Author's Note

The new chapter is out :)

The absence of acceptance

Princess Twilight with a soft smile appearing on her face, began to walk ahead with dragon companion on her side, as the griffon royal guard followed them right in the shadow behind.

Everyone in the corridor bowed as soon as the purple alicorn passed by, as if the princess herself was the most valuable relic in the world. Plague didn't know what to do as soon as he realized that he was the only one standing left, but after a short tug on the claw, he was also forced to have a direct contact with the shiny floor panels.

"Ouch" the young black serpent growled, after feeling the pressure of his muzzle on the floor. He didn't need to know who did that, it was because the answer was bowing next to him. "Why have you done that, ma'am?"

"I had to" the adult pink hippogriff whispered almost without hesitation. "Otherwise you would find yourself in a pathetic situation involving a princess"

Plague raised his eyebrow and hissed toward Professor Silverstream not understanding what she actually meant.

"Pathetic situation?" he asked, as the intrigued hiss escaped his lips. "I'm listening"

Silverstream sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Under normal circumstances Princess Twilight Sparkle loves foals and despite appearances each of them treats as her own" the adult pink hippogriff stated softly, as she saw his bored expression. "But, you're a snake don't ya?"

"Yes?" Plague nodded reluctantly. "But pardon, what does it have to do with me?"

The adult pink hippogriff let out a low and long sigh. Before she could say anything, Princess Twilight, who was already standing along with her purple dragon on the other side of the carpet, coughed to force them all to stand at attention.

"Nevermind" Silverstream replied with a nervous grin visibly hiding something underneath. "The princess of friendship is just starting her speech"

Plague and Silverstream at the request of purple alicorn slowly stood on their limbs, though other creatures had risen a few seconds earlier. They both glanced at the royal who coughed several more times in progress, hoping that the students will stop talking to each other for a while.

A grave silence appeared, leaving the Princess of Friendship without doubts and letting her know that it was a good moment for her preface.

"Thank you, thank you!" the purple alicorn smiled, waving at everypony, who was in the room. "It is an honor for me that you have all gathered here!"

Twilight gazed at Spike handing her a piece of paper, which she covered and raised it with her magic. After running her eyes across the text several times, she continued.

"I also have the honor to welcome and meet each of the students who had a chance to appear and start learning at my school! The student has a duty to learn what the meaning of each element of harmony is about!"

Elements of harmony? Plague flinched at the mention of it. Sounds interesting...

"Each of the elements, Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Loyality and the most important one, Magic!" The Princess of Friendship stated with appearing solemnity. "... are all the qualities that a true friend should have and wisdom that will give you the best tips on how to proceed and deal with life"

Princess Twilight's expression didn't regret another warm smile.

"Although all these elements are hidden away from us in safest place, their representatives are still together!" The princess exchanged glances with her old friends who stood right next to her and Starlight. "Because friendship will be always around us!"

Alicorn's eyes focused back on the guests.

"That would be all I have to say!" she said before letting out a slight chuckle, hearing applause echoing through the corridor. "Let the students form a group, and I, together with Headmare Starlight, will assess whether you are suitable for studying at our school or not. While the teachers should gather in the staff room to discuss some matters"

Most of the adults along with Spike left the groups and went out into the corridor, while the youngest ones stood in a queue towards the princess and the new headmare of the school.

"Well" the adult pink hippogriff smirked, as she pushed Plague to the group. "Now it's your turn to change something, kiddo"

The young black snake groaned with frustration, approaching the queue on the far end and keep up with other's pace, though he had difficulty with it, the reason being his long tail, who often fell victim to stepping on it. With every approach and feel of pain from his tail, he heard purple alicorn's voice, mostly compliments.

"You're so cute and gentle filly!", even "You will be a good stallion!" or just "Accepted!"

After spending half an hour in a long line, finally it was his turn to present himself.

When Plague approached, he spotted that The Princess of Friendship was reading boringly the newspaper, repeating "accepted" under her breath and without even looking who was standing in front of her, while the unicorn looked with interest at the little snake, when she just noticed him.

"Hm, interesting" Starlight stepped closer to the young black serpent, seeing a bit of potential in him. "I never thought I'd ever see a snake in our school"

The mare made a big mistake saying this.

Princess Twilight, hearing one specific word paled like snow, slowly taking the newspaper out of sight. However, she jumped when she saw Plague being uncomfortably close to her hooves.

"SNAKE!" the purple alicorn quickly backed away and began to heavily breathe. "What a snake does at my school"

"Well, more sea serpent-viper hybrid specifically" Plague rolled his eyes with a smile, but that explanation didn't calm the grown purple pony.

"Throw it away from me!" the purple mare yelled louder, as she hyperventilated. "Guards, guards!"

After those words, two stallions in golden armor appeared next to their ruler.

"Princess Sparkle" Starlight tried to convince her former teacher with a sweet talk. "Don't treat him too harshly, that's still a little child"

"SNAKE IS SNAKE! NONE OF THEM IS DIFFERENT!" Twilight shouted in reply, before turning the head to her guards. "Throw this little devil out of here!"

The two ponies came up to the terrified little boy, who at the sight of them with fear in his eyes, tried to step back. However, both of them managed to grab him by the shoulders.

Plague writhed and screamed, as his eyes filled with tears and panic at once. Through the hazy vision, he could see how Princess Twilight glares at him with a smirk.

When the door slowly opened, the young black serpent with a final kick from the royal guards landed in the river on which the school was built.