"Rise and shine, barkeep."

An undignified cry ripped from my throat as I jolted. My surroundings were still blurred, the panic still holding onto me as I wiped my face with my hands, trying to make sense of where I was.

Not the bar. Not my car. Not—oh.

A small chuckle snapped my attention forward.

Luna.

Standing there in the doorway with crossed arms and towel lazily draped around her neck, her dark blue bathrobe hanged loosely over her frame. She was looking at me with this amused smirk, and I followed her gaze—

Oh.

My survival instincts took over before I could even comprehend the horror of what she had just walked in on. I yanked the covers over myself so fast it probably looked like some kind of magic trick.

Luna let out a full laugh, shaking her head. "Relax, kid. It’s not like I haven’t seen worse."

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. "You could at least knock."

"Could have. Didn’t. My hause" She grinned, leaning against the doorframe. "Besides, what’s there to be embarrassed about? It’s a natural thing for guys your age, isn’t it?"

I wanted to die.

"This is—" I waved a hand vaguely, still gripping the covers like my life depended on them. "This is NOT how I expected my morning to go."

Luna only shrugged "Well, once you're done having your little crisis, you should get dressed and come downstairs. We’ve got breakfast for you. And another present."

"Another present?"

"You’ll see." She winked, turning to leave.

This was weird. Really weird.

Not the Luna-walking-in-on-me part—that was its own level of humiliation—but the way they were treating me.

They took me in. No questions asked.

They were doing so much for me helping me change schools, giving me a place to stay, even making me breakfast and I hadn’t given them a single reason to trust me. They were either the kindest people I’d ever met… or the dumbest. I could’ve been anyone. I could have been dangerous.

Yet they let me in.

They had faith in me.

Ugh. Don’t overthink it, James. Just take the free food.

No. I needed to ask.

I caught Luna before she fully stepped out.

"Hey."

She turned back. "Yeah?"

"Why?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "Why are you doing all this? Helping me transfer is one thing, but… letting me stay here? Acting like I’m… I don’t know, one of your own? You don’t even know me."

Luna tilted her head, her smirk fading into something softer, something distant.

She looked… hesitant.

Then, with a sigh, she leaned against the doorway.

"You know what?" she murmured, rubbing her eyes. "When I was your age… I wasn't like you."

She took a deep breath.

"I did awful things. Ran with the wrong crowd. Thought I was invincible. Thought I could do whatever I wanted. And I paid for it."

She looked away for a moment, as if the memory itself made her uneasy.

"I ended up in juvie. Got in deep, and by the time I realized how screwed I was, it was too late. I spent years paying for my mistakes. But Celestia? She blamed herself for it. She thought she failed me as a sister."

My stomach twisted.

"She was just a kid herself" Luna continued, her voice quieter now. "But she worked herself to the bone to make sure I had a future when I got out. And after that… she just never stopped. She dedicated her whole life to helping kids like me, like you. She doesn’t want anyone else to take the path I did. And…"

Luna glanced at me, her blue eyes were serious. "She admires you, you know?"

I blinked. "What?"

Luna scoffed. "Oh, don’t play dumb. You’ve been working your ass off, running a damn bar on your own, trying to keep yourself afloat. You fight to live on your own terms. And Celestia—she respects that. She sees someone who refuses to give up. And she wants to help."

I swallowed.

That…

That was a lot.

She barely knew me. But she saw something worth helping?

I wanted to laugh. Or maybe cry.

Luna pushed off the doorframe. "Anyway, that’s your answer. So don’t be a dick about it, alright? Just… be good to Celestia. And she’ll be even better to you."

Then she was gone, disappearing down the hallway like she hadn’t just dropped one of the heaviest conversations of my life on me before breakfast.

I sat there for a moment.

Damn it.

Damn it, Celestia.

I thought back to yesterday, the way she looked at me with such… warmth. The way she spoke to me like I was just some normal kid who deserved kindness.

She reminded me of my mom.

And that made me feel like absolute scum.

Because I lied to her.

She thought I was an orphan. That was part of why they were helping me.

And I let her believe it.

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair.

I couldn’t tell her now. Not yet.

But I would.

The moment the bar got back on its feet, the moment I wasn’t hanging by a thread—I’d tell her the truth.

She deserved that much.

For now, though?

I had breakfast to eat.

I grabbed the same bartender suit from yesterday, smoothing out the wrinkles as best as I could. Maybe I should get some new clothes wait, no, I had bigger things to worry about.

The hallway was long, and for a second, I got turned around, but the smell of food real food, not something microwaved or scavenged led me in the right direction.

When I stepped into the kitchen, Luna and Celestia were already seated at the table.

They were both in casual clothes—Luna in a loose t-shirt and joggers, looking laid-back r, and Celestia…

She had a simple white shirt on, sleeves rolled up slightly, hair still was elegant even in this relaxed state.

They both perked up when I walked in.

"Ah, the sleeping prince finally emerges"

Celestia smiled warmly. "Good morning, James."

I hesitated for a second before sitting down at the table. My usual instinct was to be on edge, to keep my guard up, but something about this whole situation… it made me warm.

Because sitting right in front of me was a fresh plate of pancakes.

Not leftovers.

Not a hastily thrown-together meal.

Just… warm, homemade food, waiting for me like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Shit—I was tearing up.

I quickly wiped my eyes before anyone could see.

But Celestia saw.

But she didn’t say anything, and I was grateful for it.

Instead, I focused on eating. No, devouring—I didn’t even realize how hungry I was until I took the first bite, and after that, it was over. I ate like a man starved, like I hadn’t had a meal in years.

Luna snickered. "Slow down, you’ll choke."

Celestia giggled, watching me with quiet amusement.

I rolled my eyes but kept eating. It was embarrassing, yeah, but I didn’t care. This was the best thing I’d had in a long time, and I wasn’t going to waste it.

By the time I finished, I sat back, finally taking a breath. But te warmth in my chest stayed.

Wait

I was sitting in some strangers’ house.

Eating breakfast with them.

What the hell was happening?

Celestia must have caught the look on my face because she tilted her head.

"Feeling weird now?" she asked. "Yesterday, you were full of emotions."

I looked at Luna. She met my gaze, and I could tell from the look she gave me—we hadn’t talked about juve. She hadn’t told Celestia that I knew.

"I just… don’t know how to repay you for all of this."

She waved a hand. "You don’t have to repay me. But if you insist, let’s start with something simple—attending school on Monday."

"Fair. i can do that"

Then, she hesitated for a moment, as if considering something.

"And… if you want," she added carefully, "You can stay here. With us. Not in the dorms. The mansion could use some life," she said with a soft smile. "And we would love to have you here."

My heart squeezed in my chest.

No.

No, no, no.

That was too much.

"No, no, that would be weird. I—I couldn’t. That’d just…" I trailed off, my mind flashing with images of waking up in this house every morning, of being surrounded by warmth instead of cold, of—

I shut the thought down before it could go any further.

I would kill myself with regret if I said yes.

Celestia giggled, like she had already expected my answer. "Alright," she said simply. "Just thought I’d offer."

Then, she stood up from the table and reached for something on the counter.

A box.

She turned back to me, holding it out.

"A present," she said.

"What? Why?"

Celestia’s expression was unreadable for a moment. Then, she smiled.

"I just thought… you’re starting a new life. You should start it with something special."

I hesitated before reaching out, taking the box into my hands. It was light.

Slowly, carefully, I opened it.

Inside, neatly folded, was a whole new outfit—black pants, a black vest, a crisp, dark shirt… and a red tie.

My breath hitched.

It was… perfect.

Not even my mom had ever given me something like this.

Celestia and Luna still thought I was an orphan.

And I had let them believe it.

Before I could stop it, my eyes burned, and a few tears slipped free.

I clenched the box tighter, gritting my teeth.

Damn it.

Damn it, damn it, damn it.

I tried to hold it back, but Celestia must have seen something in my face because—

She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me.

Warm.

Gentle.

I stiffened. My whole body locked up because—what?

Why?

Why was she doing this?

Why did she care this much?

My throat closed up.

"It’s okay," Celestia murmured, her voice so soft, so real. "We were in your place once."

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to speak. "What do you mean?"

She pulled back slightly, looking me in the eyes. "We had no one either" she said. "But you don’t have to be alone. Not like we were."

My heart shattered.

I clenched my jaw, trying to hold back the flood of emotions.

This was wrong.

They thought I was like them.

They thought I was an orphan.

But I wasn’t.

I was just a liar.

I squeezed my eyes shut and did the only thing I could think of.

I hugged her back.

I buried my face in her shoulder and whispered, "Thank you."

And I meant it.

More than I had ever meant anything in my life.

She held me for a few more seconds before pulling away, smiling.

I wiped my face quickly, then grabbed the box. "I—I’m gonna go change," I muttered.

Celestia nodded. "Go ahead."

I rushed to another room, practically throwing my old clothes off as I slipped into the new ones.

The fabric was smooth, perfectly fitted. The vest hugged my torso just right, the black shirt sleek and sharp. I fumbled with the tie, tying it as best as I could.

Then, I looked in the mirror.

I didn’t look like a lost kid trying to survive.

I looked like someone new.

Like someone better.

I ran a hand over the vest, exhaling shakily.

I felt like a little kid.

Like someone who had just gotten his first Lego set.

I stepped back into the kitchen straightening my red tie and running a hand over the sleek black vest I struck a pose, bowing like some high-class gentleman, and Luna immediately snorted, covering her mouth as she giggled.

“Oh, my stars” she said, shaking her head. “You look like you just walked out of a movie. A very, very dramatic one.”

I smirked, straightening up. “Dramatic? Please, this is pure class.”

“You know what would make this even better?” Luna leaned forward on the table, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Drinks. You should make us something to drink.”

I was already expecting Celestia to give her a good smack for suggesting alcohol this early in the day, but to my surprise, she just hummed thoughtfully. “That’s actually not a bad idea.”

“Wait, really?”

She nodded, standing up and walking over to a small cabinet near the counter. “I trust you to keep it simple, and besides—nothing for you, you still have to go to bar today right?.” She opened the cabinet, revealing a modest selection of bottles inside. “Show us what you can really do.”

“Alright, but don’t blame me if you get addicted to my skills.”

Luna chuckled. “Oh, please. Impress me.”

I grabbed the necessary ingredients and decided to go with something simple but elegant—a classic Cosmopolitan.

I poured the bright pink mixture into two martini glasses and slid them across the counter. “Your drinks, ladies.”

Celestia took a careful sip while Luna, far less restrained, took a generous gulp. They both hummed in approval, Celestia smiling warmly. “This is delicious.”

Luna smirked. “Yeah, no wonder you run a bar.”

“There’s more where that came from.”

Luna downed more of her drink before giving me an expectant look. “So, what do we owe you?”

I shook my head. “Nothing.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Nothing?”

“Nothing,” I repeated. “For everything you two have done for me, my bar is always open to you. Whatever you want, whenever you want. Free of charge.”

Luna’s eyes practically sparkled. “Oh-ho, now that’s a dangerous offer.”

Celestia shot her a sharp look. “Remember we have work tomorrow, Luna.”

Luna deflated instantly, looking betrayed. “You’re ruining my fun.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “You’ll live.”

Celestia smiled softly. “Thank you, James”

I exhaled, feeling lighter. “No, really. Thank you.” I stood up, stretching my arms over my head. “I should get going. See you two at school. I hope i can repay you what you two done for me..”

With a smirk still on my face, I grabbed my old bartender suit, tossed it into the car, and climbed into my old Fordie.

The engine roared to life on the first try.

“Hah! Maybe even you, oldie, want to start a new life too?” I murmured, giving the dashboard a pat.

I pulled out of the mansion’s driveway, the gatekeeper didn’t even say a word just opened the gate and let me through. No questioning, no hesitation. It felt different, like I belonged, but I shook the thought away.

By the time I reached the bar, I saw a familiar figure waiting at the entrance shifting from one foot to the other.

Sunset Shimmer.

The second I stepped out of the car, she narrowed her eyes at me. “You’re late.”

“Huh?”

“Fifteen minutes,” she clarified, hugging herself. “And it’s freezing.”

She looked… A little awkward? It was honestly kind of cute.

“Yeah, yeah. I had something to do.”

She tilted her head slightly, eyes flickering over my outfit. “Cool suit, by the way.”

“Thanks” I said, unlocking the door.

Her gaze lingered on me as I pushed the door open, and then she smirked. “Sooo, is that why you couldn’t open yesterday?” Her tone turned teasing. “You were on a date, weren’t you?”

I scoffed, shaking my head. “Yeah, right. Like I have time for that.”

She followed me inside as I flipped the light switch, illuminating the familiar space of my bar.

She stretched her arms above her head before rubbing her hands together. “So… it's my first Sunday working here. How bad can it be?”

I chuckled darkly. “Oh, Sunset…” I turned to her with a smirk. “Prepare for war.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Pfft. It won’t be that bad.”

“Oh, you sweet summer child” I muttered, walking behind the bar to grab a few things.

Sunset slid onto a barstool, leaning forward with her arms folded over the counter. “Alright, enlighten me. What’s so bad about Sundays?”

I placed my hands on the counter, leaning in slightly. “One word:regulars.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. All the old men who have nowhere else to go? They all show up. The couple that fights every other week? They’ll be here. The guy who swears he’s the best at pool but never actually wins? Also here.”

Sunset winced. “That… does sound like a lot.”

“And that’s before the real crowd arrives.”

She groaned, dropping her head onto the counter. “What have I gotten myself into?”

“Too late to back out now.”

She peeked up at me through her bangs. “Hey, at least I have you to suffer with.”

I smirked, grabbing a clean glass and wiping it with a cloth. “Damn right.”

She sat back up, tilting her head slightly. “But really, what were you doing earlier?”

I hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. “Had breakfast with Celestia and Luna.”

She blinked. “Wait… Celestia and Luna?”

“Yeah.”

“Like, Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna?”

“Yup.”

She frowned. “Okay, now I definitely think you were on a date.”

I chuckled. “Oh, come on.”

She crossed her arms. “So what, you just randomly had breakfast with them?”

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. “It’s a long story.”

Sunset studied me for a moment before leaning forward again. “Tell me.”

I paused, considering my options. I didn’t want to go too deep into it—not yet—but something about Sunset made it hard to shut her out completely.

“…I’ll tell you later” I said finally. “Right now, we have work to do.”

She pouted slightly but let it go. “Fine. But I’m holding you to that.”

I smirked. “You do that.”

The bar was only half full, but that was still enough. It wasn’t some crazy hotspot, but it had its regulars, and that was the worst part of the job.

Don’t get me wrong—I love bartending. I love hearing all the weird stories, the drama, the secrets people spill when they’ve had one too many. But when you hear the same ridiculous things over and over, it gets old.

Like, I love finding out that someone left their fiancée at the altar that’s peak entertainment. But when some woman keeps forgiving her cheating boyfriend for the tenth time? Yeah, that’s just depressing.

Still, I nodded along, pouring drinks, cleaning glasses, pretending to be invested. The job had me on my feet the whole time, but I didn’t mind.

By the time 4 Am rolled around, the place started to clear out.

People had jobs, you know?

Yeah, it’s funny—these people start work at 5 or 6 Am and still go drinking before it. I mean, come on.

I was wiping down a glass when I heard Sunset laugh beside me.

She was leaning against the bar, scrolling through her phone, chuckling at something.

“What’s so funny? Your boyfriend texting you?”

Sunset didn’t even look up as she casually replied, “Nope. Girlfriend.”

I blinked. “Wait, what?”

She glanced at me from the corner of her eye, smirking slightly. “Just joking.”

I rolled my eyes. “Right. Sure.”

She laughed, shaking her head, and went back to her phone. I just stood there for a second, processing that whole exchange.

That was… random.

But before I could think too much about it, something else popped into my head.

“Hey, Sunset.”

She hummed in acknowledgment, still looking at her phone.

“What’s up with CHS?”

She blinked and finally looked at me, lowering her phone slightly. “Huh?”

“Is it really as good as that drunk Luna and Cadance were making it sound on Friday?”

Sunset hesitated. It was quick, but I caught it.

Then, she let out a small laugh—awkward. “I mean… it’s just a normal school.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh.”

She scratched the back of her neck. “Like, yeah, we have normal classes, and there are some events sometimes…”

She trailed off, laughing weakly.

“You are so hiding something.”

“Nooope,” she said way too quickly.

“Yep. Definitely something.”

She groaned, resting her elbows on the bar. “There’s nothing to talk about! It’s just a school.”

I gave her a look. “Suuure.”

Sunset sighed and shook her head. “Okay, whatever. So what, are you thinking of transferring?”

I hesitated for a second. I was planning to surprise her, so I couldn’t tell her.

So, instead, I shrugged. “Nah.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Yup. Gonna spend the rest of my days right here, in this bar.” I sighed dramatically, placing a hand over my chest like I was some tragic hero.

Sunset laughed. “You make it sound like a prison sentence.”

I smirked. “If it was, you’d be my cellmate.”

She snorted. “As long as you keep paying me, I’ll stay.”

I gasped, mock-offended, clutching my chest. “And here I thought you were here for my company!”

Sunset bursted out laughing. “Oh please.”

“No, but seriously. It’s been kinda nice having you around.”

She blinked at me in surprise.

“You’re not bad company, Sunset.”

Her lips curled into a small smile. “Yeah. You too.”

There was a brief pause, just comfortable silence between us.

Then, I glanced at the clock. 5:20 Am.

I stretched my arms over my head. “Alright, Sunny.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Sunny?”

“We’re closing early today.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

I waved a hand lazily. “Because I said so.”

Sunset rolled her eyes but didn’t argue.

As she grabbed her stuff, I glanced at her. “By the way, why are you even here when your school starts at 8 AM? Don’t you, like… have homework or something?”

She grinned, tilting her head. “Don’t you start school too?”

“…Okay, fair point”

She smirked, clearly amused.

I sighed. “But unlike you, I don’t really care about school.”

She opened her mouth, then hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but thought better of it.

“What?”

She shook her head. “Nothing.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Mm-hmm.”

Instead of answering, she just smiled.

I sighed, tossing the cloth onto the counter. “Anyway. We’ll come in earlier tomorrow to clean. I think we both don’t wanna deal with it tonight.”

She groaned. “Ugh. Fine.”

I smirked. “You sound so enthusiastic.”

Sunset just rolled her eyes.

With that, I grabbed my coat, and we both stepped out of the bar.

The cold immediately hit us.

Sunset shivered, hugging herself. “Geez, it’s freezing.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, maybe don’t stand outside for fifteen minutes next time?”

She gently punched my arm. “Shut up.”

I stood there for a moment, watching her go, a small smirk on my face.

Then, I sighed, rubbing my hands together as I turned toward my car.

The school office should be open.

I was going to walk in, drop off my papers, get my grade transcripts, and just like that—I’d be free.

If being “free” meant transferring schools, then I’d be as free as I could possibly be.

I pulled into Crystal Prep’s empty parking lot, the only car there belonging to Cadance.

She really was waiting for me.

I stepped out and walked toward the entrance, pushing the heavy doors open.

The hallways were eerily quiet, the sharp contrast between Crystal Prep and my bar.

At the bar, people talked, laughed, yelled, lived.

Here?

Nothing.

Just footsteps echoing through empty halls.

I was halfway to the office when—

"Hey, James."

A familiar voice.

I paused in my tracks turning my head slightly.

There, standing just a few feet away, adjusting her glasses with a tired look in her eyes, was Twilight Sparkle.

I smirked. "Oh, hey, Twilight."

Twilight Sparkle—the one person at Crystal Prep who I could actually call a friend. Well like friend friend, i don't include cadence bcs she is... you know, also twilight brother is there on list but he's more like a friend's friend.

If you could even call it that.

Me and twilight weren't best friends or anything, but out of everyone at this school, she was the one I talked to the most.

Maybe because, in a way, she was just like me.

We were both outcasts, just for different reasons.

I didn’t talk to anyone because I didn’t care to. And they don't want to talk to someone who works.

And she didn’t talk to anyone because she was too focused on her work.

And yet, somehow, we always ended up talking to each other.

“You’re here early, too?”

Twilight nodded, adjusting her glasses again. “Yeah. Cinch wants to talk to me about the upcoming Friendship Games with Canterlot High.”

I snorted. “That’s in months. You’re still not going, right?”

Twilight let out a small sigh. “I… really don’t want to. I have my own studies to focus on. It would just be a waste of time.”

I laughed softly, shaking my head. “You know she won’t let this go, right?”

Twilight let out a defeated sigh. “Yeah. I know.”

I gave her a small pat on the head—just twice, nothing too much. “It’ll be fine. Cinch will get over it after, what… the 70th time?”

Twilight let out a weak chuckle, but I could tell she was still stressed.

Then, I decided to just drop it. No point in pushing her when she was already drowning in everything else.

Instead, I waved my papers in front of her. “Oh yeah, by the way—if Cinch doesn’t let you off the hook and you end up competing, you’ll be against me.”

Twilight’s eyebrows furrowed. “What?”

“I’m transferring to Canterlot High.”

She tilted her head slightly. “Really?”

I nodded. “Yeah. I’ll have more time for my bar, and I won’t have to deal with, you know, this whole upper-class, elitist bullshit.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “You and that bar. You should be studying like me.”

I looked at her, raising an eyebrow.

She wasn’t wrong.

I was smart. I knew that.

Twilight and I had studied together a lot in the past.

I had helped her with math, she had helped me with science, and in return, I got decent grades without having to put in much effort.

But then…

Magic happened.

Or, well, Twilight’s obsession with magic happened.

At first, it was just curiosity—some project she had been working on, something about strange energy signatures.

I had helped at first. It was interesting, sure.

But then, it started to consume her.

She stopped focusing on everything else.

Her notes were no longer about academics—they were about the unexplained, the impossible, the unnatural.

And I?

I had pulled away.

“Yeah, yeah. I know. But it’s already decided.”

I waved the papers again. “I’m already doing this.”

Twilight stared at me for a moment.

Then, she sighed. “Okay.”

Her voice was soft—a little sad, almost.

“Gonna miss you” she admitted.

I gave her a small smirk. “Don’t get all sappy on me now.”

Twilight shook her head, a tiny smile appearing on her lips.

Twilight gave me a small nod before stepping back. "Go first, ill wait"

I knocked on door to Cinch’s office.

A second passed.

Then, a voice curt, sharp, and utterly devoid of warmth.

“Come in.”

I pushed the door open slowly, stepping inside.

Principal Abacus Cinch’s office was as cold and lifeless as ever.

Dim lighting. A massive, mahogany desk cluttered with neatly stacked papers. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with nothing but academic journals and records—no personal touches, no warmth, no sign of humanity.

And there she sat.

Principal Cinch.

She didn’t even bother looking up as I entered.

I scanned the room once, and my heart sank.

Cadance wasn’t here.

I had hoped—maybe even expected—that she’d be here, backing me up, making this easier.

But no.

I was alone.

I swallowed my disappointment and straightened my shoulders.

“Good morning, Principal Cinch,” I greeted, keeping my tone neutral.

She continued writing something, still not looking at me.

"What's the matter, James?" she asked, voice as dry as ever. "Your past absences have already been… overlooked. If you’re here about another, you’ll need to perform better on your tests to compensate.”

There was no concern in her voice. No annoyance, either. Just pragmatism.

Cinch didn’t care if I showed up to class.

She only cared about results.

I stepped forward, placing a neatly stacked pile of papers onto her desk.

“It’s about something else” I said, my voice steady.

Finally, she paused.

Her hand stopped writing, and after a slow, deliberate moment, she set her pen down.

Her gaze lifted.

Cold, piercing eyes settled on mine.

I didn’t waver.

"I want to transfer to Canterlot High."

Silence.

Then, for the first time since I walked in, she looked genuinely interested.

Not surprised.

Not angry.

Just... interested.

She studied me, as if I were a particularly odd experiment under a microscope.

Then, she smirked.

"Hm? What's the matter?" she asked, adjusting her glasses. "Not enough money to pay for this semester?"

Her tone was mocking, but there was calculation behind it.

"We can arrange a payment plan, if that's the issue," she added, already dismissing the matter with a wave of her hand.

She thought she had already won.

I clenched my jaw.

"No, Miss Cinch" I cut in.

Her brows twitched slightly. She did not appreciate being interrupted.

"I want to transfer to Canterlot High."

The words lingered in the air this time.

And now I saw it.

A flicker of something in her eyes—something displeased.

Slowly, she leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers in front of her face.

Then, she gave me a look like I had just spat on her floor.

“Why?”

The word was simple. Direct.

But behind it was something much sharper.

Disgust.

I didn’t flinch. "Because I want to."

Cinch sighed through her nose, adjusting her glasses once more.

"I understand that our institution is meant for... gifted students," she said slowly.

She scanned me up and down, her gaze landing on my suit—the one I got as a gift from Celestia and Luna to work at the bar.

Then, she let out a small, disdainful hum.

"And despite your... particular job, I still believe this is a place for someone like you."

She leaned forward slightly.

"Despite this horrendous hobby of yours."

I clenched my fists. "It's not a hobby, Miss Cinch."

Her lips curled into something between a sneer and a smirk.

"Oh?" she chuckled. "Then what is it?"

I met her gaze, unwavering.

"It's my dream."

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, she laughed.

It was sharp, mocking, and filled with nothing but scorn.

She covered her mouth, as if she had just heard the most ridiculous thing imaginable.

"A dream?" she echoed. "Oh, James, that’s rich. That’s truly, truly rich."

She shook her head, still smirking. "You always were clever. But I never took you for a fool."

I said nothing.

Because I knew she wasn’t finished.

"Despite your... misguided ambitions," she continued, "you are intelligent, James. You think critically. You understand the rules of the world, and how to use them to your advantage. That is why I find this decision of yours so... disappointing."

She let out another long sigh, shaking her head.

"Did you even think this through?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but—

"Ah," she cut me off. "Let me guess. Cadenza suggested this to you. Doesn't her family hold the position of principals there? "

I stiffened.

And her eyes gleamed.

"So that's it," she said, more to herself than to me.

Then, she chuckled.

A low, cold laugh, utterly devoid of humor.

"What lies did they tell you, that Mediocare principals Celestia and Luna?" she sneered. "That being ‘equal’ is better? That mediocrity is noble? That you should abandon ambition in favor of ‘friendship’?"

I said nothing.

Because I could already tell where this was going.

Cinch stood up, walking around her desk, circling me like a predator.

"You are throwing away your potential, James."

She passed behind me.

"Your legacy."

Her footsteps were slow, deliberate.

"The very thing you are building will fall."

I gritted my teeth, but she wasn’t finished.

"Here, at Crystal Prep, your future is just a few steps away."

Her voice was almost gentle now.

"Celestia thinks you’re just like the others. She underestimates you."

Then, she leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"I do not."

I turned my head slightly, meeting her gaze.

"I know my place, Miss Cinch," I said.

Her smirk returned. "Do you?"

She took a step back.

"Students like you," she said coolly, "should not... rot in Canterlot."

That was the moment when I realized—

She wasn’t asking me to stay.

She was telling me.

"Enough, Principal Cinch."

A new voice cut through the tension.

Cinch and I both turned.

Standing at the doorway, with eyes burning with pure fury, was Cadance.

She stepped forward, her presence immediately making the room feel less suffocating.

"That's his decision" she said firmly. "The school has nothing to do with this."

Cinch’s expression froze for a moment.

Then, with a sigh, she sat back down.

"Of course, Cadenza," she said smoothly. "I can't stop him."

She folded her hands, looking at me once more.

"But..."

A slow, cruel smirk spread across her face.

"I do wonder how your little bar would hold up if... certain people started saying the wrong things about it."

My blood ran cold.

I narrowed my eyes. "You wouldn’t dare."

Cinch let out a soft chuckle.

"Oh, James, of course not."

Her smile widened.

"But someone might."

I felt Cadance tense beside me.

She was furious, but she couldn’t say anything.

Because Cinch was still her boss.

After a moment, Cadance walked to a shelf, grabbed a folder, and handed it to me.

"Here, James."

Her voice was gentle.

"Your papers. You're free to go."

I took them, nodding. "Thank you."

Cinch leaned back in her chair.

"Good luck, James."

Her smirk never faded.

"You're going to need it."

I stormed out of the office.

That witch. That fucking witch.

I was so lost in my own fury that I barely registered Twilight standing outside, deep in conversation with her brother, Shining Armor. She turned to me immediately with concern flashing in her eyes.

"James? What happened in there?"

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair before looking at her.

"Cinch happened."

Twilight frowned. "What do you mean?"

I shook my head. "You're a genius, Twilight. And this place isn't for you. Cinch will use you like she tried to use me. She'll drain everything out of you and take all the credit. She doesn't care about us—only what we can do for her."

I didn’t wait for her reply. My patience had run dry.

"Don’t let her leech off you," I said low and serious. "Don’t let her control your future."

Then, without another word, I walked away.

I would never step foot in this place again.

But i know one thing—if I ever saw that woman again, I would spit in her face...

I pulled out my phone, typing fast.

Everything’s done. I need CHS’s address. I’ll be there today.

Celestia’s reply came almost instantly.

I’m glad to hear that. I hope your talk with Principal Cinch went well. I’ll be waiting for you. Welcome to Canterlot High, James.

I let out a slow breath. The shift from Cinch’s world to Celestia’s felt like climbing out of molten lava and sinking into warm water.

I got into my car and started driving, following the address Celestia had sent me. The road stretched ahead, each passing mile putting more distance between me and Crystal Prep.

Between me and her.

Then, finally, I arrived.

Canterlot High School.

I pulled into the parking lot, killing the engine and stepping out. The air here felt different freer, lighter, alive. Students milled about the front yard, talking, laughing, living their lives without the weight of Cinch’s expectations crushing them.

I took a deep breath

This was it.

The start of something new.

A new school.

A new life.

And no matter what happened...

I would never let anyone control me again.

Author's Note

Helol again so much fun, even going full auto mode writing story just comes, i have a big plans for this story, hmmm james know twilight thats interesting... also the friendship games are in months... wonder what will happend at them.... alsoo whaaaaat james knows something about magic? Helping the big twilight with her study? Sad that he left it finding it disturbing... I hope you liked the chapter :)