Equestria Girls: The College Years

Equestria University, the biggest and best college in Canterlot and beyond.  While classes have yet to begin, it was busy with first year students coming and going to where they were required to go, for today was freshman orientation.  And it was where our friends were coming from the theater building and making their way to the cafeteria for lunch.  Now students would require a meal plan, but it wasn’t needed during orientation because the campus was filled with freshmen, while the upper classmen wouldn’t arrive for a few more days.  This gave our friends a chance to try out some of the basic meals and meet up with one more former siren.

“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, OH MY GOSH!!!”  Pinkie Pie was excited to see the size of the cafeteria.  “It’s bigger than the one in Canterlot High.”

“Pinkie Pie, this is just the eating area.  We have yet to see the serving area,” said Applejack.

“Well, it’s big enough to serve over half the campus students that live on here,” Sugarcoat added.

“Is that why we have to have meal plans on campus?” Sunset asked the others.

“It is, Sunset.  At least a 10-meal plan,” Twilight explained.  “After a year, we can change to a 5 or 15-meal plan, or just stay on the 10-meal plan.  Maybe even a full meal plan if you plan to only eat in the cafeteria.”

“At least we have credits for the food court with the other plans,” Indigo added.  “We just have to monitor how much we use during the semester.”

“Good thing we can look it up online,” Sunny added.

“Um, I hope they have a salad bar,” Fluttershy said.

“Vegetarian?” Sunny asked Fluttershy, in which she replied with a nod.  “Oh I’m sure they do, plus a non-meat selection to go for.  Colleges are required to have those opinions available to students.”

“That’s good,” Fluttershy responded.

So the girls went towards one of the lines into the serving area, and when they were in the area, they saw on the cooking grill a blue-haired siren wearing a mesh to keep her hair covered up.  And leave it to Pinkie to get her attention.

“SONATA!!!!!!”

Sonata, who recognized the voice, looked over her shoulder to see the Rainbooms from Canterlot High.  “About time you got here.”  Sonata was busy flipping burger patties and rolling hot dog links on the metal grill.  “I love to chat, but I got to make sure you get some food in your bellies to get through the day, right Big Stew?”

“That’s right,” said the big chef who just walked in from the back.

“Just so you know, we got hamburgers, hot dogs, boneless chicken, fries, and tater tots to get you started,” Sonata explained.

Fluttershy asked, “Um, do you have a salad bar somewhere?”

Sonata pointed, “Over there in the center of the area, just as you head back to the dining area.  And just so you know, this is just some of the basic options that you will see around here.”

“Well, thanks for filling us in on what to expect,” said Sunset.

Sonata replied, “No prob.  If I find some free time, I’ll come visit you, OK?”

“Sure.” Sunset replied.

As everyone was getting their food, Rarity requested, “Fluttershy, since you’re on your way to the dining area, can you find us a table for all of us to sit together.”

“Sure, Rarity.”

Once everyone got their food, they went to get their drinks, then look for Fluttershy at one of the tables in the dining area.  They saw Fluttershy waving at them, and noticed some familiar faces with her.

“Hey, isn’t that Flash Sentry, Sandalwood, and Micro Chip over there?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“You’re right,” Rarity answered.  “And Trixie and Octavia are with them.  But where have we seen the four that are with them?”

“Oh, that’s Tenderhoof, Neon Lights, and Suri Polomare,” Lemon answered.  “They were on our team during the friendship games.”

“And the other one is Fleur De Lis,” Indigo added.  “I believe you were trying to rescue her when the ground broke away,” she said to Rarity.

“How can I not forget that episode,” Rarity said.  “At least you and Lemon were there to save us.”

“That’s what friends are for,” Indigo replied.

“Might as well join them,” said Sunset.

All of the girls joined their high school classmates at a couple of long tables near the main entrance to eat.

“Hey girls,” said Flash. “I’m guessing it’s a Wondercolt/Shadowbolt roommate match up?”

“Yep,” Sunset replied.  “Don’t tell me it’s the same for you?”

The others agreed to Sunset’s question.

“I got Neon Lights as my roommate,” said Micro Chips.

“And the cool thing about is that he’s majoring in Computer Science, while I’m focusing on Liberal Arts with a minor in Computer Science,” said Neon Lights.

“He has some neat gadgets for music,” Chips added.

“And I have Sandalwood as my roommate,” said Tenderhoof.  “He’s focusing on Biology while I’m focusing on Journalism, but we have something on common.”

“We both admire what the world has to offer for people to explore,” said Sandalwood.

“Could explain why you read the lifestyles section in the newspaper every time,” Sugarcoat said to Tenderhoof.

“Sugarcoat, even the small things in life are worth exploring,” Tenderhoof explained.

“Well, Trixie is sharing with Suri, which I thought was odd,” said Trixie.

“But with her Musical Theater major, and my Fashion Design major, we might be working together on future theater projects after college,” said Suri.

“I would think you would focus on creating your own fashion business, Suri,” Rarity said to her.

“While I might be good, I can hardly compete the business that your family has earned,” Suri replied.  “Besides, I have seen how big and fancy the costumes are for the stage, and that takes lots of talent.”

Rarity responded, “Too true, Suri.  Too true.”

“And you can guess who my roommate is,” Octavia said.

“Both of us have nice taste in the classical arts,” Fleur explained.  “I’m focused on English Literature.”

“And I’m working on Music Performance as I improve on the cello,” Octavia added.  “And she even has some classical music that I haven’t even heard before.”

“Looks like you could be seeing Flash more often in the music building,” Applejack said to Octavia.  “He has the same major, but towards guitar.  I do hope the acoustic guitar my brother found is helping you out.”

“It is, AJ. I was able to replace the broken strings on it,” Flash said.

“Good to hear,” Applejack replied.

“So, where’s your roommate, Flash?” asked Sunset.

“He hasn’t shown up.  I think he’s an upperclassman, sophomore I believe.  So I’ll have to wait a couple of days before I meet him.”

So the group went on to eat and talk about what each one has been doing over the summer.  As they were finishing up, Sonata was able to meet up with them.

“Hey guys.  Finally got a break before the next group comes in,” said Sonata.  “I’m sure my sisters filled you in on our big change?”

“They did,” replied Sunset.  “I’m surprised that you had an effect on your sisters’ wake-up call.”

“I’m just glad that the fighting is over.  I just think we have been living a curse without knowing it.  But I like what I’m doing now.  Learned a lot on cooking, which felt common when I started.”  Sonata looked around and noticed some fellow Wondercolts giving them stares.  She had a confused look, saying, “What?”

“Where has Trixie seen you before?”

Sunset sighed and said, “Let’s just get this out of the way.  Friends, this is Sonata of the Dazzlings.  Sonata, these of the friends that you and your sisters tried to put under your spell.  And I don’t want to see any problems between each other.  All three of them have been reformed, and if you have a problem with that, you can take it up with Professor Discord, OK?”

Sonata looked around again and noticed that someone was missing.  “Where’s that DJ girl that helped out last time?”

“Oh, you must mean Vinyl Scratch,” replied Octavia.  “She’s attending a community college nearby.  She wants to focus on being a DJ full time while getting an education.  She’s already got a job at Club Moonlight.”

“You mean the all ages club in Canterlot?” Lemon asked, in which Octavia nodded.  “That rocks!!!”

“We might have to go there one weekend,” Dash recommended.

Sonata asked, “I’m guessing everyone in this group is rooming with someone in group as well?”

“Everyone expect Flash,” Applejack replied.

“Do you know who your roommate is?” Sonata asked Flash.

“Hang on.”  Flash digs into his pocket and got out a folded piece of paper.  “Centaur Archer.  You heard of him?”

Sonata placed a finger on her chin, trying to remember hearing the name.  Then a light bulb went on.  “Of course.  He either eats pancakes and sausages or bacon and scramble eggs in the morning.  I remember it all the time.  Aria has seen him at the coffee lounge on most evenings, so you could ask her about him.  There was something else about him that made him different from most students.  What was it?”

“Maybe he’s undecided in his major,” said Sugarcoat.

“He was undecided, but Aria said that he finally decided his major during the spring.  I just can’t remember what is was.”

“Maybe he’s got you and your sisters under his spell,” said Rarity.

“For realizes?”

“That was a joke, dear.”

“Maybe he’s disabled,” Sour said, “just to get Sonata to help with his food every morning.”

Sonata’s eyes lit up.  “That’s it!  He has a learning disability.”

“Um, what kind of learning disability?” Dash asked Sonata.

“It’s a learning disability.  DUD!!!”

“I think she means a general learning disability,” said Sunset.  “He has a hard time learning or remembering certain things.  He might look normal, but his mind may have a hard time trying to remember details.”  She asks Sonata, “Do you know who’s in charge of disability services?”

“Um…Oh.  Dr. Zecora.  She handles all students with physical or mental disabilities.”

“We might have to keep that in mind, Sour Sweet,” Sunset recommended.

“Well, I need to head back to the kitchen,” said Sonata.  “Need to get ready for the next group.”

The group was able to wave goodbye as Sonata made her way back into the kitchen.  Everyone else finished eating and placed their trays and plates in the cleaning area and made their way outside, getting ready for more freshman orientation.

Sour Sweet wanted to talk to Sunset Shimmer in private so that Sour could understand what Sunset was talking about.

“Is there a reason we might have to visit disability services?” Sour asked Sunset.

“A few reasons.  Mainly, it’s a way to meet others who have mental problems that we need to identify, since we share the same major.  Plus, just like Sunny mention that there had to be food opinions for vegetarians, schools, colleges, and most buildings are required to have accessibility for those with physical disabilities.  One that I learned is known as multiple sclerosis, or MS.  It’s one that you can’t see from the outside.  I’ll show you what it means after orientation, so you can get a better idea of it and other physical and mental issues.”

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to understand more of this stuff,” Sour said.  “As long as it’s not boring.”

“Trust me, it’s worth it,” said Sunset.

“Is that all?” Sour asked Sunset.

“Well, there’s one more thing.  If Dr. Zecora is who I think she is, then you’re going to have to understand what her rhymes mean.  Otherwise, you will fail to understand the diseases.”

There was a moment of silence before Sour spoke.  “If that was a rhyme, then it really sucks.”

“I know,” said Sunset.  “I sometimes wonder how Princess Twilight understands her back in the pony world.”

“Maybe we can visit the coffee lounge tonight and talk to Aria about him,” said Sour.

“Wouldn’t hurt,” Sunset replied.  “I want to see how good Aria does in making coffee anyway.”