When Fluttershy arrived at the academy with Rarity, she was honestly more than just surprised.

"This place is amazing!" She said in awe.

"Oh my Solaris! Do you see those silk curtains they're using for the decor? Why, they must be ahead at least three seasons. I absolutely must see the head designer in charge of these rooms one day!"

The two mares made their way inside through the arched doors. When they were inside, they were certainly in for a shock. It was decorated heavily with silks, fabrics, paintings, and even more riches. Rarity almost fainted over one of the couches.

"Well, I knew my scholarship was going to bring me to an elite society, but this... This is almost too much to bear. Why, isn't it amazing Diane?"

"Yes, it certainly is."

"Are you young mares lost?"

And elderly light blue pegasus walked up to the two of them. She had her brown mane put up in a tight bun, and had on maroon glasses. Even though she had a strict appearance, she seemed kind at heart. Hopefully not too strict.

"We're new students to the academy." Rarity chimed.

"Well, I welcome you two lovely young ladies. Please, come this way. I'll get your registration forms."

They walked towards the pegasus's desk where they gave her their names and information.

"Ah, Rarity, I'm glad to see a new scholarship student this year. We don't see much of those. And Ms. Diane, what a lovely original name. I've never heard one quite like it. Is it short for Diana?"

"No, it's just Diane."

"Well, it seems very homely."

The blue pegasus smiled and handed them their identification cards and keys to their rooms.

"Now, you two better get to bed. The sun's about to set, and Solaris knows what could happen to two pretty little mares like you when it's dark out."

"Yes ma'am." they responded.

"Go on then, I'll see you around,"

The two walked off, and went to the main hall.

"Well, I suppose this is when we part ways." Rarity sighed.

"I'll see you around." Fluttershy replied. Rarity giggled.

"I hope we find some time when we're not studying to spend with each other. See you around, Diane."

Fluttershy smiled warmly and Rarity returned the gesture. Fluttershy headed out of the hall into the staircase. She looked down at her papers and forms. She didn't have a lot of classes, just sewing, some veterinary classes, and culinary classes. She sighed and treaded up the stairs where she made her way up to her room. Perhaps another good nap could help clear her head. She needed to spend as little time as possible with these new people. That way it would hurt less when she had to say goodbye.

~~

A bell resounded with a tock. Fluttershy yawned and rolled out of bed. She looked out the window. The sun was already starting to rise. She would have to hurry and get dressed. She got out of her nightgown and into her uniform.

After running down the stairs to barely make it in time in the dining hall where the academy took attendance, Fluttershy heaved a sigh of relief and sat down at a table. What she needed was some food in her system. She yawned and grabbed a plain bagel. While munching in her snack, one of the mistresses rang a chime to show that the school needed to be quiet. After a few moments of silence, she began her introductory speech for all of the new students.

"Now, I know that this is a big change for some of you transfers, and you filthy scholarship winners need the most shaping up of all, but I'm sure that after our classes and courses, you'll be sure to grow up into the fine, young mares that you ought to be. Now, every day we will take attendance, and I expect you girls to keep silent while I'm doing this. If there are any objections to such a request-"

"Hey!" A sharp whisper rang through Fluttershy's ear.

"Yeah? What is it?"

Two light brown unicorns with freckles and a similar frizzy brown manes were (unsuccessfully) trying to secretly communicate with each other behind Fluttershy. It was hard for her to concentrate over them, but the mistresses's speech was very dull, so Fluttershy figured she had nothing better to do than listen to whatever those two had to say.

"I heard that initiation this year is gonna be different!"

"It's not called 'initiation' Sayu! That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Since when did we call it that?"

"Nevermind that! Anyway, I heard from one of those rich top honorary mares that we're going to be taking a class speacializing in our cutie marks!"

"Woah? Seriously?!"

"Yeah!"

"-and I would like to let you know that a new course has been added this year. It is a bit personal, but it is very imporatant and has to do with your character. You will all be personally tutored in this subject, twice a month. It will be a special private course concentrating on your cutie mark."

Fluttershy's ears perked up in surprise.

"See! I told ya!"

"Can't believe that a rumor you passed on is actually true. That's a first."

"Whatever."

"Now, please. Silence girls!" The mistress looked directly towards the mates behind Fluttershy. After she looked away, the two shared a quiet laugh.

Mistress cleared her throat. "I would like to have all new students be brought back to their rooms. You will be given the first day off. Your headmistress is having trouble traveling here. Her carriage got stuck in the middle of a battle up north. Don't worry, we believe she's fine, but until she gets back, there will not be any classes for you to take. Nothing can be done until it is arranged and organized under her care."

Rumors sprung up before Fluttershy had a chance to see what was going on.

"Oh my, I hope she's all right."

"I heard rumors of a rebellion under the new king's rule."

"I heard that he's really a horrible tyrant!"

"I doubt that. Most likely he's just more strict than our last. Such a shame good ol' king Cloudust had to die. I heard that is was an assassination."

"How?"

"What?!"

"Why?"

"I'm not sure."

More rumors about the royal family and the war circled around Fluttershy and her peers. She wondered how much truth was in those lies. There must be a grain of truth about it, right?

From what Fluttershy had heard, the Crystal Empire was suffering from economic failure and was in very high debt thanks to the war with the barbaric countries to the North. She wasn't very sure how or why the war had started, nobody really knew. It had been going on for as long as she had remembered. All that she knew for sure was that there were horrible people that would do horrible things if they learned she was an Equestrian***.

***In this story, Equestria is the name of the continent where all civilized countries lie, i.e., the Crystal Empire, Prance, or the Griffon Kingdom***

The last news she'd heard about of the war was that the king had sent a special type of bird that could memorize entire conversations and then instinctively fly back towards their home.

"Miss... ah, Diane. Please this way."

She was pushed along with the crowd of girls back into the hallway up to her room. She sighed. Perhaps a nap could help her take her mind off of things. She'd rather sleep than socialize.

〜〜

A knock on her door awoke her from her slumber. "Ms. Diane! Your lunch is ready!"

She wondered why in the back of her mind lunch was being served in her bedroom instead of her being called to the dining hall, but didn't think much of it and let the server inside.

"Glad to see you're doing well. A few friends of yours alarmed the mistress that you didn't show up to lunch, since you didn't wake up after the lunch bell had rang. Routine lunch has already passed, but you always have the choice of eating it separately in your room if you'd like."

"Oh, thank you." She politely replied. Rarity must have been surprised when she couldn't find her at lunch and just automatically assumed the worst.

"Of course. Ring if you need me." The server bowed and walked off.

Fluttershy looked down at her lunch. A small vegetable sandwich and some light carrot soup. She wasn't very hungry, so she only ate a few bites. After her lunch, she laid back down to take another nap. She was very tired all of the sudden.

She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep...

Ring, ring. The bells rang noisily. She rubbed her eyes and looked at her clock. It was only three in the afternoon. No extracurriculars were taking place at the moment, nor were there any dining periods at this time either. What could this be?

Three knocks tapped on her door and a purple crystal pony barged inside. Fluttershy silently thanked herself for sleeping in her uniform. The last thing she needed was to be caught out of uniform for inspections on the first day. These were inspections, right?

"Ms. Diane, I am sure you know about our country's terrible war. So of course you know that many citizens are being drafted to help the cause. Now, I am also sure that you're informed of the new individual classes this year too, correct?"

"Yes ma'am,"

"Then I am sure it will be of no surprise that we are in need of your special talent. The king himself has requested a faunal communicator to help with a new problem. The birds we've sent aren't speaking back correctly."

"Oh my," she said. "I wonder what could've gone wrong?"

"The King and his court have no idea. That is why they are in need of your assistance. You are the nearest communicator, even if you are a young mare, and, of course, I'm sure you will take pride in knowing that a young mare like you has been given the task of a stallion's job, and will fix the problem quickly and efficiently, while behaving at best since you will be reflecting the school's system."

"Oh yes, of course."

"Good. I am glad to see that we are not at an impass. Now, please pack your things. You will be at the palace for a long while. There are quite a few birds you need to speak with."

Author's Note

Yes! Finished chapter! Yessss!!!

If you guys have any questions or see any problems I need to fix, please let me know. Tysm for reading! ( *｀ω´)