"You want to... help me?" I ask as I stare down the unicorn before me. He doesn't seem too... interested in anything. He's just sitting there, keeping his focus on me. I look to my door and contemplate getting Mama Luna up here, but don't act on it. He wants to help me. I don't know what he can do, but I'm desperate at this point. If he has a way around this so I don't have to face my father, then I'll take it. "How?"

"Well, for starters, I can only help you get back at Diamond Tiara. There's no getting around what she did." I collapse on the ground and groan. Of course there isn't anything he can do to help me with that. There isn't anything anypony could do to help me with that! "What I have can help you get even."

"Even?" I ask, slightly intrigued. I look up to him as he nods, summoning a folder before me. I go to open it, but he yanks it back quickly.

"I have to warn you, this is a... bit of a dark path to follow." I tilt my head to that, unsure of what he means. "If you take this and act on it, you will be playing her game. Now, I don't know you too well, but I have the general idea that you aren't that kind of pony. That being said, Diamond Tiara is a bitch and needs to be put in her place. What I am offering is an out. You have three options: Either you take the contents of this folder and do what you want with them, I take them and publicize them, or I burn them and we never speak of them again. I cannot guarantee the results of this information and I cannot promise that there will be any real reward. She hit you, and now you have the option to hit back. What will it be?"

I sit up and stare at the folder. What could be in that folder that could be so... compelling? I'm assuming that Diamond did something and he has proof, but what? And what kind of proof is it? Do I want to play her game or should I let him do it? She deserves to be put in her place but can I really be the one to put her there? Could I even be a part of that kind of scheme? This is a lot to consider, but I think I have to know what I'm talking about before I make my judgement. But first...

"Why are you helping me?" I ask him quietly. He bobbles his head in thought before answering.

"Well... for starters, Diamond is a bitch. But, she's never been a bitch to me, so that only gets so far. I have been a nuisance to your home town as well, so that plays a role too I guess. Plus, I was just at the right place at the right time. I have what you need, why not offer it? We can't let ponies like Diamond Tiara do whatever they want, can we?" I think about it for a second before nodding to him.

"Alight, I guess that's a good enough cause. But before I make my call, I have to know what I'm getting into. Let me look at that before I choose." He thinks about it for a second before tossing me the file. I take it in my magic and take a deep breath. No time like the present, I guess...

I open the file and find several photos inside. They're all... plainly explicit. Like Scootaloo had guessed, Diamond had relations with the journalist teacher. Each of the photos shows what she did to print out that newspaper. The first few were pretty much what I was expecting of her. Giving the teacher a blowjob at school and sex. But the more I look through, the darker it gets. The last few are at the teachers house! They even look as if she was there for a few days!

"This is disgusting! How did you get these pictures?" I ask, closing the folder quickly.

"I'm a bit of an armature photographer myself. I was developing some pictures when the two of them started to go at it. Because I'm not actually in the class, I guess they didn't suspect me to be in the dark room... that or the fact that I broke in to develop film might have helped. Either way, I was there with my camera, so I took the pictures. Then I listened in on them talking. Diamond tried to use just the blowy to get him to do her bidding, but he forced her to sleep with him over the weekend instead. Once I heard that, I simply followed after them and took the extra shots. But, the question now is: What are you going to do with this information?"

What could I do with this? I could try to play her game and get them published, but how would I do that? I'm not going to sleep with some pervert, and I doubt the local paper would be willing to just print this. I could give this to the authorities, but what would that accomplish? This doesn't prove she did anything necessarily. All she would have to do is give some sob story and pin everything one the teacher and she'd be free. Is there anything I could actually do with this that could actually bring her down a peg?

"Would it be okay if I hold onto these for a bit? I want to think on it." He shrugs and starts to head to the window, but stops when I step forward. "Thanks... I appreciate your help."

"Meh, bitch had it coming." I smile to that. She's gone too far this time, maybe it's about time somepony hit her back. "Oh, and I'd suggest talking to your family before they read the paper. Might go easier for you then."

"I don't think there is an easy way through this," I tell him, looking back at my door. I can't even imagine how this conversation would go.

"Well, if you live and decide to let me take a whack at this, you can find me... somewhere. Laters." And with that, he teleports out of my room. I look out of my window in confusion for a moment. If he could teleport in, why did he climb through the window? No! I have more pressing matters. Before I go looking for dad I stash the file in the far back of my dresser and bring my copy of the newspaper. I go downstairs where I find Mama Luna sitting at the kitchen table, thinking to herself.

"Umm... is dad in town?" I ask, hoping that she hasn't read the paper yet.

"Hm? Oh, he's in his shed. But leave him be, he's catching up on some important rest. Why, what's the matter?" I try to formulate a response, but she notes my discomfort immediately. "What happened?"

"Well... to put it shortly... eh... Somepony wrote an article about me and dad in the school newspaper and... he needs to read it." She stares at me for a moment before going slightly wide eyed. She doesn't say anything beyond that. She just nods me out back. I take a deep breath and head out there, trying to keep my nerves under control.

I enter the pass code and take the stairs into his workplace. I don't see him right away, so I head towards the back where I find him sleeping in a cot. He's in his pony form, but has torn cloths on, so he must have changed in his sleep. I take a few deep breaths as I steel myself to poke him on the shoulder. He stirs a bit, but doesn't rise. I poke him again, adding a bit more pressure. He doesn't respond, so I lay my hoof on him and shake him until he turns to me.

"Shadow? What's going on?" he asks sleepily, fighting to keep his eyes open.

"Um... dad... Something big has happened and... I need to talk with you." My voice comes out even quieter than normal. My anxiety is about to burst out all at once and force me to the ground. But somehow I'm still standing. He doesn't say anything at first. He just closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, laying there. "Dad?"

"Right, one sec... one sec..." He starts to push himself up, stretching along the way. "Be a dear and get me something from the fridge under the... the... monitors."

I go straight to the mini-fridge he's talking about and take a look. Some beers and water. With what I'm about to show him, he probably would want a beer. But, a clear mind would be best right now. I grab a water and bring it back to him. He's out of bed and stretching out, yawning loudly.

"Now, what's happened now?" he asks groggily as he takes the water and gulps down a large portion. I swallow the lump in my throat and present him the paper. I figure him reading it would be the best way to get things started. He takes it and starts to read. I just close my eyes and wait for him to finish. My knees are shaking, my heart is racing, and my stomach feels as if it's going to rip itself out of me. This is it, this is the moment when the relationship between me and my father became ruined. This is the worst Diamond has to offer.

I shudder when I hear him drop his water bottle. A tear works its way down my cheek as I wait for him to say something, anything! What is he going to tell me? What is he going to do? I don't want things to change, why did she have to do this? What did I do to her that would drive her to this? I knew I should have just kept to myself. I would still have a father if I had just listened to my gut! Why am I so weak!?

All of my thoughts stop when he starts to leave. I try to say something, but end up following him instead. How mad is he? Where is he going? He just walked straight out. Not even stopping to make sure the door was shut. He never does that. He walks around the house and starts to head towards Ponyville. Is he going to confront Diamond? No, he doesn't know she was a part of it yet. Maybe the teacher? Does he know who the teacher is? I try to ask him, but can't force the words out of my mouth. So I just scurry behind him, trying my best to keep up.

As we march down the street, ponies all around stare at dad. Some look in disgust while others whisper to one another. A few of them even look my way, making an unearned shame wash over me. I didn't do anything to garner those kinds of looks. Do they really think Dad would do something like that? Do they really know that little about him?

I come to a stop when Dad stops and I bump into him. He's taking quick, labored breaths with his eyes closed. I step to his side and stare up at him, trying to see what's going on with him. This... this is a whole new level of rage. This is something I've never seen before. The way his body is heaving... it doesn't even look natural.

I jump back when his head snaps up and looks somewhere to the left. His eyes are completely black now, devoid of any light within them. He lights his horn and forms a straight edge saber to his right, holding it level as he starts to march forward again.

"Sir, you are showing high levels of aggression right now! Please calm down and-" A guard starts to say before Dad rushes forward. A mare screams as he jumps into the air and spins down to strike at somepony. I run forward and watch as he starts to strike at the teacher in the middle of the street. He's screaming for his life as Dad swings his sword back and forth, never gaining purchase on the stallion.

"Dad! What are you doing!?" I yell as I run towards him. He looks back at me and knocks me back with a blast of magic. My head spins for a moment before I shake it off and stand up. Ponies all over and running in a panic. Some are trying to get away while more are trying to get a better view. I try to push my way in, but can't muscle myself through. I charge my horn and pull off a trick of Dads; teleport up to get a view and then back down where I need to be.

I appear behind dad as he pins the teacher beside Town Hall. He has a few cuts, but none of them look fatal. He's laying on the ground begging for his life, but Dad isn't listening. He doesn't even look as if he's paying attention to his own actions. He's just heaving with his eyes closed. Everypony has fallen silent, waiting to see what he does next. I take a look around before taking a deep breath and approach him. I don't know what to say to him. I'd never expect him to let his rage get the better of him like this. It isn't like him. This... this isn't my father.

"Dad," I say quietly, slowly stepping towards him. He doesn't respond, so I try again. "Dad? Let's... let's go home dad. You don't have to do this-"

"Do?" he asks dryly, looking up with his black eyes. "All I do is nothing." In the blink of an eye he summons another single edge saber and swings them both at the stallion. He lets out a scream as the pierce the ground by his neck. My stomach nearly rips out of me when I see the blood start to seep out of his neck. I fell its contents start rise up in me as I watch the dark red substance start to pool around him. Ponies all around start to scream from that, many of them also running from the scene. Several of the guards are still here, but they clearly don't know what to do.

"Dad... he's not worth it-"

"Worthless."

"Y-yeah. He's worthless. You've done enough, let's just go home-"

"WORTHLESS!" he screams as he summons another straight edge saber and brings it down on the stallion. He lets out another painful scream as the blade sticks out from behind him. A bit of bile comes up in my mouth as I watch the blade stand there, most likely removing the teachers... bits. He doesn't even care. He just... stands there, heaving.

"Dad..." I don't have anything to say to that. Why would he react like that? Is there something about this that I don't know? Does he know him? Or... is this just a part of Dad that I never knew?

As the crowd around us stares on, Dad leaves. He doesn't say anything, he just turns and walks off. I stare at him as he goes and try to figure him out, but I don't know where to ever start. Some ponies rush to tend to the stallion, but there is no saving him at this point. The damage is done. Some of the town ponies are starting to stare at me now, whispering to one another. I can't hear them, but I know what they're all saying.

Think she made him do it?

Why did he do that?

Did you see his eyes?

Why was he breathing like that?

Don't cross Shadow, or he'll come after you.

Every passing phrase weighs down on me as more and more ponies look on at the spectacle. The orphan whore sicking her all powerful father and ill sayers. I can feel their eyes on me and taste their disgust. It's making me sick. I rush out of the town square and rush home. I can't stay here, ever. I'll go home to Mooseden and stay there. Anywhere but here.

As I rush down the road I see Dad ahead of me. He's stopped in the middle of the road looking around, confused. His eyes are back to normal and his breathing is back under control. I come to a stop behind him and he stares back at me, almost scared. I avert my eyes from him, unsure of how to feel right now.

"Shadow," his voice comes quietly, but I nod in acknowledgement. "I'm going to ask you a question, and no matter how much the question scares you, I need you to answer me... How did I get here?"

"What?" I ask in bewilderment. "Dad... do you... are..."

"I... blacked out. But... it wasn't a... I've felt this before, not too long ago. And I doubt that they were both isolated incidents. Shadow, tell me what happened!" he demands, stepping towards me. I flinch from him, making him stop and back away. "Did I... did I hurt you?"

"..."

"Did... I hurt someone else?"

"..." I shake my head, making him take a deep breath.

"Are they dead?"

"I... don't know." We both stay quiet after that. He blacked out? I guess that would explain his eyes, but what does he mean by this? He felt it before, but it wasn't the same? Was this Corpus Glacius or Soul Fire? Does he mean that it was something new?

"Shadow," his voice shocks me a little, so I straighten up and look to him. "I'm going to Topaz Falls. I have to check myself over to see what is going on. Please tell Luna everything that happened. Make sure she informs Storm as well. Until I figure out what happened and how to end it, he's acting Captain for the time being. Do not, and I mean this, do not let anyone come see me. Until I get this figured out I cannot be trusted, do you understand me?"

"Dad-"

"Do you understand me!" he yells, scaring me. I feel a new wave of tears start to roll out as I shake my head.

"No one goes to see you," I repeat, my voice waving in my tears. He let's out a sigh before teleporting away. I just stand there, crying. Unsure of what's happened or what will happen. I hope you're happy Diamond. I hope you enjoy this for as long as you can. Because I'm coming for you. Whatever you did changed my father, and I will never forgive you for that. I hope you're happy Diamond. Now it's war.

---

I trot my way through my manor and towards daddys study, paying little mind to the servants bowing to me. He needs to hear about the freak out in town square. I still can't believe he chopped his nuts off though. This should play in our favor, but we need to make sure we cover our bases. I know mine are.

I stop before the door to his study and hear him talking with a few other ponies. I recognize one of them as Carneighgy and smile. It's been awhile since I last saw him, I wonder if he straightened his back out since then? I wait patiently for them to finish up and put on my best smile when the door finally opens up. When the old steel grey stallion sees me he puts on a similar grin.

"Ah, Diamond Tiara," he muses as he approaches me. I give a little chuckle and close the distance, giving the old stallion a soft kiss on the cheek. He smells deeply of my favorite brand of cigar, with a hint of ash.

"Mr. Carneighgy, it's been awhile. How are you? Is your back feeling better?" I ask as I twirl a hoof on his chest. He gives a modest chuckle as he turns to introduce me to the stallion behind him.

"Much better now. Diamond let me introduce you to Master Smith Anvil." I turn to the stallion and give him a quick bow, one that he returns. He's a bit rugged, but he's built well for a unicorn. His orange mane strikes out against his charcoal coat, but I like it well enough.

"Mr. Anvil, it's a pleasure to meet you. Will you be doing business with my father?" I ask, getting him to nod.

"We just brokered a deal," Carneighgy tells me proudly. "My metal and his skill with your fathers business, it's sure to be a success."

"I'm sure it will," I tell him, shooting Anvil a quick smirk. He flusters a bit, obviously not used to such affections. "I have to speak with my father, don't be a stranger you two." Carneighgy gives a deep laugh as he gives a bow and leaves. Anvil continues to stare at me as I walk past him, so I give him a little something to remember me by. A wink and a wave of my tail, being sure to keep everything hidden. It's a simple gesture, but he'll be dreaming of me for the next month.

I saunter my way into Daddys office and take a seat as he finishes putting some papers away. By the heavy smell of cigars and whiskey I'd say they've been in here for awhile. I just hope they didn't finish off the good whiskey. Silver and I were planning on having some when she came over this weekend.

"I've got some new for you Daddy," I tell him cutely, leaning onto the desk. He hums in response, focusing on filing his papers more. "I take it Miles saw the newspaper we talked about. He marched through town and chopped his balls off." He stops with his papers to look up at me, a bit shocked.

"Do they know your involvement?" he asks seriously.

"Mmm... maybe. My best guess would be that Miles doesn't know, but Shadow might. And even if she does, I highly doubt she'll muster the courage to do something about it." He hums back to me, looking down at his papers in thought. There's a lot riding on this, so I get the concern, but he could at least tell me them. "Either way, word is spreading around town like wildfire. You should hear the rumors being spread-"

"Did you mail the extras like I told you?" he asks quickly, to which I nod. "Good. The townsfolk here might not be too easily swayed, but that won't be the case elsewhere. Good work." I smile at the praise.

"Why was Carneighgy here? Do you have a new deal with him?" I ask, sitting back in my chair comfortably. He lets out a chuckle as he locks up his briefcase and sets it on the floor by his chair.

"I'm glad you brought that up. You won't be getting your allowance this month-"

"What!?" I yell, snapping back up.

"I just bought the last of the general stores in Manehatten. And with the investment I just made, we're all going to be strapped for bits this month. But, we should make a return by next month. You'll have to wait to get the things you want in the mean time." I grumble to myself. There isn't anything I really want right now, but its still a bother not to receive my allowance.

"What are you doing that needed so much money anyway?" I grumble as I slouch back into my seat.

"Sit up, ladies don't slouch," Dad chides, making me begrudgingly sit back up. "Honestly, didn't your mother teach you better?"

"Mom taught me how to make a stallion swoon, not how to sit upright," I tell him, smirking.

"Oh, yeah. Either way, if everything goes the way we hope it does we are going to have to make some changes here and there. Sitting upright is one of them, so sit up." I nod along, fixing my posture. "Better. Now, would you like to see what I have in store for us?"

"I have a feeling it has something to do with the blacksmith guild," I tell him, smirking.

"Take a look at these," Dad tells me as he passes me a few scrolls. I take them and start to look them over.

Each on is a blueprint of various weapons or armor. What makes them interesting is that each of them seem to come with locking mechanisms to hold gems. I don't really know much about armor, but I know fashion. And I can see that these were also made to fit practically anypony. Leather slides, adjustable buckles, and easily tailored boots to name a few.

"By this time next month, Barnyard Bargains will be the largest supplier of armor and weapons. All of which will be made to undersell local businesses. Any yahoo or street rat with will be able to buy themselves a knights outfit... for a fee of course." I laugh at that, rolling the papers back up.

"What about our competitors? When they catch wind won't they try to undersell us too?" He laughs at that, sitting back with that smug smile he gets when he knows something I don't.

"Only if they can broker a deal with the smithing guild. Something they are not likely to do anytime soon." We stare at each other for a moment before I chuckle to myself.

"If I'm going to convince Anvil of something like that, I'll be needing my allowance."

"No can do. I have to pay a mercenary to follow you around. With all the attention you've been gathering, I want to make sure there are eyes on you at all times." I grumble to that. I tried, but I'd rather not have some power hungry freak chopping me into bits anytime soon.

"Just another sacrifice towards nobility I guess," I tell him, sharing a knowing smile. If the threat of war is as real as everypony says it is, then we have nothing to fear.

Next Chapter: Chapter 238 No Rest for the Wicked Estimated time remaining: 12 Hours, 31 Minutes