"If I loose, you keep your title and I'll.. STOP PLAYING VOLLEYBALL, FOREVER!"

My team were still in shock now that I have told them my part of the bet. Their eyes were all widened, jaws were dropped but all stayed silent.

Sunset on the other hand gasp at the mentioned bet, looking around the rest of my team then back to me.

I just stood there, holding in my fear of facing one of the person I admire the most as I put up a serious look to show them all.

Seeing their reaction really made this anxious feeling worsen inside of me. Heck, they might be thinking that Im gonna loose against Sunset. But I can still try.

Now that the tension and atmosphere around us completely changed, I knew that I couldn't back out anymore. I need to face her, its now or never!

Aside from my team still shocked as they continued watching me and Sunset have a face off, Applejack and Fluttershy were also shocked, but they're really shock compared to the others.

Pinkie and Rarity on the other hand smiled and gave each other high fives, looking back at me afterwards.

This might seem risky especially that I bet my favorite sport on the line. I just hope its enough to challenge Sunset's title.

I know, its dumb for me to challenge her. But after what happened in the past: all the drama between me and my team, family problems and me and Applejack's problems.. They all made me stronger.

And now, Im confident that I can take our Ace down to take her title. I know I can beat her, it all starts here.

If I want to be the official Ace of Equestria, I first need to be the Ace in this school. Aside from being the secret weapon of CHS or known as the freak duo title, I need to get another title from Sunset.

After a few minutes of this mad tension, Sunset finally broke the silence but laughing, bowing her head down to hide her amused expression.

Ss: "You serious?"

Rd: "I am.." I started, turning to Twilight who was blocking my way. "Is my bet good enough for the title, Twilight?"

Ts: "It is but.." She replied, placing both her hands on my shoulders to face me. "A-are you sure?"

I just sighed and gently slapped her hand away before walking up closer to our captain.

Rd: "Do we got a deal?" I asked confidently, offering her a handshake.

Sunset just stepped back, glancing around our shock friends who were staring at us. Finally, a small smile went up her face as she finally accepted it.

If I want to be the next Ace of Equestria, I first have to go through her, then against Crystal Prep, Manehattan then Cloudsdale!

I'll soon face Spitfire and be the next Ace. Im not giving up yet, I know I can win with Applejack beside me!

After another few seconds, Sunset spoke up and smiled at me then to all of my teammates.

Ss: "We got a deal, Dash."

Rd: "G-good.."

Ss: "But do you realize the consequences of this? If you loose, you swore to never play Volleyball for the rest of your life which means.. You'll be kicked out of the club."

Rd: "I do understand, and I accept it.."

Ts: "But Rainbow.. If you loose, you can never play again! Not to mention that your dreams of playing in Nationals and becoming the Ace will never happen!"

Rd: "I know but-"

Aj: "Dont do it.. Dumbass!" Applejack suddenly yelled after she ran up to us, grabbing my hand to pull me backwards.

R: "This is a risk Darling.. Are you sure?"

Pp: "Yeah think about it.. Your betting your future here!'

Rd: "I know Pinkie.. And I still don't care." I started.

I then dropped my gym bag to the side and removed my jacket, still facing Sunset in her sightly angered eyes.

Rd: "Its on!" I yelled at her, making all of my teammates gasp at pure shock.

Ss: "Good.. Its a 2v2 then." She chuckled, removing her club jacket and tossing it to Twilight. "Its me and Twilight versus you and Applejack."

R: "Sunset you can't be serio-"

Ss: "Shut it Rarity. First duo to get 25 points win."

Rd: "two spikers, two setters? Oh its so on!"

Cc" Rainbow stop this nonsense! Were happy that you came back but not like this! You cant just challenged Sunset without proper training!'

Fs:" Y-yeah.. She's 4th leading Aces in Equestria." Sluttershy joined in.

Rd:" I'm sure that I can win.. I've been training nonstop back at my house. Sure I've been through a lot of sh*t lately and there's a chance that Im gonna loose this bet.. but I can't just give up there!"

Pp:" We still support you but.. Betting your passionate future is way to far, Dashie! We already talked about this!" 

Ts:" B-babe come on.. Defending your title ins't that bad, just dont be too hard on Rainbow!" Twilight pleased Sunset. 

Sadly, Sunset just ignored her as she continued to wrap her middle and index finger with some protective tape. 

Sg: " Rainbow are you s-"

Rd: "I am sure Starlight. Stop freaking underestimating me!"

R: "Darling were not underestimating you.. Were just worried that you might loose this opportunity.."

Rd: "Yeah that's called underestimating, Rarity. Im sick of all of you thinking that Im not good enough as a player!"

Pp: "Well not all of us.." Pinkie butted in after wearing her club jacket.

Ts: "C-come on girls.. Qualifying matches are tomorrow! We should be practicing today instead of doing this dumb competition!"

Rd: "This competition may seem dumb for you Twilight.. For all of you! But for me, its a step closer to my dream! You would never understand it!"

Ss: "never understand?!" Sunset growled back as she grabbed my collar to pull me closer to her out of rage, causing me to let out a gasp.

Fs: "Captain stop!"

Wb: "Come on Sunset this is getting way to far!" Wallflower Blush added, pulling Sunset away with the help of Pinkie pie.

Ss: "NEVER UNDERSTAND?! I lost my title because of Spitfire.. I WAS the official Ace of Equestria, rainbow Dash!"

Rd: "But you, Twilight and Flash are gonna graduate soon right?" I chuckled pushing her away before Applejack could pull me away.

Aj: "Goddammit.. What's wrong with you Dumbass?!"

Rd: "you 3 are gonna graduate for college soon! So that means someone has to replace you in this school.. AND THAT'S ME! I challenge you Sunset Shimmer, for the Ace title!"

Ss: "I always knew you were passionate for this sport.. But are you really gonna put priority on Volleyball over your love ones?"

Rd: "I already told you, I never planned on falling in love nor loving Applejack!"

Pp: "No come on.. Dont say that."

Ss:" And still, you managed to get over her right? How does it feel to loose a person who loved you in exchanged for Volleyball." She chuckled in a sinister tone, walking pass me with her hands behind her back. "This is just a sport, Its just a club.."

Rd:" No.." I started walking up to her to grab her by her shirt, making her bend down to match my height. "This is more than a club, captain. Its my freaking life! So don't you ever say that!"

Ss:" What else do you still want Rainbow? My title, pride, fame?!"

Rd:" I want to be the next Ace of Equestria goddamn it!"

They were all just silent again and its pissing me off! I know I can't beat Sunset by myself, and yet.. They kept underestimating me.

Let's face it, a 1v1 match with Sunset is a guaranteed defeat for me.. But im not alone anymore..

With her by my side, I know we can do great things together and winning Nationals is our number one priority.

Suddenly, The cowgirl removed her hat and placed it on her chest, looking into my eyes afterwards.

Aj: "Then.. What am I to you Rainbow?"

Rd: 'Y-your.. Everything to me, Applejack. " I scoffed after a few seconds, pulling my hands back to make Rarity and Starling Glimmer let go off me.

Aj: "If Im your everything, then why choose Volleyball over me?"

Speechless and still angered, I quickly turned around and walked to my gym bag, ignoring Applejack's question which made my eyes tear up.

After I grabbed my spare white shirt, I firstly approached Applejack and placed my hand on her shoulder, giving her a broken smile afterwards.

Rd: "We already talked about this remember?" I smiled in the outside as I hold back this hurtful feeling on my chest.

Aj: "I.." She muttered.

Her emerald eyes, they were no longer angered. Sunset does have a point, why do I keep putting my sport first instead to my love ones?

My passion for Volleyball might be high and undeniable but Applejack is much more.

I admit it.. Im nothing without her!

The freak duo.. Our title. I want to bring it back, I WANT HER BACK!

Rd: "Well.. What is it?" I giggled after I held her hand, making her look back into my eyes.

Aj: "I.. I can never stop you, could I?" She asked, letting go off my hand.

Rd: "Aj.. P-please listen to m-" I was cut off when I felt Applejack's lips smash on mine for a quick second.

All of our teammates gasped at the sight because they know that me and Applejack are no longer together.

This same sensation came back to me, her smooth lips on mine and the warmth of her touch made my cheeks reddened even though it was just a quick second.

I wanted to pull her into another kiss again but something ins't right. Oh, I remember.. Were not a couple anymore. Better yet, she's now with Coloratura. 

Aj; "Well I had to do somethin' to make you shut up.." She started, grabbing her bag from the floor after.

Rd: "A-applejack.. Why?" I managed to choke out, still covering my face with my spare shirt.

Aj: 'That kiss meant nothing.. If you want to win, then I'll help you. "

Rd: 'But the kiss.. "

Aj; 'Look, I know you still hate me. Now go change so we can get this over with."

When I turned around to my friends, I saw they were all shocked yet so happy to see me and Applejack kiss.

But like what she said, "That kiss meant nothing." We just fought the other day and there's so freaking way she'll want me back.. Right?"

As soon I saw Sunset and Twilight walking to her gym bag at the corner, they quickly removed their shirts, revealing their sport bras inside.

F: "Damn.." I heard Flash coughed before hiding his blushing face with his handkerchief.

Pp: "Okay Flash that's just messed up man!'

F:" Cough.. I know." He replied while wiggling her eyebrows. 

R:" And you realize they both lesbians for each other, right?"

F:" Oh yeah I know it since they started making out back at our second school years."

Cc:" Wait.. You knew it all along?! 

Ss:" All of you, shut the hell up!' Sunset yelled from the distance after she finally wore her other shirt. 

After me and Applejack finally wore our shirts, both of us proceeded to Flash who was tasked to be our referee for this challenge match. 

The 4 of us then lined up as Flash told us all the game rules while the rest of our team stayed in the sidelines to watch this whole competition go down. 

F:" Alright ladies, this game consist 3 sets which has 25 points each. The first team to win 2 sets win and get the title or stay the remaining Ace. Got that?" 

"Yes!" All of us responded in the same time. 

Even though this anxious feeling kept overthrowing both my body and mind. Something in me knew that I have no chance to win this.. 

But knowing that Applejack is right by my side, It gives me enough determination to beat my idol once and for all.

And if I loose this, I might as  well say goodbye to my dream and my paradise. 

2 teams now stand in front each other across the opposite sides of the court, but only one will be victorious.

Can I even beat her?