//------------------------------// // Initiation rites and wrongs // Story: Rho Phi Nu Initiation // by tosety //------------------------------// Dinky and Sweetie Belle sat with the other mares in their dorm. Everypony was excitedly waiting as they got their horns painted yellow and had the sorority’s name painted over their cutie marks. Ρ Φ Ν “All right, fillies,” an upperclassmare whinnied. “Time to see what you foals are made of. Remember that anypony caught smiling or laughing will fail this final test.” Hearing this, Dinky quickly quashed the excited grin she was giving Sweetie. An orange aura that matched the glow of the upperclassmare’s horn enveloped a small drum and stick and it beat out four beats. BUM BUM BUM BUM At the second repetition, everypony stood. BUM BUM BUM BUM At the third repetition, they were marching in place to the beat. The clopping of their hooves quickly merged into an accompaniment to the drum as did the beating of their hearts. BUM BUM BUM BUM Another upperclassmare cast an illusion to hide their horns and flanks as they started to march out the door. Every face was set in a grim line like they were royal guards marching to battle. Dinky quietly imagined herself in gleaming golden armor as she exited the building and onto the street. Dinky cautiously looked around as she marched. Ponies on the street stood aside as the line of mares marched towards the castle gates. Some were confused, others were amused. Dinky heard a faint hum start up in time with the beat of the drum. As they drew closer, many onlookers facehoofed, knowing what would be happening from previous years. Sweetie Belle had to struggle to keep from grinning at everypony’s reactions. Sweetie Belle felt a strange tickle of magic on her flanks, but there was nothing to do but keep herself focused and serious. She and Dinky were going to be in the greatest sorority at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns and this was the final gate to jump. Everypony who was anypony (with the exception of Twilight Sparkle, of course) had been part of this sorority. She frowned for a second, realizing that, being a sorority, stallions were explicitly left out. Two blocks away, the chant started. Po-tass-i-um. It started out as a whisper. Potassium. Potassium. Potassium. It grew in volume as every mare in line joined the chant. Potassium. Potassium. Potassium. Soon, every mare in the group was shouting it. Potassium. Potassium. Potassium. One block away from the castle, an upperclassmare dispersed the illusion and everypony’s horns showed the yellow paint. Their fake cutie marks, however, were not the sorority name, but, rather, half peeled bananas. Many in the crowd burst out in laughter. The rest either facehoofed or grumbled about the inappropriateness of the sight. Any foals in the audience quickly had their eyes and ears covered as they were hustled as far away as possible. There were going to be many uncomfortable conversations about bananas and their effect on the pony reproductive cycle. Celestia stood on her balcony, quietly amused by the yearly parade. The mares were currently marching in a circle in the main plaza outside the gates of the royal palace. A crowd of onlookers showed several different emotions. Officially, she considered it ‘the height of bad taste’ but deep down, she admitted that she found many examples of bad taste highly amusing. If her sister were watching, there would have been an obvious (to her) upturn at the corners of her mouth and a twinkle of mirth in her eyes. Luckily, anypony who had not spent more than two hundred years with her would be unable to notice. She wished she could applaud the show without the duty of being a proper princess and a role model to these students, but authority was a double ended spear. “Same instructions as last year?” Raven asked from beside her. “Of course,” Celestia replied. As Raven trotted away, Celestia called back. “On second thought, make sure to include Luna and Twilight in the picture mailings.” “Yes, they probably would enjoy them,” Raven said with a devious smile. “Any particular subjects? If I remember, one of the bearer’s sisters is in that class.” “Ah, yes, good call. Make sure to get extra shots of Sweetie Belle... maybe the mailmare’s daughter too.” As Raven closed the door, there was the signature pop of a teleport and soon there were pegasi guards with cameras flying over the retreating group of students. Princess Celestia stood in the auditorium, looking out over the faces of the assembled fillies and colts in her school. “It has come to my attention that a certain sorority on campus has caused quite the scene. Many ponies of influence are calling for its disbandment due to this being a recurring problem. I, therefore, need to state in no uncertain terms that this school does not support, condone, or appreciate public displays of lewd and chaotic behavior and will continue to voice our displeasure if it continues to occur.” With that statement, she walked off the stage. As her flank disappeared from sight, Sweetie Belle thought she saw Celestia’s cutie mark change into a half peeled banana. Dearest Sweetie Belle, HOW COULD YOU? YOUR MOTHER CAN BARELY BREATHE AND I WON’T BE ABLE TO SHOW MY FACE IN PUBLIC EVER AGAIN! THIS IS THE WORST POSSIBLE THING! EVEN TWILIGHT SPARKLE HAS SEEN THE PICTURES OF YOU WITH THOSE FEELIES. Your loving sister, Rarity As Rarity finished rolling up the scroll, blushing furiously, her mother was turning purple. ”Mother, it is not that funny. Do you realize how many stallions saw your daughter in such a scandalous group?” Her mother responded with a fresh burst of laughter as she and Hondo continued to leaf through the pictures that came anonymously in the mail. My Precious Muffin Somepony sent me pictures of you and your classmates. tt looked like you were having a very good time. Next time, please let me know so that I can come and watch. Your mommy Derpy Hooves P.S. Princess Twilight framed a picture for me and I asked her to make a copy for you. Dear Princess Celestia, Thank you for the wonderful pictures. I look forward to taking them out and complementing those two fillies next time I see them. Sadly, it reminds me of yet another thing I missed by being unwilling to socialize while in Canterlot, although my parents would have been mortified if they had received pictures of me doing that. I expect they would have refused to send me any spending bits unless I quit the sorority. Sincerely, Princess Twilight Sparkle Hey Sweetie, Bwahahahaha! Love your new cutie mark. Best. Picture. Ever! Your friends, Scootaloo & Apple Bloom P.S. , You might want to stay away from Rarity for the next few years. P.P.S. , My dad didn’t get it, but mom is still laughing. -Scoots