Canterlot Academy Trials

Meanwhile, in dorm block Sigma…

“Ugh,” Fang the dalmatian diamond dog huffed as he exited his room, “This is horrid. All because of Gaea’s antics, now we’re unable to go on missions…”

“I know,” his zebra classmate, Spearklip commented as she exited her own dorm. “I get that the Academy mandates that everyone operates in 4-man teams, but still…”

“Quite goes to show how little Gaea truly cared about herself or others around her,” Fang went on with an annoyed scoff, “Ever so quick to fuel her own ego at the expense of others. Now we’re unable to perform any work or make extra money until we--”

That’s when Rufus hurried up the nearby steps and spoke to them. “Hey, pals! Guess what? All of our worries are about to be thrown out as quickly as they propped up.”

Spear tilted her head, “Really? By what exactly?”

“I’m sure you’re aware of our problem regarding being down a man ever since Gaea was expelled, yes?” Fang asked, “What exactly do you have in mind, Rufus?”

The yak bull turned around and led them down the stairs of the building. “Follow me.”

Meanwhile, down in the main office…

Leelee, the monkey woman that had been saved by Nebula, Blue, Mei, and Rose, had been waiting in the office. There, she was approached by another primate monk wearing a red and black robe which signified that he was a high-ranking member of Wukong’s court.

“You’re…safe, yes? There’s no need for us to worry anymore, Liánhuā.”

“I wish to stay and learn more,” she replied with a smile, “The ponies and other creatures here fascinate me. Please tell Emperor Chang that I am okay and wish to enroll.”

The court official couldn’t deny her request given who she really was.

“Very well,” the monkey guardsman agreed, “We shall inform the Emperor that you have decided to stay as a cultural exchange. Given that you’re a Lady of the Third Rank, you have a bit more freedom than those of the Second and First Ranks…”

Outside the office…

Rufus tilted his head in the direction of the window that allowed them to see the two monkeys speaking with the Dean of the Academy.

“Boom. That’s our new teammate,” the yak bull confidently sounded off, “I’m almost certain of it.”

“A Monk, hm?” Fang shrugged his shoulders, “I suppose I’ve seen far crazier. I just hope the language barrier won’t prevent us from being able to properly communicate.”

“She looks pretty limber, I won’t lie,” Spear commented, noting Leelee’s rather toned legs, thighs, and abdomen. “She must train a lot. If so, we’re gonna get along just fine.”

“You’re right, Spear--she does look strong,” Rufus commented as he flexed his legs. “But can she keep up with the legendary King of Wrestling?”

“Uh, I thought it was ‘King of Grappling’,” Spear teased him with a smug grin.

Rufus simply rolled his eyes. “It’s a working set of titles. Gimme some time, yeah?”

Eventually, the court monk would exit the office and leave, followed by Leelee being escorted out by the Dean of the Academy…

An older, violet-colored unicorn stallion wearing a dark blue cloak. In spite of his grizzled, wrinkled face, he spoke with a friendly tone.

“...ah, yes. You lot…the Sigma Students….?”

“Yes Mr. Oxford?” Fang spoke up to catch his attention.

“...take her into your group. Treat her well, please,” he explained before retreating into his office as he left the monkey woman to them.

Leelee coiled up her tail and sat upon it. “Yuàn zhǎng…Mister Dean looks tired…”

“Given all the nonsense that has happened recently,” Fang went on, “It’s no wonder. The old horse desperately needs to retire.”

Spearklip nodded in agreement. “Yup. But he needs to decide for himself. Can’t force him.”

Rufus diverted attention from that, “Anyhoozle…welcome to our team….uh…?” but he paused once he realized he had no clue how to pronounce her name. “...what do we call ya?”

The monkey girl sprung off her tail and put her hands on her hips. “You may call me ‘Leelee’ for simple’s sake! I hope to be of great use to your team of big yak, buff dog, and black horse!”

Spearklip giggled at her description of their group. “...we have a bit of Western terminology to teach you, Lee.”

Meanwhile, on Restaurant Row…

The students of Dorm Block Epsilon had gone in to interview Saffron Masala. Given the lack of customers, it was rather easy to speak with her on this day.

And as soon as the name ‘Tandoori’ came up…

Saffron obliged them, “Ah! That is a recipe I have, named after my--” but she paused on a dime as she thought about it for a moment before continuing with a surprised tone. “...wait a minute…how do you know about--?”

“...I might’ve contacted her through otherworldly means,” Grimrose replied, “So she is related to you, then?”

“...P-probably…” Saffron stuttered.

“...would you like to meet her?” Rose asked.

Saffron entertained the idea for a moment before shutting it down. “N-no thank you. I don’t think I’m mentally prepared for such a thing. Her name and recipes that she spoke of to you is all the proof I need.”

Mei then brought up something she knew was rather important as she levitated a book of Canterlot’s History with her magic up to Saffron. “I’ve been doing research into Canterlot’s culture, and I’ve found that Zesty’s family--the Gourmand Family--has been around for quite a long time…just as long as your family has. Apparently, someone named ‘Garam Masala’ was married to a ‘Tandoori Chai’ and visited Canterlot at one point.”

“...Well I’ll be…” Saffron muttered in amazement as she looked at the photographs of ponies coming together in Canterlot.

“She’s always got her nose in a book,” Blue added with a grin, “Easily the one here with the most brains.”

“...s-stoppit,” Mei blushed and quickly refocused on the topic at hand. “This lets us know that Zesty likely has other family members that we could interview and get information out of.”

“Do you happen to know any of ‘em?” Nebula asked, “Maybe seen some of them pass through here?”

Saffron racked her brain for any familiar ponies that either looked like, or said that they knew Zesty Gourmand personally. ”Hrm…sorry, I don’t know. I’m not exactly familiar with everyone in the city.”

“That’s alright,” Blue said with a shrug, “I’m sure she would’ve told us by now if she did. We just need to ask around town.”

“Thanks for your help, ma’am,” Nebula added, “We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

“...I would appreciate it,” Saffron said with a faintly hopeful tone that conveyed just how worried she was as she looked around her near-empty restaurant. “...thank you, everyone.”