All days are different; some can be boring, while some can leave an indelible impression on your mind; this was one of those days which isn't easily forgotten. The sun, a benevolent giant, draped the open field in a warm, amber cloak. Laughter and excited chatter vibrated in the air, as vibrant as the confetti scattered like a playful rainbow across the ground. The Academy of Friendship bustled with energy, its students streaming towards the unsheltered stadium like rich rivers converging. Some huddled in animated groups, voices weaving a tapestry of anticipation, while others sought cool respite under the shade-dappled tents perched at the field's edges.
But the revelry's true heart thrummed in the arena's centre. An array of games stood poised like eager contestants, each promising laughter and friendly competition. A sudden cacophony of trumpets erupted their brassy calls echoing from unseen corners. Then, silence. A pregnant pause before a static hiss crackled through the speakers, jolting everyone to attention.
Suddenly, a burst of pink exploded onto the stage. It was Pinkie Pie, her mane bouncing like cotton candy in a hurricane, a giant grin plastered across her face. The crowd erupted in cheers, the dull roar morphing into a wave of infectious excitement.
"Goooood Morning, every creature! Are you readdddy for the greatest, most fun-est day you'll ever have?!?! That's cuz the Annual Friendship Sports Festival is finally here!!! I'm your host, Pinkie Pie, along with a familiar speeding, loud barrier blasting, blue blur that-travels-so-fast-wigs-fly-off-from-the-wind-speed-generated breaking. Herself. The one and only. Inhale Rainbow " The one and only. *Inhale* Rainbow...wait! Where is she?"
Pinkie's eyes darted around frantically, searching for her co-host. A streak of blue zipped across the stage, followed by a sonic boom that ruffled every mane and tail in the vicinity. Rainbow Dash, a blur of azure confidence, landed with a flourish beside Pinkie.
"You're the host every year, Pinkie." She said with a smile, "But that's beside the point. Hello one, hello all! I am your co-host, Rainbow Dash, the coolest, most awesome flyer in Equestria!!" A soft and quiet voice from the crowd opposed the blue mare's factual statement.
"No, you're not."
"Who said that!?"
Gallus snickered.
Pinkie was quick to take over. "Anywayyy... What we're doing today are team-based challenges! Every creature would be divided into six groups. Red for loyalty, orange for honesty, green for generosity, blue for laughter, pink for kindness, and purple for magic!"
A pony in the crowd raised a hoof. "So what's the difference between a challenge and a sport? You don't need to be athletic for this right?"
Pinkie smiled. " No one needs to be athletic for anything at the friendship sports festival, but if it's a competition then yes, there is a requirement! For this year's festival, the teams are made up of students that match their respective elements from members of different classes, together, you'll work with one another to play into your strengths and weaknesses."
A small group of creatures approached the bleachers, and parents sat by on the stadium seats, watching on as the show began; Sandbar wore a pink bandana around his forehead, the excess clothes draped down the back of his neck. Behind him was a large group of students wearing the same colour-coded bandana, though his five friends were outside his group.
"Yona's team gonna win! Yona can't wait!" Turning to his side, Sandbar looked at the excited Yak; the orange band acted as a hair band to tie her braided hair together. Brimming with energy, her eyes sparkled at the events soon to come. He smirked at her enthusiasm.
"You really are pumped, Yona," he teased, nudging her playfully with his muzzle. The Yak jolted, her normally stoic expression replaced by a flustered blush that spread like wildfire across her face. She hid behind her mane, but her fiery eyes still held a playful glint.
"D-don't think you can charm Yona like this, Sandbar!" she stammered, her voice betraying her flustered facade. "Yona won't hold back!"
Sandbar chuckled, enjoying her feigned bravado. "I'm counting on it," he replied, a playful challenge in his voice.
His playful exchange with Yona didn't escape the watchful eyes of their friends. With an exaggerated sigh, Gallus, sporting a purple headband, rolled his eyes and muttered, "Argh, the lovebirds are at it again." His comment earned him a light smack on the back from Silverstream, whose blue bands adorned her chest. With a mock frown and playful furrow of her brows, she teased, "Stop teasing them, Gallus! They are so cute together!"
Despite his feigned annoyance, Gallus felt a slight blush creep up his neck, visible beneath his blue feathers. Smolder, ever the observer, noted his reaction with a deadpan expression. Her eyebrows arched, eyes half-lidded, and arms crossed, she remarked, "Ironic," drawing out the word for maximum effect. A nudge from Ocellus forced her to break character, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"Well, today's definitely buzzing with excitement," Ocellus chimed in, her mood bright despite the missing member of their group. "Though, I don't see Yuta anywhere. Is he still napping?"
Smolder shrugged, her red bandana contrasting the fiery scales framing her eyes. "Beats me. Probably lost in some dusty book, talking to professors about ancient curses or something. Don't worry about it. Professor Rainbow said he promised to show up, remember?"
This reassurance was what Ocellus needed to brighten up again. A horn blared, and the students picked up their pace. Each team was assigned a certain number of points per completed challenge.
Rainbow Dash's voice boomed across the stadium, announcing the first match with her signature enthusiasm, "Alright! The games have just begun! Let the battle of strength commence! We have the Orange Team facing off against the Purple Team in a classic tug-of-war!"
Cheers erupted from the stands, the excitement tangible. After briefly sizing each other up, the two teams squared off, taking their positions on either end of the thick rope. Sweat already glistened on brows, a testament to the nervous energy crackling in the air.
"Ready, Set, PULL!" Rainbow's voice sliced through the tension, and the rope became a battleground. Muscles strained, faces grimaced in determination, the rope vibrating with the combined effort of both teams.
The crowd roared, their cheers urging their favoured competitors forward.
"Come On, Orange Team! Pull harder!" the cheers surged from the stands, punctuated by Sandbar's enthusiastic encouragement, "We can do this! Pull! Pull!"
Silverstream's voice joined the fray, echoing from the bleachers, "Woo! Let's go, Yona! Let's go, Gallus!" Her words fueled the fire, and the Orange team's collective roar of exertion arose.
"Pull!!" A member of the orange team screamed.
"Yes! Yes, I can do it!" The rope came loose. "Pull, pull."
"Pull!!" a desperate cry split the air as the Purple team fought to hold their ground. The scale remained precariously balanced, both teams locked in a fierce stalemate. However, Gallus's competitive spirit, a double-edged sword, got the better of him. He yanked with a burst of strength, momentarily throwing the balance off kilter.
The unexpected surge caused several members of his team to stumble, their grip momentarily broken. Yona, a seasoned competitor, seized the opportunity like a seasoned predator. With a mighty heave, her muscles pulling taut, she sent the entire Purple team reeling forward. The red marker on the rope, the symbol of victory, flew through the air, landing firmly in Orange territory.
The stadium erupted with thunderous applause. Sandbar, ecstatic, launched himself out of his seat, joining the wave of orange-clad fans swarming the stage. His friends followed close behind, their cheers mingling with the joyous chaos.
"Yayy! Yona won! Yona won!" Ocellus congratulated.
Gallus sprawled on the ground, his chest heaving and his body drenched in sweat. He heaved breaths of air, trying to steady his beating heart. "Dang it!" He shouted, "So close!"
Talons rested on his shoulder, looking up; it was Silverstream. "You did amazing out there!"
He nodded to her words and placed his hand over hers. "Thanks..."
"And Orange Team stands victorious!! " Pinkie yelled into the mic. The crowd roared once more.
This Tug of War lasted a couple of rounds, interchanging between teams. At the end of the bouts, the team's scores are as follows. Orange took the lead with 6 points, Red and Purple tagged in close for second with 5 points, and Green, Pink, and Blue tied at 3 points each.
Suddenly, Pinkie's voice filled the air once more, her announcement charged with excitement. "Attention parents, guardians, and students of the Academy of Friendship! Thanks to the success of the first event, and to bring the excitement up a notch, the next game is an all-out Calvary Battle Royale!" A hush fell over the crowd as she elaborated on the rules. "Each team would divide into groups of four, with three acting as carriers for the fourth member who held their team's points. The team with the most points secured by the end would claim a whopping 5 points!"
"Doesn't sound very friendship-like." A student commented.
"Did you hear what Professor Pinkie said?! 5 whole points!!" Yelled her teammate.
Rainbow, leaning back in her seat with a mischievous grin, added to the chaos. "And remember," she warned with mock sternness, "if the point carrier touches the ground at any point, they're out! Along with the three poor teammates carrying them!" A playful glint flickered in her eyes. "Remember, teamwork makes the dream work!" she winked, turning off the microphone.
Despite the lighthearted nature of her announcement, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy watching her students' faces illuminate with pure, unadulterated joy. The muffled grumbles of "What?!" that followed her joke only served to confirm her amusement. The Friendship Sports Festival was in full swing, and the best was yet to come.
On the other hand, Fluttershy was like a ray of sunshine and a spring breeze on a hot summer's day. Sitting by on the bleachers with Discord next to her and chatting happily with the parents who came to watch their kids perform. Occasionally, Discord would whip something up from thin air or do something a being of chaos would do, which caused the parents present to laugh and giggle.
However, it took a little while for the teams to already be standing by in their earlier assigned groups. Drawing the attention of their respective guardians away from Fluttershy and Discord.
"How are you enjoying the festival, Discord?" Fluttershy asked, looking towards the students fighting it out on each other's backs.
Discord blinked, "Well, they sure are lively."
Fluttershy smiled, "I never expected my students to be so into these games."
"I can see how you might think that. Though, I believe they enjoy the festival for entirely different reasons than you do." Discord explained.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"Well, I know some of them are here to enjoy the games because they like to compete against other creatures. Others enjoy it because they get to make new friends, and others still just enjoy the thrill of it. Perhaps your kindness lessons lack that sort of vigour."
Fluttershy fell silent for a moment. "That's quite possible."
"As for myself, I find it rather enjoyable."
"Why is that Discord?"
He shrugged. "Because it's fun, duh! And... Because you're there."
Fluttershy laughed at that. "Oh Discord, you're so silly sometimes."
Discord chuckled lightly. "No no, you're not wrong. I suppose I am." He leaned towards Fluttershy, snuggling himself against her. Causing Fluttershy to lean in close in response. "But isn't that what made you draw yourself to me? My charming qualities and dashing good looks?"
Fluttershy pecked the Draconequus on his cheek, whispering quietly. "Maybe it is."
Discord smirked. "Mmhm." They sat together in silence for a bit longer. Both smile and giggle softly to each other until Discord breaks the silence. "Looks like they're about to start."
The trumpeting blast and Pinkie's exuberant "Start!" marked the eruption of chaos. The field transformed into a whirlwind of movement, teams entangled in a frantic struggle for points. Creatures clashed, hooves and wings flashing as they wrestled for control. Some point carriers employed magic, conjuring shimmering shields to deflect attacks and propel themselves skyward. Other winged players followed suit, creating a multi-layered battlefield in the air.
Amidst the maelstrom, Gallus soared high, four stolen points glinting in his talons. But his triumph was short-lived as six furious pegasi encircled him, their voices tinged with bitterness.
"Give us our points back!"
He smirked, "In your dreams!"
"I'll tell you what! If you don't return those points, I'm going to personally take you out of the games!"
It was one of those aristocratic ponies from Canterlot, parents blessed with wealth and spoiling their children rotten until they thought they were entitled to the world. Or something along the lines of that, Gallus thought. He paused for a moment, "Fine. You want the points back?" He asked, "Here you go." He tossed the points into the air.
The pegasus quickly caught them. "Thank you!"
But Gallus wasn't done. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he swooped down, descending rapidly right before the pegasus touched the ground. He snatched the points back with deft talons, the surprised stallion staring after him as he plummeted earthward. Flapping his wings just before impact, Gallus slowed his descent, watching the stallion scramble desperately, his attempts to break his fall proving futile.
"Way to go, Gallus!" His teammates cheered him on.
Rainbow's voice boomed through the speakers, the pronouncement swift and final. "Speeding Nimbus, along with your friends from the Blue Team, are disqualified for the rest of the games."
Gallus watched silently as the remaining teams clashed, the air buzzing with the competitive spirit.
"Huh!?"
An orange blur whizzed past him, Smolder snatching two of his stolen points with a triumphant smirk. He couldn't help but grin back, irritation laced with admiration.
"Pay attention, Gallus," she teased, waving the points around like playful trophies, causing Gallus to pop a vein on his forehead.
"Oh, yea? Let's see about that. Orange Princess."
Gallus picked up speed, aiming for Smolder. Before he could get close, he saw a large group of ponies surround him and his teammates. They looked to be the same type as the pony Gallus had just hit earlier. He turned to look at them.
"Outta my way!" He shouted at them.
One of the ponies stopped, raising a wing to shield herself. "Woah! Slow down, buddy! We're here for Speeding Nimbus-."
She was cut off mid-sentence as Smolder barreled into them from behind, sending them spiralling towards the ground.
"GAH!!" the pony cried out, landing with a thud.
"Sorry, I was just being friendly," Smolder quipped, offering a mock-innocent shrug.
The pony blinked, bewildered. "Friendly?!" They shook their heads, clearing their confusion. "Wait, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be flying solo."
"Same reason as you," Smolder replied, her voice nonchalant. "Competition is competition, after all. But ganging up on my friend? That's not cool. So, what'll it be? Face Gallus and me, or scramming back to whatever cloud you came from?"
The pony rolled their eyes, clearly annoyed. "Fine," they grumbled. "But consider this a warning. You'll regret messing with us."
Smolder scoffed, unfazed. "Sure."
Smolder watched them go, turning to Gallus with a smirk. In a split second, Gallus dived towards Smolder, stealing back the points that were rightfully his.
"Ha! Gotcha!" Gallus exclaimed in victory, his friends celebrating around them. Smolder, however, grinned at the challenge.
"Alright, Griffon," she challenged, her voice laced with playful confidence. "Let's see if you can keep up."
Sandbar sat precariously atop his three classmates, scanning the chaos for danger. Silverstream was locked in aerial combat with Yona, the Yak's formidable strength meeting its match in the Hippogriff's agility. He clutched four stolen bandanas, unsure whether to hold onto them or pass them off. His team needed the points, but staying as a target wasn't ideal.
In his grip, clutched tightly against his chest, were four precious bandanas. He saw no point in further opening himself as a target. His strategy was to collect points and play hot potato by transferring them to his teammates of the same colour. It would slowly accumulate over time by constantly rotating shifts and hiding points gathered along the way.
Truth be told, he needed to catch up for his other team to come by and transfer his points. The fact that he carries so many bandanas does nothing to soothe his panicking mind.
"Sandbar!" Turning back, he could see his teammates finally arriving.
"Take these!" he yelled, thrusting the bandanas into their outstretched hooves. "Find a safe spot, I'll create a diversion!"
"Thanks!" They all replied.
Just as he was about to ask his carriers to move to where Yona and Silverstream were brawling it out, the same four hippogriffs he had given points came up to him from another direction.
"Sandbar! Where's the points?"
"Huh?" He said, dumbfounded. "I Just passed them to you." That's when it hit him; he quickly turned to face the team he had given the points to, just in time for him to see them shimmering and shifting, revealing familiar green scales and mischievous grins.
In their place stood the Changelings, their leader, Ocellus, perched atop one of them, a smug expression on her face. The stolen bandanas gleamed menacingly in her outstretched hooves.
"Gotcha!" Ocellus taunted, her voice laced with playful malice.
"Crap!!" Sandbar yelled. "We've been tricked!!"
"What do we do now!?" The other three asked.
Sandbar breathed heavily, trying desperately to think. There must have been a way out of this. His eyes went wide, and a plan began forming in his head.
"Quick! We gotta get them back!!" Sandbar commanded. "Charge!"
All four carriers rushed forward to give chase. However, they immediately found themselves surrounded by members of Team Green. Before they even knew what happened, they were covered.
"Dammit!" One of the carriers cursed. "Where are they?!"
Another carrier looked up at the skies. "They're up there!" They shouted.
Using magic from their horns, the unicorns form a magic barrier where Ocellus's team is flying off to trap them from creating a further distance between the two teams. Another unicorn erected a force field around Sandbar's team to prevent the Green Team from ganging up on them.
"You're not going anyway, Green team!!" A unicorn carrier shouted.
Silverstream and Yona were in a deadlock on the other side of the playing field. The two players currently have the highest amount of points gathered. If either player lost, the gap would be too wide to close.
Yona broke off from her teammates, acting as a makeshift walking tank for her point holder for the entirety of the game. Her unyielding determination to win this game single-handedly crushed many players out of the game. Whenever Yona began charging, players would be disqualified from the games.
In the heart of the chaotic battlefield, Yona and Silverstream are locked in a dance of hooves and feathers. The Yak, a whirlwind of brute force, charged with the relentless momentum of a runaway boulder. Silverstream, a shimmering blue and pink blur, expertly weaved and dodged, her nimble form leaving Yona's attacks grasping at empty air.
Frustration flickered in Yona's eyes. She reared up on her hind legs, forehooves outstretched, attempting to snatch the agile Hippogriff mid-flight. But Silverstream, anticipating the move, executed a graceful front flip, soaring over Yona's head and flushing behind her.
"That was awesome!" Silverstream exclaimed, catching her breath. "But not awesome enough to catch me!"
Yona, undeterred, simply grunted, "Silverstream fast, can move very quickly. But eventually, Yona will catch you!"
The Yak snorted and charged again, aiming to knock Silverstream off balance. The ever-swift Hippogriff sidestepped the attack, retaliating with a swift roundhouse kick aimed at Yona's flank. With lightning reflexes, the Yak pivoted, her hind legs lashing out like whips, sending Silverstream soaring through the air.
Their airborne tussle continued, a flurry of fur and feathers twisting and turning amidst the cheers and roars of the crowd. Yet, in their heated duel, neither gained the upper hand. They were too focused on each other to think about snatching more points.
Suddenly, amidst their mid-air battle, Yona's body, slick with sweat from the exertion, caused Silverstream, who clung precariously to the Yak's back, to lose her grip and tumble backwards. Yona, attempting to regain control, slammed her body against Silverstream in a desperate manoeuvre. The impact was forceful, causing both competitors to lose their grip on their precious points.
But Yona's woes didn't end there. The relentless clashing throughout the games had taken its toll. The sweat covering her body loosened the knots holding her points in place. The final, crushing impact against Silverstream sent them flying like confetti, joining the airborne bounty.
Below, chaos erupted as others saw the opportunity. Gallus and Smolder, locked in their own fiery rivalry, collided mid-air, their points scattering like fallen leaves.
Sandbar and Ocellus's magical stalemate shattered on the other side of the field, sending their points hurtling into the fray.
Now, five distinct clusters of points converged in the centre of the arena, a glittering prize within reach for any pony bold enough to seize it.
Recognising their shared goal, the six competitors surged towards the centre of the arena, a silent war cry forming in their hearts, if not their throats. Yona charged alongside Silverstream, whose wings beat a powerful rhythm against the wind.
Sandbar, surprisingly swift, led his Hippogriff teammates in a coordinated sprint, their eyes fixed on the prize. Ocellus, perched on one of her Changeling teammates, grinned with predatory glee, their movements precise and synchronised. Even Gallus and Smolder, their rivalry momentarily forgotten, flew in tandem, their eyes narrowed in fierce focus.
As they neared the converging clusters of points, a collective roar erupted from their throats. "Those points are mine!" The cry echoed through the stadium, fueled by both desperation and ambition. The crowd, on the edge of their seats, roared back, their cheers transforming into a clamour of encouragement and tension. Even those who had lost, their faces painted with disappointment, couldn't tear their eyes away from the unfolding drama. Every heartbeat pounded like a drum, every breath held in anticipation.
Just as the six were about to reach the prize, a tremor of unease rippled through the air. A sense of wrongness, cold and sharp, prickled at the edges of their awareness. Then, like a dam bursting, it exploded.
Above the stadium, a swirling vortex of negativity materialised, fueled by the bitter anger and jealousy radiating from a small group of disgruntled students. Their negativity, nurtured in the very heart of the School of Friendship, had twisted and mutated, birthing a monstrous entity cloaked in shadows.
With a deafening roar, the curse tore itself free from the vortex, shattering a large section of the school building with its emergence. Towering over the terrified crowd, its obsidian form pulsed with vicious energy, its arms outstretched in a grotesque parody of freedom.
"SCHOOL!!"
"A curse!?" Sandbar yelled, catching himself on the ground. He scrambled to his hooves, ears ringing, only to witness another tremor erupt from the forest's edge. With earth-shattering groans, an unimaginable wave roared upwards. Not of water but of wood, roots, and gnarled branches, their knotted forms blotting out the sun and casting an eerie shadow over the battlefield.
Amidst the chaotic tide, figures danced - figures that shouldn't be there. Their substitute teacher, Yuta, stood astride the wooden wave, his familiar human form contrasting with the monstrous flora beneath him. He navigated the gnarled peaks with practised ease, sword flashing as he deflected blasts of fire erupting from a unicorn adorned with a flaming skull. A winged pegasus, a nightmarish amalgamation of feathers and fury, swooped towards him, its multiple wings blurring in a hypnotic dance.
Yuta drew his sword forward, forcing the winged curse to gnash its teeth on the glowing metal. With swift motion, he used the creature's bite as leverage, launching himself skyward with a powerful kick to its skull. His shoe connected with a sickening crunch, momentarily stunning the monstrous pegasus. He didn't waste the opportunity. Using the momentum, he propelled himself further, leaping from the crest of a gnarled branch.
"Yuta!" the six voices rang out in unison, a cry of surprise and concern echoing across the battlefield. Hearing his name pierce the chaos, Yuta instinctively looked down, spotting the kids in his class with worried faces staring up at him from below. Their terrified expressions sent a jolt through him, instantly snapping him out of his battle frenzy. He glanced around, taking in the surreal scene around him.
Noticing he was forced back to the teetering edge of the school campus. He clenched his jaw, frustrated, before yelling an order.
"Everybody! RUN!!"