Cute Trouble

by Evowizard25

The School Teacher and the Priestess

Pizzelle wished she was anywhere else but here. She wished she was in front of a firing line. An undead army. Nightmare Moon herself. All of that would have been preferable to what she was forced to endure. Behind her was High Sun Priestess Bon Bon. The earth was holding on tight to her Sun Scepter, a weapon used to amplify the power of a sun priestess, as she trotted back and forth in frustration. A Sun Scepter was similar to a large cane, except it was golden with several inscriptions carved into it and a large, sun shaped jewel at the top. Just seeing the thing held within the grasp of an agitated Sun Priestess was enough to send shivers of fear down Pizzelle’s spine. Lyra was standing over to the side of the room, just as nervous as Pizzelle, even though she wasn’t in trouble.

In front of them all was Cheerilee and she was not pleased. No, she was agitated. Not at anything particular, but Pizzelle knew she was just agitated at everything. She’d seen enough agitated ponies to know who and what was agitating them. It came with being a blabber mouth. One often garnered a lot of frustration from time to time. Right now, she didn’t feel like blabbering.

All things considered, this was not how Pizzelle thought her next time in school would be.

“...And that just about sums it up,” Cheerilee finished recanting the day’s events.

“I knew it,” Bon Bon seethed. “I knew it was too early and none of you listened to me. No, let’s not listen to the sun priestess. It’s not like she’s blessed by Celestia or anything. It’s not like Hikaru is another species or anything. Oh wait, I am and he is.” She snorted, clutching her Sun Scepter closer to herself as she tried to keep herself steady in her anger.

“That’s enough, priestess.” Cheerilee admonished. “What’s done is done.”

“I know that,” Bon Bon snorted. “What I want to know is why is he still enrolled in this school?”

“Because what happened wasn’t nearly as bad as you’re making it out to be,” Cheerilee narrowed her eyes. “Scootaloo was hurt by his actions. That much I agree, but she wasn’t hurt by him nor was it his intention to harm her. Neither was her injury that severe. It was an accident. She’s honestly come trotting to me with far worse injuries before today.”

Pizzelle could hear Bon Bon cursing Scootaloo’s grandfather, Night Watch. The head of the town’s security force. That stallion was bullheaded and always thought force was the way to fix life’s problems. Apparently Scootaloo had picked up on that lesson. ‘The poor dear. That’s certainly not healthy. Not healthy at all. I have half a mind to march on over and give him a piece of my mind. I do indeed.’ Pizzelle didn’t have a high opinion of the stallion and given her kind nature, that was saying something.

“I know you’re upset, Bon Bon.” Cheerilee continued. “But acting like a foal isn’t going to change anything.”

“A foal?” Bon Bon stopped in her tracks and glared at the teacher. “I am no foal. I am the High Sun Priestess, the leading power in this town. Keep such talk to yourself.”

“I will not,” Cheerilee stated. “You need ot hear it once in a while.”

“Silence,” Bon Bon banged her scepter into the ground, causing it to light up in holy magic. “You will take Hikaru out of school now.”

“That isn’t my choice,” Cheerilee tilted her head to Pizzelle, who shrunk under the priestess’ gaze. “It is up to his guardian to decide.”

“I gave him Hikaru,” Bon Bon said. “Therefore I decide what happens to him. Take him out of school. Now!”

Pizzelle fidgeted about, thinking on everything. From Hikaru, the incident, the seething priestess. It was just all too much to take in. ‘None of this was supposed to happen. This is a school. It’s a sacred place. Why did this happen?!!’ She wasn’t going to cry. This was Hikaru’s chance to make friends. To smile. She wasn’t going to let this chance slip away. “No.”

“No?” Bon Bon blinked in confusion. “No?!!” She pointed her scepter at Pizzelle.It’s power, like the sun itself, was scorching and all encompassing. “How dare you?”

Lyra quickly forced it upwards. “Bon Bon. Quit it.” The Priestess didn’t say anything. She just looked into the steel edged stare that Lyra was giving her that brocured for nothing more than compliance. That wasn’t something Lyra usually did. The Priestess huffed and sat down on the floor.

“Well then,” Cheerilee cleared her throat. It was obvious that she was just as affected by the scepter as Pizzelle, given how she was trying to keep herself still. To her credit, Cheerilee was doing a much better job about it. “I think we can get down to business. Today’s incident will be taken into account in the following. Hikaru is not to be expelled.”

“But-” Bon Bon started, being silenced by Cheerilee’s raised hoof.

“He is not to be expelled unless Pizzelle wishes it,” Cheerilee stated. “She is her guardian until the week is over, am I correct?” Bon Bon reluctantly nodded. “Very well then. He will continue going to school. However, he is not to use any illusion based magic on school ground unless there is a skilled illusionist supervising him. Is that fair?”

Pizzelle nodded. “Oh very much so. Why I think this has been a learning experience for all of us. I certainly do. I remember a little colt in my class who pulled a prank like this once. He got us all riled up with his fake Ursa.” Pizzelle giggled at the memory. “He was a sweet kid, but he didn’t do anything like that for a while after his parents got to him. I’ve been in touch a couple of times. He’s a doctor now. An upstanding member of society. I was quite happy for him.”

Cheerilee smiled. She was thankful for Pizzelle’s input. “And I have no doubt Hikaru will be the same. So we’re clear on this matter then?” No one spoke. Pizzelle out of fear of sparking the argument again and Bon Bon out of frustration. “Good. Hikaru is to remain in school, but you must make it clear to him, Pizzelle. His illusions stay at home until I can find someone of skill to help teach him. You are dismissed.”

Pizzelle gleefully floated out of her chair. “Oh thank you, Cheerilee. I don’t know what I’d do without you. No I don’t. You’re much wiser than you let on. I still don’t know why you didn’t go into politics.”

“I prefer children,” Cheerilee stated. “Much less hassle.”

Pizzelle giggled. “True. See you, dearies~” She waved with a hoof as she flew out the door. ‘Thank Celestia that was short. I don’t think my heart could have taken another minute of that.’

______________________________________________________________

Cheerilee was thankful Pizzelle had left when she did. The beloved teacher didn’t know how long it would take before she exploded with frustration. It wasn’t Pizzelle per say, but her presence was ticking the sun priestess off. That wasn’t healthy for anyone. “Lyra, could you give us a moment?”

Lyra looked to Bon Bon, who nodded. The unicorn mare grinned. “I’ll go check up on Hikaru. Make sure the little guy’s okay.” She trotted out of the room and shut the door behind her.

Cheerilee didn’t say anything. She just adjusted her ears so that they faced the door. When she couldn’t hear anyone, she tilted them away. She stood up from her chair. “Would you like something to drink?”

Bon Bon was still tense, so her nod was a bit stiff. “Some chocolate milk would be wonderful.”

Cheerilee nodded and walked over to a little cooler. It was amazing how magic could be so useful in everyday life. She quickly opened it. Most of the stuff inside her little juices and milks for the kids. There wasn’t any tea or anything like that. Mostly because she hated tea. ‘Disgusting if you asked me.’ She pulled out a little chocolate carton and hoofed it over to Bon Bon.

“Thank you,” Bon Bon opened it up and took a sip. She sighed. “Chocolate always helps with the nerves, you know.” Cheerilee just nodded as she sat back down in her chair. There was an awkward silence. Bon Bon idly looked around. “Still the same old room. Nothing’s changed in years.”

“I like how it is,” Cheerilee answered. “I’ve never had a reason to change anything.”

“Yeah….” Bon Bon frowned as she stared at her drink. “No change at all. That must be nice.”

Cheerilee sighed. “I know you’re having a hard time adjusting after Nightmare Moon’s appearance. We all are, but that’s no reason for you to target Pizzelle.”

“I have not been targeting her,” Bon Bon snorted, narrowing her eyes in anger. “I trusted her to take care of Hikaru.”

“And she has.”

“No she hasn’t!” Bon Bon slammed her hooves onto the desk, causing Cheerilee to scoot backwards in shock. “He’s been in one problematic situation after another. If this keeps up, he’s going to get hurt, or worse. I’m not just going to stand idly by and watch that happen.”

“It isn’t going to happen,” Cheerilee tried to assure her. While they weren’t friends, they were still on friendly terms. She hated seeing the priestess like this. Bon Bon had bags underneath her eyes and she shook slightly with every movement. “I know it’s not my place to judge a priestess. Celestia forgive me, but I’m going to say this because you need to hear it. You’re not thinking clearly, Bon Bon. You’re tired and you’re taking your anger out on everypony else.”

“How dare you insinuate I would do such a thing,” Bon Bon snarled. “I have done nothing but go out of my way to help this town since I was appointed the High Sun Priestess. Hay, I was helping this town since I was a little filly. I would never take my frustration out on others. Pizzelle is a good mare. She’s just not fit to be a mother.”

“And how would you know if you’re not willing to give her a chance,” Cheerilee retorted.

“I let her take Hikaru, didn’t I?” Bon Bon shot back. “They both needed healing. They both needed love, but maybe I was too quick to throw them together. To get something done and bring some sunshine back into our town. This is my fault and I’m going to fix it.”

“By hurting them? By taking them away from each other when they need each other the most?” Cheerilee gave Bon Bon a concerned look. ‘This was worse than I thought,’ she thought as she looked over the irrational mare.

“If that’s what it takes,” Bon Bon answered. “I’m not the bad pony here, Cheerilee. I’m just trying to help.”

“Then let them be,” Cheerilee stated. “You’re putting enough pressure on them as it is. It’s not healthy for anyone.”

“I will not let Hikaru come to harm,” Bon Bon gulped down the entire small carton and threw it into a trashcan. “He’s my responsibility. This town is my responsibility.”

“You’re not the only one trying to help,” Cheerilee tried to find a crack in her fortitude. Somewhere she could slip in and get the priestess to see reason. “You have to take a step back and-”

“Let them die?!!” Bon Bon shouted. She quickly pushed herself up. “No. No one else is going to get hurt. Enough is enough. I’ll let Pizzelle off this time, but mark my words. If Hikaru comes to any harm in the next few days, I am taking him away.”

“It’s only been a few days. You’re being irrational.”

“I am being rational enough,” Bon Bon turned to leave. As she did so, she stumbled. Not because she tripped on something. No, Cheerilee could see how her body was giving out on her. Bon Bon was killing herself with all this worry and anger. The worst part was how she couldn’t think of something to help at this very moment. “Thank you for the drink, Cheerilee. I must be going.”

“Just….” Cheerilee started as the priestess walked out. “Try and get some rest.”

Bon Bon stopped at the doorway. She paused. “Not yet,” and then she was out of sight.

Cheerilee sighed, leaning back in her chair. ‘Damn you, Nightmare Moon. Damn you to Tartarus.’

Author's Note:

Sorry for the delay. Hopefully, I can work something out soon enough and finish this story.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please leave a comment.

Comments

[HB_DS2013]

Looks like this will require a GREAT and POWERFUL help.

[howard035]

6227945 I like where you're going with this. Hope Pizzelle can pay an illusionist tutor in peanut butter crackers.

Bon Bon needs some counseling, she clearly has some issues from NMM's attack that haven't been dealt with. I can't believe she brought her divine scepter to a parent-teacher-priestess conference.

[Evowizard25]

6227945
6230319 I'm going to be honest, Trixie slipped my mind as a possible tutor. However, i do plan on bringing her into town for a future story in season 1. I might actually get her to stay and become a sort of defacto 'master' to Hikaru, to help him with his illusions. But that's just a thought.

Yeah, she has it bad. It's going to be a bit though before she gets some help, especially since not that many people in town can just order to do anything, given her position.

[HB_DS2013]

6230719 Does peanut butter even exist in Equestria!?

[Evowizard25]

6230979 ....Yes. That's kind of a silly question, honestly, but it is a different world. I'd wager they'd have peanut butter, given all the types of food they have similar to ours.

[HB_DS2013]

6231084 I figured that every fanmade universe would have the same food choices as in canon, but this a first.

[ChangelingNumber32]

This was a pleasant read. The characters are well written, the conflicts feel natural, and the pacing is solid. I have to say, this alternative universe is really starting to grow on me. Keep up the good work!

[Honeytongue]

6230319
6230719
Oh, where's Doctor Wolf in this universe when they need him?
Just the power of his soft calming voice could sooth an angry Manticore [].

[NobodieZ]

A lot of drama in this chapter, I like how you incorporated the fallout from Nightmare Moon's attack.

I still don’t know why you didn’t go into politics.”
“I prefer children,” Cheerilee stated. “Much less hassle.”

I got nothing, that was funny.