Chapter 6 - Starting school
Mystic still felt like her entire body was weighing her down. Her legs slowly trudged along the floor of the students’ sleeping quarters. She had spent most of the day recovering from a prolonged sugar crash by lying in bed and eating healthy again.
That was the most embarrassing time of my life, Mystic thought. But at least that energetic ball got to throw that party.
And would hopefully stay off her back a little more.
She had heard most ponies stayed inside all day because of the party and there was not one party that matched up to the one she experienced the night before.
Pinkie, who had somehow recovered, helped Mystic during her time. As much as she didn’t want that, Mystic was grateful to be walking again because of her efforts.
She does have a good heart, Mystic thought.
A door opened from down the hall, revealing Twilight Sparkle carrying some papers in her magic.
“Oh, there you are,” Twilight smiled as she walked over.
“Yeah, here I am,” Mystic said with a yawn.
“Are you feeling okay, Mystic?” Twilight asked.
“Fine. Just tired.”
“Really?” Twilight giggled.
Mystic rolled her eyes. “No, I’m just itching to fall asleep to get started tomorrow.”
“Okay, good. I’ll see you tomorrow morning and remember the most important thing!”
“Do well, be polite, get good grades?” Mystic asked.
Twilight giggled, “Have fun and make friends!”
Mystic rolled her eyes, “Of course.”
“See you tomorrow!”
Twilight closed the door, leaving Mystic behind. The unicorn turned to her bed and fell onto it.
She was out within seconds.
As he walked down the corridor to the cafeteria, Sandbar let out a yawn.
Mornings were Sandbar’s least favorite part of school because they make you drag when you’re supposed to have breakfast and get to your first class.
At least it’s Pinkie’s class, he thought. Her energy gets him pumped up and ready to plow through the rest of the day. So, it was worth it.
“Uhmph!” he bumped into somecreature.
“Hey! Watch it!” a voice said, which Sandbar identified as Smolder.
Sandbar yawned, “Sorry, Smolder I didn’t see you.”
“I was almost in the middle of the hallway!” Smolder said as she looked out from behind a stack of books that thankfully weren’t on the ground.
Sandbar wanted to object, but he decided he was too tired to do so. “I’m sorry, Smolder.”
Smolder just let out smoke through her nostrils.
“Anyway,” said Sandbar, “I’m looking forward to being back with all of you. Maybe we can have a better time unlike last night?”
Smolder rolled her eyes, “If you mean just studying and taking quizzes together, then I’m totally fine. Just stay out of my way when I’m going down the hall, okay?”
Sandbar slightly reeled back, stepping back from the dragoness. “Okay, okay! I said I was sorry.”
“Whatever, I’ve got to put these books in one of the classrooms,” said Smolder, walking down the hall.
“See you later?” Sandbar called. Smolder didn’t reply. What’s gotten her worked up?
A little while later, Sandbar reached the cafeteria doors. He opened them to reveal the tables lining up in the cafeteria and Pinkie behind the food stand. Sandbar took a quick glance and saw Ocellus sitting nearby reading a book with a plate of pancakes and syrup in front of her. Sandbar smiled and trotted over.
“Hey,” he said in a soft tone.
Ocellus jumped with a light squeal. Her wide eyes looked over in his direction.
“Oh, hi Sandbar,” the shy changeling spoke.
“Hi Ocellus,” said Sandbar, “Are you excited to be back in school? Excited to get back into the books and tests?”
“Mmm hmm,” Ocellus weakly nodded and went back to her book. She was quiet. That was weird.
“You okay?”
“Just trying to concentrate,” Ocellus muttered.
Sandbar couldn’t help but think it was something else. “Are you sure?”
Ocellus dug her head back into the book, making it clear she wanted to be left alone. He sighed and left the changeling alone.
As he walked up to get his breakfast, he noticed Silverstream sitting a few tables down and not smiling as her usual chipper self. He waved at her hoping to get a cheerful smile from her, but all he got was a nod before she went back to eating.
What is with everycreature? Did we have a fight I don’t know about? Sandbar thought. It was the same last night, they reunited and weren’t as happy being back at the school. I don’t understand...
Sandbar got in line for the food, he heard the doors open. He turned and saw a disgruntled Gallus enter the cafeteria.
Sandbar remembered that Gallus barely spoke last night. He claimed he was tired from the journey but maybe there was more to that.
He would get a moment with the griffon as he landed right behind him.
“Get a good night’s sleep?” Sandbar asked.
“Fine,” Gallus grumbled. “Could’ve been better.”
“Was I snoring again? Sandbar winced.
Gallus sighed, “No.”
“That’s good,” Sandbar said with a sigh of relief, “Are we going to our favorite spot with our other friends?”
“I just want to get back into school first,” replied Gallus.
“Really? But you don’t usually get too into school.”
“Just let me wake up before I fully talk,” Gallus grumbled again, yawning but Sandbar could tell it was fake.
Sandbar walked over to where they all usually sat, but there wasn’t anycreature there. He sighed and sat down in his chair. He frowned at his pancakes; this was not how things were supposed to--
Thud!
Sandbar jumped at the table shifting.
“Hi Sandbar!” said a rough feminine voice. It was Yona, smiling ever brightly at him. “Least you’re here! Makes morning better!”
Sandbar lightly blushed and he tried to hide it with clearing his throat. “Hi, Yona. It’s great to see you again.”
“Yona happy to see Sandbar!” the yak declared, grabbing her pancakes and stuffing them into her mouth. Some of the syrup splattered onto Sandbar, causing him to flinch but smile anyway.
“Remember not to talk with your mouth full,” he said.
“Mmm hmm!” Yona nodded.
Sandbar patiently waited for Yona to finish munching on her pancakes. When she did, he grabbed his fork and stabbed it into the pile.
“I’m certainly looking forward to getting back to school,” said Sandbar.
“Yona too!” the yak beamed, “But mostly because of friends!”
“I hear Mystic is going to be here,” said Sandbar. “A new student, Yona!”
“Yona excited for new student!” Yona laughed, pounding the table in excitement.
I hope we can all make a good impression on her, Sandbar thought. She helped save Equestria! He looked over at Gallus who sat two tables down from where they were. I have no doubt the others want to do the same.
Mystic opened her sleepy eyes and wiped the crust off them. The sun’s light streamed into her room. Stretching and letting out a yawn, she turned over to her side. Her body felt normal and strong again in a strong contrast to what it was before. Mystic sat up and stretched. She got up and put on her spare outfit but without her belt and weapons.
The School bell rang. Mystic gazed at the clock and it’s 7:05am.
“I guess they ring it to make sure the others are up,” she muttered.
With no time to waste, Mystic opened her door and stepped into the hallway.
After having some breakfast, Mystic headed to the school plaza where several students were talking and playing with one another.
She looked at a class schedule and saw that Pinkie’s class was first.
Fantastic, Mystic thought with a grimace.
This school wasn’t like other schools Mystic had seen before. All of the students seemed to get along, there was a positive atmosphere, and there was an occasional confetti cannon explosion along with some birds flying in and out of the facility.
But she didn’t want to focus on making friends, she just wanted to learn and not try that. However, she knew she would have to eventually.
The second class was Rainbow’s loyalty class. Her classroom was sky and sports themed with hoops hanging from the ceiling and boxes of balls and equipment in various parts of the room. Mystic sat in the back, just staring off into space.
All that had ever mattered to her was loyalty. She knew too much about it. The unicorn didn’t pay attention to Rainbow going over her lesson and doing some tricks above the class.
Even a showoff in her classes, she thought, looking down at her notepad and did a quick review of the notes she tried to take in Pinkie’s class. But they were a little jumbled due to her having fresh memories of the wild party.
After Rainbow’s class, the students had a fifteen-minute break before Fluttershy’s class.
She used this time to sit at a table in the library, Mystic repeated the Elements of Harmony she’d learned for the umpteenth time and looked through the Friendship Guide.
Learn those Elements and use them to solve friendship problems, she thought, having learned it.
“Hellllooo!” a cheery voice rang out.
Mystic gasped and looked up to see a hippogriff with wide excited eyes. Then, she saw a young yak next to the creature in front of her.
“I’m Silverstream!” the hippogriff laughed, “I’m just ecstatic to finally have a chance to meet you!”
“Yona is too!” said the yak, beaming. “Can’t wait to get to know new friend!”
Mystic wanted to stomp off from the sudden intrusion. She wasn’t used to having other creatures so close to her like this.
An old bile rose within her chest. She always had something against creatures. All of them were the same regardless of their intent, including ponies.
“Yona can’t wait to tell new pony all about Yakyakistan!” Yona beamed.
“I know enough,” Mystic muttered to herself that Yona didn’t hear.
“And all about Mount Aris, oh-oh and all about plumbing that I recently learned about!” Silverstream laughed.
Oh, these must be some of the creatures that helped save this nation, Mystic thought, looking at the hippogriff and yak. There was a sense of respect for these kids going so far.
“Is there anything you need besides wanting to talk to me that keeps me from studying?” Mystic asked.
“Oh, yes!” Silverstream said excitedly, throwing a talon in the air, “I was thinking we could do some note taking from each other!”
Yona nodded in agreement, “And maybe show pony out of pony land how friendship is with other friends!”
Mystic sighed, closing her notebook. “Look, I appreciate what you two want to do, but I...”
“But I can help with your notes!” Silverstream cheered, “Did you know that the Tree of Harmony was planted by the Pillars of Equestria? Oh, and how they grew the Elements?”
“I had no idea,” Mystic lied, getting up, taking her guide and notebook with her.
“Oh, this is gonna be so awesome!” Silverstream hovered next to her, “I can show you how amazing stairs are! At the Castle of the Two sisters, how the Tree has a connection to us and--” Mystic placed a hoof on the hippogriff’s beak.
“And I think you need to give me some space,” said Mystic.
“Yona need lots of space for optimal smashing!” Yona said proudly, from Mystic’s left.
“I can imagine why.”
“Speaking of which, has Silverstream been practicing more of yak language?” Yona asked.
“Yakka yakity yick!” Silverstream spoke, causing Mystic to stop in her tracks but Yona laughed.
“You getting it! Yaka yak, Silverstream!” the young yak said.
“I have no idea how to respond to that,” Mystic muttered. She resumed her walking, looking at her class schedule to see that honesty class was next.
“Mystic, don’t you want to learn yak language?” Silverstream asked, she gasped, and flew in front of the mare, “Are you an expert?! You travel all over!”
“Sure,” replied Mystic.
“Let hear it!” Yona said.
Mystic paused. “Now?”
“Mmm-hmm!” the two students said.
“Well, I think I’ll tell you later, but I gotta go, I’m late!” Mystic took off.
“But we had five more minutes!” Silverstream called.
Mystic slowed down and wiped her forehead free from sweat, “Who knew if I would say something offensive in yak?” She was getting closer to the honesty class and saw several students walking in, and she could see in a huge apple tree in the middle of the room. Not really surprising.
“Hey Mystic!” said a pony which Mystic remembered as Sandbar. “It’s great to finally have you here.”
“Likewise,” Mystic said halfheartedly. Behind him, she saw a blue griffon and orange dragoness having frowns on their faces, who Mystic knew as Gallus and Smolder. She saw that they had somewhat of a scowl on both of their faces. But the moment, Gallus laid eyes on Mystic, he smiled.
“Hey!” Gallus shouted, “New student, huh?”
“Yeah, and you might remember me,” said Mystic.
Gallus chuckled, “Yeah, I do.”
Smolder huffed in response, crossing her arms and looking away.
“This is gonna be so sweet!” Gallus smirked, “I can finally show off my buckball skills to another sight-seer of my awesomeness.”
That caused Smolder to look at him, “Hey, you know I give you a run for your bits.”
“Oh, it’s so on after school today!”
“I’ll try not to go too hard on you,” Smolder said with a light glare, though she had a frown on her face. She looked at Mystic, huffed and just turned off to the classroom.
“What’s with her?” Mystic asked.
“Oh, she can be a little huffy,” said Sandbar, while Gallus just shrugged, a bit of an offended look in his eyes.
Mystic couldn’t help but notice that there was some tension between the creatures. Oddly, it gave her some sense of satisfaction knowing that what she believed could be true.
But with what she saw with the Mane Six, the wolves and impalas giving assistance, she decided to stay silent.
“Anything you want to do later today?” Sandbar asked, snapping Mystic out of her thoughts.
“I was just wanting to study and get a grasp on this friendship stuff,” replied Mystic, walking forward.
“Oh, we could tell you more about it and show it in action on how well creatures could be friends.”
Mystic shrugged, “I’ll pass on that.”
“Who needs to study when we can just play all afternoon long?” Gallus flew ahead of her. Mystic didn’t reply as she entered Applejack’s classroom, the moment she did, she noticed the floor was covered in hay. She looked up to see Gallus and Sandbar decided to take a seat, while Gallus had a scowl on his face. Oddly, the seats were haystacks.
When Mystic took her seat in the back of the class, Applejack trotted into the room.
“Howdy class!” she announced, “Y’all ready ta start?”
“Yes, Professor Applejack,” the students said in unison apart from Gallus and Mystic.
“Now,” said Applejack, “While we have a new student here, we’re gonna have a brief recap of our previous lessons.” She pointed at Mystic, “Ah’d like ta introduce Mystic, our new student. Let’s all give’er a warm welcome.”
The students all smiled at her and clapped for her. Mystic just smiled and wave, feeling a little embarrassed.
“All right,” said Applejack, gaining everycreature’s attention. “Last time we talked about honesty havin’ no partiality.” She cleared her throat, “When bein’ honest, ya need to be remember ta be as honest to the best of y’all’s abilities, even if it might hurt somepony else. But, tellin’ the truth even when it hurts, can save y’all from a lie that would getcha in deeper trouble.”
A student raised her hoof, “I’ve been telling the truth to my parents and they ended up improving various parts of their lives.”
“Same with my friends outside of Ponyville,” said another student.
Mystic tapped her chin, thinking of the what she had experienced. What Applejack was teaching seemed wrong and Mystic herself had to lie to protect, save lives, and more.
“As you can see class, there ain’t no partiality with honesty,” said Applejack.
“But there likely is,” said Mystic, raising her hoof.
At this, Applejack looked at her and Mystic saw the other students turn her direction.
“Do ya have somethin’ ta share, Mystic?” Applejack asked.
“Yes,” said Mystic, “There always has to be a partiality with some of your qualities you talk about. If you were in a life or death situation, would you lie or tell the enemy of where your allies are? What then? Would you compromise your morals for a minute when you know if you told those who oppose you the truth, it could mean the end for your loved ones?” She cleared her throat, “Sometimes, in order to do what you need to do, you need to compromise your morals.”
“That’s an interesting observation,” said one of the students. “Last week I told somepony a lie to spare their feelings and somepony else got what she always wanted through a lie but is prospering having reaching her dream.”
The students became murmuring among themselves. Mystic never took her gaze off of Applejack who seemed surprised about what had stirred up in her class.
“The world is a complicated mess,” said Mystic, “There are some things that may or won’t be settled by friendship and honesty.”
The students’ murmuring grew louder. Applejack tapped on her desk, gaining everycreature’s attention.
“Moral ambiguities, huh?” Applejack asked. “Well, let me tell y’all what Ah believe.” She cleared her throat, “While we ponies and creatures might not be perfect, we all can work together to find and defend the best ways to maintain harmony.” She looked at Mystic, “We might stretch the truth, tell white lies that are lies regardless, and lie in certain situations to protect others, but we do the best we can to keep our ways o’ harmony goin’ fer generations. We might feel the consequences of our lies one day, and that doesn’t make it okay to do any o’ that stuff, but just be the best ya can be in y’all’s imperfect ways.” She took off her hat, “Ah know the feelin’ believe me.”
Mystic and the students went silent. She hadn’t expected an answer from the apple farmer. Around her, students clapped for their teacher. Mystic couldn’t help but lightly clap in return, impressed by the farmer’s comeback.
“Now, let’s get ready fer the next lesson Ah planned out,” said Applejack.
As Mystic walked to her next class, she passed by to see the headmare’s door cracked open.
Curious, Mystic looked in to see Twilight and Starlight, both facing away from the door. Mystic noticed that the pinkish unicorn’s head is hanging low and Twilight talking to her. Starlight waved Twilight off with a hoof, standing up and stepping away.
Mystic decided to back off. She grabbed the doorknob and shut the door quietly. Trotting off, Mystic took a look back to see Starlight walking out with a neutral expression.
It’s not my problem, Mystic thought.
She watched Starlight walk down the corridor.
“Counseling is easy, counseling is something I enjoy,” Starlight whispered. “I can continue doing it.” She sounded uncertain to Mystic.
The unicorn turned to one of the doors, opening it and entering the room, shutting it behind her.
After the creatures tried to speak with her for the third time that day, Mystic walked into the school’s lounge. She was annoyed by their antics but she had something on her mind that she had considered once in a while in the past week.
Did I hang out with a lot of the Liberators other than Cierra and the other three that were high ranks? she thought. It was an interesting one, but she was certain that she had connections besides them. She recalled one that... she grimaced, remembering when she had to mercy kill her. Are there any others?
“Hey,” said a soft voice.
Mystic looked to her right and saw the pale female changeling sitting in a couch in front of a table.
“Mystic,” said the changeling, “We’ve met before, remember?”
“I do remember,” replied Mystic, trying to keep her disdain of creatures hidden.
“I-I’m Ocellus,” said Ocellus, “Would you like to join me and talk a little?”
Mystic was about to say no, but decided to hold back on that answer. She has another question on her mind she would like to hear from a creature, and this could be an opportunity. It could prove that friendship between creatures wouldn’t work.
Mystic hesitantly accepted the young changeling’s invitation and sat down across from her.
“Glad you could join me,” Ocellus smiled.
“Me too,” Mystic said out of politeness. “I think your friends are all up in my face about getting to know me.”
To her surprise, the changeling giggled.
“Oh, they’re just excited to have a new classmate,” said Ocellus, “Especially a stranger that showed up all strong and powerful and helped save the nation?” Ocellus’ smile grew, “What’s not to be excited about?” She composed herself and cleared her throat, “But I didn’t want to take that approach.”
“That’s thoughtful,” said Mystic, opening one of her books not intending to read. She didn’t need to mention that this changeling was a lot like Fluttershy. Come on, I need to ask her something.
“I’d like to be your friend and get to know you more,” said Ocellus.
Mystic nodded, “A common thing around here.”
Ocellus giggled again, “Straight to the point. I love studying and learning all about history.”
This caught Mystic’s interest, “You do?”
“Yeah. I love Equestrian history and all of the historical figures. Did you know that Starswirl and the Pillars of Equestria are in modern day right now?”
Mystic remembered reading about them in her friendship journals, her eyes widened. “What?! But aren’t they...”
“Supposed to be over a thousand years old?” Ocellus asked, “I know, but they were stuck in limbo and recently released.”
Mystic’s jaw dropped. Limbo?! Does that mean other worlds are out there?
She shook her head vigorously and composed herself, “I do some studying of my own.”
“I know, you told us about some of the creatures you’ve studied,” said Ocellus, “I thought would could bond over that.”
A study partner, huh? Mystic thought, smiling a little. Maybe that would be an interesting idea. “I’ll consider that.”
“Take your time, there can be a lot of studying and homework, but it’s so fun!” Ocellus squealed.
Ask the question, Mystic!
Mystic cleared her throat and took in a deep breath.
“What if this whole friendship thing is a lie?” Mystic asked, “What if it won’t last and just crumble like everything else?”
This caused the changeling to pause. Could she have worded that not as abruptly? Mystic knew the gears were turning in her head. Ocellus tapped her chin and finally looked Mystic in the eye.
“I believe friendship is the most real thing that’s ever happened to me and my friends,” said Ocellus, “It can be hard work, but I think without friends’ things would be a lot harder.”
Even though the answer wasn’t completely satisfactory, Mystic did pause and give it some thought. Hard work on friendship and working to maintain them? Her Liberators believes in something yet it had failed, but how could it have been if they had stuck to their codes? Would they have succeeded?
I’m still so confused, Mystic thought.
“Mystic?” Ocellus spoke up.
“Oh, right,” said Mystic, “I was just thinking.” She stood up, “Thanks for your time.” She left without another word, the words from the changeling echoing in her head.
The following day, Mystic went through the morning’s classes.
I have found my place and way of life, Mystic thought, having mentally repeated it to herself for the past week. She felt confident and content. But something in the back of her mind was thinking otherwise. She brushed them off and went back to the studies she had to do.
Having already eaten a take-out lunch, Mystic sat at a desk, and taking notes she had taken from the first few classes and the friendship journal.
The journal held a lot of information and she could not only see but also feel the passion these six ponies, especially Twilight have put into teaching friendship.
She chuckled, remembering how several students got loose fur from the shaggy dogs all in their coats.
Just have to keep quiet and out of the way, Mystic thought. I’ll get through this.
While the lessons have been informative, they sometimes seemed silly or simple. But the other students just seemed to enjoy them. Mystic had kept her mouth shut unless she was asked a question.
Some of the lessons felt as if she had learned them before, but from a very familiar source known as Sunshine Smiles.
Mystic paused in her writing, thinking of the filly and couldn’t help but find a little amusement in the filly seeing her older friend in a school. She chuckled at the thought.
“Hey, you there!” said a rude voice.
Mystic glanced to see two colts walking over. It immediately clicked in her mind that these were Starry and Lucky. She went back to her book.
“Look at us when we’re talking!” said a second voice.
Mystic looked up with an impassive look. A memory of defending Sunshine emerged when she looked right into their souls. The one on the left had to be Lucky and the one on the right had to be Starry.
“Oh, you’re the rich pony’s sons I’ve heard about, huh?” Mystic asked.
“Yeah, and you’re the blank flank teen we’ve heard about,” Starry retorted.
Mystic’s eyes slightly widened. “How do you know that?”
“We have our ways, you talentless freak!”
“You don’t belong here,” Lucky snarled.
“I know,” replied Mystic. “But you’re going to be stuck with me for a while.”
“Did you not hear what I said?” Starry demanded.
“I did,” replied Mystic, turning back to her studies. “And I’ve figured out my way in life. I don’t need a cutie mark.”
“Look at us when we’re talking!” Starry shouted.
Mystic ignored them, scribbling more notes.
Lucky shoved Mystic’s notes and books off the table.
“You listen to us when we’re talking!”
“Are you talking?” Mystic looked up at them with a light glare, “I couldn’t tell from the babbling.”
Lucky raised his hoof but Mystic lit her horn, grabbing it and placing him back onto the floor next to Starry. Both of them fumed at her.
“You tried to hit me?” Mystic asked, raising an eyebrow. “I could have both of you reported for harassment. But I don’t have time for you.” She stood up, levitating all her stuff off the floor. “Besides, I wouldn’t have felt it.”
“Yeah, right!” Starry spat.
Mystic chuckled. “Try lifting rocks with your back all day long, and then we’ll talk.”
“You look like a guy,” Lucky stated.
Mystic paused.
She let out a laugh.
“Wow, how original! I thought I’d never hear that again,” she said, though it wasn’t true. “It seems you snotty freaks need to work on your antics.”
“We won’t be told what to do by a blank flank!” Starry hissed, “Do you not know who we are? Who our father is?”
“I don’t give a rat’s tail of who you claim you supposedly are,” said Mystic. “Or who the hay your puffed-up dad is.” That caused the bullies’ eyes to widen with fury, but Mystic cut in, “Don’t repeat what you’ve said in a more aggressive matter. I’ve seen ponies like you before.”
“You have no right to speak to us this way!” Lucky pointed at her.
“As far as I’m concerned,” Mystic completely faced them. “Bullies are just cowards that pick on those who think are beneath them and are easy targets. But,” Mystic smirked at the sad reality, “I’ve endured far worse than you two would imagine.”
“You should go to Tartarus!” Starry stated.
“Oh, I’ve been there more than once,” Mystic chuckled. “And let me tell you...” She gave a toothy grin. “You and your father would love it.” She leaned forward, “Because I’ve endured working in a hot iron factory. Danger around every corner. I was whipped. I bled from the lashes. My hooves were bruised and infected. Every step hurt like large nails being hammered into them.” She dropped her voice to a whisper, “Can you imagine dealing with brown morass with cuts and bruises? As the hot liquid threatened to burn you alive? From blood. To guts. To bone. All in agonizing pain that never ended.”
Both Starry and Lucky were both silent as they looked at Mystic with wide, disturbed looks.
“Oh, that’s not the worst of it,” said Mystic. “But I’ve shared more than enough.” She straightened herself and formed an impassive look again. “So, unless you toddlers have a real plan of attack against me, I think you should scram.”
Both bullies were speechless as they kept their gazes onto Mystic. A sense of satisfaction rose within the unicorn’s chest but she kept a light glare on them. Finally, Starry turned away.
“Let’s get out of here. Find somepony else worth picking on,” said Starry.
Lucky nodded and both of them began to leave.
Mystic gave them a grin, “I’ll see you get your due soon.”
She could see both of them had a disturbed look in their eyes and it gave her a cold satisfaction. She watched them leave and went to another table to continue her studies.
The next morning, as she sat down in the hallway, Mystic finished the remainder of her stress relieving apple juice and tossed the container in a nearby trash can.
“Another failed attempt at fixing a friendship problem,” Mystic groaned.
She tapped her head, wanting to slap herself, but she had to keep herself under control.
Seven problems presented by the students and yet I couldn’t help much with any of them, Mystic frowned. A sense of uselessness began to wash over her. Even though the situations weren’t huge, or were staged Mystic couldn’t solve them to the letter. I’ve been doing a lot of studying and learning all I can...
She stood up, knowing it was close to lunch time. Without much consideration, Mystic trotted to the cafeteria and got in line.
Soon, she had her food.
Mystic looked around the cafeteria. Students of all ages were everywhere with the younger fillies and colts sitting in their own section of the cafeteria. She saw the Young Six close by and that most of the seats were filled.
Ocellus turned her head and beamed. “Hey Mystic! Come on over and have a seat!”
Mystic, surprised by the changeling’s invitation, briefly glanced to see if there were any other seats, but the yellow unicorn that was behind her in the line sat down in the last free seat.
Mystic looked back to the Young Six and there’s one open seat next to Ocellus, the others except Gallus and Smolder had frowns on their faces. Finally, Mystic walked over and sat down next to Ocellus.
“Glad you could join us,” said Sandbar, smiling.
“Yeah,” replied Mystic, taking a bite out of an apple.
“Our offer to friendship will always stand for you, Mystic,” said Ocellus.
“Cool,” replied Mystic, eating more of her apple.
“Yona think new pony should talk more with us,” said Yona, “You been talking with other students.”
Mystic sighed, this was bound to come up, “Well, I guess I’m just a little keen to learn about friendship.”
“That’s great!” Silverstream said happily.
“We also have a special connection with the Tree of Harmony,” said Gallus. Mystic paused, eyes growing wide.
“Gallus!” Ocellus scolded.
“What?” the griffon shrugged, “It’s true.”
“A connection with the Tree of Harmony?” Mystic asked, surprised.
“Yeah,” said Gallus, smirking, “It’s hard to believe that.”
“We represent the best of the best of friendship here at this school,” said Smolder, “We totally saved Equestria from an evil being, too!”
“Cozy Glow?” Silverstream asked.
“A totally evil, powerful being!” Smolder emphasized.
“To be honest, I wasn’t expecting all of this when I left to follow an invader,” said Mystic.
“It must’ve been an honor to fight and save Equestria,” said Sandbar, Mystic noticed Smolder’s scowl had grown.
“Indeed not,” replied Mystic as she began to eat her fruit casserole, “But I just did what I had to.” Smolder mumbled something under her breath but Mystic decided to ignore her. The table went quiet as Gallus’ smirk went into a frown.
“Do you have any plans while here?” Silverstream asked.
Mystic shrugged, “Right now I’m just going with the flow until I have to do otherwise.” She finished off her casserole. “What’s it like to be here outside of your kingdoms, learning friendship?” That question caused most of the creatures to go silent.
“Well,” Ocellus spoke up, “It’s been an experience.”
“Let’s talk about something else,” Sandbar spoke up.
Did I say something? Mystic thought, grabbing an apple tart with her magic. The other creatures didn’t speak up, neither did the cheerful Silverstream who had a slight frown on her face. Mystic decided to finish up her dessert and get up.
“Well, thanks for letting me sit with all of you,” said Mystic.
“See ya,” said Sandbar.
As Mystic left, she could hear the students talking among each other.
“Could you guys have been a little more modest?” Sandbar asked. “We were supposed to make a good--”
“A good impression of us?” Smolder scowled. “We tried separately and all together!”
“She probably needs to--”
“To all of us ‘disadvantaged creatures,’” said Smolder. “We’re always gonna be at a disadvantage.”
Mystic didn’t know why she stopped, but she felt a little pity for them.
“We should eat and... get back to classes,” said Ocellus.
After school was out for the day, in her headmare’s office, Twilight finished preparing her lessons for the next week. The school day was over and all the students went back to their dorms.
Things are fine, things are fine, she thought. Spike flew over to her. He should be here soon. I need to find out if there’s something we’ve missed. She had to have somepony investigating the plumbing and electrical issues the school had been having.
“Twilight, he’ll be here,” said Spike.
“I hope so,” said Twilight. She didn’t want to ask for him in the first place, but she had nowhere else to go. She had to put aside her thoughts about Starlight, having talked to her earlier but the unicorn was closed off and just continuing her counseling duties.
The alicorn is about to magically grab some papers when a blue portal opened in front of her and Spike. Out of the portal, Chancellor Neighsay, dressed in his usual E.E.A. attire stepped out with a serious, yet somewhat concerned look on his face.
“Princess Twilight Sparkle,” said Neighsay.
“Chancellor Neighsay,” said Twilight, a relieved smile forming on her features, “Please have a seat.” The chancellor did that and Twilight took her own seat. She looked at Spike and nodded. The drake saluted and flew out.
“Thank you for coming,” said Twilight.
“It’s my privilege,” replied Neighsay, “It’s the least I could do after... I tried to keep you from opening this school.”
Twilight nodded, the memory of Cozy coming up again, “I would have asked other ponies to come and investigate these issues for possible magic causing this to go on, but I didn’t know many who could’ve done it discreetly and efficiently.”
Neighsay smiled a little, “Even though I am head of the E.E.A., I did take time in researching magic and knowing how to detect what kind it is.”
“Which is why I think you’ll be the best choice for me,” said Twilight, “You already know what we’ve been dealing with here.”
“I’m honestly surprised,” said Neighsay, raising an eyebrow, “I didn’t expect anything like this.”
“Neither did I,” replied Twilight, a sense of regret washing over her for letting Bullion get his sons into her school. “But I would love an entire sweep of the school done as many times as your schedule allows it.” She levitated a map with the school’s levels and every hallway and room in them. “Here you go, this ought to help. I’ve also marked where we’ve had the biggest issues.” Neighsay took it in his magic and unrolled it.
“I shall do my best to keep this a secret,” said Neighsay, “And I won’t let anypony else know anything about this.”
“Good,” Twilight breathed a sigh of relief, she didn't detect any magic herself every time something happened, but a new set of eyes could shed some light on all of this.
The chancellor stood up with a light smile on his face, “I’ll get started late tonight.”
“Thank you,” Twilight smiled.
With that, Neighsay tapped his Medallion, magically charged up in his horn and a beam shot out, opening a dark blue portal which Neighsay walked through before it vanished out of existence.
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So...
Mystic now officially became the student of School of Friendship. Although she only focused on getting through her time there rather than making friends... which she was missing the point. I don't think she'll pass the school with that mindset.
Of course Mr. Bullion's sons tried to bully Mystic, only to get backfired and received a few burns from Mystic... even if those burns were disturbing.
But something tells me that this isn't the last time we saw of them.
And what was going on with the Young Six? Every creature except for Sandbar and Yona felt off and not in a good mood, especially Smolder. Even Mystic seemed to have issues with dealing with them. I hope this doesn't lead to any problems between them.
And Twilight secretly hired Neighsay to investigate the plumbing and electrical incidents. Didn’t expect to see him again, but at least he's there to help out instead of trying to close down the school. Let's see if he can find anything about those mysterious incidents.
Anyway, great chapter!
Mystic wasn't impressed by those bullies since they aren't remotely close to Hong in how nsty they are. It's good that Twilight has asked for help with the issues the school's been having.