Why Spike Needs Wings

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 not certain why this was happening again.

"Oh my Celestia, Twilight! Really? Are we seriously doing this again? I need my head examined."

"I know the last two times weren't exactly fun for you, Spike, but I think I've got everything covered this time. I have a minor shield spell cast so that sudden gusts of wind won't knock you off my back. If I'm in a hurry, I teleport instead of flying. I've also cast a localized gravity spell on my back so anything on there stays there which is good for my saddlebags as well. Finally, you have a ring of Feather Fall in case anything really unexpected happens and you still get knocked off."

Spike gulped. "Ring?"

"The ring of Feather Fall? That I gave you? Before we took off?" Twilight was starting to sound worried.

"I thought that was a bribe to get me to come flying with you again."

"What happened to the ring?"

"I ate it." Spike looked down at his claws.

"You ate it," Twilight repeated. "Well, technically, it is on your person, but since rings are supposed to be worn and not eaten I'm not sure if the ring will give you any protection now." She began her descent.

"Huh? Twi? What are you..."

"I'm not risking you again. I do care about you, Spike. The last two incidents were just me being careless. I guess I was a little too excited about being a princess now that I got carried away." Twilight landed in a field and dispelled the gravity spell keeping Spike on her back.

Spike jumped down and looked up at his guardian. "I'm sorry."

Twilight blinked. "Why are you sorry? You're the one that plummeted to your doom twice."

"Yeah, but it feels like I'm bringing you down. You really seem to like flying and it seems like you're bringing me along to share that. I know I don't have my own wings, but the first time we flew together I thought it was really fun until... well, you know."

Twilight smiled. "I'm glad you liked it. It is a lot of fun, but we do need to be more careful so that the fun doesn't override your safety. And I think I have the perfect solution!"

--

"So. Localized gravity spell?"

"Check."

"Stoneskin spell?"

"Check."

"Ring of Feather Fall?"

"Check. Hey, Twi?"

"Yes?"

"Can we go back to me plummeting to my doom?"

"No. Parachute?"

Spike sighed. "Check."