Chapter 44

– The Last Straw –

“Good morning students!” Twilight Sparkle said as she stepped onto the podium.

“Good morning Headmare Twilight!” announced the entire magic class.

“I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend, because it’s time for your test results! I am so proud of all of you. I’ve seen a lot of improvement from all of you.”

Twilight levitated a bunch of papers into the air, each of them reaching their respective student. As the students took their test in their own magic, a barrage of whispers filled the room.

Comet and Ocellus both sat next to each other, taking their tests but not daring to open them till Headmare Twilight said so. Comet was a little nervous, she tried super hard on this test. Starlight tutored her every night for the past two weeks. Comet had really enjoyed her time with Starlight, it felt so nice to just be with her every night to read and study with her.

“How did you think you did, Comet?” Ocellus asked.

Comet looked at her friend, “I don’t know. I studied really hard. What about you?”

Ocellus looked nervous, “I studied really hard too. Silverstream even stayed up with me so I didn’t fall asleep.”

Headmare Twilight cleared her throat, getting the attention of everyone in the classroom.

“Alright students. You may all open your tests and see your results.”

Comet and Ocellus looked at one another, and both saw that they were nervous. But then they smiled and closed their eyes as their respective magical glows enveloped the others' test and opened them. Pulling the test out, Comet peeked out of one eye to see. And when she saw the result, she let out a squee.

“I got a 100!” Comet cheered.

Ocellus looked at her own test and smiled, “I got a 95!”

Both fillies squeed and hugged each other, jumping a little in their seats with joy. All of Comet’s hard work had finally paid off.

“Alright students, settle down. I know everyone is excited with the results. I know I was. So for all your hard work, I’ve made this.” Twilight said, pulling out a large placard.

“This will be placed in the hallway of the school. It will symbolize all your hard work this past year. Your names are placed in order of your test results.” Twilight said, levitating it to the front of the class.

Everyone in the class moved to the front to look at the placard. Comet and Ocellus had to kinda push their way to the front to see.

“So where are we?” Comet asked.

“Comet look!” Ocellus said with a big smile.

Comet looked up at the top of the placard, and there was Ocellus at 4th place. Above her was Glitterbomb, she was a nice filly. A little too crazy about confetti spells but nice all the same. Above her was Tourmaline in 2nd place. He wasn’t gonna be happy about that. But as Comet looked at 1st place to see who beat him, she was amazed.

There it was, Comet’s name at the top of the placard. She had gotten the highest score on the test.

“I got the highest score!” Comet squealed.

Comet and Ocellus hugged each other giggling, Glitterbomb even came over and congratulated Comet. The rest of the class soon joined in with congratulations. Comet’s face soon turned red at the praise she was getting.

But while most of the class joined in the crowd, one was still staring in disbelief at the placard. One lone colt whose eyes slowly looked back at the filly in the crowd. Eyes sharp as pinpricks.

“You got the highest score in the class!?” Silverstream asked with excitement.

“Comet, that’s awesome!” Smoulder said, giving the filly a light punch of shoulder.

“Thanks everyone.” Comet said, rubbing her shoulder.

“Yona knew Comet was best at magic.” Yona said, giving a stomp.

“Soon to be the next Archmage of Equestria.” Sandbar said.

Comet blushed at that, “Sandbar, it was one test.”

“One test that you totally blew out of the water. Even got your name on a placard for all the school to see. That’s pretty cool.” Gallus said.

Comet continued to blush as her embarrassment steadily rose to peak levels. She knew her friends would be happy about the news, but never expected this much praise.

“You know what, we should all go celebrate the occasion. How about a snack at Sugarcube Corner after school, my treat?” Sandbar suggested.

“Yona would like that a lot!” Yona stomped.

“Can’t say no to free food!” Gallus said, giving Sandbar a hoof/claw bump.

“Sandbar, you don’t have to do that.” Comet said sheepishly.

“I want to. Come on, we haven’t had a good celebration in a while. It’ll be fun.” Sandbar insisted.

Comet smiled and went back to drawing in her sketchbook. She had been working on a new art piece with her and all her friends. She was so happy she met all of them. When she looked back at Smoulder for reference, the dragon was glaring at something.

“What’s wrong Smoulder?” Comet asked.

“Trouble coming our way.” She said, getting up from her laid down position.

Comet looked in the direction she was facing and saw Tourmaline heading right for her and the group. He didn’t look happy, well more so than usual. What could he possibly want?

Smoulder leapt to the front of the group, taking a fierce stance as the colt drew closer.

When he got right in front of her, she stood her ground, “What do you want jerk?”

“The name is Tourmaline, lizard. And I have business with that commoner.” Tourmaline said, pointing his hoof at Comet.

“Her name is Comet, and she doesn’t want to talk to you. None of us do. So get lost.” Smoulder said, baring her fangs.

Comet stood up and moved next to Tourmaline, levitated her sketchbook back into the school bag slung over her shoulder.

“What do you want, Tourmaline?” Comet asked.

“I want an explanation! How did a commoner who started out as barely average get a higher score than me!? I’ve been practicing magic since I was in the cradle. Taught by the finest tutors in Canterlot.” Tourmaline shouted.

“I studied and got better. That’s how it works, Tourmaline. It’s not a contest. You don’t need to get so upset about it. There will be another test.” Comet explained.

“No! Your name will forever be above mine on that placard! I even went to Princess Twilight and demanded that my name be on top! I deserve that spot, I am the best mage at this school!” Tourmaline shouted.

“The best mage at this school is Princess Twilight! And don’t forget Counselor Starlight is almost as powerful as her!” Comet shouted back.

“Princess Twilight is an alicorn, and the Element of Magic. I am a noble bred unicorn of Canterlot. And we all know that Starlight Glimmer had her time and wasted it.” Tourmaline said smugly.

“What did you say!?” Comet said angrily.

“Oh we all know what happened with that bug queen. And now she can’t even use magic. A unicorn without magic is nothing but a dirt pony with a pretend horn on her head.” Tourmaline laughed.

“Her magic will come back. And when it does she’ll still be better than you. And how dare you talk about her like that. Are you so full of yourself that you think you’re better than the personal student who learned under Princess Twilight?” Comet asked.

“I am extraordinary, I will take my place as the next Archmage of Equestria. I will outshine even the Great Starswirl the Bearded!” Tourmaline said, raising his hooves to the sky.

“Oh now I know you’re delusional. Starswirl could beat you anyday, and when Starlight is better so can she. You’re an idiot if you think you are already better than the best mages in history.” Comet said.

“And what makes you think that you have any standing on knowing how great I am? You, a lowly little filly who came from a backwater family, never having any formal training until you came here. And to get anywhere in this school, your father had to get cozy up with the personal student of Princess Twilight.” Tourmaline mocked.

“What did you say!?” Comet shouted.

“We all know the only reason you got so much attention from Starlight Glimmer is because your father wooed her. I mean truly, a personal student of Princess Twilight dating a common explorer who makes his living selling survivalist books. I’m sure keeping her bed warm pays exceedingly well.” Tourmaline sneered.

Comet’s face burned hot with rage, “Shut your mouth Tourmaline! My daddy loves Starlight and she loves him! Of course you wouldn't know anything about love!”

“Love is for that pathetic excuse for a Princess in the Crystal Empire. Knowledge and skill are how I rose to greatness.” Tourmaline said.

“Horseapples. Everyone here knows the only reason you're here at this school is because you couldn’t get into Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns! No, now that I’m thinking about it, you did get in but got kicked out cause you threw a tantrum about not getting the highest score in the entrance exam, kinda like you are doing right now!” Comet shouted.

Tourmaline’s smug expression soon turned into a hateful glare.

“And even worse, your father had to blackmail Princess Twilight into letting you come back after your stupidity almost got me and my friends eaten by a basilisk!” Comet shouted.

“How dare you question my intelligence, you dirt poor country hooligan!”

“Oh there it is. You’re rich, or you’re Daddy’s rich is more like it. How does it feel to have Daddy come clean up your messes everytime you make a stupid mistake?” Comet said.

And with that, Tourmaline’s horn glowed bright and Comet was blasted off of her feet with a powerful burst of force. She rocketed through the air across the courtyard.

And with a loud thud and a splash, Comet’s head hit the fountain in the center of the courtyard, causing her to fall into the water below. And that was the last thing she felt before everything went dark.

Smoulder saw this along with all her friends, too stunned to move. Everyone in the courtyard gasped and then went silent as a graveyard. Moments passed and Smoulder’s eyes slowed turned to red hot coals as she glared back at Tourmaline. Fire leaked from her snout and mouth as her breathing became heavy and slow.

“You bastard!” Smoulder screamed, leaping out at the colt with fiery rage.

“Starlight, what are you doing back here? You still have a few days of sick leave.” Princess Twilight said.

Starlight came into the Princess’ office, followed by Trail and Tala. Tala had been pushing Starlight, who was in a wheelchair.

“I wanted to see how the school was doing. I miss my students.” Starlight said.

“And they certainly miss you. I don’t know how you managed it. I’ve been swamped with students needing counseling.” Twilight said, putting a hoof to her forehead.

“Well just a few more days and I’ll take that duty off your hooves. I’m honestly ready to be out of the house.” Starlight said.

“Yeah, if she could, I betcha she’d be literally climbing the walls by now.” Tala joked.

“Oh shut up.” Starlight said, playfully batting a hoof at the griffin.

Trail chuckled at this, “So Princess, how have things been going?”

Twilight smiled, “Things have been going great. Comet even got the highest score on her last test. I’m so impressed by her progress.”

“Well she and I have been doing a lot of studying together.” Starlight smiled.

“I can tell. She’s improved so much. I know she’ll be a great mage someday.” Twilight said.

“Yeah, better watch out Princess, she may be better than you one day.” Tala laughed.

Everyone in the room laughed at that.

“Only time will tell.” Twilight said.

Suddenly, a ruckus could be heard outside, making everyone in the room look at the door of the office. A second later and Rarity stuck her head into the room.

“Twilight, you need to come to the courtyard immediately!”

Twilight got out of her chair, “Rarity, what’s wrong?”

“A fight in the courtyard! Rainbow Dash is trying to break it up, but it’s bad!” Rarity said.

Everyone in the office gasped and Twilight immediately flew out the door. Trail, Tala and Starlight were right behind her.

A magical blast barely missed Smoulder as she flew at Tourmaline again. He had a terrible aim for something he claimed to be so great at magic. Smoulder however had great aim and managed to spew fire all around the colt. Only his shield saved him from being burnt.

“Smoulder, that’s enough!” Rainbow Dash said, grabbing the young dragon.

“Let go of me! He hurt Comet!” Smoulder said, struggling against the pegasus.

Fluttershy and Applejack had gotten Comet out of the fountain, gently placing her on the ground. Her head was bleeding and she wasn’t conscious. Silverstream, Ocellus and Gallus were all standing next to their professors.

“Fluttershy, go fetch Nurse Redheart now!” Applejack shouted.

Fluttershy nodded and flew into the air, making her way into Ponyville.

Back with Smoulder and Rainbow Dash, the dragon was still struggling against the pegasus. But Rainbow held strong and brought them to the ground.

“I know you’re angry Smoulder, but fighting isn’t going to help Comet. I need to calm down.” Rainbow said.

Yona and Sandbar appeared next to them.

“Smoulder, he’s not worth it.” Sandbar said.

“Sandbar right. Yona want to smash him too, but Comet need friends. All friends. Please Smoulder.” Yona pleaded.

Smoulder’s eyes soon started to tear up, whether from rage or sadness, no one could tell. She finally relaxed in Rainbow’s embrace.

“It’s gonna be ok, Smoulder. Fluttershy should be back with Nurse Redheart soon.” Rainbow said, comforting the dragon.

“I want that dragon arrested for trying to burn me to a crisp!” Tourmaline shouted.

Rainbow immediately turned to glare at him, “Keep your mouth shut Tourmaline!”

The colt flinched back a little. Before he could say anything in retaliation, Princess Twilight appeared in a flash of purple light, right between Tourmaline and Rainbow.

“What in Equestria is going on here Rainbow Dash?” She demanded.

“Tourmaline attacked Comet, Headmare Twilight. He pushed her with magic into the fountain, and made her hit her head. She’s not moving.” Sandbar explained.

As his words reached the Princess, Trail and his group appeared. Trail heard what Sandbar had said and his face grew pale.

He ran up to the young colt, “Where is she, Sandbar?”

He pointed over to the fountain, “Over there with Professor Applejack.”

Trail immediately ran over, followed shortly by Tala, leaving Starlight with Twilight. Trail and Tala skidded to a halt right by Comet, pushing past her friends gently.

Comet laid there, Trail immediately pressing his hoof against her neck. She was alive, but unconscious. He laid his head against his filly and started to cry. Applejack patted him on the back. Tala looked at her niece and just stared in disbelief. How could this have happened?

Her head snapped back towards where Tourmaline was standing. He was slowly trying to make his way back to the entrance of the courtyard. Not on his life.

Tala flew into the air with a screech, barreling towards the colt like a true bird of prey. He saw her coming and tried to teleport, but she quickly grabbed him by the horn and the neck, lifting him into the air with her.

“You little bastard!” Tala screamed.

He screamed and flailed his hooves as Tala suspended him in midair. Her gaze was hot as the fires of Tartarus.

“What did you do to my niece!?” She screamed at him.

“Tala! Let him go!” Rainbow Dash said.

“Get lost! I’ve had it with this kid!” Tala said, holding the colt tighter in her claws.

“ENOUGH!” Twilight’s royal canterlot voice rang out, cracking some of the windows.

Tala found herself trapped in a magical glow, Tourmaline also trapped as they were levitated to the ground. Tala was set down on the ground but was not released from the grip of Twilight’s magic.

The Princess of Friendship appeared in front of her, holding Tourmaline in the air with her magic.

“I am going to ask you to calm down. You will let me handle this, is that understood?” Twilight said, a tone no one had ever heard her speak in.

Tala growled at the kid, but eventually relented. Twilight saw the griffin relax and released her.

The Princess then turned to Tourmaline.

“Did you attack Comet Trail?” Twilight asked.

“I… I did no such thing.” Tourmaline said, fear in his voice.

“Liar! We all saw him Headmare Twilight” Another student yelled out over the crowd forming around them.

More students spoke up, the crowd all telling the Princess that Tourmaline had pushed Comet with magic into the fountain.

“Princess Twilight!” Nurse Redheart yelled out as she made it into the courtyard.

She had medical saddlebags strapped to her barrel, her eyes shocked at the scene before her.

“Nurse Redheart, Comet Trail is injured, she hit her head. Over by the fountain.” Princess Twilight said.

The nurse immediately ran over to the filly as Twilight held the colt in her magic still. She then produced a ring out of nowhere, placing it on Tourmaline’s horn. She dropped him on the ground and before he could run away, Pinkie had tied him up with a party balloon.

“Pinkie, escort this colt to his dorm room. And make sure he stays there until I sort this out.” Twilight ordered.

“Roger dodger Twilight. You’re coming with me.” Pinkie said, producing a policeponies hat out of her mane.

She dragged Tourmaline away, out of the courtyard and towards the dorms. Twilight then teleported over to where Comet was laying on the ground. Redheart had already started examining her.

“How is she, Nurse Redheart?” Twilight asked.

“She could certainly have a concussion. We need to get her to Ponyville Hospital.” Redheart said.

“Rainbow, Fluttershy, go get a gurney from the Infirmary and then fly Comet to the hospital.” Twilight said, looking at Rainbow.

“You got it Twi!” Rainbow said, flying like a bullet out of the courtyard.

“How could this happen? Here of all places?” Trail asked.

He stood over his daughter, petting her head gently. Starlight sat beside him in her wheelchair, trying to give him comfort.

She looked to Twilight, “Twilight, this is the last straw. I don’t care what that rich bastard tried to pull, we can’t let that little monster stay here!”

“Nor do I. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna will back me up. And Cadence too if need be. I will not let this one slide. He has intentionally hurt one of my students. Friendship is beyond him. And I will not let him stay another day.” Twilight said, starting to walk away.

“Where are you going?” Starlight asked.

“To wake up Spike. I need to tell the Princesses that we are going to have a fight on our hooves. Lord Rhinestone won’t let us kick his son out without a fight. And I intend on giving him one.” Twilight said, teleporting away.

Starlight had a shiver run down her spine, she had never seen Twilight that angry. Even back during the basilisk incident.

She turned to Comet, who was lying there on the ground. Tears started to fall as the filly she had grown so close to lay there unconscious.

How could this have happened?

Author's Note

Hey guys, Hades here.

Another chapter done. Hoping to have more soon.

Tourmaline is in a lot of trouble. Hope that lawyer is worth the money. And the Lord better be on his best behavior this time.