A young filly walked alone down the streets of the Crystal Empire as she slowly made her way to school. Her pristine white coat and icy blue eyes were no doubt from her mother, while her shimmering emerald mane was a gift from her father. While her flank lacked any cutiemark, she remained patient as her Aunt told her many times that one day, when it all made sense, it would appear.
“Hey halfie!”
Emerald Shimmer rolled her eyes and continued walking. While her mane was styled in the traditional crystal pony up do like all the other fillies, hers with her favorite silver ribbons and gem clips, and was the same size and shape as the other fillies, there were two things that made her different from her classmates and often the target for bullies.
While Emerald’s father was a crystal pony, her mother had been from Ponyville causing her to be given the nickname ‘halfie’ as she was only half crystal pony. Secondly, she was a unicorn like her mother causing her to stand out amongst her classmates even more. Emerald had only met two other unicorns in the entire empire, the first, of course, being her mother and the second Prince Shining Armor whom she had only met once or twice.
“Going to class halfie?”
Once again, Emerald ignored the voice as she walked into the classroom and took her seat and mentally grinned. Today was family day, meaning lessons would end early for parents or other family members of the students to come and talk about their career, their special talent, or something of that sort. Mom didn’t tell me what she’s going to talk about, but I’m sure it’s going to be great!
Unfortunately for the poor filly, time dragged on. The grammar portion of class felt like hours, and the math felt as if it went on for days if not weeks. Emerald continued to check the clock every fifteen seconds as she awaited the end of her mental torture.
Emerald watched intently as she noticed her teacher’s shift in posture as she paused to look up at the clock.
“Alright, we can end today’s lesson here,” she said with a smile. “I’m sure your parents are all here by now, so put away your things.”
Emerald lifted up the top to her desk, threw in her supplies, and slammed it back shut before folding her front hooves together on top with an innocent smile. One by one, relatives filed in and sat down in the chairs lined up at the front of the room. Emerald gave her mother a quick wave and she returned the gesture with a wink as the teacher gave a short introduction.
The first parent stood up and she recognized him to be the father of the colt that sat two seats over. Emerald was soon solely focused on him as he began discussing his work as a member of the Crystal Guard. What felt like seconds later, a second adult stood up, this one a young mare, as she discussed her internship at the hospital. Emerald almost dozed off as an stallion stood and droned on in a monotone voice about his career as a math professor specializing in advanced algebraic and trigonometric principals. I already had math class today! I don’t need another one on stuff I’m never going to use even if I could understand what those squiggly lines and letters mean! After several parents, grandparents, and older siblings had all taken their turns, only one pony remained.
The white unicorn stood and walked to the center of the front of the classroom and introduced herself.
“Hello everypony, I am Rarity, Emerald Shimmer’s mother, and I own a series of stores across Equestria known as the Carousel Boutique, perhaps you have been to the one located here in the Crystal Empire. However, as much I love to talk about fashion and my boutique, I here to talk to you about something very different.”
Emerald Shimmer found herself entrapped in her mother’s voice as she told two stories she never got tired of hearing. After Rarity told the story of defeating Nightmare Moon and saving Princess Luna with the Elements of Harmony, Emerald noticed her classmates completely focused on her mother as she began her second story. As her mother finished telling the story of how she and her five friends, with the help of Princess Cadence, Shining Armor and Spike, had saved the Crystal Empire, the classroom erupted into a round of applause.
As the cheering settled down, Emerald’s mother took her seat and her teacher stood. “Thank you everypony for coming today! Class, you are dismissed and I hope you enjoy your weekend!”
Emerald stood with a smile and placed her saddlebags on her bag using her magic when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and came face to face with the filly who had been calling her halfie this morning.
“Emerald I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” the young filly apologized. “I should have never called you those mean names. I understand if you don’t want to accept my apology, I just wanted you to know that I truly am sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Emerald assured with a warm smile. “I’ll see you Monday,” Emerald turned and walked towards the door where her mother was waiting for her. Emerald had never told any of her classmates that her mother was part of the reason their empire was restored due to the fact that she didn’t want the other ponies to think she was above them or that they owed a debt to her. While she was still rather unhappy with the filly who had called her halfie for as long as she could remember, she knew her apology was sincere and for that she was thankful.
“Hello darling!” her mother greeted with a warm smile. “Was that a friend of yours?”
“No, not really,” Emerald said with a soft smile, “she’s just a girl in my class.”