Part 41: Memories
Cheerilee opened the door to Spoiled's office with extreme trepidation. She didn't know why she was so cautious, considering the whole building was abandoned, with one obvious exception.
But, knowing the reputation of the mare who usually sat behind the desk inside, she was half expecting an alarm to go off, or a secret booby trap to unleash it's horrible contents. Fortunately, either Spoiled hadn't been there that day to set one up, or Cheerilee's coffee-fueled paranoia was getting the better of her. Again. Anyway, she got into the room unscathed. For now.
Breathing a sigh of relief, but shuddering a little at the sight of the empty seat where her nemesis usually resided, she tentatively trotted over to the filing cabinet where she'd began her fruitless search earlier. Opening up the drawer once more, on this occasion her sights were set on acquiring a specific pony's information.
Namely: The head of the school board herself.
Yes, the elementary had past history on everypony there, even the staff themselves. Cheerilee had spotted her own folder once or twice during her occasional snooping, but had managed to resist the temptation to browse through it. She didn't want to be reminded of her failing love life, and previous misguided career as a florist...
Ah, there it was. Poking out right at the end, a rather thin volume that nevertheless promised to be interesting reading. Cheerilee had no idea why she wanted to look into Spoiled's past. Just an inkling, she guessed. Having had no success with discovering Mrs Rich's no doubt nefarious scheme earlier by concentrating on the present, perhaps it was time to switch her attention to the past. It was a long shot, but one she felt was worth taking. Diamond Tiara, and all the ponies who cared for her, were counting on it.
Perhaps there would be some answers inside. Such as: What turned Spoiled into the tyrant she was today? What drove her to treat her daughter with such contempt, and heap such unnecessary pressure on her? Was this uncompromising, selfish figure of a public official ever different from the way she was now? Cheerilee intended to find out. Preferably, before it got dark.
She scanned the document inside. Date of birth. Blood type. Height. Weight. When she got married (Celestia bless his soul). Her daughter's birth. When she got her current job. Her hobbies, which included fine dining, fashion and... Disco dancing?
Cheerilee certainly wasn't expecting that. Future blackmail material, perhaps? No, the teacher was far too morally upright to engage in that kind of skulduggery. But, if the situation ever required it... She'd file this little tidbit away in her head anyway, and label it 'for use in case of emergency'.
She found other items of intrigue, such as evidence of her personally blocking a multitude of misdemeanors from her daughter, so it wouldn't end up on her little 'darling's' permanent record. This might have been helpful a few days ago, but right now she needed to get Diamond out of trouble, not in it.
There was also a few notes regarding her opinion of the other fillies and colts around school. To cut a long story short, she found the vast majority to be either too stupid, scruffy or just plain worthless. Barely any pony made the grade, in the perfect imaginary utopia of Spoiled.
The only pony to emerge with any credit from her extensive profiling was Silver Spoon, and even she was criticised for braiding her hair too tight and having fake pearls. But then again, who could live up to the paragon of beauty that is Spoiled Cheerilee found herself wondering. Oops. Bad teacher. Naughty.
She realised she was getting off the beaten track. She'd found plenty of material which offered a glimpse into the, to put it mildly, warped mind of Spoiled, but as of yet nothing to assist her in discovering what the head of the board was up to. She'd arrived at the last page...
And there was nothing there. It was as blank as the flanks of the youngsters she encouraged her daughter to ruthlessly mock. That was it. There wasn't anything left. All of Cheerilee's efforts had been for naught. Spoiled was going to get away with whatever vile connivance she was hatching, and that was that. The teacher shook the documents in pure frustration...
Something small fell out of the bottom of the folder. It fluttered through the air, before nestling at Cheerilee's feet. She looked at this tiny squared object with inquisitiveness. It must have been missed by her during her initial run-through.
The teacher very much doubted it was anything important, though. Something so minor and insignificant would hardly be of use to her at this crucial moment. But, short of any better options right now, she'd take a quick peek anyway...
She picked it up. It was a photograph, taken some time ago. In glorious sepia, it showed Ponyville Elementary in the past, before its numerous renovations. Standing front and centre were a trio of young ponies, two fillies and a colt. One filly was standing slightly to the side, looking on with a smile at the other two, who were...
Cheerilee dropped the picture with an audible gasp. She knew those three ponies.
They might look slightly different now (especially in one case), but there was no mistake. It was them.
She'd had no idea that...
And what's more, as the image had landed on the floor, she spotted something on the back of it. Writing.
Cheerilee picked up the photo again with a trembling hoof...
Only to let it fall again as soon as she'd finished reading the six lines of text scrawled on there.
Oh my Celestia. This might not explain everything, but I think I can see where it started.
And there was me thinking that this would be a wasted search...
I could kiss whoever took that picture.
But for now, I have to go down to see Twilight...
Without a moment's delay.
.................................................................................................................................
"Hello, how can I help you today?" Nurse Sweetheart sounded friendly enough at the reception, but you could tell she was somewhat on edge by her gritted teeth and the shaky posture.
"Er, hello. We're looking for the room of a Miss Diamond Tiara...?" Silver Sterling wondered what was bothering the medic, but decided that perhaps it was just down to the pressures of the job. After all, there must be some kind of stress from working such long hours with so little pay. She certainly couldn't do it, that was for sure.
Upon hearing the name of the patient, Sweetheart's discomfort was even more apparent "W-what?" She stammered, her eyes rapidly darting from left to right. "Y-you want to see her? I-I mean, of course you can. Ha ha. That must mean you're with Princess Twilight's group. P-please, come right this way..."
The nurse marched up the corridor hurriedly, and the three fillies and one adult who were supposed to follow her looked at each other with apprehension. Their first thought was that something serious must have happened to their friend, for their request to provoke such a reaction, so they quickly took after her.
"Excuse me a minute..." Panted Scootaloo, as she caught up to Sweetheart. "I have to ask. How is Di doing? Is she alright?"
"What...?" The nurse stopped for a second. "Well, Redheart was tending to her, and she told me your friend was fine, if a bit drowsy. But we haven't checked on her condition for a while, because we've been busy doing other things."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Sweetie Belle had drawn alongside now, and was equally as concerned as her fellow Crusader.
"Well, nothing you two fillies need worry about..." Sweetheart gave a rather forced smile to the youngsters surrounding her, unwilling to admit to her temporary loss of sanity while trying to win the favour of the princess via a hot beverage.
"So, what you're telling us is: You don't know how Diamond Tiara is doing, and you're telling us not to worry?" Sterling, with her daughter in tow, was somewhat exasperated at the nonchalance on display from the medic. "How are we supposed to feel better, if you don't know anything about her condition?"
"Oh, I'm sure if anything bad had happened, the princess or any of her friends would have informed us at the front desk..." Sweetheart reassured them, somewhat unconvincingly. "Anyway, you can see for yourself. Look, we're here now..."
The party following the nurse glanced around the corner to see a group of five familiar mares all gathered outside a room, and looking as though a hurricane had blown through the area. Sweetie in particular had never seen her sister looking so unkempt, while Scootaloo was just glad her suspicions of her idol's dye job were apparently unfounded, as Rainbow Dash was there, looking as cool and blue as always.
Those present were eager to meet up with the princess and her entourage, but not before they'd been stopped in their tracks by an anxious looking Sweetheart. "Sorry to be a pain..." She hesitated, as though she couldn't believe what she was about to ask. "But could you tell me: Are any of you perchance, a Chaos God in disguise?"
If the four newly arrived visitors weren't already freaked out by the nurse's odd behaviour, they certainly were now. "Er... Pardon?" Was Sterling's confused response, while the others just wore expressions of incomprehension.
Realising that she must sound just a little crazy, Sweetheart decided to withdraw her question. "Oh, er, never mind. Just a little bit of humour I sometimes try out with our guests. I'm well known for it. Ha ha. Must be getting back. Let me know if there's anything else you need. Cheerio for now..."
And with that rather strained farewell, the medic took her leave, silently cursing Loving Care for being lucky enough that her shift ended earlier, before all this nonsense unraveled.
Sterling and the others would've loved to delve deeper into that surreal confrontation, but they never had the chance. "Darling!" "Squirt!" Came the respective calls, as Rarity and Rainbow Dash spotted their two favourite fillies first, and proceeded to immerse them in warm hugs. Applejack and Twilight were surprised to see such a large group, but stepped forward to welcome them anyway, while Pinkie, always ecstatic to see so many ponies together, was rushing around, greeting everypony in sight. Multiple times.
After the initial hellos were out of the way (Pinkie took an extra few minutes), and awkward questions had been answered about how they'd all come to be gathered there, why the hospital seemed in such a state of disarray and what had caused the mares' manes to be so messed up, they got down to the nitty-gritty.
"So, how is Di, anyway?" Silver Spoon inquired, with a tinge of nervousness.
"Yeah, and what about Apple Bloom? Is she still in one piece, too?" Scootaloo also sounded a little frantic.
"Please. We have to know!" Sweetie Belle added to the chorus.
"Er, they're both doing okay, we think..." Applejack answered, a little perplexed. "You can go in and see them now, if you like..."
Scootaloo and Sweetie didn't need a second invitation. They dived for the door to Diamond's room together, each one opening it at the same time , and the sound of a happy Apple Bloom welcoming them could be heard coming from inside, before the entrance swung shut.
Oddly enough, Silver Spoon, the one who'd been most desperate to see her friend out of all of them, held back. She was still unsure whether Diamond even wanted to speak to her at all after earlier on, as she tried to pluck up the courage to follow the two Crusaders.
Noticing her daughter's reluctance, Sterling, who was in the middle of introducing herself to the mares she didn't know, looked at her with concern. "I thought you really wanted to see Diamond, Spoonie. I... Or rather your brother, drove you all the way out here, and now you don't even want to go in?"
"It's not that..." Sighed Silver, her head slightly bowed. "I'm just not sure what I'm going to say. You see, we had a bit of a falling out here, before I saw you today. And, I want to gauge her mood first, before I just barge in there..."
"Oh I see..." Sterling was starting to put a few things together in her head, the way any good mother should. "Well, that is a shame. I'll tell you what. I have an idea. Something we can enjoy together, while you figure out what you're going to do."
"And, what might that be?" Spoon suddenly felt a sense of impending doom.
"We can go and get you tested for new glasses, of course!" Sterling took hold of her daughter's hoof, and started to take her away. "By the time they've seen to you and we've chosen your pair, I'm sure Diamond will have calmed down or you'd have thought of something to tell her! Possibly, both. It was nice meeting you ponies! Especially you, princess! You must come to one of my candlelight suppers! Ta-ta for now!"
And with that, backed up by the futile protests of Spoon, Sterling and her daughter exited the scene. Those left behind looked at each other, trying to assess their opinion of this new pony.
"She's not bad..." Applejack remarked.
"A lot politer than Spoiled..." Twilight conceded.
"That's not exactly difficult though, is it?" Rainbow Dash said.
"I see her in my shop sometimes. She buys a lot of ballgowns..." Rarity confirmed.
"Hey! Maybe she can wear one to one of my parties!" Pinkie Pie grinned.
"Princess Twilight, Legal Eagle is ready to leave now..." Redheart stated.
What? Caught off guard momentarily by their animated conversation, none of the mares noticed the silent approach of possibly the most stoic nurse in the building. Out of all the medical staff, she was the only one not caught up by the hullabaloo around Twilight's supposed thirst earlier on, in fact she was the only employee around to keep the place ticking over while everypony else was losing their heads.
As far as the 'surprise' rumours of a visit from the new inspector, she just took it in her stride. Discord or no Discord, her first duty was to her patients, and nothing would distract her from that. Neither the petty needs of the royal family, or the threat of chocolate rain falling, would diminish her role.
And now, she stood there waiting expectantly, as Twilight flustered a little to regain her composure. "Er, y-yes. I'll be right there. Listen, girls. I'll be back in a moment, I just have to make sure Mr Eagle gets out okay, and Spoiled is still securely locked up. I won't be long. Take care of things while I'm gone..."
The alicorn followed Redheart back to the holding room, while those remaining wondered what they were going to do while their de-facto leader was away. They didn't have too long to think though, as suddenly a loud BANG could be heard from inside Diamond's room, which led to a competition as to how many fully grown mares you can get stuck in a doorway at any one time...
The answer: 4.
.............................................................................................................
Silver Spoon was standing at the reception with her mother, trying to find out where the optical department was, when Twilight turned the corner with Redheart. With a nod to Sterling and her daughter on her way to the holding room just behind the front desk, the alicorn flared up her horn, which caused the door to open once again.
"About time you got here..." Legal Eagle was not best pleased about being kept waiting, as he stepped through while buttoning up his suit. "Still, never mind. At least it was time well spent, because now I am thoroughly prepared for whenever you deign the trial to be. I wouldn't say this is quite an open-and-shut case, but I'm certain that come the date, we're the clear favourites to win. Of course it won't just be our victory, but Diamond's too. The sooner she's out of that unwholesome environment, the better. I'll see you again, princess. Good luck. I have a feeling you'll need it."
Rolling her eyes at the lawyer as he departed, while he only acknowledged Sterling and Spoon on the way out (after all, he only made money respecting wealthy ponies) Twilight still managed to hold her tongue. Peering further into the room, the princess decided to have a few words with Spoiled before she shut it again. Albeit, reluctantly.
"Are you alright in there?" Twilight asked, not very sincerely.
"Fine, darling." The trademark arrogant accent was there to behold. "That was a most productive meeting, even if I do say so myself. I can't wait to see the look on your face when I show you up in front of everypony on our special day in court. But that, as they say, is the future. Right now, I'm more focused on the present, and if I may be so bold as to ask, when are we going to leave? I trust you don't plan to hold me prisoner here overnight. Not that I'm one to complain, but I can imagine it gets a bit drafty in the evening. If I catch hypothermia, it'll be on your head, you know. Just thinking of your reputation, dear..."
Deciding that she'd had more than enough of Spoiled's patronising for one lifetime, Twilight picked that juncture to interrupt. "The reason why we're still here..." She said, irritably. "Is that your daughter is still recovering from the effects of whatever happened to her in this hospital not so long ago. I don't suppose you'd care to shed some light on that, hmm?"
"Darling, I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about..." Spoiled responded, with mock outrage. "If anything bad has happened to my precious Diamond, it's that bumpkin and her foul progeny you need to speak to, not me! I'd love to hear more details, though. Perhaps, it would give me even more ammunition to use in my case. Maybe you could regale me with them, during my stay at your palace. I trust that's where you'll be keeping me, since there are no hotels of any note around here. Now, this is the kind of room I would require..."
Twilight was about at her wits end. Her carefully controlled public image was about to shatter. She was going to turn the air blue with very long, very hard-to-pronounce profanities. Possibly, do something even more drastic with her horn. She was playing into Spoiled's hooves, but she really didn't care. The alicorn was just about to blow her top, when...
"Hello, Spoiled. I see you've up to your old tricks again. You always did have a way with words, didn't you?"
Twilight ceased her frustration for a moment to look around, to try and see who'd just spoken. Left alone at the reception was a slightly forlorn-looking Silver, wondering where her mother had gone off to.
The answer was, right next to Twilight. Sterling stood by the door, glaring at the occupant inside, a very unimpressed look on her face.
The alicorn was quick to chastise this unwelcome intrusion. "Mrs Spoon. You shouldn't be..."
It was the look on Spoiled's face, that stopped Twilight in her tracks. That omnipresent expression she'd always had, the one of smug superiority to every other living creature, was no more. The aura of one so far above the rest, she may as well have taken up residence on Luna's moon, had completely vanished.
In it's place, was the demeanor of somepony a bit nervous. Agitated. Vulnerable.
Twilight Sparkle relished every single second of it.
And a single second is about how long it lasted. Soon, the shutters were up again, the defences were manned, and the fortress of inconsequentialness was impenetrable once more.
Except, it wasn't. They'd been a chink in the armour. An Achille's hoof. A weak spot. It might have popped up oh-so briefly, but it was definitely there.
Twilight was so caught up in digesting this unanticipated turn of events, she couldn't stop Sterling from entering the holding room, and taking a seat on the opposite side to the head of the school board.
"Sterling, dear..." Spoiled stared at the grey mare with barely concealed malice. " How are you doing? I hear your daughter and mine are getting along splendidly. I 'm afraid we won't be able to attend your soiree in a few days though, as something rather pressing has come up..."
"Let's get to the point, shall we?" Sterling fixed her eyes deeply into Spoiled's, causing the other pony to flinch back a bit. "I know everything. You might have some of these other ponies fooled, but not me. I remember how you used to be, before what happened, happened. And now, you plan to put your daughter through the same ordeal. Is that what you really want for her? To end up like you? Broken, twisted, hateful inside? Do you feel that bitter, you're going to ruin her life, too? Answer me, Spoiled. We used to be friends, a long time ago..."
"Yes, a long time ago..." All pretense from Spoiled was now gone, and she was simply snarling at the mare in front of her. "Those days are long gone, thank goodness. And I don't care to revisit them. Isn't it enough that I let your brat hang out with my daughter? You should think yourself lucky I'm willing to go that far, after what you did..."
"What I did?" Sterling was taken aback by her former acquaintance's cheek. "Why, who stood aside to let you become president of the school board all those years ago, when we both know that if I'd ran, I'd have been elected by a landslide? And you know why I didn't run, and told everypony to vote for you? A sense of misplaced guilt. Without me, you'd have only got one vote, from yourself! When I think about all the children who've suffered under your tenure, I now realise it's them I should be feeling sorry for, not you, and what your parents did or where they sent you, which was nothing to do with me. Anyway, we both know who this is really about. Why you hate me so much. Why you lash out at almost every pony who gets near you..."
Spoiled's brow began to pour with sweat, while her face looked on the verge of panic mode. "I-I don't know what you've talking about. P-princess Twilight Sparkle, please remove this individual from my presence, post haste..."
"Oh, no you don't." Insisted Sterling, getting comfortable in her seat. "I'm not going anywhere. You and me are going to have a nice, long chat. This is for both you, and your daughter's benefit. I'm not sure at all the wisdom of trying to talk some sense into you, seeing how far gone you are already. But I'm going to darn well try. First up for discussion: The first colt you ever fell in love with. The one your parents disapproved of. The reason you were forced to spend years in that place. And, my husband. Let's talk about... Wooden Spoon."
..........................................................................................................................
The picture Cheerilee had dropped onto the floor before she left in haste was that of a trio of good friends, all the product of happier times. The two fillies were from a distinctly upper-class background, whereas the colt came from far more modest beginnings. The writing on the back, give or take the odd spelling mistake, read as follows:
OUR LAST PICTURE TOGETHER, BEFORE I GO AWAY FOR A WHILE!
MAMMA SAYS IT'S A LOVELY PLACE, WHERE THEY'LL TEACH ME HOW TO BE A PROPER LADY!
I CAN'T WAIT TO GO, BUT I'M REALLY GOING TO MISS YOU GUYS! WAIT FOR ME!
TO MY BFF SILVER STERLING, I'LL THINK ABOUT YOU EVERY DAY.
TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE WOODEN SPOON, YOU'LL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART.
THANK YOU FOR BEING THE BEST PONIES IN MY LIFE. SEE YOU SOON! SPOILED SWEET xx
Thanks to everyone who read this so far, whether you like it, love it or loathe it. I can honestly say, writing this fic has been one of the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had. I'm now up to nearly 500 upvotes and 800 readers. Let's keep 'em coming!! 
And of course, don't stop commenting. I've met some truly fascinating people on this site... So don't hesitate to say 'hello'. Pardon me for being so forward... It must be the drink talking. Too much Red Bull on a late night typing session always brings out the worst in me. I'll be back as soon as I've sobered up a bit... hic 
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I bet this will lead to the end of that so called school. EVIL SMILE TIME!
so basically she was warped into a monster by her parents in sending her (spoiled) to that school. Spoiled's family progenitor (or at least the one in the family who started this travesty of what being proper is) should get a good hard kick in the head.
I really hope you're not going to try and redeem Spoiled with this newest twist...It's genius, but still would prefer the smiting. Preferably by Discord.
Because who'd ever want to be sane? It's so dreadfully unimaginative!
A great chapter, nonetheless! Excellent work, Mr. snarker!
7031944 Giving somepony a REASON for being the way they are, is not the same as REDEEMING them or even offering an EXCUSE. I hope everyone doesn't read too much into this development, just because the show has been making bad ponies/ griffins good a lot in Season 5.
7031946 You're right, but that's obviously not what I meant to say. Fixed.
7031948 It might explain Spoiled's motives a bit, going by the writing on the back.
And Cheerilee never called it a panacea to all the problems,
She just said she could see where it all started
Remember, in a court battle, everything is fair game...
7031952 still this all proves that spoiled riches rather loudly verbally stated intent to send diamond tiara to said school (which you've stated to be questionable as an institute already to the public eye) based on deep set emotional issues, no matter how legal eagle spins it now spoiled rich is confirmed to be mentally and emotionally unstable, twilight can easily declare diamond in protective custody by order of the crown until a crown appointed psychologist declares her a fit mother.
Spoiled up until now:
Spoiled's reaction to seeing Sterling:
Our collective reaction to seeing her FINALLY SQUIRM LIKE THE BITCH SHE IS:
7031948
Indeed, I smell the epilogue, or at least the last few chapters covering the end of that...institution...
As it stands though, I don't see Spoiled improving. She'll crumble in the face of Stirling and then immediately rally round. At the very least, if nothing else, Silver Spoon will see her own mother tear Spoiled a new one, which I do rather hope and pray will clear up her lingering doubts.
The secret still eats at me though. As a former educator who has, unfortunately, had to deal with a child in simmilar...cercumstances, I really really really do hope that doesn't stay bottled up much longer.
However, you're portraying it right. It's never as easy as we hope for those on the receiving end to disclose such things. I hope after this esperiance though, maybe Fluttershy and some of her other friends, perhaps Applejack, actually decide to get some training in how to handle disclosures. They're doing OK as is, which suggests they could be really good at it.
This was perfect for the Conversation & History for both Silver & Spoiled.
It makes so much sense that her two friends married each other. I wonder if we'll see Wooden Spoon at some point?
OH..oh please for the love of Luna don't you dare give Spoiled a redemption! She needs to burn, to hang by the neck in the town square and be buried in a shallow, unmarked grave.
Hot dang! Revelations to come!
7031984
Agreed!!!
So...that's where this is going...interesting. So that's why Spoiled is...huh. Very interesting. Makes sense why Spoiled doesn't like Sterling. Aw man, now I really want to know what happens next!
'Children that are abused, grow up to be parents that abuse.' Unless the cycle is stopped.
Please let Twilight close and lock the door so Spoiled (as well as Twilight herself) can hear what Sterling has to say.
7032077 Couldn't agree more. I am sick and tired of cliche redemptions like we saw with Starlight at the end of the season. What ever reason Spoiled has for putting D.T. through hell don't matter. She needs to pay.
7032077 Spoiled may get redemption, but based on what Spoiled allowed to happen to her own child, she is probably going to spend some time in jail and get served.
Another punishment for Spoiled and her goons.
Vlad the Impaler (The inspiration for Dracula) got his nickname for how his victims were impaled. First, the sharp end of the stake was shoved up the anus. Guards would then move the stake slowly up through the body, being careful not to puncture and vital organs. The tip of the stake then came out through the victim's mouth. It took 1-2 days for the victim to die.
Now I want to see that picture
Haha! Whoa... please... don't make me feel sorry for Spoiled, I'm already starting to...
DAMN IT... I feel bad now.
Nice chappie!
I can just imagine Spoiled Rich having a villainous breakdown like Azula did at the end of Avatar the Last Airbender. Such is the result of having one's house of cards of a worldview come crashing down.
Great chapter again! I've the feeling things will get hard soon...
7032333
cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/64195027.jpg
So the plot thickens. I get the feeling that Spoiled Rich, formally Sweet, will be getting a nice padded cell and a jacket by the end of this story. We need a Dr. Crane in here stat, someone go get him from his favorite bar.
Ha ha JUSTICE! I knew that school was important to the story! HOOOO boy this is going to be good!
I really can't wait for Legal Eagle to get his comeuppance. He's been a very bad lawyer for a a very long time, using loop holes and technicalities to win cases for nasty ponies. But lets face it the average pony isn't really that smart to start with, so tricking a manipulating them is easy, Twilight is a genius and the apprentice of Celestia, a master manipulator. He really doesn't get how outclassed he is with Twilight as the defendant between how smart Twi is, how fast she assimilates knowledge and things Celestia can teach he about "playing the game" he is doomed.
So Spoiled is either unknowingly allowing, or trying to make history repeat itself? Hmmm...that explains quite a bit. Interesting that I was at least partially correct in my own suspicion that part of her outrageous bias apparently came about in the same way it did for every other sociopath, made instead of born with it.
I look forward to seeing the results of this chat between her and Sterling.
Memory is the key...
7032397
omg, hahahah
Well someone likes yager bombs. Great story keep it up
Yep, disco dancing, pure insanity.
Well, what did she expected ? Find Spoiled's "my evil scheme" dairy ?
Oh look another cliffhanger within the chapter. It's near indecency I hate you for that, almost stop reading there.
Let me get this straight, she spent years in one of the most horrible place in Equestria while her best friend steals her coltfriend. Of course she is pissed of by the world. She is herself, she lost her significant one. She acts as a lady, she lost her daughter. She just can't win.
People don't write in capital, just sayin'.
Thanks you. Now we can stop the "Spoiled B.." nonsense.
I kind of feel sorry for Spoiled now. She used to be a sweet filly before she was sent off to that school. Just for liking a colt from a lower class, she was sent to a boarding school, kept apart from her two friends and twisted by the school. After finally getting out, she found out that her friend Sterling married the colt she had a crush on and had been waiting to see for so long. I can see why she would hate her former friend for that, and this, coupled with what went on at that place, made her the mare she is now. I would like to say that I hope that her former friend can get through to her, but at this point, I believe you have made it clear that you do not want her to be seen as an anti villain who just needs help and could redeem herself. That could have been the case if it were not for the scene where she verbally tears her daughter to shreds and has her groped, as well as the reveal that she has been cheating on her husband. Those two things put her over the line of no return. Because of this, while her history is tragic, her actions are too atrocious for her to be made sympathetic. I do not see how she can redeem herself at this point. I only hope that that school, and her own mother (if she's still alive) get what's coming to them. Mabey after this story is finished, I will ask you for permission to write a fan sequel or something exploring the possibility of her redemption or something, if that would be okay with you since someone else is already doing something similar with your permission about a fic with diamond being sent to the school. But I will wait until this is done before asking. Sorry this is so long.
Well shit. That really threw me for a loop. Don't worry, I still liked it. Just didn't see that coming.
...I wish I could like this story multiple times.
Okay, I got more PM s than any other single day during my time on this site yesterday, mostly revolving around my latest 'revelations'. Exactly 4. Yay.
And the majority of them weren't happy, thinking I was going to turn Spoiled into some kind of tragic figure who everypony was just going to feel sorry for, and who'd be able to just waltz back in and grab her daughter back. Highly illogical, but there you go. (Most of this is perhaps bought about by one line in my bio).
So, a bit upset by the reaction of those who contacted me, I took the day off from Fimfiction and enjoyed a decent Teen Titans (NOT Go) marathon. Now I'm back, and reading the more generalised comments here, it gladdens the heart a little that the views expressed here are a little less polarising.
So not only am I going to have a nice, long message here to respond to my usual onslaught of comments, I also changed my avatar logo in response to those who disapprove of where this story is heading, and choose to send me 1000 word essays about it (you know who you are).
7032062 A good idea, that. If only shutting down bad boarding schools in real life was as easy...
7032077 Wow. The serenity of your avatar image couldn't be more at odds with your rather aggressive views of corporal punishment. Methinks we have a Trump supporter here...
7032112 ...And some that are already here!
7032245 Better than having her doing the evulz without a clear motive, like some kind of Saturday morning cartoon. I mean a bad Saturday morning cartoon!
7032270 I thought that was pretty bad too... 'Oh, one friend leaves me, so let's try and destroy the universe.' Justifiable behaviour? Not quite. And now she's learning all of Twilight's secrets? Let's hope this new, 'good' Starlight isn't just a ruse put on by her, and she isn't secretly trying to perfect her plan instead...
7032294 Always cheers up my day to read your contributions to this thread. Nice one. P.S Have you ever considered getting professional help?
7032298 If you ask Pinkie nicely, I'm sure she'll drag you into the text and show you. Anything's possible for her.
7032333 So you should. Feel bad for feeling bad, I mean. Nah, just kidding. Even the baddies occasionally need some love. Apart from Jothri, of course. He's the WORST.
7032356 I love that show, and the Villainous Breakdown at the conclusion. I remember watching it over the course of two magical days. Good times, good times. The Legend of Korra... Less so. MUCH less so.
7032538 Is that Cheers, Cafe Nervosa, or a new place in Chicago where he's moved to now? I JUST DON'T KNOW!!
7032554 Yup. Not all additions to the story are mere background filler, ya know. As for whether it'll be good or not, I certainly bloomin' well hope so. Critics are everywhere... Casts a suspicious eye around...
7033575 A fascinating case such as yourself deserves to be answered in a more direct way. Please read above for a more detailed point by point breakdown of your various observations. My thanks.
7033729 An interesting proposal. I will consider it, but first you better reach the end of this fic itself before you come to any conclusions. (Note, NOTHING is implied in that last sentence. At all.) And no worries about the length. I'd be a fine one to talk, looking at the growing size of this post here...
7034094 You've never heard of Red Bull, have you?
7034146 So do I. It might offset some of the downmarks I've got for arguably petty reasons. I tell you what... You draw up the legislation, and I'll post it to the site. I have a feeling we could really shake thing up 'round here!! (Not really)
And that's it. Join me next time for more pithy remarks, eye-rolling, catty putdowns and more generalised nonsense. I leave you now with words my dad told me. He said : 'Never let anything stand in the way of your dreams.' And that's exactly what I did, when I moved 100s of miles away from the old ****** to attend future education. Thanks, dad.
7033575
Poor dear was born in the wrong decade. She would have OWNED the 70's. OWNED, I tells ya.
And maybe her fake horns, pitchfork and twirlable moustache, too? The mind boggles.
"WATCH OUT, MR PRESIDENT!! HE'S GOT A GUN!!"
Well, it was her parents who lied to her and sent her away for years. Sad, but if she was gone for so long, what was poor old Wooden Spoon supposed to do... Just sit around and wait for her?
Life goes on, people/ ponies change... And he obviously, not surprisingly, began to feel a little lonely. The fact that Spoiled was now different beyond all recognition at this point, should also be taken into consideration...
People don't, but perhaps excited young fillies do. And even if they didn't, as well as clearing up the spelling mistakes, maybe I decided to capitalise the words as well... Because I can. Just sayin'
I have a feeling your laudable mission there will end in failure, but good luck anyway...
7035172
Sad to hear you have got a surge of PMs from readers screaming bloody murder without even knowing where the story will go, just because you presented Spoiled's better past...
These readers should try and chill out, and stop assuming things so hastily before knowing.
Edit : And could we please stop with gory scenes depictions?
7035283 Well, 4 is barely a surge... But yeah, it was slightly disheartening. Still, at least judging by the more general reaction here, it's been quite well received.
I mean, SHOCK HORROR. Trying to make a so far one dimensional villain have a bit more of a character, by implying she wasn't born with the Mark Of Lucifer. Saints preserve us...
7035288
This reminds me of a good fanfic in which there were key choices for the readers to vote, to bring the story on one path or on another. At first, the choices were easy and some people complained about them being too obvious. Then the different paths to choose became more and more foggier... and some people complained about the choices being too unclear and uncertain.
7035172 Don't let those PMs get you down, your story is awesome!!!
7035172 I really love what you have been doing, it's really sad that bronies don't understand about the history for Spoiled...
You made a great origin for her, and makes us understand why she is and not somepony that just wants to rule and be mean.
Oh yea... I think Twilight got a brain shut down again...
It just occurred to me that, with all her stubborn machinations, we might just have a good theme song for Spoiled Rich:
7035172 So far as what we were seeing was concerned? I'm happy to wait until we have complete information before passing judgment.
Made the same decision after reading the sixth Harry Potter book, and it was a wise one.
7035172
Did people seriously expect this to suddenly end well because Spoiled was 'fixed' or redeemed? Have they read the story at all? She's the most impervious character this side of Superman. If there was literally ANY hope at all, it would have been at the very least slightly foreshadowed. If not, then you would be a fucking terrible author.
If anyone thinks your a terrible author by now, then...well...they have trust issues. Even on occasions where stories HAVE done total one eighties most folks are smart enough to give it a few chapters, but I seriously haven't been getting even the slightest whiff of this going anywhere other than Spoiled's massive courtroom tantrum and slamdown, preceded/followed by the utter explosion of her marriage and social status.
Nope, I've yet to see even a suggestion of things going elsewhere. There was a hint of a suggestion here given what we're going to learn next chapter, but that's something to judge then, not now.
So far there's no reason to distrust you with our expectations. Carry on good sir, this ride's not over yet, and I can smell the turns coming, it's making me hungry for horse words.
7035172
That is true, that is very true.
7035575
Yes. At this point, the reasons why Spoiled is the way she is sort of don't matter. It might help explain how she became what she is... But in the end, it also does NOT excuse it. Ultimately, whatever outside influences affect you, you are still responsible for your own choices and your own actions in life and unlife. Spoiled should not be judged on what she was or might have been decades ago - but only for her actions now, the ones she chooses to make. And, at the moment, she is choosing to be, basically, outright Evil - a narrassistic, bigoted control-obsessed megalomanic. And she will - hopefully - be appropriately punished (for a given measure of "appropriate" as arbited by deadpansnarker) - karmically or otherwise - for being that in due course.
It's worth noting that even in MLP canon, that forgiveness is not given willy-nilly and some measure of punishment is meted out (save to Starlight); both Luna and Discord effectively did time in prisions of a sort for their crimes. Sombra and Chrysalis did not get any forgiveness at all. (And the former was explosively killed, which sort of says how bad he must have been - though that was the power of Love, not Harmony and Love may not be as forgiving.)
(Sunset's case is a but more complex; her wrong-doings were not on the same scale as the others, though you could argue whether or not her self-imposed exile is punishment in and of itself.)
7024974 Charity, real charity, is voluntary exchange. It is not antithetical to Capitalism in the least--- the giver is still seeking a profit, merely an intangible one (at least partially--- one can argue the voluntary helping of others stands a good likelihood of yielding a diversity of dividends, tangible and intangible, down the road.)
And no, "money" is not the end goal of capitalism, profit is. There is a difference. Capitalism is not a system or a philosophy or a sociopolitical theory, it's a natural law. All living things seek to profit--- even the amoeba under the lens of the microscope seeks to maximize the sustenance it absorbs while minimizing the energy and resources it expends oozing about the surface of the slide. All nature points to the fact that voluntary exchange, in the long run, is the best way to maximize efficiency because it is mutually beneficial and synergistic. (Everyone comes out ahead,)
Man, however, must learn and re-learn this simple lesson over and over again, because as sure as the finger of the fool goes wobbling back to the flame, in even the most prosperous societies in the world men will arise who seek to reap where they have not sowed and gather where they have not strawed.
no, capitalism is not "perfect." It just merely has the oh-so-unfair advantage over all other systems proposed of actually WORKING.
7036337 You're back. I don't know whether to be flattered, or threatened.
Still, at least thing'll get interesting around here.
That is, until you start talking about politics again. Zzzzz.
Say, didn't you say you're from the UK? Is Red Bull alcoholic there? Because in the US, Red Bull is just an energy drink. Speaking of which, what's your favorite energy drink? Mine's ROCKSTAR.