Chapters "Attention students!”
The majority of the student body directed their attention towards the P.A system, with curious expressions. Over the past several days, classrooms and the cafeteria had been meticulously adorned with snowflake and snowman decorations in preparation for the Winter dance. The anticipation hung in the air.
“This next week is our Winter dance. Everyone, have fun and remember we will be crowning the King and Queen at this event," the P.A system boomed.
The cafeteria buzzed with excitement. Everyone turned back towards their respective tables, chatting animatedly. They speculated on who might go with whom and the likelihood of being crowned.
“Ugh, these dances? Not my jam. It's the same ol' scramble to find a date every time. This year, the Dash is rollin' solo. No need for anyone to mess with my chill.”
Rainbow Dash laid back, propped her feet on the cafeteria table, and folded her arms with a smug grin.
Fluttershy, sitting nearby, cleared her throat gently. "Um, Rainbow, could you please move your feet? You're dangerously close to my cereal."
Rainbow put her feet back on the ground, then leaned in really close to Rarity with a glint in her eye.
“So Rares, spill the beans. Who are you going with? Please tell me it isn’t Blueblood or worse, Shy's brother.”
Fluttershy glared at Rainbow disapprovingly while Rarity sighed.
“Of course not darling. As for my plans; well, I was contemplating spending a friendly evening with AppleJack. As friends, mind you. You’re more than welcome to join us. The more, the merrier. And afterwards, we can hang out.”
Rainbow spun around on the bench and towards Pinkie and Fluttershy.
“What about you, Shy and Pinks?”
Pinkie’s face beamed while milk spilled out of Fluttershy’s nose.
“We're going together as friends," Pinkie exclaimed. "Flutters can't handle large crowds, and I pinkie promised she'd have some great memories of the dance.”
Fluttershy meekly added, “If I get too uncomfortable, we’ll go hide out together somewhere away from everyone.” The table next to them spontaneously started to laugh, and Fluttershy started hiding more in her seat.
Rainbow, having had almost all of her fun, turned towards Sunset and Twilight who were sitting near the end of the table.
“Okay then, surely you’re not going to go for this whole... romance thing, are you Twi and Sunset?”
Twilight nervously rubbed the back of her head, her face starting to turn a darker shade of purple.
"I dunno. I really want to. B-but I…well, you know. And besides, they probably aren't interested anyway."
Sunset crossed her arms.
"I suppose I do want to have more events at this school that weren't tainted by me being a mega b-"
Pinkie covered Sunset's mouth.
"Hey! There are children here. Watch your language, Sunny Wunny."
Sunset forced Pinkie's hand off of her and rolled her eyes.
"I was going to say ‘bozo’. Geez, Pinkie."
As the pair remained engrossed in their conversation, Twilight kept glancing back and forth at Sunset. Then picked up her fork with trembling fingers, awkwardly twirling it above her plate; completing ignoring the pancakes in front of her. Twilight sighed, "Maybe I'll find the courage to ask," she whispered to herself.
Chapter 2 : Love Advice from Cadance
There was a slight knock on the door.
"Twilight honey, can I come in?"
Twilight grabbed onto her picture of Sunset and shouted, "Go away!"
"I'm respecting your privacy by knocking but asserting my authority as your old babysitter and future sister-in-law by coming in anyways."
The door burst open, and Cadance walked further into the room, stepping over books haphazardly arranged on the floor; far from their usual places on the bookshelves. Medical books, a book of sonnets, and a book of “Gallop-speare” plays.
“So what’s the scoop ladybug? Having romance troubles?”
Twilight slowly sat up on the bed, then pushed the picture to the side. Then took a deep breath and focused on Cadence; just like she was taught years ago.
“How'd my brother ever nab you?"
Cadance tilted her head to the side, her gaze warm and understanding.
"What do you mean Twilight?”
Twilight gripped the edge of her blanket tightly, twisting it in her hands.
“I mean like my brother has to be one of the klutziest and awkward guys ever. How’d he manage to get to date you?”
Cadance let out a soft, amused giggle. “Haha. True. Our earliest dates were somewhat of a mess with him tripping all over his words. But in spite of that, your brother is charming, witty, and kinda funny," she said with a warm smile. "It’s also why we’re having pizza together this Saturday. That and I know a guy that can set us up with something nice. So give me the full scoop. Who’s captured your heart?”
Twilight’s face flushed, and she covered her face with her hands, letting out a muffled sigh.
“It-It’s Sunset Shimmer!”
Cadance put her left arm over Twilight’s shoulder, giving her a comforting squeeze.
“So how’d that happen hmm? Give me the details.”
Twilight’s face turned a shade darker, but she appreciated Cadance's presence.
“Okay, but please don’t tell mom and dad. And please try not to Shining if you can help it.”
Cadance ruffled Twilight’s hair gently, a reassuring smile on her face.
“I’ve gotten into my fair share of stuff when I was your age. I’ll keep it quiet as best as I can. Babysitter’s Oath. Don’t tell secrets unless the kid gets hurt and help them take care of the mess. Now spill.”
Twilight looked longingly at Sunset's photo for a moment before taking a deep breath and beginning to recount her feelings.
"There's two main things. Number one was the whole demon thing and how Sunset saved me at the Friendship Games. But what really secured my feelings was something else. It was about a month ago. We were practicing a new song Rainbow wrote. I didn't realize at the time, but I had managed to miss the bus. Sunset offered to take me home on her motorcycle and dropped me off a block away. On the ride there while tightly holding onto her, I felt warm and all tingly inside. It took me several days, but I realized I had a crush on her. A good time to ask her never popped up plus what happens if she says no and things get super awkward between us! Or I do something and Sunset ends up hating me forever."
Cadance beamed.
“Got a thing for bad girls do you? I knew it! My little ladybug is growing up so fast. Okay here’s my advice. Practice.”
Twilight looked at Cadance as if she had grown a second head.
“What do you mean?”
Cadance gently placed her free hand on her chin.
“Social interactions can be really difficult. It’s going to be awkward and weird. But with some exposure and practice, it’ll at least get a little better. And I have the perfect candidate in mind. Flash Sentry, according to Aunt Celly, he’s easily one of the best students in the school and seems to handle quite a lot of things coming his way. Think of it as a practice test, then you can demonstrate what you've learned with Sunset”
Twilight thought this over, I suppose this does kinda make sense. Every pre-test I had pointed out what I needed to know for the real thing.
“Okay I’ll do it.”
Twilight then gave Cadance a high five.
“Best of luck ladybug”
Chapter 3: The bestmade plans
In the poorly lit girls' bathroom, twenty minutes before school started, Twilight began to pace back and forth with her footsteps echoing with every step.
It’s not even a real date. Just a pretend one. How hard can it be to ask someone out? Why not try practicing asking right here right now?
She scanned the empty bathroom, her own reflection wavering in the fogged-up mirror. The only thing judging her being the constant humming of the light fixtures. Her voice trembled as she whispered to the mirror.
“Ahem…here goes. So umm Flash this is kinda sudden and awkward, but…but do you think you’ll go on a date with me? Not a real one. A practice one.”
Twilight gripped her face.
“No no no. That will never work. Guys don’t like that. Not even for being asked on pretend dates”
As soon as she finished saying that; another girl entered the bathroom and Twilight promptly ran outside and checked the clock.
“Oh no! It’s ten minutes till the bell rings for class. Where could he be?” Twilight thought to herself.
Her heart pounded as she ran from hallway to hallway desperately looking to find Flash. After a frenzied search across the school, Twilight finally manages to track down Flash at his locker.
"F-Flash would you like to go on a…", Twilight started to freeze up and hyperventilate.
"Sure. I'll go to the dance with you" , Flash said confidently with a thumbs up.
Twilight's gaze dropped to the ground in disbelief, a knot of regret forming in her stomach.
But what about Sunset? I really screwed the pooch on this one , Twilight thought to herself.
Later, near the end of the school day, Sunset was strolling through the crowded hallway on her way to the last class, her gaze calmly scanning the students opening their lockers as she searched for Flash.
I can't believe how I used to treat him. Hopefully this should help make up for things , Sunset thought to herself.
Flash proceeded to look in her direction as soon as she passed his locker. Flash nodded, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand after gym class, "Oh Sunset. Sup?"
Sunset tried pulling him aside further into the locker bay, hoping to avoid any passing students.
Gotta make this quick. Class will be starting soon and all the foot traffic means prying eyes , Sunset thought to herself.
"Omg is that Flash and Sunset!? I bet she's going to try to become queen of the dance again. Go get him Sunset!" , yelled Muffins as she enthusiastically cheered Sunset on.
A massive crowd started to form around Sunset and Flash whispering to themselves, and Sunset glared at them.
"Look. Flash I've strung you along while I was queen of the school for the past few years. I kinda owe you one night. No me trying to make others look bad. Just you, me and a nice friendly dance, no drama . Though please don't try anything funny" Sunset narrowed her eyes as she raised a pointed finger, making the universal symbol for ‘I am watching you’.
Flash glanced at everyone surrounding him then voice wavering while looking off to the side said "Sure, I'll go with you." , with an awkward smile. With the bell signaling the start of homeroom, the crowd slowly dispersed.
"Uhh, got to go Sunset. See you sometime", as Flash walked as far away from Sunset as he could.
Chapter 4: Of dates and deceptions
All the students dressed in their dresses and tuxes made their way towards the brightly lit auditorium entrance. The paper snowflakes and yellow tinsel created a winter wonderland. And both Sunset and Twilight approached Flash who was hanging out near the punch bowl. The loud music blaring in the background as students awkwardly danced and an oddly dressed janitor was tidying up the stage.
“Flash! I’m ready for our date.” Sunset said confidently, grabbing onto his arm.
Twilight walked a little closer to Flash, her mind purely focused on following Candace's advice from the other day.
“Wha? Surely…you mean our date Flash.”
After a few awkward seconds, Twilight cleaned her glasses in an effort to make sure she was actually talking to the right person. Twilight nervously stood there like a deer in headlights, her heart beating a mile a minute.
Sunset! She’s actually here. But the practice date thing? Cadance’s advice? Oh no! Help… , Twilight thought to herself.
Flash Sentry shook Sunset off and preemptively put his arms between the two of them, in case things got messy.
"Girls. Girls! First you asked me and I was ecstatic considering how you looked so similar to the princess." , pointing at Twilight then pointing at Sunset, "Then you asked me at a really bad time and I couldn’t say no without looking like a huge jerk. But both of you can be my date if you want?"
“ That’s it!”,Sunset huffed before angrily grabbed a cup full of punch then dunked it over his head.
Flash proceeded to scratch his head. Was it something I said? , he thought to himself.
"C'mon Twilight we're leaving!"
The surrounding students gave a collective gasp and proceeded to whisper to themselves about what just happened.
"Oh Sunset darling?" , Rarity quietly called out. Sunset simply turned the away.
With some minor guilt and embarrassment, Sunset proceeded to grab Twilight's arm and dragged her out of the auditorium. She kept looking back at Twilight, and she saw the poor girl with her head down; Sunset’s chest ached.
There went my no drama policy for this dance. Peace mission failed. Another item to add to the list of failures by Sunset Shimmer. And worst of all Twilight got dragged into it , Sunset chided to herself.
Sunset pinched her nose, frustrated at this mess and the probable resulting fallout.
"Can you believe the nerve of that guy? He sees one movie where things go well for two-timers and suddenly he thinks he's mister smooth. Can't believe he ruined our night. Still friends though?"
"Y-yeah. Friends." Twilight said, rubbing her arm.
Sunset gave Twilight a comforting hug, and couldn’t find herself able to let go. Twilight felt as though she was practically melting in Sunset’s arms.
So close yet so far, Twilight thought to herself.
From just around the corner the janitor in his mismatched tuxedo dragging his mop and bucket around approached the pair, then stroked his goatee. Then carefully tucked an envelope back into his tuxedo pocket. He gave them a knowing smile, and began to tell them how to redeem the night.
"You know the night's not over yet you too. And I heard about your plight. You want revenge on that jerk? Here's what you do."
Chapter 5: Dancing Through the Chaos
Sunset and Twilight proceeded to walk back inside the auditorium with their arms interlocked; with Sunset bringing a couple of paper towels in tow.
Then looped back around to see Flash off to the side, with a stain forming on his tux.
"Here. Before it gets too gross." Sunset said, giving him the paper towels.
"Uh thanks I guess. Really sorry about all that, but hey at least you have your date."
The music slowed down and a smooth jazz theme started to play.
"Got to go, you two. Have fun." Flash said, walking away from the pair.
"One last dance before the king and queen of the prom are announced. Make it count,party people!"
DJ-Pon3 then proceeded to push Pinkie away from the DJ booth. Pinkie then made her way back to Fluttershy who was awkwardly waving.
"Sorry about that folks. But she's absolutely right. Have fun but not too much fun tonight!"
Now's your chance. Take your shot Twilight, Twilight thought to herself.
Twilight wrapped her arms around Sunset's face, then gave Sunset a peck on the lips.
Principal Celestia took to the microphone.
“Okay ladies and gentlemen. The moment we’ve been waiting for. In this envelope are the results for the King and Queen of the dance.”
Celestia ripped open the envelope and looked over the piece of paper multiple times, checking for some kind of mistake. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t find any obvious signs of tampering or manipulation.
“Okay students. In a shocking twist, there seems to be no king this year.”
The crowd murmured confused and everyone looked at each confused. "Did she just say two queens?" , One student whispered. Another said "Is this a mistake?". Among the crowd there were even a few loud cheers of “Yeah Sunset!”
“Settle down. According to the results, there are two queens. Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle. Come on up!”
Wha? What’s happening? Me and Sunset. , Twilight thought to herself.
Hand in hand, they made their way to the front of the stage.
"I didn't really plan for this. I trust one of you two will be fine with the king sash?"
"It's fine. I'll take it."
Celestia gently placed the king sash onto Sunset , then gave the queen one to Twilight.
"Free cheers for Sunset and Twilight everyone."
The crowd applauded. The pair made their way back to the auditorium floor, as the music started back up for one last dance.
Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie quietly approached the royalty of the dance.
"Um good job Sunset. And hope you have fun." , Fluttershy said.
"I'll be sure to prepare an extra special party for you too. Especially if things go the way I think they're going. Don't do anything I wouldn't do. And don't do several things I would. " Pinkie said with a cheeky grin.
They waved goodbye and gave Sunset and Twilight some space.
"Oh Twilight, I have something to say to you," Sunset quietly whispered to Twilight.
Twilight's mind raced. Oh no. Does my breath stink? I knew I should have brought extra breath mints, but it's way too easy to lose stuff at events like these. Or what if Sunset's got a big announcement. I don't know if I'm ready.
"Yes, Sunset?" Twilight asked.
"Here's a proper kiss, you big dork."
Sunset proceeded to give Twilight a big wet kiss on the mouth, then poked Twilight on the nose.
"I love you."
Bonus Scene : Discord's bargain
Elsewhere the janitor ,still clad in his mismatched tux, answered his phone in the school parking lot.
"Yes I did what you asked."
Tapping his fingers against the glass, he responded with "No, they don't suspect anything. You do remember our deal, don't you lovebutt?"
Wanting to savor the moment, he dug out his crumbled up menu to Mario's pizza.
"That's right. And don't forget the extra anchovies and pineapple. I'll know."
He shook his head.
“Why would I do that? I hate pineapple. You two lovebirds enjoy your evening.”
The janitor proceeded to chuckle. "Well they don't call me Discord for nothing."
