I live in lower Canterlot with my musician parents. Little did I know when we moved here that we'd have some pretty different neighbors.. My name is Storybook Sonnet, and this is how my normal, quiet life became a freak show of the rich and famo
"It will be just fine dear, I have known these ponies since I was your age, maybe even younger." My mum's words still haunt me to this day, the words that let my guard down. My mum is Octavia, famous Cellist in the Royal Canterlot Symphony, and my mom is Vinyl Scratch, queen of techno music. Both are pretty rad, I like some of their music myself. When we had to move to lower Canterlot, I expected to see snobs and gorgeous ponies who've had so much plastic surgery that they're all plastic and no pony. What I got was very, very, different. At least I made a couple friends in this nuthouse.
I never knew how badly one pony could mess up driving a chariot a mile.
Then again, I never knew a princess would hook up with a wonder bolt. Or a Cellist and a Techo junkie. Or a grape enthusiast and a toothpaste queen. .. So to start this off, my name is Storybook Sonnet, daughter of Octavia and Vinyl Scratch. They're both super cool, letting me have friends over, not being too strict, the norm for ponies who picked such a laid-back career. They had me about 12 years ago, so I get that I'm still a kid, naturally whiny, yada yada. Honestly I can't wait to come back in a year to laugh at how dumb I was.
But for now, alas, I am still a teenage pony, and with that comes the negative opinions of moving and other things that one must stick in a journal so they don't explode. This is my collection of thoughts that I think of and stories that strike me as 'what the hell?'.
Now, sit back and enjoy my misery.
..
I lay on my bed, the memory foam making me sink like a ship due to how chubby I was getting. I honestly didn't care at this point as I shoved down more hay fries and scribbled down more lyrics in attempts to spark up my damn cutie mark, which had been eluding me for years now, and seriously started to tick me off. It was a bullying hotspot, and is what drove me to start guzzling junk like an animal.
I was halfway done, and my frown grew as my pencil snapped when someone knocked on my door. "Come in!" I shouted, quickly hiding my munchies as Octavia, whom I refer to as Mum, stepped in my semi-messy bedroom.
"Sonnet dear, please at least attempt to be organized, now is a time where I really need you to do so.." She shook her head, kicking over an old plush of Princess Celestia from when I was 5. I lifted it with my magic, floating it over while my frown grew into confusion. "Don't kick my stuff, plea- wait, why is it suddenly important I be clean?" This was getting suspicious, and I turned focus to Mum, who looked at the floor with her reply, "Dear, I have some news-" The first thing in my mind came out of my mouth, "Are you pregnant?!"
She sighed and started to look mad. "No, I am not. The actual news is.. We are moving." I sat there, gaping at her like Mom, aka Vinyl Scratch, does when she comes home late and has had a few too many. After a few minutes of my staring, I finally came up with actual words, "Why?!" Alright, maybe one word.
"We have no more money to keep traveling between Canterlot and Ponyville all the time, especially how we all have careers there. It is best for the family." She looked sort of sad when she said it, and I felt kind of bad for being so mad. "Look, Mum, I get why we're moving, but what about the social scene? Do you guys even have a mover?" I felt myself get frown-y again, and Mum perked up. "Yes, of course! We have Rainbow Dash herself pulling the moving chariot."
My stomach sank, "Now I know you're joshing me, not cool. Even if you weren't joking, how would you even get a hold of someone that famous?!" Mum walked over and sat beside me, sighing, "Dear, I am not 'joshing' you, all right? We are actually moving to Lower Canterlot, where you will attend Princess Luna's School of the Arts. We have a lot of friends in Canterlot from our Ponyville years helping out!"
I shook my head, and had to get back to reality, "L-Luna's School of the Arts?! How- I mean- It's so hard to get in to!"
Mum smiled, "I told you, we have old friends, including a small friendship with the Princess of the Night herself, at least enough to show her personally your portfolio? Now, It will be just fine dear, I have known these ponies since I was your age, maybe even younger. We will move in three months,and everything will go swimmingly."
She stepped out of the room, never giving me an answer about Rainbow Dash pulling our stuff, and leaving me to wonder if she was secretly Mare-do-well and Mom was her secret sidekick.
..
The next morning, or, at least what me and Mom call morning, I managed to get to breakfast by ten for once, to the surprise of both Mum and Mom. I banged my spoon on the table, earning both of their attention spans, and started my speech I totally didn't stay up until 1 in the morning writing, "Now, I want answers. One, why in the buck is Rainbow Wonderbolt Dash pulling our stuff to Canterlot, which is at least 40 Miles flight?"
Mum giggled, and started her answer with a yawn, "Vinyl is an old friend of Rainbow, and she will be staying in town for a few days, so she offered to pull out chariot on her way back. She's going to be here at seven sharp, so be prepared, and I would recommend starting to pack your things now so there is less of a hassle. I also have to break to you that we are going up to the new apartment in a few days so you may get acquainted with your neighbors and so we may go ahead and finish our own arrangements. Alright, are you satisfied?"
I nodded, mulling over this new information as Mom proceeded to knock all of the AppleJacks off the table in one fell swoop of the hangover hoof.
Part Two : The Day Toothpaste Crashed Into and Out of My Life, Mane, and Moving Chariot
Seriously, the most stressful times freaking fly. I had most of my junk packed away by now, and all I have to do now is break the news to my best friend, who I'm seriously scared to tell when we move in two weeks. I guess I have to do it, but I gotta do it or she'll hate me forever.
Let's hope I can work miracles.
..
Golden Harvest nodded, giving our class the last bit of lecture. "Now, you all know about what is happening next year, we have a few big plans, especially concerning a certain student." Me and about four other ponies flinched, taking a hit in the proverbial stomach. "Now, class dismissed! Bon appetit!"
I floated my things behind me in an aura of magenta, showing ponies out of the way as I galloped to the Art Room to meet up with my best friend forever, Berry Harvest, aka the juice prodigy of art. She seriously has a skill for taking a bland talent like harvesting grapes and turning it into priceless art everyone wants like crazy.
As soon as I managed to get next to the door and catch my breath, the big oak thing flew open and nearly slammed into the wall, except at the last second a familiar aura of purple magic held it back, and my favorite unicorn ever stepped gracefully through the entrance.
Berry has to be the prettiest unicorn I know, with a light purple coat, and a mane complete with matching tail made up of night and sky blue with a few strands of grape purple mane to compliment her blue eyes. She was starved, I could tell, from working with grapes all period and not being able to eat them without seriously ticking off our TA, Dinky Doo. Seriously, you'd think the younger ones would be more understanding.
"Hey, Sonnet! Walk and talk, I am starved." She moaned as I trotted beside her, trying not to collapse from my previous run from across the building, "So how was art?" I really love how she tells stories, she makes me laugh every time, even if it was downright awful, and judging by her expression, it was one of those days. "Dinky caught me trying to eat grapes again, and I almost got detention. I swear, she must have a nail in her hoof with her attitude!" she huffed, and turned to me, "So what's up? You look like you got somethin' on your mind."
This was it. The moment.
"Uh.. Berry, I got news. Can it wait until after we're not starving?" I pleaded, giving her my puppy dog eyes. She stared at me, trying to resist, but finally gave in to a need for food, "Alright, but I'm not forgetting. After we eat you're telling me what's up!" I nodded, and started to feel worse about this.
After we sat down, I did my famous trick of oops-I'm-eating-can't-talk-till-swallowed so I could avoid spilling the news. I know it's a bad choice, but I really hate letting people down. It's why I gave up a music cutie mark. It's just so hard. Berry, however, had other plans, "So spill, I know it's eating you."
I sighed and looked at her.. lunch, "Berry, I got bad news. Mum told me we're moving in two weeks... And I've known for, like, six months now." I took a bite of daisy sandwich and looked at her face, which was full of.. not anger, or sadness, but pure shock, "Ho- Wh- What?! Sonnet, why didn't you tell me?! We coulda tried to stop it!" I shook my head, sadly.
She huffed, and looked at me exasperatedly, "Sonnet, come on! Can't we try?" I kept trying to explain to her, but she wouldn't let me, "I'm sorry, Berry, but-" "You didn't try, you just hid it from me until everything is in motion! How can you even look at me and say you're a good friend right now?!" She was starting to raise her voice, and I lowered my head, defeated.
We ate lunch in silence after that.
..
After the whole lunch fiasco, Berry was avoiding me. At first, my naive self didn't notice, but when she literally started to pick her pace up to get away from me, I realized I screwed up majorly. I was quiet for the rest of the day, and suffered as Berry spent the rest of the day laughing and cheering it up with Rocking Percussion, a minor mutual friend we both knew who was Rarity's kid living in her old shop. She had the mane but her eyes were purple and her body was grey. Never knew why. Never asked. All I know is they looked way too close for me.
I had two more classes before I had to walk home, and I was dreading walking home solo. Usually me and Berry went together, but now she hated my guts.. Man, I hated myself at that moment. I take after Mom in that aspect, she's always looking to Mum for bailouts on her dumb ideas. Too bad I messed up with my only lifeline, and going up to ask 'hey, you hate me can you get you to stop hating me?' isn't a choice here.
After I finally got out of class, I realized I left my books in my locker like a moron, and my History teacher would freak on me if I left them. I ended up galloping all the way back to the Art hall, where my locker was, and I skidded to a stop to see Berry and Rocking kissing on the locker wall.
Um, no.
I ended up galloping back to the History hall, and hearing, "Hey, is someone there? Hello?" as I hurried to receive my lecture. I'd rather write 'I will remember my things' a hundred time than watch my mom's tailor's kid make out with my ex best friend.Talk about priorities. It was a very nice lecture by the way, Pink Lady had some very nice points.
..
I heard the bell ring, and the moment I'd been dreading came. I had to walk home solo while Berry and her girlfriend (?) followed suite while trash-talking me. Fun.
I levitated my bag and pushed through the crowd slower than usual, having nothing to rush for. Even the crowd seem judgmental today, or, at least not as judgmental as they usually are to somepony showing them to the floor. I felt like a huge jerk and couldn't wait to talk to Mom about my day, ranting to her was always so good feeling because she always got mad with me.
"Mom, Mum. I'm back!" I yelled out into the door as I tossed my stuff by the door, with more force than usual because of my crap day. I heard trotting from the staircase next to me, and upon further glance it was my Mum, who looked worried, "Dear, you're an hour early, is everything alright?" I huffed as I replied, "Well, I broke the moving news to Berry today, and she hates me, as well as some mentally scarring things I'd rather not say."
Suddenly something grabbed me, and before I had a chance to react I heard, "Hey squirt! Rough day? What's up?" Mom had officially managed to scare me, and before I could chew her out Mom stepped in, "Vinyl, I would appreciate if you would stop doing that, it's incredibly annoying. As for Sonnet, she claims Berry hates her now because she put off telling her we are moving."
Mom wrinkled up her snout and started her rant of the day, "What?! But Sonnet has nothing to do with it! Why should she get punished for keeping back some bad news?! Come on, Sonnet, we're beating her senseless!" Mom had to grab her by the tail to keep her from running right that second, "Violence is never the answer. Now, it is hardly worth all this fuss, I believe you should attempt to fix this but, if you cannot, we are moving anyways, so do not give it too much grief."
I nodded, agreeing angrily, she was right with all that logic. I would try to talk to Berry again tomorrow but if I get nothing, so be it. Besides, I would have let her meet her favorite wonderbolt-who-pulls-our-chariot, but it's her loss for blowing up.
..
The next morning, I woke up prepared. I had totally decided how to corner her, how to persuade her, and how to ask her what the hell was up with her and Rocking. I had brushed my mane and eaten breakfast with Mum instead of Mom this morning, and by 7:15 I was out that door faster than Rainbow Dash herself. "See ya, Mum! See ya, Mom!" I yelled back and galloped to the school, ready as ever.
You know, none of this would have happened if I had done this in the first place. Eh, too late now.
..Except the first time I see Berry is before Lunch, and I had to go through 5 classes before that, something I realized halfway through 2nd period maths. But I couldn't speed up time, and I already had everything ready anyways, so by 5th period, I did the one thing I never do:
I payed attention in class.
I have to say, it felt pretty good knowing what was going on for once, I considered doing this at my new school. But right in the middle of the thought, the clock hit 12:25, and I snapped into action by raising my hoof, "Ma'am, may I go to the fillies room?" I received a nod in return, and that was my cue.
I trotted out the door, down the hallway, and left into the Art Hall, just as the bell rang. I knew for a fact that Berry was working on an anniversary gift for her Moms, Colgate and Berry Punch, so I was in the clear to ambush her all alone. In three.. the knob is turning.. Two.. Ponies are filing out.. One! I trotted in the room, locking the door behind me, "Berry..?"
I watched her turn around, confusion evident on her face, and frown slightly, "Sonnet, what is it? You know I need to finish this for my Moms' anniversary." I kicked the floor while she spoke, and looked up with a frown when she stopped, "Come on Berry, I know you hate my guts for what I kept from you, but it's hell walking all alone and I miss you.. Please, can you forgive me?"
I watched her pause for a minute, thinking, and then she looked into my eyes, "Sonnet, even though it was a low move to keep it from me, I can get you didn't want to hurt me.. Alright, but this is your last chance, okay, sugarcube?" I nodded, hugging her as hard as I could, "Oh, by the way, I also want to know what was up with you and Rocking." Berry let go and looked at me like I was a psycho, "What? Rocking and I haven't spoken in ages, I've been all alone yesterday."
I just shut up, not wanting to expand on this mystery..
..
Like all good stories, my time in Ponyville had to come to an end. We all had our stuff packed, and Rainbow Dash was talking with Berry while I finished putting my stuff in the chariot, and talking to Mum about Canterlot, "So how are the ponies, are they complete snobs or can I befriend on without being sneered at as a 'commoner'?" Mum pondered my question, and I got sort of scared that she would say they were complete arses, until she picked up a box and spoke as she put it away, "Canterlot is.. Difficult. You may find a lot of friends, but it will be a lot more difficult than in Ponyville. I would stick to your Art School for now, and expand from there. Who knows, you may even find a special-"
"Nevermind-oh-dear-Celestia-I-am-scarred-for-life" was my response, naturally.
After another hour of packing, we had everything done, and it was time to leave. Berry ran up to me and gave me a hug, saying, "Don't forget to write and visit, because I WILL FIND YOU!" I laughed with her until Mum said it was time to hit the skyway.
..
Rainbow Dash was fairly interesting, actually. She knew a lot about flying, but I guess you can expect that from a Wonderbolt. She taught me all about Cloudsdale while we flew, and it was going pretty chipper. I was having fun, looking forward to Canterlot, and it was cool.
..That is, of course, until Dash got into a predicament with the chariot next to us.
"You wanna go, punk!? Think you can outfly me?!" Dash was screaming as the chariot next to us stared in various forms of emotion: smugness, pure shock, anger..
The stallion pulling the chariot looked at her and said to her face, "I never knew such a high figure could be such a scrawny loser." This, of course, is what set Dash off. She took off at full speed, chugging us ahead of the family in the other chariot, who looked terrified, by the way, and threw us right into a falling spiral, and straight into a large building a block from where we were supposed to land.
By the time the dust settled long enough for me to open my eyes, I was shocked. Small tubes of.. toothpaste? Were all over the ground, and what I assumed was the owner of the store charged up to us in pure anger, "What did you do?! All I wanted was a small vacation with my wife, but you completely destroyed the Canterlot Hall of Toothpaste! What do you.." A hoof landed on her shoulder, and we all looked up to see a very battered, but still intact, Princess Twilight Sparkle.
After doing the initial bows all ponyfolk must do for a princess, Twilight resumed what she had been trying to say before we interrupted her, "Now, Mrs. Romana, I must say you are exceptional, and I want you as my new supplier in toothpaste. We will certainly get this place cleaned up, and you may cut the ribbon upon reopening, I swear. Now, please let me tend to my friends here, who seemed to have landed a block too far right."
Part Three : Remember Children, Don't Stab Cellists With Swords
So, totally didn't expect my parents had connections with a princess.
It came as much of a shock to me as it did to you.
Now, I want answers, and my main one is:
Why is there such thing as a toothpaste museum?
..
Princess Twilight Sparkle, ruler of friendship and mother of one.. with a Wonderbolt. I have to say, I did not see that one coming.
Berry is gonna get an earful in this letter.
Me, Mum and Mom all trotted beside Rainbow Dash and Princess Twilight as we toured the Twilight section of the castle, and we gaped at the amazing tapestries and mosaic walls that were so colorful I was gonna dry my eyes out for not blinking. Twilight looked at it like it was commonplace, and Dash just completely ignored it. I can't see why, it was beautiful, and Mum and Mom clearly agreed with me.
"So, what do I owe the pleasure, girls? I haven't seen you since Sonnet's birth." Twilight was walking and talking, enjoying having friends over, i guess. Mum smiled and tore her eyes from the lovely decorations, "We're moving to Lower Canterlot, so it will be easier for our work. Most of our jobs are in Canterlot, anyways." Twilight nodded, "Ah, what a surprise! Careful now, Pinkie is definitely going to try to throw a party, so don't be surprised when she surprises you." Mom looked stoked, "Why would I be surprised? Pinkie throws awesome parties, this is gonna be awesome! I can't wait- or, I'll see when we get there, yup!" She cowered under Mum's harsh stare.
Twilight thought for a minute, "Oh, Sonnet, what school are you going to?" I thought, wondering what she'd want to know that for, "I'm going to Princess Luna's School of the Arts, ma'am." She looked way too excited, "Oh, my daughter goes there! I'm sure she'd love to meet you, here, follow me!" I had nothing better to do, I guess I could meet some royal snob foal.
We all turned left, following her, until we reached a really, really big and cool silver door, with engravings of sword fighting ponies, all with eyes that looked confident and ready. All the engravings had different little symbols that looked like different variations of circles mushed together. I thought that could be a language, but it looked more like gibberish.
Twilight used her magic to pull back the door effortlessly, and in a heartbeat a sword went straight to Mum's head, and it almost hit her, had it not been for Mom grabbing it with her own magic in quick thinking. We all looked at the door, searching for whoever was responsible for almost killing my Mum.
"Hey, careful with that sword, it's Saddle Arabian gold, you know. I can't replace it." A purple unicorn about my age with a variety of spectrum colors in her mane and a grape purple for an eye color stepped out into view, looking miffed. I don't know why, but I got even madder seeing how she thought we were the bad guys, when she clearly almost killed my mother.
"Who are you talking to?! My mom just had to-" A hoof fell on my chest before I could finish, and I looked to see it was Mom, "Hey, chika, you almost murdered my wife, so sorry for almost breaking the near-murder weapon, but I think that you should apologize first." She had a really forced grin, and I saw Mum staring at her.
Oh, that explains it.
"Wait, I almost hit you?! The sword went into the opposite direction! There's no way it-"
"Oh yes it did, queen snobby-"
Mom and the unicorn got into a huge bicker-fest, complete with childish names, pointing, and an angry looking Mum, who was about to explode, I swear. Finally it was Twilight who put an end to it, "ENOUGH!" We all jumped a mile, and turned to face her as she looked at the new unicorn, "Violet, you know better than to throw swords at guests, and this will be punished. Vinyl, please don't kill our only daughter. Me and Dash love her too much, so Dash might kill you back.. Wait, where is she, anyways?"
Twilight looked around, but the rainbow horse had run off.
"Okay, Tavi and Vinyl come with me, Sonnet and Violet stay here, please. I can't have more castaways in a castle this size. Have fun, you two." Twilight strode out of the room with my mothers in tow, leaving me alone with her daughter who's name I didn't know.
"Hey, uh.. What's up? What's your name?" At least I made an effort, right?
"Hey..? I'm Violet Blade, and you get already that I'm the Princess's kid. Nice to meet you, and, uh, sorry for blowing up at your mom, I guess she was right.."
"Well, at least you apologized, more than I can say for Mom." I smiled, and then, there was a silence.
A really awkward silence.
Finally, I had enough of it and remembered she had a sword, "So, what's the deal with the sword? Is it your talent, or what?" I did a motion towards it with my hoof, which earned me a slight frown.
"Actually, they're not just any swords, they're fenching swords. As for my talent, yes it is. I used it as a way to let off steam and I did it so often it became my favorite thing, and the day I got first in a competition I knew it was for me. What about you?" She stared at the sword, and I could see her remembering all her good times.
I flinched, and turned to show her my flank, "I, sadly, haven't really gotten mine yet.. It's caused a lot of hell, let me tell ya. Did you know that banks won't sell to ponies with no cutie marks?" I sighed, realizing I was turning sour.
She looked kind of miffed, "What?! I gotta talk to Mama about that, it's a really dumb law! Sorry everypony's such asses." She scowled and thought for a moment, then I could see the lightbulb pop over her head, "Oh! I have an idea, wait one second!"
I guess she takes after her mom in some ways after all.
Part Four : Getting Real Tired of Your BS, Cutie Mark
It's been a few weeks since I met Violet Blade, and so far things are great. Summer vacation is out, so we've been out taking advantage of all her stuff and running around Canterlot for no reason ( Found a really great doughnut place there, by the way ). It's all been swimmingly.
Except that summer is almost over and school is in three days.
Fun.
..
Princess Luna had one vision when she built her school to match her sister: Beauty. She had decided upon the arts due to her sister deciding on academics, and she had made sure that the interior and exterior matched her vision perfectly. The gardens were a spectrum of flowers and colors, reflecting to her most refined tastes. The building was made of a gorgeous marble and jade accents that made it shine in even the darkest of times, and even the grass was an emerald green that clearly said it: Beauty.
I was overwhelmed when me and Mum went to tour it, It was seriously amazing. The creative juices just flowed instantly when I first lay eyes upon it. Violet looked amused when I stopped to look at the gorgeous building, and Mum gaped with me. Mom is gonna regret not coming ( She had a last second gig in a club, hosted by some Aerodynamic chick ).
"So, you like?" Violet was laughing at us as she trotted ahead to Luna's office to finish my registration, and to get our schedules. "I'm used to it by now, but I guess newbies have a right to be shocked, it's pretty."
I nodded, and we kept walking, before I realized something, "Wait, what class are you in here? I really don't feel like being stranded-"
"Sorry, but I'm a year ahead, and I don't even go in this school. I go to Shining Armour's School of Self Defense, down the block. I can walk home with ya, but not go in here." Violet shrugged, looking guilty, and I returned her shrug, trying not to let it get to me.
"Speaking of there is a place you can meet ponies ahead of time. It's down here, to the right."