Dear Princess Twilight,
Things have been going quite well here. Your counterpart comes out of her shell a little more every day. I was a little worried when you told me how reluctant you used to be to make friends, but she seems to seek out time with us. She’s happy doing farm work with Applejack, or exercising with Rainbow Dash, or working at the animal shelter with Fluttershy. Just last week, we convinced her to come to a pool party hosted by Sandalwood’s family. Rarity kept trying to talk her into a bikini, but she refused anything but a one-piece (yeah, I’ve lived with humans for two years, and I still don’t get their shame over their bodies).
We did manage to talk her into a chicken fight with Flash as her partner. Don’t worry, those two hit it off pretty well, but they’re completely platonic. The only one he’s writing love letters to is you. Yeah, I know about the journal. You bagged yourself quite the man.
Our research into magic is going well. We’ve managed to recreate her device, however we have been unable to find any source of magic in this world that isn’t inside either ourselves or the portal. Since we aren’t willing to interfere with either, we’ve decided to move on to more experiments on the effects of ponying up.
She’s still having nightmares. On nights one of us can spare, we stay at her apartment to relieve Shining Armor and Cadance of sitting up with her. It’s tough, but she finally slept through the night a day ago. Still, the nightmares returned the following night, so we’re not done yet.
Tonight, we’re having another slumber party at Pinkie’s house. Twilight is taking to them well, I think her nightmares are less intense when we’re around. Shining Armor and Cadance are only too happy to allow it. Shiny said something about “getting some training in with Spike,” whatever that means.
Sunset was welcomed into the apartment of the Sparkle family as Cadance called to her sister-in-law. “Twilight! Sunset’s here!”
“I’m almost ready!” Twilight called.
“Don’t worry, I can wait,” Sunset called back. She was prepared to do just that when Cadance suddenly wrapped her arms around her.
“Huh... what?”
“Thank you.”
Sunset blinked. “For what?”
“For everything you’ve done for her. I’ve never seen Twilight this happy since before her parents died, even with those nightmares. She’s always been such a sweet girl, but couldn’t ever come out of her shell until now. She’s being the girl I always knew she could be.”
“Um, well... it’s not just me.”
“Maybe not, but you saved her life on top of it. I don’t think I can even begin to repay you.”
Sunset blushed. Cadance eventually let her go and smiled.
“I miss her being at Crystal Prep, but it’s best for her to be with you.”
She smiled. “I’m glad you don’t hold that against me. Did Shining Armor take it well? I know he’s an alumni.”
Cadance giggled. “As soon as he found out that Twilight made some friends, he couldn’t sign the papers fast enough. We had always talked about a way to get her more active. Although... now Shiny wants to restart Spike’s training...”
She gestured to the sitting room. Inside, Shining Armor sat with Spike.
“Now, let’s try this again,” Shining Armor said, pointing to the picture of a human boy he had set up. “This is a boy. Now, what do you do when any boy besides me gets within a three-foot radius of Twilight?”
“Check online to make sure his genealogy makes him capable of producing healthy offspring?”
“Uh, no. That’s what you’re trying to prevent.”
“But Twilight needs to pass down her genetics to ensure the survival of her line.”
“No, that’s what I’ll be doing with Cadance. Twilight’s prerogative is to get old and die without being defiled. Now, you really have to bite them if they try to reach for the chest...”
“Oh for...” Spike groaned. “What is with humans and female chests? They’re just baby-feeders. They should be displayed so potential mates can be aware of their child-rearing capabilities.”
“No!”
Cadance was giggling, but Sunset looked agreeable. “Yeah, I’ve wondered what the big deal was. Humans...”
Cadance gave a bemused smirk as Twilight emerged from her room, a backpack slung over her shoulder. “Ready to go!” She hugged her brother and sister-in-law and gave Spike a quick scratch behind the ear before leaving.
Twilight was both nervous and excited... nervocited, as Pinkie had called it... as she slipped into her pajamas. This was it, another round of truth or dare. This would be it. She would really do it.
She had wondered if it was okay, with how far she was willing to go. But she remembered their last session. She remembered Rainbow Dash’s dare. She remembered her throat, mouth, and face burning. She remembered holding her head under the sink and filling her mouth with water straight from the faucet.
Oh, how she had grown to loathe hot sauce.
And now... oh now... she’d have her revenge. She had been planning this for a very long time. As soon as it was her turn.
The seven girls sat in a circle. It was time.
“Alright then. Sunset, I believe it was your turn last time,” Rarity said.
She smiled a moment. “Well, let’s start out with something simple. Rarity: truth or dare?”
Rarity smiled. “Truth.”
Sunset grinned something that wouldn’t be out of place on her old self. “Are all of your clothes originals?”
Rarity looked like she had been punched. Even having renounced being a bully, her former skills made her deadly at this game.
“Well... maybe I take a few off the rack,” she muttered while Sunset grinned. Then she shook it off. “Very well. Twilight: truth or dare.”
Twilight tried to hide her giddiness. “Truth.”
“Pffth. This is getting lame. Where’s the dares?” Rainbow Dash asked, not knowing how happy that made Twilight.
“Okay, time to spill. What do you really think of Captain Flash?”
Twilight blushed. “I told you: I think he’s cute, but I’m not looking to get into a relationship with him.”
“Why not?”
“Sorry, only one question per truth.”
“She’s got you there, Rare,” Applejack said.
Rarity pouted. “Fine, it’ll be my turn again soon enough,” she said, giving a sly smile.
“My turn!” Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash. “Truth or dare.”
“Oh, this ought to be good. Dare.”
Twilight spoke her dare. In a flash, Rainbow Dash went as white as a ghost. “You.. you...”
Pinkie, Applejack, and Sunset were on the ground laughing. Fluttershy was hiding her own giggles behind her mouth. Rarity gave a smile. “I honestly didn’t think you had it in you.”
“W-wait... you can’t!” Rainbow Dash sputtered.
Twilight only handed her a phone. “Consider it revenge.”
“...Well, got to admit, you have more teeth than I thought.” Slowly she took her cellphone and dialed.
Every eye was on her intently as the phone remained ringing. The grins were cutting through her like knives. She just wanted this to be over.
“Hello?” the voice on the other end said.
“Hey, Big Mac?”
“Rainbow? What’s going on? Is Applejack okay? Do I need to come down there?”
Rainbow was sweating all over. She felt flustered. She had to do this...
“Youhaveacutebutt.” Then she pounded the off button.
Her friends were all on the ground with laughter. Rainbow Dash was blushing and breathing heavily.
Then her phone rang . She looked at the caller ID. Big Mac.
She hit the refuse button.
She took a few breaths, then glared at Twilight. “You...”
And then Applejack’s phone went off. “Well, well, my brother is calling...”
Rainbow Dash made a mad dash for the phone, but Pinkie tackled her. “No Dashie, let it happen!”
Applejack answered her phone. “Hey, Mac. Yeah, Rainbow’s here. No, she can’t come to the phone right now. Yeah sure, hold on...”
She looked at Rainbow. “He wants to know if you’d like to get a bite at the coffee house around the block on Monday.”
That got everyone’s attention. Rainbow Dash was bright red. “Uh... y-yeah, tell him sure.”
“She said she’d love to,” Applejack said, looking smug. “Sure. She’ll be fine, she just needs to collect herself. Right. See ya tomorrow.” And then the phone flicked off.
There was silence for a moment.
“So, Cadance was right on the money.”
Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight with her eyes wide. “What? How did she know?”
Twilight grinned. “Cadance always knows. Always.”
The athletic girl gaped. “You knew I liked him? And you still dared me to?”
Twilight shrugged. “Cadance could tell he liked you too, so she told me to have you make the first move the next time we played. She knew one of you...”
Rainbow Dash hugged her. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Twilight smiled. “Well, I got my revenge and got you a date in one round. Your turn.”
Rainbow Dash grinned.
After a game involving Applejack downing three cans of canned cheese, Pinkie inhaling a bunch of helium and giving her own rendition of “Barbie Girl”, and Fluttershy admitted that she had admired Sandalwood for some time, they had moved on to some video games that Rainbow Dash and Twilight dominated. Then a round of makeovers, with Rarity being sure to give Applejack an embarrassing amount of makeup.
“So now what?” Sunset asked. She was answered with a pillow to the face.
“Pillow fight!” Pinkie squealed, before getting hit by Rainbow Dash’s weapon.
Suddenly it was a free-for-all, with pillows flying in every direction, and seven giggling girls all grateful that Igneous Pie had soundproofed Pinkie’s room.
Twilight managed to smack Sunset, and the two started a private fight of swinging pillows at one another in a giggling fit. Finally, much to her amazement, Twilight managed to land a solid hit, actually stunning her opponent a bit.
She grinned and turned to attack someone else, only to see another pillow about to strike her in the face. Giving a small yelp, she dropped her pillow and raised her hands, hoping to catch the upcoming projectile.
She closed her eyes and turned her head away, bracing for impact.
The impact never came. After a moment, Twilight opened her eyes.
The first thing she saw was Sunset. But she had dropped her pillow and was staring at something in front of her.
“Sunset?” she asked. Then she realized that all sound in the room had stopped. She turned to the rest of her friends.
She saw a pillow. Floating in mid-air. And surrounded in a purple aura.
She gave a small yelp and released the pillow, allowing it to fall to the floor. Following that, there was ten seconds of silence.
“Twilight... do you realize what you just did?”
Sunset had said it so dull, so monotone, that Twilight was sure she was angry.
“I... no, I...”
Suddenly Sunset held her hands out in front of her. A blue aura suddenly appeared around her hands, then around the pillow that Twilight had dropped. Slowly, it lifted into the air.
“...I can use my magic. I can use my magic!”
More pillows were engulfed and floated in the air, going around in a circle.
“My Unicorn magic! I can use it again! It’s just like having a horn!” More lifted into the air: her cell phone, a notebook, Pinkie’s stuffed alligator, all floating at Sunset’s whim.
Then they fell to the floor. Sunset ran over to the still stunned Rarity. “Rarity! Try levitating something!”
It took Rarity a few seconds to process what Sunset was saying. “What?”
“Those photos Princess Twilight showed us. You were a Unicorn. Come on, try levitating that pillow.”
“Uh... how?”
“Just reach for it and picture it in the air. Like you want to pick it up.”
Rarity still looked stunned. “Okay,” she said at last, reaching out at a pillow. She concentrated hard for a moment, trying to follow Sunset’s instructions.
Her focus was broken when a pale blue aura appeared around her hand.
She gave a surprised yelp and shook her arm, as if trying to shake off a spider.
Sunset gave a very uncharacteristic squeal of happiness, jumping up and down with an excited clap. “We can use magic! We can use magic!”
“Does this mean Dashie and Fluttershy are going to get wings again?” she asked. She immediately jumped behind the pair and lifted the backs of their pajama tops up, to their protests. “Aww, nothing!”
“Pinkie, will you... wait, really? No wings?” Rainbow Dash looked disappointed. “That’s no fair.”
“It might not have come yet,” Sunset said. “Unicorns are the highest on the magic scale, but Pegasi and Earth Ponies have magic too. They’re just more subtle. Maybe they haven’t manifested themselves yet.”
“We get magic too?” Pinkie said, practically shaking in place.
“Earth Ponies get enhanced strength, endurance, rapid healing, and a connection to life that’s hard to explain.” Sunset looked at Applejack and Pinkie. “Have you two been feeling stronger lately?”
“Can’t rightly say I have,” Applejack said.
“We should start keeping track. That could manifest itself soon.”
“So I might get wings permanently? Yes!” Rainbow Dash declared.
“So you’re sayin’ we’re gettin’ magic fer good?” Applejack asked.
“Looks like it,” Sunset said. Her tone was fading from her initial joy to concern. “And... that means magic’s growing. We really need to figure things out now. I doubt we can hide it if two of us sprouted wings! Twilight, we...”
That’s when they realized Twilight was gone.
Twilight locked the door to Pinkie’s bathroom. In a swift motion she hardly remembered doing, she ran to the sink and splashed water on her face. For a few moments she looked at the white porcelain, breathing heavily.
“Well, well, well.”
She froze. Slowly she looked up and into the mirror.
Her dark self looked back, grinning like a madwoman.
“It looks like we’ll be together again very soon.”
“No...” she moaned quietly.
“Magic, right at your fingertips. Power. Knowledge. Let’s see what you’ll do now.”
“No...” she looked at the sink again.
A knock. “Twilight?”
At Sunset’s voice, Twilight looked up. Her other self was gone, only her own reflection looked back. Her hair was falling out of its bun. She just yanked the ribbons out, letting it fall to her waist.
“Twilight? I know why you’re upset.”
Slowly, Twilight made it to the bathroom door. She opened it, and was surprised to find the others had followed Sunset, and all looked concerned.
“Twilight, we talked about this. You’re in a better place now. Magic isn’t going to do that to you again.”
Sunset’s words were gentle, and Twilight felt a little better. “I... sorry, I just...”
Sunset took her hand and gently led her out.
“Remember what the Princess said? You are the one who gets the Element of Magic. You deserve it. This isn’t anything to be afraid of.”
Twilight nodded. “Right. Sorry, I just freaked out there.”
“I understand. Come on, the night’s still young, and we have a lot to talk about.”
Twilight smiled, but she didn’t miss the sad looks they were giving her. The looks that said they were worried her progress had been set back. it brought guilt upon her, but she tried her best to hide.
“Pinkie, you better go make some more cocoa. Looks like we’re in for a longer night than we thought.”
Twilight followed them, not saying a word. Somehow, she could still hear the other her.
I’m waiting for you...
And yet again, Spike proves to be comedy gold! Thank you for keeping that up there! Poor Shining Armor...
Overall, very enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to what comes next.
Enjoy this magic while you can, girls. Government scrutiny will make you feel like an abomination before long...
I'll keep reading this story, but no offense, but I'm not into Human!Rainbow Dash having a thing for Human!Big Mac. I think my comments on "About Last Night" have made it clear who I ship Dash with. Still, it looks like things are getting more and more interesting. Here's hoping Human!Twilight can overcome her dark side like Sunset did.
6807900 you can say that again. I was practically rolling around laughing myself into oxygen deprivation there.
Ooh, we don't see both casts at once often. This promises to be quite a ride.
Oh, Spike. Intelligent and vocalizing he may be, but that doesn't mean he's going to make as much of a fuss about biological imperatives as humans do.
I'm liking this so far. Looking forward to your next chapter!
Honestly, until I looked it up, I thought she were talking about actual chickens fighting each other. Needless to say, Fluttershy would not have been amused ().
This makes sense, but I have chosen another path for my own series.
On the subject of their magic, I would have thougt that they would have been able to use it in their anthro forms. Also, I'm glad Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy havn't grown any permanite wings yet. It'd make things pretty awkward for them.
Last but not least, I loved Spike's response to Shining Armor's attempts to train him. Is he doing that on purpose, or is he really that ignorante of human culture? It would be halarious if it was the former.
poor Dash.....both now, and if the wings grow in gradually...
This is so cool! I love your writing style in all your stories, and can't wait to see where this goes!
She's been living in the human world for more than just a year and a half. We saw pictures of her winning three fall formals before the one in the first movie, in the first movie, meaning she's been there for at least four years.
That is my only complaint. Other than that, loving this and can't wait for more.
Yes, Twilight and Sunset will have to confront the seductive call of the Dark Side again. Possibly they will need to do so many times but the Princess was right: They do not have to do this alone anymore. They have their friends and something to hold them to the Light.
I wonder if Fluttershy and Rainbow will actually grow wings or if they'll just gain the ability to fly (channelling Pegasi air magic)? If it's the latter, I think it would be cool if they manifest 'wings' made up of their Element's light when they use that power.
Oh god... I just realised... that Pinkie is going to get her pony self's reality-warping powers!
So, the girls' magic has started to manifest. With great power comes great responsibility, of course. Has the Age of Heroes begun?
6807939
Eh, I didn't want to use the same ship twice. Besides, it's going to be a very small part of the story.
6808539
Were those all Fall Formal pics? I kind of assumed there had been more than just that dance. And anyway, this is already AU. (Forgot that tag)
6808991
"Get"? She was pulling the balloon pattern off her dress and blowing them up as early as movie one. Don't question Pinkie.
This is going to be great! I'm interested to see where this will lead. I wonder what the pony side of things will show.
So that's how trying to train a dog goes when the dog can talk back.
I only have one tiny thing to point out, shouldn't Cadance say Twilight hasn't been this happy since before her parents died, not since her parents died? Just my thought.
Something I should add: You can practically feel Sunset's joy at being able to use her magic again. It's going to take a very, very level-headed AJ to keep track of her and make sure she doesn't blow her cover by casually using her TK to do almost anything that she normally uses her hands to do.
A good start to what I hope to be a great fic.
Also Twilight still being afraid of losing herself to her dark transformation only makes sense. While this seem a good opportunity for dream therapy (because can see Twilight having even more nightmares from this) I doubt it'll really happen (this world's Luna can dreamwalk, for starters)
Looking forward to your next chapter.
Huh, it'll be interesting to see just how this story will unfold, especially with how the prequel story ended. One minor question- where's the Sunset Shimmer tag? Unless she just counts as part of the (Hu)Mane Six by now.
Wonder if Sunset will start seeing her old demon self too, and if it'll just be nightmares or literal split personality. Sunset's more stable than Sci-Twi, partially due to more recovery time, but she still has some old trauma too (reconciling with Princess Celestia is probably the biggest remaining issue). Not to mention if/how Sunset fits into the Elements (with SciTwi lining up with Magic already). As well as other threats still out there.
The attempt to train Spike was funny, especially the idea that Shining had tried before he could talk.
6809092
AU? OK, works for me.
Everything below this is just me clarifying my point in my last comment, so feel free to ignore it.
It is never explicitly stated that they are all Fall Formal pictures, but within the context that they were shown, it is safe to assume that they are. Also, yes, there are other dances, but the only ones in cannon are the Fall Formal and the Spring Fling.
Hey there. Excellent job on this first chapter. The exchanges, emotional content and humor (especially with Spike and Shiny in the case of the last one) are all well done in all the right places. Not to mention the future action set-up. :-D I'll definitely be looking forward to more of this as soon as time and inspiration will allow.
6809154
Yes, you're right.
6809342
You know, I initially forgot the Sunset tag on the prequel for the same reason: I think of her as a member of the Mane Six.
Sunset has put her past behind her, so no Sunset Satan. Reconciling with Celestia and where she fits in with the Elements are topics that will be covered soon.
There should be stories about this issue. In the human world, the Age of Magic is upon them. The two worlds are connected now for good or ill, and things are going to get 'interesting'. Sunset may have brought Equestrian magic to the human world, but if the Sirens were able to survive there for centuries, then humans must have some kind of magical energy already, most likely something that humans either can't access at will or is something that has been forgotten: there's been stories about magic in the forms of witches, wizards and the like [assuming that this human world is similar to ours].
And the government will find out or, depending on what story you read, is already looking into it with agents placed in the student body. I'm sure some know who I'm talking about.
6812616 Actually, as for the Dazzlings surviving for centuries, we don't know if that's the case or not. For all we know, Starswirl MIGHT have sent them 1000 years into the future AS WELL AS into another dimension. It would certainly be a possible explanation to how they are still alive when they were around so long ago. You bring up an excellent point about everything else though.
I am liking it so far!
Also, the evil self in the mirror thing eh with Sci!Twi? Not sure if I like that or not...
Nice chapter, I hope the girls do "Pony Up" permanently and gain all the abilities of their pony counterparts, I also hope you deal with all the implications beyond some people calling them freaks, like Applejack and Pinkie Pie having to learn how to control super strength and Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy having to learn about wing maintenance, plus Rarity might have to create whole new wardrobes for Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy as they will be needing clothes that they can put on with considering their wings, I also wonder if Sunset, Twilight and Rarity will end up growing horns.
Oops there was a typo I meant that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy will be needing new clothes that they can comfortably wear without constricting their wings.
Loved the chapter, especially Spike failing to understand human norms. Good work.
And why do I get the strangest feeling that Midnight Sparkle will end up being instrumental in defeating human world Chysalis?
i just want to see them go super saiyan god
Is SciTwi going to encounter Berry Punch, the drunk driver who killed her parents, in any future chapters?
6832090 Well, I don't know about that. That might be best saved for a future a short story rather than be in this story.
Still, if it DID eventually happen, it would probably happen when Twi has enough control over her abilities and emotions to refrain from killing her (though Berry will still probably get the tongue-lashing of her life).
6834832
You sure about that? Because I think it would be perfect for this story. SciTwi's still dealing with the remnents of Midnight Sparkle, and an encounter with the one responsible for her parents' deaths would determine whether she lets go of her anger and grants forgiveness, or gives into it and transforms again. Personally, I think the deciding factor in this would be whether or not Berry Punch had a daughter of her own.
6834929 All right. I see your point. I just assumed they would have enough on their plate just worrying about Miss Chrysalis and Cinch. Besides, I thought Berry was already in prison (though I admit I MIGHT have misread that). The cops might seriously frown on Twi harassing somebody who was ALREADY in the slammer, even if it WAS her parents' killer.
And, yeah, I also see your point about the deciding factor.
"As much as I will always despise you for what you did, I grudgingly acknowledge that you didn't DELIBERATELY kill my parents. Thus, if I purposely killed or even just seriously hurt you, I would be - not as bad as you. No, I would be even worse than you. As sorely tempted as I am to render you too scared to even step inside an automobile anymore - much less actually behind the wheel - I won't stoop that low. But keep in mind that I might not be the only one you hurt that badly. There might be others out there with even greater abilities than mine and an even bigger grudge. Others who lack my restraint. Of course, I will admit I could be wrong and what you did to my parents might be an isolated incident. But, well, I'm willing to wager you don't know that one way or the other for certain."
Sorry. Couldn't resist.
6835210
She is. I was just thinking that they might let her out early for good behavior or something like that.
6835242 Okay. I can see that point.
Off to a grand start, though by this point I'd expect nothing less from you!
I like how Dog!Spike is already differentiating himself from dragon!Spike, while still being Spike. (As well, it should be: dragon!Spike is been raised with pony culture, dog!Spike is an ascended animal, they really ought not to be THAT similar.)
6807904
Well, you never know, this universe's human government may be an exception from the omniversal norm and might not be so paranoid and controllahahahahahahahahahaha!
Sorry, sorry. I couldn't even type that with a straight face.
6818592 Embrace it. Conflict and drama are the lifeblood of any story.
6840514
Oh I know! Conflict and drama are cool. I was referring to the "Evil Self in mirror" being a bit cliche.
6832090
....maybe...
And here we have our first significant plot hole. The pegasus magic has already manifested itself: Dash can fly despite her wings being so tiny. She could do that since the first time she ponied up in the first EqG movie. I can maybe find it plausible that it may have slipped the others' memories, but it's definitely something Dash herself would remember and mention.
EDIT: Okay, having read further, I see you did partially address this in that it's not completely manifested yet, if I understand it right.
delete
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Needs end " marks.
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Why pair Dash with Big Mac? They have almost less in common than Twilight and Flash. I mean Mac is family oriented, spends almost all of his time on the farm, which he's happy to spend his days on, and is a very nature oriented pony. Rainbow Dash is athletic, adventurous, and needs stimulation.
Really the only mare of the Mane 6 that makes any sense with Big Mac is Fluttershy. And that's only because of similar interests, natures, and well meshing personalities.
________________
And do you do F/F ships at all? I can't remember ever seeing a hint of it in your work.
That said. I liked how magic manifested, and there's a possibility that Sunset and Twilight will become full alicorns as they were in the movie. That'll be interesting to see what happens when they get Cultivation from Earth Ponies, and Flight / Weather Manip. from Pegasi.
Edit:
Not to mention that Big Mac is a transvestite in cannon. And either has GID or is gay (nothing wrong with either). Case and point. Has a dress and heels that fit him to a T, and knows how to speak as a female and apply make up (really well). Although his family should be ashamed that they don't think of helping him pick a better wardrobe, and learn what color makeup goes well with his coat (skin) color.
Twilight followed them, not saying a wood.
I think you mean 'word'. Still, good start.^^
Pfft. Yeah, I'd agree ya there Spike.
Singular is alumnus or just alum if gender neutral.
6820099 and suddenly we have the origin story for all those anthro-Equestrias!
Dog spike was AMAZING!
Why do I get the feeling inhaling the helium also either left Pinkie Pie a bit puffy or lifted her off the ground some?
6807939 Here's an Idea, write your own story and don't tell others what to write.
8174180
You good sa are a brillliant genius!
Alumnus, as alumni is plural.
Really enjoying this story so far, though! Looking to see where it leads - coming straight from the last one.
Alumni is plural what you (and the show) should have said is alumus
They also have more fine control of their manes and tails, but that's not the point, I guess.