Before the Friendship Games: Twilight Sparkle

"For the last time, mom," Twilight said, crossing her arms in frustration. "I'm fine! I stayed as far away from the fight as I had to."

"You didn't tell us she was violent, hon," Velvet said with concern.

Twilight put a hand on her forehead and sighed. "You don't know the whole story. Here's what I know..." She proceeded to tell her family of Lemon Zest's history with Sour Sweet as they reached home.

Once home, the family exited the car. "That still doesn't excuse the fighting," Velvet said as she headed towards the door to the house. Twilight smiled as she heard whimpers and scratches from the other side.

Night Light closed the garage door, then winked at Twilight, signaling the OK to open the house door. "Let 'er rip!"

Twilight smiled, then turned the knob and opened the door. Spike came running out, barking excitedly. He ran around the garage as Twilight and her parents greeted and pet him. Once he had his fill of attention, he scratched his ear, shook, then yawned and went back inside.

"I know it doesn't," Twilight said, continuing the conversation from earlier. "But you know how people can get irrational when emotions are involved."

Velvet closed the door behind her. "My point still stands," she said.

Suddenly, Twilight grunted in frustration and slapped the palm of her hand to forehead. "I forgot to ask Lemon for her phone number!" She sighed.

"Twilight, sweetie, you know you'll see her again on Monday." Velvet said as she took her shoes off.

"Oh yeah," Twilight blushed in embarrassment, then flopped onto a nearby chair. So much for getting a look into the energy readings this morning, she thought as she closed her eyes. Oh well, maybe later. She got up off the chair, then walked upstairs. "I'll be in my room if anyone needs me," she called out as she neared the top.

Once she was in her room, Twilight grabbed her science textbook and put it on her desk. "Might as well do something productive," she thought aloud. She took out a number two pencil, then several sheets of loose leaf paper. She cracked her knuckles, then her neck. "All right. Let's do this!"

After a while, Twilight completed all of work from the textbook. "Great!" She clapped her hands together. "Now, where do I go from here?" She cupped her chin in thought, then looked at her clock. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, I must've been really immersed!" She got up from her desk, then stretched. She cracked open a window for ambiance and fresh air, then sat back down. She took a deep breath and exhaled.

"Twilight! Lunch," Velvet called from downstairs.

"Coming!" Twilight ran down the stairs and ate lunch, then promptly ran back up once she finished. "I needed that break." She smiled, then grabbed a book from her bookshelf and sat down on her bean bag chair. She sighed contently as she slowly sank in. The sounds of birds chirping and cars passing by in the distance came from her window. Few things were more relaxing than reading a good book in a comfy space.

After some time, Twilight had an idea. It was far too nice out to just read inside. Maybe she could take Spike for a walk. She walked downstairs, then found him. She smiled widely. She called his name, gaining his attention. "Wanna go for a walk?" Spike immediately began barking as his tail wagged with a vengeance. Twilight giggled, then watched her step as her pet ran circles around her while yapping. She grabbed a scooper, then found his leash. "Stay," she said, and Spike waited patiently until the leash was attached. "I'm taking Spike for a walk," she called out.

"Have fun," She heard her dad say. And with that, Twilight left.

Twilight returned with Spike after a while, and she took him off his leash. He gave her several grateful puppy licks, then scampered off. Twilight smiled warmly as she watched him run off. What to do now, she thought. She checked the clock on her phone. Well, I won't have enough time to go to and from Canterlot High now. She shrugged and rolled her eyes. Just as well, I suppose. I don't think I could handle a six mile trek. Her eyes widened as a realization came to her. "Of course," she exclaimed. She ran upstairs and went into her room.

Twilight ran to her two computer monitors, then went online to look at satellite pictures of the route her phone had shown her earlier that day. She scratched her head, then began meticulously mapping out an optimal route. With a couple of fail-safes, just to be certain. She factored in cost-effectiveness, too, because she just wasn't cut out for long walks or strenuous physical activity. She was a polymath, not an athlete!

"Twilight, dinner," Velvet called out.

Twilight ran downstairs and ate dinner with her family. She helped them clean up, then went back to her mapping.

A couple of hours later, Twilight yawned and stretched, then looked outside. It was now dark out. She internally debated over whether or not to get coffee, because while she didn't have school tomorrow, she knew it was important to keep a regular sleep schedule. Not that she didn't indulge herself in late-night studying or other pursuits of knowledge from time to time. She checked the time, then thought for a moment. Wait. How long had she been at this, anyway? Had she been so engrossed in her activities that the whole day simply passed her by? She sighed. At least she didn't waste her time doing anything frivolous.

After several more minutes, Twilight wrapped up her internal debate. She decided it would be better for her to go to bed now so she'd be well rested for the next day. If she managed to wake up early, all the better! She'd have more time to plan out her route.

Twilight went downstairs and said goodnight to her family. She walked over to Spike and brought him up to her room, then grabbed her "Do Not Disturb" sign and put it on her doorknob. She changed into her pajamas, gently pet Spike on the head, then turned her light off and fell asleep.