Before the Friendship Games: Twilight Sparkle

Realization dawned on Twilight as she left her third period class. She slapped her forehead and groaned. "I didn't ask her for her phone number!" She sighed as she slouched a little in disappointment, then shook her head. "Well, it's not like I'll never see her again," she said, then went on to her next class.

Twilight left her fourth period class and peeked inside her backpack. "Hey," she said to Spike. "You need to go outside?" Spike wagged his tail and barked. "I guess I should take that as a yes." She swiftly zipped her backpack up, then walked outside as she kept her eye on the time. Spike did his business, then returned to Twilight. "I hope nobody saw that," she whispered to herself, then went back inside in time for the fifth period's warning bell.

Fifth period ended, and Twilight went to the cafeteria. She grabbed a tray full of food, then went straight to her personal lab. Now, she thought, let's see how much of this is okay for Spike to eat. She analyzed the food, then smiled. "Perfect," she said, then gave him an appropriate portion. He barked gratefully, then licked Twilight. She giggled. "You're welcome," she said with a smile. She gently placed him back in her backpack, then zipped it up. The warning bell for sixth period ended, and she went on her way.

Sixth period ended, and Twilight ran to a secluded hallway. She let Spike out of her backpack and watched him run around. I almost feel bad leaving him cooped up in such a confined space, she thought. Maybe I should do a study on the amount of oxygen inside my backpack.

"Twilight," someone said from behind Twilight. She let out a yelp, then turned around to see Dean Cadance. "I know your parents and I agreed to let you bring your dog to Crystal Prep," she continued. "But we only agreed under the condition that you only let him out when you're either outside or in your personal lab."

Twilight smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Dean Cadance. I just didn't want Spike to suffocate, and he's so energetic sometimes."

Cadance folded her arms. "Be that as it may, what do you think would have happened if I was Principal Cinch? What would she have done?"

Twilight sighed. "She'd make sure that I'd never bring him here again," she said, slouching in a defeated posture.

"Now, now, Twilight," Cadance said reassuringly as she put her arms on Twilight's shoulders. "I'm not trying to make you feel bad. I just don't want you to get caught. Spike helps you get through the day sometimes, I understand that." Twilight nodded. "Be more careful where you let him out," she said as Spike approached her. "Isn't that right," she cooed, scratching the dog behind the ear. He thumped his left hind quarter on the floor in appreciation until she stopped, then shook his head rapidly. The warning bell for seventh period rang. "Well, we should both get going," Dean Cadance said.

"Yes," Twilight said. "Yes we should." She ran up to Cadance and gave her a hug, which was warmly returned. The hug was broken quickly, and Twilight put Spike back in her backpack, then the two went their separate ways.

Seventh period had ended, and Twilight hurried outside. Not a whole lot of time to work with, but I won't let that stop me! She let Spike out of her backpack, and grabbed a stick. "Get it," she shouted as she threw it as far as she could. Spike ran after it eagerly as his green ears flopped with each bound he made. Twilight smiled warmly as he returned to her with stick in mouth. She continued to go back and forth until she faintly heard the warning bell for eighth period. She beckoned Spike into the backpack, then went back inside.

Eighth period was over, and Twilight went to her lab. She took Spike out to give him some air as she checked her measuring instruments. She cupped her chin and squinted her eyes as she scrutinized the data her machines presented her with. That tears it, she thought. I'm going to spend as much of my weekend as possible to see Canterlot High! She smiled widely as she thought of the possibilities. Who knows what she'd find? A cure for cancer? A new renewable energy source? Whatever the strange energy was, she knew the high school was its epicenter.

Unable to help herself, Twilight squealed with glee, which caused Spike to howl. She blanched, then ran over to pet Spike to calm him down. She laughed nervously, then opened the door a little to see if anybody had heard the noise. Once she realized she and Spike were safe, she wiped some sweat off of her brow. "Okay," she said to her dog. "Maybe we both got a little too excited, hmm?" Spike ran up to Twilight and licked her, causing her to giggle. "Okay, okay," she said between laughs. "Let's calm down, all right? I don't want us getting caught." Spike sat, then yawned. "Good boy," she said with a warm smile. The warning bell for the final period rang. "Let's finish the day, shall we?" She put Spike back into her backpack, then went to her final class.

Twilight left her final class, then went into the hallway. She opened her backpack slightly to see Spike panting excitedly. She reached in and pet him. "It's time to go home," she said sweetly. Spike tilted his head slightly, then licked her hand several times as his tail wagged. Thank god he didn't bark, she thought. I'm socially awkward enough as it is! I don't want students giving me funny looks because I have a dog in my backpack. She took her hand out and zipped her backpack shut as she made her way to her bus. At least the school day's over now. I'll have plenty of time to do whatever throughout the evening.

Twilight boarded her bus, then leaned into the back of her seat with a sigh. She was exhausted after the day she had. Maybe she'd take a shower before going to bed to ensure a good night's sleep. She felt herself begin to doze off, then realized she was at her stop. In a panic, she ran out of the bus. Now in the clear, she let Spike out of her backpack. The two walked over to the front door, and Twilight entered.