"... I said which room is she in?!" Rainbow Dash was beginning to get rather frustrated by the lack of co-operation of the hospital receptionist.
Loving Care was the subject of Dash's indignation. She'd just started her shift about ten minutes ago and sat down, cup of tea in one hoof, paperwork in the other, ready for a nice, easy session on a quiet morning, to catch up on some overdue filing, enjoy the stillness...
That's until this rambunctious blue pegasus burst through the main doors, demanding information straight off the bat, disturbing the peace and causing her to spill her drink all over her work. Needless to say, Loving Care was struggling to live up to her name in her miffed response.
"Listen, Miss." She pointedly answered, while glancing back at the five other ponies who'd followed her inside, which included a grey filly, somewhat bizarrely perched on a unicorn's back. "If you wish to see that patient, you'll have to provide some evidence that you're family, or a close, personal friend. We can't just let anypony in to see a minor you know, without checking their credentials first..."
"But she's my best friend, and could be in danger!" Silver Spoon hopped off of Rarity's saddle, and stood on her hind legs at the desk to look directly at Loving Care, pleadingly.
"Darling, is there nothing we can do to convince you?" Rarity fluttered her long eyelashes.
"Yeah! She's been through so much lately, she needs a good laugh! I've even bought my special fun kit, to wipe away her blues!" Pinkie produced a large bag from nowhere, full of joke shop rejects, and on top was a clown horn. PARP!
"Um. If you could find it in your heart to let us through...We'd be most grateful..." Fluttershy meekly requested.
Confronted by this motley crew of ponies from all walks of life, Loving Care didn't know quite what to do. Always nervous when confronted with a raucous crowd in a public building, and the well-being of the patients always being her first priority, she instinctively reached over for the button which would have summoned the security guards...
"Oh, for land's sake..." Applejack intervened at just the right time. "Look, when Diamond Tiara was bought in, was she accompanied by a little filly by the name of Apple Bloom? Well, that's my sister. And the pony you're treating is under the protection of Princess Twilight Sparkle, who entrusted me with the role of her primary foster carer. Now, I could easily go back to my farm and return with a copy of the form I signed, but I think it would be much easier if you'd just take us through now. If you don't believe me, send somepony to supervise us during our visit, but it's extremely important we at least make sure she's alright. Silver Spoon here is correct: Her safety could be at risk, if the information I've heard is accurate..."
At the mention of the Princess, Loving Care's hoof pulled away from the knob she was about to press, and under closer inspection of those assembled in that small waiting area, she realised the folly of her almost-action. Of course, she was talking to five of the Elements Of Harmony! How embarrassed she felt for not recognising them sooner. She blamed too much fatigue, based on her many late-night shifts. Her tone immediately changed to cordial, and, after brushing down her uniform and putting on her warmest smile, she addressed the group again.
"N-no that won't be necessary..." She spluttered. "Obviously, if the Princess sent you down here, it must be on very important business. You can go straight down there now, she's in Ward 3A. From what I've heard from Nurse Redheart, she's woken up and is currently talking to her friend. Was there anything else I could do for you today?"
"Well actually, yes there is..." Applejack raised an eyebrow. " It's about her real mother..."
........................................................................................................
"Diamond? Diamond! Are you alright?" Apple Bloom stood next to the pink filly, trying to provoke a reaction from her.
The only thing thing Bloom got in response was stock silence. The pink filly just stood where she was when her mother left the room, staring at the remains of her smashed tiara in the corner, a lethargic expression set on her stony features.
"Didn't you hear what Jet Set said? He mentioned ponies were here to see us! I bet one of them is my big sister! Everything's going to be fine! You can stop worrying now!" Bloom practically begged her roommate to emerge from her trance. But nothing, not even waving a hoof in front of her face, seemed to work.
"Oh, Di... I don't know what to say..." The farm filly was frantic with worry and guilt. "When she touched you there... I tried to help you... But I was trapped. Surely you saw that... And you know what Spoiled said about your father wasn't true. He loves you dearly... I've seen that for myself whenever the two of you hang around town together. That horrible mare was just trying to manipulate you like she always does... Don't let her win..."
Finally, underpinned by the emotional urging of Apple Bloom, Tiara turned slightly around to face her friend, but still with the same frigid countenance present on her face. "I... Don't know... What to think... Or do, now..." She remarked in a monotone voice, before returning to gaze at her shattered jewelry in apathy.
"Oh Di! I want to help you... To take back what happened... But, I can't..." Apple Bloom's head drooped in shame. She was supposed to be the one who protected Diamond. Applejack had given her the task herself, and she'd been so honoured to be entrusted with such an important role. She'd swore nothing would befall her new friend, and that she'd do her big sister proud.
But, she'd failed. Miserably.
The broken, inert pink filly in front of her was testimony to her inadequacy. What was she going to tell Applejack, when she found out everything Diamond had suffered through that day, and under her watch? She'd never be relied upon for anything ever again, her family wouldn't even let her fetch the eggs from the hen-house without being carefully overseen. She was a complete washout as an Apple, a blot on their good name. What must her long departed parents think of her now...
Suddenly, she glanced at the unresponsive, stationary Tiara, and she realised the error of her line of thinking. How selfish of me to only consider my own needs after everything she's experienced since last night She thought to herself. I can lock my own self-pity away for now, the filly I should really be feeling sorry for is right there in front of me. If only I knew what I could do to...
The door burst open again, for the second time that day. Snapping awake from her soliloquizing, (while Diamond didn't even flicker at the noise) Apple Bloom quickly put her game-face back on. If they'd dared to come back, she was ready. She ground her teeth together, ready to pounce on whoever came through the entrance first...
"Apple Bloom!" That voice. It was like nirvana for the ears. The farm filly quickly adjusted her headlong rush, and turned it into a running hug. She snuggled against her big sister as if they'd been apart for years, not hours, and finally the tears began to show.
"O-oh. A-Applejack. Y-you h-have n-no i-idea..." Was all the farm filly could say, before completely exploding into floods of moisture.
"There, there." the orange mare gently cradled her little sister, while patting her on the head. "I'm here now. Nothing bad is gonna happen to you..."
"B-but A-Applejack..." Apple Bloom struggled to speak, between deep, watery gasps. "I-it's a-already t-too l-late..."
"What?!" Despite herself, Applejack pulled her sister away for a moment, to stare into her damp, reddened eyes." Have you seen Spoiled? Is she here now?" The orange mare cast her wary gaze over the room, and saw nopony else there, except for the still form of Tiara by the bed, who'd remained strangely dormant despite the older pony's sudden appearance.
"Y-yes, s-she w-was h-here..." Bloom continued to answer through her tears. "B-but s-she's g-gone n-now..."
"Oh no, I was afraid this might happen, if she heard her daughter was in the hospital..." Applejack lowered her hat in annoyance. "At least we'll be able to get her arrested for breaking the terms of the injunction, so Diamond will be safe from her from now on..."
"N-no, y-you d-don't u-understand!..." Apple Bloom cried out, weeping freely. " I-I s-said, i-it's t-too l-late. T-the d-damage h-has a-already b-been d-done. D-Di i-is..."
"What?! What do you mean?!" Even the usually stoic Applejack was beginning to get concerned over her sister's cryptic words, and Tiara's expressionless demeanor weren't helping the orange mare's stress levels either. "W-what happened?"
Surprisingly, Apple Bloom banished her tears away for a second, looked up at the ceiling and let out a single "Ha!". It wasn't a happy laugh though, more one born out of pure exasperation. "I'll tell you what happened. I let you down. I let our parents down. I couldn't protect her. I'm a disgrace to our family name. I don't deserve to call myself an Apple. Because of my f-failure, D-Di I-is..." That was all the orange mare could squeeze out of her sister, before the loud crying resumed anew.
Realising she wasn't going to get much more out of Bloom in this state, and that something truly terrible must have occurred to turn her sister into such a blubbering mess, Applejack's attention turned to Tiara. Perhaps she'd have better luck finding out what had happened from the pink filly, though the foster child's aloofness didn't fill the orange mare with confidence.
"Hey there, Diamond..." Applejack tried to attract the scrutiny of her charge. " So, I hear you've had a bit of a rough time today. Are you alright, sugarcube...?"
"I'm fine..." Came the plaintive response from the pink filly, who didn't look away from her destroyed tiara.
Phew, that's a bit of a load of my mind then... Applejack sighed with relief." So, tell me, did you see your mother today? Did she say anything to you? Any ideas why Apple Bloom here is in such a bad way? I was so worried, I ran down here with..."
"I'm fine..." There was that same stock reply again. No emotion behind it, and there must be two holes bore in the fragments of her old headgear by now, with all the glaring Diamond was subjecting it to.
A growing sense of dread began to pervade Applejack's mind. "Er... Are you positive you're fine, sugarcube? You've been very quiet since I got here, and you sure look very tense..." Still holding a distraught Apple Bloom into her midriff, the orange mare trotted over to the pink filly, and attempted to give her foster child a comforting stroke...
"I said, I'm fine! Didn't you hear me?"...The grown-up pony's hoof was slapped away by Tiara, who's mood had suddenly changed from passive to indignant in a heartbeat.
Applejack recoiled in shock, but as quickly as Diamond's spurt of anger emerged, it disappeared, The pink filly simply returned to gazing at her smashed jewelry in silence.
The orange mare felt physically sick. In the same way that Apple Bloom felt responsible for Tiara's present hardships, Applejack began to feel that she'd let everypony down by not being here by proxy when whatever happened here, happened.
The Princess had appointed her to do a job, placed all of her trust and expectation in her when she'd chosen the orange mare as the foster carer of this vulnerable child, and in return she'd promised Twilight that she'd look after the filly, keep her from harm, support her whenever she needed it...
Now, all of those vows were in tatters. Some 'Element of Honesty' she'd turned out to be. Plus, what was even worse was that she had no idea what was troubling her little sister and her new charge.
Applejack was certain it had something to do with the nefarious Spoiled, but she couldn't be sure what. And, it didn't look like she was going to get anything out of the distressed Apple Bloom or the detached Tiara for a while. There was only one thing to do...
" Rainbow!" She opened the door, and shouted into the midst of the expectant group she'd asked to wait outside. "Fly over to the Crystal Castle, and talk to Spike to see if he can get in remote contact with Twilight over in Canterlot. Tell him it's an emergency. Rarity! Could you go over to the front desk for me, and find out what room Spoiled is staying in? I'd like to have a little word with her, before I get the law involved..."
To respective cries of "On it!" and "Of course, dear." the blue pegasus and white unicorn set off. This left Fluttershy, who Applejack trusted to be quiet enough not to disturb the delicate sensibilities of the traumatised fillies inside the room, and Pinkie, who might be useful at helping the youngsters emerge from their shells, if the situation dictated it.
Oh, and of course there was Silver Spoon. Who wouldn't be held back any longer.
Completely ignoring those around her, as soon as she got a glimpse of her best friend through the ajar door, she bustled her way in and launched herself at Tiara. "Oh, Di!" She cried, hugging her friend vigorously. " I'm so sorry for what I said today! I didn't mean a word of it! You and me will be best friends forever, nothing'll ever change that! I don't want to fight with you ever again. Please say you forgive me! I'll do anything! Just talk to me!"
Expecting a curt, even angry response from her friend, all the grey filly got in return was a blank stare, and a simple "Hello, Silver Spoon." Before Diamond resumed her ongoing perusal of her shattered tiara.
Spoon was completely shocked. It was like grasping onto a lifeless rag doll. "Di! What's the matter with you?! Please, if you can tell anypony, you can tell me. I'm here for you! Just, look at me!" She pleaded desperately, her friend in her hooves...
But there was no reply.
They will get better. I hope.
Damn
Please tell me you are going to have something happen like Luna being able to look through AB and DT's memories while they are asleep so they info can be gotten sooner than later.
Now, the s will start flying and splattering. Poor fillies. Of course, Spoiled will deny any wrongdoing.
Dammit, please don't let this have been a Pyrrhic victory for Di and Bloom!
I'm going to be honest here. Right now, Diamond is very screw-up right now. This is only my opinion, but I feel one of the rulers of Equestria are going to need to step in. This has gotten over Twilight's head and she wasn't even there.
Poor Diamond, her mother already screwed her up so badly. Poor thing's brain has just been overloaded with confusion, questioning her father, her own feelings and even when she recovers the idea her own mother sees her as a project and thinks her father doesn't love her. Seems likely Spoiled's dad didn't love her and she assumes all fathers are like that. Spoiled has spent all her life using Ponies and sadly gotten what love means all confused, and tried to pass it on to Diamond.
Why? Why did you have to hurt my feels?
Aye Yigh Yigh!
Aye Caramba!
Sweet mother of holy thudge!
"If I were locked in a room with Diamond's mom, Tirek, and Sombra and I only had 2 shots for my party cannon, I 'd shoot her twice."
This won't end without a fight. Man, that was tear-jerking.
How can things get any worse? Lawyers are about to get involved, that's how.
Q What's the difference between a lawyer & a catfish?
A One is a slimy, repulsive, scum sucking, bottom dwelling scavenger & the other is a catfish
Huh I just notice this was a very short chapter? But anyways, this situation is going to be off the roof, if Celestia doesn't step in.
I feel like Diamond might be at the end of the rope sadly....
6919226 Very short? Only compared to my last two. If you look at the length of most of my others, I'd say it's pretty much par for the cause.
And escalating tension is GOOD for the story, but sadly, bad for almost everypony else...
6919232 Oh yea your right! I guess this chapter just felt short, but it was great!
6918787 If you watch almost any action film, most would be solved in about five minutes if the police showed any sort of competency.
The same thing with what you've suggested. It's a good idea if possible, but a bit too much like a deus ex machina. So, I may just make the solution a little more drawn out than that. But, wait and see now...
There was a time I would have considered FORGIVING Spoiled Rich for being a snobbish, uppity pony, but this?
You've just made my list, Spoiled Rich. You've just made my list.
(List is of characters I would kill on sight)
I cannot condone hatred here, though I believe Spoiled's approach was utterly wrong.
However, all end up getting what they deserve. In the end, those who do such things to children will be punished, if not by earthly authorities...
you do realise as jet set and upper crust are acomplacies to spoiled riches crime, there statements are to be considered biased and void in court right? apple blooms story well be considered the only testimony that matters.
Picking up the pieces indeed...poor diamond.
The nurse lets Jet Set and Upper Crust through after they threaten to stop giving funds to the hospital, but she refuses to let the bearers of the elements of harmony through. Fuck her. She could have called the guards on the two jerks but did not. Blackmail is a crime, so she could have reported that to her boss. I hope she gets fired.
Diamond Tiara is now borderline catatonic. Great. That BETTER come into consideration when the authorities get involved.
I really hope Applebloom stops stuttering and crying so that she can actually be of use and explain what happened.
If those three don't get a punishment that is actually proportionate to their crimes, I am gonna ask you for permission to write a derivative of this work with my own version of their punishment. A revenge fic.
How far into this fic are we? A third?
The police will have testimony from Applebloom and Tiara, and the hospital can prove that the three of them were there. That nurse can state that the two jerks demanded to see Spoiled after they arrived, which she should do after hearing what the three did, which would give ponies reason to believe that Tiara and Applebloom's story of the three being together was true. The word of Spoiled Jet and Upper is useless since they would be the accused. This should be an open and shut case.
Edit: The fact that Diamond has her Tiara now proves that they were there because she didn't have it before, and Filthy, the school, the hospital, and the Apples can back that up.
Why is this story still rated E after a child groping scene?
6919865 Well, I didn't exactly make it graphic, did I? But if enough people think I should change it, I'll do that... Waits for the judgement of the general populace
6919766
That is some compelling evidence the restraining order was violated.
@ OminousBrony: The way Diamond Tiara is acting now (almost catatonic) would also help support the claim that she was groped. Even if we disregard Zecora's seeds of truth and Luna's ability to go into dreams (both of which Applebloom is well aware of), there should still be enough to convict the three. Even if The groping were not to be proven, Jet set and Upper crust would still be on the hook since they knowingly helped her violate the restraining order.
Edit: If they were to lie and say they did not know and try to pin the blame all on her, she would likely get mad at them and tell the truth to try and drag them down with her as revenge for trying to betray and abandon her. She wouldn't have anything to lose since they were not really friends and she would be convicted anyway.
6920006 Wow, really getting into my story aren't you? A lot of what you've posted is true and some of it is speculative, needless to say I have my own plans for how I want things to turn out, and I have my own explanation of how these events come about. Hope I manage to provide a satisfactory route for getting there, without plot holes and contradictions (though, with your talent at story dissection, it's hardly likely)
Yeah, considering the evidence and the reputations of the three (Spoiled is an emotionally abusive parent, and the other two are jerks), as well as the fact that, if luck is on her side, Cheerilee will find something through her digging to use against Spoiled, and I think she will since it would seem pointless at least to me as a plotline otherwise, it should not be that hard to convict the three of the restraining order violation (which the two jerks would also be held accountable for if it was revealed they knew about it). The groping thing is another story since there is less evidence of that, though with Appleblooms testimony and Tiara's damaged state, they do have a chance, Zecora and Luna could confirm what the three did, but rather or not you even decide to bring those things of theirs into the story is another matter entirely. Still, considering the state that the two fillies are in, that enough should show that at the very least, the three did something very bad other than just violating the restraining order. Honestly, The only real concern right now is if Diamond can recover from this. Ignoring the mountain of LIES Spoiled fed her, which were already very bad by themselves, child molestation is known to cause severe trauma. I only hope that Applebloom can stop stuttering and actually explain what happened so they can begin treating her. Lord knows she needs to see a therapist.
6919678 Different nurse dear. This one just began her shift.
6919251
You know writing a good story is hard when basic teenage-level competence and problem-solving skills are ungodly deus-ex-machina in pretty much any story, completely ruining the plot and ending the story on the spot.
6920555
So Very True.
6919899
I'd say switch to Teen just to be safe.
Ah, the joys of night shift. I feel that pain.
Incidentally, I'm guessing Lord Snarker has had to pull his share of late shifts as well?
i have never in all of the fan fiction story's I have read wanted to punch a pony out or my screen for that matter... you sir have taken that away from me. My hate shall be felt across sedimentation far and wide.
* dimention*
Poor Diamond, even with the law on her side she cannot escape her mother, at least not yet.
Also, on my previous list of offences committed by Jet Set, Upper Crust, and Spoiled Rich, I missed one.
Threatening the integrity of the employment of medical personnel.
The very thing that allowed Jet Set and Upper Crust into Spoiled Rich's room.
Just another to an already damning list.
This should be a game; see how many crimes Spoiled and her friends committed over the course of the story.
Person who gets the most, gets a cookie.
Happy hunting.
Twilight needs to intervene.
Can I be candid for a minute?
If you're going to change your upvote for this story to a downvote, fine.
If you want to remove it from your favourite or tracking list, that's your decision.
But PLEASE don't send me a PM saying how I've 'ruined the story' and how I 'don't show any respect for abuse victims' by introducing that aspect in to my fic.
Does that mean I have to avoid all controversial topics, because I'm in danger of offending everyone? I don't think so.
I also don't appreciate swearing, or personal attacks.
You know who you are.
Thank you.
BTW I'll also increased the rating to a T. But it was a suggestion from another user, NOT you.
6921222 My life in a nutshell YAWN
Picking up the pieces with a (Silver) teaspoon indeed. Despite the horrific nature of the situation, I chuckled.
As in not Spoiled, totally Screwball ? Give Tiara enough time with Spoiled, and Tiara and Screwy could share a padded room. On the brighter side, Tiara will become a crusader.
So do I.
Awful idea AJ, this will count as harassment of a recovering patient, thus, helping Spoiled's case, isn't it ?
I can't wait for Jet and Crust to get owned, as well as Spoiled. That beech basically let her daughter get groped, UGH... someone goin' get KO'd~
NIce job
If spoiled was a tangible being right now, I would brake her not just physically and mentally, but also spiritually. I would leave her in a state worse than diamond tiara combined with a dementors kiss! She would never be able to recover. This is a great fic with a great plot seeing as how much emotion I have been showing.
If I were in DT's place at one specific point... Wind up legs... Rapidly extend legs. Feel squish of flesh. Hear cry of pain. Receive scolding. Dropped. Falling. Awkward landing. Tease. Tackle and bowl over. I DT.