Twilight's School for Gifted Unicorns

by Crimson_Moon

Pink Haired Jewel

Fall, 6 years later...

A mass of ponies were currently gathered in the Great Hall of Canterlot Castle, each bearing the uniform of TGSU's Canterlot High School. Each one of them, tired and strained, had enough of schoolwork. Nine months of the year were spent either here in the Castle or at one of the many dorms that the prestigious school contained for the older, more mature mares and stallions- a fact that drove most of them insane. Suddenly, the mumbling of student impatience was cut short by a pony walking to the podium and clearing their voice.

"Ahem, settle down everypony." Once the room became completely silent, the unicorn began his speech:

"As Dean of Twilight's School for Gifted Unicorns, I cherish the moments I have seen each and every one of you advance your studies, and grow as individuals, as I have since even I was a young foal attending these same lecture halls." He swept his hoof from wall to wall, stopping but for a moment to clear his throat again and continue. "This year was faced with many challenges and trials, but you were determined to push through and strive for greatness, as I'm sure the faculty has seen along with myself. Princess Twilight especially-"

"Kiss-a**!" A random student yelled out, causing a small roar of laughter.

Glaring at the area the voice came from, he continued. "She especially wished to congratulate you smart, mature, individuals with a feast where she would thank each and every one of you individually, but unfortunately was unable to make it due to an emergency summit in Saddle Arabia." A wave of groans followed. "However, the feast will still commence-" behind him hundreds of tables and chairs hovered into the room, landing between the rows of mares and stallions in a neat and orderly section. With a stomp of the hooves behind him, each faculty member's horn lit up and various tableware, food and drinks magically appeared. "That concludes the spring semester. You may all enjoy your week free of tests and studying, and whenever you feel your place among society is lacking, remember this always: All it takes is a spark of talent to ignite the flames of knowledge." Turning his head away, him and the other faculty members exited the hall and began to head to their respective classrooms to begin preparations for the next semester. Knowledge never rests, it seems.

"So, what did ya think of that, Blueblood? Another load of horse manure huh?" A fellow classmate chuckled, leaning back in his chair and stuffing his muzzle full with as much candied yams as possible. Blueblood barely held back his disgust.

"I have nothing to say about that pathetic excuse for a Dean." The alabaster unicorn simply stated, moving a pawn on his current chessboard game against a mock opponent- the board was enchanted to move the opposite side. "Ever since the fool was forced to let in commoners," he spat venom at the word. "This school has seen nothing but rot and decay. That bothersome cousin of mine was the start of it." He moved his pawn against a rook, sacrificing it to give his bishop an opening.

"Nonsense, Bluie!" One of his new groupies huddled closer, the unicorn mare trying to flirt with him.

"She's too dumb to do anything!" Her twin giggled near his opposite shoulder.

"Silence, please. I'm concentrating." He ignored them. They were part of the problem, after all. However, he allowed them in on account of their cute faces and rather elegant curves. Bishop takes knight. Check.

"All it takes to run this school is a little bit of pockets lined for just the right pony and it will be how it was before- how it was meant to be." Queen takes knight, Checkmate. Smiling, the unicorn gave himself a pat on the back.

That is, until the board reset. And the opposing side changed from black to Pink. Suddenly, Blueblood stood up. Before him lie his greatest obstacle, his dragon that must be slain, his opponent in the battle to reclaim the school:

The Pink Haired Jewel of Canterlot High. "Oh please, do continue." Celestia grinned, sitting down across from a now seething Blueblood. "I'm all for improving the health and welfare of TGSU." His groupies now joined in at giving her a glare that would probably kill lesser creatures. She rolled her eyes. "I won't butt in, I'm only here for a chess game. It's much better facing a real opponent, wouldn't you agree?" She smiled radiantly, her teeth sparkling in the afternoon sunlight. Ponies began to gather on her side, wanting to be as close as possible to the most popular pony on campus- the student to the Princess herself, as well as one of the most beautiful mares in the entire school, she was adored by everypony. A fact that Blueblood Despised.

His groupies were about to speak up, when Blueblood silenced them. "Very well, Celestia." With a flick of his horn, the white pieces reset themselves and the game began. "I doubt you can stop it, so it's of no consequense if you know my plans."

"Um, Blueblood-" one of the mares from earlier tried to point something out, but was interrupted.

"Silence, Commoner!" He spat, making the mare and her twin jump a little. "The game has begun, no talking." Pawn to E4.

"I agree." Celestia smiled, looking behind her as well. "This is a discussion between me and Blueblood only. No butting in, okay?" She cocked her head and grinned adorably, her lovely pink hair almost glowing in the sunlight. Knight to F6.

"As I was saying, all this school needs is bits to the right official. It wouldn't be hard, considering my father's vast wealth. That reminds me, doesn't your father work under mine?" Queen to F3. The first major piece moved, a bold statement from Blueblood.

"That he does." She smiled back. "He tries his best every day and has only the highest regards to his employer." Pawn to G5, no risky moves yet. Time is her ally on this. No need to be quick about it. After all, sacrificing smaller pieces was easier than bringing everything out all at once.

"All it would take is one letter, you know." Pawn to H4.

Her mask cracked, if only slightly at that, hovering over her rook on the left before going for the pawn. Pawn to H4. Pawn takes pawn, Queen advances to F5. The game officially began, it seemed...

The stakes ran high. It lasted an entire 3 hours, and many onlookers vanished, too bored to keep with the game. All that was left was Celestia's King and Queen, as well as a pawn. Blueblood had his King and most of his pieces, opting to save the most valuable for defense. "What exactly is your strategy? After you win, I mean." Celestia giggled.

"Everypony has left, Celestia. No more fun and games. Wipe that plastic smile off your face and tell me really how the 'Pink Haired Jewel' thinks." Blueblood seethed, advancing his last pawn, hoping to win back one of the Rooks lost earlier. Celestia honed in on his strategy as if it were a child's move.

"I have no idea what you mean." The mare wouldn't budge that neutral grin, even for family. Her "mask" as she liked to call it, was the only reason she was able to keep ponies like Blueblood in check. Speaking of...

"Queen takes pawn, Check." Grunting in frustration, the stallion looked to the board, trying to find a hole, a gap in Celestia's strategy, anything! How could she be winning? She had only two important pieces left!

"Hmph." Seeing a chance for an escape, Blueblood slid through the cracks in his defense and circled behind a Bishop and Knight. "Stubborn as ever, Tia. My plan involves ridding this school of that buffoon Silver Quill and replacing him with Chancellor Neighsayer from the EEA. At least he understands the difference between common filth and those who deserve their rightful place at the top!" His last Rook advanced. Check.

"Good." Was all Celestia said, shocking her opponent.

"Y-you don't object?" The alabaster stallion was puzzled now. Had he misunderstood his Cousin? Was she really on board with his scheme? King moves back, Queen takes Rook.

"It doesn't matter what I think, remember?" She reminded him of his earlier statement. "I could say I was Queen of Bananas and you would still try to attempt it. I can't stop you, anymore than the Dean can." Her plastic smile became a smidge wider, coming close to looking manic. "However, there's just one thing you forgot to put into your plan-" Her pawn had the final opening, after Blueblood shotgunned his way through his pieces in a desperate attempt to kill what can't be killed. Rook replaces Pawn, Checkmate.

"Taking down the Dean of a prestigious school is one thing, but don't forget who's name it's under." Game won, she bowed then calmly walked away to head to her dorm. Blueblood stood there in unbelievable awe. She had made her move, but it was a fatal one. "We'll see who has the last laugh, Celestia!" He mumbled, tossing the board in a fit of rage.

A few hours later, elsewhere in the Castle...

"Three months!?" Celestia exclaimed.

"Yes, three." Princess Twilight Sparkle said with a stern look. "Three months here, at the castle." Her protege was about to speak up, but was interrupted again. "Your father signed off on it. Your mother too."

"But, b-but I-" A gargantuan stomp of Twilight's hoof echoed in her personal bed chambers, silencing the mare.

"Have I made myself clear?" Twilight spoke in a tone Celestia never heard before- a voice that spoke with authority and a confidence she had never seen from the usually awkward and shy ruler...

It terrified her.

One question had yet to be answered, however. "B-but why?!" The latest issue of Equestria Daily appeared suddenly at her hooves, as if to answer the mare. Looking closer, the picture on the front cover by itself was nothing grandiose like Equestria Daily is known for- it only had a side shot of TGSU's empty entrance hall but nothing of note to be seen. The title of the article however, and more importantly, the author and editor of it was what drove the point home:

EXCLUSIVE!

Brilliant Chess Game, or Pretty Pink Power Move? Princess Twilight's Protegé Embarrasses Equestria Daily CEO's Son! Exclusive interview with Blueblood inside!

Author: Solar Blaze, Editor-in-Chief Equestria Daily.

Oh. Celestia now understood. "I-It was just a chess game, I swear! I-"

"I'm not one of your fellow students, Celestia!" The Alicorn all but yelled. Looking away to gather her thoughts, she began to walk to the balcony in her bed chambers, watching the sun set. Flicking her horn, she peppered the changing sky with its first stars, streaking the night sky with her namesake. Her duty done, she sighed, turning back to face her student.

"...Regardless of why the actions were taken, they still have consequences." Lifting the magazine in her magic, the Alicorn turned to the very final few pages, seemingly looking for something. After a few minutes, she hovered a particular page in front of her now demure student. "Read it." She commanded.

Celestia's ears clinging tightly to her head like a puppy in trouble, she gently pulled the article closer, reading the highlighted passage silently.

"Out Loud!" Her mentor emphasized.

Yelping from the raised voice, she shakily began reading the passage. "Dear Readers, thank you for the love and support these great years. I thank my family especially for getting me through these tough times, but I must go away for a while. I will miss you all dearly... Your loving editor for Equestria Daily- Solar Blaze." She read and re-read the small paragraph over and over, trying to see what the Princess was pointing out. "I-I don't understand, what's wrong with getting some time off?" She was on the verge of tears. Celestia did something foolishly wrong, but the mare still couldn't see the full picture. "That's good, isn't i-"

"He was forced to retire, Celestia!" She stamped her amethyst clad hooves again, this time more gentle but still fierce and commanding. Taking a few breaths again, she regained her composure. "Your father no longer works for Equestria Daily. I'm sorry, Celestia."

"W-what? I-i didn't mean..." Tears began to flow, all the defiance from earlier vanishing quickly, like a plug on a drain slowly being pulled open. Lighting her horn, she was ready to teleport like some filly who heard Santa didn't exist for the first time, only to be stopped by a hoof on her shoulder. She looked up to the mare before her, tears constantly streaming down her face and matting her coat. "I'm sorry..."

The older mare sighed. "I know, but you've been behaving erratically lately. Knowledge is a dangerous thing, my faithful student-"

"B-but I-"

"And there is a difference between being smart-" she continued, glaring at the one who rudely interrupted. "And being knowledgeable. A lesson I am afraid has slipped your mind, as of late. Hence why I am Barring you from any more lessons from me about magic."

All argument died from her throat then and there. Celestia messed up in a big way this time. "Yes, ma'am..."

"Your new tutor will arrive soon. Make sure you greet her with the utmost respect, she is a close friend of mine."

The train whistle blew long and loud, a signal to its passengers that their destination had been reached. For many, this was a routine thing in the city of Canterlot- a small price to pay for the march of progress. For visiting ponies however, it was a nuisance that pierced their ears, much like the elderly unicorn mare exiting her cabin. She tried to convince her friend it would be alright to ride Coach, but Princess Twilight wouldn't have it. "Only the best for my friends!" She insisted. Glancing upwards at the suffocating city, the mare was awestruck, much like the many times before when she visited.

When you were younger, you mean... she thought. Shaking her head, the unicorn began to trot towards the palace. Ducking and weaving past the several hundreds of ponies too busy to be wary of an elderly mare, she began to remember why the city was suffocating, rather than serene like her hometown of Ponyville. Sighing, the mare relented. Her magic was now far too weak for simple teleportation, more than likely a cause of her... Accomplishments. Regardless, she pressed on. After all, it wasn't every day a Princess called somepony to Canterlot to help her in teaching!

Princess... The mare chuckled to herself. "Princess wouldn't be how I describe ol' Sparkle Butt!" Not much longer to go, only a few more blocks to the Castle. They should be expecting her already, but in case they hadn't, the unicorn came ready with an official writ of passage into the grounds past visiting hours. By the time she arrived, she would guess it would be pretty barren inside; Twilight had a diplomatic summit she had to attend, along with Spike who represented the Dragon Nation. He still wasn't Dragon Lord- that title belonged to his fiancé Ember, but the purple dragon was appointed as official dignitary a long, Long time ago.

I had to be, what, eighty? Eighty five? she thought. Back when I was younger, when I found out... she stopped, shaking her head. "No more dawdling." She quickened her pace up to the golden gates of Canterlot Castle.

"Halt!" A guard stopped her, he and his companion barring the rest of the way with their spears. "Canterlot Castle is off limits to the public."

The elderly mare cleared her throat. "I was invited by Princess Twilight, she is expecting me."

"Papers?" The other guard spoke up, eying her suspiciously.

Time to play the "dumb granny card".

"Hmm? Oh yes, let me just-" the unicorn dramatically swung her saddlebags around and pulled out a pair of spectacles at a snails pace, just enough to be bothersome. Afterwards, she dug around noisily to give away the saddlebags were little more than a glorified purse.

"Do you... Need help finding them, ma'am?" One of the guards offered gently, trying not to hurt the old mare's feelings.

"Nonsense, young stallion! You've been standing all day in front of these gates, what's another minute or two to indulge an old mare?" She toothily smiled.

After all, you fell right into my trap!

"Let me just-" She opened the otber side this time, the one with the actual notes and resources her old friend suggested she bring. "Ah, here we are!" She beamed, handing over a sealed envelope.

The guard hastily grabbed it, lest the old mare in front of him became confused and put it back, and his jaws dropped at the paper within:

To whom it may concern,

The pony and any/all items she has brought with her are to be given Royal Access to the throne room, private quarters, kitchen, garden, and any/all rooms, halls, chambers, etc. Attached above or beneath Canterlot Castle.

Your Princess, Twilight Sparkle.

No pony aside from the Princess herself had ever been given unimpeded access to the entire Canterlot Castle before! It just simply wasn't done! This old mare, this old coot, had within the span of less than a minute, put the fear of the Gods Above within them.

"Y-you may proceed!" He chuckled nervously, hastily opening the gate wider than what was necessary. After all, any pony given that kind of power could end a career with one word.

"Why thank you, young Colt! I'll make sure to tell the Princess what fine jobs you both are doing!" She giggled, trotting happily into the halls of the Castle.

"It was the beginning of 114 AD when the scholars began to do a analytical study on the naming for the now-called Twilight's School for Gifted Unicorns. Many believed the previous word choice- Twilight's Gifted School(for unicorns)- was more than likely influenced by the..." Celestia looked to Twilight. Her idea of waiting for somepony was vastly different than a normal pony's, and as such, subjected the unicorn mare to this academic torture instead. However fitting it may be due to her being grounded at the Castle, it still sucked! Twilight drew up her eyebrow and had a stern look about her face, enough to tell her to continue reading the rough draft of the small essay aloud.

"*ahem* Was more than likely influenced by the alienation of non-pony species of the time. Most towns, like Ponyville, had developed a racism to many creatures during that time, but Canterlot was different; Due to their elitist attitude, the ponies(especially the richer beurocrats) had taken it to an extreme: non-unicorns were becoming increasingly banned in what is now called the 'era of isolation'. It wasn't until Trixie the Great and Powerful petitioned Princess Twilight to change the word placement of the prestigious school had we started to see change. To this day, echoes of the former elitism could be seen in the commonly used acronym TGSU, despite the words being switched now in close to almost two decades." She sighed. "Is this good enough."

Twilight read and then re-read the article her student wrote. "Hmm. Well, you're certainly your father's daughter!" She smiled, earning an even bigger one from Celestia.

"C-" the pink haired mare's grin instantly vanished. "The essay was long and we'll thought out, but I wanted you to write an editorial for your fellow peers to be put in the school paper following Winter Break."

"B-but I-" Suddenly they were both interrupted by a hard knock at the chamber doors.

"Come i-" a magical blast knocked the doors completely off its hinges. Thankfully Celestia thought to put up a barrier in time to prevent any harm to her or her mentor.

*Click!*

The dust and debris cleared to reveal a small elderly unicorn mare hovering a stopwatch in her magic. ".027 second reaction. Nice! Though if it were me-" she blew a stray purple and teal streak of mane out of her face. "I would have gone for Stoneworth's Matrer Displacement. Much better for conserving energy!"

"Stay away from my teacher!" Celestia screeched out, sending a bolt of golden magic at the mare's hooves. A warning shot.

The mare didn't blink. She merely raised her eyebrow and put on a deadpan expression.

"Ah excellent!" Twilight spoke up, breaking the silence. "Your tutor is here!"

"My what now?" Celestia asked.

"Her what now?" The old mare mimicked.

"Celestia, I'd like for you to meet the tutor you'll be learning magic from. Let me introduce you to-"

"Name's Starlight Glimmer." The mare interrupted. "And you-" she pecked Twilight's barrel with her hoof. "Said three weeks."