A Dazzling New Life: High School

In their morning class, the Dazzlings overheard excited chatter from the students about the upcoming football game. This game was huge—if Canterlot High’s team won, they’d be advancing to the playoffs. The idea sparked immediate enthusiasm in Adagio, Aria, and Sonata, who exchanged determined smiles.

“We’ll have to cheer our hearts out tonight,” Adagio said, her eyes bright with excitement. “The team needs all the support they can get.”

“Especially our guys,” Sonata added with a grin. Of course, Arctic wouldn't be playing in the game. After all, he no longer went to Canterlot High, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to cheer for Venus and Bael who were on the team, along with the rest of their guy friends. "You two be sure to cheer on Venus and Bael as loud as you can! But be sure to also cheer on our other friends as well."

Aria rolled her eyes. "Duh, you don't have to tell us twice. Obviously, we'll cheer on our friends. Our boyfriends aren't the only ones on the team after all."

For the rest of the day, talk continued about the game tonight. The stakes the game held, how the players would play, and who would win in the end. The Dazzlings just listened to the endless chatter their classmates babbled on to one another. At times it became hard to stay quiet and not say something. Especially when a few kids started talking badly about their boyfriends, that's when it took everything in Adagio to hold Aria back from striking the kids down with the fury of a thousand suns. It was awful knowing that some kids said such insensitive things about their boyfriends and there was nothing they could do about it, without getting in trouble of course.

Later that evening the Dazzlings arrived at the stadium with the rest of their cheerleading team. As the girls got ready to do some practice before the game went underway, Aria and Adagio watched as Venus and Bael practiced along with the rest of the football team. Sonata was always amazed when Leon threw the football high into the air as one of the Receivers ran and caught it. 'So cool!' But as much as the girls wished they could continue watching the boys practice, they couldn't get distracted. They too had their own practice and maybe if they looked good they could impress their boyfriends.

The girls got to work and started practicing, doing some stretches, doing a few cheers and even doing a few flips for some extra spicy to the mix. Unbeknownst to Adagio and Aria, their practice had caught the eyes of Bael and Venus who watched them from afar. When the two of them had gone to the locker room to switch into their cheerleading outfits and came back out, it became harder for the guys to stay focused during practice.

"Venus! Keep your eyes on the ball! Not the girls! The ball!" The Coach yelled at Venus who quickly averted his eyes from Adagio.

"Yes, Coach!" Venus wanting to make it up to his Coach looked over to Leon who nodded. Venus ran his route as Leon threw the ball, and with ease, Venus caught the ball this time. If the team wanted a chance at winning, everyone would need to be at their best. Meaning that no matter how cute his girlfriend looked in her cheerleading outfit, Venus needed to stay focused, albeit difficult to do.

That evening, the stadium was packed with students, parents, and teachers, all buzzing with excitement. The Dazzlings took their place with the cheerleading team, leading their squad with enthusiasm and precision. They performed routines, chanted cheers, and waved their pom-poms as the game began. Each time their boyfriends took the field, they cheered a bit louder, sending extra support their way.

As the game progressed, it became a hard-fought battle, with both teams trading points in a tense back-and-forth. The Dazzlings watched with admiration, feeling proud of how hard their boyfriends were working on the field. When Venus made a crucial catch that set the team up for a touchdown, Adagio cheered so loudly that her voice echoed over the crowd. Bael’s impressive tackle later in the game drew an approving grin from Aria, who clapped with pride. As for Sonata, no matter who made a play on the team jumped up and down, waving her pom-poms with unrestrained excitement.

It was coming to the end of the game and the score was tied. Canterlot currently had the ball with a few more minutes but the clock was ticking with each second passing by. Leon took the snap and quickly threw it to quickly threw it to Valex who raced upfield thanks to some blocking by Dean and Derek but was then tackled after a twenty-yard run.

Adagio looked over at the clock while the rest of her team cheered loudly. The clock showed 1:23 left as the team was at the opponent's 37. Her attention was pulled away from the clock when Leon took the snap and gave it to another teammate who raced up the middle and got another six yards. Canterlot was now at the opponent's 31, with the clock showing 22 seconds left on the clock. The team quickly took their second timeout and gathered around together thinking of a play that could work. They were in field goal range but they wanted to go for the win.

The Dazzlings watched as Bael came running onto the field. After a few more seconds, the team clapped in unison and got into their positions. The team hiked the ball as the Receivers ran their routes. The clock continued to tick as Leon held the ball and looked around for someone to throw the ball to. Bael had run into the middle of the field gaining the attention of two defenders. However, while the two of them had Bael covered, they had unintentionally left someone wide open. Leon threw the ball to a wide-open Venus who caught the ball and ran it in for a touchdown unguarded!

The crowd and cheerleading roared with cheers as the football raced over to celebrate Venus's touchdown. And with only 6 seconds left on the clock, the game was as good as done. The Dazzlings watched as the Kicker got the field goal and then kicked the ball over to the opponent. The team had the ball and tried to score a touchdown to tie the game and send it over to overtime. The opposing Quarterback threw the ball high into the air with everything he had. The ball shot up into the air like a rocket before quickly coming down like a shooting star. Both the Receivers and defenders jumped up for the ball, but thanks to Bael who knocked the ball down, no one from the opposing team could catch the ball meaning one thing.

"Game over! Final score: twenty-eight to twenty-one! The Wondercolts are advancing to the playoffs for the third straight year in a row!" The announcer yelled from over the microphone.

Finally, after a grueling match, Canterlot High emerged victorious, securing their spot in the playoffs. The stadium erupted in cheers, and the Dazzlings couldn’t contain their excitement as they rushed onto the field along with a few others. They congratulated their friends, and for Aria and Adagio's case, their boyfriends, with warm smiles, hugs, and words of encouragement.

“You were amazing out there!” Adagio said, squeezing Venus’s hand.

“Looks like all that practice paid off,” Aria remarked, grinning at Bael.

Sonata threw her arms in the air, accidentally letting go of her pom-poms which flew in the air. “You guys did it! Playoffs, here we come!”

The girls continued to cheer with their friends. It had been a long-fought battle but in the end, it was Canterlot who had won. As the fix of them left the field together, along with their teams, the Dazzlings wondered what challenges and triumphs the playoffs would bring. But one thing was certain: they’d be there, cheering just as loudly, ready to support their team- and boyfriends- every step of the way. And whether they win or lose, it was the effort and fun they had that counted.