The Bar is Set

Shelf upon shelf of trophies line the walls of the hallway leading to Ponyville High School's front office. Many are for football, many more for baseball, some for cheerleading, basketball, and even some for lacrosse, gymnastics, track and field, and even cross country. Notably, of the many shelves of trophies, there is only one, tiny shelf featuring a handful of trophies for hockey. The most recent being the 'runner-up' trophy from 2016, when Nar, and Juno helped the team make it to the championship in their senior year of high school. While the students go about their learning in the classrooms, Nar enters the school's front office for a very important meeting.  A brief conversation with the receptionist directs Nar towards an office to the back right of the lobby. Two short knocks alert the person inside to Nar's presence. "Come in." A mare calls out, causing Nar to open the door, and enter. The office itself is small. The walls are adorned with all manner of placards, framed certificates, and awards.  A lavish oak desk takes up the majority of the room, with three chairs around it. Two are cheap plastic chairs that are only a step up from the ones in the classrooms. They sit on one side of the desk. The other chair is a lavish, leather office chair. Sat on said chair is a mare dressed in a suit dress, with perfectly pristine hair, an overabundance of makeup, and eyes that are always searching for weakness. This is a Miss Inky Merit. Head of Ponyville High School's school board, and the woman who's had Nar's balls in a vice since he accepted the job as the school's hockey coach. Even now, she looks upon him with icy disdain. Nar always had the feeling the school board was really hoping nobody took the coaching job. They just wanted to be able to say "We tried!" then shut the team down anyway. When he took the job, some of the school board seemed genuinely quite happy, but others, like Ms. Merit here, LOATHED him. Not publicly of course. Even school administration is not immune to petty politics behind closed doors. "Have a seat, Mr. Yakushi." Ms. Merit's voice is as cold as her stare. She's mastered the art of looking down upon everyone else so well that it's now second nature to her. Nar only responds with a nod, then, he takes his seat. "I'll keep this brief." Ms. Merit states, steepling her fingers together. "I'm sure you have been quite agitated with the school board's lack of any directness with our expectations of you, and your team." The fact that she refers to the hockey team as "his", and not "The school's" irks Nar, but he doesn't let it show. "This has been rectified. The school board has come to a decision on the requirements needed for funding to your team to continue next year." She pauses for dramatic affect. Nar remains silent, fixing her with a hard glare. "Your team must make it to the semi-finals of the Equestrian High School Hockey playoffs. Do that, and the school board will continue to support the existence of your little team." That...  That is a VERY high bar to set for a team that's struggled to even make it to the playoffs this year. The boys aren't going to be happy about it, but Nar knows they'll rise to the task. They've fought hard to make it to the playoffs, and they've come too far to just give up now. Hell, when the season first started, it was practically two different teams being forced to play together. It was a MESS for the first few games, until the boys found common ground, and started actually playing together as one team. If they could overcome that, they can make it to the semifinals. It's going to be a lot of work, but hard work is nothing new to Nar, or the team. "Semifinals? We'll do it." Nar's response is full of resolve, and determination. Ms. Merit betrays no emotions. She simply waves her hand as she begins to turn towards her computer. "Then we're done here. Have a good day, Mr. Yakushi." That evening, Nar gathers the team up before practice begins. The boys all crowd around him on the ice, eager to hear the news.  "The school board has given us our goal. If we want there to be a hockey team next year, we have to make it to the semifinals."  Before, Nar might have expected to see worry, and fear on the boys faces. Instead, they all stare back at him with fiery eyes. A flame stoked in each heart. After a moment of silence, team captain Earl Gray gives voice to what they're all thinking. "The school board wants us to make it to the semifinals? Then we'll bring them a championship trophy!" The rink is filled with cheers of agreement. They quickly die down when Nar raises a hand to get their attention. "The first game of the playoffs is next Thursday. We'll be facing off against Canterlot Academy. They may not be the number one team, but they're known for scouting talent for their sports teams. We're starting off with a tough opponent, so we're adjusting the practice schedule for the next week. On top of our usual practice schedule, we'll be meeting for practice on Friday, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday You'll have Sunday, and Wednesday off. On Saturday practice begins at 8 AM sharp, and will run until 4 PM. Everyone understand?" A single hand reaches up from the team. "Yes, lunch will be provided." The hand goes back down. Nar claps his hands together, signalling for the team to break up into their lines.  "Alright! Let's get started!"