" Ugh! What am I going to do," Twilight groaned, putting her head down while worrying about the bet.
She made a bet that Shining Armor would lose in a friendly game of basketball. The teams are made by Twilight and Shining Armor. Four ponies each, including themselves. Whoever loses has to be the winner's slave for a day. Twilight accepted the terms, except there was a twist. They're going to play the game earth pony style. No magic, no flying; just pure ground, ball, and net. That means that both Shining and Twilight can't use magic, but since Shining is captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard and was coach for the Crystal Ponies for the Equestrian Games, he was fit to play basketball earth pony style. Twilight wasn't.
She knows that Applejack can play so she taught Applejack the basics. She caught on pretty quick and is the first member of Twilight's team. Rainbow Dash heard the commotion and asked if she can play, too. Twilight agreed, and like Applejack, Rainbow Dash learned the earth pony's way pretty quick. Rarity obviously won't play, but she did say that she would make the jerseys for the team. Flutershy was scared of playing, but she said that she will support them, like being the water and towel pony. Pinkie Pie would be the cheerleader for the team. Still, that means that she is still one less player for the team.
"What am I going to do," She repeated.
"Um, can I help," a voice asked.
She looked up. There was no pony there. She looked around. Still no pony. She shook her head, worrying that her stress might get to her.
"Um, miss," goes the voice again.
She looked in front of her. There was a pony in front of her.
"Kya!!" she screamed in shock, "How long have you been here?"
"Actually, I was here first, just watching ponies. Then you came and started grieving." the pony explained.
She was speechless for a while. "Who is this pony," she thought, "and 'just watching ponies'?! Who in Equestria is this pony? He's been here the whole time and I didn't notice him?!"
"So, again," the pony started, getting Twilight's attention, "Can I help you? You seem to be grieving."
She remembered about the bet and thought for a moment, "If he knows how to play basketball, then he would be my first teammate! And better, he's an earth pony! No restrictions against him."
Twilight cleared her throat and began, "Um, yes, you can help me. But I have to ask: Do you know how to play a game of basketball?"
The stranger blinked for a moment before answering, "Yes, I do. Why?"
Twilight explained everything to the stranger. After she finished explaining everything without taking breaths, she inhaled and finally asked, "So can you help me?"
The stranger just stared at her. After a long pause, he finally said, "I did say 'can I help?' didn't I?"
Twilight jumped in excitement. She finally found her last teammate. Now she has a full team to play against Shining Armor. As she jump in excitement, she stopped and look at the stranger, who is looking at his milkshake while sipping out of it. She then realized that she doesn't even know his name. She stopped and controlled herself before asking, "I, uh, forgot to ask: What's your name?"
The stranger looked up from his milkshake, stopped drinking it and answered, "I am Kuroko Tetsuya. I wanted to ask for your's, but it looked like you were enjoying yourself."
Twilight blushed in embarrassment. "Hehe, sorry about that. My name is Twilight Sparkles."
Kuroko reached out his hoof. "It'll be nice to be playing with you, Sparkles-san."
This time, Twilight raised an eyebrow, then chuckled. She reached out and shook his hoof. "Please, just Twilight. And yes, same here."