Community Service

by Michael Hudson

First published

A prank goes wrong and Diamond Tiara has to work at a soup kitchen. This is a journal of those events.

It was supposed to just be a simple prank. She never meant for anyone to get hurt. Now she must face her crime. At least Diamond Tiara has her journal and best friend to help her handle lowering herself like this.

Preread by ThatOneWriter.

Spoilers in the comments.

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The Journal

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Day 0

I’m grounded! How could father possibly do something like that to me, his little Diamond Tiara? Not only that, but I’m also having to do at least a week’s worth of community service to pay for what I’ve done. It wasn’t like it was anything different. Just a simple prank.

Except that it did go wrong I suppose. The bucket was supposed to tip, splash her with water and then maybe hit Applebloom in the head. Not slam into Sweetie Belle with its contents still within. That doesn’t make it my fault though.

There was all that blood though. And everyone looked pretty worried. Maybe maybe I do deserve this.

Personal tip: Make sure Silver is with you for pranks. She sees possible problems better than me. Also, thank her. She suggested the soup kitchen, and that is definitely better than picking trash on the street.

Day 1

Well, today could have been worse. The hobos, bums, and rejects could have been worse. I just wish they wouldn’t try to make any conversatoinion. Just because I am an Angel amongst their filth does not mean you can take an interest and talk to me. At least they were friendly, even if they were creepy.

Now if only this pain in my chest would stop. Silver tried to cheer me up, but by the end she said it was probably guilt, and I might even be inclined to agree with her. Either way, I’m getting a temporary suspension from my grounding to talk to Sweetie. I hope Rarity isn’t too mad.

Personal tip: Keep your hair away from the stew. It is very difficult to get out.

Day 2

That bitch! I can’t believe she would be so closed minded to accuse me of such a thing. Me! I should go back over to her house and

So it snowed like three inches today. Sweet Celestia that is stupid, but it is kinda calming to look at. I reminded myself not to write in here right after I get angry. That lost me about five pages last time, and I don’t want to have to bother getting a new one. Anyways, Silver and I went and saw Sweetie today. Rarity wasn’t happy about the visit, but she still let us say hi.

Sweetie had wobbled whenever she walked, and the bandage around her head clashed with her nice white fur. She was tired, and got a little dizzy when she talked for too long. Rarity says it was because of the concussion, though in less kind language. I can’t really blame her though.

Sweetie forgave me though. i explained what was supposed to happen, and she was happy that I had come over. Silver and her hugged, I left her some candy to make her feel better, and then we left. Unfortunately, not before Rarity gave me the chewing out of a lifetime and accused me of having aulterior motives for the visit. That hurt. That really hurt. At least the sandwiches were nice. Silver ate like three of them.

She also asked if I would like to have a sleepover. As much as I like our frequent nights together, I had to say no. I don’t think i would want her to see the tears in my eyes as I wrote this.

Personal tip: Get a new pen. Daddy doesn’t like you borrowing his.

Day 3

My head hurts. A crate of potatoes crashed onto me. They said I was lucky for not having gotten a concussion, which just made me feel worse. The worst part though were the hobos that came to help me up. Can’t really say they’re as bad of people as I once thought. At least the ones that didn’t snicker I suppose.

Silver seemed really tired today. She said she was just having trouble sleeping in the cold. I couldn’t blame her. Even I feel the odd chill during the dead of winter. She also tried to nurse my head, but I pushed her away. The faster I can forget about that embarrassment, the better.

Personal tip: Get an electric blanket when you can. Keep yourself nice and toasty.

Day 4:

The “customers” as I’m told to call them seemed awfully distracted. I tried to get one to tell me why, but he scowled at me and left the kitchen. I don’t know how to react about this. I think I’ll go with angry. He shouldn’t of just walked away from me, especially since I’m trying to actually be a good little filly for once.

Silver and I worked on a school project today. I’m not allowed to bring her over, so we worked at school. She now is wearing a hoodie. I can’t quite place it, but I feel like I should know it. Oh well, getting off topic. The project is going alright, and we might get a good grade even if I can’t get my butler to do it for me. I probably would be doomed if Silver wasn’t willing to help so much.

Personal tip: Glue is also very hard to get out of your mane or/and hair. Avoid at all costs. Also, see if you can go to Silver’s house tomorrow.

Day 5:

Silver said no to hanging out at her house. She had a good point that daddy might get angry if I went over there without his permission. However, only now do I realize that I have never been to Silver’s house. I should get on that once I’m done being grounded.

Sweetie Belle came back to school today. She still wobbled during gym, but for the most part seemed to be fine. The other crusaders glared at me when I came over, but Sweetie still seems to be at least trying to be positive about this.

That helps. That really helps.

I might try to see her once I’m done being grounded. She’s sophisticated enough to warrant my attention at least. After Silver’s house though. She has been my friend for too long for this to go on any further.

Personal tip: Remember tissues. I sneezed today and had to rush over to grab some before anyone saw the disgusting spectacle.

Day 6

Silver wasn’t at school today. That really worried me. Cheerilee told me that if no one saw her by Monday to make sure she was okay. She should be fine though. Probably just a little sick or going for a three day weekend. I really wish I could do that. Still, she’d come check on me before then and I should return the favor.

The bums seemed almost hostile today. There was an odd tension in the room, and most scowled when I tried to smile at them. I am starting to get really sick of this stupid crap. In fact, who are they

Sorry. Almost lost it there. Still, I am trying to help them. They could at least be a little kinder. I miss how they were at the beginning. I wonder what happened. Anyways, I think I’ll try to find Silver before work tomorrow. I think daddy would understand that, especially if she actually is sick.

Personal tip: Keep smiling. You are beautiful and good, no matter what happens. Don’t let anypony else make you think otherwise.

Day 8

I should have probably written this yesterday, but when I tried, the page became soaked in tears. So I’ll try now. She deserves it.

Silver sleeps next to me now with a fever of 104 degrees. I found her during work when a homeless man guided me through the streets. Her “home” was just a small box in the corner of a dead end alley. Strewn about it were photos. Times of when the two of us were having fun. I first was disgusted thinking she was a stalker, but then there were the one’s that showed her with the crusaders and being taken care of by some of the ponies I’ve been looking down upon this whole time.

To those ponies, I say thank you. Without you, I wouldn’t have found Silver curled up in her box, shivering and starved. Her ribs were clearly visible, and probably had been almost the day after I started. The sweater probably covered them up. I still don’t know why she didn’t come to the kitchen but but I shouldn’t lie to myself.

I know why she did it. She is clutching a small pink doll I gave her two years ago. The doll is me, and on it she has scribbled “my sister”. I know how I would’ve reacted though. If I had seen her house, seen how pathetic she was, she would have lost me.

I’m not doing that today though. I’ll be staying by her side, and hopefully getting her back to health. They say she doesn’t have a good chance, but I won’t give up. I love you Silver. Sister.

Personal Tip: Pay attention to your friends. Care for them, before you lose them.

Day 14

Dia is sleeping next to me and Rich says she hasn’t left the spot since I got here. Thank you Dia. I swear, I won’t hide from you anymore. You found me when I was thrown out and took me in, even if you didn’t know. You have always been there for me, and I was always happy to be able to glimpse at the life that had given up on me. But I think the best part has been getting to know you. Too many ponies think lowly about you, including myself. I won’t anymore. I shouldn’t have in the first place.

With love and sincerity,

Silver Spoon.