Art of a Sun's Love Volume 1

AUGUST 26, 2002

Time had gone by since Fictionary's birth, and in the past eighteen months, Vincent enjoyed being an older brother and wanted to have fun with his baby sister as much as he could, developing an emotional bond with her. He even helped her to walk on two feet, and when she began to talk, her first word was not "mommy" or "daddy" like most babies of her age, but rather, Fictionary's first word was "Ffincent".

All too soon, it was time for Vincent to begin grade school. At this point, Flash was in second grade. Lullaby was helping her boys get ready for the first day.

"Who will be our teachers?" asked Vincent, thinking that he and Flash would be in separate rooms. He was afraid that Flash wouldn't be there for him and had social anxiety around most other kids.

Lullaby chuckled. "Don't be silly, dear," she said reassuringly, "you're both sharing the same teacher, Miss Tabitha Hoover."

"Thank goodness," sighed Vincent in relief.

"I'll be with you every step of the way," said Flash, putting an arm around Vincent's shoulder.

"Thanks, big brother," smiled Vincent. Then he looked down and noticed Fictionary clinging onto his arm. She looked up at him with a sad expression on her face, as if telling him "please don't go".

"I'm sorry, Fictionary," said Vincent, "but I gotta go to school. I'll be back later and then we'll have fun together, okay?"

Fictionary eventually nodded.

"Besides," said Lullaby, "you can still play with mommy and cousin Roseluck."

Fictionary felt better hearing that. Just then, Lullaby looked at the clock.

"Goodness, look at the time!" she cried, "I'd better drive you kids to school. Now, I've packed you both lunches and when you're at school, listen to everything the teacher tells you, okay?"

"Yes, mom," said Flash.

"We promise," said Vincent.

Lullaby loaded the kids into the car and drove off. Vincent and Flash sat in the back seat whilst Fictionary was in a baby booster seat up front with Lullaby.

"All set?" she asked.

"Yep!" both boys replied. With that, Lullaby drove them to school.

When they arrived outside of Rainbow Falls Elementary School, the two boys got out of the car.

"Hold up, boys," said Lullaby, getting out, "you can't go in without parental guidance." She then went to Fictionary's side, opened the door, unbuckled her from her booster seat and lifted her up.

"Take my hand and don't get lost," she told Flash, who promptly obeyed. As Lullaby didn't have an open arm, Vincent took Flash's hand instead.

Soon, the family was inside the school. Vincent could not believe how big the school was on the inside.

"Wow," he said in amazement.

"That's how I felt first day I came here," said Flash.

Lullaby and her three children then saw a woman in her late twenties with pale blond hair and brilliant gold eyes. This, Vincent guessed, must be their teacher.

"Hello, Lullaby," she told the mother, "how lovely it is to see you again."

"It certainly is, Tabitha," Lullaby replied, "little Vincent's finally starting grade school. Isn't that right, dear?"

"Mm-hmm," the younger boy replied.

"Look at how big you are," Miss Hoover giggled, tousling Vincent's hair. Vincent giggled shyly as well.

"Well, Fictionary and I best be off," said Lullaby, and was about to walk away.

"Wait, mom!" called Vincent, "Can I say goodbye to Fictionary?"

"Oh, alright dear," his mother sighed, and lowered Fictionary just to she was at Vincent's level. Vincent kissed his baby sister on the cheek.

"Be good for cousin Roseluck, Fictionary, okay?" he said.

Fictionary babbled happily, meaning that she promised.

"Alright, boys," said Lullaby, "have a good day." And she walked away.

"Bye, mom," Vincent and Flash both waved.

"Bye-bye," Fictionary called back.

"I'm so glad that you're part of my class, Vincent," smiled Miss Hoover, "even more so that you're with your big brother Flash."

"Yeah, me too," said Vincent.

Miss Hoover then led the boys inside the classroom. Inside, Flash could recognize one of the students; he was about Flash's age (only he was younger by a few months) with a darker shade of blue hair and emerald green eyes.

"Hi there, Soarin," Flash called out to the other boy.

"Hey there, Flash," Soarin replied, walking up to the brothers.

"Great to see you again," said Flash, shaking Soarin's hand, "this is my brother Vincent."

"So, you're Flash's little brother, huh?" said Soarin, "Nice to meet ya!"

"Um... n-nice to meet you too," said Vincent shyly.

"He's wary of other kids," explained Flash. Vincent looked around nervously and noticed at least five other children ranging from ages of five to seven; none of them were familiar to him.

This might have been a bad idea, he thought to himself. His thinking was interrupted when he heard Miss Hoover speaking to somebody else at the front door.

"Sorry, we're late," said a male voice, "got into a bit of an argument with the wife again."

"I'm sorry to hear about that, Mr. Shield," said Miss Hoover.

Then Vincent noticed a six-year-old Sunset standing next to her father with her own backpack and lunch. Somebody I know, he thought happily, and eagerly waved to her. Sunset, having noticed Vincent, waved back.

"Oh look, Sunset," smiled Noble Shield, "you've got some company."

"Do they know each other?" asked Miss Hoover.

"Since they were babies," replied Noble Shield.

"Then I'm sure they'll have great fun," said Miss Hoover.

"Well Sunset," said Noble Shield, "you be a good girl and listen to Miss Hoover."

"I promise, daddy," she smiled, and hugged him. With that, Noble Shield left and Sunset went over to Vincent.

"Hi, Vincent," smiled Sunset.

"Hey, Sunset," said Vincent, "looks like we're in the same class together."

"I know," said Sunset, "isn't it great?"

"At least there's someone I know," said Vincent, "all those other kids; will they even like me?"

"Don't worry," said Sunset, "I know a few kids here. Perhaps they'll be your friends too."

"They will?" he asked curiously.

"Sure," said Sunset, "just give them a chance."

Eventually, it was time for recess. Many kids ran out excitedly onto the playground.

"Good to get out here for a bit," said Flash.

"Yeah, even if it's for only fifteen minutes," said Soarin, "it's the time of day at school we have any fun!"

While the kids were all playing, Vincent noticed they were close by some woods and felt curious.

"What's beyond there?" he wondered to himself, "It sounds amazing."

While nobody was watching him, Vincent wandered into the wood. He marveled at the sights around him; it was like being in Wonderland, he thought.

"This is amazing," he said to himself.

Suddenly, he bumped into a girl about the same age as him. She had light pink hair and greenish-blue eyes; her hair partially covered her face.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" cried the girl in a soft tone.

"No, I should be the one saying sorry," said Vincent,

"Cuz! You alright?" called another voice, and an indigo haired girl hopped over a log to see her.

"Uh... yeah, I just bumped into someone."

"What's your name?" asked Vincent.

"I'm... Fluttershy," said the girl in a softer, shyer tone.

"I'm sorry? It sounded like you were saying 'Fluttershy'. That your name?"

"Mm-hmm."

"She's still learning to open up," the other girl explained, "I'm Song Cue, by the way."

"My name's Vincent," said the young boy, "what were you doing?"

"We were saying hello to our animal friends," said Fluttershy.

"Animal friends?" asked Vincent, "I didn't think people were friends with animals."

Fluttershy took offense to that.

"Oh, so you think that people who befriend animals are freaks?" she asked crossly, whilst Song Cue gave a dark glare.

"N-no!" gasped Vincent, "I-I didn't mean it like that! I just didn't know!"

Both girls seemed to have finally calmed down when Fluttershy noticed something.

"I think we're lost," she said.

"Lost?!" exclaimed Vincent, "Oh no! What will my mom say when she finds out?!" The poor boy felt like a lost, helpless puppy.

"Don't worry," said Fluttershy, trying to comfort Vincent, "my animal friends will help us."

"How?" he asked.

Suddenly, Fluttershy called out to a nearby bird.

"Could you help us please?" she asked, "We're lost and we need to get back to the school."

To Vincent's surprise, the bird was willing to help the three children out.

"How can that be?" he asked, "Are you an animal whisperer?"

"I might be," said Fluttershy, "either that, or it's just a knack."

"You kidding, cuz?" smiled Song Cue, "Don't be so modest; you're a natural!"

At that moment, Flash, Sunset, and Soarin were looking for Vincent.

"He couldn't have gone far," said Soarin, "when does recess end?"

"Five minutes," groaned Sunset, "we're gonna get into trouble if we don't find him by then!"

"What'll mom say if she finds out?" worried Flash.

Then suddenly, Soarin ran into a girl that was about Sunset's age. She had moderate cerise eyes, and her hair was streaked in six different colors - amaranth, vermilion, light grayish olive, harlequin, cerulean, and purple - practically the colors of the rainbow!

"Sorry about that," said Soarin, helping the girl up.

"Nah, it's cool," the other girl replied, "hey there, Sunset."

"Oh, hi, Rainbow Dash!"

"You two know each other?" asked Flash.

"Yes," said Sunset, "our dads are co-workers. We met during Bring Your Kid to Work Day."

"I'm trying to find my friends Fluttershy and Song Cue," explained Rainbow Dash, "have you seen either?"

"Who are they?" asked Soarin.

"They're friends of mine; Fluttershy has pink hair and a love for animals, while Song Cue has indigo hair and is a really good singer," explained Rainbow Dash.

"We haven't seen them, I'm afraid," said Flash, "but we are looking for someone too; my little brother Vincent."

"We'll look for them together then," said Rainbow Dash.

"Look together for who, exactly?"

Rainbow Dash yelped and bumped into Soarin, causing him to fall to the ground while she fell on him. Out from behind a bush came Vincent, shortly followed by Fluttershy and Song Cue.

"There you are!" said Flash.

"We've been looking everywhere for you," said Sunset.

"You haven't told the teacher, have you?" asked Vincent, sounding worried.

"No, of course not," said Soarin, "we're just glad you're safe and sound."

"So are we," said Vincent, "and who's that other girl?" he asked, looking at Rainbow Dash. By now, she'd stood up again and had helped Soarin back on his feet.

"This is Rainbow Dash," said Sunset, "she was looking for Fluttershy and Song Cue."

"Looks like I found them for you," said Vincent, "or is it the other way round?"

"Who cares?" said Rainbow Dash, "You're all safe and that's what matters."

Just then the school bell rang; that meant recess was over.

"Time for class again," said Vincent.

"I'll race you back!" called Song Cue, and everyone did so, Rainbow easily running in front.

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A couple of hours had passed, and soon it was lunch time.

"Why don't we go over and eat with Rainbow Dash, Song Cue and Fluttershy?" asked Vincent.

"Sure thing," said Sunset. So she and the Sentry brothers sat over by the three girls.

"Hi there," said Vincent.

"Mind if we sit here?" asked Flash.

"Eh, why not?" said Rainbow Dash, "It'd be nice to have someone new to talk to."

"The more the merrier," agreed Song Cue.

Just then, Soarin came up to their table too. "Don't forget about me!" he said.

"Hey Soarin," said Flash, "glad you could join us."

Just then, a trio of rude boys came up to their table. One had grayish tangelo hair and sea green eyes (Hoops), another had light amber gray hair and moderate azure eyes (Dumb-Bell), and the third had reddish brown gray hair completely covering his eyes (Score).

"Hey, shrimps!" said Dumb-Bell to Vincent and Fluttershy, "You're in our spots!"

Fluttershy winced with fear whilst Rainbow Dash and Song Cue scowled; Vincent was puzzled.

"Who are those guys?" he asked.

"They're just a bunch of good-for-nothing bullies," said Rainbow Dash.

"Downright terrors if you ask me," scowled Song Cue.

"Who you callin' good-for-nothin' bullies and downright terrors?" sneered Hoops, smacking Rainbow Dash on the back of the head.

"Hey!" snapped Rainbow Dash, getting up and punching Hoops in the shoulder. Lots of the other kids were very surprised to see Rainbow Dash do such a thing.

"Uh oh..." Song Cue mumbled.

"Not cool, Rainbow," muttered Sunset. Soarin stared in surprise, Flash looked angry (at the bullies, not Rainbow Dash), and Vincent and Fluttershy looked scared.

"How do you like this, Crash?" Dumb-Bell snarled, grabbing Rainbow Dash and shoving her into Score.

"Hey!" shouted Rainbow Dash. Score gave a stupid laugh as he shoved her into the dirt, and then he and his friends laughed at her while Rainbow Dash scowled. But before she could get up and fight back...

"Pick on someone your own size!" snapped Flash as he and Soarin charged at the bullies.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" cheered the other students. Fluttershy clung to her cousin.

"Flash, please don't," whimpered Vincent, but Flash ignored his brother's plea. Vincent crouched in fear behind Sunset, who now looked worried.

"It's three against two," she muttered, "they don't stand a chance." But just before a fight could break out...

"What on earth is going on here?" another teacher came running up to stop everything. Flash, Soarin, and the three bullies stopped and turned to face the teacher. Vincent, Song Cue, Sunset and Fluttershy each sighed with relief.

"Now who started all this?" asked the teacher.

"They did!" said Sunset, pointing to the three bullies. Hoops, Dumb-Bell, and Score gulped nervously whilst the teacher looked at them disapprovingly.

"I warned you three to stop with your bullying for the past two years," scolded the teacher, "but you deliberately disobeyed me!"

"They started it!" objected Hoops.

"All I did was hit 'em in the shoulder," muttered Rainbow Dash, but not loud enough so the teacher heard her.

"I don't care who started it," said the teacher, "you three were warned to stop bullying."

"Yes, sir," sighed Dumb-Bell, "c'mon, boys. Let's leave them alone."

With that, the three boys sulked away.

"You okay, Rainbow Dash?" asked Soarin, helping her dust off.

"Eh, I've had worse," she replied dryly.

"I hope those guys won't bother us again," said Sunset.

"I doubt that," said Vincent, still shaken.

"Um... th-thanks for standing up for us," said Fluttershy softly, "even if fighting wasn't the right way to go about it."

"Hey, that's what friends do for each other," said Rainbow Dash, "right, guys?"

"Right," said Soarin and Flash.

"I just hate bullies," said Sunset.

"They sound like trouble," agreed Vincent.

"Who doesn't hate them?"

"Got that right, Songs," said Sunset, "if you ask me, the world would be a better place without them."

"Don't you think that's a bit too far?" asked Vincent, "Aren't they people like us?"

"Not if they like hurting others," objected Sunset.

"At the very least," added Song Cue, "those bullies ought to be expelled before someone gets seriously injured."

"I understand," sighed Vincent.

Despite the incident, the seven friends chattered eagerly to one another.

Eventually, the school day was over. Many kids were waiting outside the building; most were waiting for the bus whilst some like Sunset and the Sentry brothers were waiting for a parent to pick them up.

"Well, that was a rather fun day," said Vincent.

"Except for you getting lost during recess," said Flash.

"You're not telling mom, are you?" asked Vincent, sounding worried.

"Of course not," said Flash, "it'll be between us and our friends, okay?"

"Sure thing," said Vincent.

At that moment, a car pulled up. Some students wondered who would be going home. Stepping out the car was Roseluck. Flash and Vincent were surprised that it was her.

"Roseluck?" they asked.

"Hey you two," said Roseluck, "your mom and dad were busy so they asked me to pick you up."

"Where's Fictionary?" asked Vincent. His question was answered when he heard a babble in the front seat.

"That just about answers it," said Roseluck.

Miss Hoover was rather surprised as well.

"Erm, shouldn't one of their parents be there to pick them up?" she asked.

"They were busy," explained Roseluck, "so they asked me to pick them up instead. I am their older cousin through their dad, so I'm basically family."

"Ah, I see," said Miss Hoover.

With that, the two brothers got into the back seat of the car. As it drove off, Vincent looked out the window and waved to his new friends.

"So did you two have fun?" asked Roseluck.

"We did," said Flash.

"Make any new friends?"

"I met Flash's friend Soarin today," said Vincent, "and we also met Sunset's friends Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy."

"Well, it's great you're meeting new people," said Roseluck. Fictionary squealed happily in agreement.

All the way home, Vincent and Flash chattered excitedly about the day they'd had, leaving out Vincent getting lost and the confrontation with the bullies.

"Who knows what the next school day has to offer?" asked Flash. They would just have to wait and see.