Quietly enjoying the summer breeze in an empty park, Downburst took a deep breath and closed her eyes, allowing her imagination to roam as the wind ruffled her feathers. Having refused to go back home until she could fly there herself, she had been staying with Auntie Twilight after being discharged from the hospital. While Twilight was obviously just trying to help, Downburst had long grown tired of being given books on physical therapy and the history of the Wonderbolts, so every chance she got, she escaped outside to just sit in silence.

Many friends had come to see her while she was staying at the Ponyville Castle, but still feeling quite a bit guilty from screaming at Easy Breezy, she refused to see them all. Some tried more than once and others got the hint right away. When she was ready, they’d be there. But today, even though she was looking for solitude, she wasn’t lucky enough to get it. Her ears flicked as she heard someone galloping towards her, and after a moment, saw Solar Flare pop up over the edge of the hill. She looked like a mess, covered in flour and seeming rather out of breath. The pegasus paused right in front of Downburst, panting, and looking around as if she was trying to pretend she had just happened upon the mare.

“Oh, hey.” Sol muttered, accidentally wiping her dirty hoof across her cheek.

Downburst just stared at her, appearing rather unamused. The two had never been friends at the Academy, so the fact that she just appeared and acted like the two knew each other immediately started to rub Downy the wrong way. “What do you want?”

“I, uh…” She started, already looking like she was struggling with her reason for showing up, before spotting a small pink box that she had been carrying on her back. Sol moved it, now carefully presenting it with her hoof. “I made you these. They’re cupcakes.”

Not bothering to take them, Downy just raised a brow. “And you’ve been running all over town trying to find me?”

“Well, Zapple didn’t know where you were, so I went to ask Princess Twilight. She said you like to hang outside, so…” Coughing awkwardly, the mare seemed to look anywhere but Downburst’s injuries. “I-I made these to say I’m sorry, that you got all messed up.”

“Great, another pony to pity me.” Downburst huffed, making Solar Flare only look more uncomfortable.

“No, I wanted to apologize because I’m the one who crashed into you.”

The grey pegasus looked rather confused, her gaze moving up and down Sol’s body. “But you don’t look injured…? Did you not fall, too?”

At Downy’s questions, Solar Flare looked ready to throw up. Her hooves fidgeted nervously, and she tried to calm herself down before responding.

Settle down… do what Zap said. Just be honest.

“No, I didn’t fall. W-What I mean is, I wanted to win the race. So I ran into you on purpose.” Sol’s voice grew quieter the longer she continued talking as if she was starting to regret her decision of explaining herself.

Downburst simply stared at her, her expression turning from frustrated that she had been bothered to furious that Solar Flare was responsible for ruining her flying career. And upon seeing the change in demeanor, Sol started to speak again, as if rambling would save her.

“Listen, I know that --” She began, but Downy cut her off with a raised hoof.

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“Well maybe not, but I need to say it!” The yellow pegasus rushed to say, clearly having no issue speaking loud enough now. “I was jealous, okay? You were given everything because you’re Captain Rainbow Dash’s kid and I hated that! I didn’t think I’d hit you that hard! I thought I would just knock you off balance. All I know is I feel awful.”

Downburst rolled her eyes at Solar Flare’s explanation. “Oh, you feel awful? Get over yourself! I can’t fly! I don’t give a shit what you did or didn’t mean to do. You want my forgiveness? Too damn bad. You think I’d just forgive you because you took responsibility and made me dessert? Take your apology cupcakes and get lost.”

As if expecting this situation would go better, Sol’s face turned red and she opened her mouth to talk back, but immediately closed it. Putting the box of cupcakes on her back again, she turned and left, knowing she’d have to tell Zapple that she failed. Once she was out of sight, Sol tossed the cupcakes in a nearby trash can.

Downburst watched her leave with a hard scowl.

If I don’t deserve forgiveness, neither does she.
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Oh Downy, don't you know that everyone needs forgiveness? Clearly that guilt is getting to youuuu~