Well, these two were just talking in the library.

They sat at a table, chatting.

"So you're saying the ponying up thing is like your Super Saiyan?" Sunset asked.

"I think so. It's drawn out by emotion, and Rainbow Dash must've been really excited. Maybe extreme excitement, not anger, causes it?" Gohan asked.

"But was she excited when you guys formed a tank around me?" Sunset asked.

"Maybe, but... That's why I'm confused." Gohan said.

"Ugh...!" Sunset groaned.

"Maybe Twilight can give you an answer." Gohan said.

"Yeah, I might as well try." Sunset said, pulling her book out.

"Hey, Twilight. Haven't heard back from you yet. I guess you must be pretty busy with your role as princess. But I could really use your advice right now. You see, I've been given the job of keeping magic under control here at CHS, even though I still haven't quite wrapped my head around it. Gohan's two bits aren't concrete either. And now after seeing Rainbow Dash pony up the way she did, it makes me think her magic might be... changing. Everyone is looking to me to figure things out and I really don't wanna let them down. But I'm not sure I have enough experience with friendship magic to solve this. What do you think?

Your friend, Sunset Shimmer"

"Alright. I don't know when she'll respond, but I hope it'll be soon." Sunset said.

"How are you gonna handle holding back?" She asked.

"I managed to hide it for a month until... Yeah." Gohan said.

"To be honest, Fluttershy kinda knew about it but couldn't really call me out until our battle." He said.

"Do you think the rest of us will pony up during the Games?" Sunset asked.

"Possibly. We'll just have to hope for the best." Gohan said.

---

Well, let's go back to Crystal Prep, where the bell just rang.

Twilight was that shy, nerdy girl who was terrible with confrontation.

As she walked through the hallways, she tried being the least noticeable as possible, but...

Someone bumped into her.

"Excuse me!" Twilight yelped.

Then someone bumped into her from behind?

"Sorry!" She said, fixing her glasses.

She narrowly dodged another student, and another.

But another came from behind and rudely shoved her too.

"Pardon me!" Twilight said.

Everyone is a rich asshole at Crystal Prep. End of story.

Now, Twilight entered her lab again, which has to be her damn home.

She has her dog Spike in there, her computer is all hooked up with a background of Spike, and all sorts of personal shit.

Spike heard footsteps, and immediately knew it was Twilight.

He rushed to the door, scratching it in excitement!

...Until the door slammed open.

WHAM!

Spike was slammed into the trash can...

And the abusive pet owner didn't even notice!

"Spike?" She called out, sitting at the chair behind her computer.

"Spike!" She called a lot louder.

Spike stuck his head out of the trash can and barked.

He excitedly jumped out and ran towards Twilight.

"There you are." Twilight said, giggling a bit.

Spike jumped on the table, then he jumped on Twilight to start licking her and showing a ton of affection.

"Okay! Okay!" Twilight said, pretending to surrender.

Spike gave it up and went to sit down on her lap...

Twilight opened up the drawer and pulled out that magic compass again.

"Last night's field test confirmed it, Spike. With this device, I can track and contain the bizarre energy coming from Canterlot High." She said, excitedly.

Then Spike growled angrily upon hearing those words.

Twilight petted him to calm down.

"I know you didn't like me going over there, but I just couldn't wait." She said.

Spike leapt off her lap.

Then Twilight pushed herself on her wheelie chair to go to another desk.

She picked up some papers.

"And soon, I'll have all the time I need. All of Crystal Prep is gonna be there for the Friendship Games. I just hope all that 'rivalry' nonsense doesn't get in the way of my research. If I can collect enough data on these EM frequencies, I should be able to extrapolate the waveforms to determine their origin. That would practically guarantee my entrance into the Everton Independent Study Program!" She said, very excitedly.

She leaned too far back and her chair let her fall over.

"Whoa!" She yelped.

Ouch...

All the papers flew everywhere and that's gonna be a pain in the ass.

And at that exact moment, someone knocked on the door.

Worse, they just opened it anyway.

It's Dean Cadence.

"Twilight, you know the rules against pets." She said, not caring about the fact that Twilight could've broken her neck.

Twilight collected herself, stood up, and grabbed Spike.

She came up with the best excuse.

"Well, Spike isn't a pet, Dean Cadance. He's the focus of my research project. Human-canine cohabitation: effects and implications!" She said.

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

"Why?" Twilight asked, putting Spike down.

"Because she wants to see you." Cadence said.

"Ooh! Maybe she has news about my application to Everton!" Twilight said excitedly.

Cadence put a hand on Twilight's shoulder.

"I've been meaning to talk to you about that. Are you sure that's what you really want?" She asked.

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

"But there aren't any classrooms with other students. You'll be doing everything on your own." Cadence said.

"That is why it's called an 'independent study program!'" Twilight said.

What a loner.

"I just don't want you to miss out on anything. That's all. Being around other people isn't a bad thing. Sometimes it's how you learn the most about yourself." Cadence said.

"I guess." Twilight said.

"Meet you in Principal Cinch's office in a few minutes?" Cadence asked.

Then she left and closed the door.

Spike was chewing on a blue rope, and Twilight started monologuing.

"What's she so worried about? Everton is exactly what I need right now. It's not like I have anything left to learn at Crystal Prep." She said.

"I'd only want to discuss advanced scientific theory and mathematics with others. I don't see anything important I'd be missing out on!" She said.

---

This office is fucking dark and creepy.

There seems to be no one in the fancy chair behind the desk...

Twilight walked in, and saw Cadence beside the door...

Then someone else closed the door.

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

Yep, that guy.

"As an alumnus, Principal Cinch thought he could provide some unique perspective." Cadence said.

They're totally fucking.

"Perspective on what?" Twilight asked, sitting down on the chair in front of the desk.

Then that 'empty' chair turned around to reveal Principal Cinch.

"Why, the Friendship Games, of course. You competed in the games, did you not, Shining Armor?" She asked, standing up.

Shining Armor blushed for a second, and cleared his throat.

"I did." He said.

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

Shining Armor just chuckled.

"Crystal Prep did. We always win." He said.

"We always win." Cinch told Twilight.

She started walking towards a few awards in her office.

"...Why did you ask to see me?" Twilight asked.

"Twilight, I'll be honest. It doesn't matter whether or not Crystal Prep wins or loses." Cinch said, wiping one of the trophies.

"The important thing is we are expected to win because Crystal Prep has a reputation." She said, walking towards Twilight.

"And it is that reputation... my reputation that is responsible for everything we have here. For everything you've done here. And you've done quite a lot, haven't you?" She asked, walking away.

"I don't know... I guess...?" Twilight said.

Cinch sat back down.

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

"...In the Friendship Games?" Twilight asked.

Shining Armor chimed in.

"Look, Twily, I know it's not really your thing, but representing the school is kind of a big deal. Plus, they could really use your help." He said.

"It seems Canterlot High is undergoing something of a renaissance. Test scores are up, grades, even athletics are on the rise. You see, they are developing somewhat of a reputation. This can not happen!" Cinch said, angrily.

"Principal Cinch, I can't possibly participate in the games. My work here is very-" "-Ah, yes." Cinch interrupted.

"Your work. Cadance, could you and Shining Armor find my contact sheet for the Everton Independent Study program?" She asked.

"Of course." Cadence said.

She and Shining Armor stepped out.

The door closed, and Cinch pulled out the file for Twilight's application.

"I understand you've applied. You see, one of the advantages of having a reputation is a certain amount of influence in such things. So, let me offer you a deal. In return for contributing your agile mind to these games, I will use my influence to guarantee your application is approved. Though, I suppose I could also have it... denied. What do you think I should do?" Cinch asked.

Blackmail!

Thanks, Cleveland. But I don't know what to call whatever Cinch is doing!

Well, Twilight had no real choice, unless she wanted out of Everton.

---

Twilight's back in her lab, packing her things for the Friendship Games.

She was about to grab a jacket, until Spike started pulling it back with his teeth.

He did NOT want her to go.

"Ugh! Come on, Spike!" Twilight said, managing to pull it away.

She put it in her bag.

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

Spike whimpered and laid down...

But Twilight pet him, and he got excited.

"I know, Spike. I don't like it either. I probably won't be able to collect anywhere near as much data as I thought." She said, pulling out the compass.

"...But maybe I can still get some." She said, attaching it to a string and tying it around her neck.

It's a nice necklace.

Spike started whimpering again...

...But Twilight immediately crushed him in a hug.

"Spike, I wouldn't leave without you!" She said.

She placed him in his bag, and-

"Just remember to be quiet. And try not to shed." She said, closing it up.

She put her backpack on, closed the door, and...

Time to go.

---

Twilight walked outside, where the buses were.

The students were already lined up to get on, but they couldn't get on yet.

Cadence was blocking the entrance to the bus, checking her checklist.

Twilight cut the entire fucking line.

"Dean Cadance, I'm not really sure where to go." She said.

"One second, Twilight." Cadence said, walking away.

Then, from behind...

"You could try the end of the line!" Someone said sourly.

That was Sour Sweet.

Twilight was dazed since she doesn't have regular human interaction.

"W-What did you say?" She asked.

Sour Sweet changed her tone into a sickly sweet, sarcastic voice.

"Just that someone as smart as you should definitely go first." She said.

"I... I didn't mean to. I was just asking." Twilight said.

Oh, good, Cadence is back.

"This is the right bus, Twilight. Go ahead." She said, walking away again.

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

Sour Sweet sourly spoke again.

"Well, it's too late now." She sneered.

Twilight felt like shit.

She hopped on the bus, and before she could get into the aisle-

"Are we gonna win!?"

It was Indigo Zap, the Rainbow Dash of Crystal Prep.

Twilight had to fix her glasses again.

"I... I don't know...?" She said, sheepishly.

"Wrong answer! Try again! Are we gonna win!?" Indigo asked.

Twilight just stood there.

"Um... I guess? I-It's just... I mean... I heard that CHS is doing well now. With their reputation. And, I mean, it's not better than ours, of course. But we can't let them do it, you know? Win, I mean? Right?" She asked.

...Everyone on the bus is just staring at her like she's from the fucking moon.

The bus driver then chimed in.

"You're gonna have to take a seat!" He said.

Twilight walked down the aisle, and all the kids refused to let her sit with her by sliding to the aisle seat, putting their bags on the aisle seat, and much more.

At the end of the bus, she managed to find a seat.

Across the aisle from her was Sugarcoat.

"Hi, Sugarcoat...!" Twilight said, trying to be friendly.

"That was a really bad speech. You should consider not speaking in public." Sugarcoat said very quickly.

Ben Shapiro's daughter, I presume.

What a dick.

But, Twilight could still muster some hope.

She unzipped her bag and saw Spike, and petted him.

"Well, Spike, at least I've got you with me." She said.

...But the girl sitting next to her was blaring music on her headphones.

This was Lemon Zest.

"Dude, you have gotta hear this!" She yelled, grabbing her headphones and placing them on Twilight's head.

Twilight was ready to go deaf as the bus left the school.

---

Back at CHS, the Rainbooms were in the music room, playing again.

They just finished a song, and they each had their pony parts...

Gohan just lightly clapped.

"I hope the Friendship Games have a music competition, because we would totally rock it!" Rainbow Dash said, striking a chord.

"Um, we're supposed to keep magic out of the Friendship Games, remember?" Sunset asked.

Rainbow Dash just scoffed angrily.

"Easier said than done, darling." Rarity said.

"I'm sure in Equestria, magic does whatever you want. But..." She said.

"This isn't Equestria." Sunset said.

"Maybe we could figure out where the magic comes from if we know the source in Equestria. What is it?" Gohan asked.

"A horn." Sunset said.

"...Do you know if they have horns over there?" Gohan asked.

"Only Rarity, Twilight and I, according to Twilight." Sunset said.

"Alright, that was useless." Gohan said.

"Well, when it comes to magic, I'm sure you'll figure it out." Applejack said.

"And while Sunset works on keeping the magic out of the games, I've been working on what to put in!" Rarity said, giggling.

She walked over to a closet.

"Rarity... What'd ya go and do?" Applejack asked.

Rarity just pulled out an entire clothes rack.

"Well, I had a little time on my hands, and since we don't know what the Friendship Games' events are, I made a few options for uniforms!" Rarity said.

She pulled out ANOTHER TWO clothing racks!

Then she slammed a little sports uniform on Rainbow Dash...

Perfect fit. White shirt, blue shorts...

"...You really didn't have to do that." Rainbow Dash said.

"I know!" Rarity said.

"This is clearly more than work done in a 'little time.'" Gohan said.

"No, you really didn't have to." Applejack said, pulling out weird dresses for stuff like prom.

"I know!" Rarity said excitedly, giggling again.

"Please don't make us wear all of this..." Gohan said.

"No promises!" Rarity said.

"I refuse to wear these!" Gohan yelled.

"90% of this isn't even for me!" He said.

"I put you in mind!" Rarity said.

---

Outside the school, the buses from Crystal Prep have arrived!

Celestia and Cinch were chatting...

Luna just spectated.

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

"Oh, yes, Principal Celestia. I'm sure that would be fascinating." Cinch said.

The students were hopping off the bus.

Luna and Cadence hugged, since, well, niece and aunt.

"Oh, it's always such a pleasure to see you, Dean Cadance. Even if it means another defeat." Luna said.

"Thank you, Vice Principal Luna, but I hear it's not going to be so easy this time." Cadence said.

They walked off and started chatting some more...

Twilight was the last one off the bus.

She refused to talk to anyone.

She was going to avoid as much as possible, but Indigo just shoved her aside.

"Coming through!" She yelled, running off.

The asshole made her fall on another student, Sunny Flare.

"Ow!"

"Aah!"

THUD!

The two managed to get themselves up, but Sunny was pissed.

"Seriously!?" She asked.

Twilight acted very apologetic...

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to." She said.

Sunny Flare just walked off.

Twilight groaned, she was terrible at this.

She stood up, and Sour Sweet almost knocked into her because of that.

"Oh! Sorry! Why don't you... Go ahead?" She asked, gesturing for her to go.

Sour Sweet then started acting sweet again.

"You are such a sweetie!" She said sarcastically.

...But-

"I am watching you." She muttered sourly.

She walked off.

Twilight kinda stood there...

Lemon Zest was dancing her way out of the bus, and Twilight did NOT want to deal with that again.

Then Sugarcoat came out, and-

"You're kinda being a doormat right now." She said, quickly again.

They left her, and...

Ugh.

But Twilight's compass started flashing towards the school...

So, Twilight left the line and just walked off.

She went in the direction of the magic.

She passed by Bon Bon and Lyra, who immediately recognized her.

"Hi Twilight!" Bon Bon said.

Twilight ignored her and just went inside.

But then it got worse.

"Hey, Twilight!"

These people know her?

But she brushed that off and kept moving in the direction of the magic.

Unfortunately, she still kept getting the-

"Hi Twilight!"

"Hey!"

"Looking good, Twilight!"

"What's up, Twilight?"

And so much more.

Then it got worse when she bumped into Flash.

She fell right on top of him and his glasses fell off.

"Twilight?" Flash asked.

He helped himself and her up.

"I almost didn't recognize you!" He said.

Twilight was trying to find her glasses with her 20/200 vision.

So Flash picked up her glasses.

"When did you start wearing glasses?" He asked.

"Um... Like, since forever." Twilight said.

"Oh, so how long you here for?" Flash asked.

"Just for the Friendship Games..." Twilight said, still blind.

Flash put the glasses on her, and she could see again.

"Right. Of course. We'll totally win with you here." Flash said.

Twilight was a bit flustered, but she had to focus on this magic.

"Uh... I gotta go!" She said, running away.

"Uh... Okay. Bye...!" Flash said.

Now he feels friendzoned.

"Ugh." He sighed.

At least Derpy was there to pat him on the back.

---

Well, the music room is just full of clothes.

Rainbow Dash is wearing a British police officer uniform, Fluttershy is in a hockey uniform, Applejack is in a baseball uniform, Sunset is in a welding suit, Pinkie's in a rodeo outfit and Gohan is stuck to the ceiling.

"You'll never get me up here!" He said jokingly.

Rarity was holding another fighter's uniform in her arms.

"Get down here!" She yelled.

"I already told you! Last time you made me wear things, that did not go well!" Gohan said.

"What's one accident?" Rarity asked.

"They got burned off the first time!" Gohan said.

Rarity put the garb down...

"Uh, Rarity, these outfits are great, but why would you put so much time and effort into clothes we might not even wear?" Applejack asked.

"You're gonna exhaust yourself before the games even start." She said.

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

Then, she had a purple aura...

Her pony ears came out, and she started floating in the air with magic!

The others were astonished...

Sunset was just sad.

"And magic, too, I guess." She said.

How is she going to contain it?

But Gohan noticed something really, really strange.

It made him get off the ceiling...

He could sense that her magic was being taken.

But... It also feels like something is trying to take his energy too.

Of course, he wouldn't let it, but...

He could definitely feel some kind of force.

In fact, just outside, there's Twilight.

Her compass just opened...

And Rarity's magic was being absorbed by it.

Rarity lost her energy all of a sudden, and stopped floating.

And she was out of breath...

"Actually, Applejack, now that you mention it, I suppose I could use a tiny break..." She said tiredly.

Her pony parts went away immediately, and the magic couldn't be sensed anymore.

'Where did it go...? I just felt it a second ago.' Gohan thought.

He doesn't feel that strange pull anymore, either.

Rarity collapsed on the ground, but Applejack caught her...

"I told you." She said.

"I don't think she overworked herself." Gohan said.

But then Twilight walked in, because there was more to be found.

Everyone but Gohan noticed and got all excited.

"Twilight!"

"Uh... Yes?" She asked.

Gohan thought she felt different...

All the girls started crowding around her.

Rarity got some energy back.

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

Sunset was really happy to see her.

"Darling, those glasses. What are you wearing? It's so... severe." Rarity said.

"...My uniform?" Twilight asked.

"Your uniform for what?" Fluttershy asked.

"For... Crystal Prep. But why does everyone at this school know who I am?" Twilight asked.

"It... Why did this have to happen today..." Gohan muttered to himself.

"Did you just say Crystal Prep...?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Then Spike burst out of her bag.

"Spike!"

Fluttershy immediately started petting her with those gigantic gloves.

"You know my dog's name too!?" Twilight asked.

Everyone but Gohan was really confused right now.

"Sorry, Twilight." Gohan said.

"We've mistook you and your dog for someone else... You two look like twins, though." He said.

"What?" Sunset asked.

"I don't know how that's possible." Twilight said.

"Oh, man, you really do not want to delve into the details." Gohan said, crossing his arms.

"...Now you have my interest." Twilight said.

"Too bad." Gohan said.

Just outside the hallway, Celestia was giving that tour.

"And our music program has especially taken off." She said.

The music room was right there.

She looked in, and-

She gasped.

"Twilight...?" She asked.

"...This is getting ridiculous." Twilight said.

"It's already ridiculous." Gohan said.

"I must apologize for the curiosity of my prized student." Cinch said.

"Your student?" Celestia asked.

"The smart ones are always curious. I'll return her to check in with the rest of her classmates." Cinch said.

But...

She noticed Gohan, and leaned in towards Celestia's ear.

"Is that the...?" She whispered.

"Yes. Don't worry. He hasn't had any form of education for a decade." Celestia whispered.

Cinch grabbed Twilight and they started walking away.

"W-Wait, I-" "-We have to leave." Cinch interrupted.

Twilight's compass was pointing right at Gohan, and she wanted to know more.

But she just left.

...

"I didn't know Twilight had a twin sister." Celestia said.

Pinkie Pie has something to say!

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

Celestia just stood there confused.

"...That Twilight is not the Twilight we know." Gohan said.

"I... Nevermind." Celestia said, walking away.

'...Something's up. I'll keep an eye on her.' Gohan thought.

Next Chapter: The Start of the Friendship Games! Twilight, What is Up With You? Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 51 Minutes