t was a warm and sunny afternoon at Canterlot High and Cheerilee was at the board writing, telling her students to study hard for the upcoming test in 9 weeks. Everybody moaned in unison. Cheerilee shook at the thought of knowing how much her class hated this time of the month but it was school darn nabit, and the nine-weeks were coming up fast and what had to be done, had to be done no questions asked. Her students knew better, and by knew better it meant that if they did not study Cheerilee would know, and they would have to spend a week in ISS with Principal Celestia in her office.
They would have to spend all day in Celestia’s office doing homework and even eating lunch right in front of their dear Principal. Truth be told Celestia pretty much enjoyed having ISS with the students. She may have been seen as a tyrant to a lot of people at Canterlot High, but that couldn't be further from the truth. In reality, Celestia was strict, firm, and kind. In fact one time she admitted it to her sister, Vice Principal Luna, that she looked up to the student body as her children, and that she thought of herself as their mother.
The bell had rung, and Snails was the first one to get up off his seat. He got out of class before telling anyone, his friend Snips following right behind him.
“Hey, Snails wait for me dude!!”
Not paying any attention Snails keep walking, heading out the hallway. Snips, the klutz that he was, ended up tripping on his untied shoe laces. Snails opened his locker and put the book he was carrying back in its place, then grabbed his backpack.
Almost out the door, he heard that voice again, but this time it caught his attention. He turned around to see that Snips was trying to catch up to him almost tripping oh his untied shoe laces once more.
“Hey bro slow your horses what’s the big hurry?”
Snips immediately stop almost bumping into Snails.
“Oh, I was wondering if you would like to come to my house and play on the new Project-XP console that I got for Hearths Warming Eve?”
“Oh I would like to, but my mom told me she needed me home ASAP.”
´Well okay, maybe some other time.”
“Yeah maybe. Well, I’ll send you a message on Pony Hoof okay?”
“Well...okay.”
Snails walked almost in a skipping motion. By the time he got home the smile that he had on his face had slowly gone away. On the front steps of the door was his mother waiting for him, and she did not look happy. In fact, she looked furious. With a motion of her left index finger making the come here sign.
“Mom, what’s wrong?”
What he saw next took him by surprise. He was not expecting she would find them. He thought he had hidden them good. In her hand, she held a yellow dress and a tube of lipstick.
*SMACK!*
Snails were surprised at what his mother had just done. She had never hit him before. Sure, she would send him to his room, or ground him for a week when he misbehaved, but once she had told him that she would never hit him. She told him she did not have the heart do to such an act. But this. This was different, and he knew the reason why.
“Go… to… your...room…NOW! AND DON’T COME OUT OF THERE, AND WHEN YOUR FATHER COMES HOME YOU ARE GOING TO GET IT YOU HEAR!!!”
Snails ran inside with tears in his eyes, not looking back at his mother. He hit it right straight to his room.
Later that afternoon Snails stood in the darkness of his room with no dinner, sobbing into his pillow waiting for what was to come. His mind was racing. He thought to himself how it had all come to this. He was very careful with it all, so how did she find out? He was really worried about the future, and for what was to come. He may not have been the smartest of the bunch, but he didn’t need brains.
He didn’t need brains to know who he really was, and what he, or more like she, was meant to be. Hours had passed before he heard the door to his room open. Next came the booming voice of his father shouting.
"Snails what is this that your mom told me about you having a dress and lipstick!? What is this about my son wanting to become a woman!?
Explain this to me boy!!”
Before Snails could react his dad was already behind him with his belt in hand.
“No please dad I can explain! Please, I’m sorry! Don’t hit me you promised!!”
The words that Snails had spoken sadly did not reach his dad’s ears, and before he knew it his dad was already going at it.
SMACK! , SMACK! , SMACK! , SMACK!
Snails now sobbing like he had never had before. In fact, he had never truly cried before, and now he was there sobbing in his pillow. "I’ll I'll be good daddy I promise." for some time before he finally drifted off to sleep still sobbing.
The next morning Snails had awoken dressed up and ready for school. He sat at the dinner table eating his cereal, but this time something was different. Everything was dead silent. His mom was making something for herself, but she did not speak or dare look at her son. Breakfast went without a hitch. Nothing was spoken. Not a word between them. After he was done he got off his chair, brushed his teeth, grabbed his backpack, and went to school without even saying goodbye.
Later that day during lunch Snails had not spoken a word. Not to Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, nor even to his best friend. Everybody noticed, even Miss. Cheerilee. Later that evening, after school was over, she saw that Snails was the last one to leave. She didn’t quite understand why because he was always the first one to get out before everyone else, and as expected she saw her chance to talk to him, so she went over to see what was wrong.
“Snails?”
“Yes, Miss.Cheerily”
“My I ask you something?”
“Yeah. Sure. Go ahead.”
“Are you feeling okay today? You didn’t talk all day today during launch, and you did not even say hi to Snips when he greeted you coming into the school. You seem to be down today, are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes. I’m sure is nothing to worry about really...I just didn't sleep well last night.”
“Well… okay, but if you ever need to talk don’t hesitate to talk to me. I’m here for you if you need me okay?”
“Yeah, sure thing. Don’t worry I promise you everything is fine.”
“Well okay, but if you ever need to talk you know what to do. You know I’m more than a teacher, I’m a friend.”
“Thank's I’ll keep that in mind.”
Cheerily's concern for his well being went straight to Celestia’s office right after he had left.
Cheerily knocked at the open door. Celestia normally had a fan, knowing how hot her office got, but it was old and it had died after years of use. She was going to buy one later after she was done with the after school work she had.
Celestia looked up at the sound of a knock on wood.
“Yes Cheerily what is it?”
“Celestia, may I talk to you?”
"Sure Cheerily. Come in, take a seat. What’s on your mind?”
Cheerily did as Celestia had instructed and took a deep breath before speaking.
“I’m worried about Snails. He seems to be down today. He is normally chatty with everybody and just really energetic, but today it seems to be different. He just wasn’t like he always is. I tried talking to him to see what was wrong, but he told me that everything was fine and not to worry about it.”
Celestia stood quietly for a minute before speaking to Cheerliy.
“Okay, look. Don’t worry, I’ll talk to him tomorrow morning before class starts.”
“Thank you”
Thirty minutes later after getting out of school, Snails was close to getting home. Only three more minutes to go, but before he could reach the house Snails stopped for a minute and thought to himself.
Why should I go back home? Most likely my parents are still mad at me. So instead of heading home, the whole day Snails looked for a place to stay he knocked from door to door but, to no luck. Now whit the sun going down and the moon rising it was getting late Snails could feel the cold are hiding his body he rubbed his arms together trying to keep warm. He search his pockets noticing he had no bits for a motel he started looking for a place to stay he walked around town for what seem like hours until he found an alleyway in the back of a Chinese restaurant he mad himself into the fetal position covering his self-whit whatever he could find from trash bags to cardboard to even newspapers cover white piss and leftover food. Snails teeth chattered at the 23 below degree weather.
“Honey I’m starting to worry Snails has not come home and it’s been three hours since school ended.”
“Don’t mention that pussy to me again. He is no longer my son and is a disgrace to our blood line. He can die for all that I care.”
“How… how could you say that about your own son?!”
“Really? How could I? He’s a freak, Alice!!”
“Just… forget it. Eat your damn dinner and let's go to bed. We have to look for him tomorrow morning.”
The next morning everybody was out looking for him. That day nobody had school. From the students, the principals and the teachers, to even his mother were looking for Snails. Everybody was riding in their cars or walking around town shouting Snails' name.
"Snails! Snails! Snails sweetie come back home. I forgive you just come back, please. I’m sorry. Your dad is sorry. Just come back please!!"
Snails woke up hearing people shouting. It took him a few minutes to fully awake from his cold slumber. He had passed out during the night in an ally under a cardboard box with his only source of warmth being newspapers he had found around the muddy and wet cold night ground.
“Snails!!”
A voice that sounded like Sweetie Bells sounded from right next to where Snails was hiding. He quickly tried to hide somewhere when he saw she was near but to no avail. Sweetie Bell had seen what looked like the shadow of a pony, most likely a colt from what she could make out.
“Snails… is that you?… Oh, my Celestia It is! Hey guys!!"
“No Sweetie Bell please don’t. My parents well beat me.” Snails pleaded.
Sweetie Bell walks to Snails, helping him to his feet.
“Please Sweetie Bell! I beg you just take me to your home. I’ll explain everything there.”
After they got to her home Snails explained everything to Sweetie Bell. She could not help but feel sorry for the poor guy because she did not know what he was going through this past seven months. He was her closest friend right after Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Snips. Sweetie Bell embraced Snails for a hug. The hug was kind, warming, and understanding. Something that Snails could have used. If only he could just have told her to tell everyone and not keep it a secret.
A click was heard. The door was opening and in came Rarity.
“Sweetie Bell have you seen… Sweetie Bell what are Snails doing here we been looking for him all over town?”
Sweetie Bell did not reply, she just looked at back Rarity with tears in her eyes still embracing Snails in that much-needed hug. Rarity just stood in silence not knowing what was going on.
“Oh, I see… Well, even I do understand what you must be going through. Believe me, you’re not the only one. Twilight had a hard time as well, and just like your parents disowned her.”
“Twilight? Really? But, she looks so happy with Rainbow.”
“That was true before it all went downhill in her High School years. Just like you Snails, but after a while, her parents accepted her for who she was, and now she’s happily married to Rainbow. I hear they are even getting ready to adopt. To be honest I can’t wait!” Rarity giggles.
“Sadly even though I would love to help you, sadly I can not. I have lots of orders to attend to this whole month, and I don’t have an extra room for you to stay in. As I don’t know your sexual preference, I just don’t feel right letting you sleep with Sweetie Bell.”
“I understand.” Snails looked down in sadness.
“But I know just the person that can help.”
“Really!?”
“Really. And I’m taking you to her right now.”
At around seven O’clock Rarity was at Celestia and Luna’s doorstep with Snails by her side.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Rarity gave three hard knocks at the door before it opened.
“Hello, how may I...Miss. Rarity what are you doing her at this late hour? Shouldn’t you be with...”
Before she could continue Celestia saw that one of her students, Snails, was by Rarity’s side.
“Oh, I see. Well, come on in Miss Rarity.” Celestia welcomed Rarity and Snails inside her home before closing the door behind them.
“Luna we have a visitor, get the guest room ready.”
“Okay, sister!” Luna shouted from another part of the house, the kitchen to be exact. Before Rarity and Snails arrived, Luna had been cooking, and Celestia had no idea why.
“Okay, dear sister the room is ready. Who will our dear guest be for this night?”
“That would be Snails Luna. Do you mind taking him to the dining table and giving him something to eat? I and Miss. Rarity needed to have a talk.”
“Come on Snails we should not intervene in adults conversations. Let's go get us something to eat before dinner gets cold. You've come right on time. Something to eat to Miss. Rarity?”
“No thanks darling, I just come her to have a small chat with Principle Celestia so we'll we retired to your study so we may continue this further.”
“Yes right this way Miss. Rarity.”
Rarity follows Celestia right down the hallway to her study to continue talking about Snails' situation and taking the steps needed to create a plan to help him get through this.
“So Celestia did you know about Snails and his situation?”
“I had my hunches, but I wanted to make sure so I've been keeping an eye on him for the past six months.
When Cheerilee told me he was not acting like himself, that is when I knew things have gotten serious. I was hoping to bring him with me if I saw any bruises on his body or anything out of the ordinary, but I never imagined you would bring him to me.”
“Well after you helped Twilight when we were in High School I did not know who else to turn to.”
“And Rarity, you did the right thing. Only the gods know what would happen if he would have spent the night out there in the cold again.”
“So have you thought of something we could do to help him?”
“As a matter of fact, I did just when we were coming here.”
“Well… that was fast. So what the plan Celestia?”
“I’m going to write a letter to his mother explaining everything.”
Celestia then grabs some paper from a drawer in her desk and a pen from her pencil holder. She put the pen to the smooth surface of the paper thinking carefully on the words before starting to write.
“Done, ” Celestia said, sliding the letter into the envelope before licking it and sealing it shut.
The next morning Snails mother had woken up and like always she went outside first to check if she had gotten any letters for things such as bills and rent that needed to be paid. To her surprise, she found only a single letter that simply said TO Mrs. Snails.
“Hmm, what is this?" She asked herself before opening it.
Dear: Mrs. Snails
Good afternoon Mrs. Snails. Or morning, whatever the time may be. I hope you’re having a good one. I bet you are wondering where your son Snails may be. Well let me tell you that you don’t have to worry, he's in good hands with me and my sister Luna.
Let me get started by saying that I am aware of what’s been going on in your house over the past six months, and the reason why Snails ran away, and the way you and your husband treated him. Don’t bother calling the cops, I already did so myself and have been granted custody of Snails.
He will stay with me for as long as needed, and will not return for as long as you and your husband agree to sign a court order that states that you will not do any harm to Snails, and accept him for who he is. If not the court will give me the power to gain full custody of your son.
Sincerely: Principle Celestia
Two months have passed since Rarity brought Snails into Celestia’s house, and he seems to be in a better mood. His parents did not step foot in her house, nor at the school. But today was the day. The day Celestia and Snails' parents meet at court to decide his faith. If he would get to go back to his parents or end up white Celestia.
“We hope you slept well last night Snails.”
“Yeah, I did.” Snails said, rubbing his eyes following Luna to the kitchen.
“Well eat up Snails, because we have a big day today. We have everything planned out for both us ladies to go to the mall to get makeovers and buy us a new dress and makeup.”
“Wait, is Principle Celestia coming too?”
Without missing a beat Luna replied. “Nope. She is not. She has some important business to attend to today, and we must not worry about such things when we are about to have the time of our life.”
While Luna and Snails were having fun at the mall, that same morning Celestia had a court meeting with Snails' parents.
Miss. Butterscotch rose from her position and stood up straight, saying, “I call Mrs. Snails to the stands.”
“Is it true that two months ago you kicked out your own son because you found a woman’s dress and lipstick under his bed?”
“Yes it is true”
“And is it true that after you slapped him that afternoon after coming from school, that same night your husband proposed to do the same by giving him not three but seven hard hits with his belt?”
“Your honor I object. I was only trying to...”
The judge interrupted him before he could finish his sentence with a strike of the hammer.
“Order in the court.” The judge says, already angry about what Miss. Butterscotch was saying to Mrs. Snails, and how it all turned out to be the truth.
“I have no further questions, your honor.” Miss. Butterscotch said, walking away from the stand.
The judge had heard just about enough to know where this was going. Most likely the kid would get daily beatings and be called homophobic slurs by his parents if he did not do something about it. But the worst part was that Celestia did not even get to say her part of the story. But after looking at the perspiration on the judges face she knew she had nothing to worry about. Four hours later the jury came back with the verdict.
Then it was the Clerk's turn to speak. “The jury finds the defendants guilty of child abuse and homophobia. The both of them well receive ninety-nine days in prison and two-hundred hours of community service. For now, Mrs. Celestia well is granted custody of Snails, then she well gives him back after the ninety-nine days have passed. But, if things continue to get worse, Mrs. Celestia well be granted full custody of Snails.”
Celestia was not happy with the jury’s decision, but it was a small victory nonetheless. She left the court whit a smile on her face.
Later that night around eight p.m. Celestia came back home to see Luna and Snails doing what seemed to be playing dress up. Snails seemed happy and he was laughing. He seemed to just be having a good time. It even appeared that her sister Luna had done Snails' hair.
“Hi, there dear sister. Nice to see you again. I would like you to meet our new guest Glitter Shell!”
“Nice to meet you, Glitter. I see my sister has done a number on you.”
Snails blushed at the comment.
Days passed. Those days turned into months, and those days turned into years. Snails' parents tried to gain custody countless times, but it was always the same thing. They always told the court that they had changed and that they would accept him for who he was, but it always turned out the same. With Snails coming back to Celestia’s house with tears in his eyes when Celestia found out about the ongoing abuse. Celestia decided to take matters into her own hands after Snails secretly recorded the abuse during one of his visits to his parents’ house. The both of them, because of the evidence Snails had collected, got one hundred years in prison, and they both had to pay Snails three thousand dollars as requested by Celestia because of the physical and emotional abuse Snails went through.
Since then Snails, now Glitter, had graduated from High School with honors. Celestia was there to witness it, from him starting in pre-K, to the things Glittershell had to go through. During the summer Glittershell got the reassignment operation just to get where she is now. Now out of college Glitter married her now wife Aero, even though he was a cross-dresser, he still considered himself a girl. They had both met during their time in college, and have really connected. It was like a spark of light. Like it was meant to be. With the blessing of her mother Celestia and aunt Luna, she now lived happily ever after with her wife Aero and two wonderful kids. A boy and a girl, both age ten. Now with a teacher's degree, Glittershell works as a pre- K teacher. Her wife is just at stay at home mom doing the daily chores, waiting for her children and wife to come back home and welcome them all with a huge.
