Friendship is Magic: The Seventh Element

by Master Mr B

"When the sixth element is revealed, a special element can appear that is a combination of the other six. It serves as the controller that bounds the power if the six elements together. But nobody, not even the royal sisters, have ever uncovered this...Seventh Element..." Follow my OC as he takes part in the adventures of FiM. And possibly win the heart of Twilight Sparkle...

114. Crusaders of the Lost Mark

Crusaders of the Lost Mark

Pony's Log Number 518: I always knew this day would come. But I never expected to see TWO dreams come true at once...

It was another beautiful morning in Ponyville. Mario was happily pulling his train through town, making some deliveries as ponies waved hello to him as he went by. Mario was feeling very pleased with himself. Once his early bird deliveries were complete, he went to take the empty freight cars to Sweet Apple Acres, where Big Mac would find further use for them on the farm. Mario just left the cars behind when he noticed Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle heading toward their clubhouse. Mario chuckled to himself as he watched them run by. He knew the Cutie Mark Crusaders usually had a meeting before heading off to school and decided to see what was going on. He had just arrived at the clubhouse when Apple Bloom spotted him.

"Hey, big brother, here to join the club meeting?" she asked.

"Ehh...if I'm invited..." Mario said in a shy but teasing tone. Apple Bloom giggled.

"C'mon up here!" she called out as Mario headed inside. Apple Bloom then took a seat on a crate that was next to a poster on the wall that had drawing of various activities. Yet what Mario noticed as he sat down behind Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo was how all the activities were marked off with red Xs.

"Okay, Crusaders!" said Apple Bloom to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, "Back to the business of earnin' our cutie marks! Any suggestions?"

"No, we've tried everything!" said Scootaloo sadly.

"We've run out of ideas," Sweetie Belle added.

"Hey, now that's just stinkin' thinking girls," said Mario in an encouraging tone.

"Are you kiddin' me, Crusaders?" Apple Bloom replied and leaned forward, "Mario is right. We can do better than that!"

[Apple Bloom - As she sang, she put up a empty sheet on the wall which cheered up Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.]

We've been searchin' for our cutie marks
For a while now
Tryin' to find out how we fit in

So many ways we've tried before
But we keep on tryin' more

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom appeared in succession. Then Sweetie Belle moved from the right side of her friends to the left. Mario just swayed lightly from side to side as he listened to them sing.]

'Cause the Cutie Mark Crusaders don't give in

We'll make our mark
One way or another
We'll make our mark
On the day that we discover
The ultimate reward of our cutie marks!

"Well said Cutie Mark Crusaders," said Mario as he clapped for them, "Well said indeed!"

"Now, that's more like it!" Apple Bloom added. The group was then interrupted when somepony loudly opened the clubhouse door.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders! Help!" cried out a familiar white colt with brown spots on his body, whose name was Pipsqueak or Pip for short. Mario knew the colt rather well since Pipsqueak often likes to ask for a ride on Mario's freight cars from time to time.

"Hey there, Pip," Mario replied, using the colt's nickname, "Interested in another ride on my train?"

"Not exactly Prince Mario..." said Pipsqueak uneasily.

"What's wrong, Pipsqueak?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I'm running for student pony president," Pipsqueak explained, "I was hoping you three would be my campaign managers!" The Cutie Mark Crusaders exchanged looks of interest with each other.

"We've never tried gettin' our cutie marks in campaign managin'!" said Apple Bloom excitedly, "What do ya say, Crusaders?"

"Yeah! Hoof!" The three fillies shouted as they shared a hoof-bump together. Pipsqueak tried to join in, but found himself too short to jump up and reach the girls' hooves. That is until Sweetie Belle used her magic to lifted him up. He just smiled in reply as Mario chuckled to himself.

"Any chance I can offer any help?" Mario asked curiously, "I know Cheerilee likes that the students do most of the work, but a little friendly advice should be safe enough."

"Sure, let's hear it," said Pipsqueak.

"Well, the best advice I can give is to find something the school really needs and focus on that," said Mario, "focus on running a campaign that's honest and sincere and you won't go wrong, even if the competition tries to play dirty."

"Good idea, Prince Mario!" said Pipsqueak, "and I know just the thing the school could really use." The colt and three fillies huddled up to discuss their campaign plan as Mario quietly excused himself from the clubhouse. He had forgotten he had some other deliveries to make.

(Main Theme)

Once the four ponies had arrived at the school grounds, Sweetie Belle pushed a crate forward with her nose so Pipsqueak could use it to stand on. Apple Bloom then stood beside the little colt from the right side.

"So, Pip," said Apple Bloom loudly to get everypony's attention, "how would you help the school if you were elected student pony president?"

"Our playground equipment took quite a beating during Twilight and Mario's battle with Tirek!" said Pipsqueak as some ponies stared at him. One pony was sitting on a run-down swing when the seat broke in half and sent the colt plopping onto his stomach.

"If I'm voted in as student pony president," said Pipsqueak, "I'll go to the school board and right this wrong!" The other students cheered. Then came Pipsqueak's opponent, Diamond Tiara and her so called best friend Silver Spoon.

"Well, I think that's a ridiculous waste of money," said Diamond Tiara snootily as she rudely shoved a pony aside and then pointed out a familiar filly with a red poofy mane and glasses, "It's just like when Twist proposed to repair the window that Discord destroyed! She just wanted to repair it like a plain old schoolhouse window. But you all know voting for me was the best choice because I convinced the school board to give that window visual appeal!" Twist felt rather bad as Diamond Tiara bragged and then showed off the window that had been turned into a stained window of herself.

"'Course, it doesn't hurt that her mother Spoiled Rich is president of the school board," Apple Bloom remarked to Pipsqueak.

"Exactly!" Silver Spoon remarked since she was standing within hearing range, "Which is why when Diamond Tiara is voted student body president, the school will be putting a statue of her in the center of the schoolyard!" Silver Spoon was then taken by surprise when Diamond Tiara pulled her back by her braid.

"Silver Spoon!" Diamond retorted through gritted teeth, "That was my big announcement for when I won!"

"I was only trying to help," said Silver Spoon rather sheepishly.

"I don't need that kind of help!" Diamond snapped.

Yeah, 'cause you think you're a one pony show Silver Spoon thought to herself bitterly. It was then Apple Bloom stood in front of the two rich fillies.

"Haven't we all had enough of Diamond Tiara?" Apple Bloom asked the rest of the students.

"Do we really need a big statue of her?" Scootaloo asked.

"Especially where our playground equipment should be?" Sweetie Belle added. The other students muttered to each other. It was then Scootaloo helped Pipsqueak on top of a giant standing horseshoe.

"A vote for Pip is a vote for the playground!" Pipsqueak announced.

"A vote for Diamond Tiara is a vote for more Diamond Tiara!" the rich filly announced as she stood on her hind legs, but instead of any cheers or praises, she got no response. The Cutie Mark Crusaders started to sing.

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - they head up to the top arc of the standing horseshoe with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo in the left and Apple Bloom on the right. Apple Bloom leaned forward as all three Crusaders give a shout out to Pipsqueak as they raised him into the air and then quickly set him down.]

It's time to make a change
This is our chance
Don't be afraid to do what's right
He's it! Vote for Pip!

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - Apple Bloom pushed Pipsqueak ahead of them, who looked back to see the three fillies singing as they marched behind him.]

We got an opportunity
To have fun again
A vote for Pip, and you can join the fight

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - The four ponies passed two fillies playing on the damaged merry-go-round before they fell off as the merry-go-round tipped over. The four ponies then headed to the tether ball court and Pip buck the ball to make it swing outward.]

It's time for a new leader
It's time to make a change
We're here to fight for what we believe
(Vote for Pip!)
It's finally time we beat her
And play a better game
'Cause when we vote together
There's nothing that we can't achieve

[Diamond Tiara - The rich filly caught the ball with a fore-hoof with a sour look on her face before sending the ball away from herself. She then walked up to a nearby colt, frightening him with her overly sweet singing. She then patted Pipsqueak on the head.]

I don't believe what I am hearing
I'm the only one you should be cheering
Pipsqueak? Try "Pip's weak!" Don't you think?

[Diamond Tiara - She did a ballerina twirl as somepony rolled over a giant voting ballot in the background, which Pipsqueaks face was drawn to make him look dumb and smelly. Then a check mark was done by the box next to her own face.]

But a diamond is perfection
It's natural selection
So your vote better be for me, not the weakest link

"We'll let the votin' decide!" Apple Bloom retorted as she peeked out from the bottom left corner of the giant ballot. Diamond Tiara just stomped off to continue her singing solo.

[Diamond Tiara - she marched deviously about the other students]

Everypony has their little secrets

"I know you do," said Diamond Tiara to a nearby colt.

[Diamond Tiara - she snuck a devious smirk at another filly.]

A vote for me will help you keep them safe

"Like your creepy super strength!" Diamond Tiara remarked at a filly who managed to lift up the entire school to retrieve a lost ball. The suddenly felt insecure after being called out and dropped the school.

[Diamond Tiara - She then walked over to a filly with a very long mane and tail. She then walked up to a colt and pulled down his lower lip to reveal that he had some abnormally large teeth, which made him cover his mouth fearfully.]

Or your mane extension
A little thing I won't mention
Or those freakish large teeth in your face!

"Come on now ponies!" Apple Bloom shouted as she and the other two fillies stood firm, "Don't listen to her!"

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - Another ballot appears showing more proper picture of Pipsqueak and a check mark being placed next to Pipsqueaks picture. And a red X appeared over Diamond Tiara's face. Diamond Tiara was left stunned as an indignant look appeared on her face.]

You've gotta vote for change
It's time for a new leader
End all the tyranny
Vote now and we can beat her

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - the three fillies waved to the students lined up to vote with Pipsqueak standing beside them and Cheerilee was standing nearby to oversee the voting.]

It's now another day
And we believe in what's right

[Foals - Inside the voting booth, a colt checked off Pipsqueak and put his vote into the ballot box]

Vote for Pip! Vote for Pip!

[Cutie Mark Crusaders]

Our victory is in sight

"Stop! Everypony who hasn't voted, listen up!" Diamond Tiara shouted from the foreground as everypony stopped to look at her.

[Diamond Tiara - She walked over to come fillies and noticed one struggling to carry a bunch of books.]

Pip makes promises he can't keep
But I can do more

"You could really use a new book bag," said Diamond Tiara as she started to hand the filly the book bag and then pulled away and walked off.

[Diamond Tiara - She appeared between two ponies and started sing and bragging to them.]

'Cause I'll make things happen
That none of you here can afford

"To do, like, ever!" Diamond Tiara bragged, only earning glares from the two ponies.

[Diamond Tiara - She shoved some candy into one colt's mouth, then gave another pony a parasol. Then she walked past Button Mash, making his propeller hat fly off his head.]

Wouldn't you like a little something sweet?
Here's a parasol to hide you from the heat
Who says that I can't be nice?

[Diamond Tiara - Everypony watched Diamond walk about as she sang. She then headed over to Dinky who was holding a picket sing that was promoting ponies to vote for Pip. Diamond then slapped the panel around to make it show a professionally made poster promoting ponies to vote for her instead.]

But first there's one thing
An itsy-bitsy little string
And voting for me is the price!

[Silver Spoon - She tapped Diamond Tiara's side and began to sing. Diamond Tiara glared at her as Silver Spoon confidence grew as she sang.]

I've a tiny suggestion
That you should be aware
You could probably win this election
If you show them all you real-

"I don't recall asking you to speak!" Diamond snapped loudly at Silver Spoon. Everypony gasped in shock.

"Well, if that's how you treat your best friend," Sweetie Belle remarked, "then I choose Pipsqueak!" She gave the little colt a wink.

[Foals - The Cutie Mark Crusaders marched off the steps with Pipsqueak.]

Vote!

[Cutie Mark Crusaders (Foals) - the other ponies gathered around the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Pipsqueak, except for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. However, while Diamond Tiara was indignant and Silver Spoon just had a blank look on her face.]

Stand strong and don't be afraid, ponies (For Pip! Vote!)
Let's free ourselves from the past

[Foals - The background showed crayon drawings of Pipsqueak as four ponies held up banners with the same drawing on them.]

He's it! Vote for Pip! Vote!

[Cutie Mark Crusaders (Foals) - Pipsqueak welcomed the other students into the voting booth as the three fillies stood and sang beside him. A Diamond Tiara poster appeared in foreground and was immediately ripped in half. Pipsqueak and the three fillies then marched about proudly.]

Stand strong and don't be afraid, ponies. (For Pip! Vote!)
Let's free ourselves from the past

[Foals]

Vote for Pip!

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - Pipsqueak marched proudly before the smiling students as he and the Cutie Mark Crusaders sang. Diamond Tiara was still indignant and now very annoyed. Silver Spoon was actually smiling.]

It's time for a new leader
It's time to make a change
We're here to fight for what we believe

[Foals - two ponies got into the foreground.]

Vote for Pip!

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - Pipsqueak then stood on one end of a worn down teeter totter. Another colt then helped lift the end Pipsqueak was standing on so everypony could see him.]

It's finally time we beat her
And play a better game
'Cause when we vote together
There's nothing that we can't achieve

[Foals - They lifted a fore-leg in the air as they shouted and Pipsqueak smiled at them.]

Vote for Pip!

It wasn't long before everypony had voted and Cheerilee was ready to reveal the results.

"The votes have been counted!" Cheerilee announced. The screen split into two. On the right was Pipsqueak, who looked very nervous and was biting his fore-hoof. Diamond Tiara looked very confident and had a smug smile on her face.

"The student pony president is..." Cheerilee continued as Diamond cockily took a few steps forward, "Pipsqueak!" Diamond Tiara was stopped in her tracks in complete shock as everypony else cheered excitedly.

"Oh, my gosh, Crusaders!" said Apple Bloom excitedly, "Pip won!"

"I couldn't have won without the hard work of my campaign managers, the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" Pipsqueak announced as he walked up to them.

"Campaign manager cutie marks!" Sweetie Belle said excitedly as the three fillies looked at their flanks. But, as usual, they were still blank.

"Guess you're not as good as you thought, blank flanks," Diamond Tiara taunted, even with Miss Cheerilee giving her a stern glare in the background, "In fact, I demand a recount!"

"Trust me, Diamond Tiara," said Cheerilee smugly and also confidently, "Pip won."

"I'll be the judge of that, Miss Cheerilee!" said Diamond Tiara as she marched importantly inside the count the votes herself.

In less than a minute...

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" Diamond Tiara shouted from inside the school house so loudly that she startled everypony outside. Even Cheerilee winced at her shouting.

"One vote!" Diamond Tiara exclaimed in shock and devastation as she reappeared at the doorway and rushed over to her best friend, "Silver Spoon! You didn't vote for me?!"

"No, I didn't," said Silver Spoon firmly and unsympathetically. Diamond Tiara was stunned, as well as hurt.

"But you're my best friend," Diamond Tiara protested feebly.

"Am I?" Silver Spoon asked, "'Cause I tried to help by mentioning your 'surprise' statue, and suddenly I wasn't allowed to speak! Whenever I go out of my way to keep you out of trouble or when one of your brilliant plans goes wrong, I'm not allowed to speak! Whenever I try to speak my mind and what I say doesn't agree with you or it's not what you wanted to hear, I'm not allowed to speak! You could have actually won this election if you just listened to me. You wanna know how?" Diamond Tiara just stared with her mouth open as Silver Spoon leaned into her face.

"Sorry, I'm not allowed to speak," Silver Spoon said in a whisper that was stern and straight to the point as she shut Diamond Tiara's mouth herself.

"GrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Diamond Tiara screamed in pure rage before she ran off. The Cutie Mark Crusaders and Pip was left stunned at what had happened and looked at Silver Spoon.

"What?" Silver Spoon remarked, "I don't have to follow her drum anymore! I did you blank flanks a favor! For months, I've been at the point where I find making fun of you three a bore! You leave me alone and I'll do the same, alright?" Silver Spoon walked snootily away in the direction opposite of Diamond Tiara. The three fillies exchanged concerned looks with Pipsqueak. While the three fillies were grateful for what was literally a truce between them and Silver Spoon, they didn't feel right seeing the friendship between the two rich ponies fall apart.

"I know Diamond Tiara's been pretty awful," said Apple Bloom to the other two fillies as Pipsqueak walked off, "but...we should probably make sure she's okay. Just 'cause she's never cared about anypony else's feelings doesn't mean we shouldn't care about hers." Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo shared sympathetic looks with her.

"True," said Sweetie Belle, "even Mario taught us that even the cruelest of ponies deserve a little kindness and sympathy. Worse case: she doesn't accept it and we know we did the right thing." Scootaloo nodded in agreement.

Silver Spoon was just fuming to herself as she walked about the park alone.

"Stupid Diamond Tiara," she muttered, "I tried to be a good and supportive friend, but if this is your way of saying thank you, then you go make a fool of yourself on your own from now on. I'm done having you drag me down just because all you wanna do is seek revenge!" Silver Spoon then noticed a lake next to her as she picked up a rock with her fore-hoof and looked at the water. The rock splashed loudly into the water as Silver Spoon chucked it into the water. She panted heavily before she sat down at the edge of the lake and began to cry.

"How could I've been so stupid?" Silver Spoon sobbed, "She never cared about me! She only spent time with me because I was wealthy. I was never her friend...just her lackey..." She continued to cry alone for a few seconds before she felt a fore-hoof on her back. Silver Spoon gasped and quickly turned around. There was Mario, giving her a gentle smile and behind him was a heavy train loaded with various apples and other good from Sweet Apple Acres.

"Looks like you need a friend," said Mario softly. Silver Spoon sniffled as her tears continued to flow.

"Considering I ended my only friendship," Silver Spoon sobbed, "I could use a new friend."

"What do you mean?" Mario asked in surprise. Silver Spoon then explained what had happened. Mario just listened carefully as the rich filly was able to freely speak her mind. Silver Spoon had to admit that being able to speak her mind for a change was huge relief. Even her tears stopped very quickly once she found her words and was able to say them without being told otherwise.

"I tried so hard to be a loyal and supportive friend to her," Silver Spoon complained, "I tried so hard to make her realize that messing around with the Cutie Mark Crusaders was nothing but trouble. I wanted her to win the election by showing something more than her wealth and acting like a bully. Even I knew her blackmail tactic was doomed to ruin her, but...she's just so selfish and stubborn! I couldn't take seeing her go down in flames and being dragged down with her. I don't even understand why she's so against you, Prince Mario. I mean I personally was glad you got Diamond Tiara kicked off the newspaper. If she was willing to expose everypony secrets for juicy stories, who's to say she wouldn't have dug into my secrets for a good story? In fact...I bet she did! I remember catching Featherweight taking a picture of me and running off! I was sick to my stomach when she and Babs made you crash. I even told her she was crossing the line, but all she could do was threaten me! In the end, I lost my allowance because of her! Ugh, I hate you, Diamond Tiara!"

"Hate is a pretty strong word," said Mario.

"It's how I feel about her right now," Silver Spoon remarked bitterly.

"Well, I really don't want to hear you say that," said Mario, "saying that to somepony doesn't make you feel better."

"How would you know that?" Silver Spoon snapped.

"Because I actually said that to my wife before we were dating," Mario admitted, "I may have had a right to be angry with her at the time, but saying that made me feel worse." Silver Spoon snorted.

"Well, I still want nothing to do with her," said Silver Spoon angrily, "For the first time in my life, I feel like I can focus on myself for a change and think for myself instead of..."What would Diamond Tiara do" or "How would Diamond Tiara think about this or that?". What I want can finally have some value or priority for a change!"

"Perhaps," said Mario slowly, "but what about friends? If, as you've implied, you're finished with Diamond Tiara. Do you plan on making some new friends?" Silver Spoon just looked at Mario blankly and then removed her glasses to wipe away the tears that had already stained her cheeks.

"I...I don't know..." said Silver Spoon, "I doubt there be anypony who would want to be friends with me. I've hurt so many ponies when I was with Diamond. They probably h- I mean dislike me too much to give me a chance. I can't undo the damage I caused."

"In some respects, yes, but most of the damage can be fixed with a simple apology," said Mario, "Ponies tend to be more forgiving than you think, especially once they see that you're trying to be a friend rather than a bully." Silver Spoon sighed.

"It's not so easy," said Silver Spoon, "even the best I could say to the Crusaders was call a truce."

"Tell me, Silver Spoon," said Mario, "Why did you tease the Cutie Mark Crusaders so much?" Silver Spoon paused for a moment before answering.

"At first it was just to have fun with Diamond," said Silver Spoon, "Then they started going about trying all these crazy things to try and get their cutie marks, causing a ruckus, making a mess of things, etc. It was so annoying! We're they really so stupid that they didn't understand the concept of how to properly get your cutie mark?"

"Ever considered why they were so obsessed and determined to get them in the first place with?" Mario asked. Silver Spoon looked clueless for a moment before it finally clicked.

"Because...Diamond and I teased them so much," said Silver Spoon sadly, "Is...that what they mean when a pony says they've "fed the flame"?"

"It's a pretty accurate analogy," Mario replied, "those three fillies figured you would stop teasing them once they got their cutie marks. That's why they're so determined to get them. I know it's why I was so determined to get mine."

"You were bullied for being a blank flank too?" Silver Spoon asked in surprise.

"Indeed," said Mario, "But that's a story for another time. I've got some deliveries to make. Would you care for a ride home? Or is my freight train too...low class?" Silver Spoon chuckled.

"I'm not that snooty," said Silver Spoon, "But...ehh...maybe some other time. You've given me alot to think about...I just want some more alone time for now."

"Very well," said Mario, "Guess I'll see you around." Mario then reattached his harness.

"Wait!" Silver Spoon called out.

"What's up?" Mario asked. Silver Spoon looked at him nervously.

"I'm sorry for hurting you," said Silver Spoon, "can we be friends?" Mario blinked and then smiled.

"We already are," said Mario, "the castle is always open if you need help making some new friends...or restoring an old one." Silver Spoon blinked, as much as she wanted to deny the last statement, she chose not to refute it.

"Thank you, your highness," said Silver Spoon.

"Silver, just call me Mario," the alicorn Prince replied with a wink, making Silver Spoon giggle as Mario made his train whistle and headed off. Silver Spoon waved until Mario was out of sight. She could inwardly admit that she was feeling much better.

Diamond Tiara, however, was different story. She was feeling miserable as she headed into town with her head low to the ground. As she past a shop, a mare with a dark pink coat, purple main and tail, crooked nose, gold chain necklace, and a aquamarine top with gold gem trimming along the bottom, took notice of her.

The pony's name...was Spoiled Rich, her mother!

"Diamond Tiara!" the spoiled mare shouted sternly, making Diamond Tiara lift her head to reveal her long face, "Why are you making that face? That's not the face of a winner!" Diamond Tiara bit her lip.

"Because...I didn't win," Diamond Tiara replied sadly.

"What?!" Spoiled Rich retorted dramatically before adding sternly, "You mean I hefted all these party supplies to celebrate nothing?!" Nearby, were two maids and their butler, Randolph, who were carrying various party supplies from the shop. But poor Randolph was forced to carry a large statue of Diamond Tiara only for it to crush him.

"Sorry mother," Diamond Tiara replied simply, still looking rather glum.

"It's bad enough that you lost to that transplant from Trottingham," Spoiled Rich spat out, "but imagine if you'd lost to one of those blank flanks. As if it wasn't disgraceful enough that some pathetic lowlife is now the Prince of Equestria, but you've allowed his three little minions to make a fool of you and physically trounce you twice, even when I went through all that trouble stealing the secrets to his little combat techniques for you and your lackey!" Diamond Tiara winced.

Lackey? Was...that all I considered Silver? Just...a lackey? Diamond didn't have much time to think about it since Spoiled Rich wasn't though with her just yet.

"As a Rich pony," Spoiled Rich continued, "you must always think of your social standing." It was then Fancy Pants and Fleur de Lis walked by.

"Hm," Fancy Pants pondered as he walked by as Spoiled Rich put on an over the top smile on her face and waved. As soon as he looked away, she went back to sternly starting down at her daughter.

"That's starts here in Ponyville and reaches all over Equestria," Spoiled Rich continued as she used her fore-hoof to lift Diamond Tiara's chin and got into her face, "Don't ever forget that, Diamond Tiara. EVER!" Diamond Tiara winced at the shouting, including the Cutie Mark Crusaders, who had been listening in a short distance away behind the corner of a building. Spoiled Rich just walked away, feeling rather pleased with her herself. Diamond Tiara just walked sadly away in another direction, feeling even more dejected.

[Diamond Tiara - She looked at a display window and then kicked a small stone away with her fore-hoof.]

If I'm a diamond
Then why do I feel so rough?
I'm as strong as a stone
Even that's not enough

[Diamond Tiara - She walked away from the shop as the screen shattered like a broken glass window.]

There's something jagged in me
And I've made such mistakes
I thought that diamonds were hard
Though I feel I could break

[Diamond Tiara - She stood on the middle of a bridge as she sang. Behind her a filly with her father walked across the same bridge happily chatting with each other. She stared at the water below as tears fell from her eyes and into the water. Those water droplets later formed the beads that were on her tiara cutie mark.]

Would you believe
That I've always wished I could be somepony else?
Yet I can't see
What I need to do to be the pony I want to be

[Diamond Tiara - To her left was Spoiled Rich telling her what to do before waving her off with a fore-hoof, leaving Diamond Tiara miserable. To her right, the Cakes were having fun with their twins.]

I've been told my whole life
What to do, what to say
Nopony showed me that
There might be some better way

[Diamond Tiara - She looked at the sky as the ground seemed to swallow her up. But she sadly lowered her head as she appeared to sink deeper underground.]

And now I feel like I'm lost
I don't know what to do
The ground is sinking away
I'm about to fall through

[Diamond Tiara - She was standing on a giant diamond that rotated her clockwise and then floated across the foreground to show her just walking slowly about the town. The Cutie Mark Crusaders just shared curious and worried looks with each other. Diamond Tiara shed some tears as she walked about and sang, then lowered her head sadly.]

Would you believe
That I've always wished I could be somepony else?
Yet I can't see
What I need to do to be the pony I want to be

[Diamond Tiara - She lifted her head once more before walking about town alone.]

To be the pony I want to be

As Diamond Tiara walked about, the Cutie Mark Crusaders came out of hiding.

"Is it weird that I feel bad for her?" Sweetie Belle asked Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.

"If it is, then...I'm weird, too," said Scootaloo.

"She wants to change, but she doesn't know how," Apple Bloom pointed out.

"Seems like she could use a friend or two to help her figure it out," said Sweetie Belle. Apple Bloom smiled in agreement, but Scootaloo had a skeptical look on her face.

"Does it have to be us?" Scootaloo asked.

"Scootaloo..." said Apple Bloom.

"Hey, you weren't teased about something...personal..." Scootaloo protested feebly.

"Would you at least be willing to let it go?" Sweetie Belle asked, "Holding a grudge against a pony only hurts yourself. And seeking revenge won't make you feel better either. I would know..." Scootaloo sighed.

"Fine..." Scootaloo conceded...reluctantly. The three fillies then walked off to discuss ideas of how they could reach out to Diamond Tiara. The tiara wearing filly was just walking about on her own. She eventually turned her head to see the Castle of Friendship just a short distance away. Diamond Tiara snorted and turned to leave, but then her expression softened as she found herself unable to walk away. She looked at the castle once more before sighing sadly.

"There's no way they would help me," said Diamond Tiara, "they're on the side of the Crusaders! They would probably say I deserved all of this!" Diamond then walked away from the castle, continuing to feel sorry for herself and staring at the ground. However, she was so busy feeling sorry for herself as she hadn't even noticed that she had gone to sit down in the middle of some premade magic railroad tracks. Diamond Tiara then looked up.

"EEEK!" Diamond Tiara shrieked in horror, for rushing straight toward her...was Mario with his heavy train. Poor Diamond Tiara was in such a state of shock that she couldn't move. Mario whistled loudly to make the filly move, but she didn't.

"AUUUUUUUUUUG!" groaned Mario loudly, "GET OUT OF MY WAY!"

Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Once Mario realized Diamond Tiara wasn't going to move, he quickly applied his brakes. Diamond Tiara was frozen stiff as Mario's fore-hooves made a loud skid as they slid across the magic rails. His fore-hooves were turning red from the friction as he managed to stop the train just in time. When Diamond Tiara came to her senses, she found Mario had stopped with both his fore-hooves just a couple of inches from her own. Diamond Tiara whimpered loudly as she her hinds legs finally began to move.

"I...I...I gotta get out of here!" Diamond Tiara said in a panic as she began to run away. Mario was still recovering from the sudden stop when he saw Diamond Tiara running full speed...backwards! She zoomed through the town and was so frightened that she began running up the super steep hill without stopping. It was a big mistake. Running backward up that steep hill was very risky because one misstep could send a pony falling down the hill at a tremendous rate.

And that's exactly what happened with Diamond Tiara. Her hind legs slipped about three-quarters of the way up the hill. Diamond Tiara yelped as she found herself sliding down the hill at an increasingly uncontrollable speed on her back and all four legs in the air. And she was still too overwhelmed to try lowering a hoof or two down to apply the brakes.

"Make it stop! Make it stop!" she pleaded frightfully. Since she was sliding down so fast, she launched into the air from a nearly rock at the bottom of the hill. Diamond Tiara was sent flying into the air...and landed with a soft plop on a large mound of earth.

"Make it stop! Make it stop!" Diamond Tiara pleaded exhaustedly when she realized that she was now laying on top of the dirt mound and no longer moving, "It has stopped..." Diamond Tiara just let out a long sigh, not caring that her mane and tail were messy and dusty.

"Nevermind, Diamond Tiara," said a gentle voice, "You just need to calm down, get a drink, maybe something to eat, and then you'll feel better." Diamond Tiara was about to say thank you when her eyes shrunk as she sat up and turned to see Mario standing before her with a blank expression on his face. Diamond Tiara narrowed her eyes at him for a second before her expression softened.

"Just go ahead laugh," Diamond Tiara said with a tone that lost all its bite, "everypony else will..."

"Why?" Mario asked plainly, "just because if this was reversed, you'd laugh at me? I'm not you, Diamond Tiara."

"I know," said Diamond Tiara quietly, "I'm just a bad pony. It's all I'll ever be..." Mario raised an eyebrow at her as Diamond Tiara just turned away. She could feel her composure slipping as she dusted herself off.

"Please...just...go..." Diamond Tiara pleaded timidly. Mario just stayed put for a moment before he walked up to her.

"Diamond Tiara, would you like to come to the castle?" Mario asked. Diamond Tiara's jaw dropped as she bore a horrified expression.

"I didn't do anything!" Diamond Tiara protested fearfully, "Well, maybe call the blank flanks...uhh...blank flanks but that was it! Honest! I'm sorry!" Mario just kept a blank expression on his face.

"Well thank you for being honest," said Mario, "But you look like you've been having a bad day and I'm sure you've always wanted to see the castle. Come on!" Diamond Tiara wanted to protest, but she decided to follow Mario as he headed back to his train. She winced when she remembered the fact that Mario could've crashed into her just a few minutes ago.

"I'm sorry for earlier," said Diamond Tiara, "I didn't mean to stand on the tracks like that or not get out of the way." Mario just gave her a blank look, but then smiled as he used his magic to set her inside the of the front freight car.

"Don't worry, I just cleaned it," said Mario, knowing how fussy the filly could be as he re-coupled himself to his train.

"Oh...ok..." said Diamond Tiara quietly as she curled up inside the freight car. Mario just looked at her with concern, but figured he could ask the filly what was up once they got to the castle. Mario gave a TOOT-TOOT and then pulled his train. Diamond Tiara just sat quietly inside the freight car, trying her best to disappear.

Mario only had one more delivery and then they headed back to the castle. Mario found that Diamond Tiara had fallen asleep during the trip and used a fore-hoof to gently wake her up.

"Wuh...huh..." Diamond Tiara mumbled as she rubbed her eyes, "Where...where am I?"

"We just arrived at the castle," said Mario as he used his magic to help her out of the freight car.

"Oh...right..." said Diamond Tiara quietly as she followed Mario inside. She was rather amazed as she looked around at the crystal walls and columns. Mario ran into his wife and quietly exchanged a few words with her before he and the little filly continued on their way. After that, Mario stayed quiet until he brought Diamond Tiara into the library room where Spike was doing some routine dusting. Spike turned around then blinked and narrowed his eyes at Diamond Tiara.

"So...finally decided to lock her up in the dungeon," Spike asked in a spiteful tone, "or maybe send her off to be dealt with by Celestia." Diamond Tiara winced as she began to tremble fearfully.

I knew it! I knew it! This is the end for me! Diamond thought fearfully.

"No, I brought her here for some tea, cookies, and casual conversation," Mario replied. Both Diamond Tiara and Spike were left with their jaws hanging out.

"Seriously?" said Spike, "what's she done to deserve that?" Diamond Tiara just looked at the ground. Mario noticed how downhearted she looked.

"Spike, leave her alone," said Mario before turning to the little filly, "I'll go get tea and cookies. Any preferences?" Diamond Tiara just looked up at him.

"Whatever I guess," said Diamond Tiara quietly.

"Alright, make yourself comfortable and I'll be back soon," said Mario as he quickly walked out of the room. Diamond Tiara just took a seat at a nearby low table and said nothing. Spike just continued his work and then left the room without speaking to the filly. Diamond Tiara hadn't noticed, inside she couldn't help but feel puzzled and confused about what was going on as she sat alone at a nearby table. She was so deep in thought that she jumped when Mario set down her tea cup and a plate with what looked like chocolate chip cookies. Diamond Tiara was rather surprised as Mario poured some tea into her cup.

"Cream or sugar?" Mario asked. Diamond Tiara stared for a moment before replying.

"Just two sugars please," said Diamond Tiara as Mario put the sugar for her. Diamond Tiara was just quiet, staring at her tea until she finally couldn't stay quiet.

"Why?" she asked softly.

"Huh?" Mario asked as he was about to take a bite out of one of the cookies.

"Why?!" Diamond Tiara asked again, this time more firmly, "Why are you being so nice to me? What's in it for you?!" Mario just remained calm as he took a bite out of his cookie and took a sip of his own tea.

"Nothing's in it for me," said Mario simply, "This is what they call compassion." Diamond Tiara blinked before glaring.

"I don't need your pity," Diamond Tiara retorted.

"Diamond, let's get one thing straight," said Mario firmly, "Pity is when you see somepony hurting or upset, but do nothing about it. Compassion is when you see somepony hurting or upset and reach out them to help them feel better."

"And why would you do that for me?" Diamond Tiara asked in her usual manner, "I haven't exactly been nice to you or like you for that matter!" Mario just took another sip of his tea. Secretly, he could tell that the part of Diamond Tiara disliking him actually wasn't true.

"As the Element of love, Diamond Tiara," Mario explained, "Love comes in many different forms. You're probably familiar with the love between two ponies who love each other, like your parents for example..." Diamond Tiara made a face.

"Then there's the kind of love that is shared with family," Mario continued, "followed by the love that is shared between good friends. I'm sure you and Silver Spoon shared that kind of love with each other."

"Not really," Diamond Tiara said aloud and then her eyes widened in shock and she felt her heart break.

I just admitted I never loved my best friend, Diamond Tiara thought as she felt her eyes water.

"And finally," Mario finished, but had heard what Diamond Tiara had said, "there's unconditional love, which is showing love and compassion to others whether they deserve it or not."

"So it makes you feel good to give me tea and cookies?" Diamond Tiara spat out.

"This isn't about me," Mario replied, "I saw that you were upset and I wanted to help you feel better. Plain and simple."

"But...why?!" Diamond Tiara asked, feeling more frustrated, "I said I've never given you a reason to be nice to me!"

"You don't have to!" Mario retorted firmly, "And you're right, you've never given me a reason to care or be nice to you. And you don't deserve it either. Yet despite all that, despite the fact you've hated me since the day we've meet and hated me for defending my friends, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, I decided to be nice to you!"

"But WHY?!" Diamond Tiara screamed.

"Because I care," said Mario, making Diamond Tiara blink in shock, "I saw a little filly who was upset and needed a friend. I wanted to help her feel better and give her an ear in case she wanted to speak about what's on her mind. As much as you hate me, I don't hate you. I'm just sad because you think being a bully and putting ponies down is how you become a happy, healthy, and successful pony in Equestria."

"Hey, the way I do things has made me very happy thank you," said Diamond Tiara, "I can make friends no problem!"

"Then where's Silver Spoon?" Mario asked innocently. Diamond Tiara winced as she bit her lip.

"N-n-none of your business!" Diamond Tiara spat out.

"I ran into her earlier this afternoon," said Mario casually, "She told me what happened at the election."

"I can imagine what she said about me," Diamond muttered.

"From what I understood," said Mario, "you love being a winner more than her. She didn't feel like you valued her friendship."

"Well, she knows how I am," Diamond Tiara spat out, "a true friend would know that and wouldn't have kicked me aside!"

"Oh really," said Mario skeptically, "Then tell me Diamond Tiara. When was the last time having your attitude resulted in finding a true friend? You name me one time and I will take it all back." Diamond Tiara glared, but then her expression slowly softened until she was just looking very sad.

"Eeyup...I didn't think so," Mario replied after a few seconds of silence, "One of these days Diamond Tiara, you're going to find that your way of seeing the world just doesn't work..." As Mario spoke, Diamond Tiara's composure began to crack.

"...and it might even take having to wind up all alone with nopony to blame but yourself..." Mario continued.

"I ALREADY HAVE!" Diamond Tiara wailed and began to cry heavily. Mario just watched quietly for the time being.

"My fault!" Diamond Tiara sobbed, now unable to contain all the emotions building up inside of her, "All my fault! I'm a bad pony! I'm a bad pony..." The little filly continued to sob when Mario walked over and placed a fore-leg onto her back. Diamond Tiara wasted no time rushing into Mario's chest and cried harder. Before Diamond Tiara could stop herself, she began venting her frustrations out as she sobbed, which included the fact she didn't want to be a bully anymore and especially what she had to deal with regarding her mother. Mario just held her gently and let the little filly cry herself out, but he removed her tiara and set it on the table since it was sticking his chest from her pressing her face into it. It was a good twenty minutes before Diamond Tiara finally was able to calm down and pulled away. Mario could tell she looked very embarassed.

"Don't tell anypony I was this sappy!" Diamond Tiara warned before sniffling, "I'm already in disgrace as it is."

"It's okay, Diamond," said Mario gently, "everything that has happened will not leave this room. I'm only here to help. You can speak your mind here without being told otherwise or that it will get you into trouble."

"I can?" Diamond Tiara replied.

"Yes," Mario answered, "You did just confess that you don't want to be a bully anymore, but feel like you need to keep that image up for the sake of your mother." Diamond Tiara snorted as she wiped her eyes.

"Mother is just..ugh!" Diamond Tiara replied as she held her head in frustration, "I can imagine what she's say if she knew I told you about all of this. I don't even know why I'm telling you all of this. You really don't care about me. Only watching me get humiliated or defeated by the Crusaders!"

"It was never about winning or beating you," said Mario, "it's more along the lines of helping them prove to you that they are fillies worth being accepted and respected. They just want you to stop teasing them because they haven't found their cutie marks yet. If you backed off with all the teasing and bullying, I wouldn't have had to get you in trouble. The only reason you got physically defeated was because you imitated the attack. I only taught them to fight you so they could defend themselves. After all, when you turned Babs against them, you were going out of your way to be mean to them."

"So...it was just self-defense," said Diamond Tiara, "because I wouldn't stop teasing them?"

"Exactly," said Mario, "And it's shameful to hear that an adult would actually encourage you to hate me and bully others."

"She says that's what my cutie mark means," said Diamond Tiara, "being better than everypony else."

"I don't think that's what your cutie mark is supposed to mean," said Mario.

"I actually agree," said Diamond Tiara, "It probably means spoiled brat. And...and...I hate it! Ugh, you have no idea what my mother put me through to get this stupid thing on my flank! Each day I was a blank flank, she made me feel so...so...insignificant!"

"She pressured you into getting your cutie mark?!" said Mario, "That's more ridiculous that the Cutie Mark Crusaders trying thousands of things that they have no actual abilities in to get their cutie marks."

"So even you admit the way they were getting their cutie marks was stupid?" Diamond Tiara remarked.

"Misguided is the better word," said Mario, "But cutie marks are about self-discovery and despite what you think about them, they are starting to figure that out. Besides, did it ever occur to you that your teasing only motivated to them try more foolish ways of earning their cutie marks?" Diamond Tiara blinked.

"Seriously?" said Diamond Tiara and huffed, "talk about desperate..."

"Desperate," Mario repeated, "desperate to get you to stop teasing them and trying to humiliate them all the time." Diamond Tiara blinked again.

"Oh..." said Diamond Tiara, now feeling rather small and a little embarrassed, "So that's why they're so obsessed. And you?"

"Just protecting my friends," said Mario, "I was once bullied by your mother for the same reasons you bullied the Crusaders. And she certainly went out of her way to humiliate me as well."

"Maybe...that's why she raised me to hate you," said Diamond Tiara, "If I'm being honest, until the whole Gabby Gums expose, I never really got a say in what to think about you. Mother still doesn't really say exactly what you did to make her hate you. She just says you're an..."

"...insignificant lowlife," Mario finished with an eye roll, "These are the only offenses I can think of: Being taken in by Celestia, getting a cutie mark that means I can be good at so many things, becoming Celestia's protégé, being part of the junior theatre troupe and failing to help take it over after the original leader retired, working on the Canterlot railway by actually pulling trains and pulling the Canterlot express, befriending Fancy Pants..." As Mario spoke Diamond Tiara found herself feeling more and more disgusted, but it wasn't at Mario. It was at her mother! She couldn't believe that her mother would be so petty to hate a pony for being this successful. She was actually impressed at Mario's accomplishments.

"Getting taken out of being the top racer..." Mario continued.

"Wait!" Diamond interjected, "I thought my Mom would have loved to have seen you crash and burn...no offense!"

"You would think so," said Mario, "if she hadn't been my top sponsor back in my glory days..." Diamond Tiara blinked.

"She...she never mentioned sponsoring you..." Diamond stuttered and then huffed, "and if she dropped you for crashing...and seeing sense...Mario, tell me the truth. What really happened when you were a racer, my mother included? I have this feeling I've never been told the whole story. Actually...I might have not even been told the whole truth!" Mario willingly agreed and spent the next hour telling the little filly his story. He made sure not to leave any details out, especially regarding his sponsorship with her mother. Diamond Tiara listened attentively, drinking her already cold tea and eating a couple of the cookies. By the end of the story, Diamond Tiara's eyes were full fresh tears. She sniffled and used a spare napkin to wipe them away.

"I can't believe it!" said Diamond Tiara, "This whole time...this whole entire time!"

"What do you mean, Diamond?" Mario asked.

"You get it!" Diamond Tiara retorted dramatically, "You get what I'm dealing with! You understand how it feels to think you have to behave and act a certain way in order to be a winner. You let her convince you that it was what you're meant to do, what you're meant to be!" Diamond Tiara pointed at her cutie mark to emphasize her point, "You think that's how a successful pony behaves. You go with it because you want to just be accepted and...and...and...loved..." Diamond Tiara's voice cracked at that last word. Mario looked at her sympathetically.

"Do...you really think that you have to go this far for Spoiled Rich to love you?" Mario asked, feeling his heart ache. He knew Spoiled Rich to be rather selfish, but the idea of the mare making her own daughter behave so atrociously for her own selfish gains did not sit right in his stomach.

"I don't know," Diamond Tiara croaked, "Whenever I did succeed, she just acted all snooty. No "well done, Diamond Tiara" or "I'm so proud of you, Diamond Tiara". Yet when...when I fail...she's...she's...vicious! Daddy scolds me because what I did was wrong, but Mother...she just scolds me for embarrassing her and embarrassing the family! She scolds me for losing, not if what I did was wrong!"

"Does Filthy Rich know she treats you like this?" Mario asked. Diamond Tiara whimpered.

"Of course he does," said Diamond Tiara, "Just because he works and is never home to be there for me doesn't mean he's clueless to my Mother's behavior. I still don't see what he saw in her!"

"Well, they do say love is blind," Mario remarked.

"You got that right!" Diamond Tiara remarked in agreement, "But asking him for help is...is...like sending a chicken to fight a timberwolf. I can't tell you how many nights I've spent having to fall asleep to them arguing about how to raise me! Plus Daddy doesn't really protest Mother's behavior that much! He probably doesn't care that she makes me feel this way!"

"I wouldn't say that," Mario replied, "He is under this impression that you like acting like your mother. That's why he doesn't step in or refute your mother's behavior as much as he should. I would know. He told me himself."

"When I was younger, I used to look up to my mother," said Diamond Tiara, "I thought she knew what was best for me. But now...I feel like she was only using me to make herself look good...and there's nothing I can do to change it. I mean...I got this cutie mark by acting like her! I've already set my destiny in stone! It's hopeless." Mario snorted as Diamond Tiara let a few more tears leave her eyes.

"Nothing is hopeless, Diamond," said Mario, "While I have no business telling a parent how to raise their filly, I do know that you're mother is clearly misguiding you into thinking that acting like a high horse is the way to be successful in Equestria! And that your cutie mark says that is what you're meant to be. Only you can determine the meaning of your cutie mark! Nopony, not even your parents, can determine that for you."

"Even if there was another way," said Diamond Tiara, "even if I wanted to be a better pony. Can I still be successful?"

"Look at me and my wife! We were just two unicorn nerds!" said Mario, "Yeah, I said it! We're nerds! Twilight was a bookworm who valued reading above anything else. I was an orphan with nothing to his name. But look at everything we've accomplished and what we've become! We certainly didn't get our success acting like your mother!"

"I understand that now," said Diamond Tiara, "But as you've already figured out, I lost my only friend trying to please my mother. If I were to defy her teachings, I really do stand to lose everything! I'll be all alone! Labeled as the disgrace to the family! Lost to a cutie mark that I have no idea how it's supposed to define who I am. I'll have...nothing." Diamond Tiara began to cry softly once more.

"You might be a little lost at the moment," said Mario, "But you won't be alone, Diamond. I'll be your friend." Diamond Tiara was shocked.

"R-r-really?" she asked.

"Uh-huh," said Mario as he pulled her into another hug, "and I can assure you that your family won't reject you just because you want to be a better pony or follow a path different than what your mother wanted. At least I know your father would never do that to you."

"Yeah, but she loves to talk a pony's ear off," said Diamond Tiara, "besides, I don't like the idea of her rejecting me. She's my mother after all! If she doesn't know what my cutie mark means or who I'm supposed to be...than...how can I figure it out? You are right. I'm a lost pony..." Diamond Tiara sobbed a bit as Mario handed her napkin to dry her eyes.

"Diamond Tiara, no filly should have to make themselves miserable in order to get their parent's love and acceptance," said Mario, "There is a fine line between being respectful to your parents and standing up for what you feel is right. Or in this case, when you feel something their doing is wrong."

"Easy for you to say," said Diamond Tiara with an eye roll.

"Did you forget that I was raised by Princess Celestia?" Mario reminded her, "Plus I was about the same size as Pipsqueak when I was your age. You imagine a colt that small confronting the Princess of Equestria and saying boldly that what you're doing is wrong. That's scary!" Diamond Tiara giggled.

"Point taken," Diamond Tiara chuckled as she dried her eyes.

"Good," said Mario, "My point is this: your mother has no right to determine what your path in life should be, or the meaning of your cutie mark. Only you can determine your destiny and what your cutie mark stands for. If you continue to allow your mother to define you, you'll be doomed to a life that is empty, unfulfilling, and full of loneliness. You'll spend the rest of the your life wondering what you could've done differently because you didn't speak up when you had the chance." Diamond Tiara just listened carefully and let out a long sigh.

"I...understand...your majesty," said Diamond Tiara slowly as she grabbed her tiara and placed it back on her mane. She then looked to see a nearby clock was a few minutes short of 6 o'clock, "I better get going before it gets too late. Thank you for the tea and cookies."

"Anytime," said Mario, "and I do hope we can be friends." Diamond Tiara smiled.

"Can...we keep it a secret for now?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"Can you promise to stop teasing my three friends?" Mario asked as a counter offer. Diamond Tiara sighed.

"Fine," the filly conceded hastily, "but that doesn't mean I have to like them!"

"Fair enough," Mario replied, "Take care, Miss Tiara."

"Same to you...Mario," Diamond Tiara replied as she headed out of the castle. Mario just let out a long sigh and went to clean up when he heard a familiar pony enter the room.

"Should I presume you heard everything?" Mario asked bluntly.

"I couldn't help it," said Twilight innocently, "I like watching the master of empathy and compassion in action." Mario chuckled.

"I'm no master, honey," said Mario as Twilight kissed his cheek.

"But you are good at getting ponies to open up about their problems," said Twilight, "I think you really helped Diamond Tiara today."

"Maybe," said Mario as Twilight rested her head under his chin as he held her, "But she's in a dangerous point in her life where the decisions she makes today are going to shape what her destiny will become in the future. We can only hope...that when she comes to that major crossroad..."

".,,Diamond Tiara will make the right choice."

The next day at school. Things seemed rather quiet despite Pipsqueak's dramatic election. The students were all expecting to see some tension between the two rich fillies, but were surprised to see that Silver Spoon was the only pony with a bitter look on her face. Diamond Tiara just looked depressed. While Silver Spoon called her out for faking sympathy, the tiara-wearing filly said nothing. Silver Spoon left her alone after that, but made no effort to speak to Diamond Tiara for the rest of the day. In fact, Diamond Tiara kept to herself for most of the day and nopony else paid her any attention. At least that's what she thought, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were actually keeping a close eye on her to make sure the tiara wearing-filly was left in peace. Silver Spoon was actually surprised to see Diamond Tiara making no effort to try and replace her or lashing at her for being a traitor, but she made no effort to speak to the filly. Diamond Tiara did take notice that Silver Spoon was actually apologizing to some of the other students. While many ponies showed some skepticism, they did accept Silver Spoon's apology. In fact, some of them invited Silver Spoon to sit with them during lunch. Diamond Tiara expected to feel jealous and replaced, but instead...she felt very lonely. If there was anything Diamond Tiara learned that day, it was that she now understood the difference between ponies showing her sympathy and ponies who just flat out pitied her. She had to admit inwardly that being pitied was the worst feeling in the world.

I would give up my tiara just to have one pony give me a hug Diamond Tiara thought sadly, Even if it came from one of the Crusaders.

Soon the school bell rang to announce the end of another day of learning. The majority of the students, including Silver Spoon, charged happily out of the school house. Diamond Tiara just waited for the group of students to pull ahead of her a few yards before slowly making her exit. She had planned to go back to the castle and see if she could speak with Mario again. She didn't want to head straight home and deal with her mother, who was still making the effort to rub her election defeat in her face and making her feel even more miserable. But her thoughts were interrupted when she heard somepony calling her name.

"Hey, Diamond Tiara!" shouted Apple Bloom, "Wait up!" The three fillies approached the tiara-wearing filly, who simply put on an annoyed face.

Can't you three just leave me alone! Diamond Tiara thought, I'm trying to keep a promise I made to Mario!

"What do you three want?" Diamond Tiara retorted irritably, "To gloat? Rub in my defeat?" Please just say your piece and leave me alone! I wanna go see Mario and not be found out about it!

"Actually, we wanted to invite you to our clubhouse to hang out," Apple Bloom replied as she and the other two fillies gave her warm smiles. Diamond Tiara was taken aback by the offer.

"Really?" she asked in surprise.

"Yeah, for real!" said Scootaloo.

"Well, thanks to you all," Diamond Tiara replied haughtily, "I don't have any important class president business to attend to or anything. So I might as well." Diamond Tiara just crossed her fore-legs and pouted with a long face.

"That sounds like yes..." said Sweetie Belle with a worried but sheepish smile on her face. The others just smiled back at her.

"Then let's get going," said Apple Bloom and she turned to Diamond Tiara, "And don't you worry about my sister. I'll cover for ya if she asks why you're there." Diamond Tiara just stared for a moment before following the three fillies to the clubhouse. Diamond Tiara couldn't help but stare at the ground as she walked alongside the group of fillies.

Okay, why are you acting so stuck up and defensive? Diamond Tiara's conscience asked, All they did was ask you to hang out with you. You weren't this snooty when Mario asked to hang out with you.

Because unlike Mario, Diamond Tiara replied, These three fillies have no reason to show me any kindness. I wouldn't put it past either of them to seek revenge on me, especially Scootaloo since I did make fun of her...flying problem...

You're right, these fillies have no real reason to be nice to you at all, Diamond Tiara's conscience answer.

Exactly! Diamond Tiara thought in agreement, This is probably a trap of some sort. Get me all alone and then they strike!

But...what if...they're just being nice? Diamond Tiara's heart asked, After all, they've had plenty of opportunities to poke fun at you all day, but they didn't. You saw them sneaking looks at you.

Probably mocking me behind my back...

No...they look worried about you! They're worried about you!

Why should they be?

Maybe it's that unconditional kindness and compassion that Mario was taking about!

There's no way these three blank flanks would be that nice! They're not capable of doing something that mature! They want revenge on me!

How do you know? You don't know them!

They shouldn't even be offering to spend time with me!

But they did! Maybe they really do want to be your friends!

NO THEY DON'T!

How do you know?

"UGH!" Diamond Tiara growled in frustration and panted heavily. Then she turned to noticed the three fillies were just staring at her with confused looks on their faces.

"What?" Diamond Tiara asked rudely.

"You look a little stressed," Apple Bloom replied gently, "Is there something you want to talk about?"

"Why?!" Diamond Tiara snapped, "so you can blab it to everypony in Ponyville!"

"No," said Scootaloo, not hiding the annoyance in her tone, "Will you stop acting so defensive! We're asking because we care!" Diamond Tiara's mouth opened and shut wordlessly before she snapped out of her stupor.

"Did Prince Mario put you three up to this?" she asked suspiciously. The three fillies exchanged puzzled looks with each other.

"Uh...no," said Sweetie Belle.

"We haven't seen Mario since before Pip asked us to help with the election," said Apple Bloom.

"Did you bump into him yesterday or something?" Scootaloo asked curiously. Diamond Tiara just blinked for a moment.

So...they're being nice to me by their own choice? Diamond Tiara thought, feeling that same flood of emotions she felt when Mario was talking to her.

"Can we just...get to the clubhouse, please?" Diamond Tiara asked, nearly pleading since she didn't want to break down again in front of them. The three fillies just nodded and guided the tiara-wearing filly to Sweet Apple Acres and where the clubhouse was located. Despite not being there since the whole incident with Babs Seed, Diamond Tiara recognized the road and location right away. She couldn't help but pace about once they were all inside and the door was closed.

"So, do you three just sit around here plotting out different ways to try and get your cutie marks?" Diamond Tiara asked as she noticed the posters on the wall.

"Actually, yeah," Apple Bloom answered honestly as they all smiled.

"You three are..." Diamond Tiara started to launch an insult but then looked away sheepishly by adding in a timid tone, "...really lucky."

"We are?!" The three fillies replied in surprise.

"Yeah!" Diamond Tiara replied, "You get to explore all these options, learning who you really are before you're stuck with something you don't understand." Diamond Tiara looked sadly at her own cutie mark.

"But...you've done that, right?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Yeah," Diamond Tiara answered in a rather cocky tone as she pointed at her flank, "'cause I have my cutie mark! And I'm not struggling at all to figure out who I'm supposed to be and what I'm supposed to be doing with this mark that's already on my flank!" Diamond Tiara didn't hesitate to shake her flank to emphasize her point. But the concerned looks seen on the faces of the Cutie Mark Crusaders made it clear none of the three fillies believed her.

"Uh...are you sure about that?" Apple Bloom asked. Diamond Tiara then scoffed as she tried to make a face that almost resembled her mother's.

"That's a weird question," Diamond Tiara replied bluntly.

"Not really, since we kind of overheard you yesterday," Sweetie Belle replied as she rubbed the back of her head. Diamond Tiara blinked in shock.

So they DO know everything!

"Were you trying to get your cutie marks in spying?" Diamond Tiara snapped defensively, "Is that on your little chart?"

"No!" Sweetie Belle answered, "We were just worried about you when you lost the election, and then you lost your friend, and then your mom yelled at you..." As Sweetie Belle spoke, Diamond Tiara's defense melted within seconds. She was soon look very sad once Sweetie Belle mentioned her mother and her lips started quivering.

"We know you wanna change," said Apple Bloom, "and we think we can-"

"NOPONY CAN HELP ME!" Diamond Tiara shouted and her voice broke as tears poured from her eyes, "nopony..." The rest of her words were soon drowned in her tears as she began to cry. She immediately stopped sobbing when she felt three sets of fore-legs wrap around her. All three Cutie Mark Crusaders were hugging her.

This is...is... Diamond Tiara thought she was going to say disgusting but instead the word that came to mind was, nice...really nice... Diamond Tiara whimpered as she calmed down a bit.

"I don't get it," Diamond Tiara groaned as she held her head with her fore-hooves, "I just don't get it!"

"Don't get what?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" Diamond Tiara asked, "After everything I've done to hurt you three! You should be seeking revenge on me! You should hate me! Yet instead your...your..."

"...trying to be your friend?" Scootaloo suggested. Diamond Tiara stared at the three fillies with tear filled eyes.

"...friend?" Diamond Tiara said timidly, "You...you want to be my...friend?" The three fillies smiled.

"Yes, Diamond Tiara, we do," said Apple Bloom, "as I was trying to say before. We know you want to change and be a better pony. And we wanna help you do just that. What'dya say?" Apple Bloom reached a fore-hoof out to her. Diamond Tiara just looked rather shy about the idea before she slowly went to put her fore-hoof against the yellow filly's. They were just a inch away when...

"HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLP!"

Pipsqueak interrupted the tender moment shouting to them from outside the clubhouse and bouncing on all four of his hooves nervously. The three fillies wasted little time opening the door as Diamond Tiara just stayed hidden inside.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders!" Pipsqueak cried out, "I was at the school board meeting and they didn't approve my request for the new playground equipment!"

"Why not?" Sweetie Belle asked curiously.

"There's no money in the budget!" Pipsqueak explained, "So I checked my Peggy bank to see if I had enough bits..." Pipsqueak then shook his little piggy bank and out came a dead fly, a piece of candy, and a piece lint, "...but my Peggy wasn't nearly full enough!"

"Don't worry, Pip!" said Sweetie Belle.

"We'll meet you back at school," said Scootaloo.

"And help you find a solution!" Apple Bloom added.

"Thanks, Cutie Mark Crusaders!" said Pip before he made his way back to the school. It was then Diamond Tiara stepped out of the clubhouse. She had heard everything.

"Oh, I already have a solution!" said Diamond Tiara, now with her usual cocky smirk on her face, "Our new student pony president is gonna be kicked out of office, and I'll be reinstated!" Diamond Tiara then took off down the ramp and toward the end of the Apple orchard.

"Where's she going?" Scootaloo called out.

"Where do you think?!" Apple Bloom retorted in a worried tone, "C'mon! After her!" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo chased after her.

"Wait! I'm coming too!" Sweetie Belle shouted as she went to follow her two friends. The Cutie Mark Crusaders then chased Diamond Tiara as she headed toward the town area.

[Diamond Tiara - She looked back as she sang to them and crossed the bridge to enter the town, attracting the attention of some nearby ponies.]

Cutie Mark Crusaders, get out of my way
Those ponies need to know the truth
And they'll hear it from me

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - As they sang together to get Diamond Tiara's attention, the tiara-wearing filly looked back at them before increasing her speed. She then ran up to a pony pulling a single wagon loaded with apples and tipped the wagon over so the three fillies were tripped up and fell over the spilled apples. But then a pony flew down and scooped up the three fillies. They looked to see it was Mario, who gave them a wink before setting them down so they could continue the chase. However, Mario continued to hover in the air to see what would happen.]

Stop! Diamond Tiara, this is not the way
You know you're better than this hostility

[Diamond Tiara - She continued to run, heading past a large group of elite and high class ponies, which both Spoiled Rich and Filthy Rich were in the crowd. Both her parents had stern looks on their face as Spoiled Rich snubbed somepony by sticking her nose in the air.]

You don't even know me at all
Don't understand the meaning of my fall
What my family would think if I ever
Fail at anything

[Diamond Tiara - She weaved between some more ponies and took a turn down an alleyway, but then the Cutie Mark Crusaders intercepted her as she reached the end of the alleyway.]

I'm a diamond - that means you'll never break
No matter what be the cost of the path I take
Whatever I have to do to win in the end

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - As they get in front of Diamond Tiara, they made her run off to the side. Then they cut her off a second time, making her do a nearly complete U turn. They cut her off a third time, making Diamond Tiara skid to a stop and turn sharply to get around them.]

Stop! This is not the answer
Wait! and it's plainly seen
Listen! You can redeem yourself
But helping others, not by being mean

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - The three fillies manage to overtake Diamond Tiara again and sing to her while running backwards. Then Scootaloo leaned forward, followed by Apple Bloom, and then Sweetie Belle. Diamond Tiara's face was showing that she was starting to have doubts as their words were starting to get to her.]

We know you want friends who admire you
You want to be the star with all the power too
But there's a better way, there's a better wa-a-ay

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - The three fillies ran alongside Diamond Tiara. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were on her left with Scootaloo on her right. As they sang, Diamond Tiara was looked more and more unsure of her decision, even looking at her cutie mark as she began to feel more and more conflicted.]

There's so much more still left to
Learn about yourself
See the light that shines in you
We know you can be somepony else

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - The three fillies stood between a fork on the road. The left path that lead to the school, was dark and cloudy. The right path lead to a gazebo and the sky was sunny and there was a rainbow in the sky. Diamond Tiara nervously looked at both paths and bit her lower lip.]

You can stop right now
And try another start
You'll finally free yourself from the dark
And see the light
And see the light of your cutie mark

As the Cutie Mark Crusaders finished singing, Diamond Tiara narrowed her eyes and charged down...the dark left path. Mario, who had seen and heard everything, had a somber look on his face. He stayed high in the sky and used a nearby cloud to sit and stay unseen as Diamond Tiara reached the front of the school where Cheerilee and several other students were chatting with each other, including Silver Spoon.

"Everypony," Diamond Tiara said loudly, "I have an announcement." The Cutie Mark Crusaders had just arrived at the scene. The three fillies winced as they shared worried looks with each other.

"Diamond Tiara!" Apple Bloom called out, "Think hard about the choice your makin' right now!"

"You can be a better pony!" Scootaloo added. The three fillies couldn't see that Diamond Tiara was still feeling rather conflicted about going through with her idea.

You don't have to do this... her conscious told her.

Yes I do! Diamond Tiara's mind shot back, I can finally be on my mother's good side again! She'll finally be proud of me. She'll finally love me!

Diamond Tiara...if being mean hasn't earn you that already, what makes you think it will this time? Diamond Tiara's conscious asked her. Diamond Tiara whimpered inwardly.

No filly should have to make themselves miserable in order to get their parent's love and acceptance...

"Mario..." Diamond Tiara mouthed soundlessly.

Only you can determine your destiny and what your cutie mark stands for. If you continue to allow your mother to define you, you'll be doomed to a life that is empty, unfulfilling, and full of loneliness.

Diamond Tiara's moment was then lost when the door to the schoolhouse opened and there before her was Spoiled Rich.

"Diamond Tiara!" Spoiled Rich barked, making her daughter and the Cutie Mark Crusaders wince. Cheerilee and the rest of the students split to allow the rich mare a path to walk between them, "I just happened to be here for the school board meeting, and this is what I see when we adjourn? My daughter associating with confused, insignificant lowlifes?" Mario's body was trembling with rage as he sat on his cloud. He was using all his strength not to reveal himself...or turn the cloud dark grey and zap the mare with lightning.

"Socializing with their kind is not how you move up in Equestria!" Spoiled Rich continued, leaving the three fillies stunned, shocked, and indignant, "Come, Diamond Tiara!" That was the breaking point for the tiara wearing filly. The choice she was feeling so conflicted with now had become crystal clear as she narrowed her eyes at the mare.

"No, mother!" Diamond Tiara said firmly. Spoiled Rich went rigid and her ears flattened.

"Excuse me?!" Spoiled Rich remarked with an exaggerated look on her face, clearly offended.

"You've spent your life acting like a high horse and raised me to follow in your hoofsteps!" Diamond Tiara said boldly, "At first, I thought this was fine, but then I finally realized I wanted something you don't have - friends!" The Cutie Mark Crusaders gasped. So did Cheerilee and the rest of the class, even Silver Spoon's jaw dropped. Up in his cloud, Mario was laughing.

"Atta girl, Diamond!" he cheered in a low whisper. Spoiled Rich started looking very uncomfortable at all the stares and gasps.

"That's enough, Diamond Tiara!" Spoiled Rich snapped, "Step away from those blank flanks!" Mario snorted from his cloud.

"Did she really stoop that low?" Mario muttered.

"These are the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and they are my friends!" said Diamond Tiara proudly, "You need to stop calling them such mean and hurtful names!" Spoiled Rich just looked stunned and then looked away with an annoyed look on her face.

"They are working harder to get their cutie marks than anypony I've ever seen!" Diamond Tiara continued as the three fillies smiled, "And they will get them exactly when they discover their true talent, which I guarantee will be amazing!" Spoiled Rich was speechless.

"That is exactly true, Diamond Tiara," said Mario as he made his presence known and landed just a few feet behind Spoiled Rich. Spoiled Rich just looked stunned for a moment and then snorted angrily.

"I should've known you be behind all this!" Spoiled Rich retorted, "Corrupting my daughter with your foal-hearty ideals about friendship and nonsense..."

"SILENCE!" Mario shouted loudly using the Canterlot voice, which created a strong gust of wind from the loud volume, stunning Spoiled Rich, Cheerilee, and the rest of the class.

"I had no idea Mario could use the Canterlot voice," said Diamond Tiara in surprise.

"Neither did we," said Sweetie Belle giddily, "Mario's so awesome!" Hearts floating above the marshmallow filly's head. Diamond Tiara just giggled at the sight.

"First of all, you don't give your daughter enough credit," said Mario as he cleared his throat definitively, "She's far too strong minded for me to corrupt even if I tried. She was just smart enough to see the truth!"

"And what truth would that be?" Spoiled Rich snapped.

"The truth that just because you don't think a pony has any importance and value," said Mario, "That putting others down is not the way to become an important pony. After all, despite the fact you've spent your entire life bullying me, I've become one of the most powerful and most important ponies in Equestria. And I got where I am today because I had something you don't have - friends!" The fillies and colt all oohed impressively. Spoiled Rich spluttered.

"Now see here..." Spoiled Rich tried to retorted.

"QUIET!" Mario barked as he got into her face, making the mare flinch, "I've got something to say, so I suggest you listen before I tell every Elite pony in Equestria how you have been squandering school funds to exalt your daughter with stain glass windows and statues instead of focusing on the best interests of the students!" Spoiled Rich lost her bite after that as she gave Mario a nervous smile.

"I'm listening..." Spoiled Rich said with a nervous smile.

"Look, I could care less if you ever learn to accept or respect me, really I don't," said Mario sternly, "But you have no right to be insulting those three fillies. Those "insignificant lowlifes" are actually very important ponies."

"Oh really?" Spoiled Rich said snootily.

"Indeed," said Mario, "Scootaloo has been "adopted" by Rainbow Dash, who is not only the Element of Loyalty, but has also become part of the Wonderbolts Reserves."

"I see," Spoiled Rich remarked, "Clearly unimpressed."

"Sweetie Belle is Rarity's little sister, a bearer of the Element of Generosity and who has now become a prestigious fashion designer in not just Ponyville, but also Canterlot!" Mario continued, "I happen to be her business partner, which means her fashion empire is officially endorsed by the royal crown! And if that's not enough, Sweetie Belle is friends with Shenran, who is a retired commander of the Royal Guard and she's befriended Sapphire Shores! Your husband tells me you enjoy listening to Sweetie Belle's single: Jump Up Pony Star!" Spoiled Rich's face paled. She hadn't known Sweetie Belle was the artist to what had been one of her favorite songs.

"Still not enough?" Mario asked in a mocking tone, "Did you know that I finally found my family connections? Who my parents were and where I come from?"

"Lemme guess," said Spoiled Rich arrogantly, "A couple of lowlifes?" Mario narrowed his eyes at her.

"Lowlifes that are responsible for your husband's wealth and financial success," Mario replied. Spoiled Rich's eyes nearly popped out. The other students gasped.

"Wait," said Cheerilee, "Are...are you saying?"

"Yes I am," said Mario, still glaring at Spoiled Rich, "I am Mario Star, son of Bright Mac and Buttercup, which means that the Apple family, the very family that you insult and mock on a daily basis, is directly related to the royal crown! And Apple Bloom is my little sister. She is actually eligible to become a princess in waiting if she chooses to do so." Spoiled Rich was now at a complete loss for words.

"I...uhh...I...I didn't mean to intrude..." Spoiled Rich stuttered.

"Excuse me?!" said Mario angrily, "Ever since I've known you, you've stopped at nothing to put ponies down and sabotage them for your own selfish gain! Including me! And that is not the type of behavior the President of the School Board should have!"

"Now see here..." Spoiled Rich tried to refute.

"If there's one thing my wife and I have come to cherish, it's a good education," Mario continued sternly, "And based on what I've learned today, I have every right to get involved in the school's business! And I am shocked and ashamed to learn that Ponyville's school is being run by a pony who is using her stupid, narrow minded ways to judge these student's worth, intelligence, well-being, and best interests at heart!"

"But your majesty..."

"And I hope that in the next couple of months the "School Board" can straighten up its act!" Mario yelled.

"B-b-b-but..."

"And if you can't," Mario continued further, "I'll use every bit of power and influence I can muster to see that you get thrown out on your..."

"...but..."

"Exactly!" Mario finished firmly before pausing impressively. Cheerilee was grinning from ear to ear and the rest of the students were most impressed. Spoiled Rich just had a look on her face that basically said she was feeling very, very, very small.

"It's time you started accepting ponies for who they are and not what you'd like them to be," Mario added once he had calmed down, "Now...I believe your daughter has something to say." Spoiled Rich just blinked and turned around to see Diamond Tiara standing behind her.

"Now that Prince Mario has said his piece, will you please deliver this to father?" Diamond Tiara requested and held a sheet of paper in her mouth.

"Yes, of course, dear..." said Spoiled Rich timidly as she took the paper and nervously walked away. Mario just glared at her until the mare was out of sight. Then he gave Diamond Tiara a warm smile.

"Well done, Diamond Tiara," said Mario, "I knew you'd make the right choice."

"Really?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"Well...maybe I was a little worried," said Mario honestly as Diamond chuckled.

"I have to thank you, Crusaders," said Diamond Tiara as she turned to the three fillies, "Obviously I've known since I got my cutie mark that my talent is getting other ponies to do what I want." She then headed toward the other students as Mario just chuckled and rolled his eyes.

"I just asked my father if he could donate money for the new playground equipment!" Diamond Tiara announced. Everypony smiled and chattered with excitement. She then headed over to Pipsqueak.

"I knew you were worried for a second there, weren't you?" Diamond Tiara said to the little colt, who looked at her nervously, "Ha! Well, I think it's all gonna work out just fine, Mister President!" Diamond Tiara gave him a wink, which Pipsqueak smiled in reply.

[Diamond Tiara - she gathered everypony around as she hopped up to the front porch as she sang to everypony.]

We'll build a playground
For all of us to enjoy
So full of games
There's enough for each girl and boy

I want to help and do
Everything that I can
I'm here to show you I changed
Listen up, here's the plan

A few days later, the new playground equipment arrived.

"Bring it in! That's right, keep it coming!" Diamond Tiara told the delivery ponies as they brought in several giant boxes. Then Diamond Tiara walked up to four students, but all but one filly ran away from her, "Hey there, you with the amazing strength. Can you help them move that marry-go-round across the lawn?" The little filly noticed two student dragging the broken merry-go-round by a rope. She quickly got under it and held it in the air with her head before waving back at the tiara wearing filly.

"Thank you so much!" Diamond Tiara told the filly before turning to another colt, "And you with the super teeth, we need you to help with the teeter totter." The colt grabbed one end with his teeth carrying it away, along with Twist, who had been holding the other end.

"You got it!" Diamond Tiara cheered, "That's the spirit!"

[Diamond Tiara - She marched about happily as the others looked through the boxes to grab the parts for the playground equipment. Even Twilight and Mario were there to help as well. As she kept singing, her cutie mark glowed. Then they others got to work. Sweetie Belle used her magic to repair a swing and smiled as Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Then four ponies worked together to set up a new tether ball pole as Mario supervised to make sure nopony got hurt.]

There's so much I can do
To help everypony else
I see the light that shines in me
I know I can be my better self

[Diamond Tiara - As she sang, the sun rose from behind the school. Silver Spoon was busy repairing a fence when one of the boards fell down. She looked a little dejected until Diamond Tiara appeared to hold the board up so Silver Spoon could hammer it into place. A few more days later, the playground was complete. Mario and Twilight had left Cheerilee and the other students to finish up construction. A Pegasus placed a flag on the center tower and Diamond Tiara stood at the front of the platform before sliding down the slide to the ground below.]

I can free the past
'Cause now the future's bright for me
My cutie mark has set me free
To do what's right and be the pony I want to be

And be the pony I want to be!

As soon as Diamond Tiara landed, Cheerilee and the rest of the students minus the Cutie Mark Crusaders gathered around her. Silver Spoon was the first to reach the tiara-wearing filly and put a fore-hoof on her shoulder. Diamond Tiara sighed.

"Great job everypony," Diamond Tiara told the others, "And...now that you've seen that I am trying to be a better pony that...you'll believe me when I say this." Diamond Tiara took a deep breath.

"I'm so sorry," said Diamond Tiara, "I'm sorry for the way I acted...and for how I bullied all of you." There was a brief silence as Diamond Tiara felt a tear leave her eye. Mario had warned her that her fellow students might not respond to her apology right away. In fact, Cheerilee and everypony else now knew that she and Mario were friends. At first, Silver Spoon was jealous, but then she noticed the Diamond Tiara didn't try to keep Mario to herself. In fact, whenever she wanted time with Mario, Diamond Tiara just let her do so without fuss. Silver Spoon had to admit, she, like many others, was skeptical about the idea that Diamond Tiara wanted to change, but these past few days showed that Diamond Tiara was certainly trying. Of course, there had been a few lapses, but Diamond Tiara was pretty good at catching herself. Silver Spoon found it rather foreign to see Diamond Tiara apologize so quickly or her mistakes and admit she was wrong, but the fact the tiara-wearing filly was doing so was just more proof that Diamond Tiara was changing for the better. Diamond Tiara saw Silver Spoon step forward.

"I forgive you," said Silver Spoon with a gentle smile on her face. The other students smiled as well, giving a general consensus that most of them had at least accepted Diamond Tiara's apology. The Cutie Mark Crusaders just watched from a short distance away.

"Looks like Diamond Tiara is going to be okay," said Sweetie Belle.

"Sure is," said Scootaloo, "I'm glad we were able to help her."

"Me too," said Apple Bloom, "I don't know about you but I'm proud to call Diamond Tiara my friend."

"Same here!" said Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo together.

"However..." said Scootaloo as Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom gave her curious look, "...it's gonna take some time getting used to the fact that we have to share Mario with her and Silver Spoon."

"Yeah..." Sweetie Belle added bluntly in agreement, "Who knew that Diamond Tiara actually had a crush on him this whole time? But hid it because of her mother." Apple Bloom just smirked and roll their eyes at the two. It was then another thought came to the yellow filly's mind.

"I've been thinkin', Crusaders," said Apple Bloom, "We spend an awful lot of time fussin' and frettin' tryin' to discover our true talent. But when we take a little time off, we end up helpin' other ponies find their true talent."

"Yeah, and I think that's way more important than worrying about our cutie marks, don't you?" Sweetie Belle added.

"Absolutely!" said Scootaloo as she pulled the other two fillies into a group hug, "I don't care if I ever get my cutie mark as long as I get to hang out with my best friends."

"So what do you say, Crusaders?" Apple Bloom replied as she walked forward a bit to face her two best friends, "Want to just focus on helpin' others find their cutie marks?"

"Yeah!" the three fillies shouted as they shared a high hoof.

Then...it happened.

A ring of purple magic sparked from their hooves and then created a ring around the three fillies. The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked rather surprised as their bodies suddenly started glowing and they rose into the air. Then they were surrounded by a bright light that engulfed them completely. The bright light didn't go unnoticed as Cheerilee and the rest of the class turned around just as the bright light faded and the three fillies were set down on the ground, looking rather drained from the magic surge. Scootaloo was the first to recover and noticed all their fellow students were gasping and oohing at them.

"What happened?" Sweetie Belle asked once she recovered.

"What's goin' on?" Apple Bloom asked next.

"It's your cutie marks!" said Diamond Tiara excitedly, "They're amazing!" The three fillies checked their flanks, even thought they knew Diamond Tiara wouldn't be teasing them about something like that. To their shock and surprise...

...their flanks were no longer blank!

Each filly had their own tri-colored shield for a cutie mark, each of them had an emblem unique to that particular filly. But that detail, for the moment, was over looked as the three fillies smiled excitedly.

"We all got the same cutie mark!" the three fillies shouted happily before bumping their flanks together, "Cutie Mark Crusaders forever!"

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - They hugged each other and then marched around Cheerilee and their fellow students. Then they took off as the rest of the ponies followed after them.]

We were searching for our cutie marks
For a while there
Trying to find out how we fit in

So many ways we've tried before
But we kept on trying more
'Cause the Cutie Mark Crusaders don't give in

Mario had been doing another routine flight when he looked down and saw the three fillies leading the march. His eyes then bugged out, before he rubbed them, and noticed the markings on their flanks. He then gasped excitedly.

"HA-HA! THEY'VE DONE IT! THEY'VE DONE IT!" Mario shouted excitedly as he flew around them and then hovered just above and behind the three fillies as Scootaloo took the lead of the march.

[Scootaloo]

Now we know what it took all along

[Sweetie Belle]

And our journey here is never really done

[Apple Bloom]

For it is more than just a mark
It's a place for us to start

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - Soon their arrived in town, Mario held up a flag, which had been made on the spot, with their shield cutie mark and the letters CMC on it. As the three fillies lead their little parade and sang, the other ponies turned to see them and smiled when they saw the girls' new cutie marks. Then the three fillies super jumped into the air as the foreground showed their cutie marks.]

An adventure that has only just begun

We'll make our mark
Show the world what we can do
We'll make our mark
Helping fillies to break through
To the ultimate reward of a cutie mark

[Diamond Tiara - She then got ahead of them and stood before them as she sang. An image was seen of her in black and white walking down a path alone and looking glum. Then the three fillies appeared beside her, making her smile and the black and white view turned into color. She was seen standing before the three fillies as she raised her fore-legs in the air before placing a fore-hoof over her heart.]

Cutie Mark Crusaders, I've got
Something I need to say
I was headed down a path
That was leading me astray
But now, I've changed my ideas
You helped me see I care
I'm gonna show the world
How much I have to share

[Diamond Tiara - She then wrapped a fore-leg around Scootaloo for a moment as she sang to them. Then she wrapped both a fore-leg around Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, making all three fillies smile. She then stood before them, her cutie mark sparkling, before all four fillies shared a warm hug together.]

You've made your mark
And showed me a better way
You've made your mark
Helped me see that I could change
All I thought ever I knew of my cutie mark!

"All right, everypony!" said Pinkie as everypony minus Apple Bloom was standing outside of Sugarcube Corner, "Get ready for the biggest cute-ceanera celebration ever!" Pinkie then tossed some confetti into the air as the other ponies cheered. Apple Bloom was with Applejack, Granny Smith, and Big Mac. All the adults had tears in their eyes. Big Mac was struggling not to break down in tears.

"Oh, sugarcube, if Mom and Dad were here," said Applejack, "they'd be so proud of ya."

"Oh...Thanks, Applejack," said Apple Bloom.

"Now go on and party with your pals," said Applejack. But before Apple Bloom could run off, Mario landed before her and placed a fore-hoof under her chin.

[Mario - Apple Bloom smiled as Mario sang to her and then they shared a hug.]

You searched long and hard, finding your purpose
Now you know just what you're meant to do

[Rainbow Dash - She rubbed Scootaloo's mane and they shared a high-hoof with each other.]

I'm so proud of you, little buddy
You've taught me a thing or two

[Rarity - She held both of Sweetie Belle fore-hooves in her own. Her touching words made Sweetie Belle smile and blush a bit.]

You've inspired everypony around you
And you've inspired me too

[Rainbow, Rarity, Applejack, and Mario - The four ponies sang together for the Cutie Mark Crusaders while the rest of the Mane eight, Spike, and several other ponies watched from the background. Then they marched up to the three fillies, which Rainbow and Mario hovered in the air. Then they looked up to the sky as the screen filled up showing the Mane eight's cutie marks on the outside and the Cutie Mark Crusader's new cutie marks in the center.]

You've made your mark
Done Equestria so proud
You've made your mark
And we're here to sing it loud
For the ultimate reward of your cutie mark

The next day, the three fillies were now back inside their clubhouse.

"Well, what do you think, Crusaders?" Apple Bloom said to her two friends as she stood by her podium and showed her now marked flank, "Were these cutie marks totally worth waiting for or what?"

"Yeah!" said Sweetie Belle, "I can't wait to see who we're gonna help next!"

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - A flashback was seen showing various memories such as their first meeting at Diamond Tiara's cute-ceanera, doing the talent show, trying zip lining, working on the farm, their Gabby Gums Expose, a triple view of them donning their Crusader capes, their finishing pose at the Equestria Games, Twilight Time, and defending Trouble Shoes.]

We started out just three
Crusaders driven to see
What we find in our hearts
Discover our destiny

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - They are floating in the air before a sparkly purple background. Then their shield cutie marks appeared behind them. Then the shields turned into platforms that let the three fillies fly side by side at high speed.]

And here we are, best friends
About to start it again
An adventure that never will end

[Cutie Mark Crusaders - The three fillies smiled at each other as they rode their shields before zooming away. The view then descended to the outside of the clubhouse as the three fillies made their way out. Then the Mane eight, with Mario holding up a flag with their cutie mark, and their class gathered around them as they all posed for a picture, which was taken by Photo Finish. Then Spike sent it to both Celestia and Luna, who smiled at they enjoyed the picture together.]

We'll make our mark
Helping fillies most in need
We'll make our mark
So each one of them succeeds
'Cause the ultimate reward is a cutie mark!

Later that night...

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADER SLUMBER PARTY AT THE CASTLE! YAY!" the three fillies shouted excitedly as they bounced about inside the Library room of the castle. While Apple Bloom had her own room in the castle thanks to Mario, they still preferring using their sleeping bags and the Library room gave them more than enough space to enjoy themselves. Mario had just entered the room as the three fillies were giggling and chattering with each other.

"Evenin' ladies," said Mario in a proper tone, "You all look lovely this evening." The three fillies giggled. As a part of their slumber party, they were also wearing tiaras that were made by Mario himself, yet Apple Bloom still wore her favorite bow as well.

"Hey, Mario," Apple Bloom asked, "Where'd you get the idea for the crafted gems in the middle of our tiaras?"

"They're based on what's in the center of your cutie marks," Mario replied, "While from a distance your cutie marks look the same, the center of your cutie marks are actually unique. Take a look!" The three fillies did just that. Scootaloo gasped excitedly.

"I've got a cloud and lightning bolt!" said Scootaloo, "Just like Rainbow Dash! It's like I was always meant to be her sister!" Scootaloo smiled as her eyes watered. Sweetie Belle squeed excitedly.

"I got a star! I got a star!" said Sweetie Belle, "and it has a music note in it! I guess singing was always part of my true talent after all."

"Maybe you'll help lots of little fillies and colts find their true talents in singing and music writing," said Mario. Sweetie Belle giggled happily. Apple Bloom just had a soft smile on her face and was crying.

"Apple Bloom what's wrong?" Scootaloo asked.

"Nothing," Apple Bloom croaked as she continued to cry, "I just happy...because my cutie mark has a heart in it. Just like Mario's." Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle took a look for themselves.

"Oh wow!"

"Cool!" said the two fillies.

"But why the tears?" Scootaloo asked.

"I can't help it," said Apple Bloom as she wiped her eyes, "You all have been saying that I have alot in common with Mario. And my cutie mark just confirms it. I'm his little sister and I have a big heart just like he does."

"That is very true," said Mario as he pulled the yellow over for a hug and kissed her cheek.

"Hey! We want a kiss too!" Sweetie Belle called out. Mario and Apple Bloom chuckled to each other as Mario hugged Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo and gave them a cheek kiss as well.

"I love you guys," Mario told the three.

"We love you too," said Scootaloo, "You know how to make even a filly like me feel like a princess." Mario chuckled. It was then the doors to the library opened and a familiar purple alicorn made her presence known.

"Honey!" Twilight called as she peeked into the room, "Somepony's here to see you!" Mario looked puzzled.

"Who could it be at this hour?" said Mario since it was already past nine o'clock. Twilight stepped aside to reveal a certain tiara-wearing filly holding a pillow under one fore-leg and had a folded blanket on her back.

"Diamond Tiara!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, "what are you doing here?" Diamond Tiara just sniffled in reply as she set her pillow down.

"Things rough back home again?" Sweetie Belle asked gently. Diamond Tiara just sniffled again and nodded.

"They...do know you're here right?" Scootaloo asked.

"Yeah, I left a message with Randolph before I left," said Diamond Tiara, "They'll know where I am...if they're ever done fighting with each other."

"I'm guess your Mom is still being difficult after our confrontation," said Mario, "because trust me, I'm not afraid to get her kicked off the School Board if she refuses to learn sense."

"She's never going to change," said Diamond Tiara angrily, "In fact, I'm not even sure she ever loved me at all..."

"Now Diamond," said Mario gently, "I know Spoiled Rich can be selfish, but I'm sure she..."

"I asked her!" Diamond Tiara snapped as she began to cry, "She just...just...turned away and said nothing. It's the reason why my parents are fighting right now! Sure, Daddy loves me and all, but...the fact she couldn't even answer that question...did she ever see me as her daughter...or just...just a pawn? Guess she never saw me as anything special unless I was willing to live my life the way she wanted!" Diamond buried her face into her fore-hooves as she sobbed. Mario walked over to her and pulled her into a gentle hug, but was surprised when Diamond Tiara pulled away.

"S-s-sorry, you guys are obviously having your party," said Diamond Tiara as she got up to leave, "I'll just go..."

"You're welcome to stay with us if you want," said Apple Bloom gently, "right girls?"

"Of course," said Sweetie Belle.

"Sure," Scootaloo added.

"But...this is your slumber party isn't it?" Diamond Tiara asked, "for getting your cutie marks?"

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for one more," said Mario, "besides, you'll feel much better being around good friends that just being by yourself. Remember Diamond Tiara, you've got friends now to help and support you. We'll help you get through this. Pinkie Promise." Diamond Tiara smiled as she wiped her eyes.

"Thanks..." said Diamond Tiara, "Plus...there is more thing I need to do." The three fillies just exchanged sad looks with each other. They had a good idea what she was going to do.

"Diamond, it's okay," said Apple Bloom, "We already forgive you." Diamond Tiara was left speechless.

"How...how can you?" Diamond Tiara croaked, "I still owe you all an apology, especially for how I treated you all and attacked you. I know I hurt Scootaloo deeply when I insulted her wings. Why? Just so I could carry a stupid flag for the sake of pleasing a mother who clearly can never be pleased. A mother who...who doesn't love me at all..." Diamond Tiara began to cry again. Before Mario could give Diamond Tiara another hug, the three fillies beat him too it. Twilight, who had been watching and listening to the whole thing, walked up to her husband. Mario held her close until the four fillies pulled away.

"Thank you," said Diamond Tiara, "Thank you for being my friends. I know I told you that before, but...I'm very grateful."

"That's what friends do," said Sweetie Belle, "They look out for each other."

"I just...really hope that I can continue to be a better pony," said Diamond Tiara, "Until you all befriended me, I didn't really know how to be a good friend. You may have shown me that I can be a leader by being nice instead of being mean, but I've still got alot to learn about friendship." Mario and Twilight exchanged smiled with each other.

"And I think we can help with that," said Mario as he walked up to the four fillies.

"What do you mean?" Scootaloo asked as the others looked at him curiously.

"Diamond Tiara wants to learn to be a better friend," said Mario, "and my wife and I are the Princess and Prince of Friendship. We've been talking this over and...if you're interested Diamond Tiara. I would like to make you my personal student in the magic of friendship!" The four fillies gasped.

"Me?" said Diamond Tiara in complete shock.

"I would be more than honored in help you become a better friend and a better pony," said Mario, "If you are interested and are willing to learn." Diamond Tiara smiled as a few happy tears streamed down her cheeks.

"I would be honored...Mario," said Diamond Tiara she hugged him happily. The three fillies smiled as the two shared a warm embrace.

"I have to admit it," said Diamond Tiara as they pulled away, "You guys pull off wearing a tiara better than I can."

"And ponies say I can't pull off looking fabulous," said Scootaloo as she stood on her hind legs and posed. The others all laughed.

"Alright, now that everything is settled, let's have some fun!" said Twilight, "This is a slumber party after all!"

"Don't forget the party snacks!" said Spike as he walked in with rolling cart that had a chocolate cake on it, a gallon of ice cream, and mugs filled with hot cocoa. The four fillies eyeballed the goodies hungrily.

"Let's eat and then once we finish, we can decide what to do first," said Mario.

"Oh, I've already got an idea in mind," said Twilight with a smirk on her face.

"You're not showing them my baby picture album," Mario warned. The four fillies all snickered.

"No, I have a much better idea," said Twilight when suddenly a pillow smacked Mario in the face, "Everypony against Mario in a pillow fight!"

"Aw come on that's not...ahh...ahh...yipe!" Mario yelped as the four fillies and Twilight started pounding him with pillows, laughing the entire time. By the time the four fillies had finally tired themselves out and went to sleep, they had all done so with large smiles on their face. They were all looking forward to what the future had in store for them.

For Diamond Tiara, it was second chance to show ponies who she truly was.

For the Cutie Mark Crusaders, it was the end of a long and hard journey. One might say that it is the end for their story arc, but they are fillies and still young. Earning their cutie marks only marked the end of one adventure.

And it was time for a new adventure to begin.

And there you have it. One of my favorite episodes loaded with lots of bonus content. Diamond Tiara's redemption was fleshed out a bit more, we got Silver Spoon a change to say her piece about what happened, and Diamond Tiara has become Mario's personal friendship student.

When I first watched this episode, I never imagined that I would grow to love Diamond Tiara like I did when I first saw this episode. I really wanted to see if she did manage to succeed in changing from her old ways, but the show has done nothing with her since this episode. I'm going to see how I can give her some minor roles while staying true to the series. Please don't ask if she'll be in the School of Friendship, I still haven't thought that far ahead. But I can guarantee that unless the show does this storyline in season 9, a future intermission chapter might involve her confronting Babs Seed!

I hope you guys noticed that the final song had something extra added to it and I'm not talking about Mario's singing part. I'm referring to Diamond Tiara's solo. This was actually a deleted scene that was cut due to time constraints. I felt it necessary to add it in.

As I said before, the reason this chapter took longer was because I got very sick, but I hope the wait was well worth it.

Next time: Pinkie's got a secret! Can Shenran help her keep it?

Peace Pony Fans!