Chapter one: Arrival
"This is your own fault you know". Bright Spark heard himself think.
He was standing outside what he thought was the library he would be staying throughout the summer. It was a tree or it had been at least once, but the inside had been hollowed out and inside was a huge selection of books on shelves. He was looking through a window working up the courage to got inside,
"How bad can it be, four months of studying and you can go back to university"
"Yeah But if we had studied in the first place brain, we wouldn't be in this mess" Bright Spark chuckled "OK now im talking to my brain, because thats not worrying at all." he sighed "I need to go inside now or I'm just going to drive myself mad." He checked his reflection in the window to make sure he was presentable.
Bright sparks light grey coat was pristine, and his long crimson mane neat and in order only his horn poked through, his blue eyes seamed to shine in the daylight, finally he checked his cutie mark, the four pointed gold star was unblemished. Bright spark sighed in relief, he had resolved to make a good first impression on Celestia's Star student, seeing how she was the one who would be deciding his fate.
He inhaled deeply and went to the door.
Knock Knock
The door opened, and to Bright spark's surprise a baby dragon stood before him.
"What do you want?" the dragon asked
"err... Twilight Sparkle?" Bright Spark asked rather confused, he had assumed his tutor would be another pony ... and a mare for that matter, but he never thought to ask Celestia when she told him about this arrangement.
The dragon looked at Bright spark curiously for a second and then burst out laughing.
"Hahaha, that's a good one." the dragon responded when he was done laughing "I'm Spike, I'm Twilight's number one assistant. Do you want to see her?"
"Yes thanks, She's supposed to be tutoring me over the summer I'm ..."
"Bright Spark" a voice for behind spike finished for him. Spike opened the door fully to reveal the unicorn mare standing behind him. Her coat was purple, it match her eyes, her mane a darker purple with one pinkish streak down the left " I have been expecting you, but your a little early and I'm not quite ready for today's lesson yet ,so I will just show you to your room" She took off up the stairs , Bright spark followed behind her levitating his luggage in an aura of crimson magic , she lead him to a door on the upper floor of the Library/tree and opened it.
Inside was a small room with two beds pressed up against opposite walls with a desk beside each one and one big window on the back wall.
"So I guess I'm rooming with spike then?" Bright spark said as he levitated his luggage to the nearest bed.
"what?... Oh no, Spike has a basket in my room that he sleeps in, your going to have a study buddy another pony I will be tutoring , she will be sharing a room with you, that's not a problem is it" twilight said innocently
"no problem, I share a room back on campus it will be fine" Bright Spark responded with a smile
"good the lesson starts in an hour so be downstairs by then, I will leave you to unpack" Twilight said before she took of down the stairs
"Well a room-mate, looks like I might not be trapped here alone after all ... wait did Twilight say she. So I'm going to be rooming with a mare my age hmmm."
"No brain don't go down that train of thought, that way lies madness" Bright Spark chuckled realising he had once again talked to his brain. "If I'm not mad already." He began to unpack
With only ten minutes left till his first session with Twilight he headed down stairs, to his surprise the libary now had a chalkboard and three desks (one large, two smaller) sitting in the middle of the room, Twilight sat at the larger of the three desks .
"So that's what she needed to get ready"
"Ah Bright Spark Please take a seat" Twilight indicated towards one of the smaller desks in front of hers, and Bright Spark took the one on the left. he was about to ask where his room-mate was, when a Lime Green Blur shot through the door nearly knocking Bright Spark of his desk.
"Oh my Gosh I'm so sorry, I'm running late, do you know where I can find Twilight Sparkle" said the blur,
The blur had now come in to focus for Bright Spark, its was a mare, her coat was lime Green and her mane and tail were blond, her eyes (which were shielded behind a pair of eye glasses) were a very dark pink.
"not bad, not bad at all. Shut up Brain!"
Bright Spark somehow ignored the war going on in his head long enough to point a hoof at the lavender mare behind the large desk.
"Oh thank you" the mare said trotting over to Twilight.
"You must be Book Smart, We've been expecting you, That's Bright spark your new classmate for the summer" twilight said pointing a hoof at Bright Spark who had just noted something strange about the new mare in the room.
"uh Twilight ... She ... I mean Book Smart ... is an earth pony" Said Bright Spark confused "how is she going to perform magic?"
Twilight looked annoyed "Firstly Mr Spark you shall refer to me as Miss Sparkle During lesson hours, Which began two minutes ago and secondly Miss Smart here is Taking a strictly Theoretical magical course, so the university sent her here to leave me to judge weather or not she is competent enough to be admitted".
"seriously "Miss sparkle", even at the university we call our lecturers by their first names, and she can't be more then a year older then me at most, so what the heck is this about ... eh never mind she is probably just on a power trip I'm just gona roll with it"
"Sorry Miss Sparkle I was only curious" Bright Spark said unable to hide all of the sarcasm in his voice
Twilight failed to note it though so he was in the clear
"That's OK Bright Spark" She said appearing contented " Book Smart please take the seat next to your class mate please so we can begin"
Book smart did as she was told "Right away miss Sparkle" she said without hesitation
"Kiss flank" Thought Bright Spark
"OK class today we will simply be getting to know one and other, the real studying starts tomorrow." she said very formally as she lifted two folders of her desk "Lets start with you Bright Spark and your history"
Bright Spark opened his mouth to speak of his past , but was cut of when Twilight Started reading the contents of the folder, a folder with his name on.
"Oh Buck"
"You were born in Trottingham, where you lived with your mother and father. At the age of 4 you entered into Trottinghams private colt's school for the gifted and talented ... Very well done Mr Spark quite prestigious I understand, You were a model Student up to the age of eighteen When you left, your final grades being all A's and B's. Again very well done Mr Spark. You won a Scholarship to Princess Celestia's University which you have been in attendance for a year now, and your final results for the year were ... oh." she looked at the paper in her telekinetic field .
"This is what I was scared of"
"I see now why the princess wants me to tutor you, with the exception of your practical magic, you got D's in all of your other subjects"
Book Smart looked at the Stallion shift uncomfortably in his seat.
"wait how is that possible he was a model student and then he went to university and..." She thought to herself
Twilight asked Bright Spark the same question "What happened to your grades Bright Spark I don't think I have ever seen grades slip this badly"
The grey stallion Shifted uncomfortably again "My Grades aren't that bad if I was any other student the university would have just let me pass with all D's"
Twilight was ready for that though " Yes but you aren't any other student, your scholarship requires you get at least all C's as a minimum to pass onto the next year so I will ask you again, Why is there such a dramatic shift in your grades."
Book Smart looked at her fellow student trying to figure it out herself.
"he's smart, he had to be to get those grades in high school so we know he's not dumb" she thought
" I never studied outside of the actual lectures lectures, I had better things to do" Said Bright spark without missing a beat
"What! how can you not study what could possibly be more important" Book Smart opinion on the Stallion changed in a heart beat "I was clearly wrong he must be stupid to not study at all for his exams, no scratch that he must be insane ... even if he does have pretty Eyes"
"Wait .... What Book Smart did a double take and realised she had been stealing glances at the stallions eyes since she had almost knocked him off his desk.
"What the Buck is that about" She shook the thought off.
Twilight was visibly shaking at what Bright Spark had just said "You didn't study for a single Exam, What were you doing instead!" She asked almost shouting.
"Just hanging around with my friends, with the year coming to an end we knew we wouldn't get to see each other over summer, so we hung out more and more" Bright spark said suddenly looking very terrified of Twilight.
Twilight was taken aback by the answer "Well OK Friendship is important, I'm learning that myself so I suppose that a partial excuse, But you could have at least done some studying," she looked sated "however I'm going to require that you Study the notes and handouts I give you in future sessions will you do that." she asked
"Yes Twi... Miss Sparkle" he said coving his mistake
"brilliant now onto you miss Book Smart" Twilight said lifting up the other folder with her magic.
*gulp*
From Bright Spark's Perspective he had a lot to contend with. Though the mare was a year younger than him, Book smart's report was spotless. Strait A's since filly School, Brought up in a nice area in manehatten and apparently she had a fascination with all things magical, all she had to do was pass a single magical theory exam at the end of the summer and she would be accepted into the university on the first magical Theory course ever recorded, It hurt Bright Spark that all he could think was that she was a Know-it-all.
Stop that bright spark don't be a Dick
He hated bullies in every form, having been bullied quite a bit in his all colt's school growing up. and calling someone a Know-it-all was something a bully would do. But for some reason, something about the mare made him want to leave the room, as though he couldn't stand to be around her, he couldn't put his hoof on it but whatever the reason it surly was not her fault and the feeling was already getting weaker.
"Very well I'm sure you are both going to be good friends" Twilight said, somewhat overenthusiastic about the prospect of her two students getting along well.
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggg
Three shouts went up at once all of them jumped at the sudden loud noise.
"what the Buck was that" Bright Spark gasped
"I installed a bell for it to be more official when our sessions began and finished, but I can see I'm going to have to remove that" Said twilight, and then suddenly all Three of them were laughing.
"OK settle down every-pony, you have the rest of the day off, to celebrate or to pray as the situation warrants " Twilight said when she finally stopped laughing.
Both Bright Spark and Book Smart stood up together.
"here let me get your saddle bag for you" said Bright Spark still feeling guilty for his thought on Book smart earlier "our room is on the top floor furthest door on the left "
"Oh thank you Bright Spark" said Book smart thankfully.
Well if nothing else he a gentlecolt she thought smiling.
As Book Smart lead them up the stairs, Bright Spark couldn't help but get a look at her hind quarters, Book Smarts cutie mark was ... Surprise surprise , a light blue book with a dark blue swirl on the cover "so what her special talent is reading" muttered to himself as his eyes "mistakenly" worked their way back to Book Smart's hind Quarters
"DAT FLANK"
"Shut the Buck up brain, or I swear to Luna I will drink us both into a coma" whispered Bright Spark to himself
A'wwwwww
"Did you say something Bright Spark" asked Book Smart as they reached the door to there room.
"oh... what?... no no just muttering to myself ... I tend to do that" he said feeling a blush coming to his cheeks
"oh OK then so can you help me unpack" she said as she walked to the furthest bed away from the door
"you mind if I take this bed I would like the light from the window " she asked
"yeah that's no problem, I already set my stuff up on the other side of the room so that fine, and sure I would love to help you unpack" said Bright Spark still trying to make up for the thought about Book Smarts Know-it-allness ((shut up its a word :) ))
About half way through the unpacking Bright Spark asked his new room mate the same question he had asked his last one
"Do you want to head out to the local club I hear its ran by DJ-pon3"
"I don't Drink" Book Smart replied "and who is Dj-pon3"
It was going to be a Long summer.
Chapter Two:
"Your kidding right ?" Bright Spark was still taken aback by Book Smarts last comment.
"Well ... Its not so much that I don't drink its just I haven't tried it yet." Book Smart replied, rather still focused on unpacking her saddlebags.
"hasn't tried drinking "yet" " Bright Spark thought with a smile. At least she may be up for trying some cider if we do end up going out tonight, putting that thought to one side of his mind, He continued.
"Never mind that you don't drink, I could understand that. What I can't understand is, How you have never heard of Dj-poni3!" Bright spark was still recoiling his sanity, he was currently thinking he should start throwing CD's at Book Smart while shouting "Listen to them" repeatedly, He decided against that instead opting for the more rational course of action.
Bright Spark made his way over to his Saddlebags and levitated out his CD player and a random CD "Here, I only packed Dj-pony CD's, cause her music has everything, mainly because she plays a variety of styles of music" he said while laying down the items on his bed and setting up the CD.
"She mainly plays Dub-step. By Luna that mare loves her Dub-step." he said chuckling "But I prefer her other CD's, you might like this one to" he said as he hit play and began making his way back to her side of the room to help with unpacking.
"How many books can one pony carry". Thought Bright Spark as the beginning of the song began to play.
"Wait a minute Which song is this? ... Oh Celestia no, please no!"
Book Smart was intently listening to a song, nodding her head to the tune as she put Higher Pony Mathematics. By Square Root. on to her shelf above her bed.
"He's right this is a really catchy song, and has really good lyrics" she looked at Bright Spark to say so, when she saw he was holding the worst poker face she had ever seen, and...
"He's blushing, why is he blushing" it was true, the stallion's cheeks were as crimson as his mane.
"oh" Book Smart realised "its the song, its about love and romance, he must of chosen a CD at random, and he thinks I'm going to laugh at his taste in music." She concluded as Bright Spark was making himself look busy by pretending to read one of Book Smart's books which must have been really difficult seeing as how it was upside down.
" I don't see why though, I'm a mare, I'm supposed to like this kind of music so why would I make fun of him for the song? and its only us two here so .... oh! Book Smart suddenly realised, her cheeks were blazing red as well.
"Now I get it, he doesn't think I'm going to make fun of him, he's worried I'm going to think he's coming on to me." She thought, still blushing franticly.
"What if he is?" a voice in her head asked, and she was surprised that the idea made her heart skip a beat rather then fill her with dread.
"You were right." Book smart said to brake the awkwardness (not to mention trying to ignore the voice in her head) "This song is really nice"
"Dj-Poni3 can sing really well" she concluded
"What?" Bright spark looked confused "Oh Dj-poni3 isn't the one singing, she's just making the music, I'm not sure who is singing, the song was made for the royal wedding, I heard it was the grooms sister, but I have no idea who she is."
Twilight who had been passing by the open door of the bedroom was now blushing a deep scarlet
"And you never will if I have anything to do with it." She thought fighting back laughter.
Bright Spark had stopped blushing by the time the CD came to an end.
"Thank Luna it was only a single" he breathed a sigh of relief and then turned to Book Smart.
"So now your unpacked, what do you say?"
"About what?" Book Smart asked
"Heading out to that new club tonight, I read up on Ponyville, the club is called "WUBZ", and apparently its the only good hangout around here" said Bright Spark "You wouldn't have to drink you could come with me for company, it sucks going to a bar alone. And if you did want to drink I could even buy your first drink." he finished
"Well..." Book Smart smiled mischievously. "OK. But not only do you have to buy me my first drink... But you also have to dance."
Bright Spark recoiled in horror "No deal, not a chance, no way in Tartarus, will you ever get me to dance" the very idea terrified him.
"a'wwwwww come on" Book Smart pretended to sulk.
The face she made was far to cute for Bright Spark to resist.
"She is really cute you know, and if you dance, she might dance with you." He pondered the idea for a moment.
"NO"
He used all his will power, to look away from the onslaught of cuteness she she was throwing at him " I.Don't.Dance!" he outlined each word carefully to make sure Book Smart got the point.
"Relax Bright Spark" she said " I was only kidding. Well about the dancing part anyway" she smiled "On the other hoof, why go to a bar, we could have just as much fun going for a walk, and getting to know each other, instead of getting drunk of our flanks and having drunken conversations"
Bright Spark very much doubted that this mare would ever get drunk, she seemed to be the type of mare who was a one pint pony, one drink and she stopped herself from having more. but all the same her Idea of a walk appealed to him.
"A romantic walk through the park." he thought,
"No you idiot she did not mean a date, She just needs to be educated on what fun is." he smiled and turned on his best Trottingham accent (his normal Trottingham accent was littered with slang) and began.
"Well my dear mare, over the last year of my life I have made a discovery. Ponies are far better company when drunk, as they let their emotional walls down and it is easier to get to know them. in laypony's terms: A drunk mind speaks a sober heart" he finished smiling.
"OK Book Smart you can't go to that bar, your not even friends, just acquaintances really, and you need to be in good shape tomorrow for Miss sparkle's lesson, It doesn't matter if he sounds like that stallion out of those spy movies you like"
"OK what time should we head out" she found herself saying.
"What the buck, Mare"
Bright Spark smiled and looked at the clock on the wall. "Its five now, so we can head out at half-seven get to the club for about eight, sound good?"
"Yeah, that will give me time to get ready" Book smart said not entirely how he'd managed to get her to agree to this.
