The next morning, as the sun rose from behind the mountains, the Mobians and the Rainbooms arrived at Canterlot High. Sonic and Rainbow Dash approached the school, and saw their friends talking to each other. The remaining Rainbooms saw Sonic coming and hugged him all at once. Principal Celestia was in her office writing on some papers when she heard a knock on the door, "Oh, come in."
The door opened and Sonic and his siblings were revealed standing behind it. Celestia gave a smile to see them, "Sonic, Manic, Sonia. Welcome back. How are you?"
Sonic and his siblings had sad looks on their faces as they slowly walked into the office. Celestia started to look concerned, "Why, what's the matter? Is something wrong?"
As the siblings sat down in their chairs, Sonia answered, "Principal Celestia, we need a moment to talk with you."
Throughout the morning, the mourning Mobians went around the school telling students and teachers about what had happened to Mobius. Feeling deeply saddened for them, many of the students would take a moment with each of them to comfort them and let them have a moment of silence. As Sonic walked through the hall, he happened to see Flash Sentry walking towards him. Flash looked very sad for Sonic as he spoke, "Sonic… I'm so sorry, man."
Sonic teared up a bit as he and Flash gave each other a hug. Later that day, during the free period, the group met in the library so Sunset could tell them what she saw. "She was definitely doing something to the statue, or was going to," Sunset said as she paced back and forth.
"Do you think she came through the portal from Equestria?" Fluttershy asked as she read a book and pet Angel Bunny.
"No, I'm pretty sure I would have noticed that," Sunset answered as she stopped pacing, "I think she was from over here."
"Well, whoever she is, it might be possible that she knows something about the portal," Sonic replied, "But that raises another question if so; Who else besides us and our fellow students know about Equestria?"
"A better question would be who cares," Shadow said with his arms crossed while leaning against the bookshelf, "If you ask me, we should just be relieved that we don't need to worry about magic causing destruction, especially after what we just went through."
"Shadow's right. The last thing we need is another magical so-and-so bent on world domination coming over from Equestria," Applejack said while using the table as a footrest, and giving a wink to Sunset.
"Could you be any more insensitive?!" Silver angrily asked Applejack.
There was then the sound of other students shushing Silver; libraries are supposed to be quiet after all. "I'm fine, no worries," Sunset said.
"Sorry, Silver sweetie, but I'm afraid I agree," Rarity said, turning away from the bookshelf, "I have no interest in another fight against the powers of evil magic. The wear and tear in my wardrobe is just too much to keep up with."
"Still, a mysterious figure snooping around the portal? Don't you want to know what she was up to?" Sunset asked with enthusiasm.
Tails was feeling especially curious, "Of course we do!"
Fluttershy answered with a shiver, "Ohh, I don't even want to guess."
Rainbow Dash walked by with a book in her hand, "Well, you don't have to. Because I totally found out who it was."
Pinkie Pie grabbed a few books for her guesses, "Ooh, Ooh! A nighttime statue cleaner?! A magical portal maintenance maintainer?! A gardener?!"
"Why is there even a book for that second one?" Sonia asked.
Manic shrugged his shoulders, "I have no idea."
"You were saying, Rainbow Dash," Silver said, letting her continue.
Rainbow pushed Pinkie's face away and gave the answer, "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…."
All of the girls excluding Sunset spoke out in a grumpy tone, "Crystal Prep."
All the Mobians had confused looks on their faces as none of them knew anything about Crystal Prep. Sonic was the first to ask about it, "Uh, Crystal... Prep?"
"They're the rival school," Fluttershy answered.
"Yup," Rainbow added, "And with the Friendship Games starting tomorrow, they'd totally try to prank us by defacing the Wondercolt statue!"
"Why would anyone take a bus all the way from the city for that?" Sunset asked.
"She makes a good point there," Shadow agreed.
Applejack answered as if it were obvious, "Because the Crystal Prep Shadowbolts are our biggest rivals?"
Rarity gave her own answer in the same tone, "Because that's just what the students at Crystal Prep would do?"
Rainbow showed a series of pages showing Canterlot High's past failures at the hands of Crystal Prep, "Because even though they beat us in everything - soccer, tennis, golf - they still have to gloat!"
She shoved a page of the book in Sonic and Sunset's faces, showing a photo of the Wondercolt statue dressed like a clown. Sunset lowered the book, "Seems kind of silly to me."
"SILLY?!" all of the girls asked at the same time, making Sunset and the Mobians surprised by the reaction.
"So, I guess you think the Friendship Games are silly too?" Rainbow assumed with her arms crossed and a look of disapproval, as well as the other Rainbooms giving similar looks, more or less.
"Well, it's not like we'll be facing the powers of evil magic," Sunset argued, thinking it wasn't as bad compared to their previous situation.
"Again, a good point," Tails agreed, as did the others.
"No, we'll be fighting against a school full of meanies," Fluttershy objected as she approached Sunset and put her hand on her shoulder, "Not everything has to be magical to be important."
Sunset scratched the back of her head, "You're right. I'm sorry, I know it's a big deal."
"That's putting it mildly, Darling," Rarity said as she approached the two of them, "They're still revamping the playing field in preparation."
"I just don't understand why there's this big rivalry," Sunset replied, "Aren't the 'Friendship Games' supposed to be about our two schools getting along?"
"I'm beginning to think that the whole 'Friendship' part of it is supposed to be ironic," Knuckles guessed.
Applejack grabbed the book from Rainbow, "Well, it's kinda hard to get along with someone who beats you at everything."
"Not anymore," Rainbow said as she threw the book off, "This time, things are going to be different."
"What do you mean?" Sunset asked.
"Oh, you'll find out," Rainbow answered in a sneaky tone.
The intercoms started making a noise, followed by the voice of Principal Celestia, "All students report to the gym for some important announcements."
"I think we're about to find out," Sonic said as the group left the library.
Later in the gym, the students were all seated on the bleachers in the back. Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna were on stage preparing to give announcements. Sonic and Rainbow were on stage next to them.
"Good morning, students," Celestia said as she held a microphone, "Before we begin our main announcement, we have some fantastic news. Despite the unfortunate reasons why they've returned, Sonic and his friends are back at Canterlot High. And this time, they are officially here to stay!"
The students in the gym cheered. Celestia gave Sonic the microphone and Sonic went to give his thanks to the students, "Thanks for the warm welcome back, everyone, and the condolences you all gave to those on Mobius we couldn't save. When I first came to this world, I didn't know what to do. I felt I would be out of place from everyone else. But then I met all of you, and I'm glad that me and my friends still have this place to call our home."
Sonic gave the microphone back to the principal, "Thank you for that, Sonic."
"And now for our main announcement," Luna said.
"As I am sure you all know, tomorrow, Canterlot 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," Celestia said.
All the students in the gym excluding the Mobians clapped uninterested and sarcastically cheered and murmured. They were all like this due to their past losses to Crystal Prep.
Manic whispered, "Man, tough crowd."
The rest of the Mobians nodded in agreement. Celestia continued, "Since the games only happen every four years, I'm sure you're all curious what goes on."
Flash got up and called out, "You mean other than us losing?!"
"Heckling isn't gonna help us, Flash!" Sonic called back.
"Trust me, Sonic, nothing helps us in these games!" Flash responded as he sat back down.
"And THAT is exactly why I've asked Rainbow Dash to come up and give all a little...uh...context," Celestia said as Rainbow approached her.
"Thank you, Principal Celestia," Rainbow yanked the microphone and cleared 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!"
Pinkie then called out, "Unless it's losing to Crystal Prep competition, cause we're REALLY good at that!"
Rainbow let out a soft groan before she continued, "And I know that CHS has never won the Friendship Games even once!"
Sonic approached Rainbow and whispered in her ear, "Look, Dashie, I love your spirit, but where are you going with this?"
Rainbow whispered back as she winked, "Just keep watching and you'll see."
Rarity then whispered to Sunset, "Oh dear, I hope this speech isn't meant to be motivational."
As Rainbow continued her speech, there was the sound of marching band instruments beginning to play, "Crystal Prep students are super athletic, super smart, and super motivated. But there's one thing they aren't. They aren't Wondercolts!"
(My Little Pony: Friendship Games (2015) song: CHS Rally):
The curtains behind Sonic and Rainbow opened, revealing a pep rally band.
Rainbow Dash: We've fought magic more than once,
And come out on top (Chorus: Oh, oh.)
There's other schools, but none can make those claims (Chorus: Na, na-na-na-na, oh)
Together we are Canterlot!
Come and cheer our name (Chorus: Oh, oh.)
This will be our year to win these games!
Rainbow then grabbed Sonic's hand and jumped off the stage, "Whoa!"
Rainbow and the band walked in a line.
Rainbow Dash and Chorus: 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!
Vinyl Scratch grabbed a cord and plugged it into her mini DJ table. It began playing rock music in the same tone as the band, and said music went blasting from the speakers.
Seeing an opportunity, Sonic nodded to Manic and Sonia to activate their medallions. Sonia and Manic nodded back as they jumped from their seats and landed on the stage while grabbing onto their medallions. The hedgehog siblings' instruments appeared in a flash of their colours, and they began playing with Vinyl's records.
Rainbow was then in the middle of two groups with panels. One side flipped theirs over, revealing a picture of Sunset in her demon form, and the other side's: the Sirens.
Rainbow Dash: We're not the school we were before (Students: Before!)
Yeah, we're different now (Chorus: Oh, oh)
Students: Hey, hey!
Rainbow Dash: We overcame the obstacles we faced (Students: We overcame the obstacles we faced)
We're Canterlot united! (Students: Unite!)
And we'll never bow! (Students: Hey, hey!)
So get ready to see us in first place!
Rainbow then threw her hat in the air. At the same time, Baton Switch caught hers. The band members began throwing the Wondercolt ears and tails that were also used when Sonic and the girls did that song in the cafeteria to help Princess Twilight. The Mobians caught their own pair as well and joined in the song… except for Shadow, who thought this was all too silly for his liking. Typical.
Everyone: We'll always be Wondercolts forever! (Three! Two! One! Go!)
And now our time has finally arrived! (Our time is now!)
Rainbow placed a pair of ears on Trixie's head. The rest of the Mobians and Rainbooms were happy to see all of this.
'Cause we believe in the magic of friendship!
Rainbow and Baton went back to back as the singing continued.
And you know, at the end of the day, it is we who survive
Sonic then did a knee slide to the center of the gym while still playing his guitar.
At the end of the day, it is we who survive!
Everyone in the gym started clapping.
Students: Na, na, na-na-na-na,
Wondercolts united together!
Na, na, na-na-na-na,
Wondercolts united forever!
Sonic and Rainbow led the band back on stage. Then they managed to jump back onto said stage with Sonia and Manic.
Rainbow Dash: We'll always be Wondercolts forever! (Students: Na, na, na-na-na-na, Wondercolts united together!)
Sonic: And now our time has finally arrived! (Students: Na, na, na-na-na-na, Wondercolts united forever!)
Rainbow Dash: 'Cause we believe in the magic of friendship! (Students: Na, na, na-na-na-na, Wondercolts united together!)
At that moment, both Sonic and Rainbow started ponying up but kept singing despite their surprise. They both grew their wings while Sonic gained his hedgehog ears and Rainbow earned her pony ears and ponytail. The others were surprised too.
Everyone: And you know, at the end of the day, it is we who survive.
Baton threw her...baton in the air, and Rainbow caught it in the air.
At the end of the day, it is we who survive!
(Song ends)
Every student in the gym cheered as Rainbow's motivational performance worked.
Sonic's guitar turned back into his medallion and he did his iconic finger wiggle. Sonia and Manic's instruments did the same thing.
After a few minutes, the gym was empty and the group was backstage. Rainbow gave a thumbs up to Baton Switch before she left the gym too.
"Rainbow Dash, that was amazing," Fluttershy told her, "Even I feel like we can win."
"I feel like my school pride is at an all-time high!" Rarity added.
"I'm proud of you, Dashie," Sonic said as he put his arm around her.
"Is anyone else wonderin' how Dash ponied up without playin' her guitar?" Applejack asked, "or Sonic for that matter?"
"I know, right?" Rainbow replied with excitement, "It's probably because I'm so awesome!"
"Don't push it," Shadow told her with his arms crossed, not wanting to boost her ego.
"Maybe," Sunset thought out loud, "I mean, you are awesome, but there's gotta be more to it than that, right? It just seems so random."
"Well, it would be nice if you all could get a handle on it," Vice-Principal Luna said behind her, "We'd like to keep magic as far away from the Friendship Games as possible. We don't want to be accused of cheating."
"Naturally," Tails responded while nodding.
"We don't need magic to defeat those hoity-toity Crystal Preppers," Rarity defended with confidence, and the rest agreed.
"Still, the Friendship Games are serious business. We don't want any surprises. Especially the kind that could cause us to forfeit," Luna continued before turning her attention to Sunset, "Sunset Shimmer, you came here from a world of magic. Perhaps you can get to the bottom of our magical development?"
"I'll do my best," Sunset responded after giving it some thought.
"Sonic, did you and your friends bring the Chaos Emeralds with you before escaping Mobius?" Luna asked.
"Yes," Sonic answered, "We have them secured at Rainbow Dash's place. Unless there's an emergency, we'll keep them off campus until the games are over."
"Thank you," Luna responded as she walked away, "And just remember to have fun."
Rainbow was the first to ask, "Okay, anybody have any guesses what the events are gonna be?"
Pinkie had a pie in one hand, and a cake in the other, "Pie eating? Cake eating?
Pinkie then gasped as she slammed both the pie and cake together, "PIE CAKE EATING?!"
The pie and cake splattered everywhere, and some of them got on everyone's clothes. "They won't even let us see what they're doin' to the field," Applejack responded while wiping frosting off her nose, "You'd think they'd at least tell the competitors what they're competin' in."
"It could be anything," Fluttershy added as she pulled a piece of pie out of her hair.
"Anything?!" Rarity was surprised by the unknown possibilities, "How will I ever pick the right outfit?!"
"I really want to help, but I'd better go focus on figuring out why Rainbow Dash ponied up," Sunset said as she walked away, "See you later."
As Sunset left, Pinkie gave her thoughts out loud, "Seems like she's got everything under control. Nothing to worry about."
Just then, the exit doors suddenly opened, surprising everyone. A familiar bright blue electric blur whooshed into the place, and it vanished revealing… Strike. Strike looked a bit exhausted with sweat on his head, "Phew, that was a long run today."
Sonic was surprised, as were the others, "Strike?"
Strike looked up and noticed the Mobians were here, "Oh, hey, guys. Great to see you again."
Strike and Sonic gave each other a handshake. "Back to ya, dude. How you been?" Sonic asked.
"Fighting crime, working on ways to get home, all that jazz," Strike answered, "What about you?"
Sonic tilted his head as he felt uncomfortable to answer. Strike looked a little confused, "Uh, is something wrong?"
Rainbow put her hand on Sonic's shoulder as she answered for him, "His homeworld, Mobius was destroyed."
Strike's eyes widened in shock, "Oh, my gosh… I'm… so sorry to hear that."
"Thanks, and a few of my other friends got separated when we ended up here," Sonic responded, "But hopefully, we will find them soon."
"So, what brings you back here?" Shadow asked.
"I've just discovered something," Strike said, "I'm getting the feeling that an enemy from my home Earth might be on their way to this one."
Silver crossed his arms, "How so?"
"Okay, so though you all haven't seen it yet, I have a hidden shelter in the mountains and that's where's I've been hiding in order to keep myself from getting caught by the authorities," Strike explained, "So the shelter has a tracking device that can detect breaches opening around the city. I've been working on a possible way to get certain breaches closed for good and others that I can use to get home. But from the energy spikings I've picked up, it's definitely someone who's not a big fan of mine and probably won't be a fan of yours either. Either way, we're in trouble."
Sonic facepalmed, "Just when we promised to keep trouble away from the school."
"So, who or what are we up against?" Rainbow asked.
"Is it Fluttershout again?" Knuckles asked.
"No… I don't think so," Strike said, "I think it's something even more dangerous."
"We already saw how dangerous she, as well as Boulder and Fleet Frost were. Who or what could be more dangerous than them?" Applejack asked.
"I can think of someone," Strike answered as he held a device with a small projector, "A meta-human named Rainbine."
"Rainbine?" Silver wondered.
"What kind of name is that?" Rainbow also wondered, thinking that it sounded weird.
"Well, as you all know, Fluttershout is Fluttershy's doppelganger from my Earth," Strike explained, "I don't know if you want to hear this, Dash, but Rainbine… is your doppelganger."
Sonic and Rainbow gasped in shock, "No way…"
A hologram of this Rainbine figure appeared from Strike's device. When the Mobians and Rainbooms saw what she looked like, they were definitely surprised. She had much paler skin than Rainbow Dash, and she had black metallic pieces attached to her ears on her head. She was wearing a skintight black suit with no sleeves and bright green glowing detail and highlights on the body and legs, her left arm had an arm-length fingerless black glove with the same green details while leaving her shoulder exposed. Her right arm and both her legs were looking completely cybernetic. She also had cybernetic wings on her back which made a green glow, allowing her to fly.
"Uhh, is it weird that I actually think I look kinda awesome like that?" Rainbow wondered out loud.
"Maybe, except for the fact that in the process of you, well, this you, that is, turning into what she is now..." Strike replied while pointing at the Rainbow Dash on the hologram, "You lost your right arm, both your legs, and your hearing was severely damaged. Not to mention, you had to go through a LOT of cybernetic modifications in order to STAY ALIVE."
The expression on Sonic and Rainbow's faces described how they didn't like the idea of becoming a cyborg. Rainbow responded awkwardly, "Uhh… nevermind."
"So what happened on your end?" Sonia asked.
"I've been a bit busy for a while," Strike said, "I'll admit, when we first arrived, Specter and I had been watching you for some time until you arrived again during the Battle of the Bands. Since then, I've been exploring and gathering information to figure out the whole situation on how we got here. In fact, not too long ago we finally figured out what it was that brought us here in the first place."
"Really?" Tails asked.
"Yeah, it happened during my fight with Rainbine," Strike went into explaining, "Sonic, when you transformed into your Harmonic form for the first time on the night of the Fall Formal, you also created a breach between my Earth and this one."
"Probably from the combined power of the Emeralds and the magic from Twilight's crown," Sonic guessed as he put his finger under his chin, "Or even the Chaos Control that sent us home after that."
As Strike spoke, he started remembering his most recent fight with Rainbine. The battle happened somewhere in a quiet field with a lake and mountains in the background. Suddenly, a bright blue electric blur and a trail of green light dashed straight through, blowing many of the flowers away. Strike skidded to a halt while Rainbine flew up in the air. She held her right arm out, and it suddenly transformed into a cannon. She aimed at Strike and began firing green energy blasts at Strike, but Strike was able to use his super speed to avoid getting him.
"Rainbine and I were both engaged in possibly our greatest battle ever," Strike told his friends, "The fastest and the hardest we've ever fought."
Rainbine's voice sounded just like Rainbow's, but it sounded more robotic. She growled, "Why can't you just leave me alone?! I wanted never to hurt her!"
Strike tried to talk, "Listen to me! I don't want to hurt you! I'm trying to help you!"
Rainbine then flew straight at Strike and bashed right into him, forcing him right into a rock. Strike groaned in pain from the impact, "Ooooow…"
Rainbine snarled, "Don't you dare try to deceive me! You've always sided with him! You never cared about me from the start! You weren't there to stop him! Stop him from turning me into the freak that I am!"
"What are you talking about?!" Strike yelled.
Rainbine pulled her arm back and threw a punch at Strike's head, but Strike managed to move it to the left before the blow landed. He then kicked her in the stomach, forcing her away from him. Strike and Rainbine then charged towards each other and they clashed with their hands grabbing and pushing each other. Their energy sparked out with blue and green lightning as they both growled at each other.
"At that moment, when our energy was in contact with each other, something else happened," present day Strike said.
All of a sudden, there was a really loud sound coming from the sky. Both Strike and Rainbine looked up and saw a bright blue light shining, before it suddenly changed into some kind of black hole. Rainbine then turned back to Strike, "Heh, I think this is where you take your one-way ticket to oblivion!"
Rainbine grabbed Strike's arms and started spinning him really fast at high speeds. She then let go, forcing Strike to go flying up into the black hole in the sky.
Once Strike's thoughts were purely back in the present, he finished, "All I can assume at this point is that as my energy collided with Rainbine's at the same time you used the Chaos Emeralds and Equestrian Magic, and it caused that thing to open and pull me here. I'm still not really sure how Specter followed, but it was probably as when he was fighting his own rival, Black Ghost."
The Mobians and girls were all surprised to hear this, "Whoa…"
That was when another familiar voice spoke behind them, "It wasn't really fighting, more like embarrassing him and calling it a battle."
The Mobians and girls all turned to see that Strike's partner, Specter, was there sitting on a chair on his phone. Specter turned his head to everyone, "Y'know, you really should pay more attention. You don't know what might be lurking around if you don't look hard enough."
The Mobians and Rainbooms all gave an un-amused look in response. Silver crossed his arms as he scoffed, "'Nice' to see you too, Specter."
Manic then whispered to Silver, "Not, am I right?"
"Hey, wait a second," Strike realized something, "Didn't you have another friend of yours with you the first time you came here, Sonic? Uhh, Amy Rose, was it?"
"Please don't mention that name," Sonic was a bit annoyed, remembering her behaviour.
"Sonic…" Rainbow said, "What happened?"
"You might not get the reference, but let's just say she went all "Annie Wilkes" on me before trying to escape," Sonic said.
Rainbow sighed as she crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, "Figures, something told me she hated me for being with you."
"Yeah, she's been obsessed with me since we first met on Little Planet," Sonic responded, "I remember it like it was yesterday."
Sonic began to remember some of the times he first saw Amy. First, it was from when he saw her in Palmtree Panic when they were both younger (as we Sonic fans know them as Classic).
"Hi there," Classic Amy said as she waved at Classic Sonic.
Sonic just dashed away from her, not wanting to be near her. Then he remembered when she was kidnapped by Metal Sonic in Collision Chaos. "Sonic, Help!" Amy cried as Metal Sonic flew away with her.
Sonic just facepalmed. Next, he remembered from when he challenged Metal to a race and he united Amy after beating his metal doppelganger in Stardust Speedway. "Thank you for saving me, Sonic!" Amy said while giving him a hug.
"Please let go of me," Sonic said, annoyed.
And one other thing that really annoyed him was when Amy first met Sonia and thought that she was a random girl who decided to go out with Sonic, "Who are you?! What do you think you're doing?! Are you trying to go out with my Sonic?!"
"Amy!" Sonic yelled, getting her attention, "This is Sonia. She's my sister."
Sonia crossed her arms as she looked at Amy with a disapproving look on her face. Amy stood awkwardly, "Ohhhh…"
After remembering those things, Sonic groaned from the memory. "Where is she now, though?" Applejack asked, "Unless ya don't wanna answer if it bothers you."
Silver answered for Sonic, "Despite what happened, we still kind of miss her. Even though she tried to make sure she and Sonic would die for them to be together in the afterlife and that stuff."
"She sure sounds like a drama queen," Rarity said, "Even I wouldn't go that far for some silly crush."
"I think it's also best that I mention something," Strike said.
"And what would that be?" Shadow asked with his arms crossed.
"For those of you who are taking part in the Friendship Games," Strike said, "Do be careful, they seem to be in a much worse case than before."
Knuckles rolled his eyes as he scoffed, "Pfft, come on. They're just another kind of school."
"Yeah," Manic agreed, "I still can't see how it could be as bad as everyone is saying it is."
"Just how bad of a place could Crystal Prep possibly be?" Sonic wondered out loud.
Meanwhile at Crystal Prep, the Twilight Sparkle of this world was walking through the crowded halls. And to answer Sonic's question: it's a terrible place. The students were anything but friendly. Just looking at them was enough to make Twilight's glasses slightly fall, but they quickly fixed. Yep, it's that bad.
She took a deep breath before walking in. However, everyone who passed by her bumped into her, both accidentally and purposely, "Excuse me. Sorry. Pardon me!"
Clearly, she was an outcast among her peers. She was much better when she was on her own in her lab, which was also where her pet dog, Spike, spent time during her classes. Unlike Princess Twilight's Spike, who was a dragon in Equestria; this one was an actual dog, who of course couldn't speak.
Spike was sleeping on Twilight's chair until he heard footsteps. Knowing they were Twilight's, he ran straight for the door, panting. When Twilight opened the door, he went flying.
Twilight sat in her chair and tried calling her dog, "Spike? Spike!"
Spike's head popped out of the garbage can, jumped on the desk then onto Twilight, "There you are."
Spike then started licking Twilight's face, "Okay, okay."
Twilight pulled open one of her drawers and took out the device she built earlier, "Last night's field test confirmed it, Spike. With this device, I can track and contain the bizarre energy coming from Canterlot High."
When he heard the name, Spike started growling. Twilight responded as she petted Spike, and pushed herself to her other desk with her chair, "I know you didn't like me going there, but I just couldn't wait. 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."
While Twilight explained her plan, Spike was trying to catch a ladybug. "That would practically guarantee my entrance into the Everton Independent study program! WHOOAA!" Twilight continued before she leaned too far back on her chair and she fell backwards.
Suddenly, there was knocking on the door. As for who opened it, it was Cadence, the Dean of Crystal Prep. She had light grayish cerise skin, her eyes were iris purple, and her hair was moderate violet purple mixed with brilliant rose pink and pale gold streaks. She wore a Crystal Prep staff jacket with an arctic blue shirt, a golden necklace around her neck, a very light peacock blue skirt, and golden slippers on her feet. Cadence noticed Twilight on the floor with Spike licking her face again before she helped her up, "Twilight, you know the rules against pets."
"Well, Spike isn't a 'pet', Dean Cadence," Twilight responded while picking Spike up, "He's the focus on my research project: Human-Canine cohabitation, Effects and Implications."
"If you say so," Cadence responded as she took a piece of Spike's hair off Twilight's shoulder, "But Principal Cinch is highly allergic, so I suggest you put on a clean shirt."
"Why?" Twilight asked as she put Spike down.
"She wants to see you," Cadence answered.
Twilight was slightly excited, "Maybe she has news about my application to Everton."
"I've been meaning to talk to you about that," Cadence told her while putting her hand on Twilight's shoulder, "Are you sure that's what you really want?"
"Why wouldn't it be?" Twilight asked back, "A program that allows me to focus all my attention on my own advanced math and science projects. What a dream come true."
"But there aren't any classrooms with other students," Cadence responded, "You'll be doing everything on your own."
"That is why it's called an 'Independent study program'," Twilight stated.
"I just don't want you to miss out on anything. That's all," Cadence explained, "Being around other people isn't a bad thing. Sometimes it's how you learn the most about yourself."
Twilight nervously gripped her bicep, "I guess."
"Meet you in Principal Cinch's office in a few minutes?" Cadence asked before leaving the room.
Twilight nodded yes until she turned to Spike, who was playing with his chew toy, "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."
If it weren't obvious enough, Twilight also saw Everton as an opportunity to get away from the jerks that were the Crystal Prep students. So she left her lab to head to Cinch's office.
(My Little Pony: Friendship Games (2015) song: What More is Out There?):
Twilight: I've walked through all these halls before.
I've been in and out of every door. Ooh-whoa-oh.
There's nothing in this school that I don't know.
She looked through the window of one of the classroom doors and saw the students inside working, right before Fleur de Lis popped up and closed the blinds on her. Twilight walked by the trophy display. Her hand slid slowly across the glass with reflection upon it.
In every class, my grades' the best.
The highest score on every test.
I think that means it's time for me to go.
I know there's more that's out there, and I just haven't found it yet!
I know there's more that's out there, another me I haven't met.
(Hehe, get it? Okay, back to the song).
Twilight was back in the more crowded part of the hall.
This school is full of people, but still, I don't belong.
Everyone walking by Twilight looked at her strangely.
They only dream of winning. Look at me like something's wrong.
Maybe I'm better off alone.
Will I find what I'm looking for if I just do it on my own?
I know there's more that's out there, something to fill this hole inside!
Twilight walked up a staircase and looked out a window.
I know there's more that's out there, and I'm not afraid to try!
There's only so much this school can offer, and I'm not saying that it's wrong.
She continued walking upstairs until she reached a giant circular hall with many entrances.
But I know there's more that's out there, 'cause I've been searching all along!
Beyond these rooms, beyond these walls!
So much to learn, I can't see it all!
There's something out there calling me!
And it's a mystery that I can't wait to see!
'Cause I know there's more that's out there, another place, another way!
And I know there's more that's out there, and I'll find out someday!
I'll find out someday...
(Song ends)
So Twilight opened the door to Principal Cinch's office, which was dark with only one light. Sounds pretty evil if you ask me.
Twilight approached the desk and sat down on the stool. Then the door behind her was closed by someone else; her older brother, Shining Armor. He had light gray skin, his hair was moderate sapphire blue with moderate cerulean and phthalo blue streaks, and his eyes were moderate cerulean blue. He wore a Crystal Prep student uniform with the emblem of a dark blue shield with a purple star on it and three small pinkish purple stars above it on his shirt.
"Shining Armor?" Twilight was a bit surprised, "Why's my brother here?"
"As an alumni, Principal Cinch thought he could provide some unique perspective," Cadence answered.
"Perspective on what?" Twilight asked.
That was when another voice spoke behind her, "Why, the Friendship Games, of course."
The chair behind the desk turned around, and the person sitting on it was the principal of Crystal Prep, Abacus Cinch. Her skin was light opalish gray, her hair was grayish magenta mixed with heliotrope and moderate fuchsia, and her eyes were grayish fuchsia. She wore a Crystal Prep principal outfit and she had dark pink glasses for her eyes.
"You competed in the games, did you not, Shining Armor?" Cinch asked.
Shining Armor was a bit distracted by Cadence. He blushed and cleared his throat before answering, "I did."
"And you happen to recall who won?" Cinch asked.
"Crystal Prep did," Shining responded with a laugh, "We always win."
"We always win," Cinch repeated as she stepped away from her desk.
"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 walked to her own trophy display and took one to scrub it clean, "The important thing is that we are expected to win because Crystal Prep has a reputation. And it is that reputation. MY reputation that is responsible for everything we have here; For everything you've done. And you've done quite a lot, haven't you?"
Hold on. She says it doesn't matter if they lose, but then she says it does? This is just getting confusing. Twilight herself wasn't sure or honest for that matter, "I don't know. I guess."
"Oh, don't be modest. You're the best student this school has ever seen," Cinch told her as she got back into her chair, "What I can't understand is why my best student wouldn't want to compete."
"In the Friendship Games?" Twilight asked as she fixed the position of her glasses.
"Look, Twily, I know it's not really your thing, but representing the school is kinda a big thing," Shining told his little sister, "Plus, they could really use your help."
"It seems Canterlot High is going through something of a renaissance," Cinch said as she read a paper, "Test scores are up; grades, even athletics are on the rise. You see, they are developing somewhat of a reputation. This...CANNOT...HAPPEN!"
Why not? Uhh, whatever, back to the story. Twilight was about to come up with an excuse, "Principal Cinch, I can't possibly participate in the games! My work here is very-"
"Ah, yes, your work," Cinch cut her off and requested, "Cadence, could you and Shining Armor find my contact sheet for the Everton Independent Study program?"
"Of course," Cadence answered as Shining Armor opened the door for her, and they both left.
"I understand you applied," Cinch said as she pulled out a folder containing Twilight's application and the contact info, "One of the advantages of having a reputation is having 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."
Before Twilight could grab it, Cinch pulled it away again, "Though, I suppose I could also have it… denied."
Hey, wait a second, THAT'S BLACKMAIL! A STUDENT GETTING BLACKMAILED BY HER OWN PRINCIPAL?! WHAT KIND OF WORLD DO THEY LIVE IN?! Sorry, just had to point that out. Twilight was incredibly nervous as Cinch continued, "What do you think I should do?"
FanFiction story written by Sandstorm - Books based on the screenplay by Josh Haber
Co-written by BMG Studios and Darkhunter677
Sonic the Hedgehog owned by: Sega
My Little Pony owned by: Hasbro
OC: Strike created by Sandstorm (Youtube, DeviantArt, FanFiction)
OC: Specter created by Darkhunter677 (Youtube, FanFiction)
OC: Rainbine created by TheInvertedShadow (Youtube, DeviantArt)
References:
-Strike and Specter explaining how they got to the EG world and Strike's battle with Rainbine is inspired by The Flash season 2 when "Jay Garrick" tells team Flash about Zoom and Earth-2
-Annie Wilkes is a character from Stephen King's book "Misery", which funny enough was the inspiration for the Sonic Boom episode "The Biggest Fan"
-Flashback to when Sonic met Amy is from the events of Sonic CD
Flashback to when Amy met Sonia is a reference to a fan comic by Kjbionicle
Song: "CHS Rally Song" written by Josh Haber and Daniel Ingram for My Little Pony: Friendship Games (2015)
Song: "What More is Out There?" written by Josh Haber and Daniel Ingram for My Little Pony: Friendship Games (2015)
Written only for the reader's opinion and feedback. Anyone who wishes to use concepts from my stories is allowed to do so as long as you ask and say where it originally came from.