Author’s note: The idea has been in my head for a few days now. It is Friday, the 30th of December, at 10:48 PM. Moments before, after days of thinking of potential scenes, the literary spark hit me, and I rushed to my computer and got straight to work. After working on another story (that is completely unrelated to MLP) and writing it’s climax, I lost the initiate for writing (I hope to find the inspiration to continue writing my other story soon). It is because of StreakTheFox of Fimfiction.net that I found the inspiration to write again. After reading his fanfiction Molestia, I rediscovered my need for writing. I owe him my thanks. So Streak, if your reading this, thank you!

Chapter 1

“Berry.” A mare’s voice whispered. “Berry, wake up. It’s time for school.”

“Huh… What…?” The little pink filly muttered, opening her eyes halfway, a pale violet mare with a dark blue mane looked down at her, smiling. “Five more minutes Momma…” Berry Punch murmured, rolling back over and closing her eyes.

“You have to get up now sweetie, you don’t want to be late for school. Now get up and come downstairs for breakfast. I made your favorite.” The pink filly immediately leaped out from under her covers. She jumped out of bed and stood before her mother. Her eyes sparked and a wide grin spread across her face.

“Oatmeal with strawberries covered in chocolate syrup?” Berry squeaked, now wide awake.

“Yes, Berry,” Her mother giggled softly, amused by the little pony’s enthusiasm. “Just how you like it.” With wild, happy abandon, Berry Punch raced past her mother and went down the stairs. In her haste, she almost tripped as she reached the bottom, but that didn’t stop her from racing into the kitchen.

“Careful, dear!” Berry’s mother called, following at more of an average pace, but Berry didn’t hear her, as she was already in her seat, her muzzle thrust into her bowl. Her father, Silver Arrow, was seated across from her, reading the paper. He looked over at her with concern on his face.

“Berry? Uh… Wouldn’t you like to use a spoon?… Instead of your tongue?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. Berry Punch lifted her head quickly from the bowl. Her muzzle was covered in milk and chocolate syrup.
“Nope!” She replied, her eyes sparkling. She licked her muzzle with her tongue in one quick motion, drawing the mess back into her mouth, and plunged her face back into her breakfast. Her mother walked into the room, approaching her husband, who leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek.

“Good morning, Ruby.” Berry’s father said to her mother, who kissed him in return.

“Good morning, Silver.” Ruby replied. Berry Punch has just finished her breakfast and was making for her backpack, which was on one of the hooks by the door. She reared up on her hind legs, grunting with effort as she strained her leg muscles to reach it. Her mother walked over and picked it up in her mouth, laying it on her back. Berry put her forelegs through the straps one at a time before rushing out the door, only to be stopped by her mother’s voice.

“Berry! You didn’t wash your face, you can’t go to school looking like that!” Her mother gasped in astonishment. Berry’s muzzle was once again coated in scraps from her meal. The little pink filly immediately swiped her tongue across her muzzle, catching the remains.

“All clean! Bye!”

“Wait! But that’s not-” Her mother was cut off as Berry Punch ran out the door and slammed it behind her. Ruby sighed with a smile.

“Fillies… What can you do?”

Berry Punch ran down the road at top speed. She couldn’t wait to see her friends again. It was the first day of school and after a long summer vacation, she couldn’t wait for her friends to tell her all about how they had spent it. After what seemed like hours, she finally reached the school grounds. She stopped for a moment when she saw her friends sitting on the front steps, then ran over to meet them.

“Hey girls!” Her two best friends, Bright Shine and Amethyst, looked over when they heard her voice, then leapt up and raced towards her. The three fillies collided so fast that a cloud of dust surrounded them for a few moments. When it cleared, it revealed a small pile of giggling ponies, all thrilled to see each other after a long summer. After a moment, they got up and brushed themselves off, still smiling.

“ What did you girls do over the summer?” Berry asked, looking at both of them. Bright Shine, a yellow Pegasus with white hair spoke first.

“Ooh! Ooh! Let’s see, my dad took me to Sweet Apple Acres to go see how they make cider! Then my parents brought me to Cloudsdale, and we got to see the weather factory, and I saw the rainbows, and the rain clouds, and- and so many things!” She said with her unusually fast voice. “I did a lot of other stuff over the summer but I’ll tell you later because I want Amethyst to tell you what she did because I bet she did so many cool things and-” Berry planted a hoof on her mouth to keep her quiet.

“Bright Shine, you’re doing it again!” She laughed, and Bright Shine gave a sheepish smile. Berry Punch lifted her hoof from her friends muzzle. She turned to Amethyst. The purple unicorn gave Bright Shine a friendly shove before telling her story.

“ I went to Canterlot to visit my cousin.” She spoke with a mock Canterlot accent. As she spoke, she closed her eyes, lifted her muzzle, and poofed her hair with one hoof, allegedly mocking her cousin. “She’s such a snob.” Amethyst laughed with her normal voice. All three fillies started to laugh, but were interrupted as the school bell rang. The three friends reluctantly headed for the door, unwilling to end their conversation. They followed the other students inside and the teacher closed the door behind them. School had started.