//------------------------------// // A lost soul and a missing piece // Story: The Little Pony Legend: Friendship Games // by MaggiesHeartLove //------------------------------// A lost soul and a missing piece Korra, Mako and Sunset Shimmer were already at the library, in hopes of discovering some way of figuring out how the magic here works. Maybe if they could discover how humans saw magic, they could figure it out. Korra found the library had an entire isle dedicated to mythology, historical fantasies and magical superstitions. However, by reading the first several pages she was already scoffing and rolling her eyes. This was what humans in this world thought of magic? Weird incantations, smoke and mirrors and protective charms? What kind of joke was this? Mako searched more through the history books about various myths and legends involving magical creatures. However, he too was finding some very strong inaccuracies. The various depiction of dragons was inaccurate, not to mention highly exaggerative, creatures of the sea looked like day old sushi than actual sea monsters, and the assumption that minotaurs ate bones was completely false, since he knew for a fact that they were all vegetarians. He read a bit about unicorns, how they are all pure of heart, innocent and could do no wrong and were always perfectly perfect…clearly, they had not met the sassy, hot-headed and stubborn unicorns he knew. Sunset Shimmer was reading a book of dimensions and alternate realities, however it wasn't doing much to help either. Mako groaned once he closed the final book he had read, "This isn't getting us anywhere." he said, "The way folks in this world see magic is ridiculous!" "I know!" Korra said as she slammed her book close, "It's all just dumb superstition and party tricks." "That's just it." Sunset said, "You said so yourself, Korra, magic here doesn't work on the exact same level as back in Equestria. Maybe there could be some form of logic to these stories humans have been telling for years." "I highly doubt "Abra-cadabra!" or "Bibidi-bobiti-boo!" is going to be of much help." Mako suddenly started laughing to himself but stopped once he saw the confused looks from the girls. "Sorry, they sounded kind of funny." "I still think we should try and figure out who that mystery girl was." Korra said, placing her hands on the surface of the desk Sunset was sitting on. "We have no leads as to who she could be." Mako explained, "Or why she was at the statue in the first place." "Well…" Sunset spoke up, "I did notice that the buss she was leaving on was heading towards the city, which is where Crystal Prep is." "So, Rainbow might have been right and it was really just a prankster who didn't know any better?" Korra asked. "It's a possibility." Mako said, "There's not much to go on." "But even if it was just an accident that still doesn't explain how her touch effected the portal." "Is it possible the magic here at CHS might have spread across towards Crystal Prep?" Sunset asked, "And that student might have had some magic inside of her?" "I doubt it can travel that far." Korra said, "Nothing else aside from something magical could have done that. Unless…" "Unless what?" Mako asked. "Unless it wasn't really her magic that effected the mirror." Korra pondered, "Remember the time I froze your office in ice after you broke up with me?" "Why you got to pick on that scab?" Mako said, still feeling the sting from that terrible memory. "You froze his office in ice?!" Sunset exclaimed in shock, "Talk about a nasty break up." "Point is, my dormant magic reacted to what I was feeling. At certain times magic can react to strong, powerful emotions." "So, the mirror could have reacted to this stranger's energy?" Mako asked. "Can't say for sure, but it is a possibility." Sunset spoke next, "Okay, there's one theory about the mirror, but that still doesn't explain why the girls pony up now when they're not playing music." "That I don't have the answer to." Korra confessed, "Or even a theory. Sorry." Sunset sighed hopelessly, "Everyone is looking to me to figure this out but I'm not sure I have enough experience with friendship magic to solve it." the poor distressed teen hid her face in her arms, folded on the surface of the desk she was sitting at. Korra gently stroked her hair. Her touch alone was enough to calm Sunset's nerves. She had such a motherly touch, filled with compassion and empathy. "I know you don't want to let anybody down, believe me I know what that's like, but pressuring yourself isn't going to help you, or any of us." "But Luna said--" "She said to keep magic out of the games." Mako said, "And that's what we're going to do. If we can figure out how to control the magic here it may help us fix the portal. But we will never find it if we push ourselves too hard." "How do you do it?" Sunset asked. "Do what, sweetie?" Korra replied curiously. "Stay so optimistic? Here I am practically pulling my hair out and you guys are as cool as cucumbers." The young couple lightly chuckled. "Experience, kid." Mako said to the girl, smiling. "Don't think you can get a whole bucket of wisdom over night, or after just one crazy metamorphosis." Korra said, "Life itself is a journey, Sunset, and there will always be something new for you to learn." "Keeping the faith in tough times is hard." said Mako while gently lifting Sunset's chin to look at him, "But it's all part of growing up." Sunset smiled at their encouraging words. They were both so wise for their age, though still they kept a sense of youthful innocence in their eyes. Maybe she had assumed she could already be wise after only two events that changed her perspective drastically. Maybe, these two were only the first steps to her becoming what she was truly meant to be. (~) The school bell rang and the young girl exited her classroom, holding her books close to her chest rather nervously. It was the same routine every day, get out of class and try her best to not bump into any of the other students. The young girl was of average hight, thin and lovely with pale violet skin, purple eyes and midnight blue hair with a pair of purple and magenta streaks on her sharply straight bang and across her bun. She wore a six-inch star beret on the left side of her hair and wore the typical uniform of the school; pale cyan long sleeve shirt with a dark purple vest, dark blue tie and plaided purple shirt. She wore long stockings that reached just fellow her knees and plane shoes with a blue-diamond-like button decorated with a bow. She also wore a pair of black glasses. Her name was Twilight Sparkle, straight A student, honor role, science fair champion since grade school, and no doubt a shoe in for valedictorian one day. Regardless of this, the young girl was humble and innocent…if not insecure and awkward. Everybody at school knew her, but that didn't mean they were her friends. The poor girl gulped as she gazed at the long hallway surrounded by such beautiful male and female students, all wearing the same uniforms. Crystal Prep Academy certainly lived up to its name. The walls were decorated to look like a majestic crystal palace, and the students it allowed in were just as beautiful, bright and special as the building itself. Twilight felt so out of place here, the only good thing about this school was that it taught her so much of what she now knew in science, math and literature. However, she couldn't stand being social. She would always sweat nervously, squeak when she spoke and bump into pretty much anybody she met, even if it was by accident. No matter how hard she tried to avoid it, it was like she was destined to be surrounded by a sea of indifferent snobs. Not that she would ever say so out loud. With all the courage she could master, Twilight walked ahead, already starting to bump into people. "Excuse me. Sorry." she managed to dodge a few incomers, only to get bumped into another student, who bumped into Twilight first but she made certain it was she who apologized and not her. "Pardon me." Twilight said, not even bothering to stand up for herself. She made her way towards a private room in the school, one from which she spent most of her time. Well, all of her time actually. Inside was a small little laboratory with beakers, science notes, telescopes, computers, math equations, the works. However, there also stood a board with an assortment of pictures pined up on it, with arrows and notes all around. The pictures contained what appeared to be rainbows, strange horse-like creatures with gills and broken red stones. In the center was an image of Canterlot High. For many weeks now, Twilight Sparkle had uncovered some very strange phenomenon going on at that particular public school, and they all somehow led up to this strange energy which apparently came from these rainbow lights that she had seen beforehand. She was determined to discover what this was, and how it worked. She had a close call the other day when a student nearly caught her doing her experiments around the school. She had to be careful, the last thing she wanted was to cause an unnecessary feud between the schools. Or, at least a bigger feud compared to the one they had already. Inside the room rested a small dog, purple in color with green ears, eyes and a green belly. He slept soundly on a chair until his ear perked up, hearing somebody approaching. He recognized those footsteps anywhere and panted happily. He loved the human who came into the room, and she loved him in return. He ran up to the door, his tail wagging, until the door itself accidentally hit him and he flew across the room. Twilight entered and sat on the chair, calling out for him. "Spike? Spike?!" The little puppy poked his head out from the trashcan, completely unfazed as he ran up towards his owner, barking happily. "There you are." Twilight said with a giggle. The puppy jumped into her arms and licked her face with so much love. Twilight petted his head, smiling at receiving his loving kisses. "Okay, okay!" he happily rested on her lap and Twilight opened up a drawer near her desk, taking a strange rounded object into the palm of her hand, "Last night's field test confirmed it, Spike. With this device, I can track and contain the bizarre energy coming from Canterlot High." Spike started to growl at the picture of the school that was on the board. He didn't like the strange occurrences that happened there, especially if they could possibly harm his best friend. He calmed down once Twilight petted his head lovingly. "I know you didn't like me going over there, but I just couldn't wait." she pushed her chair on wheels, sliding towards a second desk where her computer was and picked several papers from her desk, which were very neatly stacked. "And soon, I'll have all the time I need. All of Crystal Prep is gonna be there for the Friendship Games. I just hope all that "rivalry" nonsense doesn't get in the way of my research." she said with a roll of her eyes, "If I can collect enough data on these EMF frequencies, I should be able to extrapolate the wavelength forms to determine their origin. That would practically guarantee my entrance into the Everton Independent Study Program!" Going to Everton was her dream, she wanted it more than anything else in the world. She was so excited that she tumbled backwards on her hair, landing on the floor. "Whoa!" A knock on the door was heard and a young lady walked in. She was a stunning older woman with light pink skin, purple eyes and perfectly manageable hair of pink, pale gold and purple. She wore a blue shirt with a darker bleu jacket, golden neckless and a cyan skirt with golden high heel shoes and a broach consisting of a crystal heart with golden symbols on the side. She was Dean Cadance, and a close personal friend of Twilight's. She was close with all of the students, but Twilight for her was very special and she wanted nothing more but the very best for her. She loved her like a sister would. She smiled once she saw the young girl on the floor with papers all around, being licked by her loving puppy. "Twilight, you know the rules against pets." she said as she helped the girl stand back up. "Well, Spike isn't a pet, Dean Cadance." Twilight said while holding Spike in her arms, "He's the focus of my research project. Human-canine cohabitation: effects and implications." "If you say so." Cadance removed one of the dog hairs from Twilight's shoulder, "But Principal Cinch is highly allergic, so I suggest you put on a clean shirt." "Why?" Twilight asked, placing Spike back down. "Because she wants to see you." "Ooh! Maybe she has news about my application to Everton!" "I've been meaning to talk to you about that." Cadance said, placing a hand on her student's shoulder, "Are you sure that's what you really want? "Why wouldn't it be? A program that allows me to focus all my attention on my own advanced math and science projects? What a dream come true!" "But there aren't any classrooms with other students. You'll be doing everything on your own." "That is why it's called an "independent study program"." "I just don't want you to miss out on anything. That's all. Being around other people isn't a bad thing. Sometimes it's how you learn the most about yourself." Twilight adored Cadance, she was like the sister she never had. But, she knew she was rather wrong on that. Twilight had been around so many people for so long at this school and the only thing she learned about herself was that she was clumsy, awkward, and practically invisible by everybody else. The popular girls looked down upon her like she was an abomination against fashion, ironic since they all wear the same uniforms, and the boys looked at her like she could never be as beautiful as the other girls. So, being around people, not the best experience for her. Still, she didn't want to make the Dean feel bad. She rubbed her shoulder and nodded her head with uncertainty. "I guess." "Meet me in Principal Cinch's office in a few minutes?" Cadance asked before leaving. Twilight nodded her head and the Dean closed the door. "What's she so worried about?" Twilight asked her dog, who was already playing with one of his toys, "Everton is exactly what I need right now. It's not like I have anything left to learn at Crystal Prep." After petting Spike on the head she walked out of the room and closed the door behind her and made her way towards the principal's office. Once again, seeing the same old hallways she always seen, with the same cold hearted students she knew and didn't have the courage to stand up to. Not that it would change anything anyway. I've walked through all these halls before I've been in and out of every door, oh-whoa-oh There's nothin' in this school that I don't know As she continued her way, she was looked down upon by every student she encountered. Yep, nothing left to learn here. She traced her fingers across the glass cases which contained academic trophies with her name on them. Science, math, spelling bees, ect. Still, none of these victories felt satisfying to her. In every class, my grade's the best The highest score on every test I think that means it's time for me to go Twilight was tired of feeling empty and alone. She knew she wanted something more but didn't know what. Still, even with this uncertainty, one thing was more than certain for her... I know there's more that's out there And I just haven't found it yet I know there's more that's out there Another me I haven't met This school is full of people But still I don't belong They only dream of winning Look at me like something's wrong Maybe I'm better off alone Will I find what I'm lookin' for If I just do it on my own? She walked up the stairs towards the principal's office, her heart growing more and more, yearning for whatever it was she was searching for. I know there's more that's out there Something to fill this hole inside I know there's more that's out there And I'm not afraid to try There's only so much this school can offer And I'm not saying that it's wrong But I know there's more that's out there 'Cause I've been searching all along Beyond these rooms, beyond these walls So much to learn, I can't see it all There's somethin' out there callin' me And it's a mystery that I can't wait to see 'Cause I know there's more that's out there Another place, another way And I know there's more that's out there And I'll find out someday! I'll find out someday... She opened the door to the principal's office, making a creaking noise as she did. The office was larger than most officers belonging to a principal, which somehow fit this lady's personality to a T. The room itself was dark in atmosphere with the only light source being two lanterns above the ceiling. Twilight saw Dean Cadance beside her and gestured her to take her seat in front of the principal's desk. The chair where she sat was turned away from the child, making her look all the more mysterious and frightening. This woman was anything if not strict, it was no wonder the students all respected her to greatly. The door closed and Twilight saw a strapping young man standing behind it. He was tall and muscular with skin as white as snow and blue colored hair with lighter and darker streaks across it. "Shining Armor? Why is my brother here?" "As an alumni, Principal Cinch thought he could provide some unique perspective." Cadance explained. "Perspective on what?" "Why, the Friendship Games, of course.", The chair finally turned around, revealing Principal Cinch. She was a very, very well put together middle aged woman with dark hair consisting of rather pale/dark shades of eggplant purple. Her skin was a pale blue and wore a typical principal-like outfit and perk earrings, along with a pair of spectacles resting on the bridge of her nose and had pale purple eyes. Her lips were full and blood red like blood. She stood up from her chair, towering over the young girl, making her quiver. "You competed in the games, did you not, Shining Armor?" Shining Armor slightly jolted, his face blushing for he was half paying attention, distracted by Dean Cadance's beauty. They had known each other for years and had been seeing each other for two years now, which Twilight was well aware of, being so close with both of them. However, there were no wedding bells to be heard as of yet. The young man cleared his throat before replying. "I did." "And you happen to recall who won?" "Ha ha, Crystal Prep did. We always win." he said proudly. "We always win." Cinch repeated to Twilight, as if reminding her of the obvious. "Why'd you ask to see me?" she asked. Principal Cinch walked towards her trophy case, polishing one of the golden trophies her school had won for her. No matter what the parents said, these victories were heres. These were her students, this was her school, so it only made perfect sense that these were her victories. Everything at this school was hers, and hers alone. She loved being in control, she couldn't control other things so why not this? "Twilight, I'll be honest. It doesn't matter to some whether or not Crystal Prep wins or loses. But, the important thing is we are expected to win because Crystal Prep has a reputation." placing the trophy back she towered over her student, "And it is that reputation...my reputation that is responsible for everything we have here. For everything you've done here. And you've done quite a lot, haven't you?" "I dunno. I guess." "Oh, don't be modest." Cinch replied with a smile, a smile that was more cold than warm as she sat back down on her chair, "You're the best student this school has ever seen. What I can't understand is why my best student wouldn't want to compete." "In the Friendship Games?" Seeing her struggle, Shinning Armor spoke on, "Look, Twily, I know it's not really your thing, but representing the school is kind of a big deal. Plus, they could really use your help." Even though he wasn't a student anymore, his time at Crystal Prep was one of the best years of his life, so if the school lost he would feel as if he would be letting the kids down. If only he knew how the students had become now instead of still reminiscing of the past. Principal Cinch took out a piece of paper from her desk and adjusted her spectacles, "It seems Canterlot High is undergoing something of a renaissance. Test scores are up, grades, even athletics are on the rise. You see, they are developing somewhat of a reputation. This can not happen!" Twilight couldn't do this. For one, if she competed in the games she wouldn't have enough time to do her research. While the whole school does get to go to Canterlot High, she was the one of the fews who didn't compete. And now, she was asked to. She couldn't let this happen. Plus, she was terrible at sports, and the games always included an athletics competition. The students here hatted her enough already, if she cost them the games she would surely be discriminated even more. "Principal Cinch, I can't possibly participate in the games. My work here is very—" "Ah, yes. Your work. Cadance, could you and Shining Armor find my contact sheet for the Everton Independent Study program?" "Of course." the two walked out of the room to do what they were asked, leaving Twilight alone with the principal, who showcased her a folder, placing it in front of her. "I understand you've applied. You see, one of the advantages of having a reputation is a certain amount of influence in such things. So, let me offer you a deal." The woman's cold smile sent shivers down and up Twilight's spine. She knew better not to cross this woman. She slid the folder in front of Twilight, her smile still as cold as it was when she arrived. "In return for contributing your agile mind to these games, I will use my influence to guarantee your application is approved." Twilight reached out to grab the folder, which contained her application papers. However, once she reached for them Cinch pulled them back towards herself. "Though, I suppose I could also have it..denied. What do you think I should do?" Twilight's heart was pounding. She was caught between a rock and a hard place. If she didn't compete she would lose her dream opportunity, and she would never leave this horrible place. As much as she didn't want to do this…she had to. Her choice was made. No matter who much she didn't want it to come to this. But her loss was Cinch's win. (~)