//------------------------------// // Spring Time // Story: Traces of a Hidden Shadow // by Teotle //------------------------------// One morning, a few weeks after the Winter Wrap Up, it was time to go back to school. Teotle and Scarlet were getting ready for school. They were assessing their saddle bags when Teotle hollered down the hall, "Nyx, It's time to go. Do you want to be late?" "Nyx isn't here." Twilight replied from the kitchen, helping Spike wash the dishes after breakfast. "She went to school early to meet that admirer from Hearths Warming." Teotle's face went from curious to worried in a heartbeat. "WHAT?!" He shouted in a panic. "Teotle." Twilight said reassuringly. "Nyx can handle herself, thanks to you're teachings. We both know she can hold her own." "Why didn't she say anything to me?" Teotle asked. "She always tells me." "Well, Teotle, she was worried you would but in between them." "If this person s a threat." Teotle snapped. "You bet I would." "Chillax, brother." Scarlet said, patting Teotle on the head. If anything goes wrong, we'll handle it." "Besides, Nyx only left five minutes before you woke up." Twilight added. "I'm sure she just arriving to school right now." Later Teotle and Scarlet walked to school to meet Nyx and their friends before class started. Scarlet was older, so she didn't go to the same class as them, but she wanted to make sure Teotle didn't sprint to school and interrupt Nyx's private chat. They didn't go at a slow casual passe though. It was sort of half and half between walking and running. Teotle tried to pick up some speed while Scarlet did her best to keep up with him. Eventually, she just stayed in front of him as they walked down the street. When they finally arrived, Teotle didn't see Nyx or the anonymous friend by the playground. Instead, he saw Nyx in the classroom through the window. When he and Scarlet went inside, he saw her, Ms Cheerilee, and nopony else. He opened his mouth and tried to speak, but Cheerilee called out to him and said, "Welcome back, Teotle. Scarlet, I don't believe you have class yet." "No, I don't." Scarlet replied. " was just making sure my brother got here safely." "Well, that's nice of you." Cheerilee said with a smile. "Yeah, but now I got to get back and get a few more hours of sleep." Scarlet added. "Just don't sleep too long." Cheerilee said. "You don't want to be late and fall behind, again." "Ok." Scarlet replied, in a semi-sarcastic voice, as she made her way out the door. "What ever you say." Cheerilee then gave Teotle an assigned desk next to Nyx and began to write the lesson up on the board. As she did that, more students entered the class room, including the Cutiemark Crusaders. When they all got to their desks, Cheerilee began and said, "Good morning, class." "Good morning, Ms Cheerilee." the students answered back. Cheerilee continued, "Ok, today we're going to review our lesson from last semester, before winter break. Can anypony tell me what topic we were going over?" Everypony was silent, as usual, until Teotle raised his paw. "Yes, Teotle?" Cheerilee asked. Teotle huffed and answered, "We were reviewing the study of chemistry and how it is applied to certain daily activities. I remember because you I found a foot note on alchemy on page 25 in the book." "Very good." Cheerilee answered with an approving smile. "And which chapter did we leave off of?" This time Twist raised her hoof and answered, "I think we were in chapter 3, on page 28. I remember seeing that page Teotle mentioned before we left for break." "Exactly." Cheerilee relied. "Now, everypony open your books to that page and lets read together." Cheerilee had the students take turns reading paragraphs, one by one. For a time or two, some students were lost or were not following along. That set them back a bit on time, but they made it up with some of the faster readers. Time went on as they read and reviewed the book until the bell for recess. Teotle met Nyx and the others by the swing set, where they usually hang out, and began to push Nyx on the swing as he asked her questions about this morning. "Nyx?" Teotle asked. "Yeah, Teotle?" she answered back. "Who did you meet this morning?" Teolte continued. "Was he nice to you? Was he suspicious? Did he hurt you? Was he...?" "Teotle, calm down." Applebloom interrupted. "You're getting worked up over nothing. Does Nyx really have to tell you everything in her life?" Nyx blushed and said, "No, Applebloom, It's ok. I did leave this morning without telling Teotle what I was doing. I don't blame him for being worried." Nyx looked back at Teotle and went on. "I met a really nice colt this morning. His name is Day Dreamer. We talked about who I am and what led ponies to believe I was Nightmare Moon." "How much did you tell him?" Teotle asked. He was worried that if Nyx told thuis colt too much, then he will do something irrational, like spread some lie about Nyx. "I only told him the main story, not the details of what I did or why I did it. He was patient enough not to ask me yet." Teotle sighed in relief and said, "That's good, I don't want anypony to hurt you over things that were no your fault." Nyx didn't say anything about it after that. She still felt guilty about what she did, but she dare not tell Teotle or their friends. If they knew how she felt, then they might try and get in the middle. She didn't want to burden them. Nyx got off the swing and said, "Ok, Teotle, It's your turn."