As I started to come to, I felt exhausted and nauseous. I awoke to find myself still in Zecora’s hut, lying on my stomach on her couch. A sharp, intense pain was coursing throughout my back, and it was unbearable. I groaned in distress and let out a few disgruntled noises as I tried to lift myself up. But that wasn’t happening, as the pain was far too much for me to handle. I then heard hoofsteps from behind me. I turned my head as best as I could to see Zecora.

“Hey Zecora…” Looking at her, I then noticed the changes that had unfolded. “Holy shit! I’ve got wings!” On my back was a pair of majestic wings! They were brown and full of feathers, as I expected them to be. They were in full span, as I had no idea how to lock them up. But I didn’t really want to at the moment. I wanted to just keep staring at them. They were so cool!

“The transformation was a complete success! And now, you are in quite a bit of pain, I would guess,” Zecora said. I nodded in agreement.

“You’re damn right I’m in quite a bit of pain. I’m in a whole lot of pain, as a matter of fact.” I leaned over onto my side and saw most of my torso was wrapped up in bloodied bandages. By the look of it, I had bled out a large amount of blood. A little too much, given how dizzy I felt. I held my head in slight agony and tried to shake it off, but to no avail. I tried to sit back, but doing so just added on to the pain.

“Ugh, how long is this pain going to last?” I asked her.

“I cannot say. Most certainly for the rest of the day,” she answered. I sighed. But I knew that the pain and suffering would all be worth it in the end! I was going to finally be able to truly fly with Fluttershy through the skies of Equestria!

“Well, I’ll certainly be needing some flying lessons. I’m sure Rainbow Dash would be obliged to help in that regard. Zecora, I cannot thank you enough!” I was elated beyond words! She nodded to me and gave me a warm smile. I tried to sit up once more, this time with more success. It hurt to sit, but it was worth it, as I was able to get a full view of my new wings. “You’re the best, Zecora!" I said cheerfully. With a bit of effort, I was back on my feet. I twisted my torso a bit and moved my shoulders around as best I could to get a feel for the changes in my body. A small question came to mind shortly after. “How long are these wings supposed to last, Zecora?” I asked. She smiled at me.

“Normally, the wings last only last a few months. But thanks to the eagle’s feather, you will undergo this process only once,” she told me.

“So, forever?!” She nodded, and a smile that rivals even the Joker’s spread across my face. I was as happy as happy could get! As I write these words, I’ve still got my wings, and they’re still fucking awesome!

After I had finished readjusting myself to accommodate my changes, Zecora handed me my shirt, which she had cut two holes in the back for my wings. They weren’t perfect, but it wasn’t that much of a problem. It wasn’t a shirt I really cared about, and Rarity could probably fix it up. In fact, she would wind up making holes in all of my clothes that needed them. As I stood there, I started to try to move them around, which hurt extensively.

“I would not try to move them yet, Matthew, as it will certainly only hurt you. Wait a little while longer, and you shall see, the movement will be even stronger!” Zecora explained. I nodded and took her advice, ceasing all movement in my wings. I just let them be as they were. I admired them for a while longer before getting ready to leave.

“Again, Zecora, thank you so much! You’re the best zebra ever!” I offered my hand up for a fist/hoofbump. She smiled and accepted the gesture. After that, I made my way back to Ponyville, on a much better path that Zecora had thankfully provided me with. As I stood on the outskirts of Ponyville, I began to wonder how I should reveal my new wings to Fluttershy. It had to be a surprise, for sure, but I wondered just how exactly I should do it. Luckily, Rainbow Dash was flying around overhead for me to catch her.

“Hey, Dash!” I shouted up to her. I got her attention, and she flew down to me. I caught her exasperated expression even before she landed with a slide. She then began hovering around me in quick spurts, examining me and my new wings.

“Ha! Matt, you got wings?! Awesome!” she screeched. We laughed in tandem as she admired my set of wings. I foolishly posed for her, much to her amusement. “How is that even possible?!”

“Our good friend Zecora is to thank, good Rainbow Dash!” I answered.

“Ya gotta love that zebra!” We smacked hands/hooves for a high-five/hoof in celebration. It truly was a wonderful moment to share with my best friend. “You haven’t told Fluttershy yet, right? Cause you totally need to surprise her with this!” I nodded in agreement.

“That’s exactly what I intend to do. I just need to figure out how to do so. Think you could help out in that regard?” I asked.

“Pfft, do you question my abilities to offer the best surprises ever?!” she boasted. I rolled my eyes.

“Honestly, I expect Pinkie Pie to help me with the true surprise, but if you want to help keep Fluttershy distracted for a while, that’d be great,” I said, chuckling as I had figuratively dragged Dash off of her throne of pride. She pouted in childish defeat and rolled her eyes at me.

“Ugh, fine! Have it your way! But you’re wasting some serious talent here! Where is she right about now?” she asked. I pondered for a moment. She was supposed to be out most of the day running some errands, but I had been out for a while, so I had no idea where she could be. I shrugged and told Dash as much as I knew.

“I figure she should be around the market or something. Maybe check her cottage too. I’m going to head to Sugarcube Corner. Do you know where the rest of the gang is?” I asked.

“Yeah, actually, they’re already all at Sugarcube Corner. I was on my way there to meet up with them when you stopped me. I’d be happy to grab Fluttershy and bring her over. How much time do you think you’ll need?”

“Probably about a twenty minutes at least. It shouldn’t take that long for me to explain everything to everypony there. Though, I’d rather avoid explaining everything until you and Fluttershy get there, so I can just explain it all once to everypony and be done in that regard. So, basically, just keep Fluttershy occupied, if she isn’t already, for a little while, and bring her over whenever you think is gouda!” I told her. She raised an eyebrow at me, quizzically.

“Gouda?” she questioned.

“It’s a type of cheese.”

“I know, but… Never mind. Let’s move!” And like that, she bolted off. I would have done the same, if it weren’t for the pain that still coursed through my body. Not to mention, my torso was still ensconced in bandages (new ones, of course (I changed them before I left Zecora’s)). So, I steadily made my way to Sugarcube Corner, taking in the glances and stares of the ponies that I passed by. They mostly seemed impressed by my new wings. Others seemed shocked or surprised by the change, as most of the ponies in Ponyville had gotten to know me pretty well by now. So, as you can imagine, having wings on my back was surely a nice surprise for my friends.

I made it to Sugarcube Corner in good time, thankfully avoiding Fluttershy as I made my way there. I entered to find the main room empty. I assumed everypony was in the back, hanging out. I heard laughter coming from my destination, and sure enough, the gang was all here. I peeked my head in the room and greeted my friends.

“Greetings, my lovely companions!” I said, putting on a goofy, wide-mouthed smile. The girls and Spike looked over with smiles on their faces.

“Oh yeah, Matt is in the house!” Spike cheered.

“New and improved, I might add,” I said, revealing myself to the gang. Their expressions were absolutely priceless, with all of their jaws practically hitting the floor. Spike’s entire self, not just his jaw, hit the floor, in fact.

“Wha…? How…? What?!” Twilight screeched, being the first to speak up. “That’s not possible! It’s just not! From what I know of your biology, Matt, you physically shouldn’t be able to grow wings! How’d you do it?!”

“In short, Zecora,” I answered, sweetly and simply. Simultaneously, they all nodded.

“Yep, that there sounds about right,” Applejack jumped in.

“Oh do tell us everything, darling! Details, details, details!” Rarity chimed up.

“Yeah! I bet it was the most exhilarating thing you’ve ever felt in your life!” Pinkie added, jumping up and down.

“Seriously, dude, those wings are sweet! Did Zecora give you some magic potion or something?” Spike asked.

“Settle, settle, ye silly little ponies!” I jocularly stated. “All shall be told, but we are obviously missing two of our merry little bunch.” The group looked around and realized I was talking about Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.

“Oh yeah, where are those two anyhow?” Applejack asked.

“Fluttershy’s out doing errands today. I bumped into Rainbow Dash on my way out of the Everfree Forest. I told her to go find Fluttershy and distract her for a while. They’ll be here soon, I believe. I figure it’ll be easier to explain everything once to all of you, am I right?” They all nodded. “Shwaggy!” Everypony shared a laugh at the sound of my uncanny statement.

A couple minutes went by of the gang just admiring and gawking at my wings. It got a tad bit annoying, actually, but then again, it always felt great to be loved and admired! Haha! Anyway, after those minutes had passed, we heard a knocking on the back door.

“Hey guys, it’s us!” Rainbow Dash called from outside. We all froze for a moment, followed by the quick panic of getting me hidden, followed by silence. From my hiding spot, I gestured for somepony to say something.

“Uh… hey there, Rainbow. You got Fluttershy with ya?” Applejack asked.

“Yep! We’re coming in!” Dash replied. I heard the doors open, along with two sets of hoofsteps. I listened as Dash and Fluttershy walked in. I peeked out from my little hiding nook to see the two mares join their friends on the couches.

“Why Fluttershy, you look simply awful. Tiresome day of errands, I take it?” Rarity asked. Looking at Fluttershy, I could see that Rarity was absolutely right. Her mane was pretty disheveled, with tangles and knots all around. Her fur seemed slightly rustled around as well. And she seemed a little dirty too.

“Oh, it was nothing that stressful. It was just that some of my animal friends surprised me with some unexpected requests at the busiest of my day. But, everything was taken care of. Nothing to worry about,” she explained. As she finished, she wore a cute, enamored smile. It gave me so many feels!

“Darling, I mean no offense when I say this, but you look as ghastly as Twilight did when that stallion asked her out the other night,” Rarity announced. The gang collectively giggled and laughed as Twilight’s face lit up the brightest shade of red.

“Hey, it’s not funny!” Twilight protested, but her pleas fell upon deaf ears, as Rainbow Dash and Spike were cackling so maniacally that they were on the floor.

“Oh my gosh, that was hysterical! Her face when he asked her was priceless!” Spike cried out, holding his sides as he rolled around.

“And how she completely locked up and he just walked away! I was dying!” Rainbow added. And, unfortunately, the antics got so out of control that I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. I guess it must have been a pretty loud one, because silence fell over the room shortly after. Everypony but Fluttershy locked up. Fluttershy gazed heavily upon the point of origin.

“Girls… where’s Matthew?” she asked. They all looked at each other. I figured since our cover had been blown, I might as well make my entrance.

“Well, she got us. I’m over here, cutie,” I said from the hallway. I presented myself to Fluttershy. Just the sight of me seemed to assuage all of the stress she must have been feeling from the day. She was staring daggers at me, unable to avert her gaze. She stood up and slowly approached me.

“Matthew…” she said. I looked down to her and smiled a cheeky smile.

“Hey!” I replied. I could see her starting to tear up. And before I knew it, I was twirling her around in the air, holding her in a tight hug.

“Oh my gosh, Matthew! You have wings! I can’t believe it! They’re beautiful! Yay!” she squealed. It was adorable.

“Yep! And ow!” I put her down, rubbing my torso, as the pain from the transformation still lurked and crept within me. It sucked.

“Oh, are you alright? I’m sorry!”

“Heh, it’s fine. I just forgot that I’m not in the clear just yet.” I showed them all my bandages. They all looked worried, but I guaranteed that I was fine. And after that, I explained the entire experience to them. I told them of my visit to Zecora’s, the repulsive concoction she made me, the pain of the changes, and how amazing it felt to have wings of my own. And last but not least, I went into great detail of how anxious and excited I was to be able to finally fly with the love of my life.

“Seriously, we need to get training as soon as possible, because you and I have got some serious flying to do, Fluttershy,” I told her, wrapping my arm around her as we rested on the couch.

“Ha! You’re gonna have to wait a while there, pal, cause flyin ain’t as simple as it seems. But don’t you worry! With me as your coach, you’ll be up in the air in no time!” Rainbow proclaimed. I rolled my eyes and looked back to Fluttershy. She seemed ready to burst with tears.

“You alright?” I asked.

“I just can’t believe you did this for me. For us. I just can’t believe how lucky I am to have you, Matthew,” she said.

“Aaaaaww.” We all looked at Spike. “What, it was cute.” Then, we all laughed at Spike. Truly, it was a magnificent day! I looked back to Fluttershy and pressed my lips to her. Parting, we gazed into each other’s eyes.

“You know how much I love you?” I asked her.

“I think I’ve got a good idea, but tell me anyway!” she eagerly replied.

“Sheesh, can you believe these guys! I mean, come on! PDA much?!” Pinkie jeered. We all looked at her.

“You know what I just realized,” I began, “Pinkie has barely spoken today. Like, she’s been unusually quiet…” We all continued to gaze at her. She then lifted her hoof over her head and removed her, well, skin, to reveal Gummy.

“Huh?!” everypony in the room collectively said, confused beyond imagination. Suddenly, Pinkie cartwheeled into the room through the door.

“Hehehe! I can’t believe you guys fell for that! I mean, come on! It was unbelievably obvious that Gummy had secretly pulled me aside and slipped into a Pinkie Pie costume. Seriously, you guys are so gullible. Hehehe!” she stated. Of course, we were all shitting ourselves in confusion. I personally was ready to pull out my brain, plant some dynamite in it, and place it back in my head, only to await a quick demise.

“Wait, what just happened?!” Twilight asked in absolute protest. Pinkie kept giggling until she looked at me.

“Hey, Matt! Nice wings! When’d you get em?!” she asked cheerfully. I looked down to Fluttershy, rolled my eyes, and threw my head back in exhaustion. It had been quite an eventful day indeed.

Author's Notes:

Yeah, the ending came from me realizing that I had literally given Pinkie no lines in the chapter. So, I promptly said "Fuck it!" and made the ending. Cool, right?!