Friendship Is Half the Battle

Things at Canterlot High were hopping. Everyone was excited and getting ready for the upcoming carnival, particularly the Rainbooms. They had been using every long available break during classes to rehearse.

“Wow, you’re sounding really good, Twilight.” Sunset Shimmer commented.

“Your voice is spectacular, darling.” Rarity said.

“Thanks, just a little more practice and I think it’ll sound almost perfect.” Twilight Sparkle replied.

“Sugarcube, ah know you’ll do just fine at the carnival.” Applejack said in a reassuring tone.

Twilight smiled, she had never had such supportive friends in her life besides Dean Cadence, her family, and her dog. School was now out for the day, and the seven friends made their way to Sugarcube Café. After they had purchased their drinks from Mrs. Cake, they all sat down at a table to discuss what else they needed to do to be ready for the carnival and enjoy each other’s company.

“Wow, you all seem really happy today.” A voice came from behind Twilight. Everyone turned to see some rather unexpected visitors with pleasant smiles, the Shadowbolts from Crystal Prep: Sour Sweet, Sunny Flare, Sugarcoat, Lemon Zest, and Indigo Zap.

“Hi girls, we didn’t expect to see you here.” Twilight politely greeted her former prep mates. Ever since the last Friendship Games, Twilight has been on much better terms with the Shadowbolts.

“We heard you girls like to hangout here often, so we thought we pay this place a visit.” answered Lemon Zest.

“I have to admit, this place doesn’t look as bad as I thought.” Sugarcoat said in impressment while looking at the interior of the café. In the past, she never considered hanging out at a common place like this, but trying it for the first time was a new and comforting experience.

“So how have things been at Canterlot, Twilight?” Sunny Flare asked.

“Great, everyone’s been really nice, especially these six.” Twilight said turning to Sunset and the Humane Five.

“That’s so nice to hear.” Sour Sweet said in a happy tone. “I wish I’d made friends with you sooner.” She then said in a bitter and regretful tone.

“So what have you all been up to lately?” Indigo Zap asked.

“We’re getting ready to perform a musical number at our school’s evening carnival which is in less than weeks.” Rainbow Dash answered proudly.

“Would you girls like to come?” Fluttershy asked.

“That sounds like it’s going to be so much fun.” Indigo said with excitement.

“I don’t think it’ll be that much fun.” said a cold and bitter voice. Everyone turned to see that the voice was none other than Abacus Cinch, the principal of Crystal Prep, and she did not look happy to see them. Suddenly, the atmosphere in the café went from happy and cheerful to bitter and unpleasant.

“Principal Cinch?!” Twilight said in surprise while the others shoot glares at Cinch, she never expected to see her old school’s principal again, and for good reason. “What are you doing here?”

“I happened to be in the neighborhood and noticed five of my top students entering this place, so I decided to make sure they weren’t getting into any trouble.” Cinch said shooting an intimidating glare at the Shadowbolts who turned their heads to avoid making eye contact.

“Don’t worry, they’re just fine.” Sunset assured coming to the aid of the five Crystal Prep girls while glaring at their principal. Cinch’s very presence was ruining the mood and she wanted her to leave.

“Well just remember, Crystal Prep still has its reputation to uphold. Even though they say the last Friendship Games ended in a tie, the truth is Crystal Prep’s Shadowbolts were, without a doubt, the winners. But since I’m the only one who knows the truth, I have to make doubly sure that our great school does not fall behind. However, some students haven’t been as dedicated as others, but seeing them associating with CHS, this is highly unthinkable.”

Rainbow Dash had had enough; she hated it when Crystal Prep looked down on her school, but for Cinch to talk as if CP students befriending CHS students was like getting close to hazardous toxic waste was the last straw. “Now look here you-!”

“Good day, everyone.” said a slender, red-haired police woman in a jolly tone interrupting Rainbow. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything important. I’d like to ask if any of you have seen any suspicious characters around town lately.” Everyone stared at the cop for a moment before they all shook their heads at the same time.

“Okay, just checking. I’m gonna go buy myself a latte.” And the cop happily walked over to the counter to buy her drink.

“Well, I’d better be off.” Cinch said realizing the mood was ruined. “I have an important meeting with the twins.”

“The twins?” Twilight asked, she didn’t know any twins of great importance at her old school.

“Two identical twin brothers who say they’re owners of a big corporation.” Sugarcoat answered.

“Yes, I met them recently, and they’ve offered Crystal Prep some financial aid to help us get back on top, where we belong.” Cinch finished for Sugarcoat. “I must say, Twilight Sparkle, I’m rather disappointed to see you as a CHS student when you had a much greater future ahead of you at Crystal Prep. The good one do always leave.” And with that, Cinch left the café leaving the mood of the meeting between the two groups rather dull.

“Well, goodbye everyone. Remember if you see any suspicious people, please let me know.” The police woman said to the teenage girls in a jolly tone, supposedly not noticing their unhappy expressions, and left the café.

“How can you stand having a woman like that for a principal?” Rarity asked the Shadowbolts in an appalling tone.

“Believe it or not, she’s actually better than the last one we had.” Lemon Zest answered.

“So, are you still coming to the carnival?” Fluttershy asked hoping she wasn’t offending anyone.

“Are you kidding, we’d never turn down a rare and fun opportunity like this.” Sour Sweet said in a kindly and positive tone.

“What about Cinch?” Twilight asked concerned.

“What about Cinch?” Sour Sweet answered her in a resentful and rhetorical tone.

“Twilight, I’m excited to hear you sing. I’m starting to get tired of hear my old songs constantly.” Lemon Zest said to her former prep mate while Indigo Zap gave her a thumbs up.

“Thanks girls, I hope to see all of you there.” Twilight said in a happy, heartfelt tone. Things in her life just kept getting better.

“We’re all going to have a great time, and there’s nothing, not even Cinch, that can possibly mess this up.” Sunny Flare said reassuringly.

All the other girls nodded in agreement and continued to enjoy themselves at the café.

Meanwhile, the redheaded police woman was walking down the sidewalk drinking her latte. Then she turned her head a couple times to make sure no one was watching her. Then her jolly exterior turned to one of seriousness as she threw her drink in a trash can she passed by and pressed something on her wristwatch.

“Agent Scarlett to base.” She whispered into the watch, which had a built-in communicator. “Come in, do you read me?”

“This is Dial-Tone, I read you loud and clear.” said a voice from the wristwatch.

“I have definitely confirmed Cobra activity in this area, heading back to base to give a full report.”

“Alright, we’ll see you there. Yo Joe!”

With that, the cop, who went by the name Scarlett, turned off the communicator on her watch and proceeded on her way. There was something fishy going on in this town and she was determined to report it to her comrades, whoever they were.