One Moment

Early in the morning, Firelight took Starlight to the Local Sires Hollow Magic School, or L.S.H.M.S. for short. Starlight had packed a lot of books that were loads of information about magic. She was so excited to try them out when she had the chance.

As usual, Firelight said his goodbyes, and Starlight walked into the school on her own. And when she walked to the classroom door, not even five minutes had passed and she missed her father already.

Starlight got to her desk and took out an apple from her bag (which she and Firelight bought yesterday while they were out flying kites). She levitated the apple to the teacher's desk, and stared at the teacher, expecting her to notice the apple and thank her.

However, the teacher was reading the newspaper and when she noticed an apple at her desk, she grabbed it with her magic and took a bite out of it, and continued reading.

Starlight felt a pang in her heart, so she got the teachers attention by waving her hand.

"Erm, Mrs. Willow? I gave you that apple that you just bit." Starlight said when she pointed at the apple.

Mrs. Willow pulled down her glasses and gave her the look, which made Starlight instantly regret her decision.

"Ponies do not do kind things to be thanked. You should've known that." She said, annoyed. She took another bite from the apple and continued reading.

"Yes, I do, Mrs. Willow! Starting now!" Starlight replied back, the hurt in her heart growing more.

Her classmates around her started laughing at her. And Starlight hid her face with a book, shame showered down her face. She should've kept her mouth shut.

After a few moments, Mrs. Willow finally set down the newspaper when a black colt walked into the room with a smug look. Starlight rolled her eyes. It was him.

"Bunker!" Mrs. Willow stared at the filly harshly. "You're twenty minutes late! I expected more from you."

Bunker just dipped his head. "My apologies, Mrs. Willow."

Starlight was amazed that Bunker kept his cool. If she were in his spot, she would start crying and run outside to look for her father for comfort.

"Go to your seat, and don't be late again. I want this class started with already." Mrs. Willow commanded with her hoof.

Bunker just shrugged and walked over to his desk, which he was two desks behind Starlight. He was greeted by hoof bumps from his friends, and turned and gave a look at Starlight, which she glared back.

"Alright, now its time for our class to start, finally." She said, giving Bunker a stare before moving on. "We are going to learn a very unique spell that makes Sires Hollow special. All ponies reside there know this spell."

"What spell? Anyone could know any spell anywhere!" Bunker interrupted the teacher.

Starlight grew annoyed of him and turned her head to face him. "Maybe if you shut up, Bunker, then maybe you would know why this is special in Sires Hollow."

"Maybe if you two shut up then maybe I could explain." Mrs. Willow glared at the two foals before continuing. "You know how some ponies have their cutie marks, and its stuck to them forever? Well what if I told you, that you could take them out?"

The foals in the classroom stared at the teacher in awe. Especially Starlight. She was very intrigued.

But of course, Bunker was the only one that wasn't. "What's so special about that? Anyone could do it."

Starlight was about to open her mouth to let out another harsh comment, but Mrs. Willow was staring at her, and she closed it. I swear to Celestia, that pony drives me crazy.

But it seemed that Mrs. Willow did the job for her. "Bunker? Would you like to be expelled early?" she asked in a icy tone.

Bunker lowered his ears, and stared at the ground. Starlight looked at him with a smug look.

"Then for the final time. Shut. Up. And let me continue. If you interrupt me one more time, I'm sending you home early." Mrs. Willow still glared at the foal. "Do I make myself clear?"

Bunker just nodded his head and sat down at the desk. But for some reason, he gave Starlight the death glare.

She was confused. What did I do? Its not my fault that he was being stupid and annoying.

"Now, this spell has been around ever since the founding of Sires Hollow. One of the founders was a unicorn named Feverfew."

Starlight let out a snicker, trying her best not to laugh. What kind of name is Feverfew? She looked around the classroom. Even Bunker was amused by that name.

Mrs. Willow chuckled a little bit. "Funny name, I know. But he was the one that created this magical power. And even though he was an underrated founder, he wanted to be remembered at some way. So he taught all the unicorn foals his magical power, and he stated that he wanted this power to only be exclusive to Sires Hollow."

"So what stops these said unicorn foals from teaching this magic worldwide?" A random class pony asked.

"Only some did, but other ponies never really paid attention, since they didn't care. I don't know." Mrs. Willow stammered. "But anyways, anyone want to try this magic trick?"

Every pony raised their hand. Starlight raised the highest, while Bunker was less enthusiastic.

"Come on, Bunker." A orange unicorn beckoned him. "It'll be fun!"

"Fun? More like boring." He yawned.

The unicorn playful rolled his eyes and ushered Bunker outside where the others waited.

"Everyone, meet Everest. He will be our test pony for today."

Everest, who was an old, sky blue unicorn with white hair, looked at Mrs. Willow in a dumbfounded expression.

"Test pony? You never told me that when you asked me to step outside with the foals!" he exclaimed.

"And you didn't ask why I brought you out. That's on you for not asking questions." Mrs. Willow replied to the unicorn, then she turned to the foals. "For today, you will all witness a pony getting its cutie mark removed with this magical power."

"Hold on just a moment I didn't sign up for this-" Everest was cut off with Mrs. Willow blasted a magical beam, chasing him to lift in the air. Starlight watched in wonder and amazement, but cringed when she saw the pony's cutie mark being pulled off of Everest, and instead replacing it with an equal sign.

Mrs. Willow looked at Everest's broom cutie mark and showed it to the class.

"See that? That's a cutie mark being ripped off from his body." she explained.

They stared at it in a mix of disgust and intrigued looks.

The turned to see Everest staggering on the ground. "Can I have it back now?" he said in a deep husky voice.

"Of course." Mrs. Willow gave his cutie mark back, and after brief white transformation, he was back to normal.

"Remind me to not follow you ever again." he said, then he returned to the building.

Mrs. Willow watched him leave. She then faced the class. "Now you know what it looks like to have your cutie mark stolen. This magic is very powerful, and can be very dangerous if one were to abuse it."

"Don't worry, Mrs. Willow!" Starlight stepped in front of her. "I won't use it for power, I promise!"

Mrs. Willow looked down at her. She was unconvinced for a moment, but then rubbed Starlight's mane. "Cute foal. How can I expect anything evil to come from you?"