Author's Note

Took a while to get this chapter out, but here it is! Nothing in particular to say here, but please notify me of any typos or awkward grammar, I proofread, but I always seem to miss things (spliff definitely not to blame... >.>)

Anywhosies, it's always my pleasure to educate any about my beautiful dialect if any questions arise on grammar / lingo / vocabulary, so don't be afraid to ask!

Also, be sure to check out the playlist that inspires the writing of this story, in the description! Toodles! ^-~

Execution | Chapter 5

"So, what we’ve got so far is that, first, the dyke bitch headin’ the Crips is finna be here next period.” Rainbow Dash began, the five girls still in a huddle.

“Based off of how Starlight ‘nd Trixie rate their history with her, this bitch is a lot like me; cocky, arrogant, competitive. She commands a lotta clout, too, so it’s prolly best to assume she gonna be rollin’ deep.” Rainbow Dash continued. She looked towards Pinkie Pie, her features pausing in thought momentarily, before her gaze returned to the center.

“I want my gang to be ruthless, but I want my Clout to be as clean as possible. We finna let some shots ring and let these innocents clear out -- whoever stays after that, well… their fate is out of our hands.” Rainbow Dash went on, but then, she paused, as if finding a hitch.

“But, the main problem I’m seeing, is that the Death Lotus prolly gon’ have this lunch period too, ain’t it? We need as little crossfire as possible, we got one main objective…” Rainbow Dash pondered aloud, looking down. Pinkie Pie noticed that Sunset Shimmer, Starlight, and Trixie all shared very short glances, before Sunset cleared her throat.

“I don’t think the Flower boys gon’ bother us next period. Chatter talkin’ says they gon’ be havin’ a lil warming pretty soon. You might have a few Pirus to worry about, at best, but that’s unlikely seeing as how they’re otherwise occupied, and that this area is mostly Crip territory for the next period.” Sunset Shimmer explained. Trixie and Starlight nodded in agreement.

Rainbow Dash was confused -- a “warming”? For what, exactly? She shook her head, though. It mattered not -- all that took precedence now was this encounter, now all the more destined for success! She smiled widely.

“If that’s the case… Then, we got nothin’ to worry about! Once the civilians clear the caf, iss dog time!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed with an excited chuckle.

“Soon as I let the shots off, I want piss-hair’s two ball-tuggers by the exits -- make sure don’t nobody gets out, or in -- that means security, or police, too, if they show up that quick.” Rainbow Dash explained. Trixie and Starlight nodded.

“Pinkie Pie, keep the hoodie way on -- I want you lurking around and watching closely -- smoke any pussy who even looks like they start movin’ funny.” Rainbow Dash instructed. Pinkie Pie nodded, patting her chest to make sure her weapon was close.

“Piss-hair, you’re with me. We’ll be confronting Applejack. When I let the shots ring off, it’s greenlight!” Rainbow Dash stated, giving out all their roles.

“Alright, sounds good. So, what’s the objective, then?” Starlight inquired.

Rainbow Dash smiled in response to the question. “The plan, is to drop as many Crip bodies as possible till them niggas surrender. Then, we can talk Applejack into a deal, or execute her and keep things pushin’ -- either way, it’s a win for any gang that ain’t the Crips, and we definitely gonna eat the most, if we survive.” Rainbow Dash responded.

“If we survive? And you tal’m bout clearin’ civvies? You new to this street shit, lil’ girl?” Trixie asked, her brow raised.

“How many shootouts you been in, Rainbow Dash?” Sunset Shimmer asked only for the occasion.

Rainbow Dash was silent for some seconds. “Two.” She answered lowly, averting their gazes. Even then, she was lying -- the two ‘shootouts’ she was in, were against her mother with non-lethal projectiles.

The huddle broke up, as Trixie and Starlight threw their hands up in frustration, and Sunset Shimmer’s face scrunched into an uncomfortable and equal look of frustration and unsureness.

“Oh hell no…” Starlight groaned in deep frustration, eyeing Sunset Shimmer. Rainbow Dash looked on with uncomfortable agitation. She hadn’t been in a real shootout, but she more than knew her way around a piece! Her face, too, scrunched into frustration.

“Yo, you lettin’ this fuckin lawn green-as-grass shit head this?!” Trixie growled, her teeth bearing from beneath her hood. Her eyes glowed furiously. Sunset, suddenly snapped, her own fierceness blowing off.

“Shut, up!” Sunset Shimmer yelled in a hushed, but assertive and harsh whisper, holding Trixie’s mouth, and looking towards Starlight.

“Don’t forget what we’re here for. This is all going to play a large part in destroying the Death Lotus. So are you two going to pussy out now, and run away again? You gonna live on your knees, or die on your fucking feet?!” Sunset Shimmer yelled, exasperated, as she slapped both of palms on the table even harder than before, letting go of Trixie. Her blue eyes shone beneath the hood with anger, as they darted between the two, like a parent scolding her children.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie looked between each other with confusion -- this was clearly something personal, and with a bit of history, at that -- Sunset didn’t seem to be the type to run on short fuses.

The two girls looked back up at Sunset Shimmer with still faces, and slightly agape mouths.

“Remember, if we make today good, ‘cash the receipts’, and show the numbers…” Sunset Shimmer trailed on, hinting at something. Trixie and Starlight’s faces seemed to return to normal, Sunset’s words calming them.

Starlight’s brows still furrowed however, as her eyes shot over to Rainbow Dash with an intense level of… something akin to animosity, Rainbow Dash thought.

“You better be worth your fucking salt, Rainbow Dash. For some reason, you’ve got a lot of trust on your shoulders. And if you waste it, I’m going to knock your head out the ballpark myself.” Starlight said, before she exhaled deeply, and calmed herself once more.

Rainbow Dash gave a cocky chuckle in response, and then some seconds of silence followed -- there was a bitter tension in the air, but she was confused as to where it began, and where it ended, or to what the means were.

But, Rainbow Dash’s mind couldn’t help but glean over one particular part of that sentence --

“I’ve ‘got a lot of trust’ on my shoulders, huh…?” Rainbow Dash thought to herself, smiling inwardly.

“Then, that means, my Clout's got some pull… I wonder if niggas know my name yet…?” Rainbow Dash thought to herself, her inward smile widening. It seemed to herself that the encounter with Lotus she had yesterday, in which she had finally announced the gang, was taking traction. Or, she was overthinking it. Either way, things began now, and she was determined.

As the girls waited silently for the bell to ring, the tension in the air seemed to settle. The girls looked between each other briefly, as Rainbow Dash tried to relax herself in lieu of her intoxications.

Finally, the bell rang, and students began to filter in and out of the lunchroom.

“Safety triggers off.” Sunset Shimmer instructed, as the girls dug into their sweaters, flicking them. She looked up at the clock, flicking her own. They all nodded at each other, knowing this was the signal.

“This is it. Let’s eat, y’all, I want everything off the plate.” Rainbow Dash began with a wild smirk, as she extended her arms to instruct the girls.

“Pinkie Pie, go blend in. Trixie, Starlight, I need y’all looming the entrances. Sunset, you’re with me, we’re gonna harass the dyke.” Rainbow Dash stated, pointing off into the cafeteria. The girls soon began to fan out, spreading into the large cafeteria crowds, while Rainbow Dash and Sunset Shimmer remained seated at the table.

“Any idea where she might be at?” Rainbow Dash asked, examining the cafeteria, and not seeing anyone that quite stood out. Sunset Shimmer twisted her head around a few times as well, before she grunted.

“My guess is, we wait till we start seeing some more blue -- she’s not gonna be out here alone, that’s for sure.” Sunset Shimmer said, as they both simply examined the entrance/exit for the cafeteria. Rainbow Dash hummed in response, watching the entrance / exit once more.

Rainbow Dash breathed in, and then out, slowly. She felt her mind finally twist comfortably to her will, despite the aforementioned… ‘complications’.

After some minutes, they noticed some students filtering in that were relatively decorated in deep blue assortments; sneakers, bags, pants, shirts, sweaters, coats, and other things of the like.

“That’s our crowd, huh?” Rainbow Dash stated, watching as they filtered in by groups of three or four. Then, in one large group and bustle, a rowdy set of students rolled in -- one in particular, was in a cowboy hat, comfortably sipping a bottle of hard rum.

“That’d be the one.” Sunset Shimmer said, both watching on from beneath the shadows of their hoods.

“Follow my lead, G.” Rainbow Dash said lowly, as she stood up. She began walking slowly over towards the group, who was now being seated near the center of the cafeteria. Sunset Shimmer followed closely in tow.

As Rainbow Dash creeped closer, she examined the cafeteria momentarily -- she could see two figures in the familiar black sweaters, presumably Trixie and Starlight, hanging around the entrance, leaning against a support pillar nearby. She saw them conversing with another hooded figure, who she assumed was Pinkie Pie, waiting for her cue to begin lurking.

Her focus finally returned to Applejack and the over half-dozen goons they had sitting at the table; she only had one person sitting near her, which was another cowboy hatted boy, who looked considerably softer than the large Applejack beside him.

Rainbow Dash and Sunset Shimmer finally reached the table, and Rainbow Dash took a seat beside Applejack, which brought an immediate stop to the lively chatter at the table -- it was clear that nobody was sitting very close to Applejack, perhaps as a manner of her status.

Applejack was the only one who hadn’t stopped laughing, as Rainbow Dash sat beside her, hood still fastened over her head, concealing her facial features.

Rainbow Dash looked up, only slightly, shadows only showing her calm, maroon eyes, examining the situation around her -- Sunset Shimmer took a seat between the soft-looking hatted boy, and the other goons. She examined her situation calmly, but swiftly -- she eyed the boys who were silent, looking between her and Rainbow Dash; she eyed the three hooded figures nearby the entrance with extra suspicion, as the hooded one seemed to rush off into the shadows behind some support pillars not far off from their table; and her eyes loomed around the cafeteria, as if looking for one more person, before returning her focus to the table.

The boys were silent, as Applejack laughed once more, swigging the bottle of liquor in her hand.

“What’s up with you pussies? Couple no faces gotch’y’all shook?” Applejack chuckled, wiping her lips with her forearm. She passed the bottle over to Rainbow Dash, looking directly down at her.

By now, the cafeteria’s attention had begun to center on the two -- civilians and gang-members alike.

Rainbow Dash smiled, removing her hood with only a single hand, the other still comfortably in her sweater. Her bandaged face, and soft maroon-red eyes stuck out like a sore thumb.

“Oh-ho? You’re that bitch them Flower boys was hustlin’ for yesterday, huh? Guess they found ya, didn’t they, BAH-HAH-HAH!” Applejack’s laughter roared, as Rainbow Dash picked up the bottle, and downed the rest of its contents in a few, hardy gulps, looking her straight in the eye with still calm eyes.

The goons, and even Sunset Shimmer from beneath her hood looked on with great intrigue at how calmly Rainbow Dash downed the hard liquor.

However, as she set the bottle back down with an absurdly loud clink, her high, mooned eyes burned with a calm rage, focusing back on Applejack. The bottle read, “35% alc/vol”.

“You might be right. Unfortunately, I ain’t here to really just talk today, y’know?” Rainbow Dash said with a small, wry smile, as she whipped a handgun out of her sweater,

*BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG!!!*

and let seven shots ring out into the sky in quick succession, her arm extended towards the ceiling. She looked directly into Applejack’s eyes, and Applejack stared into hers, time seeming to pause.

As the cases clanged onto the ground, panic filled the cafeteria, and the boys tensed up, hands searching. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were unmoving, Applejack looking down at her, and Rainbow Dash up. Applejack’s face was one of mild amusement, while Rainbow Dash’s was of wild confidence. Both seemed to be living in the moment.

“I wouldn’t try that shit, if I were you!” Sunset Shimmer snapped, holding out one arm towards the goons on the opposite side of the table searching themselves, with her ‘cannon’ equipped in it.

Sunset Shimmer heard a slight shuffle beside her, and before the soft-looking boy could even react, he felt metal press to his chin. Sunset Shimmer shot her other arm out, another gun equipped, finger on the trigger, against his face.

“And don’t think I forgot about you, nigga. Be easy, now.” Sunset Shimmer said with a low, intimidating whisper. She whipped her head, looking between either party.

Time seemed to pause between the group at the table near the middle of the cafeteria, the center of attention, as the tension thickened…

Trixie and Starlight immediately spotted several boys in blue beginning to equip themselves, and all three let off quick, decisive shots, before a hail of bullets began raining in their general direction -- they split up on each pillar, and fanned out only a few feet from the entrance, to attract fire away from the entrance, allowing innocent students to escape, as per Rainbow Dash’s request.

“Yo! How many you count?!” Trixie yelled over, peeking out to let off two shots, before ducking her head back in, seeing concrete fly off from the pillar she hid behind, now under fire.

“Uh…” Starlight began humming, as she peeked out, letting three shots off between civilians, hitting two. She examined for a couple more seconds, before feeling a bullet whiz by her shoulder -- she hid back behind the pillar, as several more shots followed.

“I’m seeing ‘bout ten, maybe eleven, tops! Should be lightwork, and it looks like they’re leaving fire away from Sunset and ‘ol girl!” Starlight yelled back. Trixie nodded, as she reached into her sweater, putting away the gun, and taking out a small rifle, similar to Rainbow Dash’s.

She met gazes with Starlight, as Starlight nodded and did the same.

“Soon as these civvies clear, iss lightwork.” Starlight confirmed, as they hid behind the pillars, awaiting the wave of civilians to clear.

“Yeah, and she better hurry up! She’s fucking crazy or something, I swear!” Trixie yelled back in exasperation.

Starlight was quiet, as she looked down in thought momentarily -- she peeked out, only slightly from behind the pillar, Trixie’s words making the situation with Rainbow Dash attract her attention.

“And what’s all this?” Applejack asked, as she put a single palm on her hat, clutching it.

“You finish my special home-brewed hard cider, and then start all this chaos on my rest time?” Applejack questioned calmly, lifting the hat off of her head, and placing it onto the table.

“Relax, it ain’t like that. I just wanted to talk, face to face, y’know? Just me ‘nd you.” Rainbow Dash said coolly, with an arrogant smile.

“Yeah? You think you’re hot? Think you can come in here and act all cool?” Applejack asked, as she leaned forward, smiling in Rainbow Dash’s face.

“If you think this is tag, let me tell you something...” Applejack began, rearing her arm back, still sitting. Rainbow Dash’s hand dropped back into her sweater, but before she could get it out,

“Pussy, I’m NOT IT!” Applejack roared, shoving her fist forward with faster speed than Rainbow Dash could react with -- she was sent sailing out of the cafeteria seat, and tumbled over the ground twice, as a few students rushed past her, going for the exit.

Rainbow Dash sat on the ground, barely recovering herself, as she held her face -- it was bruised, and her lip was bleeding -- she was just barely able to hold her elbow up whilst digging into her sweater to block her face, but it still hurt that much.

However, she had to admit, it was quite hard to feel with the twist of substances running through her at the moment. She smiled -- she had a little time left to make the most of things.

She picked herself up, hands releasing from her sweater -- in her left hand, was the ‘draco’ that Sunset Shimmer had gifted her just moments ago.

She equipped it with both hands, aiming at Applejack calmly.

“You’re as big and burly as they say. But this shit’ll roast an elephant.” Rainbow Dash smiled cockily, as Applejack sat calmly in her chair. Applejack couldn’t help but tilt her head and smile further.

“Now now, little wolf. Who’s den you think you rollin’ through?” Applejack said, her green eyes shining brightly.

Rainbow Dash heard a click, and as she looked beside her, two men stood aside from her, guns aimed.

*CRCK-CRCK-BOOM!*

Time seemed to freeze, as everybody’s motions froze -- Applejack was wide-eyed, staring at who shot; Sunset Shimmer was the same, her mind still trying to perceive what just happened.

The same hooded figure, features completely hidden, stood with a single .45acp round handgun held at her waist. The boys dropped, one with two holes in the head, and the other with a single shot through the neck.

“Nice to see you’re still as arrogant as ever, Applejack. But, you might wanna watch this one closely, huh? She’s real interesting. Might be worth your time...” The figure spoke, her voice gliding through the silence of the air effortlessly to all ears.

Rainbow Dash froze, and Applejack’s eyes seemed to widen further -- Rainbow Dash was confused… That wasn’t Pinkie Pie; it didn’t sound anything like her!

Rainbow Dash turned to the girl underneath the hood, all eyes still gazing upon her for the moment. She was silent for a moment -- her presence felt familiar, and as she focused, she saw a familiar lavender and purple skin tones and hair / eye colors. Was it that same girl…?

“Yo, aren’t you th--”

Rainbow Dash had begun talking, but paused, when she saw the girl’s faint smile from beneath the hood, her teeth glowing bright and white. Her lavender eyes glowed calmly, and serenely, as her arm raised, and extended slowly.

“Wha…?” Rainbow Dash hummed on dumbly, feeling her body become lax underneath this oddly comforting presence. Then, she saw her hand fully extend, and a finger point behind her.

Rainbow Dash turned back first, meeting eyes with Sunset Shimmer, and then seeing that Applejack and Twilight seemed to be sharing a short conversation that was just out of her earshot -- as her eyes went beyond Sunset, they widened; Sunset saw this, and immediately pieced two and two together, whipping her head back to the boys on the table, seeing them just finally begin to raise weapons above the cafeteria table.

*BANG-BANG, CRCK, BOOM, CRACK!*

Shots began ringing off instantly -- Sunset Shimmer had dropped the goons on the other side of the table, with both hands, immediately downing five of them, with two others. Trixie and Starlight began shooting at the other Crips in the cafeteria trying to shoot at Rainbow Dash and Sunset, quickly suppressing their fire, as they began to attract fire once more.

Beyond the chaos, the same hooded figure could be seen walking calmly beyond the carnage, tapping away on their phone as she eyed each major individual in the cafeteria. She smiled to herself contently, as she returned to the entrance / exit once more...

Rainbow Dash was quick on the punch -- she immediately began letting out the entire clip against the goons on the other cafeteria tables behind Applejack, watching on as bodies dropped, her borne fangs flashing into view with each round that left the chamber.

Before she could empty the full fifty rounds, Applejack was already on top of her, moving quick for a girl of her size.

“RAH!” Applejack roared, grabbing Rainbow Dash by the waist with both hands, immediately knocking the gun out of her hands.

However, Rainbow Dash was quick, and pulled the handgun back out of her sweater -- it still had 2 rounds.

*BANG, BANG!*

Applejack paused momentarily, 2 holes bleeding from just below her right deltoid and between her right shoulder and chest.

“Nngah!!!” Applejack roared, striking back up with life, as she slammed Rainbow Dash into the ground with monstrous strength, the handgun flying off into the distance.

Rainbow Dash writhed on the ground in pain -- the girl, older and burlier than her, was strong.

“Juniors ‘oughta learn to stay in their place, you know?” Applejack said, cracking her knuckles. Rainbow Dash looked up through gritted eyes, hearing shots ring off around them -- for better or for worse, the shots seemed to avoid them entirely from both sides, now…

Starlight and Trixie stood by the entrance, seeing the final wave of students through -- they stopped briefly to talk to one who was still hooded up in the familiar black sweater.

“What the hell were you doing here?!” Starlight growled angrily.

The figure did not remove their hood.

“You said I ain’t the type to gamble, did you not? Well, I collected her number, phone’s as insecure as we thought.” The figure stated, rubbing their nose briefly.

“So?” Trixie asked, as they stood behind the pillar, avoiding ringing bullets.

“I’ll talk with her, alone, and soon, before this shit storm blows off with the Flowers.” The figure stated back, seeming to smile faintly beneath the hood.

“And what about right now? Where the Flowers at?” Starlight questioned.

“Outside of the school mostly, for now. I’m going to the warming right now. Lotus is real hyped up.” The girl spoke with a small chuckle. Trixie and Starlight looked between each other worriedly.

“How many y’all count?” The figure asked with a serious tone, snapping the girls back into focus.

“Just under a dozen, off my guess.” Starlight responded promptly.

“Wrong, there’s probably two dozen or so left. You good on ammo?” The figure asked, placing her hands on both Trixie and Starlight’s shoulders. They both nodded.

“Good. Then I expect this cleaned up promptly. And sorry to burden you again, but make sure she can recover from this quickly -- we’re on a schedule. Fill Sunset in later, and make sure the Crips fall in.” The figure instructed with authority, as she fastened her hood once more. She turned, watching the final wave of students exit. She took two steps forward, before looking back once more.

“I’m gone. Show me the receipts.” The figure called out, as she exited with the final wave of students. Starlight and Trixie nodded, as Starlight rushed to shut the doors, sealing her and the rest of the combatants inside.

“We’re good! Where’s Pinkie Pie?!” Starlight yelled, rushing back into cover opposite from Trixie, as the doors were shut and secured.

“Don’t know, but make sure the Blue doesn’t move up! I’m gonna go cover Sunset!” Trixie yelled back.

“Alright, don’t get reckless!” Starlight shouted back, as she stuck her head and hands out slightly, letting off two decisive shots, seeing two boys drop.

“Hah! This whole thing is reckless!” Trixie cackled, as she ran out, letting off three shots, downing two boys. She flipped a cafeteria table over for cover, reloading her weapon.

She crouched alongside it’s length, and jumped to a pillar. She was covered, and could see Sunset struggling with the cowboy-hatted boy.

He was on top of her, and was delivering powerful right and left hooks. He was small, but powerful.

“Goddammit, Trixie, get him already, would ya?!” Sunset yelled, craning her head back to see Trixie taking aim.

The boy suddenly looked up, and picked Sunset Shimmer up in a chokehold, protecting himself. Suddenly, two boys shot out behind the two, letting three shots ring -- Trixie retreated behind the pillar, and peeked around the other side, downing them with a quick four shots.

“What’re you gonna do, girl? I’ve got her. Relax, and be easy, now.” The boy spoke, reaching for his pockets slowly with his other hand. Sunset’s eyes widened.

“Trix--” Sunset began,

*BANG!*

“I know.” Trixie interrupted, as the two fell over in shock. Trixie quickly rushed forward, and stomped the boy in his chest, holding the gun to his head.

Sunset Shimmer picked herself up, unharmed, thanks to the plate in her sweater.

“Heh… Didn’t turn out how you’d think, did it?” Trixie smirked, as she dropped the clip to reload it, grinding her foot into his chest.

“... And you ‘oughta learn that Juniors gon’ be next up!” Rainbow Dash yelled, rushing to her feet -- she knew she could take good body shots, as her sweater was plated, so she would work with that the most.

Applejack shot a straight forward for Rainbow Dash’s gut, and Rainbow Dash smirked -- however, she was surprised to see that the force still knocked her too far back for a counter-punch; she instead, immediately raised her leg to connect her shoe with her face.

“You’re a tough bitch!” Rainbow Dash chuckled, collecting her breath -- the force had still affected her a bit.

“And you’re quick on your feet. So, what you wanna talk ‘bout?” Applejack inquired, walking forward once more.

Rainbow Dash jumped side to side, shaking her limbs out, as her smile widened. She wiped her nose with her knuckle, holding her hands back up.

“Come work for me.” Rainbow Dash stated simply. Applejack paused walking momentarily, before she looked Rainbow Dash up and down seriously.

Then, she suddenly began to rush forward. She raised her leg in a kick that Rainbow Dash ducked and rolled under. Rainbow Dash looked up to see a fist approaching, and quickly backed just out of its range, hopping back after.

She looked to her right, and smiled, seeing Trixie approach the boy who was putting up a fight with Sunset, a gun equipped.

“Relax, it ain’t even like that! We got a common goal, and look… Your boys are already losin’...” Rainbow Dash chuckled, gesturing to the downed boy who seemed to be one of the higher-status members rolling with her.

“Yo, Braeburn!” Applejack yelled over to the boy.

The boy looked over at Applejack from beneath Trixie’s boot.

“Do I even have to say it?!” Applejack called over menacingly, her fists tightening.

With lightning quick speed, Braeburn dug into his pocket, and out extended a revolver -- he took quick aim for Trixie’s shoulder, letting out a powerful round, outside of the sweater’s protection, standing.

“Agchk!” Trixie yelled in pain, as she fell down on one knee, watching the standing Braeburn hold the gun to her head.

*BANG, BANG!*

Two shots rang out -- the first knocked the gun from Braeburn’s hand expertly, and the second ran through his wrist, disabling that hand.

“Don’t move. Next up’s gonna be the arms.” A hooded figure stated, coming from within view from a shadowy pillar.

Rainbow Dash smiled at the familiar pink she saw leaking from the hood.

“Pinks! Right on time!” Rainbow Dash smiled, watching as she walked towards Braeburn, her gun held tight in one hand at her waist.

“Yo, we all clear up here, too! Gotta few pussies who ain’t really want the smoke.” Starlight called out, walking over a group of four surrendered boys and two girls over to the group.

Sunset Shimmer began to tend to Trixie, whilst Pinkie Pie subjugated Braeburn from beneath the barrel of her gun.

Rainbow Dash smiled widely at Applejack. “Do you wanna talk now, country dyke?” Rainbow Dash said menacingly her grin wide.

Starlight kicked the draco back over to Rainbow Dash, who picked it up, and promptly reloaded it.

“Yo, you lot over there, fall in with commander cowboy and ball-tugger-in-tow over here.” Rainbow Dash said cockily pointing her head over towards the direction of Applejack, who was now silent, calmly examining the situation around her.

Starlight guided them from behind her handgun to the center underneath Rainbow Dash’s aim with Applejack. Pinkie Pie did the same for Braeburn, who held his bleeding wrist.

“Pinkie Pie, a chair, if ya would?” Rainbow Dash asked, her head not turning from the group, as she began to speak.

“So, Applejack, is it?” Rainbow Dash inquired, Pinkie Pie bringing the chair over. She sat, the rifle aimed comfortably at the entire group of Crips.

Although there was an entire group of people, Rainbow Dash’s focus could only zoom in one person. She couldn’t tell if it was the intoxication, but their eyes locked once again.

Rainbow Dash wore a cocky smile, and Applejack’s face was now one of indifference.

“Something seems to have changed in your demeanor, there. A little more willing to talk, now?” Rainbow Dash inquired with a smile.

“Rainbow Dash, ain’t’cha? I don’t think you understand your situation, here.” Applejack stated, a small smile growing on her face. Rainbow Dash became only slightly unnerved, that the woman could show such confidence in a situation like this.

“I’m a simple country gal. Started a little later than y’all, ‘cause I had to work the farm. So y’all’s all 17, and 16, and 18, I’m gonna be 23 when we graduate. People think that makes me dumb, but ya see, my parents taught me to be real wise in the short time they was here with me.” Applejack monologued calmly, as her smile grew.

“And I know, that whatever you’re doing this all for, you’ve gone a great way to making me your enemy, and upsetting the one neutral zone in the den of the Flowers. Naturally, we both took part in this -- I didn’t flee, you fought, we retaliated, we’ll both face punishment by the Death Lotus.” Applejack continued smiling widely, as she walked forward slowly to Rainbow Dash, whose finger on the trigger tightened only a slight tad bit.

“However, outside of my people that you’ve killed today, I have assets, forces, property, capital, to combat the Death Lotus.. I can get out of here today unscathed, and live. Or, you could kill me, and we could both die in the long-run when the Death Lotus and the rest of my boys hunt your hide. That’s two out of three options. But,” Applejack went on, as she stood directly in front of Rainbow Dash now, whose smile began to falter, piecing her deduction together.

“I know the option you really want, is for me to work with you. That’s the only way you get out of here today. If you kill me, do you really think you’ll make a hundred allies, or a hundred enemies? So, what’s going to happen, now?” Applejack asked, face to face with Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash’s face was still, her mind pondering upon how to verbalize her thoughts.

“... Applejack, I don’t mean to be presumptuous, but…” Rainbow Dash began in a slow drawl, before she gathered herself, trying to keep up with her intoxications, as she stood, facing the towering woman.

“We’ve already overpowered you,” Rainbow Dash began, as she gestured to Pinkie Pie, Starlight Glimmer, Sunset Shimmer, and Trixie Lulamoon aiming at her and the group of Crips.

“Now, you’re right -- I don’t want any enemies, but a big-headed powerhouse like you won’t settle down if I don’t show my fangs, now will she?” Rainbow Dash smiled, as she slung the rifle her shoulder.

Applejack stared at her with a straight face, and then cracked a small smile, before chuckling lowly.

“You’ve got my attention. Speak.” Applejack stated, her face returning to a neutral position.

Sunset Shimmer seemed to watch the moment with extra curiosity, remembering the figure’s words.

“She’s real interesting…”

Sunset Shimmer studied the situation -- just like when she had encountered Rainbow Dash, she was somehow talking down an enemy through, what she could only deduce as, some inexplicable charm or link -- did she have real Clout?

“You and I ain’t so different.” Rainbow Dash began in a cryptic manner, as Applejack tilted her head.

“Sometimes, things don’t go right with family, does it?” Rainbow Dash began, as her brows furrowed -- memories of her mother flashed, as she felt her heart wrench.

Applejack looked on with a raised brow. She crossed her arms, becoming suspicious.

“What’s your big brother’s name?” Rainbow Dash asked, as a thick tension grew in the air.

“‘Jack…” Braeburn called out from the crowd walking up to her -- he handed her the hat that she had placed down earlier.

Applejack placed it back on her head and looked back down at Rainbow Dash, her brows now furrowing.

“I don’t know what you’re pulling here, but you ‘oughta stay outta business that ain’t got jack-shit to do with ya, little girl.” Applejack said in a low, growling manner.

Rainbow Dash grew a small smile.

“We both know the government and the Death Lotus are one in the same. Never in the same room typa thing, y’know? I also know that the Crips and Pirus have been warring for way too long to be all that hostile. You’re not gonna just let him get swallowed up by those crooks, are you?” Rainbow Dash asked, her smile sincere.

Applejack’s frown twisted. This girl felt invasive.

“And?! You think I give two fucks if some rag-bitch from the streets wants to just up and offer her dirty ass hand to me? You don’t even know how deep this shit goes.” Applejack said, her teeth gritted, and aura steamy.

Rainbow Dash didn’t back down. She took a step forward, and stared straight up into Applejack’s face.

“First off, I’m top dog of the RainBooms, bitch, never fuckin forget it! Second, I’m saying we can help each other! Come work for me came off wrong… Look, I want us to collab, and I know family’s important -- I just want to provide some good relations, so we can strike the real fuckin snake in this shit-hole.” Rainbow Dash explained, trying to level with Applejack.

Applejack was silent. She examined Rainbow Dash, ironing out her options, as she looked over at the door, calmly -- surely, the Death Lotus should be crawling through here already, yet...

“Applejack, that’s Rainbow Dash -- rumors goin’ ‘round that she has personal beef with the Flowers, so you can trust her to that length -- and, it’s true, she just started her gang yesterday, and has never interacted with any other entities. This new blood smells promising!” Braeburn said beside Applejack, tapping her arm with his palm. Applejack looked back towards Rainbow Dash.

“I just want that idiot to stop being so reckless, but he’s so goddamn…!” Applejack began through furrowed brows and slitted eyes, but promptly stopped herself.

“Ugh, I don’t need to explain shit to you -- if you can help us with something, we might cosign you.” Applejack stated, holding her hand out.

Rainbow Dash stood a distance back, and held her own hand out. “Cosign under me.” Rainbow Dash corrected. Applejack paused momentarily, before she looked back to Braeburn.

“If Mac gets on board, then all our objectives line up. Doesn’t matter who leads us then, as long as she’s got some Clout to command.” Braeburn stated, nodding affirmatively.

“And I guess you already started tracking some rep with this mess today… Granny’ll tear me out for this, but,” Applejack stated with a slight groan, as she slapped Rainbow Dash’s hand with her palm and dapped her up.

“I’ll do that.” Applejack stated. Rainbow Dash smiled triumphantly. They soon began to hear sirens collect and gather on outside of the building.

Sunset Shimmer watched on in nigh disbelief. Rainbow Dash is interesting, she thought.

The girls all lowered their weapons, and began to gather up. Trixie and Starlight went to take their hoods off, but Sunshimmer held her hands out towards them, signaling to keep them on with a serious, but brief glance.

All three listened to the sirens closely, and their skin colors seemed to immediately pale.

Pinkie Pie watched them strangely, removing her own hood comfortably.

“So, then, what’s next, big dog?” Applejack asked with a small chuckle.

“Why don’t we get to know aaallll about each other…?” Rainbow Dash smiled, as her eyes rolled over to the door, expecting something.

As if on cue, the school’s emergency alarm began blaring.

“Over the way on outta here?” Rainbow Dash chuckled, as she tossed the draco into Applejack’s chest. She took out her own handgun, reloading it, and looked towards the door.

“Let’s stop by my place, huh? I think I can miss Luna today…” Applejack chuckled, smiling.

“Sounds good, lemme round ‘em up,” Rainbow Dash began, as she hopped to the top of the cafeteria table.

“Iigh, Crips, RainBooms, whatever, listen up, and listen good! Pick up something that ain’t jammed, and get movin’! Today, we met in blood, but tomorrow, we pourin’ each others’ shots, juhurrd?!” Rainbow Dash yelled out to the over half-dozen participants in the room.

The rest of the boys and girls loaded up, gearing onto the situation quick, and swiftly defecting to whatever side now gave them the best survival rate.

Sunset Shimmer sat beside Rainbow Dash’s feet. Rainbow Dash hopped down, and sat next to her, watching the people gear up, and Pinkie Pie and the other girls slowly walk over to them.

She turned her head over to Sunset, smiling in her face.

“You said it wasn’t free work, ain’t ya? Well, this to ya liking?” Rainbow Dash chuckled confidently, her question entirely rhetorical.

“Relax greenhorn, shit’s just starting.” Sunset Shimmer said with a small smile, as she listened to car doors slamming outside -- police troops would soon be on their position…

“Yeah?” Rainbow Dash chuckled, watching Pinkie Pie join her side, with Trixie and Starlight standing beside Sunset Shimmer.

“Somehow, I think shit can only sail from here. Lotus gon’ burn slow…” Rainbow Dash stated leaned back coolly with her elbows on the table, her calm, high, maroon-red eyes burning with a calm and focused flame, watching as Applejack and co., equipped, approached them for the push out...