Spike ran up to his brother, who was standing with some other students
"Shining!" he said
"Spike! Good to see ya buddy, how's Twilight?" Shining asked
"She was totally freaked about going to Princess School, but I think she's okay." Spike said
"Good to hear. Guys, this is Spike, my little brother. He and our sister, Twilight Sparkle, are going to be attending the Royal Schools because of my, you know..." Shining blushed, and one boy with blue hair chuckled
"Engagement?" he supplied
"Yeah, thanks Flash. Spike, these are some of my new friends. They came early and got to know me." Shining Armor said, then pointed to the guys. "This is Flash Sentry, Cheese Sandwich, Fashion Plate, Soarin Skies, Discord, Sunburst, and this guy showed up a few minutes before you, we were about to show him around. He's Star Tracker." Shining introduced
"Hi." Spike said
"You don't look like Shining." Fashion Plate commented
"Yeah, I'm adopted." Spike explained
"How about we show you both around. Then we can head to our dorms." Sunburst suggested
"Cool." Soarin replied, he was bouncing a soccer ball on his knees "Wish you guys were interested in sports, we could have a match."
"I think there are some other boys who play." Flash Sentry said
"Well, yeah, but they're mean. You know, those big dummies that look like they'd be bullies? The Royal Assistants." Soarin replied, catching the ball with a hand.
"Come on, maybe you can show us a few rules later, for now let's get my brother and Star Tracker settled." Shining Armor said, leading them inside.
The school was built in a fortress, which was designed by Vice Headmaster Pharynx, who had taken over his kingdom as Head Knight, while his younger brother, Headmaster Thorax, became the King. The brothers later took over the school as joint leaders. Royal Assistants trained with Princes, while Knights took royal courses and additional training.
"The Princes share rooms with Knights, while Royal Assistants share with each other." Shining explained
"So, are you all Princes in training?" Spike asked
"No, Flash Sentry is a Knight, Sunburst is Prince of the Sunlands, Fashion Plate is Prince of the Chic Kingdom-" Shining was interrupted.
"There's a Style Kingdom too, but those always get confused by people" Fashion Plate butted in, adjusting his sunglasses
"Star Tracker's Prince of the Star Kingdom, Discord is a Knight, Soarin is Prince of the Air Kingdom, but-"
"But I'm also training to be a Knight. That means if I marry, I don't have to rule my kingdom by default, which is good, I'd rather fight." Soarin interrupted Shining, throwing a punch at a fake enemy.
"Yes. Now, Cheese Sandwich is a villager from the Laugh Kingdom, but the Princess of his Kingdom granted one citizen a scholarship to train as her Royal Assistant, so when he graduates, he will serve her, instead of one of the other Princes."
"I consider myself a pretty lucky guy." Cheese said, winking "Especially since I've seen the Princess before, Princess Pinkie, she's amazing." Cheese looked into the distance in a trance.
"We think he's got a crush on her." Discord told Spike, who laughed. Cheese smiled and shrugged.
"Well, at least I don't have to stay with the other Royal Assistants, since it's a scholarship and since I'm training to be Royal Assistant to a Princess instead of a Prince. So I'm with these guys." he pulled Fashion Plate and Sunburst in for a hug, since they were closest to him.
"Spike, this is the dorm you'll be sharing with Soarin and Star Tracker. Fashion Plate, Cheese, and Discord are in the room down the hall, Sunburst, Flash, you two are with me in that room across the hall." Shining Armor said
The boys headed into their rooms, and Spike sighed as he sat down. He started unpacking while Soarin kicked his soccer ball at the wall, hitting it back every time it rolled back to him. Star Tracker went to the window and pulled the blinds closed.
"Sorry, I like it dark." Star Tracker said
"No problem." Soarin replied
"Classes start tomorrow, right?" Spike asked
"Yeah, and I heard that during the year, we'll get to have joint classes with the Princess school." Soarin told him without breaking his concentration.
"Really? Then I can check in on Twilight, she was really nervous about making friends, it took her fifteen years to make friends with some girls from our village."
"That's kinda sad, but I bet there's tons of nice girls there." Soarin commented.
"Yeah. You said something earlier about marriage and being a knight?" Spike asked
"I want to be a Knight because if Knights marry royalty, it doesn't force the Princess to leave her Kingdom, the Knight goes to her Kingdom instead. I always thought it was unfair that when Royals marry, the Princess has to go to the Prince's Kingdom. It's especially unfair if the Princess is the sole heir to the throne in their Kingdom. So, I'll always be a Prince, and have to marry a Royal, but being an official Knight would prevent the Princess I marry from having to leave her home." Soarin explained, picking up the soccer ball, grabbing his phone.
"I guess that makes since. I've always wanted to be a Knight, can I still sign up?" Spike asked
"Yeah, sure. But they might not let you since you're here to learn how to be a Prince solely for the purpose of Shining's marriage. He's going to be a Knight/Prince like me, because Princess Cadence is the only heir to the unclaimed Throne of the Crystal Kingdom. So then he can start an army there for protection." Soarin told Spike, unlocking his phone.
"What about you Star Tracker?" Spike asked
"Sunburst and I have sisters in our Kingdoms, they're attending Princess Preparatory. We'll probably marry and take over our Kingdoms, unless our sisters want to take over." Star Tracker replied softly
"So, when does the first joint class start?" Spike asked
"In a month, I think." Soarin replied
"What are you doing anyway?" Spike asked Soarin, who showed him a group chat.
"Just talking with the guys. We're supposed to be at the Crown Ceremony soon." As Soarin said this, the P.A system turned on.
"All students report to the common area in five minutes, in uniform."
Spike jumped up and grabbed his uniform, running into the bathroom to change. They then rushed out of the room and down to where the common area was. They all sat down in the seats, when Vice Headmaster Pharynx came onto the stage in front.
"Attention! Rise for Headmaster Thorax." Vice Headmaster Pharynx called, and they stood obediently. Headmaster Thorax, King of the Shape-Shifter Kingdom, walked out.
"Hello, you all may be seated. I am King Thorax, your Headmaster for the next year. The year will revolve around making sure you are the best you can be. We will be teaching you all there is to know about being Royal, a Knight, or both. Those of you here on Scholarships must be warned that very few can make it through a year and Graduate with the others. Now, you must show up on time, and be in uniform. Classes will start first thing tomorrow morning. Note that the gym is open all hours of the day, dismissed." Headmaster Thorax said, he and Vice Headmaster Pharynx leaving. The boys stood and left quietly, heading back to their rooms to prepare for the next day.