//------------------------------//
// 8. Hard Times Ahead 
// Story: My Little Pony: The School Musical 
// by Harrison Sparrow 
//------------------------------//

In the Wildponies' locker room, James sits in his office whilst reading a paper. Miss Sprinkle enters and makes her way past the team, who are getting ready for practice.

"Yo, heads up!" A Wildpony said, as he throws a can of deodorant across the room.

"Whoa!" Miss Sprinkle said, narrowly avoiding the thrown deodorant.

"Whoops!" The Wildpony said.

Miss Sprinkle continues moving on and walks into James' office.

"All right, big news, Sparrow!" Miss Sprinkle said. "The cards are now on the table!"

"What?" James said, confused.

"You're tweaked because I put your heroes in detention, and I'm pleased to say that you're now getting even!" Miss Sprinkle said.

"What are you talking about, Sprinkle?" James said, still confused.

"Your all-star son showed up at my audition yesterday." Miss Sprinkle said. "Now, I give every student in Canterlot High an even chance, which is a long and respectable tradition in the theater. That is something you wouldn't understand. But, if he is planning some sort of an experimental joke in my chapel of the arts..."

"Harrison doesn't even sing." James said.

"Oh, well, I know you don't wanna hear this, but he seriously does." Miss Sprinkle said. "And I will not allow my Twinkle Town musicale to be made into some sort of broad comedy."

"Twinkle Town?" James said mockingly.

"See? I knew it!" Miss Sprinkle said.

"Hey..." James said.

"I knew it!" Miss Sprinkle said, and she leaves the office.

"Sounds like a champion." James said. "Good luck in New York!"

Miss Sprinkle walks out of the locker room.





At the outdoor eating area, Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity discuss the incident in the cafeteria.

"Guys, is Potion really, really mad at me?" Twilight asked.

"I think she was mad at Wheelburn." Applejack said. "What was she thinkin'?"

"She made a very bad mess of his face." Fluttershy said.

"Absolutely, he didn't do anything wrong." Rarity said.

"Well, neither did I. It was a good thing he defended me from her, though." Twilight said.

"Don't worry, I'm sure that was only a small accident." Rarity said. "Now, about the musical Rainbow told us about..."

"Yeah?" Twilight said.

"No one has beaten out Potion for a musical, on what we heard." Fluttershy said. "Not even once."

"I wasn't trying to beat anyone out." Twilight said. "And what Rainbow told you and Pinkie, me and Harrison didn't audition, we were just singing."

"You won't convince Potion of that." Fluttershy said.

"Yeah, if that unicorn could figure out a way to play both Romeo and Juliet one day, her brother would be aced out of a job." Applejack said.

"Guys, it just happened, but I liked it. So much." Twilight said. "Did you ever feel like there's this whole other pony inside of you just looking for a way to come out?"

"Nope, not really." Applejack said, giggling.

"But you're still on my side, right?" Twilight said.

"Well, need we remind you about the decathlon next week?" Rarity said.

"I did not forget about it, I swear." Twilight said.

"Then we're always on your side, Twilight." Applejack said.

"Friendship will always and forever be magic." Fluttershy said.

"We love you too much." Rarity said.

They have a group hug.

"I love you, too." Twilight said, and the bell rings, announcing that lunch break is over. "Let's get to class."

They head off to their classes.





Eddie and Pinkie are walking down a hallway.

"I seriously can't believe you can bake almost anything, Eddie!" Pinkie said.

"Just call me 'Eddie the master chef'!" Eddie said, and they laugh. "So, what cupcake flavors do they have at Sugarcube Corner?"

"Uh, they do chocolate, lemon, apple pie, there's so many you can try!" Pinkie said.

"Ooh, they sound tasty." Eddie said.

"So how are your basketball skills shaping up?" Pinkie said.

"Well, they're going great." Eddie said. "I got practice coming up, so… you gotta get'cha head in the game."

"'Get'cha head in the game'?" Pinkie said. "Isn't that what the Wildponies say?"

"Yeah, just to keep them on track and stay focused." Eddie said. "It kinda helps."

"Wow! Well, I need to keep studying for the decathlon, too." Pinkie said.

"Hey... I think you'll do great, Pinkie." Eddie said.

Pinkie smiles warmly. "Thanks, Eddie." She said. "And by the way… I saw what you did to Potion in the cafeteria. It was so funny!" She laughs.

"Oh yeah, I did put on quite a show, right?" Eddie said.

They suddenly see Potion up ahead, who is drying her hair at her locker.

"Uh-oh, gotta go!" Eddie said, and he and Pinkie run off before Potion could see them.