The normal life of Nitpick Bittersweet

by Ryusun

First published 5th of October, 2015

Meet Nitpick Bittersweet, a painfully average guy who transfered to CHS in his second year of High School. There he will learn the values of life with other people and how to be someone more likable. This is his story.

Follow the life of Nitpick Bittersweet, a whinny, insensitive, reckless and prideful teenager that over-thinks life with poetic nonsense. Along the way, he'll forge new allies, rekindle with old friends, and create new enemies. With each mistake he makes, a new problem arises for him. With each lesson learned, he becomes a better person... but will it be too late when all is said and done?

This is his story... and it's not a very good one.

Notes:
-Each chapter has a different story telling method. Some are from a first person perspective with a certain character in particular and others are from a third person perspective exploring multiple characters at the same time.
-The pacing of this story is slower than a snail. If you are a not a fan of long novels, then don't read unless you want to give it a shot. This is my first fanfic and the first several chapters clearly shows.
-Any constructive comment is welcomed on the comment section.

Chapter 1 - Enter Nitpick Bittersweet

They say that Death whispered to his sleeping victims. During your dreams, he walked besides you and opressed you with his usual despotic nature. 'I'll haunt you forever!' He whispered with his mind. 'One day you will be mine!'

'I don't want to die by your hand!' Is what I would say... but dreams had the knack to make people mute. Or at least, it made me speechless, sometimes. But against such a natural entitity of Mother Nature, resistance was futile.

No one can stop death!

Just when he was about to swing his scythe and spirit me away from the living, a familiar sound resonated around us. My hand crushed another clock, my weary eyes opening as the sun appeared through the window. The dawn was coming. The little town of Ponyville was ready to receive it once more. The song of the lively birds, the serenity of the wind, everything was fine in this beautiful town. But more importantly...

I was alive for another day.

There was a special house in a certain avenue. It consisted of two floors with a common garage, and on the inside of the house, there were the typical furnitures you could find elsewhere - a normal kitchen, a normal bathroom, two now empty rooms in the upper floor and a small closet to the laundry stuff. But there was one room that was still in use. It belonged to me, my only sanctuary. I was about to return to land of dream and see if I could challenge Death once more when but the claxon of a car made me open my eyes slowly.

“Uhhh, who breaks my chains of slumber? ...What time is it?”

I tried to reach my alarm clock... my hand didn't find anything on it's usual place. "Shit..." I mumbled with annoyance. "I did it again..." My cellphone will do, and as I watched the hour, a piercing horror filled my senses... It was six in the morning with twenty minutes. “Shit!”

I quickly got out from bed and that made me trip with its sheet. I ended up slamming my head on the door. I should be used to this, this kind of routine. But the mind of a dysfunctional teenager simply refuses to change! I went straight to the shower as fast as I could, rubbing my head to calm down the pain. When I used the valve of the water, however, “AAHHHH!” it was ice cold. “THE GOD DAMN H-HEATER IS OFF AGAIN!!”

That was me, Nitpick Bittersweet, seventeen years old. Your average, apathethic high school student. My height is 1.71 meters and 71 kg approximately. My terrible messy, dark brownish hair was a trademark of its own with my brown eyes being as normal as the tree outside. Light tanned skin with a physical appearance that was painfully average. My hobbies are videogames, international cartoons, PC tweaking, sleeping and napping. Blunt, rarely friendly and badmouthed. My parents are not at fault with the last ‘quality’, and unlike my father, my mother simply didn't know about my colorful language…yet.

At least... those traits are what the people say about me.

Lately, I had very negative thoughts in my mind because of recent events in life. I was a student in the prestigious school of Crystal Prep, but I had a personal issue that made me drop out there. Since I needed to keep studying to finish high school and have a change of entering a good college, I opted for the best choice near my house: Canterlot High School.

Drying as soon as possible from my quick bath, I went back to my room and got dressed quickly. It was easy because most of my clothes for the coming fall season consisted of long shirts of the crew neck type (black, grey and blue navy were predominant colors) four standard one-size fit all dark, thick blue jeans, three pairs of shoes.

Besides the previously mentioned clothes, the most important piece of cloth I have was carefully bended inside a box; a Grayish-black, plain tactical shirt whose sentimental value was immeasurable, my grandfather gave it to me before long ago in my fifteen birthday, it’s my favorite cloth, and it receives special treatment like being washed by hand with a special soap and being safeguarded when not in use in the box to avoid damage, it's an extra size bigger, XL, but when I reach twenty years it will be fit just fine, I hope. Since the weather was nice, I decided to use it on my first day.

Once I was ready, I quickly got down to the first floor of the house and headed straight to the kitchen. I did my usual ritual and prepared my nearly mastered banana and apple smoothie. It was quick, tasty, nutritional, and most importantly, cheap! Who doesn't love cheap stuff? Since my family had to move out to Manehattan because of my father's work, I have to live on my own for two years until either I finish High School or his business work ends. So I needed to administrate carefully my income for food, personal hygiene items, emergency expenses and the internet service.

The last one a priority.

The only reason why I didn't move out with them is because I was going to study in Canterlot High and I am sure that if I was still a student of Crystal Prep Academy, the old man would have made the transaction to the best school of Manehattan instead. I didn't understand his loyalty to Canterlot High. He was a student back in his youth but I didn't know what was so special about it. He says his high school would give me better life tools than Crystal Prep could ever hope for.

I didn't believe it, of course.

But living alone was alright if it meant to study there. I could do everything I wanted as long as the house was still intact. And since I'm not really a people person, barely having friends on the academy, they don't have to worry about me bringing someone strange to the house with the exceptions of very few friends known to them. But this was not the time for that, I was going to arrive late to school if I didn't hurry.

It was September 1st, Monday, and school periods has officially started at national level two weeks ago. By mistake, and some bad habits, I got sick with a strong flu and couldn't go to the school. My mother called from Manehattan and explained the situation to Miss Luna, the Vice-Principal of the school, and she told me that she said that there was no problem and she would ask a student to make a copy of all the notes I missed in classes. That wasn't the way I planned to start my third semester, or second year, in a new school but shit happens.

After jogging for 15 minutes, I barely arrived on time for the special tour. I never was the athletic type but this was ridiculous, now I know why my previous sports teacher, Captain Shining Armor, always scolded me for not exercising enough at his class. Canterlot High is a humble school located near the center of the town with one hundred years of history. It is made of sturdy bricks with a coat of red concrete reinforcement, and besides the main building a soccer field. In each corner of the installations there were fire hydrants that installed in the most important zones of the school if there were ever to be an emergency.

For a small town and putting aside my personal opinion comparing it with the installations of Crystal Prep, Canterlot High was a fully equipped school on the outside. Especially with its elegant front lawn with a statue of a… stallion? Where is the stallion? I swear there was a stallion two weeks ago.

It didn't matter. Perhaps it was being repaired.

Since I was a new student, the headmaster of the school, Principal Celestia, told both my father and me during the inscription that I was going to receive a special tour of the installations on the first day one hour before classes started. Since I got sick, the day was postponed until now.

I tend to hate waiting for long periods of time when there's an established appointment, and a student right now is waiting for me to start the activity. I found that irritating because if I hate being made waiting for something already scheduled, I despise to make someone wait in the same sense.

Ironies of life, I guess.

But I started to think it was not the case here because it was six with fifty-eight in the morning and not a sign of my future classmate was seen in the surroundings. I sat on the stairs in front of the main door and comfortably waited for any signal of life. I looked around and noticed that the soccer field had some trash bags filled to the brim with what it appeared to be debris of hardened sand, trash and the like. Maybe they had an event during the days I didn't assisted. Right, the Friendship Games, they mentioned it happens every four years or so.

Champion Sugarcoat tended to annoy the students since last year with training and studies for that competition.

I don't know why my old school and that old witch of Abacus Cinch cared so much about winning! It was just a stupid competition made by the founders of both schools! At least I was so sick to assist and participate in it with my new school. Couldn't hide the shame of no longer being in the academy. When I was about to complain about my classmate being late, suddenly, I heard the doors opening from behind.

Fuck, somehow I knew I was the one who was late after all.

“You must be the new student! It's nice to meet you at last!” Said a gentle, mature and confident voice.

It was not a he, it was a she. I turned around to presence a breathtaking sight! But said expression was extremely unworthy for the Goddess that was in front of me; Fiery redhead with strips of golden hair, light amber skin, deep and beautiful cyan eyes! Her outfit consisting of a grey jacket with an orange strip on both arms with matching boots, some blue jeans and a light cyan shirt. The blowing leaves were magnificent this morning.

There is no doubt in my mind. This girl and I are destined to be married for all eternity.

This is one of the rare occasions where I wish I paid more attention to my friend girl, Chocolate Dancer, in the women clothing subject during our shop trips after middle school years ago. I don't know shit about complimenting a girl. I barely knew what kind of cloth was what. My late mental description could be right or terribly wrong.

“Uh, are you okay?”

Crap... I got lost in my thoughts. First time meeting someone from my new school and I am already screwing everything.

“Eh, yes, uh, I'm sorry, It's just that I expected a guy to give me the tour, not someone as beautiful and breathtaking as you.”

That was so fucking stupid. Please let it be a miracle and make it that she didn´t hear that.

“He…hehe, uh, thanks, that’s, uh, really nice to hear” She said awkwardly.

I'm such an idiot!

Author's Notes:

This is my frist story and my first fanfiction. Never in my life I would have imagined to be writing this kind of thing, but after watching an old anime named Urusei Yatsura, the recent movie of Friendship Games and being convinced by my cousin who writes in another fiction site, here I am.

I don´t know if my style is too detailed or if during the course of what I write the tags are ok, but if you like my story and share some tips, I hope to make something enjoyable.

That´s it. I have other chapters in progress, I had a brainstom last night but everything is so unorganized. I hope they will be finished in a few hours or tomorrow. And before someone makes the obeservation, I dont think my story will be about romance anytime soon.

Note: This chapter was rewritten on 12/08/2016. If my vocabulary improves again, I'll rewrite it once more.

Note 2: This was the original Fanart of the chapter, added on 15/09/2016... I know, pretty terrible.

Chapter 2 - A tour around CHS! My name is Sunset Shimmer!

After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence because I made one of the worse pick-up lines I could ever thought a few moments ago, the redheaded girl retook her composure and warmly started again the conversation.

“Hey, I haven't introduced myself properly, sorry about that. My name is Sunset Shimmer and it's so nice to meet you! I am sure you will enjoy your staying here at CHS. So please tell me, what's your name?

As you may know, when a guy wants to give a first good impression, they tend to man up and conquer the lady.

“Good morning, Sunset Shimmer, I'm Nitpick Bittersweet and…”

“Yes?”

“Are you dating someone?”

Or screw up everything in the first try,

“I'm sorry, you talked very softly so I didn't hear what you say. You don’t need to be nervous around me”

Heavens thank you for allowing me to live another day.

“I said what's CHS?”

Idiocy was strong in me on the first day.

“It's a contraction of our school's full name, Canterlot High School, CHS is a quick and efficient acronym to save the trouble of continuously saying Canterlot High in a normal conversation”

I chose to stick with common sense. “So, what does CHS have that my old School, Crystal Prep doesn't?” I asked bluntly.

“Well, since you didn't assist to school for the last two weeks, you should know that CHS tied at first place in the ‘Friendship Games’ competition!” Sunset's face took a proud expression after saying that statement, and for me, I was dumbfounded by hearing it. “I don't need to ask you what you are thinking! You must be surprised that after twenty years of aggressive feud, CHS broke his losing streak record against Crystal Prep Academy. To be honest, I didn't care about the competition until it actually started. Although… well, weird things happened during the games, it was truly an amazing experience! It's too bad you missed it, you would definitely have some fun back there!”

That was a surprise, I may never have given a crap about my old school's rivalries and its prestigious record but even I knew that CHS was, well, horrid in this kind of events.

“Wow, congratulations for your tied victory then! It's good to hear that my new school finally is getting good at something.”

“Excuse me?” I triggered an unhappy topic. “Listen, you may have your loyalty to Crystal Prep Academy, and I wouldn't blame you for that after all the time you were there! It was your school after all, but I recommend you to keep those thoughts to yourself! All of our school will start to look at you with mean eyes if you let them know what you think about it.”

“You are right, Sunset, sorry for that.”

I was starting to feel pressured.

“Please don't worry, I am not angry! From experience I know that nobody has the right to judge someone the first time you meet them! I'm sure that once you chill out and get used to our school's good vibes, you will have a different opinion about it! Maybe even wear with pride our school's uniforms, jackets, ears and tails and become a loyal Wondercolt!” She said it energetic and happy, that made me feel more hopeful.

But she was wrong at one thing; I wasnt loyal to my old school at all.

We started the tour around the warm-colored halls and it was surprisngly calm and relaxing. I was being guided by an angel from the sky to all the installations after all, and she was my classmate for all of my classes. My father may be right! CHS could be a better school in other areas besides academics. If it weren't for my somewhat trained concentration, I would have lost all senses of consciousness and just watched her walk and talk all the time without hearing anything, but that would be disrespectful.

The school had a surprisingly well equipped library. Spacious and with two story filled with shelves and books in it. In the academic sectio I saw that they had the latest editions of Castore's basic Algebra lessons, advanced microbiology, some others subjects I haven't seen before and a dedicated shelve full of literature books. It was not Crystal Preps variety or quantity, but the selection was appropriate, especially since I tought I wouldn't use this place frecuently.

I hoped.

There was an inside gym too. Unlike my old school were everything was last tech, this gym was truly similar to all those High school movies that recently became popular like Basketball posts, stands to get sit during matches, some basic athletics gear. There was even a spacious stage in this big hall. It was simple, but nice.

Again, compared to the academy, the Science Lab's equipment was more humble and sturdy, but the quality was good so they can make the job during experiments. I knew how to use all the materials but I admit when someone was better at the subject like that weird but prodigious girl in my old school. Twilight Sprinkle? Or it was Sparkle? Never mind. I was starting to think that I was getting school-sick. But I knew that deep inside it was only nostalgia, even if I hated the environment of the school most of the time.

There was a Band room that had every single instrument to play music with; a piano, flutes, acoustic guitar, electric guitar and more. It was a somewhat small room compared to the rest of the classrooms but I think very few people used this place.

The cafeteria was…very standard, there is not much to say. At least here they have varying menu like Friday Hamburgers, Taco Tuesday and more unlike Crystal Prep were all food was made to meet the recommended requirements for a nutritional breakfast; so no candies, chocolates and such.

But by far, the best of the school was the computer lab! They matched Crystal Prep's hardware. Using updated T5 processors, model 259x, Using this for any High School was practically overkill, especially for simply homework and research activities. I will definetly fall in live with this place soon.

We arrived to a dead end, Sunset looked at me and gave me a lock and a key.

“You can choose any locker over here. I am sorry for how bad this place seems! There were no more lockers available in the better parts of the school. Since nobody uses this place, well... you can see the answer for yourself”

The ceiling bulb was dead, and the walls' paint was in a bad state with a poster of a crown in there. If it weren’t for the other lights of the installation, this place would be dark. But in retrospect, it was a nice place. Nobody would stumble with me while I deposit or withdraw my belongings.

“And two more things, come with me!”

I followed her until we arrived to her locker, she withdrew a backpack, searched in it for something and gave me a small folder.

“This contains a copy of all the notes of the classes you missed and there´s a sheet in there that contains all of your schedules”

I took out the sheet and examined my schedule:

Ethics - Eight to nine a.m. - Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.
Inorganic Chemistry - Eight to ten a.m. - Tuesdays on classroom. Thursdays on Lab.
Trigonometry - Nine to ten a.m. - Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.
Lunch time - Everyday from ten to eleven a.m.
Physics II - Eleven a.m to twelve p.m. - Monday to Thursday.
National History - Eleven to a.m to one p.m. - Frydays.
Literature - Twelve to one p.m. - Monday to Wednesdays.
Informatics (Computer classes and programming) - One to Two p.m. - Monday, Wednesday and Frydays.
Physical education...

“PHYSICAL EDUCATION ON SATURDAY MORNING!?! FOR REAL!?! WHAT KIND OF MADMAN THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA!?!” I instantly reminded myself that Sunset was beside me. “Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean overreact”.

She was recovering from the noise “It’s okay.” She said understanding my frustration “But believe me when I say that once you get used to it, you won’t mind coming here! The school is a nice play to be! There is no better intrigue than the passion of learning inside these halls!”

I was starting to not like this girl for a moment. Nobody normal could like coming to school like this. She took the rest of her school materials from her locker and gave me the final piece of information.

“Those numbers you see in your schedule are your designated classrooms! Since we share the same classes, I will guide you to those places too!” She patted my left shoulder.

She suddenly started to think about something and then spoke quietly to herself “Hmm, maybe I should review some of my old notebooks if I want to help Rainbow Dash to pass Physics II...”

Rainbow Dash... That name rang some bells. I heard that name before, but where? My thoughts were interrupted, the school bell rang.

“Well, that was the first bell! People will start to arrive anytime soon. For now, let’s go to our classroom! Your new student life in CHS awaits, Nitpick Bittersweet!”

With that, Sunset Shimmer started heading to our destination and I soon followed.

This first encounter was not that bad. Even with her ominous liking for studies, Sunset looked like a nice person and if everybody here was as kind and patient as her, then I wouldn't need to worry about anything. But my sixth sense tingled during the tour, we were not alone. I could swear I saw a shadow like figure following us from afar since we left the gym. I thought it was another student, or a teacher. Maybe the janitor worked overtime and we just stumbled in his path coincidentally. But no man alive could disappear without leaving a single trace of presence. Maybe I was just too tired from the lack of sleep this recent days. I payed mind no longer to the issue.

"It was just the wind..." I murmured.

I hasted my footsteps and followed Sunset to my first class.

Author's Notes:

I didnt know you couldn´t paste tables from word, making the schedule was a bit harder than I tought. At least I hope is understandable.

Note: Rewrite of this chapter was on 12/08/2016

Note 2: Fanart added on 15/09/2016. This chapter originally lacked one.

Chapter 3 - As brave as shy! Kindful Fluttershy!

Once inside in an actual classroom, I was marveled by it. They were plain and common. Unlike Crystal Prep Academy were everything was made from the highest quality materials available and adjustable seats with custom desks for each studen, this place had regular desks with a small cushion in their chairs. But I liked it more here. I never was a fashion or over-fancied furniture stuff. The simplest things in life were always the best for me. I took the farthest seat on the corner of the room and once I sat, I came to a conclusion.

“This is more comfortable than it looks...” My head met its future pillow.

"I am glad you like it." Said Sunset while seating in the middle of the classroom.

The first class of the day, Ethics, was imparted by Mrs. Harshwhinny. She looks like a lady in her forties, with medium size, light golden hair. Her school uniform consisted of a matching grayish purple business coat and skirt with a magenta neck. Something I liked was she didn't asked me to introduce myself in front of the class. That would have been annoying. She went straight to business so kudos for her.

But when she started to give her lesson of the day about the responsibilities of the people in society, how could someone improve or prejudice the aspects of it with the level of culture of each individual through morals, I came to the conclusion that the rest of my classmates had grasped already two weeks ago: the class was boring.

The stench of lifeless students, their tired expressions, and drools that would leave a dog in shame... Is this the fabled teaching methods of CHS that my father always barked me to no end that Crystal Prep lacked? Because I am sure that my old school was better in entetaining people during classes. But then, from the ashes of hollow husk in human form, a cute, light-pink haired girl softly to the left of Sunset started to raise her hand. I couldn’t notice the color of her eyes because half of her face was covered from her long beautiful hair. She was wearing a light pink sleeveless shirt and a green skirt with pink butterflies in it.

Once the teacher noticed her, I could see it! She was a serious student!

“Oh, excuse me, Mrs. Harshwhinny, I have a question, if you don’t mind that I ask, I mean, if I am no interrupting the lesson or well…I…” She squeaked gently.

I get my praise back. Cute... this girl was just cute.

But for Mrs. Harshwhinny, although her harsh face was still there, a glimpse of genuine happiness for someone to be paying attention to her lesson emerged.

“But of course, dear. What do you don't understand in the subject at hand?”

“Well, you said in your lesson of our first day of school that ethics is the subject to distinguish good from evil from human actions, and now you said that morality serves to distinguish good and evil for individuals. Then what's the difference between morality and ethics? I mean, in context they look pretty similar, if you don’t mind answering.”

“Ethics and morals relate to 'right' and 'wrong' conduct of people. While they are sometimes used interchangeably, they are different in the context that ethics refer to rules provided by an external source. For example, you have a part-time job in our local veterinary, correct?”

The girl nods her head in affirmation

"Then your supervisor must have given you a series of rules on how to treat each pet and straight animals you take in custody equally. Those principles of right conduct in your workplace are your ethics, my dear. But morals are different; they refer to an individual’s own principles regarding right and wrong. So, continuing with the example at hand, if you happen to find an animal in really bad shape in the street, decide to take it to your vet station because you lacked the neccesary equipment to do First-Aid treatments to your new found patient, and your supervisor or contratist says that you must kill it because it has no hope of surviving, what would you do?”

“I would tell her that she is crazy! I wouldn’t kill a poor, defenseless little one! That's just wrong! Even if there is a slim change, I will always do what I can for them, no matter how hopeless it seems to appear!”

This time the girl spoke with confidence and fearless actitude. I thought she was naïve, but her words were filled with such unmeasurable kindness that I could start to believe in her way of thinking. I almost swear that a golden aura started to brim from her.

“Don’t despair, Fluttershy, it was just an example. But as you can see, saving the little one is the right thing for you to do, your moral, and fulfilling an established protocol of conduct in a workstation or similar is ethics. I hope this clear your confusion!”

It was an interesting explanation, and she didn't used glorified words like my old teachers. I took notes from the knowledge gained today. I was starting to have second thoughts! No matter how good the students are, they always come tired the first the day of the week, maybe they a had last minute work to do and slept until late at night. All of them were trying their best to stay awake. Everything was going just fine until I heard a snore coming from behind of Fluttershy.

Mrs. Harshwhinny slowly approached to the source of the noise with a face of controlled irritation. She was scary, and that could mean bad business.

“I believe Miss Rainbow Dash has just offered herself to give us a more complete and proffesional explanation of the subjects given today for next class, isn't that right?”

She slammed her hands in the desk with great force, abruptly awakening the rainbow haired girl. I noticed that she was the tomboy kind with her raspy voice when she screamed, long rainbow-like hair, wearing a blue bottomed shirt and long, black sports shorts under her skirt.

“WHAAA? WHEN? WHERE? DARING DO, NOOU!”

"Truth of the universe, that was lame..." I said a little loudly.

Sunset buried both of her hands in her face while Fluttershy started to get worried for her classmate's dilemma

“Oh, Good morning, Mrs. Harshwhinny! It's and awesome day to be in school, don’t you think so?” She grinned with such bravery, the teacher was not amused.

Author's Notes:

Writing classes scenes was tougher than I expected. Had to to review my notes from school. Years without using this terms as frequently as before. I hope i didn´t made a mistake during the explanation.

Note: This chapter was rewrote on 12/08/2016

Note 2: New fanart added on 15/09/2016. The old one is below and it is hilariously bad. The new one... I believe its just an exageration of her serious face.

Chapter 4 - Loyal Passion! Sassy Rainbow Dash!

More than forty two moons have passed since Sunset Shimmer, the unofficial leader of the Sonic Rainbooms, arrived to the human version of Ponyville.

During her first two and half years in the human world, she learned at incredible fast rate how to live in it. It took her less than two weeks to adapt and become the undeniable ruler of the school. A bully and former queen of CHS in middle school were her greatest achievements so far. But everything changed when the Princess of Friendship came to destroy her shallow desires by being blasted with the full might of Friendship in her first week of high-school.

From then, she became an outcast, scorned and rejected by everyone. But darkness doesn't last long for those willing to redeem themselves. Thanks to the efforts of her new and irreplaceable friends, she rose from the ashes and helped in defeating 'The Dazzlings' six months later. Now, with her recent, triumphant tied for victory in the Friendship Games, not only she stopped the destruction of two worlds, but also, made a new and loved friend.

Now seventeen years old in the human world, but twenty three in Equestria, she was part of the newly founded student committee to keep improving the students lifestyle of CHS; the Idol Six! Part of the program was to elaborate assertive strategies to improve the blooming pride in their school like welcoming new students to be part of the Wondercolts' family or making events to unite the school's efforts in something positive. She tried to implement some friendly approaches during her days of reformation alone, but the sirens' scheme was beyond her capabilities back then. Now more experienced in friendship and school spirit thanks to the selfless efforts of her timeless friends, she would not repeat the same mistake again.

With the arrival of Nitpick Bittersweet and another student during the events of the Friendship Games, it was a perfect opportunity to show them that they choose the right place to study, and Sunset Shimmer has learned through experience that the best way to made someone feel welcome was through the Magic of Friendship.

Some exemplary attitude from the students was a plus.

Although the first reaction of the new classmate was awkward for Sunset since she isn't used to receive compliments as someone would expect, everything was proceeding as planned; showing the place, made them feel at home, talk to them the kind of dedication the students enforce every day at school, and most importantly, being friendly. She was the right person to do the job and by Bittersweet's reactions during the end of the tour, she knew it was going to be a success… Until one rainbow haired girl decided to give a first bad impression to the new student by drooling on her desk during the first class.

Being scolded in front of everyone wasn't a nice sight either.

Class was over, and Sunset gave directions to Bittersweet of where was the next class located. She told him that she forgot something on her locker and she would soon join him. Once he was out of range, Sunset went straight to her friend to have a civilized and peaceful talk.

“What do you think you were doing back there!?”

Concern and anger were an understatement.

“Yesterday, I sent you all a message of how important was today for our school activities in receiving the new student and you nearly ruined everything!”

“Chill out, Sunset” said Rainbow Dash with a calm tone of confidence. “You are overreacting! Besides, you should be more worried about me! Now I have extra homework because Harshwhinny's class was so boring! I needed to take my power nap so the band practice in the afternoon could take place. If I want to show to everyone how awesome I am, I needed the rest!”

“The classroom is not a place to take power naps and slacking around, Rainbow Dash! you know how important this is for me. Fluttershy went to such lengths to even drink coffee that you know it makes her feel weak if she drinks it in the morning after the effect wears out just to be at her peak of attention during class.”

“And now I just want to sleep. Can I sleep in the desk the next class, Sunset” Fluttershy then yawned so softly that sleeping during class was starting to look like a good idea.

“I am so sorry, Fluttershy, but you have to stay awake just one more hour! You can take a nap in the school's yard in our break time. I brought the small pillow you asked for in case this could happen to you.” She showed her the pinkish pillow that she carried on her backpack.

“Okay, I appeciate it.” She yawned even longer than before. “Next time I'll just drink decaff”

“Thank you for trying your best, Fluttershy! I am truly grateful fot it. ” She said in kind to her light pink, haired friend. “Unlike someone...” She turned to Rainbow. A bit angered was an understatement.

“Oh, come on! The guy wasn't even paying attention to me!” Remarked Rainbow. "I just know it! Trust in me!"

“He was paying attention! Even the inhabitants of the depths of Tartarus couldn't escape from your hellish snores. He was starting to get impressed with Fluttershy's efforts during class until you fell asleep and ruined that moment”

“Meh, Whatever! He doesn’t looks like someone cool to waste our time with!”

“Ugh, Thankfully I learned from Princess Twilight during the Battle of the Bands to always have a plan b. With the exception of Ethics for today, our newest friend share the same schedule as him. The rest of the girls are excellent making friend's and we definetly have some cool guys here like Flash, Bulk, Octavia and so on he can befriend with, but I think being with someone familiar will give him a sense of safety.” Sunset felt sure about it.

“I am telling you that you are over-planning everything! You know either Pinkie's awesome party for both of our new Wondercolts today or Rairitys charm will make them feel welcome instantly. Everything is going to be just fine, trust me. You did an awesome job for the first graders two weeks ago before the competition and I am sure you will do it again!” Said Rainbow meaning it.

“You are right, Rainbow Dash... maybe I am overthinking too much. Nobody can’t resist the energetic personality of Pinkie Pie, and neither Rarity's generosity for the matter. I just want this new group of ours to work! I still can't believe that we named ourselves the Idol Six for our school comitee!”

"It was better than The Fashion Warriors suggested by Rarity..." Said Rainbow Dash in disgust with the name.

"Or the Sextuple Sheriffs by Applejack. I wished it was the Bunny Defenders as I suggested." Said Fluttershy softly and sleepy.

"I dont know what was the problem with mine, Awesome Rainbooms sounds way better." Said Rainbow boastful.

"Our band is already called the Rainbooms! It's not original, you know?" Sunset shook her head with a little grin.

"It's way better than our current name! I don't know why the school agreed with that one! The only one happy about it was Rarity in the end! Maybe we should have gone with the one Pinkie suggested; The Party Poppers!" The three chuckled.

"Once again, you are right" Said Sunset in agreement.

“I know I am right, I am awesome!” Rainbow Dash sighed, then close her eyes in a thoughtul manner. “I will not fall asleep again in front of the new guy. Promise!”

“Thank you, Rainbow. This means a lot to me!” Sunset said tenderly.

“Look…I know that you are trying to mend old wounds with the people who still don’t trust. There are people who still don't believe in everything that has happened this whole last year. And yes, you may have done really not cool things to us in the past, but now, it doesnt matter anymore! Because I can honestly tell you that you are my friend and I am loyal to you until the end of everything. And before you ask, I’ll try to not pony-up, as we agreed. The world is still not ready to admire awesomeness soaring through the sky all day! We don't want people like Cinch starting to spread the word! Who knows what can they do to harm Equestria!”

“Rainbow…” Sunset was deeply moved by this.

“Let's go, then! I feel pumped all of the sudden! We can do this! We are Wondercolt's!! And they will feel at home in a blink of an eye! Our second year in High School will be amazing!! Who's with me!?”

“Yay!”

“YEAH!”

They went to the classroom filled with brimming determination thanks to Rainbow's words. Sunset knew she was right. She wasn´t alone anymore. This will be another step for Sunset Shimmer to reinforce friendship to the school, prove to everybody she has changed once and for all. They arrived at class; Bittersweet was there but still no signs of her other friends. They took their seats and suddenly the rest of students arrived. Sunset noticed that Bittersweet was shocked of what he saw in the small multitude and she smiled.

“This will definitely make you feel at home”

Author's Notes:

In the urban dictionary, sassy has three meanings and I am using this one: Someone who is full of themselves but in a good way.
Rainbow Dash may be egocentric sometimes, but when written right, damn, there is a reason why she is the poster pony for new comers to the fandom. I hope I am doing at least a good job to portray as best as I can all the characters in the show until now.

And I am sure you noticed, this chapter had a change perspective. Others chapters in the future will also have others perspectives, either be first or third person and they will be focused on the character at hand.
So if I start with the point of view of Nitpick in first person, it will be about how he sees things all the chapter. In other chapter if I start in third person about the way of view from Rainbows perspectives, then all the chapter is about her kind of thinking. Forgive me if I dont explain myself better.

Note: Chapter rewrite on 12/08/2016

Note 2: New fanart added on 15/09/2016. My old drawing of Rainbow Dash was horrible! Now it looks decent at best... I think.

Chapter 5 - Intellectual Might! Prodigious Twilight Sparkle!

I thought that I was seeing things, maybe one of the apples in my breakfast was expired and instead of giving me a stomached it was making me see hallucinations!

But it wasn't one. It was really her!

Her purple hair with pink stripes was unmistakable. Her big, thick trademark glasses highlighted her presence. And that usual uniform of our old school sealed the deal in believing my eyes. She was there. The greatest academic student that Crystal Prep Academy had the honor to have… She also had the title of the most self-absorbed and anti-social being in the academy. Twilight made contact with me at sight. We saw each other in shock. I didn't think she would recognize me, giving her exemplary habit of forgetting people's face, but her current expression said otherwise.

She was besides another girl talking about something. But I didn't pay her much attention. Well, as long as she doesn't disturb my continuous peace in this place, I didn't mind why she was here. I want to team up with her at nothing again.

But if there was a destiny, she was a complete bitch. She took the sit in front of me awkwardly.

“Nitpick Bittersweet, this is a surprise! They told me a new student would arrive this day like me, but I didn't think it was someone from Crystal Prep!” Said Twilight friendly.

She could be friendly? And my God... She remembered my name.

“Uh…yeah, Twilight Sprinkle. It's such a surprise seeing you here... It's this your first day too?” I asked in a normal tone.

“Yeah, my transfer program was last week after the Friendship Games! And yes, this is my first official day at CHS! ...and It's Sparkle by the way, Nitpick.” She said the last part with a weak, corrective tone.

“I was never good with names back then, since I didn't get along with you and most of the school. Specially you because we lived in different worlds, well…you know! Your sciency stuff and all.”

My assholitude emerged at full strenght.

“Yeah, I was busy with my studies and you were being… you! Like everybody else, hehehe… uh.”

She hasn't changed one bit.

This conversation was not going as smooth as she planned. Thankfully, the bell rang, giving start to Trigonometry. The awkward silence got away while we were waiting for the teacher to arrive. I heard some footsteps, but no one got inside. Maybe he or she walked in another direction. I looked at the window door and-

"What was that!?" I said panicked.

"Whats wrong, Bittesweet?" Said Twilight worried.

"No, nothing. I think am just seeing things. I tought there was somebody there in the door window looking at me with dead eyes!"

Twilight inspected the door trying to find something abnormal. "There's nothing there, Nitpick... are you feeling ok? I can take you to the infarmary if you want!"

"No, Twilight. Thank you, but no. I am ok now, thanks for worrying about me. It was just my imagination getting the better of me."

"Call me if you need anything."

She smiled tenderly and turned her attention to her book. I never thought she could be this nice. I really felt like trash for treating her with indifference moments ago. But I lied to her, I knew what I saw; a glowing pink aura was there and banished like the wind. It was for a moment, but it was more than enough to put my heart at race. I couldn't take away those eyes. Full of ominous intent, haunting blue like the depths of the sea, watching me, like a hunter having found it's prey. I heard footsteps again. I could hear them, getting closer, closer, the knob was being used...it was-

“Good morning, my beloved students!!” Said a man with sickly-sweet happiness.

It was just the teacher. His arrival put an ease to my mind. He was a bald, old man with remains of what was once gray hair. Plump and with a face brimming with joy. What amazed me the most was his long beard. He looked like Santa. Ugh, I think this is one of those teachers that enjoyed sharing the joys of life. At least I have something to complain about instead of something to fear.

“Good morning, Mr. Calculus Bridge!!” With a sincere and happy greeting, everyone besides Twilight and me replied to him.

“As you may know, aside of our new wonderful first grade students, we have two new Wondercolt's joining the second years in our beloved Canterlot High School” Oh no… ”Why don't both of you get in front of the class and introduce yourselves?”

I reluctantly got up from the comfort of my seat and Twilight did the same but with excitement. We were in front of the class, everyone staring at us. So uncomfortable, even I felt my face doing a nervous gesture unlike Twilight were her face was filled with joy… she never was like this in the academy.

“Please, my children, say your names, hobbies and plans for the future!”

His optimistic attitude was starting to piss me the hell up already.

“Hi, you may already know me since the Friendship Game, especially after that little incident!” She said that while blushing.

“Everybody wakes up from the wrong side of da’ bed from time to time, y'all!” A student said. Everyone laughed with a lack of bad intention. I wonder what happened during the games.

“Hehehehe!” She laughed innocently. “My name is Twilight Sparkle! I transferred from Crystal Prep Academy since I liked this school better! Everyone is so nice and I hope to make many friends in my stay here!” Twilight…making friends? What the hell happened? “My hobbies are studying, researching, inventing gadgets and playing with my dog, Spike! And recently, spent time with my new friends!” Everyone made the typical ‘awww’! “My plans for the future…I wanted a scholarship to study abroad and research scientific discoveries by myself, but after being here during the games, I still don't know what I will do now. I hope all of you will help me to find out, thank you.”

Everyone applauded.

“Oh Miss Sparkle, that's really the kind of students CHS wants! Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts to us!”

We are wasting enough time already! I rather have my Trigo-class now instead of this bullshit.

“Now young man, it's your turn! Don’t be shy! Remember that we are a big, happy family in this school”

I hate you...

“Well…I...”

Silence.

“Come on, yo! You can do it”

This time I found the source of the voice. It was a female student with blonde hair and a big stetson hat.

“It's not that hard to speak in front of people, Nitpick! I am still learning with baby steps but trust me, you can do it! All these people are nice!”

Twilight Sparkle… the social reject of Crystal Prep… giving me tips… on how to speak in front of people… while smiling? This was getting absurd.

“My name is Nitpick Bittersweet, nice to meet you.”

Disinterest in my voice was an understatement.

Silence. Everyone started to frown in amusement and concern. I think they expected from me a happy, warm introduction like Twilight before me, but this kind of things simply annoys me. Not to mention it makes me feel uncomfortable because I am not good in sharing my thoughts unless they are my trusted family members or closest friends… which aren’t that many.

“Well, Mr. Bittwersweet, Why did you choose CHS?” Said the teacher, now a little worried.

That's much better for me.

“Because a personal issue in in my old school and also it was the nearest to my home.” I said bluntly.

“And what are your hobbies?”

“My hobbies are videogames and PC tweaking. I like to spent my time alone doing something of those two.”

Saying sleeping, napping and especially anime and manga would be a bad idea.

“What are your dreams for the future?”

“Just be happy with whatever thing I can achieve. Big houses, people cheering my name, I am not interested in those things. And either be the school or me, I don’t care much about winning unless is something I want to do.”

Someone suddenly babbled in shock. I saw it was Rainbow Dash from my previous class. I didn’t care, it was the truth.

“Well, I like the simple things, unless they are related to my hobbies. That's when I give the extra miles.”

“Oh, that's so nice to hear! Sometimes people forget that the greatest joys of life are found in the most simple of things! I think the same as you man, that's why I decided to become a teacher and share my joy and knowledge in the math subjects to the new generations! And about the 'not interested in winning' part, I am sure that the school spirit will change your mind! Am I right, Wondercolts?”

Everyone “Yeah” to this, and he regained his happy tone again. I hate that happy vibe. He must be a likable teacher because everyone gave him applauses of approval.

“Well, can I sit now? I feel like I am being interrogated by an inquisition, this kind of thing makes me feel uncomfortable, to be honest.” I said this with honest sincerity.

Everyone quiet down immediately.

“But of course…please take your seats.”

The teacher was uncomfortable too. I believe this is a first time for him to face a student like me. I could feel the eyes of everyone watching me. I felt the pressure. I walked to my seat while taking a quick glimpse to the class, Sunset was seeing me with a strange look. Like if she had failed on something. I turned my sight to my desk and then tried to focus on the board and the teacher’s class.

“Well, my students, why don’t we review some of our previous classes quickly to make your new classmates catch with us as soon as possible?” He smiled again. I just met him right now and I already admired his attitude; he recovers fast from awkward moments. I still hate this kind of people, though.

Everyone agreed, and suddenly I started to realize why this teacher was completely accepted in the classroom. Concrete and simple notes, easy to understand step by step formulas. And to be honest, I was kind of impressed, and there was still twenty minutes left of class.

“Wow, you are truly the shit, Mr. Bridge. You are pretty awesome at teaching math. None of my old teachers in Crystal Prep could match your technique at giving lessons, you make it so easy to understand!” I said this somewhat brightly… Wait! Did I just cursed inside a classroom?

He was extremely overjoyed by this.

“Mr. Bittersweet, that’s the spirit I wanted from you from the start, everyone gave our new friend a warm applause to make him feel at home”

They did it, cheerfully, even Twilight. I regret praising you, Mr Bridge. At least he didn´t heard the ‘colorful’ word, probably overriden by the rest of my statement.

“I have a question, Mr. Bridge!” Said Twilight while examining her book.

“Yes, Miss Sparkle? With all confidence, ask me when you have doubts during my class!”

At least he is accessible too.

“Well, according to your teaching and comparing it with the book writing by Sir Colt Kechris, there are three general problems in trigonometric series; one being The Uniqueness Problem, the second being The Characterization Problem, and finally The Coefficient Problem! Each suggest that there are fundamental criteria to solve a trigonometric series, but what I want to know is which conditions, if there are any at all, represents each the currents subjects at hand?“

Twilight, that’s not part of the lesson from today.

“Oh, such wonderful question, easy to misinterpret when someone reads it in the first go!”

He erased all of the notes made in the board, luckily some students smart enough wrote them down in their notebook. In Crystal Prep, the bastards always erased the notes from the board before someone could finish copying them.

“Well, let’s begin. As you know, The Characterization Problem, even for continuous functions, although there are many well-known sufficient criteria for the expansion in a trigonometric series, one can argue than no reasonable exact criteria can be found.”

He wrote an example with equations not seen in the class. Pretty advanced, if I must say.

“As you can see here in this example the problem to-----complexity-----substitute-“

I was starting to lose my senses in the subject at hand. I could hear words, but I no longer had any idea of what was he talking about. I only heard random sounds coming from his mouth, and then, I heard Twilight again.

“If that’s the case, when you use the theorem of-----radians----cos, sin, tan-----“

I was lost. They were talking and talking about sorcery from the deepest hells. I turned my attention to the window next to me. I could hear the soft soar of the wind, the singing of the birds, the serenity of the weather, and I understood that I had achieved enlightenment. My mind was completely in blank. The essence of time didn't have power over me anymore. Suddenly, I heard coherent words from the teacher that woke me up from my trance.

“And that’s how you can solve any of the basic trigonometric series! They are kinder level, don’t you think so my students?” He said happy.

“I see, thank you Mr. Bridge! They are easy indeed!” Sparkle said excited, her curiosity sated...for now.

“Oh! You are so welcome, Miss Sparkle! I hope you can share your thirst for learning to the rest of your new friends soon!”

I made an analytical observation, this time to my fellow classmates. Aside from Sunset and two other people that looked like they were straight from The Big Bang Analysis sitcom who were taking notes like it was nobody’s business, the rest of us, common human beings, shared the same thought about the current situation originated from our purple friend!

We didn't understand shit.

Author's Notes:

Well, Twilight, what can I say about her? Nothing that everybody knows by now. I believe she will be the hardest to write of the main cast because this Twilight, even if its the counterpart of our princess of friendship in the normal show, its in essence different in the part that she still doesnt have a clue of friendship, and I will try to take another route to achieve the same result, she being more sociable like Princess Twilight. At least its my current plan for now. For the other characters, well, as soon as I start to introduce them, I will write in the notes if they were harder or no.

And for Mr. Bridge...he is an homage to one of my teachers during my days of college. UGH! how did I hate him, but he did knew about his subject, it wasnt calculus and such but administration. He was a cool guy in the end but thats another history.

Note: Grammar rewrite on 12/08/2016

Note 2: This chapter didn't have a fanart before today, 15/09/2016

Chapter 6 - Guardian Dog, Caring Spike!

The bell of the school rang. It seems that it was finally break time! My owner and best friend will finally take me out of this furnace soon. I could feel her steps as she walked to the exti. I could hear the multitudes moving to their destinations, but then, even being inside a bag, I could feel the fresh wind. Anytime soon. Just a bit longer… almost there.

'ZIP'

Twilight unzipped her backpack. “Finally I am free of this thing!”

“Oh, Spike! I am so sorry! Y!ou know that the school doesn't allow pets inside.”

“It's ok, Twilight! As long as I am with you, anything is worth the waiting!”

She reached me and gave me a tender hug. It was more than a week since the events of Canterlot against Crystal Prep. Today was officially our first day in this school. My owner faced a self-rebirth, now she smiles with more frequency! She feels more accepted and she was joyous of being herself everyday! Never in that old school she was like this! Not even Dean Cadence or her favorite subjects or inventions could make her feel like this. Even if she transformed to a Winged Magical Angel of Doom for a brief moment, I could not wished for a better place for her. Here are people who loved her for who she is, besides her family, of course. I am so happy she is happy. Being able to talk with her and make myself understandable was a nice plus.

“I am so glad to have you as my dog, Spike. Here, your favorite croquettes and some water.”

She retrieved a small box with my favorite food and a special water dispenser for me. Fluttershy was so kind to give this to Twilight. She was resting near the statue. Once she wakes up, I'll give her my thanks.

“Once you finish eating, you better enjoy the rest of the break and sleep for a while. We still have some hours left in school. I'll wait for Rainbow and Sunset to bring my lunch. They know a place nearby which sells excellent salads and other kinds of stuff. We were not in the mood for pancakes today.”

I obeyed her. After having finished my breakfast, I decided to join Fluttershy in a sweet nap. It is so comfortable and fresh here. I nearly fell asleep until someone made a commotion.

“I told you the guy wasn't worth the effort!! How could someone not like winning!? I say lets forget about him and move on!”
It was Rainbow Dash, as loud as ever.

“No, Rainbow Dash, we just made the wrong approach! I didn't take into account that he could be shy. No wonder he acted so weird at the start of the tour°”

“You are over-analyzing again! He will be fine by himself! I know it!”

“But Rainbow, did you look at his face? HE WAS UNCOMFORTABLE BEING THERE! I don't understant! I followed Pinkie's updated guide to make loyal wondercolts; Meet the new student, Introduce Yourself, tell him about the wonders of the school, make him feel instantly at home!“

“So what!? It just ONE STUDENT OUT OF HUNDREDS!”

“Would you kindly please be quiet AND LET ME HAVE SOME SLEEP!?”

Wow, Fluttershy can get mad at times. The girls stopped talking with agreement and fear.

“Thank you… you are… so…ugh my head hurts”

She looked tired. Twilight approached her and extended her hands to Fluttershy's head.

“Here, let me give you a temple massage!”

“Oh, That feels good, Twilight. Thank you...”

“It's not a problem. Dean Cadence always gives me tips and relaxing techniques to let go of my stress.”

“She sure sounds…nice…" She felt asleep with a peaceful demeanor.

That's my owner, she always has a solution to everything.

“This will do. Sleep well for a while, Fluttershy” My owner’s tummy growled. “I am so hungry...”

“Oh, yeah! This is yours, Twilight! Fruit Salad and Apple juice!”

“Thanks, Sunset!” She took a bite of her meal. “Ohmmm, you were right about this, yum, this is good. But speaking of Apples, where are Applejack and the rest of the girls?”

“They are in the band room making preparations for something we planned for you. This is your big day and we plan to receive you properly!” Sunset started to eat her salad and particulary enjoyed the tomato.

“You don't have to! Being here is more than enough!”

“You know we won't accept a ‘No’ for an answer, Twilight! Believe me, you will have an awesome time with us!” Rainbow took a bite of her food.

“But-“

“No ‘Buts’, you will have a great time with us!”

“Don’t challenge Rainbow Dash. Besides, I agree, you will enjoy it!”

“I know I will...”

My owner smiled, she was happy for this. Rainbow then spoke her mind out.

“By the way, thank you Twilight for asking Mr. Bridge about something so difficult. He is a really cool guy and all, but now that you asked him about advanced stuff and we saw it during class, no doubt it will be in the first test in a few weeks, now.”

“But Rainbow, didn’t you find fascinating how a single angle can completely change the process of solving one simple three dimensional problem?”

Rainbow was dumbfounded, I wonder why? Twilight always says interesting things.

“Just forget about it. And please don’t ask anything next class, Mr. Bridge will give us Physics II too! So don’t go on and jeopardize my chances of getting a B+ this year…please!?”

“Don’t worry, I have a better idea, I can give you personalized lessons if you happen to not understand what we learned in class. AAHH! Even now I can think of many ideas that could give you an edge during our study session’s like-” Twilight pulled something from her notebooks. “-Flash Cards!”

My owner has this weird obsession of making scrawled cards for learning purposes. I know they are important to her but I always had that deep desire of destroying every single one of them. I wonder why that feeling disappeared when I started to talk, though.

“Oh, those looks interesting, Twilight. Can I have a look?”

“Of course, Sunset, here!”

Sunset chuckled.

“You too have horrible hand-writing when taking quick notes!”

They laughed at this, she was having fun with these girls, and I enjoyed their company. This is better than I could hope for.

“I am glad you can have friends from the start, Twilight, unlike Nitpick who will be all alone during lunch!”

“Thank you for reminding us of that weirdo, Spike.”

“Nitpick is not a weirdo, Rainbow.” Twilight spoke against her “I believe he was like me during our days at Crystal Prep. For all I know, he doesn’t have any friends because we didn't socialize that much. I bet he must feel lonely right now...”

“I don’t know, Twilight, remember that he always was on his own during classes and the few times he worked together with you, well, he was simple uninterested in everything you talked about! At least he always helped you in group projects unlike Trenderhoof and his friends with their excuse of going to fashion shows or something.”

“Why he didn’t was interested about what Twilight talked about with him?”

“I don't know, Sunset. Last time he worked together with Twilight, she was talking about the awesomeness of gravity effects in the universe. I don´t remember everything because I was inside of the bag-pack and couldn't listen to it that well. But the point is he was always bored after the first twenty minutes!”

“I wonder why could that be, Spike!”

“I know right, Rainbow Dash! If you are interested, Twilight here can tell you everything about-”

“NO...eh I mean, no thanks, Spike, I am cool.”

“Maybe he is exploring the school to find something to do in our free time.”

Fluttershy woke up; her mood was restored to her usual self.

“Feeling better?”

“Yes, Twilight, thank you, that was what I needed.”

“Mmm, where he could be?

“Oh, don’t worry more than necessary, Sunset! It's just the first day. Perhaps you are pushing things too hard on you. Once he is more comfortable with his new surroundings, he will act friendly with everyone.”

“You are right, thank you Fluttershy! I needed to hear that!”

“Anytime, Sunset.”

Honest friends. Loyal friends. Kind friends. Funny friends. Generous friends. What else could we ask for? But curiosity filled me and I wondered where Nitpick could be.

"Rainbow! You are drinking my juice!"

"Oooops, sorry Twilight! I thought it was mine."

"Oh, great! Now what I'm going to drink?"

It was a peaceful break.

Author's Notes:

I dont know if I characterized Spike as good as I could. This Spike is supposed to be less experienced in talking and identifying cynism or other kinds of expressions like Dragon Spike. He will develop more intelligence as the story advances, because honestly, he deserves it. He is human Twilight loyal friend for all of his life and he will call her 'owner' from time to time becase again, unlike Dragon Spike, he was raised in a world where animals cant talk, and even if their owners treat them as human beings, like Twi and Fluttershy, they don´t have sentient being like intelligence like the creatures of Equestria. I hope this explanation makes sense.

Note: chapter rewrite on 12/08/2016

Note 2: New fanart added on 15/09/2016. Spike... let the old fanart express my sentiments on the matter.

Chapter 7- Old friends... Tweaking Lightbulb and Chocolate Dancer

It was break time, a whole hour to be by myself. As soon as the class with Mr. Bridge ended, I left as quickly as possible after what happened with my introduction earlier. I can't stand people like that since middle school. Most of Crystal Prep consisted of ‘All by themselves’ pricks of ‘other worldly’ status since most of them, if not all, were stingy rich. But at least since we belonged in the same school, they wouldn’t pay you attention unless you were either a friend in a social circle or you definitely had a bulls-eye with a brand that said ‘mess with me’ in your forehead. Here I feel that they wanted me to fit in the first day, that's not cool…at least for me it wasn’t.

I was hungry and my head started to feel drowsy, but if I could manage to arrive on time to Crystal Prep that was one hour and half taking the bus near my house, then this would be far easier. I arrived at the cafeteria, there were some students already buying their lunch, so I got in the line to wait for my turn. Twenty minutes had passed and still there were four people ahead of me, I was going to leave but then I saw the reason for such slow service. It was an old woman, plump and short like a typical granny with white hair that marked her long years lived. I couldn't complain now. She was doing what she could despite being alone. I calmed down and waited for my turn. It was Monday Pancakes and they looked nice. I bought my combo and searched for an empty seat.

I didn’t notice but now the place was nearly filled, since this was a school that integrated middle and high schoolers, it was no surprise. But now where I was going to sit? I searched for a table with the less quantity of people possible but it was so crowded I couldn’t see a damn. I was starting to lose hope until I saw someone alone eating by himself while reading the newspaper. I couldn’t see his or her face because his lecture material was blocking my sight. I decided to ask if could sit.

“Hey, you don’t mind if a sit here, right? There aren’t a lot of free seats left in here and I promise I won't talk or disturb you!”

“Suit yourself, this is a free country after all. Just sit in the corner, my girl will arrive shortly.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

I no longer paid him attention and started eating my breakfast. Not only they looked nice, they tasted great. They were handmade instead of the typical frozen ones from the super markets. The wait was definitely worth it. I enjoyed every single moment of them but the good stuff ends fast. Once I finished eating, I decided to leave and search for my next classroom by myself since Sunset was called by one of her friends. Something aboute someone feeling weak. I stood up but someone stopped me with her sight.

“Oh my God, Lightbulb! Did you know about this?”

“About what?”

“The guy that is eating in the corner!?”

He put down the newspaper and said “He is just a guy who-“

“Dancer? Lightbulb!?” I said in shock and happiness while watching the faces of my old friends.

“Waaaaaaaaaahhh, It is you, Nitpick! it really is you!” She screamed happy and hugged me.

"Hey! Hey! Calm down! They're watching!"

"I don't care!"

“Bro! It really is you! I can’t believe I didn't recognize your voice!” Said Lightbulb with the same tone of happiness.

“It's been a longtime, both of you haven’t changed a bit.”

Lightbulb had the same blond, bedhead hair but his style was longer and less messier than mine, green eyes, pearl skin and a little plump but still average weight, like three or four cm shorter than me in height, sporting his typical polo shirt, jeans and tennis. Chocolate Dancer, like her name sake, had dark tanned skin, dark brown eye and chocolate like hair color. She was wearing a bottomed, bright pink shirt with black dress pants. Her curly hair was even longer than before, though. She always had an excellent figure and now at high school she was prettier. She sat at my right, having Lightbulb in front of her.

“Yeah, you look the same, Nitpick. Your typical low life, fashion sense it’s unmistakable!” Said Dancer, her honesty has not changed either.

“I am glad that you are still as bitchy as ever in the fashion department.” I said teaseful.

“And I am glad that Spoiled Prep didn’t take away your low life language either with their high class social environment.” She responded in kind.

“Pffff! No force in the universe can't change my way of life or expressions. Too common for that.”

“This is the reason you are still single, Bro; badmouthed, shitty sense of style and blunt. You are still an unlikable dick.” Remarked Lightbulb.

“At least I am likable enough to be your friend, isn't it?”

“Oh, you are our Beasty, even if you are a bad person at times.” Said Chocolate.

“The word that you needed to use was ‘ass’ instead of ‘a bad person’, my love.” said Lightbulb.

“Can you stop cursing, already!? It’s of bad education to say those words in front of a lady!”

“Last time I checked, a Lady doesn’t use brute force like a gorilla to- AHHH!!!”

She punched me in my right arm, the girl was stronger than before, or maybe I was the one that was getting weaker.

“Were you saying something?”

“No, nothing.”

“Good”

“Bro, I have a question.”

“Ask away.”

“I know that you were busy in your old school to pass time or even have a small talk through email with us. I read about those extracurricular events in the newspaper that fancy school of yours participates in every year and it must have been a pain in the ass-“

“Lightbulb…” Said Dancer a bit angered.

“It’s been two whole year since we had a proper conversation with him, please let me have this!”

“Fine… just this time.”

This short moment was so comfortable and nostalgic, it’s like a repetition of what we lived in Ponyville middle school the first two years. Since their old avenue was in a state beyond conventional repair, their families and neighbors were relocated to an area far away from the main streets. But it had a bus directly to CHS, so they transferred here. I spent a whole year alone when they left, we planned to hang out but their parents were so busy with the change of place, raise in work and family issues that there wasn't time to meet. They became a couple by that time and I was happy for them. We made a promise to meet again here in CHS using our old emails since they didn’t have a cellphone yet but things happen for a reason.

“Thanks, my love, I appreciate it. Well, it's true that I am no longer angry since you broke our promise to come here at CHS with us after our change of middle school.”

“No, Lightbulb, I am still angry.”

“Guys, it was because my mother convinced my father to study there. I was surprised he said yes, that's why I didn't came here. Besides, during vacations we had those events that Lightbulb mentioned as part of being an 'exemplary citizen’ bullshit during winter. Not to mention, summer classes that consisted of anything but academics like the proper use of spoons in a social dinner, archery skills and all that boring stuff of rich people. And if you were worried about that I was alone because Crystal Prep has the reputation of being mostly of assholes, then you will be glad to know I made some good, few friends. I hope you can meet them one day.” I said honestly, it was a big surprise for me back then too.

“If you consider them your friends, then they must good people, but I wished that you told us about this.” Said Dancer.

“And that’s where I was getting! Why didn't you told us that you were coming here?” Lightbulb crossed his arms and frowned.

“Yes, we could have asked Principal Celestia that you were with us in middle school and ask her to put you in the same classes with us! She is very accessible on these kind of matters! Even if we didn't have your phone number, we still had our old mail accounts… but you didn't replied any after our last mail saying you were going to Crystal Prep!”

“Well, it’s been such a long time and I wanted it to be a surprise. Besides, I wasn't proud of that decision either, the school has great facilities and excellent teachers but…you know how my mother gets at times. I hope we share some classes, at least!”

“Do you have your schedule at hand?” Asked Dancer.

“Here it is.”

“Mmm... We have the same subjects but not the same teachers. And we have P.E. Tuesdays and Thursdays one hour instead of Saturdays in the morning.”

“Who was the genius who thought of that schedule? I even complained in front of the girl who gave me the tour! Worst way to start a new day!” I said angered.

“Poor girl, you must have scared her"”

“Bro, who gave you the tour of the school?”

“Oh, guys, since you have experience in love, I wanted you to ask for help in the matter! I believe I fell in love with the girl who gave me the tour. Love at first sight, it must be destiny! And I don't believe in that shit!” Said foolishly and romantic.

“AWWW!! You have a heat after all!” Dancer said teaseful.

“Yes, and I even if I don’t believe in god in the way most people do, I have a soul too. Will you help me or not?” I said bluntly.

“Of course, Bro, who was it?”

“It was…” I sighed. “Sunset Shimmer.” I said romantically.

“WHAT!?” Both shouted in unison. Everybody in the cafeteria put their attention at us. Both were ashamed because of the unwanted attention they got.

“Eh, what's the matte?r” I asked thoughtful in my response.

“Well, you see, Beasty…uh, Sunset, well…”

“She is already with someone, right? Uh, I knew it from the start when I saw her! Nobody that goddess like would be single, the guy must be rich, or athletic, or stingy rich and athletic. Why does this happen to me every time I like someone?” I said in defeat.

“No, bro, as a matter of fact she is single.” Lightbulb said it bluntly.

“Then there is hope!” I regained my strength.

“Yeah…we can help you with anyone but her...” Said Dancer crossing her arms.

“Why not?”

“To tell you the truth, I don’t like her.”

“Me neither, Bro.”

“Why?” Both of them were neutral or friendly to people all of the time back then, this is a first I saw them with a hostile expression.

“I don’t want to talk about, Beasty. If you want, I can introduce you to other girls, and you know… they are bossy, just the way you like it!” She chuckled impishly.

“I understand, but no thanks! You know that I rather be rejected than live with regrets! Just like I tried to date Bookfull Sporty in middle school all those years ago!”

“Suit yourself then ‘Show, don´t tell´” she said bluntly. ‘Show, don’t tell it´s for us that when the time arrives, you would see something for what it is better than if someone told you instead. But I wonder why? Sunset looked like a nice girl.

“Forget it bro, let’s change the subject. Did you know that the new ForceG Olympian series will be released next month?”

“The new graphic card generation with the range from two to eight GB of ram memory and the new technology for 8k image that can make you play in 3 TV’s with HDMI at the same time with dual card technology to improve the framerate with vanguard improvements of micro transistors that integrates a micro-processor to prevent sudden bottlenecking because of the processor?” I said it so fast that I nearly got out of air, I was gasping.

“Nothing has changed! You always talk about geeky stuff!” Said Dancer with a frowned but smiling expression.

“Hey, it's one of the best topic in the world!” He and I said together.

For the rest of our break, we talked what we we did on our two years of not seeing each other like school, subjects, our free time; they explained to me the social status of the school similar to Crystal Prep: The rockers, the fashionistas, the science guys, etc. Even though we don’t share the same classes and same quantity of free time after school and weekends, at least we will have this break time to enjoy ourselves unless we have homework to do. A locker far away from people, my old friends, and even if they can´t help me in the subject, a beautiful girl in all my classes, this day is getting even brighter, and I tend to hate bright. As long as things continued like this. I could enjoy this school.

…!

My sixth sense… where? I looked and looked around. Nothing was at sight out of the ordinary. ‘Perhaps Twilight had the right idea and I should pay the infirmary a visit like she suggested’ I thought this and considered going. But no, I was fine. As soon as I was to face my friends to keep talking…there she was, near the exit. I finally had decent look. Intense Pink, fluffy hair, a Pink, white and blue shirt with a heart in her chest, a skirt filled with balloons and blue boots. But what terrified me the most was her face, even at this distance, I could see it; she was smiling, and those ominous eyes…

“GUYS!” I panicked.

“What’s wrong, Beasty? Are you okay?”

“There is a weird girl over there”

Both of them looked were I pointed.

“There is nothing there, Bro! Perhaps you haven't eaten that well, again. I still remember how much you saved for gaming last time! I told you to not skip meals during middle school! But NO! The sir wanted his limited edition of Demon's Dogma. Now this is your punishment: Hallucinations and stupidity!”

“Hey, the game was worth it! It even had a disccount for the second season pass. Besides, I have learned my lesson; I eat more in the morning! I changed the recipe of my famous smoothie.”

“What’s the all so mighty difference now, Chef Beasty?”

“Now I put a whole banana and dry seeds like almonds instead of just an apple, milk and oaks!”

I said this proudly, but my friends face-palmed instead. Fools, they don´t know anything about culinary arts. This small chat calmed my mind. But now I needed to be more cautious, I know what I saw, she is real. Everything will be easier now in case of the worst.

Author's Notes:

The second batch of original characters, I think these are going to be more easy to write since they are based on the older selves of my friends during our first year at college. Now, Iet´s see what happenes next in the next chapter.

Note: Chapter rewrote on 12/08/2016

Note 2: New fanart added on 15/09/2016

Chapter 8 - Cranky lesson!

The school bell rang, break was over. After a short but pleasant chat with my old friends, we gave each other’s phone numbers to keep in contact from now on. I told them that I had classes with Mr. Bridge and Mrs. Harshwhinny so far, and they gave me a word of advice to not ask questions that aren't part of the normal program to the former teacher. It seems that every extra lesson saw at class will be in the first mid-term exam.

Damn it, Sparkle.

I asked them for directions to find my classroom and then we went our separate ways to our next class of Physics II. Although some students were there already, I had the good luck to sit once again in the farest corner of the class. The rest of my classmates shortly arrived. I saw the golden-blond haired girl from before walking with a purple haired girl. They took their respective seats besides each other near the wall. Sunset, Twilight, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash soon arrived as well.

After the social incident from last class, I was sure they wouldn't sit next to me. In a way, I hoped that would be the case, but nope. Twilight once again was in front of me and this time, Rainbow Dash was at my side. I sensed bad vibes from her, obviously she didn't enjoy being there, but well, who cares for what reason she decided to sit there. The most important thing right now is getting to know who will be my next teacher. I hope someone like Mrs. Harshwhinny that goes straight to the point and explains well, but less harsh and boring. The door opens, and its-

“Good morning, my beautiful students! I see some familiar faces from the previous Trigonometry class. But it doesn't matter how much of you are here! We all are going to have so much fun together in the joys of learning!”

YOU AGAIN!?!

It was Mr. Bridge. I inspected my schedule and making simple math calculations I came to the conclusion that I will have this happy-like Santa Claus teacher for seven hours a week. SEVEN!

“For those who don't know yet, we have two new Wondercolts joining the second year students!” He said this joyful “Miss Sparkle and Mr. Bittersweet, please introduce yourselves to your new classmates!”

Not this again.

After giving our introductions, mine being a little more ‘friendly’ than the last one, class started. Once again, the old man was giving an excellent class; detailed information and step by step formulas that were easy to digest. However, this time he made terrible puns between explanations like ‘There is a sign in Municholt that says, ‘Heisenbargain might have slept here’.’ Who the hell were them? And more importantly, who the hell would laugh at that? Oh yeah, I forgot! The answer was sitting in front of me. She was chuckling somewhat noisy at this. This couldn't get any worse.

“Mr. Bridge, I have a question!”

Stop asking questions, Twilight.

“Do you have another marvelous question like in the previous class, Miss Sparkle?”

Don’t encourage her, old man!

“The subject at hand says that the work-energy theorem can be applied to an object's potential energy and-"

“Twilight, stop!” It was a quick whisper from Rainbow Dash with a worrisome expression. “You're gonna ruin everything for the rest of us!”

“Listen to her! You don’t know what you are doing” I also whispered in a hurry. I didn’t want a harder test because of you.

Our efforts to reach her were fruitless, however. Twilight was so lost in her little world to pay any attention to anyone. After asking her question, Bridge started to explain the answer at full detail, which to be honest, I didn't understand shit either like in the previous class. Knowing everything was doomed and that the first mid-term exam would continuously get worse while Twilight shared classes with me, I sighed half-hearted.

I didn't notice right away but Rainbow Dash and me made the same gesture of defeat by clashing our foreheads to our desks. Both of us noticed each other’s actions and made eye contact. In a short moment of humoristic agreement, we were chuckling with misery at our current dilemma.

"We are so screwed, Dash..."

"Yeah..."

She sank her head further in the desk, soon I followed. After twenty eight minutes of god knows what those two were talking about, class was over. Literature was the next subject. Thankfully, Bridge didn't gave classes outside the math and physics fields. He got a phone call; good news by the way he left the place in a hurry with exorbitant happiness. I quickly got outside of the classroom to find the next one. When I stepped outside, heated complains started.

“WHY DID YOU ASK HIM SOMETHING OUTSIDE OF THE NORMAL AGAIN!? I told you that Mr. Bridge makes the test harder for each new topic you ask during class!”

“I am so sorry Rainbow Dash, but it was so irresistible to not ask and I was-“

“Is it because I drank the last drop of your juice during break and you really, really wanted it!?”

“Of course not, Rainbow! I just-”

“It doesn't matter anymore, you asked things in the end! We are doomed, Twilight, you hear me!? DOOMED! It’s your entire fault! And this is only your first day! WHAT I AM GOING TO DO FROM NOW ON?”

"What about study for a change, Rainbow Dash?"

"Shut it, Applejack, you are doomed too!"

I think she was about to cry in desperation. I definitely empathized with her but I better hurry if I wanted to find my classroom. I arrived to my destination thanks to the help of a blue haired student; it was near the division between the middle and high school classrooms. Nobody was here yet. I took my favorite spot in the corner. Everyone started to arrive but there was something different about this classroom.

There were only twelve seats and some middle school students as well. I rechecked my schedule, and nope, this is the right place. Perhaps the teacher will explain the situation better. The five middle scholars were a colorful bunch; of the girls one had cerise short hair with tomboyish black sweater and green long shorts. The other one had amaranth hair with a light crimson bow in it with a green shirt and rodeo pants. The last one was the girliest of the three with long mulberry hair with streaks of light rose, pink clothes and boots with a yellow skirt.

They were so adorable.

"Check this out everyone.” Said the plumpy one.

“Yeah!!” Said the skinny one.

And the boys were… uh, how should I say it? They looked, well, everyone deserves a second chance; appearances can be deceiving after all.

Both kids tried to do a somersault from their chairs but landed near the crash bin... Hopeless, those kids were hopeless.

Of the people I knew so far, only Twilight and Sunset arrived to this place, there were no signs of Rainbow or the others. Twilight sat in front of me while giving me a greeting with her smile and Sunset sat in front of her.

Are you going to stick like glue with me, Twilight?

With them here, the rest of students arrived; a flamboyant reddish dude, a rocker like green haired girl and a long brown haired girl with a full sleeved blue shirt and a damn long red skirt. Who will be my teacher this time? The doors opened and there he …uh?

“Good day, let’s get this over with.”

Using a painfully obvious black toupee hiding his baldness with the face of bitterness and agony born from working as a teacher, combined with his possible personal negative experiences in life, this may be a very cranky person.

“Alright, let’s see who is in class, Apple Bloom?”

“Here”

“Bright Idea?”

“Here”

“Cherry Crash?”

“Here”

“Heath Burns?”

“Here”

“Scootaloo?”

“Here”

“Snails?”

“Here, Here!”

“Snips”

“I am here”

“Sunset Shimmer?”

“Here”

“Sweetie Belle?”

“Here”

“Velvet Sky?”

“Here”

“Everyone is here, let’s begin.”

He started to tinker with the TV and dvd player until one gorgeous girl interrupted his activity.

“Excuse me, Professor Doodle.” Said Sunset with an unpleased tone towards him.

“Yes, Shimmer? If you have something to say, hurry up, we don´t have all day!”

“Well, I don’t know if you noticed but we have new students right here!”

Sunset said this with a body gesture of presentation to make Twilight and I stand out. Her smile was brimming with radiance while looking towards us, but my hate for this kind of stuff, no matter how childish my attitude against it is, makes me want to ask her what the hell was she thinking! She didn't make an objection with Mrs. Harshwhinny about our introductions. Why are you doing it now?

“I see, well.” he pointed at Twilight with his finger “You, what’s your name?”

“My name is Twilight Sparkle and I-!“

“I only asked for your name.” Now he pointed at me “And you?”

“Nitpick Bittersweet.”

“Class, these are your new classmates so be friends with them and upsy blashie blah. My name is Cranky Doodle and I am your teacher, professor, whatever, for the extracurricular class of Literature. Now, we will see a video about the story of Goat Goh. Watch it and whatever you think is the meaning of his works, write it in a blank sheet and you will give it to me at the end of class.”

No introductions over-welcoming their stay, not over-optimistic attitude, just straight to the class. Kudos for you, baldie…Wait!

“Sorry for interrupting, Mr. Doodle but did you say extracurricular class?”

“That’s right! Any problems with it, lad?”

“I thought of all this kind of classes were in summer vacations, and optional at that!”

“No, you can have them in regular classes. Didn't the Principal explained this to you?”

“Not specifically.”

“Well, too bad, someone chose this one for you without your consent. If you are not happy with it, guess what? Too bad, change of extracurricular classes is no longer possible and now you are stuck here with us. Any complains, lad?”

“Not at all... Douche." I mumbled.

“Good, we have lost enough time already! Watch the video and do your assignment!”

Time passed, and the worse came to be; the class was even more boring than ethics. At least with Mrs. Harshwhinny she spoke during class and had passion in her lessons beside her harsh and unchangeable expressions. Now I am stuck here. Who the hell assigned me in this class? And there were more options than this one? Why the Principal didn’t tell me of this during inscriptions?

I decided to think over this new information at a later time and tried to concentrate on the task at hand…which was nearly impossible, I could barely pay attention because this video was slow, boring and lifeless, it´s like he narrator was indirectly sucking our souls from the TV screen to the point of becoming living dead students. I was swinging my feet from desperation, never in my life this has happened to me. I was about to give up and try to write whatever I could listen to until my phone started to vibrate.
The thrill to see who it was and the risk of being suspended of class was more than enough adventure to check the message. It was a chat group; The Kitten Trio. I didn't need to open it to guess from who it was.

-Dancer: Hey, how is your literature class?

I wrote her back making sure the teacher didn't noticed.

-Nitpick: Boring so far. My teacher is kind of a dick. But why are you texting me during class? Your teacher could suspend you for this.

Dancer is writing…

-Dancer: Oh, don’t worry! The one who gives us literature is Mrs. Matilda. She is so sweet and if we finish earlier all her assignments, she will let you do whatever you want as long you don’t make noise, so no talking. Everyone here uses the phone to chat.

Lightbulb is writing…

-Lightbulb: You can do it with Mr. Doodle, too, which I bet is your teacher. I assume you already noticed some people there are no longer part of the living by now.

I took a quick glimpse and it’s true. Only, Twilight, Sunset, the one called Apple Bloom and Bright Idea were struggling to stay awake and do the assignment; their yawning faces were truly an inspiration.

-Nitpick: Yeah, most of them are dead now.

-Lightbulb: Knew it. Are you watching the Goat Goh video to write an essay about it? We watched the trimmed version here.

-Nitpick: Yeah, it's boring.

-Lightbulb: Wait!

Lightbulb has sent an image.

I opened the image and it was his essay.

-Nitpick: Isn't this considered cheating, brother?

-Lightbulb: Don’t forget our old, golden rule, Bro! Cheat only in unnecessary classes like this one! Important ones like chemistry you must never cheat. Besides, unlike Mrs. Matilda, Doodle will explain you shit during class. We already had him last semester in cultural music. You may not have noticed but when he officially married her, he became more cheerful.

-Nitpick: Married with who?

-Dancer: Mrs. Matilda! We were all surprised, apparently they were childhood friends but didn't see each other for years for unknown reasons. Legends say that a girl from school played cupid and now they are married since May.

-Lightbulb: She convinced the Principal to give him another chance to impart extracurricular classes permanently with her. Sometimes I don't understand Principal Celestia! The bastard can be too rude sometimes, even for me.

-Dancer: …

-Lightbulb: Sorry…Old habits never die. (Nervous smile)

-Dancer: If you want to be with me, those habits WILL die. You know I don’t like that kind of vocabulary in any conversation and you just said two so far.

-Lightbulb : (Sad face) But I love you, Choco, I am doing my best..

-Dancer: I couldn’t care less if you gift me the moon. I want from you the maturity and correct speech worthy of a gentleman.

From there, lovie stuff, they continued they sugarcoated conversation. While they were writing their nonsense, I proceeded to read and modify Lightbulb´s essay to finish this chore. In Crystal Prep this would be unthinkable, I never cheated once, but right here, right now, in the most boring class I ever had in all my life, I would make an exception. Once happy that the context was more and less the same but with different words, I rejoined the conversation…one hundred and forty seven messages unread in only seven minutes. Is this for real? I could barely write five in a minute.

-Dancer: And you still haven’t given me a teddy bear for my birthday, Bulby! Give me my teddy bear! (Angry face)

-Lightbulb: But I already bought you the little kitten for your birthday! (Worried face with sweat)

-Dancer: I want a little, pink and spongy teddy bear hugging a big red heart that says ‘lovable’! (A bear and a red heart)

-Nitpick: Uh… I believe you are in the wrong conversation for this.

I started to read all the messages. The content was innocent and somewhat cute, but some things are better discussed in person, alone, far away from civilization. Suddenly, an echo of shock and embarrassment resonated through the school and everyone in class woke from their slumber. I knew it was Dancer's voice; I tried so hard to not laugh.

“I have obtained some pretty funny material to tease you with, Dancer” I deviously whispered to myself.

Author's Notes:

The classroom of Cranky is the one that appears during Cadence speech before starting the games. You will notice in said scene that there are three empty seats and one of them has a open book in the desk, well in this story that belongs to Sunset.

Note: Chapter rewrite 12/08/2016

Note 2: Fanart added on 15/09/2016. This chapter didn't have a drawing before.

Chapter 9.1 - You are being negative, Flash Sentry!

In the parking lot of CHS, there was a sporting, custom blue Camaro with a two tone blue shield behind a yellow lightning bolt in the hood and the sides being shaken by the constant movement of a young teenager inside it.

“Where is my USB drive? I am sure I left it in the glove compartment.”

Flash Sentry was desperate while searching for his grade-depending drive containing his computer project for his next class.

“There it is! How did it end up below the seat? Snap! I better hurry or I am going to be late!”

Being sure that his car was locked, Flash made a quick check-up in his current image with his car reflection: his black jacket with red and blue strips in the arms was in an outstanding condition, his blue hair brush backwards to perfection, his new white T-shirt with his trademark blue shield and lightning bolt was impeccable, his pants and tennis arranged to give a rocker vibe, plus a light and sweet cologne applied to his skin. Everything was in place, today was important.

He got inside the school and hurried up to the computer lab. Once he was a few classrooms near his destination, he started walking slowly, confident and fresh. He wanted to give a great impression to someone new in school.

“There she is!” Flash murmured to himself, the reason for going an extra mile in his already cool image. The new student, Twilight Sparkle, started attending CHS today, and this was the only class he shared with her… he asked around once he knew about her future arrival at school. This was going to be his opportunity to get close to her, and even after the incident during the Friendship Games, he didn’t have hard feelings for her, his infatuation with her remained strong.

The few exchanges he had with her were enough to understand that she was curious, smart and above all, special, not only because she resembled the lovely princess from another world. As a matter of fact, they may be the same people in shape but he could feel that their personalities had significant differences. He couldn't describe it, but he was sure of it. Flash accepted the fact a few days ago that dating Princess Twilight was impossible because the difference in schedule, worlds, distance and species.

He was a romantic fool, but was well-aware that once committed with someone, he would want to spend too much time with her girl. It happened with Sunset Shimmer, and a princess like Twilight does not have that kind of time.

But now he can start again. It could sound bad for some people what Flash was doing; trying to date someone who resembles his last crush would indeed sound like a replacement. But this Twilight was not Princess Twilight. She was the Twilight Sparkle of this world! They may share the same image and special qualities, but they differ in background. They were different people, they were different individuals, and Flash wanted to give his best in this new opportunity in love. Their first talk was awkward, fast and normal, but given time, it could turn trusting and friendly.

Since there were five empty spots in the class and everybody were arranged in pairs, that means that Twilight would be alone. He could offer her being her teammate in class and doing the project together would make a perfect excuse to do the appointment during weekends. Once they know each other better, he could ask her for a date. It was a perfect plan. He was grateful for once for arriving late to class in the day the teams were made.

“Eh, excuse me but you are blocking the way and I need to get inside.”

Flash didn't noticed that he was blocking the way to the lab.

“Oh! Sorry, man!”

He recognized the student; it was the guy who asked him earlier where the classroom number twelve was before break time. He looked shady and kind of a loner. Flash took his assigned seat after letting him pass. Everyone started to arrive to classroom, but the usual seat belonging to the most energetic girl in the school was used by Twilight… who was besides Sunset.

“Oh great…”

But Sunset already had a partner, so for whatever reason she hasn't arrived, it will be just for today. So there are still three spots left in class if he took into account Twilight and the new guy. The new guy was in the last row where nobody ever sits, but this was good! Since Flash's position was in the middle row and the empty seat beside him was screaming for an owner, no doubt his partner will be indeed Twilight. The stars were smiling for this fellow romantic guy. The professor finally arrived and class started.

“Good afternoon, students, I am pleased to say we have two new students joining our class, could both you come here and introduce yourselves?”

Professor Gizmo was a young, new teacher who specializes in the robotic engineering field. He gave an aura of being nerdy; his white coat, pimpled faced-skin and extremely thick glasses didn’t help much in the matter. Nevertheless he was a cool guy, he teaches like he was another classmate and was really supportive all the time. He could become another favorite teacher in school like Bridge if he kept it up like that. For now, Twilight and the new guy were in front of the classroom and they started to introduce themselves.

“Hi, my name is Twilight Sparkle! It’s good to be your new classmate! I hope we can be friends given the time, and let’s hope you can teach me how to improve my programing skills this time, Professor Gizmo!”

That sounded awfully friendly to our romantic fool… could it be that-

“You know you can ask me anything, Twilight! Shining Armor would never forgive me if I didn't help you!”

Who was Shining Armor? What was the relationship between these two? Flash started to feel anxious.

“Well, Nitpick, it’s your turn, you can do it!”

Twilight talked with him with an awfully familiar tone as well.

“My name is Nitpick Bittersweet. Like Twilight here, we came from Crystal Prep Academy and I hope we can coexist peacefully.”

He was… plain.

“You haven't changed one bit, Nitpick.”

“Well, you didn’t have changed either, ‘Professor’ Gizmo!”

They chuckled for a moment of agreement; they must know each other.

“Indeed. Very good, let’s update you in the mechanic of our class. I will grade you with an ongoing project for all the semester. It can be anything you like as long its purpose it’s meaningful. For example, you can develop an application that facilitates accountability calculation if you have knowledge of the subject, or a book editor to make more appealing digital books with image and word style editor. As you can see, your classmates are working in pairs, and since you are new here, you will temporally work individually with an existent team. They will show you an example of their works to help you inspire your minds in what do you want to do for a project!”

“The work is in pairs… Can I just work alone, Professor? I would be just dead weight for my partner!”

Flash was thanking the new guy for making things easy for him in his mind.

“Well, this task is meant to be in pairs to improve team work, but let’s see. Twilight, ladies should be asked first in the subject. There is a classmate over there, Flash, who is currently working alone and Nitpick here. With whom you want to team up?”

After Nitpick's last statement of wanting to work alone, there is no way she would choose him. Flash started to stealthily adjust the empty seat for Twilight.

“Are you sure you want to work alone, Nitpick? It could be fun working together again.”

‘What!? Flash thought dumbfounded. Not only the response was fast, but her tone was really friendly. Totally different from her exchanges with him during the Games.

“Are you sure you want to work with me, Twilight Sparkle? I wasn't of much help during our physics project last year. As a matter of fact, you practically did everything yourself.”

“Nonsense, you were truly helpful in doing the mockup to show the gravitational effects in a theoretical solar system affected by a dying sun and a black hole in it. It was really fun working with you, unlike Trenderhoof and his friends who always were making silly excuses to not assist us in the assignment.”

“But I…”

“…Please.”

“But… Fine!”

Flash Sentry's plan was completely ruined before it even started.

“Now that our team problem has been solved, you still need to be with another team for today, you can choose whoever you like, Twilight. Nitpick, since you were chosen for a team, why don’t you work with Flash for today? Flash, help Nitpick get used to our pace, please.”

“Yes, Professor.”

‘Great, not only I wasn't chosen by Twilight for pairing, now I have to work with someone who doesn't look friendly for today’ Flash was sighing in apathy for this turn of events. But suddenly a realization appeared in his mind. Since they were from the same school, he could asked him questions regarding Twilight to find if she isn't dating someone and don't build false hopes. And if everything turns out fine, make inquiry about her hobbies, likes and dislikes.

Nitpick was now besides him. Using his best social skills and speaking in low volume to not disrupt class, talking time started.

“Hey Nitpick, welcome to CHS! I am Flash Sentry; believe me when I say you will like this place!”

He raised his hand and invited him to do a handshake. Forcefully, Nitpick accepted.

“Yes, I know, everyone in school has told me the same damn thing since I arrived.”

Nitpick responded with the same low voice as Flash, but annoyed. He wondered if someone in school made him mad for whatever reason and he was in this bad mood because of it…or this was his normal mood.

“Flash, aren't we supposed to work in your project?”

“Right, let’s start!”

Flash uploaded his work from the USB and opened Windowed Visual Projects.

“Well, my project consist of making an interactive tutorial to learn playing electric guitar! I already have the code to make the application work in chapter-like lessons. My goal is to make people confident in their skills, but I am finding difficult to transmit the basics in words or where to begin with.”

“If I wanted to play a guitar, the first thing I would like to learn is what I have at my disposal.”

“What do you mean?”

“Electric guitars have various components, right? The first thing I would want to learn would be how to tune the guitar, how to put cords, the purpose of the stick below the cords and so on. You can't use an instrument if you don't know how to use all its tools…at least that’s what a beginner like me would like to know if I were interested.”

“You make a good point. And the stick you mention is called a Tremolo Bar, not all electric guitars have one.”

“You can make a small chapter explaining the different types of guitar, and the first few chapters can be about of how you learned to play.”

“Good idea, but the way I learned is somewhat weird. I just played mimicking the sounds until it sounded right. I don’t think that would help anyone.”

“But you know how to read the musical notes, right?”

“That’s right. I learned that later on during middle school.”

“Then you can start with that.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Flash was quick to judge Nitpick. Sure, his way of speak was dry and plain, but he paid attention and gave his honest opinions about the subject at hand. Maybe he could be more open with some questions regarding Twilight.

“I am sure you will make friends here.”

“Why do you say that? And I already have friends; Lightbulb and Dancer are here in this school so I don’t need anyone else.”

“Well, you seem pretty honest, and I know those two, they are good guys. But you don't consider Twilight your friend?”

“Well, she is a good acquaintance at most but I don’t know her well enough to call her a friend. She is a good girl, though.”

With this Flash now knows that Nitpick isn't her friend or dating her.

“It seems Twilight and you know the professor.”

“I was surprised to see him here. He is a friend of Twilight's older brother, Captain Shining Armor. The professor and I met during an expo comic during Christmas. We are not friends either but I consider him a cool guy.”

So the guy named Shining Armor was Twilight's brother… Flash though he could be his future brother-in-law. Well, the moment of truth is now or never.

“Do you know if Twilight is dating someone? I know you said you didn't know her well but…”

“I see… to tell you the truth, I don't know. Honest. Why you don’t ask her out if you are interested in her? You look like a popular guy, maybe she will agree going out with you.”

“You think so?”

Flash was suddenly filled with hope. Even if he admitted to not knowing her well, the fact that he mentioned he could have a shot made him happy.

“Well…yeah.”

“Thanks, man!”

“Anytime…hey, could I ask you a question?”

“Sure, man, go ahead!”

“Well… I wasn't completely honest about wanting friends…since you opened about your love interest…well, this is embarrassing, talking about this. Normally, the only people I trust telling this kinds things are my friends, and making friends is really hard, you know, especially in Crystal Prep!”

Flash being good at social relationships realized that Nitpick could be wary of new people. Crystal Prep was said to be a place where only the high caste had a place and landing here at CHS where the probability of making friends was high was alien to him. Perhaps opening to him would help him in a way.

“Come on, you can tell me!”

“I liked someone at first sight, maybe it’s foolish of me, but I really liked this girl!”

“Most of the girls here are good people. I don't know if you notice but this school is full of pretty girls, who is the lucky one?”

“You talk like if it’s already granted that I would date her in the near future.”

“You never know if you don't try, you said that yourself earlier.”

“Well, she is here in this classroom.”

Flash thought hard of who could it be. This class of now twenty one students has nine girls: Octavia, Vinyl, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rari-

“Let me guess, it’s that girl with the fashionable purple hair, Rarity.”

“No.”

Plain as water. Normally, people are attracted to the opposite of their personalities. If Nitpick was shady and unconfident, maybe someone as bright and confident like Rarity would be his crush; at least, that’s how Flash always thought. Sunset was different than him in various aspects like goals, activities and so on; the only thing they shared in common was music. If opposite is not the case, maybe similarity is the answer.

“Then the pink haired girl, Fluttershy”

“No”

Plain again…

“Then the black haired girl, Octavia.”

“No, too classy.”

“Normally I get the right answer in this kind of things in the second try… although with Twilight is a special case for me.”

“Sorry if I sound like an unbearable bastard with my short answers.”

“Don’t worry… and I give up, at this pace I will name all the girls in class.”

“Well, she is sitting beside Twilight.”

“WHAT!?”

Flash made a loud noise; everyone turned their attention to them. Nitpick was getting red of embarrassment, Flash needed to do
something quick.

“It's something wrong, Flash?”

“No! No, Professor! It’s just that… Nitpick gave me an awesome idea and it really worked in my application, making chapter-like tutorial for my guitar teaching program”

“Good to know, Kiddo, but try to be more quiet next time.”

“Uh, yep, of course.”

The awkward moment quickly died off and everything got back to normal.

“For a moment I thought you were going to expose me and everybody would laugh at me.”

“Is this how Crystal Prep was back then?”

“You could say so… thanks for not meeting my expectations of how this could have ended-”

And then, a moment of silence. These words weren't from another world, it was the expression that made him feel… sad? He needed to answer his previous question with honesty.

“You know, I know Sunset well…too well in fact.”

“Meaning?”

“Well, She is… she is my ex-girlfriend.”

“Oh….OH! I see.”

“Don’t take it wrong, it was sudden, that’s all! Besides, it’s more than a year since we broke up, but I assure you, she is a nice girl! And before you ask, we had a disagreement of sorts but nothing serious.”

“Tell me the truth, do I have a change?”

“Well…”

“I need to know, so don’t bullshit me…please.”

This one is a though one; give him false hope and pray that a miracle happens or be straightforward and end his crush for his well-being? Normally he would opt for the former, there was always hope to make things work, but this case was different, not because is about Sunset, her former girlfriend… but.

“I am sorry but you don’t have any change, Nitpick. You appear to be very wary of people and I don't think she would like that. I don’t mean to say you are bad, I just met you and I think you are a good guy. There are girls as nice as she in the school, but please forget about her, not as her ex, but I worry about the outcome with her. She is simple too much for you…she was too much for me, too, believe me.”

“Somehow I knew you would say that… she must be an awesome girl if you say it like that.”

“That she is… I am sorry.”

“Don’t be. Thank you for your sincerity, Flash.”

This was the first time Flash Sentry felt those words had that kind of weight. The class was over, and since he didn't have a change to speak with Twilight today, it was time to go home.

Author's Notes:

I hope my characterization of Flash is bearable, maybe likeable enough.

Note: chapter rewrote on 12/08/2016

Note: fanart added on 15/08/2016. This chapter didn't have a drawing and the fanart used here appears on the next chapter with a tiny modification.

Chapter 9.2 - You are being wary, Nitpick!

The most boring class I ever had was over. Never in my life had I felt so tired during classes. If it weren't for my text group consisting of my two friends in school, I would be dead right now. Once I gave my sheet with my forgery of a work to Cranky, I left the room.

“I need to eat some sugar, chocolate will do” I mumbled to myself.

There was a dispenser nearby and sugar would help me in improving my bad mood. Once I found what I was looking for in the halfway, I bought the chocolate and quickly ate it while going to the second floor of the school to my next class: Informatics. Thanks to Lightbulb, I corrected the mistake in my schedule were it said that the class was in the library instead of the computer lab. I knew there was a mistake in there, the library is where desperate people go to do their homework and study in groups in vain. I proceeded to my destination, but a guy was blocking my way.

“Eh, excuse me but you are blocking the way and I need to get inside!”

“Oh! Sorry, man!”

I recognized the student; it was the guy who gave me directions of where was my next classroom a while ago. He gave the aura of someone social and popular. Since there were some students there already and knowing how unpopular the last row is in the computer labs, I sat in the last row in the corner. It was the perfect place. Everyone started to arrive to here. Twilight and Sunset were already here with the other girls. I wonder who will be my next teacher. He finally-

“Oh god, I can't believe it.”

“Good afternoon, students, I am pleased to say we have two new students joining our class. Could both you come here and introduce yourselves?”

It was Gizmo, a friend of Captain Armor and a cool dude. I met him in a expo comics last winter, we tried to fight over the last edition of Musculus the Barbarian, but we ended getting the same comic because there were five copies available, we chat a while and since then, we have been good acquaintances. We are not friends and we know it, but it was good to know that sincerity is the bridge to good relationships… at least that’s what I think of it. I hate the usual introduction ritual, but I will make an exception for him.

“Hi, my name is Twilight Sparkle! It’s good to be your new classmate! I hope we can be friends given the time, and let’s hope you can teach me how to improve my programing skills this time, Professor Gizmo!”

I wasn't surprised Twilight would be talking to him like that, as I said, he was one of the Captain's best friends. Even she must know about her brother's circles.

“You know you can ask me anything, Twilight, Shining Armor would never forgive me if I didn't help you!”

An expected answer from a cool dude.

“Well, Nitpick, it’s your turn, you can do it!”

Shut up, Twilight.

“My name is Nitpick Bittersweet. Like Twilight here, we came from Crystal Prep Academy and I hope we can coexist peacefully.”

Musculus the Barbarian said the last part of the sentence before killing his step-father in the kingdom of eternity. A fitting end for a mad warrior. What this has to do with the introduction, you ask? Absolutely nothing, it was just a cool scene and quote.

“You haven't changed one bit, Nitpick!”

He got the message. Only comic fans would understand this pointless exchange of quoting people.

“Well, you didn’t have change either, ‘Professor’ Gizmo!”

We chuckled for a moment in agreement.

“Indeed. Very good, let’s update you in the mechanic of our class. I will grade you with an ongoing project for all the semester. It can be anything you like as long its purpose it’s meaningful. For example, you can develop an application that facilitates accountability calculation if you have knowledge of the subject, or a book editor to make more appealing digital books with image and word style editor. As you can see, your classmates are working in pairs, and since you are new here, you will temporally work individually with an existent team. They will show you an example of their works to help you inspire your minds in what do you want to do for a project!”

“The work is in pairs… Can I just work alone, Professor? I would be just dead weight for my partner.”

He knows pretty well I can do my work alone. We shared the same ideology of not doing things in teamwork. There are exceptions of course, but I don’t feel working in pairs in this class... as a matter of fact, I hope to not work in teams frequently.

“Well, this task is meant to be in pairs to improve team work, but let’s see. Twilight, ladies should be asked first in the subject. There is a classmate over there, Flash, who is currently working alone and Nitpick here. With whom you want to team up?”

Ah, the guy from earlier, he looks like those cool high school guys from TV and movies. With him as an option, my solitude in class will be fulfilled.

“Are you sure you want to work alone, Nitpick? It could be fun working together again!”

‘What!?´ I thought dumbfounded. Did my words specifying to work alone weren't clear enough for you, Twilight?

“Are you sure you want to work with me, Twilight Sparkle? I wasn't of much help during our physics project last year. As a matter of fact, you practically did everything yourself.”

I indeed helped her, but it was too much effort to keep her pace. It would have been easier back then if the moron of Trenderhoof and the rest helped in doing the job. Worse of all, they took part of the credit, those assholes.

“Nonsense, you were truly helpful in doing the mockup to show the gravitational effects in a theoretical solar system affected by a dying sun and a black hole in it. It was really fun working with you, unlike Trenderhoof and his friends who always were making silly excuses to not assist us in the assignment!”

“But I…”

I want to be alone.

“…Please.”

“But…”

Then, Twilight unknowingly unleashed the ultimate technique in convincing a man to do what a cute girl wants: Puppy moist-eyes and a hopeful expression. This technique has a probability of instant death of ninety-nine percent to the adversary. A fearsome technique.

“Fine!”

Twilight was happy with the outcome… damn her.

“Now that our team problem has been solved, you still need to be with another team for today. You can choose whoever you like, Twilight. Nitpick, since you were chosen for a team, why don’t you work with Flash for today? Flash, help Nitpick get used to our pace, please.”

“Yes, Professor!”

Uh, I think he wanted Twilight and not me as a partner. Your expression told me everything, Flash. I am sorry it was me instead of her, cool guy.

“Hey Nitpick, welcome to CHS! I am Flash Sentry; believe me when I say you will like this place”

Ah, surprisingly friendly all of the sudden. He spoke with a low tone. I will respond in kind.

“Yes, I know, everyone in school has told me the same damn thing since I arrived.” It was the first day and I was growing tired of everyone telling me this was a better school. “Flash, aren't we supposed to work in your project?”

“Right, let’s start!”

Flash uploaded his work from the USB and opened Windowed Visual Projects.

“Well, my project consist of making an interactive tutorial to teac people how to play an electric guitar. I already have the code to make the application work in chapter-like lessons. My goal is to make people confident in their skills, but I am finding difficult to transmit the basics in words or where to begin with.”

Uh, he is the rocker type. Well, let’s see if I can help.

“If I wanted to play a guitar, the first thing I would like to learn is what I have in my disposal.”

“What do you mean?”

“Electric guitars have various components, right? The first thing I would want to learn would be how to tune the guitar, how to put cords, the purpose of the stick below the cords and so on. You can't use an instrument if you don't know how to use all its tools…at least that’s what a beginner like me would like to know if I were interested.”

“You make a good point. And the stick you mention is called a Tremolo Bar, not all electric guitars have one.”

“You can make a small chapter explaining the different types of guitar, and the first few chapters can be about of how you learned to play.”

“Good idea, but the way I learned is somewhat weird. I just played mimicking the sounds until it sounded right. I don’t think that would help anyone.”

“But you know how to read the musical notes, right?”

“That’s right. I learned that later on during middle school.”

“Then you can start with that.”

“Sounds good to me!”

Wow, he is unexpectedly agreeable. Most people would be offended for the fact of just receiving an opinion from an amateur.

“I am sure you will make friends here!”

“Why do you say that?” Really, why? Do I look like a plain and unfriendly guy? “And I already have friends; Lightbulb and Dancer are here in this school so I don’t need anyone else.”

“Well, you seem pretty honest, and I know those two, they are good guys. But you don't consider Twilight your friend?”

“Well, she is a good acquaintance at most but I don’t know her well enough to call her a friend. She is a good girl, though.”

“It seems Twilight and you know the professor.”

“I was surprised to see him here. He is a friend of Twilight's older brother, Captain Shining Armor. The professor and I met during an expo comic during Christmas. We are not friends either but I consider him a cool guy.”

“Do you know if Twilight is dating someone? I know you said you didn't know her well but…”

“I see…” I see your real intention now, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt “To tell you the truth, I don't know. Honest. Why you don’t ask her out if you are interested in her? You look like a popular guy, maybe she will agree going out with you.”

“You think so?”

Flash was suddenly filled with hope. He was a hopeless romantic after all, just like me.

“Well…yeah.”

“Thanks, man!”

“Anytime…hey, could I ask you a question?”

“Sure, man, go ahead!”

Still doubting him, I tried to make another approach. He was brave enough to openly confess he liked Twilight…I don’t know why, I mean, she is gorgeous, but is extremely nerdy, even for me. Anyway, he could help me about getting close to Sunset, he must be the popular type, and he must know something. What I am trying to prove with what I was going to do? See if he isn´t a dick.

“Well… I wasn´t completely honest about wanting friends…since you opened about your love interest…well, this is embarrassing, talking about this.” It really is. ”Normally, the only people I trust telling this kind of things are my friends, and making friends is really hard, you know, especially in Crystal Prep.”

That was a hard truth, I didn’t enjoy much my old school, I had very few friends there, but social life was harsh, it made me the bitter and wary man I am now.

“Come on, you can tell me”

“I liked someone at first sight, maybe it’s foolish of me, but I really liked this girl.”

“Most of the girls here are good people. I don´t know if you noticed but this school is full of pretty girls, who is the lucky one?”

“You talk like if it’s already granted that I would date her in the near future.”

Maybe if it was you it would be true, but in my case, I would end up rejected… fuck.

“You never know if you don't try! You said that yourself earlier.”

“Well, she is here in this classroom.”

“Let me guess, it’s that girl with the fashionable purple hair, Rarity.”

“No.”

Too refined for my liking.

“Then the pink haired girl, Fluttershy”

“No”

Too shy for my liking.

“Then the black haired girl, Octavia”

“No, too classy."

“Normally I get the right answer in this kind of things in the second try… although with Twilight is a special case for me.”

I don’t doubt that, Casanova.

“Sorry if I sound like an unbearable bastard with my short answers.”

“Don’t worry… and I give up, at this pace I will name all the girls in class”

“Well, she is sitting beside Twilight.”

“WHAT!?”

Flash made a loud noise; everyone turned their attention to us. Here it comes, the moment where he mocks me.

“It's something wrong, Flash?”

“No! No, Professor! It’s just that… Nitpick gave me an awesome idea and it really worked in my application, making chapter-like tutorial for my guitar teaching program”

“Good to know, Kiddo, but try to be more quiet next time.”

“Uh, yep, of course.”

The awkward moment quickly died off and everything went back to normal.

“For a moment I thought you were going to expose me and everybody would laugh at me.”

Seriously, I thought that.

“Is this how Crystal Prep was back then?”

“You could say so…thanks for not meeting my expectations of how this could have ended.”

No, really, thank you. And then, a moment of silence.

“You know, I know Sunset well…too well in fact.”

“Meaning?”

“Well, She is… she is my ex-girlfriend.”

“Oh….OH! I see.”

Crap, this is the part where he says he still loves her and he will be my rival.

“Don’t take it wrong, it was sudden, that’s all. Besides, it’s more than a year since we broke up. But I assure you, she is a nice girl, and before you ask, we have a disagreement of sorts but nothing serious.”

“Tell me the truth, do I have a change?”

“Well…”

“I need to know, so don’t bullshit me…please.”

Don’t give me false hope, dude. I will notice right away. You are even sweating.

“I am sorry but you don’t have any change, Nitpick. You appear to be very wary of people and I don´t think she would like that. I don’t mean to say you are bad, I just met you and I think you are a good guy. There are girls as nice as she in the school, but please forget about her, not as her ex, but I worry about the outcome with her. She is simple too much for you…she was too much for me, too, believe me.”

“Somehow I knew you would say that” Really I did, she was something else… “She must be an awesome girl if you say it like that.”

“That she is… I am sorry”

“Don’t be. Thank you for your sincerity, Flash.”

No, really, thank you. It was unexpected. Class was over. It was time to finally going home. My crush for her has been weakened; perhaps tomorrow things will be back as usual with me.

Author's Notes:

This is my first try in doing parallel chapters, I hope it ended well and both chapters were enjoyable enough for you.

Note: rewrote in 12/08/2016

Note 2: Fanart added on 15/09/2016. My first drawing of flash was horrible as well...

Chapter 10 - His party was popped, Obnoxious Pinkie Pie!

I gave a brief farewell to Gizmo before heading out of the lab; I just wanted to go home right now. I checked my new text group message; it seems that Dancer wanted to meet outside of school in an hour, no doubt about discussing the recent incident with her conversation with Lightbulb in our chat group. I think my bedroom can wait a few hours more without its master's presence so I agreed to meet with them.

I needed to kill some time, but where I should go? Maybe I could spend time in the library and make homework, and by saying 'make homework', I mean wasting my time viewing anything but something related to school in a computer. With a plan in mind, I headed to the library.

The place was a mess now unlike a few hours ago; there were students doing their homework and all PC's were occupied. Well, maybe I'll have to do my pending activities after all. I like doing work and projects in my bedroom instead of school. My PC was connected to my TV and it was so comfortable doing research in my bed. Normal people can't write well in the surface of a bed, but I mastered this ancient art for my greater comfort. The results are perfect since I don’t stress myself very often. At least, not when I am on my own. Let's see what I can advance in an hour inside this school.

I sat in one of the few available spots in here and proceeded to start working. The only thing I had to do in Ethics was a quick essay about what I understood in class and how I could apply morality in my daily life. Easy, I started to write my thoughts about it; words came easy as I pressured my pen while forming words in the sheets. My personal appliance to morality in my life would be trying to be myself in everything I do. It wasn't an easy task, but it was an ideal worth making a reality. It didn't took me so long, one page and half in under 6 minutes.

Next was trigonometry. Bridge had the kindness to give us easy problems to solve and he didn't gave us physics homework. These problems were eerie similar to my old teacher's problems back in the academy but with the new teachings of Santa Calculus, it didn’t take me long either. Ten minutes, giving me a grand total of sixteen minutes gone. Champion Sugarcoat would be proud, that bitch. Homework was plotting against me today. Normally when I want to play my games and I had HW to do, time would burn while doing it and only I would have like an hour or two to play… wait a minute! Since I don’t think it will take that long with Dancer and Lightbulb, I can be a parasite and play more than four hours after eating something and take a bath when I get back home.

Perfect.

I decided to get out of there. The library wasn't my kind of place anyway, so I would wait for them in the gardens of the school. As I arrived to the entrance, my sixth sense suddenly-

“YAY! I finally found you!” Someone turned me around with inhuman force. “You have been a veeeeeery elusive guy, but now you aren't going anywhere if I don’t say so!”

It was the Frightening Pink Girl! She came for me to take me to depths of hell! Her piercing, deep blue eyes made contact with mine. I was scared shitless of this girl; something about her gives me a very bad and unexplainable feeling. Her big and perfect smile didn't help in the matter, it was like being in front of a twisted Cheshire Cat.

“Wwhhat-”

“No time to talk! Let’s go!”

The strength of this girl was overwhelming. I was being dragged off like a small child being pulled from the arm from his angered mother. Gathering all the might from my arm, I freed myself from her grip and started running away.

“Where are you going? WAIT!” I tried to not turn back, but I needed to make sure I lost sight of her; I looked over my shoulder while keeping my pace. “COME BACK HERE!” A WILD ANIMAL IN HUMAN FORM WAS CHASING AFTER ME!! “WAIT!”

She was closing the gap at an alarming rate! Forget Dancer! I needed to hide and then run for home! I increased my speed as my heart pumped fresh blood through my system. I gave a quick turn in one corner and headed to the gym hall. I closed the door quickly and without thinking further, I hid myself behind the curtains of the stage.

Silence.

My heart beat was out the charts. I put my hands in my mouth to conceal my breathing. What was she? I didn't hear anyone walking in the main hall of the school. It was unworldly, not even the Pseudo Ninja Club from Crystal Prep was this stealthy and quiet. Was she the real deal?

Or perhaps Death has finally come for me. I always thought she was a dude but... she was pretty hot.

I took a quick and stealthy glance, crawling without leaving the safety of the curtain. Nobody was in the hall. She must have run in the other turn of the hallway. I decided to wait a few minutes to make sure it was a safe moment to make a run for it. I rested my body in the floor while still in crawling position to help keep momentum in case I needed to get up quickly and escape.

“Hehehehe, but I am worrying too much. She will never find me here.”

“WUH! So you wanted to play hide and seek with me! Why didn't you say so, Silly?”

My body froze in an instant. I suddenly felt the close presence of someone right beside me. How did she get here? There was no sound of a door opening, the floor that made a cringe noise with footsteps wasn’t heard either. She was in the floor, resting her chin in both of her hands and half of her body was behind the same curtain that was supposed to hide me. Her round face, makeup less pink lips, straight-edged nose and those happy deep-blue rounded eyes… breathtaking.

“But you know, we are losing time, we must hurry or we are going to be late. Play time is over!”

I give up; I immediately understood that running would be futile against Death. Something tells me that I was just delaying whatever horror she has prepared for me, so I followed her while keeping my distance… Scary this girl was. Thinking on my current dilemma, Flash words resonated in my mind and after seeing this girl's face better. He had a point; this school has indeed pretty girls in it.

And this one... this one I like too.

She slowed her pace and walked beside. “How was school today? Did you make friends today? Do you like this place?” Her speech was fast an almost unrecognizable.

“So-so, no and disliking it.” I answered straight and dry to not provoke something bad.

“Wow! Those are the shortest answers I ever heard in my life, but don’t worry! After you receive my little surprise, you will love this place and have many new people to call friends!”

She winked at me and gave me a warm hug. And why all people labeled me as a loner? Do I look that socially inept to everyone? But now I know why I was startled and afraid of this girl. She was one of those ‘toxic person’ kind. This cultural species of the human race are positive, easy going and social to the point of being sickening and scary. Last time I spoke with one of her kind, I was a made a laughing stock for a month. That’s why I became a normal person.

Normal people hate everyone from the start unless proved otherwise, think that everything is going to be wrong and you were going to end in a third grade job with a mediocre salary. There were always exceptions to the rule in the socializing aspect, Sunset for example. But this girl… she reeked of overly toxic vibes of optimmism that my senses over exaggerated the danger in her.

Now somewhat relaxed by knowing that she was just an annoying but extremely appealing girl instead of the murderous lunatic I was building in my mind since the start of the day, I started to ask her questions, not before thinking to myself that I was acting like a total cowardly moron a few moments ago, not to mention being paranoid with my friends and worrying Twilight for nothing. How embarrassing.

“Where are we going?”

“It. Is. A. Surprise!”

Damn that kind of paused speech.

“Who are you?”

“OH! So silly of me! I forgot my own rules of making friends while chasing you. Well, Let's start from the beginning!” She took a quick, deep breath.

“My name is Pinkie Pie (Hello!) “

Somebody tell me she is not singing right now.

“And I am here to say (How ya doin'?)”

She is singing…

“I'm gonna make you smile and I will brighten up your day”

You are brightening my day, alright. I can already feel the rain in my head.

“It doesn't matter now (What's up?)

If you are sad or blue (Howdy!)

'Cause cheering up my friends is just what Pinkie's here to do”

“Cause I love to make you smile, smile, smile

Yes I do

It fills my heart with sunshine all the while

Yes it does

'Cause all I really need's a smile, smile, smile

From these happy friends of mine “

I just noticed that we have arrived to the band room. Inside there was Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Sunset, Twilight, Rarity, the blonde girl from before and a few extra faces I haven't seen yet. There was a big cake, a wide variety of drinks and cupcakes in the table.

“I like to see you grin (Awesome!)

I love to see you beam (Rock on!)

The corners of your mouth turned up is always Pinkie's dream (High Five!)”

But if you're kind of worried

And your face has made a frown

I'll work real hard and do my best to turn that sad frown upside down”

Cause I love to make you grin, grin, grin

Yes I do

Bust it out from ear to ear let it begin

Just give me a joyful grin, grin, grin

And you fill me with good cheer”

Her song was catchy, even if the lyrics were cheesy and mellow.

“Pinkie Pie, that was amazing!”

“Ow, thanks Fluttershy, but I feel it still is incomplete!”

“Even so, it’s a catchy song, sugarcube! Maybe we can make a cover during band practice next Wednesday!”

“Fabulous idea, Applejack. Perhaps a classical approach would be ideal?”

So the cowgirl's name is Applejack. Thanks, overly fashionable girl. Listening closely, she had a southern accent. Those white freckles were adorable; her golden hair was western styled like her clothes. Father, I may find a girl for me here. Thinking about my taste in girls, I believe I admired feminine beauty far too much for today. Rainbow Dash made her presence known and started talking.

“Forget about the song, let's this welcoming party start!”

Everyone made a cheer of agreement. They started to welcome Twilight and me in unison. Phrases like “Welcome to CHS” and “A party for you!” made echo in this small room. Twilight quickly approached me; her eyes were brimming with never before seen happiness.

“Nitpick! They made a party for us! I really can’t believe it! Besides my family, nobody has ever throw a party for me! In this case, for us! Aren't you happy about this?”

“I can hardly contain my tears.”

I am surrounded by people I barely knew and they started treating me like some kind of celebrity. Twilight was enthusiastic about this. I was perplexed, and I needed to get out of here. Since I don’t need to worry about Pinkie's presence anymore, then I must quickly go to the school gardens and meet with my friends.

“Well, Twilight, enjoy the party. I need to go.”

Pinkie suddenly approached us.

“What? But we just arrived, here, take a cupcake, they are reeeaally good!” She pocked my arm with her shoulder.

“She is right, Nitpick. I had one of those during the Friendship Games and they are delicious.”

The cupcakes indeed looked good, they were carefully handcrafted; colorful sprinkles, fresh cream and the aroma of recent baked bread were quickly intercepted by my nose. I suppose I could stay for a few moments. I took the chocolate like cupcake and too a bite of it.

This sensation…

Godlike flavor and perfect balance between soft but consistent bread. The vanilla core was melting inside my mouth. I stopped thinking about everything but this moment. Savoring every single bit of it was pure bliss. To think that so much taste could be packed in a small cupcake was outrageous, but the hard truth was that I was having a good brief moment with sweets.

“Never before I had tasted such kind of perfection in my life!” I said in praise.

“I made them myself...” Pinkie blushed briefly “I'm glad you like it! There are more in the table, and if you are thirsty, there are a variety of fruit punches, soda and fizzy apple cider too!”

“Fizzy Apple Cider? That thing is the best drink ever! No reunion is complete without those!”

My family loves Apple Cider and wine, especially during Christmas. Not having the once a year, special gold brand cider from Sweet Apple Acres for the end of the year was considered a family failure to us.

“Did someone say Fizzy Apple Cider?”

“Oh He! He, he, he, he!”

Applejack approached us with two bottles of apple cider at hand. She removed the caps with her thumbs and gave me one.

“Here you go, pal. Enjoy!”

Can’t say no to that. The bottle was dead cold; the barely perceivable steam of the beverage was seducing me to drink the bottle's content. I slowly drank the cider, taking my sweet time to enjoy this delicious drink.

“Oh yeah…that hit spot”

Music engulfed the place; it was a mix between techno and high school musicals. Some of the people here started to dance, others were chatting with Twilight and I sat on a chair in the corner of the room… Is that a dog dancing in the crowd? Perhaps I'm just tired and I'm having hallucinations.

I could understand why this would be amazing for her; most, if not all of Crystal Prep Academy's student body treated her like someone unfriendly, unlikable, self-absorbed and boring. I was somewhat happy for her because people were actually engaging real and meaningful conversations with the young scientist, especially those girls.

Those girls… they emanate a mystic aura, like if they were above the ordinary. Especially…

“Enjoying yourself right there?”

You Sunset Shimmer.

“I am not the social type. I rather be here, I have to go soon anyway, I have an appointment to do with some people at school at three o’clock.”

And those people were my friends; I only had 7 minutes to go before arriving late with them. I was curious to ask her what was going on between Dancer and her, but this kind of issue is better left for another occasion when a bridge of trust was made… if there was to be one.

“Why don’t you invite them over here? There is still room for a few more people in here and if they are students of the school, tell them Pinkie is throwing a party. Nobody says no to a Pinkie Party!”

“With how she is, I don’t doubt that!”

“What do you mean?”

Crap.

“I mean, she is pretty energetic and looks like a very sociable person!”

So sociable that it sickens me. She made a small chuckle, succesfully conceiving my discomfort pretty well.

“That’s Pinkie Pie for you. Who are you going to meet with? If you don’t have their numbers, Pinkie can talk to them in your behalf using MyStable. She knows everyone at school.”

Scary.

“I have their numbers. I'll talk to them.”

“Great! I am going with Twilight, and don't be a stranger, chat with anyone, people here are very friendly.”

She soon approached Twilight and the girls. On the other hand, I took out my phone and started messaging the group.

-Nitpick: Guys, a girl named Pinkie Pie suddenly grabbed me to the band room and made a party for me and another new student from my old school. Lightbulb, could you come for me and help me get out here?

A few moments passed and I received an answer.

-Dancer: Pinkie Pie threw you a party? We’ll be right there, Beasty. (Cake) (Red Heart)

-Lightbulb: Be more sociable, bro. She is a rad girl.

Damn it. I quickly texted Lightbulb in a private conversation. If things were bad between Sunset and Dancer, I would like to prevent an all-out war.

-Nitpick: Sunset Shimmer is here.

Even with the loud volume of the music in here, I heard the sound of a notification. It was too late. The doors opened and my friend was there, paler than ever, besides his girlfriend.

“Owww Beasty, I thought you wouldn’t be able to socialize the first year in here but you quickly prove me wrong once again!”

Your sincerity was hurting my self-esteem in this moment.

“Choco, uh… we better get going. Let’s get to another place just the three of us like we planned."

“Why, Bulby? If it´s Pinkie, then there is no problem, that girl is just too much fun to not hang out with”

“I don’t like her, can we go now?”

“You don’t like anything, Beasty”

“That’s just a stereotype you labeled me with. I can like a lot of things given time.”

“Oh Dancer, good to see you. Did Pinkie Pie invite you too?”

“Hi, Lyra! Hi, Bon Bon! No, we just came to pick up this guy. Tell me, isn´t he adorable?”

Could you stop playing with my cheeks in front of girls, please? It´s embarrassing. Look, they are laughing, please stop.

“I think his face is funny right now”

I hate you, bicolor haired girl.

“Why don’t you try the cupcakes, Dancer? They are over there besides Sunset and company”

My cheeks were crushed instantly. I wanted to groan in pain but by seeing the face in front of me override that desire.

“Ah, well, hahaha, maybe another day, we should go, we need to catch on in private. Right, Bulby and Beasty?”

“Excellent idea, darling”

“Ah, bummer, Chocolate Dancer. Are you sure about that?”

“Yes, Lyra. Better get going, see you tomorrow”

After a brief farewell, we got outside the place. Her walking pace was fast and Lightbulb and I tried to keep up. Other footsteps soon were heard behind us.

“Wait”

It was Sunset.

“Why did you-“

“Hi, Sunset Shimmer”

COLD. I felt even colder than before with Pinkie, but where the former was just an exaggerated misunderstanding from my part, Dancer was a genuine threat in this moment. She started walking forward Sunset, her usual happy and social expression turned vile and vicious, her forced smile was creepy. Never in my middle school years would I ever think to see her like this. Lightbulb tried to stop her but to no avail.

“Oh… Hi Chocolate Dancer, how are you doing?”

Dancer closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her expression turning somewhat back normal.

“Fine. We just were looking for our childhood friend here”

“Wow, Nitpick, how wonderful to hear that you have friends here in school.”

Sunset said this genuinely, but there was a bit of concern and self-restriction in her tone… is she scared?

“Yes, he has us, so your plan to make him socialize is grateful, but nevertheless, pointless gesture. We don’t want any kind of misunderstandings or gossips circling around school, right?”

You made a terrifying emphasis in two words just now.

“There won’t be any of those, Pinkie Promise”

This exchange is wearing me out. I better do something.

“We should go. Thanks for organizing all of this for Twilight and me, it was a nice thought”

“Anytime, Nitpick, We will see again tomorrow”

I nod my head and turned around following my pair of friends who were already near the exit. I took a quick glance over Sunset and what I saw made me feel really bad and worried for her; she was rubbing her right arm and looking to the floor.

What soon followed was an awkward moment of silence. Lightbulb and I interchanged eye signs we developed during our years together as friends. Understanding his intention to part ways with them, I made an excuse and got straight home. Not to put them in a balance but my friendship with him has always been stronger than the one with Dancer, so of course I would understand his decision immediately. I was glad that our friendship wasn’t weakened by time and distance.

I arrived home safely. I took a long shower, made myself a heavy supper… the irony, I know, ate it, washed the dishes and finally I was in my bedroom. I turned on my PC and tried to play something. No inspiration to play came to me. It was just 6:37 pm and I still have so much time left before sleep time.

My phone rang, I received a private message.

-Dancer: I am sorry for ruining your welcoming party. My grip with Sunset was not excuse for what I did back there. Let’s hang out the three of us soon like old times.

Oh, Dancer, I am glad that you are still self-conscious when you screw up.

-Dancer: And by the way, Pinkie is a good girl, so don’t label her as someone annoying. If someone is obnoxious between the two, no contest, it is you. Have a good evening, (kisses)

Give me back my praise, bitch.

Reflecting on the events transpired in Canterlot High School, Pinkie Pie stalking, Twilight gluing with me at every turn, Santa Calculus happy attitude, Cranky´s boring class, Flash sudden feelings for Sparkle, and Sunset and Dancer quarrel, there was only one word that could describe my first day.

Tiring.

Author's Notes:

I wanted to properly introduce Pinkie Pie using one of her songs. For me, Pinkie has been a wild card in terms of liking a character. In season one she was balanced between funny and over reacting. But in recent seasons she was downgraded to an obnoxious and reference buffon in most episodes. Dont get me wrong, I like her, but I want a more complex Pinkie. I will do my best to write something worthy of her, and all the characters of the show, during this story of mine.

Note: chapter rewrote on 13/08/2016

Note 2: New fanart added on 15/09/2016. Pinkie Pie looked... weird. The new one... I need to work on anathomy lessons. Will redraw her again someday.

Chapter 11 - A Generous Spirit, Fabulous Rarity!

My second day at school was at hand and Inorganic Chemistry was the first class of the day. I tried really hard to not yawn in the classroom but it was simple impossible. One reason was that yesterday at night one of my best friends at the academy called me up to play Demon's Dogma in a new game plus. It seems that the expansion pack was to be released in a few months so in preparation for it we spent time until three with forty in the morning. Questing and grinding, it was fun, especially after my weird day yesterday, it was so good to hear from her after a month without speaking to each other because she was grounded by her granddad for something stupid she did.

The other reason for my tired state was because the teacher was insufferable and tedious. I didn't even bother to listen to his name. If I wanted to read information of the subject, I rather read it myself from a book instead of the incredible difficult to read presentations. Seriously, where was quality control with some of the teachers here? I could barely read what I was supposed to be reading when the size letter was so small because of all the information in it. Being tired didn’t help either; my sight could barely perceive reality.

Teams for lab class during Thursdays were already made the first day, so Twilight and I had to join a team. I would like to say that after being chosen yesterday by her and try to keep her pace in god-knows what kind of project I will have to do with her now, fate would allow me to be in a different team. Maybe teaming up with the guy called Micro Chips would be the best. He seemed to be of the quiet type. But nooooo! How I could I possible think of such alternative? I can almost hear Lady Luck say, 'Too bad, you draw the middle-finger luck card again'. Not only I was with the Scientist one again, but also my teammates consisted of Pinkie Pie and Rarity. I don't think Rarity was the scholar type and Pinkie… no comments.

Sunset was with the Cowgirl, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Things were somewhat awkward with Shimmer this morning. She looked down, no doubt because what happened yesterday. Whether I talk to her or no would make no difference and if I tried to make contact with her and she responded in kind, I could increase my crush level again and act like a hopeless fool anytime soon. With what Flash told me yesterday, the obvious course of action is to leave things as they are now. Eventually, her friends will cheer her up and all will be back to normal real soon.

“Nitpick.”

“Uh.”

It’s you Twilight.

“Are you okay? You are spacing out and your eyes looked like they were drifting to the void.”

Leave me be. And is your face too close to me or I am imagining things?

“I didn't have a good night sleep. That’s all.”

“Do you want some water? Your fatigue can be a sign of dehydration. I always bring an extra bottle just in case I feel thirsty.”

“I rather have apple juice but no thanks, Twilight. I am fine, seriously.”

She made a concerned look.

“If you say so, then not need to worry about. Anyway, let’s go, class is over and today is Taco Tuesday. I want to try one of the vegetarian combos they offer.”

Oh, class was over? Maybe she was right and I was indeed drifting to the void. Would I have died if Twilight hadn't brought me back to the living?

“Hey, Nitpick?”

“Yes, Twilight?”

“How do I look?”

“The same as usual, cute.”

I didn’t really pay her attention; I just stood up and went straight to the cafeteria.

I managed to arrive to school safely so the cafeteria was far easier task. This place was even more crowded than yesterday. There weren’t empty seats this time at sight. If I hadn’t made a detour to the bathroom maybe I would have somewhere to seat while eating my breakfast.

“Bro! Over here!”

The voice was from Lightbulb, he was near the beginning of the line. I approached him trying to not make myself look like I was going to get in the line.

“Just give me the money and I’ll buy you what you want.”

“What do you recommend?”

“Cheese and bacon pack, eight bucks the order of four, eleven with fifty if you want the apple juice. Twelve with a big cookie included.”

“Here are the twelve bucks.”

“Ok, wait a moment.”

He bought three packs, no doubt the third one was for Dancer.

“Bro, you’ll have to search for another place to eat. I would go with you but Dancer and I are going to discuss homework of the last class with our teammates.”

“Ah yes, you have chemistry in the lab today. Mine was in the classroom and it was tedious. Mmm, anyplace where I can eat peacefully around here?"

“The front gardens are a great place or you can try the backyard of the school. Nobody goes there frequently.”

“Sounds good, I'll see you another time.”

“Nitpick?”

Lightbulb just called me by my name, it means business.

“I am sorry for what happened yesterday, and please don’t be mad with Dancer, it just a lot of things happened.”

“Maybe we can catch up just the two of us, you know, play Titanium Slug in the arcades and stuff.”

“I would really like that.”

We made a bro-fist, said our farewells and I walked to my next destination: The backyard. This short reunion gave me a bit of improved mood and my eyesight got better with time. Once arriving there, I could see why nobody would come here often. There were practically no places to sit properly in groups of three or more because the bushes were abundant. The fear of getting ants inside of your cloths would drive anyone away from here. But there was always a spot where it was plain to eat comfortably, and here it was. In the corner of the wall, how typical.

The leaves of summer are finally drying, giving place to the reddish brown of autumn to flourish. The wind was nice today; the leaves were softly soaring near the floor of Mother Earth. Once I finish my food and put the trash in the trash bin, I would take a small nap to recover from my stay-up late. I have more than half an hour after all. Since today I didn’t bring my favorite tactical shirt and instead brought a common one, I decided to use it as mat. Folding it to perfection to sit in it, I proceeded to put it in the floor.

What the-?

“What do you think you are doing to that innocent garment!?”

It was Rarity. She was holding my hand which had my folded shirt. And what the hell do you mean by innocent garment?

“I am glad I found you in time, if not for me, you would have committed a terrible crime against fashion! That golden brown, short sleeved tactical shirt is just simple divine for this season!”

She was nodding triumphantly with her eyes closed. Are you a Fashion Cop or something?

“May I know why are you trying to stop me in sitting on my own shirt?”

“Why? WHY? Darling, look at the floor!”

There were just leaves, small rock pebbles and some small branches in there. No ants or other strange animals.

“What is it with the floor?”

“It’s dirty; you are going to ruin your shirt!”

Are you fucking kidding me? Even if it was true, I would just wash it at home and be done with the problem.

“I don’t know, I needed to sit comfortably on the floor and once I finish my food, use it as a pillow for a small nap.”

“Gah… I mean, nonsense, there is a better option!”

“Which is?”

“Well, we were looking for you for a matter of homework! It was difficult to find you because we don’t have your phone number and since you are eating alone, then it would be better for you to come and eat breakfast with me. Pinkie and Twilight are joining us as well since we are teammates. We must discuss our distribution of lab materials for next class!”

“Lab materials?”

“Yes. Don’t you remember hearing about it?”

“Eh, no.”

“More the reason to come with me! Besides, people don’t come here often! Why would you want to be somewhere far away from society and miss the wonderful opportunity to meet new and exciting people today?”

Take a guess, Rarity.

“Why didn’t you tell me before going for lunch?”

“Because we wanted to buy our food first before the rest of the school made traffic jam because of Taco Tuesday, so are you coming?”

She made a persuasive gesture and knowing I wouldn’t escape, I sighed in resignation, and agreed to join her. I wore my shirt again and followed Rarity while she texted Pinkie and Twilight. I just wanted to eat and sleep for a while, is that too much to ask? Have a moment of peace alone? Maybe it’s for the best, today classes finish earlier so the less workload I have for home, the more time I could sleep in bed.

We were in the front gardens near the monument of the school. It was definitely cleaner than the backyard and the number of students weren’t a lot as I imagined at first. I made myself comfortable and laid back my back in the wall, it feels cozy but unnatural. I could fell asleep any moment but I needed to eat, so I began to dig my food... or so I would if a face of disapproval weren’t watching at me.

“What?”

“It is of bad education to start eating by yourself while the people with you are still waiting for their food in a restaurant.”

She crossed her arms while looking with indignation at me. Again, are you fucking kidding me?

“This is not a restaurant.”

“But the etiquette applies everywhere, darling. This is one of the actions that differences the brutes from the sophisticated beings of society!”

You are as painful as most of the extravagant teens of the academy.

“I am hungry and I want to have my nap.”

“Just wait a few minutes more. Pinkie and Twilight made a detour because they were searching for you, remember?”

“We could have decided this after school is over, you know?”

“Nonsense, and besides, I am going to be busy after school! Not to mention that today I have P.E. as well. I think your school day will finish at one. Also it would be unfair to tell you tomorrow what you need to bring next class without your opinion.”

“I am fine with whatever you decide.”

“Absolutely not. Where is your sense of democracy?”

I am really starting to dislike you so much. But at least Pinkie and Twilight are-

“Oh my…!”

"TADA! HOW DOES SHE LOOK!?"

Twilight was wearing a completely different outfit instead of the usual attire of the academy. She was wearing a teeny like light blue, long sleeved shirt with a black turtle neck vest with her favorite logo in the right side of the chest. Sporting a medium sized dark purple skirt with a big star and lots of tiny ones around it, with what I believe are black long pants that reached below the knee and a pair of small dark purple boots with pink socks. I am not good with description of cloths and color but she looked really cute.

With her messy front hair left untouched with a simple ribbon in her long hair instead of her onion like style would have been a perfect five star rating for me if it weren’t for that she was wearing her old, typical thick, study glasses. Why are you wearing that abomination instead of some sleeker glasses that matched with your new outfit? That totally destroys the purpose of change of look, young Scientist. Nevertheless…

“You look fabulous, Twilight!”

“Of course she looks fabulous! She looks good in almost anything, not to mention I made the outfit myself!”

I withdraw my four and half star rating. The new outfit looks atrocious, Twilight. Go home and change to the old one, now.

“Are you sure, Nitpick? I feel weird wearing these kinds of cloths because they are so… flashy.”

“Nonsense, even our friend here made you a compliment, Twilight. You look gorgeous my dear, embrace it!”

"Speaking of the outfit, how much will it be, Rarity?"

"Nothing, dear. Consider it my welcoming gift!"

"How could I possible take this for free? At least let me give you more than half of the cost?"

"I said no, Twilight. I wont accept any excuses"

"Thanks, Rarity"

Oh, I see where is this going on. She must have some kind of business and she will use Twilight´s innocence to emotional blackmail her. A common tactic for bussinesman. Don´t worry, Twilight. I´ll have a chat with you in private about the dangers of society later. For now...

“I want to eat and take my nap, Rarity” Cut to the chase, already.

“Oh right, here is your Veggie combo, Rarity”

“Thank you, Pinkie Pie. Darling, could you be a dear and help me prepare the mat?”

Where the hell did you get that mat? In no moment you have one with you. Are you a conjurer?

The mat was ready, Pinkie made a gesture to join them in it but I refused, I was already comfy in my current position so I started eating once they took the first bit, I didn’t want to start an argument with Rarity over something trivial as ´society education´. But something did catch my attention.

“Uh, I believe dogs aren´t allowed in school”

Twilight took out a dog from her bagpack and it started to run in circles, probably to relax itself for being packed in bag for more than two hours.

“I know but I couldn´t leave it alone at home. Please, promise me that you won’t tell anyone, I don´t want the school to confiscate him”

“Alright, I promise”

It´s not my problem anyway.

“You Pinkie Promise?”

How the hell did you arrive in front me so fast, Pinkie?

“What the hell is a pinkie promise?”

“Language, darling”

I wasn´t talking to you, Miss Socialite.

“It’s this” She took a small and fast breath. Please don’t sing. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

She stuck a cupcake in her face.

“Was the literal cupcake in your eye really necessary?”

“Duh, why would I include a cupcake in the swear if you don’t really meaning it”

“I won’t fight with that logic”

“Great. I knew you were a smart guy. So you Pinkie Promise?”

I feel really offended to be praised by you, but I see it’s important to Twilight´s moral, so ok. I sighed, thinking that I was going to do a stupid thing and recited the chant.

“Cross my heart” I crossed my arms like she did “hope to fly” I tried to fly with my hands like she did “stick a cupcake in my eye” She stuck a fucking cupcake in my face, damn you Pinkie Pie. At least she was nice enough to clean this mess. What a waste of cupcakes, though.

“But you must know one thing about a Pinkie Promise, breaking your oath means betraying your friend. Losing a friend's trust is the fastest way to lose a friend, FOREVER!”

Why suddenly a dramatic thunder materialized just when she ended her speech. She got back to her spot in the mat, not before hissing ‘forever’ one last time. The other girls were watching like if nothing had happened. They were used to it or I was going crazy.

“Thank you, Nitpick. This is my dog, Spike. Say hello to him”

It was the dog from yesterday at the band room. Spike, huh? You are raising your paw like you were trying to wave a hand.

“You really are a smart little fellow, aren’t you?”

Spike mady a happy gesture with his tail. Dogs are smater than some people believe, I think he likes what I said.

“I believe he is adorable”

I won’t complain with you this time, Rarity. I better finish eating my tacos before they get cold.

It didn’t took me so long to eat my food because the size of the tacos were somewhat small for me, besides, this weren´t real tacos, this are chingaderas, for starters real tacos are made from a softer tortilla. They tasted good but I feel cheated, I demand a partial refund for this misguided adverstiment. Anyway, I put the rest of my trash inside a bag and lucky for me there was a trash bin nearby. I made a pose resembling a basketball shot to the net; I throw it, its flying aaaaaand it didn’t get in.

Damn it. I stood up and threw my garbage properly this time to the bin.

"Bravo, Nitpick”

What do you want now, Rarity? And why are you clapping?

“What?”

“Grumpy, aren´t we? I was praising you for taking responsibility in your recent act”

“Putting the trash in its place is what anybody would do”

“You would be surprised. There are people that don’t even bother to search for a bin. They just throw it away like if the floor is cleaned on its own. It’s simply unacceptable.”

“Well, anyway, let’s talk about our material distribution”

“Indeed. I reviewed the list for class and there are definitely a lot of unnecessary materials in it. We are going to neutralize acid in a solution, not transform it in a raw concentration of chlorine cleaning sanitizer.”

“Uh, say what”?

“Beg your pardon, darling?

“She means we are going to make an acid less substance instead of bleach in the lab practice.”

“Oh, I see”

I took a quick glimpse of the practice instructions and the materials.

“I think we have done this before, Twilight”

“Indeed, during first semester, it was so easy to do. I don’t know why it took all of you two full sessions to make the neutralization of a simple acid, the procedures were crystal clear.”

“Forgive us for being brutish apes compared to you, Twilight Sparkle.”

“I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to imply, what I meant to say-”

“Relax, Twilight. You always work hard in your studies so nobody has the right to complain for your intellectuality. Most of the common student will bitch about not getting good grades when they not study hard enough, you don’t need to apologize for your genius status”

Twilight made a sad face, her eyes almost teary, why? I praised her, right?

“But I didn’t have friends for being genius. Everybody talked at my back, always saying that I was unlikable and unfriendly, because I was a
perfectionist, because I was always asking questions, because-“

“They were jealous of you, Twilight”

“Rarity?”

“Darling, all those people badmouthed you because deep inside they knew that it was impossible to beat you in everything that you aspired to do, that’s why they mocked you, insulted you and stepped in your persona to feel high and mighty instead of improving themselves. You don’t own them anything, as a matter of fact, you must feel proud to be an excellent student, that was school was almost full of horrible people that didn´t appreciate your worth, but now-”
Rarity tenderly took Twilights hands, her face not of the perfectionist diva like moments ago but more like a sister-like figure comforting her little sister during a time of need.
“-you have us, Twilight Sparkle. You are no stranger to us, nor a replacement and the most important thing of all...”
Rarity put her right hand in Twilight´s cheek, removing a silent tear from her face.
“Is that we are your friends no matter what, so, don’t cry.”

“AWWW!!! I'm so glad we're friends! I love you, guys!”

“That tickles, Pinkie, hahahaha”

“Hahaha, NO, Pinkamena Diane Pie, hahahaha, stop, hahaha”

So Pinkamena Diane Pie is her full name. If it were someone else, I would say that she ruined a touching moment, but it felt just right. They shared a group hug after Pinkamena stopped making a friendly tickle torture with some feathers. Aren’t you glad, Twilight? There was a time when Dancer and Lightbulb were like this… a long time ago.

My father always said that I was quick to judge. Maybe He was right. I am sorry for thinking you were a blackmailer, Rarity. A heartless person would never be able to do what you did. Everybody can give you a material gift, but the gift straight from the heart? That it´s pretty uncommon these days. At least that´s what I think. You are a nice person afterall Rarity.

"Nitpick, darling! What were you thinking this morning? Your shoes and belt don´t match in color with your garment, and are those a pair of navy blue socks? Ugh, the tragedy! You too need a total transformation and I would be glad to help you as soon as possible"

I withdraw my praise, I hate you.

We discussed who was going to bring what from our material list. Everyone agreed with their responsibility and the girls started to fold the mat. The bell rang, next class was about to begin. As I walked inside the school, I looked back to where I was resting and sighed with defeat because I didn’t do what I originally planned for break.

"I didn’t take my nap."

Author's Notes:

Note: chapter rewrote on 13/08/2016

Note 2: Fanart added on 15/09/2016. The old fanart focused on Twilight, and it wasn't really the point in this particular chapter. I believe I fixed it with the new one.

Chapter 12 - Friendly bickering! And you are annoying her, Flash.

The flow of time was so tender with us that school was over without any problems. Before I went my way home, Twilight asked my number so we could stay in contact in case we needed to meet up for some group homework. She was happy while adding a new entry to her list of contacts while I was annoyed, trying to conceal my uneasiness behind a small smile. I always gave my number to my closest of friends, which were only six in that moment. But now there was an anomaly in my contact list of family and friends. An acquaintance was in there now.

Simply unacceptable.

“We can be in contact from now on, Nitpick. Well see each other tomorrow, bye!”

She was enthusiastic and cheerful as she left the scene, but I just turned around and walked straight home. I didn’t want to cook today so I just bought an extra sized baguette and some juice on the way home. Once there, I ate my meal, took a shower and slept.

...

I was suddenly awoken by a noise; a custom encore tune from my phone was loudly filling the once silent room. It was them. I grabbed my phone and looked upon the hour; it was eight with twenty-three minutes in the night. I slept around six hours then. I joined my old chat group of five people that includeded me, which was inactive for some time now.

?????: I finally have my phone back. Grandpops gave me freedom once again, so its gym time for me, baby ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ

????: What you did was seriously wrong. Your Grandfather did the right thing at grounding you at home. If I was there in that moment, I definitely would have stopped you.

?????: Hey, it wasn't my fault! She asked for it! And besides, you must be supporting me, not antagonizing me (¬_¬)

?????????: This time I agree with her, she was being a royal pain during summer classes and she had it coming. Besides, it was hilarious ≧◡≦

????: Dean Cadence told me what happened during a phone conversation. Three broken ribs is not something to be proud of. Poor Lighting Dust must have felt so much pain.

?????????: Pain in our brains is what we feel every single time she starts to open her mouth. She should consider throwing herself from the bridge and free us of her stupidity.

????: You are being cruel and unfair.

?????????: I am being honest.

?????: She is right.

Nitpick: No complaints with that logic, it was a great, last blast from summer school for me.

????: My beloved friend! {(>_<)}

Nitpick: What? We hate her!

?????????: Agreed.

?????: Same here.

?????????: She is so uncivilized.

????: You are not helping

?????: Forget about her! I wanna know how is your new school treating you, my friend.

????: Beg you pardon?

?????????: Bittersweet had a problem with Cinch and the outcome was a transfer to that school of losers CHS.

????: I didn’t know that.

Nitpick: Not your fault, you are so busy with those peace conferences around the world and stuff. The perks of being rich, huh?

????: You can rely on me with anything, you know?

Nitpick: And wasting your time with trivial things? Never.

????: (∩︵∩)

Nitpick: I will treat you something when you arrive and tell you what happened in detail, I promise.

????: (｡◕‿◕｡)

?????????: Just don’t take her to a lowly commoner pub, please.

?????????: For you, everything in the city is made for commoners, your royal bastard.

?????????: HMPH! It's the harsh reality for most places in the world.

Nitpick: Well, answering the question, all students are friend-ho bastards! Every single one of them is trying to get close to me like if I was screaming ‘I am lonely, be friendly with me’ all the time.

????: That sounds nice. Do you feel the hipocresy dwelling within them?

Nitpick: Yes. It is unbereable.

?????: Sounds like a pain.

?????????: And there are weird students with wings in that place.

Nitpick: Wings?

?????????: Some weird things happened during the games. I will talk about it with all of you next time we hang out.

Nitpick: Speaking of the games, Twilight is in CHS with me. She is awfully different from her usual self during the academy. She seems more friendly and fuzzy! She even managed to get my phone number from me.

?????: No fucking way!

?????????: Stay away from Twilight Sparkle, Bittersweet! Mentally speaken, she's a very unstable individual.

Nitpick: Point taken.

????: Nonsense, be friendly with her. She must feel very lonely. If she needs help, give her a hand like if you were treating any of us.

Nitpick: NO!

?????: You ask the impossible.

?????????: Have you lost your mind?

?????????: Miss Sparkle is better to be left alone if our friends say so.

????: Do not be so negative! She seemed like a nice girl to me! Afraid of being herself because the ruthless environment of the academy. If I were in the same classes with her back then, I could have befriended her, saved her, but I did not tried hard enough. I won’t make excuses. But now in this new school, you can make her shine like the star she was meant to be! Succeed where I failed.

Nitpick: Usually I agree with you in everything crazy but this time I won’t change my answer. The idea is too bothersome. I have her number so I can give it to you so you can help her yourself, you are the more the people person in the group. Besides, it seems she made friends already so the task you ask of me is pointless.

????: Even so, be friendly to her, please do it for me.

Nitpick: Okay, fine. Damn it, even in chat I can feel your unmatchable charisma.

?????????: Oh, thank you, I have this effect in people.

Nitpick: I wasn’t praising you, asshole ☉▵☉凸

?????: （︶︿︶）╭∩╮

?????????: (╹◡╹)凸

?????????: How rude and uncivilized of you.

????: I agree, apologize to him now. He may be an imbecile but he does not deserve this!

?????????: HEY!

We continued our friendly bickering for a while. I could express myself unrestricted with them just as much they can express themselves with me. It's a camaraderie that nobody asked for to be made, but causality made it possible. They were anomalies, nobody builds a relationship this fast but they are so... fun.

I was having so much enjoyment and the idea of hanging out with them soon was making me wish that time flows faster. I mentioned that I met my old friends from middle school. They wanted to meet them and I think they will enjoy their personalities. I managed to finish homework even with this lively chat group distracting me and soon the hour of sleep arrived, marking the the time to say goodbye to this day.

Next morning, classes were going quickly, except for the first class of Ethics. Rainbow Dash gave a painful presentation of the meaning of ethics and morals. This was her punishment for sleeping during last class after all. But I felt that the real punishment was hearing her speech butchering my ears with such horrible choice of words.

Mrs. Harshwhinny was not amused with the results, and no one could blame her. Dash was being somewhat a jerk explaining her work, but nevertheless the point was made and our teacher gave her a passing mark. Rainbow was happy with the result. I noticed that Twilight was looking around too much, though. I wonder what is in your brilliant mind in this moment right now.

Once in break time, I managed to get a seat in the cafeteria. It seems that Fruits and Salads Wednesday wasn't that popular. At least there was an abundance of bread and honey to disguise the nonexistent flavor from my combo of today.

I spent a nice time with Lightbulb and Dancer during that time; she seems to be back to her usual goody moody self now and that was a relief for us. The rest of the day transcurred quicker as well and it was time for the Informatics class. The dreaded hour was at hand, I was going to team up with Twilight Sparkle for a long term project for the second time in my life. What kind of horror I was going to be put this time?

Last time in Physics during our time in the academy, her mockup needed to pass an standardization made by her. The planets needed to be made with pinpoint accuracy in the measures she demanded. The distances between them was the most outrageous part. The moons for each planet were handcrafted at least five times until they were good for her. The luminaries that represented the stars and the asteroids were incredible difficult to position the way she wanted it. And I haven’t even touched the part of making the synopsis of why we chose this as a project or the calculations of what she wanted to prove in theory.

What kind of horrible and laborious goal she had prepared in mind this time? I thought about making a simple application to teach basic math and numbers to kids, easy. Let’s see what the Truth of the universe has bestowed upon me. As I arrived to the lab after making a small detour to my - soon to be favorite - dispenser, I noticed an anomaly in my seat.

“You are in my seat, Twilight.”

“Oh, I am so sorry. Would you kindly make this my seat from now on, please? This is the perfect place for Spike to be out of my pack during classes!”

The little dog's head was outside the bag, clearly enjoying freedom from his imprisonment. This face of her, combined with the favor my friend asked of me yesterday… Damn, no escape.

“Fine, all for Spikes sake.”

Spike saw me with approval, what a charismatic little fellow. Professor Gizmo arrived and greeted us, we responded in kind. He taught us new programing instructions to work with and it was time to start our project.

“Twilight, I was thinking in making an application to teach basic math and vocabulary to kids, what do you have in mind?”

“I was thinking in making a classification system of our library, the one they have here is completely obsolete and needs updating in their entries with the books they have available! It’s a complete mess the way it is now!”

That doesn’t sound too hard. As a matter of fact, it was better than my idea. Making a structured program for kids could be easy to translate to exercises. The problem was to accurately transfer the knowledge to the kids in a way they understand so the obvious course of actions was mini games and such. But the classification processes of her idea only consisted of arranging names, genres, subjects, authors and such to a database. And given the status of the library, there weren’t as much books as the academy here so in the long run it’s less work for me.

Perfect, Twilight.

“Proper education for our peers is important as well, so a system for the library looks to be the best course of action! What good are the contents of quality in a library if you can’t find what you need with ease? Let’s do your idea then, Twilight!”

I sounded so professional. Praise me.

“That’s exactly what I was thinking. I knew you would understand where I stand with my idea. With our efforts combined, we can make the ultimate research system for all school to enjoy!” I don’t like where this is going, the fact that she was trembling with excitement made me feel I made a terrible mistake. “Why be in the comfort zone of just arranging names, genres, subjects, authors and such to a boring database when we can make reference searches, book edition differences, and most importantly, the ability to make a proper system to track down the books that were taken to a student's home! In this way we can make a scheduled ‘Take-Bring' system so all books are returned at the proper time, and if the student doesn't bring the books at the appointed day; BANISHMENT!”

I must stop this madness.

“Twilight-“

My phone rang a short opera tune. It was her.

“Excuse me for a moment, an important text arrived”

I checked the contents of the message.

????: Remember to always nurture the trust, hopes and dreams of the people who shares them with you. And a reminder for you to help Miss Twilight in whatever she needs. (~￣▽￣)~ I hope we can be in contact soon, take care.

…shit.

“Let’s start with the foundation of our ‘Il Rinascimento Bibliotecario' project, then.”

“YAY!”

I curse your childlike attitude.

We started to advance what we could in our remaining time, the limited hours that this class has in the week made me realize that this project is to be made even after school, ugh. This is going to be a long semester.

“Urgh!”

“What happened, Twilight?”

“Nothing.”

“You are making a face that tells me that something is making you mad. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“It’s the guy over there.” She made a gesture of lowering my head while whispering to me and pointing out the source of her problems.

“What, Flash Sentry?” I whispered as well. “Whats wrong with the guy?”

“Well, today before classes started, he approached me while I was rearranging my locker and started to ask me tips to improve his algorithms in the music application he is making for a project. I didn’t see any harm in it so we started talking for a bit and we exchanged numbers in the end. He sent me messages about our subjects during classes and I texted him back to give him more tips, everything was going fine until… uh...”

That explains why you were acting a bit weird and stealthy in classes.

“Let me guess, he started making you stupid questions out of context during classes while you were checking your phone constantly to see if it was something important only to find out it was a trivial thing and you are starting to feel he is a bit annoying, I am right?”

“A bit annoying? He is INSUFFERABLE!”

Wow… that was unexpected, even in whisper that sounded pretty extreme. She took a short, deep breath and made a gesture with her arm that tells the viewer that she was letting go whatever worrisome thing she was thinking right now.

“Feeling better?”

“Yes, Dean Cadence's relaxing techniques always helps me to keep myself cool in mind.”

Ah, Dean Cadence. The only educator besides the Captain that wasn't an asshole. She and the Captain were a beacon of hope to problematic or apathetic students like me. I hope she is doing fine, especially after the academy tied with CHS during the games. Principal Cinch had a volatile character, especially with me, always asking me to do impossible things, what was her problem?

“What exactly did he tell you in those messages that made you angry, if I am allowed to know, Twilight?”

I am going to find out what exactly bothered her, maybe help Flash in the process to getting close to her, or at least sparing him from a full force rejection. I feel empathy for the guy, if I was in his shoes, most probably I would be making the same fool thing with Sunset right now.

“Here, take a look.”

“Thank you for the vote of confidence, but next time do this kind of stuff with someone you trust. I hope it never happens to you but you could end sharing an important subject or gossip to the wrong person and he or she could make a ruckus, so be more careful with this kind of actions.”

I felt like a total hypocrite after finishing what I said. I was going to see what Flash wrote to her and maybe help him and that totally destroys the purpose of my lecture.

“Oh, I know, but you are no stranger to me. And besides, I feel I can trust you. I dont think you are a bad person. But I admit you are a bit colorful with your language. Maybe you should try to not express yourself like you did with Rarity and Pinkie Pie yesterday.”

Your sincerity and misguided trust made me feel cozy and warm inside. Let’s see what he wrote you, for your sake only. I need to repay you for my transgression of trust in the best way I can.

-Flash Sentry: Hi! The teacher brought an interesting topic about morality issues in youth in this moment, what do you think about it?”

-Twilight: I think that kids today are starting to be disrespectful with the elderly, they should be taught properly-

I won’t read the whole speech, so I’ll skip to the next entries.

-Flash Sentry: Trigonometry is so hard, I wish I had Mr. Bridge as my teacher (;_;)

-Twilight: What don’t you understand of the class? Maybe I can help.

-Flash Sentry: when to use the Cos, Tan, Sen properly.

Twilight sent him a picture with an example of what he asked.

-Twilight: If you look closely at-

Next entries.

-Flash Sentry: Do you want to eat lunch together? I can treat you something from the cafeteria.

-Twilight: How kind of you but I'm going to eat with my friends.

-Flash Sentry: Okay, enjoy your breakfast. (°3°)

Okay…

-Flash Sentry: Say, do you have free time in the afternoon? We can go to the cinema and see the new Rising Moon movie.

-Twilight: Sorry, but I can't, I need to study for some mock test this week and I am going to help some friends in a chore.

-Flash Sentry: Maybe I can go and help you out.

-Twilight: Thanks but no, girls only.

Good answer, Twilight. Short and cutting.

-Flash Sentry: So what do you like to watch on TV?

-Twilight: International Atlas and educative shows.

-Flash Sentry: Sounds cool! I like to watch sitcoms. There is a new reboot of an old comedy show called Candle the Ugly which consist of-

Stop, this is painful! I thank the Truth that rules the existence for distancing me from Sunset. This could be me in this moment. No, wait, he is actually lamer than me.

“I feel real sorry for you in this moment...” I said, hissing with pity to my partner.

“What do you think I should do?” Twilight asked seriously.

Block his number and send him to oblivion is something I would do. But I don’t want to damage her new reputation. I needed to think real hard about my response…what should you do?

“For now, tell him that you need to concentrate and you are really busy to talk right now, and it would be better to talk another day. You can buy some time, relax and talk with the girls about this. Not trying to sound sexist but we men are really insensitive sometimes, so they can give you a better answer than me in this kind of subjects!”

“You are right. I am no good with talking to new people yet, so I better ask more experienced members of society about it. Maybe Sunset Shimmer can give me tips in how to deal with this!”

Yeah, Twilight, because asking the ex-girlfriend of your current admirer is the solution. Duh, how I didn’t think about it?

“Thanks, Nitpick, I'll try your plan right away!”

Few minutes passed and the bell rang. Classes for today were over at last, as I got out of the classroom, I saw a solitary figure emanating depression. Flash, you are the cool guy type so, how can you look so lame in this moment? Whatever it is, my little partner has something to do with it. What kind of response she made to him it’s something that probably I shouldn’t know.

Author's Notes:

Note: This chapter originally didn't have a fanart! Added on 27/09/2016

Chapter 13 - A girl´s conversation.

Another day of education came to an end and I was still in awe with the mixed feeling that I was experiencing in the past few days. Never before I had enjoyed coming to a school like this and that made me feel sad and happy. I felt sadness for the reason that I never appreciated as much the company of people around me in classes before; their random reactions, their thirst for knowledge and even their lack of interest of it was fascinating, fresh and new to me! An experience that I couldn't believe I was missing and never being able to achieve in all those years in Crystal Prep's Middle and High School.

And I feel happiness because-

“SUGARCUBE!! OVER HERE!!”

“I'm coming, Applejack!”

Of my new friends. Even if we only have spent less than a week and half of getting to know each other, I have never experienced the warm of bonding with people outside my family and Dean Cadence. It’s something that I truly regreted in the past. It made me walk a path of self-destruction and I nearly destroyed the delicate space-time border that separated two worlds.

But then, they came to save me. She came to save me. I even had a chance to talk with my alternate timeline self and that was the strangest but most fascinating thing that ever happened to me. My faithful dog gaining the ability of sentient intelligence was a nice plus given all the disasters I created. But that’s just in the past and what’s done and it’s done. The best ways to make amends is to slowly learn from my mistakes and start to embrace everyone around me if I want to build real friendship with the girls that have taken me under their wings.

Today I'll experience the wonders of a place called Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie works there as a part-time worker and today they had a special promo of three for two in any purchase you made. This was going to be great. Since they didn’t restrict pets in the fields, I took out Spike from my backpack. I told him to follow us and not talk until we were in a safe place and he obediently agreed with it.

“Well, sugarcube, once the girls finish their sports class, we can go and help Rarity in cleaning her boutique and from there we'll go our way to Sugarcube Corner, yo!”

“I am still thankful to you for helping me out with my house cleaning, Sweetie Belle made a mess with the girls in my workshop when they were working in the new design of their club capes! Those children could at least have cleaned up their mess! I didn’t gave them authorization for using my equipment for starters!”

“Rarity! Let them be kids while they still can. Besides, I am gonna bet that you are overreacting for nothing again!”

“Just like the time you overreacted when Applebloom teared apart your favorite farming cloths by accident last month and you came straight to me to fix them?”

“Ah… point taken.” She made an embarrassed expression while smiling and holding her hat in her chest.

“It will take more than a triviality for me to be mad at you, dear. We have passed for so much together. And now, as a new member of the team,
Twilight, you are going to be part of all our activities starting today!”

“Thank you so much for what have you done for me! I'll be the best friend possible!”

“Baby steps, sugarcube. Friendship is a slow process. For now, let’s see how Rainbow Dash is fairing as the second in command in the soccer team!”

“Agreed! Since this is Spitfire's last year in CHS, she retook the mantle of captain of the soccer team to play for the last time with the Wondercolts in the Inter College Tournament. Rainbow Dash must be feeling the pressure to win this time.”

“Then let’s go and cheer them up, Yo!”

We went to the stands of the school fields. The P.E. class and the soccer team were playing against each other with great enthusiasm. The players who weren’t playing had been put to run around the field. Hard to imagine that last week this place was a motocross rally. I wonder from where my new school got the sponsorship to build and clean that overkill event?

"Oh! Look!"

Sitting on one of the benches, a beautiful figure was seeing the game.

“There you are, Sunset! We wondered where did you go after we lost track of you!”

“Oh? Oh, hi, I came straight here to wait for the rest of you!”

“Darling, are you ok? You have been gloomy since the welcoming party. Did the new guy say something bad to you that day? You chased him after he suddenly left after all!”

“Nitpick? No! He didn’t do me wrong… it's just that I ran with someone who still hates me, she still thinks that I am the same girl during my time as a power hungry maniac and that I held this past welcoming events for ulterior purposes!”

“I still find hard to believe that part of your past to be true.”

“Don’t worry, that Sunset is gone, Twilight. It's just that the damage my past-self did still lingers with a few students. I just wish I knew how to reach them and prove them that they have nothing to fear of me anymore!”

“I believe you have done more than enough, sugarcube! You have been beating a dead horse for a while now. Something that I have learned during mah life is that there are people who'll never listen reason and are too stubborn to see the change in things. Let go and focus in the future. You have us to raise you up if you feel down, you know?”

“And you can expect the same for me. Thank you, Applejack!”

That kind of trust is what I wanted to achieve and being able to reciprocate with them. We waited for practice to end and once the rest of the girls were finish with their last class of the day, we went straight to Rarity's place. With the seven of us working together, we were going to clean her place in no time. We entered the boutique and…

“I spoke too soon.”

“What in the world, Rarity?

“What happened here?”

This place was a complete disaster! The last time I was here a few days ago, I could see the floor in the room! Every single piece of cloth was arranged in acceptable order. How did the Cutie Crusaders worked here, exactly?

“As I told you, our respective sisters happened.”

“I am going to scold Applebloom for this. You should do the same thing with Scootaloo, Rainbow. She looks upon you as a role model. No doubt she is learning the bad things from you, y'all!”

“Hey! That’s a lie! She is learning only cool stuff from me!”

“Being irresponsible isn't something cool, gal!”

“Never mind girls, lets clean this place and go to Pinkie's!”

We distributed the work in sections, Rainbow and Applejack gathered the heavy equipment and materials while Rarity pointed out where to place them. The coordination was disastrous but we managed. The rest of us swept the floor and once it was cleaned of dirt we proceeded to mop it up.

The girls were so creative that they managed to make a game of who could clean the fastest and we ended up having fun at it. Pinkie Pie won by a hair, literally. This is the kind of teamwork I always wished to be part of, I never had someone who I could work comfortable with.

Wait, there was…

“The cleaning services were fulfilled at the appointed hour. I hope you are pleased with the results, Rarity!”

“That I am, Rainbow Dash! Thank you for your continuous support.”

“Rarity, we can't go to Sugarcube Corner like this”

Fluttershy had a point. We were sweaty and dirty from all that cleaning, we needed a shower.

“Don’t worry, I knew this would happen and I reserved a visit to the spa! We can go to Sugarcube Corner from there. I have spare cloths right here in the bag for all of you so no need to worry!”

“I have never been on a spa before.”

“You are going to love it, Twilight! What are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

Only Fluttershy seemed to be excited by the idea, Sunset and the rest of us were just following the mood. We arrived at the spa after a short walk, the place was so feminine and a sweet, relaxing aroma was perceivable in the air. I could feel my worries going away from my mind, but my thoughts snapped me back to reality when two beautiful women wearing ancient styled chitons came before us.

“Twilight, meet Lotus Blossom and Aloe. They will show you the marvels of a good massage. Also, we can ask them to fix your hair so it matches with your new look.”

“No thanks, I love the way my hair is. The ponytail is more than enough for me.”

“But darling, your front hair is messy!”

“I like it the way it is.”

“But-“

“Rarity!” Applejack rose her frown like she was about to lecture her.

“Alright, but if you ever change your mind, we can come back anytime. Ladies, please do your magic on us!”

“Come this way, you already know the drill, Rarity. Take the shower first and meet us at the Jacuzzi.”

We followed Rarity to the showers. It didn’t take long for us to do the mandatory hygiene and once we were ready, we went to the Jacuzzis room. Towels, fruit and fresh water were prepared for use at out discretion. My friend also prepared custom swimsuits to use while there, so wrapping into a bath towel was unnecessary. I got inside the bath and-

“This feels so nice!”

My sore body for all the cleaning we did slowly started to dissapear. The water was at the point I liked; neither too cold for me to catch a flu nor too hot that could hurt my skin.

“I told you that you would like it.”

“This was a nice idea, Rarity. I can feel the stress getting out of me. Yesterday the small critters at the shelter gave me so much trouble because the noise from the sewer maintenance on the suburbs! Those inconsiderate people don’t know how much the small ones suffers with such loud noise!”

“They are doing their job so you can have water to shower your pets in the shelter. Bear with it for a little while longer, y'all.”

“I guess you are right, Applejack.”

She closed her eyes and made a weak sigh, it must be hard work to be a veterinarian assistant. The rest of the girls were relaxing as well and Spike was sleeping in the corner. He still is a puppy so he needs his rest.

“Do you have everything you need?”

It was Miss Aloe. Miss Blossom was beside her holding an ornate plate with what appeared to be a variety of shampoos.

“Yes Ladies, everything is in order. Once again you are making us have a delightful time.”

“Oh, flattery is not needed with us but thank you.” Miss Blossom humbly said but both Misses were blushing with appreciation. “So tell us who is going to receive the special treatment?”

“She!” Rarity pointed at me.

“Uh, me?”

“Of course. Once you receive the special hair treatment, your hair will feel spectacular!”

“But I told you I don’t want to change my hair!”

“Don’t worry, Twilight. It's a special hair shower, and believe me when I say that you are going to love it. Rarity and I come here every month to take one.” Fluttershy gave me a tender look.

“If just say so, then I'll take it.”

Both ladies kneeled behind me and one of them started massaging my head.

“Don’t worry, Miss Twilight, you will feel like a new, fresh girl after we finish with you!”

Your massage is already making me feel refreshed, Miss Blossom.

“Maybe a boy can fall for you and want to ask your phone number with your new feminity! If you are shy, they can start with text messagin! Hehehe!”

So femininity equals to steal boys' attention. Boys equals to text messaging, and text messaging equals to Flash's stubbornness and that means that-

“AAAAHH!!!”

“What's wrong, Twilight!?”

“Sorry! Oh I am sorry! But I'm okay, I am okay!"

“You were startled when they mentioned texting from boys; don’t tell me that someone is harassing you already?”

“Oh no! By no means... but...!”

Miss Blossom tenderly pulled back my head to a comfortable position and resumed her massaging. “Perhaps you can share with us what is your problem. We can help and give you good advice if you wish.”

“You don’t have to worry about sharing secrets with them, Twilight! There is a reason that even celebrities come here after all! What you say here is safe with us!” Rarity said this with such security that I had no reason to mistrust her.

“Well, there is a guy I met during the first day of the games. It seems he confused me with our special friend. You know, the one I am pretty similar with.”

“Let me guess, the guy is Flash Sentry.”

“Do you know him, Sunset?”

“Yeah, he is a nice guy, Twilight.”

“Maybe he is but he talks about the silliest of things! I was being texted during school hours by him five times, FIVE TIMES! URGH! Only thinking about it makes me feel tired!”

Miss Blossom made swifter moves with her hands, her temple massage technique was better than mine; I thanked her for returning my inner peace.

“I believe someone has a crush on you, Miss Twilight.”

“Uh, a crush?”

“It means that someone likes you for the idea of dating you in the future, darling!”

“I have understanding of the idiom but, why he would like a stranger that he only met in one day? That’s crazy!”

“Have you never fallen in love with someone at first sight?”

“No, Dean Cadence always says that loves is built by the mutual understanding and effort of both parties with the pace of time and she is right. I have come to believe that someone who develops an infatuation with someone at first sight instead of knowing him first is destined to have the greatest disappointment of her life! It applies to the opposite sex too!”

All of the girls but Rarity started laughing.

“I think that Twi described someone we know perfectly. Am I right, Rarity? Blueblood was his name, wasn't it?”

“I thought we agreed never to speak of him again...”

“Miss Cadence sounds like someone who has experienced a lot of relationships!”

“Yes, she is, Miss Aloe. I may have no right to judge how people fall in love, I am new in the friendship ways after all. But love is a more delicate subject for me. Dean Cadence shared with me many points of view from her experiences, saying that all her search for real love finally paid off when she started dating my brother a few years back! That is why I believe she is right. Love is not destined, it's built by our very own hands.”

Miss Aloe started to use the mix of special shampoos in my hair, combined with her soft fingertips passing through my head and the seducing aroma of exotic fruits was relaxing in a whole new level.

“So the idea of this young man named Flash falling for you this quickly doesn’t make you happy?”

“Not in the least.”

“Then you should clip his wings as soon as you can so he doesn’t soar in the sky too high! A mindful rejection is what you need. The hit to the ground could be too painful for him if you delay this!”

“But how can I do this? Could you help me in choosing the right words?”

“Of course we can, Twilight! And by all that is pure and honest, we will!”

They started to share the ways they would kindly use to turn down a boy. Applejack, Rainbow and Pinkie's rejection were too extreme for my liking. I must ask Dean Cadence about it this too; no doubt she could give me valuable insight as well. Sunset didn’t talk too much about it; she seemed melancholic and distant. Perhaps I was just imagining things. We didn’t go to Sugarcube Corner in the end but nobody minded, the time we spent together was lovely.

Author's Notes:

Hardest chapter to write so far. I believe I must improve how to write girls ways of thinking immediatly.

Note: Chapter rewrote on 24/08/2016

Note 2: This chapter didn't have a fanart before. Added on 27/09/2016

Chapter 14 - Master Librarian, Patient Cheerilee!

“Rarity, you are exceeding the quantity of the weak base mix there. Pinkie, carefully dry those droppers after you finish cleaning them; we don’t want to alter the ending result with unwanted water in there. Nipick, are you sure we took in account all variables for this acid?”

Chemistry lab activities were supposed to be fun, but things never were like in comics or mangas. Our boring teacher was replaced in the middle of the experiment by my perfectionist partner. Rarity was doing her best in preparing our lab-made saturated solution of sodium carbonate at the rate that Twilight needed while I was doing with her the neutralization formulas for the fifht time. We needed to know the exact amount of drops so we could avoid an alteration in meeting our Ph. goal. Pinkamena was surprisingly good with lab equipment. She installed by herself the process circuit, that’s another example that you should never judge a book for its cover.

“Twilight, we took in account all variables! We just need eleven drops of our lab-made solution to neutralize our assigned acid!”

“I rather take no risks. Worst case scenario could be a minor explosion.”

“Alright, alright! I will do the damn calculations again.”

“Laaaaanguage!”

Do you need to sing while lecturing me, Rarity? Oh, at least you have the solution ready, good.

“Droppers are ready for use, Sir.”

Don’t encourage her to play the leader, Pinkamena.

Twilight thoroughly inspected the droppers; she made a happy nod indicating her approval. I continued to use the values indicated in the list and replacing them in the corresponding part of the formula. Once I finished, Twilight gave her piece of mind.

“See? I told you the answer was off! We only need ten and an eighth drops to correctly do our experiment!”

How do I hate… oh forget it.

“Now that everything is in place, who wants to do the honors in finishing our practice?”

“OH! Me! Me, Me, Me!”

We are gonna die.

“Remember, Pinkie. Slow and steady.”

In a matter of seconds, she successfully dropped the ten drops and eighth in the tube. Rarity used the indicator strips and after searching the matching color in the value table, she gave us a nod. The activity was a success.

“Good job, my students. You and team 5 finished before I expected. You can leave the class without worries, you have passing marks for today’s good job. Well done.”

Thank you for letting us leave from this place, Professor Borefest.

We cleaned our protective equipment and lab materials with a special soap and once we were done with it, we left the lab.

“Nitpick.”

WHAT!?

“Yes?”

“Let’s go to the library and continue our 'Il Rinascimento Bibliotecario' project!”

“I didn’t think you would take a likening to that name. And shouldn’t you go with your friends to, I don’t know, be friendly, gossip or
something?”

“Not today, they are going to do band practice since they didn’t get a chance yesterday. Also, they will work in their respective projects too, we even brought home made lunches with us so we won’t lose time in the cafeteria during lunch break and concentrate full time at work. This extra hour will give us an edge to capture the necessary data we need from the library!”

“Good for you that you brought lunch but today is Fried Bacon Thursday and I want my combo!”

“You shouldn’t eat fried meat, especially bacon! It's really bad for your health. Did you know that the people who eat less meat and more dry seeds, fruits and vegetables with two liters of water as minimum everyday can prolong their life expectancy for nine years in the long run?”

“Yes, Twilight, because nine horrible, worthless, baconless years are worth that expectancy.”

She left out a small chuckle. I didn’t know you could identify cynicism.

“Don’t worry, I brought extra cheese quesadillas and apple juice for you. I need you at one hundred percent during our work!”

“I remember you hated cheese! That day at the academy when you were spasming in the cafeteria was a timeless experience. Did something happen that made you change your mind?”

“I was…” I pushed the wrong button. “Let's forget about the cheese for a moment and tell me honestly about that incident... Did I really ridicule myself that bad? I thought nobody would remember that incident past the weekend!”

“Oh, no need to worry about it anymore, I just happen to have good memory! I am sure nobody else remembers your little show!”

I was lying. As a matter of fact, there was a season where a picture of you was circulating in secret… I still have said picture, your cute face was priceless. I'm truly a horrible person.

“Heavens, thank you. I knew you were an honest person. Let's go eat and start working in our project, partner!”

She winked at me after finishing up speaking… now I truly feel horrible. An opera tune rang from my mobile. It was her.

-????: Are you doing alright? Here in the capital is raining heavily and classes were suspended. I really want to go back to Crystal State. I miss my new home, and specially all of you (◕︵◕)! Do not forget to be straightforward with the people who trust in you. We will meet again soon.

-Nitpick: Sometimes I wonder if you can read my mind no matter where you are.

-????: Whatever you mean, my beloved friend. I always give advice to my dear friends when I feel they are in need, remember? (●´ω｀●) We will speak again soon.

…shit.

“Uh, Twilight, I need to tell you something.”

As we walked to the library and explained to some extent the reaches of her uncalled show, covering my ass of course, I received the most understanding, calm and ladylike answer I ever heard until now.

“I KNEW THEY WERE LAUGHING AT ME! OH, that’s why they always looked funny at me for a month. Did you saw the picture? Did I look that bad in it? Why nobody told me about it?”

“Eh…”

She looked at me with the ´I'll cry if you lie´ face. Damn your genuine innocence. I must respond with a mindful answer.

“You looked terrible funny at that time.”

“Oh…”

Crap.

“But now you look…uh!”

“Yes?”

“Well, I always had a weakness for girls with long hair, especially those long strands of hair in the sides of your ears! That low ponytail and messy hair are a plus, you know?”

I, Nitpick Bittersweet, declare that I am repeating the same stupidity made with Sunset the first day of school, and for different reasons.

“Really?” She laughed nervously while turning her face to the door “I mean, low pony tails are the in, don’t you think so?”

That pity in her voice was the same as Sunset's back then, I'm so bad at this.

We found a spot near the library to eat our food. I offered Twilight to pay for the lunch she made but she turned me down the offer. I won't accept charity, I am not poor. I may be miserable sometimes but not poor! I'll repay you with something in the near future. I started to eat my lunch, the tupperware had this warm sensation, the quesadillas were neatly arranged in rows, I took a bite and the results were-

“Oh, good.”

“I am glad you like them, this is my first time cooking these!”

So I am your first to taste your newly learned recipe? That means only one thing: I played the guinea pig again.

“Where is Spike?”

“Right here in my other bag, I gave him breakfast before coming to school!”

Spike put out his head from the bag. Who is a good boy? You!

We finished our lunch and cleaned whatever trash was left putting it in the bin. With this done, the library was our next stop. We entered in there and a commotion was taking place.

“Girls! I already told you for the third time this month that the school computers are for research purposes only!”

A fair, young pretty woman was scolding the three kids from my Literature class. Her long, dark rose hair and light green eyes matched the vibrant outfit she was wearing. The skirt was adorned with lots of sun flowers. She was gorgeous.

“But Miss Cheerilee! We were researching how our new video fared this week”

“Oh, do you like our new capes? We did them recently! Aren’t they cute?”

“Rarity grounded me for a week. I told you this was a bad idea!”

“Yeah, Applejack did the same, but the final product was worth all the trouble!”

“Rainbow just texted me and said that I should be less disorganized, so I am good here!”

Kiddo, that’s not something you say with pride, whatever the problem was.

“Those capes are really pretty and… No! Girls, go back to class or I'll take you with Vice-Principal Luna!”

“We don’t want detention again” The three girls said in unison and quickly left in order their PC and ran besides us to the exit.

“I'm so tired…”

I don’t blame you, Miss. Dealing with children is a heavy toll to one's sanity.

“Good morning, Miss Cheerilee!”

“Oh, good morning, Twilight! Are you going to do some research today?”

“Actually, my friend here and I came to do a school project. We want to improve the library system so it can be more user-friendly and help you out in arranging books and updating the database while at it!”

Wow, wow. Twilight, since when I am your friend exactly?

“That sounds wonderful! I would really appreciate the help. The students here leave a mess while using the books in here. Sometimes the books are missing pages and they are on the floor because of the constant use!”

Twilight made a dramatic gasp. I could feel that my workload suddenly increased.

“That’s a crime that must not go unpunished! Nitpick, change of plans, we must include a fee system for every student that damage school property with the provisional banishment in mind!”

This will be a long semester.

Miss Cheerilee did a tour for us of how the library of the school worked. This is worst that I imagined, they don’t even have student card control. The poor Miss struggled like this everyday? If I were in her shoes, I would have asked for a transfer already. Speaking of struggle, how much this school trusts its students? Once we had the necessary information, we started to arrange all the books in order. It seems Twilight had already an order system devised because she was doing the job efficiently. She noticed my struggle and gave me a sheet with all the steps I needed to take to arrange books in an efficient fashion.

“All right, my children, its reading time!”

A group of first grade, middle scholars were sitting in group tables. Every little kid had a text book, for the looks of it math was the subject at hand.

“Oh, look at them, Nitpick! This bring memories...”

“Indeed...”

Hard to believe that it was only four years ago that my room teacher did the same activity during middle school. Miss Yearling was a young teacher as well, but she had this indomitable spirit I couldn’t describe what it was. She only stayed for four months with us and she banished without leaving a trace. I hope she is doing fine.

Twilight on the other hand was deeply lost in memory, her sight was locked on the kids and Miss Cheerilee but her thoughts were in another part of reality. Her gentle smile and soft spark in her eyes told me that she remembered a pleasant memory.

One of the children made a horrible cry all of the sudden. The other kids soon followed.

“I WANNA GO HOME!”

“I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS SAYS!”

“MISS CHEERILEE! WHY WE COME TO SCHOOL?”

Typical behavior of kids, even in middle school, some of us were still afraid of being alone in an unknown environment. Once they get used to, everything its fine. The problem was that, no everybody was strong enough at that age to overcome the fear. It was until you met someone you could get along that everything became less scary. I had Lightbulb back then, we lost fear when we talked about games and kid stuff, months later, friendship, and then we met Dancer. But those kids…

Something occurred all of the sudden: I witnessed magic.

“Do not to be afraid! I am here with you

Look right into my eyes, you are gonna be okay

If sadness is what you feel, take a look around

You got a lot friends, so there no need for tears”

The kids calmed down, their cries were silenced with a tender, short song. Every one of them looked around and smiling faces began to blossom. There is no doubt in my mind now, this young woman was meant to be a teacher.

“Now, my children, let’s take this books with us at classroom and continue our lesson there. Big Mac, could you please take care of the library while I am giving class?”

“Eyup!”

I didn’t notice there was a guy in the corner. He looked older, no doubt the same age as the Miss. So he is young in a way of speaking. All the kids followed Miss Cheerilee and the library was nearly empty. I looked at the clock and there was still forty minutes left of our break.

“…That reminded me of Dean Cadence so much.”

Twilight…

“Let’s make this place great so we can repay Miss Cheerilee the favor”

She just smiled and we continued what we were doing. I suddenly felt like I wanted to work now.

Author's Notes:

This chapter was rewrote on 24/08/2016

Fanart added on 27/09/2016

Chapter 15 - Applejack´s Pride and the foundation of Ponyville!

Why a school teaches history? Some say that it is the foundation of the actual culture we preach every day and we must respect our origins. Others say that it’s a necessity to know our past mistakes and learn from our precursors of the current social world. I somewhat agree.

It was Friday, and National History is the penultimate class of the week. The teacher that usually imparts classes was sick and he left a young, beautiful cowgirl in charge of the rodeo. Apparently the guy from yesterday, Big Mac, it’s her brother. Wearing old farming cloths that people of the past century habitually wore, they looked, with their physical traits, appropriate.

I didn’t know that southern farmers were this attractive… the girls, of course.

“Ok, y'all! We're gonna teach ya' a little history of the foundation of this beautiful town”!

AH! Her southern accent was adorably imposing.

“Eeyup!”

You are a man of few words, aren’t you?

“All right. y'all! Pay attention!”

She turned on the projector and a surprisingly rustic looking video started. The intro of the movie was given by, well, the one who put the video in the first place.

“Hey, Y'all! Time is gold so let’s get down to business, shall we!? Mah name is Applejack, and these people right here are mah family! Mah brother Big McIntosh”

“EEyup!”

“My lil sis, Applebloom!”

“Hey there!”

“My Grandmother, Granny Smith!”

“I should have been asleep one hour ago!”

“And Apple Bumpkin, Apple Cider, Apple Cobbler, Apple Fritter, Apple Pie, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Caramel Apple, Golden Delicious, and many, many more right here. Together we are the Apple family!”

Oh geez... I wonder why you are called the Apple family.

Photos of the town started to appear in a series of montages.

“This little town of ours has many wonders for those who live here. We got nature, fresh air and friendly neighbors in every street willing to lend you a hand. No doubt Ponyville is the best town of the whole country!”

That's some bias in there, and I was born here.

“But not everything was paradise in this little town of ours. Its origins are far more harsher!”

A montage of crude photos of the last century started to flow in the video. Wastelands, poor families, sad faces. Practically one of the saddest aspects of humanity. From then on, her tone became serious.

“During the civil war of the twentieth century, the fierce battles of the time had ravaged the land! Impoverishment was on the rising and the life expectancy was on the bottom of a barrel. Hundreds of families took the decision of fleeing from their homes, leaving their friends and memories behind in the quest of finding a better place far away from the north lands known today as the Crimson Sun, bearing in mind that not many would arrive to their dream of paradise and safety.”

Images of burials, the sick, the hungry, the widowed and faces of broken dreams were shown. History shows that humanity is cruel even among each other.

“Those were dark times. Cars, airplanes, medical and technological advancements of the time were beyond public reach, especially when the Civil War of the Northern Lands ended to start the First World War in the nineteen-thirties. As you know, roads in the south didn’t exist yet, so the families who barely fled from the mandatory war effort recruitment were using improvised caravans with many obstacles awaiting in the unforgiving No Man’s Land of that time. But one day, a miracle happened!”

A family picture was shown. I know that legendary picture very well. The founding families, the prideful Smiths and the Apple tribe… wait a minute.

“By nineteen-thirty six, a strong willed family discovered a small tribe in a land of greenness that not even their wildest dreams could have imagined. Endless fertile terrains, powerful horses and ponies coming back from migration, the emerald-green leaves from the trees blossoming with apples. If paradise was real, then Arthur Smith and his family found it.”

A Photo of Arthur and a young female Chieftain was shown shaking hands. I am starting to see an eerie similarity with those two and the protagonist narrating the video.

“Arthur, being an experienced farmer and businessman, saw the potential of the land! And with the help of his family and the new formed alliance with the Apple tribe this would become the final milestone in the founding of the small, but beautiful town where we live in: Ponyville.”

Okay, I have a plot hole in the history that I will ask later.

“Months became years, years became decades, the war was over in nineteen-forty and the small town whose humble origins were only of farming and horses suddenly expanded long and wide to become a small trading town, full of dreaming families seeking to achieve stability and happiness. Schools were inaugurated, markets became bigger, bars were opened, towns and cities were founded in the surroundings, the most prominent being Crystal States Union at the west of here in nineteen-forty nine. The hopes of the people grew each day and the bitter memories of sorrow slowly disappeared thanks to the united efforts of two different cultures and its blossoming friendship.”

A photo of the tribe and the Smiths was shown. There is no doubt in my mind; the girl in the corner was Granny Smith, the one that prepared the combos in the cafeteria every day. That means she is over eighty years old at most. Sudden montages of the actual town and the vast farm were also shown.

“Now with a hundred years of history, the modern descendants of the union of Arthur Smith and Apple Nature, The Apple family runs the most important business in town, Sweet Apple Acres. Did you know that mah whole family is responsible of the production and maintenance of seven hundred thirty one acres? That’s a lot of land to take care of. Some members of the family live in the middle and the other side of the farm!“

I have practically the owner of the production of the sweet, delicious and godly Gold Brand Apple Cider as a classmate all this time? I need to befriend her, NOW!

“We produce several commodities like corn, carrots and more. But our main product is apples, and we are pretty proud of that!”

Seriously? I could never have guessed that by my own, y'all!

The montage was over and a video of the whole Apple family appeared.

“And that’s the short version of this little town history! Remember to always be proud of your origins. And that’s it!”

The enormous family made a thunderous ‘Yee-haa’ and the video marked its end. Credits appeared and the names of her friends, Sunset being one of them, were included in the script, costumes, video editing and more.

“All right, I hope this fancy video was more entertaining than a talked class. Mah family, mah friends and I have been working on this documental for weeks now. Do you have any questions?” Everyone said no and made a well-deserved applause. But I had some questions and I raised my hand. “Yes, pal, what do you wish to know?”

“I have doubts in the exact year when the town was founded. How can it be a hundred years of being Ponyville if the Smiths arrived at the thirties? If we make simple math it’s at least eighty years of history at most”

“Easy, pal. The historical relics and documents that the tribe shared marks that they had been there since August 21 of 1915. Since they had been in contact with other parts of the country before the wars even started, they had knowledge of modern writing. So technically the tribe was the first pioneer, but it wasn’t until the Smiths helped in expansion that the town really grew. We must respect the ones who were there first, don’t you agree?”

“That makes so much sense if you put it in that perspective.”

After all, our country's history remarked that our predecessor weren’t much of the adventurous type and never had the idea to travel beyond their established cities and the capital of Canterlot until the war started. This was stupid since they had over-population problems at that time; at least that’s what official records say. But how much of this information is believable? The only thing that makes this story had a glimpse of truth is that one of the founders was serving food in the cafeteria. I really was bad in my history lessons, how I couldn’t recognize them?

“May I ask another question?”

“Shoot!”

“Why the Gold Brand Apple Cider is always low on quantities every year? My family loves the stuff and my father and uncles made camp once just to get one bottle in the end!”

“I knew someone would ask this!”

So Rainbow Dash agrees with me again, uh?

“We make this special brew with rustic tools so it can have its famous flavor. That’s why we can only produce between nine hundred to one thousand bottles at most in winter season. We always try to make more but things aren’t that easy if we want to conserve our brand quality-”

“That’s makes sense.”

“Oh, C'mon! I hate it when you ran out of it, Applejack. You should industrialize or something to make more cider in winter!”

Most of the students agreed with her. I couldn’t blame her, but…

”I rather camp myself this year outside of the farm and die of a cold just to get a fine cider made of love and passion than buying multiple processed bottles resulting in me drinking an inferior product in the end, Rainbow Dash. So don’t listen to her Applejack.”

“Wow, partner, let’s hope you never die out there of cold or anything. And you see, Rainbow Dash? This guy knows how really the good stuff is made of.”

Don’t look at me that angry, Dash; you know you think the same as I do.

“Big Mac, do you think I'm forgettin something to mention?

“Nope.”

“Well, that’s it! Class is over, you can go since I'm not exactlty the teacher, you know.”

This was an interesting class in the end. Although I wonder who our real teacher was. Now I need to know how the farm perimeter is structured so I can start planning for an encampment a few days before Christmas. This year the cider will be all mine.

Author's Notes:

At last I introduced all the main cast. Now the less slow develpment and friction begins.

Chapter rewrote on 24/08/2016

Note 2: Although I somewhat like this drawing, even though is bad compared to recent ones (which I need to practice more) I needed to replace it.

Chapter 16 - Nitpick and Twilight´s meaningful moments! Tale 1

Don't you love weekends? It's the short lapse of forty-eight hours where you forget about school and just think in enjoying your youth to the fullest. Well, not the case in CHS... And to some extent, the academy was as bitchy as well. Right now on Saturday, I was wearing my new blue and white school sport uniform while looking at the emptiness of the sky. All of the students of this class were here and the soccer team as well. Do we have an event or something?

“I could be in the comfort of my house doing my things right now.”

“I know. I could be continuing my research in physics developments in this moment instead of doing training nonsense here.”

Why are you talking to me, Twilight?

“Come on, Twilight. It will be fun. Oh, Nitpick, how are you doing?”

“Sunset.”

I didn’t want to talk to her. I can see she is forcing herself to do it and that’s not good. I don’t how but I simply know. When your mind doesn’t give you a proper answer, turn to your base instincts until you find a more accurate explanation. She understood my intention and talked to Twilight to join her in the training. She doesn’t seem to be bothered anymore with the idea of having sport class now. How easy we change our minds when someone you like tells you to do something ‘fun’. I wonder sometimes if we are just a reflection of what people expect of us to do.

“LISTEN, EVERYONE!! GO TO THE FIELD CENTER, NOW!”

What a powerful voice. All the class did as the voice commanded.

“Ok, everyone! As you know, The Intern College Tournament will begin in a few months and we must practice hard so we can quailify this time. We have overcome many obstacles together! We tied with Crystal Prep! We have what it takes to win! And you know why? BECAUSE WE ARE WONDERCOLTS!!”

“AND OUR TIME IS NOW!”

What a terrible speech! And such fighting spirit in that response. If only we as students had this kind of motivation during classes we could have better scores overall.

“Excuse me!” I raised my hand “How are we qualified to participate in a college tournament if we are still in High School?”

“Because the Colleges that are sponsoring this tournament will offer scholarships for the high school who wins first place! Consider it a kind of talent hunting for possible athletic career opportunities. Any more questions, wimp?”

“No, thanks for the answer.”

What an ass. And who are you, exactly?

“Alright, everyone!” Rainbow Dash spoke this time “Captain Spitfire will be in charge of our sport classes for a few months so you better get ready. We will train you and if we see you are fit to the task, you will join the soccer team. No excuses. No complaints. And we will win and will definitely have fun. Let the training begin!”

Forcefully joining a team I don’t want to join in the first place is what you consider fun? Then I'll play like shit and avoid being chosen.
And I am supposed to call that senior of mine Captain Spitfire? Please. I only have one Captain I would follow to the gates of hell fighting planet devouring reapers while at it and that’s Captain Shining Armor… That sounded so wrong.

So training started and what a pain it was. Rainbow Dash, ‘Captain’ Spitfire and their outrageous attempts to make this a Spartan like training was getting on my nerves. Running to the goal against impossible time records, an insane amount of push-ups, crunches, squats and more, not to mention that we couldn’t get a single minute of resting was starting to take a toll to everyone, especially to-

“I ‘gasp’ can't ‘gasp’ count ‘gasp’ anymore!”

Are you doing ok back there? You are more purple than usual.

“You are the sister of ‘gasp’ Captain Shining Armor. You can do better ‘gasp’ than that." She fell straight to the floor. “Uh, maybe not...”

Twilight was panting really hard, I was starting to get worried but thankfully it didn’t take too long for those breathings to become deep and controlled until finally she managed to breath normally. It seems that nobody took notice since we were left way behind the second running course.

“Can you stand up?”

“Not really” She sighed with a tired expression while taking a sitting position.

“ALL RIGHT EVERYONE!! CLASS IS OVER SO YOU CAN GO HOME!! THE STUDENTS THAT BELONG TO THE SOCCER TEAM TAKE A REST AND IN FIFTEEN MINUTES WE WILL RESUME OUR PRACTICE!!” Spitfire informed while shouting. What a powerful voice she has, I don’t want to see her angry.

“Finally, I am going to enjoy the rest of the weekend by myself. See you on Monday, Twilight!”

“Wait!”

What!?

“Yes?”

“Could you help me stand up?”

Are you this bad at physical activities?

“Hold tight my hand.”

I pulled her up gently so I could avoid injuring her. Steady, steady, stop pushing your weigh in your lower body. I pulled hard and she finally stood up, but…

“Uh”

What an awkward position, I hope nobody is seeing this. We separated a little but she was struggling to stay up. Her legs started bend a little and I was losing my cool.

“Stand up firmly and let go of my hand already!”

“O-of course! Because I am already in my feet, right?”

Your grasp of the obvious is inspiring.

“Well, see you la… you can’t walk, right?”

She gently shook her head. She was trembling and could barely stand on her feet. I doubt she could even manage to reach the bus stop in this state.

“Where is Sunset Shimmer? She could help you take the bus, it was her idea to make you train this hard after all.”

“She is going to be busy helping Rainbow Dash in coordinating the team effort. Look, she is already with the planning committee.”

She is right. How reliable is she in the school programs. If only she could be more reliable where it really matters right now.

“I can't leave you here, you need to get home and rest!”

“Oh, don’t worry about me, I'll be just-WAH!”

Sigh, you fell again.

“I'll... walk you to the bus stop.”

I helped her get on her feet again. She mentioned that she brought her backpack with her so I retrieved it on her behalf. Once I had all her belongings and mine, we started walking to the bus stop. This is too embarrassing. You are walking way close to me. I couldn't blame her since she was using me as a support. Thankfully the bus stop was just crossing the streets and it didn’t take us long to get there. The problem was the bus itself.

Have you ever wondered how fascinating are the public bus services? When you most needed it, not a single fucking bus is at sight, but hell damn you when you don’t need one because they drive through the streets like an stampede of vultures hunting for passengers to earn the dues of the day, making crossing the streets nearly impossible in the traffic hours. Twilight took of her bag some water bottles and started to drink them like the best thing ever.

As for me, I checked my watch to see what time is it.

“It’s exactly ten with thirteen in the morning; the next bus will arrive in two minutes.”

“How do you know that?”

There was no water left in her bottles. That was fast.

“Well, during my time in the academy, I took the bus every day to get to the city. I even met a driver called Hayseed Turnip Truck who gave me the bus schedules so I could plan efficiently my sleeping hours and the time I needed to be at the stops to get back home from the school.”

“Wow, how unexpectedly efficient of you, I thought you were a little unorganized!”

“Do you want to take it outside, you little...?”

Oh my… Did I just say that to her?

“Uh, what do you mean to take it outside? We are already outside!”

“No, nothing, forget it. Just an idiom I use with some… never mind. Oh, look, the bus!”

The bus finally arrived but it was full with no seats available. Her legs were still trembling… Damn it.

“I'll take you home, no buts. Let’s go.”

“But-Wuah!”

I paid the fee for the service. It seems that Old Mr. Cockpit is our driver today.

“Kiddo, it’s been a while. Faring well with the ladies, I presume?”

I could feel that Twilight was blushing. She partially let go of my arm. You never learned to read the mood in your life, have you? Old bastard.

“I am just taking her home, Mr. Cockpit. I don’t have the charm to conquer ladies like you during your prime as an aviator!”

“Damn straight you don’t.” You don’t have to laugh about it, old man. “But I hope you do soon.” He started the driving again. This will be a long ride since he loves to take his time. “Please deal with it for a few minutes. Once we reach the suburbs, most of the folks here will go down of the bus.”

We walked some steps to the middle of the bus and I firmly took one of the handles. The bus was going a little faster than usual. The old man must have noticed the state of my partner and hasted his route course. Thank you for that.

“Forgive me for dragging you in this… and thanks.”

“You were concerned for me while offering water in our first day of class and you gave me free lunch a few days ago. It's the least I can do.”

I still owe you the lunch part.

“I am still thirsty, I drank all the water I brought and is still not enough.”

After all that insane training, I am surprised you are still breathing. You have horrible physical constitution.

“There is a bus stop in the suburbs he mentioned, no doubt he will fill the gas tank there. I’ll buy you some water in the gas store.”

“You really know you way in the bus circuit.”

“Your level of poverty is determined with the amount of knowledge you have in the common life, Twilight.”

Don’t chuckle with my statement. Knowing your way through a city can save you in many ways, you know?

“Anyway, I am meaning to ask, who brings you to school? And I never have been to your house before but I assume is nearby the academy.”

“Yes, in fact, my home is four blocks away from Crystal Prep. And usually my private taxi brings me to school.”

Private Taxi?

“Other times will be my parents or my brother if Ms. Peanut is not available. I think they will use the same route of the Union Highway.”

The Union Highway? That super expensive highway only used by the first class citizens to avoid the suburbs route? How rich are you?

“Now I feel bad in taking you home at bus... wait a minute? Isn’t your taxi going for you at the school in this moment?”

“No need to worry, Ms. Peanut knows that if I don’t call her it’s because I don’t need her to come for me. I usually call her one hour in anticipation but you know, training didn’t let us do anything. And about the public bus, I have used it three times now. It’s not as bad as I imagined, you can take your time to appreciate the town!”

“You clearly haven’t been in a traffic jam before. I bet that appreciating the panorama it’s the last thing you are thinking about when you are five minutes away from arriving late to somewhere.”

I hate being late to whatever compromise I have… even if I hate it.

“That sounds like trouble.”

“It was daily for me in my time on the academy, my sister has it easier. My folks always take her in car to whatever school she was.”

The bus suddenly stopped. Where we already in the suburbs? I didn’t take notice. The people started to get off the bus and we took the last row of seats near the door. A few moments later we arrived at the gas station, I quickly went to the store and bought two bottles of water. Once I got back at her side in the bus, I gave her the bottle. The contents were over before I knew it.

“Thanks for the water, this one is fresher and delicious!” She said with a refreshed tone. “I didn’t know you have a sister, Nitpick.”

“Drafter Bittersweet is her name, seven years younger than me. She is currently in Manehattan with my folks.”

“That sounds nice… Wait a minute. If your family is in Manehattan, why are you studying in CHS? Shouldn’t you be in a school from there instead? Who is taking care of you? Are you living with someone?”

You ask too many questions.

“I am here because my father was happy with the idea of me studying in CHS than going on with them. And I am taking care of myself since the semester started. And before you ask, the only reason I didn’t participate in the games is because I was so sick to assist. I was amazed when I heard the competition ended in a tie. I can imagine the face of that old witch did in that moment, these kind of events are extremely important to her.”

“Yeah…” She laughed awfully weak “It was an unexpected turn of events.”

“Unexpected was seeing you in this school as a student. You even share all the classes with me.”

“Principal Celestia was really kind with me during the paperwork during my transfer; she even put me in our current ethics class in the last minute. That's why you didn’t see me in the first hour on Monday.”

That could explain my current schedule. Since I transferred a few days before classes started, the Principal must have done everything in her power for me to have a decent schedule in a tight time limit. She seemed kind when I met her, and being a really pretty woman was a plus for me.

“Say Nitpick… what do you think of my brother?”

“What do you mean with what I think of him?”

“I mean, do you think he is cool? Or Smart? Handsome, maybe?”

Have you any idea what you just asked?

“I am straight, Twilight. I am not into men.”

“Why did you give me that kind of answer? I just asked if… oh...“

I see your brain started to give you the reason of my answer. Owww, your face is extremely red now, and those glasses of yours trying to conceal it make you extremely cute.

“I didn’t mean it that way! I swear!”

So at least you know about gender preferences. You are not as lost as I thought.

“Answering your inquiry with all seriousness, I think your brother is a cool guy. I don’t know if you know but he and Dean Cadence were considered an oasis from the shit-storm that were the rest of the overzealous and perfectionist teachers back there in the academy.”

“I like the analogy of them being an oasis for all students but I can't say the same for the other part of your, uh, school interpretation, I guess? Would it really harm you if you don’t express like that anymore? You could give a bad impression to someone he or she took a likening to you!”

“Pfff please. This is a free country, I'll only correct my language when it’s truly necessary, like in a job or a very important social event!”

“So you are aware of your attitude problem? Interesting. I know the basis of psychology, perhaps we can have some therapy sessions to reach the source of your bad language, and I can have some real world practice and experience while at it. What an exciting idea!”

Are your eyes sparkling again? What is in that brilliant mind of yours in this moment? Besides, aren’t psychologists forbidden of treating their family and friends? Wait.

“Sorry to burst your bubble but this is my father's family way of expressing ourselves. So there is no need for your services!” Why are you making a disappointed face all of the sudden? “Anyway, why did you suddenly ask about your brother?”

“Because what you said during practice.”

“Did I say something bad?”

“No, but you said that I am my brother's sister so I could perform better than that but…” She started to get depressed. ”It doesn’t mean that I am as good as him in everything I do.”

“Twilight, look at me.”

She really looked at me… I wonder what she would say to Twilight in this moment

“You are the best student I know so far and your scores are top notch. Not even the Captain, who was considered a brilliant guy when he was a student in the academy, had your brains as far as I know. If he was an ‘A’, you easily are an ‘S plus’ in the academic fields.”

Did I praise her correctly?

“Yeah, only that he is also an ‘A’ in everything else while I’m only an ‘F’. He is socially successful, respected, athletic, a good chef, even the military gives him special treatment because how cool he is so he can be a sports teacher in Crystal Prep. But me… being smart is my only saving grace.”

I didn’t know you have an inferiority complex, Twilight.

“Sorry for putting that kind of baggage in your self-esteem. It's just that… well, you are pretty cool in my books in whatever your propose to do, not to mention, you seem to have made some good friends who worries about you, maybe today was not the best example but I am sure that what I am saying is the truth. And don't feel bad about being smart, remember what Rarity said a few days ago, you are special!”

Twilight looked happy. She made herself comfortable in her seat and slowly started to reflect on something. Perhaps my response was the best I could offer to her. Are you happy with my moral help of others in need, my beloved friend from Great Equine?

I suddenly heard an opera tune. I am supposed to be used to this after nearly a year of being friends with her, but seriously? This is more than the twentieth time already. I took out my phone from my backpack.

“Excuse me for a moment, Twilight.”

????: (✿◠‿◠) Certes! I am fain with your sow of arlice nature.

Nitpick: How do you do this? Are you omniscient or something? And what does the word ‘arlice’ mean? I am not expert in old english, remember?

????: Whatever you mean, my beloved friend! I just had this urge to praise you (✿ ♥‿♥). And arlice means ‘kindly’ or ‘honorably’. Use this new knowledge well. I will be back at Crystal State a few weeks before Thanksgiving. Take care until then, we will speak again soon.

Nitpick: Take care, my friend… I miss you so much.

????: ♡

The rest of the trip was peaceful. The bus took us directly in front of the school. Twilight could walk by herself now but I still offered to take her home. She agreed and we walked a few blocks until…uh, there was Spike in there, barking happily for her owners return and behind him…

“Is this… your house?”

“Yeah! I know it’s pretty small compared to our neighbors' homes but once inside its pretty spacious! We even have a basement for extra storage!”

Are you fucking kidding me? This place it’s two times the size of my house! And you have a basement, too? The life of the rich never ceases to amaze me.

“Well, my mission is over. I will go back home, see you on Monday!”

Every second I spent here is filling me with horrible feelings of economic inferiority. How did I manage to be in Crystal Prep environment is beyond me! I better get out of here.

“Wait!”

“What?”

She hugged me tenderly. “Thanks for escorting me home.” Twilight said in a whispering tone.

“Uh, anytime, gotta go.”

This little ‘Escort the Princess to safety' quest would have taken more than four hours at worst during week days, but in weekend it didn’t take more than an hour and half to complete this round trip. After finally arriving home, I spent the rest of my weekend playing games and reading mangas in peace.

Author's Notes:

Rewrote made on 24/08/2016

Note 2: new drawing added on 27/09/2016. This fanart... well, at least the new one is nearly more accurately with the heights.

Chapter 17 - A Social Confusion starts with a Gossip!

September 8th, it’s officially the fourth week of classes. By now, a common student should be used to the routine of arriving at school, go to the locker and retrieve his materials, get to the classroom, try and listen to boring lectures for one or two hours, hear the sound of the bell marking the end of the class, get to the next classroom, rinse and repeat from this step until you finish all of your classes.

But today felt different. If my first day of school was annoying because everyone wanted to befriend me, this day felt horribly suffocating. I could feel the people around me talking behind my back about something I didn't know. This reminds me of my time in Crystal Prep when I tried to get close to a girl outside of my little social caste… and I was completely rejected. One of my friends got the laugh of her life. I love her as a friend but damn her for that, four eyes.

“…they were hugging each other”

“I heard they went on a bus ride together”

“Someone told me that they were dating since middle school”

Oh Hell! I could hear their gossips even when they're whispering. Have you ever wondered why you tended to hear better when people talked about something concerning you while they tried to conceal it? Here are the answers: One is because humans have survival instincts and when you hear any sound or feel you are being hunted down, your senses are put to the limit so you could escape or try to identify the source of your anxiety better. Human social interactions are the anxiety in this case, so don’t get surprised when you hear people's word better even when they were whispering.

And the second reasons it’s the most important of all: THEY SUCK AT DISSIMULATING!

I arrived to my classroom and everyone was already there. Those eyes, they were overwhelming. What did I do this time?

“Hi, Nitpick!”

“Twilight.”

At least this girl is treating me like usual. Oh, hey Spike! I can see your face in that backpack of yours. Who is a good boy? You are a good boy!

As I sat in my school desk, I could feel an uncomfortable aura in my left watching me carefully, better get this over with.

“Rainbow Dash, do you want something from me?”

“Eh, eh? Oh no, I am cool, thanks.”

She turned her attention to the board. This feels fishy. At least class started and the feeling went away for fifty-five minutes. On my way to Trigonometry, I had the same suffocating feeling as earlier. Seriously, what did I do? Someone tell me already. As the class quickly ended, my cellphone rang with a custom theme from 'The Ancient Scrolls Part III' game.

-Lightbulb: Meet me in the backyard immediately! It’s an emergency concerning you!

Forget about lunch, he must know something about the student’s weird behavior. I quickly arrived to the backyard of school and there he was with Dancer at his side.

“Nitpick! There is a big problem!”

“We need to talk to you first so we can make our next move.”

“When you call me by name instead of my nicknames, it only means serious business. What’s wrong?”

“Oh, you don’t know? Show him, Bulby!” She said worried.

Lightbulb took out his cellphone and showed me a video. It was me helping Twilight get up.

“I don’t see the emergency or what’s the big deal with it. I just helped her to get up and took her home!”

“I knew you were innocent!” Said Dancer with great relief.

“Innocent in helping someone in need?” I asked with confusion.

“Look closely to the video again. If it weren’t you, and that was another guy, what would you think of it at the first instant?”

I watched carefully the angle of the video and tried to imagine another guy instead of me. Flash will do.

“That they were kissing in the end and-“

Oh my fucking odds!

“That’s not all! There is another one!”

He put in motion the second video. This was about Twilight and me waiting for the bus. Oh Crap! Oh Crap! OH CRAP! I knew you were so damn close to me, Twilight Sparkle!

“I swear that I am not dating her or even kissed her, Honest! When did they film those videos?”

“Oh, don’t worry, Beasty. We know that you are too stupid to even kiss a woman in the right moment!”

That really hurt my pride, bitch! … Why I am thinking this instead of saying it?

“And anybody could have filmed it during your practice. Filming videos isn’t that hard, you know?”

“Wait a minute, this is just a misunderstanding. As long as I say the truth and tell them that I am not dating Twilight, nothing bad will happen, right?... Right?”

“That is not how our society works, Beasty.”

“They are spreading rumors about Twilight and you in this moment. The girl is popular, you know? She has a distant relative that is identical to her and won the Fall Formal last year! This is why it's big news! And before you ask, it’s a contest to see who is the most popular girl on school and besides-“

I don’t need to know why you stopped explaining, the reason it’s right here with us. What I want to know if this is related with the problem with Sunset and you, Dancer. You made the same face last week.

“Rumors can involve just about anything when people are bored and often run the gamut.” She concluded dryly.

“Yes, Choco. You are right as always!”

What just happened?

“Then I’ll stop speaking with her immediately, which will give them no ammunition to talk about this.”

“That won’t work!” She quickly got back to her usual mood “Did you know that cutting contact all of the sudden, whether you are lovers or not, tends to give the people more fuel to keep the fire burning?”

“And what you suggest exactly?”

“Keep talking to her normally!”

“Because ignoring the issue always works, sure.”

“As a matter of fact, Bro, it does. They will come to the point where they'll just get so bored of trying to find something amusing between the two of you that they will drop it. As long as nothing interesting for them occurs, this rumor will quickly die out. Trust me, it happens all the time here.”

“That makes sense, I guess. But I firmly believe in a direct approach!”

“Whatever you decide, you should tell Twilight as soon as possible, Beasty. You can plan how to act normally and Bulby and I will debunk those rumors with our friends and acquaintances.”

“Thank you guys. And sorry for making you miss out lunch!”

They smiled while Lightbulb took out of his bag three pancake combos. By the looks of my package, it was the complete set so I gave him the twelve bucks without question. We enjoyed our breakfast and talked about a plan attack to make this problem disappear quicker until break was over. We parted ways with an idea of what to do next.

As I walked through the corridors without paying attention to my surroundings, I bumped with someone by accident.

“Be more careful.”

“Forgive me, I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Well, don’t worry, at least we are fine. Hey, I recognize you! Nitpick, right? One of Dancer's friends!”

What a deep but sweetly voice you have there. Who are you again?

“Ah...”

“My name is Bon Bon, in case you have forgotten. Well, gotta go, we are going to be late if we don't hurry. See you around!”

“Alright, take care”

That was… surprisingly nice. She didn’t have that piercing gaze that most of the students have on this day.

And so, Physics class started and for obvious reasons I couldn't establish a conversation with Twilight. Everyone were still paying attention to us. It seems that she isn’t aware of what’s happening in our surrounding. Have their friends not told her about our situation yet? How irresponsible of them.

“Pssst! Over here!” A pink girl whispered… again.

Pinkamena was trying to make eye contact with me for a while now but I tried to focus on the board as hard as I could. I still can’t believe that you share six classes with me. I assumed that you were in the other groups because I didn’t see you on Monday all day. I learned later that you were preparing the welcoming party for us. Thanks for that but can you stop trying to get my attention? Why are you using carrots as vampire teeth?

The class was over earlier than expected and Literature was next. Considering that Cranky Doodle doesn’t take that seriously his work and there were few people in it, I can safely chat with Twilight in my phone and discuss our little social problem. I decided to arrive earlier to the classroom and wait for her.

“Hello, Nitpick! You came here earlier!”

I always arrive earlier.

“Hi, Twilight.”

Act casually, Nitpick Bittersweet. Remember what Lightbulb and Dancer said and you will achieve victory sooner than expected.

“Hey, let’s talk for a bit until the teacher arrives. We got here a little earlier than usual.”

Perfect. She started the exchange.

“What a coincidence because I wanted to talk with you.”

“Really? Great, what do you want to talk about?”

“Ladies first, and take a seat, they are part of the school services, you know?”

She obediently took her seat and faced at my direction. Why are your eyes so full of spirit?

“Did you have a good weekend?”

“Yes… and you?”

What a lame answer from my part.

“It was great! Remember that I told you on Saturday that I was working on a research of mine? I decided to leave it on hiatus because I found out in a scientific report on the web that what I was going to do need a special modular physics card that my computer lacks. Then I spent all weekend studying for mock test of different subjects. It was so fun, even though I felt sore most of the time because all of that training.”

I'm glad you had fun but we need to talk about something else.

“That sounds great Twilight, I'm glad you had a worthwhile weekend.”

“Thank you, Nitpick. So tell me about what do you want to talk with me.”

“Something about what is going on with us.”

Did I just hear gasps of surprise outside the classroom? I quickly turned my sight to the entrances and there they are. All of you suck at hiding! But this was perfect, I can talk to her about what happened on Saturday and all of them will hear it. With that, the false rumor will die sooner and everything is going to be back to normal. I am such a genius.

“About us?”

“Yes, about what happened on Saturday.”

More obnoxious gasping’s were heard. Annoying bastards. No! I must keep calm and talk as usual.

“Oh Nitpick! Thank you so much for what you did for me that day, I appreciate it.”

“I am glad that I could help you after that insane training we had. Seriously, that was so irresponsible of the class committee.”

I’m about to walk in unknown sands so I must tread carefully.

“I know that you consider her a friend and I will say this with no intention to insult her whatsoever but Rainbow Dash was kind of a jerk to everyone during training, especially Spitfire and the soccer team. I mean, winning for them may be important but they should take in account the physical condition of the rest of us. You were this close to pass out, what I am saying? You were suffocating for fuck sake. I was really worried about you!”

What did I just said in the last part?

“Please stop using that kind of language, Nitpick.” She said this tenderly.

…sigh.

“I'll try for you, but no promises.”

“Thank you… “

A brief moment of silence emerged. I must speak my mind and-

“You know, we are getting closer each day! I know it’s crazy to say this but in this short time we have spent together, I feel at peace talking with you at everything. If I knew I could get this close with someone at Crystal Prep, things could have ended different for me. But now that we are here, it’s a fresh start. Even with your bad language, talking with you feels exactly as if I was talking to the girls I have as friends now!”

Did Twilight Sparkle just friend-zoned me without even falling for her whatsoever?

“Even Spike took a liking to you! There is a connection between you and me!”

Aren’t you hearing the commotion out there because of what you said, Twilight? Do you have auditive problems as well?

“We are swiftly building a harmonious understanding.”

We are swiftly building a social misunderstanding.

“I feel incredibly comfortable talking with you.”

I feel incredibly troubled talking with you.

“This is a brew for a lovely relationship.”

This is a brew for a terrible catastrophe.

“So I must ask you the big question!“

And I must stop you immediately!

“Will you-“

I closed the gap between us and quickly shut her mouth with my hand.

“Listen, Twilight! People in the school think that we are a lovey-dovey couple, understand?”

Silence. I went and checked the corridors and there wasn’t a single fucking soul at sight. My sixth sense tingled ferociously and I immediately received a text form Lightbulb. I checked its contents with great fear.

-Lightbulb: All people in class suddenly started to talk about Twilight confessing to you and saying you started dating right now! The text traffic is a nightmare! What the hell happened in your end?

…Crap.

“What do you mean that people are thinking we are a couple, Nitpick? That’s just simple ridiculous! We just recently started to be-“

I gently shut her up with my index finger and showed her the message. I didn’t need to ask what she was thinking right now; her shocked expression was more than enough.

Author's Notes:

If Twilight Sparkle from the pony world could befriend five strangers in less than two days and become the wielder of the most poweful magic in the pony world, then human Twilight could consider making friends with someone she feel she can trust. Wait a minute! It only took her less than two days as well with Sunset and co. Weird.

Chapter rewrote on 24/08/2016

Note 2: This chapter didn't have a fanart. Added on 27/09/2016... will redo it again once my skills improve again.

Chapter 18 - Anti-Misunderstaning planning!

While I explained as best as I could to Lightbulb in chat messaging what did I do after break, the academic genius in front of me tried her best to analyze the situation in that head of hers.

“Let me get this straight. Helping someone in need of the opposite sex is considered an act of romantic affection in this school?” Asked the Scientist self-aware of her own skepticism.

“Eh, no Twilight, the problem was how it looked while I was helping you. From the video that Lightbulb showed me, we gave the appearance of been kissing after you got up!”

“The two of us? Kissing only after six days of getting to know each other? Ridiculous.”

She said this with complete security. Part of my pride got hurt… just a little.

“Now that you know our current situation, we need to discuss how to solve it so the school doesn’t get the wrong idea in the long run.”

“There's nothing to discuss, Nitpick. This is a simple misunderstanding and there is only one definite solution to it; tell the truth!”

I can support that.

“You are right, Twilight. As expected of a genius such as yourself!”

“Oh, Nitpick. You are exaggerating!”

Then why are you blushing and looking away?

“Anyway, where is everybody? And where is teacher Cranky? It’s already time for class and no one has arrived yet!”

Now that you mention it, you are right. Maybe Lightbulb can ask his wife of his whereabouts. My old friend hasn't answered my previous message but he is still online. He is probably figuring out the source of this mess.

-Nitpick: Lightbulb, could you ask Mrs. Matilda where is his husband? He hasn’t arrived yet! I am here with Twilight talking about our current problem.

-Lightbulb: Mrs. Matilda didn’t come to class because Cranky got hurt on his way here and Principal Celestia gave the message to one of the Idol Six committee to notify the people. Dancer and I are still investigating how the hell your new incident happened in the cafeteria with the rest of the students here. Both of you are big news right now.

This is a nightmare. These kinds of news in the academy, whether true or false, were unappealing unless it was a really important figure, an extremely outrageous gossip or a very funny incident. So you could say that for Crystal Prep standards, Twilights incident with her quesadillas was something beyond comedy… I am starting to think that my old school was really better in some spots than here. Privacy is the mother of all freedoms, at least for me.

-Nitpick: Thanks, my brother.

-Lightbulb: Be on your guard, brother. If you two are alone, then this is not a coincidence. I'll text you back later if we find anything.

-Nitpick: Good luck and thanks.

“Twilight! Cranky won't come because of an accident and the Principal gave the advice to the Idol Six committee so they could notify us. Did anybody tell you anything?”

“I hope he is okay, and the girls didn’t tell me anything about our teacher's incident.”

“The girls?”

“Sunset, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Flutteshy and Rainbow Dash. They are the Idol Six! It’s a great name, don’t you think?”

What a stupid name! Who thought of it?

“Never mind the name. Call Sunset Shimmer now and tell her to come here immediately. She definitely knew about Cranky being sick if she is not here.”

Twilight agreed and she withdrew her phone from her pocket. Meanwhile, I released Spike from his imprisonment.

“Why did you get Spike out of the backpack? Someone could come and see him!” She said worried.

“Nobody will come here because everyone else is in classes. Besides, this guy needs fresh air. Am I right boy?”

He softly barked happily, his moving tail didn’t lie to this fact.

“Sunset is busy.”

“What?”

“Here, take a look.”

-Twilight: Sunset, where are you? Where is everybody? Nobody is coming to the classroom.

-Sunset: Forgive me, Twilight! I forgot to tell you that Professor Cranky got into an accident so he isn't coming today. Isn’t Nitpick with you? Anyway, I am doing some arrangements for the committee and I better work on it. Why don’t you enjoy peacefully the rest of this new found free time until next class with him? I'll definitely see you at Informatics with the rest of our classmates c:

This feels off.

“See, Nitpick. Nothing to worry about!” Twilight said with assurance.

“Give me a moment to think, Twilight...”

Her phone rang suddenly, I returned it to her owner because is a message for her.

“Urgh! You again!”

“What’s wrong?”

“It's Flash Sentry! Ever since the day started, he has been trying to start lousy conversations!”

“Haven't you talked to the girls about this?”

“Yes, the best conclusion is that when the time comes, I must tell him kindly that I am not seeking any kind of romantic relationships right now.”

Flash Sentry must hate me right now! And the worst part is that I told him the other day that I liked Sunset. Damn it, I still like her. Why nothing goes as someone wants? He must be trying to talk with Twilight to confirm if the rumor is true.

“Nitpick, would you help me in preparing a rejection answer for him? I want your opinion in the matter since you are so honest with me. The girls were great in giving me ideas but maybe a boy's perspective will be beneficial in the results!”

You want me… to help you destroy the hopes and dreams of the guy I gave false wings of victory? What kind of back-stabbing monster do you think I am?

“I don't know, Twilight. Maybe the Captain or Dean Cadence can help you with that!”

“They are both busy with the planning of the marathon games in a few weeks in the city. I don’t want them to spend time thinking in a trivial matter!”

A broken heart is not a trivial matter, Twilight Sparkle. I have experience in that.

“Please, help me. I want to be able to tell Flash the truth without hurting him. He looks like a nice guy but as I said, I dont want him to lose his time with someone who will not correspond him. It would be not fair for him, it would be cruel from my point of view! ”

“But-“

That face of yours again. Have you mastered that deadly technique already?

“Fine.”

Forgive me, Flash. It's just that Twilight is cute and you are a guy. No need for explaining.

“Anyway, we need to plan how to tell the people about us.”

“As I told you, there is no need for planning. When they ask, we just say that we didn’t kiss and we are just friends. When they hear the truth in our words, everything will be fine!”

But I still dont consider you a friend!

“But Twilight-”

Now she was the one to gently shut me up with her index finger.

“Everything is going to be fine! Trust me.” She said with a warm smile.

“If you say so…”

“Anyway, let’s talk about our 'Il Rinascimento Bibliotecario' project!" She clapped her hands while saying this with enthusiasm "I have been thinking about starting again from the ground. The coding feels weak and the interface seems very stale and unfriendly. Maybe we can add an interactive assistant in it. We'll call it ‘The Librarian Assistant’! it could be customizable for every user and we can add some predetermined ones like a clipboard, a librarian wizard, a ball or a talking dog! Doesn’t that sound like fun? We can also-”

She kept talking non-stop, I could barely follow. She kept up for the whole hour. Why isn’t there a button mechanism to shut people up?

...

After all that, it was time for the Informatics class. I told Twilight that she should go ahead; I was going to visit my favorite dispenser and buy some black chocolate to calm myself. Also, it was best to arrive at different times so nobody could fuel the flames of gossip more than they already are.

As I arrived to the classroom after enjoying my sweet, I was- my sixth-

“Wah.”

Someone pulled me to the wall of the ladders.

“We need to talk.”

Rarity! How did you do that? That was nearly as fast as Pinkamena!

“About what?”

“You are not dating her, are you?”

It seems we are in the same channel. Perfect.

“No! We even discussed what to do about it! When people ask, we just are going to tell the truth and deny it!”

“Dear, let's make one thing perfectly clear: That doesn't work in our society!”

YOU TOO!? And don’t call me dear.

“Why do you say that?”

“The more straight and honest the explanation, the shadier your relationship becomes.”

“That is stupid! We are not even in a relationship!”

“It's not stupid! It's the world of the celebrities!”

“Am I a school celebrity?”

Wow. Cool!

“Pshhtt Of course not! You are, uh, simple, my dear! But Twilight is one! So it’s the expected outcome for you to be part of the big news!”

Your simple honesty in the subject is inspiring.

“What do you suggest, then?”

By the looks of her face, she must have a brilliant idea.

“We must rely on Drama!”

“Okay, I'm outta here.”

“Allow me to explain.”

Sigh… Do I have a choice? Your grip on my clothes was incredible tight.

“You will act as a couple and then you will fake a horrible fight at the end of the day. After some gossips here and there about your possible fate as an item, tomorrow before classess you will be apologizing to each other and stating that is best to be just friends. We will do it in a not so obscure place for some people to see it and then the news will spread about your good ending, problem solved.”

What a beautiful and sparkling smile, Rarity. It’s a shame that your idea sounds completely retarded!

“Oh, Rarity, that sounds…”

“Don’t say anything! I know that I am such a genius in this kind of matter and I am pleased to be of your service.”

I was going to say something like 'You are more of an idiot'… but I can't! Your eyes full of good intent held me back.

“There must be a less extreme option, Rarity.”

She started to rub her shin for a moment. “Perhaps I could ask the girls about alternatives if you wish to be more subtle.”

Thank you, Rarity. It seems you are a good girl after all.

“I would appreciate that, for Twilight's sake.”

Eh…what?

“I knew you were a good guy deep inside. Shame you have such vulgar language!” She quickly moved her eyes as she was inspecting something in me “Brown shirt with a blue Tactical shirt? Average Jeans with a common black belt? Are those a pair of brown, working boots? And your hair is not brushed and smells of generic shampoo! Darling! The horror! You look atrocious like this!”

I hate you. Give me back my praise, Fashion Witch. Why are you gasping like if you have just seen a monster?

“Anyway...” She slowly regained her composure. “Give me your phone number.”

“What?”

“I need it to tell you any updates in our ongoing dilemma. You can trust in me, I will also be speaking with Twilight in the matter so wait a few minutes outside”

“…Ok.”

My phone contact list will have another stain in it. We exchanged numbers and she walked toward the classroom. I waited six minutes and then I got inside the class. Professor Gizmo was just arriving, he was on time as always but it was us who arrived earlier.

There were lots of people watching cautiously as I entered the classroom, especially a pair of blue eyes that scared me the most. Those eyes filled with defeat and crushed dreams were piercing my conscience. But alas, the trip to my place is not long.

“Did Rarity talk to you?” I whispered while taking my seat.

“Yes. But her plan is outrageous!” She whispered as well with a tone of disbelief “Tell me you don’t agree with that!”

“Of course not. I asked her to think on another plan. We want to end this dry, quick and straight, not create a lame, live-action school drama show!”

“Hehehe, you are right on that. This sounds like the horrible plot stories of the TV show that mom watches on nights.”

“At seven pm on Star Channel?”

“With that melodramatic announcer who always says; ‘Another tale of unrequited love is about begin!’, before starting the show?”

“I can't believe your mother watches the same crap as mine!”

“Me neither! My dad always watches it with her because he has no other choice if he wants to watch the news after it.”

“My father bought a TV application on his TPad. You should tell your father about it, he can use it on the sofa or wherever he likes.”

“So he can escape from watching bad TV programing?”

“I believe it would be escaping from your mothers exaggerated reactions from those ‘real, love stories’!”

We exchanged a small chuckle of agreement. This feels nice... wait.

“Let’s better start working if we want to make those changes of yours. Rarity said that she will give us alternatives once she talked with the girls so let’s focus in work in the meanwhile.”

We did as I said and quickly wrote new coding database for the application. Not even a half hour passed and I received two messages; one was from Dancer, her custom pop song was unmistakable, and the other one was the default tone.

-Dancer sent you a video.
-Dancer: you are in big trouble (worried face)

While the video finished downloading, I saw the other message.

-Rarity sent you a video
-Rarity: THIS IS TERRIBLE! TERRIBLE! Your outfit combination looks horrible! Oh, and we need a change of plan.

As both videos finished downloading, I noticed something horrible. Both of them are the same file! I took out my earphones so nobody could hear while I was watching it. It was me… with an angle where I looked as if I was kissing Twilight in the classroom.

“We are a lovey-dovey couple, understand?”

…Crap.

Author's Notes:

Chapter rewrote on 24/08/2016

New fanart added on 27/09/2016. This is the old one:

Chapter 19 - A fashionable outcome!

School was over for today, but I found myself in the side of a new dilemma in the ever-changing decor of youth. There has been a romantic misplaced setup on school and I wouldn't allow it to continue! My irreplaceable friends, Tweaking Lightbulb, Chocolate Dancer, Nitpick Bittersweet and I were on the school fields discussing our recent event. I stopped reading the school's newspaper that I brought with me and this gave a new perspective of the situation.

“Uh, is he gonna be okay? He looks kinda stressed!”

Applejack was concerned about a young, average man sitting in one of the benches. He looked… unfashionable.

“Ow, I don't know, Applejack. I applied on him the temple massage that Dean Cadence taught me as best I could manage but he still is grumpy.”

“My Bro will be fine so stop worrying for nothing.” Said Lightbulb with a care-free tone.

“Yes, Twilight! Thank you so much for caring for him, but Beasty just needs a moment of rest and tomorrow he'll be back to normal." Said Dancer grateful "He sometimes can be a pain in the head so don’t worry for this.”

“Are you sure? I mean, you two have been friends with him far longer than me but maybe a back massage or the lavender essence for aromatherapy I carry with me could do the trick.“

“I appreciate the gesture but I rather go home and sleep, Twilight.” Said the young man annoyed for his current state of affairs. “Why are we even here, exactly?”

“As I told you a few moments ago, we are here to discuss how to solve the mystery behind this false news propagating the school.”

“Rarity! What were you proposing in Informatics is crazy! Twilight and Nitpick just need to be honest when asked about it and the problem will be over faster than a hot knife cutting through butter! No need for that fancy drama of yours. Just be straightforward and be done with it is the right choice.”

“Let's listen to Applejack! She speaks reason!”

“Thanks pal. Glad to hear you don't want the outrageous approach!”

“No! I have a new solution! I thought my idea was the best but given the nature of things, a bigger scandal will cause more troubles in this occasion.”

“You are right! The bigger the scandal, the greater the events can be manipulated! …We have a master about the subject with us.” Said Dancer with unfriendly tone in the last sentence.

So this is what still makes you pressured to be accepted, Sunset my dear?

“Dancer, let’s focus on our friends, shall we? For now, we know the following; the videos were filmed from different angles but both of them aren't dating, have never kissed and all the incidents occurred during school hours. So the culprit is a classmate of ours from the literature classes!”

“How do you know that?” Nitpick asked skeptically.

“Because we were the only students who didn’t have classes in that hour and the rest of the teachers forbid the students to go out of classroom after school break unless it’s really important. Excluding all ten of us, we only have fourteen suspects to worry about, and if we count that my sister and her friends were Anon-A-Miss some time ago and won’t repeat the same mistake again, it leaves us with eleven people. Also, if we count the students who share Sports with Twilight, that leaves us with a total of five students to suspect.”

“Anon-A-Miss?”

“Long story, Bro. I'll tell it to you in another time.”

“Nevertheless, Rarity, You really thought about this with great detail.”

“My, thank you, darling.”

The young man was impressed, no doubt about my sophisticated detective mind.

“That still doesn’t explain how are we going to prove this news of Twilight and I being lovers is nothing more than a deceit when we don’t have proof of it! “

“With me! Detective Rarity is on the case, and we are going to get to the bottom of this faster than my costume change! As a matter of fact, with all we have already, I know who our perpetrator is and how to catch it!”

“REALLY!?” Everyone said.

“How?” Young Nitpick said with great lack of faith.

“Both of you will do the act I told you before, BUT, the rest of us will be hiding nearby the spot I mentioned. When she approaches, she'll come to you and we will catch her.”

“How do you know the culprit is a she?”

“Woman's intuition, young Lightbulb. And if my guess is right, this will be… ‘Sigh’ quite anti-climactic in the end.”

Quite silly might I add and such a waste of our efforts. I believe I don’t even need to gather more clues for the matter this time. I hoped for a little emotion on school but nevertheless, I will do it the plain way for Twilight's sake!

“I rather have an anti-climactic ending than a pain in the ass gossip ruining my inner peace every day!”

“Laaaaanguage!”

As we came to an alliance to stop this event, I decided to help my new friend have the proper appearance if he wishes to serve the role of a fake lover decently. I told him to come with his best outfit to my boutique to make preparations. After some small-talking and unorthodox persuasion from Dancer, he reluctantly agreed and I could see his low faith in our endeavor. But once this is over, he will change his mind.

As I prepared my new male mannequins to work with, I made a last check up in my raw cloth inventory. Everything was in order. I had two plans exclusively for my visitor; the first one was to help him look fabulous and teach him how to combine garments and such to himself. The second reason was because a friend of mine from Manehattan, Coco Pommel, told me during our last video chat that the new rage on Canterlot was matching the couple's dresses and suits. If my business was to keep succeeding in the latest trends, I must adapt to the new markets, I must experiment with it, I MUST CREATE!

The bell from the door rang, he finally arrived.

“Uh, hi.”

You are incredible plain in the greeting department, my dear. Now, I must inspect your-

“WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU WEARING?”

“You told me to bring my best cloths and here they are!”

Everything went pitch-black for me. The soothing darkness of my consciousness made me fall to a deep sleep. Perhaps it was a self-defense mechanism to protect me from the never-before seen horror I saw on the real world.

‘-rity’

Someone was calling me. It wanted me to see the horror again.

‘-arity’

The voice got stronger. He was calling me back to reality.

‘Rarity’

No! This was not the time to act weak. I must go back, back where I was needed. One of my friends needed me. I couldn't fail her like this. I must defeat this monster. NO! This is no monster. It’s a misguided, innocent man who lacks a sense of common fashion. In the name of my boutique, I will help this lost spirit find his way!

“WAKE UP ALREADY, YOU OVERREACTING DRAMA BITCH!”

“WHAT DID YOU CALL ME, YOU RUDISH SAVAGE?”

And the monster was still there for the matter. Grayish-black, plain tactical shirt with a red undershirt? Dark blue jeans that looked like pants and black boots? This CRIME against fashion cannot be allowed to roam the world any longer. I must calm down. Relax. Start again, Rarity!

“Ehem! Let's forget our recent incident and start again, shall we?”

“Fine by me. Just don’t pass out again for whatever stupid reason you did for.”

Stupid reason!? Why, you little-!

“I'll pretend I didn't hear that so let’s get straight to work.”

“I still don’t understand why we must go through this unnecessary odyssey! If you already know who she is, wouldn't it better to face her tomorrow in the morning?”

“Darling, Nitpick, dear, how many times in real life have criminals been successfully captured with that kind of thinking you have?”

“Well, according to the news last year, a thirty-seven percent probability at most.”

“Oh! It's higher than I expected!”

“How much is the rate of success your way of thinking has?”

“Ninety-nine percent success rate!”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, darling. In the world of novels!” The adventures of Shadow Spade, my favorite mystery books series, are based on real world events, after all.

“Okay, I'll call Twilight and tell her that Applejacks ways is the best path after all.”

“No, Wait!”

“What?!”

“Trust me in this, I assure you that you'll have the lame ending you desire.”

“I thought you wanted drama.”

“But Twilight doesn't, so I must help my friend in whatever way I can. Besides, the culprit is just an innocent girl who just has a habit to make disasters.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s just say she is a walking, trouble making machine who just wants to do things right at heart. Anyway, let's start with your…” Oh dear “This grey shirt of yours is badly washed.”

“WHAT DID YOU SAY!?” He grabbed my shoulders with great concern. “That’s impossible, I always use the Royal Glory brand of soaps and detergents to wash it, even I have a special box to preserve it in it.”

“This is really important to you, isn't it?”

He gave me a desperate nod. Many years of serving customers has given me the perception to notice how much an item means to them. Not only how they express themselves, how they cry or even how they act. Those eyes, the brands he uses to take care of it… he loved the shirt dearly.

“The fabric is in great shape but this cloth was badly washed with a generic detergent on the first time. Look closely in these spots, this Tac-shirt of yours was originally straight grey. The detergent used in the first wash gave it this black-like tone.”

“I knew my mother didn't wash it like the label said!”

To say he was furious was an understatement.

“Don’t worry; I have the product and tools to restore it to its former glory. If you grant me your trust.”

He took his sweet time, but I must not pressure this. This kind of decisions is to be left to the customer.

“Please, Rarity, fix it. This shirt means a lot to me”

“I'll will give it to you tomorrow so you can use it with the rest of your new outfit. Ok?”

We had a long road ahead of us, Nitpick Bittersweet and I. Well, not too long because we didn't have much time, but the point is... I was up for the challenge. Working for male outfits was unexpectedly a refreshing change of pace. The procedures to produce male clothing were identical to the ones I am used to, but who could imagine that a single change in measures could change everything in a design?

Instead of shirts with soft edges and unperceivable accessories at first sight that gives the magic in an outfit of a woman, rough edges and simpler patterns were used to make the same work in a man. A little cleaning to the boots which are of good quality, an alteration to his jeans and belt to make it match to them and a little repainting to his watch's black patterns and-

“PERFECT!”

“Wow! This feels great! You are incredible! The cotton in this black shirt feels comfy and fresh, my jeans feel tighter but more durable and comforting, and so my boots, my clock, just, wow.”

“Flattery is certainly welcomed!”

It took us less time than I expected. He was surprisingly obedient when I told him to be still. I wish he could have talked a little because I felt he was a little tense in there.

“How much is it?”

“Consider it your welcoming gift. I didn’t gave you one, after all”

“Sorry, but I stand with what Twilight said in this one. You may have convinced her about her clothes being a gift for her but I can´t stand this effort go completely free of charge. At least let me give you a percentage to it, it’s the least I can do if you are going to fix my shirt… I love that shirt, you know?”

“Darling, I…”

It’s futile to discuss it, isn't it? I can see you won’t accept a ‘No’ for an answer. I sighed with the power of such stubborn fellow.

“Alright… it's twenty dollars for the boots cleaning and arrangements. Ten for the watch repainting since it didn’t need that much work to begin with. Thirty five for your jeans retrofitting, and two hundred and seventy five for your new pair of shirts. The baby blue one will be ready by tomorrow, given it a grand total of three hundred and forty dollars. The Tac-shirt cleaning and belt, just consider it as my welcoming gift.”

I made you a twenty five percent discount since you were a first generation model in the first place. That and for making me charge you for a gift. This was meant to be a gift, you know?

“Here you go!”

“Wow, I am impressed. Most of the guys I know wouldn’t spend much money in cloths like you did just now.”

There is hope for him if he immediately paid without hesitation. He went straight to the change room to put back his distasteful, plain red shirt. Darling, don’t. It’s ruining the look of the rest of your outfit.

“To be honest, I actually received a call from my parents on how I was doing and when I mentioned that I would buy cloths today, they send me right away five hundred bucks to spend in it as long as I prove it. So, can you make a new red and black shirt with the money that is left and give me a receipt of the total? I mean, I want them to be simple unlike the baby blue you are going to do. And you are staring daggers to my common shirt right now so I don’t want more unnecessary eyes watching me for my ‘fashion crimes’!”

“It will be my pleasure!”

As soon as he left with the instructions on how to wash them, I started organizing my thoughts on his three shirts. But then, I heard noises upstairs, Sweetie Belle no doubt. That girl must be bored to tears since I grounded her after the disaster she made in my workshop. But… Like AJ said days ago, she is still a child. Thinking about it well, she just wanted to feel needed. Perhaps she could…

“Sister, dear, are you busy?”

“No, Rarity.” She said with a sad tone. “Do you need something?”

“Come here, please!”

She got out of her room and arrived to my workshop.

“...Yes?”

“Want to know how to make shirts and restore original colors in clothes properly?”

“For Real!?” She said suddenly in happiness. “I mean, aren’t you still mad about a few days ago?”

“Come here and let your sister teach you how to use properly the hand machinery and cloth fixing techniques.”

“Ow thank you, Rarity! You are the best!”

A hug full of energy and the power of sisterly love.

Since I already memorized the measures and adjusted the mannequin, it didn’t take me more than four hours to do the shirts. I taught Sweetie Belle where the main sewing points were located and how much a proper or misguided sew could perfect or ruin a new clothing fabrication. She was a slow learner but she was trying her best. After that little lesson, the real problem came; this poor, mistreated Tac-shirt.

What kind of detergent her mother used on it? Parts of the fabrics are extremely colored and some of the threads needed replacing. Since he loves it so much, I must make sure to leave it as how it was originally as possible. If it weren’t for his choice of products, this shirt would have been ruined long ago.

“The cancer in this cloth is worse than I imagined at first, it will take us a while. Sweetie Belle, dear! Are you ready?”

“Of course!”

After a long moment of sisterly time in cleaning, washing, fixing and forging this Tac-shirt, both of us came to a conclusion: his shirt was reborn, better than ever. We celebrated with some homemade milkshakes and muffins, then we talked for a bit about the mess from school, her lack of activities with her friends after class, and finally went straight to sleep.

Next day, first thing I did in the morning was giving Nitpick his new belongings. And as soon as he saw his Tac-shirt, the reaction was-

“WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO MY TAC-SHIRT? THIS KIND SORCERY OF YOURS… ”

Did I do something wrong to it? Wait! He immediately wore it on.

“The soft feeling of the fabric, the cool looking black bottoms, the adjusted sleeves, the no longer intrusive but adjusted neck, this pure grey color of the cloth. You!”

I was suddenly hugged by him… this feels…

“Thank you so much for this, Rarity...” He whispered in an extremely happy tone.

Wonderful! Once again I made another job well done. We went straight to the monument so he could watch his reflection and admire his new, fabulous style.

“I am glad you accepted my help in the end, you are good looking now and with the proper hair-style and a better shampoo, you could…uh”

You aren't listening, are you? Hehehe, I understand. Just don’t become a Narcissus.

“Hey, what’s going on there with him?”

“Shh, Rainbow Dash. Let him have this.”

The rest of the girls and his friends arrived, but no sign of Twilight yet.

“WOW BEASTY! You have done it again, Rarity!”

“Ohohoho Thank you very much”

“Yes, perhaps I truly look good, after all.”

“It's not a perhaps, Nitpick. You really look nice in that outfit.”

“Uh, thanks, Sunset… that’s nice of you to say to him”

Dancer, I can see your apathy behind that sweet face. This isn’t like you! Why do you hate Sunset so much still? She changed for the better!

“Dancer, I-“

Sunset was interrupted by the sound of a roaring luxury, family car that suddenly parked in front of the school. Twilight has arrived. I believe that the driving lady is her mom.

“Thanks for bringing me here, mom! Good luck in your work.” My friend ran straight to us.

“Wow, Twilight! How nice of your mother to bring you here, mine makes me take the bus.”

“Oh, my family is always like that, Dancer. She brings me when she can and they are happy that I am in this school. She said that I am changing, but I feel pretty much the same. Except that I have friends here.”

It’s because of that that your family is happy for you, my dear.

“Well, let’s get over this over and go back to a peaceful life, Twilight. I want to spend my high school years in peace”

“Agreed, we must-“

You stopped talking as soon you as looked at him. Twilight, did he stole your breath like you did to him the second day of classes?

“Twilight!” He snapped his fingers near her face, rude! “Concentrate! Rarity, what's the plan?”

“Ah, yeah, the plan. Of course. Tell us, Rarity.”

You know how to ruin a moment of admiration, Nitpick Bittersweet.

I gave the full details of my improved and boring plan that I devised with my sister before sleeping, and we proceeded to chemistry class. The culprit was here as well. Poor girl. Without a doubt she misinterpreted her school activity. I quickly came to the conclusion that she was the culprit because the embarrassing news of the last week newspaper edition she made.

When we catch her, we must help her in making a correction to those rumors and re-print the past newspaper with an improved style; those ‘gossips’ will surely redirect the commotion to other direction. Class was finally over and we proceeded to make our move. We were in the school library. Twilight and Nitpick were in position and the rest of us were hiding behind the stands or sitting nearby. Pinkie Pie was… never mind her.

“No one is coming, Rarity” Fluttershy whispered.

“She will come, dear Fluttershy. Have faith in me, don’t worry.”

“Oh, It’s not your intuition that I am worried about.” She said this with concern this time while pointing with her finger what she meant. “Look. They are stressed.”

“Just a few moments more and it will be over- There!”

She finally approached to our V.I.P. with a reporter hat, a notebook, some pens and a video camera at her disposal.

“It's her!”

And in a blink of an eye, the criminal was captured.

“What the hell are you doing, Rainbow Dash?” Said Nitpick with suspense.

“Catching the culprit!”

“She just came here to ask us about our opinion of the school after the Friendship Games!” Said Twilight with fright.

“Uh, what?”

“What is going on? Why did you tackle me, Rainbow?”

“Derpy!?” Everyone said but Twilight, Nitpick and I.

“Why Derpy!? I didn't know you were the kind of girl to do this kind of stuff.”

“What are you talking about, Rainbow? What did I do?”

“Don't try to play innocent with us, Derpy!”

“B-But I don’t know, really!“

“Confess!”

“Whatever is happening, I swear that I am-“

“Innocent.” I finally said. “Rainbow Dash, apologize, I didn’t tell you to tackle anyone!”

Everyone looked at me with surprised faces. Rainbow gently helped Derpy get back on her feet and deeply apologized to her.

“Could you explain to us what is happening, Rarity?”

“Of course I can, Sunset. Let me explain from the beginning! As most of you know, Derpy Muffins is now the school editor for the newspaper. As her job demands, she must look for things of interest so she can print the newspaper weekly, and-”

“Let me guess, a juicy gossip of Twilight and me could raise the sales of the newspaper!”

“Not at all, the newspaper is free. No, what really happened is the following; Derpy was on her usual patrol to search for interesting news and she found something good on the sports classes last week so she decided to film it during her class on Saturday and in one of her filming moments were about Twilight and Nitpick.”

“So she spread the video to build up momentum and make the next issue more popular”

“Nitpick, Derpy is innocent. Let me finish.”

“Alright…”

“I am hungry, Bulby”

“Me too, Choco.”

“Isn't today Taco Tuesday?”

“Yes it is, Nitpick. Not to sound rude, Rarity, but can we speed this up? Angel and my pets needs their food too!”

“And Spike.”

No one loves mystery explanations any longer.

“Alright, I'll resume all what I need to say because we are hungry and we are getting grumpy. Derpy, dear, can you lend me the camera, please?”

“Here you go”

I tinkered with it until I found what I was looking for.

“Look, this is the original video of the complete sports class of Saturday, with others that aren't related to it”

“Then what does this mean?”

“She shared the video by mistake to her sports classmates via the Wi-Fi function of the school camera, then one of them noticed both of them getting close in the bus stop and filmed it, and he or she spread this misguided gossip creating a chain reaction that grew stronger when people stalked you before classes started to know more about you. The last drop was the video from yesterday, but if you take notice in the video details, only the first one was captured with a proper video camera, the rest are cellphone quality.”

“Now that you mention it, it’s true” Said Lightbulb thoughtfully while inspecting the video files on his cellphone.

“I am so sorry, I didn’t know I made I mess again, I really didn´t mean to cause a problem, I swear” Derpy said with teary eyes.

“Oh, no need to cry, sweetheart. Nobody is blaming you.”

“Yes, I am not angry.” Twilight said tenderly “It was just a silly misunderstanding. Right, Nitpick?”

“Yeah, Right.”

“You can ignore him, he is just savage by nature.”

“I agree. Beasty, stop being a savage brute.”

“But you are the savage one all the- NO! Stop hitting me”

“Anyway, dear, I have something in mind to help you clear their names while raising your views and get people who can help you in the school newspaper.”

“Oh, thank you, Rarity. I don’t know what to say.”

“No need for that. Girls, could you help me with this?”

All of my friends agreed to help and my plan was put in motion after classes ended, not before taking a picture of Twilight and Nitpick with Twilight´s phone and the school camera. Next day arrived and the CHS newspaper had a new issue, it´s main article called ‘Canterlot High and Friendships in the raising’. The poster people were Twilight Sparkle and Nitpick Bittersweet, given a full page background to both of them before CHS and after they enrolled in our school.

“They were just tweaked videos after all. They weren't really dating.”

“It's hard to believe this distant relative of the Princess had such a harsh life in Crystal Prep.”

“The guy is kinda cute.”

“Is this really the men's bathroom current state?”

“I didn't know that Soarin hurt his leg… again.”

“Those middle school brats really know how to make school posters.”

“Captain Planet and the rest of the eco kids made tree plantings in the park of the city.”

“Have you seen the picture of Principal Celestia in page nine? She looks hilarious with the stains of cake in her mouth!”

Now everyone was talking about something else, it seems that the Anon-A-Miss incident was just a memory of the distant past and nobody remembered how bad it was. At least this time the news were harmless.

“Rarity! You were right! We've been accepted to the school's newspaper!”

“I am glad to hear that, Sweetie Belle, but remember!”

“No harmful gossips. I know! I'll make you proud.”

“I know you will! Now go with your friends and find something juicy to share”

Everything was in order, now to classes.

“Rarity!”

“Yes, Darling?”

“You manipulative fashionista!”

“What makes you said that?”

He brought a school newspaper with him, pointing out a complete page about a lovely selection of clothing worn by him and Twilight.

“Ahahaha, you were just talking of this. Both of you look fabulous! The two of you are wearing different colors, but at the same time they combine. I thought you were talking about something awful!”

“This is the awful thing! You played us like a damn fiddle to promote your new fashion line. This is why you took pictures of us before going out to our home, yesterday. You took advantage of our gossip drama so you could convince me to be part of your plan in making new clothes for me and advertise them!”

“But I presume you love them, I am right?”

“So you don’t deny it?”

“This was just a last minute thought! I didn’t plan this in the beginning, Promise! Besides, I am really happy with the results; Twilight and you are no longer persecuted, I made you new clothes for your personal use and fixed the one you love the most, I got for Derpy Muffins people who want to work with her and I spent quality time with my sister. I believe this is a good reward for me!”

“Yes, but… forget it. I will only forgive you because your work was worth all the trouble in the end!”

“I am glad we came to an understanding, Darling. Well, shall we to classes now?”

UH! My business phone rang all of the sudden; messages with petitions for matching outfits like the one my friends were wearing are arriving faster than I expected. I must order more material to work with for my future customers immediately.

Author's Notes:

Chapter rewrote on 31/08/2016

New fanart added on 27/09/2016. Although the new one may be inferior in quality because the size of the paper I made it, I tried to make a full body illustration of the two. I promise I'll redo it again once my skills improve once again.

Chapter 20 - You are a jerk to me.

After the lame but certainly welcomed outcome from the day before yesterday, everything went back to normal in my lacking social life. I cursed that fashionista and her exaggerated antics; she fainted right in front of me in the boutique while babbling in her dreams about an horror or something like it. And when she wokes up, she nearly choked me with those not-so gently hands of her while calling me a rudish savage. She was strong, and… eeh, perhaps I was at fault for calling her a bitch.

Nevertheless, I confess that she did a great job with my clothes, especially to my loved Tac-shirt that Grandfather gave me long ago. I was skeptical, fearful and paranoid when I bestowed on her the fate of my shirt. I couldn't even sleep that night. But I thank the Truth of the existence for this great result. I still feel worried about the poor Derpy for being assaulted by Rainbow Dash, hope she is okay.

Speaking of Rainbow Dash, since yesterday she has been acting more apathetic around me; unfriendly could be a more accurate word for it. I don't know what’s her problem now. I guess that she didn't like me on the first day after I mentioned that I couldn't care less about winning for the school. At least she was dissimulative about it.

I thought to myself that maybe she was just in a really bad mood and in the flow of the day she would go back to her outgoing personality. Ethics ended and Trigonometry started. Santa Calculus started his class right away and imparted his lesson with his usual efficacy. Everything went fine until my… I don’t know what to call her anymore.

“Mr. Bridge, do you know about the third dimension hypothesis in this algorithmic hypothesis?”

“But of course, Miss Sparkle! Class, pay attention to this if you want to be a math researcher in the future. The theory says-!”

Twilight, shut up. And teacher, nobody wants to be a glorified math proffesor here! Wait… maybe I can use this to my advantage to improve my classmate's bad mood!

“Twilight strikes again with another of her outrageous question, huh?”

I may have whispered, but it was loud enough for Rainbow to hear it. I wasn't worried about Twilight, she never listens to my complaints during classes.

And… Nothing. As a matter of fact, she looked even more pissed than before. So I am the problem, but what did I do to you, exactly? There was no more time for worrying about it, Calculus started to give us work to do and eventually school break came. Lightbulb and Dancer were in the cafeteria with a lot of students in there. They did me the favor of buying lunch for me and we went separate ways. They had team homework with their classmates and I decided to eat in the backyard.

“Finally, a moment of respite.”

This place was nice; nobody came here! The panorama of the nearly reddish leafs of autumn was nearly at hand. The climate was fresh and relaxing, and without a doubt I will have at last a normal break by myself. And now, let’s begin eating before-

“We need to talk.”

…Shit, so much for my dream of being alone at peace. I decided to ignore her for a brief moment.

“Hey!”

She was crouching in front of me now. Her face… she was pissed, really pissed.

“Could it wait for another time, Rainbow Dash?”

“No.”

Your unfriendly but relaxed tone totally made me nervous.

“I don’t know about you but at least let me eat while we talk, want some?”

“No, thanks.”

So Fruits and Salads Wednesday isn't really that popular as I thought… or maybe it was because I was the one who offered it.

“What do you want to talk about?” I said while starting eating my fruits with honey.

“About what you said of me, of my team, of the school practices!” She said defiantly.

“Uh?”

“Don’t play dumb! Do you know how worried Spitfire and the soccer team are now? Some of the students morale suddenly got lower. We are trying our best to make this a challenging and fun experience as possible and you came and started talking on our backs about us being jerks during training. What right do you have to say that? Tell it on my face!”

So this was the problem? What a ridiculous dilemma! On the academy… forget it, I am not there anymore. Even so, was the standard of social peace in this school so low that these kinds of things are incredible touchy? Well, let’s get this over with and move on.

“Alright, I'll tell you in the face; you were complete Jerks during training and the class was a pain in the ass. If this is what you call fun, I don't want any of it.”

There. Simple and clean. Maybe this will do the trick and-

“What is wrong with you? You have been impossible to deal with since day one! The girls and the school may have not noticed but you are unfriendly, uncooperative and a complete jerk with the people who cares about you!”

The line between patient and pissed off was starting to get blurry after all the days I spent here. I better get out of here before I say something I will regret.

“Thanks for sharing this new information to me, Dash.” I repacked my lunch and got up “Now if you excuse me, I will go to finish lunch elsewhere.”

“OH NO, You won't go anywhere! Not until you say that you are sorry and help me clean the mess you caused.”

“Help clean the mess I caused? There wouldn’t even be a mess if you were more empathic with the way you ‘try’ to persuade of us in doing our best! You could say that this was just the first class and it will get better but the people I know don't like it either! Five hundred meters marathons for practice? Two hundred of each of the basic crunches, pushups and other insane stuff you devised? A crazy and loud 'Captain' who call us wimps at every turn? Forgive me if my idea of entertainment and fun is more the old fashioned way instead of yours!” I said as calm as I could.

“You are just complaining about this stuff because you don't have the guts to stand to the challenge and work hard for it.”

“AH! And there is the problem. Have all of you considered that most of us don’t want to be part of the challenge?”

“You don't know anything of our school spirit! Of course they want to improve themselves! You are just an outsider who happens to be studying here. We can ask anyone and everybody will say that they want to win the league.”

“Everybody will say yes to not create a polemic about it, especially if they feel the pressure of you or your team in their backs. I don’t think there is much to say so I'll take my leave.”

I started walking away but I immediately was turned around and we were facing each other. The girls of this school are really strong.

“I told you before; you won’t leave until you say you will apologize.”

“I won’t apologize for something as silly as this. As a matter of fact, you should be angry to the people who spread what I said. I told this only to Twilight in private, PRIVATE! Alone! But the rest of this school of mostly assholes wanted something to talk about because they were bored and made this mess to compensate their sad existences. Is the school really this lame that a simple gossip is big news all of the-”

“SHUT UP! I won’t allow you to keep insulting my school and the people who studies in it.”

“Why? Are you so blindly loyal to the beliefs of this place that you will turn the eye away of its problems? Crystal Prep was a nightmarish place in social terms of acceptance, but at least they respected privacy way more than here. The problem Twilight and I had would be insignificant there, nearly nonexistent to be exact. You know why? Because nobody would even care about us! We were nobodies!”

“That’s because that school is full of selfish and arrogant people, just like you! I don't know why Twilight, Lightbulb and Dancer wants to be friendly with you!”

“Don't dare to talk about those two! You don't have the right to criticize my friendship with them!”

“You don’t have it either with mine or the school’s environment! My friends and I have been through more than you could imagine! Whatever bonds you have with your friends are only as shallow as-“

“Listen you stupid bitch!” My patience was depleting “Don’t ever tell me that my bonds with them are shallow or worthless! You don’t know anything about us during our time on middle school! And since when your friendships are more valuable and better than the rest of us to make comparisons? Just because you are the most popular group of school gives you the right to say that? If all six of you think that your little circle of happy-going friends is more important and amazing than the rest of us, then allow me to give you a message perfectly clear; I Don't Give a Shit about You!”

I must calm down, this is not worth it.

“I didn't mean to say that ours friendships are more important than the others!”

“Now you try to play the apologetic gal? Fuck you, Rainbow Dash. I won't apologize to anyone or hear more of your bullshit. Especially at something that wasn’t my fault to begin with. Blame your school full of idiocy for these childish attitude of yours. I am outta here!”

“Wait, this is important to Spitfire and the third graders! This is their last change!”

I didn’t care; I quickly left the spot and walked aimlessly to anyplace I could find.

“Jerk!”

And so, my break time was ruined. I left my breakfast in the backyard with her back there.

Author's Notes:

Chapter rewrote on 31/08/2016

This chapter didn't have a fanart. Added on 27/09/2016

Chapter 21 - You are unsociable.

-????: Avoiding unnecessary arguments it’s good for your mind and spirit, so try to relax. Do not speak your mind without thinking your words first. We will see again sooner than I imagined. Take care *:･ﾟ✧

It's always the same shit with you, you little… never mind. She never tells me how does she do it. But her message would have been far more useful earlier.

After the annoying discussion with Rainbow and not eating well enough, the final hours of today's school classes were a nightmare. I was hungry, annoyed and my patience just hit the danger zone. It’s been… never since I hit the danger zone. My only consolation in this place was that Twilight was being supportive with her silence during Informatics. We were just there, working in silence with the new coding for our application. I only needed to wait a few minutes more and peace and quietness will wait for me at home. Just need to shut my eyes and later play something and I will be back to normal by tomorrow.

“…Nitpick.”

WHAT!?

“What? I am busy with the database interface so make it quick!”

“Oh, nothing important. Let's do our best.”

Thank you for the moment of silence aaand... the bell rang at last. I saved my progress in the USB, sent another copy of it in my mail and I went straight to the school's exit. The multitude of students ready to go home was incredible. I swiftly joined their numbers and when I was finally outside, I started my short way home.

“Nitpick, wait!”

AH! WHO IS IT NOW?

“Can we talk for a bit?”

“I am not in the mood, Flash. Let's talk another day.”

“Come on, man! I want some help with something!”

Please don't let it be what I am thinking it is.

“About what?” I said with a ‘piss off’ tone.

“Well, about how to approach Twilight like you did!”

Did your infatuation with her overrode my indirect of not wanting to talk right now? I must be polite and refuse to help him.

“You don’t need my help, Flash Sentry! I told you before that you just needed to ask her out and be done with it. If you managed to date a beauty like Sunset Shimmer, then without a doubt you have a great change with Twilight Sparkle as well.”

“But every time I chat with her, we end up texting in circles! There must be something I am doing wrong to her!”

It's not like you are insulting her or anything. It's the way you force yourself to be nicer than usual what’s making her uncomfortable. That and that she doesn't want dating until she can sustain a proper friendship first. But I can't tell you that directly anymore… I can't.

“Have you considered that maybe you are talking to her the wrong way? I don't know, forcing yourself to sound fake to approach her?”

“But you are getting close to her just fine. Please tell me what you think I am lacking!”

Self-confidence, patience, being less of a pain. Just to name a few.

“You don't lack anything, maybe you are just being super annoying to her by trying to be more likable. Look at me, I am no-one especial and she says I am likable.”

“Mmm... you are right, you are somewhat plain.” Said Flash in a thoughtful manner.

“What did you say?”

“I-I mean, you are somewhat, uh, reclusive, you haven’t made a single friend so far besides Dancer and Lightbulb!”

You are starting to make me angry again.

“Why everybody cares so much in making friends from the nothing? Will it grant me a job? Or Super powers? If I do more friends then will people finally fuck off with the way I choose to live?” I said a bit shaky, I am losing it.

“Why are you angry all of the sudden?”

“Why I am angry? Because most people in this school are fucking UNBEARABLE to me. Saying things like ‘Do you have friends?' or ‘you are plain’ or ‘you are foul mouthed' or ‘you are unfashionable’ or ‘you are not up to the challenge’! What must I do for you to leave me in peace? Why I must please you in following your ways of ‘friendship’ when I think that you are being intrusive about it, Flash Sentry? TELL…" I sighed. ’’Wait a moment...”

You are right as always, my friend. I just need to think what I need to say before opening my mouth. Breath, I must breathe.

“Forgive me, Flash. I shouldn't vent with you my frustration, you have done me no wrong.… I am edgy right now so I should go.”

“Wait.”

‘Sigh’…

“Yes?”

“Maybe the reason why everybody is trying to get close to you and giving you suggestions is because you seem to be lonely.”

“Then they are doing this because they feel sorry for me?”

“No! They are doing it because they want you to feel accepted! Crystal Prep may have done you harm but this is CHS! We are better than them and we wouldn’t try to make you feel bad.”

“Really? Then explain to me what happened about this uncomfortable gossip your 'so much friendly and superior’ school made on Twilight and me! I don’t know about her but I found it incredibly stressful and stalker from your part! Yes, Crystal Prep was a nightmarish place in the social department but believe me that this gossip would have never happened there, not like this! And even if Twilight and I were indeed dating, or anyone else for the matter back there, do you know what my old schoolmates would do? Ignore it unless it was an extremely outrageous or interesting.”

“But-“

“I am not finished! Do you know that Rainbow Dash came to me during school break to complain about what I said about her exaggerated training programs? Do you know to whom I was telling my opinion? Twilight! And what did your school do? Not only filming and spreading lies about us but also sharing something private that I told only to her!”

It’s true that in reality I said some of those things to try to clear the matter but, did they truly have the right to do what they did and spread those things?

“But you can’t judge the whole school for the things that just a few students did to both of you.”

“Of course I can! Nearly next to none stopped and tried to ask about if it was true or not, most of you just assumed and talked behind our backs, enjoying their new, shiny little toy to play with it. Not even you who are the most interested in her had the balls to go and ask her about her wellbeing in person, or did you? If it weren't for Twilight´s new friends, this mess would have gone out of control.”

“I just assumed that you… Ah!”

With that look of yours, I can safely say that you finally saw the light on the matter at hand.

“Thanks for sharing your time with me.”

“Whatever.”

Finally I am going my way home. I turned away and started walking.

“Before you go, I have some word of advice to you.”

What!?

“I'll assume that you will listen since you stopped walking. Well, I honestly think that you should change that mean way of how you think about us. Everyone tries to be on the groove in this school and if you are not careful with it, you could end up hurting people sooner than you think. No matter how good friends you are with each other, Dancer and Lightbulb can´t be with you forever, so you better start to be more open-minded about it.”

“Duly noted.”

I have more friends, you know? That doesn’t mean I don’t value their friendships but if we have to move on because circumstances demand it, well, I guess life goes on.

“You will never have someone like Sunset if you keep acting this unsociable to everybody.”

“Then I'll have to manage by myself in life.” I said while facing him face to face.

“At least think about what I just said.”

Why? Why did you have that sad face? Stop looking at me like that! You are the cool guy type! You should be angry, heroic and yell about the romanticism of school youth or some bullshit like in mangas or cheap movies. But that never happened in this case. After a brief silent moment, we parted ways and eventually the day came to an end.

Author's Notes:

Chapter rewrote on 31/08/2016

Fanart added on 12/10/2016. This chapter didn't have a fanart before.

Chapter 22- Unfriendly but reasonable.

“Hey, Whatcha doin'? Did you have a nice night!? I had a good night! I dreamed that mountains were made of cake while chocolate drops rained from the sky! Weeeeee! Anyhoo, can we talk for a bit?”

I woke up earlier than usual to come at school before anyone else. After what happened yesterday, I wanted to avoid as many people as I could. I still feel sore-minded and somewhat annoyed by my argument with Rainbow Dash and my little talk with Flash Sentry. At least my state of mind wasn't in the danger zone anymore but I don't know if I have it in me to keep my patience in check while dealing with her. She probably wants to ask about what happened with Rainbow. And speaking of asking questions, I have one in my mind right now.

"What are you doing here this early in the morning?"

“Oh! I came here because the cooking club is preparing a 'Super Cookie' contest and cookies are GREAT! Not like cakes, but great all the same!” Said Pinkamena with a stupidly impossible big smile at end.

“How did you know what I thought?”

“Thought? You whispered! I could barely hear what you asked, though!”

Did I whisper? I didn't notice that. For a moment, I thought you had psychic powers and were reading my mind. I had someone who has the intuition to know what my circle and I were feeling to a certain degree and I don't need anyone else who can do the same or better. Specially if it's you. I should ask what she wants so this could end sooner, running wasn't an option with her.

“What do you want, Pinkamena?”

“How did you call me?”

You have a knack to instill great fear on me. I mean, your face is practically eating mine while your grip on my shirt was inhumanly firm.

“Your full name is Pinkamena Diane Pie, right?”

“Only my parents and people angry at me call me like that! Are you angry with me?”

“No. I thought that the diminutive 'Pinkie' was used only by your friends.”

“Oh, No!” She released me while speaking with her usual, happy tone again. “Everyone calls me like that! So don’t worry, call me Pinkie Pie, because we are friends!”

She strongly hugged me while raising me from the ground. Do all the girls in this school take power pills or something? I must end her misunderstanding before it becomes a charade. I don't want to make her feel betrayed when she noticed that I don't like her. By experience, that’s a horrible feeling.

“But I don't consider you my friend.”

Cold. I felt the sudden, horrible, and freezing sensation that came from her. Her wide and deep irises were watching me with a—AAAHH!! MY BACK!! SHE IS CRUSHING MY—

“Pink-‘aghhh’ yu ar- crush- me”

She released me and I fell to the floor. I could hear the cracks on my spine tormenting my back. What's the deal with all of you? I am going to get up killed someday by these freaks! I tried to recover as quickly as possible so I could take my chances and get the hell away from her.

“Tell me the reason why are you saying this? That's the unfunniest joke I ever heard in my life!”

“It's not a joke. I am telling you the truth. I don't consider you my friend and I am saying this so you don't have the wrong idea.”

“The wrong idea about what?”

“That we are not friends. We don't know enough of each other to be considered friends, we are acquaintances at most.”

“B-but! You enjoyed my especial cupcakes! Its proof that you are good! Nobody unfriendly at heart would say that!”

I don't remember ever hearing that cupcakes had the special property of telling if someone was good or not. And what this has to do with the moral alignment with friendships? Being good or evil is no impediment to form those.

“So? Want me to pay for them? They are worth any reasonable price.”

They were delicious. Why don't you sell them?

“I didn't bake them for the money! I did them for all of us to enjoy! So why are you saying that we aren't friends?”

My fuse was badly burned after my little arguing with Dash and you are destroying what I could restore in my time of rest.

“I already told you! Damn it! You are impossible to deal with, just like Rainbow Dash!”

“And that's the reason why I came earlier today in the first place! Why did you say those meanie things to Rainbow Dash!?”

“I knew it wasn't for a cookie project! What kind of morons do a project like that based on cookies?”

She searched thoroughly on her… hair, and she withdrew a pamphlet. The contents said that there was going to be a mini contest in CHS tomorrow with pictures of students resembling bakers in it.

“Oh… well. Anyway, what do you want to talk about, again?"

“You are not gonna say sorry? to her”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Okay fine, sorry for saying that the contest is done by morons. If they can make good treats like your cupcakes then-“

“NO! About Rainbow Dash! She was in a very bad mood during school time and after her practice sessions were over, she felt pressured and nervous! All people in school feel down!”

“You too think that what I said to Twilight was the catalyst for all this?”

“Yes!”

“Are you out of your mind? That wasn't my fault at all!” I carefully observed my surrounding so I could make sure that nobody was present. “The ones at fault are the stupid students who took joy in spreading lies about Twilight and me!”

“Now you are lying! You said that Rainbow Dash was a, uh, something awful!”

“AH! So as long as your friend is okay, fuck the personal issues of the people outside your circle?”

“What? Don't speak like that! And of course not! We helped you clean the problem, right? We try so hard to make everybody here to feel like a group. What you said about Dash and the soccer team was not fair.”

“You may be right, but what your soccer team does in their trainings is not something I would call fun. Impossible training for people who are new to this? An arrogant bastard who call us wimps at every turn? Twilight was suffocating, for fuck sake! I even had to escort her home safely because the one who was supposed to watch over her… ‘Sigh’ forget it, Pinkamena.”

“Pinkie!” She said defiantly, her bubbly, and admittedly, lovely face was replaced by a serious and piercing expression.

“Whatever, I should go.”

“No until you agree to say sorry and improve the team’s morale”

“You know that my presence makes no difference, right?”

“Of course it makes a difference! You are part of the school now. Everybody here belongs to the Wondecolts!”

“NO! I happen to study here, that’s all. I won’t help you in fixing something I was not at fault with. If the students were as nice as they say, they wouldn't have spread what they heard from me or make me feel uncomfortable with those rumors and eyes watching me on the back. If you just think of it rationally-“ I hope you can do that “All of them were searching for an excuse to make their feelings known about the stupid training sessions!”

“That’s not true! Everyone enjoys the training! It's you who don’t get along in this school.” She suddenly smiled again “But don't worry. I finally know what the problem is with you! You aren't used to people trying to be your friends this easy, unlike Crystal Prep were all of them were meanies! Twilight had a, well, magical approach to our school and look how wondrous is the result.”

You are right for the most part. But at least they have the decency of not getting me mad every day!

“So please!” She said softly. “You are unfriendly, but give me the chance to change that and prove what I say is right!”

That face full of empathy, her tender eyes and a warm stretching hand inviting me to accept the offer. It's like a different person suddenly appeared before me. Dancer once said that she was a good girl, and that between the two, I was the obnoxious one. She may be right.

“Perhaps you are right, uhm, Pinkie. I might have gone overboard and wary of you.”

She smiled when she heard that. I needed to give you a change before starting to criticize you. How many times someone has been wrong in his life when they decided to not try something new? Have you ever judged someone or something just because you didn't like it at first sight? I normally don't gamble with things like this but I am willing to try this time. I just have to stretch my arm close the gap of my hand and hers.

“Alright, Pinkie Pie, I will believe you. Let's go and-“

KZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT.

“Hahahahahaha! Your face! A friendly prank is always th-“

I forcefully removed the hand buzzer from her.

“I. Hate. You. Fucker! Don't ever talk to me again unless necessary, Pinkamena Diane Pie! ”

"But I-"

"I don't care! Die so I can be free of your stupidity!"

I couldn't believe that I fell for her words so fast. Damn it! Such idiocy from my part was unusual. I left the main gardens and quickly got into school. We shared the same class and the same team at the first hour of the day. The environment during chemistry was gloomy, to say the least. What was a vibrant and lovely face in a once energetic girl turned into a dark and heartbreaking silhouette, like if she was stripped of the joy of life. It made me feel really bad... I probably shouldn't have said that but she was at fault.

...

For the second time, we finished sooner the lab practice than expected and we were allowed to go earlier from the lab. I went and bought a dark chocolate from my favorite dispenser and realized that I needed to allocate some especial items that I brought in my locker. I got there and started to make my work in lonely spot. At least nobody came here so no one would bother me at all.

“We need to talk, partner.”

…shit.

“You too, Applejack?”

“I'm here for mah friends. Don't have interest to talk about the soccer team.”

Well, that’s a turn for the better.

“I'll answer any questions you have if you answer me honestly one of mine.”

“Shoot.”

Going straight to business, eh? No wonder your especial, yearly cider is so successful.

“The soccer team's training is ruining the sports class, right? This is why some people took too seriously what I said a few days ago.”

She sighed deeply and removed her hat while starting to softly scratch that golden hair of hers. Please, don't lie to me, I have high hopes for you.

“Well… yep, it's true. We'll discuss with Rainbow today that her training is more than the people can handle.”

“Thank you. As I promised, you may ask anything.”

“What happened?”

This was serious so I couldn't play the dumb.

“Okay, first thing first. I don't regret what I say about the soccer team and Rainbow Dash, I used Twilight as an excuse too many times but I insist that they should have consideration with people who don't have the physical aptitude, yet.”

“That sounds fair. We'll take that into account. Now, what is your part in Rainbow Dash's case?”

That stern sight and commanding posture with crossed arms… is she a Marshall? She just needed the glasses and a insignia.

“She came angry, criticized my opinion and my personal friendships so I called her a bitch for that. End of the story.” I said with no intention of victimizing myself.

She was baffled. I don't think she expected this approach. I mean, when was the last time that someone told you the truth in something important without backing down or playing dumb? If you are like me, or in this case her, well, you would be surprised as well.

“I-I… why!?”

“Why? Because that is what happened. If she is so delicate-minded to start an argument, then she shouldn't come and make a ruckus with a stranger, don’t you think so?”

“In part, you are right. But you must admit that what you did wasn't nice! She came to you only to debate her point of view!”

“Then let me teach you something that a friend back in the academy taught me! A debate means emotions are subdued, something I tried to maintain until I felt to an argument, which means that emotions are in the air, clouding your judgment for the worst! Something that Rainbow Dash did from the beginning. Or tell me, are you going to defend your friend even knowing of her shortcomings? Instead of approaching like you did and saying something like ‘Hey, I heard what you said about me and my team, could you share your opinion about it so we can improve our training?’ I ended up receiving a ‘Fuck you, come and do what I tell you!'”

“I know that Dash can be impulsive to say the least, but I assure you that she has the best interest for everyone at heart, yo! Please, reconsider your position. Twi believes in you, I'm willing to do it as well!”

Now you touched a delicate subject. My current position with Twilight is ambiguous. But at least you approached nicely.

“Alright, I will think about that.”

“Now, what happened with Pinkie? I have never met someone who could pummel her smile since… never!”

What I am going to do is suicide giving her position, but I will risk it to make my explanation shorter.

“There is nothing I need to discuss about her. I was wrong. Please, forgive my foolish behavior. I am willing to apologize to her if you help me do it”

I stretched my arm to her.

“Ow! That's the spirit, yo! Let's go with her and I help you apologize right aw-“

KZT!

I wasn't cruel like that pink airhead. I lowered the electric discharge to the minimum. I showed her the crime item and she was not happy about it.

“Hey, that wasn't funny!”

“Welcome to my world. This is hers. You can give her back this because I won't do it myself. And before you start and say that probably she did it as a joke to raise the good groove then tell me, do you think it's funny that a total stranger makes you a joke like this one without taking in consideration that probably, just probably, you wouldn't enjoy it?”

“No, I would be angry at said person.”

With all seriousness, your straightforward honesty is inspiring.

“Listen, Applejack. Thank you for being a diplomat and not an ass while dealing with me. But you are wasting your time. Changing one person’s mind won’t improve anything in any place. You must admit that this whole problem was raised to exaggerated proportions. Seriously, it's not a big deal! If we think about it, this entire problem is a glorified drama for the likes of Rarity!”

“That’s where you're wrong, pal. Maybe in Crystal Prep it's true, but here… the bonds of this place can influence everyone around them! From a single bully that wanted to rule the school, a magician who tried to frame an innocent girl because she felt alone or a jealous trio that just wanted to be loved, here at CHS matters. Changing people for the better is important to mah group. We want to spread Friendship so nobody is left behind.”

Uh… Bullshit. There is no such thing as a shared morality system of that magnitude.

“I don’t have the head to process right now all what you said, so please let me be. You can't make me do as you say and say sorry! A half-hearted apologize will do you no good, right?”

“No, but it could be a start.” She got quiet for a moment and slowly sighed. “Thank you for your time, you say reasonable things but they clash with mah beliefs.”

“The truth is not based by someone's beliefs.”

Or something like that, I don't remember my friend's whole speech.

“Please, pal. At least give me your word that you will think about what I said.”

You and Flash said the same thing. Is your friendship ideal a cult of the sorts?

“Ok, ok. I will give it a thought.”

And with that, she left. No argument, no clash of ideals, no stupid jokes. It was an exchange of thoughts, just like it should always be.

Author's Notes:

Chapter rewrote on 31/08/2016

Cheap fanart added on 12/10/2016

Chapter 23- Thanks for keeping your promise.

Where is he? That's something I have been asking myself for the past few minutes while running around the school. I have searched for him all over the place. My owner will be mad at me for escaping from her, but I needed to find him. I could make him understand that what he was doing was wrong. If a girly approach failed to make him understand what he was doing, then a talk between boys will do. The only thing to do was not scaring him because a talking dog will be talking to him.

“Maybe I didn't think this well…”

The only thing I was thankful for was that I still had time before lunch started. My Twilight was brilliant as always! She finished the lab work as fast as usual. The only thing that I disliked was seeing Pinkie's sad and teary from inside my bag. I must find him quickly.

Not in this hall… not in this one, no, no, no. Where is he!?

“Stupid locker! Why aren't you more spacious?"

There he is!

I slowly approached to him while looking around to make sure nobody was around. Nobody is here, great! I was behind his back now, the only thing I needed to do was to get his attention.

‘Scratch, Scratch’

“NOW WHO-… Spike? What are you doing here? Where is Twilight?”

He looked around but it was not use, she wasn't here.

“Damn it! What was she thinking in bringing you here every day? She must have left her bag open by accident and you slip away from it. I will call her…”

I was starting to doubt he will take it well about my talking powers. He seemed angry. He searched in his phone for her number no doubt.

“Fucking great! I didn't save her phone during yesterday’s back-up! Let's see… Rarity's number isn't here either. Now I must find her quick before the lunch break starts. At least we have more than forty minutes left. Come here boy, I'll take you with her.” He grabbed me in his arms and started to walk somewhat quickly. I think he was feeling what I felt while I was searching for him just a few moments ago. “Where could you be?...” He said to himself in a low voice.

I am losing time like this. I came this far and I can't back down. Grab your courage, Spike! I can do it, I will do it.

“I-“

“I must ask you in this moment, why aren't you inside your classroom, young Mister?"

That voice! He tried to hide me by trying to not look back in her direction.

“I finished earlier my lab work with Professor Chemical Borefest and he let us go earlier, Mrs Harshwhinny!”

“He usually does that with good teams.”

“Yeah, well, gotta go!”

“Wait right there, Mister Bittersweet.”

“Aha…”

“Is that a dog what you have in your arms, young Mister?”

Oh no!

“Uh… no?” He said with doubt.

“You must already know that school forbids the students to bring pets inside the installations, don't you, Mister Bittersweet?”

“Yes, Mrs. Harshwhinny…”

“Mmm, what a strange choice for a dog ID tag you have there. I thought boys your age would choose a more bold design instead of a heart.”

“Haha… well, you know. Girls like sentimental boys.”

“This isn't your dog, is it?”

“Uh…”

She quickly took a look to my tag without hurting me. NO! Now she knows to whom I belong! Nothing is going as I planned!

“So this little one belongs to Miss Sparkle. Did she deliberately bring the dog? Why do you have it in this moment? If both of you don't want to be in detention, you must explain this at once.”

Nitpick, please don't tell her.

He sighed. “…Ok, Teacher, I can explain.”

Nitpick…

“The truth is…”

You promised!

“I told Twilight yesterday that she could bring Spike to my house. I live nearby so she came earlier to my place to leave him there. The reason why she did this is because she can't leave this little guy too much time alone, especially today that she will hang-out with her friends. I must have left the gate of my house open and this little guy followed us here. He is a smart dog so he found his way eventually.”

“It could have been a likely story except for the last part. No matter how smart a dog of his size is, he would have lost his way on the streets.”

“Then I'll prove to you that he is a smart, little guy. Spike! Give me your paw.”

I gave him the paw as he asked.

“This doesn’t prove anything, Mister Bittersweet. Any decent dog trainer could teach a dog that kind of trick.”

“Spike! Give me a high-five!”

I gave him a high-five.

“Still not convinced.”

“Spike! Run around the main hall and come through that turn over there!”

He left me on the floor and I ran around the hallway as fast as I could. Since I remembered all the turns I made to find him, it didn't took me anything to arrive from the other side. When I was with them, I ran straight to him.

“See? He found his way easily.”

“Very well, just one last test and I will believe you. Spike, right? Stand with only two feet, boy.”

“Come on, Spike. Stand up!”

And I did.

“Oh, I must admit that he is doing an adorable face. His moving tail definitely adds charm to it.”

“He looks kinda silly to me.”

Somehow, I felt that I just lost something that I will never get back anytime soon.

“Just this once I will let this pass away. I suggest you hide it well enough until your classes are over. If someone other than me finds it, they will confiscate it. Understood?”

“Like Crystal Mint!”

“That’s a brand name I haven't heard in a while. Shame that 'Wonto Company' went bankrupt after it's disastrous re-image. I miss those little candies. The Coldmint ones are so lackluster, to say the least.”

She left us after saying that. I was safe.

“With this, I have repaid Twilight for her lunch of the other time. You have made me tell a lie for you, little one. I don't lie in this kind of things…but I guess I promised her that I wouldn't tell anyone about you unless situation demands it so I still owe her lunch!”

You kept your Pinkie Promise, I knew you weren't a bad guy!

His phone rang, and he checked his phone.

“Well, it seems I have Rarity's phone again, Spike. This kind of text expressions are unmistakable... Let's go. Your owner is waiting outside.”

Should I talk to him now? I should-

“…You know, Spike. Twilight must be mad at me for the problems I have caused to her friends. I believe she would be better off without me.”

Don´t say that! Twilight enjoys being with you as much as she enjoys being with the girls!

“Hey, now I am going crazy, hahahaha! Dogs can't talk. But at least you are a good listener, if everyone in this place were as quiet as you… Oh, we are finally in the front gardens and your owner is right there!”

Twilight was there with a face of relief.

“You are safe, Spike! I was dead worry about you!” She said while softly scratching my head. “Thank you for finding him, Nitpick.”

“Yeah, it was he who found me, in fact. Anyway, I don't owe you anything anymore. See you later.”

My owner… Twilight hesitated to let him go, but in the end, he left.

“Now, Spike…”

…Oh-oh.

“Tell me the reason of this recent behavior.”

Someone save me.

Author's Notes:

Chapter rewrote on 31/08/2016

Fanart updated on 12/10/2016. The old drawing is almost the same but I like the improvement on the new one, even if it's just a little.

Chapter 24- Pinkie and Twilight´s meaningful moments! Tale 2

How it ended up like this?

“I have an idea! I'll go to Sugarcube corner and buy milkshakes for all of us! AJ and Rainbow, come with me so we can bring them together.”

In what did I fail?

“And I have the loveliest mat for the occasion in the band room! Fluttershy, dear! Come with me to do some final touches to it!”

Why did he say all those things?

“What about me? In what can I help with?”

Did the cupcakes weren’t enough?

“Stay with Pinkie until we arrive, Twi. Are you okay with this, sugarcube?”

Does he really hate me?

“Of course! Right, Pinkie?”

“…yeah, sounds good.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let's go now!”

Every single day there's something wonderful to try! A new day, a new flavor, a new dress, a new game, a new party… a new chance to make new friends. When I meet new people, I always use my best approaches, my best recipes, my best smile and they always end up smiling. Those faces filled with joy are my delight! My passion and purpose in life!

But he… there were no smiles, no happiness, no friendship. What did I do wrong?

“Pinkie Pie… why don't you sit beside me? It's strangely comfortable against the stone of the monument!”

“No thanks, I am fine…”

“No, you are not.” She said with a low voice. “Come here with me and tell me what happened? I am still new to this but we can offer you a good ear. Spike and I will listen to you in whatever you need. Right, Spike...Spike? SPIKE?”

“He left with Sunset and the others.”

“That puppy is becoming more adventurous since he learned to talk. Seriously, he almost ruined our plan of… never mind him for a moment. Tell me, Pinkie, in what can I help you?”

“I don't know if you can, Twilight. This is new to me. This has never happened before.”

“Don't cry, it's okay.”

“NO! It's not! I always bring smiles to the new people I meet! No matter who, when or how, I always give my best! Nobody has ever acted to me like this before. Sometimes I received a complaint that I can be annoying or stubborn. But in the end, I reached the goal, grant honest and genuine laughter to everyone, a moment of relief! A bright smile that outshines the sad in their days so they can go on happily!”

“I am sure that Nitpick is just another boy who thinks you are stubborn. Once he comes to know you as I did, he will love to have a friendship with you!”

“You say that, but why did he told me he hated me like that? Those eyes were awful! Why did he ‘sob’ told ‘sob’ me to go ‘sob’ and…’sob’”

I can't see…the tears are-

“Shh...” She cleaned some of my tears “Look at me, Pinkie Pie...”

Something told me to do as she said.

“Once upon a time, in the Crystal Prep Academy, there was a lonely girl who traveled the world in shades of gray and black. There was no talking for her, no smiles for her, only the solace of an unused basement filled with old books and science equipment.”

“…what happened to her?”

“Nothing. Days came to pass, and the lonely girl didn't make a single friend. Only her trusted dog, her old babysitter and her older brother shined her days in what usually was a dark, cold and lonely existence. But those were few and far between. It was solitude at its finest in the end. But then…”

“Then what?”

“A substitute of true happiness came to her, whispering void dreams and false hopes to run away from her misery. She nearly hurt people to get what she wanted… But!”

“But?”

“They came. She came! Certain individuals silently asked me if I had enough of that. Showed me the way to genuine happiness, a real way to enjoy life! They pulled me away from my greed and empty desires, filling me with something far more precious and valuable than any power or study program could ever grant me!”

“And what is that?”

“I am looking for the real word for that answer yet. What my spirit is starting to discover is something that my intellect cannot grasp, something that only the bonds with others will reveal to me in time. I will discover it with all of you, with you! I am sure of that!”

“Twilight…”

“Listen, Pinkie Pie. I am new to this, and I still have much to learn about the meaning of having true friends. But deep inside my heart, I know the following to be true; you girls are special to me! You are special to me!”

A slight, warmth energy began filling my heart as Twilight´s words replaced my depressing feelings, my mind felt lighter all of the sudden, relaxed. Peaceful!

“And also, whether it’s a pair of party cannons, a fountain of chocolate, cupcakes made with love or a practical joke with tender feathers, you were able to bring me a moment of joy in what was once a worthless existence. There is always a first time for failure, once you overcome this, I am sure you will be better than before. Because of this…”

You-

“When it’s about bliss and laughs…”

Make me-

“To me… You are the best!”

SMILE!

“OWWW! GIVE ME A HUUUUUUGGG! COME TO ME!" I hugged with all my love. “HAHAHAHA! How could I forget that easily why I spread smiles in the first place? With friends like you, I CAN DO ANYTHING!”

“Pink- yur –crush!”

“WOOOPS” I carefully put her on the ground again. “Sorry.”

“Ouch.” She made some waist movements and- ‘crack’-… did I broke her? “I am so glad you are back to normal, Pinkie Pie!”

Oh, great, she is alright!

“You reminded me why I do what I do, Twilight. You are a good friend.” She smiled with what I said. I love that gentle smile “Come and give me a hug!”

She did. This is the right feeling. This is good. Isn't, Twilight?

“You know… I am so jealous of you, Pinkie!”

“WHAT!?” I saw her at the eye “Why did you say that?”

“Because you recovered really fast while for me, it took me several weeks to be at peace after an uncomfortable event involving lunch during my days in Crystal Prep. It was so silly!”

“That’s because you didn't have friends in that place. Here in this school, in this place, you will learn the meaning of laughter with me!”

“I sometimes forget that that you are a bearer of an Element of Harmony from another dimension!”

“It’s not only that, Twilight! A good laugh with friends can make many good things happen; it can destroy fears, it can banish bad moods, unite strangers and most importantly, you share your good vibes towards people. Just like you just did for me in a small, simple but good moment, it's what I try to spread to the people every day. Life is full of happy moments to admire, even if there are dark days in them! For me, those happy and unrepeatable moments are something worth living for!”

“That’s a lovely ideal, Pinkie Pie!”

“Of course! Now I feel that I can try again! OH! The girls have arrived!”

Wooo! They were carrying lots on muffins and milkshakes! And I bet Rarity did the mat in a flash like always! I am so excited to start lunch now!

“Sugarcube! Are you fine now?”

“Yeah! Thanks for worrying about me, girls!”

“Darling! That's What Friends Are For!”

“Yeah! Now that you are fine, I’ll be back in a minute. That jerk and I have some things to discuss!”

“Uh, Rainbow. We need to talk again!”

“No, Applejack! What he said to you is a lie! I haven't heard a single complain of anyone in school about practices.”

“Arguing with him will only prove his point, Rainbow Dash. We need to think of something else. I remember what happened when we ignored Trixie last semester and she nearly ruined the event we organized with the sport costumes of the school.” Rarity said, but there was no anger toward Trixie now that she was a friend of ours.

“But she did that because she was alone. She told me herself, remember? That’s why we must fix this without hurting each other… Like someone did for me a year ago!”

“Girls, I know what we can do about him!”

“You have an idea, Fluttershy?” Sunset said with a smile.

“Yes! I'll convince him to help me with the rat infestation in the suburbs tomorrow!”

Silence… it was windy today.

“Uh, sugarcube… I don’t think he is an animal lover.”

Even I think it's a bad idea. And I love to help you from time to time in the shelter, Fluttershy.

“Of course he is! Remember what Spike said about his little adventure before we went our separate ways? Nitpick defended Spike and took a liking to him, I don't see why he wouldn't love the little critters in the shelter. Once he sees how adorable the rats can be after a small bath, he will show how friendly he really is. Besides, if he loves quiet people like Spike mentioned, maybe deep inside that rough shell of him, he is just like me: Shy! And only wants to be at peace when surrounded by strangers!”

“That makes sense, Fluttershy! You are always the good listener and perceptive in these things! Perhaps your silence will make him speak his mind more gently with you!” Sunset said, and all of us agreed to it, except Rainbow Dash. “Did he mention something else, Spike? Another clue that could help us in this?”

“Eh… no, nothing important.”

That was a fishy way to hide something, but my Pinkie sense told me it was for the best… or maybe it was my stomach that was hungry and just wanted to eat something.

“I still think that a good, aggressive talk will make him understand.”

“Eh, nope.”

“But Applejack!”

“Nope.”

“Are you listening to me?“

“Nope.”

“Why you-!“

‘Pump’

I couldn't stop laughing after seeing her face! Applejack just put a muffin in her mouth! We all started to laugh and Rainbow soon joined us. These laughs of us were a song of happiness to me.

“I love you, girls.”

“We love you too, Pinkie, we truly do. Now, let’s discuss how to help Fluttershy behind the scenes. Well, after we finish eating what we brought!”

We all ‘Yay’ to Sunset's idea, and a new, wonderful way to be with the ones I love appeared before me.

Author's Notes:

Chapter rewrote on 31/08/2016

Fanart updated on 12/10/2016. I wanted to do a more dynamic transition from sad to happy, I hope it delivers. As always, here is the old one so you can compare it.

Chapter 25- You are horrible!

It was Friday. The hour of lunch was at hand and I was in my favorite spot on the back gardens. The first hours of classes were unexpectedly quiet. None of the girls, not even Twilight, said something to me. It was like if they were avoiding me, trying to distance themselves from me. It was strange, it was lonely, it was-

“ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!” I said with great triumph.

Now I could enjoy lunch at peace. Being by my self was for the best. If Twilight had continued to keep getting closer to me, she would have ended in a lot of troubles with her friends, and if she had to choose between them or me, the right choice would be them. And I didn't see a problem with that.

I took a quick glimpse from the corner of the wall to see if nobody was coming. Nothing, meaning a great dawn of peace to my student life.

The wind blew, it almost sounded like if someone was talking to me. I took a look from the corner again, and there was nobody at sight. My imagination must be playing me tricks.

‘mumble’

That was not the wind. I took a long look now to the street, but nobody was there… then!

“Uhm, excuse me?”

The weak voice came from my left.

“Hi!”

“How the hell did you get here?”

“Well, I came from the other side.”

Now that was a stupid question from my part.

“Look, if you came here to talk about your friends or the soccer team-“

“No! I came to… well. I want to ask you, um…”

This isn't going nowhere, if you want to tell me something, you better- Ah, what's this?

“A rabbit?”

“Angel! I told you to wait with the rest of the girls!”

This rabbit… he looked annoyed. The way he was tapping the floor with his foot was insanely fast.

“You are hungry?”

Are you actually talking to a rabbit? And did the rabbit nodded his head? What the hell is this place, exactly? Only weird things happened here!

“Sorry, I have nothing with me right now!”

Did the rabbit just cross his arms? Well, he looks like a smart-ass fellow.

“Here, rabbit. Since I brought lunch thanks to my lack of funds, I have a shiny, fresh apple just for you.”

This rabbit just smiled while he grabbed my offering… the apples today must have a drug in them that were making me have hallucinations.

“OH! I knew you were a good hearted guy!”

For a moment, your flattery made me feel like if I were an evil man before this event.

“What do you want? I want to eat lunch.”

“I came here to ask you help with something.”

“Excuse me?”

You suddenly took a casual approach to me, way different from your original mood of a few moments ago.

“There is a rat infestation in the suburbs and the shelter can't handle the problem with its current staff. So we are asking for volunteers to help all personnel in the capture of the little pretties.”

Rats… little pretties? I have a bad memory from those pest.

“Why do you think I could help you with this? According to your friends I am an ass, remember?”

“My goodness, such language! And that has nothing to do with your ability to help someone. Please, help me.”

“Why?”

“Because with this you can show everyone that you are not the mean guy they think you are!”

Pfffft, I don't give a crap as long as they leave me in peace. And why all of you keep using ‘everybody’? Who is ‘everybody’?

“No, I am fine the way things are.”

“I know you would be able to make a difference.”

Fishy…

“Ask your friends to help you in this.”

“Oh, they will help me! They are already assigned to other posts. Please, join us! We shy people must stick together. It will be fun!”

Shy, me? And your cheerful smile gave my Sixth Sense a tingle of danger, whatever you want, I must ignore this quickly.

“What makes you say that I am shy?”

“Because I paid attention to your attitude, and I have noticed what is your real problem with the people of the school.”

“Oh yeah, and what is that?”

Curiosity got the better of me. Let’s see what kind of answer I get from Fluttershy.

“You dislike when people comes to you like vultures, you want to be at peace thinking about your own personal issues or enjoying the beautiful panorama in your surroundings! Always reflecting if there is something more important we can do in our lives!”

I was absolutely impressed with you.

“Also, you like to work alone because sometimes people don’t understand your intentions!”

That’s a half-truth because there are people who work great with me but I am impressed still with your perception.

“For you, being the center of attention is absolutely awful! Everyone staring at you, judging you, furiously noting how could you be way better than before!”

Uh… are you reflecting your frustrations on me? You are stressing yourself all of the sudden.

“Why aren't you more open? Why aren't you more assertive? And then, when you make a mistake, they'll turn on you, shunning you with their evil and twisted laughs of mockery, ending horribly humiliated, never able to show your face on middle school again! Guh! AAAHHHHH!!!”

“Fluttershy!? FLUTTERSHY!”

She was panting scared! Like if she just remembered a really bad memory.

“Yes?”

“I'll help! I'll help! Just calm down! Breathe deeply and exhale slowly”

This girl had serious problems.

“You will help me, for real?”

“Yes, Promise.”

Just don't scream again.

“Wonderful! Since our History teacher will not come today either, we can go straight to the shelter after school! Don’t worry, we aren't going to get dirty, the traps will do the work for us!”

“Today!? But-“

“This is going to be great! I’ll see you in the bus stop after classes! Come, Angel, let’s give you a proper breakfast!”

Did the rabbit just give me a thumb up? Suddenly, I didn't want to eat my lunch anymore.

Classes ended, and I was on the bus stop. It seems that some students were into this mess too. Everybody talking about grouping and such. As for me, I was keeping my distance. Lightbulb and Dancer won't participate so I was on my own. I hate it when I make promises so easily. Now I can't get out of here. Flutteshy said that I wouldn't get dirty, but I was glad that my tac-shirt was safeguarded in its box, I couldn't bear to dirt it after its cleaning process.

“All right, everyone! The special bus from the Town's Hall is coming! please get in line and group with your partners!”

That will be easy, I had no partner still.

“Ready to do some captures, Nitpick?”

I forgot about you, Twilight.

“Let me guess, we are teaming up?”

“Sadly, not this time.” She said this somewhat disappointed. “But I am going to be teamed up with Sunset Shimmer!” But she said this completely delighted.

“Good.”

“…hey, can we talk for a bit?”

“Eh, sure.”

“I was meaning to ask you the question that I was going to say that day.”

Oh yeah, I interrupted her that time during our gossip incident. But I don't think this was a good idea.

“Whatever it is, just forget about it. If you want to keep your fri-“

“Everyone on-board!”

The bus! Good timing.

“Better go with Sunset now if you don’t want to lose your seat beside her.”

“Alright… well talk another day, ok?”

“Eh, sure.”

Sure not.

We got on-board, all the best places in the back were filled. But today I didn't mind that. The driver of the bus was someone I could get along really fine with.

“It's been a while, Turnip”

“Fancy meeting again like this, Nitpick! No longer a city bumpkin?”

“Nope. Can you do this trip shorter like usual?”

“Hold your trousers, partner, and let’s get rollin’!”

I believe no one from the bus expected this sudden burst of speed. I could see their frightful faces of despair from the bus' mirror. It was funny. With this, we arrived in the suburbs in thirty minutes. We stopped at the shelter. It was a pretty place, to say the least. A vet station was next door of it, and what I think were our new bosses were in front of us.

“Alright everyone! Gather in peace around us.”

She looked unreliable.

“Radical to meet you. I'm Tree Hugger, and I am the vet chief of this sanctuary. We'll help the critters of mother nature to find peace with us!”

This task was doomed to fail with her as our leader. She had an air of a hippie from the seventies, but civilized and professionally dressed. I have nothing against them, but she just gives me a weird mojo.

“The animals just, like, feel our groove, when we get near them. If we get close to them with fright, they will run from us. If we come with love, they will come to us, you know?"

“Oh, that makes so much sense!”

“That’s why my birds never leave my side!”

Random voices of agreement sprouted around me. I am the only one who was sane here? Or I am the one who was actually crazy?

“Go with peace with each team leader and come back with the little ones. If what people in the neighborhoods say is true, there are just eighteen of them. Working in harmony we will catch them before sunset. Blessings and happy captures!”

"Nitpick!"

"What, Fluttershy?"

"Good luck, I know you can catch one! Enjoy yourself at it!"

And she left with her friends, leaving me on my own.

We were in our respective teams, and we were given tools to capture those rats, some of them being small cages. I don’t think these will be useful to catch those ruffians. Not only that, I didn't have teammates or leader for some reason but I didn't mind that. They gave me a sheet with detailed instructions of how my tools worked, including my designated area to search. How lucky of me, it’s just nearby the shelter in a lively neighborhood.

But how I was supposed to catch a stupid rat in a place like this? I feel like I was doing a stupid fetch quest in a sandbox game. Let's see what I must do in my wanna-be mission log: Put the cages on the less populated spots of your area. Then put the cheese inside each cage. Activate the mechanism and happily wait for your critter to be captured. The mechanism will do a strong noise when the sly critter is captured.

This will take a while…

After putting the cages in what I believed were the best places, I started to wait for the rats to fall in the traps.

‘Clink’

I inspected all the cages to see which one had activated and when I found the closed cage it was-

“Empty?”

Ugh! Maybe the mechanism didn’t activate as fast as it should. No! I must try again; maybe it was a lucky shot. I put more cheese in it and once again I waited for-

‘Clink’

Now it was from the other side of the street. Your luck has been-

“EMPTY AGAIN!?”

Again!

‘Clink’

Again!

‘Clink’

Aga- There is the little fucker! I stealthy hid behind a bush and approached it as close as I could. I observed how it does it and tried to discover its secret. It carefully got near the cheese outside the cage, turning it's back from it; it did a quick tail grabbing and started running with all its might with the cheese at its possession.

‘Clink’

Clever fucker…

“That rat is nothing but trouble!” Said an angered, old woman from behind. “I have seen that trick of it succeed too many times already!”

“These cages are the only thing I have to work with. I can do no more than wait for the best.”

“Well, kid! That rat’s days are numbered! Take a look at this!”

A Glue trap?

“I don’t think this will be accepted with Chief Hugger's plan!”

“Chief Hugger is a nice kid. She takes good care of the pets in the neighborhood, but her ways are too idealistic. If we let those vermin go, they will spread faster again. They carry fleas, diseases and eat chunks of our food, leaving it poisoned. The most reasonable approach is kill it.”

She speaks the truth. Last year, there was a rat on my house that ate cereal from an open box. My sister didn't notice and after eating the cereal she ended in the hospital for several weeks because she was diagnosed with Salmonellosis. She nearly died of extreme dehydration but I gave many, many thanks to the Truth that rules everything when she recovered from it. I was scared for her and I could understand this granny's reason to use the trap.

“Alright, how many of those you have?”

“Only one, it's hard to come with these since the Chief got into action a few years ago!”

“We only need to catch this rat. We don’t want it to teach it's technique the rest of this plague.”

“I am glad you can use reason, kid. You’ll go far thinking like this.”

I prepared the trap while reading the instructive carefully. I placed all the cheese in the middle so it couldn’t escape once the glue took effect on it.

“Now you won't escape this time...” I said to myself with confidence.

The granny and I got into hidden, waited for a few moments and finally the little shit got nearby the trap. It started to sniff the plastic and thought carefully his next move. THIS LITTLE FUCKER WON'T-! Wait, it took the bait! Come on, come on. YES! It was trapped in the glue!

“SUCCESS!”

I laughed triumphantly as I got nearby it.

“Not feeling smart now, right, little vermin?” Said the granny happily while I carefully raised the trap stick. “Good job, kid. Now, we must put it in this bag and kill it quickly.“

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

An inhuman scream of horror soon followed while I was being dragged with great force. We quickly arrived to the vet station; the trap with the rat removed from my hand with great care and put on the treatment desk. An enraged, human being that resembled Fluttershy walked towards me.

“What. Have. You. Done?”

I was scared.

“D-doing my task.”

“I’ll ask again. What have you done?”

I must regain my composure.

“I caught the rat.”

Her eyes started to twitch menacingly.

“You caught the rat?” She said with an ominous, forced, big smile.

“Yes.”

“You… caught the rat?” She put her hands on my shoulders, her grip wasn't as strong as before. But the intensity! Those void eyes!

“Yes.”

A sudden silence appeared before the storm.

“WHY IN THE WORLD YOU USED THAT ABOMINABLE, MONSTRUOS THING ON THE POOR ANIMAL?”

“Because it was a rat problem! As long as we dispose of them through any means necessary, it’s a job done, isn't it?”

“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!?”

She quickly walked to where the rat was. She was looking thoroughly for something in it.

“Thank goodness this glue is of cheap quality.” She mumbled to herself. “Don't worry, my pretty! I will save you right away!”

She searched through the medical drawers for something and when she found a certain bottle, she quickly put its contents around the glue.

“Shh, relax, Mr. Mouse. The glue will degrade in half an hour or so. Just be patient.” Said Fluttershy while comforting the rat.

That is not human or a common pet, you know?

“YOU!”

Here we go again.

“Why did you do this?”

“As I said, it was a pest we needed to deal with. Is this not the purpose of why we are doing this?”

“No! We are capturing rats so we can relocate them to the wild again!”

“That rat was a problem to those neighbors, you know?”

“That is not a rat, it’s a mouse?”

“What’s the difference? Both are kinds of vermin we need to deal with!”

“There is a great difference in species traits even if they look similar in some aspects! And we will deal with them, but not like savage barbarians!”

“It's not savage if we think about the dangers of setting them free! They carry diseases and other kind of shit that endangers common people lifestyles”

“We are the ones who endanger them in the first place, Nitpick! They are lovely and pretty as the rest of nature”

“Some of them must be removed for our sake!”

“You mean genocide!?”

“NO! I mean only the ones that are harmful to us in our settlements!”

“All animals deserve to live like we do!”

“Not all! When there is a plague that comes and endanger us by spreading to us their diseases, especially to a point where it can kill us, then we must hunt them down, and if its necessary, kill the little fuckers and-“

‘SLAP’

Did she… bitch-slapped me?

She dragged me again where the mouse was and pull me from the shirt so I could be near it.

“Look at him…”

“Why?”

“LOOK AT HIM” Said Fluttershy with great force.

‘Sigh’ What are you trying to-

The mouse was wheezing and panting at an alarming rate, it tried to escape from its imprisonment with all his might, lingering every second to the life it had. What appeared to be tears near his eyeballs started to pour in the mix of glue and the compound that will release it shortly.

“Look at me”

I won’t.

“Please… Look. At. Me!” Said Fluttershy with a tone of great disappointment.

And so, I look at her, locking my eyes with hers. Her eyes... full of sadness.

“Nitpick, they may be simple animals to everyone. But for me, they are as great and beautiful like the rest of us. You say that we must protect ourselves when they endanger us, so they will do too when they feel in danger. Not only that, even if it’s on a base instinct level, there is blood running in their hearts, they breath, they eat, they run, they fear, they enjoy, they love, and they weep! They weep, Nitpick! Just as we do!”

I…

She released me from her grip and put all her attention to the rat. She may be right, but… sometimes that kind of thinking is wrong.

“Please, leave this place. I don't want to see you anytime soon.”

“…okay, I’ll leave”

As I open the door, she spoke to me for the last time in this day.

“I thought you would understand… Angel doesn’t receive things or take a liking to people that easy, especially to guys… he hates them in fact.”

Is that rabbit the same deal as Pinkamena’s cupcakes?

Silence engulfed the vet room. I should have obeyed my Sixth Sense in the morning. The sun was bright and warm today, but for some reason, as I left that place and went forward to the bus station, leaving behind another disappointed person behind me, today felt really cold and shadowy.

Author's Notes:

Chapter rewrote on 31/08/2016

Fanart update on 12/10/2016. I tried to make it a serious matter for Fluttershy. There has been several episodes where she loses her mind when a creature is hurt. Here is the original drawing.