//------------------------------// // Sunrise // Story: Forgotten: Sunrise // by milesprower06 //------------------------------// "Alright, so I know we literally just got into town, but thank you so much for putting that blindfold on and coming deeper into town with me so I can totally surprise you with something," Izzy rapidly said as she guided Sunset Shimmer down the main path into Bridlewood proper. Well, not so much guiding her along as she was prancing and hopping all around her as the yellow unicorn cautiously made her way forward without sight. 'Pervidere' would have been all too easy to cast, but she really didn't want to spoil whatever Izzy had been planning, so she stayed here in the black that the blindfold had surrounded her with, and made her way forward at an easy trot, trusting that Izzy would right her if she veered too far off of the path before she ran into a crystal or a tree. "It's no problem, Izzy. I can tell just by your tone that you're quite excited to show me whatever it is you've been planning," Sunset told her new friend. "Oh am I ever! Just wait til you see it, you're not going to believe your eyes!" Izzy exclaimed. "I'm pretty sure I will," Sunset quipped back. After another five minutes of walking, and the occasional whisper or murmur from off on the side of the road, and tip-toeing hoofsteps, she felt Izzy's hooves on the front of her barrel, bring her a pause to her gait. "Alright, here we goooo," the excited unicorn whispered, before beginning to untie the blindfold. "SURPRISE!" Sunset had to squint from the sunlight suddenly flowing into her sight, bringing a hoof up to shield her eyes for a moment, she slowly lowered it, and found herself in the center of town, with the Crystal Tea Room in front of her, and all of the unicorns of Bridlewood were on her left, right, and rear, smiling at her. The Tea Room no longer looked burned out and charred; it looked almost brand new, and Sunset's eyes widened when she saw the sign just to the right of the front door. Sunset Shimmer's School for Unicorns Alphabittle took a few steps forward to stand beside the sign. "We scrubbed and cleaned for weeks, ever since Izzy told us that you were willing to do this for us. That fire was because I was too eager and foolish. The Crystal Tea Room is by far the largest interior space in Bridlewood, so I proudly donate it to you for your school. Izzy told us you come from a far away place, and we're hoping that Bridlewood can be your home away from home, Sunset. On behalf of all of Bridlewood, thank you so much," Alphabittle said, stepping aside and motioning her forward. Taking a breath, and keeping her emotions under control as best she could, Sunset wiped her eyes first, then stepped towards the Tea Room. The dozens and dozens of hoofsteps behind her were all the Bridlewoodians eager to see her reaction to their work. She stepped up to the front door, and pushed them open, and her breath was taken away yet again. The unicorns had indeed been busy; the soot and char that had been everywhere was entirely gone, and the tables and chairs had all been either replaced or scrubbed clean. She stepped towards the center counter, and her heart crept up to her throat when she saw the polished oak name plaque. SUNSET SHIMMER HEADMARE Sunset took another deep breath, determined to keep the waterworks at bay. She stepped around to the side, and walked to the other side of the counter, now serving as a desk, and saw that nearly all of Bridlewood had filed in behind her, or was standing looking in the windows. She cast a minor amplification spell on her vocal chords, to ensure that everypony in and around the building heard her. "I'm really struggling to find the words to explain how humbled I am by this welcome. Thank you so very much, everypony. I know you're all excited to get started, and I'm also excited to help you all take the first steps into a formal magic education for the first time in generations, or, well, as formal as I can make it. Under other circumstances, I'd probably include something about the dangers of exploring magic, but all of you saw what happened here, and what would have almost certainly happened if it weren't for the actions of Miss Moonbow here," Sunset paused as she gestured to Izzy. "Yes, magic can be dangerous and scary, but it can be wondrous, amazing, and inspiring too. Since Izzy has made it clear that pretty much all of you want some lessons. The fact remains that I am only one pony, and so is Miss Moonbow, who will be serving as my teaching assistant. We're probably going to take the first few days or so filling out information and helping me get to know all of you a little better. After that, I think the best course is to hold a lottery of sorts for each age group to fairly and randomly pick my first formal classes. Now don't worry, I've brought books that covers almost all of the basics of magic; Class I and II spells. It easily contains enough educational information where I believe self-instruction is quite possible. There are enough copies for all of you. I do think that for the safety of the town and everypony's homes and businesses, that the fields outside of the forest would be the best area for such practice. As soon as we finish filling out information cards and such, I'll get those passed out to each of you, and I'll be able to place protection enchantments on the fields outside, and over the next several weeks, can hopefully get enough enchantments placed around town where we're all more comfortable using magic in town limits again." Sunset took a breath, and looked out at all the eager eyes and hopeful smiles in the room. "Once again, thank you very much, and welcome to magic school."