The Element of Hope

A week after the entrance exam, Twilight has helped Moonshine with studying magic. Twilight gave her a book filled with basic spell some unicorns learn before moving onto the more advanced spells. Moonshine understood about half of what she was reading and Twilight helped her understand the rest. Celestia gave assistance to the pair when she had time.

At first, Moonshine had some difficulty with teleporting so Twilight and Celestia had to teleport small inanimate objects like an apple, grape, banana and other fruit. “Remember, stay calm and think about where you want the Apple to go.” Twilight advised. Celestia was watching from the side.

Moonshine nodded and she lit up her horn and the apple. A small ball of white light shined from the tip of her horn and in an instant the apple disappeared and then reappeared near Celestia’s hooves. “Perfect!” Twilight exclaimed with joy.

“Well done, honey.” Celestia praised. Moonshine squealed with joy, “Yeah..!” Moonshine then tried to teleport the banana. Her horn lit up once more and the banana disappeared and then reappeared.... in Twilights book on teleportation. “What the-?!”

Celestia and Moonshine laughed.

The next day, it was time for Twilight and Moonshines’ first day at the School of Gofted Unicorns. Moonshine had met up with Twilight and she was walking with her family; her brother, a white uniform with a blue mane and tail and blue hooves, Shining Armor.

Her mother, Twilight Velet and her father, Night Light. Twilight had her Smarty Pants doll with her and she was excited for her first day. “Come on, were going to be late.” she called her to her family and Moonshine as she ran ahead.

“Twily, wait up!” Shining Armor called to her.

Moonshine and the Sparkle Family made it to the entrance to the School. There they saw Princess Celestia greeting the parents and other students. “Twilight Sparkle! Moonshine! How wonderful to see you both.”

Moonshine greeted her mother with a big confident child, “Hi Mom.” while Twilight was stammering, “Hello Princess-I mean your majesty-I mean-“ then Celestia leaned in closer to the two of them.

“I’m glad you’re both here. I have a special task for you both that I need to talk about.”

While the parents and student got situated outside, Celestia lead Twilight and Moonshine through one of the schools hallways. “A special task?” Twilight asked.

“What do you mean, Mom?” Moonshine added.

"Its something so important, so tricky, that I can only entrust them to my most promising students." Celestia stated as they stopped at a door and she opened it with her hoof, revealing a small room with some bookshelves on the side and a small crib.

"Twilight Speckle meet....your baby dragon.!" Twilight's eye bulged as she exclaimed, "B-B-BABY DRAGON?!"

"Yes, the dragon you hatched as part of your entrance exam." Celestia chuckled, knowing she would probably react that way. Celestia lead Twilight and Moonshine over to the crib where the little dragon was babbling and cooing at the sight of them.

"I've taken care of him ever eince... but now that you're here, I thought you should help."

"TAKE CARE OF HIM?!" Twilight gasped. "Y-Y-You mean-"

"Well even thought he's a dragon he's still a baby." Celestia stated. "He needs care, love and attention. He needs somepony to feed im, put him to bed, make sure he's doing all right..." Celestia sighed and then lowered her head to Twilight's and placed an arm over her, "...and I'm afraid I simply don't have the time. I need your help Twilight."

"But... I don't know anything about taking care of babies." Twilight stated.

"I can help you learn. You wont have to watch him all the time-just when I'm too busy." Celestia reassured with a calm smiled. "Beside you'll have my daughter here to support you, Twilight. I wouldn't ask you to do this if I don't think you could handle it. I have faith in you."

Twilight looked at the baby dragon with a concerned look. Moonshine came up to her side and placed an arm around her.

"Don't worry, I'll help you take care of him, Twilight... by the way..." Moonshine turned to her mother, "Mom, what's my task? You did say 'them' in the hallway."

Celestia smiled, "Your task, Moonshine is to take care of..." suddenly Moonshine heard two barks from behind her and Celestia stepped to the side and two brown balls of fluff tackled Moonshine's neck.

"Hey! Hahaha!" Moonshine laughed. Moonshine took the balls of fluff in her magic and saw that it was two puppies... two brown puppies with dark brown paws, bent ears that had dark brown tips and they had a white collars with rocks in it and a large white curly tails.

"Woah..." Twilight gasped. "I've never seen puppies like these before. What are they, Princess Celestia?"

"These puppies are known as Rockruff. They are known as Pokemon or Pocket Monsters. Rockruff are very pony friendly pokemon and they like to run around alot to train." Celestia explained.

"Ruff.” They barked.

“Where’d you get them mommy?” Moonshine asked, having never seen them before with her mother.

“They both hatched from eggs a few weeks ago and I have been caring for them.”

"Okay... and..." Moonshine urged, wanting to know more. Celestia continued, "And I want you to take care of them, Moonshine."

Moonshine looked at the two puppy pokemon who barked at her, wagging their tails before she looked at her mother surprised, "R-Really? A-Are you sure, I've never had a pet before, mom."

"I know you will do just fine, Moonshine. In fact..." Celestia went over to one of the bookshelves and pulled out a book with her magic, "Here..." Moonshine took the book in her hooves as the Rockruff pokemon sat on either side of her, "Rockruff..!"

The book was titled 'Puppy Care'.

"This book should give you an idea about how to care for them and you might find they have a few surprises in store for you.” Celestia smiled before she winked at them. "I have to get back to greeting the students. I'll leave you five to get acquainted." Celestia left the room while Moonshine and Twilight looked at their new pokemon and baby drgaon.

The Rockruff pokemon leaped onto Moonshines' chest and nuzzled her. "Hahaha, hey that hurts. Hahaha." Moonshine chuckled. The two Puppy pokemon backed off and wagged their tails, "Rockruff..."

"Boy, you two sure are full of energy." Moonshine grinned. The Rockruffs smiled at her. Meanwhile Twilight looked at the baby dragons as it cooed at her.

"I suppose.... this can't be too hard." Twilight said while the baby dragon babble. "He's only a baby dra-" Suddenly, the baby dragon yawned and breathed fire onto Twilights' face, covering it in soot and her head fell on the table.

"Umm... Twilight...?" Moonshine asked, poking Twilight with worry.

Later that day, Twilight was in the library and she was at the checkout area. The librarian was shocked to see how many books she wanted to check out. They were all on baby care but.... "You don't have books on raising dragons?"

"Sorry, nopony has ever written one about it." the librarian replied and Twilight groaned. She checked out the books anyway and she returned to her room. The baby dragon was in the crib babbling as she read one book on her bed, "Okay, your crib has been made, I've got your toys, your books, your blankets, you've been fed, and you've had you nap-"

Suddenly, Moonshine burst into the room, "Twilight, its' almost time for class, come on!" she exclaimed and Twilight looked at her hourglass.

"WAH!" Twilight fanatically gathered her books in her saddlebag and the baby dragons and the two friends rushed over to their first class if the day which was Professor Inkwells' class.

The class was just about to begin when the two came in and took their seats. "Phew.." Twilight sighed wiping sweat from her head, "Thanks Moonshine."

Moonshine nodded and Professor Inkwell was about to start class when... two brown blurs burst into the classroom.

"What in the-?" Inkwell exclaimed. Moonshine gasped, seeing her two Rockruffs running around the classroom!

”Rockruff?!” Moonshine exclaimed in shock.

When they spotted her, they came bonding over to her and they came to her side. "Rockruff...!" they cried happily wagging their tails.

"Princess Moonshine, what is the meaning of this?!" Inkwell exclaimed, not pleased by the two puppies at all.

"Sorry, Professor." Moonshine apologized, "They must have broke out of my room."

"Well keep them under control." Inkwell stated. "The class is no place for foolery." Moonshine nodded at the Professor and looked at her two Rockruff, who gave her confused looks. Then Twilights' baby dragon started to cry and wail. The two best friends sighed.

During the first week of school, Twilight and Moonshine has their difficulties with the baby dragon and Rockruffs. For Twilight, the baby dragon kept crying all night long that it prevented her from sleeping at all, making her late for class and making her fall asleep during Professor Inkwell's class, much to her dismay. Whenever, Twilight tried to study in the library, the baby dragon would cry and wail and the librarian was forced to make Twilight and the baby dragon leave.

For Moonshine, the Rockruffs weren't as demanding as the baby dragon but they still required attention. In the library, after Twilight was forced to leave, the librarian heard two small barks and looked down and saw the Rockruffs smiling at her, wagging their tails, "Rockruff..!"

The librarian blinked before Moonshine came along and ushered them away, "Sorry ma'am, hehe.." she said sheepishly.

In her room, using the book her mother gave her, Moonshine learned that the two were fast learners, "Okay... sit." she ordered and the Rockruffs sat down. "Now... roll over.." the Rockruffs rolled over happily. "Now... jump up."

The Rockruffs barked and leaped into the air..... and suddenly launched rocks at Moonshine, "WAH!" she dodged the rocks which made a small explosion in her room.

"Cough cough... that was new...and definitely not in the book." Suddenly, another book popped in front of her, "What's this?" Moonshine took the book in her magic and read the title, "Pokemon Handbook: Everything you need to know about Pokemon." the book had a small note from he mother too.

I figured you'd might want this book as well, honey. Good luck
Mom

"Hmmm..." Moonshine opened the book and tuned to the page that had Rockuffs on it. "Rockruff, the Puppy Pokemon. A Rock Type. Rockruff have lived with ponies since ancient times. They trained themselves by running around."

"Oh... so that's why you two run around so much." Moonshine realized. "Now... what about the rocks...?" She skimmed through the moves that Rockruff could learn and she found, "Rock Throw. This move launched rocks at its opponents."

"Hm... interesting..." Moonshine thought. The Rockruffs barked happily, wagging their tails. "Guess you two are full of surprises." Moonshine grinned. The Rockruff then tackled her and rubbed their rock collars against her, "Hey that hurts, stop! Hahahah!" she laughed.

After that, Moonshine went to check in on Twilight, she stopped at her door which was cracked open a bit and she heard her talking, "Princess Celestia gave me this assignment because she has faith in me but... I don't have faith in me. I'm not sure I can handle everything. I want to show the Princess what I can do... but I don't know if I can do it!" Moonshine winced, hearing how stressed Twilight was because of the assignment. "Anyway, thanks for listening to me." Twilight added before she hugged her Smarty Pants doll, "You're a good friend, Smarty Pants." she then leaped off of the bed and opened the door and saw Moonshine, "OH! Moonshine... how long have you been... standing there...?" Twilight stammered.

"Long enough... I know this isn't as easy as we both thought but mom trust us to take care of the dragon and Rockruff. She trust you, Twilight and so do I." Moonshine reassured.

Twilight sighed, hoping her friend was right.

As the semester went on, Twilight was extremely stressed and it began to show vividly. She was starting to fall behind in all her classes, especially Professor Inkwells. In Professor Inkwells' class, Twilight had to try and teleport a flower. Her mane was messy and she had bags under her eyes, showing how tied she was. She grunted as she tried to perform the spell, but she just couldn't. Inkwell came up to her and placed a hoof on her shoulder.

“That's enough Miss Sparkle. You can return to your seat now."

Twilight nodded and she returned to her seat, feeling ashamed. When the class was over, the students began to leave but, "Miss Sparkle, can I speak with you for a minute?" Inkwell called. Twilight stopped and she tuned to her teacher. Moonshine noticed this and came to her friends side,

"Y-Y-Yes Professor Inkwell?"

"Miss Sparkle. Twilight. The Princess recommended you highly and you have obvious magical talent, but... well you're not living up to your potential." Twilight lowered her head in shame. "Now I'm willing to let some things slide, but I can only help you as a teacher. And it seems like what you need... is a friend.."

Moonshine placed a hoof on Twilight's shoulder, "Don't worry, Professor. She has one..."

Twilight dismissed this and exited the class with her head down, "Thank you Professor Inkwell. I'll be fine. I just need to rest that's all." Moonshine and Inkwell watched as she left.

“Keeping looking after her Princess.”

“I will.” Moonshine promised and she exited the classroom. She caught up with Twilight. “Hey Twilight...” Moonshine said.

“Hi...” Twilight replied in a dejected voice.

“Do you want any help to take care of the baby dragon?” Moonshine offered.

“No no no, I couldn’t ask you to do that, Moonshine.” Twilight immediately responded.

“But Twilight...”

“I can... handle it..” Twilight quickly trotted way, leaving Moonshine worried.

After another week, Twilight, her family and Moonshine attending the annual Royal High Tea, a small party in the castle where students and parents can chat with each other and meet their students teachers. Twilight was wearing a simple pink dress and her mane and tail were neatly combed with flowers in them.

Moonshine wore and purple and pink dress with white fur in the ends. The ponies gasped in awe at her, being that she was Princess Celestia’s daughter. Her mane and tail were neatly braided as well. Twilight and Moonshine both had the baby dragon and Rockruff with them. Night Light and Twlight Velvet were exited.

"Oh I can't wait to meet your teachers, Twylie." Twilight Velet stated.

Twilight laughed nervously, "Ha ha... yes..! My teachers. I'm sure they'll... love to meet you."

"And the Princess. I can't wait to talk to her." Night Light added with a smile. Twilight gave a big smile while sweating nervously.

"Well, um.. I think she's going to be very busy," Twilight replied nervously, unaware that the baby dragon was unzipping the sack she was carrying in him.

"Um... Twilight." Moonshine called but Twilight didn't listen and continued, "So you might not have time to talk to her.." then the baby dragon jumped out of the sack, "Bah!" but Twilight caught him in her magic. "Woop!"

"No, no, bad dragon." Twilight scolded. "I need to keep an eye on you today, baby dragon." The baby dragon gave her a bored look as Twilight placed him back into the sack and zipped it up again.

Moonshine and her Rockruffs looked at each other, "This won't end well."

Then Princess Celestia came up to the family, "Welcome Miss Twilight Velvet and Mister Night Light. How lovely to see you both! And its always a pleasure to see you Twilight and Moonshine, honey."

"I'm glad we could be here, Princess." Twilight Velvet replied with a smile.

"If you two will head to the parents room, I'll join your shortly. Feel free to mingle with the other parents and teachers." Princess Celestia advised. Twilight's parents nodded and headed into the parents' room while Princess Celestia spoke with Twilight and Moonshine,

"Twilight, Moonshine why don't you two head to the students room? Spend time with some of your friends."

Moonshine nodded while Twilight was very nervous, "Uh... yes.. My friends! Of which I have many! Many Many friends!" she cried out, earning a facehoof from Moonshine. "I'll take her there, mom." Moonshine then pushed the freaked Twilight into the students room, but before they could go in.

"On second thought, would you two like to go into the parents' room? I’m sure everypony would love to meet you baby dragon and Rockruffs."

"Okay mom." Moonshine agreed and Twilight just gave a frantic nod. Soon the three entered the parents room and found all the students parents talking with their teachers. Twilight Velvet and Night Light were at a sepreate table.

"Twilight, Moonshine.." Twilight Velvet called and the two came over with Princess Celestia. The three of them sat down. "So Twilight, Why don't you tell us about you classes. Your letters have been a little... short."

"Um... they're... good..." Twilight stammered nervously.

"Can you be more... specific?" Night Light asked as Twilight Velvet sipped some tea. "Well... History of Magic with Professor Abra is very.. interesting.." as Twilight talked she didn't notice the baby dragon unzipping the sack again! "I really like Magic Theory and Equestrian Politics, and we're just starting a new unit in Griffion Literature." Moonshine's two Rockruffs saw the baby dragon crawling away and they gasped and quickly rushed after him. "We started reading the Element of Magic by Galaxy- Oh! and we're studying basic magic transmutation and transformation in Professor Inkwell's class... except I'm still having trouble with her basic spells."

The baby dragon went to a table cloth and started pulling on it, much to the Rockruffs horror!

"Actaully I have to retake her test next week. I've just been so stressed taking care of the dragon, I haven't had time to study!" Twilight continued on, earning worried looks from her parents and the Princess. Moonshine, on the other hand, just sighed and facehooved. She saw this coming from a far.

"And I'm so worried about not studying that I can't take care of the dragon. And then I couldn't levitate the flowerpot even thought I know how to do levitation and I just know I'm going to fail the transformation exam next week and I haven't even started studying for my history of magic test-" Suddenly, there was a cloud crash and everypony turned and saw a table cloth on the floor, two Rockruffs to the side and baby dragon covered in food. "WEH!"

"AAAGGGGH!" Twilight suddenly screamed before she grabbed the baby dragon in her magic and ran away. "Twilight, wait!" Moonshine called but Twilight already too far away.

"Oh dear... I had no idea she was under so much stress." Twilight Velvet said with worry.

"I tried to helped her with the baby dragon as well as my Rockruffs but she kept refusing, saying she could do it herself." Moonshine explained.

Night Light sighed, "Independent behavior, just like her brother."

Celestia leaned down to Moonshine, "You better go and check on her."

"Of course, mom." Moonshine said. "Come on, Rockruffs."

"Rockruff.!" Her rockruffs followed her as they made their way to Twilight's room where they entered and found her yelling at the baby dragon which was cuddled against a blanket.

L”I can't believe you did that! You- You caused all that mess! And annoyed the Princess! And you make me look like-" Twilight started to shed some tears, "Like a bad caretaker! A bad student! And a bad daughter! I've had it with you- you nunsicne -snf-You're stupid and you can't behvae and you can't help me!" Moonshine and her Rockruffs looked at each other worry.

"Why can’t-Why can't you be like Smarty Pants!" Twilight then burst into tears and put her head down on the bed and started sobbing. Moonshine's Rockruffs whimpered and came over to her and nuzzled the sobbing purple unicorn as Moonshine came to her side and comforted her.

Then...

"Ike... Smuh-puh.!"

Twilight looked up at the baby dragon, "D-Did- Did you just say something..?" she asked, having never heard a word from the baby ever since she started taking care of him. "Smuh Puh! 'ike. Smuh pah!" the baby said again.

"You... you're talking! You're trying to saying 'Like Smarty Pants', aren't you?" Twilight asked.

"'ike Smuh-Puh.." the dragon said again and then Twilight realized, "You... You're not like Smarty Pants...You're not a doll. You're not a nunsicne. I thought Princess Celestia was trying to give me a responcibility but... she was trying to give me a friend, wasn't she?"

"I suppose you can't keep calling him 'dragon' forever. He needs a proper name." Moonshine suggested.

The baby dragon babbled again and said, "Suh Pah ike. Suh Puh."

"Hehee. No I can't call you Smarty Pants. That's Smarty Pants' name."

Then the baby dragon said. "ike

"Suh Pah ike..." Twilight repeated. "That kinda sounds like..." then Twilight Velvet and Night Light came into the room, "Mom, Dad."

"Are you alright, dear. You ran out of the tea party, quite upset." Twilight Velvet said with a worried look.

"Look I'm sorry about running out so suddenly, but-but something really important happened." Twilight showed her parents the baby dragon. "I want you to meet somepony. Meet Spike...."

Twilight Velvet cooed at the baby dragon. "He's adorable... when he's not covered in food." Twilight and Moonshine laughed.

Moonshine's Rockruffs barked happily, wagging their tails.

"And who are these two puppies?"

"They are my Rockruffs." Moonshine smiled with pride.

"Do you wanna go back, Twilight?" Twilight Velvet asked.

Twilight nodded, "I want everypony to meet Spike." and so the Sparkle Family and Moonshine and her Rockruffs headed back to the party with a new member in tow.