The crowd approached the Canterlot High entrance, all in celebratory spirit. Their greatest enemy had been defeated, the prison they called a school was destroyed, and all seemed in perfect balance. And yet, what could be said for the former, purified, students and faculty of Stiffson Academy. They had nowhere to go now. No education, no GED, and no future. In a few years time, best case scenario they would obtain only minimum wage jobs in a low end business somewhere.
"Excuse me Principal Celestia." Said one of these students, who gently nudged her on the side. "I know it's great and all that our tyrant principal can no longer hurt us. But you must understand. That school was our last chance in making something out of ourselves. Now we'll all just be destitute, living in the street, with nothing to look back on."
Celestia thought for a moment.
"You know." She replied with a smile. "There's always room for more in our Wondercolt clan, that is if you wish to join us.'
"But how? I mean, you can't really fit all of us in your building. We'd need to have a whole second school for that amount of students. We don't even have an administrator to guide us."
"I can fix that." Vice Principal Luna replied as she emerged from the crowd.
"What do you mean?"
"I called the school board and said they'd be able to lease a parchment of land up for sale. Cory. Isn't that building that was once housed an orphanage still up?"
"Yes." Cory nodded.
"Then it is settled. The complex will soon be re-furbished and given extra building space, making way for an extended piece of Canterlot High. And no need to worry. You will be homeschooled for the time being. Plus you're always welcome to have a seat in our classes."
"And what will this new school be called?" Asked another student.
"In honor of our special hero today," Celestia answered. "Your new learning center will be: The Capricore School of Arts and Music!"
Everyone cheered as they shook hands with Cory and gave him a back on the back, with a few congrats tossed in here and there.
"That's my brother!! My little brother's all grown up!!" Pony Applejack commented as tears of liquid pride fell down her cheeks.
"Um, excuse me Principal." Cory said. "May I ask you something?"
"Of course." She replied.
"Well, as you may know there's a big test occurring today across the school district. My friends and I have been studying for 3 days straight and I think we're ready to tackle it. Plus it's challenge I always hoped to conquer someday. So, to come directly to the point, would it be alright if you allowed me to take the test at your school, even though I'm technically not a student?"
"Cory." She answered back as she knelt down and wrapped her hands around his arms. "After today, you already are one of us. To inspire others to stand up with you, is something only a true Wondercolt would have the capability of. You are welcome to join our troupe of students and faculty whenever you wish."
"Thank you Principal Celestia." He replied. "This is something I've always dreamed of. But I do think I know where I belong. And that is in Equestria, with my new, loving family. However, I would still like to take the test here."
"You don't need to ask for that Cory. From this day forward, you are an honorary student at Canterlot High. You're name will go down in history, among the walls of our school, as "Capricore, Capricore the Brave. Congratulations Cory."
Once more, the little hero was given a standing ovations from family and peers alike. Never before had a student received such an honor. And he deserved it in every way.
A few minutes later, he found himself walking through the halls of Canterlot High, with friends right behind him. Tucked underneath his arm was a packet to take the test with, pencil, calculator and all. He had always dreamed of this moment, and now it had become a reality. All seemed so surreal, yet at the same time, in the right place. For the first time in forever, everything was going his way.
They arrived at the door to an empty classroom, perfect for taking a test. Next to it was a long mirror, to which he walked towards it and straightened himself up, brushing off any dust, cleaning up any bruises and tidying up any stray hairs. Now it was time. The time had come to prove his education was all worth while.
"No matter what happens." Twilight assured him. "We're all right behind you."
"I know you are." He replied.
The two gave one last hug as his friends and family parted their separate ways, leaving him to take the test. The room was very adequate for a teaching space. Not glamorous per se, but certainly more welcoming compared to what he was used to. Certainly, there was a marker board, a few rows of desks, a cabinet or two in the back, several posters based on the subject of learning, and a bulletin board to his right, showcasing any upcoming projects and events. Staring down at him was a digital clock, calculating how long it would take to complete this task. He disregarded it, knowing how long it would take wasn't important. What mattered was getting it done.
He sat at the first desk he laid eyes on, brushing off any remaining residue. Then, he laid out his packet, revealing all the necessary components he needed. This included: 3 number two pencils, a dozen sheets of lined paper a calculator, a compass, a small ruler, several sheets of graphing paper, and the test itself.
It was the first time he had seen it in almost two years. He skimmed through the pages for closer examination. It had been cut into 5 major sections: English, Science, Math, History, and Arts. Some were multiple choice, others were fill in the blanks, and few were the dreaded short answer type. A few horrid memories of his other attempts to ace it zipped through his head. But they were scattered away instantly. He knew they were no longer important. Now was the time. The time to show the past was far behind him, and the future was waiting, just beyond the lost page. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, clearing his thoughts of all doubt an worry. Then, with the sweep of his palm, he turned the page, picked up a pencil, and saw as it touched on the first question.
At first, he started slow, unnerving, shaking at the prospect of failure. Typical for any previous test he took. He tried his best to snap out of it. After all, he knew the answers to the first twenty questions. But soon, he felt something click inside him. Like a bolt of energy that helped him focus. Soon, he was on a role. He was unstoppable, clearing each question and subject with ease, from reading to writing to biology to physics. Even he couldn't explain this feeling. It was as if he knew the answers all along and was made to put them on that test paper.
And so, on and on he went, striking his pencil on the blank dot or black line, laughing at whatever tricks were behind them. By the time he reached the match section, he was rushing with ecstasy. He grabbed his ruler, calculator and graphing paper, beginning the seemingly long journey to succession. Surprisingly, the process took quicker than expected.
But as he reached the math section, his heart began to drop. This was the part he dreaded the most. His forehead started to sweat, and his palms trembled once more. Just then, he remembered Zecora's technique, as he stood up, positioned his legs, and soared into a tai chi routine. He breathed in, and lunged out, thrusted front, and swayed back. Within a few minute, his tension had ceased, and his mind became clear. Now he was ready to continue.
First a couple of multiple choice, then a few fill in the blanks. This followed with several short answers, receding with a few more true or false. Later he arrived at the problems themselves. Cory soon turned his calculator on, placed a graph paper up forward, and started tracing with his ruler. One by once, each question became harder than the last. It began as a few simple arithmetic problems. But soon, the grew into equations and bar graphs. Eventually, each question filled an entire page. But he still kept going, not caring if he got them right or not. Cause that was how one learned. Every often, he'd check a previous problem, saw if any corrections were needed, and proceeded through.
After what seemed like an eternity, Cory had reached the final math question. What would it be this time? Would it be another trick? Would it be something that would dupe him once again? He slowly turned the page without a moment to lose. As he saw the equation, he took a sight of relief. It was the one he saw back at Stiffson academy. So with a smile of triumph, he sharpened his pencil and wrote in the blank space in big letters: THERE IS NO ANSWER! IT'S UNSOLVABLE.
Finally, it was the last two sections. And they were based on what he liked most: History and Arts. As expected, Cory glided with ease. Though a few trick questions tricked him every once awhile, he caught himself and answered them correctly. By this point, the questions started to feel more like a game. He almost wished it would last a little longer. Without even noticing it, Cory had already answered the last question. Upon realizing this, he went into a state of shock:
"I..I did it." He said to himself as he closed the packet. "I did it! I actually did it!! I finished the test!!!"
he jumped in the air with a sense of joy, nearly topping the desk over. A great weight lifted from Cory's body as he signed his name and date on the front cover. It was a relief that was long overdue. He put the pencils away, placed the test in the bag, and walked out of the door. This was a feeling he thought he'd never get in a million years. In fact, not so long ago, he looked like the least qualified to do so. Cory had indeed taken a 180 degree turn for the better when it came to knowing what there was to know. And what better friends and family to have loved and helped him through and through.
Cory walked by the mirror once more, but just glancing he saw something that wasn't him. As he turned back to it he saw who it was. There he saw a young, light blue, stallion staring back at him. Cory instantly knew who this was. Capricore, the true capricore. But the more he looked the more he saw himself. But as he stood there Capricore did something Cory would never forget: he smiled. And as Cory smiled back he placed his hand on the mirror, and Capricore did the same. A beautiful light then shimmered in Capricore's eyes, and Cory could just make out what he said.
"Thank you Cory. Thank you for not giving up. Even when times looked the bleakest" Capricore said " you still didn't give up."
And like that Capricore smiled once more and before Cory knew it he was gone. Cory smiled now looking at his own reflections, and still wondered. What now? What next? What happens over the horizon? Then he thought: 'I don't care much about these answers. I'd rather be surprised and excited than always know what to expect. The halls were empty with the exception the exception of him. All his companions were waiting outside, he took some strides and headed to the entrance. Halfway down, he saw Flash Sentry coming out of the classroom.
"Hey Flash." Said Cory, who got his attention.
"Yeah Cory?" Flash responded.
As he walked closer to him, He had never realized how similar he and him looked.
"I never got to say 'thanks.' Thanks for saving my life a few months back.
"Hey it was nothing. After all, that's what big brothers should do.'
"Yeah and...wait what?"
Cory was stunned upon hearing this.
"You mean you haven't heard?" Asked Flash. " It turns out after taking a DNA test, we both have the same dad. My folks weren't able to make a proper baby alone. So they asked an average Joe to donate. That average joe was your birth father."
"Birth father." Cory said to himself. "It all makes sense now. My dad and I looked nothing alike. He wasn't even my real dad. And that wasn't my real mom."
"Yep." Flash added as he kneeled next to him. "Just surrogate parents. Twilight told me all about it. But you know what also means, right?"
Cory already knew what it meant as tears filled his eyes. He swiftly wrapped his arms around Sentry's waist and brought him in for a big embrace.
"Thanks for everything B B B F F." He said with a warm smile.
"Your'e always welcome L B B F F." Flash Responded as he hugged back. "I'm always here if you need anything."
"Right back at ya."
Cory headed outside, facing the portal, and just as predicted, his friends and family were right at the entrance, waiting for him. Even Principal Celestia was there to give him congrats. They all patted him on the back and gave him a few warm hugs. Now, his struggles were complete. Whatever would happen next, his soul was at peace now.
"So what are we waiting for?" He asked. "We heading back?"
"As we ever could be." Camden responded.
"Alright son." Said Twilight as Spike hopped back into her backpack. "Lets go home."
"You'll need this." Human Applejack said as they started their way. She threw Cory an IPhone, which he caught in midair.
"Why?" Cory asked.
"If you ever need us," Human Rarity added. "We are a phone call and/or text away."
"Thanks." he responded. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to a very special exhibition. Something I don't want to miss."
"We'll text you when get the results to the test, alright?" Said Celestia.
"Ok. Thanks for everything." And with those words, they all jumped back through the portal.