//------------------------------//
// Arc 2-2: First Day at School 
// Story: My Little Pony: One as a Family.  "Life in Canterlot" 
// by SaburoDaimando 
//------------------------------//


First Day at School



Wanda, Sunset Shimmer and Princess Cadence wasted no time running out of the castle and into the very streets of Canterlot City.  Judging by their packs full of books, they were in a hurry to get to School for Gifted Unicorns.  For Wanda, it was a new experience as she is the first non-pony to be accepted into the academy.  But Sunset, she was also looking forward to attending school with her sisters.  But for Princess Cadence, she’s been going there since she was a filly.
“Race you to the School, Wanda,”  Sunset said as she ran faster than her sisters.
“Oh no you don’t,”  Wanda yelled as she started to catch up.  “Two legs will outrun four legs.”
“Hey wait up,”  Cadence yelled as she started to flap her wings.  “Don’t leave your big sister hanging.
“And I expected much more maturity from the eldest daughter of Princess Celestia.”  That voice caused Princess Cadence, Sunset Shimmer and Wanda Young to stop dead in their tracks.  They turned their heads and saw Chancellor Abacus Cinch glancing down at all three of them.
“Chancellor, would you give her a break?”  Princess Cadence said in protest.  “We’re just in a hurry to attend the School.”
Naturally, Chancellor Cinch ignored Cadence’s plea and said “I expected the Man’s Cub to be on her best behavior.  Though you sometimes tend to slip into a status of juvenile delinquent.  Not fitting for a future ruler of Equestria.”
Chancellor Cinch turned her head to Wanda, who was hiding behind Sunset Shimmer.
“As for you Man’s Cub,”  Cinch said to Wanda, raising her voice.  “Step out here, this instant!”  Cinch’s stern voice was enough to startle Wanda into racing out and standing in front of Sunset Shimmer.  The little filly was concerned for Wanda’s sake, but she couldn’t speak up against Chancellor Cinch, for her presence alone makes her scared on the inside.
“You remember everything I told you yesterday,”  Cinch said in a stern, yet subtle tone, “No mayhem, no chaos, be on your best behavior, and stay safe.”
“Y...yes ma’am,”  Wanda said very nervously.
“Then there is nothing more that I need from you three,”  Chancellor Cinch said as she turned her back on Princess Cadence, Sunset Shimmer and Wanda Young.  “I’m due for my flight to Manehattan to attend a delegation from Saddle Arabia.  Be glad you won’t see me for most of the day.  Now off to school for you three.  You don’t want to keep the teachers waiting.”
Without a second thought, Chancellor Cinch walks off in the opposite direction.  Wanda looks at her and breathes a sigh of relief, finally glad she doesn’t have to put up with the Chancellor for the next few days.
“Don’t let her keep you down, sis,”  Princess Cadence said to Wanda.  “You’re the kindest non-pony I’ve known so far.”
“Yeah, you’re not a monster,”  Sunset said to reassure Wanda.  “I’ve known you since you were a baby, and you’re the best thing to happen to me in my lifetime.”
“Thank you,” Wanda said with a smile on her face.  “I’m glad to have sisters like you both.”
“It’s what we’re here for,”  Princess Cadence said as she playfully rubbed Wanda’s hair.  “Now come on.  We got to get to school.”
And without a second thought, Wanda Young, Sunset Shimmer and Princess Cadence ran off towards the School for Gifted Unicorns.

Mere minutes later, all three sisters arrived at the castle entrance of the School for Gifted Unicorns.  Many young unicorn colts and fillies were gathered around, getting ready to go inside.  But there were some unicorns who were in their teenage years.  One that stood out had a light gray coat, a scruffy mane with a mix of Moderate sapphire blue, moderate cerulean and dark phthalo blue streaks.  He also had a cutie mark that represented a shield with a twinkling star in the middle and three stars above.  This was Shining Armor, the older brother of Twilight Sparkle.
“I can’t wait for my first day.”  That voice came from Twilight Sparkle, who was prancing in excitement.
“Calm down, Twili,”  Shining Armor said as he approached his younger sister.  “I’m excited as well, but even I know I gotta learn to be patient.”
“But aren’t you excited to learn more about the art of defense class?”  Twilight said to her big brother. “After all, you want to be a part of the royal guards.”
“Heh,”  Shining Armor laughed.  “Guilty as charged.”
“Sorry we’re late.”  That voice came from Princess Cadence as she, Sunset Shimmer and Wanda Young ran up to Shining Armor.
“Cadence,”  Shining Armor said as Princess Cadence finally caught up to him.  “I was wondering when you would arrive.”
“Had a run in with Chancellor Cinch,”  Cadence said.  “But not much else.”
“Don’t worry about it Cadey,”  Shining Armor said to Cadence. 
“Princess Cadence,” Twilight said as she approached Cadence.
The two walked up to each other and did a little dance.  As they did, they sang the song of a hoof shake that went like this.
“Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake.  Clap your hooves and do a little shake.”
Wanda and Sunset looked at both Twilight and Cadence.  Sunset was amused by Cadence and Twilight’s little dance.  But Wanda was a bit confused.
“I don’t get it,”  Wanda said. 
“It’s a dance that reminds you of your special bond,”  Sunset said to Wanda.  “But it’s totally cheesy and cringe-worthy.”
Princess Cadence then walked up to Shining Armor and said to him “So, want to discuss anything before school starts?”
“Sure,”  Shining Armor said.  “I’ve got some time to spare before the semester starts.”
As Princess Cadence and Shining Armor spoke to each other, Wanda Young and Sunset Shimmer turned their eyes towards Twilight.
“Hey.  You’re that Twilight Twinkle I met yesterday,”  Wanda said to Twilight.
Twilight only giggled and said “It’s Twilight Sparkle.  And I was hoping you would make it.”
“And I’m Sunset Shimmer,”  Sunset said to Twilight. 
“I heard you’re also the daughter of Princess Celestia,”  Twilight said, super curious about Sunset’s own personal life.  “How is life in the royal castle?  What does Celestia cook for you and Wanda?  Is it true that she’s an angel from the heavens?”  Sunset and Wanda could do nothing, but laugh at Twilight’s ridiculous questions.
“No.  It’s just like anyone else’s life,”  Sunset replied as she couldn’t contain her laughter.  
“But you’re both princesses,”  Twilight said.
“Personally, I don’t see myself as one,”  Sunset replied.  “Even if I am the adopted daughter of a Princess, therefore I have to be one.  The life of a Princess would sound boring.”
“But it would be so awesome,”  Twilight said as she fawned over Sunset’s life.  “Imagine meeting ponies or creatures from other nations.  Taking part in deciding the future of our people.  Protecting them from evil.  Eating all that cake.”
“Oh please,”  Sunset said.  “I’d rather have a normal life than an exquisite one.  Same with Wanda.”
Wanda giggled as she said “I’m with her on that.  In fact, when I grow up, I just want to see the world and just be free.”
“Guess being cooped up in that castle isn’t your cup of tea,” Twilight laughed.
But before Wanda could say anything else, she heard Shining Armor say to her “So you must be the little monkey girl Cadey told me about.”  And without a warning, Shining Armor gave Wanda a big hoof noogie on her head.
“Hey, get off me,”  Wanda yelled.  She then tried to bite Shining Armor’s hoof.  But Shining Armor was able to pull his hoof back before Wanda could lay her teeth on it.
“Too slow you little feisty monkey,”  Shining Armor said, taunting Wanda.
“Come on, Shining,”  Cadence said to Shining Armor.  “Give her a break.  She’s my little sister, you know.”
“You know I’m only playing along, Cadey,”  Shining Armor said.  “Anyone who’s a sister of yours is a friend of mine.  Isn’t that right, Wanda-Wubby?”  Wanda could only look at Shining Armor, and stick her tongue out at the big stallion.
Suddenly, the bell for the School rang, as the gates opened up.  Princess Celestia walked out and approached the students, eager to start the school year.
“Welcome students,”  Princess Celestia said with a smile.  “For many of you, I’m excited to see you return for your latest year at the School for Gifted Unicorns.  For some of you, I’m happy to see you join us for your first year.  But for the first time, we have a special student joining us today.  But for now, let’s go inside and have fun.”
With a smile and a laugh, Celestia led the students into the school gates.  The students ran inside, ready to embrace a new school day.  Shining Armor, Princess Cadence, Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer and Wanda Young all saw the crowd get smaller and smaller as more students ran in to attend the School for Gifted Unicorns.
“Guess that’s my cue,”  Shining Armor said as he began to take off.  “You girls take care of yourself.  Especially you Twili.”
“I will big brother,”  Twilight said as she waved good-bye to Shining Armor.
“And that also counts for you, little monkey,”  Shining Armor said to Wanda as he takes off into the gates of the school.  Wanda just looked at Shining Armor and was looking really upset.
“I don’t like that show off,”  Wanda said as her skin turned red.
“I’m going to marry that stallion,”  Cadence said as her eyes turned heart-shaped.
Wanda turned her attention to Cadence, waved her left hand at her older sister’s face, and said “Hello.  Equestria to Big Sister.  Open your eyes.”  
“That’s like her to be twitterpated,”  Sunset said to Wanda. 
“What does that mean?”  Wanda asked.
“She’s in love with Shining Armor,”  Sunset said.  That was enough to make Wanda gag.
“Wanda.  Sunset.  Cadence.  Come in.  It’s almost time for class.”  That came from Princess Celestia, who was signalling to all three sisters.  It was enough to snap Cadence out of her love-filled trance.
“Coming mommy,”  Wanda said as she, Sunset and Cadence ran through the gates and into the school grounds for their first day.

Later that day, Wanda was inside a medium-sized classroom with at least 16 other classmates, sitting at a desk at the front end of the class.  Sunset Shimmer was sitting on the desk on her left.  For Wanda, having a familiar face right next to her was enough to keep her mood happy.  But on her right was Twilight Sparkle, who was eager to start learning.  
Wanda turned around and saw another familiar face: Starlight Glimmer.  But while Twilight and Sunset were optimistic, something was bothering Starlight.  She looked worried, as if she wasn’t going to pass the class.  Or something else was on the mind.  To her right was a young colt around her age.  He has a brilliant gamboge coat with light apple greenish gray spot on his nose and hooves.  His mane was a vivid and brilliant vermillion, while his eyes were a gradient of dark cornflower blue to moderate cyan.  This colt looked concerned for Starlight’s well-being, as he couldn’t take his eyes off of her.
“Is there something wrong with her?”  Wanda asked this colt.  “I thought she would be excited for school.”
“That’s not the case,”  The colt said.  “She lost a relative last night.”
Those words brought down Wanda’s mood a bit.  
“I’m….sorry,”  Wanda said.  “Can she get this relative back?”
“No,”  The colt said to Wanda.  “When they’re gone for good, they can’t come back.”
Wanda looked at Starlight.  The younger filly looked depressed.  But there would be some way she could cheer her up later today.
“By the way,” the colt said to Wanda as the man’s cub turned her attention back to him.  “My name is Sunburst.  I’m Starlight Glimmer’s close friend.  I heard your name is Wanda, and I heard you and Sunset are the daughters of Princess Celestia.”
“Wow,”  Wanda replied, surprised by how Sunburst figured her out.  This also caught the attention of Sunset Shimmer, who turned to face Sunburst.
“You’re both big celebrities here,”  Sunburst said.  “I never thought I would meet royalty in this very room.”
“Did you hear that?”  Sunset to Wanda as she was very excited.  “We’re famous, and we’ve only stepped a hoof in this school.”
“That is awesome,”  Wanda said back to Sunset.
“You think you’re so special?  Don’t make me laugh?”  That voice came from the back of the room.  Wanda, Sunset and Sunburst turned to the back, and saw an arrogant looking unicorn colt.  He has a light yellow-orangish-colored coat, with a red and orange mane and tail.  His eyes are brown, and he has no cutie mark.
“Who’s that jerk?”  Sunset asked, unimpressed by the arrogant colt.
“That’s Danged Spell,”  Sunburst said.  “He’s got a talent for magic, but he’s also a bit of a show off.”
“You got that right, egghead,”  Danged Spell said to Sunburst as he rubbed his nose with his right hoof.  “So just because you’re the envy of that old hag Cinch, doesn’t mean you’re the cream of the crop.  What makes you so great you special little snowflake?”
“I have hands,” Wanda said as she waved her hands up and down.
Danged Spell just laughed and said “Real cute.  You may be Celestia’s daughter, but that doesn’t make you any special.”
As Danged Spell chuckled, Wanda stuck her tongue out at the colt and turned her back to him.  Sunset looked at Danged Spell and just simply shook her head.
“Someday, that colt is gonna get it,”  Sunset said to herself.
Right next to Wanda, Twilight was patiently awaiting her lesson for the day when she felt a tap on her shoulder.  She turned around and saw a unicorn that looked almost like her.  The main difference is that she had a light yellowish gray coat, she had no cutie mark, her eyes were dark purple, her mane was a mix of brilliant amaranth, moderate purple and grayish violet, and the back of her mane was tied up in a ponytail.
“Excuse me,” this filly asked Twilight.  “Do you know when the teacher will be here?”
“No,”  Twilight said as she was still nervous and excited for her first lesson.  “By the way, my name is Twilight Sparkle.  What’s your name?”
“Moondancer,”  The filly said as she extended her hoof out.  “Nice to meet you.”
“That’s a nice name,”  Twilight said.  “Where are you from?”
“Cape Coltnaveral,”  Moondancer replied, blushing with embarrassment.  “But...let’s just say I want to put that place in the past.  And...I hope you’re not as mean-spirited as my last set of classmates.
“Oh don’t you worry,”Twilight said to Moondancer. “I think we’re going to be the best of friends.  Besides, why would I want to be a mean-spirited unicorn?”
“Okay children.  Class is about to start, and I could use your attention.”  Every student turned their heads to the front as Princess Celestia walked in levitating a book.  She was excited as the rest of the students, as she was eager to teach them the ways of unicorn magic.  But what she was more excited about, was also teaching these skills to her two adopted children.  Especially Wanda.
“Good morning class,”  Princess Celestia said.  “I am your teacher, Princess Celestia Del Sol.  And this is our first day at school.  Oh I can’t wait to get started on our first lesson.”  Celestia’s attitude had gone from calm to excitement.  But she had to slow down and breathe, as she was ready to face the day.
“Anyway,”  Celestia said as she has fully calmed down.  “Before we begin, I’d like to know your names.  To the three students in the front of our class, would you kindly come on up and introduce yourselves?”
That was the signal from Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer and Wanda Young.  The three got out from their desks and walked towards Princess Celestia before turning to face the rest of the class.
“Who wants to go first?”  Celestia asked Twilight, Sunset and Wanda.
“I will,”  Twilight said as she raised her hoof.
“Very well then,” Celestia said.  “Go ahead my faithful student.”
“Ahem,” Twilight said as she cleared her throat.  “My name is Twilight Sparkle.  I am attending this school to study more on pony magic.  But truth be told, I’m a real book nerd.  Ask me anything about books, and I will answer it for you.”
“Welcome to the school, Twilight,”  Celestia said to Twilight before turning her attention to Sunset Shimmer.  “Are you ready?”
“Am I ever?”  Sunset said as she walked up to the other students.  “My name is Sunset Shimmer, adopted daughter of Princess Celestia.  I wanted to attend this school to show my mom what I can do.”
“And I promise I’ll make sure it’s extra tough for you, my daughter,”  Celestia said to Sunset Shimmer.  She turns her head towards Wanda and says “Now Wanda. It’s your turn.”
“My name is Wanda...Wanda Young,”  Wanda said to the class.  “I’m the only human of this school, and Princess Celestia is my mommy.  I am attending this school, to prove that I am in control of my magic.  And I know I will.”  As Wanda continued to speak, tears flowed from her eyes.  She then said “If I do really well, then I want to explore the world when I grow up, hoping I can depart from Canterlot.”
“Wanda,”  Celestia said as she put her hoof on Wanda’s shoulder to comfort her.  “It’s okay.  I’m sure you’ll do great.  As long as you remember these words...Friendship is Magic.”
Wanda let her tears flow as she smiled towards Princess Celestia.  All she could do is give her mother a hug.
“This is why I’m glad to be her sister,”  Sunset Shimmer said as she wiped a tear from her cheek.  “She needs someone to help her out.”
“You sound like you’ll be a greater friend,”  Twilight said as she nuzzles Sunset with a smile on her face.
As Wanda let go of Celestia, the Alicorn Princess said “Okay you three. You may return to your seats.  I'll address the rest of the class.”
Wanda, Sunset and Twilight returned to their seats as Celestia pulled up a list, which contains the names of many students in her class.
“Okay,”  Celestia says as she reads her list.  “When I say your name, introduce yourself and why you are attending this school.”  She clears her throat before saying the name “Moondancer.”
Moondancer gets up and says “My name is Moondancer.  I am here at the School for Gifted Unicorns because I want to study the cosmos and the universe beyond.”
“A dream of astronomy,”  Celestia said.  “I like that.”  She then looks at the list and said “Starlight Glimmer.  Please introduce yourself.”
But Starlight looks nervous.  All she can say is “I’m….I’m Starlight...Glimmer.”
Celestia looked at Starlight and said “Is there something wrong Miss Glimmer?”
Sunburst got up and said “Starlight lost a relative recently.  That’s why she’s depressed.”
“Oh...I see,”  Celestia said as her voice becomes somber.  “I will speak with her after class is over.  Thank you for bringing this up to me, Sunburst.”
Sunburst nods his head to Princess Celestia.  “You’re welcome, your majesty.  Anyway, I am Sunburst, I came here to study more about magic.  But I also came here to be with my best friend, Starlight Glimmer.”  
Sunburst then walked up to Starlight and gave her a comforting hug.  Starlight looked at Sunburst and was barely able to crack a smile, all while shedding a few more tears.
“Thank you, Sunburst,”  Celestia said as her tone returned to being more optimistic.  “You showcase what makes a true friend magical.”  She then turns to her list and says the name “Danged Spell.”
With a smug look on her face, Danged Spell leaped onto his table and said “My name is Danged Spell.  I came to this school, because one day, I want to be the captain of THE ROYAL GUARDS!”  He yelled out at the top of his lungs, acting as if he was the most powerful unicorn around.  Celestia only had a smug look on her face.
“Oh really?”  Celestia said to Danged Spell.  “With an attitude like that, you look like you would be more fitting as the future King of Equestria.”
Those words got to Danged Spell.  It was one thing for him to be arrogant.  But to be called a King?  That really boiled his blood.  He squinted his eyes and gnashed his teeth at that remark.
“Nobody….calls me…..A KING!”  Danged Spell yelled as steam spouted from his nose.
“Now now,”  Celestia said as her smirk continued.  “How do you expect to be the future ruler of Equestria with that kind of attitude, your majesty?”
“I told you not to call me that, CAKE FLANK!”  Danged Spell yelled back.  The choice of his words was enough to cause the class a lot of shock.  But not Princess Celestia.  Her smug smile never left her face.
“Well that’s the problem,”  Celestia said further as she started to giggle.  “You haven’t been eating enough cake, oh great Prince.”
“OH real funny, tubby,”  Danged Spell yelled.
“Don’t you need more cake to grow, sire?”  Celestia said as she stuck her tongue out at Danged Spell.
“No way.  I ain’t eating cake like you.”  Danged Spell screamed as Celestia and the other students laughed.
On the sides, Twilight, Sunset and Wanda couldn’t help, but laugh at Danged Spell’s misfortunes.  One moment, he was smug and highly confident.  Now he’s gone off the deep end and has become a joke.  That being said, these three girls tried to hold in their laughter, but couldn’t.
“I never knew someone hated being associated with royalty,”  Twilight giggled.
“Danged Spell may be arrogant,”  Sunset said as she couldn’t hold in her laughter.  “But he hates the idea of ruling Equestria.  That didn’t stop his parents from joking about that in his face.”
“But why wouldn’t he want that?”  Wanda asked as she struggled to stop laughing.
“It’s his nature,”  Sunset said as her laughter continued.  “Thinks of himself as the reincarnation of a legendary hero.  Nothing more….nothing less.”
“Well that’s something to be worthy about,”  Twilight said as she got her laughter under control.  But the same can’t be said for Sunset, Wanda and most of the students as Celestia continues to taunt Danged Spell, all while the naive colt fires back.

To be continued in…


Cry of the Cat