"And here we are, class," Miss Globetrot declared. "The Royal Canterlot Gardens! Oh, I just can't wait to tell you all about the history of this place." Stamping the ground with her front hooves, her enthusiasm rang clear. "Aren't you all excited?"
A collective murmur rose from the student body.
Matron Swan extended a wing. "Come now, children. Your teacher cares very much about your education. Would she have organized something like this all by herself if she didn't?"
Tinsel's sharp, piercing tone sniped back, and Sunset ground her teeth. "Who cares what you have to say. You're old!"
Her lackie, Gold Foil, joined in. "Yeah, all you do is baby a bunch of orphans!"
Swan said nothing, although Sunset saw a rare, scathing contempt pass through her eyes.
Miss Hlobetrot, however, stepped closer. Her taller, bulkier earth pony form cast a shadow above the trio. "I will not hear such disrespectful talk in my presence again. If I do, you may consider yourselves banned from this field trip."
Emerald blew a raspberry. "And?"
Globetrot snorted. "And, everypony is being assigned an essay based upon this trip. Meaning if you sit out." She leaned close. "You fail."
Swan smirked. "It should also be noted that if you sit out you won't have anything to do. The gardenkeeps will ensure you and any others are kept strictly separate."
The three blanched, quickly stammering an apology. Sunset found herself smirking with her Matron.
As for her own feelings on the trip, she'd wait and see. Miss Globetrot's lessons could be captivating, or have her falling asleep in class.
Generally, though, she thought Miss Globetrot was okay. A bit boring on occasion, but okay. She wasn't mean like some of her other teachers either, and Sunset enjoyed history all right.
Not as much as she'd enjoy magic class, though. But everypony else said she had to wait until second grade for that. They said that 'six years old is too early for a unicorn foal, your magic is barely even developed!'
What a load.
Maybe she was six, yeah, but she hadn't seen a single unicorn her age half as good. Why hold her back just 'cause she was a year too young? And come on, she was gonna start attending Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns soon. Matron Swan already entered her name for the trial lists.
...granted, by the time she passed her exam, she would already be seven.
Moonstone shot her a glance. "You okay, Sunny"
She gave a tiny huff, pawing the dirt. "No..."
"Why?"
"M'just thinking, that's all."
"Now!" Swan spread her wings, and spun around. "Let's move this train to station. You have quite a lot to learn today, but luckily you have Globetrot and I to split the burden."
Globetrot giggled. "Indeed. Between my infinite knowledge and her insightful experience, you'll have oodles to write about!"
Everypony groaned, except for Sunset.
She didn't get why they were all so upset. Essays were like, five hundred words at most. She'd seen the requirements for higher education, and that was way harder.
Framed by large white columns, the tall silver and gold gates creaked open. Towering walls of bright green leaves extended on either side, speckled with red, white, and pink roses. Wherever she saw stone, she also saw ivy and flowered vines creeping across the surface.
Passing through, they found themselves herded by tall hedges. The path itself comprised of dirt, worn down by thousands of hooves until it was packed flat.
Every now and then they saw smaller alcoves. Standing on blankets of grass, some had gardenwork, trees, or both.
Others had bushes turned into shapes, or they had stone statues. Some were simple, and some were so complex they made her head spin. Her favorites were a singing mare with roses for eyes, and a scene of three ponies battling, respectively.
For the statue, a pegasus stallion stood on the left, on his hind legs with his wings flared. He wore swirling metallic plate, and held a long pike in his grip. To the right a slender unicorn mare dodged, clad in elegant, fluttering silk robes. She fought with her magic, firing bolts as she levitated a slim blade. Between them stood a hulking earth pony, clad in leather with spiked shields strapped to either of his sides.
They stopped to examine that one, and Globetrot spoke up.
"This scene is titled 'War of the Tribes'. It depicts a period of time from ancient Equestria, when things were not as peaceful as they are now. Based on these three and the title, does anyone have an idea what inspired the image?"
A hoof rose.
"Yes, Shellshine?"
"That was back when ponies were split up! Equestria didn't even exist yet."
"That's right! Does anyone here know how Equestria came to be?"
Sunset raised hers. "Me, me! I know!"
"Psh. Orphan girl wants to be smart again. Shocker," Tinsel sneered, loud enough for Sunset to hear without attracting the adults' notice. "I guess the bat's too stupid to answer for her."
She glared, but otherwise ignored the comment.
"All the strong unicorns used to come together so they could raise the Sun, because it took all their energy. Then Princess Celestia came and did it all on her own, so the ponies followed her as a leader and made Equestria!"
She felt rather proud of herself for that one. Never as proud as she'd be of her Princesss, though.
Once or twice, she had dreams about being an alicorn too, but she knew that could never happen. Somepony like Princess Celestia was far too ancient, wise, and powerful for any filly - even one like her - to become.
"Good, good! Swan, anything to offer?"
"Yes, there is." Matron Swan swept a wing, tracing along the marble statue. "I want all you ponies to remember this and give it some deep consideration. Think about how so long ago ponykind was divided, simply because we were different from one another. Because we had abilities that others did not. They allowed those differences to rule them, and as a consequence, great conflict and suffering arose. It wasn't until our wonderful Princess came along to show how all three tribes could work together in harmony that we united as a people. Remember this, when you feel upset, angry, or superior, and know that deep down we are all the same."
"Couldn't have said it better myself if I tried. You've given everyone some thoughtful insight, I think. Now come along, ponies! We're far from done."
Gradually, the hedge maze gave way to wider, open park. Sunset marveled with Moon at the various flora - the plants, blossoms, and trees she'd never seen before or didn't even know existed.
Blossoms that grew from ash rather than soil, hot to the touch and spitting out harmless embers instead of pollen. Great trees with smooth swirling boughs with the appearance of gold and leaves like copper, but when she touched them felt completely normal. Wriggling vinestalks with pink petals that moved, making sounds like a harmony.
She wished she could run off and explore on her own, and whenever she saw an opening she had to fight the urge. Her fear of getting lost and Moonstone's laser focus were the only things keeping her from doing it.
During a lecture about one statue's sculptor, they finally broke off. It wasn't far, and Moonstone insisted she had to come see something, tugging on her leg.
A few yards from the group, she stumbled to a stop. Moonstone ushered her over, pointing anxiously towards a bed of rich blue flowers. Sunset had only ever seen that kind of blue in picture books.
"What are those?" she asked.
"I dunno. I saw them earlier, but look at this!" Grinning, Moon fly-leapt near. The petals of the flowers spread and exposed long, thin, twitching white fronds. She bounced back, and they closed again. "Isn't that cool?"
"Tch. Not really."
Their heads shot rightwards. Tinsel stood beside Emerald, smirking.
Sunset leveled her horn. "What do you jerks want?"
"Oh nothing," Tinsel chirped innocently, twirling a lock of -silver-gold mane. "Just came to see the orphan girl and her icky marefriend smelling the roses. You know we're not supposed to leave the group, riiiight?"
Moonstone whimpered. Sunset moved to shield her.
"Neither are you," Sunset hissed. "And she's not gross. She's my friend, and a pony just like anyone else. Didn't you hear Matron Swan?"
Emerald gave a laugh-snort. "What, that old goat? Like she has anything worth saying."
"Yeah. Also, that bat-thing isn't a real pony. She isn't even from one of the tribes. Not really anyway."
Sunset growled. Her horn sparked. "Remember what happened last time you tried to bully us? I can do it again."
"Will you? I mean, I get being in love and all-"
"She's not my marefriend!"
Tinsel yawned. "I get being in love and all, but you know there aren't any witnesses around, right? Just us?" She put on a face, forcing tears to her eyes. "P-please, Miss Globetrot. Sunset, she- she-" Tinsel blubbered, pouting as Emerald rubbed her back.
"We were just trying t-to see if she got lost, and she and her friend were ripping up the flowers!" She sniffled again, as she ripped several blossoms from the bush.
"No!" Moonstone leapt, grabbing the severed flower heads. "You can't do that!"
"Can't I?" Tinsel cackled, and turned her back. "You better come follow us, or we're gonna tell~"
Sunset watched the two leave, Moonstone cradling the severed cups in her hooves.
"W-why would they do that? The flowers are so pretty."
Sunset shook her head, nudging Moon's shoulder. "I dunno, they're stupid and mean. Now come on. We gotta go or they're gonna get us in trouble."
Moonstone nodded, reluctantly. Glaring at Tinsel she stood up, sniffing as she returned the flowers to their bush. All she could do was nestle them amongst the others.
"Why do they have to be so mean?" she asked.
"'Cause they suck bits," Sunset grumbled. "Get a move on. I'll be right behind you."
Moonstone nodded, doing as instructed. With her back turned Sunset glanced at the loose flower heads, and pried them from the bush's grasp. Quickly, she hid them underneath with her magic and ran after her friend.
They returned to the group, glad it hadn't moved. Globetrot was still going on about the statue and its sculptor.
"What do you think she meant to communicate with this piece?" she asked. "Anypony? Anypony at all?"
Emerald raised her hoof. "I think Sunset wants to answer!"
Globetrot's gaze fell upon her. "Is that true?"
"I, uhm." Sunset swallowed.
Gold snickered. "Maybe she doesn't. Guess she wasn't paying attention." Sunset felt her eyes. "Or ran off."
"I did not!"
Swan interrupted. "Hush, you two. Sunset, did you want to answer or not?"
Sunset looked at the statue. A prim, and proper mare tossing balls of water up high, vines twisting around her hindleg fetlocks.
"I do," she said. "I... think... she wanted to show how life is double-sided? Like, how one is nice and refreshing like water, and the other hurts and is full of thorns."
"Not quite, no, but that's a good guess. Anypony else?"
Sunset sighed with relief, tuning out the rest of the lecture. She definitely was not choosing this as her essay topic.
"Alright class, it's time to move-"
"Miss Globetrot, Miss Globetrot!"
The mare turned her head. "Yes, Moonstone?"
"I saw some really pretty flowers earlier, and I wanted to know what they were called."
"Certainly. Why don't you lead the way, and we'll have a little look-see."
'No no no, come on, Moony,' Sunset thought. 'Don't give them the chance!'
She hoped hiding those flowers was enough.
As a group, they moved backwards, to the flower bed and its brilliant blue blossoms. Miss Globetrot examined them for a moment, eyes squinting.
"You know, I'm not quite certain. They do look strangely familiar."
"I know these!" A freckled, pale green earth filly stepped up. She had shiny copper eyes and a mass of tangled forest green hair. "They grow better in the moonlight instead of the sunlight, and they glow in the dark! If you get near them like this-" She got close, poking the petals of one with her nose. "It opens up. I love them."
"How fascinating! What are these curious little flowers called?"
"Moonstone bloom!"
Sunset watched her friend's eyes go huge, pupils dilate and irises sparkle. She looked to Globetrot with a big, doofy fanged smile.
"Can I take one? Please please please?"
"I don't believe the gardenkeeps said we couldn't... Just to be safe, only take one, alright?"
Moonstone bounced on her hooves. Before she could grab one, Tinsel stepped out. "Here, why don't you let me help?"
She came up to the flowers, tilting her head curiously, before trying to shake the bush.
"Miss Tinsel, what exactly are you trying to do?"
"I, ah-" She blushed a deep red. Sunset grinned. "I-I don't know, sorry, ma'am." She shrank back, retreating into the crowd.
"Can I have one too?" Sunset asked.
"I... suppose. No more after you two, though."
The green filly looked disappointed.
Partly blocking the bush's view with her body, Sunset lit her horn. She mimed to pluck a few heads, while sneakily sliding out three from underneath. She placed two in her hair - one hidden by her fringe - and the other in Moon's.
"Okie dokie, everypony! Onto the next exhibit. I think you're going to really enjoy this one."
The tide shifted, and Sunset followed. Moon whispered a thank you before Sunset trotted up to freckle girl.
"Pst," she whispered, tapping her on the flank. When she looked back, Sunset presented one of the flowers.
She gasped, breaking into a big smile. "Thank you! I've always wanted one for my garden."
"Here," Sunset said. "Keep it hidden." And she slid the flower deep into the emerald tangle. "Isn't it gonna die though?"
The filly shook her head. "Uh-uh. Earth magic can keep little plants alive. I think there's a unicorn spell for it, too."
Sunset considered this, nodded, and assimilated with the group.
They entered a courtyard, the biggest she'd seen so far. Like the ones before it had a wide variety of shaped bushes and sculptures, a lot more of them than before.
One sculpture drew her attention more than any of the others. It loomed over them, a tall and twisted monster with mismatched limbs. Looking at it made her uncomfortable.
It was also the one they were heading for.
"Here we are," Globetrot announced. "Would anyone like to guess the origin of this creature?"
"It's a goat!" one shouted.
"But it's got a bird hand!" said another.
"And it has two wings, but they're both different!" yelled a third.
Nearby, Sunset heard Gold laugh. "Yeah, one of them's a bat wing! Think bat girl's gonna grow up into one of those?" Emerald and Tinsel giggled with her.
To her right, she saw Moon fold her ears. Quietly, she moved them away from the trio.
"Yes," Globetrot confirmed. "It has all of those things. This is what we call a draconequus. Tales tell of an ancient time long ago when many of these roamed the land, but we no longer have solid records. This is the only depiction left in modern Equestria.
"It looks creepy," one said. "And gross."
She nodded. "That is very much the point. This statue is named Discord. Does anyone have an idea what that means?"
"I know," Tinsel murmured. Sunset wasn't sure if she hadn't moved far enough away, or if they followed her. "It means ugly."
"Ugly and stupid.
"I think if that bat grows up into one of those, she'll probably look prettier. At least she'd have a cool dragon claw."
Sunset had enough.
She pushed through the cluster of ponies. Moon reached out to stop her, but she smacked the hoof away.
"Hey!" she shouted. "Quit talking about her like that?"
"Tinsel looked abashed. "Talk about who like what?"
"Yeah," Gold said. "We dunno what you're talking about."
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." Sunset gave an equine snort, pawing the ground with a forehoof. Her horn lit, and she tossed a shield block their way, shoving them backwards. "Leave my-"
"What," said Globetrot. "Is the meaning of this?"
She stood behind Sunset, casting a long and dark shadow.
Sunset turned around, undeterred. She couldn't get a word in before Tinsel started sobbing.
"She's been bullying me all day!" she whined, thrusting a hoof at Sunset. "She keeps following me and my friends and making threats at us!"
Swan stepped up beside her teacher. "Sunset Shimmer."
She glared. "It's not true, they're lying. They've been saying ugly stuff about Moonstone this whole trip. Moony, tell them!"
"I-I... I-" Moonstone whimpered, shrinking in on herself.
"They called her an icky bat-thing, and said she's my marefriend! They were saying she'd grow up to be that!" She pointed at the draconequus. Sunset immediately tore her gaze away, though not before noticing a slight, hairline fracture in the stone. "They always try to bully us all day at school, and I'm tired of it!"
The mares' gaze shifted.
Globetrot leaned forward. Sunset shuddered from the pressure. "Is there any truth in these words?"
"No!" Emerald cried. "She's a stupid meanie liar, and an orph-"
Tinsel glared at Emerald, clapping a hoof over her mouth before settling into an apologetic look. "I guess... we've said a couple not so nice things."
The mare stood back to normal height, a stern expression stretched over her face. "I see. I am warning you girls - all of you." She dwelt on Sunset." That you are on very, very thin ice. One more outburst like this, and you will be removed from this trip. Do I make myself clear?"
Tinsel, Gold, and Emerald nodded. "Crystal."
"Sunset?"
"I..." She huffed, eyes narrow. "It's not fair, what they said about-"
"I don't care. If they bother you again, you inform either Matron Swan or myself. You do not make some big confrontation, and most of all you do not use your magic to hurt another pony!"
"I wasn't try-"
Matron Swan shot her a look. Sunset withered under the gaze. "Not. Another. Word. You and I will speak about this later."
Sunset gulped, nodding rapidly. "Yes ma'am."
Globetrot sighed. "With that nonsense out of the way, I would like to continue. As I tried asking before, does anypony here know the meaning of the word 'Discord'?"
Head down, scowling, Sunset slunk back to Moonstone.
"Why didn't you back me up?" she hissed.
Moon's eyes watered. "I'm not good on the spot. You know that. You're not angry with me, are you?"
Sunset grumbled. "No. Not completely. Mostly at them." She gestured at the trio. "And them." The mares. "It's not fair. How come I'm treated the same as they are? I wasn't the one using names."
"They're kinda right though."
Sunset's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"
"We should just say something if we're being bullied."
"I'm not a wuss, Moony. You gotta learn to fight on your own!"
"Can we just go? I don't wanna talk about this anymore."
"Fine."
They continued on their way, and the remainder of the trip went blessedly without incident. She would not describe it as fun, however. Tinsel had ruined any fun they might have otherwise had.
On their way back, she did manage to nab another few moonstone blooms. There were six others, beyond the three they'd taken, that Tinsel had ripped out. It took finagling, but she eventually managed to hide them all in her mane and tail.
On returning home, Swan didn't say a word to either of them. She entered her office, closed the door, and let them go to their rooms. Sunset led the way to hers, as it had become their default playspace.
Moon threw herself on the bed, idly bouncing. "Anything you wanna do? I'm in a library mood, after today."
"Sure. 'Cause you know what I gotta read about?"
"What?"
Sunset grinned, spinning as she shook her head and rump. Glowing blue blooms spun out every which way. "Preservation magiiiiic!"
Moon gasped. "Sunny! We were only supposed to take one!"
"Yeah and? Didn't anypony tell you you're supposed to break the rules?"
"Not those rules!"
Sunset blew a raspberry, levitating a flower and booping Moon's nose. The head hadn't been separated long enough to die, so it opened right up and encompassed her snoot.
"Whaaaa!" Moon giggled, squirming as she scootched back. "Okay, okay! I get it."
Sunset pullled it away, beaming. "If you give me yours and I use mine, I'll have eight whole flowers to practice on."
Behind them, they heard hoofsteps approaching, wooden floorboards creaking.
"Buc- I mean, uhm. Nevermind!"
Sunset grabbed all the flower heads in her magic. The hoofsteps got closer, doorknob turning. She swivelled her head, choosing a random drawer of her desk and throwing them inside, slamming it shut.
Matron Swan entered. Her focus flicked between Sunset and Moonstone's panicked expressions.
"Are you two fillies alright? Have I suddenly become a ghost without my noticing?"
When neither replied, her attempt at a smile faltered.
"Oh well. I have no choice but to see this through. Moonstone, you don't need to be here for this. I only need to speak with Sunset."
Moon shook her head. "I wanna stay."
"This isn't up for debate. Leave the room, now." She pointed at the door, and Moon reluctantly hopped off the bed. Once the door shut, Swan looked Sunset's way.
"Sit, sweetling, we need to talk." Sunset did as asked, and Swan sat opposite. "I want you to know that I'm not angry, just disappointed. Can you please tell me what today's little... incident was about?"
She stared at the floor, drawing circles in the rough, grayish wood. "I already told you. They were calling Moonstone mean names, and I wasn't gonna take it anymore." Her voice rose as she spoke, eyes gradually rising to meet Swan's head-on. "They don't just bully her, either. They're mean to both of us, all the time. I'm tired of everypony that's older than me telling me I'm not allowed to defend myself and my friend! What's the point of standing up for yourself if whenever you try you get treated the same as the jerks who started it!"
Matron Swan listened. Intent. Careful. Cautiously, she placed a wing over Sunset's back.
She pushed it away.
"Sweetling, you need to understand. Standing up for yourself and the ponies you love is important, but there is a time, a place, and a correct manner in which to do it. In some cases you cannot handle it alone, and in those instances you be the bigger mare. Your anger and reaction is what fillies like them are after. Don't give them what they want. They'll get bored eventually, and move on to someone else."
"And how is that any better? Somepony else gets bullied instead of me? Somepony who doesn't know how to fend for themselves?"
"Listen-"
Sunset stood up, stomping a hoof. "No you listen!"
She quickly regretted her words.
Matron Swan rose to her full height. Wings spanned and back straightened, gaze cast down, she held all the regal imposition of Princess Celestia herself.
"You will not speak to me in such a way, Sunset Shimmer. I have been kind. I have been patient. I have been understanding, beyond the point at which most would be done with you and your antics. You will ignore these fillies, and that is the end of it. If I hear one single syllable so much as breathed in their direction, you can consider your entry into Celestia's School withdrawn! Am I understood?"
Sunset trembled.
"Y... yes, Matron."
"Good." Matron Swan snapped her wings to her sides, and turned to leave. She didn't offer another word before clicking the door shut.
Sunset didn't notice it open, nor Moonstone slink inside until she felt big, leathery wings wrap around her.
"Are you okay?"
Sunset continued to shake. The moment tears threatened to breach the surface, she sucked them back in, hardened her face, and stilled.
"I... I'm fine."
The lie came so easy.
She thought she'd like magic class.
She guessed she did. She liked her new teacher, Mister Crystal Ball, quite a lot.
But everything was so... simple.
She'd read all of this before. She'd done all of this before. Ever since Matron Swan signed her up with the School, she'd been studying her flank off with the basics.
Now, here, she was totally overprepared. She got As and A-plus marks with the same difficulty it took her levitating candles.
Which, going by the standards of her fellow unicorn classmates, was actually pretty hard.
On the other hoof, finally getting her grade bumped up was nice. The rest of her classes had a bit of challenge for once, thank Sun. She was also in Moonstone's grade bracket now, so they spent lots of time together.
Plus, she didn't have to deal with Tinsel's trio as much. They still butt heads at recess or in the halls, but Sunset didn't have to handle her in class anymore. Good riddance to Bubbling Brew and Cosine, too. And, as Matron Swan had commanded, she hadn't been throwing any fuss.
As for magic class, one of the main things she did enjoy was learning about the other tribes. What topics she did read hadn't covered them very well, or she hadn't cared that much and skimmed over. Now, non-unicorn magic entranced her.
Pegasus magic was the most obvious. They could fly, and she also learned how they made and scheduled the weather. That helped regulate the seasons, crop yields, and the harvest cycle. They could also walk on clouds and shape them into all sorts of things. Like Cloudsdale, a city rivaling Canterlot in its own right.
She did find it a little strange. How they got to keep their own special homes just for themselves, because they were the only ones born with the ability to navigate them?
It didn't feel very fair. She hated how much better Middle and Upper Canterlot had it, but at least Canterlot wasn't just unicorns. They had all kinds of ponies - even thestrals like Moon.
Once or twice she heard, a griffon or zebra stopped by. She'd never seen one for herself, only ever heard bad things. Before meeting Moon though she'd heard bad stuff about bad ponies too, and now a bat pony was her best friend.
At the moment, the lights were off, and Mister Ball had up a presentation diving deeper into earth tribe magic. They didn't appear to have much from what she'd seen, not compared to unicorns and pegasi, but they did have it.
"As you can see by these comparative yields, this is why earth ponies often earn jobs as farmers, botanists, and florists. Many ponies argue it's in their nature. Others believe it has more to do with the environment you grow up in. After all, if the world you know is farming, botany, and flower raising, what kind of interest or job do you think you would have?"
Moonstone, beside her, poked Sunset's wither. She raised her hoof.
"Yes, Sunset?"
"Botany, farming, and flower raising?"
"Correct as usual!"
His magical presentation switched to the next slide. On it she saw three photos - a brown pegasus with a flower pot cutie mark, a blue unicorn with a cloud cutie mark, and a magenta earth pony with a nebula cutie mark.
"Looking at these three ponies, from their tribes, colors, and cutie marks, what do you think their special talent is?"
"Sunseeeet," whispered Moon.
Sunset raised her hoof.
"Sorry, Sunset, but you've answered quite a few questions already. Why don't you give the others a shot, hm?"
Sunset sighed, slumping into her desk. The prodding increased.
"Sunset. Sunset. Sunset. Hey Sunset!"
Sunset glared, hissing," What?"
"Wanna read this cool story I wrote?"
"Not now. I'm trying to listen."
Moon continued to poke her, but she ignored it. Ball's voice came back into focus, and she was frustrated she missed the initial answer and reply.
"-destiny is not determined by your tribe. Nor, should it be said, is destiny determined by your cutie mark."
Sunset's ears perked, and she raised her hoof once more.
Crystal Ball sighed, but allowed a small smile. "I suppose asking questions is different from answering them. You are going to ask a question, yes?"
"Mhm, mhm! You said cutie marks don't determine your destiny, but I thought they were your destiny. Which one is it?"
"You're correct on both fronts, actually. Cutie marks do determine your destiny, but what that destiny means is specific to you, how you interpret it, and how it can change over the course of your life. Take mine, for example."
He presented his flank, a desaturated mid-tone blue containing his namesake.
"It can be interpreted in a wide variety of ways. Perhaps I was born to be a fortune teller - that's what I believed when I was little - or I could have become a master artificer. In my case, as I grew up, I realized my talent had something to do with both magic and the future. I discovered that I wanted to show the next generations the beauty, complexity, and fascination behind pony magic. Yet, had my life gone down a different path, I easily could have become something - and somepony - else. But! You won't have to worry about this for a while. You're all quite young, and many of you have yet to receive your own. Just remember that when you do, it's not the end of the world. Only youu can lead the life you want to lead."
Sunset didn't realize she'd been leaning forward, until the table dug into her gut. Falling back into her seat, she mulled over her teacher's words.
She'd given the meaning of her cutie mark lots of thought since receiving it. Nearly every pony with a celestial object on their flank became a master caster, and she'd never considered it being anything else.
She glanced down, looking into the swirling sun. Red and yellow, one dark, the other light.
Fascinating.
The lights flicked on and the presentation ended. She pouted, wishing she could have a little longer. Surely, in Celestia's School, they'd have longer classes, or at least more classes dedicated to magic.
"That's a wrap for today, class. Remember your homework on pegasi cloud structures is due on Friday, but before you go I have a new assignment for you all."
The room 'Awww'ed.
"Now now, you'll have plenty of time to finish. Granted, that means I'll be setting higher standards than usual. Approximately one month from now I'm expecting either a presentation or demonstration on the wide and versatile uses of cross-tribe magic. If you intend on a demonstration, you must choose someone as your project partner. Any questions?"
Moonstone raised her hoof. "Can I work with Sunset?"
"Of course! I presume you will be demonstrating unicorn-pegasus cooperation?"
She wrinkled her snout. "No. I'm not a pegasus. I've got thestral magic."
Ball rubbed his chin. "Do you now? How intriguing, I had no idea thestrals possessed any unique abilities."
As Ball turned away to address everyone else, Sunset saw Moon's back hunch and fangs bare. She reached out, carefully brushing a wing. "Is something wrong?"
A low, guttural hiss rumbled in Moonstone's throat. "I'll tell you later."
Sunset nodded, and together they gathered their things. After clipping her saddlebag to her side, she helped Moon hasten along hers. Along with the solo students they squeezed out as all the partnering ponies bickered and formed a line. Once they were in the halls and out of earshot, Sunset stopped her at the lockers.
"Soooo," she said. "What's up?"
Moon brought up her wings, partly shielding herself. Sunset recognized the posture.
"I hate living with normal ponies! Nopony takes me seriously."
"I take you seriously."
"No, I mean- That's not-" She sighed. "you're right, I'm sorry. But nopony else does! Did you hear what he said?" She put on a silly voice. "'I'm Mister Ball, I teach magic, except I didn't know thestrals had their own kind of magic! Durrrrrr.'"
Sunset's hoof came to her mouth, stifling a laugh. Collecting herself, she admitted, "I didn't know, either."
"That's different. You just started learning. He's a teacher!"
She nodded. "I guess I understand." Closing in, she pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry, Moony. That's super dumb."
"Yeah," Moon said, nuzzling her fluff. "Super dumb."
Sunset pulled back, and bounced on her hooves. "But y'know what that means, if he doesn't know what thestral magic is? Come on, come on!"
Moon strained for an answer, finally shrugging. "I'unno."
"It means." Sunset took her by the withers, shaking her wildly. "We get to show him! And you've got the best unicorn in class by your side, so there's no way we can fail!" For emphasis, she presented her sun-stamped rump with a wiggle.
"Yeah." Moon puffed her chest, flared her wings. "Yeah! You're right! We're gonna show his dumb Crystal Butt!"
"Uh-huh!" Sunset brought up her hoof, and Moon met it with hers. The staccato clop rang down the halls. "Follow my lead, and we'll get this done quicker than a griffon takes gold!"
After heading for next period, Sunset shook with excitement. She couldn't wait to get home and start their project. It would have a benefit in three - she could learn about thestral magic, beat everyone else in class, and show up her teacher. She did like Mister Ball, but that didn't change the fact she liked proving herself smarter than some stuffy old coot.
In other words, any adult ever.
When the bell rang they fled for home. To make returning to the orphanage more fun they played a game of tag race, with one leading and the other tailing. They drew straws to determine who stood where.
If Sunset came up short, Moon blasted off and flew ahead. To touch her, Sunset flung harmless magical orbs in her direction. If one hit, they swapped places.
If Moon came up short, Sunset ran while Moon flew behind, swooping and diving her way. To defend herself she was allowed three uses of a shield block spell, which served her well enough. Three uses was all it took to drain her reserves for a while, and they weren't full bubble shields either.
Today, she chose to dodge on her own merit. Her mana had to be at peak capacity if they were going to begin the project.
Sometimes they hurt themselves. Either Sunset would trip and fall, Moon might run into a building or against a roof, or she'd smoosh her snoot on Sunset's shield.
They didn't mind. Half the fun was the risk.
Giggling, Moonstone lunged. Sunset nearly swerved into the flickering lamp pole, in the process leaving her flank open for attack. The hoof grazed her haunch, and with little space between them and the stairs they ran together rather than swap places, windblown and laughing.
The doors opened. Matron Mayflower gave them a wide berth, calling out. "Careful, you two!"
They ignored her, hoofsteps rushing towards Sunset's room. They practically skid to a stop within, and flung their bookbags aside. Panting, tittering, it felt like ages before they could breathe and talk like normal.
Moonstone gasped, backside falling to the floor. "So, whaddyou wanna do first? I kinda need some help on that cloud assignment, or we could go to Big yam's, or or we could play buckball-"
Sunset put up a hoof. "None of those. Also we need an earth pony for buckball."
"We could ask Timber or a Matron."
She shook her head. "Uh-uh. I wanna start our project."
"But." Moon blinked her big eyes, cocking her head. "Isn't that due in a month? We don't have to start yet, do we?"
"Yeah we do, if we wanna be the best!" Sunset stuck out her lip. "I thought you were excited to work with me, Moony. Was that not true?"
Moonstone's eyes went round. She stood, shaking her head. "No, no, it is! I just... wanted to do something else first."
Sunset smiled, wrapping a foreleg around her shoulders. "It's okay, and this'll be super easy. Trust me."
Moon gave a nod. "Okay. So what now."
Sunset pulled away, hopping on her hooves. "I'm a unicorn, so I know a lot about what I can do. But what can thestrals do?"
"Weeeell." Moon tapped her chin with a wing. "If a thestral focuses really hard, we can make wind with our wings, but it's not like regular pegasi wind. Ours can turn into pictures and stuff, like like, hallucinations! Yeah!"
She took a deep breath. "My dad also said we can shape clouds like the pegasi, but we can turn our clouds darker without turning it into a storm cloud. He told me a really long time ago in ancient Equestria that thestral soldiers used big dark cloudcovers at night to do stealth attacks and-"
"Yeah yeah that's nice. I like the hallucination thing more, though. We should do that."
"Oh." Moonstone lowered her chin. "I thought we could do something with the clouds."
"Listen, Moony. You wanna dazzle those stupidheads and show them what you can do, right? Don't you wanna make Mister Ball look like a big dumb dummy for not knowing about thestral magic?"
"...yeah."
"Well, you're not gonna do that with some silly clouds! Bang, bam!" Sunset launched swirls of magic from her horn, punching the air in sync. The magic floated, drifting before bursting in a shower of sparkles. "That's the kinda stuff we gotta do!" She lowered her voice to a whisper. "I bet, if we practice really, really hard, we can turn the whole room into a hallucination. Wouldn't that be so cool?"
"I mean, yeah, but that's really hard to-"
"Shush shush shush shush shush. No quitter talk. Whaddyou do when something's really hard?"
"Find something easier to do until you can do the hard thing?"
Sunset scoffed. "Plbbbbt, no! You keep practicing the hard thing, over and over, until you get it right! How do you think I can do this, huh?" She cast her shield block, a semi-transparent octagon of teal magic a size larger than her head.
"I guess you're right. That's not how I learned to fly, though."
Sunset elbowed her ribs. "Betcha woulda learned faster if you learned it my way."
"Or torn a wing," Moonstone mumbled.
"What's that?"
"Nothing! Fine, let's... start on the project, I guess."
"Tartarus yeah! That's it!"
Moonstone slapped a wing to her muzzle. "Shhhhh! Don't say that! Somepony's gonna hear."
Sunset rolled her eyes, pushing the wing aside. "Whatever. Now." She stamped a hoof. "Show me what Moonestone Gloom can do!"
Turned out, what Moonstone Gloom could do wasn't a lot.
The best hallucination she could make was the rough, half-coalesced form of a bouncing rabbit. The best environmental change she could do was make a three-hoof wide patch look a little darker or brighter.
Sunset had her work cut out for her.
They also needed to figure out how to work in the cross-tribe aspect. Reading up in the library, she discovered a strong enough ball of magic could, if taken in by the recipient, boost their natural abilities. She figured they could tackle this from a two-pronged approach. Moonstone would work on her hallucination magic - or 'dreamweaving', they found it was called - while Sunset bumped up her mana reserves and tried out the spell boost.
It started out small. She'd send little flecks of magic Moon's way, entering through her chest. Sometimes she'd miss the mark, and instead of fueling Moon's magic it would impact it, stinging her in the process. Moon didn't like the way it felt, but it wasn't that bad, and Sunset said she'd get better over time.
They both did. Moon didn't study quite as much as Sunset wanted her to, but they got their kicks in. Playtime practically fell away, and Moonstone kept bugging her about wanting to 'do something fun' again.
What was that supposed to mean? This was fun. She was just being a stick in the mud. She'd have an easier time if she practiced more anyway.
The third week rolled around before Sunset's flame sparked. They were in the middle of another session, Sunset coaching Moon on her dreamweaving skills.
"Hey," she said. "I have an idea."
"Y-y-yeah?" Moonstone struggled to speak. Sweat poured down her face, wings buffeting wildly and turning half of Sunset's room into a starry, celestial nightscape. "W-what's... that?"
"We should do a demonstration and a presentation. I can practice doing one like the ones Mister Ball shows us, after we do the dreamweaving thing."
"What?"
The dream fizzled out. Moon's wings drooped, and she panted hard.
"Are you serious? You're already making me work so hard! I don't even know if he'd let us do both."
Sunset frowned. "So what? And I'm working just as hard as you are."
'Honestly,' she thought. 'I'm working harder.'
"He gave us our instructions. Demonstration or presentation, not demonstration and or presentation! He's gonna fail us for not following directions! Teachers do that all the time."
"Not if we blow his socks off."
"He doesn't have socks."
"Whatever. If you're gonna be a snooty lazybat, I can make the presentation myself. It's not complicated."
"Says you."
"Yes," Sunset said, tilting her chin high. "Says me. When have I messed up recently?"
"Two months ago? The gingerbread competition?"
Sunset narrowed her eyes. "That was different and you know it."
"Oh yeah? How?"
"One, I didn't get enough time. I shoulda gotten first place, anyway. Nopony else had something anywhere near as cool as mine."
"Yours? It was ours."
Sunset waved a hoof. "Potato potahto. Point is we still have two weeks, and my magic boosts are getting better. If I save up my mana a few days before you'll have everything you need. Probably more!"
"Kay..." Moon sighed, lifting her wings. "I just wanna get this over with."
Sunset grinned, passing a bolt of energy through her friend. "Cool. Start again!"
At last, the final week arrived. True to her word, Sunset used as litttle magic as possible three days ahead. That same week before ending practice, Moonstone managed to encompass the whole room in her dream.
This was gonna be a snap. She might as well have that A-plus already!
On the day the project was due, they sat side by side. Moonstone laid slumped in her chair, Sunset fidgeting with her mane. Sunset decided they should be the last ones to act, to make the biggest impression.
Unfortunately, that meant waiting. Waiting meant thinking. And thinking meant worry.
Could she do this? Were her calculations correct? Did she have enough mana, and did Moon have the stamina? What if Moonstone was correct, and they'd get a bad grade for not following directions?
She tried to focus on the other students. A few impressed her, mildly. Most were standard, and another few laughably terrible.
The one team with all three tribes she liked the most. They gave a demonstration of how modern Equestria grew its food.
The earth ponies tilled the soil with their strength, blessing the seeds with their touch. To show this, they brought forward a planter with bean sprouts, and the earth colt Canyon made them bud.
Pegasi created the weather to form the seasons. A filly named Jet showed this by fanning wind and water with her wings, directed at the planter. The buds grew, pushing out from the soil.
Finally, unicorns enriched the land with magic, or enchanted tools with special properties. Another filly, Myst, cast a silver-tinged spell on the pot and soil. The class ooh'ed and ah'ed as the stalks pushed up, maturing in seconds.
It was the best by a mile.
Sunset was gonna whoop their butts.
As for the worst... There were a couple.
One presentation that went rambling for minutes, the colt talking on about 'magic and its influence over the ages', with no actual citations, direction, or forethought. No less than five times he read out definitions straight from their textbook. He didn't even mention cross-tribe magic once.
The next was a demonstration between unicorns and pegasi. The winged colt attempted to make a raincloud, which the unicorn would feed magic to and increase the size. They did do that, except she had to squint to see it.
Also, it didn't actually rain.
So, by the time their turn came up, she was feeling better. Leaning back in her chair, front legs crossed, a half-smirk on her snout.
"Sunset Shimmer, Moonstone Gloom. You're up."
Crystal Ball stepped aside, and they made their way to the front.
"Now, what are you two girls going to show us today? I remember something about thestral magic."
"Yes, we-" Moon began.
Sunset puffed out her chest. "That's correct, Mister Ball. Moonstone and I worked very hard on this project, but I don't wanna spoil the surprise." She looked to him, beaming. "Can we start?"
He nodded. "Absolutely. You seem quite confident."
"Oh, I am."
Moonstone got into position, Sunset taking her place opposite. She drew on her reserves, closing her eyes and picturing her mana in physical form.
Every unicorn looked at theirs differently. Some described it as dipping their hooves into a lake. Others mentioned plucking flowers, gathering sand, or drawing breath.
Sunset imagined fire.
The embers rose in her mind's eye. She stuck her hoof in, unburned, and drew the flames upwards. What might typically be a small blaze had, in days of buildup, become a raging inferno.
She squeezed her eyes tight, breathing hard. She had to be careful to not let it overwhelm her. If she did she could pass out, or worse.
The fire surrounded, but didn't engulf her. Opening her eyes they gleamed, and a massive, quivering ball of energy perched atop her horn.
"O-okay," she breathed. "Moony? I'm gonna send these over in chunks. I don't think I can manage it all at once."
Moonstone gulped, nodded. Sunset began to feed.
Swirling orbs rolled Moon's way, bleeding off the mother orb like floating bubbles. The thestral puffed out her chest, accepting them into her core and panting hard. Sweat began to bead on both their foreheads.
Sunset's reserves shrank. The sphere on her head grew smaller, smaller, until it disappeared entirely, and she didn't have a spark of magic to lift a pencil.
Looking to Moonstone, she saw her shake and jitter. Pupils dilated, her slits almost appeared like normal pony eyes. Her whole coat, powder blue, shimmered with sweat.
Mister Ball seemed perturbed. "I... hope this is safe, you two. Please tell me if either of you require the nurse or my assistance."
Moon shook her head. "N-no, I'm f-fine! T-t-totally fine."
Sunset's and hers gazes met. Sunset gave a single nod, and Moonstone spread her wings.
She beat them.
Again. Again. Again. Again.
The air visibly swung around her. The faster she flapped the more gathered, and soon it turned gray, dark, and finally black.
She spread them, and amorphous shapes bled into reality. A sea of glittering stars, spinning galaxies, and whirling nebulae. They spread out far and wide, consuming anything non-pony they touched.
The floor, the walls, the ceiling. Seats, desks, belongings, the window. A smothering blanket of cosmos devoured the whole space, until each and every one of them floated in the cradle of the universe.
Gasps rose from the crowd. Mister Ball's glasses fell down his nose. Murmured whispers and a few frightened words passed between wide-eyed, panicked foals.
"Can't... hold... it..."
Tears brimmed in Moon's eyes. Sunset encouraged her on, but she wasn't sure if she could hear.
"Gah!"
A gust of air left her lungs. All at once the dream fizzed back into non-being, as though it was never there.
Mister Ball shut his gaping mouth, and re-adjusted his specs.
Moonstone was drenched, mane sticking to her face. She collapsed, and Sunset rushed to her side, shaking her.
"Moony, Moony! Are you okay?"
Moon didn't reply for a moment. Her eyes seemed glassy, mouth opening and closing like a nutcracker. Weakly, she managed to whisper, "I'm... fine."
Sunset hugged her, helping Moon to her hooves. She guided her back to the desk, and sat her down before returning to the front.
"Well. Hm." Crystal Ball cleared his throat, tugging his lapelle uncomfortably. "That was certainly something. Would you mind explaining to the class what you just did?"
Sunset stuck on her prize-winning smile. "I would love to." She closed her eyes, checking her reserves once more, and was glad to find she had just enough flame left to draw upon. "In the form of a presentation."
She met the stallion's eye as she said it, winking. Her horn cast, lights turned off, and a teal-hued slide came into view.
Everyone stayed silent, Ball included, as she explained. The basics of thestral dreamweaving, and what it was capable of. Similarly, how unicorns could channel their own magic into a semi-physical form, delivering it to any other pony of any tribe to boost their abilities.
When she finished, she had absolutely no magic left. Mister Ball turned the lights on for her.
The room clapped, Ball included.
"Well, Miss Sunset, I'm honestly not sure what to say. You didn't exactly follow my directions-"
Oh no. Please, please, please no.
"-doing both assignments and all, but after that? I cannot in right conscience punish your grade, and I believe I speak for everyone when I tell you I'm blown away. A-plus, the both of you!"
Sunset's lips stretched into a broad, toothy grin. She bowed, wished him thanks, and returned to her desk.
"Class is out for the day. You may take your leave." Grunting, he sat behind his desk and mumbled, "I believe I have a new kind of magic to study..."
Sunset poked Moonstone. "Hear that?"
"Fwuh?" Moon lifted her cheek off the desk, blinking. "Sorry, I was sleeping. What happened?"
Sunset packed up both their things, clipping the bag onto Moonstone. "I'll tell you in the hall."
They left together, Moon occasionally leaning on Sunset for support. She had deep bags under her eyes, and kept yawning. "I need a nap..."
"You can sleep during recess. I'll keep watch so you can wake up when the bell rings."
"Uh-huh. What about the thingy again? Whaddid we get?"
Sunset, swollen with pride, gave her the smuggest smile she could manage. "A+. He said even though we didn't follow directions that we did so good he couldn't give us anything lower. Pretty cool, right?"
"Mhm."
"Y'know what else that means?"
"Mh."
"I was right."
Moon stiffened againstt her. The pressure on her side relented, and Sunset looked to see her moving away. She opened her mouth to say something.
Until she saw her face.
"Seriously, Sunset?"
"What? What'd I say?"
Moonstone deadpanned. "You know, maybe I was wrong. Maybe you don't take me seriously either."
Sunset sputtered. "Huh? What? What are you talking about?"
"Forget it. I'll see you later."
Sunset reached out, but Moon was already too far away. She watched her turn the corner, tail disappearing behind the wall.
Sunset stood there. Mouth open. Hoof out. Eyes wide.
Did she say something wrong? What did she do? Wasn't Moon happy they won?
...Together?
She didn't understand.