“Ah can't believe we have to go tah school today,” Said Apple Bloom as sat in the Cutie Mark Crusaders' new transport wagon.

“I know right?” Agreed Scootaloo, “Why wouldn't Ms. Cheerilee just cancel school today?”

“At least we only have to go one day this week,” Pointed out Sweetie Belle, “It's Friday too, so we get to have two whole days before we have to go to school again. Besides, aren't you fillies excited that we're getting two new students?”

“We already know one of 'em Sweetie,” Said Apple Bloom.

When he visited the co-founders of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Noblesse Oblige revealed to them that he would be going to school with other foals until his fifteenth birthday on the 52nd of Spring. He also reminded him that his status as a noblepony needed to remain a secret to everypony until then.

“Was I the only one who though it was weird that he had already gotten our snow cloths before he visited us?” Asked Scootaloo, “I wouldn't mind, except that he apparently did it without our families' knowledge.”

“Ah will admit, that's pretty weird,” Agreed Apple Bloom, “If he didn't get help from our families, then how did he know where to look?”

“And how did he do it without getting caught?” Pondered Sweetie Belle.

Their thoughts were interrupted by Scootaloo breaking with her front hooves and wings as they stopped in front of the schoolhouse.

Cheerilee sat at her desk as she greeted the foals coming and going to her class room. Most foals were coming for the noon class period. Some of the foals were already here, Cheerilee held study sessions in between class periods for foals who were either not comfortable that they understood the lesson they just went over or were just falling behind (or thought they were behind).

The noon time class was Cheerilee's favorite class period. While some Ponies are 'night owls' or 'morning Ponies,' Cheerilee was at her best in the middle of the day. The sun hanging in the middle of the sky, seeing all of the Ponies going to lunch before she came to work, having the time to appreciate everything in Ponyville without early morning/late evening grogginess, it simply made the purple mare happy to be alive.

Cheerilee was reminded that, paradoxically, the noon time class had her least favorite students as she saw them take their seats. Normally, a teacher wouldn't have a least favorite student, or multiple of them at that, but she made a special exception for two pairs of foals.

“Did you hear we're getting new students,” Asked a tall and skinny orange Unicorn colt.

“Yeah, what do you think they'll be like?” Replied a fat blue Unicorn colt.

It was hard to make Cheerilee dislike somepony, though these two were just loathsomely stupid all the time. Cheerilee also couldn't find it in her heart to forgive these two for bringing a giant magical bear to town that then ate ate a third of the attic and roof on her house, it was a huge pain to convince the insurance company that actually happened.

“Urgh, great,” Said a gray Earth Pony filly with glasses, “More losers in town.”

“When will we some decent Ponies in school?” Asked a light pink Earth Pony filly.

Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara were by far the worst Ponies Cheerilee had ever meet in her life. The two were spoiled rotten and their families' wealth and power kept anypony from hoofing out any real discipline, until recently.

Cheerilee had heard about what the two bullies had said to Apple Bloom. Sugar Cookie was a dear friend of Cheerilee's, and their actions made Cheerilee furious. She may have actually hit the two if she had been in class that day. Cheerilee, like many Ponies who had known Sugar Cookie and Apple Skin, had posted complaints to the noblecolt that had sentenced the two fillies for their crimes. Many of the townsfolk felt that the lord was too lenient when punishing the two bullies.

“Are you excited for your actual first day of school?” Asked Flitter.

“Sort of,” Said Rumble.

The increased work quota that businesses in Ponyville had implemented to counter the upcoming and sudden demand in everything in town, meant that there was less work for everypony to do until the population increased. This allowed both Cloud Chaser and Flitter to accompany Rumble to his first day of school.

“Are you nervous?” Asked Thunderlane.

“Y-Yeah,” Rumble looked down to the ground.

Thunderlane's smile dropped a little. Rumble had been nervous about interacting with other foals since his time in Flight School. The other foals had mercilessly teased Rumble about his naturally effeminate appearance and his lack of eagerness when it came to flying. Rumble was by no means a bad flier, the opposite in fact. All Pegasi experienced small bouts of magic induced flight early in their foalhood, but Rumble never actually stopped flying after his infancy.

When other Pegasus foals noticed that Rumble wasn't so much as eager to get off the clouds in Flight School, they insulted his apparent lack of flying ability. Students and instructors alike dropped their jaws when they saw that Rumble could actually fly better than anypony else at Flight School, including the instructors. While the instructors were loving and friendly towards Rumble and always praised his natural flying abilities, the other foals either insulted him further out of jealousy or were so eager to please him that they were closer to servants than buddies or friends.

“Cheer up little bro,” Said Thunderlane doing his best to alleviate his brother's nerves, “This is an Earth Pony town, they won't care as much about flying as Ponies in Cloudsdale.”

“Not even the Pegasi from here care about flying as much as other Pegasi do,” Said Cloud Chaser doing her best to help, “And that filly you protected will be there too.”

The three older Pegasi laughed as Rumble blushed. Since Rumble looked after the unconscious filly he later learned was named Apple Bloom, his brother and surrogate sisters had been teasing him relentlessly. Unlike his classmates at Flight School, they clearly did it out of affection as opposed to jealousy or hostility.

Flitter noticed two Ponies waiting outside of the schoolhouse as they approached, “Hey, who are they?”

The other three Pegasi looked to see a light purple Unicorn mare with a dark blue mane wearing metal armor and a Unicorn colt with an unique appearance. The colt's coat was metallic gray except for his hooves and cannons. The colt's hooves were pitch black and his cannons displaying a fleur-de-lis pattern of the same color stretching past his hooves and pasterns and stopping at his knees.

Neither Rumble, Cloud Chaser, nor Flitter had even seen either of the two Ponies before. Thunderlane however, knew exactly who these Ponies were. This was Noblesse Oblige and his head of security, Top Priority. Thunderlane was one of few members of the Ponyville Town Council to be told in detail the noblecolt's orders from Princess Celestia. Select members of the Town Council were kept in the dark about the colt's true identity, including Spoiled Rich, the notorious self superior and arrogant head of the school board. Thunderlane was just waiting for the moment when she found out who the colt actually was after being high and mighty with him, much like everypony else in the know.

“Art thou the other new student?” Asked Noblesse addressing Rumble.

“Yes I am, who are you?” Asked Rumble, completely arrogant of who the colt he was addressing so casually was.

“Mine name is Noblesse Oblige,” Said the gray Unicorn plainly, “No relation to the noblepony of course.”

“Wait, other new student?” Said Cloud Chaser, “Are you a new student as well?”

“He is," Stated Priority, "I was just walking my son here."

“Son!?” Exclaimed Cloud Chaser, “But you're so young.”

“Mother by adoption,” Corrected Noblesse.

Orphans were almost non-existent in Equestria. While there still were orphans in existence, there were so few that Parliament shot down any petitions to establish orphanages. Constant wages for staff and maintenance for such facilities would be a ridiculous use of tax money for the few orphans that lay within Equestria's borders.

“Uh...” Rumble had noticed something about Noblesse that his companions hadn't yet, “What's wrong with your eyes?”

The three adult ponies with Rumble looked closely at Noblesse's eyes and saw exactly what he meant. Noblesse's red-brown eyes had slit shaped pupils similar to that of a cat or Spike, but what really caught their attention were the whites of his eyes, or the lack thereof. The sclera of Noblesse's had a pink tint to them.

Noblesse chuckled in response, “There is nothing wrong with mine eyes,” Noblesse had to pause to think of the best way to explain the unnatural qualities of his eyes, “My eyes are simply different,” It wasn't the best excuse, but it was less time consuming and startling than explaining the dark blood rituals that went into his 'metamorphosis.”

“Oh!” Flitter exclaimed as she realized something, “We haven't introduced ourselves yet, my name is-”

Flitter was interrupted as the door to the schoolhouse opened to reveal a purple Earth Pony Mare, “Oh good, you're both here. And at the right time too!”

Rumble blushed in embarrassment as he looked down at the ground.

The foals in the classroom talked to each other as their teacher went to the door. Though some foals were just asking their friends what their did over their surprise Winter holiday, most were talking about the new students that they were supposed to get today.

“Oh good, you're both here. And at the right time too!” Cheerilee was having a hard time concealing her excitement, so much so that she didn't notice the strange features of Noblesse's eyes.

“Okay Captains, I'm going to ask you come inside for a short while with your respective foals.”

“What about us?” Asked Cloud Chaser.

“Sorry girls, I'm only supposed to let the legal guardians of the foals in with them on their first day here,” Nopony was really a fan of that particular policy, but it made for a perfect excuse to bring in other family members on Family Appreciation Day.

“Oh well,” Started Flitter, “We'll see you later today Rumble.”

“Will we see you this weekend Cheerilee?” Asked Cloud Chaser.

“If I can get away from grading papers and lesson preparations,” Said Cheerilee with a smile.

“Bye Rumble,” Flitter and Cloud Chaser spoke at the same time as they ascended.

“Bye girls,” Said Rumble with a wave of his hoof.

“I'll call you four in when I want you to introduce yourselves,” Said Cheerilee as she went back inside her classroom.

Cheerilee walked up to the chalkboard and grabbed a ruler in her hoof. Cheerilee couldn't help but smile as she turned to her class and saw everypony talking happily amongst themselves. Cheerilee grabbed their attention as she tapped on the chalkboard three times with her ruler, “Before we start class today, I'd like to introduce you all to your new classmates!” Cheerilee waved the four Ponies in with her hoof.

Rumble and Thunderlane walked in first with Noblesse and Priority coming in behind them. Thunderlane made a point of standing behind his brother and patting his shoulder reassuringly. Priority stood attention close to the door as Noblesse walked a few steps away beside of Rumble.

The class had their eyes on Rumble since he walked in first, and immediately started talking not-so-quietly, “Wow! She's pretty. I like her eyes. Her coat and mane are groomed so well.”

Rumble blushed and nodded his head, “Actually,” The loud whispering stopped as they heard Rumble's voice, “I'm a colt.”

Almost everypony in the room had their mouths agape. Even Cheerilee and Priority were surprised by the revelation. Noblesse rolled his eyes at the revelation as Thunderlane had concentrate on not falling over while laughing.

“How!?” Exclaimed Snips standing up in his seat, “You're pretty than any filly in class!”

He might have continued, but a well aimed book to the head by Sweetie Belle knocked him over his seat and he face planted, “Argh! My head!”

Some of the foals giggled at his expense, “Nice shot,” Commented Noblesse noticing that Sweetie Belle was three rows behind the overweight Unicorn.

“Sweetie Belle!” Said Cheerilee, “We're going to need that book today.”

This made the whole class laugh, “I will see you in my office today after school,” Stated Cheerilee when the laughter died down, “Ooooh,” Sweetie's heated rage became sadness as she realized that she was in trouble.

“This,” Said Thunderlane as he patted both of his brother's shoulders, “Is my brother, Rumble.”

“Would y-you like to introduce yourself?” Cheerilee stuttered when she noticed Noblesse's eyes.

Noblesse took a polite bow as he introduced himself, “My name is Noblesse Oblige.”

Several of the foals gasped as they noticed Noblesse's eyes when he raised from his bow.

“What kind of disease causes that?” Asked Diamond Tiara as she turned her head to Silver Spoon with a look of disgust on her face.

This was the sign between the two for when one wanted the other to join in. Silver Spoon opened her mouth to speak, but she stopped when she looked directly in front of Diamond's desk with an astonished looked on her face.

Diamond turned her head to face the front of the class only to have Noblesse's face in hers, “My appearance is not a symptom of a 'disease,'” What really shocked the class in silence was the fact that there were suddenly two copies of the metal colored colt.

Everypony who could see the Noblesse directly in front of the chalkboard noticed that they couldn't see his horn as it was wrapped in a black aura the same color as the pristine chalkboard. Noblesse laughed as the copy in front of Diamond Tiara became into magical ash that disappeared as it landed on the floor.

As Noblesse gained control of his mirth at Diamond Tiara's shocked face, he addressed the teacher, “Is the column of empty seats for us Ms. Cheerilee?”

“Uh, yes. Go ahead and sit where ever you like,” Cheerilee herself was startled both by the spell Noblesse used as well as the color of his magic aura.

Rumble took the seat in the front next to where Snails was sitting while Noblesse sat in the second seat from the back, next to Scootaloo.

“Would you two like to tell my students your occupations?” Asked Cheerilee.

“My name is Thunderlane,” Started the dark gray stallion, “And I am the head of the Ponyville Peacekeeper Corps. Some of you are already familiar with me, Crusaders,” The Cutie Mark Crusaders blushed in embarrassment and slid further into their seats as the class giggled.

“My name is Top Priority. I am Noblesse's adoptive mother and I am the head of security of Everfree Palace. Speaking of which, I must get back to my duty,” Priority left the building shutting the door behind her.

Most of the Ponies in the classroom just stared at the door for a moment at how cold Top Priority was in demeanor. She was all business and she didn't even say goodbye to the colt that was supposed to be her son.

“Forgive my mother,” Started Noblesse, “Recent events has put the lord's security detail on edge, my mother is especially anxious at the moment.”

Cheerilee started math class as soon as her new students were settled in and everypony was ready to begin the day, “Okay class, today we will be covering 'Higher Roots and Radicals!'”

Most of the class groaned, but some students like Apple Bloom and Twist were excited. Rumble himself winced at the mention of this week's subject. Rumble wasn't bad at math per say, but he didn't like all of the supplies and work it typically required for even simple problems.

It was a relief to the class when the school bell rang to let the students out for recess. Diamond Tiara was happier than usual despite the new faces in her class. Within the first five minutes of their introduction, she already had plenty of ammo to crush the both of them with. Diamond Tiara was especially ecstatic to at the chance to crush the colt that made her a laughing stock.

Author's Notes:

Hello readers! Thank you for reading, I hope you're enjoying the story thus far.

I'll go ahead and say it now, the details for Noblesse's coping trick, namely how the copy dissolved into 'magical ash' was inspired by the teleportation rune from Dishonored.

Readers, please feel free to give your input on my story thus far. Theories on future plot points, comments on how the story is progressing, criticisms about anything that bothers you, anything! Please give me your input/opinions about this story, and I'll the best I can to reply without spoiling anything that happens in the future.