The Shadow Queen: I have nothing further to say to YOU! You already betrayed my trust, so I must turn to other avenues.

Button: what do you mean

The Shadow Queen: You should know EXACTLY what I mean, but let me spell it out for you so clearly that even your simple little mind can comprehend.

The Shadow Queen: I told you to extract information from Sweetie Belle about Diamond Tiara, not to go to Cozy Glow about ME!

The Shadow Queen: If I can't trust you with such a simple assignment, then I guess I'll just have to do it myself.

The Shadow Queen: I'll just go to the source and see what information I can extract from Sweetie Belle.

I smile at my cellphone deviously as I realize, with sinister satisfaction, that the threat I just sent him will very likely seize his attention.

Button: NO DON'T I TOLD YOU BEFORE TO LEAVE SWEETIE {bell emoji} OUT OF THIS

The Shadow Queen: You're not leaving me much of a choice. I still need my information, and YOU didn't deliver! I TOLD you that I am a strict but fair Queen.

The Shadow Queen: I do not tolerate failure, stupidity, or incompetence with my minions.

Button: what if i strike a deal

The Shadow Queen: What could YOU possibly offer me that I cannot already attain on my own?

Button: information form cozy glow

I pause for ten seconds for dramatic effect, then type out.

The Shadow Queen: Go on.

Button: hat's wat tis is all about isnt it

Button: the only reason y want info from Diamond is to get to cozy glow

The Shadow Queen: You're one cheeky, presumptuous little pup, aren't you? That's adorable.

Button: cut the crap

Button: i know hat cozy is the one you are rally after

Button: she tusts me bekawz i told her abot u

Button: that got her attention so u can uz that

Five second pause.

The Shadow Queen: She wants to unmask me, doesn't she? I bet that noble little priss can't wait to unveil me to protect her fellow pathetic students.

Button: yes

Button: I am ultemetly on u side

Button: ill tell u anthing u want to no

Button: ask me anything and ill tel ya

I squint at my cellphone screen in confusion. So you spell “anything” incorrectly one time and correctly in the very next line? Interesting.

Eh. I know how the autocorrect features can be on these supposedly “smart” phones.

The Shadow Queen: Hmm. You might actually have something there.

The Shadow Queen: I may be able to use your blunder to my advantage.

Button: exaktly

God, your spelling is atrocious!

The Shadow Queen: But didn't she tell you to stop investigating this?

The Shadow Queen: What use could you possibly have for me when she told you to stay away?

My devious smile deepens. I realize that I'm feeding into his paranoia that there may indeed be a hidden recording device in my office here.

Button: bekause I know that cozy secrely intends to keep me around to investagate

Button: she met up with me later to say she changed her mind

Button: she said that since she didnt want to go to the police in fear ofu going underground

Button: she said wekan do this ourselves

I narrow my eyes at my screen.

Clever boy! He left out the part where I “suspected” that there is a hidden recording device in my office so I can use that information against the Shadow Queen, thus leaving that option open. Instead, he pretends that Cozy merely changed her mind.

I can work with this deception.

The Shadow Queen: Changed her mind? That sounds unlike her.

Button: she didt kow who to trus so she konsolted me cuz I told her about u in the fers palace

Button: I ges sapicioon makes unlikally allionces

What?

I re-read that, then realized that he meant, “I guess suspicion makes for unlikely alliances.”

And yeah. That's true. I'll give him that.

Button: I tink she wants toe go out on dates I ges and while we make strategy agains u

The Shadow Queen: DATES, you say? Really? Oh, this is getting interesting now.

Eight second pause.

The Shadow Queen: Okay, you convinced me. I task you with only one thing when it comes to Cozy Glow, win her trust.

Button: how

The Shadow Queen: By doing everything she says, of course. I think you should also get “cozy” with her, if you know what I mean. Get her to like you.

Button: but

Button: she alrdy kows I have hots for sweetie she wont be konvinced that im sudly into her

The Shadow Queen: All men are horn dogs. She should know that.

The Shadow Queen: If she doesn't, then MAKE her believe that.

I snicker to myself.

This is so much fun! I love toying with people's lives and watching them squirm on my hook! It's even better when they don't know who is tugging at their puppet strings.

The Shadow Queen: Keep up your “investigations” but also act like you're after what's under her skirt. Find out whatever she likes and give her that.

The Shadow Queen: Take her on dates to the movies or a dinner or whatever, and make sure YOU pay for the darn thing. Chicks dig that stuff.

The Shadow Queen: If you can't afford that, I can secretly wire you money for the project. Do you need it?

I wait to see how he'd respond to that. If he says yes, it would be ironic considering that I'm the one who would actually pay for it after all.

But, as it turns out, he responds pretty quickly.

Button: NO I DONT WANT U DAM DIRTY MONEY U CAN JUS TAKE IT AND SHOVE IT WHERE THE SUN DONT SHINE

The Shadow Queen: {gasp emoji} Such language to a lady! Your mother would be ashamed.

Button: but u not a lady u a monster and i HATE YOU

I shrug indifferently. When it comes to the Shadow Queen, I have to admit . . . he's got me there.

Button: im only kuoperating undder duress but please 4 the lov of GOD

Button: dont involve sweetie i beg u

Button: shes innocent I dont want er evolved

Button: shes dealign with enof shit as is dont make it wors

The Shadow Queen: Very well, you've convinced me. Keep Cozy distracted and off my tail. Get close to her. For now, that's all I ask.

Button: y I thougt u wanted info frorm cozy but insted u teling me to tak her on date wat gives

The Shadow Queen: I'm telling you this because I know she's not like you. Cozy is smart. If you went straight after her information, she'd get suspicious.

The Shadow Queen: at least

The Shadow Queen: for as long as she's thinking rationally.

The Shadow Queen: But Cozy is also a girl, and I know something about girls myself. You know, since I am one as well.

The Shadow Queen: She won't think as straight if you butter her up first.

The Shadow Queen: I know you can do it. You're actually quite the charmer when you want to be.

The Shadow Queen: Besides, I don't think she'd be a bad catch for you anyway.

The Shadow Queen: Especially if Sweetie keeps turning you down.

The Shadow Queen: I assume Cozy wants to investigate Sweets and Diamond after you told her about my interest in them?

Button: um yes I balieve so

Button: in fact I tink shes gonna see them today

Button: at least that is what sweets told me earlier

I nod.

That's true. In fact, after I check the time, I realize I need to wrap up this conversation. Sweetie and Diamond are due to arrive in my office in just a few minutes.

The Shadow Queen: Good. In that case, if you can win Cozy's trust, then you can also find out through HER what she knows about Sweetie and Diamond.

The Shadow Queen: We'll kill three birds with one stone.

The Shadow Queen: In that case, I'll let Cozy do the hard work for me.

The Shadow Queen: Meanwhile, I'll have YOU, my loyal pawn, steadily sneak your way to checkmate.

The Shadow Queen: Cozy may be a National Champion at chess in real life, but I play chess where it secretly counts.

The Shadow Queen: Button

The Shadow Queen: I know I don't need to say this, but I'll say it anyway. No screw ups or treachery this time, or I'll make your life a living hell, and your mother’s, AND Sweetie Belle’s!

The Shadow Queen: DON'T ever cross me again!

Button: i wont

Button: when u want nex report

My telephone on my desk rings. I glance at it, then quickly type out on my cellphone.

The Shadow Queen: soon I g2g talk w/ u later k bye

I sigh.

That didn't end as eloquently as I normally would be. The perfectionist within me may cringe, but I am out of time.

I set my cellphone down then answer the call on my desk by pressing the speakerphone.

“Ma'am, Sweetie Belle and Diamond are here to see you. Should I let them in?” Scribble Dee checks with me.

“Good. Send them in right away,” I order.

“Very good, Ma'am.”

I steeple my fingers on my desk as I peer sharply at the front door to my office.

Oh boy, I've been waiting YEARS for this moment! Finally I will taste blood on your neck, Little Miss Prissy!

* * *

“Come in!” I call out kindly when I hear a knock on my door. I flinch slightly as I struggle to remind myself that I'm in “good cop” mode again.

Just a little longer . . .

The door to my office opens. The moment I have practically been salivating over arrives. Sweetie Belle and Diamond Tiara enter my office together!

As usual, Sweetie's outfit is pretty adorable. She is wearing a short skirt. The color of her skirt matches her hair color. It, too, is a mix of light and dark purple. Her upper blouse, however, is as white as her skin except it has a giant pink heart at the center of her chest. Very cute.

Diamond Tiara is wearing a yellow skirt of the same length as Sweety's, but it's shiny yellow. It is matched by a yellow coat that is also shiny. Both the skirt and jacket look waterproof as if it's designed for the rain. Beneath that coat, she is wearing a lavender blouse that has a giant silver bit sign on it.

Despite the fact that Diamond's outfit looks pretty casual to the naked eye for the most part, I can't help but suspect it actually costs a fortune.

Both ladies are carrying their own purses. The symbols on them, I highly suspect, probably match the cutie marks of their pony counterparts. I can't say that for sure, however, because I never met either one of their pony selves.

Pony Diamond Tiara . . . now there is an interesting thought. I wonder how long it would have taken for her image to get placed on the back of milk cartons if I thought of her while I visited Horse-Land.

Grr! You got lucky that time, Little Miss Prissy! I won't make that mistake again!

I carefully observe both of their reactions as I gesture for them to sit down.

To my right, Diamond just plops on her seat with an annoyed huff.

To my left, Sweetie seems far more timid. She sits down so carefully, it’s as if she's afraid she'll break the seat if she doesn't. She looks worried and confused, although I calculate a fifty-two percent chance she has a theory as to what this meeting is about. After all, if she's called to my office with Diamond Tiara, there is only one reason that she'd be able to think of at this time.

One hidden reaction I see deep in her eyes that I don't expect is a small glimmer of hope.

Interesting. I'll file that observation for later and use it for future calculations.

I eye my real target to my right with a hidden, hungry lust in my eyes. If I was a cartoon character, I'd imagine my eye would give an anime-style gleam at this moment.

“So . . . here we are. It's finally come to this.” I lean back in my seat. “I think you both realize where this conversation is going.”

“Actually, no! Frankly, I don't!” Diamond spats like a total brat. “And if you are insinuating something then I find this whole conversation offensive!”

“CAN it, Diamond!” I order her sharply. “I'm sure you are aware that I am aware of your performance drop lately. If this was any real work environment,” I stab my right pointing finger on the arm of my chair, “you'd be fired a long time ago.”

I soften my expression as I ask, “So I want to give you this opportunity to come clean with me. What is with you lately? Why are you so absent lately, and why act like such a bitch when you do show up? Something is bothering you and I demand to know it now!

“Just . . . tell me straight. Please. I want to help.”

What I say seems to surprise Sweetie, but in a good way.

Diamond, however, gets more huffy.

“That's none of your business! I just wish everyone would leave me alone!”

“Leave you alone?” I lift an eyebrow as I lean forward in my seat and collect my hands together on top of my desk. “Which is something that Sweetie didn't do, I take it?”

I look sharply at Sweetie as I now speak to her. “Rumors fly far in this school. I heard you asking around about Diamond about two months ago. Not long after that, you suddenly changed. You're now shy, quiet, and keep your hands down when the teacher asks us questions. Something spooked you and it spooked you bad, so I want to get this out in the open once and for all.

“It's not my job to interfere with your personal lives, but as your fellow peer, I have to say that I am concerned, and don't think that I'm the only one either.”

Sweetie widens her eyes as she appears to realize something. “Scootaloo told you, didn't she?” Sweetie guesses, then facepalms. “Man, I knew she couldn't keep a secret. She promised. She promised me, but that didn't last too long!”

I lift my left eyebrow at Sweetie slightly.

So . . . Scootaloo now knows as well? I'll file that thought for later.

Come to think of it, that actually makes sense! Scootaloo used to be very hostile to Diamond and Silver until just recently. It's as if she blamed both of them for Sweetie Belle's depression. In all likelihood, that confrontation eventually came to a boil. Scoots probably was going to get physically violent with Diamond until Sweetie Belle yelled out her repressed secret just to get Scootaloo to stop harassing someone Sweetie thought is actually a victim.

These days Scootaloo seems to be seething with frustration, but she's otherwise bottling her emotions.

She changed just recently too! How did I miss that?

I look down for a second.

God, your slipping, Cozy! You are getting lazy. Time to shape back up and get your head back into the game!

How many other flaws and imperfections have slipped by me as well? What if some of my minions have been feeding me false information recently? I've not been doing my homework and double-checking their work as I should be.

Damn it! Damn it! Get your shit together, Cozy!

“Um . . . I have a question,” Diamond brought up in a somewhat casual tone.

When I look back up at her, I realize there is a ninety-two percent chance she is trying to change the subject, but I'll bite. Where are you going with this, Little Miss Prissy?

Diamond points at me and asks, “What happened to your glasses? Or rather, where are your glasses? You look so weird without them.”

I look a little remorseful, and this time I am not faking.

“They broke a short while ago,” I admit honestly. My eyes look down at my desk as I sigh. “I've been going through a lot of stress recently, mostly because of all the shit that's been going on with Sunny. I confess, in a moment of weakness, I chucked them as hard as I could and I have indeed damaged them.” I look back at her. “My mother will need some time to repair them.”

Diamond looks confused. She shrugs as she asks, “Then why don't you get new ones in the meantime? Those were prescription glasses, right? Don't you need them? I'm pretty sure they don't cost much. What were they, five hundred bits? Eight hundred bits?”

Sweetie Belle gasps.

As for my reaction, I raise my right eyebrow at Diamond.

“I guess eight hundred bits prescription glasses seems like a casual statement for you, doesn't it, Diamond?” I ask her with a bit of a grin.

“That is the normal price for glasses these days, right?” Diamond checks with uncertainty as she looks back and forth between both of us.

“I certainly hope not!” Sweetie Belle gasps. “If that's true, I'd never be able to afford them if I ever needed them.”

Diamond looks forward in annoyance. “Gah! You peasants are so pitiful! If that kind of money makes you squirm, I dread to think how poor you actually are.” Diamond focuses on me sharply. “Just how much were those glasses anyway? I can't stand to see your bare naked face without them so I'll front the bill for you to replace them. So . . . how much?”

I smile at her darkly as I admit, “Try five thousand bits!”

Sweetie Belle's jaw drops in utter shock at my declaration, but Diamond's eyes widen only a bit.

“Okay. I didn't expect that,” Diamond admits with surprise. “What were those things made of to get that expensive? Were they made from unobtainium?”

“Try tiny micro computer chips,” I admit.

“Huh?” Diamond cocks her head and Sweetie winces in confusion.

“Those 'glasses' were actually augmented reality glasses that linked to my cellphone,” I tell them honestly. “It had a hidden screen facing towards me. My mother made them for me to help me out in school.” I look down sadly. “Which is why they are sentimental for me. I wish I didn't damage one of my precious mother's gifts to me.”

“It cost your mother five thousand bits to make those?” Diamond double checks skeptically.

I look back at Diamond as I tell her, “Most of that went into research and development. Some of it went to the patent office, as per my request. I figured if my mother went through that much work to make them, she should also get the credit. There are other smart glasses like it on the market but this one had a few innovations that aren't so common.”

“Such as?” Diamond challenges me.

“Eye tracking hardware and software,” I tell her. “That's combined with a retinal scanner. With it, I could navigate the hidden menus with my eyes alone. When I blink twice rapidly, that activates the eye tracking. After that, my left eye blink simulates a left mouse click and my right eye simulates a right mouse click. Whatever I am staring at is the focus of what I am clicking on.”

“That's so COOL!” Sweetie breathes in astonishment.

“Actually, I have to agree,” Diamond says, impressed. “If I front the money, do you think your mother would make me one of those?”

“Well,” I cock my head slightly at Diamond, “you'd have to ask my mother.

“However, I should mention that I don't think the glasses would cost as much to develop again. She already has the specs for it now. I estimate it would cost her less than half of that price to make new ones.

“As for my glasses, it will probably only cost her about three-hundred bits because she mainly only has to replace the lens. They are the ones that got cracked. The rest of the unit is just fine.

“However, she says she needs a bit of time to afford it with all the other bills we have. Plus, she needs time to order some replacement parts.

“My mother might be a mad genius, but that doesn't mean that every part she needs will just 'magically' appear out of nowhere. She does have some access to magic, true, but not that kind, unfortunately.”

“You know, I knew there was something fishy about those glasses stems,” Diamond realizes. “They seemed a little too thick to be normal. I used to think it was just a nerdy style choice of yours, but if they actually hid some tiny microchips then . . . Ooo!” She looks excited as she realizes something. “Can your mother make me a contact lens version of your glasses?”

“Wha-?” I gasp. “You literally just said you thought it was suspicious how my glasses stems were so thick, and now you are asking for contact lens version of them?

“Come on, Diamond! I know you are not this stupid!”

“Hey! I was just asking.” Diamond sulks as she looks down. “No need to get prissy about it.”

My eyes flare for a second at her. Diamond didn't notice because she is looking down at that moment, but Sweetie Belle sees me.

Prissy? PRISSY?! Did you just call me a . . .

Why you little BITCH!

Gah, I fucken HATE you so much!

I squeeze and wring my hands tightly on my desk.

Keep it together, Cozy! Don't mess this up. I am on the brink of the next phase of my operation.

“Okay, we're getting a little off-topic here,” I say a bit tightly. “I didn't bring you two here to discuss the ill fate of my glasses, I came to discuss you two. Especially you, Diamond! Your behavior lately has been totally unacceptable. I can't have a cabinet member on my staff behaving this unprofessionally. Just tell me what's going on.”

Diamond engages sulk mode again.

“Come on, Diamond! Talk to me. I am your friend!”

I think I feel a blood vessel pop when I declare that.

“As I said, it's none of your business! Just leave me alone!”

“Yes, it is my business!” I argue. “You made it my business. Your performance has been affecting my business and you're making us all look bad. Plus,” I gesture to my chest, “I have a duty to uphold the health and safety of everyone on my staff. If something is bothering you physically or mentally, then it is my job, Diamond Tiara, to ask my subordinates what is bothering them. If I don't do this when there is obviously something wrong then I'd be negligent in my duties and could be forced to retire accordingly. I don't want that and neither do you, so out with it.”

Diamond growls in frustration, then shoots up to her feet. “FINE!” She slaps my desk hard with both hands. “Then why don't I just make things easier for you! I QUIT!”

Diamond Tiara spins on a dime abruptly then heads out for my door.

Which makes me panic for a second.

“Diamond, no! Think about what you are doing!” Sweetie Belle discourages frantically. “She's just trying to help, same as I am!”

Grabbing the doorknob to my office, Diamond pauses there as she screams, “Well I don't NEED HER HELP! I DON'T NEED ANYBODY TO MESS WITH MY PERSONAL BUSINESS!”

Diamond is about to open the door until Sweetie's head whips in my direction. From there, she scrunches up her face into a tight wince as she declares, “I caught Diamond Tiara trying to kill herself!”

My eyes explode wide!

WHAT?! WHAAAAAAAT?!

A glare of burning hatred sears into Sweetie's flesh from Diamond Tiara.

“Damn it, Sweetie! You SWORE to keep that secret to yourself, and this is the second time you betrayed me!”

“Kill your . . .” I say then trail off in an utterly stunned voice. I shake my head. “Whoa-whoa-WHOA! Wait a minute! Wait a goddamn minute!” My eyes flare at Diamond. “And Diamond, sit down . . . NOW!” I fiercely demand her, nearly screeching myself.

Diamond looks furious at Sweetie, but she moves to obey. She moves almost mechanically as if she doesn't consciously realize what she is doing.

I cover my face with both hands. I need a minute to process all of this.

Holy SHIT! Button told me that Sweetie told him that Diamond is practicing unsafe purging habits, but an active attempt to kill herself? Seriously?! What the hell can be so bad about a rich girl's life? She's already won the game of life! What the hell could she possibly believe she's lacking now? Does she want the whole damn universe too?

Gods, I'm shaking, and I’m not faking! This is WAY more serious than I thought it would be!

“You didn't know!” Sweetie Belle realizes in astonishment. “But I thought you said-”

“No, I DIDN'T know!” I bark back at her. “This is way more serious than I thought.”

Sweetie realizes something else. “Oh my god! You haven't been talking to Scootaloo, you've been talking to Button Mash! I told him something else entirely.”

“Did you lie to him?!” I ask Sweetie in an accusing tone.

Sweetie shakes her head. “No. I just told him something else I thought would be less serious. I didn't want to frighten him.”

“You've been talking to Button too?!” Diamond growls. “Who else did you tell?

“Oh, wait! Let me guess. You've been talking to the press behind my back, haven't you? I'm sure this will be all over the news in next week's newspaper.

“Gods, I should have known you couldn't keep a secret, Sweetie Belle! Some friend you are!”

“I did my best!” Sweetie starts crying as she looks down. “I really tried! I kept this all bottled up inside me even though it was TEARING ME APART! But . . . b-but . . . all these people started coming at me and asking questions. Even my sister Rarity! Everyone seemed to know that something was wrong with me!

“Then Button came at me out of nowhere. He said he wanted to make friends with me again, but I guess he simply wanted to know something about you. I told him a bit of your secret just to get him off my back!

“Then Scootaloo attacks you and I . . . just . . .”

Sweetie Belle weeps in her hands. “I didn't know what to do!”

“Obviously!” Diamond barks harshly. “I guess keeping my secret wasn't really on the table for you! Thanks, Sweetie Belle! It's good for me to know where your loyalties truly lie.”

Diamond flashes me a hard stare. “I suppose you'll blab this secret to the entire school too!”

“No.” I stare just as hard back at her. “Instead, I'm going to tell this to the police!”

Diamond's eyes explode widely. “NO! YOU CAN'T! MY MOTHER WOULD . . .”

Since she trails off, I wave for her to continue and say, “Go on. I'm listening.”

Diamond sulks again except, this time, she looks far more devastated, defeated, and afraid.

Your mother? What does she have to do with this? What can I possibly tell her, or the police, that's worse than allowing you to kill yourself?

Damn it, Diamond, I won't allow you to squirm your way out of my revenge plot that easily! If anybody is going to kill you, it's going to be ME!

But first . . . I need you to suffer. I need you to really writhe in agony as I rip everything you care about from you.

Before that, I need to establish what you care about in the first place. That was going to be my next phase, but I don't like what I'm finding out so far.

God damn it, Little Miss Prissy! You have always been a royal pain in my neck!

However, at least I finally found some effective leverage over you. It's about damn time, too!

“I don't see how you've given me much of a choice!” I press on in a hard voice. “This issue is way too serious for me to ignore. Whether you are a member of my staff or not, whether you are a fellow student or not, as a fellow human being, I can't permit you to be a danger to yourself! I have other big plans for you, missy, and I won't allow you, or anyone else, to disrupt that.”

I lean back in my seat.

“However, I'm willing to cut you a deal,” I offer.

Diamond already appears really bummed out, but she looks up at me with a bit of hope when I say that. Sweetie Belle seems to have the same reaction, but I only notice that out of the corner of my eye. Diamond has most of my focus right now.

“I don't know what it is about the police or your mother that you fear, but if you want me to stay silent about this secret, then you'll fill me in on everything else that's been bothering you. Specifically, I want to know enough to solve this problem!”

I stab a pointing finger down at the arm of my chair.

“So, as long as you are honest with me and let me watch you like a hawk from now on, then I'll take time off in my life to babysit you. While I do, I'll hold my tongue about this issue to anyone else you don't want me to tell.”

I fold my hands in front of my face as I peer at her sharply.

“Do we have a deal?”

Diamond sighs in annoyance as she looks down, then says, “I guess you're not giving me much of a choice!”

“No, I'm NOT!” I confirm firmly and angrily. “It's either me, or it's the police! Pick your poison!”

And choose carefully, Diamond! I'm a lot more venomous than I seem! I don't care how vicious you think your mother is. You haven't experienced true darkness until I show it to you!

Diamond growls again, then said, “FINE! Whatever. If you want to get to know me and my business, then you start from the source.” She stands up. “Meet me after school. I'll have my butler, Randolph, pick us up in our limo. We'll swing by your place, pick up whatever stuff you want, then you can come and sleep over at my mansion. That's square one if you want to get to know me.”

“Agreed,” I tell Diamond with a firm stare like a laser.

“May I be dismissed now, your majesty?!” Diamond asks me in a mocking tone while doing a slight bow. She has no idea how much I appreciate it anyway.

In response, I simply wave her off with a few fingers on my right hand, otherwise, I keep my hands clasped in front of me.

Diamond immediately leaves in a huff as if worried that I might change my mind if she lingers further. She also slams my door so loudly it seems to threaten the door's hinges. It also causes me and Sweetie Belle to wince tightly.

“God bless you, Sweetie Belle!” I tell her gratefully as I look at her. “I can't imagine what it must have been like to deal with this all by yourself. Rest assured that you are no longer alone in this fight. I'll do everything in my power to help you with this quest.”

After all, there is nothing to tear down if I don't build Diamond back up first.

Sweetie's shoulder’s sag. “You're right. It was very, very hard for me, but . . .” she smiles at me gratefully, “It's so wonderful to hear that I'm not alone anymore on this quest. You have no idea how relieved that makes me feel.”

“Are you going to her mansion after school too?” I check curiously.

“Of course! I've had to keep a close eye on her for the last two months!” Sweetie expresses very emotionally. She looks cornerwise down. “You have no idea how isolating it's been for me. To keep this secret from my friends . . . my family . . . everybody! I practically had to change my whole life just to be with her and make sure she doesn't harm herself. It's been so hard, and I . . .”

She looks like she was about to confess another secret, but stops herself just shy of it.

Which makes me painfully curious!

What was she about to say? Damn it, I want to know!

Shoot. Looks like Diamond is not the only one I need to keep a close eye on. Sweetie still has some secrets left, too.

“Hey!” Sweetie brightens as she beams back at me. “We can make this into a fun slumber party! Just the three of us! I know it doesn't feel like it with just Diamond and me, but with you into the mix . . . we can actually make this into a true social gathering!”

“A slumber party? Heh.” I look to my side. “My mother has a cellphone app for that she's been begging me to use for years that’s related to this.”

“Bring it along, then!” Sweetie says brightly. “Ooo!” She claps excitedly. “This is going to be so much FUN!”

I look back at her and smile softly.

Now there is the old Sweetie Belle that I know!

Next Chapter: Chapter Twenty Four: Slumber Party, Part 1, Preparation Estimated time remaining: 10 Hours, 10 Minutes