When the basketball season began, one sentence was repeated to us every day: "It doesn't matter what you do, as long as you beat Crystal Prep". It was ingrained to everyone who had or will ever pick up a ball, a bat, anything in the name of Canterlot High. That was the expectation, to bring them down. Countless times Canterlot as faced Crystal Prep, and every time it has always been a loss. Football, Hockey, Golf, Basketball , Debate, Dick Sucking, every time Crystal Prep had always come out on top.

But, Canterlot High never had us.

Usually, there wouldn't be any hype or anything special with the Crystal Prep game: show up, take your licking, and continue with the rest of the season and hope you don't see them in the playoffs if you go. That time, things were going to be different. That's what we told ourselves, that's what we told each other, that's what we told our classmates. We had become nearly unstoppable. The only team in our league that was in our way from the league title was Crystal Prep.

It was after school, our duffel bags with our gear were ready, and we left our lockers to what we thought would be a small van of just us and maybe the cheerleaders to Crystal Prep, a skeleton crew of support. But, this time, Celestia and Luna double downed on the belief that we would win, which was why there were four yellow school buses waiting for us in the front. The entire school were getting in lines, preparing to get on the buses.

When we walked through the front doors, we were met with cheers of our classmates, and the band performing our fight song. We felt our spirits soar and if we were not hyped to take on Crystal Prep, that display would have done it. We drove off as soon as all four buses were ready and took the twenty-minute bus ride into the city.

We had arrived when their classes had ended for the day, so most if not all of the student body watched us pull up. It smelled horrible, because of all the shit they had up their asses. it reeked of self-importance and prestige. I guess it was time to knock them down a few pegs. When the bus stopped for good in front of them. That's when we started.

Everyone in our bus began to rock back and forth in unison, we also began to shout. Everyone behind us saw what we were doing, and followed suit. The four bus convoy, in front of our rivals, were a complete madhouse. We were loud, the buses were rocking back and forth, and our marching band was playin our fight song while inside the bus. Looking at the basketball team who were hanging in the front, I could see that they were in uncharted territory, dealing with a team that was not intimidated.

We grabbed our duffel bags and lead the crowd inside the school. The marching band was right behind us, blasting their music as loud as they can. Our classmates were trying to drown out the band by their "CHS!" chants. Sadly, we had to part at the gym. Inside, the boys Junior Varsity team were getting hammered by their team. I found out later that the band and crowd gave them the motivation to rally. It turned from a forty point deficit at halftime to a five-point loss.

We changed in the girl's locker room but took our time while at the same time were causing a ruckus. We were loud, we were banging on the lockers, making noise. Their locker room was next to ours, and we wanted them to hear us. That was the thing about Crystal Prep: their reputation at home scared everyone. We intended to show they were still human, even at home.

When both teams ran out to the court at the same time hours later, we were met with a thunderous applause. The gym was at full capacity, and the gym was electrified.

Even the radio play-by-play were taking it all in."Canterlot High has been what the kids these days call "lit, fam". They have a fast pace offense, a physical defense, and have the confidence to not be intimidated taking on crystal preparatory at their home. I'll tell you now that this is one of the most anticipated home games for the Shadow Bolts in years."

From the tipoff to the final minute of the game, it was a complete bloodbath. It was physical, it was back and forth when it came to lead changes, and it was dirty. We were down by two points with ten seconds left when the coach called the timeout. He motioned to the bench and the coaches to join us in our huddle.

Both crowds were electric, roaring to show their support to whoever they went for.

"Alright, we have enough time for a vote. So, should we go for the tie or go for broke. Raise your hand if you want to go for the tie to take it to overtime."

I didn't raise my hand, Neither did Masse, nor Rainbow dash.

In fact, no one did.

"Alright then," Coach beamed. "Here is the plan..."

Our crowd silenced when Mouth passed the ball to me on our end of the court, while the Shadowbolt's side were hollering at the top of their lungs.

I raced down the court with the seconds ticking down. Everyone was struggling with their defender trying to get open. Rainbow Dash managed to get a few steps away from her opponent. I passed to her, and then, in turn, she passed it to Talala. It was when that happened that Masse's defender slipped and fell, leaving him open with only two seconds left. Talalah passed it to him.

The gym was silent when Masse, our star player, had the ball. He was past the three point line and with enough time to carefully look at the basket and make his shot. The ball sailed through the air and was on its way to the basket.

My heart was racing, my head was getting light. I knew it since it left Masse's hand: it was going in.

The joy turned to horror when the ball bounced off the rim and chose to roll away from the basket instead of in.

Crystal Prep’s fans and students erupted in celebration. the Team’s bench ran out and dogpiled underneath the basket where the ball missed. my stomach began to churn, and I had my hands locked at the back of my hand in exhaustion and disbelief. Masse was squatting where he made the shot, his jersey over his head in shame.

Our walk to the locker room was quiet. We quickly and quietly changed into our street clothes, even with Talalah and Dash in the same room. We were too exhaust and disappointed to even care.

"Hey masse," I asked as we took the bus back the school. He was silent the entire time, his smile and optimism: gone.

"Yea?"

"you going to be okay?" I asked.

"I guess. But still: I fucked up."

"Well, we gave them hell, right?"

He smiled, "Well, I guess so. still, would of been better to shock the world."

From the back of the bus came Majorette, who was with the band members in the back. With the light I got from the passing streetlights, she sat on his lap and held on to him. He wrapped his hands around her and were still. He was looking out to the city while she was caressing his hair.

Considering she will still let him hit that tonight: yea, I guess he will be okay.