Disclaimer: All MLP:FiM characters belong to Hasbro and DHX Media. I do not own any of them except my OC. Also, this chapter is slightly inspired from A Journey Beyond Sanity Chapter 191 "Ministry of Magic,,, Ponies."

Previously…

"This happened while we were gone?"

"Yep, that's what happened."

"Okay, Discord. We get it."

"I am not Discord! Why does everyone say that? It's so annoying."

"Ugh! There's that horrid town where we were almost sold!"

"What about that unicorn?"

"Tempest. I invited her to come to Ponyville, but she wanted to spread the word of the Storm King's defeat… and share what she learned about friendship."

"Anyways, does that mean there would be friendship quests beyond Equestria?"

"I've had quite enough life-threatening adventures, thank you very much."

"Unfortunately for you, this is not the end quite yet and of course the Tree of Harmony said that you can't just quit whenever you feel like it because the story is not over yet."

"We need help if we're going to teach them all about friendship. Lots of help."

"Because we're gonna open a school!"

"I think a School of Friendship is a wonderful idea, Twilight. I'll help in any way I can."

"I just have a few questions: Or is that too unstructured?"

"Oh, Twilight! You were my Star pupil. If anyone knows how to run a school, it's you."

"There's a big difference between attending a school and running one."

"The EEA guidebook is very specific about how to run a school."

"The EEA? I've never heard of that."

"It stands for the Equestrian Education Association. They are basically responsible for managing every single school in Equestria."

"The Equestrian Education Association is a board of learned ponies that oversee every school in Equestria."

"Even your school? "But you're… you."

"Not even a princess can do whatever she likes when it comes to shaping young pony minds."

"They'll need to approve your plan before you can move forward."

"I don't know about this."

"The EEA is VERY clear on how schools should be run. We have a huge responsibility, and I need you all to do this by the book."

"I can't run a School of Friendship without my best friends. Can I count on you?"

"Welcome to the School of Friendship! I'm your headmare, Twilight Sparkle."

"And I'm the Vice Head uh lion, Zachary!"

"Please follow Guidance Counselor Starlight to sign in and get your class assignments."

"Thank you so much for supporting the grand opening of our school. I hope you'll all join us for Friends and Family Day to see the amazing progress your students are making."

"These ponies are the heroes of Equestria?"

"Yes, they are. And you can't forget about me. I know that they seem less exciting then they seem, but I promise that they are just as annoyed as you are. Trust me. I've been observing."

"And how come you haven't done anything yet?"

"I want to, but I need to wait for the right opportunity."

"What's that thing you're carrying? It looks like the scepter that Dragon Lord Ember has."

"You would be right. However, mine is a little different from hers. That's supposed to command all the dragons. This one gives me my magical abilities and comes from the Tree of Harmony. If you haven't learned about that yet, you will."

"Agh! Pony school waste of time!"

"I know what you mean, Yona. You know, I used to feel the exact same way about school."

"Lion know how Yona feels?"

"Of course. School sucked so much for me. I have tons of stories. I can tell you them if you want at any time."

"I get it. Things are getting off to a rougher start than expected."

"Who are you and what have you done with Twilight Sparkle?"

"Every school in Equestria follows these rules."

"Maybe we should… try something new?"

"The EEA will be here this afternoon for Friends and Family Day. They need to see a school that follows their guidelines."

"Even if those guidelines aren't working?"

"Well, then, we have to try harder and make sure they do. And I wish Zach was here and not ignoring these things."

"I'll give you my opinion. And I was listening to everything you just said. I don't agree with how things are being run around here. Things aren't going well. And what do you do? Brush it all under the rug like it's nothing. If you get your head out of that dang book, then maybe you would actually see the effects of what's going on."

"Zach… I…"

"NO! I don't want to hear it. It seems very clear to me that you want to impress stupid ponies who care less about anything but themselves than actually care about your students, your friends, and ME! I'm going back to my office."

"You're sure sticking to the book is going to work?"

"My friends can handle anything."

"Still sad about Zachary?"

"I had no idea he felt that way."

"Maybe he's right. Maybe I am just trying to impress other ponies instead of caring for his and my friends' feelings. I'm trying my best, but I hope Zach can forgive me and let go of the frustration he has."

"I think he will. Knowing him, he usually does."

"You're probably right. My friends will have these problems turned around before we know it."

"Problems?"

"Chancellor Neighsay! You're here!"

"Yes. And you seem unprepared. Also, where is that darn prince? I would expect him to be around here somewhere."

"I'm right here."

"You think I wouldn't be here? Boy have you been living under a rock."

"Yes, well I didn't expect you to be floating around like a shadow in the night."

"That's just what I do. It's how I move from place to place since I don't want to wear out my wings going 1,200 mph an hour."

"Yes, yes. Anyways, if there are problems…"

"Problems? Ha! Of course not! We can't wait to show you around."

"Don't talk to me. I need time to think before I talk to you again."

"Rainbow Dash! Why aren't you teaching?"

"Because my students are gone!"

"Uh, gone… somewhere else! Doing a loyalty lesson."

"I see. Well, Chancellor, we have other classes. We can just-"

"Let's follow the professor. I'm quite curious about this "lesson in loyalty."

"Honesty is imperative. Princess, are we going in circles?"

"Uh… look at the time! We'd better head to the lake for Friends and Family Day! I'm sure all the students and facility will be there!"

"What is that?"

"The school is under attack!"

"Uh, maybe skipping class wasn't the best idea?"

"How dare you! This act of aggression against ponies-"

"I'm so sorry, Chancellor. We clearly had some students get a little carried away."

"Those are students?! But, you said you were opening this school to protect Equestria. To defend ponies from dangerous creatures who don't have our best interests at heart."

"My school teaches for all of us to work together through friendship."

"And how do you know these creatures won't take what they've learned here and use it against us?"

"Then what would be the point of that? Besides, what good would it do?"

"I don't know. It's her school."

"DON'T YOU EVER DISRESPECT ME OR TWILIGHT LIKE THAT AGAIN!"

"How dare you attack me like that, you beast!"

"AND DON'T YOU EVER CALL ME A BEAST AGAIN, YOU STUPID SCUMBAG!"

"This is why we don't trust creatures with dangerous abilities! Even this so-called prince has dangerous abilities that could threaten Equestria!"

"Friendship isn't just for ponies! And don't call Zach insults either!"

"It should be! Also, I can call him those things if I want since that basically describes who he is."

"You insult me again, and I will make you vanish from the presence of the Earth."

"Unicorn think yaks no need friendship?! Maybe yaks no need PONY SCHOOL!"

"Well, then perhaps you should return to your kind."

"You say one more insulting thing to any creature again, you will become my DINNER!"

"Your kind?" Smolder? Let's go."

"Queen Novo will want to hear of this."

"Well, this place seemed lame anyways."

"It's fine. We know not everypony sees us the way you do. We're used to it."

"Princess Celestia helped me reach out to all the kingdoms. When she hears you closed the school because…"

"Because you failed to meet the EEA's standards?"

"What?"

"Irresponsible teachers. Students skipping class! Endangering ponies! And a dangerous "lion" who nearly KILLED ME! Your school is a disaster. Perhaps if you had higher standards for who was admitted, this could have been avoided."

"By order of the EEA, I am shutting this school down!"

I was walking around in the castle when I heard a broken record playing somewhere. I knew it was coming from Twilight's royal chambers, so I went into my shadow form and snuck into her room. What? I didn't want her to hear me open the door. Sure it might be creepy, but at least it's not expected. I went on the bed and sighed. I said "I'm sorry for not being supportive on this. Maybe if I controlled my temper more, this wouldn't have happened." The pillow was removed and Twilight was revealed with tears in her eyes. She grabbed me by the chest and pulled me really close to her. She said "It was never your fault. It was ALL mine! Everything was a disaster and I didn't even account for how everypony was feeling. Now I'm suffering the penalty for it." I said "It's okay. You were under a lot of stress and I should have been a bit more kind instead of letting my emotions getting the better of me." Twilight said after blowing her nose "It's still no excuse. It won't work. I appreciate you trying, but it will have no effect."

I will NOT blame her for this disaster. I tried to get up and leave, but Twilight used her magic to prevent me from leaving. She said, whispering "Don't leave me. Please." Alright, Twilight. I just relaxed and tried my best to comfort her. After a bit, her friends came to try and cheer her up, but it had no effect. Crap. I think it's time to do something. This might cost me dearly, but it will help in the long run. I went to the council where the EEA was and presented myself. The Chancellor said "Well, if it isn't the "lion prince" who tried killing me. I'm guessing your disheartened princess sent you to try and convince a heart set in stone to reopen that terrible school." I said "No she did not. I came on my own, you pathetic excuse of a pony." The Chancellor gave a scowl at me and I just said "Calm down, Chancellor. No need to get offended." After back and forth arguing, I said "You think that there's no way, then allow me to take you to court."

One lengthy court session later…

After that boring crap, I headed back home towards Ponyville. But I realized that the student six was still missing, so I went to go find them. Thankfully, the scepter told me where they were and I quickly rushed to the Everfree Forest. I saw that they were at the Castle of the Two Sisters and were under attack by a bunch of puckwudgies. Those things looked like a bunch of angry porcupines popping car tires in the Canadian Wilderness. My eyes glowed white and I raised my scepter blasting the creatures away. After that, I landed in front of them. Smolder said "That was COOL!" I laughed and said "Yeah, the Everfree Forest has a bunch of dangerous creatures. It's not the best place to hang out with your friends." Ocellus asked me "Are you going to send us back to our homes?" I said "No I'm not. I won't do that. You guys seemed to become great friends, so you guys can stay together. However, I would like you to come back with me." They all seemed hesitant and Yona said "Pony school sucked!" I said "I know, but I guarantee you that it will be a lot better. Trust me." They all seemed to nod and follow me back.

[Insert Guilty From Newsboys]

After I got back to Ponyville, Twilight practically hugged me to death and I just rolled my eyes playfully. She let go of me and asked me "Where have you been?!" I said, sighing "Here. This is what I did." I gave her a scroll and she read it with her magic. Her eyes went wide. I said "The EEA will never bother you again." Starlight looked and she was shocked. She said "In return you being charged with a crime that you didn't commit and are no longer allowed on campus grounds." Now Twilight was upset. She said "But how could you do something like this? You took the blame for a crime that you never committed and lost your job." I said "I didn't want to have to do this, but the Chancellor left me no choice. Your happiness is much more important than mine." Twilight said "But we can fix this! I need you here! We can find a way!" I said "Twilight. There's nothing you can do. This is what I decided to do. I'll find something else to do. Nothing will make me change my mind."

"Anyways, don't let me interrupt you reopening your school. I'm not worth the concern." I charged up my scepter and blasted the magical lock shattering it to pieces. I went back to the castle while everything else went down. After a little bit, I went outside to the balcony just looking on the horizons of Ponyville. I heard wings flapping and I looked to see it was Twilight. She landed in front of me before absolutely having a complete breakdown. She buried her head into my chest and just cried her eyes out. I just wrapped my limbs around her and pulled her close, comforting her while she was in this state. I looked down from the balcony and saw every creature and Celestia down there in concern as they saw me comforting Twilight while she was crying in my chest. I could tell they were shocked too and filled with sadness especially the students. I allowed myself to take the blame for something they did. They grew to like me and were sad I made this sacrifice.

I heard Twilight say through choked sobs "W-why are y-you always s-so kind like this?" I said "Honestly, I don't know. I only did what was best for the rest of Equestria and tried to bring happiness." Twilight said "Except no one is. The students aren't. Most of the guardians aren't. Celestia isn't. Our friends aren't. I'm not. We can figure out a way to fix this! I promise you don't have to suffer like this!" I said "Twilight, we've been over this already. I'm not going to fix this. This is what's best for Equestria. It might not bring me happiness, but I rather see you all happy than my own." Twilight said "B-but your happiness is just as important! I can't do this without you!" I said "Yes you can. I believe you can. I have a way to still visit you during school hours. I have my ways. Don't worry about it. You don't need me in your school." Twilight just buried her head back into my chest and continued to cry. I said, whispering "Let it all out."

Twilight said "Y-you make all these sacrifices for me, and I don't ever do a-anything to give back to y-you." I said "You already do. You give me my emotional support. That's all I need. Besides, I don't expect anything in return." Twilight smiled through her tears and said "Y-you're the most selfless person I have ever met." I smiled and said while wiping her tears away "I try my best. Now, get yourself together and go reopen your school. I'll be watching from here." She stood up and hugged me. I smiled at this and she said "Thank you. I'll do everything I can to be the best school for you." I said "Don't just do this for me, but for every creature in Equestria." Twilight said "I'll keep that in mind." She spread out her wings and flew towards the school. Celestia flew up and said "Thank you Zachary for comforting Twilight. You truly are a great lion." I smiled and said "Thanks Celestia. I always try my best."

She flew away and I watched as Twilight reopened the School of Friendship. I looked from far away and even though I was sad I was no longer a vice principal, it made me happy that everyone was able to go on. It might make me sad, but I'll risk my happiness to make others happy. In order to make others happy, I'll stand before the jury and be charged as guilty.

AN: What a chapter! I have wanted to write this chapter for quite a while. I know it's sad for Zachary to go to court and be charged for a crime he didn't commit, but I have planned this for a while now. If you read A Journey Beyond Sanity, you know that Stardust did something similar. I decided to use that and take it to the next step, so I hope you enjoy this. I can't wait to write such great chapters for this season. It's going to be harder, but it's worth it. Hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Next Chapter: When Maud is in Ponyville, Pinkie goes to visit her. But she discovers that she has a new boyfriend. He drives her nuts and makes Pinkie question her relationship with her sister. Zachary hears about this and observes the situation going down. Will he do anything about it, or will Maud's boyfriend completely derail Pinkie and Maud's relationship as sisters?

Until then, my fellow readers