It was several weeks beyond that before Sunset was allowed back down on the surface of Dinosaur Planet after that, as she was grounded and restricted to the Great Fox...both for misbehaving by running around unsupervised, and for not telling them about it sooner. To everyone's surprise, Sunset did not scream and cry or otherwise throw a tantrum about it, and instead glumly accepted her punishment...only to mope everywhere she went on the Great Fox while staring longingly out a viewport every time they were in sight of Dinosaur Planet.
Only Falco noticed the huge smirk she gave when this resulted in a three month grounding being commuted after a single month. He chose not to say anything.
New rules were set down regarding her excursions to the planet, however. She was no longer allowed to just run off wherever, even within a settlement. She was required to be accompanied by an adult at all times. A bit of negotiation on Falco's part allowed it to be a Dinosaur adult, as long as it was someone personally known and trusted by Tricky's parents, and could easily keep up with the pair. This in no way curtailed Sunset and Tricky's explorations, as the Queen Cloudrunner did not yet have children of her own and adored Sunset, and was easily strong enough to carry both children on her back...or in her talons for short distances without hurting them if they were especially rambunctious. Since the tribes more or less took care of themselves and the leaders were only needed for ceremonial or arbitration purposes, she had plenty of time to look after 'the child of prophecy', though this was never mentioned where Sunset would hear.
As time went on, however, Sunset still wound up spending less time down on Dinosaur Planet as Fox and the others began her formal education. As there was not yet a way to enroll her in a school for classroom based education, this instead involved converting one of the rooms in the Great Fox into a schoolhouse to teach her. It took a bit of time to explain to Sunset what the room was and why she would be spending time there, but apparently she was eager to learn once she understood it was a room just for that purpose.
The first step was determining how much she already knew, and then working from there as far as what she still needed to learn. Krystal handled that portion, as all it required was giving her several standardized tests and helping her understand what she was to do with each. Afterwards, the tests were given to Rob - who Sunset still called 'Brobot' - to collate for results.
As Sunset was presently down for a nap, the group gathered around Rob for the results. "Alright, Rob," Peppy began calmly. "Let's hear it. What's our little girl know already?"
"General assessment: Sunset is highly intelligent," Rob began.
"This comes as a surprise?" Falco joked playfully.
"Current age is estimated five years old based on physical development as compared to known similar species in Lylat," Rob continued, ignoring Falco's joke. "Equivalent of Kindergarten student. Knowledge tests indicate third grade understanding minimum due to absence of historical knowledge."
"Oh?" Slippy asked curiously, wondering how advanced placement would be handled there.
"Subject specific analysis: Mathematics," Rob continued. "Sunset is able to explain her understanding of mathematical concepts of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponents, order of operations, and basic algebra. Sunset is able to correctly solve equations involving calculus, physics, advanced field mechanics, and astro-navigation, but is unable to properly vocalize or otherwise explain her understanding."
"...she can what?" Fox asked in shock, managing just barely to get the question out before the pen that had rolled off the table could break the silence by hitting the floor.
"That actually makes sense," Krystal spoke up carefully. "Most of those maths are part of the theory in the books of magic I've managed to translate, and she seems to have an instinctive grasp of her magic, even to the more complex aspects by Cerinian standards. Such higher maths probably come easily as a result."
"That does make sense," Slippy allowed ruefully. "Terribly unfair, but logical."
"Now you know how I felt about her astral projection," Krystal joked, sharing a laugh with her amphibian companion.
"Sciences," Rob continued. "Sunset's understanding appears...skewed. If asked for results of specific scientific scenarios, has some difficulty but can grasp. If asked about what she should do in certain scientific scenarios, invariably and unerringly responds with the steps that will lead to the biggest explosion possible."
"Keep her out of engineering!" Slippy screamed out worriedly, getting several laughs around the table.
"Can't say I blame her for that," Falco joked. "I love it when things go kablooie, too!"
"Not when it's us!" Slippy countered angrily.
"Fair point," Falco allowed with a smirk.
"Language," Rob continued. "Sunset has a broken grasp of Lylat Standard, but can speak fluent Cerinian and Saurian in all dialects of Dinosaur Planet save Sharpclaw."
"Broken grasp?" Peppy asked worriedly. "Does she have a problem understanding it?"
"Unknown," Rob replied. "She frequently shifted into Cerinian or Saurian, especially when excited or otherwise emotional. Appears to prefer those languages to Lylat Standard."
"Can't say I blame her," Fox allowed. "Lylat Standard is the standard...but the Saurian and Cerinian I've heard is so much more...beautiful."
"History," Rob continued once no one else had anything to say. "Sunset possesses no knowledge of historical conflicts of Lylat system, and shows no interest in learning them. Attempts at instruction resulted in explosive destruction of educational tapes."
Fox frowned. "Well, we can't let her do that," he observed darkly.
"How are you going to stop her?" Falco joked playfully.
"By having you teach her," Fox responded readily. "You're the 'fun Uncle', and we need to make History fun for her. I'm sure you'll come up with something."
Falco glowered angrily at Fox as the others shared a chuckle. "I'll get you for this, Fox," he muttered darkly.
"Sure you will," Fox teased back with an impish grin.
I'm almost certain Falcon will teach Sunset history ala dress up to spice things up. He'll punch the boredom away for sure. Now if only Sunset can engineer something that doesn't blow up in her (or the others) face... she certainly minds her language since the others well... she can kinda do the math for that one there.
Nice chapter, as always.
So, will Sunset be OP for now and forever or will she face at least some kind of problems at one point in life? I mean, first I found it amusing that Sunset could already so so many things, but in the last chapters she simply ignores all laws that existed for many, like teleporting with Tricky every distance with the help of the warpstone for example. I mean the rule that dinosaurs can't be teleported was for the dinosaurs exactly that, a rule, and Sunset simply ignores it. And that at HER age.
Obviously, Sunset is my favourite character, but I don't like it if a character is much too OP.
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Don't worry. She'll definitely be facing challenges.
Whelp, time to show her So this is the History of [Insert[] videos.
Sidenote, Falco's soothing voice became the Morgan Freeman of this universe in documentaries.
8463544
I'm not sure. I mean, that's the logical thing to do, but there's a rather big stumbling block in the way of that.
That block is Tatsurou himself. While a lot of what he does is similar- redemption of characters that aren't pure evil for example -he rarely repeats specific scene details.
Then again, he might just do what you said anyway, both to prove me wrong and because he feels ornery.
It's sometimes hard to predict where this particularly prolific pony publicist will go with his fics.
I mean that in a good way; it keeps us on our toes
Can't blame Sunset, history was my least favourite subject as well.
Could always have Falco appeal to her exploratory side, make it all about the wonders of how little there is known and why so many fight to find out sort of thing.
8463613
Pah, Philistine! History is the best subject.
Or at least, it was for me anyway
8463620
Haha only so many times you can hear about ancient egypt or the Australian double dissolution of parliament before you just think of a free pass to nap or skip.
My brother would have agreed with you but I'll happily wear the title of philistine before sitting through history again.
8463630
Depends on where you're sitting. For me, it would be a nice change of pace considering my usual day-to-day activities.
Then again, you can only watch the same Uncovering Ancient Secrets on Science Channel before it gets old. When I was still in school, I seldom slept through class.
As far as I can recall anyway; that was almost twenty years ago.
Has it been that long?! Yeesh!!
I get the feeling Falco won't let Sunset get away with anything when she is older.
8463730
I have a feeling he'll be helping her get away with things when she's older myself.
History is important, Sunset, you don't want to be doomed to repeat it. It'll be boring enough having to attend those classes once, let alone more than that.
Hmm, I would've thought using Old Peppy to tell history in story form be the best choice, though I guess it'd a harsh blow to the hare if she starts seeing grandpa as "boring".
History, a subject I had little problems with until the teacher started asking questions of a country when it was known as this but wanted the answer to be when the country was known as that. And he was the good history teacher the school had.
There is only ONE way (Warning: No there is not) to make History fun! EXTREME HIGH SPEED HOVERCAR RACING! (Warning: Excuse for Falco Punches)
Ouch Sunset refuses to learn from the past when it doesn't relate to her. I wonder how Celestia handled this originally?
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In other words, they're gonna copy how Tony taught Dash, unintentially of course. I mean, aside from the blowing things up bit, and the different languages, they have basically the same test results.
Falco: "Well whaddya want me to do? Dress up and be a one man play of all of history?"
Sunset thinks for a moment before grinning widely, making several closets of clothes appear.
F: "...me and my big beak..."
An interesting educational eschewment of skills. I'm curious as to how our favorite space-case featherbrain is gonna handle Sunset's lessons. Should be amusing to see, at least.
No real surprises here, but fun none the less. Looking forward to more.
Keep up the great work. Deus tecum.
Math for the win
Create an RPG video game based off off the History's Sunset needs to learn then have her play the game. She then learns without knowing shes learning!
Years later...
Sparkle: I have visual on Star Light.
Glimmer: Well I got visual on Twilight!
Rainbow: Give me the order and I can finish them in 10 seconds.
Lightning: Not if I get you, first!
Fluttershy: Um... I don't think that's a good- Help! I'm hit!
Zephyr: You better watch your back, sis! This job pays more than my dream job!
Sunset: I'll get you Falco! You were my dad's friend and you killed him! You were my uncle and teacher! I trusted you! Why are you part of a Star Wolf copy?!
Falco: I don't know; I guess if you don't learn from history, it's bound to repeat itself!
Sunset: I will avenge my father!
Falco: And you'll fail! Just like all those tests I assigned!
Fluttershy: I know you have a history together but... umm... my life support is failing.
Falco: No. We don't have a history because "history is stupid." Right, Sunny?
Sunset: AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
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.............. really? are you really going with that??
They need the Lylat version of School House Rock. Heck, my Middle and High School teachers still popped those into the VCR for when we were studying American History, the Declaration of Independance, chemistry, and nouns, verbs, adverbs, and pronouns.
Funcle Falco?
You're a good uncle, "fakka."
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Sunset should've hit the books.
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..................... ( gravity cat not amused )
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Not all cats can understand the gravity of the situation.
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I get the feeling it would depend on what she's trying to get away with.
If it has anything to do with boys, I'm expecting him to drop the hammer ... hard.
It's kinda interesting that Sunset would have trouble learning Lylat history, since she liked hearing stories from "Grandpa Peppy" so much. But it's easy to see that she's getting into the age where kids test their limits and see what they can get away with (like the poor Warpstone).
That makes sense.
8654346
Yes it does.
Well, now she knows what NOT to do. That's kinda impressive from the sheer magnitude of wrong.
8751958
and still horribly unfair.
8846363
Yes
8464281
Sunset would destroy him with magic.