Day: Monday
Weather: Sunny
Time: 4:05pmPrincess Twilight responded to my message regarding the magic problem. Unfortunately, she didn't give me the answer I was hoping for, nor was she coming to pay me and my friends a visit. However, she gave me something to think about. I should look at the issue from the magic's own perspective. It sounded bizarre, but Her Highness was famous in Equestria for her vast knowledge of magic. I knew she wasn't trying to misguide me. I also learned that Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie travelled to Crystal Prep Academy in order to spy on its students to get an advantage for the upcoming Friendship Games. Why would anyone do something so stupid? Then I realized who had gone and done it, answering my own question. At least she explained what these games were. Despite knowing that our magic could be made known to those beyond CHS, we all agreed to try out for the games. I shouldn't have asked Pinkie for assistance. She had a tendency to go overboard.
The Other Journal
By Ganondorf8
February 23, 2016
Chapter 57: Tryouts.
I was surprised. I actually expected Twilight to freak out over the fact that only twelve students showed interest in trying out for the Friendship Games for CHS. Had she started to view such things as normal? Or, perhaps it hadn't quite sunken in yet? In either case, her question made me think back to that day. I never went to any tryouts the school hosted. When I was a bully, they were beneath my notice. Anyone who wanted to volunteer made themselves out to be idiots. By actually experiencing one with my own eyes and with a different outlook on life, it was obvious as to what I had missed out on for so long. The aim for students was reminding their peers that the school's pride was hanging in the balance, and they would rally behind this cause.
It was a noble gesture, but it only worked if the other students were interested. Opinions of the Friendship Games were mostly negative at CHS. Because Crystal Prep had been beating them every time, enthusiasm was practically nonexistent. If they had their way, they'd have boycotted the whole thing in an attempt to not suffer from any further humiliation at the hands of Crystal Prep. Still, one had to admire those who refused to give up despite the odds being heavily stacked against them and the school. Rainbow Dash held firm to her belief that CHS would finally prevail after so many years of losses. I believed in Rainbow's opinion, and I certainly didn't want her to feel upset. Our friends showed hesitation until eventually agreeing to go along with it. The remaining athletes who joined the team had their reasons for doing so. Some were silly, others were serious.
" Do you recall the names of those who were on the Wondercolts team?" I asked.
" I only remember you, our friends, and Flash Sentry, the latter of whom you've mentioned a lot throughout the course of the evening. I don't believe I ever got the names of the rest of your teammates." Twilight answered.
" Sandalwood, Micro Chips, Lyra Heartstrings, Bon Bon, and Derpy."
" What was that last one?"
" Derpy."
" I'm afraid to ask why, but I feel that I must know."
" Her actual name is Muffins. Apt, because she's always walking around with a muffin in her hand. Everyone just calls her by her nickname of Derpy. It has to do with one eye looking one way and the other looking in another. We don't tease her about it, as she was born with the condition." I said.
" Why did she try out?"
" She wanted to be in on the action and believed herself worthy enough to make the team. In spite of the fact that she doesn't say much, she has a lot of heart and an upbeat attitude most could never emulate. Sandalwood believed that competing in the Friendship Games would bring him one step closer to surpassing his spirit guide. Micro Chips wanted to show that a scientific mind was just as capable of achieving victory as one who was solely dedicated to being an athlete. Lyra and Bon Bon are an interesting case. They both claimed they had the most school spirit among everyone at CHS. From what I heard and saw from footage recorded on cellphones, their respective tryouts were very memorable." I answered.
" How so?"
" Do you really want to know?" I asked. Twilight had that look of curiosity in her eyes again, and it made me feel uncomfortable. When will I ever learn not to mention things like that? She wanted to know every last possible detail of what happened. There was nothing I would say that'd persuade her otherwise. I sighed before continuing. At least I wouldn't be repeating these words later when I described my own experiences at the tryouts. " The point of a tryout is to show whoever is the judge that you have what it takes to be part of the team representing your school, right? Everyone else showed Vice Principal Luna what they could do, but Lyra and Bon Bon had to take things up to another level."
" It sounds serious."
" No. It was nothing short of absurdity."
" Did they take lessons from Pinkie Pie?"
" That's what everyone who didn't initially see it were suggesting when the footage went online. They each tried to outdo the other through ridiculous means, including performing the caber toss, planting flowers, making a sculpture out of marble, bending a dumbbell using their teeth, ripping a phone book in half, eating hotdogs without swallowing, and wearing mascot costumes, just to name a few examples." I answered.
" Those were only a few examples!?" Twilight exclaimed. I knew she wouldn't believe my words. Who could blame her? I wasn't there when Lyra and Bon Bon did their routine, so I had to watch it online when Micro Chips and a few others recorded the footage. Even now, I still find it difficult to believe those two actually did all that stuff. I knew they were dedicated, but there was a fine between dedication and absolute absurdity. Reaching into my pocket and taking out my cellphone, I fiddled about with it for several moments until I came across what Rainbow Dash had sent to me. She had originally received it from Micro Chips.
I handed my phone over to Twilight, and she watched the entire spectacle with her own eyes. When she finished watching, she returned my phone but remained eerily silent for several minutes. It was like she had just stared at something that couldn't be explained, and I knew that feeling particularly well. By the time Twilight finally regained her composure, she stared at me with bags under her eyes. The footage had left an awful impact she hadn't counted on. Her curiosity had caused this affliction to happen, something that plagues even the most honest of people.
" What in the world did you just show me!?"
" That was their routine."
" It looked more like a circus that went horribly wrong!"
" Lyra and Bon Bon are best friends, and they both really wanted to make the team."
" But, to do all of that!?"
" You could say Vice Principal Luna and the other students who witnessed it for themselves were given quite the performance. If those two hadn't made the team, they could've joined a performing circus troupe with an act like that." I said.
" What about Flash Sentry?" Twilight asked.
" Yes, he was on the team. You talked to him briefly after the first event, from what I witnessed."
" That's not what I meant."
" Then what?"
" Why did he join the team?"
" Flash was pretty confident as a rocker, and his band Flashdrive was pretty popular during the Battle of the Bands, but he was also secretly a pretty good athlete. He wasn't in the same league as, say, someone like Rainbow Dash, but he proved himself worthy in a pinch. When Rainbow told him what her plans were, he decided to try out in the hopes of improving school morale. He wasn't completely on board, however, as part of him didn't feel like competing for a lost cause." I said.
" How do you know that?" Twilight asked.
" He told me when I encountered him in the gym." I answered. That was one of the most awkward moments I've ever had in my entire life. I mean, I've got no problems talking with Flash, as we've become good friends, but I wasn't expecting him to be covered in paint with glitter in his hair. If it wasn't for the fact that he had been making a banner alongside Sandalwood and Micro Chips to welcome Crystal Prep, I'd have thought him crazy. The gym looked like toddlers had caused a hurricane. I'll admit that their banner was pretty cool. I didn't understand the significance behind it, but Flash said that Vice Principal Luna understood.
" Do you think you two will ever get back together?" Twilight asked.
" No. I think we've both gone past that point. Like I said, I didn't love him truthfully, even though he did for me. I used him to become more popular, and he never found out about it until the end when he broke up with me. We've become good friends since, although we don't hang out together all that much. No, Flash has got his eyes set on Princess Twilight, and maybe someday, something will blossom forth from it. I'm no love expert, though, so my opinion probably doesn't mean much." I answered.
" Fair enough. Now, tell me about your tryout experience." Twilight said.
" Our friends and I tried out before the debacle of Lyra and Bon Bon. It wasn't the most comforting experience, but I still managed to impress Vice Principal Luna. I just wish that Pinkie hadn't offered to help me." I said.
" What did she do?"
" She insisted on pizzazz, and that involved me wearing a humiliating costume."
I couldn't believe that Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie went to Crystal Prep to spy on their students all because of a competition. They could've been caught trespassing. That, in turn, would've brought the police, their parents, Principal Celestia, and even Principal Cinch into the mix. That was an ending no one wanted, so I was glad things resolved themselves peacefully. Still, I knew Rainbow Dash wanted to ensure our school prevailed in the Friendship Games, but she had taken it to an extreme that crossed the line of common sense. I did admit that Pinkie's costumes were hilarious. I imagined her wearing each one and how Rainbow must have reacted. No matter what situation she finds herself in, Pinkie had an answer to get herself out of it.
My problem now--aside from the magic problem--was dealing with the thought of trying out for these games. My intention was to make Rainbow happy by agreeing to join the team that would compete against Crystal Prep's elite students. I was thankful for not going into this blind! The rules and general structure of the games were something I had to quickly memorize to be a contributing factor. The more I thought about how it works, the more it reminded me of what we had back in Equestria. I remember that one time long ago where Princess Celestia brought me along to Cloudsdale to see the Equestria Games.
I hated the experience! I thought it was pointless seeing ponies competing against one another for pitiful medals. In my mind, I wanted nothing more than to focus on my studies and look down upon ponies who had no futures. Princess Celestia tried in vain to spark my interest, but I didn't have any of it, so she left me to study while she took in the Games by watching from the VIP box. I wished I could've seen those Games for myself. I felt like I missed out on such a crucial learning experience all because my superiority complex blinded me. The Friendship Games were the closest thing I'd ever experience to what Equestria had, so it was something I wasn't going to miss out on. Unlike in Equestria, in which the entire kingdom was involved by sending their best athletes to compete, the Friendship Games involved two schools. A much less grand scale, but it was better than nothing.
That Friday, Vice Principal Luna made an announcement over the P.A. system regarding tryouts for those interested in making the team: the Canterlot Wondercolts. She said anyone could try out regardless of whether they were athletic or not. That made sense, as not everyone at CHS was an athlete, and what my friends described about previous events from past games indicated that it consisted of sports, cooking, math, teamwork, and other exercises. Luna stated that tryouts would be next Monday after school and that there were only a limited number of spots available.
Rainbow Dash was expecting a massive turnout, but the rest of us knew better. We were expecting the bare minimum, which was twelve, the number needed to form a team. Why not have the tryouts that afternoon instead of next Monday? According to Principal Celestia, the field was unavailable that afternoon because of a special contractor coming over to check things out. What could a contractor do with our school's field? I'd find out soon enough... to an extent.
The following Monday, I woke up to the sounds of someone using a loud drill. I sat up groggily in my makeshift bed of books before getting up and walking over to a nearby window, looking down at what was making the noise. My eyes were greeted by a giant crane digging up dirt. Alongside it was a truck that was hauling the dirt away and several other machines. Among those were workers wielding various tools who were busy breaking the ground, while others carried pieces of wood, steel, plastic, and more. What in the world was going on out there? Before I could make a move, the window suddenly got covered by a large tarp. Were they trying to keep something hidden? Why would anyone do something like that? This was a public school, so nothing should be kept private from students.
Students were curious throughout the day as the sounds continued. Teachers told them not to pay attention to what was happening outside, but it was difficult, considering the noises drowned out everything else. At least there were no tests being held that day. The noise would have caused more than simple irritation among the students over not having a quiet environment to write in. Once school finished, my friends and I walked out the main entrance and around to a small area located on the left side of the building. We had expected to be using the field out back, but that was where the construction was taking place; Principal Celestia revealed this through a brief P.A. announcement.
" I had a feeling you six would want to try out for the team." Vice Principal Luna announced as we arrived in the area. Bleachers had been set up and were filled with at least two dozen students. That wasn't a problem for me, yet Rainbow Dash felt disappointed with the spectacle. She expected more students to be down here with us trying out instead of up there watching the action. " I suspect you all are curious as to why the field has become off-limits for the foreseeable future? You are not the only ones who have asked me that question, but I am getting tired of having to answer it." Vice Principal Luna said.
" What's going on back there?" Rainbow Dash asked.
" Both CHS and Crystal Prep have hired contractors to construct one of the events for the Friendship Games. No students are permitted to see what they are doing until the games are underway. Only Dean Cadance and Principal Cinch of Crystal Prep, my sister, and I know what is happening back there. I must apologize for the inconvenience of all that noise we've been hearing all day. I can assure you that they will be finished in time for the Games." Vice Principal Luna answered.
" Might as well just accept that, y'all, and focus on why we're here." Applejack said.
" I noticed there aren't many students down here with us." I said.
" Man! I was hoping more would want to try out for the team!" Rainbow Dash said angrily.
" Students are still hesitant about it, Rainbow Dash. They don't want to have to deal with another loss to Crystal Prep, so they've got no school spirit. Their get-up-and-go got up and left 'em a long time ago." Applejack said.
" While the thought of having to get dirty is appalling, I must admit that this was a good idea." Rarity said.
" I knew you guys would agree eventually." Rainbow Dash said.
" It took some mighty convincin' to get us to realize that CHS really needs to win to raise school spirit. Things have been pretty bad around here on that front, 'specially with the Battle of the Bands and the Anon-A-Miss incident." Applejack said.
" Much of that revolved around me." I said.
" No need to blame yourself, Sunset."
" Sometimes, it's hard to remind myself that I've moved on from that." I said.
We then noticed the other students who had decided to try out for the games. Flash Sentry was among them, as was expected, since Rainbow Dash explained the situation to him about the school needing a morale boost. He seemed rather distant, an unusual expression coming from him. He had something on his mind, but I wouldn't find out until later. Derpy was also among the students, and I was surprised she wanted to make the team. I never really thought of her as all that exceptional, yet she had a lot of positive energy. I wasn't going to underestimate her. Sandalwood and Micro Chips, who were best friends despite being on opposite ends of how they viewed life, were pacing about back and forth. Finally, Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon had come onto the scene after my friends and I arrived. Those two were always together, yet something felt different about them. They seemed determined to outdo each other given how each one looked at the other with fierce determination.
" How many have come to try out?" Rarity asked.
" Only twelve, from the looks of it." Applejack answered.
" That's how many spots are available." Rainbow Dash added.
" Um, so shouldn't that mean everyone makes the team because there are only twelve of us?" Fluttershy asked.
" I don't think it works that way, sugarcube." Applejack answered.
" If we had more students down here, everyone would have to try their hardest to ensure they get a spot. Ugh! This is a real lousy turnout! I know the thought of going up against the very best that Crystal Prep has isn't fun to think about, but couldn't they at least try out of wanting to improve school pride?" Rainbow Dash asked.
" Maybe? Everyone has been saying that we're going to lose just like before. They're also saying that we should just forfeit, but we can't really do that. Those construction workers have been working on the playing field all day. The thought of them wasting their time is just so heartbreaking. Also, Crystal Prep wouldn't be very happy, as I'm sure they don't like the idea of wasting their own money and time." Fluttershy answered.
" Way to think outside of the box!"
" Um, thank you, I guess. It wasn't really all that much."
" What about our magic!?" Pinkie Pie said in a random outburst. " We can't exactly use that to make the team, or can we? Everyone around here knows that the six of us have magic. It wouldn't be considered cheating, because we're not doing anything other than showing our talents, and having magic from another world does count as talent. Any ideas about that, Sunset?"
" Well..." I began before looking around at everyone. That was something I feared was going to play a factor. Vice Principal Luna knew we'd come here, because we had saved the school on two different occasions--except the one I caused; that was all you guys--using our Equestrian magic. She believed we were ideal to make the team, yet using magic to win a competition was cheating. I had no doubts that Crystal Prep wouldn't resort to such tactics. They were confident in their skills, so cheating was not on their radar. While we only activated our magic and ponied up while playing our instruments in the past, I wasn't sure that was the case anymore. My recent experience of getting phoenix wings told me our magic was evolving, changing into something new. " I've been thinking about it for a while now, Pinkie, and I don't think we should rely on it. We don't want to win if it means we have to cheat to do it. Plus, Crystal Prep isn't aware of magic existing here. It's best to maintain that perspective."
" Okay! Then I have the perfect idea to make sure everyone puts on a good performance." Pinkie Pie said.
" What do you mean?"
" Haven't you been to a tryout before, Sunset?"
" This is my first time."
" Really!? Then you need a crash course in knowing the ins and outs, and I'm the perfect candidate to explain it to you. All I need is about two minutes, some props, open space, and my party cannon." Pinkie Pie said.
" Ahem! If you are quite finished, I would like to explain how this is going to work." Vice Principal Luna said. Pinkie immediately stopped talking, and the vice principal started walking around with a clipboard in her hand, eyeing us carefully. " You will each have three minutes to showcase your abilities before me and a group of your peers. I shall be writing down what I think was good and what needed improvement. Once I've seen everyone, I shall make my decision by posting the results in the main entrance bulletin board. You may use whatever you want in your pitch to show me that you deserve a spot on the team. You have five minutes to prepare yourselves." Vice Principal Luna then turned her attention towards my friends and me. I knew what she was going to say next. It was so obvious. " Magic is strictly prohibited. I want this to be a fair process." She walked back to the bottom row of the bleachers before sitting down and clicking her pen.
" Okay, Pinkie! What do you say to that?" I asked.
" You don't need that crash course anymore." Pinkie Pie answered.
" No. I mean, what were you saying about props and cannons?"
" Everyone else already knows what they're going to be doing, Sunset, yet you're the only one who is doesn't have something spectacular. As one of the best premiere party planners in Canterlot, I can help you make a really good impression. No need to thank me or anything for doing this for you." Pinkie Pie answered.
" I wasn't planning to." I said sarcastically.
" I'm seeing you wearing this costume I happen to have here with me, and balancing some of these tiny dumbbells showing how dexterous you are. Or, you could demonstrate some strength by using this much larger dumbbell while still wearing the costume." Pinkie Pie said. She pulled from behind her back, a pink coloured bodysuit that didn't look my size, yet I was more surprised when she pulled out several small dumbbells and a larger one after that. I wasn't liking where this was going. I wanted to prove that I was capable of being on the team, not to humiliate myself beyond all reckoning.
" Oh no! I am not wearing that!" I announced.
" It'll be fun!" Pinkie Pie said, smiling with her goofy grin.
" That's not what I'd call it."
" Trust me."
" In order to make this process fair, I shall put these twelve numbered balls into a hat." Vice Principal Luna announced, interrupting my argument with Pinkie. She was holding onto a hat one of the students had been wearing, and from her pocket, she took out a dozen green balls that had numbers on them. She dumped them all into the hat and shook it several times before getting up and walking forward to where we were standing. " I want each of you to reach into this hat and take out a ball. The number written on it will determine in what order you'll be trying out. So, for example, if you pull out the ball with the number one on it, you'll be going first. It doesn't matter what order you decide to go in to pull out a ball so long as it's accomplished."
Since I was the closest to Vice Principal Luna, I reached into the hat, juggled my hand around for several seconds, and took out a ball. Looking at the number printed on it, I was saddened to see that I had picked number one. Of all the numbers, I had to pick out the one that forced me to go first. If there was any consolation, it was that I didn't have to wait nervously for my turn. Turning my eyes back to Pinkie, she held up her costume and a dumbbell, a reminder of what she wanted me to do. I would've outright refused her suggestion of using that stuff had I gone later, but since I was going first, I had no other choice but to go with it.
While I didn't see what most of the others had gotten for their numbers, I did manage to see what Pinkie, Lyra, and Bon Bon pulled. Pinkie pulled number three, Lyra pulled number eleven and Bon Bon pulled number twelve. Quite the coincidence those two ended up going last given how close they were as friends.
" Sunset Shimmer will be going first, so please prepare accordingly within the next five minutes." Vice Principal Luna said as she returned to her seat and gave the hat back to the student who provided it for her.
" Guess I've got to use what you brought, Pinkie." I said.
" Don't worry, it'll be fun." Pinkie Pie said. Without warning, she took the bodysuit and placed it over my head, and it suddenly ended up on my body exactly the way it was supposed to be worn--including the white gloves and shoes that came with it. I had no idea how she did that without any trouble, but I wasn't about to question her ability to defy reality. At least I didn't have to go off somewhere private to change into that thing. It did feel pretty comfortable, though it was tight in some places. " A perfect fit! I knew you'd fit into it easily; that material stretches to accommodate whoever wears it. Here are your dumbbells!" Pinkie Pie said. She tossed three of the small dumbbells at me, and I had to quickly catch them to prevent myself from being hurt. " I don't think you'll need the big one for this, but I'll keep it on hand just in case. Now get out there and show Vice Principal Luna your stuff!"
Never had I felt so humiliated. I was walking around wearing a stupid outfit that made me look like I was trying out for a circus rather than a sports team. If Pinkie wasn't my friend, I'd have made her rue the day she decided to "help" me. I started regretting my decision of helping Rainbow Dash. If I had known that I was going to lose my dignity, I'd have walked away before any of this happened. But, since I did promise Rainbow, I had to go through with this.
" Well, I must admit that I wasn't expecting you to come out wearing something like that, Sunset Shimmer." Vice Principal Luna said as I walked towards her, everyone on the bleachers staring at me. None of them knew what to say about my choice of attire, but deep down, I knew they were laughing at me. I blushed fiercely. I wished that I was anywhere except there. I wasn't nervous about performing a routine, but performing while wearing something like that? Had Pinkie done this just to make me look bad? Or, did she really think I could pull off one of her wild ideas? " Normally, that kind of costume isn't allowed to be worn for official school events, given how suggestive it is, but for something like this, it's completely acceptable." Vice Principal Luna said.
" Am I ready to start?" I asked.
" As soon as you make your first move, I shall be writing down everything that you do. I will be watching every movement you make, so think of this as taking an exam, your future on the team hanging in the balance." Vice Principal Luna answered. Those weren't the most encouraging words she ever gave to me, but then, she still had some issues with me over my past as a bully. Her sister had forgiven me for my actions soon after the Fall Formal, yet she continued giving me a hard time. I knew Vice Principal Luna was struggling to come to grips with what I did, but the hesitation to remain angry was evident. " You shall have three minutes to perform whatever routine you shall be presenting to us. You may begin when ready." Vice Principal Luna said.
Since Pinkie gave me three dumbbells, I came up with the idea of juggling them to show dexterity, concentration, and strength. I didn't have much experience juggling, but I knew enough to not embarrass myself even further. Holding two in one hand and one in the other, I started juggling the dumbbells making sure to maintain a steady pace so as to not toss one ahead of another. The bodysuit became a nonissue, as my focus was on my performance, but there were some boys in the audience who thought otherwise. I ignored them all and pretended I was on my own like before. It sounded cruel to think of myself as being alone given all the friends I had, but I had to maintain my concentration. One mistake would have cost me everything.
Once I got into the swing of things, I went with more complex juggling to show off a little, but not too much. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Vice Principal Luna watching my every move closely. Not once did she blink nor turn away other than to write down her opinions of my routine. I felt nervous. I had to concentrate on doing well and not allow her observation to be a distraction. I began sweating, but luckily, the bodysuit didn't cause the sweat to exude through the fabric. Perhaps Pinkie's insanity wasn't as bad as I originally thought. I had every intention of keeping this suit for myself, but I would speak to Pinkie about it in private. I didn't want to give off any bad impressions.
It felt like time was passing by slowly. I had no idea how much longer I had to keep on juggling until Vice Principal Luna could tell me to stop. Pinkie, in the meantime, had been twirling about the large dumbbell as her way of informing me that I should use it. How did she have no trouble swinging something so heavy around? Was she much stronger than she let on? Or, was it one of her reality defying moments? In any case, she was distracting me from my objective. I didn't want to use that larger dumbbell, as it would have disrupted my flow. It also would have left me more exhausted.
My arms eventually got tired and I was about to drop everything, when Vice Principal Luna announced, " Your three minutes are up, Sunset Shimmer! Please finish your routine so that the next student can perform."
I wanted to drop the dumbbells, but that could've made one hit my head. Instead, I tossed all three up into the air and caught them using one hand, balancing them in place. Vice Principal Luna and the others began clapping, prompting me to bow slightly before walking off towards my friends. They were ecstatic over how my performance went, and I actually felt proud of what I did. I could have done without the bodysuit, and I hoped it wouldn't factor into Vice Principal Luna's opinion of me.
" That was amazing, darling!" Rarity said.
" I knew that costume was a good idea." Pinkie Pie said.
" Yeah, I guess it was effective, and I didn't need the party cannon." I said.
" Um, where are you goin'?" Applejack asked.
" I need to go inside and change out of this bodysuit. I might be able to make it back in time to see the rest of the tryouts, but if not, then I'll meet you all at the bulletin board in the main entry hall. Oh, and Pinkie... I want to talk to you about doing what you did later on between us." I answered. Pinkie gave me a salute--perfectly normal for her--and I turned to walk towards the front of the building.
My tryout didn't go exactly as I planned. Well, I didn't actually have a plan--I was just going to wing it--but I suppose Pinkie did end up making a difference. While it would have been interesting to see what the others did, I wanted to get out of that suit as quickly as possible. Despite liking it, wearing it in public wasn't the best idea.
As I turned the corner that lead to the front of the school, I found myself gazing at the Wondercolt statue. I never knew how radiant it looked during that time of the day. That statue had such a strong place in my heart, but not because of what most people thought. While to them it was a source of school pride, to me, it was the gateway between two worlds. I still longed for the day when I could return home to Equestria on my own terms.
Staring at the statue, I thought about Princess Twilight and what she might have been doing at that exact moment. I wanted her to pay a visit again. Hopefully, she could get some free time after she was finished with that presentation she told me about, or before, in case she needed some time to relax before speaking in front of so many unicorns.
" What happened to that bodysuit?" Twilight asked.
" I knew you'd ask about it." I answered. I pointed towards the same wooden box that contained my old clothes, indicating the bodysuit had been placed in there. Twilight didn't understand why I'd put it there instead of in my backpack or somewhere more convenient, but I shook my head, silencing her curiosity. I didn't intend on putting the suit in that box, but there was no other choice when an unfortunate setback happened. Even my own sweat contained magic, a fact I never once thought of as significant, until I changed out of it when I got back to my residence. " During my routine, I began sweating, which the bodysuit absorbed without anyone seeing it. It would have been embarrassing, but that wasn't an issue for me. The issue was that my sweat contained magical residue."
" No need to tell me any further details, Sunset. I've got the idea as to where you're going with this." Twilight said.
" It's been inside that box ever since."
" Did you inform Pinkie of the reason you wanted to keep it?"
" She somehow knew I was going to hold onto it, but not because of magic. And yes, I did tell her that as my reason. Since the sweat on the bodysuit came from me, I couldn't test it to figure out the magic problem, as samples from myself couldn't be trusted." I answered.
" According to the roster, you glued onto that journal page, your name is listed first. Vice Principal Luna must have really liked your performance to have immediately placed you on the team. That, or she wrote down names in order from the best to the worst. You were touted as being the best CHS had to offer and compared with someone you never met before until later--me. Naturally, you would be given top billing, with everyone else following suit." Twilight said.
" I'm leaning towards the latter myself." I said. Since I never witnessed the other tryouts, aside from the one posted online that featured Lyra and Bon Bon, I had to figure that Twilight was right.
I didn't like being referred to as the best student in school. It brought back painful memories of when I thought of myself as actually being the best during my troubled days. I never want to go back to that old life ever again. I'm satisfied with being a regular student who just so happens to be gifted but doesn't see it as the greatest thing to ever happen around here. Now that I think about it, why didn't anyone post my tryout online? It was as ridiculous as Lyra and Bon Bon's little fiasco, but perhaps they were too mesmerized by what I was wearing. The male students certainly were. I shuddered just thinking that they were only interested in my attire instead of my skill.
" At least your routine wasn't made public." Twilight said.
" It should've been."
" Lyra and Bon Bon definitely had you beat, according to what you described."
" No one knows where they got those items from."
" Even Pinkie?"
" According to Flash, the rest of our friends left after Rainbow Dash finished her routine. They had other commitments to take of, and Vice Principal Luna did state that we could leave after we had performed. Perhaps it was a good thing they didn't see it for themselves, especially Pinkie. She might have thought Lyra and Bon Bon were trying to upstage her ability to defy reality. Actually, she would've put them in their place had she chosen to stick around." I answered.
" I'm glad that you mentioned him." Twilight said.
" How come?"
" What did you two talk about in the gym?"
" Oh, that. It wasn't a long conversation, but it happened the day after the tryouts."
By the time the tryouts were over, Vice Principal Luna had to wait until tomorrow morning to post the roster for the Wondercolts team. That was because according to what some students said, it went on a lot longer than expected. Lyra and Bon Bon, the last two who tried out, got carried away by trying to outdo one another in order to prove themselves worthy of making the team. I thought my routine was humiliating, but what they did was ten times worse. I knew those two had a competitive streak when I saw them, but I didn't think they would go to such an extreme. Several students had recorded everything that happened and published it online through MyStable. Unlike what happened with Anon-A-Miss, they didn't hide their identities. They wanted to show others just how bizarre it was.
My friends and I watched the footage on our own time and were shocked that they did so many strange things to prove their point. Not even Pinkie could have pulled so many things from out of nowhere like they did. From the marble slab to the telephone book being ripped in half and from the pottery machine to the ridiculous mascot battle, they had garnered so much attention for all the wrong things. If we wanted Crystal Prep to take us seriously, we needed better students than Lyra and Bon Bon. I know it was harsh of me to look down on them like that, but their routine was just a disaster.
And yet, I was proven wrong. The next day, as I was leaving a class to head to the cafeteria for lunch, I walked through the main entrance, and the roster had been posted on the bulletin board. A lot of students were hovering around it in order to see who was representing them in the Friendship Games. To no surprise, my friends and I made the team. Flash was also listed on there, along with everyone else, including Lyra and Bon Bon. Perhaps it was their boundless energy that proved enough for them to be included. In any case, CHS now had a team ready to face off against Crystal Prep's elite students in the Games. None of us had any idea on how good they were, but we knew that we had to be on top of our game to last long enough without being utterly destroyed.
My friends weren't aware that they had made the team, so I ran towards the cafeteria to tell them. Along the way, I ran past the gym entrance, only to stop, double back a few steps and look inside. There was paint everywhere with some glitter mixed in with it. I also saw hand and foot prints, telling me that someone didn't bother to check before leaving the gym, most likely to clean themselves up. Standing in the middle of the gym was Flash Sentry, yet he didn't notice me straight away. He was fixated on a large piece of paper that was lying by his feet. I coughed slightly to get his attention.
" Sunset? What are you doing here?" Flash asked.
" I was going to the cafeteria, but when I saw what happened in here, I had to find out." I answered.
" Yeah, it's not a pretty sight."
" I'll say. It looks like a bunch of toddlers wrecked the gym when no one was looking."
" More like three guys with different ideas."
" Uh, I don't understand."
" Vice Principal Luna asked Sandalwood, Micro Chips, and me to come up with a banner to welcome Crystal Prep when they come here for the Friendship Games. We each had our own ideas on what should be on the banner that would represent our school as being both welcoming and serious about competing. But, our egos ended up almost ruining everything. What we came up with was by a complete accident. None of us were aware of what we were doing." Flash said.
" Mind if I take a look?" I asked.
" Go right ahead, but be prepared for what you're about to see." Flash answered. Stepping into the gym while making sure not to step in any paint, I walked over to the banner and looked down at it. I was expecting it to be something simple, but it was anything but that. It consisted of music sheets complete with treble clefs that connected with a DNA strand. There was a handshake drawn below that represented friendship and harmony, and several other symbols strewn about, including a peace sign, a smiley face, a guitar covered in fire, a mathematical equation, and what looked to be water. There was a second DNA strand that connected to a blue trail which, in turn, connected with the sign. I wasn't sure what to make of their design other than it was a mish-mash of different ideals. " I'm not surprised by your expression, Sunset. The three of us were pretty shocked as well when we saw this, yet Vice Principal Luna was impressed." Flash said.
" It's... pretty festive, I think."
" And we have to make five more just like it by the end of the day."
" What!? How do you plan on doing that?"
" No idea."
" Need some help?"
" Thanks, but I think we should handle it ourselves. No offense, but Vice Principal Luna did ask the three of us to work on the banners by ourselves. Oh, and in case you were wondering, Sandalwood and Micro Chips left for the cafeteria a few minutes ago before you got here. I was going to go with them, but I decided to remain here and think about some things." Flash answered.
He was looking distant again, just like he was the other day during the tryouts. Something was definitely on his mind, and now was an ideal time to ask about it. I had to be careful not to get too personal in case he got offended. I spent a few minutes thinking about what to say, and eventually, I came up with a question.
" Are you glad that you made the team for the Friendship Games?" I asked.
" I'm fine with it, but I'll admit that I wasn't thrilled at first when Rainbow Dash asked me."
" How come?"
" While I understand the need for CHS to beat Crystal Prep and finally end our losing streak, Rainbow's expectations are way too high. No Wondercolts team has ever beaten the Shadowbolts in the Friendship Games since it first became a tradition over forty years ago. Even then, they beat us in almost every other competition outside the Games aside from a rare victory we get maybe once a year." Flash answered. Shadowbolts? That was the first time I ever heard that name. I had no idea what it meant, so I asked Flash. He told me it was the name of Crystal Prep's team, much like how CHS's team was the Wondercolts. It sounded similar to something from Equestria that Princess Celestia once mentioned during my early days as her student. " No one is excited about the Games; we always lose. That's why only a dozen students wanted to try out! No one else cared, because they knew it would be pointless." Flash said.
" And those who tried out?" I asked.
" Did so because Rainbow Dash convinced them to do it."
" She really wants us to win."
" It would be nice if that happened, but the chances of doing so are incredibly slim. We'd need a miracle to match skills with the Shadowbolts. Crystal Prep isn't the number one school in the district for nothing, you know. They're determined to win no matter what with their elite squads, and they've succeeded every time where it counts. Compared to them, we're nothing more than an ant before a giant." Flash said.
" You think we'll lose?"
" I don't know."
" All we can do is try our best."
" Yeah."
" Want to come to the cafeteria?"
" No. I'm going to wait here for the guys to come back. Thanks for the offer and all, but I need to think about what I'm really doing regarding the Games. It'd be nice if Twilight were here to help us out. She is a student of CHS, after all, despite being from out of town, so we could use her help. If she's too busy to come back, though, I understand completely; she has her own life and problems." Flash answered.
" I wish she were here, too." I said, turning around and leaving the gym, telling him that I'd see him later. I wanted Her Highness to come here for completely different reasons, but the thought of her competing for CHS was one I didn't consider. What she lacked in physical strength, she made up for in intellect. The Games featured all kinds of events that included brain teasers, something she excelled in. For her to join the team now meant someone on the roster had to be removed to enable her to get in. I doubted anyone was going to give her that satisfaction, despite all she had done.
As I walked towards the cafeteria, I began to think about what Flash said. These Shadowbolts were the best in Canterlot and had the credentials to back up their claim. We were going up against a powerful force that consisted of fellow high-school students, not magical beings from Equestria--our usual type at that point. Rainbow Dash strongly believed this was going to be our year to finally beat Crystal Prep and end their dominance. Did I feel the same way? I had mixed opinions. CHS had talented students but was casual compared to Crystal Prep, whose students were dedicated to their studies. It was going to be a battle between friendship and raw power, and we were vastly outclassed.
" Flash Sentry tried to remain optimistic, but it wasn't easy for him, Twilight. It wasn't easy for any of us. Except for Rainbow Dash, that is; she honestly believed that we stood a chance at beating Crystal Prep. The rest of us felt that we were going to be slaughtered just like in the previous Games." I said.
" I take it you took the time to learn about the rivalry between the two schools?" Twilight asked.
" There was a book in the library that was dedicated to it. Truly a fascinating read. I had to witness the rivalry for myself to understand the nuances that surrounded it." I answered.
" The odds were stacked against you."
" If CHS wasn't a fellow high school, Crystal Prep wouldn't have viewed us as a threat to their dominion." I said. Our school wasn't an actual threat, yet Principal Cinch saw it that way and wanted to make an example. She didn't like the idea of any other school being superior or even equal to her own, so she drilled her students into performing at peak efficiency at all times. Anyone who slipped up was cast aside as weak and deemed a failure in her eyes. That's the impression I got during all of the times Cinch said anything. In her world, Crystal Prep was supreme, and nothing else could compare.
No wonder her students were miserable despite not openly showing it. They always had to be perfect. It was the only goal that mattered because that's what they were taught. Twilight was an exception. She was Cinch's best student but was miserable because she wanted more in her life, and her fellow students at the time resented her for it.
To be competitive, one shouldn't have to give up their very humanity just to achieve victory. No one ever wins in a situation like that. Perhaps Dean Cadance will be able to implement some changes to make Crystal Prep a better school than it was before. I still found it hard to believe that she was Cinch's assistant, although it was easy to see why she was a guidance counselor of sorts. Compared with Cinch, Cadance was much nicer and more motherly. Perhaps she should become the principal instead and have Cinch be her assistant. On second thought, getting rid of the latter would be a better idea.
" Principal Cinch views all schools in the district as a threat." Twilight said.
" Even postsecondary?"
" Yes."
" Talk about being obsessed."
" It was unhealthy, but no one ever complained about it."
" Is it true that the top twelve students at Crystal Prep are selected to compete in every event your school is involved in?"
" No. That only applies to the Friendship Games. For other events, Principal Cinch always picked the best students to represent the academy based on their skill level, willingness to win at all costs, and ability to follow commands right down to the letter. I'd say everyone there ends up competing as a Shadowbolt once a semester. That's just how good they really are compared with other schools in the district." Twilight answered.
" And you were forced to compete, right?"
" Principal Cinch used my application to the Everton Independent Study Program."
" Yes, as you mentioned before."
" If that hadn't been the deciding factor, I would've been able to refuse."
" I doubt Cinch would accept that."
" Shall we move on with your journal?"
" If you really want to continue on, I'm okay with that, but don't think you should keep all that bottled up inside. It won't do you any good." I answered. Turning to the next page of the journal, my jaw dropped upon seeing yet another photo glued there. Unlike previous photos, this one was special because of its importance to both of us. Twilight leaned forward to get a closer look at what I had seen, and she had the exact reaction. The logo in the bottom-right-hand corner reminded me that Photo Finish had given it to me the day before the Games began. The photo was a shot of the Wondercolt statue and featured a figure wearing a hoodie observing it with a strange device. " At the time, I didn't think highly of this because of not knowing what I do now. I just glued it in here as a reminder of how awkward the encounter was." I said.
" Is that... me?"
" Yes, and you are holding the device you used to analyze the portal."
" Does this mean you wrote about me in your journal?"