Even though Equestria was inferior to Unicornia in every way, some things fascinated Majesty about the nation of her birth. For one thing, the ponies there used actual manual labor to move their carriages around instead of the controls they had in Unicornia. Of course, in Unicornia they called these automobiles due to the fact that they were controlled by magic powered machines. Using one’s magic, you could activate and direct the automobile with the steering wheel while setting the function of the speed with the control stick. One pedal below was used to activate the vigor crystals that powered up the vehicle using transistors which in turn moved the gears and machines. There was also one to suddenly cut off the supply of magic to stop in case of an emergency. Not only were they faster, but it was only capable thanks to magic. There was news that Flim Flam Bros. Industries was working on a prototype in Equestria, but it involved oil and gasoline to run since they intended it to be available for any race to use.

Majesty personally loved riding in them. She enjoyed watching the high buildings pass while other automobiles drove around them. She loved to wave or make funny faces which earned a few smiles or honks in their direction. Of course, the only annoying thing was the fact that they had to occasionally go to the refueling stations to repower the vigor crystals. Majesty sat in her backseat, wishing the refueling attendant would hurry to power up the vehicle. Even though there was no chance of being late, she still wanted to get there as fast as possible. Taking a glance outside, she saw a family of four in their simple black automobile stare at her pure white and silver encrusted one with her family’s crest on the side. She saw one of the passengers, a little filly, look at her as if she was some kind of princess.

Well, princess to be anyway, thought Majesty. I wish Silversteel could have come to school with me. Too bad his mother wouldn't allow it.

A loud slamming sound made her turn forward where the attendant was locking the hood of the front of the automobile before getting his pay and tip from Copper Penny. Sighing in relief, Majesty leaned back as the vehicle drove out of the station and back onto the road. “How much longer until we get to the school?”

“About fifteen minutes, Mistress Majesty,” Copper Penny replied, keeping his eye on the road. “Are you nervous?”

“A bit,” she answered, rubbing her hooves together. “What if the students don’t like me because I’m an alicorn? Or what if they don’t like my mane? Or what if I dressed wrong?!” She quickly looked at her school unicorn which consisted of a long sleeve white shirt with a silver crest of the school, a blue raven behind a golden shield, and a light blue and grey checkered skirt. “Does anything look out of place?”

Chuckling, her butler responded, “Mistress, you look fine. I’m sure you’ll make a friend or two the moment you arrive. As for you being an alicorn? Remember to always take pride in who you are, Mistress. Both inside and out.”

“R-right!” Majesty shouted, before taking a few deep breaths. “I am the future, and the future shall be me.”

Yeah, I can do this!

***

I wanna go home.

The tall towers of Raveneye’s Noble Academy for Young Education with their ivory, blue, and pearl gothic main structure both awed and scared her. It was like looking at an old-style cathedral, but four times the size. It was also connected to a series of smaller castle-like buildings around it, as well as a massive dome in the back. It wasn’t as big as the Royal Palace, not by a long shot, but it had an imposing aura that made Majesty twitch. The bronze and sapphire gem covered gate was right in front of her, opened for all the students to go through, but it might as well be the gates to Tartarus for her. Said students were all gazing at her, stopping in place and whispering to their friends as they pointed at her.

Already Majesty was wishing she didn’t dismiss Copper Penny with the excuse of being a big girl. Right now I feel like a baby about to wet herself.

Taking a deep breath, she trotted forward and did her best to look as calm and poised as possible. All she had to do was remember the lessons her father taught her about Court, and how emotions were the game. The more you showed, the easier it was to be read by an enemy. Of course, no matter how stoic Majesty looked, her heart kept beating like a drum against her chest. To keep her mind off the stares and whispers, she took a look at gardening. She saw flowers of all kinds, many of which she didn’t recognize, and statues of famous figures who graduated from the academy. Kind of a bit much for a grade school, ya know?

She did twitch a smile when she saw the golden fountain between the gate and the main building. It was almost as big as their indoor pool back at her home with swans floating in the water. Curious, Majesty walked up to one of them at the edge of the fountain as it looked at her with its curious tilted head. Slowly raising a hoof, Majesty gently patted it as it happily quacked. She giggled as it began to nip her hoof, but that soon came to an end when someone shouted at her.

“Hey, watch out!”

Turning her head, Majesty saw something heading right for her face and yelped before stopping it in place with her magic. The black and white checkered ball was almost as big as her head, but it didn’t seem to be too dangerous. A white colt, looking the same age as her, rushed towards her with a nervous smile as he took the ball with his magic and placed it on his back. “Sorry, about that. Kinda kicked it too high,” he apologized while sheepishly rubbing his combed green mane with a blue streak on the back. Like Majesty, he was wearing the school uniform, but for boys which included a tie and blue pants to wear, thus she couldn’t see his cutie mark. He gazed his yellow eyes to her wings and then her horns before gasping. “Woah, you’re that alicorn that was rumored to be coming.”

“Um, yes?” Majesty answered.

“Cool! I’m Forest. Forest of House Everbright,” he introduced himself as he held out his hoof. “What’s your name and house?”

Majesty stared at the hoof and then at Forest’s smiling face before quickly realizing there was no ill intent behind his actions. He was genuinely asking for her name and being friendly with her. A smile of her own appeared on her muzzle as Majesty did her best not to rip his arm out while shaking his hoof so hard. “I’m Majesty of House Blueblood!”

“Wow, you got quite a grip,” Forest replied, rubbing his hoof but he never lost his smile. “I’ve never seen an alicorn before. I thought they all lived in Equestria!”

“We did, or at least I did,” Majesty answered, “but we had to move because our enemies were after us.”

Before Forest could ask more questions, a voice interrupted him. “Hey, Forest! What’s taking so long?!” The two of them turned to the left where a mare, similar in color and mane to Forest, was approaching them. In fact, if it weren’t for their gender and the mare’s longer mane, she would have thought them identical. She noticed Majesty and sighed before pointing to her grinning double. “Did my idiot of a twin bother you?”

“Ouch, Sis,” Forest said, holding a hoof to his chest. “You really know how to hurt a guy when he’s making a new friend.”

Wait, we’re friends? Already?! Majesty thought with wide eyes. I didn’t even have to plan anything... is this how you make friends?

“Knowing you, you probably already told her some ridiculous story about you being a brave and strong knight that managed to defeat...” He put her hoof to her lips and pondered. “How many Flutter Pony rebels did you say it was to Lucky Lace? Sixteen?”

“I said fourteen,” Forest grumbled, rolling his eyes. “And I was just introducing myself to Majesty.”

Turning her attention back to Majesty, the female twin smiled and nodded her head. “Nice to meet you. I’m Jade of House Everbright. We’ve heard a lot of rumors about you, but I’m sure it's all just folktale stuff. Like you being engaged to a prince and all.”

“Um, I actually am,” Majesty replied which made both twins stare at her in silence. “Silversteel and I are engaged to be married when we both turn eighteen.”

“EEEEHHHHH?!”

Majesty jumped upon hearing nearly a dozen colts, and fillies shout out loud, including the twins. Apparently, they had been watching and listening in. Soon enough, those many students were starting to crowd her and asking questions with stars in their eyes.

“Oh my gosh! Is he handsome?! Did you meet the King?!”

“Did you meet any of the Royal Knights like Sir Morning Blade or Sir Valorus?!”

“Can you move the sun and moon?”

“Where did you get your mane done?!”

“Can we BFFs?”

Majesty gulped as she found it harder to breathe as they closed in on her. Unable to take any more, she activated her horn and teleported out much to their surprise. She didn’t manage to get far, just appearing outside the crowd by a few feet, but she didn’t bother to stop as she flew off just as the group was noticing. Now everyone in the courtyard was gazing at her with awe as she spread her wings out and flew towards one of the towers. At first she didn’t understand why until it hit her. None of them had ever seen a pony fly before despite learning that pegasi existed in other nations.

“She’s like an angel...” one pony whispered and others nodded in agreement.

Landing on a balcony, Majesty looked down at the jaw-dropped students who looked at her as if she was some kind of divine being. Chuckling, she nervously rubbed the back of her head. Well, at least I’m popular.

***

Thankfully, Majesty didn’t have a hard time finding her homeroom and managed to become the first one in. The room was half oval shaped with each step leading to more chairs in front of large table sized desks that were aimed directly at the chalkboard and teacher’s desk at the end of the classroom. Other students soon settled in, but they couldn't help but stare at her much to her embarrassment. Her eyes perked up, however, when she saw the Everbright twins enter and walked right up to her with nervous smiles.

“Hey, there. Sorry about our previous meeting,”Forest said. “You probably wanted to not get too much attention since you stand out with the wings and all.”

“I-its okay! I’m kinda used to it,” Majesty answered as she indicated the two to sit next to her. “Um, about us being friends? You’re still okay with that, right?”

“Of course! Just because we had an awkward meeting doesn’t mean we can’t be buddies,” Jade answered with a wink. “Besides, I really want to know what it’s like to be an alicorn. And I bet you have a bunch of questions for us.”

Majesty nodded, but before she could ask the homeroom teacher arrived and quickly settled down the class. He greeted them warmly before asking them to follow him towards the orientation ceremony in the school’s auditorium. Majesty got up and joined the line of students, but with an extra step in her walk as she went side by side with her new best friends.

***

Orientation wasn’t much of a ceremony. All it featured was the students, both new and returning, gathering in what could have passed as an opera house. The Head Mistress, Lady Serenity Raveneye The Sixth, had welcomed them all and encouraged them to spread their talents this year while reminding them to maintain the best behavior possible as they each were part of a legacy that would shape Unicornia for years to come. Thankfully, she didn’t mention anything about Majesty which was nothing short of a relief for her. She already had enough attention as it was.

Classes soon started which turned out to be a bore. The lessons presented to Majesty in nearly every subject was stuff she knew already from her homeschooling. She answered every question presented to her in each subject. Other students looked at her with awe while some gazed at her with jealousy. One, in particular, stood out with her staring as she was gazing at Majesty very coldly.

Traveling to their next class, Majesty took the time to carefully look at her frosty observer. She had a black ponytail mane with white ribbons on it that matched well with her purple coat. Unlike many others, she wore diamond blue shoes with lace ribbons on them. Her gaze was just as piercing as a diamond too. In fact, it felt very icy even though she had a dozen or so girls happily talking to her as if she was a celebrity. Yet she ignored them all to focus on Majesty.

Nuddling Jade, Majesty asked, “Um, Jade. Who's that filly staring at me?”

Looking back, Jade raised an eyebrow before rolling her eyes. “That’s Dia Waterblaze. Her family is very high on the nobility list, and she was the Queen Bee of our grade last year. Looks like she sees you as a threat to her power.”

“But I’ve never met her before. Although, I think I know her father,” Majesty recalled from her times visiting court with her uncle. “He and my uncle don’t get along.”

“Ouch, family happens to be enemies at court, huh? I’d stay clear of her if I were you,” Forest replied, shaking his head.

“Is it that big of a deal?” Majesty asked, tilting her head.

Forest sighed and put his hoof around her neck and shoulder. “Well, let’s just say that even though we’re supposed to all be students of the same grade and treat each other with respect, we’re all still political enemies.” He pointed to two groups of colts who were glaring at each other. “See those two? The ones on the left all have fathers who support the idea of trade with Kyukyo since they’re close to us and have resources we can use. The other side believes it goes against our traditions of unicorn only trade agreements.” He then nodded to a set of girls who were happily chatting with each other. “Those girls had parents that used to be separate political enemies, but since they joined together on the effort to silence the Church’s growing political power they’ve united as one. Depending on what happens, they’ll either stay friends until the threat is over and go back to hating each other.”

“But that makes friendship seem... fake?” Majesty pointed out in disappointment.

“Maybe, but that’s how it goes. Chances are, you’ll become a big player too,” Forest replied.

“Because I’m an alicorn?”

“That, but also your connections to the Royal Family and how fast the Bluebloods have gained power despite being the only noble family from outside Unicornia. I mean, they managed to convince the Royal Family to allow the enslavement of other non-unicorn creatures besides Flutter Ponies. That’s going to change the slave market and economy in ways we’ve never seen before,” Jade answered with a smile. “You’ve got a lot of power behind you just for those reasons alone. If you don’t use it wisely, you’ll end up the bottom of the food chain here. It’s not just the smartest academically who wins in school, but the most cunning in using their popularity as well.”

I see. Majesty thought with a grim realization. So everything Nazo warned me about is true. The game never ends. Wait...

“Does that mean... you’ve only been friends with me because of politics?” Majesty asked. Despite the stoic tone in her voice, she hoped deep down this wasn’t true.

“I admit, there are benefits to being your friend, but we got a lot of power thanks to our family regardless,” Forest said with a smile. “We like you for you, Majesty. Pure and honest truth.”

A smile decorated the alicorns lips as she nodded in thanks. The bell soon rang and the three quickly hurried to their next class. “By the way, what does your family do?”

“Oh, our family runs the biggest of the Flutter Pony Imprisonment Camps: Gehenna.”

***

“Wow, I can’t believe you were able to name all five of the founding members of Queen Ruthenium’s Inquisition of Pureblood,” Jade said in awe as the three of them, relieved that the day was over, exited through the entrance gate.

“Come on, it wasn’t that big of a deal,” Majesty replied, blushing as her friends continued to stare at her with amazement.

“Yeah, compared to how you managed to burn that target to ashes when we were practicing fire spells? That’s nothing,” Forest said, shaking his head. “I guess alicorns really are more powerful than unicorns. No wonder the Royal Family wants to have their son marry you. Having magic like that in their bloodline would make them really powerful in the future.”

“What is the prince like anyway?” Jade asked, but upon seeing Majesty’s blush, she grinned. “Ooooh, somepony can’t wait to get in their wedding gown.”

“S-shut up!” Majesty yelled, lightly shoving a laughing Jade and Forest. A few minutes later she happened to laugh too. Of course, that laughter ended when she noticed the two stop and glare forward. Facing in the same direction, she saw that Dia Waterblaze with her posse waiting for them. The popular unicorn was smiling, but such expression didn’t hold any warmth to it. More like a sense of superiority. Quickly masking her emotions, Majesty and her smaller group stood in silence as the two sides continued to stare at each other.

After minutes of waiting, Dia Waterblaze slowly walked forward, and her group followed. They marched right past a silent Majesty, but the smirking unicorn whispered something in her ears. “You may be an alicorn, and a queen to be, but this is my kingdom. I rule it.”

Majesty only raised an eyebrow at this before watching the group move on. So, the first day I make friends, but also enemies.

A buzzing in her pocket made her lose her thoughts as she levitated a small rectangular mirror with two small crystals on the bottom that were green and red. Her cutie mark of five blue flowers was on the back just in case it got lost. She smiled upon seeing her butler’s cutie mark blinking on the mirror’s glass and pressed the green crystal. His face appeared on the screen with the inside of the automobile in the background. “Hi, Copper Penny. You here?”

A beeping horn alerted her to a waving Copper Penny as she quickly waved back before turning back to her friends. “Can I have your magical signatures for my Call Mirror? I can give you guys mine if you want.”

“Sure! Let’s call later tonight,” Jade suggest as the two pulled out their own mirrors just like Majesty only their cutie marks were on the back which allowed Majesty to finally see them. Forest’s was a bow and arrow in light blue while Jade’s was a bunch of jade diamonds close together.

Majesty spread her magical aura on her their Call Mirror’s which glowed and showed her cutie mark on the screen before disappearing, indicating that it saved the memory of her magical essence. The twins soon followed, and Majesty almost squeed upon getting their auras saved. “Great! I’ll give you a call tonight! See you later!” Spreading her wings, Majesty flew towards her automobile and got inside. She lowered the window to wave farewell to her friends who shook back as she sat down with a beaming smile.

“Great first day, Mistress?” Copper Penny asked with a smile.

“Yup! And I can’t wait to go back!”

Author's Note

Yes, the Call Mirrors are this worlds version of cell phones. Unicornia is a very advance technological state of power combining both magic and science.

As usual, please help out at the TV tropes page at https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/FanFic/TheAssassinationOfTwilightSparkle

Remember, to also look at Path of the Dragon as well