Chapter 1) A blinding start
Slowly I started ascending into the sky, Taking a look around I could see I was in the middle of some city. What interested me though wasn't the city but where I was going, as I ascended towards the sky a giant pair of purple eyes appeared to be looking down on me.
“Vule, It’s time.” A distorted voice came from the giant eyes. “Come now Vule, it’s time to get up.”
“It’s time to get up?” I asked the disembodied eyes. “What’s that suppose to mean?”
Suddenly the sky lit up as a blinding sun cut through the clouds and everything seemed to dissolve as the suns rays spread about the environment.
“Vule, get up, you're going to be late for the morning meal,” The voice seemed much clearer and recognisable. It almost sounded like- ,“and not to mention you’ll be late for your first day at school.”
Instantly my eyes shot open, only to leave me blinded as the sun beat down on them mercilessly. Closing my eyes to save them from the menacing sun I jumped out of the bed only to get tangled in the sheets, effectively forcing my face into the ground. After stating my displeasure with the ground I opened my eyes only to see grey hoofs. Looking up I could clearly see it was Noble Service, one of the most respected royal servants in all of canterlot.
He had a grey coat and a tan mane, he adorned a butlers coat which covered his cutie mark. His muzzle was speckled with some grey to show his age, he also happened to be looking down at me with a slightly confused look.
“It’s nice to see your enthusiastic about today but do go groom yourself, the morning meal is about to start and the princesses do wish to see you off on your first day.” He spoke in a rather monotone voice.
“Both of them? I wasn’t expecting them both.” I said as I untangled myself from my sheets.
“Yes, it is a surprise but all the more reason you need to groom yourself, you look like an unruly dog.” Noble Service replied as he put the sheets back onto my bed.
“Right...” I replied as I made my way to the bathroom. As I entered I looked myself over in the mirror.
What stared back was what only could be best described as a large silver fox, though I prefer Vulpin, fox just makes me sound like an animal. My snout is long and thin, tail is bushy and more fleshy than a ponies and my eyes are gold. Yep, I’m a bit different from the local citizens around this land. I never was told where I came from only that I can’t go back because of cultural and political problems. Since I couldn't go back I was adopted by the two local rulers of Equestria.
Quickly noticing how my coat was a tangle mess of fur, I levitated a brush over and went to work. Oh ya, almost forgot about magic. I’m what they call a Crescent Vulpe, practically the Vulpin version of a unicorn, just without a horn. Instead the end of my tale will glow when I use magic, just like how a unicorn's horn would glow.
After I was satisfied with how my coat looked I exited the room only to find Noble Service waiting.
“Come now Vule, they are waiting.” He spoke as he started down the stairs. Rushing to catch up with him I tripped, letting out a small yelp as I nearly fell face first down the stairs, but luckily Noble Service caught me with his magic.
“So both Celestia and Luna will be there?” I asked as I reoriented myself with a sheepish grin and followed Noble Service.
“Yes, Princess Celestia cleared her schedule this morning to make sure she had time to see you off.” He answered with a warm smile as we made our way down a hall.
“Well thats a pleasant surprise, I thought only Luna was going to be there.”
“Nonsense prince Vule, Prince Blueblood is going to be there too.” He responded with a growing grin.
“Oh how wonderful and thoughtful of him...” I said in a sarcastic tone. “So why is he seeing me off for? Did Celestia or Luna make him come?”
“No, he’s not seeing you off, he is going to be taking you to school as far as I understand.”
…
“This is a cruel joke right?” I asked pleadingly.
“I know most of Canterlot dislikes him but being that you’re adopted by the princesses you're family.” Noble Service replied in a matter of fact tone. “ So no, it’s not a joke, in a way you two are like brothers”
Giving off a half growl/half whimper we arrived to the dining hall. Before we even entered I could smell the food that was being served, which means I was late. Upon entering the room I found I was actually just in time, the servants were just bringing out the platters of food. The first to notice my entrance was Luna, she always paid the most attention to me.
“Good morning Vule, I assume you’re well rested?” she asked happily as a plate of pancakes was placed in front of her.
“I did, Noble Service made a point of reminding my last night to go to sleep early.” I answered in a polite tone, this seemed to please her as she smiled and went to work on her pancakes.
Celestia, who was sitting across from Luna motioned me to sit. Taking my seat at the end of the table I had a clear view of everypony, including prince Blueblood. Before I knew it a plate of egg, toast, grapes, and a glass of juice were put down in front of me.
“Do eat up Vule, we don’t want you getting hungry on your first day of school now do we?” Celestia spoke in a playful way.
“No.” I replied in a deadpan manner.
“Because?”
“Because if I’m hungry I won’t be able to think straight and will end up slacking.” I said with a mighty sigh at the end.
“Good.” She stopped as she motioned to my food and started eating her own.
Being hungry myself I couldn't argue with her on the logic. Plus eggs tasted good, couldn't turn those down even if I wasn’t hungry.Normally I would have just dug right in but seeing that prince Blueblood was present I was going to eat slowly, I don’t really want another lecture on how royalty properly eat.
“So...what is the school going to be like?” I asked just hoping to break the silence as we ate.
It looked as if both Celestia and Luna were going to speak but Luna beat her sister.
“Well Vule, from my understanding of today's school system it shouldn't be much different from your private schooling you received.” Luna spoke as she looked at Celestia then back to me. “Though there will be many others there to learn so its not so individualised as private schooling.”
“It will also be an opportunity to meet different ponies and make friends.” Celestia added in as soon as Luna stopped speaking.
Looking over at Blueblood I could see he was not even close to being interested in the conversation. He was instead holding up a mirror messing with his mane, though it looked fine in my opinion.It seams though that I wasn’t the only one paying Blueblood attention though, I could see both Luna and Celestia eyeing him.
“Also,” Celestia spoke up once again, “ Prince Blueblood will be taking you to school today for he has business there.”
This seemed to catch Blueblood attention for he almost dropped the mirror in his magical grasp. Looking up he had a slightly disgusted look on his face. Luna also seemed to fail at holding back a small fit of giggles.
“Wh-what? Surely a servant could take him.” Blueblood spoke with a hint of annoyance evident in his voice.
“Well since you’re going to the school both Luna and myself thought it would be a good idea.” Celestia answered him with a slightly stern voice which he knew he could not argue with.
Noticing he was looking straight at me I gave him a sheepish grin which revealed my teeth. His stare was soon turned into yet again another look of disgust.
I was never out in the public much as I grew up. I only remember going out once or twice for holidays like Hearths Warming. I would have loved to walk all the way to school but being with prince Blueblood he refused to walk all the way there. So we ended up taking a royal carriage. I’m not complaining though, going to school in a carriage was definitely cool.
As the carriage made its way through the streets I couldn’t help but put my paws up against the window and look around excitedly as we made our way.
“Do sit down, your tail’s going to get hair all over the place.” Blueblood complained
With an exaggerated sigh I settled back down on the seat. Looking at Blueblood he gave a quick huff and looked out his window.
“Say Blueblood, Did you go to school here too?”
Taking his focus back into the carriage he quickly looked to me with a smile. Not a big surprise though, it was going to be a conversation about himself.
“Why yes, I did attend here for a short time, about 10 years ago. In the time I spent here I proved myself as quite the tennis player.” Blueblood continued on but one can only take so much Blueblood so I ended up looking out the window again as he continued on.
It seemed like centuries before the carriage stopped. It was harder than I though to ignore Blueblood, he was able to talk about tennis the whole ride. I have never played tennis before, now I don’t think I will ever want to. Opening the carriage doors I quickly jumped out to escape Blueblood’s tennis rant.
I soon wished I hadn't though, the feeling of many eyes locked on me was not fun. I’m sure that being a public school in one of the largest cities that I wasn't the only non-pony going to school here but all of the ponies staring at me made me rethink that theory as I shrunk down to the ground.
Before I knew it Blueblood was already walking on ahead into the school so I did the only logical thing I could think of, I ran after him into the school. When I finally caught up, Blueblood was just entering a room marked “Main office”. The room contained a few desks in the back with one large desk in the front. There was a teal earthpony mare working the front desk who nearly jumped when she noticed Prince Blueblood.
“C-can I help you Prince Blueblood?” She asked nervously, almost to the point of panic.
“Yes, I’m hear to talk to Mr. Brown,” he paused to look at me,”and Prince Vule here is to start his schooling today.”
The mare looked to me then back to Blueblood. “R-right, okay well Mr. Brown will be back shortly.” She move some papers around the desk till she found what she was looking for, walking out from behind the desk she motioned me over.” Prince Vule, if you would follow me please.”
Bluebread didn’t seem too happy about being left to wait but I’m quite happy about his outcome. Following the slightly timid mare we walked down a hallway that was lined with lockers, accompanied by a few doors that broke the line of lockers every so often. Finally we stopped about midway down the hall in front of a door that was marked as with a large number “1”.
“Wait here please.” She entered the room and closed the door behind her.
Just tall enough to see through the window I could see that the teal mare whispering to a mule who stood in front of the class. The mules eyes seemed to grow large but then quickly became normal, looking over the teal mares shoulder she looked at me then back to the mare. Turning around the mare looked and me, motioning me to come in.
Oh god, this is it, this might just be the scariest thing I’m going to do. What will they think when they see me? Wait, why am I worried about what they think? They don’t even know me. Guess I better get this over with...
With a sigh I pushed the door open with my paw, slowly walked up to the mule and the mare. As I walked in I noticed just how large the class was, there seemed to be at least six rows of desks that went from wall to wall. Most of the students were ponies, mixed in were a few young mules, griffins and one minotaur. Almost everyone had their eyes trained on me, if it wasn’t for my fur they would see my face growing red.
The mule spoke to me as I got closer, “You can take any of the open seats, we are just about to start.” Her voice was not what I really expected, it was so soft that if it wasn’t for the large group of eyes trained on me I would have instantly calmed down.
Looking around I spotted an open seat between a griffin and a pony. Quickly taking the seat between the two I looked around the room to see almost everyone was now paying attention to the teacher.
“Hello class, I’m Mrs. Feather,” she spoke as she wrote her name on the chalkboard,“ and I’m proud to be the first to welcome you to your school career. To start things off I’m going to give you all about ten minutes to get to know each other while I take care of a few thing in the office.”
Slowly the class started coming to life as Mrs. Feather left, the talking was almost instant as the door closed. Deciding to take the less scary route I was going to talk to the pony first, she didn’t seem nearly as scary as the griffin. Her coat was a light purple with a blue mane, she had a cutie mark of a rope.Taping her shoulder to get her attention I began to speak.
“Hi-hello, I’m Vule, what's your name?” I asked with a shaky tone while doing my best to smile.
As she turned to face me I noticed a horn on her head that was partially hidden by her mane.
“I’m Qu-,” her eyes turned into saucers as she stared at me,“wow your teeth are sharp, what are you anyways? Are you a dog? Oh my, you're not a diamond dog are you?”
…
“So you're not a dog?”
…
A voice spoke up behind me, “No stupid, diamond dogs don’t go to school, he’s the one who got off the carriage with prince Blueblood.”
Turning around I found the griffin standing over me, his green eyes looking over my body the way a predator does before they strike.
“I’m right yes?” He spoke as his face neared mine, all I could do was shake my head yes.
“Good, I’m Aldrick by the way.” He said as he gave me room.
Both me and Aldrick turned to the unicorn waiting for her to speak. She looked as if a her brain had just had a meltdown. She just sat there staring at me with her jaw hanging low. I couldn't help but writhe under her glare. She quickly caught herself and spoke up.
“So...if you're not a dog what are you?”
Again before I could speak Aldrick did.
“Look, just give us your name so we can all get introduced with the others.”
“O-oh okay, well my name is Qu-.” She was cut of by somepony yelling.
“I hear there is suppose to be a prince in this class, so who is this prince?” A pure white unicorn with a light blue mane and a single ruby as a cutie mark stood in front of the class.
She scanned the whole class looking expectantly at each of us. Behind her stood two more unicorns. The one to her right was a orange mare with a yellow mane, her cutie mark was a ribbon. The unicorn the her right though was a stallion, he had a white coat and a pink and blond mane, his cutie mark was some weird lily.
Looking around the classroom she found me. As she stared at me an idea seemed to pop into her head as she gave me a menacing smile.
“You, dog, make yourself useful and search for my prince.” She demanded.
Aldrick seemed to think this was funny for he was on the floor rolling around and laughing. In the process he knocked over his empty seat. This new pony didn’t seem to like this though, her face kinda looked like Blueblood’s when somepony refused him something.
“And what, if I may ask is so comical griffin?” She made a point to emphasize her last word.
Slowly Aldrick got up, trying to hold back his fit of laughs.
“Well miss prissy, you don’t need this so called dog to find your prince.” Aldrick paused waiting to see if she would respond, all she did though was glare at him so he continued on.”This dog was on the carriage that Blueblood was on, I think he is your prince.”
I would have spoken if it were not for the whole class staring at me. Not to mention the older unicorn’s right eye started twitching in a really creepy manor.The purple mare whose name I have yet to know looked like her brain had a meltdown once again. Yep, its official, I really do not like school.
Chapter 2) Of rocks and flowers
Well I can’t say that school was what I thought it would be. I was lucky that Mrs. Feather came back at the time she did, I have no clue what the psycho mare would have done. I was just happy that she was sent back to her own class.
At least I was safe now, back in my own chambers. Looking over the books and papers I was given, I pulled out the first assignment of the year. This should be easy, all I have to do is get Luna or Celestia to sign it.
Holding the paper above me with my magic I started for Luna’s private quarters. Upon exiting my quarters I sped past the two guards at my door only to stop at the stairs Not wanting a repeat of what happened this morning I took my time to go up the stairs. Resuming my normal pace when I got to Luna’s level I heading straight for her door. One of the two night guards stopped me though before I could knock.
“I’m sorry prince Vule but Luna is not in her quarters.” I could never get these guys, they never showed any emotions.
“Oh...well do you know where she is?”
“I can not be certain but I believe she is in the throne room.”
“Right, well thank you anyways.” I started at full speed towards the stairs.
As I made my way down, I practically hopped step to step. The paper fluttering above me grabbed my attention though, that was a mistake though. As I looked at the paper I noticed that my paws missed the next step, sending me tumbling down the rest of the stairs. Luckily for me I was only a few steps away from the ground floor.
Laying on my back I could hear the sounds of hoofsteps approaching me as my paper landed on my belly. After blinding a few times Noble Service came into view.
“Prince Vule, How many times must I say not to play on the stairs?” He asked looking down on me with disapproving eyes.
“Well I wasn’t really playing, I’m trying to find Luna so she can sign this paper for me.” I motioned to the paper on me.
“Nonetheless, do be careful on the stairs, Luna has also told you many times to not run on the stairs.” He scolded me as he put me back onto my feet with his magic. “ Also, Luna is busy right now, she is in a meeting with the griffin ambassadors.”
“Oh well thanks Noble.” I said in a rather disappointed tone.
“My pleasure Prince Vule, do be careful when you decide to go back up to your room though.” With that he continued on up the stairs.
Well that’s just great, I guess I could ask Celestia to sign it. With that thought still in my mind I headed towards the throne room once again.
Upon reaching the colossal doors of the throne room the guards stepped to the side to let me pass through the open doors. Celestia was sitting on her throne talking to two unicorns who stood before her. Looking up from the small group Celestia gave me a welcoming smile.
“Vule, do come here, I want you to meet a good friend of mine.” she motioned me to move forward as the two unicorns moved off to the side.
As I approached I got a good look at the two, a stallion and a mare. The stallion was white with a light blue mane and moustache, he wore an expensive looking suit that showed of his cutie mark which was 3 golden crowns. The mare was also white but with a pink mane, her cutie mark look oddly familiar though, it was three weird looking lilies. The oddest part though was that I swear I have seen them before.
“Vule, this is my friend, Francypants and his wife Fleur-de-lis.”
Fancypants stepped forward bowing his head, “It’s a pleasure to final meet, prince Vule.”
“P-Pleasures mine.” I was taken aback by this, I was use to the bowing and all but what he said sounded sincere.
“Oh dear, do stop, you're embarrassing the poor colt.” Fleur-de-lis stated as she put her hoof to his side.
Fancypants smiled at his wife and spoke again, “So prince Vule, we here you're attending school now, our children are also attending.”
“Oh I’m sure you’ll get along famously with them, they're in the gardens if you wish to meet them.” Fleur-de-lis chimed in with a hopeful smile.
This actually did get my hopes up. If Celestia was friends with these two I’m sure I could be friends with their children. Out of excitement I started for the door only to stop and look back at Celestia, giving her my best puppy eyed face I could.
“Could you sign this please?” I asked as the paper levitated in front of her.
Snatching the paper out of the air with her magic she spoke, “Yes, now go on Vule, we’ll be here talking.”
Without another word I was heading for the gardens full of excitement. This could change my whole thought about school if I have some friends early on.
As I approached the gardens I stopped right outside of the hedges. As I listened I could make out some voices right ahead of me. Without thinking I started right for the voices. As I hopped on through the hedges I could make out what they were saying.
“Come now brother, I wish to see the flowers not the statues.” The voice sounded familiar.
Stopping in the middle of one of the hedges, I tried to catch a glimpse of the two ponies ahead of me. Unfortunately one of the branches decided it was going to block my view, stupid branch. I couldn't help but give a quiet snarl at the unyielding branch as I tried to move it.
The hoofsteps stopped, “Shh...do you hear that?” Realizing they were talking about my snarl I froze up.
“Ruby, yet again no, I didn’t hear anything.” This voice sounded more masculine and someone annoyed.
“I swear it’s not like the other times, I really heard something this time.” This time the voice was laced with a slight hint of anger. “Over there, in the hedges, bet you five bits I hit something.”
...
“Deal.”
…
Did she say hit? I think it might be a good time to move.
As I started to back up a rock flew out of nowhere and struck me right between the eyes, forcing a yelp out. Falling half way out of the hedges I laid there looking up at the sky, I swear I could see the stars even though the sun was still out.
“Good going Rudy, you hit something alright,” the voice was full of sarcasm, “that something just also happens to be the prince you were spazzing out about this morning.”
My daze was soon turned to fear as the face of my assailant came into view. My eyes grew large with fear as I recognized the face as psycho mare, and she did not look pleased.
“What were you doing?”
Rolling back onto my paws I stood up facing the crazy mare. Being this close I could get the feel for our height difference, she stood about half a head taller than me. With my tail between my legs I slowly started backing up.
“Well?” She asked as she kept up with my pace forcing me into a statue.
“Um...well you see,” I took a short pause thinking over what I was going to say next, “I was told there were some ponies my age out in the gardens so I came searching, hoping we could all be friends?”
She stood there for a minute just staring at me. Her right eye twitched once as a smile slowly spread across her face.
‘Pleasedon’thitmewitharockPleasedon’thitmewitharockPleasedon’thitmewitharock’ I chanted in my mind as she smiled down upon me.
“Well why didn’t you just say so!” Her voice almost sounded friendly, this must be some sort of trick, she almost looked innocent.
“Anyways I’m Ruby and this is my brother Flos Fluere.” She pointed a hoof back to the stallion, I noticed he was the same stallion who was with her this morning. At this point it was my turn for my right eye to twitch.
“So....what’s your name?” She took a step closer, cocking her head slightly.
Looking back to her brother I could see him shoving his hoof into his face, looking back to Ruby I had no choice but to answer her.
“V-Vule, my names Vule.”
Ruby backed off giving me room to breath. As she walked away she looked back to me.
“Come now Vule, we’re going to look at the flowers!”
Flos Fluere trotted up next to me, “If there was ever a time to run it would be now Vule.” He was wearing a grin that made me freeze in place.
“B-but won't that make her mad?”
As he trotted on up ahead he spoke, “No, not mad, I would guess she would be closer to furious.”
Quickly I caught back up with Fluere, “I think I’ll stay with you two a bit longer.”
As I looked back to the castle I could see Celestia looking down at us from one of the throne room windows. Even from here I could see her give me one of her smiles and a small wave. For some reason I think this is going to be a long afternoon.
The sun dragged me out of my slumber as it slowly peeked up over the horizon casting away the stars. Slowly I got out of bed, trudging off to the bathroom to groom myself. As I made my way down the stairs I came across Noble Service.
“Well you're up early prince Vule, excited about today?”
Feeling too exhausted to speak, I gave him an exaggerated groan as I walked down past him. I could see him snickering as we past each other.
“I know the feeling all too well Prince Vule, all too well.” He sang out as he ascended the stairs.
As I entered the dining hall I noticed that Luna and Blueblood have yet to show. At the farthest end of the table sat Celestia who was busying herself into some scrolls. Looking up from her work Celestia gave me a welcoming smile.
“Well good morning Vule, did you sleep well?” She asked as she cleared the scrolls away off the table.
Taking the seat to her left, I gave a yawn as my body slowly woke.
“Ya, yesterday was tired me out more than I thought.”
“I would say,” she let out a small laugh, “so now that you have some new friends are you excited for school today?”
“I’m not sure if friends is the right word to describe Ruby and Flos, Flos seems like he’s okay but Ruby, I don’t know about her.” I couldn’t help but rub were the rock hit me yesterday, it still hurt a little bit.
“Give it time, I’m sure the three of you will become good friends, it’s a shame that they are 2nd year students.”
“Ya, such a shame.” I couldn’t help but give a sigh of relief. Though I’m not sure Celestia understood the feeling behind the sigh, she just gave me a look of pity.
The dining hall doors opened revealing a rather grumpy looking Luna. She strode, putting a little extra force into her steps so that they were almost to the point of stomps.
“Luna, I take it the meeting with the griffins went well.” Celestia teased her sister.
Taking her daily seat across from Celestia, she looked to Celestia with annoyance.
“Never again sister, never again will I offer to take your place in diplomatic meetings.”
“Oh now stop that Luna, they aren’t that bad.” she said with a laugh.
Turning to me, Luna gave me a small smile as she spoke, “Good morning Vule.”
“Good morning Luna.” That was almost as quick as Ruby’s turnaround yesterday, just almost.
“So how was your first day of school? I do so hope it went fine.”
Oh great, I can’t tell Luna that I hate it, she’s the one who thought it would be a good idea to go to public school. I really don’t want to hurt her feelings, but if I did tell her I might be able to get private schooling like before.
“Oh it was great, I met all sorts of friendly ponies.” Yep, lying is good, upset Luna is not.
“I’m happy for you Vule, now then how about some food?” I swear, Luna’s smile could calm even the feral timber wolf.
