The foals of Cheerilee's noon time class were more relieved than usual when the recess bell rang. Even the more studious of Cheerilee's class were mentally fatigued by today's lesson, and were dreading the coming week as Cheerilee explained that today's topic would be covered be covered by the coming week as well.

“That,” Started Apple Bloom as she sluggishly made her way outside, “Was miserable.”

“Tell me about it,” Said Scootaloo in agreement with her friend, “I didn't even know there were more than two roots!”

Scootaloo looked down at the ground before she spoke again, “Will we even try Crusading today?”

Apple Bloom flinched at Scootaloo's suggestion, “Ruby 'n Dinky can do whatever they want today, but I won't be doing anything today. Even if I was exhausted from school, 'nd mah family is gittin' ready fer Zap Apple Season.”

“Oh,” The news that one of Scootaloo's favorite sweets were coming to town soon brightened her up slightly, “Any idea when they'll come?”

Apple Bloom nodded her head, “The Timber Wolves usually start howling within the next two weeks, sometimes sooner than that even.”

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo stopped and settled on their stomachs next to the tree where the trio usually gathered at this time.

Apple Bloom looked around the playground, “Where the heck is Sweetie Belle?”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. Apple Bloom didn't handle mental fatigue very well. She had to concentrate so hard on not falling asleep on her hooves that she become forgetful of things she's known for her entire life, whether it's mathematics or where the dining room in her house was located.

“Don't you remember?” Asked Scootaloo, “She got D-Hall because she hit Snips with her math book.”

Scootaloo turned her head to face Apple Bloom, and facehoofed as she saw that the cream colored Earth Pony was sleeping like the dead.

Scootaloo rolled her eyes at the sight. She decided to look around the playground to pass the time since she and her friends wouldn't be doing anything today. Pretty much everypony was too tired to do anything. Foals were halfheartedly pushing each other on the swings, inching their ways to the line behind the slide as they went down it, even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were too tired torment to their classmates.

Scootaloo noted that she couldn't see either of the new additions to her class. Rumble was a Pegasus, so he could've easily flew to a cloud to a tree branch. But Noblesse was no where in sight, that could be attributed to many things however. Scootaloo could only see so much of the playground from where she was. There was also Noblesse's strange magic to consider. Though neither of the Crusaders were in the throne room when the twin Alicorns that rule Equestria explained their worries concerning the colt, they knew he had uncommon magic.

Noblesse had generated that weird shock wave that not only sent them flying, but knocked them unconscious for a whole week. If Ruby was to be believed, then it also sent the magical attack his assassins sent used back at them. Then there was that cloning trick he used on Diamond Tiara, and the means by which he used to retrieve everyponies' snow cloths was most likely magical as well. Then there was his Cutie Mark to consider. An Unicorn's innate magic usually revolved around their special talent, though Scootaloo couldn't think of what a shadow in a mirror could possibly represent about one's self.

All of this thinking was making Scootaloo tired, so she elected to join her friend in the realm of sleep.

Noblesse could the see whole playground from his perch, save for what was behind the tree he was resting in. Noblesse had to consciously suppress chuckles at his classmates' expense. Noblesse hadn't found today's lesson hard to comprehend. The private education given to foals in noble families was on par with the curriculum of most universities in the country, when comparing their students anyway.

Noblesse had to feign tiredness for the sake of his cover. It was one thing to be slightly eccentric, and his display of magic didn't reveal anything as every Unicorn has unique magic from birth. Noblesse knew it would really make him stand out if he didn't at least act fatigued, given how the rest of the class handled today's lesson. And Noblesse would be standing out significantly soon.

Noblesse could feel it, literally beneath his coat and skin. Parts of him had already started to swell slightly and he had been shedding a lot more than a Pony should. If the doctors were to be believed, than the process would be complete by next Sunday.

Noblesse had waiting excitedly for this to happen ever since he took the blood rites, but now he found himself dreading it. Noblesse looked down to see the sleeping forms of his friends. By chance, they had stopped at the tree he was already at and fell asleep. Noblesse was some what worried about what his friends' reactions would be, then there were their families to consider.

In the past, Noblesse wouldn't have cared. Ponies shunned him for a lot of reasons: his appearance, the nature of his innate magic, his interests, almost all of the Ponies who knew about his real foalhood cursed his existence for it. Noblesse found himself noticeably worried about how his transformation would affect the relationships between himself and his... were they his friends?

Noblesse had friends of course. He found several of the Under-City Ponies to be jovial and pleasantly frank, he of course received a more cold reception by other surface Ponies. Was that why he found himself caring so much about these Ponies thought of him? The five of them had more than doubled the number of actually friends he had on the surface.

Legalese was always friendly with everypony and was one of few members of his family that actually cared about him. His uncle Blue Blood also gave him a warm reception. Princess Celestia was like Legalese in that she was friendly with anything she encountered. Princess Luna was simply happy that someone other than her sister was happy to see her returned, and didn't insist that she receive further punishment for trying to overthrow her sister in a fit of madness. Three of those four Ponies were his elders, could they actually be called friends?

Noblesse unconsciously scratched his face while pondering. He immediately stopped when he caught himself. He could see the hairs falling from his face as he forced his hoof away. Not only was it rude to scratch yourself in public, but any bald spots he etched into his coat would be very noticeable over the next week. It's not as though it would grow back.

Noblesse yawned to himself. While Cheerilee's lesson didn't tire him out, growing a second skin certainly did. Noblesse nestled his head on his fore legs and shut his eyes. Seeing that everyone he could have interacted with was barely awake, Noblesse decided that it would be best to join his classmates in his grandmother's realm.

Cheerilee went over the lesson at the end of the class period like she does everyday, but she knew it didn't stick. She didn't even bother getting after the students that fell asleep. It was at this point Cheerilee realized that she used this lesson much too early. The foals were usually bouncing in their seats waiting for the bell to let them of class. Today however, the entire class was absolutely exhausted.

Many foals had to concentrate so hard on staying awake that they most likely missed everything their teacher had said. Some foals actually did fall asleep either because they were so tired or because they put more focus into Cheerilee's words than they did staying awake.

No foal looked more devastated than Rumble. Cheerilee had forgotten than Rumble just come from Cloudsdale Flight School, an almost purely phys ed school. Anything that didn't involve flying was all weather related in Cloudsdale Flight School. This meant that anypony from Cloudsdale Flight School would be at least a year behind any other foal in all other subjects, maybe longer depending on how long the Ponies in question were enrolled in Cloudsdale Flight School.

Cheerilee was feeling guilty, but she wasn't used to having classes stay in school for this long. Most foals drop out when they legally become adults at age fifteen. With Ponyville being an farming community, most foals had to help their families on their farms. Other foals took apprenticeships under their parents to learn their trade. It was rare that foals in Ponyville had the intensive or ambition to get higher levels of rounded education. Never before in Cheerilee's entire career had this many students from a single class stayed in school for this many consecutive years. Only Dinky Doo and Ruby Pinch had dropped out of Cheerilee's class, and they immediately took apprenticeships under their parents.

Cheerilee sighed as she looked at her class today, “Class, I'm sorry,” Started Cheerilee. The students that were awake could hear the tone of disappointment in her voice, though they could tell that she disappointed in herself as opposed to her class.

“We will still be covering math next week, but it be this,” Cheerilee used her ruler to tap the chalkboard with today's lesson still on it, “I'm sorry about today, and I hope you all have a good weekend.”

Cheerilee timed her apology so that the bell would ring just as she finished speaking. Cheerilee watched her class leave her class more eagerly than usual. Normally, Cheerilee would just head home for the day as the entire evening class had dropped out the week before last. However, Cheerilee was deeply troubled by her failing today.

Cheerilee sat at her desk for an extra ten minutes longer than usually as she considered what to do. She didn't want to bother Limitless Potential as he had his own lesson plans to get to. Cheerilee looked out her window at the completed form of the new school building next door. It was smaller compared to the countless number of houses that were being built in Ponyville proper, so it was the first building to be completed. Cheerilee thought about who else she ask for advice. Her mother, Mayor Mare, was incredibly busy with the colossal bureaucracy that went into overseeing the near-instantaneous transformation of a modest town into a legitimate city.

Then, a thought came to mind. Cheerilee realized that there was a very well educated individual in Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle, the current proprietor of Golden Oaks Library, was tutored by the Sun Princess Celestia for most of her life. Cheerilee also knew that some of her students went to her for tutoring in numerous subjects. If there was anypony in town that could help Cheerilee, it was most definitely Twilight Sparkle.

With her mind made up, Cheerilee left the schoolhouse, locked up, and headed to Golden Oaks Library.

Rumble was out flying to pass the time. He went home and slept for a hour after school. Thanks to his time in Cloudsdale Flight School, he was not used to that kind of school work. Cloudsdale Flight School barely covers any academia, and what it does cover is very specific like Pegasus anatomy and the mechanics behind Equestria's manufactured weather.

Thunderlane, Cloud Kicker, and Flitter all were busy today. The Ponyville Peace Corps was called in to watch over the construction sites around Ponyville after several pieces of equipment went missing all at once at multiple sites. The dance studio where Flitter works was practicing a few new routines hoping to advertise it to attract more Ponies to the growing community while increasing revenue.

Rumble would just get in everyponies' way if he visited them or tried to help like he does when works with Thunderlane and Cloud Kicker on the Weather Team. So Rumble was systematically searching for something to do. Rumble figured that if he couldn't find something to do today, that it would take most of the day to look around all of Ponyville. Not to mention that this was the perfect excuse to explore his new home.

Rumble had flown slightly past the town limits and over one of the many fields around Ponyville. Rumble could easily see the colorful shapes of four Ponies against the grass. One Pony in particular caught his eye as his coat was a metallic gray color not often seen on Ponies. While Rumble thought Noblesse Oblige was a little strange -not just because of his eyes- he wasn't exactly hostile. Maybe I can make some friends here Rumble decided to at least try as he flew down.

“All right everypony,” Started Ruby Pinch, “What do you all want to do today?”

“You're askin' us?” Asked Pipsqueak, “Don't you girls usually have plans fer the weekend?”

“Usually we do,” Said Dinky Doo, “But Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle usually make plans for Crusades themselves. They ask us for our opinions of course, but they typically have the best ideas out all of us, so we just stopped bothering.”

Ruby Pinch started giggling, “Since they're gone today, maybe we can do something that won't get us lectures from the town guard.”

“Speaking of which,” Said Noblesse. Everypony turned to see that he was looking up, “We're about to have company.”

The other three foals looked up expecting to see the Captain of the town guard himself, but instead saw a very light gray Pegasus filly with a black mane and tail spread her wings to allow wind resistance to gently put her down on the ground like a leaf. The group noticed that she landed a polite distance away and landed so cleanly. They didn't need to be Pegasi to know that this filly was more than a decent flier.

“Hello Rumble,” Said Noblesse with a smile.

Rumble flinched at Noblesse's red and pink eyes, “Hello Noblesse,” Rumble noticed something slightly different about the colt before him. Is- is he taller? Rumble had only met Noblesse at school a little over two hours ago and he was concentrating more on Cheerilee's lesson than he was his fellow classmates, but he could've sworn that Noblesse was at least a whole inch taller.

Rumble didn't have much time to contemplate this as a two tone pink Unicorn spoke up, “Wow, I've never met a filly with such a deep voice before.”

Rumble blushed slightly, “Actually, I'm a colt.”

Noblesse and Rumble chuckled at the other three foals' reaction.

Rumble didn't speak until he overcame his mirth, “My name is Rumble, it's nice to meet you three.”

“Er, nice to meet you too mate,” Pipsqueak needed more time to become used to Rumble's appearance, “My name's Pipsqueak.”

“My name is Ruby Pinch.”

Dinky Doo was still staring at Rumble agape. Ruby jabbed her once with her elbow and she snapped out it, “My name is Dinky Doo, it's nice to meet you.”

Pipsqueak remembered Noblesse's words, “Oi Noblesse, what did you mean when Rumble flew down 'ere.”

Noblesse nodded once in acknowledgment at his friend, “Rumble is the younger brother of Captain Thunderlane.”

“Oh!” Said Dinky in surprise, “I didn't know Thunderlane had a brother.”

“How do you all know Thunder?” Asked Rumble.

“The Crusaders are quite... 'famous' in Ponyville,” Answered Ruby laughing nervously.

“Crusaders?” Rumble then hit upon the truth, “You mean the Cutie Mark Crusaders?”

Thunderlane had told plenty of horror stories about the Cutie Mark Crusaders in his letters. Rumble didn't know what to think of these foals. They never acted out malicious intent, but seemed to always cause so much damage.

Dinky Doo noticed Rumble's nervous demeanor, “It seems that the good Captain has said a lot about us,” Dinky laughed nervously.

Rumble flinched as a hoof touched his shoulder. He looked over to see that it was Noblesse trying to reassure him, “These are the more sedate members of the CMC, they're not as bad as their leaders.”

Rumble nodded before he realized what Noblesse's exact words implied, “Are you not apart of the Cutie Mark Crusaders?”

“That's a thoughy,” Said Pipsqueak scratching the back of his head.

“Noblesse already has his Cutie Mark, so we're not sure how he fits into our outfit,” Admitted Ruby.

“Say, what does your Cutie Mark mean?” Asked Rumble, not sure how to interpret the strange Cutie Mark emblazoned on the metal colored colt's flank. The other foals realized that they had no clue as to what Noblesse's Cutie Mark meant either.

“It represents mine passion for anatomy and psychology,” Answered Noblesse plainly.

It was strange for somepony to give such a vague explanation for their Cutie Mark, “Could ya be more specific?” Asked Pipsqueak.

Noblesse nodded his head, “The mirror showcases my fascination with how one sees themselves. The silhouette within shows mine desire for how one really is. The silhouette is a solid black to represent the mystery behind how the mind works and what lies within. The silhouette is an Alicorn posing to show how I obsess with how the body works, no matter the creature, and how I believe that one should keep themselves' as healthy as possible.”

The rest of the foals paused at Noblesse's explanation. It was rare for a Cutie Mark to lack representation like this. If Noblesse was correct about what his Cutie Mark meant, then it left so much to interpretation.

“How do you use your magic?” Asked Ruby Pinch. Her thinking was that the way he used his magic might show what her gray friend wanted to do with his life.

Noblesse visibly flinched at that. He had not anticipated that particular question, “I apologize,” Noblesse started, trying to stall for time as he tried to think of something to tell them as the truth wouldn't do at this stage, “But that correlates directly with how I express mineself, and that is too personal for how little I know you.”

“What do you mean by that?” Asked Rumble. He wasn't the only one weirded out by how Noblesse was avoiding these questions like the plague.

Noblesse cringed again, “Mine magic... is used in part to examine the mind, particularly my own. This means that I can't be more specific without giving away information about mineself that I am not comfortable with giving.”

“So like, self reflection?” Asked Dinky Doo trying to decipher Noblesse's cryptic words.

“Aye, exactly,” Said Noblesse, “So I would appreciate if thou wouldst cease questions of this nature.”

After several minutes of awkward silence, Pipsqueak finally decided to break it, “Sorry we put ya' on the spot like that mate,” While Pipsqueak was concerned with how Noblesse was acting, he understood that this was a personal issue for him.

“Apology accepted,” Said Noblesse trying to keep the tone of annoyance out of his voice, though not entirely succeeding.

“I have an idea,” Said Dinky Doo, “Why don't we go the old quarry and look at the magic gemstones.”

“Why would we do that?” Asked Rumble, curious about why that would interest the whole group.

“The gemstones are magical and actually grow like plants, as opposed to being created in deposits of varying sizes over millennia,” Explained Dinky, “I bet that Twilight Sparkle would loan us books on the gemstones and we can learn more about magic stones as opposed to terrestrial stones.”

Ruby shrugged, “Who knows, maybe we can earn our geology Cutie Marks.”

“Well, it doesn't look like anypony else has any ideas,” Said Noblesse, “It promises to be interesting at the very least.”

Ruby, Dinky, and Pipsqueak huddled together and spoke as one, “Cutie Mark Crusaders: Magi-Geologists. Yay!”

The three ran off towards the abandoned quarry outside of Ponyville. Rumble looked to Noblesse with a confused look on his face. Noblesse just shrugged and followed his friends.

“What have I gotten myself into?” Rumble chased after his new eccentric friends with a hastened pace, not wanting to be left too far behind.