It was now approaching five months since I found myself in this world. And now that the situation with the changelings had been taken care of, things were beginning to feel like normal. Well... normal for being on an alien planet living the body of a mischievous Alicorn. But... what can you do?...

Today was Monday, and while remaining mostly insignificant from my perspective, it was a special day for Penilia. You see, today was her first day of school.

During the past week she had been buzzing with excitement, and as soon as we found a suitable school with decent students, we had her enrolled. When she heard that, she let out one of the cutest of chirps I’d seen and dashed out of the room.

The nymph quickly returned with a supply list in her mouth and not long after Adorilin found herself being led around the streets of Canterlot by the little nymph. It took three days for her to find all the supplies she wanted, and by the end of it all poor Adorilin was buried under a pile of shopping bags so thick I couldn’t see her when she returned.

Thankfully, the little squirt managed to sort through all her new stuff. She found a reasonable amount of supplies for her first day. She was a little upset when Faust said she couldn’t keep the flamethrower and kept it in our room instead. I shivered at the thought of that pyro maniac with even more firepower, but there wasn't very much I could do about the matter.

As I walked Penilia to school, many ponies on the street stopped and stared as the newly introduced Queen of Equestria walked a child to school. A moment of awkwardness passed and I was beginning to feel my nerves kick in. Despite how much exposure I've had to crowds over the past few months I still felt discomfort being center of attention. I decided to pick up the pace.

I had tried to disguise myself, but unfortunately, a hat and a pair of sunglasses don't quite cut It. We were fifteen minutes from the castle when we could see the schoolhouse. Compared to most of the schools in Canterlot It wasn't impressive, but the teachers had a love for the kids and they had a good respect for the teachers. It was called Foalinkin high, and apparently, it used to be a high school. However, the funds eventually dwindled down and the school opened up to multiple grades and races to survive.

Penilia decided to go as a normal pony today. Well... At least what she would probably look like as a pony... It had been awhile since I saw that form. Her coat was dark, like her shell, and her hair was still short, but she seemed to favor blue over green in that aspect. Her eyes, however, kept their emerald tint, and she kept her little fangs. I couldn't place what it was about them, but something about those little fangs were just too cute.

Before I knew it, the two of us were walking through the front gate. We were early. On time according to Lauren, but in my opinion, it was better to arrive in class and sit down then wait thirty minutes for class to start.

For some reason I was reluctant to leave. I was beginning to understand the stress that comes from being a parent. And I didn't like it. I watched on as the nymph in disguise walked off to class and I let out a sigh.

“Yeah, tell me about it...”

I let out a bemused chuckle. “Smartass...”

"Whatever, let's just go home."

Meanwhile, in classroom 221 on level B, the class of eighteen was silent. Everypony was sitting in their seats with their hooves meeting on their desks, and a smile on their faces. One student was peeking out the door keeping watch. Suddenly, with a gasp, the lookout turned to the classroom and exclaimed, “She's coming!”

Suddenly, the class was in an uproar. They were running around and yelling at each other as they threw balls of paper across the room. The classroom door opened slightly revealing a short blue-maned mare with a clipboard. At this sight, the class stopped, realizing that instead of a substitute teacher as they’d been expecting, it was just the school secretary.

“Hello class, I came to inform you that you’ll be having a new student transfer to your class today, and secondly...”

She stepped out of the doorway and a big gruff pony stepped through the door. One colt, who the students called Ed, immediately paled. “Wait... If he’s here, then that means...” His voice trailed off as the realization hit him.

Desperately, he jumped out of his seat and ran towards the window. Flinging it open, he tried to escape through the window. Unfortunately for him, instead of being met with the sweet embrace of freedom, he was instead met with a strong kick to the face. The colt shot back into the room, bouncing along the ground until crashing into a metal suit.

“And where are you trying to run off to? Ed...” A mare climbed into the classroom. She gave off a strong vibe, a vibe of terror and every student felt it. She stared down the attempted escapee with an expression that made him quiver in fear. The colt was cowered on the ground, barely able to mutter the words, “Teacher..."

The children stared in shock, as a short pegasus with an off-white coat and a dark brown mane stepped in front of the class. She was wearing her braided hair up in a ponytail and wore a pair of aviators. She swaggered over to the teacher's desk and threw her back legs up atop the table. Tilting her glasses down, she stared at the class with a piercing gaze of her emerald green eyes. “Everybody, sit. Now.”

The sound of the students sitting in their seats was both simultaneous and the only thing that could be heard amongst the silence.

"Now, as you may have heard from Mrs. Greensberry. Today we have a new student..."

At that, the gruff pony in the doorway moved and ushered in a young foal. She had a big sweet smile on her face, and she stared at the class with full eyes. Eyes of wonder and excitement. For a second she stood there taking in the sight of the classroom.It was small and dark, with wood floors and cream colored walls. The air smelled like paper and fruit. And then she noticed the class itself. Ponies, griffons and a dragon. All were unique in such a wonderful way.

She looked like she was about to say something, but then she stopped herself. Contemplation showed on her face. The class noticed the silence, and that she looked as if she was debating something in her mind. A moment passed as she stared at the ground. Then taking in a deep breath, she looked up at the class erupting into green flames.

The class stood in fright and concern. The room began to shake slightly as a strong gust of wind pushed out from the flames. Then suddenly, as soon as they appeared, they had faded out to nothing. In her place was a small creature, one that resembled a pony but it wasn't. Her coat had become some sort of flexible shell, and her eyes became like that of a cat's. Her wings buzzed, and a small crown appeared on her head.

The class stared in both awe and a mild sense of fright. The small nymph was shaking, timid and lacking confidence about her reception. But with a deep breath, she looked at the class straight on, with determination prevalent in her eyes.

"Hello everyone, I am Penilia Alternate, and I am a changeling. Nice to meet you all." Her cute, yet exotic voice broke the silence and she stared at the class expectantly. A moment passed, and the nymph began to feel tension rise up within her. She observed the stillness of the crowd, then suddenly, the class erupted in cheers, whistles, and the occasional shouts of, "That was awesome!" A smile that glowed with relief appeared on her face. With the tension dissipating, she made her way to an empty seat.

Today was going to be a great day...

I was about halfway to the castle when I felt my control slip away. Lauren had taken over, and I felt myself begin feel uneasy.

"(Think fast!)"

I suddenly found myself high above the rooftops of Canterlot. Apparently, that crazy mare had decided that now would be a good time to teach me how to fly. My momentum was beginning to slow from going upwards and within moments I would begin my descent. That insane mare put me back in control and laughed as I flailed about panicking.

Her maniacal laughter echoed throughout the recesses of my mind.

“What the hell is wrong with you!?” I yelled.

The mare gave a snark in reply, and I could feel her deadpan expression as she said.

Thankfully right before we meet the ground she took control again. Lauren twisted our wings slightly and I was surprised to see all our momentum redirected. Instead of meeting the stone pavement with a crash, Lauren and I were propelled forwards by our fall as we began darting through the city streets. We weaved in and out of ponies at high speed, and I found myself not wanting to make any sounds as Lauren did her thing. Even a split second distraction could spell disaster. Four Lauren and I, or whomever may end up on the end of our horn.

Not long after the crazy mare began her flight, we entered a large courtyard area. It was set up very similar to a food court that you'd see at the mall. Vendors and merchants were lined up at the outer corners whilst there was many tables and chairs in the center for the ponies having lunch.

Lauren and I hovered by one of the entrances.

“(Hey Alex, want to see something cool?)”

“No.”

“(Too bad.)”

“I knew it...”

The mischievous mare gave a snap to her wings behind her and we were suddenly met with a burst of acceleration. The speed created a vacuum behind us and many lunches were picked up in the winds.We darted towards a wall, and with a quick jolt Lauren had us shooting the other direction.The foods and small items splattered against the side of a large white building.

Some windows were smashed through and various solid items were slightly embedded in the wall.

From bellow we could hear comotion from the ponies trying to figure out what had just happened. Lauren tried to keep herself together, but small snickers kept on escaping her muzzle.

“My cabbages!”

And, that's when I lost it...

I REGRET NOTHING!

Hi guys, thanks for reading. I decided to change up this chapter a little bit, so now the plotlines between Penillia going to school and the Crystal Empire returning are in separate chapters.