Serenity’s Tale- Chapter 6: Glass Half Full, Glass Half Empty
Serenity leaped out of bed as Summer Rain got her up for school.
“Still ecstatic for school, I see.”
Serenity gave a quick “yes, ma’am” before bolting downstairs for breakfast.
And to think she was so against public school six months ago.
“Good morning, father,” said Serenity. She gave him a quick hug before entering the dining room. Tranquility asked a maid to bring them their food.
“Good morning, Serenity.”
“Good morning, Tranquility. What magic did you have for homework yesterday?”
“Oh, just reading about how glyphs, runes and magic circles help with spellcasting. Why?”
“I-I was just curious, is all.” Serenity busied herself with munching her roasted oat twists.
Just my luck. Should I ask her if she knows duplication? No, what would be the point? It’s too late to practice the spell before school.
After breakfast, Summer walked them to school. Serenity trudged over her desk and plopped into the seat.
“You okay, Serenity?”
“Yeah, I’m alright. I’m just worried about the duplication spell from yesterday’s homework. How did you do on it, Wonder?”
Wonderwick winced and shuffled her hooves.
“I, um, didn’t get to it. The fractions homework took me hours to get through and then I spent the rest of the night reading ‘Good Night Ursa’.”
Serenity let out a woeful whine as she plopped her face onto her desk.
“Did you forget to do it, too?”
“No, but I don’t think I did a good job.”
Estrella clapped her hooves together.
“Good morning, class. Everypony turn in their math homework and we’ll review yesterday’s lesson before proceeding to today’s lesson.”
Foals filed over to Estrella’s desk and deposited their sheets of parchment. Runewelt stuck out his hoof and tripped Wonderwick as she passed his desk. Serenity helped her up and gave him a sharp glare.
“Miss Fortuna, Runewelt just tripped Wonderwick! I saw him do it!”
“You stupid little tattletale!” he hissed.
“Runewelt! How many times do I have to tell you to leave Wonderwick alone? I’ve tried being fair with you, but clearly fairness isn’t what you need. Look forward to me having a nice long chat with your father after school.”
Serenity couldn’t help but grin as Runewelt’s ears flattened against his skull. She turned in her math homework, then felt a painful yank on her tail.
“Ow! Who did that?”
As she scanned the room, Runewelt hissed “Nopony likes a tattletale.”
She glared at him for a few moments, then returned to her seat.
He’s already in trouble for bullying Wonderwick all this time. She gave Wonder a friendly smile. This one time is no big deal.
“Thanks Serenity, but you shouldn’t have.”
“It was nothing, Wonder—“
“No, I mean you really shouldn’t have.”
At that moment, Runewelt was burning Serenity with a livid glare.
As soon as recess started, Serenity dashed over to the dolls, snatched up the gray doll and darted out of the classroom. Wonderwick trotted after her to their favorite tree in the schoolyard.
“Did you see Winter on the way out?”
“Uh-huh. I think she saw you run out with that doll. What’re you going to do?”
I don’t want Winter to take Lady Coal Spark away again! Maybe…
Serenity’s horn and Lady Coal Spark glowed as she prepared a spell.
“May you help me make a copy of Lady Coal Spark, Wonder?”
Wonderwick’s eyes widened and she curled up slightly. Serenity grasped her hoof and smiled warmly at her friend.
“We can split the work. I can work on how the copy looks and you can focus on making it real.”
“Okay, I’ll try. But let’s hurry. Winter won’t be happy to see you with Coal Spark again.”
Serenity cast her magic first, closing her eyes as she remembered every detail of the doll. Its silky mane, gray body and plush softness were vivid in her mind. An ethereal replica of Coal Spark appeared beside the genuine article. As Wonderwick cast her magic, the ghostly copy slowly gained solid mass. Just as they finished the spell, Winter Solstice stomped over with an indignant scowl.
“What do you twits think you’re doing with my doll?”
Serenity snapped out of her trance with a yelp.
“She’s not yours, Winter. The dolls are for—“
“Nopony asked you, you disgusting peasant.” Winter telekinetically shoved Wonderwick aside and saw both copies of Coal Spark.
“You little rats! You were trying to steal Princess Eclipse and pass off a fake to me, weren’t you?”
Before Wonderwick could answer, Serenity stepped forward.
“I-it was my idea, Winter. Wonder just helped. But, um, since you’re here, why don’t we go ahead and share them?”
She smiled timidly, picked up the copy in her teeth and offered it to the older filly. Winter Solstice stood still for a few moments, then blasted her in the cheek with a small burst of magic. Serenity cried out in pain and dropped the duplicate doll. Winter’s friends held Wonderwick back as Winter clasped Serenity’s mouth shut with magic and forced her headfirst into the dirt.
“I thought you would’ve gotten the picture after half a year. What I say goes. If I say you can’t play with this doll, I mean you can’t play with it ever.”
Serenity struggled to speak or lift her head, but to no avail. Muffled cries of panic leapt from her throat as tears welled up in her eyes.
“Leave her alone—“
Moonpulse covered Wonder’s mouth and held her tighter. “Quiet, plague farm. Teach her a lesson, Winter!”
Winter loomed over Serenity, a cruel glint in her eyes. “I took it easy on you up to now, since you’re practically a baby. Now it’s time you learn the rules of my school.”
Winter yanked Serenity’s mane and tail, then stepped on her head.
Is she going to crush my head? She’s going to crush my head! I just wanted to play with a doll!
A cruel grin formed on Winter’s face as Serenity’s muffled sobs reached her ears.
“Aw, look. The widdle baby is crying,” said Morning Glow. She and Moonpulse snickered.
“You do what I tell you, stay out of my way and try to stay on my good side. Annoy me and I will make you miserable. Understood?”
Serenity gasped as her muzzle and head were freed, nodding frantically.
“Good little filly. Both of you should remember who my aunt is. One little talk is all it would take to send you packing.”
She slapped Serenity across the face with her tail as she turned around and strode back into the school. Wonderwick helped Serenity up and dusted her off.
“Are you going to be okay?”
Serenity wiped her eyes, letting out shaky breaths. “I—I don’t know.”
“Alright class, let’s practice the image duplication spell from last night’s homework. Night Sky, you can start us off.”
A midnight blue colt stood up, placed an apple on his desk and channeled his magic. A glow enveloped the apple and then stretched sideways. A duplicate image of the apple shimmered into existence.
“Not bad, Night Sky. Though you should pay more attention to the finer details such as the exact shape and texture. Wonderwick, you’re next.”
Wonderwick squeaked and made herself as small as she could.
“Wonderwick, did you do the spell last night?”
“N-no ma’am, Miss Fortuna.”
Estrella sighed and said “That’s the third assignment you’ve missed this week. I’ll talk to you after school. Just pay attention to what everypony else does for now.”
Students were called up one by one until it was eventually Serenity’s turn.
Okay, just remember what you did when you and Wonder copied Lady Coal Spark.
She focused on the image of Coal Spark and cast the duplication spell. There was a soft thump as a nearly identical replica of the doll manifested and fell to the floor. Serenity panted softly, droplets of sweat forming on her forehead. Her classmates stared in disbelief.
“What’s wrong? Did I cast the spell wrong?”
“No, you did just fine, Serenity,” said Estrella. “I’d like to speak with you after school as well. This concludes our lessons for today. In two weeks, we will have a test over everything we’ve learned so far. Study hard and do your best.”
After sending Wonderwick home, Estrella called Serenity back into the classroom.
“Am I in trouble, Miss Fortuna?”
“No, not quite. I’m just concerned about your performance is all.”
Serenity gulped as her heart began to race. “W-what do you mean? Am I failing?”
“Calm down, dear. You’re still passing for now. What I’m worried about is your inconsistent magical performance.”
“I don’t understand, Miss Fortuna. What does ‘inconsistent’ mean?”
“It means that your work turns out differently each time. Sometimes you’re exemplary, like you were today. Sometimes you just barely manage to execute a spell and other times you do rather poorly.
This is completely normal, but usually there’s improvement over time. While you haven’t gotten worse, you haven’t improved either.”
“Oh. I’m sorry, Miss Fortuna. I’ll do better, I promise.”
“I know you’ve been doing your best this whole time. Everypony needs help sometimes. Why don’t you stay for tutoring these next two weeks? I can help you with your magic.”
Estrella smiled warmly and Serenity smiled back. I don’t feel as nervous anymore. Miss Fortuna’s so nice. “Thank you, Miss Fortuna.”