//------------------------------//
// Ch. 1 Morning Bell 
// Story: Youthful Expression 
// by Closer-To-The-Sun 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 1: Morning Bell

Celestia's sun had risen over Equestria and shined bright rays of light down onto Ponyville. Inside the town's library, a purple unicorn was preparing herself for the day she had planned ahead. Placing a few books, parchment, quills, and snacks into her saddleback, she used her magic to place it upon her back. She gave a small smile to her finished work until she turned to noticed that her assistant dragon, Spike, had yet to get up. Trotting to his bed, she used her magic to remove his blanket.

"Time to get up, Spike." Twilight Sparkle said with a motherly tone.

"Huh?" Spike was beginning to wake up, "Why do I have to get up? You said you don't need me to help you out today with your studying."

The unicorn used her magic to levitate Spike out of his bed, "That's right, I don't need your help, but today you are going to be doing something else."

Twilight tried to place Spike on the floor, standing on his feet, to which he lost balance and fell on his bottom, "Something else?"

"Yes, for today, you are going to school," Twilight stated with a hint of pride in her voice.

This statement got Spike to wake up, "School? But I'm just a baby dragon!"

"It's never too early to learn! Besides, I think you'll have fun because I honestly don't know what you do when you are left home alone."

"Hey! I find plenty of things to do when you're away!" Spike tried to defend himself.

"Like what?"

The young dragon didn't have a response ready, "Uhh….like….umm…."

Twilight smiled and giggled a little, "I think that answers that, Spike. Could you just try it please?"

"Alright, I guess," the dragon finally agreed.

"Excellent," the mare said as the doorbell rang, "and that would be your accompaniment now."

"My what now?"

Twilight walked to the door and opened it to an excited, yellow filly with a pink bow in her crimson hair, "Howdy, Miss Twilight! Is Spike ready fer school?"

"He just about is, Applebloom," Twilight replied as she urged Spike to the door. She used her magic to hand him a packed bag for him. "Now," Twilight began, "I've taken the liberty of packing your bag. You'll find writing utensils, parchment, and the book you'll be using today. I also packed a lunch for you, your favorite gems with an apple. Do not eat it until lunchtime. Oh goodness, look at the time! All of us need to get going!" Twilight Sparkle pushed the two youngsters out the door before she stepped outside and closed the door. "Be good, both of you!" she called out as she dashed off in the opposite direction of their school.

Spike and Applebloom were frozen for a brief moment before they realized what had just happened. Finally, Applebloom spoke, "Well, let's get a move on then!"

"Alright," the dragon said with a bit of distaste as the two started walking.

"What's got you in such a sour mood?" Applebloom asked curiously.

Spike yawned before he replied, "Well, I just don't see why Twilight wants me to go to school. Waking me up to go to school with a bunch of ponies I don't really know."

"Oh, come now, Spike, ya know me. An' Sweetie Belle will be there, an' so will Scootaloo!" Applebloom replied.

"Still, I'm the only dragon there," Spike pointed out, "I just feel a bit out of place."

Applebloom felt she should say something, but she didn't know exactly what. 

"Well, I might as well make the best of today, specially since I got gems for lunch," the dragon mused as he thought about his food.

The two youths met up with Sweetie Belle, and then Scootaloo as they walked to the schoolhouse. The entire way there, Spike told Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo the story of why he was attending school. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo listened and made a few jokes to which they all shared a laugh. However, in Applebloom's mind, she thought about what the purple and green dragon said about being the only dragon and feeling out of place.

'Ah really should do somethin' for Spike. Ah really want him t' feel welcome an' all,' Applebloom thought as the day in the classroom began, 'Ah would say that he could be an honorary Cutie Mark Crusader, bu' he will neva get one….wait, ah think ah got it! Ah got an idea to make Spike feel more welcome! Bu' it will have t' wait 'til after school.' Applebloom looked up at the clock above the chalkboard seeing how it read a quarter past eight. She hit her head on the desk, realizing it was going to be a long time before she could hatch her plan, 'Aw, horseapples.'