Twilight Sparkle was the top-scoring student of Crystal Prep. Unfortunately, this had not won her many friends in the overly competitive environment of Crystal Prep Academy. Despite her genius, she did not have the ability to make friends and she was either ignored or despised by her peers. She was pretty much ostracised but she endured the best she could even if she was all alone.
At least she had Spike, her BBBFF Shining Armor, and Dean Cadance to look out for her.
However, recently, she felt odd. She had been having frequent blackouts on numerous occasions. She also lost time whenever she had those blackouts. However, she kept such things to herself, not wanting to worry the people who cared about her.
As Twilight Sparkle walked through the droves of students, heading to her next class, she bumped into Fleur de Lis who just looked at her in disdain.
Normally, Twilight would mumble an apology and move on, but not today.
“Excuse me, but watch where you’re going.”
The instant she said that, Fleur de Lis stopped and turned.
“What was that, Sparkle?” Fleur de Lis demanded.
“Watch where you’re going,” Twilight Sparkle repeated. “Or do I need to speak slower?”
Fleur walked up to Twilight Sparkle and stared her down. A loser that suddenly developed a backbone needed to be put back in her place but Twilight Sparkle was not going to allow herself to be put down and returned Fleur’s stare with her own. Fleur started to sweat as Twilight’s eyes bore into her own. She felt a frightening chill run up her spine.
The loser couldn’t be intimidating her, could she?
Fleur noticed that they had drawn a crowd as the rest of the students watched her, waiting for her to do something. Wanting to save face, Fleur turned away.
“I don’t have time for this.”
“Learn some manners then.”
*////*
In gym class, Twilight Sparkle was picked last. Today’s game was dodgeball. She hated it since she was always targeted first and always got bruises. On the other side of the court was Indigo Zap who grinned maliciously at Twilight Sparkle.
The gym teacher blew the whistle to start the game. Immediately, Indigo Zap threw her ball right at Twilight Sparkle.
Normally, Twilight Sparkle would freeze up and get hit but not this time. As the ball zoomed towards her, Twilight Sparkle put her hand up in front of her and caught it without flinching.
“Huh!?” Indigo Zap was gobsmacked and that allowed Twilight Sparkle to throw the ball right at her, hitting the athlete in the stomach.
“Zap! You’re out!”
“OK, coach,” groaned Indigo as she rubbed her stomach and walked out of the court. The game continued and Twilight Sparkle demonstrated athleticism that she had never displayed before during her time in Crystal Prep. She was able to dodge and catch balls before throwing them back at the other team.
By the end of the game, Twilight Sparkle’s team won. Her team then crowded around her, congratulating her. Indigo just glared at her, suspicious.
*////*
In the locker room, Twilight was getting changed for her next class when Indigo Zap confronted her.
“Where did you learn to play like that, Sparkle?” Indigo Zap asked.
“Online tutorials and books,” Twilight answered in a clipped tone.
“Don’t bullshit me, Sparkle!” Indigo Zap. “Nobody gets that good from watching videos and books!”
“I’ve had plenty of practice,” Twilight smirked. “Now, if you mind, I have to head to my next class.”
“No, you’re not going anywhere, Sparkle.”
“Look, I’m asking you politely. Please, step aside.”
“Or what, Sparkle?”
“Or Principal Cinch might get an anonymous tip that you’ve been cheating to get your grades.”
Indigo’s eyes widened at the implication.
“You wouldn’t dare...” Indigo threatened.
“Who will Cinch believe? Her top student or a jock that she can replace with any of the meatheads that pollute this place?” Twilight Sparkle returned her glare with a sneer. “Keep pushing, Indigo Zap, and we’ll see who stays in this school.”
Indigo gaped at Twilight at a loss. While it was true that her threat was a lie, a simple thorough glance between Twilight and Indigo’s old assignments would give her accusation weight via the blatant theft.
“Shit!” Indigo thought, “I would be screwed by the teachers being too lazy to check if we’re copying from each other!”
Indigo put her hands over her mouth in contemplation of whether or not to call Twilight’s bluff, but ultimately decided it wasn’t worth it.
“I don’t know what happened to you, Sparkle, but you are one crazy cat,” she said, and walked away.
It didn’t register immediately to Twilight just what she had achieved, but her eyes widened once it had time to sink in, “Wow! I just stood up to Indigo Zap! Maybe things are starting to look up for me.”
With a newfound spring in her step and smile on her face, Twilight began walking to her next class.