Those That Bond Together, Stay Together

Do not own any rights to any characters. Ever. Damn.

This is a story that is part of my "Crystal Dreams" universe. If you do not read that story first then this story will not make a lot of sense to you.

Happy reading.

Prologue

Months had passed since Rainbow Dash had become a Triad with Soarin' and Spitfire. The three of them had moved into her cloud home in Ponyville together and set up a rather cozy home life. Soarin' and Spitfire traveled to and from Cloudsdale for their Wonderbolt's duties. They did this for Rainbow Dash so that she would not be separated from her friends. The young mare knew just how much sacrificing The Wonderbolts' co-captains were making for her and she appreciated all of it. How much she loved her two life mates could not be calculated even using Twilight's considerable knowledge.

Soarin' and Spitfire had lectured her on discussing their relationship out in public from very early on. Rainbow Dash's life mates did not want the young mare's life to be inundated with curious information seekers. The two Wonderbolt co-captains had assured the rainbow-maned filly that they were in no way trying to keep her a secret due to being ashamed of her, but more to protect her. Rainbow Dash completely understood and listened to her life mates' words of caution. Princess Celestia had solved any problems from actually occurring, by issuing a royal edict that no media representatives were to disturb the peace of the Triad. So far, this had worked out perfectly.

Rainbow Dash's friends had asked her what it felt like to be bonded to Soarin' and Spitfire once they were all reunited. At first, it had been hard to put into words. The young, rainbow-maned mare had not known how to describe the bond. Finally, Rainbow Dash explained that even though she could feel Spitfire's and Soarin's presence in her mind it was not like they could communicate telepathically. It was more like she could get a sense of their mood and if they were safe or not even from afar. It was wonderful to feel the bond and to have a family again.

Thanks to her life mates' thorough care, Rainbow Dash had made a full recovery from having nearly lost her life due to rejecting her bond. It had made Rainbow Dash laugh at having to continuously go through Soarin's hug tests. He would always squeeze her around the middle so as to check her belly. In Soarin's opinion, a "roly-poly, little belly" on a mare was "healthy and sexy." Rainbow Dash was prohibited from flying again until she passed Soarin's hug tests. It took some time, but the young mare finally gained back all of her lost weight and strength.

When Rainbow Dash was finally given leave to fly, the young mare joyfully went on her first flight with Soarin and Spitfire. She had been so happy to be back in the air despite being slower than usual, but after a few days she was back to her usual performance levels and gleefully showed Soarin' and Spitfire some of her signature moves. Thank goodness for being healthy again because about a week after Soarin' and Spitfire left for the rescheduled Wonderbolts' tour, Discord struck. Rainbow Dash could still recall Soarin's panicked tackle after the Canterlot ceremony that celebrated Discord's defeat. He had been screaming that she should be seen by Dr. Kindheart because his "Baby" might have internal injuries that nopony knew about. It took Rainbow Dash and Spitfire hours to calm him down and then several days before he would leave his youngest life mate's side to complete The Wonderbolts' tour. Bonded stallions were extremely protective.

Time marched on and Rainbow Dash had many little adventures with both her friends and her life mates. It was only a matter of time before her brash actions again got her into a bit of trouble, but who says that this is the point for this story?

Chapter 1

"Who's the bestest tortoise in the world?" Soarin' cooed down at the smiling animal, "You are! Tank's the bestest tortoise. Yes, he is! Yes, he is! Aren't you? You know you are. Him's a good boy. Yes, he is! Such a good boy. Who's hungry? Who deserves a yummy treat? You do. Yes, you do! Yes, you do! That's a good boy. Such a Hero!"

Rainbow Dash shook with laughter as she watched Soarin' fuss over the newest addition of the Triad's family in her cloud home. The young mare was lying under a blanket snuggled on the couch supported by Spitfire. She had told Twilight and her other friends that the only thing that hurt was her pride after the disastrous race in Ghastly Gorge, but she had really strained a wing and some of her chest muscles. Moving too much hurt. She was very lucky that Soarin' and Spitfire had been headed home from The Wonderbolts tour and could assist her over the next couple of days so the injuries could heal. Rainbow Dash's two life mates had been surprised that she now had a pet tortoise, but they had really warmed up to the little animal after finding out that he had saved their life mate in Ghastly Gorge.

"Good grief," Rainbow Dash said in amusement as she watched Soarin' hoof feed Tank crispy lettuce leaves all the while cooing over the "Hero," "Soarin' always has to go so overboard."

"He is showing his appreciation," Spitfire calmly replied as she ran a hoof through Rainbow Dash's wild mane and then rechecked the bandages wrapped around the rainbow-maned mare's chest and wing, "Do you know how scared we felt when we could sense that you were hurt?"

"I'm sorry," Rainbow Dash whispered in meek, regret remembering the stern lecture her two life mates gave her upon hearing about her mishap, "I went overboard myself, didn't I? I was so stupid."

"You are not stupid," Soarin admonished as he came over to curl up with his two mares, "Baby, you are just young. You made a mistake. A mistake you have learned from, right?"

"Yes," Rainbow Dash answered truthfully as she lowered her rosy-hued eyes to stare at the blanket she was wrapped in, "But you and Spitfire never seem to make as many mistakes as I do. What's wrong with me?"

"You silly-filly," Spitfire laughed out as Soarin' chuckled making Rainbow Dash look up in confusion, "Soarin' and I just have a bit of age on you. We made and still make plenty of mistakes. You just haven't been around long enough to see them yet."
"Really?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Truly, Baby," Soarin' said, "You are just young and inexperienced. You are learning and maturing everyday. It's a real treat to see you discover new feelings and go through new experiences. You take on the world so bravely."

"Well, not to sound like The Cutie Mark Crusaders, but I wish I could hurry up and get as capable as you two," Rainbow Dash groused as she rolled her eyes, "I feel like all I do is cause you two trouble."

"Never too much trouble," Spitfire teased as she leaned down to kiss Rainbow Dash gently on the lips as Soarin' watched on.

Rainbow Dash grew excited at the looks in her two life mate's eyes. Kissing! She loved kissing. The three snuggled happily together and traded off between kissing mouths and necks. Rainbow Dash gasped and arched lightly against her life mates. Her chest hurt, but she wanted this. She was disappointed when Soarin' gently laid her back in Spitfire's embrace.

"Don't give me that look," Soarin' giggled as he ran his front hooves through his mussed mane as Spitfire ducked her head down in amusement, "You are not ready for the last step of our bonding yet. You are way too young. We have discussed this. Plus, you are injured. No physical activity."

"Phooey!" Rainbow Dash grumbled as Spitfire laughed at the little mare's fiercely blushing cheeks.

"You wait and see," Soarin' declared as he jumped up in excitement, "In a couple of years you will be old enough and we are going to have a wedding for the three of us!"

"What?" Spitfire and Rainbow Dash gasped together.

"That's right," Soarin' continued, "Your friend Rarity will design my two, beautiful ladies' wedding gowns. You two will be stunning. Princess Celestia will marry us."

"Really?" Spitfire asked as Rainbow Dash giggled at Soarin's excitement.

"You bet. Tank will be my Best Stallion…err…Tortoise," Soarin' described as Rainbow Dash and Spitfire howled in laughter, "We will have a lot of Bridesmares and Grooms-stallions between The Wonderbolts and Baby's friends. Mr. and Mrs. Cake will cater our reception. Plus, we will be the first to having a wedding pie instead of a cake. I just don't know why anypony has not thought of having a wedding pie? Duh! Best pastry in the world."

"Great Celestia! Stop your killing me!" Spitfire howled in laughter, "Wedding pie? Only you, Soarin'!"

"We would take turns dancing all night," Soarin' dreamily whispered making the two mares realize that he was being serious as he gently swayed in place, "Everypony would know what a lucky stallion I am when they see how beautiful my ladies are. Then we would leave on our honeymoon so that Baby could join Spitfire and I in finishing the final step of our bonding. It's going to be magical."

Rainbow Dash blushed from her ears to her hooves. A wedding and a honeymoon? Her, a bride? Oh, yes. She would be looking forward to that day. Spitfire looked down at her little life mate and grinned wickedly.

"Thinking about that honeymoon?" Spitfire teased getting a glare from the rainbow-maned mare before she squeaked in embarrassment and hid under the blanket draped over her.

"No! I mean…maybe," Rainbow Dash babbled nervously with only her ears showing and blushing even harder, "I…I never thought about being a bride. I'd love to marry you two. It sounds lovely, Soarin'."

"Oh, it will be," Soarin' agreed as he pulled the little filly out from her blanket and nuzzled her near-purple cheek, "It will happen only when the time is right. Agreed?"

"Agreed," Rainbow Dash and Spitfire echoed together.

To the two mares' surprise, Soarin' grabbed a pillow in his mouth and bopped Spitfire in the head.

"What was that for?" Spitfire exclaimed indignantly.

"That is for teasing Baby," Soarin' answered with a smile on his face, "Beautiful, I seem to remember how you acted when we first bonded."

Rainbow Dash grew excited when she saw Spitfire blush bright red. Spitfire groaned at the rainbow-maned mare's excitement.

"What happened?" Rainbow Dash begged Soarin', "You guys never told me about your bonding. What was it like?"

"No. Don't tell her," Spitfire ordered, "It's embarrassing."

"Please? Please? Please? Please?" Rainbow Dash asked with pleading eyes directed at both Spitfire and Soarin' and then used her trump card, "I'm stuck here not being able to move. Hearing a story would sure help me feel better. Won't you please tell me?"

Spitfire and Soarin' eyed one another and came to the same decision. Rainbow Dash had every right to know anything about her two life mates. Even if this meant bringing up embarrassing memories.

"If we tell you…" Soarin began, "do you promise to think through your actions a little more so that you don't give Spitfire and I a heart attack one of these days?"

"Yes! I swear," Rainbow Dash promised, "Cross my heart, glad I can fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

"Fine," Spitfire sighed, "However, this is a private story for just the three of us. Do you understand? No sharing with your friends."

"Yes, Ma'am," Rainbow Dash cheekily responded with a little salute causing Spitfire to lean down and nip playfully at the filly's twitching ears.

"It all started with The Wonderbolts…" Soarin' began.

To be continued…