> Equestria University > by Dark0592 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue. settling in > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canterlot University. It was more renowned than the Cloudsdale Flight academy and Celestia's school for Gifted Unicorns. It had classes from High school up to College and had educations for every race. Even Griffons and Dragons attended. “But Tia!” “Oh come on Lu...it's not that bad.” “But I Don't want to be alone...I'll be the only Alicorn in attendance...” “Oh Don't worry, you will have a roommate. And I will be there, I'm the Dean as well as the advanced magics Professor so I'll always be there for you.” “...Fine...why do you want me to go to this stupid school anyways Tia?” “Luna, technically you are barely sixteen, and what better way to get back into the groove of things than to go to the finest school in Equestria?” “...you have a point...fine, but I refuse to start freshman year...I know everything they have to teach...” “Deal.” two Alicorns conversed in a closed room. Celestia was enrolling her Sister, Luna, into the Equestria University. Many years ago, Luna suppressed Nightmare Moon instead of caving in, but the tremendous force caused the Alicorn to enter a sort of coma. She was finally awake now, and after a few weeks Celestia devised this plan. --- “Wow...it's...huge.” Luna commented as the two sisters walked along the path leading to the university. “It is. Now, I don't want to ruin this for you so you get to have the full experience. And by the way, remember that you are in fact sixteen...(little side note, think of the ages as in something similar to dog years. She is sixteen but in our years she'd be about 25)” Celestia said. “Yes...and I'm at about the magical level of one...” Luna said lowly. “Oh your magic just faded a bit while you were in the coma...it'll come back. Now back to what I was saying, the full experience. Which for you starts at finding your dorm and getting your schedule on your own. Bye!” the Regal Alicorn said happily and was suddenly gone. Luna huffed but took the bags that had been dropped in her magic and continued walking. --- “Good luck, I can't believe you've made it into the University already...you just became a Mare yet you're starting at Sophomore year...it took me until I was four years older than you to even get in!” Shining Armor said to Twilight. (another note, High school=College and College= advanced college). “Yeah yeah...just give me my bags and I can be rid of you!” Twilight retorted jokingly. Shining Armor grinned and allowed his sister's magic to overtake his own. “Take care sis, write to me whenever you want.” he said. “'Course. See you later.” Twilight replied and began walking. “Twi watch-!...out...” Shining yelled out a little too late, Twilight had impacted something. Or rather, somepony. “Oh I must apologize, I was distracted.” “I'm so sorry! My bags were blocking my veiw!” Twilight and the other pony blurted out. They helped each other pick up each other's bags, but Twilight froze when she saw who she had bumped into. “P-Princess Luna?!” Twilight exclaimed. “Please...just Luna. I am surprised you know me.” Luna replied. “W-Well Princess Celestia told me about you last time I saw her. It's an honor to finally meet you!” Twilight exclaimed happily, holding a hoof out to shake. Luna smiled and shook the hoof. “You surprise me, my sister doesn't normally talk with her subjects about such personal matters. I am also surprised you did not go straight to bowing or some other form of royal recognition..it has been too long since anypony has shook my hoof.” Luna said with a smile. “Oh I'm sorry, did you want me to bow?” Twilight asked. “Oh heavens no. I despise all of that royal crap...I just want to be that slightly different pony in the school...” Luna said. “Oh Ok...well, Luna...um...care to walk with me?” Twilight asked. “Sure.” Luna replied. Twilight gave a final wave to Shining Armor, whose jaw was on the ground, and fell into step with Luna. “Who was that?” Luna asked. “My brother, Shining Armor.” Twilight replied. “That name seems familiar...oh well, may have been similar in appearance or name to an old friend.” Luna said. “So, Luna, what grade are you starting in?” Twilight asked. “Oh, a Sophomore I believe it is called.” Luna replied. “Me too, we might get a few classes together.” Twilight said with a smile. “You're a Sophomore?...you look too young to even be a Freshman.” Luna commented. “Um...yeah...I was the top student at the school for Gifted Unicorns and I kinda skipped a few years...I'm still a Mare, it's just my birthday was a few days ago...I was also Celestia's protege for ten years.” Twilight explained. “Oh well that explains a lot. I think this is my dorm...” Luna said when they came in front of a large building with a moon on the front of it. “Me too, what room number are you?” Twilight asked as they entered. “Um...21B” Luna replied. Twilight grinned and showed a key with an identical room tag. “We're roommates!” Twilight said happily. “It would appear so.” Luna replied, mirroring the grin. They found their room and found it...very bare. “Oh this just won't do.” Luna said as she winked at Twilight. “Which do you want, top or bottom? It doesn't matter to me.” she continued as she opened a few of her bags. “Um, I'll take the bottom I guess.” Twilight replied. “Alright, perfect.” Luna said and suddenly the room was spinning. Literally. When it stopped, the walls were a mixture of dark blue and Lavender purple, the beds looked much more comfortable than the cots they were and one of the two desks had a few items placed on it. The most pronounced, though, was a Laptop. “You have one too?” Twilight said as she put hers on the other desk. “Of course.” Luna replied. “You like?” she continued, spinning around. “It's amazing! How did you do all that?” Twilight asked. “Well I had a few things in those bags. Most of them compressed with magic to fit, I knew the room would be dull and I knew I'd have a roommate so I prepared for anything.” Luna said. They spent the next hour unpacking and getting everything straightened out. They had decided against the classic 'this is my half and that is yours' and just went with 'what's yours is mine'. “So...Schedules?” Twilight suggested. “We probably should.” Luna replied. They walked down the hall, Luna ignoring the 'pleasantries' everypony was giving and Twilight just kind of shadowed her. They reached the large common room where there was some Professors giving out schedules. “If there is anything wrong with your schedule or you wish to make last minute changes, you will need to amend these within th next three days, then your schedule will become permanent unless special circumstances are met.” the Professor in charge called with a voice enhancing spell. “What do you have?” Twilight asked Luna. “Well, from the looks of it there are five classes a day and they cycle on certain days...for Monday through Wednesday I start with Musical Education, Then move on to Economics...then break for lunch, then on to Equestrian History, then to Technology and finally advanced Magics. On Thursday through Saturday it is the same, but Economics is switched for OM...what is OM?” Luna said. “Um...the professor said it was Offensive Magic. That's weird, even though those are some higher level classes I have the exact same thing...I thought I was going to regret my decision to switch to Musical Education, but I guess it was for the better! What do you play?” Twilight asked. “I play the Viola.” Luna replied. “You?” she asked. “Violin.” Twilight replied. “Interesting. It would appear as if we get this day off of classes to settle in...Lunch?” Luna offered. “Sure, I'm starving.” Twilight replied. > C.1 Music and Friendship > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Musical Education...here it is.” Luna said as she and Twilight walked into a very large room next to the auditorium. “Whoa...this place is huge...and there isn't anypony here...” Twilight commented. “That would be my doing, no real lesson for the first day. I'm just taking ponies into the office and testing your talent.” a Mare with a short black mane and Tail said. “The name is Ginny Cleff, but I guess that's miss Cleff to you...I'd answer to Ginny or whatever names anypony decide to give me.” she continued. “Oh...um...Alright Miss Cleff, shall we begin?” Luna said. “Alright, you can set up out here. Come on in when you're ready.” Ginny said and entered an office. Luna and Twilight set two nearly identical cases next to each other. They both opened thei cases and sneaked a peek at the other's instrument. Luna Viola was a deep blue with a crescent moon carved into the scroll and the S holes on the instrument were in the shape of a moon as well. The bow was pitch black, though the bow and instrument sported white dots that seemed to be stars. Twilight's violin wasn't nearly as adorned, but it was still unique. It had a glossy black paint and her cutie mark was carved into the scroll and it was indented on the body. “That's amazing, where did you get it?” Twilight asked as she magically put rosin on her bow while she tuned the instrument by hoof. “Tia had it made for me, I am guessing she did the same for you?” Luna replied as she did the same. “Probably, I just found it outside of my study at the school for gifted unicorns with a note saying it was for me...though I guess it was Celestia's hoofwriting.” Twilight replied. “She tends to do things mysteriously when she doesn't want to be thanked or something. You ready?” Luna said. Twilight nodded and they walked into the office, their instruments held in their magical grip. “Alright, let's start off with you Luna. Play me whatever you like.” Ginny said. Luna nodded and thought a moment. She smiled and took a seat and held the instrument up. Her horn lit up as she started playing the Piano in the corner of the room. It turned out to be a solo-duet when she cut in with the Viola around halfway through. It was a slightly intimidating, yet indirectly sad song. It was very short, about a minute or so long, but it was powerful and relatively difficult. “Whoa good job...might I ask what that piece is called?” Ginny asked. “I haven't named it yet...” Luna said. “It's a personal project?” Twilight asked. Luna nodded. “How about Luna's lament? Lament just came to my mind when I was listening to it, though I'm not well versed in musical names it fits right?” Twilight continued. “I like it.” Ginny said. “Alright Twilight, let's hear what you have.” she continued. Twilight nodded and put bow to string. Luna immediately recognized Phantom of the Opera and smiled. “Impressive, I didn't know they made a part so general for the Violin alone.” Ginny commented. “I Improvised a bit but it's one of my favorite songs to play.” Twilight said. “Alright, very impressive you two. We'll all be here tomorrow, but for now you can go hang out with your classmates out in the yard, I got some work to do.” Ginny said. “The yard?” the two asked at the same time. Ginny pointed towards an open door. “Hey look two more that made it!” somepony yelled when the two walked out of the door. There was about thirty ponies doing various things. There was a teal unicorn using her Lyre as the back of a chair, laughing as she watched a white unicorn with shades and a two toned blue mane and a gray mare with a black mane and tail playing around like little foals. There was a Yellow pegasus with a pink mane sitting in the tree that was petting a squirrel, she was the only one without an instrument. She, along with the other three, were the only ones who only gave Luna a smile instead of bowing. Luna and Twilight grew annoyed of it to the point where they just walked away from the crowd. Luna leaned against the tree while Twilight sat on the ground in front of her. “U-um...are you two ok?...you seem a bit...um...flustered.” the Pegasus in the tree asked, looking down at them. “I just can't stand all the gawking...so what I'm Princess Luna! I just want to go through this university like a normal Pony...” Luna said with a exasperated sigh. “Oh...um...I don't know how to help you I'm sorry. M-my name's Fluttershy.” the Pegasus replied softly. “No problem, I'm just glad you aren't groveling to me as well...” Luna said. “Oh...um...this squirrel told me he overheard you saying you didn't like that so I just smiled.” Fluttershy said. “You can understand animals?” Twilight asked. “Yes...they're really nice...I'm sorry I forgot to ask your name. I don't want you to feel ignored.” Fluttershy replied. “It's Twilight, Twilight Sparkle.” Twilgiht replied. Fluttershy smiled. “So Twilight Sparkle and Luna, hi nice to meet ya.” the Teal unicorn said, coming up on them with the other two next to her. “This is Octavia Philharmonic, and Vinyl Scratch. I'm Lyra Heartstrings.” Lyra said, holding a hoof out to shake. “I see you've met the local hippie.” she finished with a grin. “Lyra don't be mean to Flutters.” Vinyl said. “I know I'm just joking, no offense right Flutters?” Lyra called. “Oh of course not, I've learned to know when you're joking.” Fluttershy said, flying down and landing. “So why aren't you hanging out with everypony else, it seems like they're all kind of shunning you guys.” Twilight observed. “Eh it's just some stupid opinions they have of us. When it comes to the orchestra stuff we're all happy and friends, but outside of that they don't want to associate with us.” Vinyl said. “Why would they? You girls seem like good friends.” Luna said. “Well. Me and Octy are a couple, Lyra here has a Marefriend in Culinary arts right now and Flutters has one in advanced Flight.” Vinyl said. “Advanced Flight and Stunts.” Fluttershy corrected. “Wait...they're isolating you because you're in Mare-Mare relationships? That's just stupid...” Luna said. “It really is...I mean, it's a known fact there are at least three times as many Mares than Stallions in Equestria.” Twilight said. “Eh we don't care.” Octavia said. “Well...let's get off such...frustrating topics, I am interested in what you play.” Luna said. “Sure, I play a Keyboard, or Piano...whichever I can get.” Vinyl said, pointing to a synthesizer keyboard leaning against the tree. “That's my Cello.” Octavia said, pointing to the large case next to the keyboard. “I obviously play the Lyre.” Lyra said, not bothering to point at the instrument she was leaning against. “Say we've got our own little ensemble going eh?” Octavia said. “Huh?” Luna and Twilight both said. “Hey you're right. We got me on the Keyboard, Lyra on the Lyre, Octy on the Cello and you two play Viola and Violin. That classifies as more than enough for a full Ensemble.” Vinyl said. “That does not sound like a bad idea actually...” Luna said. “Except one thing though...you'd probably get singled out as 'one of us'.” Lyra said. “I don't care, if anypony is that thick I don't think I'd enjoy their company.” Luna retorted with a smile as Twilight agreed. “Wait what about Fluttershy?” Twilight asked. “Oh, damn...Sorry Flutters.” Vinyl said. Fluttershy just shook her head with a smile. “I sing...” Fluttershy said. “Really? Can we hear something?” Twilight asked. Fluttershy nodded. “Hush now, Quiet now. It's time to lay your sleepy head. Hush now, Quiet now. It's time to go to bed.” she started. Twilight and Luna both recognized the Lullaby. “Wow, that was amazing Fluttershy.” Luna said. “T-thank you Luna...um...I'm normally too shy to even go on stage...but my Marefriend managed to break my stage fright enough to make me confident enough to sing and be in the Choir.” Fluttershy said. “That's good. Well...if we are going to start an Ensemble, what should we call ourselves?” Luna asked. “Names come after the logo.” Vinyl said. “Logo...?” Octavia said. “Yeah! I mean if we're going to do this we're going to get famous. At least around Canterlot and for that we need a Logo to put on the posters.” Vinyl said. Octavia facehooved, but Luna perked up. “Oh I like the idea!” Luna exclaimed. “U-um...I have a friend I see every weekend that designs clothes and stuff all the time, she might be able to design a Logo...I mean, if that's alright.” Fluttershy said. “That's a wonderful Idea.” Twilight said. “O-ok...um...I'll talk to her when I can.” Fluttershy said. They all silently agreed that they just made a big group of friends that would never separate. But then the Bell rang, off to Economics! > C.2 Meetings and classes > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “I thought Economics would be more about the Economy...this...this is just mathematics! I'm not very familiar with the current form of currency yet and it is still unbelievably simple...” Luna said halfway through the Economics class. “I'd hate to say it..bit I have to agree...” Twilight said. “I apologize for the lack of challenge, I am afraid we must continue like this for another day or so...some things came up in my lesson plan that need to be straightened out so we're doing review...trust me I despise it just as much as you do.” the Teacher, Miss Count, explained. --- “Hey Twilight! Luna! Over here!” the two heard when they entered the lawn many of the students were using to eat. They looked and saw their friends from Music Education, as well as a few other ponies. There was a pink and hyper earth pony, an orange earth pony sitting on top of the pink one, a rainbow maned cyan pegasus next to Fluttershy and a tan earth pony with a dark blue and pink two toned mane handing out sweets to the group. “Jackie get off me I wanna meet our new friends!” the pink one exclaimed. “That's precisely why ah'm holdin' yuh down.” the other one said. “Everypony, this is Twilight Sparkle and Luna. This is Pinkie Pie, Apllejack, BonBon and Rainbow Dash.” Octavia said, naming the new ponies. “Hi!” Pinkie said from under the other pony. “Pleasure.” Applejack said, tipping her hat. “Wow cool an Alicorn!” Dash exclaimed. “Nice to meet you.” BonBon said. “We've got two more coming, but for now sit down and we can talk.” Lyra said. “Hey before anything, if you have wings why weren't you in flight?” Dash asked. “I neither need training nor do I want anything more than what skills I have.” Luna replied. “Which is?” Dash asked. “Probably not as good as yours, but better than the average Pegasus.” Luna said. “That's enough Dash, leave her be. So anyways, about our group...Flutters did you talk to Rarity?” Vinyl said. Fluttershy nodded. “She told me she's going to be a bit late to lunch actually. She and spike were working on it in art.” Fluttershy said. “Late no more!” a prim voice called. A white unicorn with a stylish purple mane and tail. Next to her was a dragon with wings, his spikes were just starting to grow in which meant he was just barely an adult. “Oh My heavens! A princess?! Oh Darling you absolutely MUST let me design a dress for you!” The Unicorn known as Rarity exclaimed when she saw Luna. “I'd love to, but I'm not very fond of dresses...” Luna sad, waving a hoof. “Don't worry Princess, she's like that to Everypony.” Spike said. “Please, just Luna.” Luna said. The two nodded. “So Rarity, how's that Logo coming out?” Vinyl asked. “marvelous dear, you told me there were six of you so I've designed a sort of six pointed star that will house each of your cutie marks on each tip.” Rarity started. “It's still just a blueprint but with Spike's help I've managed to make progress without making it too 'girly'...as spike puts it.” she finished, sitting down. “OH I ALMOST FORGOT! Anypony want cupcakes?!” Pinkie exclaimed, somehow popping out of the tree they had chosen to use as shade. Applejack looked under her, startled at the now empty space. “Gosh Darn it Pinkie...how the hay do yuh keep doing that?”Applejack called. “Silly it's easy to sneak past you when you're focused on a conversation!” Pinkie said, coming down with a bag full of cupcakes, enough cupcakes to bloat them all somehow. “Might I ask, how do you all know each other? I mean outside of where we met the four of you.” Luna asked, pointing at the four they knew. “Well Pinkie is a good friend of mine and BonBon's and AJ is her Marefriend, Rarity is Fluttershy's friend and she's spike's Marefriend while Dash is Fluttershy's.” Lyra said. “Wait...you two are together like that?” Twilight asked Spike and Rarity. “Yes Darling.” Rarity replied. Spike shrugged and put an arm around Rarity. “I've seen stranger couplings...” Luna commented. “Like what?!” Pinkie yelled. “Well, I once saw a Griffon and a Pony married, and Ponies used to be Griffon food. But that's not all, one time I saw a dragon and a Griffon.” Luna said. “Whoa, Griffons and Dragons usually hate each other. I'm not one of those stereotyping ones that thinks because they used to be thieves to dragons, but all the Griffons I've met here, save a few, have been really mean.” Spike said. “That's interesting...” Twilight said unsurely. “Well even though I asked who cares about weird love who wants cupcakes?!” Pinkie asked. The group laughed and accepted the treats. --- “I believe this class will aid me greatly to my goal of getting back in the times and to find out what happened while I...slept.” Luna said as they were the first two to arrive at Equestrian History. “Yeah. By the way, I was wondering why you had no reaction to me telling you I was your sister's student, nor were you curious as to why she would tell me personal things.” Twilight said. “Oh, I imagine she has had many students, and now that she is the Dean and advanced magic teacher she has many of them. I recall her speaking of you once, she called you her favorite student. That is quite an achievement I must say, to get her attention. And Tia has always been a bit more open than I.” Luna explained. “That makes sense...I guess...Oh hey Rainbow Dash.” Twilight said, noticing the cyan Mare enter. “Oh hey Twilight, Luna.” Dash said as she took a seat next to them. “Are any of the others coming?” Luna asked. “Vinyl is coming, and we'll be in your next class too, but that's it...Everypony else took this class last year...me and Vinyl didn't want to deal with it, the teacher was hell...” Dash explained. “I'm guessing the teacher changed?” Twilight assumed. “No, we just have to take it this year.” Vinyl said, taking a seat on the opposite side of Dash. “What's so bad about them?” Luna asked. “Mister Blueblood is such a prick...he thinks he's the most important pony in the university just because he's the Dean's Nephew.” Vinyl said as some more students entered. “Ugh Blueblood?! Dear Lord...he's the one reason I regret waking up...” Luna grumbled. “What'd he do?” Twilight asked. “Well...let's just say he thinks he can say anything around anyone...the first thing he said to me was “You're awake? Who knew royalty could be so lazy.”... he went on with things like that for a week until I snapped at him...at least he's afraid of me now, though Tia did scold me...I guess I went a bit too far with my threats...” Luna said, rubbing the back of her head. “What did you threaten him with?” Vinyl asked. “...Well...let's just say it involves his horn, and his rump...” Luna said. Vinyl and Dash looked at each other, back to Luna, then back to each other. They pieced it together and literally fell out of their chairs laughing. “Settle down Peasants, I will not have such Foalery in my classroom.” an annoyingly 'noble' voice called as a while unicorn Stallion stepped in. he swept his gaze over the classroom, not really paying attention. He froze when he spotted Luna. “Y-You?!” he yelled. “Yes, me. I hope you haven't forgotten our last 'chat' Blueblood, or rather...Professor Blueblood.” Luna said smugly. Blueblood gulped and instantly turned his rear directly away from the Alicorn. “U-um...yes...well...For those who do not know, I am Professor Blueblood.” he started nervously. “I will not tolerate any chatter, nor disobedience...nor anything besides learning. This is Equestrian History, we will learn about every major event since the founding of the original Canterlot and work our way up to modern times by the end of the year. We will start...um...with the birth of the Alicorn sisters.” he continued, looking cautiously at Luna. > C.3 premonitions of fun! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “For such an annoying pony, he does a good job...” Luna commented as they walked out of Blueblood's class. “We got Tech next.” Vinyl said. “That's a pretty general name...” Twilight said. “A friend of mine took it last year, he said it's sort of a general class that branches off into specific areas.” Dash said as they entered the large room. “Ah Hello there, here for Tech are we?” a Stallion's voice asked. Twilight detected a slight Trottinghamian accent as she looked at the stallion. There was a brown stallion with an even darker, and slightly unkempt, mane and tail. He had an hourglass for a cutie mark. “Ah, Doctor.” Luna said pleasantly. “Oh hello there Luna, long time no see. When was the last time...uh...Where were we, earth?” the strange earth pony asked. Luna nodded. “Wait Doctor what?” Twilight commented. “Just The Doctor.” he replied. “What are you a Doctor of?” Dash asked, “No Idea. Just, The Doctor. Well...I suppose you could call me the doctor of time. OH, and if you must you can call me Doctor Whooves.” he said, seemingly in a rapid succession of thoughts. “Um...what?” Vinyl said, clearly confused. “He's Doctor Whooves, apparently the Doctor of Time...whatever that means.” Twilight said without taking her eyes off him. “Anyway Doctor, what are you doing here?” Luna asked. “Well it's been forever sense I was in Equestria last and I've forgotten everything somehow...it must have had something to do with Derpy and that knock on the head...” he said, rubbing a spot on his head. “Derpy?” Luna asked. “That'd be my Assistant...well...Marefriend.” he said. “Wait...do you mean Derpy Whooves? The clumsy Mail Mare?” Dash asked. “That's the one!, though now she works full time as my assistant, anyways I'm trying to get reacquainted with the technology again. Anything besides what the TARDIS tells me is gibberish.” he went on. “Don't bother asking, it'd take literally centuries for him to explain. Just leave it at he's not a normal pony.” Luna said to the other three. “That'd be about right. So who's this? Finally decided to settle down?” Whooves asked. “Oh you're an Idiot. I've only met the Mare a few days ago.” Luna said, her face going red a bit. “Good on ya! Never pegged you as one to take it that fast!” the doctor said with a grin. Twilight just realized what he was implying and lit up herself. Meanwhile, Dash and Vinyl were rolling on the ground laughing. “Doctor!” Luna yelled and smacked him on the head. “Alright Alright, but you really should think about it. She seems pretty nice, and when was your last crush a year or two ago?” he asked. Luna froze. “Doctor...wow you missed a lot, or you forgot it all...do you remember Nightmare Moon?” Luna asked, suddenly solemn. “Yeah, that crazy other half of you? What happened?” he asked. “she almost took over. I pushed her back, but the strain from it left me in a magical coma for a thousand years...I've only woken up a month or two ago.” Luna explained. “Whoa I guess I did miss a lot.” he said. “Wait he's that old?1 he doesn't look like it...” Dash commented. “Time Lords stop aging around uh...what age do I look?” he asked. “I've forgotten the age...about young Adult.” he continued, looking himself over. “You look to be about twenty, about Senior age.” Luna said. “Ah so the ages in this place are like I thought, adulthood comes much faster than the race I'm used to...but enough about that, I think the teacher is coming!” he said excitedly, effectively ending the conversation. A Unicorn Mare walked in and froze when she saw the five of them sitting. “You all there is? Huh that's weird...Lemme look at the roster.” she said to herself. She was white with a two toned grass and emerald green mane and tail. She wore stylish glasses. “Whoa Vinyl she looks a lot like you.” Dash commented. “Vinyl? Oh hey.” the Teacher said with a grin. “Yo, Haven't seen you in like years Sis.” Vinyl said. “Sis?” the group asked with raised eyebrows. “Name's Emerald Scratch. You can just call me Emmy. I went to all kinds of schools for all kinds of techs, but I excel in all things computer, I taught Vinyl here how to edit her mixes.” Emerald said. “And wow, you five are the only ones...that's odd.” she continued as she levitated a headset up onto her ears. She clicked a few buttons and a projector turned on, projecting it's image onto the front white wall. “Alright, this is here Tech Education. Together, we'll go through the basics of everything that you'll need to know. After a while, you will all be able to choose what you want to do. We have many paths here, Audio Engineering is one of them.” Emerald started as the projector flicked to what looked like a massive recording studio, which Twilight recognized through an open door. “In AE, you'd spend a lot of your time in there. Audio Engineering involves the creating audio, and editing and modifying it to do many things. Next we have Computer Tech.” she continued as the projector flicked to a computer with random programs opened. “In that branch, you'll learn all things computer. This is sometimes confused with some of our other branches, like Animation or Interactive Virtual engineering.” Emerald said with a side note. “And Lastly, available for everypony, the gaming room.” Emerald started, turning the projector off and opening a closed door. Inside was a series of bean bag chairs, a long table and a few mini fridges. “This is the room we'll be spending half of our time in.” Emerald continued. “Why would we spend all day gaming?” Twilight asked. “Think about it. A lot of our technology goes into gaming. You can actually learn new things in reality just from them, all of the different things out there you're bound to learn a few things. And plus having a huge LAN party in the middle of school is very fun.” Emerald explained. “LAN party?” Luna asked. “It means Local Area Network, basically a room full of ponies playing together.” Dash answered. “Alright, I get some games being educational somewhat...but what about those games like Call of Pony or whatever it's called?” Twilight asked. “Well, Those ones desensitize you to violence a bit...and also they teach you some semblance of teamwork and strategy.” Emerald said. “And what of these Horror games like 'Dead Space' or 'Amnesia' ponies keep suggesting to me have to teach us?” Luna asked. “Hm...normally puzzle solving, also helps you get scared a lot less easily.” Emerald answered after some thought. “Don't get me wrong, some games are there just for fun, but the main purpose of me doing this is so the students can have a little fun. Although I don't have any game systems, they're all at home.” Emerald said. “Comeo n sis, you know I'd bring my PonyStation 3.” Vinyl said. “I brought my P-Box 360.” Dash said. “We have Laptops.” Twilight said. “Of course...even when they're in the EQU, kids will be kids. Well we won't be able to set all of that up for another few days so we'll just go through some normal stuff. Wait, where's Whooves?” Emerald asked. “Over here, these are fascinating!” his voice called. He was sitting at a desk with a stack of books on either side. He'd take one from the larger pile, flip through it in seconds, make a comment or two, and then place it on the other pile. “Right...I forgot, you can read that fast.” Luna said with annoyance. “I can read that fast too...” Twilight said lowly. “You can?” Luna asked, curious. “Yeah, I invented a reading spell...though how he does it I have no idea...” Twilight replied. “Well how he does it doesn't matter, he just read through the curriculum for the next four years.” Emerald said with wonder. Author's Note: I know this entire chapter is filled with relatively useless information, I'm just writing fillers for the classes if you haven't noticed. the LAN parties will get some significance later so remember that! -Dark > C.4 Magic begins! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “So…now all that’s left is Advanced Magics eh?” Luna said. “Yeah…I hear it’s a much higher level class, like for seniors and college students though.” Twilight said. “Oh you’ll do fine.” Luna said with a smile. “That’s what I’m worried about…what if I do TOO good and everypony else Is mad at me for it.” Twilight asked. “Then let them be mad. If you’re better than all of them then you deserve to show it. And if they don’t like it, they can’t do anything about it.” Luna explained. “…I guess…so what is it going to be like being taught by your own sister?” Twilight asked. “…I don’t know…she’s either going to treat me like a student professionally, or she’s going to embarrass the hell out of me…” Luna said solemnly, dropping her head in anticipation as they entered the room that was about half full. --- “I don’t like this…I feel so…tiny…” Twilight whispered to Luna. “You won’t feel that way when you tower over them in skill.” Luna said, nudging the Unicorn. “Pfft” a blue unicorn said, suppressing a laugh. “Oh dear, if I would have known they would let any little filly in here I would have joined years ago.” She said. “The Great and Powerful Trixie will not be outdone by a simple foal playing school.” She continued. “…I don’t know whether to laugh at your moronic display or to strike you for speaking to Twilight like that.” Luna said. “Not even a princess would dare do such to me!” Trixie exclaimed. “I just did…” Luna said, face hooving, flaring her wings for a second. “Hmf…illusions.” Trixie retorted and ignored the two. “Alright, we have a couple new students this Semester so be nice class. We’ll have a magical examination so I can assess what we need to learn, and your limits.” Celestia said, entering the room. “Before we start, I have a question I’ve had since I found out you were teaching.” One of the other new students, a senior, said. “I’m listening.” Celestia replied politely. “How are you able to devote your time to your classes with your royal duties?” he asked. “It’s simple really. This is my one class. During my time at the University I have a group of officials that do what I do politically.” Celestia explained. “Tank you.” The Stallion said. Celestia nodded and pulled a clipboard out of the desk and read off names. The names called walked up and did a series of spells to test them. There was levitation, teleportation, multiple spell and an optional magical resistance, where Celestia attempted to overpower the other’s magic and gradually pushed harder until she won. “Luna, come on up. Let’s see how good you are after so much time.” Celestia said. Twilight realized there was no specific order, the names seemed random. Luna had aced levitation barely, had managed a short range teleport but could only maintain three individual spells. “Very good Luna. Next up is, oh…Hello Twilight Sparkle, come on up.” Celestia said with a smile. Twilight walked up and shrank a bit as the netire group of oler students watched her. “Do your best Twilight, I will know if you are holding back.” Celestia whispered. Twilight nodded. She wound up tying for the best with Levitation, managed an instant short range teleport and even a slow-time Teleport, in which the teleport would travel as fast as the Pony could walk, and had managed to maintain a total of nineteen spells simultaneously, which was half of her vocabulary. “Very good Twilight, you may return to your seat and we will begin our lesson on maintaining multiple high level spells. Actually, tell the class how you were able to maintain so many.” Celestia said. “Well…um…I practice…most of those spells I do normally and are like second nature to me…I just concentrate and block out anything that can be distracting until it’s too much…” Twilight explained. “Thank you for sharing. See class, practice DOES make perfect.” Celestia said with a grin. “Now, the actual theory for multiple spell manipulation involves…” she started. --- “Wow Twilight that was amazing!” Luna exclaimed after the class. “Um…thanks…I don’t really see what’s so amazing about it though…all I did was practice and do what I was told…” Twilight said. “The Great and Powerful Trixie applauds your magical skills Twilight Sparkle! I demand you show me how you did it at once!” Trixie exclaimed, startling the two from behind. “Trixie, all I did was practice…a while ago Celestia gave me a magical conditioning routine, but it’s the standard routine here so it’s not anything you don’t know.” Twilight said. “Trixie does not understand…I practice all the time…” Trixie said, confused. “Do you push yourself and challenge yourself to break your limits?” Luna asked. “Well…Trixie tries, but I always stop when I can’t do it anymore…it makes me tired and unable to do magic.” Trixie said. “That’s normal. Keep going until you can’t anymore, not until you think you can’t and you’ll get stronger.” Luna explained. “Is this true Twilight Sparkle?” Trixie asked. “Absolutely, I can lend you a spell book or two if you’d like but that’s all I can offer.” Twilight said. “Trixie has her own books, but thank you for the offer…” Trixie said and walked off. “Well…that Mare may have a few problems, but underneath that Ego she seems kinda nice…” Luna commented. “yeah I guess so.” Twilight said. “Come with me, there are a few things I wish to ask my sister.” Luna said when the last students left and they re entered the room. “Hello you two, what is it?” Celestia asked as she used her magic to tidy up her desk from a renegade teleportation nearly smashing it. “Sister, did you have anything to do with Twilight and I being put in the same exact places?” Luna asked. “Well…a little. I recommended your room accommodations, I knew Twilight would get along with you and you need friends, and vice versa. Though I was a bit surprised you had this class together” Celestia said. “We have every class together, even the switch to Offensive Magic is the same exact class.” Luna said. “Really? The only time I get a say in who enters the classes is if the board asks me and they had not trouble this semester. It must be a delightful coincidence!” Celestia said happily. “So you only made us roommates, everything else is pure chance?” Luna asked. “Not exactly. Twilight is a very gifted unicorn, she graduated top of the school in my young Unicorns school. It is chance you got the same time frames, but some of the classes I am not surprised she shares with you. Oh, I heard something about a musical group featuring a young unicorn and an Alicorn, might that be you?” Celestia asked. “Uh…yeah…we don’t have a name or anything yet, we only decided on it today really. Some friends are making a logo.” Twilight said. “Wonderful! Well, I must return to the board to give a little report on the class. And you have the rest of the day to yourselves, have fun!” Celestia exclaimed and left. “Well…that was…interesting.” Luna commented. “Yeah…I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. You paid for lunch yesterday, I’ll pay for dinner.” Twilight said happily. “You know, it’s not very cost effective to go into town to eat every day.” Luna said. Twilight shrugged. “I’m here on a complete scholarship and I kind of have a contract with the Research division of the Palace, I’m constantly doing studies on anything I find. If I send it to them, they send me compensation…I think I hit five hundred thousand total last week so I think I can handle it.” Twilight said with a grin. “That’s…a lot of bits…” Luna said. “Shall we then?” Twilight asked. “We shall.” Luna replied with a giggle.