I was still frozen in shock as soon I saw Applejack watching me from the entrance. It was clear she wasn't happy to see me with another team, especially a powerhouse team..

When Spitfire noticed how shock I am, she followed my gaze, only to see my teammate in the distance. At first she dint knew who she was but she unexpectedly growled at the cowgirl.

Sf: "Hey! Who are you?"

Aj: "Im just here for.. The idiot." Applejack replied, flicking her finger to point at me.

Mf: "What do you want from her?" Misty questioned, taking a step closer to Aj.

They don't even realized that she was my teammate because she wasn't wearing her jersey yet, but Blaze somehow recognized her.

B: "Wait.. Your that toxic setter that rages a lot from last year's tournament!"

Sf: "Oh.. Yeah! I remember you! You're the one from Crystal Prep who kept missing her tosses, right?"

Aj: "Not any more, now get out of my way!" The jackass growled back after pushing Spitfire out of her way to charge at me.

Rd: "A-applejack.." I trembled, barely unable to hear.

Before I could take a step back, she immediately grabbed my shirt with both her hands as she kept staring directly in my eyes, with her angered ones.

Sf: "Woah back off!"

Rd: "N-no! Spitfire its.. Okay!"

S: "What do you mean its okay?! That cowgirl is literally about to beat you up!"

Rd: "I-its okay, Surprise!" I started before pushing Applejack away from me. "She's.. My teammate." I continued.

B: "W-what? That idiotic setter is in your team?"

Mf: "Blaze!" Misty gasped, playfully shoving her friend at the back.

B: "Ow! Sorry but.. You weren't kidding when you told us all about how your setter treats you?"

Aj: "W-what? What did you tell them jackass?!"

Rd: "N-nothing! Its not important!"

Sf: "Wow.. Is is true." Spitfire interrupted before facing Applejack right in her eyes. "What business do you have with our kid?"

Aj: "We have a practice match right now.. And she isn't supposed to be here."

Sf: "And why the hell not?"

Aj: "She's in our team loser, deal with it."

Rd: "Screw you! You don't control me!"

Aj: "Shut up! Im going to tell this to the captain."

Rd: "N-no dont! Please.."

Aj: "Sorry but you cant control me." She lastly said before making her way towards the exit.

I cant let her tell any of this to my team, they can kick me out of the club when they found out! I need to stop Applejack before she could even do it..

But before I could even take my first step, I felt a hand on my shoulder, making me look back in a hurry.

Sf: "Is your team always like this?"

Rd: "O-only Applejack.."

Sf: "Well, we wont wanna bother you in your game so.. Wanna practice here later night instead?" She asked with a warm smile.

Rd: "Sure.. Thanks Spitfire.."

Sf: "No problem kid, now go before that cowgirl tells your coach!"

Rd: "R-right.. Thanks guys!" I lastly said before running outside.

Spitfire and the girls just waved their hand goodbye to me, continuing their match afterwards. I can still see Applejack walking in the distance, I can still get her..

I was still thinking the same question from before while I was running with my full speed, did that jackass followed me over here? I thought she was too busy talking to that Coloratura chick?

Rd: "Applejack!" I yelled to get her attention but she didnt look nor repled back.

I can feel my anger raging within me as I finally grabbed her by her shirt and pulled her backwards, making her tumble on the ground.

Aj: "Arg! What the hell?!" She growled back.

I then threw my gym bag on the ground and tackled her, pinning both her hands on the ground afterwards. But something else bothered me, her eyes were no longer angered.. They were just plain surprised.

Rd: "Why were you there?! Did you followed me?!"

Aj: "Obviously dumbass! We were so worried that you were constantly missing for the past few days! Only to know that your playing with another team!"

Rd: "D-dont tell this to anyone! Don't tell them.. Please.."

Aj: "You're literally ditching our team for those powerhouse assholes! How could you?!"

Rd: "I came here to become the next Ace! I'll do whatever it takes to learn from the best! Besides, how can I even achieve that if my own freaking team won't take me seriously?!"

Aj: "I already told you dumbass.. Volleyball is a team sport! It isn't always about you taking the goddamn spotlight!" She growled back after she pushed me away from her, causing me to tumble to the side.

I just let out a painful cough before I got back up to my feet, placing my hand on the part where Aj punched me last night.

Rd: "This isn't about the spotlight Applejack! Its about me proving to anyone who doubted that I can play Volleyball with my lack of height! This is about inspiring other people to dont give up on their dreams.. Just like what Spitfire did to me!"

For the first time, she was actually speechless.. Instead of answering me, she just got back to her feet, wiping the drop of blood in her mouth from the tackle impact.

My weak feeling suddenly left my body, making me feel this amazing yet weird feeling that I haven't felt in forever.. What is this sensation?

Aj: "Your beginning to be brave, shrimp.." Applejack grinned.

Rd: "W-what..?"

Seconds later, my eyes widened in shock when I realized I just attacked the person the second person I envy the most, Am I proving her Im not weak..?

Rd: "Applejack.. Im sorry.." I muttered in slight guilt.

Aj: "You can do better than Spitfire.. You're no longer weak."

Rd: "W-what? What the hell are you talking about idiot?!"

Aj: "Im talking about your potential, your passion, and your skill that can take Fire ass' title." She chuckled, turning her back on me to walk back to our court.

While I just stood there, somehow affected by Applejack's words of determination. I know she didnt mean all of that, she's just tricking me again like always.. But it feels like she means it this time.

Rd: "Wait! Applejack!" I yelled while reaching out my hand.

Aj: "What do you want?"

Rd: "A-are you going to tell our tean about-"

Aj: 'Maybe.. Some other day I guess. "

And just like that, Applejack ran back to the court, leaving me still in shock. What the hell just happened? A second ago we were just fighting and now, she unexpectedly complemented me.

Aj: "Wait.. Is Applejack being hard on me all this time just to make me.. No, she won't do that.." I thought to myself in disbelief.

That stupid cowgirl is so confusing to figure out, all I can do right now is hope that Aj wont tell our captain the truth about the other team.

But the hell do they care? It benefits us anyways. I'll become a stronger player with the help of Spitfire to help my team win the Nationals, why am I taking this way too serious?

I just wiped my tears away and removed the dust from my shirt to avoid any suspicions from my team, following Applejack enter the court after.
-
As soon I took my first step into the room, I was immediately tackled by a bouncing pink haired libero, making me gasp in surprise.

Rd: "Gah! Pinkie!"

Pp: "Where have you been Dashie!? Coach said you can't just disappear like that remember?"

Rd: "I- I just.." I mumbled, glancing at the other upperclassmen surrounding us, including Applejack, who's arms were crossed and trying to act normal. "I just took a quick walk Pinkie, no need to worry.." I giggled.

Pp: "Oh! Then you should have told us before leaving silly, we were so worried for you."

Ss: "Yeah Dash, you've been.. Acting strange since we got here."

Ts: "Is something wrong? You can tell us?"

Rd: "Grr.. What do you all even care? Im fine okay!" I growled back, slightly pushing Pinkie pie away from me.

R: "Rainbow.."

Rd: "I-im sorry.. Im just so confused right now."

Ss: "We understand.. Now you need to wear your Jersey, our match is about to start soon, Dash."

Rd: "Yes captain.." I agreed after grabbing my number 7 jersey in my bag.

After I ran into the changing room, I slammed both my hands into my cheeks to make me snap out of my confusing feelings, making the slap mark redden from my hard impact.

Rd: "Argh! I gotta stop doing this!" I yelled in pain and regrets.

I lastly sighed before removing my shirt, wearing my Jersey afterwards. I can still remember my dream back then, how I looked awesome in a black Cloudsdale jersey. I wonder if I took the right path joining CHS?

I immediately shook my thoughts away as soon I realized I was thinking about betraying my team. Im here to become the next Ace, I don't plan on falling in love with an idiot I barely know what her true personality is.
-
Minutes later, I returned back to the gym and saw the other team was already in their side so I quickly threw my bag on the side and ran up to my team to form our line according to our jersey number.

Sa: "This practice match will have 3 sets, each has 25 points each and a technical timeout to which team who will make it to 8 points first, okay?'

"Yes coach!" We all agreed.

The other team's coach then gathered both team's captains to determine who will serve the ball first. Luckily, we got it so Sunset ran to the back to after she was handed the ball.

While the rest of our team arranged our formation, I noticed that Fluttershy kept giving me this concerned look beside me.

Fs: "Hey Dashie.." She said in a soft voice but I just ignored her.

Fs: "Uhm.. Want me to toss the ball for you?"

Rd: "I dont need your goddamn pitty Fluttershy. I'll just be your RECEIVER instead."

Fs: "I- I don't mean it that way Dashi-" she was cut off when we heard the referee blew his whistle, making the game finally begin.

Sunset then took one last deep breath before throwing the ball upwards with her left hand, running and jumping afterwards to hit the ball with force.

Suddenly, the other team literally dint chased the ball, they just let it bounce to their base so Sunset and my team cheered in joy.

But when we noticed that the referees at the back raised their red flags, Sunset's eyes immediately widened in disbelief.

Rd: "It was.. Out?"

Ss: "Danm.. I thought I had that."

Ts: "Don't mind, dont mind! We'll get the next one."

After Flash scored the other team a point, he let the referee blew his whistle to continue the game.

So the other team's player ran to the back after she was handed the ball, doing a float serve afterwards which hit the top of the net, making it loose its momentum.

Luckily Pinkie pie countered it by reaching out her right hand to make the ball go back up in the air. Rarity then passed the ball to Applejack for her to toss.

At first I thought she isn't going to toss me the ball since Sunset's lane was open, but when I heard my name being called out, It made me snap out of my thoughts.

Aj: "Rainbow Dash!"

When I looked back, I saw Applejack was about to toss me the ball, making me grin irresistibly. At last, I can feel my excitement rise as I waited for this moment to come.

My body started to move on its own as I jumped to prefect my timing before slamming it right down with my right hand.

"It feels so good.."

Unlike my past attacks, I dint closed my eyes this team which made me see a clear view from the top of the net, or the 'view from the summit' as I call it.

As soon i got down, I glanced at the other team and noticed that they were all shocked, as usual. But my team on the other hand were speechless, well except for Pinkie pie.

Ss: "D-did you noticed her eyes were open when she spiked that ball..?" Sunset finally spoke up in a surprised tone in her voice.

Ts: "How did she do that so quick..?"

Rd: "I Iearned from the best Twilight."

Fs: "Wait.. Have you been practicing with another team without us knowing?"

Rd: "W-what? No! Of course not.. I just  practiced it when I ran away yesterday. When I mentioned the best I was talking about Spi- I mean Me!" I nervously denied.

Ss: "Oh.. But if your used to closing your eyes during an attack, it takes weeks to do something this new."

Rd: "Uhm.. Im a quick learner?"

Ss: "Oh.. Okay then, good for you Dash." Sunset replied, messing with my rainbow hair before going back to her position.
-
As the match continued for hours, my team noticed how much I improved for the past 3 days, of course I lied to them to avoid suspicion but Applejack knew the truth so she stayed silent. At last they can finally see my true potential..

Our team eventually won the 3 sets with a score of 25- 17. After my team shaked hands with our opponents, we were all tasked to go take a quick shower in the shower room before heading to our cabins.

Even though I was still exhausted as heck, I decided to sneak out of the room to go back to the Cloudsdale team for some extra practice. Besides, Twilight and Sunset are still busy making out in the showers so- I still got time to sneak out since all of us needs to take turns using the shower room.

So I quickly grabbed my gym bag and sneaked out of the room, without letting anybody notice me. Since the Cloudsdale's gym was only a 5 minute walk from here, I decided to run over there.

I dont know why but I feel much more respected and welcome in her team. Maybe its because my passion in this sport, but something feels odd..

I feel like Im being followed

Whenever I turned around, I see nothing but the trees surrounding me as darkness started to descend. I swear I can feel someone following me, maybe this is all in my head.

Suddenly, I felt someone grabbed my hand and pull me away, making me gasp in shock. But as soon I turned around, My eyes widened in surprise when I saw-

Rd: "Applejack?! What the heck!?"

Aj: "Shut it shrimp, we need to talk."

Rd: "Where are you taking me?"

Aj: "To my heart, nah Im just kiddin'."

Rd: "The f*ck?"

Aj: "Oh shut up."

After Aj pulled me to a spot where its quiet, she made me seat down on the bench as she stood right in front of me, arms crossed.

Aj: "Where the hell are you going?"

Rd: "Uh.. To the abandoned gym court." I obviously lied.

Aj: "You were going to Cloudsdale aren't you?"

Rd: "No- okay fine I am! So what?"

Aj: "Stay away from them, ya hear?"

Rd: "Why should I? They treat and respect me better than our team.. At least they can see my potential."

Aj: "Oh god you really are dumb, they're just using you Dash cant ya see that?! They want you to join their team so they can have a guaranteed win at Nationals!"

Rd: "N-no.. Me and the Ace already have a bond.. She wont use me fo-"

Aj: "Wake up Rainbow Dash! She's just using you for game reasons! Why wont you believe me?"

Rd: "No, you're lying! How do you even know that?!"

Aj: "I- Its clearly obvious dumbass!"

Rd: "S-screw you.." I growled back after I stood up from the bench. "This is a waste of time, Im leaving." I added.

But before I could even take my first step, Applejack unexpectedly hugged me from behind, making me gasp in shock.

Aj: "A-asshole.. Please just listen to me!"

Rd: "Are you.. Crying?"

Aj: "No Im not- just please listen to me.." She replied while turning me around to face me. "Please just believe me this one time.. I feel like they're using you."

Rd: "I thought you hate me? Why are you being concerned all of a sudden? Why do you care about me?!" I asked while I repeatedly punched her weakly.

Aj: "Cause I still love you goddammit!"