//------------------------------//
// The Beginning 
// Story: Bluesong and Nicole 
// by Ferntail12 
//------------------------------//


Bluesong

I trotted through the hallways of Princess Twilight Sparkle’s School for Gifted Ponies, on my way to the first Science Olympiad practice of the season. 

“Hi, Bluesong!” Lula called to me as I came through the door. I waved to her and continued on my way to the Anatomy table in the back. Dumping my saddlebags and coat on the floor, I plopped down in one of the chairs, waiting for my coach, Light Feather. Ponies slowly trickled in; my friends Green Lavender and Inferno came in together, then Scorpicus, Twerk, and Swift Flint. Finally, the first members of the Anatomy team came in, Flower Quill and Lightning Daisy, followed by Light Feather, who was holding two binders and three giant books in her green magical glow. 

Before Light Feather could open her mouth, a green-coated pegasus mare in a pure white gown stepped up to the front of the room. My jaw dropped. She seemed to emulate happiness and hope in a radiant glow. 

"Hi, everypony! I'm Nicole, and I'm the Science Olympiad head coach for Princess Twilight's School. We didn't do too well last year, we were beaten by sixth graders, but I'm sure that we'll do better this year. How many of you have done Science Olympiad before?" she said excitedly. Around three-fourths of the ponies in the room raised their hooves. "OK, so we've got a bunch of new ponies here. Great, I always want to see new faces! Don't worry, we'll get you up to speed soon enough. Let's smash all the records we've set over the past decade! Get to work, my friends!" I loved her instantly. I had never met anypony like her, and I probably never will. I wonder whether we could get together sometime. 

"Bluesong! Equus to Bluesong!" With a jump, I realized that Lightning Daisy was waving her hoof in front of my face. 

"Oops, sorry. Spaced out," I said sheepishly. After everypony gathered around a table, Light Feather opened her first binder and we got to work.  We began studying the brain as the rest of the world slowly disappeared around us, enclosed in our focused bubble of the nervous system. After what felt like only a quarter-hour, Light Feather gave the call to end practice, and we all trooped out the door in pairs. As I flew away toward my house, I had the strange feeling I was missing something, but I had my saddlebags, my coat, and my binder… but there was something I missed. I just knew it, but I couldn't place it. I was still thinking about it as I slipped in the bright blue door of my cloud mansion, simultaneously turning on the lights, starting the stove, and levitating my HoofSound and earbuds over with my magic. Soon, I lost myself in my music and pushed the thought to the back of my head.