Chapter Two: Rainbow's Response
As the Pillar stood in silent shame after his admission, Rainbow looked absolutely bug-eyed in response to learning such a thing. Even though it certainly wasn’t what she expected, she could definitely understand why Magnus was so hesitant about letting her know the truth. It also may have explained why Twilight Sparkle was defensive about her wanting to ask him out, since she probably would’ve known about that kind of taboo practice from history books. But regardless, Dash still had to blink a few times to process what she just saw and heard.
“Ummmm… okay then,” replied the mare blankly, seemingly unsure what else she could say in that awkward moment. “Well… that certainly wasn’t mentioned in Wonderbolts history exams…”
Flash Magnus sighed painfully while keeping his gaze away from her, too loathsome about himself to even imagine how she may have looked. “Yeah, exactly,” he growled bitterly. “That’s… That’s why we can’t be together, Rainbow Dash. As much as it pains me to say that, it… it was the decision I made back when I first became a member of the Cloudsdale Royal Legion. Every stallion had to be gelded, no exceptions. It was the standard means to prove we were willing to sacrifice ourselves to the Royal Crown. And… and also to ensure we wouldn’t be swayed by temptation…”
Rainbow nodded silently with a bit lip, still feeling a little jarred that such a hardcore practice was more than just an urban legend. While she could understand why that may have been a thing over a thousand years ago, she could also sympathize with Flash feeling so much regret in an environment without it. Despite knowing how important that may have been in his own era, even she couldn’t help cringing at how much his situation sucked. The mare wanted to be supportive, but she was frozen in surprise long enough to hear Magnus continue.
“So you see,” he said with a deeply saddened tone of voice, “I… I wasn’t lying when I said I was just a soldier, Rainbow. Despite how we may feel for each other, I… I can never be the stallion you’d want. I… I’m barely a stallion at all…”
As the Pillar closed his eyes to keep from crying, he wasn’t able to see just how much Dash’s brows rose in response to that statement. Flash breathed out in painful regret before adding, “I… I can’t make you happy the way a proper stallion should. I can’t… be able to give you a family. Even if you wanted to adopt, I… I wouldn’t be able to satisfy you the way other stallions can. In the end, I’m… I’m not the stallion for you, Rainbow Dash…”
Magnus couldn’t bear to look behind him to see Dash’s expression, but he was sure she was just as saddened and understanding of the situation as he was. Even though he cared so deeply about her, he breathed out in solemn acceptance as he said with a tear streaming down his face. “I’m... n-not a stallion.... I’m just a soldier… And… That’s all I’ll ever be…”
A long moment of silence passed between the two while Flash kept his head hung low, waiting dreadfully for the mare’s response. Whether it was to hear her say she understood, or for her to start crying, the stallion already played out every possible scenario in his head as to how that admission would go badly for both of them. Even though he was the Pillar of Bravery, even he couldn’t fathom facing Rainbow after she learned such an emasculating fact about him. So instead, he just kept his head away and waited to hear for her response.
“... Mmmph… Gnnnnghhhhh…
“BbbbbbbbBBBWAAAAAAAAA, HA HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAAAAA!!!”
The instant he heard Rainbow Dash start to laugh, Flash Magnus’ head pulled right up in absolute shock. When he turned around to face the mare, his mouth hung open in confoundment when he saw Rainbow kneeling down on the floor cracking up. With the way her legs were buckled over from her overzealous laughter, it looked like she just attended the live screening of some really cheesy B-Movie. Meanwhile, Flash wasn’t sure whether to feel confused, insulted, betrayed, or all three at the same time.
“Hol… Holy crap, dude! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!” Rainbow fell onto her rump as she sat and kept laughing, unable to stay still after she heard what Flash said about himself. But before the stallion could start going ballistic on her, she struggled to keep a hoof up and control her breathing. “Wa… Wai… Wait a second! I… I sw… I swear I’m not laughing at you… I swear…”
As he wiped his earlier tears from his face, Magnus gawked angrily at the mare and shouted, “Well, what the heck WERE you laughing at, huh?! This is serious!”
“It… It’s not… It’s NOT about your situation, alright?! I… I would never laugh about that…” As she closed her eyes, Dash took a couple final breaths before feeling her giggling bouts settle down. “Whoooooo!! I… I needed that…”
After getting herself back in control, she kept a reassuring smile on her face when she looked up at Flash’s pissed-off expression. “I swear, it’s not about your whole… gelding situation, okay? That’s not what I found funny…”
Before the stallion could scoff or try to tell her off, Rainbow pulled herself back on her hooves while saying, “Buuuut… Holy crap was that speech a whole load of manure! I mean, seriously, dude?! Do you really feel that way about yourself?!”
Even though he was still mad as Tartarus, that statement made Magnus pause and stare at Dash confusedly. “Wh… Why not?! I’m a gelding, Rainbow!”
“So what?!”
Of all the things he expected Rainbow to say in response to learning that fact about him, the phrase ‘So what?’ was definitely not one he could’ve predicted. While the stallion stood in a befuddled state, Rainbow huffed before rolling her eyes at him. “Like… Okay, I totally get why you may think that’s a problem between us. I mean… there probably are a lot of mares who would see the whole ‘No Balls’ thing as a deal-breaker. And… yeah, it’s definitely not what I would’ve expected you to tell me.”
Flash sighed bitterly and nodded with a scowl on his face. However, Rainbow was quick to add in a strongly-worded tone while pointing at him, “BUT! If you think for a second that being gelded makes you ANY less of a stallion, then you seriously need your head examined!”
Magnus had to blink a couple times while staring at the cyan mare in shock. Even though he wanted to be glad that Rainbow wasn’t upset or judgemental about his condition, he was completely confused as to why she was acting so fine about it. After taking a moment to get his thoughts straight, he couldn’t help replying in shock, “Wait, you… you’re okay with this?!”
Rainbow sighed before giving the stallion an approving nod. “Well, I’m okay with that more than your feelings about it.” Before he could get a chance to retort to that comment, Rainbow motioned him over to the couch as she sat down. “Come on, sit down and have some coffee.”
Due to low long their discussion lasted, both of their cups of coffee were at the perfect temperature for drinking now. While Flash Magnus sat down and merely held his cup, not being able to stomach that bean juice without a buttload of sugar, Rainbow took a sip from her own before letting out a calming breath. “Alright, I… I feel like I should say a few things before we get to talking…”
After she placed her cup on the coffee table (and Flash did the same without even tasting his), Dash looked back at the stallion with a warm smile and held onto one of his hooves. “Okay, so… First thing’s first, let me just say that I’m really sorry for that fight we had earlier. I know we were both emotional about things, but… I completely understand why you didn’t want to tell me about that. Like I said, I don’t blame you for thinking I’d freak out. If the tables were switched, I’d probably feel the same.”
Magnus had to blink a couple times in surprise, not expecting Dash to begin their talk with such a polite and respectful statement. After taking a few seconds to let that apology sink in, the pony shrugged meagerly before saying, “Well, ummm… thank you for telling me that. And I… I’m really sorry about how things went too.”
“Don’t be. You didn’t do anything wrong, dude.” After giving him a reassuring smirk, Dash kept holding his hoof as she continued more sternly. “Now, what you are doing wrong is thinking all that crap about yourself! I mean, I guess I can understand why a guy would feel that way, but you’re not any less of a stallion for not having any berries under your twig, okay? Gelding or not, you still kicked a lot of butt when we stopped that Shadow thing together. And the fact that you did it for the sake of serving Equestria shows you’re a noble guy too.”
Magnus sighed and avoided staring back at her. “Well, thank you for that,” he admitted in a meek and honest voice. “It’s good to know you can understand it wasn’t so taboo back in my time.”
“Well, yeah,” she said while shrugging in reluctant acceptance. “Plus, you’re… you’re not wrong about what you said earlier. There probably aren’t a lot of stallions nowadays who would agree to do something like that to be a soldier. Heck, I bet even Shining Armor would consider you a badass for going through with that!”
That comment made the stallion chuckle in appreciation while rubbing the back of his mane. Even though he was happy to hear Dash speaking so strongly about him, Flash still felt hesitant about believing a lot of it. As his eyes stayed away from hers, he sighed and replied honestly, “Well, I… I wouldn’t say I’m not a good hero for Equestria, alright? B-But… But that doesn’t change how pointless I’d be as a coltfriend.”
With the way Rainbow was gawking at him with narrowed eyes, it would’ve been assumed that Magnus just said something unbelievably stupid. After huffing with an annoyed scowl, the mare glared at him and asked, “Dude, are you serious right now? What would make you think your… situation would keep you from having a special somepony?”
Flash just stared back at her like she asked what two plus two equaled. “Ummm… hello?! I can’t give you any kids! We wouldn’t be able to have sex! Why would you want to be with a stallion who… who doesn’t have those?!”
Flash let go of Rainbow’s hoof and motioned down to his crotch, emphasizing what he was too embarrassed to say properly out loud. Regardless of how frazzled the stallion was acting, Rainbow groaned and shook her head in disbelief. “Well… Technically speaking Magnus, it’s not like you’d be the first stallion I went out with who had a situation like that…”
Her muzzle wrinkled a little in slight embarrassment, looking surprised she admitted that so casually to someone she wanted to be her coltfriend. Meanwhile, Flash blinked a couple times while staring back at her in surprise. “R… Really?”
“Well, he… he wasn’t a gelding,” she added in clarification as she shrugged her head. “He was transgender. We met back in college, and he was still transitioning from mare to stallion. Of course, you never would’ve guessed since he had like, a really good hormone treatment.”
Due to being from a complete different era, Flash needed a second to realize what Rainbow was referring to. Even though he knew about trans-ponies a while back from Twilight’s lessons, Magnus still looked like he was trying not to become too confused on the matter. He certainly wasn't opposed to it at all, but it was still a new idea for him to process. However, he was still able to nod respectfully while Dash kept speaking.
“Well, we met back when he was a senior, and I was struggling as a sophomore. I actually knew from day one that he was trans, and it didn’t faze me at all! He was a really great guy, and we worked really well together. And since he was still in the transition stage, he hadn’t had any surgery yet, so…”
Flash may have been fairly uninformed on the subject, but he understood enough to nod his head. “Uhhh… yeah, I get it. So… he didn’t have any of that yet, right?”
“Exactly,” stated Dash with a confirming nod. “But despite that, I never saw him as any less of a man than any other stallion! He was buff, he was masculine, and no anatomy differences would’ve changed that to me. We’ve even, ummm… we’ve done stuff…” Even though she was a little more embarrassed to admit that, she knew it was an important detail to mention in regards to Flash’s situation. “So yeah, it’s not impossible for a stallion to have sex without the standard equipment! There have been a LOT of advancements in sex since you went into limbo, so I doubt you’d have any trouble either.”
Magnus sat in temporary silence as he processed all that information, seeing just how strongly Rainbow still felt about him despite his condition. He wanted to feel more optimistic, but his hesitance prompted him to ask sheepishly, “So, uhhh… why did it end with him?”
Dash didn’t expect him to ask something like that, but she only thought about it for a second before replying, “Well… it was a lot of little things, but none of it involving gender and stuff. I think in the end, we were… just too different, I guess. He was studying to be a doctor, and was planning to move to Trottingham to get his PHD. As for me though, I was struggling to keep my sports scholarships up while under academic probation. We were pretty different ponies, and I think at the end, we both realized things weren’t gonna last.”
“Oh…” Even though he was a little disheartened to hear that, Flash didn’t see much remorse or woe from the mare after she mentioned that ex-coltfriend of hers. “Well, ummm… he seems like a good guy.”
“He really was,” she said with a light nod while smiling up at him. “He may have not had the equipment between his legs either, but he was still just as much of a stallion as you are. And despite what you showed me, I… I really don’t think it’d be an issue at all.”
“Yeah, but… but why not?!” asked Flash in confusion, still needing a little clarity as to why the mare was okay with all this. While Dash groaned and face-hoofed in frustration, the stallion couldn’t help asking, “I mean, it really is great you can see the positives from him and all, but… do you really think that would work for us?! I mean… what if you ever wanted kids?!”
That question made the mare reel back with a face of legitimate disgust. “Ugh! Please tell me you don’t want kids!”
Despite his conflicting feelings about their conversation, Flash was quick to shake his head and sigh. “Well… not really. I mean, if I did want to be a father, do you think I’d agree to be gelded?”
“Fair point,” responded Dash with another shrug. “But yeah, to answer your question for me, I can safely say that I haaaaaaaaate kids! I mean, except Scootaloo, of course. But still, do you remember when we went out to that restaurant, and we were sitting next to that one family?”
Magnus grimaced a bit at that unpleasant dinner, completely understanding the mare’s hesitance about foal-bearing. With how loud and obnoxious those kids acted, and how inattentive their parents were while they wrecked havoc around the restaurant, it was one of the few moments that the stallion was grateful he could never knock up a poor mare and succumb her to that same fate. As he thought that night over, Rainbow smirked when she saw his unnerved shudder.
“Exactly!” she said while slapping his shoulder with a hoof. “Plus, that was also a big reason why things ended between me and my ex. He wanted kids, and I didn't. But seriously though... if anything, you not having any balls is a huge relief for me! Like, it would be really convenient to not need to use birth control anymore, you know?”
Flash sighed and nodded apprehensively, even though he felt like Rainbow was missing one of the bigger issues regarding his gelded status. After taking a breath, the stallion bit his lip before pointing out awkwardly, “Well, it… it doesn’t really change the fact that I… I can’t exactly… you know…”
With the way the pegasus’ face blushed in discomfort, Rainbow didn't need to ask what Flash was trying to explain. And given how sad his tone sounded, it seemed like he knew from experience. But while she could understand the stallion’s hesitance, she was quick to put up her hoof and say, “Okay, there are three things you need to know before you dismiss your ability to have sex. Number one: You have a tongue, and I have toys, so don’t you think for a second that we couldn’t have any fun!”
As he reeled back in shock, Flash’s face blushed immensely at hearing that detail. He certainly wasn’t expecting her to say something so blunt and explicit regarding the matter, but Dash didn’t even flinch as she continued with a firm stare on him. “Point number Two! The whole ‘castrated ponies can’t get hard’ thing is like, totally a myth! Like, I know I’m not the smartest pony around, but even I know that! And even if you couldn’t do it on your own, there are pills to fix that! Or spells! Or potions! Heck, I can bet you good money that Zecora has like, five different potions to get you as hard as a rock!”
Magnus sighed before shrugging reluctantly, his brows raised a little more in optimism at hearing that point. Even though he wanted to stay grounded, he had to admit that he really liked how dedicated Rainbow was acting with her points, as unabashed as they were. Of course, when he glanced back at her with a blushed smile, he was able to see just how warm her expression became as she explained her final point.
“And point number three is… Well… It’s not like I like you solely for the idea of sex! I mean, that’d be a pretty shallow reason for wanting to be with you, right?”
Realizing how correct that assumption was, Flash blushed in embarrassment as he looked away from her. Meanwhile, the mare giggled and said in assurance, “It’s alright dude, I get it. Like, sex can be important in a relationship sometimes. But that doesn’t mean I’d only want to be with you for that…”
As her smile grew more genuine and caring, Rainbow held onto Magnus’ hooves again while looking into his eyes sweetly. “I mean… you remember all that stuff I told you earlier, right? About… how awesome and caring you were, and how you always made me feel special?”
Flash couldn’t help smiling a little more genuinely as his felt his cheeks grow warner. As he stared back into those gorgeous magenta eyes of Rainbow Dash’s, the stallion held onto her hooves just as tightly while she kept speaking.
“Well, I meant every word I said, Flash Magnus… You’re such an amazing guy, and that fact that you came from a completely different time doesn’t matter at all to me! I know you’re self-conscious about what you had to do, but… I couldn’t care less, dude. I like you for you. Not for whether or not your sundae has a couple of nuts in it.”
Even though he was touched, the stallion had to look away and laugh at such a stupid joke. “Really, Dash? Did you really just say that?”
Dash’s muzzle wrinkled a bit, but it was mostly for her own statement than his. “W-What? You’ve seen who I’m friends with! Sometimes corny jokes stick.”
“Yeah, well…” After taking a calming breath, Flash looked back at Rainbow with a relieved and elated look on his face. “Rainbow, I… I was honestly worried that if you knew the truth, that I… I’d lose one of the greatest and most confident mares I ever met in my life. But… But it turns out that you finding out made you even better! I mean… what did I do to deserve someone like you?”
Dash sighed silently while her smile widened in response to such a sweet question. However, Magnus took a moment to think it over before adding jokingly, “Well… aside from that one thing, I guess...”
That made both of them laugh more comfortably, and their blushes deepend while they kept holding each other’s hooves. Rainbow was the first to let go of one of his hooves, but she then rested hers on the side of his face before leaning in. Flash, upon realizing what she was going to do, slowly closed his eyes and leaned in as well. Despite having thought he would never experience that kind of feeling again, the soldier was thrown into a world of relieving elation the instant he felt Rainbow’s lips touching his own.
Dash held onto Magnus as long as she could as the two experienced that first kiss, both of them feeling much closer than they had ever felt before. As their lips locked together in sweet embrace, it seemed like time stood still for that wonderful, albeit brief moment. By the time they pulled away, Flash’s face looked as red as Big Macintosh’s as his body quivered from such a long-missed feeling.
Dash almost wanted to check to see if Magnus was able to take things any further, but she knew that wasn’t needed right now. So instead, she waited until he came down from that moment before she asked in a cheeky tone, “So, Flash… do you still feel like you’re ‘Just a soldier’?~”
It took a moment for him to register what she asked, but he soon smiled wide with a chuckle while shaking his head. Both of his hooves came up to rest against Rainbow’s blushing face, and he replied to that question with a sultry-sounding, “Well… I think it’s better to say that I’m your soldier now~”
Dash giggled at such a cheesy line, but it was enough to lean in and nuzzle his snout lovingly. “You know what, big guy? That sounds fine by me~”
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“Ms , I’m a thousand years old.”
Funny to say, but I have written a story about a kid that has undergone what Flash has, but unlike mine, yours has explored the more mature factor that I'm only trying to come up with in a possible sequel. Now, while what Flash reveals what he is was something that I impressed that you actually went there. But once again, you might have helped me with some inspiration of a future story that I might consider doing. And to that, thank you.
This didn't quite go the way I expected it, but that was a great surprise. And Rainbow was actually pretty mature and supportive about it too! Props on your RD!
Well...this is the second I heard term gelding in an mlp fic. first was Ruin Queen of Oblivion in unexpected (scootaloo gets knocked by her colt friend. when sweetie belle asks her sister rarity if she was in scoots situation.) the other is by Cracked inkwell called Inverno in F Minor. have ya read that one or not? if you thought your m/m stories get down voted but THIS will make readers angry & screaming at ya in comments going "Hey where's the clop!" hope you're prepared for that. p.s: btw hope ya didn't take offense at my playful jab on people's negative comments...anyways Great story:)
I actually kind of saw that coming (no pun, seriously). Not my headcannon, and this ship makes little sense to me (don't bother arguing, I'm not here for a ship war).
(Yes, I follow the Magnus--->Several Generations--->Sentry headcannon. Fite me)
BUT
I can appreciate good writing. Biting and intense all the way to the reveal, even if I guessed. Good read, have an upvote.
So cute!
8693000
Honestly, I'd be surprised if that were to occur. The story is clearly rated Teen, and it's not I only write Mature fics on this site. But still, thanks for the heads-up just in case.
As one of the few people who is a larger fan of your less erotic works, I very much approve of this story. The emotions you conveyed felt real.
This was a good read, keep it up.
Bruh. My balls . . . they feel weird. I had to hold them the entire time this chapter. Lol good story anyways.
Dash walks into the dining hall of Twilight's castle where Twilight and Celestia are having tea:
"Hey, Twilight, thanks for not having faith in me. You thought I wouldn't understand the poor guy? And that I wouldn't accept him? Well, I did. We're dating now, so there! And Princess Celestia, he did that to join the Royal Forces, that means you were in charge. So I have to ask, what the actual hell!? I know it was a thousand years ago but seriously!? Asking a stallion to do that just to have the right to be in your army!? Seriously you both should be ashamed of yourselves!"
Dash turns and leaves without waiting for a response.
This is what I see happening the next day.
Decent story, if a bit predictable. Can I just say, though, your description is a bit clunky. You can pretty much remove the entire last paragraph since you're basically just going: "No, seriously, Flash Magnus has a big reason to reject Rainbow! Read to find out what!" In fact, you mention that three times, and you already got us curious with the first one.
(Also, seems very odd they'd geld their entire military, you know, considering how important it was to have children back in the day. In fact, that's kinda necessary in order to produce more soldiers.)
Aw :3
Here. Have a favorite, upvote, and follow. OK, but seriously, this was amazingly well written. Even if it was rated teen. Still amazing. The way you described things in this story. Geez, I wasn't expecting it. SO beyond what I was expecting but seriously. Great work.
Gonna have to read more stories from you! DEFINITELY going to make a comeback to this story. Never gonna forget it! Keep it up! 
8693393
I mean, I get that, but that's still a very strange assumption to make. Like, if I met a woman who told me she had her genitals mutilated, I sure as hell wouldn't ask to see it because that would be insanely insensitive and all kinds of wrong. And if she insisted of proving it by showing me, I would be pretty weirded out.
All I'm saying is, you don't really go from: "I don't want to talk about it, it's very personal" immediately to: "Okay, you see the huge scar where my testicles should be?"
8693708
I would agree that asking would be insensitive; but then again, Rainbow Dash isn't the most sensitive mare around. Especially when she's upset (like in this story). And considering how rare a procedure like that would be in modern times, she might think he's lying unless she saw herself.
8693377
"Actually, Rainbow, you may recall that I was just a young filly back then: I was still studying under Star Swirl and had barely started to get the hang of the whole 'ruling a country' thing. It's not like I was the one who decided all soldiers should be gelded, that was just some old tradition. For the record, I thought it was pretty stupid as well, which I why I abolished the practice."
That's a pretty assholeish thing to do, tho, no matter how mad you are.
I was expecting something good from the description V, and you delivered! Great work as always!
Great stroy! One question, was the Pillinfs thing coming from the show or fan content?
8693892
You mean the Pillars? That was the official name of the Guardians who went into Limbo.
I guess if this story suffers from one thing, aside from the reveal being predictable due to how telegraphed it is, it's the fact that—even granting cultural differences—it makes no sense for soldiers to have to be castrated outside of severe punishment. It's counter-intuitive on multiple levels, and it just seems like a moronic way to "test" recruits.
If anything. it would've been interesting to see Flash be hesitant with Dash because of his sexuality. Let's say it was normal in Flash's time for soldiers to indulge in homosexual activity amongst themselves, like in several real-life ancient cultures. Dash's reveal could be that she doesn't judge a guy for swinging both ways, even though she may be straight herself. Or something.
Am I overthinking this?
8693708
I get that it reads as kind of awkward, but I can also imagine it being too difficult to say, and actually easier just to show her. Presenting his package, in a nude society, could be emotionally easier than saying the words 'My testicles were cut off.'
8694052
I don't think it makes no sense when you consider how we treat horses in real life. Neutering is thought of by some trainers as necessary for their temperment.
8694172
maybe but pegasai culture is distinctly greco-roman, in both ancient greece and ancient rome, soilders where expected to have a family because that created military dynasty's within family, also in both cultures well castrated men did exist they where considered to be slaves or so, so the guys point does stand.
8694351
Yeah, I know that. But I also meant to point out that pony societies, the ancient one Flash comes from and the modern times of the show, don't follow everything about their human inspirations. If they followed everything, Flash wouldn't be castrated, but he would have had to go through a whole lot worse: Spartan boys would be abused from a very young age in training too brutal even for adults by modern standards, and being sexually abused by their teachers would be considered normal. Often, what's different from the human counterpart has to do with them being horses; for example, they are more like horses than humans in that nudity is accepted in most situations. So the fact that castration in human history was largely for slaves and criminals (and opera singers) doesn't necessarily mean that Equestrian society would look at it the same way. In horses, castration has a calming and obedient effect, and could conceivably have been thought of as necessary for the cohesion of the unit in ancient times. That it is different from human historical precedent doesn't mean it doesn't make sense in this world.
8694351
On a side note, soldiers in Greco-Roman times (particularly Sparta) were also expected to share love and sex with their fellow soldiers, something that would help them bond. In fact, according to their cultural ideas about what love is, the love between men was real and desirable, while love between a man and a woman was considered very strange. I don't remember which emperor, might've been Julius Caesar, but he caused a scandal by kissing his wife in public. If a man loved his wife, there was something gross or even sick about that to them, related to the fact that common wisdom considered women to be subhuman. The term 'eros', which sort of means 'erotic love' or 'obsessive, sexual love' was, literally, a mental illness by their understanding.
Given how queer the rest of VClaw's portfolio is, that's the direction I thought he was going to go from the description. Flash's confession would be something like, "I do love you, but I'm not comfortable getting into a relationship because I was taught that these feelings are a form of madness. Also, I've only ever had sex with other stallions in my unit, and sex is more like a bonding activity between friends to me."
But obviously, he went a different way with it; if all the soldiers are geldings, there definitely weren't any orgies in the barracks.
8694166
I thought that too! Especially since it's VClaw.
8693761 Yes, I realize all this, but I still think this is how Rainbow would react, as she may not think of this. Also, yes just leaving like that is assholeish but I think it's what Rainbow would do.
8694083
A real horse isn't a 'person' though, while a pony is. An animal, particularly one which isn't terribly bright, is by and large a slave to its instincts and so training them is radically different to training a being with a good grasp of abstract concepts like pride, duty, and patriotism. Flash wanted to join the Royal Legion, as would anypony else signing up, so why would they need to be castrated to get them to do something they willingly joined up to do in the first place? That kind of logic leads to the conclusion that you'd also have to castrate human soldiers to get them to follow orders properly, which is obviously completely untrue.
That's... a pretty moronic requirement for being a soldier. Makes no sense on any level.
Would've made more sense to have him be hung up on the two different time periods thing than for... that, to be his secret.
8694564
In humans, sure. In ponies? Maybe not as much as you might have thought.
Once upon a time, mankind rode horses into battle. Sure, some insisted on having stallions as their warhorses, but that was pure machismo. Stallions were more likely to be ill mannered, more easily distracted when a mare went into estrus, and frankly, just not necessary. Mares and geldings were (and remain today) far more common as mounts.
I don't much like it (I wouldn't even do that to a dog), but that's historic fact. And I can see how someone could extrapolate from that for their headcanon.
That all said, this fic was kinda cute. Good on you, Dashie. And damn your luck, Flashie. Be good to that mare!
8694564
It happened a lot more often than you think.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eunuch
Castration has been going on for one reason or another for millennia.
This is pretty stupid tbh. There are better ways of doing a gelding story and this isn't one. Also sexless relationships? Sure, if you enjoy unseasoned food. No relationship has to be sexless unless you're crippled and cant feel anything from the neck down, especially not in a world with magic and technology. Just shave a square off his fur and slap a testosterone patch and he'll be sporting a hard-on in no time. Its also a misconception that eunuchs, ancient, or modern day, (from injury, disease or choice) cant achieve an erection. Many testicular cancer survivors can still get an erection and achieve orgasm without their jewels and off of testosterone, its just harder to get and the orgasms arent worth the effort. Testosterone patches and injections help many men achieve satisfactory sex lives.
8695012 Funny you should say that. Rainbow agrees with you:
"It takes balls to become a gelding" was too corny a line for Rainbow to use.
I don't like this story. Noone had to sacrifice anything (in the story) and everything just worked out fine. This could have been a great start for a fic how youthful decisions could come back to bite later (when dash do want to have foals) or that it turns out that all those other solutions Dash mentioned (potions and whatnot) in fact don't work or have serious drawbacks.
But none of this happened which is a shame because this premise is great. Like really a great idea. So many things could have been done with it and you choose to do none of those.
Yeah, in a conversation between real people, that sentence is gonna create a pretty big hole for Rainbow to have to climb out of. I enjoyed most of this, but that was too insensitive a thing for her to say and it just be glossed over.
I didn't think I would like it, but I liked it. Also I'm amused at the comment that didn't suspect this and those that so knew.
Cheers
8696448
I feel like the drama in this story is pretty lopsided, because Flash builds up his "condition" to an absurd degree, and then Dash reacts like this isn't a problem for her (even though it would likely cause a few obstacles, to say the least) and then everything gets wrapped up too neatly. Like, you know this conversation wouldn't go down this smoothly.
8696448
Yeah ... she can be pretty insensitive.
8694518
True, it doesn't make enough sense to be a modern practice. But there are a lot of 'medical truths' of yesteryear that we now know aren't true, and we don't require anymore (eg. women were once thought too physically weak to be soldiers). I think as a relic of an ancient society, there's enough of a train of logic that it could have once been implemented, for the reasons I previously mentioned. What's more, I gave the story another look, and Flash puts particular emphasis on the fact that giving up one's testicles precludes the possibility of fathering children, which in his time precluded the possibility of starting a family at all. Far from any hormonal advantage or disadvantage, that may have been their entire justification: to become a soldier is a way of life, and you must give up any other way, including one of sexual pleasure or one of having children.
And, pure speculation, maybe soldiers fathering bastards in their travels around Equestria was a serious problem in an era even further back in history from Flash's time. The castration requirement would, if that were the case, be thought of as a civilized measure then.
8693967
WE ARE THE PILLINFS!
STARSFIRL THE BEARFED
FNONAMBULA
FLAFF MAGNUFF
ROCKFLOOF
AND THE OTHER ONE!
WE DEFEND EQUEFTRIA! AND WE WON'T HESITATE ONE SECONF TO SEND YOU TO DA MOON LIMFO!
(I'm sorry)
8698762
.
A very valid point there, and honestly this was where I thought the author was coming from while reading. (You know, since Flash keeps saying that he is "only a soldier".) I would add that removal of a obvious weak spot could also be a tactical advantage.
Maybe I shouldn't be surprised, but I am by how strongly many commenters are reacting to him being gelded in the first place. I suppose that people are just kind of attached to the idea of guys having testicles.
8748218
I suppose they are.
I wouldn't call it a 'valid' point exactly, I really am just speculating, but I know that's a problem in the real world with armies throughout history and cultures, up to modern times.
8748234
Oh my yes! (Speaking now as a former Marine) Sowing wild oats in foreign lands is still a huge issue in military forces no matter which country or culture is being discussed. In previous eras it was even seen as an active part of long term tactics, just look at Genghis Kahn's genetic footprint today. It is estimated that as much as 5% of humans today can be traced back to him and his numerous sons, over 50% in some regions. Now though, in the modern U.S. at least, use if prophylactics is strongly encouraged by the troops. An option that was not reliably available for most of human history.
As a side note, several studies have shown that the "man (or stallion) in uniform" being attractive is more than just a cliché as well. The interpretation of this being that, just as someone wearing a wedding ring, it is seen as a sign of a potential mate as being pre-approved. I.e. if a physically oriented organization sees them as being good enough, then their genes are more likely to be good enough for mating, with less effort on the female needed to vett them. (Same thing goes for someone who is married, another female already approved them, so they are probably good seed)
Of course we are all extrapolating about the biological effects and historical reasons for the actions in fanfic based upon a fictional magical cartoon culture. A culture that is not only non-humanoid, but also more than likely not on Earth (what with the Sun and Moon needing Magic to do their thing), so everyone and no one is just as likely to be accurate.
Sorry for the wall of text, but animal sexuality (Yes humans count as animals. Weird ones, but still animals ) has been a hobby of mine since college, so I tend to ramble.
Nice work, with quite a mature Rainbow Dash, too!
Good story. Solid stuff... except for one thing: not all kids are the little hellions you mentioned.
9784394
I know that, and Rainbow Dash certainly knows it too (she even said that Scootaloo was okay in the story). However, there are lots of people/couples who prefer living a childfree lifestyle, and aren't as tolerant of the idea of raising children as others. All of us have goals in our life that make us happy and content, and a lot of us carry more desire for personal achievements regarding their careers or futures. Rainbow Dash's ultimate dream was being a Wonderbolt, which she was able to achieve with flying colors; for her, having kids would be something that could severly impact her career and lifestyle (not just as a Wonderbolt, but as an Element and teacher as well), so it's not necessarily off that she would carry a more cynical view of motherhood. Neither she or Flash want kids, and that's okay.
9784433 I completely agree. If someone doesn't want kids then that is their choice. I was more making the point that not all kids are little shits (though I have definitely met some who were).