Author's Note

One week until the Friendship Games.

Twilight Sparkle and the Quest for Friendship

Twilight woke up, excited at the prospect of friendship. She changed into her uniform and opened her bedroom door, removing the "Do Not Disturb" sign. She was immediately greeted by Spike, who barked and ran around in circles until she leaned over and pet him. "Good morning," she said sweetly. She almost immediately fell victim to a series of furious puppy licks. She laughed as she got tickled, then gently pushed him aside. "Okay, okay," she exclaimed.

Twilight stood up and thought for a moment. "I wonder..." she trailed off, then looked at her backpack, then Spike. She smiled. "Hey, Spike," she said. "How'd you like to come along with me to Crystal Prep?" Spike wagged his tail and barked excitedly. "Excellent!" Twilight clapped her hands together, then put him in her bag. "Off we go!" She hurried downstairs, said her goodbyes to her parents, then boarded her bus.

Twilight disembarked from the bus and rubbed her hands together. All right, she thought. Time to connect with someone! She entered Crystal Prep and looked around intently until she ran into someone. She fell to the floor with a yelp, then looked up.

The student standing in front of her was a pink-skinned female. Her amber eyes looked into Twilight's in mild surprise. "I'm so sorry," Twilight apologized. "I didn't see you!" The student sighed, then bent over as strands of her long green hair covered her back, extending her hand.

Twilight gratefully took the student's hand and stood up. She smiled, waved, then walked away. She seemed nice enough. The warning bell for first period rang, and Twilight booked it to her class.

Twilight left her first period class and noticed several students huddled together, talking about a fight. Wait. Another fight? What has this establishment come to?! She listened in to get more information.

"Bloody noses..."

"Can't believe her headphones stayed on the whole time!"

Twilight blinked. Headphones? She shook her head. Surely that nice student couldn't have-

"Green strands of hair on the floor..."

Twilight's eyes widened. No. She'd need more concrete evidence before jumping to such a conclusion! She started to walk to her next class, then stopped as she heard a phone play a video of two girls screaming at each other. Aha, she thought. The conclusive evidence I need! She walked up to the source of the noise, then gasped when she saw the very same student that helped her up engage in a heated battle with another student.

Twilight sighed heavily. Of course she'd be like all the other students, she thought in defeat. Why'd I think she'd end up being any different?

Second period ended, and as Twilight passed by other students she constantly heard two names: Sour Sweet and Lemon Zest. Those must be the two girls who fought, she thought. She was abruptly brought back to reality when she bumped into someone. "I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there," she said, then looked up to see the helpful student from earlier.

"Twilight," the student said excitedly. Twilight yelped and pulled at her hair. The student looked at her with concern. "Are...you okay? I'm sorry if I startled you."

Twilight giggled awkwardly. "Don't be sorry. This is just a nervous habit of mine." she said as she slowly stopped.

"I...see..." said the student. "No need to apologize. I just kinda wanted to ask you..." the student trailed off, clearly struggling to think of something to say. A moment later, the student blurted "TwilightI'dliketobeyourfriend!" Twilight blinked. The student took a deep breath and exhaled. "I'm sorry, I've been having a rough day. You're one of the few decent people around here, staff included. I just...need someone to talk to besides an adult. The only "friends" I have around here treat me like crap, and in case the news didn't reach you I tried to beat the hell out of one of them." she buried her face in her hands.

Twilight winced. "Yeah, I heard about that. For such a big school, word travels fast."

The student sighed. "This place can be a real hellhole sometimes. There are days I even wonder why I'm here. But then I always fall back into the whole 'school spirit' BS that seems to consume everybody. Everybody but you. Why is that?"

Twilight smiled awkwardly. "Well, I mostly keep to myself around here. I'm not much of a 'school spirit' person myself."

The student laughed bitterly. "If only it were that easy for me. I can't go a day without running into either Sugarcoat, Sunny Flare, Indigo Zap, or...Sour Sweet." she said the last name through gritted teeth. "They always push me around and today was just one of those 'breaking point' moments, you know?"

So this is Lemon Zest, Twilight thought as she smiled awkwardly. "Not really." She paused for a moment, thinking to herself, then frowned. "But you have a family, right?"

Lemon Zest's eyes lit up. "I do. My parents are the most wonderful, loving and understanding people in the world. It's kind of why I want friends. To have more people who care about me."

Twilight looked at Lemon with confusion. "But if you have a family like that, then why do you need friends? Aren't they kind of the same thing?"

Lemon sighed. "Because I don't want to feel lonely all the time. Aren't you ever lonely?"

Twilight shook her head. "Not really. My family is just as loving and supportive as you make yours out to be. That and I have my dog, Spike." Did I really just say that? Yes, I'm lonely! Spike yapped upon hearing his name.

"What was that?" Lemon asked.

"Nothing!" said Twilight, beads of sweat trailing down her face.

Noticing her anxiety, Lemon gave Twilight her most sincere smile. "You can trust me, Twilight. I just said I wanted to be your friend. I promise you whatever's in that bag will be between you and me."

Twilight looked at Lemon, unsure for a moment. She then leaned in close and whispered in her ear. "It has to be in an empty place."

Lemon raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "Okay, Twilight. Lead the way." She followed Twilight down a few halls. Eventually, the two reached an empty hallway. Twilight looked to the left, then to the right just to be sure it was only the two of them.

"Okay, what I'm about to show you is known only to me and Dean Cadence." said Twilight, still showing uncertainty on her face. Lemon smiled. Twilight set her backpack on the floor. Her backpack twitched. Lemon Zest jumped, startled by the sudden movement.

"Umm...Twilight..." Lemon started.

Twilight giggled. "It's okay. He doesn't bite." Lemon raised an eyebrow as Twilight unzipped her backpack slowly, and out jumped Spike. He was panted excitedly and wagged his tail.

Lemon smiled. "Aww, he's adorable!" Realization dawned on her. "So this is Spike..." Twilight smiled and nodded. At the mention of his name, Spike ran up to Lemon and tilted his head while wagging his tail. "Hey there little guy," she said as she bent down to pet him. Spike sniffed her hand, then licked it. Lemon Zest laughed. "After the morning I've had, this feels like heaven!" she said as she scratched Spike behind the ears. "Who's a good boy?" she cooed. "Who's a good boy?" Spike thumped one of his feet appreciatively. Lemon and Twilight laughed. The warning bell for the third period sounded. "Uh-oh! Gotta go!" she ran over to Twilight and gave her a hug. "Thank you...Twilight."

Twilight stepped back, surprised, but returned the hug. "You're welcome, Lemon." She smiled as she broke the hug. "See you later!" she waved goodbye.

Lemon smiled as she waved to Twilight. "You better believe it!"

As she watched Lemon Zest head to her class, Twilight smiled. "Well. That was easier than I thought it'd be." She pet Spike. "I knew bringing you here was a good idea!" She put him back in her backpack and cheerfully walked to her next class.