After waking herself up the next morning Rarity walked into Sweetie Belle’s new bedroom and as she suspected she found the little pony sleeping soundly with Snuggles held tightly in her hoof. “Time to get up dear” said Rarity as she opened the curtains and let in the sunlight.

Reluctantly Sweetie Belle opened her eyes and yawned loudly “morning Rarity” she said as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

“Good morning dear I hope you both slept well” said Rarity.

Sweetie Belle blushed slightly “yeah we did” she said.

“Well I shall leave you to get ready for school” said Rarity turning to leave.

“Wait sis” said Sweetie Belle.

“Yes dear” said Rarity turning around.

“Can you fix Snuggles?” asked Sweetie Belle as she held up the teddy bear.

Rarity looked at the bear in question her fur was so dust colored it looked grey; her eye shaped buttons were falling off, and Rarity could tell that her aged stitches were beginning to fail. “Well dear I’m not a toy maker but I’ll see what I can do” she promised as she took the bear from her sister.

“Thanks Rarity” said Sweetie Belle.

“Think nothing of it dear” said Rarity.

Following a delicious breakfast Sweetie Belle left for school with her friends while Rarity opened her shop.

“Ya think Ms. Cheerilee is going to tell us about that project she’s been talking about?” Apple Bloom asked her fellow crusaders as the three walked to school.

“Probably she’s been hinting it for a while now” said Sweetie Belle.

“Think she’s going to allow partners?” asked Scootaloo.

“Probably she’s usually pretty good about that” said Apple Bloom as they turned into the school yard.

“I’ll meet you girls in class I have to use the filly’s room” said Sweetie Belle turning to the restroom however she paused at the door she thought she was hearing someone crying. Sweetie Belle was reluctant but decided to press on. “Hello?” she called her voice bouncing off the filly’s room walls as she did at that moment she heard a stall door kick open.

Diamond Tiara came out of the stall shouted “out of my way blank flank” she said as she pushed Sweetie Belle aside. Sweetie Belle was more curious the angry.

“So the drama queen had a meltdown?” asked Scootaloo eagerly after Sweetie Belle told her and Apple Bloom of the incident.

“I guess so she was really crying” said Sweetie Belle “she really sounded sad” she added Apple Bloom and Scootaloo smiled at this.

“Guys don’t be mean” said Sweetie Belle.

“When did you become a fan of Diamond Tiara?” demanded Scootaloo.

“You didn’t hear how she was crying what it sounded like” said Sweetie Belle.

“What’s the hay does that have to do with anything?” asked Apple Bloom.

“She was crying like I was a few days ago” said Sweetie Belle quietly her friends fell silent.

“Girls” called Cheerilee “are you paying attention?” she asked.

“Of course we are Ms. Cheerilee” Apple Bloom lied through her teeth.

“Then what was the last thing I said?” asked Cheerilee.

“You asked us if were paying attention” said Scootaloo the entire class snickered.

“Very funny” said Cheerilee sarcastically. “Now then as I was saying” she said back to her usual cheery self. “This project requires each of you to write about jobs” said Ms. Cheerilee. “You will each pick a pony in Ponyville then interview them about their job, you will also get one day off from school to observe that job you will then, write a report on what you observed and what you learned, then present your report to the class” she added. “Any questions?” she asked half the class raised their hooves Cheerilee smiled “Yes Snips?” she said pointing to the grey unicorn.

“Can we work in partners?” asked Snips.

Cheerilee chuckled “yes you may” she answered almost all the hooves in the air went down “you may work in groups of up to three and you will be graded on what you include in your report, you present two weeks from today, your observation day is the Wednesday after next, and you will get class time” Cheerilee finished. “Now you have until lunch to begin your projects” she said.

The little ponies parried themselves off with their friends Snips was working with Snails, Diamond Tiara was working with Silver Spoon, and of course the cutie mark crusaders were a group of three. Half an hour later the three ponies were still arguing over whom to do the assignment on. Scootaloo wanted to do it on her hero Rainbow Dash, Apple Bloom wanted to do it on Applejack, and of course Sweetie Belle wanted to feature Rarity. In the end Sweetie Belle one the argument it would be impractical to do the report on Rainbow Dash since her office was in Cloudsdale and as none of the three ponies could fly it would be impossible and in the end it was Ms. Cheerilee who put the Applejack idea to bed she pointed out that since Apple Bloom lived on Sweet Apple acres and hand for many years she would already have all the information they needed and the whole point of the assignment was to learn something new. “But you live with Rarity” Apple Bloom argued when Sweetie Belle triumphantly exclaimed that Rarity was their only option now.

“Well yeah but she’s never let me in her workroom unless she has to watch me there so I’ve never really seen her work” Sweetie Belle responded.

“Well I’m gain as long as she doesn’t make us model anything” said Scootaloo the other two ponies laughing at her joke.

“I think we should draw some pictures of what we think Rarity does at her job” suggested Apple Bloom.

“That’s a good idea Apple Bloom” said Sweetie Belle heading to the art table for crayons and markers.

Sweetie Belle was turning back to her friends with her supplies in hoof when she suddenly found herself colliding with none other than Diamond Tiara who was at the art table for the same reason she was markers and crayons went flying in the air. “Watch where you’re going Blank Flank” said Diamond Tiara angrily.

“Sorry” said Sweetie Belle honestly as she began gathering up her crayons. “So umm what happened?” asked Sweetie Belle awkwardly.

“What do you mean what happened?” asked Diamond Tiara.

“Why were you crying in the bathroom?” asked Sweetie Belle.

“None of your business” Diamond Tiara responded angrily.

“Is something wrong in your family?” asked Sweetie Belle suddenly.

Diamond Tiara looked at Sweetie Belle amazed “how did you…” she began before she seemed to realize what she was saying “I mean my family is not your problem” she said.

“I just want to help” said Sweetie Belle honestly.

“Why?” Diamond Tiara shouted causing a few heads to turn their way. “Just because you have recent experience does not mean you have to fix every little family problem that comes you way” she yelled at Sweetie Belle at this point she was so red you couldn’t see the tear slowly forming in her left eye.

“I just want to help” Sweetie Belle yelled back.

“Girls do we need detention?” asked Ms. Cheerilee.

“No Ms. Cheerilee Sweetie Belle just needs to learn to keep her blank flank out of other ponies business” she said giving Sweetie Belle a hard push who quickly returned fire soon pushing turned to punching and soon the two were on each other. The two little ponies fought hard and dirty until the fight was broken up by Ms. Cheerilee who tore the two ponies from each other looking angry with both of them.

Lunch at Ponyville Elementary was normally a time for the children to play or talk while Cheerilee ate her own lunch in her office. But not today, today while most ponies played like any other day three young ponies had their heads pressed up against the door to the classroom “I can’t hear anything” said Apple Bloom.

“I don’t think she’s started lecturing them yet” Scootaloo.

“I wonder what she’s going to do to them” said Silver Spoon more to herself then her company.

Inside the classroom both Sweetie Belle and Diamond Tiara had their head down in shame (though most of it dramatized) Cheerilee sat at her desk in front of them. “Twice this week and twice in three days girls what has gotten into you?” she asked sternly.

“She started it she pushed me first” said Sweetie Belle defensively.

“She was the one who was annoying me” said Diamond Tiara.

“Girls” said Cheerilee annoyed both ponies immediately went quiet. “Now I know you two have never been friends but I never imagined you would take your disagreements to this level” said Cheerilee. “Now I am sending you both home with requests for a parent teacher conference I expect both of your parents to be here after school at five sharp” Cheerilee added as she began writing up two notes.

“Yes Ms. Cheerilee” said both Diamond Tiara and Sweetie Belle in unison.

That afternoon Sweetie Belle walked home with her friends thought slower than usual. “Do you think Rarity is going to be mad?” she asked her friends.

“Probably” said Apple Bloom honestly.

“You want us to come with you she might go easier on you” Scootaloo offered.

“No she’ll just kick you out” said Sweetie Belle as she came up to the boutique.

“Good luck” said Apple Bloom.

“Hopefully we’ll see you tomorrow” Scootaloo joked earning a glare from Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie Belle gulped nervously before entering her home to her relief Rarity was not waiting for her in the kitchen she walked through the house and heard sounds coming from Rarity’s workroom she tried to carefully tip-hoofed across the hall.

“Sweetie Belle is that you?” asked Rarity not taking her eyes off the clothes she was drawing.

“Umm yeah Rarity I’ll see you at dinner” said Sweetie Belle trying to get away.

“Well wait a moment” said Rarity putting her marker down and meeting Sweetie Belle at the door. “Why the rush dear you just got home how was your day?” she asked.

“Ummm fine now I gotta go Ms. Cheerilee gave a big assignment” said Sweetie Belle.

“Sweetie Belle is something wrong?” asked Rarity suspiciously.

“No” Sweetie Belle lied but then looked down shamefully “well yeah something happened” she admitted as she took out the note from Cheerilee Rarity took it in her magic and Sweetie Belle stood her ground awaiting her sisters reaction.

“Oh Sweetie Belle darling” said Rarity disappointed as she turned to her sister “fighting again what do you have to say about this?” asked Rarity.

Sweetie Belle thought for a moment “ummm I love you Rarity” she said.

Rarity rolled her eyes “Sweetie Belle this is serious” she said as she placed the note down. “I thought we talked about this now you promised me this wouldn’t happen again now you’ve broken that promise” said Rarity with authority.

“But Rarity…..” Sweetie Belle began.

“No Sweetie Belle I want you in your room until I get home from talking with Cheerilee” said Rarity point a hoof at the door.

“And then?” asked Sweetie Belle.

“Then I’ll decide what to do with you” said Rarity.

Sweetie Belle held her head low and headed out the door to her bedroom. “It’s all her fault” said Sweetie Belle as she angrily kicked her bedroom door shut. “Stupid Diamond Tiara” she continued “I just wanted to help” she said as she threw her saddle sack at the wall. “What do I care about her stupid family” she continued as she threw herself into bed it was then she noticed a red light pouring into her eye she looked over and saw a parcel wrapped in a metallic red ribbon a small tag attached to it read “To: Sweetie Belle”. Sweetie Belle out of curiosity opened the package and found a pink teddy bear it was a moment before she realized this was Snuggles. “Wow” said Sweetie Belle momentarily forgetting what happened as she admired her sisters work Snuggles looked totally new her once dusty fur was clean and re-dyed to pink in addition to fixing Snuggles aged stitches Rarity had made several small improvements to her as well one was that tied around her left ear was a small ribbon made of golden silk and under her tail Rarity and stitched both the Cutie Mark Crusaders symbol and Sweetie Belle’s name in yellow thread. Sweetie Belle was about to leave her room when suddenly she heard a door close in the shop and suddenly rememberd she was upset she slammed back down on the bed. “You don’t think she’ll be to mad when she gets back do you?” she asked Snuggles.

The leaves crunched under Rarity’s hooves as she walked to the school house her thoughts on Sweetie Belle. The little pony had never been in trouble for fighting in fact she was usually the peacemaker whenever arguments broke out between the crusaders. “It couldn’t have been anything I’ve done could it?” she asked herself.

The very thought worried Rarity greatly but her thoughts were interrupted when she found herself looking at the school house she had known since her own fillyhood. She was walking up steps when the door opened and out walked Cheerilee and Diamond Tiara’s father Filthy Rich the later looked somehow different. Filthy Rich was’nt at all at his usual standards of appearance his normally well-kept black mane was tangled and filthy, the tie he wore was loose and dirty, and there were several bald spots adorned in his coat. “Hello Rarity” greeted Cheerilee cheerfully.

Rarity shook her attention away from Filthy Rich and turend to Cheriliee “Hello” Rarity greeted back before addressing Filthy Rich “Mr. Rich I would just like to apologize if my sister hurt your daughter” said Rarity Filthy Rich didn’t seem to hear her however her merely made his way down the path for his home.

“Come in Rarity” said Cheerilee as two ponies entered the classroom.

“I’m so sorry for my sisters outburst Cher” said Rarity quickly realizing she should be a bit more formal “I mean Cheerilee sorry” she apologized again.

“It’s no problem Ms. Rarity” said Cheerilee as she sat at her desk she seemed a bit stiffer then her normal cheery self. “Now then were here to talk about Sweetie Belle and her fighting in class” said Cheerilee.

“I’m so sorry I know I should have punished her when it first started but she told me what happened…” Rarity began apologetically.

“Rarity” Cheerilee called.

“And she told me that Diamond Tiara insulted our parents…” Rarity continued now beginning to pace.

“Rarity” Cheerilee called louder.

“And then she brought up Golden Spool and that distracted me and…..” Rarity continued.

“Rarity” Cheerilee shouted Rarity stopped talking and looked at Cheerilie who to her great surprise giggled. “Same old Rarity” she said with smile.

“Pardon?” said Rarity slightly offended.

“You’re still obsessing over the small things” said Cheerilee with a nostalgic grin.

“I merely see things in the big picture” said Rarity with a slight smile.

“That’s exactly what you said in high school” said Cheerilee before she suddenly cleared her throat “but were here to talk about Sweetie Belle” she said.

“Right” said Rarity more business like then before but a smile crossed her lips.

“Now then I would like to start off by saying that Sweetie Belle and Diamond Tiara never got along” said Cheerilee.

“I figured as much” said Rarity.

“However I never expected it to escalate to this level” said Cheerilee. “How are things at home?” she asked a little uncomfortably.

“I believe things are going well all things considered” said Rarity.

“Yes I’m sorry about your parents” said Cheerilee. Rarity however seemed lost in her own thoughts and didn’t hear her “Rarity?” asked Cheerilee after a moment.

“Oh I’m sorry” said Rarity coming out of her thoughts of her parents. “Yes it was tragic” she said sadly. “But our friends helped us move on” she added “and I think things are going well I think Sweetie Belle is adjusting well” said Rarity.

“Has she seemed depressed at any time?” asked Cheerilee.

“I’d say no” said Rarity. “But she did have a nightmare a few nights ago” she added.

“And what did you do?” asked Cheerilee.

“Well I let her sleep with me and told her a story to distract her” said Rarity.

“What was the story about?” asked Cheerilee.

“I was a true story about her first night sleeping in a bed instead of her crib” said Rarity.

“Well that sounds like a good method to me” said Cheerilee. “Now then I believe I have an idea as what we could do to get the girls to work together and Mr. Rich has already agreed” said Cheerilee.

Later Sweetie Belle sat next to Rarity at the dinner table eating nervously until finally she said “Why are you torturing me?” she asked.

“Beg pardon?” asked Rarity taking a sip of water.

Sweetie Belle looked at Rarity “what happened with Ms. Cheerilee?” she demanded.

“Well she said that she thinks that it’s time both you and Diamond Tiara must learn to get along before some pony gets hurt” said Rarity.

“And?” asked Sweetie Belle.

“And I agree with her” said Rarity.

“You know what I mean how long am I grounded?” demanded Sweetie Belle.

“No grounding” said Rarity.

“Really?” asked Sweetie Belle surprised.

“No darling it’s like Cheerilee said you and Diamond Tiara need to learn to get along so there for you two are going to be spending some time together” said Rarity.

“Like in detention?” asked Sweetie Belle confused by this odd punishment.

“No darling Cheerilee, Mr. Rich, and I have agreed that to learn to work together you two are going to do your career project together” said Rarity.

Sweetie Belle dropped her plate and shouted in shock “what?”