Twilight's stomach was about to implode. Each tick of the clock synchronized with her beating heart. She was beginning to wonder whether or not one could drown in their own sweat. Glancing around her, she took note of the other students around her. Some were just as nervous as she was. Some were slumped over their desks in defeat or exhaustion. And some trained their eyes firmly toward the front of the room, where Ms. Cinch sat, grading their exams.
Out of the two hundred applicants who had qualified for the entrance exam, only the twenty highest scoring students would be given admittance into Crystal Prep's Program for Advanced Students. Succeeding here would gain her a decisive advantage for her future and possible scholarship opportunities. Failure would mean...well she didn't want to think about what that would mean.
Lost in thought, she didn't notice Ms. Cinch standing in front of her until the vice-principal tapped her foot impatiently.
"Oh. I'm sorry." Twilight straightened herself. "Can I help you?"
She crossed her arms. "Miss Sparks. I know students your age tend to have short attention spans, but I would hope you'd make the effort for something this important."
"Sorry Ma'm."
An exaggerated harrumph preceded the next reply. "Really, if you get this fatigued from just one exam, it's a wonder why you even applied in the first place." She paused for a moment then ground her teeth together. "Ne-ver-the-less, I suppose congratulations are in order."
Twilight allowed herself the tiniest of grins. "R-really?"
"That's what I said. Through some miracle, you managed to pass the test. In fact, your score was the best of the class. You start your new studies next Tuesday morning. Your class schedule will be mailed to you in a couple of days along with your room number, textbooks, meal plan, and rule book. Do not be late."
"All RIGHT!" Cinch may have been about to say something else, but Twilight didn't stay to listen. Leaping up from her desk, she dashed out of the classroom. Ignoring the confused or angry looks around her, she soared out of the building, laughing wildly all the while.
"Yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes!"
She wasn't alone in her joy. Sunset was ecstatic for her friend's success. Together, they ate, drank, and made merry in celebration. Victory had come at last.
BREEP! BREEP! BREEP!
For the second time, an untimely noise jolted Sparks out of her memories. Though instead of a cell phone, this time, it was her alarm clock. Morning had come once again; and once again, it was time for school.
Though in all honesty, it was a stretch to really call it that at all. Canterlot High seemed to put more effort into its school-wide events and social interaction than ensuring its students were learning. Sparks figured that they were going for increased incentive by increasing morale. She didn't know if it worked, but it certainly made the place more friendly.
Friendly. Such a word didn't even belong in the same sentence as Crystal Prep.
"Let's see." A few days later found Twilight in the school library perusing over the rule book for the Advanced Program. "'To keep Crystal Prep Academy successful, the following requirements have been implemented for all of the participants and MUST be followed to the latter. NO EXCEPTIONS.'"
"Eeesh," Sunset groaned from nearby. "It's like Cinch herself in book form."
Twilight shrugged. "The Advanced Program is supposed to be the cream of the cream of the crop. I guess they take their methods very seriously. Anyway, 'Rule number 1: Students are to be in their seats at EXACTLY 8:00 AM; anything less is unacceptable. Rule number 2: Students are forbidden from bringing or consuming any outside food on class days. All three meals will be provided by the school during appropriate intervals and in accordance with the provided meal plan.'
That was a little strange but not something she couldn't handle.
"'Rule number 3:," she continued. "Students will be subjected to a series of rigorous physical examinations and tests to ensure they learn in body as well as mind and spirit. Rule number 4--'"
"Oh just skip to the end, I'm begging you." Sunset cut in.
With a snicker, Twilight skimmed over the other rules. There were certainly quite a few. As soul-crushing as Ms. Cinch was, they had to admit she was thorough. There were instructions about what color backpacks they could wear, how many seconds they were allowed in the bathroom each day, the maximum noise level allowed for coughs and sneezes, and the strangest one: no singing except in a minor key.
"You know, all those rumors about Miss Cinch being a former prison warden make sense now."
The two had a good laugh about it until they came to the last rule. Unlike the others, this one was bigger and in all capital letters, impossible to miss. Twilight glanced over it, blanched back, and then read it to Sunset.
"RULE 50: THIS RULE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT. ANY STUDENT CAUGHT IN VIOLATION WILL BE EXPELLED FROM THE PROGRAM IMMEDIATELY WITH NO CHANCE FOR REAPPLICATION. IN ORDER TO ENSURE OPTIMUM LEARNING CONDITIONS, CRYSTAL PREP HAS DEDICATED ITSELF TO THE COMPLETE ERADICATION OF ANY AND ALL FACTORS THAT WOULD DISRUPT THE LEARNING PROCESS. THIS INCLUDES MOBILE DEVICES, CHEWING GUM, WINDOWS, WARM ROOMS ETC. HOWEVER, A RECENT ASSESSMENT TAKEN AMONG THE STUDENTS HAS DETERMINED THE MOST DETRIMENTAL DISRUPTION TO BE THE PURSUIT OF ENJOYMENT WITH FRIENDS. AS SUCH--
"All forms of social interaction both inside and out of school grounds are explicitly prohibited." She finished.
"What?" Sunset's look of shock reflected Twilight's own. "She can't do that. She doesn't have the authority to control what you do outside of school."
"That's ridiculous. Having friends doesn't interfere with school. She can't possibly expect anyone to follow this rule."
"As a matter of fact, I do." In that moment, Cinch herself entered the room. Twilight and Sunset both leaped from their seats.
"Ah! Uh, Vice-Principal Cinch, ma'm. What a surprise." Twilight stammered.
If it was a surprise, she was hardly amused and directed a particularly disdainful glare at Sunset. "Leave us."
Fighting back dissent, Sunset nodded at a worried Twilight and left the room. After she left, Cinch continued.
"What you read here is no joke, young lady. The rules of Crystal Prep are absolute and eternal. Every waking moment at this school is about the advancement of our education. That priority takes precedence above all else." She slammed the desk making Twilight jump. "And NOTHING is allowed to detract from that."
"What are you saying?"
"The Advanced Program is a rigorous experience, Twilight. You knew that when you applied, did you not?"
"Um y-yes?" She shied away as Cinch began circling around her.
"And someone who invested enough time to get the highest score on the entrance exam would certainly have a lot to live up to. Especially if her work could end up being on exhibition for future students, correct?"
"Yes."
"Then wouldn't someone as devoted as you are want to be absolutely sure they'd accomplish their goals?"
"Yes." Each affirmation made her more uncertain.
"Then you can certainly understand how important it is for me to keep our students on the path to a brighter future, right?"
"I do."
"Which would include eliminating possible pitfalls or obstructions."
That struck a nerve. "You're talking about Sunset like she's a burden or a liability, but she's NOT. She's my friend!"
"And if Sunset truly is your friend," Cinch stopped circling. "Then shouldn't she understand just how important this is for you? To throw yourself into the program with your entire being?"
"What makes you think she doesn't?"
"The fact that the security cameras saw the two of you leaving school grounds a day before the exam." She grinned in triumph.
Twilight's heart suddenly dropped out, and she began sweating. Busted.
"One would think that that the day before such an important test would be spent studying as if your life depended on it. But not only did you not do that, but you played hooky instead. Did SHE talk you into it?"
"You could say that."
"If that's the case," Cinch sat down again, looking Twilight in the eyes. " If she kept you from doing what you wanted to, then how can you look at her and still call her a friend?"
That was a excellent question. To which she had no answer.
BREEP! BREEP! BREEP!
Across town in a hospital bed, Twilight Sparkle woke up. Now that Searing was gone, so were her nightmares, and she was ready to go back to school.