Friendship Is Half the Battle

It had been a few days since the Friendship Games; everyone at Canterlot High was satisfied. The Canterlot Wondercolts had lost three games to the Crystal Prep Shadowbolts in the past but the last games ended with both sides winning, they had proven that they had become just as good as their rivals. They also got a new transfer student out the whole thing as well, which was none other than the human version of their good friend and hero, Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight walked down the hallways of her new school, some students waved and said “Hi Twilight” as she passed them. It was nice to receive nice greetings from her new fellow students, things she never got from the Crystal Prep students, but she still wasn’t quite used to it. Occasionally, she would accidentally bump into a couple students and apologize. But instead of getting angry faces like she used to get at her old school, she would receive friendly faces as if telling her that she didn’t need to apologize so much. Finally, she potted a familiar face that made her smile.

“Hi Twilight.” Sunset Shimmer greeted.

“Sunset Shimmer!” Twilight ran right up to greet her friend. “Sorry, hope I’m not too late.”

“You’re just in time actually.” Sunset said and led her into the band room. Inside, the other five friends were all waiting excitedly for her to arrive. They had called a meeting during break for everyone to meet in the band room to discuss something important.

“Twilight, you’re here!” Pinkie Pie squealed with excitement as she gave her new friend a big welcoming hug. For a moment, Twilight felt some air being squeezed out of her lungs, but eventually Pinkie released her from her bear hug and she gave the pink energetic girl a warm smile.

“So what did you all want to talk about here?” Twilight asked the group.

“This.” Rainbow Dash held up a poster which read ‘Canterlot High Evening Carnival.’

“The Canterlot Evening Carnival?”

“Sounds fun, doesn’t it?” Pinkie asked excitedly.

“The Rainbooms have volunteered to perform for the carnival.” Applejack explained.

“The carnival’s in three weeks.” Rarity added.

“We’ve been practicing our instruments for it.” Rainbow said while adjusting her guitar.

“We were wondering if you’d like to help Sunset with vocalization.” Fluttershy said.

“What do you say? Would you like to join?” Sunset asked. “It’ll be fun and a great way to gain more popularity with the other students.”

Twilight was surprised, honored, and a little hesitant by this offer. It did sound fun but she had never sung before in front of a live audience. What if she messed up? The band might be humiliated. On the other hand, she was a pretty good singer, she’d sung to herself quite often when she was alone at Crystal Prep.

“I’d like to see that.” Spike said sticking his head out of his mistress’s backpack.

“I think it’s a splendid idea.” said a voice from behind Twilight. She turned around to find Principal Celestia standing in the doorway of the band room.

“Principal Celestia!” Twilight exclaimed in surprise and anxiously tried straightening up and dusting off her clothes to try and look presentable for the principal of the school. “I didn’t know you were there.”

“I believe it would be a great benefit to, not only your friends, but to you as well. I know your life at Crystal Prep wasn’t very exciting but I think if you take some time off from your studies and books and take part in activities with your friends.”

In just a few days Twilight had already developed a great deal of respect for Principal Celestia. She was like a second mother to her; so wise and caring. Twilight thought for a moment, and then she smiled indicating that she had come to a decision. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

The other girls cheered with excitement while their principal gave a warm smile of satisfaction.

“Here are the lyrics.” Sunset handed Twilight some papers. “See you at band practice tomorrow.”

“You too.”

Later on that day, Twilight had ridden the bus home and when her family was all sitting at the dining table having supper she decided to tell them the exciting news.

“So what happened today, Twily?” asked Shining Armor, her older brother.

“Something exciting.” Twilight announced. “My friends asked me to perform with them at the school’s evening carnival, and I accepted.”

Everyone at the table stopped eating and started telling how excited and pleased they were to hear that.

“That’s great, Twilight.” said Night Light, Twilight’s father.

“My little girl is going to make so many people happy.” Twilight Velvet, Twilight’s mother, said wiping a tear of pride from her eye.

“It’s in three weeks and I’m going to be Sunset Shimmer’s vocalist partner.” Twilight told them.

“Just a few days at your new school and you’re already being asked to participate in fun activities by your friends.” Shining Armor congratulated his little sister.

“I know, isn’t it amazing.” Spike said joining in the family conversation.

“Twily, if you’re going to perform at that carnival, then I’ll be there to watch you sing along with your friends.”

“Really?” Twilight asked excitedly. “You’ll be there, BBBFF?”

“My kid sister is finally doing something that she’s happy about with other people her age. You couldn’t drag me away from that. I’ve got to tell Cadence about this, I know she’ll love to see you sing as well. After all, you do have a beautiful singing voice.”

Twilight felt even better with the decision she made now that she also had the support of her family. “I love all of you. I will be practicing my lines everyday till the day comes. I believe it will be a day to remember.”