I was a bit uncomfortable as I sat next to Brightstar in class, aware of what she was not. There was something very strange about them simply not remembering. Was this a natural effect of the hypnosis? Or did they take what Pathfinder said to heart? And if so, does that mean other ponies can tell them what to do? I’d have to be more careful in the future.

I turned my attention back to the board as Ms. Marigold went over adding and subtracting digit-digit numbers. It really wasn’t that hard after being given a few examples. I could probably even upscale to three-digit numbers if I wanted. Is everyone just slow? Or am I fast? Considering I wasn’t even two weeks old and everyone here has been alive for years, I think I’m fast. Who knows how smart I’ll be when I’m an adult.

“Now then, keeping in mind what happens when you add 9 to another number, what is 9+13?” Ms. Marigold looked around the room, “High Cloud?” She pointed at the filly in question who was raising her hoof.

“Well...when you add 9 to something it makes it 10...and the number you added it to but one lower...32?” She looked a bit unsure of her answer.

“Close, it’s actually 22,” High Cloud wilted a bit, “Don’t worry, we’ve all made mistakes like that. Even I have,” she smiled gently at the foal, who perked up a bit.

“Really? But you’re so smart!”

“Well I was a filly too, you know, and I had to learn just like all of you,” She looked around at the rest of the class, “You’ll all learn, just like I did,” She looked back at High Cloud, “You especially. I’m sure you’ll be the smartest one in the class.”

Pfft, yeah right. That title belongs to me. I’m going to be the one on top. I’m the queen of the world! I smiled deviously to myself, before putting on a cool face again, but not yet. I need to use my powersresponsiblyinstead of just attempting to enslave the class. I remembered what Pathfinder had told me. If I was responsible, I’d get my cookies back.

...Why didn’t I just- I smacked my head, what’s he gonna do when I’m in total control? Stupid, stupid! As I smacked my head a few more times Brightstar leaned over to me.

“You alright?” that snapped me out of it.

“Yeah, yeah...sorry. Don’t worry, I’m fine. Just feel a bit dumb.”

“What did you get?”

“Uhhh...26,” I lied. Better that she thinks I’m stupid than knows what I did to her. In hindsight, I could have just left it at ‘don't worry.’

“Well, you’ll get the hang of it. I’ve seen you do really well before, but people mess up occasionally,” she reassured. I could feel her care, even taste it a bit. It tasted nice, though it wouldn’t do much to actually feed me. I nod to her and give thanks before turning my attention back to Ms. Marigold.

Class continued as normal for the rest of the day until recess came around. I’d been enjoying myself on the swings, going back and forth, back and forth, when one side simply stopped swinging. My eyes went wide as I was ejected off of the swing, my muzzle being buried in the ground. This was followed by laughing. Turning around, I see two colts laughing hysterically, one holding the chain of the swing.

“Awww, her horn didn’t get stuck in the ground,” the one holding the chain teased. He had a tan coat and a yellow mane accompanied by an image of a hammer hitting a nail on his flank. He was being flanked by another colt, this one gray and sporting a carrot for a mark. I saw these images though never quite understood them. I should ask Pathfinder at some point.

“Well perhaps you could hit it in yourself,” The gray one teased, smirking evilly.

“Oh, gladly,” The tan one began to approach as I got to my hooves. Before I could say anything, a white shape was between us.

“You two leave her alone!” Brightstar had come to defend me.

“Oh, is she gonna tell on us? ‘Two pony do thing Mesmer,’” He mocked my limited speech, at least as limited as I keep it for subtlety. I would not stand for this insult.

“I can speak just fine, thank you very much!” I stopped pretending that I was barely capable of speech, “You two should get out of here before something ends up happening.” I could see and feel the surprise at seeing me speak with fluency.

“Alright, I don’t know where that came from, but you’re still going in the dirt,” He continued towards Brightstar and me, more determined. Brightstar herself entered a defensive stance and the two ponies stood with some space between them. The entire schoolyard went quiet, watching the two have their staredown in perfect silence.

“Get her, Hammerhead!” The gray one yelled, and the tan pony, Hammerhead, leaped into action, charging at Brightstar, who swiftly flew out of reach. He huffed and his eyes moved from her to me, a new bullrush started. My eyes widened as I tried to move, but was tackled to the ground out of the way by none other than Light Stem, Brightstar diving onto Hammerhead. I smiled at her.

“Thanks for that,” I say to the white unicorn.

“Don’t mention it. He’s a big troublemaker. I was in your position once just because of my name and disposition, as was Night Stem. He and Jackrabbit will find just about any reason to try and mess up someone’s day.” I looked back over at the fight, seeing Brightstar running circles around Hammerhead. Brute strength clearly won’t do against a pegasus.

“Does she...?”

“Brightstar is the protector. I wouldn’t be surprised if her cutie mark was a shield or something.”

“Cutie...Mark?” I asked, and Light Stem’s face turned to confusion.

“Uh, yeah?...her cutie mark,” she gestures to Jackrabbit, who was just watching and munching on a carrot just like the one on his flank, “like his.” I stared in confusion before realizing what she was referring to.

“Oooooooh, okay. Sorry, just a bit out of it, still trying to get my head together,” I hoped this would cover up my lack of common knowledge. Before she could respond, the bell rang. Recess was over. Ms. Marigold came outside and gestured everyone back inside.

“Come on class, back inside,” She looked around as she spoke and proceeded to sigh upon seeing Brightstar and Hammerhead, knowing exactly what happened. “Hammerhead, Brightstar, I want to see you two after class,” She said. Brightstar sighed and began on her way over. When Ms. Marigold turned away, Hammerhead smacked her on the back of the head. Another sigh could be heard from Ms. Marigold as the orange mare brought the class inside again.

Author's Note

Sorry for the wait on this one, just needed some time to figure out what to do. I’m going to work to plan more of this out beforehand. I hope you enjoyed!