> Diamond Tiara of The Royal Guard
>  by Hopeful_Ink_Hoof
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The sound of the bell echoed through the halls, signaling an end of the school day.  The students quickly made their way from their classrooms, meeting up with friends to figure out what to do with the rest of their day.

One such mare -- a yellow earth pony with a red mane -- was otherwise occupied.  Although she headed toward the lockers to meet up with her friends, her attention was elsewhere.  Specifically, she was watching a rather unenthusiastic looking pink earth mare who was walking toward the school doors alone with her head down.

It was a surprisingly odd sight to see that particular pony in that particular kind of mood.

The thoughts were interrupted when the mare in question was out of sight and the distracted one felt something fleshy bump against her chest.

Turned out that something fleshy was an orange-brown flank.

"Hey!" the owner of the flank shouted before turning around.  "What the hay, Bloom?"

"Oh,"  Apple Bloom said with a shake of her head, "sorry, Babs.  I was kind of noticing something."

Babs Seed narrowed her eyes and smirked.

"Really?" she said with a grin.  "Was it the flank of a stallion?"

"No," Bloom snapped, cheeks turning red.

"A mare?"

"No!"

Babs grinned and threw a foreleg around Apple Bloom, pulling her into a hug.

"I'm just teasing you, cuz.  You know I love you."

"What's this?" a voice called out.

Apple Bloom and Babs Seed both turned toward the source.  Standing there was a bright orange pegasus with a spiky violet mane.  She stared at the two with her eyes wide as she pressed a hoof to her chest.  Behind her, a white unicorn with pink and lavender mane rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"One of my best friends," the pegasus moaned out, "and my girlfriend, cuddling each other.  Behind my back.  How could you?"

"That wasn't funny the first time, Scoots," Apple Bloom said, rolling her own eyes, "and it's less funny each time you say that."

Scootaloo let out a gasp and clutched at her chest as she dropped back into a sitting position.

"Sweetie Belle," Scootaloo cried out, turning to look at her white unicorn friend.  "Did you hear what she said to me?!"

"Sweetie," Apple Bloom called out.  "Do you know where Silver Spoon is?"

Sweetie Belle looked away from Scootaloo and toward Apple Bloom, raising an eyebrow.

"I think she was heading to the gym to meet up with Pip or something.  Why?"

Instead of answering, Apple Bloom turned and started walking quickly down the hallway.  The other three watched her a moment, looked back and forth between each other, then chased after her.

Apple Bloom made her way through the halls quickly, going against the ponies that were leaving.  Soon, she caught sight of the two ponies she was looking for: A gray mare with a silver mane, and a white stallion with brown spots of fur and mane.

"Silver Spoon," Apple Bloom called out.  "Silver Spoon."  She came to a stop, her hooves skidding along the linoleum floor.  The pair turned to look at the new arrival.  Silver Spoon -- the gray mare with silver mane -- looked over the edges of her glasses Apple Bloom.

"Do you know what's bothering Diamond Tiara?" Bloom asked.

"That's what this is about?" Scootaloo shouted out as she and the others caught up with Apple Bloom.  "That's what this is about?  Diamond Tiara?"

"Well...." Apple Bloom shifted, "....yeah.  She just seemed, really sad."

"So?" Scootaloo snapped.  "Why should you care?"

"We've known her for years," Bloom replied.

"And she picked on us for most of them!"  Scootaloo's wings flared out as she practically shouted, stomping one of her hooves for emphasis.

Babs Seed took a step closer to the pegasus and put a hoof on her back.  She rubbed gently, moving her hoof back and forth at the base of the wings.  The sensation caused Scootaloo to relax some, her wings slowly folding back up against her sides.

"It's alright," Babs said in as soothing a tone as she could manage.

Scootaloo sighed and rubbed her forehead.

"Sorry," she finally said.  "It's just... Diamond Tiara was never really friendly toward us.  She made fun of us for not having our cutie marks, my not being able to fly, Sweetie Belle's magic -- and her dating Spike -- and pretty much the entire Apple family.  For crying out loud, everypony knows that the only reason she's dating Snails is because of his looks."

"Actually," Pipsqueak interrupted, "it seems that she broke up with him yesterday."

"What?!" all five mares called out, making the young stallion cringe slightly.

"Can't really tell you any more," he added.  "Snails mentioned it but didn't really give any clue as to why.  Sorry."

"Okay," Sweetie Belle said, "now I'm curious as well."  She turned to Silver Spoon.  "Do you know anything about it?"

Silver Spoon shifted, moving away from the other mares and hiding slightly behind Pipsqueak.  She chewed on her lower lip as she looked toward the wall.

"I know... part of it," she finally replied.  "It's... also why I'm probably not the best pony to ask for the full story.  Diamond Tiara and I haven't talked since Friday."

Pipsqueak's eyes went wide with understanding.  He opened his mouth wide in a silent "ah" of understanding as he gave a slight nod.

"What happened Friday?" Babs asked, finding herself becoming curious about the matter as well.

Silver Spoon's ears drooped as her head dropped slightly, leaning against Pipsqueak.

"We had a fight," she finally said.  "She was talking about... something or other... and I told her that I was already sending applications to Canterlot for jobs.  The idea was I would have one ready and waiting this summer.  That way I can move there with Pip while he starts his training with the Royal Guard."

There was silence as Apple Bloom, Babs Seed, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle all watched Silver Spoon.

"I'm not entirely sure what happened next," Silver Spoon continued.  "Before I knew it, we were yelling at each other, and she was calling me a traitor.  I got so mad I yelled... something about her life and her dad.  I think it was about how her future was all planned out.

"Whatever the case, it made her furious.  She just... stormed off.  We haven't talked to each other since."

Pipsqueak moved and hugged Silver Spoon, pulling her close.

"So," Apple Bloom said slowly, "you tell Tiara you're moving away, you two have a fight, and then she broke up with Snails?"

She gave a shake of her head and turned to start walking down the hall again.

"You're going to talk to her, aren't you?" Sweetie Belle asked as she moved to catch up with her friend.

"Yeah," Apple Bloom replied.  "You don't have to come.  Probably better if I try alone all the same."

"Okay.  I'll come by the farm after practice with Spike.  If I don't find you there, we'll mount a rescue mission."

Apple Bloom grinned, and let out a chuckle.

"Thanks, but I don't think I'm going to need it."

"Okay," Sweetie Belle replied with a shrug.  "We'll help you hide the body then."
> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Diamond Tiara laid in her bed, staring up at the ceiling.  The curtains had been drawn across her windows, putting the room in shadows, but not complete darkness.  Music came from her record player, but more for some background noise than to actually listen to any of it.

A knock at the door interrupted her brooding.

"Go away!" she shouted.

There was a click of the nob shifting and the faint sound of the door opening.

Diamond Tiara let out a groan and rolled to face away from the entering pony.

"That is the opposite of what I said," she growled.

"Hello," a feminine voice called out.

Diamond Tiara let out a groan, rolling her eyes as she recognized the voice of Apple Bloom.

"What are you doing here?"

Apple Bloom's hooves tapped against the floor as she walked into the room and moved closer to the bed.

"I noticed that you kind of looked sad at school today," Apple Bloom said in a soft voice as she got closer.  "I heard about the fight with Silver Spoon and breaking up with Snails."

"Great," Diamond Tiara snapped.  "You're all caught up.  Can you go away and leave me alone now?"

"No," Apple Bloom replied.  "I'm pretty sure something else is going on with you, Di."

"Don't call me that."

"You've had fights with Silver Spoon before," Bloom continued.  "And we all figured you would break up with Snails sooner or later.  There has to be something more to get you like this."

Diamond Tiara let out a long sigh of frustration and lifted her head to look at Apple Bloom from the corner of her eye before responding.

"Even if I wanted to talk about -- which I don't -- it wouldn't be to you."

She then flopped back down on the bed.

"Beside, you wouldn't understand anyways."

"Hey," Apple Bloom snapped.  "I may not be as smart as Sweetie Belle, but I'm not stupid."

"It's not because you're an idiot you idiot!" Diamond Tiara yelled, sitting up and facing Apple Bloom to glare at her outright.

"...oh..."  Apple Bloom said gently, ears pulling back and cheeks turning pink with embarrassment.  She cleared her throat before speaking in a clearer voice.

"So, why do you think I won't understand?"

"You just wouldn't," Tiara replied with a huff as she flopped back down.

The mattress underneath her shifted, causing her to move back slightly.  She felt the warm, soft form of another pony now lying in the bed next to her.

"You're not going to leave me alone until I talk to you, are you?" Diamond Tiara asked, grumbling.

"Nope,"  Apple Bloom said (and Diamond Tiara could just hear that stupid smirk in her voice), "and I can wait all day if I have to.  So you might as well just give up and tell me now."

Diamond Tiara let out a snort and stared at the wall.  She set her jaw and focused.  Because she would be damned if she would let somepony -- especially her of all ponies -- break her.

"Although," Apple Bloom said in a slow voice, "if I stay long enough, Sweetie Belle will come looking for me.  She'd probably bring Spike with her too.  Since they would go by the farm first, they would probably get my cousin, and Scootaloo might be there as well.  So that's four others who would have to come by to find out what's wrong.  Then if I end up having to stay the nig-"

"Alright!" Diamond Tiara shouted.  "Fine!  You win."  She let out a groan.  "I swear, you must have taken lessons from Pinkie Pie or something."

"Yup," Apple Bloom said with a grin.  "So you may as well start spillin'."

With a final sigh, Diamond Tiara sat back up and turned to face Apple Bloom fully.

"Let me ask you something: what are you doing after graduation?"

What's that have to do with anything? Apple Bloom wondered as she stared at Diamond Tiara.  A part of Bloom thought about the past, and could not help but suspect that maybe this was a ploy by Tiara to make fun of her.

"I'm opening my own business,"  Apple Bloom finally answered.  "I call it 'Apple Wood Carpentry.'  Applejack is even-"

"Okay," Diamond Tiara interrupted, holding up a hoof.  "What about your cousin?"

"Babs?  She's gonna be helping around the farm and my business."

"And Scootaloo?"

"Scoots?"  Apple Bloom asked.  "What does she have to do with anything?"

"Just answer the question," Diamond Tiara said.

"She's going to be working as a delivery mare.  Use her scooter and the ol' wagon to take packages and such.  Least until she can figure how to get ponies interested in her stunts."

"And your little dictionary marshmallow is going to head off to some great city to sing I bet."

"Well,"  Apple Bloom rubbed at the back of her head, "she and Spike are planning on trying to do a performance in The Crystal Empire."

Diamond Tiara stared, saying nothing.  It started to make Apple Bloom uncomfortable.  In a way, the music made it worse since it gave her a way to measure how much time was passing.

"That's why I don't think you would understand," Diamond Tiara stated, making Apple Bloom jump slightly.  "You and the other... what did you call yourselves?  'Blank Flank Fighters?'"

"Cutie Mark Crusaders," Apple Bloom answered.

"Right.  Anyway, now that you all got your marks and are graduating, you all have these big dreams of great things that you want to do.  All because you want to do them."

Apple Bloom tilted her head, raising one eyebrow as she looked at Diamond Tiara curiously.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

A snarl appeared on Diamond Tiara's face.

"It has to do with the fact that..."

She stopped, ears drooping as the anger suddenly drained from her.  She looked away from Apple Bloom, looking down at her sheets.  Closing her eyes, Diamond Tiara took a deep breath, and slowly let it out.

"It has to do with the fact that I realized I never had that choice," she finished in a calmer voice.

Apple Bloom blinked as she stared at Diamond Tiara.  The statement and change in mood had thrown her for a loop.

"I don't understand."

"I told you so."  Diamond Tiara closed her eyes, rubbing at her forehead with one hoof.  "It's not something you would understand because it's not something you've ever been through.

"Okay, Silver Spoon told you we had a fight, right?"

Apple Bloom nodded, biting back a retort she found herself having.

"Did she tell you what she said before I walked away?"

"No."  Apple Bloom shook her head.  "She mentioned something about your dad, but..."

She stopped talking as Diamond Tiara held up a hoof.  Diamond Tiara then straightened up and cleared her throat.

"'I'm sorry,'" she said in an almost perfect imitation of Silver Spoon. "'We can't all be so lucky as to have Daddy give us the family business when we get older.'"

"Wow," Apple Bloom said softly, her eyes wide.  "I think that's one of the meanest things I've ever heard Silver Spoon say.  Well... when you aren't trying to get her to bully somepony with you, that is."

"But she was right," Diamond Tiara said.

She flopped back onto the bed and looked up at the ceiling.

"That was what made it so effective.  It was true.

"Since I was small, one of the things I was always told was that I would inherit Barnyard Bargains and all the other businesses my father owns.  Just like he inherited it from his father, who got it from his father, who started it all when Ponyville was founded over a hundred years ago."

Apple Bloom shifted, moving closer.

"So, that's not what you want?"

"That's just it," Diamond Tiara replied, throwing her front hooves up.  "I don't know.  I never even thought about it.  It's been what I was told for so long, I never considered anything else.  I was just told and taught that it was what I was going to do, so I never bothered to question it."

Apple Bloom shifted.

"So... you're not sure if that's what you want any more."

"Yes."

"What would you want to do instead?"

Diamond Tiara stared at Apple Bloom a long moment, considering the question.  She then rolled over, looking at the wall instead.

"That's what I've been thinking about since."

"And?"

".... I don't know..."
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Diamond Tiara's head struck the desk with an audible thump.  The feeling caused her to jerk back up, shaking herself.  She looked up at the clock.  Just a few more minutes.

She tried to listen to the teacher, really she did.  It was just that between not getting any sleep last night, and the teacher's droning on about a subject she honestly did not care about, Diamond Tiara found it difficult to stay awake.  Why was she even taking this stupid class?

Then she remembered: her dad had strongly encouraged her to take certain classes that would help her learn some of the basics she would need to work at -- and eventually inherit -- Rich Industries.  It was not her choice that had led her here, it was her dad's.

The sound of the school bell signaling lunch sent a thrill of energy through Diamond Tiara, and a surge of dread.  Grabbing her stuff, she made her way out of the room and down the halls as quickly as she could without getting in trouble.  Her eyes scanned the ponies around her, looking for a specific one.

That was when she saw her...and froze.

What she had in mind -- what she was planning to do -- was not something Diamond Tiara was used to.  Now that she thought about it, had she ever done it before?  If so, it was something she had forgotten about.

Stifling a yawn, she gathered up her courage and moved forward.  As she went, she adjusted her path, making sure that she was seen.

It was almost a relief when Silver Spoon looked up and saw her.  Almost.  Diamond Tiara gave a slight smile and waved a hoof.  She watched as Silver Spoon moved away from Pipsqueak and started to approach her.

Now, Diamond Tiara just needed to figure out how to do something she had never sincerely done before: apologize.

"Hey," Diamond Tiara said.

"Hey," Silver Spoon replied.

"Uhm..." Tiara shifted.  "About..."

"I know."  Silver Spoon smiled.

Diamond Tiara smiled back and held out her hoof.  Spoon reached out with her own to tap it.

"Bump!" the pair said together.  While the pair may had left most of their signature hoofshake behind as they grew older, the two friends could not abandon it completely.

Diamond Tiara's grin was interrupted by another yawn.  The two started walking toward the cafeteria again, getting in line for food.

"So," Silver Spoon asked slowly, "did Apple Bloom really..."

"Came right to my house," Diamond Tiara answered, "came in my room, and refused to leave until I talked to her."

This got a grin and chuckle from Silver Spoon.  Diamond Tiara smiled back, but nowhere near as happily.

"I'm going to miss you," she blurted out.  "You've been my best friend for years and stayed with me through some... incredibly stupid and immature things."  She let out a sigh.  "I guess I just always thought you would be there."

"I'm still your friend," Silver Spoon responded, "and I always will be.  We're going our separate ways to follow our dreams, but we'll always be close.  Visiting, and letters, and such."

"Yeah," Diamond Tiara conceded.  "Except only one of us will be following our dream."

The statement made Silver Spoon freeze, turning to look at Diamond Tiara curiously.

"What do you mean?"

"After Apple Bloom left," Tiara explained, "I ended up lying awake all night thinking."

What would you like to do instead?

...I don't know...

"And I realized something."

"What was it?" Silver Spoon asked.

Diamond Tiara looked around the cafeteria, watching all the others.  There was so much excitement.  So much joy.  And why not?  It was the last week of school after all.  So many of the ponies around them would be going off into the world, making new lives as fully grown mares and stallions.

"I don't want Barnyard Bargains," Diamond Tiara finally replied.  "I don't think I ever did."

"You don't?" Silver Spoon stopped and looked directly at Diamond Tiara.  "But... but you used to talk about how you were going to inherit all that money.  How you were going to run Barnyard Bargains-"

"To become the richest and most powerful pony in Ponyville," Diamond Tiara finished.  "I remember.  I also planned on showing Apple Bloom and her friends who was the boss once and for all."

She stomped her hoof and ground into against the wood of the floor.

"That never happened though.  As for the rest..."  she looked around again.  "We have a team of living legends that started in this very town, and our own princess.  A princess, Spoon."

She sighed rubbing at her head.

"Besides, if I did take over and manage to make it bigger and more powerful, what would I do with it?"

"You never cared about that before," Silver Spoon said.

"I know," Diamond Tiara responded.

Silver Spoon looked at her friend, waiting and listening.  Several seconds passed without Diamond Tiara saying anything.

"What do you want then?" Silver Spoon finally asked.

"I'm not entirely sure," Diamond Tiara admitted.  "I... I want to leave a mark on Equestria.  I want to do something that will have ponies talking about me for years.  I want to..."

Her ears perked up and she grinned.

"I want to be a hero," she announced.

"...a...hero...?" Silver Spoon said, staring over the top of her glasses at her friend.  "How are you going to do that?"

"You don't think I could?"

Silver Spoon rubbed her chin, thinking about it.

"Well..." she said as she considered the question.  "You have always been good at finding a ponies weakness and how to use it to your advantage.  Plus you definitely know how to tell others what to do."

Diamond Tiara could not help but grin.  Silver Spoon had always been capable of diplomacy.  That was the nicest way anypony could possibly describe her bullying and being bossy.

"But you've never actually been in a fight," Silver Spoon continued, "and I'm pretty sure you have no training in it."

That was a valid point.  She had been taught a lot of things, but fighting was not one of them.  Although there had been a few close -- very close -- calls, Diamond Tiara had never actually been in a fight (even if only because somepony else was there to stop another from attacking her).  She was going to have to learn how to fight.  Even better if she could somehow get paid for it.

"The Royal Guard," she suddenly stated.

"What about them?"

"I'm going to join them," Diamond Tiara announced.

"What?!"

"It's perfect."  She turned to Silver Spoon, grinning.  "I can join Princess Twilight's royal guard, letting me train while staying here in Ponyville.  They'll teach me how to fight, and even pay me while they do it.  Then after I finish the minimum term of service, I could do whatever I want."

Her gaze shifted as she imagined it all.

"I could work for nobles as a bodyguard or part of a security team.  I could become a traveling adventurer like Daring Do, a bounty hunter, or some sort of mercenary.  I could even stay in the guard, or transfer to Canterlot or The Crystal Empire.  The opportunities are limitless."

"I don't think I would go that far," Silver Spoon responded.  "Besides, I don't think it's going to be that easy.  Pipsqueak has been training to join The Royal Guard for years."

Diamond Tiara let out a snort.

"That's for Princess Luna's guards in Canterlot.  It's probably easier to join here since there are fewer volunteers.  Plus, I doubt everypony that wants to join the guard trains for years beforehoof.  If they did, the guard wouldn't need to train them once they joined."

Silver Spoon rolled her eyes and shook her head, but said nothing.

"It's decided, then," Diamond Tiara proclaimed as she grabbed her lunch.  "Today after school, I will sign up to join The Royal Guard for Princess Twilight, and begin training as soon as I graduate."

She grinned as she trotted through the cafeteria, looking for a place to sit.

"I wonder how high I'll get promoted when they see how great I am."
> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Today was a big day for a part of the Ponyville population: the last day of school.  More importantly for some, it was graduation day.  There may have still been a few days until the ceremony, but school was over.

As such, an entire school year class was celebrating that they were now out of school.  No longer did they have to worry about homework, group projects, tests, or studying.  Admittedly, some of them would have to go through it all again in college, but that would be different, and was all the way after the end of summer.  They were not thinking about that, or the fact that so many others would have to start working at jobs soon.  Tonight, they were celebrating the fact that they were now adults who were finished with school and had no responsibilities.  They were grown-up and free!

In what had once been a barn at Sweet Apple Acres, three friends were getting ready to have a big party to celebrate.  As soon as the last two of the expected guests arrived, the five of them would start to have fun.

A knock at the door drew the attention of the three ponies.

"Who could that be?" Babs Seed asked as she looked at the door.  Neither Sweetie Belle nor Spike would knock.  They would simply come in.

"I'll get it," Apple Bloom announced as she headed over to do so.

"Diamond Tiara?" she called out as she saw the young mare standing on the other side.  "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" Scootaloo asked, her voice a growl as she glared at the young mare.

Diamond Tiara shifted, her red eyes looking down at the ground.  She ran the tip of her hoof through the dirt, drawing small circles.

"I... uhm... well..."

She sighed and rolled her eyes, giving a shake of her head.

"Oh, forget it."  She turned and started to walk away.  "This was a mistake.  A stupid mistake.  Just... do me a favor and forget you saw me tonight.  Okay?"

She walked away from the barn, pushing her way past Sweetie Belle and a purple and green dragon that was a head taller than her while standing on all fours.

"Spike!" Apple Bloom shouted.  "Grab her!"

Rearing up on his hind legs, Spike reached out and grabbed Diamond Tiara, picking her up off the ground.

"Hey!" Tiara cried out as she was picked up.  "Put me down!"

"Bring her inside," Apple Bloom said.

Spike gave a nod and carried Diamond Tiara toward the barn.  Sweetie Belle moved to look at the captured pony, grinning at her.

"You might as well just accept it," she stated.  "Spike's a big, strong, tough dragon -- " she grinned as she watched the dragon blush and puff his chest out "-- and you know how Apple Bloom can be."

Diamond Tiara glared at Sweetie Belle, letting out a huff, but stopped struggling.  Once she was inside and the door was shut, she was finally set down.

"So what brings you here?" Apple Bloom asked again, giving Diamond Tiara a gentle smile.

"Nothing," Diamond Tiara snapped.  "Like I said: this was bad idea.  Just let me go and forgot you saw me tonight, okay?"

"Hold on."  Apple Bloom took a step forward.  "You came out all this way.  Why don't you stay a while and celebrate graduation with us?"

"What?" Scootaloo yelped, wings flaring.  She gave them a flap as she jumped from where she had been to the doors, getting face to face with Apple Bloom.

"Now you're inviting her to hang out with us?  What the ever-loving buck, Bloom?"

"It's a big day," Apple Bloom replied in a calm voice, taking a step back from the angry pegasus.  "No pony should spend it alone."

"You know what?" Diamond Tiara yelled, causing all the others in the room to turn her.  She pointed a hoof at Apple Bloom.  "I don't need your pity, and I don't need your charity.  I'll find some other place to stay the night."

She turned toward the doors.

"Now get of my way!"

Sweetie Belle stepped forward.

"A place to stay the night?" she asked in a soft voice.  "Why are you looking for a place to stay?"

Diamond Tiara froze, eyes going wide.  She had not even intended to let that slip.  She looked around, realizing that all eyes were on her.

"Look," she growled.  "It's none of your business.  So just let me get out of here, and you can go on with your stupid party."

"Babs?" Apple Bloom said as she turned to look at her cousin.  "I think we might need to break out the surprise early."

"I'm on it,"  Babs replied as she headed toward the back.

The room turned quiet as the others waited for Babs Seed to come back, curiosity building as they now not only wondered what was going on with Diamond Tiara, but what the "surprise" could be.

The silence was interrupted by the tinkling of glass.  Babs came back into view, carrying a wooden crate filled with bottles.

"Surprise," Babs announced as she set the box down for all of them.  "Apple Bloom and I would like to present to you: Sweet Apple Acres Apple Ale."

Picking up one of the bottles, she opened it and passed it over to Scootaloo.

"Apple Ale?" Scootaloo repeated as she took the bottle.  Her brow furrowed as she brought it to her nose, sniffing.  "Like, alcohol?"

"Yeah,"  Apple Bloom replied as she grabbed one of the bottles and opened it before passing it to Diamond Tiara.

"Here.  This'll probably make it easier to talk about... whatever it is you don't want to talk about."

Diamond Tiara's gaze shifted between Bloom and the bottle.  If she were honest with herself, she did want to talk about it.  It just seemed like it was a bad idea.  These ponies were not her friends.  In fact, they had been her victims.  They were a way to assert her authority and dominance over the others at school.

Still, it seemed she had no choice in the matter unless she wanted to try to fight her way past Sweetie Belle and Spike.  That would also probably mean fighting Scootaloo, who seemed like she was looking a reason to get at Diamond Tiara.  A fight with Scootaloo would likely also mean having to fight Babs as well, and that would get Apple Bloom involved since they were family.

So that was what it came down to for Diamond Tiara: fight four ponies and a dragon, or drink the ale and admit why she had come all the way out to the damnable farm.

"Fine," Diamond Tiara huffed as she grabbed the bottle.  She brought it to her mouth and took a long drink.  The alcohol burned her throat, but she found that she liked the taste of it.  It was kind of like drinking a slightly sour apple.

"You want to know why I came here?" she asked.  "Well..."
> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


*****


Diamond Tiara made her way back home after seeing Silver Spoon and Pipsqueak off at the train station.  It had been upsetting seeing her best (and -- admittedly -- only) friend leave.  Especially since Diamond Tiara would be in boot camp when Silver Spoon returned before moving for good.

Once inside, she dropped her saddlebags at the door and headed for the kitchen.  She was uncertain what she was going to do with the rest of her day.  Without Silver Spoon, Diamond Tiara really had no interest in throwing her own graduation party since it would be nowhere near as fun.  And -- as much as she would hate to admit it -- she really had no other friends to hang out, so going to somepony else's party was out.

There was always Sugar Cube Corner.  Pinkie Pie would be holding a party for the graduating class as well.

"There's my princess," a voice called out, making Diamond Tiara jump slightly.

Standing there in the kitchen was her father, Filthy Rich.  The pale brown stallion smiled as he moved closer to his daughter.

"I can't believe that my little girl is all grown up.  You must be so happy to have finished school and start working at Barnyard Bargains."

"Yeah..." Tiara said with a nervous smile.  "About that..."

"I know what you're going to say," Filthy Rich said, holding up a hoof, "and don't worry.  I understand."

Diamond Tiara tilted her head, looking at her father in surprise.

"You do?"

"Of course," he relied.  "I was a young pony once too you know, even if it doesn't look like it."

He ran a hoof through his mane that had started to go gray, showing his advancement in years.

"Anyway," he continued, "I remember what it was like to be your age.  You go ahead and celebrate your graduation with your friends.  Stay out as late as you want.  You don't start work until Monday."

Diamond Tiara let out a sigh of disappointment as her ears dropped.  She had been so hopeful for a moment.  Then her father managed to shatter it with a single statement.  Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and straightened up her back.

"Dad, I'm joining Princess Twilight Sparkle's royal guards.  My training begins Monday."

There.  She had done it.  It was out.  Now she had to just deal with his reaction.  Hopefully it would not be too bad: some sighing, some claims of disappointment, maybe a long conversation where she would explain why, but understanding.  Her father was a sensible stallion, after all.

What he did was actually something, she never expected.

Filthy Rich started laughing.

"That's a good one," he said, still chuckling.  "You almost had me going for a moment there."

Diamond Tiara's jaw fell open in surprise.  A joke?  He thought this was a joke?  Why would he possibly think something like that?  She had never said anything in her life that could possibly make it seem like she would joke like this.

"It's not a joke, Dad," she stated.  "I'm going to be a member of The Royal Guard."

She continued to watch him, waiting to see how he would react.

"Diamond Tiara," Filthy Rich said in a stern tone.  "You are an adult now.  This is no time to be playing pretend."

Is this denial? Diamond Tiara wondered.  Is my dad actually refusing to believe what I'm telling him?

"Why," she asked, "would you possibly think that I was pretending to become a guard?"

"Well," he responded, "you used to tell me how you were going to become a princess when you grew up."

"When I was a filly!" Diamond Tiara snapped.  "This is real.  I have already signed up to join.  After this weekend, I will start boot camp.  I am going to start my training.  After that, I will officially be a guard member."

"I know what this is," Filthy Rich proclaimed (although by this point, Diamond Tiara was highly skeptical).  "It's a negotiation tactic.  You are trying to get a raise in pay and a better office, aren't you?"

"What? How..."

Diamond Tiara groaned and smacked her head with her hoof.

"Why would I use this as a negotiation tactic?" she asked.  "I don't even know what kind of office I have or how much you were going to pay me."

"It doesn't matter," Filthy Rich replied.  "My little girl is very valuable and always worth more."

Diamond Tiara grinned at her father's compliment, brushing back her mane.

"Thanks, daddy.  I really- NO!"

She took a step back and gave her head a hard shake.  What was she doing?  She took another deep breath and slowly let it out, this time to collect herself and get back in control.

Feeling calmer and more focused, she tried again.

"Dad, I want you to listen to me very carefully.  I have decided to become a member of The Royal Guard here in Ponyville.  I have already signed up and start training after this weekend."

Filthy Rich looked at her, his eyes seeming to grow larger.  He then narrowed his gaze as he straightened up, his jaw clenching.

"No, you aren't."

Diamond Tiara felt somewhat relieved.  She had finally gotten through to him.  Now they just needed to discuss this.

"Dad," she started.

"No!"  He held up a hoof, cutting her off.  "We are Riches, and we are rich.  We do not become guards, we sell to them.  You are coming to work for me, and that is final."

"Da-"

"Enough!" he shouted, stomping a hoof.  "This is not up for discussion.  You will stop this foalish idea this instant.  I don't want to hear another word on the matter."

"It's not foalish!" Diamond Tiara yelled back, ears pinning back against her head.  "And it's happening.  I'm going to join the guard and there's nothing you can do to stop me."

"Young lady, so long as you live in this house, you will do as I tell you to!"

"Well then maybe I shouldn't be living in your house!"

With that, Diamond Tiara turned and started stomping for the door.  Her hooves hit the floor hard, each step echoing through the mansion.

"Diamond Tiara Rich!" her father shouted after her.  "If you step out that door, so help me, you are cut off.  Do you hear me?"

Diamond Tiara stopped, just inches from the door, staring at the knob in front of her.  Slowly, she turned around, looking at her father.

"Yes," she stated, "I hear you."

With that, she turned back around, opened the door, and ran out.  She went as fast as she could, leaving her father -- her home -- behind.  Possibly to never come back.  Her eyes closed and jaw clenched as she fought back the tears that started to escape.

"Don't come back until you're ready to apologize and stop this nonsense!" her father shouted after her.


*****



> Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	After finishing her story, Diamond Tiara took a long drink of her ale, draining half the bottle.  She let out a sigh as she set the drink down.

"So, now I need a place to stay for a couple nights.  Normally I would just go over to Silver Spoon's, but since she's out of town, that's not really an option."

The other five were silent for a moment, all looking at her as she took another long drink.

After several seconds passed, Spike grabbed a bottle, opened it, and passed it to Sweetie Belle.

"Wow," he said as he reached for another.  "That seems kind of harsh.  I mean, I can kind of- HEY!"

As he opened the bottle, a green aura wrapped around it and pulled it from Spike's claws.  The ale then floated over to Sweetie Belle.

"You," she stated, pointing a hoof at Spike, "are not allowed to drink.  Remember what you told me happened last time you tried alcohol."

Spike crossed his arms, and let out a huff.  His eyes narrowed, but he looked away from Sweetie and the others.

"Yeah," he grumbled.  "I remember."

"What happened?" Babs Seed asked.

"It made him burp a lot," Sweetie Belle explained.  "Which doesn't sound so bad, I know.  Except when he burped, he belched flame."  She motioned around them with her hoof.  "Considering that we're in a converted barn and there's still hay everywhere, I don't think we want random outbursts of fire around here."

"Right," Apple Bloom agreed with a nod.  "No alcohol for Spike."  She got back up. "I'll got to the house and get you some juice instead."

Spike huffed and grumbled as Apple Bloom left, but did not try to argue.

Scootaloo chugged the rest of her drink and set the empty bottle down with a belch of her own.

"Pass that over here," she called out to Sweetie Belle.

"Are you sure?" Sweetie asked as she floated the bottle over.

"If Diamond Tiara is going to be staying here for a while," the pegasus stated as she grabbed the bottle, "I'm going to need plenty of these to deal with it."

"So you're okay with her staying here?" Babs Seed asked, placing a hoof on Scootaloo's back.

Scootaloo sighed and set the bottle down.

"No.  I'm not."

She turned to Diamond Tiara and glared.

"Let me make this completely clear to you."  The pegasus pointed her hoof at the pink pony.  "You and I are not okay.  You put me -- put us -- through a lot of shit for years growing up.  I think Apple Bloom has been a lot nicer to you than you deserve and hope you get what you bucking deserve."

She let out a snort as she grabbed the bottle, taking a sip.

"Doesn't mean I want you end up sleeping Luna knows where and possibly getting hurt," she finished.

"Aaaawwww," Sweetie Belle, Babs Seed, and Spike all said with a grin.

Babs pulled Scootaloo into a hug.

"Our little Scooty-booty is growing up."

"Babs!" Scootaloo yelped, her cheeks turning a bright red.  "Don't call me that in front of other ponies."

The others all chucked, making the pegasus blush harder.

"I'm back," Apple Bloom announced as she came in, carrying a case of apple juice on her back.  "What'd I miss?"

"Not much," Spike answered as he grabbed one of the juice bottles.  "Just Scooty-booty over there saying that she could put up with Diamond Tiara staying here for a couple nights."

"I hate you all," Scootaloo grumbled, glaring at Spike while still being cuddled by Babs.

"You love us and you know it," Babs replied before giving Scootaloo a kiss on the head.

Scootaloo just let out a snort and sat there, pouting.

"Well I guess it's decided then," Apple Bloom said as she grabbed a bottle of ale for herself.  "Diamond Tiara can stay and party with us tonight.  Now, since we have some alcohol tonight, how about a drinking game?"

"What game?" Babs asked.

Apple Bloom let out a small hum and rubbed her chin.

"I was thinking... 'never have I ever.'"

Diamond Tiara raised an eyebrow curiously.  She had tried alcohol before (having snuck some from her father's home office a couple times), but she had never played a game with it before.

"How do you play?" she asked.

"It's pretty simple," Apple Bloom explained. "We each go around, taking a turn.  When it's your turn, you think of something you haven't done, then you say 'never have I ever,' and whatever you thought of.  If any of the others here have done it, then they take a drink.

"For example, let's say it's my turn.  I say 'never have I ever... tried to cut my own mane.'  Since Sweetie Belle tried that -- "

"One time!"

" -- she would have to take a drink, as would any other ponies who did."

Spike held up a claw.

"Would spines count as mane in this example?"

Apple Bloom considered it a moment before answering.

"Well, your spines are kind of like our mane, and we do want to include you, so I would say so."

She paused eyes narrowing as she turned to look at Spike completely.

"Why do you ask.  Have you tried to cut your spines or something?"

"Well sometimes it would be nice to have a different style," he responded.

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Whatever.  Let's begin.  I'll even go first."

She cleared her throat and thought a moment.

"Never have I ever... had someone dye my mane in my sleep."

Scootaloo snickered as Babs glared at her and took a drink.

"You would prank your own marefriend?" Sweetie asked, eyes wide.

"What did you do?" Spike asked.

"She was asleep and I was bored," Scootaloo stated, not looking in Babs' direction.  "We had been talking about changing our manes, and I had wondered what she would look like with electric purple streaks."

Scootaloo shifted, tapping her hooves together.

"I, admittedly, may have used too much dye."

"My pillow was purple!" Babs huffed.  "You were lucky the stuff washed out of my mane pretty quickly."

"Babs,"  Apple Bloom called out, "it's your turn."

"Okay. Never have I ever... been stuck to a tree because of the sap."

Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle each took a drink.

"That was an easy one," Babs said with a grin.  "I guess it's your turn, Scoots."

"Okay," Scootaloo said.  She looked around at the others a moment, then started to grin.

"Never  have I ever sucked a cock," she announced.

Diamond Tiara, Sweetie Belle, and -- to Scootaloo's surprise -- Babs Seed all took a drink.

"What?" Scootaloo cried out, wings flaring out in shock as she stared at Babs.  "When did this happen?  How?  Why haven't I heard about it before?"

"I don't like to talk about it," Babs responded.  "As for when and how, it was back before I moved here when I still lived in Manehattan.  There was this cute colt and all these fillies were talking about their coltfriends.  I got curious, so we went out once.  One thing led to another and I gave him a quick blowjob.  That was as far as it went."

Scootaloo let out a sigh, her wings going limp at her side.

"Sorry," she mumbled.  "I guess that since we were each other's first fillyfriend, and I never did anything with another pony before, I just thought you did too."

"Aww," Babs said as she hugged Scootaloo again.  "That's so sweet of you."

"No," Scootaloo replied defensively.  "No it's not.  I... uhm... that is..."

She looked around, trying to get out of it.

"Tiara!  It's your turn!"

Diamond Tiara grinned and shook her head.

"Okay," she chuckled as she looked around.  "I even have the perfect one.  Never have I ever accidentally started a fire."

She grinned as all the others took a drink.

"I guess that means it's Sweetie Belle's turn."

"Me?" Sweetie Belle asked.  "Okay.  Uhm..."

She rubbed her chin, thinking for a moment.

"Never have I ever... uhm... made out with a mare?"

Spike, Babs Seed, Scootaloo, and Diamond Tiara all took a drink.

"Diamond Tiara?" Apple Bloom asked.  "You made out with another mare?"

"Yeah," Diamond Tiara responded.  "When we were younger, Silver Spoon and I would practice how to kiss on each other.  I thought you would have done the same thing considering how much you all hung out together."

Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Babs Seed, and Scootaloo all looked at each other, considering.  The thought of practicing kissing on each other had never actually occurred to any of them.

"I guess it's my turn then?" Spike asked, getting a nod.  "Okay.  Never have I ever... gotten a cutie mark..."

All five mares took a drink.

"That was lame," Scootaloo said after she finished hers.  "How about we play something else?"

"You have something in mind?" Apple Bloom asked, raising an eyebrow.

Scootaloo grinned.

"As a matter of fact," she said, "yes I do."  She grabbed an empty bottle, set it in the middle of the table, and gave it a spin.
> Chapter 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Truth or dare," Scootaloo announced as they watched the bottle spin in front of them.  The others all turned to look at her.  That was not the answer they were expecting.

"So, what's the bottle for?"  Sweetie Belle asked.

"To make it a little more interesting."  Scootaloo reached out and tapped the bottle in question.  "One of us spins the bottle, whoever it lands on picks truth or dare.  The pony that spun it either asks the question or dares the victim.  Then that pony gets to spin for the next."

They all looked at the bottle, which was currently pointing at Sweetie Belle.

"So," Scootaloo said with a grin, "truth, or dare?"

"Dare?"

"Blow on Spike's belly."

"What?" Spike called out, perking up at the mention of his name.  Before he could respond further, Sweetie Belle had dropped and turned.  Taking a deep breath, she pressed her mouth against the soft scaled stomach and blew on it audibly.

Spike squealed out in surprise as his girlfriend blew on his stomach, kicking and squirming.  Once she stopped, he collapsed, panting slightly and still giggling.

While Spike recovered from a vicious attack to his soft underside, Sweetie Belle used her magic to take a hold of the bottle and give it a hard spin.

They all watched as the bottle made revolution after revolution, the magic quickly fading so none could accuse Sweetie Belle of using her power to manipulate the result of who the bottle pointed to.

It pointed at Babs Seed.

"Dare," Babs said before she could even be asked.

"Spank Scootaloo," Sweetie Belle told her.  "Twenty-five times, and hard enough to leave her cheeks pink."

"Wait," Scootaloo called out.  "If it's her dare, how come I'm the one getting spanked?"

"You had me raspberry Spike on my dare," Sweetie Belle replied.  "Seems fair to me."

"She's got you, Scoots," Babs said with a grin.  "Might as well just assume the position and just accept your fate."

Scootaloo let out a huff and scowled.  Ears pinned back, she turned around, lowered her front half, and presented her upturned rump to Babs Seed for all the others to see.

Babs lifted up a hoof and brought it down on the rump with an audible crack.

"OW!" Scootaloo yelped out.  "Not so hard!"

"She said to make your cheeks pink," Babs replied.

"Yeah, but I want to be able to sit again some day."

Babs Seed nodded, but said nothing.  She raised her hoof, and brought it down onto Scootaloo's presented posterior once more.  The strike was still audible, but more of a smack of firm flesh than a crack of thunder.  This was immediately followed by another, and another, each in a slightly different spot to cover the entirety of the rump until all twenty-five had been delivered.

When it was finished, Scootaloo groaned and collapsed, her stomach resting against the ground.

"My butt stings now," she grumbled, lying down with her ears back.

Babs Seed moved forward and gave one of the cheeks a gentle kiss.

"If it's makes you feel any better, my hoof is now sore."

Scootaloo could not stop herself from smirking at that.

Babs placed one hoof on Scootaloo's back, just above the tender area, and rubbed gently.  With the other, she gave the bottle a spin.

When it stopped, it was pointing at Sweetie Belle again.

Babs raised an eyebrow.

"Well?" she asked.  "Truth, or dare?"

After already taking a dare -- and not wanting to risk Babs trying to get her back for the spanking -- Sweetie Belle chose "truth."

"What does Spike's stuff taste like?"

Spike and Sweetie Belle both turned a bright pink at the question.

"Why... why would you even want to know that?" Sweetie Belle managed to ask.

"Because it embarrasses you," Babs replied with a grin, getting a snicker from Scootaloo.  "And I'm kind of curious if it's different from a stallion's."

Sweetie Belle rubbed that back of her head, thinking, before giving a shrug.

"I don't know how it is compared to other males since I've never been with any."  She looked at Spike from the corner of her eye.  "As for taste, it doesn't really have one I can tell.  Between how warm it is and the traces of magic, it makes my mouth all tingly."

The others stared, their gazes shifting between Spike -- who was hunching down and blushing ferociously -- and Sweetie Belle.  Ignoring the stares, Sweetie Belle gave the bottle another spin.  Then she gave it another after it landed on her again.

"Truth or dare, Bloom?"

"Dare, I guess."

"Try... to deep throat your bottle," Sweetie Belle decided.

Apple Bloom looked at her friend, then at the bottle she had just finished.

"I don't know if I can."  She held it up.  "I mean, it's pretty thick."

The others all snickered.

"I'm being serious," Apple Bloom snapped.  "I mean, what if I choke on it?"

The others all laughed harder.

"Just try," Sweetie Belle said, still giggling.  "If there's any trouble, the rest of us our here to make sure you're okay."

Apple Bloom sighed and rolled her eyes, shaking her head.  Bringing the bottle to her mouth, she closed her eyes and part her lips.  Slowly, she pushed the bottle into her mouth, feeling the glass against her teeth and tongue.  The tip did not even managed to reach the back of her throat before it became too thick to fit her mouth around.  If she could open her mouth just a little wider, she could get past the thickest part.  She tried to open her jaw wider until it started to hurt.

With a cough, Apple Bloom pulled the bottle from her mouth.  The glass was wet and extra shiny from the mare's saliva.  Setting it down, she reached for the one in the middle and gave it a spin.

After several revolutions, the bottle slowed down before finally stopping as it pointed at Scootaloo.

"Dare!" Scootaloo shouted, wings flaring as she smirked.  "You know I never back down from a challenge."

"Oh, calm down," Apple Bloom said.  "I'm not going to give you anything that difficult.  I'm just going to dare you to blow a raspberry... on Babs's... butt!"

Scootaloo took a deep breath, stuck her snout between Babs's cheeks and blew.

Whatever sound would have been made by the blowing was lost in the sound of Babs squealing out.  She blushed so hard, that nearly her entire face was as red as her mane.

When it stopped, she turned and glared at Scootaloo.

"You could have just blown on one of the cheeks!" Babs yelled.

"Yeah," Scootaloo replied with a grin.  "I could have," she moved and nuzzled Babs, "but neither of us would have enjoyed it as much."

Babs scowled, but wrapped a foreleg around Scootaloo and hugged her.

"Just spin the stupid bottle," she said loudly before whispering in Scootaloo's ear, "and just you wait until I get you alone."

Scootaloo gave the bottle a spin, watching to see who it land on.  Her smile almost turned sadistic when it stopped on Diamond Tiara.

"So what'll it be?" Scootaloo asked, rubbing her hooves together.  "Truth?  Or....dare?"

Diamond Tiara looked at Scootaloo and considered it.  Truth would be safe, right?  Scootaloo might ask something embarrassing or awkward, but that was what most had been.  What about a dare?  Diamond Tiara wanted to show the others who tough and brave she could be, but would Scootaloo actually give her a dare that could be dangerous?  Not intentionally, but the pegasus was a daredevil.  Probably had something in mind that -- if failed -- would be humiliating and would probably leave Tiara sore and aching for a while.

"Truth," she decided.

"Okay," Scootaloo said.  "Why did you always pick on us so much?"

That was no surprise.  The problem was how to answer.  It had been years ago and just something that she had done.  How could she possibly know the reasoning behind it.  It was just foolish foal things, right?

Diamond Tiara looked at her bottle of ale, which was empty.  She sighed and put it aside.

"Pass me another one," she called out.

Once she had it opened and in hoof, she took a long drink.

"You really want to know?" she asked.  It surprised her, because it seemed like her mouth was talking without her telling it what to say.

Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle nodded.

"Fine," Diamond Tiara huffed.  "Let's go back to the previous game for a moment then.  Never have I ever had a sibling I could talk to or bond with."

The other five stared at her.

"Well?" she yelled, slamming a hoof down.  "What are you waiting for?  Shouldn't all of you be taking a drink?  The great and amazing Applejack, proper and perfect Rarity.  Even you!"

She pointed a hoof at Scootaloo, who jumped slightly in surprise.

"I still remember how excited you were, bragging to everypony about how the 'great and most awesome' Rainbow Dash all but adopted you as her little sister."

Diamond Tiara was shocked at herself.  Where was all this coming from?  Was this really the reason?  Her eyes felt like they were burning.

"But," Scootaloo spoke up, "that happened after you started picking on us."

"Yeah," Diamond Tiara growled, "but it was also after you stood up for her."

She turned to glare at Apple Bloom.

"Me?" Apple Bloom asked, eyes wide in shock.

"Yes, you.  Because out of all of you -- " she waved a hoof at the group "-- you --" she pointed at Bloom "-- had it best."

She took a deep swig of her ale.  Her mind was reeling and everything was turning blurry.

"Yes, your parents died," Diamond Tiara continued, "and it's sad.  I get that.  But look at all you bucking got for Celestia's sake.  Not only do you have the great sister that would do anything for you and will always be there when you need her.  You also got this great brother who would do the same thing, and you had a wonderful, affectionate grandmother who..."

Diamond Tiara sighed and wiped the tears from her cheeks.  She took another drink.

"And that doesn't even get into the extended family.  The bucking, Discord damned extended family that actually get together and spend time with each other for your famous reunions.  From all over Equestria no less.  For buck's sake, Babs and her family live all the way up in Manehattan, and she managed to come visit before moving here.  If you or she went anywhere in Equestria, you would probably find some member or other that would take you in and make you feel at home just because you were a bucking Apple."

She threw the bottle, causing it to smash against the wall.  Tears streamed down her face and dripped from her chin.

"So there!  That's why.  I hated you -- Hated! You! -- because you had the one thing I could never get, the one thing I wanted most but was never allowed to have: a real, honest to Celestia, loving family."

Diamond Tiara dropped her head, letting her mane cover her face.  Her body rose and fell as she gasped for air, trying to breathe.  Her eyes burned as tears escaped from them, running down her face in streams before dripping off to the floor below.

She could not believe that she had said all that.  More surprising, she had meant it.  She had never really thought about why she picked on Apple Bloom and her friends so much before.  Now she realized that it was true.

"I don't have that," she mumbled.  "No brothers or sisters, no cousins, no aunts or uncles, not even grandparents.  When it comes to family, I have nothing."

"What..." Sweetie Belle started.  "What about your mom?"

Diamond Tiara let out a huff that almost sounded to the others like an angry "Ha!"

"My 'mom' went off to Manehattan to pursue..."

She rubbed her forehead, trying to remember.

"I don't know.  Some dream career or other.  At first, she wrote regularly and I was supposed to go spend the summer with her.  But, somehow, something always came up on her end, so I never got to go visit.  The letters came less and less often, until it was only on my birthday.  Then... even that stopped."

She wished she had kept her ale now.  She really wanted to take a drink.  Well, she had come this far.  She figured she may as well go the rest of the way.

"And since I'm sure you're all wondering even if none of you are willing to ask, yes I had my dad and he loved me.  I loved him too.  I still do, even after today.  He tried, I know he did.  But trying to run a business and raise a daughter alone?  Doesn't work out well.  Sometimes it seemed like the only time I saw him was when I could get him to do something with me that was business related, like family day at the school."

Diamond Tiara found that she had calmed down.  She was still upset -- and shocked by her own revelation -- but the tears had stopped.  Thinking about it, maybe calmed down was not the right term in this case.  It was more like she was exhausted after having drained all of the negative emotions away.  Like they had all been cried and shouted out, and she was empty.

It was then she noticed how quiet it was.  Looking up, she found that all the others were staring at her.  It suddenly made her feel incredibly uncomfortable.

"Why's everypony look so serious?" she asked, wiping at her face one more time.  "This is supposed to be a party, right?  We should be having fun.  Hey, it's even my turn."

She reached out and grabbed the empty bottle, feeling a shot of guilt when she watched the others all duck down like they were afraid of something hitting them.  She gave the bottle a spin, watching it until it stopped and pointed at Spike.

"So, what'll it be, scaly?"

"Dare, I guess," Spike replied, looking toward Sweetie Belle.

"Okay."  Diamond Tiara considered a moment.  "Use your bottle to show off your eating out skills."

Spike tilted his head, looking at Diamond Tiara curiously.

"How am I supposed to do that?"

"First, drink the rest of it."

Spike nodded and did as he was told.  Bringing the bottle to his mouth, he tilted his head back and downed the rest of the juice.

"Good."  Diamond Tiara grinned.  "Now, stick your tongue in as deep as you can and try to get those last few drops on the bottom."

Giving a nod, Spike pushed his tongue out.  The long, serpent length slid through the opening easily as the forked tip reached the bottom.  Poking at the droplets clinging to the edge where side and bottom met, he pulled them onto his tongue before pulling back.

Diamond Tiara grinned and turned to Sweetie Belle.

"Lucky mare."

"Yeah," Sweetie Belle agreed as she turned away, her cheeks turning a bright pink.

Spike spun the bottle, having it land on Apple Bloom.

"I'll take a dare," Apple Bloom announced, grinning.

"Okay," Spike said.  "Then I dare you to make out with Diamond Tiara for a full minute."

Both  Apple Bloom's and Diamond Tiara's eyes went wide as they turned to look at each other.  After taking a deep breath, Apple Bloom got up and started walking toward Diamond Tiara.

Diamond Tiara shifted her hooves as she watched Apple Bloom approach.  Was this a good idea?  Tiara had just said that she had hated Bloom for having a big family.  Now they were supposed to make out for a full minute?  Was Spike insane?  Why were there no objections from any of the others?

Diamond Tiara's breath caught in her throat as she looked into Apple Bloom's big, golden eyes.  The moment (it was just a second or two, but felt like longer) passed as they both closed their eyes, moved closer, and pressed their lips to each other.

As their lips met, Diamond Tiara got a strong whiff of Apple Bloom's scent.

Oh, dear Celestia, she thought.  She smells like apples and fresh cut wood. I want more of it.

Shifting, she reached out with her front hooves and grabbed Apple Bloom, pulling her closer.  Tiara felt the other mare tense as their bodies pressed against each other, and relax again a moment later as their lips continued to press against each other.  Holding on tightly, she rubbed a hoof along Bloom's back, feeling the soft coat and toned muscle.  Her tongue pushed forward, slipping past her lips and tracing along the other pair.  Diamond Tiara was pleasantly surprised when Apple Bloom opened them, letting her taste and explore her mouth.

Everything felt, warm, inviting, and... loving.

It felt wonderful.

It was the best kiss she had ever had, and she did not want it to end.

"Hey," Spike called out as he poked at them.  "I said 'time's up.'"

Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom stopped, pulling their mouths apart, but still holding each other (when did she put her forelegs around me?).  They stared at each other, breathing heavily as their faces flushed pink.

"Ugh," Scootaloo groaned.  "Get a room you two."

"I have one," Apple Bloom blurted out, looking down at Diamond Tiara's chest.  "Do... do you want to..."

Diamond Tiara's eyes went wide as her mind reeled.  A pony that she had picked on, that she had been jealous of and mean to, was asking to sleep with her.  This was insane.  This was outrageous.

And yet...

"Yes."
> Chapter 8 (Apple Bloom Diamond Tiara sex)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	As she followed Apple Bloom, Diamond Tiara realized that she had never noticed her backside before.  It was very well-muscled and toned.  Tiara watched it as it swayed back and forth, shifting and flexing with each step (and maybe some unsteadiness from the alcohol).  It was... very enticing.

The room the two of them went to was sparse, just a bed (large enough for two if they slept close together), and a nightstand with a lamp.  It was also small.  Just enough room for the door to open, and a pony to walk around two sides of the bed.

"It ain't much," Apple Bloom said as they entered.  "I just made it as a place to-"

The rest of her statement was cut off by a gasp as she was grabbed and pulled into a tight hug.  Diamond Tiara bit down on one of her ears and tugged, getting a whimpering moan in response.  A hoof traced along her underside, sliding down along her stomach and over her crotch before stroking the inside of her thigh.

Apple Bloom wrapped a foreleg around Diamond Tiara, pressing a hoof against the her back just above the tail. Nuzzling against Tiara's neck, Bloom kissed and nibbled at her throat, getting a moan in response.  The reaction caused her to blush brighter and become more excited, especially since the moan was around her ear and caused it to tingle in pleasure.  Bloom gasped as her ear was tugged one last time before being let go.

"So," Diamond Tiara asked as she pulled her head back to look at Apple Bloom, "have you done... anything, before?"

"I've played with myself," Apple Bloom replied, "and have read a couple of the more explicit romance novels, but haven't done anything with another pony before."

"I guess I'll have to take the lead on this then," Diamond Tiara stated with a grin.

Apple Bloom's eyes narrowed as she smirked.

"I'm sure you're so upset about that," she said, rolling her eyes.

Diamond Tiara glared at Apple Bloom and let out a snort of annoyance.  Grinning, Apple Bloom pulled away.  Laughing to herself, she hopped on the bed and stretched out, giving her backside a wiggle.

"Keep shaking it like that," Diamond Tiara stated, "and I'm going to have to give it a good spanking."

"Mmmm, tempting," Apple Bloom purred as she narrowed her eyes, "but I think that we should save that for another time." She gave a wink.

Diamond Tiara moved closer, looking at the bed and the former enemy now laying stretched out on top of it.  Pushing gently, she rolled Apple Bloom onto her back while moving onto the bed.  Once above Bloom, Tiara moved to pin the other mare underneath her, feeling the warmth of Bloom's body against her.

"You seem to be enjoying this already," Diamond Tiara stated as she leaned closer.

Instead of saying anything, Apple Bloom wrapped her forelegs around Diamond Tiara and pulled her closer for a kiss.  This time, it was Apple Bloom who opened her mouth first, slipping her tongue into Diamond Tiara's to explore it.  Bloom's hind legs gripped at Tiara's side, trying to pull her closer.  A desire to rock her hips and grind against something went through her body as she could feel her arousal building.

Diamond Tiara could feel her own desire and excitement building as well.  She rocked and shifted, trying to rub her nether lips together while grinding back.

Finally, she broke the kiss, panting heavily as she pulled their mouths apart.

"Just lie back and relax," Diamond Tiara stated, getting a nod in response.  Leaning back down, Diamond Tiara nipped Apple Blooms jaw, neck, and collar before kissing her way down along the chest and stomach.  When she reached one of Bloom's teats, she took the nub between her teeth but was careful not to bite down.  She ran her tongue over the very tip -- getting a gasp in response -- before letting go.

Panting, and blushing, Apple Bloom continued to lay on her back and watch the other mare.  She licked at her lips, still tasting Diamond Tiara on them.  She was not entirely sure what was going to happen, but she had a hard time waiting for it.  It had been years since she wanted something so badly.  Since she was a filly, in fact.

The sight of Apple Bloom blushing and squirming brought a grin of excitement to Diamond Tiara's face.  The sight of arousal and desire sent a thrill of a different type of excitement through her.  So much so, she was almost tempted to forget what she had in mind, and tease Apple Bloom until she was willing to do anything to get relief.  Almost.

Instead, she lowered her head further, bringing it between Apple Bloom's legs.  The thick equine tongue slipped out of her mouth, the tip pressing against the base of Bloom's slit.  Diamond Tiara continue to push her tongue out, pressing the length along the opening of the feminine lips.  She then gave a long, slow lick, tracing up along the opening until the tip of her tongue flicked across the sensitive nub at the top.

Oh, Celestia! Apple Bloom thought as she moaned out in pleasure.  This feels so much better than my hoof!

A sense of satisfaction began to fill Diamond Tiara at the reaction.  Closing her eyes, she pressed her tongue down more firmly, tracing around the edges before lapping directly across the top of Bloom's clitoris.  The sensation made Apple Bloom jump, slamming her crotch against Diamond Tiara's nose hard enough to sting.

"Sorry," Apple Bloom whimpered, bringing her front hooves up to her mouth.

Eyes narrowing, Diamond Tiara let out a deep growl.  Wrapping her forelegs around Apple Bloom's hips, she pushed down hard, trying to pin them in place.  Again, Tiara pressed her muzzle to Bloom's sex, this time thrusting her tongue as deep into the canal as she could reach.

Apple Bloom's eyes went wide as she gasped out, being penetrated for the first time.  Her body tensed, walls trying to squeezed down and hold onto the probing appendage.  She tried to wiggle and squirm, but being pinned down limited her capabilities.

Pressing up, Diamond Tiara slid her tongue along the roof of Bloom's canal, stroking along the sensitive inner folds.  Once she had pulled out, flicked the tip of her tongue over the top of the nub once again.  She then thrust back in as deep as she could, repeating the process.

With each passing of Diamond Tiara's tongue over her clit, Apple Bloom's breath hitched in her throat.  Each lick, each thrust, each grind, brought more and more pleasure to her, building her up.

Finally, she could not take it any more, one last lick to the nub sent her over the edge.  Apple Bloom cried out in pleasure as her entire body tensed, shocks of orgasmic pleasure flooding through her entire body.  Her depths tensed and flexed, trying to squeeze and milk the non-existent shaft as she unleashed a flood of feminine juices.

As Apple Bloom orgasmed, Diamond Tiara kept her tight grip.  Her tongue continued to press against the opening, letting the fluids collect on it.  It did not taste like apples, but like normal female fluids.  Still, Diamond Tiara enjoyed every taste of it.

When her climax ended and Apple Bloom went limp on the bed, Diamond Tiara finally released her grip.

"...That..." Apple Bloom panted out, trying to talk and catch her breath.  "That... wow... I have...never..."

"We're not done yet," Diamond Tiara stated, wiping at her mouth.  "Turn over."

Doing as she was told, Apple Bloom rolled over to lay on her stomach.  She looked over her shoulder at Diamond Tiara, watching her curiously.

Diamond Tiara crouched down and crawled forward, her chest and stomach rubbing along Apple Bloom's rump and back.  She made her way further and further up, stopping she was once again directly above Apple Bloom.  A nicker escaped Diamond Tiara as she pressed her body down and began to rock her hips.

Adjusting her position, she moved until her rocking rubbed her crotch along Bloom's bottom and each back stroke ended with Tiara's folds rubbing against the soft hair of Apple Bloom's tail.

Something in Diamond Tiara's mind shifted.  Lunging her head forward, she bit down on the back of Apple Bloom's neck and let out a snort.

Apple Bloom gasped and tensed as she felt teeth grip the skin of her neck, then let out a moan.  It was a little confusing for her.  She was not being penetrated.  Her sex was not even being touched or rubbed (although she had never realized before how good the bed's sheets could feel against her).  She was basically being humped and dominated by another mare.

And she was loving it.  She was getting off from it.

Eyes, closed, panting, she began to push and grind back.  Her hips moved up to press against her partner more as she shifted, stroking her rump against the inside of the hips.  She tried to match Diamond Tiara's rhythm, pushing back she moved forward and thrusting forward when she moved back.  Apple Bloom also tried to twist her hips, moving them from side to side with each movement.

Although she was unsure if she was doing it right, or even if it was what Diamond Tiara wanted, Apple Bloom did notice that she did get some sort of reaction.  The teeth on the back of her neck gripped tighter.  Not enough for it to hurt, but enough that she was able to notice it.  The thighs gripping her tensed, digging into her flanks.

Most noticeable was that Diamond Tiara pace picked up.  She moved to rock back and forth faster, grinding more firmly against Apple Bloom.  With each backwards motion, Diamond Tiara moved her hips from side to side, rubbing her dripping wet sex against the tail.

Diamond Tiara gave one last, hard thrust back and tensed. She released her grip on Apple Bloom's neck as she threw her head back, crying out in pleasure.  Pushing back and grinding, her entire body shook as she reached her own release.

The feeling of warm wetness covered Apple Bloom's backside.  Realizing that Diamond Tiara was cumming on her for some reason sent Apple Bloom into another orgasm of her own.  She bucked and writhed and, crying out in her own release as well.

When her orgasm ended, Diamond Tiara collapsed on top of Apple Bloom, panting heavily.  Her entire body now felt as heavy as lead, but also rubbery and unwilling to respond.  It seemed that Diamond Tiara's weight against her did not bother Apple Bloom.  So, she stayed there, kissing and nuzzling at Apple Bloom's muzzle.  Apple Bloom smiled, returning the affection.

Slowly, Diamond Tiara's body began to feel normal.  Once she gained enough proper feeling in her legs, she pushed off of Bloom and rolled onto her back.  She stared up at the ceiling, wet, exhausted, and satisfied.

The shifting of the bed drew her attention.  Turning her head slightly, she watched as Apple Bloom moved to cuddle up against her, placing a single kiss on her chest before laying down and closing her eyes.  Smiling, Diamond Tiara moved to face Apple Bloom and put a hoof around her.  She nuzzled the farm mare one more time and gave her a kiss on the forehead.  After a moment, she felt her own eyes close as well.
> Chapter 9
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Diamond Tiara let out a sigh of frustration and relief as she left the exam room.  She had not enjoyed that.  Being weighed and measured was not so bad (although it turned out she had a little extra fat).  Having things stuck in her ears, eyes, nose, throat, vagina, and butt while being asked personal questions ("Are you sexually active?" "How many partners have you been with this year?" "Do you know their medical history?") had been awkward and embarrassing.  Then there was having blood drawn and a round of vaccinations.  That part was painful, but at least it was over quickly.

The whole thing was made worse by the fact that she was tired and irritable.  It would all be a lot less annoying if she had gotten more sleep.  Maybe it would have been better if she had-

No! she thought harshly.  You are not going to think about that.  Just forget it.  Forget...

Diamond Tiara stopped, closing her eyes and taking a slow, deep breath to collect herself.

After the clinic and a quick check-up was what looked like a barber shop.  Diamond Tiara had never been to a barber shop before.  Normally when she wanted to get her mane or tail trimmed or styled, she would have it done at The Ponyville Spa.  That way she could also have a facial and hooficure in the process.

"Ah," one of the barbers called out, "our next client.  You're just in time.  An opening just came up."  He grinned and motioned to the spot.

Diamond Tiara tossed her mane as she moved to take a seat.

"I suppose I could use a new style," she said.  "Maybe.. half it's current length?  Something that can be kind of bouncy like-"

The rest of her suggestion was caught in her throat as a set of electric shears touched the front of her head and went straight back, cutting a thick streak of her mane away all the way down to the scalp.  One of her eyes twitched as her brain shut down all other systems to process what the Discord was happening.

As she watched in a state of shock, the barber continued to cut away her mane.  With each passing of the shears, more and more of what had once been long, beautiful locks was now just the length of her coat.  It looked so weird seeing her head become a mane-less mass.

Just as she thought that it was all over and done, they did the exact same thing to her tail. Her tail!

In a state of shock, Diamond Tiara stumbled out of the barber shop and continued on.  Why had no pony warned her she would have to go through something like that.  She had thought she was prepared for whatever was going to happen to her.  She was wrong.  Nothing had prepared her for what had just happened to her mane.  And her tail.  Her poor, poor, precious tail.

Next came a stop by supply where she was given a single blanket, a pillow, and a shirt with cadet written across the front and back.  Immediately after was the barracks, where Diamond Tiara was shown a cot for her to sleep in, and a foot locker for her personal affects (if she had any).

Standing by her cot, Diamond Tiara looked around at the other ponies she would be sharing the barracks with.  As she did, something suddenly bumped into her.

"Watch it!" she snapped, turning to glare at cause.

Standing there was a pale purple-gray coated mare who -- if the stubble on her head was any indication -- had a blue-green mane.  She was almost nose to nose with Diamond Tiara, glaring back.

"What's your problem?" Tiara asked.

"You!" the other mare growled, pointing a hoof.  "You don't even remember me, do you?"

Diamond Tiara pursed her lip as she study the angry mare in front of her.  The colors did not ring anything in her mind.  Maybe if she still had a mane?  Probably not though.  The cutie mark did nothing either.

"No," Diamond Tiara said before giving a smirk.  "Sorry."

"Aura."

Aura? Tiara thought.  Aura...Aura... Doesn't really sound familiar to me.

She raised and eyebrow and tilted her head.

"Or what?" Diamond Tiara asked, feeling a thrill of joy when Aura let out an annoyed huff.

"Not 'or.' Aur-A!  It's my name."  She took a step closer.  "You used to pick on me in elementary school."

Rolling her eyes, Diamond Tiara scoffed.

"Like that clears anything up.  I picked on pretty much every pony back then."

She had to bite back a grin at the look she was being given.

"You don't belong here," Aura growled.

The statement made Diamond Tiara tense as anger flared inside her.  She adjusted her stance and raised her head, looking down her nose.

"Excuse me?"

"You," Aura said as she poked Diamond Tiara in the chest, "don't belong here.  You were a spoiled, stuck up, prissy little bitch then, and you are a spoiled, stuck up, prissy little bitch now.  You're not guard material.  You should be kicked out."

"Oh, yeah?" Diamond Tiara growled, pushing forward to butt heads with angry mare that was threatening her.  "And what are you going to do about it.. Oral?"

Aura's ears pinned back as she bared her teeth.

"I'm going to make sure you quit.  I'm going to be on you, making your life a living Tartarus until you realize how much you suck at this stuff and give up.  Then, when you are defeated and leaving this place, I... will... laugh."

With that, she let out an bitter "ha!"

"Oh, yeah?" Diamond Tiara practically yelled.  "Well don't hold your breath.  Because I'm not going anywhere.  And there is nothing a pony like you can do about it."

With that she locked eyes with Aura and glared right back.  There were certain things she remembered from her time as a schoolyard bully and watching her father in some of his business dealings.  Admittedly, some of them she did find useful from time to time, such as right now.

Aura blinked, her eyes looking away from Diamond Tiara. Taking a step back, Aura moved to walk around the other mare, letting her shoulder slam against Tiara.

The impact forced Diamond Tiara to take a step to keep from falling.  She turned to glare at Aura who was walking away.

Nopony tells Diamond Tiara what she can and can't do.
> Chapter 10
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Diamond Tiara blinked rapidly, trying to get the sleep from her eyes.  She clenched her jaw shut, refusing to yawn in front of the other ponies, especially with Aura right beside her.

Yesterday, after settling in (which pretty much meant tossing the blanket and pillow on her cot then getting her shirt on), Diamond Tiara and the other recruit went out to the training field and met their instructor.  A quick introduction ("I am the first, last, and only authority as far as you are concerned"), and brief explanation of what would be happening ("I will be pushing you until you pass out, puke, and finally quit!  Most likely in that order.  If you can make it through this, then maybe -- just maybe -- you won't be completely worthless as guards."), they got to spend the rest of the day running, doing jumping jacks, running, doing push-ups, running, climbing, and (oh joy) more running.

By the time they were finished, Diamond Tiara was so exhausted, that she barely made it to her cot before collapsing and passing out.

For what felt like two seconds.

The sound of a trumpet caused her to jump in surprise as she awoke, falling flank first onto the (cold) stone floor.  After picking herself up, she did her best to run back out and fall into position.

And now, here she was: back outside on the training field.  The sky was just starting to turn pink with the first light of the sun rising.  They were up before the sun for crying out loud.  There had to be some sort of law against that.

"Alright, you mud puddles," the drill sergeant called out.  "Things are not going to be as easy around here as they were yesterday.  It's time to get serious and begin to work hard."

Diamond Tiara's eyes went wide, all traces of sleep gone.  Easy?  What could they possibly be doing to make that seem easy?

"Today," the drill sergeant continued, "we start with... the obstacle course."

He motioned with a hoof, pointing toward the area in question.

"You will have to rely on speed, strength, and agility as you run, jump, climb, and crawl."

The cadets stood there, staring at the obstacle course.  They could not see all of it if what they were being told was true.

"Get going!" the drill sergeant shouted. "Move!  Move!  Move!"

With that, they ran for the course and started trying to make their way through it.  Obstacle by obstacle they ran, stepping through tires, weaving around pillars, crossing narrow beams and bridges.  They swung from ropes, climbed walls, and crawled through mud.

As they worked to run the course, the ponies started to separate as some moved faster than others.  While Diamond Tiara was by no means one of the first, she was also not last.

Unfortunately -- annoyingly -- Aura was right behind her.  Every time she looked back, Diamond Tiara saw the other mare glaring at her.  The sight brought a smirk to her face.

Reaching a field of barbed wire, Diamond Tiara stopped, staring at it.  Barbed wire? Why in Equestria would they have that out here?  They could not seriously be expecting her to make her way through that, could they?

"HA!" Aura shouted as she ran past.  "I knew you weren't made for this."  Aura only stopped long enough to drop to her stomach.  She looked back to give one last smirk before crawling under the wires.

Diamond Tiara's ears pinned back against her head as she glared at the other mare, a low growl emanating from deep in her throat.  Lowering herself as far as she could, she moved forward.  Her eyes kept glancing up at the barbed wire as she got closer, worrying that it would dig into and scratch her.

Crawling on her stomach through dirt with razor sharp barbs above her was not something Diamond Tiara imagined that she would ever do.  Now she had to just make sure to keep low.  She could do this, right?

Aura looked back and grinned as she saw Diamond Tiara crawling after her.  She continued forward, slowing down to let Tiara catch up some.  Her eyes scanned the way ahead of her, stopping when she saw what she was looking for: one of the sticks supporting the wires above them.  Aura moved a little further so it was behind her and stopped, looking back to check on Diamond Tiara.

Satisfied, Aura gave a swift, hard kick with her leg.  There was a faint crack as her hoof broke the piece of wood, causing it to collapse.  The wires behind her dropped, pressing against Diamond Tiara.

Aura grinned to herself as she continued to crawl.  Admittedly, it was not the fairest thing to do.  All of the other ponies behind her would be stuck as well, not just Diamond Tiara.  Still, it was worth it.

With a wink and a kiss, she continued on.

Diamond Tiara let out a gasp as she felt the wires fall on top of her.  There was a stinging sensation in her back as barbs of metal pressed into her.

Jaw clenching, she glared at Aura and growled.  She pulled herself forward, wincing as she felt the metal barbs running across her back and sides.  Doing her best to ignore the pain, Diamond Tiara continued to pull and crawl, working to make her way out of the field of wire.

Once out, she gave a quick look back, and was surprised.  One of the other ponies was pushing up, allowing the others to crawl past the collapsed point without the risk of getting stuck or scratched up.

After a quick shake of her head, Diamond Tiara continued on.  Soon, she reached the end and moved to line up with the others, panting from the exertion.

Once all the recruits had finished the course and lined up, the drill sergeant blew his whistle.

"Aura," he called out, "Tiara, Ward, front and center."

The three ponies in question did as they were told, stepping out of line and moving forward.  They moved to stand side by side.  From the corner of her eye, Diamond Tiara recognized the third pony joining them.  It was the pony that had held up the wire for the others.

The drill sergeant walked in front of them, stopping to glare at Aura.

"What the hay do you think you were doing?" he shouted, almost getting into Aura's face.  "I saw that stunt you pulled back there.  Did you really think you could get away with pulling that?"

Aura winced and cowered but did not say anything.

"Your fellow guards are supposed to be able to trust and rely on you in life or death situations," the sergeant continued.  "Doing something like that will make it so they can't trust you.  Fortunately for them, if you try something like that again, they won't have to worry about you doing it a third time.  Because I will personally kick your worthless flank out.  Understood?"

"...yes, Drill Sergeant," Aura squeaked out, ears pulled back and eyes wide.

"Since you enjoyed the obstacle course so much," the sergeant stated, "then you wouldn't mind doing it again. Move it!  Move it! Move it!"

Aura jumped and ran off, heading to the obstacle course to go through the whole thing again.  Diamond Tiara wondered how she was going to deal with the barbed wire section.

The thought was forgotten as soon as the drill sergeant turned his gaze onto her.

"As for you," he said in a calmer tone, "you left the others behind you to deal with the situation on their own.  One of the rules in the guard is 'no pony left behind.'  You could have simply pushed upwards and given your fellow guards the opportunity to make it through."

Diamond Tiara cringed at the statement, but said nothing.

"Twenty push-ups," the drill sergeant stated.

"Yes, Drill Sergeant," Diamond Tiara said in a loud clear voice.  She then moved into the position and started to do her first push-up.

The drill sergeant watched her do the first one, then turned to the last one.

"You actually did just that.  Putting the rest of the recruits ahead of yourself.  That is exactly the kind of ponies we want."

Ward smiled at the praise.

"Head to the infirmary to make sure none of those scratches get infected."

"Yes, Drill Sergeant."

After Ward left, the sergeant turned to the other ponies in line.

"Any others that are cut do the same.  As for the rest of you, breakfast should be ready.  I expect all of you back here in half an hour.  Understood."

"Yes, Drill Sergeant!" they all called out as one.

"Dismissed."

Diamond Tiara watched the others head off to eat, while she continued to do push-ups.
> Chapter 11
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Diamond Tiara groaned as she dragged herself back to the barracks, her coat still dripping wet from washing all the mud off it.  She was stiff, sore, exhausted, and felt like she still had mud in places she did not want to think about.

How long had she been going through training?  Two years?  Three?  How much longer was it going to be?  Another decade? A century?

There was still lots and lots of running, but now it was while carrying weighted bags.  They were also getting heavier and heavier.  None of the cadets had dared asked, but it was explained that not only did a guard have to be able to do everything in full armor, but might also have to carry an injured member if things turn dire.

They had also started training in unarmed combat.  There were some front hoof strikes and blocks, but it relied mostly on kicking.  A fact that had a tendency to send a spike of ice through Diamond Tiara's heart.

In the next few days they were supposed to start on weapons training, focusing mainly on swords and spears.  Maybe they would get the chance to do some sparring with each other.  Maybe she could have a match set up against a certain, bitter, cranky mare.  Then she would have an opportunity to shove the sword into the uptight-

A letter and package were waiting for Diamond Tiara on her cot.  It was a surprise.  Silver Spoon said that she would write, but no letters had arrived before.  She certainly never expected a package.

As she grabbed the envelope, her eyes caught sight of the return address, causing Diamond Tiara to freeze.

The letter was from Sweet Apple Acres.

Diamond Tiara's lip twitched as she glared at it.  It was pretty easy to guess who the letter was about, even if it was not actually written by her.  That was one pony that Diamond Tiara did not want to think about.  Especially not after...

She should just throw it away.  Tear it up, toss it in the trash, and forget all about it.  Same thing with the package.  Just toss the whole thing.  Not even bother to open.  Just throw the whole thing in the trash, forget about it, and move on.

With a sigh, she opened the envelope and pulled the letter out.  Moving to sit on the edge of her cot, Diamond Tiara began to read.

Dear Diamond Tiara,

Sorry for not writing to you sooner.  I wanted to talk to you about everything face to face, but it seems that they aren't allowing visitors.  So it looks like I have to try and talk to you through a letter.  I also had to figure out what I wanted to say to you.  I'm still not entirely sure.

I guess I should start with what you probably want to hear.  I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to make you feel like you were unwanted or freeze you out that morning.  Especially after the fun the pleasure what we did together.  I was just confused.

I don't regret what we did.  I mean I kind of wish that we had both been sober and got to hang out with each other more first, but I enjoyed it very much.  I also hope we can do it again some time soon.

I was just  I didn't expect

I always thought that I would end up with a stallion.  Kind of like how you always thought you would take over Barnyard Bargains.  I just figured that I would meet a colt, fall in love at first sight, get married, and have foals.  It never really crossed my mind if I was actually interested in stallions in the first place.  So I never expected to fall in love be interested in want to sleep with be attracted to another mare, especially one that I never really got along with before.

That's kind of why I was acting so weird around you the next morning.  I was really confused by the whole thing.  I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.  In fact, I kind of wish that you had stayed so we could have spent the whole weekend together before you went into training.  We did try to look for you so we could ask you to come back.

At this point, Diamond Tiara had to stop reading for a moment.  The letter was starting to get too blurry.  She took a slow, deep breath as she wiped at her cheeks and eyes.

Mentally, Diamond Tiara kicked herself for being so stupid.  If she had stayed and talked to Apple Bloom instead of assuming the worst ("It's fine."  "We were both drunk and vulnerable."  "Not like we were dating or anything.") and storming off ("She doesn't want me here? Fine!  I'll just find somewhere else to stay."), she could have had a nice weekend sleeping in a bed with her and having some home cooked meals.

Feeling calmer, Diamond Tiara continued to read.

I would like to see you again.  Maybe we could try dating and getting to know each other.  I think it would be nice if we could get together and see what it would be like to be fillyfriends.  If not, can we at least be friends?

I sent a picture of myself along with the letter.

Diamond Tiara set the letter aside and looked in the envelope.  Finding the picture, she pulled it out.  There was an image of Apple Bloom, stretched out on the same bed that they had shared, with her mane falling around her face.  Bloom's golden eyes were half close, and the edges of her mouth curved up in a faint smile.

Setting down the picture, Diamond Tiara licked her lips.  She resumed reading the letter.

I figured that if you wanted to keep see each other, it would be something to remind you of me.  Rarity has a bunch of romance novels where a waiting mare sends her soldier stallion a picture of her.  The pose was Sweetie Belle's idea.  She thought you would like it if I was "provactive" or something.  I don't know what you should do if you don't want it.

I'm also sending you a box of cookies.  Pinkie Pie helped me make made them with some help from me.  We used zap apple jam in them.  She wanted to call them zapple snaps, but I like zap apple jammers.  Either way they should taste great since Pinkie made them.

I hope to hear from you soon.  Good luck with your training.  I'm sure you'll be a great guard.

Love,

Sincerely,

Affectionately yours,

Apple Bloom.

Diamond Tiara folded up the letter and set it back in the envelope.  She stared at the picture of Apple Bloom again.

A relationship.  With her.  Apple Bloom wanted to have a relationship with her.

Admittedly, when she had sex with Apple Bloom, Diamond Tiara was drunk and feeling vulnerable.  Still, she had enjoyed it so much when they were together.  It felt strangely right.  So much better than anything with Snails.

A smiled pulled against the edges of Diamond Tiara's mouth.  Her hooves pulled the picture to her chest, giving it a hug.  The misunderstanding was as much her fault as Apple Bloom's.  She should write a letter back accepting the apology and giving one of her own for not giving Bloom a chance to explain.

A part of her still cringed at the idea of admitting she was wrong.  Still, she had to grow up and admit to her mistakes.

After trying one of those cookies.  They sounded delicious.
> Chapter 12
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Ponyville was in danger.

Timberwolves had left The Everfree Forest and were now attacking multiple farms, including Sweet Apple Acres.  Changelings had surrounded the town hall, holding the mayor and others civil service ponies hostage.  Parasprites were in the market, eating all the food and multiplying like mad.  A twenty foot tall pale gray-purple coated mare was eating Sugarcube Corner.

On a hill, looking down at the town, stood Captain Diamond Tiara.  Her long, luxurious purple and white mane swayed in the breeze.  Her golden armor gleamed in the sunlight, shining like a beacon.  Her eyes narrowed as she watched the dangers that were threatening to destroy her home town.  Scowling, she drew her sword.

"Alright soldiers," She called out as she turned to face the other ponies.  "Ponyville is in danger, and Princess Twilight and her friends are away.  That means -- " she drew her sword and raised it above her head "-- it's up to us to save the day."

A round of cheers came from the crowd.

"We will show them," she continued.  "We will be swift, we will be brutal, we will be victorious.  We will teach them what ponies can do, and they will learn the true meaning of the word fear.  They will learn what The Diamond Cutters can do!"

Turning back around, Diamond Tiara looked at the devastation that was happening to her town.  The scarred side of her mouth quirked up into a sneer.  Drawing her sword, she pointed toward Ponyville.

"CHARGE!" she bellowed.  With a roar, the armored ponies started to run forward.

At Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Bloom stood against the wall of the barn with Babs Seed lying unconscious across her back.  Bloom glared at at the timberwolves from one eye, the other swollen shut.  Her mane had become disheveled, the ribbon mostly untied and just barely holding on.

"C'mon ya walking piles of firewood!" she shouted.  "I'll turn you into a pile of lumber and build a new barn out of you."

One of the timberwolves let out a roar.  It took a step forward, jaws wide as it bared its fangs at the mare in front of it.

Apple Bloom glared at the creature, not blinking.  Looking up at the sky, she let out a gasp, her eye going wide.

Diamond Tiara jumped high into the air, becoming a silhouette against the sun.  Her sword gleamed as she drew it from the sheath.  With a ferocious snarl, she came down, swinging her blade to slice right through the timberwolf's neck in a single stroke.  Diamond Tiara turned her back to the creature, holding the position she landed in as it exploded behind her.

Apple Bloom let out a gasp, her eyes going wide as they filled with hearts.  She ran to Diamond Tiara -- flowing red gown and mane swaying behind her -- and threw her front legs around the other mare's neck.

"Oh, Diamond Tiara," Bloom cried out, throwing a foreleg across her forehead.  "I was so frightened.  I was sure that I was about to be eaten."

She grabbed Tiara in a hug once more.

"I knew you would save me," Bloom continued.  "Now, we can get married."

Diamond Tiara pulled Apple Bloom away.  The sun reflected off the mirrored lenses of Tiara's glasses. She ran a hoof across Bloom's cheek before stroking through the long red mane.

"Wish that I could, my dear apple blossom," Tiara stated.  She turned away, red cape flapping in the wind as the sunset behind her.

"Alas, Ponyville still needs me."  She looked over her shoulder at Bloom.  "What kind of heroic guard captain would I be if I were to leave all those poor innocent ponies defenseless?"

With that, she walked off into the sunset, heading toward Ponyville.

"Come back to me," Apple Bloom called out after her.  Stopping, Diamond Tiara turned to look at Apple Bloom from under the brim of her beat up brown fedora.

"Don't worry, little lady."  Tiara gave a smirk.  "I would fight my way out of the deepest, darkest pits of Tartarus itself to get back to you."

With that, she turned and ran toward Ponyville.

Dozens of changelings hovered around the exterior of town hall.  They flew at doors that refused to open, and windows that had been boarded up.

"Mayor," one of the changelings hissed.  "Your town is ours.  Surrender!  Or we will be forced to bring the building down on top of you."  It then waited for a reply.

The silence was interrupted by the sound of the air being sliced.  Before the changelings could react, an arrow struck one in the shoulder.  A wheeze of air escaped from the wound as the changeling deflated like a balloon before dropping to the ground.

The other changelings turned to look at the source of the arrow.

Standing on the roofs of one of the nearby buildings was Diamond Tiara.  She stood there in a black and purple jumpsuit, bow in hoof and pointed toward the crowd.  Her eyes narrowed as she watched the changelings through her purple tinted glass lenses.

"Diamond Tiara," the first changeling said, "we meet again."  His eyes narrowed as he smirked.  "How is the knee?"

"Little stiff," Diamond Tiara replied, "but not too bad."  She quirked an eyebrow.  "How's your balls?"

The changeling snarled out, his face turning bright red.

"Forget the mayor," he shouted.  "Get her!"

The other changelings let out a hiss of confirmation and charged toward the building, aiming directly for the pony.

Diamond Tiara stood there, a grin spreading across her face.  Turning the bow to hold it sideways, she pulled three arrows from her quiver, and fired them all simultaneously.

Each of the shots struck, hitting a different changeling.  They let out squeals of pain as they were shot, grasping at the wound and plummeting to the ground below.  Each one of them struck the earth with a thud, leaving a smoking crater behind.

"Now for you," Diamond Tiara called out as she turned to face the lead changeling once again.  Pulling out another arrow, she took careful aim, and fired.

The changeling -- unblinking -- reached out with one hoof and snatched the arrow out of the air in front of him.  He narrowed his eyes at Diamond Tiara, a slow chuckle forming in his throat.

The arrow exploded, sending the changeling flying.

Diamond Tiara laughed as she turned her back from the scene, leaping off the roof and heading toward Sugarcube Corner.  She stopped, eyes going wide as she recognized the giant pony that was currently taking another bite out of the gingerbread style building.

"These are delicious," the giant sized Aura said around a mouthful food.  "Too bad I can't ask you who made them."


*****


Diamond Tiara moved to sit as she woke up, blinking away the sleep as she looked around.

Aura sat on her bed, a box in her lap and a smile on her face.  She pulled out a cookie that looked like it had a rainbow shimmer to it, and took a bite.

"You bitch!" Diamond Tiara shouted, jumping from her cot and over to Aura.  "Those are my cookies."

Aura grinned.

"And what are you going to do about it?" she asked before shoving the rest of the cookie in her mouth.

Snarling, Diamond Tiara reared up on her hind legs and slammed one of her front hooves directly into Aura's nose.  The impact sent the struck mare falling back over her bed, the empty box launching into the air before falling to the ground.

Diamond Tiara's eyes went wide, her jaw dropping.

"You... you ate... all of them?!"

Aura moved to get back up, blood running from her nose.  She wiped some of it away with her front leg.

"Yeah," she said, "and they were delicious."  She narrowed her eyes into a glare.  "What are you going to do about it?"

"I'm going to make sure you never eat a cookie again," Diamond Tiara growled before yelling: "because when I'm done with you, you're going to be eating through a bucking straw!"

Roaring, Diamond Tiara lunged at Aura.  With a yelp, Aura bucked the side of the cot, knocking it into Diamond Tiara's chest to throw her off balance.

Once she regained her balance, Diamond Tiara jumped over the remains of the cot and lunged at Aura.  The two rolled across the floor, yelling at each other.  Punches were thrown at faces.  Kicks were aimed for stomach and ribs.  Their manes were too short to grab, so no pulling was done.

So instead, Diamond Tiara bit down on one of Aura's ears.  Getting a squeal of surprise and pain, she bit harder and yanked, causing a shriek of pain.  The warm, salty copper taste of blood touched her tongue.

Diamond Tiara grinned around the ear and pulled harder.  She may not actually be able to tear it off at the base, but she was going to try her damnedest.

A foreleg wrapped around Diamond Tiara's neck and squeezed, pressing against her throat and threatening to cut off her air supply.  The need to breathe made her open her mouth and gasp.  As soon as she let go of Aura's ear, Diamond Tiara was thrown.  Her back slammed against the concrete floor, causing a bolt of pain to explode through her spine.

"What in the name of Tartarus is going on here?"

Both Diamond Tiara and Aura looked up to see the glare of the drill sergeant.  Slowly, the two formerly fighting mares looked around, realizing that all the other ponies in the barracks were awake and staring at them.

"It's her fault!" they both shouted, pointing an accusing hoof at the other.
> Chapter 13 (Diamond Tiara and Aura sword fight)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Diamond Tiara and Aura stood glaring at each other.  Both had an almost matching bruise on their cheeks.  Blood seeped from both their lips and Diamond Tiara's nose, while running profusely from the bites on Aura's ear.  The pair were separated, standing too far too reach each other.  At least not without getting past the drill sergeant who stood between them.

"Today," he called out to the other recruits, "we start on weapons training, starting with swords.  Normally, we start with going over basic moves.  You would start by walking through the steps, move on to practice dummies, and finally train against each other.  In light of recent events --" he raised an eyebrow and glanced between the two mares " -- culminating in this morning, I have decided to make a major change.  Today, we start by having Diamond Tiara and Aura give us a demonstration."

Diamond Tiara's eyes went wide as she turned to stare at the drill sergeant, jaw hanging open.  She had no experience with actual sword fighting.  When she was younger, she had read some fantasy novels and got interested, but her father had never let her take any fencing lessons.  They were too dangerous, in no way would benefit her in the future, and did not help her become a well-rounded young lady (although, supposedly ballet and gymnastics did).  The closest she had ever come to it was when Pipsqueak and Silver Spoon would get her to play pirates or such.

She looked over at Aura.  Did the other mare have any sword fighting experience?  The look of surprise and confusion on her face seemed like a good sign the answer was "no."

Their attention was drawn back to the drill sergeant as he held up two swords.

"These," he called out, "are practice swords.  They are made of actual metal, help get accustomed to the weight and balance of an actual blade.  However, they are dull, so there is no chance of accidentally causing harm to yourself or sparring partners."

He turned and held the swords out.

"Since you two want to fight each other, you are going to do just that.  You will fight until: one of you reaches what could be seen as a killing blow, one of you surrenders, you are too worn out, or I just get bored with the whole thing.  So, take your weapons and get ready."

A thought suddenly occurred to Diamond Tiara and she narrowed her eyes, grinning at Aura.

"Well, if  your sword skill is the same as your wit," she stated, "then I have nothing to worry about."

Aura tilted her head and raised an eyebrow.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Diamond Tiara asked.  "All the times we've sparred, not once have you been able to get in a good riposte."

She could almost hear the "ooh" from the crowd.

"I'm not worried," Aura snapped.  "You've always talked big, but are shit when it comes to actually doing something yourself."  With that, she grabbed one of the swords, holding the handle between her teeth.

Diamond Tiara tried to keep her smile, but felt the tip of her lip twitch with the desire to scowl.  The claim had struck deeper than she wanted to admit since it was true.  It had always been her quick wit and sharp tongue that she had relied on.  There had been times when things were close, but she had never actually gotten into a physical fight before this morning.

What surprised her was that she had enjoyed it.  She had enjoyed it a lot.

They both picked up their swords, holding the handles in their mouths.

"Ready?" the drill sergeant asked, receiving a nod in response.

"Begin!"

Snarling, Diamond Tiara and Aura ran at each other.  Their eyes narrowed as they got closer, glaring at their opponent.  The two leaped into the air as they lunged at each others.  Their swords collided with a loud clang.

The impact sent a shock of pain through Diamond Tiara's jaw.  The muscles suddenly throbbed and her gums ached.

There was no time to think about it.  Diamond Tiara turned around, ears pinned back and head low.  She then ran at Aura once again, aiming low.  Once she thought she was close enough, she swung, aiming for Aura's legs.

The blade passed under Aura's hooves as she reared up onto her hind legs.  With a twist of her body, she came down, swinging her own sword at Diamond Tiara.  The dull edge slammed into the shoulder blade with an audible sound, sending the struck pony off-balance.

The impact caused Diamond Tiara to wince in pain as she tried to catch herself from falling.  It was fortunate that the blades were dull, or it probably would have cut to the bone.  As it was, she was betting that it was going to be sore and leave a nasty bruise.

Once again, Diamond Tiara turned to face Aura.  Again, she ran toward the her opponent, head low.  This time, she reared up as Aura did, and lunged forward.  Tiara's blade slammed into her opponent's chest, knocking Aura backwards.  A grunt of pain reached Diamond Tiara's ears, giving her a sense of satisfaction.

The feeling was pushed aside.  Rushing forward, Diamond Tiara tried to attack Aura again, to get her before she could regain her balance.  Years of experience had left Tiara with an understanding that an advantage should be pushed.  Wait too long and not only can a target recover, but possibly even rally to victory.  This was not some silly little thing where she could walk away after a devastatingly effective barb.  This was an actual fight.

And Diamond Tiara refused to lose.

Aura jumped to the side and twisted, spinning on one hoof to swing her blade.  The move barely gave Diamond Tiara enough time to turn, blocking the attack with her own sword.  She had not been expecting an attack already.  She had thought Aura was still off-balance from before.

It ended up being Aura who did not let up.  Again and again, she moved forward, swinging the sword with all her strength.  Her eyes were wide as she continued to try and get at Diamond Tiara.  Loud snorts of air puffed out of her nose as she continued to push.  Every muscle in Aura's body tensed as she put all  of her earth pony power into her attacks.

Fear started to build up in Diamond Tiara's heart.  There was no time for her to recover and counter.  She barely had time to block or parry one attack before another was coming for her.  Time and again, she was forced to step back, turning to keep within the circle they were using.  Each strike against her blade not only sent another jolt of pain through her, but also wore her down more and more.  Sooner or later, Diamond Tiara was going to be to worn out to block again.  The idea was made worse by the fact that Aura seemed like a mad mare that was not going to wear out any time soon.

"That's enough," the drill sergeant called out moving toward the pair.

Snarling around the handle of her sword, Aura reared up and came down hard, aiming for Diamond Tiara's head.  The attack was so quick and sudden, Diamond Tiara barely had time to block.

There was a sharp crack like thunder as the two swords struck, Aura's blade shattering.  She continued to bring the handle and the remnants of her sword down.

The broken end struck Diamond Tiara in the face, slashing across her muzzle and down across her cheek.  The skin burned as it was sliced open, making Tiara's eyes water.  Blood flowed from the fresh wound, running down her face and dripping into the dirt at her hooves.  The sword slipped from her teeth as she let out a hiss of pain.

Eyes wide, and grinning widely, Aura stepped back before lunging forward.  She twisted her head, aiming to bring the sharp edge of her sword into Diamond Tiara's shoulder.

Before she could lad the blow, an arm wrapped around Aura's neck.  The drill sergeant gave a hard yank, pulling the mad mare off-balance and preventing her from stabbing her opponent.  He then slammed Aura down on the ground hard.  One of his hooves came down onto her throat, holding her in place but not yet cutting off her air supply.  With the other he kicked at the hilt of the sword, knocking it from her mouth and sending it out of reach.

"I said 'enough!'" he shouted, causing Aura to cringe underneath him.  Her breathing slowed as she looked up at him, her wide eyes returning to their normal size.

Slowly, the sergeant stepped back, taking his hoof off of Aura's neck.

"You have shown yourself to be a danger to yourself and your fellow guards," he said in a calm, cold voice.  "You have stolen from your associates, disobeyed orders, and put others in dangers.  Were you permitted to continue, you would have severely injured -- and more than likely killed -- another recruit in what was supposed to be a demonstration.  You have been found unfit to serve in Princess Twilight Sparkles royal guard and are hereby dismissed.  You have ten minutes to collect your belongings before you are escorted off the premises."

"No," Aura whispered before shouting.  "No!  You can't do this to me!  You can't!"

Turning away from her, the sergeant looked at Diamond Tiara.

"Report to the infirmary," he ordered her.  "Get that gash stitched up.  Then report for latrine duty."

Diamond Tiara gave a nod and started to walk away.  She knew that she should have given a "yes, Drill Sergeant," as they had been told to do since day one, but found she did not trust her voice.  Her throat felt dry even as her mouth was wet from the leaking blood, forcing her to swallow it.

This was not something she had ever imagined.  Having ponies still be mad at her for when she was a bully was something that Diamond Tiara had expected.  Having one hate her so much that they literally wanted to kill her... it made her stomach churn with fear and guilt.

Had she really been that bad?

Diamond Tiara continued walking off the training field and toward the infirmary, her mind turning with the question as she listened to the screams of rage from Aura.
> Chapter 14
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The afternoon sun shined brightly over Sweet Apple Acres.  A faint summer breeze blew, helping to keep things cool and creating a gentle rustle of the tree leaves.  Apple Bloom stood on a hill, eyes closed as she enjoyed the feeling of air across her face and coat.  It felt nice.  So calm.  So relaxing.  So peaceful.  She felt like she could stand here and enjoy the moment for hours.

"Auntie Bloom!  Auntie Bloom!"

Although sometimes she would settle for just two minutes.

With a sigh she opened her eyes and turned to look at the source of the shouting.  Coming up the hill was a small green filly.  Her wings flicked excitedly as she approached.

"What is it, Greenie?" Bloom asked, looking at the filly curiously.

"Aunt Pinkie says somepony's coming," Little Green "Greenie" Smith Apple explained.  "Told me to get you because...

The filly paused, her brow furrowing as she tried to remember what Pinkie Pie had said.

"It's somepony you would want to see 'super duper ultra ultra badly.'"

Apple Bloom gave a soft smile as she placed a hoof on Greenie's head, ruffling the dark blue mane.

"You don't have to try and talk like Pinkie Pie when you're talking about her," Bloom stated.

"I know," Greenie replied, "but she seemed to want you back at the house to meet them really bad."

A chuckle escaped Apple Bloom as she started walking down the hill and toward the farmhouse.  Pinkie always got excited about visitors, especially when it was a pony that had not visited in a while.  The fact that she probably saw them around town or at Sugarcube Corner had no affect on it.  For some reason, ponies visiting the farm was always a big deal.

How many times had she been excited about Sweetie Belle or Scootaloo stop by?  And those two practically lived on the farm like it was a second home.

The thought of her old friends caused Apple Bloom to pick up her pace.  Scootaloo was supposed to come by later, after she had finished making deliveries around town.  Sweetie Belle, however, had gone up to The Crystal Empire with Spike to give a musical performance.  Maybe something (hopefully good) happened and the two were coming back early.

As she got closer to the farmhouse, she caught sight of the arriving pony.  The sight of the familiar pink form sent a thrill of excitement (and nervousness) through her.  Her pace picked up faster, practically running.  Her eyes lit up with excitement and her mouth burst into a grin.

As Apple Bloom got closer, Diamond Tiara turned to look at her, smiling. The sight made Apple Bloom stop as she looked at the other mare.

"What in tarnation happened to your face?" Bloom asked, staring at the row of stitches leading from Tiara's forehead to her cheek.

"Really don't want to talk about that right now," Diamond Tiara replied, running the tip of her hoof along the mark.

"Okay..."  Apple Bloom shifted, unsure what to say.  More accurately, she was uncertain how to ask what she wanted to.

"What about your mane?" she suddenly blurted out.  "Do you want to talk about that?"

Diamond Tiara tilted her head and raised an eyebrow.

"What about my mane?" she asked.

"It's short," Apple Bloom stated.  "I think it's even shorter than Scoot's."

Diamond Tiara grinned, letting out a small chuckle.

"You think it's short now?  You should have seen it when they first shaved it off.  Same thing with my tail too."

The mental image of Diamond Tiara without her mane and tail caused Apple Bloom to start giggling.  The fact that Diamond Tiara was doing the same was a good sign.

"That must've been quite a shock," Bloom said, still snickering.

"No kidding."  Tiara ran a hoof over the short hair of her mane.  "I had no idea it was going to happen.  I think I actually was in a state of shock.  I don't actually remember what happened after that for a while."

Moving forward, Apple Bloom wrapped a hoof around Diamond Tiara and give her a hug.

"I'm glad to see you," Bloom said before kissing Tiara on the cheek.

"Unfortunately, it's only for the weekend," Diamond Tiara explained.  "We're finished with the basic training and were given leave.  I'm supposed to go back Monday to start some sort of team training.  So, it looks like we get to spend the weekend together... if you want."

"Course I do," Apple Bloom said with a grin.  "Have a bit of work to do tomorrow, but I should be done in time for lunch.  What do you want to do first?"

"Actually..." Diamond Tiara shifted, rubbing one of her legs against the back of another.  "Is Scootaloo around?  I need to talk to her about something."

That response gave Apple Bloom pause.  Why would Diamond Tiara want to talk to Scootaloo?  The two might have started to get along a little better after the party -- and the drunken explanation about the bullying -- but they were far from friends.

"She's supposed to come by later," Bloom finally answered.  "Anything I can help with?"

Diamond Tiara opened her mouth, stopped, closed it, and looked around.

"Can we talk somewhere private?" she finally asked.

"....sure..." Apple Bloom answered.  "C'mon.'  She turned and started walking toward the barn turned office and apartment.

"You want something to drink?"

"Just juice is fine," Diamond Tiara called out, looking around.  Something about the place seemed different.  There was nothing specific that she could point to.  Except for a couple piles of papers here and there, everything looked like it was in the same place as last time.  Still, it felt like something had changed.

"Here you go," Apple Bloom said, holding out a bottle of juice.  The sound of Bloom's voice startled Diamond Tiara, causing her to jump slightly.

"Thanks," Tiara said as she took the bottle.  She took a sip, letting the taste linger on her tongue.

"Bloom?  Why do you want to be with me?"

"What do you mean?" Bloom asked, tilting her head curiously.

"Come on!" Tiara snapped, causing Apple Bloom to jump slightly.  The reaction made Diamond Tiara sigh.

"I'm sorry."  She set her bottle down and rubbed her forehead.  "It's just that when we were in elementary school, I was a bully and a total bitch.  Yeah, it was pretty much to everypony, but I treated you and your friends the worst... or so I thought..."

She turned to stare at the wall, her eyes glassing over as her mind turned to more recent events.  The memories of its origin made the cut burn and itch.

"So it would make sense if you hated me like Scootaloo does," Diamond Tiara continued.  "Except you don't.  Not only are you not mad at me for all the shit I've done to you and your friends, you've pretty much seem to have forgiven me.  You see me depressed at school, and you try to find out why.  You learn I had a fight with my best friend, and you come to my house and annoy me until I talk about it.  I show up on your doorstep because of an argument with my dad, and all three of you let me stay here.

"All of this is above and beyond what I deserve.  But you do it, and you don't even seem to give it a second thought."

Tears started to flow from her eyes.

"I treat you and your friends like utter shit for, like, five years, then basically ignore you until pretty much the end of the school year, and you practically treat me like a friend.  You're kind, caring, compassionate, and forgiving."

She takes a moment to wipe her tears away.  The action causes the stitches to pull, sending a fresh bolt of pain through her cut.

"As if that wasn't enough," Diamond Tiara continued, "you're actually willing to give me a chance in a relationship.  I act like a royal bitch for years, never make up for it, and yet you are right here --" she puts a hoof on Apple Bloom "-- by my side.  You're willing to be my fillyfriend, even after all I've done.  I'm pretty sure that any pony you talked to would tell you it's really bucked up.  And they'd be right."

Apple Bloom sat there, staring at Diamond Tiara as she went through everything that had just been said.  It was not exactly a lot of information, but it was pretty emotionally charged.  It was also a rather valid point.  Diamond Tiara had been mean to them for years and -- although she did eventually stop -- she never really tried to make up for it.

Still...

"What brought this on?" Apple Bloom asked.  "Does it have something to do with..." she motioned toward her face.

Diamond Tiara reached up and touched the stitches once again.  One of her ears gave a flick as she chewed on her lip.

"...Yeah..." she finally answered.  She let out a sigh and turned to face Apple Bloom.

"Back at camp, I met a mare that hated me so much, she wanted to kill me.  Literally.  She was so mad at me for what I did to her back when we were fillies, that she was willing to see me dead.  Want to know what the worst part is?  The most horrible thing about it all?"

Apple Bloom looked at Diamond Tiara curiously, but said nothing.

Diamond Tiara looked away.

"I don't even remember her.  This mare hated me so much for what I did to her, that she was willing to stab me... and I don't even recognize her from before camp.  Not her name, not her face, nothing.  So I have no idea what I've done to her to make her hate me that much."

She sagged, looking down at the floor.

"Was I that horrible?  Was my attitude so bad that ponies hate me enough to see me dead?  And..."

She shifted.

"Am I so much a monster that I have destroyed other ponies that badly without even bothering to remember who they were or why I acted that way toward them?"

There was a moment of silence.  Not even the ticking of a clock to interrupt it and keep track of the time.  Diamond Tiara stared down at her hooves, hoping to hear something that would make her feel better.

Something.

Anything.

"I ain't gonna lie," Apple Bloom finally said.  "You were pretty bad.  You cared about how much what you said hurt, but for the opposite reason.  It was like the more something you said managed to hurt somepony, the prouder you were."

Diamond Tiara winced and looked away.  There was no way she could honestly deny that.  The more a pony seemed devastated by what she had said, the prouder she was of it.  If it fail, she actually got mad.  How dare they not do what she wanted them to.

Maybe things would be better if she left?  Ponyville would be better without her, and few ponies would miss her.  Pretty much two, actually: her dad, and Apple Bloom.  Her dad would throw himself into his work, make Barnyard Bargains bigger and more profitable.  He might even find a pony that would be a better heir to the business.  As for Apple Bloom--

Apple Bloom put a foreleg around Diamond Tiara, pulling her into a half hug.

"You ain't no monster though," Bloom stated.  "Or... if you were, you ain't any more.  The fact that you feel bad for what you've done to this mare -- whatever it was -- shows that you have a conscience."

She then gave Diamond Tiara a kiss on the cheek.

"You can't change what you did," Apple Bloom continued, "and I doubt you can make it up to the mare that wanted you dead," -- Diamond Tiara perked up -- "but you can still try to make things right.  You're still alive, so there's still time to try and make amends for what you did."

Diamond Tiara turned to look at Apple Bloom, eyes wide.

"Who says I can't make it up to her?"  Diamond Tiara asked.  She then grabbed Apple Bloom's face, pulled her close, and kissed her.  As soon as the kiss broke, Diamond Tiara turned and ran for the door.

"Where you going?" Apple Bloom called out, still reeling from the passionate moment.

"To talk to Princess Twilight," Diamond Tiara responded.  "If anypony can figure out how to help, it's her."

"I'm coming with you," Apple Bloom stated, getting up to follow after her.
> Chapter 15
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Diamond Tiara stood in the street, staring at Barnyard Bargains.  Her tongue stuck to the inside of her mouth, her throat clenched tight, making it hard to breathe, and her heart pounded against the inside of her ribs.

This was not something she was ready for.  In fact, it was something she really did not want to do.  Not quite the last thing she wanted to do, but it was pretty close to it.  Just above having a cheese grater ran across her plot.

There was no need to actually do this, was there?  It was just a friendly request, not a royal order.  There was no actual need for her to go in at all, and certainly not today.  She could wait until... Hearth's Warming.  Hearth's Warming was a good time to wait for, right?

No!  Diamond Tiara gave herself a mental smack.  She had asked a princess for a favor.


*****


Diamond Tiara stood before Princess Twilight Sparkle in a small study.  After asking to speak with her privately, Diamond Tiara told Twilight a brief summary of what had happened between her and Aura while in training.

As Diamond Tiara spoke, Princess Twilight Sparkle sat behind a desk and listened.  She never interrupted, but her emotions were pretty clear on her face most of the time. There was a burst of guilt when Tiara admitted not remembering Aura, or what she did, and Twilight looked disappointed.  It was probably more because not everything could be answered instead of any sort of personal disappointment, right?

"Very well," Princess Twilight said after Diamond Tiara had finished her story.  "I'll see what I can do to help this Aura."  Getting up, she moved around the desk and toward Tiara.  "In the meantime, I have something I would like you to do."

Diamond Tiara straightened up, ears perked.

"What is it, ma'am?"

"Go talk to your dad."

The statement made Tiara's jaw drop and her eyes go wide.  Talk to her dad?  Last time she had talked to him, his last words were to not come home until she was willing to take over Rich Industries.  That was something she had no interest in doing.  If he especially saw her now -- with her face stitched up -- he would possibly be even more adamant against her being in the guard.  She did want to see her dad again, but not to just have a bigger argument with him.

"P...Princess..." Diamond Tiara started, but stopped when Princess Twilight held up a hoof.

"I'm not giving you an order as a princess," she stated.  "I am asking you to do this favor as a friend."

Diamond Tiara's ears pinned back as she looked down at the floor.

"But... he doesn't want to see me..."

Princess Twilight moved closer, placing her hoof gently on Tiara's shoulder.

"I don't believe that," the princess said.  "A big change was happening, and he was scared.  He said something he didn't mean in the hope of somehow getting you to stay."

She took a step back.

"I can't say it will go the way you want.  He may still try to get you to come back, and you might fight again.  But if you at least try, if you let him know you still want to see him and talk, then the two of you will be able to get back in touch with each other and patch things up.

"At least think about it?"

Diamond Tiara gave a nod.

"Good," Princess Twilight said with a smile.  "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some other matters to tend to.  I'll let Apple Bloom know if anything happens with Aura."

"Thank you," Diamond Tiara said with a bow, then turned and headed for the door.


*****


After talking the matter over with multiple ponies, and having a sleepless night of contemplation while being cuddled, Diamond Tiara had decided to go through with it.  It was not really a price to pay for the princess helping since (as it was explained to her) Twilight was willing to help any pony.  Still, this was something she was asked to do in return, and a part of being an adult is paying debts (her father had told her, repeatedly).

There was also a general consensus that her father did miss her, and it was better to start working things out now than to wait and have it get harder to do.

Taking a deep breath to gather herself, Diamond Tiara moved forward and entered Barnyard Bargains.  She made her way through the store easily, having been there more times than she could count.  None of the ponies that worked there bothered her since they had seen her there and knew who she was.  Walking to the back, she made her way toward her father's waiting room.

"Is my dad in his office?" Diamond Tiara asked the secretary as she stepped inside.

The secretary looked up from her desk, seeing Diamond Tiara.

"Yes," she answered.  "He should be just working on some paperwork, so you can go right on in."

Diamond Tiara started walking toward the office doors, then stopped.

"...Thank you..." she said. It felt kind of weird to say.  Thanking ponies was not something she normally did (if ever), especially a pony that she thought of as beneath her, such as her father's employees.  She never really got to know anything about them, did she.  One of the previous secretaries had worked for him for years, Diamond Tiara had met her pretty regularly, and now she could not for the life of her remember the mare's name.

The secretary gave a small smile before returning to her work, and Diamond Tiara made her way into her father's office.

Filthy Rich sat behind his desk, staring at a pile of papers in front of him.

"What is it?" he asked, not looking up.

"You have a visitor," Diamond Tiara said, moving closer.

The familiar voice made Filthy Rich stop, looking up from his papers.  He smiled at the sight of his daughter.

"Diamond Tiara," he said as he got up, moving toward her.  He wrapped his front legs around her.

"Hi, dad."  She returned the hug, smiling as she felt the familiar touch.

"I'm so glad to see you," he said, before pulling back.  "What happened?"

Your daughter finally got what she deserved for being mean to other ponies for so many years.

"Just an accident during training," Diamond Tiara replied.  "Nothing for you to worry about.  I have something for you."

She pulled out a pink pastry box and held it out to her father.

"They're carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting," she announced.

Filthy Rich took the box and opened it.  He looked from the cupcakes to Tiara, raising an eyebrow.

"You made these?" he asked.

"No," she replied.  "Pinkie did when she found out that I was coming to see you."  In point, Pinkie had insisted on making them.  She claimed it always helped to patch things up to bring a gift, as well as having something to eat together.  There was also twenty minutes where Pinkie kept repeating "cup-carrot-cakes or carrot cupcakes" because she could not decide which was better to call them.  Although there was no reason to share any of that.

"Thank you," Filthy Rich said before placing the box on the desk.  "And don't you worry about that cut.  with the finest surgeons and healing magic, and there won't even be a scar.  Can't have you taking over the company looking like that, can we?"

"Dad," Diamond Tiara said in a calm but firm tone, "I'm not taking over Rich Industries.  I'm becoming a member of The Royal Guard."

She could see her father tense at her statement.   Bracing herself, she straightened up to be as tall as possible, and waited.

"But..." He turned around to face her.  "Sweetie, you're not a fighter.  Look at what's happened to you just in training.  If something like that can happen there, just imagine what could possibly happen to you when you're actually out on duty."

"Dad-"

"No," Filthy Rich said to cut her off.  "No child of mine is putting herself in danger -- not even for a princess -- and that is final."

"I'm sorry, Dad, but no it's not."  She moved to face him.  "This is happening.  I'm becoming a member of the guard."

"But..." he sighed and looked at her.  "You're my daughter.  My only daughter."  He reached up, placing a hoof against her chin.  "You are the most important thing in my life, the one thing I am proudest of having a part in.  I don't want to see you get hurt, to say nothing about..."

This time, it was Diamond Tiara who initiated the hug.  Moving close, she gripped her father tightly.  She said nothing, holding him.

"I can't lose you," she heard her father whisper.

Finally she pulled away.

"I can't promise I'll be safe," she told him.  "It's going to be dangerous.  I might get hurt..." she looked away "...or worse..."

Taking a deep breath, she continued.

"But this is something that I have to do."

"You don't-" Filthy Rich started, but stopped when his daughter held a hoof up.

"Yes," she insisted.  "I do.  I've done some pretty bad things, Dad.  Things I'm not proud of.  Things" -- she touched the stitches -- "I never should have.  Even despite your best efforts to have me be a well behaved young lady, I was pretty nasty.

"When I joined, it was because I wanted to do something brave and heroic.  Now, there's more to it.  I can't change what I've done, but if I help other ponies -- protect other ponies -- then maybe I can make some amends.  Maybe I can deserve that forgiveness that I've already been given, and starting earning the forgiveness of others."

Including my own.

She watched as her father let out a huff, sagging slightly.

"I guess I can't talk you out of this," Filthy Rich said.  "Just... promise me you'll try to be careful."

With a grin, Diamond Tiara walked over to the desk, pulled a cupcake out of the box, and shoved it in her eye.

"I promise."

Filthy Rich stared at his daughter in shock a moment, before bursting into laughter.  Grabbing a handkerchief from his pocket, he began to wipe the cream cheese frosting from her face.
> Chapter 16
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once again, Diamond Tiara stood at the training grounds, but they were not exercising just yet.  There was something else that had to be done first.

The fact that all of the ponies that she was training with were earth ponies was something Diamond Tiara had noticed, but she never gave it a second thought.  Admittedly, she probably should have.  After all -- although founded by earth ponies -- the population was pretty closed to balanced between the three types, or it was before a lot of ponies moved in to live in a town that had a princess.

Turns out that there actually were pegasi and unicorns that had also entered the guard.  They had simply been put into separate training programs focused more on their own specific talents and abilities, such as flying while carrying other ponies, or creating shielding spells.

Now, the three groups were being combined.  They were being set up in teams of three, one of each type.  "It was supposed to maximize skill and capability," the commanding ponies said.  The teams were then supposed start training together "to build trust, and start learning the best way to assist each other in and out of combat."

So, here she was, waiting as the commanders called out names: one earth pony, one pegasus, and one unicorn.  The ponies in question would step forward, meet up with each other, then move off to the side and get to know each other while waiting for the rest to finish.

"Diamond Tiara," the drill sergeant called out.

"Rumble," the pegasus commander shouted.

"Dinky Hooves," the unicorn trainer added.

At the sound of her name being called, Diamond Tiara stepped out of line and moved forward.  As she did, she thought about the names of the other ponies she had just heard.  Rumble and Dinky sounded familiar, the latter vaguely, but she could not quite place them.  Classmates?  Schoolmates?  Former victims?

If the last, would they be willing to forgive and give her a chance, or would they want nothing to do with her?  Worse, would they want to get revenge against her?  She was really hoping that was not the case.  The idea of having another run in with a pony (or two) that wanted her hurt (or dead) for what she did in elementary school sent a feeling of dread through her stomach.

Two other ponies made their was toward where she now stood.  One was a faintly violet tinted gray unicorn with a golden mane and tail.  The other was a pegasus with more of a plain light gray coat and a darker gray mane and tail.

Bumble! Diamond Tiara thought, but bit her lip to keep from shouting it out loud.

The unicorn -- Dinky Hooves -- looked familiar, but she could barely place her.  The pegasus -- Rumble -- she actually did remember a little.

He had been kind of the typical pegasus colt, interested mostly in flying and sports.  Seemed more like the type who would want to join The Wonderbolts instead of royal guards.  Also typical of young pegasi, he had a tendency to crash pretty often.  So on the rare occasion that their paths crossed, she most often called him "Bumble."

He also had some brother that was supposed to be so great.  Rubber Made?  Super Lame?  Lumber Mane?  Blunder Tame?

No matter.  Not really important at the moment.  She tried to put on a small smile, hoping to look friendly as she moved to join.

"You have got to be shitting me," Rumble said, raising an eyebrow as they headed off toward the side.  "Diamond Tiara?  Really?"  He looked her up and down.  "You of all ponies not only joined the guard, but managed to make it through basic?"

"Rumble!" Dinky scolded, narrowing her eyes to glare at him.

"Oh, come on," Rumble said with a roll of his eyes.  "You remember what she used to be like, don't you?"

"I remember," Dinky replied, turning to smile at Diamond Tiara.  "She was quick-witted and could be very tenacious."

Oh, buck me! Diamond Tiara thought.  It's her! I had completely forgotten about her.

Back in the days of elementary school, there had been one pony that Diamond Tiara had tried to mess with once, then left alone.  Not because Tiara felt threatened, but because that particular pony was optimistic and positive.  None of the insults seemed to faze her.  Most often the pony in question would simply point out the positive.  Although there were a few time when she would -- aggravatingly -- simply accept that what was being said was true and be okay with it.

For Diamond Tiara, it turned out that that particular filly had been named Dinky Hooves.  Nothing Tiara had said seemed to faze Dinky in the slightest.  So much so, it was pissing Diamond Tiara off.  Unfortunately (at the time) she could do nothing about it.  In point, she pretty much had to pretend it did not bother her and completely ignore Dinky.  Otherwise, other ponies might get the same idea and all of Tiara's work would have been for nothing.

"I'm Dinky Hooves, and this is Rumble," Dinky said, motioning toward herself and the pegasus.  "We actually went to the same school as you.  Different class though."

"I remember you," Diamond Tiara said, looking ahead.

"I still can't believe you're here," Rumble added.  "I figured you would end up running your dad's business... or an evil criminal syndicate..."

"And I figured you would be trying to become a Wonderbolt," Diamond Tiara retorted.  She then slowed down, turning to look at the two of them fully.

"...So..." she said, shifting her front hooves, "...you don't have a problem working with me?  After the way I was... back then?"

Rumble let out a snort, rolling his eyes.

"Oh, please.  You think I'm going to hold a grudge over being called 'Bumble' a couple times and a couple snide remarks about my flying abilities?  Puh-lease."

"I never had a problem with you," Dinky stated.  "I mean, yeah, it would have been better if you were nicer sometimes, but you never really seemed that mean to me."

Diamond Tiara felt the edges of her lips twitch into a smile.  She had no idea if it was by chance, fate, or intent, but it seemed that she had been teamed up with two ponies that held no grudge against her.  This made her feel a little more hopeful.  She would still have to work to put the bratty mare she used to be behind her and become a better mare, but it would make it easier to gain their trust and work together in the field.

"By the way," Dinky asked, "do you know a mare by the name of Aura?"

Fuck you too, Universe! Diamond Tiara thought. Fuck!  You!  Too!
> Chapter 17 (Dinky and Rumble sex)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Diamond Tiara flopped onto her cot in their new quarters.  It was smaller than the barracks, pretty much a single bedroom with enough space for the three of them to fit comfortably (if just barely).  The idea was that it was supposed to further improve the team's bonding or something.

Right now, she was just grateful to have a bed to sleep in.

After tentatively finding out that Dinky and Rumble were not actually friends with Aura (they had seen her around school way back when and ran into her again when enlisting), Diamond Tiara had informed them that she had been removed from the training program due to "disciplinary issues" after fighting with another cadet.  Tiara had no desire to get into more detail.

Dinky was disappointed since "she seemed really nice.  And pretty driven."  Rumble gave no response.

Neither asked about the stitches across her face.

Once all the groups were set up -- with additional members in the last few since the numbers of all the types did not balance out evenly -- they began training.  It was different from what Diamond Tiara had gone through before.  Parts of it were similar, requiring her to crawl, climb, or keep her balance.  Now, that was not all there was to it.  At some points, Diamond Tiara had to carry one of them or the other, and at one point, she had them both.  Some times a shield had to be put up to protect them from something in order to get through, and at others, a blast of magic had to be used to hit a target.  There were also places a pony would have to fly ahead to do something such as tie off a rope or lower a plank to use as a bridge.  At times, they had to do two or three things at the same time.

It had been a long day filled with a lot of physical effort.  Now she was sore, exhausted, and ready for bed.

As soon as her head hit the pillow, she was out.

Dinky Hooves, laid in her own cot, staring up at the ceiling.  She let  most of her mind wander, having a small part of it keeping track of time.  After about half-an-hour, she slipped out of her cot and moved silently.  First she slipped over to Diamond Tiara's, to make sure the earth mare was asleep.  Once satisfied by the shallow breathing, she then made her way to Rumble's.  The pegasus was asleep as well, but that just meant that Dinky would have to wake him up.

Carefully, so as not to wake him yet, she climbed up onto the bed and stood above him.  Her horn lit up as she used her power to take a hold of the sheet and pulled it off him, exposing his body to her.  She licked her lips as she lowered her head.  Her muzzle stroked against the inside of Rumble's thigh as she went.  Dinky gave it a gentle kiss before nibbling, working her way closer and closer to her goal.

Rumble let out a gasp, his body tensing.  He woke up as the feeling of teeth teasing the sensitive skin of his inner thigh sent a bolt of pleasure through him.  His eyes went wide as he caught sight of the unicorn in bed with him.

"Dink-" he started to call out, but stopped when Dinky placed a hoof over his mouth.

"Ssshhh," she whispered.  "Don't want to wake up our roommate, do you?"

Rumble glared at her, but gave a shake of his head.  He let out a snort when her hoof finally pulled away.

"What the Discord do you think you're doing?" he asked.

"Well, it has been a while since we've been together," Dinky replied, "and I have missed you."  She licked her lips.  "Some parts more than others."  Her head moved lower, stopping as the tip of her chin tickled the fuzz of his sheath.  She let out a snort, her warm breath blowing against his underside, causing a shiver of pleasure through his loins.

"D-Dinky," Rumble stuttered out, "this is a bad idea."

Dinky raised an eyebrow as she brought her lips to the top of Rumble's sheath.

"Oh?" she asked.  "And why is that?"

She slipped her tongue out, pushing the tip forward to touch and swirl it along the edge of the shaft head.

Rumble bit his lower lip, stifling a moan of pleasure.  His shaft swelled at the touch, growing thicker as he started to become aroused.

"Well for one thing," he managed to say, "we have company sleeping right over there."  He pointed toward the sleeping form of Diamond Tiara.

"That just means we have to keep quiet and not wake her," Dinky retorted with a grin.  She actually found herself enjoying this more than she suspected.  It seemed she found the prospect of getting caught extra exciting.

Rumble shifted.  His shaft continued to swell and twitch, slipping out of its protective sheath as his arousal grew.

"For another..." He shifted, his cheeks heating up.  "I... was never able to handle matters myself.  So, I haven't been able to get any release for a while."

Dinky looked up at him a moment before her eyes went wide with realization.

"Aww," she cooed with a grin.  "Is Rumble afraid that his little captain will release the troops early?"

A cough escaped Rumble's throat as he rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"While I really could have done without the analogy," he replied, "but the idea is pretty much right."

"Well, then," Dinky's grin grew wider as she moved her head lower, "I hope you have enough energy for a second round."

"What do you meaeeee..." the rest of his statement was lost in a moan of pleasure.

Dinky pressed her nose against Rumble's sac, opening her mouth to grip a testicle in her lips.  She let out a gentle hum, sending vibrations through the sensitive and causing the previously mentioned moan.  Letting it go, she moved higher.  Her tongue slid out of her mouth once more.  She pressed the tip against the erect shaft and slid it down, slipping into the top of the sheath.  There was a thrill of pride as she felt the shaft twitch against her.

Placing her forelegs against his thighs, Dinky braced herself against Rumble.  She pushed her tongue out more, pressing the top of it against the underside of the equine erection, and licked her way up.  When she reached the medial ring, she stopped.  After giving it a kiss, Dinky turned her head and traced along the ring as far as she could.

With a quick shift to adjust her weight, she moved a hoof to press against the sheath, rubbing the sensitive flesh inside.  Dinky gave the ring one last kiss, then continued to lick her way up toward the tip.

Rumble's jaw clenched tight as he held back the urge to moan out in pleasure, having it escape as a growl from deep in his chest instead.  He squinted as he fought the urge to close his eyes and get lost in the pleasure, wanting to watch Dinky's teasing ministrations.  His tail gave a flick, teasing against the mare's stomach and chest.  His shaft twitched at the mare's gentle caresses, a bead of pre-cum developing on the tip.

Reaching that point on Rumble's shaft, Dinky slowly swirled her tongue around the edge before running it across the top, lapping up the little drop of fluid.

The shaft was too thick for Dinky to fit it into her mouth comfortably [a lesson she had learned the hard way (worst hospital visit ever)], but she could still tease and have fun with it.  Slowly, she stroked her hoof up from the sheath and along the length, reversing direction at the medial ring.  Opening her mouth, she took a hold of the lower part of the head in it.  Her tongue pressed against the underside of the flared tip as she began to suck gently.

"Oh, Luna," Rumble moaned out, head rolling back.  "I forgot how great your mouth felt."

Dinky pulled away from Rumble's cock, a string of saliva running from her mouth to the head, and smiled as she continued stroking the lower half.

"Glad to hear it," she purred with a grin, "but don't hold back.  The idea is for you to fire off a quick one now so we can take the time and really -- " she narrowed her eyes and licked her lips "-- enjoy ourselves."  She blew out a puff of air on "joy," sending a blast across the sensitive wet spot on Rumble's dick.

Moving to adjust her position again, Dinky pulled her other hoof from his thigh and placed it on Rumble's sac.  She stroked and rubbed gently, teasing and massaging the contents.  She continued to stroke and rub the length, running up to the mid-point and down to the top of the sheath.  Once again, Dinky pressed the top of her tongue against the underside of the thick shaft and gives a long, slow lick up to the tip.  Reaching the top, she flicked across it, teasing the opening before moving down once again.

Soon, Dinky started to created a steady rhythm.  Tongue and hoof would both meet at the ring marking the middle of Rumble's length.  Dinky would then stroke her hoof down toward the base while sliding her tongue up toward the head.  She would then flick her tongue over the top before licking her way back down once again, her hoof running back up to the middle once again.

Rumble was in heaven.  It was a strangely cruel, and maliciously tortuous heaven, but still heaven.  Each stroke, each lick, each caress, sent a thrill of pleasure through the stallion's body.  It tore down his resistance piece by piece, making him more and more excited.  The only problem was that it was just slow enough to allow him to go over the edge and reach his release.

"Dinky," he finally growled out.  "Stop teasing me."

"Aww," she mock pouted, "but it's so much fun."

"Di-" he started to shout, but stopped when he remembered they were not alone.  After taking a moment to gather himself, he managed to let out an irritated whisper.

"Dinky!"

Dinky let out a giggle in response.

"Sorry.  It's just hard to resist, and I've missed having fun with you."

Rumble let out a sigh, giving a shake of his head.  He leaned forward, running a hoof across Dinky's cheek.

"I've missed you too," he said, "but we don't have all night.  We both have to get up early for training.  Plus, the longer we go at this, the more likely we are to get caught."  He motioned toward the sleeping Diamond Tiara.

"Yeah," Dinky conceded.  "You're right.  I guess we'll have to save the long, hot, steamy, passionate night for another time.  I suppose we should make this quick and main event."

"If we had just started with that," Rumble stated, "we would probably be finished by now."

A smirk spread across Dinky's mouth as she narrowed her eyes.

"I know."

"You..." Rumble started.  "You... you little..."

Before he could figure out what to call her, Dinky moved up and kissed Rumble on the lips.  His wings shifted behind him, stiffening.  Closing his eyes, he wrapped his forelegs around the mischievous unicorn, pulling her close to him.  The underside of his shaft pressed against her soft, fur-covered stomach, causing the length to twitch and Rumble to let out a small moan of pleasure.

Dinky took advantage of the moment, sliding her tongue out of her mouth and into his.  She rocked her hips back and forth, rubbing her stomach along the length of the erect shaft pressing against her.  One of her forelegs wrapped around Rumble's waist, holding him against her.  The other came to touch one of the spread wings, barely touching the edges of the feathers.

Rumble broke the kiss, breathing heavily.

"Ready?" he asked.

Instead of saying anything, Dinky grinned.  Her horn glowed with magic as she used her power to take a hold of Rumble's shaft.  Holding onto him firmly, she lifted herself up.  Her stomach and crotch slid along his length as she raised herself above it.  Her gaze went from Rumble's eyes to their private parts as she lined the head of his length up with her folds.  Taking a deep breath, she pushed down, pressing herself against the top of the erect shaft.

They both gasped out in pleasure as Rumble's cock slowly sank into Dinky's warm, wet, folds.  The thick length twitched as the depths squeezed, sending a thrill through both of them.  The pair continued to push against each other, stopping when the top of Rumble's sheath touched Dinky's sensitive vaginal lips.

The two stayed still for a moment, enjoying the feeling of being together while getting used to it.  Rumble's hooves slid down to Dinky's rump, giving the cheeks a gentle squeeze.  He gave her a quick, gentle kiss on the mouth, then moved his head higher.  The tip of his tongue pressed against the base of Dinky's horn as he gave it a long, slow, lick.

The sensation of her horn being teased sent a thrill through Dinky's body, making her whimper in pleasure.  Her depths tensed and twitched at the sensations, squeezing the shaft buried inside her.  Her hips shifted, slowly lifting and lowering while rocking back and forth.  She pressed her own muzzle against Rumble's neck, nibbling.

Rumble's breath caught in his throat as he felt her teeth gentle nip a specific sweet spot.  Squeezing her rump tighter with one hoof, he moves the other higher to stroke gently under the base of her tail.  His own hips shifted and rocked, moving in time with -- but counter to -- Dinky's motions.  With each movement, he slipped further and further out before sinking his way back in.

Each time they pulled apart, Dinky clenched her muscles to squeeze the length and tug it.  She then relaxed, letting him slip back in with ease.  A huff of pleasure escaped her with each downward thrust, her rump slapping against Rumble's thighs with an audible smack.

With every downward thrust, Rumble pumped his hips up.  His grip on her tightened, pulling her closer to press against him.  Holding her firmly, he continued to lick and tease her horn, running his tongue from the base to the tip and back.  A grunt escaped him each time their bodies slapped together, letting out a huff of warm air through the soft blond mane.

As the urgency built, so did the pace.  The match movement broke down as Rumble picked up his pace, moving and thrusting faster.  He snorted and grunted, pressing against the horn and no longer able to focus on teasing it.  He could feel the pressure building up inside him.

Sensing that Rumble was close, Dinky stopped her own movements.  Pushing her hips down one last time, she held still, tensing her walls to squeeze the shaft as tightly as she could.

With one last thrust, Rumble buried himself as deep inside Dinky as he could reach and stopped.  The length swelled and twitched, unleashing blast after blast of warm, thick, seed.  The pair let out a moan of pleasure as they held each other tight, enjoying the moment of afterglow.

"What the hay!"

Rumble and Dinky both jumped in surprise at the sound, Dinky's body tensing to squeeze painfully tight around Rumble's sensitive shaft.  Eyes wide, they turned and looked at...

...a very irate and annoyed looking Diamond Tiara.

"Seriously?" she growled. "I... you...." She let out a groan.  "I don't even know what to say to this."

"Uh..." Dinky reared up (feeling the softening shaft move inside her) and waved her hooves.  "Ooooh.  You're dreaming Diamond Tiara.  Go back to sleep.  Oooh."

If the annoyed sigh and rubbing of her head was any indication, Diamond Tiara was not buying it.

"First of all," she said, "if I'm dreaming, why would I need to go back to sleep?  And second, even if I were dreaming, why in the name of Luna would I dream about" -- she motioned at the pair -- "that?"

"How should I know?" Dinky retorted.  "It's your dream, you pervert."

"You two are the perverts!" Diamond Tiara snapped, glaring at the pair.  Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and slowly let it out. 

"I am going to get some air," she told them as she got up and out of bed.  "When I come back, I want you both back in your own cots.  And for the love of Celestia, don't ever do that again while I'm in here."  With that, she headed for the door and left.

Dinky and Rumble looked at the door a moment before turning to face each other.

The two then started laughing together at the situation.
> Chapter 18
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Diamond Tiara sat on the table in the examination room waiting for the doctor or nurse.  Today was the day that they were supposed to remove the stitches.  Since it was not a matter that required immediate attention, she found herself having to wait for a bit.

Her attention turned to the letter that had been delivered to her while she had been making her way to the infirmary.  The seal and information included on it indicated that it was from Princess Twilight Sparkle.  Most likely it was an update about Aura.

Opening the envelope, Diamond Tiara pulled out the letter and began to read.

To Diamond Tiara,

I write this to inform you that I, regretfully, may not be able to assist in the matter of Aura as per your request.  After the events of your and her interaction -- and possibly as a consequence thereof -- said pony has left Ponyville.  I have been unable to find any forwarding information, nor had any ponies familiar with Aura been informed of her sudden departure, much less to where.

Attempts shall still be made.  Word is being sent to various villages, hamlets, towns, cities, et cetera to keep an eye out for a mare matching Aura's description.  Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee finding her, assuming she is still in Equestria to begin with.  Should she have gone to the Griffon Empire, Saddle Arabia, or The Bad Lands, it would be all but impossible to know where she is.

Apologies for the pessimistic tone.  However the point remains that, while attempts to seek her out may continue, Aura may be beyond reach to find, much less assist.

Further updates will be sent should any major progress be made.

Your friend,

Princess Twilight Sparkle (dictated, but not read)

The door opened to reveal a nurse.  She smiled as she came in.

"Good afternoon.  Are you ready to have your stitches removed?"

"Yes, ma'am," Diamond Tiara said, putting the letter back into the envelope.

"Wonderful," the nurse said with a smile.  "Now this might be a bit uncomfortable, but it should be painless.  Just hold still."

Not having much choice, Diamond Tiara held still while the stitches were cut and pulled out.  The nurse was right, there was no pain from having them removed.  It did feel weird, having the skin tugged on as the thread was pulled out, leaving small pinprick wounds.  It was also awkward for Diamond Tiara since she could pretty much do nothing else but watch the nurse work.

It was a relief once it was done.  Diamond Tiara hoped to Celestia that she would never have to get stitches again, or at least not in the face.

Stopping off in the bathroom, she looked at herself in the mirror.  Would the hair grow back over the scar?  Would it be the same color it used to be?  Or would she have this bald line across her face for the rest of her life?

Would it be so bad if it did?  It would be a pretty obvious reminder over what kind of pony she used to be, and the consequences of it.  Seemed like a good way to remind her of who she was, and who she never wanted to be again.

Pushing the thought aside, she walked out and made her way through the camp.  Her mind kept going back to the letter as she went.  Where in the world had Aura gone?  Was she still in Equestria?  The Crystal Empire?  Could she have gone to Saddle Arabia?  Maybe the Griffon Kingdom?  They were pretty militaristic.  Would they allow a pony to join?  If so, the griffons would have no interest in finding out why a pony was there instead of in Equestria's military, would they?

Diamond Tiara felt a pit of dark dread in her stomach.  What were the chances that Aura would come back, still angry, better trained in combat, and with some griffons for support?

No.  Diamond Tiara gave a shake of her head and pushed the thought out of her mind.  The odds were so thin, it would be practically impossible.  There were just too many ifs.

Still... there would be no harm in at least having some sort of idea on what to do in the very unlikely event that it did occur, right?

Seeing Dinky Hooves and Rumble, Diamond Tiara pushed the thoughts aside.

"Okay," she said as she moved to the two, "what's our assignment?"

"An escort mission through The Everfree Forest," Dinky answered.

Diamond Tiara stared at the unicorn a moment, blinking.   Slowly, a smile spread across her face, followed by a chuckle.

"Good one, Dinky."  She took a breath, still laughing a little.  "But seriously.  What is it?"

"An escort mission through The Everfree Forest," Dinky repeated.

"It's true," Rumble added.  "Tomorrow morning, we're supposed to escort a group of ponies from Canterlot through the forest to The Castle of The Two Sisters for some reason."

One of Diamond Tiara's eyes twitched as her jaw hung open.

"Oh, come on!" she practically shouted, stomping a hoof.  "They have been telling us since we were little to avoid The Everfree Forest because of how dangerous it is.  Now you're telling me that, not only do they want us to go in there, but to try and keep other ponies safe as well?  Doesn't this sound like something more experienced guards should be in charge of?  Guards that have actual combat experience?"

"Calm down," Rumble said.  "Take a deep breath and relax."

Diamond Tiara glared at him, letting out a snort of frustration.

"That's better," he continued with a smile.  "Now, first of all, part of our job would include dealing with threats from The Everfree Forest such as manticores, timberwolves, and so on.  We were going to have to deal with it eventually.  Better sooner than later, right?"

"I vote for 'later,'" Diamond Tiara grumbled.

"Second, it's just a walk to the castle and back.  Ponies have been going there for a while, so the path should be pretty safe.  Granted there are a lot of dangers out there, but most should avoid the path we're going to be using."

"Plus," Dinky added, "just think about what we'll get to see.  We get to see the castle with our own eyes.  We might even get to visit The Tree of Harmony."

"Fine," Diamond Tiara snapped.  "Fine.  Whatever.  Let's just make sure that we're ready to get up and going first thing in the morning."

She stopped and turned to face the pair fully.

"And by that, I mean get some sleep and be well rested and focused.  If I wake up with my cot out in the hall again, I swear I'm going to buck the pair of you."

Rumble and Dinky's eyes went wide.  They turned to look at each other for a second.

"In that case," Dinky said, turning back to Diamond Tiara, "could you give us... an hour?... maybe an hour and a half... alone?"

Diamond Tiara let out a growl as she turned and started to walk away.

"I just had to get teamed up with a pair of sex maniacs."
> Chapter 19
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Diamond Tiara paced back and forth along the side of the path.  Her eyes kept flicking toward The Everfree Forest as she moved.  Her body was tense, eyes narrow, tail flicking and ears twitching.

Dinky Hooves and Rumble stood nearby, watching their teammate pace.  After moving past them for what must have been close to the fiftieth time, Rumble leaned in closed to Dinky and whispered in her ear.  Dinky looked at him a moment, then gave a nod before turning her attention back to Diamond Tiara.

"Keep that up," Dinky called out, "and you're going to be exhausted before we even start."

"Oh, I'm sorry!"  Diamond Tiara snapped, glaring at the pair.  "Is my being nervous about this discorded mission bothering you?"  With a huff, she resumed her pacing.  Rumble smirked and held up a hoof.  Rolling her eyes, Dinky gave him five bits.

"Can I call you Di?" Dinky asked.

The question made Diamond Tiara stop.  Once again she turned to look at the Dinky, raising an eyebrow.

"What?"

Dinky repeated, "Can I call you Di?"  She shifted and continued.  "Now that we're on our first mission and out of training, I figure we should relax a little, be more like friends.  I also don't want to have to keep calling you by your full name, Diamond Tiara.  So I figured I would call you Di, and you could call me Dinks."

"...Dinks?"

"Yeah.  Short for Dinky.  Sounds better than Dink.  I suppose you could just call me D.  That would be kind of interesting.  D and Di.  Or Di and D.  I think I would prefer Dinks though.  So, can I call you Di, or would you prefer DT?"

Diamond Tiara stared at Dinky Hooves a moment, one of her eyes twitching.  With a groan, she closed her eyes and rubbed her head.

"Fine," she huffed.  "Whatever.  I don't care.  Call me whatever you want."

"Seems a bit odd," Dinky said, "but okay.  Anyway, Whatever You Want, there's nothing wrong with being nervous.  In point, it can be a good thing.  Might make you more attentive to what's going on around you and react faster when things go badly.  You have to be careful though.  If you wear yourself out before we start, you're not going to be very capable if and when you need to be."

Diamond Tiara looked at the smiling unicorn, considering the words.  Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and slowly let it out, trying to relax a little.

"I think somepony's coming," Rumble called out, pointing a hoof toward town.  Dinky and Tiara turned to look.

Coming toward the three of them from Ponyville were three more ponies.  Two of them were unicorns, with the one in the lead being a pale gray stallion with darker mane and tail.  The one following was a yellow coated mare with pale orange mane.  The third was a young, gangly looking pegasus stallion with a cream colored coat and brown mane and tail.

"Ah," the gray unicorn said as the arriving group joined Diamond Tiara, Dinky, and Rumble.  "You three must be the guard escort assigned to us.  I am Professor Dusty Tomes."  He turned and motioned toward the yellow unicorn.  "This is my assistant,  Bright Ideas, and..." He turned to look at the pegasus.  "Sorry, what was your name again?"

"Featherweight, sir."

"Right," Professor Tomes said with a nod.  "Featherweight, a local photographer we managed to hire for the expedition."

"Nice to meet you," Dinky said, moving forward to shake hooves with the professor.  "I'm Dinky Hooves.  That is Rumble, and that's Diamond Tiara."

Rumble gave a small wave with one of his wings.  Diamond Tiara stood stiffly, staring at the three new ponies.

"Do you have any experience in a situation like this?" she asked.

Professor Tomes smiled and let out a small chuckle.

"Well I'm no Daring Do, but I've had my share of exciting and dangerous expeditions."

Okay, Diamond Tiara thought as she relaxed a little more.  If they have been in dangerous situations before, then they should know at least a few spells they can use to protect themselves.  Featherweight is from here, so he grew up near The Everfree Forest same as we did.  This looks like we have a better chance of making it through this alive than I originally expected.

Worst case scenario: we all die, but at least there will be some pictures of whatever ate us.

"Shall we get going, then?" Bright Idea asked.

"First, some rules," Diamond Tiara stated.  "Stay close to each other, keep to the trail, listen to us, and don't touch anything in the forest.  There are plants out there that are just as dangerous as any creature, if not more so.  Everypony clear?"

There was a round of nods.

"Great.  Let's get going then."

With that, she turned and started walking toward the entrance to The Everfree Forest.  The others watched a moment before following after her.  As they walked, Featherweight moved to catch up with Rumble, standing next to him.

"So, you put her in charge?" Featherweight asked.

Rumble slowed down, chewing his lower lip for a moment as he considered the question.

"I wouldn't say we put her in charge," he finally responded, "as... she declared herself in charge and neither of us really cared enough to argue with her."

The statement made Featherweight stop, eyes wide.  He stood there as he let the statement sink in.  As he did, the others continued to walk.  With a shake of his head and a flap of his wings, he ran back up to join Rumble again.

"So, you're okay with her being in charge?"  He glanced toward Diamond Tiara, then leaned in and lowered his voice.  "I mean, we both went to school with her, but I was in her class and worked for her at the paper for a couple days.  I know from personal experience how bad she could be."

"First, are you the same pony you were back in elementary school?" Rumble asked.

"No," Featherweight answered.

"Would you want ponies to treat you the same way they did back then?"

"Probably not."

"Second..." Rumble paused, considering a moment.  He then took a deep breath.

"Dinky says that she's trying to change.  You know, trying to be a better pony than she used to be.  So we need to give her a chance to redeem herself and prove she's a better pony than she was back then."

He then grinned and let out a snicker.

"Besides, she already has experience bossing others around.  Might as well let her put the skills to use."
> Chapter 20
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	One of the problems with The Everfree Forest was the weather could be unpredictable.  In Ponyville -- and most of Equestria, for that matter -- was actually controlled by the ponies and planned ahead.  It could be irksome at times, and there was an issue if the weather team messed up, but there was an upside.  Since weather was planned in advance, most ponies could schedule plans around it.  There was no such advantage with The Everfree Forest.  Nopony could guess what the weather in it would be from day to day.  Most of the time, the weather only mattered if it threatened to head toward Ponyville.

Thus, six ponies found themselves walking through the forest as it rained.

Back in the previously mentioned Ponyville, there had been a few clouds, but scattered and with no chance of rain.  As the six went further along the path, the sky grew darker.  None of them noticed immediately, thinking it was more the path being covered by the canopy of the trees above them more than anything else.  Soon, it began to sprinkle.  Small, barely noticeable droplets of water fell, hitting the ponies.

"Oh, no," Diamond Tiara said.  "It's starting to rain.  We do not have the proper supplies to deal with this.  We should head back to town and reschedule the expedition for another day."

"Wow," Featherweight said, eyes wide.  "When did you become such a chicken?"

Diamond Tiara stopped, her body tensing.  She turned around and narrowed her eyes to glare at the pegasus.

"What...did you just call me?" she growled.

Featherweight shifted, casually checking over his camera before replying.

"All I'm saying is that the Diamond Tiara I remember wouldn't have let a little rain stop her."

"True," Diamond Tiara admitted, "but you seem to be forgetting: the Diamond Tiara you remember would either have forced somepony like you to give her your umbrella or manage to send somepony out into the rain to get her an umbrella."

Featherweight gave a slight nod.  That was true.  While not in the same context, he did have direct experience working for her, and had seen how manipulative she could be.

"We can't go back," Dusty Tomes stated.  "We have a schedule to keep to and limited time.  As such, we need to get as accomplished as possible.  To that end, delaying for hours is out of the question, to say nothing of a full day."

Of course, Diamond Tiara thought, rolling her eyes.  She lifted her head to get better look at the sky and clouds above them.

"Do any of you know anything about weather?" she asked.

"I do," Rumble answered.  "My brother used to be a part of the Ponyville weather team.  I don't like to brag, bu-"

"Yes, you do," Dinky interrupted.

"... but he even managed to become manager," Rumble finished, giving Dinky a sour look.

"Can you tell how bad it's going to be?" Diamond Tiara asked, looking at the clouds ahead.

Rumble moved forward and stared at the sky.  His wings spread out, stretching as wide as he could to feel the air currents.  He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath.  The others watched silently, waiting for him to answer.

"I have no idea," he finally responded.  "The clouds are definitely thicker up ahead, so we're probably going to have to pass right through the center of the storm.  I can't tell how hard the rain is going to be or for how long though."

Diamond Tiara nodded, thinking about it.

Probably won't stop before we have to pass through it.

"Okay," she said, "we'll keep some shield spells ready.  Not a big one, just enough to create the equivalent of an umbrella if the rain gets too heavy.  If we're lucky, we'll miss the worst of it and the storm will discourage the other animals from leaving their dens until it passes."

"And if we aren't lucky?" Bright Ideas asked.

"Then some pony eating creature or other will snack on us while we are caught in the worst part of a torrential downpour."

"This place isn't really that dangerous, is it?" Bright Idea asked.

Before any of the other ponies could answer, the sound of a long, deep, baying reached their ears, causing the ponies to all tense up.

"If it's any consolation," Dinky said with a comforting smile, "what she's talking about is probably, like, second or third worst case scenario."

Bright Idea stopped and turned to look at Dinky fully, tilting her head and raising an eyebrow.

"What's the worst case scenario, then?"


*****


Six ponies were spread out all over the path, hailstones pelting their bodies.  None of them were dead, yet, but it was only a matter of time.

Professor Dusty Tomes laid on his back, eyes wide and blood running from the corner of his mouth.  One of his front hooves pushed into his abdomen as he tried to force his intestines back in, the fact that they were torn open not even registering.  His chest rose and fell as he tried to breathe, finding it hard to get enough air.

His assistant, Bright Idea hung from the mouth of a timberwolf.  The creature had given its head a hard shake, snapping her neck.  Unfortunately, it was not well enough to kill her instantly.  Instead, she was forced to dangle from the jaw helplessly.  Although she should have been entirely numb from having the connections to the rest of her body severed, Bright Idea still felt pain in her legs and back.  Everything was slowly turning blurry as blackness slipped into the edges of her vision.

Featherweight laid curled up in a ball on the ground, shivering.  He clutched at one of his front legs, the sharp splintered edge of bone sticking out of the flesh from the elbow.  Fragments also stuck out from one of Featherweight's wing, the appendage twisted into a shape that would make it impossible to fly.  A deep red foam formed around his mouth, growing larger with each exhalation before being rinsed away by the freezing cold rain.

Jaw tense and eyes narrowed, Rumble stared at the manticore in front of him.  One wing stretched out wide, spread as far as he could get it, the other lay on the ground where it had fallen after being torn off.  With each rapid beat of his heart, blood spurted from where the limb had been attached and oozed down over the armor.  Furrows tore through the metal that protected the stallion's shoulder, exposing the sensitive and fragile flesh underneath.  One of his hind legs was swollen and red, the limb numb and oozing yellow from the sting of the manticore's scorpion tail.

Diamond Tiara held the bleeding stump that had once been a foreleg close to her body, her other front leg shaking as she tried to balance her weight on it.  Her teeth held tight around the handle of the sword as she stared at the cragadiles moving toward her, one still holding the remains of her missing limb between its teeth.  Her gaze shifted back and forth between them, trying to keep track of them all.  Her balance was already precarious, and the loss of another limb would guarantee her falling.  Diamond Tiara had no interest in dying, and certainly not by being torn apart by toothy reptiles.

Pressing a hoof against her throat, Dinky Hooves tried to stop the  bleeding from the gash on her neck.  One eye stared at the ursa as the other stared at the ground at her feet.  This was not because of a genetic condition like her mother, but because the eyeball was dangling from its socket.  The fact that it was still attached by the nerves and functional was the smallest of miracles.  A swat from the massive creature had torn off half of the unicorn's face, including the muscles and flesh that had covered the now exposed socket.  Her horn sparked and sputtered with magic, but pain and panic kept her from focusing enough to actually cast anything.  Worst of all was a horrible realization.

They were not going to make it out of this alive.

Even if they were somehow able to defeat all the creatures that were attacking, all of them were too injured to survive.  Those that were still able to move would pass out from blood loss and die before getting medical help.  That was assuming they were not attacked again by some other predator, which would most likely happen.  Predators could detected wounded prey.

A roar drew Dinky's attention.  Her good eye went wide as the ursa reared up and swung one of its massive paws down toward her head.


*****


With a shake of her head and quick cough to clear her throat, Dinky Hooves brought herself back to the present.  Smiling, she placed a hoof gently on Bright Idea's shoulder.

"Don't worry about it," Dinky said.  She gave a gentle pat then moved to walk ahead.

Bright Idea watched the other unicorn walk away.  Her own pace shifted, moving to walk alongside Professor Dusty Tomes.

"Maybe we should wait and come back another day," she suggested.  "We could take the opportunity to do some research on the local flora and fauna, maybe pack some additional supplies as well."

"We have a schedule to keep," Professor Tomes reiterated.  "Besides, I'm sure what ever we come across will be sufficiently handled.  I wouldn't even have waited for the guard escort if it hadn't been insisted upon.  This is a place where Princess Twilight Sparkle had gone to multiple times after all."

Bright Idea's eyes went wide, as her jaw fell open.  She stared at the professor a moment in shock.

"You think we'll be okay," she sputtered out, "because a pony that became a princess by defeating powerful evils that wanted to take over Equestria was able to make it through, even though she needed help from five other ponies to do it?"

"When you say it like that," he said, "it does sound rather silly.  All the same, my point remains.  Our time is limited and ponies have been making this trip for years.  Quite honestly, the fact that no others from Canterlot have done so is quite a disappointment.  Think of all the early and pre-Equestria information we might be able to find."

"I'm suddenly feeling a lot less certain about this expedition," Bright Idea whispered to herself as she stepped away from the professor and walked along somewhat by herself.
> Chapter 21
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The six continued to make their way along the path and toward the castle.  As expected, the rain became heavier.  Massive, ice cold droplets fell in almost solid sheets.  It became severe enough that the group decided to create a dome above them to use like a giant umbrella.  Bright Idea was capable of creating one that worked well enough, although she claimed it probably would be ineffective for anything more aggressive.  Not only were they able to stay dry, but there was the additional benefit of allowing Dinky to save her own magical energy in case of an emergency.

It actually was kind of interesting to watch.  The sights of the droplets stroking the topside of the dome and splattering before running down along the curve and falling away in a steady stream.  Featherweight even took a couple pictures of it.

Not too much attention could be paid to it, however.  As Professor Dusty Tomes pointed out (annoyingly often), they were on a schedule.  Plus, there were still dangers that had to be watched out for.  The idea of accidentally passing through a puddled patch of poison joke was not one that appealed to any of them (that knew what the flower was capable of).

Dinky started humming a tune that seemed to fit the rhythm of the rain.  The sound of it was barely audible, but the mood behind it was infectious.  The others found themselves relaxing a little more.  The patter of the rain and the rustling of the leaves was actually relaxing, even if they were traveling to a predator heavy murder forest.

The momentary relaxation ended as they were reminded of how dangerous the forest actually was.  Three figures stepped out of the woods and onto the path, blocking it.  They stood nearly twice as tall as the ponies, and three times as wide.  The creatures were not made of flesh, but of wood.  Their limbs and bodies were a collections of twigs and branches.  They stared at the ponies with glowing green eyes.

"Wh-wh-wha-what are those?" Professor Tomes asked, eyes going wide.

"Timberwolves," Rumble answered.  He moved to make sure he was standing between the professor and the predators, wings flaring open.

"Timberwolves?" Professor Tomes cried out.  "Those are timberwolves?"

"Maybe you should have done more research before coming out here," Featherweight said, snapping some photographs of the creatures in their way.

"We need to get out of here."  The professor started to step back, looking around.  "We should run."

"No," Diamond Tiara said.  "We're too far to reach town before they wear us out and catch us."

"They're actually more likely to attack if we run," Dinky Hooves added.  "Our best tactic would be to outwit them and scare them off."

"Or just make it so they can't attack us," Diamond Tiara said, a smirk forming on her mouth.

Dinky turned her head to look at Tiara from the corner of her eye, raising an eyebrow.

"Do you have a plan?"

"An idea," Diamond Tiara answered.  "Do you know any good freezing spells?"

"One or two.  Not exactly my forte.  Why?"

"Rumble," Diamond Tiara called out, turning around to face him, "do you think you can force the rain above them to come down harder?"

"I don't have a lot of experience with clouds," Rumble answered, "and it's harder to guess how they will act here.  I can still give it a try though."

With a flap of his wings, the took off to fly out from under the dome and up toward the clouds above the timberwolves.

One of the creatures lunged forward, swiping its paws through the air.  The massive limb struck Rumble hard, sending him tumbling into the forest and out of sight.

"Rumble!" Dinky shrieked as she watched disappear into the forest.  Her ears drooped and eyes were wide as she stared, jaw hanging open.

The shock vanished from her features as her jaw clenched and eyes narrowed.  Growling, she turned to face the timberwolves, ears pinned back against her head.  She walked forward, moving past the edge of the shield and toward the creatures.  An aura of dark blue magic glowed around her horn.  The air around Dinky grew colder, a faint fog of frost forming around her.  Rearing up on her hind legs, she gave her head a hard forward thrust.

A beam of magic shot forward from Dinky toward the timberwolves.  The air it past to turned white with frost, the water droplets turning into ice.

One of the timberwolves -- the one that had struck Rumble -- had enough time to realize what was happening before it was struck.  Ice formed on the creature, coating it.  It started with the water in the porous wood that made up its body, swelling up as it froze, making it hard to move.  Rapidly, the ice grew thicker and heavier, forming around its joints and making it difficult to move.  It continued to grow, and spread, until the entire body of the timberwolf was engulfed, frozen solid.

Dinky's horn stopped glowing for a second before lighting up again.  Another magical blast shot from her, aiming for the same timberwolf.  There was an audible boom as the magic struck, the frozen form shattering.  Chunks of ice and shards of wood went everywhere, leaving nothing behind but for frozen, wooden feet.

The remaining two timberwolves decided it was best not to stick around.  Turning tail, they ran back into the forest as quickly as they could.  Dinky glared as she watched them go, huffing.  The other remaining ponies all stared at her, eyes wide and jaws open.

"What the hay?!" Diamond Tiara blurted out.  The normally calm, friendly, and happy unicorn had just frozen a timberwolf and blown it into kindling in an act of fury.

"Rumble!" Dinky called out again.  Turning, she started to run toward the forest where she had last seen the pegasus.  Before she could get very far, something slammed into her, pinning her to the ground.  Dinky looked up, finding that it was Diamond Tiara now on top of her.

"Get off me," Dinky snapped, kicking and squirming, but unable to get up.

"You need to calm down," Diamond Tiara stated, staring Dinky in the eye.

"I need to find Rumble."

"No you don't."

The statement was like a bucket of ice water being dumped on her.  Dinky tensed, eyes wide as she turned to get a better look at Diamond Tiara.

"Are you insane?" Dinky shouted.  "He's out there somewhere.  Hurt!  We can't just leave him out there with who knows what!  No-"

"We aren't leaving him out there," Diamond Tiara cut off, putting a hoof over Dinky's mouth.  "I'm going after him.  You are going to stay with the professor and his assistant, escorting them to the castle.  We're closer to it than town and should be safe there, and you're the best chance of keeping them safe if anything else attacks."

She slowly pulled her hoof away, getting a sigh and slow nod from Dinky.  Tiara then climbed off, letting her up.

"Featherweight," she called out as she turned to face him, "I need you to fly back to town as quick as you can and get us help.  Tell them we also need medical assistance."

"I'm on it," Featherweight called out as he moved to get out from under the dome.  He then took off, flying back toward town.

Diamond Tiara then turned to face Professor Tomes and Bright Idea.

"Stay close to Dinky and do exactly as she tells you.  None of the creatures attack the castle, so you should be safe there."

Getting nods from the pair, Diamond Tiara started to head off the trail and toward the forest.

"I'll go get  Rumble.  If everything goes right, we'll meet you at the castle and will just have to wait for help."

"Diamond Tiara," Dinky called out, making Tiara stop.  "Be careful."

Diamond Tiara smirked as she looked back at Dinky.

"Don't worry," she said.  "Diamonds are unbreakable."

With a chuckle, she ran into the forest, heading the direction they had seen Rumble going.
> Chapter 22
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Diamonds are unbreakable?"  Really?  Diamond Tiara groaned, rolling her eyes.  Why did I say something so stupid?  Sure in a nasty fight where somepony thought I was beaten, broken and defeated it would be a great thing to say before getting back up to win.  And why in the name of Discord was I laughing?  Am I going insane already?  Pretty sure that laughing while running into a dangerous situation is a sign that something is wrong with you.

Except something was wrong.  Not with Diamond Tiara (well...not just with her anyways), but with Dinky Hooves.  Dinky had been scared and angry over what happened to Rumble.  So Diamond Tiara found herself trying to reassure her ... (friend? were they actually friends?) ... teammate (seemed like a safe choice) that everything would work out fine.

And how did she choose to do that?  By acting like the same arrogant, know-it-all filly that she used to be.  Why did that arrogant little brat always seem to show up at the worst possible times?  Why was she finding it so hard to leave that part of her behind and become a better mare?

With a shake of her head, Diamond Tiara tried to push the thoughts aside and focus on what she was supposed to be doing now: finding Rumble.  She had already been heading in the direction.  Looking up, she gazed at the trees in search of any broken branches.  Hopefully none of them would be impaled with a grey pegasus stallion.

There was no blood that she could see.  So either he was somehow not bleeding, or -- more likely -- any injuries were too small to be immediately fatal.  Of course this was mostly speculation.  For all Diamond Tiara could know, Rumble could have hit something and been decapitated, his headless corpse lying in grass and a puddle of its own blood.

Maybe nothing's that bad, she thought to herself.  Maybe Rumble is a little bruised but fine otherwise.  He might even be trying to make his way back toward the path now.  Maybe we'll be lucky enough to just run into each other and be able to head back.

And maybe I'll sprout wings on my flanks, a horn from my plot, and be crowned Princess Jewel-Butt.

The mental image of flying upside-down butt first and farting magic* did bring a small smirk to her face.  One that quickly faded as her body tensed.

Something was wrong.

Crouching low and ears perked, she slinked forward.  Taking slow, deep breaths through her nose, she smelled the air.  It mostly had the freshly washed smell that came with the rain.  Normally it was a smell that she would enjoy.  In this case, it was a bit of a hindrance.  The smell of the rain covered up the scent of pretty much everything else in the forest.  The patter was a nuisance as well.  If there was something to hear, it would have to be louder than the rain to be noticed.  That was assuming that she was able to hear it at all to begin with.

Continuing forward, Diamond Tiara tried to pay attention to everything around her, including where she stepped.  Her senses strained, trying to pick up any indication of what it was that had gotten her worked up.

The movement of something caught her attention.  Crouching low enough that her barrel touched the ground beneath her, she crawled forward.  Poking her nose through the brush, she looked for what she thought she saw.  Her eyes went wide as her breath caught in her throat.

A large figure moved ahead.  It looked like a lion, but had massive dragon-like wings and a scorpion tail.  The creature -- a manticore -- seemed to be interested in something.  It was circling around a specific spot, sniffing again and again.

Diamond Tiara shifted to get a better look at what had the creatures attention, and had to fight back the urge to gasp out.

A pale blue-gray colored form was laying on the ground, unconscious.

Rumble!

It was hard to tell what exactly, but something about the way he looked seemed off.

Weapon! Diamond Tiara thought.  I need a weapon. Buck, buck, buck.  I should have brought a weapon with me.  Stupid, stupid, stupid.  She looked around, trying to find something -- anything -- to use against the manticore.

A branch!

Turning back around, she headed back the way she came.  Her eyes looked up at the trees and down at the ground, searching for any branches that had fallen or could be pulled free.

Finding one she felt was large enough, Diamond Tiara grabbed it in her teeth and ran back.  This time, she made as much noise as possible, wanting to get the manticore's attention and distract it from Rumble.  Unfortunately, that would mean the creature would be ready for her.

Shouting as best she could with the branch in her mouth, Diamond Tiara charged at the manticore as fast as she could.  Rearing up, she twisted her body in an attempt to slam the thick wood against the manticore's head.  She felt a shock of pain in her jaw as she struck something.

Opening her eyes, she looked.

Diamond Tiara had hit the manticore... in the shoulder.  It did not seem to be hurt by the blow.  In point, it looked annoyed.

Wings flaring, it let out a roar.

Shit! Diamond Tiara mentally screamed. Shit-shit! Fuck! Shit-fuck! I'm dead I'm dead I'm dead.

The manticore reared up on its hind legs and lunged, swinging one of its massive paws at the nuisance.

Diamond Tiara was able to lift the branch in time to block the strike.  It sent a shock of pain through her body and caused her to stumble, but she managed to keep from falling.  More importantly, she managed to keep from having those claws tear into her armor or flesh.

Okay.  Okay.  Calm down Diamond Tiara.  Just calm down.  She braced herself, facing the manticore again.  You can do this.  It should be a lot like sword fighting.  Except that the creature you're fighting has the equivalent of, like, four swords at the same time, is a lot stronger than you, pissed off, and hungry.

The manticore took another swing of its paw at Diamond Tiara.  She was able to jump back, just barely avoiding being struck by the razor sharp claws.  Lunging forward, she then swatted at the thing's head with her branch.

This time, she was able to strike the head.  There was a satisfying audible thump as the thick piece of wood slammed into the skull.  The blow was sufficient enough to throw the manticore off balance for a moment, stumbling to one side.  Unfortunately, it was not enough to actually defeat the creature.

Shaking off the impact, the manticore turned toward the pony fighting it again.  Claws out, it swung at Diamond Tiara again.  Eyes wide, Tiara turned, trying to face the creature and block the attack again.  The claws struck the armor on her flank.  There was an ear piercing screech as the claws scratched the armor, leaving shallow marks.

Well, since it's back there...

Diamond Tiara kicked out with her hind legs, aiming to buck the manticore.  Her legs stretched out as far as they could, hooves hitting nothing.  There was a huff as the air was knocked out of Diamond Tiara's lungs, hitting the ground from kicking too hard.

Something moved above her.  Shoving herself hard, Diamond Tiara rolled to one side, trying to avoid whatever was coming toward her.

There was a shriek of metal and burst of pain as something stabbed into her flank.

The creature roared out in pain.

Diamond Tiara turned around to look, her eyes going wide at the sight.  Sticking out of the armor on her flank was the end segment of the manticore's scorpion-like tail.  Blood -- and some sickly yellow substance -- oozed from where the barb had pierced the armor, and her flank.

The manticore glared at her before disappearing into the forest.  Diamond Tiara was skeptical that the creature was simply running off to leave her alone, even if it was injured.  More than likely, the manticore would stay close by, simply waiting until the venom killed her before taking both her and Rumble as its prize.

It took some shifting and struggling, but Diamond Tiara was able to get a hold of the barb.  With a hard yank, she pulled it out, jaw clenching against the chitinous surface as she hissed out in pain.  More blood and venom poured from the wound, running down her leg and across the tear in the armor.

The pain was worse when she pushed to get up, the sharp metal edges digging and cutting at her flesh.  All the same, Diamond Tiara was able to stand up, limping over to where Rumble laid, still unconscious.

She let out a sigh at the sight of him breathing.

"Come on," she said, lifting him onto her back.  "I don't know about you, but I don't want to wait around here just to die."  Once certain Rumble was balanced, Diamond Tiara started to walk back the way she thought she had come.

"I just hope to Celestia we get help in time," she whispered to herself as she walked.

At first, each step sent a fresh burst of pain through her leg, spiraling out and causing her to wince.  As she continued, the pain grew less as a tingling sensation began to spread through the injured limb.

It had to be the right way.  Diamond Tiara was sure of it.  It looked familiar.  So why did it seem to be taking longer to get back than it did to find Rumble?

The tingling sensation reached her back and stomach.  She could feel it along her spine and tail.  Worse, Diamond Tiara could no longer feel the leg, or move it.  Instead, it simply dragged along, slowing her down further as she limped her way back toward the path.

There was no way for her to clearly measure time at the moment, but it seemed to take forever to make her way through the forest.  Time and again, she was expecting to see the path ahead.  Time and again, she only saw more trees.  It had to be the right way.  Had to be.  Not only were there still signs of the broken tree limbs over head, but there was no time to go back the way they had come.  They had to get back to the path.  Otherwise, they two of them would die somewhere in the forest and nopony would know what happened to them, or where their bodies were.

Her other back leg gave out as she lost all feeling below the hips.  Reaching up with a front hoof, she grabbed onto Rumble to keep him from sliding off her.  The weight of two bodies being supported by a single leg was too much.  Diamond Tiara collapsed against the ground, face first.  There was a burst of pain as the front of her muzzle hit something.  She tasted blood.

We have to be close.  Just need to get a little further.  Please, whatever powers are out there, please, please let us make it.

Digging her front hooves into the ground, Diamond Tiara pulled herself forward.  She moved about an inch at most, but it was still movement.  She did it again, slowly making a little more progress.  The dirt, twigs, and rocks rubbed uncomfortably against her underside -- the part of it she could still feel anyways -- most likely scraping it raw.

Slowly, she moved further along, dragging herself inch by inch.  Her lungs started to burn with the effort.  The muscles in her front legs started to ache and stiffen as she kept trying.  The tingling traveled further up along her body, making its way up toward her chest, as did the numbness.

"Please," Diamond Tiara gasped out.  "Somepony, something, anything.  Whoever is in charge out there, whoever is listening.  Just please, please, please don't let it end here.  Not like this.  I don't want to die.  And definitely not out here."

She saw the path.

"Oh.  Thank you.  Thank you so much."

She continued to drag herself forward.  The tingling reached her shoulders.  Her lungs started to ache.  She felt like she could not breathe.  Everything started to go blurry.

No!  Not now.  Not yet.  I'm so close.  Just a little further.  Please.  Just... just... a little...further...

...Apple Bloom...
> Chapter 23
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Diamond Tiara opened her eyes, blinking.

She was... floating?

Looking around, she took in what was around her.  There was a lot, but nothing very helpful.  In one direction (up? There was nothing that gave her a sense of direction), was what looked like the night sky.  A swirling mass of black, mixed with dark blues and purples, sprinkled with tiny dots of bright white light.  In another direction was something kind of odd.  It looked like rainbow colored clouds.  Not a singular cloud with all the colors of the rainbow, but numerous clouds, each of a different hue.  There was no sun, no moon, and no ground, that she could see.

"Am... am I... dead?"

"No."

The sound of another voice made Diamond Tiara tense, turning to look for the source.  The attempt sent her spinning like she was in the middle of a playground merry-go-round.

"Well, not yet anyways," the voice continued.  It sounded familiar.  "It's more like limbo."

A pink aura of magic wrapped around her, stopping the spinning.

"You're not dead, but you're on the brink.  Right now, anything could happen to send you one way or the other."

Diamond Tiara was turned to face a specific direction before being released from the magical aura.  Her eyes went wide and jaw dropped at the sight.

Standing (?) in front of her were four ponies: three mares and a filly.  Strangely, they all looked similar to her.

The filly was her.  She had seen that face in the mirror and in photos enough to recognize her when she was younger.  Even had the tiara she used to wear.  If the scowl and glare were any indication, she was not happy.

The next one looked... older.  Not simply older than the filly of Diamond Tiara, but older than she was now.  This version was dressed in a well tailored suit jacket, complete with a collared white shirt and red tie.  Her mane was pulled back in a bun, a few short strands covering her forehead.  The namesake accessory was still in place as well.  She stared at Diamond Tiara over the rims of her eyeglasses.

The third was the most surprising she had seen.  This version of herself was tall.  Nearly as tall as Princess Luna, if not Celestia.  The tiara had been replaced by a full, silver crown that was accessorized by a chest plate with a tiara etched into it and gleaming silver hoof covers. A horn protruded from her forehead.  The long mane and tail swayed and shifted with ethereal energy, the pale lavender and white mixing with baby blues and pastel pinks.  Wings laid folded against her side.  Her nose was tilted up in the air as she looked down it at Diamond Tiara.

The final of the group was dressed in the armor of the royal guard.  Her mane was hidden by a helmet, and one eye was covered by a patch. Numerous bald slash marks crisscrossed her face, neck, and legs.  A captain's insignia marked her collar, and a sheathed sword rested against her side.

"You... you look like me," Diamond Tiara sputtered out.

"Really?" Filly Tiara said with a roll of her eyes.  "When do I, like, become so stupid?"

"We are you," Business Tiara stated.  "Parts of you, actually.  Reflections of yourself and parts of your personality."

"Okay," Diamond Tiara said with a nod.  "So I get that she --" she pointed at the filly "-- is supposed to be me when I was younger and I'm guessing that she --" she pointed at the scarred captain "-- is probably me as a guard."

"Correct," Scarred Tiara stated.  "The scars are kind of new, but considering Aura and the manticore, it's understandable."

"But who are you two supposed to be?" Diamond Tiara asked, motioning at Business Tiara and Princess Tiara.

"I," Business Tiara said, "am how you picture yourself after taking over Barnyard Bargains for your father.  A successful business mare who has made things bigger, better, and more profitable than ever..." her eyes narrowed.  "... Even if it meant that some ponies had to pay for it."  She grinned, looking more like a shark than a pony.

"And I," Princess Tiara said, her voice echoing with power, "am who you should become.  Princess.  Ruler, not only of Equestria, but of the entire world.  The most powerful and influential pony to ever exist."

Diamond Tiara let out a snort and rolled her eyes.  Now that she heard that, she kind of remembered thinking of herself like that.  Shortly after Twilight Sparkle had managed to ascend to princess.  When Diamond Tiara had learned about that, she had begun to fantasize about becoming a princess.  Then she would take over as Princess of all of Equestria.  After taming the dragons and making them serve her, she would go on to take over The Crystal Empire, the Griffon Kingdom, Saddle Arabia, and on and on, until all nations were under her rule.

"Fine," Diamond Tiara said.  "So, what is this all about?"

"It's about you!" Filly Tiara snapped.  "You need to stop this stupid idea of becoming a guard.  It's already started to ruin our beautiful appearance with that hideous scar on our snout.  And why the buck are you dating Apple Bloom?  What could you possibly see in that no good, fat, formerly blank flank bi-"

The rest of the rant was cut off as Princess Tiara's magic encompassed the filly's muzzle, holding it shut.

"Our younger self," Princess Tiara stated, "did touch on the matter, albeit momentarily."

"If you survive this," Scarred Tiara added, "you have a choice ahead of you when you regain consciousness.  Are you going to stay in the guard, continue to risk your life, and possibly keep getting hurt?  Not doing so would also mean giving up on trying to help others so much and possibly making amends for what you did when you were her."  She pointed at the filly.

"You should quit," Business Tiara said.  "You have already been injured in training, and nearly killed in what was supposed to be your first mission.  This is foolish and dangerous.  Our dad is alrea-"

Everything went black.  No stars, no clouds, no other ponies.  Nothing.  She was just floating in a void.

Something solid and cold pressed against the underside of her hooves.  Looking down, Diamond Tiara saw what looked to be some sort of path, floating in the darkness.  It was made of ice, or some sort of crystal, or something.  A glowing red orb of light pulsed through it, passing underneath Diamond Tiara and continuing down the path.

Seeing no other choice, Diamond Tiara began to walk along it.  She watched the path as she went, not really having much else to look at.  As she did, an orange orb pulsed through.  Afterwards came a yellow one.  Then a green, followed by blue and finally a purple one before going to red again.  Curious, Diamond Tiara tried counting off the seconds between each pulse, but the number always came out different.  She was able to establish something of a base, since she never managed to reach a count of twenty.

With no reference for time or distance, she had no idea how long she walked along the path or how far.  For all she knew, Diamond Tiara could have been walking in place hours.  As a result, it was actually a relief when she saw something up ahead.  She was so excited, her pace began to pick up.  Running seemed like a bad idea considering the smoothness of the path and the nothingness around her, but it was difficult to resist at least picking up the pace a little more.

Reaching it, Diamond Tiara stopped to look at it.

It was... a door.  An ordinary, everyday, plain looking door.  Reaching up, she tapped at it.  The sound of her hoof knocking on wood came back.  After several more seconds with nothing happening, Diamond Tiara tried the knob.  The door opened with ease, but she saw nothing.

Well, it seemed her choices were to either go in and find out what happened next, stand there for Celestia knows how long, or head back the way she came and see what -- if anything -- was on the other end of the path (if there was one).

With a deep breath, she stepped forward and passed through the doorway.

It was a classroom.  There were desks for students, another for the teacher, even a chalkboard , which had Miss Cheerilee written on it in an easily legible cursive.

"Ponyville Elementary," Diamond Tiara whispered to herself as she walked further into the classroom.  Making her way through, she headed up one of the aisles until she reached what had once been her desk (if she actually remembered where she sat).  It was as she moved to sit in the seat that she noticed something odd.  The desk was the correct size for her.  Not for when she was a filly, but now.  All the same, she sat in it, waiting like when she was a filly and class was about to start.

"This was it," the voice of Filly Tiara said from beside the desk.  "I ruled here.  The others feared and worshiped me.  They wanted my approval.  They wanted my time and attention.  They lived in fear of my anger and rejection.  I was pretty much a princess here, and none stood in my way.  Not even Miss Cheerilee."

"Is that how you remember it?" Diamond Tiara asked, raising an eyebrow toward her younger self.

"Duh," Filly Tiara said with a roll of her eyes.  "Like, how do you remember it?"

Diamond Tiara sighed and looked forward again.

Like phantoms, translucent colorful forms started to appear.  The shifted and shimmered, taking on the shapes of her teacher and former classmates.

At the sound of the bell ringing, the students got up and started for the door.  As they went, they started falling into their own little groups, talking excitedly with each other.  The Cutie Mark Crusaders, Snips and Snails, Twist and Archer, and so on, and so on.

"Lonely," Diamond Tiara stated.  She waved a hoof at the leaving foals.  "Look at them.  They don't want to hang out with us.  They don't want to bask in our wealth and power.  They don't care what we have to say, so long as they aren't the target of whatever toxic venom we want to spew."

The room grew darker, the wood warping and rotting around them.  The ghost-like ponies vanished.  All except one: a dark grey filly with a lighter grey mane and tail, wearing a necklace and glasses.

"We had one friend," Diamond Tiara continued, "one real friend who wanted to hang out with us.

"So what did we do?  Pretend we didn't care.  Claim they weren't hanging out with us because we rejected them.  They weren't cool enough or whatever."

"Speaking of 'what-ever,'" Filly Tiara replied, "I'm tired of listening to this."  She let out a huff and rolled her eyes.  "When did I become such a whiner?"

With that, the filly version of Diamond Tiara and the phantasmic Silver Spoon vanished.  The classroom turned gray, then black and white.  It continued to fade, becoming less like reality and more like a pencil drawing: nothing but dark lines.  These too faded and disappeared until all that remained was Diamond Tiara and her desk.

That too soon vanished, being replaced by a blanket.

There was a knocking sound.  Before Diamond Tiara could respond, a door opened.

"Hey sweetie," Diamond Tiara's mom said as she entered the room, grinning.  "How is my little filly doing?"

Diamond Tiara's jaw dropped as her eyes went wide.  What was her mother doing here?  The last time she her mother was...

"That's wonderful," Tiara's mother said, moving closer.  "Listen.  Mommy is going to be going away on a long trip, m'kay?  I've decided to go to Manehattan and become a fashion designer."

With a smile, she adjusted her hair.

"Now, I know you're going to miss me, but don't worry, m'kay?  Once everything is up and running, I can come back to Ponyville and the fashionistas will all come to me.  In the mean time, I'll write to you every week, and you will get to come and visit me in the summer.  Doesn't that sound wonderful?"

"It would be," a voice that sounded like Diamond Tiara called out, "if it had ever happened."

Business Tiara walked around from the other side of the bed, stopping just inches from her (their?) mother and glaring at her.

"Well, mommy has to get going.  Have a train for Manehattan to catch.  Mommy loves you.  Be good for daddy while I'm gone, m'kay?"  Still smiling, she turned and headed back through the door, leaving it open behind her.

"And like that," Business Tiara said, "we never saw her again.  Sure, she'll write for a while, but this was the last time we actually saw mom."

"I'm dying, aren't I?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"...what?"  Business Tiara raised an eyebrow, turning to look at Diamond Tiara curiously.

"I'm dying," Diamond Tiara repeated.  "They say that when you die, your life flashes before your eyes.  That's what's happening, isn't it?  I'm laying in the forest, dying, my life is flashing before my eyes, and you're some sort of spirit or something that is trying to help me in some weird way."

Business Tiara stared at Diamond Tiara for a long moment, studying her.  She then started laughing.

"Of course," she said between laughs.  "The one pony that would comfort you the most in your last minutes would be you.  There's that old ego that helped get us through so much trouble."

"And into it," Diamond Tiara mumbled.

"But no," Business Tiara continued.  "I'm not some disguised version of the reaper.  I am seriously the part of you that thinks you should leave the guard and go work for you dad at Barnyard Bargains.  Because we are a skilled and competent business pony that deserves to be the head of a business.  We can, and will do great things with Barnyard Bargains.  We can make it bigger, better, and more profitable than even dad can imagine."

She let out a sigh, ears dropping.

"Besides, we owe it to him.  Raising us, loving us, trying to be a good father even while running his business..."

Before Diamond Tiara could respond, everything went white.  Pain shot through out her entire body (for lack of a better term), causing her to scream out in pain.  Everything except Business Tiara came back.

There was another agonizing flash of pain as everything turned burning white.

Everything went black.
> Chapter 24
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The first thing Diamond Tiara noticed was the smell.  It was harsh, something that would burn the inside of her nose.  It was like... something.  Something she knew.  It was something she had smelled before.  Not often, but enough that she should know it.

Next came pain.  Her chest -- her lungs -- her stomach, flank, limbs, neck, even her ears and tail.  They all hurt.  She ached all the way down to the bone.  She was expecting even her skeleton to start hurting any second.

She groaned.

"I think she's waking up."

Oh, thank Celestia, Diamond Tiara thought.  I'm not dead.

With another groan, she opened her eyes.  First she just saw bright white.  Next came a pale purple-gray blur that focused into a grinning face of a blond maned, golden eyed, unicorn.

"Oh, crap," Diamond Tiara groaned.  "I'm in the hospital, aren't I?"

"Yep," Dinky said, still grinning.  "She's awake.  I'll get the doctor."

As Dinky Hooves left, Diamond Tiara looked around.  There was very little to take notice of: walls, a privacy curtain, and another bed with another pony in it.  The other pony was a gray pegasus stallion with his wings and one leg wrapped in bandages.

"You couldn't have stayed unconscious a little longer?" Rumble asked.  "I was this close to convincing Dinky to give me a sponge bath."

"Oh," Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes.  "Sorry that my waking up after saving your sorry plot from a manticore prevented you from getting some pity sex."

With a huff, she laid back down, looking up at the ceiling.

"...Rumble?  Why was Dinky the only one here?"

"Visiting hours haven't actually started yet," Rumble replied.  "It took some doing, but Dinky was allowed to stay with us since she's a teammate and guard too."

"Has... has anypony..."

"Several ponies have come to check on you.  Your dad was very adamant about you getting the absolute best care that the hospital could provide.  Pretty sure he had some of them terrified of his financial wrath.  Apple Bloom wanted to stay by your side until you woke up, even when visiting hours ended.  It took all three of her friends to convince to go home and come back in the morning."

"...thanks..." Diamond Tiara mumbled.

"What?" Rumble asked.  "Did you say something?"

"Thank you," Tiara said.

Rumble stared at her a moment before giving his head a shake, rubbing one of his ears.

"Could you repeat that?  I think I must have gotten some mud or something in my ears, because it sounded like you said-"

"You heard what I said!" Diamond Tiara snapped, glaring at Rumble.

"Okay, okay," Rumble said.  "You're welcome.  I'm just teasing."

Diamond Tiara resumed laying in bed, staring up at the ceiling.  Her chest rose as she took a deep breath before slowly letting it out.

"I know," she finally said.  "I'm sorry.  I do appreciate it though."

The two sat there in their beds, silent for a moment.

"Good morning," a voice called out from the door.

Entering the room as a golden-brown coated stallion.  Following behind was a nurse with a pale yellow-green coat, and Dinky.

"How are you feeling?" the doctor asked as he moved closer to Diamond Tiara's bed.

"Like I was stepped on by an Ursa Major," Diamond Tiara replied as the doctor and nurse started checking her over.

"That's understandable, considering."  The doctor held up a light, shining it into her eye.  "You are quite a fortunate young mare."

Diamond Tiara blinked, trying to get rid of the spot in her eye from the stupid little flashlight.

"Why's that?"

The doctor pulled out his stethoscope and placed the end piece to Diamond Tiara's chest (cold!), and listened to her heartbeat.  At the same time, the nurse was taking her blood pressure.

"What's the last thing you remember?" the doctor asked as he pulled the stethoscope away.

"Dragging his --" Diamond Tiara pointed at Rumble "-- sorry flank back toward the path after being stung by a manticore."

"By the way," the doctor said, "the nurse is going to be taking a blood sample."

"It shouldn't hurt," the nurse assured with a gentle smile.

"The manticore's venom," the doctor explained, "is a paralytic.  A single dose can immobilize a full grown pony for several hours.  Most of the time, the pony is able to recover.  However, there is a possibility of it proving fatal.  That's with a regular dose from a single sting."

He turned and looked at Diamond Tiara fully.

"As near as we can tell, you had close to three times the normal amount in your body when you were brought in."

Diamond Tiara felt the blood drain from her face.  She could have died.

"What would have happened?"

The doctor stopped his exam, considering a moment.  One of his ears twitched as she looked toward the wall.

"In theory?"  He shifted.  "When the venom reached your lungs or heart, it would cause them to become immobile.  As a result, your brain would have been unable to get the necessary oxygen.  Supposedly, it would be relatively painless."

"Ponies survive that?" Rumble cried out from his bed, eyes wide.  He let out a gasp of pain, wincing as his wings tried to flare out with his emotions.

"Diamond.  I am so, so sorry.  I didn't mean to put you in danger like that."

Dinky's horn glowed as she gripped Rumble gently in her power.  She pushed him back gently, being careful of his wing.

"It's not your fault," Diamond Tiara replied.  "You were unconscious."

"Which is why I am glad you are conscious," a new voice called out.

Standing at the door was a powder blue mare with a white mane and tail.

Diamond Tiara, Rumble, and Dinky Hooves all tensed, with Dinky standing at attention.

"Commander Serena," Diamond Tiara said, saluting.

"At rest," Serena said as she returned the salute.  "Doctor, if you are finished, I would like to speak to Cadet Diamond Tiara in private."

"Well, we're done for the moment," the doctor replied.  "I would like to remind you that the patient has been through quite a lot recently and is still recovering.  As such she is still quite tired and stressed.  I must insist that you do not push or over-exert her at this stage."

Commander Serena smiled, looking toward the doctor.

"Really, Doctor.  You make it sound like I'm going to interrogate her.  I just want to talk to her."

The doctor stared at the commander a long moment before moving past her and leaving the room, the nurse following behind.

"Come on, Rumble," Dinky said.  "We can go to the cafeteria and see if they have pudding."

"Okay," Rumble replied.  "Just give me some support here."  He climbed out of bed, leaning on Dinky to keep the weight off his bandaged leg.

Dinky turned to Diamond Tiara.

"We'll see you in a few minutes.  Want us to bring you anything?"

"Cake," Diamond Tiara answered.  "Cherry cheesecake if they have it."

With  nod, the two made their way out, leaving Diamond Tiara alone with Commander Serena.

"To start with," Commander Serena stated as she moved forward, "you're not in trouble.  Nopony is being held responsible for what happened in the forest."

Diamond Tiara felt herself relax a little at that.

"I have gotten statements of testimony about what happened from the others," the commander continued, "and I would like to hear your version of events as well.  Start with when Professor Dusty Tomes arrived with his entourage."

Diamond Tiara nodded and adjusted her position.  Once she was in a comfortable position, she began to tell the commander what happened as best she could remember.
> Chapter 25
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The sun shined brightly high above Ponyville, beaming down on the Twilight Sparkle's crystalline castle.  In what would be considered the courtyard stood a stage with bleachers built towards the sides.  Standing in the grass before the stage were over a dozen ponies, set in groups of three and dressed in uniforms.

These were the graduates.  The newest ponies to complete their training and become the newest members of Princess Twilight Sparkle's Royal Guard.  They have completed their training and gone through their first mission.  Not all were there that day.  Some had been sent back for additional training , either as individuals or as a team.  Others had chosen to resign after their first time out in the field, for various reasons.

Among the graduates, three in particular stood together: Dinky Hooves, Rumble, and Diamond Tiara.  Dinky's gaze shifted between the stage and the other two.  Being the only one of the three who had managed to come through The Everfree unharmed, she felt the need to keep an extra eye on them (since they can't take care of themselves, she thought with a snicker).

Rumble's own eyes flicked toward Dinky as he tensed, wondering what in Equestria she was giggling to herself about now.  His wings flicked, causing him to wince.  The bandaged wing no longer hurt, but it still had to stay wrapped for a few more days.  He was grateful that it was just twisted and sprained.  If it was this annoying to have it like this, he would hate to experience what it was like to actually have it broken and in a cast for however long was necessary.

Gritting her teeth, Diamond Tiara shifted as she tried to ignore the damn itching.  When the manticore's stinger had pierced her armor, it had caused the metal to twist, digging into her flank.  Diamond Tiara had pulled the stinger out, but had not realized the armor was pressing into her flesh.  Each step and movement had caused the sharp edges to cut and chew into her flank, and it just so happened to be right on her cutie mark.  So where there had once been a diamond studded silver tiara was now a mass of black stitches, holding together the torn flesh to help it heal.  Unfortunately, the cutie mark was destroyed, and she was going to have scars on her flank (a fact which reminded Diamond Tiara of a certain version of herself she saw in her dreams).

"Mares and stallions," the voice of Commander Serena called out from the stage, getting the attention of all the ponies on the ground and in the bleachers.  "Today, we are gathered to celebrate these brave ponies as they start a new phase in their lives.  Those of you who stand before me have chosen to become heroes, protectors, guardians.  You have chose to put your lives on the line to protect this kingdom, and those who rule it.  Today, you officially join the ranks of the royal guards."

A cheer went up from the audience in the bleachers as they stomped their hooves. It was cut short as Commander Serena held up a hoof, motioning for silence.

"You have been through much," the commander continued, "some more than others.  Still, you have completed training individually,learned to work as a team, and even experienced what it was like to go on actual missions in the field.  Through these experiences, you have shown courage, diligence, intelligence, and teamwork, and learned how valuable these skills can be.  Skills and talents that will continue to develop and help you in the future.   And speaking of the future: know that no matter what else happens, at this moment, you should be proud.

"And now, please welcome to the stage... Princess Twilight Sparkle."

Once again, the crowd of ponies cheered, stomping their hooves.   The commander moved away from the microphone and podium, making space for the princess.  Princess Twilight Sparkle adjusted the microphone and cleared her throat, waiting for the audience to calm down.

"Thank you, Commander," the princess stated before turning her full attention to the crowds.

"Thank you all for coming out here today.  Not just those of you who are joining the guard, but those of you who have come to show support to these brave mares and stallions.  These ponies have -- for one reason or another -- decided to take it upon themselves to protect not just me, but their homes and fellow citizens as well.  While I hope that some day things can become more peaceful, I cannot deny that there are a great number of dangers in our own lands.

"On a personal note, some of you I have known for nearly your entire lives.  I have watched as you went from foals playing in the schoolyard to the proud and strong mares and stallions you are today.  Know that, even if nopony else is, I am proud of you.  As Commander Serena said, you have shown great courage.  I look forward to seeing what the future has for you.  Somewhere among you could be the next Commander Hurricane, Starswirl the Bearded, or Shining Armor.

"Mares and stallions, welcome to The Royal Guard."

Once again there was a cheer.  Princess Twilight Sparkle continued to stand at the stage, waiting for the ponies to calm down once more.

"Attention!" she called out, getting all the new guards to stand up straight and bring their hooves together.

"Dis-missed!"  She then gave them all a salute.

All of the new guards returned the salute before moving to walk off the field.  At the same time, ponies were heading out of the bleachers, most of them meeting the newly made guards to embrace and talk to them.

"This is great," Dinky said with a grin.  "We're now officially guards."

"And we have some time off to celebrate," Rumble added.

"I have something that will make it better for you," Diamond Tiara said, looking at the pair while she walked.  "I'm going to be spending the time away from our room.  So you two can have all the..." she looked around, noticing all the families (including some with foals) "...fun... you want without having to try and get me out of the place.  Or waking me up again."

"You mean they were having sex with you sleeping in the same room?" a feminine voice asked.

"Did they try to get you to join in?" a masculine voice called out.

"Thunderlane!" Dinky Hooves, Rumble, and the feminine voice all shouted.

Diamond Tiara turned to find they were joined by a gray pegasus mare with a blond mane and tail, and a charcoal gray pegasus with a pale green-blue mohawk.

"Oh," Tiara said as she looked at the pegasus mare.  "You're Dinky's mom, right?  Uh... I... sorry about..."

Dinky's mother smiled, one of her golden eyes looking at Diamond Tiara, and waved a hoof.

"Don't worry about it.  I know about the two of them.  I even have a very embarrassing story about them together if you want to hear it some time."

"I doubt she wants to hear about that," Rumble said, waving a hoof.

"I would," the dark gray stallion interjected.  "Something embarrassing happened to my little brother and I was never told about it?  This is a travesty.  You have to tell me all about it, Derpy."

"I would actually like to hear it," Diamond Tiara responded with a grin, "but another time.  I have some ponies waiting for me."

"See you later," Dinky said, giving Diamond Tiara a hug.  "Have fun.  And no new injuries that are going to require stitches without us."

Diamond Tiara tried to glare at Dinky over that last part.  Unfortunately, the matching smiles from mother and daughter made it hard to actually keep mad.

"Considering who I'm dating," she finally replied, "I can't make any promises."

With that, she separated from Dinky.  Leaving her with her mom and Rumble with his older brother, Diamond Tiara continued to make her way toward the bleachers.  She scanned the crowd, looking for certain ponies, and grinned as she saw them.  Excited to see them, Diamond Tiara started pushing her way through the others, weaving around groups that were already talking to each other.

Reaching her father first, she gave him a hug.

"There's my girl," Filthy Rich said, hugging her back.  "You know, it's still not too late to change your mind.  You can leave the guard and come work at Barnyard Bargains."

"We owe him," Business Tiara had said.

"I know," Diamond Tiara replied as she broke the hug.  "But I can't.  Maybe some day I'll leave and come to work for you, but not now.  Now, this is something I have to do."  She smirked.  "Besides," -- she pointed a hoof back the way she had come -- "I'm pretty sure they wouldn't survive without me."

Turning, she hugged the approaching Apple Bloom and kissed her on the cheek.

"Considering what has happened," Filthy Rich said, "you can't blame a father for worrying.  By the way, I have something for you."

Reaching into his suit, he pulled out package and held it out to her.

"Dad," Diamond Tiara sighed as she took the package, "you didn't have to do that."

"This time," Filthy Rich did, "I did."

The response piqued the curiosity of Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom.  Diamond Tiara looked at the package as she removed the paper.  The box -- which looked to be covered in black velvet -- had a square length and width, about the size of a necklace that had the clasp closed.  Except it was too tall, three or four times the height.  After stroking a hoof along the soft velvet of the top, Diamond Tiara opened the box.

The sight made Diamond Tiara gasp out, her eyes starting to tear up.

"Is that your crown?" Apple Bloom asked, staring at it.

Taking a hold of the diamond studded silver tiara, Diamond Tiara lifted it out of the box and checked the inside.  Sure enough, there was the inscription, including her initials.

It had been the only thing she had with her when she left home after fighting with her father.  The last time she had seen it was the day she had stormed off from Sweet Apple Acres.  Since she felt like she could neither go back to the farm, nor go home, she had to do something when she needed bits for food and a place to sleep.  Seeing little other choice, Diamond Tiara had taken it to a jewelry shop to see what she could get for it.

She turned to look at her father.

"How...how..."

"My secretary told me," Filthy Rich answered.  "Saw the tiara in the window and mentioned it to me.  Checked on it myself.  Thought you would like it back."

She did like having it back.  It had been a part of her life for many years.  It had been her defining accessory.  She had worn it for years, pretending that she was a princess.

Even when she had been more like a monster.

She held it out to her father.

"Keep it safe for me."

Filthy Rich raised an eyebrow in confusion as he took the tiara back, placing it back into the box.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah," Diamond Tiara answered with a nod.  "I can't wear it while on duty anyways, and don't really have a place to store it.  I know you'll keep it safe."

"I'll put it in my office," Filthy Rich said as he put the box away.  "Think about you every time I look at it."

"Are you coming to the cook out we're havin' at the farm?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Thank you, Apple Bloom," he answered, "but I can't.  You two have fun, and give your family my best.  I have a train to catch for Manehattan to see Diamond Tiara's mother."

"...Mom..." Diamond Tiara whispered, eyes wide.  "Why?"

"You're all grown up now," Filthy Rich told her.  "You aren't going to need me any more, and Barnyard Bargains is doing fine.  Plus, the house is kind of empty and lonely without you.

"I haven't seen your mother in ten years, nor talked to her in eight.  It's more than time for this to change.  She either needs to come back, or we need to start filing for a divorce."

He gave his daughter one last hug.

"Take good care of her," he told Apple Bloom.

"She's in good hooves," Bloom said with a smile.

The young mares watched as the older stallion walked off.  Once he was out of earshot, Apple Bloom turned to Diamond Tiara.

"Your dad is going to see your mom?"

"That's what he said," Diamond Tiara replied.  "Guess he's finally going to divorce her."

"You don't think she's going to come back?"

"He hasn't talked to her in eight years.  I don't remember how long it has been since I have, but probably close to the same.  She's not coming back."

"You okay?"

Diamond Tiara shifted, looking at Apple Bloom, then at the ground.

"...I don't know..." she finally responded.

"Come on," Apple Bloom said as she took a step forward.  "Maybe a full stomach and some sympathetic ears'll make you feel better."

Diamond Tiara gave a small smile and moved to follow her.  The two moved at a slow pace, side by side, as they left.

Apple Bloom suddenly stopped, ears perking up.

"Wait."

Diamond Tiara stopped, turning to look back.

"Does that mean he hasn't dated anypony in nearly a decade?"

"Like I told you," Diamond Tiara said as she resumed walking, "if he wasn't trying his best to be a good father to me, he was busy with work."

Apple Bloom smiled and moved to catch up with Diamond Tiara.  The farm mare gave the new guardmare a bump with her shoulder.

"Considering how you're turning out," Apple Bloom said, "I think he did a pretty good job."