Astra woke up a little earlier than usual so that he could take his time getting ready. When he was done he tip shoved his way down the hall where his father was still asleep in his study.

Grabbing his school bag and tossing his jacket on, he walked out the door to the end of the walkway where his friends were waiting.

"Sup?" Shure asked as they began to walk.

"Nothing much, just tired." Astra replied, yawning afterwards.

"Tired? I started walking to your house at sunrise." Antithesis added.

"Whatever lets get going." Astra responded.

Three days into his new freedom Antithesis had figured out a route that allowed all three friends to walk together to school. Maybe it was the crisp morning air or just being with his friends, but Antithesis had a good feeling about today.

Only a block from the school the sound of thunder vibrated through the ponies. Leaving a downpour to fall onto them. The three made a mad dash for the nearest cover, a fire escape to an apartment building.

"Hold on I've been practicing this." Astra said as he shook off his wings then took off into the sky.

"Practicing for what?" Shure asked turning to Antithesis.

Antithesis shrugged saying "Don't know".

Two minutes later Astra returned with a thin spread of white cloud wide enough for the three of them. "What are you doing just standing there we're gonna be late." Astra said with a smug grin.

Stepping under the cloud Shure asked "When did you learn to do this?".

"Oh I've been saving it for a rainy day." Astra replied

Antithesis gave a laugh through his nose, but Shure wasn't amused. "Seriously." he asked.

"My dad has been showing me how to make and clear clouds. Since you know he's head of storms up at Weathering." Astra answered.

"Makes sense give you a leg up on the other pegasi." Antithesis added.

Reaching the entrance to the school Antithesis and shure stepped out and into the building. Astra turned around to buck the damp cloud out of existence but stopped short. He'd spotted a pony running towards the school.

Squinting his eyes he recognized the bright blue coat. Astra grabbed the cloud and raced to her grinning as he placed it above her. "We're even now." He said.

"Sounds good to me." the mare replied. As they got to the school she turned to Astra and said. "Thanks again for the.... cloud?".

"No problem, just doin what I can. I never caught your name by the way." he said with a faint blush.

"Oh, my name is, AAHH" she screamed as Astra pulled her into the air. "What are you doing?!" she shouted pulled away, dropping to the ground in time to watch the cloud she was under collapse into a huge puddle.

"We should go in now." Astra gestured as he walked towards the double door.

She laughed nervously, "Thanks, again." she said moving her wet yellow bangs from her eyes.

"Don't mention it." he said, trying to look cool by standing taller.

"Well see ya, got to head to my locker." she said, waving as she walked away.

Astra stood there for a minute watching her walk away then thought to himself "I DIDN'T GET HER FREAKIN NAME!!!". He was about to go and ask her but then the first period bell rang causing him to turn around and run.

Astra opened the door to the classroom and approached Lareow's desk "Sorry I'm late I wa-"

"Just take your seat and we can begin class." She interrupted in a softer tone, looking at his soaked bag around his neck.

After a few minutes Astra noticed the seat next to him was still empty. "Where'd she go?" he asked himself under his breath.

Saphi closed her locker with a bit of red in the face and headed to her class. She arrived looking through the glass pane on the door to see Astra soaked and speaking to the teacher then making his way to his seat. She backed away from the door , then flicked her wet mane out of her eyes
"Did I get him in trouble?" she asked herself aloud. "Ah jeez. I'll wait here for a few before going in.

Saphy entered the door with a nervous smile passing Lareow and sat in her seat. Lareow paused what she was saying and asked. "So you've decided to show up. hmm?"

"I was in the bathroom I think I had bad milk." she said getting a few laughs from her classmates.

"That's enough, let's continue. Has anypony heard of the Appaloosa territory?" Looking around the room Lareow. Nopony raised their hooves, she gave out a sigh and said. "The Appaloosa territory is a community bordering the southern Badlands, home to some of the most wild and savage creatures we know of."

"oooo, ooo" A pony squirmed with her hoof raised.

"Yes Fahrenheit," Lareow pointed to the red filly.

"Isn't that where the buffalo graze?" Fahrenheit asked.

"Correct, Appaloosa is the only known home of buffalo today."

She continued the lesson while Astra found himself glancing at Saphi throughout the day. Watching a the drops of rain would roll of her golden brown mane. Antithesis would occasionally nudge his friend when he began to stair.

Eventually lunch rolled around Astra walked with his friend to the door but was stopped by Lareow. "Go ahead he'll be right behind" she motioned for Antithesis to leave the room.

With Antithesis closing the door she turned to Astra with a grin he had never seen on her before. "Is this about being late I have a reason?" Astra asked

"Oh I know what you did and I'll be the first to say good job." she said as she put papers away into a folder. "She is a nice filly but don't forget that you're in school."

He did respond not knowing what she meant. "You can go then." she said.

"What did you do, this time" Antithesis asked sarcastically.

"I don't really know." Astra replied and he caught up.

"Maybe she caught you staring." Antithesis joked

"I wasn't staring, I was daydreaming." Astra defended.

Shure was waiting for them at their table cleaning his glasses. Saphi approached him with a nervous look and said. "Is this where Astra sits?"

Shure placed his glasses on his face then responded "Yeah, why did piss you off?"

"NO! uh I... nevermind. Don't tell him I was here." She stammered.

Walking back to her friends she received the same look from all of them. She sat down next to Fahrenheit with a red filling her cheeks.

"What's gotten under your fur" Fahrenheit asked. "Keep it up you'll look like me."

"It's nothing really" she said, turning her head down as she watched Astra and Antithesis walk into the lunch room.

Fahrenheit look followed her line of sight, "OH, MY, GOSH. nooooo'' she said with a sly smirk.

"It's not like that, stop it." Saphi replied.

"Ya ya I'm sure it's not" Fahrenheit said rolling her eyes, causing the other marees at the table to giggle.

Astra and Antithesis took their seat as shure looked at Astra up and down. "No, I don't see it."

"See what?" Antithesis asked looking over at Astra and passed him a table of mares peeking their heads their way. "hmmm, that's what."

"What are you talking about? Is there something in my mane." Astra asked.

"It's nothing," Antithesis and Shure said together.

"Anyways, three weeks left, what are you gonna do when summer starts." Shure asked

"You know me, I'll be helping my mom with the farm." Antithesis answered.

"Don't know yet, might look for a job, ya know start gettin bits." Astra answered.

"Not a bad idea" Shure said "But where are you thinking of working?"

Astra his head"Not sure but I'll eventually end up in Weathering. ha! Maybe I'll get to work in cloudsdale."

"Ya right you have to graduate before that." Antithesis said with a laugh.

"Equish is hard alright and I'm not failing" Astra replied

"Hey they just called us up for food, let's go." Shure interrupted.

After lunch there was a surprise assembly in the auditorium, the only place where the elementary, middle and highschool buildings connect. Upon entering Antithesis noticed a tan pegasus stallion on stage preparing note cards at a podium.

The stallion had waited until everypony was seated and was quiet before speaking. "Hello little ponies," he said as the lights faded. "Some of you may know me others may not. I am Mr. Clip the principal that oversees the Creston High."

He looked around then walked center stage. "Today I am here to talk about your transition into highschoolers. In three weeks summer will begin and with it another school year comes to a close. With today's assembly I am here to hopefully answer questions that you may have.

Mr Clip pulled down a white sheet from above the stage as a unicorn teacher projected an image of the school symbol two horseshoes touching on the curved side. "Coach come on up" Mr. Clip called."

A dark yellow Stallion came to the stage "How is everypony today?" he asked as he stood beside the principal. No answer came from the students. "Alright so I'm here to tell you about some changes to the way we'll be doing sports, now nothing crazy. just some new procedures. First of all you must be passing all your classes to remain in a sport or extracurricular." this got a boo from the crowd of middle schoolers.

The teachers silenced the boos allowing Coach to continue. “Second bullying will result in immediate removal from all sports for the year. And Finally we at Creston are proud to offer classic sports like Hoofball, Track and Field, and Zasketball. As of this year we have over 20 new sports and extracurriculars added to the list.". He motioned for the teachers to pass out some papers.

"Over 20, we'll have some options then" Astra said to Antithesis next to him.

"SHHH" some annoying pony said behind them.

"I know, wonder what they'll be." Antithesis replied.

"SHHHH" came again from behind them.

Antithesis turned to see who was being so annoying, only to find Shure who was giggling to himself. "What are doin" Antithesis asked.

"I was just messing with ya." Shure replied as he got passed papers from down the row.

"What's on it?" Astra asked.

Antithesis nudged Astra's arm to hand him a stack of papers to pass along.

"27,28,29. Twenty nine sports and clubs" Shure counted. "

After a few minutes Mr. Clip returned to the stage and began speaking. "One last thing before I dismiss you, Wednesday you will tour the highschool building during the school day. Thank you." The lights burst back on surprising most ponies, while teachers began collecting their students.

Upon returning to the classroom Lareow allowed the students to spend the last hour talking with each other, While she stepped outside to talk with another teacher.

"What are you looking at joining?" Astra asked turning around on his chair to look at Antithesis. "Hoofball right."

"Na I'm not a fan of hoofball, it's too dangerous for me." Antithesis replied

Astra shook his head side to side and blinked a few times. "Dangerous to the other team, look at you why wouldn't you?" he asked.

Other ponies in the class turned their attention to the corner of the room. "I mean you see some of those highschoolers, like HeavyHoof he can't play after this year and he'll have leg problems for life. I don't want that."

"I mean that's one example, plus you wouldn't get hurt you'd do the hurting." Astra replied.

"And what if I don't want to do the hurting!" Antithesis exclaimed. He looked around at the ponies in the class staring at him. "I was thinking about something like Track and Field."

"Well if you don't want to hurt any pony you should join the Self Defense club." Saphi interpreted as she walked over. "That's what I want to do at least."

"Hey that's not a bad idea" Astra commented, causing Saphi to turn her head with a blush. Asta picked up the list, scanning it, then slamming it on the desk. "Wrestling you could do that."

"I'll think about it." Antithesis said looking over his sheet of activities reading closely only to have his concentration broken by the final bell.

"Time to go then see you guys tomorrow." Saphi said, grabbing her still damp bag.

"Yeup see tomorrow Saphi" Antithesis replied.

Astra only offered a wave as he grabbed his bag. Walking out of the classroom Astra turned his head to Antithesis and asked "So her name is Saphi?"

"Yea, she responds to it." Antithesis said sarcastically letting it sink in then he stopped. "Wait, she sat next to you all year and you don't know her name?"

"So what, I don't need to know everypony." Astra defended.

"I bet you don't know any other pony in class." Antithesis said. "And not Fahrenheit because Laroew always calls her name." he said before Astra could reply.

Astra was stumped, he couldn't think of anypony else. "Whatever," he said, continuing to his locker.

After meeting up with Shure they exited the school stepping outside to the wet outside. Avoiding puzzles they began their walk to the recently built DS&C shop. Finally arriving Astra called out, "Newtons!"

"Like Newtons the colt in my class?" Shure asked "What about him?"

"He's been trying to think of names of ponies in our class." Antithesis answered.

"oh?" Shure shrugged.

The smell of paper filled their lungs as they entered the air conditioned store. Looking around Antithesis was surprised at the amount of comics, figurines, and art that it houses.

"First time here" a voice called from the counter. A pony with a jade mane and white fur looked over a comic book in his hooves. "What can I do ya for." he asked.

Antithesis was nervous and stood quiet while Astra face hoofed at his reaction. "Yea, it's our first time, we were wondering if you guys do plastic card sleeves." Astra inquired.

Taking a headphone out he stood and walked around the counter. "Sealed or unsealed?" he asked.

"Sealed" Antithesis spoke up.

"Sure do, do you have the card." he asked.

Antithesis shook his head reaching into the bag opening a hardcover book taking out the card in a plastic bag.

The clerk gave a small laugh through his nose as he took the card. "Follow me" he said looking at the card.

It was an image of a dark slender shadow with green eyes of a dragon and a silver regala where the mane was, had little stars placed randomly. Below it black text with the card description "A fallen star forgotten by her night" along with NIGHTMARE in italics, and font twice as large. The background of the text and around the image was in a deep crimson. On the back was the PF in gold with a rainbow background.

Heading towards the back of the store there was a small machine where the clerk measured a sheep of thick clear plastic around the card. using heat from the machine he folded and pressed the plastic. Finally searing the openings around the card and trimming it.

He turned to them passing the card and said "One bit, buuut if you want we are having a sale on single car folders."

He walked over to the third ilse and grabbed a small hard folder big enough for one card. "It's only two bits, '' he said, waving it a little.

"Deal" Antithesis replied

They walked to the counter to check out. Antithesis reached into his bag retrieving three bits placing them on the counter. The bell on the door rang as another pony walked in.

Paying it no mind the clerk slid the folder over. Antithesis picked it up and placed the card into it, as he did so a gasp came from behind. The short pony ran up to Antithesis grabbing his hoof raining it "Is this the NIGHTMARE card one of only two in all of Equestria!" she asked.

"Yeah, now let go!" Antithesis pulled his leg out of the ponies grasp.

"I'll pay you 40 no 50 bits" the mare pleaded.

"Not for sale." Antithesis turned to leave but was stopped again.

"Please you don't know what that card is worth, I'll pay 70 bits" he tried once more.

"HEY! the colt said no. I'm gonna ask you to come back another time." the clerk said, lighting his horn.

"Fine." the random pony said walking out the door.

Waiting for the rondom to leave sight Shure turned to the clerk saying "Thanks Mr....."

"Page, Page Turner." he responded "Now hurry on clouds are getting dark again."

The three decided to tighten their bags and ran. They ran to Shure's house first dropping him off and waving to Meana who was on the porch. Next Antithesis and Astra sprinted to Maple's as they heard the roll of thunder behind them, making it in time for the second downpour.

Closing the door behind them both walked into the living room Maple greeted them. "Don't sit on my couch if you're wet." she said walking to the kitchen.

Antithesis heard two voices that he hadn't heard before but then heard maple called out "Argo! Astra just got here.".

"Makes sense you're closer than we are." the voice responded while getting closer. "How was your day son," a stallion rounded the corner closely resembling Trella. "And you are...?"

"Antithesis" he responded.

"Nice to finally meet you Astra doesn't shut up." He said, holding out his hoof. "I'm Argo, Astra's dad."

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Remex." Antithesis replied, shaking his hoof.

"Which one?" another stallion popped out behind Argo. This one looked a lot more like Astra gray coat and all, though both had the same hair.

"Quit being a weird Acrux," Maple said, taking a seat in the room.

"Ah jeez, first Trella thinks I'm weird now my wife. That's it I'm moving back to Cloudsdale." Acrux joked.

"Shut it!" Argo interrupted.

"NO!" Acrux came back.

The three of them went back and forth for a little. Meanwhile Astra pulled Antithesis out of the room and up stairs, motioning him to follow.

Astra knocked on the door with a navy blue T, three times saying "Open up"

It took a minute but Trella opened the door "What?"

"Let us in." Astra demanded

"Why" she replied.

He rolled his eyes responding. "Our parents are in the same room."

Trella peeked her head out looking left and right. "Come in". She let them in pointing them to the corner for them to sit then climbed onto her bed.

Her room was filled with turquoise and whites with everything very orderly. After a minute of silence She picked up a book that Antithesis recognised.

"Hoovey the Vampony Slayer, It's a cool series but I didn't like how at the end she...." Antithesis stopped noticing she was only on the first book. She looked up at him with a stern look.

"You need to work on your social skills T." Astra said reaching into her night stand pulling out a granola bar.

"Did I say you can have one." she said closing the book.

Disregarding the comment Astra continued "Like whenever I'm here you are just pent up in your room. I know a mare or two if you need a friend."

"Are you referring to the ones whose names you've just learned." Antithesis said, raising his brow.

Astra blushed in embarrassment "Nevermind forget about it.'

"What about just learning names,*gasp* Did you find a marefriend."

"Not quite, this mare Saphi has sat next to him all year like all year and just learned her name." Antithesis revealed.

"Stop, let's talk about something else." Astra pleaded.

"Are you stupid?" Trella said laughing.

"Oh would you look at that the rain stopped, guess it's time to go." Astra said walking out the bedroom door.

"See ya" Antithesis said following his friend.

Antithesis had opted to walk home by himself enjoying the cool breeze. And while he enjoyed his friends company sometimes the silence was nice. Eventually he had pulled up to the familiar stone walk up the porch and into the house. "I'm back" Antithesis called out.

No response came as he walked noticing no pony else was in the room he flopped onto the couch tired from the day. A few minutes rolled by the sound of the back door opening could be heard. Taupe walked into the room wiping her forehead "You're too big for me too carry upstairs." She said.

Antithesis didn't move lying still till he drifted to sleep.

Author's Note

Some new characters, places, and events.
It took a little while but I grinded this one out.

I take suggestions if anyone has advice I would appreciate it.

Thanks again for reading!!