//------------------------------//
// 1: Ravenwood Academy 
// Story: Ravenwood Academy 
// by ZeirMakavar 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 1:
Ravenwood Academy


Five years prior.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen." The Arch-duchess said, standing upon the podium after the speeches were giving by two of the new students, one of which being Sunset Shimmer. "As many of you are well aware already, I am the Arch-Duchess of the surrounding lands, as well, I am the Headmaster and founder of this Academy." She continued, which caused a few murmurs to go around from the new students. "This, exclusive Academy has a special curriculum, one that is tailored to each, individual soul that enters it's halls.
"In this school, you are free to study what ever you wish, when ever you wish, how ever you wish, for as long as you wish." The Arch-Duchess continued, her cold golden eyes slowly moving across the students. "I founded this Academy all those years ago, for the pursuit of knowledge, and it has forever been a cornerstone for advancement ever since then. Because of this, in your endeavors, you will have full access to the vast library, which contains copies of more then one million books gathered over the years, including books written by alumni. As well, you will have access to a staff of experts in any field you wish to study, as well as the Alumni of the school."

Sunset Shimmer sighed softly, as she sat near the back, watching the Headmistress give her speach. "Hey, calm down Fluttershy." She then said, patting her friend on the back a bit, smiling as she did. "We got in didn't we? That should be enough to earn you the right to study nature like you wanted."
"I know..." Fluttershy said nervously. "But... But, I'm still nervous."
Sunset laughed a bit softly, nodding slowly as she hugged her friend. "I know, I am too." She said, smiling a bit softly, her hand resting on Fluttershy's shoulder. "But still, remember one thing. Going here, to Ravenwood, is a guarantee for the rest of your life, you don't have to worry about that. Pinkie has her catering business, and the others are going to turn the Rainbooms into an actual band, not just a school one." Sunset continued, smiling still. "We have this," She said, waving a hand out towards the school. "This... this is our thing."
"Indeed you do Miss Shimmer." A voice said from behind them.
"He-Headmistress?" Fluttershy said, nervously hiding behind Sunset.
"What can we do for you?" Sunset asked, nervously looking at the Headmistress. "Did... Did I say something wrong on my speech? Did I..."
"Please come with me." The Headmistress said, turning to head out of the Auditorium, and away from the festivities. "The both of you."

"So..." Sunset said, sitting down in one of the chairs in front of the Headmistress' desk. "Why exactly did you ask for us to see you here? Is it about classes? Is it because I hadn't picked a..."
"You both are here because of your test scores." The Headmistress answered, not looking up from the computer she was looking at. "You see, we have a... special dormitory here at the Academy. It is only for a select students, hand picked by me."
"I see..." Sunset said, looking nervously at Fluttershy.
"Are you saying that..."
"Indeed I am Miss Fluttershy." The Headmistress said, nodding slowly, as she finally moved to look at them, her hands crossing just a bit below her face. "Now here is the thing, as you are aware. I informed the student body, just now, that they are free to study what eer they wish, here at the school."
"Yeah," Sunset said, smiling softly. "That's partially why we signed up. You see, Fluttershy here, she... she want's to..."
"Study in natural Biology, yes I know. It says so on her application." The Headmistress said, nodding slowly, as she turned the computer screen to show it to them, showing that it had both of their applications up. "I brought you both here, as I said, because of your test scores. But mostly, because of these here. Your applications."
"I... I don't understand?" Sunset said, a confused look on her face.
"I don't either..."
"Are you... Are you saying that because of our applications, we... we've been accepted into, that dormitory as well?"
"Indeed I am Miss Shimmer," The Headmistress said, nodding again as she stood up. "The difference between the main body of the school, and of this Dormitory is, as you know, the Dormitory is prestigious, even with in the school. Using my influence, these select few, are receiving the latest books, the latest technology, and the latest reports in all fields of science. But, it comes at a price."
"A price, you mean like a tuition?"
"Are you ready to devote the rest of your lives to progress, for the sake of progress?"





Sunset sighed, as she sat her bag down onto her bed. Both she and Fluttershy had agreed to the terms that the Headmistress had set forward in there little meeting. Afterwards, they were brought to the dorm by a rather hyper-active blonde, and assigned rooms. She reminded Sunset of Pinkie Pie, in her way of never stopping to breath when talking. This made her chuckle, and a bit glad that she was at least able to get assigned to the same hallway as Fluttershy. "It looks like the rooms are single bed..." She mumbled to herself, as she slowly looked around the room. "Each one comes with a small kitchen too... probably in case people need special diets..." She sighed, opening the small fridge, a surprised look on her face, upon finding it almost filled with bottles of soda. "Who... ah, oh well." She said, taking one of the bottles.
Sunset was just about ready to relax on the bed, drinking the soda she opened, when a rather large explosion near them woke her from her thoughts. "What the?" She said, rushing out of her room. Confused as to why no one else seemed worried, she began to look for the source of the sound. "Hello?" She said, entering one o the many labs. She had a sinking feeling she found the location, due to the room being filled with smoke.
"Ah hell..." Someone said from deeper into the room, a male student by the sounds of it. "Not again... Nurse!" He said, walking a bit out of the smoke, revealing himself to Sunset, and that his left hand had been burnt to the bone. "Oh, hello there, you new?" he then said, noticing Sunset just before running into her. "Ah, don't bother..." He said, waving his still flesh hand at her, before she could answer. "That boom, made me deaf for a bit. Just wait till Nurse get's here. Then we'll talk."