PART 1 – SCHOOL

Amethysts.

Sapphires.

Rubies.

Emeralds.

Canterlot Magic Academy has its rules. And they will follow them.

Come hell or high water.

◇

1. Streets of Canterlot

TWILIGHT SPARKLE DIDN’T KNOW IF SHE LIKED PANCAKES or waffles the most. They both equally gave her a good taste in her mouth and they both had their flaws. Many people said she had to choose one side or the other, which led to her shutting up and keeping her opinions to herself, regardless if she was asked.

"Twilight, seriously, do you want to get hiccups?" Twilight Velvet warned, rolling her eyes at Twilight's giggly response. The woman cupped all the extra flour on the counter and threw it into the bin.

"Sorry, ami!" She rolled her eyes and returned to her breakfast. Her mother dusted her hands off and finally sat down with her husband and daughter. "So, the plan is that I have to leave for CMA in about..." She raised her right wrist and squinted at her watch. "...an hour or so."

Velvet nodded, but when she turned to her husband, she was surprised to see him focusing on his iPad. She sighed and punched his arm playfully. He wobbled and glared at his wife.

"What the hell was that for?" He complained and switched off the iPad. His hand ran through his dark phthalo blue hair sheepishly. "I'm not addicted to the iPad, okay, I'm just checking on the café floor plan. Again." He faced his daughter and gave her a warm smile.

"Alright, sweetie, you got everything packed?" Twilight's answer was a nod and she pointed to her pastel purple suitcase. "So, Spike's going with you, right?"

"Of course he is!" She immediately lowered her body and called her dog using her fingers. The purple dog barked and sprinted to his owner. He jumped onto her lap and snuggled up. "I'm not surviving this school year without him!"

"That's just the answer we were looking for." Night tucked his device into his bag before taking a long sip from his glass.

Her mom massaged his right shoulder and spoke again. "Are you sure you're ready, Twilight?"

"Mom, I'm totally sure! Besides, this is CMA we're talking about! Canterlot Magic Academy; it's one of the best schools in all of Equestria." She clapped her hands together and squealed. Spike shook his head and hid his amused face. Knowing Twilight Sparkle, she was excited about these sorts of things.

"And the most expensive." Night remarked, only to earn another light slap from Velvet on the shoulder. "Honey! What do you have against my shoulder, for crying out loud!" Twilight couldn't hold her laughter in and a few giggles slipped out of her mouth. "Missy, you stop giggling now."

She abruptly stopped after the scold and her eyes gazed at the floor as a small smirk crept up her lips.

"Seriously, you are just like your mother sometimes."

"Hey!"

Twilight stopped her fit of laughter once more when she spotted her brother peering over their mother's shoulder. He kissed her on the cheek and signaled his sister.

"So, Sparkle, you ready for your first freshman day?" He walked over to the kitchen counter and poured some water. She hummed a happy tune and grinned. "Well, that's a relief. Now, here's some advice. Stay away from the Sapphires."

Their mom made a face and turned to the man. She pointed an accusing finger at him but was cut off.

"Mom, don't even start. You know what I'm going to say," said Shining Armor, "Twilight, Amethysts, and Sapphires are known not to get along with each other." He paused before shaking his head. "Actually no, that's a lie. None of the houses get along but these two are definitely the worst. I know that for a fact. So, just a warning, don't, and I mean don't, fall in love with a Sapphire."

"Shining!" Velvet scolded. He jumped and then rolled his eyes. "I know you've had your issues with them, but it doesn't mean your little sister will too. She may find someone who she'll like. It's none of your business!"

"Sure, mom." His voice dribbled with sarcasm. "Anyway, think about it. This is Twilight Sahri Sparkle we're talking about! She's not interested in romance or friendship whatsoever!"

Her mother faced her and raised a brow. "Really?" Her gaze was somewhat bewildered yet not so.

"I mean, he's not wrong. But not correct, either. For example, mom didn't want to get married or have children at my age. Well, look at dad and us two. So, it can change. I might want a boyfriend in the future and possibly, when older, have—"

"Twily, don't you dare..." Shining's warning voice was low and sometimes caught Twi off guard. Sometimes.

"Alright, alright! But seriously, all I want to do is focus on my education. You two," she gestured at her parents, "have spent so much money for CMA. For both of us on top of that! I want to make these four years count!"

"Well, I'm sure you'll do just that, sweetie." Night Light kissed her forehead and walked out of the dining room.

◇

Shining Armor left thirty minutes before Twilight did and he promised to send an Uber by their street. The sun's elegant rays peeped out from behind the gray-white clouds and the autumn leaves decorated the sidewalk. Spike fought the urge not to play in them – or specifically follow them which would lead him up a tree to a squirrel's nest. His temptation died down pretty quickly, in comparison to the last few times this happened. Her dog hurried after Twilight, who was already on the phone.

"Where did you say the car was? I can't find it." She held a finger in her free ear and closed one eye, hoping to be able to hear her brother's voice amongst all the morning traffic the roads contained.

Spike barked after her.

"I know, I know, I should've asked mom to come with me but she's already tired with the case she's working on! You know this case is important and if she loses, it'll cost her and the law dearly! Dad is stressed with the new café building so I have to do this by myself! With you, of course. Now, where did you say the cab was? Down this street?"

She snatched her suitcase handle and dragged it along, whistling Spike over to her. She wandered further down her part of the town, gradually walking further and further away from her house. Yet, the rarities of the path she went down didn't give her a feeling that she was lost.

The view was a beautiful sight to see – this was not a shocker, Canterlot was always beautiful, even in September. The orange-yellow-leaved trees created shadows on the sidewalk.

The lampposts had this look to it every season; they were a dark brown in autumn, a dark blue in winter, dark pink in spring and dark yellow in the summer. From the trees to the grass to the glittering nature, everything fell into place with every new coming month; it gave Canterlot it's glow.

Twilight expected some other students from nearby schools to be strolling around the area she was in but it was – unfortunately – sparse. Nonetheless, there were people but most of them seemed like young adult.

"There isn't a car. Are you sure you sent it here?" She got her response, which was a definite yes. Where was it then? "Shining, are you sure you can't come and pick me up?"

"Yes, Twily, I would if I could. But Cadence desperately needs my assistance at CPA."

"I-It's alright. Still, I don't think the Uber is coming."

"I'm so sorry. I think he must've heard the wrong direction from me."

"What do I do now? Can't you call the driver again?"

"I tried several times but it always went straight to voicemail. I'll call mom and dad and see what they can do. I'm sorry, sis."

The line went dead.

Twilight smacked her phone against her palms repeatedly, sweat poured constantly down her temple. She couldn't afford to be late on her first day there, the last time that happened had trapped her head in Confusion Land and possibly Regret Land. Spike's whimpers flooded into her ears but her head chose to ignore them. The pressure circled around her head and her phone screen damped with her palm steam.

No, no, no, not again. Come on, Uber, where are you?!

A tap on her shoulder caused all her mind to run in circles but her body only to remain calm. Her violet eyes met with bright azure ones.

Twilight politely coughed and finally said, "Yes?"

"I'm dreadfully sorry, darling, but I spotted you from a couple of meters away. You seemed to be stressed about something."

"Uh... yes, actually. I'm, unfortunately, lost. I'm pretty far from my house and my brother had a cab parked somewhere. But I can't seem to find it. The driver must've heard the location wrong."

"Oh!" Her mulberry neat eyebrows raised up. "If I may ask, where are you headed?"

"Um..." she hesitated but in the end decided to state it, "I'm going to Canterlot Magic Academy."

The teenager's eyes lit up. "Canterlot Magic?" She checked to see if that's what Twilight said. "Well, darling, you are in luck! I'm going there too!" She tugged on her pristine white shirt where a mint green badge was pinned on the left. It had the Academy's logo on it as well.

Twilight beamed. She gazed down at her own. It was the exact one except hers was pastel purple.

"So, you know where it is?"

"Yes! I've studied at the Middle School. I have an Uber with me right now! We can take it together!" The girl received a nod from Twilight.

After some luggage shoving in and calling after Spike, she and the girl got in their ride and were on their way.

"So!" The girl slapped her hands together on her lap. "I finally find someone new! You are new to the Academy, aren't you? I've never seen you around before, so..."

"Yes, I'm new. You are from Canterlot Magic Middle School, aren't you?"

She nodded.

"Anyway, that was so generous of you to let me come with you!"

Spike hopped onto Twi's lap, he pawed lightly at her skirt for a comfortable area and soon sat snuggly in the middle. Her hand smoothed through his back coat, her fingers then slid up to his ears.

"Oh, darling, it was nothing! So, was that your... brother you were speaking to on the phone?"

"It was!"

The girl put a hand to her chest and let a sigh out of relief. "I thought I was assuming there for a second! You can call him up and let him know that you're safe with a schoolmate. Worry not, I am completely trustworthy." Her heartwarming smile didn't give off any strange vibe, not even to Spike when he looked up. He had this way of poking her in her backhand when someone had a strange aura to him. Most of the time, he was right and Twi trusted him more than anything.

"Oh, sure! Excuse me."

It took several minutes but he was ultimately satisfied that his little sister was in good hands. Well, hopefully. He had a right to be possessive though, even if it bothered her to no end.

"Ah! Sorry about that, my brother is a little overprotective. We had this big conversation back home over boyfriends and romance and it escalated to sex and oh Lord!" Her hand gestures made the conversation funnier in a way.

She giggled, "it's quite alright. It's bad enough I'm like that with my little sister. It makes sense, no?"

Twilight shrugged and leaned back in her seat.

"I'm Rarity, by the way." The girl held her hand out.

She took it. "I'm Twilight Sparkle.

Word Count: 1972

Author's Note

okay, sooo, um, hi! I'll just say that this was written a very long time ago, so this might not be as great as how I write now but I tried to edit it as best as I can! and I've known the fandom for a long time and when it comes to Rarity, many might backlash with the way she talks about boys later on, let me just specify that this is my story and I'll do whatever I want, okay? XD that includes ships and sexual/romantic orientation.

anyway, we met Twi's family and we bumped into Rarity! how was this chapter? let me know! ❤ see you in a month (maybe!)