While Twilight did not mind tests too much and indeed looked forward to the intellectual challenge, she had leapt out of her seat as soon as she could on the day of the midterm. Neither she nor Rainbow Dash had spoken since the other day and their flight. They had avoided each other at school but each could be caught giving a glance at the other.
The tension remained the next day when she, along with the rest of the class, gathered behind the main building. They had all been told to suit up. Chariots, with guards hitched and ready for transport, stood by a collection of teachers and staff: Octavia, Vinyl, Rockhoof, Cheerilee, Photo Finish, and Seabreeze.
“Well done on finishing the written section of the exam,” said Seabreeze. “Now, let us commence with the practical section.”
“Oooh! You even got a bunch of pros to come watch us!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“Not quite,” said Tantabus. “I know the study materials I provided told you this would be a battle simulation similar to what you dealt with in your entrance exam, but that was only partially correct. For security reasons and to better test you, we could not tell you how the real test would go until now. Rest assured, it is still a battle simulation, but…”
Tantabus spread his wings. “We shall be playing the roles of villains today. Your goal will be to either escape or subdue us within a 30-minute time limit.”
A few gasps went up.
Retracting his wings, Tantabus continued, “Now, this is also a teamwork exercise. I have considered your performance throughout the semester and have made pairings based on that. If you choose the escape route, both students must pass through a designated goal. The guards here will transport you to your testing site. While on the way, your assigned ‘villain’ can answer some questions but not all of them. With that, let’s get you into teams.”
The first pair called were Rarity and Applejack. They would be facing off against Rockhoof. As their chariot departed, Twilight saw Rarity take a position as far away from Rockhoof as possible while breathing out her mouth.
Next were Aloe and Spike with Cheerilee. The grin Cheerilee flashed at Spike drove him to assume a similar position as Rarity.
“Yeah!” Bulk exclaimed, heading over to a chariot. He was courteous and let Fluttershy in first.
“Glad to see you pumped up!” said Vinyl.
“Oh cool, I haven’t really gotten to see those crazy beats since the entrance exam,” Tree Hugger said.
“I suppose being with Lyra was too much to ask for,” Bon Bon sighed while getting in with Tree Hugger and Octavia.
Derpy and Maud went off with Photo Finish while Lyra and Lotus Blossom went with Seabreeze.
Only four students remained. Twilight’s heart thumped in her chest. Yet, there was also confusion given that only Tantabus remained of the pros.
“Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash,” Tantabus called out. “You’ll be with me.”
Some relief washed over Twilight. She could see Dash unclench a little too. Had the incident the other day occurred further back than that, she imagined Tantabus would have taken advantage of that tension. Still, that awkwardness was replaced with worry given that Pinkie and Rainbow Dash would be facing Tantabus himself. That concern dwarfed in the face of the actually smoldering Sunset nearby.
“And where does that leave us?” Sunset complained. “What, do the top two test scorers not have to do the practical?”
“Even if the tests were already graded, we wouldn’t want to let you just rest on your laurels.” There was a blast of air behind Sunset. She turned and Twilight gulped. Celestia smiled down at them, but she radiated an aura that made both of them tense. “I shall be your opponent, heroes! You’d best be ready to work together, or I shall leave nothing but ash! Mu-ha-ha-ha!”