Starlight Glimmer wasn't exactly expecting a grand parade when she reentered the dining room with her breakfast, but she didn't anticipate being treated by the spawn of Tartarus, either.
Sparkling (for that was now her name, at least in the mind of her new mother) seemed to be doing all she could to avoid eye contact with the unicorn, even to the extent of staring at the numerous cracks in the wall.
Spike, on the other hoof, had trained his slit eyes directly onto Starlight's chewing figure, and it made the unicorn feel extremely uncomfortable indeed. Though he didn't say a word during his silent vigil, she could tell he was as cross with her as Twilight had been back in the kitchen earlier.
Overall, it made for a most uncomfortable dining experience, and Starlight desperately racked her brain to figure out how to break the ice without being simultaneously pierced by several hundred sharpened icicles.
"H-Hey, are those my Cinnamon Nut Crunchies you're eating there, Sparkling?!" Starlight thought she'd spotted an ideal opportunity for discussion, and pursued it with considerable vigour. "You know, I was just about to blame my bestie Trixie for stealing them, only to discover to my horror it's my very own daughter responsible for the daring heist! Wait 'til you meet Trixie, darling! She knows so many funny magic spells, like when she chains you up in a little transparent box, fills it full of water, then..."
Unfortunately, either Sparkling had no interest in her mother's personal life or maybe she just had a slight aversion to water, after the longest and most thorough scrub she'd ever had. Instead of taking any sort of notice in Starlight's story, she simply spun her chair around to turn her back on the unicorn. She didn't even bother with conveying the illusion that she was listening at all.
Starlight was a little irritated that her first attempt to extract a reaction from the pink filly hadn't gone down so well, but as she constantly had to remind herself, it would probably be a slow and arduous process in getting her daughter to open up, so she shouldn't be too disheartened at this early setback. So she tried again, this time with feeling.
"L-Listen, d-darling..." she attempted to sound as motherly as possible, while wiping the rapidly bleeding perspiration from her sweaty brow. "...What you have to understand is, I'm completely new to this whole 'mum' thing, so if I'm a bit too overbearing or ignorant at first, I have to apologise. I'm sure, if we both work together on this, we can find common ground somewhere along the line. If I make any mistakes you can tell me in confidence, and I'll do my best to listen and learn in all the areas I need to improve in. So, what do you say, Sparkling?"
"A good start would be giving her her old name back!" An unexpected and unwelcome introduction into the conversation came curtesy of Spike, who having heard everything said up until now, couldn't bite his forked tongue any longer. "How's about that for a decent 'first suggestion'?"
Starlight turned to the dragon in surprise, her widened eyes conveying how shocked she was at this random interruption. "S-Spike? Why did you just say that? I don't mean to be rude, but this is between me and my daughter. If she wants to tell me anything, I'm sure she can do it for herself..."
"Actually, me and Diamond were talking while you and Twilight were in the other room." Spike had no intention of butting out, and the rest of his reply told the unicorn why. "It turns out 'Diamond Tiara' was picked out by her father, not her mother. It was the one thing he got to choose during her upbringing, and you've just snatched it away. But even if it wasn't Spoiled who named her, it's still totally wrong to change her name without even asking her first! If Twilight started calling me 'Humdrum' for example, and we weren't in an imaginary comic book fantasy land, I'd want to know why! What possible reason could you have to do such a thing, and why go forward with it when quite clearly it upsets her so much?"
"H-Humdrum? C-Comic book fantasy land?! Spike, what on Equestria are you talking... oh, never mind." Starlight decided to be the 'mature' one here and stick to the issues, while grunting with annoyance at having to explain her motive yet again for this big decision. "Basically, as you are now fully aware, Sparkling comes from a very difficult background of neglect and abuse. Spoiled may be the main instigator behind her misery over the years, but I'm pretty sure Filthy didn't help out very much by putting his career above that of his family! Personally, I don't care which one of them named my daughter, taken from me under false pretences let me remind you, both had a part to play in raising her in the worst way possible! I'm just glad that she began changing her ways before I came on the scene, or else my job would've been even harder! The sooner I remove all trace of that wretched pair from her life and regain full custody, the better!"
Starlight's rant had been so impassioned and forceful, she'd plain forgotten that Sparkling was in the same room as she spoke, until the unicorn heard an audible wince coming from the chair where the filly sat, particularly during the parts where her beloved father was criticised.
Funnily enough though, Starlight didn't mind this too much. It might do Sparkling some actual good to hear some home truths about how awful both her parents really were, and when the situation was a bit less emotionally wrought, she was positive that her daughter would reach the same conclusion. All it would take was a few short weeks to get her to see sense, the unicorn was sure of it!
At this present moment in time though, Sparkling seemed distinctly unimpressed with the future scenario Starlight had just laid out, a school of thought Spike seemed to agree with. "Starlight... I ask you this as a concerned friend, so please don't get mad. What has gotten into you lately? You're not acting like yourself at all! In fact, what I've heard from you of late kind of reminds me of the old Starlight. You know, the one who'd never listen to reason, the one who always had to do things her way, the one who tried to control and manipulate other ponies lives... ring any bells? If they do, I hope they wake you up to yourself soon."
If it'd been Spike's intention to try to change Starlight's mind through super duper honesty, it didn't seem to have done much good. Perhaps his fatal mistake was bringing up the unicorn's past once more, something which, as Twilight had found out just a few minutes ago, was never a good idea in front of the now irate unicorn.
"Okay, you know what Spike? I think I've lost my appetite. These oats have gone soggy anyway, while I was listening to you rant at me for the 'terrible' crime of trying to be a good mother. I'll head off now to empty my bowl into the trash, so I can wash it in the sink. When I return, I'd like to have some private time outside with my daughter to explain the full reasoning behind my decision, so she doesn't get sidetracked by you or Twilight and your constant attempts to interfere with my parenting. I know I'm a complete amateur at this, but can you really say you could do any better? After all, it's not like you or Twilight have children yourselves. Don't you think I at least deserve a chance to show what I can do?"
"W-What? B-But I was only trying to..." Spike, far more used to being praised for his aptitude and attitude, was most aggrieved at the mere insinuation he was being more of a hindrance than a help.
"Unless that sentence ends in 'make Sparkling very confused', then I'm afraid we're going to have to agree to disagree." Starlight continued her disapproving tone, whilst shaking her head regretfully. "Furthermore, I'm a little taken aback with how difficult you and Twilight are making this for us. Perhaps, if you carry on trying to overstep your authority by telling me what to do for the next month, I may have to review how much input you have in Sparkling's life from now on. Anyway, I'll be back in a minute. Did you hear that, precious? I want to take a stroll with you, just a quick one, so we can sort all this out together. Make sure you're ready for when I come back, please!"
With that final instruction to Sparkling, spoken in a notably softer tone than the rest of her mini-statement, Starlight left the nonplussed filly and dragon alone for now while deep in thought. Oh, wait 'til she hears the itinerary of fun I'm going to set up for her! She'll have such a good time, a measly name change will be the last thing on her brain! Oh, I can't wait! We're going to bond like no mother and daughter have ever before!
Obviously Sparkling would thoroughly disagree with that viewpoint, and when the pleasantly humming mare had fully departed, it was the pink filly who whispered over the table to Spike, obviously afraid of being overheard.
"You told me that if I ignored her, she'd get the message and change her mind!" Sparkling growled at the flustered dragon, flicking a few droplets of milk at him for good measure.
"H-Hey, how was I supposed to know? That tactic always works with Twilight, especially when I want extra gem-encrusted ice cream." Spike flinched slightly, as he wiped his scales clean. "Look on the positive side, at least now you'll get the chance to tell Starlight directly how you feel, and maybe convince her that she's going a bit overboard with this whole 'mother' thing... okay, very overboard."
"That I will. And there's no 'maybe' about it, it's about time I put this cutie mark to good use once again by setting some ground rules." Sparkling said with determination, as she patted her patented flank symbol. "Seeing as giving her the silent treatment didn't work, I'm going to be as loud and proud as I can when I order her to refer to me as I was before this whole nightmare started. Along with 'coaxing' her to do a few other things too, like cutting out all the condescending language and unwanted physical contact. Let me just put my tiara on upstairs, and I'll be ready for her. Don't fret Spike, I promise to get this all sorted out before the end of the day. If I can handle Spoiled, Starlight should be foal's play. Well, see you later."
Sparkling was just about to leave an incredibly skeptical Spike behind and make her way up to her temporary bedroom, before she almost collided right into Twilight. The princess was too busy thinking about the intricacies of the complicated contract she'd just studied to properly concentrate on where she was going, and it was only through sheer luck the alicorn avoided tripping over the pink filly where she stood.
"Oh, sorry. S-Sorry." Twilight reversed back in course, as a surprised Sparkling froze up. "I didn't see you down there. N-Not that I'm saying you're short, at least for your age, your development height-wise is actually quite average for a filly, and..."
"It's okay, Twilight. I understand. I think both of us have a lot on our minds right now." Sparkling relaxed a little again, and raised her head to look the alicorn in the eye. "I can guess who the cause of our worries is, as well. But don't let it bother you too much. I'm about to go and have a little chat with 'mother', and straighten out a few things with her. It might start getting a bit ugly, so don't be shocked if you hear a bit of shouting coming from outside. I'll try to keep the bad language down to a minimum, though."
"U-Um, alright Sparkling, if you think that'll help." Twilight couldn't help but think about how hard Starlight would take this stubborn demeanour from her daughter, particularly after witnessing the older mare's pleasant mood in the kitchen a few moments ago while she did the washing-up. "But, are you sure you don't want me or Spike to supervise? If anything happens between the two of you, I'd hate to think how bad it might get if no-one is around to step in..."
"I'll be fine, Twilight. You might have heard this around town, but I can be just as unmovable and pushy as Starlight can, so don't underestimate me. I'll get her to listen to what I have to say, if it's the last thing I do." Sparkling spoke in an unyielding tone, before asking another request of the princess instead. " If it's all the same though, could you and Spike continue to call me by my proper birth name? Just because somepony living here has gone slightly insane, it doesn't mean that anypony else needs to be locked up. Plus, let me just say this: 'Sparkling Glimmer' must be the most stupid name given to a pony ever."
"Oh, I don't know about that..." Twilight pondered momentarily on the likes of 'Fizzle Pop Berry Twist'. It was all a matter of opinion, she supposed. "...But changing your name without your consent is a definite no-no from me."
"Does that mean you'll refer to me by my proper name?" Sparkling asked hopefully, her ears raised.
"E-Erm, sadly no." Twilight blushed profusely, wondering how she was going to articulate what she wanted to say. "Basically, this contract stipulates that as long as you live under this roof, Starlight is more-or-less your mother by law. As a Princess, I have no power in changing the names of all the fillies and colts given to them by their parents, as that would constitute an excessive use of the crown. Well, maybe if the name sounded obscene, but that hasn't happened for over fifty years, and even then it was a close run decision. 'Hot Stud' indeed."
"Well, thanks for nothing. I guess I'll have to sort all this out for myself. See you when I get back from 'family time'. Gee, I can't wait." Sparkling stormed off in a huff, leaping up the stairs two at a time before unceremoniously slamming her bedroom door behind in the most overdramatic way possible.
Faced with a petulant, unrelenting student...
And her equally headstrong, moody daughter...
It was all Twilight could do to collapse onto one of her crystal chairs, wishing with all her heart for something slightly less taxing than her current dilemma.
A solo rematch with Tirek maybe, without the combined power of the princesses this time around.
Or a nice, bracing Changeling invasion. Yeah, that would've done the trick, why did we ever have to reform them...
Twilight's exhausted daydreaming was abruptly cut short by Spike, giving her one of his trademark single-eyebrow-raised looks.
Having known him since he was a tiny wee hatchling, she knew exactly what was he was thinking.
She also had no intention of letting him say it.
"Oh, shaddup."
Starlight continues doing it wrong... So, giving Starlight full authority to allow her to try and rush things forcefully was Spoiled’s plan. Wicked.
oh starlight is a dumb son of a gun
*lets out breath* YAY! I can breathe again. Never again will I say I will wait with bated breath, I think my brain cell count is now in the hundreds. Ho boy. Where to begin. Despite this being a somewhat short chapter, you gave me a lot to talk about. So let's begin shall we? Also I'm actually on time for a chapter coming out! Whooot!
Diamond Tiara vs Starlight is going to come to a head very soon. It all comes down to who is more stubborn. My bets would be on Diamond, she did last for 5 seasons with a lot more episodes per season, whereas Starlight only lasted one. Then again, in this scenario all bets are off, Starlight is horrifically deluded. This is about as bad as her delusions about cutie marks if I'm honest. She thinks she's right no matter how many ponies, and dragons, say otherwise. All I know is that Ponyville is going to need ear plugs, a lot of ear plugs. Maybe Pinkie Pie can help, in case of ear plug emergencies. If this doesn't work, at least a little...then I honestly have no idea how Starlight will be brought round. I wonder if Diamond is regretting signing that contract so foolhardily now? I imagine she is.
Diamond's interactions with Spike and Twilight continue to impress. They're both trying to help in their own way. Though, maybe they should team up if things don't start to improve. The ending between the pair was classic. A manic Starlight and a Diamond Tiara who's trying to be difficult for the greater good is worse than Tirek, Chrysalis and every other big evil that's attacked the Equestria. Then again, Twilight did not need to share the contents of her cupboards with them. Everything gets a little worse when you have to see them in the morning after no sleep.
On Starlight, has she been hanging around Trixie? Because that's who she's sounding like. Usually she's a lot more direct. It isn't anything she wouldn't say or anything but she's saying it a lot more like an upset Trixie than an upset Starlight. Stress and her best friend being a somewhat dubious influence is starting to get to her. I still like it, if anything because it's fresh and interesting. Nothing I'd be able to do certainly, I went for a different approach... She thinks she knows what she's doing, when she really doesn't, to the point where helping her is impossible. You just have to try and hope something snaps her out of it. I'm glad Spike finally really called her out face to face on how badly she was acting. It's Starlight, but it isn't. I wonder if this has anything to do with the timeframe Diamond Tiara is from, back when Starlight was evil. You painted her much less sympathetically than most, which again changes up the consequences of past resurgences beautifully. I look forward to seeing more.
Diamond's name change is weird to see, but it is nice that it wasn't just a throwaway thing that was there for one chapter. It's going to be a constant pain until someone sorts it out. Hopefully it happens soon, before this contract can really blow up in their face, or Spoiled's plan comes into fruition. Does sort of make me wonder why Twilight can't just continue to call her Diamond, at least when Starlight isn't around. A filly needs all the help she can get when her mother is absolutely crazy. Maybe I should dig out my lead stuffed crocodile. Soft on the outside but she can swing it at Starlight when she's least expecting it. Shouldn't be too hard to get it through dimensions, right?
Overall, an enjoyable continuation to an enjoyable story. Characters a little dialed up to 11 but I don't mind. Things are moving along nicely and all of the drama is starting to come to a head. I find it fascinating to read alongside writing mine because the approaches are so radically different. Plus it gives me some ideas. Anyway, only nitpick I would say is that Starlight doesn't quite sound like herself, as I've said. If that's intentional then it's all good. If not then I'd suggest maybe going back and watching a couple of her episodes if you can. It always helps me decide how a character would react to broad situations of anger, joy, fear etc. Then it's a fairly simple matter of tweaking what you already had them saying and making it sound a little more them. The content is fine and can stay the same but the pattern and such is just a little off, more like Trixie than Starlight. Again, if that's what you're going for I'll shush up. Actually I need to shush up already and find a way to restore lost brain cells due to oxygen starvation. Don't worry, I've had to do this plenty of times. Doctor Whooves, fire up the TARDIS, I need to jump into the engine again!
Hehehe, and with that I bid thee farewell. Hope this helps and everything. Keep up the good work and most importantly, have a nice day!
In a way I....like it?, I mean I finally noticed that Starlight is supposed to get that dumb mother cliche or whatever this is, even if I dislike that.
I would actually like it if you would make a psychological problem out of this instead of Starlight just acting dumb as an interessting explanation.
I would like her to have either some kind of personal prolem with the situation or that maybe loosing her child created some kind of trauma later in her life if that makes at least a bit sense. (you would have to think about how that happened of course, since she gave her child away at that point I think).
I can accept the story to progress like this at this point and it seems more or less pretty easy to guess how this continues.
The talk that Diamond is supposed to have with Starlight, my guess it that it won't even work in the way it is supposed to do.
I think Diamond can tell her mind and make Starlight sad and understand everything, but I kind of expect her to get mad and ground her for a week or something similar that is going to hurt the small bond that they may have created till now.
8607546 Maybe so... but things are just getting started. Starlight is clearly still getting to grips with her new arrival, and the situation is obviously getting to her judging by the way she's acting out. Who knows what'll happen next? (Hint: me)
8607643 There's a lot to get through in that review, and I may well take some of your suggestion on board. But I did notice one mistake, this is not one of my shortest chapters. If you look back at some of my last ones, it's actually amongst the largest. Thanks for commenting.
8607673
Well, I don't think I'm spoiling anything, when I reveal the next chapter will be pretty dramatic. Stay tuned...
Wow...Starlight just keeps digging the hole, doesn't she?
8607686 Hehehe, yeah that's true. I guess I just thought it was shorter because I was only doing one at a time. Still, my bad. Must have been the oxygen deprivation. Oh well, all fixed now. Bleh, there was something else I wanted to say but it's in that weird space where you can't quite get to it but you just know it's there. It'll come out at some point and I'll leave another comment or something. Good luck with the next chapter.
8607686
Pity that Twilight can’t use her royal authority to declare this contract isn’t in the best interests of Diamond. Starlight seems to close herself from her friends.
Go Diamond! Give your mom a Reason Why You Suck Speech! Things can still be salvaged!
Great chapter it will be intressting to see if Sparkling aka Diamond Tiara will say or do somthing that hurt Starlights feelings and makes her go away so Diamond Tiara and Twilight have to find her just an idea can't wait for the next chapter .
You know, with her obsession on hitting the reset button on Diamond's childhood, I'm REALLY worried that when Diamond inevitably blows up at her, Starlight's really gonna lose it and start bringing her magic into the mix. From anything to removing her cutie mark so 'she can really start over' to full on mind control to bring Di in line with her slipping sanity...
The flaw in your idea, Spike, is that Starlight isn’t Twilight. You can’t expect the two of them to react the same way to whatever situation. Your outburst when Starlight was talking to Diamond probably didn’t help either.
Now that I think about it, that outburst may have hindered the idea since it took Starlight’s attention away from Diamond.
But I thought Fizzlepop Berrytwist was supposed to be the most awesome name ever.
*sigh* Starlight...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd33p2QfRgM
Starlight needs a good slap in the face to knock some sense into that thick head of hers.
Doesn't matter what kind of horseapples Spoiled fed you, Starlight, you willingly relinquished custody of your daughter to her all those years ago. You did that of your own free will, not because you were forced into it. And by the way, I imagine your "daughter" might have some choice words for you on how lowly you think of her father. For all you know, he could have a very good reason as to why he never divorced Spoiled, including the possibility that if he did, she'd get custody of the child.
i.pinimg.com/originals/9b/e5/a9/9be5a9c08d5a30bc4c219b3e5bbd078c.gif
Oh Starlight...
Spike can refer her to Diamond Tiara since that contract doesn't say on dragons.
8607695
Don't you know the only way to escape a hole is dig so far down that you come out the other side of the planet? Starlight is actually brilliant here, see if she causes enough negative emotion all the negativity will add together and become positive and thus her Daughter will love her.
8609071
I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or really clever...
On the next episode of My Secret Daughter: Diamond Tiara (or Sparkling) vs Starlight Glimmer (A.K.A. The most stubborn mother known to ponykind)!
8607695
She should be on jewel finding duty! (Better watch out for them Diamond Dogs though)
8607703
I know exactly what you mean... I hate it when that happens. I believe they call it a 'brain fart'. And, thanks.
8608064
.....yes......
8608243
First she has to read TV tropes to figure out what the heck you mean, then... why not?
8608279
There's already a plot like that in one of my other fics, but we'll see.
8608341
I love the speculation about future events! As to what'll happen, well this is the place to find out, believe it or not.
8608399
Yup. The clue is in the lack of wings on Star. Also, the validity of names can be entirely up to the individual. For example, I have a cousin called 'Dwayne'...
8608501
Damn lawyers, making all his decisions for him, even though he'd probably win in the end. Anyway 'thinking before you speak' is always a valuable skill to have...
8608545
Yep. I bet Applejack's got a sore head by now...
8608940
Perhaps. I think you put more thought into that part than me, though.
8609071
I think we have a Chemistry Major here...
8609273
Sorry, that's a bit too big to go in my chapter title section.
8609325
Alas, Garnet and crew aren't around to 'save the day' here. (BTW best gem: Peridot)
8609342
That's why I used the word 'awkward'.
I think this will end with Starlight going back in time and changing her name to Spoiled Rich
8609586
Now, that's just plain cold.
8609586
Spoiled Milk you mean...
Hey, wasn't Diamond the name of Diamond Tiara's father? (Double Diamond is her father, right?)
And "Tiara" shows "in control or in charge" just like how Starlight was in charge or in control of her former village.
Soo the name Diamond Tiara suits her, no?
Sparkling seems a little weird
Just my thoughts regarding the sudden change of name
8609586
And then she marries Fancy Pants, Twilight adopts Diamond, Celestia marries her phoenix and becomes queen.
Starlight is soooo blind about the fact that she's thinking about herself more than her daughter's well being.
8613776
I think that’s mostly due to excitement or a similar emotion. I think she just needs to calm down is all.
8608199
I see no reason why she couldn't. It's not like they're following any sort of proceedure anyway.
I'm a touch unnerved by what I've seen, to be honest. Twilight has made veiled references to actions beyond the pale in the abuse of DT, which would negate any parental rights... Except they seem to be treating children as chattel. It appears that DT is, legally, no more considered a person than a block of cheese would be. She's a piece of property, and the authorities do not appear to have any legal power to intervene in the treatment of said property.
8638228
So are you trying to make a point or something?
I really had high hopes for this story. Between the more mature interpretation of DT to the impressive portrayal of other characters, this was quickly moving up as one of my favs... But, the plot point of "Looks like things are looking up, oh wait someone did something stupid and out of character" is starting to grate. I know this is an emotional time for Starlight but her reactions here are beyond asinine and aren't very representative of the changes she has made as a character... I will still be reading, but I really hope there's more to Starlight's irrational mindset beyond what has been explained thus far...
Starlight has gone mad with power again! Get the squirt bottle
8644931
I’m pretty sure that’s not the right term for this situation. She wasn’t really mad with power before anyway, she was just misguided.
Okay, I don’t know why I didn’t ask before, but if I don’t ask at all it’s going to keep bugging me.
What was Spike thinking?
8676719
It's really small.
8683529
What is it?
Hmm, a good story premise and I am very curious for more, but Starlight needs sense brought back to her. Possibly by Trixie helping Diamond.....ya, that could work.
8779068
Do you really think Trixie would be much help considering her personality?
8779764
If effect, yes. She would be an open friend, and not a hovering teacher in Starlight's view. Add in Trixie meeting Diamond and hearing the story could add viewpoint too.
8780550
I honestly doubt Trixie’s viewpoint would help the situation.
oh, nice one!
Okay, I'm caught up. Now I miss it.
It's been more than 6 months since the last update, Placing on my Dead-Fic Shelf until it is updated.
More please
Seems like Twilight finds larger crises easier to handle than day-to-day ones.
Ever held a baseball bat, Twilight? I could always get it named "Home Run" if it would make you feel better.
"Starlight... I ask you this as a concerned friend, so please don't get mad. What has gotten into you lately? You're not acting like yourself at all! In fact, what I've heard from you of late kind of reminds me of the old Starlight. You know, the one who'd never listen to reason, the one who always had to do things her way, the one who tried to control and manipulate other ponies lives... ring any bells? If they do, I hope they wake you up to yourself soon."
Spike got a point there your basically repeating your mistakes agian starlight