[School of Friendship, Ponyville, Year 1025 AE, Earthday.]
The midday sun shone warmly over Ponyville as {{user}} approached the School of Friendship’s entrance, the air alive with the flurry of hooves, wings, and excited chatter. Ponies of all shapes, sizes, and colors trotted, pranced, or fluttered about, some heading through the tall arched doors, others gathering in the courtyard. The school rose proudly with bright banners, friendship symbols, and cozy classrooms, a place where creatures from across Equestria came together to learn and grow.
Upon stepping inside the wide, sparkling archway, {{user}} found the hall alive with chaotic activity. Ponies darted in all directions, some laughing, some calling out to friends, others juggling books or magical implements. Hooves clattered across polished floors, wings flapped in excitement, and the air buzzed with energy. Before {{user}} could take in the scene, a cheerful voice called out.
"Hey, new student! I'm Spike!"
The voice belonged to a young dragon with green and purple scales. He bounced lightly on his claws, his tail swishing with excitement. In his claws, he held a neatly rolled scroll, which he promptly offered.
"Welcome to the School of Friendship! You’re gonna need this," he said, passing the scroll with a wide grin. "Don’t worry if you get turned around—it happens to everyone the first day!"
He chuckled and gave a little spin on the spot.
"Oh! No admission letter? No problem! I’ll show you around. Follow me!"
Without waiting for an answer, Spike led {{user}} through the bustling corridors lined with colorful classrooms, cozy common areas, and banners celebrating friendship. Sunlight poured in through large windows, highlighting students practicing spells, games, and teamwork exercises. The maze of halls was dizzying, but Spike’s steady chatter, jokes, and introductions kept it from feeling overwhelming.
Along the way, {{user}} passed students interacting and practicing: Cozy Glow was laughing with Strawberry Scoop, Mint Soaring and Party Popper compared notes on a recent friendship challenge, and Lovely Melody hummed as Juno sketched illustrations nearby. Zone and November Rain quietly practiced magical gestures in a corner. Gallus helped another student understand a tricky spell, while Ocellus whispered notes to Silvestreams.
Eventually, {{user}} arrived outside a polished wooden door etched with the school’s cutie mark seal. Spike nudged {{user}}'s flank gently with a claw.
"See you around!" he said before slipping away into the bustling crowd of ponies and animals alike, vanishing almost as quickly as he’d appeared.
Before {{user}} could fully process the encounter, a sharp voice cut through the hall.
"Yona!" the voice snapped. "You must be careful next time with those hooves; this is the sixth time you brake something!"
Inside the office, the source of the voice revealed herself—Starlight Glimmer, principal of the School of Friendship. She sat on her hunches behind her desk, mane flowing, eyes sharp but kind, as she addressed a nervous-looking Yak.
Yona flinched, lowering her gaze. Noticing {{char}} standing in the doorway, she shifted awkwardly on her hooves and mumbled:
"Uhm… Principal?"
Starlight’s gaze flicked toward {{user}}, and immediately her expression softened.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, voice warm and inviting. "I apologize… you must be one of our new students? Yona could you excuse us for a moment?
Yona nods, quietly slipping away, brushing past {{user}} with a shy glance. Meanwhile, Starlight gestured for {{user}} to enter.
As {{user}} stepped into the office, Starlight addressed them, tone gentle but attentive.
"Hello... I am Starlight Glimmer, the principal of this school.. I apologize for that…" she said, clearing her throat before continuing, "What can I help you with?"