//------------------------------//
// Chapter Two: Planning the Rendezvous 
// Story: Storm of the Century 
// by Cavalier753 
//------------------------------//

	I trotted along behind Ms. Strokes, anxious to get away from her. Why did bad crap always happen to me? Granted, I wasdoing something I shouldn't have been, but come on. It's my birthday, cut me some slack. We passed through the large hallways, going by classrooms. To my great disappointment, almost all the doors leading into said classrooms were open, allowing those inside to stare at me as I went by. I like attention as much as the next pony, but not when all that attention isn't to my benfit. I could tell in their eyes that most of them hated me, and those that didn't hate me merely disliked me. You remember when I said Aurelia was my only friend? I meant it.

After what seemed like an eternity, Ms. Strokes and I had reached the principal's office. Strokes gave me one last look of contempt and left. I stood in front of the door, not sure what to do. Sure, I wasn't one of the most behaved kids, but I had never warranted a trip to the Principal's office. I was smart; I knew how to avoid serious trouble. I was actually contemplating just leaving. No one would know the difference right? But just as I was turning to leave, the door suddenly opened. I then came face to face with her. The Principal. She eyed me with those gray, cold, calculating eyes that striked fear into every pony's heart that went to see her. I never believed they were that bad, until I came face to face with them myself. I wanted to curl up into a ball and sing the Canterlot Academy Anthem just to stay sane.  We stood there, staring at each other for what seemed like hours, until she cleared her throat and spoke.

"Ah yes, A2-753. I've been expecting you. Please, come in."

She was expecting me? I gulped. I had a feeling this wasn't going to end well. I stepped inside, even though my better judgement was screaming at me to get the buck away from there as soon as possible. I've never really been one to listen to my better judgment, so I do the most idiotic thing I could do. I went inside, and closed the door behind me.

The Principal motioned me to a window overlooking the open area in front of the school. I trotted over next to her, staring out into the expanse that was Canterlot. She turned to stare at me with those piercing eyes.

"I've heard quite a bit about you, Maelstrom," she said in a very commanding voice. It made me shudder. No adult ever said my name. They all called me by my tag, A2-753. When she said my name, I really knew I was in trouble.

"You uh, you have?" I asked, not looking back at those terrible eyes.

"Yes, I have," she said simply, going over to her desk. It was made of mahogany. Whatever else you hear about the Principal, just know that she has good taste in desks. She stood behind it, and opened a drawer, producing a yellowish-brown folder, lightly filled with assorted papers. On the cover, it read simply: Resident A2-753, Maelstrom. She set it down on the top of her desk.

I stared at that folder for the longest time. So the rumors were true. It did exist. There was such a thing as a permanent record. Celestia help us all.

"Let's see, where to begin? Academics, I suppose. You're relatively smart, you seem to understand all of the material we put to you, yet you don't seem to care. You excel in class, yet you rarely do homework. Your attitude could use a serious boost. You get into regular fights here. You look shocked. What, you didn't think we kept tabs on you? We do. And finally, this," she finished, gesturing toward a chair in front of her desk. I looked at what it contained. My heart stopped. Sitting there, very conspicuously, was my black and blue hoodie. How in Equestria did she get that? The guards must have taken it from my room while I was gone, because I distinctly remember it being there this morning when I left.
"W-where did you get that?" I asked, my voice betraying my fear. She looked at me with a look that surprised me. It wasn't smug victory that I usually saw on a pony's face when they happened to beat me at something, but disappointment. I didn't read much into it at the time.

"This was taken from your room. Now Maelstrom, you and I both know that personal belongings are frowned upon here at the Canterlot Academy. What do you have to say in your defense?" She asked expectantly.

I stared at her for a period of time. "Can I wear it? It's kinda chilly in here."

She frowned for a moment, but then smiled. It scared me even more. "Of course. Take it."

I reached forward and grabbed it off the chair. I slid it on over my forelegs, and draped it over my back, letting the soft cotton glide down my coat. I zipped up the front halfway, letting it hang open a bit. It brought me much comfort, even here in the Principal's office, standing in front of the Principal herself. She turned away from me for a moment, putting my folder back into her desk.

"I want you to come back later, Maelstrom. I'm rather busy at the moment, and I unfortunately don't have the time to spare. Come back at around five 'o clock, and we'll speak then. Understood?" she said, not really paying attention to me anymore.

I was shocked. I was being let off the hook? At least for a while? I was surprised, to say the least. The most I could manage for a response was a , "Yes ma'am." With that, she waved me off, turning her attention to some other files on a seperate table she had. I took that moment to leave, putting as much distance between myself and that mare. Why had she let me go so readily? Was that it? Tell me they're keeping tabs on me? That while I thought I was being sneaky, they actually knew my every move? If they knew about the fights, and my things, and my skipping classes, what else did they know about? Oh no, they didn't know about my late-night excursions to the library, did they? Did they know that I had been secretely studying magic all these years, right under their noses? If so, why hadn't they done anything about it? And what were they planning for me at 5:00? I knew they were planning something. The principal isn't just "busy" when you get in trouble. You get punishment instantly, no matter what you did. So why was I getting special treatment? Or were they just saving the horrors for later?

As these endless questions swam through my head, I hadn't realized I was back at my room. I looked up at my door, bearing the same name as me, A2-753, and turned the nob. I opened the door to the small area that was where I lived. There were no windows, unfortunately. I had a small desk at the far wall (sadly, made of walnut), a couple posters of the wonderbolts back when they had shows all the time. What with the Unassailable attacks however, their shows became less and less frequent, until they only had one annual show. Leading off to the right was a personal bathroom to the right. I guess us unicorns didn't have it as bad as we think, if we get personal bathrooms at least. I kept it relatively clean, since I never really made messes in it. There was a twin bed in the corner of the main room, the place where I slept. Under that bed was a trunk that held all the meager belongings I had in my life, save my cloak/gown thing, and my books. Inside was my entire savings of bits (127 to be exact), my clothes magazines I had (don't laugh! I only look through them because of hoodies...), two saddlebags, a fancy engraved pocket-knife that I took a liking to, and my black-blue hoodie, or at least, it did before the staff came and took it. I was wearing it now, so all was good with that. 

Oh, and sitting on top of my bed? A beautiful mare reading up on Equestrian history. She looked up from her book and spotted me trotting in. Her face lit up with a warm smile as she set down the book. I returned the smile instantly, despite my scrambled mood. She sat up, making room for me. I flopped down on my back next to her, sighing as I hit the comforter. I looked up at her, waiting for the question that I knew was coming.

"So, what happened?"

"Long story."

"Humor me."

And so I did. I brought her up to speed, on everything. How they knew everything that I had done and was doing, about the jacket, and I even told her what I feared, that they had found out about my late-night magic studies.

See, here's the thing. Aurelia knew that I knew magic. There wasn't a thing about me that she didn't know. When I first told her what I was up to, years ago, she was frightened. She was worried that they'd find out, and do horrible things to me. I told her that there was nothing to worry about, that I was too smart for them, but then Aurelia did something unexpected.

She started crying.

And before you jump to any conclusions, no. She isn't the drama-queen type. She's always held a high head when facing her problems. But when I told her this, she just broke into tears. I asked her what was wrong, and she just looked at me through tear-soaked eyes. She said that I was acting like a foal, that I had no idea what I was doing, that I was going to get myself hurt. She was genuinely scared for me, and that broke something inside me. No one had ever shown this kind of emotion, this kind of care for me. I had gone through most of my life expecting to be utterly alone, but she was always there for me. I loved her for it, but I felt terrible for her. Not a day went by that I didn't think that I was ruining her life by just being in contact with her. Unicorn sympathizers were often treated just as poorly as unicorns themselves, but never openly. It was always hush-hush, never spoken about publicly. But everyone knew it happened. And nopony seemed to care. Aurelia knows this too, but she disregards it blatantly. As she said earlier, she doesn't judge a book by its cover. Apparently, I was a book worth reading. And while she was crying, I had no idea what to say. So I did the first thing that came to mind.

I held her.

It was a simple thing, but it seemed to do a world of good for both of us. It was the first night that she spent in my room. No, nothing happened. It just wouldn't even be remotely acceptable if something did. This was one friend trying to look out for the other, and the other understanding that and being there for her.

But now I'm getting off track. When I finished my story, of how I narrowly escaped the clutches of death, she just looked at me with the most serious expression I've ever seen her wear.

"You can't go," she said simply.

"I have to, Aurelia," I replied softly.

She shook her head vigorously. "No, you don't. Maelstrom, you know she's going to punish you severely. If what you've said is true, then you can't go. You can't stay here. You need to leave Canterlot Academy."

I was shocked for the second time in one day. Here was my best friend, the only reason I've stayed at this damned place without trying to escape once, telling me I have to go. I couldn't believe it. I didn't know what to say, except:

"Come with me."

She slowly shook her head. "Maelstrom, I can't. You know I can't."

I took hold of her shoulders. "Yes, you can," I said firmly. "You've told me before that you don't like your life here. You've said that your parents know you're friends with me, that they treat you as badly as any unicorn. And you're a pegasus. You aren't restricted like I am. You can go anywhere you want. You're an adult now. Your parents can't stop you, and from what you've said, it sounds like they wouldn't try to stop you anyway."

She looked up at me, the beginnings of tears. "You know, if we do this, we'll be giving up everything we've ever known. We'll become fugitives. I don't think I can..."

"Aurelia, look in my eyes."

She did. I don't know what she saw in them, but I hope it gave her reason to believe the next thing I was about to say. It would either be the best thing I ever said, or the worst. Either way, it would change everything.

"Aurelia, I've wanted to say this for the longest time, but I've been too much of a coward to say it. I've always worried you would say no, but now I can't hold it in anymore. Aurelia, I-" I started, but was interrupted by her putting a hoof to my mouth, effectively silencing me. She looked at me with those big, orange, impossibly gorgeous eyes. She simply nodded.

"I know what you're going to say. And I feel the same way," she said, smiling. A few tears were streaming down her face, but they weren't tears of sadness. They were tears of joy.

"Aurelia, I love you."

She took my face in her hooves, and brought me closer. 

Then she kissed me. It wasn't a quick peck, either. It was one of those long, passionate kisses that you only read about in romance novels. The ones where something tragic happens which brings the two lovers together at the end. I had a feeling this isn't the end though, only the beginning.

After what seemed like an impossibly short time, we broke apart. I stared into her eyes, and she stared back into mine.

"So, does this mean you're coming?"

"I suppose it does." I gave her the biggest hug of her life. That hug was so big, I could've crushed a damn mountain with my epic grip.

"That's great! But you should go. Get everything you need together. We'll meet at 7:00, at the..." my voice trailed off. I then realized that I had no idea what in Celestia's name was outside the boundaries of the Academy. I sat there stupidly for a few seconds, but Aurelia spared me further embarrasment.

"We'll meet at Pony Joe's Donut Shop." she said. That brilliant mare. We had talked about Pony Joe's once one day, when she had happened to go by there one morning to grab some donuts ( from which she so graciously grabbed me one too) on her way to the Academy. I instantly fell in love with the place, begging her to take my bits and bring me a donut everyday. Like the good samaritan she is however, she refused my bits, but brought me a custard-filled donut everyday. Those donuts made my day, every day.

"Genius!" I exclaimed.

"Then it's settled. At 7:00, we meet a Pony Joe's, clear?"

"Crystal, ma'am!" I said, giving an exaggerated salute.

"It's a deal," she said. "Oh, and horn-head," she whispered, leaning in. "You better not leave me waiting."

"Leave you waiting, my dear? Perish the thought!" I said, putting on a grin.

"Sweet Celestia, what have I gotten myself into?" she said, shaking her head, but smiling all the while. We both rolled off the bed, then I showed her to the door. We kissed one more time, before I closed the door after her. I looked over at the small clock on my desk. It read 3:42. I had time. I packed everything I had, which didn't amount to much. I took everything, even the stupid gown and books. Don't know why, just felt like it I should. I looked around at my now-very empty room. I had packed my saddlebags with the contents of my trunk, a few pencils (an ingenious new writing utensil. Much more efficient that quills!), a couple notebooks, one halfway filled with diagrams and notes on pony psychology, and the other blank. The psychology one I didn't feel like taking, but it never hurt to refresh myself every once in a while, especially since I would be running into a lot of ponies in the future now, and I have had little to no social interactions, except with the teachers and Aurelia. I decided that if it ever came down to it, I'd let Aurelia do most of the talking, since she at least had a bit of outside world experience.

Once I had finished packing what I needed, I looked back at the clock once more. It read 4:27. Did I really take that much time getting ready? Sheesh! I felt relly slow just then. I grabbed my saddlebags, filled with my belongings. I draped my silk cloak/gown over my hoodie which I still wore, and left my room, for the final time.

I crept through the hallways, as silent as a ghost. I met no one on my way to the front of the school. Not even any guards, which concerned me a bit. It didn't concern me too much, most of the guards went home after hours, but there was still a sizable amount to keep watch over the unicorns that stayed there. I took it as a blessing, that somewhere, Celestia and Luna were watching over me. I made it all the way to the end, the front of the school. There were two guards at the entrance, un-surprisingly, but with my magic that I would finally be able to use, I figured I could take them. But, as fate would have it, I never got the chance. Suddenly, a pair of hooves grabbed hold of me from behind, grappling with my snout. I tried to buck whoever it was that was trying to capture me, but another pair of hooves hit my back legs in a pressure pont, which rendered them practically useless. A third pair of hooves picked me up and placed me on a pony's back, while the first pair that had attacked my face whapped me on the back of my skull, which caused me to see stars. My saddlebags had slipped off my back in the struggle, and lay forgotten as I was carried away by unseen forces.

What happened next, well. It's one of the moments that changed everything for me.