The beginning of February.

Ah, the Friendship Games approach rapidly.

The weather is slightly warmer than usual.

It's been nice around here...

It's already sunset, but Sunset is running through town to get to school.

New outfit, too.

In fact...

Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity were also running over.

On the steps, Rainbow Dash and Applejack sat with a guitar case right next to them.

There were also the three Crusaders, but... Yeah, detention ended.

Sunset was there first and stopped running.

The others weren't far behind.

"I got your text, Rainbow Dash! Did something come through the portal? Is Equestrian magic on the loose? Did Twilight come back with a problem that only we can solve!?" Sunset asked frantically.

By then, everyone else was there.

Pinkie and Fluttershy had nothing special, but Rarity had measuring tape over her shoulders, glasses, pins, and all sorts of things.

Then Pinkie chimed in...

"Has a giant cake monster covered all the cakes in the world in cake!?" She asked.

Rainbow Dash stood up, turned around, and lifted her guitar...

"Uh, not exactly..." She said.

"Uh... I don't understand." Sunset said.

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

"It totally does!" Rainbow Dash retorted.

"Another pair of Androids or a serious wound counts as an emergency." Sunset said.

"Really, Rainbow Dash!" Rarity said.

"I was in the middle of sewing a very complex appliqué on my latest frock." She said.

"And I was just about to tuck everyone in for the night at the shelter." Fluttershy said.

"You're lucky I left Gohan back there to handle it...!" She said, trying to be threatening.

"Or else what?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I... Uh... Would've... Been a bit... Peeved?" Fluttershy asked.

"Not convincing." Rainbow Dash said.

"Why would you send all of us an emergency text for a guitar string?" Sunset asked.

"Well, I was going to pony up and show our fans some awesome guitar licks..." Rainbow Dash said, gesturing towards those three Crusaders.

They waved awkwardly.

"...But I kinda need all six strings to do it. Got any extra?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Sunset pulled her bag over her shoulder and took out a spare guitar string.

Everyone else rolled their eyes.

"Here. But everyone finished practicing for the day. I'm pretty sure all the music rooms are locked." Sunset said.

Rainbow Dash started putting that string on.

"No problem. The acoustics in the hallway are perfect for power chords!" She said.

Then she played one of the chords.

"Come on, let's go!" She said, walking inside.

Everyone else just shrugged and followed her.

All but Sunset.

"You coming, Sunset?" Applejack asked.

"I'll catch up in a bit." Sunset said.

Well, they all went inside.

Sunset decided to sit on the steps.

She opened up the journal to Equestria, and started writing.

"Dear Princess Twilight, 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. You already know about the slander. 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. Magic, ki, it's all weird in this world. The magic happens seemingly at random outside of music. I would love to hear what you think about it when you get a sec.

Your friend, Sunset Shimmer."

Then, a bus stopped by the sidewalk.

Someone with a green hoodie hopped off.

Who was it?

This person also had sunglasses to not be identified...

They pulled out this weird... device.

Seems to be a locator or something...

Like a scouter.

It's detecting something, alright.

They started walking towards the Wondercolts' Statue, inspecting it...

Moving around to where the portal is...

And...

The device started going haywire.

They touched the portal very lightly...

The magic started floating around.

Sunset noticed, and-

"Hey!" She yelled out.

Oops, they got caught.

"What are you doing!?" Sunset asked.

Then this person decided to run away.

Sunset immediately sprang after them.

"Wait! Stop!" She called.

This person ran into traffic, and miraculously didn't get hurt.

But if Sunset ran into that, holy shit.

The traffic got worse.

But perfect timing for the hooded person, because a bus going back to where they came just came by!

They hopped on, and the bus zoomed away before Sunset could cross the street.

The bus drove away into the distance, leaving a confused Sunset.

"...Whoa. Who was that?" She muttered.

On the bus, the hooded one sat down in the back.

They took off the hood to reveal this world's Twilight.

She's different...

Glasses, different hairstyle...

She sighed as the bus went towards the city.

The bus stopped at Crystal Prep, another school that survived the Androids' attack.

Twilight got off, and entered the building.

She went through various doors until-

Does she live here?

She has a whole lab in the school...

This thing is packed with all sorts of tech, science, and a bulletin board full of pictures.

All relating to the magic in CHS...

Anyway, Twilight took the hoodie off and tossed it aside.

Then she got the lab coat on and put the gadget on the table.

She started dissecting it, pulling it apart, and remodeling it to be more portable...

It eventually took on the form of a compass...

It works similar in fashion to the Dragon Radar, except that it detects magic in only a direction, not a map.

"Perfect." She muttered.

The very next day, at the CHS library, our usual gang were just hanging around.

Rarity was picking out a book, Fluttershy was reading with Angel sticking his head out of her bag, Rainbow Dash was nowhere to be seen, Applejack was reading on a chair, Pinkie read on the ladder, Gohan just existed on the chair, and Sunset started some Alex Jones tirade.

"She was definitely doing something to the statue...or was going to." Sunset said.

"That's interesting." Gohan said.

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

"Well, that's a relief." Applejack said.

"The last thing we need is another magical so-and-so bent on world domination comin' over from Equestria." She said, smirking at Sunset.

Sunset smirked back.

"Agreed." Rarity said, choosing a book.

"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." She said.

Gohan just stared at her since she really doesn't have anything torn or worn from the countless battles.

"...Sorry." Rarity said.

"No apologies needed." Gohan said.

"Still, a mysterious figure snooping around the portal? Don't you wanna know what she was up to?" Sunset asked.

"I don't even wanna guess..." Fluttershy said.

"I really wanna guess." Gohan said.

"Well, you don't have to!" Rainbow Dash said, appearing out of nowhere, holding a book.

"Because I've totally figured out who it was!" She said.

"Ooh! Ooh!" Pinkie called out.

"A nighttime statue cleaner?" She asked, pulling out the book for that...

"A magical portal maintenance maintainer?" She asked, pulling out the book for that...

"Wait, how does that even exist?" Gohan asked.

"A gardener!?" Pinkie asked, pulling out a book on that.

Rainbow Dash ignored her from that point on.

"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..." She said.

Then everyone but Sunset and Gohan said-

"Crystal Prep."

The mood was definitely brought down after that.

"Yep. With the Friendship Games starting tomorrow, they'd totally try to prank us by defacing the Wondercolts statue." Rainbow Dash said.

"If that happens, they have another thing coming." Gohan said, slamming his fist into his palm.

"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 asked.

"Because that's just what the students at Crystal Prep would do?" Rarity asked.

"Because even though they beat us in everything - soccer, tennis, golf - they still have to gloat!" Rainbow Dash said, opening the page to where the Wondercolts' Statue was made to look like a clown.

"Seems kinda silly to me." Sunset said.

"Silly!?"

Everyone but Gohan chimed in on that...

They actually looked offended.

"So I guess you think the Friendship Games are silly, too." Rainbow Dash said.

"How did you get to that conclusion?" Gohan asked.

"I honestly agree, it's like a petty rivalry. Except you guys just can't win. Wait..." He said, remembering the rivalry of Goku and Vegeta.

Vegeta never surpassed Goku.

"Yeah, it's not like we'll be fighting the powers of evil magic." Sunset said.

"No." Fluttershy said.

"We'll be fighting against a school full of meanies. Not everything has to be magical to be important. Look at the Androids!" She said.

"Fluttershy, a school of meanies isn't that bad of a thing compared to two psychopathic killers that destroyed at least half the population of the planet." Gohan said.

...

"...I went too far again." He added, looking down.

"Look at this!" Rainbow Dash said, pointing to the defamed statue again.

"I don't mean to sound boastful, but I'm right here." Gohan said.

"Oh... Right." Rainbow Dash said, realizing who she was talking to.

"If anything actually does happen, you six come to me." Gohan said.

"I'll be the meat shield." He added.

"I'm sorry. I know it's a big deal." Sunset said.

"That's putting it mildly, darling. They're still revamping the playing field in preparation." Rarity said.

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

"Well, it's kinda hard to get along with someone who beats you at everything." Applejack said.

"Not anymore! This time, things are gonna be different." Rainbow Dash said, looking towards Gohan.

"...I was told to restrain my power as much as I could, so no." Gohan said.

"Cmon! We can win for once!" Rainbow Dash said.

"I'm participating. But they could accuse us of cheating. There was a lot of legal work when it came t-" Gohan said, before shutting his mouth.

'I'm 23, damn it! Shut up!' He thought to himself.

"...-o my late enrollment." He lied.

"Yeah, alright. We'll forget about you. I'll boost school sprit anyway. Just you watch!" Rainbow Dash said.

"That still means I'll try to win, Rainbow." Gohan said.

"It just won't be that obvious... I hope. It was tough to begin with." He said.

Everyone is crammed into the gymnasium.

Seats in the middle, the bleachers, everywhere.

The main gang sans the only guy were on the bleachers.

"Where's Gohan?" Fluttershy asked.

"Oh, don't worry. He'll be back in time." Rainbow Dash said.

"...You could just tell us." Rarity said.

Celestia and Luna are onstage.

Celestia began to speak into a microphone.

"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." She said.

Nobody is hyped.

Slow and unbearable claps by the students.

"Since the games only happen every four years, I'm sure you're all curious what goes on." Celestia said.

Then Flash called out...

"You mean other than us losing!?" He yelled.

Celestia and Luna looked irritated.

Nonetheless...

"And that is exactly why I've asked Rainbow Dash to come up and give you all a little, um... context." Celestia said.

Rainbow Dash ran onstage and swiped that microphone in an instant.

There was some feedback, but nothing to hurt anyone.

The two principals walked offstage.

"Thank you, Principal Celestia." Rainbow Dash said, before clearing her throat.

"I know a lot of you might think there's no way we can beat a fancy school like Crystal Prep at anything." She said.

Pinkie also had to chime in.

"Unless it's a 'losing to Crystal Prep' competition! 'Cause we're really good at that!" She yelled.

Rainbow Dash groaned.

"And I know that CHS has never won the Friendship Games even once." She said.

Now, back with the bleachers and our main gang...

"Oh, dear. I hope this speech isn't meant to be motivational." Rarity said.

But there was a drum beat coming out of nowhere.

Back to the main part.

"Crystal Prep students are super athletic, super smart, and super motivated. But there's one thing they aren't. They aren't Wondercolts!" Rainbow Dash said, getting ready for a musical number.

"We've fought magic more than once..."

The curtains behind her opened up to reveal the CHS marching band, playing a song.

"And come out on top!"

The chorus marching unit sang afterwards-

"Oh, oh!"

"There's other schools, but none can make those claims!" Rainbow Dash sang.

"Na, na-na-na-na, oh!" The chorus sang.

"Together we are Canterlot!

Come and cheer our name!" Rainbow Dash sang.

"Oh, oh!" The chorus sang.

"This will be our year to win these games!" Rainbow Dash sang, jumping off the stage.

Then she led the marching unit in the middle of the gym while they were all singing...

"We'll always be Wondercolts forever!

And now our time has finally arrived!

'Cause we believe in the magic of friendship,

And you know, at the end of the day, it is we who survive!"

Then Rainbow Dash got on a marching cap out of nowhere...

Then there were groups of marching unit members just holding two signs of the CHS logo behind her.

"We're not the school we were before!

Yeah, we're different now!"

Those unit members flipped one of the logos over to a picture of the devil Sunset Shimmer and the crown...

"We overcame the obstacles we faced!"

Then the other unit members flipped the other picture to the three sirens.

Now the students are... interested.

Like, excited, even.

"We're Canterlot united!"

They even joined in on the chant.

"We can!"

"And we'll never bow!"

"Hey, hey!"

Then, right out from the ceiling, dropped down a familiar Saiyan.

He gently landed between the two posters of their enemies, crossing his arms inwards.

There he was.

"So get ready to see us in first place!"

With that, Rainbow Dash threw her marching hat up to the ceiling while the unit members holding the posters skiddaddled.

The posters floated briefly, then-

Gohan aimed his arms outwards, sending two invisible shockwaves.

The posters flew right out of there.

As that happened, the marching unit hurled fake pony ears and tails at the crowds.

Now, everyone just started singing but Gohan.

He just stood there smiling.

Everyone stared putting that on.

"We'll always be Wondercolts forever!

Three! Two! One! Go!

And now our time has finally arrived!

Our time is now!

'Cause we believe in the magic of friendship!

And you know, at the end of the day, it is we who survive!

At the end of the day, it is we who survive!

Na, na, na-na-na-na,

Wondercolts united together!

Na, na, na-na-na-na,

Wondercolts united forever!"

Now, Rainbow Dash started singing on her own as the "Na-na"a and "united together" were being sang.

"We'll always be Wondercolts forever!

And now our time has finally arrived!

'Cause we believe in the magic of friendship!" Rainbow Dash sang.

But she got onstage, and...

A strange blue aura emitted around her.

This was a pleasant surprise.

And you know..."

Oh shit!

Actual pony parts on Rainbow Dash!

She started floating above the damn stage!

"At the end of the day, it is we who survive!

At the end of the day, it is we who survive!"

Everyone cheered after that, but...

'Interesting... It happened again with her.' Gohan thought.

Well, everyone cleaned up.

It's backstage, our main gang is always together.

"Rainbow Dash, that was amazing! Even I feel like we can win!" Fluttershy said, all happy and ecstatic.

"I feel like my school pride is at an all-time high!" Rarity said.

"You appeared for five good seconds and nobody cared!" Pinkie said, pointing at Gohan.

"...Thanks." Gohan said, indifferent.

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

"I know, right? It's probably because I'm so awesome!" Rainbow Dash boasted.

"Well, this isn't the first time. Maybe emotions can spark it." Gohan said.

"Kinda like Super Saiyan, except you need to be pumped or happy...? No... Maybe... I don't know." He said.

"Yeah, there's got to be more to it than the awesomeness." Sunset said.

"But it just seems so random..." She added.

Then, out of nowhere...

"Well, it would be nice if you could get a handle on it." Luna said, from behind.

"We'd like to keep magic as far away from the Friendship Games as possible. We don't want to be accused of cheating." She said.

"You're supposed to restrain yourself, too." She said to Gohan.

"Yes, ma'am." Gohan said.

"We don't need magic to defeat those hoity-toity Crystal Preppers!" Rarity said.

"Or the half alien!" Pinkie said.

Everyone seemed to agree on that...

Like, the 'oh yeah!' And 'I agree.' And stuff.

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

"I'll do my best." Sunset said.

"You, Son Gohan, you must know something about this, right?" Luna asked.

"I've been theorizing what it could be as well. I know about hidden potential, but it can be uncontrollable in the wrong hands." Gohan said.

"You help her." Luna said.

"Already on it." Gohan said.

Luna just walked away after that.

Gohan and Sunset looked at each other worriedly, because they really didn't know what the hell it was.

"Okay." Rainbow Dash said.

"Anybody have any guesses what the events are gonna be?" She asked.

Pinkie pulled out a fucking pie...

"Pie eating?"

Then she pulled out a cake?

"Cake eating?"

Then she had a big epiphany and gasped.

"Pie-cake eating!?"

Then she slammed the two together.

The mess is all over the floor...

"I personally wouldn't mind any of them." Gohan said.

"They won't even let us see what they're doin' to the field. You think they'd at least tell competitors what they're competing in." Applejack said.

"It could be anything." Fluttershy said.

"Anything!? How will I ever pick the right outfit!?" Rarity asked.

"It's something that the principals are confident I won't show my power in. Otherwise they'd make me a spectator." Gohan said.

"...They definitely want to win." Rainbow Dash said.

"I really wanna help, but I think I better go focus on figuring out why Rainbow Dash ponied up." Sunset said.

"You want me to join?" Gohan asked.

"Why not. I'll need a second perspective." Sunset said.

The two started walking off towards the library.

"See ya later!" She said.

...

"...Seems like they have everything under control. Nothing to worry about!" Pinkie said.

It's another one with mostly lyrics because goddamn it.

Not interesting, no, but that's because it's a song.

I might post a little more often for a bit, but I don't want to promise anything yet.