"It's so great you girls are all coming to Ponyville to spend time with us!" Pinkie boomed, enthusiastically hopping around the train car, which honestly had been the norm since the nine of us had boarded. "OH! I KNOW!" She suddenly came to a stop, a look of brilliant realization coming to her face. "I can throw a party for you when we get home!"

"Pinkie..." Applejack groaned, rubbing her own belly with a hoof. "We just had uh party last night at Discord's."

"That's true, Applejack!" Pinkie agreed before retreating to a corner with a scroll and a quill she'd seemingly pulled out of her overly poofy mane. "But Sunset, Starlight, and Twilight weren't there, now were they!?" The pink earth pony began frantically scribbling as she entered a world all her own.

"Ah suppose that's true enough," Applejack shrugged, not putting up a fight.

"Is your stomach bothering you, darling?" Rarity asked the orange mare sitting next to her. It was clear she was concerned. Maybe a little too concerned for just a friend.

"Nah. Just still full from all uh that food we had yesterday," Applejack chuckled.

"It was quite the shindig, wasn't it?" Rarity giggled, evidently relieved.

The train car was pretty crowded at the moment. Or should I say, for me, it was. It would've been comfy, but Star had insisted she sit with me. Once Twilight had heard Star's demand, she wanted the exact same thing. Now, the three of us were stuffed into a single seat, Star to my left, Twilight on my right.

They hadn't said a word to each other since we met up in the morning to head to the train station. It didn't seem to be because Star was still holding a grudge, though. No, now it felt like there was a tension in the air between them that didn't stem from animosity. I didn't know how to deal with... their new problem either, so they were on their own when it came to that. Besides, I wasn't planning on losing to Star any time soon.

Sitting across from the three of us were Rarity and Applejack. Pinkie had been... well, all over the railcar for the duration of the trip. Now, she was sitting quietly by herself in the corner. I'm assuming the pink mare was busy planning out the party she intended to throw for us once we reached Ponyville.

Sitting in the seats to our right were Trixie in one of her own and Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy in another. Trixie was keeping a stern eye on the multicolored pegasus. If I had to, I could probably guess why. She hadn't taken her eyes off of Twilight since we all gathered at the train station.

It was clear the azure unicorn was expecting something bad to happen at some point. I think Fluttershy thought so, too. That's why the overly quiet mare had been sticking so close to the other pegasus. Because she was doing her best job to keep the haughty flier calm. At least, that's what I assumed was going on. I could be wrong, but I wouldn't bet on it.

The atmosphere had been fairly tense thus far. Applejack and Rarity were doing everything they could to make the three of us feel welcomed. Pinkie had been trying her best, too.

Star, Twilight, and I were going to have to spend a couple of days with the Elements. I knew things couldn't continue on like this, but I really wasn't sure what else to do. I did the only thing I could think to.

"Where is Discord?" I asked nobody in particular. "Twilight and I still haven't gotten a proper chance to speak with him yet."

"He had some things he needed to take care of for Princess Celestia," Trixie stated calmly. The blue unicorn was trying to make us feel welcomed as well, but most of her attention was on Rainbow Dash. As soon as she stopped speaking kindly to me and her focus shifted back to the pegasus, her demeanor returned to forced serenity.

"A-alright," I lowered my head slightly. I had no other ideas. Things were going to get awkward.

...

...

...

"Right," Twilight hopped off the seat, stood to her hooves, and stretched her legs a bit.

"Twilight?" Rarity, Applejack, and I all spoke at the same time. The violet unicorn ignored the three of us, walking over to the pegasus and looking the cerulean mare in the eyes. To her credit, Rainbow Dash simply stared back, not saying a word.

"You know, Rainbow Dash... you're a lot like Starlight," Princess Luna's student smirked confidently.

"PFFT! She wishes," Star scoffed.

"You think I'M like HER!?" Rainbow Dash got up from her seat and pointed a hoof at the lilac mare.

"Dashie..." Fluttershy whispered, reaching for her friend but failing to touch her.

"So then you're just TRYING to piss me off, huh!?" The rainbow mare got directly in Twilight's face. The unicorn didn't move a muscle, her smirk still firmly in place.

"Be careful, DASH," Star leaned forward as she looked in the pegasus' direction. She wasn't very happy with the way the Element was carrying herself. If Star got angry, it'd be bad. Trying to control a fuming Star or Twilight was like trying to control a raging bull. We really didn't need either of those right now. "Don't forget what happened the last time you tried to intimidate her."

"Star!" I swatted her softly on the shoulder. I wasn't sure if the lilac mare was trying to stir the pot or help deescalate the situation. The mischievous grin on her face told me all I needed to know.

"She caught me off guard!" Rainbow shouted, her eyes narrowing on Twilight. "That won't happen again!"

"You're right, it won't," Trixie stood up, drawing everyone's attention.

Well, everyone except Pinkie Pie.

"Rainbow Dash, you're the Element of loyalty," the azure unicorn focused on her friend. "I understand that means you get angry when one of your friends is hurt, but this is getting ridiculous. We already resolved this!"

"Trix, she-"

"SHE APOLOGIZED TO US, RAINBOW DASH!" Trixie erupted, her anger finally boiling over. "AND YOU EVEN GOT REVENGE ON SUNSET!"

Rainbow Dash was stunned by her irate friend, -- much like the rest of us -- but it quickly passed, a scowl returning to her face only a second later.

"Hold on one second. What does that mean?" Star was on her hooves now, and I was certain she'd have done something much crazier than Twilight if I didn't raise a hoof to stop her. I silently mouthed "please" and gave her a pleading look. With an irritated sigh and an angry scoff, she sat back down and crossed her forelegs.

"Trixie..." Fluttershy laid a hoof on the unicorn's shoulder, causing the leader of the Elements to visibly tense for a second before she slumped over.

"Please help me out here, girls," Trixie sighed, her exhaustion evident. "Please?"

"Trixie is right." Pinkie Pie spoke without hesitation, not even lifting her head from her paper. "You know how you can get. You're being crazy again, Dashie."

The cerulean mare just rolled her eyes in response to the party pony's accusation.

"I have to agree with Pinkie and Trixie, Rainbow Dash." Rarity was the second to speak up, smiling as she looked the violet mare's way. "Enough is enough. The rest of us have already forgiven Twilight. Maybe it's time you do the same?"

Rainbow clenched her teeth, -- probably out of rage -- but did nothing else.

"We need to work together, Dashie," Fluttershy managed to speak, though it was only slightly above a whisper.

"I know, Shy. I know. I jus-"

"Ya might think we're foolish, Dash, but it's pretty obvious what yer tryin' ta do here," Applejack grinned, interrupting the pegasus. "T'aint just about what she did ta us, is it? Yer plan is tuh try an pick uh fight with all three uh them, ain't it?"

"W-WHAT!? OF COURSE NOT!" Rainbow Dash blushed before turning away from us all. "I AM STILL MAD ABOUT WHAT SHE DID TO US!"

"But that ain't all, is it?" Applejack snickered.

"YOU...! You..." Trixie went from fuming to flabbergasted in an instant, dragging a hoof down her face. "That's exactly what you're doing, isn't it, Rainbow?"

The pegasus said nothing, choosing instead to simply continue staring out of the window.

"What a brilliant plan!" Star shook her head. "Didn't you learn anything from our little contest?"

"Contest?" I couldn't help but speak up, my curiosity piqued. "What contest?"

"You CHEA-" Rainbow whipped around, but a strict glare from Trixie shut her down instantly. "I... I beat Sunset?" the cocky blue mare scratched at her cheek, her eyes drifting upwards as a crooked smile lifted her lips.

"You WHAT!?" Star growled through clenched teeth.

"I reeeeally wouldn't call what you did to Sunset 'beating her', Dashie." Pinkie remarked without looking up.

"Nor would I," Rarity chimed in. "If anything, I'd say Sunset showed you undeserved kindness, Rainbow Dash."

"And with her new power..." Applejack laughed outright, shaking her head in disbelief. "Ya wouldn't stand a chance, Dash."

"I know that!" Rainbow hissed angrily. "But we need to be sure they're all strong, not just Starlight and Sunset!"

"Pretty sure what she did to us on the way to the Empire is proof enough of how strong she is," Trixie shook her head, beyond done with all of her friend's nonsense.

"I ALREADY SAID! SHE CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD!" the pegasus roared.

"Dashie..." Fluttershy squeaked again, but I don't think Twilight heard her.

"I'll tell you what, Rainbow Dash," the violet unicorn finally spoke, walking back over to me and Star and taking her seat once again. "If my apology wasn't enough for you, we can have a duel while I'm in Ponyville. How does that sound to you?"

"Ooooh, a duel?" Star was almost salivating at the idea. "THAT sounds INTERESTING."

"It sounds dangerous," Fluttershy bristled.

"It sounds FUN!" Rainbow was glowing at the prospect. "But... what's a duel?"

"Proooobably the safest way for the two of you to resolve this," I whispered quietly to myself.

I'd heard the concept before from my mentor. It was an old tradition and not typically utilized in recent times, but mares like Princess Luna and some of the Canterlot elites kept it alive and well. Duels were mostly used to settle disputes or matters of blemished honor.

"It's essentially organized combat between two agreeing parties," Twilight answered evenly.

Things would go fine as long as neither of those parties were dense. I looked at the pegasus, hoping neither party was that dense.

"Combat!? Like, to the death!?" Rainbow was suddenly flying, a huge grin on her face.

"If the one challenged wishes it so," Twilight shrugged.

"AWESOME!" the rainbow hued mare was beaming.

"Ya ain't gonna fight one uh Princess Luna's students ta tha death, Dash," Applejack scolded the pegasus.

"Obviously not, AJ," Rainbow groaned. "Unleeesss...?" she looked at Twilight with hope filled eyes. The purple mare simply chuckled in disbelief.

"She'd kill you, Rainbow Dash," Star replied for the violet unicorn.

"Oh, you think SO!?" The pegasus was in front of us in a flash, a scowl on her face as she stared down Star. The lilac unicorn sneered back before getting right in Rainbow Dash's face.

"Do you think she wouldn't?" she booped the raging mare on the snoot with her hoof, causing her to back up a bit. "I embarrassed you. I didn't even have to try. And from the sound of things, Sun went easy on you."

"Yeah, well-"

Star didn't let her continue.

"Twilight isn't as kind as Sun is. And she doesn't like to play around like I do, either," Star smirked, looking at the violet mare who was blushing due to our friend's "praise". "If you try to mess with her without knowing what you're getting into, you won't be with us for much longer. Trust me," she lifted a hoof to her own forehead. "I know."

"I'm..." Rainbow looked between the two mare's rapidly. "I don't really know what that's supposed to mean, but I'm pretty sure-"

"Rainbow!" Trixie said firmly. "Enough!"

The pegasus stopped speaking, flapping her wings to maintain her elevation. With a frustrated grunt, she moved back to her seat and crossed her forelegs.

"Whatever..." the mare pouted.

"Don't worry, Dash," Twilight spoke calmly. "Even if it's not as serious as death, first blood should be fine with you, right?"

...

"That means the first one to bleed loses?" The cerulean mare smirked. "That sounds fun."

"First blood it is then," Twilight agreed with a knowing smile. "I'm going to choose Sunset as my second, if that's okay with her?" she looked my way.

"Sure, Twilight." I shrugged. "I can do it."

"Hold on..." Rainbow Dash was confused. "What's a second?"

"A second's job is to make sure things don't get out of hand," I explained. "Well, that and arbitration prior to the actual duel, but we're way past that point. Basically, It'll be my responsibility to make sure Twilight doesn't really hurt you during the duel."

It wasn't exactly what I wanted to happen between them. We were all friends, after all. But if it helped Rainbow Dash finally get over the slump she was in, then so be it.

"Okay. I think I get it..." Rainbow looked at her friends one after the other. She settled on the azure unicorn. "Trix? Can you do it for me?"

"Dash..." The mare turned away, shaking her head in disbelief. It was clear she was still annoyed, but she was also flattered. "Okay. If it'll help you finally get over your anger, I'll do it." Rainbow nearly leapt off of her chair, but the stern voice of the leader of the Elements shut her down once again. "BUT! But this IS it, Rainbow." The glare she had was more of a superior's to one of their subordinates rather than a friend's to another friend. "I want you to get it COMPLETELY out of your system because you're not doing something like this again. Once it's over, we're all friends. Understand!?"

...

"Okay, Trix," the pegasus was finally able to get words out, clearly just as stunned as the rest of us once again. "I swear. This is it."

"...Good." Trixie let out a relieved sigh as her posture relaxed several notches.

"Goodness gracious, Trix," Star fanned herself with a hoof. "I thought you were shy! Act like that more often, and I might fall in love with you, too."

"WH-WHAT!?" And just like that Trixie was as red as a tomato. I gently swatted Star on the shoulder.

She giggled.

"What!? That was hot!" Star licked her lips. I couldn't tell if she was serious or not. Neither could Trixie, obviously. The poor mare had somehow turned an even darker shade of maroon.

"Aaaanyway," Twilight wasn't looking too pleased at the moment, but she knew Star as well as I did, so I was sure she wouldn't pitch a fit at her flirting. "We can have it when we're in Ponyville. Is that okay with you, Rainbow Dash?"

"It's perfect!" The cerulean mare was pumped. Fluttershy pulled her friend down, whispering something into her ear. A look of contemplation came to the multicolored mare before she shrugged in compliance. "Thanks, Twilight."

"You're welcome, Rainbow," Twilight smirked, resembling Star a little too well for a second.

"Thanks fer puttin' up with Dash's hogwash, Twi," Applejack chuckled.

"It gets a lot easier once she trusts you," Pinkie added, still not moving her attention from her "work".

"Indeed." Rarity snorted. "then you get to deal with her constant self aggrandizing and boasting."

"HEY!" Rainbow barked. "I... okay, that's fair."

The rest of us laughed as the remaining tension in the railcar completely drained away.

ATTENTION ALL PASSENGERS! WE WILL BE ARRIVING IN PONYVILLE IN TEN MINUTES! PLEASE MAKE PREPARATIONS TO DISEMBARK AND AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING CANTERLOT RAILWAYS!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"So tha three of ya'll will be bunkin' with me and my kin fer the duration of yer stay," Applejack grinned as our group of nine walked off the train. There were way too many of us to be moving together. "We'll get tha three uh ya settled in at tha farm, and then we'll head back ta town and meet back up with everypony else. Sound good, Trix?"

"Hm?" The blue mare had been preoccupied, watching Pinkie zip away like a rocket was attached to her back. "Oh! Uhm, yeah! That's fine, Aj. That should give the rest of us enough time to take our stuff home and get ready."

"Ready? Ready for what?" I asked.

"Me and Twilight are gonna have our duel, right?"

"Yes, Rainbow," Trixie shook her head. "But I was referring to the party."

"Party?" Star was still staying close to me. So was Twilight, for that matter.

"When Pinkie gets the idea for a party, she won't just let it go," Rarity clarified for her friend. "She'll definitely be throwing one for you all tonight."

"That's awfully nice of h-"

Sunset?

I froze. This wasn't something that happened often. Everyone else had paused as well, looking at me as if I'd made a social faux pas. I closed my eyes to respond.

Yes, Your Highness?

Something important has come up. I need you this instant. Please notify the others so they don't worry about you. It won't take long.

Of course, Your Highness!

When I opened my eyes, none of the others had moved a muscle.

"What's going on, Sun?" Star was the most concerned by far.

"Princess Celestia needs me. Will you take my stuff for me plea-"

In a blast of sunlight, I was instantly displaced. I reappeared, standing right next to my mentor, a bright smile on her face. We were standing before a pair of closed doors.

"I'm sorry, Sunset. This shouldn't take too long," she faced forward. "I simply need someone who is intimately familiar with what happened for... leverage sake."

"Of course, Your Highness," I nodded. "It's not a problem."

"I'm certain you already know this, but be on your guard," she said firmly as her horn hummed.

"Yes, Your Highness!" I nodded once again.

The doors were slowly opened by my mentor's spell as the two of us entered the dining hall of the Crystal Palace.

Author's Note

Nother new video! If you're watching these, liking them, or anything like that, Thanks! I appreciate it!