A Losing Game

Twilight was packing for the Friendship Games back in her room and trying to convince herself that this wasn’t going to be the worst experience in the whole world. Spike grabbed at a sweater she had put in her suitcase and pulled it out.

“Come on, Spike!” Twilight sighed. “I was always going to 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.”

Spike growled. Twilight Sparkle took the sweater back from him.

“I know. I don’t like it, either. I probably won’t be able to collect anywhere near as much data as I thought.” She looked at the device attached to her computer. Instantly, she brightened. She had an idea. “Maybe I can still get some.…”

Twilight Sparkle rummaged through her jewelry box and fastened the device to one of her necklaces. It looked like a large pendant. She grinned as she put it on. She grabbed her suitcase and headed for the door. Spike whimpered.

“I wouldn’t leave without you,” said Twilight Sparkle reassuringly. “Just remember to be quiet. And try not to shed.” She opened up her backpack. Spike hopped in. Twilight zipped the bag and headed downstairs to the waiting buses.

There were two buses in front of the school—one a regular school bus and the other a sleek tour bus.

“Dean Cadance?” Twilight asked. “I’m not really sure where to go.”

Two girls waiting to get on board glared at her.

“You could try the end of the line,” whispered Sour Sweet. Her neat ponytail was held in place by a pea-pod-shaped clip.

“What did you say?” asked Twilight.

Sour Sweet smiled insincerely. “Just that someone as smart as you should definitely go first. Right, Sunny Flare?”

She turned to her friend beside her.

“Absolutely, Sour Sweet,” the girl answered, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. “On the other hand, you could try waiting in line like everyone else.”

Twilight was embarrassed. It seemed like she was always saying the wrong thing. “I-I didn’t mean to…” she stuttered. “I was just asking…”

Dean Cadance checked a name off her clipboard. “This is the right bus, Twilight. Go ’head.”

“But… I didn’t mean to cut,” stammered Twilight.

Sunny Flare and Sour Sweet rolled their eyes at each other.

“It’s too late now,” said Sour Sweet under her breath.

Twilight picked up her suitcase and her backpack and headed onto the bus. It helped to know Spike was with her, even if no one else could see him. As she looked for a seat, a girl with flaming orange hair and a smattering of freckles across her nose grabbed her arm. “Are we gonna win?”

Twilight threw up her hands. “I don’t know.”

“Wrong answer!” exclaimed the girl, horrified. “Try again. Are we gonna win?”

Twilight gulped. “Um… I guess. I’m sorry. It’s just that…” Twilight looked at the bus full of kids, shaking their heads, snickering, and whispering about her. “I mean, I heard that Canterlot High is doing well… 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?”

Kids were looking at her like she was a lunatic.

“You’re gonna have to take a seat,” said the bus driver. Twilight Sparkle was holding up the line.

But there was nowhere for Twilight Sparkle to sit. Kids put their backpacks on the empty seats or stretched out their legs or made it clear by glaring at her that the girl who didn’t think they were going to win was not welcome, not welcome at all, to sit with them.

Finally, she found a place in the way back next to a girl with yellow hair who was listening to music and hadn’t heard what she’d said. The girl across the aisle was staring at her. “Hi, Sugarcoat,” Twilight said, trying to be nice.

Sugarcoat stared at her, expressionless. “That was a really bad speech. You should consider not speaking in public.”

Twilight wished she could disappear. At least she had Spike with her. She pulled her backpack onto her lap and unzipped it just enough to peek in at him. Spike nuzzled her hand but began whimpering when the blond girl beside Twilight Sparkle started rocking out to her music. Spike put his paws over his ears.

“Oh man!” The blond girl grinned. “You have got to hear this!” She pulled out one of her earbuds and stuck it in Twilight Sparkle’s ear.

Twilight’s eyes widened, horrified by the loud, crazy music.

She closed her eyes and thought about her independent study. She could endure this. She had to. It was her only way out of Crystal Prep—and she had to get out.