Chapter one. A new beginning.
Chapter one. A new beginning.
Chapter one. A new beginning.
“But why?! I’m happy where I am!”
Irate and sharp were the best words to describe Twilight’s voice as it resounded through the living room. The young mare paced across the floor, pointedly refusing to look at either of her parents standing at the other end of the room. The two adults exchanged glances, before her mother stepped forward and caught her daughter’s shoulder. Twilight whirled to face her.
“Twilight, you need to calm down,” her mother soothed, patting her daughter’s shoulder. “We’re just worried about you.”
Her father took this moment to speak. “Your mother is right. All you do is go to school, come home, and sit in your room and read. You’re almost seventeen, Twilight. You need to start living life.”
Twilight shrugged off her mother’s hoof off herself and took a step away. “I don’t want a life! I worked my ass off to get to the top of my class, and now you're making me drop out! Why?!”
“Honey, you're not dropping out. It’s just a new school,” said her mother soothingly.
“Oh boy, public school! I might as well drop out, at least I won't get ‘stupider’ that way!” Twilight spat sarcastically, throwing her head in the air.
“Now Twilight, we all agreed that this is what's best. It was the Princess's idea even.”
Like a ship whose wind had gone from its sails, all the anger seemed to fly out of Twilight. Her mouth - half-open in preparation to deliver contention - seemed to forget how to function, frozen still as the words unsaid died in her throat. A stillness filled the room, feeling strange in the wake of yelling and wild gestures. When Twilight next spoke it was in a hushed, almost horrified whisper.
“Princess Celestia... No, she wouldn't do that! I’m her personal student,” she breathed, almost to herself as much as to her parents. “She wouldn’t... she couldn’t...”
“I would, and I have.” Twilight’s head snapped around at the voice, to behold Celestia as the Alicorn entered the room. “And I’m afraid what your parents are saying is true Twilight.”
Twilight fell backwards onto her haunches making the floor sound with a dull thud. She spoke through her mane as she hid her face. “What?” As her fear settled in,Twilight’s voice had risen in pitch. “But... why? Is it my grades? Have I not been diligent enough in my studies? If it is I promise I’ll do whatever it takes to make up for it! Just please, please don’t send me away!” She cast her panic-stricken gaze over her parents and her teacher, her tone pleading.
Celestia pulled her student into a tight embrace. “Twilight,” she cooed, “you haven’t done anything wrong, least of all be guilty of bad grades. The word ‘exemplar’ hardly even begins to fit you. I can still recall the little filly who nearly cried when she received her first test score of ninety percent.” The Princess sighed, lost in a moment of recollection. Then she seemed to remember the present, and moved Twilight to arm’s length. She was relieved to see that her student no longer looked ready to burst into tears.
Celestia spoke softly but sternly as she continued. “But your complete devotion to your academics is a problem. You adopt every possible hour to study, never giving yourself any time to relax or socialize.”
“I do relax!” protested Twilight.
“Oh, really?” Celestia arched a single, skeptical eyebrow. “How?”
“I... er.... recreational reading?” asked the purple mare with hopeful eyes.
“And what, pray tell, do you incorporate into your recreational reading?”
A brief, pained expression flashed across her student’s face. “Relativistic Quantum Mechanics and Modern Magical Field Theory,” she admitted.
“I admit, I have yet met a pony who would consider that reading for pleasure,” Celestia returned, a glint of amusement in her eyes. “And yet, you have not addressed the second part of my concern. When is the last time you - heaven forbid Luna ever hear me attempt this colloquialism - the last time you ‘hung out’ with your peers?”
The question was rhetorical, as Celestia well knew the answer, but it served its purpose. Twilight shifted uncomfortably, unwilling or unable to say. “And this should go without saying, but neither brother nor Spike count as socializing,” the princess added.
Twilight spoke in a tentative voice, as she already knew where this conversation was going “Um, it was at Moondancer’s birthday.”
“Yes, but that six years ago. And as I recall your parents had to force you to attend.” The young unicorn hung her head lower and sighed, already knowing the next question that was to be asked. “How many friends do you have Twilight?”
Twilight flinched. “I’m guessing I can’t count Shining Armor and Spike?” The stern look she received from the Sun Goddess was more than enough of an answer. “Three? You, doughnut Joe, and Miss Quill from the library.”
“While I am truly happy that you can count me as your friend Twilight, I feel the same for you as well, And while I do not mean to question the genuine nature of your relationships with the others, I would not consider them to be the variety of friends of which I speak. But you have unintentionally constructed a fortress of knowledge, making the act of learning to be the center of your world. You exist, but do not live.”
“Is there a difference?” Twilight asked
Celestia shook her head. “This is not a matter of semantics. The meaning of what I say is not as important as what I mean by what I say. Twilight, you are my best student, and you know I see you as family. But you have no experience in dealing with others. No matter how smart you are, without the proper social skills you can't succeed in life.”
“But I...”
“But nothing, Twilight. Life isn't just about getting a good job or making a lot of bits. Those are goals, yes, but you should also be creating memories. You need to make friends. Find those who you wish to share (celebrate) your life with.”
“But what about college? How am I supposed to get into a good one coming out of a public school? It’s an academic criminal record! They will look at my transcripts and see that I transferred from the Rising Sun Academy and think I was kicked out! Or failed to handle the stress of a real learning environment! Or what if they-”
“Twilight, calm down. I will personally see to it that no one will think that. I will have several notes attached to your file and I will still be sending letters of recommendation to the schools you wish to attend.”
Her parents took this moment to approach their daughter. “Twilight, we are only doing this because we care about you and your future.” Twilight’s father placed his head on top of his daughter’s in an attempt to console her.
“How is dropping out of the best pre-college academic institution in Canterlot and going to some dingy old school going to help me, or my future?” snapped Twilight. Letting out a heavy sigh, Twilight looked to her pleadingly. “I suppose I can't hold my breath until you all cave in like when I was little?”
Twilight’s mother gave off a smile that only a truly caring mother can give. “You can, but if you pass out it will make getting on the train that much easier. Don't worry sweetie, I’m sure you will make lots of friends in Ponyville.”
Twilight's head shot up in a panic as she scanned the other occupants in the room “What?! We're moving now?!”
Twilight’s mother stood up and gave a guilty smile. “Well no, we’re not. But you are.”
“Mooooom!” Twilight's high pitched whine filled the room. Twilight’s parents and the Princess winced. No matter how old she got, that whine still ground on their nerves.
_______________
Twilight let out what seemed like her hundredth sigh. Watching the landscape speed by had only helped her troubled thoughts for a short time. Looking away from the window and pressing her head to her forelegs, she once again replayed the events that lead her here, all the while going over every word trying to find out where she had gone wrong.
“Attention all passengers. Next stop, Ponyville! Please make sure you gather all your belongings before disembarking,” the conductor repeated his message as he made his rounds. Another annoyed sigh escaped Twilight’s lips.
“Come on Twilight, it’s really not that bad.” Twilight shot Spike look filled with so much venom the dragon almost fell out of his seat. “I... umm, what I meant to say was, won’t it be great to see Shining Armor? It’s been so long since he moved.”
Leaning over the next seat, Twilight grabbed her saddlebag and started fishing around inside, compulsively making sure that she had packed properly.
“I know you're trying to help Spike, and I’m sorry for being so snappy. But this whole situation is simply ridiculous! I mean come on, I don't need to move or switch schools just so I can make a ‘friend’ that will want to copy my homework, or cheat off me during tests!”
She fell back on her seat, suddenly feeling so very, very tired. By the end of her rant Twilight was once again on the verge of crying. She already missed her old life.
The train entered the station coming to a screeching halt. The passengers collected their luggage waiting for the doors to open before filing out. Twilight sat there a bit longer before drying her eyes and looking out the window again, only to fall out of her seat screaming. Scrambling up off the floor Twilight puffed out her cheeks, glaring out the window at her laughing older brother.
“Shining!”
The large stallion with a striking blue mane and a white coat stopped laughing but still kept his proud smirk and wave making his little sister all the more angry before he walked off.
_____________
The walk from the train station was uneventful. The novelty of seeing her brother had worn off and Twilight was once again wondering why she had to leave her school.
“Come on Twilight, it's not going to kill you. Do you really think that Mom, Dad, the princess, and I would all do this just to ruin your life?”
Twilight was lying on the couch, staring at the ceiling fan when she sat up and gave her brother the darkest glare she could muster.
“Don't give me that look. If we really wanted to ruin your life we would have have sent all your books to Saddle Arabia.” Twilight laid back down and sighed. Shining rolled his eyes but smiled when he caught sight of something outside. “Okay Twi, how about a bet, just like when we were kids? If you don't make a friend today, I will let you turn the extra guest room into your own private library.”
Twilight shot up like a bolt of lightning with a huge smile on her face. “Really?! Wait...” her smile faded into a look of doubt and suspicion. “What's the catch?”
“If you lose and make a friend, you have to do the dishes all year. Without your magic.”
Twilight cringed in horror, if there was one chore she hated doing above all else, it was washing dishes. She always felt that it was sick, touching other’s half eaten food. The thought alone made her want to gag. Soon she found herself going over all possible outcomes of the wager in her head. She considered a few variables to take into account, but the odds of them happening were minimal. “You have a deal. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to see how many bookshelves I can fit in my new library.”
Shining was already walking down the hall smiling to himself when there came a loud knock on the door, followed by the doorbell. “Twily, can you get the door for me? I’m going to see what Spike is doing.”
Shrugging her shoulders, Twilight moved around and walked to the door, grasping the handle with the purple aura of her magic, she put on a polite smile and opened the door. On the other side stood another pony that looked about Twilight’s age. She had a head full of huge, bouncy pink hair and a smile so wide Twilight thought it would rend the mare’s face in two.
“Hi! You must be Twilight Sparkle! The school told me you would be starting tomorrow and asked me to bring you your schedule, but then I was like, you know what Pinkie? You should bring her a ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ basket too!” Reaching behind herself, the pink menace produced a large basket filled to the brim with varying items. There was a chocolate easter bunny, a plushy of some crazy looking frog on it, a paper plate of cupcakes, and enough pixie sticks to choke a filly.
“Ummm... thank you? But who are you and how did you know where I lived?” Twilight asked as she eyed the basket with concern.
“Oh, that’s easy-peasy. The school gave me your address, and when I saw it I was all like hhhhhhhuuuuuuuuuuuhhh because you live next door to me, which means we can be super best friends and walk to school together, bake cupcakes and so much more all because you live next door! Hey, that rhymed!” Pinkie giggled with a snort.
As if it was the most normal thing, the pink pony jumped up and threw glitter and confetti up into the air, celebrating her rhyme.
“Well, that is lovely, Miss...?”
“Oopsy, I forgot to tell you my name! I can be such a bubble head sometimes. My name is Pinkamena Diane Pie, but I hate my name so I have all my friends call me Pinkie! It sounds so much more friendly, don’t you think? Pinkamena sounds like an old vase or something, or maybe a french dish? What do you think?”
“Well Pinkamena, it wa-”
“Silly! I just said, all my friends call me Pinkie.”
“Well, Pinkie, it was really nice meeting you, and thank you so much for the welcoming gift. But I have a lot of unpacking to do, so I will see you around, okay? Bye!” Twilight injected as much false cheer as she could into her last word as she shut the door. But a conveniently placed pink hoof found its way into the doorway, preventing the lavender pony from completely closing the door.
“Well then, I should help you unpack! I mean, what are friends for?” Pinkie strolled into the house as though she lived there and skipped down the hall.
“Hey! Stop, what do you think you’re doing?” Twilight followed the trespasser with every intent on throwing her out, but before she knew it Pinkie was already down the hall and digging through her belongings.
“All you have are three boxes?” Pinkie asked as she reached into one of the boxes, pulling out a sizable sun plushy and inspected it with great interest.
“Most of my stuff will get here later tonight. Now, what makes you think you can just waltz into somepony else’s home uninvited?” Twilight snapped, her eyebrows knit into an expression of impatience as she snatched her plushy from Pinkie’s grasp.
“I-I’m sorry, Twilight.” Pinkie’s ears fell, and she lowered her head and neck below her shoulders. Pinkie Pie started rubbing her hoof into the ground. “I just wanted to help and make you feel welcome. I know I can be a little over the top, but I didn't mean any harm, honest. I’ll leave you alone now.... sorry again.” Pinke stifled a sniffle. Twilight watched Pinkie slowly shuffled past her.
Twilight was taken back by the complete reversal in Pinkie’s attitude. The pink pony looked ready to cry at the drop of a hat. Why did she feel guilty for telling her to get out? Was she really out of line for yelling? It’s not my fault she ran in like that. Anyone with a brain can see how rude that is. “Ugh.” Reaching a hoof out, Twilight stopped Pinkie at her door. “Pinkie, wait. I’m sorry for yelling at you. I know you're trying to help. I’m just a little stressed out right now.”
“You... You mean you’re not mad at me?”
Twilight couldn’t crush the glimmer of hope in Pinkie’s voice. She exhaled slowly, trying to rid herself of any and all remaining temper. “No Pinkie, I’m not mad.”
The smile returned to Pinkie’s lips and her hair seemed even brighter than before as she hopped over and gave Twilight a big hug, driving almost all the air out of the her lungs. “Ohhh, thank you Twilight! Hey, does this mean we're friends now?”
The look of overwhelming hope and joy filling Pinkie's eyes was enough to melt the coldest of hearts. Twilight never stood a chance. “Yes, Pinkie, we can be friends.”
“Hey Twily, the carriage with the rest your stuff is here, I guess the movers took a shortcut. Spike and I will start bringing it- Oh, hey Pinkie, it looks like you broke through Twilight’s fortress of solitude.” Shining looked at his watch.” Wow, and faster than I thought too! You sure work fast.”
“Thanks! Wait what?” The bouncy pony tilted her head to the right in confusion before looking to Twilight for the answer.
Twilight’s eyes dilated and her mouth fell open in shock. “You planned this!” she shouted and zipped forward to cut her grinning brother off at the door.
“What are you talking about, Twily?” her brother asked in a sickeningly sweet tone, feigning an air of ignorance.
“Don’t you ‘Twily’ me, mister.” Twilight pointed an accusing hoof at the still-smiling Pinkie Pie. “You had an accomplice, Pinkie! You knew she was going to show up. You cheated!”
“Cheat? Twilight I’m surprised at you, have I ever cheated you?” Shining’s expression of mock-offence softened into a grin as Twilight looked away in shame. “Now, stacking the deck? You bet your books.”
“Ohhh, I love playful bets between family, they’re always so funny! What did I miss? Who won? Was I part of the bet?” interjected Pinkie.
“Yes you were, and you just volunteered your assistance for a prolonged period of time, for which I am grateful,” Twilight said, her voice taking a turn for the sly.
“Ohh yay!” squealed the pink earth pony. “I love helping my friends.” Pinkie looked between the two siblings with a bright smile. “So, what am I helping with?”
Twilight’s smile grew sinister as she looked at her new friend. “The dishes.”
Author's Note
Well this is the first chapter to my new story, I hope you all like it, and if not feel free to tell me why not. but if you do, You are even more free to tell me how good I really am
Chapter Two.
The Worst Day
“Saddlebags, check. Parchment, quill and ink, check. Complete list of my teachers’ names and their favorite snack, check.”
“Twilight, give it a rest already, it’s four in the morning. School doesn't even start for another three hours.” Spike groaned from his bed, covering his head with the blanket. “And just so you know, it’s super creepy that you got your teachers’ favorite snack.”
“For your information Spike, we are leaving in an hour and a half so I can meet my new teachers and get the layout of my new school. I do need a new reading spot, you know.”
“And let’s not forget you want to avoid Pinkie,” Spike added through his grogginess.
Twilight’s expression twisted at the thought of the intrusive mare. “I don't know what it is, but there’s something off about that pony.”
“And making a checklist at four in the morning is so normal.” Spike pulled his pillow over his head, muffling the rest of his words. When realisation sank in, Spike shot up from where he was. “What do you mean ‘we’?” he asked, his tone accusatory.
Twilight simply offered a nonchalant shrug in response. “Spike, you’ve always gone to class with me in the past, and even though we’re in a new school this is no different. Now get up and get some breakfast. We do have a very busy day today.” Her tone let Spike know there was no room for negotiations.
Spike threw off his blanket and marched out of the room, grumbling past Twilight who was now going back over her checklist.
An hour later Twilight and Spike left the house into the crisp morning air. But unfortunately for the unicorn, Pinkie was already up and waiting for her right outside the door, thus killing Twilight’s nice, quiet walk to school. However trying the pony’s company could be, Twilight could not deny that it was not without its benefits - Pinkie’s knowledge of the town was remarkable. With every shop, and every building Pinkie seemed to know everything about it and spoke of ponies that worked there with an intimate fondness.
As they wandered through town the building that caught Twilight’s attention most was a large tree that Pinkie said was the library, and upon hearing this the unicorn zipped over quickly and peeped through the window, letting out squeals of delight as she spotted the shelves stock full of various books and tomes. She knew exactly where she was going after class today. The thought of signing up for a new library card made Twilight giggle with excitement, but she settled down as she reminded herself that first she had to finish her day.
Soon the trio had arrived in front of the school. Despite telling herself that it was unfair, Twilight couldn’t help but be thoroughly unimpressed. It wasn’t that the school looked bad, it looked like a decent school, but still... it paled in comparison. Not every school was Rising Sun Academy, she thought with only the barest hint of murderous resentment. Her enthusiasm had died down to almost nothing as she remembered what she lost back in Canterlot. For a couple seconds her mind entertained the traitorous notion of skipping school for the day.
Sensing something was wrong, Pinkie proceeded to tell Twilight all about the school hoping that would help.
“... And around the back side of the gym is a pond where a lot of ponies like to eat their lunches, and on Thursdays the cafeteria serves the best dandelion and pineapple smoothies you've ever had! And don't forget the hay fries. Over there is the office and teachers lounge, and over there is a-”
Twilight managed her best apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry, Pinkie Pie, but I really need to go. I wanted to go down and meet the principal before class starts and introduce myself. Thank you for the tour. We’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“Oki-doki-loki.” Pinkie bobbed her head cheerfully as she watched Twilight and Spike walk off across the grass, only to immediately stop and look around, already lost. “The principal’s office is that way, Twilight.” Pinkie giggled as she pointed in the opposite direction. Twilight blushed and walked over to where Pinkie had designated.
_______________
The office was exactly what Twilight had expected, worn, thin gray carpet with a trophy case along the left wall and a bulletin board detailing upcoming events on the right.
The receptionist was a unicorn with a dark blue coat and a yellow mane, absently sorting through the morning’s paperwork. “Can I help you?” she asked through her floating paperwork.
“Yes, my name is Twilight Sparkle, and this is Spike.Were just starting here today, I was hoping I could have a word with the principal to introduce myself.”
The receptionist looked up, it was clear she was confused by the sheer eagerness in Twilight's voice. “You want to meet the principal? Since when does a student, let alone a new one want to have anything to do with the principal?”
“What do you mean? The principal is the keystone to any fundamental learning environment; what student wouldn’t want to meet them?” The concern in Twilight's voice was starting to grow.
The receptionist was starting to get a little nervous now. “Um, almost all the students could really care less for the principal, or the rest of the staff for that matter. They just want to go to class, talk with their friends and go home.” Spike spared her a sympathetic grimace.
Twilight gaped at her, aghast. “What? Bu-but that’s not right! A strong student-teacher relationship is needed to maximize the enthusiasm in the classroom. It’s a proven fact that if both the student and the teacher are both enjoying their time in the classroom that they can effectively increase their potential to both respectively teach and learn.” By now Twilight was pacing back and forth across the already-worn carpet.
Luckily for the now-scared receptionist, the principal chose this time to round the hallway. Her coat was a dull sandy color while her mane was a mix of dark gray with white streaks, and her cutie mark was of a quill entwined with a piece of parchment. “Is there a problem here?”
“Miss Principal, this is Twilight Sparkle. She is a new transfer student fro...”
An exasperated sigh cut the receptionist off. “The day has not even started yet.” The older mare shook her head and walked back into her office. “What can I do for you, Miss Sparkle? I have a lot to do today.”
“Oh! I’m sorry, I just wanted introduce myself. I’m Twilight Sparkle, and I was hoping I could become an active member of the student body. I would very much like to offer my assistance to you in any way; I can help with any administrative issues you may be having, or even any problems with overextending the budget, and I will even go over the solutions with you and any of the staff!”
A pained expression flashed across the principal’s face. “Look, miss Sparkle, I know you come from a school with far more elegance, class, and funding,” she almost spat the last word, “but here we do not have such luxuries. Most of the teachers and staff, myself included, can’t wait for the day to end just so we can go home like your fellow students. Now I don’t know what you hoped to accomplish with your little visit but I feel that we're done here.”
Twilight sat in a stunned stupor, she had never been dismissed by an educator before, nor had she ever felt so lost. “What? No, I just want... No, this isn't right, you're supposed to help the students and staff create a learning environment to help young minds grow!”
“We do our jobs to the best of our abilities, miss Sparkle, now if some of the staff want to go that extra mile that is up to them. Now the bell is going to ring in about an hour, I suggest you make you way and say goodbye-,” the mare regarded Spike for a moment, “-to your friend.”
Twilight looked at Spike and smiled fondly “Well he is more of a little brother really.” The young dragon made a gagging motion. “Actually, he was going to accompany me through my classes like he’s always done, he always gets good grades, so you don't have to worry about him.”
“Oh, I think not. You are enrolled in this school, not him,” The principal smiled a bit more now, making the young unicorn nervous. ”I think I am starting to see things more clearly. I was wondering why the top student from the prestigious Rising Sun Academy would transfer here. And before you say it, yes I have read the notes in your record, but quite frankly I don’t buy it. Going to a ‘lower class’ school so you can increase your social skills?”
“But it is the truth! The princess wrote that letter herself!” Twilight was starting to raise her voice a little as her frustrations grew towards this mare who wore the label of an educator.
“I doubt that very much, Miss Sparkle, and I will not be lied to in my own office.”
“I am no-” Twilight began to protest.
“Now,” the principal cut her off, “let me tell you what I really think. You rode on the coattails of your parents who used their money to buy your little friend here into the school, who started using his wandering eyes to help you cheat. When you were caught your parents bought off the teachers, but to save face you still had to leave. Am I getting warmer?”
Twilight stood there, her mouth moving but no sound coming forth. She might as well have been slapped in the face for all that the principal had accused her of. Being a prissy little rich girl, a liar, and a cheat. “But, if what you say is true, then you can enroll him in the grade school next door tomorrow, unless your parents want to use their money to get him into class with you again,” she said, her tone hinting at almost hopeful at the thought of a bribe. “Until then, little Spike here will have to go home.”
“But I, I mean, how…” Twilight sputtered in anger. “Graa, why are you being such a bitch?” She clasped her mouth with her hooves. Never in her life had she called anypony that, and to a principal no less. “I-I’m... ”
The principal gave a tittering noise of disapproval. “Well, Miss Sparkle, I hope you have said all that what you wanted to say. Now I suggest you take him home now, and do remember that you will be serving detention this afternoon.”
“No please, I’m so sorry, I... I don’t know what came over me, I've never done anything like that before really!” Twilight begged as she was now, edge of having a panic attack.
“Well that’s too bad, you asked for a bitch and you are going to get one. Now get out of my office before you earn yourself a suspension.”
With the threat made Twilight bolted from the office and right out the school yard ignoring the pleas of a concerned Pinkie Pie.
Twilight galloped home trying to hold back the tears that were already graces her cheeks. She had never ran so hard in her life, nor had she ever felt like a failure.
Shining Armor was ready to leave for work when the front door was kicked in and a purple blur ran past the hallway, followed by the sound of a slamming door. “Twilight?” The only reply he got was the sound of open sobbing.
“Shining Armor. We have a problem.”
The white stallion looked back to the open front door and saw Spike picking up Twilight’s discarded saddlebags. “Spike, what the hay happened?”
“I'm not entirely sure. Twilight went to the office so she could introduce herself to the principal, only...” Spike rubbed his arm and looked down the hall at Twilight's closed door. “Only the principal started accusing her, saying things like Twilight was forced out of Canterlot because she couldn’t handle the stress of school, or how she used me to cheat on her tests. Then she said that I wasn’t allowed on school grounds and said I had to go to grade school again.”
“She what? But why would she say all that to Twilight?” Shining looked at his sister's door. “I know that Princess Celestia would never put anything like that into Twilight's record .”
“Thats not the end of it. You see, Twilight sorta lost her temper.”
“This is not going to help matters is it?” Shining Armor groaned.
Spike shrugged. “She sort of... called the principal a bitch and got detention.”
Shining slowly turned around with a look of bewilderment. “Twilight? As in my little sister Twilight Sparkle?” Spike nodded and the stallion’s mouth fell further open. “Wow...just wow. Okay, I am going to let the precinct know I’m going to be late. Spike, could you make some tea for us while I’ll see what I can do.”
“Sure thing, Armor.” Spike saluted and walked towards the kitchen while Shining Armor made his way out the door. “Ok, where does Shining armor keep the tea?”
“Well normally he keeps it on the third shelf on the first cabinet next to the sink,” said a voice, calm and soothing and unexpected.
Looking over his shoulder Spike saw a somepony he knew quite well, but was more than a little surprised to find her in the house. “Cadance? What are you doing here?”
“What? Can’t a mare come over and make her favorite filly and dragon my famous peanut butter pancakes before their first day at a new school?” A familiar pink alicorn smiled as she cantered past Spike, pulling out what she needed for the meal.
“Wow, thanks Cadance, that sounds great!” Spike smiled before remembering what had already transpired that morning. “But you see Twilight and I had already left before, and you… did you hear what I said to Shining?”
“I heard you two talking, though I didn’t hear the actual words.” Cadance levitated a box of teabags into Spike’s claws.
He took a deep breath, and related the morning’s events. Once he had explained what had happened Cadance’s genial demeanor vanished, replaced by thinly veiled anger. “Well, it would seem my plans this morning will need to be changed. Spike, please have the tea ready. Twilight will be out in a moment.”
Walking down the hall, Cadance found Shining Armor sitting on his haunches, while throwing a look of pure hate at the door. “I don't know how, but she has erected a barrier I can't even scratch, let alone break, and I’m a guard.”
His horn shone with power as he blasted the door with everything he had, only to have his spell crackled and spark as the door shimmered, leaving simply a faint burn mark on the wood.
“Shining, really?”
The alabaster stallion looked up at his marefriend with a confused look on his face. Cadance just shook her head as she lit her horn, making part of the wall glow in a light shimmer .
“Stallions,” she muttered as she walked through the wall and into Twilight’s room, leaving a stunned guard sitting in the hall.
The sight in the room was almost enough to break the Alicorn’s heart. there were crumpled pieces of parchment lay scattered about the room, many with the words, ’Princess’, ‘failed you’, ‘sorry’ and even ‘help’. In the far corner of the room with her back to the door laid the young unicorn, quietly sobbing away as she attempted to write another letter, only to stop and throw it away half-formed with a cry. Walking over, the alicorn folded her legs and sat down beside the distraught unicorn.
The younger mare looked up with eyes wrought red, even now a tear was streaming down the matted fur of her face. “Ca...Cadance? What are you doing here?”
“Well I originally came over this morning to make you breakfast and wish you luck at school. But now I think you need more than just a good meal,” she smiled and nuzzled her smaller friend. And that little gesture was all it took. Twilight threw herself into the embrace of her former foalsitter and cried even more into the princess’ neck. “Shhh, shhh... It’s okay, Ladybug, let it all out.
“Its not fair! I was happy back at home, back at ‘my’ school, with ‘my’ teachers!” She cried louder and haltingly continued. ”Why did they make me move? Why... why did the princess send me away... what did I... what did I do wrong?” She was pleading with Cadance to get answers to her questions.
The look she was receiving was heart wrenching for her - Cadance knew Twilight was upset, but she never imagined things could be this bad for the young unicorn.
“Twilight, sweetie, you know that your parents did not just send you away. With Shining already gone it must have been very hard for them. You and I both know they love you and only want what's best for you.” She draped her wing over Twilight and pulled her closer and, nuzzling her cheek with her own. “As for Auntie ‘Tia, she is more proud of you than you know. She loves you like a daughter, and I know she has spent months worrying about you. She and Luna had come up with so many ideas and plans, eventually settling on this one. And you have to admit, living with your brother is not that bad, isn’t it?”
A hint of a smile formed over Twilight’s lips, and she shook her head. “No, it’s not, and the town seems nice and quiet.” Then all traces of the smile vanished. “But the principal said such horrible things, it was like she hates me and the school.”
“That’s because she does.” Twilight’s head shot up in surprise. “Well not you, personally. You see Twilight, three months ago she ran for mayor, she was so sure she would win, she never gave her opponent any thought. She spent her campaign bits on herself. So, when the polls closed, she was furious that she had lost. She wasn’t too bad before that, but now I suspect that she just takes out her anger on the school, and its students.”
“So she just does what she wants, just because she's unhappy? What about the young ponies that cross her?” Gone was Twilight's fear and sorrow as her demeanor changed to one of rage. “Why hasn't anypony reported her to the board of education?”
“Twilight, you have nothing to worry about, she will not be doing anything to your permanent record.” Seeing Twilight's confused look, Cadance smiled and continued on. “There had been other complaints about her, and there has been an investigation, and it would seem that her threats are just that, threats.“
“So... My life isn't over?”
With a roll of her eyes Cadance kissed the younger mare on top of the head before standing. “No, ladybug, your life is still on track, right where you left it. But I suspect that the Principal will have you in her sights for some time.”
Twilight stood up with her friend and walked towards the door. “But why? What did I do wrong other then trying to help her?”
“Because your brother wouldn’t go out with her.” And with that bit of news and a smirk the pink alicorn left the room and a stunned Twilight.
XXX
“She really said all that?” Twilight nodded to Pinkie’s question as she walked alongside her friend. “Wow, I know the principal was a meanie pants, but to go and say that! Are you okay, Twilight?”
“Yes, I will be fine, I still have detention this afternoon. But it’s not really that bad in the long run, it’s just like study hall.” She lowered her head and drooped her ears. “With delinquents...”
“Don't worry, Twilight, I’m sure it will all work out for the best.” Pinke walked along before pointing to a new building to the right, it was large building standing three stories tall with the front of it being made of tinted glass. It almost resembled a large soda can. “And that’s the library over there.”
Twilight gave a longing look as she started for her sanctuary when Pinkie Pie clamped down on the unicorn's tail and pulled her back. ”Pinkie? What was that for?” Twilight asked as she pulled her tail free from her friend’s mouth.
“That’s easy.” Pinkie pointed to the grass where the ground was muddy due to a faulty sprinkler. “You were about to walk through the mud, and you would get dirty, then ponies will think you're some kind of mud monster, and if they think that they will think the mud monsters are trying to steal all our candy, and if we don't have any cand...” Before Pinke could get going with her rant and looked down at her hoof. “Oh, my hoof is itchy,” she mentioned, matter-of-factly.
Twilight stared at the mare. “What does your hoof have to do with anythi...”
A foreign voice interrupted her. “Get outta my way, losers!”
Turning towards the direction of the shout, Twilight had a split-second glance of a hoofball sailing right at her, but that was not what worried her. What did was the blue blob running at breakneck speed right at her. Before the unicorn knew what was happening it plowed right into her, sending her right into the mud with a splash.
“Ah’ha! Got it! I told I didn't need my wings, Thunderlane!” said the same voice, triumphant.
The mud surrendered Twilight’s head with a wet sucking sound as she looked up. When still the speeding object had resolved into a pony, lying on the ground clutching a sports ball. As the individual got up she flicked her head, sending some of the mud in her rainbow-spectrumed mane splattering right into Twilight's already mud-ridden face.
“Oh my neck... I told you to move, what was the big idea standing there anyway?” asked the pegasus as she rubbed her neck. She threw the ball back towards the way she came.
“Bu... I, you... What?! You ran into me!” Twilight Shouted at the pony.
“Only ‘cause you didn't move when I told you to.”
Getting up to her hooves and trying to ignore the mud clinging to her, Twilight glared into the eyes of the pegasus in front of her. Pinkie was off to the side, making warning motions to Twilight that went unseen. “You could have hurt somepony!”
The pony made a rude, dismissive gesture. “Yeah.. Whatever, hornhead, I have better things to do than be lectured by you.” The pegasus flared open her wings flicking even more mud onto Twilight before beginning flying off.
“What's your problem, jerk?” Twilight shouted. The pegasus stop to a hover.
“What did you call me? Do you know who you are talking to to?”
“Oh, you heard me? I was starting to think your ears were as bad as your attitude.”
The multi spectrum maned pony flew back over to Twilight. “Well either you're new here or just as stupid as you look.” Twilight's glare grew even more intense, but the other pony paid it no mind. “So, I’m going to give you a friendly warning. I’m Rainbow Dash, the best athlete this school has ever had and will have, and I am not going to let anypony, not a teacher, not the principal, and not some lame little unicorn stop me from being the best or from having my fun. So do yourself a favor and get lost.” With a final flick of her tail, once more flinging mud into Twilight's face, she flew back over to her friend who started laughing along with her.
Twilight saw red. her morning was already a horrible one, and now this pegasus had not only knocked her into the mud, but called her names and through even more mud into her face and then laughed about it. For the first time in her light Twilight sparkle was truly pissed off. she pawned her hoof at the ground as her horn started to glow ready to charge.
Pinkie saw what was happening and looked around for something, anything to defuse the situation but only saw Twilight's muddy saddle packs, then an Idea struck her as she started running. “Twilight, look out behind you!”
The light around Twilight's horn faded as she heard Pinkie’s yell and looked behind herself just in time to see the crazy pink pony jumping into the mud and sliding across her belly. “Hey, that was more fun than I thought it would be,” she snorted as she rolled around a bit more.
“Pinkie? What in the world are you doing?”
Pinkie stopped playing in the mud and lowered her head, as though she was ashamed. “Well, I saw how angry you were getting and you looked like you were about to charge at Rainbow Dash, and I didn't want to see you hurt or in trouble, so I did what I do when my cousins are crying, but I didn't have any flour so I threw myself into the mud to distract you. You're not mad are you?” She asked with a small smile. Then she sat back and stretched her front legs open towards Twilight. “You want a hug?”
“But I’m covered in mud,” said Twilight.
“So? Me too!” Pinkie splashed her chest with a bit more to illustrate her point.
Twilight stood there for a moment to gather her thoughts, before long she had walked up to Pinkie and gave her a hug. “Thank you, Pinkie, I don't think I could make it through this day without you. But what are we going to do now? We’re both covered from head to tail in mud.”
“No problemo, Twilight, just follow me, the fashion club has some showers we can use.” Pinkie began to move off in another direction.
“Fashions club? Wait!” Grabbing her bags with her magic and shaking the worst of the grime off them, Twilight ran after the bouncing pony. “ Shower? How can a non-sports club have a shower in a public school?”
“Wow, Twilight, you sure do ask a lot of easy questions.” Twilight sent her friend a look of suppressed exasperation. “But last year the school did some renovating and built a new locker room, so my friend Rarity managed to convince the school board into converting it into the fashion club room! They have everything; a runway, makeup tables, showers, and you can even have custom dresses made as well!”
“Wow, I never would have thought this school would go to such lengths for a club.” Twilight commented as she walked alongside Pinke. It was then she noted some of the other students laughing at them as they moved along, and for the first time she was glad the mud covered her face.
“Yep, PVH takes a lot of pride in its clubs and afterschool activities, it’s great! I’m the head of the planning committee and we throw all sorts of parties!”
Twilight smiled as she thought about this. Maybe this school would be alright. Maybe she could make make more friends. “So long as that pegasus stays away from me.”
XXX
“Dash, I don't know why you’re so mad. You shut her up and got the last laugh, what's the big deal?” asked a mint green unicorn while leaning on a tiled wall.
Rainbow stuck her wet head out of the shower stall and glowered at the unicorn. “The big deal is she called me out in front of everypony out there! My reputation just took a hit! That’s what’s wrong, Lyra!” Rainbow stepped out of the shower and walked over to her locker to towel off. “Did you get my money from Thunderlane yet?”
“Not yet, he said he needs to get it from the kids next door,” she said with a shrug.
Dash rolled her eyes as dried off. “So he’s stealing money from little fillies again? Big stallion,” she said sarcastically. “Tell him to knock that off or I am kicking his ass, got it?” she growled.
Lyra flinched at the sudden sharpness in Dash’s voice. “Umm, sure thing, Dash. But why do you even care? They're just brats.”
Rainbow smiled and gave a quick nod of her head. “I have my reasons, babe.” She kissed Lyra lightly on the lips. “Now go tell him. I’ll see ya at lunch.” Dash left to head to class, leaving a grinning green unicorn in her wake.
XXX
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Okay everypony I am back home now and started writing. sorry for the wait, but I had a lot of stuff going on. everything from a fire, broken cell phone, and a busted up ribs! wow, when I say it like that it like I am fishing for get well cards. (Hint hint) Well I hope you like this chapter of Twist and Turns! please leave a comment down below! But first I really need to thank a few people for their help, I want to Thank Bat's and Timaeus for their insight and advice, it was a great help! and My proof readers as well
Mr. No name
The Abyss
Salacar
