Chapter 5
~.~
Months have passed since the events of Rainbow Rocks. It's now May, and it's time for the Friendship Games.
But first…
Becky and Sunset run to school, having just received a text from Rainbow Dash.
"Becky and I both got your text, Rainbow Dash! Did something come through the portal?"
"Is Equestrian magic on the loose?" Becky asks.
"Did Twilight come back with a problem that only we can solve?" Sunset asks.
"Has a giant cake monster covered all the cakes in the world in cake?!" Pinkie Pie asks.
"Uh, not exactly." Rainbow Dash says.
"Uh, we don't understand." Sunset says.
"Well, Becky, Sunset, I was just tellin' Rainbow Dash here that a broken guitar string doesn't really qualify as an emergency." Applejack says.
"It totally does." Rainbow Dash says.
"Really, Rainbow Dash! I was in the middle of sewing a very complex applique on my latest frock."
"And I was just about to tuck everyone in for the night at the shelter. Now we'll have to start stories all over again." Fluttershy says.
"Why would you send all of us an emergency text for a guitar string?" Sunset asks.
"Well, I was going to pony up and show our fans some awesome guitar licks, but I kinda need all six strings to do it. Got any extra?"
Everyone but RD groans.
"Here. But everyone finished practicing for the day. I'm pretty sure all the music rooms are locked." Sunset says.
"No problem. The acoustics in the hallway are perfect for power cords. C'mon! Let's go!"
Sunset doesn't follow them.
"You comin', babe?" Becky asks, looking back at her girlfriend.
"I'll catch up in a bit."
When Becky and the others reach the library, Becky pulls something out of her backpack.
"Whatcha got there, Becks?" Pinkie Pie asks.
"It's…" Becky looks back over shoulder.
"It's Sunset's engagement ring."
"AN ENGAGEMENT RING?!" Rarity exclaims rather loudly.
"Rarity, shush. It's a secret." The girls gather around Becky and her engagement ring box.
It's a gold halo ring with a ruby in the middle with diamonds around it.
"It's absolutely beautiful, Becky. She'll love it." Fluttershy says.
"Thanks, Fluttershy. I know we haven't even been dating for a year, but I feel a really strong connection with Sunset. You guys can't tell her. I'm planning on proposing to her at the end of the Friendship Games, no matter who wins."
"That's wonderful news, darling. Do you, by any chance, have an ensemble picked out for when you pop the question?" Rarity asks.
"I do. One of your dresses, Rarity. The most recent purple one."
Rarity is touched and tears form in her eyes.
"Is everything okay, Rarity?" Sunset asks, appearing behind Becky. Becky looks up at Rarity for help while putting the ring box back in her backpack.
"Of course, Sunset. It's the dust in here. Someone should really dust these books every now and again."
Becky stands up and Sunset puts an arm around her, kissing the side of her head, and then tells her friends what she saw outside.
"I saw someone outside the school near the statue. She was definitely doing something to the statue – or was going to." Sunset tells her friends and girlfriend.
"Do you think she came through the portal from Equestria?" Fluttershy asks.
"No, I'm pretty sure I woulda noticed that. I think she was from over here." Sunset says.
"Well, that's a relief. The last thing we need is another magical so-and-so bent on world domination comin' over from Equestria." Applejack says, looking at Sunset with a smirk.
"Agreed. 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." Rarity says.
"Still, a mysterious figure snooping around the portal? Don't you wanna know what she was up to?" Sunset asks.
"I don't even wanna guess." Fluttershy says, shuddering.
"Well, you don't have to. Because I've totally figured out who it was!" Rainbow Dash exclaims.
"Ooh, ooh! A nighttime statue cleaner? A magical portal maintenance maintainer? A gardener?!" Pinkie Pie guesses.
"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…" Rainbow Dash starts.
"Crystal Prep." All but Sunset and Becky says.
"Yep. With the Friendship Games starting tomorrow, they'd totally try to prank us by defacing the Wondercolts statue." Rainbow Dash says.
"Why would anyone take a bus all the way from the city for that?" Becky asks.
"Because the Crystal Prep Shadowbolts are our biggest rivals?"
"Because that's just what the students at Crystal Prep would do?"
"Because even though they beat us in everything – soccer, tennis, golf – they still have to gloat!" Rainbow Dash says.
"Seems kinda silly to me." Sunset says.
"Agreed, Sunset." Becky says.
"Silly?!" Everyone but Becky and Sunset asks.
"So I guess you think the Friendship Games are silly, too." Rainbow Dash suggests.
"Well, it's not like we'll be fighting the powers of evil magic." Sunset says.
"No. We'll be fighting against a school full of meanies. Not everything has to be magical to be important." Fluttershy says.
"You're right. We're sorry. We know it's a big deal." Sunset says. Becky nods in agreement.
"That's putting it mildly, darling. They're still revamping the playing field in preparation." Rarity says.
"We just don't understand why there's this big rivalry. My old school had a rivalry, but not this big." Becky says.
"And aren't the 'Friendship Games' supposed to be about our two schools getting along?" Sunset asks.
"Well, it's kinda hard to get along with someone who beats you at everything." Applejack says.
"Not anymore! This time, things are gonna be different." Rainbow Dash says.
"What do you mean?" Sunset asks.
"Oh, you'll find out." Rainbow Dash replies.
The girls soon head to the gym, where the rest of the school has gathered.
Rainbow Dash soon shows the student body how they can beat Crystal Prep – by being Wondercolts.
Rainbow Dash's six best friends approach her after her performance.
"Rainbow Dash, that was amazing! Even I feel like we can win!" Fluttershy says.
"I'm with Fluttershy on this one, RD." Becky says.
"I feel like my school pride is at an all-time high!" Rarity says.
"Is anybody else wonderin' how Dash ponied up without playin' her guitar?" Applejack asks.
"I know, right? It's probably because I'm so awesome!" Rainbow Dash exclaims.
"Maybe. I mean you are awesome, but there's gotta be more to it than that, right? It just seems so random." Sunset says.
Vice Principal Luna approaches the seven girls.
"Well, it would be nice if you girls could get a handle on it. We'd like to keep magic as far away from the Friendship Games as possible. We don't want to be accused of cheating." VP Luna says.
"We don't need magic to defeat those hoity-toity Crystal Preppers." Rarity says.
The girls agree.
"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." VP Luna says.
"I'll do my best."
"Ms. Rollins, can my sister and I speak to you for a moment?"
"Of course, Vice Principal Luna."
Sunset gives her girlfriend's hand a quick squeeze before Becky follows Vice Principal Luna to the principal's office, where Principal Celestia is waiting for them.
"Ms. Rollins, how have you been adjusting to living with your girlfriend?"
"It's been pretty good so far, Principal Celestia."
"Have your former parents made any contact with you at all?"
"No. And I'd like to keep it that way."
"I understand. If there's anything we can do to help you, drop by at any time."
"Thank you."
"You're quite welcome. Now, it seems your friends and your girlfriend will be competing in the Friendship Games. Your grades are spectacular. Do you wish to compete as well?"
"Competitions really aren't my thing, Vice Principal Luna. I'd be more than happy to cheer them on from the sidelines."
"We understand. You're dismissed."
Becky leaves and finds her girlfriend in the library. She watches her write in her journal from afar.
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. 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. Anyway, things are going great with Becky. But I can't help but worry about her. It's been months since her parents kicked her out, and I feel like she's slipping away, and I don't want to lose her. I can't. If you can give me any advice on that front, too, that would be great. Hope to hear from you soon, Twilight.
Sunset looks up from her journal and sees her girlfriend perusing the books. After grabbing her journal, she heads over to where Becky is browsing the fictional books.
"There's my special bookworm. How'd the talk go?"
"Pretty good. Wanted to ask how I've been adjusting to living with you. And they asked if my former parents have made any contact with me. They also asked if I wanted to compete in the Friendship Games."
"And what did you tell them?"
"Well, things with you and I have been pretty good so far, and I haven't heard anything from my parents and I'd like to keep it that way. And I'll be more than happy to cheer you guys on from the sidelines."
"Typical Becky. And 'pretty good'?"
"I may have exaggerated it. Things have been more than pretty good, Sunset. You know that. I just didn't want them thinking I'm getting too attached to you too fast."
"Being attached to me wouldn't be such a bad thing, now would it, my lovebug?" Sunset asks.
"No, it wouldn't be, my sunshine." Becky says, slightly blushing.
Sunset moves toward Becky and kisses her.
A few minutes after the two girls started making out, Sunset pulls away.
"Come on. The other girls are probably wondering where we are. We can continue our make out session at home."
"Good idea, Sunset."
The girls find their friends in their usual band practice room.
Becky stands to the side while the Rainbooms practice. Sunset tried to convince her to be in the band, but Becky told her she'd prefer to be cheering from the crowd, rather than singing from the stage.
"I hope the Friendship Games have a music competition, because we would totally rock it!" Rainbow Dash exclaims.
"Um, we're supposed to keep magic out of the Friendship Games, remember?" Sunset asks.
"Easier said than done, darling. I'm sure in Equestria, magic does whatever you want. But…" Rarity starts.
"This isn't Equestria." Sunset replies.
"Well, when it comes to magic, I'm sure you'll figure it out." Applejack says.
"And while Sunset works on keeping the magic out of the games, I've been working on what to put in!" Rarity exclaims.
"Rarity, what'd you go an' do?" Applejack asks.
"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 of uniforms!"
"You really didn't have to do that." Rainbow Dash says.
"I know."
"No. You really didn't have to." Applejack says.
"I know! Becky, darling, I'm sorry I don't have any outfits for you."
"Rarity, it's okay. Like I told Sunset, I'd rather cheer you on from the sidelines."
Soon, the girls are dressed in different outfits, minus Becky, who stays in her purple top, girlfriend jeans and ankle boots.
Soon after, a girl shows up, a girl the friend group of seven think they know.
"Twilight?"
"Uh, yes?" The girl, Twilight, asks.
"Well, I'll be. You shoulda told us you were comin'." Applejack says.
"Darling, those glasses. What are you wearing? It's so…severe." Rarity asks.
"My uniform?"
"Your uniform for what?" Fluttershy asks.
"For…Crystal Prep. But why does everyone at this school know who I am?"
"Did you just say 'Crystal Prep'?" Rainbow Dash asks.
Spike suddenly appears out of Twilight's backpack and barks.
"Spike!" Fluttershy and Rarity exclaim.
"You know my dog's name, too?" Twilight asks.
Soon, Twilight is escorted away by her principal.
The girls' soon take a walk down the halls of their school.
"I can't believe our world's Twilight goes to Crystal Prep!" Rarity says.
"You're saying that Twilight's gonna play against us? She'd never do that!" Rainbow Dash exclaims.
"Our Twilight wouldn't." Fluttershy says.
"Our Twilight is a princess in Equestria and an expert in friendship magic! And if she was here, we'd have already figured out why magic is randomly popping up during pep rallies and costume changes…Sorry. I'm just frustrated that I haven't heard back from her." Sunset says.
"She's a princess in Equestria. Probably got problems of her own to deal with." Applejack says.
"We certainly can't expect her to drop everything and pop through the portal whenever. Especially if it's to deal with something as minor as a few random pony-ups." Rarity says.
"But they aren't minor! Magic came into this world when I stole Twilight's crown. It's taken a lot for me to earn everyone's trust. If we have to forfeit the games because I can't think of a way to keep it under control…"
"Oh, Sunset. I'm sure you'll be able to figure things out." Becky tells her girlfriend.
"You're the one who helped us understand what was goin' on with the sirens. Remember?" Applejack asks.
"I guess. But Twilight was the one who really figured out what we needed to defeat them." Sunset says.
"But don't you remember, darling? What we needed to defeat them was you." Rarity says.
"All right."
"Can I say something?" Becky asks.
The girls let Becky step up to Sunset, and she takes Sunset's hands in her own.
"You took me in without hesitation when my parents kicked me out. I'll forever be grateful to you, Sunset Shimmer. You did that on your own, without magic."
"But I took you in because I was the only one around."
Becky lets go of Sunset's hands, tears forming in her eyes.
"I didn't mean it like that, Becky."
"Then how did you mean it, Sunset?"
"I meant it like…like…I would've taken you in without hesitation, regardless if the others were around. I would take you in again and again, if it meant you were okay and not with your parents, who don't love you as they should. What matters and what's important is that I love you, without hesitation, without any conditions."
"I love you, too, Sunset. I really do."
The two girls kiss. They soon break apart after the other girls "awww" at them.
"Come on, guys! Let's see if we can find any info about the events and come up with a strategy. You comin', Sunset?" Rainbow Dash asks.
"I'll…catch up with you guys in a bit." Sunset replies.
~.~
"What do you mean the portal's gone?" Applejack asks as the seven girls walk to the gym for the mixer before the Friendship Games.
"I mean it's gone. It's closed. It's not there anymore!" Sunset says.
"How'd that happen?" Rainbow Dash asks.
"I don't know. But it has something to do with that Twilight." Sunset says.
The next day, the Academic Decathlon starts off the Friendship Games…but Crystal Prep ends up winning.
After the Academic Decathlon, the girls head out to see the playing field.
Soon, the athletic part of the Friendship Games begins, starting with archery, then the short track, and ending with the motocross.
Magic appears during the motocross, and Sunset almost gets hit by a plant monster, but Rainbow Dash saves her, and her magic appears.
"Dash, you saved me!"
"I wasn't about to let my friend become plant food. We can still win this!" Rainbow Dash replies.
While Rainbow Dash fights the plant monsters, Sunset completes the race, making Canterlot High the winner of this portion of the Friendship Games.
"Is everybody alright?" Becky asks, approaching the group.
"Better than alright! We won!" Rainbow Dash exclaims.
"Yeah, we won, but somebody could've been seriously hurt. The magic is going haywire and I have no idea how to fix it!" Sunset says.
"Um, excuse me, I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I just wanted to learn about the strange energy coming from your school. I didn't know that it was magic or…how it works." Twilight says, walking up to the group.
"That's okay. Neither do we."
Twilight's device drains the magic out of Rainbow Dash.
"Oh, no! Oh, no no no! Not again! I'm sorry! It just started absorbing energy on its own! But I'm not sure how!" Twilight exclaims.
"What do you mean you don't know how?!" Sunset asks, stepping up to Twilight.
"It also causes these corresponding rifts to appear! I don't know how that works either."
"Is there anything you do know?! Like how to get our magic back?! Or how to fix the portal to Equestria?!" Sunset asks furiously.
"Equestria?" Twilight asks, confused.
"You're supposed to be so smart, but did you ever think that you shouldn't be messing with things you don't understand?!" Sunset asks.
"But I wanna understand!"
"But you don't! And worst of all, you put the lives of my friends and girlfriend in danger!"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Twilight says, her voice breaking as she runs off, Spike following her.
Becky puts a hand on Sunset's shoulder, and Sunset smacks herself, realizing how mean she'd been to Twilight. The girls head to the gym, only to overhear Principal Cinch talking with Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna.
"I'm sorry I couldn't stop all this from happening." Sunset says.
"It's not your fault, Sunset." Principal Celestia replies.
"Isn't it? I should know how to control the magic I brought here. But I don't. I let everyone down. And now Principal Cinch thinks we're cheating." Sunset says.
"It doesn't matter what Principal Cinch thinks."
"But it does. The students here at CHS don't just wanna win. They wanna beat Crystal Prep. It isn't gonna count if the other side doesn't really think they lost. Crystal Prep is never gonna believe we won fair and square if there's magic around. And that magic is only around…because of me." Sunset says, defeated.
The girls head to the front of the school, where the last event of the Friendship Games is taking place.
"Since the score's tied, the final event will determine the winner of the Friendship Games." Dean Cadance says.
"Somewhere on campus, a pennant from each school has been hidden. The first team to find their school's flag and bring it back wins." Vice Principal Luna says.
"And as soon as our teams are ready, we'll begin." Dean Cadance says.
Meanwhile, with the girls, minus Becky, who is sitting in the stands.
"I don't feel like playing these games anymore." Fluttershy says.
"But we have to play. It's the last event!" Rainbow Dash says.
"It's a little hard to focus with all the magic stealing and portal opening." Rarity says.
"And I feel awful about what I said to Twilight." Sunset says.
"Especially since she obviously didn't mean to do all the stuff she did. She's actually really nice." Fluttershy says.
Sunset facepalms.
"Let's just get through this last event and prove we're not a bunch of cheaters. Then you can go over and apologize." Applejack says.
Soon, Twilight is pressured into releasing the magic, and it transforms her into Midnight Sparkle.
Midnight Sparkle turns to Sunset.
"You were right! I didn't understand magic before, but I do now!"
Midnight Sparkle opens portals to Equestria with her magic.
"Twilight, you can't do this!" Sunset exclaims.
"Why not?! There's a whole other world right there, and it's just filled with magic!"
"But you're destroying this world to get it!"
"So what? There's more magic there, and I want to understand it all!"
The other girls are struggling to save people from falling into Equestria.
"This isn't the way! I know you feel powerful right now, like you can have everything you want! I've been where you are, I've made the same mistake you're making! I put on a crown, and, just like you, I was overwhelmed by the magic it contained! I thought it could get me everything I wanted!" Sunset exclaims.
"Oh, you're wrong. Unlike you, I can have everything I want!" Midnight Sparkle exclaims.
"No, you can't. Even with all that magic and power, you'll still be alone! True magic comes from honesty! Loyalty! Laughter! Generosity! Kindness! I understand you, Twilight, and I want to show you the most important magic of all…"
Sunset transforms into Daydream Shimmer.
"The Magic of Friendship!"
Midnight and Daydream fight, and soon, Spike breaks Twilight out of her trance, and Daydream defeats Midnight Sparkle.
"Take my hand, Twilight. Let me show you there's another way…just like someone once did for me."
The two girls land.
"I am so sorry…I didn't mean for any of this to happen…" Twilight says.
"I know. And going by my own experiences, they'll forgive you."
"Principal Celestia, on behalf of Crystal Prep, I demand that you forfeit the Friendship Games! Clearly, CHS has had unfair advantage for quite some time! And it's certainly obvious that your students have been using magic for their own benefit!" Principal Cinch exclaims.
"I'd like to think that saving the world benefits us all." Principal Celestia says.
"At least they didn't manipulate Twilight into releasing all the stolen magic and turning into a power-crazed magical creature that tried to rip the world apart just to win a game." Sugarcoat says.
"Wow! That's a lot to take in when you say it all at once." Pinkie Pie says.
"That's ridiculous!" Principal Cinch exclaims.
"Nope, that's pretty much what happened." Spike says.
"Actually, we're all to blame. Mostly it was her." Sour Sweet says.
"Obviously my students have been infected with your magic, but I plan on taking all of this up with the school board!" Principal Cinch says.
"Good. I'm sure they would be very interested in hearing all about the magical students with wings." Principal Celestia says.
"Oh, and the portals to different dimensions." Vice Principal Luna says.
"And don't forget to tell them about the talking dog." Dean Cadance says.
"Because that would never ruin your reputation." Spike says.
"Well, I know these Friendship Games haven't been what any of us expected, but given what we've all just been through, I think it's fair to declare us all winners."
Everyone cheers.
"I have an announcement I'd like to make?" Becky asks, slightly shaking.
People give Becky the floor.
"Back in the fall, I joined the student body of CHS. And the first person to show me any kindness was Sunset Shimmer. Since then, we've been together and in love. Sunset, can you come here, please?" Sunset looks back at her friends, but they push her up to where Becky is.
"Sunset Dawn Shimmer, I love you with my whole heart and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?" Becky asks, dropping down to one knee.
Sunset's hands fly to her mouth as tears form in her eyes.
"Yes! Yes, I will marry you!" Sunset helps Becky up and Becky places the ring on Sunset's finger and they kiss.
Cheers erupt from the crowd.