Another beautiful morning dawned upon Canterlot, and more specifically for Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. Students were just rising out of bed, getting ready for a new day. School days started early for these students, having to be at the gates at 7:00am sharp.
Celestia’s castle stood above the streets of Canterlot, looking down on the beautiful city. As the sun rose, so did the ponies of Canterlot. The streets were already bustling with activity, ponies opening up shops or setting up stalls.
Sunset stayed in the castle, unlike other students who lived in the dorms close to campus. Sunset took classes at the School of Magic alongside lessons from princess Celestia herself. Celestia chose her because of her magical prowess alongside her drive to learn. Sunset was grades above what they taught in school, so it was an obvious choice. Unfortunately, Sunset still had to attend school due to laws in place. Sunset believed that she didn’t need these classes, so she didn't care for them. Sleeping in was something she would do often, making her late most days
And today wasn’t any different.
Sunset was snuggled comfortably in her bed, resting her head on a pillow. Her blanket slowly rose and fell as she steadily breathed. Her room was large but very empty. A bed, desk, nightstand and bookshelf was all the room held. Scrolls and quills were scattered on her desk and floor alongside stacks of books. Her nightstand had a few picture frames that were faced down. Even in all the mess, the unicorn slept soundly.
“Sunset,” a calm voice said through her door.
Sunset groaned, rolling onto her other side. “Ten more minutes…”
“Sunset, I will not allow you to be late on such a lovely morning,” the voice called out again, a little more stern. Sunset decided to ignore the voice, slowly drifting back into her wondrous slumber.
The door slammed open, causing Sunset to quickly sit up. In the doorway stood her teacher and mentor, princess Celestia. Celestia wore a mysterious smile. Was she angry? Was she disappointed? Was she just smiling?
“Good morning Sunset,” Celestia greeted. “It’s nice to see that you’re up.”
“Yeah, I totally got up by myself,” Sunset mumbled to herself, rubbing her eyes. “So what is it, Celestia? Are we getting to our lessons early today?”
“Our lessons are always in the afternoon,” Celestia said. “It’s time for you to head to school.”
Sunset let out a short laugh. “Funny Celestia, very funny. I’m going back to sleep,” she said as she tried to lay back down, throwing her covers over herself. Before she landed, a yellow magical aura surrounded her, lifting her into the air.
“I don’t think so, Sunset,” Celestia frowned. “You’ve missed far too many classes.”
“But you said I’d get to move onto advanced lessons!” Sunset groaned, the covers falling off of her, leaving just her in the air.
“You’ll get to the advanced lessons with me at least, ” Celestia said. “But that doesn’t mean you get to skip out on school. Now get ready, you only have fifteen more minutes before the gates close.” And with that, Celestia placed her down on the ground gently and exited the room.
“Stupid school,” Sunset grumbled as she walked over to her nightstand. “Why can’t I just learn from Celestia all day,” she sighed, floating a brush out. Brushing her hair slowly, she walked out of her room towards the bathroom.
Susnet’s room was in a separate tower from the castle, connected by a bridge. Walking on the bridge was one of Sunset’s favorite things to do. Crossing the bridge, there was a breathtaking view that stretched a little past Ponyville. It was still a little dark, the sun not fully up yet. Shadows were cast upon Equestria, making it even more beautiful. A cool breeze filled Sunset’s mane as she slowly trotted across the bridge.
“Maybe I should get up a little earlier,” she said to herself, a small smile on her face.
Finally reaching the other side of the bridge, she opened the door that led into a hallway. Doors filled the sides, signs hung above them. The bathroom was in the door immediately to the left. Entering, she locked the door and tided up. Brushing her teeth and washing her face was all she had to do before making her way to the castle’s entrance.
Celestia’s School of Magic wasn’t inside the castle. It was a little walk away, which Sunset didn't mind at all. The path that led to the castle was paved and well kept, while the plant life that surrounded it was just beautiful. Flowers of different colors and a variety of trees and bushes gave life to the dull, brown pathway. Sunset always enjoyed these brisk morning walks to school, she just didn’t enjoy school.
Celestia’s School of Magic wasn’t the worst, as much as Sunset painted it to be. Most of the ponies there were nice, except a handful of noble children who got in because of their parents. Sunset, however, didn’t have to deal with anypony. She kept to herself, only wanting to study and study. She wasn’t anti-social, it’s just that she saw other ponies as a distraction.
The main reason she disliked going to school was because of the pacing. She was years ahead of the content she was being taught, so she saw no need to be there. It seemed redundant and useless, things that Sunset hated.
Approaching the gates of the school, it seemed deserted. Everpony was probably already in their classrooms and seated, ready to learn. Sunset, however, was just getting there. She didn’t care though.
“Just gotta get to my classroom and hit the hay,” Sunset whispered to herself, approaching the gates.
“Good morning, Miss Shimmer,” a blue coated unicorn greeted.
“Good morning Professor Top Marks,” Sunset greeted as she walked through the gates.
“Good to see that you’re coming back to school,” Top Marks said.
“Yeah, it’s good to be back,” Sunset sarcastically remarked, leaving Top Marks standing there at the gate.
Sunset made her way through the school's courtyard. Patches of flowers and vegetation were sprinkled around. The school was prestigious, so it had to look it’s part. There were a few gardeners at work, tending to the plants; trimming trees and bushes, picking out dying flowers and replacing them.
Entering the building, there was a large wall with the pictures of teachers, past and present. Princess Celestia’s picture was hung in the middle of everypony. A few display cases were lined up next to each other, filled with trophies and medals. Sunset quickly passed by these, heading down one of the many hallways. The school was big, but Sunset had already memorized everything there. The hallways were empty, but muffled chatter could be heard. Everypony was already in class. Making her way to her classroom, she stopped in front of the door. Her classroom wasn’t an ordinary classroom, it was a classroom for advanced students. It was already a major feat to get into any program at the School of Magic, but getting into any of the advanced classrooms guaranteed some sort of future in magic endeavors.
Sighing, Sunset pushed open the door. She was greeted with stares and silence. The teacher was already in the middle of her lecture.
“Look who decided to join us today,” Crystal Clear said, clearly unamused by her tardiness.
“I don’t want to be here, believe me,” Sunset yawned. “If it wasn’t for Celestia waking me up, I would still be asleep.”
“Just take a seat Miss Shimmer,” Crystal Clear frowned, going back to her lesson.
Sunset walked to her seat, which was thankfully all the way in the back, directly in the middle. Her class wasn’t very populated. There were only nine other ponies in the classroom. Normal classes would’ve had twenty or more, but this isn’t a normal class. Their ages ranged, the youngest being six years while the oldest being fourteen. Sunset was right in the middle at ten years old, although she didn’t really act like it. Celestia told her she acted more like a teenageer rather than a kid, which she didn't mind at all.
Looking around the classroom in boredom, she came across something new.
“A new student?” Sunset thought as she looked at the purple filly right next to her. The filly was instantly staring at the textbook on her desk. She quickly flipped through the pages, jotting down notes on a scroll. As for the text book’s title…
Archaic Casting: Dark Magic Edition
“What the buck?” Sunset said, a little too loudly.
“Sunset!” Crystal Clear glared at her. “Language.”
“Sorry Miss Clear,” Sunset apologized not so sincerely. “Who’s this twerp here?” Sunset gestured towards the filly, deciding she might as well ask since she was already in the spotlight. “And why is she reading Archaic Casting: Dark Magic Edition?”
“She’s reading what now?!” Crystal Clear said, a little bit of panic in her voice.
“Archaic Casting: Dark Magic Edition,” Sunset repeated. “Looks like she's almost done with it too.”
“Twilight Sparkle! You should not be reading books like that!” Crystal Clear scolded the filly, trotting over to her desk and taking the book.
“B-But…” The filly pouted, her lip trembling.
“No ‘buts’ Miss Sparkle,” Crystal Clear levitated the book to her desk’s drawer. “Your parents can come pick this up after school.” With that, Crystal Clear continued class as if nothing ever happened.
“Twilight Sparkle… Where have I heard that name before?” Sunset thought, tapping her chin. With a shrug, she gave up trying to figure it out. Peeking to her right she saw the filly with her head down on the desk. She was sniffling, although muffled, and her shoulders were shaking. She was crying.
Sunset felt a sudden pang in her chest. Sunset always seemed cold and distant, keeping to herself often. She had a slight temper and has lashed out at ponies before. Ponies avoided her like the plague, but she didn’t mind at all. She didn’t care how other ponies felt. But this time she felt bad. The poor filly just wanted to read and learn, but she called her out, and now she’s in trouble.
“Hey,” Sunset whispered, not receiving an answer from the filly. “She probably didn’t hear me,” Sunset thought, biting her lip. She decided to tap the filly. The filly lifted her head, wiping her eyes and nose.
“W-What do you want,” the filly said, her voice quavering.
“I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” Sunset said hesitantly. Apologizing was weird for her.
“I-It’s okay…” the filly nodded, regaining a little bit of composure. “I shouldn’t have been reading it anyways. My mommy just gave me that book so I thought I could read it here, but I guess I know not to.”
“For the record, I think it’s cool that you were reading something like that,” Sunset smiled, causing the filly to weakly smile as well. “Be honest with me, did you really understand anything in that book?”
“I did!” The filly said enthusiastically. “There was a lot about transmutation and magic circles, though I don’t really know why anypony would want to raise somepony from the dead.”
“I don’t really know myself,” Sunset laughed quietly. The rest of the class went on with them chatting about magic and other books that they both read. Even throughout recess and break times, they chatted away. Finally, the bells rung, signifying the end of the school day.
“Bye Sunset! See you tomorrow,” The filly waved at Sunset as she ran towards what looked like her parents.
“See you tomorrow Twilight!” Sunset called out as they walked away. Sunset wore a real smile, walking towards the gates.
“Enjoying yourself, Sunset?” A calm voice said from behind her. Spinning around, Sunset saw the sun monarch standing before her.
“Celestia! What are you doing here?” Sunset asked.
“Well this is my school after all,” Celestia laughed.
“Oh, right,” Sunset laughed as well. “Is it time for my lessons?” Sunset asked, excitement taking over.
“Yes it is,” Celestia nodded. “But first, I see you made a friend.”
“I wouldn’t say friend, more of an acquaintance,” Sunset shrugged. “Her name is-”
“Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia finished, a smile on her face.
“Wait, how’d you know?” Sunset tilted her head.
“She’s the filly you will be taking care of,” Celestia said, her face unchanging. “My new protege.”
“Oh…” Sunset stood there, processing it. “Ooooooooooh! That’s why that name sounded familiar.”
“I’m glad that you two get along already. Twilight is quite, ahem, different from ponies her age. I hoped you two would be friends. Looks like I don’t have to worry.”
“No need to worry Celestia, she and I get along just fine,” Sunset assured her.
“Good,” Celestia nodded. “Now are you ready for your lessons?”
“You betcha!” Sunset replied, the two walking towards the castle.