//------------------------------// // Off to a good start // Story: Freshman Blues // by Wildcard25 //------------------------------// After Spike left his locker he walked to his first classroom, which was mythological history with a man named Discord. He had bushy white eyebrows that looked like hairy caterpillars, a small white goatee that was tied at the bottom, red eyes with one of them containing a bigger pupil than the other, and a thin row of black hair going down the center of the back of his head. His outfit included a green shoe on his right foot, a brown show on his left one, red pants, and a brown coat. According to Twilight and her friends Discord was a bit of an oddball with cracking jokes and messing with the heads of his students, but he was still a harmless man. Spike looked around seeing multiple seats were occupied by students who made it in before he did. He finally found an empty seat in the back and took it before class started, “Good morning class.” the teacher began. “Good morning.” they replied. “Welcome to Mythological history, freshman. I am your teacher Mr. Discord,” he began, “I do hope we can get along well in class and have all sorts of fun while learning about mythology,” he looked seeing some of the students had dry deadpanned looks on their faces, “Oh come on where's the smiles?” when he saw no one was smiling he called, “Smile!” they all did so in intimidation, especially Spike, “Was that so hard?” he asked the students slyly. Spike thought, 'Harmless man, huh Twilight?' he thought to himself. “Now then let's start with a roll call,” Discord continued, “Let's start in the far right and go down. Tell me your name and something about yourself. Don't be shy to speak up, after all who are we to judge?” he shrugged his shoulders. And so the students started introducing themselves and saw something standard about themselves such as what they liked, what they disliked, or even hobbies. When it came down to Spike, he stood up and spoke up, “My name's Spike. I'm a freshman. Some of the things I like include comics, music, and trading cards. I happen to also like mythology as well, it's one of my favorite subjects.” “Well how wonderful, I can see I may already have a potential star student.” Discord said joyously. “Well I'm no star student,” Spike said not wanting to come off as a big shot in front of his new class and risk being ostracized for becoming a teachers pet, “I just like the subject.” “Well thank you for your introduction, Spike. Next!” Discord called out as the class continued with their intros. As most of their class was introduction Discord and them read a few chapters through their textbooks on chapters about reptilic mythological creatures like dragons and sea serpents. Mythology was just about the one kind of book Spike would read outside comics. When the bell rang Discord spoke up, “Well that's it for today class. I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow.” he waved bye as the students grabbed their books and left the class with Spike being the last one out. As Spike walked through the halls he was heading for his next class which was Phys Ed. As he headed for the locker room, he was suddenly tripped up and fell flat. He heard laughter and looked up seeing three boys who looked to be juniors. The first who was medium size of the three had spiked grayish hair with two pieces sticking up looking like horns. He wore black sneakers, black pants, a gray long sleeved shirt, and a red vest over it. Around his neck was a dog like collar with a small yellow gem attached to it. The second was the tallest. He had dark skin, bluish spiky hair, and wore a dog like collar around his neck as well. His outfit was composed of gray sneakers, black pants, a blue sleeveless shirt, and a gray vest. The third who was the shortest of the three had tan skin, blonde spiky hair, gray sneakers, black pants, a tan shirt, a gray vest, and like his friends also wore a dog like collar. “You should watch where you're going chump.” the one in the red vest mocked. “Yeah you blind or something?” the blue haired one joked as Spike scowled. “He's a clutz!” the shortest mocked as the three laughed and walked off. Spike frowned as they walked away, but suddenly felt someone pull him to his feet. He saw it was a boy about his age with short silver hair and blue eyes. His outfit included blue cross trainers, black jean shorts, and a red shirt with the symbol of two hockey sticks crossing each other, “Hey you all right?” he asked Spike. “Yeah, I'm fine thanks.” Spike answered as he brushed himself off. “Listen don't let those guys get to you,” he began, “Truth is they're just cowards thinking that picking on freshmen us makes them tough.” “You're a freshman too?” Spike asked in surprise. “Yeah, my name's Puck Shot.” he offered Spike his hand. Spike smiled and shook Puck's hand, “I'm Spike.” “Nice to meetcha,” Puck replied, “Hey where are you headed for next?” “Phys Ed.” “Really? I am too.” Puck admitted. “Cool, let's go together.” Spike offered. “Awesome.” Puck said as the two entered the locker room where they picked up their gym uniforms and changed. Soon the two and the rest of the class were in the gymnasium, as a figure was pacing around them. He was a muscle bound guy with a mohawk of dark colbalt blue hair and was wearing black sneakers, dark blue gym shorts, and a lighter blue muscle shirt, “Welcome class to Phys Ed. Coach Iron Will's my name, training weaklings is my game!” he announced, “And Iron Will's gonna take you from the boys you are, and turn you into men!” he said as he eyed Spike and Puck sensing fear, “Yall think you have what it takes to go through Iron Will's training?” “Yes coach!” the two answered like soldiers. “Well we'll be seeing about that,” Iron Will replied as he turned to the rest of the class, “Yall can drop and give Iron Will thirty!” Immediately the class dropped to the floor and started doing pushups with some struggling and some managing. Spike groaned as he looked to the side at Puck, “You think we can survive a class like this.” “Hey it could be worse.” Puck replied. “How?” Spike asked and suddenly he felt something brisk drop on his back, “AH COLD!” he almost dropped but kept himself up by a smidge. As it turned out Iron Will dropped a bag of ice on Spike's back. He continued to drop more bags of ice on Puck's and the other students backs as they did their pushups, “The bags of ice being dropped on your backs is to improve on your endurance,” he explained as he got down to Spike's level and spoke to him, “Can ya just feel the chills down your spine?” “Yes coach.” Spike winced as he bared with the briskness on his back while doing pushups. Soon they all finished their pushups and were relieved to get the bags of ice off their backs. As the class continued on Iron Will kept them going through drill exercises as if they were training for the army. Later on after Phys Ed, Spike had another class with Puck, before they headed towards the cafeteria for lunch time. Once they grabbed their food trays they picked out their foods and grabbed a soda from the vending machine before trying to find someplace to eat. As they walked they saw most of the tables were preoccupied, “Is one table too much to ask for?” Puck sighed. Before Spike could reply he heard his name get called, “Spike, over here!” Spike and Puck turned and Spike saw Twilight and her friends sitting at a table. “Do you know her?” Puck asked Spike. “Yeah, that's my big sister Twilight and her friends,” Spike answered, “Come on I'll introduce you.” the two walked over. “Hey Spike, whose this?” Twilight asked noticing the boy with him as did the others. “A new friend of mine,” Spike began, “This is Puck Shot.” “It's nice to meet you all.” Puck greeted them. “Puck meet my sister Twilight and her friends, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity.” Spike continued. “Hi!” Pinkie greeted Puck. “Hello.” Fluttershy said meekly. “Howdy partner.” Applejack greeted him. “Sup?” Rainbow asked. “Nice to meet you.” Rarity greeted him. “You boys looking for a place to eat, well we got two free seats.” Twilight offered. “Cool.” Puck said as the two sat down with Puck next to Pinkie and Spike next to Rarity, much to his delight. Twilight turned to Spike, “I'm proud of you, Spike. You made your first friend on the first day.” “Thanks, so far the first day wasn't easy.” he admitted. “Problems?” Fluttershy asked worried. “Mostly in gym class, with Coach Iron Will.” Spike admitted. “He do the whole bags of ice on your back while doing pushups lesson?” Applejack asked curiously. “Yeah, that was cold.” Puck admitted. “I know how you feel.” Fluttershy said remembering when she first took Coach Iron Will's Phys Ed class. “You'll get used to it.” Rainbow brushed it off like it was nothing. “Was that the only problem you had?” Twilight asked suspiciously while squinting at Spike knowing there had to be more than he let on. “Well I did fall victim to a trip in the hallway.” he answered. “What?!” the girls gasped. “By who?” Twilight asked in concern for her little brother. Spike noticed the three who tripped him up at a table far from them, “Those three over there.” The girls looked and frowned, “Why those three no good yellow bellies.” “Rover, Fido, and Spot. I should've known.” Twilight said fixating her eyes in their direction. Rainbow got up, “No one disses my friend's brother on his first day.” she was ready to walk over and teach them a lesson, until Applejack pulled her back into her seat. “Simmer down Rainbow, the last thing we need is you startin' a scene in the cafeteria.” she warned the rainbow haired tomboy who sighed. The tough girl spoke to Spike, “Spike, the next time those jerks give you a hard time, come straight to me.” “Thanks, Rainbow Dash, but how will it look if I get someone to fight my battles for me?” Spike asked. “Those guys are juniors, they have no right picking on freshmen.” Rainbow retorted. Twilight turned to her brother, “Spike, promise me you'll tell someone if those three continue to bug you.” “Ok, Twilight. I promise.” he promised with a sigh. “Good,” she turned to Puck, “So Puck, what do you like?” “Well I love hockey for one thing,” he began, “I was a star player in junior high, and I'm hoping I can make the team here.” “Well you might have an opportunity since club activity sign ups start next week.” Rainbow explained. “Sweet.” Puck cheered. “What about you, Spike?” Applejack asked. “Me?” Spike asked puzzled. “Yeah you joining anything here?” Rainbow wondered. “Not sure, I mean I'm not good at stuff.” Spike said modestly. “Spike, I know somewhere you have talent. And there has to be a club that's best suited for you.” Twilight said encouraging him. “Well I don't know.” Spike said feeling doubtful. He suddenly felt a hand on his left one and saw it was Rarity's. He blushed from her soft touch as she spoke to him, “At least try, Spike. You never know unless you try after all.” Spike unable to resist the beautiful eyes of his crush couldn't say no, “Well I'll try.” the girls smiled along with Puck. “And I hope you don't start rubbing your Shenrolico card you carry around with you.” Twilight said rolling her eyes at him. “Twilight!” Spike cried. “Wait, you have a Shenrolico card?” Puck asked. “Yeah why do you ask?” Spike asked hoping he wasn't going to be marked off as weird. “I love that monster card! I've been trying to get my hands on one for a month!” Puck explained. Spike was surprised, “Wait a minute, do you play Monster Warriors too?” “Yeah it's my favorite trading card game.” Puck answered. “Mine too!” Spike cheered. “How about that, yall got something more in common.” Applejack said as the girls chuckled. “Spike you and I have to bring our decks over and have a match.” Puck suggested. “That'd be cool.” Spike admitted. Twilight whispered to the girls, “And now we got boys talking about their cards at the table.” the girls only giggled. And so the day continued, and Spike felt confident for the rest of the day because he had a friend who was in the same boat as him. When school was out, Twilight, Spike, and Puck walked out of the school building as the boys were conversing, “Ok so I'll see ya at the Freshmen fair this weekend?” Spike asked. “You know it,” Puck agreed, “Well I got to split. See you tomorrow.” the two fist bumped. Spike watched as Puck walked off and headed for home. Twilight and Spike walked home, as Twilight smiled at her brother, “I'm proud of you, Spike.” “Really?” he asked hopefully. “Yeah. You kept your chin up and you made a friend on your first day,” she began, “And I'm sure more will come if you just keep at it.” Spike smiled, “Thanks Twilight. I got a feeling I'm gonna enjoy high school.” the two continued walking for home knowing tomorrow was another day.