Endgame

The next day was the final event of the Games. Students from both schools gathered in the quad and eyed one another suspiciously. Who would win? Dean Cadance reminded everyone that the score was tied and that whoever won the final event would be the winner of the Games themselves.

Vice Principal Luna stepped forward, a pennant from each school in her hands. “Somewhere on this campus,” she announced, “a pennant from each school has been hidden. The first team to find their school’s flag and bring it back wins.”

“As soon as our teams are ready, we’ll begin,” said Dean Cadance.

Fluttershy confided to her friends how disheartened she felt. “I don’t know about all of you, but I don’t much feel like playing these Games anymore.”

“But we have to play,” insisted the ever-competitive Rainbow Dash. “This is the last event.”

“Yes, dear, but it’s a little hard to focus with all the magic stealing and portal opening,” Rarity said.

“I feel awful about what I said to Twilight,” admitted Sunset Shimmer.

“She is actually really nice,” said Fluttershy.

Which only made Sunset Shimmer feel worse. She dropped her head into her hands.

“Let’s just get through this last event,” Applejack suggested. “Let’s prove we’re not a bunch of cheaters. Then you can go over and apologize. Maybe we can all work together on getting the magic back and fixing the portal.”

Sunset Shimmer took a big breath. “You’re right. But I don’t think Principal Cinch will ever believe we didn’t cheat, especially if we win.”

“That kinda sounds like her problem,” said Rainbow Dash.

Everyone smiled in agreement.

At the other end of the quad, however, Principal Cinch was giving her team a pep talk. “I know I am asking you to beat a team that isn’t playing fair, but Canterlot High must be made to understand that even with magic at their disposal, beating Crystal Prep is not an option.”

“What if they grow wings again?” Sugarcoat asked.

“A fair question.” Principal Cinch smiled devilishly. “Though I believe we can now fight fire with fire. I’ve seen what Twilight’s device can do. Containing magical energy is fine, but have you considered releasing it?”

Twilight was confused. “But I don’t even understand how it works!”

Principal Cinch raised an arched eyebrow. “But you’d like to. And since our opponents have already used it to stay competitive, I see no reason why we shouldn’t do the same. Unless, of course, you have no interest in the Everton Independent Study Program. Though, honestly, I think there’s more knowledge packed in that little device than any independent study program could offer.”

All the Shadowbolts clustered around Twilight Sparkle, urging her to use her captured magic. Principal Cinch, who knew she’d always been an outcast, encouraged them. They all let Twilight know that they were counting on her… or else. “Unleash the magic,” they cheered.

Twilight took the pendant from around her neck. She studied it. What could it do? All kinds of possibilities began to arise in her mind, things she’d never imagined. What if it really was magic? She realized she was close to the statue of the Wondercolt. What secrets did it contain? “Imagine the things I could learn by setting it free!” she said aloud.

In the middle of the quad, Vice Principal Luna called the students to attention. “If both teams are ready…”

Twilight Sparkle’s pendant began to crackle. Twilight knew that her team was counting on her. The device lifted out of her hand and floated in the air in front of her. From across the quad, Sunset Shimmer saw what was happening. So did Principal Cinch. Her eyes narrowed. Was Twilight Sparkle going to release the magic?

“Twilight, no!” yelped Spike.

At the exact moment Dean Cadance and Vice Principal Luna signaled the start of the final event, Twilight snatched the device out of the air and popped it on. A swirling blast of dark energy hit her right in the forehead. Currents of magic crisscrossed through her body. The pendant fell out of her hands as she lifted off the ground. “Help me!” she called.

The Shadowbolts watched in horror as Twilight reached out toward Principal Cinch. “Keep away from me!” yelled the terrified principal, slipping away from her.

Lightning crackled. Thunder boomed. It all seemed to be coming out of Twilight Sparkle! Energy exploded and imploded until Twilight was surrounded by a twirling ball of light that at last burst open to reveal a giant girl with black wings, purple hair, and a glowing, twisted horn emerging from her forehead. Twilight Sparkle had transformed into Midnight Sparkle!