Canterlot Academy Trials

In dorm block Sigma…

Jun Fang had decided to pay Spearklip a visit in order to discuss what had just happened not long ago.

“So…” the dalmatian muttered as he stepped into the zebra’s room and shut the door. “I’m almost certain that Gaea was behind this little incident.”

“No shit,” Spear spat back while casually doing pull-ups from a support beam in the ceiling. “Who else hates him for no good reason? Callous chicken shit…”

“What I want to know is why,” Fang continued with a perplexed expression on his face. “I’ve spoken to a few of our fellow alumni and they’ve come to a conclusion that seems reasonably sound. It’s entirely likely that she’s taking her ire out on ponies due to being wrong by one in the past.”

Spearklip paused her exercises and replied, “Still no excuse to cripple someone possibly for life…” she then continued her pull-ups. “Poor guy was always so happy and carefree now this happens…”

Fang nodded in agreement. “Yes…tis very unsettling indeed. Unfortunately we have no way of proving that she was the one who did it. Even now, it’s likely that she’ll remain completely silent on the subject and refuse to tell us anything.

“Aaagh…” The zebra mare grumbled as she jumped down and landed on the floor. “Listen, JF. I’m not a good strategist. I’m better off solving problems in the field as we go along, you know?”

“I’m well aware, dear Spear. Our poor yak friend Rufus is the same way. He was unable to offer me much in the way of advice either. But that’s not a problem. We all have our own strengths and weaknesses.”

“Which is why you’re the brains of our group,” Spear added, pointing her hoof at him. “So tell me: Is there anything we can do right now?”

“Think critically, Spear. Her actions are going to reflect poorly on those that sent her here. I have no doubt that her parents or guardians will be rather furious to learn of the fact that she’s been causing trouble.” He sat down in a nearby chair. “Beyond that, our team is likely going to be benched until we can acquire another member. It’s all rather vexing…”

The zebra mare leapt back onto her bed. “Again: No shit. But if it means bringing her to justice, then we should try to get her to spill the beans.”

“I’d like to figure out her reasoning to poke around in her head at least a tad,” Fang continued with a sigh, “If we could all just get along without any of this troublesome strife…”

“You figure out the hard parts, Fang,” Spear turned over onto her bed and yawned. “I need to rest up before training starts, so we’ll talk later, yeah?”

Fang got up and went to the door. “Understood. I’ll be seeing you…” And he took care to sniff a few times before opening it up and leaving…

Elsewhere in the Academy…

As described, Rufus and Blue were both taking their outdoor gym classes. Once they managed to catch a break, they sat down near some trees located a few yards away from the track and field.

“I’m gonna kick her fucking ass, Rufus,” Blue slammed his fist into the side of an oak tree with enough force to shake its leaves clean off. “I know it was her. She’s not gonna say shit, but I know that griffon bitch did it.”

“Easy there, pal,” Rufus urged him to calm down, “You’re not gonna get anywhere by breakin’ up stuff. Violence is only sometimes occasionally the answer,” he said with an uneasy chuckle.

“Get serious, man,” Blue grumbled as he crunched an empty water bottle in his claw. “This is my best friend we’re talking about here. One of my only friends growing up…”

Rufus paused and took a second to think on what exactly Blue was talking about. “...Atomic Nebula means a lot to you, huh?”

“Yeah, he does,” Blue replied as he sipped from his water. “When we were younger, he’d always watch out for me…”

About 20 years ago, in Canterlot Middle School…

“Ew…is that a dragon?”

“I bet he’s gonna set us on fire if we look at him funny…”

“Dragons are nothing but trouble. Don’t let him see anything shiny. He’ll probably steal it from you.”

The young Blue Blazes simply kept to himself as to avoid any conflict. But the rumors and bullying from afar took a toll on him. He couldn’t bring himself to make any friends.

That is, until one day…

While out on a camping field trip, none of the other students bothered giving Blue the directions needed to get back to the camp.

But a certain colt was there when he needed help.

“...Hoi! I’m Atomic Nebula. You lost?”

“...yeah. No one’s bothered to help me,” Blue replied.

“Well that’s lame. Here, lemme show you…”

“,,,and from that day onward, we were best friends,” Blue concluded his story, “I even joined him in the choir and kept bullies off his back for years. We go way back.”

“I see now…yeah, if I had a friend like that, I’d be pissed too,” Rufus agreed, “Just a shame we don’t have any proof that could actually put her away, pal.”

Just then, a certain older unicorn approached them. “...Gentlemen? If I may?”

“Professor Hassium?” Blue looked up at the stallion, “Is everything alright?”

“I couldn’t help but overhear you two speaking,” he went on, “...I want to ask that you don’t do anything reckless. The rest of the teachers and I are conducting a thorough investigation. If you do anything out of order, you might find yourself in suspension--or worse, Mr. Blazes.”

The dragon nodded. He knew full well that Nebula wouldn’t want him to do anything foolish. “Yes sir…I’ll keep myself clean. But if you find any information that could help us bag the person who did that to Neb…”

“You’ll be the first to know, Mr. Blazes. I assure you. For now, continue living your life as an honest student and don’t do anything outrageous, understand?”

“...Understood,” he muttered as Hassium trotted away. “Dammit…guess there ain’t shit we can do for now.”

“Seems like it,” Rufus replied as he rose to his hooves and stretched. “If only you could jump into Gaea’s mind and force her to tell the truth. But who has that kinda magic, right?”

Blue’s eyes shot wide open. “...”

The yak stared at him for a moment. “...that was a joke, you know that, right?”

“...yeah, heh…” Blue laughed it off as he spread his wings. “...A joke. I’ll see ya later, Ruf.”

“...Uh-huh…” As the dragon flew off, Rufus could only come up with one thing to say to himself. “...he’s gonna try something stupid isn’t he?”