//------------------------------// // Overdue // Story: For Queen and Crazies // by Mcstuffins //------------------------------// I wasn’t going to kill her, that much was obvious. Even in her panicked and vulnerable state, I imagine Dash knew it too. Honestly, I didn’t have a clue what she was doing here, and my curiosity nearly lead me to asking. Luckily enough, she spoke up first, giving me just a tiny bit more time to act all dangerous and scary towards an Element of Harmony. Small victories and all that. “Look I know we’ve had our… Differences,” she started carefully. “I mean, you’re still a huge gross bug thingy, and I would TOTALLY kick your flank right now.” “But?” I inquired, finally withdrawing the blade and levitating it idly by my side. The crickets made their presence known as she frantically looked about, as if searching for just the right set of words. “I… I need your help.” My eyes trailed off at that, blinking absently as my brain started chooglin. “Come again?” “I need your help.”  “C’mon, i’m not a batpony here, can you speak u-” “-I NEED YOUR HELP!” She yelled, a pained look on her face as if the words themselves hurt to speak. I was quite taken aback at that, honestly she could’ve screamed at me that the Queen had four heads, or that Equus circled the Sun and I probably would’ve looked at her with the same expression. My eyes began to darken as I glared at her, hoping to find some trace of betrayal or dishonesty. “...What game are you playing at, Dash?” I finally asked, prompting a look of genuine desperation from the mare. “I’m serious! Look, I know it sounds completely crazy but you gotta hear me out.”  Funnily enough, I could actually feel some sincerity in her. But there was a reason she wasn’t the Element of Honesty, and at this point trusting her with anything would be a foolish mistake. “I think i’d much rather go inside and beat my head against the wall for around 40 minutes, but I appreciate the offer.” Was I being overdramatic? Maybe a little bit, but it was absolutely worth the look on her face. Finally, a little payback for all these years of torture (or at least mild annoyance). Realistically speaking, she never was much more than a headache, but my contempt for her grew nonetheless. “You don’t have to trust me, just give me a few minutes.” She spoke, adamant in her demands and very quickly losing her begging attitude. Not that it made much difference to me, as the brasher she got, the more likely she’d be to slip up and reveal her true intentions. Alarmingly, the neighbor’s house lit up, likely somepony on their way to investigate the commotion out here. I never actually bothered to learn my neighbor’s name, but I could already feel a growing hate for them as they forced my hoof. “Shhhh,” I pointed towards the now glowing windows, “just get inside and shut up for a second!” Finally retreating into my home, I nearly burned out of my disguise reflexively before realizing how unbelievably stupid that would be. Dash followed close, and quietly closed the door behind her. I was EXTREMELY uncomfortable with having her in here, as I was with most ponies, but with any luck I could kick her out and lock the door as soon as the coast was clear. “Now can I explain myself?” She asked in a harsh whisper, squinting across the dark room at me as her eyes adjusted to the lack of moonlight. “Sure! Just wait for whoever’s outside to leave and whisper your explanation through the mailslot in my door.” I returned sarcastically, wandering over to the kitchen in the hopes of finding something to drink in the midst of an admittedly terrible night. “Stop being such an idiot! This is all your fault anyway, the least you could do is help me fix this mess.” I paused at that, but quickly regained my momentum. “I don’t know what it is you think I owe you Dash, but i’d rather be caught dead than doing you a favor.” I angrily slammed through cupboards, there had to be some liquor SOMEWHERE in here! “Can’t you selfish bugs think about anyone other than yourselves for five seconds?!” “WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO JUDGE ME?!” Something snapped, and it wasn’t just the cupboard door as it broke off it’s hinges. A hush fell over the both of us, and although my eyes were buried into the little wooden door splintered at my hooves, I could feel her gaze on me. I even had the decency to feel a little bit ashamed, if you can believe it. Ever so slowly, her hoofsteps approached me. Stepping over the wooden shards scattered here and there on the cold tile floor, she stood not far from my side. My breaths were heavy, laden with exhaustion and an extreme desire to be anywhere else. “You really are one of them, aren’t you?” She wasn’t really asking, but still my chest froze as I heard her speak those words. My muscles tensed as I prepared for the first strike, I could practically see every wasted year I spent here slipping away when she spoke. “That doesn’t matter right now, though.” Now that was surprising coming from Dash. I gawked as I looked over at her, both terrified and impressed with how quickly she reversed this situation. “What do you want from me?” I asked, my voice hoarse and defeated. “Like I said, I want your help.” Again, as far as I could tell that both sounded and smelled truthful. She looked on at me with determination, finally breaking me down. “Anything in particular?” “They took Berry Punch, Diflex.” My eyes shot open, my previous self-pity forgotten as I hung onto her every word. She actually smiled at that, reaching over and placing a comforting hoof on my shoulder. “We’re gonna take her back.”