//------------------------------//
// Chapter - 4 - Stop The Presses 
// Story: My Past Is Today 
// by Hawker Hurricane 
//------------------------------//

Another couple of weeks had passed since Axle agreed to be in Sunset's circle of friends. For the most part, it was peaceful, though some arguments did crop up now and again. Now though, he was in Media Studies along with Sunset, Rarity and Fluttershy, waiting for the arrival of the teacher.

"Any idea what J Jonah Jameson has planned today?" asked Axle.

"Who?" asked Sunset, looking at Axle in confusion, along with Fluttershy and Rarity.

"Never mind."

"Good morning class," Printing Press said as he walked into the room.

The class replied back, except for Axle, eager to hear what he had planned for the lesson, only being told in the previous lesson that it would involve the entire class.

"I assume you are all wondering what I have planned for today?" he asked the class who eagerly nodded in excitement.

"Well," Printing Press continued, "Today we will be making our own newspaper, with the hope it will be a regular publication here at CHS. The other Media Studies group are doing the same thing, so you have competition to get the readers you need." 

Excited cheers erupted through the room. Axle merely rolled his eyes tiredly, unamused the his fellow students enthusiasm.

"First," Printing Press continued again, "We will go through what everyone enjoys and what they would enjoy writing about and assign positions accordingly. For starters, I will start as Editor in Chief, and delegate that role once I have an idea of who would be best suited. Firstly, we should discuss what topics our newspaper should include. Any suggestions?"

"Sports!"

"Fashion!"

"Animals!"

"Botany!"

"Music!"

The suggestions where thick and fast, much to the delight of Printing Press, though he noted one student in particular wasn't as enthusiastic as the others.

"Do you have any suggestions, Axle?"

"No," came the blunt reply.

"Nothing?"

Axle shook his head.

"Surely there must be something that you wish to talk about."

"I seriously doubt my fellow students share my interests."

"Then why not tell us what they are? You may be surprised."

Against his better judgement, Axle decided to. If only to prove his point should anyone mock it.

"Railways."

A snort could be heard from the rear of the room.

"My point proven," he said.

"Now class," Printing Press said, giving a brief, stern look to the rear of the room where the snort originated, "We will not laugh at what interests Axle, it may be the case he finds your own interests amusing. How would you feel if he ridiculed you for it?"

The was a momentary silence as the class contemplated his words.

"Which gives me an idea for content. Everyone, will write an article on anything that interests them, and then they will read it to the class. After everyone as read their article, there will be a vote and the six highest scoring articles will get put in the paper. The article should be no more than 1,000 words in length and you have 30 minutes to do it. Begin."





After everyone had finished their articles, they were invited up to the front of the class to read them out. Half of the class had already gone up, Rarity and Sunset included. Rarity unsurprisingly talking about fashion, and Sunset talking about computer games. Much to Axle's surprise. He'd have never have guessed she was a hardcore gamer.

Now though, it was Axle's turn.

He stood up and made his way to the front of the room.

"Choo choo!"

Axle turned around to see who yelled, and quickly deduced it was one of the three morons that followed Gilda around like obedient lapdogs they are.

"Boys, enough," Printing Press stated firmly, before turning back to Axle, "Carry on lad."

Axle nodded and continued to the front of the room and turned around to face the class.

"So, the topic I decided to discuss is railways, specifically the dangers of trespassing onto the tracks."

"Boring!"

"Lads! Be quiet or you will be thrown out."

The boy's antics were also beginning to irk the rest of the students too. Despite not particularly liking Axle, they loathed Gilda and her lapdog chums far more. With a nod from the teacher, Axle began his piece.

"Now, as I said, I am going to talk about the dangers of trespassing on railway lines. In Tererria alone last year, 190 people were killed due to trespassing, with the cause of death either being hit by a train or coming into contact with overhead power lines."

Looking around the room, Axle could see some of his fellow students were quite shocked at the statistic, he nonetheless continued, determined to drive home a serious point.

"These incidents more commonly occur during the summer months, particularly when schools are shut and students have nothing else to do. Now, take Canterlot for instance. The city has two major stations and numerous smaller stations, with Canterlot Piccadilly alone has 32 platforms with trains departing and arriving every minute meaning very busy and congested junctions. Even professional workmen in high vis safety PPE need to exercise extreme caution. Now, whilst trains moving in and out of a station are moving relatively slowly, the same can't be said for trains on the main lines. On the Canterlot - Manehatten route, the class 260 express trains can reach 200mph. At that speed it can take the train up to 2 miles to come to a complete stop."

"Two miles?" called out a student.

"Yes. Now just imagine the driver. He's travelling at full speed and sees an obstruction or trespassers further down the line. He instinctively applies the emergency brakes but he can't do any more. He can't swerve out of the way like he could in a car, and if the trespassers don't see or hear the train, or don't get out of the way in time...the driver's going to hit them."

Every other student in the room looked a little pale at having heard to grim reality of the potential consequences of trespassing on the railways. Even Gilda's lapdogs.

"Then you have the aftermath of the driver being in shock. Even if a hit is avoided, there is still the shock of a near miss which can have an adverse effect on the driver, potentially to the point that the driver may be psychologically unable to drive again, putting his livelihood of himself and his family in jeopardy. And as stated earlier, you don't even need to be hit by a train. Should you come into direct or indirect contact with an electrified line, the human body won't react well to 25,000 volts surging through it."

Axle paused momentarily.

"Have any of you experienced the smell of burning flesh?" 





Axle soon finished his piece, some of the students losing their appetite for lunch in the process, and was once again sat with the girls.

"So Axle," Rarity said, "That was a most...interesting piece."

"I loathe railway trespassers. Despise them with every fibre of my being."

"Why do you hate them so much?" asked Sunset.

"They put themselves and others in danger with their foolish actions, and as I said, it's not only them who can be affected by it."

"Did you know someone who was hit by a train?" asked Sunset, genuinely concerned.

"Not exactly, but I have witnessed such an incident and let me tell you....witnessing it unfold and being powerless to stop it is harrowing and terrifying."

Rarity, Fluttershy and Sunset looked at one another with deep concern. Gone was the usual arrogance and confrontational Axle, instead he was far more vulnerable looking, and his eyes told more than what he said.

"OK class, time now to vote on whose articles make it to the paper, you can vote for as many as you like except your own, and you may also abstain from every vote if you wish. Also, as editor...and your teacher, I reserve the right to add any article I want and I decide what makes the front page. Now, who votes for Fluttershy's piece on animals?" 

Just over half the hands in the room went up, including Axle's, much to Fluttershy's pleasant surprise.

"OK, who votes for Hoop's piece on basketball."

Two hands went up...from his fellow lapdogs, which Printing Press noted down, "OK, next is Sunset Shimmer's gaming piece."

Every hand except those for Gilda's lapdogs went up.

"Well there's one we know that's going in, potentially a front page. Excellent work Sunset. OK, now is Axle's piece on railway trespassing and the dangers it poses."

Only three hands went up.

Sunset's, Fluttershy's and Rarity's.

"Too bad train boy," Dumbbell said, bringing out laughter from the class, except for the three girls.

Though he said nothing, Axle noted that Printing Press was taking longer than usual to write something in his notebook before speaking again, "Alright Dumbell, you're next. Who votes for Dumbbell's article on the joys of kickboxing?"

Like his friend, only his friends voted for him.

Grunting loudly, the grumpily folded his arms and stared daggers at Axle, who could only just hold back bursting out with laughter.





Fairly soon, voting had finished and the class waited eagerly to hear who would have their articles in the new newspaper, whilst chatting quietly amongst themselves. Unlike the teenagers in the room, he couldn't give a hoot if his piece didn't make it. 

"Alright class, if I could have your attention."

Everyone quietened down and looked up to Printing Press.

"In sixth place, Fluttershy."

A small round of applause caused Fluttershy to blush and try to hide behind her plentiful pink hair, though she was soon brought out of it by the comforting hands of Rarity and Sunset.

"In fifth place, Star Cross."

More applause.

"In fourth place, Rarity."

"Well done Rarity," Sunset said, hugging her.

"Thank you darling."

"In third place," Printing Press continued, "Roseluck."

Printing Press again allowed a little time for applause and congratulations from friends.

"In second place, Brick Dust."

Cue a longer applause, which again to his credit, Printing Press permitted.

"And in first place, Sunset Shimmer."

The room erupted into applause and cheering, much to the delight of Sunset who seemed to basque in the glow of the limelight. Printing Press allowed for everyone to calm down before continuing, pleased that everyone, or mostly everyone was enjoying themselves and the lesson.

"Now, as I said, as editor I reserve the right to add any article I please, regardless of how it was voted on. As such, as editor, I am including Axle's piece on-"

"That's not fair!" Dumbbell yelled, much to Printing Press's annoyance.

"Out!" he bellowed, "Now!"

Dumbbell promptly left, giving Axle and Printing Press looks of pure death as he did so.

"Now," Printing Press continued, "As I was saying, I am including Axle's piece as I believe, that while it received only three votes, it is a piece of great importance and relevance with lessons to be learned from it. Well done Axle."

"Thank you sir," Axle replied.

Looking up, Axle could see the girls giving him the thumbs up, as did a few other students, though others merely rolled their eyes.

"Now, we need to move onto a name for our paper. The name should reflect what the paper stands for. Any suggestions?"

A student put their hand up.

"Yes?" Printing Press replied pointing to the student.

"How about 'The Student Chronicle'?"

Murmurs of approvement could easily be heard as Printing Press wrote it on the blackboard.

"Any other suggestions?"

Another student raised their hand.

"Yes, Star Cross? What's your suggestion?"

"The Student Star."

Printing Press wrote that too on the blackboard, "When we have enough suggestions, we will do several rounds of votes until we have two left, the a final vote with the majority being the name chosen. Any more suggestions?"

Another student raised their hand.

"Yes, Roseluck?"

"I was thinking, that maybe, because Sunset is truly reformed now," Roseluck began, looking over to Sunset who had a look of surprise on her face, "And having got the highest number of votes for her article, that maybe, we should name it after her, or a name similar."

"What did you have in mind?" asked Printing Press, noting the looks of approval from the rest of the class.

"The Sun."

"Excellent sugges-"

"NO!"

Everyone looked to the source of the voice.

"Axle?" Printing Press said, "Is something-"

"NO!	 CHOOSE SOMETHING ELSE!"

"It's a valid suggestion, Axle," Sunset replied, "I don't know why-"

"I SAID NO! NO! NO! NO!" he bellowed furiously, slamming a fist down on the table with each 'no'.

Whilst he had shown aggression before, this was aggression on another level. Fluttershy was beginning to quiver on fear and holding on tightly to Rarity's arm, fearful of what Axle might do. Axle however, was beyond incensed to the point his face was red, his fists were shaking and he was beginning to froth at the mouth.

"CHOOSE SOMETHING ELSE! I WILL NEVER BE PART OF ANYTHING THAT EVER GOES BY THAT NAME!"

"It's as valid a suggestion as any other, Axle," Printing Press said, writing the suggestion on the blackboard, "Now, unless you calm down I'll have to ask you to leave."

"FUCK YOU!"

To the stunned gasps of Printing Press and the rest of the students, Axle walk angrily over to the blackboard, wiped away 'The Sun' and wrote something else in its place.

"FUCK ALL OF YOU!!"

Without another word, he grabbed his bags and stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut in the process.

Several seconds past where no words were spoken as the students looked around at each other, barely believing what they had just witnessed.

"I'll have to report this to Principal Celestia," Printing Press said, sighing and sitting down at his desk, "I'll also have to change my decision on adding his article to the paper."

"Sir?"

"Yes, Sunset?"

"What does 'JFT96' stand for?"





*SEVERAL HOURS LATER*

Axle was sitting on the sofa, eating a meat feast pizza takeaway and watching TV. After the incident in Media Studies, he immediately left CHS and returned to his apartment. He had multiple calls, all of them ignored, from the girls, and even Twilight and Shining. Once more his phone rang. He picked it up and groaned loudly in annoyance at the caller. This time though, he decided to answer.

"What do you want?" he snapped.

"Do not take that tone with me, Mr Rod."

"Fuck off Celestia, you have no damn authority over me. You might think you do, but you don't."

"I am your school principal, I do-"

"YOU DO NOT! I am fifty two years old! Older even than you!"

"Maybe you were once, but-"

"But nothing! You have no idea what it's like going through my situation! How would you feel if one day you ended up in a world not your own and and over thirty years younger?"

There was a long pause as both sides collected their thoughts and calmed themselves, Axle's TV being the only source of noise.

"You're right," Celestia replied, "I couldn't imagine what you're going through, but you have been given a chance to get what most could only dream of."

"My first childhood was shit. Why would this be any different?"

Celestia didn't immediately answer, prompting Axle to continue speaking, "You weren't there, that day Celestia. You weren't there to witness the aftermath. You, and all others, have no right whatsoever to tell me how to feel or act. If you were there, you would feel the very same."

Without giving her chance to answer, he ended the call.

"Fucking bitch."





*MEANWHILE, AT RARITY'S HOUSE*

"Find anything yet?" asked Applejack, looking over to a pyjama clad Sunset, sitting on Rarity's bed, laptop in front of her.

"Nothing," Sunset replied, "I can't find anything that would indicate what JFT96 stands for."

"Have you checked if it has anything to do with 'The Sun'?" asked Fluttershy.

"I have, but I can't find a thing."

"Is he still not answering his phone?" asked Rarity.

"No," replied Sunset, "And I'm worried about him."

"What's the big deal?" asked Rainbow, "Sounds to me like he just threw a tantrum."

"No," replied Sunset, "It was far more than that. Whatever the reason, just mentioning 'The Sun' sent him into a furious rage of genuine anger."

"What did Principal Celestia say about it?"

"I don't know. But she is aware of the situation."

*PRNG*

Sunset looked down at her phone and picked it up.

"It's from Principal Celestia," she said, "She said she's spoken to Axle, but he's still very angry and not in a talking mood. She also said he's still welcome to return to school tomorrow, but he's not to be pressured into giving answers."

Rainbow scoffed, "Why is he getting this protection? What makes him so special?"

"Maybe he's from another world like Twilight?" Pinkie suggested.

"I doubt it," Rainbow replied, "For starters, nothing we have seems alien to him nor does he have a talking dog."

"That we know of," Pinkie added.

"I'm inclined to agree with Rainbow," Sunset added, "When Twilight and I first came here we hadn't a clue what anything was or how it was used. Axle seems to have a natural understanding human technology not to mention in depth knowledge of railways."

"My Pinkie sense still tells me there's something different about him."

"In what way?" asked Sunset, taking 'Pinkie Sense' with increasing seriousness.

"Like....he knows more than he's letting on."

"I get the same feeling," Rarity added, "Some of the things he's said have sounded odd. Like the other day, in the canteen when he said, 'bloody teenagers'."

"I didn't hear that," Rainbow said.

"I don't think he intended for any of us to hear it," Rarity replied, "He muttered it as we were walking away."

"That doesn't mean he's from another world," Sunset replied.

"No, but it is an odd thing to say, considering he's a teenager himself. Or at least....looks like one."

The other girls looked at Rarity like she'd grown another head.

"What?" Rarity asked, "Is it really so hard to believe? Sunset here is actually in her late twenties so it's not entirely implausible a theory."