Chapter Two
As Sweetie Belle ambled towards Sweet Apple Acres, she tried to collect her thoughts about the previous events with Scootaloo.
Why? Sweetie thought, Why did she want to drop out? And in our sophomore year, too... Then Sweetie recounted the tearful words Scootaloo had said.
The kids where jerks, everypony thought I just plain dumb, and it would only remind me of...
But still, why would she... However, before she could linger on their conversation any longer, a series of thundering bangs filled the air around her, causing her ears to ache.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie thought. What are you up to this time?
Sweetie found out only moments later, after she teleported herself to the source of the commotion. There she found Apple Bloom at the left side of the aging barn, struggling to keep the side from tumbling over, while at the same time, managing to tap in one or two nails. Beads of sweat were rolling down her face in currents, only adding to her strained expression. She looked as if she was about to collapse in fatigue.
"Apple Bloom! Be careful!" Sweetie shouted, breaking Apple Bloom's concentration. "What?" answered Bloom, turning her face towards Sweetie Belle. The barn wall slipped from Apple Bloom's grasp, and plunged towards the ground, right where Apple Bloom was standing.
"Look out!!" screamed Sweetie. Apple Bloom turned, saw the wall falling, and then braced herself for the impact. But it never came. Sweetie Belle had grappled the barn wall with her magic, lifting it back into place. Apple Bloom was slouched over, breathing heavily. "Th-thanks..." panted Bloom, perspiration dripping onto the grass.
"No prob." Sweetie replied, hammering the wall back in place with her magic. After the wall was repaired, Sweetie Belle helped Apple Bloom up.
"Y'know, you really shouldn't be doing this alone, Apple Bloom. You could've gotten really hurt if I hadn't come." said Sweetie Belle.
"Ah know" said Apple Bloom, wiping off her damp forehead. "But Big Mac's away on business, Applejack's inside with the bills, and, well... you know how Granny is these days."
"No excuse Apple Bloom. C'mon, let's go inside." The two trotted inside the ancient farmhouse. Sweetie took one look at the tarnished kitchen clock and let out a yelp.
"Omigosh, Apple Bloom! Go get your saddlebags! Class starts in 5 MINUTES!!!"
***
Two minutes later, the duo found themselves racing down the Ponyville dirt roads, much to the discomfort of nearby bystanders. At last, they reached the doors of the school, which was bearing a banner with gold letters over the doors, reading:
The Ponyville Academy of Higher Learning
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom banged through the doors, and rocketed down the hallways to the Auditorium, where, to their relief, students were still being seated. "Thank Celestia!" Sweetie mumbled, sliding into her seat just as the bell rang, and the students went silent.
Onto the stage walked a bespectacled lavender alicorn, carrying a clipboard and stopping at the podium placed directly in front of the audience. She cleared her throat, then began her speech.
"Good Morning, students. As many of you already know, my name is Headmistress Sparkle, or, if you wish, simply Headmistress."
"Today is the start of a new year of learning. Now, I think that most of you have heard me say this before, but," She gave a little chuckle. "Friendship is, in fact, Magic. But through my years as Headmistress and founder of this school, I have found a new theory: That knowledge is also magic."
"Those who know me personally know that I love and relish in any and all types of knowledge, even going to the point of obsessing over it, according to my friends. I'm not saying that you should obsess over attaining more knowledge, only that you should love and enjoy all knowledge you come to receive. Learning is a beautiful thing, and you should come to love and embrace it."
"But learning is also a privilege, not a right. Those certain individuals who break the rules will not be welcome to remain at this school for long. These mandatory regulations can be found in the Academy Handbook. Nevertheless, I would like to go over some certain unwritten guidelines that, in my opinion, should be basic common sense."
"Just a few of these unwritten standards are of the following: Courtesy, Respect, and Accountability. To some of you, these three words may mean nothing. If that is so, then you have quite a bit to learn, and I'm not talking about English and Arithmetic."
"The word 'Courtesy' means that just showing common politeness towards your friends and classmates. That mean that rudeness, swearing, and bullying will not be tolerated and could potentially get you and others involved suspended."
" 'Respect' simply means to respect other ponies and their property. As in, if you are teasing another pony or toying with their property without their explicit permission, then that is not permitted. Anypony to be caught doing such things will be in serious trouble."
"And finally, we have come to 'Accountability'. From what I have seen from you students and others before you, this is by far the toughest rule to follow. The way to be accountable is simple, but the same time, near impossible. If you have done something wrong, and you know it is against the rules, the right thing to do is to apologize to the pony or ponies you hurt, and if it is very serious, then turn yourself in. The punishment will not be nearly as severe if you admit to your wrongdoings."
"I believe that I have said all that I need to say, other than this: Class Dismissed."
Twilight then walked off the stage, clipboard floating behind her.