Canterlot Academy Trials

Meanwhile, at the nearby hospital…

“...and that’s my story,” Blue had finished an explanation on who he was, “Basically don’t wanna be seen as similar to other dragons because of how most of them back home act. They’re not all bad but need to work on some things.”

“Aye,” Mistwalker spoke up just as Blue had finished talking, “I know how ye feel, friend.”

Thiasus called out from his medical bed nearby, “Wait, aren’t you a pony? What sort of discrimination would you face?”

“It ain’t over me race,” Mistwalker continued as she folded her hooves against her chest and sighed, “It’s due to where I’m from. Ye can hear it, can’t ye? I’m from Trotland. Ponies like me are often seen as bullish or what have you. But I’m honestly not that kinda gal.”

Blue thought about it for a second, “Oh yeah. I’ve heard stereotypes about ponies from there. Stuff like about how you always get into bar fights, yell at the top of your lungs, get drunk,” he extended his fingers as he listed off each set of terms, much to Mist’s visible chagrin, “play the bagpipes too loudly, cause public disturban--”

“OI I DUN DO NUTHIN’ FOOKIN’ LOONY LIKE THAT! I AIN’T NO BLOODY PILLOCK!” she yelled at the top of her lungs with the veins on her neck bulging, causing a bit of a disturbance in the hospital with some primate patients glancing at their hospital room door

“...heh…” Blue chuckled nervously, “Sorry about that.”

“Now I get it,” Thiasus nodded, “Don’t worry, I understand completely.”

Mist shook her head. “Yeah, yeah. Well anyway, I’ve always gotten weird looks in me direction cuzza me buff build. I never let it get to me though. Always kept me head up.” She then turned to look at the buck, “Your turn, Sol. What’s yer deal?”

Blue blinked and leaned forward. “Oh yeah. Now that I think about it, I don’t believe I’ve gotten to know you well, Thiasus.”

“Well…my background really isn’t all that interesting,” he tried his best to shrug off the question with a nervous smile, “I was always like this when I was younger. Studied a lot, usually kept my nose in a book. Didn’t really enjoy talking to others much.”

“Well ye seem better at that now,” Mist pointed out, “Ye seem quite fond of dealing with us.”

“Yes. Given that it’s mostly for business,” Thiasus retorted, “But back then…I wasn’t exactly all that social.”

20 years ago at the North Pole…

“Gimme the book, ya nerd!”

“Hey, stop--!” The young Thiasus pleaded against his bullies but was unable to fight back.

“Oops! Dropped it! Look at how short he is! His antlers aren’t even developed yet!”

“How’d you even manage to get into this magic school? You don’t even look like you could take on a kitten!”

“...shit,” Blue sighed sympathetically, “You were treated like that? Sounds a lot like how dragons picked on other dragons…”

Mist would also join in, “Aye. Trotland’s schools were no different. Ye either proved yerself the strongest or get bullied. Guess it’s a thing among all races of creatures.”

“Sadly so, yes,” Thiasus went on, “The bullying went on for weeks, and months even. Things started to look up for me at one point though. I’m sure you know the old tale of Rudolph.”

“So you are aware of him--” Blue snapped his fingers, earning a flat look from the deer buck in response. The dragon immediately apologized, “Sorry--yeah know we pretty much all do, yeah?” he looked at Mistwalker.

The water mare nodded. “Ye. Tale as old as time itself. A reindeer with a red nose proved himself to all and showed that he was capable of standin’ with his peers. A noble tale indeed.”

Thiasus scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Tch. Sure. You may see it as noble--and I can’t blame you for that. However, a key thing you’re missing is how and why everyone reacted the way they did.”

Blue’s eyes went wide. “...no way.”

“...ye mean there’s something else behind the story?” Mist asked, eagerly awaiting an answer as well.

“The cuddly aesop behind that tale was meant to help children treat each other as equals,” Thiasus grit his teeth with a grim expression, “But the truth is: The reindeer didn’t appreciate Rudolph’s differences. They simply accepted him only because it was convenient for them to do so after he had served his purpose. Even after guiding them through the impossibly thick snowstorms, they continued to talk behind his back and he was never the wiser. So long as he was useful to them, they never bothered him.”

“...damn,” Blue hung his head while rubbing his claw behind his neck, “So they didn’t see him as an equal after all, huh?”

“Nope,” Thiasus went on, “And the same went for me…”

15 years ago…

“Look, nerd. Just because you got us through that group project doesn’t mean you’re better than us.”

“You just got lucky. Don’t let it go to your head, runt. You’re just some rich kid from up North. You can’t force your way around with money.”

“Just stop…I get it, okay? Please stop already…”

“Or what? Gonna tell the headmaster?”

Thiasus watched as the bucks levitated his tome into one of the girl’s toilets…

“Hey! Stop! Give it back!”

And as soon as he went in to retrieve it….

“AH! It’s that snotty rich kid!” one of the female deer screamed.

The bucks from outside watched as Thiasus was levitated and pushed into one of the stalls by force. They smirked at the does--it was a coordinated effort.

“WOW dude…” Blue yelled out of disbelief, “I can’t believe some people are just that petty…”

“Yeah, well…” Thiasus chuckled as he rubbed his hoof against his antlers, “Thankfully I’ve managed to study alone in peace. But you guys aren’t so bad I guess.”

“I’m glad we could give ye a positive experience, Sol,” MIst smiled, “Ye deserve better.”

Just then, one of the hospital’s primate doctors would enter the room and catch everyone’s attention with their conversation halted as they looked in his direction. “Hello. The Emperor would like you speak with you all once you’ve recovered.”