The students including Mane Seven, Shadow Dragon, Flash and Flare Tiger were busy chatting with each other, and even doing various activities for fun. Twilight, Sunset and Applejack were discussing and chatting about history. Rainbow was sleeping and snoring after the detention. Fluttershy was talking with the birds about fixing their homes. Pinkie was busy planning with parties. Rarity was trying to design the best fashions for her friends. Shadow Dragon, Flare Tiger and Flash were discussing about the history.
Suddenly, the door was opened as someone has marched into the classroom. They all turned and looked at the front. And to their surprise, Bullhound entered it while looking around of his surroundings like he suspected that there's trouble or problem around here. After the inspection, he sighed calmly. He turned to the students. He smiled and waved to them while smiled happily.
"Hi!" Bullhound greeted happily.
"Bullhound?" Twilight asked in surprise, "What are you doing here?"
"Bullhound," A firm yet calm voice called as the familiar man, who has worn dark purplish-blue mixed colored shirt with long sleeves, dark vest, black jean, black shoes and a long black coat. He still has his spiky and curved hair. He looked at Bullhound, "I told you and Schemetrick that is unnecessary for security check."
Bullhound hissed in concern as he bowed before him, "Forgive me, Mr. Secretary. I was just doing my security job since Rhino Armor is looking after Master Strikespell."
"I know. But please, this is school, not military base. Wait for me at the limo with Schemetrick, and don't try to do anything stupid," Azure Phoenix said firmly and calmly. Bullhound nodded a bit as he was about to leave. He spoke again, "And also, Bullhound. I am no longer Mr. Secretary anymore. I relinquish that title to my son already. I am now retired as civilian."
Bullhound sighed, "Yes, sir."
Bullhound turned and left the classroom at once, leaving his master behind. Mane Seven and their friends whispered and have private discussion.
"I didn't know Azure Phoenix is gonna be here," Rarity said in concern.
Sunset shrugged, "Me neither. We have to be ready for anything Azure Phoenix's gonna throw at us. I have the bad feeling that he's not gonna go easy on us."
"Yeah. I have felt that pain before. It wasn't great," Applejack said in concern, recalling of her messing with him. She turned to Twilight, "You were his prized pupil. Surely, you must know something."
Twilight sighed, "It's not gonna be easy. He likes talented people and he hated liars and lazy people for not performing his duty. If we follow him and his instruction, everything will be fine. If not sure of the question or history, he will find a way to solve the problem. But you slack off too much, he will punish you hard."
"You must have been through it a lot," Fluttershy said in concern.
"True. But he never mistreat and abuse me so much," Twilight said calmly and happily, "In fact, he has helped me a lot when I was a little girl. He was the best mentor I ever had."
"She's right," Shadow Dragon agreed, "After all, he and his family are known to be talented and skilled military commanders and administrators. They are direct descendants of the most powerful historical figure Cao Cao."
Flash sighed, "I can't imagine of someone else to picture that."
Azure Phoenix turned and faced to the the students at classroom. He cleared his throat as he can begin his teaching to students now.
"Good morning, class. I apologize my bodyguard's overprotective nature for protecting me. Either way, I came here as your substitute history teacher. Mr. Spell Nexus is having a heart problem now. He will be recovered next month." Azure Phoenix said calmly and firmly. He took his seat while facing to them, "Next three weeks, we'll be having some tests. I hope you're prepared and have knowledge of history. There can be no failures. Now, let us begin with Chinese History."
Some students nodded firmly as they prepared their pens, textbooks and papers for the lessons. Other students including Rainbow, Pinkie and Flash groaned in annoyance and frustration about it. Azure Phoenix noticed their attitude.
"Rainbow Dash. Pinkie Pie. Micro Chip. Flash Sentry. Trixie. Lyra Heartstrings. Bon-Bon. Blueberry Cake. Bulk Bicep. Derpy. Brawly Beats. Curly Winds. Heath Burns. Thunderlane. Do you have something against me?" Azure Phoenix asked dryly, making the chosen students worried and scared. He turned and glared at them, "I'm waiting, you two. What do you have against me?"
"No, sir! Nothing!" The students exclaimed in fear and worry.
Azure Phoenix slammed his fists on the table and demanded, "Don't lie to me! I want answers now, not lies!" Everyone dare not say anything. He again slammed his fist on table, "SPEAK UP!"
Trixie yelped in fear and exclaimed, "Because history is boring and pointless! Why must the Great and Powerful Trixie must learn this subject?! They're just stupid books!"
Everyone including Twilight looked worry and uneasy about Trixie's answer about why she hated history. Azure Phoenix remained calm and firm while thinking of her answer. He then laughed amusingly and happily, shocking and scaring off the students.
"Okay. Now I'm freaking out," Rainbow said in concern.
Pinkie nodded in concern, "Me too. I don't think I like his laughter."
"Whatever it is, it's not a good sign," Sunset said in concern.
Twilight gulped, "Hopefully, he's not gonna punish us harshly for that reason."
Azure Phoenix slowly calmed himself down from laughing. He then cleared his throat, "An intriguing answer you have, Trixie." Everyone was in shock and surprise. He cleared his throat, "I believed that all of you share same answers as hers? Pointless reading? Boring? No animation? No movie? Don't care about the past? No comic books to read? What does it have to do with my future and my life?"
Everyone chatted in agreement and concern of what Azure Phoenix has thought about them. He smiled and laughed for a while.
"As I expected... Though you have your own personal opinions and criticism about history, all of you are still wrong." Azure Phoenix said calmly and firmly. The students were confuse and uncertain about his answer. He continued, "There's a great reason why history exists and important to the world. Give me the correct reason."
Twilight gasped as she raised her hand up. Azure Phoenix sighed in annoyance, "Except Twilight Sparkle. No cheating or requesting help."
Twilight looked annoyed and disappointed that her former mentor did not chose her to answer. Shadow Dragon, Applejack and Sunset snickered at her disappointment, making her glared at them. They then whistled innocently.
"Well?" Azure Phoenix asked firmly. Everyone remained quiet while looking worry. He sighed, "Such a disappointment. I'll answer for you then. 'Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it'. I'm sure you have heard of it from movies and TV Series."
Students nodded firmly happily. Azure Phoenix continued, "But do you know who invented that quote in the first place?"
They shook their heads as they do not know.
"Jorge Agustín Nicolás Ruiz de Santayana y Borrás from España," Azure Phoenix answered calmly, confusing yet intriguing the students. He continued, "But here, our home, he is called George Santayana - the Spanish Scholar who studied and specialized the philosophy, poem, essay and novels. A man, who create that legendary quote for the world to learn, understand and remember his legacy for generations. Its meaning is to teach us not to repeat or create the same mistake or legacy as our predecessor has once did. We learn and improvised it. We make our own path."
Students looked surprised and amazed by Azure Phoenix's answers. The former Secretary smiled secretly and amusingly that he has peaked their interests.
Azure Phoenix feigned sigh of disappointment, "But since none of you are interested of history, I supposed the meaning is pointless and best forgotten."
"Wait!" Fluttershy called. Azure Phoenix turned and looked at her. She asked, "I... I like history. And I'm curious and confuse too."
Azure Phoenix smiled, "Say what is in your mind?"
"If we were supposed not to learn and not to repeat what history has it, does it affects everything else other than war and history?" Fluttershy asked, "Because some media franchise like my favorite shows - "The Littlest Pet Shop'. The original fans liked the original show but hated the new one. Not me. I like it. It's like they don't want to change."
Everyone chatted and nodded in agreement with Fluttershy's statement.
"Excellent question, Fluttershy," Azure Phoenix said calmly, "In fact, Fluttershy, that is the best example and answer I ever heard."
"Really?" Everyone asked in surprise.
Azure Phoenix nodded, "Most of you have watched the original media franchise. You liked them so much. But when someone decide to recreate that franchise, they create new direction for the media franchise while following its original source. Some of you like this concept while others don't. And do you know why?"
"Because they hate changes?" Sunset answered curiously and worriedly, recalling her first experience of coming to the Human Realm.
"Correct, Sunset," Azure Phoenix agreed, "People hate changes. They don't want the original to be recreated into new one. But why do they hate the new changes?"
"Because they're used to it like it's their belongings or home?" Applejack asked.
"Is it because they're not ready to move on from the original?" Rarity suggest.
"Because the fans find the new ones to be insulting and ignoring the importance of the original?" Rainbow wondered.
Pinkie gasped, "Is it because people think something terrible is coming, so they decided to stay and coop inside the house, and never ever come out again?! Just like Hunchback of Notre Dame or Wizard of Oz! Or maybe, they could start World War III?!" Everyone looked at her in shock and confusion. She looked confuse, "What? I was answering his question."
Azure Phoenix smiled, "Correct again. People hate changes because they are not ready to move on, make the same tricks again, following the legacy and create their own path. It was because of that mistake, people are doomed to repeat it. And the most infamous incident and tragedy ever happen to us is September 11 Attacks." The students chatted and muttered in concern and upset from hearing that incident. He nodded, "Yes. Our country's greatest mistake is that we let our guard down and thought there was no reason for anyone to attack our country. We were wrong, and so we learn from our mistake and make amends it. What is the greatest result from learning that experience?"
"Boston Marathon Bombing?" Flash asked. Azure Phoenix looked at him firmly. He continued, "Because the terrorists tried to bomb again at our home, thinking that they can win again. But instead of making us giving up, we stand up and strike back. We find and hunted down the terrorists, and bring them to justice. And so far, it was only a family that involved of the mess."
"Well thought, Flash Sentry. That is correct!" Azure Phoenix confirmed.
The students chatted happily and amusingly. None of them didn't expect the history could be so interesting and amazing to talk about.
"Learn from the news?" Shadow Dragon asked.
Flash scoffed, "One. But my dad told m the story. He was the cop. He was involved of investigation and hunting down the terrorist. He partnered with Tommy Saunders."
"The terrorists were arrogant and ignorant to think that they could repeat the same tactic in making our country suffered and gave in to our greatest defeat," Azure Phoenix said firmly, "They were wrong. We learnt from our mistakes. We remained vigilant and strong, and more important, we fight back. That kind of determination led us to our greatest victory. It maybe small, but it's memorable moment because we have never repeat the history again. That is the greatest result."
Everyone awed in amazement and surprise about the history lessons Azure Phoenix has provided. The former Secretary smiled proudly as he has reached their interests in history.
"Do you see it? Now do you know why history is very important to us?" Azure Phoenix asked calmly, "No matter how small or big event and career you have, you must learn from your predecessor's mistakes and legacy, so you either create or remake that to carry on and transform the legacy into legend. The world will not forget of what you have achieved. The Present learns its Past to become the Future."
The students chatted and gave the round of applause about Azure Phoenix's history speech. Twilight smiled happily as she has always admire her former mentor's speech and lessons. She truly happy to have someone like him.
"He really knows how to make the flare," Flare Tiger commented.
Shadow Dragon smirked while crossed his arms, "Of course, he knows. He's one of best commanding officers among the military. He is the descendant of Cao Cao."
"Are you ready for the history lessons?" Azure Phoenix asked firmly and calmly. Everyone nodded as they even Rainbow prepared their textbooks and stationary tools. He smiled proudly, "Let us start with the Three Kingdoms of China. We will focus on both historical and its fictional parts. This will be part of the exams. Be prepare and pay attention. Do you understand?"
"Sir, yes, sir!" The students exclaimed firmly.
Azure Phoenix smirked, "Good. Let us begin with the difference between historical and fictional."
Azure Phoenix wrote down the board as he began to teach and explain to the students about the history lessons. They all followed his examples, and even questioned him about the history. He happily comply and answered to it.
For almost three weeks, Azure Phoenix did his best to teach and help the students to understand the history from Western Civilization to Eastern Civilization including his ancestor's civilization in Three Kingdoms of China Era. He is determined to make sure the students do not fail their test.
Whenever he found some lazy and slacking students, he shouted and slammed his fists on the table, to get them up and focused on their studies. More than three times of making mistakes, he will punish them by having detention or cleaning the toilets as their punishment. Whenever students are struggling to understand and study some part of history, he came and assisted them one-by-one through different styles and tricks to help them to deal with it. When it comes to the intelligent and hardworking students, he was proud and happy about it as he wouldn't bother to help and test them especially if one of them is Twilight.
Once they finish their studies, Azure Phoenix tested them and their knowledge by asking different questions. If one or two students failed to get right answer, he will punish them by having detention or cleaning the faculty. But if they have succeeded and get correct answer, he rewarded them for having early break and lunch.
While it has proven difficult and challenging for Canterlot High School students; they nevertheless did their best to learn, study and understand the history before answer it. Watching his students have disciplined themselves and studied very hard, Azure Phoenix is proud of their efforts.
After three weeks have passed, the exams have arrived. Canterlot High School students are ready for them especially the history test...
Two weeks later...
Spell Nexus has recovered from his heart problem, and returned to the school as the history teacher. Azure Phoenix, Schemetrick and Bullhound were invited to the school for witnessing the results of students' history test. Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna were there as well. They're now inside the classroom, where the students including Mane Seven, Shadow Dragon, Flash and Flare Tiger were.
As Spell Nexus passed the resulted test papers to the students, all of them especially Rainbow, Pinkie and Flash have shown nervous and worried about the tests. They weren't sure of what to expect or hope for. Nevertheless, they opened and looked at the papers.
All of them gasped in shock and surprise of what they just saw. Though not most of students get 'A+', they still passed the history tests from 'Grade A - C' only.
Azure Phoenix smiled proudly and firmly, "Congratulation, Students of Canterlot High School! You have passed your history test! You have learned your history and avoided the consequence of failures. Well done! And therefore, for your reward, I invite your classmates to join my Crystal Prep Academy for the trip of my old home - China. They're opening newly and improved version pf 'Three Kingdom of China Museum'."
Canterlot High School students gasped and cheered, "Thank you, sir!"
The students cheered and chatted with each other about passing their history test, and now they have their own reward for trip to China.
"Well done and thank you so much, Azure," Principal Celestia said in relief.
Spell Nexus nodded, "Indeed. I don't know how you did it, but you got them passed their exams. Not a single one failed."
"No need to thank me. I'm honored that your students did not fail," Azure Phoenix said calmly.
Schemetrick smiled, "Azure Phoenix knows the best. After all, he was Twilight's former mentor. He always know where to hit the right button."
"Yeah," Bullhound cheered, "Master Phoenix is always the best!"
"Not truly the best," Azure Phoenix said calmly. He smiled proudly, "I'm just doing my job. Nothing more. Nothing less."
END...
Review and Suggest...
Main Casts:
Douglas Rye: Azure Phoenix
Tara Strong: Twilight Sparkle
Matt Lanter: Shadow Dragon, Students
Rebecca Shoichet: Sunset Shimmer, Students
Vincent Tong: Flash Sentry, Students
Ashleigh Ball: Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Students
Andrea Libman: Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Students
Tabitha St. Germain: Rarity
Jennifer Hale: Flare Tiger
Minor Casts:
Kathleen Barr: Trixie
Corey Burton: Spell Nexus
Nicole Oliver: Principal Celestia
Doug Stone: Bullhound, Students
Quinton Flynn: Schemetrick, Students