Celestia was standing in front of her class, preparing for her class as she set her papers in order. As she was, it was sometimes hard to juggle her royal duties and having time to have a few class lessons, but she had a passion for it. It gave her that motherly feeling and broke the monotony of the political world. It allowed her to pursue her passion while still fulfilling her duties. As she looked up at her class, she had to smile as she looked at her prized pupils.
Her unique pupils.
Twilight was standing straight at attention, ready to listen to what her princess teacher was about to say. She was the one unicorn that stood out the most in the class. A part of it was because she was Celestia’s top student, and one of her pupils. But the main thing that made the unicorn stand out was that she wasn’t exactly a unicorn.
Most of her body was scaly, and her front hooves were claws. She was part dragon, and it showed as clearly as Celestia’s sun. The main reason that she was there was because of her powerful magic that Celestia was able to see when her parents took her to school on her first day. Kids were throwing all sorts of things at her, but she was able to catch them in the air and put them away with her magic, without even needing to turn her head.
When Celestia teleported to try and stop the kids, she ended up in the direct path of a bucket of water. Even though the kids ran off, Twilight ended up using her flames to dry off the Princess. When a group of guards walked in to look at what was all this commotion and saw what was going on, they panicked, thinking that this half breed was burning their leader, but Twilight’s magic gave her greater control over her flame-like abilities.
Celestia was impressed by this level of knowledge and control, so she took Twilight aside to do some special tests. She was amazed by her eagerness to learn and willingness to be helpful. That, and Celestia’s adopted son, Spike, took a quick liking to her, and eventually started calling Twilight his sister. So Celestia took her in as one of her pupils, curious about this half breed.
Sadly, she wasn’t accepted very well, but neither was Spike. Twilight had to keep one of her long dragon wings over her brother’s head to protect him from all the spitballs he was receiving from the students that thought having an ‘earth’-pony in Celestia's school for gifted unicorns was disgraceful.
Celestia’s face went from motherly to stern as she turned to the kids who were tormenting her pupils. “Might I remind you all that the use of spitballs is forbidden in my class?” she asked the offenders coldly.
The students who were messing with the “siblings” tried to play innocent and naive. “We didn’t do anything wrong,” they said, looking away and trying to whistle innocently.
“I agree. They were just gathering stuff to be thrown away,” a pony said as the straws and crumpled papers were all pulled away from them by a light green magical aura. Even the spitballs from earlier were joined together with them to form one large ball that was flung into the trash can. “Thank you for helping with that.”
The tricksters all glared at the one pony that most students were too afraid to mess with. After all, he was the only alicorn in the class. Light Heart wasn’t the best student there and was slow compared to the others due to him being autistic. However, he was always lovely, and picking on him would be like kicking a puppy.
The other thing the kids recognized was since he was an alicorn, and one of Celestia’s pupils, there was a high chance of him becoming royalty. After all, Cadence was adopted by Celestia, and she was an alicorn princess and the babysitter for the pupils. Everypony assumed that he would be a new prince, except Light.
Light was rather pure, trying to be helpful when he could. He never stood up for himself when anypony was picking on him, and he never hung out much with the other kids. However, he grew attached to the other two pupils that he worked with.
Twilight put a lot of time into helping him with his struggles in his studies, and Spike would help out with just about anything. Light didn’t have many real friends, so having two ponies who helped him out with anything, and everything was a big comfort to him. Light ended up acting as the line between his fellow pupils and the bullies who would pick on them.
Celestia smiled at Light’s actions. Even though he rarely stood up for himself, he became rather protective of his friends. “Thank you, Light. Now, if there are no more interruptions, I would like to get started on this month’s topic, other race’s magic. Now, most of you have been focusing on unicorn magic. However, there is a realm of magic that spreads to all races,” Celestia said as she started writing down several races.
“What is the point of knowing other kinds of magic?” One of the students asked, sounding uninterested.
“Because by understanding how magic works for other races, we can learn more about magic as a whole. It doesn’t just reside in unicorns but all beings. Let’s go over the other two pony tribes,” Celestia said as she used her magic to summon a cloud into the room. “As many of you know, pegasi tend to use their magic to alter weather physically. However, they don’t tend to look more into the possibilities of their magic, except for a few souls. For example, electric conductivity.”
Celestia picked up a Light bulb and held it in her hoof while pressing her other hoof against the cloud. The kids watched in shock as a bolt of lightning coursed through her and lit the bulb. Celestia didn’t look hurt in any shape or form as the kids were watching in awe.
“Of course, griffons can use their magic in the same way. They, along with Pegasus, can use their wings and movements to alter the weather around them, same for a few ponies whose unique magic can unlock unknown potentials to this kind of magic. Earth ponies also use physical applications to use their magic, like bucking trees, to channel enough magic to release their fruit while being able to protect the base of the tree from damage. However, such magic can also be channeled to enhance their might. Spike, Light, I will need you two for this.”
Light instantly looked like a deer in the headlights as he was being called up. Celestia knew that he always stressed out whenever she called him up to do something new, but she felt hopeful that this new category of magic might prove to open Light’s mind more.
“It’s going to be okay. We’re just going to be having a hoof wrestling match,” Celestia explained as she adjusted her desk for the two ponies to get set up. “Now, as many of you know, Spike’s body is more able to conduct his magic through it. So, I want you to use some of that magic and course it through your body to get a bit of a physical boost. Can you do that?”
Spike nodded with a small grin. “Of course. I do it all the time when I’m carrying stuff,” he said as his hoof started glowing green as the locked hooves with Light.
“Ready…” Celestia paused for a bit, having a little fun as she allowed the suspense to build. “... GO!”
Both ponies grunted as they were both fighting to win. Light was naturally more durable as an alicorn, but Spike’s magically enhanced strength had the edge against Light as he managed to overpower the alicorn.
The ponies looked rather pleased to see Light being part of the game in the class instead of some of the boring lectures that some of the other teachers give.
Light was busy rubbing his elbow as he turned to Celestia. “Sorry, Princess.”
Celestia giggled as she placed a hoof on Light’s shoulder. “It’s perfectly okay, Light. Sometimes it takes us failing to learn how to improve. Now, how about we try that again while trying that magical technique. It may be enlightening for the others when we talk about magical focuses next month. Now, this isn’t like the magic we have been studying where it’s having to focus on so many details and focusing your magic in just the right way. This magic is coming from your body. Think of the soreness from gym class and focus that magic through those muscles. Allow that magic to surge through your body and put it into action.”
Light nodded as he started to tense up, but then he noticed Spike tilting his head towards Twilight, almost as if he wanted Light to look at her. As Light turned to Twilight, she was doing the breathing technique that Cadence taught her. Light gave a small smile as he followed suit, taking deep breaths and then readied himself as he tried again.
Celestia was hopeful as she started the next round, but Light was beaten again. She sighed as she knew about his struggles with magic classes. “Good try, Light. Keep practicing with Spike after school. You’ll get the hang of it,” she said as she motioned them both to go back to their seats before turning to the students.
“Now, every race uses some form of magic. From the shifting nature of the changelings, the unique fires that a dragon can produce, even to the uncanny sensory perception that diamond dogs have when digging their tunnels. In some ways, they contrast drastically, but in other ways, that magic connects us all. To turn a blinked eye to other forms of magic, would be to blind ourselves to a vast world of possibilities.”
“Whatever!” One of the haughtiest of the students said before rolling his eyes.
Celestia sighed as she looked at the unicorn. “Do you care to elaborate, Magesto?”
“Unicorn magic is much better and superior,” he said before taking one of his extra quills and transforming it into a piece of licorice.
Celestia raised an eyebrow before writing a paper and handing it to Twilight. “Twilight, do you mind sending this note to Magesto with your dragon magic? Namely, the messaging spell you’ve been practicing.”
Twilight nodded before holding the note in the tip of her claw fingers and blowing fire onto it. The note disintegrated into a ball of purple smoke and started to fly to Magesto.
“You see? When she can focus that type of magic on a specific being, she can send that being a letter from any distance, even if she doesn’t know where they are. She’s been sending in homework to me with that method for years. It’s far superior to any spell a unicorn can use to try and mimic those results,” Celestia explained.
Magesto rolled his eyes before his horn started to glow and focused his magic on teleporting the note to the door.
“Not bad, but send it to me without looking,” Celestia ordered as she stepped outside of the class.
Magesto huffed as he teleported the note, only to hear it slash into the water fountain that was right outside the door. After a moment, Celestia walked back in with the wet note. “I was fifteen feet away from the fountain when you teleported it. Your spell goes off of memory, not off of a homing effect,” Celestia scolded him before tossing the note in the trash. “Magesto, since you are so eager to speak up during class and disrespect my teachings, I feel like it’s only right for you to learn more about them. Everypony else is going to be allowed to pick a race to study and write a two-hundred-word paper on their magical abilities. There will be extra credit if you can reach five hundred and use three sources. You, Magesto, will be writing two papers, different races, and both two hundred words. None of you are allowed to use any race that you currently are. Do I make myself clear?” Celestia asked sternly to the class.
Magesto gritted his teeth before forcing himself to put a smile. “Yes, Miss Celestia!” he said begrudgingly with the rest of the class.
“And the next pony who wants to play with spitballs will end up in detention. You are all better than this. I’m not just here to teach you all about magic. I am here to teach you how to be the leaders of tomorrow. Good ponies lead with kindness and care, not through bullying ponies who aren’t like you,” Celestia added right before the bell rang. She let out a long sigh as she handed out the papers. “Alright, I want you all to have your papers in by Monday. Have a good weekend and remember to be respectful of others.”
Twilight got up while looking down. She had been hoping that she could have researched about the unknown facts of dragons. She started to feel like she stuck out, being the only one there who wasn’t all ‘pony’.
Spike patted her back as he was gathering his stuff. “You know that she meant you too when she said ponies,” he tried to assure her.
Twilight looked at her clawed hooves and then back at her non-feathered wings. “Yeah...”
“And either way, you’d be better suited for royalty than me,” Light said as he walked up to the two ponies, rubbing his shoulder a bit. “You are the smart one, after all.”
Twilight smiled at that. “Brains aren’t all that is needed to be a good leader,” she told him. “You also need the support of your citizens. Which…” she looked at herself. “I’m not going to get it,” she turned back to Light. “But... you might!”
“Okay, then. I’ll get the support, and you get the brains, and Spike…”
“Will keep you two from losing your minds,” Spike quipped, earning a chuckle from the unique ponies.
“Yeah, Spike should be in charge. He keeps carrying us on his back,” Light joked as he ruffled Spike’s mane.
Spike stopped laughing when he saw Celestia approaching them. “Well, you’re not wrong, Spike. A good leader surrounds himself with wise counsel and good friends,” she said with a small giggle as she approached her pupils.
“Princess!” Twilight and Light said, quick to bow down to her.
“Relax. I was hoping to have some alone time with you three,” she said as she hugged Spike. Her head then turned to Twilight with a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry for not allowing you to research more on dragon magic yet, but I wanted to give you a chance to learn about other races.”
“I understand your highness. It would give me an unfair advantage,” Twilight admitted as she bowed to the Princess.
“Well, I can do a paper on dragon magic, with Twilight’s help,” Light suggested.
Celestia giggled as she petted Light’s head. “Always looking for a way to help others. You three are an amazing team.”
Spike giggled as well. “Oh... maybe we should fuse each other together and become an ultimate lifeform?” he said, mostly as a joke.
The other two chuckled before they saw that Celestia had a couple of tears running down her cheek. “Princess? What’s wrong?” Twilight asked, looking concerned.
Celestia snapped out of her trance before wiping her face. “Oh… nothing. I was just thinking about an old friend. Tell you what, why don’t we do our other studies tonight? Light and Spike can work together while I show you a couple of new dragon spells I have recently learned about?” Celestia offered the half-dragon.
“Really!?!” Twilight asked while perking up.
“Do I have to arm wrestle him again?” Light asked as he looked at Spike.
“If you win, you can try to use magic on some toys again,” Celestia offered.
“Sold!” Light said as he adjusted his backpack.
“Good. Meet me in my room, and then we can start studying. Be sure to bring some books for your research paper. You know that I want to see you all become the best this class has to offer,” Celestia said as she was getting ready to leave.
“Princess!” Light said, stopping her before she could take a step out of the class.
“Yes, Light?” Celestia asked curiously.
“Is... is it true?” Light started to ask.
“Is what true?” Celestia asked, now more concerned.
“That when I get older... And you retire...” Light gulped. “I would be as big as you and would have to take your place...?” he asked with fear.
Celestia paused for a minute before turning back around. “Right now, I want to help you become the best you that you can be. I don’t expect you to be exactly like me. After all, I am over a thousand years old and still look young.”
Her answer didn’t reassure Light, but he nodded, nonetheless. “Oh... okay,” he said before getting ready to follow the others.
Celestia went off to do the rest of her duties as the kids went to the library. “Dude, are you seriously scared of becoming royalty?” Spike asked curiously.
Light slowly nodded in embarrassment. “Can you imagine an autistic teddy bear alicorn being a prince? I’d rather let our babysitter do it.”
Twilight nodded. “Yeah, Cadence is the best, she’s kind, heartwarming, and always willing to take time away from my brother to talk to me...” Twilight listed off before turning back to Light Heart and pausing. “Umm…”
“Cadence and Shining?” Light asked curiously. “I know you two are the best of friends, but she’s dating your brother?”
“Umm… yeah,” Twilight said while blushing.
“Mhm,” Spike muttered. “An alicorn is dating a half-dragon...?” he asked. “What is the press going to say!?”
“Shining’s physical differences aren’t pronounced. Maybe they could get away with it?” Light suggested.
“Yeah... maybe,” Twilight said with a bit of jealousy. “At the start, but then they’ll start looking at his background, and find out who or what his father is.”
“Yeah… maybe that’s the one good thing I could do as a prince. I’d order ponies to chill out when it comes to half breeds,” Light suggested with a grin as he was wondering why ponies make such a big deal about these half breeds, let alone other races. It was like being two races was worse than being the more frowned upon race. “Some ponies can just be stupid,” Light muttered with a hint of frustration.
“Mhm... maybe that’s why you became an alicorn,” Spike told him. “So that you could bring all of the races together in Equestria.”
“You were born from a pegasus and a unicorn,” Twilight pointed out.
“It doesn’t count. Most pony couples like that end up having kids with one of their parent's traits. I know two earth ponies who had a Pegasus and unicorn kid because of recessive genes,” Light explained as his friends looked at him curiously. “They ran the sweet shop.”
“Mhm...” Spike said. “Are you sure that he Is the father?” he asked.
“Of course, he is. There were blood tests and everything when ponies started asking,” Light explained as he turned to Twilight. “Tell you what, if I end up being stuck as a prince, you have to rule alongside me, along with Spike. Deal?”
“Oh... does that mean that Twilight will be your Princess?” Spike asked before doing some kissy faces.
Both winged ponies blushed before Light started stuttering. “N… no… I mean, think about it this way. Spike, the Princess, adopted you as her son, and practically raised you as her own. You and Twilight care for each other so much that you call her your sister. So, you both are in line for the throne,” Light tried to explain.
Spike paused and thought about that. “A... Yeah... I am,” he said before getting a wicked grin on his face. “As my first decree, Ice Cream is now considered a fruit & vegetable,” he said out loud before laughing maniacally.
“Spiiike!” Light scolded before playfully shoving him. “That was supposed to be my first decree.”
“Oh... but I was going to make you my jester!” Spike told Light. “You would like that, would you!?”
“Can I wear the hat with the bells?” Light asked while giving him puppy eyes.
“Of course!” Spike told him. “And your older brother can be my war general,” he said with glee. “And your sisters and younger brother… umm…?” He had to think of the next part.
“That was supposed to be my brother’s job,” Twilight said with a giggle.
“He can be the external one, and Book will be the internal one,” Spike told both, trying to make that happy.
“The guards would be out of work in a week,” Light said as they all started laughing with each other. Light felt more relaxed as he hugged the others with his wings. “Hey, if I end up ruling, I don’t want to be alone.”
“Don’t worry,” Twilight said. “If you become a or the new ruler, you could use us as your right hoof,” she said. “And you could also abolish those stupid laws.”
“Yeah, the ones that fuel the racism. When I become the prince of Equestria, those will be the first ones to go,” Light firmly stated as they entered the library.
“Yeah, All Hail Prince Light Heart,” Spike said out loud, getting looks from the other ponies in the library.
“I’m not a prince… yet,” Light whispered to him.
“Yeah... we just need to wait and do a bit of work,” Spike whispered to both of his friends.
Twilight already felt awkward as the attention was on them. “Let’s just get the books and wait for Celestia in her room. We can get an early start on studying.”
They all nodded in unison.
Both, Light Heart with the help of Twilight, flew to the second floor of the library, letting Spike look at the books on the first floor.
“Okay, I’m getting some dragon books. What kind of magic do you want to research?” Light asked as he was trying to figure out where the books he needed were at.
“Umm...” Twilight tried to think. “I... I don’t know; an Earth pony wouldn’t count, right?” she asked.
“How about Griffon!?” Light suggested, having a friend that wanted to move there.
“Sure. It’s like Pegasus magic, but more aggressive. Spike, do you remember where…” Twilight started to ask before seeing Spike with a small stack of books.
“Already on top of it,” Spike said with a grin as he started dividing the books between them.
“How do you do that?” Twilight asked curiously, trying to understand how he can find books that they need before even asking him for them.
“Maybe it’s some sort of Earth pony magic,” Light said while waving his hooves in front of Twilight. “I heard that they did have an extra sense,” he said before pausing. “I do wonder if I have that,” he told himself before closing his eyes and starting to walk to the bookcases.
Twilight used her magic to stop him before he ran into a bookshelf. “Let’s test that later.”
Light lowered his head. “Okay,” he said before looking back at the bookshelves. “Would it be under Griffin, or ‘Winged races’?” he asked Twilight.
“It’s under this book here,” Spike said as he handed Light some books. “I never just get books for myself when we are studying.”
“Again, how do you do this?” Twilight asked as she looked at the books Spike got for her.
“These hooves,” Spike said while lifting them. “They have powers that no ponies can ever understand,” he said with a bit of a joke.
“That settles it! He has no clue,” Light said as he looked at the books Spike got him. “You got down the dumb book for me. Thanks,” Light said genuinely.
“Light... don't be mad at Spike,” Twilight asked.
“Twi, you’re smarter than me, and I struggle with learning. Having a simple book like this is a blessing for me,” Light said as he started looking through it. “Besides, when have I been mad?”
Twilight and Spike shared glances at one another. “What about when Magesto locked me in a locker,” she said.
“I just returned the favor,” Light tried to say innocently.
“And hid him in a full locker, shrunk down. You never did that spell right till then,” Spike pointed out.
“Okay, so I’m not perfect. That guy is not getting under my skin again. Either way, he’s already making a donkey out of himself. He’s not dumb enough to dig that hole any deeper,” Light tried to assure them.
Spike turned his head to look down, checking to make sure that Light didn’t accidentally give Magesto some donkey ears nor teeth. “Maybe we should get a move on,” he suggested, noticing that they were now climbing up the staircase.
“Yeah, let’s leave before that numbskull and his gang show up and act like they own the place,” Light said as he turned around, seeing Magesto and his friends standing next to him. “Spoke too soon,” Light whimpered as his eyes widened in fear.
Magesto glared at Light. “Because you freaks kissed up to your owner’s flank, I now have to do double this stupid homework.”
“Maybe you can ask Celestia if you can go double or nothing?” Light suggested, earning a groan from his friends as his anxiety-driven humor took over.
Twilight grabbed Light and tried to pull him away as she spoke. “You were already making trouble on your own. Just leave us alone.”
“Hey,” Magesto said, using his magic to pull them back. “I’m not going to let a freak of nature, a dumpster baby, and a worthless pegacorn ruin me!” he yelled at them, still not believing that Light was an actual alicorn.
“Dumpster, baby? You’re ruining yourself, you wannabe Karen!” Spike snarled back at the unicorn.
“Spike! Don’t start a fight!” Twilight tried to whisper to him.
Light Heart and Twilight tried to keep Magesto and Spike apart, but then Magesto punched Twilight in the eye, giving her a black eye.
“AHHH!” Twilight yelped as she fell onto the ground, making Spike lunge forward at the unicorn, only to be held back by Magesto’s friends.
“Get off of her!!” Spike yelled as he tried to escape their grasp.
“No chance! It’s time that you freaks learned your place!” Magesto said as he picked up a hardcover book, ready to start beating the young earth pony.
“Get off of them NOW!!!” Magesto was suddenly hit by a glowing hoof, sending him smashing through two bookshelves before slamming into the third and falling to the ground.
The other bullies turned to see Light Heart’s body starting to glow as he was breathing heavily, almost comparable to a savage beast. Light snarled as he walked over to the ponies holding Spike. “Now it’s your turn!” Light darkly growled as he tore the two thugs off Spike and threw them back onto the second floor, sending them smashing into tables.
The final guy there was now fearing for his life as he was trying to back away. “P… please, man… I don’t even like these guys… I’ll just leave! I won’t mess with you again! Just please show me mercy!”
Light was ignoring his pleas for help as he lifted the young unicorn. “You don’t deserve it!” he hissed as he raised his hoof to strike down the last bully.
“LIGHT!!! STOP!!!” Twilight pleaded as she grabbed onto his back and tried to pull him away.
Light froze in place as he could hear Twilight whimpering. He turned slowly to face her, only to see the fear and sadness in her eyes. His anger quickly faded into horror as he dropped the last kid and realized what was going on. “S… sweet Celestia… What have I done?” Light asked as he dropped to his knees.
Quickly, all the bullies ran off out of the library, along with any other ponies that were inside.
Light was rolling himself into a ball. “I... I’m a monster,” he said to himself.
Both Spike and Twilight tried to comfort him by petting Light’s back.
“I… It’s alright… you were just trying to protect Twilight. I would have done the same thing,” Spike tried to assure him.
“Yeah… we’ll be here for you. Maybe this will blow over?” Twilight suggested, hopefully.
They all hear the door of the library open, and a figure walking in and toward them.
Light was scared as he saw Celestia and a few guards running in, seeing the mess and Magesto, still unconscious on the ground. Light lowered his head as he heard Celestia speak. “Oh, Light, what have you done?”
“... and those little brats not only tore up the library, but they hurt my baby!” Magesto’s mother was complaining to Celestia and some of the other teachers in the throne room. “Now these kids have been a thorn in the side of this school for far too long! I demand that they are expelled immediately.”
Celestia sighed as she was trying to fix the mess that Light ended up making. She didn’t know what felt worse. The fact that she had to face Magesto’s mother, or that she also had to do so in front of Twilight’s mom and Light’s parents.
“Like I was trying to say, according to eyewitness accounts, your son did assault my students, and only Light ended up using violence in retaliation. Now Light will have to suffer the consequences of his actions, but your child is far from blameless in this event,” Celestia tried to explain.
“MY CHILD DIDN’T SEND A KID TO THE HOSPITAL!!!” the mother screamed angrily.
Light’s father was getting ready to stand up and argue with her, but Celestia raised her hoof as she tried to stay calm and professional. “Your son’s medical bills will be paid for, and I will look for ways to help him continue his studies while he’s recovering. The only reason why he’s not being punished is that he’s already in enough pain. Hopefully, he will learn that there is a risk of pushing ponies over the edge. As for Light, he will be suspended for four days, and I will personally be talking to him about controlling his anger.”
“Oh, course, your pupils would only get a slap on the wrist,” the mother scoffed angrily.
Celestia’s face suddenly went from calm and understanding to cold and stern. “Listen, Light may have been in the wrong to injure your kid, but your kid struck first. Now, if you want to keep pressing this issue, then we can also review your son’s case as well. Now, do you wish to press my goodwill and patience, or accept our apologies and move on?”
The mother looked like she wanted to keep arguing, but it also looked like she remembered that Celestia was a princess, and trying to take on her adopted son, Spike, would be a monumental task. “F… fine, but I don’t want my son anywhere near those creeps!”
“Fine, you are excused,” Celestia said as she turned to Light’s parents.
Light’s father, Golden Shield, was a retired security guard that suffered a neck injury. He was a unicorn while his wife, Gentle Heart, was a Pegasus. Twilight’s mother was a unicorn too, but her husband never showed up in public due to him being a dragon. Light’s dad never really cared about races and stuff, so he never had a problem with Light becoming friends with a unicorn/dragon hybrid. However, he was a protective guy.
“I can’t believe that lady! My son defended his friends, and she dares to accuse him?” Shield asked angrily.
Celestia sighed as she lowered her head. “He isn’t exactly a normal alicorn. He picked a side, in this division I caused through my pupils. Thus, normal kids see him as a freak.”
Twilight’s mother, Twilight Velvet, lowered her head as well as she was trying to hold back her tears. “I just wanted her to have a good upbringing. I wanted to have the best, but maybe this school was a bad idea. I’m only causing more problems,” she said as she wiped her eyes.
“That’s not true. Your daughter is a smart girl, and I saw a lot of promise in her. It’s just… hard to change the social standings,” Celestia said with a disheartened sigh. “I… I feel like I am the one who is failing you. I thought I could help them adjust to school life here, but few people can relate to Twilight. I… I may have put her in a situation that she can’t thrive in,” she explained as she lowered her head humbly. “It’s I who must apologize. I made a promise that I will help your children, and… I’m failing…”
The parents all looked concerned as the Princess looked so sincere like she felt this pain before. “Your highness?”
Celestia cleared her throat as she tried to regain her composure. “I’m sorry. I would like to continue this conversation tonight. I’ll have my guards ready the guest rooms for you. I have an important meeting that I have to deal with soon,” Celestia explained as she heard the doors opening. “Oh, I think he’s already here…” she said in embarrassment.
The towering figure of Celestia’s guest walked through the door. The floor creaked as he stepped toward them.
Velvet gasped as she saw how similar this pony was to Twilight. “What… there’s… somepony like her?” she asked in shock as she saw another pony/dragon hybrid.
The unknown half-breed stretched his leathery wings covered with feathers, before stopping in front of Celestia. Before kneeling and bowing to her. “Princess Celestia!” he said humbly. “It is a pleasure to be invited to your kingdom.”
Celestia nodded as she bowed back. “It’s a pleasure to see you too, King Kirouac,” she said as she bowed back.
“K... King!?” Velvet said, both bewildered and surprised at the end. “You’re a King?” Velvet asked. “But... But from where?”
Kirouac smiled before turning to Velvet. “Yes, I’m a king,” he started to explain. “I rule a slightly hidden Kingdom of my own named MoonRacer!” he told the group.
“MoonRacer!?” Gentle asked in confusion. “I heard of the legend but didn’t think it was true!”
“But is it true what they say about it?” Velvet asked. “That all races and half breeds live together in harmony?” she asked, hopefully.
“Yeah. That’s how it rolls. The outcast and longing tend to find it, and we help them fit into our society. It’s nice to meet a pony who doesn’t scream or back away when they see me,” Kirouac happily said as he shook her hoof. “I was just going to be having another chat with Celestia. Even though it’s impossible to start a trade route, we still get to trade notes with each other.”
Light’s dad nodded. “Should we let you two be?” he asked politely.
Celestia stopped them before they could start to leave. “Wait, there is one matter that I would like to discuss with Kirouac while you are all here,” she explained to the group before turning to Kirouac.
They all sat back down and started to listen.
Celestia nodded before turning back to Kirouac. “So... If I’m not mistaken, your school system is similar to ours?” she asked him with hope in the back of her voice.
“Similar, yet different. Like your school, we allow kids to start working on career choices when they are old enough, but we have a larger array of options for studying, like alchemy, other forms of magic, all kinds of history, and more. We’re also working on a new system that will allow willing students to live together in a dorm house. That idea is a bit experimental, but we hope that it can be useful for kids who aren’t familiar with our culture to become integrated. Why do you ask?” Kirouac asked as he was looking at the normal ponies next to him.
“Well... I have three students…” Celestia started, turning her head to the parents. “Who are getting bullied for being... unique, and half breed and…”
Kirouac stopped her. “I understand,” he said before turning to the parents. “If their parents want to send their children to MoonRacer, they are welcome with open arms,” he let them all know.
“R… really? But… I thought you wanted them to be your pupils?” Shield asked.
Celestia sighed as she nodded. “I did, and I still see the same promise in them that I saw years ago, but it’s becoming harder for them to be accepted by their peers. Maybe if they are around ponies like them, they can make friends, and not be held back by their race,” Celestia said as she looked at the parents. “I don’t want to force you to do anything, but it’s only fair that I give you the option. I will be sending my son, Spike, with Kirouac.”
Velvet turned to the other parents before asking the Princess. “Can... can you let us discuss this?”
Celestia nodded with understanding. “I’ll let you decide tomorrow,” she let them know.
The parents nodded before all getting out, “Let’s talk about this at my place,” Velvet said. “I would like my husband to be with us when we decided on our child's future.”
Light’s parents nodded before they all walked out of the room, leaving Celestia and Kirouac alone.
“Kirouac, their kids hold so much promise. One of them holds some kind of potential that I can’t describe, but the other… scared me today,” Celestia explained with a shudder.
Kirouac gently placed a claw on Celestia’s shoulder. “It’s okay,” he said softly. “I’m sure that I can bring out your students' potential,” he said, trying to be reassuring. “As for your other one...” he paused a bit. “I’ll try to teach her to counter the fire that comes from within her,” he promised. “And you don’t have to worry, pretty much everything is fire-proof in MoonRacer,” he said with glee.
“It’s not Twilight who scares me. It’s Light,” Celestia explained before looking into Kirouac’s eyes. “Is it wrong to be too protective?”
Kirouac paused and thought about that. “You’re worried that it’s going to happen again?” he asked her. “It wasn’t your fault; you couldn’t have known,” he said, trying to reassure her.
“She was rejected, and I did nothing to help care for her. Light doesn’t have her longing for love, but his anger comes from those who harm his friends. I don’t want him to fall as she did,” Celestia said as she hugged herself. “He’s… my only chance to do what I should have done so long ago.”
Kirouac parted the piece of mane that had fallen in front of her face. “You can’t keep living your life being chained back by the past,” he told her, placing his clawed hooves on either side of her face. “All we can do is spread our wings wide open and fly off to a better, brighter future,” he told her while looking into her eyes.
Celestia blushed as she looked around the room. “How I wish I learned more when I was younger. Maybe you and I could have been ruling together. No hidden kingdom, no social boundaries. Just… unity.”
Kirouac rested his forehead on her, their horns almost touching. “If only it could have been,” he said, taking a deep breath. “But... the world isn’t a fairy-tale. Many rather see differences between us, rather than the similarities with all of us,” he lifted his head with heavy sorrow. “The only thing we can both do is try to guide them to the light, and hope they follow,” he said, looking into the Princess’s eyes.
“Kirouac, we were both chosen into our roles by destiny, but may you promise that you will be better than me?” Celestia asked as she ran her hoof through his mane.
Kirouac nodded with confidence. “I promise!” he told her. “But you are still doing a great job,” he said before pointing to the outside window. “You managed to bring the unicorns, pegasus, and earth-ponies together,” he told her while combing her mane with his claws, trying to boost her confidence. “The only thing I managed to do is to bring a dragon into my kingdom, and that was mostly the work of my mom.”
“Please. Every broken-hearted pony flocks to your kingdom and you’re currently in a technological age of advancement, which we haven’t had in a long time,” Celestia said as she started to rest her head against his chest. “And your people love you.”
Kirouac petted her head, letting her listen to his heartbeat. “Comparing yourself to the ones that are more successful than you may help you be more inspired to get better, but it can also draw you into a pit of despair and sorrow,” he told her before lifting her head to be in front of him. “I don’t want to see you doubting your leadership abilities,” he said while wiping the tears off of her face.
“Yeah…” Celestia said while looking directly into Kirouac’s face. “One of these days I’m going to retire and plant a kiss on those lips of yours,” she whispered to him longingly.
Kirouac blushed before looking around. “Why wait?” he told her, using his magic to make sure that the door was closed and locked.
Celestia giggled as she wrapped him in a hug. “You are a naughty little king. You know that!?” she told him before planting her lips onto his.
Twilight and Spike were going through their books quietly as they didn’t know how to talk about what happened.
Light was holding his head in his hooves, under the chair, horrified by what he did. “I’m... I'm…” he couldn’t finish. “I’m not worthy,” he cried out.
“Come on. You stuck up for Twilight,” Spike tried to assure him.
“You should have been the one to become an alicorn,” Light snapped at Spike. “You’re the one that didn’t tear the library apart!”
“Hey, if you didn’t punch him, I would have,” Spike admitted. “It was about time that somepony stood up against him.”
“He went out on a stretcher!” Light said as he looked at his hooves. “Y... you don’t understand what I felt. It was… rage… pure rage… and I wanted to do worse things to him. It… It’s like I…”
“Light, you just lost your cool. It happens,” Twilight said as she rubbed her sore eye. “At least you were able to act.”
“But... what about next time... What if you two aren’t going to be there to stop me?” Light asked. “What if I…”
Twilight stopped Light. “Listen, you are our only semi-normal friend. We’re not going to lose you anytime soon. If it helps, I can take the blame. They already expect that much from me,” Twilight offered as she set her magic books aside.
Light shook his head. “No, I’m not going to let one of my only friends take the blame for me,” he told her. “You’re the one with the brightest future; you are destined to unite the ponies together with the dragons.”
Twilight sighed as she sat next to him. “We keep saying the same thing about each other, but who are we kidding? We’re the outcasts. There’s not a place for us in society. At least you are somewhat normal.”
Light huffed. “Normal... Normal? I have Asperger,” he told her. “I am mentally as far away from normal as you can get. You’re the smart one.”
Twilight sighed as she blew a small puff of smoke at him. “And I can breathe fire, eat gems, and can fly… sort of.”
Spike sat down next to them. “And I am the most magically capable earth pony ever. That’s why we are friends. We are all normal in some ways, and crazy in others.”
Light wiped his eyes as he spoke softly. “Yeah… three ponies alone in the world.”
Twilight nodded. “Can you both promise me something?” she asked them.
“Anything,” Spike said earnestly.
“That we will never let anything drive us apart,” she asked before spreading her wings to bring them both into a group hug.
Light and Spike both leaped into the hug as they hugged her tightly. “Friends forever,” Spike and Light said together.
As the group slowly pulled away from the hug, they heard the door creak open. The group turned to see their parents watching, almost tearfully as they walked in. “Kids, we need to talk,” Shield said as he sat down next to them.
The three students looked at each other nervously before gulping. Light backed away from his friends before turning to look at his parents. “W... what is it?” he asked.
“Well… we know that you all have been having a hard time making friends because of being bullied due to your… unique minds and bodies,” Velvet started to explain.
Light looked to the side before nodding. Twilight was nervously playing with her claws. “I... we have noticed,” she admitted.
“Well… Celestia had an idea for you all to be able to meet other kids who are… unique. You’d be able to study without being persecuted,” Gentle explained as she was petting Light’s mane.
Spiked raised an eyebrow to that. “What do you... Where?” he asked.
“It’s… a hidden nation… and the ruler is a friend of Celestia. It’s called MoonRacer. It’s a land of hybrids and unique ponies who are looking for a place where they can live without judgment,” Velvet explained as she looked at Twilight. “The king looks like you in some ways.”
“Like me?” Twilight asked. “How... in which way?”
“Well, he has scales, and claws, and looks like a mix between a unicorn and a dragon,” Velvet explained with a hopeful smile.
Twilight lifted her head in shock, “What!?” she said, getting up and spreading her wings. “You mean... My brother isn’t the only one like me?” she asked.
“No, and there are all kinds of hybrids there. There’d be no pushing each other around just because they are different races. You’d be able to continue your studies there, with others like you,” Velvet said, happy about how excited Twilight was looking. “Celestia told us that she was even planning on sending Spike with you.”
Spike released the breath he had been holding.
“When... When do we go?” Twilight asked, excited about her future.
Velvet winced a bit. “I... I can’t leave my job here,” she told her daughter. “And your brother is managing to make his way here.” She winced when she had to say that. “So... you would be going… alone… tomorrow. But it wouldn’t be different from being here. We can still write to each other.”
Twilight's smile faltered a bit. “Oh... I... I understand,” she said with a bit of sorrow.
“Would she be safe there?” Light asked. “If they go to MoonRacer, will the bad ponies stop picking on them?”
“As far I know, they will,” Gentle said. “MoonRacer is far away from Canterlot, and the bullies will have a hard time bothering both of them,” she said in a reassuring tone.
“As for you, there will still be some risk, but you have a choice. As an alicorn, you could try being with the other kids, but it’s your choice,” Shield pointed out.
“Then, I want to go with them,” Light said as he turned to Twilight and Spike. “They’re my friends, and I don’t want to lose what little I have.”
Gentle sniffled as she hugged Light. “That’s my boy.”
Shield hugged him too. “By the way, I know that I taught you self-defense, and you never really used it, but sometimes you have to handle things smarter and play it safe.”
Light lowered his head and nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“What are we waiting for?” Spike asked. “Let’s get ready!” he told his friend before getting up and running off to get ready.
Light nodded before turning to his parents. “We... we have to tell my brothers and sisters!”
“Well, we couldn’t get a babysitter, so they are here with us. We can tell Celestia and have you all at MoonRacer before lunch tomorrow,” Shield assured the kids.
“Oh… Princess Celestia…” Twilight paused as she remembered her mentor. “She… won’t be teaching us anymore…”
Velvet places a hove on her daughter's shoulder. “Maybe not physically anymore, but I know that she’ll always be in your heart, no matter who becomes your teacher,” he said in a reassuring tone.
“Well… can we… talk to her… before we leave?” Twilight asked.
Velvet nodded. “How about this! How about we invite her, your two friends, and his parents for dinner tonight?” she asked her daughter.
Twilight wiped her eyes off before nodding. “Sure thing,” she said with a nod as she hugged her mother.
Velvet smiled back. “Now, how about you go along and pack your bags,” she told her daughter.
Twilight nodded as she and her friends went off to pack.
Shield sighed as he hugged his wife. “And I thought it was hard to send my kid to Celestia’s school. Now he’s going to another country.”
Gentle nodded. “I know,” she said while wiping her eyes. “But we have to be strong for our little prince.”
Velvet nodded as she took a deep breath. “I just hope we are doing the right thing.”
Light’s parents went to either side of Velvet, before bringing her into a group hug.
Light’s and Velvet’s family were all sitting with the kids in Celestia’s room as they were talking to Celestia. “...and then Blueblood ended up spitting out the escargot as he started running around the restaurant,” Celestia finished telling the family as they all laughed at the story.
Twilight’s dad had to place his claws over his mouth. “Ha...Ha... so funny,” he said, sending a bit of fire onto his hands.
Shining Armor laughed. “HA! That reminds me of when Twilight went to me, asking me to show her how to breathe fire. So, I then gave her a jalapeno pepper; and told her that this is how ponies shoot fire out of their mouths,” he said while tearing up.
Book Knight, Light’s brother, and Shining’s fellow trainee started laughing as well. “Hey, Shining, do you remember that one cocky guy who was in the training unit that we tricked into a hot sauce drinking contest with me?”
Shining nodded. “Yeah, he didn’t know that you were just drinking ketchup,” he said, trying to hold himself together.
Cadence busted into giggles as she was hugging his arm. “You two are evil when you get together.”
“Yes...” Shining said with a wicked grin on his face. “I also stole the princess from the prom King,” he said before kissing her cheek.
“Now if only Book can find a mare,” Gentle said teasingly.
“Well, I am already married,” Book said
“Say what?!?” Both parents asked in shock.
“To my work,” Book explained with a grin. “I’m married to my work.”
His parents sighed as the youngest brother, Short Fuze, spoke up. “That means he’ll be forever single.”
Book turned to his pegasus brother. “And, you will probably build your wife,” he said before their dad knocked them both on the head.
“Okay, enough teasing each other. We’re here to spend time with Light and his friends,” Shield reminded them.
Twilight nodded. “But before we all go tomorrow, can you please retell me how you and dad met?” she asked her mom.
“You’ve heard it a dozen times,” her mother tried to tell her nervously.
“Well, some of us haven’t, and I’m sure we would all love to hear it once more,” Celestia assured the mother.
“Well, it all started when I was exploring the fossils at Flame Top Caning,” Velvet said while looking into her husband's eyes. “I had heard a blood-curdling scream coming from one of the caves. Feeling a bit of fear, I walked in looking for a pony that needed my help. And what do I find, this big softy for his feet stuck under a rock, too much in pain to move it? So... I helped him out by taking the rock off his feet, nursed him back to health, fell in love with him, got the chewing out of my life from my parents, gave life to Shining, married the love of my life, and then gave life to Twilight,” she told the group before kissing her dragon husband on the lips.
Cadence sighed as she rested against Shining. “So romantic.”
“And who is a dragon, which has captured the Princess. To which he never plans on letting her go,” Shining said before kissing her on the lips.
Celestia giggled before feeling Twilight tugging on her. She turned to see the child looking at her nervously. “Um, Princess… will we see you again?” Twilight asked nervously.
“Oh... yes,” Celestia said with a blush. “I plan to visit often.”
Twilight smiled as she hugged Celestia’s leg. “Thank you. You’re my favorite teacher, and I don’t want to lose you.”
Celestia smiled as she looked at the hybrid clinging to her like she was her child. “Aw… tell you what, you’re still well skilled in the homing message spell, right?”
Twilight nodded. “Mhm... I practice every day,” she said before taking her and her teacher's napkin, setting it on fire and having her smoke fly to and come back together in front of her dad.
“Good, because I want you, Spike, and Light to write me a letter every week, talking about the new things you’ve learned and any major events that you want to write about. Can you do that for me?” Celestia asked her eager pupil.
Twilight nodded. “I will,” she said before hugging Celestia.
“You three will always be my favorite students,” Celestia said as she hugged Twilight. “There is just one more thing I need you three to do for me.”
Both Spike and Light turned to Celestia. “Yes... what is it?” both boys asked.
“Make some friends. I know that you haven’t had much luck here, but this is a new start for you. Take a chance and meet some ponies to spend time with,” Celestia asked her pupils.
Both Twilight and Light looked to the side before nodding. “O... okay. We will try,” they both said to their Princess.
“Thank you. I can’t wait to see you two change the world,” Celestia said as she hugged the three kids.
Twilight and Spike hugged Celestia back.
Light turned to look at his brothers and sisters as a few tears started to build up in his eyes. “I’m going to miss seeing you all,” he admitted as he was trying not to cry.
All 5 of them got up and went to their alicorn brother, and started to hug him in one big family group hug.
Twilight’s family followed suit as they had a family hug of their own.
“Please send us photos of all the unique half-breeds that you meet there,” Velvet asked Light, knowing that he was better when it came to using cameras.
“I will,” Light said as he gave a soft yawn, along with the other kids.
“How about you three have a sleepover here?” Gentle said.
“Can my parents stay as well!?” Twilight asked.
Twilight’s dad sighed as he stood up. “I can’t. Thank you for sneaking me in here, but I don’t want to get caught.”
Twilight frowned a bit. “Oh... well, I understand,” she said before going to her dad and hugging him. Twilight then turned to her brother. “Can you and Cadence at least stay?” she asked them.
“Sure, we can,” Shining and Cadence both said eagerly.
“I can’t. I have night duty,” Book said as he stood up and bowed to Celestia. “Thank you for giving me the honor of having dinner with you.”
“Oh... come on,” Light said. “Can’t you get some other guy to take your shift for tonight?” he asked.
“Sorry. I don’t get much of a say,” Book said as he started to put on his armor.
“Well, I hope that you manage to protect the Princess of the Sun better than I managed to protect the Princess of Love,” Shining said before nibbling on Cadence’s neck.
“Again, married to my job,” Book said firmly before waving to his brother. “I’ll miss you, little bro. Call me if you have problems.”
“Will do,” Light said while waving his older brother away.
“Well, I guess we had better put you three to bed. You will have a big day tomorrow,” Cadence said as she started clearing the table.
“But I’m not ‘Yawn’ tired,” Spike tried to say.
“It’s alright. I’ll see you in the morning,” Celestia said as she petted her son’s head.
“Please... ‘Yawn’ make sure I’m up before raising the sun,” Spike pleaded.
“Of course, now rest, my son,” Celestia said as she carried him to her bed.
Spike snuggled into Celestia’s embrace, as he was taken to his bed.
Twilight started yawning too as her dad picked her up. “Come on, time for you to go to sleep too.”
Shield chuckled as he looked over at his son. “I guess you are the last pony standing Light.”
The parents then realized that Light had summoned a bean-bag chair and had already fallen asleep on it.
“Well, I guess the sleepover is mandatory now,” Celestia said with a giggle as she was tucking her son in.
Velvet wiped her eyes as Twilight fell asleep on one of Celestia’s couches. “I hope that she can make some more friends. It’s the one thing she struggles with the most with her appearance.”
Celestia sighed as she petted Velvet’s back. “Don’t worry. I still believe that your daughter will change the world. This is just a step in the direction of doing so.”