Team Star

“So what should our team name be, I’m thinking Rainbow and the Dashes.” Rainbow said enthusiastically. The others began to laugh, but judging by her silent frown, Rainbow Dash was serious about her suggestion.

“Why don’t we try ta’ come up with something that’s, dunno, representin’ all of us?” Apple Jack chimed in.

The dorm had four single beds, one in each corner of the room. Though their belongings had been brought up, no pony had even begun to unpack.

“Well we have a ‘P’, an ‘A’, a ‘R’ and a ‘F’.” Pinkie Pie said, her train-of-thought evident, but not exactly on the same track as every pony else’s.

“You think our name should be… Parf?” Rainbow asked with narrowed brows.

“Oh man!” Pinkie Exclaimed. “No, cause that sounds like Barf. Gross. Ew.” It was clear that no pony had any ideas. “What about… PARTY!”

“Party?” Fluttershy asked quietly.

“Yeah! It could stand for ‘Pinkie Pie, Apple Jack, Rainbow Dash, and The Yellow one!”

“Well… it’s better than Parf.” Apple Jack replied, clearly not impressed.

Fluttershy frowned solemnly. “So my name doesn’t even get to be part of the name…”

“You’re the yellow one… duh?” Pinkie Pie said energetically.

Fluttershy pulled a face, not sure if being reduced to her fur color was something she was all that interested in… but honestly, it seemed like a much better option, than ‘PARF’.

Celestia sat at her large desk in the office. The office had a windowed roof that enveloped the circular room, and despite its seemed transparent nature, it was only see-through from the inside.

“Thank you for coming, Starswirl, it is my great honor to have a pony of your stature pay me a visit.” Celestia said holding her front hooves together atop the desk.

Across from her sat an ancient stallion, well beyond her in years, his mere presence was an anomaly. “To what do I owe the honor of such an invitation, Princess Celestia?”

Celestia hummed. “I’m well aware that you have your own school to run, Starswirl, though, I have news that must be shared with you.” The turn of the corners of her mouth, forced to a serious and stern look.

Starswirl lower his head, removing the hat he was known for wearing. “In regards to-“ he scanned her face for more information. He had known her since her filly-hood.

“The maidens.” Celestia spat bluntly. “Shall I call upon you for something greater, it would be a summons and not an invitation.” It had been years since his claims, claiming to have been the warlock as old as time…

Starswirl nodded knowingly. “It is my understanding that you are in possession of the Spring Maiden. What more need be done?”

Celestia looked him over, narrowing her eyes, resting upon a ‘trusted confidant’. “The Winter Maiden is the source of my worries. There was an attack on her home, now she resides in my seasonal studies department.”

“The winter maiden is but an old mare now.” Starswirl insisted. “It is only a matter of time before the power is passed on and-“

“Yes, that is certain, but we cannot allow the maiden’s power to fall into the hands of a malicious attacker.” Celestia insisted, as if Starswirl were not hearing her.

“And what are we to do?”

“We must find a mare capable of becoming the next Winter Maiden.” Celestia insisted.

Rarity was intricately decorating her corner of the room. “Oh, doesn’t it just look marvelous.” In her creative stupor, she’d hardly noticed her teammates debate.

“Care to weigh in, Rarity?” Sunset asked, finally warming up to her more personable side.

“Weigh in on what, doll?” Rarity asked, completely oblivious.

“A team name?” Starlight demanded, as it should have been obvious.

“Oh darlings, I thought it was completely obvious. ‘SSTR’ it’s quite like ‘Star’, does it not?” Rarity hummed happily. “Team Star has a wonderful ring to it.”

“You there, boy” the unfamiliar mare with no visible identification said as she approached the office chamber door.

Sunburst stood at attention, cloaked and ready to fend off any intruder. Though, this intruder did not seem all-that threatening. “Yes, ma’am. What can I assist you with today?”

The mare was fine, an average looking pony. Nothing extraordinary about her. “I need to find my way to the chamber hall of seasonal study.”

Sunburst stiffened, the seasonal study hall was closed off to students and visitors, only high ranking huntsmen and huntresses were allowed entry. “I apologize, but the chamber hall is off-limits to visitors.”

“Oh, well it is a good thing I am a licensed Huntress… in-training, then isn’t it?” She chucked sweetly, batting her eyes as she spoke.

Sunburst shook his head slightly in disapproval. “Then you would know you need a guide and pre-schedule and approved appointment to enter that wing of the school.”

“The last time I was here was the coronation of the new Winter Maiden, so it has been quite some time.” She seemed to offer this as some sort of apology or excuse.

Sunburst narrowed his eyes, knowing well that there had been no Winter coronation for near a century, and this pony was not nearly old enough to have attended the last coronation. Flicking back his head, he removed the hood of his cloak. “It is time that you left. I will not feed you information about the seasonal study hall, and I will not let you scavenge for information about the maidens. You may return when you have a guide and an appointment.”

The mare chuckled. “Oh! The hostility, it tells me all I need to know.” She said happily skipping off.

Starswirl tapped his foot at the front steps of the school, awaiting his ever-tardy assistant. Chipperly, the pale green unicorn hopped to his side. Her auburn mane tied in a bun and her eyes spelling of wonder. “Cossette, how is it that you are always late?”

Cossette rolled her eyes playfully. “Oh Starswirl, you old coot.” She said, teasing him as if they were best friends. “You know I had my own business to attend to while we were here.” Her smile twisted across her face. “I know where they are keeping the Winter Maiden.”

Starswirl rolled his eyes. “As do I, though, my plan was to present you as a worthy candidate. You sneaking around, scavenging information will not shine favorably.”

“Though, if my ‘shine’ is not ‘favorable’ we can simply take the power for ourselves.” Cossette insisted.

“Oh yes, darling girl, because that went so well the first time you attempted to take the power for yourself.” Starswirl was callous and sarcastic. “Follow my lead and perhaps we can get the power through the proper channels. If all else fails, then you may resort back to your conniving ways, alright?”