In the cool autumn morning of Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle walked to school. Her head was low and ears pulled back as she went. A few steps behind her were two others, listening to the filly's rant.
"And he says that he's okay," she grumbled, "but I know that he's lying. He hasn't been sleeping well, and has been drinking a lot of coffee. He tries to act normal, but I know there's something wrong." She let out a huff, tail flicking with frustration.
"Maybe he doesn't want to worry you," Pumpkin Cake suggested. "There were times where Mom or Dad act kind of weird, and Pinkie says it's because they're worried about something, but don't want us to worry too. Like one time, they created a chocolate volcano cake, but something went wrong with the chocolate lava."
"Besides," Pound Cake added, tossing a wing over Twilight, "you've got nothing to worry about. I mean you're brother saved all of Equestria twice, and Ponyville like four or five times. He has to be the toughest unicorn alive."
"I suppose," Twilight sighed. "But I can't help it. He's my brother. He's been there for me my whole life. I don't like the idea of something being wrong. It makes me feel like I need to do something."
Pound gave Twilight a gentle pat on the back.
"What about Spike?" Pumpkin asked.
"He's worried too," Twilight answered. "Whatever is going on, Shiny won't talk to him about it either."
Pumpkin bit her lip and seemed to slow down a little.
"So," Pound piped up, "are you excited about The Running of The Leaves?"
The question caused Twilight to slow down, turning to look at Pound.
"The what?"
"The Running of The Leaves," Pound repeated. "Didn't you have anything like that in Canterlot?"
"I don't think so. What is it?"
"It's something they have here every fall," Pumpkin answered. "When all the leaves have turned brown and are ready to drop off the trees, we have a race where ponies run through The White Tail Woods. This is supposed to help get the leaves off and we get to have fun. There's also some treats and prizes."
"It all is supposed to celebrate how Ponyville was created by earth ponies," Pound added, "kind of like Winter Wrap-up."
"We don't have anything like that," Twililght answered. "There aren't a lot of trees around Canterlot. Most of them are in the park, or private gardens. I don't know what they do to get the leaves off."
The rest of the walk to school was in silence. Twilight Sparkle was lost in her thoughts, considering the question that had never really occurred to her before. It also made her wonder what else she had missed out on. Back in Canterlot, she spent most of her time trying to learn. She never really paid much attention to what was going on around her. Well, not anything that she did not find educational and entertaining. She had not really had much in the way of friends either. There were some neighbor kids and classmates she liked -- like Moondancer -- but she never really considered them friends or spent much time with them.
It now left her wondering how much she had missed out on.
The three of them arrived at Ponyville Elementary shortly before the school bell rang. Twilight headed straight for the schoolhouse and her classroom.
As usual, the teacher was already there at her desk. She looked up at Twilight as she entered the room, giving a gentle smile.
"Twilight," Miss Feather Bloom said, "I would like you to see me after class today."
"What?!" Twilight squeaked out, eyes going wide. The teacher wanted to see her after school? Did she do something wrong? Miss an assignment? Was she going to be sent back a grade? For--
"You're not in any trouble," Feather Bloom cut in, holding up a hoof. "I just want to discuss something with you that you might be interested in."
Twilight Sparkle continued to stand there, staring wide eyed at the teacher while hyperventilating. Finally, she turned and continued toward her desk, slowly getting her breathing under control. By the time the rest of the class came in, the young filly had her breathing and heart rate back to normal.
Just before class was about to start, a pony that Twilight did not recognize came into the room and stood by the teacher's desk. The new pony was an earth pony, probably a colt but could be a tomboy like Rainbow Dash or Scootaloo. The new pony had a mostly white colt, with patches of brown on it, as well as a brown mane an tail.
"Alright class," Miss Feather Bloom called out, getting everyone's attention. "We now have a new student joining us today." She then turned to the pony beside the desk. "Please, introduce yourself to the rest of the class."
"'ello, all," the colt said with a smile, waving a hoof. "My name is Pipsqueak. My family and I just moved here from Trottingham. I like adventure stories and really hope to become an adventurer some day myself."
"Thank you," Miss Feather Bloom said. "Now please take a seat."
As Pipsqueak walked toward the desks, Twilight Sparkle noticed something strange. Several of the other fillies were staring at Pipsqueak, and blushing slightly. A few of them watched him walk by, turning away when he looked in their direction.
Included among them were Trixie and and Pumpkin Cake. The two made eye contact as the colt passed.
The pair of unicorns started glaring at each other. The air seemed to crackle with electricity between them.
Oh, saddle sores, Twilight thought, rolling her eyes.
This could be a problem.