Hey everycreature! What's up!?

Finally back with this story and I decided to try and continue on and not do a restart! So we're heading off to Twilight's class! And then I'm thinking I'll do a Friends and Family day thing, where the rest of Rose's family comes to Ponyville to attend as well, expect for one family member…

Rose's father Sword Gauntlet can't come because there's going to be an important event in Canterlot which requires every guard on station. Rose is upset and doesn't think she can forgive him, but her new friends remind her of what's important and to forgive him and that will conclude the main story and then I'll get into the short story series!

And I'm also thinking that the first short story will be quite a surprise, I want to do something for my gay and lesbian readers, because I never did something for them and I don't want those readers to feel left out.

Also, thank you to Falazi for another fav!

So let me know what you think down below and I'll shut up and let you read!

Chapter 8: Progress

As the school bell stopped ringing and everycreature were in their classes, Rose, along with her new group of friends came into a big classroom which looked like a theater a bit of course. Rose sat down next to Ocellus while the rest of her friends took their seats next to each other. The students all talked to each other as Twilight wasn't here yet, but that stopped as the classroom door opened and Twilight trotted in with Spike, who was in midair, keeping himself up flapping his wings.

"Hello students." Twilight greeted the class happily as she got onto the stage while Spike went to set up the things for the lecture. "Today we're going to start learning about the history of the Crystal Empire, including of course the Crystal Heart."

Everycreature took interest and started their notes, of course since Rose was still pretty new and barely had any supplies, she had to relay on Ocellus, who luckily took great notes and was glad to share them.

"Don't worry Rose, I'm a great notetaker, you'll get everything you need to know." The little changeling reassured Rose.

"Thanks Ocellus, sorry you have to go through the trouble." Rose apologized.

"No trouble at all." Ocellus replied as she made sure Rose had a clear view of what she was writing.

"Yup, things are going well with our new student indeed." Twilight thought in her head before continuing on with today's lecture. "Now, to start off we're going to talk about the terrible reign of King Sombra…"

And Twilight went on with the lecture, everycreature taking the notes down as Rose just looked at Ocellus' notebook. Sometimes Rose even offered to write some of the notes to give Ocellus a break writing so much, something of course that Twilight took notice of as she had to have a small smile. Eventually the school bell rang again as the class ended and also the school day as well, everycreature closing their notebooks as Twilight finished off.

"Alright class, we'll resume the lecture next class and continue where we left off." Twilight began as she then made an announcement. "Also, in three days we'll be having Friends and Family Day, so make sure your folks and/or siblings know about it."

The class then got up and started to file out of the classroom, talking among themselves while Rose started talking to her new group of friends, that is until Twilight called out her name.

"Blooming Rose, can you wait here for a minute, I wish to talk with you." Twilight called after the little filly.

"What do you think the headmare wants?" Rose asked her group of friends.

"Yona don't know, but Yona suggests little pony go see." Yona replied.

"I bet it's not bad." Silverstream added.

"And we'll see you tomorrow Rose." Gallus finished as the three, plus Sandbar, Smolder, and Ocellus left, leaving Rose with Twilight.

Rose took a deep breath and came in front of her principal, who had a smile, but Rose was still scared.

"Am I in trouble headmare for not having my school supplies yet?" Rose asked, fearful that was the reason because she had to relay on Ocellus for the notes.

"No, quite the opposite in fact, I just wanted to say how happy I am seeing how well you're doing making some new friends and I hope it continues." Twilight said, which of course shocked Rose. "Now since I took up some of your time, I'll bring you to the front entrance, I'm sure your brother's waiting for you by now."

As the two trotted to the main entrance of the school building, Twilight struck up more questions for Rose, asking her about her family and such, that is if Rose was comfortable answering the questions. And she did and Twilight was fascinated that Rose had an interesting family with many different backgrounds, reminded her a little of her own family. As the two came to the main entrance, Drawn Pen was nowhere in sight.

"Usually he would be here by now…" Rose said, a bit worried.

"Don't worry, maybe he had some last minute things to do, he'll come." Twilight reassured Rose.

And sure enough Pen came galloping to the school, holding onto something with his mouth, as he came in front of the two, he panted as he was out of breath, having rushed over because he knew he kept his little sister waiting.

"I'm sorry sis, but something came for you." Pen said as he gave Rose what he was holding in his mouth.

What Pen had was a pair of saddle bags that was blue in color and the button decoration, which kept the bag closed of course, was a yellow rose that has yet to fully bloom, exactly like Rose's cutie mark.

"Is that for me?" Rose asked as Pen gave her the bags.

"Thank mom and dad, they had it custom made in Canterlot and mailed it here for you, plus I took the liberty of buying some school supplies to fill up the bags, notebooks and pencils, along some other things, that's why I came late." Pen told Rose before turning his attention to Twilight. "So how's she doing?"

"Very good, making more friends now and being more open." Twilight happily reported. "Oh, and in three days we'll be having Friends and Family Day, so do please make sure your whole family knows, I would love to meet and talk with them as well."

"Will do princess." Pen bowed.

"Headmare is just fine." Twilight chuckled. "Have a good day Rose and I'll see you tomorrow."

"You too Headmare Twilight." Rose replied as she joined her big brother as the two returned to their house in Ponyville.

"So making some new friends, mind telling me who they are?" Pen asked, curious to know.

"Well there's Sandbar, he's a pony…" Rose began and Pen expected it to be all ponies, but… "Smolder's a dragon, Silverstream's a hoppogriff, Gallus's a griffon, Yona's a yak, and then finally there's Ocellus, she's a changeling."

"Wow, that's…" Pen began, but didn't know quite what to say. "Curious…" Pen giving his best response.

"I know it sounds weird brother, but they're all nice, I think you'll like them when you see them on Friends and Family Day, but warning Yona might hug you very tightly."

"Thanks." Pen replied. "Well, when we get back home, you rest up and do any homework you have to do, I'll write and teleport a letter back home about your progress and Friends and Family Day."

And so as the two siblings got back to their residence in Ponyville, Rose went to her new room, sorting out all the stuff her family got her for school while Pen sat down in his room and took out a piece of parchment, quill, and ink and began writing a letter to teleport back home in Canterlot. Once he finished, he did the spell and sent it back home in the regal city…

Meanwhile in Canterlot, Sword Gauntlet has actually just returned home from his shift, which luckily wasn't long today. As soon as Sword opened the front door of his house, he took off his helmet and put it down before taking off the rest of his armor and putting them aside while letting out a breath since he was tired.

"Always feels good to take off that heavy armor." Sword said in relief as he was about to go to the kitchen to get a drink, only for a magical light to appear before him, which transformed into a piece of rolled up parchment. "I wonder what's this…" Sword said as he took the parchment and unrolled it, reading it…

"Dear Family,

Life in Ponyville is very good, the mayor is pleased with how good an assistant I am and has even talked about maybe even raising my paycheck, but this letter isn't about me. Blooming Rose is doing very well from what I been hearing, making six new friends and you all wouldn't believe it but it's not just ponies she's friends with. And she loves the new saddle bag mom and dad, she told me to make sure to tell you that's she thankful for it.

Now in three days there's also going to be a Friends and Family Day at the school and all the students' friends and family are of course invited and Headmare Twilight said she would love to meet all of you. Plus I'm sure Rose would love to introduce all her new friends to us.

Can't wait and we'll see you in three days when you come.

Signed, brother and son, Drawn Pen."

As Sword finished the letter his face grew pale as the piece of parchment floated free from his hooves. That day was also the same day every guard was expected to report for duty because of an important diplomatic visit and Sword was one of those guards of course who needed to report in…

I hope everyone's satisfied, it has been a long time since the last proper chapter, so I'm a bit rusty! I'll try to get back into it as much as I can!

And again, let me know what you think of the ideas above and with that…

See everycreature later!