Vinyl and Octavia are at their house, baking cookies in the kitchen. Rainbow Dash walks towards their house and smells something.

“Do I smell cookies.” Dash said to herself as she burst open the door and walked towards the kitchen where the two mares were baking. “Hey guys, think fast.” She said she throws a basketball towards them.

Vinyl and Octavia dodge the basketball while Dash grabs a cookie when they were not looking. Then, the ball bounces off the fridge and aims at Vinyl and Octavia as they dodge again.

“Rainbow Dash!” Exclaimed Vinyl.

“That’s okay, we needed a taste tester. I'm worried the bottoms are soggy.” Said Octavia with concern.

“Nope, nice crunch. What are they for?” Asked Dash with the Cookie in her mouth.

“Tavi and I have University orientation tomorrow.” Said Vinyl.

Rainbow spits the cookie crumbs on the duos faces. “You guys are coming to University?” She Exclaimed in shock.

Octavia wipes the crumbs off her face before answering. “Yeah, we got assigned a buddy who's gonna take us around, and show us what the next couple years of our lives would be like.” Octavia explained.

“And we wanna make a good impression, so we're coming prepared.” Said Vinyl as she Pulls out a picture then moves her hooves as if she had sprinkles. “Designed these ourselves.” She said Giving Dash the card.

Dash grabs the picture and reads it. “Vintavia Scralody-Musicians of Ponyville.” She looks back at Vinyl and Octavia. “Cookies and business cards? That's your plan?” She asks with an eyebrow raised.

“I'm also planning to use word association, to learn everyone's names.” Said Vinyl as she moves hooves by the opposite directions. “Like Dash; moves like a flash.”

“Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, wait a minute, time out. This stuff might fly in High School, okay? But University is different. It's the jungle. If you walk in their looking like a couple of weak chumps, you'll get eaten alive.” Said Dash Dramatically.

“Eaten alive?” Said The pair looking at each other with horror in their eyes.

“Does that mean we should reconsider wearing matching turtlenecks?” Octavia asked.

Rainbow Dash Groans and calls up the principal. “Don't worry, RD’s got your back. Ahem, yo, Principal? Rainbow Dash. Hey listen, who can I talk to about becoming an orientation buddy?” She said as she Winks at Vinyl and Octavia.

“Psst, don't throw out those business cards, they might still work for our future jobs.” Said Octavia whispering to Vinyl.

********

Everypony is walking towards Canterlot University, as they began to admire its beauty. Vinyl and Octavia locked arms around their shoulders as they looked impressed.

“Vinyl, check out those columns! You think they're real marble?” Asked Octavia.

“Probably, this place is so much bigger than our school. Good thing they gave us maps.” Said Vinyl as she and Octavia pull out maps from their backpacks and look at them.

Rainbow Dash is seen behind an older student and notices the two mares. She runs up to them and tosses their maps away.

“Guys, guys, guys, ditch the maps! First rule of survival: Don't act like a total noob.” Dash instructed.

“But, we are noobs.” Octavia corrected.

“Yeah, When some upperclassmen realizes that, you'll be a prime target for pranks!” Exclaimed Dash before looking back to see if anyone hears what she's gonna say. “Like the mare who asked an older mare for directions on the first day of University." Said Dash mysteriously.

Vinyl and Octavia grow shocked to hear that. Flashback to that time.

“That poor fool got sent on a wild goose chase on the tunnels in school, then she didn't make it out until the day was over.” Rainbow Dash narrated.

Vinyl and Octavia gasps and writes down the rule. “Don't... be... noobs.” They wrote.

********

Later, the bell rings as students went to their classes.

“Okay, Class Time. There's no assigned seats, so it's time for rule number two: Don't get stuck with a crummy desk.” Said Dash calmly before losing her patience. “MOVE OUT!” She yelled as Vinyl and Octavia flee in panic.

Octavia walks to a desk where at the same time, a girl with pigtails approaches the same one.

“Oh, sorry, please, it's all yours. I'd pull out the chair for you, but it's attached.” Said Octavia kindly.

Rainbow Dash facehoofs at this. “Wrong.” She runs up to where Octavia and the girl are standing. “Hey! Back off, pigtail. My buddy saw this first!” She yelled as she takes the desk, and places it near Octavia and Vinyl. “Huaghh! Boom! Dominant! Nobody's messing with that. Ha!”

“Uh, wasn't that a little aggressive?” Octavia asked.

“Mmm... not if you don't wanna end up with the mare who got stuck with the worst desk in the room.” Said Dash annoyed.

Vinyl and Octavia grow shocked again. Flashback to that time.

“This one kid thought she had the perfect desk, but ended up getting stuck in it so tight, that they had to call the school cook.” Dash Narrated.

“Sorry, kid. We're gonna have to grease you out. Got any nut allergies?” Said the School cook, laughing evilly.

Flashback ends.

“Don't get stuck with crummy desks…” The two mares wrote down.

********

The three mares are now at a science lab.

“Okay, next is Bio. Suit up!” Said Dash throwing lab coats at Vinyl & Octavia.

“Cool, I've always wanted to wear a lab coat!” Said Vinyl wearing her lab coat.

“Welcome, 12th Graders, we are continuing with live mealworms today. So everyone grab a case from the back of the class.” The University teacher instructed.

Vinyl grabs a case and runs into Octavia. All the worms fell out and went on the fan and onto the students. They all try to get them off screaming. “Sorry guys, that was my fault. I was oddly making business-” Vinyl said, Blushing before Dash pushes her behind the counter. “Dash, what the heck?” She yelled.

“Rule Number Three: never own up to making a mistake.” Said Rainbow.

“But I spilled the worms!” Said the DJ still looking mad.

“So!? Do you wanna be like the student who- wait, hang on. Octavia needs to hear this too.” Said the Pegasus as she grabs Octavia. “Do you wanna be like the student who owned up to stepping on a Whoopee Cushion during a standardized test?”

Vinyl and Octavia grow shocked once again. Flashback to that time.

Flashbacks to a hooded going to her university room in humiliation.

“Hey look, it’s Whoopee McCushion.” Said a bully.

Flashbacks.

“Own up to nothing.” The two mares wrote down.

********

Later at lunch at the cafeteria, Rainbow Dash gives double meatball subs with extra sriracha to Vinyl and Octavia as they are growling.

“I love that angry body language!” Dash giggled as she set down the food. “Here you go, double meatball subs with extra sriracha.”

“Thanks, I'm normally not a hot sauce kind of pony, but after this morning, I'm feeling dangerous.” Said Octavia confidently as she and Vinyl take a bite of their sandwiches.

“Great, so my rules are sinking in?” Asked Dash.

“Yeah, some dude just came over to ask if she can borrow a chair, and guess what Octavia said.” Said Vinyl ponting at Her marefriend.

“I don't think so, mate!” Exclaimed Octavia pretending to be mad as she slams the table with her hooves.

“Boom, Melody for the win!” Said The Pegasus giving Octavia a hoof bump.

“So, what are we doing after lunch?” Asked Vinyl.

“Oh, actually, we orientation buddies are supposed to let you guys fly solo for the rest of the day. See how you do on your own.” Said Dash confidently.

“Really?” Said Vinyl nervously looking at Octavia

“Already?” Said Octavia nervously looking back at Vinyl.

“Don't worry, you guys totally got this. Now hooves in!" Said Rainbow as the three put their hooves together. “Three, two, one…”

“DOMINATE!” Cried the three mares happily.

“Wow, Octavia, your hooves are so soft.” Said Dash realizing that she put her hoof on Octavia’s hoof.

“Oh, thank you.” Said Octavia thinking that it was a compliment.

“We'll work on that.” Said Dash walking away stating that it wasn’t a compliment.

Vinyl and Octavia stare at each other In confusion.

********

Later, Vinyl and Octavia are in the hallway.

“First class of the afternoon: The Wonders of Watercolors.” Vinyl said

“To the art department!” Cried Octavia before the two mares are about to head off, but they realize they have no idea where the art department is. “Uh, which way is that again?” She asked scratching her head.

Vinyl opens her backpack and pulls out the map. “Maybe if we just take a quick peek at the map.”

Octavia saw what Vinyl is doing and snatching the map away from her. “No! Dash’s first rule, remember? Don't look like a noob.” Octavia recapped.

“Right.” Vinyl remembered.

This time, they head off when suddenly, the bell rings. The two mares gasp and all the classroom doors close.

“Oh no! We're gonna be tardy!” Said Octavia holding Vinyl.

A random college student walks by them and realizes that they have nowhere to go.

“Hey, you guys lost?” He asked.

Octavia glares and marches up to him. “Nice try, bucko, but we're not falling for one of your upperclassmen pranks!” She exclaimed as she and Vinyl walk off while the student walks away, confused. She takes a breather.

“Way to dominate, Tavi, 'bucko' was a nice touch.” Said Vinyl putter her hoof around the Cellist

“Thanks. I was watching a cop show last night.” Said The gray mare as Vinyl is mixed up by it.

Later, the two walk down a corridor decorated with art projects.

“This looks like the art department. Maybe this is the watercolor room.” Said Vinyl as she opens the door, which is actually the film development lab, and everyone inside starts yelling at them. “Heh, heh, is this The Wonders of Watercolors?” The DJ asked nervously.

“No, this is Fun with Photography and you two just ruined a whole month's work! I'll see you jerks after school, meet me on blacktop at 3:00.” Said the photography mare before she shuts the door.

“You think she's inviting us to play a game of tetherball?” Octavia asked nervously to Vinyl.

The photographer mare opens the door. “No, that's where we fight.” She growled as she shuts the door again.

The two mares glanced at each other as they get scared and gulp.

********

The duo go back in the middle of the hallway as they approach a classroom.

“Okay, so we ticked off one photo student, but I'm sure we can smooth everything over after school.” Said Vinyl calmly.

“I'm already writing an apology letter in my head.” Said Octavia looking guilty.

“Come on, let's grab a seat.” Said Vinyl as she drags Octavia inside the classroom.

“Remember rule number two!” Octavia reminded Vinyl.

The two mares find two empty desks as they sit down on them.

“These look nice and sturdy.” Vinyl commented.

“Plus, we can make great eye contact with the teacher from here.” Octavia agreed.

They look confident. Just then, two students approach them. Revealing one of the Young 6, Gallus and Silverstream.

“Oh, hey, guys, those are actually our seats.” Said Gallus.

Octavia shoots a confident look at Vinyl and clears her throat. “We saw them first, bud.”

The two griffins look at each other confused before one of them could respond.

“Um, okay, well, seats are assigned and those are legitimately ours.” Said Silverstream.

“Pssh, a likely story.” Said Vinyl not believing them.

The bell rings and Gallus and Silverstream get nervous.

“C’mon guys!” Exclaimed Gallus.

Just then a teacher named Buried Lede approaches them.

“Gallus! Silverstream! what are you doing out of your seats? I expect every student to be ready to work when the bell rings. You two just earned zeroes for participation.” The teacher said sternly as the two griffins gasp.

Silverstream approaches Vinyl and Octavia angrily. “Meet us on the blacktop at 3:00.” She said sternly before leaving.

Vinyl and Octavia exchanged scared looks again.

********

Later in the gym, some students grab basketballs from the rack that Vinyl and Octavia are hiding behind

“How can we have so many enemies? We don't even go here yet.” Said Octavia whispering to Vinyl.

“Relax, this is our last class of the day, let's just keep a low profile and try not to make anyone else hate us.” Vinyl said.

“Got it.” Octavia agreed.

Just then, Ms. Peachbottom is Wheeling in a TV.

“Okay Everpony, I spent all morning buffing the dumb floor for the PTA banquet so no dodgeball today, you're watching a movie instead.” The Coach said.

The students are pleased with this. Octavia moves the basketball rack away.

“Perfect! There's no way we can mess this up.” Said the cellist grinning.

The duo over to join the group but they accidentally slip on the buffed floor, and knock over the volleyballs, making the shelf of gym carts crash onto Ms. Peachbottom and some of the students.

The coach resurfaces from the pile. “Who's responsible for this?!” She asked angrily.

“Remember rule number three: Never own up to making a mistake.” Whispered Octavia to Vinyl.

“Well, since no one's fessing to the messing, you can forget that movie. You're all cleaning up instead.” Said Ms. Peachbottom as she pushes the TV away.

The students groan. Vinyl and Octavia exchange nervous looks. Coach leaves to get the floor waxer, angrily muttering to herself.

The students start cleaning up and Octavia put her hoof around her marefriend.

“Don't feel bad Sweetie, if we admitted it was us, we'd be the next Whoopee McCushions.” Said Octavia.

All the other kids, having heard that, surround the embraced Vinyl and Octavia and start yelling at them.

“It was you two?! You're making us clean?!” Yelled a female student.

“You meet us on the blacktop at-” Said a male student before getting interrupted.

“Yeah, yeah, we know, on the blacktop, 3:00.” Said Vinyl deadpan, having heard all this before.

********

At seven-to-three, the bell rings. Rainbow Dash is packing her stuff and looks out the window, where she sees Vinyl and Octavia holding hooves together and four angry university students, all headed toward the blacktop.

“Uh-oh.” The Pegasus said worriedly as she quickly finishes packing, runs outside, and tackles Vinyl and Octavia behind the dumpster. “Guys! What's going on?”

“Well, it's a long story, but I'm pretty sure it ends with those kids kicking our butts.” Said Vinyl nervously as she points to the blacktop, where Silverstream draws a picture of her and Octavia, and Gallus eats it.

“What the heck happened?” Dash exclaimed.

“We tried following your rules, but they didn't think we're tough.” Vinyl explained.

“They just think we're jerks, and I'm not sure I disagree.” Said Octavia putting her head down.

“Yeah, so thanks for the great advice.” Said Vinyl sarcastically as she glares at Rainbow Dash.

“I'm sorry. I was just trying to spare you guys from what happened to me.” Said Dash looking very guilty.

“Huh?” Said Vinyl and Octavia dumbfounded.

“Yeah, my first year of University was a real horror story.” Said Dash.

Flashback to the hooded girl revealing to be Rainbow Dash and approaches two upperclassmen.

“Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the gym?” Asked the Pegasus.

The upperclassmen looks at his friend and smiles before responding. “Oh sure, it's real easy.” He said leading Rainbow to the stairs. “Just head down those stairs over there.” He laughs.

Flashback ends.

“So, that story you told us...was about you?” Asked Vinyl looking surprised.

“Yup. They were all me.” Said Rainbow sighing.

Flashback to Dash being stuck in that desk with the cook greasing her out, and the bullies calling her "Whoopee McCushion." and Dash hides in her room. End flashbacks.

“I finally figured out that if I acted tough, ponies would stop messing with me, and since it worked for me, I thought it could help protect you guys too.” Said Rainbow looking sad.

“Wow, I had no idea you went through all that.” Said Vinyl with concern.

“Me neither, and it was nice of you to try and help us, even though it's gonna lead to a lot of pain.” Said Octavia as she falls forward in fear.

“No it's not, because I'm gonna take the heat for you guys.” Said Dash as she’s about to leave.

“No, no, no!” Exclaimed Vinyl and Octavia who grab Dash and pull her back.

“We have to go, some of those kids might still be here next year, they're gonna think we're wimps who let other ponies fight our battles.” Said Vinyl bravely.

“Though when you think about it, would that really be so bad?” Said Octavia before Vinyl gives her an unamused look, thinking that she’s being a coward. “Okay, okay.” She said In defeat.

The pair come out from behind the dumpster and walk onto the blacktop with looks showing no fear. The angry University students squint at them, Vinyl and Octavia squint right back, Rainbow Dash watches from behind the basketball post, nervous. Gallus checks his watch, it beeps as the hour turns to three, Vinyl and Octavia look at each other, and charge at the University students, flailing and screaming, when Octavia steps on Vinyl’s tail and they fall to the ground. The University students blankly look at this, and Dash facepalms herself, groaning.

“I guess you guys don't have to beat us up because apparently we can do it ourselves.” Said Vinyl chuckling nervously.

The University students look at each other for a second before laughing.

“Ah, we weren't really gonna beat you guys up, we just wanted to make you sweat a little.” Said Silverstream realizing that they were pranking Vinyl and Octavia the whole time.

“Well, it worked. My face is sweating like crazy.” Said Vinyl wiping her forehead.

They laugh some more and Gallus picks up Octavia’s backpack.

“Here, kid, you dropped your-” Said Gallus before noticing something. “Hey, are these snickerdoodles?” He asked as he pulls out the cookies Vinyl and Octavia made earlier.

“Uh, yeah, homemade. Help yourselves.” Said Octavia as the University students each take a cookie and taste them.

“Wow, these are good. What are your names again?” Gallus asked.

“I'm Octavia Melody, and this is Vinyl Scratch.” Octavia introduced her and her marefriend.

“We're also known as Vintavia Scralody.” Said Vinyl as she pulls out the card.

The photography girl from earlier reads the card “Vintavia Scralody-Musicians of Ponyville.” She read. “Wow, these cards are so dorky, they're actually cool.” She commented.

“Hey, Dash. Do you know these two?” Asked Gallus grinning.

“Uh, yeah.” The Pegasus answered.

“I think they’re alright.” Said the griffin as he grabs the two mares and has them on his shoulders.

“Yeah, I guess they are after all.” Dash Agreed.

Author's Note

This does not mean that Vinyl and Octavia are done with high school, I’m planning for them to move to University when I make a season 5 in the future, but this is something that I wanted to do for a while.