Chapter 5 Part 1: A Talk Between Friends
"Starlight, just what did you think you were playing at?! You should have let me try and straighten things out first before sticking your muzzle in. I told you this before we came down here today. Now, you've possibly made a difficult situation even harder to unravel..."
"Twilight, I really appreciate everything you're doing for me right now. I could never have found Spoiled Rich without your help and have the courage to confront her in her own mansion, but try and see things from my point of view. The daughter that I lost all those years ago has been in the hooves of a deceitful monster ever since then, and I won't rest until I rectify my mistake."
"You didn't lose her, Starlight. You gave her up... there is quite a large difference, you know. Even if the 'adoption' was never made official, these two have been Diamond Tiara's parents for the last ten years or so, and we have to respect that. You can't just expect to pick up where you left off, after spending so long away. It's not like she even recognises you, either. Besides, what experience have you ever had at being a parent?"
"W-Well, n-none Twilight, but you know that already. That's why I came up with this great plan that could work for everypony! She can come and live in the castle with us, and in the same way you've taught me all about friendship, I can set about righting all the wrongs that have been done to her since I los... I mean, 'gave her up'. I won't let her stay a second longer in a clearly unsuitable environment where the 'father' is barely here, and I think we've both formed the same opinion about the so-called 'mother'..."
After Starlight's surprise proclamation that she'd be departing with her birth daughter that very day, she'd soon been marched outside by a very red-faced Twilight, leaving the two Rich's to overcome their shock in peace with the other members of the entourage. Applejack had been trying to speak softly into Filthy Rich's ear to rouse him out of his stupor, so far to no good effect. A cataclysmic bankruptcy of Barnyand Barnyards would probably have had less of a visible impact on the ailing stallion, who's only slight movement came from a small sliver of drool which now dangled freely from his frozen jaw.
As for the main instigator behind this tumult otherwise known as Spoiled Rich, the malicious glares she received from Rainbow Dash in particular and the general feeling of contempt which emanated from the others present were enough to help her conclude that perhaps it was best to keep quiet for now. There would be plenty of time for talking later on when she'd had ample opportunity to consult her lawyer, and put an end to this ridiculous farrago once and for all. They're not leaving with My Diamond. Over my dead body.
In the meantime, the alicorn and her student had managed to secure an empty room nearby (not difficult: there must've been near a hundred spare in this oversized mansion) to discuss the ongoing situation in relative privacy. Right now, Twilight was pacing up and down shaking her head an awful lot, as a resilient Starlight continued to defend her decision with gusto, refusing to back down an inch.
"Y-Yes, I think we can both agree that Mrs Rich is a little... unconventional in her approach to foal-rearing..." Twilight had learned well the language of diplomacy during her brief tenure as a princess. "... and it's also true that Filthy could've been around a lot more to stop some of her worst influences from taking shape. But what you are proposing: I have royal duties all over Equestria every single week, and Spike has his own chores to do. This'll leave you alone with Diamond for long periods of the day, and you'll have to deal with her every need. How do you expect to be able to meet her essential requirements? I mean, I know you don't like me to bring this up, but it wasn't so long ago you were living in a dark cave all by yourself, plotting mine and our friends' destruction..."
Starlight seethed slightly at the unwelcome dragging up of the unicorn's troubled past, but deep in her heart she knew her mentor had a point. "Don't you think I know that?!" she said defiantly, but with an edge of sadness. "That's why it's even more important I regain custody of her at this crucial stage of her development, so she won't fall into the same twin pitfalls I did as a filly, of bitterness and self-annihilation. I really think we can help each other, Twilight... the responsibility of looking after a little one will give me the added impetus I need to take my reformation to the next level, and in return I can provide her with the love and support she'll require to stop her from becoming... well, another me. When the time is right, I might even introduce her to her real father back at 'Our Town', or whatever they're calling it now."
"Whoa! Let's step back for a minute!" Twilight couldn't help but think things were moving forward a little too fast, and it was time to apply the brakes a tad. "I'll admit... you've been making wonderful progress in your Friendship Lessons, and your heart is clearly in the right place. But although Diamond might have been taken from you under false pretenses, you have to ask yourself: Would she have been better or worse off to stay with you back then even after everything she's been taught, when your only goal was to rule over an entire village with manipulative megalomania? Also, even though you are my valued student, and you did just help save the world from the Changeling menace, I have to be fair to the Rich's in my final judgement. Plus, we haven't even heard Diamond's feelings on the matter yet. In other words, this isn't something that'll be resolved overnight."
Starlight stopped pondering so seriously for a moment, to stare at her teacher in disbelief. "W-Wait, you mean... you get to decide where my daughter lives?! I thought you were just the Princess of Friendship. I didn't realise you held that much power."
Twilight simply shrugged her shoulders, before saying matter-of-factly: "Until this matter reaches a higher court, say in front of Celestia herself, that's the way I interpret it. Such incidences like this are exceedingly rare, so I'll have to research the exact protocol. My official title might have 'Friendship' in front of it, but when I had the honour of this role bestowed upon me, I was also given the dual duty of dealing with all problems Ponyville-related, big and small. After all, Cadence might be the 'Princess Of Love', but I don't see her role limited to helping others find romance and contentment in the Crystal Empire. In any case, you can curb your excitement if you think this means you hold any sway in my ultimate decision. Part of having such an important task is possessing the ability to be completely neutral and impartial in all aspects of the job, so don't expect any special favours. What I do next will be entirely in the interests of the child, full stop. Sorry if that disappoints you, but rules are rules."
On the verge of throwing a mini-celebration in her head at the thought of the 'judge' in the case being such a good friend, Twilight's firm rebuttal to the potential advantages posed by that notion poured cold water on Starlight's metaphysical party almost immediately. She began murmuring with annoyance under her breath, and her language wasn't exactly pleasant. Soon enough she found her head gently lifted up by a concerned Twilight, who had something very imperative to ask.
"Now, I want you to think about this very carefully... a lot more carefully than your flippant assessment inside the lounge earlier. What you decide to do now will have an impact not just on your life, but on everypony around who cares about you, and especially on the young one that you may find yourself looking after soon. Let me ask you one more time... are you absolutely one hundred per cent positive this is what you want? Would you like to go home and think about it for a while, before you make your mind up? Nopony would blame you for that considering the rapid chain of events today, which even the most level-headed of ponies would have difficulty getting their head around."
A very slight scintilla of unease did enter Starlight's previously adamantine brain at this point, as a few of the more pertinent questions she'd managed to suppress until now began to float to the surface. Am I really equipped to do this? What'll happen if I mess up? Do I really deserve a second chance with such a precious filly?
But then, another thought came into her head, a much more disturbingly graphic one. It involved a despotic Spoiled Rich laughing manically as her slave/daughter ordered legions of innocent ponies around to do her bidding, with all of Equestria under siege from the duo's tyranny. The populace were plain powerless to resist the pink filly's cutie mark, as they were herded into disparate groups and forced into work farms, all for the sake of their conquerors' greed, naturally. Because of Starlight's selfish hesitation, because she didn't do the right thing when she had the chance, Spoiled now ruled with an iron hoof. This worldwide devastation was all her fault, nopony else's. She might have stopped the destruction of everything via time travel, but in reality she was just postponing a future tragedy which some might say was even worse...
"I can't let that happen! I won't let that happen!" Starlight suddenly broke out of her perhaps somewhat over-exaggerated daydream, thrusting up one firm hoof in her resolution and almost causing the nearby Twilight to fall back in surprise.
"U-Um... are you feeling alright, Starlight?" the alicorn blinked herself back up to her stationery position, all while wearing a slightly worried expression on her face. "If the pressure is getting to you, we don't have to discuss this now..."
"On the contrary, my head hasn't been this clear for ages, Twilight!" the unicorn now seemed utterly unmoved in her stance, any remaining traces of lingering doubt long since dispersed. "The future of the world depends on it! I-I mean, I'm sure I can give my filly a good home, an excellent upbringing and most of all, get her to use her formidable powers the right way. Do you know who taught me to do that?"
A slight blush entered Twilight's cheeks upon hearing her student's heartfelt praise, but she did her best to maintain a stoic pose. "W-Well if you're absolutely committed to this course of action, then there's only two things left to do. First. we'll inform the parents that you're not going to change your mind..."
"Definitely not." Starlight nodded to indicate she fully understood.
"Then... well, I think you know what the next item on the agenda is." Twilight went to glance down mournfully at the ground, reflecting on how tough she expected the subsequent activity would be.
Starlight too, even in the midst of her inner strength reaching peak levels, felt a pang of sympathy for the little one she'd left behind all those years ago.
They'll be no easy way to do this, but it has to be done. We're about to rip a filly's world apart. I only hope I can put it back together again.
Because this next chapter is going to be so long, I'd divided it into two parts. The fireworks will arrive in the following installment, guaranteed. Think of this as just a breather for the main event. In the meantime, get ready... 
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...damn.
Starlight's heart was filled with DETERMINATION!
There were a few grammar errors and I'm still on the fence about the whole "worst case scenario" scene that Starlight had, but other than that, pretty great update/
8207498 That why I said over-exaggerated in the text, it was intentionally over the top due to Starlight's overwhelming paranoia. Also, any help with potential grammar errors would be most appreciated.
damn i need another bucket of popcorn for all this drama
Now is not the time for those kind of thoughts Starlight. You've got a filly to save! Let's hope Starlight doesn't mess things up too much.
8207485 ...yep.
8207494 Dem Undertale references tho.
8207508 Too late, Applejack's already swiped it.
8207511 Let's hope so. The upcoming reveal will be something, alright.
8207521 curse you applejack curse you
8207504 Huh... didn't notice that part. In any case, still a good update.
8207543 Yeah, she might be one of the world's most powerful unicorns, but I don't think she can foretell the future. At least, not without a certain spell. Anyway, glad you enjoyed the chapter.
I'm going to laugh so hard if Diamond's reaction to this is along the lines of, "are you kidding me? This is great news! Get me the hell out of here!" I know it won't be, but that would be awesome.
8207674 I get the feeling things might not be that easy, or convey the realistic sense of emotional depth I'm striving for here. But yeah, it would definitely be a surprise, make no mistake...
Man I just feel awful for Filthy right now.
He fell into the trap of being too absorbed in his work, but now that he sees how that was wrong and is working on fixing things, these bombshells drop threatening to destroy the relationship that is reforming. 
It's obvious that he doesn't care for Spoiled anymore and was only with her because she was Diamond's "mother." What I think should happen is they get a divorce where Spoiled has to leave the house, Filthy keeps custody of Diamond, and Starlight gets some visitation rights to give her a chance to reform her relationship with Diamond. If Diamond is able to adapt and forgive her that's great, but after some time and she still doesn't want anything to do with Starlight, that'll be tough for Starlight but she should respect Diamond's wishes at that point.
8207740 When he eventually regains his senses, he's certainly has a lot to think about. All which will be documented in the next chapter. Thanks for commenting...
Honestly, at this point Starlight is in the right and Twilight is in the wrong. I'm pretty sure with Spoilrich admitting to teaching her daughter to do things I am pretty sure are against the laws, like bullying and picking on the crippled and so on, and with Filthy Rich never home to see her or take care of her, that alone is enough to have DT pulled out of that home and placed in Foster Care.
So to have her down the road, or across town, and still have all her stuff, her friends, her same school, and even see Filthy any time they wanted.... Is that really so bad? Sure Starlight has to take care of her full time, but she wants to do that.
Just remember Starlight, not to feed her after Midnight or things will start to get Grimly!
8207825 Doesn't everypony deserve a fair trial, though? Tune in next time to see how it all pans out...
I have a feeling that Diamond Tiara is not going to be happy with Twilight's decision.
8207847 I think whatever happens in this sort of situation, there are always going to be winners and losers. Life is sometimes messy, like that...
8207847 Well like Twilight said she has to make the decision that is best for Diamond Tiara. I doubt anypony will be fully satisfied.
8207827 Depends on where you live. In america for example. If a Case Worker were to come by and simply believe the household isn't good enough for the child, he has the power to call the cops and have the child removed from the household right then and there. It's a problem my Aunt and Uncle have to deal with for life now, because when they had their first child and was leaving the hospital, my Uncle was holding the child and not my Aunt, and the staff called the police on him, thinking he was stealing the child away.
From that point on, even tho the 'situation' was rectified, they were investigated by government and have to have a caseworker over to inspect their family and house every couple of weeks, and while their child, and the 2 born years later, were growing up had to have a caseworker come over a few times each week to play with and check on the young child. And this will effect my aunt and uncle all their life till they stop having children and all the children are over 18. All cause while walking out of the hospital to take my aunt and first born home, my uncle was the one holding their child.
And that isn't nearly as complicated as this situation is.
8207866 Well, I'm sorry to hear about your family's problems, but in the MLP world as far as I'm aware most of the important decisions are made by the princesses. And, being the fair and just society they allegedly preside over, most matters of this magnitude require some kind of trial. At least, that's the way I see it, and I don't think canon contradicts me in that.
Anyway, I have a very firm idea of how the next chapter will go, so wait and see what the final denouement is to this convoluted case...
8207871 Remember that MLP World also has a big thing about Friendship and Harmony. Enough where Starlight going back and breaking up 1 friendship, That is totally not important to anything at all, broke the universe and cause worse and worse world each time she did it. xD. Friendship is very important. So Spoiled Rich teaching her 'daughter' to crush friendships? Oooo, got to be like the worse possible crime you can commit!
8207877 Well, you could say that Starlight is at least making an effort to get better, whereas Spoiled is far more stubborn in her ways. Some people thought that Starlight was too easily forgiven at the end of S5, but I'm just going by the opinion of the ponies in the show, which is that they let bygones be bygones pretty quickly and allowed her to join their little group without much of an issue at all.
Anyway, in terms of redeeming herself, Starlight has helped save both the Crystal Empire from implosion and all of Equestria from the Changelings. I don't see Spoiled achieving a similar sort of feat, somehow...
8207521 Sounds good to me.
Well this is going to be a messy three way brawl... hopefully Starlight, Filthy, perhaps even Diamond herself can neutralize any chance of Spoiled laying claim on Diamond in the coming fiasco, before slugging it out with each other as I fear is probably going to happen.
Of course that's dependent on them following a rational actor model, and I have a feeling their going to be as rational about this as Pinkie Pie in Willie Wonka's factory or Discord in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes...
It is good to see Starlight hasn't completely forgotten about Double Diamond. He should at least know that he has a daughter.
This is going to be a bumpy ride...
Brace for impact
8207825 Removing Diamond Tiara from the Rich's custody might be the legally correct option, but I don't think that means Starlight would automatically be legally intitled to custody of said filly. Remember, she gave up Diamond Tiara, and although she has lots of friends she could ask for support, she is still very much unstable and may not have the most suitable living quarters to raise a child. Plus, even if she's turned over a new leaf now, her past will definitely have to be taken into consideration. The most likely outcome would be a third party, foster care, at least until it could be decided whether her biological mother or her adopted family could maintain custody of her.
Starlight's emotions are seriously clouding her judgement. Spoiled herself stated how she raised her daughter and even encouraged Diamond's behavior. Take Diamond out of her current situation and try to find a neutral party to foster Diamond until this entire quagmire has been settled.
8208220 As you probably won't be surprised to learn, things aren't quite that simple, especially when the emotional fallout begins. Check out the next chapter to find out why...
And what you just described at the end of your post there sounds like another fic entirely. A sort of Orange Is The New Black set in Ponyville. A great idea for a story, but please don't give me any more... I'm snowed under with work as it is.
Starlight has this unfortunate habit of using magic to solve her problems by brute forcing the world into the shape she wants it. That means that there is no upper limit to how stupid her plans might get, right up to and including a breach of the First Law of Time.
8208230 Well, no pony is flawless. Twilight has her neuroses, Rainbow's a bit of a hothead, and Starlight can be more than a little impulsive. This is actually a good thing, after all... who wants a TV show full of perfect ponies?
8208286 Okay, I've got rid of the 'boldface' on chapter one. I'm also going to try and ween it out of my future chapters unless I consider it to be absolutely necessary. I'm still learning the writing trade all the time and you're right, it can distract from the story somewhat. Also, you just taught me a new word. Woo hoo!
8207967 I wouldn't just want to have her entering a relationship that wasn't serious in hear eyes jusr because of the Filly, but I agree with the fact that he maybe should know about it, at least if Diamonds wants to know it. I could image that Diamond likes at least Filty Rich enough to maybe call him her real father.
I feel like Twilight was a bit unfair oncw or twice, but she also had some good reasons.
I mean Diamond could still visit both of them if Filthy should disvorce himself from Spoiled.
Sorry for my bad english. I probably made some grammar mistakes right now.
Great chapter I hope you can update soon please
8208321
Oh, I didn't mean that Starlight should enter a relationship with Double Diamond. Just that he should be made aware of Diamond Tiara.
okay keep in mind i have a personal dislike for both sides of this case, but i'm saying this now, twilight legally wouldn't be allowed to judge this case, no matter her verdict it is questionable at best, either she is favoring her student or attempting to not favor her and thus looking biased against her, if twilight continues down this path she well be called out by celestia and luna and likely reprimanded, that's a statement of fact not possibility, she should not be trying this case. it's especially apparent she lacks the competency when she calls filthy riches borderline child abuse parenting style as unorthodox.
It's a good thing this doesn't have a romance tag, because otherwise I'd be worried this would become a partial Glimlight shipfic, which would just interfere with the main plot.
(That, and I ship Flashlight and StarBurst hardcore).
As for this line:
Literally the only name it has in the show is simply "Starlight's Old Village"... which is kind of amusing.
8208863 I'm sure that in a case like this Celestia has every confidence in her student to make the right call regardless of bias, and the fact that Twilight called Spoiled's parenting 'unconventional' shouldn't be counted against her. She was just trying to reference the case without appearing too 'political' at this early stage, if she did start using more descriptive language I'd say her judgement really would be called into question. Of course this is all just speculation, tune in next time to see how events actually do 'go down'.
8208909 I think it's safe to say that this fic's main focus won't be on any potential romances, so no worries there...
Buckle up cause we're going for a ride!
Here we go...
8208723 I agree, but maybe only if Diamond wants it too. It probably is like Twilight said, she maybe doesn't wants to know and could hate another Pony trying to be her father.
I'm not sure what you are going to say about that, but I don't want a "they are ponies so they like each other" reason.
I hope I don't sound mean with that.
To be honest I don't need him in this story too, if he has to be there than not in a romance before we get a reason to like this character.
I was thinking about it and maybe it would even be interessting if Filthy would somehow get a crush on Starlight.
I would want it to start from his side and that Starlight isn't just suddenly blushing, accepting his possible feelings or making out with him after the first or third date before getting to know each other, because they think it has to be like that or something.
Long story short if it happens I would prefer a slow and serious romance to start. I'm trying to describe something that maybe starts of as a possible friendship and that they maybe don'T even like the idea before slowly noticing the good sides from each other if you know what I mean. I don't think I'm able to describe it better right now.
8208989 As far as I understand it she still has to inform Celestia or to actually look into it, what she is supposed to do in the first place right now. At least she mentioned that she doesn't knew for sure that she is allowed to do it right?
8209822 I meant I'm sure Celestia has confidence in Twilight 'generally'... why else would she make her into an alicorn?
And nope, Celestia hasn't been informed yet, I wouldn't leave a crucial detail like that out of the text...
8209824
I know it depens on how you write it and who you ask it, but I remember those stories that say Celestia wants less work, is lazy or whatever.
I don't want to say I see it the same way, but I like to think she could have at least asked Twilight before making her a princess and kind of forcing her into that position and yes of course it didn't looked like that and Twilight just accepted it as a part of the show meant for kids.
One story made me think Twillight could be even that obsessed with Celestia that she starts to do that kind of stuff to please her. I'm not only thinking that way, but I like stories that aren't only thinking of her as the sagely and allknowing being. No matter how old she is, the worst thing that could have happened is that she learned to view the world in a wrong way and think of "possible wrong decisions she makes" as the one true thing to do.
A long time I just accepted the "they are old so they know better" reason, but what if you have some mental problems or just learned the wrong stuff, does that still makes you better and more clever if you are older? Honestly I'm not sure why that comment suddenly goes in that directions, so I hope you aren't accidently offended.
Starlight freaking out and taking Diamond in her arms, was probably one moment that made her befriending Diamond a bit more difficult since the first impression was a bad one. I'm curious if when it finally happens and they have a moment alone Starlight could be actually quite nervous, maybe even more than Diamond, that would probably a cute and heartfelt moment.
I`m not sure yet but maybe it would be strange if Starlight would be the only one not nervous or having everything under control if they meet.
I can't explain it or remember it correctly since I was reading on my handy in the garden, but I believe i thought it was a bit unfair of Twilight to say Starlight doesn't know how to be a mother if everyone has to learn it first and at least Diamond could tell her what she wants already.
I just hope you doesn't plan to let the story end completely the moment the adoption happens. I hate it if that stuff happens only in the final moments of a story I want more of that slice of life stuff.
I'd love for there to be this big fuss about it and then when they finally get around to telling Diamond Tiara she's like 'Uhuh, cool, can I go now?'
Damn. This was good. I liked it, a lot. Starlight really can have a one track mind at times and I like how you used that here. Gives off the idea that she might be biting off more than she can chew but at the same point biting off more than she can chew might be just what is needed. The blow up next chapter will tell all.
Starlight’s little fantasy about Spoiled and Diamond was weird. Interesting weird though and if she really does think that it is such an important deal then yeah... she’s gonna do what she thinks she has to. That was a very exaggerated scenario but before Crusaders of the Lost Mark, Diamond really was on the fast track to being the next Scrooge. Incredibly rich and influential but bitterly lonely and unloved by all. So I’m with Starlight, on the whole, get her away from Spoiled. Though I think she is going about it in completely the wrong way I can see where she’s coming from. She’s determined to the point of madness but the little line at the end was appreciated. She knows that what she’s about to do is going to be horrendous on two people in particular. Diamond and Filthy. I just hope both of them don’t get too caught up in the crossfire between Spoiled and Starlight.
This scene was a nice little breather yeah. Just two characters talking with most of the focus being on them. There was still a little hint of the other characters but I’m sure they’ll be explored later. After they get over the shock of course. Twilight taking on the role as mediator is a nice touch. She’s the more logical one in this situation and wasn’t afraid to give Starlight a bit of a reality check. She wasn’t afraid to yell or bring up the bad stuff. However, at the same point, she was still the pillar of support, both able to and willing to soften the blow a little. It was cute and kinda how I see their dynamic...when Twilight isn’t being over obsessed, i.e when Celestia isn’t involved. I’m interested to see where it’ll go when she has to step back and be a Princess rather than a friend. As she said, she has to be completely impartial. Which might be sort of difficult when you live with one of the parties. Particularly the highly emotional, highly impulsive and freakishly powerful party. This chapter just leaves me with a lot of interesting speculation, to be honest.
One thing I do want to mention briefly is just how interesting this story is becoming. The narrative is really coming into the light and I want to see what’s going to happen more and more. It’s a very different take to what I’m attempting personally and that just fascinates me. Almost everything about the entire scenario is opposing, to the point where it’s almost like two trains starting at a station and then blasting completely different ways. The ending destinations may be worlds apart or they might be right next to each other... Hehe, only time will tell. Anyway, off that subject and back onto this story.
I really enjoyed this chapter, just as a way to kind of tone back all the action and give both the characters and the readers a bit of a reality check. One that comes in the form of a talk rather than a mental breakdown,
. Good job on this. I don’t really have anything negative to say if I’m honest. Starlight is still coming on a little strong but if this is what you’re going for then this is what you’re going for. It certainly works and stress is definitely a factor here. Plus, as I said before, she’s impulsive so yeah this is totally something she’d blurt out. I don’t think you’ve really captured her self-doubt yet. In many ways, she’s her own worst enemy. I have a feeling that will happen later when she finds herself really in the deep end of things. If it does I’ll be satisfied and if it doesn’t I’ll be happy anyway. I have confidence that you know what you’re doing and as you said before, everyone has different takes on different characters and my take is no more right than yours is. Overall just keep up the good work and I will stop rambling now. Have a nice day!
8207485
I second that.
~ Super-Brony12
Thank you for continuing to be the voice of reason in all of this.
... aaaand you're slipping there, Twi.
That's actually a pretty tough situation and putting diamond tiara is a very hard for her to change lives I just hope things will work out I mean it's gonna be very hard especially for a child