At Crystal Prep, Sci-Twi is in her private lab with Shadow who was just watching her pack stuff into her backpack and as she grabs a sweater but as she grabs it, Spike has the other end in his mouth and is trying to pull it away from Sci-Twi.

Sci-Twi: Ugh! Come on Spike! I was always gonna go to Canterlot High for the Friendship Games.

She tells Spike who then let's go of the sweater which flies into her face.

Sci-Twi: Ich! 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 as she put the sweater into her backpack.

Shadow Moonlight: Twi, you shouldn't let her get to you. She's a ruthless wench who only cares about herself and she'll do anything to benefit her reputation.

Sci-Twi: I know but I've been working hard to get into Everton and I don't want it all to be for nothing.

Shadow Moonlight: Even still, if it weren't for the impressive amount of intellectual quotient you possess, she would let you through without any blackmail. Point being, you and I are valuable to her much like her reputation and she will make sure she upholds that reputation no matter what, even if people like us have to suffer for it. She even values me over her own daughter and yet we both hate each other with a fiery passion.

Sci-Twi: How do you know that?

Shadow Moonlight: Because I witnessed it with my own eyes back when me and Sunny were working on some outfits for the previous Friendship Games.

Sci-Twi: Really?

Shadow Moonlight: Yeah and Cinch doesn't have a soft spot. What you see here is exactly how she is as a person.

Sci-Twi: Well, if that's true, then I think it's better to cooperate with her rather than rebel against her demands.

Spike whimpers which makes Sci-Twi pet him and scratch under his chin which makes him a little happy.

Sci-Twi: Spike, I wouldn't leave without you.

She tells her puppy who she puts into her backpack.

Sci-Twi: Just remember to be quiet and try not to shed.

She tells Spike, zips up her backpack, puts it on her back and leaves her lab. After a couple of moments, Sci-Twi and Shadow made it to the front parking lot of CPA where a bus was parked ready to drive the Shadowbolts to CHS. Dean Cadance was also there as her attention was focused on the clipboard that she was holding in front of her face as Sci-Twi and Shadow walked up to her.

Sci-Twi: Dean Cadance? I'm not really sure where to go.

Dean Cadance: One second, Twilight.

She dismissed her as she walked a few feet away.

???: ** You could try the end of the line.

Spoke a sour sounding voice that came from behind both Shadow and Sci-Twi which made them turn around to find two girls standing glaring at Sci-Twi. One was a girl with pale, light grayish gold skin, moderate rose hair with lighter moderate rose and grayish aquamarine streaks and moderate indigo eyes.

Her name was Sour Sweet and behind her was her friend Sunny Flare who has light turquoise gray skin, grayish mulberry hair with light raspberry streaks, moderate cerise eyes and dark indigo eye-shadow.

Sci-Twi: What did you say?

Shadow Moonlight: Yeah Sour, what did you say?

He gives her a cold stare as he raises his fist at her which makes her and Sunny step back a little as Sour sheepishly smiles at Sci-Twi.

Sour Sweet: ** Just that someone as smart as you should definitely go first.

Shadow Moonlight: That's what I thought.

He shakes his glare while Sci-Twi timidly tries to apologize to Sour.

Sci-Twi: I... I didn't mean to. I was just asking.

She said as Dean Cadence made her way back to them.

Dean Cadance: This is the right bus, Twilight. Go ahead.

Sci-Twi: But... I didn't mean to cut in front.

Sour Sweet: Well, it's too late now.

Shadow Moonlight: Hmm. She seems a little on edge today. Hey Twilight, why don't you head on in. I'll meet you there in a second.

Sci-Twi: U-Uh...alright Shadow.

She said as she made her way onto the bus while Shadow turned his attention to Sunny Flare.

Shadow Moonlight: Alright, what's going on? Is she off her meds again?

Sunny Flare: I don't have a clue, dear. Her parents are supposed to be the ones handling that, not me.

Shadow Moonlight: Sour, is today another bad day for you?

Sour Sweet: What do you think?

Shadow Moonlight: I'll take that as a yes. Someone pick on you again?

Sour lowers her head before shaking it.

Sour Sweet: No...I got a bad grade on a project, they didn't have my favorite snack at the vending machine, and a number of other things. I just want to get this awful day over with. Why did today of all days have to be the Friendship Games?

Shadow Moonlight: Hey, if it'll make you feel better, I'll treat you, Sunny and the others after school. Just try to push through it if you can. Can you do that for me, Sour?

Sour Sweet:Yeah, I guess. Sorry for lashing out at you.

Shadow Moonlight: Hey, don't sweat it. It's not your fault due to your condition. I'm doing my best to be patient.

Sour Sweet: Yeah, thanks for that. You can go ahead on first.

Shadow Moonlight: Thanks, Sour.

He smiles at her as he makes his way onto the bus.

???: Are we gonna win?!

A loud female voice shouted which startled Shadow. The person who yelled at him is a girl named Indigo Zap who has light amberish gray skin, dark cornflower blue hair with moderate cerulean and moderate arctic blue streaks and brilliant gamboge eyes.

Shadow chuckles and pushes her back in her seat.

Shadow Moonlight: Depends on how much you put into it, Indigo.

Indigo Zap: Wrong answer Shads, try again! Are. We gonna. Win?!

Shadow Moonlight: If it'll keep you quiet for the trip to CHS, yes. Are you satisfied now?

Indigo Zap: Oh come on, Shads. I'm just trying to give you some school spirit.

Shadow Moonlight: We've won every Friendship Games that ever happened. I don't think there's any school spirit to gain at this point.

Indigo crosses her arms and huffs at him while averting her eyes away from him.

Indigo Zap: Man, as much as I like you Shads, you're such a buzzkill.

Shadow Moonlight:Consider it one of my best qualities, Indie.

He ruffled her hair before looking for a seat to sit in. He looked and saw that a few students were offering him to sit by them, but he didn't pay too much mind to them as he already knew where he was going to sit. He then saw Sci-Twi sitting in the further back corner where he saw two other girls he recognized.

One went by the name of Sugarcoat who has light phthalo bluish gray skin, light opalish gray hair with light arctic bluish gray streaks and grayish orchid eyes.

The other was the girl next to Sci-Twi who is called Lemon Zest and she has pale, light grayish amaranth skin, light pistachio hair with pale, light grayish green and light brilliant lime green streaks and grayish arctic blue eye-shadow.

Sugarcoat: Hello Shadow, it's good to see you.

Lemon Zest: Yeah, dude! How's it hanging?

Shadow Moonlight: Huh, I didn't think you'd acknowledge my presence with those things blasting your eardrums.

Lemon Zest: Heh, when you've been jamming as long as I have, you tend to gain some experience.

Shadow Moonlight: Yeah, whatever that means.

He rolls his eyes playfully as he turns his attention towards Sugarcoat.

Shadow Moonlight: Is that seat taken?

Sugarcoat: Help yourself.

She said as she got out of her seat to allow him to pass through before sitting down. He then looked at Sci-Twi who was situated next to Lemon Zest as she zipped open her backpack to check on her furry canine companion.

Sci-Twi: Well Spike, at least I got you.

Hearing that made Shadow give her a worried look.

Shadow Moonlight: I hope one day she gets more friends than just me and that dog.

Sugarcoat: Twilight isn't one to worry about making friends, Shadow. I'm sure you're aware of that. She's done everything independently and that's what she's choosing to do.

Shadow Moonlight: I know but still, I'm worried about her not being able to adapt in a world that relies on the trust of others. There's definitely gonna be some point in her life where she has to put her trust in others, even if she ends up going to Everton.

Sugarcoat: You make a valid point. But, what about you though? From what I heard, your former childhood friend attends CHS. How do you plan to handle that?

Shadow Moonlight: I've devoted my life to forgetting about him. I will simply keep my distance unless he gets any of you involved. I'm not gonna let him do something to the friends I have now.

Sugarcoat: You think that he would try to hurt us somehow?

Shadow Moonlight: It's what he did to me, his supposed childhood friend. If he's gonna hurt someone with a title that high, I don't see why he wouldn't try anything to strangers such as you girls. That said, there's also the possibility that he doesn't even know whoI am. I was there once when he was talking with all those girls at Sweet Shoppe and he didn't even bother to look.

Sugarcoat: Maybe because he simply didn't know that you were there.

Shadow Moonlight: Fair, but that isn't the first time I saw him there. He was with those girls many times, one even looked a lot like Twilight. It would explain why she said he sort of acted like he knew her. Perhaps that girl is a mere clone of Twilight he created with his own special abilities. If that were true, why would he do it? Maybe he knows about my friendship with her and simply created a clone to portray that same relationship towards himself. If that's what he's doing, then it's only a matter of time before he'll go for the rest of you until he has all the friends I've made cloned under his will.

Sugarcoat: I thought you told us that he uses magic, not genetic engineering. You're probably looking too much into it.

Shadow Moonlight: I suppose you're right. After all, I don't think I ever remember him having an ability to make a clone of someone that he could control.

While they carried on with their conversation, Lemon Zest was jamming out to her music before she glanced at Sci-Twi and took her headphones off.

Lemon Zest: Dude! You have gotta hear this!

She said before placing her headphones on Sci-Twi's head as she flinched and cringed at the really loud music currently blasting into her ears as the bus began to make its way towards CHS.

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Meanwhile, back at CHS, you and the Rainbooms were practicing on your instruments in your Pony-Up forms before your song ended and you all reverted back to normal.

Rainbow Dash: I hope the Friendship Games have a music competition, because we would totally rock it!

Sunset Shimmer: Um, we're supposed to keep magic out of the Friendship Games, remember?

Rarity: Easier said than done, darling. I'm sure in Equestria, magic does whatever you want. But...

Sunset Shimmer: This isn't Equestria.

(Y/N): I'm pretty sure they have rules in Equestria regarding magic, Rarity. That said, it doesn't mean we should hold back what we have to offer CPA at the Friendship Games. This school has suffered too many losses as of late. I think it's time we give CPA a taste of what it feels like to lose.

You said feeling determined.

Applejack: Y/N's right. We should still bring in our A game regardless of how many times we've lost. Besides, when it comes to magic, I'm sure the both of you will figure it out.

(Y/N): Maybe but the problem is we aren't sure when we'll figure it out. For all we know it could happen at any point in time and we wouldn't know how to resolve it. Heck, it might even happen during the Friendship Games.

Hearing that made Sunset panic internally.

(Y/N): But it's just a possibility. Don't get yourself worked up over it, Sunset. Whenever it happens, we'll face it together.

You reassured her as you wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Sunset smiled at you before placing her hand on yours.

Sunset Shimmer: I know we will. Thanks, Y/N.

(Y/N): No worries at all, Sunny.

Rarity: And while you both work on keeping the magic out of the games, I've been working on what to put in!

(Y/N): Something tells me that fashion is involved, right Rares?

Rarity: Right on the money, darling!

Applejack: What did you go and do?

Rarity then proceeded to pull out several racks of clothes.

Rarity: 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!

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

Rarity: I know.

Applejack: No. You really didn't have to.

Rarity: I know!

She giggled afterwards.

(Y/N): Well, when it comes to making us the right clothes to wear, you're certainly the best at it, Rares.

Rarity: Awww, darling~

She walks over to you to give you a peck on the lips.

Rarity: You're too sweet. At least one of you understands.

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Moments later, the CPA bus pulled up in front of CHS as the Shadowbolts exited the bus.

Principal Celestia: 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.

Principal Cinch: *Oh, yes, Principal Celestia. I'm sure that would be fascinating.

Shadow Moonlight: Geez, would it kill you to show a little enthusiasm? This is a pretty eventful time after all since it happens every leap year.

Principal Celestia: Is that who I think it is?

She smiles as she looks behind Principal Cinch to see Shadow Moonlight who greets her with a smile.

Shadow Moonlight: Hey, Tia! How's it hanging?

Principal Celestia: Pretty well. My, you've grown a lot since the last time I saw you.

Shadow Moonlight: Well, I have been eating a lot healthier. No thanks to this old bean.

He chuckles, earning a sharp glare from Principal Cinch.

Principal Cinch: I see you've still got your sense of humor. So glad that hasn't changed.

Meanwhile, Vice Principal Luna and Dean Cadence were giving each other a friendly hug.

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

Dean Cadance: Thank you, Vice Principal Luna, but I hear it's not going to be so easy this time.

While that was going on, Sci-Twi stepped off the bus as Shadow was standing towards the bus doors waiting for her.

Indigo Zap: Coming through!

She yelled as she hastily pushed Sci-Twi out of the way which made her lose her balance and fall on top of Shadow.

Sci-Twi: Oh, I'm sorry Shadow! I didn't mean to.

Shadow Moonlight: Hey, don't worry about it. At least I broke your fall.

He smiled before he averted his eyes to Indigo who was running off towards the school.

Shadow Moonlight: Man, I like the girl but she should at least be more civil when asking someone to move.

Sunny Flare: Shadow!

He hears her call out to him as she helps him back on his feet.

Sunny Flare: Are you alright, dear?

Shadow Moonlight: Yeah Sis, I'm good.

Sunny then narrows her eyes at Twilight who stepped back a little in fear.

Sunny Flare: Seriously?! You could've hurt him!

Sci-Twi: Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to.

Shadow places his hand on Sunny's shoulder which makes her turn to him.

Shadow Moonlight: Sis, knock it off. I'm perfectly fine. It was an accident.

Sunny Flare: She is an accident!

She storms off as Sour goes to follow her but then she almost bumped into Sci-Twi.

Sci-Twi: Oh, I'm sorry. Why don't you go ahead?

Sour Sweet: You are such a sweetie! I am watching you!

She glares at her while walking away towards Sunny Flare. Shadow places his hand on Sci-Twi's back to calm her down.

Shadow Moonlight: Don't worry about it. Sour's bipolar, she switches different sides randomly. Don't take it too hard.

Sci-Twi: Okay.

Meanwhile Sunny sees Shadow talking to Sci-Twi and looks in disgust.

Sunny Flare: Why does he even bother with her? That girl's nothing but a clutz.

Sour Sweet: I really don't know what he's trying to accomplish. I hope it's not one of those rom com cliches where the athlete falls for the nerd. He could do so much better.

Sunny Flare: That he could, Sour. That he could.

She grits her teeth as she stares coldly at Sci-Twi. Meanwhile, Shadow and Sci-Twi were fixing each other's clothes up when Lemon Zest jumped off the bus while imitating guitar noises.