Everyone in the room crowded around me upon Sweetie Belle’s announcement. I had to admit that it embarrassed me a little. Why did she feel the need to suddenly out me for who I was? Gaaaah.
“Wait…” Diamond Tiara spoke up first, “You’re actually in a relationship with her?” Her face lit up, “That’s so cool!”
I tilted my head, and looked at some of the other students. “Wait, it is? I won’t lie, I’m rather abashed…”
“Psst, SB,” Scootaloo whispered to her unicorn friend, “What’s ‘abashed’ mean?”
“The same thing as embarrassed,” she quickly responded before she addressed me. “But you shouldn’t be, sir. In fact, all of us have been wanting Cheerilee to find a special somepony since...forever. Isn’t that right, guys?”
The collective crowd of former students nodded in unison. “Mm-hmm.”
Pipsqueak spoke next. “You wouldn’t believe how many times we’ve felt bad for her on Hearts and Hooves Day. Especially after her initial prance with Macintosh didn’t fare out, she was right knackered when it came to the subject of love.”
Featherweight--a pegasus that had grown to becoming a slender stallion--chimed in. “...But now, you’re in her life, and I think she appreciates you more than you realize. We’re kind of glad you showed up for her.”
‘More than I realized’? Really? This I had to find out more information on. “Is that so?” I asked, “Has she spoken to any of you about her problems?”
“Well, not directly,” the young mare known as Twist added. Curiously, she didn’t have her lisp anymore. Did she manage to break free of it? “But we’ve been able to pick up on it. Not even a few months ago when she appeared in my candy shop, she was really saddened when she saw all of the other couples there. She didn’t comment on it, though. And when I asked her what was wrong, she shook her head and didn’t even reply. She just paid for her candy and left in a silent stupor of sadness.”
“I agree,” I looked over and saw Snails. The yellow unicorn stallion had on a sweater and a pair of reading glasses. His speech was much more articulate and clear now as well. “Her conflicts in life clearly stemmed from some deep-rooted turmoil that had to do with her parents. As a result, she never wanted to speak of it because it made her sound...what’s the word--’aggressive’? If that makes any sense.”
“I see,” I replied, “It sounds as if you’ve all really cared for her even after you weren’t her students anymore.” I cracked a bright smile. “I’m proud of all of you for that. Honestly, I haven’t even kept contact with some of my combat instructors so I feel a bit outdone, heh. You all are leading such productive lives that I’m sure Cheerilee is gonna be hella proud when she sees how all of you have made it in life.”
“Speakin’ of which,” Applebloom called out, “Where in the hay is she? Ah know she wanted to do the whole showin’ up fashionably late thang but she ain’t shown up none!”
That’s when we heard someone stumble from outside. Cheerilee opened the door to the classroom, and greeted us all. “Hello...class. Wow…” she took a few steps, and stopped dead in her tracks. Her mouth was agape, and her eyes quivered with pure loving happiness. If I had to venture a guess, it would be that she was so overjoyed at seeing all of her old students in one place that she couldn’t control her emotions. “I’m sorry…” she wiped her eyes, and sniffled, “It’s just so amazing to see everypony that I spent so much time with as foals all grown up and doing their own things. Every single one of you has to tell me your life stories and current careers. I can’t wait to hear how everypony has done in the last twenty years!”
Now this was beautiful to witness. I glanced around the room, and watched as everypony beamed with excitement. They too were ecstatic to meet with their teacher after having been away from her for so long, and couldn’t wait to speak with her. So I chose to fade into the background for the moment to allow her to have as much time as she wanted.
Okay to be quite honest, I was still uneasy. That...emotion that I detected. It wasn’t normal. Something bad was about to go down. But what? Where? I know, I know. I was supposed to be relaxing and enjoying her party, but still. I could just feel it. Hmmm…
“Hey Pale,” Silver Spoon commented as she walked up to me, “I’m curious. Just how has it been with you and Cheerilee so far? Are you enjoying each other’s company? She doesn’t seem too overworked to spend time with you, does she?”
My concentration was broken, and I turned to face her. “Oh, well it’s been fun, actually. She’s very caring, kind--almost motherly. In fact, the few times I spoke to Celestia, her voice reminded me of Cheerilee’s for some reason.” I shrugged. “Anyhow, she’s wonderful, and I wouldn’t trade her for the world.”
Spoon adjusted her glasses, and smiled at me. “Good. Then there’s hope for me too.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Eh? What do you mean?”
She let out a sigh. “Oh well...I guess I may as well get it out. It’s been hard for me to get into a relationship since everypony I meet focuses on the money I have and how much I make rather than myself and my personality.” She went on with an eye roll. “I mean, I get it. Ponies and other folks are gonna be attracted to your assets when it comes to how much of a suitable mate you are. You don’t wanna marry somepony broke but still…” She paused and blinked twice. “Oh, sorry. Here I am going on and on and not letting you respond. I’m probably boring you…”
I shook my head. “Not at all. In fact, I somewhat understand. You’re only considered worthwhile for what you have and not who you are. To that I say, don’t give up. Even Princess Flurry Heart has found herself a stallion despite being the first alicorn princess born in Equestria naturally. Pound Cake loves her dearly.”
“Haha. I guess if she can find somepony, then so can I.” Spoon played it off with an awkward smile. “Sorry for talking about such a personal topic. This is...a bit more awkward than I realized.”
Oof. I got the hint. She felt embarrassed for having poured her heart out to someone a bit older than her. I wasn’t going to judge her for it, though. “No problem at all, Silver. I’m just glad you consider me a suitable individual for your old teacher.”
“Oh well...yeah! Of course you are.”
I replied with a gleeful smile, and walked through the room towards one of the refreshment tables. Before I could get some punch, I was interrupted by a familiar stallion with a Trottish accent.
“Ey, mate! So, you work with a batpony, yeah?” he asked with a curious grin.
I nodded and took a sip from my cup. “That’s right. Neon Isotope. Do you know who he is?”
“Pff! Of course!” He scoffed, and responded with a pleasant shout. “Like, he’s famous all up there, bruv. Always helpin’ out other ponies whether it be day or night. Though at night he’s out doin’ godspeed level work.”
Ah, now this was compelling. I had always wanted to hear how Neon inspired other ponies in Trottingham with his efforts. That moment was my time to know more about his exploits.
“Oh really? You like him a lot? I’m glad. Neon and his brother Flash Drive love their home and will do anything they can to protect it.”
Pip nodded with a happy grin. “Too right!” The smile suddenly went away and became a more somber expression just then. “Though, I know it’s hard for them both. Neon is half-batter and Flash is half-zed. They both have a bit of prejudice against ‘em but they still fight on anyway. I love that kind of muck-in ethic.” He looked left, then right, and came a bit closer to whisper to just me. “And ey, between you and me, I know how they feel.”
“You do?”
“Right, bruv. When I first came to Ponyville, I felt right outta place I did. Trottingham ponies are always associated with the stereotype of lovin’ tea, scones, and actin’ posh.” He let out an annoyed whinny.”Heemph! Don’t even like tea. I prefer hot cocoa. Anyhow, twasn’t until I met Luna that Nightmare Night when I was little that I felt a bit different.”
Well now. That was another hidden perspective. Ponies in different places often would feel out of place in new environments due to stereotypes and preconceived notions about who they were. But it was a topic that was often glossed over because Ponykind tended to put up a thin veil of love and tolerance when it was convenient for them. Made me sick. Of course, it was really only a few bad apples that caused this, but still.
“I see,” I replied in a low tone, “And how do you feel now?”
“After that night, I talked with Luna. She felt the same way, havin’ been nicked up in the moon for a millennium made it difficult for her to adjust livin’ among us again. Just like how I felt out of place livin’ in Ponyville. So we ended up bein’ friends! In fact, I still talk to her whenever she’s in town.”
That was absolutely adorable. If Luna wasn’t immortal, I could almost see the two being paired up together. It sounded like they were kindred spirits even if on a small level. For the moment, all I did was congratulate the young stallion on his journey.
“Well hey. I’m proud of you. You’ve made it through and you’re even working with Diamond Tiara?”
He chuckled. “Hehe...ah, well it’s more like a small partnership, see. In reality,” he puffed his neck out, “You’re gazin’ at a knighted stallion in various Trottingham territories. I work as a watchstallion, and Noble Guardsstallion for the Houses. Ms. Tiara’s asked me to help spread her business out there via word-of-mouth, so it’s a win-win. Savvy?”
Well I’ll be damned. This kid really went and made a name for himself in both his homeland and Ponyville. I couldn’t imagine how hard he worked to have gotten to his position. Easily a tale worthy of notation.
“Amazing, Pip. You should write a book about what inspired you to get this far.”
He put his hoof to his chin. “Well now that don’t sound like a bad idea! I could even ask Luna for help! Thanks, bruv.”
I tipped my hat, and started to walk off. “Not a problem, friend. Do your best out there, okay?”
“You got it, mate!” he said with a wave.
What a nice young stallion. If only the rest of my generation was like him…
“…!” My ear flicked, and my heart skipped a beat.
There it was. I felt it again. Much closer, and palpable. That was it. No more dawdling. I had to head outside and find whatever caused these demonic energy spikes to go off on my mental radar. I knew I wasn’t crazy...I knew it…
I pranced outside, much to the confusion of some others, and made my way to the schoolyard behind the building.
Wait for it.
There it was.
“Show yourself, cretin.”