//------------------------------// // Ch. 5: A Day At School // Story: Dark Shadows // by Melody Brush //------------------------------// Chapter Five: A day of school Since the day of the celebration, Petunia never left Fluttershy or Big Mac's side for fear of having another outburst like that night or another encounter with those two fillies. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon had mercilessly insulted Petunia and Fluttershy without shame. They targeted Petunia because of her single color and Fluttershy for all the animals she loved to take care of. When Petunia told Fluttershy about what the two fillies said about her coat and as Fluttershy's response, she took the young alicorn aside to comfort her. "Petunia," Fluttershy said, "if anypony says your coat color is bad or boring you remember this, to have a single color is a rare honor. Not everypony can say their coat is the same as Princess Celestia's" Petunia was in tears a these words and hugged her guardian with pure joy and love. Now a week has passed since then and it was time for the school semester to start. At first when Petunia learned that school was a place where she could learn more about Equestria history and such she was quite excited to go, but when she learned that other foals would be there as well, especially Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, she was not so eager to go anymore. Petunia woke up in Fluttershy's bed with only Blizzard curled up right next to her still asleep and Fluttershy nowhere to be seen. She lifted her head up and looked around to see if Fluttershy was just in another part of the room, but there was no sign of her. "F-fluttershy?!" She called, waking Blizzard up from his slumber. "I'm downstairs sweetie!" Came Fluttershy's voice from where she said she was. Petunia scooped up Blizzard in her forelegs and placed him on her back and jumped down and ran for the door. She ran down the stairs and when she reached the bottom she looked up and stopped when she saw Fluttershy stand in front of Princess Celestia herself, who turned her smiling gaze over to the young alicorn. "Well, hello there Petunia Snow." Celestia said with a warm voice. "H-hello, princess." Petunia replied as she walked up to Fluttershy with her head ducked down. She got to Fluttershy and leaned up against the yellow mare's side and nuzzled her cheek against her. "I see you've grown quite fond of mis Fluttershy." Celestia mused. Petunia nodded her head. "She hasn't left Big Mac or my side since..." Fluttershy trailed off and looked down at Petunia who cringed and wrapped her forelegs around the yellow mare tightly. "I see." Celestia observed, hiding the sorrow she was feeling right now. She took a few slow steps closer and stopped when Petunia looked up at her with fear apparent in her eyes. "I know you're scare little pony." Celestia took a few more steps closer, but stopped when she saw a familiar white face glaring at her from outside the window behind Fluttershy. "I want you to know that there are many good ponies here to help you with any problem you may have." Celestia said as she looked back down at the filly. "Like Fluttershy?" Petunia asked. "And her friends like my student, Twilight Sparkle." Celestia replied. "But isn't Twilight a princess?" Petunia asked. "Yes she is sweetie, but she's still a true friend who will be their to help another in need." Fluttershy answered as she wrapped her forelegs around the young alicorn and nuzzled her cheek against hers. "I remember the day she helped me get my cutie mark back." "You lost your cutie mark?!" Petunia asked as she pulled away from Fluttershy's cheek with a shocked look. "Mhmm." Fluttershy answered. "Me, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie all somehow got are cutie marks switched and Twilight helped us get them back. It's how she became a princess." "And I couldn't be more proud of her great achievement." Celestia added. Celestia suddenly felt a chill run down her spine and she looked back up to the window and saw Arbmos glaring at her more sharply now. Celestia silently let out a sigh and lowered her gaze to find both Petunia and Fluttershy looking up at her, each with a hint of concern in their eyes. "Are you okay princess?" Fluttershy asked. "Oh, I'm fine, Fluttershy." Celestia replied. "I just remembered I have some other things I need to do right now. I only came to wish you the best, Petunia." She said turning her focus to the young alicorn. "Th-th-thank you... princess." Petunia said. With that, Celestia leaned her head down and planted a kiss on Petunia's cheek, then turned and trotted to the door. Fluttershy sat Petunia down and trotted along side the princess to escort her out. Celestia gave Fluttershy a thankful goodbye and trotted away over the bridge where she was met with and angry glare that landed right in front of her. "Do you have any notion as to what would happen if I had allowed you to continue with your intentions, Princess Celestia?" Arbmos asked calmly. "What you are putting that child through is not right, Queen Arbmos." Celestia replied. "Celestia, I thought you were better than this." Arbmos stated. "You know as well as I that what happens to her through my actions is for the greater good of Equestria." "I don't care anymore." Celestia stated. "She's too young and nopony in my kingdom deserves to suffer like this." "Then you condemn the rest of your subjects to a fate far worse than what I have been trying to ensure for them." Arbmos said. She said nothing more and allowed her words to sink in for a minute before speaking again. "If you want what is best for Equestria you will follow my instructions, allow my plan to proceed, and never again try to intervene. Am I clear?" Celestia said nothing for a minute. She just glared at the pure white alicorn standing in front of her. "Am I clear?" Celestia walked passed Arbmos to her carriage, leaving the other alicorn to watch as she climbed on the carriage and had the pegasi pulling it take off. Arbmos watched as Celestia flew away. Her ear twitched when she heard the door of the cottage open behind her and with a flash of her magic she vanished. Fluttershy poked her head out of her cottage to see only the animals staring at the place where the two alicorns once stood. "Princess?" She called out, but received no reply. "Is somepony out there?" She called again. Still there was no reply to her quiet calls. She let out a hum as she shrugged her shoulders before she turned back into the cottage, closing the door behind her. ~~)oOo(~~ Arbmos reappeared moments later near a cave in the side of the mountain far below where Canterlot was settled. Nopony remembered this cave, minus a few selected members of a race that attacked the castle nearly two years ago, which made this place an ideal location to settle and hide until desired. Arbmos flapped her wings and flew into the cave and landed on the rocky ground inside where her hooves echoed off the walls. When the outside sunlight could no longer aid her in her vision she lit up her horn to allow her to see what obstacles were in front of her. Her hooves echoed for several long minutes before a voice could be heard humming a gentle tune in the caves. A few steps farther and the humming stopped and other hoof steps could be heard added to her own. "Is that you?" A young female voice called out from the shadows. "Yes my child, it's me." Arbmos replied as she rounded a corner. As the light of her horn filled the next area a purple alicorn with pink mane and tail and bright blue eyes came into view with a smile on her face. Her cutie mark was the of all the colors of the rainbow in the shape of a large seashell or hoofball. She was just as tall as Arbmos and similarly built in stature. She ran up and wrapped her forelegs around the pure white alicorn, who returned the hug with less enthusiasm. The purple alicorn pulled away and looked at Arbmos with a concerned expression. "What is it?" She asked. "Celestia almost destroyed everything by trying to intervene in Petunia Snow's development." Arbmos answered. "You did stop her, right?" The alicorn asked. "Barely, Magic." Arbmos replied as she walked past the alicorn and found a spot to lay in. "Celestia was about to approach the child and use her magic to protect my implanted visions." "She knows those visions are for the better, right?" Magic asked. "But she feels for the filly." Arbmos explained. "I've told her what she needs to know for our plan to work, and now she tries this stunt. I told her not to intervene again or all will fall..." "But you don't think we can leave her without her trying something else to lessen yo..." "Careful of your words, Magic." Arbmos interrupted as she gave her a stern look. "Even in these walls there are ears listening to our conversation." "Sorry." Magic replied. Arbmos expression softened. "Yes, Celestia can no longer be trusted to be on her own for our plan to succeed." Arbmos said. "The fact that she tried to slip behind my back suggests her trust in us has nearly been diminished fully." "I'll take the first watch, then." Magic stated confidently. "She is coming on her carriage as we speak." Arbmos said. "She may even be arriving at the castle now." "I shall leave at one." Magic said with a proud and cheery voice and started to dash off. "Don't allow her to know of your observation, Magic." Arbmos ordered, causing Magic to stop with a tire stopping sound from her mouth and a pose with two hooves on the ground while one hind leg was just lifted off the ground and a fore hoof pointed at the spot it was about to be placed. "If Celestia discovers that we are spying on her because we don't trust her to screw up again then we have to take a different approach in making sure she doesn't do anything else." Magic turned around with a confident smile and a salute. "I will not fail in this mission, ma'am!" And with that she bounced away into the darkness. "I know you won't, Magic Color." ~~)oOo(~~ "Are you ready to go sweetie?" Fluttershy asked. "Those fillies will be there, won't they?" Petunia asked from their room upstairs. "Petunia, sweetie, I know you're scared, but I promise you, Miss Cheerilee will watch over you and your friends, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo will all be there too." Fluttershy answered. Upon hearing this, Petunia poked her head out of the room and looked down at Fluttershy, who smiled encouragingly at the little filly. Petunia slowly slipped out of the room to reveal the saddlebag on her back and Blizzard over the straps sitting proudly on her back. She walked out of the room and down the stairs where she me her caretaker, Fluttershy, who smiled down at her warmly. "Come on now." Fluttershy said. "You don't want to be late for your first day of school." "Can't we just say that I got sick and had to stay home for a few days?" Petunia asked. "Oh, sweetie, that would be lying." Fluttershy replied. "Have I thought you to lie?" Petunia shook her head in response. "And don't you want to see your friends again?" "What if something like the other night happens again?" Petunia asked as she gave Fluttershy a pleading look. Fluttershy gave no response to this. The memory of that night frightened her, probably not near as much as it did Petunia, but the fear of that night was still there and Fluttershy did not want the poor little filly she was charged with taking care of to experience something like that again. "Do you remember hearing my voice that night?" Fluttershy asked. Petunia nodded her head. "If you ever feel like that again I want you to imagine my voice and follow it like you did before. Focus on my voice as if it was home with me and Blizzard and Angel all together for you. Can you do that for me?" Petunia stared up at Fluttershy for a minute before she reached up and hugged the mare, who wrapped a hoof around her in response as she smiled down at her. "I love you Fluttershy." Petunia stated. This warmed Fluttershy's heart upon hearing these words. She ad been taking care of this little filly for weeks now and she herself loved her. But that was a part of her kindhearted nature to love everypony around her. However, the way she felt about Petunia was more than that. She cared for Petunia almost more than all the animals she cared for. Could she be more to this filly than what he originally intended to be fore her? "I love you too, Petunia." She replied. They sat there for a minute locked in each others embrace before they were both satisfied with the hug. Petunia pulled away and looked up at Fluttershy as the yellow mare smiled down at her charge. "Come on. Let's get you to school." Petunia let a small smile form on her face and gave her head a single nod in response. With that the two walked side by side out of the cottage and over the bridge toward the town where they would find the school for Petunia's first day of learning, of which she was both eager and terrified of for many reasons. The followed the road through Ponyville, being greeted by a number of ponies, who all had no idea about what happened to Petunia excluding the fact she ended up missing during the celebration last week. Princess Twilight had ensured them nothing was wrong and that Petunia was okay and back in Fluttershy's care. The Cutie Mark Crusaders had come to Petunia many times over the week to make sure she was okay and repeatedly asked what happened when they heard Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon had something to do with it, but Petunia told them it was nothing and she was fine. Petunia walked along side of Fluttershy thinking about that horrible moment and all who came to her aid after that. The thought of so many ponies wanting to help her in her time of need warmed her heart, but the knowledge that there was something dark buried inside her raised her fears so high she did not wish for anypony to get hurt. For this reason she was terrified of being around others because she did not want something like that to happen and somepony like Fluttershy to get hurt. "Here we are." Fluttershy called. Petunia looked up to find a small red house with a playground in the side yard and young fillies and colts running and playing before the school day began. Petunia looked over all the kids and recognized a good number of them from the celebration last week. To her relief, she did not see a couple of rich looking fillies acting like they were better than all the rest. After a few minutes Petunia looked up to Fluttershy with a hint of fear apparent in her eyes, silently begging her guardian to let her skip school and just stay with her and the animals. Fluttershy smiled and removed Blizzard from her back, earning a bit of a fit from the white ferret. "You'll be fine, Petunia." She said. "You'll be able to learn more about history and I'll be back to pick you up before you know it." "Eeyup." Came a familiar voice from behind. Both Petunia and Fluttershy turned to see Big Mac walking up with Applebloom along side him. "Hey. Petunia!" Applebloom chimed as she saw the white alicorn. "Hi, Applebloom." Petunia replied. "Okay kids!" Came a cheery female voice from the schoolhouse. "Time to come inside!" They all looked up to see the purple mare, Cheerilee calling all the foals into class to start they day. All the fillies and colts ran inside upon hearing their teacher call them for class. Petunia looked up to Big Mac and Fluttershy nervously. Fluttershy lowered her head down and nuzzled Petunia's cheek warmly to comfort her. "You'll be fine sweetie." Fluttershy said. "I'll be back for you later." She then leaned down and planted a sweet kiss on Petunia's forehead then encouraged her to head on up as Cheerilee patiently waited for her last few students. "C'mon Petunia! School will be fun!" Applebloom chimed. "Y'all get t' learn things. Play games. Spend time with yer friends. School's great!" The more Petunia heard about what school was like, the more eager she felt to continue. And with Fluttershy and Big Mac's added encouragement a smile formed and her face and she turned to face Applebloom "Race you!" Petunia said. With that the two took off at top speed for the school. Petunia used her wings to give her a boost against the strong earth pony farm filly who at first had the upper hoof, then after they got past the fence line she got a good lead. Cheerilee stepped aside to allow them a clear entry and one second later Petunia dashed right past her into the small classroom, after which she soon regretted that decision. All the students in the room turned their attention to her after she entered the room. Several of the students greeted her with warm, welcoming smiles while others just shrugged and two in particular gave her menacing smirks. Upon seeing the students staring at her, her vision immediately was replaced. The room was much larger and made of beautiful shining crystals as well as the fillies and colts occupying the classroom. All of the students, even the teacher, were staring at her with unfriendly eyes as she walked in. She could feel her face frown as her head dropped at the sight of the others stares. "Petunia?" Petunia shook her head and looked up to see Cheerilee with a concern smile her face. "Are you alright?" "I'm fine." Petunia answered rather quickly. "Are you sure?" Cheerilee asked. Petunia nodded her head as her response. Cheerilee frowned at this, but nodded her head. "Okay. You may choose any seat you like." Petunia looked around and found a whole row of seats that ad not been occupied yet. She walked over to the seat the farthest from the front she could find. As she sat down at her desk she could hear some of the others whispering to one another, saying things such as 'How could something as hideous as him be the sun of somepony so beautiful?' and her blood began to boil. Soon the expressions on the others faces became replaced with fear and she felt a powerful surge of magic flow through her body. "Okay class!" Cheerilee called. "Let's begin." All eyes turned focused on their teacher, ready for the day to begin. "First off, I'd like to introduce a knew student joining us today." She points over to Petunia, who ducked her head down as all eyes turned to her. "Would you come up here for a moment, please?" Petunia reluctantly got up and walked up to her teacher. "Oh look." Said Diamond Tiara. "She's as white as an angel." Petunia blinked and looked over to the rich filly who smirked at her. Petunia gave her a week smile that said 'thank you' and continued up to Cheerilee. When she was next to Cheerilee she turned around while keeping her head down with her eyes looking up at her classmates, most of which were smiling up at her warmly. "Class, this is Petunia Snow." Cheerilee announced. "Some of you may have already met her, and I would like for you to make her feel welcome with this being her first day." "Hi, Petunia!" The whole of the class called out. This made Petunia's lips curl up at the ends. "Alright, you can take your seat again." Cheerilee told Petunia. Petunia then walked back to her desk. "Now class, open your books to page forty-three." ~~)oOo(~~ Later the bell for recess rang and the whole class bolted out of the room to play. Petunia walked out by herself after all the others left the room outside and found Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon standing side by side staring daggers at the Cutie Mark Crusaders if they were not talking to each other. She wanted to go up and thank Diamond for saying what she did when class began, but there was another part of her that did not want her to go up to them. As she approached the two looked up at her, causing her pause for a moment. "Look Silver Spoon." Diamond said. "It's the blank canvas." These words surprised Petunia. "Didn't you say that I look like an angel?" She asked. "That's because angels are a single boring color, like you." Silver said. "I guess you're right." Petunia said, earning confused looks from the two fillies. "But even so, angels are kind creatures that forgive and protect others, even fillies like you." The two looked at her in shock. "What are you playing at?" Diamond asked. "I'm just saying I'm not angry at you for last week." Petunia said. "I was just thinking that maybe..." "Are these two bothering you, Petunia?" Came a voice from their side. All three turn to find the Cutie Mark Crusaders glaring at the two bullies. "Oh, great." Diamond huffed. "Now the blank-flanks are here." "They're just making sure I'm okay." Petunia said. "So the blank canvas not only is blank all around, but needs protection as well?" Silver stated more than asked. "She's not a blank canvas!" Sweetie Belle said. "She's a beautiful rare color that ponies like you don't appreciate." "B-but your colors are beautiful too." Petunia added sheepishly. "We don't need ponies like you telling us what's beautiful and what's not." Diamond stated. "We can afford what ever color coat dies we like, unlike you three who come from poor families. And do you even have a family?" She asked Petunia. Petunia blinked while the other three got in front of her defensively, each glaring daggers at the two. Even Silver Spoon flinched at her co-bully's comment. "Now that's a know low, even for you!" Scootiloo cried. "No," Petunia said. "It's okay." "No, it isn't Snow." Scootiloo said. "She does have a family!" Applebloom barked. "We ll know that zoo keeper isn't her mother." Diamond stated coldly. "Tiara, aren't you pushing this?" Silver asked. Diamond turns her gaze to her friend. "Are you taking her side?" She asked. Silver did not answered right away. "I've been thinking lately, Tiara." She said. "What have they done to deserve this?" The Cutie Mark Crusaders all gasped and their jaws dropped upon hearing this. Diamond looked at her incredulously. "This alicorn has shown us no ill will, and all we've done is tease her." "You're joking, right Silver?" Diamond asked. "What if I am?" Silver replied. "And even so, I still think you've gone to far with this." "Are ya serious?" Applebloom asked. "Give her a chance." Petunia replied, earning shocked looks from the crusaders. "If she's willing to try then we should give her that much." "Ya want t' give her a chance?" Applebloom asked Petunia. "No offense Snow, but these two are bullies." Scootiloo stated matter-of-factly as she glared at the two. "So?" Petunia replied. "Fluttershy says we should always show kindness." "But..." Scootiloo began. "I want to give her a chance." Petunia interrupted and smiled at the grey filly. In response Silver Spoon looked shocked and mildly surprised. "Even after how we treated you?" She asked. "Silver Spoon, if you decide to become friends with this blank-flank you're not invited to my birthday party next month and I won't come to yours!" Diamond stated coldly. This made Silver blink and the Cutie Mark Crusaders huffed. "See Petunia?" Sweetie Belle asked. "They're bullies." "That was Diamond Tiara, and I'm still willing to give them both a chance." Petunia countered. They all looked at her with wide eyes, even Diamond now showed signs of shock and disbelief. Soon after Diamond put on her snobby face and turned her nose up at the four fillies facing her and Silver. "Come on, Silver!" She barked. "We're leaving!" She started to walk off, but stopped when she noticed her best friend was not by her side. She looked back curiously to find Silver glaring at her. "Come on, Silver!" "No." Silver replied. Diamond looked shocked. This also showed on the Cutie Mark Crusaders faces as well. "What?" Diamond asked. "I said 'no'." Silver answered. "I'm tired of being mean to every bla... er... 'pony' who hasn't earned their cutie mark, or aren't rich like us." Diamond's jaw was hanging in shock while the crusaders did the same. "Come on, Silver, you don't mean that...?" Diamond said. "Yes I do." Silver replied. "Petunia has shown 'us' kindness even after how bad we've treated her." "But..." Diamond began, but never finished. After a minute the pink filly glared at all of them. "Fine! Hang out with these losers, but you are no longer welcome into my house!" "Tiara, I..." Silver began. "No! We're done, Silver Spoon. Have fun with your new blank-flank friends!" With that Diamond Tiara turned and stormed off, leaving the five standing their alone. Silver looked hurt, like a large peace of her was ripped right out of her and ran off to Celestia knows where. The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked at each other as if they were trying to figure out what just happened. Petunia slowly walked around the three fillies toward Silver Spoon, who looked like she was about to burst in tears. "I'm sorry, Silver Spoon." Petunia said. "Are you happy now?" Silver asked. Petunia did not reply in anyway. Silver turned and glared at Petunia. "You got me separated from my best friend! Are you happy now?!" She screamed. The bell rang, signaling to the foals that recess was over and it was time for class. All the foals on the playground began to head inside while Silver continued to glare at Petunia in anger. After most of the foals were inside Silver started walking to class while keeping her burning eyes on the white alicorn. After she as out of sight the remaining fillies and colts went inside for the rest of the school day.