//------------------------------// // Planning A School/Grand Opening // Story: Good Times in Equestria: Thomas at the School of Friendship // by GoebelTron //------------------------------// At the Castle of Friendship, the Mane 8 gathered around the cutie map table to see that the map expanded more of the placed beyond Equestria that they went to. “So, this happened while we were gone?” Twilight asked. “Wow! Those are all the places we want to when we left to save Equestria!” Applejack said. “Oh my stars! There’s that town where we met Capper when he saved us from those horrid ruffians,” Rarity said. “The pirates! They were pretty awesome!” Rainbow Dash said. “Yep. And their captain was polite with us,” Sunset said. “And Mount Aris! Ooh, Starlight! Remember when we made seashell necklaces for aaaaaa...” Pinkie Pie inhaled and then continued, “...aaaaall the seaponies?” “Yeah, who doesn’t?” Starlight said. “I’m also glad Tempest decided to spread the word of the Storm King’s defeat and share what she learned about friendship,” Twilight said. “So, y’all think that’s why the map grew? Friendship quests beyond Equestria?” Applejack asked. “I hope not. I not ready for anymore life-threatening adventures,” Fluttershy said. “How many friendship quests do you think we need to go on before we have to expand the throne room?” Pinkie Pie asked. “Well, it looks like we don’t have to do it alone,” Twilight said. “What do you mean?” Sunset asked. “Well, I mean that the entire beyond outside world in Equestria is filled with so many different creatures who know nothing about friendship. It looks like we need help if we’re gonna teach them all about friendship. Lots of help,” Twilight said. “Perhaps, darling. But where does one go to learn about friendship?” Rarity asked. “Here! They can all go here! Because that’s why we’re going to open a school!” Twilight said, until the Mane 7 made agreeable comments with laughs and cheers. “Spike, take a note.” Spike nodded and then got started, until Twilight cleared her throat and began her entry. “Dear Princess Celestia, I’m writing to you because this morning, we saw the cutie map table in my castle expand to show the places we’ve been to while the Storm King invaded. We also thought about opening a school of friendship, but I kinda need your opinion on this if we want to help other creatures learn about friendship. If you have a moment, I’d like to speak with you about it. Your fellow princess, Twilight Sparkle” “And done,” Spike said, and then rolled it up into a scroll and sealed it, until he used his magic flame and sent it. “Twilight? Umm... I know you might say no, but... is it okay if I enroll my son as well? I’m sure he can make some new friends,” Fluttershy said. “Perhaps we could enroll our sisters as well, because they’re sometimes eager around him, and I’m afraid they’ll feel heartbroken if he left,” Rarity said. “I’m sure we’ll do something about that. And yes, Fluttershy. Thomas can come, but make sure he has some new school supplies for tomorrow morning,” Twilight said. “I’ll go talk to Miss Cheerilee about it,” Starlight said. In Canterlot, Princess Celestia met up with Twilight and Spike, as they talked about Twilight’s idea about her school. “I think a school of friendship is a wonderful idea, Twilight! I’ll help you anyway I can,” she said. Spike took some notes. “Well, I just have these I need help with, but I don’t know which to choose from,” Twilight said. Princess Celestia giggled, “Oh, Twilight. You were and always will be my star pupil. If anypony knows how to run a school, it’s you.” “I guess. But there’s a big difference between attending a school and running one. It’s not like there’s a official rule book to follow,” Twilight said. “Actually, there is,” Princess Celestia said, showing a handbook with a school medal symbol on the front cover. “The EEA guidebook is very specific about how to run a school.” “The EEA? I’ve never heard of that, or did I?” Twilight said. “Of course not. You’ve never run a school before,” Princess Celestia replied. “Besides, the Equestria Education Association is a board of learned ponies that oversee every school in Equestria.” “But you’re a teacher and a headmare of your school!” Spike said. “Not even a princess can do whatever she likes when it comes to shaping young pony minds,” Princess Celestia said. “The EEA ensures that whether it’s unicorns studying magic, pegasi learning weather, or earth ponies researching agriculture, and that all schools are held in the same high standard. They’ll need to approve your plan before you can move forward. But if you like, I have somepony who can help.” “Who?” Twilight asked. “Him,” Princess Celestia said, revealing a male unicorn with light azureish gray fur, a combed back dark grayish azure mane and tail and beard, moderate turquoise eyes, and he wore a crimson red short sleeved cloak, and a red ribbon with a gold medallion with the EEA symbol on it. “Twilight, I’d like you to meet Chancellor Neighsay of the EEA,” Princess Celestia said. “Equestria owes you a great debt, Princess Twilight. But princess or no, we expect you to do things by... the... book!” “I understand, chancellor, but I assure you that you’ll find my curriculum meets all of your requirements,” Twilight said. “And you’re sure we can trust you to follow with this plan? Even if you leave your school unattended to gallop of on your... “adventures”?” Chancellor Neighsay asked. “My journey beyond Equestria showed me that the threats out there are somehow greater then we imagined!” Twilight said, then she cooled herself down. “But I promise, this school of friendship will be taken care of with your standards.” The chancellor then thought for a moment, and then sighed, “Very well. As a member of the council, the EEA concurs. If your work is in order, provisional EEA approval is granted. We will however need to observe your school up and running before it can be fully accredited.” “Thank you, Chancellor Neighsay. We won’t let you down or let you regret this,” Twilight said. “Good. Then you have our permission to run your school. Good luck,” Chancellor Neighsay said, shaking Twilight’s hoof. The next morning, as the warm light from Celestia’s sun blanketed Thomas, who was sleeping in his bedroom peacefully, until he felt something wake him. “Thomas, it’s time to wake up,” Fluttershy said, until he opened his eyes and rubbed them. “Good morning, Momma,” Thomas said. “Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?” Fluttershy said, and Thomas nodded until he was lifted up from his bed and onto her hooves for a hug. When she put him down, Fluttershy looked down at him, “Okay, sweetheart. Get dressed and meet me downstairs for breakfast.” Thomas nodded, and then he went to his trunk and took out some clothes to wear, which consisted his light gray and plaid sweatshirt, blue jeans, and cardinal red shirt. When he came downstairs, Fluttershy made herself some toast and her son some porridge with berries, milk and honey. “Momma? Is there something you wanted to tell me?” Thomas asked. “Sweetheart, your Auntie Twilight and I decided to enroll you and your big sisters to a new school that me and your aunts are going to be teaching at,” Fluttershy said. “Really?” Thomas asked. “Of course,” she replied. “It’s so that you can continue learning with your curriculum and won’t have any problems with the students there, because we’re going to show you how friendship works.” Thomas gave Fluttershy as soft smile. “Okay, Momma,” he said softly. Fluttershy smiled warmly and then brought him over for a hug on her neck, and then put him on the floor as he stood up, “Now go get your backpack ready, and I’ll pack your lunch.” Thomas nodded and then he went to get his backpack ready for school, and when he came down, he saw Fluttershy packing him a bologna and lettuce sandwich and a box of fresh apple juice for lunch and placing them in a paper bag that was then placed in his backpack in front of his school books and supplies. “I packed my crayons of I want to draw a picture,” Thomas said. Fluttershy nodded and then lowered herself down, “Okay, baby. Let’s get going.” Thomas then climbed onto his mother’s back and when he was ready, Fluttershy walked out of the cottage, closed the door behind her, and then started walking all the way to the School of Friendship. As she walked towards Twilight’s castle, Thomas asked, “Momma, what will I see at the School of Friendship?” “Well, sweetheart,” Fluttershy began. “When we get there, you’ll see a lot of classrooms, which some will be held by your aunts, a library where you or other students can just read or study more to be ready for future lessons, and we also made a playground for the little ones.” She gave him a wink, until Thomas giggled and then she continued, “There’s also a room where your Auntie Starlight is your guidance counselor, and I think Twilight is the headmare.” “Do you think it will be safe for me?” Thomas asked. “I know so, but let’s find out. Plus, we’ve thought about enrolling some other students from other kingdoms to see if they’d like to learn about friendship,” Fluttershy said. “If you’re lucky, you could make some friends with them.” “Okay. I’d like to,” Thomas said. Fluttershy giggled, “I knew you would.” She then kissed him on the cheek, and then saw the entrance of the school. “Oh, we’re here.” Thomas then saw a waterfall reveal the entrance to the School of Friendship, and he was amazed as he saw that the school looked just like Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, but only it was bigger and had more space to it, and it was nearly next to Twilight’s castle. “Wow... It’s so big,” Thomas said. “Mmhmm,” Fluttershy replied, as she then walked towards the doors, opened them with one hoof and went inside with her son still on her back as she gently shut the doors behind her. “There you are! What took you guys so long?!” Rainbow Dash asked. “Sorry. I was getting my son ready,” Fluttershy said as she saw him leaning on her rest and curled up towards her mane. “And that was very rude, Rainbow Dash. You just need patience,” Rarity said. “Here. Have some water,” Starlight said, offering Thomas a glass of water. “Thank you,” he said as he took it and drank from the cup. “It's too much. Too much!” Rainbow Dash said. “Ugh, you think so? I had hoped dressing the part would help me feel the part,” Rarity said, looking at her schoolmarm outfit. “Not your dress! This! Us! Teaching?! They're gonna think I'm an egghead!” Rainbow Dash said in complaint. “Well, the students are gonna love everything that we have! It’s gonna be a blast!” Pinkie Pie said. “I sure hope that they notice me,” Thomas said. “I’m sure they will, sweetheart,” Fluttershy said, nuzzling her head onto him. “I don't know about all this,” Applejack said. “It's going to be fine,” Twilight said. “Everything about this school just feels right.” “It sure looks like it. Although it kind of reminds me of Princess Celestia’s castle back in Canterlot, but with a mixture of a public library or a college,” Sunset said. “See? If Twilight isn't stressed, you've got nothing to worry about,” Starlight said. “And you're sure you want us to be teachers? In classrooms?” Applejack said. “The EEA is very clear on how schools should be run. We have a huge responsibility, and I need you all to do this by the book,” Twilight said. “Wow, this sounds really serious,” Sunset said. “I know it's not some big adventure against the forces of evil, but this could be the most important thing we've ever done. I can't run a school of friendship without my best friends. Can I count on you?” Twilight asked. “Of course you can, darling,” Rarity said. “Call me Professor Egghead. I'm in!” Rainbow Dash said. “Okay, sweetheart. When everypony gets settled in, we’ll introduce you four, okay?” Fluttershy said. Thomas nodded, and then he saw Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo walk in. “Hello, girls,” Twilight said. “Hey, Twilight,” they replied. “THOMAS!” “Hi, girls,” he replied. “So... this is the School of Friendship?” Sweetie Belle asked. “This is so cool!” Scootaloo said. “I’m glad you think so,” Starlight said. The bell suddenly rang. Pinkie Pie screamed, “First day at school! So many new ponies!” “About that,” Twilight said, before opening the doors. “One thing I forgot to mention. It's not just ponies.” The students were now chattering as they entered, including 5 different creatures. “That was unexpected,” Sunset said. “Ooh! Students certainly traveled from far and wide to attend our school!” Rarity said. “Princess Celestia helped me reach out to all the kingdoms. After all, friendship is something that needs to be shared with every... creature,” Twilight said. “Twilight? It’s time,” Starlight said. Twilight nodded, and then she, Starlight and Sunset went up to make an announcement. “Everypony and everycreature? Can we have your attention please?” Twilight asked, as the students stopped chattering and then listened to Twilight before she continued. “Welcome to the School of Friendship! I'm your headmare Twilight Sparkle. And these are your teachers, Professors Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Sunset Shimmer. We promise that we’ll make sure that you’ll have the first best year here in your lives.” The students cheered for her enthusiasm, and then Twilight continued, “But first, I’d like to introduce some other new students who are attending this school.” “Would the new students please come and introduce themselves?” Sunset asked. Thomas felt a bit shy since he’s at a different school, but he had his big sisters on his side, so he went up with them and Starlight and Fluttershy walked up with them, until the pegasus mare placed her foreleg on Thomas’s shoulder to keep him comfortable. “May we introduce Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and fellow sisters of Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash...” Starlight said, until Fluttershy went next with Thomas standing underneath her and behind her left front leg. “... and my son, Thomas Mercer Shy.” Everypony let out an awww reaction as they thought how cute he was, making Thomas blush a bit. “We hope you can all help make them feel welcome here in the school,” Sunset said. “And we’d be so proudly honored if you did,” Starlight said. “Now that our new students are welcomed and if you need assistance, please follow Guidance Counselor Starlight Glimmer to sign in and get your class assignments. Then we can show you your living quarters later on, so why don’t you find somepony to talk to and try to get along before we get started?” The students then started to get along, and then they went over to Twilight’s office to introduce some other students new here, and after Thomas climbed back onto Fluttershy’s back to stay safe and not get lost. “Sunset, could you gather the others and bring the other creatures and tell them to come meet us in my office?” Twilight asked, and then Sunset went to get the other creatures who enrolled at the school. When they got to the office, Twilight sat at her desk, which was as tall as a judge’s desk, and he was being held by his mother on her foreleg and leaned against her chest but rested his head on her neck and underneath her chin. “Twilight? The 6 students are here, but one of them is an earth pony and the other 5 are different creatures,” Sunset said. “Okay, bring them in,” Twilight said. When the six students and their escorts entered the office, they stood by their escorts. Thomas nervously hid behind and covered himself with his mother’s mane as she gently patted him with her hoof. He first saw an earth pony colt with pale light grayish spring bud fur, a ruffled light cyan and moderate opal mane and tail, light sea green eyes, and his flank had a cutie mark of three sea turtles. He was minding his own business, until he bumped into a griffon. “Whoa, sorry! I'm Sandbar. Are you a student here, too?” he asked the griffon. The griffon replied sarcastically, “No, I just figured I'd randomly stand here and see how many ponies would walk into me.” He then huffed. “Gallus!” yelled a raspy voice, until he coughed and wheezed. “Watch your mouth, young griffon!” Rainbow Dash saw a bald fleshy headed griffon with violetish gray fur, medium gray neck feathers and dark violetish gray wings, light yellow talons and beak, and black eyes. “Grandpa Gruff? What are you doing here?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Flew all the way from Griffonstone to introduce Gallus,” he replied. Gallus was a griffon with brilliant cerulean fur with pale, light grayish amber chest and eyebrow fur, head feathers were a gradient of brilliant cerulean to grayish spring bud to brilliant amber, he had moderate cerulean wing and tail feathers, brilliant amber talons and beak, and moderate azure eyes. “Rainbow Dash, right? Gilda told me about you. You're a teacher? Huh. Thought you'd be... cooler,” Gallus said. Pinkie Pie gasped and then hugged a yak she knew, “Prince Rutherford! Good to see you again!” Prince Rutherford was a big yak with a grayish gamboge fur coat with a golden sewn saddle and cyanish gray handkerchief, a bushy and braided mane of moderate and dark tangelo, dark arctic bluish gray and dark cyanish gray horns with gold pieces, and moderate lime green eyes. “This Yona Yak. She come to pony school. Hah. Make it better,” Prince Rutherford said. Yona was a little, but strong yak with a grayish amber fur undercoat and grayish vermillion fur overcoat with a grayish green scarf over her upper back, a light brownish gray muzzle, a pigtailed moderate scarlet mane with pink bows, dark spring greenish and dark turquoisish gray horns, dark grayish green hooves, and moderate olive eyes. “Yona Yak can't wait to meet new friends and tell them all about Yakyakistan!” Yona said, until she bumped into a wall. “Why don't we try that without you destroyin’ the place?” Applejack suggested. “Hey, Ember! Great to see you!” Spike said, running to her for a hug, until Ember hugged him back. “Good to see you too, Spike. Meet Smolder,” she said. “Which one is Smolder?” Spike asked. “I’m right here?” Smolder replied. Smolder was another girl dragon but younger, and she had brilliant gamboge scales with a light gold underbelly, wing membrane, and ear fronds, moderate orchid spines on her head and back, and moderate cyan eyes. Next to her was a different young dragon. “Ocellus! What did we talk about?” Thorax asked disappointingly. Ocellus then returned to her original changeling form. “I told you, stay in your own form. It's the polite thing to do,” Thorax said. “Sorry, King Thorax. I just couldn’t help it,” Ocellus replied. “My apologies, she's shy,” Thorax said with a chuckle. “It’s okay,” Starlight said. “Oh, hey, Thomas,” Thorax said. “Hi, Thorax,” Thomas said. Ocellus was a young girl changeling with a pale light grayish arctic blue chitin and carapace, a light amaranth neck fin, light amaranth wings with a brilliant amaranth elytra, moderate cyan eyes. “Now that we’ve gotten mostly everycreature here, why don’t we introduce some of our other new students?” Twilight said, and then the three fillies stood out. “I’m Apple Bloom,” she said. “And these are Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. Together we form...” “Everypony cover your ears,” Applejack said, and then they placed their hooves and claws on their ears. “THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!!!” “Does anypony know where Thomas is?” Rarity asked. “He’s right here,” Fluttershy said, until she looked down at her little colt. “It’s okay, baby. Come out and say hello.” Thomas then climbed down to introduce himself, “Hello-AAAAHHHH!!!” Thomas screamed. He then felt a pair of fur covered arms lift him up and tightly but gently squish him towards her chest for a hug. He looked up and he saw the one hugging him was a young teenage girl hippogriff with light magentaish gray fur and pale light grayish orchid beak, hooves and clawed talon hands, light cornflower blue and light cornflower bluish gray mane and tail, moderate blue violet eyes, and a pearl and seashell necklace around her neck. “AREN’T YOU THE MOST CUTEST LITTLE THING?! OH, I COULD JUST HUG YOU LIKE FOREVER AND EVER!!” she said, as Thomas suddenly felt comfy with the softness of her fur. “Momma!” Thomas said. “Hey! Hey! Hey! Give him some air!” Sunset said. “Oh! Sorry,” said the hippogriff. Thomas the took a few deep breaths and calmed down. “I see you’ve met my son,” Fluttershy said. “And if you didn’t know, he’s what you call a human,” Sunset said. “HE’S YOUR SON?! AND THERE ARE HUMANS IN THIS PLACE?!” the hippogriff asked excitedly. “He’s the only human here actually,” Fluttershy said. Thomas nodded, until she then replied, “Huh. That's confusing!” She then flew down and safely landed on the ground, but she still had Thomas in her arm as he sat on her hand and nuzzled against her chest. Suddenly, another hippogriff walked over, and he had grayish bluish purple fur with moderate grayish bluish purple beak, hooves, and clawed talon hands, a aqua green and light aqua green feathered mane and tail, grayish cyan eyes, and he wore golden yellow and light green navy armory and he was holding his helmet after taking it off. “Princess Twilight, I am General Seaspray of Her Majesty Queen Novo's royal navy. I would like to introduce to you all her niece, Silverstream.” “This place is amazing!” Silverstream said, until she calmed herself down and introduced herself to Thomas. “My name’s Silverstream, by the way. I've spent most of my life in a coral reef underwater. I was a seapony once , but now I'm a hippogriff again. Long story, which I’ll explain later. Anyway... How can I be friends with such a cute little guy like you?! Ooooh!” She then hugged him again, squishing his cheek towards her chest. “It’s nice to meet you too, Silverstream,” Thomas said, hugging the hippogriff while softly stroking her chest fur. Silverstream smiled enthusiastically and excitedly, and then nuzzled his head. “I’m Sandbar. I’m from Equestria, but elsewhere,” he said. “I’m Gallus, from Griffonstone,” said the blue griffon. “I’m Ocellus from the Changeling Kingdom,” she said. “Call me Smolder. I’m from the Dragon Lands,” said the orange dragon. “Me Yona from Yakistan,” said the yak. “What’s your name, cutie?” Silverstream asked. “I’m Thomas,” he said. “We’re his big sister figures,” Scootaloo said. “BIG SISTERS?! THAT’S AMAZING!!” Silverstream exclaimed, as she covered Thomas’s ears with her talon hand wrapped around his head. The three fillies giggled, and then their sisters gave them some friendship school books, including the other six students. “Thank you so much for supporting the grand opening of our school. I hope you'll all join us for Friends and Family Day to see the amazing progress your students are making in two days,” Twilight said, and then the students’s escorts left to return home. Suddenly, the bell rang. “Looks like school is in session. Here’s your schedules. Now, Guidance Counselor Starlight will help escort you to your classroom,” Twilight said. Fluttershy then decided to give her son one more hug before class, after Silverstream put him down. “Have a good day, sweetie,” Fluttershy said. “Bye, Momma,” Thomas said, hugging her foreleg and then they all left for their classes. Silverstream gently grabbed Thomas by the back of his shirt and placed him on her back, “Why don’t you ride on my back to class, cutie? I don’t mind at all, since you’re as light as a feather.” Thomas nodded and then they all walked to class together while he rode on Silverstream’s back.