The school auditorium was a battlefield now. The once grand stage, with its polished wooden floors and heavy velvet curtains, had transformed into the arena for the most intense round of the Ambush game yet. The Blue and Red teams stood on opposite sides, tension thick in the air.

Lyra Heartstrings, with a mischievous grin, strutted to the center of the stage, a small pile of random objects behind her. The glint in her eyes told everyone this level would be no ordinary challenge.

“Alright, everyone!” Lyra’s voice echoed through the auditorium. “It’s time for Level 3, and today’s game is ‘Lyra Says’!”

A murmur of confusion rippled through the players. Lyra didn’t waste a second.

“It’s like Simon Says, but with my twist! If you mess up, you’re out—and trust me, you don’t want to mess up!” She turned to the objects behind her, and the room grew silent.

She raised her hand. “Lyra says, stand on one foot!”

The players scrambled to comply. Scootaloo wobbled a bit but managed to balance. The tension was palpable. Lyra then snapped her fingers. “Lyra says, hop on one foot!”

Everyone started hopping, trying their best to keep steady. Scootaloo’s eyes widened as she lost her balance.

Without hesitation, Lyra grabbed a kazoo from the pile and hurled it with surprising accuracy. It hit Scootaloo square on the forehead and she let out a yelp.

“You’re out!” Lyra declared, her tone a mix of playful and ruthless. Scootaloo slumped off to the side, groaning.

“Lyra says, touch your toes!”

The players bent over, some more gracefully than others. Vice Principal Luna, trying to maintain her dignity, struggled to reach her toes. Her hand hovered just above her knees when Lyra shouted, “And up!”

Luna straightened up immediately—and then froze. Lyra smirked. “Oh no, no, no! Lyra didn’t say!”

Before Luna could react, a lemon came sailing through the air. It hit her on the shoulder, and she sighed in resignation. “Out!” Lyra chirped as Luna made her way to the sidelines.

“Lyra says, pat your head and rub your belly at the same time!” Lyra continued, the game growing more intense. Derpy managed to pat her head and rub her belly but lost her coordination for just a second.

“Muffins for you!” Lyra sang, launching a muffin that bounced off Derpy’s nose. Derpy blinked, dazed, before realizing she was out of the game.

"Ooh, muffins!" Derpy yelled out, picking up a muffin from the ground and started eating it, suddenly feeling better about being eliminated. Everyone was grossed out by Derpy eating a ground-stained muffin.

The remaining players were sweating now, eyes wide with concentration. Fluttershy, too focused on trying to stay in the game, didn’t realize she was patting her head when Lyra hadn’t said so.

“Notebook!” Lyra’s voice rang out as she tossed a spiral-bound notebook at Fluttershy. It thudded softly against her arm. Fluttershy gasped and backed off the stage, disappointed but relieved.

“Lyra says, jump as high as you can!” Sweet Leaf, determined to stay in, gave it her all, jumping high. But in her excitement, she forgot to keep rubbing her belly.

Lyra laughed. “Onion rings coming your way!” With a flick of her wrist, she sent a handful of onion rings flying, and Sweet Leaf ducked too late. They bounced off her head, and she groaned in defeat as she joined the other ousted players.

Now, only two members of the Red Team remain; Rainbow Dash and Soarin’. They exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the need to survive this round.

Lyra seemed to enjoy the dwindling numbers. “Alright, Red Team! Side-challenge time! We’re going to do a little rock-paper-scissors duel. Whoever loses… let’s just say it’s going to rain peaches.”

The auditorium buzzed with anticipation. Rainbow Dash stepped forward, facing Soarin’.

“Ready?” Lyra asked, her grin wicked. Both nodded.

“Rock! Paper! Scissors! Shoot!”

Rainbow Dash threw out scissors. Soarin’s face fell as he revealed paper. Scissors beat paper!

“Too bad, Soarin’!” Lyra exclaimed, grabbing a box of peaches from her stash. She didn’t hesitate to start tossing the ripe fruit at Soarin’. He raised his arms to shield himself, but it was no use. Peach after peach rained down on him until he was almost buried in the sweet, sticky mess.

Soarin’ groaned, brushing off the squishy remnants of peaches as he slumped offstage. Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but laugh a little, but she knew she was on her own now. She has to avenge the Red Team by herself!

Lyra’s voice rang out again. “One player left standing on the Red Team! Let’s see if you can keep up, Rainbow Dash!”

Rainbow grinned, cracking her knuckles. “Bring it on, Lyra! I’m not going down that easy!”

To be continued...

Author's Note

Standings

Red Team

1. Rainbow Dash

Blue team

1. Rarity
2. Trixie Lulamoon
3. Tennis Match
4. Principal Celestia