“Ok everypony, class dismissed. Take care on your way home.”
“Yes, Miss Cheerilee.”
The entire class scrambled out the door, not having a care as to who was pushing whom. Sarah however delayed back while watching the rest of her class wave their goodbyes to their teacher, their constant chatter filling up the room even while the bell persisted with its constant ringing. Sarah would have rushed out as well but Miss Cheerilee wanted to have a little chat with her before leaving. Nothing unusual but fairly routine applicable only to her.
As soon as the rest of the foals all left, Miss Cheerilee straddled up to Sarah who was waiting eagerly in her seat. “So Sarah, how is everything with you?”
“Everything’s fine, Miss Cheerilee,” Sarah exhaled. It was as truthful as she could be; the day was normal like any school day. Although Sarah could sense that Cheerilee was expecting more than just a standard report.
“That’s good. Any of the lessons hard for you to understand? Any problems in class?”
“No, not really...”
Miss Cheerilee witnessed Sarah fidgeting in her seat wanting to leave as soon as possible that she couldn’t help but chuckle. “I guess that’s fine then.”
“…Do we really need to do this Miss Cheerilee?”
Cheerilee sighed as if disappointed, though could understand why Sarah would say. “I know this might seem boring to you but like I told you many times before your mother was quite insistent on me doing this with you every month. You are unique after all and we do want the best for your well-being.”
Sarah grumbled and stared down at her desk drilling holes onto its surface. She hated that word. It was a word that constantly reminded her that she was different from the rest of her class or the rest of Equestria for that matter. After all she was ‘unique.’
“Don’t get so down Sarah. We care about you no matter what or how different you are. Plus you are one of my best students.”
“Tell that to my mom. She gives me additional lessons even after she forces me to do my homework.”
“And it shows. And we know how your mother is, right?” Sarah and Miss Cheerilee shared a giggle, inappropriate as it was making fun of Sarah’s mother. “Furthermore, you are growing up and soon you’re going to graduate from primary school.”
“Not like I’m looking forward to it…”
“Everything will be fine. Trust me. Plus you have our utmost support, from both your mother and I.” Sarah couldn’t help but smile meekly at her favourite teacher. The same goes for Cheerilee gleaming at her favourite student. “Well then, I’ll see you tomorrow. Take care on your way home.”
“I will. Bye Miss Cheerilee.”
Sarah towered over Miss Cheerilee when she got out of her seat before heading out the door with her bag. She didn’t notice her teacher watching her back intently as her eyes glossed over slightly. It seemed just like yesterday when Cheerilee first met Sarah; such a small thing, who was no taller than her shoulders. It was a scary time for everypony and Cheerilee couldn’t help imagine the many problems Sarah would have to face at the time. But over the years Sarah had proven to be diligent, patient, but most of all cheerful. And with that, Cheerilee smiled.
“Ten years already, huh.”
~ * ~
The walk home wasn’t as eventful as Sarah hoped but delightful all the same. Ponyville was a constant reminder of the overwhelming neighbourhood friendliness it had to offer. Golden Harvest was at her carrot stand whom Sarah had a relatively friendly chat. The flower sisters Rose, Daisy and Lily were attending to their merchandise of flowers but had time to wave to Sarah as she passed. Even Big Mac at his apple stand from which Sarah decided to purchase several. His big hearty “eeyup” simply gave a warm feeling to Sarah.
As she continued to trek along the main street she finally arrived at her destination. A large golden oak tree hollowed to house a library and Sarah’s second home. From what Sarah understood there was another library previously at the same location. The Golden Oak Library was however destroyed by some really bad guy as the story went, and now The New Golden Oak Library soon came to replace it. Nonetheless Sarah loved living here and so did her mother even if the two of them had their own official residence. Thinking back on it, Sarah remembered how cold and spacious her other home was, but soon this library appeared and she started living here since.
“Mom, I’m home,” Sarah called out as soon as she came through the door. Her voice echoed throughout the large interior, the shelves of books, luscious woodwork, and the working fireplace welcoming her. The library was still besides the cracking of the fire until a familiar voice soon responded.
“Welcome home sweetie.”
A purplish-lavender alicorn came out from the kitchen
“How was school?”
“I was ok.
“Do you know where she came from?”
“I wouldn’t know Twilight, but this is most unusual. I have never seen a creature such as this before.”
“But that’s what I mean. None of my books can tell me what kind of species she is. If her species hasn’t been recorded anywhere then what are we supposed to do with her?”
“You make it sound like she’s a problem.”
“No, I mean, yes, I mean… well like you said we haven’t seen anything like her before. Plus she’s an infant, in a world where her species doesn’t exist. If we can’t find out where she came from then the situation isn’t looking good for us—or her.”
“You’re right. And you just found her in the Everfree Forest?”
“In the Castle of the Two Sisters, yes. She was just crying there. I couldn’t just leave her there all alone.”
“That forest has always been a nuisance for a long time. Its environment has always been different compared to the rest of Equestria. It would make sense if the Everfree had portals popping up anywhere that lead to other dimensions.”
“So you do believe she came from another world?”
“I would think so. I did check out the old castle but couldn’t find anything of relevance to her world including the room where you found her. I did however sense some mystical presence, most likely evidence of a portal that recently opened.”
“Isn’t there any way we can find that portal again?”
“I’m afraid not, Twilight. And I believe we have run out of options.”
“Options, Princess?”
“Yes. We need to decide what we should do with her.”
“Um… what do you mean by that?”
“As much as I want to I cannot take on the responsibility of taking care of a foal, let alone an infant of a different species.”
“You took care of me when I first started out as your student.”
“Twilight, I look after a number of students, yourself included. It’s different compared to raising a foal. Although considering the situation, that might just be the right course of action. She would have trouble growing up in Equestria, all alone, and she needs all the support she can get.”
“I see… then how about I look after her?”
“Twilight?”
“I’ll take care of her, while finding a way to get her back home.”
“…Twilight, I’m happy that you would consider taking on this responsibility but understand that raising a foal takes a lot of dedication. Even if you happened to hatch Spike from an egg, you were still just a little filly and I helped raise Spike along with you. Are you certain you want to raise her like your own?”
“To be honest I’m surprised at myself to even suggest it, and scared out of my wits about it, but I want to, for her sake. And I do want to help her any way I can.”
“Helping her is not the same as raising her. Are you sure about this?”
“I am.”
“…Very well. I will have her under your care. Do not hesitate to ask for any assistance or otherwise, understand?”
“I do.”
“Good. Oh, she seems to be waking from her nap.”
“She looks so precious.”
“She most certainly does.”
“Good morning, Sarah.”