After I finished practicing, I went to bed. A good nap is in order. I needn't do anything else for now, so I suppose I can rest for a while.

I got into bed and rolled onto my belly. Resting my head on a pillow, I prepared to drift off to the land of dreams.

***

I woke up sometime later. I love small naps, they make me feel much better.

But why did I wake up?

...

Someone's knocking at the door. Who could that be?

I looked around and I don't see Moonshine. Is she in the bathroom or is she out? Her bed's made, but her stuff is still sitting on her chest of drawers.

Anyway, let's see who's there. I got up from my oh so comfortable bed, and walked to the door. I opened it and saw a mare dressed as a postman... or postpony, postmare... whatever! In that kind of outfit.

"Good day, colt," she greeted me. "You're Flame Metal, correct?" she asked. I nodded. "There's a letter for you."

She handed (hoofed?) a letter to me. It was small and only had my address written on it. Hm... I've seen that in films. Will I have to go to a specific location and find a mysterious person who'll tell me I'm the chosen one or a wizard or a jedi or something? That'd be a very unexpected twist. Although being an alicorn and the chosen one is a little bit over the top, in my opinion. Even the whole alicorn thing is way too much. I wouldn't mind being a unicorn. They still get the awesome magic that can replace my fingers.

"Have a good day!" the mare said and left, not waiting for my reply. Or was I thinking for too long? I scratched my chin, and then closed the door. Let's see what the letter has to say...

Also about that alicorn stuff — being a human turned into an alicorn is possibly the same as being the chosen one. A regular pony turned into an alicorn is a rare thing, I suppose, but a human!

And why me? There could be something like, I dunno, a human turned into a dark alicorn with awesome and dark powers, who will try to take over Equestria!

...

I'm obviously no writer. I'd be laughed at if I ever tried that. Yep, way over the top. Actually, over several tops. Over, over the top. Completely ridiculous.

Alright, I think I blabbered enough. Time to get to business.

I opened the letter and read it. And... There's only one line. "Meet me tonight."

Luna's a master of conspiracy, it seems. No place, no exact time, not even the name.

Oh, and I was right about the letter, after all. It is mysterious, especially to anyone but me and Luna.

Hope she doesn't say I'm here to save the world. That would be over the top.

I say "over the top" too much. That's also over the top.

...

I think I understand one thing about myself.

I'm fucking stupid sometimes.

***

I've spent some time just reading through some of the textbooks I have. Ugh, it's so boring! I'm in a state where I want to do something but don't want to at the same time. Ugh, I hate this! I can't even listen to music or play games. It's just not what I need! I need... something!

Well, maybe I'll find what I need out in the streets. Some fresh air can't hurt, after all.

I put the textbooks back where I got them from, checked that I’ve got everything in my pockets, and then went outside.

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the leaves are falling... I love autumn.

It's not as warm as it was before, though. It seems the weather is changing to winter. Strangely, it’s colder than it was earlier today. Is it supposed to be like that?

Anyway, there's still nothing to do. I'm walking with my headphones around my neck. I just don't feel like listening to music, even during an activity as boring as walking.

I remember how my mother always told me to go play outdoors. She said that playing computer games is nothing like playing outdoors with friends. The thing is, even back then I didn't have many friends. And those I had were busy most of the time. So, I had absolutely nothing to do. It was so fucking boring just walking around for hours!

I had a really hard time socializing. The thing is, I don't have much in common with most children of my age. I was always silent... Well, not always, but still… Maybe it's because I was ignored by others in my earlier childhood. That... I rarely played with anyone. I wasn't interesting to them, and they weren't interesting to me.

I want to have more friends now, but... It's hard. Really hard. What if we have a falling-out?

There was one thing that happened to me... I had a friend back when I was fifteen years old. We’d had lots of fun times together, but... One day, we had an argument about something. I don't even remember if it was important or not, but, well, my friend and I fell apart because of it. He called me an asshole, and I insulted him too... Shit, that really was the worst moment of my life.

The next day, when I went to school, everyone laughed at me. I found out that my so-called friend had told my classmates all my most shameful secrets. I was absolutely destroyed... I found him and beat him up until I was pulled away. I was sent to a psychologist, which didn't go very well either. I shouted at him, and never visited him again.

That’s why I lost trust in people. I'm still afraid to open up to anyone. I guess only Luna has my trust. And I'm not even sure about that...

"Psst! Hey!" All of a sudden I heard someone calling me. I turned my head and saw Blueblood hiding in the bushes. What’s he doing there? "Get over here!"

Maybe this day won't be so boring after all?

I walked into the bushes. Behind them, there was the wall of a building. And a small door set in it.

"What?" I whispered to the colt.

"I found something in this—" he gestured at the door "—house. It's long abandoned. An old stallion lived there. A few months ago, he moved to Manehattan, and a few days ago he died of old age. So now this house is totally abandoned." he told me in a hushed voice, fire in his eyes. "There's surely something interesting inside!"

"And... what do you want from me?" I warily asked.

"To help me open the door. It barely moves even if I use all my force." he replied. "C'mon, let's go!"

"We aren't going to steal anything, right?"

"No, we'll just explore it." he shook his head. "And, as far as I know, that old stallion didn't have family to claim this house. What if we make a secret hideout here?"

That... isn't a bad idea. When I was young, I had the same idea about abandoned buildings. Unfortunately, I've grown up.

"Alright... let's go."

***

Fuck, there's a lot of dust here! And cobweb! I think I'm gonna...

*SNEEZE*

"Hey, be quiet!" Blueblood nudged me. "We don't know who could be in here!"

I doubt there are ghosts here. As far as I know, a ghost haunts for a few reasons: that person was murdered, didn't want to die, or was just connected with the place emotionally. I've read about it in a book... I don't remember which one.

I don't think ghosts exist at all, though.

So, the two of us slowly walked through the first floor of the house. There's a second one, judging by a stairway at the far end.

It’s also very dark. I can see silhouettes, nothing more. Still, there's enough light that we won’t walk into anything.

The floorboards creaked under us as we walked across them. This house is pretty old, it seems. And creepy. Most of the shelves I see are empty. I guess all that's left is the furniture.

Also... Is it just me or is someone crying upstairs? Ghosts?

"You hear that?" Blueblood asked, confirming my suspicions. I don't like it!

"Yeah..." I replied. "Maybe we should get out of here?"

"No, we need to find out who's there!" he shook his head.

Well, he's to blame if both of us are eaten by the scary-looking creature waiting for unfortunate young adventurers like us.

But I'm not about to leave him alone.

I think I'll regret it very soon...

We carefully moved to the stairs, trying not to make any sound. When we reached the stairs, we started climbing them. It seems that whoever lived there was pretty tall, as steps were rather high for us.

A few minutes later, we were on the second floor. We were met by a hallway with four doors, two on each side. One of the doors was opened, and a faint light could be seen. A candle, perhaps.

Hm, someone's invoking pony Satan?

It's not the time for jokes now. Well, let's see who's there.

I slowly walked to the door while Blueblood followed a little way behind. So, here I go...

I slowly peeked into the room and saw someone sitting in front of a large portrait of an old stallion. There was also a lone candle standing between that someone and the portrait. I think I recognize who it is... White fur, pale-yellow long mane and tail. Is that Moonshine?

The pony turned around and, well, it's her. She doesn't look so good. Teary red eyes, a sad frown... I guess the old stallion was her grandfather.

We just stared at each other. I felt Blueblood peeking from behind me. He quickly retreated, though. I turned to follow him—

"P-please, d-don't go." I heard Moonshine speaking in a very shaky voice. "I d-don't want t-to be alone..."

I turned to Blueblood, but he whispered "I don't know her well, it's up to you." Well, he's partly right... But I don't know her that well either.

Anyway, I turned to Moonshine, and walked to her.

Suddenly, she wrapped her front legs around my neck and pressed her head against my chest. She started crying, soaking my hoodie with her tears.

I think she needs some company. I'll gladly provide it. I'm not about to leave her alone to wallow in her sorrows.

***

We've been sitting together for what seemed like hours until Moonshine spoke up.

"M-my grandfather—" she pointed at the portrait. "—was alw-ways kind to me. And... he died. I knew he was old, but... I miss him anyway. On the weekends, I used t-to visit him. He told me stories... He gave m-me advice..."

It'll be better if she lets it all out.

"H-he was so much b-better than my parents..." she continued. "He w-was always th-here for me." she looked up at me. "I'm alone now..."

"No, you're not." I shook my head. "If you ever need help, just ask." I used my hoof to wipe her tears away. "I won't leave you. But now, let's go. You need some rest."

She extinguished the candle, stood up on her shaking legs, and nodded. Slowly, we started walking back to the apartment.

I don't know how I feel about that. I didn't know her grandfather, hell, I don't even know her very well! Either way, I don't want her to be alone. I can see she needs company. It’d be cruel to leave her. No one should ever have to suffer such a thing.

It’s a hard time for her. I'll be there for her.

Hours later

After I walked Moonshine back to the apartment, I stayed with her until nighttime. After she went to bed, I headed outside. After all, I have a meeting with Luna.

The night has come upon the land. To make matters worse, dark clouds covered the sky completely. I heard something about a heavy midnight rain being scheduled.

Hm, heavy rain and a dark night... Sounds like a beginning of a mystery film. Or horror.

Well, it'll be horror if Luna reveals herself to be an alicorn eater. That'd be crazy as fuck.

I doubt that'd happen. I think someone must have made me inhale cocaine while I was taking a nap. I think of too many dumb things when I should be focusing on important stuff.

Not that I mind thinking about dumb stuff. But sometimes it's like laughing at the funeral because you've remembered a silly joke about a toilet.

I'm glad such a thing didn't happen to me. My life isn't some strange comedy, after all.

Alright, time to go and see Luna. I want to know what she wants from me.

***

Here I am, in the garden with the creepy statue. Someone's cleaned my half-digested food from its face, by the way.

I'm glad I'm not that statue. Pigeons shit on you every day, and then some random guy teleports right on top of you and covers your face with vomit. Ew.

"Hello, Flame Metal."

I nearly died. She crept right up to me! F-fuck!

"Hello, Luna." I replied in more or less calm voice, turning to her. Wait, is she wearing a cloak?

"I am ready to talk with you again." she said. "I... thought about everything you told me of yourself, and I’ve accepted who you are. It was rather hard to do, as some of the things you've shown are still unknown to us.

"So, I came to talk to you. About you, Flame." she sighed. "Well, there is an ancient tradition that has existed in Equestria for many centuries. It states that each alicorn shall be titled as a prince or a princess.

"However, seeing that you yourself don't know why you became an alicorn, and considering your nature... I'm giving you a choice." Luna cleared her throat. "Do you want to become a prince?"

"No." I replied almost instantly. I'm not ready nor am I willing.

"Are you completely sure?" Luna asked.

"Let's see," I tapped my chin. "If you want a prince, you better go find a random person, turn him into an alicorn, and make him a prince." I replied. "The result will be the same. So, no, I don't want to become a prince."

"Well, you’ve made your choice." Luna nodded. "If you ever change your mind, the title will be yours."

I doubt I'll change my mind. I always hated watching over people. Three is already too many... And an entire nation? Millions of ponies? That'd be like a death sentence to me.

No. There are many things worse than death. Being in charge of a whole country for the rest of eternity, is a very. Very. Very.Very bad thing.

"In any case," Luna continued. "I'll be helping you. I guess you don't want to be revealed to others as an alicorn." I nodded. "Then, I have something that will help." she pulled out a necklace from her cloak. Um, does she carry it with her all the time?

So, it’s just a metal chain of small links with a lock. "Wear it around your neck. With but a thought, you'll be able to make your wings disappear. The illusion can fool anything but the most powerful magic. And no one but yourself can take the necklace off."

I took the necklace into my magical grasp. It’s really light, even lighter than it looks. I locked it around my neck. Huh, feels natural. No, not like that... I just don't notice it at all.

I pulled up my hoodie so that my wings were visible. I thought of them disappearing, and they did! Huh, it really works. I used my hoof to touch the place where wings supposedly are, and I felt nothing. It's just as if I were a unicorn.

A while back, I had wanted to find a spell that could do that. I obviously would have failed.

"Thanks." I told Luna. "You're... really the only one I can trust with this."

"Your trust won't fail." Luna made a small smile. "I can understand how you feel about this. When I was young and shy, I didn't want to be a princess either. And I certainly didn't like how everypony bows when you pass them."

"Why did you make this offer to me, then?" I asked.

"You had a choice only because you are special. The others did something really important to ponykind in order to become alicorns, and that is why they became princes and princesses. You, on the other hoof, didn't do anything to earn what you are." Luna replied. "I'm not saying that you’re bad or should be ashamed of being what you are, I’m just saying that you are a special case, a unique one."

"Thanks..." I said. "For giving me a choice."

"I couldn't do it another way. That would be cruel to you." Luna said. "So, what are your plans, Flame?"

"Finish school, and then I'll figure something out." I replied.

"Won't you be searching for a way home?"

"I've already told you why I don't want to go back." I shook my head.

"I just thought you would change your mind." Luna replied. "Alright, it's time for me to leave. I have royal duties to attend to."

And with that, she left.

I stood there, in the garden, all alone. I have no idea why, but I feel like a complete asshole.

I really didn't do anything to deserve to be an alicorn.

Author's Notes:

I hate naming chapters so that they don't give spoilers.