After a few minutes passed, the first set is almost in its end with the score of 23 in Sunset's team and 16 for me and Applejack.

We were all now panting as sweat slowly dripped down my, all were running out of stamina but our focus were still high.

This match has been the most brutal game I ever played in my life since this matchup has only duo as pairs, making all of us to move and connect the ball.

There's no time to rest nor be out of sight, as soon the second you lost your focus, Sunset will immediately strike with another powerful blow.

The tensions are high, the stakes are even deadlier.. But just seeing and witnessing this match go for a few minutes, something in me knew that I made a mistake.

Luckily me and Applejack was able to counter back with our freak duo fast attack. Since that was our only attack, Twilight was able to analyzed it throughout the match.

But whenever my attacks get stopped by her Block's, this painful feeling kept rising in my chest. Being blocked was one of my fears and now.. Im facing on of Equestria's ranked Middle Blockers, Twilight.

We may consider her as the perverted egghead mother of the club alongside her girlfriend but whenever she gets serious during a game.. She's always becomes scarier.

Its true that they got into their 20's first but me and Applejack are just a few points behind. If we just make an epic comeback, we might just win this set.

Her Skill wasn't equal to mine, she's much more superior to me. Comparing my strength from hers, Its obvious that I have bo match for her.

But with Applejack on my side.. We can counter them where they least expected it. But those duo were too strong against us.

Rd: "A-Applejack!" I yelled out as I took a few steps backwards to prepare my momentum.

While the ball slowly fall into Applejack's fingertips, I noticed that Twilight and Sunset were running to my line, preparing their blocking stance afterwards.

I knew it, that perverted egghead figured out that I was gonna spike the ball from outside, I can't change my course now.. Im running out of stamina to run.

With my quick instincts, I had no choice but to run after the ball up in the air as adrenaline rushed throughout my body.

Rd: "Take.." I started before jumping into the air. "THIS!" I yelled out of rage as soon I slammed the ball with my right hand.

I then saw a 2 man block by Sunset and Twilight in front of me, causing the ball go back upwards in our lane.

Aj: "Rainbow you D-dumbass! You knew they're gonna block you! Change your freaking course!" Applejack shouted after she received the ball.

Rd: "I JUST FOLLOWED YOUR TOSS, IDIOT!"

Aj: "Tsk, set to me!" The cowgirl yelled, taking a few steps backwards.

Rd; "Excuse me, WHAT?!"

Aj: "Just toss the ball to me, Dash!"

With thousands of hesitations, I quickly did an up toss towards her direction.

With all the practices with my tosses back at home, I managed to react to the ball before it hits my face again.

Rd: "This perfect timing, this angle, ITS PERFECT!" I thought to myself before slightly jumping up to toss the ball towards Aj.

But as soon I saw her jump high to connect the ball, my eyes quickly went wide at the sight.

I never knew she could do an attack, I thought setters were only good at setting the ball for their teammates, but Applejack manage to do it.

Applejack.. You multi-tasking asshole

And just like that, Applejack managed to score us a point when she reflected the ball from Twilight's block, making the ball bounce out of the court.

Aj: "Heck yeah!" She cheered raising her fist into the air.

Rd: "Hey asshole!" I growled back, walking up to her and slapping her back afterwards. "Your a jerk-"

Aj: "Oh yeah? Im just carrying this team to victory."

Rd: "But why didnt you tell me that you freaking know how to spike! We could have used that since the beginning!"

Aj: "Ohh, because I wanted to see you get tired." She teased.

Rd: "D-DUMBASS! Do you realize I bet my lif-"

Before I could even finish talking, I felt something hit my head which made me loose my balance.

But before I could fall down, I felt someone grabbed me. I then slowly opened my eyes and saw Applejack.

She was holding me by my waist while her other hand was pulling my shirt up to slightly life me up. Her emerald eyes, they were once again calmed.

We just kept staring into each other's eyes, unaware that all of our teammates were staring at us, giggling.  

But when I felt my cheeks burning, I immediately got back to my feet and grabbed the ball on the ground.

Rd: "I.. Who the hell threw this at me?!" I yelled at them, still covering my cheeks with my shirt.

All of them just giggled at the question, but when I asked again, they immediately pointed their fingers at Pinkie pie who was casually whistling while walking out of the gym court.

Rd: "PINKIE F*CKING PIE COME BACK HERE!"

Pp: "Nope, bai!" She started, running out of the court in a hurry. "Oh by the way I did that on purpose and guess what? Applejack saved you AHHH!" She lastly squealed out of joy. 

R: "Gotta admit, that was a nice aim." Rarity added, holding in her laughter from bursting out like the others.

Rd: "Okay first, Im gonna spike this ball so hard to your face Rarity-"

R: "WHAT?!"

Rd: "Hush let me finish! Second, where the hell is that girl going now? And 3rd, is anybody just gonna ignore the fact that Applejack just spiked the ball?!"

Ss: "And fourth, can we continue the game." sunset interrupted.

Without my questions left unanswered, I just let out a soft sigh before walking up to the end to make a serve.

In this crucial moment, why the hell am I serving? If I mess this up, Sunset and Twilight will be on match point.

I just took one last deep breath before gently throwing the ball upwards into the air, slamming it with my right hand in the perfect time to make it fly across the net.

But with its loose momentum and control, it suddenly touched the top of the net, making it fall down to Sunset's side.

Twilight then immediately dived in and saved the ball before it touches the ground, Sunset on the other hand countered back by receiving the ball to make it go upwards.

Her position, that stance, that look of hers.. It all seems familiar to me.

Then it struck me, causing my eyes go wide while I ran over to the right.

That stance of hers, she was gonna attack!

As soon I made it the end, I quickly jumped and reached my arms up. Not long after, Sunset was seen in front of me as the ball flew a few inches up from her.

Knowing what's coming next, I slowly closed my eyes and tightened my fingers to avoid snapping them off by our Captain's blow.

Im a middle blocker, not the Ace. If there's something Twilight thought me.. Its how to react quickly to any of our opponents move.

And just like that, Sunset slammed the ball which flew directly between my arms, making it bounce down into our base, flying directly to Rarity's face afterwards.

R: "ACK-" Rarity gasped before falling to the ground.

As soon I got to the ground, I quickly rushed up to Rarity and helped her get back up while my other teammates burst out if laughter. 

Rd:" Looks like the ball likes hitting on you, Rarity." I joked, hiding the angered feeling inside of me. 

R:" Oh shut it, Rainbow!" She started, grabbing an ice bag in the bench. "This is my second time, SECOND TIME SUNSET! Oh what's next? A 3rd?!"

F:" Yes." Flash quickly replied before throwing another ball onto Rarity's face. 

R:" ACK! Okay that's it!" The purple teen growled back as she rolled her sleeves up while walking up to Flash. 

But before she could get closer from our so called 'dreamy' manager, Wallflower Blush and Starlight Glimmer managed to get a hold of her. 

Sg:" O-okay that's enough missy! Can you girls just continue the match before Rarity goes on a killing spree?" 

R:" IM GONNA GET YOU, YOU NO GOOD SON OF A-" 

Wb:" RARITY!" Wallflower interrupted. 

Now that they got a hold of Rarity, Sunset began to walk to their side's end to serve the ball. 

In this match point, why does it have to be her?! 

After Flash frighteningly blew his whistle to start the match, Sunset Shimmer did another one of her powerful elite tier serves. 

Their score is now 24 and they're on match point.. If they score another point then we loose this set. 

I can't let them take it! If they do, it will be even harder in the second set and if they win that.. Then its all over for me. 

The loud sound of a served ball occurred in the distance, making me snap out of my thoughts and return to my focus.

Rd:" C-cover!" I shouted at Applejack.

Applejack then nodded and ran to my position, receiving the ball with to make it fly back up to the air afterwards. 

Aj:" Give it to me!" Applejack called after she got into position. 

Rd:" Can you just toss it to me?!"

Aj:" Y-you just made me do the first touch idiot! Of course I cant touch the ball twice in a row!" 

Rd:" Screw it!" I yelled back, tossing the ball onto her direction. "Slam it!"

The cowgirl grinned, running after the ball to spike it. And yet again, Twilight was already there to stop her attack.

Since Aj's path has already been blocked, she had no choice but to do a cross shot which was counted by Sunset. 

Ss:" Twilight!" Sunset called her perverted lover as she walked out of the court's line. 

Twilight then smiled and tossed the ball for her which made Sunset run after it. 

No.. This cant end here, NOT YET! 

But before I could even jump up to block Sunset's attack, I felt something pulling me down.. My stamina had worn out.

Then at that exact moment.. Sunset spiked the ball onto our base, ending this first set once and for all. 

-

After I heard Flash's final whistle, my body collapsed on the ground, in exhaustion. I was still breathing heavily as the fact of loosing our first match overthrown my mind. 

I cant believe it.. We actually lost our first set. 

I can see Sunset and Twilight celebrating and giving each other high fives, our other teammates just stayed silent as they all watched me hold back my tears, and Applejack fell to her knees at the sound of Flash's whistle. 

Our manager let out a sigh before flipping the let number into 5, turning his attention back to me and Applejack afterwards. 

Rd:" No.. T-this can't be." I managed to choke out between my quick yet short breathing. 

Aj:" Hey.." 

I heard Applejack called beside me, so I slowly looked up and saw a small weak smile on her face. 

Rd:" No need to be sad, sugarcube.. They only one the first set.." She started, helping me get back to my feet after. "We can take the 2nd set back." 

I just let out a weak smile and faced her Emerald eyes, offering a high five in the process. 

Rd:" Y-you right, we'll take back the second set."I smiled.

After we heard Flash call our names, both teams proceeded to go to the bench to drink up while Fluttershy and Coloratura were tasked to mop the court. 

When Rarity handed my water bottle, I quickly twisted it open and chugged the water in a rush. I was so thirsty and tired that I didn't even care that the water was flowing down to my neck and further down to my body. 

R:" Good game Dash, sorry you lost the first set.." 

I just gave Rarity a thumbs up as I kept chugging my water bottle empty.

As soon I finished all of it, I threw my bottle on the side after wiping my mouth. And there I saw Applejack, Fluttershy and the rest of  team were looking at me. 

Rd:" What?" I asked them, confused. 

Before Applejack could even answer, I heard a cheerful voice yelling my name in the distance, making all of us turn around and saw Pinkie pie in the cleaning closet. 

Rd:" W-what the? Didn't she just ran away a while ago?" 

R:" I.. That girl is full of mysteries darling." Rarity answered, placing both her hands on my shoulder. "I think she's calling you, go to her." 

Rd:"Y-you sound really weird Rarity.." 

R:" I am certainly not dar-" She was cut off when ANOTHER ball slammed onto her face, making her gasp and lean against the wall. "OKAY WHO THE F*CK DID THAT?!" 

All of my teammates flicked their fingers to point att Flash who was now running for his life. 

F:" EVERYBODY TAKE A 1 HOUR BREAK!" He lastly said before running out of the gym court. 

Suddenly, Rarity took a deep breath and gave huge yet freaky smile at me which made shivers go down my spine. 

R:" Rainbow Dash Darling, would you be a dear and go to Pinkie pie?" She slowly asked, still doing that freaky smile of hers. 

Rd:" Yeah sure but.. why?" 

R:" I think its important and I have NO idea what it is okay?" She answered, tapping my Rainbow colored hair after. "Now if you gals can excuse me, Im about to dig a hole for Twilight and Sunset's pretty boy." 

Ts:" Im about to end this man's whole career." Twilight added while adjusting her sports glasses. 

R:"MY LINE IS BETTER TWILIGHT! Now.. Where the hell did that jerk go?" Rarity lasty said befor running to the gym court's exit. 

After Rarity went out to hunt down poor Flash Sentry, I lastly let out a sigh and walked up to the cleaning cabinet to see what Pinkie pie wants.

Bringing the fact that we lost the first set makes my eyes feel teary as my body slowly got weaker in every step I take. 

For Applejack, its okay that we lost the set.. But my dreams are on the line here, If we loose this contest.. Then its all over for me. 

If Im struggling with Sunset just now, then what will it be like when I face Spitfire at Nationals?  

As soon I made it inside the cleaning closet, I first took a peek inside to see where's Pinkie when suddenly, someone grabbed my hand and pulled me inside. 

Rd:" Ah!" I gasped.

Moments later, the light was turned on and there I saw Pinkie pie. She was smiling cheerfully yet so.. Sinister at me. 

Her hands were on her back as some kind of black cloth was hanging from the side. I have a bad feeling about this. 

I then took a step back and faced Pinkie pie in her deadly- I mean crazy eyes. Knowing this girl for months, I know she's up to something.. Something really bad. 

But when I was stopped by a wall, I quickly took a broom stick and pointed it at her. 

Pp:" Woah Dashie chill!" 

Rd:" Pinkie pie.. I k-know that look of yours.."

Pp:" What look?" 

Rd:" That damn freaky smile!" I started. "What are you planning this time?" 

Pp:' Oh relax Dash. Remember the time I told you that I'll help you get Applejack back?"

Rd:" Back at our talk in the park Yeah I remember.." I answered after putting the broom down.. 

Pp:" Well if you wanna get her back.. Then you should trust me." 

That damn smile.. its scaring me. 

Rd:" What do you mean? Do you realize that I just lost the first round?!" 

Pp:" Yeah I know and I think this will make you feel better!" She cheered before showing me the item behind her back.

My eyes immediately widened as soon I saw it.. Damn she was serious about it!

Rd:" N-no way! Hell no Im not wearing that thing!"