//------------------------------// // Beginnings // Story: The Academy // by Silver Sea //------------------------------// THE ACADEMY A TALE BY COOLIOTO Harmony was born perfect. Everything about her was just... perfect. Golden mane, an ivory coat, beautiful sea green eyes, not to mention the honor and rarity of being an alicorn. Her mother was a unicorn, her father a pegasus. That parental combination is common , but having a horn AND wings is literally one in a million. And everything was perfectly balanced. Her wings and horn were normal sized, she had no brain damage, no mixed-up organs, no complications at all. She was perfect. And so she was named; Harmony Star. Harmony's life wasn't always perfect. She was often made fun of in school for having both wings and a horn. She was labeled a "freak" and a "weirdo". She never fit in and often had to hide her horn or wings. After a while, though, she decided to be more open with her abilities. Though she was taunted even more, she always felt proud of herself Once she was of age, her parents sent her off to study at "The Academy", a very popular college. By then, she was eighteen. And here is where the story starts. Be ready. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Little pony, My little pony, I can't decide what to do. All of these people; making fun of me. Until I met you... I used to wonder how it'd be.. to have friends, as perfect as these! (da, da, da [dadada, dada da da] da, da, da [dadada, dada da da]) It's a magical thing that makes my life complete! My little pony, Do you know you're all my very best friends? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'I CAN MAKE MY OWN DECISIONS, MOM!" "We know you can, honey, but you need to learn more than just levitation and flying." "YOU DON'T NEED TO SEND ME TO BOARDING SCHOOL, WITHOUT MY OPINION, JUST TO TEACH ME SOME PARLOR TRICKS!" "Honey, you can get a career from the things they teach you! I went, and I'm a very well-respected attorney." "You still can't convince your daughter of anything." This fight had been going on for a week, and it had evolved from small discussions into shouting matches. Bright was getting tired of his only daughter and his wife bickering all the time. He decided to step in. "Plum, Harmony, settle down. Harmony, we want you to go. Whether or not you do is your decision. Spending time there is a good investment. You'll get a good education, and you might make some friends." Harmony settled at that. She looked at her dad, standing in the kitchen doorway. She wiped tears from her eyes as she spoke softly. "I'm sorry, dad. I just want to have some say in what happens in my life." Harmony started to cry a bit as she muzzled her dads neck. Plum watched from a distance before resuming packing Harmony's things. Bright stared as a familiar lavender glow surrounded an old, sad teddy bear and lifted it from the ground. "Harmony, do you want to take Mr. Snuggle with you?" Plum asked Harmony, trying to enter some normality into the situation. 'Mom! Why are you even asking?" A golden aura surrounded the toy as it was gently inserted into the suitcase. "That was the last thing. We're done packing!" Plum said as she closed the bag and lifted it up with her magic. "We need to get to the train station." "Lets go then! we don't want to be late!" Harmony grasped her bag with magic before leaping out the front door and extending her wings. Her dad followed suit as her mom cried out "Wait for me! I'm not a pegasus, you know!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The train station was a crowded mess. There were ponies everywhere, and people had to watch out for a stray horn or open wing. They almost couldn't find the train to Canterlot. Once Harmony got on, she found a spot next to a window and waved goodbye to her parents. "I love you! Mail us every week!" "Hope you have a good time! Don't date too many boys!" "Dad!" Harmony blushed as she said goodbye over the roar of the crowd. The conductor called out "ALL ABOARD" as the train whistled and pulled out of the station. Harmony's parents waved to their daughter as she left their sight. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Harmony sat back in her seat and watched the hills go by. After a while, a young pegasus colt, about her age, walked up and asked "Is this seat taken?" "Of course not!" Harmony motioned for him to join her. He put his bag under the seat and slid into the seat across from her. "My name's Silver Sea. Yours?" The colt asked. He had a silver mane and an indigo coat. His cutie mark was one of a wrench. "Harmony Star. I'm going to the Academy. What about you?" "Same. I'm going on an engineering degree." He lifts up his flank too show his cutie mark. "I was accepted on my... special terms." Harmony extended her wings and parted her mane to show her horn. She had a blush on her face, and looked embarrassed. "Wow! A real alicorn! I never thought I'd meet one!" He had a look of awe on his face as he gaped at her magnificent wings and beautiful horn. "Wait... you're not freaked out? Usually, everypony just laughs, stays away, or both. Are you just making fun of me?" Harmony's eyes started to well up with tears. "No! I never would do something like that! I envy you, really!" His face was one of concern. He moved next to her and comforted her. Harmony stopped crying, and looked up a Silver. "Thank you," was all she said as she embraced Silver in a hug. "No problem." He managed after his shock of Harmony hugging him. They remained embraced like that for quite a while, and the rest of the train ride passed uneventfully. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The train pulled into the Canterlot station. As Harmony and Silver disembarked, they looked around to see some notice of where the academy was. They found a sign pointing to the upper class district. They cantered (as do all ponies in Canterlot) past many small, vibrant shops to a large stone building with a stone arch doorway and a massive carving that read simply "The Academy". Underneath was a small banner reading "Orientation Today". Silver was the first to speak. "Well, I suppose this is it." Silver opened the door to the Academy as Harmony entered her new home, and new life. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear mom and dad, I have made a new friend, named Silver. He taught me that I should never be so quick to judge a pony, and that everyone has good in their heart. Sincerely, Harmony _____________________________________________________________________________________ Authors note: If anyone has suggestions or criticisms i welcome them all in the comments. Please voice your opinion.