> The Defenders of Equestria > by Chaotic Flier > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The Exam > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a cool fall day, and a very important one, since today was the day was for the entrance exams for the prestigious E.S.D.E, or the Elemental School for the Defenders of Equestria, which was founded by the elements of harmony to train the next generation of defenders to help deal with the threats to Equestria and its citizens. The stadium in Canterlot was packed with potential students who wanted a shot to help their country and the people inside it. Among these hopefuls sat two of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Apple Bloom, the taller of the duo, had lightly tanned skin and long dark red hair that reached her back, orange eyes, and wore a simple bright yellow t-shirt, ripped dark blue denim jeans, and a dark pink bow in her hair. To her left sat Sweetie Belle, the smaller of the duo, who had shoulder length curly pink and purple hair, vivid green eyes, and a long white dress, white satin gloves and simple black flats. "Where the hay is Scootaloo?" Apple Bloom asked, in an annoyed tone, "If I have to sit through this then she should too." "Maybe she just woke up and is on her way right now!" Sweetie answered with a bit of enthusiasm. "I hope you're right Sweetie Belle, I'd hate for Scootaloo to miss the entrance exam just 'cause she overslept." Apple Bloom said in a worried tone. Elsewhere, "Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap!" cried a certain late teen. "You really messed up now, Scootaloo!" she thought to herself while rushing to get ready. Scootaloo was between Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom's height, with short spiky purple hair, and deep purple eyes. She quickly put on a purple tank top, orange baggy cargo pants, orange high tops, and around her neck was a pair of wonderbolt flight goggles signed by none other than Spitfire herself! She quickly grabbed a slice of toast and ran out the door as fast as she could toward the school. Back at the Canterlot Stadium, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle noticed that everyone was silent, turning to focus on a thin pale woman with short lavender hair with a bright pink stripe in it, she had piercing purple eyes that looked like she could see your every mistake. Twilight stood in the center of the giant room. She wore a long sleeved blouse with a star pattern on it, a lavender skirt with a giant pink star burst pattern that reached her knees, and in her left hand she held a staff that ended with a pink star like gem that glowed a faint purple glow. "Greetings, potential students! My name is Twilight Sparkle and I am the Headmistress of this school." Twilight said with a friendly smile. "Now, as many of you know, out of the three hundred and sixty thousand of you here, only sixty-six of you will be accepted. The selection process is very straight forward. First, we will putting you all in groups of 6. Second, you will be tested on your ability to work together by overcoming a challenge. Now before you start panicking..." Twilight went on explaining. Breathing heavily, Scootaloo tried to stealthily sneak into the stadium, but the people who occupy the stadium looked at her before shrugging and returning their attention to Principle Twilight Sparkle. As she approached Apple Bloom and Sweetie belle, Apple Bloom looked at her and waved her over. Scootaloo then walked over and sat down next to Apple Bloom. "So why are you late?" Sweetie asked in a curious tone. "I...overslept...whew." Scootaloo explained in between breaths. Scoots was about to explain how she overslept when she was cut off by Twilight. "Alright. Now that you have been properly informed about the exam, the first team of six to enter the arena is Snips, Snails, Rumble, Featherweight, Peachy Pie, and Sunny Days. Good luck to you six and try your best!" Twilight said with a smile. "So what do you guys know about how the exam works?" Scootaloo asked her two friends. "Six ponies are put into teams the teachers have put together prior to today and that team will be tested by seeing their ability to overcome a problem through teamwork." Sweetie Belle, "but I don't know what the problem is. I kinda got distracted from the explanation on that part." "Yeah, sorry about that." Scootaloo apologized with a sheepish smile. "It's okay Scoots, we're kinda used to it by know." Apple Bloom said patting her friend on the back, "So we're just gonna wing it once we get to it." "But what if we are not on a team together!?" Sweetie Belle suddenly exclaimed. "Calm down! all the teachers know us so they wouldn't split us up, especially Twilight. "Apple Bloom tried to reassure her friend. Three hours later Twilight walked onto the stage in the center of the Canterlot Stadium. "Alright, the next team to enter the Exam is Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Peppermint Twist, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon..." Twilight announced. The trio froze altogether once they heard the last two names. "Why the Hay did they team us up with them?" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "They definitely know that we don't get along at all." "We haven't seen them in two years. so they probably changed." Sweetie added hopefully. "Who cares if they did or not! We still have to work with them anyway." Scootaloo said to her friends only to get a look of surprise from both Apple Bloom and Sweetie. "What!?" they exclaimed. "We just never thought you would say we should work with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon." Apple Bloom said. Sweetie nodded her head in agreement. "Okay, but we need to hurry up and get down there." Scootaloo stood up and started heading down to the door that lead to the exam area. Apple Bloom and Sweetie followed. Once through the door the trio found themselves inside a locker room filled with armor of all types. In the center of the room stood a fully armored amazon of a woman with a long blond ponytail with her back turned to them. "I was wondering when you three would show up. You're ten minutes late!" The amazon said turning to face them revealing herself to be Applejack. Applejack was the largest of Elements of Harmony, standing at 6'3 she easily dwarfs most women and some guys. The armor she wore has an orange tone with a trio of apples stamped onto the breast plate, on her head sat her signature stetson. "Applejack? Why are you here?" Apple Bloom asked her older sister. "A'hm here to wish you girls luck and inform you what exactly your test is, so please step in line with the rest of your team so I may begin." Applejack said stepping aside, revealing three familiar looking girls. Scootaloo stared at the trio in front of her, the one on the far left, who Scoots could clearly identify as Twist, was a small frail looking girl with thick purple glasses, short curly hair wearing a simple white t-shirt and a red skirt. Twist waved at the trio with a big smile on her face. Next to her stood Silver Spoon, who was taller than Apple Bloom. Silver Spoon wore thin blue framed glasses, she was dressed in a dark grey sweater, grey designer jeans, and a pearl necklace around her neck. Silver looked at them with a bored expression. Last but not least there stood the CMC's worst enemy, Diamond Tiara the grade school bully. The trio looked at her in confusion because she wore a friendly smile instead of her usual evil sneer. Diamond wore a light pink hoody, pink shorts, and on her head she wore a silver band instead of her signature diamond tiara. "Good, now that y'all are here let me tell you exactly what you're exam is. Since you all were told to bring a weapon of some sorts with you for the exam none will be provided. Your exam is pretty straight forward. The six of you will be taking on a pack of timber wolves." Applejack explained. "You will be judged on your teamwork skills, so stick together at all times and look out for one another, okay? Any questions? No? Okay, good luck! Use the locker room to put on some armor. Ya'll are gonna need it," With that, Applejack left. As soon as Applejack left, Silver Spoon looked at the other five members in the group with an angry look, " I can't believe I'm stuck with this pathetic excuse for a team! We're guaranteed to fail 'cause we have the Cutie Mark Losers who are terrible at almost everything," Silver ranted pointing at the trio. Apple Bloom was about retaliate with some harsh words of her own but someone else beat her to the punch. "Silver Spoon! Leave them alone," everyone turned to see it was Diamond Tiara that said that! Apple Bloom thought she was hearing things. Diamond would never defend them! Silver turned away and walked into the locker room with an angry growl. Diamond turned to the Crusaders and said, "Sorry about that, she's just really nervous about the exam." with that she too walked into the locker room. "Am I hearing things, or did Diamond Tiara just defend us instead of joining Silver Spoon in ridiculing us?" Scootaloo asked her friends. "No, she really did that," Apple Bloom answered. "That is totally not like her," Sweetie Belle added. "Well we should go get ready for the exam." Twist said to the trio as she entered the locker room, the trio shrugged then followed. In the timber wolf pen stood a dark shadowy figure who was smiling at the growling timber wolves. She let out a laugh and began reciting an incantation: Night time is the shroud of evil, the harbinger of sleep, come to test the hearts of the chosen, ARISE NIGHTMARE!* As she finished the incantation, a purple light flooded the room, & the timber wolves began howling. The cloaked figure chuckled to herself and left the pen and headed toward the arena to not draw suspicion. In the locker room sat Scootaloo in full panic mode. "Scootaloo, how could you forget your weapon at home, you feather brain! Now you have to go through the exam without one!" Scoots scolded herself in her mind. Sweetie took notice of Scootaloo's panicked state and asked, "What's the matter, Scoots?" Scootaloo put on an imitation of Rainbow's confident smile, "N-Nothing's wrong, I'm pumped to get this exam started!" Scootaloo let out a fake confident laugh to which Sweetie raised an eyebrow. "Okay, if you say so." Sweetie said to Scootaloo's odd behavior then walked away to put her armor on. After she left Scoots walked over to the armor sets that the school provided: Heavy knight armor, and light leather armor. Knowing the knight armor would hinder her speed and movements she grabbed the leather armor but also grabbed a set of knight armor gloves. "Since you don't have a weapon, You'll have to use your hands to fight off the timber wolves," Scoots told herself as she walked into the dressing area and saw the others were already in their armor taking note that everyone but Twist brought their own armor. Apple Bloom wore what looked like a hand me down suit of armor possibly from Applejack. It was a faded gold color with the Apple Family crest on it's breastplate, which is three apples on a shield. Unlike Apple Bloom, Sweetie wore a shiny white dress with a silver chest piece and long gem studded gloves. It was definitely Rarity's handiwork. Scootaloo had to turn to get a clear look at Diamond Tiara's clearly expensive custom armor with it's solid diamond chest piece, diamond plated boots, and leather gloves with diamond studded knuckles. "You didn't have to show off how rich you were when wearing armor, did you?" Apple Bloom asked sarcastically. "Oh, it's not for show. I wanted an extremely tough armor so I looked up the strongest stones and found diamonds were at the top of the list so I made my armor out of them," said Diamond. Scoots turned and took a good look at Silver's armor. It was a large dark silver knight armor that looked extremely heavy. Unlike the others she was holding her weapon which was a giant hammer with what looks like a turbine on one side of it. "What are you looking at?" Silver Spoon asked Scootaloo with a 'I will kill you if you keep looking at me,' look on her face. Scoots turned away from her. She looked at Twist who was wearing the standard leather armor, Scoots saw a white bow and a quiver of red arrows on her back. Scoots turned to her friends to see what weapons they would be using. Apple Bloom had a basic sword and shield, and Sweetie had a strange looking sword that looked like it was made of tiny blades. Scoots then looked at Diamond to see what weapon she would have but was surprised to see Diamond holding a rusted rapier. "Diamond why do you have a rusted sword? That's not what I expected you to have." Scootaloo asked Diamond. "You'll just have to wait and see." Diamond answered with a smirk that reminded Scootaloo of the Diamond who used to bully her. Scoots was about to ask her what she meant but was cut off by Applejack entering the locker room. "I hope ya'll are ready because the exam is starting now! The door behind you is the entrance to the arena." Applejack says as she enters the room. Upon hearing this Scootaloo realized she didn't put on her armor. "Today is just not my day," she thought as she grabbed the knight gloves and put them on then reached for the rest but was stopped by Applejack who was rushing everyone out the door.Once in the arena the group looked around them taking in their surroundings. the arena was a small forest area surrounded by thirty foot tall walls. "Wow!" Twist said in awe. In a classroom sat Pinkie Pie who was doing extremely boring paper work. She was wearing a pink long sleeved sweatshirt with three balloons on it, blue jeans, and a pair of goggles she got from Rainbow Dash atop her head. "Why do I have to do paper work, I'm not even a teacher, so why did Twilight want me to do paper work instead of helping with the exam?" She said to herself as she looked at what was left of the paperwork. "UGH! Why is there so much, anyway? It's all just random questions! What does thi-" She was suddenly cut off as a shiver ran up her spine. "Uh oh, that's not good!" Pinkie said as she leaped up from the desk she was sitting at and ran out of the classroom toward the arena. "Alright, the test begins now." Twilight said as she used her magic to open the timber wolf pen. But instead of timber wolves a woman walked out who was dressed in revealing black armor. Her hair was blue fire that raised toward the heavens, her eyes were completely white & on her back stood a pair of large bat wings. "Who in the hay are you and where are the timber wolves!?" Applejack yelled at the woman drawing her sword and jumping into the arena. the woman looked at Applejack and laughed as Applejack collapsed onto the ground unconscious. Then her gaze landed on Scootaloo and the others and she smiled. "The chosen shall be tested," The woman said with an evil laugh.The woman looked at the group in front of her and smiled, "Chosen ones I will be your opponent." The woman said as she materialized a sword out of nowhere. "Begin!" She yelled then charged the group reaching Apple Bloom first. The woman swung her blade in a downward movement Apple Bloom barely raised her shield in time to block the attack. The collision knocked Apple Bloom a few feet away. Silver used the moment to swing her hammer at the woman only for her to get knocked back against the wall as the woman dodged the swing and brought her foot straight to Silver's chest. The woman looked at Apple Bloom and Silver Spoon as they both were on the ground. "Pathetic I thought the chosen would be more of a challenge." She said as she turned to Scootaloo raising her sword preparing to strike but was startled as an arrow flew past her face causing her focus to shift to Twist, who drawn another arrow preparing to let it loose the woman attacked her before she could grabbing her arm. "You are not a chosen one so I must incapacitate you sorry." She said as she tightened her grip on Twist's arm going to break it, but was stopped before she could do permanent damage by Diamond tackling the woman to the ground. Sweetie Belle ran to Twist to make sure she was okay, while Scootaloo ran to join Diamond Tiara who has drawn her rapier. Scoots put her hands into fist as she got ready to help Diamond fight the woman. The woman got to her feet and lunged at Diamond who brought her sword up to parry the attack. but the attack didn't even reached Diamond as the woman was knocked out of the sky by something fast. The woman got back to her feet. "Show yourself whoever you are." The woman commanded. "Who said I am hiding." a voice said from up in a tree, everyone turned toward the voice to see Pinkie sitting on a branch with a huge grin on her face. "Hi my names Pinkie Pie what's yours?" "I am the NIGHTMARE, and I will not allow you to interfere with the test." Nightmare said to Pinkie as she charged at Pinkie only to miss, and get kicked in the stomach causing Nightmare to get stagger back. "I will not allow you to hinder my test any more!" Nightmare Screeched at Pinkie as a dark aura surrounded her body her eyes began to glow red. Nightmare swung her sword and caught Pinkie in the shoulder with the tip of her blade. Which distracted Pinkie long enough for Nightmare to grab her by the head and cast a dark magic spell to show Pinkie her greatest fear. Letting go of Pinkie who then collapsed onto the ground unconscious, the Nightmare turned to the group and smiled. "Now where were we." Apple Bloom and Silver Spoon picked themselves off the ground just in time to see Pinkie's defeat at the hands of the Nightmare. "How are we going to beat her? She beat Pinkie easily." Silver asked the others. "We do what Applejack said work together, then we can beat her." Scootaloo answered." And I have a plan." She then whispered it to the others. "Alright let's do this." "I hope your plan works because if you fail you die." Nightmare called out to them. "Alright let's go then." Silver Spoon said as she and Apple Bloom approached Nightmare. Apple Bloom lunged at Nightmare swinging her sword Nightmare blocked the swing, Apple Bloom jumped out of the way as Silver's hammer swung passed her hitting Nightmare in the head sending her Flying toward Sweetie who swung her sword which extended into a whip like sword that wrapped around Nightmare's throat. Using her whip like sword she swung Nightmare toward Diamond who was in a tree letting Nightmare go she flew toward Diamond who brought her gold plated boots to Nightmares jaw sending her higher into the air. On the ground Apple Bloom had Scootaloo in her arms and then threw her at ceiling of the arena. once Scootaloo's feet touched the ceiling she kicked off of it and brought her foot to Nightmare's chest with all her might as both she and Nightmare crashed to the ground below. Scootaloo picked herself up from the ground slowly everybody ran to Scoots and helped her up and began to celebrate Nightmare's defeat. But it was short lived as Nightmare rose to her feet with an angry look on her face, the group was shocked to see her get up. " I am going to kill you all!" She yelled and raised her sword but was grabbed by Pinkie before she could swing it. "You will not." Pinkie said in a serious tone, her hair was straight her eyes showed anger. "Now have a taste of your own medicine." She said as she placed her hand on Nightmare's face. Nightmare started screaming as she saw her worst fear. Pinkie then grabbed a small amulet from her pocket and shoved it onto Nightmare's forehead the amulet glowed and caused Nightmare to disintegrate. "Is she dead?" Scoots asked in a shaken tone "No I just sent her somewhere else in Equestria and she will be back." Pinkie answered as her hair returned back into it's original untamed style. "where am I?" Applejack groaned as she picked herself up finally recovering from the sleep spell Nightmare used on her. "Where is that woman I have a gift to give her." She added with an angry tone. "Ooh, what kind of gift? " Pinkie asked in a happy tone causing Applejack to let out a sigh. The force field that surrounded the arena faded. Twilight teleported down into the arena next to Applejack. "Are you girls alright?" Twilight asked in a worried tone. "we're fine, but Twist needs to go to the doctors." Apple Bloom answered. "I'll take her to the hospital down the road." Applejack said as she approached Twist, picked her up and carried her outside and toward the hospital. "All right you five are to return home, tomorrow we will reveal if or if not you made it." Twilight said but looked like she was struggling to contain her composure, but failed as she excitably exclaimed. "I can't stop myself you six are definitely accepted." "Really?" Sweetie Belle asked excitably, Twilight responded with a nod. "Yes!" the entire group cheered. "Okay enough celebrating for now, you six go home and I will see you all in six weeks." Twilight said with a smile. In the northern mountains Nightmare was throwing a tantrum destroying boulders and forming caves. "THEY WILL PAY FOR THIS!!!" Nightmare screamed into the horrid winds. END OF CHAPTER ONE. > Roommates and Teachers (edited) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- six weeks later,     “Where is it? Where is it?” Scootaloo asked herself as she turned her room upside down looking for her weapon. “I know I packed it before moving here.” on the other side of the room sat Diamond Tiara who was polishing her rusty looking rapier oblivious to her roommate’s frantic search. “Did you hide my bo staff?” Scootaloo growled with a twitch in her eye staring at Diamond who looked up at Scootaloo,shook her head and returned to her polishing. Scootaloo grinded her teeth together in anger as Diamond completely ignored her question, “That’s it you're going down!”     She lunged at Diamond but instead slammed right into a wall, then their door opens revealing Diamond in a bath towel with drops of water visible on her lightly tan skin. Upon entering Diamond notice something was wrong, Scootaloo was laying on the floor and the whole room was a disaster  clothes and books were thrown all over the room like a mini tornado hit their room. “What happened in here?” She asked followed by a deep breath and a slow exhale as she suppressed her anger. Scoots looked up at the towel clad duchess with an embarrassed  smile. “Sorry, kinda losing my mind looking for my weapon,” She apologized as she sat up. “You have been looking for it for a week now you sure it’s here?” Diamond asked as she walked over to a dresser. “Of course I am sure….” Scootaloo snapped but she finally realized she didn’t find it when she came back from the exam. “Damn it!” “I thought so,” Diamond stated in a light mocking tone as she pulled a light purple hoodie from the dresser, along with a black skirt. “Now that is over with, how about you go get ready for class don’t want to be late to your first day at class.” “Wait classes start today,” Scootaloo exclaimed as she ran into the shower. Diamond just smiled and shook her head at her forgetful roommate's antics. Silver watched her new roommate, Sweetie Belle with a death glare a glare that Sweetie Belle returned. “You know I don’t like getting stared at it is just creepy,” Sweetie said to the silver haired bully she shared a room with.     “And don’t you know I hate you and everyone else on this worthless team,” Silver stated nastily.     “Even Diamond?” Sweetie asked with a frown.     “Especially that pathetic loser,” Silver spat out with disgust standing up in the process. Sweetie just sighed and turned away to get ready for class.     “I am so ready to start classes today,” Apple Bloom excitedly said to Twist who was looking over a textbook titled ‘The Guide to Finding the Creatures of Darkness’. “Hey Twist who do you think our mentor will be?”     “I dunno, but if I had to guess maybe Rainbow Dash,” Twist answered putting the textbook down. “Who do you think it will be?”     “I’m hoping it’s Applejack,” Bloom answered while picking up her shield off the dresser. “Because I know she is a great teacher from personal experience.”     “What if it’s Pinkie Pie? Would she be a good teacher?” Twist asked curious of Apple Bloom’s thoughts of the hyperactive woman being their teacher.     “Well she would be fun to have, but would be a terrible teacher,” Apple Bloom answered sincerely as she grabbed her bag. “Well let's get going Twist don’t want to be late.” “For the thousandth time no Pinkie,” Twilight huffed at the energetic woman who wouldn’t leave the headmistress alone. “Please Twilight I will do better than last time,” Pinkie begged holding onto Twilight’s leg, “Please!” “I said no Pinkie, now let go of my leg,” Twilight yelled at her childish friend who just shook her head. “Huh, Fine just let go of me.” “Oky dokey lokey,” Pinkie responded letting go of Twilight’s leg. “Thanks Twilight,” the odd woman sing songed as she skipped away. “Uh, what am I going to tell Applejack,” Twilight muttered as she walked toward Applejack’s classroom. A few minutes Later “WHAT!!!!” Applejack yelled in disbelief, “YOU CAN’T BE SERIOUS!!” “Applejack calm down,” Twilight nervously said trying to calm the angry amazon who just smashed her desk to splinters “How could you do this to me? Everyone knows Pinkie can’t train newbies,” Applejack stated in a weird mix of anger and concern. “I remember what happened last time, we had to send twenty students to the hospital after she-” Twilight stopped and shivered. “Oh god I forgot about that,” Aj said getting a scared look on her face. “HI!” Pinkie greeted causing the two women to scream and latch onto each other in fear. “Oh did I interrupt something?” She asked curiously before a knowing smirk spread across her face. “Oh, I know what’s going on.” “No Pinkie it’s not what it looks like,” Twilight pleaded with the pink haired girl. “You are having a hugging party without me,” Pinkie said hugging her two friends who just deadpan at her response. “Well now that was fun but I have to get ready to greet my students.” “Well before you can do that, I have assigned Applejack to be your assistant,” Twilight informed the eager woman while trying to get loose from the unwanted hug of the amazon and the party girl who in turn released their grip, causing Twilight to lose her balance and fall backward onto the floor. “Sorry Twily,” Pinkie apologized while trying not to laugh though Applejack did let out a bellowing laugh as she helped Twilight back up to her feet. “Good one Twilight,” Aj laughed. “Why are you laughing you get to spend some quality time with your cousin,” Twilight was now the one laughing as Applejack finally registered her words. “No please you can’t do this,” Aj begged in fear as Pinkie jumped into the air with a happy cheer. “Yay we are gonna spend so much time together you and me,” Pinkie cheered completely oblivious of Applejack’s pleas of mercy. “We’re gonna have so much fun.” “Yay,” Aj said non-enthusiastically completely terrified of the childish woman. End of Chapter Two > Lesson 1: History 101 With Daring Do > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Diamond Tiara walked down the hallway lost in thought, 'I wonder if Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom will come to forgive me for what I did all those years ago?' She asked herself then her thoughts drifted back to Scootaloo who surprisingly accepted her friendship when they were assigned to be roommates. "I wonder why she even wants to be my friend after what I did to her?" She asked herself out loud and thought of when the two were little. "Hey Diamond Tiara," a familiar cheerful voice greeted from in front of her looking up she confirmed it was Pinkie Pie standing outside of a classroom. "Oh hey Pinkie," Diamond greeted the energetic woman who was smiling, before walking past the older woman. Back in her thoughts, Diamond continued down the hall, 'I wonder who our mentor is?' She thought as she turned left at the end of the hall. 'I mean there are twelve teachers here so it could be any one of them,' she continued until she ran into someone. "Sorry," she apologized and tried to walk around whoever it was, only to be grabbed on the shoulder. Startled she looked at who grabbed her only to see no one there, "what the?" she asked aloud to no one in particular. "You know you shouldn't wander around here," A voice said behind her, causing Diamond to let out a shriek of terror. Turning around and what she saw wasn't scary at all "Hey Spike," She greeted the young dragon, Spike was shorter than Diamond by a few inches his scaly form was covered by a gold colored jacket with jeans and tennis shoes. “Sorry I must have wandered here by mistake,” Diamond apologized blushing in embarrassment. “It’s alright, do you need help finding your classroom?” Spike asked the taller girl who was completely oblivious to his question. Irritated he grabbed the girls hand and started dragging her to the room she needed to be in. “Why am I always late?” Scootaloo asked herself as she walked out the door wearing what she wore the day of the exam with the addition of an orange jacket that showed off her midriff. She ran out of the dorm and almost immediately ran into a thin girl who looked slightly older than her and fell to the ground. Looking up at the girl Scootaloo took a quick look at her, she had the palest skin Scoots has ever seen, messy black hair with neon green tips, and she was wearing a gothic dress that seemed kind like it came from one of Diamond’s Vampire romance novels she pretends she doesn’t have. “Are you ok?” the girl asked with a voice that sounded like a mix between Rarity and Pinkie Pie. She reached a hand down and pulled Scootaloo to her feet, all the while Scootaloo kept thinking about those stupid vampire novels for whatever reason. “Thankyouforhelpingmeupandsorryforrunningintoyou!” Scootaloo yelled quickly running off. The girl stood there confused by the sudden running off of Scootaloo until an older woman wearing a safari outfit walked next to her. “Moon what are you doing here we need to get ready to teach the new students,” The woman stated to Moon. “You know I have been ready for quite a while, miss Yearling,” Moon counter before turning to look at the older woman. “Or do you prefer Daring Doo it really is confusing when Rainbow Dash keeps calling that.” “Shut up Moon we need to hurry up and get to the school,” Daring stated turning away to walk to the school. “And to answer your question I prefer Daring it is easier to pronounce.” With that, she walked away and with a giggle Moon followed close behind. Sweetie Belle sat in the classroom impatiently tapping her foot since Diamond was dragged in here by Spike. ‘Where is Scootaloo,’ Sweetie thought looking around the room noting the angry scowl on Silver Spoon’s face, the bored look on Apple Bloom’s, and Twist and Diamond were having a strange conversation about some kind of beast that mimics screams of a woman. “Sorry I am late everyone,” Scootaloo said kicking open the classroom door. “I kinda ran into a few people on the way here,” She explained before walking over to an empty seat and sat down. As soon as she sat down Applejack walked into the class followed closely behind by Pinkie Pie. “Howdy everyone,” Aj greeted as she walked to the head of the class, Pinkie waved at the girls as she passed. “Ah would like to be the first to welcome y'all to the first day of your training, looking at all of you I know no introductions are necessary especially Pinkie Pie here,” She gestured to the excited woman beside her. “Hey Applejack,” Pinkie said to the taller girl grabbing her shoulder. “I can take it from here you have your new duties to take care 0off,” Pinkie assured with a smile that frightened Applejack, who nodded and rushed out of the classroom much to the confusion of the other six girls. “Now that Aj is gone we can start today’s lesson, which we will be going over the basics of magic,” Pinkie said enthusiastically as she started to write something on the chalkboard. “Now some of you may be thinking what do I know about magic?” She turned away from the chalkboard revealing several intricate formulas that only Sweetie Belle seemed to notice what they were. “That is Magic Theory,” Sweetie Belle said though she couldn’t place the formulas. “But I never saw these equations before.” “You wouldn’t have,” Pinkie said before writing above them the Moon Principle. “This is a new variant of the magic theory created by one of the new teachers here,” Pinkie was cut off by a knock on the door. “Well speak of the devil they’re early,” Pinkie noted before walking to the door and opening it revealing Daring and Moon. “Sorry for being early but Daring here is trying to avoid your friend Rainbow,” Moon snickered at her friend’s embarrassed expression. “Well it’s good you are here Moon I was explaining your variant of magic theory,” Pinkie said motioning the two inside the classroom. “Wait you’re starting with that?” Moon questioned the pink haired girl. “Isn’t that a bit advanced for them? I mean Twilight barely understands it, and I doubt your students who have only basic knowledge of magic theory will understand it at the moment,” She explained moving a hand to gesture the student. “I suggest starting with something simple maybe some history.” “I guess you're right I was kinda excited to be teaching again,” Pinkie agreed with a nervous chuckle before she turned to Daring. “I guess you get to teach the class some history until I can make a lesson plan for them,” she said before leaving the room leaving the explorer and the strange young woman alone with the students. Scootaloo sat in her chair both excited and nervous, on one hand, she was excited to see Daring Doo the world famous explorer that Dash kept talking about and on the other Moon’s presence made Scoot’s skin crawl. Shaking her head clear of those thoughts she paid more attention to Daring who was now standing in the front of the classroom with Moon by her side. “Hello students, as you may have heard I am Daring Doo and my friend here, is Mystic Moon though she prefers Moon,” Daring gestured to the young woman. “I will be your History teacher and Moon here is your combat instructor as well as combat application of magic.” “Now that you mention it I need to get going I have a class in ten minutes,” Moon said to Daring. “What you can’t leave me here alone!” Daring yelled at the combat instructor. “Why if you can stare down a horde of flesh-eating zombies,” Moon countered with a smile. “You can teach a class history like it is nothing so bye,” with that said Moon shattered like glass. “I hate it when she does that,” Daring grumbled while the rest of the class was in awe of the sudden disappearance of the combat instructor. “Now class we will be getting into the lesson,” Daring states as she erases the chalkboard and writes the three words Star, Sky, and Stone. “Who can tell me what these three words stand for?” Apple Bloom raised her hand, “Yes Apple Bloom.” “They are the names of the three races of people who live in Equestria,” Apple Bloom answered confidently. “That is correct the people are separated into three distinct races, Sky people have the ability to fly and are nimbler than the other two as an example Rainbow Dash and myself are Sky People,” She paused to write what she said down on the chalkboard. “Star People have intense connections to magic and are unparalleled in its manipulation Twilight is a great example of a Star being,” She wrote that down as well. “Last but not least are the stone people also commonly referred to as Earthers are extremely strong and are the most durable of any race the best example of one is Applejack.” “Now that we went over the three races let’s start with the formation of Equestria,” Daring started as she wrote more on the board as she continued. “It was formed by the Seven Knights of Harmony who at the time were leaders of the three tribes save for the seventh, we know these ponies as Commander Hurricane, Private Pansy, Chancellor Puddinghead, Smart Cookie, Princess Platinum and Clover the Clever,” Daring stopped to take a breath and looked at the six students Scootaloo was passed out, Diamond was writing in her notebook, Apple Bloom was doodling, Sweetie Belle was looking at her paying attention, Silver was throwing paper balls at Twist who was drooling from boredom. “Huh, Well looks like I have to tell Pinkie her class wasn’t paying attention guess they need a crash course in Magic Theory with Twilight instead,” Daring said aloud causing all but Scootaloo who was asleep to snap to attention. Silver took the liberty of throwing a paper ball at Scootaloo that startled the girl awake. “Now that I have your attention we will continue the lesson.” And with that, the lesson continued with some pauses for someone to wake up Scootaloo. “And that is the lesson for today now you girls will be going to combat training with Moon I suggest you hurry she may not seem like it, but you don’t want to be on her bad side,” Daring said releasing the six girls to go to their next lesson. As soon as Daring released them Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle made a beeline towards the Arena where the next lesson would be taking place. “I never thought getting taught by a real explorer would be so boring,” Sweetie Belle complained to her best friend. “So on a completely different note how's living with Twist like?” “Really nice since we been friends for a while it’s like living with a sister,” Apple Bloom said with a smile. “Well that must be great,” Sweetie Belle sighed. “I have to deal with a very angry Silver Spoon who constantly wakes up in I am gonna bitch about something mood every day it gets old really quickly.” “I wonder how Scootaloo and Diamond Tiara are getting along,” Apple Bloom wondered aloud. “We get along pretty well,” Diamond answered her from behind her with Scootaloo close behind talking to Twist. “Next time you want to know something just ask okay,” She said with a friendly smile before slowing down to join Scootaloo and Twist’s conversation. After a few minutes of walking the six girls found themselves at the entrance to the arena where stood a girl dressed in a black duster that reached her ankles and atop her head sat a black Stetson. “Hey, girls your all early,” A familiar voice greeted them at the same time the stetson-wearing girl lifted her hat to reveal herself to be Moon with a flash of her metallic gold eyes. “Seems we will be having another class join us,” She said as Rainbow Dash who was wearing a cyan blue hoodie with a pair of gym shorts and was closely followed by Snips, Snails, Rumble, Featherweight, Peachy Pie, and Sunny Days. “Welcome Rainbow you and your students head-on in, I need to wait for Pinkie Pie so I can start the lesson.” “Well, I can save you some trouble Pinkie’s been called away by the Princesses,” Rainbow informed the hunter pulling a note from her pocket. “And she gave me a note to give you,” Rainbow handed the note to the young woman. “Anyway I and my class will be waiting inside,” She said as she walked into the arena followed by her class. Moon curious about what Pinkie wrote to her, opened the letter and was not surprised by what it read. Sorry, I had to leave so early, but I was called by the princesses to give a report on the mission you two just finished. So I will have to be gone for a few days I have to do damage control in Manhattan so you and Daring are to take my place until I return. Signed, Pinkie Pie “Typical,” Moon frowned due to the fact Pinkie could’ve warned her of such possibility. “Come work at the school she says, it is gonna be fun she says,"Moon mumbled stuffing the letter into her coat pocket. > Lesson 2: The Hunter vs The Rainbow > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canterlot Pinkie Pie stood outside the throne room her usually upbeat attitude was replaced by a somber look, her wild curly hair was tied into a ponytail that seemed a bit straighter than normal. With a sigh she pushed open the giant double doors revealing a large marble room with a long red carpet that lead all the way to the dual thrones that stood in the middle the tallest of the two thrones was gold with purple cushions, while the other was dark blue with red cushions. Upon the two thrones sat the two princesses of the day and night. Celestia the eldest of the two princesses is a tall beautiful woman dress in a long white gown with gold trim that gave her an angelic appearance, and Luna the youngest was a small teenager barely older than Pinkie herself. “You summoned me princesses?” Pinkie asked with a bow. “Yes we have been looking over damage reports from your last mission,” Luna answered she sounded upset. “And every damage report for every mission you ever done solo.” “It seems you always cause major property damage and it seems to bother Luna,” Celestia explained with a smile. “But what I summoned you here for is to ask about how you were feeling after the Mission on the Island of Doma and see if you could shed some light on the fate of Starlight Glimmer.” “If she was not mentioned in neither Yearling’s nor Moon’s mission reports who were there longer than i have what makes you think I would know,” Pinkie said in an almost uncaring voice her hair seemed to get slightly straighter. Then with a sigh she began to explain what happened on Doma Island. Back at the school… Scootaloo sat with her teammates but she was enamored with Moon’s lesson, because she was going to spar with Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo wasn’t even paying attention to what Moon was saying about limits of magic use or that bit about overexertion can leave one unable to move for hours. “Alright class with that out of the way Rainbow and myself will give you a demonstration of how one uses their magic in a combat situation,” Moon then turned to Rainbow Dash who had a smug look on her face. “Now Rainbow this is only a demonstration okay, so let’s not get carried away,” She said taking her hat off and tossed it to the side. Rainbow’s eyes narrowed as she lowered her stance, Moon just stepped back a few paces and turned to look at the rainbow haired woman who gave the younger combat instructor a sly smile before she vanished. Moon eyes widen before she was sucker punched in the face by Rainbow who appeared out of nowhere. With a loud resounding crack her head snapped back before she flew back from the impact and hit ground of the stadium twenty feet away from where she was standing initially. “Wow that is a wonderful example of how to win a match in ten seconds flat,” the cocky woman said flashing a grin to the students. Rainbow turned to where Moon lay on the ground unconscious or so Rainbow thought as Moon was gone. “Where did she g-,” Rainbow started to ask before she was grabbed from behind by Moon. “You know it isn’t much of a demonstration if you end the fight early like that,” She whispered threatening in Rainbows ear before slamming her into the ground, hard enough to make a small crater in the dirt. “Now I suggest we do this demonstration right,” Moon said aloud to the downed Rainbow Dash. “And this students is a great example of a big mistake most warriors make, underestimating your opponent can ultimately lead to your defeat,” Moon offered the rainbow haired teacher a hand. “I don’t need your help,” Rainbow said with a smirk on her face before getting to her feet. “I am impressed only Aj has ever been able to slam me that hard into the ground,” She smiled before she returned to her battle stance. “Well then I am flattered, but let's focus on teaching the students instead of winning a fight,” Moon suggested as she raised her hands in a defensive position after what happened last time. “Let’s begin wi-,” Moon stopped suddenly she felt something off Rainbow her magic seemed to have become more massive like she was someone else. “Sure,” Rainbow responded as Moon looked at her.“ BUT THIS IS NOT A DEMONSTRATION ANYMORE!” Rainbow yelled at the younger woman as she disappeared again kicking up dust, as she went to hit Moon two hidden blades attached to her wrists extended. Moon cried out in pain as the blades sank into her back, causing the students to gasp. The rainbow haired woman smiled as she retracted the blades from Moon’s back causing Moon to scream again. “You think your so tough little miss hunter!” she gloated to the bleeding Moon bringing her blades back down to stab her again only for her blades to hit dirt. “What?” Rainbow stated in a confused tone, with the wounds Moon received she shouldn’t be able to do anything? She thought to herself looking around for Moon. Soon she got her answer quickly when she felt a strong hand grab her by the throat and lifted her up. Looking at who grabbed her to see what she thought was Moon who was snarling at the aggressive rainbow haired teacher, her gold eyes showed something that seemed inhuman. “You need to stop before i have to get rough,” Moon threatened with an animalistic growl baring her teeth. “And what would that look like?” Rainbow asked with an unnerving smile that quickly turned to a scream of pain as Moon tightened her hand around Rainbow’s neck. “It still sounds unbelievable,” Luna stated after hearing Pinkie’s report on the events on Doma island. “I would find it unbelievable myself if it weren’t for the fact I seen it myself,” Pinkie commented turning to Celestia. “I do have to ask why Moon? I read her charges and everything else I could dig up on her, which isn’t much i might add. She seems to be more of a danger to Equestria than what happened on Doma Island.” “Simple really, we made a deal,” Celestia answered and looked at the pink haired girl. “And it is only between me and her.” “I understand princess but it is my duty to emphasize on the danger she posses to Equestria.” “And I say she will never be a threat to this nation,” Celestia said with a sigh. “Now I have to ask why did you let this dangerous person teach at the school?” “Simple really, I may not trust her but I will say her skills would be helpful in both teaching and protecting the students,” Pinkie admitted to the Celestia. “Then we should move on to the damages done to the Manehattan coastline,” Luna interrupted the two women with a smile. Scootaloo and the others watched in horror as Moon threw Rainbow Dash into the opposite wall. Moon then vanished with a shatter of glass and appeared once more standing above Rainbow Dash who looked at the pale young girl with an angry scowl on her face. Moon began reaching into her coat to grab something when a blast of raspberry colored magic hit hit her and sent her flying into the wall which came to live to grab the leather clad huntress.The girls looked in the direction the magic came from to see Principle Twilight Sparkle who didn’t look happy. “What is going on here Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked the athletic woman who was passed out on the ground. “Then you tell me what is going on here?” She ask Moon who somehow broken free of the wall. “Rainbow went crazy and I was defending myself,” Moon explained to the extremely powerful mage. “I have known Rainbow Dash for years and not once She never attacked someone for no reason,” Twilight stated looking at Moon who she witnessed choking her friend. “What it looks like to me is that you were trying to kill Rainbow.” “She fucking stabbed me!” Moon yelled at Twilight who didn’t even flinch. “Fine then show me your wounds,” Twilight asked Moon whose expression told Twilight what she already knew. “Oh that’s right your wounds already healed due to what creature you are.’ “If you knew that then why did you ask?” Moon asked furious about what was going on. “She’s telling the truth,” Apple Bloom interjected trying to help the combat instructor. “Yeah Rainbow went crazy and started stabbing Moon for no reason,” Scootaloo added and was soon followed by all the others repeating everything. “I will have a talk with Celestia about this incident to see if you would do something like this, until then however you are not allowed to teach combat,” Twilight told Moon levitating RD before she walked out and passed Daring who ran over to Moon “Moon are you okay?” She asked her voice carrying more concern than Moon expected from her adventurer friend. “Are you hurt,” She then asked in a more hushed voice. “Do you need to you know?” “No my injuries are not that severe Yearling,” she said with an embarrassed smile. Turning to the students that remained, “Well kids seems like my lesson is over for now so your free to go back to the dorms for the day.”