My Little Pony: The School Musical

by Harrison Sparrow

Rating: everyone
Tags: Self Insert, Crossover, Twilight Sparkle, Main 6, Drama, High School Musical, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Rainbow Dash, Romance, Original Character, Comedy
Length: 24074

Twilight Sparkle meets another alicorn named Harrison Sparrow, where they audition for the winter musicale at Canterlot High.

In the new year of 2020, Twilight Sparkle and her Mane Six friends attend Canterlot High School as the school’s new students. She then meets another alicorn named Harrison Sparrow, who is a popular high school athlete and is the main member of his own Mane Six, known as the Great Six. They become close friends and have auditioned for the school’s winter musicale. Harrison and Twilight must make it to the callbacks whilst also meeting their existing obligations to the basketball team and the scholastic decathlon if they want to step into the spotlight together.

Published 2020-11-06 17:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2020-11-06 17:00:00 UTC

1. New Year's Eve Party

My Little Pony: The School Musical

It was the final day of the year 2019, being New Year's Eve, of course. At a warm cozy lodge within the Crystal Empire, ponies were having fun outside, snowboarding down the mountain, and others were enjoying the view from the gondola lifts.

Inside the lodge, Princess Twilight Sparkle was reading a book peacefully on a couch with her parents.

"And that's just about the end of reading time." Twilight Velvet said, checking her watch. "You read well, Twilight."

"Thanks, Mom." Twilight said, as she gives Future Twilight the book. "You guys read well, too. It got really emotional near the end."

"And I have to say, we actually agree with you." Bright Light said, as he gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek. "Looks like the party in the Freestyle Club is already in full swing. Are you ready to dance?"

"Always ready! I can't wait!" Twilight said, as she walks off to the party.

"You know, I feel like this has been another amazing year." Bright Light said to Twilight Velvet.

"Couldn't agree more. And I guarantee she and her friends are gonna start 2020 in a whole new way."

In the lodge's gym, Olivia Sparrow enters to find her son and husband shooting some hoops, practicing for an upcoming championship game in 3 weeks.

James bounces the basketball to Harrison. "Okay, keep working left, Harrison." He said. "We've got a guard in the championship game we're expecting in three weeks. You'll torch 'em!"

"By going left?" Harrison asked.

"Yeah, you take it downtown while he looks middle."

"All right, like this?" Harrison goes left and throws the ball into the hoop, nailing the shot and pleasing his dad.

"WHOO! Sweet! That's it, son! I wanna see that in the game."

"Boys?" Olivia said, trying to get their attention.

"Oh, don't worry about me, Dad, you'll definitely see that in the game." Harrison said, as he turns to his mom. "Hey, Mum. What's up?"

"Oh, this is exactly what's up right now."

"What? Me practicing for the game?"

"Come on, Olivia, you know it's what he does." James said.

"Well, did we really fly all this way just to shoot more hoops?" Olivia asked.

Harrison and James look at each other for a moment. "Yeah." They both said.

"What's wrong with that?" Harrison asked.

"I came up here to remind you that it's the last night of vacation." Olivia said. "Remember the party?"

"Ah, right, the party, of course." James understood, as he pats Harrison. "New Year's Eve!"

"Harrison, the party's in the Freestyle Club, downstairs." Olivia said.

"Really, Mum? Party?" Harrison said, whining.

"Yes! Now go, shower up!" Olivia said.

Harrison uses his magical horn on the basketball, takes it from James and bounces it once. "Come on, one more!" He said, and Olivia sighs. "Last one."

James walks over to Harrison and puts his hoof on Harrison's shoulder. "Real quick, okay?" He said.

"Thanks, Dad, I love you. And you too, Mum."

"You're always full of surprises." Olivia said, as she leaves the gym.

As before, Harrison goes left and nails the shot. "Hoorah! Now that is how you end a game in style."

At the party, Harrison enters and casually makes his way through the crowd. Twilight also shyly makes her way through the crowd as a partygoer tips his ridiculously large cowboy hat at her.

"Howdy, Princess!" The partygoer said.

"Uh, howdy to you, too." Twilight said, smiling timidly.

Two ponies have finished singing a song together on a stage and the crowd cheers.

"All right! How about that for a couple of snowboarders?!" The host said, as the crowd continues cheering. "Yeah! Now, who's gonna rock the house next? Huh!?"

Two spotlights move around the crowd and eventually stop on Harrison and Twilight!

"Huh?" Twilight said.

"What the...?" Harrison said.

The host steps off the stage. "Ha-ha! Ho-ho!" He said in excitement.

Harrison politely attempts to decline. "Sorry, I can't sing." He said, but the ponies around him push him closer to the stage. "No, you go!"

The host walks up to Twilight and takes her hoof. "And you! Yeah, come on!" He said.

"Ah! Mom!? Dad!?!" Twilight calls out, feeling scared as she is led to the stage.

Harrison is struggling to escape. "Look, I don't sing! I can't sing! No, guys…!" He said.

"Get up there!" One of the partygoers said.

Harrison and Twilight reluctantly get up on the stage, having cold hoofs, as Harrison gulps.

"Hey, you know what? You guys may thank me for this someday." The host said, as he gives the mics to Harrison and Twilight. "Or not." He walks off the stage.

The music starts playing.

"Let's see what you got!" One of the partygoers said.

Twilight and Harrison didn't expect this, but they were building up their confidence and they enjoyed singing together. After they have finished, the crowd cheers wildly for them. Harrison and Twilight look into each other's eyes as Harrison raises his hoof.

"Harrison Sparrow."

"Twilight Sparkle." Twilight replied, as she and Harrison shake hooves.

Harrison and Twilight walk out onto the lodge's balcony with some hot chocolate.

"Seriously, Princess Twilight, you have a wonderful voice. You're a singer as well, right?"

"Well, sure I am, on my own and with my friends, that is. Just not... quite in front of a lotta ponies."

"What? Why is that?" Harrison asked in confusion.

"I mean, I haven't experienced anything like that before. You know, all of those ponies who were staring at me? I nearly fainted, but you gave me confidence."

"Really? You nearly fainted?" Twilight nodded to him. "Well, that was pretty hard to believe with the way you sang tonight, right?"

"Well, actually, that was the first time I ever did that! Thanks to you, it was so cool!"

"Wow! I did not know that."

"So, have you sung a lot lately?"

"Um, yeah, I would say so. I think my showerhead is really impressed with me."

"9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!" The crowd shouts out, and a magical fireworks display begins; the year is now 2020.

Harrison and Twilight look and smile at each other in a moment of silence.

"Oh, I gotta go and find mom and dad." Twilight said. "Wish them a happy new year."

"Me too." Harrison said. "Ah, I mean, not your mum and dad. My mum and dad. Um... I'll call you. Call you tomorrow?"

"Sure!"

"All right, put your number in." He and Twilight bring out their phones. "Smile for the camera." Twilight brings a lovely smile and Harrison takes a picture of her on his phone. "Lovely."

"You too." She gives Harrison her phone, who then takes a picture of himself waving.

"There you go." He gives Twilight her phone back, who then walks away without him noticing. "You know, me singing with you is the most fun I've ever had on this entire vacation. So, uh... where do you live?" He turns to see that Twilight has disappeared, and he takes a long look at the photo of her on his phone. "Twilight..."

Author's Note

New OC's:

Harrison Sparrow: He is my own character who is a red and blue alicorn, and is the male lead of this fan-fic! He has brown hair and tail and is described as an American citizen, but with a British accent. His cutie mark is a platinum bird with wings spread out wide. His mum and dad got married in Equestria. While Olivia was pregnant, she and James went to the UK to live a new life. Harrison was then born, and to his parents' surprise, he was born an alicorn! He spent his first years at nursery and primary school. He then spent 18 months at secondary school. During his time off school, he plays basketball in his backyard, improving his skills and nailing his shots, and he hopes to be part of a basketball team. Then, when his dad got a job as a basketball coach at Canterlot High School back in Equestria, Harrison was starstruck over the news, and he has joined the Wildponies! He spent practice with his teammates, showing them off his amazing skills and hustles, and he has been at Canterlot High for 3 years. He didn't make any friends during his time at nursery, primary and secondary schools because none of the students were interesting to him. But he has made best friends with five special ponies of his own ever since he joined Canterlot High! Harrison isn't royal because his parents weren't part of a royal family.

James Sparrow: He is Harrison's dad and is the basketball coach of the Wildponies. He became a basketball champion in 1995 when he played for the team. He and Olivia met each other during their high school years. They've been dating non-stop and eventually got married. He is a red earth pony, and his cutie mark is a gold bird.

Olivia Sparrow: She is Harrison's mum who is a blue unicorn. Her cutie mark is a silver bird.

2. Canterlot High School

One week later, Twilight is sleeping in her bed until the alarm clock goes off. "*sigh*Technology..." She said, as she turns the alarm off and suddenly wakes up, gasping. "It's the first day of school! IT'S THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!"

Applejack wakes up with a smile. "It's about darn time!"

Rainbow wakes up excitingly. "ALL RIGHT!"

"YAY! MY FIRST DAY EVER!!!" Pinkie yells, starstrucked.

"Oh, my goodness!" Fluttershy said, waking up with a smile.

"Big day! BIG DAY! BIG DAY!!!" Rarity yells, as she runs downstairs with excitement. "MUM! DAD! SWEETIE! It's my first day at Canterlot High!"

"Gosh, sis! You do realize it's just six in the morning, right?" Sweetie Belle said.

"Sorry, I was a bit too excited." Rarity said.

"Don't forget about your breakfast, dear." Cookie Crumbles said. "That always comes first."

"Okay, I think you're all prepared and ready to go!" Mrs Shy said to Fluttershy.

"Yup, exciting times ahead for our little girl!" Mr Shy said.

"Thank you for helping me, Mom and Dad." Fluttershy said.

"Whoa-whoa-whoa, why can't I go to school with you?" Discord asked.

The ponies laugh.

"Canterlot High doesn't really teach reformed creatures, Discord." Fluttershy said.

"Hmm... I say, if they ever made a school for someone like me, they should add me to the list!" Discord said. "Oh, yes, that would be really remarkable!"

"Maybe my parents could teach you a few more things."

At Twilight's house, Spike helps her to get ready. "So you’re nervous about going to high school?" He asked.

"Not really, Spike." Twilight said. "It’s just that it’s a huge place to go and study."

"Well, Canterlot High is so cool! It has a huge cafeteria, a gym, almost everything!"

"Yeah, I know. Really cool."

"And I still can’t believe you’re gonna do the assignment for the scholastic decathlon! It’s not an easy competition, you know."

"Nothing is easy, Spike. If I do get in, I’ll have to keep studying science for a while. Studying friendship means so much to me, though."

"I know you’re trying to stay focused on one thing, but it’s not that big-a-deal."

"Hey… I’m sorry you can’t go with me." Twilight said, saddened. "I’ll just feel lonely without you."

"That’s okay, Twilight, but you have your pony friends. They’ll always be with you. Besides, me and the crusaders are gonna do something real exciting on our first day."

Twilight giggles. "That’s should start your year with a bang, Spike, and I will tell you everything about my first day when I come back later tonight."

"Can't wait." Spike said, as he and Twilight hug.

The Mane Six are about to board the bus.

"Some ponies can be mean at that school, so whenever you see one, what do you do?" Windy Whistles asked Rainbow.

"*sigh* Don't overreact, and tell 'em to step off." She said. "But don't worry, guys, I'll always stay cool."

"We know you will." Bow Hothoof said. "And make sure you and your friends don't mess anything up, okay? Because the last thing we need is to ground you."

"Bow!" Wendy said in annoyance.

"What? I'm just saying!"

"And good luck getting in the decathlon, Rainbow." Scootaloo said. "You're always a hero in my world!"

"Thanks, Scooty." Rainbow said, as they hug before she boarded.

"Remember to be the best you can be, okay, Pinkie?" Maud Pie said.

"You know I'll always be myself, Maud." Pinkie said. "Happy and positive all the way!"

"Can you still believe she's going to high school, Igneous?" Cloudy Quartz said.

"Yes, I really can." Igneous said. "Although I wished we could've gone to high school ourselves."

"And Pinkie, if you find any precious rocks, make sure to bring them back if the school will allow it." Maud Pie said.

"I'll do anything in my heart to remember that, sis."

"You know, I wish you could come with me and visit the school one day, guys. It may surprise you!" Applejack said.

Sugar Belle giggles. "Well, we'd sure love to, Applejack." She said. "Anytime at all."

"Eeyup." Big Mac agreed.

"You go out there and mop the floor with all those ponies, big sis!" Apple Bloom said.

"I love y'all." Applejack said, as she gives them a big hug.

Twilight follows her friends into the bus, but she stops and turns around. "Mom, Dad, my stomach..." She said, nervously.

"Is always nervous on the first day at a new school." Twilight Velvet said. "You'll do great. You always do."

"Of course I will, it's just that... I just don't wanna be the school's freaky genius girl."

"Don't worry. Just be the Twilight Sparkle that everypony knows and loves, okay?" Night Light said. "You can do this."

Twilight and her parents hug in comfort. "I love you, guys." She said, kissing their cheeks.

"We love you too, sweetie." Twilight Velvet said, as her daughter went onto the bus. "And have a nice first day!"

"Bye! I'll see you later!" Twilight called as the bus door closes.

The Mane Six wave to their friends and family as the bus starts driving off.

At Canterlot High School, hundreds of ponies are playing outside the school's entrance. A bus arrives as Harrison walks out of it and sees his friends.

"Yo!" Harrison said.

"Harrison! How ya doing, man?" Lightning said.

"Hey, Lightning, what's up?" Harrison said as he and Lightning hug. "Hey, guys, happy new year."

"Yeah, it's a happy Wildpony new year!" Eddie said.

"That's right! You're the man, bro!" Duramy said.

Harrison laughs. "Hilarious!" He said.

"Hey, we have some awesome news for you." Lightning said. "You wanna tell him or should I tell him?" He asked Wheelburn.

"No, you should! C'mon, Buttercup!" Wheelburn said.

"What is it?" Harrison asked.

"It’s a happy Wildpony new year, because in two weeks, we're going to the championships with you leading us all the way to infinity and beyond!" Lightning said.

Harrison is surprised. "Really!?" He said.

"Yeah, you're the team captain, rockstar!" Metalscar said.

"C'mon, let me hear y’all! What team!?" Wheelburn said.

"WILDPONIES!!"

"WHAT TEAM!?"

"WILDPONIES!!"

The Great Six run into the school with excitement.

"WOO! COME ON, BABY!!" Harrison said loudly.

Another school bus arrives with Twilight and her friends getting out.

Fluttershy gasps whilst looking at the school. "Is this Canterlot High?" She asked.

"Oh my stars, it's so elegant!" Rarity said.

Twilight is having a long look at the school.

"You nervous, Twilight?" Pinkie asked.

"What, me? Nervous!? No! Not at all!" Twilight said.

"Really? I can see it in your face! ARE YOU NERVOUS?!" Pinkie asked again.

Twilight scoffs. "Okay, you got me, I’m nervous!" She said. "And why do I feel that way?"

"Because you're afraid of being a freaky genius princess in this high school?" Rarity said. "There's absolutely nothing to be afraid of, darling."

"Your dad said to just be you, didn't he?" Applejack said.

"Yeah, it's just that I saw things change very quickly when we were driving down all the way here." Twilight said.

"Come on, Twilight, going to high school is the most awesome thing in our lives!" Rainbow said. "We should be proud of ourselves!"

"And we want to attend the scholastic decathlon." Fluttershy said. "If we do really well in our assignments, we may end up on the team!"

"That's right! And as the Princess of Friendship, you gotta be strong, brave, and wise-up!" Pinkie said.

"We will get to know this school." Rainbow said. "You do want to make this your year, do you?"

"You know what, Rainbow? You're right." Twilight said, regaining her confidence. "Actually... we girls can make this our year!"

"Really?" Applejack said.

"Exactly! After all, we're the Mane Six, and there's nopony that can stop us." Twilight said.

"There's our hero! You go, girl!" Rainbow said.

"Ooh! Group selfie?" Pinkie asked, as she brings out her phone.

"Oh, Pinkie..." Twilight said.

The Mane Six gather for a selfie.

"Hashtag first day?" Applejack asked.

"Yes! This will be our BEST YEAR EVER!!" Pinkie yells in excitement.

The Mane Six enter the school. Twilight spreads out her wings and the students look at her in surprise.

"Come on, let's get you to your first class!" Fluttershy said.

"What, already?" Twilight said.

"Better to be early than late, dear." Rarity said.

"Hmm... I suppose." Twilight said, as she follows her friends.

Author's Note

New OC's:

Lightning Bolt: He is Harrison's most loyal best friend who, similar to Rainbow Dash, has a passion for racing and loves being awesome! He is a gold Pegasus pony who has red hair and tail, and his cutie mark is two red lightning bolts with a grey cloud. He and Harrison became best friends ever since Harrison came to Canterlot High.

Eddie Filo: He is Harrison's most funniest friend who loves baking. Similar to Pinkie Pie, he has a cartoonish behavior. He is a brown Earth pony with short black afro hair, and his cutie mark is five slices of cheesy pizza. He even wears black glasses (yup, he is a nerdy pony!).

Wheelburn: He is Harrison's most honest friend who, similar to Applejack, has a Southern American accent and always tells the truth. He loves being a mechanic, fixing cars and making them look stylish! He is a blue Earth pony with wavy ginger hair and tail, and he even wears a red and white cap. His cutie mark is three white tires.

Metalscar: He is Harrison's most loudest but kindest friend who loves rocking out with his electric guitar; he loves hard rock music! He is a silver Pegasus pony who wears a black vest and a grey beanie hat. He has long blonde hair and tail, and his cutie mark is a red electric guitar surrounded by two flames.

Duramy: He is Harrison's most generous friend, and he is an Australian who loves listening to radio stations! He is a green unicorn pony with short professional black hair and tail, and his cutie mark is a mixing desk with headphones.

3. Group Meeting

Potion Nova and her brother Wally make their way through the crowded hallways, heading to their class.

"Uh-oh, looks like the science wizard has returned from the laboratory." Eddie said.

"You know, she probably spent the holidays the way she always does." Lightning said.

"How's that?" Harrison asked.

"Shoppin' for magic mirrors." Wheelburn said.

The Great Six laugh at the joke, as Twilight and her friends walk to her first class.

"Okay, so your first class on Mondays and Tuesdays will be in room B109." Applejack said. "Rainbow will be with you."

"Got it." Twilight said.

"And remember, you need to wise-up, and not break any pinkie promises." Pinkie said. "Twilight?" Twilight is staring at Harrison, who is staring at her back. Pinkie thinks Twilight isn't listening to her. "Are you listening to me!?"

"Yeah, sorry. I am, I just, uh…" Twilight walked up to Harrison with a growing smile.

"Was she starin' at that red and blue guy over there?" Applejack asked.

"What are you doing, bro?" Duramy asked.

"Sorry, Duramy, hang on a sec." Harrison said, as he walks towards Twilight. "Twilight Sparkle?"

"Hi, Harrison!" Twilight said happily.

"Hey! I-I don't..."

"Believe it!? Well, me..."

"Either! Are you new here?"

"Yeah, but I'm not the only one. I have company."

Harrison looked over to see her friends approach by her sides. "Ah, I guess we have quite a crowd here today, everypony."

"Bro, why are you talking to a girl right now?" Lightning asked.

"Guys, I wanna introduce you to my new friend. This is Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship."

Eddie feels shocked. "What!? Are you serious she's a princess?" He said.

"This is Harrison Sparrow, my new friend." Twilight said to her friends.

Rarity gasps. "Oh my stars, he's also an alicorn!" She said.

"So, Twilight, these are your friends, right?" Harrison said.

"Sure. This is Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy. They're all special in their own way."

Pinkie waves. "Hello! We're the Mane Six." She said.

"The Mane Six?" Harrison said.

"It's our group name. We kinda made it up ourselves." Applejack said.

"Wow, sounds cool. You can call us the Great Six."

Rainbow snickers. "Really? A Great Six?"

"The Great Six." Harrison corrected. "This is my best friend, Lightning Bolt."

"Yo." Lightning said.

"My Earth pony pals, Eddie Filo and Wheelburn…" Harrison continued.

"Hello." Eddie said.

"Howdy, y'all!" Wheelburn said.

"Australian unicorn, Duramy..." Harrison added.

"Hey, nice to meet you." Duramy said.

"And this heavy metal dude here is-" Harrison tried to introduce.

But Metalscar covers his mouth before he could say anything further. He stares at Fluttershy and smiles. "Hi." He said, and he walks up to her. "My name's... Metalscar." He winks at her.

"Oh my!" Fluttershy said, surprised. "What wild hair you have!"

"All the better to surprise you with. And what lovely pink hair you have."

"Oh! Um... thank you, I guess."

The school bell rings, warning students to head to their classrooms.

"Uh, I think that's probably enough introducing right now." Rainbow said. "Good to meet you too, guys."

"No problem. Welcome to Canterlot High School!" Wheelburn said, as he, Duramy and Metalscar walk off.

"I guess we're going in the same class." Twilight said.

"Are we? That's amazing!" Harrison said.

"Yo, chillax, man!" Lightning said as he goes into the classroom.

"I'll see you guys soon." Twilight said to her friends.

"Good luck in your assignment, Twilight!" Applejack said as she leaves with the others.

"You too, Applejack!" Twilight said.

"And don't break a pinkie promise!" Pinkie said.

"I'll try, Pinkie." Twilight said, as she takes a deep breath.

"Well, here we go, then." Rainbow said as she and Twilight go into the classroom.

Harrison makes his way into the room, with Twilight and Rainbow following behind.

"Hey, Harrison! How's it going?" A Kirin said.

"You're awesome, dude!" A Pegasus said.

"Miss Sprinkle?" Twilight said, as she gives her some papers.

"Ah, you're a princess, I would assume." Miss Sprinkle said.

"Yes, ma'am." Twilight said. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, it's nice to meet you."

"Well, you too, Miss Sparkle." Miss Sprinkle said. "And by the way, welcome to Canterlot High."

"So, do you remember the night before?" Eddie asked Harrison.

"Not at all, Eddie. All I know is like, lemon jelly." Harrison said.

"Ooh, squishy!" Eddie said.

"Excuse me, please." Twilight said to Eddie, as she sits next to Harrison.

Potion is in front of Harrison, who turns to face him and waves. "Hi, Harrison." She said, giggling.

Harrison wasn't paying attention. "Hi..." He said softly.

The school bell rings, as the session now begins.

"Well, happy new year, everypony." Miss Sprinkle said. "I trust you all had extraordinary holidays. Check the sign-up sheets in the lobby for new activities."

"You okay?" Lightning asked Harrison.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Harrison answered, nodding.

"Especially for our winter musicale." Miss Sprinkle continued. "We will have singles auditions for our supporting roles and pairs auditions for our two leads." Lightning blows a raspberry and is not amused. "Mr. Bolt, this is a place of learning, not a racetrack!" Lightning puts his basketball on his lap. "There is also a final sign-up sheet for next week's scholastic decathlon competition."

"That is us!" Rainbow said to Twilight, excited.

"There will be a Chem Club president who can answer all of your questions about that." Miss Sprinkle continued further, and Harrison dials Twilight's number on his phone. "So, our first lesson of today will be-"

Twilight's phone rings. "What?" She said.

Miss Sprinkle feels alerted. "Ah, the cell phone villain has returned to our vessel of teaching." She said.

Twilight looks in her bag to find her phone. Potion and Wally check their phones.

"Is it ours?" Wally asked.

Miss Sprinkle goes around the room with a can to collect the students' phones. "Potion and Wally, phones, please." She said, and Wally and Potion put their phones in the can. "I'll see you two in detention."

"WHAT!?" Potion shouted, growling.

"I will absolutely not tolerate any phones in class, so we will be seeing each other in the auditorium." Miss Sprinkle said, and she goes to Twilight. "Phone, please." Twilight puts her phone in the can. "And I know this is your first day here, Miss Sparkle, but still, mistakes are made." She then moves over to Harrison. "Mr. Sparrow, I see your phone is involved, so I'll be seeing you in detention as well."

"Whoa-whoa-whoa, that's certainly not possible, Miss Sprinkle, 'cause we have basketball practice coming up, and Harrison-" Lightning said, interrupting.

"Ah, that will be fifteen minutes for you too, Mr. Bolt!" Miss Sprinkle said, and Lightning makes a face. "Count 'em!"

"Oof, that could be tough for him." Rainbow also interrupted. "I don't think Lightning can even count to 20."

"Rainbow Dash, fifteen minutes!" Miss Sprinkle shouted, causing Rainbow to gasp in shock, and she slams the can on her desk. "Shall the drama keep going on!? The holidays are way over, ponies! Now, any more questions?" Eddie timidly raises his hoof. "Eddie."

"So, have you spent your holidays at the Crystal Empire, Miss Sprinkle?" He asked, and the entire class stares at him. "What?"

The bell rings as the ponies leave the classroom and head for the next class. Harrison waits outside the classroom for Twilight.

"Sorry, man. See you in detention." Lightning said.

"Lightning, it's okay. See you later." Harrison said.

"Ugh, she's bananas." Eddie said, leaving with Lightning.

Twilight leaves the room and walks with Harrison down the hallway.

"You all right?" Harrison asked.

Twilight sighs in depression. "I can't believe it." She said. "Detention on my first day."

"That was my fault." Harrison confessed. "I dialed your phone."

"I noticed. Why did you do it?"

"I was gonna ask if you would have lunch with me in the cafeteria later today."

"Oh, okay. Well, at least I'm not going alone, since Rainbow Dash is coming along as well."

"Yeah, and Lightning Bolt. Oh, I didn't ask you. Where do you live?"

"I live in Ponyville, with my family and friends. How about you?"

"Same."

"Really?" Twilight said in surprise. "I can't believe you live there too, Harrison!" Harrison chuckles. "Also, I looked for you at the lodge on New Year's Day."

"I know, but we had to leave first thing." Harrison whispered.

"Is there a reason to whisper?"

"What? Oh, uh... well, I did tell my friends about the snowboarding, but, um... not about the singing thing."

"Hey, what's up?" A unicorn said, walking by.

"Yo." Harrison responded.

"Was it too much for them to handle?" Twilight asked.

"No, it was okay. But, you know, my friends, it's, uh... not what I do, really. That was, like, a completely different pony. Oh, and now that you've met Miss Sprinkle, I bet you can't wait to sign up for the musical." He points to the sign-up sheet for the musicale on the bulletin board.

"Sorry, me and my friends are doing our assignments for the scholastic decathlon. And also, we're still getting to know the school. But if you sign up, I'd consider coming along."

"Oh yeah, right. That's completely impossible."

Potion pops up from behind. "What's impossible, Harrison?" She asked. "I don't think 'impossible' is in your vocabulary." She then looks at Twilight. "Oh, how fortunate of you to show our new classmate around." She uses her magical horn on a red pen and signs her name on the sign-up sheet. "Oh, were you also gonna sign up? Wally and I have starred in all the school's productions and we definitely welcome newcomers."

"How long have you been doing that?" Harrison asked.

"Duh! Since we came here three years ago. There are a lot of supporting roles in the show. I'm sure we could find something for you." She said to Twilight.

"Me? Oh no, no-no, I-I was just looking at all the bulletin boards." She said, as she and Harrison smile timidly. "Wow, there's a lotta things going on at this school!" She looks at Potion's name on the sheet. "Nice hoofwriting, by the way." She walks off.

"I didn't use my hoof." Potion said. "So, Harrison, I haven't seen you during vacation. What did you do?"

"Um, well, I played basketball at the lodge, done some snowboarding down a mountain, and then played more basketball." Harrison answered.

"When does the big game start?"

"Two weeks."

"You're so devoted, just like I am. Promise that you'll come and watch me in the musical?" Harrison reluctantly nods in agreement and leaves. "Toodles!"

"Toodles..." Harrison said in a whisper, as Potion frowns and walks off to her next class.

Author's Note

New OC's:

Miss Sprinkle: She is the stern drama teacher at Canterlot High. Sprinkle really doesn't like phones or sports. Not even Harrison's dad; they clash all the time! She is a dark red unicorn and her cutie mark is two drama masks.

Wally Nova: He is Potion's twin brother who is a member of the drama club. He is not as mean as Potion is and he's also not extremely smart. He is a pale blue unicorn with short blonde hair and has three shining stars as his cutie mark.

4. Basketball Practice + Crazy Detention

At the school's gym, Harrison feels conflicted and walks up to Lightning, who is stretching his arms and legs. "So, Lightning, you know that school musical thing?" He said.

"Yeah?"

"Is it true that you can get extra credit just for auditioning?"

"Don't know, who cares?"

"You know it's always good to get extra credit, right?"

"Do you think that Lebronie James or Shaquille O'Night auditioned for their school musical?"

"Um... maybe?" Harrison said unsurely.

"Harrison, look, the music in those shows has nothing to do with hip hop, or EDM, or rock, or anything that's essential to culture. It's just show music. You have to wear costumes and makeup... Oh, dude, it's not awesome."

"Well, I just thought it would be a good laugh. Potion's kinda cute, too."

"So is a lion living in a mountain." Lightning takes the ball from him. "But you don't pet it."

Harrison sighs.

"Come on, Duramy." Duramy said to himself, trying to stay focused. "Get your head in the game. Get your head in the game!"

"Duramy! Great self-motivation, I love that!" Harrison called.

"Always gotta impress the crowds, Harrison."

Metalscar chuckles. "Says who?" He asked.

"Says me!" Duramy gets up from the grandstand, walking up to him. "Hey, Metalscar, I mean it!"

"Yeah, just saying that I'm on your side, man." Metalscar patted Duramy.

"All right, Wildponies! Pair up!" Harrison calls out. "Practice is a go! Come on!"

The Wildponies pair up and they begin practice. They make incredible shots and hustles. After a successful session, the Wildponies throw their basketballs up in the air together and leave the gym.

"WHAT TEAM!?" Eddie shouted.

"WILDPONIES!"

"WHAT TEAM!?"

"WILDPONIES!!"

"WHAT TEAM!?"

"WILDPONIES!!!"

"WILDPONIES!"

"GET'CHA HEAD IN THE GAME!!"

Harrison throws his basketball through the hoop and leaves the gym, being the last one.

In Twilight's science class, she and the other ponies are working on their assignments.

"So, it seemed like you met Harrison Sparrow before." Potion said to Twilight.

"No, not really, he was just giving me a little tour of the school." Twilight said.

Potion laughs. "Well, I guess he doesn't interact with new students here." She said.

Twilight is just looking at the chalkboard. "Uh, why not?" She asked.

"Because he does basketball, non-stop, apparently." Potion said.

"That's not right. Should be 16 over pi..." Twilight said softly.

"Is there something wrong, Miss Sparkle?" The science teacher asked.

"Oh, uh, yes, there is." Twilight said. "Shouldn't the second equation read 16 over pi? I think you've written it down wrong."

Potion rolls her eyes.

"Have I?" The science teacher asked, as she goes on her calculator. "16 over pi... Ah, of course. My mistake." She corrects the equation on the chalkboard. "Thank you. And welcome aboard."

Potion feels offended.

Harrison stops at the sign-up sheet and eyes it for a few seconds before moving on. Wally sees this as Potion approaches him.

"Newsflash, sis. Harrison Sparrow was looking at the audition list again." Wally said.

"Are you serious? He was hanging around with that new purple pony, and FYI, they were both looking at it. There's something bizarre about her. I wonder where she is from?"

Wally stares at the list, but Potion scoffs and struts off to the library with Wally following her. They do a search on the internet and see an article about Twilight.

"Wow! The Princess of Friendship." Wally said in surprise. "So why do you think she likes to take part in the musical?"

"I'm not sure if she wants to, but we shouldn't be concerned about non-professionals like her. But I have to say, there ain't no harm in seeing that Twilight's welcome to activities in this school that are... suitable for her. After all... she loves pi."

"Like, a cherry pie?"

"*blows raspberry* No." She prints out Twilight's article and takes it.

In the auditorium, the ponies are spending their fifteen minutes for detention. Miss Sprinkle has told them to get everything ready for the winter musicale.

"No, not enough gold there!" Miss Sprinkle said. She walks by Harrison and Lightning to look over their work on the prop tree. "Come on, keep painting, heroes!"

Rainbow runs over to Twilight with excitement. "Twilight! Big news!" She said.

"What is it, Rainbow?" Twilight asked.

"The answer is 'yes'!" Rainbow said.

"What do you mean 'yes'?" Twilight said.

"We're in the decathlon, and Rarity, Pinkie, Applejack and Fluttershy are on the same team as US!" Rainbow said happily.

Twilight gasps. "OH MY GOSH!" She said, as she and Rainbow laugh and hug. "Yes!"

"Okay, our team has its first competition next week, and we're certainly not bailing out of it." Rainbow said.

"I knew this would happen." Twilight said. "Oh, didn't you tell them about our detention?"

"Oh, I did... but Pinkie was furious!" Rainbow said.

Pinkie looked at her phone and got really angry by the text Rainbow sent her. She screams dramatically.

"Was she?" Twilight said, and she sighs. "So much for not breaking a pinkie promise. I'm sorry we're in here, Rainbow."

"It's not your fault." Rainbow said. "I'll tell you what, we'll go to Sugarcube Corner every day after school. How about that?"

"Um, okay." Twilight said. "Thank you so much for telling me about this." She and Rainbow have another hug.

"Well, well, well, what a nice way to get caught up." Potion said. "Meeting with the smartest ponies in detention. I say, this is such a pleasant offer."

"Wow, so many fresh faces in detention today." Miss Sprinkle said. "I hope you don't make a habit of it, but the drama club would surely love to have an extra hoof. And while we are working here, let us probe the mounting evils of cell phones."

In the gym, practice is about to begin as James brings the Wildponies together.

"Huddle up, guys, come on!" James said. "We have two weeks left till the big game." He looks at the team and notices something is missing. "Four words: Where's Harrison and Lightning?" The team is silent and he's not pleased. "Don't make me ask again!"

"WHERE'S HARRISON AND LIGHTNING!?!" Metalscar suddenly yelled.

"HEY! Metalscar..." James said, and he scoffs. "The coach is talking."

The team stares at Metalscar with confusion. "*blows raspberry* Yep, I'm a nerd." He said.

"Uh, Coach Sparrow?" Eddie said.

"Yes, Eddie?" James said.

"Harrison and Lightning... are in detention."

The team gasps in shock.

"SAY WHAT!?" Duramy said.

"*sigh* Oh man..." James said as he storms off to the auditorium, and the other Wildponies weren't impressed with Eddie keeping it from them.

"You knew, Eddie?!" Metalscar said.

"Without telling us!?" Duramy said.

"Why the heck didn't you tell us sooner!?" Wheelburn asked.

"Sorry, guys. I got carried away with the new girls we saw today." Eddie said.

"Are you talkin’ about Twilight Sparkle and the Mane Six?" Wheelburn said.

"I think so. The guys are spending it in the auditorium."

"The auditorium? With Miss Sprinkle?! You can't be serious!" Duramy said.

Metalscar chuckles with sarcasm. "You gotta be kidding me, man." He said.

"Oh, I ain't kidding!" Eddie said. "Also, Twilight Sparkle and her friend Rainbow Dash? They’re in there as well, so it doesn't look like Harrison and Lightning are alone."

"Is it just me, or has this new year got off to a crazy start?" Wheelburn asked.

"I'd say it's just you." Metalscar said. "It's not Christmas."

"Things cannot get more crazier than they already are, bro." Duramy said.

Back in the auditorium, Lightning has fallen asleep and Harrison is tickling his nose with a paper leaf. He wakes up, annoyed by this. "Harrison, what are you doing?" He asked.

"Just trying to have a laugh with you, mate. You know, making this detention less boring."

"Oh, thank you, may I have another? Not!" He then flies up to him. "I’m trying not to waste my time here!"

"Okay, okay, I’m sorry! I won’t do that again."

"Right. Listen, if we wanna get to practice, I say we sneak outta here."

"What!? We can’t do that; Sprinkle will destroy us!"

"Maybe the most monstrous example of cell phone misuse is ringing in the theater. What audacity!" Miss Sprinkle said. "The theater is a building full of art. An exquisite cornucopia of talented energy."

James arrives and is not happy. "Where's my team, Sprinkle?!" He asked, and he sees Lightning and Harrison in the prop tree. "What the heck are those two doing in a TREE?!"

"It's known as crime and punishment, Sparrow. Besides, accessibility to the arts is cleaning for the soul."

"You and I need to have a talk." James then pointed to his Wildponies. "And you two, in the gym, now!"

"YES!" Harrison and Lightning said, as they fly off to the gym.

"What just happened?" Twilight asked Rainbow.

"Looks like that guy’s not having a good day either."

In the principal's office, James talks to the principal about Harrison and Lightning having detention.

"Listen, if they have to paint sets for Sprinkle in detention, they could do it tonight, not during my practice!" James said.

"If these were theater actors instead of gymnasts, would you be seeking exceptional treatment!?" Miss Sprinkle asked.

"Excuse me?!" James said in shock. "Sprinkle, we are days away from our most important game of the year!"

"And we, Sparrow, are in the middle of our auditions for our winter musicale as well! This school is about more than just ponies in loose-fitting shorts throwing balls for touchdowns!"

"Baskets!" James argued. "Uh, they shoot baskets."

"Stop!" The principal said, as he has had enough of them fighting. "Guys, listen to me. You were having this exact kind of argument ever since the day you both came here and started teaching. We are one school, one student body, ONE FACULTY! Can we not agree on that?!" James and Miss Sprinkle look at each other. "So, Coach, how are the Wildponies doing? Harrison got 'em whipped into shape?"

Miss Sprinkle growls and storms out of the office. The principal throws a small ball into a basket.

Back in the gym, James blows his whistle and the Wildponies get in line.

"Crystal High Knights have eliminated us from the playoffs three years in a row, and now we are just one game away from taking that trophy right back from 'em!" James said with power. "The time has come to make our stand. And remember, the team is you. You are the team, and this team does not EXIST, unless each and every ONE of you is FULLY focused on our goal! Do I make myself clear?"

"Hey, WHAT TEAM!?" Lightning said.

"WILDPONIES!"

"WHAT TEAM!?"

"WILDPONIES!"

"WHAT TEAM!?"

"WILDPONIES!!"

"WILDPONIES!" Lightning said, as he and his teammates put their hooves on the ball that James is holding.

"GET'CHA HEAD IN THE GAME!!"

James blows his whistle again.

After school, Twilight and Rainbow walk out of the entrance as the others were waiting for them.

"Twilight! Have you heard the news?!" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes, I really did!" Twilight said happily.

"GROUP HUG!" Pinkie said, and the Mane Six have a group hug. "I'm so happy we're on the team together!" She then turned madly to Twilight and Rainbow. "But I'm so disappointed you two got DETENTION!"

Twilight sighs, as she and Rainbow feel bad.

"We were waiting out here for you." Rarity said. "Fifteen minutes feels like forever!"

"You pinkie promised, Twilight and Rainbow!" Pinkie said.

"What!? I didn't pinkie promise you anything!" Rainbow said.

"We're so sorry, guys, it wasn't our fault." Twilight said.

"Maybe if you had your phone on silent mode, then detention wouldn't have happened at all." Applejack said.

"Oh, of course. Thanks, Applejack." Twilight said.

Pinkie sighs. "That's okay, mistakes were made." She said.

"Now that we're all in, maybe Twilight could be our team's star player!" Rainbow said. "Right?"

"Uh, sure! Absolutely." Twilight said, and her friends cheer with excitement. "Oh, um, may I ask you guys something?"

"Ooh, sure! What is it?" Pinkie asked.

"What do you guys know about Harrison Sparrow and the Great Six?" Twilight asked.

"Harrison? That red and blue alicorn you were starin' at earlier this mornin'?" Applejack said.

"Yeah. I think he looks hoofsome, even with his accent." Twilight said.

"He sure has some bright colors." Rainbow said.

"Maybe he exists from an alternate universe to us!" Pinkie said.

Rainbow gasps. "Oh my gosh!" She said. "Isn't Harrison Sparrow the school's hottie super-bomb?" She asked some cheerleaders.

"Oh, he's cute!" The cheerleaders said.

Rainbow chuckles. "There's obviously a reason why he's so popular." She said.

"Well, have you tried to get to know him and his friends?" Twilight said.

"Who are his friends again?" Fluttershy asked.

Twilight checks on her phone. "Well, there's… Metalscar, Duramy, Wheelburn, Eddie Filo, and, uh… Lightning Bolt." She said.

"Well, Lightning Bolt, to me, is the kind of guy who looks like a racer." Rainbow said. "If he is, then I would totally compete against him."

"And Eddie Filo? He does look nerdy with those glasses he wears." Pinkie said. "I can't tell if he's really loveable or not. At least, I hope he is!"

"I think Wheelburn was raised at a barn too, just like I was." Applejack said. "And with his ginger lookin' hair, I think he's got the style."

"Metalscar's hair looked crazy to me." Fluttershy said. "But the way he admired my hair, I think he really likes me."

"Ooh!" Pinkie said.

"And that Australian Duramy looked quite hoofsome, too." Rarity said. "I think it was very nice to meet the Great Six."

"I agree." Twilight said.

"Now, Twilight, we're gonna be studying in room C319, on the second floor." Rarity said. "We'll be in there during breaks and free periods."

"Okay, Rarity. I guess another studying marathon is inbound." Twilight said.

"Oh, I don't want to study all day, though." Fluttershy said. "I need to take care of my animal pretties."

"We get it, Fluttershy, but this is some serious competition we're in now." Applejack said.

"If we wanna win, we need to keep being awesome!" Rainbow said.

"I'm hoping we'll destroy the Crystal High Knights!" Pinkie said. "They won't know what hit 'em!"

Twilight smiles. "We wouldn't have done this without each other." She said. "Best friends forever!"

"Oh, darling..." Rarity said.

The Mane Six have another group hug.

"I love you, girls." Twilight said.

"We all love you too, Sugarcube." Applejack said.

"Hey, girls! Are ya gettin' on?" The bus driver said.

"Oh, sorry!" Twilight said, as she and her friends get in the bus. "I can't wait to tell Spike, Mom and Dad about my first day."

"Me too." Fluttershy said.

"Me either!" Pinkie said. "Mom, Dad and my sisters are going to be over the moon hearing about it!"

The Mane Six laugh as the bus starts driving off.

At Harrison's house, he and his dad are in the backyard basketball court doing some after-school practice, whilst Olivia observes from the kitchen window, cooking dinner.

"I just don't understand this detention thing that you and Lightning where in." James said.

"Sorry, Dad, it was my fault." Harrison confessed.

"You do know that Sprinkle will take any chance to break my chops. That includes yours, too."

"Hey, Dad? Have you, um... ever thought about trying something different, but were scared of what your friends might think about it?"

"You mean like, going left? You're doing great! Keep going!"

"No-no-no-no-no, I meant… what if you wanna try something that's really new, and it doesn't work out, and all your friends LOL at you?"

"What, laugh out loud? Well, then they're not really your friends. And that was what I meant about 'team' today. You're the leader, and you guys need to take care of each other."

"Dad, I'm not talking..." Harrison said in a low voice.

"We're gonna have college scouts at the game next week, son. You know how much a scholarship is worth these days?"

Harrison nods in defeat. "A lot."

"That's right. Now focus, Harrison, come on!" Harrison hustles him and nails the shot. "Whoo!"

Harrison lays down on the floor and takes a breather. "Man, what a start to the year this has been..."

5. The Winter Musicale

The next day, in class, Potion gives Miss Sprinkle a small box.

"Just a little something for you." Potion said, and she returns to her seat as the rest of the class fills in.

Harrison and Twilight look at each other and smile.

"Hey, let's try not to make the same mistake twice, all right?" Rainbow said to Twilight.

"Well, I hoped we have all learned our homeroom manners yesterday, ponies, correct?" Miss Sprinkle said. "If you haven't, then we have some dressing rooms that need painting." Harrison and Twilight giggle. "Now, I have a few announcements to make. This morning during free period will be your opportunity to audition for the winter musicale, both singles and pairs." Potion claps with excitement. "I will be in the auditorium until twelve for those of you who are brave enough to expand the wingspan of your gifted spirit."

"What time is she supposed to be back on the mothership?" Lightning asked Harrison, and they snicker.

"Now, for today, we are going to talk about the importance of Shakespeare..." Miss Sprinkle said.

In a hallway, Harrison closes his locker and Lightning walks up to him.

"Yo, Harrison, what's up, man?" Lightning said.

"What's up?" Harrison said.

"Hey, I just wanna let you know that the team's gonna be in the gym during free period." Lightning said. "So, what do you want us to do?"

"Ahh, I'm sorry, Lightning." Harrison said.

"You're sorry? About what, exactly?" Lightning asked.

"I can't make it." Harrison said. "I'm behind on my homework, so I gotta catch up."

"You serious?!" Lightning said. "Hello! It's only the second day of the new year here! I mean, I'm not behind on my homework. And FYI, I've been behind on homework ever since I started pre-school."

Harrison laughs. "That's hilarious. I'll see you later." He said.

Lightning stops for a second and knows something is up. "Homework? No, there can't be." He said, and he follows Harrison.

Harrison goes into a classroom.

"Hey, Harrison, how's it going?" A unicorn asked.

"Ah, I'm just hanging." Harrison said.

"Good to see you." An earth pony said.

Lightning looks at Harrison with confusion. "What's he doing?" He said to himself, and another pony approaches him.

"How ya doing, Bolt?" The pony asked, and he shakes Lightning's hoof.

Harrison starts leaving the room without Lightning noticing. Lightning turns to look for him, but Harrison, having gone through the other door out of the room, walks right past him. Lightning eventually follows Harrison to a stairwell, but he has completely lost sight of him.

Harrison leans on the wall as a teacher walks by, and he goes across an outdoor area. James spots him, and he goes to see who it really is, but Harrison has managed to avoid him.

Harrison then walks through the school's garage, sneaking past the mechanics until one of them spots him. "Sorry, shortcut." He said, and the mechanic checks his watch. "I'm late for class. Keep up the good work!" He exits the garage through a door.

Harrison arrives at the auditorium, as he is wheeling a janitor's cart through the back entrance. But when Miss Sprinkle arrives with Luster Dawn, Harrison hides behind the theatre curtains, and Miss Sprinkle and Luster go up on stage.

"The theatre is where the true expression of the artist is recognized." Miss Sprinkle said. "Where inner truth is revealed through the actor's expedition..." The school bell rings. "Was that another cell phone!?"

The audience check to see if one of their phones went off.

"Uh, was it mine?" A member asked.

"Oh, no, Sprinkle, that was just the warning bell." Luster said

"Ah, my mistake." Miss Sprinkle said. "Anyway, those of you who are willing to audition for the musicale must know that time is indeed of the essence, so we don't have all day. We have a lot of roles to cast and final callbacks will begin next Thursday."

Harrison has made his way to the back of the auditorium, seeing the auditions whilst hiding behind the cart.

"Now, first thing's first, you will sing a few bars and I will give you a sense of whether the theater is your calling or not." Miss Sprinkle said. "And besides, it's probably best to hear it from me more than your friends. Our composer, Luster Dawn, will keep you company and will also be available for rehearsals prior to callbacks. Shall we begin?"

The auditions for the musical begin. Luster plays the intro on the piano, but the first singer is badly off-key and has forgotten the rest of the song.

"Thank you. Next!" Miss Sprinkle said.

The second singer is even more badly off-key and makes an error on singing the lyrics; Potion and Wally are shocked by it.

"I appreciate your pluck very much." Miss Sprinkle said. "But, as to your singing... That's a cute tie you've got on. Next!"

The third singer is also off-key and she even winks at Miss Sprinkle whilst singing.

"Uh, stop." Miss Sprinkle said.

The fourth singer sings in a high-pitched voice and holds the note at the end of the chorus. The audience covers their ears.

"Ah, congratulations, you've been following a note that has not been accessed in the normal world." Miss Sprinkle said, feeling impressed. "Bravo! Brava!" She then felt unimpressed. "Perhaps the next musicale."

The singer loses her smile, makes a squeak and walks off the stage.

The next pony to audition does a ballet routine. Miss Sprinkle is enjoying it, but then... "AAAHH!!" The pony screamed as he falls off the stage and crashes.

"Ow...!" Harrison said quietly.

Twilight is on her phone talking to Spike, who is at his school doing workouts with his classmates. "No, I swear I didn't get into any more trouble with Miss Sprinkle, Spike." She said. "What happened yesterday was just a minor set-back, that's all."

"Wow, good to hear, Twilight." Spike said. "I was worried that history would repeat itself again."

"So how is your day going?"

"*scoff* I may be small, but so far, it's going really well. And by 'really well', I mean 'awesome'!" Twilight chuckles. "Oh, and I didn't tell you, the music my teacher's playing here is a hundred percent amazing! Can you hear that sound?!"

"Oh, wow! I think you should make it your favorite hobby."

"Maybe. But the one thing I don't wanna leave out is studying friendship with you."

"That's okay, Spike. I'm happy that you're still thinking of me."

"All right, kids! Gosh, doing all of these push-ups is really slowing my legs down!" Spike's teacher said. "We oughta hit the treadmills, let's go go go!"

"Whoops, gotta move, the treadmills are calling." Spike said. "I love you, Twilight!"

"Love you too, Spike. Bye!" Twilight said, as she hangs up and approaches the auditorium.

The next two ponies to audition are only speaking the words to the lyrics, feeling disturbed. Then, they get on their knees, rolling around on the floor.

Miss Sprinkle also feels disturbed by this. "Gosh, that was just... very disturbing! Go see a counselor, right now!" She said. The two ponies leave the stage, and she groans. "Next!"

Twilight comes up behind Harrison and startles him.

"Hey!" Twilight said.

"Oh, Twilight!" Harrison said.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." Twilight said. "So, have you signed up for something?"

"Uh... no, not yet." Harrison said. "Did you get in the decathlon?"

"Yeah, and me and my friends are on the team." Twilight said.

"Wow, that is great news!" Harrison said in surprise.

"Thank you." Twilight said. "Um, what are you doing behind a mop?"

"Hiding, checking out all the action." Harrison said.

"Do your friends know you're here?" Twilight asked.

"No, I don't think so." Harrison said.

Luster plays the intro on the piano, but the sixth singer just freezes, overcome with stage fright.

"Done. Next!" Miss Sprinkle said.

The sixth singer runs off the stage, feeling humiliated.

"Ooh, Miss Sprinkle's being quite harsh." Harrison said.

"Is the Wildpony superstar afraid?" Twilight asked.

"What? No, I'm not afraid, I'm just... scared." Harrison said.

"Yeah, me too, usually." Twilight said.

"And for the lead roles of Arnie and Money, we just have one couple who has signed up." Miss Sprinkle said. Harrison and Twilight both hide behind the cart. "Potion and Wally, I think it might be the right time for you two to be useful. Give us a reason of why we have gathered in this sacred hall today."

As they get up to go on stage, Potion stops Wally.

"Ladies first." Potion said.

Wally rolls his eyes. "Sure, like always." He said.

Harrison and Twilight take seats.

"Um, what key may I do it in?" Luster asked Wally.

"Oh, it doesn't matter." Wally said. "Our rehearsal pianist did an arrangement for us."

"Oh, right..." Luster said in defeat.

"Luster Dawn?" Twilight said, as she notices her.

Potion claps her hooves and the curtains close. As part of their pre-show warmup, she and Wally both whine like horses. "Go!" She said.

Potion and Wally start singing their own version of the song together, which sounded way more upbeat. Miss Sprinkle is enjoying it, but Luster, Harrison and Twilight don't think it sounds right.

"I thought we weren't supposed to do the jazz squares." Potion said.

"Well, everypony loves a good jazz square, so it's a crowd favorite." Wally said.

Potion looks at Luster menacingly, who starts clapping with a fake smile, and the rest of the small audience applauds.

"Well, do we have any last-minute sign-ups around here?" Miss Sprinkle asked.

Harrison and Twilight get out of their seats and start hiding again.

"Don't be disheartened." Wally said. "The theater club needs more than just singers. It needs fans, too! Get your tickets! Trust me, it'll do you good!"

"Oh, guys, if you would do the part with that specific song, it should be way slower..." Luster said.

"If we would do the part?" Potion said. "Luster Dawn, I've participated in seventeen school productions, and this one is my eighteenth overall. Actually, let me ask you. How many times have your compositions been chosen?"

"Uh, technically, this is my very first one." Luster said.

"And what does that tell us?" Potion asked.

"That I need to write more solos for you?" Luster said.

"Wrong. It officially tells us that you do not offer us any direction, commentary or suggestion in any way possible." Potion said, and she raises her voice. "And you should be thankful that me and Wally are here to lift your music out of its current lack of fame! Are we clear?!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Luster said, feeling scared. "Uh, Potion."

"Thanks for the sweet talk." Potion said with a grinning smile, and she and Wally leave.

"Final call. Are there any last minute sign-ups?" Miss Sprinkle asked.

"I think we should go." Harrison quietly said to Twilight.

"No? Okay, we're done here." Miss Sprinkle said.

Twilight does something unexpectedly. "I'd like to audition, Miss Sprinkle!" She said, and she runs down to her.

Harrison stands in shock over what Twilight just did.

"Timeliness means something in the world of theater, Princess Sparkle." Miss Sprinkle said. "The singles auditions are long over and there are no other pairs."

"Wait!" Harrison said from his hiding spot, and he flies over to her. "I'll sing with her."

"Harrison Sparrow?" Miss Sprinkle said. "Where's the rest of your sports team or whatever it's called?"

"They're doing free-period in the gym, but I'm here alone." Harrison said. "I just came to sing with Twilight."

"Well, unfortunately, we take these shows very seriously here at Canterlot High." Miss Sprinkle said. "I called for the pairs audition, and you did not respond. So with all due respect, free period is now over."

"She has a great voice." Harrison said about Twilight.

"Perhaps the spring musicale." Miss Sprinkle said, as she leaves the auditorium.

As Harrison and Twilight see Miss Sprinkle leave, Luster gets up from the piano and trips, throwing her papers all over the place. Harrison and Twilight run up the stage to help.

"Are you okay, Luster Dawn?" Twilight asked.

Luster looks up to her. "Twilight?" She said, and she suddenly gasps. "Twilight Sparkle?!"

"Hey!" She and Luster hug. "Happy new year."

"You too. Are you new here, like I am?"

"You are not wrong."

"Oh my gosh! Can you help me with this mess, please?"

"Sure." Twilight uses her magic to tidy and pile up the papers.

"Oh, on second thought, I should've used my horn. Sorry."

"That's okay, you needed the help. I like to introduce you to Harrison Sparrow. Harrison, meet Luster Dawn, another one of my special friends."

"Hi, nice to meet you." Luster said to Harrison, and they shake hooves.

"Nice to meet you too, Luster Dawn." Harrison said. "So, you're a composer?"

"Yeah." Luster said. "One of my friends taught me how to play the piano, and I spent months of practicing."

"Ah, I see. So you wrote the song Wally and Potion just sang? And the entire show?" Luster nods. "Well, that's really great. I can't wait to see the rest of the show."

"Oh, thanks... I guess."

"Uh, dare I ask? Why are you afraid of Wally and Potion?"

"I wasn't afraid of them, it's just that Potion was being so rude. She's always like that!"

"Well, I mean, this is your show, right?"

"It is?"

"Isn't the composer of a show kinda like the playmaker in sports games, like basketball?"

"'Playmaker'?" Luster said in confusion. "Sorry, I don't understand."

"It is the one who makes everypony else look good." Harrison explained. "I mean, there would be no show without you. You're the playmaker here, Luster."

"I am?" Luster beamed at him, who nods in agreement and Twilight smiles. "Would you like to hear how the duet's supposed to sound?" She walks over to the piano as Harrison and Twilight join her. She starts playing the song the way it's meant to be played, and Harrison and Twilight sing together.

"Wow. That's really nice." Harrison said.

"Yeah, you wrote a great song, Luster." Twilight said.

Miss Sprinkle returns. "Sparrow, Sparkle, you have a callback." She called. "Luster, give them the duet from the second act. Work on it with them." She leaves again.

This caught Harrison and Twilight by massive surprise, as they faced each other in shock. "What?!" They both said.

Luster gasped in happiness and gives the alicorns some audition papers. "All right, listen, if you guys wanna rehearse, I'm here during free period and after school, and even sometimes during class. You can come down and rehearse at anytime. Or you can come to my house. I have my own piano, so we can rehearse there. After school, before school, whatever works for you."

"We're in!" Harrison and Twilight said happily, as they've officially auditioned for the musical!

6. Cafeteria Drama + Hard Times Ahead

The next morning, Potion and Wally discover something shocking.

"Please tell me this isn't real." Wally said.

"CALLBACK!!?" Potion said loudly. All of the ponies outside hear her, and she starts screaming. "AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" She fans herself.

"Callback for roles Arnie and Money next Thursday, 3:30pm. Wally and Potion Nova, Twilight Sparkle and Harrison Sparrow." Wally read on the callback paper.

"The auditions were over!" Potion exclaimed. "What kind of joke is this!?"

"I think we're being filmed."

"What?"

"Yeah, we're being filmed, right now!" Wally said in excitement. "Maybe we'll get to meet Angel!"

"OH, SHUT UP, WALLY!" Potion said angrily.

The Great Six minus Harrison arrive, laughing.

"What's wrong?" Lightning asked. He then looks at the callback sheet, seeing Harrison's name on it. "What?"

Potion growls and storms off to the cafeteria as Wally follows her.

"Is there a problem, Lightnin'?" Wheelburn said.

"Guys, look at this."

Eddie, Wheelburn, Metalscar and Duramy see Harrison's name on the callback sheet.

"Wait, Harrison's auditioned for the winter musicale?!" Duramy said.

"WHAT THE HECK!!?" Metalscar said in shock.

"Okay, I think he told his own secret right here." Eddie said.

At the school's cafeteria, Potion is angrily walking back and forth.

"How could she sign up!?" Potion said. "I've already chosen the colors for my dressing room!"

"And even worse, she hasn't asked us if she would like to join the drama club." Wally said.

"That's it! Someone has to tell her the rules."

"Exactly! ...Wait, I've forgotten the rules."

Potion growls at this, and down on the cafeteria's ground floor, Eddie confesses his passion for baking to his teammates.

"Well, if Harrison can tell his secret, then I can tell mine." He said. "I bake."

"What?" Lightning said, unamused.

"I love to bake! Chocolate, salad, even an Indian cuisine! Someday, I hope to make the perfect crême brûlée!"

Rarity confesses her love of fashion designing, even though most of her friends know about it. "Designing is my passion." She said. "I love to charm everypony with my elegant dresses!"

"Is that even legal?" A female brainiac asked.

"Of course it is! It's actually more lovelier than homework, darling."

"Rarity, seriously!" Applejack argued, as she and the other girls tell her to focus her attention on the decathlon.

Metalscar confesses his passion for heavy metal music to the skater ponies. "All right, if Harrison wants to be a singer, then I'll come clean. I play the guitar!" He said.

"Awesome!" A female skater pony said.

"What kind?" A male skater pony asked.

"An acoustic?" Another male skater pony asked.

Metalscar snickers. "No, dude, it's an ELECTRIC GUITAR!" He said, as he reveals it with a rocky grin.

"Do you have to wear a costume?" A male skater pony asked.

"Heavy metal style!" Metalscar said.

As the conversations continue, Twilight arrives with her lunch, confused about what's going on. "Um, why is everypony staring at you?" She asked to a brainiac.

"Not me, you." They responded.

"Is it because of the callbacks?" Twilight asked, getting afraid. "I can't have ponies staring at me, I really can't!" She tries to make her way through the crowd.

Suddenly, Eddie slips on some split milk and kicks Twilight’s lunch tray into the air. The lunch consisting of french fries, noodles, a pizza and a bottle of milk lands right on Potion’s hair!

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" Potion screamed, and the students start laughing at her.

"Uh-oh." Eddie said, as he quickly crawled backwards to hide his guilt.

"Potion? I-" Twilight try to say.

"DON’T YOU DARE SAY ANOTHER WORD, YOU GEEK!" Potion said angrily. "I know you did this!"

"What's going on?" Harrison asked, as he tried to go and help Twilight, but Lightning stops him.

"Whoa! You don't wanna get yourself into that, man." He said. "Way too much carnage."

"How could you do this to my LOVELY HAIR!?!" Potion said.

"No, it wasn't me, I didn't do anything!" Twilight said.

"LIAR!!" Potion said loudly.

Rainbow pulls Twilight away from Potion, as Wheelburn and Applejack step in.

"Time-out, Potion!" Wheelburn said. "Leave the princess outta this!"

"How is this your business!?" Potion asked.

"Twilight's innocent, so leave her alone!"

"How do you know she's innocent!?"

"I'll tell it to ya straight." He said calmly. "I saw it with my own eyes."

"Uh-huh, we both did, and we know that’s the absolute truth." Applejack said. "We're always honest."

"That's right, she had nothin' to do with this." Wheelburn said.

Potion gasps. "Wait a minute... If it wasn't Princess Sparkle who did this, then it must've been... YOU!" She said in a snap, pointing to Wheelburn.

Everypony gasps, and Potion uses her horn on a ketchup and mustard squeeze bottle, aiming at the blue stallion!

"WHEELBURN?!" Harrison said.

"WHEELBURN! A cowardly blue donkey who is scared to tell the REAL truth!" Potion said.

"Don’t call him a donkey, he didn’t do anythin’!" Applejack said.

"You ruined my hair, AND NOW..." Potion is about to squeeze the bottles.

"POTION, NO!" Wally begged.

"I'LL RUIN YOUR FACE!!!!" Potion yelled.

"AAAAHHH!!!!" Wheelburn screamed, and Potion squeezes the bottles on him, leaving his face covered entirely with ketchup and mustard! The students continue laughing, and Pinkie laughs out the loudest.

"WHOA! DUDE!" Metalscar said, chuckling.

Miss Sprinkle arrives, completely cross. "What in the world is going on here!?" She called out.

"LOOK AT THIS!" Potion said, pointing at the mess in her hair, then pointed to Wheelburn. "That Wheelburn guy dumped Princess Sparkle’s lunch on me! ON PURPOSE! It is their idea to destroy our musical, and Harrison and the rest of his basketball jerks are obviously behind it! Why do you think he auditioned?! Hmm?!" Miss Sprinkle doesn't say anything, and Potion started sulking. "You know what? After everything you've done for this show… it just doesn't seem right." She storms off, going up the stairs.

"Potion, wait, let me-" Wally said, as he follows her, but...

"DON'T FOLLOW ME!!!" Potion yelled, and Wally stops following.

"Oh, I’m very sorry 'bout that, Wheelburn." Applejack said, comforting him. "Are you all right?"

Wheelburn licks some of the ketchup and mustard around his mouth. "Don’t worry, Applejack." He said. "These sauces taste so good, even if they’re cold as a carrot."

Applejack tastes some of the sauces. "Well, I’ll be darned." She said, as she and Wheelburn giggle and smile at each other.

Over on Harrison, he's sat at a table with Lightning and Duramy. "So, now that the drama is over, what’s up?" He said to Lightning.

"Oh, 'what's up' you asked? Ah, let's see..." Lightning began thinking. "Umm, you missed free-period workout yesterday to audition for some villainous musical. And now suddenly, ponies around here are... confessing."

"Are they now?"

"Yeah, we know Metalscar is a hard rock guitar dude." Duramy said.

"Uh-huh, and we also know Eddie loves baking as well." Lightning added.

"And I heard that Rarity’s a fashion designer." Duramy smiled. "That sounds really interesting."

"Right, but guess what else Eddie’s baking…" Lightning said, and as Eddie walked by, he grabs him. "Crême brûlée!"

"Crême brûlée? Ah, what’s that?" Harrison asked in interest.

"Oh, it's a creamy custard-like filling with a caramelized surface!" Eddie answered excitedly. "I'm telling you, it's really satisfying!"

"Shut up, Eddie!" Lightning said annoyingly.

"Is it true?" Pinkie asked Eddie. "Are you really baking crême brûlée, Eddie?!"

"Well, it's on my list, so yeah." Eddie said timidly.

Pinkie gasped with complete happiness. "Holy moly, it’s so nice to talk to somepony who loves baking as me!" She said. "In case you didn’t know, there is a place called Sugarcube Corner in Ponyville, and I think you’ll love it there! They make the greatest cupcakes EVER!"

"Uh, okay. Thank you for telling me."

"You're welcome. So what else do you bake?"

"Pinkie Pie, how about you and I talk about it in private?"

"Okey-dokey-lokey! Private is my favorite area!" She leaves with Eddie.

"Bro, that Pinkie Pie girl is so cheesy." Duramy scoffed, as he walks off.

"Yeah, and chatty as well." Harrison said.

"No, no, no, look..." Lightning said, becoming worried. "Do you see what's happening here, man? Our team is getting torn apart because of your singing thing! Even the drama geeks and the brainiacs suddenly think that they can... talk to us!" He points at Metalscar with the skater ponies. "Look, Metalscar's mingling with the skater dudes!"

"Yo!" The skater ponies said.

"YO!!" Metalscar said loudly.

"Suddenly, ponies think that they can do other stuff." Lightning continued. "Stuff that is not their stuff! They've got you thinking about show tunes, when we've got a playoff game next week!" He walks over to Metalscar, wanting to get him back on focus.

Nearby, Rainbow talks to Twilight about auditioning for the musicale. "So you auditioned for the winter musicale, huh?" She said.

"Not really, I-" Twilight said, but Rainbow cuts her off.

"But I saw your name on the callback paper this morning! I even told our friends about it!" Rainbow freaked out.

"Rainbow, me and Harrison were just singing, that was it!" Twilight said, trying to end the conversation.

"Twilight, what about the decathlon?"

"I know about the decathlon, Rainbow, and I know we’re in it together."

"Are we?"

"Yes, we are!"

"A hundred percent?!" Rainbow asked, wanting to be 20% sure.

"Yes, a hundred percent!"

"I hope so. You said we would make this our year, right?"

"Of course I did!"

"Well, right now, you’re not making that happen, because you’re getting yourself side-tracked into a musical!" Rainbow said. "And yeah, I know us ponies sing from time to time, but still, that’s not cool! The competition is next week, and you can’t let us down! We chose you as our star player, remember? And it's also my job to make sure nothing ever goes wrong, because I hate that."

"*sigh* I know, Rainbow. Look, we still have a lot of time. I'll get back to studying right after class, okay?"

"Awesome."

"We'll study together?".

"Even more awesome!" Rainbow raised her voice.

"Still best friends?"

"Totally! *deep sigh* Now, let's get you more food."

In the Wildponies' locker room, James sits in his office whilst reading a paper. Miss Sprinkle enters and makes her way past the team, who are getting ready for practice.

"Yo, heads up!" A Wildpony said, as he throws a can of deodorant across the room.

"Whoa!" Miss Sprinkle said, narrowly avoiding the thrown deodorant.

"Whoops!" The Wildpony said.

Miss Sprinkle continues moving on and walks into James' office.

"All right, big news, Sparrow! The cards are now on the table!"

"What?" James said, confused.

"You're tweaked because I put your heroes in detention, and I'm pleased to say that you're now getting even!"

"What are you talking about, Sprinkle?" James asked, still confused.

"Your all-star son showed up at my audition yesterday. Now, I give every student in Canterlot High an even chance, which is a long and respectable tradition in the theater. That is something you wouldn't understand. But, if he is planning some sort of an experimental joke in my chapel of the arts..."

"Harrison doesn't even sing."

"Oh, well I know you don't wanna hear this, but he seriously does. And I will not allow my Twinkle Town musicale to be made into some sort of broad comedy."

"Twinkle Town?" James said mockingly.

"See? I knew it!"

"Hey..."

"I knew it!" Miss Sprinkle said loudly, and she leaves the office.

"Sounds like a champion. Good luck in New York!"

Still annoyed by that, Miss Sprinkle walks out of the locker room, without any pressure from the Wildponies.

At the outdoor eating area, Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity discuss the incident in the cafeteria.

"Guys, is Potion really, really mad at me?" Twilight asked.

"I think she was mad at Wheelburn." Applejack said. "What was she thinkin'? I mean, accusing him of a mess like that?"

"She made a very bad mess of his face." Fluttershy said.

"Absolutely, he didn't do anything wrong." Rarity said. "That poor stallion..."

"Well, neither did I. It was a good thing he defended me from her, though." Twilight said, smiling a tad.

"Don't worry, I'm sure that was only a small accident." Rarity said. "Now, about the musical Rainbow told us about..."

"Yeah?"

"No one has beaten out Potion for a musical, on what we heard." Fluttershy said. "Not even once."

"I wasn't trying to beat anyone out." Twilight said. "And what Rainbow told you and Pinkie, me and Harrison didn't audition, we were just singing. End of story."

"You won't convince Potion of that." Fluttershy said.

"Yeah, if that unicorn could figure out a way to play both Romeo and Juliet one day, her brother would be aced out of a job." Applejack said.

"Guys, it just happened, but I liked it. So much." Twilight said proudly. "Did you ever feel like there's this whole other pony inside of you just looking for a way to come out?"

"Nope, not really." Applejack said, giggling.

"But you're still on my side, right?" Twilight said.

"Well, need we remind you about the decathlon next week?" Rarity said.

"I did not forget about it, I swear." Twilight promised.

"Then we're always on your side, Twilight." Applejack said.

"Friendship will always and forever be magic between us." Fluttershy said.

"We love you too much." Rarity said, and they have a group hug.

"I love you too much, too." Twilight said, and the bell rings, announcing that lunch break is over. "Let's get to class."

Eddie and Pinkie are walking down a hallway.

"I seriously can't believe you can bake almost anything, Eddie!" Pinkie said. "My friends would be jealous as a jelly!"

"Just call me 'Eddie the master chef'!" Eddie said, and they laugh. "So, what cupcake flavors do they have at Sugarcube Corner?"

"Uh, they do chocolate, lemon, apple pie, there's so many you can try!"

"Ooh, they sound tasty."

"So how are your basketball skills shaping up?" Pinkie asked.

"Well, they're going great. I got practice coming up, so… you gotta get'cha head in the game."

"'Get'cha head in the game'? Isn't that what the Wildponies say?"

"Yeah, just to keep them on track and stay focused. It kinda helps."

"Wow! Well, I need to keep studying for the decathlon, too."

"Hey... I think you'll do great, Pinkie."

Pinkie smiles warmly. "Thanks, Eddie. And by the way… I saw what you did to Potion in the cafeteria. It was so funny!" She laughed happily.

"*chuckle* Oh yeah, I did put on quite a show, right?" They suddenly see Potion up ahead, who is drying her hair at her locker. "Uh-oh, gotta go!" He and Pinkie run off their separate ways before Potion could see them.

7. Two Loving Hearts

Twilight walks up to her locker and opens it. A note falls out of it, and she picks it up and reads it, smiling in the process. She makes her way to the science club roof, where Harrison is.

"Hey there, Princess." Harrison said.

"Wow! It looks like a jungle up here." Twilight said.

"Yeah, just like the cafeteria."

"Where I just embarrassed myself into the next century?"

"No! Come on." Harrison giggled.

"So is this like your secret hideout?"

"Yup, thanks to the science club. Which also means that my friends don't even know it exists here."

"You pretty much have the school worked up, don't you, Harrison? It seems to me like everyone here wants to be your friend."

"Well, only if we don't lose."

"I guess it's hard being the coach's son."

"It just makes me practice a little more harder, that's all. I don't know what he's gonna say when he finds out that I'm singing."

"Are you worried about that?"

"My mum and dad's friends are always saying this." Harrison said. "Your son's the basketball guy. You must be so proud." He said in an American accent. "Sometimes I don't wanna be the 'basketball guy'. I just wanna be a guy, who... does a lotta things, you know?" He said normally.

"I saw the way you treated Luster Dawn at the audition yesterday." Twilight goes to sit down on a bench.

"Your newest friend? She looks really nice."

"So, do your friends know that guy?"

"To them, I'm the team leader."

"Then they don't know enough about you, Harrison. When I was a unicorn, Princess Celestia gave me and Spike permission to study the Magic of Friendship at the Golden Oak Library."

"Who's Celestia and Spike?" Harrison asked.

"Oh, Celestia was my mentor, and Spike is my best friend."

"Is Spike a pony too?"

Twilight chuckles by this. "You haven't met him yet. He's a dragon."

"A dragon? Oh, well, I can't wait to meet him, then."

"Anyway, when I completed an ancient unfinished magic spell with my deep understanding of friendship, Celestia said I was ready for the next step, and then she made me transform into an alicorn." Twilight spreads out her wings.

"And you also became the Princess of Friendship?"

"Absolutely. I learnt how to fly with my wings, and it was so amazing."

"You obviously earned it. I guess you love being a princess, do you? You get to fly around and see the sights..."

"Yeah, I do. It's cool coming here and being anything else I wanna be. When I was singing with you, I felt like I was... just a girl."

"You even look like one, too." Harrison pointed to her, who giggles, and he sat next to her side. "Oh boy, you're so beautiful."

"Do I look beautiful to you?"

"Why, of course you do. I mean, you look the part; your eyes, your hair… and your cutie mark."

"You like it? I got it after hatching Spike's egg."

"That's a lotta sparkles. Do you count?"

"Come on, all of us ponies can count. Unless your best friend doesn't?"

"Lightning? Yeah he does. He may have been winded up a little by that Rainbow Dash girl."

"Rainbow always has an attitude." She looks at this mark. "Hmm, your mark is kinda cool."

"Got it by my parents." Harrison said. "But, how are your parents? How are they doing?"

"They're okay. But ever since I met my friends, I haven''t been with them a lot recently. So we had to spend time together on New Year's Eve, where we met?"

"The lodge? Yeah, it was amazing, and cozy as well. Oh, I didn't tell you, the hot chocolate was deeeelicious!" Twilight giggled. "And they even had a basketball court on the upper floor."

"Really? At least that kept you practicing, huh?"

"And then came that moment at the party, when we were forced onto that stage... and did one of the moments of all time..."

Already thinking back to their first time singing, they sang a different song together, knowing that they can take on Potion and Wally for the leading role.

"See? Your voice is amazing. I love it." Harrison said.

"Aw, thank you." Twilight said.

"So, Twilight... was the Golden Oak Library... an oldie?"

"Yeah, but don't ever underestimate the classics, okay?"

"Trust me, I won't. You know, I never thought about singing, that's for sure… until I met you."

"So you really wanna do the callbacks?"

"You can call me the freaky callback guy!"

Twilight giggles by that wording. "You're a cool guy, Harrison. Just not for the reasons your friends think. And thanks for showing me your top-secret hiding place."

"You're welcome."

The school bell rings, signaling that break time is over.

"Shall we, tiger?" Twilight said.

Harrison smiles. "Of course... my little pony."

They both nuzzle and sigh before leaving the roof together.

8. Broken Status Quos

In a music room, Luster writes some new song lyrics for Harrison and Twilight.

Harrison is rehearsing the song in a locked room. Behind the door, Wally tries to investigate, but he can't get in as the door is locked. He peeks through under the door, but he couldn't see much.

Twilight is rehearsing the song in a girl's toilet. Potion approaches and Twilight quickly hides before she could be seen. Potion kicks open one of the toilet doors, but there was no Twilight. She then looks at herself in the mirror before leaving. Twilight has been using her cloak magic as she reappears.

Back in the music room, Luster plays the piano as Twilight rehearses the lyrics, and Harrison does the same later on.

In the gym, during practice, James blows his whistle whilst running a drill, as the Wildponies throw the ball to one another.

"Let's go, guys! Make it sharp!" James called out. "To the chest, come on, pop it! All right, guys, stick with it! Let's go!" He gets over to Lightning and walks back the other way. "Keep it going, guys! Come on, step with it! Come on, focus! FOCUS! Get your head in the game! Throw it!" He gets to Eddie and catches the ball. "Hey, Eddie, you seen Harrison?"

"No, Coach. I don't know where he is." Eddie replied nervously.

James gives him back the ball and blows the whistle into his ear, making him yelp. "Again, let's go!"

And in the science classroom, Twilight's friends and the other scholastic ponies are studying for the decathlon, but she wasn't there.

Fluttershy looks around, feeling quite concerned. "Um, Rarity, have you seen Twilight?" She asked.

"Don't know, dear. I've barely seen her anywhere today."

Applejack groans and decides to walk out and find her. "This is gettin' ridiculous, I'm gonna find her." She said, but...

"Applejack! Please sit back down." The teacher said demandingly.

"*groan* She better be studying somewhere else..." She said softly, as she shut the door.

In the auditorium, Twilight is sewing a costume whilst Harrison is painting a set piece. They look at each other and move to the beat of the song in their heads, until Miss Sprinkle walks over and gives them a smile, and they then move to the beat again.

Back in the gym, James blows his whistle as practice is over. "That's it, guys, let's hit the showers!" He said, as the Wildponies start leaving. "Hey, great hustle. Let's see that in the game." He said to a changeling Wildpony.

As the team is leaving, Harrison shows up and Lightning shoves the ball into his stomach as he passes, disappointed. He felt bad and he gets aside his dad, who is not happy. They don't even look at each other.

"I'm gonna stay here for a while." Harrison said. "Work on some free throws."

"Well, seeing you missed practice, I think your team deserves to have a little effort from you today." James said, and he leaves the gym.

As Harrison begins bouncing the ball, Twilight appears behind him.

"Wow." She said, admiring the gym. "So this is your real stage?"

Harrison chuckles at her wording. "Yeah. I guess you could call it that, or just a smelly gym." He said. "It's where the big game will be next week."

Twilight looked up at a game banner, showing who the Wildponies will be going up against. "Canterlot High Wildponies versus Crystal High Knights?"

"That's right. They're not gonna go easy on us, though."

"I'm going up against them in the decathlon."

"Hey, I hope you win."

"I hope you win, too."

Harrison chuckles. "Wanna try and score a point?"

"Uh, can you show me how to play basketball?" Twilight asked.

"It's simple. You just gotta find your own hustle and get your head in the game." Harrison makes a perfect shot. "Just like that."

"Oh my gosh, you really are good at this." Twilight said, impressed.

Harrison gives her the ball. "Come on, let's see you try."

"Okay, here I go..." She focuses on the basket, throws the ball and nails the shot.

"Whoa! That was fantastic!" Harrison praised.

"Yeah, I think it's easier if you're more focused, right? Can you also use your magic?"

"Oh no, that's cheating." Harrison advised. "You'll be out if you use your magic or your wings. Game rule."

"Ah, all right. I've been rehearsing with Luster, by the way."

"Yeah, me too. Oh, and, um... I missed practice, so..."

"I missed studying class, too. I don't think my friends will be happy about that."

"*scoff* Yeah, my friends aren't happy either, so if I get booted off the team, then I think it should be on your conscience."

Twilight was feeling defensive. "Hey, I wasn't the one who told you to sing..."

"Twilight, chill." Harrison said playfully, then Twilight takes the ball from him with her magic, holding it up in the air. "Hey! That's cheating!" Twilight dances around. "No, no..." Twilight starts running. "Now, that really is cheating!" He runs up behind Twilight, picks her up and spins, and they both laugh.

James returns. "Miss! I'm sorry, this is a closed practice!" He said, walking up to them.

Harrison scoffs and puts Twilight down. "Dad, practice is over, come on." He reminded.

"Not till the last player leaves the gym. Team rule." James reminded back.

"Oh, sorry, sir." Twilight apologized.

"Um, Dad, this is Twilight Sparkle." Harrison introduced, and Twilight raises her hoof, hoping for a hoof-shake.

"Ah, your detention buddy." James said rudely, and Harrison felt surprised by his rudeness.

Twilight's warm smile fades as she gives the ball back to Harrison. "I'll see you later, Harrison." She said.

"You too."

"Nice meeting you, Coach Sparrow." Twilight said, and she starts leaving.

"You as well, Miss Sparkle." James said in a monotone voice, as he and Harrison wait until she exited the gym.

"Dad... detention really was my fault, not hers."

"You were in the auditorium again, were you?" James asked in disappointment.

"Yes, I was." Harrison said in a low voice.

"What were you thinking? I told you to stay out of Sprinkle's business."

"I was just helping her out, Dad."

James raises his hoof, wanting him to stop. "Son, listen... You haven't missed practice in three years. That girl shows up-"

Harrison cuts him off. "That girl's name is Twilight Sparkle. She's very beautiful."

"Well, helping you miss practice doesn't make her very beautiful! Not in my book, or your team's!"

"Twilight's not a problem, Dad, she's just a girl!" Harrison raised his voice. "And I also wanna be a guy, the way I see it!"

"But you're not just a guy, Harrison!!" James said angrily, and he sighs. "You're a playmaker." Harrison feels hurt, as he held the ball inside his elbow. "What you do… affects not only this team, but the entire school. And without you completely focused, we're not gonna win the championship this year. You're letting the Wildponies down because of your singing. The championship games; they don't come along all the time. They're something special, and now you think you are, too."

"Yeah, well, a lot of ponies and things in this school are very special, Dad, even my friends."

"But you're the team leader." James snickered. "Not a singer, right?"

"Do you maybe think I could be both?!" Harrison asked madly, and James is shocked with no answer. He drops the ball and walks away. As he leaves the gym, the rest of the Great Six have been outside the whole time, having heard everything.

"Is he serious?" Wheelburn asked Lightning in a whisper.

"No. Let's get outta here." He replied, and he and the others follow Harrison.

9. The Great Mane Plan + Heartbreaking Set-up

The next day, in the school's library, Lightning and Metalscar confront Harrison about his singing.

"I don't get it, what spell has this friendship princess cast that suddenly makes you wanna be in a boring musical that doesn't do anything with rock music?" Metalscar asked.

"Metalscar, I just did it. Who cares?" Harrison said, not wanting to talk about it.

"'Who cares'?! *scoff* Dude, I do care!"

Lightning gets ahead and stops Harrison. "How about me? Your most loyal best friend?" He said.

"Quiet in here, boys!" Miss Flower said, asking them to keep their voices low whilst they're in a library.

"It's him, Miss Flower, not us." Lightning said, feigning innocence.

"Lightning!" Harrison said annoyingly, as Miss Flower moves on.

"Look..." Lightning spins a basketball on his hoof. "You're a hoops dude, not a musical singer pony!" He gives the ball to Harrison, who sighs, and tosses it right back to Metalscar, who then throws the ball back to him. "Have you ever seen Milky Crawford on a cereal box before?"

"Don't know, who is he?" Harrison asked, as he takes a book from a shelf and walks over to a desk.

"Exactly my point!" Lightning puts the ball on the desk in a flash. "He was the 'Phantom of the Opera' on Broadway. Now, my mom has seen that musical twenty-eight times, and she also put Milky Crawford's picture in our refrigerator. Yeah, not on it, in it. So what I'm saying is, if you play basketball, you're gonna end up on a cereal box."

"Or if you sing in musicals, you're gonna end up in his mom's refrigerator." Metalscar added, and Lightning nods.

"Why would she put his picture in her refrigerator?" Harrison asked.

"One of her crazy diet ideas." Lightning answered unsurely. "Look, I-I don't attempt to understand the female mind, Harrison!" Miss Flower appears again, from the corner of a shelf, getting more cross. "It's spooky territory." They walk away as Harrison sits down at a table, and Lightning puts his ball on it. "How can you expect the rest of us to be focused on a game, if you're off somewhere in leotards singing 'Twinkle Town'?"

"No one said anything about leotards, Lightning."

"Not yet, my friend, but just you wait."

"Listen, we need you, man." Metalscar said, and he grabs Harrison's hoof. "We need our captain. Big time!"

"Mr. Metalscar..." Miss Flower said, who appears behind and once again reminds him.

Metalscar puts his hooves up. "I tried to tell him, ma'am." He said, trying to hide his guilt. "Really tried."

The Great Six minus Harrison march into the science classroom and walk up to the Mane Six minus Twilight, as Potion and Wally observe.

"Something's not right here." Potion said, as she and Wally move closer to get a better view.

"Hey, it's Harrison Sparrow's Great Six buddies!" Rainbow said. "What'cha guys doin'?"

"Ah, my lovely carrot cake!" Wheelburn said to Applejack, who giggles. "Howdy, Applejack."

"Howdy, Wheelburn." Applejack said back. "What are you guys doin' in here?"

"Hiya, Eddie!" Pinkie said. "Is Harrison taking you and your team all the way to the stars?"

"Well… about that, Pinkie. We..."

"We need to talk, it's very serious." Duramy said, holding Rarity's hoofs with worry.

"What is it?" Rarity asked.

"Harrison and Twilight..." Lightning started confessing, and Potion and Wally see them talking, though they can't hear them.

"I think they're trying to find a way to make sure Harrison and Twilight actually beat us out." Wally said. "Okay, the jocks rule most of the school, but they will also conquer the entire student body if they get Harrison into the musical."

"And the scholastic club will go from drool to cool, if those science girls get Twilight hooked up with Harrison Sparrow." Potion added. "Wally, we need to save our show from ponies who don't know the difference between a Tony Award and… Tony Ramo." She said loathingly, and she and Wally walk away.

After Lightning confessed everything to the girls, Rainbow gasps. "I knew it!" She said furiously.

Fluttershy also gasps, and she suddenly screams. "TWILIGHT'S LETTING US DOWN!!!"

Metalscar is surprised by her scream, as were everyone else. "WHOA! That was a real scream, babe!" He said.

"Sorry, I do that when things go wrong." Fluttershy said normally. "I'm mostly the quiet one."

"Without our captain, we're gonna lose the big game this week." Eddie said. "And when Crystal High beats us, we'll be French toast!"

"'French toast'?" Pinkie said. "Yummy! But now's not the time!"

"And without Twilight, Crystal High will beat us in the decathlon competition, too!" Rarity added, and he hugs Duramy. "Oh, please save me, Duramy darling! PLEASE!" She weeps.

"Hey, take it easy, Rarity!" Duramy comforted her. "Take it easy."

"What are we gonna do!?" Applejack asked in a fright. "We can't just let them keep avoidin' us like this!"

"I know, and I feel exactly the same way right now!" Wheelburn replied.

"Right, here's the plan..." Lightning said.

Many minutes later, the ponies have brought up a master plan...

"Do you guys really think that's gonna work?" Rainbow asked.

"We hope so, it's the only way to save Harrison and Twilight from themselves." Lightning said. "So we all on?"

"Yeah!" Rainbow agreed.

"Count me in!" Rarity said.

"We're with you boys on this!" Applejack said.

"Challenge accepted! We're going to SAVE THE DAY!" Pinkie said in heroic fashion.

"Cool, so we gonna start tomorrow then?" Metalscar said.

"Okay, the first thing." Fluttershy agreed.

The next day, Lightning appears from behind a statue as Rainbow arrives with a laptop and a webcam.

"So, my watch is 7:45 Eastern Standard time." Lightning said. "Are we synched?"

"Yeah, good to go." Rainbow agreed.

"Okay, at 12:05, we're on a go mode for lunch period."

"Yes, Lightning. But one more thing, we're not Cherrie's Angels, all right? I may have watched that movie, but still..." She gives Lightning the equipment, who smiles at her.

"I can dream, can't I?"

Rainbow chuckles. "Maybe you can."

"Let's hope this works."

Whilst the students head to their classrooms, Harrison is looking around the male ponies' locker room, struggling to find his teammates. He goes a bit further and finds them all gathered around a table filled with pictures and trophies.

Duramy uses his magical horn on a photo and trophy. "'Summer' Butter Netrine, class of 1986. He was the most valuable player in the league championship game." He said.

"Sun Nedler, class of 2016. Also known as 'Sunny Slamma Jamma'." Wheelburn said, and the Wildponies giggle. "Both captain and MVP of the league championship team."

"'The Thunderclap'." Metalscar said, and the team claps, except Harrison. "Happy Hadden, class of 2009. Led the Wildponies to back-to-back city championships. A legend."

"Yes, legends, one and all." Lightning agreed. "But do you think that any of these Wildpony legends became legends, by getting involved in musical auditions, just days before the league championships?"

"Get'cha head in the game!" The Wildponies said.

"No. These Wildpony legends became legends, because they never took their eye off the prize." Eddie said.

"Get'cha head in the game!" The Wildponies said again.

"Now, who was the first sophomore ever to make starting varsity?" Eddie asked the team.

"Harrison!" The Wildponies said.

"So who voted him our team captain this year?" Metalscar asked.

"We did!" The Wildponies said.

"And who's going to get their little butts kicked at Friday's championship game, if Harrison's really worried about an audition?" Lightning asked.

"We are." The Wildponies said disappointingly.

"Guys, what are you doing?" Harrison asked. "I mean, come on, there's twelve ponies on this team, not just me!"

"Just twelve?" Wheelburn said. "Oh no, Buttercup, I think you're forgettin' about one very important thirteenth member of our squad."

Duramy uses his horn on a picture of James, and gives it to Harrison.

"My dad?" Harrison said.

"Yes, Harrison." Duramy said. "Wildpony basketball champion, class of 1995. Champion, father, and now coach. It's a winning tradition like no other."

"Guys, if you don't know that I'll put 110% of my guts into that game, then you don't know me." Harrison said.

"But we just thought..." Lightning said.

"Alright, alright, I'll tell you what I thought." Harrison said. "I thought that you're my friends. We win together, we lose together, teammates. Best friends forever."

"But suddenly..." Lightning said.

A Wildpony brings the laptop up with the webcam attached.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle." Eddie said.

"And the singin'." Wheelburn said.

"Man, I'm for the team! I've always been for the team!" Harrison said. "She's just someone I met on New Year's Eve." The team is still staring at him. He scoffs and gives in. "Look, the singing thing is nothing! Probably just a way to keep my nerves down. I have no idea, but it means nothing to me! You're my guys and this is our team! Twilight and the callbacks are not important! I'll forget about her, I'll forget about the audition, and we'll go out and get that championship this Friday! Everyone happy now?!"

"There's my best friend!" Lightning said, now happy for him.

"WILDPONIES!" Duramy said.

"GET'CHA HEAD IN THE GAME!!" The Wildponies said.

The team runs out of the room, cheering.

"YEE-HAW!!!!" Wheelburn said.

"LET'S ROCK!!!" Metalscar said.

Earlier, Twilight enters the science classroom and sees her team, who were waiting for her. "Girls? What's going on?" She asked.

"From lowly Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon, to early warriors, medieval knights." Rainbow said. "All leading up to the lunkhead basketball guy, Harrison Sparrow."

Rarity shows Twilight a poster of a basketball player with Harrison's head, enlarged and superimposed on top of it.

Twilight chuckles. "Really? That looks messed up." She said.

"Or does it?" Pinkie asked. "This culture worshipped the aggressor throughout the ages." She began raising her voice. "But now, it ends up with spoiled, overpaid, bonehead athletes who contribute little to civilization other than slam dunks and touchdowns!" She screams.

"That is the inevitable world of Harrison Sparrow." Fluttershy said. "But the path of the mind, the path we're on, ours is the path that has brought us these ponies." She said warmly.

Rainbow presses a button and historical articles and pictures appear on her laptop.

"Eleanor Moosevelt, Feather Kahlo, Sandra Day O'Candy, Madame Curry, Juice Goodall, Oprah Windy and so many others who the world reveres." Rarity said.

Twilight looks confused. "Uh... you know what? I've got Luster Dawn waiting for me to rehearse, so..." She turns to leave, but...

"TWILIGHT!" The girls shouted, as Twilight returns to her seat with a scared look.

"Harrison Sparrow shows one side of evolution." Applejack said. "And our side?" She slaps various things with a pointing stick. "The side of education and accomplishment is the future of civilization. This is the side where you belong."

Twilight looks nonplussed. Rainbow switches the laptop to Harrison being recorded.

"All right, the singing thing is nothing! Probably just a way to keep my nerves down. I have no idea, but it means nothing to me! You're my guys and this is our team! Twilight and the callbacks are not important! I'll forget about her, I'll forget about the audition, and we'll go out and get that championship this Friday! Everyone happy now?!" Harrison said on the laptop.

Rainbow ends the transmission. "Behold the lunkhead basketball guy." She said, and Twilight feels hurt. "Twilight, think about it! We were so happy about the news, remember?"

Twilight sheds a tear, feeling betrayed by Harrison. "Yeah... we were." She said softly.

"Do you wanna get somethin' to eat?" Applejack said.

Twilight nods and leaves the room. She then looks out a window and sees the Wildponies throwing a celebration and chanting out 'Harrison', where Harrison is in the middle of it all. Heartbroken, Twilight walks around the school, thinking that what Harrison is wasn't true at all. She then goes over to her locker, as Harrison, unaware that she knows what he said, makes his way over to her.

"Hey, how are you doing?" Harrison asked, but Twilight is silent. "Listen, there's something I wanna talk to you about…"

Twilight turns to face him. "And here it is. I know what it's like to carry a load with your friends, and I get it." She said. "You've got your guys now, Harrison, so we're good."

"Good about what?" Harrison asked in confusion. "I was gonna talk to you about the final callbacks."

"I'm not doing them either." Twilight said, leaving Harrison a bit stunned.

"What...?"

"Who are we kidding? I've got my team and you've got yours, so you'll win the championship and I'll do the decathlon. It's best for both of us."

"But..."

Twilight takes out her copy of their song and gives it Harrison. "Go, Wildponies."

"But, I-" Harrison tried to speak.

"Me neither..." Twilight said, as she walks away.

"Twilight!" Harrison calls out.

"WILDPONIES!" A cheerleader yelled, running past Harrison, who now realizes what his friends did to him.

At a basketball court outside the school, Lightning calls to Harrison as he passes.

"Hey, Captain!" He said, as he tries to give Harrison the basketball he's carrying. But Harrison refuses, knowing about their scheme, and flies away.

"Hey, is he all right?" Wheelburn asked.

"Don't worry about it."

Back at Harrison's house, James walks out onto the porch to watch Harrison, who is shooting some hoops. Harrison misses with the first ball, and he groans. He tries again with the second ball, but he misses again. He even misses again with the third ball, and he angrily catches the ball and throws it against the side gate. He lays down on the floor in tears, feeling he's completely lost his concentration. James walks back inside the house, feeling helpless. At Twilight's house, she is standing on her balcony in deep thought.

10. Failed Friendships + The Next Right Thing

The next day, at the school's cafeteria, the rest of the Mane Six see Twilight.

"Hey, Twilight! Over here!" Fluttershy called out.

Harrison approaches Twilight and tries to say something, but Twilight leaves before Harrison can get anything out.

"Hey! Harrison!" Lightning called out.

"Over here, Captain!" Eddie called out, but Harrison storms off up the stairs and out of their sight. "What?" Eddie said.

Lightning and Rainbow have seen this, and they both get up, realizing what they've done wrong.

"Were they...?" Rainbow asked.

"What have we done?" Lightning said, saddened with guilt.

Pinkie gasps in heartbreak, knowing that their plan has made things worse. The rest of the Great Six and Mane Six look at each other and hold hooves together, agreeing to try and get Harrison and Twilight back to what they were.

At the science club roof, Harrison was in tears as he sat on the bench, as the rest of the Great Six arrive.

"Hey, buddy." Lightning said. "Um... we just had another team meeting."

"Meeting!?" Harrison said angrily. "How could you guys trick me!?"

"We're so sorry..." Lightning said sadly.

"We didn't know you and Twilight were in love with each other." Wheelburn said.

"We had a team meeting about how we haven't been acting like a team yesterday." Duramy said.

"He means us, not you." Lightning stated. "Look, about the singing thing..."

"No..." Harrison said, and he sniffles. "I don't wanna talk about it anymore..."

"We just want you to know that we're gonna be there, man, okay? Cheering for you." Metalscar said.

"What...?" Harrison whimpered gently.

"Harrison, the truth is, if singin' is somethin' you really wanna do, we should be supportin' you, not lettin' you down." Wheelburn said.

"Yeah, win or lose, we're teammates." Lightning reminded on what his friend said to him yesterday. "Best friends forever, okay? That's what we're about, even if you turn out to be the worst singer in the world."

"We don't even know that because we haven't actually heard you sing yet." Duramy said.

"And you're not gonna hear me sing, guys… because you ruined everything." Harrison said. "And now… Twilight won't talk to me…"

Lightning sighs, and Eddie brings out two chocolate cookies from his lunch bag.

"Here, I baked these fresh today." He said. "You should probably try one before we tell you how we did it."

At the science classroom, the rest of the Mane Six, filled with guilt, walk up to Twilight.

"Hi, guys." Twilight said. "What is it?"

"Twilight, we were jerks yesterday." Rainbow said. "No, actually, we were worse than that because... we were horrible."

"We thought Harrison and the whole singing thing was killing our chances of winning the decathlon competition." Fluttershy said.

"I heard what he said." Twilight said, not wanting to hear it. "I'm back on your team now. Done."

"No, not done." Pinkie said. "We knew that Lightning and the others could get Harrison to say those things to make you want to forget about the callbacks."

"We planned it, and... we're sorry." Applejack said.

"No one forced Harrison to say those words, and it's okay." Twilight said, and her friends felt surprised. "We need to be getting ready for the decathlon now, so we should move on."

"No, you're wrong!" Applejack said frustratingly. "*sigh* Rarity..."

"Twilight, darling... the decathlon is whatever." Rarity said. "But how you feel about us, and, maybe even more, Harrison... that's what really matters."

"We used you, Twilight." Pinkie said.

"Yeah, we set you up." Rainbow said.

Twilight was having none of it. "I don't believe you." She said, and she continued doing her work, writing on the chalkboard.

"We tried..." Pinkie said in a low voice, as they gave up.

Many minutes later, in a hallway, Harrison walks up to Twilight's friends. "Girls!" He called out.

"Harrison?" Pinkie said, and she sighs. "Look, we're really sorry about yesterday..."

"Never mind that now, Pinkie. Where's Twilight?"

"She went back home, Harrison." Rainbow said.

"What?"

"She walked out of the school and flew away after class ended."

"We tried to tell her about setting you up, but she didn't believe us." Pinkie said.

"And we even tried to call her, but she wouldn't answer her phone." Applejack said.

"Well, you should all be ashamed of yourselves." Harrison said, still not happy.

"We're very sorry. It's all our fault..." Fluttershy said.

"You and Twilight deserve to be together, dear." Rarity said. "We just didn't see that till now."

"Okay, I accept your apologies." Harrison said. "Now I have to do something..." He walks away.

In the evening, Harrison flies to Twilight's house and lands at the front door. He rings the doorbell, and Twilight Velvet opens the door.

"Hi, Ms Velvet. I'm Harrison Sparrow." Harrison said.

"Harrison? Nice to meet you!" Twilight said. "I heard about you lately."

"Is Twilight there? I wanna speak to her."

Twilight looks up at Spike, who shakes his head in disagreement. "Um, she's kinda busy with homework and such, so now's not really a good time."

"Please, I made a horrible mistake, and I would really want Twilight to know that." Harrison begged. "Could you tell her that I came by to see her?"

"I will." Twilight said, smiling. "Good night, Harrison."

"Thank you. Good night." Harrison said, as Twilight closes the door. He sighs, knowing that it's no use, but suddenly, magic appears and swirls around him. The magic teleports him to a mysterious place! "Where am I?"

"Hello, Harrison." A voice said.

Harrison turns around and sees that it is none other than Princess Celestia! "Princess Celestia?"

"It's so lovely to meet you." Celestia said.

"Hey! You too!" Harrison said, completely surprised, and he shakes her hoof. "Twilight told me about you!"

Celestia giggled. "Just not everything."

"But I heard that you were her mentor."

"Of course I was, when she was only a unicorn." Celestia said.

"And how she ruled over Equestria, many, many years ago." Luna said, as she gets aside Celestia.

"Princess Luna?!" Harrison said, even more surprised.

"This is my younger sister." Celestia said.

"Nice to meet you, Harrison." Luna said.

"Hi, you too!" Harrison said, and he also shakes her hoof. "Uh, what is this place?"

"Oh, this is where we watch over everypony and see how they're all doing." Luna said. "It might seem a little mysterious to you."

"Very mysterious... and interesting."

"*giggle* You know, Harrison, when I first met Twilight, I told her that she needed to make some friends. Nothing more." Celestia said.

"You did?"

"Absolutely. And we heard you made some friends, too."

"Yeah, they're Lightning Bolt, Eddie Filo, Wheelburn, Metalscar and Duramy. We're the Great Six."

"Was Wheelburn raised at a barn? Like Applejack was?" Luna asked.

"I would say so."

"But we also heard you were having a lot of trouble with them lately." Celestia said.

"Really?" Harrison said.

"Yes. As princesses, we have the power to feel what certain ponies have been through. So what happened to you?" She asked.

"*sigh* I started a relationship with Twilight, ever since we met at the lodge in New Year's Eve." Harrison said.

"Really?! That's wonderful!" Luna said.

"Luna..." Celestia said.

"Before that, we auditioned for my school's winter musicale and got a callback." Harrison said. "But my friends weren't happy with me. So yesterday, they wanted me to forget about everything and focus on winning the championship this Friday. I told them not to worry… but they set me up. Twilight's friends sent my words right to her, just to make me break her heart." Luna and Celestia gasp, and he tears up. "Then they've realised what they've done wrong. They didn't know I loved her."

"Oh, Harrison..." Celestia said, and she and Luna hug him.

"We're so sorry that happened to you..." Luna said.

"I swear, I didn't mean any of it." Harrison said. "Now, Twilight won't do the callbacks with me. I don't know what to do…"

"I think you need to fix what they've done wrong." Luna said.

Harrison sniffles. "How do I do that?" He asked. "I tried everything."

"Well, maybe you didn't try hard enough. You might not be a prince, Harrison, but that doesn't mean you aren't strong enough. So what you need to do… is never give up, so you can do the next right thing." Celestia said.

Celestia and Luna sing a song together with Harrison to cheer him up.

"Now you need to talk to Twilight on your phone, and tell her that you really mean to do the callbacks with her." Celestia said. "Only you can do it, Harrison."

"I will. But, will I ever get to see you again?" Harrison asked.

"Of course. Anytime." Luna said. "We'll always be here, whenever you need us."

"Hey, I… I hope you'll find your way back to Ponyville. Twilight misses you, and I think she needs you more."

Celestia and Luna look at each other for a moment and agree.

"I think she really does." Celestia nodded.

Harrison smiles. "Thank you, Celestia. And you too, Luna."

"You're welcome, Harrison." Luna said.

"And by the way… good luck in the championships." Celestia said.

"Get'cha head in the game, Wildpony." Luna said.

Harrison chuckles. "I won't let you down." He said. "I will make you proud, I promise."

"We know you will." Celestia said.

The magic appears and teleports Harrison back to Ponyville. "Do the next right thing." He reminded himself.

Twilight is studying for the decathlon in her bedroom with Spike aside her as her phone rings.

"Your phone's dialing, Twilight." Spike said. "Do you want me to get it?"

"Yes please, Spike."

Spike answers Twilight's phone whilst walking out of her room. "Hello? This is Spike."

"Spike? Hi, I'm Harrison Sparrow. You must be Twilight's best friend, right?"

"Uh, yeah. Nice to meet you, Harrison. Are you Twilight's new friend?"

"Of course I am. Where is she? I wanna talk to her."

"She's in her room right now, but I don't think she wants to speak with you. She's still upset because of what you said the other day. It hit her really hard."

"Spike, please. I was set up by my friends. Could you please put her on? I wanna say I'm sorry."

Spike sighs and returns to Twilight's room. "Twilight? I... think this is for you."

"*sigh* Okay." She said, and she takes her phone. "Hello?"

"Listen, what you heard yesterday, none of that is true." Harrison said. "My friends were still riding me about singing with you, so I got really angry and said things I knew would shut them up. I didn't mean any of it, and I never wanted to hurt you."

"You sounded pretty convincing to me." Twilight said, still feeling sad.

"Twilight, the guy you met on New Year's Eve is way more me than the guy who said those stupid horrible things."

"Harrison, the singing thing is making the entire school whack. You said so yourself. Everyone's treating you differently because of it."

"Well, that's because I don't wanna only be the basketball guy. They can't handle it. It's their problem, not mine."

"But what about your dad?"

"And it's not about my dad. This is about how I feel, and I'm not letting my friends down. They set me up, and they let me down. So I'm gonna sing. What about you?"

"I don't know, Harrison..."

"Well, you need to say 'yes' , Twilight, because I really don't wanna throw it away. And I brought you something."

"What do you mean?"

"Turn around." Harrison said, and he hangs up.

Spike turns around and gasps. "Twilight!" He said.

Twilight turns and sees Harrison on her balcony. She goes to the door and opens it. Harrison sings the chorus of the first song they sang together in acapella, and Twilight's parents see him in surprise after entering her room. Night Light tried to intervene, but Velvet stopped him and signaled him to not even say a word, and Spike felt impressed by Harrison's singing.

Harrison holds up Twilight's copy of their song. "It's a pairs audition." He said, and Twilight takes it back, smiling tearfully.

"Harrison..." She said, and they hug in reconciliation.

"Can I join in?" Spike asked, and he joins Harrison and Twilight for a group hug, as Twilight's parents smile lovingly.

11. The Famous Twelve

The next day, in the gym, Harrison is on fire! He moves around the court and passes the ball a few times till it gets back to him, and he makes a perfect basket.

"WHOO!!" James cheered.

"YEAH!!!" Harrison shouted.

Twilight is helping out her friends in the science classroom.

"Zn4, and by doing that, you end up with two... and two." Twilight said. "Got it?"

"YES!" Pinkie said, and she and Rainbow hoof-bump.

After basketball practice was over, Harrison is getting ready to leave the locker room.

"What's happening, man?" A Wildpony asked.

Before he leaves, Harrison spreads out his wings and does a pose in front of a mirror, and he races out of the room.

Back in the science classroom, Twilight shows her team a chemistry experiment.

"Guys, right over here. Go ahead and put five grams of this in." Twilight said, as she points to a substance on the table. "And that causes it to change from an acidic state, causing the color to change from pink to blue. Just like those pH test strips."

"Wait, Pinkie to Rainbow?" Pinkie said, and the team laughs.

Twilight looks at the clock on the wall. "Oh, I gotta go. See you guys later!" She said.

"Good luck, Twilight!" Rainbow said.

"Have fun, darling!" Rarity said.

Twilight takes off her apron and goggles. She hangs them up before leaving.

Harrison comes down a hallway. He stops and checks his watch on his wrist, just as Twilight comes up behind him.

"Whoa! You're late!" Harrison said.

"So are you!" Twilight said. "Come on!"

They run off in the direction Harrison came from.

In the music classroom, Harrison and Twilight are rehearsing their song as Luster plays the piano. Just as they're doing that, Potion and Wally strut by and they hear them singing. Potion gasps.

"Wow. They sound really good." Wally said.

Potion scoffs, as she goes to the window in the classroom door and watches Harrison and Twilight rehearsing. "We have to do something." She said, and she faces Wally. "Okay, our callback's on Thursday and the scholastic decathlon and the basketball game are on Friday." She then comes up with an idea. "Too bad all these events were not happening on the same day... at the same time."

"No, wait a minute, that'll not work out, because Harrison and Twilight might not be able to..." Wally said, but Potion stops him and he then realizes. "I'm so proud that you're my sister."

"I know." Potion said, smiling.

In the auditorium, Luster is working on some music as Miss Sprinkle, Potion, and Wally enter. Luster hides behind the piano.

"I don't want to hear anything about Harrison Sparrow and that Sparkle princess." Miss Sprinkle said. "So, if you're telling me as co-presidents of the drama club that changing the callbacks would be what's best for our theater program, then I might actually agree with you." She looks around before walking off.

"Is that a 'yes'?" Wally asked Potion, who winks in confirmation.

Potion starts singing the chorus of her own song whilst leaving. Luster sighs in defeat.

Luster is staring at a sign on the callback sheet as Harrison, Twilight, and their friends arrive.

"No problem at all, it was crazy, man." Lightning said.

Harrison looks at Luster. "Luster? Are you all right?" He said.

"Guys, you need to see this." Luster said.

The ponies look at the sign saying "CALLBACK AUDITIONS RESCHEDULED TO FRIDAY BEGINNING AT 3:30 PM".

"Callbacks the same time as the game?!" Harrison said.

"And the scholastic decathlon!" Twilight said.

The others gasp.

"Why would they do that!?" Rainbow asked.

"Uh-oh, I smell a rat named Sprinkle, babe." Metalscar said to Fluttershy.

"Metalscar, you don't know that." Fluttershy said.

"I actually think it's two rats, neither of them named Sprinkle." Luster said.

"Do you know something about this, Luster?" Twilight asked.

"Miss Sprinkle might think that she's protecting the show, but Wally and Potion are pretty much only concerned with protecting themselves." Luster said.

"Potion and Wally!" Harrison and Twilight said.

"Do you know what I'm gonna do to those TWO OVER-MOOSED SHOW DOGS!!?" Pinkie said angrily.

"I'm doing EXACTLY WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING TOO, PINKIE!" Eddie said.

"Guys, calm down!" Twilight said. "Harrison, any bright ideas?"

"We're not gonna do anything to them. Except to sing, maybe." Harrison said. "But I do have an idea, and it is crazy."

"'Crazy'? I think I know what you're talkin' about!" Wheelburn said.

"Don't we all, Wheelburn?" Applejack said.

"Hey, Spike!" Harrison called out.

Spike arrives. "Yes, Harrison?" He said.

"How good are you with computers?" Harrison asked.

"I think my skills are quite sharp, not to brag." Spike said. "What do you want me to do?"

"I need you to hack into the system on Rainbow's laptop and shorten the power on both the scoreboard and lights whilst the game is on play." Harrison said.

"Wait, won't that get me into trouble?" Spike asked.

"Not if you stay out of sight whilst doing it." Harrison said.

"Hey, I actually like your style! High five!" Spike said, as he high fives with Harrison.

"Can you also release a foul odor in the middle of the decathlon?" Twilight asked.

"No problem, Twilight, I got your back." Spike said.

Rarity feels shocked. "What?! You're telling Spike to BLOW US UP?!" She said.

"No, Rarity, I know what I'm doing." Twilight said.

"Oh, I hope you're right." Rarity said.

"All right, this is only gonna happen if we all work together. As a super group." Harrison said.

"A super group?" Lightning said.

"Why not?" Harrison said.

"You sure you want us to work together?" Fluttershy said.

"It's the only way to make it to the callbacks." Harrison said. "We… are the Famous Twelve, now."

"The Famous Twelve?" Applejack said.

"All of us?" Wheelburn said.

"All of us." Harrison said. "The Great Six and Mane Six together as one. And one more thing... Spike and Luster Dawn can be our mascots."

"Aww, that's so cute!" Luster said.

"Famous Twelve? I actually like that name, bro." Duramy said.

Harrison holds out his hoof. "Now who's in?" He said.

"I'm with you, tiger." Twilight said, as she puts her hoof over Harrison's.

"I like your style, buddy." Lightning said, and he puts his hoof over Twilight's.

"Come on, girls! Dig in!" Rainbow said, and she puts her hoof over Lightning's.

Everyone else places their hooves.

"Great Six!" Harrison said.

"Mane Six!" Twilight said.

"Famous Twelve!" Harrison and Twilight said.

"FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC!!!" Everyone said together, and they throw their hooves up in the air.

The next day, the Great Six minus Eddie enter the science classroom. They run around behind the Mane Six minus Pinkie and cover their eyes, as Eddie and Pinkie bring over a pie.

"Behold... a pi pie!" Eddie and Pinkie said.

The rest of the Great Six remove their hooves, as the rest of the Mane Six gasp when they see the pie.

"Wow!" Twilight said.

"Oh, goodness!" Rarity said.

"Oh my gosh!" Rainbow said.

"What? Aw, thank you!" Applejack said. "Oh, we have somethin' for you, too."

"Yeah, come here, look." Fluttershy said.

They walk over to a marker board that is filled with a large equation and a little diagram of a basketball player about to shoot the ball.

"TA-DA!" The Mane Six said.

"Oh... it's just an equation." Harrison said.

The Mane Six giggle as they turn the board over to reveal a poster of a large Wildpony making a basket with the words "GO! Wildpony Hoopsters" next to it.

"OH! That's awful." The Great Six said jokingly.

As they stand appraising the image, the Mane Six begin bombarding the Great Six with plush basketballs, and they all laugh.

Later on, the Great Six exit the classroom as Lightning brings Wally and Potion over. Miss Sprinkle arrives to see the presentation.

"Stay right here. Watch." Lightning said to Potion.

"From our team, to yours." Harrison said.

The Wildponies are in a formation in the hallway. Under their windbreakers, they each have a letter printed on their shirts.

"G - O - D - R - A - M - A - C - L - U - B" The Wildponies said, one by one.

"EXCLAMATION POINT!" Harrison said.

"Well, seems we Wildponies are in for an interesting afternoon." Miss Sprinkle said.

Behind her, the Mane Six have gathered to watch the Wildponies' little presentation until Miss Sprinkle turns around.

"Go!" Rainbow said, as she and her friends get back into the classroom.

Potion seems pleased with the Wildponies' offering.

"G-O-D... dra... Go dra... Go dray..." Wally said, struggling to say the words on the Wildponies' shirts. Potion feels annoyed by this. "Drame?"

12. The Final Callbacks

As the school bell rings, students from every classroom head to the Wildponies game. The gym is filled up with spectators as the cheerleaders do a routine.

Twilight and her team are getting ready for the decathlon.

"You nervous, Pinkie?" Twilight asked.

"What, me? Nervous?!" Pinkie said. "Never!"

"Oh, now you've asked her the same question!" Applejack said, giggling.

"I hope all of our studying will pay off." Fluttershy said.

"Guys, listen." Twilight said. "No matter what will happen, we're all in this together, as long as we stay together. You're my family."

"Always." Rainbow said, nodding.

"Hey, Twilight! Over here!" Cadance said, as she, Shining Armor and Flurry Heart arrive.

"Cadance!" Twilight said, as she runs up to her and gives her a hug. "I didn't expect you guys to be here!"

"Well, we just wanted to come here and watch over you, little Twily." Shining Armor said. "It's gonna be a hard day for you, you know that?"

"Yeah, I do." Twilight said.

"But I really think you'll win the decathlon." Cadance said. "Just make sure you and your friends stay focused."

"Thanks, guys." Twilight said. "You know, I'm actually glad you're all here."

"Don't go easy on them, Twilight." Flurry said. "Kick their butts for us!"

Twilight chuckles. "I'll do my best, Flurry." She said.

"Good luck!" Flurry said, as she, Cadance and Shining Armor head to their seats.

"Well, that was quite a surprise, dear." Rarity said.

"Yeah, it really was." Twilight said.

In the locker room, James goes to have a word with Harrison.

"How are you feeling?" James asked.

"Nervous." Harrison said.

"Yeah, me too." James said. "I wish I could suit up and play alongside you."

"Hey, you had your turn." Harrison said.

"Um, may I ask you something real quick?" James said.

"Yeah." Harrison said.

"About this... Twilight girl." James said. "How happy does she make you look?"

"A lot." Harrison said. "And you know what else, Dad? She's even the Princess of Friendship."

"A princess?" James said in surprise. "Wow. I didn't recognize her wings. Anyway, you know what I want from you today?"

"The championship." Harrison said.

"Well, that'll come, or it won't." James said. "What I want is for you to have fun. And, yeah, I know all about the pressure, but... probably too much of it has come from me. What I really want is to see my son having the time of his life, playing the game we both love. If you give me that, I will go to bed happy, no matter how the score comes out. All right?"

"Thanks, Dad." Harrison said, smiling.

James leaves Harrison to finish suiting up for the game.

At the decathlon, the spectators take their seats as the team members arrive.

"Welcome to the tenth annual Scholastic Decathlon. The Canterlot High Wildponies versus the Crystal High Knights." The announcer said.

The crowd applauds and the team members shake hooves.

"Go, Twilight!" Flurry said.

In the auditorium, the callback auditions are about to start.

"Oh, hello! Right here, this way." Miss Sprinkle said to some ponies entering the auditorium.

Luster opens the piano and practices her song. Potion and Wally are doing their bizarre pre-show ritual in the dressing room.

"Mah, mah, mah!" Potion and Wally said.

"Eeh! Eeh!" Potion said.

"Ow! Ow!" Wally said.

"Stop!" Potion said, as she falls in front of Wally, who catches her. She gets up and puts her hooves on Wally’s shoulders.

"Do you trust me?" Wally said.

"I do." Potion said.

"Energy." Wally said.

The Wildponies leave the locker room and race to the gym.

"WHOO!" The team said.

"COME ON, LET'S DO THIS!" Harrison said.

"And now introducing your Canterlot High Wildponies!" The announcer said, as the Wildponies run onto the court, causing the crowd to cheer. "For this championship game between Canterlot High and Crystal High!"

The Wildponies throw some balls through the hoop.

The decathlon is about to start. Twilight heads her team.

"Good luck, Twilight." Pinkie said.

"I got this, guys." Twilight said.

The decathlon begins. Twilight and her opponent begin writing an equation on their markerboards.

Miss Sprinkle gives her speech in the auditorium.

"Casting the leads of a show is both a challenge and a responsibility. A joy and a burden." Miss Sprinkle said. "I commend you and all other new rising stars to hold out for the moon, the sun, and the stars." Luster and the assistant applaud. "Shall we soar together?" She holds out her hoof, which Luster takes as the assistant takes a picture of her. "Potion and Wally!"

"Come on, Spike..." Luster said softly.

Wally and Potion begin their song.

At the gym, James and the Wildponies have gathered to get ready for the game.

"WILDPONIES!!" They all said.

"We present to you all the coveted championship trophy!" The announcer said. "Only one team will take it away, but who will come out on top?"

The team shakes hooves with the Crystal High players.

"You ready for this, buddy?" Harrison said.

"Let's do this!" Lightning said.

The referee throws the ball in the air as the game begins. Harrison immediately takes the ball.

"Canterlot High wins the opening tip, pushing the ball up the court!" The announcer said.

In the decathlon, Twilight fills her markerboard with the equation, finishing first, and she presses the buzzer. The judge walks over to check the work and gives the point to Twilight.

"Canterlot High!" The announcer said.

The audience cheers.

"WE DID IT!!" Pinkie said.

"WHOOOO!!!" Flurry cheered.

"Hey, don't feel bad." Twilight said to her opponent. "You did a great job!"

"Thank you." The Crystal High member said, shaking Twilight's hoof.

The Mane Six check the clock.

Spike is hiding in a dark room, as he gets a call from Rainbow.

"Spike, you're clear for take-off." Rainbow said on the headset.

Spike uses Rainbow's laptop. "All right, Wildponies, time for an orderly exit from the gym." He said, and he transmits a message.

Back in the gym, whilst the game is still going on...

"And Crystal High pushes the ball around the perimeter on the offensive end!" The announcer said. "What a fantastic move by Crystal High! Driving the lane... shot is up and..."

The scoreboard and the lights start shorting out, and the game buzzer goes off.

"Uh, we seem to be experiencing some technical difficulties." The announcer said.

"Oh no-no-no-no-no!" The referee said, and he blows his whistle, signaling a timeout.

"We've got a timeout on the court here." The announcer said.

"We have a problem!" The referee shouted. "Stop the game! STOP THE GAME!"

"Referee has signaled timeout." The announcer said.

Lightning runs up to Harrison.

"It's Spike! He did it!" Harrison said.

"Now's your chance! Go-go-go!" Lightning said. "We'll see you there!"

Harrison runs out of the gym as James watches.

"Everyone please remain calm!" The announcer said.

"Well, shorting the power in the gym was the easy part." Spike said. "Hang on, Twilight. Spike to the rescue!" He sends a signal on the laptop.

At the decathlon, a beaker is filled up with blue liquid, and the Bunsen burner starts heating it up. Twilight and her team notice this, and within seconds, the liquid starts bubbling, releasing an extremely stinky odor.

"Go, go, go, go!" Rarity said, covering her mouth.

Twilight and her team run out of the room, and the spectators quickly leave their seats.

Twilight coughs. "Thank you, Spike." She said, and she runs off to the auditorium.

Back in the gym, the principal gives out his speech.

"We'll get this figured out real soon." The principal said. "In the meantime, per safety regulations, we need to all make an orderly exit from the gym, please."

The Wildponies leave and head to the auditorium.

Potion and Wally finish performing their song, and the small audience cheers.

Potion takes a bow with Wally. "Oh, hi! Call me!" She said to an audience member.

Wally takes off his fedora and throws it into the audience.

Miss Sprinkle walks onto the stage with her assistant and Luster. "Do you see why we love the theater, ponies?" She said. "Well done!" She said to Wally and Potion. "Ah, Harrison Sparrow, Twilight Sparkle." There was no response. "Harrison? Twilight?"

"They'll be here." Luster said frantically.

"The theater, as I have often pointed out, waits for no one. I'm sorry." Miss Sprinkle said. Luster makes a face and runs off the stage. "Well, we are done here. Congratulations to all. The cast list will be posted."

"WAIT!!" Harrison yelled, as he and Twilight fly straight in. "Miss Sprinkle, stop! We’re here, we can sing!"

"I called you two out, twice." Miss Sprinkle said.

"Please don't do this!" Twilight said. "We're ready!"

"Rules are rules!" Miss Sprinkle said.

As the small audience gets up to leave, the rest of the school pours into the auditorium.

"We'll be happy to do it again for our fellow students, Miss Sprinkle." Potion said.

Miss Sprinkle is searching for an excuse. "I don't know what's going on here, but in any event, we don't have pianist and it's far too late!" She said.

"Well, that's show biz." Wally said smugly.

"Then we'll sing without a piano." Harrison said.

Luster runs up behind him. "Oh no, you won't!" She said. "Not on my watch. Pianist here, Miss Sprinkle."

"You really don't wanna do that!" Potion said threatingly.

Potion feels unafraid and stands up to her. "Oh yes, I really do, cheater." She said. "Ready on stage!" She runs to the piano.

Potion gasps in shock.

"Now that's show biz!" Miss Sprinkle said, impressed.

Potion growls in anger and runs off the stage. Harrison gives Twilight a headset and nods to Luster, who begins playing the intro to their song. However, Twilight is frozen. Harrison sees this and motions for Luster to stop.

"Twilight, are you okay?" Harrison said.

"I can't do it, Harrison, not with all those ponies staring at me." Twilight panicked, as she tries to walk away, but Harrison grabs her hoof.

"Hey, hey-hey-hey! Right, look at me. Right at me." Harrison said, and Twilight looks at him. "It'll be like the first time we sang together, on New Year’s Eve, remember?" Twilight nods. "We got this together, okay?" He once again motions Luster to start playing. This time, the backdrop comes down.

Regaining her confidence, Twilight and Harrison sing their song perfectly, and they even fly together! Once they land whilst holding hooves, the song ends, and the auditorium erupts with applause and cheering.

"WHOOO!!!!" Rainbow cheered.

"YEE-HAW!!!" Applejack and Wheelburn cheered.

"GO HARRISON!!!" Lightning cheered.

"YAAAAAAY!!!!!" Pinkie cheered.

Harrison and Twilight hug, and James smiles. Luster bows to the audience.

Back in the gym, the championship is back up and running.

"And Crystal High pushing the ball." The announcer said. "Fast break. Looking for an open man." Harrison steals the ball. "Oh, but it's stolen by number sixteen, heading back the other way! Canterlot High has the ball! Time is running down on the clock! Looking for an open man. Fake. Swing to the outside. Ball on the perimeter. Look for a man on the inside. Nice screen. Shot's up!" Harrison nails the shot. "And it's good! A twelve-foot jump shot as time expires for the victory! Canterlot High has won the championship! Your Canterlot High Wildponies are champions! Congratulations, Canterlot High!"

The Mane Six loudly cheer.

"Harrison! Harrison! Harrison!" The crowd chanted.

James receives the championship trophy.

"Congratulations." The male league pony said.

"Thanks." James said, as he brings the trophy over to the Wildponies and gives it to Harrison.

The team lifts Harrison on their shoulders.

"WHAT TEAM!?" Metalscar yelled.

"WILDPONIES!!!"

"WHAT TEAM!?"

"WILDPONIES!!!"

"WHAT TEAM!?"

"WILDPONIES!!!"

"WILDPONIES!!!" Metalscar yelled.

"GET'CHA HEAD IN THE GAME!!!"

"OH YEAH, BRO!" Duramy said.

James hugs Harrison. "I'm proud of you, son!" He said.

"Aw, thanks, Dad!" Harrison said.

Miss Sprinkle comes up from behind James. "Bravo!" She said.

"Brava!" James said, and they laugh.

Twilight runs up behind Harrison and hugs him. "Harrison!" She said happily.

"Twilight! Hey!" Harrison said.

"Congratulations, Wildpony!" Twilight said.

"What about your team?" Harrison said.

"We won, too!" Twilight said.

Harrison gasps. "NO WAY!" He said, and he gives her a twirl hug. "I'm very proud of you!"

"Yo! Team voted you the game ball, Captain!" Lightning said.

Harrison chuckles. "Thank you, best friend." He said. "That means a lot."

As soon as Lightning walks away, Potion and Wally come over.

"Well, congratulations." Potion said. "I guess I'm going to be the understudy in case neither of you can't make one of the shows, so... break a hoof."

Harrison and Twilight don't understand.

Wally giggles. "In theatre, it means 'good luck'." He said.

They share a laugh, and Potion and Wally leave.

"Hey, Luster!" Harrison called out, and he gives Luster a basketball. "Here’s your game ball! You deserve it, playmaker."

"Thank you, Harrison!" Luster said. "Uh, Spike? I don’t know what to do with this ball."

"Come on, it’s just like basketball!" Spike said. "Throw it through that hoop!"

Spike guides Luster’s hooves, and together, they nail the shot.

"Well, my little pony… let’s go home." Harrison said to Twilight, smiling.

13. Never Ending Story

The school buses arrive back at Ponyville, and the Mane Six and Great Six get out, along with Luster and Spike.

"Twilight!" Her mother called out.

"MOM! DAD!" Twilight said, as she runs to them and they hug.

"So, how did it go?" Night Light asked.

"We've won!"

"Oh, I'm so proud of you!" Twilight Velvet said.

"Thank you, Mom."

"Oh, and we have a little surprise for you." Night Light said.

"Surprise?" Twilight said.

They walk over and see Celestia and Luna, who have returned!

"They came back." Twilight Velvet said.

"Celestia? Luna?" Twilight said, and she walks to them closely.

"Twilight!" Celestia said.

"Is it really you?" Twilight said, about to cry.

"Yes, it is." Celestia said, as Twilight began crying and hugged her and Luna tightly. "We missed you so much."

"Oh, Twilight!" Luna said, also crying. "WHY ARE WE CRYING!?"

Celestia giggles. "Oh, sister..." She said.

"I missed you guys so much, too." Twilight said. "Why’d you come back?"

"It was all Harrison's idea." Celestia said.

"Harrison? You met him?"

"That's right." Harrison said, smiling as he walks up to them. "Welcome home." He gives them a royal bow.

"Thank you so much, Harrison." Celestia said. "We're happy to be back."

"Oh, and did you win the championships?" Luna asked.

"Right at the last moment, I did!" Harrison said.

"Ah, congratulations!" Luna said. "GO WILDPONIES!"

Harrison laughs at that. "Thank you."

"You said you would make us proud, and you did." Celestia said.

"CELESTIA! LUNA!" Rainbow called out, as she and the others run up to them.

"Girls!" Celestia said.

They all have a big group hug.

"You're back!" Spike said.

"Oh, we missed you!" Pinkie said.

Celestia laughs. "Now this is a real family reunion." She said.

"I love happy endings..." Luna said.

"You all right now?" Harrison said to Twilight.

Twilight sniffles. "Never better." She said. "I can't believe you met them."

"Well, I told them you missed them, so..." Harrison said, and Twilight hugs him.

"I love you." She said.

Harrison hugs her back. "I love you more." He said, and they kiss.

Nearby, Lightning walks up to Rainbow. "Hey, Rainbow. Or, Rainbow Dash?" He said. "So... you're going with me to the after-party, right?"

Rainbow felt surprised. "Like on a date?!" She said happily.

"Well, it must be your lucky day!"

"Oh, Lightning!" Rainbow said, and they hug. "I'm so happy, I love you already! Can we also race together?"

"Totally awesome! You're on!"

"Uh, Pinkie?" Eddie said. "I brought you something that might star-up your eyes." He brings down a drone that’s carrying a pink pie, baked for Pinkie.

"*gasp* Eddie, you baked and named a pie after me?!" She said.

"It’s for your victory in the decathlon. So, you like it?"

Pinkie smells the pie. "Ah, I LOVE IT!" She shouted, and she hugs Eddie. "And I love you!"

"Aww..." Eddie hugged her back. "I can definitely get used to this."

"Hey, Applejack." Wheelburn said. "So do you want me to help ya out at Sweet Apple Acres sometime?"

"I think my delicious food trees would love a helpin’ hoof by you." Applejack said. "Say, can we sing together whilst we’re on the job?"

"Sure! I'd love to." Wheelburn said, and they smile lovingly at each other.

"Fluttershy? Uh… this might sound a lot, but do you wanna rock the world together with me?" Metalscar said.

"What do you mean, Metalscar?" Fluttershy asked.

"I-I meant, do you wanna hang out with me? Take care of your animal pets together? I promise I won’t bite ‘em."

"You want me to go out on a date? With you?" She said, and Metalscar nods. "Oh, I would really love to."

Metalscar gives her an elbow cuddle. "Yeah, me too, babe. Me too."

"Rarity, I… I saw all of your designs online yesterday, and I'll be honest, I really love the way you decorate them, so…" Duramy said.

"Aw, thank you, Duramy darling, that’s so sweet of you." Rarity said lovingly.

"So, can I ask you out?"

"Ask me out? On a date?! Of course you can, dear!" She said happily, and she gave him a huge kiss.

"Whoa! Looks like all our friends love each other, too." Twilight said, seeing all of it.

Harrison snickers. "You're not wrong." He said. "So… Sugarcube Corner tonight? For the after-party?"

"They're all welcome."

"It's how the Magic of Friendship grows." They both said.

"Twilight! Lightning just asked me out!" Rainbow said.

"I know! I'm happy for you, guys."

"We're happy for each other." Lightning said. "Right, bro?"

"Of course we are." Harrison said, and he turns to Pinkie. "Hey, Pinkie? Let’s get this party started!"

"PARTY TIME!!!!!" Pinkie yelled, as she brought out her party cannon, firing confetti and decorations out of it, and everyone around Ponyville began having a huge party.

THE END

A couple hours later, the Famous Twelve hang out together at their after-party in Sugarcube Corner.

Pinkie tastes some cookies that Eddie baked. "Oh my GOSH! Eddie, these cookies are the greatest ever things in the WHOLE WORLD!!" She said happily.

"Don’t forget about my crème brûlée, Pinkie. In fact, I got ‘em right here, everypony!" He shows some crème brûlée, who all gasp at it.

"Whoa!" Spike said.

"Eddie, dude, they look AWESOME!" Metalscar said.

"Rock on, Wildpony!" Fluttershy said, as she and Metalscar chuckle.

"So, Duramy. How do you like my fabulous design?" Rarity said.

"It’s gorgeous, Rarity! So gorgeous, I could tickle you!" He tickles her and makes her laugh.

Luster tastes some crème brûlée. "Yummy! I think you baked these really great, Eddie!" She said. "So delicious, you should consider this as a hobby."

"Well, now that we’ve won both the decathlon and the championship, what do ya think is next, Sugarcube?" Applejack asked Wheelburn.

"I think we may do a lotta cool stuff together, Buttercup." Wheelburn said. "There's a whole world of possibilities."

"Really? Come on, guys, it’s still the start of 2020!" Lightning said.

"And still the start of a new awesome era!" Rainbow said, and she eats a donut.

"You know, I’m still happy that Celestia and Luna came back." Twilight said. "Also, I think doing a lotta different things makes us even more special. Don’t you agree, Harrison?"

"Completely." Harrison agreed. "And you know what? I think there is an infinite amount of adventures and activities in store for us."

"How do you know that?" Spike asked.

"Duh! We're the Famous Twelve now. And besides, with all of us together, how can there not be?" He and everyone laughs. "It's a never-ending story. So what team?!"

"WILDPONIES!!"

"WHAT TEAM!?"

"WILDPONIES!!"

"WHAT TEAM!?"

"WILDPONIES!!"

"WILDPONIES!"

"GET'CHA HEAD IN THE GAME!!!" They all celebrate wildly.