//------------------------------// // Episode 11: "How the Starlight Stole Summer Vacation" // Story: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 13 // by twilightsparkle3562 //------------------------------// ... … Luster Dawn arrived at the School of Friendship one morning like she had always done several times a week. Half the time, she was home and the other half was in the school's dormitory. To her, things were normal until Trixie called out to her. "Good morning, Luster Dawn," Trixie called, catching the young unicorn's attention. "You aren't doing anything important right now, aren't you?" Luster felt taken aback by this question. "Um…not aside from trying to get to my first class, Counselor Trixie," She sheepishly answered. "What's up?" "How can Trixie put it this way?" Trixie muttered, trying to think of what to say, but Luster had an idea. "This is about my exam for Professor Stygian, isn't it?" Luster asked. "The one where I knew I flunked?" Trixie blinked. "How do you know that?" "Because I used a prediction spell." Luster willingly confessed. "Oh," Trixie remarked, before clearing her throat. "Well, since Trixie has been beaten to the punch…you might as well come with me." Luster took an enormous gulp as she followed Trixie while the other students made their way to class.. Approaching Starlight's office a short time later, Trixie gestured for Luster to have a seat at a chair right outside the office. But she wasn't alone for very long as Cherry Tomato also arrived. "Cherry, what are you doing here?" Luster asked. "Got told to come here by Professor Celestia," Cherry answered, sitting down at the chair on the other side of the doorway. "Something about that test that Professor Stygian had us do." "You mean, the one about the founding of Equestria? Because I had a hard time with that too. I mean, I know some…but not a whole lot." Luster confessed. Cherry Tomato said nothing and looked up at the ceiling with a puzzled look. "Beats me, Luster," He replied. "I'd much rather focus on the future than the past." Trixie pretended she hadn't heard the remark and made her way into Starlight's office." This will just be a minute," She told the two students. "Don't go anywhere." "I mean, I'd much rather look towards the future because the past is just awful," Cherry Tomato further confessed. "History and culture is just boring to me." "Why?" asked Luster Dawn. "Because it is, Luster! I didn't expect a kind of Equestrian Inquistion!" Almost as if on cue, followed by a jarring chord, Trixie jumped out of the office and faced the two students. "Nobody expects the Equestrian Inquisition! Their chief weapon is surprise, fear and surprise; two chief weapons, fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency! Er, among their chief weapons are: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, and near fanatical devotion to the Monarchy! Um..." A firm clearing of Starlight's throat made Trixie come to her senses. "Headmare Starlight will see you now," she said to the two students in a slightly embarrassed voice. … … Stepping into Starlight's office later, Luster and Cherry had no idea of what was to happen. But they just had to go with the flow of what was about to take place. "Um, good morning, Headmare Starlight," Luster Dawn nervously greeted as Starlight looked back at them while they sat down in front of her desk. "I think you know why we're here now." "Yes, I think so too, Luster," Starlight replied while holding their exams in front of her. "It seems to me like you both really don't know a whole lot about the founding of Equestria. I mean the founding of Equestria is a really important piece of history." "Yeah, but it's not like we're going to remember it forever, right?" Cherry Tomato remarked, much to Starlight's irritation. "What was that, Cherry Tomato?" Starlight asked in a quiet and stern voice, causing him to shiver slightly. "Nothing…just speaking my mind." Cherry stuttered. "I see…" Starlight murmured. "It seems to me like you weren't even trying, Mr. Tomato. These answers prove it. Although, Luster Dawn, I will give you credit for at least putting in some effort." "But it still wasn't enough, right?" Luster groaned. "I mean, I'm trying very hard, really…" "-I know you are, Ms. Dawn," Trixie interrupted while walking behind her. "History can be a bland part of a young creature's education. Believe me, I know. But it's something we all have to do to get an education, isn't it?" "Yeah, you're right," Luster said, before thinking of what her parents were going to think of her performance. "Mom and Dad aren't going to be happy about this." "Well, as a matter of fact," Starlight spoke up, gesturing the two ponies to look at her. "There is a way you can both help yourselves overcome this obstacle. My dad runs a museum in my hometown of Sire's Hollow and I think a field trip would help you both out." "Isn't Sire's Hollow where you…?" Cherry Tomato started to ask only for Trixie to cast a silencer spell "Don't interrupt Headmare Starlight!" Trixie growled, before nodding at Starlight to continue. "As I was saying," Starlight went on. "I think you two would gain a better understanding of Equestrian History by volunteering at my dad's museum this weekend." "This weekend?" Cherry Tomato protested. "But Postcrush is having their concert in Canterlot Saturday Night!" "Sorry, Mr. Tomato," Starlight declared. "But education takes priority in this case." "Headmare Starlight…" Cherry Tomato whined, but Starlight was having none of it. "There is another alternative…" Starlight firmly warned. "Yeah, if you want to end up in detention." Luster Dawn added. "Thank you, Luster. I was just about to say that," Starlight smiled. "And it would be Saturday detention. All day!" She then took out a pair of envelopes and hoofed them to Luster and Cherry. "I want these permission slips signed by your parents tonight." "My mom is going to kill me," Cherry Tomato whispered and then sighed. "So much for PostCrush." "I'm sure PostCrush had their education put first over their own free time when they were growing up," Luster Dawn added. "Besides, I used to visit museums like this once a week back when I was living in Canterlot." Cherry Tomato said nothing. "Now, off to class with you both," Starlight gestured as Cherry Tomato begrudgingly left the office followed by Luster Dawn. Once the door closed, Starlight and Trixie were left alone. "Something tells me that Cherry Tomato clearly has a lack of respect for history," Trixie remarked. "Do you think this museum field trip will change his mind?" "I think it will, Trixie. I hope it does. I mean… nocreature can graduate unless they learn about Equestrian History." Starlight insisted. "Yeah. Unlike Luster, on the other hoof…" Trixie protested. "Luster seems like she enjoys history," Starlight declared. "She just needs a deeper refreshment of her knowledge. I see a lot of myself in her. And after all, who better to help young creatures understand history than my own father, the head of the Sire's Hollow Preservation Society?" "At least Sunburst is with his mom in Silver Shoals this weekend," Trixie thought to herself. "He doesn't have to be a part of this for once." … Later that night, Luster returned home with the permission slip that her parents needed to sign. She was actually looking forward to spending time in Sire's Hollow being surrounded by history, even if she wasn't pleased to tell her parents that she had indeed failed a test (and that this was the alternative to Saturday detention to make up for it). "Well at least you're back in your element, Luster," Fire Blaster smiled as she signed the form in the living room. "Maybe all that hype about PostCrush did something to your mind." "Yeah, I think it did," Luster replied. "I'm usually so organized with my assignments. I don't know why one test gave me so much trouble." "We've all been there, honey," Moon Dusk remarked. "Besides, you aren't that big into pop music anyway. Sometimes, I wonder about that friend of yours…" "Cherry Tomato? Yeah, I sometimes worry about him too," Luster Dawn nodded. "I like him, but he's got to be flexible with the interests of those around him. if I had a choice, I wouldn't have seen PostCrush anyway. But I agreed to it because I didn't want to disappoint him. It was all he'd talk about for weeks." Both Fire Blaster and Moon Dusk felt that their daughter had more to love about Cherry Tomato. "But Headmare Starlight is right! Education has to come first!" Luster Dawn declared. "And even though I was not flexible about coming here in the first place, I'm starting to be more open about living in Ponyville." "Being flexible means, we all have to do things we don't want to do, Luster," Fire Blaster remarked. "Your father and I are proud of you for doing just that. You've come a long way. At this rate, you may someday end up becoming Princess Twilight's personal student." "I just hope Cherry Tomato sees that," Luster Dawn sighed as she made her way upstairs to her bedroom. "Good night, guys. I love you." … A few days later, Luster Dawn arrived at the train station and waited for Cherry Tomato and the others to arrive. She was looking forward to visiting Sire's Hollow's museum and getting over her failed test. At that moment, she saw Starlight and Trixie arrive on the platform as well. "Good morning, Luster," Starlight greeted. "Um…where is…?" Luster shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, Headmare Starlight. Maybe he's…" Just then, all saw Celestia and Luna walk up to the platform holding Cherry Tomato with rope. "Thanks for bringing him here, professors," Starlight declared before turning her attention to Cherry Tomato. "Trying to get of out this field trip even if it meant detention, were you, Mr. Tomato?" "It's not important to me, Headmare Starlight," Cherry Tomato muttered. "I've got better things to do." "Such as ignoring the history of Equestria?" Luna narrowed her eyes. "You cannot run from history, young colt. As somepony who enjoys history and culture, I find that offensive! Those who don't learn from history are very much doomed to repeat it." "Must you always raise your voice when asserting your authority, sister?" Celestia remarked while feeling slightly embarrassed. "I don't like my interests being insulted, Celestia, that's all." Luna replied. "Seriously Cherry Tomato, what is the matter with you?" Luster Dawn questioned walking over to him. "You know that I love history and all things culture." "Yeah, I do! You've said it before!" Cherry Tomato sharply cried at Luster. "It's just that I find it a lot more boring than you do." At that moment, the train pulled into the station and the passengers prepared to board. "Maybe visiting Sire's Hollow will knock some sense into you," Luster Dawn declared. "There is more to life than just PostCrush. There will always be other concerts, you know." … … Aboard the train, Starlight and Trixie noticed the pouting look that Cherry Tomato had on his face. Still, Starlight remained determined to make Cherry Tomato understand that education came first over any pleasure. "He's got to understand it, Trixie," Starlight sighed, looking back at them. "I'm sorry that his plans for some concert got ruined, but in the real world you don't get ahead by shirking your studies for concerts. He's such a promising student, why does he want to throw it all away on something like PostCrush? Is he planning to become a rock star or something?" Starlight then turned to Celestia and Luna, seated towards the front of the car. Getting up, she made her way to them. "Thanks again for coming with us." She said. "It's our pleasure, Starlight," Luna replied with a small chuckle. "I mean, I share Luster Dawn's deep interest in museums and culture as much as most anypony does. How is our escapee?" "Still feeling bitter about being dragged away from something he loves," Starlight remarked. "I gotta tell you, I was like him once when Sunburst wenta away to magic school. In fact, I was way worse. I turned into a hater of cutie marks as a result. And being ignorant of history led to me almost destroying it completely." "Culture is important to everypony," Celestia nodded. "Even if it can seem boring to others like our friend back there." "Well, culture is going to be the one who makes or breaks Cherry Tomato this semester, guys. His grades in everything else aren't exactly stellar. At least Luster Dawn's grades can qualify for passable, but I don't know if their friendship will survive if I have to hold one of them back a grade." Starlight sighed, looking back once more at the sulking Cherry Tomato. "Look at them," Cherry Tomato pouted as he looked towards the front of the car. "Probably discussing my distaste for the arts. I'd much rather have taken the detention." "Why don't you stop grumbling, Cherry?" Luster Dawn advised. "Seriously, it's just a museum and Headmare Starlight's dad seems like a pretty nice guy. Isn't it worth putting up with it all for the sake of your grades?" "I just don't do museums, Luster, plain and simple. Why can't everypony respect my decisions and desires?" Cheery grumbled. The train arrived at Sire's Hollow a short time later and came to a stop at the station. The passengers disembarked and Starlight brought her group towards the gates of Sire's Hollow. "Welcome to Sire's Hollow!" A mechanized voice rang out as Starlight pushed the gate open, much to her chagrin. "I honestly thought that Stellar Flare was going to get rid of that!" She huffed. "I thought it was interesting," Celestia chuckled while playfully nudging Luna in the side. "It's too bad we couldn't have something like that in Canterlot. Right, Luna?" "It would have been annoying, just like those guard geese." Luna replied. As they made their way into the town, all saw the modernized section of Sire's Hollow developed by Stellar Flare and Cherry Tomato couldn't help but feel enraptured by the sight of ponies doing the activities of the future. "Well, at least you're out of the dumps." Luster Dawn remarked as Cherry Tomato took in the sights. "Pinch me, I'm dreaming!" Cherry Tomato gasped. "We never had any of these things in Mustangia!" He stopped to look with his eyes widened in shock. However, the magic was short-lived as Luster dragged her friend away. "Oh come on, Luster!" He whined. "We'll stop here after the visit, come on!" Luster Dawn firmly replied. However, Cherry Tomato wasn't going to go quietly. Without Luster Dawn even noticing, he quietly tiphoofed away back towards the futuristic area. A few moments later, the group finally arrived at the museum run by Starlight's father. Upon entering, they were greeted by Firelight himself standing in the doorway. "Well, well, well! Good to see you Pum… er Starlight!" Firelight excitedly declared as he hugged his daughter. "And I see you've brought some friends along." "You must be Starlight's dad," Trixie greeted while approaching the stallion. "I'm Trixie…the Great and Powerful Trixie when I'm not being a guidance counselor." "Yes, Starlight told me so much about you," Firelight replied in an awkward glance before turning his attention to the two alicorn sisters, bowing before them. "Your highnesses…" "Former highnesses," Celestia chuckled as she corrected. "You don't need to do that unless Twilight or her friends are present. Luna and I are professors now." "O-of course, of course," Firelight stammered. "Starlight tells me you are big into the arts, Princess…er, Professor Luna." "And it's just Luna, fair peasant," Luna chuckled, tapping on Firelight's shoulder. "And yes, I love the arts and I love the museum, much like Luster Dawn here." But just as Luna turned to introduce Luster to Firelight, Cherry Tomato was missing! "Uh, where is Cherry Tomato?" Luna asked with a blank expression, much to Luster Dawn's slight embarrassment. "Luster Dawn, where have you last seen him?" "Darn it, Cherry! Do you not want to graduate or something?!" Luster Dawn cried as she ran back to find her friend. Feeling slightly embarrassed, Starlight turned to her father. "Sorry dad, I've got a student missing," Starlight laughed as she teleported away. "Be back soon!" … … Racing away from the museum, the five mares went out in search of the missing colt. "I can't believe that Cherry Tomato!" Starlight cried in frustration. "When I get my hooves on him…" "I don't think violence is going to solve anything," Trixie cautioned, trying to ease her friend's anger. "You're already getting over a back issue!" "Look, I'm thinking we each search a store," Luster Dawn suggested as she tried to break up the tension. "There are five shops and five of us. He must have gone into one of them." "Good idea," Luna quickly agreed. "Let's go!" Meanwhile, Cherry Tomato had found himself at the museum after all. But he wasn't alone. With him were two female earth ponies: One with a light cerulean coat and the other with a pale yellow coat. "So, this is what you do when you are struggling with finding inspiration?" Cherry Tomato asked the light cerulean pony. "Yes, that is why," The cerulean pony answered while looking over to Cherry Tomato. "After our performance got cancelled we decided to come here…it's a great way to rejuvenate our creative spirits." Cherry Tomato looked at a painting of the three pony tribes declaring Equestria for what it was and the more he looked at it, the more of a fool he realized he had become. "Look, K-pop, Su-z," Cherry Tomato confessed. "I…I only wanted to see you guys perform in Canterlot and instead, I find you here." "Well, there is more to us than just our music, Cherry," K-Pop spoke up. "Both of us admire culture as much as anypony. In fact, I think there is more to culture and history than you think. You just have to give it a chance. Find something that appeals to you and go from there." The more Cherry Tomato spent time with his favorite singers, the more he began to connect with them and he realized just how much of an idiot he was becoming. "If you want," Su-Z offered. "You can have free tickets for our next show in Canterlot…" "Really?!" Cherry Tomato asked, feeling quite giddy at the opportunity. "If," K-Pop advised. "You do better on your grades." But at that very moment, Cherry Tomato was picked up by Starlight's magic aura and he soon found himself face to face with the angry headmare. "Cherry Tomato," Starlight hissed angrily at her student. "You have some serious explaining to do!" … So it was that Cherry Tomato found himself explaining what happened to the group outside of the museum. "And that's the whole story, Headmare Starlight," He told her. "Turns out even my favorite band loves culture as much as anycreature. They even promised me free tickets if I do better in school." Starlight then looked over to the two musician ponies with a firm, yet polite glance. "Is that true?" She asked. "Well, we want our fans to succeed at anything," K-Pop answered. "Even academics. Our parents constantly breathed down our necks growing up for us to get good grades. Initially, we started out as a rock band on the side as an after-school thing." "And Cherry just needed a little boost from his favorite celebrities." Su-Z added, causing Starlight to drop some of her anger. Then, Starlight got herself an idea. "Well in that case," She suggested "How about you two perform at the next Amity ball?" "We'd be up for it, right Supernova?" K-Pop asked. "I'm sure you have plenty of students who are fans of us. When your ball arrives, hit us up." "Now if you'll excuse us, we have to get back to our break," Su-Z declared. "See ya!" All watched the two ponies leave and once they were gone, they made their way into the museum to do what needed to be done. But on the way back to Ponyville, Starlight had some last minute words for Cherry Tomato. "Well, Cherry Tomato, I hope you understand the trouble you are in," she said firmly as they sat at the front of the car. "You wandered off on your own!" "Yeah. And I can only say, I'm sorry, Headmare Starlight," Cherry Tomato sincerely apologized. "I never knew how culture is important to anycreature until I met PostCrush." Sighing, Starlight could only feel nothing but disappointment towards her student. "At least the Amity Ball isn't for another few months," Cherry Tomato declared. "Yes, but you must promise me in addition to your month-long detention, that you will focus more on your grades: History especially," Starlight warned. "If you do that, then I will let you attend the Amity Ball and see PostCrush perform. If not, detention may be the least of your academic worries." Taking in what was said, Cherry Tomato accepted Starlight's challenge. "You got yourself a deal, Headmare Starlight," He agreed looking back to the area of the car where Luster Dawn was sitting and reading a book. "Um, can I go back and sit with Luster Dawn?" But Starlight remained steadfast. "No. You're lucky you can still graduate with her after how badly you flunked your last history test." She firmly declared, and Cherry Tomato began his month-long punishment at that very second. … …