//------------------------------// // Maud's Class // Story: Spike the Fairy // by PonyJoel //------------------------------// It's noon. The Unity Seven, Dazzlings, and Krystina Larva take their seats. Maud's classroom is a regular standard classroom, unlike Discord's and Rockhoof's. "So, why are we in this class?" Sonata asks. "Well, Maud's class is not the funnest. It's a little bit on the boring side, but rather have this class now than having it last," Gallus said. "I say you can sleep and get away," Gallus yawns a bit. Maud Pie is behind Gallus with a slip and puts it on his desk. "Detention Gallus for disrespecting the importance of my class," Maud trots to the board. "Detention!" Gallus reads the slip and slams his head on the table. "Me and my big mouth..." Silverstream, Smolder, and Yona laugh a bit. Krystina Larva sits alone in the class. Maud Pie sees her and the Dazzlings. She decides to have them be the first to tell their tales in her listening exercise and why it's important to listen to detail. "Welcome to my class, students. My name is Maud Pie, and I'll be your instructor. I see we have new students in this class. Please introduce yourselves from your seats." "Is this really necessary? These creatures already know who we are," Aria asks Maud. "Yes. They know you. I don't. I would like to know who my new students are before the lesson can begin." Aria rolls her eyes and stands. "My name is Aria Blaze. One member of a group called the Dazzlings. Once bad, now reformed," Aria sits down and crosses her arms. "Okay," Maud turns her attention to the next student. Sonata feels a bit pressured by the blank stare of Maud Pie. She feels a coldness creeping on her shoulders from the emotionless stare from Maud Pie. She stands. "My name is Sonata Dusk! I am a member of the Dazzlings! Once evil, now good!" Sonata shouts in fear. "There is no reason to be afraid. I'm somepony that doesn't show many expressions, unlike my sister, Pinkie Pie. Rest to show that I'm a calm pony, wanting to help my students understand that listening to crucial detail is important. You never know what you'll miss in a conversation." Sonata pants a bit and sits down. Silverstream pats Sonata's back. "It's okay. There's no reason to be afraid. Trust me; if you need somepony to understand you, Professor Maud Pie is that pony." "Okay," Sonata calms down a bit. Adagio stands. "My name is Adagio Dazzle, leader of the group known as the Dazzlings. I was wicked and now anew with a second chance in Equestria that I, nor my sisters would throw away." "That's good to know," Maud turns to Krystina Larva. Krystina Larva looks away since Maud's blank stare is causing her to sweat. Muad Pie reads her body language and can tell that Krystina is very shy and hurt. Maud trots up to her. "You don't have to stand up. You can tell me the details later. All I want is your name." "I'm.., Krystina Larva..," Krystina Larva sweats while being this close to Maud Pie. "Krystina, I have an assignment for you that the others won't have." "What is it?" Krystina is confused as to what Maud Pie has in mind. "I want you to write a bit about yourself and bring it to me tomorrow. You remind me of another shy friend, and I understand the burdens of opening up." "Thank you," Krystina Larva smiles a bit. Her smile fades while thinking about the family she left behind. Maud trots to the front of the classroom. She instructs one of the three Dazzlings to come up and say what they hope for with the second chance given to them. Adagio, Aria, and Sonata feel nervous about speaking their mind with the second chance given to them. They look at each other, trying to figure who'll go first. Adagio goes up and starts speaking. "What I hope for with the second chance given to me is to become a better creature, out of love and kindness, not vile and malicious. Making new friends and finding my place here in Equestria since it's been too long since my banishment. As most of you probably know the tales about the Sirens from Rockhoof's classes." "Pinkie told me after her bizarre adventure. I am fully aware of your history. However, the past does not define who you are today," Adagio looks down a bit as Maud speaks. She trots up to Adagio. "Discord, Starlight, and Trixie have done their share during their darker days and now are thriving with the second opportunity they have. I know you'll thrive as well." "I have my fair share as well, Professor Maud Pie," Neighsay stands up and trots to Adagio and Maud. "Before becoming a student, I was a high official member of the EEA and a racist. I despised creatures that are not Earth Ponies, Unicorns, and Pegasi. Before Headmare Glimmer found a loophole, I thought I had her ruined when she wanted to open a school in Equestria, and I wanted to prevent other creatures from coming into my homeland. The hatred carried on throughout my family timeline, and there is no room for hatred, to begin with. When the Bar of Alliance was formed, it put Equestria near the brink of war due to Princess Twilight Sparkle and her unfortunate actions towards a baby dragon we all know. In order to keep my status in the EEA, I needed to be reevaluated with the possibilities of having these fine creatures living in Equestria. I am the only member of the EEA willing to reevaluate myself, however, there were hurdles along the way. One of those hurdles was to associate with different creatures. I was scared. I was expecting a backlash for the pony I once was. I'm blessed that Sandbar, Yona, Silverstream, Ocellus, Smolder, and Gallus allowed me in their group with open arms after being honest with myself." "Which is true," Yona starts speaking. "Yona remembers the canoe trip Professor Discord made us go through." "A canoe trip?" The Dazzlings ask in unison. "Yea," Silverstream remembers the trip. "It was amazing." "While we were panicking cause we didn't know what we were doing, Neighsay was the one that took control," Sanbar said. "The exercise of the canoe trip was about trust, patience, and motivation. What we lacked was a leader," Ocellus said. "Neighsay took the leadership role and kept us on course," Gallus said. "He motivated us, had patience, and trusted in us. We trusted in him as well," Smolder said. "Ever since that day, our bond as friends grew stronger by the day," Sandbar says. "Creatures can prosper when given a second chance. That is why I wanted to share my experience with you, Adagio. In case you were having a little trouble finding your place. When you're surrounded with friends, you'll become a new you," Neighsay smiles. "Thank you, Neighsay for telling your tale," Maud is impressed with Neighsay stepping up to the plate after Adagio said what was in her heart. Maud can tell when somepony is lying or not. "Thank you for sharing your experience. I had no idea you were once a racist," Adagio said. "I'll never be the EEA Neighsay again. Honestly, I'm going after something different. I'm dropping the EEA completely," Neighsay said. He turns to his friends, smiling. "I want to be more involved with my friends," Neighsay trots back to his seat. "Wow, you learn something new about a creature," Krystina Larva said. "That proves the point of my class when you listen to detail. You learn something pivotal from a close friend and how they feel. Adagio, is there more you would like to say?" "Well," Adagio looks at Gallus for a second. "I would like to be with those I can cherish with the second chance given to me. To never take it for granted." Gallus smiles and hopes to find it in his heart to admit his feelings for Adagio just as Spike did with Wendy in Earth Land. Adagio trots to her seat. She's sitting next to Aria and Gallus. "Hey, I like the idea of you cherishing those around you," Gallus whispers to Adagio's ear. "Thanks," Adagio replies. Sonata gets up, and the school bell rings, signaling the end of class. "Well, that's the end of class. Enjoy today's meal. If there's something you want to talk about, I'll be in the cafeteria," Maud takes her pet rock, Boulder. "Oh goodie, I wonder what they have for lunch!" Sonata gets excited. "I hope it's tacos," She licks her lips. "We'll have to see about that," Aria said. "Mind showing us where to go?" "Follow us," The Unity Seven said in unison. Krystina Larva follows the group to the cafe. She remains silent around them. She's afraid to speak to them after the fiasco in Discord's trust exercise. Even after hearing what the Unity Seven said, it wasn't convincing enough for her to open up to them. She remembers the moment her family change by the one creature that ought to see the change in her.