Author's Note

Longest chapter so far! And this is officially the longest story I've written so far! (I'm so sad! :'D) Tis chapter just came to me. I felt like I was focusing a bit too much on the Undertale side, and less on the MLP/Jem side of the story. Well, here ya go!

Chapter Five: School. Again. Ugh.

A Freshman's Guide to Ponies

Entry one: August 29th 2018

The rest of the summer went by fairly quickly. Over that time, I went to Gabe's funeral. I was in a state of depression for about a week. I was lucky to have my new friends with me. Speaking of! The girls, Spike and I got to know each other better. They each told me about what they did back on their world (despite the fact I already knew, although I did get more details.) along with their daily routines now that their school was open...

June 28th (2 weeks after the funeral.)

"So how does this thing work again?" Rainbow asked.

"It's pretty easy if you have fingers, but with hooves, it might be a bit harder." I said as I started to explain, "The B button on the right side of the controller lets you jump, the Y button lets you switch weapons, the trigger lets you shoot, the left joy con is to move the character, and the right is to move the camera. Those are the ones that you basically need to know in order to play Star Wars Battlefront." I was teaching Rainbow Dash how to play Star Wars Battlefront and I'm just gonna say, she's a natural! She beat me in three straight rounds. "You know what... let's play a classic!"

"Awww! But I want to keep playing this game!" She whined.

"I promise you'll like this one!" I replied as I switched over to my Wii U. I inserted Smash Bros. Brawl into the disk port and booted up the game. I gave Rainbow a Wii remote with nunchucks. I again explained how to use the controls and went to story mode. I hadn't played the game much so I was still on the cloud level with Mario and Pit.

"I call the guy with wings!" She instantaneously yelled. I think she was starting to like these games. When the level started, we appeared in the clouds. "Woah! We get to fight in the clouds?! AWESOME! And your character doesn't even have wings?! How does that work?!" Yep. She's becoming addicted.

"Hey, that reminds me..." I asked as she looked over, "What was your job like as a Wonderbolt anyway?" I heard the trademark squeak and she started talking about her job.

"Being a Wonderbolt is probably the best job anypony could ever ask for! You get to do stunts all day, help protect Equestria... all in all, it was the job for me!" She said, "Before I was a Wonderbolt, I was captain of the weather patrol. It wasn't the job I dreamed of, but it did let me get out of work early. I could've napped all day if I had wanted!" I rolled my eyes at this, remembering all the times I saw her in the show napping either in a tree, or on a cloud. "Why did you roll your eyes?" Aaaand she saw that...

"No reason. In your show, almost every scene I saw you in, included you sleeping." I said snickering. It was her turn to roll her eyes. After that chat, we went back to playing the game.

I decided to go downstairs to have a snack, only to find Pinkie cooking with my mother. "Hey Jemmy!" Pinkie sang as I walked into the kitchen. "It sounded like you and Dashie were having fun upstairs!"

"Yeah we were! She's a natural at video games! Anyway, what are you two making?"

"Lasagna!" My Mom explained taking a tiny black cracker out of the oven. Pinkie and I both eyed it wondering if this was a joke. It wasn't. Her lasagna had somehow burnt to a crisp and shriveled into a cracker. Pinkie and I were about to start laughing before we remembered our manners.

"Ahem! It, uh, it looks delicious Mom!" I said trying to be supportive.

"Then you have to try some!" Next thing I knew, I was sat at the table with a tiny lasagna on my plate. I picked it up with my fork, and shoved it into my mouth. All I could taste was smokey charcoal. I couldn't spit it out, they were both watching me eat it! I continued chewing and chewing, until I forced it down my throat. I gave a sheepish chuckle. "Good... heheh."

"I'm glad you liked it!" my Mom said walking away.

"Wow! That was a lot of effort to make your mom happy!" Pinkie said with a smile, until she noticed I was turning green. "Uhm, are you okay Jemmy?" A bit of vomit came up, but I instantly swallowed it.

"F-f-ine." I said weakly. Pinkie giggled and gave me a slice of cake from her saddle bag, which I gladly accepted and scarfed down. It was by far the best cake I had ever tasted!

"Pinkie! This is great!" I exclaimed.

"Compliments from Sugar Cube Corner!" She exclaimed. "Every day I would bake this special cake! Ya know why?"

"Why?" I asked. She gestured me to come closer. I got closer. She gestured again and kept doing it until I was close up to her muzzle. Very close. I turned my head and she whispered, "It's my favorite flavor"

"Why is that a secret?" I whispered back.

"Because silly!" She whispered again, "My friends don't know that! I've been keeping it secret since I met them!"

"Oooooooh!" I exclaimed.

"Now I need you to Pinkie promise you will keep this a secret! Kapoosh?" She asked.

"Uh Pinkie it's-" I started before she yelled...

"PINKIE PROMISE!"

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye! Geez!" I said quickly.

"Good!" She said happily, "Now don't tell anyone!" she sang while trotting back to the stove.

"What just happened?" I asked myself.

I decided to go outside and find out if the others were out there. I found Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy out there. Applejack was moving some dirt around, Fluttershy was playing with my dog, and Rarity was looking at the roses. My backyard was small to be honest. It had a tiny patio with a grill, umbrella, and a couch with a shade over it. It was surrounded by grassy areas and had a tall white fence as borders, which was perfect because then no one would see them. I decided to talk to Rarity first. As I walked up to her, I noticed she was sad. She was staring at the nicest rose in the garden, and I think I understood why.

"Hey Rarity, what're you up to?" I asked. She quickly wiped away her tears and turned towards me with the most fake smile I had ever seen.

"Oh! Jem! Hi! Lovely weather today isn't it?!" She exclaimed.

"Okay, what's wrong?" I asked.

"What?" she said as if she were clueless to what I was asking.

"You're thinking about Blueblood aren't you?" She sighed.

"Is it that obvious?" She asked.

"Sort of... yeah." I replied.

"Oh. Well, if you must know, yes I was thinking of him." She said. "It's only been a year since the Grand Galloping Gala and I still can't get my mind off of him for some unknown reason." Wait did she say a year?

"A year?" I asked.

"Why yes. The Grand Galloping Gala is a Semiannual event after all. you should've seen the dresses I made for everypony! At my boutique, nothing is drab, and nothing is less than perfect!" The show took place over a SINGLE YEAR?! And I thought the Grand Galloping Gala was an annual event, not semiannual!

"Rarity, how long has it been since you and the others met?" I asked.

"Well let's see now." She said as she began to think. "It's been twenty-four moons since then, soooo, two years I believe. Why?" That confirmed it. Time in Equestria moves four times as slow as Earth does. I decided to bring up the subject about Blueblood again.

"Urm, no reason. Anyway, about Blueblood?" I said.

"Ah yes, I'm afraid that i still have feelings for him, but... I'm not quite sure." She said.

"Why would you after everything he did?" I asked.

"Well, he is charming, and who knows? Maybe I met him on an off night?" I was starting to feel sick. She actually had feelings for Blueblood after that disaster? But... I shouldn't judge. But on the other hand, I feel like she needs to understand that Blueblood won't change. No matter how much she tries.

"Rarity, forgive me for saying so, but I think it's a bad idea for you to like him..." I said nervously.

"And why is that?" She asked giving me a stern look. I gulped.

'Crud! What have I done?!" I mentally panicked. I took a deep breath and continued. "Think about it... why would he be having an off night at one of the biggest parties of the year?" Her gaze softened. "Love... isn't meant to be one sided. To truly love someone, you need to have a mutual bond, and just be sure to know if you are making the right decision being with them." Her eyes sparkled. I hadn't noticed though, "Your special somepony is out there somewhere. You just need to find them." By now I noticed how she was looking at me. "Um, Rarity?" I waved my hand in front of her face and gave a few snaps. That was what brought her back to reality.

"Oh! My apologies darling! It's just, I've never heard anypony explain love like that. It was very... awe-inspiring." She said with the sparkle still in her eyes.

"Uh... thanks? I'm uh, gonna talk to Fluttershy now..." I said walking away.

"Alright dear! Ta-ta!" She said cheerfully walking back inside. I walked over to Fluttershy who was talking to my dog. This I was excited to see this.

"Hey Fluttershy!" I said.

"Oh... um... h-hi Jem." She said shakily. We still remember the night we slept together. It was a very awkward moment and I was glad that Rainbow hadn't found out about it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have heard the end of it.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Um, y-yes I'm fine. H-how are you? If... you don't mind me asking that is..." She trailed off.

"Oh I'm fine! Thanks for asking!" Jojo had started barking at me for some unknown reason. "What's she saying?" I asked.

"Um hold on one second." She began to listen and her eyes widened in horror.

"Well? What did she say?" I asked.

"Weeeeell..." she said while twiddling her hooves.

Fluttershy's POV

"TELL THAT MOTHER(GORILLA)ER TO GIVE ME MY (GORILLA)ING TREATS! AAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Jojo yelled

Jem's POV
"Ummmm... It's best if you don't know. My animals back in Equestrian never talked like- OH NO!" She screamed.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"MY ANIMALS! I WON'T BE ABLE TO FEED THEM!" she screamed. "Oh they must be so scared! What if one of them got lost?! Or got trapped inside a cupboard in my house?! or what if-" I covered her mouth with my hand.

"Calm down okay?" I said in a kind manner. "Are you done freaking out?" She nodded and I released my hand. "I understand that you're anxious, but they'll be alright."

"I know... but-" I interrupted her.

"The animals can handle themselves Fluttershy. They were born in the wild so I'm sure they have survival instincts. Besides, Angel can take care of them!" I exclaimed.

"I-"She stopped to think, "You're right. I just need to have faith!" I smiled and put my arm over her shoulders.

"That's the spirit." I said smiling.

'Ahem!' I looked over and saw the devil on my shoulder. He was making kissy faces so used my free hand to swat him away.

"Jem!" I heard Applejack holler, "Could you come over here for a quick sec' sugarcube?" I got up and walked over to Applejack.

"What's up AJ?" I asked.

"i've been thinkin about what Flowey said... ya know... about the monsters and such?" She said.

"Yeah? Go on?" I added. She looked from left to right and pointed to my garbage can. There were claw marks all over it. I had completely forgotten about that strange beast that had appeared a few nights ago. It hadn't showed up since then and I was beginning to think that it was my imagination. But there are talking pastel ponies in my backyard, so here we are.

"Do ya know what made those claw marks?" She asked.

"There was... some sort of creature that came out of my trash can. It was how the red-heart thing appeared..."

"That was a monster Jem!" She exclaimed.

"I know, I know!" I hissed at her, "Quiet down okay? The others don't know yet."

"Oh alright." She said as she went back to patting a fresh patch of soil.

"So what are you doing?" I asked.

"Givin you somethin to remember us by." Why hadn't I thought of it before?! She was planting an apple tree!

"An apple tree huh?" I asked.

"Yup." She said, "It'll also remind me of home when it starts growin. But, I gotta admit... it's nice not needin to get up early every morning." We both had a good laugh about that. Everypony eventually went back inside so I went in as well. I decided to try and find Twilight and Spike, who I hadn't seen all day. I eventually found them in the office with my Dad. They were reading books on world history, and my Dad had gladly accepted to teach them. I decided it was best not to disturb so I went back to playing games with Rainbow. Everypony eventually joined and we watched a movie. Now they'll be saying quotes from Jim Carrey's "The Mask" for the rest of their lives.

A Freshman's Guide to Ponies

Entry one: August 29th 2018 (continued)

The next couple of weeks were nothing but calm. There wasn't a single attack, murder, or political argument (surprisingly). Tomorrow is school, so I better get some sleep. Until then, this is Jeremy Kaplan signing off.

I put the notebook on my nightstand and went to bed. Only to wake up at 5:40. 'Right.' I thought, 'High school hours'. I got dressed and turned on the hallway light... which then shined right onto Twilight's face.

"Huh? Whuh?" She said meekly.

"Sorry Twi" I whispered.

"Jem? Why are you up so early?" She said quietly.

"I have my first day of high school today." I said a little louder. "You can go back to bed if you'd like?"

"No it's okay, I'm fully awake now anyway." She said getting out of her sleeping bag. We both went downstairs to eat breakfast and watch a bit of television before I went out. I offered Twilight some coffee to which she gladly accepted.

"So you girls are going to be alone a bit today. I'll be back at around 2:35 so you girls should be fine until then, correct?" I caught Twilight looking a bit sheepish. Something was up.

"Actually, I was wondering if I could come with you?" she asked. Knew it. I was about to say no until... I could just transform myself into a human?"

"Well Twilight... the school system here is very strict nowadays so..." Oh crap now she's giving me puppy eyes. Damn it. It's getting really, really hard to breathe. "FINE! Just please stop doing that!"

"Great! I'll be right back!" She walked into the bathroom and I saw a brief flash. When she came back... she was about the cutest girl I had ever laid eyes upon. She had tan skin, her hair was the same, her ears had turned into a set of headphones, her horn also being a part of the set, and her wings had transformed into a backpack. She looked... exactly like a human. "Um.. like what you see?" she asked raising an eyebrow. I quickly blushed and grabbed my backpack and its contents, which she instantly cloned. I said goodbye to my Mom and Dad and walked out to the bus stop with Twilight.

It was humid and the stars were still out. So was the moon but I mean, it was 6:30. As we walked to the bus I had my cover story figured out. Twilight was a friend who was visiting from another country and she wanted to see the school systems here. Hopefully that would work. Hopefully. Her cover name would be Twyla Sparks, which was a name I had picked up from multiple fanfictions. The bus came a few minutes after we had arrived and we were shipped off to school.

We finally arrived at 6:45 and kids were allowed into their classes. I brought Twilight to my homeroom with my teacher, Ms. Loth. She asked me who she was and I told her the cover story. Lucky for us, she contacted every teacher on my schedule and notified them of the small change in attendance. Twilight -er- Twyla skipped over to a desk next to me. I had hoped that Gabe would've sat in that seat, but I guess Twilight was better than nothing.

More kids came in by 7:00. Some were kids I recognized and waved to. I introduced them to Twyla and some of them teased us, but Twi and I knew that we weren't a couple so we ignored them. Or at least I did. Twilight couldn't stop blushing. "Hey... calm down okay? They're just teasing, it means nothing. Right?"

"But what if it does? I wouldn't want that to ruin our friendship, and besides, I have a coltfriend." Twilight added.

"Flash?" I asked.

"Yeah... he's nice and kind but... he's never around anymore. But I still love him and he still loves me!" She said happily. I smiled back, glad knowing that there was somepony who cared about her. Then there was yelling coming from the other side of Twilight.

"Out of this seat now punk." A tall brute said to a scrawny kid in glasses.

"W-why should I?" The kid asked. I think his name was Fritz. He was the smartest kid in my school. He was actually a nice guy, despite all of the bullying he went through.

"Because I want to sit next to little miss pretty pants right here." He said while eyeing Twilight. I heard about this guy. If there were a stereotype bully in any story or movie, this guy would be him. His name was Jeffery Halberd. Otherwise known as, 'Jeff the Killer'.