“No way” said Apple Bloom and Scootaloo together as the Cutie Mark Crusaders walked to school.

“It’s true” said Sweetie Belle sadly “she’s even coming over tomorrow to work on the project” she added.

“But tomorrows Saturday it’s our Crusader day” said Apple Bloom.

“I know” said Sweetie Belle sadly.

“They can’t make you do a school punishment over the weekend it’s like a law or something” said Scootaloo as the three ponies walked into the school yard.

“Time for class my little ponies” called Cheerilee the ponies in the school yard.

“Come on lets go” said Sweetie Belle.

“Good morning my little ponies” greeted Cheerilee merrily.

“Good morning Ms. Cheerilee” the students chimed back.

“Now then I’m going to give you the first hour of class to start your projects” said Cheerilee as she sat at her desk. Ponies throughout the classroom began to get into their groups and happily began to get art supplies out. However two ponies in the classroom remained in their desks as if they refused to work together. “Girls time to get with your partner” said Cheerilee neither pony seemed to have heard her. Cheerilee got up from her desk and walked to Sweetie Belle “come along Sweetie time to work on your project” said Cheerilee.

“Humph” Sweetie Belle responded crossing her arms.

“Now Sweetie Belle I’m not going to have to talk to Rarity am I?” asked Cheerilee sternly.

Sweetie Belle gave up and got out of her seat reluctantly “fine” she said.

Cheerilee led Sweetie Belle to Diamond Tiara and then set them up with some art supplies in the back of the classroom. “I’m sure you girls will do a beautiful job” said Cheerilee as she left the two ponies sitting across from each other and glaring at one another.

Meanwhile in Ponyville Rarity was walking to the spa where she found Fluttershy checking them in for their weekly visit. “Hello Fluttershy” greeted Rarity.

“Hi Rarity” said Fluttershy the two ponies began their conversation with talk of the usual subjects such as how Rarity’s shop was doing or the happenings of Fluttershy’s animals. As they were getting on their robes Fluttershy brought up Rarity’s new little tenant. “So how are things going with Sweetie Belle?” she asked.

“Good” said Rarity unsure.

“Rarity is something wrong?” asked Fluttershy.

“Well there have been complications” said Rarity. “She got into a fight at school” she added.

“Another one?” said Fluttershy surprised.

“I’m afraid so” said Rarity shamefully “second time this week” she added.

“What happened?” asked Fluttershy.

“Same thing as last time” said Rarity. “She and Diamond Tiara pushed each other a little too far and things got out of hand” she said.

“It was with Diamond Tiara again?” asked Fluttershy as she and Rarity entered the steam room.

“Yes” answered Rarity. “Fluttershy do you think I’m going to be a good guardian to Sweetie Belle?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” asked Fluttershy.

“Well I’m not the best big sister in world in case you haven’t noticed” said Rarity. “I can’t count the times I’ve scolded her for bothering me I even once scolded her for cleaning my workroom and doing my laundry she once even ran to Applejack hoping for a better sister” she added.

“Rarity you’ve always loved Sweetie Belle and I think that’s what really matters when it comes down to it and if Sweetie Belle was in trouble you’d be there” said Fluttershy. Fluttershy grinded nostalgically before adding “like you were for me a long time ago…”

*Flashback*

The cold winds blew outside of Ponyville elementary autumn was turning to winter and as such many ponies arrived at school sporting new winter clothing. Currently almost everypony in the classroom was admiring the coat worn by Golden Spool the coat its self was very simple in design but it was made of golden silk which though impractical in keeping out the cold kept ponies interested and that was all the young pony cared about. “I hate her” said Rarity one of the only two ponies who were not admiring Golden Spool.

Cheerilee the other pony ignoring Golden Spool sighed at Rarity’s comment as she hung up the white scarf her unicorn friend has knitted for her. “I know Rarity just ignore her” she said as the two ponies went to their seats.

“Silk doesn’t even keep the cold out its impractical” said Rarity.

“Rarity you’re just letting her know she’s gotten to you” said Cheerilee at that moment Mrs. Point came in shaking her light brown hair bun free of snowflakes accompanying her was a young Pegasus pony with a pink mane, yellow coat, three pink butterflies served as her cutie mark, she looked a little older than the other ponies in the class she was joining, and she looked down at the floor nervously shaking with fright it looked like she wished she could vanish from sight.

“Class let’s all settle down” said Mrs. Point tapping a ruler on her desk after a few minutes everypony went to their seats and their attention fell on the new pony in class who upon noticing everypony looking at her ran behind Mrs. Point who began to pet the little Pegasus. “Now as you all have noticed we have a new pony joining the class today” said Mrs. Point “this” she went on giving the nervous new pony a gentle push in front of the class “is Fluttershy” she said.

“Hi Fluttershy” chimed most of the class in greeting Fluttershy said mumbled something that might have been a hello but sounded more like a squeak.

“I trust you’ll all make Fluttershy feel welcome” said Mrs. Point as she directed Fluttershy to a desk. Rarity looked first to Fluttershy then to Golden Spool who had a smile of malice on her face.

Even though she didn’t look Mrs. Point was getting on in years and her memory was beginning to go in later years it would be a prime reason for her retirement on that particularly cold day it would help the winds of fate. “Oh fiddle sticks” said Mrs. Point as her class began to retrieve their lunches “forgot my medicine again” she announced as she gathered her scarf “I’ll be back in half an hour” she said as she walked out the door.

Having been bullied by Golden Spool for years Rarity knew that having a teacher in the room was the best defense but as the old saying goes “when the cats away the mice will play”. “Fluttershy” said Golden Spool as the Pegasus in question looked up from her apple juice and salad.

“Yes?” asked Fluttershy.

“Come outside and have a chat with me” said Golden Spool as she led Fluttershy to the door.

“I smell a rat” said Rarity going to the window.

“So why’d you get held back?” asked Golden Spool.

“I… how did you know?” asked Fluttershy nervously.

“I can see you’re older” said Golden Spool approaching Fluttershy.

“Umm please back up” said Fluttershy timidly.

“Not until you tell me why you got held back” said Golden Spool coming in even closer.

“I umm… I’m not so good at flying so I failed F.E. (flight education)” Fluttershy admitted.

“So you can hardly fly?” asked Golden Spool.

If Fluttershy looked upset before it was nothing to now she was beginning to cry remembering the last time those very words had been used against her.

Golden Spool opened her mouth to speak but Rarity spoke first “leave her alone” Rarity demanded as ran to Fluttershy’s protection.

“Fine obviously she has more in common with you anyway” said Golden Spool as she walked away “a loser” she added with a grin.

“Don’t mind her she’s always a horrible pony” said Rarity. “I’m Rarity” she added.

“I’m Fluttershy” said Fluttershy as she wiped away her tears.

*end of flashback*