//------------------------------// // Onward to Hogwarts! Uh, I mean... // Story: Glory of the Sun // by Celesti Lateo //------------------------------// Shining steps in front of me, placing a hoof on my shoulder. "Solus, are you sure that-" "I. Am", I interrupt him, calmly removing his hoof. "Stop worrying about it." He sighs, but remains silent. Good. We've got enough problem without having them fussing needlessly over me. We're currently boarding the carriages that will lead us to the IMS, and when I say us, I mean me, Mac, Shining, as well as all the other noblecolts who are guests at the Court. I don't need Shining embarrassing me in front of potential allies. Speaking of them, they seem to be eyeing me with...awe? I guess they never really had the occasion to see me outside of some inane celebration. Or it's the fact that I probably look like shit. Both? Whatever. "Prince Solus!", a mare's voice shout. I look to the source of the voice, seeing Sunset Shimmer approaching, closely followed by Twilight, Cadance, and Fancy. "Sunset?", I ask. She gets right in my face, looking utterly furious. "Did you really think you could leave without saying goodbye?" "Sorry! I wanted to, it's just-" "Just what?" I went into a melodramatic fit of psychosis most unbecoming of the adult I really am, all because of my bitch of a mother? Can't say that, however... "Something..., *sigh*, I'm sorry, I can't tell you..." "What?", she says, looking rather incensed by my reply. "What do you mean you can't-" "He's saying the truth", Shining cuts in. "I don't know why he would, but he really did want to say goodbye." "No one asked you, Silky Shield!", Sunset hiss. "Yeah you did, Dusky Bitch!", Shining snaps back. "Why you impertinent worm!", she says, her horn beginning to glow. "Come at me, you leech!", he replies in kind. "Oy!", I shout. "Cut it out! Both of you!" "But he/she started it!", they say in perfect synch, which lead them to stare at each other, clearly ready to resume the fight. "No but! You're not little foals, for Heaven's sake! Especially you, Sunset! I abandoned the prospect of you getting along years ago, but you will act with the civility expected of the nobles houses you represent!" They both hang their head in shame, muttering a halfhearted "sorry". I shake my head. I know Sunset can be abrasive, but fuck damn it! Can't they get along? Or at the very least, not be at each others throat the moment they are in the presence of the other? I turn to Cadance and Twilight. "What are you two doing here?", I ask with a wan smile. "We wanted to say goodbye!", Twily says, hugging my foreleg. I flinch slightly at her touch, but I manage to remain calm. "Didn't you already?", I ask in calm tone I was not feeling. "Uh-uh, but we wanted to say it again before you left!", she says, smiling. "That we did! You're our very best friend, after all!", Cadance adds. Sunset makes a gagging sound, though I do find it all very sweet. I kneel down, nuzzling the top of Twilight's head, which make her giggle. "Goodbye Twily. I promise I'll be back soon." "You better!", she replies cheerfully. I stand up, looking at Cadance. "Do take care of her, please?" She smiles, placing a a hoof on my wither. "Don't worry, I will." "Thank you", I say, smiling back, trying not to cringe from her touch. "Well then, goodbye, Cadance." "Goodbye, Solus." I step back, allowing Shiny and Mac to say their goodbyes. They really are adorable, all of them... We embark soon enough, though it takes at least a solid twenty minutes before we depart, due to all the prissy foals making demands and all around being little shits. And I'm going to spend the next six years with them. Fuck my life. At least it'll allow me to spot who can be brought over to my side and who I need to get rid off, especially if they'll serve under me when I become the Warmaster. Warmaster...I mean, sure, I hate war and it will bring me away from the capital, but I guess I could try and use the opportunity to subvert the Army, but considering the religious awe most Equestrian hold toward Celestia, that would be easier said than done. On top of that, due to the feudal system, few, if any, of these soldiers are career soldier, more loyal to their land and lord than to the Crown itself. As far as I know, the only professional armies in Equestria are the Imperial Paladins, which only number a single thousand, and the Cloudsdale Miltia, which despite it's name, still proudly carries on the martial tradition of Pegasopolis. Hopefully they're not too much like the Spartans, because if they are, Fluttershy... Nah, she's going to be just fine, I'm sure of it. Maybe not in the best condition, but still. Though I probably should tell Fancy to find her and Dash too... At any rate, this won't be easy, but what ever was in this shithole of a world? I look outside, seeing Twily and Cadance waving at us. Well, maybe not that much of a shithole... "So, do you know what's it's gonna be like?", Mac asks me. "Hmm, I asked Fancy about it, he said that it's pretty normal, all things considered." Shining raises an eyebrow at me. "Normal? What does that mean?" "Oh, you know, rumour-mongering, melodramatic fits, broken hearts and last minute studying, standard adolescent behaviour, only it's nobles doing those things." "Riiiight...", Mac drawls. "Completely normal." Well, back on Earth it is. I think. I was kind of anti-social, back then. Kind of. Whatever. "Well, it's not anything we won't be able to deal with. Talking of which, I'll need you to tone down you aversion towards nobles." "Uh? Why?" "Well, like it or not, if we want to change things, we're going to need a power base, which can only be done by convincing powerful ponies to back me up when I try to usurp the throne." "Hmmph, if you say so...", Mac replies sulkily. I roll my eyes at his foalishness, but don't comment further. Instead, I turn to Shining Armour. "What about you? Got any question?" "I don't think so. Mind, I don't think I'll find it easy, if Sunset is any indication..." Oy. "...but still, I'll try my best to charm them, Solus." I rub my temple, slightly annoyed at him deliberately choosing that example in particular. "Right, I know you'll do your best, and that's all I can ask for." Shiny smiles, though there's a mischievous glint in his eyes. Don't think I don't know what you did there, espèce de p'tit verrat. There's a knock on the wall behind me, where the driver of the carriage is. "We'll be arriving soon, Your Serene Highness!" Really? This soon? Well, admittedly the IMS is within the borders of the imperial demesne so the prissy noblecolts are safe and pampered, but still. I turn my head back to look at Shining and Mac. "Well then, showtime." Uh, so that's what the School looks like. It's essentially Versailles, on a lesser scale. The size, I mean. The baroque architecture is quite probably even more lavish and pointlessly detailed. I guess magic allows you to indulge in all your gaudy, ostentatious desires. Maybe. Gold and gems seemed awfully common in the show... Anyway, it's time to disembark. We get out easily enough, though the same can't be said of the other students. Whether they were forced to or were too vain, most of them would rival Rarity in how much stuff they brought, with their servants struggling under the burden of their luggage. Can't really blame them though. They're aristocrats, they need to make a good impression. I'm just lucky enough that my combo of wings and horn allows me to pass on all the futility of fashion. Mostly. Even Celestia had the pleasure of indulging in the motherly desire to pamper and doll-up their child. Brrr... Repression-worthy memories aside, the students slowly, but surely, assemble in front of the main gate, where a pony, the headmaster, no doubt, is waiting for us. He's... Dumbledore-like? He has a beard and purple robes, at the very least. His coat is yellowed white, or cream, I guess. His hair is white from old age. A wizard classic, really. I wonder if the similarity is only skin-deep... Well, Fancy told me he doesn't really like him, so that's a point against him right off the bat. He clears his throat, illuminating his horn, and then beginning to speak. "Hello, children", he says in a magically amplified voice, "I am Headmaster Coronete d'Outremer, and I am honoured to serve as a guide to a new generation of noble Unicorns, who will surely go on to do great things, thanks to what they have learned here." Well, at least he sounds sincere. Strangely accent-less for somepony with that kind of name. I mean, 'Oversea crownlet'? What kind of name is that? Says the pony/human named Samuel, 'Name of God'. Hmm... I probably should shut up now, considering I've missed quite a bit. "...I am certain that you are eager to see where you'll spend the rest of the year living, so I won't keep you much longer. The last thing I have to say is that there will be a feast tonight, where the Housing Ceremony will take place. I hope to see you there, my dear students! Have a good, jolly day!" Oh, yeah, Housing. In other words, the concept that made Hogwarts into a fertile breeding ground for bullying and social division. Lovely. "Well then, let's go find our room, yes?", I say. Mac grunts. "I hope it isn't too far up, or I'll have you carry your luggage." "Sorry, Mac. At least you don't have to carry my entire wardrobe around." He snorts. "Like I'd do that." "Hmm, fair enough."