//------------------------------//
// Successful Celestial Application Essays 
// Story: Remedial Applied Essay 
// by DerpyStarlet 
//------------------------------//

“What do you think is taking the mail so long?”
Spike looks up from his book and at Twilight, she's planted herself by the door in wait.
“It's not even time for the mail yet, we’ve got a good… oh, ten minutes.” Spike shakes his head, turning away from the clock. Twilight's been in the same position for at least the last thirty minutes. That was the last time she took a bathroom break.
“But what if it got lost?” she was referring, of course, to the only letter that was of Importance to her. Her letter of acceptance to Celestia's academy for higher learning.
“Then we'll ask Celestia personally about your acceptance. Then she'll tell you that you really don't have anything to worry about, she'd never deny her prized pupil entry into her school.” Spike says, looking out the window. Knowing Derpy, it wouldn't be such a stretch if the mail got lost. The mail did occasionally get lost, but Derpy was never late. She’s a good worker, just a little confused.
There was a sudden knock on the door and Twilight arrived in an instant.
“Mail’s here!” Derpy cheered, presenting Twilight with a couple of envelopes. Only one had the official seal of Celestia’s Academy for higher learning. Twilight immediately, but gently, tore the letter open and started reading. It wasn’t long before the letter touched the ground, having floated there gently. Spike set down his book and looked at Twilight's shocked face in concern, Derpy even looked concerned.
“Rejected.” Twilight whispered. “I’ve been rejected.” There was a bright flash, Spike looked at the spot Twilight had once been standing in shock. He shook his head vigorously and picked up the letter, surely it said something else. Why would anyone reject Twilight.
“Er… Spike? There’s also a package.” Derpy said, holding out a nondescript package. The only thing of note is that the same seal that adorned the letter was also carefully burnt onto the outside packaging of the box. No doubt painstakingly, and if it’s from the academy then what could it be?
“Thanks, Derpy.” Spike said, taking the package, along with all the mail, before signing for the package.

~

Today was terrible for Twilight. Today was no good to Twilight. Today was absolutely, undoubtedly, insufferably… Stupid!
“Rargh!” Twilight growls angrily, her magic flares briefly. She looks at the tree she’s just torn clear out of the ground before looking at what she’s done. She moves over to the tree in shock and concern for the immobile entity, tears already welling up. Princess Celestia was right, she isn’t ready for her school. Twilight leaned against the uprooted tree and began crying. It didn’t help, it didn’t even make her feel better.
“I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry” She cried, repeating the word endlessly. every succeeding word making her feel worse and worse.
“Hey, Twilight.” her head turns and she finds Spike tentatively walking up to her. She wipes her eyes and smiles miserably.
“Hey, Spike.” she whispers. He takes that as an invitation and comes to sit next to her.
“You know Celestia judges those papers personally?” this does not make Twilight feel better and she turns her head away. “She didn't want to reject you Twilight.”
“I know… I read the letter.” she whispers dejectedly. “She said my essay was uninspiring and basic.” she sniffles sadly at the comment. It had obviously hit a chord. “I don't understand, I followed the formatting perfectly, I told her what I expected to get out of it. I even explained how I always wanted to go there, just like they asked. I told them all about my accomplishments and everything…” she says.
“I think that was the problem…” Spike says thoughtfully.
“following the rules?” she asks incredulously.
“No… well, maybe a bit. You were too `by the book`” he explains. “The letter also said you should make your essay more personal.” Spike says bluntly. Twilight sniffles a bit, looking down at her hooves.
“The essay is supposed to tell them about me. Now they think I'm boring, uninspired, and bland.” she cries softly.
“Well, the letter also mentioned how early you had your letter in, the due date isn't for a couple more weeks.”
“So? I had my chance and I blew it. I bet Celestia doesn't even want to mentor me anymore!” Twilight says, panic evidently rising.
Ignoring the outburst, Spike continues. “Celestia said that she wants you to submit another essay.”  He says, pulling out the letter for emphasis. “She even suggested some reading material to study.” he says pointedly.
“I already read all of our books on essays and followed them to a tee.”
“She didn't really suggest any books.” Spike says, scratching his head thoughtfully. “There was another package that she sent with a bunch of scrolls she thought would help you.”
Twilight perks up slightly at this, “Scrolls?” she asks quietly.

~

“These are them?” Twilight asks, nudging the package lightly. She looks at the scrolls, smelling the slightly dusty parchment, her magic gripping a solitary scroll. She unrolls it and scans it over, her eyes widening in shock.
“This is…” she trails off slowly, looking at the box anxiously, replacing the scroll she currently held with another. “These are essays. Admissions essays.” Twilight mutters, dropping the essay she's holding back into the box. She glances over all the essays hesitantly, chewing her lip anxiously before eventually sighing.
“I suppose these might help me. Celestia believes in me, I might as well try.” she admits, Spike smiles before turning away with a smirk.
“Then I guess you'll be preoccupied with studying those, I'll make some tea for you.” he says nonchalantly, his legs carrying him closer to the kitchen. She nods numbly before looking over the scrolls once more. Tentatively, she grabs the top scroll with her magic and floats it over to her study desk. As an afterthought, she levitates the entire package over to her desk as well and sets them beside it on the floor.
“I won't fail twice.” she mumbles absentmindedly as she settles into her study desk.