Rainbow Dash rubbed her neck, idly noting the smoothness of her fur. Her mane had grown overnight again, along with her tail, and she was fairly certain her arms and legs were slightly longer than before, too. Part of her thought it was just a late growth spurt, but part of her had reached the conclusion that whatever Twilight’s sex magic was doing, it involved making Rainbow look more like an alicorn every day. She hoped she wouldn’t wake up with a horn anytime soon, but then again she’d been feeling horny already.

Her medical exam done, she waited right outside Tradewind’s office, as always. The routine of hearing that stallion drone off all the things she’d been doing wasn’t too much of a concern, although it did make him sound like an expositioning villain in a Daring Do novel, or a changeling trial. It had to be done, though, for every Weather Patrol. The paperwork had to be in order, everything had to be documented and confirmed, the psychological evaluation had to be done.

A dark blue stallion walked out of the office, one Rainbow Dash recognised as a captain for a small town just east of Froggy Bottom Bog, she couldn’t recall the name. He motioned for Rainbow Dash to enter. “You’re up.”

Rainbow Dash steeled herself and entered.

She froze. Instead of the usual stallion, she was greeted by the sight of an orange mare in an officer’s uniform. She’d seen the mare’s private parts cast in rubber not too long ago, too, but given the circumstances she didn’t think it prudent to bring that up just yet. “Oh, hi, Spitfire… Ma’am. Did I walk in the wrong way?”

Spitfire shuffled some paperwork around and kept her eye on one sheet once she’d found it. “No, I’m doing the reviews today. Have a seat and close the door.”

Rainbow Dash did as she was told. She shuffled nervously in her seat while Spitfire went through the reports.

After reading through what Rainbow guessed was her personal report, Spitfire looked up. “So I hear you’ve been taking Tradewind’s advice? Training Raindrops and Cloud Kicker?”

Rainbow nodded. “Um, sort of. I figured they were up for it, I asked, I gave them some tips and training, and they went along with it. I didn’t force them, I just offered it. ”

Spitfire nodded. “Mind if I ask why? You were doing fine on your own, there weren’t any complaints about your work. You’re good enough to cover all of Ponyville, you just had to delegate.”

Rainbow Dash looked away from Spitfire’s gaze. “Yeah, but I’m still only one pony, and patrols are done on a schedule. If the schedule doesn’t say I’m doing it, or if there’s an emergency and I can’t be there, there needs to be somepony else to fill in for me. And, you know, sometimes there’s emergencies that aren’t mine, and other ponies need to be filled in for. Raindrops and Cloud Kicker were pretty good already, and I’m sure they’re doing well on their tests right now. Besides, if they pass, then they can help train other ponies, too.”

“But you’re the captain, Rainbow Dash. You’re supposed to lead, you make the schedules.” Spitfire smiled knowingly.

“Well, yeah, obviously, but it has to be fair. Nopony’s going to listen to me if I don’t keep things fair. I’m still doing my job, I’m not backing out of anything I’m supposed to do. It’s just that Ponyville’s got a lot of ponies in it, and I can’t be the only one to depend on for Weather Patrol stuff.”

Spitfire let her head rest on her hooves. “Sounds reasonable. What about the Wonderbolts? Still want to be one?”

Rainbow gulped. “Yes, Ma’am.”

“You did pretty well on the first training session. What did you think of the rest of the squad?” Spitfire’s eyes seemed to shoot fire as she said it.

The blue pegasus suppressed a gulp. “Honestly? I don’t think anypony except Lightning Dust was on my level, but they could be pretty soon. I don’t think they can beat me, but I think most of them can keep up, if they try.”

“Pretty good assessment. And I assume by now you’ve figured out why I’m here instead of Tradewind?” Spitifre smirked.

“Umm… if I had to guess, I’d say you’re here to do another personal checkup. And since I’m pretty sure I’ve stayed out of trouble, that means I’m getting a raise?” Rainbow flashed her a nervous smile.

“Close, but not quite. Think a little bigger, rookie.”

Rookie? She doesn’t mean… “Ponyville’s getting its own Wonderbolt squad? And I’m gonna be on it?”

Spitfire chuckled. “Yup. It’s decided, but it’s not official yet, so keep it to yourself for now. There’s still a lot of work to be done, and a lot of training, but we know now Ponyville’s got enough talent to support a squad. With all the stuff going on there, the town can do with a little extra protection, and it’s got a good terrain to practise, as I’m sure you’ve found out. The next round of training will move to there, so no more putting your day job on hold. You haven’t earned your spot just yet, but you’ve definitely earned the chance to work for it.”

“Umm, I don’t know what to say. Thanks, I can’t wait to get started.”

Spitfire glared at her. “Just remember things are gonna get rough. Wonderbolts push their limits, doesn’t matter how high those limits are. You’ve still got a few weak points that can do with some work. Think you can manage?”

Rainbow barely caught her breath. “Yes, Ma’am, I’ll give it my best shot. And, um, Lightning Dust?”

“What about her?”

“I kinda lost touch with her after what happened. I mean, has she found something else, or is she still on the list?” Rainbow tensed up.

“She won’t be joining you anytime soon, but she’s fine, don’t worry. I’d expected you two to rub off on each other, and it was a little more one-sided than I’d have liked, but she did come to her senses and we don’t want to waste her talent. She’s just got some issues she needs to work through.”

Rainbow breathed a quiet sigh of relief. “Okay, as long as she’s not giving up.”

“Right then, that just leaves one more thing I have to ask.” Spitfire took out a document and a stamp. “You’re not much of a beauty queen, are you, Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow narrowed her eyes. Hang on. “Beauty queen?”

“A model, I mean. If you did make it to official Wonderbolt recruit, you wouldn’t be interested in modelling on the side, right? It’s a formality, but I’m legally obliged to ask. You’re not into that, right?” Spitfire had her hoof over the piece of paper, stamp ready.

A great many thoughts ran through Rainbow Dash’s mind at that point. How it would be easiest to just agree and say she was indeed not interested, for example, or how it would be ‘uncouth’ of her to continue, as Rarity would put it. Then there was the notion that Spitfire was her future boss as well as her current idol, and as such it would be unwise to antagonise or embarrass her. But unfortunately, one thought sounded louder than all the others.

I will never get another chance like this ever again.

“Oh, I don’t mind modelling. I do it for my friend, Rarity, all the time. I didn’t know Wonderbolts did that kind of thing.” Rainbow flashed her a petulant grin.

Spitfire gulped and nervously rubbed the back of her head. “Well, err, they don’t. Not all of them, I mean. Some do, though, for a little extra cash. But I don’t think you really need that with your job.”

“Why not? More cash lets me buy more fun things. Besides, modelling is just standing around and looking awesome, I can do that just fine.”

Spitfire was starting to sweat at this point, little damp spots forming under the armpits of her uniform. “It’s not regular modelling, though. It’s more of a… special kind of deal not everypony’s cut out for.”

“You mean like a calendar?”

Spitfire perked up at the notion. “Yeah, sort of like a calendar. A really, um, ‘adult’ calendar.”

Rainbow Dash refrained from smirking, though it was getting harder by the second. “Oh, you mean a nude calendar. Hey, I’ve got nothing to hide, just say where and when.”

Again, Spitfire looked away nervously. “Err, it’s not a nude calendar. It’s something a little more saucy and embarrassing.”

“So it’s a dressed-up calendar, then? Wow, that is kinky. Well, I do look good in socks.” Rainbow shrugged, still smiling brightly.

Spitfire cleared her throat, properly flustered. “No, it’s not even a proper photoshoot. It’s kind of a public service Wonderbolts are asked to do, and it’s not mandatory. No one can force you to do it if you don’t want to.”

Rainbow Dash kept up her act. “But it sounds like something I’d want to do. Why wouldn’t I get my picture taken?”

Spitfire couldn’t even keep eye contact at this point. “Umm, because it’s not a picture they’d be taking. It’s something a little more… ‘tangible’.”

“A video? Hey, that’s even better! I’d make a great motivational speaker.”

Spitfire sighed in defeat. “It’s not a video, either, Rainbow Dash. I’m trying to tell you this modelling job isn’t for normal ponies. It’s silly and it’s embarrassing and it’s -- you’ve been to CoCoCon, haven’t you?”

Rainbow’s budding smirk could be held back no more. “I swear I have no idea what you’re talking about, ‘Captain Blaze’.”

Spitfire rolled her eyes and groaned. “Okay, cards on the table, then. The modelling job involves going to a hospital and getting a scan done of your… well, your private bits. You get registered, they make a note of your breed, you sign off on it, and within a year there’s sex toys shaped like your marehood being sold, with a name that doesn’t leave a lot of doubt as to whose marehood it is. You’d get a fair cut of the proceeds, and Celestia makes sure anyone harassing you about it gets dealt with nice and quick. The press is strictly forbidden to speak about it, too, and the tabloids know they can’t touch the subject, every single one. So, would you please stop joking about it and give me a straight answer?”

Rainbow Dash weighed it in her mind. “Honestly, off the record? I don’t know. What made you do it?”

“Off the record? Princess Celestia asked me if I felt up to it. She’s usually the one to ask the Royal Guards, too, you’ve probably seen some of those models. She, umm, made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Part of me wanted to, obviously, but another part kinda felt bad about refusing. I can’t say I regret it, either, it’s just… weird.”

Rainbow tilted her head, confused. “So why’d you say ‘yes’?”

“Because it helped pay the rent when I was just a rookie, for one thing. But mostly I thought -- well, Celestia convinced me -- it was a good idea to contribute and show ponies that, you know, there’s all kinds. Besides that, I realised I’d rather take one for the team than think some poor boy wants to know what it’s like to mount a pony like me and end up mounting something modelled after his sister.” Spitfire winced at the thought.

You mean like the situation Twilight is in right now. Right, got it. “But ponies never talk to you about it? Ever?”

“Never. Princess Celestia is very strict about that: anypony on the list is guaranteed privacy. Besides, if they talk to you about it, that’s admitting they have your model back home, or at least saw it. Nopony wants to explain that,” Spitfire said.

“Makes sense. So, um, you’re not mad about me joking about it? And me knowing?”

Spitfire rolled her eyes. “No hard feelings, rookie. What a Wonderbolt does in their own time is their business. It’s only my business if they can’t fly anymore because of it. You keep this private, we’re not gonna have any issues, same with the rest of the Wonderbolts. We all know this is going on, anyhow, it doesn’t make a lick of difference. We joke about it sometimes, but it’s all harmless. So, what do I put down for you? Yes or no?”

“Well, if you did it, I guess I can, too. Just, umm, make sure my family doesn’t find out?”

“Oh, trust me, family never finds out about this. You’ve got strict deniability, and if any vendor claims it’s modelled after you, you can claim it’s just a sales pitch. I’ll put you down for a ‘maybe’, then. You can get it recalled if you do change your mind.”

Rainbow smiled. “Good. Anything else, Ma’am?”

Spitfire looked up and narrowed her gaze. “Just one thing. You’re looking a little thinner than I remember, Rainbow. Taller, too. Have you been experimenting with purple magic?”

Rainbow Dash looked away. “Um, that’s kind of personal. But, off the record, if I was, would that be a problem?”

“Not really. Not like it works.”

“Wait, what?”

“Purple magic? Sex magic? Doesn’t work, aside from cosmetics. It makes you look younger, obviously, and the advanced stuff can make your body look more like an alicorn’s, but it doesn’t make you any stronger or faster. The books are kinda weird like that,” Spitfire explained matter-of-factly.

Rainbow Dash stared for a moment, wondering if her prank was being met with revenge now. “How would you know?”

“Old friend of mine told me. It’s a running gag in magic schools, mostly on the higher-ups. Every once in a while, some ambitious unicorn comes around thinking it’s not fair pegasi and Earth ponies can’t learn magic, so they get into purple magic to try and decipher the symbolism in the older books. Thing is: in the old days they only used symbols to hide magic stuff from the other tribes. That’s the only reason it’s there.”

Rainbow frowned. “So?”

“So? Stuff that works for all ponies doesn’t need to be hidden. When the books say an exercise or meditation makes your hair grow shinier, it’s not a symbol for strength, like it is in the other books. It really does just mean it makes your hair shiny. Apparently the old mages had a weird sense of humour like that. You, err, weren’t hoping for any real boost, were you?”

“Me? No, no, not really. It’s just, err, something a friend of mine recommended to work on my looks.” Rainbow Dash chuckled nervously. “You know, just for show.”

“Right, that Rarity gal. I remember her.” Spitfire rubbed her chin. “It’s good advice, though, if you can stick with it. There’s worse ways of working on your looks, more painful ones, too. Just make sure you don’t overdo it and keep up the good work.”

Yeah, keep it up.

Twilight’s not gonna like this.

Fluttershy enjoyed these tea parties with her animal friends. Mister Grizzles, the bear in charge of keeping tabs on the honey bee population -- a job he did happily and with a very paws-on approach -- was an unexpected authority on the maturing of her blends, and Angel Bunny loved being out and about in the sun with her, not to mention his taste for cucumber sandwiches. It made the darling so much easier to handle in the evening, she found. But, as was the case for traditional tea parties, there was always a bit of gossip to be had as well.

“Hoo!” Owloiscious argued.

Fluttershy nodded. “Yes, I know they’ve been acting strange, Owloiscious, but it doesn’t mean anything.”

“Hoo!”

“No, it doesn’t mean they’re in love. There’s a lot of things that might be going on. It, um, it certainly doesn’t mean they’re in love with each other. They’re just spending more time together because they have more in common now. Twilight is still the same pony.”

The owl folded his wings in front of his chest in indignation. Mister Grizzles and Angel Bunny were digging into the treats while Fluttershy tried to calm down the upset bird of prey.

“Hoo.”

Fluttershy did her best impression of a grumble. “Now, really, Owloiscious, that’s just not fair. You’re still a wild owl, after all, you just have an extra bed at the library. You’re not really a pet, and Twilight still takes very good care of you. You’re not around all the time, either. Why, I can think of a hundred times Twilight might have needed you and you weren’t there. Um, not that I’m trying to make you feel guilty, but, you know, you might want to consider that, too.”

The owl grumbled. “Hoo?”

“Me? Oh, no, I haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary.”

“Hoo?”

“Smell? What smell?”

“Hoo.”

“Oh. Oh, my, no. No, that’s actually a common mistake: ponies can’t smell that in other ponies.” Fluttershy shook her head.

Owloiscious raised an eyebrow and looked the mare right in the eye. “Hoo.”

“I’m sure Twilight did read that, but that doesn’t mean it’s true. Ponies cannot smell that in other ponies.” Not right away, at least. It’s something you learn, and not everypony does. Doesn’t make Hearts and Hooves Day any easier on the singles, too.

Reluctantly, the owl backed off. “Hoo?”

“Well, maybe she’s been busy. Rainbow Dash is a busy mare, too, but she can find time to see her friends. I haven’t seen Twilight and Rainbow Dash that much, either, but I’m not worried. I’m still meeting her for the picnic, after all. We can catch up then.”

“Hoo?”

“No, I don’t think you really need to talk to her about it. Wait until things settle down, she’ll come around.”

“Hoo?” Owloiscious whimpered.

Fluttershy waved his concern away. “Oh, Rainbow Dash isn’t trying to steal anything from you, silly. She’s just helping out a friend, that’s all. That’s what Rainbow Dash does. I’m sure Twilight is giving her advice, too.”

“Hoo.” Slowly, Owloiscious nodded, then took off, most likely in the pursuit of meatier treats than the cucumber sandwiches on offer.

Fluttershy let out a sigh of relief. Phew. I hope Rainbow Dash and Twilight just come out soon. It’s nice that they found each other, but I’d hate to keep lying to keep their secret.

“Look out below!”

Right at that moment, an orange filly came crashing down into a nearby tree. Fluttershy jumped up and flew to the girl’s aid. “Goodness. Are you all right, Scootaloo?”

Scootaloo jumped down from a tree branch and brushed off some dirt before shedding her helmet. “Yeah, I’m fine. Me and my friends just went hang gliding.”

Fluttershy landed and inspected the girl, before inspecting the tree. “Then where is your hang glider?”

Scootaloo pointed a hoof up at the sky. “With my friends.”

Fluttershy’s left eye gave off a twitch. “Y-you just fell, just like that? Isn’t that dangerous?”

“Not for a pony who can slow down her fall, like me. I’ve been taking lessons from Rainbow Dash.” Scootaloo raised her head up proudly.

Fluttershy nodded. Even Mister Grizzles looked puzzled.

This is Flight Camp all over again. The mare sighed. “Um, right, I guess she would start with landing practice, with your stunts and all. But aren’t Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle going to come looking for you?”

Scootaloo trotted off. “No, I had to leave early. I gotta go, Fluttershy; I have to go see Missus Flora this afternoon. See you around!”

Fluttershy blinked, confused. “Who?”

Author's Notes:

The thing about privacy? We respect it because we want it for ourselves. Yeah, not the best title, but it stuck.

I'm surprised no one realised that if Wonderbolts are asked to model, then Rainbow Dash becoming one means she's asked, too.

Lightning Dust? Not gonna debate her too much. It's just that loyalty means you forgive the ones you're loyal to, and seeing as Lightning and Rainbow did hit it off at first, it seemed appropriate to address.

All in all, this chapter's mostly meant to show life moving on for Rainbow Dash. She's not a Wonderbolt yet, but she's done her job and she's earned a chance to work for a spot on the team. I know I keep saying this, but I have no idea what the new S4 canon is on the Wonderbolts and I have no interest in spoilers thereabout. I treat them as an extension of Weather Patrols: very skilled at manoeuvering, strong flyers and weather manipulators, and specifically trained to deal with emergencies. They can cut a dragon's scales and show enough restraint not to kill him outright (I'm guessing someone did tell them that was Spike in Secret of My Excess, and the cowering was meant more to keep him distracted and in place, but that's just me). They are also built up as shining examples of good flyers: they are made out to be heroes in a setting where power is common but true heroism is not.

Fluttershy knows Twilight and Dash are together, why? The answer's kind of obvious, but will be spelled out in the last chapter, which is the next one.

Also, Flight Camp fic references? What Flight Camp fic references? I don't see any references to my Flight Camp fic, do you? I most certainly didn't slip two OC's in there without anyone noticing. Well, no one commented on the first one a few chapters back, at least.

Yeah, about Scootaloo: I'm not going to give too much closure on that. The main characters of this story are not her family, not in this story, at least. It's Scootaloo's choice to share that, and she chooses not to. But she's happy, and she's boasting she's been getting lessons from Rainbow. That should be enough.

And gosh, we're near the end. This has been quite a ride, I must say.