Diamond Tiara In The Rough
by Dark Digimon Duo
First published
The events after Crusaders of The Lost Mark, place Diamond in the position of trying to finally settle things with others that she has hurt in the past. With support from her Father and the Crusaders, she will put her all into amending fences.
This is my first story as a new writer, so if people could take a minute or two to comment on what they feel needs to improve that would be greatly appreciated.
When Diamond Tiara managed to finally stand up to her mother, and help Pipsqueak fund the new playground equipment. This would only lead to the start of her reformation. Diamond has wounded many others including a certain bad seed from Manehatten. She, also, has to deal with settling things at her household not only with her mother but another pony as well.
A self-journey like this will test her new mentality to its limits as old cracks start to spring up out of habit. Even with support from her best friend Silver Spoon, will this filly be able to face her inner turmoil?
Now being Proofread and edited by my new Editor, IReadYouWrite
Life Changing
Dear Memoir,
It seems as though my life has finally turned around! Thanks to the help of those blank fl the Cutiemark Crusaders, I was able to amend my relations with my schoolmates. It's most likely best to start over this morning.
Today, was the usual election student President which I was certainly a horseshoe in for being reinstated. After we were let for recess a young colt named Pipsqueak started to announce something that made my blood boil. He was running for student President with the Crusaders as his campaign managers!
I was furious that this pathetic nopony had actually proclaimed he was going against me!!! Anyway, when the campaign concluded and Miss Cheerilee was about to read the results I was confident that Pipsqueak wouldn't have a single vote. Turns out I only had one vote while he had the rest of the classes' including Silver Spoon!
I confronted her about this and due to my earlier dismissal of Silvie's ideas she finally sided against me. Usually, I would be able to take this from her but it's what she said next that pushed my buttons. Let me point out we made up in the end and if my past self ever read the first part (As if that was possible) she would call me crazy.
This is what Silver Spoon said to me which I had to hear it from her again to get it to the word for word: "Am I? Because I tried to help by mentioning your 'surprise' statue, and suddenly, I wasn't even allowed to speak! You could have actually won this election if you just listened to me. You wanna know how? [She whispered this after shutting my gaping and shocked open mouth closed] Sorry. I'm not allowed to speak."
I ran off after screaming in absolute rage, I never thought I could be so mad at my best friend. While I was running away from Silver, I happened to bump into Mother who scolded me for my loss against Babs Seed. This completely stole my rage and replaced it with doubt, her constant reminders to set an example always sapped my energy.
The next part is kinda embarrassing to write about so I'll be quick I lamented about wanting to be somepony else. With mother's constant pressure and Silver Spoon, I had no else to vent to aside from myself. I sang a stupid song and the Crusaders actually followed me! When a day passed I returned to school to my pretty awkward class for the day, the Crusaders basically caught up to me as I was walking out of the schoolhouse.
I thought at first that they had come to gloat about their victory as campaign managers instead they invited me to hang in their clubhouse. Since I didn't have anything better to do I begrudgingly accepted their invitation a decision that would change my life. I found out that they had followed me out of worry rather than to just spy on me. I will admit ever since my cutiemark appeared I have never truly understood the full meaning behind it.
My cutiemark shows my favorite tiara that I always wear, that could have meant so many different things. My regality, wealth, future status, and a few other things. After my cute-ceañera, I narrowed it down to ordering others to do my bidding. Father is a business stallion so it makes sense for that to run in the family. I think the Crusaders were about to help me to start changing my ways when Pipsqueak opened the door.
His request for new playground equipment had been denied by the school board due to not enough bits in the budget. It was like fate had swung back in my favor, seeing this as an opportunity to become student president. I raced out of the Crusaders clubhouse with them shouting behind me. I had to run across town to get to the schoolhouse which gave them the chance to persuade me as I was running.
As we closed by the split in the road to the schoolhouse I took the left path, I'll admit they had almost convinced on the way. It took what occurred next to finally snap me out of my old mindset. Mother had been finishing up from a meeting at this time so when she exited the school building I happened to have just arrived. She scolded me for speaking with the Crusaders’ kind, I felt the rage from yesterday surge right through me again. I finally managed to say no to Mother for the first time in my life!!!
I stood up for the Crusaders, throughout the years that the trio formed they have worked on every way they can think of to earn their cutiemarks. Something inside demanded, not just urged, demanded that I stop her from down talking all their work. I managed to get my father to fund the equipment via a note that I gave Mother to deliver to him. Many of my classmates were understanding and forgave me for pointing out their unique traits the day before. I even made up with Silver Spoon.
With the help of a few adults, we got a new playground up in just two hours I felt so happy. And wouldn't you know it the Cutiemark Crusaders figured out what their special talents were. All three gained their cutiemarks in a big show of light, each had a shield with different pictures. Apple Bloom has an apple with a heart inside. Scootaloo has a wing with a lightning bolt, she was ecstatic to show to her ‘big sister’ Rainbow Dash. Sweetie Belle has a five-pointed star with a single music note inside of it.
The shields represent the connection between each other through helping ponies with understanding/getting their own marks. I think for the first time in Ponyville history was held a triple cute-ceañera for a group that got them at the same time. It's still a lot to take in when you think about it, but I know that today is the start of something amazing. Of course, I kinda figured something out that makes me pretty… discouraged.
I found myself slipping back, I accidentally called Scootaloo a chicken when she hovered past a minute (her new personal record). I immediately apologized explaining that it was pretty much a habit. It may be a while before I'm fully changed and there are a few others that I need to make up with. That scares me. Before all this happened, I never really thought about what my words could do to somepony.
I wrote this part of my entry because I actually can't sleep. I woke up silently screaming, luckily, I didn't wake anypony up. I just cannot seem to recall my dream.
I'll write more when I have a chance, but that is all for tonight (if I can manage to get some sleep that is.)
-💎
Just Another Thursday (Edited)
Author's Notes:
This has been rewritten two times.
Dear Memoir,
Last night, I barely got any sleep at all so it will definitely be difficult to stay awake through class today. I will need to focus extremely hard to get through today that I know is certain. Although I've heard that when you're exhausted physically you tend to get easily frustrated. Due to Mother having an important meeting with the school board today. The school board decided that they would cancel classes for tomorrow. This means that we will get a three day weekend, I should be happy right?
Wrong... Miss Cheerilee instead in situations like this tries to fit two lessons into one day. So my school workload for today is going to be double when I'm already half asleep. Just wonderful
Maybe I should talk to her before class to tell her that I just couldn't seem to get any sleep. Anyway moving back to another serious issue. Mother must be highly stressed because she didn't stop in the dining room for breakfast. It's pretty obvious what the topic of that meeting may be. Still, my feelings regarding her are currently conflicted and complicated.
On one hoof she's always belittled me whenever I made a mistake that jeopardized our family image. On the other, she is my mother so I have no clue how I should feel about her right now. Father hasn’t spoken a single word to Mother after she passed him my note. In fact, it was Randolph who explained that Mother has been relatively busy with paperwork for the School Board. I apologized to him today and he was considerably understanding.
Mother had raised me to behave like that my whole life; it was her quite literal spoiled habits that rubbed off on me. His words, not my own. Randolph only asked for me to start learning a few basic life skills. To be honest the Cutie Mark Crusaders have actually bragged held contests over who completed the most chores on their own. So I don’t really mind learning how to complete basic chores.
After I finished my breakfast he actually started me off with cleaning the dishes. It was fairly difficult at first, but I eventually got the hoof of it. I have to walk to school soon so I’ll leave this entry here for now.
It was a partly cloudy morning as Diamond Tiara walked along one of Ponyville's many dirt paths. She let out a slow yawn while continuing to walk at a casual pace. Normally, she would be up an hour later which would have most likely helped her sleep situation. Today was Thursday meaning that there was an extra hour added to today’s classes. This usually occurs when Miss Cheerilee had to incorporate an extra lesson into a day.
Most students were used to getting up early as their teacher had done this for a few years now. And those few from farming families tended to still be full of energy after classes. Diamond Tiara envied her friend Apple Bloom right now, that filly had to wake up at the crack of dawn. Of course the earth pony of the CMC grew up doing that so… she was too tired to continue that train of thought.
Another inconvenient fact about days like this was that she wouldn't be able to meet up with Silver Spoon. They usually walked the rest of the way to the schoolhouse together. Now the two earth ponies would instead meet up in front of the teaching facility before the morning bell rang. Even those few minutes were a gamble, the other one could arrive just as the bell began to ring. Be then they would have to wait for recess to have an actual discussion. Diamond continued to walk for ten minutes straight until she walked into Market Row. Stalls lined both sides of the now gravel road.
A few Market Stalls were still setting up for this morning. Diamond passed by a number of them occasionally rubbing her tired eyes. As she passed by a familiar flower stall the three ponies running it held bored expressions. It was natural as there were barely any ponies up at this time.
This changed when one of them noticed Diamond Tiara her expression changed to one of excitement. “Oh Miss Tiara, good morning!” cheerfully said one of the mares. She stopped walking and looked to her right side. It was apparently the earth pony mare with a green mane that had greeted her.
“Good *yaaaawwnnn* morning to you Daisy,” replied Diamond as she managed a small wave to the friendly flower pony. Roseluck and Lily Valley waves back to the earth filly.
“Would you be interested in buying any flowers? We've managed to grow a few sunflowers despite the weather,” asked Lily Valley. The red maned mare pointed to the sunflowers planted in brown flower pots. They stood tall and proud in a small group of ten.
“Yep these beauties tend to grow on less cloudy days, but we managed.” stated pridefully Roseluck.
Diamond Tiara recalled that these three were always together outside of work. These three all had two things they were each well known for between them. One they each had log names, with Daisy's actually being Flower Wishes. Nopony knew why she preferred being called that flower type rather than just Flower. But together they were Daisy, Lily and Rose the Flower Friends.
True, they always overreacted when their flowers had been eaten or damaged even if it was just one petal. Her and Silver Spoon had their fair share of fun accidentally knocking a pot over. At least before Diamond changed, all three worked hard to grow the flowers after all. “I'm afraid I have to walk to school now. Today is early Thursday. If I have time later then I might consider buying a flower,” she said beginning her walk again.
“Okay then. Have a nice morning and a floral-tastic rest of the day.” all three said in unison waving goodbye.
Diamond Tiara had to stop herself from making a remark, puns… Why do they have a pun as their morning greeting?! I can deal with jokes, quotes, or even ridiculously long flower names. But puns!!! Those flower fools can't come up with anything more original! She stopped immediately in her tracks startled by her own thoughts. When she looked up, the earth filly noticed that the fork in the road was just a few feet ahead of her.
Diamond found it hard to believe that she had been so away from her surroundings. It normally took thirty minutes to walk to the schoolhouse but from the distant clock tower. She could tell that only ten had passed from the Market making fifteen in total. Was the pink earth pony so angry that she had speed trotted? I… I must be more tired than I thought to get so emotional over a stupid pun.
Yeah, I-I am just exhausted from last night's struggle to get sleep… It's nothing serious, i-
“Uh, Diamond Tiara, why are you standin’ in the middle of the road?” asked a voice with a slight accent. Said filly looked behind her to see that Apple Bloom was there. The fellow earth pony wore a concerned look that reflected in her gamboge colored eyes.
“S-sorry, just lost in my thoughts,” answered and apologized Diamond as she just now noticed that Apple Bloom was by herself. Usually, you would rarely see all three apart from each other. And even then they would be in a pair with the missing Crusader either being busy or working with a different partner for a project.
“It's alright, but might want to mind yourself next time. You never know what could happen if you get that deep into yer thoughts,” assured Apple Bloom.
“Yeah…” awkwardly muttered the pink filly. Diamond was glad that she and Silver Spoon had made peace with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. But it was them earning their own cutie marks that really stole the whole show in the end. Not that she minded.
“Anyway, might as well walk to school now. It's only a little ways ahead of us,” said Apple Bloom as she began walking toward the fork in the road. Diamond Tiara followed behind her letting out a short, but sweet yawn. As they walked through the shaded forest path on the left, Diamond let out another yawn and rubbed her eyes.
Apple Bloom took notice of this and asked: “You get any sleep last night, or are you just tired from all the excitement from yesterday?”
Diamond Tiara was hesitant to answer her new friend's question as she didn't know the specific reason for her being unable to fall asleep last night. She thought about the answer for a few moments which led to an awkward silence. Apple Bloom patiently waited for that answer figuring the other filly was having a tough time thinking straight tired.
“... I will admit I have no clue why I couldn't sleep last night. What I do know is that today's lessons are going to be challenging. But, I'll manage.” Diamond responded as they were coming to the end of the path. For as long as I can that is.
Just Another (Awkward) Morning
Author's Notes:
I have, IReadYouWrite, to thank for becoming my new editor.
As Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom reached the Ponyville Schoolhouse, the former noticed that her best friend Silver Spoon wasn’t present outside. There were a few other foals waiting in front of the building for the morning bell to ring. Many greeted the pair as they walked toward the left side to admire the new playground equipment. Apple Bloom jumped up one of the fence boards and leaned on the top board to take in the view. Diamond joined her after slowly climbing up onto the post.
It may have taken help from a few adults, but everypony managed to work together to put up the new playground. Even Princess Twilight, pitched in to help. The ones who had gotten bored enough were already laying on it. Button Mash was playing his GameColt under one of the plank bridges. Hedgie was spinning the Merry-Go-Round minding her immense strength. Carrot Crunch and Bubblegum Brush were talking to each other while on the swings. Twist looked like she was taste-testing something, but it was hard to see exactly what it was due to her being too far away. But, whatever that was had to be candy related in some way.
Diamond felt a wave of calmness wash over her weary mind. I feel a bit better, but… The guilt that she had threatened to blackmail her classmates two days ago loomed. It didn't help with that her feelings about her mother were already twisted. For the first time in quite a while, Diamond was taking the full brunt of her emotions. Before the events of yesterday, she had never concerned herself with her feelings deep down.
Diamond heard the slight creaking of wood near her so she looks to her left. Apple Bloom had hopped down from the fence post. When she was about to ask why her friend had hopped down, Apple Bloom unknowingly answered it for her. “Do you mind if I leave you by yer lonesome and start playin’ on the slides?” asked the earth pony filly.
“It's alright. Go on ahead,” replied Diamond Tiara who mustered up a small smile. She probably got bored with just watching the other foals play. Diamond watched as her friend's eye lit up and started to make a quick gallop toward the swings.
Just as her new friend reached the swing set, she became lost in her own thoughts. I would never imagine myself talking to Apple Bloom and my words not being insulting to her or the other Crusaders. My own worst enemies managed to change my entire view in just two days. Still a bit hard to believe. Of course, Silver Spoon standing against me was enough of a shock already. Speaking... or thinking of my worst enemy; isn't there that saying…
“Timber Wolves and Dragons may attack those who wander too close, but you can be your own worst enemy for venturing in their territory.”
Would that last part apply to myself or Mother more? Probably myself, for the most part. I was the one to listen to her all these years. Still, she was at home more often than Father, so I relied on her as an example. I was too young to have all that pressu-
An unexpected tap on her right shoulder interrupted Diamond from her string of thoughts. She nearly falls off the fence post as she suddenly turns her head to look behind her. To the filly's relief, a surprised Silver Spoon accompanied by Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo greets her. A few moments later and her hooves calmly land on the dirt road.
“Sorry about that. Just a bit lost in my thoughts,” explains Diamond Tiara as she tries to regain her composure on the outside at least. That was soooo embarrassing!! Thankfully, her pink coat hid her slight blushing from the trio's sight.
Silver Spoon was the first to respond. “It's fine, Diamond. I should be the one apologizing. I didn't mean to surprise you like that,” as she had been the one to tap her best friend on her shoulder and almost give her a slight heart attack.
Silver Spoon avoided eye contact while the two Crusaders decided to join in this awkward conversation to clear the air.
“Anyway, do you girls have any plans for today?” asked Sweetie Belle in a cheerful tone.
Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon looked at each other, then to Sweetie Belle, and finally gave their answers respectively.
“I would usually have a tanning session, but I might have to stay inside my house if the weather doesn't clear up. No real specific plans.”
“I have a plan. However, it isn't exactly for my enjoyment. My dad is taking me to a specialist to adjust my glasses because they have started slipping whenever I look down.”
“Does that mean you'll have to get a new pair, Silver Spoon? Or are they just going to alter your current one?” asked Diamond who was genuinely curious.
“I think the specialist is only going to tweak my glasses, but who knows? I might have outgrown my current prescription,” responds her best friend who wasn’t completely sure.
“Well, I hope everything works out,” Sweetie Belle wished Silver the best, then asked Diamond on the whereabouts of their friend. “Have you seen Apple Bloom anywhere? Scootaloo and I bumped into Silver Spoon on the walk over here. We need to work a few details out in a Crusader meeting.”
Seeing a spark of curiosity on the two fillies’ eyes, Scootaloo decides to explain. “We’re having a day after our triple cute-ceañera party with Pinkie Pie. Plus, a sleepover tonight at Sugarcube Corner! It's gonna be awesome! Although, I was still shocked to see this when I got up this morning,” she finished while pointing at her cutie mark, beaming proudly.
“That sounds fun,” she replied with a hint of enthusiasm. “Apple Bloom actually met up with me just before the fork back there. We walked the rest of the way and she decided to play on the slides,” comments Diamond Tiara.
As if conveniently timed for a tired writer, Apple Bloom waves to the group of four from the slides. She quickly makes her way toward them, still waving. Right as her hooves touched the dirt path the morning bell rang.
“Time for class, everypony!” said Miss Cheerilee as she opened the front door of the schoolhouse. Many of the foals playing on the new equipment pretended to not hear the bell just so they could have an extra minute. Our five fillies quickly walk toward the front door while Miss Cheerilee spoke louder to the other students still playing on the new playground.
“Time for class!” she repeats with a slight edge in her voice. Just as the Crusaders and Silver Spoon walked to their seats, Diamond Tiara does her best to stifle a small yawn. This ended up making her bump into one of the desks by accident. She awkwardly walks to her seat while avoiding eye contact with the other students.
Yeah, this morning couldn’t have gone any worse… She looks at the chalkboard to see they were studying how to determine the hypotenuse of an isosceles triangle. Math happened to be her worse subject so, I thought that only worked when you said it out loud!