Canterlot Academy Trials

Having graduated from the Canterlot General Academy--partially thanks to an amazing presentation about one of the notable Royal Guardsponies--Atomic Nebula decided to move forward and attend further, college-level schooling at the School of Magic. His intent was to learn more defensive spells so that he could further aid in the protection of Canterlot and Equestria just like his idol--Tungsten Wolfe.

But perhaps luckily for him, he’d find himself greeted by a familiar instructor from his previous classes during his Year 11 and Year 12 days once he arrived on the campus near the Canterlot Library. It was a large, regal academy built with white stone on the outside and flanked by two statues of Princess Twilight Sparkle. Once Nebula got on the inside, he'd be greeted with regal, medieval brown hallways christened with regal red carpeting.

"Amazing..." he spoke in awe upon entering the academy. "Feels like the rest of my life has already begun here..." Then he paused, and blinked as a particular pony caught his eye, "...Professor Hassium?” the young unicorn approached the elder one. “I didn’t think I’d see you here, sir.”

Professor Jascha Hassium. An instructor of arcane and runic arts whose lessons had been renowned far and wide for their ease of understanding. In spite of his age, he was a teacher that did his best to put himself on his student’s level in order to make things easier for them.

“Neither I you, young man,” the older stallion raised a brow as he looked at the younger one. “You’ve grown quite a lot since I last saw you. Look at you now--able to legally have a pint with your friends.”

Nebula shook his head while waving his hoof in a dismissive manner. “No way, sir. You know me. I’m not a drinker. But I appreciate the acknowledgement all the same.”

“I could’ve sworn you would’ve stuck with the choir,” Hassium replied as he started walking ahead, adjusting his monocle with his magic. “Are you certain this is what you want for yourself, son?”

“Of course, sir,” the young unicorn followed his former teacher dutifully, “Ponies like Tungsten inspired me to think for the well-being of myself as well as others. I can’t live comfortably knowing that his folks are risking their lives out there when I can do more, ya know?”

“Very elegant strategy, young lad,” the professor replied with a nod. “But let it be known that you aren’t forced to finish everything all at once. Take your time, and proceed with your assignments and missions at your own pace, understand? That report you gave me three years ago was one thing. If you wish to follow in Mr. Wolfe’s hoofsteps, you must act upon it.”

Nebula trotted along with a smile on his face--his freckles moving along with his cheeks. “Of course, sir. Can’t wait to learn even more from you.”

Unfortunately, Hassium had to inform Nebula of some less-than-stellar news. “Hm? Oh, I’m sorry, son. But it appears that I’m not the one leading your class. But, if you ever need help, I’ll most certainly do my best to assist you when I have free time.”

Nebula’s ears fell flat along with a small frown as the disappointment hit him. “Aw…” But, the positivity returned as soon as he realized something. “Well…guess I’ll have fun learning from someone new. Wonder who my teach is gonna be.”

“Ah, there she is now,” Hassium commented as a cherry-red unicorn mare rounded the corner.

Her mane was long and flowing with silky blond locks, which matched her curly tail. She wore a pair of half-rimmed blue glasses over her green eyes and her cutie mark was a spellbook.

“Greetings, Ms. Cayenne,” Hassium called out to her.

“Hello yourself, sir,” she replied as she approached the two, and pulled down her glasses to get a better look at the stallion next to the professor. “Is this handsome young stallion your brother? Cousin?”

“Uhh…” Nebula took a step back and rubbed the back of his head as he blushed with a nervous smile on his face. “...do I really look that mature?”

Professor Hassium chuckled and shook his head. “No, no. This is one of your new students, Ms. Cayenne.” The elder stallion turned to Nebula and explained, “Atomic Nebula--this is your instructor for your classes. This is Professor Cayenne Anise.”

The mare pouted her lips--seemingly disappointed at the fact that Nebula wasn’t a tad older. But she quickly exchanged that expression for a gentle smile. “Ah, I see now. You’re one of the new students. It’ll be a pleasure to have you. I’ve heard a lot from one of the Royal Guards about you. What was his name again…Tung…something…”

Nebula’s heart skipped a beat as he took a step towards her. “W-wait…you’re saying Tungsten spoke up on behalf of me?”

“That he did,” Cayenne replied with a nod, shooting him a snide, half-lidded expression. “I’ll be expecting quite a lot of things from you, young man. Not everyone gets a recommendation from one of the Royal Guards.”

“Y-yeah…” Nebula felt himself start to sweat as he looked upwards and to the left--still rubbing his hoof behind his head. “I um…I’ll do my best to live up to his expectations.”

Cayenne simply rolled her eyes with a smile as she walked onwards to her classroom. “I’ll be waiting for you. We start in fifteen minutes. Your dormitory is Epsilon.”

“Thanks!” Nebula took a deep breath, exhaling as soon as she was gone.

“Cat got your tongue, young man?” Hassium asked. “Or are you running a fever?”

“No, Professor. It’s just…her--”

Hassium would hold up his hoof and cut him off. “Ah. I see now. She is rather good-looking despite her age, yes? Ms. Cayenne used to be a model for Cosmare Magazine. After a while, she quit and decided to use her intellect to help mold young minds like yourself.”

With that knowledge, Nebula’s anxiety was lowered. “Ah. I see now. No wonder she’s so pretty. But I shouldn’t let that distract me from my work. I wanna become skilled enough to keep this place safe. The Elements of Harmony aren’t gonna be around forever.”

“Indeed they won’t,” Hassium agreed with a nod. “Ponies such as Pale Vestige--Equestria’s best detective--and your idol Tungsten Wolfe are prime examples of why we need to remain vigilant. After all, we don’t want a future in which all the ponies and creatures of the land have divided themselves…as is what occurred in the past,” he huffed with an annoyed flick of his tail.

In a bid to show his intelligence, Nebula brought up a quote that he figured would fit the situation. “After all, ‘Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.’ Right, sir?”

Hassium looked at Nebula and smiled before ruffling the unicorn’s mane with a hoof. “Ah. You remind me of when I was younger. Just remember to follow your teacher’s guidelines and don’t overextend yourself. Got it?”

“Yes, sir,” Nebula replied with a salute and started to strut towards his classroom. “See you later, yeah?”

“Have a good first day, my boy,” the professor waved as he left, then sighed to himself. “Such a high-spirited gentleman despite his situation at home. Very elegant indeed.”

Atomic Nebula made it to Cayenne Anise’s instruction room--a large, open classroom with multiple rows of seats that were separated by pairs at wooden tables. At the front of it, a chalkboard on wheels had its place next to the mare in question who was busy organizing documents via magic.

Most students would be nervous on their first day, but Nebula? Those butterflies in his stomach were from excitement.

But before he went inside, it wouldn’t take too long for him to find someone familiar in the hallway…

“Aw, my dawg!” a solid blue dragon in his early 20s approached Nebula as he took his seat. His raspy voice was impossible to mistake. “It’s my choir leader. This’ll make things much easier! How are ya?”

Nebula looked up at him and chuckled. “Blue Blazes? You son of a gun--”

The gentlemen gave each other a claw-hoofshake--though it came off as something more akin to an arm-wrestling match until they let go of each other.

“How ya been, man?” Blue asked as he let go, “It’s been a while since we last saw each other.”

“Yeah almost like I’ve been transferred or something,” Nebula joked in return, “Can’t wait to get started--”

Thud.

They were interrupted by the sound of someone being shoved against a wall.

“...”

“...”

The guys hurried and took a look around the nearest corner, over to see a female griffon pushing a pegasus mare against the wall.

“...and I want it done by tomorrow, understand?” the griffon hissed.

The pegasus mare, a gothic-looking pony whose eyes remained half-lidded with a stoic, neutral expression on her face replied with a droning tone, “Okay. I’ll do it.”

“That’s a good bitch,” the griffon dropped the pegasus and left her be before flying down one of the halls and out of sight.

“Sonuva!--you okay?” Blue was ready to breathe fire, but quickly switched his priority to the victim of bullying.

The mare stood up and spread her wings to dust herself off. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” Nebula walked up to her to get a better look, and immediately recognized her. “Wait…Grimrose? It’s you?”

“Atomic Nebula,” she replied with the same tone as before, “I’m happy to see you here. Don’t worry. That griffon was simply asking for something, and I have to make good on what I promised. I’m used to being treated that way, so don’t let it concern you.”

Blue wasn’t taking the situation at face value though. “No way,” he huffed as he blew smoke from his nostrils while cracking his knuckles. “I’m gonna kick her ass. Wait here.”

“Hang on,” Nebula held a hoof in front of the dragon. “We need to stay calm and be rational. Today’s our first day, so let’s try not to burn everything down, alright?”

“Hmph,” Blue simply huffed as he put his hands behind his head. “Whatever. I’m gonna go get ready for class.”

As soon as Blue left, Grimrose looked at Nebula.

“Thank you both for checking on me,” she droned, “But I don’t wish to get anyone in trouble on their first day.”

Nebula sighed with reluctance. “I mean…fair enough, I suppose. Still, if something’s going on between you and someone else, then don’t be afraid to speak up. I’d hate to lose you.”

“You care about me, huh?” she went on, expression still unchanging, “Thank you for that, Atomic.”

“No problem. It’s what friends are for. Come on. Our first class is starting and I have to get down to dorm Epsilon.”

“You have dorm Epsilon too?” Grimrose asked with the slightest hint of vague excitement in her voice.

“Yeah, why?” Nebula paused, wondering how that was possible…

Grimrose reached into her saddlebag and showed him her designated Dormitory Key. “The dormitories are co-educational. Everyone is together regardless of gender.”

“...”