After a day of tedious packing for Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, it was just a matter of hours before they caught the train to begin their holiday in Rockopolis. This gave them plenty of time to make their final preparations.

The first task at hoof was to inform Rainbow Dash's father, Thundercloud Dash, that they were going away, so the shifts could be changed. However, this wasn't going to be one of Rainbow Dash's normal visits at all. For this reason, they had to visit the library first.

Accompanied by Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash tapped on the library door.

"Come in," shouted Twilight from the other side. Rainbow Dash pushed the door open, and entered the library trailed by Pinkie Pie. "Oh I wasn't expecting you two. Don't you have to be at the train station in a few hours maximum?"

"Yes indeedy," replied Pinkie Pie.

"Yeah, we were wondering if we could ask you a favour before we leave."

"Urmm yes sure. What were you thinking?"

You see, I've got to see my dad about changing my shifts for a few months, and i got to thinking since I'm going to be properly meeting Pinkie's parents, perhaps Pinkie could come with me to meet my dad."

"And where do I come into this?" After asking, Twilight quickly realised what Rainbow Dash was asking for. "Ohhh you want me to give Pinkie Pie wings?"

"Or just the cloud walking spell you used on us when we went to see Dashie at the young fliers competition would be okay," replied Pinkie.

"Well as a matter of fact," started Twilight, "I have been working on the wing spell and altering the mechanics so I can make wings that suit the pony it is cast on. I'm still working on altering it so the duration can be chosen, and i still can't seem to find the mechanic that determine the fragility of the wings. If you wouldn't mind, I'd love to try it out on you, Pinkie"

"Sure thing," replied Pinkie.

"Ok, let's hope this works." Twilight charged her horn up in a bright violet glow, focusing a beam of magic energy that crept its way towards Pinkie. However, as the beam reached Pinkie, it turned the magic beam and Twilight's magic aura a shade of vibrant pink. Also, Pinkie Pie started to fade to a gray pallet. This made Rainbow Dash incredibly nervous. The last time She had seen her pink earth pony friend without her colour was when...She didn't want to think about it. Once all colour had left Pinkie Pie, and had appeared to be stored in Twilight's horn, returning the beam and the aura back to their normal violet colour, the beam wrapped all the way around Pinkie Pie. After about 30 seconds, a large blast of pink travelled rapidly through the beam. Twilight released the spell, taking a couple of seconds to blink several times.

Once the beam had completely dissolved from around Pinkie Pie, she stood in the centre of the library with her new additional appendages. Her former pink colours had returned, and best of all, her new wings were pegasus wings that were perfectly proportioned for Pinkie Pie. They also matched the colour of her coat.

"It worked," announced Twilight, "all this time wasn't for nothing."

Rainbow Dash was simply gob smacked. "How..."

"Ahh you see, the mechanic for the species it has to suit is simple enough, and so is setting the proportions it has to correspond to. The colour, however, is quite a difficult aspect. The colour essentially has to be removed and sorted by magic to see what the predominant colour of the subject is. The wings will then be altered to match the colour. All colour is then returned to the subject. Isn't this so exciting?"

"Urmm I'm more confused than before," replied Rainbow Dash. Pinkie Pie was too busy admiring her wings.

"Oh. Well never mind. Now to control them, Pinkie, all you have to do is think of what you want them to do and they will do it. They're magic wings, they aren't like pegasus wings, you actually have to learn to use those. Use my many crashes as an indication, and I'm still not perfect with them."

"Ahh you'll get the hang of them eventually," replied Rainbow Dash.

"I'm sure I will," replied Twilight confidently. "Not to try and get rid of you, but I'm sure you still have a lot to do right?"

"Well...yeah, let's get going then,"replied Rainbow Dash.

***

After about ten minutes, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie arrived outside Rainbow Dash's father's office. Three major waves of emotion of emotion kept flooding over Rainbow Dash in a constant stream. Firstly, amazement. Despite what Twilight had said, she still couldn't help but feel a little staggered that Pinkie Pie could fly so well without any help what so ever. The second emotion nervousness. In fact, though she wouldn't admit it, she was absolutely frightened of what may happen on the other side of the door. She had told her father of her infatuation for Pinkie Pie, another mare, but she still couldn't help but feel nervous about her father's approval, or lack thereof. The final wave of emotion was excitement. Despite how contradictory it was to the fear, Rainbow Dash was excited for the same reason. Part of her held more faith for her father's approval. It was weird for her to hold two contradicting emotions at the same time. She looked up towards Pinkie Pie, wordlessly asking if she was ready. The pink mare simply nodded. Rainbow Dash knocked the door three times.

"Come in," spoke a voice from the other side. The two mares opened the door to Thundercloud's office to be greeted by two ponies. This made Rainbow Dash even more nervous. She instantly recognised the other pony, a mare. After all, why wouldn't she recognise her own mother. Now it was both her parents' approval she was seeking.

"Hey mom. Hey dad," Rainbow Dash greeted her parents nervously. Pinkie Pie opted to remain quite.

"Hey Dash," both her parents replied at the same time.

Both Rainbow Dash's parents eyes immediately locked on to Pinkie Pie. "And you must be Pinkie Pie?"

"Yes indeedy," replied Pinkie Pie.

"Hmm, I've got to say, Dash," started the large, hulking stallion, "She isn't quite what I expected."

"Oh no," said Rainbow Dash, dropping her head.

Firefly glared at Thundercloud. "What your father means is, we thought she would be an earth pony. I'm sure she's never had wings in any of the pictures we've seen."

A huge wave of relief washed over Rainbow Dash.

"Yes," replied Thundercloud. "Sorry I had you worried for a second." The stallion then turned to Pinkie Pie, "So, young one, we know who you are, I'm Thundercloud, Rainbow Dash's dad, and this..." he motioned his hoof towards Firefly, "is my wife and Rainbow Dash's mother, Firefly. Also, I apologise of it worried you back there."

"Oh it's ok Mr Thundercloud. After all, I am an earth pony. I was give magic wings," Pinkie Pie replied in an abnormal sophisticated manner.

"It's nice to meet another element of harmony," started Firefly, "Rainbow seems to hide you all away from us."

"mom, you know that's not true. The only other pegasus is Fluttershy, and you met her when we were little fillies. This is an idea that crossed our minds today."

"Ahhhh Fluttershy. How is she these days? Still as shy as she was?" asked Thundercloud.

"I'll tell ya dad, she's still real shy, but if she needs to, she can lay a real smack-down on a ponies flank."

"Not just ponies," added Pinkie Pie,"She actually made a giant scary old dragon cry just by telling it off the once."

"Actually, she's in a relationship with Rarity now. The element of generosity," finished Rainbow Dash.

"So, Dash, I was telling your mother about your holiday..." started Thundercloud only to be interrupted.

"Yes, Little Miss, it would have been nice to be told by you," interrupted Firefly.

"Huh, sorry mom. I was going to tell you actually. It's awesome that your here," replied Dash, slightly embarrassed at being scolded in front of Pinkie Pie, who was probably stifling a giggle behind her.

"Well, I'll let you off. Just this once," Firefly replied jokingly.

"You ready to change your shifts then?" Thundercloud scanned through piles of paperwork to find his daughter's shifts.

"Yeah, from tomorrow," replied Rainbow Dash.

"Consider it done. I guess you have a lot of preparing to be getting on with. In fact, you have the morning off tomorrow and I'll have Ditzy deliver your times late afternoon at the absolute latest. I'll still pay ya for tomorrow."

"Really dad? Thank you so much." Rainbow Dash darted towards her father, throwing her hooves around him. Thundercloud returned the gesture. Rainbow Dash then repeated the same gesture for her mother. "See you in about two or three months," added Rainbow Dash.

"Yes Rainbow, you have a nice time," said Firefly, "and Pinkie, on behalf of both Thundercloud and I, it was a pleasure to meet you."

Thundercloud just gave a nod in confirmation.

"Oh it was super duper nice meeting you too." Pinkie Pie's former hyperactivity returned. "I always really really wanted to see where Rainbow Dash got her mane colour from. Amongst other things. Dashie is super awesome and I wondered where she got that from aswell....

"Breathe, Pinkie," instructed Rainbow Dash.

Pinkie Pie then took a deep breath in, "Long story short, it's nice to meet you two too. Wow...two too. Is he trying to confuse everyone?"

"Who, Pinkie?" asked Rainbow Dash confirmed.

"The author, of course..."

"Just Pinkie being Pinkie," Rainbow Dash muttered, "bye mom, bye dad."

"Bye Mr Thundercloud, bye Mrs Firefly," said Pinkie.

"Goodbye, you two," said Thundercloud.

"You two have a good holiday," added Firefly, after saying this, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie had left the office. Firefly waited a good few seconds to ensure they would be out of ear-shot. "You really have got to tell Rainbow. Otherwise it will be too late."

"I can't bring myself to do it though," replied Thundercloud.

"It's better to tell her, than for her to find out when..." Firefly bit her lip, not wanting to continue the sentence.

"I know, and I will."

***

The time had arrived, It was only five minutes till the train took off. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack and Twilight were all at the station, The first two mentioned about to board the train, the rest, to wish them farewell.

"Dash, a word." Twilight walked over to a spot reasonably far away from earshot, followed by Rainbow Dash.

"What is it Twi?"

"I just wanted to ask that you write to us. If possible, at least once a week. One letter a month addressed to the four of us. Just have Ditzy send it to the library. I'll pay for delivery both ways. We're all going to miss you both."

"Of course we will write, Twilight. And you needn't worry about paying my delivery. I can cover that," replied Rainbow Dash.

"No, Rainbow, I'll pay."

"Twilight, it's ok. I've got work and I'll be getting paid."

"Well ok then," Twilight reluctantly accepted.

Suddenly, the train horn sounded to signify the train would soon be leaving. Pinkie Pie hopped on. Turned out she had already said her goodbyes.

Fluttershy, Applejack and Rarity approached Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

"Well, Rainbow, you enjoy your holiday, and i hope you're bonding goes well. Don't forget to write, and goodbye" said Twilight.

"See ya in few months, Dash. Y'all have a great time, an' all the best with Pinkie," added Applejack.

"Indeed, all the best, darling. Au revoir," Added Rarity.

"Goodbye Rainbow, and good luck," added Fluttershy.

In the nick of time, Rainbow Dash boarded the train. She looked up towards a board that gave along the stops, and estimated time between each, lining up the Ponyville row with the Rockopolis column, she gulped. 15 hours and 20 minutes. This was going to be a long journey. It was a good job her father had given her a paid day off. At least she would be next to Pinkie, and the train wasn't that packed. Right?

Author's Notes:

And so the holiday begins. After a long train ride at least...