Peace Offering

I leaned against the wall as loud music blasted my eardrums. I swear, Pinkie picked the loudest setting possible just to try to make the entire damn school go deaf. Or maybe just me deaf. Or her, to be honest. Honestly, it was anyone’s guess.

I took a sip of my punch and licked my lips, looking around at my classmates. Thank the lord I was at the far edge of the gym. Some of these people don’t know how to dance. But after tonight and all with Sunset being defeated, I guess most people decided to celebrate.

For some reason, I don’t really feel like celebrating. Nothing about this feels like a genuine victory to me. We ganged up on the girl to win. That’s not a fair fight to me. Okay sure, she had Snips and Snails but those two aren’t really that competent. Hell, they spent more time tripping over each other than fighting us.

“What’s wrong Dashie?” Pinkie asked and I glanced up to see the others standing around me. “Turn that frown upside down.”

“Heh, sorry Pinkie. Just busy thinking,” I answered and Applejack raised an eyebrow at me.

“Thinkin ain’t exactly ya strong suit, Sugarcube.”

“Applejack!” Rarity scolded and Applejack stepped back cautiously.

“What, it’s true!”

“Doesn’t mean you need to say it,” Fluttershy muttered and Rarity nodded in agreement as I rolled my eyes before shooting Applejack a glare.

“Fine. Sorry RD. That was unnecessary. Whatcha thinking about?”

“You’re all gonna think I’m weird,” I said and shifted on my feet before leaning against the wall again. I’d sit down but I already know Rarity would flip her shit about my dress.

“Can’t get any weirder than Ah already think of ya,” Applejack quipped and Rarity gave her a dirty look. Applejack was feisty tonight, good god. I’m gonna have to put her in her place after a round of Mario Kart later this week. Can’t have her getting this cocky.

“Fine,” I sighed and inhaled a quick breath before letting it out slowly. “You girls saw me and Fluttershy tonight, right?”

“Well, duh,” Pinkie bounced up and down with a wide smile. “The whole wings shebang. Looked awesome and fun. I wanna fly. Where can I get wings?”

“You’re already hell on earth. I don’t think the world is ready for you to fly,” I stated and Pinkie paused to tap a finger against her lips.

“Touche!” Pinkie chirped and downed an entire cup of punch.

“What about it?” Fluttershy brushed some pink hair from her eyes.

“It’s just well, why us? Twilight never said. This school has hundreds of people she could have chosen but she picked us five. Why? There was more students here who were against each other than us. We had wings, damn it! And magic. Aren’t you the least bit curious about it all?” I spread my hands apart and they all shared looks.

“I suppose I am a bit curious about all that myself, yes,” Rarity admitted finally and stifled a yawn. “Only you two had wings excluding Twilight. Applejack, Pinkie and I had no wings. So what are we then?”

“Not sure,” I admitted and crossed my arms. “But we can always find out.”

“How?” Applejack wanted to know and cracked her neck. “Princess Twilight went back to Equestria and the portal ain’t gonna open for another thirty moons or something she said, right?”

“Yeah,” Rarity nodded and gave me a suspicious look as she narrowed her eyes slightly. “What are you thinking, Rainbow Dash?” Rarity always was scarily perceptive.

“I’m thinking we ask Sunset Shimmer,” I answered firmly and received multiple shocked expressions as Fluttershy gave an eep. “Hear me out.”

Rarity rolled a hand in the air as if to say carry on and I nodded.

“Sunset knew that crown she took was magical, right?” I questioned and Pinkie nodded in confirmation.

“Mhm! That’s what I figured out, at least!”

“Exactly!” I pointed both hands at Pinkie. “So if she knew it was magical, then that must mean...”

“She’s from the same place as Princess Twilight,” Fluttershy realized and I nodded smugly. “Which also means she’s stuck here.”

“For at least another thirty moons, however freaking long that is,” I agreed readily and we all fell silent as we stared at our shoes. “Which would fucking suck if my role was swapped with hers.”

“As much as I dislike the uncouth language used, I must agree. That would be simply awful,” Rarity commented and gave me a confused look. “But what exactly can we do? It’s not like we can force it open.”

“Well, we did sorta promise Princess Twilight to be Sunset’s friend,” Applejack pointed out after a moment of thinking. “Ah dunno, maybe we talk to her? And we can find out more about this whole ears and tails thing.”

“I’ll go,” I said immediately and cracked my neck.

“Are you sure? You do lack a certain tact when it comes to delicate situations such as this darling,” Rarity commented with a concerned expression on her face. I resisted the urge to say something loud and snarky as I sighed.

“I’m sure. Besides, out of all of us, me and AJ are the strongest. I’ll go talk to Sunset and make she won’t hurt any of you like Flutters or Pinkie. You all and Applejack can stay behind and stall anyone that is looking to harm Sunset, if any. Divide and conquer,” I clapped my hands together and received a few impressed looks from my friends.

“Ah gotta admit, she makes a fair point,” Applejack admitted after a moment and looked back thoughtfully. “Wait right here.”

I watched as she and Pinkie walked over to the snack table. They each returned with a plate of strawberry cake and punch as they handed me both.

“For her,” Pinkie explained as if I didn’t come to that conclusion on my own. “Just a hunch that strawberry is her favorite flavor. And everyone loves punch!”
I gave a low chuckle and nodded as they watched me turn around.

I took a deep breath and armed with my drink and cake, I headed to find Sunset.