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Description
Nova’s small body sat stiffly upon a pale blue armchair, the sound of soft chatter nearby being the only noise within the large room that was the Friendship Elementary headmare's office. Or more specifically, his mother’s office.

Twilight Sparkle had brought him and his friend Jonagold into the room not long after she had stumbled upon their little scene. Even now, as Twilight listened with a calm, unreadable expression, Jona was sniffling as he finished his retelling of the event. Luckily the red colt hadn’t gone traitorous and made any attempts at exaggerating the story, but it was very clear that Nova was the supposed bad guy in this situation.

The colt really wished his mother hadn’t found him with Jona while the sensitive colt was crying. That would give anyone the wrong impression. But surely his mother of all ponies would understand his side of things. She was the princess of friendship, and his mom. Naturally she’d take his side-

“I’m so sorry about this, Jonagold...I promise you’ll be getting a written and verbal apology once I’m done talking to him.”

Nova jolted upward in his seat, staring at his mother in disbelief.

“Mom-!”

Any words of defense died on his tongue the moment Twilight shot a harsh look at him, one that had his ears pinning back against his head. It wasn’t like his mother had never gotten mad or scolded him before. But somehow, she almost appeared especially unhappy this time.

“Thank you for your time, Jona. Why don’t you head home? I’m sure Antoinette and Staccato are waiting for you.” Twilight spoke in a gentle voice, coaxing the colt towards the door with her wing. “If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to come to me. Okay?”

The colt gave a weak nod, avoiding any glances at Nova as he walked out the door Twilight held open for him. The soft click it made as Twilight closed it, along with the serious look on her face as she walked back towards him, dropped an uncomfortable rock into Nova’s gut. In that time span alone, all sorts of defenses flew through the young pony’s mind. But before any of them could even leave his muzzle, Twilight’s clacking hooves stopped in front of him and her stern stare bore into him.

“Novis. I’m very disappointed.”

The colt’s mouth fell open, those words rocking him with a jolt of shock.

‘Dissapointed?
With me?’

“Those were very irresponsible things for you to say to your own friend.” she continued, frowning deeply at him with a creased brow. “As a friend and a bright mind, you should be an example and encourage your friends to engage with their learning; NOT saying hurtful things when they choose to care for their own education over playing of all things. You can’t force others to do what you want. That would be abusing your own title, Nova.”

Nova felt like he was sinking into the cushion of the chair, or at least he wished he could disappear under the solemn, unyielding stare his mother was trapping him under. Never before had he felt so small within her commanding presence. Neither did he ever realize he was a student under her watch and scrutiny like any other kid that attended her schools.

With him, she was always patient, or a little bit strict during the few times he was stubborn or doing something wrong. But never, ever disappointed. The word still echoed within his mind, and each repeat only deepened the dismay that was clenching at his stomach.

He was speaking his mind before he knew it.

“ B-but- but your friends do whatever you want whenever you ask for stuff! So shouldn’t my friends do that too?”

Twilight pulled her head back, her expression making way for surprise and confusion. Nova pressed on, a near sense of panic coming over him. “Y-you told me real friends make time for each other!! And Jona didn’t want to make time for me! So why are you d-disappointed?”

He couldn’t understand it. All he ever did was look up to his mother. He listened to her, and always watched closely so he could be just like her. Everyone - best friends and regular friends and not-yet-friends - were always so eager to spend time with her and do what she asked. So shouldn’t it be the same way for him?

Nova found himself sniffing, and realized just how hot his cheeks and eyes felt. Maybe his own confusion was finally obvious to her, because soon his mother was stepping closer to him, a look of gentle concern on her face as she reached up with a hoof and lightly cupped one of his cheeks.

“Nova...it’s because my friends have the time and want to help or make plans, not because I expect it or force them.”

A stray tear fell, and Twilight lightly wiped it away with the back of her hoof. “When they're busy, friends respect that their friends have their own lives. They understand when they have things they need to take care of.”

Releasing a slow exhale through her nose, Twilight pulled back and took in the sight of him. Though worried, there was also something close to...realization? Determination? In the way she looked at him.
“I’m sorry that I was never clear enough, Nova...but I promise from now on that’ll change. It’s now obvious to me that I’ve held off for long enough.” The princess reached out and gently brushed his hair back. “It’s time for you to receive the one-on-one training and attention that you need.”

Although he was thankful that her anger had subsided, Nova could now only furrow his brows in confusion. “Training…?”

Twilight smiled softly. “Your royal training. You know, learning all that you need to know about being a prince of Equestria! The duties, responsibilities, the countless friendship lessons. Everything I’ve learned over the years and more.”

‘...there’s more than just friendship lessons?’

Nova kept his curious thoughts to himself and listened as Twilight sighed. “Your mother wanted you to have a ‘normal’ childhood before undergoing your training like the other royal children. I agreed to wait until you were at least ten, but with how things have been going, I think this has been long overdue.”

With a light brush of her wing across his shoulders, Nova didn’t miss the way his mother’s eyes glittered. “I’ve been waiting to teach you all about it, Novie. I promise I’ll make it as fun and educational as possible! Okay?”

“O-okay…”

As Twilight stepped away and began retreating behind her desk, Nova could only ponder over what this meant. His mother always seemed busy with the amount of things she had to do, but she was also a really great teacher who loved what she did. So...maybe it would be fun. Maybe he’d get to learn all sorts of cool things about what he’d get to do once he was fully grown.

Although his mother wasn’t as intense as she had been moments before, she placed her hooves upon the surface of her desk and gazed at him expectantly. “I have to stay here and do a bit more work. But I want you to head straight home today, Nova. I know you’re learning a valuable lesson, but Jonagold still deserves an apology. So I want you to write an apology letter to him, and tomorrow you’ll be handing it to him in person and apologizing to him then too. Do you understand?”

He winced, and although reluctantly, he weakly nodded back in response. Twilight’s gaze softened. “Good...I’ll see you later then, sweetie.”

Taking that as his cue to leave, Nova crawled out of the armchair and made his way to the door. The moment he was out of his mother’s earshot, the colt huffed to himself.

“This is so lame…”

He trekked out of the school with his blue eyes grumpily downcast. He hated being in trouble. She said it herself, didn’t she? He made a little mistake. He was going to apologize to Jona next time. So why did he still have to write some dumb letter and not be allowed to play for the rest of the day? Jonagold was nice. Of all ponies, he would be the one to forgive him pretty easily. And then they could forget all about it and just move on. It wasn’t that big of a deal.

Nova was so focused on his own displeased thoughts as he followed the path back into town that he didn’t realize he was blocking out everything else around him. It took a startled yell to bring him back to reality.

“A-A-Annie, wait!!”

“NOVA!”

Nova heard the loud thumping of fast approaching hoofsteps before he raised his head to find its source. And when he did, he nearly jumped out of his skin.

Antoinette Cider was marching across the grass at the side of the path straight towards him. What were normally soft green eyes now blazed with unbridled fury, her whole face twisted with ferocity.

If Nova didn’t know any better, he would have thought she was set on tearing off his tail, strand by strand. Instead she stopped in front of him, a few inches closer than he would have liked. Any nervous step he took backwards, she simply took another step forward.

It was then that all of Tartarus broke loose, a whirlwind of rage bursting out of the filly.

“Jona told me everything.” she hissed. Despite being a mere inch or two bigger than Nova, she now felt like she was towering over him. “I didn’t realize WE were the bad friends.”

A flick of his eyes and Nova caught sight of Jonagold and Staccato sitting a distance away. While Jona was hunched over and turned away, his watery eyes still avoiding all eye contact, Cato was hugging him and patting his back. Nova met the other colt’s eyes briefly but Cato’s expression simply dropped into a mix of anger and disappointment before looking away. Nova returned his attention back to the furious filly before him.

“A-An-”

“No, it’s about time you listen to ME!” she snapped, her fiery gaze locked onto him. “All WE ever do is follow whatever YOU want to do. We always play your games and put up with your SNOTTY attitude-”

“But-!”

“BE QUIET AND LET ME FINISH!” she shouted, and immediately Nova pressed his lips tightly together. She didn’t miss a beat and continued.
“We've tried being fair and polite. We were patient even when you didn’t want to listen to what WE had to say. But doing something that's important to us suddenly makes none of that matter?!”

She scowled, and jutted a hoof towards the sky. “Jona doesn't owe you ANYTHING! Jona can tell you that he has to take a trip to the moon, and you know what a good friend would do? LISTEN TO HIM instead of blowing his feelings off! How would YOU feel if everything you did was waved off as "dumb excuses"?! Huh?!”

Nova stared, slack-jawed and wide-eyed. He always knew that Annie was protective of her cousin. He even vaguely heard about her monstrous anger that a few unlucky kids had managed to witness from the normally peaceful filly. He had brushed it all off as an exaggeration.

But right now, he didn’t dare to move away from his spot, less she destroyed him right then and there.

“I-I didn’t-”

Nova softly yelped as Annie then jutted a hoof into his chest, prodding it as she spoke.

“And don't even DARE come at me with "I didn't know how you guys felt”! We told you! You just never listened! Jona's feelings are just as important as your stupid games! Just because you technically have a crown doesn't mean you get to beat him down with it!”

Leaning back in an attempt to escape her wrath only landed Nova on his rear. He pathetically sat there as Annie finally took a step back, huffing. Despite this, her glare did not relent. “Maybe YOU should figure out what being a friend means before driving Jona to tears."

A stunned silence followed after. If anything, the silence only made him stiffer, leaving him with a jumble of thoughts.

Never before had anyone - or...had any friend - shouted at him like that. Any other day he would have gotten angry. He would have accused her of acting out against her own prince. But his mother’s words still lingered in his mind, along with everything Annie had just driven into his skull.

They were this unhappy with his friendship this whole time?
Or...what he thought was friendship.

Nova didn’t know what to do, or say, completely overwhelmed by the amount of information. Only two words managed to slip out.

“I-I’m sorry-”

Nova winced as Annie’s glare intensified, her hoof pointing elsewhere.

“I’M not the one you should be saying sorry to.”

Nova’s attention was brought back to the two colts still sitting a ways away. This time, Jona barely managed to look over his and Cato’s shoulders. He looked afraid, and embarrassed, and quickly lowered his gaze to the ground when he realized Nova was staring at him.

Nova’s mouth opened and closed a few times, unsure if there was something better he could say. But words escaped him, and he helplessly let out the same sentiment, if not more insistently.

“I’m sorry.”

Jona’s ear twitched, and he gave the purple colt another nervous glance. It lasted for just a few seconds, and then his gaze was drooping again before he looked away and sniffed.

“It’s okay…”

Nova wanted to feel better, having his apology acknowledged. And yet he struggled to gulp down whatever now lodged itself into his throat, the knowledge of everyone’s tense feelings still weighing on him.

“Good. Finally.”

Annie slowly breathed out, appearing a bit calmer to the colt’s relief. Glancing at Nova one last time, she turned back towards her friends.
“I don't ever want this to happen again, Nova.”

With that, Nova tensely watched Annie as she returned to Jona and Cato. The three of them exchanged quiet words before walking off, and Nova managed to push himself back up onto four legs, albeit a little shaken.

He should’ve been thankful that his friends hadn’t downright told him to never talk to them again. Yet something heavy coiled up in Nova’s chest as their figures grew smaller in the distance. He couldn’t put any words to the feelings, other than the fact that they felt very unpleasant and very uncomfortable.

If that’s how they really felt...was he really the best friend that he thought he was?

Nova didn’t know if he had the answer to that question, and he didn’t know if he wanted it. Shaking his legs to remove any dirt that had clung to him, Nova weakly trudged on towards his castle.

A cloud of uncertainty followed him the whole way.
________________________________

Previous: Prince of Friendship
Next: A Day They Will Never Forget
Despite the tension in their confrontation, Annie, Cato, and Jona still welcomed Nova's presence and friendship afterwards. But at least on Nova’s end - especially once his busy princely schedule started - nothing was ever quite the same.

Many thanks to for giving me a basic sketch for the main illustration, as well as dialogue for her character Annie!
Destinyverse Archives
Feat.
Nova Spark Jonagold Antoinette Cider
Staccato Trill

Want to support me? Buy me a coffee! Any support is appreciated!

OR

Consider supporting me on Patreon , where you can view WIPs, exclusive sketches, and early images! Your support really helps me do what I do~! <3

Description
Nova’s small body sat stiffly upon a pale blue armchair, the sound of soft chatter nearby being the only noise within the large room that was the Friendship Elementary headmare's office. Or more specifically, his mother’s office.

Twilight Sparkle had brought him and his friend Jonagold into the room not long after she had stumbled upon their little scene. Even now, as Twilight listened with a calm, unreadable expression, Jona was sniffling as he finished his retelling of the event. Luckily the red colt hadn’t gone traitorous and made any attempts at exaggerating the story, but it was very clear that Nova was the supposed bad guy in this situation.

The colt really wished his mother hadn’t found him with Jona while the sensitive colt was crying. That would give anyone the wrong impression. But surely his mother of all ponies would understand his side of things. She was the princess of friendship, and his mom. Naturally she’d take his side-

“I’m so sorry about this, Jonagold...I promise you’ll be getting a written and verbal apology once I’m done talking to him.”

Nova jolted upward in his seat, staring at his mother in disbelief.

“Mom-!”

Any words of defense died on his tongue the moment Twilight shot a harsh look at him, one that had his ears pinning back against his head. It wasn’t like his mother had never gotten mad or scolded him before. But somehow, she almost appeared especially unhappy this time.

“Thank you for your time, Jona. Why don’t you head home? I’m sure Antoinette and Staccato are waiting for you.” Twilight spoke in a gentle voice, coaxing the colt towards the door with her wing. “If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to come to me. Okay?”

The colt gave a weak nod, avoiding any glances at Nova as he walked out the door Twilight held open for him. The soft click it made as Twilight closed it, along with the serious look on her face as she walked back towards him, dropped an uncomfortable rock into Nova’s gut. In that time span alone, all sorts of defenses flew through the young pony’s mind. But before any of them could even leave his muzzle, Twilight’s clacking hooves stopped in front of him and her stern stare bore into him.

“Novis. I’m very disappointed.”

The colt’s mouth fell open, those words rocking him with a jolt of shock.

‘Dissapointed?
With me?’

“Those were very irresponsible things for you to say to your own friend.” she continued, frowning deeply at him with a creased brow. “As a friend and a bright mind, you should be an example and encourage your friends to engage with their learning; NOT saying hurtful things when they choose to care for their own education over playing of all things. You can’t force others to do what you want. That would be abusing your own title, Nova.”

Nova felt like he was sinking into the cushion of the chair, or at least he wished he could disappear under the solemn, unyielding stare his mother was trapping him under. Never before had he felt so small within her commanding presence. Neither did he ever realize he was a student under her watch and scrutiny like any other kid that attended her schools.

With him, she was always patient, or a little bit strict during the few times he was stubborn or doing something wrong. But never, ever disappointed. The word still echoed within his mind, and each repeat only deepened the dismay that was clenching at his stomach.

He was speaking his mind before he knew it.

“ B-but- but your friends do whatever you want whenever you ask for stuff! So shouldn’t my friends do that too?”

Twilight pulled her head back, her expression making way for surprise and confusion. Nova pressed on, a near sense of panic coming over him. “Y-you told me real friends make time for each other!! And Jona didn’t want to make time for me! So why are you d-disappointed?”

He couldn’t understand it. All he ever did was look up to his mother. He listened to her, and always watched closely so he could be just like her. Everyone - best friends and regular friends and not-yet-friends - were always so eager to spend time with her and do what she asked. So shouldn’t it be the same way for him?

Nova found himself sniffing, and realized just how hot his cheeks and eyes felt. Maybe his own confusion was finally obvious to her, because soon his mother was stepping closer to him, a look of gentle concern on her face as she reached up with a hoof and lightly cupped one of his cheeks.

“Nova...it’s because my friends have the time and want to help or make plans, not because I expect it or force them.”

A stray tear fell, and Twilight lightly wiped it away with the back of her hoof. “When they're busy, friends respect that their friends have their own lives. They understand when they have things they need to take care of.”

Releasing a slow exhale through her nose, Twilight pulled back and took in the sight of him. Though worried, there was also something close to...realization? Determination? In the way she looked at him.
“I’m sorry that I was never clear enough, Nova...but I promise from now on that’ll change. It’s now obvious to me that I’ve held off for long enough.” The princess reached out and gently brushed his hair back. “It’s time for you to receive the one-on-one training and attention that you need.”

Although he was thankful that her anger had subsided, Nova could now only furrow his brows in confusion. “Training…?”

Twilight smiled softly. “Your royal training. You know, learning all that you need to know about being a prince of Equestria! The duties, responsibilities, the countless friendship lessons. Everything I’ve learned over the years and more.”

‘...there’s more than just friendship lessons?’

Nova kept his curious thoughts to himself and listened as Twilight sighed. “Your mother wanted you to have a ‘normal’ childhood before undergoing your training like the other royal children. I agreed to wait until you were at least ten, but with how things have been going, I think this has been long overdue.”

With a light brush of her wing across his shoulders, Nova didn’t miss the way his mother’s eyes glittered. “I’ve been waiting to teach you all about it, Novie. I promise I’ll make it as fun and educational as possible! Okay?”

“O-okay…”

As Twilight stepped away and began retreating behind her desk, Nova could only ponder over what this meant. His mother always seemed busy with the amount of things she had to do, but she was also a really great teacher who loved what she did. So...maybe it would be fun. Maybe he’d get to learn all sorts of cool things about what he’d get to do once he was fully grown.

Although his mother wasn’t as intense as she had been moments before, she placed her hooves upon the surface of her desk and gazed at him expectantly. “I have to stay here and do a bit more work. But I want you to head straight home today, Nova. I know you’re learning a valuable lesson, but Jonagold still deserves an apology. So I want you to write an apology letter to him, and tomorrow you’ll be handing it to him in person and apologizing to him then too. Do you understand?”

He winced, and although reluctantly, he weakly nodded back in response. Twilight’s gaze softened. “Good...I’ll see you later then, sweetie.”

Taking that as his cue to leave, Nova crawled out of the armchair and made his way to the door. The moment he was out of his mother’s earshot, the colt huffed to himself.

“This is so lame…”

He trekked out of the school with his blue eyes grumpily downcast. He hated being in trouble. She said it herself, didn’t she? He made a little mistake. He was going to apologize to Jona next time. So why did he still have to write some dumb letter and not be allowed to play for the rest of the day? Jonagold was nice. Of all ponies, he would be the one to forgive him pretty easily. And then they could forget all about it and just move on. It wasn’t that big of a deal.

Nova was so focused on his own displeased thoughts as he followed the path back into town that he didn’t realize he was blocking out everything else around him. It took a startled yell to bring him back to reality.

“A-A-Annie, wait!!”

“NOVA!”

Nova heard the loud thumping of fast approaching hoofsteps before he raised his head to find its source. And when he did, he nearly jumped out of his skin.

Antoinette Cider was marching across the grass at the side of the path straight towards him. What were normally soft green eyes now blazed with unbridled fury, her whole face twisted with ferocity.

If Nova didn’t know any better, he would have thought she was set on tearing off his tail, strand by strand. Instead she stopped in front of him, a few inches closer than he would have liked. Any nervous step he took backwards, she simply took another step forward.

It was then that all of Tartarus broke loose, a whirlwind of rage bursting out of the filly.

“Jona told me everything.” she hissed. Despite being a mere inch or two bigger than Nova, she now felt like she was towering over him. “I didn’t realize WE were the bad friends.”

A flick of his eyes and Nova caught sight of Jonagold and Staccato sitting a distance away. While Jona was hunched over and turned away, his watery eyes still avoiding all eye contact, Cato was hugging him and patting his back. Nova met the other colt’s eyes briefly but Cato’s expression simply dropped into a mix of anger and disappointment before looking away. Nova returned his attention back to the furious filly before him.

“A-An-”

“No, it’s about time you listen to ME!” she snapped, her fiery gaze locked onto him. “All WE ever do is follow whatever YOU want to do. We always play your games and put up with your SNOTTY attitude-”

“But-!”

“BE QUIET AND LET ME FINISH!” she shouted, and immediately Nova pressed his lips tightly together. She didn’t miss a beat and continued.
“We've tried being fair and polite. We were patient even when you didn’t want to listen to what WE had to say. But doing something that's important to us suddenly makes none of that matter?!”

She scowled, and jutted a hoof towards the sky. “Jona doesn't owe you ANYTHING! Jona can tell you that he has to take a trip to the moon, and you know what a good friend would do? LISTEN TO HIM instead of blowing his feelings off! How would YOU feel if everything you did was waved off as "dumb excuses"?! Huh?!”

Nova stared, slack-jawed and wide-eyed. He always knew that Annie was protective of her cousin. He even vaguely heard about her monstrous anger that a few unlucky kids had managed to witness from the normally peaceful filly. He had brushed it all off as an exaggeration.

But right now, he didn’t dare to move away from his spot, less she destroyed him right then and there.

“I-I didn’t-”

Nova softly yelped as Annie then jutted a hoof into his chest, prodding it as she spoke.

“And don't even DARE come at me with "I didn't know how you guys felt”! We told you! You just never listened! Jona's feelings are just as important as your stupid games! Just because you technically have a crown doesn't mean you get to beat him down with it!”

Leaning back in an attempt to escape her wrath only landed Nova on his rear. He pathetically sat there as Annie finally took a step back, huffing. Despite this, her glare did not relent. “Maybe YOU should figure out what being a friend means before driving Jona to tears."

A stunned silence followed after. If anything, the silence only made him stiffer, leaving him with a jumble of thoughts.

Never before had anyone - or...had any friend - shouted at him like that. Any other day he would have gotten angry. He would have accused her of acting out against her own prince. But his mother’s words still lingered in his mind, along with everything Annie had just driven into his skull.

They were this unhappy with his friendship this whole time?
Or...what he thought was friendship.

Nova didn’t know what to do, or say, completely overwhelmed by the amount of information. Only two words managed to slip out.

“I-I’m sorry-”

Nova winced as Annie’s glare intensified, her hoof pointing elsewhere.

“I’M not the one you should be saying sorry to.”

Nova’s attention was brought back to the two colts still sitting a ways away. This time, Jona barely managed to look over his and Cato’s shoulders. He looked afraid, and embarrassed, and quickly lowered his gaze to the ground when he realized Nova was staring at him.

Nova’s mouth opened and closed a few times, unsure if there was something better he could say. But words escaped him, and he helplessly let out the same sentiment, if not more insistently.

“I’m sorry.”

Jona’s ear twitched, and he gave the purple colt another nervous glance. It lasted for just a few seconds, and then his gaze was drooping again before he looked away and sniffed.

“It’s okay…”

Nova wanted to feel better, having his apology acknowledged. And yet he struggled to gulp down whatever now lodged itself into his throat, the knowledge of everyone’s tense feelings still weighing on him.

“Good. Finally.”

Annie slowly breathed out, appearing a bit calmer to the colt’s relief. Glancing at Nova one last time, she turned back towards her friends.
“I don't ever want this to happen again, Nova.”

With that, Nova tensely watched Annie as she returned to Jona and Cato. The three of them exchanged quiet words before walking off, and Nova managed to push himself back up onto four legs, albeit a little shaken.

He should’ve been thankful that his friends hadn’t downright told him to never talk to them again. Yet something heavy coiled up in Nova’s chest as their figures grew smaller in the distance. He couldn’t put any words to the feelings, other than the fact that they felt very unpleasant and very uncomfortable.

If that’s how they really felt...was he really the best friend that he thought he was?

Nova didn’t know if he had the answer to that question, and he didn’t know if he wanted it. Shaking his legs to remove any dirt that had clung to him, Nova weakly trudged on towards his castle.

A cloud of uncertainty followed him the whole way.
________________________________

Previous: Prince of Friendship
Next: A Day They Will Never Forget
Despite the tension in their confrontation, Annie, Cato, and Jona still welcomed Nova's presence and friendship afterwards. But at least on Nova’s end - especially once his busy princely schedule started - nothing was ever quite the same.

Many thanks to for giving me a basic sketch for the main illustration, as well as dialogue for her character Annie!
Destinyverse Archives
Feat.
Nova Spark Jonagold Antoinette Cider
Staccato Trill

Want to support me? Buy me a coffee! Any support is appreciated!

OR

Consider supporting me on Patreon , where you can view WIPs, exclusive sketches, and early images! Your support really helps me do what I do~! <3