Chapter 1: Fresh(man) Start in High School

Aaron and Smolder were preparing for their first day of High School. They packed their bags and went over to the car. Marissa was waiting for them to get into the car.

"Alright, kids," Marissa said. "I got work to do when I drop you kids off at school."

"Alright, Aunt Marissa," Aaron said. "Hey, where's Liam?"

"He went to work," Marissa said. "Megan should be coming over to ride with you two."

"Why can't her dad drop her off?" Smolder asked.

"He's already busy with trying to get Megan's younger brother to get ready for school," Marissa said.

"Megan has a younger brother?" Smolder asked. "Where was he when Megan and her dad were moving in?"

"Apparently, summer camp," Marissa said. "Mr. Williams didn't want Danny to mess up the hard work of the movers." Just then, the sound of a horse neigh coming.

"What was that?!" Smolder asked.

"That's... what a horse on Earth sounds like," Aaron said. "Ponies have a higher pitched neigh than horses." Then they were interrupted by the sound of Megan's voice.

"Darn it, Danny! Leave TJ alone!" Then they saw Megan riding a light brown horse with a blonde mane. She then came down off the horse and held down the house. "Whoa, TJ."

Smolder whispered into Aaron's ear and asked, "That's a horse on Earth?"

"That's right," Aaron said. He then walked towards Megan and asked, "So, you need help with getting your horse back to your house?"

"Nah, Ah got it," Megan said. "Let's go, TJ." She then pulled the horse back towards her house. Aaron and Smolder then watched Megan pull her horse to the house.

"Megan, Danny, and a horse named TJ?" Aaron asked. "I don't know if this is canon to the series, or just a really good coincidence."

"Maybe it's just one huge coincidence," Smolder said. "Let's get in the car." Aaron and Smolder then got into the car after Marissa unlocked it. Then Megan came in and got into the car. Marissa then started the car and drove off.

Aaron, Smolder and Megan were all dropped off at Summer Valley High School. They went into the school. The three of them were checking to see which lockers they got.

"Looks like I got locker 145," Aaron said.

"148," Smolder said. "Meh, not too far from yours."

"Ah got 237," Megan said. "Ah'll see ya in Health class." She then walked off towards her locker.

Aaron and Smolder looked at their schedules. Aaron then said, "We got three classes together today, and we share the same classes tomorrow. Let's head on over to Health Class."

Smolder then looked at her schedule sheet and saw the classes. She then said, "I wonder if this school is just as easy as Middle School."

"It'll get harder the higher we go," Aaron said. "That's a part of growing up human."

"Meh, whatever," Smolder said. "Let's get to class." Then they started heading towards class,High School Junior came in and blocked their path.

"Looky-look what we got here, boys," the student in front said. "Fresh meat. A perfect specimen to play with."

"Who are you?" Aaron asked.

"Someone who's gonna bring you so much misery in High School," the bully said. He then saw Smolder. "Look at that. A girl that would belong to me."

"In your dreams," Smolder said, crossing her arms.

"Oohoo, feisty," the bully said. "I like it. Too bad you won't have a chance with this loser!" He then picked up Aaron.

"Whoa! Hey!" Aaron said. The bully carried Aaron and stuffed him into a trashcan. "Oof!"

"Hey, what's the big idea?!" Smolder asked.

"I'm going to enjoy playing with you through all your days of school," the bully said, looking at Aaron. "And nothing is gonna stop me." He then started walking away.

Smolder then walked towards the trash can and pulled Aaron out of the trash can. Smolder then asked, "Are you okay?"

"Of course, whenever there's a high school, there's a bully who thinks he's in charge," Aaron said.

"Oh, boy," Smolder said. "Should I teach him a lesson?"

"No," Aaron responded. "Let's just get to class." Then they headed off towards Health Class.

Eventually, Aaron, Smolder and their group of friends made it to Health Class. Aaron and Smolder sat in the back row in Health Class. Paul, Kyle, Megan and Slab were all spread out across the class room seats.

Then a female teacher in her early 30s came in and said, "Good morning, class. I'm Miss Reynolds, your Health Class Teacher. But before we go out to get our textbooks, we have a special announcement from our principal." Then she pulled down the projector screen and turned on the projector with a remote. She then switched the input on a channel that connects to the Principal's Office where Principal Sanders is on the screen.

"Good morning, students," Principal Sanders said on the screen. "This is Principal Sanders. Welcome to a new school year, and welcome Freshman Students. Now, we all have many new students that will adjust. Especially some students that are from out of town. We even have some new faculty joining us, including our new janitor, Dang."

Just then, Dang appeared right next to her on the screen, saying, "You called?" That made everyone in the school who was watching scream.

"Where'd he come from?" Megan asked.

"That's Dang," Aaron said. "Whenever someone says his name, or either the word, he appears instantly."

"I really should watch what I say," Principal Sanders said on the screen. "Anyway, let's all enjoy these years of High School. I'm sure you all will enjoy it. That's all for now." She then ended the broadcast.

"Okay, everyone," Miss Reynolds said. "Let's all go over to the library to get your textbooks." Then everyone got up out of their seats and headed out of there towards the school library to get their textbooks.

Eventually, they made it through the day. Aaron and Smolder were at their lockers checking their schedules for their next classes. Aaron had Wood Shop and Smolder had Home Economics.

"Well, I guess you and I have to be split up before lunch," Smolder said. "I'm with the new girl, Megan. Are Kyle and Paul joining you in Wood Shop?"

"Nope," Aaron said. "I'm on my own in Wood Shop. I'll see you at lunch." He then closed his locker and headed towards Wood Shop class. Smolder then sighed. Then Megan walked up to her.

"Howdy, Samantha," Megan said. "Ya ready fer Home Economics?"

"Meh, Not like I had any other choice," Smolder said. The two girls then headed for one class. They headed towards room 105. The door had a window that said "Home Economics" on it, and there were a bunch of kitchen stages. They walked in and headed for the front of the class, where an elderly woman in her early 70s was standing waiting for class to start.

"Well, look who we have here," the elderly woman said. "Who do we have here?"

"Howdy there," Megan said. "My name's Megan Williams. Ah moved here from Tennessee over the summer. And this is Samantha Drake. Ah hope that the two o' us can be partners in this class."

"I'll see what I can do," the elderly woman said. "I'm Mrs. McCarthy, and I'm going to be your Home Ec teacher. Sadly, this will be my last year."

"Really?" Smolder asked. "Why?"

"I'm 72 years old and I'm afraid that I'm gonna have to settle down," Mrs. McCarthy said. "You know how old folks get when we reach certain ages."

"Yeah, that's true," Smolder said. "I'm sure that you'll make it as good as you can for it being your final year."

"I'm sure I will, dearie," Mrs. McCarthy said. Just then, a bunch of other students came in right as the school bell to start class came in. Most of the students were girls. There were some male students, but not as many of the girls. "Welcome class. Welcome to Home Economics."

Meanwhile, in Wood Shop Class, Aaron was sitting at one long table waiting for the teacher. He had a lot of male classmates. But then there was one classmate he wasn't expecting.

"Well, well, well. Look who we have here."

Aaron turned around and saw the bully from that morning coming right towards him. Aaron got angry and said, "Oh, no. Not you again."

"Looks like I'm gonna enjoy this class more and more," the bully said. "Hope you like failing, because you're now doing all the work for me and not have anything to turn in."

"What?" Aaron asked.

"That's right, loser," the bully said. "I'm gonna take credit for your work and you won't be passing this class."

"I'm not gonna let you take my work and have you take all the credit," Aaron said. Unbeknownst to the bully, the teacher was right behind him, his fists on his hips.

"Like you're gonna stop me," the bully said. "When the teacher sees me with your project, he's gonna be so impressed and say..."

"Jenkins!" the teacher said, shocking the bully.

"Gah! Mister Conners!" the bully said. "How long were you standing there?!"

"Long enough to know you're a big trouble maker!" the teacher, known as Mr. Conners, said. "I'm reporting you to the principal!"

"You can't do this!" the bully said. "I'll tell my dad! He's a cop!"

"My aunt's fiancé is also a cop," Aaron said. "And I met all of them, and I don't recall one cop named Jenkins."

"So you lied about that, too," Mr. Conners said. "Let's go." He then pulled the bully to the Principal's office. But he first stopped and looked at Aaron. "What's your name, son?"

"Aaron Blazer," Aaron responded.

"Ah, so you're the famous Aaron Blazer," Mr. Conners said. "I'm gonna enjoy having you in my class."

"You're dead, Blazer," the bully said as he was being dragged away. "I'm gonna take you down."

Aaron watched as the Wood Shop teacher dragged the bully away. The bully's words were getting deep in Aaron's head. He then sighed.

Back in Home Economics Class, Smolder and Megan were both at a cooking booth, making cookies. Smolder was operating the mixer, but was having trouble keeping it stable.

"Whoa!" Smolder said. "This is... hard to... control." Megan then lowers the power of the mixer for Smolder to control it. "Thanks."

"Ya shoulda listened to Mrs. McCarthy," Megan said. "Take it nice and easy."

"Yeah, yeah," Smolder said, rolling her eyes. "I got it." She then sighed. "Hopefully, I can get through this class through the rest of the year."

"Ah'm sure ya will get through it nice and easy," Megan said. "Now, stop it for a moment so Ah can put in these 'ere chocolate chips." Megan then started pouring in chocolate chips slowly after Smolder stopped the mixer. Smolder then mixed up the dough again after Megan put in a third of the amount of chocolate chips. Then Smolder stopped the mixer and Megan put in another third of the amount.

Smolder then looked at the time on her phone and saw that she and Megan had 10 minutes left in class. She then asked, "Is the stove preheated?" Then the stove they were using beeped.

"There's yer answer," Megan said, dumping the last of the chocolate chips into the mixture. "Now, let's get these cookies prepped and baked."

"Yeah, lets..." Smolder said, but she then saw how hot it was and how hot the recipe was supposed to be. "Whoops. Looks like I turned it up too high."

"Well, let's see how well they turn in a hotter temperature and keep an eye on 'em," Megan said as she started scooping up some cookie dough. Smolder was putting parchment paper on a baking sheet. She then joined Megan on scooping up the cookie dough.

Five minutes later, they pulled the cookies out of the oven. The cookies were a little burnt, but not too bad. Then Mrs. McCarthy came towards them and saw the cookies.

"Too hot?" Mrs. McCarthy asked.

"It was an accident," Smolder said. "Set the oven too hot."

"You kept your eyes on the cookies, right?" Mrs. McCarthy asked. Smolder and Megan nodded. "Well, you two might have been in a rush, but you did well for your first try." She then saw the clock. "Well, you two prepare to leave. Clean up the area and I'll grade your cookies." She then put on an oven mitt and took the baking sheet of cookies with her to a cooling rack that had labels for the students in the class. She put the baking sheet on a rack that had the names "Samantha Drake and Megan Williams" on it. Smolder and Megan continued cleaning up their area.

Later in the School Cafeteria, Aaron, Smolder, Megan, Paul, Kyle and Slab were all in line, getting their school lunches. The lunch ladies were serving Pizza.

"Sweet," Smolder said. "Pizza."

"Only one slice," Aaron said. "Gotta stay in shape for our sports this year."

"He's right," Kyle said. "It's best to eat only a little more than a lot. Otherwise, we'd be lethargic."

"Guess I should keep in shape," Smolder said.

"Ya got that right, Samantha," Megan said.

"So, Aaron, how goes the engagement of your Aunt and Officer Daniels?" Paul asked.

"Pretty good, actually," Aaron said. "Marissa's happy to have met him and is lucky to be able to marry him."

"So, where's the wedding going to be?" Kyle asked.

"In the city where I was born," Aaron said. "Chicago."

"So, you'll be going to your hometown, huh?" Paul asked. "Sweet."

"Are you gonna be a part of the wedding?" Kyle asked, looking at Smolder.

"Meh, not like I have any other thing to do," Smolder said. "Besides, the wedding's in Early December."

"Speaking of which, when the time comes, we should let the Principal know about us being out of town for Aunt Marissa's wedding," Aaron said.

"That's good if you need to remind the Principal 'bout that," Megan said. "Ah'm happy fer yer family."

"Thanks, Megan," Aaron said.

Smolder got closer to Megan and quietly asked, "Should we tell Megan about... you know?"

"Not yet," Aaron said. "Not until we can fully trust her."

Eventually, they made it to a table and they started eating. Megan was confused of how Aaron and Smolder got free lunch. She then asked, "How did ya get Free Lunch?"

"We'll tell you some other time," Smolder said.

"Well, we got Spanish Class after lunch and Free Period, so let's chill out somewhere," Aaron said.

"Good idea," Slab said. "I'm sure that you all have something fun to do."

"We'll see about that, Slab," Paul said. "Hey, Aaron? You wanna get some Basketball Practice in?"

"Alright," Aaron said. "Maybe we should leave our Free Periods to get some of our homework done through the school year."

"That's a good idea," Kyle said.

"Of course it is," Aaron said. "Better to have our work done as soon as possible than to blow it off later." Just then, the back of his head was grabbed and it was slammed into his food. "Gah!" The bully from before was the one pressing Aaron's head down into his food.

"I got a month of detention because of you!" the bully said. "And you're gonna pay for that."

"Hey!" Smolder said, standing up. "Let him go!"

"Not gonna happen!" the bully said. He then pulled Aaron away from the table and took him towards the hallway. Then a bunch of other students followed them. Some of them were chanting "Fight!" as Aaron was being dragged away.

The bully threw Aaron to the ground. Aaron looked up at the bully and saw that he was getting ready to punch him. Aaron then rolled out of the way as the bully's fist collided with the ground. Aaron then got up.

"Listen, buster, I don't want to fight you," Aaron said.

"I don't care," the bully said. "Because you're gonna get what you deserve!" He then tried punching Aaron, but Aaron dodged it. The bully's fist collided with a locker. "Ow! Hey!"

"I'm not gonna fight you just because of your bad attitude," Aaron said. "Just leave me alone!"

"Oh, no!" the bully said. "You're gonna get it!" He then tried to punch Aaron, but Aaron dodged it. Aaron then received a text on his watch. He looked at the text message and saw the message. It was a text from the Principal.

The text read: "Time to show that bully why he shouldn't mess with you. Release the dragon within."

Aaron smirked and then he ducked out of the way from an incoming punch. Aaron then said, "Don't mess with me."

"Oh, yeah?" the bully asked. "And why not?" Aaron then transformed into his dragon form in front of the bully, shocking him. "What the hell?!"

"What happened to Aaron?!" Megan asked as she, Smolder, Paul, Kyle and Slab were in the front of the circle surrounding Aaron and the bully.

"He's a dragon," Smolder said.

"You're... a real dragon?" the bully asked. He then scoffed. "You know what? That's fine. That girlfriend of yours probably doesn't want to date a freak like you."

"You sure about that?" Smolder asked, the bully turning towards her. She then transformed into her dragon form in front of him.

"You're a dragon, too?!" the bully asked.

"That's right," Smolder said. "And my name's not really Samantha. That's just a cover name. My name... is Smolder."

"And you've been playing with actual fire," Aaron said. "Principal Sanders."

Then Principal Sanders came through the crowd and walked up to the bully. "Leslie Jenkins. That's your third major strike today. Pushing shoving Aaron Blazer into a trashcan, attempting to take his Wood Shop projects get all the credit for them, and now... fighting. You can forget about your month-long detention. Because now, you are suspended."

"Suspended?!" the bully, now known as Leslie Jenkins, shouted. "You can't..."

"I can, and I will," Principal Sanders said. "Come with me." She then grabbed Leslie's ear and dragged him towards the Principal's office.

"Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow!" Leslie cried out as he was being pulled towards the office.

"Dude, that was awesome!" Paul said, coming up to Aaron with a high five, which Aaron responded to. "Never thought you would take down a bully like that."

"And it's just the first day of school," Aaron said.

"Ah still can't believe that you two are dragons," Megan said. "How?"

"I was born a dragon," Smolder said. "You heard of the show, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic?"

"Wait, that show that's full of ponies?" Megan asked. "I haven't watched that show since 2016."

"Well, guess you stopped at season 6 because Smolder made her debut in that show during Season 8 in 2018," Aaron said. Smolder nodded.

"You missed out," Smolder said. "Aaron didn't make an appearance in the show because when he arrived, it was after the series finale."

"That would make sense," Megan said. "So, why are you both here?"

"I was born human," Aaron said. "One day, I woke up in Equestria as this, Smolder found me, and after a couple months there, Smolder and I fell in love."

"Ocellus tricked us into getting into a Ferris Wheel and had it stuck," Smolder said.

"Who's Ocellus?" Megan asked.

"A changeling," Aaron said.

"Wait, aren't they... evil?" Megan asked.

"They reformed at the Season 6 finale, which I'm realizing you haven't seen," Aaron said. "What was that last episode you watched?"

"The latest one Ah watched was when... Rainbow Dash on a prank spree," Megan said.

"28 Pranks Later," Aaron, Smolder, Paul and Kyle said in unison.

"Right after that was when Thorax, who is now in charge of the Changelings, made his speaking debut," Aaron said. Aaron and Smolder then changed back into their human forms. "Now. Let's get back to lunch." Then everyone headed back to the cafeteria to finish their lunches.

After the last class, all the students were heading out to the bus area or the pickup section. Aaron and Smolder were heading for the pickup area where Liam was waiting for them.

"I still can't believe we have to learn a new language just to graduate," Smolder said.

"Imagine how Yona must feel when she had to learn English," Aaron said, making Smolder snicker. "But I'm sure that we can learn Spanish in no time."

Aaron and Smolder then got into the car where Liam was waiting for them. He then said, "So, how was your first day of High School?"

"Eventful," Aaron said. "Got a bully suspended."

"Really?" Liam asked. "What happened?"

"He threw Aaron into a trashcan, tried taking Aaron's Wood Shop class work for himself, and tried starting a fight in school," Smolder said.

"Now everyone in the school knows about our dragon forms," Aaron said.

"Wow," Liam said. "Now that's eventful." Just then, there was a knocking on the window. Aaron and Smolder looked towards the window and outside there was Principal Sanders. Liam rolled down the windows for them to talk to her.

"Hey, Principal Sanders," Aaron said.

"You two kept your cool on your dragon forms," Principal Sanders said. "I'm proud of you for doing that."

"Thank you, Princpal Sanders," Aaron said. "But, because of that bully, I might be on his hit list."

"Not if I can handle that," Principal Sanders said. "By the way, you two can come to school either in human or dragon form whenever you two choose."

"Thanks for the heads up," Smolder said. She then looked around. "Hey, where's Megan?"

"Her dad picked her up," Aaron said. "Although, she was a little freaked out that you and I transformed into dragons."

"Well, time to get you kids home," Liam said. "See you some other time, Principal Sanders." Then Liam drove off with Aaron and Smolder in the back.

Smolder, in her dragon from, was reading her Spanish textbook, trying to study in the living room area in her part of the house. Just then, the portal started reacting. Smolder looked towards the house and in came Ocellus.

"Hey, Smolder," Ocellus said.

"Ocellus," Smolder said. "What are you doing here?"

"Coming to check up on you," Ocellus said. "How was your first day of High School?"

"Eventful, but right now, I'm studying a new language," Smolder said.

"A new language?" Ocellus asked. She then checked the textbook. "Spanish? Oh, one of those foreign languages in this world."

"Like you know how to speak Spanish," Smolder said.

"Crees que las cambiantes no podemos hablar otros idiomas mundanos?" Ocellus asked in Spanish. If you're wondering that that means, here's the translation: "You think we changelings can't speak other worldly languages?"

"Wait, you speak Spanish?" Smolder asked. "How?"

"I asked Marissa to take me to a library here when you two went to a movie," Ocellus said. "I learned so many things about this world. And don't worry, Smolder..." She then spoke in Spanish again. "Te ayudaré a aprender español hasta el final del año escolar." Which translates: "I'll help you learn Spanish until the end of the school year."

"Um... okay?" Smolder asked.

"I'll help you," Ocellus said. "I can help you study. Even make flashcards for you to study for tests."

Smolder smiled at that and said, "Thanks, Ocellus. I could use all the help I can get."

"Ningún problema," Ocellus said. "Somos mejores amigos después de todo." Which translates: "No problem. We're best friends after all."

"This is gonna be on interesting year," Smolder said. Just then, the door that led to the main part of the house opened. Aaron then came in.

"Hey, Smolder," Aaron said. "Dinner's almost ready." He then saw Ocellus. "Oh, hey, Ocellus. How are you doing?"

"I'm doing alright," Ocellus said. "I'm planning on helping Smolder with Spanish class."

"Thanks, Ocellus," Aaron said. "We're gonna need all the help we can get."

Then Marissa walked in. She then saw Ocellus and said, "Hello, Ocellus. We're about to start dinner. Would you like to join us?"

"I'd love to," Ocellus said. She and Smolder followed Aaron and Marissa into the main part of the house for dinner.

Author's Note

Well, the first day of school was very eventful for Aaron and Smolder. But hopefully, things will get better from then on. See you all next time.