The great epic showdown set in an alternate continuity where human Twilight must face her old school and her old "friends" and Sunset will have to face herself.
It's that time of the year when Canterlot and Crystal Prep face off in friendly academic events: the "Friendship Games." But this time around, the drama and the tension couldn't be any higher.
A few months ago, Twilight Sparkle was a student at Crystal Prep and now she is a student for Canterlot High. Old relations will rise up to the surface and old acquaintances will collide with the present friends. Meanwhile, Crystal Prep has a certain ace up its sleeve that sparks a certain conflict with Sunset Shimmer.
But as the games will be happening, a certain darkness will slowly emerge and brings all new trouble to the games.
It was the crack of dawn and early in the morning. Most people were still in their beds and it would be hours until any school lessons starts. The only people who were out are early morning joggers and a very dedicated bus schedule. And on the outskirts of Canterlot High, one such bus was arriving at it's stop.
When the bus open it's doors, a fairly large group of teenagers come off the vehicle. 7 in total and they were wearing identity concealing hoodies and carrying a lot of stuff. Spray paint, a bizarre zebra face and other weird and mischievous tools. When the bus went away, the group trespass onto the school ground and heads straight to the school's statue.
Trying to act quickly and efficiently, they waste no time so none of them would get caught. When they got to the horse statue, they got on top of each other and began spraying it. First they spray as much of the area that they can in white then spray thin white black strips all across the body. When most of that was done, they then try to stick the zebra head on the statue's head. What once a proud looking stallion was now more looking like an undignify zebra from circus. But unfortunately (or fortunately), they were having trouble putting the head on and the height made the person who was putting it on very nervous.
When they notice the delay, one girl on the ground loudly whispers: "What taking so long?"
"Sorry. Having trouble putting this on dude" the person replied.
"Well hurry up. We don't have all morning... and don't call me dude."
And then, the girl notice one other person from their group was on the other side of the statue. They were inspecting the mirror that was on the statue and was using a strange hand held device to scan it. "Moondancer! What are you doing?" she loudly whispers.
Moondancer then says to her: "I'm detecting some bizarre energy from this side of the statue."
One girl then drop what they were doing (leaving one person dangling on the statue) and says: "What! is it dangerous!?"
"Shh! Somebody might hear us."
One other girl replies "Oh please. Who will be around to hear that?"
"How About Us!" Rainbow Dash yelled out.
Every one of them jumped when they heard the extra voice. When they look around, they notice 5 Canterlot girls were standing by the front door: Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle. Also there was Spike who was standing by Twilight's feet. They stood strong and angrily at the group who was defacing their statue.
One girl asked out loud: "How they heck did they know we were coming?"
One of them then flatly replies: "Well we always deface the statue every year. What make you think they would be prepared this time?"
Then another girl sarcastically says to her: "Well gee, that was really insightful. But do you want to know what would helpful right now. If we all RUN!"
As the Canterlot girls began running, the Crystal Prep group scramble and try to get away. The person who was on the statue had to jump down and stumble down to the ground. After stop colliding and bumping into the statue, every one of the them legged it into the street and the Canterlot students chased after them.
As they were running, Twilight says out loud to her friends: "I Can't Believe This! I Can't Believe That Crystal Prep Would Do This!"
Sunset explains: "We Told You Twilight! They Do This Every Year!"
Both groups split-up in order to avoid/catch the other. Tense action was happening in the streets as the chase action was spreading out across town. They Crystal Prep students had to do some sharp turn just as they were in arms reach of Rainbow Dash. As Rainbow would about to grab them, they turn and she was alone on the street. They just about mange to out run Applejack much to their frustration. For the two that Pinkie was chasing, they say out loud that they were turning left but turn right instead. When they turn right and Pinkie turn left, Pinkie ran herself into the wall.
And fortunately for the runners (and unfortunately for the chasers), buses arrive that allow them to escape. As soon as one or two of them get on, they yelled at the driver to drive and it drives off... leaving Rainbow, AJ and Pinkie in frustration.
The only C.P students who hadn't escape yet were two who was hiding out in an alleyway. Just outside of said alleyway was a bus stop that would take them back to Crystal Prep. One of them told the other to "Wait here" as they would check the bus schedule on the stop. As that person who was in the alleyway was reaching their limit, she heard barking sound behind her.
"Got You!"
When they look around, they saw the little purple dog standing their facing them. And when Spike is around, Twilight isn't that far behind. She arrives and confront the hooded figure.
"Stop! Don't Run!" Twilight yelled out.
The scene was tense as Twilight and the hooded teen was staring at each other. Conflicting emotions were also swirling around in Twilight. Unlike everybody else, Twilight originally studied at Crystal Prep before she transfer herself to CHS. She didn't had particularly pleasant time there but she still hold it in high regards. Discovering that C.P students were doing something like this, it was eating her at her heart inside of her. But for the hooded girl, they were also feeling some heavy weight on their heart.
"Twilight?" the hooded girl call out.
Twilight was taken back. She didn't expect them to call out her name. As she was wondering why she call her name, the girl let down her hoodie. When she saw who it was, Twilight became surprised.
"Moondancer!"
"Hey" Moondancer sheepishly reply, embarrassed by being caught like this.
Twilight was left stunned. She recall working with Moondancer plenty of time in the pass and remember having a pleasant time working with her. Out of all of the Crystal Prep, she is the one who she wouldn't mind working with the most. Distraught, Twilight got closer and ask her:
"Moondancer, why are you doing this? Why were defacing the school statue?"
Putting on a stern face, Moondancer replies: "I Wasn't! I just went along with the rest of them because I wanted to investigate the strange readings coming from your new school."
"What!"
Twilight didn't know what she meant. What readings? Does she mean magic? How can she detect magic and what would she gain from it. But as she was figuring this out in her head, a familiar voice call for her. "Twilight!" She looked and saw that it was Sunset running towards her.
"Are you ok?" Sunset asked as she arrived.
"Yeah, I was just..."
However, as Twilight look back at Moondancer, she saw that she has a shocked expression on her face. She was so shocked that it looked like she had seen a ghost. The expression was unsettling for both Twilight and Sunset but before either of them could ask, Moondancer ask instead:
"Twilight, who is she?"
They were perplexed but Sunset reply: "Me? I'm..."
But before she could finish, Moondancer partner ran back from the street. "Moondancer, The Bus Is Here! We Have To Go!" As she came in, soon notice Twilight and Sunset. However, when she realize it, she stopped when she saw Sunset. Like Moondancer, she was froze in place. "What The..."
Twilight and Sunset didn't know what was going on. Why were they freezing up? But when they found out why, they were even more shocked. The hooded figure pull down their hoodie... revealing another Sunset!
Everyone around couldn't believe what they were seeing. Two Sunset and they were looking right at each other. Aside from the clothes, they looked completely identical to each other. It was like they were twins or something. But as everyone was standing there awestruck, the bus on the street sounded it's horn. Snapping them out of their daze, Sunset (the one who was with Moondancer) grab Moondancer and heads to the bus. As Twilight and Sunset snapped out of their trance, they were about to chase after them again but they saw the bus driving off with them in it.
As Twilight and Sunset watch the bus driving off as the sun made the sky blue-er, they were left to process what happen... and what it could mean in the near future.
Everyone began making their way back to the school. They feel defeated that they didn't manage to catch any one of them who deface their statue and was feeling sorry with themselves. But since no one was at the school at the time, no one was able to notice a crack on the statue's mirror. A mirror... that was also a portal to a magical world and the crack was setting of some weird colours before stopping.
"What! What do you mean you met another Sunset Shimmer!?"
"Like what we just said Rainbow Dash. We met somebody who looks exactly like Sunset!"
A few hours later, school had started and there was a lot of commotion by the school statue. After they failed to catch the people who did it, the only thing that they could do was clean up the mess that they left behind. Rarity and Fluttershy was hard at work scrubbing all of the spray paint off of the statue while Pinkie Pie was fascinated with the zebra head that they try to use. Meanwhile, Twilight and Sunset was discussing things with Rainbow and AJ while still in the same vicinity of the others. There was also Spike, but he mostly remain quiet.
"Are sure it just some other girl who looked like you?" Applejack suggested.
"We thought so to Applejack, but she looked so similar that it's almost uncanny" Sunset reply to her.
Rainbow says out loud: "But how is that even possible? Last time I checked, there's suppose to be only one of each person in the whole world."
Sunset then quickly retorts her by saying: "You guys are forgetting something: I'm not from this world. I'm came from another dimension where everybody is a pony. Remember how I mistake Twilight with the pony princess version of her from my world?"
"Yeah, it was kind of funny in hindsight" Twilight whispered out loud.
"As soon as I crossed over into this world, the world now has two Sunset Shimmers. It's very possible that the Sunset that we run into was my counterpart from this world."
After saying all of that, her friends soon realize how important this situation is for her. It must be really weird for any of them if they run into their double. And considering that the other Sunset was willing to vandalize the statue, their Sunset must be feeling even more troubled since she was a bad girl in the past. But as she was working and overhearing all of this, Fluttershy come up with a very interesting question.
"Wait. If she was with Crystal Prep, wouldn't Twilight know about her?"
Realizing the question, Twilight replies: "No I don't. If I did, then my first running with Sunset would be even more confusing."
Things still became a confusing puzzle on the matter. After some thought, Fluttershy then suggest: "Well maybe she is a new student at Crystal Prep?" After hearing it, it does make some sort of sense. However, that caused Pinkie to stop what she was doing and says:
"Wait! So as soon as Twilight came over to CHS, another Sunset took her place over at Crystal Prep!? Talk about dramatic irony."
But while the topic was intense and interesting to think about, a disgruntled Rarity suddenly began making some noise. "Listen darlings, I know this is a really important topic that your talking about here, but can I please have some help cleaning this statue?"
Seeing that she was the only one cleaning the statue, Twilight said "Sorry" to Rarity and everyone began lending her a hand. They grab wet sponges and went onto stepladders to get to the parts that weren't clean. A fair amount of spray paint came off, but you still have to dig deep in order to get rid off all of it. It was a tiresome task, but with them all working together made the whole thing a bonding experience for them. But as they were working, the topic then shifts to a slightly different thing.
"I'm still quite amazed that you were from Crystal Prep Twilight" Rainbow says out loud
"Yeah well, a lot of stuff happened when we first met and there wasn't an opportunity to talk about it."
"Still, I wouldn't mind if you brought it up a lot sooner."
"Honestly Rainbow" Rarity interjected. "Would we really think of Twilight any differently if we knew she came from Crystal Prep?"
"Not me" Fluttershy reply.
"Me nether" Pinkie added.
Seeing everyone else having a similar response, Rainbow kept quiet and roll her eyes. But after they enjoy the sweet supportive moment, Applejack brought up a different question.
"Hey, didn't ya say that you were chasing somebody else that you recognize?"
After thinking for about a moment, Twilight replies: "Oh, you mean Moondancer."
"Moondancer?" AJ responded.
Spike try bark out and explains: "Yeah, she was..."
But since nobody could understand Spike, Twilight explains to her friends: "She was a girl that I often worked together with back at Crystal Prep."
"Did you worked together a lot?" Pinkie asked.
"Oh yes. One time in freshmen year, we were partners in a science fair and we worked on a giant bottle rocket."
"A bottle rocket!" said an intrigued Sunset. "Did it work?"
Twilight then proudly answers: "Yep and we got first place."
"Wow. Sounded like you two were close" Fluttershy commented.
After thinking deeply for a moment, Twilight reply to all of them: "Well aside from Spike, my brother Shining Armor and Dean Cadence, I guess Moondancer is the only other person that I liked to hang around with. In a way, I guess she was my best friend at Crystal Prep."
"Did she know that she was yer best friend?" AJ asked her.
After thinking about it for a moment, Twilight regretfully replies: "... No"
The moment then became very said and very downer. Thinking about her past actions, Twilight was sort of regretting some of the choices that she made. Meanwhile her friends were feeling guilty for making her talk about it. Wanting to lift her spirit, Applejack says to her: "Well don't worry sugar cube. As soon as you talk to her again, you should tell her what you think of her."
Feeling slightly better, Twilight responded by saying: "Thanks AJ. But with the Friendship Games coming up and the awkward history in my past, I'm not sure how involved I would be."
But while the scene was still a bit downer, one good thing they currently see was the statue. Aside from a few tiny spots, the statue's horse looked as good as new. Pinkie was even tempted to imagine it as a real horse and try to rise it. But as they were appreciating their hard work, Principal Celestia came out of the front door.
"Twilight! Can you come over her for a sec!?"
When they notice her, they were wondering why she need Twilight. Regardless, Sunset looked at Twilight and tells her: "You can go ahead and see what she want."
"Ok" Twilight replied. She got down from the stepladder and with Spike by her side, Twilight follow Celestia into the building.
Inside, Twilight and Spike was following behind Celestia as they were walking down the hall. And long the side on the wall was a row of school photos. A few of the were memorable school moments while the others were past accomplishments for the school.
"So what do you want to speak to me about Principal Celestia?" Twilight asked curiously.
Being as homely as she can, Celestia asked her "First of, how have you been enjoying Canterlot High so far Twilight?"
"Well um, it has been great actually. Everyone is nice, education is fair and engaging and I made some really good friends. Although being engaged in two magical events wasn't something that I thought I'd do."
"Hehe... sorry about that, but at least I know you like it here." But then Celestia went into a slightly more serious tone. "Do you know much about the Friendship Games?"
Realizing what this is about, Twilight reply to her: "Not much actually. All I know that it something that Canterlot and Crystal Prep do every year. That and also most of my friends are competing."
Seeing her lack of knowledge, Celestia decided to educate her. "You see; the games are split into 2 rounds plus a third in case of a tie breaker. Each school decides and plan what each round will be about. This year Crystal Prep decided to do the classic academic decathlon over at their school."
"Ok..."
"One other thing that we like to do is to assign ourselves team leaders. The leaders really don't have to do much. They just assign each person on the competing team which event they should do."
Twilight has a sinking suspicion on what she is going to say to her. Wanting to be sure, she ask her: "And let me guess: you want me to be team leader for Canterlot?"
Realizing that Twilight saw right through her, Celestia admits: "If it isn't too much trouble?"
Twilight was put in a really difficult position. Being team leader sounds like an important role and those sort of things has always appealed to Twilight. However, that would mean she would be directly apposing Crystal Prep, the place that she had a long and complicated history with. At that moment, the best that Twilight could say was: "I don't know..."
Seeing that Twilight was conflicted, Celestia told her that: "The reason that I asked Twilight was because I think you're the best person who can revive the spirit of the games." Twilight was puzzled with what she said and follow her to some old school photos. Celestia explains: "You see; me, Luna, Cadence and Cinch all came up with the games during our early tenure of being principals. We sort of wanted the games to be a way for both schools to bond over and help promote friendship between one another. But now they have became cold and monotonous ever since Crystal Prep began winning all of them."
As she was saying that, Twilight was looking at all of the photos. In the old photos, she saw everybody have had fun and was getting along well with one another. But as she looking at the newer and newer photos, things slowly began to change. It went from everyone having fun to only the winners were having fun until even the winners looked they were bored with the games. It is actually kind of saddening.
Celestia then says to her: "You know Twilight, I'm not forcing you to do anything. If you don't want to be team leader, I'm sure Rainbow Dash would be happy to take that role."
Twilight thinks long and hard on it. She still feel uneasy about this morning and the resurfacing old wounds she got from her old school, but she doesn't want that to hold her back. Ever since she discover the wonders and "magic" of friendship, she wanted to share her experience to her classmates at Crystal Prep and hopes to make that place better. Once she made sure she was sure with herself, Twilight response to Celestia is:
"Alright. I'll give it a go and see how things turns out."
Happy to hear Twilight accepted it, the cheery principal tell her: "Wonderful. If you need anything from me Twilight, don't be afraid to ask."
Celestia then heads off and left Twilight in the hallway. She still felt uneasy about her decision, but one supportive look from Spike boost her confidence a bit. "Wow Twilight. Do you really think you can turn Crystal Prep around?" Spike thought to Twilight.
Twilight says to him: "I don't know Spike. But if I know anything about myself, I won't do something without giving it my very best!"
Twilight stood there confidently and she felt ready for the task ahead. But then Celestia stopped just before leaving the scene just so she can yell one more thing to Twilight. "By The Way! Luna Wanted Me To Tell You To Keep Your Magical Friendship Powers A Secret Just So We Won't Be Accused For Cheating!" Twilight was somewhat off put with that (sort of knocking her off her mojo) but she put that memo to heart.
Several days has passed and Twilight and Spike was making their way to the Wondercolt's meeting room. Wanting to dressed for the position, Twilight had brought along her personal clipboard as well as wearing a cap that says "Team Captain" on it. She knows that all of her friends will be at the meeting room but not of the other people who were on the Wondercolt team. Twilight was feeling slightly nervous, but it isn't by much and she was building herself up with confidence.
As they were walking, Spike couldn't help but keep looking at the funny hat that Twilight got on her head. "You know Twilight; I can understand the clipboard, but do you really have to wear the silly hat?"
When Twilight notice that Spike was looking at her and guess what he was thinking, she reply to him by saying: "Of come on Spike. Don't you think it is suited for the occasion?"
"Yeah but it still look silly on you" Spike replied as he shook his head side to side.
Annoyed, Twilight says back to him: "Well I don't know why you are coming to this meeting Spike? I'm not sure how a dog would help things."
As they was coming up to the room, Spike bark/reply to her: "What! I'm The Team's Mascot! Who doesn't want a dog to be the face for their team?" As he was jumping around the door, Twilight just roll her eyes. After taking a deep breath, she proceed into the room.
When she entered the makeshift meeting room, the first people that Twilight see was all of her friends who were seeing in the from row. When they saw her, Pinkie instantly yells out: "Hey! It's Twilight!" Soon they all began rushing over towards Twilight and surrounding her.
"Hey, so you're the one who's team captain" Applejack remarks.
"Yeah, that what Principal Celestia talked to me about the other day."
"I'll admit that I wanted to be the team leader Twilight, I'm sure you'd do a good enough job."
"Thanks Rainbow."
But then Rarity got up to Twilight's ear and whispers to her: "Although if you want any advice from me Twilight, I'd loose the hat. It doesn't go well with you colours at all." After seeing a "I told you so" look from Spike, a fed up Twilight then slams her hat in the teacher's desk.
But while the rest of her friends chuckle at/console her, Twilight notice Sunset sitting happily on one of the desks. "Sunset! What are you doing here!?"
"I'm here to compete?" Sunset replied confusingly. "Why? Don't you want me to?"
"No, I do. It just that... with you running into "you-know-who" the other day, I just thought that..."
And like that Sunset figured out why Twilight was concerned. True, meeting her other self again would cause some complications, but Sunset tells her: "Yeah well, even though you-know-who might be there, I still want to take part." She then explains: "In all the previous years, the Crystal Prep students would always gloat how they are so much better then use and stuff. I even got into a fight with one of them who said I wouldn't make a difference if I were on the team that year. You can say I'm letting my past-self show a little bit, but I really want to get rid off their pompous attitude and show them what's what."
Twilight do want to question her motivation a little bit, but it does show her passion and it isn't all bad. But as she was sure she had everyone, a voice call out to her.
"What!? Don't we get some attention?" yelled a feminine but haughty voice that Twilight slowly recognize.
Twilight look around and discover that there was more people towards the back of the room. And the people that she see left utterly surprised. From left to right, she saw: Sonata Dusk, Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze, Flash Sentry and... one girl she haven't meet before. But at that moment, all of her focus was on Aria, Sonata and Adagio as they cause Twilight to be the most surprised.
"Aria! Sonata! Adagio! What are you three doing here?"
"Well that's nice" Aria remark sarcastically. "It sounds like you don't want us."
"Well no, I Mean Yes But... Why!?"
Adagio smirked when she say Twilight confused. She tell her: "You see; everyone is still up in our case about what we did during the showcase."
However Sonata interrupts her and whispers: "Um Adagio, we sort of changed it to a Battle of the Bands remember?"
"Yeah. And the reason why everybody don't like you is because you try to mind control everyone and try to make them into your slaves" added Pinkie who whispered on the same side as Sonata.
After Adagio pushed both girls away (and a crash was heard), she explains: "Yeah well... everybody still upset with us so we join these "Friendship Games" so people will hopefully likes us more."
Twilight could tell that their reason is seems to be more on self interest rather then trying to help the school. Although she does feel pity for them as she does know that the other students is giving them a tough time and this could be a part of their redemption. Twilight just says "Ok" to them and move on.
Her attention then moves to Flash Sentry. He just mildly sitting on a table and minding his own business. Perhaps a bit too mildly as Twilight was having a sinking suspicion that he was playing it cool. "Flash" she awkwardly called. "What's your reason for being here?"
Seeing he was being addressed, Flash nonchalantly replies to her: "Well my reason is kind of like Sunset's; I just really want us to beat Crystal Prep." But then he try to put on a charming look on his face and adds: "And don't worry Twilight. With you at the helm, I'm sure we can't lose."
Everyone could sort of tell that that compliment was subtle attempt to hit on Twilight. Twilight herself didn't know how to feel and just blush. Aria even thinks out loud: "Try hard", much to Flash's irritation.
The last person that Twilight was looking at was a girl that was sitting right next to Flash and was looking at two different direction. She sort of has a carefree nature to her. But unlike Pinkie who was more joyfully carefree and Sonata who was obliviously carefree, the girl was more... different. It was like she has a thinking pattern that Twilight or anybody else isn't use to. Twilight checked her clipboard and look at the participants list. "Let see. And you are..." But when she got the list, she only found an incomprehensible scribble and a probable sign of bad hand writing. Left confused, Twilight had to ask her: "I'm sorry but what is your name?"
The girl, realising she was being addressed to, just replies: "Me? Oh I have a lot of names that people like to give me. Some call me "Derpy", "Ditzy", "Muffin Girl". Honestly I like all of them so you can call me whatever you want."
Everyone was understandably confused and taken back by that. Some of them who do know her (sort of) even thought some of those names were her real name. Left with nothing much to go with, Twilight awkwardly says to her: "Ok "Bright Eyes", let's get to work?" Bright Eyes (or whoever she is) just nods and cheerfully smiles.
Now that she knows everybody that she has, Twilight move to the front of the class and in front of the blackboard. Before she start, Spike quickly jump onto the teachers and sat there confidently in front of everyone. "Ok Everyone, Listen Up!" Twilight says loudly so everyone can hear. "I have here is a list of all of the events for the 1st rounds of the games. We must decide who will be participating in which event as no one is allowed to be in more then one or two events." Once they know what they're doing, Twilight began going down the list.
"Ok, one of the first events is wood shop." After searching her brain for the right person(in less then a second), she look at her ideal candidate and ask her: "You pretty good at wood-shop Rarity?"
"Of course darling. I can make stuff besides clothes you know" Rarity proudly replied.
"Good." Twilight double check her clipboard and adds: "Also, the event is for two people to be in it. Is there anybody you would like to work with."
After thinking carefully for a minute, Rarity replies: "Hmm... Just in case they might be asking for a bird house, I would like Fluttershy to be my partner."
"I wouldn't mind that" Fluttershy responded.
"Ok, Great! The next event is... a geography quiz."
"Geography! Heck, I reckon I can be good in that" Applejack yell out.
"Cool!" When looking at the next event, Twilight could see it might be a bit difficult. "Who's up to do a chemistry challenge?"
Everyone was hesitant to take that one, except for "Ditzy" who put her hand up almost right away. But before Twilight could see the raised hand, Flash quickly pull it back down. He had seen "Derpy" doing chemistry before and he remembers that didn't go so well. She was saddened that Flash wouldn't let her but decide to roll with it. When Twilight see no one was volunteering, she decides: "Let's go back to that later."
But as she checking her list, she found an event that could be really easy for them. "Oh! There's going to be a baking contest! Who is going to participate in that I wonder?"
Like a bolt of lightning, both Sonata and Pinkie shot up their arms and yelled "ME!" at the same time. Twilight was surprised as she thought only Pinkie Pie would be eager to take part in that."
Aria says to Sonata: "You'd be baking food Sonata, not eating them."
Offended, she says back to her: "Oh course I know that Aria. I'm not an idiot!"
When everyone didn't know who to chose for the event, Pinkie got and says: "Pick Me! Please Pick Me! I can bake a cake where the insides would look like the Mona Lisa!"
As absurd as that sounds, Twilight believes that Pinkie can actually do that. However she still feels like that she need to points out: "I trust you Pinkie, but I'm sure the judges will judge the taste of the food rather than the appearance." Rarity couldn't believe that statement.
Feeling challenged, Pinkie says to her: "Really huh? Well I dare you to taste my animal shapes muffins and tell me that they don't taste delicious." And like that, Pinkie then pulls a bunch of animal shape muffins almost out of nowhere.
"OH! Can I Have Some!?" asked Sonata.
"Can I have a dozen?" asked the "Muffin Girl"
Pinkie then pass her muffins to the both of them so they can eat and try them. When she realize how good they were and was mouth watering at the scene, Sonata confesses: "Ok, she can have it."
"Yes!" exclaims a happy Pinkie.
Once that got sorted, Twilight decides to move. "Ok, the next event is... interesting? There's a chess match that's on here?"
Flash's head was raised when he heard that. He looks at Aria next to him and ask her: "Chess? That's a board game, right?"
"Yeah" replied an un-enthused Aria.
Before anybody else could take it, Flash yells out: "I Take It!" to the whole room. Everyone was startled as they couldn't imagine him as a chess person.
"Um Flash... you know that chess is nothing like checkers, right?" Rainbow Dash ask him
"I know. It just that... I'm really good at games and what are the chances that there's another event I might be good at." After thinking about it for a moment, they all realize that Flash has a point.
"Ok, I'll give ya that"
"Don't worry Dash. There's a physics event you can do." Said Twilight.
After considering it, Dash replies: "Yeah. physics is a strong subject for me."
Once she got that sorted, Twilight look up the next event. "Hmm... 3 people for a spelling bee... Hey Dazzlings! How Good Is Your Spelling?"
Adagio, Aria and Sonata looked at each other with confusion and slight hesitation. "Yeah, were good with our spelling?" Aria replied.
"How do you feel about being in a contest where you are being tested on your spelling?"
All three of them was considering it for a sec. On one hand, they think it sounds pretty easy. But on the other hand, they just know it won't be very easy and it could be a hassle. But once they weighed their options, Adagio answer for all of them: "Ok Sparkle, we'll do it."
"Yes" Twilight whispered excitedly.
With almost everyone was given a role already, Sunset, who was waiting patiently all this time, asks Twilight: "Hey, is there still an event that I can do?"
"Yes, but I was saving this for last." As everyone was quite, Twilight explains: "The last event is going to be about a really complicated and difficult mathematics question. Do you think you can handle it?"
Everyone's eyes were on Sunset as she was contemplating. The way that she is saying it, it sounds like Crystal Prep is going to make it really hard. Even though she was pretty confident in herself, she suddenly remembers her other counterpart that's going to be at Crystal Prep. Will she be in the same event? Is she going to be as good as her? Will she be like anything like her old self? These question was bugging her and making it difficult for her to decide. However, when she remember her friends and how she feels about them, she confidently says to everyone: "Yeah, I think I can."
"Great!" Twilight said cheerily. Everyone was glad that the deciding part was over and the meeting was done. But then Twilight says: "Then I guess chemistry will go to Bright Eyes then."
As she was jotting that down in her clipboard, Derpy was happy that she got chemistry. However, Flash only imagines all the damage that is going to come of that.
Several days later and it was the day of the actual games. To buses line up at Canterlot High to take it's students to it's rivals school. Not everybody will being going of course but a few must go to help promote "interschool relations". While they don't like it's students, a few people are curious on what the Crystal Prep school looks like and they are being excused from classes to do this. And while it's a nice and sunny day, uneasiness is in the air as the students and Principals gets on the buses.
"Hurry up kiddies! Time's A-Wasting" call out the rather eccentric bus driver with a very chaotic appearance. "You mustn't be late for your eventual roasting at Crystal Prep!"
Knowing what he secretly means as she was by the driver, Celestia upsettingly says to him: "Discord, do you really have to be that way towards the students?"
Pretending to be ignorant, Discord replies to the principal: "What!? Is said roast as in a party. Aren't you all going to get along with bitter rivals? These are called the Friendship Games after all." Celestia didn't buy his words for a second and look at him sternly.
Once all the students were on board and seated, the engines begin the rev-up and the buses began moving. As the Wondercults saw comfortably in their seats, everyone began doing stuff to pass the time. Some just gazed out towards the nice scenery outside the window, namely Pinkie Pie, Sonata and the girl with a half-a-dozen names. A few like Rainbow Dash and Applejack were chatting interesting stuff to pass the time while a few people like Aria and Adagio prefer to sit the bus ride in peace and quiet. Meanwhile, everyone else was reading something per Twilight's request. While Rarity was reading a fashion magazine, Flash was reading a rule book on chess and Sunset was brushing up on her maths. For Twilight, she was sitting quietly in her seat and petting Spike who was on her lap. She was fighting her nerves and she is using Spike to calm them down a bit.
Everything was going smoothly on the bus ride and nobody was having any problem. But then Luna (whose seat is in fronts of Twilight's) turn around to face Twilight to ask her: "By the Twilight. Have you talk to your friends about your magical..."
At that moment, Twilight realized that she forgot to do something. "Shoot! I forgot!" She got up on her knees on her seat and call out to her friends. "Hey, Guys! Luna wanted me to tell you all to keep our magic a secret so C.P won't accuse us of cheating."
When they heard Twilight say that, they instantly understand what they must do. "Don't worry sugar cube, we got the message" AJ replied back.
"Yeah. We'll try put it on the down low" added Rainbow Dash.
Both Twilight and Luna return to sit comfortably in their seat once they know that they got the picture. But once she returns back to her mind, Twilight then remembers the last words she had with Moondancer. She remembers that Moondancer was searching something at Canterlot and it was something that she detected. Twilight couldn't help but feel that thing she is referring to is all of their magic. And if that is the case, Twilight began to worry that their magic might have some unintentional side effect that they don't know about. Unfortunately, there isn't much for her to do at that point and time besides sitting on the bus and thinking about her worries.
Eventually, after about an hour of driving, the buses were just about to reach Crystal Prep. A few students woke up from napping when the teachers announce their near arrival and we they did, they saw the side of the school as well as how well kept lawn was. Canterlot's lawn is nothing to scoff at but this lawn looks a bit more regal and fresher than theirs. And as the buses were turning to the front side of the school, mix feelings were building up in all of the students.
But as they were coming up to the front of the school, everyone saw a welcoming party was there to greet them. Most of the Crystal Prep's students we standing by the doors and they were holding up a big banner that says: "Welcome Canterlot High!" Even though the students weren't that enthused or excited (like always), it's still a fairly big number to come and greet them. And in front, there were the Principals and a few teachers.
But as the other CHS students were somewhat impressed by the big welcome, Twilight was more focus on the people in the front. There, she saw Dean Cadence (the technical vice-principal of C.P) and the school's coach Shining Armour. When everybody else was getting up and stretching from their seats, as soon as the doors opened, Twilight and Spike were the first ones out of the bus. Her friends question why Twilight suddenly became eager all of a sudden. But when they see who she reuniting with, they decide to let her have her moment.
"Cadence! Shining Armour! It's Great To See You Again!"
"It's great to see you too Twily!" replied Shining Armour
"Yeah, we really missed you" Cadence replied.
As everybody else was getting off the buses, Shining Armour asks Twilight: "So how was the bus ride? Long?"
"Yeah, it was nothing special. Just a long ride and watching the scenery."
As the area became mixed with both CHS and C.P students, everyone began "mixing" with each other (if you could call it that). They share greetings and they share their platitudes but they all know they are being forced to be friendly to one another. However, Flash was more focused on Twilight and the people she was talking to. "Who are they and how do they know Twilight?" he wondered. Curious to find out, he decides to went over and talks to them.
"Hey, Twilight."
They all became surprised when Flash appeared behind them. "Oh! Flash!" Twilight said in surprise.
"Who are these people?" Flash asked Twilight.
Seeing Flash's confused face, Twilight felt obliged to introduce them. "Oh them!? Well, he's my big brother Shining Armour..."
"Hey."
"... and she's my future sister-in-law, Cadence."
"Twilight!" Cadence yelled in embarrassment.
After a microsecond of laughter, Flash says to the both of them: "Well it's very nice to meet you" and extend his hand for a handshake towards Shining Armour.
Shining politely replied "Same here" and return Flash's handshake. "And um... are you one of Twilight's friends?"
"Well um... yes, actually. We've been friends for awhile and get along great and..."
"And he tries to hit on me" Twilight humorously point out.
"Twilight!" Flash yelled out and shocked.
Getting angry, Shining became serious and says to Flash: "Have you been annoying my sister?"
Stumbling, Flash quickly reply: "What! No-No-No-No-No! We're Not Close Or Anything! I Mean We Are Close But..."
"It's alright big brother" Twilight interrupted after she had her fun. "He had been trying, but it's nothing serious yet."
Shining just stood there squinting at a very timid Flash who was sweating buckets. But as Cadence was fearing she would have to pull him away and cool him down, Shining's mood did a 180 and cheerfully claims: "Relax, I'm kidding. I'm just pretending to be the "over-protective parental figure"." And then, much to Flash's bewilderment, everyone else began laughing out loud. However, as he tries to laugh along with them, he saw Shining quickly giving him a scary look. Flash was left scared and didn't know if he's acting or not.
"Well isn't this a happy reunion?"
Everyone jumped when they heard the sudden voice. When Cadence and Shining Armour looked at them, they notice a tall and composed woman. Flash initially thought of anything too much from her, but he then notices that Twilight was is slightly spooked. Not terrified, but intimidated.
"Who's she Twilight?" asked a concerned Flash.
"That's Abacus Cinch, headmistress of Crystal Prep" Twilight whispered. Right off that bat, Flash could see why she could be intimidating.
After scanning the scene, Principal Cinch says to employees: "Shining, Cadence; can you two go inside and make sure everything is ready for the events."
"Um... ok" Cadence softly replied. She says "We'll see you later Twilight" and she and Shining head off. There, Twilight stood face to face with her formal school principal and all of the tense memories of the times where she tries to impress her came back into her mind.
"Hey, Principal Cinch... How're ya doin'?" Twilight nervously greets.
"I'm fine but there's no need for flattery Twilight" Cinch responded. "And it's "How are you doing?", not "How're ya doin'?"."
Twilight gulped, couldn't believe that she forgot about her speech adequate training.
As she looks coldly at her former student, Cinch says to her: "Listen Twilight, I hold no hard feelings with you transferring away from Crystal Prep. However, do you know the implications that you made by transferring to a different school, of your own volition?"
Twilight froze, unsure of what to say to her. Cinch has this real obsession with reputations which no one could explain. She also seems to have a real grudge against CHS which, again, understands why.
"By transferring over to Canterlot, you would be insinuating to people that their school is better Crystal Prep's curriculum. So, to make sure nobody would be getting that idea, I'll make sure that our Shadowbolt team will show everything that we have to offer. And when we win the games, then everyone will remember that..."
However, before she could finish her sentence, Cinch abruptly stops. Her nose started twitching, her eyes were starting to tear up and her face was scrunching up like a piece of paper. At first, Twilight was confused. But when she looked down and saw Spike by her feet, she instantly realized what's going to happen.
"What's wrong?" Flash asked curiously.
"My Dog! Principal Cinch Has An Allergy To Fur!" Twilight yelled out in a panic.
She quickly picked Spike up and moved as far back from Principal Cinch. But right when she let out a massive sneeze, Cinch managed to grab out her pocket-handkerchief and blow her nose onto it. Once the sneeze appears to be averted, Twilight was quick to apologize.
"I'm so sorry Principal Cinch. I totally forgot about you..."
However, Cinch was crossed and she shows her it to Twilight. "Twilight! Why Did You Bring That Dog To School!?"
"He's... Our team's mascot."
Twilight's excuse didn't bold well with Principal Cinch as it seems like it got her madder. As she was fearing the worst, Cinch tells her: "I would have expected, being a former student, that you would remember my condition." She then turns her back against Twilight and Flash and storms off.
Flash, after feeling stunned by what happened, looked at Twilight. He saw looking upset and possibly regretting coming back to Crystal Prep. Wanting to cure her of her unrest, Flash stood up beside her, grab her shoulder and tell her: "There-There Twilight. I'm sure... she isn't too upset... I hope."
Twilight looks at him and smiles. Not because it was helpful, but because it was a bad attempt at one (but an appreciative attempt none the less). "Alright, Flash" Twilight soft tells her. Twilight then tell him that she's fine and they could meet up later. Once Flash slow left once he feels that she's ok, Twilight head towards her friends. Her friends, in turn, witness the whole thing and see what they can do for her.
When she got to them, she says to Fluttershy: "Hey Fluttershy, can you look after Spike for me today?"
As Twilight hands Spike over to her, Fluttershy replies: "Sure Twilight but what for?"
Twilight then off-handily explains that: "Oh I don't know. Maybe because I know you're an animal person and I know you can keep them safe." While others would consider that a slight insult, they all know it as a compliment.
Rainbow Dash then leans her arm on Fluttershy's shoulder and adds: "Yeah! I know she brings her animals a hundred time to school and she never got caught."
"A hundred? More like 3 hundred for always bringing 3 animals" Pinkie Pie added to the joke
"You Guys!" Fluttershy humorously responded.
All the girls began laughing out loud and enjoying the moment. Twilight was almost forgetting about what has just happened with Principal Cinch. But as soon as she did, a hand suddenly slap itself again Twilight's back and causing her to jump.
"What you all laughing about Twilight?" asked a very "sweet"-toned voice.
Everyone jumped right along with Twilight when they saw somebody appeared behind them. When she looked behind her, Twilight saw another familiar face to her. With a moderate rose hair color, greyish-gold skin and a grinning smile, she remembers who she is.
"Hehe, Sour Sweet. It um, a surprise to see you again."
But then, almost swinging into an opposite emotion, the girl Sour Sweet moves away from Twilight, almost as if she trying to avoid her. "Don't pretend to be happy. We know you totally forgot about us" she angrily tells her.
"Us?" Twilight muttered.
And right then, Twilight her friends notice 6 other Crystal Prep student standing right behind Sour Sweet. They were all girls and have an array of dark colors that actually contrast/compliment their own. Two girls were blue or blue-ish and they seem mostly indifferent, one girl with crazy green hair was more focus on her headphones, a girl with beige-ish skin colors looked more angry and upset, a shy-ish Moondancer and one girl were covering her face with her hoodie. If you look from afar, you could mistake them for a mirroring group to the Rainbooms.
"Who the heck are these girls Twilight?" Applejack asked as she whispered into Twilight.
But before she could reply, the girl with beige skin and blue hair overheard her and respond: "What!? You haven't bothered them about you old friends Twilight!?"
"It's understandable. We haven't been on the best-est of terms with her" pointed out by the girl with the blue skin and silver pigtail hair.
"Still, she should have at least mentioned us at least once."
Twilight could see that she is trapped between two groups who are looking at her extensively. Fearing that this will turn ugly, Twilight turns to her Canterlot friends and explains: "Guys, these are my old "friends" that I often hang with at Crystal Prep."
"Actually, we weren't really friends," said the girl who interrupted before. "We were just forced to work together during certain school projects."
Twilight stood there annoyed. Not because of being interrupted, but because the girl who interrupted her is being as blunt as always. Meanwhile, Twilight's "real" friends were astonished by how blunt she was. It even caused Applejack to off-handily comment: "Wow. She's blunt."
"Oh Sugarcoat, don't be like that," said Sour Sweet in he sweet tone. But then she swings back to her "sour" mood and angrily says out loud: "I'm sure she'll introduce us to her new friends."
As she standing between both groups, Twilight could see that she has to be a moderator. Still hoping to maintain friendly relations with everyone, sheepishly says: "Hehe... Ok, let do introductions then?"
Her Canterlot friends didn't like it that the C.P students were putting Twilight into an awkward position. However, even though they didn't like the other group very much, they are curious about the fact that they are calling themselves Twilight's friends. Seeing that Sour Sweet was the one who most forward and it was her idea, Twilight decides to introduce her first.
"Guys, this is Sour Sweet. She's... nice sometimes and she's really good in social studies."
"It's really nice to meet you all" said Sour Sweet as she politely greets the Canterlot girls. They were somewhat skeptic as they were expecting her to mood swing again.
Looking at her friends, Twilight was hoping to find someone to help get things started on a good foot. When she saw Fluttershy, she knew she was the right candidate. Softly pulling her over, she says to her C.P friends: "And this is Fluttershy. She's really good with animals and volunteer at the local animal shelter."
Fluttershy was a bit nervous at first from being introduced. But she worked up her courage and try to show them her kindness. "Hi. It's very nice you."
With Fluttershy standing face to face with her, Sour Sweet curiously asks: "You're really good with animals?"
"Oh Yes" Fluttershy cheerfully replied. "I'm good with dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, bears. I get along with all animals."
"Well ain't you a little miss showoff" Sour Sweet rudely said back to her.
"What?!" responded a shocked and confused Fluttershy.
Swinging between both personalities, Sour Sweet tells her: "Oh I'm sorry. It's just soinfuriating that you bragging about how good you are with animals.But you can go and have fun with your little petswhile I'll go and compete in the Friendship Games."
Everyone from Canterlot was taken back by her display of mood swings. They were even thinking that she has some sort of mental disorder. However, one other thing that they are seeing was Fluttershy who was emotionally wounded by her words. They all got a bit mad and Rainbow Dash was about to give them a bit of her mind. But Twilight stops her and optimistically says to them: "Oh that Sour Sweet. Just likes to... hold nothing back." And while they were still mad at her, they then notice that even C.P girls were appalled with Sour Sweet. Giving her disappointing glares and Sweet not realizing what she has done.
Twilight could see that things went off in a way that is opposite that she had originally intended. Since she was next to Rainbow Dash, she is hoping that her introduction could be better.
"This Rainbow Dash. She's Canterlot High's star athlete and she's super loyal."
Rainbow, despite being initially surprised by it, kind of like her introduction. But then, the beige girl with blue hair that spoke before says out loud: "Star athlete huh?" When Rainbow saw her and see her having a confident expression, tense sparks light between both girls as they squint their eyes at one another.
"And you are?" Rainbow ask her.
"I'm Indigo Zap and I'm Crystal Prep's star athlete" the girl introduced.
"Oh Really" Rainbow surprisingly responded. "Let me guess; you think you gonna win this?"
"No... I KNOW we gonna win this."
"Really! And What Makes You Think That Canterlot Isn't Going To Win This Year!?"
But as Rainbow and Indigo were about to literally but heads, Twilight got in between the both of them and break them up. "Ha-Ha! School Spirit, Am I Right?" Even though there is still much tension between the both of them, they willingly back off.
After whipping sweat from her head, Twilight began looking for a different person. When she saw Rarity and one girl with light-purple hair who remained quiet all this time, Twilight had a smile and think this might be good. Pulling them together, Twilight says to the both of them: "Rarity, this is Sunny Flare. Sunny Flare, this is Rarity. You may not know this about each other, but one of the things that you have in common is that you both are Designers!"
Grabbing her intrigue, Rarity asks her: "Oh! You're a fellow fashion designer?"
After a split second of awkward silence, Sunny Flare replied to her: "No, I'm not a fashion designer." Rarity was confused at first, but Sunny then explains: "I prefer to make stuff that other people could use. I help make furniture, electrical equipment, tools that can help students with their education."
Understanding what she means, Rarity nicely says to her: "Oh I can make other stuff besides clothes and accessories. Sometimes I help make puppet theaters, props for plays and..."
"Yes, but since you admitted to being a fashion designer, I bet you would focus more on the aesthetics and appearances rather than their practicality and purpose" Sunny Flare pointed out.
Rarity became speechless as Sunny's assumption was really accurate. She does have a problem where she focuses form over function and it has become a real critique of hers. She even remembers that she has to make the puppet theater twice since the first one was unusable. "Well um..."
"What do you think of this?" Sunny ask her as she shows Rarity a strange device on her wrist. It was fairly big, able to have a few buttons and a wide green screen on it.
After judging it, Rarity answers: "Well it seems a bit big and doesn't go well with your uniform."
"Really? I think it's really useful." Sunny then explains and shows-off: "It's a personal PDA, smartphone, has extendable screwdrivers, a place to keep a pencil and can even massage my wrist when it starts to ache."
Everyone was astonished and wouldn't believe it if she hadn't shown their features in front of their eyes. Meanwhile, Rarity was embarrassed and felt like she was out-shined. There is no way she could have come up with something like that. The best she could do would make a pretty little bracelet with embedded jewels. "Wow. That seems really amazing" she complimented.
"Thanks. You can make something like this too when you realize that aesthetics is a waste of time."
However, as soon as she heard that, Rarity felt personally offended. Even though she would (begrudgingly) admit that fashion isn't thee important thing in the world, she firmly believes that everyone should look like how they feel on the inside and show off their inner beauty. Saying aesthetics is a waste of time greatly upset her. However, there isn't much that Rarity could do right beside going back to her group in frustration.
Twilight figured that could have ended better. It starts with relative well but knows that Sunny Flare upped and ruined it. But as she was thinking about what to do next, music began entering her ears and distracting her. When looking at the green haired girl who has been listening to music all of this time, Twilight rebuild her hope a bit. But as she was about to call out Pinkie, she notices Pinkie trying to act cool patient. She was kicking the dirt and looking like a person waiting to be noticed. But anyway...
"Hey Pinkie!" Pinkie shot at Twilight eagerly when he name was called. "Do you want to meet Lemon Zest?"
"Sure!" she replied excitingly.
When Twilight pointed out who Lemon Zest was, Pinkie rushed over to meet her. Everyone around else looked at them with intrigue as they were wondering how it will. When Pinkie got up close, Pinkie puts out her hand and greets: "Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie. It's really nice to meet you."
However, Lemon was too absorbed into her music and took a minute to see Pinkie. "SORRY!? WHAT WAS THAT!?"
Seeing that she needs to be louder, Pinkie yells: "HI! I'M PINKIE PIE!"
"WHAT!?"
"MY NAME IS PINKIE PIE!!"
"WHAT!?"
Pinkie was becoming annoyed that she isn't being heard. As everyone was wondering what she was going to do, Pinkie suddenly pulls out a megaphone. The C.P students were asking themselves where she pulled that from while her friends from Canterlot is fearing she is being too loud.
But as Pinkie was about to yell into the megaphone, Lemon Zest grab and stop her. "Dude, relax. I heard you the first time. I was just messing with you."
Pinkie was stunned. She was played for a fool as she got worked up for nothing. It didn't help that Lemon Zest went back and focus on her music. And while the others were feeling the same way like Pinkie, a few of them (even her friends) couldn't help but snicker. Still wanting to maintain her friendly persona, Pinkie puts up a fake smile and laughter and says: "Hahaha! Nice One!"
Twilight was really didn't like how the introduction has been going. She'd expected that it wouldn't go perfectly well, but she was at least hoping that everyone was on the good ground by now.
"Things aren't going so well as you hoped for, isn't it Sparkle?" said the girl with silver pigtail hair. Twilight didn't find that helpful and was left even more annoyed.
Seeing Twilight being so dismayed, Applejack crossed her arms and asks out loud: "Why do have to be so blunt?"
After letting out a sigh, Twilight explains: "Her name is Sugarcoat and as you can obviously tell, she doesn't like to "sugarcoat" stuff."
"HA!" laughed Pinkie.
"It isn't that funny" Sugarcoat responded bluntly.
"Well can still be a little bit nicer about it" said Applejack.
Seeing AJ looking mad at her, Sugarcoat replies: "Look..."
"Applejack" said Twilight.
"...Applejack, I'm just being honest."
But Applejack then says back to her: "Well I know a thing or two about honesty and I'm honestly telling you that you don't have to be such a jerk about it."
Both Applejack and Sugarcoat began to glare at each other, kind of like how Rainbow Dash and Indigo did there. But while Rainbow's and Indigo's were angrier, AJ's and Sugarcoat's were more subdued and tranquil. More about standing by their points rather than showing off their strength. Wanting to prevent another fight, Twilight got between them and says: "Hey! Hey! You both can be honest!" Again, still tension between the two groups, but they aren't willing to start a fight or start an argument.
But when Twilight thinks that her introduction couldn't get any worst, she caught a glimpse of Moondancer within the C.P girls. Even though she was trying to keep her distance and avoid being noticed, Twilight felt slight happy all of a sudden. Maybe because she talked about her recently and remembering the good times that she had with her. Right when Moondancer thought she wouldn't be involved with all of this, Twilight pull her into her arms and reveal her to her friends.
"Hey, this is the friend that I was telling you about, Moondancer!"
At first, Twilight friends were taken aback by the reveal of Moondancer... mainly because she looked so similar to Twilight. She didn't look exactly like Twilight, but they have a similar appearance, hairstyle and looks like a dedicated learner. She was even wearing glasses that they could imagine Twilight could be wearing. But when everybody has about to become a bit happy, Moondancer angrily pulls away from Twilight.
"What!? Now I'm You Friend?" Moondancer angrily says to Twilight.
They all instantly picked up the hostility within Moondancer. Even the C.P girls pulled back as their feelings for CHS isn't as high. Shocked, Twilight hesitantly replies: "Well I mean... We kind of were... in a way?"
However, Moondancer says back to her: "Well I guess you only think that way after you left."
As Moondancer looks away from her, Twilight couldn't come up with any words to say to her. Her fears that she might be angry at her were true. She is obviously mad at her and Twilight couldn't blame her. Only fairly recently that she could recognize people as friends and how friend's emotions could seriously be hurt. Twilight want to say that she was sorry to her or say something else, but with a crowd around them, she felt like she couldn't do it then and there.
But right when she felt sad, Moondancer said something. "Anyway... What about her?"
She then nods her head towards Sunset who only know that everyone realizes that she hadn't had her introduction yet. Sunset was surprised from suddenly getting the attention and even Twilight regret to admit that she had forgotten about her.
Sunset sheepishly says: "Well I'm..."
"We Already Know Who You Are!"
Everyone jumped when they heard another voice that came from nowhere. But for some weird reason, the voice sounded like Sunset. The Sunset who was by the Canterlot was also surprised and confused with them. And then, the girl with the S.P hoodie suddenly step forward. Kind of like Sunset, everyone else had almost forgotten about her mainly because she hadn't spoken anything until now. But when she pulled back her hoodie, no expected on who they see underneath.
"What The..." "Huh!? "What!?" "How!?" "You!"
Underneath was another Sunset Shimmer. No. The other Sunset Shimmer. The Sunset Shimmer that they learned that was going to Crystal Prep. There were two Sunset's standing before their eyes but there was one big difference... one of them had shorter hair. The Sunset who was under the hoodie had hair that looked like it was cut recently. It goes down to the back of her neck instead of going further down the back like the "1st" Sunset. "Why is that?" some of them wondered. Is it so that other people won't confuse her with the other Sunset? They also had a strong feeling that she did it to herself. Even the C.P group had their eyes with to this.
While Canterlot's Sunset was left too stunned to speak, her other doppelganger was giving her a mean and angry look. Her anger might be on par with Moondancer's but a lot more personal. When she stepped a bit closer, everyone didn't know what was going to happen and afraid something bad might happen. When Crystal Prep Sunset was eye to eye with her more speechless self, she begins to speak.
"Look, I don't know who you are or why you look like me, but you got some nerve for trying to imitate me."
"I..."
"But! Just because you look like me doesn't mean you are me. I worked hard so to get into a school like this and I'm not letting a look alike screwing it all up. Don't try to talk to me. Don't try to give me whatever excuse that you might have. And if you taking part in these silly little Friendship Games, know that I will do whatever it takes to humiliate you in front of both schools."
After she said her threats, Twilight, the girls from Canterlot and the girls from Crystal Prep were all stunned by this. She looked series when she said all of that and they could tell that she means business.
And then, by the school's doorway, Dean Cadence shout to everyone. "Ok, Everyone! Come In So We Can Start The Friendship Games."
Sunset, Crystal Prep's Sunset, took one more moment to look angrily at Sunset before she walks off. She joined the other students who heard Cadence's announcement and all were heading to the school. The others took this as a sign for them to get a move. "Ok. Better go with them" Rainbow stated to her friends.
But as everyone was getting their stuff and walking on, Twilight still stood where she was. Not only was she still stunned by Sunset's threats, but just how poorly her reunion had gotten. She had barely met her bother and step-sister, she had gotten on her ex-principal's bad side and her friends' introduction went poorly. And right went regret was swirling up inside her, Sugarcoat stop by her just to tell her:
"Like I said; Don't expect a happy reunion at the Friendship Games."
Inside the main school, almost everyone gather around the main foyer. Nearly all of the CHS students were taken aback by the indoor architecture. The walls and floor are polished and pristine, the colours were blue/greenish serene and the school looked like it was made out of real crystals. For Twilight, the principals and anybody else who been her before, they wasn't that dazzled by scenery. But for everybody else, they want their breaths back.
But as everyone was getting over from being amazed, Dean Cadence say loudly to everyone: "May I Have You Attention Please!" When everyone's eyes were on her, Cadence states: "I'm gunna go over the rules of the games." they all then became quite as they hear her explain.
"Today's events are all based on academic subjects and mental prowess. Each contestant will be tested on their intelligence as well as how well they perform the challenge. Everyone else is free to watch the events unfold or take your time looking around Crystal Prep. However, we remind you that this is inter-school bonding event so we ask you to be respectful and don't damage anything while you are here." She then says: "Now with that out of the way, we will show you where each event is gunna take place."
As Cadence and a few C.P teachers began guiding everyone around and people started moving, the CHS students was slowly starting to become nervous about the events. They have been practicing and studying for this day, but they were thinking that the C.P students are way more intelligent then they are. Even the people who were the most hopeful were cautiously optimistic. However Twilight, the team leader, just hopes for everyone to try their best and that everybody would get along.
But as they were walking, Twilight spotted her "former friends" from Crystal Prep. In particular, Sour Sweet who were acting excited.
"Alright! It's time to show our bestand let those Centerlot-chumps know that they don't have a chance!"
But as soon as she says that, one of Sour Sweet's feet buckled. Her ankle became twisted and with the force of gravity and her muscles, a lot of pressure was put on her side of her foot. In an instant, Sour Sweet felt intense pain as the muscles in her foot was about to tear apart.
"AHHH!" she screamed.
Everyone around her heard her scream of pain and they saw her kneeling on the floor and clutching her leg. Twilight, her friends and her Crystal Prep associates instantly shot their attentions towards her as they were left wondering what has happened.
"Hey what's wrong?" Indigo Zap asked her.
""What's Wrong!?"" she said angrily. "Nothing much Ngg....JUST THAT I TWISTED MY FOOT!".
As Sour Sweet was cradling her foot and try to live through the pain, Fluttershy was somewhat surprised that nobody else was doing anything about it. She will accept that they were all a bit surprised by this unexpected event, but she expected somebody to at least to help her off the floor. When she saw nobody else is helping her, she decide to do something herself.
"Here! Let me help you."
Everyone was taken aback when they saw Fluttershy kneeling and trying to help Sour Sweet. Even Sour Sweet who was trying to push her kindness away.
"Go Away! I don't need you Agh!"
As Sour's pain cut herself off, Fluttershy tells her "Don't worry. I know how to treat injuries like this." And before Sour could respond with anything else, Fluttershy pull Sour Sweet's arm around her shoulder and lift her up. When she got her up, Fluttershy ask Dean Cadence "Where's the nurse's office?"
"Here, I quickly show you the way."
But as Fluttershy was about to carry a very reluctant and injured Sweet, Twilight stop and tells her "But Fluttershy, you are needed in the first event." At that moment, Fluttershy momentarily paused as she realized that she also need to help her friends. However, Rarity quickly appear beside and says to them
"Don't worry dearie. I'll be alright until you return."
And with that, Fluttershy reassured enough to take Sour Sweet to the nurse's office.
As they were moving, Sour Sweet try to get free. "Let Me Go! Unlike You, I actually cared about winning."
However, as they were walking by Principal Cinch, Cinch tells her "Don't worry Sour Sweet. You are no good to anyone with a injured leg."
Sour Sweet was shocked when she heard that. It was almost like saying she is no longer useful. Seeing her becoming distraught, Fluttershy move even quicker to get her to the nurse.
Meanwhile, Twilight was left struck in disbelief with the whole thing. Not only what she overheard Cinch said but also the fact that nobody from Crystal Prep actually help out their own students. It took somebody from Canterlot to help Sweet out. As everyone was began walking again to the events, Twilight slip back and head else where in the halls.
Moments later, Fluttershy had token Sour Sweet to the nurse's office. Shockingly, the nurse was no where to be found. She apparently she's a judge for one of the events or something. Regardless, Fluttershy felt sure enough to heal Sour's injured foot. She rest Sour Sweet on the bed, make sure the foot was elevated and Spike quickly found an ice pack for her. But as she was about to rest it on her foot, Sour Sweet angrily move her foot away.
"Don't Touch Me!" she yelled.
But as she moved her foot, a thunderbolt of pain went up her leg and she groaned.
"How do you expect to get better if I don't help you?" Fluttershy sarcastically retort.
"I never asked for you help."
"I know, but I want to help you."
Sour Sweet froze when she heard that. She didn't expect anybody would say something in such a kind and generous way before. While she was distracted, Fluttershy seize the chance to put the ice pack on. When it was on her foot, Sweet began to feel a stinging sensation.
"Ouch! This is what you call helping me?"
"Sorry" she apologized. "It will only gunna sting for a minute."
True to her word, the pain went away in about 30 seconds. Sour Sweet was taken aback again as she see Fluttershy being extra careful on her foot. She even thinks she was smiling while she does it. Confused, Sour Sweet asks her "Why are you helping me? We don't even know each other."
After a second to pause, Fluttershy replies "Well there is one thing that I know about you. You were Twilight's friend."
Sweet became surprised and confused. Yes, she did say she was Twilight's old friend in front of the school, but meant it as a mocking sort of way and was just trying to tease Twilight. Guess that Fluttershy didn't get the joke.
"I know you might not have been on the bestest of terms with Twilight, but since you still want to call her your friend, then hat must mean you still care for her. And a friend of Twilight's is a friend of mine."
After saying that, Sour Sweet felt a sudden urge to "slap her straight" (metaphorically) and tell her what she really meant. Instead, she look up towards the ceiling and says loudly:
"That was the most sappiest, corniest and down right..."
Fluttershy look up, worried that she might say something mean to her.
"... Sweetest Thing I've Heard!" Sour Sweet cried when she look back down at Fluttershy with a smile.
Fluttershy became surprised but also a bit touched. Her kindness has touched Sour Sweet's heart and cause her to open up to her. Everyone just felt so happy and they couldn't help but to smile to each other.
But something strange happened. As they were having a happy moment, Fluttershy began to feel something. She felt like something was surging around her body but it was also a familiar feeling. Sour Sweet also detect something wrong with Fluttershy. However, she couldn't put her finger on it until Fluttershy began to unexpectedly glow. And suddenly, Fluttershy's ears began to grow pointy and wings sprout out of her back. Sour Sweet was left speechless and confused while Fluttershy was left in a situation that she can't exactly explain.
Realizing this isn't supposed to happen, Spike barks to Fluttershy "I think it's for us to go. Now!"
Perfectly understanding him, Fluttershy nervously says to Sour Sweet "Oh Geez Um... Look At The Time! I-I Have To Go Now and..."
"Wait!" Sweet cry out. "What Happened To You!?"
"What!? No! Nothing At All! Just Uh... Don't Tell Anybody, Ok!?" As Sour was left confused, Fluttershy then says "Oh look at the time. Your leg seem to have gotten better. Well See you later! Bye!" Then she ran out of the door before Sour Sweet could say anything else. She was then left alone in the room, confused to what happened.
Meanwhile, in another part of Crystal Prep, Twilight was wondering down the halls of her old school. She already told her friends that she was going to have a wonder and they said it was ok. They just had to call her if something unexpected happened. As she was wondering around, Twilight couldn't help but feel a slight nostalgia. True, her memories of Crystal Prep wasn't kind, but she couldn't help but to remember the fond times of studying here.
It would help better if some of the C.P students won't talk behind her back. As soon as they saw her, they recognize Twilight as the girl who transfer away and question why she would do it. Twilight tries her best to ignore them and move on.
But then, after a minute or so of walking, Twilight come across a familiar door. True, all of the doors looks familiar, but this one particularly resonated with Twilight. It was the door to her hold study. A special secluded room that students can reserve for months at a time. It was quiet where Twilight can do all of the research that she could want without the hassle and pestilence from other students.
Twilight guess that somebody must taken it over by now but she is curious about how well kept it is inside. She look around and made sure that no one was around for when she make a quick peek. Being very quite, Twilight slowly open the door and see how things are inside. However, when she does, she became flabbergasted to what she saw.
Notes completely cover the walls and more scattered about on the floor. There were large and small machines that seem to be detecting something. It also seem like that somebody is trying to be making more as she saw a small work bench with a half finish device sitting atop of it. However, the thing that Twilight found most disturbing was a pin board on a wall. It was full of pictures of Canterlot High as well as dates and data readings pinned beside them. And then there was a photo of twilight with a pin pinning her through the forehead.
Twilight was left wondering who is using the room and why. But then she heard a voice behind her.
"Twilight! What Are You Doing Here!"
Twilight shot around and became surprised on who it was.
"Moondancer! This Is Your Room Now!?"
"Yeah, my name is on the door" Moondancer replied angrily. However, when she look at the door, she notice the sticker that says her name had fallen off. "Oh Damn It!"
As Moondancer was picking up her name sticker and putting it back on the door, Twilight try to cheerfully say to her "Wow Moondancer. You were awfully lucky to get this place."
However Moondancer bitterly reply to her "Save your platitude for someone who wants it. Speaking of which, don't they need you for those silly games?"
"Noo" Twilight hesitantly reply. "I was only recruited to be the team leader and not actually compete." Unfortunately, even though she was sure that Moondancer heard, she completely ignores her and straight to her work bench.
As Moondancer was working on her invention, Twilight could sense the tense anger a bitterness. She really want Twilight to go away and do her work. Twilight felt this is the cause and she want her to leave. However, in an attempt to mend their relationship, she says in her most apologetic tone:
"You know Moondancer, I realize that I might not have been as greatest friend as I should have been..."
"You can say that again."
"But I really liked it working with you. The times where we take the same book from the library, the hours we spent researching rocket designs and even more hours making that bottle rocket."
And then, even though Moondancer still want to be mad, the happy memories that resurface in her mind cause her to innately smile. "Yeah... Those were the best moments I have at this school." However, the bitterness return as she says to her "But Then You Went Left Me!"
"I KNOW!" Twilight cried. "I was only thinking about myself and not the people who would miss me. I didn't even think anybody would miss me here! However, I am here now, I realize what I did and I now want to make it up to you."
Moondancer was reluctant to accept her apology. She still want to hold onto all amount of hatred she has for Twilight. When she saw her being conflicted, Twilight tells her: "Hey! I can help you what you are doing right now. What you're doing here seems like it's really important." When she sees how desperate Twilight is, Moondancer caves in.
"... Fine. I guess you can help me with something. Come over here."
"Excellent!" Twilight responded with an overjoy tone.
Moondancer took Twilight towards the bill board with the Canterlot High photos. Twilight was still confused about those. She thought that Moondancer was tempted to transfer there, but then she begins disclosing her actual project.
Moondancer explains: "A few months ago, right when you transferred, I detected these strange energy reading coming from your new school. At first, I thought it was a one time thing but no. I detected a similar energy but even more intensified a few weeks later."
Twilight was at first confused about what these energy readings Moondancer was talking about. However, when she look at the dates again, she suddenly remember what those dates means. The date where Moondancer first detected the strange energy: that was the night of the Fall Formal where she fought Demonic-Sunset. And the 2nd date: that was the day of the Battle of the Bands where she fought the sirens. Both instances where a high amount of magic was released.
"If you have any idea what those energy readings are, that would be a big help."
Twilight figure out what those energy readings are. However, she adamant on telling her what they are. She made a promise to the principals that she would keep her friend's magic a secret as long as the games were going but it was more then that. Their magic is a really important secret that could be disastrous if bad people know about it. She said she would help Moondancer, but she is afraid of what she might do with the information. As she look at Twilight intensely, she made a tough decision.
"Moondancer, I... I'm sorry but I can't help you."
"What!! But You Said You Would!"
"I know, but I promised... Oh!"
Twilight froze when she realised what she said.
"Wait... Promised?" Moondancer responded. "So you DO know what it is but you won't tell me."
When she see that Moondancer was getting angry, Twilight tries to say to her: "Moondancer, please listen to me..."
However Moondancer won't and she angrily yells to her "Get Out Twilight!" and try to shove her out of the room. Twilight try to fight back and stay, but she was surprisingly strong for her stature. When she pushed her out of the door, she then says "Here! Take This As Well! You Forget To Take This As You Where Packing Up!" She then slam door in in front of her face.
Twilight was left somewhat dazed. She wanted to make amends with a former friend but instead make things worst. As she stood there alone in the hall, Twilight notice the thing that Moondancer threw to her as she was pushing her out: an old photo of them winning a science fair.
Meanwhile, the Friendship Games was in full motion. The games events had already began and the competitors were striving for victory. The the faculty was acting as the judges and were keenly monitoring the competitors and evaluating their performances. The events was also being spectated by students from both school who had varying levels of enthusiasm. But regardless, the games were getting heated as Canterlot try to claim a victory over Crystal Prep and C.P tries to prevent it.
At the workshop event, Rarity and Sunny Flare was hard at work as they try to make the best bird house. Keeping their constructions a secret, they cover their entries with a thin blanket so they don't have their ideas stolen from the other person. Event was also being judged by Dean Cadence who is happy to see that both girls were eagerly engaged in the competition.
But as bird houses were on the verge of completion, Fluttershy had finally arrived into the room. She had reverted back to her usual appearance and with Spike, she was looking for her friends about the thing that happened in the nurse's office. Her nerves were running wild and was somewhat impeding her from quickly spotting Rarity. However, Spike was quick to spot his love interest.
"There She Is!" Spike cheerfully barked.
When she saw Rarity, Fluttershy felt so relieved. She quickly pick up Spike before he could have a chance to run and she quietly got up to Rarity. As Rarity was doing some finishing touches, Fluttershy softly touch her shoulder and whispers to her: "Hi. Sorry I'm late."
Happy to see her, Rarity replies: "Fluttershy! I'm Glad The You Can Make It!"
"What about me?" moaned Spike. However, Rarity hadn't forgotten about him and she swiftly give him a pet.
But as the happy reunion was over, Fluttershy say to her: "Rarity, I have to tell you something."
"But before you do..." Rarity replied. "... I want you to look at our entry and tell me what you think?" She then pull off her placket that was covering her entry and was showing it off to Fluttershy.
It was a rather remarkable three-story miniature horse. There was Windows, doors and detailed roof. Fluttershy was speechless when she saw it but was even more surprised when she look inside. Everything was fully furnished with beds, tables and other furniture.
Excited, Rarity asks "What do you think?"
"Is that... A Shoe Closet!?"
"Of Course! No house can be complete without a shoe closet."
Soon, Fluttershy's expression quickly turn to worry as she quickly spotted some problems with it. "Rarity, this is really impressive, but I think you made a doll house then a bird house."
"WHAT!" Rarity responded. In denial, she replies: "Nonsense! Any bird would be ecstatic to live in this."
But then Dean Cadence came over with the same worried face as Fluttershy. She pulls out a plush bird and tries to squeeze it through the front door. Not only did she had a rough time getting it in, but the plushy also looked uncomfortably squashed while just being in the main hallway. Regrettably, Cadence informs Rarity: "I'm sorry Rarity, but if you can't make a bird house that a bird can reasonably live in, we can't accept your entry."
Distraught from the feedback, Rarity softly cries: "What! No..."
But as everyone was feeling sorry for Rarity, Sunny Flare proudly calls out: "My entry is ready Dean Cadence!" When everyone look towards her, Sunny pulls off her placket and shows her much more stunning bird house. It had bright colours so it easy to spot and it defiantly looks more bird house then doll house. Sunny Flare explains to them:
"My bird house is well equip for any tiny bird creature that is willing to live in it. The inside have enough space for the bird to walk around as well as a ready made nest sitting inside. There's a nice balcony where the bird can land and a bowl to place the bird food on. I even made a small run way on the roof just so a bird can launch from."
Everyone was left in awe to Sunny Flare's bird house. As they were admiring, Rarity realize that she had made her bird house over complicated and cumbersome while her opponent went with a more simpler design. She was upset with herself for note realising this sooner. It also didn't help matter that Fluttershy went over to Sunny Flare and asks her: "Can you make me another one of these?"
"Sure" she cheerfully replied.
But then, before anybody could do anything else, a loud explosion was heard and everyone suddenly felt shaking for a short time. When they were wondering what happened, smoke was coming from the chemistry lab. Inside, "Derpy" cough a puff black smoke from her failed chemistry entry and the judges (with gas masks) mark her down as a fail.
Meanwhile, in the gym, the spelling bee was reaching a conclusion. It followed an elimination format where if a student gave an incorrect spelling, they would be eliminated. It would continue until all students from the same school are out and Canterlot was down to their last student: Sonata.
Sonata stood in the middle of a stage with a whole crowd of students watching her. She look to the sides and saw her eliminated teammates on her right and the Crystal Prep on the left. Adagio and Aria sat uncomfortably and angry, especially since they only got one student out on C.P and now they had to rely on Sonata for the win. Meanwhile, at the far back, Rainbow Dash was watching. She had finished her own event (with a score she can't feel confident about) and was seeing how well the Dazzlings are doing. As Sonata felt as nervous as she had ever been, the teacher from Crystal Prep gave her her word.
"Spell: Ridiculous"
Pulling her collar and feeling a tremendous about of pressure, Sonata could help but laugh nervously. Taking a deep breath, she give it her best shot.
"R-I-D-I-C-U-L... U-S?"
"WRONG!" the teacher shouted in a booming voice. "It's R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O--U-S!"
Every student from Canterlot groaned as their school has lost the event. Sonata teammates where especially frustrated as they know they are gunna get more flak from their fellow students. As Sonata walk to them in shame, the teacher who gave the word went to the centre and announces: "Since All The Members From The Wondercolt team are out, the winners are Team Shadowbolts and Crystal Prep!"
The C.P students both clap and "Woo-Hoo", but they sound so un-enthused that they seem like they don't even care. However, a few of them were laughing as they know they would get the correct spelling. Rainbow Dash was slightly made at the Dazzling but she admit that she would get the spelling wrong.
Can no longer stand being there, Adagio, Aria and Sonata decide to get out of there. As they heading off stage, They begin to chat to each other.
"I can't believe you made us lose Sonata" Aria moaned.
Half-caring, Adagio tells Aria "But at least least she did a better job then you Aria"
"Look who's talking" Aria says back.
"All Three of you Sucked!"
All three girls jumped when they heard a forth voice. Standing right in front of the steps for the stage, Indigo Zap was waiting for them with a smug grin and mischievous intentions.
"Who are you?" Aria angrily asked.
"Somebody who could do a better job then you" Indigo replied back.
As Rainbow Dash was making her way to the Dazzlings to see how they are doing, she was quick to spot Indigo getting in their way. As she was wondering what she was doing, she began to overhear their conversation.
"Seriously! I would've take you all on myself and I still get a win for C.P!"
"Tough talk for somebody who didn't took part in said event" Adagio said back.
Indigo explains: "Couldn't, I was in another event. But even if I did, I could tell that none of you were even trying."
They want to say something back, but regrettably, she was sort of right. They thought the spelling bee would be easy and didn't put much effort into it. As they were contemplating their mistake, Indigo Zap continue to insult them.
"I Mean Come-On! My little sister could do more complicated spellings then you... And She's In 2ND GRADE! Canterlot shouldn't had let you enrolled at their school, let alone let you be on their team."
"Now Hang-On Just One Minute!" shouted Rainbow Dash.
Can no longer standing witnessing the bullying in front of her, Rainbow Dash got in between Indigo and the Dazzlings. When they saw Rainbow with surprise, they could see anger and passion written on her face. Rainbow states: "I'm not gunna let you stand there and insult them like that."
Confused but amused, Indigo asks her: "What!? Are you gunna try to defend these annoying losers?"
"Yeah!"
Touched, Sonata says "Aww! Thanks Dash!"
"Even if they are annoying losers."
"HEY!" Sonata angrily responded.
Rainbow explains to Indigo: "Even though we don't see eye-to-eye, they are still a part of C.H.S!"
"Dash" said Aria.
"And Unlike Your Elitist School, We Actually Care About Each Other!"
"Dash!" said Aria loudly.
"We Don't Sit By And Let Another Anybody Get Picked On!"
"DASH!" Aria shouted.
"And We Don't Make Them Feel So Sad That They Transfer School!"
"HEY DASH!!!"
"WHAT!!" Shouted Rainbow who finally turns around to Aria.
"Your wings are showing" Sonata nonchalantly replied.
"What!"
When Rainbow Dash had a quick look at herself, she found that she had transformed without her realizing it. She had her long blue wings out and has her noticeable pony ears. When Indigo Zap saw her, she was shock and speechless that she just stood there with her jaw hanging open. The Dazzlings instantly realize the situation that there're in and was fast to react.
While Indigo was still confused, Aria and Sonata began to quickly push a stunned Rainbow Dash along and Adagio says to Indigo: "Well look at the time. We do want to continue arguing with you but we have other places to get to."
"HEY!" Rainbow Dash who was fighting back from being pushed. However they manage to get her out of the gym without too much trouble. Luckily, no one else saw Rainbow Dash's transformation. But Indigo still saw it and she was left wondering what has happened.
Later, after most of the events had ended, Twilight had returned to her teammates so she can tally up their scores. But as her friends tell her the results, she became less and less excited.
"Let see... Rarity lost because she build a doll house."
"Yeah, I should have realize that birds don't need any shoes."
"And since "Bright Eyes there blew up the lab, we got negative instead."
"Ditzy" nervously laughs.
As she saw Twilight becoming more and more disappointed, Pinkie Pie quickly tells her: "Don't get too upset Twilight. I did really in the baking challenge."
"Yeah that is true" Twilight said in a more uplifting tone.
Applejack then tell everyone: "And even though the Dazzlings didn't do so well during the spelling bee, I reckon me and Dash got some points during our challenges."
After looking over their scores via her clipboard, Twilight reply to her: "You did, but it not by much."
Things aren't looking so goof for the Canterlot team. They lost most of the events they were in and don't win enough points to make up for them. Still feeling hopeful, Sunset ask Twilight: "Are there still some events left."
After checking, Twilight states: "Well we still got the chess match and the math equation. So unless Flash somehow wins, we might as well as pack our bags and..."
But then, before Twilight could finish his speech, Flash Sentry finally arrive... with a shiny gold trophy. "Hey Guys! Guess what I just won at!?"
When they saw the trophy, everyone were speechless. They know what Flash was hinting at but they can't believe that he did it. "No Way!" Twilight muttered.
"Yes way" Flash proudly replied.
"You Won!!" Twilight yelled in disbelief.
"Yep."
"H-How!? I mean, that's great and all, but how!?"
But as Flash was about to explain his story, Aria appeared behind him. "I think his moves were just so stupid that it confused the player and threw them off their game." Flash looked cross at Aria, but off in another location, Flash's female opponent was crying: "How did he beat me? His moves didn't made any sense."
After everyone got through being shocked, Twilight states: "Well if that's the case, if Sunset manage to win the last event, we just have enough points to win the first round."
At first everyone was becoming more cheerful and more hopeful as they can see their chance of winning. But they then realize that they have to put their hopes onto Sunset Shimmer winning her event and that could be a stressful task. Concerned, Applejack try to comfort Sunset and asks: "Do you think you can do this sugarcube?"
Even though she was feeling tune of pressure, Sunset puts on a smile and replies: "I'll try my best." Her friends still has some worry, but they still trust and have faith in Sunset in pulling them through.
But as they were having a heartwarming moment, Cinch's voice was suddenly heard through the P.A system. "Will All Student's From Canterlot High And Crystal Prep Please Come To The Main Hall! The Final Event Is About To Begin!" After they heard the announcement, the Wondercolt team started to feel a little bit anxious about the last event.
Not long after, the rest of the Canterlot Team made it to the main hall. The room packed to the brim with students from both school who were divided on either side. They weren't exactly bonding, but a few students from both schools was mixing it up with each other in secret. This is the crowd that's gunna watch Sunset's event and it looks a bit daunting. However, Sunset was been in front of crowds before and she isn't scared of.
As Twilight, Sunset their friends and teammates got to the far edge of Canterlot side, the principals from both school appeared on stage. Principal Cinch was in the one who has the microphone and she saws to everyone: "This will be the last event of the day. We thanks both teams for giving it their all, but we still need a winner for the first round. Who wins this round will be declare the victor for the first round of the friendship. So we are expecting you to give your full support to your school's representative as they will face: Advance Mathematics!"
And from behind the principals, they show to blackboards with a really tough mathematic equation. When all the students saw them, they quickly notice how difficult the question is. Even the Crystal Prep students was having a tough time salving it from afar.
Cinch explains: "Both students have to find the correct answer, without getting assistance from anyone and have to show all of their working out! There will be a three minute time limit and then we mark anything that they have." One everyone understand the rules, Cinch then pass the microphone to Luna who then announces the competitors.
"The First Competitor From Crystal Prep Is..." However, as soon as she double check who it is (via a clipboard), Luna became shock on who it is. "Sunset Shimmer!?"
Everyone too became surprised when they heard the announcement. But on the far end of C.P's side, Crystal Sunset was beginning to make her way to the stage. Everyone from Canterlot, teachers and student's alike, was confused by this sudden revelation. For Twilight, Sunset and their friends, they couldn't that their opponent will be Sunset's human counterpart. Even Pinkie burst out saying: "What! Are You Kidding Me!" When Principal Cinch notice these reactions, she slowly become suspicious.
As the rest of the student was left wondering what's going on, Luna hesitantly continue her announcement. "A-And the student from Canterlot is..." However, Luna was left speechless as she saw that their side also has Sunset Shimmer. Trying to mitigate the situation, Pinkie quickly rushes over and whispers something in Luna's ear. After the whisper, Luna nervously says: "Uh... Starlight Glimmer?"
Everyone from CHS didn't recognize the name and left wondering who it is. But then, the Sunset Shimmer from Canterlot began walking nervously on stage and takes her place beside her duplicate. Not everyone was confused as they are seeing to completely identical people. This made the situation a whole lot more awkward and confusing and it was affect both Sunsets. The Sunset from Crystal Prep was giving her other self angry and mean looks towards as she was blaming her for all of this. Meanwhile, the Sunset from Canterlot was left hoping in her head that this won't lead to more complications in the future.
Principal Celestia then asks them: "Will both Sun... I mean Students please get to you ready positions." Even though she was still confused by this predicament, she still try to continue and do her job.
Although both Sunsets were anxious about their situation, they were focusing their minds on the equation in front of them. They were thinking about nothing else but how to solve the question. When Celestia shouted "GO!", both Sunsets rush over to their boards and began filling the question out.
As they were writing, everyone was astounded by how fast they were going. They all were waiting on bates breaths as they wait to see who finishes first and who gets the right answer. Twilight and the rest of (Canterlot) Sunset's friends watch from afar and praying that she would make it through.
But at the far back end of the hall, as Applejack was watching her friend in silence, she suddenly heard "Psst" towards her. Wondering who it is, AJ look towards her side. There, she found Sugarcoat and looking right at here. Applejack wouldn't normally talk with somebody from their rival school and not as conspicuous as this. However, she remember that the Friendship Games is about bonding and AJ could tell that something was on her mind.
Secretly, Applejack sidestep next to Sugar Coat and hesitantly asks her: "Uh... What's up?"
"So what's the deal?" Sugarcoat bluntly asked.
"What!?"
"Why do you have a Sunset Shimmer over at you school while we have a Sunset Shimmer over at ours?"
AJ soon realize that Sugarcoat was trying to connect the pieces together and was probing her for information. AJ was really hesitant to tell her about it though. Not only did she made a promise to the principals about not revealing their magic to the other school, but for the fact that it was so awkward and difficult to explain. Applejack tries her best to sidestep the issue.
"It's kind of complicated" AJ tells her.
Sugarcoat wasn't impressed. "I can tell that something is going on here and I would like to know about the truth of this."
AJ repeats: "But like I said, it's really complicated to talk about"
Sugarcoat paused for a sec before speaking again. "Did you say that you know a thing or two about honesty?"
"Wha... How does that have to do with anything?"
"Well if you pride yourself with being an honest person, wouldn't lying and hiding secrets be against your nature?"
AJ kind of see what she is trying to do. She is trying to provoke her truthful nature just so she could spill the beans. Seeing how Sugarcoat also like to be truthful, Applejack thinks she could teach her lesson about honesty.
"Are you asking so you can help your Sunset?" AJ asked curiously.
Sugarcoat was perplexed by the question but soon answers: "No. It's just something I want to know."
"Well you see, whenever I tell the truth, I make sure I helping my friends as I do it. Making sure that they keep on the right path and not make mistakes." As Sugarcoat became more confused, AJ asks her: "Let me ask you thing. Whenever you being truthful Sugarcoat, have you ever consider how you words might effect others or put their feelings into consideration?"
Sugarcoat's eyes widened when she heard that. She had a secret belief that secrets and lies will hurt people, but never thought if the truth could do it as well. And as she was thinking about her past conversations in hindsight, she realize that her words might come off as insulting or degrading.
Applejack tells her: "The reason I'm telling you know is that nobody really need to be distracted during these games."
Sugarcoat was still miffed that she didn't got her answers, but she does feel enlightened. She is willing to put off for now, but she then says: "Ok, but if you don't mind me asking, I got one more question."
"Um... Ok."
"What happened to your ears?"
"What!"
AJ looked up and saw that her pony ears had come out. She couldn't understand it. She didn't know how she manage to magically transform without the aid of her base guitar. Sugarcoat was also confused on how they changed, but she could see that Applejack was panicking over this.
"Well... Uh... " Unable to think up a proper response, Applejack quickly states "I got to go" and runs off. Sugarcoat didn't like it that AJ had run away, but she thinks that AJ might be ashamed of something.
Back on stage, the Sunsets was busy finishing up their answers. They had cover their boards with numbers and mathematic symbols. However, despite being technically the same person, both Sunset came to different results. As the Sunset from Crystal Prep was looking over her result, she was judging if she was happy with it or not. But then, when she decided to change something about it, Principal Cinch yelled before she could do anything.
"TIMES UP!"
Both Sunsets stopped what they was doing and jump back so they could she everyone what they got. (Crystal) Sunset regrated that she didn't tweaked her answer in time but she could do nothing more but let Principal Cinch examine their boards. Everyone in the crowd were on the edge of their seats as they were hoping that their school's got the correct answer. As everyone was too tense to breath and the Sunset's clench their eyes, Cinch declares her decision.
"This Side Is Correct!"
When the Sunsets open their eyes, they saw Principal Cinch pointing towards Crystal Prep side. Everybody was struck with disbelief as C.P was gaining the last and winning point. As Principal Cinch then proudly declares: "Winner of the first goes to Crystal Prep", everyone from Canterlot began to feels massively disappointed. They worked so hard to get as far as they did and seeing all of that goes to waste was emotionally devastating.
"Oh Man!" Pinkie cry out in a huff.
But as the students began to walk off, Crystal Sunset was still in star struck. As she was looking over her equation, she found it hard to believe that she got it right.
Meanwhile, back at Canterlot High, the school's grounds were calmingly silent. With a fair number of students went to Crystal Prep, most school schools clubs where cancelled for the day and nearly everybody had already left. But with nobody around, nobody could witness the crack on the school's front statue was beginning to spread. It wasn't by much but it was growing inch by tiny inch and ominous black lights spilled out for just a second.
About a hour or so, the school buses finally return to Canterlot High. Students got of the buses with depression and weariness as their recent loss was still fresh in their minds. They were so close to beating C.P and they really wanted that last winning point. The only thing they have left to look forward to is waiting for their parents to pick them up or walking home themselves.
Twilight and her close friends also look particularly tired as they were getting off their bus. "UGH! I'm so glad that we're finally back" Twilight groaned as she was walking towards the school. "That was just a nightmare."
Here friends behind her sympathise with Twilight. They didn't find the games particularly pleasant to compete in and they feel responsible for Canterlot losing. However, the person who felt the most guilty and sad was Sunset who tells everyone: "Yeah, sorry again you guys for failing the final event."
"Don't be" Rarity replied. "You weren't the only one who failed their event."
"But if I had won mine, Canterlot would have been in the lead!" Sunset cried out.
As Sunset was feeling upset, all of her friends came over and try to comfort her. "It's ok Sunset" Fluttershy tells her. "Yeah! You tried your best and we still love you."
Pinkie Pie then chimes in and adds: "Yeah, and since Crystal Prep had their turn, Now It's Our Turn To Decide The Event!" She says that while she was punching her own hand and trying to imitate Rainbow Dash. Her friends was quick to catch the similarity.
Sunset chuckled and felt a little bit better. "Hehe... Thanks you guys."
But once that issue was sorted out, Twilight let out a massive sigh and thinks out loud: "Well at least they didn't find out about our magic."
At that moment, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Applejack froze. They knew that wasn't the case as they were look at each other with great shame and embarrassment. As they were wondering who would be the one to break it to Twilight, Rainbow Dash was the one to nervously say: "Actually Twilight... we got something to tell you."
Twilight herself soon froze. Just the way how her friends spoke up as soon as she mention their magic just sends a bad signal to her. When she look at them with fear, Fluttershy regretfully tells her:
"We... may have... show them our magic by accident."
"WHAT!!!" Vice Principal Luna yelled out.
"We're sorry" Applejack apologize. "It just... sort of happened."
The girls were explaining what happened to the principals inside the school and they weren't exactly happy. Even Twilight was panicking at the scene. "HOW!? HOW DID IT HAPPEN!? How did you transform!?" she yell you.
"We don't exactly know" Fluttershy replied. "Maybe helping Sour Sweet might was caused me to transform."
"If that's the case, mine might have happen when I was trying to defend the Dazzlings."
"And I guess... me talking with Sugarcoat about honestly might have triggered mine."
As Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Applejack was feeling ashamed about themselves, Luna and Twilight was stressing about the situation. I can't imagine what Crystal Prep would think about it. They were hoping that they would think much from it or the people that saw them won't mention it to anybody, but they that would be too good to believe. As Luna and Twilight about to panic even harder, Principal Celestia rest her hands on their shoulders and tells them:
"Calm down. What's done is done. All that we can do now is to figure out what we gunna say to them when they ask."
Even though knowing that doesn't help resolve the issue right away, the calming way that Celestia said did calm them down a bit. However, Twilight soon became as ashamed as her friends and quickly apologized.
"I am so sorry Principal Celestia. We were responsible to keep it under raps and..."
But Celestia softly responds to her: "It's ok Twilight, we're aren't gunna punish you. We know that you all aren't use to this magical friendship stuff yet."
"But that isn't just it!" Twilight moaned. "You wanted the schools to stop being rivals and want everybody to get along. But we just made things more awkward and complicated."
Celestia had a sad expression on her face when she's seeing Twilight putting so much pressure onto herself. It was like she had failed Celestia and her new school. But as Twilight was looking so saddened and distraught, Principal Celestia still has hopeful smile on her face.
"Twilight, do you remember why I picked you to be Canterlot's team leader?"
After pushing back the tears that were about to fall from her face, Twilight softly replies: "... No?"
"I picked you because I feel you to be the person who can bridge both school together" Celestia explained. "You spent time both in Canterlot High and Crystal Prep and learned how both schools work well within themselves. You witness how hard Crystal Prep personally strive towards achievement and recognition while you learn how cooperative CHS students are to each other in order to reach their own goals. I thought if there's anybody who could fill in the link between both methods, I thought that would be you Twilight. You, who is a hard worker and love her friends, would be perfect for task."
Twilight fell silent upon Celestia's motivating words. It was like she was showing her an different aspect about her that she never really thought about before. Celestia also looks and sounds so sure about Twilight that it was unbelievably heartwarming. "Thanks Principal Celestia" said Twilight as she smiles.
"No problem Twilight" Celestia happily responded.
But as they were having lovely moment, Vice Principal Luna reluctantly had to ruin the moment and bring them back to the moment. She state: "Well all of that is nice and all, but Crystal Prep are finding out about our magical imbued students and they are currently in the lead."
With topic coming back more towards the games, they soon remember that they have to come up with a way to turn things into their favour. Twilight tries to come up with an explanation for their magic but having trouble coming up with a good excuse. She then recall Moondancer eagerly trying to research the strange phenomenon going on at CHS. If Twilight come up a lie for her, it might staring the relationship not only between her and Moondancer, but also for the school's as well.
But as she was coming with a good solution, a melancholy Rainbow Dash thinks out loud: "Well... I guess we better get things ready for the sport event."
"What!?" Twilight responded.
Seeing Twilight's confusion, Rainbow explains: "Well usually C.P are the one who picks the academic stuff or whatever while we're the ones who set up the sporting events. You know; archery, Roller-derby, motocross."
"I still can't believe that motocross can be one of the events" AJ remarks.
"The sporting events is what we're best at, but Crystal Prep still beat us even in that."
When Rainbow said that, Twilight instantly began thinking of something. Knowing first hand Crystal Prep's athletic program, she can understand why they would win the sports round. As she was thinking some other school event that they could do, Twilight remembers one particular subject. One subject that Twilight recall C.P particularly lacking while it's something CHS excels at. And with that, Twilight quickly began imagining a bunch of different ways on how the students could bond over it. Her friends and the principals soon notice a smirk on Twilight's face that got them to be curious on what they are thinking.
Twilight then says out loud to them: "Actually you guys, I have another idea in mind."
One week has pass and the people from Crystal Prep was making their Canterlot. Like their rivals the week before, they all were traveling in coaches that were filled with both students and teachers. Most of the Crystal Prep students found the trip to Canterlot High a bit boring and tiresome. They would rather do something else and not go to a rival school, but Principal Cinch "insist" them to go because of the games.
However, while most of the students sat around feeling disinterested, a couple students was actually feeling a bit antsy and restless. Sour Sweet was fidgeting and constantly looking out for signs for Canterlot High as she want to get there as soon as possible. Indigo Zap was also looking troubled as people could tell that she was deep in thought. Sugarcoat, despite being the one who was the most subdued, also constantly look at her watch and wondering when they will arrive.
The others didn't really notice them. Moondancer was busy tinkering with something that was around her neck while Lemon Zest was being immersed with her music. Sunny Flare also didn't notice anything as she was enjoying reading a book. But for Sunset Shimmer, she couldn't notice that Sour Sweet was being restless and it began to annoy her.
"Hey, why are you fidgeting!?" Sunset asked her angrily.
"None Of Your Business" Sour Sweet angrily responded.
"Well it is my business since your fidgeting is beginning to annoy me."
With voices finally being heard, it wasn't long before other people on the bus would take notice of them. Their friends near them took part and try to calm things down.
"Don't get too upset Sunset" Sugarcoat says to her. "She just anxious about getting to Canterlot."
"I didn't said..."
"Why? We get there, we whoop their buts in the sporting competitions and Crystal Prep will get their win in these Friendship Games."
"Actually, I don't think there is gunna be a sport competition" said Indigo Zap. "I heard rumour that they sent us a letter that says that they are picking another subject besides physical education."
Sunset nonchalantly but boldly states: "Whatever! Whatever they throw at us, we'll still beat them."
"Sounds to me that you don't care about what's going on" Sunny remarked.
"And you are?" Sunset remarked. "I only enrolled because they asked me to help their silly games."
Everyone was slightly annoyed by how carefree and smug Sunset's statement was, although they can fault her for her reason. They aren't usually so invested with the Friendship Games. However, after meeting certain people from Canterlot, Sour, Indigo and Sugarcoat constantly have those people stuck on their minds and are anxious to see them again.
But while this was happening, Moondancer had just finished tweaking her large pendent around her neck. "Well I'm finding these games really distracting" she said out loud. "I just want to finish my research project and get myself enrolled at Everton." But as she was being bitter and lonely, Moondancer suddenly remember to check something.
"By the way, do all of you still have..."
But before she could finish, Principal Cinch interrupt her. "Ah-Ah-Ah! Save that question for later Moondancer." She then turn her head towards the driver and ask him: "Bus Driver! How long are you gunna make use wait for use to get to Canterlot?"
"I Have A Name You Know!" Discord snarked back. "And by my estimate, I have give them just enough time for them to finish the decorations."
"What!?" Cinch responded.
Before Cinch could have a chance to question him, Discord turn the bus around the corner and they all arrive at Canterlot High. But when everyone look outside the window to the front of the school, they all were blown away to what they see.
A massive crowd stood in front of the school to greet them. But unlike Crystal Prep's welcoming party from last week, CHS went above and beyond to make them feel welcome. Large banners hang up in front filled with colourful symbols and painted icons. Streamers were hanging from the windows and curve around the building (or at least the front). They even decorated their horse statue into a proud stallion. And when the doors of the buses open, everyone from Canterlot excitedly shout:
Everyone from Crystal Prep was left in awestruck. Even when they got off the bus and standing on Canterlot High's ground, they still didn't know what to say to the overly warm welcome. If they had put even a slight more effort and the welcome would have been a bit intimidating.
When the principals of both schools manage to meet each other, Principal Cinch loudly asks: "Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna! What is the meaning of all this?"
Celestia calmly replies: "Well we are just trying to make a warm Canterlot High welcome for all of your students Principal Cinch."
"Well I don't remember this sort of welcome in the previous years of the Friendship Games."
"That's because we are trying to do something different this year."
When Celestia said that, they suddenly began to hearing the hustle and bustle of the other students around them. They were they did what they did last week and was mixing with one another. But unlike last week, the atmosphere was a lot more friendly this time around and the students were getting along one with each other. Some of the students was a bit hesitant about "making friends with the enemy", but even they started socialising with the students from the other school who have the similar opinion.
Celestia explains: "We detected a pattern within the games that sort of made the games monotonous and unfriendly. And so, we decided to shake up the status quo a little and put on a art festival instead."
Cinch responds by saying: "Art..."
"... Festival!" and finished up by Cadence who was just as surprised.
"Yes, an art festival" Luna stated. "We set up impromptu fashion show, art contest and "poetry showdown" all around the school that tests everybody's creative skills. Nothing is prepared to in advance. The students have to create what they can within a short amount of time."
Principal Cinch wasn't impressed and was a bit sceptical about the whole thing. But meanwhile, Dean Cadence was impressed and is one board with the art festival. "Wow! An art festival could be something we all need! Something to liven up events and get the students into a more friendlier mood" Cadence stated cheerfully.
Cinch just huffed and says: "But art is such a subjective subject, all based on opinion and not any absolute score to be graded."
Seeing Cinch isn't very happy with these turn of events, Celestia calmly suggests to her: "Well why don't we be the judges and you can see if we are judging everything fairly or not."
Principal Cinch was still very suspicious and feels that Celestia has an ulterior motive about today's events. However, to save face, she decide to go along with things and tells her: "Fine Celestia. I'll play along and see what you have to offer."
Excited, Principal Celestia happily exclaims "Good!" She then pass her a piece of paper and tells her: "This will tell you all of the main events that we have in store for everyone. We'll give you time to prepare."
When Cinch looks over the list, she could see that she have to pick carefully on who she want at which event. Art isn't a major curriculum at Crystal Prep and could see her students struggling during the events. Cinch have a sinking feeling that Twilight was the one who tells Celestia that they don't teach much art at C.P, but she still gonna buckle down and roll with it.
Meanwhile, a few meters away, Shining Armour was looking up and staring at a banner that was hanging up above me. He seems transfixed on it as it looks pretty good and amazing to him. It has a wide away of symbols and colours that includes music notes, DNA double helix and nature and peace that couldn't help but feel impresses. But as he was admiring it, Flash Sentry suddenly appears beside him.
"What do you think Shining?"
Shining Armour jump back with surprise. "You made this?"
"Yep!" Flash reply proudly. "Me and the guys was asked to make a bunch of them for your arrival and it meant to show what Canterlot has to offer." However, what Flash didn't say was that the banner's artwork was a complete accident as he fought with his friends about what it should be on there.
At first, Shining Armour was amazed that Flash made an impressive looking banner. But then he remembers that he was trying to date his sister and he still want to be a hardass to him. Suppressing his emotions and pretend he wasn't impressed.
"It's alright. Nothing to right home about though."
"Oh What!" Flash responded as his feelings became dashed. He was hoping that Shining would seriously like his banner enough that it might cause him to become chill towards him. And even though Shining Armour still want to be mean to towards Flash, he could tell that he hurt his feelings.
Meanwhile, off in the distance, Twilight and her friends was watching everyone interacting. True, not everybody from both schools were socializing, but it was better start then they had imagined.
"Oooh! Look Twilight! Everybody is talking!" Rarity happily exclaimed. "Your plan is working."
"Calm down Rarity, it's only the start." Twilight replied. "We will have to see how everything goes once the second round actually begins."
Applejack adds: "But still, it's better then what we hope for."
With Spike in her arms, Fluttershy also adds: "Yep, and now we have to make sure..."
"THERE YOU ARE FLUTTERSHY!"
But before she could finish, Sour Sweet suddenly appears and got her arms around Fluttershy. Everyone was left stunned to her sudden arrival. However, what they found truly shocking is what she says and the genuinely sweet way that she says it.
"Don't run off on me like what you did last week. You had me worried sick."
"Sour Sweet... was worried about somebody!?!?" Spike thought to himself as he found such a thing a unbelievable.
Everyone was flabbergasted to what they were seeing. Sour Sweet wasn't acting like how she did last week or how Twilight knows about her ever since they meet. Fluttershy herself was little bit surprised, but she didn't felt scared to Sour Sweet's lovingly embrace.
"Sour Sweet?" Twilight hesitantly call out.
And then, almost reverting back to her old personality, Sour shot an angry glare at Twilight and replies: "What do you want Sparkle?"
"Just uh... Are you feeling alright?"
Sour pause for a moment while still giving an angry stare. But she then swings back to a more cherry personality and happily replies: "Of Course!" Finally letting go of Fluttershy, she says: "Ever since this little angel healed my foot, I feel never better!"
Everyone found Sour Sweet's sudden shift in personality absolutely shocking and borderline on disturbing. Even though didn't like her old personality, they are some how missing that and would feel more comfortable if she was mean to them. While everyone was still star struck, Fluttershy works up the courage and politely says to her:
"Gee Sour Sweet. I'm glad that you're ok."
"Awe! You're Welcome!" Sour Sweet replied. She then got up close to Fluttershy's ear and whispers: "And by the way, your secret is safe with me."
"Um... Thank you!" reply a happy Fluttershy.
And then suddenly, Principal Cinch call out to everyone. "Shadowbolts! Huddle!"
Realizing that she was being called, a saddened Sour Sweet tells Fluttershy and her friends: "Well I guess I got to go now Fluttershy. But don't worry. We'll meet later, 'k?"
"Um ok" Fluttershy cheerfully replied. As Sour Sweet runs off to her principal, Fluttershy says to her friends: "Looks like we have one less thing to worry about." Unfortunately, they were still stunned to Sour's sudden behaviour.
When Sour Sweet arrive to her principal, she notice that the other Crystal Prep contestants were already there. (Crystal) Sunset, Indigo Zap, Lemon Zest and the rest. And even though Moondancer wasn't participating, she was also there for some reason. "What were you doing?" Moondancer asked Sweet.
"None of your business" Sweet defensive replied.
"AHEM!" Cinch sounded, gained the attentions of everybody around. "I'm gunna give around their assigned roles... Oh!"
And then suddenly, Cinch suddenly felt weird. Her nose started twitching and she felt a sudden urge to sneeze. The students around her instantly notice what was about to happen and quickly step back. Cinch try to quickly pull out her handkerchief but... "ACHOO!" Cinch sneezed out loud. She manage to aim her sneeze onto her handkerchief but it was loud enough that a few people heard it. Embarrassed, Cinch look around angrily and see was caused it... and she saw some animal hair on Sour Sweet.
When everybody else notice the hair, Sour Sweet was wondering how animal hair had got on her. But then she remember that Fluttershy was holding a dog when she hug her and realize that some of it's fur must have gotten onto her. Sweet was getting worried because she didn't want to get into trouble. She quickly come up with a lie and says:
"Whoopsie! I must have gotten some pet hair from home. He-he... Sorry?"
Principal Cinch looks like she was furious towards her, however it looks like she buy into Sour Sweet's lie. Everyone else was silent as they know that she would get into some sort of punishment later. Sweet try to get all the dog hair off her but Cinch still won't let her come any closer. Once everything was settle down, Cinch gave everyone there roles.
"Ok, Sugarcoat will be making clay vases in the arts & crafts challenge, Coloratura will be participating in the singing contest, Sunny Flare will be a designer in the Fashion Show..."
"What!" yelled Sunny Flare with surprise.
"... Moondancer and Sunset Shimmer will be in constructive poetry and constructive story-making respectively."
Both Moondancer and (Crystal) Sunset was adamant about being in those contests since they made a poem or a story before, but they suck it up and hide their discontent.
Cinch looks at Sour Sweet when she says in a intimidating manner: "Sour Sweet will do painting..."
"He-he..." Sour Sweet chuckled nervously.
Cinch then went back to the list and finish of listing: "Trenderfoot will be in the acting contest and Lemon Zest will be in the dance-off."
"YES!" said Lemon Zest as she proclaims excitingly.
"Any questions?"
Immediately, Sunny Flare raised her hand.
"What is it Sunny Flare?" asked Cinch as she was growing more annoyed.
Sunny then tells her: "I'm sorry Principal Cinch but I don't think I'm well suited to be a fashion show. I'm more suited in architecture and constructive design. If you would change places with Sugarcoat, then I..."
However, Cinch cut her off from finishing and tells her: "My apology Sunny Flare, but if you would be in art & crafts, then I would have nobody else who could be in the fashion show. End of discussion"
"Yes but..."
"END OF DISSCUSSION!" Cinch yells at her.
Everyone froze in fear when they heard her yell. Cinch was clearly becoming more dishevelled as her anger was beginning to show. Even a fair amount of people around them heard her yell. Embarrassed that she wasn't in a more dignified appearance, Cinch fixes herself and tell the participants around: "Well then... your dismissed."
Cinch then walks off, suppressing all the emotions that she has. Her confused students want to ask her to come back and tell them how to compete in something that they haven't done before, but they know it would be a bad idea to ask and rather steamed principal. Reluctantly, the decide to suck it up and do the best that they can. But for the perfectionist Sunny Flare, she was sort of breaking down at the scene.
"How Am Suppose To Design A Dress?!" Sunny asked out loud. "I Never Picked Up A Fashion Magazine Before, Let Alone Looked Up Intricate Dress Designs!"
All the other C.P students look on at Sunny Flare as she was breaking down. But instead of going over and try to comfort her, they decide to walk on and leave her and let her handle it on her own. But then, as Sunny panicking, Rarity suddenly appear from behind her. Rarity tells her: "Don't worry dear, I will help you out."
"What!?" Sunny Flare responded
"I'm the assistant for the fashion show so if there is anything that you need help with, I'll be there to aid you."
Sunny was shocked and hesitant towards Rarity's unexpected assistance, especially since she was from a rival school. However, she couldn't explain it, but she could feel any ill content from her. Obviously since she is a girl of science and logic that she can't trust someone purely on feeling alone. However, either because she realizing that she was being too uptight or Rarity eagerly pushing her long towards the building, but Sunny Flare hesitantly decide to go along with her.
Meanwhile, while everybody was still scatter about, Lemon Zest standing around and listening to her music. With nobody else looking, Pinkie Pie snuck up behind her and tap her on her shoulder. When Lemon Zest look and recognize her presence, Pinkie says to her:
"Hi! If you don't mind me eavesdropping for a bit but I heard you were put in the dancing competition. I'm just here to let you know that I am in the dance competition too and I Can "Bust Some Slick Moves Yo!""
But while Pinkie was look confident and impressive, Lemon Zest just chuckled amusingly, When Pinkie became confused, Lemon reply to her: "Dude, I'm like the regional dance champ' 3 years in a row!"
And at that, Pinkie turn to stone out of amazement with an open jaw and Lemon decide to walk off. When Pinkie unfroze herself and look back at Lemon Zest, she saw her dancing up the steps of the front door and she looked awesome as she does it. Normally anybody would feel intimidated by this discovery if they were set to face her. But for Pinkie Pie, she instead feels more excited
"ALRIGHT! I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS!" Pinkie shouted to Lemon. Lemon just smiles and began to feel excited for the dance off herself.
But meanwhile, both Moondancer and the Sunset from Crystal Prep was observing everything from the distance. They notice that students from Canterlot High, particularly those who are close to Twilight, was interacting and "getting close" to the pupils from their school. They could tell that they have an ulterior motive and they have a hunch that Twilight was behind all of this. Regardless, they notice that everybody else was heading into the building and they didn't want to be left behind.
But when nobody else was looking, Twilight and (CHS) Sunset suddenly appeared behind them and softly grab them softly. When Moondancer and (Crystal) Sunset realize they were there, Twilight whispery ask the both of them: "Hey, can we borrow you two for a sec?"
"Yeah! We got something important to tell the both of you!" Sunset explained.
"Wha..."
But before they could react, Twilight quickly push Moondancer and Sunset push her counter part in through the doors. But instead of going with the students who were going a particular hallway, they push them down another hallway where they would be alone.
However, once everybody went inside, the front courtyard had became completely deserted aside from the presence of the wind. And since nobody was no longer there, only nobody notice that the crack on the statue's mirror was growing even large. And as the crack was becoming more and more noticeable, a series of dark and green lights leak out from the crack.
Through out the school, the commotion from the Friendship Games were in full swing and Crystal Prep were finding stuff to talk about. Pieces of art cover the walls and they were so good that students were left guessing who made them. Several free-food stands scattered about and any student who ate them instantly fall in love with the food. Apparently, Pinkie Pie baked so much food during the baking challenge that the food that they were eating now are the leftovers that was preserved.
Even unused classrooms were not safe for some of the students. In a disserted classroom fairly away from the other students, Twilight and Moondancer had just entered it. They were separated from the Sunset's but they were in one of the neighbouring rooms and having their own conversation.
Once they know that the room was secured and nobody else would notice them there, Moondancer angrily asks: "So Here We Are Twilight! Alone Together Within This Room! Now What Do You Want To Talk About!?"
Twilight took a deep breath. She knows that this is going to be difficult to talk about, especially when Moondancer is this angry at her. However, she has courage and have faith that Moondancer will understand her in the end.
"Remember last week when you ask me what is going on at Canterlot High but I refused to say anything?"
"Yeah?"
"Well... I thought long and hard about it and... I decided that I'm gunna tell you."
"Really?" Moondancer replied, sceptical and disbelieving towards."
"YES Moondancer! I really want to tell you!" Twilight loudly states. "The reason that I didn't tell you before is that it's so hard and complicated to talk about that I needed time to really explain it to you. That... and that principals made us swear to keep it under wraps until the Friendship Games are over."
Moondancer was still sceptical about Twilight trying to be honest and she didn't know what to think about her excuse of not telling her. The fact that the principals told her to keep quiet sounds believable, but she can't imagine anything that would be "hard and complicated to talk about". However Moondancer could see Twilight's sad and sincere face and she felt compelled to give her a second chance.
"Ok Twilight, so what do you want to tell me?"
"Great!" Twilight happily proclaimed. But before she tells her, Twilight quickly says to Moondancer: "But first you must understand that what I'm about to tell you is really, really unbelievable."
"Yeah whatever Twili-"
"NO! NOT WHATEVER!" yelled Twilight as she take hold of Moondancer. "What this is So Un-Freaking-Believable that even days after I got my head wrapped around all of it, I still asked myself: "Did that still really happened?""
At that moment, Moondancer was a little scared. She could see how series Twilight was being and how she might still be shacking over this. All she could do was reply: "Um... Ok."
Twilight took a moment to calm down and ready herself. After built up enough gusto, Twilight tells: "Ok... the thing that you've been detecting with your machines is..."
"Magic!?!?" Crystal Sunset confusingly said out loud.
"Yes, Magic!" Canterlot Sunset reiterate. "A world that is full of magic and dragons and pegasi and unicorns and this world is where I came from!"
Over in the other room, Pony-Sunset had just tried explaining to her human world counterpart. Understandably, she found it a strong pill to swallow.
"Magic? Dragons? Seriously? Do you Seriously expect me to buy all of that!?"
Pony-Sunset gets a little flustered as she says: "Yes, I know it sounds really unbelievable. But if you are willing to accept that I am some other version of you, then is it hard to believe that I came from another world with magic."
Crystal Sunset really don't want to believe a word that she says. However, despite how much she wants to deny it, she can't get herself to do it. As she is looking at her right in front of her, she sees a complete mirror duplicate that she feels is real. Her eyes, face, the way poise she herself. The only thing that is different was their hairstyles and that is only because she cut it to distinguish herself from her lookalike. Even when (pony) Sunset grab her hand and begs: "Please believe me", she feels like she is touching her own hands instead.
But even though she was being lenient , Crystal Sunset still hold her ground and says to her "supposedly" other world counter: "You better have some proof to make me believe you."
But the other Sunset replies: "Actually, I do!" Surprised, Crystal Sunset watched as her other self went to her back and brought out a book.
Meanwhile, in the main hall, things were getting ready for the dance off. Food tables by the sides, streamers on the walls and a disco ball hanging from the ceiling. It made to room look like a party or the Fall Formal and made the students more relaxed. The dance participants themselves were also looking ready to go into a boxing match. Both Pinkie Pie and Lemon Zest were stretching out their muscle, bouncing on their feet and even squirting water into their mouths to only spike them back out into a bucket.
And over by the stage, behind closed curtains, the Dazzlings were getting ready for a performance of their own. They volunteered to sing the musical accompaniment for the dance show. The teachers allowed it but what they didn't know is that they are gunna use a voice synthesizer to do it. While Adagio, Aria and Sonata were fixing up their appearance to look good and Vinyl tuning her equipment to sound good, a nerd by the name of "Micro Chips" was working on the synthesizer. Micro was rather nerves that if everything isn't perfect and notice they were cheating, they all will be in a lot of trouble.
"Is That Synthesizer Working Yet!?" Adagio demanded.
"In A Minute!" Micro Chips yelled back.
Aria moans: "Augh! What is taking you so long?"
"Well Sorry For Being Cautious! If we are caught, not only will WE be in trouble, but Canterlot High's reputation will go down the sink."
"That doesn't matter" Adagio stated. "Last time, that Crystal Prep Punk thought she could come up to us and proclaims that she's better then us! Not under my watch she isn't."
As Adagio was letting more of her anger shown, so did Micro Chips in terms of being intimidated. He did the last finishing touches before he gave a hesitant thumps up. As he rushes to connect the synthesizer to audio system, the Dazzlings get themselves ready to "sing" on stage.
Later, once everything was set up, the curtains finally opens. Everyone's eyes quickly turn towards the stage as they see the three singers enter on stage. And at that moment, both Pinkie and Lemon walk to the centre of the floor to begin their epic dance off.
"Are you ready for this?" Lemon Zest asked.
"I was ready before you'd asked" Pinkie confident replied.
"Well I was ready before you was ready."
"Well I was ready before you was ready who's getting ready for me!"
"Well I was ready before you getting ready for me being ready for you being ready before me!"
"Well I was..."
"LET START ALREADY!" Aria yelled out in frustration. When both Pinkie Pie and Lemon became quiet, the Dazzlings finally started Singing.
Sonata: "I feel it stirrin' deep down inside my soul
The rhythm's takin' hold
And it's about to roll" Aria: "A million sparkles falling across the floor
So DJ give it more
It's what we're looking for" Adagio, Aria & Sonata: "Dance the night away
All our friends right by our side
It doesn't matter what style you bring
We're about to go on that ride (Hey!)"
When the music and singing began, both girls slowly began to move. The music didn't immediately start out fast so they did soft and small movements to keep in line with the beat. But when the Dazzlings started singing their lyrics, they slowly make more bigger and more memorable dancing. And when the main baseline kicks in...
Adagio, Aria and Sonata: "It's dance magic Once you have it Let your body move Step into the music!"
"It's dance magic And it's electric Let your body move To the music!"
When the real music finally kicks in, both dancers jumped at the same time and this caused a round of applause from the audience. They were much more energetic and their movements were a lot more memorable. They were twirling, they running and even did the splits for a second before going right back up again. Everyone loved watching them dance and even enjoy listening to the song.
Meanwhile...
Sonata: "I feel something blockin' deep down in my soul
No matter what I try
I think I'm gunna cry!"
At other parts of the school, more Canterlot and Crystal Prep students was getting closer. In the art room where designers for the fashion contest is making their designs, Sunny Flare was having a tough time coming up with her dress. She could make the most elaborate and sophisticated dress design of them all, but she knows that isn't gunna make her the winner. Her dress need to look appealing with complementary colours and have an appealing form, but Sunny never thought about that before. But right when she was about to throw in the towel and accept whatever punishment Principal Cinch will give her...
Aria: "Then you come right to my side
You show me how much fun
about how not to run!"
Rarity came to Sunny Flare's aid. She helped her about how to start laying out an outfit's design then gave her a few suggestions on where she want to go with it. Sunny thought out loud a few ideas to her, doubtful if any of them was gunna stick, but she says that she like them. With a boost in confidence and Rarity's help, she could start making her dress.
Adagio, Aria & Sonata: "Dance the night away
All our friends right by our side
It doesn't matter what style you bring
We're about to go on that ride (Hey!)"
Eventually, Sunny finally made her dress that she could love and Rarity congratulated. In a moment of intense happiness, Sunny Flare gave Rarity a surprise hug for all of her help. She accepted the hug and gave a kind pat on the back. But as soon as she broke away, Sunny Flare notice something: Rarity's ears had grew and her hair hand grown longer into a ponytail. Rarity became embarrassed about the change but didn't try to deny it to Sunny Flare's bewilderment.
And at a different location...
Adagio, Aria and Sonata: "It's dance magic Once you have it Let your body move Step into the music!"
"It's dance magic And it's electric Let your body move To the music!"
Twilight and Sunset worked hard to explain to Moondancer and her Crystal Sunset about their magic and Equestria. They were hesitant to believe them but they were soon blown away to what evidence that she show them. Twilight show Moondancer a video on her phone and it has Twilight and her friends transform into their ponified forms. As for the Sunsets, Equestrian-Sunset show "herself" her book that she kept from Equestria and show that she could right to ponies over there. Sunset and Moondancer didn't know what they thought about it but their explainers told them that it's ok.
But back at the gym...
Pinkie Pie: "Doesn't matter what style you've got
Just keep dancin' on that spot
Friends like you for who you are
Dance queen, on the scene, superstar!"
Pinkie had somehow hijacked the Dazzling's even while she was dancing. Her singing was within a rap style and it captured the interest of the audience (much to the Adagio's annoyance). But the crazy part was Pinkie dancing atop of the food table. Everyone thought she was crazy and even Lemon Zest was left in amazement. However, Pinkie elegantly step around the food as she continue to sing and dance towards the end.
Pinkie Pie: "Crystal Prep, you've got the moves
Rainboom bringin' all the grooves
Put it together and make it fit
Crystal Rainbooms, dance magic"
But then disaster struck. In a moment of excitement, Pinkie leapt of the table with complete disregard of anything that might be bellow her. She crashed and everyone heard a loud breaking sound. But when everyone rushed to Pinkie's aid, they saw that she had ponied up. They wondered if she was ok but Pinkie jumped onto her feet with perfect health.
"WOOHOO! PARTY-HARD!!!" Pinkie yelled out loud.
Everyone was amazed that Pinkie was perfectly ok and they all (including Lemon) cheered for her. When they all went back to the centre hall and continue dancing, the Dazzlings finally return to their song.
Dazzlings: "Dance the night away
All our friends right by our side
It doesn't matter what style you bring
We're about to go on that ride (Hey!)"
However, while everyone else was partying, Micro Chips was panicking over by the spot where Pinkie had just landed. Why? Because she landed on and crushed the voice synthesizer for the Dazzlings. However, even though the synthesizer was broken and can not work, he notice the Dazzling doesn't sound terrible. The Dazzlings sound as great as they were even without the voice machine.
Dazzlings: "It's dance magic Once you have it Let your body move Step into the music"
"It's dance magic And it's electric Let your body move To the music"
Meanwhile, at other parts of the school, the other Friendship Games events were happening and everyone were having a lot of fun. The C.P students were allowed to truly express themselves and the CHS students were genuinely liking them. It was becoming more and more of a "Friendship Games" and everyone was have the time of their lives.
Dazzlings: "Crystal Prep got a style that's all their own Dancin' nonstop, body movin' in the zone Bring whatever style you got Cause the party is goin' on"
"It's dance magic Once you have it Let your body move Step into the music"
"It's dance magic And it's electric Let your body move To the music!"
Once the music finally stopped and the singers had finished singing, Pinkie and Lemon finished their dancing with epic poses. Everyone cheered and gave them around of applause for giving them something fun to watch. When Pinkie relaxed, she asked everyone: "So who won?"
But before she know it, Lemon Zest grab a pulled up Pinkie's arm and loudly declares: "YOU WON!" Everyone cheered and were completely behind her. Overjoyed with her win, Pinkie shouts: "LET'S PARTY!" and everybody else followed her.
But while other dance music was put on, Adagio, Aria and Sonata was making their way off staged. They had their fun and they had enough. However, Micro Chip was there and try to tell them something."
"Adagio! I Have To Tell You Something!"
"Out Of My Way!"
"Move it Point Dexter!"
"Sorry!"
Chips laid there on the ground, trampled by the people who he tried to help.
But when the Dazzling had stepped down from the stage, they come across a familiar face. Indigo Zap, the girl who insulted them last time. And off in the distance, Rainbow was busy partying with the others until she spotted Indigo with that Dazzlings. Fearing that she might do the same as last time, she rushed over there. But as soon as she got close however...
"I'm sorry" Indigo apologized. The Dazzlings and Dash was in shock as she explain herself. "I was a complete jerk to you last time and I realize that I was wrong. I saw you singing up there just then and I thought you all sounded great. I'm sorry and I take back everything that I said about you."
Adagio replies: "Well um... Great! About time you realize our greatness." Aria elbows her. "But thank you for apologizing." Aria elbows Adagio again and Adagio pushed her off in the distance.
When the Dazzlings walked off, Indigo Zap felt good with herself. She did something nice and she likes it. Rainbow Dash then appeared beside her, surprising her, and tells her: "Wow, thanks mate! I got to give you props for doing what she did." Despite still being surprised, Indigo appreciated it.
Back at Twilight and Moondancer, Twilight had just finished showing her proof of magic to her. "So do you believe me?" she asked cautiously.
"Um... yes I think?" Moondancer mumbled. She was still comprehending this shocking revelation and Twilight was giving her space to think. "Magic... Magic! Strange energy sources and weird phenomenon I can get, But MAGIC!"
"I know, right! Do you see why I didn't tell you earlier?"
"Yeah I guess. Just wow..."
As she could see Moondancer's world falling down around her, Twilight sit down beside her and try to comfort her. "Moondancer, I know how this can be really confusing, even for me who lived through all of this, but you need to know one thing."
"What's that?" she ask curiously.
"That I'm now here by your side whenever you need it" Twilight replied. "I'm really sorry for not noticing your feelings before now and I should have really thought about the people who I was leaving behind." And when she grasp Moondancer's hands, she tells her: "But even though I didn't thought about you then, I always remembered our time that we spent together and I would love to call you friend now."
Moondancer was so touched that she was almost brought to tears. But when she realize that Twilight put their old science fair photo into her hands, she actually let one tear escape her eye.
"......... Ok Twilight. I'm giving you a second chance."
"Thank You!" Twilight cried out. Both girls embrace each other with a warm hug. At that moment, they wish they will never forget how good that this moment feels.
But right when they decided that they had enough hugging, somebody suddenly spoke through the P.A system. "Ahem! The poetry and creative-story contest will be beginning in a few minutes. May the participants and anybody who would like to watch please come to the English Studies room on the 2nd floor please. Thank you."
"Well I guess I got to be going now" said Moondancer as she chuckled.
Twilight responded: "Sure. I won't keep you waiting."
They got up and Moondancer was heading for the door. Moondancer still didn't know what to think all of this. The magic, different dimensions and all the drama relating to the games. But right now, she feels really good for patching things with Twilight and hope that nothing will ruin it.
But before Moondancer was about to leave the room, Twilight yells to her: "By the way: Once you are done with your event, make your way down to the gym."
"Why?"
"It's a surprise" Twilight told her.
Moondancer was hesitant but she still replies: "Ok?"
Back at the gym, Pinkie Pie and Lemon Zest was dancing next to each other as they were still partying at the gym. When they realize the other, they try to have the conversation over the music.
"Hey! You Did Some Really Good Moves Back There!"
"Thanks! You Did Some Wicked Moves Yourself!"
"Thanks! You Should Come To Some Of My Parties Sometimes!"
At the library, all the principals was watching and judging the drama contest on fold. Cheerilee was also there; not only because she's the school's librarian but also the supervising teacher of the drama club. Principals Celestia, Luna and Cadence was all enjoying the performances from the students as they could feel the actor's passion.
"And yet... it wasn't meant to be. I gave her my heart and she Stabs it right back!" Tenderfoot then got onto his knees and screams: "Why Cherry Jubilee! I Would Travel To The Depths Of Tartarus If It Means Seeing Your Lovely Smile... One... last... time."
Celestia turns to Cadence and whispers to her: "Your students are really amazing actors. I can't tell if he made it up or if he actually experienced something like this."
"Thanks Celestia" Cadence happily replied. "But lets not forget to give your students some credit. Yours were just fantastic."
Luna replies: "Thanks. Our students would do whatever it takes if it means they do whatever it is that they're passionate about."
"Wow. I wish some of our students are that enthusiastic. Don't you thinks so Abacus?"
"Yes well... Our students still make top marks even if they're enthused or not" Abacus replied, after spending a huge amount of time being silent.
Principal Cinch wasn't having a good of a time as the other principals. Not because she found any of them boring or whatever but that she couldn't shake a sinking feeling that she has. They already judged the singing and the arts & crafts events, and yet she found that they went on longer then they were supposed to. It was almost as if that Celestia is trying to keep her distracted or something.
And then Cinch heard a noise. Over by the door, she notice two students running pass it and giggling: Sour Sweet and Fluttershy. However, what Cinch found most disturbing was that she notice a purple dog ridding on Fluttershy's shoulders. Cinch's suspicions grew all the more legitimate.
She take a quick glance at the other principals and could see they were distracted by the performance. While no one was looking, Cinch quietly sneak away and see where the students are going.
A while later, Moondancer was walking down the halls and trying to make her way to the gym per Twilight's request. The corridors were eerily disserted, but that just gives her the quietness to think. Moondancer was contemplating if she should accept Twilight's explanation that what she had detected was magic.
But then, as soon as Moondancer turns a corner, she come across Sunset Shimmer, the one from Crystal Prep. Both were surprised to find the other as they remember being pulled away together by Twilight and (CHS) Sunset. And as they began walking down the same hall, they deduce that they were asked to go to the gym as well.
"They asked you to go to gym too?" Moondancer asked.
Sunset awkwardly replies: "Yep."
"And uh... did they told you about the magic?"
"Yep. And turns out, that girl who looks like me is supposedly my counterpart from another dimension?"
"Another Dimension!" Moondancer said with surprise. "I can buy that before I could buy the magic part of things."
"I know, right" Sunset replied, sounding like she was getting along with Moondancer.
Both Moondancer and Sunset Shimmer fall into an awkward silence. They don't really know each other very much but found that they have an odd connection with one another; they're two people who want to be alone. However, that willing separation from their peer group somehow made them find each other and grow a certain bond. Not enough to call themselves friends or anything but enough to confide within with each other and to share thoughts.
"Hey Moondancer?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you gunna believe them? About "magic", "other dimensions" and all that?"
"Well... it's the only real answer that I gotten so far. You?"
"Well..." But before she could finish her train of thought, both Sunset and Moondancer started hearing a faint sound of music. And as they were walking, the music becomes louder and louder. "What the?"
Wanting to know the meaning of the increasing noise, the girls picked up their pace and run down the hall. Eventually they arrive to the door to the gym and they think they hear a large crowd inside. When they look through the door, they saw a vast away of students partying.
Crystal Prep and CHS students were sharing punch and chatting like mad. Rave music filled the air that cause everybody to dance and everyone seem to have a good time. Neither of them have seen a party like this, let alone with people from Crystal Prep. And as they look around and see the happy students, they soon spotted Twilight who in turn spotted them.
"Moondancer! Sunset! Come In!"
Moondancer and Sunset was still dazed from the scene that they discovered. So despite how much Twilight waved to them to come over, they were hesitant to enter the party. Seeing that they need motivation, Twilight walk over to them and pull them in. While they were reluctant, they sort of went along with Twilight into the party.
When they were in, Sunset and Moondancer took a moment to look around them. C.P and Canterlot students were chatting and dancing. Some were telling funny jokes that cause the other to laugh out loud. And in the centre of the whole thing, there were a sceptical of Pinkie Pie and Lemon Zest dancing that make everyone around them that more inspired towards friendship.
"What is all of this?" Moondancer said to Twilight.
"This! Oh, this is just something that we wanted to put together for the games. To get everyone to relax a bit and enjoy themselves" Twilight happily explained.
Cautious, Sunset asks: "Really? You wanted to put all of this together, even though we're your bitter rivals?"
"Well, I would be lying if I said everyone was on bored for this, but some of us was so tired of this bitter rivalry and so we are trying something to forget all of that."
While the two Crystal Prep was still a little bit suspicious about the whole thing, they couldn't help but feel impressed by what they have accomplished. They can't imagine the two school interacting like this in their wildest dreams. Moondancer remarks: "I can't imagine Principal Cinch would approve of all of this."
But Twilight then cheekily replies: "And that's why were are keeping this a secret from her." The two girls burst out smiling and chuckling to that fact.
Once they were thoroughly relaxed and more accepting of the party, Sunset asks Twilight: "Hey, do you know where... the other me is?"
Twilight look around and realize that she can't see her. "Hm... I think maybe she have to a quick errand outside. But don't worry, I think she'll be here any minute now."
"Ok then" Crystal Sunset replied. While Moondancer was debating if she should stay or not, Sunset says to her: "Well them, since I'm more use to the party scene, I think I'm gunna wait for her by the tables until the other me arrives. Holla if you need me."
"Ok" Twilight replied.
Moondancer stood there, shy and confused on what she want to do. Twilight saw this and try to comfort her. "Hey Moondancer" she says to her cheerfully. "Do you want to..."
But before she could finish, Flash appeared behind her and grabs her attention. "Twilight! I need your help!"
"Flash!" Twilight said with surprise.
Flash says to her: "I'm trying whatever I can to impress your brother, but nothing I do is getting through to him. You got to help me!"
Twilight groans and rest her hand on her temple. "Oh Flash..." she muttered. Even though she still likes him, sometimes he just tries way too hard. Moondancer on the other hand was left wondering and intrigue on what this is about.
Meanwhile, other members of the Shadowbolt team were mingling with their new Canterlot friends. Over by the food table, Sugarcoat was trying Applejack's family apple cider per Applejack's request. She quickly discovers that it was to her liking. "Hmm! This tastes really good. Do you family seriously makes this?"
"Yep and it's made with the Apple family secret recipe!" Applejack says proudly.
After swallowing another mouthful of cider, Sugarcoat tells AJ: "Well I'm not gunna ask you what that formula is, but I must say that you need to patent this in to stores."
"Geez Sugarcoat. That's a mighty nice thing to say."
"I'm Just being truthful!" Both girls then burst out laughing and chuckling.
Over to another side of the room, Rarity and Sunny Flare were chatting happily to one another. Sunny gratefully says to Rarity: "I must thank you again for all of your help during the fashion challenge. I don't know what I would have done without you."
"Well don't think too much about it darling" Rarity replied. "I was only there as a supervising role. Making sure that everybody was having fun making those designs."
"Well that is one of those things that I don't understand?" Sunny stated. "Knowing a glimpse of your behaviour, I would have expected you to actually competed and score a win for Canterlot."
"Yeah well, I know I would have won if I put my designs in, but then I know that Crystal Prep isn't so articulate as I am. There's no way I would stand by and wouldn't give a helping hand."
"But..."
"I know, I know. "Opposite sides" and all that. I'm just too generous."
Sunny was still in disbelief to Rarity's kindness. However, when she see her kind and cheery smile, she couldn't detect a hint of mistrust from her. She was never interested in making friends before but she would like to have Rarity to be her first. "Maybe this is what it was like for Twilight when she came to this school?" said a passing thought that raced across Sunny's mind.
But as both girls were having a memorable moment, the scene sort of shift gears a little bit when Rarity asks a question. "But I must say, there is this one thing that I must ask you about."
"OK?" Sunny replied curiously.
"What is that large trinket that you have on?"
Sunny Flare looked down and see the large pendent around her neck. She actually had kept it hidden under her shirt and it must have gotten out at some point in the day.
Rarity says to Sunny: "I don't want to be nosy, but I remember you saying that you aren't one for fashion?"
Sunny replies: "Well you see..."
"... This is something that one of the other student had made before we got here" said Indigo Zap who explaining her trinket to Rainbow Dash. "She said that she made it for some soft of research project that she was doing and Principal Cinch made us all wear them for some reason?"
"Uh?" Rainbow Dash remarked.
She look at it closely, feeling that there is something off about it. But whatever suspicion thought couldn't be backed up as she don't know what to find. Afterwards, Rainbow Dash shrugs, thinks that she might be overthinking it and says out loud: "Eh..." Indigo Zap shares the same sentiment.
Meanwhile, Sunset Shimmer (the Sunset Shimmer from Crystal Prep) was standing by the food table and just admiring the party. People might call her a wallflower for it, but she didn't care. She was just satisfied watching the party and waiting for her counterpart to turn up so they could speak more.
But as she waiting, Sunset suddenly felt a colliding bump from her back that pushed her a little bit. Knocking her into a grumpy mood, Sunset turn around with anger and yell to the person who bumped her: "Hey! Watch It!"
But when she saw the boys who bumped her, she was off putted by their unintimidating appearance. One were short and kind of chubby with blue skin and the other was taller but scrawny with orange skin. She knew it was probably an accident and she shouldn't get too upset about it. However, what they say to her threw her through a loop.
"Oh Sunset! Didn't see ya there. Sorry for bumping into you" said the chubby kid as he quickly apologize.
Leaning back with confusion, Sunset says to them: "Do I know you?"
Shocked, the chubby boys says: "What! Of Course You Do! We were like your minions back when you were still a bad girl."
While Sunset still look completely confused, the scrawny boy tap the shoulder of his friend. "Hey, I don't think this is the Sunset that we know, eh."
The chubby became surprised, but when he got a closer look at Sunset, he soon realize who he was speaking to. "Oh! Y-You that other Sunset from Crystal Prep!" he says out loud.
"Um... yeah I guess?" Sunset replied.
"Sorry about that. We thought you were "the Sunset" from our school and well... you know..."
"Nah, No, None taken" Sunset replied as she quickly understood the mishap.
For a moment, it look like things would resolve without an issue. Both chubby and scrawny boy was about to walk off and enjoy the rest of the party. But before they could turn around and leave, Sunset suddenly realize something.
"Wait A Minute! What do you mean "Bad Girl"?"
"Huh?" replied the boy who turn back around.
"Did the other me did something horrible?"
The chubby boy stammered and didn't know what to say. He feels that if he says anything wrong, it would cause trouble to more then just himself. He would have stayed quiet... until his scrawny friend blathers out loud: "Oh yeah, she wasn't a very nice person. Before the Fall Formal where she turned into a flying-demoness, she was a real bully."
Want to shut him up, the other boy grabs him and gently tugs him away from Sunset. "He-He... Come on Snails, let's get out of her before..."
But before they could escape, Sunset pull them back and angrily tells me: "Tell Me Everything Right! Now!" Both boys gulped in fear.
A few moments later, the party was still in full swing and people are still enjoying themselves. Eventually, Twilight's group of friends, as well as the new Crystal Prep friends that they had made, slowly convince in the center of room and show how well everybody is getting along. And then, after wondering where she is, the Sunset from Canterlot High finally arrived and rejoin the group.
"Hey guys, sorry I'm late."
"No problem Sunset" Twilight replied. "We were just chatting and having a great time."
"Wow. Sounds like all the issues have finally been sorted out" Sunset gladly remarks.
Sugarcoat says to her: "Yeah well, we just found out that we have more things in common than we thought we had."
"Yeah! Who knew that you lot had such good humor?" Indigo offhandedly remarks.
Dash replied to her by saying: "Hey! Who's school was it that haven't found laughter before until now?"
"Us!" Sunny Flare jokingly admitted.
Both group of girls then burst out laughing. It seems like all the animosity or tension between all of them is completely gone and none of it was left to find. But as they were enjoying the moment, Sunset realize something.
"Hey! Fluttershy and Sour Sweet aren't here yet!?"
After looking at the group and saw that they aren't there, AJ just shrugs and replies: "They'll be here any minute."
However Sunset question did remind Moondancer of something. "Oh hey! Your other self is waiting for you by the food table."
"Really! Well I better go to her then."
"Yeah, don't keep her waiting!" Lemon Zest joked.
And after a bit more of laughter, Sunset slowly walks off. But as she was walking towards the back, the music slowly stops and a voice spoke out through the speakers.
"May I have your attention please!"
Everyone stop what they were doing and turn to face the stage. On there, they saw Derpy was standing by the mic stand, with Trixie was right behind her, and she was holding an envelope.
"We have got the final results for the 2nd round of the Friendship Games." When she said that, everyone's glued their attention onto her. "And the winner of the round is..."
But when Bright Eyes tries to open the envelope, she found some difficulty. She try to pick at the flap and it sealed shut. She try to tear it open but she isn't able to rip it. Something that anybody else would find such a simple tack is giving Muffins a touch time to do. The crowd couldn't decide if they should laugh or feel sorry for her.
Meanwhile, in the crowd, Sunset had finally meet up her other school counterpart at the food table who was finish talking with the boys that she met before.
"Hey Sunset. How are you..."
But before she rest her hand on her shoulder to grab her notice, Crystal Sunset grab her hand before she could touch her. Canterlot Sunset became shocked and feel strong anger in her grip. C.P Sunset slowly turn towards her, eyes filled with anger and tells her:
"We need to talk."
Back on stage, Derpy was still trying to open the envelope and the moment was beginning to drag. Growing impatient, Trixie push Bright Eye aside and grab the microphone.
"Ok! This how we are gunna do this! Shout if you want Crystal Prep to be the winners?"
The crowd was a little off put by the sudden demand and was soft questioning if they should.
"SHOUT!"
And like that, the crowd started to make some noise. However, it wasn't high pitch screaming. It was more like a half-hearted cheer that they quickly made.
"Now Shout If You Want Canterlot To Be The Winner?!"
There was a slight pause. Not because they didn't know what to do but because all the Crystal Prep students secretly look at each other and slowly grew the same thought.
"Shout!" Trixie yelled one last time.
"YEAH!!!"
The crowd roared with loud shouting and cheering. However, most of the cheering came from the Crystal Prep students. The Canterlot High students was surprised. They didn't expect their rival school would cheer for them to win. Maybe it was some sort of thank you for showing them some fun that they never had for so long. Some were even touched by how excited that they shouted.
After witnessing the results, Trixie nonchalantly states: "Ok, Canterlot is the winners." She then pass the mic back to Muffin and tells her: "That's how you announce the results."
The C.P students made some more cheering to celebrate and the CHS decide to went along. Twilight and her friends stood where they are, proud of what they had accomplished. Excited and overjoyed, Pinkie Pie and Lemon Zest made their own celebratory shout.
"Oh Yeah!" shouted Lemon as she throw up her hands.
"Go CHS!" Pinkie yelled as she do the same thing.
As they were yelling and cheering, they unconsciously back to walk backwards. This sort of led them to walk back towards the exit and pump into somebody.
"Sorry" they quickly apologize.
However, when they turn around to see who it is, both girls became frightened.
"AH! Principal Cinch!!"
When everyone heard Pinkie's and Lemon's scream, everything stopped. The music abruptly ended, everybody ceased partying and they all look towards the door. There, they saw the cold, no-nonsense principal of Crystal Prep standing in the doorway. Her face shows no emotion but that just mean intense anger hiding behind her cold expression. And by her side, Fluttershy and Sour Sweet was there, standing terrified of the principal who grabbing onto their shoulders. They could obviously tell on how she found the party.
As the stone cold principal walk into the hall, Twilight rushes over and timidly says: "Principal Cinch! Funny to see you here. Um... We were just..."
"Save your words Twilight. I can see what's going on." Twilight gulped as Cinch walked back to her.
When Abacus was in the middle of the room, she stopped and look around to all the scared and nervous students in the hall. "Why you all stopped?" she asked sarcastically. "Are you not gunna continue partying and indulge yourselves in their meaningless friendship Trap?"
When she said trap, they all were wondering what she meant. But while most of the Crystal Prep students and a few Canterlot students was left confused by this, Moondancer notice Twilight was slowly began to break down into a cold sweat.
Seeing the confused students around her, Principal Cinch sighs. "Do I have to explain it to all of you?" With everyone still in a confused silence, she sort of got her answer. "*SIGH* Don't you find it sort of peculiar that all of Canterlot seemed so gung-ho on making friends with us, despite being bitter rivals? Don't you find it perplexing that they suddenly throw away the envelope and let it all be decided on a popularity contest?"
When she said that, the C.P students slowly became suspicious towards CHS. They too were curious on why they were so friendly and so helpful them but they all sort of forgot about when the party started. But now since those thoughts were brought back towards the forefront, they were even more suspicious.
As Cinch got onto the stage, she purposed out loud: "Is it perhaps they were misleading you, put you in a vulnerably state of susceptibility and to get you side with them? Why else would they choose art; an opinionated and subjective subject that are all based on one own opinions!? Although, they would have to know that Crystal Prep isn't so artistically adept. I would expect a certain "former student" might have a hand in it."
After hearing all of that, Moondancer turn to Twilight and ask her: "Is any of that true Twilight?"
Twilight was caught biting her lip. She want so badly to say no and deny anything that Cinch had implied, if only to help maintain the re-established friendship that she has for Moondancer. However, she can not lie to her. "Well... some of it was true but..."
But after those few, somewhat silent, words left her mouth, everybody around her gasped. They couldn't believe they were being misled and being tricked. Some felt absolutely betrayed. Meanwhile, for people like Sugarcoat and Sour Sweet, who felt that their new bonds were undeniable real, just look at their new friends with shock and they got embarrassed and ashamed looks in return.
While she could see that Moondancer was still in a state of utter shock, Twilight desperately tells her: "Look! Yes, we may have hoped that you all would let us have the round, but we really were trying to promote friendship! We were..."
However her words was falling on deaf ears. Moondancer, feeling utterly betrayed and remembering the first time that Twilight (accidentally) hurt her, let her anger grew and have control of her.
"You was trying to use us" Moondancer muttered. "You Were Using Us So You Can Win!?"
"No! We..."
"I Don't Want To Hear It!" Moondancer snapped. "You Said You Wanted To Make It Up With Me, So We Can Have A Second Chance, But You Was Just Using Me To Help Get You The Win!"
"No Moondancer! Please Listen!"
But before Twilight could say anything, Principal Cinch made an "Ahem!" through the speakers to get everyone's attention again. But what they don't know was that she was holding a peculiar button behind her back that was ready to press.
"However... I am still willing to concede the victory to Canterlot, despite how Underhanded it was. But in return..."
Cinch pushed the button and something bad was beginning to happen. The odd large pendants that were the around the necks of Moondancer, Indigo Zap, Sunny Flare, Lemon Zest, Sour Sweet and Sugarcoat begin to light up and lift by themselves. Before Twilight and her friends could realize what was going on, the pendants shot open and began to suck out a weird light from them.
"What Uh... Going On!?" Twilight cried out in confusion.
But before they knew it, all of them began to feel week. All strength was being sapped from them and each girl was falling down to the ground in pain. All the students who were witnessing stood back with shock and confusion. Even Moondancer and the other Shadowbolt girls could watch on in horror as they were seeing the life being sucked out of the people whom they considered their friends. And through the pain, Twilight realize what was going on: They Were Being Drained Of All Their Magic!
And after a few gruelling moments, it stopped. Twilight and her friends was left collapsed on the floor and the pendants closed with the stored magic that they stole. Everyone was left stunned by this. Even Moondancer wasn't expecting something like this. But through the confusion, Principal Cinch broke the silence as she make one final announcement.
"Next week will be the 3rd and final round of the Friendship Games. It will take place here, at Canterlot, and it will be a Fair Contest!" And as she was about to head off stage, Cinch took one more moment to tell her students: "To everybody from Crystal Prep; we are leaving. If you don't want to get left behind, you better head to the buses Immediately.
When Abacus was off the stage, everybody was still left in confusion. But with the fear of having to walk home, the students from C.P soon follow Cinch's command and began leaving the gym one by one. Moondancer look down at Twilight, shocked and horrified to what happened. When Twilight regained enough strength to pick up her head, Moondancer ran away before she could look at her. And when she left, Flash rushes to Twilight's aid.
"Twilight!" he cried out. As he got down and slowly lift her up, he asks: "Are you ok?"
"Moondancer..." Twilight responded in a weak tone. "Wait..." The last thing she saw of Moondancer was her leaving the gym.
In the halls, Principals Celestia, Luna and Cadence was walking around and trying to find Principal Cinch. When they found her, she saw her leading all the C.P students out of the school.
"What's going on Principal Cinch?" Dean Cadence asked.
Cinch replies: "We're leaving Dean Cadence. If you don't want to get left behind, you have better come along or else you have to walk back to school."
She continue to head along and leading the students. Cadence wasn't sure what was going on but she knows that Cinch isn't giving her a lot of time. She turn to Celestia and quickly tells: "I'm so sorry for this but I think I better go." Even though she was as confused as Cadence, Celestia understands and let her go.
But after all the Crystal Prep students had gone passed, they suddenly saw Twilight, being carried by Flash, and trying to catch up with the other students. They were trying to catch up with Moondancer and hopefully get to explain things before she get away. But when they got outside to the courtyard, they could see all the Crystal Prep students were getting onto the buses and Moondancer was no where in sight. Unable to find her, Twilight began to feel heart broken.
But as Twilight was feeling saddened to the point that she might cry, her and Flash suddenly heard a voice shout out behind them.
"Sunset! Wait!"
Confused (considering that it sounded like Sunset herself), Twilight and Flash turn around and see what's going on. Out from the doorway, Crystal Sunset storm out and was making a face pace walk to the buses. And right behind her, Canterlot's Sunset, barely managing to stand up, was chasing after herself.
"Wait Sunset!... We Need To Talk!" CHS Sunset yell out as she was holding herself up with the door.
"No, Get Away From Me!" C.P Sunset replied. "I Got Nothing More To Say To... To... To A Monster!"
Sunset's words was like a dagger that was stabbing her other world counterpart in the chest. And just then, Crystal Sunset momentarily stopped by the statue. Anger and rage was boiling up inside of her and she need to let it all out. She turn around towards the school that she now hates and shouts:
"I Wish I Never Gotten Involved In These Stupid Games!"
However, (CHS) Sunset, Twilight and Flash was paying enough to (C.P) Sunset. Instead, they were looking that the rather large crack on the statue mirror, the same mirror that was also an inter-dimensional portal. Before they could wonder how the cracks got there, Crystal Sunset, in a moment of frustration, kicks the side of the statue.
"*CRACK!*"
Crystal Sunset froze when she heard the sound. When look around on the statue's mirror, she saw that the whole thing was covered in cracks. Before, the cracks was only stationed around one corner. But now it was all over it and it's looks ready to fall apart. Twilight, Flash and (CHS) Sunset mouths hang open and was in a state of disbelief. And if things wasn't bad enough, in between the cracks, ominous and terrifying black mist was seeping through with signs of a bad omen being felt.
Afraid of getting in trouble, Crystal Sunset ran off and catch up with the other Crystal Prep, leaving Sunset and Twilight terrified on what's going to happen next.
It has been a few minutes since Crystal Prep had vacated itself off of Canterlot High's grounds. The teachers quickly found out what has happened and they soon feel the same emotions as the students; upset, somewhat frustrated and generally depressed. However, while they were concerned for the 7 students that got their life drained from them by weird experimental devices disguised as jewelry, everyone was most worried about the severely cracked mirror on the school's statue.
Outside by the front, Twilight, Sunset, Rainbow, Pinkie, Fluttershy, AJ and Rarity was resting on the school steps and were regaining their strength. They... well putting it bluntly, they feel like crap. They feel fatigued, they regret not doing anything while Principal Cinch was ruining all the process that they made and they were worried if they still can pony-up or not. But while they were recuperating, the girls can only watch as the principals in front of them are trying to fix the issue.
Principal Celestia was standing in front of the damaged mirror and closely examining it. Not once before Twilight arrived to their school that she was concerned about the old mirror that is attached to the equally old statue. But now, after finding out on what it actually is; an inter-dimensional gateway to a world parallel theirs, Celestia never felt more unsure on how to handle the current issue. She didn't know if she should consult a mirror repair company, elite theoretical scientists, supernatural occult experts or chasing up previous heads of the school. Celestia was at a total lost. It also didn't help matter that when anybody tries to get near it, scary dark lights would begin pulsing through the cracks.
Vice Principal Luna was also not faring any better. After finding out what she done to their students, she thought that she could chase her up and demand what is going through her head. However, all attempts trying to contact her via cellphone was met with silence or annoying answering machines. Luna even thought about calling other people close to her like Dean Cadence. However, even this turns out to be another fruitless endeavor.
"Ugh! Even Cadence isn't picking up her phone" Luna moaned as she turn to Celestia. "I think Cinch is making sure she doesn't answer."
Celestia frowned in sadness as she sees that as a likely possibility.
As the school principals were deep in thought, wondering how it could be possible to fix any of these messes, Twilight watch them from the distance. She saw them being utterly lost on what to do and she couldn't help but to feel responsible for all of this. Mustering up the little strength that she regained, Twilight manage to pick herself up and slowly stumble over to Celestia and Luna. When they notice her approach, Twilight woefully says to them:
"I am so sorry Principal Celestia. If it weren't for me..."
But knowing what she was going to say, Celestia stops her. "Now hold on Twilight" she sternly stated. "None of this is your fault. You did the best that you could and that is everything that we could ever asked for. You even manage to give Canterlot a win."
"Yeah But How's That Any Good For Us Now!" Twilight yelled back. "Our relations with Crystal Prep is now back to square-one, our magic gotten stolen and the mirror portal is on the verge of collapsing! If I was a even a bit more observant, then some of these things could have been prevented."
Twilight breaths heavily, not only to hold up her own body but also the huge responsibility she put on herself. Celestia was about to say something to her... until someone beat her too it.
"You shouldn't put all the blame on yourself there Twilight"
When Twilight look behind her, she saw her friends picking themselves up coming towards her. Like Twilight, there weren't in perfect, healthy conditions but they were strong enough to stand.
Sunset tells her: "You aren't the only one who feels responsible for any of this".
"You guys..." Twilight softly muttered.
As they came up to her, Fluttershy says to her: "We were responsible to make sure everyone was getting along and becoming friends."
"And I should have realized that they weren't wearing real jewelry" Rarity added.
"We all should have realize the large crack growing on the mirror" Pinkie added was also pointing towards it. "I mean seriously. We had a weeks to notice it but none of use did!?"
Sunset then nonchalantly remarks: "Yeah, I guess I should have paid a bit more attention to it, considering it's my only way back home." While everyone did say it, they concur with Sunset.
"Anyway Twilight, you shouldn't feel that all the weight should be on your shoulders" Applejack tells her. "We all had a part to play we all should share the blame in all of this."
Touched that all of her friends would come to comfort, Twilight felt a small tear dripping drown her face. Pulling them all on for a hug, she says: "Thanks you guys" and show how much she loves them.
"Aww" Rarity and Pinkie sounded as they appreciated the hug. And while they all were hugging, Celestia was enjoying the heartwarming scene that she is witnessing.
However, once their group hug was over, Rainbow Dash then loudly states: "However, the person who is mostly to blame for all of this is Principal Cinch fellow."
"Yeah!" Pinkie angrily agreed. "If it weren't for her, everyone would be friends by now."
Rarity says: "I have to agree. She seems like an awful woman who like to freeze over everything."
All the teenage girls were voicing the agreement. For people like Twilight who sort of know her and Fluttershy who like to think there's good in everybody, they were hesitant to call Cinch anything really nasty. However, with everyone coming into agreement and the way she just behaved, they couldn't but to go along with them.
But then, Celestia tells: "Now hold on a minute girls. Don't be too hasty."
Shocked, Rainbow yells out loud: "Why the heck not!?"
"Yeah. It's like she hate friendship or something" Pinkie Pie bluntly remarks.
Keeping a cool and collected head, Luna tells the girls: "Well if you knew Cinch as long as we have, you'd know that isn't exactly true."
"Wait, what!" AJ reacted. "You two had a history with her?"
"Yes, we do" Celestia replied. "We all knew each other, along with Dean Cadence, back when we were in school."
All the girls were blown away when they heard such revelation. Twilight was too
As the group of girls were on them, Celestia and Luna could see that they have an old story to tell. Even though the story was a bit personal and embarrassing, they feel like that they have to know. After taking a deep breath, Celestia says to them:
"It all started in our final year of highschool..."
And as she begins her story, Celestia begin to reminisce and flashback to her school days with her sister, Cadence and Cinch.
"... Cinch, Cadence and Luna and I were top honor students. We excel in all of our subjects and we all were planned to go into teaching together."
And within the resurfacing memories, Celestia could recall them all sitting around a school bench during lunch and planning the Friendship Games.
"Ok, so in the first round, it would be an academic triathlon. And in the second, it would be a sporting event" said a young and enthused Abacus Cinch.
"Ok but what are we gunna have in the sporting?" asked a young Cadence.
After giving some thought, a young Luna suggests: "Hmm... How about making it all a race where the students have to do a different physical event along the way."
"Kind of like a relay race?" Cadence acquire.
"Yes, exactly!"
Then in the present, Luna add: "But while we were all bright students, some were brighter then others."
Young Celestia suggests: "I could see stuff like bicycles and roller-blades being really popular in the future. So why not have one be a bike race, an other would be a Rollerblade derby and the last one... any suggestions?"
Cinch replies: "Actually, I was sort of thinking on having archery be the first event."
"Why?"
"Well, if an none-athletic student got put on the team, they would have a better chance at archery then any other sport."
"Hey yeah, I could see how that would work."
When she could see all of her friends agreeing and liking her idea, Cinch made a massive smile across her face, temporally forgetting that she has braces on.
"Cinch wasn't like how she is now. She was nicer, more optimistic and she was the top contender to be valedictorian. She wasn't quite popular, but she already had all the friends that she wanted."
"But then came the party."
"Hey, guess what everyone?"
"What Cadence?"
"We all just got invited to Regal Pants Party!"
"Regal Pants! The wealthiest person in school?" Luna enquire.
Back in the present, Rarity interrupt the story so she could ask: "Regal Pants? Is he by any chance related to..."
But before she could finish, Rainbow shushed her so Celestia and Luna could continue.
"The very same!" Cadence replied.
While Celestia was rather happy with this delightful news (she is one for parties after all), Luna and Cinch was rather skeptical about the thing.
"Why would Regal Pants invite all of us?" Luna curiously asked.
Cadence explains: "Well... he sort of invited me and he would let me bring all of you."
"Ok, but still why?"
But while Luna had a confused expression on her face, Celestia sort of laughs to her sister's lack of perception. "Isn't it obvious?" Celestia remark. "Regal is trying to get onto Cadence's "good side", if you know that I mean."
After having it explained to her, Luna could finally see why. Out of all of them, Cadence was by far the cutest one in their group and much more sort after by the guys. Cadence herself was little bit embarrassed that she didn't realize it sooner. But once she done feeling that way, Cadence ask them:
"So... do you all still want to go."
In no later then a short pause that Celestia quickly says: "Well I know I definitely want to go."
And after giving a huff, Luna then remarks: "Well if you're going, I better come along so you won't stay there all night."
But then, while Cadence was happy to see two of her friends are coming along, she notice that Cinch was a bit more reserve with the idea.
"I don't know you guys. I would just prefer if we just stay home and study."
But Celestia then protests: "Oh come on Abacus! We already finish all of out studying. This might be out last chance to party as high-schoolers. Don't you want to have your first party experience."
Cinch was still unsure. However, with all the yearning gazes from her friends begging her to come, she might have felt a little bit pressured.
As she had expected, Cinch was a total wallflower. Looking at the wild teenagers partying and chatting their lives away, Cinch was standing by near the food table, too nervous to do anything fun.
She knew that she won't find anything fun here. Or at least, nothing fun for her. Meanwhile, all of her friends were easily fitting in with the other groups. A bunch of guys were chatting it up with Cadence and Luna was talking with a group nerds who were fans of the supernatural. And Celestia...
"Little did we know that the dean of our school was also attending that party. He was Regal Pant's uncle and I got into a conversation with him. I can't remember what we talk about, but I think Abacus must have thought I was trying to get into his good graces.
And then..."
While Cinch was feeling envious of Celestia, she suddenly heard a teen shout out: "Dog On The Loose!"
"What!!"
And just then, Cinch suddenly spotted a brown greyhound running towards her. Before she could do anything, the greyhound jump up to her and try to give her kisses. Very quickly, Cinch's nose begins to burn up and her allergies was raising through the roof.
"Ah... Ha...ACHOO!!!"
A sound of a large sneeze echoed through out the room and caught everyone off guard. The next thing they heard was a large crash sound coming from the food table. Celestia, Luna and Cadence instantly became worried for Cinch and slow begin to panic for her well being.
Everyone crowd around the food table and notice the whole thing was in a total mess. Food and drinks was splattered about (and was being eaten by the dog), the table itself was broken and a person who was literally covered head-to-toe in food and mush slump over on the floor. It took everyone a minute to recognize her but they could see that it was Cinch. When Cinch finally get the goop off of her glasses, one teen cries out...
"Well I Guess We Know That "Dog Walker" Won't Be A Career In Her Future!"
"Ah Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
At that moment, everyone in the room burst out laughing. Even the dean couldn't stop himself from chuckling. The only people who weren't laughing at Cinch was her friends who could see the shock expression on her face. Cinch, the person who didn't wanted to come, was now the laughingstock of the party. The scene of people laughing at her was forever ingrain into her head."
"And unfortunately, that wasn't the end to the young Principal Cinch's torment" Celestia regretfully informed. "ages after the party had ended, people still made fun of her for what had happened at the party. It was so bad, she even tempted to skip school a couple of times. She only didn't because she thought it would jeopardize her position for valedictorian."
"However, that was all in vain." Luna added. "When it was time for our graduation, Celestia was pick for valedictorian and not Cinch. This despite the fact that Cinch had far better grades than Celestia. The only explanation was that the dean must have been influenced by the party and mess with his opinions a bit."
And with a heavy heart, Celestia then states: "At that moment, Cinch must have come up with the conclusion that if you want to get far in life, you mustn't show any weaknesses and get people's opinions to be in your favor. To have... a reputation."
When the principals was finish telling their story, Twilight and the other girls were in total silence. None of them thought that Cinch would have such a experience like that in school and never question where she got that attitude from. But now that they heard about it, they just got a new perspective on thing.
"Now do you see why Principal Cinch acts like the way she does?" asked Principal Celestia to her students.
After a moment of pause, Twilight softly replies: "Yes."
"Jeez. After an experience like that, isn't it any wonder that she acts so... so... distantly" said Fluttershy who wanted her thoughts to be spoken.
Pinkie Pie adds: "Yeah and it was all because of a party. Parties aren't meant to make people feel sad. They are meant to make people happy."
Rainbow Dash then responds by saying: "Yeah, but does that give her a right to steal our magic?"
"I have to agree" Applejack responded. "No matter what her reason is, what she did in the hall was too far."
However, Rarity tries to argues: "But still. If things were a little bit different for her, she might not have done it."
"Yeah, but we can't delve into what "might have happened" and focus what did" Twilight replied, even though she still feel sorry for Cinch.
But while everyone was still discussing about Principal Cinch, Sunset was still transfixed on something else. "Um guys. I know you are having a deep conversation and everything, but what do you think we're gunna do with the portal."
And when she said that, everyone then remembered about the mirror portal and how it currently crack. Looking at it now, with scary dark mists leaking out of it, they all were left wondering what they were going to do.
"Hmmm?" Pinkie sounded.
And then light a lightning bolt, Pinkie suddenly grab a large piece of plywood and a roll of duct tape (almost out of nowhere). She cover the whole mirror with the plywood then use the duct tape to make it stuck to the statue. She then tape pieces of paper on to it that says "Danger! Don't Touch!" or "Broken Glass! Don't Come Near!"
Once she was done, Pinkie tell her friends: "Ok! Until we know how to fix it, no one is allowed to come near it!"
Everyone wasn't sure if this is a good idea. It wasn't really a solution. At best, she was just covering it up. However, this might be the best action to take until they are safely sure on how to handle it properly. At least it is made clear that you aren't suppose to come near it.
But with that out of the way (for now), everyone was now left to wonder how they are gunna handle the Friendship Games this point forward. The Crystal Prep students now have their magic, but do they know how to use it? Better yet, do they know the right way to use it? Sunset, Twilight and their friends all now the dangers of using magic selfishly, how dark desires can corrupt it. And will Principal Cinch will force them to use it? And even though this isn't high on the priority list, but could they still get Canterlot it's victory.
But whatever happens, all they know it that things will come to it's head next week, during the last round of the Friendship Games.
Today is the day. Today is the last round of the Friendship Games and things weren't looking too happy for everyone. During the week since the last round, Principal Cinch had sent Canterlot High a message about what the last event is gunna be: "Capture the Flag". The message didn't say anything about magic or the current relation between the schools. Just that they have to scatter 7 pennant flags around the school for Crystal Prep to find and C.P will do the same for Canterlot High to find. Even though they don't want to go along with it, they felt like they didn't have any other choice.
But anyway, right now, everybody was waiting in front of the school and waiting for Crystal Prep to arrive. The weather forecast say that it wouldn't be raining but dark, thick clouds hang over the skies above. This was oddly (and unfortunately) fitting since everyone was in dour mood. No one looked happy or excited. No one looked curious or any at all invested. They weren't even bored. They all just looked gloomy and miserable. The scene looked so depressing that even Adagio, Aria and Sonata; three girls who were indifferent to the games was a little bit annoyed that nobody was happy about it.
And eventually, the buses that was carrying Crystal Prep had finally arrived. With Discord being the same driver, all the buses parked out in front and everybody slowly gets off. Just like CHS, the students of Crystal Prep wasn't looking forward to today's events either and they were looking just as disinterested and gloomy as they are. The only people who had the most positive expressions out of anyone was Principal Cinch and Discord (he just found it amusing that the weather was matching the emotional-atmosphere).
Nobody was talking and nobody was conversing. They weren't any aggression or animosity like they were before the games. But after what happened last week, things were in an awkward and difficult situation that nobody felt energized to talk about. At least in the first round that there were some conversation being traded. Things were just so depressing that it made the principals of the two school feel sick to their stomach.
Anyway, all the students headed towards the bleachers that was set up in front of the building. Teachers from both schools then heads on inside the building so they could scatter about the flags. Once they were done, they head back out the front and inform the two sets of principals. Standing in between the two student bodies and in front of the statue (the one with the cracked portal mirror that was currently covered up), Dean Cadence from Crystal Prep then went over the rules.
After taking a deep breath (to hold her emotions), she explains: "Ok, there are 14 pennant flags scattered thought Canterlot High's main building. 7 for CHS and 7 for C.P. The two school teams with only 7 members will then enter the building and race to capture their flags. Each member are only allowed to carry one flag each and once they return with said flag, they aren't allowed to re-enter the school. The first team to return with all of their school's flags or with the most flags within the allotted time not only win the round but the Friendship Games as well."
After explaining all of that, the students from both schools now have a firm understanding on the rules.
"Now will the teams from Canterlot and Crystal Prep now make you way to the center!" Cadence cried out.
Emerging from their respective school's sides, the two groups of seven came out and headed towards the principals. Rather amusingly (and predictably), they were the 14 girls that everyone came to expect. On Crystal Prep's side, it was Moondancer, Sunset Shimmer (from the human world), Indigo Zap, Sugarcoat, Sour Sweet, Lemon Zest and Sunny Flare. For Canterlot High's side, it was Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer (from the pony world), Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rarity. When both teams came to the center, their respective school principals gave their students a quick private chat before they start.
"Are you all ready for this?" Principal Celestia asked them.
Rainbow Dash shrugs and replies: "We're as ready as we ever be."
"Ok but... are you all still sure that you want to do this?"
Celestia must still be worried about their help. That... and probably because the other team has magic powers that will probably gives them an edge. Twilight responded by saying to her: "We're probably the best group of people going against them. Who else know more about our magic then us?" Celestia had to silently agrees.
They then look at their opponents who were have a quite of a "pep talk" from their principal.
"Remember; as soon as you all inside, activate Moondancer's device and unleash the magic!" Principal Cinch ordered.
Despite how fierce Cinch was glaring that them, Moondancer tries to hesitantly warn her: "But Principal Cinch, we hadn't..."
But Cinch interrupts her and says: "And also remember that you not only maintaining the reputation of the school but your own as well. Other's will witness your expertise and skills and they all will be very interested into having you."
When she said that, Moondancer quickly shut the heck up. She realize that it was a subtle hint that if she or they don't do what they are told, they won't get the further education programs that they wanted. It almost like she is blackmailing them or something.
"Now all of you get into position and get ready."
With that, all the participants get behind the starting line and get ready to run. As they all were lining up, the teams were having a quick glare at one another. They try to shoot out looks that say that they aren't going to lose. But deep down in their hearts, all of them don't really want to do this.
After a moment of silence, Luna hold up the starting gun over her head.
"BANG!"
When the girls heard the starting sound, all of them made a fast dash to the front door. They then run into the building and began their search for the flags.
After all the girls had gone into the main building, they all split up in the foyer and a lot of them went down different hallways. No one was with anybody from their own team and they spread to cover as much ground as possible. The only person they are with is their opponents who went down the same hallway as they did.
And in the center of hallway, Twilight was left debating with herself on where she should check first. But as she was looking down different corridors, she caught a gimps of someone. She wasn't too sure but she thinks it was Moondancer. When she saw her, Twilight got a voice in the back of her mind telling that she need to go after her. The only thing that was holding her back is the hostility that she might get when Moondancer would see. However, she was determined to make amends with her and so she tries to follow her.
Meanwhile, in an another corridor, Fluttershy was running down and trying to look for the room that has a flag. She had Spike along with her and sort of assisting her in her search... even though it might be considered cheating if a teacher spotted her using him. They were rushing down the hallway way until they come across a junction where they run into Sour Sweet.
"You!" Sour Sweet exclaimed when she saw her.
Startled to suddenly meeting her, Fluttershy sheepishly replies: "Um, hi Sour Sweet."
However, Sour Sweet wasn't so friendly this time around. "Don't try to be friendly around me! I know you were pretending to be my friend during the last round just so you can get a point on us."
"What!" Spike barked. "You was the one who was being friendly around us and wanted to hang out!"
But unfortunately, Fluttershy didn't think like that. Seeing Sour Sweet's mean side, after having been around her kind side, was a sharp stab to her emotions. And looking into her cross-filled eyes, she could see that she wasn't joking around. A hurt Fluttershy cries out: "Sorry for bothering you!" and ran in the opposite direction.
Both Spike and Sour Sweet was surprised by how hurt Fluttershy was. They didn't know how fragile she was or how much she must have cared for their short friendship. Spike barks: "Wait Fluttershy!" and tries to chase after.
Sour Sweet stood there, alone in that hallway, biting her lip and slowly realizing that her friendship with Fluttershy might have been real.
Meanwhile in an other hallway, (Canterlot) Sunset was hearing loud footsteps. She knows that it could be anyone. However, something about them seems oddly familiar to her. Almost like they were her own somehow. When she thought of that, Sunset realize that they must belong to her human world counterpart and she decides to go after them.
In a parallel hallway going the other direction, Rainbow Dash and Indigo Zap was racing against each other while trying to find their flags.
"I'll Find Mine First, Indigo Scrap!"
"Not Before Mine, Rainbow Trash!"
Both girls trade insults with one another and but heads while they run. Eventually, Rainbow mange to gain the lead, much to Indigo's surprise. However, while Rainbow was thinking that she will win their little rivalry, she suddenly heard a slip and a fall.
"Ouch!"
Rainbow Dash stopped running a looks back, noticing that Indigo had fallen and was slow to picking herself up. Now, the competitive part of her brain was telling her to keep on running and keep her advantage. However, another part of her was commanding her to help Indigo Zap. Either it was her good-natured spirit, her attachment to Indigo or her sense of loyalty, but Rainbow decides to go back and help her.
When Indigo Zap managed to get a third of the way up, she spotted Rainbow's hand who was offering her some assistance. Surprised by this act of kindness, she accepts Rainbow Dash's hand and let her help her get back onto her feet.
Both Sunset and Twilight looked frantically around them for the people they are chasing. Eventually, they come across each other while they were huffing and puffing. When they first see each other, they had they a feeling that they weren't looking for the flags no more. And by the fact there is so many similarities between one another, Twilight and Sunset could guess that they are looking for some people that they really need a personal chat to.
"You see, we weren't really faking it! We really tried to be friends with all of y'all."
"Actually, I already thought that was the case. The only umbrage I have is that you were trying to bank on us giving you the win. You could obviously still have beaten us in the artistic contests."
"Yeah. In hindsight, that's a bit of shame on our parts."
Applejack and Sugarcoat was jogging down the hall side by side as they have their conversation. AJ tried to explain to Sugarcoat that they really were friends and try to clear everything up from last week. While Sugarcoat still feel a bit miffed, she could tell that Applejack was being genuine and her hearts is currently in the right place.
"Let's agree to put this thing behind us and get this over with?"
"Yeah... I would like that."
Down in the other hallway, Rarity and Sunny Flare were competing against each other for the flag. Despite both have keen eyes for small details, neither of them had spotted any flags. But as they were running, Sunny Flare notice that Rarity had stopped and was catching her breath by the lockers.
Sunny runs back and asks: "Are you ok?"
While catching her breath, Rarity replies: "Yes dearie... I'm fine... Just not use to running for long periods of time."
Looking back, Sunny realize that they have been running since the event had started and that she was sort of tired too. She pressed a button on her wrist mounted device that let's it shoot out a small handkerchief. But as she was ripping away the sweet from her brow, Sunny Flare notice something on Rarity.
"Your shoes? You're wearing sneakers?"
"Hm? Oh Yes! When I heard that this event will involve a lot of running and racing, I decides to dress for the occasion and design myself a pair of sneakers!"
Sunny Flare was transfixed on her shoes. Not only were they really appropriate, but they also looked really good on her. They were stylized with white and purple strips that goes along the sides that gives the impression that they are meant for speed. They have both form AND function.
Rarity comments: "I learn that while fashion doesn't always have to be in the drives seat, it can still be in the passenger seat next to utility."
Sunny was silently impressed. She never knew that both can go hand in hand and she appreciates Rarity's talents even more.
Finally, the first set of flags were finally spotted. Both Pinkie Pie and Lemon Zest entered the gym and found the flags belonging to both of their schools. The only problem was that they were behind an obstetrical course filled with large tires, climbing walls, swinging punching bags and a net to crawl under. It looks like a scene straight out of boot camp. Both Pinkie Pie and Lemon Zest quickly loose interest.
Pinkie remarks: "Man! These games aren't fun anymore."
"You can say that again" Lemon replies.
Sunset and Twilight was running together to find the people they were looking for. But as they were slowly losing hope, they heard sounds coming from the library. Even though it would be a cliche place to find two intellectual girls, a feeling in the back of their necks were telling them that they were inside. After taking a deep breath, both Twilight and Sunset went inside.
When Twilight and Sunset went inside, they quickly found Moondancer and (Crystal) Sunset... trying to stand on top of each other. They were trying to climb on top of a bookshelf that has two sets of flags sitting on top of it and the bookshelf itself was too tall for either one of them. Sunset was trying to stand on top of Moondancer's shoulders, but they were doing it clumsily and was bickering to one another.
"Stand Still!" Crystal Sunset demanded.
"Ouch! Watch It!" Moondancer yelled back.
"I Am Watching It! Now Just Stand Still!"
"Uuuh..."
Both Moondancer and Crystal Sunset froze when they heard another sound in the room. When Sunset got down and they turn towards the Library's entrance, they saw Twilight and the Sunset from CHS stood there awkwardly.
"Um... Hi!?" Twilight nervously waved.
"Twilight!" Moondancer yelled in surprise. "Waaa!"
As seeing Twilight and Canterlot Sunset startled them, both Moondancer and the other Sunset lost whatever balance that they had. They both stumbled over and crashed while also a few books fell atop of them. The only saving graces in this were the somewhat soft carpet broke their fall and the entire bookcase didn't sandwiched them on the ground. But while it was an amusing bit of slap stick, Twilight and Sunset didn't forget that they might have been hurt and rushed to their aid.
Twilight cried out: "Moondancer! Are you hurt!?"
"Yes! We're fine!" Moondancer angrily replied.
But as the Canterlot pair try to help up them up, Moondancer and Crystal Sunset pushed away any hands of assistance that they gave to them. Sunset even went far to say to her other world counterpart: "Get Away From Me You Monster!" The harsh insult repelled the Canterlot Sunset away and the two C.P students get up by themselves. These two, with cold anger on their faces, still have strong animosity towards our heroines which Twilight and Sunset want to get rid of.
In a calm and sorry tone, Twilight ask them: "Look, we only want to talk."
But Moondancer, not having any of it, aggressively replies: "No! We are done talking!" As a heart-shaken Twilight steps back, Moondancer explains: "You always talk about how you "want to be our friends" and "you want to make it up to us", But You Never Do!"
"You only want to use us and make us accept you apologize so you can no longer have guilty consciences" Crystal Sunset continued.
"But we've have had it with all of this!" Moondancer stated. "We're done being tools for petty principals and these stupid games! We're done being used by other people and people who want to be our "friends!" WE'RE DONE WITH ALL OF THIS!"
As Moondancer gets more and more riled up, Twilight and Sunset could see that all of this stress had finally gotten to them. All of this stress and pent up emotions had been building up all this time and the events that happened in the Games piled all the more harmful emotions onto them. They really want to get through to them and get through to them now... but they don't how to do it.
But as she was letting out all of her emotions, Moondancer remarks: "And you know what!? We Now Have The Powers To Do It!" And when she says that, Moondancer and Crystal Sunset pulled out the magic-filled pendents that they have around their necks. Fear stuck Twilight and Canterlot Sunset as they could see that they are about to unleash the magic. As Moondancer and Sunset was about to press ring on top that would activate the devices...
"STOP!" yelled both Twilight and Canterlot Sunset with their hands extended out, knowing all too well what magic fueled by negative emotions is like.
"WHY!?" Crystal Sunset angrily asks back. "Jealous that we got your magic now? Scared that we are gunna unleash all of it on you?"
"No!" Canterlot Sunset replied. "Because you are going to regret it."
Both Moondancer and Sunset wasn't letting down their guard and they have Moondancer's devices ready in the air. However, them says "they are going to regret it" did threw them off enough to not press the buttons and leave them open enough for Twilight and Sunset to throw their arguments at them.
"Trust me. You don't want to do this!" Twilight stated. "You are talking about unleashing a force that we barely have a firm understanding on."
"And why should we listen to you?" Moondancer rebutted. "You always want me to trust you, but you never give me a reason to. You..." And then, as the emotion was getting too much for her to bear, Moondancer dropped her hands and tears of sadness began to drip from her eyes. "You always push me away and leave me behind."
As Moondancer's face was filled with sadness, Twilight too was overcoming with sadness. So much so, even she was letting our a tear or two. "I'm so sorry Moondancer" she cried. "You was my friend all this time and I didn't realize what you're feeling until now."
"No! We Are Not Friends!" Moondancer yelled
"No But We Were!” Twilight responded. “You was the only other person I could rely on! You’re the only other person who could see what I went through! And yet...... I let you down.”
Even when tears began filling her eyes, Moondancer yells: “Stop! Stop Talking!”
But Twilight, who eyes are also filled with tears, cries to her: “I’m So Sorry Moon’! I’m So Sorry And I Can Understand If You Don’t Want To Speak To Me Again! But Please, I’m Begging You! Don’t Let These Emotions Turn You Into A Monster!”
Moondancer froze. Her heart was a battlefield of conflicting emotions that was trying to take control. And through this inner emotional war, doubt prevents her from pushing the button. Moondancer also hadn’t seen Twilight act like this before (probably even her friends). Normally, she would seem like a cool and collected person. Confident enough to solve any challenge. However, she never seen Twilight act this emotional and produced this many tears. It really convincing Moondancer that Twilight was really torn up by this.
And through all the tears, Twilight managed to ask: “But if you really hate me that much, is this how you want to use your invention? For... revenge is some silly high school games?”
And with that, as she sees how silly the current situation is, Moondancer felt emotionally defeated. She lower her hand with the magic powered pendent and show that she wasn’t going to use it. All she did was show Twilight how red her eyes are after all the liquids had expelled from them. Twilight, who eyes were the same way, made a smile, glad that she didn’t unleash the unstable magic. Even Sunset (from Canterlot High) was kind of glad that Twilight patch things up with Moondancer (even though they still have much work to do in the future.
But even though the moment seem a little bit hopeful for Twilight and Moondancer, the Sunset from Crystal Prep grab everyone’s attention when she yell out: “Well It Looks Like I Have To Do This By Myself!” And with her having a firm grip on her pendent, she looked series about activating it.
“Wait!” Canterlot Sunset shouted. “Don’t Do...”
“Why Should I listen To You!” Crystal Sunset snapped back. “I know all the things that you did here And With My Face!”
“Well if you know what I did, you should know that you shouldn’t do this. Don’t make the same mistake that I made!”
Sunset, the Sunset that lived her whole life in the human world, was mad. Infuriated even. Heavy breaths of air was going in and out of her nose as hearing her other-self speak was aggravating her even more. “Big Talk For Somebody Who Has Everything She ever wanted!” she yelled.
Sunset, the one who came from Equestria, was taken aback, not quite sure what she means. Even Twilight and Moondancer was silent as the Sunset from the human world tells her life story.
“You think it’s easy being me!? Well it must be easy for yousince you got everything that I ever wanted! Friends, respect, not having people breathing down your neck to give them the results they want! You even have powers that makes you a cut above the rest of us. So... If you’re really me, HOW COME YOU GOT THE BETTER LIFE THAN ME!”
The room quickly fall silent, the people in it taking in everything that Sunset had just said. Moondancer herself even realize that this must of how she acted when she release all of her pent-up emotions. Everyone then look at the other Sunset, the one who came with Twilight, as she says her response.
“So... you’re jealous of my life, is that it?”
Human Sunset silently nods.
“Well, if were being honest with ourselves here, then I got to say that I’m envious for your life too!”
“WHAT!” Human Sunset yelled.
“WHAT!” yelled by Twilight and Moondancer.
Equestrian Sunset explains: “Yeah, your life might not be perfect, but who is? Yeah, everybody is friendly with me now but not when I first changed. Even my friends had a hard time forgiving me for everything I done to them. But despite all of that, at least you can see your family again. At least you can go to a school that was meant for you. But for me... I can’t. I can’t find out how everyone in Equestria is doing. I can’t see myself having a proper job here. And when the chance arrives for me to return to my world, I have to decide if I want to take it or not because I can’t see myself saying “goodbye” to my friends! You don’t have to decide any of that... but I do.”
“Oh Sunset...” Twilight sounded, discovering the turmoil that her friend has to face.
The room fell silent once again. Everyone now understanding the difficulties in each of the Sunsets lives. Even human-world Sunset, after gaining a new perspective of her other self, could help but feel sorry for her. It was at that moment that everyone realize that none of them had it easy. Not Twilight. Not Moondancer. Not either of the Sunsets. None of them. And as Crystal Sunset lower her pendent, one more question was left for them.
“So... what do we do know?” Moondancer thought.
After a quick, thoughtful silence, Twilight sighed and says: “I think I have an idea.”
Outside in the front of the school, it has been about 10 minutes since the participants had went in for the flag hunting and not one of them had returned yet. The students was starting to get impatient and worried and wondering what is taking them so long. The teachers were too as Celestia, Luna and Cadence hope nothing has gone wrong in there. However, Cinch was the most impatient of them all as she had expected her students to return (and won) within the first 3 minutes.
But before anybody start wondering if they should go in a check, Dean Cadence notice something through the door. “Wait!” she yelled. “Somebody’s coming out!”
Everyone shot their attention towards the door, wondering who would be the first one to come out. Would it be somebody from Canterlot High? Would it be somebody from Crystal Prep? Or would it be a person from both with flags in hand and racing towards the statue. But while they were expecting something, no one imagined what would be reality.
The first person who everybody saw clearly was Twilight Sparkle, but she wasn’t alone. Right behind her, there was Rainbow Dash, Sunset Shimmer (from Canterlot), Fluttershy, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Moondancer, the other Sunset Shimmer from C.P. In fact, everybody who had entered was coming out all at once. However, none of them was carrying any flags. None of them was racing or competing against each other. All they had were determined looks one their faces and walking together as one single group.
Everyone else was shocked and confused by this. “Aren’t they competing in the Friendship Games?” some of them are asking. “Why are they coming out as one unified group?” As the participants walked to the principals, they quickly find out what was going on.
Celestia asks: “Twilight, what’s the matter? What are you all doing?”
After getting a confirmation nod from everybody behind her, Twilight replies as she speaks for all of them that: “Well, we all came together and we all came to the same decision: We aren’t competing in the Friendship Games anymore!”
Everyone paused due to a delay reaction. ”WHAT!”
Rainbow Dash explains: “We don’t want to take part in these games no more.”
“Yeah!” Indigo Zap added. “There’s nothing that you can give use to make us play in them anymore.”
Pinkie Pie explains: “Games are meant to be fun...
“And these games are no fun-zo” Lemon Zest finished off.
Everyone else in the group agrees. AJ, Rarity, Sugarcoat and Sunny Flare... none of them want to take part anymore.
But while school principals were taken aback by this, they all began hearing noise from the other students. It sound like they all agree with Twilight and the other participants. These games have became far too stressful and unpopular. They all miss hanging out with the C.P students and CHS students and don’t want no competition drive them apart. Dean Cadence even notice Shining Armour in the distance who were shaking (in eerily perfect unison) with Flash Sentry.
Abacus Cinch was baffled with all of this. Why aren’t her students using their new magic? Why is everybody agreeing with Twilight and her friends? “Why is everybody going against her?” she thought. Celestia rests her hand on Cinch’s should and politely asks her:
“Let’s call it quits this year and consider this a draw.”
“A Draw!? A DRAW!?” Cinch yelled, sounding absolutely appalled. She was so loud that everyone quickly yell silent. She was so angry that she says to the Canterlot Principal: “Keep in mind Celestia that you all owe me for last week. Tricking my students and trying to Cheat!”
Everyone was shocked that she still want to get the games going. They were thinking: “Is she so petty that she needs one more victory under her belt in order to feel good?” But while everybody else was somewhat mad at her, the Sunset from Crystal Prep has a different frustration towards Cinch.
“Well that’s rich coming from you!” Crystal Sunset says as loud as she can.
Cinch froze. She slowly twist her head towards Sunset and says: “... What!”
“You heard me. I know what you did. I know that you Cheated!”
Surprised, everyone yelled out: “WHAT!”
Everyone was shocked of Crystal Sunset’s accusation. While they certainly can see Cinch cheating in someway, but it takes a lot of guts to accuse her of it and actually prove. With her anger and attention towards her, Cinch tells Sunset: “If you know what’s good for you Sunset, you should keep you lips sealed and...”
However, before Cinch could finish her threat, Indigo Zap in between her and Sunset and shouts: “No! We want her to speak!”
While Crystal Sunset was shock to see somebody had came to her side, the Twilight, Moondancer and the other girls also come around and protect her. Sugarcoat even says: “Yeah, we want to hear what she has to say!” Soon, all the students from the follow suit.
“Let Her Speak!” (Aria)
“Reveal The Truth!” (Flash)
“Why Are You Wearing A Crystal Prep Uniform All Of A Sudden Sunset!?” (“Derpy”)
With everybody on her side and Cinch was overwhelmed with everyone shouting, Sunset was free to reveal the truth and smirks. Crystal Sunset explains: “During the end of the 1st round, me and... “Starlight” was it?”
Canterlot Sunset and her friends stammered, remembering that they had to come up with a fake name for her.
“Well uh, anyway, me and “Starlight” wrote our answers on the chalkboards for her (Cinch) to examine. But while I was declared the winner in that challenge, I really wasn’t. My answer was actually incorrect. Starlight should’ve been the winner since her answer was the right one.”
Everyone was amazed by this. But in hindsight, they should have suspected some foul play since they had to rely on Cinch being truthful. Being series about the allocations, Celestia turn to Cinch and asks: “What do you have to say to this Principal Cinch?”
Acting innocent and offended, Cinch scoffs and replies: “What CAN’T I say about it!? It’s All Lies! She has no proof!”
“Oh don’t I” Crystal Sunset delightfully remarks. She then pulls out her phone and show her new friends and the principals some pictures. In them were the chalkboards that the Sunsets had used. She explains: “After everyone had left, I made sure to take a picture of our chalkboards. This was how I know that Canterlot should have won the 1st round!”
With the proof right in front of them, Cinch couldn’t worm her way out now. First, everyone was shock, then they angry and then they all were mad towards Cinch. “You Cheater!” Rainbow Dash yelled. “You Try To Call Us The Cheaters While You Were Cheating All Along!”
“What a hypocrite” Sugarcoat coldly remarks. Applejack silently agrees with her.
Rarity wonder out loud: “I wonder how many years that you’ve been stealing victory from us like this?”
As more and more students were voicing their contempt for Cinch, things aren’t looking good for Crystal Prep’s principal. All the Shadowbolts and Wondercolts in front of her might as well be an angry mob who were yelling at her. This was terrifying for Cinch. All her reputation that she worked so hard to maintain was crumbling down before her very eyes. And as the angry students got closer to her, Cinch walk back in fear.
But as Cinch was walking back, Twilight notice something: she was reversing back into the mirror on the school statue. The mirror that is a heavily damaged magic portal that would look like it would shatter if so much as a slight touch hit it. And through the crude, rushed-job cover that was hiding the cracks and evil dark mist that was leaking out.
Worried, Twilight tried yelling to her friends: “Guys! I Thinks That’s Enough! Let’s Not...” However, her voice couldn’t climb over the loud shouting that her friends were producing towards. They continue to push Cinch into a corner. And her back was up against the wall...
“SHUT-UP!” Cinch yelled, pushing back her mob with her loud, demanding voice. “You have no idea how hard I worked! The years that it took to get my where I am today and the loops that I had to jump through to get people to respect me! NONE OF YOU can understand how hard it is to be a highly respected adult in our modern era!”
“Cinch! Stop!”
“And You Think I Would Throw It All Away On Some Trivial High School Game!? Absurd!!”
And then, with a fist filled with anger and frustration, Cinch swung her hand and slam it on the statue behind her. And with the full force of her anger, the portal mirror shatters.
”Ka-Boom!
Chapter 11- Equestria Girls vs Equestrian Dream-Eating Parasite From Another Timeline
Pain. Disoriented. Blurred vision due to lack of glasses. Moondancer was feeling these sensations and she wasn't sure why. The last thing that she could recall is that everyone was confronting Principal Cinch because of her actions and cornered her by Canterlot High's statue. She remembers yelling, Cinch hissing back, slamming her fist against the statue and a great explosion all of a sudden. Now she was down on the ground and regaining her senses.
"Moondancer...?" says a voice that sounded like Twilight.
Hearing her name called out (however faintly) made Moondancer pick herself up a little quicker. When she found her glasses and finally could see properly again, she notices Twilight right beside her who was also still reeling because of the explosion.
"Twilight... What happened?"
After regaining her senses, Twilight was about to tell Moondancer what she thinks happened. But as soon she opened her mouth, both girls suddenly heard a loud cackle that made them both jump.
"AH-HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Moondancer and Twilight look for where that twisted laughter came from. They first saw their friends in front of them. Rainbow, Indigo, Fluttershy, Sour Sweet, the two Sunset and the other were also picking themselves up and looking for the laughter. And then, like some radiating evil, they all felt a presence above them all. When they all look up, they all saw a sight that none of them could believe is happening.
Abacus Cinch was floating in the air. Her body, wrapped around in some dark, phantasmic essence, was being twisted into something villainous. Wearing a dark ethereal, her hands became claws and her eyes became animalistic. Cinch sprouted wings of plasma and her unpinned, waving hair... it was like the night sky. You could see stars within it and no strand of hairs could be seen. However, Cinch was not scared or herself. As she was getting a better look at herself, she was getting more and more excited.
"Yes! Yes! This Is Perfect! I Am Becoming... Perfection"
"What's Happening!?!?" Sunny Flare yelled out loud.
However, no one had any idea what was going on. Even the people who know about the mirror portal could only faintly guess what was transpiring. But all attention gravitated towards Vice Principal Luna when she strangely remarks:
"It's almost as if some sort of entity, born out of nightmares, is bonding itself to Abacus. Cinch's own worst nightmares must be fueling and it, in turn, must be amplifying her addiction with perfection! She... She... She is becoming Nightmare Perfection, a symbiosis of nightmares and obsession!"
Everyone around Luna was amazed by her oddly poetic words. However, a confused Celestia asks her sister: "How do you know all of that?"
Luna had a perplexed look on her face, realizing herself on what she had just said. "I don't know?" she replied.
But after everybody gotten over Luna's strange remark, their attention went back to "Nightmare Perfection" who was now facing the people who were mobbing her before.
"Now Let Us See What I Can Do!?"
She waves up her hand and three shards of the broken mirror light up in front of her. These broken shards, still holding the power of inter-dimensional travels, glow in a rainbow but dark light. It was like they were connected to a dozen different worlds that they weren’t supposed to and are about to burst into new gateways of disaster. Nightmare Perfection then throws out these portal shards towards the students below and tears of dimensions opened.
On the left side, where most of the Crystal Prep students were at, a portal to a war-torn world opened up. Automatons of clockwork soldiers step through the portal and made a slow march towards the students. These beings were wearing heavy helmets that look uncomfortable to wear, have small-slit eye holes that glow a hypnotic-green light and... they almost seem to be people. Not robots at all but just innocent victims that gotten turn into minions for an evil dictator.
At CHS's side on the right, a portal of eternal night opened up. And pouncing from the other side scary, wolves appeared and glaring towards the helpless students. However, these beasts weren't any animal that any of them had seen before. Instead of bones and flesh and fur, these wolves were made from twigs, branches, and timber (and tiny leafs for eyebrows). These "Timberwolves" might not be animals at all and are just vengeful spirits who were possessing various wooden sticks to form a wolf's body. Whatever they are, they are still feral beast who looks hungry for a meal.
The last portal opened up down the middle, facing towards Twilight and her friends. The monsters that stepped through this portal were grotesque, humanoid bug creatures with wings like insects and a horn just above their heads. These humanoid-bugs were black and rotting beings who had rot-holes through various parts on their arms and legs. They were surprised to the world that they had just stepped into. But once they could see the potential victims in front of them, menacing grins appeared on their face and are ready to do some mayhem.
With these deadly minions under Nightmare Perfection's sway, everybody's lives are in danger if no help will appear for these defenseless schools. But Aria Blaze, less scared than anybody else, looks towards the Friendship Game's participants and yell towards them: "I Think It's About Time to Unleash Some Magic Right About Know!"
However, Twilight responds to her by yelling: "We can't! Crystal Prep has our magic!" She then looks at Moondancer beside her.
"What!" Moondancer yelled. "We can't-do anything about this!"
Sour Sweet explains: "We just got them! -"
"- And we don't know how to use them!" Lemon Zest concluded.
But then the Sunset from CHS argues: "But if we don't do something, WE ALL ARE IN DANGER!"
The 7 Shadowbolt girls didn't know what to do. They are asking them to protect them and use these strange powers that they got. However, none of them have the confidence or courage to use them. They don't know how to properly use them or imagine what they will be like. They imagine themselves incompetent at best and a hindrance at worst. But as they were too terrified to do anything, their friends from CHS pick themselves and offer them a hand of assistance.
"Don't worry" Twilight says to Moondancer.
"We'll be helping you every step of the way" said Sunset to her human-world self.
Seeing their new friends offering help and assistance moved them. They can't remember being offered help in school or at home, let along in a situation like this. Seeing experience people in front of them and people that they feel happy about seeing feels them the confidence that they need.
"Ok, we will try" Sour Sweet reply as she has Fluttershy pull her up from the ground.
When she was on her feet, Sugarcoat pessimistically remarks: "But again, we aren't sure how helpful we will..."
But Applejack interrupts her and tells her: "Can it with that nonsense and have confidence in yourselves."
Even though they still nervous and scared about this, the Shadowbolts was going through with this. But with a bit of emotional support, they began holding hands with their new friend that they made as well as the pendants that are holding the magic.
Lemon Zest hold hands with Pinkie Pie and she unlocks her magic. Sunny Flare hold hands with Rarity and she unlocks her magic. Sugarcoat hold hands with Applejack and unlocks her magic. Indigo Zap hold hands with Rainbow Dash and unlocks her magic. Sour Sweet hold hands with Fluttershy and unlocks her magic. Sunset Shimmer hold hands with her other self and unlocks her magic. And Moondancer hold hands with Twilight Sparkle, their friendship finally being healed, and unleash the magic.
A blinding light exploded in the middle of the area, grabbing everyone's attention. Nightmare Perfection was shocked by this and confused on what was going on. Students, teachers and even some of the monsters were blinded by the light.
But as the light slowly dies down, 14 "ponified" humans emerges. When the light was finally gone, all the girls who were holding hands had transformed into their magical enhance forms.
When the girls see themselves, they all were quite amazed, to say the least. They all grew the standard pony ears and ponytails at the end of their hairs. But while Rainbow and Fluttershy grew out their wings, Indigo Zap and Sour Sweet also receive wings too and they almost identical to theirs. And while girls from CHS was already accustomed to these forms, the Shadowbolts felt empowered. They never felt so energized before and they felt a warm, fuzzy feeling inside of them that feels so good.
"WOW! Look At Us!" Indigo yelled with excitement. "We Look So Cool!" Rainbow Dash silently agrees.
"So, this is what having magic feels like" Sunny Flare remarks. "I feel so energized."
Even Crystal Sunset Shimmer, despite usually feeling so cold and pessimistic, is now feeling overloaded with happiness and confidence. This might be the first time that she felt so good about herself.
But while the Crystal Prep girls were enjoying this new magical sensation for them, Twilight and the others were confused by their own transformation. They thought that their magic was stripped away from them and unable to transform. Twilight tries to loudly remarks: "Hang on!? How did we..."
"LOOK OUT!"
Moondancer jumps and pushed Twilight to the side... and avoiding an energy blast that leaves a crater from where she stood. The girls soon remember that there is a p***-off and possessed school principal flying in the air (and the one who fired the energy blast) and a small assortment of monsters that they need to fight against.
Moondancer tells Twilight: "Let's speculate about things later and right now deal with all of this!" Twilight got nothing to argue against. And after doing a rather impressive group pose (which they instinctively do and doesn't understand why), they all split up and try to rescue everyone.
Jumping from the ground, Rainbow, Indigo, Fluttershy and Sour Sweet takes to the sky. They all try to deal with Nightmare Perfection since she was the main threat and they are the only ones who can remain airborne. There was a fierce dogfight in the air above the high school. The girls try to get close but Nightmare Perfection keeps them away from firing dark energy blasts to deter them. Rainbow and Fluttershy dodge them adequately enough but Sour Sweet and Indigo Zap were having a bit of trouble. Their inexperience was a hindrance and all their dodges was a result of pure luck. But as the air battle went on, luck soon grew into skill and they eventually grew accustomed to their new wings. And when Rainbow gotten cornered by perfection, Indigo Zap appears and seemingly kicks her away.
However, another Indigo appears behind her and tells Rainbow: "Dash! That isn't me!"
"What!?" Dash yelled in shock and confusion.
When she looks at the Indigo in front of her, she reveals to be an impostor. She became engulfed in green flames and reveals to be one of the bug creatures and came through one of the portals. Before Dash could do anything, more bug creatures appear and tackle her.
Down on the ground, Twilight, Moondancer, Rarity and Sunny Flare notice that there are more friends in the sky then there should be. They realize that the bug things can mask their appearance and can make themselves look like any of them. You could say they are "Changelings". Twilight and the others realize that they need to neutralize the impostors and get rid of them.
But while the Changelings could look extremely identical, Rarity notice some minute and/or noticeable differences. Be it different kind of clothing, the addition or subtraction of certain accessories or assorted colors of the person (I.E. getting Rainbow's hair color wrong), Rarity could tell who were the impostors. She points her finger at one of them and yells to Twilight: "That One! Pull Her Down Twilight!"
Focusing her mind, Twilight shot out her hands and uses telekinesis. The Changeling that she and Rarity pointed stopped in midair, reveals to be a bug and pulled down to the ground. And then instinctively, Sunny Flare uses her powers to construct a magical cage made of pure energy that will hold the Changeling. Wanting to be useful, Moondancer imitates Twilight and is shown to have similar telekinetic as her, making the process easier.
Over towards the right side, Pinkie, Lemon Zest, and the Sunsets try to fend off the Timberwolves from getting at the people from CHS. The students were cowering in the corner with only the principals as their only source of comfort. "Don't worry everyone. Have faith in your classmates that they will protect" Celestia says to reassure her students.
However, their classmates and their Crystal Prep were having an arduous task to accomplish. Pinkie Pie and Lemon Zest had an easier time maneuvering around the Timberwolves and keeping them occupied (almost like they were dancing around them). However, the two Sunsets could only barely avoid their bites and pushing them back and away from themselves. They're fit but not athletically fit. But then, when one of the wolves broke through their defense and made a mad dash to the students, Crystal Sunset started to panic.
"NO!" she cried out.
Instinctively, Crystal Sunset jumps in the way and try to push the Timberwolf back. But when she does so, a fireball shot out and blast the Timberwolf to bits. Everyone was astonished. The CHS students were amazed that Sunset did that and even Crystal Sunset, despite looking down at her firelit hands, couldn't believe what she just did. But when she sees the frighten Timberwolves in front of her, she made a grin and start firing fireballs at them.
"Wow!" said the Sunset from Canterlot High. "Maybe I have fire powers like that?" However, when she tried to concentrate and imagine flaming hand, she didn't even make a spark. "Well shoot."
Over at Crystal Prep's side on the right, there was a fierce battle against the helmet wearing robots. Thanks to Applejack's enhance strength and Sugarcoat's enchanted-maneuverability, they managed to crowd a bunch of them. And with AJ's lucky lasso that she always carries (don't ask), they tied all of them together as a single group.
"Yeah! That's How We Do It!" AJ confidently boasted.
However, she should have known that a simple piece of long rope wouldn't hold them down for long. With unrestrained strength, the almost robotic people flexed their muscles, breaking free and torn their simple restraint to pieces.
Seeing her lucky lasso being rip apart, a saddened Applejack remarks: "Well... Poo..."
"It was just rope after all" Sugarcoat commented.
With a punch of them free, the helmet soldiers make a charge toward Crystal Prep. AJ and Sugarcoat tried to block them... but they were only two people and a bunch of them get through. As the C.P students began fearing for their lives, the coach Shining Armor notices Dean Cadence. Despite being just as scared, she was still shielding the students and trying to protect them. Not wanting to see the person he loves to be in harm's way, Shinning got in front of her and fights anybody who gets near her.
But as this was happening, Flash notice Shinning was fighting the soldiers from the Canterlot side and was finding it difficult fending them off alone. Feeling an urge to help him, Flash decides to help him. He sneaks away from the other students from his school, avoid being spotted from the other monster or chaos that was about and got over to Crystal Prep. As Shining Armor was in a struggle against one helmet soldier, he notices Flash running towards him who yells:
"Shinning! Toss Him To Me!"
Despite not knowing why, Shinning follows Flash's request. Spinning 360 degrees, he swung the soldier towards Flash. With the soldier spinning and off-balance, Flash steps aside and got his leg out straight. The soldier trips and falls and bangs its head on the ground. When they could see it out cold, both Shining Armor and Flash yell out:
"YEAH!"
At this moment, things seem bright for the good guys. While everything seems perfectly match now, every second leads to them gaining the advantage. For every Changeling they pull down, Timberwolf they blew up or brainwashed soldier that they knock, the sooner that they focus their attention on Cinch and end this madness.
But as things seem about even, as the flyers were swirling around Nightmare Perfection, her rage and craziness reached its breaking point. After a buildup of power, she yells: "THAT'S ENOUGH!" and a burst of black energy exploded around her. The blast was so powerful that it hits and knock over everyone.
But while it wasn't too server, the good guys were on the ground long enough for the monsters to reorganize. In the case of the Timberwolves, it was far more literal as the scattered pieces of the destroyed wolves were beginning to attract and reform. And since Sunny Flare was recoiling from the blast, the prison that she made faded away and all the Changelings that she helps captured was release. And when Twilight was about to pick herself up...
"HISSS!"
"AH!"
A Changeling swoops in and grabs Twilight. All her friends from both Canterlot and Crystal Prep saw this terror struck their very cores. "TWILIGHT!" they shouted with fear and worry as they see their dear friend being pulled into the air. Twilight tries to struggle and get herself free, ignoring the fact that she's already several feet in the air. However, the Changeling was determined to not let her go, knowing the fact that she's was responsible for pulling it down. It opens its mouth and shows off its sharp fangs.
But as it was about to do something deadly to Twilight, a fireball was launched and hit the Changeling in the air. As Twilight began falling from the air and about to scream her lungs out, Rainbow Dash bolted towards her.
"Don't Worry Twilight! I'll Catch You!" Rainbow shouted, hoping that she could be right.
And true enough, Rainbow managed to catch her without too much difficulty. Holding onto Twilight's wrists with a firm grip, she took her to the school's roof. Once she was let down, Twilight breaths a massive sigh of relief.
"Woo! Thanks, Rainbow Dash"
"No problem Twilight" Dash replied.
"Twilight!" shouted a voice that sounded like Sunset.
And then appearing over the side, Moondancer and the Sunsets swoop up from below by the other flyers on their side. Worried for her safety, all of them rushed over to Twilight's side and see if she's well.
Sunset (the one from Canterlot High) worryingly asks Twilight "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine" she replied. "However, that isn't going to stop Cinch or save the other students."
They all then look over to the side of the school and look down at the chaotic battle field below. Their friends had already picked themselves up and gotten back into the fight, but that fight had just gotten 10x harder. The monsters had realized the strength of their adversaries and learn not to hold anything back. The 'wolves, Changelings and soldiers had regroup their forces and making a forceful charge against their friends. And with everyone starting to run low on stamina, things aren't looking so good for our heroines.
Frustrated about their predicament, the Sunset from Crystal Prep angrily exclaims: "Ugh! We are spread too thin and there's not enough of use to help everyone. What are we going to do?"
Realizing that they need a plan, all of them fall silent as they try to device a proper battle plan. Twilight couldn't help but to agree with Crystal Sunset; there isn't enough of them to handle all three set of monsters and Nightmare Perfection herself. They need help. Twilight look down and saw Flash and her brother down in the corner of her eye. She could see them fighting and struggling to push back the helmet Soldiers. While she would be concerned for them, Twilight suddenly got a "eureka".
Twilight turn to Moondancer and asks her: "Moondancer! Is there still some magic left in your pendants?"
Surprised, she replies: "Wha'! I-I-I don't know? If I haven't use all of mine up then maybe?" She pulls out the pendent that was still hanging on her neck and checks a meter that's on it. "WHOA!"
"What is it?" Twilight enquires.
After composing herself, Moondancer explains: "E-Either this thing is busted... or were not using a lot of her magic!?"
"What!"
Moondancer then shows her pendent to Twilight and everyone around them. And true enough, the meter says that she still has about 80% of magic left. Crystal Sunset check her pendent and it was giving a similar measurement too. But while the others were quite surprised by this discovery, Twilight was ecstatic since this will greatly improve her plan.
Meanwhile, Nightmare Perfection was monitoring the battle below her and she is very pleased on how it's going. All the people who were mobbing her and getting in her way was finally being dealt with and soon she will be known as a being that shouldn't be trifle with. But while she is feeling ecstatic, she didn't realize that the nightmarish-parasite was making her insane. It was stripping away all of Abacus Cinch's sensible thinking and moral code and leaving behind a being who lost her humanity.
But while 'Perfection was feeling confident about her victory, a stern, loud voice shouted out from the rooftop.
"Everyone! Listen To Me!"
With a tone that commands attention, all the students, all the teachers and even some of the monsters look up to see what's going on. On top, they saw Twilight standing firmly on the side. With everyone's eyes temporally focus on her, Twilight makes her announcement.
"Everyone, We Can't Fight These Monsters Alone And We Need Your Help!"
Everyone was shocked and confused. "They want us to help them? Even though they have the magic powers!?" some of them thought. But while there were a few students from both school who were willing to fight and to protect, they can't see themselves as any use against magical monsters. Even Nightmare Perfection was seeing this as a desperate ploy for reinforcements.
But then Twilight reassure them all by saying: "But Don't Worry! We Will Lend You Some of Our Magic So You Can Protect Yourselves!"
And when she finishes talking; Sugarcoat, Lemon Zest, Sunny Flare and Moondancer shoot out from the side and being carried by Rainbow and the other fliers. While they were flying over the students, they re-open their pendants and tiny, sparkly dust began poring out of them. This magically infused dust snowed down from the sky and hitting everybody below. At first nothing seems to be happening and they all thought that it failed. But then the effects began starting to kick in.
Over by Flash and Shinning Armor, they were being overwhelm by the helmet soldiers as they began piling up against them. But then, when the magic began to work, all the helmet soldiers suddenly knocked away. And glowing brightly in the center were Flash and Shinning in strong poses. Their fists in the air, strong smiles on their faces and feel fully energizes. And king of like their names, they were literally shinning and glowing.
Over by Canterlot's side, the dust had finished sprinkling down on Adagio, Aria and Sonata. For them, they feel the magic fueling their bodies and energizing them. And unlike the others who only start glowing, the three Dazzlings reawaken their siren-powers and went into their "siren forms". When Adagio saw what has happened to them, she happily smirks and exclaims: "Oh yes". And when a Timberwolf jumps in front of them, all three girls let out a sonic shriek that tear the unfortunate thing to pieces.
All around them, the students became surrounded in a pure-white aura that elevate them and fill them with confidence. They feel like they have the power to protect themselves and fight back. Principal Celestia in particular was greatly pleased since she now has an opportunity to protect her students. And as the students grew more brave and confident, the monster fell into fear and worry.
And with a shout from Luna yelling: "Charge!", everyone makes a gallant charge against the enemies who were attacking them.
The Timberwolves, with their intimidating look no longer affecting them, ended up as the ones scared and cower back. The Changelings tried to blend in with their shapeshifting abilities and disguise as the other students. However, they couldn't imitate their clearly visible aura and was quickly spotted and subdued. The helmet soldiers, since they're now the ones outnumbered, was being gradually pushed back to the portal that they arrived from.
But that doesn't mean nobody got any highlights either. When a swarm of Changeling disregard their disguises and try to attack CHS's principals, Celestia and Luna fired a solar and lunar blast respectfully and pushed them away. Flash and Shinning displayed an excellent show of teamwork as they are fighting the other's enemies and covering each other's backs (which caused a laugh from Dean Cadence, much to their confusion). "Muffin Girl" tripped over and spilled all her muffins... and encase any monster who touched them.
Nightmare Perfection looks down, shocked at this sudden turnabout. "How could this happen?" she thought to herself. "I was winning before! How could I let this happen!?" And a sudden bolt of light flied pass her face. She looked and notice that the students are now shooting arrows of light at her and tying to shoot her down. However, while there were numerous of them, 'Perfection managed to dodge all of them without too much difficulty.
"HA! You Have To Try Better Then That!" she gloated.
"Excuse me?" said a soft voice behind her.
Nightmare Perfection, surprised that somebody had gotten behind her. There she saw Fluttershy... holding Spike the dog up close to her face.
Fluttershy quips: "Somebody wants to say hello to you." And then, striking while she was shocked and confused, Spike began licking all over Nightmare Perfection's face.
'Perfection pushed Spike and Fluttershy away but it was already too late. While she was a humanoid mistress of nightmares personified on the outside, inside she was still Abacus Cinch who were allergic to animals. And with dog fur stuck to her skin, her allergies are beginning to run wild.
Her face twists and contorts, trying to suppress an uncontrollable urge to sneeze. This also has an interesting effect on the three portals that she has opened as they begin to fluctuate and grew wilder. This was good since all the monsters that had entered the human world are now pushed back against them. And with her resistance finally faltered, Cinch began sneezing.
"Ah...Ah... ACHOO!"
All the Timberwolves (and their remains) was sucked into the portal that they came from and closed behind them.
"ACHOO!"
All the Changelings were sucked back into their world.
"ACHOO!"
And all the mind-controlled helmet soldiers were pulled back to their world (and their mind control slightly weakened.
With all the monsters back to their respective world, all the portals began closing all at once. They revert back to the (semi-)normal mirror shards as they once were and fall down to the ground. With the monsters gone, everything is safe now right? Wrong. They still have one last issue to deal with.
When Cinch had finished sneezing, she got her allergies under control and compose herself. But then she got a chill down her spine. She looks down and saw everybody, everybody, looking up to her with stern and determined faces. Their overwhelming numbers were terrifying enough, but their fearless faces show a clear indication that she lost.
Dean Cadence raise her arm and shouts: "Archers! Ready!"
And in perfect unison, all the students form magical bows with the aura that they held in their hands. Even Twilight and her friends had made them.
"Set!"
They all pull back, making arrows of light that they held at the ready.
And with a wave down of her arm, Cadence loudly shouts: "FIRE!"
Everyone release their arrows and a barrage of light was traveling towards Nightmare Perfection. With overwhelming brightness and force heading her way, all she could do was shout.
"NOOOOOOOOOO....."
And as the arrows of light bathed her completely, the nightmarish parasite that was controlling her disintegrated and Abacus Cinch was finally free.
Calm. Relaxed. Sleeping soundly in the evening while resting on the cold pavement. Abacus Cinch floats endlessly in an empty black void as she slowly recover from a traumatic event. And while she was on the edge of consciousness, Cinch could help to have a... certain feeling. It was like a feeling that she haven't felt in a long time but she couldn't put her finger on it. But whatever it is, it was a good feeling that she just want to enjoy. But as she sink deeper in a restful slumber, a soft voice brings her into the light.
"Abacus!? Abacus!? Wake Up!Wake up Abacus! You Have to Wake Up!Abacus!"
Breaking through the endless darkness, Cinch slowly open up her eye lids and let the light of day shine into them. There, the first person that she sees was Dean Cadence. She was close too. As if she was holding onto her while she rest to the ground.
"Cadence?" Cinch softly asks.
Cadence replies: "Yes", glad that she wasn't... dead.
"Hey, is she ok?"
"Shush! Not too loud! She might still be mad at us."
"But... You were louder?"
It took Cinch a sec to notice them but she soon spot other people behind Dean Cadence. Specifically, it was Twilight, Moondancer and all of their friends (who were still in their Super-Equestria forms). But while they were somewhat afraid and cautious of her, Cinch seem joyfully surprised to see them.
"Oh my! Sour Sweet! Moondancer! Sunset Shimmer! Twilight Sparkle is here too! What are you all doing here?"
Everyone was surprised and taken aback. Cinch didn't seem the bit angry towards any of them and was actually smiling. Even taking out the nightmare parasite that was controlling her, they were fiercely mobbing her and being mad right in her face.
Confused, Cadence asks her: "Principal Cinch, what do you remember?"
Cinch paused and was deep in thought. "Well let's see? It was the Friendship Games and we want to Canterlot High... The contestants went into the school... then came back out... Oh! Did somebody win!?" She asked that in the most sincere and intrigued way.
One by one, they all begin to see that Cinch had suffered a bit of memory lost. Maybe for the last 10 minutes, around when they said that they quit participating in the games. But knowing that, they all wasn't sure how to handle it. Do they tell her the truth and say that she became a rampaging monster? Or do they say something else and lie to her. And seeing Cinch's excited expression, she would believe anything that they tell her. But without debating about it, Twilight thought that she need to know the truth.
"Well you see..."
But before Twilight could finish, the Sunset from Crystal Prep interrupts her and tells Cinch: "Canterlot Won!"
"What!" Twilight shouted.
"WHAT!" shouted the members from Canterlot.
"WHAT! shouted the members from Crystal Prep.
"Really!" Cinch responded oddly intriguingly
Crystal Sunset then reiterates: "Yep! CHS sure did beat us." She then turn to her teammates and says to them: "Isn't that right guys?"
There was a short pause to figure out what was going on. Everyone could clearly see (except for Cinch) that the human-world Sunset was lying and trying to give Canterlot High the win. But while Twilight and the others felt somewhat against this lie, the C.P students thought of this in a different way.
"Hey yeah" Indigo Zap responded. "They really did beat us."
Rainbow became even more surprised, tilt her head and says: "What!"
Nonchalantly, Sour Sweet adds: "Yeah, it was a close match but they got ahead of us in the end."
Even Lemon Zest adds: "And hey, this means CHS finally won the games for once."
Applejack, not liking the dishonesty, try to interjects. "Now hang on a minute!"
But Sugarcoat quickly cover her mouth and says: "Oh you don't have to be so modest. We both played fair and squire and you guys won. End of story."
All the Crystal Prep girls began speaking and try to convince Cinch that they lost. Twilight, and in turn her friends, was at a lost for words. They always remember Crystal Prep as a really competitive school that would do anything to win. But now, they want to say that they lost? Maybe this is their way to make amends for everything that they done (during this and past Friendship Games).
Moondancer turn to Twilight and ask her: "Isn't that right Twilight?" She then secretly wink towards her, implying that they should play along.
Twilight was confused and wasn't sure how to reply. But after seeing all the wanting eyes from her former C.P schoolmates and confused shrugs from her Canterlot friends, she nervously replies: "Well... if you guys aren't too upset about it, then yeah. We won." And with that, the rest of the Canterlot team had no choice to play along with the charade.
But with that said and done, they were half expecting Cinch to get mad and begin to act cold towards them. However, Cinch exclaims: "Well then" and then slap her knees and gets up. When she was up on her feet, she tell Twilight and her friends: "Congratulation in your victory. You finally got one on us for a change. Good for you!" She also said it in the most sincere and nicest way possible.
Surprised, Twilight couldn't help but say: "Um... What!?"
"Well we can't win all the time" Cinch joyfully remarked. "But I must say; when you transferred to your new school Ms. Sparkle, you must have brought some of our luck with you."
Everybody was getting scared and confused by Cinch's odd behavior. Normally she would be angry or frustrated for losing. She probably would have accepted her loss with dignity and suppress all the raging emotions that she would be having. But here? She sounds like that she's glad for CHS for winning and didn't care that she lost.
Cinch then clap her hands and says: "Well there's no point in sulking over spilled milk. Let's head back to school and think up a game plan for next year."
"Um... Ok?" Cadence responded, thinking that it would be the most suitable response to make.
Twilight and the others make quick and silent glances with one another. It would seem like as well as a bit of memory lost, Cinch also had a sudden change of personality. They couldn't help but feel that their last attack at her (a rainstorm of light arrows) is the cause of all these infliction and was wondering if this might have some negative consequences.
But then, when Cinch made a few steps away from the girls...
"OOoHHooHoo!"
Everyone turn towards Cinch as she made that shivering sound. Worried, Cadence ask her: "Are you alright Principal Cinch?"
After finding the proper words, Cinch replies: "I don't know? I just feel like... like a heavy weight had just been lifted from my shoulders and I feel like as young and spry as my teenage years!"
Everyone widen their eyes. It seem like all of Cinch's negative emotions had evaporated and they were left with a kind grown woman. Even though there might still be some issues in the future, they couldn't help but think that this might be the best outcome that they could have. Feeling glad that she's better, Cadence just softly smiles and says: "Well that's good." After a smile back from Cinch, both principals from Crystal Prep began walking toward everybody by the main school. They probably gunna discuss things with Celestia and Luna and what's going to happen next.
But as Twilight, Moondancer, the Sunsets and the rest of their friends stood by each other, they felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Not only did the Friendship Game ended in a way that everybody could by satisfied about, but they also help mend the strained bond between the schools, became friends with one another and perform magical feats that none of them had ever done before. When they saw a smile on all of their faces, they all wave their hands in the air and make one single cry in unison.
"YEAH!"
A few moments later, there was a sort of a "After Games Festival" going on as everybody was cheerfully interacting and celebrating. Students from both Crystal Prep and Canterlot High were patting the other's back and complimenting them for their effort in the epic battle. So were still weary of Principal Cinch... but once they learn about her memory lost and change in personality, they all agreed that they mustn't let her remember the bad memories or let her regress to her bitter persona. Things were looking good for the two schools as they hope to expect a brighter future ahead of them.
But while the cheery festivities was going on, off in the corner by the side, Adagio, Aria and Sonata were all admiring their current transformed forms. They could still feel their enhanced magical bodies and lingering power that still reside within them. It was filling. It was great. This was the strength and power that they have so long for and they feel so good to have them. But while Sonata and Aria were already satisfied to just have them, Adagio had much more sinister intentions on her mind.
"Hey guys, do you know what this mean?" Adagio asked to Aria and Sonata
Both Aria and Sonata look at Adagio with eager eyes. While they may not have much motivation to do evil deeds, they are more then willing to follow whatever scheme that Adagio may have. And by the look on her face, she looks like that she has one. However, as soon as Adagio opened her mouth, they suddenly began reverting back to their average human forms. Their pony ears popped away, their wings disappear into dust and they could feel their magic leaving their bodies. But while the Dazzlings was shocked by this, they soon notice that everybody else was losing their magical white auras. It seems the magic that Twilight and the others gave to everyone was only temporary and only now they are leaving them. Adagio, Aria and Sonata was understandably shocked by this
Aria asks: "What was you about to say Adagio?"
And Adagio depressingly reply: "Nothing. Nothing at all."
But while all three girls was bummed out from losing re-gained powers (again), Discord the bus driver walk by then and offhandedly remarks: "Oh quite complaining you three. At least you got magic powers in the short time that you got them.
The Dazzlings got understandably angry and Sonata angrily yells back to him: "Well That Because We Weren't Hiding in The Bus Discord!"
But meanwhile, at another part of the schoolyard, Flash was busy talking chatting with a group of girls. Flash wasn't particularly "chatting it up" with them as it is that the girls were showing their affection as they thought Flash was heroic during the fight. But while the girls were pretty and cute, Flash was trying to (politely) push them away as he is trying to be loyal to Twilight.
But then, a person tapped Flash from behind and a male voice calls out to him: "Hey Flash. Can I speak to you for a minute?"
When her turn around, Flash saw that it was Shinning Armor. Surprised, he replied: "Oh um... Yeah, sure man. Give me a sec'." Flash then tries to politely dismiss the girls that he was talking to. But while the girls were a little bit annoyed that he has finished talking to them, they notice how handsome Shining Armor was and was content to watching them from a distance. With his attention now on Shinning, Flash says to him: "So what do you want to talk about?"
"Well um... You see..."
Shinning began to stammer. He found it really weird and awkward to say the words that he wants to say and was having a bit of difficulty making them leave his mouth. It's just that his big brother instincts was trying to prevent him from being nice to flash, even though he already acknowledged him. Even Flash could see that Shining was having difficulty saying the words that he want and waited patiently for him to say them.
However, after a few seconds, Shining Armor finally work up his nerves and finally be the responsible person that he wants to be.
"Look Flash, I know you got a thing for my sister and... well..."
This time, nerves was welling up in Flash as he was thinking that Shining is going to be against him dating Twilight. However, he became surprised when Shining continued by saying:
"But I've seen everything that you've done and I'm really impressed. You seem like a nice guy and you really helped me out back there in the fight."
"Wow! You really mean it!?"
"Yeah, totally! So um... If you really want to go out... with Twilight... then I guess..."
Shining being to lock-up again right on the final words. However, Flash feels sort of sorry for him for forcing himself to do this and want to help him. And so, before he could suffer any longer, Flash softly fist bump Shining's shoulder and say to him: "Don't worry Shining. I get it."
Amazed with his kind gesture, Shining Armor smiled and replied to him: "Thanks Flash."
And with that, the hatchet was finally buried over their bitter relationship. Both Shining and Flash can finally respect each other as men and be friendly to one another. But then Shining wrap his arm around Flash and ask him: "By the way; Do you know a game called "Ogres & Oubliettes"?"
"You mean that board game were you meant to role-play?"
"Yes?" Shining replied cautiously.
Flash shrugs and reply: "Sure. I sometimes play it with my friend Micro Chip where he got nobody else to play against."
Shining Armor smiled and says: "I think you and I can get along very well together." Flash was still a little bit nervous but was looking forward to interacting with Twilight's older brother.
And speaking about Twilight, she had been watching the exchange between Flash and her brother from a distance and she had mix opinions. On one hand, she was really proud of Flash for getting Shining Armor to accept him. On the other hand though, this would mean that Flash would pressure Twilight even more about dating him and she still nervous about it. However, seeing his bright and smiling face, Twilight couldn't help but think that he looks a bit cute when he's happy.
,,, Still wouldn't admit it to anybody though.
But then, when Twilight turn around from Flash and her brother, she notice Sunset (her Sunset) was staring at the damaged at the school statue. In particular... at the shattered mirror. The shattered mirror... that was also the gateway to Sunset's home... and it's gone now. Even from behind, Twilight could sense the immense sadness emanating from Sunset. But while she feel sympathy for her, Twilight couldn't begin to relate to her. She can't relate to being stranded in a parallel world, being separated from her friends and family and have your only way back be destroyed. It must be devastating. But while she can't relate to Sunset, Twilight still want to comfort her.
But when Twilight began to move closer towards Sunset, she notice that her friends were approaching her too. AJ, Rainbow, Pinkie, Fluttershy and Rarity. And not just them. Their friends from Crystal Prep were converging on Sunset too. Indigo, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Sunny, Indigo, Moondancer and Sunset's human-world counterpart. It seem that all of them had sensed Sunset's sadness and want to come and support her.
When they all came behind her, Twilight softly asks: "Are you ok Sunset?"
Sunset jumped when she heard a voice behind her. She was even more surprised when she saw all of her friends (new/old) were standing over her shoulder.
"Oh! Um... yeah guys, I'm fine" Sunset replied. However, while she try to put up a happy face, she couldn't hide the sadness in her voice.
But while her friends from CHS understand the reason for her sorrow, the girls from Crystal Prep are not informed of that reason. This cause Indigo Zap to ask: "I don't understand? Why are you getting upset over a broken mirror?"
Upon saying that out loud, Rainbow whisper to Indigo and the other C.P student: "Hey! That was Sunset's only ticket to get back to her home dimension."
Then the Sunset from Crystal Prep adds: "Yeah, because she's apparently me from another world."
With them given the full explanation, that other C.P girls finally understand the full ramifications of the situation. Indigo even felt ashamed for being so insensitive. "Oh hey man, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."
However, Sunset interrupt her and tells everyone: "That's ok, really. It's not like I was going anywhere anytime soon."
But Rarity then enquire: "But... you were thinking about returning in the future, weren't you?"
Sunset didn't respond... or she didn't how to respond. She does feel like that she has to return someday but she didn't want to say her friends aren't worth staying for. Except for Twilight, Moondancer and her human-world self, nobody else know this insecurity.
However, as Sunset was feeling down, no other than Moondancer made the unexpected advice of: "Don't worry Sunset. If there's one lesson that was hammered into me during these games; it's that a friend will try to support you no matter what."
When Moondancer said that, Pinkie felt compelled: "Hey yeah Sunny'! And you got 6 friends right here who want to help!"
And soon one-by-one, her other friends voice their union.
"Yeah! We got your back Sunset!" stated Rainbow Dash.
"Were right here if you need it" AJ added.
At that moment, Sunset already felt touched by her friend's support. But then the Sunset from Crystal Prep wrapped her arm around her other-dimensional self and adds: "Hey! Don't forget that you can rely on yourself too." And then the other Crystal Prep also show their willingness to support.
"Hey yeah! We can help you too if you want us to" Indigo Zap exclaimed.
Sour Sweet disclaims: "Well I'm not sure how much we can help, but we will still try nevertheless."
Lemon Zest then adds: "I can give you some uplifting beats if you need it."
When she saw that even the Crystal Prep was were concerned about her, Sunset couldn't help but chuckle a little bit. "Ok, you can stop now. You all are about to make me cry."
However Crystal Sunset then jokingly responds: "Hey Don't Cry! I don't want be known as a crybaby!"
After that, everybody burst out laughing. It then seemed like that the atmosphere was becoming a bit more hopeful and uplifting. But while everybody was enjoying their laughter, Sugarcoat felt compelled to interrupt them.
"AHEM!" she sounded, grabbing their attention. When they all look at her, Sugarcoat ask: "Are guys sure it's impossible for the mirror to be fixed?"
Everyone were... remarkably speechless. They haven't really thought about the possibility of repairing the mirror and just assumed the inevitable. They watch quietly as Sugarcoat grab something in her pocket and pullout some reflective shards of the shattered mirror. The same shards that opened the portals that the monsters came from.
Sugarcoat explains: "Apparently these things still work as portals and can't fix together like glue."
And true to her word, when she have the two shards put close together, they became attractive like magnets. They came together and marge as one larger chunk. It then suddenly jump out of Sugarcoat's hand and flew to the slab of stone that once housed the portal mirror, sticking to it. Everyone were left amazed and speechified.
Lemon Zest turn to Sugarcoat and ask: "Wow Sugarcoat! How did you know that it would do that?"
But Sugarcoat deadpan explains: "I didn't. I just notice them being attractive to one another and saw that they were glowing."
Meanwhile, everybody else was busy examining the partially restored mirror that is stuck to the statue's base. Sunset tried to stick her finger through and see if the portal power still work. And remarkably; her finger phase right through it. With the fire of hope being ignited in front of them, everyone lighten up with joy.
"Hey Look Sunset! It looks like you can come home after all!" Rainbow Dash happily says.
However Sunset responds: "Steady now Rainbow Dash, don't get too hasty. It still nowhere near fixed enough for me to step through."
Everyone hate to admit it but she's right. They only have enough shards to stick a finger through, not for an entire person to step through. But then, as they were about to ponder, a voice suddenly called out from behind them.
"Oh Girls!"
When they all look behind, they saw Discord... fiddling with a mirror fragment.
"I'm not if these are worth anything, but I saw a bunch of them being scattered around town and I might know were they ended up."
With that tidbit of information, all the girls got a glimmer in their eyes. And even though it might be a hassle to find them all, they weren't concerned about that. As long they can do it together, they have nothing to worry about.
"So what do you think Sunset? Do you want to start looking for them now?" Twilight asked.
After thinking about it for a second, Sunset replied: "Why not? It's not like I'm going anywhere soon!"
But then Sour Sweet loudly remarks: "Well you Canterlot folk got nothing to worry about. We can roundup all the shards and fix that magic mirror in no time."
"Is that a challenge?" asked Rainbow as she gave the suspicious-eye.
"Not unless you want it to" Sour Sweet replied
Rarity then exclaims: "Oh you girls and your competitions."
Sunny Flare then adds: "Yeah, we just had one. Can't we just slow down and take this slowly."
However, the gauntlet was already thrown down and they weren't listening. At least this time it will be a much friendlier competition. With everyone now set for a long scavenger-hunt, Twilight think out loud: "Well I guess if everybody's ready, I guess we all should go?"
Shortly there afterwards, the 14 young and energized teenagers went off on their own adventures. Rainbow Dash and Indigo Zap were fiercely searching for the mirror fragments in every nook and cranny around town. Twilight and Moondancer invented a radar to help scan for the fragments for them... with mix results. Applejack found a mirror shard from a couple of pawnbrokers, and with some persuasion from Sugarcoat, manage to buy it off them with a discount.
However, not everyone were looking eagerly looking for the fragments and was just spending some time together with their new friend. The two Sunsets was just off talking trading their life stories to each other. Pinkie Pie and Lemon Zest started an overnight party that everybody is invited to. Rarity and Sunny Flare did a collab' together and made the perfect birdhouse. And Fluttershy took Sour Sweet to her home and show her all the different animals that she's looking after.
But no matter what they did, all of them gathered at the end of the day and show-off the fruits of their labor. It soon came time for them to part as Crystal Prep has to get back to their side of town. But even though they said goodbye to each other, they aren't too upset about. Because even though they are separated to for now, they can still treasure the happy memories that they made...
One week has pass since the Friendship Games and everything went back to normal. Canterlot High went back to it's daily routine and everyone had to go back to focusing on their school work again. Sunset, Twilight and the rest of their friends didn't find enough shards to completely fix the magical portal mirror... but they did find enough of them to restore about half of them. So if Sunset wanted to go back to her world, she have to bend over and twist her body to squeeze through. And so for now, she will stay a little bit longer until the mirror is completely restored.
However, Sunset need to forget about that for now and focus on the lesson at hand. At the moment, she is waiting patiently in a classroom for the teacher to arrive. Sunset didn't had all of her friends with her in her class, but she did have Twilight and Pinkie siting either side of her. Sunset and Twilight was eager to learn something new while Pinkie was busy texting on her phone to Lemon Zest. There was also Sonata Dusk... but she was sitting farther back in the classroom.
And then, without too much delay, their teacher: Mr. Cranky Doodle, arrive into the classroom with a stack of papers.
"Ok Kids! Settle Down!" he says to a rustling and bustling crowd. "I got a few announcements to make!"
When they heard that he have an announcement, everyone in the class slowly become quite so Mr. Doodle can speak. Once he finally drop the papers on his desk and took a minute to straighten up his back, he finally give them the news.
"Ok, now despite just have (yet another) major high school event, next month is the annual camping trip to "Camp Everfree" for the junior and senior students. Yay..." he said unenthused. "Ahem... If you want to take take part, be sure to take a permission slip at the end of class and get your parents or guardian to sign it."
When he said all of that, the class of students became interested. Some of them like the idea of spending a week in the wilderness and interacting with nature. Pinkie is most definitely excited as she can imagine all of her friends having fun. Twilight wasn't nearly as invested as some of the other student, but if she can spend time with her friends, she guess that she wouldn't mind it. The only student who was at all adamant about this camping trip was Sunset Shimmer. Just the name of it being "Camp Everfree" was raising so many red flags in her head that cause her to be cautious. However, since it seem like all of her other friends might be going, she guess that she got no choice but to tag along.
But that was everything that Cranky had in store. He then tells his class: "Next is that we have a new transfer student starting today."
When he said that, everyone instantly became intrigue. A new student? Now? Everyone's imaginations ran wild as they try to envision this new student. Even Twilight and Sunset looked at each other with curious gazes. All they hope for though is if the new student is just a kind person.
Mr. Doodle then look towards the door and cries: "You can come in now and introduce yourself little lady."
At that, the new student finally stepped into the classroom. The new student was a girl and she looked fairly cute. She had a bright blue shirt, a cool, thin waist coat and jeans that had those intentional designed holes on them. All the guys quickly became enamored with her and Twilight and Sunset thinks she might be a nice person. But for Sonata, she got one peculiar question on her mind.
"Wait? Why is Aria doing in my class?"
The new student then wrote her name on the chalkboard. And when she turn around, flicking her dark purple hair with a blue highlight as she does, she finally introduce herself.
"Hello everyone! My name is Starlight Glimmer. It's very nice to meet you!"
With that cheery introduction, she was welcomed into the class. Her happy expression was warm and welcoming and people was already looking forward to study alongside her. However, for Sunset and Twilight, they had slightly different reactions. It just that her name, "Starlight Glimmer", was ringing bells in their heads and they didn't like it.
Sunset thought to herself: "Starlight Glimmer? Wait!? Didn't I..."
Pinkie then sneak up to Sunset's ear and whispers: "Hey. Wasn't that the name that you used during the Friendship Games?"
And just like that, Sunset fell into a sulk. She had used a name that belonged to somebody else. Or in another way you could put it: she had been impersonating somebody without knowing it. And with her already "impersonating" her human-world counterpart, Sunset sink into her chair and moan.
