Team Star

Trixie’s hooves tapped up the steps. So unfamiliar, yet so much like home. “I can’t believe we’re really here!” She exclaimed excitedly tapping her hooves on the cobbled path leading up to the school.

‘Celestia’s school for gift unicorns’. A school that was well renowned all across Equestria. Though it was not the only of its kind, it was the only school run by an Alicorn. Which, to the other school’s credit, was a large part of its appeal. Ponies from all over Equestria would travel to study there and be taught by the most knowledgeable pony there’d ever been: Princess Celestia.

Trixie was not the most skilled unicorn in her class, but despite her many… many flawed abilities, she had been offered an opportunity to study and perfect her craft. Despite being very good friends with her, Starlight was well aware of her many flaws. “Yes, yes I know, how very exciting.” She said, rather dismissively. “We are all very excited.” She said, stating the blatantly obvious.

Trixie jumped from side to side. “When do you think we’ll get our dorm assignments? Oh, I hope we get to room together, Starlight! It will be just like secondary school.”

Starlight nodded, a small smile creeping across her ever-unimpressed face. “I’m not sure, I’ve never been to a school for gifted unicorns before, Trixie.” She said, cracking a joke, but it seemed to go over her friend’s head completely.

“Oh, well neither have I.” She said certainly. “I supposed we’ll just have to figure it out together.”

“Are ya’ sure ya’ can’t come in with me?” The orange mare asked, the question was rather unlike her. She wasn’t one to run from a fight, but in having to leave her family… she showed a small bit of fear.

“It’s up to you from here, Apple Jack!” The old mare that’d raised her insisted. Her family of four, now looking like a family of three without her in it. Her elder brotherhad pulled the family wagon from the small town of Ponyville. Her grandmother and sister were there to see her off.

She, like only a few others, had no wings, and no horn. But her strength led her here. An invitation of the highest honor. Apple Jack was a bold fighter, and in honing her skill, she may be able to protect her home…

“Alright, ya’ll… well I’ll be home at the end of the semester, don’t go forgettin’ about me now.”

Sunset Shimmer was head of her class, year after year. Entry into the School for Gifted Unicorns was more a matter of time, than a matter of if.

She sat front and center in the large auditorium as the other incoming students filed in noisily. She was quiet, and alone. Her bicolored hair was neatly fashioned into purposefully messy curls, and her yellow coat was brushed perfectly for the occasion.

“Good Morning, Darling, I hope you don’t mind if I take this seat next to you.” The stranger said. She was pristinely white without a hair out of place. Her mane styled flawlessly, and her manner of speaking so formal. Sunset looked her over, shrugging in an apathetic response. “I do apologize, I have a bit of a hard time seeing from far away and would quite enjoy getting to see the Princess up-close, oh, you do understand. No matter, I’ll save my relentless babbling for some other time.” She chuckled to herself, a melodious laugh, it was sweet even to the sternest of ponies.

“I’m… Sunset Shimmer.” She said, finally. She was serious about her studies, but she was not antisocial or rude.

“Rarity, darling, a pleasure to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too…”

As their pleasantries were exchanged, the crowd had begun to fall silent, all eyes on the stage as soft lights came up. A towering white mare with hair that flowed in an unrelenting magical breeze stood before them. Princess Celestia.

Pinkie Pie hopped, skipped, and jumped into her seat. She was quite unlike the other ponies here. Perhaps it was the fact that she wasn’t a unicorn, unusual for “The School of Gifted Unicorns”, however, their exclusion of other ponies had long since been abolished. No, but rather, it was the type of magic that had gained her an invitation to study here in the first place.

Every pony, large and small, was born with a special talent. One that would become fully realized as they matured. Each one giving them special gifts and abilities. Some were more inclined to use their talents for fighting, while others, more suited for everyday life.

Pinkie Pie fell into the category of the former. Though her fluffy pink mane and coat, partnered with her bubbly and lighthearted personality, would lead one to believe she was soft and harmless. Though, one would be wrong.

Rainbow Dash fluttered slowly to keep pace with Fluttershy. The two had known one another since their days in cloudsdale’s primary school, and despite their differences, had become very good friends. Fluttershy and Rainbow were unique… which… in the case of being in a school full of unique ponies, did not quite mean much to them. The reason for their uniqueness being: their acceptance into the School for Gifted Unicorns laid in contingency with them coming as a pair.

So, unlike the other students who were to let fate decide their teammates, Rainbow and Fluttershy were guaranteed to be teammates.

“C’mon, Fluttershy! Can’t you move any faster? We’re going to miss orientation!” Rainbow whined, throwing her front legs down in defeat.

Fluttershy picked up the pace, but only to a slight degree. “Is this better?” She asked sincerely, earning a groan from her partner. She chuckled, moved only slightly faster once more. “We’ll make it, don’t worry.”

As the chatter died down, the pair entered the auditorium, slipping across the back wall. Awkwardly, as they had only barely made it there in time. “See! I told you!” Rainbow whisper-shouted.

Fluttershy giggled softly under her breath. “I told you we would make it.”

Celestia’s long white limbs and slim figure captured the attention of the entire auditorium. Leading them from booming chatter, to silent awe. The vast majority of them never having seen the Princess in the flesh before. Those who were raised in the city of Canterlot, having only had the honor during special occasions and holidays.

“It is my incredible honor to welcome you all into my dear school. In my many years, I have learned that there are so many untapped forms of magic in this realm, magic that may very well have been overlooked.” She stood still, her very presence was commanding, but she seemed to be… likable, approachable, but also… untouchable. “That is why I have opened my school to all creatures, to train not only the next generation of hunter and huntress unicorns, but a massive fleet to protect the entirety of Equestria.” A thunderous applause overtook the silence in the enormous room.

As Celestia looked around, the auditorium seemed rather empty. The facts of the matter were, in no particular order:

• The majority of threats against Equestria had dwindled in the past hundred years. There seemed to be less and less need for hunters and huntresses.
• Ponies simply did not want to fight any longer. In an era of seemed peace, it was less of a colt or filly’s dream of fighting for their lives.

“You all are not a common breed of pony.” Celestia continued. “To come here, in hopes of becoming warriors, more so than some already are... You are brave and selfless ponies, who I am privileged to be among”. Coos of approval spread through the students. “It is my honor to welcome you to my school, and I cannot wait to see what you will all become.” She cleared her throat, signaling that her speech had not quite finished yet. “Before you all disperse, please head to the courtyard. There, you will be given your dorm assignments!” She bowed… royally. “Thank you, and see you all very soon.”