Songs of Innocence

Chapter 82: Friends From School

Fluttershy's cottage, many moons later

Avalonia became curious. Fluttershy always talked about Sun affectionately, but the filly never made the connection that it was because Fluttershy had developed the same feelings for Sun that she had so long ago. The story had taken such an introspective turn... But it was now going to take another, stranger turn. Although, Fluttershy hadn't gotten to that part yet.

"Summer was over," Fluttershy began, "and it was back to school for all of us. It was a bit... hard to explain, being Sun's teacher, and her romantic interest. I made sure to mention several times that Sun was my age (although just a little younger), but we still got quite a few strange looks from students... Death Drive made sure to glare at them afterwards though, like the assertive little mare she was, hehe... Um, speaking of her..."

The School of Friendship, many moons ago

"We're not in the same class?" Sun asked, parroting what she was just told, idly gawking as she stood in a crowded hallway.

"No, you two are not." Sunburst affirmed, looking at Death Drive with a subtle smirk. That smirk told Death Drive that he was the one who made that decision, but there was nothing she could do about it. However, he quickly masked it by turning to Sun, and telling her with an empathetic facial expression, "I'm sorry, Sun. I just don't want her to distract you from learning about friendship."

"B-b-but...! She's- She's literally the Element of Fairness!" Sun whimpered, hammering in her arguably pathetic protest.

"I forgot about that, actually." Death Drive commented.

"Don't worry, Sun." Sunburst replied, clearly only intending to talk to his cousin. "Plenty of your other friends will be there. We've decided to make the school open to people of all ages, so anyone could be in your class! And for the people who we know are here, there's, uh... Maple, Yakta, Aello, Fantaga, even Gilda's going to be there!"

"Don't forget me!" Cozy chimed in.

Sunburst noticeably paused, and then looked at Cozy with a slightly suspicious glance. All he said to her was, "Yes. Don't try anything." 

Cozy knew better than to bother with a defense against that. 

"Well, it's time for the assembly." Sunburst declared, before leading the three mares to the auditorium like they were sheep. 

Beyond the doors to the auditorium was an impressive amount of students filling nearly every single seat, and the air was just as filled, although with clamorous chatter rather than with people. It was like Twilight's leaving made people more interested in the school than before. The trio became a bit more excited than they thought they'd be when they left for school this morning, thinking of the possibility of meeting ponies and creatures to befriend.

The first day of school is a time where someone can define who they are for the next semester. There are first impressions that can be made, and old friends can show each other how they've changed over the summer break, or even how they haven't. Feeling meekly self-conscious, Cozy planned to not draw attention to herself. If she was being honest with herself, she hoped to stay close to either Death Drive or Sun when she could. Although Sun was the only friend Death Drive cared about, she knew she was a natural charismatic, and expected that she'd make a new friend within the day. How true that would be, she'd have to wait and see. As for Sun...

"Hey, Sun! We're over here!" Maple called, waving her hooves wildly to get the unicorn's attention.

Noticing Maple instantly, Sun gave Death Drive and Cozy a quick hug before she galloped past the sea of students to Maple's side. She couldn't help but snicker once she recognized Yakta's attempt to save Sun a seat... by taking up two seats using her larger size. The surprisingly clever yak scooted over, and Sun took a seat. Lounging comfortably in the felt seat, the friendly trio quickly went quiet as the assembly began to start.