Everything leading up to this has fallen into place, the epic climax is in its adolescence, and the final battle will begin. It's time for our heroes to finally take action.

Equestria Girls: Starlight's Story

[Scene 14: Nobody]

[INT. ?]

[Principal Cinch seems to be awaking up. She opens her eyes, and in confusion, looks around to see she is somewhere in an empty black void (just like the one Starlight had been to in Scene 10).]

Principal Cinch: Hello? What is this? Where am I?

[Then in a flash of light, she is now in Equestria, viewing most of Ponyville. But then, three different locations just merge together all in the same place around Cinch: Canterlot, the Crystal Empire, and Princess Twilight's castle. Cinch is shocked to see ponyfied versions of Celestia and Luna looking down on their subjects in Canterlot, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor with their baby Flurry Heart on the balcony of the Crystal Empire castle, and Twilight Sparkle and her friends in front of her castle.]

Principal Cinch: It can't be. She was right. Then that means that I'm truly—

[She gets interrupted by the sounds of thunder, and the sky is covered by dark clouds. The background scenery goes dark, and all the ponies (plus Spike the Dragon) look at Cinch with such contempt. A silhouette of a different villain appears behind each group. King Sombra is behind Shining Armor and Princess Cadance, Queen Chrysalis and her changeling army are behind the two royal sisters, and Lord Tirek is behind Twilight and her friends. Cinch is frightened by the sight of these images. Then a "mysterious" little purple pony approaches Cinch from a cleared section of the area. Cinch turns her attention to the sound of the pony's hooves. The faceless pony fades away and the human Starlight Glimmer takes her place. She smiles menacingly at Cinch, while she feels all confused about the matter.]

Starlight Glimmer: Well look at you; so weak, so worthless. What good does that "reputation" of yours do you now, huh? You should know by now that power can outweigh status.

[Cinch backs away slightly, when she sense another presence behind her. She turns around to see the silhouette of Professor Discord with glowing yellow eyes.]

Principal Cinch: Discord?

[Suddenly, the silhouette grows in size and transforms into the Draconequus Discord. It gives out a twisted laugh, as Cinch is overwhelmed by the sight. She turns back at Starlight, and is shocked to see all of her Crystal Prep students standing behind her. They all are wearing the equal sign pins on the breast of their school uniforms, and stare at Cinch with creepy smiles.]

Starlight Glimmer: You don't belong in this or any other world. And everything that is not meant to be must be exterminated.

[Starlight, the students, the ponies, and the shadowy villains move slowly towards Cinch. Cinch looks in every direction, realizing she is completely surround, and fearing what they intend to do with her.]

Principal Cinch: Wait. What are you doing? Stop! Stay back! Don't come any closer!

The Draconequus Discord: You don't give the orders here, witch! [laughing]

[Cinch is horrified at the look of their faces as they get closer to her. Starlight builds up her magic into one hand into an energy orb. As she laughs maniacally, the image of her flickers between herself and Midnight Sparkle. This makes Cinch even more worried.]

Principal Cinch: No. No. [Starlight blasts her with the energy orb.] NNNOOOOOO!

[INT. Principal Cinch's office-Crystal Prep Academy-The City-Night]

[Cinch wakes up in a massive fright. She is sitting down on the floor of her office, which is still a mess after her encounter with the 'real' Starlight. She is still shook-up, knowing it was all just a dream. She stays frozen in place for a short while, until she slowly moves her head and notices her glasses on the floor. She tries reaching for them, but then her hand and glasses start glowing in a magic grayish-pink aura, and the glasses just fly into her hand. Surprised to see this new development, she simply puts on her glasses and examines her hand. She tries concentrating, and the aura returns around her hand. Astounded by this, Cinch tries figuring out how it works. So she sticks out her hand, causing a book to levitate. Then she makes the magic appear on her other hand and waves it, making other books and papers float into the air. She then spreads both her arms out, sending more stuff flying. She looks down on her hand, and notices that the veins in her wrists are glowing in the same pink light just below the aura. She focuses on those veins, and the glow immediately spread throughout every vein in her entire body, and her eyes begin to glow in the same color. She radiates a large burst of light, sending more things in the room flying at a fast rate, and bolts of energy surges throughout her body. She looks at her hands again to see she has produced two sharp crystals and making them glow at a much faster pace. She became infatuated by the new power she possesses. She is able to crack a smile as she starts to cackle. Shortly after, she starts bursting in laughter, loudly and evil, continuously as a sign of a bad omen.]

[INT. Main foyer-Crystal Prep Academy-Morning]

[Dean Cadance is walking down the hall with a clipboard. She enters the foyer to see that Starlight's decorations are taken down and everything is back the way it was. Dozens of students are walking through the foyer as well. Most of them are wearing the equal sign pins, and some take notice of the changes.]

Jet Set: Hmm. Guess that Starlight girl couldn't convince Cinch after all.

Upper Crest: I knew it was too good to be true.

Fleur Dis Lee: What a shame. I honestly thought she had something there.

[Dean Cadance continues by walking up the stairway.]

[EXT./INT. Principal Cinch's office]

[Cadance walks up to the door. She opens it and enters the office, which is now clean from last night's incident. Principal Cinch is at her desk, smiling, sitting in her seat as if she's been waiting for someone.]

Dean Cadance: You wanted to see me, ma'am?

Principal Cinch: Ah yes, Cadance. Please, do wait a minute. [She switches the microphone to the intercom system on, and speaks into it. The kids and teachers throughout the school can hear her speech.] "Attention all students and faculty, I am happy to announce that we will be holding a special surprise assembly after school today. So at the end of the last bell, everyone, including staff members shall report to the auditorium and be seated for this afternoon's presentation. I assure you it will be an event that nobody at Crystal Prep Academy will ever forget. That is all." [She switches the intercom off.]

Dean Cadance: There was no assembly on the schedule.

Principal Cinch: Just arranged at the last minute.

Dean Cadance: But don't you have that meeting with the school heads this afternoon?

Principal Cinch: Don't worry yourself. There'll be plenty of time. I'll make sure of it.

Dean Cadance: If you say so. Is there anything I can do to help set up the assembly.

Principal Cinch: No need. I have everything taken care of. [She gets up from her seat.] Now, I got some errands that I need to do before the meeting. [She passes Cadance.]

Dean Cadance: Do you want me to look after things while you're away?

Principal Cinch [stops and whispers]: Oh you'd like that, wouldn't you?

Dean Cadance: What?

Principal Cinch: Oh nothing. Please, feel free. By the way, has Ms. Starlight Glimmer come in today?

Dean Cadance: No. She hasn't been in class again.

Principal Cinch: I see. But not to worry. I'm sure she'll turn up eventually. Ta-ta! [She opens the office door.]

Dean Cadance: Is everything alright, Principal Cinch? You seem a lot more cheerful than useful. Are you feeling okay?

Principal Cinch: [...] Never better. [She closes the door behind her.]

[EXT. Parking lot-Crystal Prep Academy]

[Principal Cinch gets into her purple car, putting some items and a stack of files in the passenger seat. She starts the car and adjusts her rearview mirror, only to catch a reflection of her eyes that glow for just a quick moment.]

[EXT. Soccer pitch-Canterlot High School-Afternoon]

[Rainbow Dash and the rest of the Wondercolt soccer team is practicing, while her friends are sitting at the bleachers, watching them. Twilight is on her cellphone talking with Sunny Flare (now in her school uniform).]

Twilight Sparkle [on cellphone]: And she hasn't come in at all?

Sunny Flare [on cellphone]: I'm sorry, Twilight. Starlight wasn't in class today. I don't know where she is.

Twilight Sparkle [on cellphone]: I understand. Oh hey! How did your meeting with Sunburst go? Is he going to help us with Starlight?

Sunny Flare [on cellphone]: No. We met him, but...he said he wouldn't come.

Twilight Sparkle [on cellphone]: But didn't you tell him what's been going on at the school?

Sunny Flare [on cellphone]: Look, Twilight, I know this means so much to you, but we gotta face facts. Starlight is never gonna accept us as 'real' friends, as long as she holds on to her grief.

Twilight Sparkle [on cellphone]: Yeah, I suppose not.

Sunny Flare [on cellphone]: We're really sorry, Twilight.

Twilight Sparkle [on cellphone]: No...It's me who is sorry.

[She hangs up with Sunny Flare and starts to think. She is about to call up Sunburst, but she hesitates and withdraws the idea.]

[INT. Sunburst's Apartment-The City]

[The cellphone sit in silence. Sunburst walks into the living room eating microwavable noodles. Then he hears a knock at the door and walks towards it.]

Sunburst: Hello? Who is there?

Starlight Glimmer's voice: Sunburst? It's me, Starlight. We used to be friends when we were kids?

[Sunburst looks through the peephole and sees Starlight's face. He is delightfully surprised with a hint of nervousness. So he cracks the door open with the chain still on.]

Sunburst: Starlight! My goodness, what a surpri—[He stops with a surprised expression on his face.] Who are you?

[He gets flown back into the apartment from some pinkish light. The chain slides off by itself and the door opens. Abacus Cinch walks into the apartment with a picture of Starlight in one hand, and Starlight's voice-changing device in the other. She looks down at the startled Sunburst.]

Principal Cinch [putting the device to her neck and speaks in Starlight's voice]: Nifty little gadget, don't you think?

[Sunburst gets up and tries to get away. But Cinch uses her magic to stop him in his tracks. She lifts him up and brings him over to her.]

Sunburst: Who are you?! What do you want?! How are you doing this?

Principal Cinch [normal voice]: Good afternoon, Mr. Sunburst, is it? My name is Abacus Cinch, headmistress of Crystal Prep Academy. I got a proposition for you.

[EXT. Soccer pitch-Canterlot High School]

[Sunset looks in her magic journal at Princess Twilight's message "Help Starlight Glimmer. Trust her. Be patient with her. I know you can do it. Good luck. – Twilight." Sunset looks down at it with doubt and confusion.]

Sunset Shimmer: "Be patient with her"? "Trust her"? How can I trust her if she won't trust me back?

Rainbow Dash [approaching the gang]: Did you see that?! That was a wicked instep I just pulled. [Rainbow then notices the girls feeling so miserable.] Hey! What's gotten into you? You guys still aren't upset about what happened the other day?

Fluttershy: How can we not? All those mean things Starlight said to us.

Rainbow Dash: Come on! You know all the stuff she said was total nonsense, right?

Applejack: Maybe, but who really knows? We haven't been very good in those first couple of times. Maybe we really were trying to save face.

Rarity: I never thought making yourself look good would be so bad.

Pinkie Pie: All I ever want is to make people happy. I wouldn't want to quit being me in order to keep them happy.

Sunset Shimmer: Come on, girls. Don't let Starlight's words gets to you. Sure, our friendship in the past wasn't perfect. But it doesn't matter what someone else thinks. We have proven time and time again that our friendship is as real as it has ever been.

Rest of the Humane 7 sans Twilight: [unsure sound]

[While everyone is deciding what to think, Twilight is filled with doubt.]

Spike: So, what are you suggestion?

Sunset Shimmer: I say we go back to Crystal Prep and see if we can take another whack at Starlight; on the friendship, not the fighting.

Twilight Sparkle [disgruntled]: Why bother? [The girls (Spike included) turn to Twilight in shock.] Bringing Starlight Glimmer over to our side would be hopeless. I say we should just forget the whole thing all together.

Applejack: Forget it?

Sunset Shimmer: But, Twilight, we swore to...well, Twilight. We can't just give up on Starlight.

Twilight Sparkle: Well I have. [She gets up from the bleachers.] I'm sorry, but what you are suggesting is completely impossible. You don't know anything. [Twilight walks down from the bleacher and storms off towards the school, leaving her friends all perplexed.]

Sunset Shimmer: Twilight, wait! Hold on!

[The rest of the Humane 7 tries catching up to the angry Twilight across the field, in hopes of convincing her otherwise.]

[EXT. Courtyard-Canterlot High School]

[Meanwhile, "The Great and Powerful" Trixie Lulamoon has just exit the school through the front door. She checks through her backpack with her stage show props. Suddenly, she gets knocked down by The Crusaders rushing out the door; starting with Scootaloo on her scooter, and then Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle following behind. All three stop behind the Wondercolt statue and Trixie tries getting back up.]

Trixie Lulamoon: Hey! Watch it! How dare to knock down the Great and Powerful Trixie?!

Scootaloo: [To Trixie] Sorry, Trixie. [To Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle] So, what are we gonna do today?

Apple Bloom: Let's head on down to the clubhouse. We still got a chart of activities to try out.

Scootaloo: Let's go!

[Before they can take off, Sweetie Belle hears a faint sniffling sound.]

Sweetie Belle: Do you guys hear that?

[The other two Crusaders can hear it too.]

Scootaloo: Is that...crying?

[While picking up her props, Trixie can hear the crying too. She and the Crusaders can see that the sound is coming from the Wondercolt statue. The four get up to the edge of the stone block and can see someone curled up under the statue.]

Sweetie Belle: Somebody's up here.

Apple Bloom: Wonder what she's sad about.

[The girl turns her head and wipes her tears. The four recognize her as Starlight Glimmer. The Crusaders are terrified at the sight of her.]

Sweetie Belle: She's back!

Scootaloo: Run away!

[The Crusaders drops down from the ledge and make their way to the door. But they stop to see that Trixie is not retreating.]

Apple Bloom: Trixie, what are you doing? Come on! Get away from her!

[Trixie stays where she is, and keeps staring at the crying Starlight. She starts feeling bad for her, and decides to climb up the stone block entirely and approach her. She places her hand on Starlight, startling her. Starlight looks upon Trixie with red watery eyes, as if she's been crying all night. Trixie calmly kneels besides her.]

Trixie: Hey there. So what's wrong?

[Starlight and the Crusaders are confused at Trixie actions. So the three decide to walk up to them and join her.]

[INT. Hallways-Canterlot High School]

[Principal Celestia checks through her file bag while walking with Vice Principal Luna. They're both heading out for their meeting at Crystal Prep. Meanwhile, Twilight continues to storm off in another part of the hall, with her friends still behind her. They take a corner, into a crowded hallway.]

Sunset Shimmer: Twilight, wait! Would you just stop?

[Twilight stops when her way is intently blocked by Flash Sentry.]

Flash Sentry: Whoa! Sorry, Twilight. Anything wrong?

[Her friends finally catch up.]

Sunset Shimmer: Twilight, what is your problem?

Applejack: Why'd you storm off like that?

Rainbow Dash: Yeah, what's the big deal?

Twilight Sparkle [huffy]: Forget it. I don't wanna talk about it.

Sunset Shimmer: Twilight, don't make me read your thoughts. Is this all about Starlight? [Twilight flinches a bit.] You know, I had my fair-share of mistakes in the past. So together we should be able to understand her and resolve all this.

Twilight Sparkle [yelling]: That's just it, Sunset! You don't know! You don't understand! [Twilight speaks so loudly and with so much anger, the Canterlot High students in the hall have all eyes on her.] Nothing we do will make a difference!

Sunset Shimmer: Twilight.

Twilight Sparkle: She's not you, Sunset. When we were—well, you know...you were driven by blind ambition. I was driven by letting my curiosity get the best of me. But Starlight...she was driven by pain and grief. After her friend was taken from her, she has grown bitter and resentful. She attacked our school because she was misguided down a path she should never have gone. When I heard Starlight was at Crystal Prep, I thought they would mistreat her the way they did me. I was afraid Principal Cinch was gonna make her life miserable. But now I see it was the other way around. I thought I could help Starlight the only way I know how.

Sunset Shimmer: What are talking about?

Twilight Sparkle: I've been in contact with Sunburst for the past few days. I planned that if I can bring him and Starlight together on our outing, it would be enough to convince her to change her mind. But it seems that plan has failed.

Applejack: What?!

Rainbow Dash: Are you kidding me?!

Fluttershy: You knew about Sunburst the whole time?

Pinkie Pie: Why did you keep this from us?

Rarity: Yes. We could've been of great help to you, darling.

Twilight Sparkle: Because it had to be me, not you. In Equestria, 'I' was the one who helped her see the light. She was meant to be 'my' student. I'm the one who's supposed to come up with the solution.

Sunset Shimmer: Twilight, that's not you. That was the pony princess version of you from that world.

Twilight Sparkle: I know that. She already accomplishes so much, while I isolated myself and kept to my own work. She became a princess; she led her friends into protecting their home from some great evil several times; she even helped her Starlight Glimmer see the error of her ways and made her her sole pupil. I just wanted to follow in Princess Twilight's example. Maybe interdimensional connections really can't create bonds between strangers in this world. I tried reaching out to her, but I couldn't even get myself to speak to her. Maybe you're right, Sunset. I'm not the other Twilight.

[The silence is then broken by the sound of loud and frequent clapping. Everybody looks around in confusion to see where the sound is coming from. Then Spike, the Humane 7, and the crowd of kids look up the nearby stairway they are all standing at the bottom of, and they all see that the clapping is coming from Professor Discord, who is sitting on top of the first flight.]

Professor Discord: BRAVO! BRAVO! Congratulations, Twilight! [stops clapping] So now the truth comes out.

Twilight Sparkle: Discord?!

Sunset Shimmer: Where did you come from?

Professor Discord: Blame my parents. [He gets up with his walking stick and sits on the hand railing.] I must say, what an exquisite performance. Realizing your faults is the first step. [He slides down to the bottom end at an unusually fast pace. He gets off and walks towards the girls, while everyone is surprised on how he slid down in a mere instant.] So sorry for us to drop in unannounced.

Sunset Shimmer: "Us"?

[Discord opens one of the lockers (the second from the end), revealing Mr. Smooze inside. Then he knocks on the locker next to it (the one at the end), and it breaks into pieces, all strapped to Thorax's body.]

Thorax [nervously]: H-Hi, everybody.

Twilight Sparkle: Thorax?

Pinkie Pie [cheerful]: Smoozinator!

Rainbow Dash: Wow. These Changelings guys really are that good.

Micro Chips: Huh. I thought there was one more locker there than usual.

Professor Discord [approaches Twilight and Sunset, and pulls out his cellphone]: I'd like your opinion; tell me, which would make a better background wallpaper for my phone? [shows the his phone] This…[He shows them a photo of Starlight in the park the other day, smashing Rarity's face against her own shield.]…or this? [Then he shows them another photo of Rainbow Dash running into Starlight's arm.]

Sunset Shimmer: Wait. YOU WERE THERE?!

Professor Discord: Well of course. Hey, what do you think of my new ringtone? [He presses a button on his phone.]

Starlight Glimmer's voice [on the cellphone]: "Cinch was right about you. You really are weak."

[Twilight starts feeling ashamed, while everybody glares at the unfazed Discord.]

Professor Discord: I particularly liked when she made those freaked-out expressions when you tried explaining things to her. My favorite of them all is when she learned about the talking dog. [laughs]

Spike [annoyed]: Yeah. I'm sure she found that amusing as well.

Professor Discord: And the stories you told her; another dimension parallel to our own, but with magic. You girls are way more interesting than I originally thought. Your lives are like a Domino Effect; just one bad event leading to another. Your actions at the Falls Formal lured the sirens to your school. Your involvement at the Battle of the Bands got Twilight investigating Canterlot High. The incident at the Friendship Games released magic into this world. I swear, you girls spread chaos around more than I do.

Rarity: Is that why you're here? To gloat about your own dirty work?

Professor Discord: Dirty work? Now that's a bit harsh, don't you think?

Sunset Shimmer: Oh don't try to deny it, professor. All of this is your doing, all to get back at Cinch for firing you. You manipulated Starlight in going to that school. You provided her with Twilight's research, which brought her to ours. People's lives are at risk because of you. You lied to everyone.

Professor Discord: Oh and you haven't, my little pony? What Starlight does is no interest to me. As long as she's knocking sense into CPA, like you should've in the first place. With all the double-dealing you used to do, you could've solved all your problems so easily.

Twilight Sparkle [depressed, yet upset at the same time]: Have a good laugh now, Discord? Knowing that everything I have ever known has gone awry for your amusement?

Professor Discord: I only did what everybody wished for. I delivered Cinch a better version of you. I gave your friends at Crystal Prep a chance to make it up to you. I even united you with your potential pupil. Well unintentional though…And all you can do is complain?

Twilight Sparkle: A better version? How is she anything like me? That girls is driven by bitterness, pain, and a misguided vision! That is not who I am!

Professor Discord: Au contraire. She's the girl you could've been; someone who belongs at Crystal Prep, someone who takes the school motto seriously, the Twilight Sparkle that was meant to be in that group. "The Twilight Sparkle at Crystal Prep" that you use to be, the one who left for Canterlot High, had quite a different path than the one they have now. [He starts approaching Twilight.] That Twilight Sparkle never knew what Friendship was, never experience the feeling of heartbreak that comes with it, never realizing how fragile life can be or how precious each moment is.

[His path is then block by Twilight's friends.]

Applejack: That's enough, Discord.

Sunset Shimmer: Yeah. Leave her alone.

[Discord just casually holds up his walking stick, and then tosses it up into the air. Everybody looks up at it, and as it comes down, Discord (who somehow manages to get behind them) catches it. While everyone is just wondering how he got past them, he turns back to Twilight.]

Professor Discord: She didn't bothered to get involved in anything. She just retreated into her little room with her little science experiment, and didn't think about putting them to good use.

Sunset Shimmer: I said knock it off, Discord. Can't you see Twilight has been through eno-?

Professor Discord: [aggressively towards Sunset and the others] NO! Sparkle needs to hear this. [As everybody backs away, he turns calmly back at Twilight.] So her life never came into focus. She drifted through most of her life, with only one plan and agenda in mind; going from one assignment to the next, never seizing the opportunities that presented themselves. She never stood up to Principal Cinch when she knew what she's doing was wrong, or rally the other students together into shaking them out of their arrogance. She never showed them a better path where they can become more than what they are now. Instead, she just lets it all happened, let everybody step all over her, just stick to her own work, and nobody even gave her a second glance. She learned to play safe…and she never, ever, EVER…got noticed by anyone.

[Twilight just stands frozen, all dumbfounded, as Discord turns and walks away. The crowd moves to let the professor pass, and Mr. Smooze and Thorax join him. The rest of the Humane 7 try to comfort Twilight, who is still in shock.]

Spike: Ah, don't listen to him, Twilight. He just wants to get under your skin.

Applejack: That's right, sugarcube. All hat, and no cattle.

Sunset Shimmer: Yeah, everything Discord says is complete nonsense. You can't let that wear you dow—

Twilight Sparkle: No. No, he's right. He's right. [She yells to Discord walking down the hall.] You're right, Discord! The chances to change were right there and I didn't bother to take notice of any of them. I knew something was wrong at that school, but I didn't do anything about it! I kept blaming myself, even though it wasn't my fault! I did leave them all behind! I recognize my mistake now! You are right, Starlight 'is' better than me!

[As she talks, Discord's expression slowly changes from delighted to confused. He suddenly stops for a bit, and turns around, facing Twilight and the crowd of Wondercolts.]

Professor Discord: Are you trying to tell me something, Twilight?

Twilight Sparkle: All I want is to get another chance with Starlight.

Professor Discord: Despite your failure in your first attempt? Are you sure?

Twilight Sparkle: I'd rather show her a better path to make Crystal Prep the way it ought to be, than have her bring it to worse shape than it was when I left it.

Professor Discord: And how do you plan on doing that? After the way she talked to you, the way she treated you; what makes you think she would want you to help her now?

Twilight Sparkle: Because I've done it before, as I did once with you.

[Professor Discord's eyebrows rise in surprise, realizing exactly what Twilight had meant. And with a smile, Twilight turns around and walks past the crowd.]

Sunset Shimmer: Uh…Wha…Wait! Twilight!

[The rest of the Humane 7 go after here; leaving behind the crowd, Thorax, and Mr. Smooze completely confounded. Professor Discord seems the most astounded. Continuing down the corridors, the girls and Spike finally catch up to Twilight.]

Rainbow Dash: Twilight, wait!

Spike: Where're you going?

Twilight Sparkle: To Crystal Prep Academy. I'm gonna get another shot with Starlight.

Fluttershy: How are you going to do that?

Twilight Sparkle: I'll do what I originally planned. Only this time, you're gonna help me.

Sunset Shimmer: After what happened yesterday? I don't think Starlight is in a reasoning mood.

Rarity: That's right, darling. We're probably not gonna make any difference.

Twilight Sparkle [stopping and turning to face her friends]: Look, I know Starlight said some things that weren't very nice. But Sunset is right; we can't let that get us down. Starlight needs us now more than ever. I can't just give up on her. Most of my life, I've been letting problems slip by and I didn't do anything about it. It's about time to step up, and make sure things go the way they're supposed to. Maybe we're not the perfect team as she pointed out, but it is those very dysfunctions that make us the best of who we are. If you don't wanna come, I won't hold it against you. But I'm going to help Starlight. Now we have a chance to make a friend and setting her on the right path, and we wouldn't be who we are if we didn't. So, what do you say?

[Twilight's friends begin to think on the matter. Applejack is the first to smile.]

Applejack: Whatever of a hitch you get into, sugarcube, I'm with you all the way.

Rainbow Dash: I'm in.

Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Spike: [simultaneous agreements]

[Then they all look at Sunset, waiting for her response.]

Sunset Shimmer: I now realize how much this means to you, Twilight. Let's do this!

[Everyone cheers, and continues walking.]

Spike: Okay. So how are we gonna do this?

Twilight Sparkle: We're going back to my original plan, only this time, with a few differences. [She gets out her phone, and enters in a number.]

[INT. Sunburst's Apartment]

[Sunburst is still floating in midair, with the pink magic aura surrounding him. Principal Cinch is showing a wad of magical energy manifested in her hand.]

Principal Cinch: Magnificent, isn't it? Pure, sustainable magic. You'll have to thank your friend, Starlight for giving us this precious energy. [Suddenly, Sunburst's cellphone starts ringing. Cinch levitates it into her hand, and looks at Sunburst with her finger over her lips.] Shhh. [She takes the voice-changing device and puts it against her throat.] Testing, testing…Testing. [Her voice changes to match that of Sunburst's. She then answers the phone in Sunburst's voice.] "Hello, this is Sunburst speaking."

Twilight Sparkle's voice [from the cellphone]: Sunburst, this is Twilight! [Cinch is now in shock to hear Twilight's voice.] I need to talk to you more about Starlight. Meet us at Crystal Prep if you can, alright? [Cinch's expression slowly changes to anger.] Sunburst?...Are you there?...Sunbur—[Cinch disconnects the call.]

Principal Cinch: So, my old pupil has gotten herself involved. [She looks at the frightened Sunburst, and levitates the phone in midair.] Well, it doesn't really matter. For it seems she's in for a little surprise. [She uses her magic to crush the phone.]

[EXT. Courtyard-Canterlot High School]

[The depressed Starlight just sits at the front ledge of the stone block of the Wondercolt statue, with Trixie and the Crusaders sitting at her sides.]

Starlight Glimmer: I've made so many mistakes most of my life. I thought I was helping people find a better life. But what I've done is completely inexcusable. I don't know if I can live with myself after how I messed up. There's no way anybody will accept me now.

Trixie Lulamoon: Look, I can't say I know what you're going through. But I can say you're being way too hard on yourself, more than you should. Lots of people make mistakes, even me. Hehe, I know, unbelievable. But you can't just let them weigh your life down, and keep you from what you are meant to be.

Sweetie Belle: She's right. Take me and my friends for example. The three of us would always stick to ourselves because we thought we can never be good at anything. I mean, even though we are the same doesn't mean you can only make friends with those who are exactly like you.

Scootaloo: Totally. Luckily, we do have people in our lives who actually care about us. Although we are different, it's them who make us feel like we belong.

Apple Bloom: It's because of these friends and loved ones that we feel capable of doing something we are good at.

Sweetie Belle: It is our duty as Crusaders to find what makes us special and make our mark on the world.

Starlight Glimmer: You mean…like a "cutie mark"?

Apple Bloom: Uh…what's a "cutie mark"?

Scootaloo: I don't know, but I do like the sound of it.

Trixie Lulamoon: Listen, Starlight. You're not the only girl to have caused trouble at this school. I'm sure that people will forgive you. But for the time being, it is best to just move on and pretend that they never happened. Sounds good?

[Starlight, still feeling upset, leaps off from the ledge and moves to the side of the stone block.]

Starlight Glimmer: Thanks anyway for the advice, girls. But I don't know how much it will help. I don't think I can face anybody right now. Especially to Twi—

[Suddenly, the Humane 7 come out through the front door. They stop in surprise, seeing Starlight before them. Twilight, who is having trouble contacting Sunburst, is the last to be shocked at the sight of her. Starlight looks at them with the same expression, and then tries to run away.]

Twilight Sparkle: Wait, STARLIGHT! Stop!

[The Humane 7 try to catch up with her, but she uses her magic to fly away, and then teleports. They are disappointed they didn't get to speak with Starlight; but then they check on Trixie and the Crusaders.]

Applejack: Apple Bloom! They you alright, subarcube. What happened? Did she hurt you?

Apple Bloom: We're fine, sis. Nothing happened.

Twilight Sparkle: Well, she's gone. We gotta catch up with her.

Rainbow Dash: But how?

Voice: Maybe I can help!

[They all look to the entrance, and they see Flash Sentry on the steps.]

Sunset Shimmer: Flash!

[Then Thorax, Mr. Smooze, and Professor Discord come out.]

Professor Discord: Mind if we tag along?!

Rainbow Dash: You kidding me.

Twilight Sparkle: Really? You wanna help? Why?

Professor Discord: Twilight Sparkle, you and your friends continue to peak my interest. Normally, I would say that this course of action is completely infeasible. But if you're actually going to accomplish this, despite all the odds that point out that your decision would be proven fruitless, I'd be happy to offer my assistance to you. Plus, I really like to see how this will all play out. It could be amusing.

Twilight Sparkle: Wow. Thanks…I think.

Thorax: Allow me to say "The Changeling Family is at your disposal".

Mr. Smooze: [groaning happily while nodding his head]

Rainbow Dash: Cool!

Applejack: Well that's mighty kind of y'all.

Pinkie Pie: WHOA-HO! This is going to be the best mission of all time! Let's go!

Fluttershy: Yes, but um…where are we going anyway?

[Twilight thinks for a moment, and then gets an idea.]

Twilight Sparkle: I got it! [She goes into her backpack and pulls out her magic spectrometer.] If Starlight is using magic, we can still track her. [She taps on the glass pad and it starts to active. A light is flashing on the side.] Good! We got her. Now all we have to do is t—Huh? [She pauses to notice another light has appeared on the device.]

Rarity: Twilight, are you alright, darling?

Sunset Shimmer: Twilight, what is it?

Twilight Sparkle: A second signal. Someone else is using magic…[Twilight turns to the direction the second light is facing, and looks up to where it's pointing.]…In the city.

Sunset Shimmer: Oh no.

[The two girls look down at both lights with disturbed expressions.]

[INT. Starlight's Research Room-Crystal Prep Academy]

[Starlight reappears into her private room, which is still a mess from her outburst the other night. She leans down on her desk, totally exhausted and breathing heavily from a lack of sleep and having to teleport multiple times from a long distance.]

?: My, you seem pretty exhausted. [Starlight is staggered from recognizing the voice. She slowly turns her head to see that someone is sitting in her office chair, holding up her photo of herself and Sunburst as kids.] Handsome young fellow, wouldn't you say? [That mysterious figure spins the chair around, facing towards Starlight, revealing themself to be Principal Cinch, smiling at her with the notes on Starlight's device in her other hand and Starlight's backpack in her lap.] Must be that "Sunburst" lad you told me about.

[Starlight is pale with terror, to see Cinch still alive right before her.]

Starlight Glimmer: You! B-but, how can you-? It's impossible—It can't be…! I thought you were—

Principal Cinch [getting up from her seat]: No. But pretty soon, you will be.

[She looks at Starlight, and her eyes and veins start to glow in a grayish-pink. Starlight is shocked to see Cinch like this. She tries to use her magic on Cinch, but she is so tired, her magic is too weak. She quickly notices her magic reactor still under her work bench, and can tell Cinch doesn't know of it. She tries to get it, but before she can take another step, Cinch shoots a magical energy beam at her, imprisoning her inside a giant crystal. Her eyes move around, while the rest of her is frozen inside. Cinch simply walks up by Starlight, as she looks at her helplessly.]

Principal Cinch: Can you hear me, Miss Glimmer? Cause I want you to hear every word. You've really kept some detailed notes on magic, and I say, I am very impressed. [She looks around the room and its surveillance equipment.] You've really kept this room up and running, [sniff] even though it still reeks of dog. You've surpassed Twilight more than I had originally anticipated. I really should thank you though. You have given Crystal Prep a truly amazing gift. A gift that gives us an equal footing against Canterlot High. [She manifests magical energy in her hand.] Look at this. Look at all your work. It's beautiful. Twilight could hardly ever contain it's power, but you… All this time, I thought you were trying to prove something. But now I see that you weren't trying to ruin my reputation because you were 'better' than me, you've merely just been toying with me until I was weaker than you, and I became the "nobody" you claim that I fear of being. All your philosophy, all you words; they were all to cover the fact that you are more of a nobody than I can ever be. You once told me, that everyone will be happy if they were all exactly the same. And I must admit; you were right. They should be "exactly the same"…to me. You also told me if I ever want something, I'd go get it myself. And that's exactly what I'm gonna do. If all the other students don't trust me anymore, then I can't trust them to make their own decisions. I know what's best for my school. Once they start to share my love for victory once more, then nobody will ever again question my authority. [She looks at the surveillance monitors, and can see three cars pulling up into the school parking lot. One of them happens to be Spoiled Rich's limo.] Ah. It would appear my guests have arrived. I better get things ready. [She puts everything she has back in Starlight's backpack.] It's a shame you won't be present for the start of my new student program, but I'll be sure to thank you in my speech. You know, you really shouldn't have gotten Sunburst and Twilight involve. But I'm afraid that's out of my hands. [Starlight continues to watch helplessly, as Cinch takes her backpack and walk towards the door. She opens it up and looks back at Starlight.] Now please stay put. For when I'm through with them, I'll be sure to take care of you last.

[Cinch delivers a sinister smile as she walks away from the doorway and uses her magic to slowly close the door. Starlight is left behind as she appears to be feeling worried, still frozen in place as the door closes on her, unable to do anything about it.]

To Be Continued…

The worst has finally happened. What are Cinch's plan for Crystal Prep? Can Starlight do anything to stop it? How will the Humane 7 aid her in this crisis? More of this will be on its way very soon.

I know that the Equestria Girls short special has already been released; and so it seems to have retconned most of what I have written and resolved some personal issues I have had in the past few years. But I'm not gonna let that stop me. I am going to finish this story, no matter what.