Bunsen Burner and Nightwish were walking towards Ponyville Elementary to enroll her in the current semester. While they were there Bunsen would speak with the teacher to see what they've covered. If there was anything he missed he would cover it before the beginning of next week. Even though the two of them were traveling that didn't mean that Bunsen had to neglect Nightwish's education.
As they were walking, Nightwish took the opportunity to take in the sights. She noticed that out of all the towns that her and her dad had been to this was the greenest and prettiest. She knew she would like living in Ponyville because nopony was looking at her like she was weird or giving her a dirty look because she was different. “I think i’m going to like it here.” she thought to herself.
.
They got to the school house just as the final bell rang. Before they knew it they were swarmed by fillies and colts just aching to get home after another boring day of school. After confirming that the children had left, Bunsen and Nightwish walked towards the school. Bunsen used his magic and gripped the door handle in a green aura to open it. Just as he opened it he stepped to the left letting 3 more fillies rush out the door. Bunsen managed to be out of range of the three fillies; however, Nightwish wasn’t so lucky. She, as well as the three fillies, laid in a pony pile on the ground. Bunsen chuckled at his daughter and the three troublemakers.
“Uhh, what happened?” asked the orange pegasus with the purple mane.
“I’m not sure. Did ya see what we ran inta Sweetie Belle?” asked the light yellow earth pony with a red mane and pink bow.
“I didn’t see anything Applebloom. Did you see anything Scootaloo?” asked the white unicorn with a light purple mane.
“I didn’t see anything.” answered Scootaloo.
“Maybe you should get off my daughter then.” Bunsen stated with a bit of amusement.
The three fillies looked at the newcomer and then looked underneath them. They all gasped and jumped off the very irritated Nightwish.
“Ohmygoshwe’resosorry.” they all cried at once.
Nightwish got up off of the ground and was about to scold them, when a stern look from her father said otherwise. She calmly took a deep breath and smiled.
“It’s ok. I’m sure you girls were in a hurry to be off somewhere.” Nightwish said.
“Yea, we’re going crusading to find our cutie marks.” Scootaloo said with a hoof in the air and a proud grin on her face.
“That, uhhh, sounds like fun.” Nightwish commented.
“It usually is.” Sweetie Belle stated with a smile. “However, most of the time we end up stuck together with tree sap.”
“Exactly who are you?” Nightwish asked.
“Oh well I’m Sweetie Belle,” Sweetie Belle pointed to herself, “thats Applebloom,” she pointed to the earth pony, “and thats Scootaloo,” she pointed to the pegasus, “and we’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders.” She finished saying with a smile on her face.
“Yea, we go on all kinds of different adventures to find out what our special talent is.” Scootaloo added. “We’re going to get our cutie marks in drawing manga.”
“That sounds like fun. I guess.” said Nightwish.
While Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were talking Applebloom was looking Nightwish over with a keen eye. After being stared at by the Earth Pony for more than a minute Nightwish thought she should put an end to it.
“Umm, what are you looking at?” Nightwish asked the Earth Pony.
“You don’t have a cutie mark.” Applebloom stated matter of factly.
“I’m well aware of that.” Nightwish said.
“You should join us on our crusades than!” Applebloom yelled out excitedly.
Nightwish began to get nervous as the three of them began ganging up on her.
“Umm that all sounds fun but…” Nightwish began.
Bunsen saw this as his chance to intervene. “That’ll have to wait until later little ones.” He began, “For now though we need to speak with the teacher.”
The crusaders looked bummed but immediately brightened at the fact that they’ll be getting a new classmate.
“Ok, well we’ll see ya’ll later then. Again we’re sorry for crashing into ya.” Replied Applebloom, “Lets move crusaders.”
The cutie mark crusaders left to do whatever they had planned and that left Bunsen and Nightwish alone. Nightwish was still sore from the forced pony pile.
“That hurt. I hope thats the only time I’m forced into a pony pile.” Nightwish commented aggravatedly.
“Now now sweetheart, no need to fuss, i’m sure they mean well. Who knows maybe they’ll be your first friends here.” Commented her Father.
“Whatever you say Papa.” Nightwish said. “Are we going inside or what?”
They continued inside the building to locate the local school teacher. Once inside they looked around the one room school house. It was quaint and well taken care of. At the desk in front of the room sat a cerise coated Earth pony with a two tone pink mane. She looked up at the new comers and smiled.
“Well hello, how can I help you?” she asked.
“Good afternoon. My name is Professor Bunsen Burner and this is my daughter Nightwish. We just recently moved to Ponyville and Nightwish has expressed interest in attending a public school.” Bunsen explained.
“It’s very nice to meet you two. I’m Cheerilee and I’m the local school teacher here.” Cheerilee began. “Has Nightwish had any schooling?”
“Of course. I made an effort to make sure she got her schooling while we traveled.” Replied Bunsen.
“Has she ever been in a public school environment?” Cheerilee asked.
“No unfortunately. You see, we’ve been traveling across equestria for the last 5 years, so we haven’t had an opportunity to settle and allow her to attend a public school.” Bunsen explained.
“I see. Can you go over what you’ve taught her then Professor?” Cheerilee asked.
“Of course.” Bunsen replied with a smile.
For the next hour, Bunsen Burner went over all the things that he taught Nightwish over the last 5 years. After he was done explaining, he went on to fill out the enrollment paperwork.
“Alright well that about covers it.” Cheerilee stated.
“Well thats good. If it’s no bother, I was wondering if you could tell me what you’re currently teaching?” Bunsen asked.
“Of course. We just started working with decimals.”Cheerilee began. “From what you’ve told me you covered up to that subject so I’m sure she’ll be able to pick up rather quickly.”
Now, after waiting an hour, it was Nightwish’s turn to talk. “Yes ma’am. Papa said I’m very smart for my age and that I can pick up a subject like a Pegasus can pick up their wings.” Nightwish stated with obvious pride.
Cheerilee chuckled at the little filly. “Thats good to hear. It’ll be different having a thestral in my class, but i’m sure you’ll make friends easily.”
“Thank you ma’am.” Nightwish replied.
“Well, we’ve taken up enough of your time Ms. Cheerilee so we’ll be on our way.” Bunsen said.
“Enjoy the rest of your day and welcome to Ponyville.” Replied Cheerilee “Oh, don’t forget, 8 am sharp tomorrow morning.”
“Don’t worry she’ll be there. Right Nightwish?” Bunsen asked looking at his daughter.
“I’ll even be early ma’am.” Nightwish replied.
Bunsen Burner and Nightwish walked outside of the school and back into the warm afternoon air. They began walking back to the deathtrap that was their current living arrangements. As they were walking they were spotted by a glamourous white unicorn mare with a curled purple mane. She noticed how Bunsen’s labcoat was stained and worn and she wasn’t going to allow a crime against fashion stand. She decided to confront the fashion violator and have a word with him.
“Excuse me darling.” She called to him.
Bunsen turned his head to see who was calling to whom and noticed the white mare coming towards him. He assumed that she was calling to him and greeted her.
“Good afternoon Ma’am. How can I help you?” Bunsen asked.
“You can’t help me darling, but I can help you.” She deadpanned.
“I’m sorry Miss…” Bunsen Began.
“Rarity, darling.” Rarity stated. “I apologize if I seemed aggravated, but your jacket is offending me.”
Bunsen raised his eyebrow. “How so?” he asked.
“Why it’s filthy! I can’t stand to see such a handsome stallion walking around with such a filthy coat!” She cried in outrage.
Bunsen was confused. Here was a mare claiming that his coat was offending her because it was filthy. “Umm, there really isn’t much I can do about it Miss Rarity.”
“Just Rarity darling.” Rarity Commented. “Now come along and I’ll get you a brand new coat.”
She turned and walked off towards who knows where. Bunsen decided to humor her and followed along with Nightwish on his tail.
They reached a tall building that sort of resembled a carousel at a fair. Rarity stopped in front of the door and turned to her two guests.
“Welcome to Carousel Boutique. This is my place of business as well as my home.” Rarity stated with pride in her posture. “Please come in.”
The three ponies walked into the building, guided by rarity. She stopped in what looked like a waiting room, complete with chairs and fashion magazines, and looked at her guests.
“Now darling if you wouldn’t mind taking off your coat and handing it to me.” Rarity asked politely.
Bunsen complied with the mares request and took his labcoat off and handed it to her. Meanwhile, Nightwish was snickering at her father’s plight. Rarity noticed this and turned to look at Nightwish.
“Oh my goodness, you are so cute!” Rarity squee’d.
Nightwish realized that Rarity was talking to her now and a sense of dread befell her. Rarity rushed over to her and began looking her up and down.
“Oh my goodness, you have such a beautiful coat with just the right shade of dark purple. Your mane is such a lovely blue, oh the things I could create with you as a model.” Rarity gushed excitedly.
“Umm, thank you Miss.” Nightwish said with a red tinge to her cheeks.
Rarity looked up at Bunsen and blushed a bit as she realized something.
“I must apologize sir. I rushed you here and criticized your appearance and I neglected to ask your names.” She said with a hint of disappointment.
“It’s alright Rarity. I am Professor Bunsen Burner and this is my daughter Nightwish.” Bunsen said.
“Well it’s a pleasure to meet you and again I apologize for my rudeness.” Rarity said with a smile. She then turned her attention to Nightwish. She was about to begin talking to Nightwish when all of a sudden the doors were slammed open. Rarity looked at the doors in horror as a filly walked through the doors.
“Sweetie Belle! How many times have I told you not to slam the doors open!” Rarity scolded.
Sweetie Belle’s ears drooped. “I’m sorry sis I was just so excited. We met a new classmate today and she didn’t have her cutie mark so we were going to ask her to join us and be a crusader so she can go on adventures with us and be friends with us and we’ll be friends forever!” Sweetie Belle said at the top of her lungs.
Bunsen Burner and Nightwish just stared with awe at the lungs that this little filly had. Rarity just stared at her sister. She was about to begin scolding Sweetie Belle when Sweetie noticed Nightwish. Sweetie Belle let out an audible gasp and ran over to Nightwish. Before Sweetie Belle could reach Nightwish, she was grasped in a blue aura.
“Sweetie Belle. It’s not polite to tackle our guests.” Rarity scolded. “Now why don’t you take Nightwish up to your room and politely introduce yourself and get to know each other.”
“Ok Rarity.” Sweetie Belle said.
Sweetie Belle grabbed Nightwish and dragged her up to her room. Nightwish looked at her father pleadingly, but Bunsen just smiled as he watched his daughter being tormented. Afterwards Rarity took Bunsen into her work room while she started on a new labcoat for him. Once Nightwish and Sweetie Belle were out of earshot Rarity decided to ask the question that was on her mind..
“I don’t mean to be rude, but is Nightwish….” Rarity began asking.
“Yes she’s adopted.” Bunsen answered. “I adopted her 5 years ago when I was 18 because she was being picked on by the other orphans for being different. It broke my heart to see such an innocent and sweet filly being tormented for being different and I understand not having your birth parents around at such a young age. So I wanted to show her that the world is full of ponies who won’t treat her like garbage just because she has leathery wings and fangs.”
Rarity looked at Bunsen with a small smile on her face. “Well you seem to be doing a fine job as a father darling.” Rarity commented.
“I like to think so.” Bunsen replied.
So Bunsen and Rarity began idly chatting while Rarity continued working on the labcoat for her new client.
Nightwish sat on the floor of Sweetie Belle’s room, watching as Sweetie Belle was coloring in one of her coloring books. Sweetie Belle had given Nightwish a coloring book but she wasn’t sure if she should do it or not. Sweetie Belle noticed how quiet it was and looked up at Nightwish with a confused look on her face.
“Is something wrong?” Sweetie Belle asked.
Nightwish jerked out of her trance and looked at Sweetie Belle.
“No. Nothing’s wrong.” Nightwish said.
“Are you sure? Cause you’re being really quiet. I didn’t offend you did I?” Sweetie asked with tears starting to form.
“Oh no you didn’t offend me at all. I’m just not used to being around other ponies my age.” NIghtwish defended waiving her hooves in the air.
“You’re not?” asked a confused Sweetie Belle.
“Yea. I’ve been traveling almost constantly, so I never had a chance to make any friends.” explained Nightwish.
“Oh my, I’m sorry to hear that.” Sweetie Belle said. “So are you going to be living here or are you just passing through?”
“Papa says we’re gonna be living here now, so I’m super excited.” Nightwish said with a smile.
Sweetie Belle matched Nightwish’s smile with her own. “Well, it looks like you got three new friends.” Sweetie said.
“Who?” Nightwish asked.
“Me, Applebloom, and Scootaloo of course.” Sweetie Belle said with a smile.
“Really?” Nightwish asked. “You’d really want a freak like me as a friend?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t we?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Well, because I have these leathery wings and these fangs.” Nightwish explained. “No one ever wanted anything to do with me before because of it. No one except my papa.”
Sweetie Belle finally understood and smiled. “It doesn’t matter to any of us.” She explained “Because we like to get to know another pony before we start judging them, and from what i’ve seen of you you seem like a really nice pony and we’d be honored to have you as a friend.”
Nightwish was baffled. She’d never had another filly be nice to her and it was a weird feeling, however, it wasn’t unwelcome. Nightwish began tearing up at the thought of finally having friends who would see past her physical appearance. Sweetie Belle saw the tears and got worried.
“Oh no, did I make you cry?” Sweetie Belle asked frantically.
“Huh? Oh no, you didn’t make me cry.” Nightwish explained while wiping her tears. “Well, yeah you kinda did but they’re tears of happiness.”
“Really?” Sweetie Belle asked quizzically.
“Yea. I’m happy knowing that I finally have friends.” Nightwish said.
Sweetie Belle and Nightwish began laughing together and started coloring in their coloring books again. After an hour Bunsen Burner came up and got Nightwish. He immediately noticed a difference in his daughter but decided to ask her about it when they got to their home. So they walked home in peaceful silence taking in the scenery of their new home of Ponyville.