//------------------------------// // Chapter Four: Blitz's Answer // Story: Shut Up And Dance // by TheVClaw //------------------------------// Ponyville may have been a fairly small town in Equestria, but its local spa was still one of the most successful businesses in the community. Pelo and Narcissus started the clinic less than a year before Dusk Shine and his friends became Elements of Harmony, which turned out to be excellent timing on their part. Considering how often the town has been under attack from raging beasts, supernatural phenomena, or villains intent on world domination, it only made sense that the business specializing in stress relief would be popular. And on the day Elusive decided to ask Rainbow Blitz to be his dancing partner, the twin stallions were more than happy to fit the unicorn into their schedule that afternoon. Despite how stressful his morning turned out to be, Elusive tried to ignore his nagging thoughts as he felt the bath salts dissolving and tingling his fur. With only his neck and head sticking out from the steaming bath, the tailor rested against the pillow at the edge of the tub and exhaled deeply. His face was covered with an exfoliating mud scrub, and his eyes were covered with cucumber slices that made him unable to see the yellow pegasus resting beside him. “Mmmmm…” Elusive could feel his joints becoming less tense as the bath did its work. “Thank you so much for joining today, Butterscotch. I know this was a sudden request, but I really needed to get myself settled out after this morning.” “It’s alright, Elusive,” said Butterscotch in almost a moan as he unwinded in the tub beside him. “I kinda needed some spa treatment as well. I was up until three in the morning last night because one of my ferrets was having, ummm… gastrointestinal distress…” Elusive’s muzzle wrinkled at that unneeded detail. “Oh, come on! I didn’t need to hear that!” “Oh, um, sorry…” Butterscotch’s face was covered in the same mud as Elusive’s, but the slight hint of an embarrassed blush could still be seen coming through it. “I’m just saying, I… I needed some pampering time too.” “Yes…” Elusive sighed deeply, hoping that the calming ambient music playing from the speakers would help clear his head. But despite how badly he tried to turn off his brain, all the unicorn could focus on was how Blitz acted earlier that day. Not just because of how adamantly negative his first response to Elusive’s question was, but because of how quickly the pegasus changed after Dusk Shine talked with him privately. While he knew it was none of his business, all that Elusive could ponder was what in Equestria was said by the Prince to change Blitz’s mind. Elusive had no idea how long he was thinking about it, but it was attentive enough to not notice Butterscotch move his head to point his muzzle at him. After a brief moment of silence, Butterscotch’s decided to ask meagerly, “So… you’re saying that Rainbow Blitz is your only option for this competition?” The unicorn groaned disheartedly. “Sadly, he is. If I had any other option, I would’ve taken it in a heartbeat. But he really does have the best potential compared to every mare I’ve auditioned so far.” “Yeah, I guess, but…” Butterscotch’s muzzle skewed a little as he tried to think of the right wording for his question. “Couldn’t you just find another stallion to dance with you? I mean, I’m sure your chances could be better if you opened up auditions for both genders.” “Absolutely not,” answered Elusive sternly. “If I go through with this, this will be the first official time in ENDC history that two stallions competed as a couple. It’ll likely be covered extensively by the media, so I have to have a valid excuse to show my choice isn’t regarding orientation or any hidden relationship. My social status as a designer will already be on thin ice, even if I go out on stage with somepony who’s a close friend and fellow Element. I can’t even begin to imagine the rumors that would circulate if I were to just get some random stallion to dance with!” Butterscotch took a moment to let that point sink in. While he wasn’t fully sure if Elusive’s reasoning was justified, he also knew just how crass some of the tailor’s clients could be. If they were even a fraction as vain or arrogant as the ponies Butterscotch experienced during his modeling career, then he probably couldn’t blame Elusive for not wanting to go too far with his plan. “Well… I guess I can see your point there.” “Thank you,” stated the unicorn gratefully. “Even though I could open my selection process to include stallions as well, I’d rather it be one of you guys. And since I already know you would refuse to be in front of a crowd on stage…” While Elusive made sure not to make his voice sound disappointed or upset with that detail, Butterscotch still turned away with a feeble and guilty expression. Meanwhile Elusive continued: “... that means I only have three ponies who are eligible to compete. And of those three, Rainbow Blitz is the best choice.” “Wait, three?” asked Butterscotch confusedly. He turned back to Elusive and asked, “Who isn’t eligible?” “Well according to the ENDC rulings, Dusk Shine is ineligible due to his royal status as Prince.” Elusive then added for clarification, “Granted, members of the royal family can compete, but none who have governmental officiation. Which means that we’re eligible, but Dusk isn’t.” “Oh…” Butterscotch laid back against his pillow with a saddened look on his face. “That’s unfortunate. I bet he’d do it, too.” “Honestly, I couldn’t see him fitting the bill if he offered. Do you remember how bad his dancing was at that garden party?” Even though he felt bad for bringing that up, Elusive still giggled a little at remembering that event. Fortunately, he could hear Butterscotch giggling too. “Hehehe, yeah,” admitted the pegasus guiltily. “I... guess that counts Applejack out too?” “Exactly,” replied Elusive, happy that his friend remembered that cringe-worthy display that Applejack showed during Barb’s last birthday party. “Plus, I know that the Zap-Apple harvest is likely to start soon, so he’ll most likely be too busy with that to agree to anything; let alone a dancing competition.” “Alright,” responded Butterscotch, but it didn’t take long for him to ask, “but what about Bubble Berry? He’d probably do it without any problem, plus he’s already a great ice-dancer.” “Believe me, I’ve given Bubble Berry extensive thought,” answered the unicorn honestly. “And if this was just a single round with one or two dances to perform, I’d definitely pick him first. But this competition goes over multiple dance styles, both slow and fast-paced. I’m sure that Bubble Berry would hold his own for something like a jive or a quick-step, but do you really think he could carry the discipline and patience to perform an adequate tango? Or a waltz?” “Well… no…” Despite Elusive’s point, Butterscotch still felt it was important to add, “but to be fair, I couldn’t see Rainbow Blitz doing those either.” “Ugh, I know!” The unicorn sunk a little lower in his bath, almost washing the exfoliating mud off of his chin. After letting out a disappointed whinny, Elusive used his magic to pull the cucumber slices from his eyes and glance over at Butterscotch. “You don’t think this is a pointless endeavour, is it?” “No, of course not!” Butterscotch lifted a hoof from the water to take out his own slices so he could look back at him and say, “Elusive, from what you just told me, it seems like this really is the best plan you have. Y-You know, given the circumstances.” “I suppose…” Even with his friend’s kind words, Elusive still looked down at his reflection in the water to see how upset he appeared behind his facemask. “So, Butterscotch,” he asked with a low and fretful sigh, “you’ve known Rainbow Blitz far longer than I have, so I really need to ask…” Butterscotch kept his utmost attention on the unicorn, and watched as his friend turned to look back at him with a worried glance. “Do you think he’ll change his mind?” Butterscotch sighed meekly while trying not to bite his lips. “I’m not really sure, Elusive. It is a big thing to ask of him. But...” Elusive waited a second or two after that pause before asking, “But?” “But…” After looking away from Elusive momentarily to think it over, Butterscotch looked down at the water as he answered, “if there’s one thing I know about Blitz, it’s that he knows when to do the right thing. He’s not the kind of pony to ignore a friend in need.” Butterscotch paused again as he thought that fact over. Recalling all the times that pegasus helped to save him back in flight camp from bullies, a warm smile began to grow on Butterscotch’s face. After a moment, he finally turned his head back to Elusive and added assuredly, “And I’m sure that if you give him some time, he’ll understand how much you need him for this.” Even though he was a little surprised how sure Butterscotch looked with that assurance, Elusive could tell that he was being sincere. “Th… Thank you, Butterscotch,” said the unicorn with an appreciative smile. “I’m happy you told me that.” “Oh, it’s fine,” said the pegasus kindly. “That’s what friends are supposed to do, right?” After Elusive shrugged and nodded back at him, the two rested back against their pillows. They put their cucumber slices back on, and sighed in unison as more salts dissolved underneath them. Elusive waited a moment before saying, “Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Rainbow Blitz was doing the exact same thing we are. Just relaxing in one of the other rooms and thinking things over...” “Yeah, maybe...” Ugh… Why didn’t I just get a hoof massage!? Despite thinking that question, Rainbow Blitz already knew why he chose not to go to the spa that day. If he knew Elusive as well as he did, then chances were good that the unicorn was already there for a full spa experience. And given how tense things got between them earlier that morning, the last thing Blitz needed was to accidentally bump into him there and cause some awkward moment. But still, Rainbow would’ve killed for a super-pampering hooficure right about now. Alas, the pegasus decided to just walk around Ponyville in an attempt to clear his head and think things over. Since the spa was on the west side of town, Blitz decided to stay along the east side. Fortunately, Ponyville’s streets were pretty sparse this time of day, which left the stunt-pony uninterrupted while trotting along the less-visited dirt roads.  Even with how long he worked and lived in the township, the stallion was surprised at how unfamiliar it appeared from the ground as opposed to the skies. Rainbow Blitz walked past several different shops and restaurants, none of which looked familiar to him in the slightest. In fact, if it wasn’t for the courthouse and clock-tower visible in the distance, the pegasus could’ve sworn he stumbled into a different town. He eventually reached a street corner that branched off into two separate streets, with one of them being immediately recognizable. But before he could start to trot down that path (and maybe get himself something from Sugar Cube Corner), Blitz stopped and looked to the structure between those two roads. It seemed like a simple building like all the others, but a large pink sign was hung at the front that displayed a mare in a tutu while standing on one hoof. The faint sound of piano music could be heard from inside the obvious dance studio. Even though he didn’t want to go in, Blitz stared at the doors with a disgruntled pout and exhaled through his nostrils. If his friend was going to be all uppity about this thing, the least he could do was see what all the hubbub was about. After looking around cautiously, Blitz made sure that he wasn’t being watched before carefully opening the door and sneaking in. The brightly lit interior was the first thing that caught Blitz’s attention when he entered the place; with the overhanging fluorescent lighting, combined with the huge windows by the ceiling and the heavily polished wooden floors, the entire dance hall seemed to have a persistent shine that bounced off the white walls. And with the giant mirror placed over the back wall, the rather large room looked even bigger to the pegasus. Near the corner was a grand piano with a mare repeating a small snippet of music. Several pairs of fillies and colts were practicing a couple’s routine to the music while by the mirror, while the other side of the room had a long bench with several ponies seated. Just as Blitz went to take a seat as well, his eyes widened when he caught sight of one pegasus colt who was at the end of the bench. The orange colt with a short purple mane didn’t notice him yet, which caused Blitz to grin and swoop in to sit right beside him. The pony was focused on the couples practicing, so he didn’t notice the stallion’s blue hoof until it was fully wrapped around his shoulder. Blitz jabbed at him playfully and hissed, “Scootaroll!” The colt jolted strongly with a gasp, but thankfully not loud enough to interrupt the ponies practicing. Scootaroll turned while wide-eyed to see who the perpetrator was, and sighed with relief when he saw it was his flight mentor. “Oh, it was you,” he said with a mix of comfort and slight annoyance as evidenced by his pout. “What are you doing here?” Blitz shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. “I could ask you the same thing, Squirt.” Scootaroll motioned his head towards the ponies dancing. “I’m waiting for Apple Buck to finish. We’re planning to try ice-sledding after this, but he’s still practicing with Twinkle Toes.” Blitz looked towards the kids dancing in pairs, and caught sight of the friend Scootaroll was waiting for. At the end of the group closest to the piano, the pale yellow colt had his red bandana tied over his mane to keep it out of the way. His tongue was sticking out as he tried to focus while standing on two hooves. The orange filly he was propped against (who had a strangely similar color scheme to Scootaroll’s) was clearly having an easier time keeping balance, but had her forelegs tightly around Buck’s sides to make sure wouldn’t fall over. But despite how much it looked like the colt was struggling, he was actually keeping in rhythm with his steps alongside Twinkle Toes’. “Huh,” whispered Blitz with his brows raised in surprise. From what he remembered overhearing from other ponies, Apple Buck was pretty awful at the one dance recital he participated in. “I’m kinda surprised he’s still doing this. “Eh, it’s not that surprising,” said Scootaroll with a small shrug. “Apple Buck said that he liked doing it, and Twinkle's parents offered him free enrollment after he helped her get her cutie mark.” Blitz looked back at the couple with an amused smirk. “Oh, wow. That’s pretty cool of them.” Since Scootaroll was already watching his friend practicing his steps with Twinkle Toes, the older pegasus didn’t say much else and watched alongside him. For a few minutes, the stallion took notice at how precise the ponies’ steps looked from an outside perspective, even though it was a bunch of kids. While he was sure it could be easy to learn, he had to admit that Apple Buck might be getting some good experience from those lessons. After the lesson was concluded and the music stopped, a slim stallion with a light lavender coat and yellow man-bun walked up to the group. “Alvight, alvight,” he said with a thick accent while clapping his hooves and smiling. “I think ve’re gettink somevere vith zis! Excellent progress for all of you!” Apple Buck didn’t say anything in response, but he seemed really happy to hear that compliment with the blush on both sides of his wide smile. Twinkle noticed how he looked and tried not to giggle too loudly. “Now!” said the stallion with a loud smack of his hooves to get his students’ attention. “Ve’ll take a short break for stretches before beginnink ze advanced classes! Those of you in basic lessons can leave at any time.” While over half the dancers began to shamble towards the main doors, Scootaroll sighed with his head rolled back while leaning back in his seat. “Finally!” he groaned before getting up. “I was wondering how long these classes took!” Unfortunately, it seemed that Apple Buck looked worried when he took notice of his friend coming up to him. While Twinkle Toes went to do her stretches at the barre by the mirror, Apple Buck tried not to wince when Scootaroll came up and said, “Hey, that was actually pretty good! You didn’t even fall down this time!” “Ehh, yeah…” Apple Buck seemed uncomfortable as he looked away from Scootaroll, and one of his hooves went to rub the back of his head awkward. “Listen Scoots, Ah was meanin’ ta tell ya earlier, but…” By the time Blitz got out of his seat to see what was going on, Scooraroll seemed confused and and asked, “But… what?” With a guilty look on his face, Apple Buck lowered his hoof and sighed. “Ah sorta… promised Twinkle Toes that Ah would try an advanced class wit’ her today.” “What?!” asked Scootaroll with a tilted head. “Why are you doing advanced classes for?! You’re just now getting the hang of beginner stuff!” “Ah know that!” retorted the yellow colt as he looked back at him and tried to explain, “But she was wantin’ ta do that dancin’ competition thing this week. She always did solo stuff, but she needed a partner for this, so…” Apple Buck then looked away apprehensively, hating how his words may have sounded out loud. Scootaroll’s eyes widened as he blinked repeatedly. Rainbow Blitz asked in surprise, “Wait, seriously?! She's competing in that too?!” Both Apple Buck and Scootaroll looked back at him with weird looks. “Ummm… too?” the younger pegasus asked with a raised brow. “I-I’m talking about my friend Elusive!” Blitz quickly blurted. “HE was planning to do that competition thing too.” “Ohhhhh!” Apple Buck’s eyes widened as he replied like he figured out a tough riddle. “Ah was wonderin what them goofy-lookin' flyers were about!” “Yeah, exactly. But…” While his muzzle skewed a little, Blitz looked back at the yellow colt while thinking what to say. On any other day, he probably would’ve cracked a joke about Buck considering doing something this weird. But now, all that Blitz could do was pause briefly before asking, “So, Buck… are you only doing it because of her, or…” Apple Buck looked down to his hooves and bit the inside of his cheek. “Ah dunno. Ah mean, she is a good friend, and Ah don’t wanna see her get sad about missin’ this…” He then added with a shrug as he looked back up at him. “Plus, the prize money ain’t bad neither. Sweet Apple Acres could really use some new farmin’ equipment.” “Prize money?” asked Scootaroll with newfound interest. “How much?” Apple Buck pointed to a flyer for the competition that was hanging on the wall by the door. The little pegasus trotted over to see the details, and a couple seconds passed before he shouted out, “HOLY CRAP!” That outburst got everypony’s attention, and a lot of shocked looks with covered muzzles were pointed right at Scootaroll. The colt had his mouth covered as well, and his face became as red as a cherry tomato while frozen by the door. One of his hooves slowly came down before he tried to hobble out of the studio. “Uhhh… heh heh heh… I’m gonna go now…” Avoiding the nasty look that the instructor was giving him, Scootaroll bolted out of the door and shouted out, “Good luck, Apple Buck! I hope you win!” Blitz had his lips pursed tightly shut while trying not to laugh. Meanwhile, Apple Buck just sighed and took off his bandana to reveal his now dingy red mane. “I dunno,” he muttered while rubbing his matted-down mane. “Maybe Ah am doin’ this because of her, but what’s wrong wit’ that? Ah agreed to do an advanced class ta see if Ah can keep up wit’ her steps.” Blitz looked down at the colt with an optimistic look before stating, “Hey, who knows? It looks like you were actually doing alright back there.” “Yeah, but that was beginnin’ stuff.” said Buck as he looked up at him. “Advanced ain’t exactly a walk in the park.” “Well, duh. That’s why it’s called advanced.” Blitz said in a cheeky tone. While Buck shot back a flat stare in response, the pegasus asked, “But still… let’s say that you do end up being able to handle advanced classes. Would there be anything to keep you from doing the competition then?” Apple Buck shrugged his shoulders. “Well, Ah’m bettin’ AJ would keep me from doin’ it. He’d probably want me ta put all my focus on the farm, so Ah might hafta ask Grampy if this is alright.” “Well, yeah,” said Blitz with a shrug of his own, “but do you really think he’d let you?” Despite how that question may have sounded, Blitz tried not to make it sound too pessimistic. “Maybe. Ah mean, Grampy always told us that we should help a lady in need. Just like how Macarena is helpin' Toffee get used to her cast.” Apple Buck then smiled and added, “Plus, it ain’t like Ah don’t have free time ta practice between chores.” “Wait, really?!” asked Blitz with a befuddled look. Asking as somepony who helped Applejack on the farm before, he knew that the Apple family did a LOT around the farm that would leave even the strongest stallion knocked out. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? You really shouldn’t do too much if you can’t handle it.” “Ah know that,” replied Buck like Blitz’s point was obvious, “but that don’t mean Ah shouldn’t try. Twinkle Toes is a really nice gal, and Ah don’t wanna let her down when she needs me. Epsecially if Ah do have the chance ta help her out. If ah ended up sayin’ no if Ah could’ve said yes, Ah’d just be kickin’ myself every time Ah got free time for not spendin’ it wit’ her. When a moment like this comes up, it seems only right to try. You know what I mean?” For a moment, Blitz just stood and blinked a couple times at what the colt just told him. Apple Buck had WAY less free time to focus on dancing than Blitz did, but the kid was still planning to try for the sake of his friend. Realizing how his own situation was comparing to Buck’s, Blitz was starting to understand why Elusive looked so upset when he said no; it wasn’t just because Blitz was his only choice, but because Blitz was the one pony who could do it. And if he spent his time just lounging around and napping every day during his leave, the pegasus knew that deep down, he probably would regret not helping Elusive out. Blitz saw the determined look that Apple Buck had, and had no doubt that the tyke shared the same blood as his brother. Even though he was given a hard offer, the colt was still planning to try and help out his friend when she needed him most. Blitz wasn’t sure how Applejack would react to his brother’s plan, but he hoped the farm-pony would at least be proud of his brother’s reason for doing this. Note to self, thought Blitz internally with a smirk. Get that kid a beer when he reaches drinking age. “You know what?” said Blitz as he put his hoof out to ruffle Buck’s mane. “I think I do get it.” Carrying a proud smirk on his muzzle, Blitz said to the colt, “If you’re really gonna do this, then you’re one ballsy little guy. And if your brother tries to stop you, let me know so I can talk with him myself. Okay?” Apple Buck’s eyes widened in shock. “Wait, really, you’d do that for me?” “Hey, why not?” asked Blitz with a shrug. “It seems only fair. You helped me, so I’ll help you.” Buck was happy, but still tilted his head in confusion. “Ummm… how’d Ah help you?” Despite being a little surprised at himself for changing his mind on something so quickly, Blitz knew what he needed to do as he said, “Well… let’s just say I gotta talk with Elusive about something.” After leaving the dance studio, Blitz spent the rest of the day lounging around town. With all the free time he had, the stunt-pony was able to really think about what he needed to do to make his decision work. As he sat on the roof of the clocktower, Blitz had a pen in his mouth as he wrote down some notes on a piece of paper. Considering what he was getting himself into, Blitz wanted to at least get some ground-rules before talking with Elusive. By the time the sun set behind Ponyville’s lowest houses, Rainbow Blitz landed right at the doorstep of the Carousel Boutique. But before he could knock on the door, it opened just as his hooves touched the floor. Since he didn’t land very loudly, Blitz figured that his friend had to have been waiting by the door to have heard it. Regardless, the unicorn had his lips bit as he stared back at his friend. “S-So... “ Keeping himself at the doorway, Elusive looked nervous as he tried to read Blitz’s neutral expression. He took a breath before asking, “Did… did you think it over?” Rainbow sighed and nodded his head. “Y-Yeah. I did. And before I say anything else, I just want to say I’m sorry for how I acted this morning.” “Oh, it’s alright, Blitz,” assured the unicorn honestly. “I understand. Although I am glad you apologized for it.” “Yeah…” Blitz looked around while still on the porch, but decided that he didn’t have enough to say to warrant entering Elusive’s house. Instead, the stallion reached underneath his wing to pull out the sheet of paper and said, “Now, I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I get why you want me to be your partner, alright? I do have the free time, and I… would probably be a major dick-hole for not helping you out. Especially since I was the one that hurt Toffee.” Despite Blitz’s use of language, Elusive nodded reluctantly and replied, “Well, I wouldn’t have used that word to describe it, but… yes, you would be.” After that honest admission, the white stallion carried a more optimistic look and asked, “So… does this mean that you’ll…” Blitz exhaled deeply and answered before Elusive could try to finish. “Well, I… yeah.” He then closed his eyes and added in a more hesitant voice, “I’ll be your partner for this.” Elusive’s face instantly lit up like a Hearth’s Warming tree. “Oh my goodness, THANK YOU!” He lunged forward to hug Blitz as tightly as he could. “Oh, Rainbow Blitz, you have NO idea how much this means to-- “Wait, wait, wait, wait!” interrupted Blitz before pushing Elusive away from his chest. “Let me finish, alright?” He held his sheet of paper in front of his friend and said, “If I’m gonna do this, I have a few conditions that I need from you.” Seeing the list, Elusive’s happy demeanor dropped like a stone. “... oh…” The unicorn sighed with his ears drooped down. “Oh, alright then,” he grumbled annoyedly. “What are they?” Blitz looked down at his list so he wouldn’t forget anything. “Well, for starters…” He then looked back at Elusive and said firmly, “If we’re going to dance in front of a bunch of ponies, then I want to be the lead, okay?” Already, Elusive felt that his friend’s conditions were out of line. “Rainbow,” he said flatly, “you do remember that I’m the one with experience, right? I only know how to lead.” “Exactly!” exclaimed Blitz like the unicorn just made his point. “YOU have experience, but not me! So if we go out with you as the lead, it’ll show pretty easily that I’m not as good!” Elusive opened his mouth to retort, but paused as he tried to think about Blitz’s point. “I… wait, what?” “Dude, I’ve seen it in a million flight shows! Whenever there’s a group routine, it’s pretty damn easy to tell when they have a newbie alongside them. Even if they didn’t do anything wrong technically, any little mistake could cost a LOT of points from the judges because they’re not on par with the others. And I might not be an expert on this, but I’m pretty sure that dancing has those same problems, right?” Elusive blinked repeatedly, actually beginning to understand what Rainbow was trying to say. Despite his belief that internalized homophobic panic was a bigger reason for Blitz not wanting another stallion to lead, the unicorn knew that nothing his friend said was actually wrong. Even if they practiced non-stop until the preliminary rounds, it would be impossible to get the stunt-pony on the same level as himself. And while he wanted to pass the first round with good scores, Elusive knew that literally dancing circles around his partner wouldn’t do that for him. After a few seconds of thought, Elusive sighed reluctantly. “Well, I… suppose I can see what you mean there.” “Thank you!” said Blitz gladly. “I know it’ll be harder for both of us, but I do think we’d be more in sync by the time we actually do it, you know?” “Oh, alright! Fine!” Elusive huffed in defeat. “If it’ll get you to agree, then I’ll let you lead.” “Okay, good.” After giving him a thankful smile, Blitz looked back to his paper to say his next condition. “Now--” “BUT,” interrupted the unicorn while pushing Blitz’s paper down, “If you’re going to make conditions on your end, I want to issue conditions of my own to make things even!” Rainbow’s muzzle wrinkled as he looked back up at Elusive with narrowed eyes. “Like what?” “Well, first of all,” stated the unicorn authoritatively while eyeing him down, “while in practice, you will follow the exact same regiment as I do! You’ll do the same exercises as I, follow the same diet as I, and I am not going to have you napping during practice! Do I make myself clear?” Blitz only responded with a slight tilt of his head while his stare remained. After a couple seconds, Elusive sighed and added, “If it’ll help, I won’t interfere with your flight regiment, or your flight training with Scootaroll. I know those are both important to you.” Rainbow hesitantly closed his eyes and breathed out through his nostrils. “Oh… fine! I’ll agree to that!” “Thank you,” said the unicorn politely with a smile. “Now, what was your second condition?” Blitz’s expression turned sterner than it looked with his first condition. “If I’m dancing, I’M picking the music!” Elusive’s jaw dropped in disgust. “Oh, you most certainly are NOT!” “Well, tough shit,” stated the stunt-pony with no hesitance in his voice, “because the only way you’re gonna have me dance with you is if I get that. No exceptions.” Elusive glared at his friend with an extremely angered pout. “Rainbow Blitz,” he growled deeply, “this is a very prestigious and honored event. We’re already going to cause unnecessary waves by dancing together, and the LAST thing we need is for the judges to be subjected to YOUR… ‘rock and roll’ music.” Not wanting to even think about it, the unicorn deeply shuddered in distaste. Meanwhile, Blitz tilted his head the other way with both brows raised. “Oh, REALLY? Because if I recall, I think you said that same thing before changing my music during that Young Flyer’s Show a few years back. Remember?” As soon as he recalled that unfortunate event, Elusive looked away from his friend and winced. “Yeah!” continued Rainbow in a peeved tone. “I was already on edge due to pressure that day! And having the music that I specifically picked for my routine be changed to your frilly fru-fru crap didn’t help at all, dude! When I fly, I need my music to keep myself in control and in rhythm. So if you want me to dance well, you better let me have this!” With his head pointed away from the pegasus, Elusive let out a low, lingering groan that sounded like a rabid dog. Upon realizing he wasn’t going to win this, Elusive turned back around and said to Blitz, “Alright, you win! You can pick the music, BUT!” He added insistently, “Any songs you suggest HAVE to be approved by me!” “Okay, that's fair.” said Blitz in agreement. “I’ll give you some of my mixtapes, and you can find the ones that can work for us.” “Very well then.” After taking a breath, Elusive decided to add alongside his previous condition, “And I think it’s only fair that if you choose the music, then I have full reign on costumes and theme. You will have no say in what I have you wear, OR what style of dance we perform. Deal?” “Alright, dea--WAIT.” After hearing how quickly Blitz stopped himself, Elusive looked a little worried when he saw the angered glare growing on the stallion’s face. With his eyes practically burning, Blitz slowly stepped forward so that he was within inches of the unicorn’s face. Elusive could only stand and reel back nervously as he heard his friend speak in the most threatening tone possible: “Elusive… if you even THINK about putting me in a dress, I will end you.” Despite how intense Blitz’s stare was, that detail was silly enough to make Elusive scoff and reply with a smirk, “Oh, Blitz! Don’t be so paranoid!” He then casually pulled away from the pegasus and said assuredly, “Do you really think I would put you in a dress? Come now, you should give me more credit than that!” Hearing the sincerity in his tone, Blitz sighed and stopped his serious look. “Alright, good. I just wanted to make sure, you know?” “Well, of course, of course…” After taking a refreshed breath, Elusive put his hoof out to his friend and said, “Well, if that’s the last condition you have, then I think we have everything settled. Are you good?” Rainbow Blitz looked between the unicorn and his hoof, and sighed before reaching out to shake it. “Yeah. We’re good, dude.” “Excellent!” Elusive made sure to give his friend a thankful hug, and let go before saying, “I really am happy you’re doing this Rainbow.” “Yeah, I know,” grumbled the stunt-pony in a less enthusiastic tone. “Just let me know when to start practicing, alright?” “Tomorrow at six,” stated Elusive insistently. “Meet me here and we’ll get to work.” Blitz nodded in agreement, and then began to make his leave. After waving goodbye and closing his door, Elusive huffed as he walked back through his shop with a cheeky grin. “Ugh,” said the unicorn to himself, “I can’t believe he actually thought I was going to have him wear a dress!” He laughed at the absurdity of that idea, but eventually looked back at the door and thought to himself, Although now that I think of it… After a few more minutes in thought, Elusive groaned and walked to the kitchen with a disappointed look on his face. “Drat,” he muttered under his breath.