//------------------------------// // Change isn't easy // Story: Apology // by zman123 //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash knew what this was. She had been to enough of Pinkie Pie's crazy parties to know that this was one of her oldest tricks in the book. But that did not make what she knew was bound to ensue seem any less frightening, as she stood shivering in the silent room, teeth clenched tightly in anticipation and heart racing at a speed that would put even the sonic Rainboom to shame. She knew it was coming, she just didn't know when and that was what made it so intimidating. Her teeth clattered as the light in the closet dimmed, and closed her eyes as she braced herself. She prayed for it to be over quickly. Closing her eyes turned out to be a great mistake, as a loud ear piercing shriek which seemed to rock her very world shattered the silence. It was as if someone had put a hammer to her eardrums and brought it crashing down with gargantuan force, as she clutched her ears with her eyes still closed. Pinkie Pie had clearly trained this pony well in the trade of how to put the word "surprise" in a surprise party. That was one compliment Dash could offer to the other pony who she could now tell was in the room with her, despite her eyes still being tightly shut. "Surprise. And welcome home partner." came a quiet and pained mutter. A voice Dash could swear she heard somewhere before but couldn't quite put her hoof on. "I'm sorry if I went too far with that surprise. But your friend Pinkie told me you loved loud surprises. I didn't mean to scare you all that much." came the voice again. Finally beginning to pull herself back together, Dash allowed her eyelids to creep open a tiny fraction. She wished that she had kept them shut, forever and ever if it meant never having to see what she now saw standing in front of her. She certainly was surprised, but not in a good way. A beautiful mare about the same height and build as herself stood nervously in front of her, eyeing her with concern. Every detail about her seemed perfect. Large and well built wings, and slim but muscular hooves revealed an athletic lifestyle and a serious desire to both run and fly fast much like Dash herself. The emotion on the stranger's face, a frown it was but a very attractive one. It was an emotion sure to pacify even the most selfish bully. It would have worked well on Dash too were it not for the horrible combination of a cyan coat, big golden eyes and a long but neatly arranged golden mane that the stranger just happened sadly to possess. Dash's last thoughts about having anything to do with the supposedly kind stranger who threw such a great welcome party, were gone in that instant.