Rainbow Dash soared through the air that morning, punching and kicking clouds left and right. Ponyville had gotten a visit from a storm front coming out of the west overnight, leaving a mess of clouds over the town’s sky. Reports from her colleagues had warned that more unneeded rainclouds were on the way, making it even more important to clear the ones already there. Still, she didn’t do all of them. “Come on, slowpokes, try and keep up!”

Raindrops and Cloud Kicker struggled to catch up to the speedster, but that wasn’t anything new. They weren’t panting today, at least, much to Rainbow’s delight. Raindrops bolted towards the clouds on Rainbow’s left, Cloud Kicker took the right. All in all, Ponyville’s skies weren’t cleared as fast as usual, but it was worth the exercise, as far as the captain was concerned.

Rainbow waited patiently at the outskirts of town for her colleagues to arrive after they’d finished. Though sweating profusely, they still had some fight left in them, from the looks of it. She smiled at them. “Well, you two are getting better. Still feel up for the B-level?”

Cloud Kicker nodded eagerly. “Yes, Ma’am. I can see why you like it so much. I can’t remember going this fast without getting into freefall.”

Raindrops wiped her brow. “Are you sure we’re up to it? We’re still nowhere near your level.”

“Raindrops, nopony is on my level, that’s kinda the point. It takes time to get that good, and practice, more practice than it’s worth for most ponies. You don’t have to be as fast as me for B-level, but being as fast as a Wonderbolt would help.”

Raindrops and Cloud Kicker shared a glance. Raindrops shrugged. “And… are we?”

Rainbow Dash scratched the back of her head, thinking. “You’re definitely getting there. You should be ready by the time the tests start if you can keep this up, and if you still really feel like doing it then. In the meantime, take the rest of today off, rest up but make sure the rest of the Patrol can find you in case that storm front turns out to be too big.”

Cloud Kicker nodded. “Got it, and do the weight training tomorrow and keep the stretches up too, right?”

Rainbow Dash nodded. “Right, but don’t overdo it. The biggest clouds should hit our area around noon, make sure you’re in plain sight by then if anypony comes calling. If you need me, I’ll be in Sugarcube Corner, I don’t know how long.”

Raindrops chuckled. “Roger. Quarter of a century, huh?”

Rainbow heaved a heavy sigh, letting her head hang. Great. I’ve been so busy I nearly forgot about it myself, never mind telling anypony else. Of course they’d know. “Yeah, quarter of a century. Kinda awkward, huh?”

Raindrops didn’t stop smiling. “Not that awkward. It’s only, what, three or four years less than us? Heck, the oldest pony on the Patrol hasn’t even hit her forties yet. Ponyville’s a fairly young town, hasn’t even had a Weather Patrol for that long, no reason for you to feel old. Happy birthday, by the way.”

Cloud Kicker nodded in agreement. “Yeah, happy birthday, Rainbow Dash. And don’t worry about it; you look younger than twenty-five, actually. Do you, umm, use anything special? Off the record?”

Rainbow Dash looked at her hooves and wondered. Do I look younger than I am? Well, it’s been three days since Twilight put that sex magic thingie on me, it must be working by now. It might be that. “Umm, just something for my hooves, and I’m doing breathing exercises, but Twilight’s helping me out with that, you’d have to ask her.” Smooth, Rainbow, real smooth. “Anyway, I’m gonna head down. Wouldn’t wanna be late for my own party.”

“See you around, captain.” Raindrops gave her captain a salute.

“And a good day to you, ma’am.” Cloud Kicker followed suit.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes at the pair as she turned to fly away. “You guys…”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes once the chorus of five ponies and one dragon ended. “You guys…”

Rainbow looked to Twilight. Her heart skipped a beat, and she forced herself not to keep looking for fear of giving anything away. Twilight did the same, obviously not comfortable with being around her sexual pet as well as her friends and her dragon assistant.

“Time for your presents!” Pinkie Pie hopped up and down excitedly, breaking Rainbow’s train of thought. The pink mare took a bright yellow box with a red ribbon on it in her mouth and presented it to Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow undid the lid. Inside were three sheets of metal, each with six indentations that had been pounded into the shape of a cloud with a bolt coming out of them. “It’s my cutie mark?”

“It’s baking moulds shaped like your cutie mark,” Pinkie explained. “In case anypony ever wants your hot buns. Now they’ll look as awesome as they taste.”

“Oh yeah, ponies love sinking their teeth into those. Thanks, Pinkie,” Rainbow said with a smile.

A ‘woosh’ went through the room. Applejack and Fluttershy backed away from Twilight, whose wings had sprung to erection at the mention of Rainbow’s hot buns. Applejack frowned. “Still havin’ trouble keeping your wings down, huh?”

Twilight blushed and forced her wings back against her sides. “Eheh, just some minor technical difficulties.”

Applejack chuckled. “Well, if you say so. Here, Rainbow, happy birthday.” Applejack fetched a golden-hued piece of paper from her saddlebag and gave it Rainbow.

Rainbow Dash took a moment to read it. “A coupon?”

Applejack nodded. “A coupon for next year’s cider season. See, every year we wind up getting this huge line in front of the stall, and not everypony who wants the cider, gets it. It doesn’t help when we give some ponies more cider because they’ve done us favours.” She nodded towards Pinkie Pie to illustrate. “So after that whole mess with those unicorn brothers, Big Mac had a talk with Filthy Rich, and we decided to start makin’ coupons for the ponies who really, really want to be sure they’ll get cider. That way, we can plan ahead, less ponies get disappointed, and we can get a little more money and a little less pressure. That one’s for you.”

Rainbow’s eyes went wide. She could already feel the drool building up in her mouth. “That’s a great idea. So with this, I don’t have to get up early to get a glass of cider?”

Applejack shook her head, smiling proudly. “Nope. That coupon’s good for five glasses of cider, startin’ first day of the season. You can pick’em up any time of day, there’ll be barrels set aside just for that. No gettin’ up early, no needin’ to take time off work or training, no long line, and definitely no runnin’ out when it’s your turn.”

Rainbow kept on staring. “Wow. Thanks, AJ.”

Fluttershy pushed her gift forward with her nose. “Um, here’s mine, Rainbow Dash. I hope you like it, but if you don’t, I can always get you something else…”

Rainbow Dash opened the box. “Bandages? Are these for my arms?”

Fluttershy nodded gently. “It’s to tape in your arms when you do your punching workout. Um, you know, just in case you needed something to keep them steady.”

Rainbow Dash smiled. “I did. Thanks, Fluttershy, I’ll make sure to put them on when I need them.”

Applejack snorted. “Just make sure you put them on right, eh, Rainbow? Wouldn’t want to find yourself all trussed up like a turkey on the floor.”

Rarity was about to comment, but a purple wing slapped her face with another ‘woosh’. She spat out a feather. “Bleh! Twilight, darling, you really must get those wings under control.”

Twilight blushed furiously and shot Rainbow an awkward glance. “I’m really sorry, I can’t help it.”

Fluttershy looked over those wings as they were forced down again. “Um, Twilight, do you preen your wings? They look a little worn.”

Twilight’s ears perked. “Preen them? You mean pull out the loose feathers? No, none of them have come loose yet. Mostly I just wake up in the morning and find feathers lying about.”

Rainbow Dash sighed. “Preening isn’t just pulling out feathers, Twilight. You need to pull at them, and put oil on them so they can keep you up. Didn’t you notice the gland at the back of your throat?”

Twilight frowned in confusion. “Gland? What gland? I’m not a bird, I don’t have a gland there.”

Rainbow Dash tilted her head. “Huh, that’s kinda weird. Every pegasus pony I know has to preen their feathers sooner or later, it kinda comes with the wings. How have you gone this long without needing to preen?”

Twilight shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know. All I know is that ever since I became an alicorn, my feathers just fall off at night and breakfast always tastes like chicken.”

All eyes fell on Twilight, then. Twilight flinched, especially at the glare Rainbow Dash was shooting her. “Was it something I said?”

Spike pressed his clawed hand to his forehead. “Really, Twilight?”

Twilight blinked. “Ooh, now I get it. I’ve been sleep-preening, haven’t I?”

Rarity nodded. “I think the more pertinent question, Twilight, is: how would you even know what chicken tastes like?”

Twilight groaned. “That happened when I changed species.”

Rainbow Dash smirked at the former unicorn. “You’re gonna have to be a little more specific than that.”

Twilight groaned more loudly. “That happened the other time I changed species, the time we promised to pretend never happened.”

Spike nodded. “Oh yeah, the dog thing.” The baby dragon shuddered.

Rarity smiled. “Ah, say no more. Shall we carry on with the gifts, then?”

Twilight breathed a private sigh of relief. Her eyes met Rainbow Dash’s again, and they both looked away again at the same time. Pinkie Pie’s left hoof was making random movements for no discernable reason -- though Twilight could think of a worst-case scenario related to its causes -- which thankfully distracted everyone long enough for it to go unnoticed.

Rarity offered Rainbow a piece of blue cloth, wrapped with a gold ribbon.

Rainbow unfolded the cloth and rubbed her face against it. “Whoa, this is really soft. ”

Rarity smiled. “It’s a new blanket for when winter comes around. It’s made of jackalope wool, woven into velvet.”

Rainbow looked over the pattern. “Oh, cool, it’s got bolts on it and everything.”

“Indeed. That should keep you nice and warm when winter comes around again, provided you don’t have anything else to keep the bed warm, of course.” She winked mischievously.

Another ‘woosh’ sounded through the room. Applejack had barely managed to block the incoming blow. “Gosh darnit, Twi, just keep your wings upright if you can’t stop from slappin’ ponies all the time!”

Twilight was positively flustered by now. “I am really sorry, girls, I have no idea what’s wrong with these things today. They just slip.”

Spike rolled his eyes, before grabbing his present from Rainbow and offering it up. “Here, I got you this. This one’s from me, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.”

Surprised, Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. She opened the box and took out a single gem set in gold. It had two clips on it, making it look like a brooch of sorts. “A sapphire?”

Spike shyly kicked the ground. “Um, yeah. I didn’t really know what else to get you, but I figured since I never see you with any jewelry, even when you go to these big, fancy parties, I thought maybe you might like something that goes with your coat, but doesn’t stick out too much. Like, um, if you ever go to something else like the Grand Galoping Gala, or if the Wonderbolts ever go to any big thing and you need something fancy. You can clip that on any dress, it’s supposed to go on your neck. You know, like the Element of Loyalty.”

Rarity leaned in to check the gem. It was remarkably clear, no doubt shined up before being set in the brooch. “My sister and her friends went out digging for gems? With you?”

Spike shrugged. “Yup. We didn’t go to where those Diamond Dogs were, if that’s what you’re thinking. And I did remember to tell Raindrops where we were, just in case something happened.”

Rainbow Dash nodded. “Smart move.”

Spike looked up. “You like it?”

Rainbow put the brooch down, pulled the dragon in close and gave him a playful noogie. “I love it, big guy. I’ll be sure to thank the Cutie Mark Crusaders, too, when I see them. How did you find this thing, anyway? Sweetie Belle can’t do spells yet, can she?”

“No, but it turns out Apple Bloom taught a pig to sniff for gems. Don’t ask me how, something about an animal training cutie mark.” Spike shrugged.

Applejack groaned and glared into the distance. “So that’s why all of Elmer’s truffle-hunting ends up in the mountains.”

Twilight chuckled. “Well, I guess that just leaves my present. Here.” Twilight hadn’t wrapped or boxed her present, she’d just placed a bow on top.

Naturally, it was a book. Rainbow Dash accepted it with mixed feelings, since this was coming from more than just a friend. At the very least, a part of her had been expecting a sex toy of some description. Then again, Spike was present, so adult entertainment of that sort wouldn’t have been appropriate.

She read the cover. “Memoirs of a Failure?”

Twilight nodded. “It’s an autobiography of Spitfire, an older Spitfire. She was one of the first Wonderbolts, and eventually made it to captain.”

“So why is does it say she was a failure?”

Twilight gestured with a hoof. “Check the back.”

Rainbow looked at the back cover. Sure enough, the original Spitfire had the same mane style as the Spitfire Rainbow knew. There was no question the Spitfire she knew had been named after this one. The old Spitfire had the same yellow coat, the same relaxed look in her eyes as when Rainbow had met her idol at the the Best Young Flyers Competition, and the same deceptively lithe physique.

She did not, however, have the current Spitfire’s wings. The original Spitfire sported stubby dodo wings that were barely visible over her uniform. The cover even made a point of informing whoever read it that this particular Wonderbolt captain had been grounded until the age of sixteen.

Rainbow grinned knowingly. “I think this’ll be good to read, especially with some company.”

Fluttershy leaned in to check, curious. “Oh, I’m sure it will be.”

Rainbow put the book down with the rest of her presents. “Thanks, Twilight. I’m sure that’ll make a couple of things a lot easier.”

“Don’t mention it. So, what’s next on the schedule?”

Rainbow Dash suppressed the urge to groan. You and your schedules…

“Piñata time!” Pinkie Pie hollared, hopping up and down excitedly. She pushed the birthday girl towards a paper maché figure shaped like a changeling.

Rainbow Dash winced, the changelings at CoCoCon still fresh in her mind. It seemed insulting to them, somehow.

Pinkie Pie didn’t notice. She already had the blindfold and stick in her hooves. “Come on, Dashie, wanna play?”

Twilight froze. Her jaw clenched, her wings flushed in their erection.

Rainbow Dash shrugged. “Sure, I’ll take a good whack at it.” She stole a stealthy grin towards Twilight. She wasn’t sure what she was relishing more: the notion that Twilight had forgotten her triggers wouldn’t work if she didn’t want them to, the idea that her Mistress was feeling more flustered and embarrassed than she was, or the fact that Twilight most assuredly would be plotting a revenge.

It didn’t matter. Rainbow Dash and Twilight were surrounded by friends, they were there to have fun.

Sexy revenge could happen when they were alone.

Rainbow Dash donned the blindfold and whacked the paper changeling, idly wondering if paper changelings and rubber alicorns had any sort of family relationship in the fetish world.

Rainbow Dash flew back at a leisurely pace, Twilight behind her. While she didn’t get swamped in gifts, it would have been a bit clumsy for her to get home with everything on her own. Twilight didn’t need any further excuse to tag along.

Rainbow landed at her doorstep, Twilight settled down and placed everything neatly on the cloud with her magic. Rainbow opened her door and smiled. “Do you wanna come in?”

Twilight smiled back. “I’d probably better leave you be for now. I think we nearly gave ourselves away at the party.”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “You mean you almost did. You really need to get your wings under control, Twilight. And look up how to preen. You’re going to hurt yourself if you don’t take care of those things.”

Twilight nuzzled her friend. “I will, pet, don’t worry. And when we have some time alone, we’ll have a bit of real fun, how does that sound?”

Rainbow Dash giggled, nuzzling right back. “Sounds great. Oh, I almost forgot, the ponies on my patrol said I look younger. Do I?”

Twilight nodded and checked Rainbow’s body. “A little, but that’s to be expected. The image I put in your head is self-reinforcing, it should get some real results in a day or two.”

“Oh, okay. And then you’ll know how this sex magic stuff works, huh?”

“Yup, I might finally be able to answer those important questions that have been plaguing ponykind for millennia.” Twilight smiled proudly.

Rainbow looked idly at the sky and pondered. “You mean questions like: ‘How do we get sunburn or blush when we’re covered in fur?’”

Twilight’s ears flattened. “Please, Rainbow Dash, I said I’d answer important questions. I’m not a miracle worker.”

Rainbow held a hoof up to keep from bursting into laughter. “I’ll catch you later, then… Mistress.”

“Have fun with your present, pet.” With that final remark, Twilight took off with all the grace of a princess and then proceeded to fly with all the aerial skill of a penguin. Still, as frantic as it was, she managed her flight well enough to be safe, Rainbow Dash had made sure of that much.

Rainbow took her gifts in, placing everything in the cupboard or closet for it. She walked up to the kitchen to check her schedule.

This place is pretty big for one pony, but I knew that when I moved in. Maybe Twilight’ll move in with me someday? Nah, she’d never want to be away from her books.

She looked at the piece of paper and ran a hoof over the next item for today: checking Tank’s den.

Rainbow flew down and opened the wire fence, smiling to her reptile buddy as he came up in what she presumed was the tortoise equivalent of running and jumping at his owner. “Heya, Tank. Have you been good while I was out?”

Slowly, almost mechanically, Tank’s head bobbed up and down.

Rainbow chuckled. “Knew you would be. Here.” She fed him a bowl of thick, juicy berries and let him be. She stuck her head into his wooden den to check if it was clean. No smell, still pretty clean.

She looked down. Right underneath her face, there was a cardboard box, about the same size of the presents she’d gotten today. “Tank? Did you get me something for my birthday?”

Tank’s head wove left and right. Rainbow took the box out and read the card attached to the otherwise unremarkable container. “From Mistress, to her pet. Open in private.”

Rainbow’s heart skipped a beat. She wouldn’t have. She couldn’t have. Rainbow looked at Tank. “You gonna be okay with that, buddy?”

The tortoise looked to his food, carefully appraised it, and solemnly declared it would suffice with a mere nod of the head.

Without further ado, Rainbow rushed back indoors and opened the box. She did. She totally did.

Inside was one piece of paper, a written letter, on a transparent resealable plastic case. In the plastic case, she could see another piece of paper, containing what she could only assume were printed instructions. Underneath those instructions, there lay the shiniest masses of black rubber Rainbow Dash could imagine.

She took the note and read it carefully.

Dear Rainbow Dash,

I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of getting those rubber condom socks you were so excited about at CoCoCon. Since it was close to your birthday, I figured I might as well blank your memory of me buying them to keep it a surprise. If it worked, I can only assume you were very eager. If not, then I guess it’s not a surprise, but simply a well-deserved gift.

Read the instructions carefully, pet. These things are not called ‘condom socks’ for nothing.

Have fun,

Mistress Twilight Sparkle.

Rainbow could feel her mouth going dry. She flipped the note to see if anything else was written on it, then placed it down, opened the plastic case, and read the instructions. Okay, so turn them inside out and slip them on, hooves first. Don’t use with sharp objects, don’t rub too fast or you’ll get friction burns, don’t wear them while operating anything hot, got it. I don’t think I need to wear these things while I’m cooking, anyway. To take them off, just roll over the edge and pull down gently. Wash with regular soap, list of permitted oils… oh, you can use olive oil for that? Didn’t Rarity say that was a beauty thing, too? Lifetime warranty, manufacturer’s address…

She bit her lip, then read Twilight’s note again. Then she read the instructions again. Then she took out all four socks and laid them out on the sofa. The hoof stimulator pads, she left out for the moment. One thing at a time. Everything was set, she didn’t need anything more to go ahead. Rainbow Dash put a hoof to her chest, feeling out the pounding of her heartbeat. Her wings had gone erect already, but she paid it no heed. Okay, here goes.

She pushed the first condom sock inside out, one that was sculpted to go on her hind legs. She placed a hoof into it, then started rolling the rubber over her fur, carefully pushing out the air in between as she went.

Her leg warmed up, the frog of her hoof throbbed against the soft, protective surface.

She reached the end and shuddered. Her whole right leg, stopping just short of her thigh, was coated in black rubber shiny enough to see her reflection in. The seam looked perfect, not pulling at her fur anywhere, just going from blue fur to perfect, smooth, shiny black rubber.

Rainbow Dash gulped and did the same for her other leg. Again, when she reached the end, she felt a shudder go up her spine and right into her ears, before settling down to make her tail twitch. She groaned and felt her marehood clench. Her left front hoof wandered to her loins, before stopping. Not yet. Gotta do this right, Rainbow. Mistress would want you to do it properly.

Carefully, she rubbed the rubber-coated hooves and legs together, producing the same squeaking sensation she’d felt while at CoCoCon, only more intense. Clearly, this stuff was designed for prolonged use and increased sensitivity, unlike the mere summons Twilight had coated her with. She clenched her eyes shut as the vibrations ran through her, then forced herself to stop.

With another deep breath, Rainbow Dash turned one of the arm socks inside out and placed her left front hoof on it. Working this up was slower, since she had to fiddle with only one hoof this time, but she managed it. The black rubber stopped just short of her shoulder, and it made her arm feel warm, strong and throbbing against its confines.

The last one was barely an afterthought. Rainbow Dash had all four on before she even realised it. She ran her hooves over her couch, relishing the feeling of rubber separating her tender appendages from the cruel world that had hurt them so long ago. Her head was pounding from the excitement. Her marehood clenched, yearning. Everything in rubber throbbed, and everything not in rubber was feeling hot just from being exposed to the air.

This is too good, it’s too much. I need to lie down. She rolled over on the couch to lie on her back, rubbing her hind legs together and letting her front hooves explore her body. Rainbow’s nether regions were wet, hot, and tense, but then so was everything else.

Okay, Rainbow. You know what to do. The instructions said it was okay. It won’t ruin it, it’ll wash right off.

She stroked her nether lips and bucked. As she did, her hind hooves rubbed into the couch, making her even more aroused. Another front hoof went to her chest, rubber on nipple giving off another squeak, this time coming with a squeal of delight.

Rainbow stroked herself harder, trying to build up to a climax. She could feel her body tensing up and growing warmer, throbbing harder.

I can’t do this. She slowed down. This still feels wrong. Why does it feel wrong?

She tried to picture Mistress Twilight giving her permission to come. Rainbow knew Twilight would give her permission, Twilight had practically ordered her to come with her little tease, but it was to no avail. The tension stayed, the heat stayed, but the relief wouldn’t come.

She stopped and kept her rubber-covered appendages still. She caught her breath, relaxing into the sensations of rubber coating her limbs.

Okay, what’s really holding me back here? Pain? I’m not in pain anymore, Twilight took that away. Shame? I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. Guilt? Guilt. Guilt, maybe. I can’t come without Twilight telling me to come. It’s not permission I need, it’s somepony to pull a switch I can’t pull for myself. I need somepony to give that to me, take away my choice, because I can’t choose for it on my own. But why?

The image of her earlier infatuation came floating into her consciousness. Thunderlane? We broke up okay, no hard feelings, and we had fun. He doesn’t owe me anything, I don’t owe him anything.

She sighed. Except maybe a reason.

She stroked herself again, bucking into the affections with full abandon. The rubber-coated hoof found her clitoris and slowly circled its slick surface, sending tingles up Rainbow’s spine. Her wings lay uselessly on the couch, swollen to full erection. She panted and moaned, letting the other hoof stroke her nipples again.

That’s my problem. I’m the Element of Loyalty. Every time I do something wrong, say something bad, it always sticks. And I always push it down, pretend it’s not there. But it’s there, it’s always been there and it’s been trying to butt in on my fun all my life.

This is exactly what happened at the Best Young Flyer’s Competition. I’m scared, and that holds me back.

The bucks came in harder, the strokes faster, the squeaks louder.

I’m not perfect, and my friends don’t need me to be. I’m allowed to have fun, I’m a good pony.

Just let go, Rainbow, stop thinking. Do it like you while you’re flying. Just for some fun. Just…

Stop.

The orgasm wracked through her lithe body, those muscles she could never remember the name of clenching down hard. Every muscle, every nerve, every little hair on her fur was awash in her sexual energy. Vaguely, she felt the warmth of her juices coating the covered hoof that had gone from stroking her clitoris to pushing inside. The one on her chest had gone down to stroke her belly, just to feel those tight abs she was so proud of quiver with pleasure.

It was relief. It was bliss. And just when she thought it was getting painful, it was over.

She settled back down, squeaking in her condom socks. Her mind had shed a great load, at least for the moment. When she finally opened her eyes, she had clarity.

That’s it. I can’t come on my own because I can’t stop worrying. And now I can stop worrying, and it’s all thanks to Twilight.

She smiled and moaned lustfully as she worked the rubber into her tender loins.

It finally feels right. I’m finally fixed. I’m normal.

Rainbow’s eyes drifted shut, squeaking hooves still exploring her body.

Thank you, Mistress.

Author's Notes:

I think I should point out that this fic is a little bit out of control at this point. Not everything that's been introduced is going to get the full exploration, and I know that'll disappoint some people. But it's necessary. I can't be distracting readers with every little subplot so far, so... some questions, you're not going to get a straight answer to in this story. For example, this was going to set up a reconciliation between Rainbow Dash and Thunderlane, where she lets him know it wasn't his fault and she does think he's a good guy, yaddayaddayadda, the issue with that is that their relationship is another story on its own, and I couldn't find time or space to set it up. So I just had her get to the core of the thing: she can fly carelessly, but she cannot love carelessly.

Also, out of all the Mane Six, I feel like Fluttershy is the least present one in this story, but she's going to get her own scene later on, don't worry. You'll laugh, I hope.

And finally, now that Rainbow Dash and Twilight have properly found each other and have what they need to experiment safely and build a constructive relationship, let's address the next crisis: how to keep it from their friends?

I couldn't write a story like this and not use wingboner jokes. I might lose my license otherwise.

Twilight was always going to surprise RD with the socks, that was not based on reader response. Nor was the EqG reference. I'm glad I thought of it, though, since apparently that's what people wanted.