamond Tiara, clearly terrified.

[reginaldg]

After the first chapter, I was a little surprised they threw the book at DT so heavily -- not because she didn't deserve it, but because nobody even slaps her wrist in the show.

I guess it makes more sense if every schoolkid has a six-page rap sheet. "Safe under the hovering wings."

[Changeling-Drone]

4141613 you asked

[Awesomo3000]

DAYUM, don't piss off Celestia.

[Bucking Nonsense]

4141647
Most permanent records contain a kid's grades for each semester, plus mention of any disciplinary action taken.

[hanatoro]

4141672

"There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man."
— Kvothe, The Name of the Wind

When those that are soft spoken, kind and gentle in their dealings are brought to the point where they are truly angry they become capable of monstrosities that few could ever dream of.

[RealityCheck]

in other words, Celestia finally implemented corporal punishment. It ain't a paddling, but it'll do.

[Jixstun]

The interesting thing about Diamond Tiara is that even though she has her Cutie Mark, it's never made clear what her Special Talent actually is. Someone once floated the idea that her talent may actually be being a stuck-up-snob, which would mean that a certain level of arrogant & unpleasant behaviour may actually be a part of her & therefore an approach such as Celestia's spell will only be able to temper her behaviour & stop it from going to far (like she did with Stinkbug) rather than changing it entirely.

[Dragaen]

I've only got one response to this update.

Can't wait for more

[BenRG]

I wouldn't have put in the epilogue with Sombra; it wasn't necessary to use him as anypony would have been just as valid in the role. Discord would have been just as useful as a "devil's advocate" to discuss the matter with Celestia.

The important part of this story was Celestia pounding into Diamond's skull on just what a razor's edge she was to becoming the newest bit of statuary in the Royal Gardens. Diamond's behaviour, as portrayed here, is demonstrably that of someone with a psychotic personality disorder: Unable and unwilling to change because she believes that her desires trump all other considerations. It will be interesting to see if negative reinforcement has any effect on her.

4141814
I also wonder if her cutie mark is somehow symbolic of an aspect of her personality. However... her ugly soul aside, she is a pretty little filly. I wonder if her natural talent is modelling or something like that - she got her cutie mark for winning her tiara in a filly modelling competition or something.

[wille179]

Suddenly, Sombra.... Oooookaaaayyy... Weird, but not totally unpleasent.

[Frankie2]

You had to mention something that was in another story. I hate when writers do that.
Diamond is lucky she didn't get a different version of a 'reformation spell' that I read about...there is no way she could handle that much pain. Anyway, I look forward to her first bout of pain, especially since not even Silver Spoon is talking to her. I also want to know where Stinky is living now (Celestia did say he was homeless.)

[dadab22]

Perhaps you can write a story explaining the f\reformation of ONE OF THE DARKEST ENEMIES OF THE MANE SIX!

[Arcane Howitzer]

4141533
Dagnabbit! I was holding off on reading that until the prequel was finished!
Curse you Nucking Bonsense! Curse you and your constantly interweaving storylines!
Looking forward to more.

[Rockstar_Raccoon]

4141628
Author explained it in comments: it's from his other fic where Sombra got reformed.

[Jot Notes]

Awesome update! To be honest, I thought it would have made an excellent one--shot, but it makes for a much more interesting story now!

[Niklashg]

4141591 Like what happened to that guy in "a clockwork orange" except more controlled in strength for each person?

[Multiversity]

Jiminy Christmas, man. That makes, what, seven ongoing stories from you? Someone needs to put together a timeline or something.

It's probably going to be eight soon, because I'm starting to recognize patterns in your writing; there is no way you are going to let this whole Sombra thing sit like this.

...I will say though, that last line blindsided me. Now all I can picture is Celestia staring dumbfounded at a bashful Sombra... oh boy...

[The Great Derpsby]

I kind of want to see Diamond spiral further downward, in a 'rage against the heavens' type of scenario.

As much as it makes us cringe, a reform spell might be something Celestia ultimately turns to. Her sister had to be blasted with the Elements of Harmony, after all, before she finally abandoned her own evil. I very much believe Celestia expects her loved ones to use such magic on her as well should she ever cross the line, which might be the reason why she's so diligent—the knowledge that nopony, not even she, is above such a thing.
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Naw, it's probably leadership. Just look at how easily she manipulates everypony left and right! And let's be honest, she made the school newspaper a big success, until eveypony was suddenly angry at how they were in it instead of only other folks. Even the Crusaders hang onto her every word, and those three really should know better by now.

Diamond Tiara is an incredibly charismatic individual. Now, if only she had a conscience...

[PinkiePieFox]

So amazing! This is good stuff! I can't wait to see when DT gets her first taste of that spell... Its going to be enteresting to say the least....

[ChromeMyriad]

"Wow," Sombra said, dropping the invisibility spell he'd kept over himself the entire time that the princess had been speaking with the filly

musicians4freedom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/explain.png

[Radmelon]

4141591
I like that idea for Sombra's reformation. I might have to use it myself. He's seen what awaits down below, and damned if he's going to be damned again.

[reflective vagrant]

... seriously? Sombra, and no alternate universe tag? his presence seems to just come out of left field and hold no particular purpose. If this isn't explored and explained then his scene will end up being a pointless distraction.

[Gdenofa]

Another awesome chapter. That was a surprise that not only it was Sombra's idea with the reform spell but he was also listening in like an invisible fly on the wall, staying low and watching the reactions to a plan in action... old habits are hard to kick, huh Sombra.

[the_sane_maniac]

Will continue if it gets more than 50 upvotes

*560 upvotes later*

O_O ... Well, the people have spoken!

[shirotora]

4141849 Unless if this is just to introduce Sombra. He might have a bigger role that Discord just cant fill. Plus, can you imagine Discord with a responsible position like heading an entire department? I wouldn't judge it too soon, though, I would like more details on his reformation.

This is probably one of the best DT chapters I've ever read in any story. You know you screwed up when Celestia herself is pissed at you enough to cast a spell like that.

P.S. So, looking at your other stories, you'll right one more chapter of this before starting a new story, right?

[shynight]

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Read the second half of this comment: 4141591

[FancyFan]

4142239
I've been a proponent of the "Diamond Tiara's talent is leadership theory since I saw it in the comments on some other story that I cant remember. Having her talent be leadership actually makes her cutie mark one of the least abstract ones in the show. How is Equestria ruled? By princesses. What do princess wear as a symbol of office? Tiaras. Ergo, tiara implies princess implies ruling/leadership. Certainly less abstract than balloons=laughter, starburst=magic(though there seems to be enough star themed magic cutie marks to imply that in-universe stars=magic, thus making it much less abstract), gems=design, and cloud with a rainbow lightning bolt=....um what is Dash's talent anyway? Being fast? Being awesome/list of synonyms for awesome that Dash has vague distinctions for? Winning? I'm not actually sure about hers.

[Anyne]

At it's current level, it will remain

*its

[amarouq]

This is definitely my favorite DT story thus far and is quickly earning a place in my all time favorite stories on the site. Sombra falling in love with Rochelle? I can't wait for when "Cooking Roach" catches up to that tidbit of information. Keep up the good work!