Author's Note

Eight days until the Friendship Games.

Dawn of a New Day

Twilight Sparkle's alarm clock went off, and she slowly opened her eyes, stretching and yawning. She got out of bed, bleary-eyed. She shut off her clock then walked into her bathroom to take a shower. She smiled as she heard the water running. Showers always helped to clear her mind.

Twilight stepped in and sighed contently as she felt the hot water fall down her back. Showers were always liberating for her, and they felt like a sanctuary to her. A brief sanctuary, but a sanctuary nonetheless! She took a deep breath, then exhaled. She smiled as she began washing herself. Her thoughts drifted over the course of her cleaning, from her family to her time at Crystal Prep Academy.

Crystal Prep Academy had been a boon for Twilight, since even the AP classes she went to at her old school weren't stimulating enough for her. Sadly, as the old adage goes, "History repeats itself." She frowned slightly. Crystal Prep was a great place for knowledge, she had no doubt about that. But lately, she had felt that her school was losing its luster. She had been everywhere in the school, aced all of her tests. She even knew pretty much everything about the school.

Twilight shook her head rapidly. So much for clearing my mind, she thought with a frown. She got out of the shower and put on her uniform. She smiled warmly as she faintly heard scratching coming from the other side of her bedroom door. She walked over and opened it up, and her pet dog Spike ran inside, wagging his tail like there's no tomorrow.

Twilight got onto the floor and was assaulted with puppy kisses. She laughed as Spike's tongue tickled her face. "Hey there," she said as she scratched him behind one of his ears. Spike responded by closing is eyes and thumping his hind left leg on the floor. Twilight giggled again, then scratched him under his chin. Spike shook his head rapidly, then yawned. He left her room and ran downstairs. She smiled, then followed Spike.

Once Twilight reached the bottom of the stairwell, she turned and noticed her parents sitting. "Good morning, Twilight," her mother said. Her father, Night Light, had his head stuck in the newspaper.

"Hey, Mom," Twilight said, then gave her dad a kiss on the cheek.

Night Light lowered the newspaper and smiled. "Morning, sweetie. Ready for another day at school," he asked.

Twilight's smile faded. "I guess."

"You guess?"

Twilight took out her phone and checked the time. Good, she thought. I have some time to talk. She sighed, then told her parents her concerns about Crystal Prep.

"Sounds to me like you're in a bit of a rut," Night Light said as he put the newspaper on the coffee table. "Maybe you should try something new."

"That's just it, Dad," Twilight said. "I feel like I've done everything I can do there."

"Are you sure about that," Twilight Velvet asked.

Twilight looked away from her parents and sighed. "I don't know," she said as she folded her arms. "But you're right, Dad," she said as she looked back at her parents. "I should try something new...I just wish I knew what that should be."

Twilight Velvet got off of her chair and walked over to her daughter. "I'm sure you'll figure it out, honey," she said as she hugged her. "You're the brightest girl I know."

Twilight smiled again and returned the hug. "Thanks, Mom," she said. "I've just had a lot on my mind lately."

Night Light got up off of his chair. "We're here for you, Twilight. If you ever want to talk, we'll always be here to listen," he said as he joined in on the hug.

"I know," Twilight said, then broke the hug with her parents and looked at her phone to see the time. She let out a yelp. "Oh no," she cried out. "I have to go, I don't want to miss the bus!" She ran out of the living room, waving goodbye to her parents, then shut the door.

Twilight ran to the bus stop and made it in the nick of time. She sat down next to a two-toned blonde student with pink skin. The student glanced at Twilight, causing her to smile awkwardly. The student rolled her eyes, then turned her head to stare out her window.

Twilight sighed. Well, that interaction could have gone better, she thought. Her eyes widened as an idea formed. She now knew what she had to do. She needed a friend! Someone to share joys and sorrows with besides her family. She loved her family to death, but even she knew that they alone wouldn't be enough to feel whole. With that in mind, she smiled and began to think about the many ways she could find, then befriend, one of her fellow students.

Twilight knew it was going to be a challenge, because friendship was a rare commodity at Crystal Prep. The only students there that were in a positive relationship were Jet Set and Upper Crust, but they were a bit haughty. She decided not to go to them for advice on friendship.

The bus stopped, and Twilight looked out the window to see that they had all arrived at Crystal Prep. Well, she thought, time for yet another day at a place I feel that I hardly belong to anymore. She disembarked and walked straight to the entrance. At least I can share some grief with Dean Cadence. She's a good listener. Once she entered, all she heard was the idle chatter of her fellow students. She kept her eyes peeled for potential friends.

Twilight scanned the crowds of students intently, scrutinizing those closest to her. Several of them gave her funny looks. Eventually, she sagged in defeat and turned around, bumping into someone. "Oh," Twilight exclaimed. "I'm sorry, I didn't see y-" she gasped when she saw the face of the man she collided with.

The man's skin was pale, and his turquoise eyes seemed to pierce through her. His black hair and goatee were as well maintained as his suit. Twilight had seen a picture of him in the staff directory, but never in her life did ever think she'd run into..."S-Superintendent Neighsay!"