“Twilight? You home?!” Rainbow Dash called, zipping down the hallways of the crystal castle. If anyone knew why Rainbow felt like this, it would be Twilight. She was such a nerd; she was bound to know something.
“I’m in the library!” Twilight responded. Of course, she was in the library. Why didn’t she check there first?
Rainbow Dash entered the library, and as she expected, Twilight’s nose was in a book. She glanced up, flashing Rainbow Dash a quick smile.
“What brings you here? Did we have something planned?” Twilight asked. Rainbow Dash shook her head.
“No, no, I’m fine. I just…need your advice on a dream I had.”
Twilight tilted her head.
“Why don’t you ask Princess Luna?” She questioned. Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head, avoiding Twilight’s gaze.
“I don’t wanna bother her with some boring dream.”
Twilight raised her eyebrows.
“So you want to bother me with a boring dream?” Twilight joked.
“Yeah! You’re like, the queen of boring stuff.” Rainbow responded, sitting across from the alicorn. Twilight playfully rolled her eyes, closing her book.
“What was the dream about?”
“It was really dumb; I was, get this, a stallion! And the weird part is that I liked it!” Rainbow Dash snorted. “Isn’t that just crazy?” Twilight tilted her head.
“I mean, it’s not that crazy. That seems like a pretty tame dream.” Twilight started.”Is it bothering you?” She asked. Rainbow Dash scoffed.
“Why would it bother me? Nothing bothers Rainbow Danger Dash!” She boasted, defensively flapping her wings. Twilight raised a brow.
“If it doesn’t bother you, why did you ask for help?”
Rainbow Dash pursed her lips, averting her eyes from Twilight’s gaze. She crossed her arms, sinking into her seat.
“Why did you ask for help?” She teasingly mumbled, a blush appearing on her face. Twilight playfully rolled her eyes, flying up from her seat. She looked through her bookshelves, muttering to herself.
Rainbow Dash cocked her head, squinting at Twilight.
“What are you doing?” She questioned.
“I’m looking for my book on dream analysis. Princess Luna gave it to me.” Twilight cheerfully explained. “A-ha! I found it!” She plopped the oversized book in front of the pegasus. The book made an audible ‘thud’ when it hit the table.
Rainbow Dash gazed at the book in awe. That book was massive. Man, Twilight really was a nerd if she read all of that.
Twilight flipped through the book, humming to herself. She pointed at a page, leaning closer.
“Here it is; a chapter all about seeing yourself as something, or in your case, or someone else.” Twilight announced. “It says here that if you dream about being the opposite gender, it’s a sign that you’re not happy with your current self.” She read out.
Rainbow Dash scoffed, leaning further back in her seat.
“Me, not happy? Puh-lease! I’m only the most awesome pony in Equestria.” She brushed it off. Twilight chuckled.
“Well, have you ever thought about being a stallion?” Twilight asked.
“Uh yeah; Every mare thinks about being a stallion.”
Silence filled the room.
“...No…not every mare thinks about that.”
Rainbow Dash quickly sat up, staring at Twilight in disbelief.
“Really?!” She practically shrieked. Twilight shook her head. Rainbow Dash stared at the table, her jaw agape.
“If it’ll help, I’ll get you some books on gender expression.” Twilight offered.
“I’m not an egghead like you; I don’t need to read all the time.” Rainbow Dash teased, rolling her eyes. She paused, tapping her hoof against her arm.
“...I’ll take one book.”
Rainbow Dash laid on her bed, staring at the book cover. Plastered on the cover was a picture of a faceless pony looking confused.
“So you’re not comfortable with your body! Now what?” Rainbow read the title out loud. She rolled her eyes at the dumb title.
Despite her mild annoyance, she couldn’t help but feel a bit of love in her heart. She had expected Twilight to call her silly, not validate her. Despite her shock, she couldn’t help but feel proud that Twilight was there to understand her.
Even though she had the answer to her problems in the palm of her hooves, she couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. What if she didn’t like who she turned out to be? Rainbow shook her head.
“Ok, Dash, you can do this.” She encouraged, flipping the book open.
“Do you ever feel unhappy with your body? Ever feel your height doesn’t fit you or you don’t look good enough? Snout the wrong size?”
Rainbow was in awe. That’s exactly what she felt like. Word for word, in fact.
“Well, don’t fret; this is the book for you! I know discovering yourself can be hard, so we made it easier! First, ask yourself who you want to be. What version of yourself do you want the world to see?”
Rainbow Dash paused, thinking for a moment. Who did she want to be? She wanted to be a Wonderbolt; she knew that for a fact. Rainbow wanted to be an inspiration to all. An idol, an icon.
On top of that, she wanted to be a figure anyone could look up to. Maybe an older brother of sorts.
”Try complimenting yourself! Look in a mirror and call yourself handsome or pretty. See what you’re comfortable with.”
Rainbow Dash flew off her bed, landing in front of her mirror.
Rainbow Dash stared at her reflection. She didn’t see the point of this, a few compliments would do much.
“I’m a handsome stallion.” She said with an eye roll. Her heart sped up. She loved the sound of that. “I-I’m a cool and awesome stallion!
This felt amazing. It felt right! For the first time in years, Rainbow felt free. Maybe being a stallion was what he wanted. Rainbow had been spending so much time denying who she really was. No, who he really was.
“If I’m going through with this, to know more. Now what’s next in the book?”
“Mom, Dad, you made it!” Rainbow greeted excitedly, letting his parents in.
“We were just so excited when you called us over. We could hardly wait!” Windy Whistles exclaimed with a happy leap.
“You almost never invite us. What’s the occasion, sport?” Bow Hothoof asked in a teasing manner.
To Windy Whistles' surprise, they weren’t the only ones in the house. All of Rainbow’s friends sat in various spots in the living room. She was expecting this to be a family hangout.
“Why are we here again?” Windy asked, sitting in a nearby chair.
Rainbow flew to the middle of the living room, high enough for everyone to see him.
“Everypony, I have an important announcement.”
Rainbow looked at his friends and family. They all stared at him intently, awaiting the news.
“I’m a stallion. I want to go by the name Rainbow Blitz.”
Twilight gave a soft scoff.
“Is that what this is about? I already knew that.” Twilight rolled her eyes playfully. “You’ve been borrowing books on gender expression for a week.” Rainbow Blitz glared at his purple friend.
“I wasn’t talking to you!”
“Then why did you invite me!?”
“Now, hold on.” Applejack interrupted the playful banter. “Is that why you’ve been gone for a week?” She asked.
Rainbow Blitz rubbed the back of his neck.
“Yeeeaah, I was trying to learn more about myself.” He admitted bashfully.
“Well, I’m certainly happy you’ve discovered yourself.” Rarity complimented. Fluttershy nodded in agreement.
“I’m happy too! I’m glad you’re comfortable in your own skin.” Fluttershy added. Pinkie Pie jumped up from her seat, squealing happily.
“This calls for a party! Oh, or maybe a gender reveal!” Pinkie Pie suggested. “I’ll go get the supplies!” She attempted to zip off, but Applejack pulled her down.
“Now relax, sugarcube. Let Rainbow Blitz get a second to breathe.” Applejack instructed. She gave Rainbow a sly wink, causing him to smile. Applejack always had his back.
“It’s fine. Go nuts, Pinkie.” Rainbow brushed off. Pinkie Pie happily clapped her hooves.
“Eeeee! I’ll get balloons, and presents, and cake, and-” Pinkie began to ramble. Rainbow Blitz tuned her out, looking across the room. He noticed his parents, who haven’t spoken a word since they sat down.
They whispered to each other. Were they disappointed? He sure hoped not. Rainbow Blitz landed in front of them, tilting his head curiously.
“Are you okay? I hope this wasn’t all too much.” He stated. Windy Whistles waved her hoof.
“Oh no, it wasn’t too much at all! I just wasn’t expecting such a big change.” She explained. Bow nodded his head in agreement.
“But even though it’s sudden, we want you to know we’re proud of you.” Bow added on.
Windy Whistles placed her hoof on Rainbow Blitz’s cheek.
“No matter what, I’m proud to have you as my child. I’m so proud to have you as my son.” Windy Whistles said with a wistful sigh. Bow Hothoof ruffled his son's hair.
“I’m proud of you, sport.”
Rainbow Blitz’s breath hitched, and joyful tears flooded their eyes.
“Aw, come on, guys.” He blushed, wiping the tears from his face. This is what love feels like.