Cross had to say it, the morning sun was so beautiful in Equestria. So beautiful that he didn't leave the area, he slept in. He had never seen the sun rise so beautiful in his life. Yes, there was a morning sunrise back in the ice kingdom. But it's not seen unless you go near the border of the kingdom.
But, now in a kingdom with no snow or ice, Cross saw the beauty of the sunrise. But it had to be cut short since he had to go to that school that Queen Juniper sent him to. He didn't want to go, but the ponies who ran the school would come looking for him again. And that would be as annoying as a blizzard thunderstorm during the winter time.
Cross looked over to the School of Friendship. He was not too far from the school, yet not so close. He wondered why ponies considered friendship so important. Yeah, it's good to have good relationships with others. But opening a school to teach friendship a bit overboard.
Cross scoffed a bit as he got up from the school and walked slowly to the school. Deteriorated minds these ponies have. Open a school to teach friendship, really, Cross thought to himself.
Cross didn't go to school when he was an orphan, but he knows that there are other schools that teach friendship in their own way. Like a school for army creatures or an art school or an explorer school. Yeah, ponies may like it, but not everycreature wants to learn about friendship.
Cross walked for about 30 minutes to get to the School of Friendship. He didn't want to pay attention, but then again he didn't want a search party to come looking for him like last time. But then again, he wondered what it would be outside the ice kingdom, so this is a start. As the saying goes, 'One step at a time,' and this is the first step to see the outside world. So, he went to the door and slowly opened it. He saw Twilight and Spike talking about something.
Cross smacked his face. "OK, let's do this, Cross," he said as he walked into the school.
"Did you get everything ready for Cross, Spike?" Twilight asked as she looked through her checklist.
"Yeah, Twi. He has everything from notebooks to every color of markers," Spike replied with a smile as he held up a bag full of school supplies.
"Good. We need to make sure he has everything ready for his first day here. And if we do it right, Cross will share his knowledge of friendship with his kingdom," Twilight said with glee, making Spike smile a bit for his pony friend.
Cross almost choked up in his throat when he heard that. No wonder she wants an ice dragon to come to this school. She wants to use him, or any other ice dragon, to spread her 'friendship' to his kingdom. Cross just sighed and rubbed his head, wondering what he got himself into, as he slowly walked past Twilight and Spike, not making a noise. As he was about to enter the hallway, somepony called out his name, making him stop in his tracks.
“Oh, Cross! I am glad you are here. I have your school supplies ready,” Twilight said as she walked up to Cross. “I checked and re-checked everything that you need for your stay at the School of Friendship,” she said with a big smile.
Cross just stood there motionless. Staring down the hallway and not making a sound, he lifted up his tail and made a motion with it, telling them to give him his school supplies. Spike noticed the motion and walked up to Cross and placed the bag on the ice dragon tail. Cross then moved his tail and put the bag on his back. He slowly turned around to look at Twilight and Spike, who had small smiles on their faces and were a bit eager to hear what he had to say.
“Well, thank you for giving me these,” Cross slowly said.
“No, problem,” Spike said.
“Not at all, we are just being generous. That is one of the important aspects of friendship,” Twilight said.
“Yeah, generous,” Cross mumbled through his teeth before speaking up. “What should I do? Anything you need to tell me?” Cross asked.
“Be on time for your classes, don’t cause any trouble and make somes friends,” Twilight said with a big smile.
“That’s it?” Cross asked.
Now, Cross had started his first day at the School of Friendship. All he needed to do was go to his first class. He took out his school schedule to see which class he had first. And what a surprise: his first class was kindness with a pony named Fluttershy. Now, he knew he was going to die young in this world. Kindness was not his strong suit.
“Yup, that’s all you need to do,” Spike said.
Cross took a deep breath while thinking to himself that if he doesn’t die from old age, then this school and everycreature in it will.
“Well, then. I should be off to explore your school. So, see you later, teacher,” Cross said with a wing salute before walking down the hallway.
“And remember to make some friends!” Twilight yelled down the hall as the school bell rang.
So, after a few minutes or so, Cross reached the door of Professor Fluttershy’s classroom. Cross
could see ponies going into the classroom and getting ready for the first class of the day. Cross stared at the door, wondering if he should go in or not. Cross stood there for a few minutes, looking at the entries.
“Are you planning to go inside?” a quiet voice asked.
Cross turned his head and saw a yellow and pink Pegasus standing there, watching him to see if he was going to go inside or not. Cross glared at her a bit, studying every part of her body to see what type of pony she is.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“Oh, it’s Fluttershy. You must be Cross, Twilight talks so much about you,” Fluttershy said.
Cross stared at Fluttershy before speaking. “How much did she talk about me?” he asked.
“Not much. She only talked about you coming here and some information about ice kingdoms she gained from Queen Juniper. Is it OK with you if I feel your scales?” she asked quietly.
Cross wanted to say ‘no’ to her since he didn’t know her yet. But, then again, he couldn’t since it seemed that this was her first time meeting an ice dragon and she may not get another chance to feel their scales. So, he nodded slowly to give an ‘OK, go ahead,’ look. Little did Cross know that this would be his greatest mistake yet? Because if you say ‘yes’ to a girl, then they will start asking many questions about you. And they will not stop ‘till you, or some dragon, do something.
Fluttershy’s eyes lit up like fireworks for a second, before she put a hoof on Cross, who was taken off guard. Fluttershy felt Cross’ scales for a full minute. She had felt scales of every reptile from jaragua lizards all the way up to Spike and Smolder. But this - Cross’ scales - was different. I mean, really different. Cross’ scales were smooth and cold, way different than fire dragon scales, which were ruff and hard.
“Wow, your scales are so smooth and cold. No wonder you are so different from fire dragons. Your scales have changed and formed in this smooth plating to keep you warm in the cold up north. And your white patches on your scales are incarnate. I’ve never seen a dragon who has spots or patches on them before,” Fluttershy said, rubbing and studying Cross’ scales.
Cross was shocked by what Fluttershy had just said. She could tell what type of scales he had and how his scales were formed to help ice dragons to stay warm in the cold. Yes, they are immune to the cold thanks to their element. But it is not just because of their element that they can handle the cold better than other dragons. No, it was their evolution.
For generations, ice dragons have evolved to live in warm areas ‘till the great dragon’s war. The war where all dragons fought each other for power, greed or other things that the dragons wanted. The ice dragons took part in the war. But for a price: they lost lots of ice dragons in the war. So, when the war was over the leader of the ice dragons at the time took all the ice dragons deep up north, so no dragon could harm them ‘till they can repopulate their numbers. Some died since they were used to the very cold environment and there was a lack of food up north, so more ice dragons died from hunger. But, over time, for many generations, the ice dragons grew used to the cold and found a way to satisfy their hunger by eating ice, ice gems and anything else from the icy sea. There is more history behind the ice dragons, but that’s for another day.
“Oh, I have so many questions to ask since this is my first time meeting an ice dragon. Like, what do you eat, how do you sleep, are there different types of ice dragons?” Fluttershy asked with glee on her face.
All Cross could do right then was to let his eye twitch with annoyance because he didn’t know what to say. Cross put his wing on her mouth to make her be quiet. Fluttershy’s eyes wandered for a bit when she felt the wing on her mouth and laughed nervously at her small mistake of asking too many questions.
“Sorry,” was all she could say.
Cross rolled his eyes and started walking into the classroom with Fluttershy walking close behind him. When they entered, they saw everycreature sitting down on the ground with some art supplies and were waiting for Fluttershy to enter the classroom and start the lesson. Cross was about to take a seat, but Fluttershy grabbed his tail. Cross looked at her and growled a bit, but Fluttershy didn’t hear him because her focus was on the class.
“Morning, class,” Fluttershy greeted.
“Morning, Professor Fluttershy,” the class greeted back.
“Today, we have a new student coming to the school. He came all the way from the ice kingdom. Cross, care to introduce yourself?” Fluttershy asked.
Cross looked at her. “You already introduced me,” he said.
“No. I mean, they want to hear it from you,” Fluttershy clarified.
Cross let out an annoyed grunt before saying, “I’m Cross and I’m from the ice kingdom. Happy?” Cross said, bored.
Fluttershy nodded. “Yes. Now, go sit between Silverstream and Ocellus and we’ll start the lesson,” she said.
Cross look over at the students to find this Silverstream and Ocellus.
“Hey Cross over here,” Silverstream spoke, raising up her claw.
Cross saw Silverstream with her claw up in the air waving for him to come over.
“So that her name” Cross thought, walk over to the hippogriff.
Silverstream jumped up from her spot and hugged Cross in excitement. “Do you remember me Cross do ya do ya,” Silverstream said in pure excitement “I sure you remember because we met last night and you gave me your name which means we are friends. But I didn't give you my name so I will give it now. I Silverstream and nice to meet you again Cross,”
Cross was about to rip this girl's heart out till Ocellus came and took Silverstream off of Cross.
“Silverstream I know you're glad you can see Cross again. Still can’t believe you and Smolder telling the truth about him. But you should calm down. Cross seems annoyed for you are hugging him,” Ocellus said.
Silverstream looks at Cross who has an annoyed look on his face.
“Oh, I sorry Cross. I was just so excited to see you again since you left. And I want to know more about ice dragons since I thought dragons only breath fire,” Silverstream said.
Ocellus nods in agreement. “Yeah, I read so many books on animals, creatures and beyond and I never heard of an ice dragon before. By the way, I Ocellus, I’m sure you already knew that,” Ocellus said with a shy smile.
Cross took in a deep breath and exhaled as he rubbed his forehead. He was about to say something until Fluttershy started speaking.
“Ok class today lesson is how to make a birdhouse,” Fluttershy started. “We are doing this for all the wild birds to have a home to live in and to raise their family,” Fluttershy said as Cross sat down by Ocellus and looked down to see some woods and paint.
“So I want you all to do your best with your work. Now you can begin,” Fluttershy said as every creature began their work.
Cross study his supply as he moves each price of wood around with his tail. Cross seen wood before, but this wood looks and feels different. Cross lift up the price of wood and smell it. It also smells different and better than the one back at home.
“So this what wood from different trees smell like,” Cross thought.
“Oh, that oak wood,” Ocellus said.
Cross look up at Ocellus with a confused look.
“What?” He ask
Ocellus points at the wood that Cross is holding. “The wood that you are holding. It is from an oak tree,” Ocellus said as she put together her birdhouse.
Cross looked at her for a second, then looked back at his art supply. He put down his oak wood and raised up his wing with Fluttershy noticed.
“Oh Cross do you need help with your birdhouse?” Fluttershy asks as she walks up to Cross.
“No. I just have a question or maybe it's a request,” Cross said.
“Ok, what are the questions or requests you want to ask?” Fluttershy ask.
“Can I get something to eat since I didn't have lunch or dinner yesterday,” Cross said as he growled with hunger.
“Oh, you poor dear, you didn’t eat anything for that long,” Fluttershy said with worry. “Don’t worry, I'm getting something cold or warm for you to eat.”
Fluttershy flew to the door like she was in the race or something. Before she left, she turned to the class. “Ok class I will be right back. I'm going to get a few things,” Fluttershy said before leaving.
As she left the class started talking to each other as they worked on their birdhouses. Cross took this opportunity to get up from his spot and walked outside on the class balcony to get some fresh air. Silverstream looked at Cross before talking to Ocellus.
“Hey Ocellus quick question?” Silverstream asks.
“Yes Silverstream,” Ocellus said.
“Do you think Cross is one of those lone wolf types or whatever you call it?” Silverstream said as she rubbed her head as she said the ‘lone wolf’ phrase. “Sorry I just need to get used to saying these types of things since, you know,” Silverstream started.
Ocellus nods from what Silverstream is trying to say. She needs to get used to saying these types of phrases. Like this one time Silverstream thought that ‘sour biscuits’ meant that a pony would eat a sour biscuit. But with some explaining to her it is a type of saying for a pony that baked or cooked use when they mess up on something. So Silverstream is still learning about ponies and their phrases.
“Well hard to tell, but if I have to take a guess. Cross seems like one of those lone wolf types of dragon,” Ocellus said as she started painting her birdhouse.
“Or a lone dragon. Smolder told a bit of dragon history and there have been some lone dragons before,” Silverstream said.
“Or that,”
Silverstream looked over at Cross spot and saw that Cross didn’t start his birdhouse project. The only thing he did was move around the woods.
“It seems Cross is not into building birdhouses is his,” Silverstream said.
Ocellus looked over at Cross art supply. “Yea, it seem so,”
Some time has passed in the classroom and every creature is almost finished with their bird house. All beside Cross. Cross spent most of his class time outside looking into the count yard.
Then Fluttershy entered the classroom with a cold morning gem shake in hoof.
“Sorry I late everycreature,” Fluttershy said as she looked around for Cross. But didn't see him sitting down with the other students. “Where Cross anyway, I need to give this to him,” Fluttershy ask
Most of the students point to the class balcony. Fluttershy looked where there were pointing and saw Cross standing outside. So Fluttershy walked over to him to give him his gem shake. When Fluttershy got onto the class balcony she could see Cross writing something on a block of ice.
“Cross,” Fluttershy started.
Cross looked up from his ice to see Fluttershy looking at him. He saw the gem shake in her hoof so he got up and walked over to her.
“What are you doing out here alone?” She asked as she walked to Cross.
Cross didn’t say anything but continue his work on his block of ice. Then Cross brought up his tail, motioning it for Fluttershy to give his gem shack with she did by putting it in his tail.
“Well, I don't know what you like, but from what Spike told me you like anything cold, so I give you all sapphire gem milkshake. Hope you like it,” Fluttershy said as Cross started to drink his milkshake which he enjoyed.
Fluttershy looked at Cross ice block to see him making a bird out of it. “Wow, that’s good,” Fluttershy comment
Cross nod as he finishes his meal. “Well, thank you for the meal and thank you,” Cross said, giving it to Fluttershy. “Here you go a bird,”
“Oh, I couldn't take it beside the ice will melt,” Fluttershy said.
“Don’t worry ice dragon ice will take a few days to melt so put this somewhere cold and it should be fine,” Cross said.
Fluttershy don’t know what to say, but only to take the ice statue from Cross. “Well, not what I ask for. But I let this past since you are just getting used to the school. But next time do what I ask you to do,” Fluttershy said, getting a nod from Cross.
Then the school bell rings
“Ok everycreature class is over. Put away your birdhouses and go to your next class,” Fluttershy said as everycreature put away their birdhouse and started to leave the classroom.
Then Fluttershy looked back at Cross who were looking back at her. Both stare at each other for over a minute till Cross spoke up.
“If you are free later on I can tell you about ice dragon,” Cross said
Fluttershy eyes lit up with excitement. “Really,”
“Yea, really,” Cross said.
“Oh, thank you. I really want to know about dragons since back then I used to be afraid of them. Now I have overcome that fear and I want to know about different types of dragon. And you the first,” Fluttershy said.
Cross had a small smile on his face when he heard that. Fluttershy is the first and only pony or any creature that doesn't annoy him as much. But he is a bit worried about the other teacher that works at this school.
“Well then I should get going. See ya teach,” Cross said as his pit up his school bag and walked out of the classroom.
“By Cross hope I see you again,”