Adventure at Canterlot High - All fun in games

Chapters

Two schools, Two problems
Something's amiss
Meet and greet
Welcome to the Twilight Zone
Sorry to rain on your parade
Let the games begin
Going Beast Mode
Dragged through the mud
Saved the best for last
Everyone's a winner

Two schools, Two problems

The next day, the gang were meeting up at the library while Sunset was explaining about her encounter with the stranger.

“She was definitely doing something to the statue,” Sunset explained, pacing back and forth, “or was going to.”

“Do you think she came through the portal from Equestria?” Fluttershy asked.

“No, I'm pretty sure I woulda noticed that.” Sunset answered. “I think she was from over here.”

“Well, that's a relief.” Applejack added. “The last thing we need is another magical so-and-so bent on world domination comin' over from Equestria.”

“Agreed.” Rarity added in agreement. “I have no interest in another fight against the powers of evil magic. The wear and tear on my wardrobe is just too much to keep up with.”

“And hopefully we don't have another incident like Decibot.” Adagio added with a nod of her head. “I'm still bitter over the fact that walking tin can played me and Aria like fiddles.”

“Still, a mysterious figure snooping around the portal?” Sunset continued in perplexity. “Don't you wanna know what she was up to?”

“I don't even wanna guess.” Flutteshy replied with a discomforted expression.

“Well, you don't have to.” Rainbow chimed in. “Because I've totally figured out who it was!”

Tristen casts a surprised look at Rainbow. “Really?”

Rainbow nods. “Seeing as how they got off a bus from the city and got back on a bus headed to the city, I'll bet they go to…”

“Crystal Prep.” The other girls, save for Sunset and the Dazzlings, spoke in unison.

“Yep.” Rainbow nods again. “With the Friendship Games starting tomorrow, they'd totally try to prank us by defacing the Wondercolts statue.”

Tristen, Sunset, and the Dazzlings look at each other in confusion. “Why would anyone take a bus all the way from the city for that?” Sunset asked.

“Because the Crystal Prep Shadowbolts are our biggest rivals?” Applejack responded.

“Because that's just what the students at Crystal Prep would do?” Rarity added

“Because even though they beat us in everything – soccer, tennis, golf – they still have to gloat!” Rainbow added her two cents.

“That last part kinda reminds me of somebody.” Aria said, looking at Rainbow, earning a jab in the ribs from Adagio.

Tristen crossed his arms. “They kinda sound like a bunch of douchebags, based on what you guys just described.”

“They are actually.” Rarity replied with a nod of agreement. “Not exactly the words I would use, but accurate.”

“Seems kinda silly to me.” Sunset said.

Sonata nods in agreement. “Yep.”

“So, I guess you think the Friendship Games are silly, too.” Rainbow replied.

“Well, it's not like we'll be fighting the powers of evil magic.” Sunset shrugged.

“No.” Fluttershy replies. “We'll be fighting against a school full of meanies. Not everything has to be magical to be important.”

“If those pricks are as bad as you're making them out to be, then I'm sure as hell glad I'm not in their school.” Tristen said with a shrug and a roll of his eyes. “This must be a big deal to you guys, huh?”

“That's putting it mildly, darling.” Rarity scoffs. “They're still revamping the playing field in preparation.”

“I just don't understand why there's this big rivalry.” Sunset pondered, still perplexed. “Aren't the "Friendship Games" supposed to be about our two schools getting along?”

“Well, it's kinda hard to get along with someone who beats you at everything.” Applejack replied bitterly.

Tristen was stunned at hearing that. “Everything? For real?” Tristen asked in disbelief. “You mean you guys never won even once?”

Fluttershy shakes her head in reply. “Sadly, no.”

“But not this time!” Rainbow added with confidence. “This time, things are gonna be different.”

“What do you mean?” Sunset asked.

“Oh, you'll find out.” Rainbow Dash replied, a confident smile on her face.

(Later)

Everyone had gathered in the gymnasium, overlooking the stage where Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna stood.

“As I am sure you all know, tomorrow, Canterlot High School will be hosting our fellow students from Crystal Prep Academy as we join together in the spirit of excellence, sportsmanship, and fidelity to compete in the Friendship Games.”

The students cheered unenthusiastically in response. "Since the games only happen every four years,” Celestia continued, “I'm sure you're all curious what goes on.”

“You mean other than us losing?!” Flash called out from the crowd.

“And that is exactly why I've asked Rainbow Dash,” Celestia looks over to Rainbow, who was standing beside her, “to come up and give you all a little, um... context.”

Celestia hands Rainbow the microphone.

“Thank you, Principal Celestia.” Rainbow clears throat. “I know a lot of you might think there's no way we can beat a fancy school like Crystal Prep at anything.”

“Unless it's a "losing to Crystal Prep" competition!” Pinkie called out. “'Cause we're really good at that!”

"Crystal Prep students are super athletic, super smart, and super motivated," Rainbow listed off to her fellow classmates, "But there's one thing they aren't," she mentioned, "They aren't Wondercolts!" she stated as the curtains behind her opened up to reveal the high school marching band, being led by the female baton carrier as they stood behind the speaker.

Once the song had finished, the many students cheered with such enthusiasm.

“Rainbow Dash, that was amazing!” Fluttershy cheered. “Even I feel like we can win!”

“I feel like my school pride is at an all-time high!” Rarity added.

“Is anybody else wonderin' how Dash ponied up without playin' her guitar?” Applejack asked.

“Who cares! That was badass!” Aria replied while still pumped up from Rainbow’s performance.

“Well, it would be nice if you girls could get a handle on it.”

The gang looks to see Vice-Principal Luna. “We'd like to keep magic as far away from the Friendship Games as possible.” Luna said. “We don't want to be accused of cheating.”

“We don't need magic to defeat those hoity-toity Crystal Preppers.” Rarity replied.

“Still, the Friendship Games are serious business.” Luna replied. “We don't want any surprises. Especially the kind that could cause us to forfeit.” Luna then looks at Sunset. “Sunset Shimmer, you came here from a world of magic. Perhaps you can get to the bottom of our magical development.”

“I'll do my best.” she replied, getting a nod from Luna before said woman walked off.

In the city, Aggregor was keeping himself hidden from the public eye while observing his surroundings. As he observed, he noticed the strange coloring the people had.

“Strange.” Aggregor muttered to himself as he saw the many people walk by. “They appear human, and yet their color palettes are nothing like regular humans.”

Aggregor then heard a beeping noise, making him reach into his belt and pull up a small device. Upon knowing that he had found an energy source, Aggregor smiled deviously in response.

“Hey!”

Aggregor’s smile dropped as he looked past his shoulder, seeing a trio of delinquent boys.

“If you're looking for the nerd convention, it's over at the mall!” Said one of the boys as he and his two goons laughed. But their laughter was cut short when a red laser blast was shot a few inches above their heads. They looked to see Aggregor pointing his staff in their direction, and out of fear, they backed away.

“Breaking news, another instance of strange creatures stopping crime!”

Aggregor looks ahead to see a nearby store, spotting a TV showing a news broadcast.

“It seems no matter where crime comes, these bizarre heroes show up to stop it.”

Aggregor was transfixed to the television, seeing these heroes in question being shown on the broadcast. But upon closer inspection, he took notice of a familiar symbol on them.

A circular badge with an hourglass shape on it, only.it was white behind a green background. When Aggregor saw the symbol, he could think of one person.

“Tennyson must be here!” Aggregor said, a wicked grin forming. “What a lovely coincidence.”

Meanwhile, at Crystal Prep Academy, the Twilight lookalike was walking throughout the hallways. Now dressed in a plaid skirt, a button-up shirt that included a maroon top over it, a tie, purple stockings, and black dress shoes.

She was holding some hooks as she navigated through the crowd. After some unexpected collisions with various students, she enters her lab.

“Spike? Spike?!" The girl called out repeated.

Moments later, she sees a small, purple puppy with yellowish-green ears hop off a swivel chair and runs over to her. “There you are.”

As Twilight sat at her desk, the puppy yipped happily before hopping on the desk to lick her face, making her giggle some more.

Spike stops his action as he seated himself upon Twilight's lap, wagging his tail excitedly while he panted.

A knock then came at the door before opening to reveal a 15-year-old boy. He has dark brown eyes and short black hair. He is also quite skinny for his age, though he has a lot of muscle definition. And his attire consisted of a white sleeveless shirt with dark blue jeans pants and black sneakers.

“Hey, Twi.” The boy greeted.

“Alex.” The bespectacled girl smiled as Spike ran towards him.

“Hey, Spike.” Alex greeted the canine, picking him hip and holding him while the dog kicked her. “So, how'd it go?”

"Last night's field test confirmed it," Twilight explained, reaching into her desk drawer to pull out her pendant-like contraption. "With this device, I can track and contain the bizarre energy coming from Canterlot High."

As Alex eyed the device, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. "I know you guys didn't like me going over there, but I just couldn't wait." Twilight said, wheeling herself over to the desk on the other side of the room. "And soon, I'll have all the time I need. All of Crystal Prep is gonna be there for the Friendship Games."

Alex looks at Twilight with uncertainty. “You've had that thing tested, right?” Alex asked. “You know, to make sure that it doesn't wig out?”

“Not yet, but I will by tomorrow.” Twilight replied, taking a few sheets of paper. "I just hope all that 'rivalry' nonsense doesn't get in the way of my research. If I can collect enough data on these EMF frequencies, I should be able to extrapolate the wavelength forms to determine their origin."

“I dunno, Twilight.” Alex said with uncertainty. “What if whatever it is turns out to be more than you bargained for?”

“I'm sure nothing will happen, Alex.” Twilight replied. "Besides, this will practically guarantee my entrance into the…”

“Everton Independent Study Program! Yeah, yeah." Alex finished for Twilight with little to no enthusiasm. “You're really dead set on attending that place, aren't you?”

“Of course I am!” Twilight replied with glee.

Another knock was heard before the door opened to reveal a new figure.

It was a woman with light grayish cerise skin, eyes that were A light grayish purple, and hair that was a moderate violet with brilliant rose and pale gold streaks. She was dressed in a blue suit with a long skirt, she had a gold necklace around her neck, and a crystal-like, heart-shaped pin near the collar of her coat.

"Twilight, you know the rules against pets." The woman noted sternly.

"Well, Spike isn't a pet, Dean Cadance." Twilight reassured as Alex handed him to her. "He's the focus of my research project, Human-canine cohabitation." she declared, holding him out to the school official, "effects and implications," she added.

"If you say so." Said Cadance. "But Principal Cinch is highly allergic, so I suggest you put on a clean shirt.”

"Why?" Twilight asked.

"Because she wants to see you.” Cadance responded, causing her to smile excitedly while Alex looked away in disdain.

“Oh great.”. Alex said bitterly with a roll of his eyes. “Wonder what she wants.”

"Maybe she has news about my application to Everton!" Twilight said in elation.

Cadance however looked to her in concern. "I've been meaning to talk to you about that." Cadance said. "Are you sure that's what you really want?".

"Why wouldn't it be?" Twilight responded with glee. "A program that allows me to focus all my attention on my own advanced math and science projects? What a dream come true!"

“You know that I won't be there, right?” Alex asked Twilight, making the bespectacled girl look at him. “I’m not as smart as you, you know that right?” Twilight looked down a bit solemnly, honestly never thinking about that. “Besides, that place hardly has any classrooms with other students. You'll just be doing everything on your own.”

"That is why it's called an 'independent study program'.” Twilight pointed out.

"We just don't want you to miss out on anything." Cadance told her. "That's all." Cadance placed a hand upon her shoulder again reassuringly. "Being around other people isn't a bad thing. "Sometimes it's how you learn the most about yourself."

"I guess…" Twilight replied while she nervously rubbed her right shoulder.

“And that assuming the wicked witch of the west keeps her word.” Alex muttered to himself

Cadance, hearing every word, casts a light glare at Alex. “Consider yourself lucky Principal Cinch isn’t here, Alex. Otherwise, she’d give you detention for the whole school year and summer school for that.”

“Like I’m not already suffering from her.” Alex replied with a roll of his eyes. “The fact the old hag gets on my case daily is already bad enough, and I hardly do anything to upset her. I swear, she must have a hate boner for me.”

“Just try not to upset her today.” Twilight said to Alex with slight worry. “Last time you did that, you got janitor duties for a month.”

“Give me a break! I just said that she had one gray hair.” Alex replied while holding up his right index finger. “Just one. And it was barely noticeable.”

“That still got you in hot water.” Twilight replied.

“And she still tells you to wear your school uniform when on campus.” Cadance added.

“The day I wear one of those stuffy things is the day when hell freezes over.” Alex grumbled to himself.

"Meet me in Principal Cinch's office in a few minutes." Cadance said to Taillight. “And Alex…” Alex looks to Cadance, getting his attention, “Try to stay out of trouble, please?”

“No promises.” Alex said with a shrug. Cadence just sighed before walking out.

"What's she so worried about? Everton is exactly what I need right now," Twilight stated, sighing sadly. "It's not like I have anything left to learn at Crystal Prep…"

“Well, I better get going. Good luck with granny.” Alex said before walking out of the lab.

Twilight casts a deadpan look at him. “And you wonder why Principal Cinch can’t stand you.” Twilight said with another sigh.

Twilight walked out of the room, adjusting her tie with a depressed look upon her face, closing the door behind her as she trotted onwards.

♪I've walked through all these halls before…
I've been in and out of every door, oh-whoa-oh…
There's nothin' in this school that I don't know-oh-oh-oh!
In every class, my grade's the best,
The highest score on every test
I think that means it's time for me to go♪

♪I know there's more that's out there!
And I just haven't found it yet
I know there's more that's out there!
Another me I haven't met♪

♪This school is full of people,
But still I don't belong
They only dream of winning,
Look at me like something's wrong
Maybe I'm better off alone
Will I find what I'm lookin' for,
If I just do it on my own?♪

♪I know there's more that's out there!
Something to fill this hole inside!
I know there's more that's out there!
And I'm not afraid to try♪

♪There's only so much this school can offer,
And I'm not saying that it's wrong!
But I know there's more that's out there!
'Cause I've been searching all along♪

♪Beyond these rooms, beyond these walls…
So much to learn, I can't see it all…
There's somethin' out there callin' me,
And it's a mystery that I can't wait to see!♪

♪'Cause I know there's more that's out there!
Another place, another way!
And I know there's more that's out there…
And I'll find out someday!♪

♪I'll find out someday...♪

After arriving at the top floor, she opens the door to Cinch’s office. She looked to her right to see Cadance standing beside her, who gestured out towards the seat that was before her.

She takes a seat, then turns around and see a man standing. He has pale white skin and blue hair with cerulean streaks. He wore a violet sweater that had a symbol depicting a shield near the collar over a dress shirt that included a black tie.

"Shining Armor?" Twilight asked in surprise. "Why is my brother here?"

"As an alumni, Principal Cinch thought he could provide some unique perspective." Cadance explained.

"Perspective on what?" Twilight questioned, in confusion

"Why, the Friendship Games, of course."

Twilight turns her attention towards the desk in front of her, where she sees Principal Cinch.

She was a woman with fair, cerulean skin, hair in streaks brownish-red, pink, and light and dark purple done in a bun. She wears red glasses over her eyes and had a uniform much like the one Cadance wore, with a turtleneck sweater and pearl earrings, along with a beauty mark on her left cheek.

"You competed in the games, did you not, Shining Armor?" Cinch asked Shining Armor.

"I did." he responded.

"And you happen to recall who won?" Cinch asked.

"Crystal Prep did," Shining Armor responded, laughing lightly, crossing his arms as he looked over at the school dean. "We always win."

"Why'd you ask to see me?" Twilight asked as Cinch went over to a small display area on the side of the room, littered with trophies and awards.

“Twilight, I'll be honest. It doesn't matter whether or not Crystal Prep wins or loses.” Cinch explains as she grabs a trophy, polishing it with a rag. “The important thing is we are expected to win because Crystal Prep has a reputation.” Cinch placed the trophy back on the shelf and walked back towards Twilight. “And it is that reputation... my reputation that is responsible for everything we have here.” Cinch takes a seat back at her desk. “For everything you've done here. And you've done quite a lot, haven't you?”

“I don't know. I guess.” Twilight stammered.

“Oh, don't be modest. You're the best student this school has ever seen.” Cinch replied. “What I can't understand is why my best student wouldn't want to compete.”

“In the Friendship Games?” Twilight asked.

“Look, Twily,” Shining began, earning Twilight’s attention. “I know it's not really your thing, but representing the school is kind of a big deal. Plus, they could really use your help.”

“It seems Canterlot High is undergoing something of a renaissance.” Cinch continued. “Test scores are up, grades, even athletics are on the rise. You see, they are developing somewhat of a reputation. This cannot happen!”

“Principal Cinch, I can't possibly participate in the games.” Twilight said.” My work here is very-”

“Ah, yes. Your work.” Cinch looks towards Cadance. “Cadance, could you and Shining Armor find my contact sheet for the Everton Independent Study program?”

"Of course," Cadance responded, heading out of the door as Shining Armor opened it for her, following her out before he closed it while his sister watched somewhat worriedly.

"I understand you've applied.” Cinch said, holding up a vanilla folder. "You see, one of the advantages of having a reputation is a certain amount of influence in such things. So, let me offer you a deal." she told her, "In return for contributing your agile mind to these games, I will use my influence to guarantee your application is approved."

"Though, I suppose I could also have it…denied. What do you think I should do?" Cinch asked in a threatening tone, as Twilight rubbed her hand nervously.

Outside the office, Alex was by the door with an angered expression. Clearly hearing everything.

“That no good old bitch.” Alex grumbled in fury.

Aggregor was walking the streets, following the directions his tracker was giving.

Eventually, he found the source of the energy signature he was looking for. Upon looking up, he saw that he was standing before Crystal Prep.

“An illustrious facility.” Aggregor smiled wickedly. “Now all I have to do is-”

Aggregore stops himself before looking down, seeing a flier for the Friendship Games under his right boot. With piqued intrigue, he picks up the flier and examines the contents.

“Friendship Games?” Aggregor muttered out as he read the flier. A devious grin forming in his face as a plan began to formulate in his mind. “How convenient.”

Something's amiss

The Null Void. A parallel dimension that functions as a prison for the most dangerous beings in the universe.

Not too far off is the place where our story begins. A prison called the Null Void Incarcecon.

After the events of the former warden Morgg and the discovery of his drug business, the place was rendered inactive.

Until recently, after some reconstruction, installations of new security systems, some new staff on board, and eradicating all traces of the drug that fueled Morgg’s cartel, the Null Void Incarcecon is now working again.

Inside the facility, an alarm rang out as many prison guards were storming through the halls.

“Security personnel! Converge on door seven! Deadly force authorized. Fire on sight! I repeat: Fire on sight!”

After arriving at a hallway, the guards spot a figure.

It resembled a human man with small flesh-colored horns on his head, red eyes ringed with black marks, and long black hair. His attire consisted of a brown knee-length, open-chested tunic, baggy jeans, and black calf-high boots.

In his right hand he wields a weapon resembling a metal polearm that looks like a cross between a staff, a glaive, a guandao and a trident. The staff has a metal hook jutting out below where the shaft arcs out to form the blade.

“There he is!” One of the guards said before he and his squad opened fire.

The man rapidly twirled his staff to deflect the laser blasts fired by the guards. He looks over and spots an air vent.

The man pulled out an octagon- shaped device. The faceplate of it was red and silver in color and looked like an open mouth with sharp teeth.

With a wicked smirk, the device sparked with red electricity that ultimately spreads throughout his body while the guards watch on in shock.

And within moments, the man’s skin changed to purplish-gray color as he developed insectoid features. He developed two fang-like protrusions on the sides of his face, as sharp fangs, a stinger protruding from both of his wrists, two antennae on his forehead, and four blue wings on his back.

With a flap of his wings, the man flew upwards, becoming intangible and phased through the ceiling.

“Dammit!” One of the guards grunted as he pulled out a circular disk-like object marked with a green hourglass symbol on a black background. “Security to bridge! He's in the upper levels!”

In the top floor

The man phased into a large storage room, steeling a variety of things that he found useful and stuffing them into a large sack.

But just as he was about to leave, the door opens to reveal a bunch of guards ready to apprehend him.

“Aggregor! Surrender now, or we will use force!” A guard said as the others aimed their weapons.

The man named Aggregor however smirked before taking in a deep breath, breathing out a thick cloud of yellow fog to create a sort of smokescreen.

By the time the fog dissipated, they saw that Aggregor was gone.

Outside

Aggregor was in the courtyard, carrying his sack full of stolen items, and was about to take off and escape the prison in its entirety. But a bunch of security guards arrived and aimed their weapons at him.

Aggregor looks around, seeing that he was surrounded by possibly hundreds of guards. But Aggregor wasn't intimidated. In fact, he smirked wickedly as he pulled out a small gun-like device with a green bulb on the top and a dial above the handle.

After twisting the dial, the green bulb began to glow as Aggregor aimed it at the ground beneath his feet. Moments later, the device fired and created a green portal above Aggregor.

Before the guards could apprehend him, Aggregor jumped into the portal, and the portal instantly closed once Aggregor was gone.

“Dammit!” One of the guards groaned out. “This is not good!”

Sunset Shimmer and Tristen were running hurriedly along the sidewalk.

Eventually, the two crossed the street to Canterlot High School, racing by its horse statue towards the steps, where Rainbow Dash and Applejack were gathering with Fluttershy, Sonata, Aria, Adagio, and Rarity were joining them too.

"I got your text, Rainbow Dash!" Sunset said with a concerned expression as she approached. "Did something come through the portal? Is Equestrian magic on the loose? Did Twilight come back with a problem that only we can solve?!”

"Has a giant cake monster covered all the cakes in the world in cake?!" Pinkie Pie chimed in, appearing out of nowhere as she had a cupcake in each of her hands. Sunset shot Pinkie a blank look of annoyance while the pink partier stuffed wholly into her mouth.

"Um, not exactly…" Rainbow replied, kneeling down to her guitar case before pulling out her guitar while flashing a nervous grin.

Sunset was confused. "Uh, I don't understand."

“Well, Sunset,” Applejack began, “I was just tellin' Rainbow Dash here that a broken guitar string doesn't really qualify as an emergency.

“It totally does!” Rainbow shot back.

“Hold up!” Tristen chimed in with a light scowl. “You mean I had to pause my gaming session for a busted guitar string?!”

“Really, Rainbow Dash!” Rarity added. “I was in the middle of sewing a very complex appliqué on my latest frock.”

“And I was just about to tuck everyone in for the night at the shelter.” Fluttershy added while holding her let rabbit Angel. “Now we'll have to start stories all over again.”

“Not to mention I was on a freaking winning streak!” Tristen added with an annoyed look. “I was close to beating the final boss, too!”

“Why would you send all of us an emergency text for a guitar string?” Aria asked Rainbow.

“Well, I was going to pony up and show our fans some awesome guitar licks” Rainbow explained, looking at her guitar, “but I kinda need all six strings to do it. Got any extra?”

The others groaned in response. Fortunately, Sunset had Rainbow covered as she handed her a guitar string.

“But everyone finished practicing for the day.” Adagio said. “I'm pretty sure all the music rooms are locked.”

"No problem. The acoustics in the hallway are perfect for power chords.” Rainbow replied as she played a chord. “C'mon! Let's go!”

“You gals go on without me.” Tristen said before dialing up his Omnitrix and turned into Speed Demon. “I've got a final boss’s ass to beat!” And with that, the devilish speedster sped off.

Adagio smirked and shook her head. “Boys, am I right?”

“Yeah.” Applejack said before turning her attention to Sunset. “You comin', Sunset?”

“I'll catch up in a bit.” Sunset replied. As the gang walked into the school building, Sunset sat on the stairs and pulled out her book. Upon cracking it open and pulling out a pen, she began to write to Twilight.

“Dear Princess Twilight,” Sunset started, “how's life treating you in Equestria? Any cool new magic spells? It's been pretty quiet here at CHS since the Battle of the Bands. We still pony up when we play music, which Rainbow Dash just loves to show off. But I still can't quite grasp what it's all about. I would love to hear what you think about it when you get a sec. Your friend, Sunset Shimmer.”

Sunset then looked up to see a figure in a hoodie holding a spectrometer standing near the portal.

"Hey!" Sunset called out, catching the stranger’s attention. "What are you doing?!"

Sunset was about to give chase but screeched to a halt at the sidewalk the moment a car zoomed just by her. This allowed the stranger the opportunity to catch a bus and make a quick getaway.

As the bus drove off, Sunset stood there in perplexity. “Who was that?”

(Meanwhile)

Inside the bus, the stranger sat down in the back, removing her hood to reveal what looked to be Twilight. Only differences being that her hair is in a bun, she has a hairpin of a six-pointed star, and the biggest one being that she wore glasses.

The girl sighed deeply out of relief, having done what she needed to as the transport was approaching the city. A while later, it stopped at the front of large building.

After boarding off the bus, she heads through the glass doors inside the place. Going through door after door, she eventually reached a lone room, turning on a light to reveal a board filled with pictures and graphs, all of which were connected by lines of red string.

She then posted a new image on that same board, being a drawing of the mirror structure with a question mark upon it.

The glasses wearing girl was busy at work, with sparks flying as she was inventing a new machine, taking apart her recently used scanner to do, configuring its schematics into her new device.

After some tinkering around and getting the parts together, she had finally finished her contraption.

It was a round, pendant-like device that opened up and glowed. It had a symbol of a six-pointed star upon it outlined in purple.

She smiled at her work, knowing it was complete as it hummed softly.

In a forested area, a rabbit was backed up against a tree while a wolf was growling at it. The poor rabbit looked on in terror as three more wolves joined in.

But before anything else was done, the five animals looked over to see a green portal appear. And from it came Aggregor.

The four wolves looked at Aggregor while the rabbit wasted no time in escaping. Aggregor spotted the canines, the four beasts snarling at him.

Aggregor however wasn't scared by the display. Instead, he brings out his spear-like weapon and spins it around before firing a blast of red energy near the beasts. The four wolves stopped snarling, and not wanting to fall before Aggregor, they ran away with their tails between their legs.

With a smirk, Aggregor tossed the sack over his shoulder and walked off.

Meet and greet

The next day, Twilight was packing her bag with the necessities she'll be needing for the games with Spike and Alex present.

“You're not seriously taking that hag’s offer, are you?” Alex asked in dismay and concern for her friend.

“I was always gonna go to Canterlot High for the Friendship Games.” Twilight replied. “The only difference now is that I have to compete. Besides, it's not like Principal Cinch gave me much of a choice.”

“I don't like this.” Alex replied. “The bitch is just blackmailing you!”

“I don't like it either, Alex.” Twilight agreed while grabbing her pendant. “I probably won't be able to collect anywhere near as much data as I thought. But maybe I can still get some.”

“You should just nope out while you still have the chance, Twi.” Alex suggested.

“If I do, then my chances of getting into Everton are gone!” Twilight countered.

“It's not like she's going to keep her word regardless!” Alex fired back. “I get you want to go to that place, but having Cinch use your acceptance to Everton as a freaking bargaining chip is just all kinds of wrong!”

Spike whimpers worriedly at Twilight. "Spike, I wouldn't leave without you!" Twilight said before picking Spike and hugging him tightly, "Just remember to be quiet." Twilight placed Spike into her backpack. "And try not to shed." she added jokingly, zipping the bag up.

“And Alex,” Twilight said, looking at Alex, “Please don’t stir Principal Cinch up.”

“You know I can’t promise that.” Alex replied with a shrug. “Plus, it's just amusing to see her nearly burst a blood vessel.”

Twilight kept her stern look. “Alex, I’m serious!” Twilight said, poking his chest. “Promise me that you’ll stay out of trouble, please?”

With a sigh of defeat, Alex relents. “Ok, ok. Fine.”

“Thank you.” Twilight was about to walk put, but she cast one last look to Alex. “You should get ready. And please put on your uniform for once.” Twilight then finally walked out, leaving Salazar alone.

“Never gonna happen.” Alex fired back as he walked out with Twilight.

(Outside)

The buses were getting ready to drive the students off to Canterlot High, and Cadance standing beside one that a few scholars were preparing to board.

Twilight approached Cadance, unknowingly cutting in front of the line as the two girls behind her glared at her angrily. "Dean Cadance, I'm not really sure where to go-"

"You could try the end of the line!"

Twilight looked behind her to see the two girls.

One had light grayish gold skin, moderate indigo eyes, and hair that was moderate rose with grayish aquamarine streaks and tied in a ponytail. The other had short, grayish mulberry hair with light raspberry streaks that included a gold hairpin shaped like a pinwheel, moderate cerise, and light turquoise-gray skin. The only similarities they had was their uniform.

“What did you say?” Twilight asked sheepishly.

"Just that someone smart as you should definitely go first," The ponytailed girl said in a sweet, sarcastic manner, waving her hand as the girl herself picked up on it.

"I... I didn't mean to-" Twilight stammered nervously.

"This is the right bus, Twilight." Dean Cadance interjected, getting her attention. "Go ahead."

"But...I didn't mean to cut in front…" Twilight stammered.

"Ugh, well it's too late now…" The ponytailed girl groaned out.

“Cut her some slack, will ya?!”

Twilight and the two girls look over to see Alex approach.

“Oh great.” The shorthaired girl grunted in disdain. “You.”

“Yeah, me.” Alex quipped back with a scowl.

The ponytailed girl looks to Cadance. “Please tell me this punk isn’t riding with us.”

“I am, actually.” Alex replied with a nod. “I hate this just as much as you do, SweetTARTS.”

“I'm surprised you're even allowed to attend the Friendship Games.” The shorthaired girl declared bitterly. “It's bad enough you give us a headache on a daily basis.”

“Glad to know we're both on the same damn page, Sunny Flare!” Alex barked back.

“Alex, please…” Twilight muttered out in concern. “

"Are we gonna win?!" a girl exclaimed in greeting.

The girl in question had light amberish gray skin, brilliant gamboge eyes, and dark cornflower blue hair with streaks of moderate cerulean and arctic blue. She also wore a pair of goggles upon her forehead, gray wristbands, and earrings shaped like lightning bolts.

"I... I don't know…" Twilight stutter in reply.

“You scream any louder, and I’m sure people out in space can hear you!” Alex retorted, making the girl look at him with a sour look visible on her face.

“What are you doing here?” The girl asked bitterly.

“What do you think, thunderhead?” Alex fired back, just as rudely. “To attend the Friendship Games!”

“Alright, that's quite enough.” Cadance got between the two, then looks to Alex in a warning manner. “Alex, try your best to stay out of trouble, please.”

“No promises.” Alex replied nonchalantly with a shrug before looking at the ponytailed girl and Sunny Flare. “Assuming Cinch’s little lap dogs don't get on my ugly side!”

“Aren't we already looking at it?” Sunny Flare replied.

Alex replied to that by giving her the one-finger salute, making Twilight gasp out in shock while Sunny Flare glared hatefully.

“Enough” Cadance declared, breaking the fight. “Let's get a move on then.” Cadance then walked off, and Alex and the other girls boarded the bus.

While Twilight trekked down the pathway, she saw all the open seats get taken one by one, as no one wanted to sit next to her. But suddenly, some student tripped her. Luckily, Alex was quick enough to get up and catch her.

Alex glared at the student who tripped her, which was a minty complexion, spiked up black hair and wearing shades. “Not cool, Neon Lights!”

“Gotta problem, freak?” Neon Lights asked rudely.

“Damn right I do, dickhead!” Alex said with a growl.

“Hey buddy! Not on my bus!” The bus driver said warningly at Alex.

“Alex, let’s just take our seat!” Twilight pleaded.

“Good idea. Because I’m so dangerously close to knocking some heads right now!” Alex said to Neon Lights before he and Twilight took their seats. They were both seated between two girls.

One of them wore orange glasses over her grayish orchid eyes, has light phthalo bluish gray skin, with light opalish gray hair which had light arctic bluish gray streaks in twin tails. The other one had light grayish amaranth skin with long, light pistachio hair that had streaks of light grayish green and light brilliant lime green. She also wore headphones over her ears.

"Hi, Sugarcoat," Twilight greeted the twin-tailed girl with a small smile while she placed her bag on her lap.

“How’s it hanging, twin-tails?” Alex asked with a scowl, making Sugarcoat glare at him and Twilight elbow him in the ribs.

"Twin-tails? Really? That was just weak." Sugarcoat said bluntly, turning away as Twilight gave off a somber look.

‘Jesus! Bitchy much?’ Alex thought to himself.

The bus then starts as it begins to drive off. Twilight unzips her bag to reveal Spike.

"Well, Spike, at least I've got you and Alex with me.” Twilight pats Spike gently on the head.

“If anybody gives you any trouble, you let me know.” Alex whispered to Twilight.

“As long as you don’t do anything too brash.” Twilight whispered back.

"Dude," the headphones-wearing girl said to the Alex, taking the headset off of her ears, "you have gotta hear this!" She suddenly placed the headphones over Alex’s ears.

As Alex listened to the pulsating sound of the music ringing within him, he began to cringe and wince. “This is gonna be a long trip.”

At Canterlot High

The Rainbooms were in the music room, practicing while Tristen and the Dazzlings watched.

“I hope the Friendship Games have a music competition, because we would totally rock it!” Rainbow said enthusiastically, playing some chord.

“Um…” Sunset began, “We're supposed to keep magic out of the Friendship Games, remember?” Rainbow just scoffs in response.

“Well,” Sonata said, looking to Tristen, “She didn't say anything about excluding aliens.”

Tristen furrowed an eyebrow. “Hey, I only use aliens for fighting bad guys and helping.” Said Tristen. “I seriously doubt I need to go alien on those punks.”

“Uh-huh.” Rarity said a smirk while applying some makeup. “I’ll bet that boulder you obliterated as Thunderclap was a real menace.”

Tristen went wide-eyed at that claim while stuttering out, trying to come up with an excuse for that. “Well, I've gotta practice somehow.”

“Like when you make that custom RPG as Deus-X-Machina?” Aria replied with a teasing smirk. “Badass game though.”

“Or that time you went Carbon Copy to prank people by changing into a bench, then scare 'em off shortly afterwards.” Applejack added while Pinkie giggled.

“It still tickles me to this day.” Pinkie chimed in, laughing a bit.

“Hey, that was comedy gold right there!” Tristen replied with a shrug and a grin. “I only wish I had somebody recording it.”

“The point is,” Rarity said l, walking to Sunset, “I'm sure in Equestria, magic does whatever you want.”

“This isn't Equestria.” Sunset corrected.

“Well, when it comes to magic,” Applejack encouraged, “I'm sure you'll figure it out.”

“Got that right.” Adagio added in agreement. “You're arguably the smartest student this school has.”

“And while Sunset works on keeping the magic out of the games," Rarity added, "I've been working on what to put on!”

“Rarity, what'd you go an' do?” Applejack asked.

“Well, I had a little time on my hands,” Rarity said with pride, “And since we don't know what the Friendship Games' events are, I made a few options for uniforms!”

“You really didn't have to do that.” Rainbow said hesitantly.

“I know.” Rarity replied giddily.

"No, you really didn't have to." Applejack said seriously.

"I know!" the fashionista replied, giggling happily as she pressed her hands against her cheeks.

“Can't take a hint, can she?” Aria asked, making Adagio punch her in the arm in response.

(Meanwhile)

Outside, the Crystal Prep buses pulled up and parked at the sidewalk, and Celestia and Luna were standing outside with Cinch.

"Vice Principal Luna can help your students get settled if you'd like me to show you around, Principal Cinch." Celestia said to Cinch. "There have been quite a few changes since your last visit."

"Oh, yes, Principal Celestia, I'm sure that would be fascinating." Cinch noted in pure sarcasm.

As students began disembarking from the vehicles, Luna had finished embracing Cadance, smiling happily. "Oh, it's always such a pleasure to see you, Dean Cadance.” Luna said with a smile. “Even if it means another defeat."

"Thank you, Vice Principal Luna.” Cadance replied graciously, "but I hear it's not going to be so easy this time."

Meanwhile, Twilight quickly peered out the bus door, looking around left and right to see no one in her vicinity. She took a step down while adjusting her glasses.

"Comin' through!" The blue haired girl exclaimed, shoving the Twilight aside as she ran off of the vehicle.

Luckily, Alex managed to catch her. Twilight smiled at Alex, blushing a little.

“Should we give you two some lovebirds some privacy?” Sunny Flare said with sarcasm, making Twilight blush in embarrassment and Alex glare.

“Piss off, bitch.” Tristen barked back while flipping her off. "Besides, I prefer to be in the singles corner for now!"

"Like you even have a shot at dating to begin with." Sunny Flare responded with a smirk.

"I just avoid a majority of Crystal Prep girls since they tend suck the life out of guys while sucking them off." Alex replied with a smirk of his own. "I'm sure you know all about that Sunny, considering how things went down between you and the football quarterback." Twilight silent watched on with nervousness while Sunny Flare growled angrily at that claim.

“Careful what you say, Davidson.” Sour Sweet, the ponytailed girl, warned with a smirk. “Wouldn't want to get in trouble already, would we?”

Alex glared angrily at her in response. “How about you choke on a dil-” Before could finish his statements, Twilight placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Alex, you promised.” Twilight reminded her only friend in a warning tone. Alex groaned out while Sour Sweet and Sunny Flare both walked away. The headphone wearing girl named Lemon Zest boarded off the bus, still listening to her rock music, as Sugarcoat then exited the vehicle with her hands behind her back and giving off a blank look to both Twilight and Alex.

"You kiss your mother with that mouth?" Sugarcoat asked Alex bluntly, trotting off to line up with her classmates.

Alex growled furiously. “Someday, I swear to God, I’m gonna-” Twilight cuts him off covering his mouth while narrowing her eyes in a scolding manner.

Suddenly, the humming of her device caught Twilight's attention. Twilight and Alex noticed the blinking light from the pendant’s indicator was pointing directly towards the school of Canterlot High.

Excited that she found a sign of an anomaly, she smiled, but then looked back to see the students still lined up, about to be checked in. The two then ran towards said building.

Spike poked his head out of Twilight's bag as she and Alex headed off towards the building, Twilight holding her contraptions the device guided them. As the puppy sank back into the knapsack, Twilight and Alex both walked up the steps passing by two girls.

"Hi, Twilight," One of the two greeted with a wave.

However, Twilight didn't pay the two any mind. Alex was surprised by this. He looked to the two girls in surprise but thought nothing of it as he followed Twilight. Twilight and Alex both entered through the school entrance, heading down the halls as she was being guided by her machine.

"Hey, Twilight!" Another student greeted as she trotted by, making both her and Alex stop in surprise as they took a glance back at the light green haired girl.

“The Hell?” Alex muttered to himself in surprise.

"Hi, Twilight," Another student greeted, further surprising both her and Alex. As e two trekked on, many students were saying "hi" to Twilight, somehow knowing her name.

'What the hell is going on?’ Alex thought to himself in confusion.

As Twilight was trying to figure out how these people know her name, she crashed into a familiar blue haired boy while losing her glasses.

"Twilight?" Flash questioned, recognizing her face as he got up on his knees and looked at her, "I almost didn't recognize you.”

Flash helps Twilight on her feet while Alex looked on in confusion. Flash picked up Twilight's glasses in perplexity. "When did you start wearin' glasses?"

"Um, like, since forever?" Twilight responded, fidgeting with her hands.

"Oh." Flash said in realization, handing Twilight the glasses. "So how long are you here for?"

"Just for the Friendship Games," Twilight replied as she puts on her eyewear.

“You know this dude, Twi?” Alex asked Twilight, and Flash notices Alex.

“Hey there. You a friend of hers?” Flash said, offering a hand to Alex. “Name’s Flash Sentry.”

Alex looked to Twilight, who was still just as confused as he was, before deciding to return the gesture. “Alex. Alex Davidson. And yes, I’m a friend of Twilight's.”

"Pleasure, dude!" Flash said with a friendly smile. "We'll totally win with you here."

Twilight stared at him for a moment, before looking back at her device, which was indicating that the anomaly she was searching for was located somewhere on her right, beeping loudly as it glowed to get her attention.

"Uh, I gotta go," Twilight responded before running off rather, leaving both Flash and Salazar.

"Uh, okay.” Flash replied, somewhat perplexed as he rubbed the back of his neck, then looking to Salazar. “Well, I suppose it's just the two of us, man.”

“I’d love to stick around, but I better go after Twi.” Alex replied. “Just in case she doesn’t get into any sort of trouble.” And with that, Alex walked off to catch up to Twilight, leaving Flash even more puzzled.

Aggregor walked up to CHS, his tracking device pinpointing the energy signature to that spot. But the device also picked up on another energy spike, this one being greater than the previous one he's been following.

Aggregor looked up ahead, noticing the many students that had gathered out in the courtyard.

“Hmm. I'll never get my hands on the energy source with this many people present “ Aggregor then fished into his sack, rummaging for whatever he could use to sneak into the facility.

Luckily, he found a brownish colored mask that looked like it had a shocked expression.

Welcome to the Twilight Zone

Back at the music room, the gang were dressed up in costumes made by Rarity.

Fluttershy was dressed as a hockey goalie with gear similar to her regular clothes, Pinkie Pie was in a cowgirl outfit, Rainbow Dash was dressed as a police officer, Sunset was in the blue outfit of a welder, Applejack was wearing what appeared to be a cricket uniform that had a number fourteen upon its front.

Even Tristen and the Dazzlings were dressed in costumes. Adagio was dressed in a red sequin cocktail dress, Aria was dressed in a pink girl costume, Sonata was dressed as a 90s-era diner waitress, and Tristen was dressed as a military soldier.

"Uh, Rarity," Applejack said as Rarity sped off, "these outfits are great, but why would you put so much time and effort into clothes we might not even wear. You're gonna exhaust yourself before the games even start."

"Oh, pff. Kch. Fff Ts! Don't be silly, darling!" Rarity scoffed. "Putting effort into clothes is what I live for. And spending time with my friends fills me with energy!"

Suddenly, Rarity began to shine in an indigo aura that enveloped her body. Everyone watched in surprise as Rarity’s pony ears sprouted as her hair grew out into her long ponytail.

"And magic, too." Sunset noted out of surprise. "I guess."

(Meanwhile)

Out in the hallway, Twilight was still trying to find the energy signature her pendant was picking up.

All of a sudden, and to her surprise, the pendant popped itself open. Twilight watched on in surprise as the pendant glowed brightly.

(Back with the gang)

As Rarity’s indigo aura shined, she began to float in the air. But suddenly, the aura Rarity emanated began to seep through the doors.

(With Twilight)

Twilight looked ahead to see streaks of Rarity’s aura sleep through the doors and trail towards her.

Twilight watched in shock as the aura was sucked into her opened pendant.

(Back with the gang)

Once her aura was gone, Rarity was floating down to the floor, having a fatigued expression gracing on her face.

"Actually, Applejack, now that you mention it," Rarity groaned as her ponytail and pony ears disappear, "I suppose I could use a tiny break." Rarity fell backwards to the floor, making Applejack catch her.

"I told you." Applejack reprimanded as Sonata and Adagio helped her up.

Suddenly, the sound of a door opening caught their attention. They all look to see Twilight standing there.

“Twilight!” They said in joy as they approached her, leaving the bespectacled girl surprised.

“Well, I'll be.” Applejack said. “You shoulda told us you were comin'.”

“Can't just get enough of us, can you?” Adagio added in a teasing manner.

“Darling, those glasses.” Rarity said, gesturing to Twilight's uniform. “What are you wearing? It's so... severe.”

“My uniform?” Twilight replied in confusion. "But why does everyone at this school know who I am?" she asked, raising an eyebrow while she gestured towards the group.

"What do you mean?" Aria asked back, "Don't you know us? Did you hit your head something?"

Suddenly, Spike popped out of Twilight's bag, yipping excitedly.

"Spike!" Fluttershy, Rarity, and Sonata exclaimed collectively in joy as the animal lover pats Spike on the head.

However, Twilight gasped in surprise. "You know my dog's name, too?" Twilight asked in shock. The gang look at one another in confusion.

“Twilight?” A voice called out from outside, when suddenly Alex walked in. “There you are. You can’t just-” Alex stops himself as he notices the others in the room.

“Ooh, hello handsome.” Adagio said flirtatiously, sauntering her way towards Alex. “And who’s your friend?”

Alex, blushing a bit, stared ankle at Adagio. “A-Alex.” Alex stuttered. “Alex Davidson.”

“Oh my, aren’t you certainly eye candy?” Rarity said, equally as flirtatious as she walked to Alex, further adding to the boy's discomfort as she felt his biceps. “My, such muscle. Do you work out?”

Alex was blushing up a storm while smiling nervously. “W-Well, uh…” Alex stuttered out bashfully, “I do hit the gym three times a week.”

“It really shows.” Adagio said with a wink. “I do love me some good meat every now and then, if you catch my drift.” Alex blushed profusely at that, knowing fully well that it was an inuendo.

Tristen and Aria snickered at the flirting Rarity and Adagio were giving Alex while Fluttershy blushed profusely at Adagio's inuendo. “You could at least buy him dinner first, Adagio.” Aria said, earning a light scowl from Adagio.

Just outside, Principal Celestia was continuing to guide Principal Cinch throughout the halls, about to pass by the music room.

"And our music program has especially taken off," Celestia pointed out as they stopped near the open doors, but she then suddenly gasped upon taking notice of the girl right at the entryway. "Twilight?"

"This is getting ridiculous!" Twilight muttered to herself as Cinch walked towards her.

"I must apologize for the curiosity of my prized student." Cinch said, taking Celestia and Wondercolt crew by surprise.

"Your student?" Celestia asked in shock.

Alex rolled his eyes in disdain from Cinch’s presence. “And what exactly am I, then?” Alex asked sarcastically.

Cinch casts a scowl at him in response. “A complete nuisance, a hazard to my health, and a student I regret having in my school!” Cinch responded bitterly while Celestia and her students watched on in surprise.

Alex crossed his arms with. “Whatever pisses you off the most is fine with me, Cinch.” Alex shot back with a smug grin, earning a glare from Cinch and a worried look from Twilight while Celestia and her students watch on in surprise.

“And why aren't you in your school uniform?” Cinch shot back. “How many times must I tell you?! If you're attending my school, you must represent!”

“Until you realize that there's not a snowball’s chance in hell that you’ll make me wear one of those monkey suits!” Alex shot back as he and Cinch stared each other down.

“Alex, stop!” Twilight interjected as she got in-between the two, casting a slight glare at her male friend. “Remember what we've talked about!”

Cinch took a deep breath to calm herself down. “I’ll let that outburst slide!” Cinch retorted. “For now, we best meet up with the others! Come along!” Cinch said as she and Twilight walked off.

“God, what I would do to throw a bucket of water at her to see if she'd melt!” Alex growled angrily before walking off.

"I didn't know Twilight had a twin sister," Celestia noted in perplexity.

"She doesn't!" Pinkie replied. "That Twilight is obviously the Twilight from this world since it couldn't possibly be the Twilight from the pony world since the Twilight from the pony world doesn't go to Crystal Prep or wear glasses!"

Celestia was stunned and was about to say something, but she had nothing to say. "Nevermind…" Celestia said before walking off.

Tristen was surprised at hearing that, but he knew that Pinkie was right on the money.

Out in the courtyard, Cinch was guiding Twilight was back to the line of Crystal Prep students beside the buses, walking behind her.

"I'm sorry, Principal Cinch. I was just following these strange readings," Twilight said while looking at her device. "Actually, they led me to those girls and-"

"Twilight," Cinch interrupted Twilight, "what you do in your free time is of little interest to me. But while you're here, I… all of Crystal Prep, in fact, require your complete focus.”

"But why does everyone at this school seem to know me?" Twilight asked out of confusion.

"Perhaps they're trying to confuse you." Cinch suggested. "Perhaps they're trying to lure you away.”

“Didn't seem like it to me.” Alex said as he walked towards the two. “Especially how friendly they were earlier.”

Cinch casts a scowl at him. “I never recalled asking for your opinion, Alexander.”

“Maybe you're going senile.” Alex replied in a smartass manner, making Cinch glare at him. “After all, the mind is the first thing to go when you-” Twilight interrupted him by covering his mouth, flashing him a warning glare.

“This conversation does not include you, Alexander.” Cinch said while pointing at where the students were lined up at. “Dismissed!”

Tristen kept his glare at Cinch before walking off. Once he was gone, Cinch returned her attention to Twilight. “Now Twilight, I don't know what they're playing at, but I guarantee, it isn't to help us win."

With that said, Cinch, gestured for Twilight to get in line with the rest of her fellow students, which she did with a saddened and depressed look.

Back inside, the gang were walking through the halls, still trying to wrap their heads around their meeting with Twilight earlier.

“I can't believe our world's Twilight goes to Crystal Prep!” Rarity said in confusion.

“You're saying that Twilight's gonna play against us?” Rainbow asked in shock. “She'd never do that!’

“Our Twilight wouldn't.” Fluttershy added, equally as appalled.

“Our Twilight is from Equestria.” Tristen interjected. “She said that there were pony versions of you guys back in Equestria. So why wouldn't this world have a version of her.”

“And our Twilight is a princess in Equestria and an expert in friendship magic!” Sunset said, frustration clear in her voice. “And if she was here, we'd have already figured out why magic is randomly popping up during pep rallies and costume changes.” Tristen placed a hand on her shoulder to calm Sunset down, making said girl take a deep breath. “Sorry. I'm just frustrated that I haven't heard back from her.”

“She's a princess in Equestria, Sunset.” Tristen said to Sunset in an assuring manner. “She has her own problems to handle too.”

Sonata nods in agreement. “He's right, Sunset.” Sonata added. “She might be having a problem right now.”

“We certainly can't expect her to drop everything and pop through the portal whenever.” Rarity chimed in. “Especially if it's to deal with something as minor as a few random pony-ups.”

“But they aren't minor!” Sunset responded. “Magic came into this world when I stole Twilight's crown. It's taken a lot for me to earn everyone's trust.” Sunset rambled on. “If we have to forfeit the games because I can't think of a way to keep it under control…”

“Take it easy, Sunset.” Tristen said, trying to calm his friend down. “Don't go having a cow already.”

“I'm sure you'll be able to figure things out.” Fluttershy said reassuringly to Sunset.

“I'm sure it's nothing you can't handle." Sonata continued with a soft smile. “After all, you did help us take down Adagio and Aria while freeing them from Decibot's influence.”

Adagio and Aria nodded in agreement. “Got that right.” Aria said.

“Come on, guys!” Rainbow beckoned her friends and teammates, "Let's see if we can find any info about the events and come up with a strategy." However, Sunset remained behind, still pondering something. "You comin'?" Rainbow asked.

“I'll catch up with you guys in a bit," Sunset responded, getting a Rainbow.

Sunset had just opened the entrance doors to the school, heading outside with her book in her hands, opening it up to reveal blank pages.

“Still no reply.” Sunset said, sighing out. But then she looked up to see the campus statue. An idea then came to her mind as she approached the statue. “Maybe there's another way I could reach her.”

Sunset placed her right hand on the mirror, which suddenly let out a burst of energy as her appendage became stuck to it, much to her absolute shock.

"Hey!" Sunset tried to pry herself off of it, dropping her book in the process. "Let go!"

On the other side, the red aura from Sunset was going into the device Twilight held, the bespectacled girl was just as shocked.

Twilight, still bewildered, managed to close her device back up just as the red aura swirled around the small energy sphere inside, making both her and Sunset break free from the connection.

The device of the sparked with electricity momentarily, and Sunset took notice of Twilight. "What did you do?!" Sunset asked hysterically Twilight nervously sped off.

Sunset, still shocked and fatigued, got back up and rested her hand against the statue. But upon realizing this Sunset’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"Where's the portal?" Sunset asked, panic stricken as she moved both of her hands across base of the statue, "Where's the portal?!”

As Sunset panicked, Aggregor was standing in the roof of the school building, gazing at his tracker. He noticed the signals from both Sunset and the portal were gone, while the one emitting from Twilight still lingered. And to his intrigued, the energetic reading detected from his detector were more intense.

“Interesting.” Aggregor said to himself. “Whatever this girl has, it allows her to absorb the bizarre energy this facility is harboring.” Aggregor looks down to Twilight, who was still fleeing. “And I will claim it.”

With a sinister chortle, Aggregor puts on the mask, becoming completely invisible shortly afterwards.

Sorry to rain on your parade

Students from both Canterlot High and Crystal Prep students were all gathered within the gymnasium, which was decorated nicely for the welcoming party. Unfortunately, however, both sides weren't interacting with one another, instead preferring to keep a distance.

Outside, the gang were walking throughout the halls, while discussing the events that happened the day before.

"What do ya mean the portal's gone?" Applejack asked.

"I mean it's gone!" Sunset responded with mild anger. "It's closed! It's not there anymore!"

"How'd that happen?" Rainbow asked.

"I don't know!" Sunset replied with a concerned look, "But I think it's got something to do with that Twilight." Sunset pushed them open, revealing the party. Or at least it would be a party if everyone was mingling with one another and interacting.

The gang looked around before they spot Twilight walking around, looking at her device in her hands.

"What in tarnation is she up to?" Applejack asked.

"Leave this to me." Sunset declared with a serious expression. "Twilight."

The bespectacled girl looks over to see Sunset coming towards her. "What have you been up to?" Sunset asked, crossing her arms in a serious manner as the others approached her as well.

"Me?" Twilight asked nervously. "Oh, I was just-”

“Who wants to know?!" Indigo Zap suddenly interjected.

"Um, we do!" Rainbow chimed in as she and Indigo Zap stared each other down.

"Alright, everyone!” Applejack said as she got between the two. "Let's not get too competitive before the games even start."

"The games aren't really competitive since we've never lost," Sugarcoat mentioned bluntly, jumping into the conversation.

"That's not a very nice thing to say." Fluttershy chimed in.

"Sorry, dearie," Sunny Flare replied sarcastically. "But these games aren't about being nice."

“Do you broads ever shut up?”

Both groups look to see Alex walking towards them.

“You again?” Sour Sweet asked bitterly. “This conversation doesn't involve you.”

“It does when it involves Twilight!” Alex barked back. “And why do you care, anyway? You dickheads don't even bother to give her a sideways glance!”

"Look, we just want to talk to Twilight!” Tristen chimed in, glaring at the other Shadowbolts. "So, if you would ladies be so kind as to step off?”

"Well forget it, bud!" Indigo Zap fired back.

Alex suddenly raised the drink he had and pouring it onto Indigo Zap’s head. The other Shadowbolts gasp out in shock while Tristen and friends were flabbergasted by what they just saw Alex do. And as for Indigo Zap, she was staring at Alex with absolute fury.

“What?” Alex asked with a smug grin. “You looked a little hot under the collar.”

“Alexander Davidson!”

Alex quicky lost his smirk as he slowly turned around, seeing a rather displeased Cinch glaring at him.

“Uh-oh.” Sunny Flare muttered with a wicked grin. “Someone's in the doghouse now.”

“It certainly did not take you long to get in trouble, didn’t it?” Cinch said with fury in her tone.

“Principal Cinch, please.” Twilight said to the woman, but Cinch ignored her.

“If you think I’m ignoring that display of yours, then you are sorely mistaken.” Cinch growled angrily to Alex. “I have half a mind to exclude you from the Friendship Games!”

Sour Sweet then had an idea. “Principal Cinch, if I may be so bold,” Sour Sweet walked towards Cinch before whispered into the woman’s ear.

Whatever Sour Sweet was suggesting, it was truly evil if Cinch’s smile was of any indication. Cinch looks back at Alex. “Alexander, as of now, I’m sentencing you to servitude under the Shadowbolts for the rest of the Friendship Games.” Cinch gestured to the Shadow Bolts. “Therefore, anything they say goes."

“What!?” Alex asked in shock.

“You can’t do that!” Rarity declared.

“I can, and I did.” Cinch replied rudely to Rarity.

“I'd sooner take a bullet between my eyes than take orders from these floozies!” Alex declared defiantly while gesturing to the Shadowbolts.

“You don't have much of a choice!” Cinch retorted. “And if I hear so much as one complaint, or if you step out of line even once, then you leave me no choice but to have you held back a year!”

Alex, now absolutely furious, shook in rage. “Now see here you pasty, wrinkled, motherfu-”

“Alex! Stop!” Twilight declared as she got before him, looking at him in disappointment. “Don’t make it any worse!”

Alex looked at Twilight, then back at Cinch, having no choice but to relent. With a smirk, Cinch and her students walked off, leaving him, Twilight, and the Canterlot High gang.

Alex looked at Twilight, who just looked away in disappointment. “Twi-”

“Don't!” Twilight replied bitterly. “Just don't!” Twilight walked off while Alex watched on in worry.

“Oh Davidson~.” Sunny Flare called out mockingly, whistling at him like she was calling a dog. “Here boy~.” Alex growled in response, but kept his mouth shut as he walked towards them.

“It's like the Battle of the Bands all over again." Sonata said, earning a nod of agreement from the others.

Twilight looks over at Alex, who was forced to accompany the other Shadow Bolts.

“Hey Davidson!”

Alex looked to see three students. One was a girl with grayish brown eyes, hair that was grayish violet and a very pale orchid complexion. She is Suri Polomare.

The second was a boy with a grayish azure complexion, moderate gold eyes and hair that was a mix of pale, light grayish cobalt blue and white. His name is Royal Pin.

And the third was a girl with a pale, light grayish olive complexion, hair that was a pale, light grayish indigo and light gray streaks. This is Upper Crust.

Alex groaned out in annoyance. “Yeah, yeah, what do you want?”

“I’m feeling a bit parched.” Suri said with a smirk. “Go fetch me some punch.”

“Make it a double.” Royal Pin said, making Alex scowl even more.

“Fine.” Alex scoffed.

“And when you get back, my feet could use a rub down.” Upper Crust said with a sinister grin.

“Ooh. Mine too.” Suri added, chuckling.

Alex groaned before getting up. “Alright, whatever!” Alex replied, grumbling to himself angrily. “Sons of bitches.”

Royal Pin raised an eyebrow. “Come again?” Royal Pin asked, raising a hand up to his ear. “I didn't catch that.”

“Nothing!” Alex replied, waving at them dismissively as he made his way to the punch bowl.

Twilight watched Alex with a sympathetic look. But she suddenly felt herself hit something behind her, making her move to the side and see Pinkie right there.

"Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie!" Pinkie introduced.

"Oh, hi, I'm Twilight," Twilight responded.

"I know," Pinkie. You look just like my friend." Pinkie mentioned. "Her name is Twilight too."

Twilight was a bit weirded out by that reveal. "That's...weird…"

Pinkie noticed the pendant Twilight had. "What's that?"

"It's sort of a spectrometer." Twilight answered. "I built it to track EM frequencies, but it can also contain anomalies." Pinkie continued to smile widely, but blink rapidly out of being perplexed. "It measures things."

"Oh… Like the party?" Pinkie questioned.

"Yeah," Twilight replied while noticing the bored partygoers. "Though it doesn't look like much of a party to me." She then looks over to see Alex was rubbing Upper Crusts feet with a disdainful look.

"I know." Pinkie agreed. "Something is definitely missing." After some thinking, a smile of excitement graced her face. "Come on!"

"Hello, everyone!" Principal Celestia greeted all of the students on a stand upon the stage, getting their collective attention. "I'd like to take this opportunity to greet all of our students at Crystal Prep Academy and welcome them to CHS." she declared in a polite manner.

Meanwhile, Pinkie and Twilight were at the entrance, shoving in what appeared to be large gift boxes.

“What… in the world… is in these things?" Twilight asked in between shoves before they both stopped.

"Party cannons, of course!" Pinkie answered as she removed the box to reveal the cannons.

"And lastly," Celestia continued, "I would like to recognize the twelve students that CHS has elected to compete."

"I don't think we could have chosen a better group to represent the excellence, sportsmanship, and friendship the games stand for."

Meanwhile, Pinkie appeared by one of the snack tables, removing its food and replacing it with a brand-new tablecloth stacked with display trays of cupcakes.

Pinkie then quickly ran over to a lever on the wall and pulled it down, turning off all the lights in the gym to allow the disco ball to activate, catching everyone's attention. Pinkie then appeared in the DJ booth, hanging from the ceiling and handing off a record to DJ-Pon3, who immediately accepted it with a smile and put it on her turntable system.

And once the music was one, everyone started conversing with one another, ignoring the fact that they were rivals for the moment as they were having a good time.

Tristen smirked, knowing who was behind this nice change of pace. “Gotta admit, Pinkie does some quick work.” Cortana appeared on the Omnitrix, nodding in agreement

Pinkie was so ecstatic and overjoyed to hear people laughing, the sight of people enjoying themselves truly fill her with pride. Moments later a pinkish aura began emanating from Pinkie’s body, and her pony ears appeared as her hair grew out into a ponytail while beginning to ascend upwards. "Ooh, floaty!"

Twilight just stood back up from the floor in shock. But then suddenly, she noticed her device was moving on its own. It popped open, revealing the small sphere of energy inside of it.

Suddenly, it yanked her forward as it began sucking away the pinkish aura from Pinkie, who began to develop a fatigued look on her face, catching the attention of Alex and Tristen.

"Oh crap!" Tristen uttered, sprinting his way towards Pinkie while said party girl lost her pony ears and ponytail. Pinkie began to float back down to the floor, the last of her glowing energy was pulled away.

(Meanwhile)

Aggregor was standing on the other side of the gym doors, observing the scene while looking at the tracker he held.

His intrigue piqued when he saw the energy signature emanating from Pinkie was finishing while the one from Twilight's pendant increased.

Upon learning of this, Aggregor smirked as he returned his attention to Twilight.

(Back in the Gym)

"Aw…" Pinkie moaned as she was helped up by Tristen. "Oh… I am party pooped…"

"Twilight!" Alex called, catching Twilight's attention, "What did you just do?!"

"I-I don't know." Twilight said as she looked at the device.

"You don't know?" Alex asked in disbelief. “You're the one who built that thing! How can you not know-”

"Ahem!" Suri called out, catching Alex's attention. "I don't recall giving you a break!"

Alex groaned out in dismay. "I'm coming, I'm coming! Don't get your panties in a twist!" Alex began walking towards the trio.

Suddenly, someone began thumping on the microphone, which caused feedback to sound off, causing everyone to cringe as the lights came back on, and the music stopped playing upon the scratch of a record

"What the-?" Tristen asked before looking towards the stage, seeing Cinch was the one that decided to halt the party. "Oh, great!"

"Ahem," Principal Cinch coughed, catching everyone's attention. "I'd like to thank Principal Celestia for her unconventional welcome. It's been four years since the last Friendship Games, but it feels as though nothing has changed." Cinch continued as she wipes her glasses. "Canterlot High continues to pick its competitors in a popularity contest, and Crystal Prep continues to field its top twelve students.”

As Cinch spoke her speech, Tristen was airing venomously at the woman. "Oh, that wrinkly old bag!”

Twilight and Pinkie watch Tristen walk off towards the stage, both a bit perplexed and a little worried that he'll do something stupid.

"It is a comfort to know that even after so many years of losses," Cinch mentioned, causing both Luna and Celestia to look at her in anger, "your school remains too committed to its ideals, however misguided they may be. I wish you all the best of luck-"

“Ok, that's enough out of you grandma!” Tristen said as he got to Cinch and quickly grabbed the microphone from the stand, causing a bit of feedback to sound off before he held it in front of his face. "Don't let Wrinkles McGee here bring you folks down! We're all Wondercolts, right?" Tristen declared, making his fellow Wondercolts murmur to one another. "So why don't we show these Crystal Prisses what we're really made of?!"

The Canterlot students seemed to agree with Tristen, his words motivating them. "Yeah, Crystal Prep won the last few times. But this year, we'll be the ones rubbing our victory Witchypoo's face!" Tristen points towards Cinch while said woman glared at him. "Even these high and mighty prudes should know that not every fight is a victory! And we'll be the ones to give them the cold splash of reality they need!" With that, the many Wondercolts cheered thunderously in response while the Crystal Prep students glared at him.

"Young man!" Cinch barked, making Tristen’s turn to face her. "Are you trying to get yourself expelled?"

"Hey! You were the one talking trash about us!” Tristen barked back. “Acting like you're going to win this one like you did every other year!"

"Only because I know our victory is inevitable!" Cinch shot back with a smug grin, but Tristen just chuckled in response.

"Woman, you are so full of crap I can smell it in your breath." Tristen said, making Cinch glare at him while a majority of the Crystal Prep student’s present collectively gasp. "You could cause global warming just by yapping."

The Canterlot High students erupted into laughter upon hearing that roast while the Crystal Prep students were shocked. Alex, while rubbing Upper Crust’s feet, smiled at the fact that somebody hated Cinch as much as he did. And as for Cinch, she was so angry that steam could shoot out of her ears.

"Ok, Tristen. That's quite enough." Vice Principal Luna chuckled, grabbing the microphone from Tristen while said boy still smirked Cinch.

"Besides, Principal Cinch," Celestia said, jumping in on the conversation "I'm sure he was only trying to excite our students the same way you excited yours."

"Did you not hear what this insolent ruffian said?" Cinch said, casting a glare to Tristen. "I'm surprised someone as unruly as him is even allowed to attend to this school!"

"And yet it's fine for you to diss on CHS?" Tristen argued back. "Ya wanna be the pot or the kettle?”

Cinch, now angrier than a hornet's nest, just storms off of the stage while Tristen casts a triumphant grin. And with that, Tristen casually made his way off the stage and over to his friends, getting a few more cheers from his fellow students as he passed by.

"Man!" Rainbow said while still chuckling a bit. "That was some serious smack talk back there!" Rainbow shared a high-five with Tristen.

Rarity however smacked Rainbow's shoulder. "Rainbow, we must not encourage this!" Rarity said before casting a glare to Tristen. "And you, mister," Rarity pokes her index finger onto Tristen’s chest.

"Hey, you heard what that two-legged mule said!" Tristen counted in defense. "I wasn't gonna let that fly."

"Yeah," Pinkie agreed in a fatigued tone, "she's awful…".

"Awful? I think you mean bitchy." Tristen replied, earning a slap on the shoulder from Rarity.

"Wow, Pinkie, what happened to you?" Sunset asked with concern.

"I dunno. Everyone started having fun after Twilight and I fired the party cannons and I ponied up," Pinkie explained.

"Of course you did," Sunset realized, rolling her eyes while she crossed her arms.

"But then the magic just… drained right out of me…" Pinkie continued, taking Sunset by surprise.

"Wait! What do you mean 'drained out of you'?" Sunset asked.

"It's that damn pendant Twilight has." Alex said as walking to them, earning their attention.

"You saw that too, huh?" Tristen asked Alex, the latter nodding in reply.

"Oh Davidson~." Indigo Zap called out, making the boy growl and give her his attention. "I spilled my drink." Indigo points to a cup on the floor, a puddle of punch with it. "Clean it up."

"You got two feet, don't you?" Salazar retorted. "There's a roll of paper towels just a few feet away!"

"Principal Cinch!" Indigo Zap called out, making Alex sigh before walking towards the paper towels, making the girl smile. "Good boy."

"Oh, what nerve?" Rarity said, clearly not liking how the Shadowbolts are treating Alex.

"Tell me about it!" Aria said, nodding in agreement. "I ought to smack those pricks to the wall!"

"Hey.” Applejack said, “Where is that other Twilight?"

"Oh, she's right..." Pinkie said, but stopped herself mid-sentence when she saw Twilight was missing. "Uh, well, she was right here."

Let the games begin

"Good morning, students, I'm sure you're all thrilled to start the first day of the Friendship Games. Our competitors will face off in every aspect of the CHS curriculum."

Many students that were participating in the games listened on.

"Culminating in the elimination equation finale."

Cadence was with everyone else in the school foyer as the principals of both institutes were with her, along with the competitors.

"Welcome to the first event," Cadence began, "the Academic Decathlon! You'll be scored on chemistry, home-ec and everything in between. But remember," she continued as the students stared each other down, "only the six students from each team with the most points will move on to event number two. Good luck."

♪Ho! We're gonna take you down
Ho! We're gonna take you down!
Take you down! (Ho! We're gonna take you down!)
Take you down! (Down, down, down)
(Oh oh!) We're here to take you out
(Aw aw!) We're here to take you out (Aw aw!)
Take you out! (We're here take you out!)
Take you out!♪

The competition began with the students starting in chemistry. The contestants mixed chemicals together over Bunsen burners, trying to create the correct substance.

♪We're not about to let you win, so get out of our way
Think you got us beat, but we're here to stay
United strong, yeah, we'll take you down
You're not so tough, now you're in our town
All of the times we lost before
Not about to give up, we're only bringin' it more
We can smell your fear, we can see your sweat
Hope you didn't spend money 'cause you're losin' this bet!
You've got nothin' on us
Na, na, na-na-na, na
Let's go, Wondercolts!
You've got nothin' on us♪

Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were teaming up for the cake-baking challenge along with Applejack and Rarity, all working diligently as everyone else was in the making of them.

Once everyone was done, Celestia, Luna, and Cadance was tasked with judging their progress.

Suri Polomare and Upper Crust had a very decorative cake, with their school's emblem upon it. They handed out sample pieces to the judges on paper plates, grinning at each other confidently as they each took small bites of it, liking it as they approached the Wondercolt duo next.

Luckily, Pinkie Pie sliced her large pastry in half, smirking as she moved the right one aside to reveal the inside, being a replica of the Mona Lisa created out of the mix, much to the shock of the judges as they all dropped their forks in shock.

Tristen casts a smug grin at the Shadowbolt team while Cinch did not take the failure lightly.

♪Na, na, na-na-na, na
Let's go, Wondercolts!
Talk a little too much for a school that never wins!
Maybe you should just stop 'fore you even begin!
We are Crystal Prep High and we have a reputation!
Every little moment is about our education!♪

The next round came, this one being the home-ec challenge.

Both teams were tasked in building birdhouses, which seemed like a simple enough task.

Well, the Shadowbolts seemed to have a good handle on it, while the Wondercolt team were having a bit more difficulty.

♪Put your ear to the ground,
Listen to that sound!
You're a house of cards,
And it's about to fall down! (fall down)
About to fall down (fall down), hit the ground!♪

The first to be judged was the birdhouse built by Micro Chips and Sandalwood, which looked somewhat crude and insecure. Upon tapping it with her pen, Luna saw the structure completely fall apart, causing the two competitors to frown in defeat.

Meanwhile, Indigo Zap and Sugarcoat unveiled their birdhouse to the three officials, which was a two-story design with two perches, a balcony, and flames painted upon it.

♪You've got nothin' on us!
Na, na, na-na-na, na!
Let's go, Shadowbolts!♪

Sour Sweet and the remaining Shadowbolt cast smug grins at the other Wondercolts.

Tristen replied by putting her thumb and index finger of her right hand in a ring and shook them near his mouth, synchronously pulling her cheek with her tongue from the inside before flipping them off. Rarity smacked his shoulder in response while the Sour Sweet sneered at him.

♪You've got nothin' on us!
Na, na, na-na-na, na!
Let's go, Shadowbolts!
Pressure's on, now we're gonna beat you
Step aside, it's time that we defeat you
Crystal Prep yourself 'cause you're about to go
Down, down, down, down
Pressure's on, you know we're gonna take you
Just give up before we have to break you
Canter-not-a-lot, you're about to go
Down, down, down, down♪

The next challenge was a spelling bee round, with the Wondercolts incorrectly presaging difficult words. The Shadowbolts weren't faring very well either.

♪Take it up to the top,
'Cause we know we can win!
Maybe you should just stop,
'Cause we've seen you give in!
We believe in ourselves,
And we've got what it takes!
And we're not gonna stop!♪

Finally, the last challenge for round 1 came. Twilight was pitted up against Sunset. Tristen and the others were cheering Sunset on while Twilight’s fellow Shadowbolts barely cheered for her at all.

♪I can't wait 'til this is all over…
There's so much more that's going on…
And before these games are over,
I'll find out just what she's done!♪

Both girls had chalkboards in front of them, with a trigonometry equation of a triangle upon both. And with no time to waste, the two began to jot on their respective chalk boards, writing down numbers and variables to try and solve the problem.

♪Can she do it? Will she make it?
Who will win it? Who will take it?
Can she do it? Who will take it?
Did she win it? Did she make it?♪

Both girls were putting their all into their equations, working diligently, going through the conundrum quickly.

And what made it more tense was the fact that Principal Cinch was standing between them as the lone judge.

♪Who's the winner? Who's the reject?
How did she answer?!♪

"Incorrect!" Cinch stated, taking Sunset Shimmer by surprise while Twilight was relieved.

"That means the winner of the Friendship Games' first event is Twilight Sparkle and Crystal Prep!" Luna declared, standing up from the judges' table. Twilight smiled happily at her success. Though her fellow students didn't seem to share that enthusiasm.

“That’s not fair!” Sonata said in protest. “Can there be a rematch?”

“I’m sorry, Sonata. The judges make the decisions, not us.” Adagio said to Sonata, just as upset.

Meanwhile, Rainbow ran up to the stage and immediately wrapped her left arm around the red and yellow haired girl out of jubilance. "Don’t worry about it, that was still awesome!" Rainbow as Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Applejack joined her in meeting with their teammate.

"But… we didn't win!" Sunset pointed out, somewhat confused and frustrated as she held her arms out.

"That was as close to winnin' Canterlot's ever been.” Applejack mentioned in response, placing her right elbow on her friend's shoulder, gesturing towards the excited crowd, where Tristen, Pixel, and the Dazzlings were clapping excitedly for their friends.

Sunset smiled at the support her friends were giving her.

"After a careful tally of the points," Dean Cadance began, "we'd like to present the students moving on to the Friendship Games' second event."

The twelve girls up there were applauded by the whole audience. The Wondercolt team cheered and laughed happily for themselves, making Twilight sigh as her teammates barely batted an eye, let alone clapped while she held her right arm.

“Can you believe this?” Aria asked Adagio. “Even though they won, they ain't giving her the cheers she deserves."

As the Shadowbolts exited down the steps on stage left, Twilight was about to follow them, but Flash Sentry approached her.

"Congratulations!" Flash said in a sportsman-like manner, much to her surprise as she stopped. "You were really great!"

Twilight smiled at that but took notice of her device humming as it was directing her to her left.

"I'm sorry. Excuse me.” Twilight said before walking away, leaving Flash puzzled.

(Later)

The remaining Wondercolts were gathered along with Tristen and the Dazzlings at the school statue, conversing with one another.

“Man.” Rainbow Dash said with a sour look. “Even though they won, they don’t even bother to give Twilight a proper applause. So much for team effort!”

“It pisses me off, too.” Tristen said, just as furious as Rainbow was. “I don’t know what their problem is with her, but…”

“You bumbling idiot!”

The group looked to see Twilight getting berated by Suri. Twilight was flinching in fear as Suri unleashed the tongue of fury. “You made me get dirt on my uniform!” Suri berated, pointing to a dirt stain on her shirt. “Why don’t you watch where you’re going?!”

“I’m so sorry… I” Twilight stuttered in terror.

“I’m so sorry. You’re pathetic!” Suri said in fury. “You’re going to pay for ruining my uniform!” Suri then points to the stain on the floor.

Tristen watched this go down, his anger rising quickly. “HEY!” Tristen called out, making Suri and Twilight look at him. “She said she was sorry!” Tristen stoned his way towards them.

“This is none of your business!” Suri said rudely. “So, butt out!”

“Why do you and everyone else treat Twilight like crap?!” Tristen growled furiously, not backing down. “She’s a part of your team, and yet you pricks treat her like she’s a second-class citizen!”

“Oh boy.” Sunset said in worry as she and the others followed him.

“Why do you care?” Suri asked with a sour look.

“I care because I’m not a heartless sack of crap like you or everyone else at Crystal Prep!” Tristen barked back as the others joined in, and Twilight looked at him with a surprised look.

“Why am I even talking to a lowlife like you?” Suri looked away with a harrumph.

Tristen crossed his arms, casting a bitter glare at her. “Jesus H. Christ!” Tristen shot back. “Is it that time of the month for you? Or are you always this bitchy?” Twilight, Rarity, and Sunset collectively gasped out in shock while Suri glared at him.

“Tristen!” Fluttershy scolded.

“Excuse me?!” Suri replied with rage. “You wanna run that by me again, smart guy?”

“Tristen, please.” Sonata said.

“No, no. Just a sec, guys.” Tristen said to his friends before looking back at Suri. “You see, like most of the other bitches at that communist nation you call a school, you push Twilight around because she actually has a bright future while you just have your parent’s money and a lifetime of regrets ahead of you!" As Tristen spoke, Suri’s anger had quickly turned into anguish. "So you give Twilight a hard time to avoid the inevitable realization that by the time you hit thirty, you're gonna end up on the streets as a homeless down on her luck five-dollar ashtray of a street whore selling your used up body just to make ends meet while Twilight goes on to win an Academy award or something." Tristen, finished with his quip, crossed his arms. "So, who’s the lowlife in this situation now? Because it sure as hell ain't me!"

Suri’s eyes started to water up, her bottom lip began quivering, before she ran off while bawling.

"Damn." Aria muttered out, taken aback by Tristen's choice of words.

“Jeez Louise, Tristen!” Pinkie spoke in shock. "Don't you think that was a bit much?"

“I agree.” Twilight said, getting the boy’s attention. “I appreciate you standing up for me, don't get me wrong. But that was a little uncalled for.”

Tristen looked at Twilight. “Seriously?” Tristen replied. “I couldn’t just stand by and watch that chick bark at you like that.”

“Hey!”

They turned to see the whole Shadowbolt team walking towards them, each one clearly not happy. Indigo Zap glared venomously at Tristen, getting right up in his face. “What did you say to our teammate?!” Indigo Zap motioned to Suri, who was still sobbing being comforted by Upper Crust.

“Me?” Tristen started in a smartass manner. “I just gave her a much-needed reality check is all!” Tristen shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s not my fault she can’t handle the truth!”

Indigo Zap growled furiously as she grabbed Tristen by the collar of his jacket. “You are so dead, punk!” Indigo Zap then shoved Tristen to the ground.

“Tristen!” Pinkie cried out as Rainbow and Applejack went to help, only for Neon Lights and Royal Pin to block them. Aria was about to help out, but Trenderhoof got in her way as they both stared each other down.

“That’s enough!”

Both sides looked to see Dean Cadance standing there, her arms crossed and was not happy at what she was currently seeing.

“Dean Cadance!” Twilight said in nervousness.

“What seems to be the problem here?” Dean Cadance asked.

“Well, this punk here,” Sour Sweet began, casting a sour look to Tristen, “Decided to run his mouth!”

“Only because that bitch over there,” Tristen points at Suri, “was griping at Twilight over an accident!” Tristen protested. “So, if anything, it's on her!”

“Why you-” Jet Set, another member of the Shadowbolts, went to deliver a punch. But Tristen counteracts by placing him in a headlock.

“What is going on, here?!”

They all look to see Cinch walking towards them with Celestia and Luna.

“Precisely what I want to know!” Celestia said as she and Luna cast a glare at Tristen.

“Well,” Indigo Zap said, “You see-”

“They were just rough housing.” Cadence interrupted Indigo Zap, making everyone look at her. “The competition seemed to be getting them worked up, so they were just letting off a little steam through casual horseplay.”

“We were?” Jet Set asked in confusion, making Cadence cast a light glare at him. “I mean yes, we were.”

“Uh, Y-Yeah. That's right.” Tristen said nervously while releasing Jet Set to pay his back while smiling nervously.

“See?” Cadance asked Cinch. “No harm done.”

Cinch looks at the kids, skeptical at first. But luckily, she bought the cover story Cadance provided. “Very well then.” Cinch said. “So long as nobody was hurt. Just don’t overexert yourselves. The Friendship Games are not over yet.”

And with that said, Cinch walked off, followed by Luna and Celestia. Once the coast was clear, both teams cast a venomous glare at each other.

“You got lucky, punk!” Sour Sweet said to Tristen with venom in her voice.

“Blow me!” Tristen barked back while flipping her the double bird.

“Ok, that’s enough!” Cadance declared, making everyone look at her again. “And as for you,” Cadance glances at Tristen, “I suggest you behave yourself from now on.” Cadance walks towards Tristen with a warning glare. “If something like this happens again, let's just say that you won't like what lies ahead. Do we understand each other?”

Tristen, a bit fear stricken, nods his head rapidly. “Crystal Clear, ma’am.” With that, Cadance walks off as Aria helped Tristen up.

“Don’t think that you’re off the hook, punk!” Indigo Zap threatened. “Because you’re not! Not by a long shot!”

“So, you better watch your back from now on!” Sunny Flare added before she and her fellow Shadowbolts walked off.

Sunset sighed out in relief. “That was way too close.” Sunset then punched Tristen in the arm, making him yelp in discomfort. “What were you thinking?!”

“I had to do something!” Tristen said in his defense.

“Regardless, you were just lucky that the Dean was there to defuse the situation!” Rarity said to Tristen like she was scolding her child.

“Thanks for standing up for me, by the way.” Twilight said to Tristen. “Even though you did so with some rather…brazen choice of words.”

“No problem.” Tristen shrugged. “Why do you even put up with those punks, anyway?”

“Twilight!” Cinch called out.

“C-Coming!” Twilight replied before looking at Tristen. “Sorry, I have to go.” Twilight then ran off, making the others look at her.

Fluttershy, was near a statue of a golden horseshoe, kneeling down, looking left and right, and when she found the coast was clear, she placed her backpack upon her lap. She unzips the backpack to reveal a gray cat with a green collar inside of it, who purred happily as it nuzzled its face into hers.

"Wow. You really have a way with animals."

Fluttershy looks over to her right and sees Alex. He walks to the feline and scratches behind its ear, eliciting a purr. Fluttershy smiled as the cat rubbed her head on Alex’s hand. “Looks like she likes you already.” Fluttershy said with a giggle.

Suddenly, they heard the rustling sound of a bush, enticing them to look over and see Twilight poke her head out from the shrubbery, holding her device in her hands.

"Twilight?” Alex asked with a confused look. “What are you doing?” Twilight looked around nervously, trying to come up with an answer.

"Do you wanna give her a treat?" Fluttershy asked Twilight, referring to the cat in her bag.

After taking a look at her device for a moment, she cracked a small smile, walking over to her as she took her own knapsack off of her shoulders, holding it in her hands as she approached them.

"Guess I'm not the only one to smuggle her pet into school…" Twilight said as she knelt down next to Fluttershy with her backpack in her lap.

"Not just one." Fluttershy said, unzipping her backpack fully to reveal a bird, a bunny, and a gerbil along with her cat, much to the surprise of both Alex and Twilight.

"Oh, wow," Twilight uttered out of disbelief as the small bird flew around near her, "All I have is Spike," she noted, unzipping her own bag to allow the purple puppy to poke his head out, panting excitedly.

“Must feel stuffy in there, huh little guy?” Alex asked, rubbing Spike’s head.

“Hey, Davidson!”

Alex grunted out in frustration before standing up, seeing Sour Sweet.

“What?” Alex replied with a glare.

“The bus could use a little scrubbing.” Sour Sweet pointed to the Crystal Prep bus, which had huge splotches of paint on it.

“What the-?!” Alex said before looking at Sour Sweet with fury. “You and the others did that, didn’t you?!”

“Doesn’t matter!” Sour Sweet said as Sunny Flare arrived with a bucket and a sponge. “The bus is dirty, so you’re gonna clean it!”

“Not only no, but hell no!” Alex got up and glared at the two. “There’s no way in hell I’m cleaning up a mess that I didn’t even make!”

“Do you want us to give Cinch a holler?” Sunny Flare said warningly, making Alex growled angrily. But seeing no way out of this, he sighs and goes to fetch the bucket. “I thought so.”

As both Twilight and Fluttershy watch Alex walk towards the school bus, they felt sorry for the boy. “Oh, how awful.” Fluttershy said with pity. “I can’t believe Cinch made him slave away.”

“They’re working him to the bone.” Twilight said with a sad look as she saw Alex wash the bus with nothing but a sponge. “They’ll work him to death at this rate.” Spike whimpers as he sees Alex slaving away.

“Well, can’t you say something to Cinch?” Fluttershy asked. “I don’t know how much more of this he can take.”

“If only it were that easy.” Twilight said with sorrow. “Cinch pretty much hates him with a passion, and I know the feeling is mutual with Alex.”

“How so?” Fluttershy asked. “I know Alex and Cinch don’t really see eye to eye, but he doesn’t look like a delinquent.”

“He gets in trouble for my sake.” Twilight said with a look of guilt, and Fluttershy seemed interested. “He’s pretty much the only friend I have, besides Spike here.” Twilight pats Spike on the head. “Ever since we first met, he’s always stood up for me. Even if it meant he got in trouble.”

“Like what?” Fluttershy asked with piqued curiosity.

“Well, this one time when a bully was harassing me, Alex fended him off by smacking him with a textbook” Twilight said, earning a shocked expression from Fluttershy. “I’m not kidding. I could even see blood stains on the cover.”

“Oh…oh my.” Fluttershy stuttered in shock.

“I still get chills just remembering that ordeal. The bully was fortunate enough to suffer only a fractured jaw and a broken molar.” Twilight said with a wince. “As for Alex, well… Cinch wanted to expel him for the act, but I managed to talk Cinch out of it. So instead, he got afterschool detention for the entire school year.”

“The whole year” Fluttershy gasped. “That sounds pretty excessive.”

“I know.” Twilight said with a sigh. “Since then, he and Cinch had been butting heads. I don’t know why he does this to himself.” As Twilight said, Spike whined as he shared the same sympathy.

“I see Spike agrees with us.” Fluttershy said with a smile. “You and Alex seemed to be very close “

Twilight softly smiled at that. “You have no idea.” Twilight admitted. “We've known each other since I first came to Crystal Prep.”

Four years ago

Twilight was walking the halls of Crystal Prep, looking around in a meek manner. Ultimately, she bumped into somebody. Or rather, three somebodies.

“Why don't you watch where you're going, four-eyes!” The fan blonde boy said rudely.

“S-Sorry…” Twilight muttered out in fear.

“Looks like we've got some fresh meat, Dumbbell.” The black-haired boy said to the tan boy named Dumbbell.

“Yeah,” The brown-haired boy agreed with a menacing grin. “This little doormat is definitely new here.”

Twilight was shaking like a leaf as she back up against a locker while the three boys advanced towards her.

“In that case,” Dumbbell said, popping his knuckles, “Let's show her who she’s dealing with.”

“Hey!”

The three boys turned around and Twilight look ahead, where they saw Alex standing with a defiant look.

“Beat it, skinny!” Dumbbell declared. “I'm in the middle of something!”

“Didn't your mother teach you how to treat a lady?” Alex shot back, crossing his arms as he approached the three. “Maybe she didn't bother to give you much attention.”

Dumbbell scowled at that while Twilight watched on in surprise. “You wanna run that by me again, smart guy?” Dumbbell asked angrily.

Alex only smirked. “What, are you hard at hearing?” Alex replied. “Or maybe your head is empty to the point where words flow into one ear and out the other.”

Dumbbell was even angrier now at that insult. “Quite the mouth you've got there, punk!” Dumbbell and his two goons turn to face him. “Too bad I'm gonna have to lock it!”

“Causing trouble on the first day, Dumbbell?”

Dumbbell and his two goons were startled before they looked to see that Dean Cadance had arrived.

“Uh-oh…” The black-haired boy stuttered in fear.

“I think you three boys know where the principal’s office is.” Cadance said, making the trio look down and walk off. She then looks at Twilight. “Are you alright, Twilight?”

Twilight nods silently before looking at Alex. “Thanks for standing up for me, by the way.”

Alex smiled in reply. “No worries.”

Cadence smiled at Alex. “I see you've already met my ward.” Twilight was surprised at hearing this.

“Ward?” Twilight asked in surprise. “Like a legal guardian thing?”

Alex nods in response. “You must be Twilight.” Alex said before extending his hand for a handshake. “Name’s Alex. Alex Davidson.”

Twilight looked at Alex, still surprised. But with a soft smile, she took Alex’s hand and shook it. “Charmed.”

Cadence smiled fondly at the scene, knowing that Twilight had made her very first friend.

Present day

“Apparently, Alex appeared at Cadence's doorstep a few months before we met, all banged up.” Twilight explained. “He hardly had any recollection of his life prior to being taken in by Cadence.”

Fluttershy was surprised at this information and even felt pity for Alex.

“Since then, we've become thick as thieves.” Twilight said as she pats Spike’s head.

"Congratulations on winning, by the way." Fluttershy complimented as her bird lands on her right index finger while she used her left to scratch Spike's belly. "Though, it didn't seem like anyone on your team was very excited about it," she mentioned to her.

"No one at my school gets excited about anything they didn't do themselves." Twilight replied, rubbing her left shoulder somberly.

"That sounds awful. Here," Fluttershy said, holding her white rabbit in her hands out to her as she then squatted down.

Twilight was perplexed. "Um, why?" Twilight asked, taking the rabbit in her hands.

"Holding a bunny always makes me feel better." Fluttershy responded with a bright smile.

"Well, that's ridiculous, but-" Twilight stated bluntly before the rabbit began nuzzling her chin, much to her surprise. Twilight then proceeds to rub her right cheek against the rabbit’s. "It actually kind of works…"

Twilight then had a look of realization. "I'm on the other team and you just lost," Twilight pointed out. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

"You looked like you needed it." Fluttershy responded. And moments later, she emits a bright yellowish aura.

As Alex was washing the bus, he looked to see Fluttershy. A look of awe gracing his face as Fluttershy developed her pony ears, wings, and ponytail as she floated in midair.

Twilight too was amazed by Fluttershy’s sudden transformation. Then all of a sudden, her device activated on its own yet again humming loudly as it hovered.

“Crap! Not again!” Alex muttered as he saw the pendant open on its own.

And without any warning, it began to pull in the yellowish aura from the now-winged girl, much to her surprise as felt her energy get taken away.

Twilight stood up and let go of the bunny. Just then, sparks flew out of the contraption, causing a multitude of small rifts to suddenly appear all around the group. As this happened Spike looked frantically towards his owner, who was just as shocked to see the portals that were surrounding them.

But it got even more shocking as a brown rabbit-like creature with antlers on its head jumped out of one of the rifts, landing right between Spike and the cat. Spike began to chase after the antlered rabbit through the portals, jumping from one to another as he barked.

"Spike!" Twilight called out as he continued to pursue the strange creature. All of a sudden, the canine leapt out through another portal that appeared, landing right into the stream of yellowish aura that was flowing away from Fluttershy, causing him to yowl as it seemed like he was being electrocuted by it.

"Spike!" Alex ran in and managed to catch Spike as Twilight used all her strength to close her device completely, snapping the aura connection and making the rifts disappear.

Fluttershy was about to fall to the ground, but luckily Alex managed to put Spike down and catch her.

Alex then looked at Twilight. “Twilight, what the Hell was that?!” Alex said, giving her a stern glare. “I thought you said you had that thing under a tight grip!”

"Spike, are you okay?" Twilight asked her canine companion.

"Um, I think so…" Spike responded suddenly, much to Twilight’s relief while Alex and Fluttershy dumbfounded.

But Twilight and Spike then widened their eyes, screamed in shock with the former dropping the latter and running off.

"Twilight, wait!" Spike cried out, chasing after her, leaving the group of three behind.

“I’m tripping!” Alex uttered in disbelief. “Did Spike really just…”

“Hey!” Sunny Flare called out, making Alex groan. “That bus doesn’t look clean to me!”

“Can I at least get a minute here?” Alex said as he helped Fluttershy off her feet.

“Oh, of course.” Sunny Flare said sarcastically. “And while you do that, maybe we can go get Cinch and tell her about how obedient you're being!”

“This girl is a bit fatigued, dammit!” Alex barked back at the two, but Fluttershy placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I’m fine.” Fluttershy said as she struggled to stand. “I’ll be ok…” Fluttershy was about to fall, but she managed to catch herself.

“Are you sure?” Alex asked in concern.

“I'll be fine.” Fluttershy replied with a smile.

“Get a move on!” Sunny Flare called out. “That bus isn’t gonna clean itself!”

“Yeah, yeah, I'm on it!” Alex said as walked back to the bus, grumbling angrily.

Meanwhile, Aggregor was on the roof, smiling wickedly as he examined his tracker.

Going Beast Mode

"Twilight, come on!" Spike cried out, still chasing his owner, "Wait for me!"

While she ran, Twilight covered her ears to avoid listening to her Spike, clearly not in disbelief at the fact that her pet was talking to her at all.

Eventually, Twilight screeched to a halt as she found herself at the end of a hallway. She turned around and braced herself against it, biting her lip nervously as Spike approached her.

"Why did you run away like that?" Spike asked.

"Um, I don't know…" Twilight responded sarcastically, "Maybe it has something to do with the glowing girl, or the hole in space, or my talking dog!"

"Yeah," Spike concurred, "Weird, right?"

Twilight just blinked in surprise as she seemed to have calmed down. "Are you okay?" Twilight asked, squatting down to his eye level. "How do you feel? What happened? Where did you go?"

Spike responds to that by licking her nose, making her immediately turn away to rub off the saliva. "Hey, one question at a time! This is pretty new to me, too."

"Sorry." Twilight apologized bluntly.

“All I know is I chased that pointy rabbit through the glowy thing and then I was somewhere else.” Spike explained. “Next thing I knew, I was back in that nice girl's arms, and I could talk! I don't really understand why I couldn't before. I mean, it's so easy.”

“Twilight!”

Twilight and Spike jumped up, realizing the voice.

"Quick!" Twilight whispered loudly to Spike, opening a locker, "Hide in here!"

Spike nodded before getting inside with a shove from the girl. She then shut the door, turning around just as Cinch approached. "Who are you talking to?" Cinch asked.

"Um... myself." Twilight replied nervously. "It's a nervous habit… Were you looking for me?" she asked with a smile.

"Indeed, I was." Cinch replied. "Quite a coincidence that the CHS students moving on to the next event are the same nice girls who were so interested in you.”

While the two conversed, Tristen was nearby listening in on the conversation.

"Don't you think?" Cinch asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm… not sure…." Twilight admitted in response.

"Perhaps you should get to know them after all." Cinch, pacing past her again.

"But I… thought you didn't want me to…" Twilight mentioned to her.

"Let's just say I'm covering my bases." Cinch responded. "Who knows? Perhaps they will reveal to you the secret to Canterlot High's newfound success.”

Tristen’s eyes narrowed, knowing what Cinch was suggesting. ‘Thar sleazy old cow!’

"I dunno…" Twilight said with uncertainty. "Spying feels kind of...wrong.”

"Well, it's your decision, Twilight.” Cinch said simply before turning on the heels. "It's not as if your application hangs in the balance.”

That made Twilight give off a surprised look while Tristen glared hatefully. "On second thought," Cinch looks at Twilight, "yes, it does."

Tristen hid in a nearby locker as Cinch continued to walk off. And by the time she was gone, Tristen emerged looking at Twilight sympathetically.

Twilight sighed out as Spike emerged from his hiding spot.

"Man, she's awful." Spike noted to her with an arched eyebrow, "What are you gonna do?" he asked worriedly.

“I don't know, Spike," Twilight sighed out in dismay. "I don't know."

“Why do you even put up with her?”

Twilight turned around to face Tristen. “Oh, I-It's you again.” Twilight said, a bit relieved. “Tristen was your name, right?”

Tristen nods. “Are you seriously gonna let that old hag pull your strings like that?” Tristen asked, surprising Twilight and Spike. “I mean. God, if she pulled that stunt on me, I’d-”

“It's fine.” Twilight interjected.

“It's fine?” Tristen repeated. “It's fine to have somebody control you?” Tristen pried. “It's fine to have somebody use an acceptance to some school as a bargaining chip?”

Twilight was even more surprised at hearing that. “How did-”

“I kinda overheard.” Tristen admitted. “You know, you can just bail out at any point.”

“Then I won't get accepted to Everton.” Twilight countered.

“But is it really worth having your superior have you jump through hoops?” Tristen shot back. “She is putting you through all of this pressure, all just to win some stupid competition.”

Twilight clenched her hands and narrowed her eyes. “I didn't ask for this, you know!” Twilight fired back. “But if I don't do this, then I might never be accepted to Everton!”

“That woman is using you for everything!” Tristen declared in response. “Why do you even want to go to that place, anyway? I get you have your heart set on this place, but-”

“Because I can focus all my attention on my own advanced math and science projects!” Twilight replied. “It's not like I have much to learn from Crystal Prep, anyway!”

Tristen crossed his arms. “But you do realize you're just doing everything on your own, right?” Tristen pried. “I’m starting to suspect that there's more to it than just that!”

“Oh really?” Twilight asked while Spike looked on in concern. “And how would you know?”

“Oh, come on! I've seen how everyone else at Crystal Prep treats you like shit!” Tristen fired back. “It doesn't take a damn rocket scientist to figure that out!”

Twilight looked away, rubbing her shoulder. “Well, not everyone.”

“Dean Cadance and Tristen, I know.” Tristen nodded before looking down at Spike. “And Spike too.” Tristen looked back up at Twilight. “But you do realize that if you do get accepted, you'll just be leaving them behind!”

Twilight looked back at Tristen, her glare intensifying. “Why do you even care?” Twilight declared.

“Because I know what it's like to be alone!” Tristen barked back, taking Twilight and Spike by surprise. “Before coming here, I was a loner myself! Throughout most of my damn childhood, in fact!”

Years ago

A five-year-old Tristen was at a local school, sitting by himself with a despondent expression.

Seven years later

A twelve-year-old Tristen was sitting outside while many other kids played. A soccer ball bounced off his head, but he didn't react to it.

Three years later

Tristen, now fifteen, was seated at a table in a cafeteria while an apple bounced off his head.

Present Day

“I hardly had many friends back where I'm from!” Tristen explained to Twilight, who looked down in guilt. “But that changed when I came here. Sunset and her friends were the very first friends I've had since… ever!”

Twilight and Spike shared a look with one another, and the former truly felt bad for her earlier remarks.

Tristen walks towards Twilight and puts a hand on Jaune's shoulder. “The point I’m trying to make is that there are some things you can't do solo.” Twilight looked at Tristen dead in the eyes. “Afterall, there's a famous saying: ‘united we stand, divided we fall’.”

Tristen walked away from Twilight while she and Spike watched on.

But what they didn't notice was that Aggregor was invisible, and his attention was set on Tristen. And when he saw the Omnitrix on Tristen’s wrist, he had a wicked grin.

Tristen was outside, standing beside the Canterlot High statue where the portal once was. He ran his hand across the mirror-like surface of the statue's base.

“Hope you're doing good out there, Twi.” Tristen muttered to himself.

Cortana appeared on the Omnitrix, looking at Tristen. “I'm sure she has her own business to take care of, Tristen.” Cortana said, sitting down in the Omnitrix’s faceplate. “She is a princess, after all. She has responsibilities.”

Tristen silently nods his head in affirmation. “I know.” Tristen replied. “It's just… this whole thing is stressing Sunset out." Tristen replied, looking at Cortana. “Not only do we have this world's version of Twilight, but she's somehow managed to sap the magic away from the girls.”

“Not us.”

Tristen looks over his shoulder to see Adagio, Sonata, and Aria walk towards him.

“Hey guys.” Tristen said with a wave.

“Sunset still hasn't heard from Sunset, by the way.” Adagio replied with a soft smile. “Whatcha doing out here by yourself?”

Tristen looks aside. “Just needed a break from the crowd.” Tristen admitted. “I'm surprised Twilight even puts up with those dickheads. Especially that witch Cinch!”

The three sirens nod in agreement. “You and me, both.” Aria said in agreement.

Tristen then took notice of the Omnitrix symbol flashing orange. “What- oh crap!” Tristen looks left and right. “Guys, looks like we've got trouble.”

Suddenly, Tristen sidesteps as a red laser blast strikes the base of the statue. Tristen and the Dazzlings jumped in shock as a scorch appeared on the statue.

“At last, we meet.”

The four look to where the voice came from, only to find nothing. Or that's what they thought when Aggregor removed his mask to appear himself.

Tristen’s eyes went wider than dinner plates upon seeing the villainous Osmosian. “No way!”

Aggregor smirks wickedly at Tristen. “It seems the Plumbers have sent someone after me.” Aggregor taunted before glancing at Tristen’s Omnitrix. “And it also seems that Tennyson has found a successor.”

Tristen and the Dazzlings were confused by that. “Uh… what?” Aria asked in confusion. “Plumbers?”

“Hang on!” Tristen interrupted. “You think I’m a Plumber?” Tristen asked. “And that I'm affiliated with Ben Tennyson?”

“How else do you explain the device that you bear?” Aggregor replied, pointing his spear at the Omnitrix.

Tristen looks at the Omnitrix, still puzzled. “Yeah, I wish.” Tristen looks back at Aggregor.

Aggregor however didn't seem to be convinced. “Don't think mind games will deter me, envoy of Ben Tennyson!” Aggregor replied while spinning his staff. “This world harbors something I seek.” After a few more twists, Aggregor stops twirling his spear and aims it at Tristen. “And I have no intention of being sent back to the Null Void!”

And suddenly, Aggregor fired another laser blast at Tristen, this time hitting right on target as Tristen skids across the ground.

Sonata ran to helot Tristen while Aria and Adagio glared at Aggregor. Both Adagio and Aria emitted an orange-yellow and fuchsia aura respectively as they developed fin-like wings, and their hair extended into long ponytails.

Aggregor was mildly surprised by this, but he was not intimidated to say the least. “My quarrel is not with you.” Aggregor declared before firing another red laser blast at the two.

“Tough shit, pal!” Adagio barked back before she and Aria began vocalizing, sending a blast of sound waves at the Osmosian.

Aggregor only smirked before his body began to change. He had transitioned from human to a humanoid mix of a saber tooth cat and a hyena. His front body was covered in crimson red fur, while the fur on his back is black. His legs were more digitigrade in structure, his fingers were now clawed, and he had a long tail with a sharp barb at the tip, and a short snout with a small horn on the tip of it.

Tristen was shellshocked at the sight as Aggregor quickly evaded. And to make it worse, Aggregor had managed to create a second clone of himself, now making the fight two-on-two.

Adagio and Aria were just as bewildered as Tristen was. “What?” Adagio stammered, “What just-”

“A panuncian!” Tristen muttered out, earning the attention of three siren friends. “It's an alien big cat that can duplicate itself!”

“How perceptive of you.” Aggregor, or rather the original Aggregor, said before he and his clone changed yet again.

The main Aggregor became dark red with brown splotches all over his body, his legs were replaced with four tentacles while four more tentacles were protruding from the back of his head, two tube-like growths on either side of his head, and his eyes were slightly larger and bulgier.

The other Aggregor grew a few sizes larger. His body becomes covered in armor plating while gaining a more reptilian shape. His front body was purplish gray in color while the armor plating on his back was blackish gray, his head was red in color and resembled a cross between a human and an ankylosaur. He had a single horn on his forehead, he had a long tail with red spikes near the end, four arms capped with red claws, and digitigrade legs with three clawed toes.

“Oh shit!” Tristen looked at Sonata. “Sonata, go get the others. Now.” Sonata nodded silently and took off.

“Nice new look!” Aria quipped. “Makes you two look even uglier than ever!”

“As I have said!” The tentacled Aggregor started.

“My quarrel is not with you!” The armored Aggregor finished before firing a blast of webbing at Adagio and Aria, encasing them both in silken cocoons.

“No!” Tristen muttered in dismay as the two Aggregors looked at him.

“It is you we’re after!” The tentacles Aggregor said before launching a tentacle at Tristen and grabbing him.

“Alright, you want me?” Tristen asked before changing into Amoeblot. “Then you've got me!”

Amoeblot then slithered his way out of the tentacled Aggregor’s grasp before slithering away. Then with a press of the Omnitrix symbol on his chest, Amoeblot changed into the familiar bladed centaur:

“Saw Horse!”

Sawhorse rushed at the two cocoons before slashing them open to free Adagio and Aria. “Now it's three-on-two!”

The two Aggregors didn't seem too fazed by this. “Numbers are not always everything, boy.”

The tentacles Aggregor launched his tentacles at the three, but Aria and Adagio sent sound blasts to repel him. Meanwhile, Saw Horse was dealing with the armored dino Aggregor.

Saw Horse performed a spin dash, but the dino Aggregor counters by firing another stream of webbing at him, stopping the attack on its tracks.

But in a flash of green light, Saw Horse changed into Sunstone to dissolve the webbing by generating heat.

Once Sunstone was free, he fired a blast of solar energy at the armored Aggregor. But the dino Osmosian extended his hand to absorb the attack.

The dino Aggregor then changed again, this time becoming more birdlike. His body was now spiky purple feathers, with his face and legs becoming grayish in color, his arms turning into wings with three sharp claws, his legs still digitigrade in structure while his feet became more like those of a bird, he had long tail feathers on his tailbone, and his mouth became wider and resembled the beak of an owl.

With a beat of his wings, the bird Aggregor flew upwards, grinning menacingly at his opponent.

(Meanwhile)

Sunset and her friends were meeting up in the locker rooms, where Fluttershy was explaining her encounter with Twilight earlier.

“All I did was hand Twilight a bunny.” Fluttershy began. “Then I ponied up.”

Sunset, still puzzled, scratched her chin as she tried to figure this out. “I just don't get it.” Said Sunset, gesturing to Rarity. “Rarity's magic came out when she made us outfits.” Sunset then looks over at Pinkie. “Pinkie's when she fixed the party,” Sunset looks back at Fluttershy, “and now Fluttershy.”

“And then Twilight's pendant thingy just pulled the magic right out of me.” Fluttershy replied. “I couldn't even stand up.”

“Like me at the party!” Pinkie added.

“Or me right before we met Twilight!” Rarity added.

Sunset was now more perplexed. “So, she's stealing magic?”

“I don't know. She doesn't seem like the magic-stealin' type.” Applejack replied.

“I knew that thing was nothing but trouble.”

The girls look over to see that Alex was accompanying them.

“Alex?” Sunset asked in surprise. “How much did you hear?”

“All of it.” Alex replied, surprisingly calm. “Looks like Twilight was right about something being strange here.”

The girls look at each other, surprised at seeing how calm Alex was. “You uh,” Rainbow began, “You don't find that weird, by any chance?”

Alex shrugged nonchalantly at that. “Well, let's just say you guys aren't the only ones involved in some weird stuff.” Alex replied.

“What do you mean, darling?” Rarity asked.

Alex looked behind him, seeing nobody else was present before looking back at the gang. “Promise you won't freak out?”

The girls look at each other again, still perplexed, then look back at Alex and nod.

Alex then closed his eyes, took a deep breath, raised his hands upwards, and suddenly a sword made of a bright red crystal manifested in his hands.

And the girls all had mixed reactions. Sunset and Applejack were in disbelief, Fluttershy covered her mouth in surprise, Rarity was dazzled by the weapon, and Rainbow Dash and Pinkie were in awe by what they just saw.

“Awesome!” Rainbow gushed out in amazement.

“Oh… my.” Fluttershy muttered out in surprise.

Sunset looked at Alex, still shocked by what he had shown her. “How did…”

“Two words.” Alex replied, holding two fingers up. “Imagination Manifestation.” This further surprised the girls.

“You mean… you can materialize anything from your own imagination?” Sunset asked, earning a nod from Alex.

“Well, almost anything.” Alex replied as the word vanished before something else materialized. In place of the sword, it was a bird poofy as big as a basketball with big eyes that could allure anyone.

Fluttershy was absolutely in awe at the adorable little creature as she grabbed it and snuggled it.

“I'm only limited to manifesting creatures and objects.” Alex continued his explanation. “I can't imagine locations.”

“Does Twilight know about this?” Sunset asked. Alex's response to that was sheepishly looking away from her. “She doesn't know?”

“Nobody does, actually.” Alex replied. “Well, except you guys.”

“Guys!”

They look to see Sonata running towards them, breathing heavily. “We’ve… we’ve got…” Sonata said in between pants, “a situation outside.”

(Back outside)

Aggregor was still squaring off against Adagio and Aria.

His body was slenderer than his human form, his skin was shiny and greenish silver in color. His lower legs and forearms became covered by olive-colored hair, his fingered became sharp tannish claws, he has two pairs of retractable spider legs that can fold into his ribs, and he now has a mane around his neck. His sclerae were moderate red with slitted pupils, and he now has four pincers with one claw on each on either side of his head.

The Aggregor that Tristen was facing was more lizard-like. His skin was ivory white while his lower legs and forearms were black. His head has black plates with four long horns on his forehead, his fingers and toes had become long red claws, four eyes instead of two, and a long tail protruding from his tailbone.

Aria and Adagio were exhausted by this point, and the spider-like Aggregor noticed. He then thrusted his hands forward, firing two sets of red energy at them, ensuring the two

Tristen looked at his Omnitrix, which was unfortunately in recharge mode.

Both Aggregors then changed back their other feline forms, merged with one another, then changed back to normal.

Aggregor smirked triumphantly as he spun his spear before aiming it and firing a red laser, knocking Tristen to the ground.

“As invigorating as this fight was,” Aggregor said, pinning Tristen down with his foot while aiming his spear at his face, “I'm afraid the time has come for me to spill your blood.”

But suddenly, a lasso wrapped around Aggregor’s spear, making him watch in surprise as the weapon was yanked out of his hand. Aggregor looked on to see that Applejack was the one who snatched his weapon. And she was with the others as well.

“Yeah, I don't think so!” Applejack declared defiantly as she held onto Aggregor's spear.

Aggregor only smirked in response before he changed back into his lizard form, taking the other girls by surprise. And moments later, he breathed out a thick yellow fog. By the time the fog cleared, they found that Aggregor was gone.

Applejack rushed to Adagio and Aria, using the spear she took from Aggregor to cut them loose.

“You guys alright?” Rainbow asked them.

“We're good.” Aria replied, dusting herself off. “Who even was that?”

“Aggregor.” Tristen said, making the others look at him.

“Who?” Adagio asked.

“He's a villain from the Ben 10 universe.” Tristen replied. “And a very dangerous one at that.”

Sunset already didn't like the sound of it.” How dangerous?”

Tristen looked at his friends, mustering a serious expression. “The guy managed to abduct five powerful aliens from the Andromeda Galaxy to absorb their powers, all to locate five pieces of the Map of Infinity, which allows its user to travel anywhere in the universe.”

The girls were slack jawed at this information, truly baffled. But what they were about to hear next was a real kicker. “And the end goal,” Tristen continued. “To absorb the power of a baby Celestialsapien, a race of alien gods that can control reality by a single thought, in order to become omnipotent."

The others were now baffled beyond belief. They were unsure how to even react upon learning such information.

“You're… You're kidding!” Rarity muttered out.

Tristen however shook his head in reply. “I honestly wish I was making this up?” Tristen replied. “Aggregor can absorb energy, matter, even the DNA and powers of others.”

Adagio then realized something. “That would explain his transformations.” Adagio suddenly felt her foot brush against something, making her look down to see a hexagonal disk with the symbol of an open maw on it. “What the-?”

As Adagio picked the object up, Tristen’s eyes widened in shock. “So that's where he got the samples from!” Tristen ran and grabbed the device from Aria. “How the hell did he even get this!”

“Davidson!”

Alex groaned out in dismay, knowing that voice came from Sunny Flare. “Oh, what now?” Alex looked to the others. “We'll have to continue this later. Duty calls.”

With that, Alex proceeded to walk off while the others watched.

Sunset approaches Tristen, her curiosity driven by the device he was holding. “What even is that?”

“The Nemetrix.” Tristen, never breaking his attention from the device. “It's a cheap knockoff of the Omnitrix.” The gang looked at him, listening to his explanation. “Like how the Omnitrix turns its user into sapient aliens, the Nemetrix turns its user into predatory alien animals.”

Rainbow was perplexed by the reveal. “So, it's an animalistic version of the watch?”

Tristen nods. “Pretty much.” Tristen reached into his backpack and pulled out a sketchbook and pencil.

“I take it you know what those things Aggregor turned into were as well, yes?” Rarity asked.

“Like the back of my hand.” Tristen said, drawing the sketch of a large cat-like creature. “The first one he used was a Panuncian.” Tristen looks at his friends. “Which, for those who weren't present, is an alien big cat that can duplicate itself.”

Tristen then drew another image beside the cat, this one being a small humanoid with three fins on its head. “They're the predators of Splixsons, who also duplicate themselves.”

“Talk about divide and conquer!” Pinkie added, clearly making a pun. The others however didn't respond to that, only casting bland looks.

Tristen flips the next page before drawing an image of an octopus-like creature. “Next is the Vicetopus, which is basically a giant alien octopus. These things don't have much going for them except for having elastic tentacles.” Tristen continued his lecture as he drew an I age of a crab with an enormous cranium beside the Vicetopus sketch. “They're the predatory species of Cerebrocrustaceans, which are basically hyper intelligent alien crabs capable of firing electrical blasts.”

Tristen then drew on the opposite page, this one being a large theropod dinosaur with four arms and legs and a spiked tail. “Then there is the Kaosseffexx Ultimasauria, or also known as Tyrannopedes.” Tristen looks at his friends. “As the name suggests, they're basically a mix of centipedes and tyrannosaurs.” Tristen then drew another image beside it, this one resembling a humanoid dinosaur. “Their prey of choice are Vaxasaurians, alien dinos that possess great strength and can even increase their size.”

“Wait! Wait a minute!” Sunset interrupted, pinching the bridge of her nose. “You mean this thing,” Sunset points at the Nemetrix, “has the DNA of natural predators of aliens stored into the Omnitrix?” Sunset asked. “Who even made that thing?”

“A Cerebrocrustacean named Dr. Psychobos. A mad scientist with a huge hate boner for Azmuth, who is the guy that made the Omnitrix.” Tristen replied. “Specifically, the one worn by Ben Tennyson.”

Tristen then continued by flipping to another page to draw the sketch the image of a bird
that resembles a cross between an ostrich, an emu, a cassowary, a stork, and a crane. “Speaking of, then we have the Omnivoracious, giant predatory birds that fed on Azmuth’s race, the Galvans.” Tristen explained while drawing the image of a bipedal frog-like alien with large eyes. “Their tiny size made them easy pickings despite their intelligence. Luckily for the little guys, though, all it took was a meteor impact and subsequent climate change to wipe the feathered giants out.”

Tristen then drew another image, this one being a four-legged spider-like beast. “Next up is the Terroranchula.” Tristen continued as he drew the image of a four-legged insectoid with large eyes and a two-pronged horn. “Giant arachnids that feed on Ball Weevil’s species. These little buggers can spew as many plasma balls they want, but it's not enough for the energy webbing of a Terrorantula.”

Rarity seemed to shudder a bit in terror, specifically from the aspect of a giant spider.

Tristen proceeds to draw another image, this one being a monstrous looking lizard. “And lastly is the Buglizard, the predator of Lepidopterans.” Tristen drew another image alongside the lizard, this one being another insectoid with wings, a tail, and four eye stalks. “As Aggregor showed us, these reptilian beasts spew green fog to get the upper hand.”

“You don't suppose Aggregor is workin’, or was workin’, for that Psychobos guy.” Applejack pondered. “Do ya?”

“I doubt it.” Tristen replied with a shrug. “The guy was put in the big house when Ben and his team thwarted his plans.” Tristen then looks back at the Nemetrix. “But I guess the jailbird decided to bust out.”

“Well, it's a good thing we have this then.” Sunset added, then looks at the spear Applejack yoinked from Aggregor. “That and his spear, or whatever it is.”

Tristen looked at the spear Applejack in question. “A Shock Staff.” Tristen responded. “What it does is convert kinetic energy into energy blasts.” Tristen walks over to Applejack and grabs the spear and spins it. After a few moments of spinning, he aimed the shock staff at the ground and fired a red energy blast, leaving his friends truly baffled at the display.

“That is so cool!” Rainbow exclaimed with a big grin.

Sunset smiled at Tristen, impressed with his knowledge. “Good thing we have you on the team, huh?” Sunset asked, earning a playful smirk from her male friend.

“I know right?” Tristen responded, but he then had a serious expression. “But we officially have an alien convict on the loose during the friendship games.” Tristen continued. “On top of you guys losing your magic.”

“For now, let's just focus on beating the Shadowbolts.” Rainbow added. “And as long as this event puts me in a playing field, I don't think we've got anything to worry about.”

Tristen smirked at Rainbow in response. “Oh, it puts you on a playing field, alright.”

The gang had arrived at what appeared to be a large motor cross track. The girls were truly flabbergasted at this while Tristen smirked.

“Am I the only one who thinks this is overkill?” Sunset asked.

Applejack looks at Rarity. “I don't suppose you made motocross outfits.”

“Oh, don't be ridiculous.” Rarity replied, smirking before pulling a pair of outfits.

“Of course I did!”

Dragged through the mud

It was now time for the second half of the Friendship Games as students from both Canterlot High and Crystal Prep gathered at the sports field, sitting in the stands while some others were chatting amongst their fellow scholars.

Tristen was walking by himself, spilling from an empty soda can.

"You will race in pairs, Indigo Zap and Sugarcoat will handle the motocross.”

Tristen stops himself upon hearing, making him look to see Shadowbolt team and Cinch.

"Yes!" Indigo Zap exclaimed excitedly.

"Lemon Zest and Sunny Flare have requested the short track." Cinch continued, the two girls sharing a high-five in agreement with grins on their faces.

Tristen listened and watched on as Cinch approached Sour Sweet and Twilight. "Since archery is a standard requirement at our school," Cinch continued, "any of you should be able to do it." Cinch glanced towards Twilight, who looked nervous while Sour Sweet glared at her, "Twilight and Sour Sweet will start us off," she stated.

"Well, that's just marvelous!" Sour Sweet said in a surprising sweetly before looking at Twilight bitterly. "If you wanna lose before we even start!"

Tristen glared at Sour Sweet, truly not liking the fact that Twilight was getting some major flak from her teammates.

"Given that Twilight won the last event single-handedly, I have every confidence that she will be able to pull her weight here." Cinch told her students, then looked at Twilight. "Won't you?" Twilight was even more nervous now, but she nodded her head in reply.

Tristen, now truly furious, crushed the can he was holding before tossing it away like a baseball. He was so angry that he needed to let off some steam. “That manipulative old bag!” Tristen grunted out. “I swear to God, I oughta….”

“You oughta what?”

Tristen, still angry, looked behind him to see Cinch glaring at him with her arms crossed while accompanied by the Shadowbolts.

“Were you spying on us?” Lemon Zest asked.

“Oh, don’t flatter yourself.” Tristen retorted. “Like I’d be interested in what you tight asses are up to.” Tristen then turned his attention to Cinch. “I knew you were a class-A, stuck up old bitch! But manipulating your own students to win?!” Tristen pointed at Cinch. “Honestly, you can’t get any lower than that!”

“You watch your mouth, buddy!” Sunny Flare shot back angrily. “Didn’t your parents ever teach you to respect your elders?”

“I respect my elders when they earn my respect.” Tristen replied, gesturing to Cinch. “What she deserves is a stake through the heart! Though I doubt she even has a heart!”

Cinch was steaming mad at such insults. “If you’re not out of my sight in the next five second-!”

“Don’t bother, I’m leaving!” Tristen barked back before turning around. “And PS, I'll probably never want to eat pork again thanks to you!” And with that, Tristen walked away while Cinch was confused by that last remark.

“What does that even-” Cinch suddenly realized what Tristen was referring to, her left eye suddenly twitching in fury. “Did he just call me a pig?!”

“In a creative way, yes.” Sugarcoat replied with a nod.

“That punk is really pushing me buttons!!” Indigo Zap seethed while crossing her arms. “If it were up to me, I’d make him eat dirt!”

“We'll deal with him some other time.” Cinch replied. “For now, you better get ready.”

As the crowd cheered for their representatives, Cadance was up in the announcer's booth against the school building where Principal Celestia, Vice Principal Luna, Principal Cinch were seated.

"Welcome, everyone to the Friendship Games Tricross Relay!" Cadance announced, causing the crowd to cheer excitedly. “In this event, our qualifying competitors will face off in archery,”

“Speed skating,”

“And finally, motocross.”

Indigo Zap casts a smirk to Alex, who was washing her motorbike. "Be sure to get every part." Indigo Zap said with a smug grin. “I want this bad boy sparkling by the time we start.”

“Someone just kill me already.” Tristen mumbled to himself as he washed the motorbike.

"So, if the competitors are ready..." Cadance continued, raising an airhorn before sounding it off.

Sour Sweet and Fluttershy ran off, starting the race while Twilight and Applejack readied themselves to be the next ones to go.

"Each competitor must hit a bull’s-eye before their teammates can start the next leg of the relay," Dean Cadence explained while Sour Sweet was quickly leaping over the hay bales, grabbing a pack of arrows, and then using the rope swing to get across to the blue platform beyond a small moat of mud.

Meanwhile, Tristen glared at Sour Sweet before an idea came to mind. While he continued to wash Indigo Zap's motorbike, he began to envision a wasp. And moments later, a red wasp with yellow stripes appeared near Sour Sweet and fly towards her.

As Sour Sweet was pulling out three arrows and preparing to fire, the wasp landed on forehead and stung her right above her left eye. She yelps out in pain while releasing the arrows. Surprisingly, they all hit the same target, with one striking the bull’s-eye. Sour Sweet, despite the pain she was feeling, smirked while Tristen grunted.

Twilight then took off quickly, all the while Fluttershy was trying to fire at a target.

Meanwhile, Sour Sweet looked back to see Twilight trip over one of the hay bales, falling flat on her face with a thud.

Sour Sweet growled angrily in frustration, then anxiously looked back to Fluttershy still trying and failing to fire another arrow.

In the stands, Tristen and the Dazzlings were watching on in worry.

“Fluttershy isn't doing so good.” Adagio murmured in worry.

"Come on, Fluttershy!" Sonata cheered from the stands, "You've got this!"

Twilight attempted to traverse the mud moat by the rope swing but only ended up getting her left foot onto the platform, about to fall down into the pit of muck below while her teammate watched on nervously. Fluttershy pulled back another arrow, and this time, she managed to hit a bullseye

“Yes!” Adagio cheered cried as Fluttershy gives a thumbs-up back to Applejack, who took off from the starting line.

Tristen, sending Sour Sweet’s frustration, smirked wickedly. “Hey, Sour Sweet!” Tristen called put, grabbing the girl’s attention. “Sucks to suck, doesn't it?” Sour Sweet growled angrily in response.

Sour Sweet, seething in fury, glared venomously at Tristen in response. Applejack leapt over the second hay bail on the field, quickly making her way towards the rope swing. Meanwhile, Twilight had managed to get herself onto her team's platform, breathing out of relief on her knees while Sour Sweet looked at her blankly with her arms crossed.

Applejack grabs the bow Futtershy had used, drew back some arrows, and fired one of the remaining. Twilight, however, wasn’t fairing as well as she kept missing the target completely. Sour Sweet growled angrily, making Twilight develop a somber look on her face.

As Applejack was about to take her next shot, she breathed in and out slowly and fired. And fortunately, the arrow hits right on target, causing the crowd on tram Canterlot High to cheer.

The starting light post on the speed skating track rang as the light changed from red to green, allowing Pinkie and Rarity tk race off while leaving their rivals behind since their teammates hadn't completed the first leg of the relay yet.

"And Canterlot is off to an early lead!" Cadance noted excitedly through the microphone system, much to the dismay of the Cinch as her arms were crossed while she had a disappointed look on her face.

Aria took notice of Cinch’s dismay. “Looks like the old bag isn't having a good day.” Aria said with a smirk.

“Uh, Aria,” Adagio said, gesturing to Twilight. Aria noticed that the bespectacled girl was still trying to land a hit, and Aria realized the situation.

"I'm sure glad I don't go to Crystal Prep…" Fluttershy admitted.

"You said it." Applejack agreed.

On the skating track, Pinkie began spinning around happily while Lemon Zest and Sunny Flare who were shell shocked by this undetected twist.

The scoreboard showed the Wondercolt team leading by two laps to the Shadowbolts zero.

"Come on already!" Indigo Zap screamed angrily, making Twilight buckle under the pressure.

“Cut her some slack, thunderhead!” Alex barked back! “She’s doing her best! So shut it before I shove this damn rag down your throat!”

Sugarcoat glared at Alex. “One more word out of you, smart guy,” Sugarcoat said warningly, “and I’ll be sure to have a little chat with Cinch later.”

“Now be a good boy and keep washing.” Indigo Zap added. Alex just sighed before going back to washing the Indigo Zap’s motorbike while Rainbow and Sunset watched him in pity.

"If CPA can't hit another bullseye soon, they'll be out of this race." Spoke Cadance while Twilight desperately trying to fire another arrow while her comrades watched on in frustration.

"You're really bad at this!" Sugarcoat shouted from atop the starting ramp of the motocross track, receiving glares from her rivals as everyone else caught wind of it.

“Why you motherfu-” Alex growled furiously but stopped himself when Indigo Zap and Sugarcoat both glared at him. With a sigh, Alex continued his work.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Indigo Zap said with a warning tone while Salazar glared.

As Alex continued washing though, he had a smug grin. ‘Just you bitches wait.’ Alex thought to himself as he glanced at the front tire of Indigo Zap’s motorbike, a nail punctured into the back of it. ‘Your ego is about to be deflated.’

Applejack, feeling the need to help, hands her bow to Fluttershy and walks towards Twilight.

"Ya hafta stop aimin' at the target." Applejack advised Twilight, getting her attention before she could fire her arrow.

"That makes perfect sense!" Sour Sweet said sarcastically. "Don't aim at the target! Thanks so much!"

“How about you shut the hell up and let AJ do her thing?!” Tristen called out to Sour Sweet. “Twi’s already under a lot of pressure from you bitches as it is!”

Growling in pure rage, Sour Sweet grabs Fluttershy’s bow, pulls out a narrow and aims at Tristen. “Keep talking!” Sour Sweet challenged Tristen angrily. “I dare you!”

In the spectator box, Cinch casts a glare to Celestia and Luna, the two looking away sheepishly. “You do have him under a tight leash, correct?”

"Ya hafta stop aimin' at where the target is." Applejack explained, "an' aim at where the target's gonna be.”

Twilight then wiped her right eye with her hand, while still holding the arrow as her tears dried up.

"Trust me." Applejack advised, holding her hands out to her. "Take a deep breath, and let the arrow go."

Following Applejack’s instructions, Twilight took in a deep breath, exhaled, and when Applejack gave her the go ahead, Twilight fired. And much to her relief, she managed to hit the bullseye. With that finally found, Lemon Zest and Sunny Flare were finally able to begin part of the relay.

"Alright!" Tristen cheered in excitement, jumping up and down.

"Yeah!" Spike cheered, coming up onto the platform with his front paws, "That's my girl!"

Twilight was relieved as she knelt and took her pet in her arms while Sour Sweet just backed away, a bit freaked out upon seeing the canine.

While Applejack just watched with a smirk on her face. "See? Ah was tellin' ya the truth" Applejack said. And suddenly, an orange aura began to envelop her body, as her pony ears and ponytail formed out of the blue, much to the surprise of Twilight and everyone else.

(Meanwhile)

While hidden, Aggregor was also watching the scene unfurl. But rather than being surprised, he has a sinister smile.

“Yet another tally on the scoreboard.” Aggregor murmured, chuckling wickedly.

(Back with Applejack)

Twilight stood in awe, but then her device started humming loudly once and began gravitating towards Applejack. The device opened up, pulling Twilight by her neck as she clenched her teeth.

“Not again!” Alex gasped in shock before running off. Luckily Indigo Zap and Sugarcoat were too stunned by the sight to page him any mind.

“Ah crap!” Tristen gasped out as he and the Dazzlings lepy out of the stands.

Twilight's contraption was beginning to take in the orange-colored aura enveloping Applejack, causing her to suddenly stumble back out of fatigue.

Applejack grunted as Tristen and the Dazzlings arrived. “Hang on AJ!” Tristen went to grab the device, but as he got a hold it, he was suddenly enveloped in a surge of purple electricity. The Dazzlings, Fluttershy, and Twilight, watches in shock as Tristen was shot away from them, hitting the ground in force.

“Tristen!” Fluttershy gasped in concern as she and Adagio ran to help him.

"What...are...you...doing?!" Applejack asked in between groans while her energy was being drained away by the strange machine that was apparently acting on its own.

"I don't know!" Twilight claimed as the sphere of energy within it began to enlarge from the new aura it was gaining. Once Applejack’s magic was gone entirely, she grew faint and fell over, only to be caught by Sonata anc Aria.

Fluttershy and Adagio were helping Tristen up as well. Thankfully unharmed, he was unharmed for the most part. “Are you ok?”

“No, mom. I don’t want to go to school today.” Tristen said in a dazed state.

Meanwhile, Twilight fought with the magic seeking device, unknowingly stumbling back towards Spike the whole time, making her accidentally trip over her canine companion and hit the ground.

This caused the device to unhook itself from her necklace, rolling across the grass and then onto the wooden track. When it finally came to a stop, it opened back up to let out a pulsating wave of energy. Much to the disbelief of its bespectacled wielder, a small rift began to form right beside it, with a small vine poking through it.

(Later)

After the whole ordeal, Applejack and Fluttershy were resting out in the stands with Tristen and the Dazzlings.

“How are you feeling, sugar?” Applejack asked with concern for her male friend.

“I’m a bit sore all over, but I’ll walk it off.” Tristen replied as he held an ice pack on his head. “How are you holding up?”

“A bit better than ah was earlier." Applejack answered.

Meanwhile, as the speed skating race continued, the Wondercolt team was still in the lead while the score on the board was four laps to three.

"Canterlot has only three laps to go!" Cadance exclaimed from the booth through the microphone as the duo of Pinkie and Rarity finished their fifth lap. "But it looks like Crystal Prep is making up for lost time!"

The Shadowbolts had gone up to four laps, catching up with their rivals. But they failed to notice some screws on the rollerblades were a bit loose and were getting more so as the two skated.

Pinkie and Rarity both cringed as they saw their Lemon Zest and Sunny Flare pass them again. Lemon Zest smiled in victory as they took the lead soon afterwards with six laps under their belts. While they were passing by the glasses-wearing girl, Lemon Zest accidentally struck her device, sending off to the other side of the track.

Not wanting any more problems to happen, Twilight quickly went to try and get it. But the device started to let out small sparks of energy, creating rifts beside it that had large vines coming out, much to her shock as she halted herself immediately.

Alex noticed this and was shocked at what he was sawing while also fearful for his friend’s life. “Shit! Twilight!”

As a vine was extended at her, Alex shoves her out of the way to avoid being grabbed.

Rarity and Pinkie were able to catch as Rarity extended her right leg out for Pinkie to take hold of. And with a forward swing, Rarity launched her pink partier friend across the final turn.

By the time Lemon Zest and Sunny Flare were near the finish line, their screw keeping their wheels in place finally fell out, causing the wheels to roll off. This caused both girls to roll onto the ground while managing to cross the finish line. Pinkie Pie skated off by then shortly afterwards.

Cinch was surprised by this ordeal, as were the other faculty, but she cared less about that since the two managed to cross the finish line.

"What a finish!" Cadence declared as the Lemon Zest and Sunny Flare examined their rollerblades out of shock.

Having seen everything from the ramp of the motocross track, Sunset, Rainbow, Indigo Zap, and Sugarcoat had started their engines in anticipation.

The light post changed from red to green, signaling the race's start. And both teams wasted no time as they went down onto the dirt track.

Meanwhile, Twilight reached for her device again, but she suddenly felt her legs get pulled back. She looked to see that one of the mysterious vines that had wrapped around her feet came from a venus fly trap-like creature, dragging her away as she tried to claw back to get a hold on her device.

Luckily for her, Alex came back with the shock staff and sliced the tentacle and freed Twilight.

In surprise, Twilight looked at Alex before noticing the shock staff in his hand. “Where'd you get that?”

“No time to explain.” Alex declared as he stared down at the carnivorous plant. Then with a few spins of the shock staff, he aimed it at the plant before firing a red energy blast, disintegrating the plant on contact. Twilight watched in shock as Spike arrived, equally as dumbfounded.

But before Alex could pat himself on the back, more vines started to emerge.

"Awesome!" Rainbow exclaimed excitedly, landing onto the ramp track. The Shadowbolts however were quickly followed, but Indigo Zap’s front tire suddenly popped. Indigo Zap’s eyes widened as her motorbike skidded and fell, knocking her out of her driver seat.

Cinch and the other faculty were taken back by this, as were everyone else. “It seems we have a flat!” Cadance announced as Sour Sweet and Upper Crust went to help Indigo Zap.

But things got even hairier as another vortex appeared just over the dirt track, with a plant monster sticking right out of it with a large vine as well. Rainbow looked in shock upon seeing the monstrous flora, quickly maneuvering her bike out of the way quickly to avoid its large appendage.

The officials in the announcer's booth were all shocked and surprised, and in the stands.

“Oh shit!” Tristen called out in shock. But then he looks over to see Alex fending off vines while Twilight did her best to avoid them.

As Alex continued to strike the vines, one of them actually managed to grab a hold of the shock staff and yanked it out of his hands. “Hey!” Alex protested but was picked off by a vine.

“Alex!” Twilight was about to help him, but she was picked off as well. “HELP!”

Meanwhile, Sunset Shimmer was switching gears as her bike was catching up to Sugarcoat's. But as Sugarcoat was about to catch up, her front tire popped just like Indigo Zap's, making her lose control of her vehicle.

Sunset was surprised by that, but she then heard the plant monster roar. She looked up to see the floral monstrosity as it about to attack. Sunset tried to evade the beast, but unfortunately her vehicle ended up hitting the ground on its side, causing her to fall off of it as she and it both slid across the dirt.

“Sunset!” Tristen called out as he readied his Omnitrix, cycling through his roster. “Alright, looks like a controlled burn from Sunstone is needed!”

Upon selecting Sunstone, he tapped the screen to trigger the transformation. Everyone present watched on, collective awe from team Canterlot High, and shock from team Crystal Prep.

But when the green flash came and subsided, instead of Sunstone, he was…

“Saw Horse?!” Saw Horse examined himself. “I asked for Sunstone, but good enough, I guess.” With that, Saw Horse curled up, span rapidly, and began to spin dash at the many vines in an intent to slice and dice them.

The Shadowbolts were truly shocked upon seeing Tristen's transformation.

"What in the-?" Sour Sweet exclaimed, her eyes as wide as dinner plates.

Within the announcer's booth, Principal Cinch was glancing at the two Celestia and Luna skeptically, who were both casting nervous smiles. "Care to explain what I just bore witness to?" Cinch questioned.

Back on the motocross track, Sunset was about to get on her feet when suddenly, she saw Rainbow race by on her bike. She then sees that the plant creature now had its focus on her as it was about to gobble her. Fortunately, Rainbow Dash threw her right hand out and grabbed Sunset as she passed by, saving Sunset from an early demise.

Realizing what her rainbow-haired friend had just done for her, she had a soft smile of gratitude. "Dash… you saved me!"

"I wasn't about to let my friend become plant food." Rainbow mentioned jokingly in response. Suddenly, a light blue aura began enveloping Rainbow’s body, much to Sunset’s surprise.

Rainbow hits the brakes of her vehicle, making it stop immediately with a flurry of dust as she got off, removing her helmet and tossing it aside as her pony ears, ponytail, and wings all appeared upon her person.

Back within the announcer's booth, Cinch turned to her Celestia, who smiled nervously and shrugged after

Sunset had a serious expression on her face while she traversed the jump her rival had gone over, enticing the crowd to begin cheering.

Meanwhile, Rainbow made sure the rest of the monstrous plants were subdued, bashing into them again and again, making sure they didn't interfere with the rest of the race. However, one began pursuing Sunset, catching Rainbow's attention as she saw it stretching out to engulf them in its mouth.

But before it had the chance to devour Sunset, a large buzzsaw blade struck the monstrous flora, decapitating it instantly while Sunset continued to race. And upon the buzzsaw landing, Saw Horse unfurled and brandished his blades.

“Boy, do I love some good weed whacking!” Saw Horse said jokingly with a smile. But then he took notice of one of the vines holding the shock staff. With a serious look, Saw Horse pressed the Omnitrix symbol to switch into a different alien. In this case, Thunderclap.

Thunderclap's, with a smirk, rubbed his hands to get her as they sparked with electricity. “Alright you oversized weeds!” Thunderclap said, outstretching his arms. “Get ready to feel the thunder!”

And with a mighty clap, he sent powerful waves of yellow electricity at the vines. The vines convulsed from the electrical shock while one of them released the weapon. Luckily, he managed to catch the shock staff before glaring at the remaining vines.

With a grin, Thunderclap arms a surge of electricity throughout the shock staff, the blade of the weapon emitting a red glow.

“Get ready to do the electric boogaloo!” Thunderclap declared before aiming the spear, firing red lasers that were somehow more intense than before. The attacks disintegrated many vines, all the while the Shadowbolts watched on in disbelief.

“Help!”

Thunderclap looked to see Twilight was struggling to break free from a vine. He aimed at the vine and fired, destroying it while freeing Twilight in the process. Thunderclap pats himself in the back, only to get smacked away by a vine.

“Alright!” Thunderclap growled in frustration. “Time to go big or go home!” Thunderclap pressed the symbol on his belt, changing into the familiar alien Kaiju:

“Big Bang!” Big Bang roared out, making the others look on in awe and shock.

Twilight and Spike were also bewildered by the sight of the titan of an alien.

“Whoa-!” Spike murmured out, taken back by the transformation.

Big Bang rushed at one of the giant venus fly traps, only for the monstrous plant to smack him away, making him stable. As he was trying to regain his footing, his right hand had inadvertently pressed on the Omnitrix symbol on his chest, causing four gray spikes to jut out from the dial.

Big Bang was about to attack again, but he then took notice of the four spikes as his body was suddenly enveloped in a wave of green energy. Big Bang had grown five feet taller, his skin changed to a burnt mahogany on its outer side and candy apple red on its inner side. He also looked skinny compared to his regular form, though he still had a pronounced musculature. His tail became slightly longer with four spines near the tip, his legs were more digitigrade with two clawed toes and blade-like fins protruding from his heels, and he had stripes that glowed like they were superheated. He also has a gray metal helmet on his head with a long horn in the middle and two curved horns on the sides, a gray metal shell on its back, and It holds two large metal three-clawed gauntlets with mounted blasters and a blade-like fin.

“ZENITH BIG BANG!” The new form of Big Bang roared out in newfound might while everyone that bore witness was stunned speechless.

Indigo Zap, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat were flabbergasted, Sunset was shocked beyond belief, and Rainbow was truly in awe.

“My word.” Rarity muttered out, baffled at what he saw.

“What in tarnation-?!” Applejack asked, just as shocked as her friends

“So, cool!” Pinkie exclaimed out in amazement.

Even Twilight, Alex, and Spike were dumbstruck at seeing this new form.

Zenith Big Bang glared at the blades on his gauntlets extended, and the shell on his back split up and opened to reveal thrusters mounted on his back. And with that, he launched himself towards the monstrous plant.

The beastly plant roars out and launches a vine at him, only for him to slice the appendage into pieces. And once Zenith Big Bang got close enough, he punched the beast with so much force to not only knock it to the ground but also remove it from the stem.

During all of this, Aggregor was watching the fight. He was surprised by the display, but he was also highly interested.

The remaining vines had their attention on Zenith Big Bang as they launched themselves towards him. But the stripes on the evolved alien Kaiju began to glow bright, and with a mighty roar, he emits a powerful pulse of orange energy to burn the vines into a crisp.

Once all of the plant monsters had been taken care of, Sunset’s bike broke through the red tape at the finish line first, leaving her opponents in second place.

"Canterlot wins!" Dean Cadance declared through the microphone from the announcer's booth, much to the delight of the Wondercolts, and the disbelief of the Shadowbolts.

Zenith Big Bang emits another powerful roar in victory as he reverts back to Big Bang, then back into Tristen.

Back on the skating track, Twilight was able to grab her device and using all of her available strength close it up while it hummed loudly. In almost an instant, all the remaining monster plants began retracting into the rifts in a bright pink light. Spike and Alex looked to Twilight worriedly as she was cringing on her knees, biting her lip out of feeling ashamed for causing all that just conspired.

At the motocross track, Sunset had parked Rainbow’s bike while the rest of the Wondercolts were walking over to her. Twilight grimaced nervously as she looked at them before standing up reluctantly and walking towards them with her Spike and Alex in tow.

"Is everybody… alright?" Applejack managed to ask in.

"Better than alright!" Rainbow declared. "We won!"

“And not to mention Tristen has a new feature!” Aria added, looking at Tristen. “That was badass, back there.”

“Yeah.” Tristen looked at the Omnitrix with surprise. “I don't remember the watch doing that.”

Cortana appeared on the Omnitrix. “It was recently unlocked.” Cortana elaborated. “Around the same time you've got that jolt from Twilight’s necklace.”

"Hey, guys."

The gang look over to see Twilight, Alex, and Spike them to turn around and see Salazar approaching them with Twilight and Spike in tow.

"Are you guys alright?" Tristen asked the three. But before anything else was said, Twilight walked up anxiously.

"I… didn't mean for any of this to happen." Twilight told them. "I just wanted to learn about the strange energy coming from your school." Spike and Alex glanced at her with worried expressions. "I didn't know that it was magic or...how it works…"

"That's okay," Rainbow replied as she walked over to her, much to the shock of the blue furred cat and his friend, "Neither do we." she pointed out in an uncaring manner.

Suddenly, the device around Twilight's neck began humming loudly again, glowing as it caught the rainbow haired girl's attention.

"Oh, no!" Twilight cried out in horror as it was yanking her by the neck, directing itself right at the winged girl. It opened up to reveal the enlarged energy sphere within it as Rainbow was cringing nervously.

“Not again!” Alex reached to close the device, but received a jolt like Tristen did earlier. He yells out in as the contraption began sucking away the light blue energy, causing the Wondercolt to groan in agony.

"DASH!" Sunset cried out, rushing over to go and help her along with Adagio as Rainbow got onto her knees.

"I'm sorry!" Twilight apologized as her contraption was still taking the aura into its enlarging energy sphere. "It just started absorbing energy on its own! But I'm not sure how!"

"What do you mean you don't know how?!" Sunset asked angrily, pointing accusingly at Twilight.

All of a sudden, a small spark of electricity shot up into the sky from it, causing a large portal to open right over the whole group.

"Whoa!" Spike gasped as Alex looked on in shock. Everyone else had their mouths agape at the sight of the vortex, frightened and concerned.

From afar, Principal Cinch had just returned to the field, taking notice of the portal with a gasp, quickly going over to the side of the announcer's booth as she eavesdropped on the revelation.

"It also causes these corresponding rifts to appear…" Twilight added to the group. "I don't know how that works either.”

"Is there anything you do know?!" Sunset screamed to her angrily. "Like how our magic's been popping up?!" Or how to fix the portal to Equestria?!”

"Equestria?" Twilight uttered in confusion.

"You're supposed to be so smart!" Sunset declared mockingly, "but did you ever think you shouldn't be messing around with things you don't understand?!"

As Sunset questioned out of rage, she puts her hands over hers on the contraption and closing it up herself, causing the portal to shrink and vanish instantly.

“Sunset, calm down!” Tristen said to Sunset, the girl looking at him.

“Calm down?! Did you not see what happened?!” Sunset said to Tristen angrily, making him reel back a bit in shock. “You expect me to calm down after what happened earlier?!”

"But I wanna understand!" Twilight claimed with an apologetic look in her eyes.

"But you don't!" Sunset shouted, causing her to cringe, "And worst of all, you put the lives of my friends in danger!"

"I-I'm sorry…" Twilight apologized with a breaking voice as tears were forming in her eyes, "I didn't mean to…"

Twilight turned around and ran, but inadvertently bumped into Alex, making him fall. Twilight got up, but she took notice sow things falling out of his pockets. Those items were a screwdriver, a pair of screws, and a box of nails. She then noticed one of the wheels that fell off of Sunny Flare and Lemon Zest’s rollerblades, then looked over to see a piece of tire rubber with a nail wedged into it

Alex, in a panic, tries to pick up the items, but Twilight grabs them while the others watch in silence.

Twilight walks towards the rollerblade wheel, and notices one of the screws definitely fit in one of the wheels. Then she walks to the tire piece and examines the nail, noticing that it matched the other nails in the nail box. As she put the pieces to get her, her hands clenched tightly in anger. “Alex? Did you do this?”

Alex, sweating nervously, tried to come up with an excuse. “Twilight-”

“Did!” Twilight turns to face Alex. “You!” Twilight holds up the wheel and tire piece. “Do this?!”

The Canterlot crew looked at Alex, never uttering a word while the Shadowbolts arrived as well.

“I, uh…” Tristen stammered while Twilight still kept her glare on him. With a sigh, he relents and decides to fess up. “Y-Yeah.” Alex looked down in shame. “I did.”

The gang were taken back by this while the Shadowbolts were shocked. And as for Cinch, she was flabbergasted, but she was also furious.

“You!” Cinch declared angrily, storming her way towards Alex, making him and the Canterlot High team look on nervously. “You're responsible for this?!”

“You sabotaged us?!” Sour Sweet fumed furiously as she and her fellow Shadowbolts approached Alex.

“You slippery rat!” Sunny Flare barked angrily.

“Well, what's the big deal?!” Alex replied in defense. “It's not like you pricks would've cared if you lost!”

“Your little stunt nearly got us killed!” Sugarcoat declared.

“If I wanted to kill you, I'd make sure you guys were dumped into the e harbor in boxes!” Alex barked back. But Alex then looked at Twilight, noticing she was absolutely upset with him. And the Canterlot crew noticed as well.

“I cannot believe you, Alex!” Twilight growled, shaking furiously while Spike looked at her in concern. “Why?!” Twilight asked, her glare intensifying. “Why would you do such a thing?!”

“I wanted to help these guys,” Alex gestured to Sunset and her friends, “be on the winning side for once.” Tristen replied. “And besides, it's just one-”

“You do realize that my chances of getting into Everton are in the line, right?!” Twilight yelled out in fury while Sunset and her friends watched on in worry. “I thought you were my friend!”

Tristen reeled back from that. “I-I am!” Tristen replied. “I didn't do it to-”

“A friend wouldn't do this, Alex!” Twilight gestured to the wreckage. “A friend wouldn't screw over their team to help the opposing team win!” Twilight ranted, gesturing to the Sunset's team. “None of this is something friends do to each other! Because of you, I'm probably never going to leave Crystal Prep!”

“Newsflash, Twilight! I'm stuck in that rancid shit hole, too!” Tristen fired back. “Who better to be stuck with than your friend?!”

Twilight's eyes started to tear up from a mixture of anger and betrayal. “You are not my friend, Alex!” Twilight shot back, making Alex look hurt from that claim. “Ever since we got here, all you've done was hold me back! And I'm the idiot for not seeing it until just now!”

Spike gasped in shock, Sunset and her friends looked at Alex worry, Celestia and Luna were stunned by the remark, even Cadance watched on in concern. And as for Alex, he looked down in shame as tears began to form in his eyes due to Twilight's harsh words.

Cinch then got in front of Alex, crossing her arms in disappointment. “Alexander Davidson, you are hereby expelled from Crystal Prep Academy!” Alex didn't bother to look at Cinch at this point. Sunset and her friends looked at Alex in pity while the Shadowbolts had smug grins. “Ever since you enlisted in my academy, you have been nothing but trouble, and a complete disgrace!” Cinch declared and looked at Cadance. “Cadance, if you would take him to campus so he can clear out his locker. I expect him off campus by the time we return.”

Cadance said nothing as she looked down and approached Alex with a sorrowful expression. “Come along, Alex.” Alex, saying nothing and a lot bothering to look up at Twilight, turned around and walked with Cadance.

“Good riddance.” Indigo Zap exclaimed with a smirk. But then she was suddenly punched to the ground by Aria. But Adagio managed to hold Aria back before her fellow siren could do more damage.

Cinch turned to see Celestia and Luna. "You can't possibly call that a fair race!" Cinch pointed out while gesturing towards the track.

"Principal Cinch, we all saw what happened!" Celestia responded. "You can't think CHS had some kind of advantage."

"Can't I?" Cinch fired back. "Even without your trained attack plants," she continued, "your students have wings!"

"Well, the race certainly had some… extenuating circumstances." Celestia admitted. "Perhaps we should end the games now and declare a tie…"

"A tie?" Cinch questioned in surprised. "Was this your strategy all along? To force us into accepting you as equals?" Cinch accused "I think not! The games will continue, and Crystal Prep will prevail despite your antics and whatever performance-enhancing regimen your students are on!"

Tristen growled angrily upon hearing Cinch’s assumptions. “Bitch, you are so full of shit I can smell it in your breath!”

Cinch looks over at Tristen, truly not pleased by that remark. "And not to mention," Cinch continued, "you have this beast roaming around in your school!" Cinch points at Tristen. “I’m not mistaken, this was supposed to be a school. Not a circus sideshow attraction!”

Tristen glared angrily at that insult before transforming into Thunderclap, making the older woman back up in slight terror. “Say that again, you wrinkled old bag!” Thunderclap threatened as she sparked with electricity. “I DARE YOU!”

“Tristen, that's enough!” Celestia said as she and Luna got in front of him. “Calm yourself!”

“I'll calm down after I fry this turkey!” Thunderclap shot back while pointing at Cinch.

“TRISTEN, STOP!” Luna roared out threateningly. “Unless you want to risk expulsion, then I suggest you back down! Now!”

Thunderclap growled angrily, looking at Cinch, then sighed out in defeat before reverting back to Tristen. Cinch smirked victoriously before walking off, and the Shadowbolts followed their superior.

"I'm sorry I couldn't stop all this from happening…" Sunset apologized to Celestia, ashamed for what had conspired in the relay.

"It's not your fault, Sunset," Celestia responded reassuringly.

"Isn't it though?" Sunset questioned back "I should know how to control the magic I brought here, but I don't…" Sunset looks away as she beats herself up, "I let everyone down, and now Principal Cinch thinks we're cheating."

"It doesn't matter what Principal Cinch thinks." Celestia reassured, placing her right hand on her student's left shoulder.

"But it does.” Sunset countered, "The students here at CHS don't just wanna win, they wanna beat Crystal Prep. It isn't gonna count if the other side doesn't really think they lost." Sunset’s friends cast worried looks at her as she continued. "Crystal Prep is never gonna believe we won fair and square if there's magic around. And that magic is only around...because of me…"

Sunset then noticed Tristen walking off, and the others took notice as well. “Tristen?” Fluttershy asked as she sees him grab the shock staff and walked toward one do the ramps.

With a roar of fury, Tristen swung at one of the bars that held the ramp up.

“Tristen!” Sunset said as she ran towards her name friend while he vented his anger. “Tristen, stop!”

Tristen didn't listen as he still slashed the support beams in a blind rage. Just as Tristen was about to smash again, Sunset got in front of him and held the shock staff in place.

“STOP!” Sunset declared. “I know you’re upset about this! Believe me, we all are! But this isn’t going to help!” Sunset placed a hand on his face, a soft look on hers. “I know things are tough now, but we’ll solve this problem eventually.”

Tristen just sighed, finally calming down from his rage as he dropped the shock staff. “I swear,” Tristen grunted out in anger, “I ought to pound that witch so deep into the dirt that she'll land in the ninth circle of Hell!”

Unbeknownst to the group, Aggregor was over them from the top of the building, holding the tracker he held.

“And now,” Aggregor said, smiling upon seeing the signal Twilight was giving off. “To wait for the opportunity to claim my penultimate prize.”

Saved the best for last

Both teams were preparing for the last challenge of the games, with their crowds on their respective side of the walkway. Rainbow Dash stretched out her arms behind her back, grunting slightly as she and the others were all in their regular clothes, along with the Shadowbolts.

"Y'all okay, RD?" Applejack asked, catching her attention as she ceased her exercises for the moment.

"Yeah, I'm good," she reassured in response, "What about you?" she asked back.

"Feelin' as fit as a fiddle!" Applejack quipped in reply with a pump of her right fist. “Though I’m also worried about Tristen.”

She and Rainbow look over to see Tristen, who was still upset about what transpired earlier. He was sitting in the stands with Sonata comforting him.

“He’s still bummed out about what happened earlier, huh?” Rainbow asked Applejack, who nods in reply

“I still can't believe Twilight’s friend Alex sabotaged the Shadowbolts.” Rarity added. “His own team.”

“I can't imagine how Twilight must be feeling right now.” Fluttershy added in concern.

“We all saw how she reacted earlier.” Sunset responded. “Though I still feel pretty bad for going out on her like that.”

Meanwhile, Twilight was resting against a wall softly crying, wiping her tears away while Spike watched her with concern.

“Twilight?” Spike spoke, but Twilight didn't say anything. “I think you were rather hard on Alex.

Twilight’s eyes narrowed upon hearing that name. “I don't want to hear that name again.” Twilight said.

“Twilight…” Spike spoke.

“I just can't believe he would do that.” Twilight continued on. “Did he not once consider what's at stake for me?”

“I'm sure he had his reasons.” Spike responded.

“I thought he was my friend, Spike.” Twilight shot back, making the canine flinch. “I trusted him. But I guess that's the price I pay for having friends.”

"I don't feel like playing games anymore." Fluttershy admitted.

"But we have to play!" Rainbow responded. "This is the last event!"

"It's a little hard to focus with all the magic stealing… and… portal opening" Fluttershy mentioned, using her hands to signify the actions.

"Not to mention Aggregor is still out there." Applejack added. “Who knows when he'll strike again.”

“We’ll deal with him.” Adagio mentioned with a smile. “Me, Sonata, and Aria still have our magic.”

Rainbow Dash looks over at Sunset, seeing the girl was still beating herself up. "Hey, you okay, Sunset?"

Sunset, with a sigh, placed a hand on Rainbow’s shoulder out of reassurance, "I dunno, Dash…" Sunset admitted, "I just… feel awful about what I said to Twilight.”

"Especially since she obviously didn't mean to do all the stuff she did." Fluttershy pointed out. "She's actually really nice."

"Let's just get through this last event and prove we're not a bunch of cheaters." Applejack told her teammates, looking at Sunset. "Then you can go over and apologize."

Back with team Crystal Prep, Twilight and her teammates were discussing matters with Principal Cinch.

"I know I'm asking you to beat a team that isn't playing fair." Cinch said to her students, "But Canterlot High must be made to understand that even with magic at their disposal, beating Crystal Prep is simply not an option," she stated as her eyes narrowed.

"What if they grow wings again?" Sugarcoat asked.

"A fair question.” Cinch responded. "Though I believe we can now fight fire with fire.” Cinch turns her attention to Twilight. “I've seen what your device can do, Twilight. But have you considered releasing it?”

"But… I don't even understand how it works," she replied, holding it in her left hand.

"But you'd like to." Cinch mentioned as the other Shadowbolts gathered among her, "And since our opponents have already used it to stay competitive, I see no reason why we shouldn't do the same. Unless, of course, you have no interest in Everton. Though, honestly, I think there's more knowledge packed in that little device than any independent study program could offer.”

Once Twilight had released all of the magic she had accumulated, the device released a powerful shockwave that knocked both teams down to the ground. And moments later, an energy sphere formed in front of Twilight as she began to float upwards.

Meanwhile, Aggregor was watching it all unfurl with a sadistic smile on his face. “It seems the foolish child was in over her head.”

As Twilight was still struggled to escape, she looked over to her fellow Shadowbolts. “Heeeeeeeeeelllllllp... meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

Tristen was about to ready his Omnitrix but then noticed Spike running off. “Spike?” He then proceeds to run off with Spike. “Where are you going?”

“To get Alex!” Spike answered.

Tristen looked back at his friends. “Guys, I'll be right back!” Tristen then activates his Omnitrix and turns into Speed Demon. Then after picking up Spike, he sped off towards the direction of Crystal Prep.

At Crystal Prep Academy

Alex had finished packing his stuff in his backpack and was seated on the steps near the school’s entrance with a gloomy expression. The memories of his falling out with Twilight were still fresh in his mind.

Earlier

“Newsflash, Twilight! I'm stuck in that rancid shit hole, too!” Tristen fired back. “Who better to be stuck with than your friend?!”

Currently

Alex’s eyes began to well up in tears.

Cadance was near her car, looking at Alex in sympathy. With a heavy heart, she walked towards Alex and sat next to him.

“She was right.” Alex said in between sobs. “Twilight was right.” Cadance placed a hand on her back to comfort him.

“Alex, I’m sorry things went sour between you two.” Cadance said soothingly. “I'm disappointed that you've resorted to sabotage, but I appreciate you doing it for CHS.”

“Yeah, but I lost my only friend in the process.” Alex replied, wiping his tears away. “Some friend I am.”

“Alex!”

Alex and Cadence looked ahead to see Spike and Speed Demon, the latter shocking Cadance.

“Spike?” Alex asked in surprise. “Wha-What are you doing here?”

“It's Twilight!” Speed Demon replied. “She's in trouble!”

Alex looked away in shame. “What does she need me for?” Alex replied as he carried this backpack over his shoulders. “I'll just wear her down.”

“Dude, that damn pendant she had went rogue on her!” Speed Demon responded, surprising Alex.

“We need your help, Alex!” Spike added.

Alex was about to protest, but he still cared for Twilight even after the harsh words she fired at him.

Back at Canterlot High

Twilight was engulfed in the ever-expanding energy sphere, and moments later, the sphere exploded in a blinding flash of light. The light only lasted for a few moments before dying out, where everyone saw Twilight had got a bit of an extreme makeover.

Cinch grimaced in fright, backing away slowly while everyone else was stunned by Twilight’s new look.

Aggregor however, still smiled with great interest. “Intriguing.” Aggregor chortled out.

"You were right!" Twilight said to Sunset. "I didn't understand magic before.” As Twilight said this, her horn surged with energy. “But I do now!’

Twilight then fired at the mirror statue on the walkway, obliterating the marble horse upon the pedestal. The shattered remains of what was once the statue struck various areas, creating rifts to Equestria in the process.

"Equestria!" Sunset exclaimed in disbelief, seeing it expand down to the ground.

"That’s enough, Twilight!”

Twilight looked over to her right, where she saw Alex stand defiantly. The moment she saw him she had a bitter look of disdain present.

“You!” Twilight seethed.

“Yes.” Alex nodded as he approached her. “Me!”

“You have a lot of nerve coming back!” Midnight declared as she hovered towards Alex.

"Twilight, the way I see it, this ends in one of two ways." Alex declared. "I have you snap out of this crazed state of yours, or one of us ends up in a body bag."

The other Shadowbolts looked at Alex, surprised at his determination.

"First of all, its Midnight now. And second..." Twilight said as she held her hand, charging a small energy ball. "If you have a death wish, then I’m more than happy to grant it.”

Alex, showing no fear at all, nods. “Alright.” Alex said, outstretching his arms. “If it will snap you out of it, the go ahead and vent on me.”

“Are you crazy?!” Indigo Zap asked. “She'll vaporize you!”

Twilight, or Midnight in this case, smiled wickedly as she fired a turquoise energy blast at Alex. Alex didn't move, didn't react, he just closed his eyes as the attack hits its mark, creating a massive explosion.

“NO!” Sunset cried out as Rarity covers her mouth in shock.

Midnight still smiled wickedly, but she then lost her smile once the smoke cleared up. To her shock, Alex was seemingly unscathed. But what really surprised her was that he was covered in metallic armor reminiscent to a medieval knight.

“What?!” Midnight gasped out in shock.

Alex smirked in response. “I didn't say I wasn't going to fight back.” Alex noted. He then raised up his right hand, a weapon that resembled a cross between a sword and a rifle appeared in his hand.

Midnight was even more flabbergasted, as were everyone else.

Sour Sweet was surprised at what she was seeing with her fellow Shadowbolts. “What- how did he…” Sour Sweet stuttered out, “Am I the only one seeing this?”

Alex aimed the weapon before firing rounds of yellow energy pellets at Midnight, making her conjure an energy barrier to deflect the attack.

“Typical!” Midnight snarled with a sneer. “You nearly got in my way earlier at the Tricross Relay, and you're still trying to get in my way now!”

“I'm trying to snap you back to your senses!” Alex declared as he swung his weapon, sending a wave of cyan energy at Midnight.

As the two squares off with one another, many students began screaming in fear, bolting from the stands and running off as far as they could.

Sunny Flare was grimacing worriedly as the situation was rapidly escalating out of hand until she noticed Cinch attempting to flee the scene. "Hey! Where are you going?!" Sunny screamed, getting Cinch's attention as she stopped.

"Anywhere to avoid that...monster!" Cinch replied, gesturing towards her former student, "And I suggest you do the sa-" Suddenly, a red and black spun around her. And before she knew it, she found that she was tied. “What the-?”

Cinch looked up to see Speed Demon, who had suddenly changed to back to Tristen. "I don't think so, bitch.”

"You little-!" Cinch growled in fury at Tristen, "You do realize you're holding me hostage!”

"For your sake, you better hope to God that we get out of this shit alive!” Tristen fired back.

As this was happening, Sunset looked on in horror at the scene before her. Students were running around driven mad with fear while the school staff members tried in vain to regain control of the situation.

Midnight and Alex were still squaring off. Alex smirked and conjured a spider-like robot with a large energy cannon on its back. Midnight was even more stunned by this, and moment slater, the robot fired a laser blast at her.

Midnight, with little time to react, conjured an energy barrier that reflected the blast back and destroyed the machine. “How are you even doing this?!”

“Let's just say that with an imaginative mind, anything can be possible.” Alex retorted with a smug grin.

Midnight was about to strike him again, but she was struck by a red laser blast that sent her back a little. As Midnight recovered, she looks to see Thunderclap had joined the fray while holding the shock staff.

"Ah, Tristen." Midnight said with a smirk. "What a nice surprise."

"Twilight, you can't do this!" Thunderclap yelled out, gesturing towards the scene among them.

"Why not?!" Midnight responded in sarcastic question. "There's a whole other world right there, and it's just filled with magic!"

Twilight fired another beam of light down towards the entrance of the school, causing another rift to burst open just beside Luna and Celestia.

"But you're destroying this world to get it!" Alex chimed in.

"So what?" Midnight asked sarcastically in response. "There's more magic there, and I want to understand it all!"

Thunderclap growled in response as he sent a surge of electricity through the shock staff, then aimed at Midnight and fired another red laser blast. Midnight however counteracted by firing a laser blast, causing both attacks to collide. Midnight’s attack was more powerful as it managed to melt the shock staff, making Thunderclap let go of the now destroyed weapon.

“Alright, I think it's time to crank up the heat!” Thunderclap reached for the Omnitrix symbol on his belt, and in a green flash, he changed into Sunstone.

But Sunstone then pressed the Omnitrix symbol on his chest, causing four spikes to nut out from its sides as a wave of green energy enveloped him. Midnight, Alex, and everyone else present watched on as Sunstone underwent the same thing that happened to Big Bang earlier.

The crystal parts of his body changed from light orange to a moderate scarlet in color while the other parts changed to a rocky material similar to lava rock. His arms were longer, his legs now ended in points instead of feet, his shoulders were bulky with a single crystal spike protruding from both, and he had multiple glowing orange lines on his body.

“Zenith Sunstone!” The newly evolved form of Sunstone cried out.

The Shadowbolts were both shocked and amazed by the sight of the crystalline transformation.

"Whoa!" Lemon Zest uttered in awe.

"Not going to lie, that is kinda cool." Indigo Zap said with a look of amazement.

"Interesting." Midnight Sparkle said with a wicked grin. "But I don't see how a new form will help.”

"Why don't we find out?" Zenith Sunstone asked rhetorically, his hand suddenly encased in crimson-colored flames before launching two streams of crimson fire at Midnight.

The magically powered prodigy evaded the attack with ease, only to get pelted by an orange laser blast by Zenith Sunstone. She gasps out in shock as she is encased in orange crystal from the shoulders down, making her fall to the ground in the process. Alex follows it up by swinging his sword-rifle in an x formation, sending a blue energy ‘x’ at Midnight's direction. Midnight, however, was quick enough to break from her crystal confines and conjured another energy barrier to deflect the attack. Alex aimed his weapon at Midnight, but she fired a blast of energy to knock the weapon out of his hands and destroy it.

Midnight smirked wickedly and launched herself towards Alex, but Zenith Sunstone intercepted her and fired another blast of crimson fire to send her back. As midnight recovered, Zenith Sunstone fires a salvo of red plasma blasts at Midnight, which she dodges.

“We can do this all day, Twilight!" Zenith Sunstone declared as he kept firing red plasma blasts.

"Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of time!" Midnight declared as fired another blast at Zenith Sunstone. But before the attack could hit, the evolved crystal alien emits a bright orange glow before creating an explosion of orange energy that sent Midnight back.

As the three clashed, multiple students were beginning to fall in the many rifts Midnight created. Sunset ended up somersaulting before coming to a stop on her left knee, beside Rainbow Dash as they saw the edges of the abyss, which were breaking apart rapidly. One girl was about to plunge into the world of Equestria, but not before Applejack quickly jumped in, snatching up her fellow classmate at the last second.

"Don't let go!" Applejack advised, holding onto the girl's arm tightly as she pulled her up.

Around the whole rift, the other Wondercolts were helping plummeting students as well, with Pinkie and Rarity helping to take hold of people who were about to fall in while the portal widened. The Shadowbolts were surprised at their efforts, thinking that things were seemingly hopeless. But regardless, they decided to help out.

Meanwhile, Sunset was trying to think up of a plan when she saw the pendant on the ground. When Sunset went to grab it, she saw the pendant flash, and when she pointed to Fluttershy, she saw a yellow glow around the shy girl. She then pointed to Rarity, who had a faint purple glow, and then to Applejack who emitted an orange glow.

Upon seeing the glows of each of her friends, Sunset then realized that there might still be a way to put an end to this mess once and for all.

Midnight was still trying to fend off Alex and Zenith Sunstone.

"Twilight!" Sunset called out, getting Midnight's attention. "I'm afraid this ends here!"

"Oh, really now?" Midnight asked tauntingly. "And what can you do to stop me! You have no magic, remember? While I can do whatever I please."

"No, you can't!" Sunset declared, surprising Midnight, "Even with all of that magic, you'll still be alone! True Magic comes with Honesty!" Sunset said, holding the pendant up. And Applejack glows a bright orange aura. " Loyalty!" Rainbow then emitted her cyan aura. "Laughter" Pinkie emitted her pink aura.

As this happened, the sirens were stunned, but they had a smile knowing as they looked at their friend. Alex was shocked while Zenith Sunstone was confident about where things were about to head.

"Generosity!" Sunset continued to list off as Rarity emitted her purple flow. "Kindness!" Sunset finished as Fluttershy emitted her yellow aura. "I understand you.” Twilight" as Sunset spoke, the aura of her friends shot into the pendant. "And I want to show you the most important magic of all..." Once the pendant had gathered just enough magic, Sunset tossed it to the ground, making the device pop open and envelop Sunset in the magical light, triggering a transformation similar to Midnight's.

"The magic of Friendship!" Sunset Shimmer finished, as everyone was awe-inspired by Sunset's new look as Daydream Shimmer.

Midnight, however, was absolutely shocked. But it got worse for her as Daydream then fired many beams at the rifts Midnight created, closing each and every one.

“Impossible!” Midnight murmured out in disbelief, but then turned around to see Zenith Sunstone fly towards her.

“With us around, nothing's impossible.” Zenith Sunstone declared.

Alex, with a confident smirk, conjured a large ogre-like creature with a cannon strapped on its back. “Yo, Tristen!”

Zenith Sunstone looked to the over Alex created, then to Alex. Upon seeing Alex gesturing to the ogre, Zenith Sunstone realized quickly what he was suggesting. He flew towards and got into the cannon barrel.

“Ready!” Alex declared as the over got on all fours while Midnight watched in confusion. “Aim!” The ogre then aimed its cannon at Midnight, making the girl gasp in shock. Alex flashed a sly grin at her before shouting out, “FIRE!”

With a mighty boom, the Cannon fired Zenith Sunstone towards Midnight while she watched in terror. As Zenith Sunstone flew at her, he was enveloped in orange flame-like energy that had taken on the form of a giant phoenix.

“Whoa!” Indigo Zap muttered out in awe.

Midnight, now glaring in defiance, punching the fiery bird with enough force to send him back at Alex. Alex gasped in shock as Zenith Sunstone flew at him. And a booming thud and an explosion of orange flame-like energy, Alex and Zenith Sunstone were lying on the ground. Zenith Sunstone had reverted back to regular Sunstone, then back into Tristen.

As Alex got back up, he looked up to see Midnight fly at him. He didn't have time to react as she punched him with enough force to send him crashing into a wall.

“Alex!” Daydream exclaimed in shock while everyone watched in worry. But before Daydream could help out…

“I got this!” Alex declared as Midnight lunched him to the ground.

Midnight was showing no mercy as she kicked him across the face. “It was bad enough when you sabotaged us during the Tricross Relay!” Midnight said, still venting on Alex. “And now you're standing up against me!” Sunset, Tristen, and everyone else watched on in worry as Midnight picked Alex up by the collar. “I trusted you! I actually considered you as my friend!” Midnight declared in rage. “But I guess I was stupid to trust a selfish jerk like you!’

Tristen, despite being wracked in pain from Midnight’s assault, looked at her defiantly. “You're right.” Tristen declared. Midnight appeared to be mildly taken aback by this while everyone was surprised to hear that. “Yeah, it was a dick move on my part to sabotage you and the others,” Tristen continued, “and yeah, I probably hurt your chances in getting into Everton. But I had a good reason.”

Midnight was skeptical at that. “Oh, do you now?” Midnight scoffed. “This oughta be good.”

Alex nods his head. “Twilight, you remember the day we first met?” Alex asked, surprising Midnight. “That day, when I fended off those douchebags Dumbbell, Hoops and Score, I made sure to ward off anyone who got off their rocks by giving you a hard time.”

As Midnight listened, slowly growing less agitated as she listened to Alex's explanation. “Yes, I got into trouble a lot, but I did it for you.” Alex explained as Daydream, Tristen, and Spike have heartfelt smiles. “Learning in Crystal Prep was practically hell for you Twi. Being pushed around, knocked in the dirt, I know you were hurting during all of that.”

The Shadowbolts, and all other Crystal Prep students seemed to have guilty expressions as Alex spoke. “But what if Everton is much worse?” Alex continued his explanation while Midnight had lost all anger she had by this point. “You had me to help you in Crystal Prep. But if folks at Everton are just as bad as the people at Crystal Prep, or even more so, you won't have me there to help you through it. You won't have Cadence. You probably won't even have Spike with you.”

Alex looks down with a sorrowful sigh. “But despite how noble my reasons are, I still screwed you over!” Tristen then looks back at Midnight. “I almost had people hurt, I definitely ruined your chances of getting into Everton, and I've lost my only friend.” Alex began shedding tears now. “So yeah. In a sense, I was selfish.”

By the time Alex finished his explanation, Midnight was no longer angry. Instead, tears were forming in her eyes while her bottom lip quivered. And it seemed that Twilight was finally getting back to her senses. “Alex…”

But suddenly, she was struck by a blast of webbing, much to the shock of everyone.

“Twilight!” Alex cried out in shock.

As Midnight was struggling to escape from the binds, she looked up to see Aggregor.

Aggregor, with a wicked smirk, bent down and placed a hand on Midnight's head. And suddenly, the girl grunts out before screaming in agony as Aggregor absorbs the magic out of her.

“NO!” Daydream cries out before flying towards Aggregor. But the Osmosian, without even looking towards her, turns his arm other into a red tentacle before grabbing Sunset and tossing her away.

Adagio looks towards Sonata and Aria. “Let's go, girls!” And with that, the trio activated their siren magic and flew towards Aggregor.

But unfortunately, Aggregor had absorbed all of Midnight's magic by this point. He chuckles wickedly as he was enveloped in violet colored electricity, cackling like a madman fired an intense red energy blast at the three sirens. Adagio, Aria, and Sonata were quickly overwhelmed before they could counter.

“Guys!” Tristen and Alex ran to the three sirens and helped them up.

“At long last.” Aggregor said with a wicked grin.

Midnight, now back to Twilight, groaned in fatigue as she got back up while looking at Aggregor in slight fear.

“Such a great amount of power at my disposal!” Aggregor looks at Twilight. “I should thank you, my dear.” Twilight backed up a bit in terror. “I would have taken that device from you the moment you drained the third of those six girls and just drained the rest myself, but I prefer to strike at the right moment.”

Tristen, realizing what Aggregor was referring to, glared in rage. “You craft bastard!” Tristen declared. “This was what you were after, wasn't it?!”

Aggregor glances at Tristen. “Indeed.” Aggregor admitted. “And with it, I will crush any fool who stands in my way." As Aggregor said this, his hands sparked with purple electricity. “Tennyson may have foiled my plans for universal domination in my original universe, but not this time!” Aggregor then extends his right hand towards Tristen. “But first things first.”

Aggregor then fired an energy blast at Tristen, sending him crashing against the base of the statue. Daydream was about to attack Aggregor, but he fired another blast of energy at her to knock her out of the sky.

As Tristen was struggling to get back up, Aggregor walks up to him and pins him down with his foot. “I cannot afford any obstacles!” Aggregor said menacingly.

But just as Aggregor was about to finish Tristen off, he starts to grunt out in pain while clutching his head. Tristen furrowed an eyebrow as Aggregor stumbled back, the Osmosian grunting more and more in pure agony.

“What's the matter with him?” Rainbow asked with confusion.

Rainbow’s question was quickly answered as Aggregor hunched over, and his head started to become more feline-like than human. Twilight watched on in shock before backing away as Aggregor was enveloped in purple electricity while everyone else watched in shock as this went down. Within moments, Aggregor had went from human to an animalistic chimera.

For one, he now has three heads instead of just one; one in the middle that resembled a smilodon/hyena hybrid on its dog-like nose, the head on the right was that of a black head with a white patch on each side and four red eyes, and the head on the left was that of a rock-based rhino-like beast with a single long horn. He has grayish forelimbs that resembled bird legs with three dark claws along with an additional one the inner side, and he has four purple segmented hindlegs that resemble those of a tyrannosaurus. It has four insectoid wings on its back, below the wings are a series of red octopus, on its sides are four silver-colored spider-like limbs with the lower half being covered with olive hair, and its tail was composed of an orange beaked worm-like creature a white underbelly and spikes on its back.

And the finishing touch was the spiraling turquoise energy horn on the middle head, a pair of wings that once belonged to Midnight Sparkle in addition to his insectoid wings, and turquoise energy tails behind the eyes of each of his three beads.

Once the transformation was finally complete, the new chimera form Aggregor took on lets out a mighty roar that created a powerful purple energy shockwave.

Daydream Shimmer, Tristen, and Alex were wide-eyed in disbelief while Twilight and Spike backed away in terror, and everyone else were in pure disbelief at what they had just seen.

"What... in Celestia's name?!" Daydream uttered.

“Oh crap!” Tristen mumbled.

Everyone's a winner

The newly mutated chimera form Aggregor had taken roared out in newfound might and unyielding animalistic rage.

"My word!" Rarity gasped, appalled by the amalgamated monstrosity that stood before her.

Daydream, shaking off her shock, flew towards Aggregor, her fists encased in bright yellow energy. But before she could even strike, the worm-like beast that made up Aggregor’s tail looked at her and fired a stream of greenish yellow fluid at her.

With a gasp, Daydream dodged the attack. Aggregor, growling ferociously, took off into the air with intent on pouncing the magically enhanced girl.

But before Aggregor could strike her, Aria arrived and punched the chimeric beast to the ground. This only further fueled the ire of the feral amalgam as each of his three heads opened up their mass and fired blasts of turquoise energy at her.

Adagio and Sonata’s pendants glowed a bright pink, and moments later, the two conjured their siren apparitions. But unlike how they looked during the Battle of the Bands, they looked more cuter and less ferocious.

Adagio and Sonata sent their siren summons at Aggregor, the two vocalizing to send pink sound blasts at the fused beast. Aggregor only growled before emitting another powerful roar, creating a purple energy shockwave in the process that managed to make the two apparitions vanish.

Alex, wanting to help, conjured a large hammer with the head appeared to be composed of two Tesla coil toroids. Alex charged at the beastly chimera, his hammer sparkling with electricity, before slamming it to the ground and sending a bolt of electricity towards him. The attack violently electrocuted Aggregor upon impact, but he managed to absorb the attack.

Once finished, Aggregor turned his attention to Alex, still growling like the savage animal he had become.

But a blast of cyan waves fired at Aggregor and encased him in ice on contact. With a look of surprise, Alex turned to see Heartstrings.

“Talk about chill vibes, am I right?” Heartstrings said while chilling at his own pun.

But Heartstrings lost his smile as Aggregor broke free from the ice, and Aggregor’s left head fired a red energy web at him. The moment it made contact with him, he screamed out as he was electrocuted by the webs. And Aggregor flapped his two feathered wings, creating a gust of wind that sent Heartstrings flying backwards.

Applejack brought out her lasso and sent it at Aggregor, the loop wrapping around the about of his central head. Upon turning his focus to the country girl, the two proceeded to play a little game of tug of war.

Alex looks at the pendant-like device that Twilight had discarded, then remembering how it was used to suck up the magic of Tristen’s friends. With a determined look, he ran towards the device and grabbed it.

Aggregor was still struggling to free himself from Applejack's grip as she was helped by Adagio, Indigo Zap, and Rainbow Dash. However, he raised his right forelimb and slashed the rope that connected him to the other girls, then slashed the rope that bound his muzzle shut.

Daydream swooped in and fired a blast of yellow light at Aggregor, but he dodged and breathed out a thick red fog. And with a rapid beating of his insectoid wings, he created red colored pattern of concentric and overlapping circles towards her.

Daydream was puzzled at first, but her eyes went wide as she felt a durable sensation overwhelm her, somehow feeling compelled to approach her adversary. Try as she might, she had an entranced expression as she flew towards Aggregor.

Aria and Sonata took notice of this and stepped in by vocalizing to fire blasts of red sound waves. The attack sent Aggregor rolling across the ground, landing near Twilight and Spike.

Upon noticing her, Aggregor stood back up and gnashed his teeth while Twilight backed up in terror. Spike got in front of her and growled to try and ward Aggregor off. “Leave her alone!” Spike barked out.

Aggregor wasn't intimidated however as his three heads roared out in response, making Spike lose his tough demeanor and hide behind Spike on fear.

“Hey!”

Aggregor, Twilight, and Spike look over to see Alex, who was holding Twilight’s device with a defiant look. “You wanna mess with somebody?” Alex asked defiantly at Aggregor before conjuring a blaster-like device. Then upon inserting the device in a circular port into the side of the blaster, he cocks the weapon. “Try me on for size then, Frankenstein’s house pet!”

With a snarl, Aggregor took the challenge and ran towards Alex.

“Alex, no!” Twilight called out to her friend in fear of losing him.

Alex however, smirked as he aimed the weapon and fired a blast of bright purple energy at the amalgamated beast. Once it made contact, Aggregor’s three heads roared out as he was enveloped in a bright aura. Everyone watched on as Aggregor lost the horn and wings he inherited from Midnight Sparkle. And after a few minutes Aggregor had lost his amalgamated feral form and was now back to his normal human state.

Alex smiled victoriously as he powers down his weapon and pulls out the device. Aggregor groaned out in fatigue, panting heavily on his hands and knees. But a punch from Daydream Shimmer was all it took to knock his lights out.

“Alex!” Twilight called out and ran to Alex, embracing her friend while sobbing in relief. “I’m so sorry… I…” Twilight said in-between sobs, “I never should have-”

Alex cuts her off by placing a hand on her shoulder, a warm smile gracing his face. “It's alright.” Alex said in an assuring manner. “It's over now.”

Daydream smiled genuinely as she landed before reverting back to Sunset.

When Twilight noticed Sunset, she looked away in shame. "I'm so sorry..." Twilight apologized, "I didn't mean for any of this to happen..."

"I know." Sunset responded with a nod. "And going by my own experiences, they'll forgive you.”

Tristen and his other friends walk up to Twilight, each of them having a soft smile of sincerity on their faces.

“We can vouch for her, dear.” Adagio said in agreement while gesturing to Sonata and Aria.

Suddenly, the sound of Spike’s barking caught their attention as the canine leapt up into Twilight's arm, making fall down to the ground on her rear end, giggling all the while.

“Well, you children certainly managed to handle the situation quite swimmingly.”

The new voice caught their attention as the look to see a new figure. It was a man with fair skin, gray eyes, and black hair. He wore a white lab coat over a white shirt with a brown vest and black tie, black pants, and black shoes. He also wore goggles with green lenses around his neck.

Tristen smiled at seeing the new figure. “Well, aren't you tardy to the party?”

The man chuckled lightly in reply. “Glad to know you children lived up to my expectations.”

Sunset, still perplexed, looked at Tristen. “Let me guess.” Sunset began. “A character from that Ben 10 show from your world?”

The man nods in response. “Correct you are, dear Sunset. Professor Paradox, at your service.” The man named Paradox introduced himself with a bow.

Sunset was even more surprised by that info. “H-How did…?”

“I've been to many universes my dear.” Paradox interrupted, then approached the still unconscious Aggregor. “As for the reasons regarding my brief visitation, I'm here to bring this rapscallion back home.” Upon grabbing Aggregor by the collar, he reached into a locked on his lab coat and pulled out a pocket watch. “Well, I best be off before he wakes up.” Paradox said before casting one final glance at the team. “Until we next meet.”

And with that said, Paradox and Aggregor both vanished in a bright blue flash.

Tristen looks down and noticed Twilight's glasses lying upon the ground, still having a crack in the right lens. He squatted down and picked them up before approaching Twilight.

"Pardon me," Tristen said, catching the girl’s attention, handing her the glasses. "I believe these belong to you."

With a smile of gratitude, Twilight accepted the glasses. "Thanks." she replied as she placed them over her eyes. And suddenly, wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace.

"Wow..." Tristen grunted out with slight pain as a light popping sound was heard from him, "Quite the grip ya got...!" Sunset and the other girls giggled in response while Alex smiled smirked.

Meanwhile, Principal Cinch managed to undo her bindings before casting a glare to Celestia. "Principal Celestia!" Cinch began angrily, catching the collective attention of everyone. "On behalf of Crystal Prep, I demand that you forfeit the Friendship Games! Clearly, CHS has had an unfair advantage for quite some time! And it's certainly obvious that your students have been using magic for their own benefit!"

"I'd like to think that saving the world benefits us all." Celestia responded cleverly.

"At least they didn't manipulate Twilight into releasing all the stolen magic and turning into a power-crazed magical creature that tried to rip the world apart just to win a game," Sugarcoat pointed out, catching their attention as everyone was surprised by her blunt and quick explanation.

"That's ridiculous!" Cinch retorted angrily.

"Don't bother denying it Cinch! You have witnesses!" Tristen said to Cinch, making the woman glare at him.

"I beg your pardon?" Cinch declared, her anger increasing.

"Yes, it was already questionable of you pressuring Twilight into using magic to gain the upper hand!" Tristen declared, pointing at Twilight. "But the fact that you were willing to go so low as to use her acceptance to a Everton as a bargaining chip proves that you are not only a cheat, but a downright sorry excuse for a principal!"

Everyone else present either gasped in shock or went "ooh" upon hearing Tristen’s retort.

"How dare you!" Cinch barked furiously, trying to keep her composure while also trying to deny Tristen’s claim. "You have no evidence to back that up!"

"Don't I?" Tristen replied as he up his cellphone. And on the screens showed recorded footage of Cinch’s conversation with Twilight earlier in the hallway. Cinch began to worry upon seeing the footage Tristen displayed on his cellphone while everyone was surprised. "I managed to record your little rendezvous with Twilight earlier," Tristen explained with a smug grin, "And you were none the wiser."

"Busted!" Rainbow added with a smirk.

"And you accused Principal Celestia if cheating?" Spike said am angered expression, "Talk about hypocrisy!" Cinch was taken aback by the talking dog.

"Actually," Sour Sweet chimed in, “We're all to blame…" she admitted in a sweet, sad tone, before glaring sourly at Cinch. "Mostly it was her."

Cinch was clearly not happy about that her students had turned on her. "Obviously my students have been infected with your magic!" she pointed out angrily, "But I plan on taking all of this up with the school board!"

Celestia however, smirked at that. “Good.” Celestia replied. “I'm sure they would be very interested in hearing all about the magical students with wings.”

“Oh, and the portals to different dimensions.” Luna added.

“And don't forget to tell them about the talking dog.” Cadance replied while giggling.

“Because that would never ruin your reputation.” Spike chimed in with a smirk.

“Not like they're gonna listen to you regardless.” Tristen added, grabbing Cinch's attention. “Because I've posted the video online earlier.”

Tristen said as he pulled up a video site on his phones showing the video was indeed posted. Cinch was now starting to worry at this.

“And I must say, the reviews are not good in your favor.“ Tristen said as he looked up the content section. “One saying “I smell blackmail”. Another says, “I know that old bitch, she expelled me all because I bumped into her during recess and got dirt on her uniform.” Tristen looked up at Cinch with a smirk. “And my most favorite one being “Guess who is heading for the unemployment line.” And not to mention the amount of likes this video has gotten.”

Suddenly, the sound of a phone ringing filled the air. Cinch reached into her pocket and pulled out her cellphone. “Whoever this is, I'm in an awfully terrible-” Cinch stopped herself as her eyes widen. “D-Di-Di-Director Hello sir, how can-?”

As the caller on the other line spoke, Cinch was incredibly nervous. “I assure you, Mr. Director, I have a good explanation for-” Cinch winced as the superintendent was clearly giving her the tongue of fury. “Fired?! But you can't-Hello? Hello?” Cinch looked at her phone, seeing that the call had ended thanks to the school director hanging up on her.

Tristen looks at Cadance. “Thanks for the assistance, Cadance.”

Cinch, Celestia, everyone in general were shocked upon that revelation. “What?!” Cinch looks at Cadance in disbelief. “You had a hand in this?!”

“Guilty as charged, I’m afraid.” Cinch replied with a smirk. “Earlier, when Tristen and Spike went to grab Alex for his assistance, Alex informed me of your little “deal” with Twilight.” Twilight was surprised, but she smiled fondly knowing that the one person she looked up to have her back. “When Tristen here showed me the footage he gathered, I had to inform the school board.”

Cinch was truly appalled by what she had heard from her fellow faculty member.

Alex smirked at Cinch triumphantly. “I’m afraid your reputation just went right down the crapper, Cinch!” Alex chimed in while Tristen smirked. “It must suck to be you, right now.”

Cinch saw everyone glaring at her, and rightfully so.

Cinch growled, seething in rage before looking at Twilight. "I have you to blame for all of this!" Twilight jumped a bit from Cinch's outburst. "If it weren't for you and that blasted thing you've concocted, none of this would have happened!"

Twilight however wasn't backing down. "Yes, I am to blame!” Twilight fired back in admittance. “Most of this is my fault! But you are the main contributor to it all!” Cinch gasped in shock as Twilight spoke down to her. "You were so compelled to win, that you not only resorted to blackmailing me, but you also pressured me into using magic! Magic that I honestly had no understanding of!” Twilight continued on. “And for what? To win some redundant competition?!"

"Oooh..." Pinkie uttered with a chuckle. "Burn!"

"Man!" Lemon Zest uttered in surprise.

"Why you insolent little witch!" Cinch growled in fury. "You have such nerve to talk down to me in such a manner!”

“At least I can admit my faults!” Twilight barked back. “You, however, maintained your innocence even when you have evidence against you!” Cinch backed up a bit. “And now you pin the blame on me for your wrongdoings!”

Twilight's fellow Shadowbolts watched on in surprise, but they also were quite proud of Twilight for finally standing up for herself.

“Face it, Cinch!” Alex added, standing beside Twilight. “Your actions are coming to back bite you in the ass!”

Cinch's eyes angrily twitched as she was about to lose her cool. But she quickly recomposed herself, adjusting her coat before turning around and walking off.

"Well," Celestia began, catching the collective attention of both teams. "I know these Friendship Games haven't been what any of us expected, but given what we've all just been through, I think it's fair to declare us all winners."

Both the Wondercolts and Shadowbolts couldn't have agreed more as they cheered delightedly, raising their arms into the air while Applejack tossed her hat up.

The next day

The sun shined brightly in the sky as Canterlot and Crystal Prep students were interacting with one another.

The twelve competitors from each team had medals around their necks to signify their participation, which included Twilight as she was sitting down on the steps to the school entrance while Spike was lying upon her lap.

Meanwhile, the other Shadowbolts were conversing with Alex, each one having guilt-ridden expressions.

"Alex," Indigo Zap said in shame, "We're sorry for how we treated ya."

"Though after what transpired earlier," Sour Sweet added. "I highly doubt that just apologizing is enough. Especially how badly we've treated you."

Alex was surprised by the apology he was receiving from the students that treated him badly. "Well, I'm still upset for how shitty you guys treated me." The Shadowbolts looked away in shame, bracing themselves for a tongue lashing. "But,” Alex continued with a soft smile, “I'm not one for holding grudges.” The Shadowbolts look at him in surprise. “Plus, you guys did prove your medals earlier, so I’m willing to start over if you are."

The Shadowbolts, smiling softly, embraced him in a group hug. Twilight and Spike watched the scene with smiles as Cadance approaches her.

"I guess that was one way to finish your time at Crystal Prep," Cadance said. "Pretty sure Cinch will be fast-tracking your application after all of that."

"I've been thinking about it and..." Twilight replied. "I'm not so sure now is the time for me to apply to Everton.”

"Really?" Cadence questioned with a raised eyebrow, even Alex was surprised by that claim.

"I may know about a lot of things, but friendship isn't really one of them " Twilight confessed. "And I'm definitely not gonna learn more about it by being alone all the time.”

"So, you're staying at Crystal Prep?" Cadence guessed, smiling in response.

"Well," Twilight began as she saw a few girls from Canterlot hanging around each other, with one embracing another happily after she had come over to them, "it seems the students here at CHS know a lot about the subject, I don't suppose..." she started to say, looking up at the sky.

"You could transfer to this school instead." Cadance finished for her, gesturing towards the school building.

"Really?" Twilight asked with a hopeful look in her eyes.

"You'd certainly be missed at Crystal Prep," the dean mentioned, causing her to blush and look away, "But… I think that's a great idea!"

"Well, if you're transferring," Alex said to Twilight, making her, Spike, and Cadence look towards him. "So am I."

Twilight, with a big smile, puts Spike down and runs to him before wrapping her arms around him. “I wouldn't have it any other way.”

"I'll be sure to speak to Principal Celestia about it right away," Cadance promised, causing Twilight, Spike, and Alex to smile happily.

Meanwhile, Sunset and friends were gathered around the statue, with the former holding her book in her hands.

"Still no word from Princess Twilight?" Fluttershy guessed her as she held her white bunny in her arms. Sunset opens her book, flipping a few pages to see if there was any indication of a reply from her friend.

"Not yet." Sunset responded with a shake of her head as she saw just blank spaces.

"Well, she is a princess after all." Adagio said with a soft smile. "I'm sure she has problems of her own."

"I know." Sunset nodded in agreement. "But I think I may have figured out how magic works in this world. We pony up when we're showing the truest part of ourselves. I was so busy waiting for someone else to give me the answers that I gave up looking for them myself."

Sunset closed the book as she explained. "I'm sure there will be more magical problems that pop up in this world, but like Applejack and Adagio said, Princess Twilight has her own problems to worry about in Equestria. We can't expect her to always be around to help us."

“And I severely doubt that Aggregor will be the only villain from another universe that we'll face.” Tristen admitted while looking at the Omnitrix. “But when we do,” Tristen continued, looking at his friends, “I know we've got each other's backs through it all.”

"So long as we get in on the fun."

The gang look to see Twilight and Alex walking up to them with Celestia in tow.

"It seems we have two new Wondercolts here at Canterlot High!" Celestia pointed out, gesturing towards Twilight and Alex.

"I'm not sure how much help Alex or I can be," Twilight confessed as Alex placed a hand on her shoulder.

"But you can count on us to help you out." Alex added with a smirk.

"If you would all give us a chance…" Twilight said, glancing away for a moment.

Luckily, the gang weren't against the idea as Tristen walked towards them. “Then welcome aboard.” Tristen said with a smile and extended his hand to Twilight for a handshake, which Twilight wholeheartedly returns.

"I'm sure I can count on all of you to help her feel at home." Celestia noted to her students.

"You sure can." Sunset concurred, wrapping her right arm Twilight while Alex gave Tristen a noogie.

A few days passed after Twilight and Alex had transferred schools. Now, she and her new friends were enjoying a small picnic together while Tristen was playing a game of poker with Alex

"Alright bud," Tristen asked Alex. "Let's see if ya can beat this." He then laid his card down. The card he had were an ace of spades, an ace of diamonds, an ace of diamonds, a king of diamonds, and a king of spades. "Full House."

Alex smirked and nods. "Not bad my guy." Alex said before laying his cards down. They each consisted of an ace, a king, a queen, a jack, and a ten; all of which in the hearts suit.

Tristen and the others were stumped by this. "Whoa! Royal Flush!" Applejack said in disbelief while Rainbow Dash laughed. "Talk about luck."

"I guess playing Solitaire paid off." Alex said with a shrug before conjuring a canned beverage in his hand. The can being purple colored with a label "Cool Cola" emblazoned on it.

“How do you even do the whole imagination summonin’ thing?” Applejack asked.

“I have a little thing called the Meta-Gene for that.” Alex replied with a hint of pride while cracking the can open, confusing the girls.

“Meta-Gene?” Sonata asked.

“It's a genetic mutation a genetic mutation that gives super-human abilities to anyone who has it.” Alex explained. “You can say I'm a mutant, or as they're known in my universe as a Metahuman.”

Twilight was surprised by that reveal, as were the other girls, as she turned to face Alex. “How come you never told me this?”

Alex scratched his head with a slightly embarrassed look. “I was afraid you'd freak out when I told you.” Tristen replied before shrugging his shoulders. “Also, you never asked.”

"So, how'd you even get here?" Tristen asked.

Alex however had furrowed an eyebrow and shrugged his shoulders. "I honestly wish I knew, dude."

All of a sudden, the statue’s base began shining brightly before a figure suddenly zoomed out of it. That being none other than being Princess Twilight.

"I'm so sorry I didn't get here sooner!" Princess Twilight apologized to Sunset hurriedly. "I didn't get your messages until just now because I was caught in this time travel loop and honestly. It was the strangest thing that's ever happened to me!"

Twilight then looks ahead, her eyes suddenly widening upon seeing her counterpart before her.

"Make that the second strangest…" she confessed, pointing at her duplicate.