“Good morning Class.” Celestia walked into the room and greeted us all. She had a certain spring in her steps lately and I had noticed a certain maid had been hanging around more often when Twilight and I had our lessons. it’s nice to see her acting like a normal pony I do wonder if she dated in the OG timeline and it ended beforehand or if it never happened.

“Good morning Ms. Celestia.” Those of us who had made it to class responded in our typical fashion.

“As many of you know the school will be…” Everyone in the room blushed when one filly in the back room squeaked while rubbing her rump on her, now damp, cushion.

The filly in question awkwardly looked down with her ears pinned back and mumbled, “sorry.”

“It’s alright my dear, you’re excused, go ahead and head back to your dorm room no need for a pass.” Celestia looked around the half empty classroom. The season had come a bit early this year to Canterlot, thanks to the Rainboom and other recent magical surges. Because of all this, her school and the city at large hadn’t quite been ready for it.

“As I was saying.” She continued after the filly ran out of the room embarrassed. “School will be on break starting today due to the spring ‘season’. For those fillies living in the dorms I expect all of you to behave and listen to the dorm mothers. Colts, Mr. Clear Mark will be acting as your dorm father for the duration as Mrs. Heart will be participating in the season. Lessons today will simply be review, so I’ll be helping those of you who have been struggling then you can all return to your dorms as classes are ending early.” She finished and began walking towards a few of the students.

As I looked around the room it was a bit strange to know the reason why class was so empty. Over half the fillies and all the colts were halving their first season, none had reactions as bad as Twilight, and they were sent home or to the dorms. Those that weren’t in heat probably would be soon since everypony in school had their cutie marks. Still strange to me that Cutie marks play a bigger role in development than age.

I myself was already dealing with my second rut of the year but was handling it fine. Still can’t believe I forgot it was called rut and not heat for males until Cadence explained it again last time she sat in on one of our lessons at the castle . Probably should’ve paid more attention to that health class.

“Dawn are you doing alright?” I hadn’t noticed Celestia was now helping my row and had stopped in front of me.

“I’m fine princess.” I nodded while she bent a bit closer.

“Dawn, why don’t you head back to the dorms as well, you’re doing excellent in class already and your pheromones are getting strong enough to trigger some of the others.” She motioned towards the door with her wing while quietly speaking to me. I noticed some of the fillies eyeing me as I glanced around.

“Sounds good.” Not being in the mood to deal with that mess, I promptly gathered up my school supplies and headed out.

“Hey Dawn, where you headed?” I turned and spotted Lyra. For the past few days she was the only one I had really had any long conversations with. Twilight had still been a bit distant and throwing herself into her work and taking care of spike while Trixie and Starlight had been staying a bit further away from me but assured me they weren’t upset or anything whenever we did talk. They're probably just avoiding me due to the season.

“Oh hey Lyra, to the dorms. Apparently I stink.” I joked, knowing she probably knew what i meant.

She was suddenly at my side and gave my mane a quick sniff before throwing her forelegs over my back. “Oh really~, you smell fine~ to me.” She tried to be sultry but it came off weird.

My eyes went a bit wide. Oh no, not her too. “Lyra your not..?”

She suddenly started laughing and rolled onto her back. “You should have seen your face.”

I gave her a swat with my tail and huffed. “Not funny.”

“You’re right, I probably shouldn’t joke about that when everyone’s struggling.” She wiped a happy tear from her eye. “I’m just glad I probably won’t be going through it this year, if ever.” She finished that last part almost too quietly.

Did she just say Everyone? “Wait why are you out of class already if not for ‘that’?” I continued walking towards the exit as she followed along.

“Well, I was the only one left in my class and it looks like the school decided to just end early, considering.” She rolled her hoof. “Everypony else should be leaving soon as well but they’re doing it in small amounts.”

“Oh right, Celestia mentioned that during our first class.” I nodded. “Well it was good to see you Lyra, have a good break.” I gave her a nuzzle without thinking as we walked towards our respective dorms.

Lyra blushed a bit then shook her head. Bon Bon was enough for her.

Imago’s cheeks puffed up and threw up another batch of goo for working on her hive, “Sweet Hive Mothers I hate heat season.” Normally she didn’t mind making goo but her body was producing it at almost triple her normal rate.

Changelings didn’t go into heat but all the lust in the air was making her sick. Lust, while filling and extremely tasty, held no nutritional value. One of her sisters had actually died to ‘Ling Lust Poisoning’ when she was a younger and still in her mother’s hive.

Luckily her children were protected while in their cocoons and typically she would have created her own to hide in during this time of year, if not for two factors. First as the only Ling of her hive she had work to do. She had learned after years of experience that lust did have one use, it made much stronger goo that could also block out lust so was perfect for expanding her hive with. Second, she had a relationship to maintain and she wouldn’t leave her Princess alone for the season.

There was one other upside. Lust could be stored in crystals, just like love, so would help with her overproduction of goo when she needed to go out and could be used by her drones in the future for making that goo instead of her. “I just wish the season hadn’t come early so I was better prepared.” She spat up another globule of goo and began shaping it. “Well my hive won’t build itself.”

She smiled at her work. For the first time in hundreds of years she was finally settling down instead of just being part of her mother’s hive or traveling around Equestria looking for the perfect home where she could enact her plan.

“What do you mean no?” Rainbow Dash stood outside of Fluttershy’s cottage while rubbing her back legs together.

“I’m sorry Dash but I can’t help you this time.” Fluttershy hid behind her mane.

“Bu-but, Shy why not?” Rainbow looked a bit hurt.

Fluttershy looked her in the eyes with a sad expression. “Last time, I offered for you to stay Rainbow and you said ‘No’. Well now I am in a Trial Herd so I have to say no. If you want to join we would happily welcome you. Maybe, if that’s okay with you…”

Rainbow was shocked, Fluttershy had been with her for the past few years and had always been a constant. She wasn’t ready for the commitment of a herd but now the thought of loosing her best friend, especially after sharing their first heat together a few months ago, felt worse.

Hanging her head with ears pinned back. “I understand. So can I join?”

“Rainbow…” Fluttershy nervously fluffed her wings. “You’re not just saying that because of the season are you?”

“No! I just. I wouldn’t want to loose you, okay?!?” Fluttershy pinned her ears back and almost missed the next part as Rainbow whispered, “You know what loyalty means to me and I promised I would always be there for you and the thought of being unable to scares me…”

Rainbow teared up, her emotions were a mess from the unexpected situation and the hormones weren’t making things any easier. Typically she would remain strong and never show her heart like this.

“Oh Dashie.” Fluttershy wrapped her in a wing hug. “Of course you can join. Well If our lead says yes. You’ll, um, have to ask her.”

“So you wish to join us Darling?” Rarity was surprised when Fluttershy had show up to her home with Rainbow Dash behind her. The two had already planned to meet up for their first season together but Rainbow following behind her new herd member was a surprise.

Rainbow nodded. “Yes, Shy and I have been friends forever and I already made the mistake of turning her down once.” She winced at her own admission.

“Hmm.” Rarity tapped her chin. She wasn’t sure how well she would fit into their dynamics considering how sporty the filly was but she also knew she had a good relationship with Dawn’s mother, Forest Breeze, who she was apprenticed under. “Rainbow, has Fluttershy told you about the colt we plan to woo? This won’t be a mare only herd like some of them are. If I can help it.”

“What? No she hasn’t, but I do like colts as well, despite my colors, so that’s cool.” She huffed.

“That’s good, because we’re going after Dawn.” Rarity was warming up to the idea of Rainbow joining. She was rough around the edges but had great potential.

“My bosses colt?” Rainbow’s eyes went wide. “He seems nice and all, but he’s a unicorn, I’m more of a wing girl myself.”

“Darling, I’m a unicorn.” Rarity used her magic to lift her tea.

“Hehe, right. I’m not saying Dawn or you aren’t nice just you don’t have wings so we couldn’t fly together.” Rainbow tapped her hooves together awkwardly.

“Rarity, I think Rainbow would be a great addition. She’s a hard worker like you and always stuck up for me and would do the same for her herd. Right Dash?” Fluttershy spoke up while Rainbow nodded.

“Of course I would.” She puffed up her chest.

“Very well.” Rarity stood up and stepped over to Rainbow to give her a nuzzle. “Rainbow Dash if you’re willing to follow me as your lead mare I would be happy to accept you.”

“Yes!” Rainbow Dash couldn’t have been happier. It was an odd twist of fate, one she hadn’t been expecting, yet she had a feeling would work out. “Oh um, do I have to give up building my cloud house or becoming a Wonder Bolt though?” Dash rubbed the back of her neck.

“No. I feel that until we become an official herd living separately while dating is for the best and another career mare would be ideal as Fluttershy has accepted the possibility of becoming the home body. Becoming famous wouldn’t be a bad thing either.” Fluttershy nodded and blushed after mumbling about how taking care of foals would be nice.

“You will be joining us on our spa dates though, that’s non negotiable.” Rarity finished as Rainbow groaned causing her new herd mates to laugh.

After reaching the dorms I was feeling bored. All of the colts were hold up in their rooms dealing with their ruts. Not something I really want to think about. Least I finally got a letter back from Moms.

‘Dear Dawn,

We’re so happy you started a trial herd with Starlight and Trixie. Just remember you don’t have to listen to everything they say, you’re your own colt. If things don’t work out with them there’s plenty of fillies out there.

We know it will be about that time of year when you finally get this letter so keep yourself safe and stick to the dorms.

It’s to early for us to be grandparents young colt.

Love,
Morning Dew, Forest Breeze, and Pear Butter.

Ps, your siblings all say hello and Unfettered is especially worried about you, but didn’t want us to mention it.’

I smiled and stored it with my other mail from them before writing back about how school had been going and that I was fine. Now I just need to make it through the Season. You and me both! I chuckled to myself and had a sudden urge for a grilled cheese sandwich.

Author's Note

World building.

Schooling around Equestria is all a bit unique depending on what type of education a pony is going for. All foals go to a primary/ pre school from around 3-7.

Then depending on cutie mark status they have a few options.

Dawn for example went to CSGU one of a few schools of higher education for Unicorns to learn advanced magic. That lasts about four years (then most ponies get a job related to their mark) with optional longer term learning for researchers or becoming a professor (similar to what Twilight does in the OG timeline where she researches a lot.)

Next there are the specialized schools for earth ponies such as geology (where Maud goes) and farming/ecological studies with weather and flight schools for Pegasi.

Then there are the regular schools that house a myriad of classes such as business, construction, etc… however most professions also have apprenticeship programs such as what Pinkie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy (she’s in a veterinarian apprenticeship) are going through with tests provided by the government to determine competency. The government also provides assistance to the hosts of such programs if it’s a private business like Sugarcube Corner to ensure jobs remain stable.

Not all ponies need a higher education since their mark helps them out so they start business, like Rarity, or they do schooling on the side, like Appljack who is taught by her mothers through home schooling and takes tests at the Ponyville school.

If a pony doesn’t find their mark (like the crusaders later) or their herds have the funds where they can continue supporting their foals (DT and SP) they may just continue a general education for a bit longer than normal.