//------------------------------// // 10. Broken Status Quos // Story: My Little Pony: The School Musical // by Harrison Sparrow //------------------------------// In a music room, Luster writes some new song lyrics for Harrison and Twilight. Harrison is rehearsing the song in a locked room. Behind the door, Wally tries to investigate, but he can't get in as the door is locked. He peeks through under the door, but he couldn't see much. Twilight is rehearsing the song in a girl's toilet. Potion approaches and Twilight quickly hides before she could be seen. Potion kicks open one of the toilet doors, but there was no Twilight. She then looks at herself in the mirror before leaving. Twilight has been using her cloak magic as she reappears. Back in the music room, Luster plays the piano as Twilight rehearses the lyrics. Harrison does the same later on. In the gym, during practice, James blows his whistle whilst running a drill, as the Wildponies throw the ball to one another. "Let's go, guys! Make it sharp!" James said. "To the chest, come on, pop it! All right, guys, stick with it! Let's go!" He gets over to Lightning and walks back the other way. "Keep it going, guys! Come on, step with it! Come on, focus! FOCUS! Get your head in the game! Throw it!" He gets to Eddie and catches the ball. "Hey, Eddie, you seen Harrison?" "No, Coach. I don't know where he is." Eddie said nervously. James gives him back the ball and blows the whistle into his ear, making him yelp. "Again, let's go!" James said. In the auditorium, Twilight is sewing a costume whilst Harrison is painting a set piece. They look at each other and move to the beat of the song in their heads, until Miss Sprinkle walks over and gives them a smile. They then move to the beat again. Back in the gym, James blows his whistle as practice is over. "That's it, guys, let's hit the showers!" James said, as the Wildponies start leaving. "Hey, great hustle. Let's see that in the game." He said to a changeling Wildpony. As the team is leaving, Harrison shows up and Lightning shoves the ball into his stomach as he passes, disappointed. Duramy also walks by Harrison. "Duramy, I..." Harrison said. Duramy stops, but he sighs, feeling depressed. "I just don't wanna talk to you right now, Harrison..." He said, and he continues leaving. Harrison feels bad and he gets aside his dad, who is not happy. They don't even look at each other. "I'm gonna stay here for a while." Harrison said. "Work on some free throws." "Well, seeing you missed practice, I think your team deserves to have a little effort from you today." James said, and he leaves the gym. As Harrison begins bouncing the ball, Twilight appears behind him. "Wow." Twilight said, admiring the gym. "So this is your real stage?" Harrison chuckles at her wording. "Yeah. I guess you could call it that, or just a smelly gym." He said. "It's where the big game will be next week." "Canterlot High Wildponies versus Crystal High Knights?" Twilight said. "That's right. They're not gonna go easy on us, though." Harrison said. "I'm going up against them in the decathlon." Twilight said. "Hey, I hope you win." Harrison said. "I hope you win, too." Twilight said. Harrison chuckles. "Wanna try and score a point?" He asked. "Uh, can you show me how to play basketball?" Twilight asked. "It's simple. You just gotta find your own hustle and get your head in the game." Harrison said and he makes a perfect shot. "Just like that." "Oh my gosh, you really are good at this." Twilight said, impressed. Harrison gives her the ball. "Come on, let's see you try." He said. "Okay, here I go..." Twilight said. She focuses on the basket, throws the ball and nails the shot. "Whoa! That was fantastic!" Harrison said. "Yeah, I think it's easier if you're more focused, right?" Twilight said. "Can you also use your magic?" "Oh no, that's cheating." Harrison said. "You'll be out if you use your magic or your wings. Game rule." "Ah, all right." Twilight said. "I've been rehearsing with Luster, by the way." "Yeah, me too." Harrison said. "Oh, and, um... I missed practice, so, if I get booted off the team, then it should be on your conscience." Twilight was feeling defensive. "Hey, I wasn't the one who told you to sing..." She said. "Twilight, chill." Harrison said playfully. Twilight then takes the ball from him with her magic, holding it up in the air. "Hey! That's cheating!" Twilight dances around. "No, no." Twilight starts running. "No, that really is cheating!" Harrison runs up behind Twilight, picks her up and spins, and they both laugh. James returns. "Miss! I'm sorry, this is a closed practice!" He said. Harrison scoffs. "Dad, practice is over, come on." He said. "Not till the last player leaves the gym. Team rule." James said. "Oh, sorry, sir." Twilight said. "Um, Dad, this is Twilight Sparkle." Harrison said, and Twilight raises her hoof. "Ah, your detention buddy." James said rudely. Harrison feels surprised by his dad's rudeness. Twilight's warm smile fades as she gives the ball back to Harrison. "I'll see you later, Harrison." Twilight said. "You too." Harrison said. "Nice meeting you, Coach Sparrow." Twilight said, and she starts leaving. "You as well, Miss Sparkle." James said in a monotone voice. Harrison and James wait until Twilight exits the gym. "Dad... detention really was my fault, not hers." Harrison said. "You were in the auditorium again, were you?" James asked in disappointment. "Yes, I was." Harrison said in a low voice. "What were you thinking? I told you to stay out of Sprinkle's business." James said. "I was just helping her out, Dad." Harrison said. James raises his hoof. "Son, listen." He said. "You haven't missed practice in three years. That girl shows up-" Harrison cuts him off. "That girl's name is Twilight Sparkle!" He said. "She's very beautiful." "Well, helping you miss practice doesn't make her very beautiful!" James said. "Not in my book, or your team's!" "Twilight's not a problem, Dad, she's just a girl!" Harrison said, raising his voice. "And I also wanna be a guy, the way I see it!" "But you're not just a guy, Harrison!!" James said angrily, and he sighs. "You're a playmaker." Harrison feels hurt. "What you do… affects not only this team, but the entire school. And without you completely focused, we're not going to win the championship this year. You're letting the Wildponies down because of your singing. The championship games, they don't come along all the time. They're something special, and now you think you are, too." "Yeah, well, a lot of ponies in this school are very special, Dad, even my friends." Harrison said. "But you're the team leader." James said, and he snickers. "Not a singer, right?" "Do you maybe think I could be both?!" Harrison said madly. James is shocked with no answer. Harrison drops the ball and walks away. As he leaves the gym, the rest of the Great Six have been outside the whole time, having heard everything. "Is he serious?" Wheelburn asked Lightning in a whisper. "No. Let's get outta here." Lightning said, and he and the others follow Harrison.