//------------------------------// // Episode 5: "More Than Just a Wallflower" // Story: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 11 // by twilightsparkle3562 //------------------------------// … War had come to Equestria. That was the news that Luster Dawn and her family woke up to the day after the battle in the Crystal Empire. Gathering for breakfast, Luster could sense a tension in the air that was engulfing all of Equestria. "Princess Twilight is not messing around, Moon Dusk," Fire Blaster remarked as she looked at the morning paper while Luster Dawn sat down with her parents. "If those metallic monsters ever come here to Ponyville…" "With the six princesses leading over us," Moon Dusk interrupted while drinking a cup of coffee. "I don't think we'll have anything to worry about. It could have been a lot worse than it already was if not for their new allies. Yet in the end, the princesses were there to save the day, as they always do in the end." Taking a look at the paper, Luster Dawn saw her mentor's picture on the front page, covered in bandages along with her friends. "You don't want to say something like that, dad," She cautioned. "You can see that Twilight and her friends were injured, right? That goes to show that these new threats aren't messing around." "You have a point there, Luster," Moon Dusk commented. "Remember though, this isn't the first time we've been through something like this. Never forget why we moved here to Ponyville in the first place." Luster took her father's words seriously as she ate her breakfast. Still, there was a good side to moving to Ponyville. "Um, not to change the subject," She spoke up. "But in the short time we've been here, I've made…quite a few new friends." "Like that Cherry Tomato fellow from Mustangia?" Fire Blaster asked. "He seems like a nice sort of pony, Luster. It's too bad you don't invite your friends over here once in a while. Your mother and I would love to meet them." "Oh, okay, guess I'll start bringing them over here," Luster promised while chuckling slightly. "I just need more time to get to know them better. Don't forget, I just got together with them over the course of this school year. Plus, there's that Kirin I met who is autistic, remember?" "Of course, Luster," Moon Dusk chuckled. "As long as you're continuing to make friends at your school, that's what makes your mother and I happy." With those words, Luster finished her breakfast and was soon on her way to the School of Friendship. But there was a bit of business that Luster needed to take care of first at Twilight's castle. Reaching into her saddlebag, Luster pulled out a note from Twilight that had told Luster to come over first thing in the morning. … … Meanwhile, at the Ponyville Train Station, a light green coated earth pony mare wearing a brown striped sweater, and with a cutie mark of an unusual flower on her flank, stepped off the Friendship Express, trying to not give herself any attention. However, one pony happened to spot her. "Um, excuse me," Trixie called, standing at the foot of the station's stairs and looking up at the green coated earth pony. "I'm looking for a pony named Wallflower Blush. Do you happen to know where she is?" "Um, I'm…Wallflower Blush," The mare said quietly as she looked away from Trixie. "From Baltimare." "Great, you must be the new student we're expecting!" Trixie declared with a smile. "I'm Trixie, guidance counselor for the School of Friendship." "Nice to meet you, Counselor Trixie,. Wallflower whispered in a low voice. "Delighted," Trixie replied. "Now then, shall we go along? Everyone will be expecting you." Taking a nervous gulp, Wallflower attempted to follow Trixie, but the new guidance counselor could see that something about this pony was off. "Um, aren't you coming?" Trixie asked when she noticed Wallflower lagging behind. "Sorry," Wallflower whispered again as she followed Trixie again. "I'm just a little…nervous, that's all." "Well, I can't say I blame you for being a teensy bit nervous," Trixie remarked, walking over to Wallflower's side. "We have been getting a lot of new students lately, and they're all just like you." In an effort to try and calm Wallflower down, Trixie then decided to talk about a less troubled subject. "Tell me something, Wallflower," She asked "What's something that makes you happy? For me, it's magic, especially the stage kind. I'm actually a traveling magician in my spare time, with Headmare Starlight as my great and powerful assistant, not to mention best friend." "I like…plants," Wallflower sheepishly confessed. "I've always dreamed of being…a gardener." "Oh, like having your own garden?" Trixie remarked. "Well, I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that Headmare Starlight also likes plants. There's even a plant in her office that she named…Phyllis 2." Hearing this brought a smile to Wallflower's face and it helped her reduce her anxiety, if only for a little bit. Soon, the two mares arrived at the School of Friendship where some of the students were already arriving for another day of learning. "Now, we got here a little early so we could give you a little understanding of how things work here," Trixie explained. "In fact, Headmare Starlight and Vice-Headstallion Sunburst are going to be meeting us in my office." "Why?" Wallflower asked, worried she'd done something wrong. "Because they want to meet you, of course!" Trixie replied and whisked Wallflower away. … Meanwhile, Luster Dawn approached the Castle of Friendship and knocked on the door, waiting for whoever was inside to answer it. A few moments later, the door opened revealing Spike on the other side. "Oh, hey Luster," He greeted and gestured for the unicorn to come inside. "Twilight's expecting you." "How's she doing after the fight in the Crystal Empire?" Luster asked as Spike shut the door. "Better, given the circumstances," The young dragon replied. "Anyways, she wanted to talk to you more about the declaration of war she made a few days ago. As her personal student, she felt it best to get you up to speed as soon as possible." Soon, Spike led Luster up to the door of Twilight's study and knocked on it. Twilight opened the door and allowed Luster inside. Luster couldn't help but wince at the bandages that Twilight had on her wings and back as a result of her battle with the Predacons. "Thank you for coming, Luster," Twilight said to her protégé while also gesturing for Spike to close the door behind him, and give her and Luster privacy. "What I'm about to tell you is only meant to be between you and I alone. Do you promise that?" "Yes, Princess Twilight," Luster replied as she sat down on Twilight's sofa. "Is this related to the declaration of war you made with your friends?" "It is," Twilight answered, sitting down and wincing slightly at the burning pain in her back. "We are at war with Emperor Grogar and his allies: Including not just the Predacons but also Tirek, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow. The only way we're going to win this war is not with brains and brawn, but with friendship. Sort of like our bond with the Maximals." "What does that have to do with me, Princess Twilight?" Luster Dawn asked. "You need to build friendships that may become the ones that will help us win this war," Twilight explained. "All of the friendships you have made now with Cherry Tomato, Quiet Play and others are only the first of many steps you'll need to take. But I have faith in you, otherwise I wouldn't ask you to undertake such an assignment." The more her mentor spoke, the more Luster realized the gravity of her assignment. "So, in a sense," She guessed while briefly looking down at the floor of Twilight's purple carpet. "You want me to create an army?" "Not quite an army, Luster," Twilight explained, directing Luster to look over at a picture of Twilight and her friends from Twilight's first coronation after she became an alicorn. "Just a group of friends that embellish the Elements of Harmony that my friends and I possess. Tell me, what elements do you see yourself and your friends as having?" Carefully studying the picture, Luster tried to picture herself and the friends she had already made. "Well," She began to reply. "I see myself…as your element, the element of Magic. And Cherry Tomato, I see him…as the Element of Honesty. Icarus, I see him as the Element of Loyalty. Quiet Play…I see her as…the Element of Kindness." "Because she's very shy?" Twilight guessed. "I can see that. But, she's kind of like Scootaloo, in a way." "Who's Scootaloo?" Luster asked. "Rainbow Dash's surrogate sister," Twilight explained. "Like Quiet Play, she has a disability, but it's one where she can't fly by conventional means. She's made peace with it, but she also hasn't fully given on finding a way to fly." "Did any of your friends have a disability?" Luster asked again. "Maybe, but let's save that for another time, Luster. I didn't call you here to play psychoanalyst," Twilight protested and steered the subject in another direction. "The truth of the matter is that everycreature and everypony must come together if we're to win this war. You and the friends you make here are very much the future of Equestria. There's no telling what bonds may be the ones that make all the difference in the end." … Taking her mentor's words to heart, Luster left the castle and proceeded next door to the School of Friendship. At that moment, Luster saw Trixie arrive with a new student and approached them, wondering if this was what Twilight was telling her about. "Ah, Luster Dawn," Trixie said, turning around to see the pink coated unicorn had arrived. "I'd like you to meet Wallflower Blush, she's a new student from Baltimare." Nervous, Wallflower looked away from Luster. "Sorry, she's just a little shy. She's quite friendly, really," Trixie chuckled as Wallflower looked back up at Luster. "Nice to…nice to meet you." Wallflower quietly replied. "As a matter of fact, Luster Dawn, your timing couldn't be better," Trixie spoke up. "Would you be so kind as to help Wallflower out on her first day? Maybe show her around and ensure she doesn't get lost?" Luster saw this as the perfect opportunity to make another friend. In her mind, if what Twilight said was true, then befriending Wallflower would be critical in building the friendships necessary to win the war. "Of course, Counselor Trixie." She agreed, and she followed them up to Starlight's office where she and Sunburst were waiting for them to arrive. "So, I take it that this new student is a lover of plants?" Sunburst guessed as Starlight watered her plant companion. "She is Sunburst," Starlight replied. "And you know what else is nice about being Headmare?" "No, what?" Sunburst asked. "Students who share a common interest with you are the ones you bond with the most," Starlight laughed. "Everypony knows that." "Out of all the new students we've been taking in lately," Sunburst couldn't help but comment. "You seem to be the most excited about this one." At that moment, the door opened and in stepped Trixie with Wallflower Blush and Luster Dawn behind her. Right away, Wallflower became enraptured with the plant on Starlight's desk. "It's a rhododendron," She almost gasped, inspecting the plant. "I have one myself back in Baltimare!" "Indeed," Starlight remarked, trying to remain professional as she walked around her desk and towards Wallflower. "Her name is Phyllis 2. She's a good plant. Anyways, I'm Starlight Glimmer, headmare of the School of Friendship. You must be Wallflower Blush, correct?" "Um, yes," Wallflower whispered, turning her head away from Starlight slightly. "Forgive me, I'm not really…what you call…sociable. Most of the classmates at my other school…they never really appreciated…what my interests were." "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Sunburst sincerely spoke up. "Well I can assure you that there are creatures and ponies here that will appreciate what your interests are, Wallflower. I'm Vice Headstallion Sunburst by the way." "You must be big into magic." Wallflower remarked, noticing Sunburst's long cape. "You might say I'm a…wizard," Sunburst whispered, nudging Wallflower in the side. "Anyways, according to your transcript, you were diagnosed with…SAD, correct?" "Social Anxiety Disorder, yes," Wallflower nodded, much to Luster's surprise. "I was often isolated from various activities at my old school. I've always wanted to make friends, but nopony else gave me a chance. Coming here is my salvation, I hope." The three big ponies in the room were stunned to hear this! "I want to learn to be a better pony," Wallflower continued. "But I just don't know how." "Well, we'll do whatever it takes to help you become a better pony and a better friend," Starlight declared while placing a hoof on Wallflower's shoulder. "Just remember that our doors are always open if you wish to talk about anything, Wallflower. That's why we're here." Flashing a small and nervous smile, Wallflower left the office with Luster Dawn for her first class. "She seems like a nice sort of student," Trixie commented. "Very shy, of course. But she's got talent in the…agriculture sense. By the way, Starlight, why didn't you mention Phyllis 1 to her?" Starlight gave her best friend a look as she walked around her desk and sat down. "Because if I did, Trixie," She commented in a bitter tone of voice. "It would have upset her to know that you killed a plant." "O-oh yeah, right," Trixie nervously stammered, slowly making her way to the door. "Well, I guess I'll leave you both alone, then." "Don't forget to keep an eye on…" Sunburst called, only to be interrupted when Trixie shut the door. "…Wallflower." … … Meanwhile, Twilight was back at Canterlot Hospital, this time being checked out for the burns on her back and wings. But all the Supreme Princess of Equestria could think of was whether or not her protégé would take her new mission seriously. "Well, your highness, the injuries are starting to heal a bit," Doctor Stable declared, looking over Twilight's burns. "I would give it another three days before the bandages can be fully removed, however." "If you say so," Twilight moaned as he applied a burn reduction cream. "That Megatron…he's just far too dangerous. I'm lucky that I was only knocked out temporarily." "Yeah," Spike nodded and changed the subject. "So, Twilight, do you think Luster will take what you talked about with her to heart?" "I hope so, Spike," Twilight replied. "Friendship is a major weapon and we'll need it if we are to beat Grogar and his alliance of evil once and for all. When Celestia made me her pupil, there was no war. But I guess that's how it works these days, right?" Sitting up, Doctor Stable wrapped a fresh set of bandages around Twilight's back and wings. "What are you having Luster do, Twilight?" Spike asked. "Are you wanting to create a second, young group of element bearers?" "In a way, yes," Twilight replied. "True it was us, the Pillars and those six students that defeated the Legion of Doom. But if we're to beat Grogar, three groups may not be enough. And as powerful an ally as the Maximals are, if they're too busy combating the Predacons they won't be able to assist us against the rest of the evil forces," It was then that Twilight began to get herself an idea on how to approach the situation. "I've got an idea, Spike," She declared. "Have Fluttershy meet me tomorrow at the royal suite in Canterlot. I have a request to make of her." … Back at the School of Friendship, Luster and Wallflower arrived at Celestia's class as Wallflower took in all of the multi-creature students sitting in their seats. "Good morning, my faithful students," Celestia greeted as she walked in front of them while they all gave her their full attention. "As you probably might have already noticed, we have a new student joining us today. Wallflower Blush, if you could come up and introduce yourself to the class, please." Taking a gulp, Wallflower walked up to the front of the class and right away some of the students noticed that she was uncomfortable in her facial expressions. "Um, hi," She whispered. "I'm…Wallflower Blush…and…this is my first day here." "Excuse me, Wallflower," Celestia interrupted. "Could you speak up so some of the students in the back can hear you, if you don't mind?" "I'm Wallflower Blush…" The green coated earth pony said loudly and nervously. "And…this is my first day at the School of Friendship. I am from…Baltimare." Taking another nervous gulp, Wallflower attempted to finish what she was saying, but it was easier said than done in her mind. "Something's wrong," Luster whispered to Cherry. "She can't seem to remain calm." "Um, Wallflower," Celestia nervously asked, clearly worried about what was going on. "Would you care to tell the class what your special interest is?" "I like…I like…" Wallflower stammered. "I like…plants. I want to make…gardens." "Ah, very interesting," Celestia spoke up. "In fact, today's lesson is going to be about special interests. Thank you, Wallflower. You may be seated." Taking a deep breath, Wallflower returned to her seat while Luster looked concernedly at the young, green coated earth pony. "We all have special interests, my faithful students," Celestia explained as she pulled down a projection screen, showing a picture of herself ziplining, followed by a picture of Luna reading a book by a river. "Some of us have a variety of special interests ranging from exciting and adventurous like me, to relaxing and low key like my sister, Professor Luna. The important thing is that we, as ponies and creatures, learn to maintain respect for one another's interests." While Celestia continued to teach, Luster kept her eyes close on Wallflower, sensing that something had happened at her old school to make her seem hesitant to talk about her interests. "So," Celestia continued. "Your homework assignment for tonight, my faithful students, is to write down on a piece of parchment your special interest. And then, for tomorrow's class activity, we will come up with an interest that everyone in the class will have to participate in." Once the bell rang, Luster and Wallflower proceeded to their next class. But as they left Celestia's class, Luster wanted to find out more about why Wallflower was so nervous speaking in front of the class. "She seems like a good teacher." Wallflower commented. "Yes, Professor Celestia is one of the best," Luster replied with a smile. "In fact, many of us are glad she and Professor Luna decided to stay here and teach at the school. Anyways, Wallflower, can I ask you a question?" "Sure," Wallflower asked as they made their way into the next class. "But can it wait 'til later?" "Of course." Luster Dawn obliged. … Later that day, Luster accompanied Wallflower into the library where she would have an opportunity to ask Wallflower her question. "So, what is it you want to ask me, Luster Dawn?" Wallflower quietly asked. "Um, Wallflower," Luster replied, taking a deep breath. "When we were in…Professor Celestia's class today…you seemed really nervous talking in front of the students. Is there something…you didn't want to talk about?" "It's not that," Wallflower hastily whispered. "Something happened at my old school…something horrible." Immediately, Luster's eyes widened in shock! "If I tell you what happened," Wallflower continued in a whisper. "Can you promise not to tell anypony else?" Remembering the trouble she had with Quiet Play, Luster stuck to her promise. But then, she had another suggestion. "Look, Wallflower," She spoke up. "Do you want to maybe talk to Counselor Trixie about the problem at your old school?" Rather than answering, Wallflower instead reached into her school bag and pulled out what appeared to be a series of pictures, hoofing them to Luster Dawn. Looking down at the pictures, Luster couldn't believe what she was seeing before her eyes! "Wallflower!" Luster gasped in a hushed voice, taking her eyes off of the pictures. "What is this? Who did this to you?" But Wallflower said nothing and Luster was left in shock and disbelief. … … Horrified, Luster Dawn tried to make sense of the pictures that her new peer had given her. "Wallflower, I'm…" The unicorn stammered. "I'm so sorry! These were…" "Plants, flowers," Wallflower Blush explained. "The one sanctuary I had at my old school. A garden that the principals were delighted to have, since not everypony cared for the respect of agriculture. Look closely at them, Luster Dawn!" Doing as she was told, Luster looked closely at the pictures, showing what appeared to be a garden torn up and destroyed. "Who…who did this?!" Luster demanded! "Ponies who didn't care about the life of plants!" Wallflower cried. "They saw me as…different, believing that I was just going to be weird. Agriculture is my passion, my escape from the confines of the world we all live in right now! But…those pictures you see…" Not wanting to listen to anymore, Luster felt that there was only one thing left to do. "You should be telling Counselor Trixie this story, not just me!" She interrupted, urging for Wallflower to follow her out of the library. "Come on!" Heading to Trixie's office, Luster knocked on the door and a few moments later, the door opened revealing Trixie, Starlight and Sunburst on the other side. "Sorry for interrupting," Luster said in a remorseful voice as she and Wallflower entered the office. "Actually, we were waiting for you both to come here," Sunburst spoke up. "How did your day go?" "There's…" Luster Dawn began, using her magic to take the pictures Wallflower had shown her out for the school heads to look at. "There's something that you need to see." Taking the pictures in her aura, Trixie and the two unicorn heads gathered around her desk to study them. As they looked, Wallflower turned her head away in shame and disgraced. "What happened, Wallflower?" Starlight asked, looking over at the disgraced earth pony. "Who did this to you?" "Students…at my old school, Headmare Starlight." Wallflower confessed. "Why?! Why would anypony do this?!" Sunburst asked in a shocked voice. "Because they didn't care for what I did!" Wallflower sharply snapped! "Plants and agriculture are my comfort, the only friends I had there! They wanted to take it away from me," She explained, turning her back to the four unicorns in embarrassment. "Force me to become one of them…and I refused to comply. To me, plants are like us, full of life! They helped me become more social, they gave me the confidence to become like everypony else! And then those ponies took them away from me!" Stepping forward, Starlight gestured Wallflower back towards them. "Wallflower," Starlight almost gasped. "We're so sorry that this had to happen to you. Did you tell the headmare or headstallion at your old school about this?" "I did…and…I told them not to punish those who destroyed my garden." Wallflower answered in a whisper. "Why?" Starlight asked. "If…if this happened here, none of us would let the guilty party walk free. They would be in detention for the entire year." "This must be why you were so hesitant in Professor Celestia's class today," Luster Dawn realized, walking around to Wallflower. "When you introduced yourself to her class, memories of that time must have come back to you." It was then that Luster began to get herself an idea on how to approach the situation and help Wallflower overcome her problems. "Wallflower," She sighed, looking towards the administration. "I…I think we would like it if you could…create a garden for the school." "How will I know that if I grow a garden, it won't get destroyed like the last one?" Wallflower asked. "Because we won't let it happen!" Starlight reassured the earth pony. "Plants are like all forms of life, and they should be treated with respect. I should know with Phyllis 2, because I demanded that she be treated with respect as well." As she spoke those words, Starlight not so subtly glared at Trixie, who chuckled meekly at her friend's cold words. "In fact," Trixie began, trying to keep herself in favor with her best friend. "I think I have an idea for Professor Celestia's class on special interests." … The next day, Celestia and her students were at work creating a garden in the school's courtyard much to the delight of Wallflower Blush. "Well, my faithful students," Celestia said to her class. "I think we all can agree that this is the one thing that most of us can have a keen interest in." And to ensure that the garden would forever be safe, Celestia casted a protection spell around the garden. "What do you think, Wallflower?" Luster asked. But all Wallflower could do was smile in delight at what she saw. Then she turned to Luster. "Thank you, Luster Dawn," She said with a smile. "Thank you, for everything." Meanwhile, flanked by two guardsponies, Fluttershy arrived at the royal suite where Twilight and Spike were waiting for her to arrive. Upon entering, the Princess of Kindness approached her friend and superior with a nervous look on her face. "What's going on, Twilight?" She nervously asked. "You said in your scroll that it was urgent?" "Fluttershy," Twilight spoke up. "I need Discord to undertake an important mission if we're to gain an advantage in this war against Grogar." Right away, Fluttershy took an enormous gulp at the request Twilight was making. "What…what do you want him to do, Twilight?" She nervously asked. "I need him to spy on Grogar," Twilight firmly answered. "We're going to need to know every single move that he and his minions will make, and Discord seems to be the only one capable of such a mission. He pretended to be Grogar, so he must know how to find the real Grogar and keep tabs on him. Tell him I'll make it worth his while." Lowering her head, Fluttershy knew that she couldn't say no to her best friend and head princess. In her mind, Discord sought full redemption for his actions by any means necessary, but nothing like this. "I'll…I'll…see if I can get him to help us," She nervously vowed. "I can't…guarantee it, but I'll try." At that moment, a white flash revealed the mismatched creature of chaos appeared in the room, much to Fluttershy's shock. "You need me for something, Twilight?" Discord asked, much to Fluttershy's shock. "Fluttershy, please step out of the room." "But, Discord…" Before she could plead with her friend, Fluttershy was pushed out of the royal suite and could only watch as the door closed, leaving Twilight and the spirit of chaos to discuss what needed to be done.