//------------------------------// // Chp 1: Welcome to M.A // Story: Bully: Manticore Academy // by the silver-maned pony //------------------------------// A golden chariot was flying over Manticore Ville. The town was bustling with ponies as they readied for the day’s routine. The shops were opening and the sky was cloudless. A nice day to start a new life. The chariot had a front and back seat. In the front, sat a pegasus and a unicorn. The pegasus was in her late 30’s, had a red and orange mane, and was wearing a flamboyant lavender dress and a little too much make-up. The unicorn was significantly older and heavier. He had a handle-bar mustache and a bald scalp. His blue suit was just as flamboyant as the pegasus’s next to him. In the back seat was a teenage pegasus with rainbow colored hair. She was lying on her back with a dirty brown jacket, faded blue jeans, and a bored expression. The unicorn in front turned around with a fake smile and said, “You’re going to love M.A Rainbow Dash.” “I doubt it.” The teenage pegasus flatly replied. The pegasus in front, her mother, said in a steady voice, “Now Dashie, please be nice to your new stepfather.” Rainbow Dash scoffed, “Please, if I wasn’t nice to my other 4 stepfathers, why would I be nice to this one? Or the ones to come.” She added under her breath. Sadly, her mother heard the last remark, “Now listen you little punk, be thankful that your stepfather managed to pull strings to get you into this school. If it was up to me, it would be military school.” “Now look what you did,” the stepfather scowled, “you upset your mother. I have half a mind t-” “Half a mind is right.” Rainbow Dash interjected. The stepfather was about to start again when the chariot finally stopped. Dash grabbed her knapsack that help extra clothing and got out. She turned toward her parents, “Well, goodbye.” “Here you go.” Dash’s mother handed her a small blue purse. Rainbow opened it and found the bag contained 50 bits. “This will be your currency until your father and I return from our honeymoon… next year.” She added with a sly smile. “How in the hay am I going to survive a whole year with just 50 bits?" “Here is some advice: GET A JOB.” With one final laugh, the chariot flew off and was then gone, along with Rainbow Dash’s parents. “Mom,” Dash said in an angry and sad voice, “why do you keep marrying these fakes? What’s wrong with you?” She turned around and got the first glimpse of her new school. The gate in front of her was 12 feet tall, as well as the brick wall surrounding it. Beyond the gate, she could see two large square buildings. Beyond those was a cathedral of a building, no doubt the actual school. The gate opened and out stepped out a somepony with a black dress and white blouse. “You must be Ms. Rainbow Dash. I’m Ms. Damsire and I will give you a grand tour of Manticore Academy.” She said all this in a droned voice. Ms. Damsire led a disgruntled Rainbow Dash through the school, pointing at important buildings. “These two,” she pointed at the square and visibly archaic buildings, “will be the dorms. The left is the girls’ dorm and the right is the boys’ dorm.” Rainbow noted how the boys’ dorm was significantly smaller. Ms. Damsire continues to show Dash around. She pointed out the library, which was surrounded by a lot of scrawny earth ponies and unicorns, the football field and gym, packed with oversized pegasai and earth ponies, some over-sized clubhouse in which was filled with mostly unicorn and only some pegasai, and finally the auto shop/parking lot which was filled with mostly earth ponies and some pegasi. “And finally, the academy.” Ms. Damsire said as she opened the doors to the cathedral and the view made Dash’s mouth drop. They entered a square room so huge Rainbow thought it could easily fit her old apartment. There were white columns all around. To the left and right were hallways leading to rooms and lockers galore. On the other side of the room was a pair of wide doors and huge stairs leading to the floors above. “Our academy holds not only high school students, but middle school students as well. The ground floor, which is where we are, holds the classrooms for the middle school. The 1st floor holds classes for the first years and the 2nd floor holds the classes for the 2nd years and so forth. The fifth floor is where the teachers' and headmistress’s office are located. We must now introduce you to the headmistress.” “Then let’s get a move on.” Dash was preparing her wings for lift off when suddenly Ms. Damsire held her shoulder. “Ms. Rainbow Dash, there is no flying or magic on campus without the permission of a teacher.” “What?! Why not?” “Because it would not be fair for the other ponies that can’t fly or use magic. Now come along, we got quite a number of stairs to climb.” Rainbow Dash looked up to see the barely visible ceiling and let out a groan. As the two climbed each floor, every step made Rainbow hate the school even more. Finally, they reached the top, with Ms. Damsire being composed as ever and Dash gasping for air. “Now Ms. Dash, please enter the office and enjoy your stay at our wonderful academy.” And she walked off, leaving Dash alone. She opened the door and saw the headmistress sitting at her desk. She was a pegasus with purple tinted sunglasses and bright orange hair that made her whole head appear on fire. She was also wearing a blue military-like uniform. “Hello Rainbow Dash, please have a seat.” She gestured toward the chair in the middle of the room. As she entered, Rainbow saw that the walls were surrounded by books shelves and the headmistress’s desk took up half of the rooms, which was saying something. Once seated, she noticed that the chair was short, no doubt to make a student feel puny under the eyes of the headmistress. “My name is Spitfire, but you may address me as professor Spitfire.” “Hey, what’s up?” “Excuse me?" Rainbow Dash sighed, “Hello ma’am.” “That’s better. Now let’s see here,” from under her desk, Spitfire took out a large folder, “I’ve been told that you have been expelled from 7 other schools for vandalism, foul language, disrespecting authority, and many violent conducts. This entire folder is proof that you have already broken many academy records for bad behavior, and you haven’t even had your first class yet.” “Cut me some slack ma’am, life has been tough.” “So what?” Spitfire stood up and walked around her desk, “We must deal with the cards that have been dealt to us, and it appears you have dealt poorly. So riddle me this, why should I waste my time on you?” “I don’t know.” Dash exasperated “Because it is what I do. I turn ponies like you to respectful citizens. Now enough with the banter, it is time to get you set for your first day of school. Classes start at 9:00 am and 1:30pm. Each day you will have to different classes. The school year only started 3 weeks ago, so there is no excuse that you should fall behind. Here,” Spitfire reached behind her desk and pulled out items that she handed to Dash one at a time. “This is your schedule; it has all of your classes. This is a map of the academy in case you get lost. This is your student I.D; it gives you access to your room, which is A1 by the way, and the elevator.” “There's an elevator?!” Dash cried, silently hating Ms. Damsire. “Of course, those stairs are treacherous if somepony was to try to climb from bottom to top. Anyway, classes will start in about an hour. I suggest you go to your dorm and change. Your uniform and textbooks are already in your room. And Rainbow Dash,” she said as Dash was leaving, “keep your nose clean, or you will break the academy record for fastest expulsion.” “Yes ma’am.” Dash said as she left, making sure to use the elevator this time. ________________________________________ As Rainbow Dash climbed down the steps leading to the cathedral, she thought of what Spitfire said. About the cards one is dealt with. It wasn’t like Dash wanted to have this reputation; she was just a pony who gave others what they deserved. Then again, she could have made some different decisions, like not punch the ponies that annoyed her. As she made her way to girls’ dorm, she made a silent promise to try to do better. “Hey!” Rainbow woke with a start from her thoughts and found herself in front of the dorm. She also saw another girl standing in front of the steps to the dorm. She had blue hair with pink highlights and was wearing a ruffled white collared shirt, khaki slacks, and an evil grin. Rainbow Dash then heard footsteps behind her and saw to other girls blocking her path. “Guess what time it is? It’s time for the new kid beat down!” The girl in front said. “Yeah,” the ones behind cheered, “beat down the new kid.” Dash groaned as she set her knapsack aside, “You have got to be kidding me.” “What’s the matter new kid? Scared?” the girl started to walk forward, “What are you gonna do about, huh? Gonna go fly off with those wings of yours.” Rainbow Dash knew that she couldn’t run away now. If she did, she would be branded as a coward and be forever hounded by these idiots. There was only one thing left to do. Even though she wasn’t completely enthusiastic about the idea, she didn’t hate it either. “ So what now?" the bully continued, "Gonna take your beating, or go cry to a prefect like a baby-back-” She couldn’t continue as Rainbow’s fist smashed into her mouth. The girl recoiled in pain while the girls behind stared in confusion. After the girl got over her pain, she howled in anger and rushed Dash. Rainbow Dash easily side-stepped and countered with a strong left-hook. This time, the girls staggered and almost fell to the floor. “Come on Bon Bon, you can’t lose to this poser. You can do this!” her friends cheered her on. The girl, Bon Bon, smiled and steadied herself. With a confident grin, she was ready for the next round. Her confidence was crushed when Rainbow Dash grabbed both of Bon Bon’s shoulders and did a vicious head-butt. This knocked Bon Bon flat on the floor, groaning in pain. This wasn’t Dash’s first fight. She had developed her own fighting style and it seems to always work. Because of the many fights, she also developed a resistant to pain “Listen,” Rainbow said as she crouched down to Bon Bon’s level, “you should probably leave now. I don’t want to get in trouble on my first day, and you don’t want to get humiliated. Everypony wins.” This didn’t have the desired effect as Bon Bon got up and screamed angrily. She then rushed, flailing her arms angrily. Rainbow Dash sighed and stepped sideways, leaving one foot out. Then Bon Bon tripped and fell face first to the ground, unconscious. There was no sound until, “That’s right,” Rainbow Dash said loudly to Bon Bon’s friends, “tell all of your friends not to mess with me unless they want to get beaten and humiliated.” Dash felt so good that she was smiling. She doubted anypony would be bothering her now. “Is that so?” Dash turned toward the dorm doors and saw another girls standing there. She had white spikey hair and was wearing brown jeans and a small brown jacket over a white shirt that was torn to show her stomach. The thing that startled Dash was the girl was taller than her, had a muscular build, and large brown wings. A griffon. “Hey new kid, let me show you a real beat down.” The griffon flew with surprising speed and unleashed a frightening gut punch, which made Dash kneel over instantly. “HEY, STOP THAT AT ONCE!” somepony yelled and Rainbow heard the sound of scampering footsteps. “See you around new kid.” The griffon said with cruel delight and she left as well. “STOP!” the mysterious pony yelled, but no one did. The pony yelled and Dash felt somepony pick her up none too gently. “Don’t you know fighting is prohibited,” the prefect scolded, “and why aren’t you in your uniform. Go change now or else its detention!” “So unfair.” Dash muttered as she picked up her knapsack and walked to the dorm, clutching her gut. As she entered the dorm, she noticed it wasn’t as old as the exterior. It was painted sunset red and had working electricity. “Hey, you’re the new kid, right?” Dash let out a frustrated groan as a pegasus stepped from around the corner. She had a green sweater vest, black slacks, light green wings, amber colored hair, and a cocky smile. “Listen,” Rainbow said as she clenched her fist, “I really don’t want to have to deal with another damn-” “Relax friend, I only want to help.” “No thanks.” Rainbow was about to walk away when the strange pegasus grabbed her shoulder, which she immediately shook off. “Listen girl, you just arrived in the toughest school in Equestria and I’m offering to be your friend. In a place like this, you’ll need friends.” They stared at each other for a while until the pegasus laughed, “O.K, let’s start over,” she stuck out a hand, “The name’s Lightning Dust.” Dash took the hand, “Rainbow Dash.” “Well Dashie, allow me to show you this Tartarus-hole.” Lightning Dust put an arm around Rainbow Dash and steered her through the dorm. Their first stop was the room in front of them, “This is the rec room.” Lightning Dust pointed to a large room with two sofas in the middle of the room and a T.V in front of them. The left side had an arcade game and poker table. The left side had a pool table, bulletin board, and soda machine. Lightning Dust purchased two sodas and tossed one to Dash, “Here, you probably need one after that pummeling you took from Gilda.” “Who’s Gilda?” Dash asked as she drank from the soda; nothing picks her back up like carbonated sugar. “That ape of a griffon that almost put you in a hospital. Anyway, you better put on the uniform or the teachers and prefects will bust you.” Lightning Dust showed Rainbow Dash the hallways, where the showers and toilets were, the steps leading toward the next floor and finally her room, which happened to be the nearest to the exit, and left her to change. Dash’s room consisted of one bed, a filing cabinet, a chemistry set, bookshelves, a desk with notebooks and all of her textbooks, and a wardrobe. She tossed her knapsack on the bed and opened the wardrobe. She found one white collared shirt, khakis slacks, and a blue Manticore Academy sweater vest. She put them on and inspected herself in the mirror on the wardrobe door. ‘The new me.’ Dash thought. There was a knock on the door, “Come in.” Dash said, expecting to be Lightning Dust. Instead a little pegasus entered. She had violet hair and was wearing an orange sweater vest. She couldn’t be more than 11 or 12 years old. “Hey there,” she said enthusiastically, “My name’s Scootaloo. You’re the new students, right? Dash stared at the visitor, hoping that the little one didn’t want to pick a fight as well. “I saw you fight the bullies. That was amazing!” Scootaloo said. “The bullies?” Dash said confusedly. “Yeah, the ones who look as if they just got out of bed. You stood up to one and fought like it was nothing! It was awesome. You’re awesome!” “Well,” Dash said with a smug smile, she was beginning to like Scootaloo, “it wasn’t my first through down.” “Really?” Scootaloo said, her eyes filled with admiration. “Well look what we have here.” Lightning Dust had just entered and she put a hand on Scootaloo’s head and ruffled her hair, “Looks like you met the dorm’s mascot. I introduce you Scootaloo, the loneliest and most annoying pegasus in this school.” Scootaloo shook Lightning Dust’s hand off her head, which only made her laugh, “Look who’s trying to act tough in front of Rainbow Dash.” “Why don’t you just leave me alone?” Scootaloo exasperated. Lightning Dust chuckled as she crouched down and pinched Scootaloo’s cheek, “Awww, isn’t it adorable? Just because you could finally fly a few feet of the ground, you think you’re important.” Scootaloo was about to snap back, but was interrupted by Dash, “You girls mind leaving? I’m trying to unpack.” “See what you did,” Lightning Dust told Scootaloo as they walked away, “you already annoyed Dashie.” Scootaloo waved goodbye to Dash as she closed the door. While Rainbow Dash was hanging her clothes in the wardrobe, she could only think of one thing. ‘What a weird and messed up school this is.’ ________________________________________ Dash was leaving her dorm with textbooks in hand when she saw Lightning at the bottom steps. “Let me show you around the school Dashie.” “I already saw the school.” “Let me rephrase that; let me show you around the real school.” The two walked across campus and toward the cathedral. As they walked, Rainbow Dash saw the bullies do what they do best: bully. All around her, there was one picking on some small and defenseless kid. “Don’t worry,” Lightning saw what Dash was staring at, “we’re gonna deal with those eventually.” “What do you mean?” Lightning ignored the question and opened the door to the school. She led Dash to the pair of wide doors, which lead to the cafeteria. It was filled long wooden tables, the kitchen at the other side of the room, and students devouring breakfast. “Breakfast time for the prisoners. This is where all the cliques of the school hangout, except the bullies who are run by Gilda.” She pointed to the table nearest, which was filled with scrawny ponies and unicorns. “These are the nerds, the smartest targets you’ll ever meet. They hang out at the library.” “They look harmless.” “They’re actually cunning bastards. Whenever your I.D number changes or when you’re showering and the water turns to muck, you know it’s the nerds.” Two nerds were playing chess and one of them, the unicorn with long sapphire blue hair and red and violet highlights, seemed to garner the most attention. ‘The leader?’ Rainbow Dash thought Lightning then pointed to the next table with posh unicorns and their 100 bit haircuts. “Those are the preppies, the richest ponies in the school. They have their own dorm on the campus. You might want to avoid them for now.” “Why? I’m not afraid of a couple of silver spoon ponies.” “These silver spoon ponies also happen to box.” Lightning said. Rainbow looked at the table and saw a pony with a purple swooping haircut was leading the conversation. “Next are the greasers over yonder.” Lightning Dust pointed to the back of the room, where ponies in leather jackets, and one with a stetson, were leaning on the wall. “They act tough, and they are if they fight in a group. They hangout by the auto shop. Don’t mess with them… yet. “And finally, the jocks. The rulers of the school.” Rainbow saw the jocks sitting on the farthest table. Two of them were arm wrestling. Dash was shocked, and slightly disturbed, when she saw one of the arm wrestlers, a white pegasus who was overly muscular and had the smallest wings she ever saw, slam the other through the table, screaming victoriously. “You might want to not piss them off.” Lightning Dust warned, “Well, that’s it. Welcome to M.A, I’m sure you are going to hate every second of it.”