Well, I'm in a pit full of shit. Tomorrow is the medical examination, and I don't want that!

Really, I'll have to show my wings! I don't want to be on newspapers, TV or whatever other mass media they have! I’ll get so much attention that I'll just burst louder than a triggered minefield! I don't want to be this kind of unique! Fuck, me being an alicorn ruins the whole thing I, uh, have!

No, I need to calm down. I need to lie down on my bed.

Mechanically, I walked to my bed and laid down on my back, my eyes staring at the ceiling.

Well, what do I do now? I need to do something to keep my wings hidden. But what? Hoodie isn't an option as I'll certainly have to take it off during the medical exam. I can’t just not go, it would arise suspicions, and the truth will be uncovered shortly after that. I have no idea what will doctors think if their patient doesn't show up for a medical exam that I know must be necessary for all ponies to pass. But maybe it isn't that bad, and I'll just have to be magically examined by unicorns. But it doesn't change the fact that my wings are kinda noticeable.

Fuck, fuck, fuck! I have no idea what to do!

Calm down! I need to calm down!

. . .

That's a little bit better.

But what do I do? What must be done in order for me not to gain attention? Hm... Maybe doctors have that, um, "patient confidentiality" thing that doesn't allow them to tell anyone about my medical condition. But I don't think that they won't talk to each other about it, and maybe someone else will hear about me, and rumors will be started... I want none of that! None! Fuck no!

Damn, what do I do? What kind of magic can transform me into a unicorn for at least a day? Hm...

*Ding*

Oh, I have an idea! They have this illusion magic, what if I use it to hide my wings? Maybe that would work! I just have to go to the library and see what they have on that subject.

Well, I'm now sitting at one of the tables in the Canterlot Great Library, and there are two books on that subject. The first one is about the basic level of illusion magic, the second is about the advanced version. I just hope I will be able to learn that spell that would allow me to hide my wings. Let's see...

I opened the first book. Hm... There are optical illusions, hearing illusions, touch illusions... Mh-hmm, that's useful. I suppose I need the first and the third kind of spells. The basic optical illusion is a colour change. I suppose I need invisibility, so let's see...

...

It's not in this book. It says that I must look for it in the Advanced Illusions book.

Okay, what about touch illusions?

...

Well, here it is, there is a spell that wouldn't allow others to feel what they touch. It says that touching the thing that the spell was cast on would be like touching air. Will this spell hide my wings from a magical scan? Hm, it doesn’t mention that here...

Time to look into the next book. I didn’t find any more books about illusions, so if what I'm searching for isn't in this one, it just doesn't exist.

Well, what do I have here?

...

Hmm, invisibility. It’s an expert illusion spell that can be performed by the most powerful unicorns and alicorns... I fall into the last category, what if I succeed?

Anyway, I need to find out about magical scans.

...

Wait a second... I need another book! About the anatomy of ponies, that is!

Where might it be?

***

So, let's see what differences do ponies have in terms of body structure...

Earth ponies are the most heavy ones, their bones are slightly bigger than those of other races.

Pegasi have hollow bones that make them much lighter. There is also some kind of supportive plate that is a base for the moving bones of the wings... Yeah, a scan would see that.

What about alicorns? Hm...

Aha, here it is! Full grown alicorns are twice as big as an average pony. The bone structure is unique, as it combines the strength of earth ponies and weight of pegasi, not to mention a different bone structure for the horn. The horn of a full grown alicorn is twice as long as an average one and a little bit on the pointy side.

Fuck, I'm doomed. Doctors will figure out who I am in just a glance! Come on, spells to hide all this stuff just... I don't know, in archives of princesses, somewhere there!

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

With a loud thud, I closed the book.

Well, time to go home, there is nothing I can do.

I don't know what to do. Hour by hour, the next day draws closer and closer, and there is nothing that can save me from inevitable discovery by others. What will happen? Stares, whispers behind my back... Or maybe something worse. I don't know, Equestria seems really nice towards just about any pony, but me? I’m unsure... There will be questions I don't want to answer. Maybe some kind of freak would kidnap me so that I'll be their clown or something like that. Maybe I'll just have to live with stares following me everywhere I go. And there’ll be interest, maybe even from the princesses themselves.

Princesses....

Hmmm, maybe I know what, or who, can help me. All I can do is hope... As there is nothing that I can do but that.

I was sitting on the ground somewhere in the Royal Garden, as I found out was the name for the garden with that creepy statue. It was a little past midnight, and I just hope that the only pony that can help me will be here.

Yes, it's her, Luna. She came to call me her friend. I know that a friend in need is a friend indeed, and if she really considers me a friend, there will be few questions asked. I know she is a princess, but I heard her swear that I am her friend and if I ever need her help, I can just ask.

I feel really nervous about this. What if my hopes are brought down hard? What if Luna lets me down? After all, in the eyes of others I am but a foal that needs guidance and someone to look for me.

But only I am the one who must decide what to do with my life! I don't want to become famous just because I'm a rare... race! Come on, just!.. Why can't it be simpler? Why wasn't I born as a unicorn? I just had to become a rare type of pony in my... I don't know, in my second life?

Maybe... Maybe I was given this form so that I live up to the greatness of other alicorns... Become someone others would look up to, as citizens of Equestria look up to their rulers.

But! I’m still a foal. What can a foal do? I just won't be taken seriously. Maybe I’ll do something, but only when I grow up. And that’s years away.

*sigh*

Well, I will have time to think about that. Later...

***

Finally, I saw Luna descending to me, she had a frown on her face.

"Hello, Flame." she greeted me as she landed. "As I flew to my usual place in Ponyville, I decided to see if you art here... As I flew closer, I sensed your state of mind. I see that something troubles you, young colt. You can trust me with whatever that is, since you are my friend, and a friend is one who can give support and lend understanding."

"Well," I sighed nervously, shaking a little. "I... I have a problem. I have a medical examination tomorrow, and, well... Um..."

"Are you afraid of medical exams?" Luna asked me with motherly-like worry.

"No, I'm not, but..." I replied slowly. "There is another problem... Uh, just look at this..."

Slowly, I took off my hoodie while standing on my hind legs. As my wings were freed from the cloth, I unfolded them for Luna to see.

I’m afraid. Full of fear. Here it comes, take a deep breath... I don't want to panic! Don't!

In the dark of the night, I couldn't clearly see the expression on Luna's face. But I could feel her eyes on me, on my wings. Slowly, she started circling me, her eyes fixated on my wings. I didn't dare to move.

Painfully, moments passed as I heard her stepping, slowly completing the circle around me.

"So, you are an alicorn?" Luna asked me rather calmly.

"Yes." I replied, releasing a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"How?"

"From birth." I replied, trying to stay calm. What I told her is at least partly the truth. I hope she doesn't think I'm lying... I'm still not ready to tell anyone of who I really am. And I said: "Please, don't tell anypony. Luna, I ask you as a friend! You are my friend, right?"

"I swear upon my honor that I shall not speak of this to anypony until you allow me." she nodded. "It is a rare thing — being born as an alicorn. It means that your life will be either full of fame and admiration or misery and destruction."

I am even more scared now. That last part sounded horrible.

"But it is you who decides how to use the gift you were given." Luna continued. "As with your... problem, I shall help you. You won't have to pass any part of medical exam that includes revealing yourself. I will see to it that you will be given a list that tells you what you need to do. I shall handle the rest, and I shall make sure that no attention will be given to anything that concerns your race. But we'll have to talk someday, Flame Metal."

"I... thank you, Luna!" I replied rather cheerfully, hugging the princess. Such a relief! Now to let my child-part come into play. I love hugs!

"A friend in need is a friend indeed." Luna said to me, hugging me back. "You are my friend, and I help my friends. But no problems must be left unsolved. We'll talk about you someday, as it cannot be left undiscussed. Are you comfortable with that, Flame?"

"I understand it must be done." I nodded. "But, uh, not for at least a week, please."

"Be it as you want. Tell me when you're comfortable enough about speaking to me, and we'll have a talk."

Everything went better than expected, that’s all I can say about this whole situation.