Before the Friendship Games: Twilight Sparkle

Twilight woke up slowly, and realization hit her. The Friendship Games were today. She made a sputtering noise, nearly dreading the competition. One of the few times in life that I really, REALLY wish I invented a time machine. She walked over to her bathroom and put on her glasses, then her uniform. "All right," she said to herself. "Here goes nothing... but it better be something." She opened the door and was greeted by Spike. She picked him up and received several puppy licks. "You're coming with me," she said. "I could use the support." She picked him up and put him in her backpack.

Twilight left her room, then walked downstairs where her family was waiting. "Taking Spike with you," Velvet asked.

"Yes," Twilight said. "I get the feeling that I'm going to need him."

"Do your best out there, Twily," Shining said as he gave his sister a hug.

"Don't worry, I will," Twilight assured him as she returned it. But most of my focus will be on the strange energies. Oh, the scientific possibilities! She broke the hug with a smile.

"That's my girl," Night Light said with a grin. "Go get 'em!"

Twilight nodded. "That's the plan!" She walked outside and shut the door, then headed to the bus stop. Risking a quick peek, she opened her backpack. "It's just you and me now, Spike," she whispered. "I won't leave your side." Spike panted and wagged his tail as she gently pet his head. She sighed contently. She was starting to feel a little bit better! She zipped up her backpack, then reached the bus stop. She cracked her neck and her knuckles, then took a deep breath and exhaled as the bus arrived.

Twilight got off of the bus and jumped when she heard a loud shriek. She looked around, terrified, then saw a staff member run into one of the larger bushes on campus. Now that and adult was there, she felt she didn't have to worry as much, then continued forward.

Twilight walked the halls as throngs of students spoke about nothing but the Friendship Games. She decided to tune out all the conversations and headed straight to her private room. Once there, she let Spike out and began packing for the Games. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed she had left a sweatshirt next to her microscope. "How long has that been there," she thought aloud. "I must be getting really engrossed if I missed something that obvious." She grabbed it, then started to pack it when she felt it being tugged. She turned her gaze to see Spike pulling on it. "Spike," she exclaimed as she began to tug against him. "I don't like this situation any more than you do. Besides, going to Canterlot High was already part of the plan." She sighed. "I just wasn't given much of a choice in the matter of competing," she said with a hint of bitterness. "I might not be able to get as much data as I wanted, but some is better than nothing, right?" Spike barked, letting go of the sweatshirt. "This is definitely going into the laundry when I get home."

Twilight checked her phone for the time. It looked like the buses wouldn't leave for another couple of hours. Maybe getting some fresh air would benefit her. She walked through the halls until she reached the outdoors. Smiling, she took a breath of fresh air, then yelped when she heard the sound of airhorns. Frightened and confused, she scanned the area until she saw someone in a gorilla costume, throwing what looked like... sardines? The person's target was apparently Sunny Flare, who screamed and ran as she was pelted with fish. Twilight blinked, utterly perplexed at the scene before her. Her glasses slid down her nose slightly, snapping her out of her daze. She pushed them back up and walked back inside, trying to pretend that what she just saw did not, in fact, happen.

Soon afterwards, Twilight reached the buses. They almost looked ominous, but she just chalked it up to her worrying. This was it. There was no turning back.

"Dean Cadence?" said Twilight, cutting in line. "I'm not really sure where to go."

Cadence turned around, holding up a finger. "One second, Twilight." she said, then walked away.

"You could try the end of the line." Sour Sweet said just loudly enough for Twilight to barely hear, causing Sunny to smile slightly despite herself.

Twilight turned around and adjusted her glasses. "What did you say?"

"Just that someone as smart as you should definitely go first." Sour said in a tone that oozed sarcasm.

Twilight raised her arms defensively. "I...I didn't mean to. I was just asking."

Dean Cadence returned. "This is the right bus, Twilight. Go ahead," she gestured towards the bus.

"But...I didn't mean to cut in front." Twilight said in an apologetic tone.

Sour folded her arms. "Well it's too late now!" she muttered under her breath.

Twilight frowned. The Friendship Games could not end soon enough for her! She took a deep breath, then exhaled. Just remember the real reason you're doing this, Twilight Sparkle, she thought to herself as she boarded the bus. You're doing this...for science!

End of Book Six of The Crystal Prep Chronicles: Before the Friendship Games