Crystal Conundrums

by Tennis Match Fan

Rating: everyone
Tags: Indigo Zap, Twilight Sparkle (EqG), Slice of Life, Shadowbolts (EqG), Other, Equestria Girls
Length: 11907

Crystal Prep is full of jerks. Frosty Orange knows this.

For some kids, Crystal Prep is not the ideal school. Frosty Orange wishes she lived closer to another school. But she's stuck here. She and her peers must endure the taunts of the Shadow Five, the most popular girls in school.
One week might change everything for her, when the Shadow Five invite her to be an archer in the Friendship Games.

A prequel of sorts to the Friendship Games. :pinkiesmile:

Published 2015-09-14 00:10:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-12-08 22:58:41 UTC

Monday Madness

Author's Note

For your reference, Frosty Orange is a background character. :pinkiesmile: The only clear shot of her is attached to fan art, so here's a little something:

Monday Madness

Monday, 8:29 a.m.

Frosty Orange rushed through the doors of Crystal Prep.

Maybe if I hurry, she thought as she buttoned up her uniform's vest, I can make it before one of the hall monitors catches me-

"Hey, you're late!"

Just my luck. Frosty sighed as Sunny Flare marched up to her.

"School rules clearly dictate you must be here by 8:30, or you are tardy," Sunny informed her, jabbing a finger at Frosty's chest.

"But I made it," Frosty protested. "One minute to spare."

"You're not in your classroom, are you?" Sunny pointed out. "If you don't get to homeroom in under a minute, you're late." Sunny folded her arms.

"Then stop stalling!" Frosty ran around Sunny, desperate to make it to class.

"Hey, come back here!" Sunny yelled, running after Frosty.

Brrrrrrring

"The bell!" Frosty wailed.

"You're in detention, you're late!" Sunny shouted.

"Everyone get out here, please," Frosty begged as she ran from the terror that was Sunny Flare, "I need to lose her."

Right on cue, students filled the hallways. Frosty ran past everyone, ducked down another hall, and sprinted straight into the bathroom.

"Whoa," she breathed, taking a moment to fix her sky blue hair in the mirror. "I hope I never have to do that again."

"Whaddya do?" a friend of Frosty's, a girl with pink skin and curly yellow hair, stepped out of the last stall on the end.

"Just escaped detention," Frosty answered Taffy's question.

"You'll need a hall pass, wontcha?" Taffy Shade nodded. "You're here, and not in class."

"Right. Will a pack of gum do it for you?"

"Sure."

Frosty passed Taffy a stick of gum; in return, Taffy dropped Frosty a counterfeit purple hall pass.

"Thanks, Taf," Frosty commented as she backed up to the bathroom door.

"No problem," Taffy replied, shuffling the stack of hall passes in her hands.

"You coming?"

"Nope." Taffy shook her head. "I'm gonna wait a minute longer. In case some dopey Freshmen need somethin'."

Frosty nodded in understanding, then ran out.

8:46 a.m.

Today, first period was chemistry. Not only was Frosty a total dunce, but her lab partner was Lemon Zest. Lemon Zest took everything way to seriously and was part of the reason Frosty found the lessons so boring.

"I hate science class," Frosty complained.

Lemon Zest adjusted her lab goggles. "Tough luck. Pour thirteen milligrams of hydrochloric acid into the beaker," she instructed. For someone not-so-nice like her, Lemon's voice was surprisingly soft.

Frosty painstakingly measured the amount, then dumped it into the beaker.

"Next we turn the heat up to 167 degrees Fahrenheit exactly-" Lemon adjusted them temperature "-then we wait."

Waiting was the worst. Frosty tapped her fingers on the table, while Lemon Zest reread the science book.

"Please stop," Lemon Zest grumbled. "I'm trying to study!"

"Fine, sour puss," Frosty muttered under her breath.

Lemon snapped the book shut and looked up at Frosty. "Why do you attend Crystal Prep?" Lemon asked directly.

Is she finally going to talk about something other than science? Frosty wondered as she replied, "It's the school closest to where I live. All the other schools are too far."

"No," Lemon Zest told her, leaning in, "it's because Crystal Prep is a prestigious school. We come here to get results, to be efficient, and to graduate as wholesome young men and women!"

After she had finished her mini-lecture, Lemon adjusted her headphones. Frosty blinked.

"Did you just quote the handbook?" she asked. And nobody here is 'wholesome.' Not even me.

9:38 a.m.

Frosty hid behind her book as Sunny Flare walked in to the French classroom. Although her desk was at the very back of the classroom, and Sunny's was in the front, you could never be too careful.

Suddenly, Frosty's phone buzzed in her pocket.

"Hey."

An unknown number, huh? Frosty frowned. Weird.

She texted back, "hi who is this?"

"Is ur refrigerator running?" was the response.

Confused, Frosty quickly texted back, "no im at school." She set her phone down and opened her book. Her phone buzzed again. A few student glanced her way, but let her be.

"Wow ur bad at prank texts"

"I'm in class LOL r u a CP student" Frosty texted.

"Frosty Orange, que feriez-vous par à la boutique?" the teacher asked.

"Oh!" Frosty jumped.

“She was playing on her phone,” Sour Sweet called out, examining her fingernails. Sour’s desk was two rows over. Frosty protectively gripped her phone.

“It wasn’t my fault!” Frosty hissed. “Some idiot tried to prank text me!”

“Still improper behavior during class, isn’t it?” Sour retorted, smiling to herself.

“Miz Orange, your phone, please.”

Frosty pried her eyes away from Sour Sweet and looked up at her teacher.

“I didn’t do anything!” she protested. When the professor remain adamant, Frosty sighed and pulled out her phone, dropping it in the teacher’s hand. Her teacher nodded, and returned to the front of the classroom.

Frosty turned and shot a glare in Sour Sweet’s direction. Sour caught the glance, and just rolled her eyes.

“You brought it on yourself,” Sour whispered.

Frosty snapped her pencil in two.

Lunch Time

“I’m sick of today,” Frosty grumbled as she set her lunch tray down. Aside from Taffy, her friend Ginger Owlseye was also eating at the same table.

Ginger looked up.

“What’s going on today?” she asked. “You’re not, actually sick, are you?”

“It’s an expression, dimwit,” Taffy told her.

“If I go to this school, I’m not a dimwit,” Ginger replied.

“We’re all dimwits here,” Frosty countered. “I’ve been in contact with three of the Shadow Five today!”

“Seriously?” Taffy asked, looking over at her. “I knew about Sunny, and Lemon’s your lab partner, right?”

“Yeah,” Frosty agreed. “Sour Sweet got my phone taken away during second period French!”

“Sour Sweet needs to die.”

“Ginger!” Frosty and Taffy looked over, wearing twin expressions of surprise.

Ginger was absent-mindedly staring at her tray, teal eyes widened large. “Oh, where were we?” She suddenly snapped out of her trance. “Hey, Frosty, if you want to get sick and go home early, I can tell you a super gross story!”

“Uh, no thanks,” Frosty responded. The suggestion alone made her feel sick. “Let’s just eat.”

“Spaghetti and meatballs.” Taffy lifted a clump of spaghetting on her fork. “Yum.” Spaghetti was the only good lunch Crystal Prep served, and it brightened up dreary Mondays.

Frosty was in the middle of slurping down the last of her lunch when Ginger dropped her fork.

“Guys, don’t look behind you, but the Shadow Five are headed this way!” she whispered in panic.

Taffy and Frosty turned around.

“I said not to turn around!” Ginger complained.

“Why me?” Frosty groaned. Led by Sugarcoat, the Shadow Five were making a beeline for Frosty’s table. Other students parted as they barged through the cafeteria.

“Shouldn’t we run?” Ginger suggested quietly. “It’s not too late.”

“Let’s just get this over with,” Frosty snapped back.

“Frosty Orange.” Sugarcoat folded her arms as Sunny Flare, Lemon Zest, Sour Sweet, and Indigo Zap spread around the table.

“What do you want, Sugarcoat?” Frosty grumbled.

“You owe Sunny Flare a detention. And you messed up Lemon Zest’s science experiment. And- well, you didn’t really do anything to Sour Sweet. But all the rest of that? That’s just not cool.”

The stares of a thousand other students burned into Frosty’s back as she replied, “I would’ve made it to class if I hadn’t run into Sunny. I don't owe anyone detention! And I did not ruin our science experiment. Why would I? I need that grade, too!”

“Pathetic arguments,” Sugarcoat snapped. “Okay, since I’m here, let me tell you what I think of you.”

Here it comes, Frosty thought.

“Your hairstyle is tacky. Seriously, chop the top half off and try to be normal.”

“She’s right,” Sunny quipped. “My sister’s friend’s cousin’s mom’s aunt’s niece goes to Cloudsdale High, and she looks just like you.”

“Yeah, whatever Sunny. Next. Your clothing-”

“Um, excuse me? Could you, maybe, um, stop being mean to them?”

“Huh?” Frosty, Taffy, and Ginger were taken aback. Nobody talked to the Shadow Five like that.

Their rescuer was toned lavender, wearing her pink-streaked indigo hair in a bun, and she wore a pair of thick (but cute!) black glasses. She stepped up in front of Frosty and her friends, nervously playing with her fingers.

“That’s Twilight Sparkle, Counselor Cadence’s crazy niece,” Ginger commented blankly.

“I’m not crazy!” Twilight insisted. “Cadence says I have… unique interests. But, uh, Sugarcoat, these girls haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Let me handle this one, pigtails girl.” Lemon Zest stepped up in Twilight’s face. “Listen up. Obviously you were not listening earlier, otherwise you would know these girls are troublemakers. Specifically, the orange one with blue hair. I forgot her name. But you have no business here. So get out before you embarrass yourself anymore than you already have.”

“I agree with Lemon Zest,” Sour Sweet added.

“You’re not welcome here, Twilight Sparkle,” Indigo Zap snapped.

“But-” Twilight faltered.

She needs to get out of here, poor girl, Frosty thought, she’s too cute for this.

“Twilight.” When Twilight's attention turned to her, Frosty continued, “You need to get out of here. They’re right.”

“But I was trying to help you!” Twilight replied frowning. She bit her lips, and Frosty realized Twilight was trying to hold back tears.

“This school is terrible,” Ginger commented randomly.

"Why," Twilight mumbled. "Why would you do this to me?"

Twilight took one last look at Frosty, then at Sugarcoat. In the next moment, she sprinted off.

Probably to go to the bathroom and cry, Frosty thought.

The room was dead silent, save for some teachers talking in the background.

“Oh my gosh! Some kid’s locked in the teacher’s lounge!” Taffy shrieked.

“What?!” Frosty spun around to face her friend. Taffy wasn't frantic with excitement; she was wearing a mischievous grin instead.

Suddenly, students were rushing out of the cafeteria to see the poor kid in the teacher’s lounge.

“Run,” Ginger said.

No need to tell me twice! Frosty, with Taffy and Ginger behind her, ran out as fast as her legs could carry her.

2:05 p.m.

“You know what I just realized?” Frosty asked. She stood in the girls’ bathroom once again, accompanied by Taffy.

“What?” asked Taffy, who was currently sorting through her accumulated gum.

“Indigo Zap is in my P.E. class.” Frosty deadpanned, staring dejectedly at her face in the mirror.

“Sucks for you,” Taffy sympathized. “I have Sunny in mine. Indigo’s definitely worse, though.”

“Can I borrow a hall pass?” Frosty asked.

“Oh no!” Taffy grinned. “I want to see you fight this out with Indigo.”

Frosty pursed her lips. “I swear, Taffy, if you don’t give me a hall pass-”

“I’ll call Sour Sweet if you don’t leave right now!” Taffy challenged. "Want another run-in with her?"

“And risk exposing your underground market?” Frosty smirked. “I don’t think so.”

“Try me.” Taffy narrowed her magenta eyes. Frosty stared back.

After a few moments, Frosty broke her gaze, and turned to face the mirror. “Fine, you win. I’ll go.”

“Good girl.” Taffy nodded, popping a piece of gum into her mouth.

“You’ll make a good con woman one day,” Frosty remarked.

“I learned from the best!” Taffy laughed between chews.

“Who taught you?”

“Myself.”

Smiling in spite of herself, Frosty left to change into her P.E. uniform.

When she joined the rest of her class on the soccer field, Coach Armor was already giving instructions.

“What are we doing?” she asked a boy with wavy white and blue hair.

“Oh, we’re doing-”

“Don’t tell her anything, Pokey,” a girl wearing a yellow headband and curly purple hair interrupted. “She arrives late, she doesn’t need to know, m’kay?”

“-you will be split into two teams,” Coach Armor continued. “Purple belts on one side of the field, and blue belts on the other, got it?”

“Got it!” chorused the class.

Coach Armor counted off everyone onto the teams. Frosty ended up on the blue belted team. The good news was that she didn’t have to deal with Pokey and Suri; they were on the purple team. The bad news was the one person Frosty least wanted to deal with was on her team.

“Alright, team!” Indigo Zap barked, wrapping her belt around her waist. “We are going to beat those losers to the dust! Got it?!”

“Yeah!” cheered half the team. The other half, including Frost, mumbled something inaudible.

“Listen, wimps,” Indigo said sternly, pacing back and forth. “I can show you all terrible things. Magic and heaven aren’t two of them, but madness and sin certainly are. If you want to live, you will go down fighting this soccer game!”

“It’s just a game,” Frosty muttered. “Save your real strength for the Friendship Games in a couple months."

“Frosty!” Indigo screamed. “I should’ve known you’d be making trouble!”

“How did you hear me?” Frosty asked in disbelief.

“Don’t forget lunch today, Orange!” Indigo yelled, smoothing back her hair. “That will happen every day for the rest of your life if we don’t win this game!”

“Yes, ma’am!” Frosty gulped. Whether or not Indigo was bluffing didn’t matter. The threat was hanging in the air.

Coach Armor blew his whistle, and the game began. Frosty wasn’t much help at first. Most of the game was Indigo screaming and scoring goals, subsequently giving the other team’s goalie a headache.

As the scores grew in their favor, Frosty began to relax.

Indigo Zap has this covered, she thought. I don’t need to do anything.

“Frosty Orange!” Indigo shrieked, running over.

“Wha?!” Frosty looked over. “Why me? I do not understand!”

“Coach Armor said I have to sit out the rest of the game,” Indigo grumbled, smoothing back her blue hair. “Can I count on you to play a good game?”

“Yeah, sure,” Frosty answered cautiously. “The team and I will do you justice.”

“Good,” Indigo answered, folding her arms. “Because if you lose, I’ll tell Twist you have a crush on her.”

“Not that freshman, please no.” Twist was the most annoying freshman you would ever meet. If Twist ever thought that Frosty liked her, it would be even worse than the lunch threat.

“You don’t have to worry about it, just play well.” Indigo patted her on the shoulder, then jogged off to scream on the sidelines.

“This will end in tears,” Frosty commented, defeated already.

Turns out that defense wasn’t that hard. By the last few minutes, the other team had only managed to score ten goals, compared to the fifty Frosty had predicted.

“Pick up your feet, Orange!” Indigo called, pumping her fist. “You can score!”

“Is Indigo being supportive?” Frosty asked herself in disbelief. "Weird." Obeying Indigo’s orders, Frosty charged down the field.

Currently, Pokey Pierce was dribbling the ball. Frosty ran straight for him, ready to kick him in the shins if necessary.

Frosty made a swipe for the ball.

“Come and get it!” Pokey teased, neatly dribbling around Frosty. Gritting her teeth, Frosty charged after him.

“You don’t know what’s on the line here!” she shouted, blocking Pokey’s way. This time, she managed to pry the ball away from him. It bounced down the field. Another player on Frosty’s team swooped in and dribbled it towards the goal.

“Suri!” shouted someone on the other team. Suri, the goalie, was too busy filing her nails to notice.

“Go, blue belts!” Indigo shouted.

Suri looked up, startled by Indigo's scream. When her eyes focused on the soccer ball, her expression hardened, and she resumed a formal goalie position.

Frosty raced down to give her teammate backup. He ignored her and kicked the ball to the goal.

Too soon! Frosty cringed as Suri caught the ball. She continued running in the same direction.

Suri threw the ball- straight into Frosty's face.

“Ow!” Frosty fell to the ground.

“Oh my gosh!” Suri screamed. “For the record, I didn’t kill her, m’kay? Got that, everyone?!”

Tweet! From the other side of the field, Coach Armor blew into his whistle. “Goal! And we have to wrap it up now, guys, class is over!”

“Wha?” Frosty rubbed her head.

“Yo, Frost person!” Indigo ran over to help her out. “The ball bounced off your head and into the goal! Nice save! We won!

“You hear that, Suri buckin’ Polomare?” she added, screaming at Suri.

“So you’re not gonna tell Twist I like her, right?” Frosty asked.

“Nope,” Indigo assured her. “I hope you’re on my team next time, you’re a big help to the ultimate goal of glory and winning and endless riches!”

“Uh, me too, I guess.” Heck no!

“Don’t worry about anything tomorrow, either,” Indigo added. “That was so epic, you deserve a good Tuesday.”

“Really?” Frosty’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“Sure,” Indigo replied. “I'm not a jerk like Sugarcoat."

Frosty's mouth literally dropped open.

"I gotta go now," Indigo commented, checking her watch. "Don’t break your ankle or anything, okay?”

Frosty watched as Indigo ran off.

“She was decent to me,” Frost commented. “I am utterly confused.”

Frosty walked off the field, following her classmates.

I need a therapist, she thought.

Tuesday Trouble

Tuesday, 2:14 a.m.

Frosty lay awake, staring up into the darkness. The only sound heard was an occasional ding from her phone, but Frosty ignored them.

Twilight Sparkle is a nice girl, she thought, turning on her side. She doesn't deserve the taunts of the Shadow Five.

Frosty flipped her pillow over and fell back on it. The plush cushion felt cool under her head.

I tried to help her, Frosty reminded herself. It came out kinda... mean, though.

"I can't do anything about that now," she whispered, her voice laced with quiet regret. "It's too late."

Frosty's phone pinged again, signaling the arrival of another message. Frosty stared at the device.

I could apologize, Frosty realized. Explain myself. Twilight's a smart girl. She'll understand, right?

Yes, Frosty thought, answering her own question. Yes she will.

Frosty flopped onto her other side. Tomorrow—er, today—she'd apologize to her purple classmate and make things right.

Lunchtime, 12:45 p.m.

"Hey Taffy! Hey Ginger!" Frosty exclaimed, setting down her lunch tray.

"You're unusually perky," Taffy noted.

Ginger said nothing, as she was too busy stabbing her meatloaf with a fork.

"I can't wait to apologize to Twilight," Frosty answered Taffy. "But haven't seen Twilight all day. I'm certain I'll catch her during lunch period."

"Good game plan," Taffy agreed. "Check along the walls. After yesterday's catastrophe, she'll probably be hiding and out of sight."

"Thanks for the advice," Frosty replied, picking up her plastic fork. "I'll just force down this horrid meatloaf and then I'll go find TwiTwi."

"Have you seen the Shadow Five today?" Ginger asked suddenly.

"You mean outside of my regular classes?" Frosty swallowed a hunk of meatloaf. "Nope. No run-ins with those jerks!"

"Frosty Orange!" Someone screamed Frosty's name across the cafeteria. Frosty buried her head in her hands.

"Please tell me that's not-"

"Jack the Ripper?" Ginger asked. "It's not. Just Indigo Zap."

"Just as bad," Taffy commented, taking a bite of meatloaf.

Indigo barged over to their table.

"Frosty, how would you like to have lunch with me today?" Indigo asked.

Frosty peeked out between two of her fingers.

"Do I have a choice?" she asked weakly.

"No, you do not," Indigo answered immediately.

"And besides," she added, puffing her chest out. "Wouldn't you rather have lunch with a punk like me over these losers?"

"Watch your mouth, Indigo," Taffy growled.

"You watch your mouth, Taffeta!" Indigo snapped back. "I know all about your secret illegal hallpasses. You're lucky I support rebellious acts like that! Cross my path, though, and I might let it slip to Sunny or Sour."

Frosty didn't have to look up to know Taffy was turning paler than a ghost.

"Come on, Frosty. Let's get out of here." Indigo wrapped her hand around Frosty's wrist and yanked her out of her seat.

That's gonna leave a mark! Frosty winced as Indigo's claw-like nails dug into her skin.

"You know her name's not Taffeta, right?" Frosty asked Indigo weakly.

"Taffeta, shmafeta. Whatever she's called, she's a loser." Indigo breezily tossed the remark aside.

"Sit." Indigo released her grip on Frosty and dropped onto her chair.

"Ow!" Frosty collapsed on the chair next to Indigo and rubbed her wrist.

After a moment, she looked up. Lemon Zest, Sunny Flare, Sugarcoat, and Sour Sweet were all staring at her. Four pairs of eyes were staring straight into Frosty's very soul.

I'm screwed, Frosty thought, swallowing.

"Can I leave now?" Frosty asked, smiling nervously.

"Sit, dork. Listen." Indigo pulled headphones over her ears and began jamming out to what was presumably rock music.

"Do you know who Zephyr is?" Lemon Zest suddenly asked Frosty.

"I think someone whose name begins with Z might be in my Social Studies class," Frosty replied hesitantly, "but I don't know for sure."

"Zephyr was my partner for the Archery competition," Sour Sweet cut in.

"For the Friendship Games? The roster's up already?"

"You should know by now Principal Cinch believes in being the best," Sunny Flare commented, glaring daggers at Frosty. "The roster was up last month."

"The five of us are covering almost every event," Sugarcoat added, a smug smirk resting on her lips. "We're just too perfect."

"Wait, how do you even know what the events are?" Frosty interrupted once more. "I thought only the faculty knew."

Everyone stared at her, identical expressions of unamusement etched on each girl's face.

"Principal Cinch told us so we could get an edge up in the games," Lemon Zest explained quickly. "It's techincally not against the rules."

"I checked," Sunny added,

"Ehem." Sour Sweet coughed. "Even though Zephyr wasn't 'one of us'"—Sour Sweet raised her fingers and made air quotes—"I needed someone to be my partner in archery."

"Zephyr recently broke her ankle and Indigo Zap, after watching you play soccer yesterday, suggested you might be a good substitute," Lemon Zest summed up, before she went back to filing her nails.

"She broke her ankle, right? How does that impact archery?" Frosty asked. "You don't need your feet for archery."

Hello?" Sunny Flare leaned across the table and snapped a finger in Frosty's face. "Nothing but the best, remember?!"

"Okay, fine. Whatever." Frosty leaned back. "So you want me to participate in archery?"

"It's not like we have any other options," Sour Sweet replied, folding her hands.

"Why can't one of you-"

Sour Sweet slammed a hand down on the table.

"Are you a baby? Do we have to explain every little detail to you?" she yelled.

Frosty shrank back.

"S-sorry," she stammered.

"Chill, Sour," Sugarcoat reprimanded the other girl.

Sour Sweet rolled her eyes. "Fine." She slumped back in her seat.

"So what do you say?" Lemon Zest asked. "Will you join us?"

Twilight. Dag it, I forgot about Twilight! Frosty realized suddenly.

"Where's Twilight?" she asked.

"The girl we humiliated yesterday?" Sunny Flare asked. "I don't know. And I don't care!"

"Back to the current subject," Lemon Zest snapped. "Are you in?"

"I-I guess," Frosty replied. "If I agree, can I go now?"

"No," Sour Sweet responded. "We have to go over all the rules, and help you catch up on all the practice you missed!"

"I really have to go now," Frosty protested. "Can we talk about this tomorrow?"

"Now or never," Sour Sweet deadpanned.

Frosty looked over at Indigo. Indigo paused her music and slid the headphones to her neck.

"Take it, dweeb," Indigo advised. "Or you'll lose it."

Frosty's gazed slid to the table. She stared at the wooden surface as she thought.

I can apologize to Twilight tomorrow, she reasoned. Heck, I'll walk to her house if I have to!

But there's also all the training Sour Sweet just mentioned, she thought.

Frosty looked up at each of the Shadow Five, staring each of them right in the eye.

"Okay. I'll do it," she agreed.

"That's the spirit!" Indigo exclaimed, wrapping an arm around Frosty's neck.

"Too tight!" Frosty gasped as Indigo noogied her in the head.

"Just remember if you let us down, you're as good as dead," Indigo continued in a cheerful tone, eventually releasing Frosty.

"Frosty Orange, look at me," Lemon Zest commanded. Frosty looked over at Lemon. Her science partner continued, "for the next fifteen minutes and thirty five seconds, we will be drilling you on everything you'll need to know to participate with us. Sour Sweet, begin."

This is going to be a long lunch period, Frosty groaned inwardly as Sour Sweet began to speak.

End of School, 3:04 p.m.

"So, you haven't told us about your lunch yet," Taffy remarked.

Frosty looked over at Taffy.

"I'm in the Friendship Games now," she deadpanned.

"That sucks, girl," Taffy answered. "So no Twilight?"

"Why do you think I'm sitting outside waiting for her to leave?" Frosty asked.

Frosty watched Taffy look around in confusion.

"I didn't notice that," Taffy admitted.

"I'm sure she'll be out soon," Frosty reasoned. From her perch on the school's front steps she could see everyone leaving the school.

"Guess what?" Taffy asked, sitting down next to her. "Pumpkinlocks is having a barbecue in the park at five. Wanna come?"

"How did you get invited?" Frosty asked, prying her eyes away from the throngs of students walking past.

"You'll probably burn the whole park down!" she pointed out.

Taffy's grin stretched so wide that she resembled the Cheshire Cat.

"Maybe that's the point."

"Hey, Frosty!" Indigo Zap suddenly showed up out of nowhere.

"Indigo? What do you want?" Frosty asked, knitting her eyes in confusion.

"I happened to notice you were sitting here on the steps," Indigo explained. "And that is not a good way to train for the Friendship Games!"

"Congratulations, Frosty," Taffy muttered.

"Are you really doing this now?" Frosty asked, looking up at Indigo. "I'm waiting for someone."

"Well, loser, you can wait while standing up! Burn those calories!" Indigo grabbed Frosty's wrist and pulled her to her feet.

"I'm going to have to go to the hospital because of you!" Frosty cried, rubbing her injured wrist.

"Whatever. I just want to win!" Indigo slapped Frosty on the back. Hard.

"Meet me back at school at five. I'm gonna practice with you, since Sour Sweet doesn't want to." Indigo cackled as she walked off.

"I'm going to die," Frosty groaned, clutching her sides in hyperbolic pain. "Why did I agree to this?"

"Peer pressure?" Taffy suggested.

"Well, I guess I can't come toni- Twilight!" Frosty straightened up she noticed an indigo bun bobbing in the crowd.

"Twilight!" Frosty screamed again, taking off after her.

Twilight had already walked out of the school gates and disappeared down the street.

I can catch her! Frosty told herself, trying to weave her way through the crowd.

"Watch it!" Marco DaFoy pushed her back.

"You watch it!" Frosty retorted angrily. "I have a very important thing to do!"

Ignoring the angry protests of her peers, Frosty finally pushed her way through the crowd. Once she was out of the gates, the flow of kids was considerably more sparse.

But where was Twilight?

Frosty looked down the street to the bus stop. Twilight stood with a couple others kids, waiting for a ride.

Frosty gasped. "Twilight!"

Putting an extra spring in her step, Frosty sprinted to catch up with her target. At the same time, she spotted the bus driving up.

"Twilight!" Frosty shrieked.

Twilight finally heard her and turned. A look of recognition flitted across her face, followed by panic and disbelief.

"Go away!" Twilight shouted. "I don't want to talk to you!"

The bus doors slid open, and Twilight ran inside.

"No!" Frosty cried, running harder than ever before. "Please wait for me, Twilight!"

Evidently Twilight couldn't hear her, because the only answer Frosty received was weird looks from other students and bus-goers.

Frosty reached the end of the street just as the bus pulled away.

"Dang it!" she cursed, collapsing on a bench.

"Way to go, Frosty!"

Frosty looked up to see Indigo Zap clapping. "That was a nice run you did!"

"Can it, Indigo," Frosty groaned, staring up into the bright blue sky.

5:01 p.m.

"You're late," Indigo deadpanned as Frosty walked up.

"Technically I arrived at school at exactly five. It only took me an extra minute to find you over here," Frosty pointed out.

Indigo was sitting in the middle of the soccer field. On top of her spiky blue hair, she perfectly balanced a soccer ball. She looked perfectly tranquil and peacefully, which was a state Frosty had never assumed Indigo would be able to achieve.

"You're good, Frosty," Indigo replied. "Do you believe in zen? Karma and all that?"

"Um, yes?"

"They're fake." Indigo stood up and glared at her.

"What-"

"Ten laps around the soccer field!" Indigo screamed. "Or else!"

"What?!" Frosty's eyes widened. "That's way too much!"

"Make it fifteen!" Indigo growled, giving Frosty a shove. "Get a move on, girl!"

Frosty groaned loudly as she walked to the edge of the field. Her limbs felt heavy, anticipating the hard work ahead.

"Come on, move your muscles!" Indigo shrieked, chasing after Frosty.

"I hate you, Indigo!" Frosty screamed as she sprinted furiously to evade capture.

After Frosty completed all her laps, she collapsed into the grass.

"Get up, soldier!" Indigo barked, running over. "Next, we're doing push ups!"

"No," Frosty groaned. "I don't need to do all this for a dumb archery competition."

"You don't have a choice," Indigo sneered.

Frosty shut her eyes and thought about Twilight Sparkle.

"Do you have Twilight's number?"

"What?" Indigo asked in confusion.

Frosty opened her eyes.

"Twilight Sparkle. Do you have her number?" she repeated.

"Yeah. I think I have it," Indigo replied hesitantly. "Why do you need it?"

"I need to talk to her," Frosty explained as she slowly stood up. "It's important."

"Oh really?" Indigo stared down at Frosty. "How bad do you need it?"

"...Really bad?"

"Mmm hmm. So you wouldn't mind doing push ups in order to get her number?" Indigo asked, raising an eyebrow.

Frosty sighed in defeat.

"Um, fine. I'll do it."

5:57 p.m.

"...One hundred ninety-nine, two hundred!" Frosty collapsed once again.

"Good job, Frosty," Indigo told her. "Tomorrow, maybe I'll go easy on you."

"You're an idiot, Indigo Zap," Frosty whispered.

"No, I'm just ambitious," Indigo cackled. "See ya tomorrow."

Indigo began to walk away.

"Wait!" Frosty gasped, stumbling to her feet. "What about Twilight's number? You promised me you'd give it to me!"

Indigo stopped walking.

"Aw, man. I hoped you'd forget about that," she groaned.

"Give it to me," Frosty snapped. "Now."

"Chill, Frosty," Indigo retorted, grabbing her phone. "Let me find it, first. Probably buried with the rest of the nerd numbers.

"Ah, here it is!" Indigo gave the number to Frosty.

"Wait, do you have my number?" Frosty looked down at her phone as a message popped up on it.

"Sure." Indigo shrugged. "I have everyone's number. See ya tomorrow, girl."

Frosty watched Indigo leave. Eventually, she followed in the same direction.

11:34 p.m.

Frosty yawned as she opened up her messages. Selecting Twilight's number, she quickly typed in a message.

"Hi Twi, its Frosty Orange. I need to talk to u at school tomorrow please?"

"I hope she gets this," Frosty mumbled to herself. Switching her cellphone off, Frosty hugged her bed sheets tight around her and drifted off to sleep.

Wednesday Weirdness

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!"

Thursday Thoughts

Author's Note

~~Since the Friendship Games aired yesterday, I have lots more information about CPA.~~ :pinkiesmile: ~~Minor spoilers!~~
I need to start updating this thing.

Thursday Thoughts

Frosty's house, 5:49 a.m.

"Girls? It's time to wake up now." Frosty's mother rapped on her bedroom door.

"Huh?" Frosty rubbed her eyes. Pushing her sleeping bag out of the way, she groggily sat up. Next to her, Ginger was sitting in a twin sleeping bag. Meanwhile, Taffy snored away on Frosty's bed.

"Taffy, we have to wake up!" Ginger said, poking Taffy's foot.

"Huh?" Taffy sucked in her drool and opened her eyes. "Hello friends," she mumbled before emitting a large yawn. "Last night was productive, wasn't it?"

"If still having no one to replace me counts as productive, then yes," Frosty snarked, tossing a pillow at Taffy. Lucky for her, Taffy dodged the attack. Frosty continued, "Get up, we have to eat breakfast!"

"Fine," Taffy groaned, rolling out of bed.

"We texted fifty nine people and reviewed seventy classmates," Ginger commented as the girls walked into the kitchen.

"And still not one of them seemed eligible enough for Principal Cinch and the Shadow Five to accept," Frosty added, sitting down at the table.

"Of course, we might just have high standards," Taffy pointed out.

Certain that wasn't the case, Frosty shook her head. "Principal Cinch has high standards."

"Who's ready for pancakes and orange juice?" Frosty's mother, setting down a plate of microwavable pancakes in front of the friends.

"Me!" Ginger's hand shot straight up into the air.

The girls all ate up their pancakes, got dressed, and Frosty's mom drove them to school.

"I have two days to do this," Frosty commented, staring up at their large school.

"We'll be right here by your side," Ginger commented, stepping up beside Frosty.

On Frosty's other side, Taffy snorted.

"This isn't an adventure novel," she chided. Nevertheless, she stared at Crystal Prep Academy with the other two. A soft morning breeze floated through their hair. At that moment, Frosty felt invincible. If the past week had been a movie, this moment would be the poster.

The atmosphere was shattered by random students walking past.

"Well, let's walk in now," Ginger said solemnly. Frosty, Taffy, and Ginger strolled through the doors of Crystal Prep.

"I'm headed to the bathroom," Taffy said immediately, dropping her backpack on the floor. "I'll be back around third period."

"I'm going to the art classroom," Ginger told Frosty, staring blankly into the distance. "It's first period for me."

"That's on the way to my locker," Frosty realized, picking up Taffy's backpack. "We'll walk there together."

Frosty and Ginger walked down the hall, as they turned a corner, a girl with aquamarine skin ran into them.

"Hey!" she squealed. "I was looking for you!"

"Hi, Melon Mint," Frosty said politely.

"I thought her name was Melon Smoothie," Ginger commented.

"I thought her name was Melon Twist," mentioned a passing student.

"It's Melon Mint," the girl in questioned clarified, curling her lips in distaste. "Frosty and Ginger; I heard that you two were looking for someone to compete with Sour Sweet in the Friendship Games."

"Uh, yeah," Frosty agreed, albeit uncertainly. "What about that?"

"I'd like to be that replacement!" Melon proclaimed, flipping her beautiful salmon hair. "I was the winner of the last Games, you know. Me and Crystal Lullaby and Marco Dafoy. We creamed the Wondercolts, and guess what? We were only in eighth grade! But they let me in because I had already decided to go to Crystal Prep and they needed someone for the-"

"Let's go," Frosty whispered, pulling Ginger down the hallway.

Melon continued blabbing on about her achievements, hardly noticing her audience had left.

"Why can't she replace you?" Ginger asked.

"Because-" Frosty paused. Her original sentence would have been Because she talks way too much and could never concentrate on the actual events with that ego of hers.

Melon's competed before, why can't she compete again? How would Principal Cinch react to that? Frosty wondered. She flashed a grin at Ginger. "I changed my mind. Melon Mint will do just fine."

Frosty marched back to Melon to inform her of the situation.

"-After I beat that twerp Mystery Mint in soccer, I just knew I could whoop her butt in all the other competitions!" Melon was saying.

"Melon Mint, you're accepted," Frosty told her.

Melon stopped rambling and stared at Frosty. "Really?"

"Really!" Frosty confirmed. "We just need to see Principal Cinch and find out if she approves."

"I'll take your bags to your lockers for you," Ginger offered.

"Oh, no thanks. I don't want to give out my locker combo," Melon told her.

Ginger blinked slowly and answered, "I have your locker combination. I know everyone's locker combination."

A look of undisguised horror crossed Melon's face.

"Uh, why don't we go see Principal Cinch right now?" Frosty suggested, steering Melon Mint away from Ginger.

Frosty and Melon scampered through the hallways. All the while, Melon chattered on about her achievements. At one point, Frosty stuck her fingers in her ears and tried to block the bragging out.

"Principal Cinch?" Without the green light from the receptionist, Frosty burst into Cinch's office anyways.

"Miss Orange." Principal Cinch lowered her paperwork and stared at Frosty, looking thoroughly bored already. "I assume you've found someone to meet the requirements?"

"To replace me, I selected Melon Mint. She was a participant last Friendship Games, which I think qualifies her!" Frosty exclaimed confidently. Stepping aside, she allowed Melon Mint to walk into the office.

"Principal Cinch!" Melon Mint exclaimed. "Would you want to listen to even more of my qualifications?"

"Unfortunately, Melon Mint's grades aren't good enough to allow her to participate in the Games," Cinch snapped, lacing and unlacing her fingers. "If they had been, Melon Mint would have been chosen ages ago."

"You never mentioned grades were an issue!" Frosty gasped. "Is there anything else I should know?"

"We want the best," Principal Cinch told her, fixing a cold glare on Frosty that caused her skin to tingle. "Find me the best. Anyone on a scholarship might do. Though we have very few of those."

Frosty narrowed her eyes.

"See ya around, Cinchy," she commented, walking out.

"That's Principal Cinch to you!" called the principal. "Address authority figure properly!"

Frosty slammed the office door.

"So that's a no go?" Melon asked, following Frosty into the hallway. "Drat! I knew I should've studied for that math test!"

"Ya snooze, ya lose." Frosty shrugged. "Don't waste time worrying about it now."

"Fine. Whatever you say. See ya around, Frosty." Melon Mint left.

Frosty pulled out her phone to text Taffy the bad news. No go with melon. Her grades arent good enough.

After that was sent, Frosty walked back downstairs to retrieve her stuff. When she opened her locker, Frosty grabbed her French books. in her pocket, Frosty felt her phone ping with a response from Taffy.

Shoot. try asking Sour Sweet for advice?

As she read the text, Frosty's face brightened.

Sour Sweet would know better than anybody who would fit the position to be her partner in the Friendship Games! Frosty thought as she walked down the hall. And best of all, Sour Sweet was in her French class!

Now I just have to get her to talk to me, Frosty thought.

A couple freshmen skipped past her, singing something about the magic of dance or whatever.

"Shut up, I'm trying to think!" The words were harsh, but Frosty didn't really mean it. Detention? No, Sour wouldn't talk to her. Maybe the could go to the bathroom and talk it out? She'd run the risk of exposing Taffy's business. Wait until lunch? She might run the risk of seeing Indigo...

"You!" Frosty pointed to one of the aforementioned freshmen.

"Y-yeah?" he stammered, backing up against the wall.

"Tell me I'm being a coward."

"You're a c-coward?" the boy sputtered out.

Frosty rolled her eyes. "Not like that!" she exclaimed. "Say it like you mean it! I won't get made at you, I swear."

The boy straightened slightly. "You," he began in a matter-of-fact tone, "are being a big, fat, coward. So snap out of it, soldier."

"Thanks!" Frosty patted him on the shoulder. "You'll go places, kid."

Frosty sprinted off down the hall. Confidence intact, she skidded to a halt in front of the French classroom. Peeking inside, she saw that most of the students were already inside, including Sour Sweet. Sour sat at the back of the classroom, and she was examining her nails, a look pf boredom etched across her face. Frosty marched in and plopped her books on the desk next to Sour's.

"Hey!" protested the boy sitting there.

"Move it, Peter," she told him. "I have business with Sour Sweet."

"It'll have to wait until after class," Sour Sweet responded nonchalantly. "I'm totally focused on my grades." After a moment, she added, "Even though this class is the dumbest idea ever. I'm never even going to go to France."

"Grades over the Friendship Games?" Frosty said breezily. "That's fine."

Sour scrunched her face until she looked like a shriveled lemon. The magnitude of her internal conflict was evident. To concern herself with grades or the biggest event of the school year?

"Spill," Sour muttered finally.

"I decided if I'm going to find a replacement to be your partner, you'd know better than anyone the best qualities in a partner."

"You make a good case," Sour admitted, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Okay, sweetheart, I'll make a list and give it to you after class! Does that sound good?"

"Thanks," Frosty told her, smiling slightly. Sweetheart? Is she trying to pretend to be nice? Shrugging off the weird nickname, Frosty turned back to face the French teacher, who had begun to lecture.

As the class dragged on, Frosty doodled in the corner of her notebook. Her current drawing was of a small kitten. In all honesty, it looked like a raccoon instead of a cat.

"Pay attention!" Sour Sweet hissed. Frosty looked up into Sour's dagger-like eyes.

"You want to pass this class, don't you?" Sour queried in a nicer tone.

"Okay," Frosty responded quietly, flipping her notebook to a blank, kitten-free page. Best not to get on Sour Sweet's sour side, right?

Frosty tried to concentrate on the teacher's lesson about verb conjugation. Honestly, she did. But language couldn't hold her interest for very long. Instead, her thoughts drifted to a certain hot-headed Shadowbolt.

Frosty had been trying to push Indigo out of her mind since yesterday. She simply didn't want to think about Indigo's punk ear piercings, or her sharp wit and loud opinions, or her sparkling tangelo eyes.

I bet indigo's having a grand old time somewhere, Frosty thought sourly. Probably thinking about me and how she got off with an easier punishment than I did. Dumb Cinch and her favoritism.

At long last, the bell clanged, and French class was over. Frosty stood up and yawned, glad to be free of that class.

"Here you go." Sour Sweet handed over a piece of paper. Frosty took it and began to examine it, but Sour Sweet snatched it back.

"Look it over during break, not during class," Sour Sweet instructed. "Hopefully this will help you. I really appreciate all you're doing for this cause." Sour Sweet nodded, her wide eyes and petite smile the epitome of sweetness.

"Okay, sure." Frosty grabbed the paper back, swung her backpack over her shoulderr and walked out the door. "Thanks again, Sour Sweet!"

Physics class was after French. However, Ginger took physics with Frosty. Hopefully she could skip it and Ginger would cover for her. Say that she was sick or something.

Frosty strolled into the bathroom, looseleaf in her hand.

"Taffy!" she hissed.

"Over here." Taffy's hand popped up over a stall door. Frosty walked over.

"What are you doing?" asked Frosty, trying to peek in the stall.

"Ew, don't look!" Taffy snarled. "Had some stale gum. Not good for stomach."

"Oh. Well, it could be worse. Your stomach could be infested with millions of parasites," Frosty told her. "Feel better soon."

"You're terrible at comforting people, you know that?" Taffy deadpanned. "What did you find out from Sour Sweet?"

"Sour Sweet is looking for-" Frosty looked down at her piece of paper. "-'someone who can aim. They have to be able to run quickly, and be fearless. Do whatever it takes to win. Be able to roll with the punches. Maybe someone smart to calculate angles and shoot the arrow.' Then she scribbled a drawing of a small koala."

"Wow. So maybe someone taking advanced courses? They're smart, and fearless. You'd have to be fearless to face all that hard math." Taffy shuddered. "Maybe the kids in your physics class?"

"Melon Mint is out of the question, and so am I. Ginger is probably out. I barely know some of the boys in my class. Fleur is a possibility."

"Do you think she would run quickly?" Taffy pointed out. "She's a bit of a fashionista. Maybe she'd be overly concerned about her hair."

"I don't have time for options." Frosty jotted down Fleur's name. "How big is this school? Even after all the calls we made last night there's still a bunch of students we haven't gone over."

"Focus, Frosty." Taffy snapped her fingers. "Who are the fastest kids in school?"

"Crystal Lullaby? Marco Dafoy?" Frosty suggested. "Pokey Pierce? They're the ones in the athletic department."

"Yes, but Marco doesn't want to participate," Taffy said. "He had had enough at the last games, apparently. Something about a broken nose."

Frosty wrote down Crystal Lullaby and Pokey Pierce. As she racked her brain for other candidates, Twilight popped into her head.

"Twilight Sparkle? She's the smartest girl in school."

"No offense to her, but she looks like a wimp," Taffy scoffed. "She couldn't handle the pressure, I guarantee it."

Frosty frowned and nodded, but, since Taffy was on the other side of a stall door, she added Twilight's name to the list anyways.

A few minutes later, Taffy and Frosty had run out of ideas. Now it was time for some field work.

"See ya later, Taffy," Frosty said, tucking her pen behind her ears. "I hope your stomach feels better."

"Thanks, Frost," Taffy answered.

Frosty pushed open the bathroom door and slammed straight into another student.

"Hey!" she exclaimed indignantly. "Sorry!"

Frosty looked up and immediately stiffened. Rigidly, she looked the other girl straight in her amber eyes.

"Hello, Frosty Orange!" Indigo said, folding her arms. Her voice was cheerful, but her narrowed eyes indicated she felt otherwise.

"Hey, Indigo," Frosty answered, backing up against the bathroom door.

"How's your search been going?" Indigo asked casually.

"None of your beeswax," Frosty retorted.

Indigo smirked. As she stared at Frosty, she began to fiddle with her earrings. "Can you move out of the doorway? I need to go the bathroom," Indigo barked.

"Oh. Alright." Frosty moved out of the way. Indigo began to walk past her. On an impulse, Frosty stuck her foot out right in front of Indigo. The second girl didn't notice the movement.

"Woah!" Indigo tripped and face-planted onto the bathroom floor.

Frosty's hand flew up to her mouth lest her giggles leak through.

"Hey!" Indigo got up immediately, ready to retaliate. "Quit it, punk!"

"No way!" Frosty laughed. "See ya later, Indigo! I'm late for class!" Flashing a "L for loser" sign at Indigo, Frosty darted away before the Shadowbolt maimed her.

Lunchtime

The cafeteria was bustling with the chatter of Crystal Prep students. Taffy had gone home sick, so Frosty and Ginger opted to sit with Crystal Lullaby, Pumpkinlocks, and Melon Mint.

"What a lovely day," Ginger commented randomly, staring at her mashed potatoes as if they possessed the secrets of the universe.

"Lovely?" Pumpkinlocks wrinkled her nose. "This food is not lovely." To emphasize her point, the curly-haired girl shoved all her food onto Frosty's plate. "It's hardly fit for divas like me."

"Gross!" Frosty exclaimed, making a face. "I don't want to eat any more mashed potatoes and carrots than I have to!"

"This is why I bring lunch from home," Crystal Lullaby scoffed. She picked up her crust-less gourmet sandwich and daintily took a bite.

"So Frosty, what do you think about the state of the economy?" Melon Mint asked. "Wanna hear my opinions? Personally, I think we're in a crisis!" Melon Mint blabbered away, once again happy to share herself with the world.

"Ugh." Frosty pushed her lunch tray across the table. Why are the Crystal Prep students so crazy? "I'm going to get a drink from the water fountain to wash the taste out of my mouth. Be right back!"

"See you later, Frosty," Ginger answered as Frosty got up.

Frosty took her drink, but when she began to walk back she noticed something peculiar. A lone figure was walking down the halls of Crystal Prep. The bizarre part was that this stranger was wearing a hoodie and jeans.

"Why are they not in uniform?" Frosty muttered. On an impulse, she decided to walk after the figure. "Hey! Who are you?"

The hooded person glanced behind, got a look at Frosty, and immediately sprinted off.

"Come back!" Frosty shouted, increasing her speed. "If you're going to break the dress code then let me, too!"

The person showed no signs of slowing, so Frosty had to think quick.

"If she's going to leave school for some reason, I could cut her off outside the school gates," Frosty muttered. Trusting this hunch was the difference between catching the girl and letting her escape. Frosty decided to roll with it.

The hooded figure ran down one hallway, but Frosty took a short cut. She sprinted down a narrow corridor and through the gymnasium doors. At the other end, Frosty ran out of a second door, which led her out into the sunlight. Frosty kept near the school walls; she was almost in front of the school. Frosty wiped her brow, panting, as she turned the corner.

She ran up the school's front steps. At that moment, the front doors opened, and the hooded figure burst out. Both girls slammed straight into each other.

"Ow!" Frosty cried as her back fell against hard pavement. A set of glasses bounced on her chest.

"Dang it." As she groaned, the other girl's hoodie fell off to reveal herself as-

"Twilight?" Frosty asked, blinking.

"It seems like you love to get in the way of my experiments," Twilight mumbled, snatching her glasses. "To make fun of me, I guess?"

"Oh, I'd never make fun of you," Frosty assured her, pushing herself off the ground. Twilight sniffled and rubbed her eyes.

"Right," she answered. "Sure."

"Oh! What's that?" Frosty asked, pointing to a round pendant that hung from Twilight's neck.

"This?" Twilight's hand flew to her pendant thingy. "It's um, a prototype. I'm designing a spectrometer, which measures things, but I need something to measure first, so I'm off to find it at Canterlot High- don't tell anybody, they might call me a traitor and make things even worse- but for now, I've only designed and built a rough draft."

"Sounds cool." Frosty smiled at Twilight. Apparently her smile was ugly, because Twilight didn't smile back.

"I have to go now." Twilight, still clutching the "spectrometer", dashed off, leaving the campus. Frosty watched.

"She's a fast runner when she wants to be," Frosty observed.

Behind Frosty, the school doors open.

"Look who's lying on the ground," sneered a familiar voice.

"Indigo!" Frosty rolled over to face Indigo, who looked even more intimidating from Frosty's perspective on the ground. Frosty's shoulders tensed as Indigo drew closer.

Instead of harming her, Indigo extended her hand to Frosty. Frosty hesitated before accepting the help.

"You're not gonna beat me up or anything?" Frosty asked as Indigo pulled her to her feet.

"I kinda thought it over," Indigo answered, toying with her bracelets. "If your decision leads us to victory, then I shouldn't be breathing down your neck, otherwise you'll get stressed and not make the best decision." Indigo folded her arms. "But I still want to win. Got it, Orange?"

"Loud and clear, Indigo," Frosty replied.

Indigo nodded. "Maybe if you hadn't tripped me earlier, we could be friends."

"Sorry about that." Frosty smirked. "Or not."

Indigo rolled her eyes. "Sure, whatever. I have to get back, class is starting soon." Indigo opened the door and returned inside. Frosty stared at the doors, thinking about nothing in particular.

"I think," she realized slowly, "I know who could help."

Frosty Orange slammed open the door of the janitor's closet. She was immediately confronted by the site of Twilight Sparkle and-

"Is that a dog?" Frosty gasped. A lavender puppy sat on the floor next to Twilight's chair.

"Huh?" Twilight jerked her head to the side and looked up at Frosty.

"You could get in so much trouble, you know," Frosty pointed out, leaning against the door frame.

A look of fear flashed across the other girl's face, but her expression quickly hardened. "Spike is the closest thing I have to a friend. I couldn't finish all my research without him."

"Spike? Cool name," Frosty replied, smiling at the little dog. Spike whimpered.

"I love your sarcasm." Twilight rolled her eyes. "Can you stop following me around?"

I wasn't trying to be sarcastic! Frosty silently protested. But she didn't have time for that. "Twilight, I need you to participate in the Friendship Games!"

Twilight blinked, unsure how to respond. Then, slowly, she began to chuckle. "Good one. I know you've been out to get me lately, but you'll have to try harder."

"Twilight, Principal Cinch insisted I find someone to replace me after Indigo and I had a scuffle," Frosty replied, stepping closer to Twilight. "And I tried some people, but their grades weren't good enough! Who has the best grades? You do!"

Twilight sighed. "Even if I could take you seriously..." Twilight's voice suddenly became very small and timid again. "You all hate me. I'm bad at physical activities. I am the least qualified person you'd want in the games."

Frosty sighed. She had a brilliant idea, and the one person she needed was crushing it.

"Fine, Twilight Sparkle," Frosty glared daggers at the other girl. "Principal Cinch is going to murder me, and it's all your fault!"

"Wait!" Twilight stood up, her purple eyes wide. "I didn't mean to make you-"

Frosty slammed the door shut. When she heard Twilight make no attempts to come after her, she sighed.

"Congratulations, Frosty, you let your temper get the best of you again," she muttered, running her fingers through her cloud-colored hair. Frosty cursed silently and set off for the bathroom.