//------------------------------// // Crystal Prep Recon // Story: Friendship Games: Another Story // by ArcanaMaverick7 //------------------------------// The next day, Fragment Hunter was making their way to Crystal Prep Academy as Rebecca and Azalea guided them. "It's just a little further ahead," Rebecca told the others. "You can't miss it with the description of the building." "Remember, guys. We're only checking up on this second Twilight," Sunset Blaze told her friends. "Which means no sabotage, no pranks, and no fighting," she said while looking at Vixen and Rua. Rua only snapped her fingers in annoyance while Vixen pouted. After another minute of walking, the twelve teenagers arrived at their destination. "Well, this looks like the place. Now to get inside." "Hold on, guys," Rua said before she teleported to the other side of the front gate and unlocked it for everyone. "At least now that I know where this place is, I can teleport here whenever I want while we're in the city." "Okay. Time to see where she is," Lapis said as she and the others entered the school's campus. Before they reached the door, Vixen used her Semblance to create an illusion around the twelve teenagers and hide them from view as they entered the school. Fragment Hunter all looked around and avoided the other students until they saw Twilight Sparkle in the Crystal Prep uniform. She sighed to herself before trying to make her way through the hall, but kept bumping into people or weaved around them. As she apologized, students either ignored her or gave her dirty looks. Fragment Hunter were all upset at what they saw, but Azalea and Rua were the most angry out of the twelve as they silently growled at how Twilight was apparently being bullied. The twelve warriors continued to follow Twilight until she reached her private room away from the other students. "Spike? Spike," Twilight called out for her dog until he popped out of a trash can because Twilight accidentally knocked him inside it when she kicked open her door. "There you are," Twilight giggled as Fragment Hunter all smiled at the sight of her relationship with her dog. "Okay, okay! Last night's field test confirmed it, Spike. With this device, I can track and contain the bizarre energy coming from Canterlot High," she told her dog as she pulled out a purple device from her desk drawer that resembled an amulet, locket, or pocket watch. Spike growled at the mention of Twilight's visit to CHS yesterday, but Twilight calmed him down. "I know you didn't like me going over there, but I just couldn't wait. And soon, I'll have all the time I need. All of Crystal Prep is gonna be there for the Friendship Games. I just hope all that 'rivalry' nonsense doesn't get in the way of my research. If I can collect enough data on these EM frequencies, I should be able to extrapolate the waveforms to determine their origin. That would practically guarantee my entrance into the Everton Independent Study Program," Twilight explained to her dog and unknown to her, Fragment Hunter. As Twilight was getting excited about her research, she leaned back in her chair and fell to the floor. Just as she did that, Rebecca sensed somebody was approaching the door and silently warned the others. A pink-skinned woman with yellow, pink, and purple hair entered the room and saw Twilight on the floor with her puppy licking her face. "Twilight, you know the rules against pets," she said to the girl. "Well, Spike isn't a pet, Dean Cadance," Twilight told the woman. "He's the focus of my research project. Human-canine cohabitation: effects and implications." "I believe there's another name for that project," Azalea said to the others with Sunset's Semblance. "It's called having a pet." "If you say so. But Principal Cinch is highly allergic, so I suggest you put on a clean shirt," Cadance said as she picked up one of Spike's hairs from Twilight's shoulder. When Fragment Hunter heard this, they briefly looked at Silver before he glared back at them. They continued to hide with Vixen's illusions while Cadance and Twilight spoke about Principal Cinch wanting to see Twilight. While Twilight believed it to be about her application to the study program she wanted to get into, but Dean Cadance was concern about Twilight as more than just a favorite student. "I've been meaning to talk to you about that. Are you sure that's what you really want?" "Why wouldn't it be? A program that allows me to focus all my attention on my own advanced math and science projects? What a dream come true," Twilight responded. "Nerd," Rua thought and the rest of Fragment Hunter heard her. "But there aren't any classrooms with other students. You'll be doing everything on your own," Cadance explained to Twilight. "That is why it's called an 'independent study program'," Twilight reminded. "I just don't want you to miss out on anything. I was your babysitter when I was still a student and you're like a little sister to me. I'm always going to look out for you when I have the time," Cadance said. "Being around other people isn't a bad thing. Sometimes it's how you learn the most about yourself." Fragment Hunter silently agreed as their own friendship allowed them to learn more about themselves and become better as both warriors and people. "I guess you're right, Dean Cadance," Twilight said as she nervously rubbed her arm. "Meet you in Principal Cinch's office in a few minutes," Cadance asked Twilight and the girl just nodded before the Dean left the room. "Make sure to change your clothes," she reminded as she closed the door. "What's she so worried about? Everton is exactly what I need right now." Twilight said to Spike, who was playing with a chew toy. Spike looked back up at Twilight questioningly after she spoke to him. "It's not like I have anything left to learn at Crystal Prep," Twilight sighed. The members of Fragment Hunter couldn't help but feel sorry for the girl when they realized what her school life was like and Azalea empathized with her the most. Deciding to give her a little bit of privacy, the teenagers from Remnant combined their Semblances to teleport out of the room without being detected by Twilight. However, Spike looked around the room just as they left and he thought he sensed some other people inside Twilight's lab. Ignoring it, he decided to take a nap while his friend and owner changed into a clean uniform. With some new clothes on, Twilight exited her lab as she adjusted her tie. Closing the door behind her, Twilight began to make her way through the halls toward Principal Cinch's office. Fragment Hunter followed her to keep their eyes on the girl and see what the principal of the school actually wanted with Twilight. After bumping into some more students, Twilight began to sing to herself as she made her way toward her destination. I've walked through all these halls before I've been in and out of every door, oh-whoa-oh There's nothing in this school that I don't know In every class, my grade's the best The highest score on every test I think that means it's time for me to go I know there's more that's out there And I just haven't found it yet I know there's more that's out there Another me I haven't met This school is full of people But still I don't belong They only dream of winning Look at me like something's wrong Maybe I'm better off alone Will I find what I'm looking for If I just do it on my own? I know there's more that's out there Something to fill this hole inside I know there's more that's out there And I'm not afraid to try There's only so much this school can offer And I'm not saying that it's wrong But I know there's more that's out there 'Cause I've been searching all along Beyond these rooms, beyond these walls So much to learn, I can't see it all There's somethin' out there callin' me And it's a mystery that I can't wait to see 'Cause I know there's more that's out there Another place, another way And I know there's more that's out there And I'll find out someday! I'll find out someday... The song started out sad, but Twilight's singing showed that she still had hope about something to find when she leaves Crystal Prep and was looking forward to it. Most of Fragment Hunter found the song to be beautiful, but some still questioned the sudden musical number. "Did she really need to sing," Rua asked her friends telepathically. "She's definitely this world's version of Twilight with that voice," Cereza commented. "Let's just keep following her. She's already at the door," Sunset Blaze told the others. "Silver, you and Vixen stay out here with Cereza, Lapis, and Slate. Vinyl can use her Scroll to keep you posted." The five teenagers nodded before the Twilight opened up the door to Principal Cinch's office. As Twilight was encouraged to enter and take a seat by Cadance, the others quickly entered while Vixen's illusions kept them hidden. As soon as Twilight took her seat, the door was closed by somebody she recognized when she looked behind her. "Shining Armor? Why is my brother here," Twilight asked. "As an alumni, Principal Cinch thought he could provide some unique perspective," Cadance explained to Twilight. "Perspective on what," Twilight asked and the members of Fragment Hunter silently questioned the same thing. "Why, the Friendship Games, of course," a new voice said as the woman that Fragment Hunter guessed was Principal Cinch turned her chair around to face Twilight, Shining Armor, and Cadance. "You competed in the games, did you not, Shining Armor," she asked the man. As she was asking the question, Shining Armor and Cadance were looking at each other and smiling like they were smitten teenagers before an embarrassed Shining Armor composed himself and answered. "I did." "And do you happen to recall who won that year," Cinch asked as she stood up. Shining Armor chuckled as he answered. "Crystal Prep did. We always win." "We always win," Cinch echoed before she walked over to a trophy shelf in her office. Rebecca and Celadon were standing nearby it while their were hidden, so they snuck away to not be detected by Cinch. "Why did you ask to see me," Twilight asked nervously. "Twilight, I'll be honest. It doesn't matter whether or not Crystal Prep wins or loses," Cinch said as she polished one of the trophies. "The important thing is we are expected to win because Crystal Prep has a reputation. And it is that reputation... my reputation that is responsible for everything we have here. For everything you've done here. And you've done quite a lot, haven't you?" "I don't know. I guess," Twilight replied as Principal Cinch made her way back to her desk. "Oh, don't be modest. You're the best student this school has ever seen. What I can't understand is why my best student wouldn't want to compete," Cinch said as she moved a pencil on her desk into place. "In the Friendship Games," Twilight asked as she adjusted her glasses. "Look, Twily, I know it's not really your thing, but representing the school is kind of a big deal. Plus, they could really use your help," Shining Armor told his little sister. "Didn't seem like any of them wanted to be involved with her in the halls," Rua bitterly mentioned to Fragment Hunter. "It seems Canterlot High is undergoing something of a renaissance," Cinch said as she held a paper about recent changes for the aforementioned school. "Test scores are up, grades, even athletics are on the rise. You see, they are developing somewhat of a reputation. This can not happen!" Fragment Hunter noted the glare on Cinch's face and her tone as they all scowled at the woman. "Principal Cinch, I can't possibly participate in the games," Twilight stated. "My work here is very..." "Ah, yes. Your work. Cadance, could you and Shining Armor find my contact sheet for the Everton Independent Study program," Cinch asked. After Cadance agreed to go retrieve the document with Shining, Twilight was nervous to be left alone with Principal Cinch and Fragment Hunter couldn't blow their cover just to make her feel better. As soon as Cinch believed herself to be alone with Twilight, she pulled out a file that held Twilight's application to Everton. "I understand you've applied. You see, one of the advantages of having a reputation is a certain amount of influence in such things. So, let me offer you a deal. In return for contributing your agile mind to these games, I will use my influence to guarantee your application is approved. Though, I suppose I could also have it... denied. What do you think I should do?" "Is she... blackmailing her," Layla mentally asked in disgust as Twilight felt pressured by Cinch's 'deal'. The other members of Fragment Hunter were all angry at the underhanded tactic that Cinch was using to try and make sure that she could keep her reputation. However, the angriest of all of them was Azalea as her body began to shine from her Semblance and the glare had the others cover their eyes. Thankfully, Vixen's illusions managed to hide the light from view and Fragment Hunter stayed hidden. Twilight sighed before finally answering Cinch. "Alright. I'll compete in the Friendship Games." Cinch smiled as if she secured victory for the upcoming events already. "You've made the correct choice as you always do," she said as she put the file away. "Come on, guys. We need to get out of here," Sunset Blaze telepathically told the others before Rua teleported all of them out toward Canterlot High.