Sunday went by fairly quickly for everypony. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were still unconscious from Noblesse's anesthesia spell, which was for the best considering their wounds, the Ponyville Weather Team was still in the midst of adjusting the weather schedule for the upcoming increase of population and industry, there were no more incidents that required the guards attention.

Noblesse Oblige, with the help of the local Zebra shaman, had laid out the road map for trade roads going through the Everfree Forest. One had to be careful with this kind of project as the wildlife in the Everfree Forest managed itself, and separating prey and predator would have dire consequences for the whole region.

Noblesse wanted roads in the Everfree Forest to better connect the settlements in Everfree Province. Trade Caravans could easily go around the forest, but there were many problems which discouraged trade between the settlements. Going around the whole forest required a lot of time, time which would increase how much caravan staff would need to be paid.

There was also the issue of the settlements themselves. A caravan constantly going through a settlement would attract the attention of thieves, gangs, and other criminal elements. Because of this local governments charged the caravan owners to go through the settlement, increasing the amount of which any trade goods cost. The only water route that the province could use was in the Everfree Forest itself, this meant that it could be smooth sailing one moment and deadly rapids the next.

But if one were to put security wards in the leylines, it would prevent monsters from attacking the caravan. Criminals could still technically ambush the caravan but that would require to wait outside of the cleared road, opening any opportunists to attacks from the wildlife.

When caravans started going directly to one settlement to another within the province, all settlements could obtain numerous goods for nearly no cost. And now that a noblepony was actually residing in Everfree Province, other provinces would send their caravans into Everfree Province. This would of course turn all of Everfree Province into the single largest domestic trade hub in Equestria, only cities like Vanhoover or Trottingham would be able to compete with the agricultural communities of Everfree Province. The economy of Everfree Province would actually overcome that of Equestria's other trade routes, both domestic and foreign.

Noblesse Oblige sat in front of the three paneled mirror in his bed room, looking deeply into his face.

While many of his 'peers' (implying they were actually his equal) would spend hours every day admiring how beautiful they looked, Noblesse had a much less vain reason to have this habit. Too see the changes in his appearance as the ancient magics worked.

Noblesse knew that he didn't have to take the Under-City blood rites, yet he felt like too much of an outsider without it. He also believed in the Under-City Ponies' means of penance: humility, combat, and even sacrificing some of his own Equinity because of his ancestors' hubris. Many of his critics would point out that Noblesse was different from the Under-City Ponies, they were born the infusions in their blood. They were born the way the were, Noblesse didn't care what critics thought of him.

The first changes were not in his appearance, but his heightened sense of smell. Next came the mutation of his bones. Instead of being single masses, they became countless vertebrae similar to one's spine. Noblesse could see his rounded pupils slowly becoming dagger like slits, he could also feel some of his teeth becoming fangs. Noblesse could also feel his muscles 'changing.' They weren't becoming stronger per-say, but certainly they were becoming more flexible.

The most noticeable change that would come would be his hide, or rather the lack of. He would still have skin but he would shed his coat and hide, and in their place would be rows of scales.

Despite his past, Noblesse couldn't help but feel giddy and excited at the prospect of going to a public school. He might still get stares at his unusually coloring, and there would certainly be comments about it, but he had a feeling that even the bullies at the Ponyville Foalhood Education Center would be more tame than anypony at his great aunt's school.

Noblesse used his magic to darken the magical 'Lighting Stones' mounted in his room and made his way to his bed. Most would have trouble with navigating the stygian darkness that encompassed his bedroom, but Noblesse was not most Ponies, not most surface Ponies anyway.

Noblesse tucked himself in his covers and drifted into his grandmother's domain as thoughts of his first day of school drowned his mind in excitement.

Rumble awoke as the Celestia's sun rose and shined it's blinding light directly into his face. Rumble removed his covers and yawned as looked to the clock mounted on the wall of his room.

6 a.m. Sharp, like everyday. Though Cloudsdale's Flight School kept the foals at attendance on a strict schedule, Rumble was already accustomed to the early rises that the school demanded. Sometimes, he woke up as one of the instructors entered the barracks for roll call and morning excises. One of many things that the other foals mocked him about, the most common one being his effeminate appearance.

Rumble left his room and went straight for the shower in his house. Flitter and Cloud Chaser were still asleep, and his brother would be messing with his tail right about now. So Rumble held no reservations about taking his time in the shower, not that he needed much.

Twenty minutes later Rumble headed downstairs and to his lack of surprise, saw his brother trying to make his tail perfect for the day.

“Come on!” Whined Thunderlane. Whining was some what of an exaggeration. But in Rumble's mind, his brother spent too much time on his appearance and simply couldn't understand why he spent hours on his appearance.

“Good morning Thunder,” Said Rumble happily as he went into the kitchen.

“Good morning Rumble,” Replied the elder brother, “Sleep well?”

“Like a foal...” Rumble's voice trailed off as he looked for something in particular in the cupboards.

Thunderlane had to struggle to keep his brother from hearing his giggles. Thunderlane would occasionally prank his brother this way, by switching the items in the fridge, freezer, and pantry respectively.

Thunderlane never put items in places where they would spoil or become ruined, but Rumble was none the wiser. The young gray Pegasus would recall something being in one place, and look in that place and adjacent areas over and over again. Five years of doing this and Rumble was still clueless.

“Are you looking for something in particular?” Asked Thunderlane.

“Yeah,” Replied Rumble plainly, “We're not out of cereal are we?”

Thunderlane had to suppress giggles once again before answering, “Three shelves from the top little bud.”

Rumble looked up and saw that every box of cereal he remembered being on the bottom close to the top of the cabinet, “Oh.”

Thunderlane had to force himself to wheeze to keep his brother from hearing his laughter as he flew up and grabbed one of the boxes.

Flitter came down the stairs and looked at her dark colored friend in confusion. Thunderlane simply pointed to Rumble close to the ceiling. Flitter had to keep herself from laughing as well. The two sisters were in on Thunderlane's prank and would even take part once in a while.

Flitter spoke to keep Rumble from noticing her laughing, “Good morning Rumble,” She said in a sweet song voice.

Rumble looked over to his left as he descended, “Good morning Flitter, how are you this morning?”

“Oh, I'm fine. How about you two?” Flitter went into the kitchen herself as she spoke.

“I'm fine this morning, can't say the same about Thunder though,” Rumble gestured with a spoon to his older brother, “Now, where are the bowls?”

Flitter couldn't help but giggle. She and Cloud Chaser had switch some of the tableware in the cabinets before going to bed, “Geez Rumble, you've only lived here for twelve years,” Flitter snickered as she realized what the effeminate colt said about his brother, “And what's this about you Thunderlane?”

Thunderlane was glaring at his hindquarters with a brush wrapped in his one of his fore legs, “I can't get my tail to cooperate with me today.”

A little known fact about Ponies: though most used the limited telekinesis through their hooves, they could all use limited telekinesis through their heels and into their knees, it was actually strongest in their cannons. It was this aspect of Pony magiology that allowed them to use polearms so well.

Rumble spoke again after he swallowed a spoonful of cereal, “Will you joining us today Flitter?”

Flitter had to think for a moment about what Rumble meant. It hit her like a hurricane, “Oh, today's your first day of school here isn't it?”

“Mm-hm,” Was all of the response Rumble could give with a mouth full of cereal.

“Well, I don't have work until nine today. So I would love to drop you off at school,” Flitter might have been worried about rumors and comments about the nature of the relationship between herself, her sister, and Thunderlane, but Ponies have been talking since the three of them moved in together.

“Do you know if that girl you meet the other day will be there?” Asked Flitter. Rumble was oblivious to it, but Thunderlane could hear the malicious intent in her voice.

“Girl?” Asked Rumble who his friend was talking about.

“The Apple filly that you watched over on Friday,” Flitter's eyes seemed to sparkle.

Thunderlane was not able to hold back giggles this time. He knew exactly where this was going, and he was not going to intervene.

“Oh,” Was all Rumble said, not realizing that he was being set up, “I'm not sure. Why do you ask?”

“I just thought you would like to have class with your fillyfriend,” Said Flitter calmly, though her eyes betrayed how much she was going to enjoy messing with Rumble.

“Fillyfriend?” Said Rumble as a blush erupted across his face, “I met her three days ago and I didn't even get to talk to her. I'm not even acquainted with her.”

“Then you should fix that little bro,” Thunderlane decided to join in, “I don't think that Applejack would mind her family had a few more seeds in it.”

Flitter and Thunderlane laughed at Rumble's expense as whole his turned scarlet.

“Knock it off you two,” Cloud Chaser spoke as she came down the stairs, “Lets at least wait until he's had his first day of school before we tease him.”

Rumble's blush died down some as he rolled his eyes, “Gee, thanks CC,” Rumble slid the box of cereal to the side of the counter Cloud Chaser was about to cross.

Cloud Chaser caught the box as she passed, “Thanks Rumble. So what's on the agenda today 'captain?'”

Thunderlane rolled his eyes at his friend and subordinate, “Well, we won't have any migrants until 24th of Spring. So unless it's behind a desk, we won't have any guard work to do until then.”

“So we're going to just nag at Rainbow Dash for jobs for the next month?” Asked Cloud Chaser. Everypony in the room laughed as Thunderlane nodded his head.

“What's the date today?” Asked Rumble.

“The 85th of Winter,” Said Flitter, “In six more days, you'll get to participate in your first Winter Wrap-Up!” Flitter's voice was jovial and excited.

Rumble was about to take his dishes to the sink, but Cloud Chaser intercepted him and grabbed his bowl, “Allow me,” Cloud Chaser took both hers and Rumble's dishes to the sink.

“Thanks CC,” Rumble's voice was genuine this time, “Will you be able to accompany us to school today Cloud Chaser?”

Cloud Chaser smiled sadly at her little friend, “Sorry Rumble. I'd love to, but I have to take inventory at the guard armory this morning,” She ruffled Rumble's mane some before kissing his head, “I hope you have a good day at school.”

“Is everypony ready?” Asked Thunderlane looking to Flitter and Rumble.

“I don't think Flitter has eaten yet,” Pointed out Rumble.

“I don't have work for like, another two hours. It'll be fine,” Assured Flitter.

“Rumble?” Asked Thunderlane.

“Yeah, I'm ready. Just let me get my backpack,” Rumble flew over to the coat rack by the door and grabbed his backpack. Most Ponies used saddle bags, but they were hard to get accustomed to if you didn't wear clothing on a regular basis.

“Alright!” Exclaimed Rumble, “Lets go!”

Rumble flew out the door as Flitter called to him, “Wait for us Rumble!” Flitter followed suit.

Thunderlane just rolled his eyes at his energetic family and followed behind his friend and his brother.

“How do you feel about facing your first day of public school?” Asked a light purple mare.

“I'm actually sort of excited,” Replied Noblesse Oblige, “I think I'll still get strange looks, but with the town's history with the zebra...”

“Oh right,” Top Priority knew what her master was talking about, “I think a creature of another species is a little more drastic than another Pony who looks strange.”

“According to Twilight Sparkle, they didn't know she was a zebra,” Pointed out Noblesse, “They just thought that she was a Pony who dyed her coat with stripes in lived in the Everfree Forest.”

“Really?” Asked Priority, “They made someone a pariah for something so mundane? Ponyville seems like such a friendly place.”

Before the two could continue their conversation, they saw an unpleasant scene. Two fillies the pair was familiar with, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. The pair of bullies seemed to have chosen a new quarry now that their favorite victims were... 'unavailable.'

“Oi! Knock it off you!” Yelled a small white Earth Pony colt, the pair noted the colt's unique appearance: namely, the natural blotches of brown all over his coat.

“Why don't you make us short stack?” Said Silver Spoon as she made the small colt trip.

“Woah!” The poor colt didn't just fall to the ground, he face-planted.

The two bullies were about to taunt their victim more when the witnesses became interlopers, “Hey!” Noblesse yelled with authority.

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon looked behind them. While the pair had spent the last couple of days in the Everfree Palace, Noblesse Oblige made sure that the two brats didn't know that they didn't know he was the lord presiding over the palace. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon took a few unconscious steps backward as they recognized Top Priority as the lord's right hoof and their captor, “W-what are you doing here?” Silver Spoon spoke addressing the head of security at the Everfree Palace.

Top Priority and Noblesse went over their cover story in length the previous evening, “I was taking my son to school when I saw you two brats,” She wasn't trying very hard to mask the disdain in her voice, “You two go to jail for bullying another foal, so you decide to pick on a different foal? I'll have to speak to my master if your cells are that comfortable.”

The two bullies brought their attention to Noblesse for the first time as he was helping their victim off of the ground. They noted his metallic gray coat and his light brown mane and tail. They also saw his unique Cutie Mark, a silhouette of an Alicorn posing in a mirror. The two flinched when his gaze meet theirs, his dark red-brown eyes full of furry, “I take it that you two are the daughters of Baron Filthy Rich and Margrave Gilded Chalice respectively?”

The two bullies could not say why they were scared of this strange looking colt, something in his voice and his gaze made the two want to run away screaming. Never mind that his gaze lacked the malice that his 'mother's' had, or the fact he was only speaking a little louder than Fluttershy, “H-how do you know that?” Asked Diamond Tiara, not liking that a colt she had never meet knew more than he should about herself and her cousin.

“My family has served House Platinum for generations. I am more than familiar with all of Equestria's noble families. The lord also made a point of stating how disappointed that some of the peers his age were worthless brats,” Noblesse held no reservations about giving his own opinions freely.

Noblesse started prowling towards the two infamous bullies, “Though I share my lord's name, I lack his mercy almost entirely. Thou had best watch thy own actions, for I shall ensure my master has a very detailed description of thy misconduct,” Noblesse crouched as though he were about to pounce.

Seeing the colt's predatory positioning, the two bullies started running to the school yard. Noblesse started to chuckle as he turned to the small colt behind him, “I'm sorry that you had to see that, I just thought it would be best if they were gone,” Noblesse stoke out a hoof to the colt, “My name is Noblesse Oblige, it's a pleasure to meet you.”

The small white and brown colt grabbed Noblesse's hoof in his and shook it, “My name's Pipsqueak, it's noice to meet you Noblesse. And thanks for helping me out there.”

“I hate to ask,” Started Top Priority, “But how old are you Pipsqueak?” Pipsqueak was clearly older than his stature suggested, but Priority didn't know how much older.

“I'm fourteen, 'nd think nothin' of it luv. I get questions like that all the time,” A thought occurred to Pipsqueak, “I don't suppose you two are head to the same school I am are you?”

“Is there more than one school?” Asked Noblesse wryly.

“Ha! Good point mate,” Pipsqueak had known this metallic colored colt for a grand total of seven minutes and he was already liking him, never mind that he could become a force of terror at a moment's notice.

The group of three started their trek to school. Top Priority smiled as she watched Noblesse and Pipsqueak talk like old friends, though it was only natural given all they had in common. They were both from different parts of Equestria, they both had 'unique' color schemes, and neither seemed to be afraid to snark at the nobility given their ongoing conversation. Ha, and to think the Diarchs were afraid that Noblesse wouldn't be able to make Friends thought Top Priority. He hadn't even been to school yet and Noblesse had already made at least six friends, Priority wasn't sure where Twilight's dragon assistant fell in the friend/acquaintance spectrum. I wonder how the other foals will treat him?