"But I don't wanna be stuck in a classroom all day," Aurora whined, "I wanna have fun, play with my friends".
"And where do you think they'll be today?" Twilight asked rhetorically, "Besides, it'll only be for a few hours, and you can play with the crusaders after".
"But-" Aurora said before being cut off.
"No buts, this isn't up for debate," Twilight said, "Now, finish your pancakes and get ready. You don't be late on your first day, do you?".
"No, I guess not," Aurora said quietly.
It had been a couple of days since Celestas visit, and things were finally turning back to normal. Spike still didn't like Aurora, but, not wanting to further incur Twilights wraith, tolerated her. When Applebloom introduced Aurora to the other crusaders, they were overjoyed to have another member in their little group, as well as a new friend. Admittedly, Aurora felt a little weird being around other ponies without being looked up with hate or despise, but it also brought her great comfort... and a belly that never seemed to empty now.
After finishing her last pancake, Aurora went to her room to pack whatever she could possibly need for her first day of school. Not being used to saddlebags, Aurora found herself walking kind of awkwardly with them. After a couple of minor adjustments from Twilight, the saddlebags fit just good enough for the filly to walk straight. After saying good bye to Spike, the two headed right for school.
"Do I really have to do this?" Aurora asked.
"For the last time, this is not for debate," Twilight said.
"But it just sounds so boring," Aurora said.
"If you don't try it, you'll never know if you like it or not," Twilight said, "Plus, whatever happened to being masters of adaptation?".
"Boring situations are a bit hard to adapt to unless the pony we're imitating likes the dullness for whatever reason," Aurora explained, "Put me in a situation of high stress and risk, and I'll do great. Put me in a boring classroom, and I don't know what'll happen".
"I'm not gonna get a note on your first day I hope," Twilight said.
"Well... I'll try," Aurora said.
"You'd better behave," Twilight said as they approached the school, "Now, go on in, introduce yourself, and try to have some fun".
With that, Twilight gave Aurora a quick nuzzle before the filly walked into the school. Once inside, Cheerilee waved Aurora over and, after telling the rest of the class to sit down, asked Aurora if she would introduce herself to the others. As Aurora looked over the rest of the class, her small legs began to shake slightly. Even the sight of her friends, the crusaders, did nothing to calm her. Before, when meeting other ponies one at a time, she just acted nervous and shy. Now that she was faced with a classroom full of fillies and colts, her nervousness was very much real. Not saying a single word, she cowered backwards slowly, keeping her head slightly lowered towards the ground. It was obvious she couldn't get a word out, so one of the crusaders went up to speak in her place.
"Her name is Aurora, and she lives with Twilight," Scootaloo said, "She's a little bit shy at first, but she's really nice and friendly once you get to know her".
"There's no need to be afraid, I promise," Cheerilee said, walking towards the filly, "If it helps, though, why don't we sit you beside one of the crusaders. You seem to be good friends with them already".
"Um... ok, I guess," Aurora said quietly.
With that, Scootaloo walked back to her seat, followed shortly by Aurora. After asking the student sitting beside Scootaloo to move, Aurora sat down beside her friend. It gave her a little comfort knowing she had a friend there with her, but she was still nervous as ever. It wouldn't be long, however, before Aurora found out just how cruel some ponies can be.
Recess couldn't have come soon enough. Aurora was growing quite bored with the real lack of anything entertaining that normally accompanied the first day of school. As the magic word was said, the fillies and colts rushed out to the schoolyard to actually have some fun. With a little encouragement from her friends, Aurora soon followed. Once outside, she took in everything that was going on. There were fillies and colts actually enjoying themselves. For whatever reason, Twilight hadn't mentioned recess when explaining how school worked yesterday... maybe she just forgot. Either way, Aurora and the crusaders set to work having fun for the first time in the day. Their fun didn't last very long, however, as a couple of very familiar faces, ones they didn't want to see, began getting closer.
"Well now, looks like we've got another blank flank," The pink filly said.
"Not only that, but who in Equestria styles your mane?" The silver filly asked, "It looks ridiculous".
"Hey! Leave her alone you guys!" Scootaloo said, getting to her hoover rather quickly.
"What? She can't stand up for herself?" The filly asked.
"Figures," The silver filly said, shaking her head, "How can such a scaredy cat stand up for herself? I guess it's good she has you losers to take up for her".
"Yea, she wouldn't last long otherwise," The pink filly said.
"I said, leave her alone," Scootaloo said, obviously getting ticked off.
"And what are you gonna do if we don't, huh?" The pink filly asked.
"Come on, Scoots, they ain't worth it," Applebloom said, trying to calm her orange pegasus friend.
"Not worth it, huh?" The pink filly asked, "Scared of us or something?".
That's all it took for Scootaloo to snap. Before anypony could stop her, an orange hoof flew out and collided with the muzzle of the pink filly, knocking her down. All the fillies and colts nearby stopped what they were doing, flabbergasted at the sudden scene. Without even thinking, the orange pegasus struck out at the silver filly as well, just barely missing her as she ducked down. Fueled by her own anger, the filly didn't even notice anypony else walking over until her name was called out in a quite unpleasant tone.
"Scootaloo, come with me, right now," Cheerilee said sternly.
Without argument, Scootaloo quickly relented. She did enough for the day, and she didn't want to get into any more trouble. As the orange pegasus was lead inside alongside the pink filly whom she gave a bloody muzzle, the rest couldn't help but stand there with shock.
After the final bell rang, fillies and colts rushed out the door, happy to be free from school. As the crusaders left, Aurora noticed one filly still sitting down at her desk: Scootaloo. After giving The pink filly, who Aurora found out was known as Diamond Tiara, a bloody nose, Scootaloo had to serve some detention after school got out. Other than Twilight, Aurora hadn't had another pony take up for in close to the same manner. She knew it'd be a little boring, but Aurora suggested the group wait for their pegasus friend so she wouldn't have to walk home alone. The other two didn't even try to protest.
After what felt like an eternity, Scootaloo finally emerged from the classroom. She hadn't been expecting her friends to wait for her, but it was a nice comfort to see them nonetheless.
"Ah'm gonna be honest, Scoots, ah never knew ya had it in ya," Applebloom said.
"Me neither," Sweetie Belle said, "I know she had it coming, but I still didn't expect you to actually hit her in the schoolyard".
"Yea, well... I've have enough of those two picking on my friends," Scootaloo said, "I guess I kinda lost control, though".
"I hate you had to get in trouble, but thanks," Aurora said.
"Don't worry about it," Scootaloo said.
"So, uh... ah guess ya gotta get home, don't ya?" Applebloom asked.
"Yea, I'll uh... I'll see you girls tomorrow," Scootaloo said before starting her walk home.
"You think you can leave just like that?" Aurora asked, catching up with her friend, "We'll walk with you. You're our friend, after all, and I don't like to leave friends alone like that".
"Thanks Aurora," Scootaloo said.
Wasting no time, the other two fillies quickly caught up and the group started heading off together. It was obvious Scootaloo was going to be grounded, but that didn't mean she had to head home on her own.