Crystal Conundrums

Wednesday, Crystal Prep High School, 9:11 a.m.

"It sucks Twilight didn't respond," Taffy remarked.

"I'll corner her today," Frosty snapped. "It can't be that hard, can it?"

"She evaded you yesterday," Taffy pointed out. "What's to say she can't do it again?"

"Oh, shut up." Frosty tossed a wad of toilet paper at Taffy's stall. The con artist was inside, counting hall passes and waiting for customers.

Frosty leaned up against the sink.

"How was the barbecue?" she asked.

"Oh, it was good," Taffy replied. "I caught Melon Mint making out with Pumpkin's boyfriend in the woods."

"Juicy," Frosty replied.

"It was," Taffy agreed. "Twenty bucks, and their secret's safe with me."

As Frosty began to speak, the bathroom door opened. A haughty senior with pale skin and long pink hair walked in, her heels clicking on the floor.

"Hello, Fleur," Frosty said politely.

"Hello," Fleur answered stiffly, staring into the mirror.

Frosty watched as Fleur applied her make-up, then left the bathroom once more.

"Go find a wimpy freshman kid I can do business with," Taffy suggested. "Complimentary hall pass on my part."

"Okay," Frosty agreed.

Taffy slipped a hall pass under the stall door. Frosty grabbed the slip of paper and exited into the hallway.

Frosty walked down the hallway when she heard someone call her name.

"Frosty! Frosty!"

"Who's that?" she asked, looking around.

"It's me, Twist!"

Oh no way! Frosty flinched as Twist ran out of the shadows.

"How are you today?" Twist asked, pushing her glasses back and grinning at her.

"Terrible," Frosty answered bluntly. "Guess what? You don't have a hallpass. There are some in the bathroom. Go get some."

"But-"

"No buts!" Frosty snapped as she pushed Twist in the direction of Taffy's bathroom. Then she bolted in the opposite direction.

"That was horrible!" Frosty muttered as she ran. "I need to talk with Ginger."

"Hi," Ginger said.

"What?!" Frosty skidded to a halt.

"How are you here?" she asked in disbelief.

"I just left the art room," Ginger explained, pointing a finger at the aforementioned room.

"Oh."

"What do you need to talk to me about?" Ginger asked, carefully blowing her bangs out of her eyes. The effort was in vain, because her hair fell down again.

"Twilight hasn't answered my text from last night," Frosty explained. "Do you-"

"You're putting too much pressure on yourself," Ginger interrupted. "Paint with me. Let out your steam."

"Okay, fine." Frosty shrugged and followed Ginger back into the art room.

Ginger had set up an easel at the back of the room.

"Watcha paintin'?" Frosty asked, coming over to look.

She stared for a long time.

"Do you like it?" Ginger asked.

"It's... really graphic," Frosty commented.

"If we had an art competition against Canterlot High, I'd win," Ginger said. "Let me set up an easel for you."

When everything was set up, Frosty picked up a paintbrush and began to swipe her brush across the canvas. As the minutes ticked by, her strokes became bolder.

Frosty furrowed her brow in concentration.

"Frosty!"

"Wha?" Frosty jerked her head up. Taffy stood in the doorway.

"What are you painting?" Taffy asked, sauntering over to join them.

"I don't know, I wasn't really paying attention to what I was doing," Frosty answered, looking down at her canvas. Ginger and Taffy crowded around her.

"Well, I did tell you to let out your steam," Ginger remarked.

Frosty had painted Indigo Zap. The bossy Shadowbolt was hobbling around on crutches. In the background, Twilight and Frosty were holding the Friendship Games trophy.

"So you want to maim Indigo, have Twilight take her place and win the Friendship Games?" Taffy asked doubtfully.

Frosty blinked before replying, "I'm just stressed. Indigo is being a real pain about practice and stuff. And of course, I really want to apologize to Twilight."

"Maybe you should withdraw from the Games if it's too much," Ginger suggested.

"I can't do that," Frosty protested. "Indigo will have my head!"

"If you don't do it, your head will explode from the pressure," Ginger said solemnly.

Taffy and Frosty stared at her.

"I'm gonna go back to the bathroom," Taffy commented.

"I'm gonna actually go to class," Frosty said.

Noon

Frosty stood just outside of the cafeteria, watching the hustle through blue-tinted windows.

"Not going in?" Taffy asked, arriving beside her.

"If I do, Sour and Indigo and Sugar and Sunny and Lemon and who knows who else will be on my case," Frosty informed her. "I'm staying here, where it's safe, waiting for Twilight."

"Okay. See ya later." With a wave, Taffy disappeared into the cafeteria.

Frosty watched her peers pass by, as if she was a wallflower.

Cool. I'm a wallflower. I'm nonexistent, Frosty thought to herself.

Suddenly, an indigo bun caught her eye.

Shoulders hunched, Twilight turned a corner and came into full view.

"Twilight!" Frosty exclaimed, running to catch her.

Twilight looked up.

"I don't want to talk to you!" she exclaimed. Turning on her heel, Twilight scampered off in the other direction.

Good thing I was running all afternoon yesterday, Frosty thought, chasing after Twilight.

"No running in the halls!" shouted Marco, the hall monitor.

"Can it!" Frosty sneered at him as she whizzed past.

Frosty dashed forward and grabbed Twilight by the wrist.

"Ow!" Twilight cried.

"Hey!" Frosty shouted.

Inertia slammed her straight into Twilight. The two of them tumbled straight into the lockers and slid to the floor.

"Ugh," Frosty groaned, rubbing her left temple. "I think I broke my arm."

"Did my glasses break?" Twilight asked anxiously, limbs flailing in an attempt to find her eyewear. "Because if they did," she continued, "you're paying for them!"

"Are you two alright?" someone asked.

"Yeah, I think so," Frosty responded, looking up at the boy who had spoken.

Twilight, having realized her glasses were intact, nodded in agreement.

"Let me help you up." Neon Lights extended a hand and pulled both of them two their feet.

"Thanks," Twilight and Frosty said in unison. Neon Lights shrugged and walked off.

Twilight took a deep breath and looked Frosty in the eye.

"What do you want?" she asked, stone-faced.

"I want to apologize," Frosty responded immediately. "I'm sorry I made you feel like I didn't want your help on Monday, when Sugarcoat and the Shadowbolts were attacking me. I just didn't want to see you hurt by their words."

Twilight let out a breath, and her bangs fluttered.

"And?"

"And what?" Frosty's confusion lasted a mere moment. "Oh! I'm sorry I rammed into you and sent us both flying into a wall."

Twilight hesitated.

"Okay, I forgive you," she decided after a moment. "Just please don't bother me."

"I was hoping we could be friends," Frosty interrupted.

"Friends are low on my list of priorities," Twilight told her. "I'm in the middle of solving a magical mystery, friends won't do me any good.

"Besides-" Twilight waved her hand around. "-at a school like this, making friends isn't an option."

With that, Twilight walked off down the hallway.

"Lunchroom's the other way," Frosty muttered. Swiveling around, she walked back to the cafeteria to apprise Taffy and Ginger of what had just happened.

P.E. Class, 2:05 p.m.

"Frosty!"

Frosty cringed as Indigo sprinted over.

"Where were you at lunch?" Indigo demanded. "We needed to talk to you!"

"I'm sorry Indigo, I wasn't hungry," Frosty snapped, turning away.

Indigo persisted, following Frosty across the field. "You'd better listen to me!" Indigo clamored. "If you don't take this seriously, we're gonna lose the Friendship Games! Forget Principal Cinch, if we lose, heads will roll, and I'll be the executioner!"

Frosty whirled around. Her violet eyes blazed with annoyance. "Shut up!" she cried. "Do you know how annoying you are? I don't even know why I decided to join your Friendship Games team! Stop bugging me about it!"

"You wanna go?" Indigo roared. She walked right up to Frosty until there was an inch between them.

"Yeah I do!" Frosty shrieked. "I cannot tolerate this anymore!"

By now, the other kids in their class were gathering around to watch the spectacle. Coach Shining sprinted through the kids.

"Girls, please back down," he pleaded. "This is not proper behavior!"

"I thought you could help us!" Indigo shouted. "But apparently you're just a spoiled brat who can't handle work!"

"I'm a spoiled brat?!" Frosty repeated in disbelief. She shoved a finger into Indigo's chest. "You and your prissy Shadow Five squad are the worst in this entire school!"

"That's it!" Indigo bellowed. She grabbed Frosty's wrist and shoved her to the ground.

"Don't you dare touch me!" Frosty yelled, scrambling up off the ground.

"Girls!" Coach Shining blew his whistle. "Cut it out!"

Frosty aimed a kick at Indigo's shins. Indigo cried out as she grabbed her leg and started hopping around.

"Take that, you big bully," Frosty snarled.

"Why you-"

"GIRLS!" Coach Shining shouted. He grabbed each girl by the hand.

"We are going to see the principal about your behavior," he said in a low, threatening tone.

After issuing a warning about good behavior to the rest of the class, Coach Shining marched them inside.

Frosty kept her head up high. Indigo's gonna get it worse than me, because she was the one who started it. Heck, maybe she'll even be banned from the Friendship Games! Ha, that would be a sight.

A shrewd smile spread across her face.

Coach Shining handed the duo over to the secretary, explained the situation to her, than left.

The secretary looked over her glasses at Frosty and Indigo.

"You two stay out here, and don't cause any more trouble," she said in a clipped voice, disappearing into Principal Cinch's office.

Frosty's gaze slid over to Indigo. Surprisingly, her enemy was smirking.

"What are you so happy about?" Frosty grumbled.

"I just can't wait to watch you get in trouble," Indigo sneered.

"You'll get in trouble too," Frosty snarked, turning her back to Indigo. In truth, her stomach was knotted in concern. Indigo was 100% confident in everything, and she had reason to be. What if Indigo was let off the hook and Frosty took all the blame?

I'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen, Frosty decided.

A couple moments later, the secretary emerged.

"Principal Cinch will see you now," she told them stiffly, returning to her desk.

Flashing a self-assured smirk at Frosty, Indigo trooped into the room. Frosty trailed behind.

"Shut the door," Principal Cinch ordered. Frosty did so, then walked into the center of the tiny room. Lit only by a solitary window, Principal Cinch was hidden in the shadows.

"What is this about, hmm?" asked the Principal in an icy drawl. She leaned forward, and Frosty could see her clearly.

Principal Cinch wore her plum curl in a low bun. Her stone-cold gaze was focused on Frosty.

"Principal Cinch, Indigo was being so annoying. She grabbed my wrist and flipped me over!" Frosty explained quickly, stepping forward.

"Oh come now, I'm sure Indigo did nothing of the sort," scoffed Principal Cinch. "Indigo, what is your side of the story?"

"I was defending the sacred tradition of the Friendship Games!" Indigo defended herself. "Frosty was talking trash!"

"Really?" Principal Cinch turned her gaze to Frosty. Although her eyes were widened in shock, the regard gave Frosty shivers.

"I am aware some students here are not the most spirited in regards to our school," Cinch continued, "but surely you wouldn't insult something so near and dear to the rest of us, Miss Orange!"

"I didn't insult the Games, Principal Cinch," Frosty responded, trying to choose her words carefully. "Indigo was pestering me. Today, I just needed a break, but she wouldn't let me have it. I kinda lost my temper, and started shouting. But Indigo was the one that first started the, er, physical fighting."

"I see." Principal Cinch folded her hands professionally. "Well, Indigo, Frosty, I believe there should be some penalty for your actions today.

"Indigo, you should go clean the gym," she instructed Indigo. "See how long it takes you. Hopefully you should be able to beat your previous record."

"Yes, ma'am!" Indigo saluted.

Frosty narrowed her eyes. This isn't going the way I planned.

"Principal Cinch, Indigo practically attacked me!" she intervened suddenly. "I think she should get a better penalty than cleaning the gym!"

"Frosty Orange, it appears you have a fiery tongue," Principal Cinch told her sharply. She adjusted her glasses as she continued, "You were the one selected to take Zephyr's place in the Friendship Games, were you not?"

"Yeah," Frosty answered, somewhat nervous.

"If you cannot control your temper, I don't think you are suited for this esteemed event," Principal Cinch told her.

"You mean I don't have to do the Friendship Games anymore?" Frosty asked, grinning in relief.

"You are removed from the roster," Principal Cinch confirmed. "And for your punishment, you must find a suitable candidate to take your place before the week ends."

"Wait, what?!" Frosty gaped.

"If you can't, there will be consequences." Principal Cinch leaned forward. "Do I make myself clear, Miss Orange?"

Frosty gulped. "Yeah, I guess."

"Good. Now the both of you, get out of my office!" Principal Cinch laughed as Frosty and Indigo left.

Frosty scrunched up her nose. She kept her gaze to the floor, wishing Indigo wouldn't make any snide remarks.

No such luck.

"So, once again you decide the fate of the Friendship Games," Indigo quipped. "Don't mess this up, punk."

"Like I have a choice?" Frosty snapped. "How about you just leave me alone?"

"Believe me, I won't," Indigo sneered. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to clean the gym."

Indigo left Frosty there and jogged off down the hallway.

"Fine!" Frosty grumbled. "I'll just go find someone who wants to be in the Friendship Games!"

Frosty stalked off to find the bathroom.

"Taffy!" she announced, busting in.

"Frosty?" Taffy looked up in surprise. "I heard about your fight with Indigo. What's up?"

"What's up is that Indigo got off practically scot-free while I have to find someone to replace me in the Friendship Games!" Frosty fumed. "You are now my replacement."

"No way!" Taffy nearly dropped some of her gum. "I'd break my arms before I helped this school win!"

"Well, who else am I supposed to pick?" Frosty asked.

"One of the many students at this school?" Taffy suggested. "Maybe you could ask Zephyr for suggestions, since she was the original competitor. Or ask Marco, Melon Mint, or Crystal Lullaby! They were winners last time, you can see the pictures in the yearbook! You're making this problem way harder than it actually is!"

Just as Frosty was about to respond, they heard the distinct sound of a toilet flushing. Frosty and Taffy fell silent as Twilight Sparkle stepped out of the stall.

"Don't mind me!" she squeaked, washing her hands quickly and leaving.

After they watched the bathroom door swing shut, the girls resumed their conversation.

"What about Twilight?" Taffy asked

"Have you seen that girl? The Shadowbolts would never accept her." Frosty shook her head.

"Pokey Pierce, then? Suri?"

The final period bell rang. Taffy continued to rattle off students' names as they left the bathroom.

"Thanks for the suggestions," Frosty said as they walked back to their lockers to collect their things.

"You're welcome," Taffy responded, flashing Frosty a half-smile.

As Frosty reached her locker, Sunny Flare and Sour Sweet arrived. Both were standing tall and glaring right at her, making Frosty feel two inches tall.

Her frown deepened.

"What do you two want?" she asked in a low voice, grabbing her backpack.

"We heard what you did to Indigo," Sunny said. "And just so you know, you both should have gotten in loads of trouble. If you ask me, you and Indigo should have way worse punishments."

"Good to know someone's on my side," Frosty muttered.

"We're not on your side," Sour Sweet told her sharply. "We're trying to be unbiased in dealing out justice. But just so you know, Sunny and I, as well as the rest us, will be watching you. Like hawks."

To emphasize her point, Sour Sweet pulled a hawk mask out of her backpack.

"So scary," Frosty responded sarcastically.

"Why don't you be an owl?"

Ginger appeared out of nowhere, her eyes glued to Sour Sweet and Sunny.

"Ack!" Sunny jumped. "I'd tell you to buzz off, but there's no rule against randomly popping up and scaring people."

"Come on, Ginger, let's go," Frosty told her. Grabbing Ginger by her uniform sleeve, Frosty walked out of the school.

"If it helps," Sour Sweet called, "I totally believe you can save the Friendship Games!"

"Where are we going?" Ginger asked.

"We're gonna brainstorm," Frosty said. "Call Taffy; we're having a sleepover!"