//------------------------------//
// A Wish for Wings That Work 
// Story: Why Spike Needs Wings 
// by Orange Mouser 
//------------------------------//

It was a beautiful day in Equestria.  The pegasii had cleared most of the clouds away and Celestia's sun beamed down on the lush fertile landscape.  Indeed, the skies felt they could hold infinite wonders this day and one the skies held now was a purple unicorn that had acquired a pair of pegasus wings, soaring at a high altitude.  Upon her back, rode a lighter purple, young dragon who was still bandaged up after a brief stint in the hospital.

"Hey Twilight?  Remember how you said things change little by little?  Can this be one of those things?"

Twilight blushed.  "I said I was sorry.  Look.  I cast a spell that lets me detect updrafts before they happen so that you can still ride on my back while I'm flying and be safe.  Just like how I need the girls, I need you too!   I couldn't do anything without my Personal Dragon Assistant!"

"Expect maybe go on exciting fun adventures," mumbled Spike.

"What?"

Spike sighed.  "Nothing.  Hey, Twi?  I really glad that we get to stay together, but what about the others?  I'd miss them when they go."  Mortality had been on the young dragon's mind recently for some reason.

"Oh, don't worry about that.  Now that I have all this magical power, I can cast those age-changing spells Trixie did, no problem.  We can all stay together for as long as we want!"

"That's good to hear, Twilight."

Off in the distance, the bell at the Ponyville Clock Tower chimed three times.  Spike's head sprang up.  "Oh no!  Twlight!  We were supposed to meet Applejack at Sweet Apple Acres at three and that's clear across town!"

Twilight gasped.  She was going to be tardy!  "Hang on!" she cried and began flying in the direction of the farm.  Each wingbeat gave the newly coronated princess more speed.  More speed caused more wind to fly past her head.  She heard the howling and was exhilarated by it.  Twilight began to understand why Rainbow Dash loved flying fast.  It was quite a rush and soon she was at her destination at a faster time than if she had just ran.  In fact, she was only a few minutes late for her appointment.

"Twilight!  Glad you could make it!" greeted the orange farmpony who was trotting over to where Twilight had landed.

"Phew!"  Twilight paused to catch her breath.  "Hi, Applejack!  I was worried that we were going to be really late!"

Applejack tilted her head in confusion.  "We?"

"Yeah.  Spike and me.  If he hadn't reminded me about--"  Twilight turned towards her empty back.

...

"Oops."