Crystal Prep Academy wasn't the most friendly school in the country, but no one can deny how fancy it looked, inside and outside. The very walls look like they're actually made of crystals. And inside one dorm room without any windows, the human Twilight Sparkle was working on a small device. It was a circular, purple gizmo that started to glow when she finished building it.
"Perfect!" Twilight cheered. "Thanks to Dr. T's guidance, I was finally able to build this. It can now locate and contain the strange energy in Canterlot High."
When she mentioned that school, her purple dog growled.
"Now, Spike, I know you don't like it there, but I have to be there to study the enegries. I only hope this silly rivalry doesn't get in the way of my research. If I can find the source of the unexplainable EM waves, it could lead to new foundations in science. That can guarantee my application into the Everton Independent Study Program.
"When I wake up, it only takes a minute
To be aware of what's about to be
Everton's so close. I can't wait to be in it
It's like its sole
Purpose role
Is to call out to me
And so, I'll work my best
Advance my progress
So that when they see me
I won't be a mess
I will not give up
Until the board says yes
My future's around the corner
Canterlot High might be my ticket
Everything around it might be unheard
If I need a topic, then I did pick it
I will trek
And I'll check
Until I make good on my word
AND I WILL DO MY BEST
I WILL LOOK AROUND
I'LL BE THE WORTHIEST GIRL
IN THIS ENTIRE TOWN
I'VE BEEN IGNORED AND SHUNNED
BUT THAT WON'T BRING ME DOWN
THE PAST IS ALREADY FOREVER
I CAN'T WAIT
IT'S FATE
IT'LL BE GREAT
MY FUTURE'S AROUND THE CORNER
Oh, Dr. T, thanks for the help
I know I couldn't get this far myself
I'll make you proud by getting in
Then, the best day of my life will begin"
"Sorry to interrupt your singing, Twilight." a new voice called. It was Cadance, the dean of Crystal Prep, who walked into Twilight's room. She looked and saw Spike. "Twilight, you remember the rule about having pets, right?"
"Oh, Spike isn't a pet, Dean Cadance." Twilight said. "He's the subject of my latest experiment in human-animal bonds."
"Well, whatever he is," Dean Cadance said, "Try to keep him away from Principal Cinch. She has allergies, so you better put on a clean shirt." She picked off a piece of purple fur off of Twilight's uniform.
"Why?"
"Principal Cinch has asked you see you in her office."
For most students, a call to the principal's office means serious stuff and it usually stresses them out. Not Twilight, though. Instead of stressed, she looked excited. "Maybe she's got a reply from Everton!"
"I've been meaning to talk to you about that." Cadance said. "Are you sure Everton's what you really want?"
"Why wouldn't it be?" Twilight asked. "At first, I couldn't believe Dr. T, but when I saw the website and reviews, it felt like a dream come true. It's my dream school!"
"But there aren't any classes with other students." Cadance said. "You'll be doing the work on your own."
"That's why it's an independent study program." Twilight said.
"Twilight, I don't want you to miss out on making friends." Cadance said. "No one should be alone." That's when she left.
"What's she mean by that?" Twilight asked herself. "Everton's exactly what I need."
Twilight left her room and walked through the hallways. Any student that she passes by just gives her the cold shoulder. She began to question her role in the school and began thinking about what she is meant to do. In only a few minutes, she made it to the principal's office. It was mostly dark except for a light shining on the principal's desk that Twilight sat in front of. She then heard the door close behind her seeing Cadance at one side and someone else on the other, someone who Twilight was quite familiar with.
"Shining Armor?" Twilight asked. "What's my brother doing here?"
"As an alumni, Principal Cinch thought he might give us some perspective." Cadance said. Shining Armor really liked her.
"Perspective on what?" Twilight asked.
"Why, the Friendship Games, of course." Principal Cinch replied turning her chair around and revealing herself. Her pale-blue skin glowed in the lonely light along with her dark glasses. "Shining Armor, you participated in the Friendship Games, did you not?"
"I did." Shining Armor replied.
"And do you remember who won?"
"Crystal Prep did." Shining Armor answered. "We always win."
"We always win." Principal Cinch repeated. She turned to the filing cabinet that was being maintained by another woman. She had purple hair and orange skin. "Vice Principal Dawna, would you mind bringing me Canterlot High's records?"
"Sure thing, Ms. Cinch." Dawna said. She pulled out a file, but put it back. "Oops. Wrong one. That one's wrong too. I swear, this never happens to me. Aha!"
Principal Cinch pinched the space between her glasses while Dawna approached her with the file. Cinch took it and opened it up. She noticed one of the papers didn't look right. "This is the electrician's vacation request."
"Oops." Dawna said. She took it away. "I'm sorry... again. ...While we're on the subject, he's been working really hard..."
"Dawna, he can stop working when he retires." Cinch said. "Now, shred that request and keep quiet."
Dawna took the paper and went the corner. She then picked up a blank sheet of paper without anyone looking and put that in the shredder. She also hit the request form in a random folder.
"Deny the simple, unreasonable wish of a hard-working employee, huh?" she mumbled to herself. "I'll shred your request."
Without hearing that, Cinch continued her talk with Twilight. "Now, Twilight, it doesn't matter whether Crystal Prep wins or loses. The only thing that matters is that we are expected to win because we have a reputation to uphold. And it is that reputation, my reputation, that's responsible for everything Crystal Prep has, for all that you've done."
"Thank you, but my work's not that great." Twilight said.
"Oh, don't be so modest child." Cinch said. "You're the brightest student I've ever had the pleasure of attending. What I don't understand is why my star student wouldn't want to compete."
"In the Friendship Games?" Twilight asked.
"Look, Twily, I know it's a little out of your element, but representing our school in the games in a pretty great honor." Shining Armor said. "And we could use you."
"Indeed." Cinch said. She opened up the file that Dawna gave her. "It seems that Canterlot High is undergoing a sort-of Renaissance. Grades, honors, even athletics are on the rise. You see, they're developing somewhat of a reputation. This! Cannot! Happen!"
"But I can't participate in the Friendship Games." Twilight said. "I'm not even sure I want to."
"Okay." Dawna said. Everyone looked at her. "Don't get me wrong. I would like it if we won again, but I don't think Twilight should participate in the games if she doesn't want to. She has a lot of work and..."
"Ah, yes." Cinch said. "Her work. Cadance, Shining Armor, could you bring me my contact sheet for Everton?" Once Cadance and Shining Armor left the room, Cinch turned her attention back at Twilight. "You see, one of the advantages to having a reputation is a certain amount of influence in some things. In fact, a representative of Everton is coming as an unbiased judge in the Friendship Games."
"Really?" Twilight asked excitedly.
"So I'm offering you a deal." Cinch continued. "If you're willing to contribute your agile mind into the Friendship Games, then I will use my influence to guarantee your application is approved." Twilight didn't know what to think, but her expression changed when Cinch still continued. "Though, I suppose I could have it... denied. What do you think I should do?" Twilight was distraught at the sound of it. "I think I got my answer. Now, you better prepare. We leave in the morning."
Twilight looked on over to Dawna, but she couldn't give her any indication of a way out. With that, Twilight left and exited the office. At that moment, Dawna finally spoke.
"Principal Cinch, you can't just..."
"I can, and I am." Cinch interrupted.
"But that's blackmail."
"That's the only way Twilight can cooperate." Cinch said. "And don't even think about speaking out of turn or I'll tell everyone the real reason why I hired you." Dawna was about to speak again, but fell silent reluctantly. "That's better. Now, get ready. We've got a reputation to uphold."