Alright, it's three p.m., and my first training starts in am hour. Thankfully, these hours of waiting passed quicker than I expected, mainly because I decided to play Doom on my smartphone. It really killed the time.

Anyway, I remember that I had to walk for about thirty minutes to get to the castle, so, I suppose I should go now. Better be a bit earlier than late.

Also, I suppose I should talk to Luna about creating a band such as Ghost. She's been living here for a long time, she maybe knows how ponies will react to that. Besides, getting her advice at how to execute the whole thing will be useful. I'm not really sure what I typed down will work, 'cause it has a lot of sex mentioned and devil worshipping and religion... I surely need some advice before trying to get anything done.

Alright, time to go now.

I am now in the Canterlot Castle. I think I still remember the way to that hall where my flying lessons are taking place.

I'm really excited about this! I didn't use my wings often, and for the past month not even once. Training on regular basis will surely be fun. I've never flew on my own, only on a plane once. Being able to fly just by myself is a thrilling thing to experience! I will be, like, the first human to have wings! Alright, not entirely human, but still, it is amazing!

And... how do I present my idea to Luna? She already knows I'm a human, I doubt she'll be mad at me for this idea. Well, I don't really know how ponies will react to this... Uh, I hope it'll be alright.

Alright, I think I've just reached the needed hall. I just have to enter the door...

...

Oh, Luna's already here. And there are a lot of mats lying on the floor.

"Hello, Flame." Luna greeted me. "I expected you to be early. Excited, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am." I nodded. "But, um, there's one thing I want to ask you, and it's not related to flight. I guess I need an... advice."

"Well, I shall gladly help." Luna replied with a smile.

Here I go...

***

I explained to her what I want to do: I told her about the band I want to create, about its theme, and all that stuff I thought about yesterday.

...

I can't read what Luna's face shows. Please don't be mad...

"Well..." she started slowly. "Are all humans as weird as you?"

At least she doesn't seem mad. That's a good sign.

"Um, not really... Well, some may be." I replied awkwardly. "But, um, what do you think? I mean, about the idea?"

"If you really want to bring this into our world, it will have to be fixed slightly." Luna replied. "First of all, I suppose you consider starting it when you grow up, right?"

I nodded.

"Good. Because what you want to sing, coming from a foal — a big no and will not be received likely at all." Luna said. "But when you grow up, you might succeed in this. But some things must be changed. First of all, all sexual content. Is it necessary?"

"Um, kind of." I replied. "But I don't plan to center everything around it or anything. I mean, uh, it is just hinted.

"Also, tell me how ponies might receive this whole thing. I... don't know for sure." I added.

"Well, I can certainly tell that many ponies like darkness and evil, but they try not to show it. They like it being fictional, not real, of course. That is why your idea might succeed if staged right." she explained. "I've been to one pipe organ concert. The musician dresses into black and plays dark, ominous music. And she has many fans, one of whom is I." Luna chuckled. "So, as long as no real evil is done and everything is made for entertainment, it will be fine. As a princess, I encourage the new, especially in the art. You claim you shall bring new genre of music to our world from yours — do it, then.

"As an advice, I recommend you to get somepony to write the lines for the Announcer. What you now have sounds rather awkward. And another recommendation — do not start this in Canterlot. The public here will mostly dislike your idea. Classic music prevails here. You should spread the word through other major cities like Manehattan, Vanhoover, Baltimare. They are big cities, you will most likely find a lot of ponies who will be interested in your 'cult taking over the world' thing.

"But I believe it is time for you to start learning how to fly. You've come here for this in the first place, haven't you? Let us start, then. We can discuss everything else after the training." Luna said.

I can certainly say that her advice are useful and make sense. And I am glad to know that ponies will probably accept the new genre. And the probability is very high.

"Let's start." I nodded. Time to fly now! I took off my hoodie and made my wings appear by commanding my necklace to reveal them.

"We shall start with basics." Luna said. "First of all, wings develop from age nine to twelve. At the age of twelve or thirteen you should be able to fly as adult pegasi. Until then, you can mostly glide or hover for a little time.

"Wings must be trained carefully. If you train them wrong, it may impact your flying abilities for the rest of your life. So, if you feel you cannot do anymore — stop doing it. Overexerting will not help. You should also let the wings be free from time to time. Don't keep them folded all the time."

I stretched my wings. It hurts a bit, but I suppose it is because I've not used them for a long time.

"So, let me see your wings." Luna said and walked closer to me. She carefully examined each of my wing, pressing here and there. "Well, your wings are in an overall good shape. It seems you've not used them for about two months. This is not a good thing." she frowned. "Before I teach you flying, you have to get your wings to a better shape. So, you must extend them to maximum length and rotate them like this." she unfolded her wings and started slowly rotating in circle. I guess it is a lot like warming up the arms by using shoulders.

I unfolded my wings fully and repeated after Luna.

"Do it fifty times." she said. "It will make the blood flow to them."

Ten, eleven, twelve...

...twenty, twenty one, twenty two...

...thirty four, thirty five, thirty six...

...forty six, forty seven, forty eight, forty nine, fifty!

Well, I certainly feel something. Can't really explain what, though. I just feel better, that's it.

"Good." Luna nodded. "Now, I need you to run ten laps around this hall while using your wings to slightly propel yourself upwards, just enough to let you get off the ground for five to ten centimeters with each wing flap. Basically, jumping without using your legs. Don't flap your wings too hard or fast. Their movement must be fluid.

"This exercise will train your endurance, it is very important in flying. The longer you can fly, the better."

It's like I'm in Physical Culture again. Well, I'm not against it. Being fit is a good thing, after all.

Well, here I go. I think I can run long enough.

...

This way of jumping is fun. It's like moon gravity. My wings are working pretty well. I try not to flap them too hard. Gotta follow Luna's advice. After all, she's a pro in flying, and I am not.

"Go faster!" she asked me. "This isn't trot!"

Good thing she's not into military training stuff when drill-sergeants yell at you all the time. My father has taken me into a kinda military camp for teens (how's that called?) where that thing happened to me. I didn't really like it. Well, even if Luna kinda yells, her voice is at least pleasant to listen to. There're no insults, too.

It's the third lap, and I don't yet feel any tiredness. My endurance was always rather good. Well, I was never overweight. I was pretty thin, actually. I think if I flapped my arms hard enough, I might've discovered that I could fly as a human.

Half of the fifth lap. I think I feel something in my wings... Something close to fatique. Maybe. I dunno, the feeling is... light. I mean, it's not noticeable unless you know what you're looking for.

"Fifth lap! You're doing great!" Luna encouraged me.

Well, why wouldn't I? I'm not in a bad shape, after all. And that alicorn bonus greatly helps me. Were I of another pony race, I might've become tired by now. Alicorn master race still prevails!

...

That sounded racist. Hm, will it be racist if I say "I am glad I'm an alicorn." It's like saying "I'm glad I'm white." Not that I am white supremacist. Racism is just stupid, after all. Why would I hate someone over something that wasn't their choice?

Alright, I think I went to a wrong direction again. I was running laps, and not discussing racial problems.

Seventh lap. I'm growing more tired. Still, not enough to stop me.

"Just three laps left! You almost did it!" I heard Luna encouraging me again. That is what is called right teaching!

I'm going through the eighth lap. I'm still doing great, even if I begin to feel a burning sensation in my wings. And yet not in the legs. I have fine legs.

...

Hoof fetish much?

...

What is wrong with me if I can think about fetishes during lap running? Great...

Ninth lap. I'm tired, but there's not much left to run. The burning sensation intensifies. It feels strange. Feeling wings on the back is strange, too.

...

Tenth lap.

"Yes, that is great! One to go!" Luna yelled.

Yeah, just one. My wings are tired, but I am still going. Some tiredness can't stop an alicorn, after all.

...

Yeah, I did it! Time to slow down. I know that I mustn't stop, I have to keep walking. Well, that is what I remember I was taught. It has to do something with the heart, I think.

And damn is my breath out of control! Well, I may need to develop my stamina.

"It seems your endurance surpasses your physical age, Flame." Luna told me. "Maybe it is because of what you are. Though, I don't have much knowledge about young alicorns. My sister and I weren't born like that."

"Uh, I know that... alicorns are made not through... normal means." I replied, panting in between phrases. "At least that is... what I've read from one... book."

"Yes, there are no known causes of alicorn birth. In theory, a pure-blooded unicorn and an alicorn have a very low chance of conceiving an alicorn, but there is no evidence supporting that theory." she explained. "Anyway, how do you feel?"

"My wings are a bit sore, but otherwise okay." I replied, taking back the control over my breath. Whew, what a run was that!

"Tired?" Luna asked.

"Kind of... Well, yes." I replied. "My wings haven't had any good exercise until now."

"Well, let us rest, then." Luna's horn glowed and a sofa appeared out of nowhere. "Would you like to take a seat?"

"Um, thanks..." I replied, taking a seat. Well, it's comfortable.

"Maybe you want to talk with me. We've not met for a long time, my friend." Luna sat near me. "I bet we can have an interesting conversation. So, how did October pass for you? Have you been to the Nightmare Night festival, which I believe was hosted at your school?"

"Well, um," I cleared my throat. "It was... fine, I suppose." I replied awkwardly. I am still not really used to talking openly. "I mean, I got used to my new life. I accepted it and, um, stopped running away from it... If that makes sense." I shifted in place nervously, trying my best to look calm. "And, um, that sums everything up. Oh, and I was at the celebration. Um, not to brag or anything, but me and my friends took the first place at the, uh, costume competition." I blushed slightly. It was kinda bragging.

"Is it so?" Luna smiled. "Congratulations! In fact, I was there, too. I wasn't noticeable because of many who impersonated me." she dhuckled. "Your costumes did indeed look great! And I suppose it was you with the skeleton face? You did an amazing job!"

"Um, thanks..." I replied. And I am still not used to royalty talking to me so informally. Heck, I've not known any royalty personally before! Still blows my mind... "That is what the three of us were working on for the whole month."

"The work you did paid off." Luna nodded. "Creative, expressing the feeling of the celebration, and it looked great overall. And your pipe organ performance added to the whole Nightmare Night! I wished I could play organ that well."

"Uh, you can't?" I asked, flabbergasted. How can a such an old ruler not be able to play organ better than me?

"Well, I prefer string instruments." Luna answered. "Organ is my sister's passion. Though, she's not been playing it for ages, as far as I know."

The silence lasted for a couple of moments before Luna spoke again: "So, anything else you'd like to talk about?"

"Well, yeah..." I scratched the back of my neck. "I don't remember asking it before... How does it feel to meet an alien? I mean, I had my own impressions, as you ponies are alien to me, but... Well, you know..."

"I understand." Luna nodded. "I can honestly say that I expected it to happen one day. Well, it was surprising but not too much. You can be understood, we share the same language, we think more or less the same way. It is easy to see you as just another pony. Would it be not that medical examination you wanted to avoid because you didn't want to reveal your true nature, I might've not found out who you really are. I would think that you are just another foal, albeit wiser and smarter than most. We would be just friends, and this conversation would've likely not taken place."

This makes sense.

"Truth be told, your origins don't matter much. Friendship is what does." Luna sighed. "I've not had many friends when I was young. Always in the shadow of my sister..." she cleared her throat. "So, I find your company rather... interesting and fun. Most still fear me, and, let's be honest, I'm not the kind of pony to easily make friends." she smiled at me. "But I am glad I have you. Also, I noticed that both you and I are different from others. I've been for a thousand years on the moon. I appeared in a world I wasn't familiar with. Everything looked familiar, yes, but the ponies themselves... Only my sister remained. Mostly unchaged, too.

"And you are an alien, who wasn't aware of this world until the day when my return took place. I guess we were both afraid of this world at the beginning... And I can say we've adapted to it. So, the different are destined to stay together, right?" she chuckled. "Maybe that is why we became friends. We saw ourselves in each-other."

I don't know what to say to her. I think she is right.

"And..." a tear rolled down her cheek. Um, what is happening? "I am glad I have you as my friend, no matter what we were before." she suddenly hugged me tightly.

I think she's having a... I don't know how it's called. A sensual moment? I don't know, I never understood women... or feelings.

And this whole thing has less impact on me. But not that this is unimportant! I would be heartless to say that it is. Um, feelings are always confusing to me. Trying to... make sense with, um, them is a hard task, really.

And... Feeling a thousands-year-old princess just, um, just crying into my shoulder is... strange. Well, this whole world is strange by my standards. But that isn't bad! Who said that alicorns or princesses don't have feelings? I mean, um... This is strange to feel someone as old as her being that, uh, sensitive, but it's not strange for her to have feelings. Damn, that might've had no sense... Ugh.

"Luna, I am glad to have you, too." I said softly.

It is true. Well, maybe she's the only being I can relate to in this world. I mean, she has valid points at how similar we are. And... I suppose we can understand each-other better because of that. Um... This is a bit confusing.

"Sorry," Luna said, letting go of me. "I... I don't know why I did that."

"It's fine." I replied. "We all have our moments from time to time." I looked at her. "And, um, even immortal alicorn princesses have them, too." I made a small smile, eliciting a weak chuckle from Luna. "We're all, uh, sentient, after all."

"...You're right." she nodded after a moment of hesitation. "It's just... How do I say it... I've not talked so openly to anyone besides my sister. I usually try to keep my appearance as a strong ruler, but sometimes... Well, you've just witnessed it."

"Yeah..." I sighed slowly. Well, at least— wait, I need to ask one more thing! "Luna, there's one important thing I need to ask you... Um, do you remember what I've told you about, um, a filly, who kissed me once?"

"I remember." Luna nodded.

"Uh, she confessed her love... And I don't really know what to do." I admitted. "I mean, I am still much older than her. Is there a way to solve this mess? I doubt I can do it on my own."

"I think I know a pony who can help you." Luna said.

"But that would require me to tell them my true story, right?" I asked. I doubt I can trust anyone else with my secret.

"Don't worry, Flame. She's an alicorn, just like you. And she can keep secrets. She's one of the kindest ponies I know, and she is willing to help those who are troubled in love." Luna told me. "I strongly advise you to see her."

"Well, maybe I should." I replied with uncertainty. Should I reveal myself to another? I know a saying that states "If a secret is known to three, it is no longer a secret" or something along these lines. Anyway, what do I do? Reveal or not? Tough decision... But I trust Luna. She claims that her alicorn friend (or another sister?) can help me and can keep secrets. I think I should follow Luna's advice. So, I said: "Um... Yes, I will see her. When?"

"As far as I know, she's not as busy as my sister and I are. I suppose we can go right now unless you aren't ready."

"I'm ready." I said. Well, I suppose I shouldn't wait longer. The problem I have won't magically go away, after all.

I made my wings disappear and put on my hoodie. I don't want some random guard to see my wings, now do I?

Author's Notes:

Yeah, first trainings aren't exactly long. I'm speaking from experience, too. But we will all see Flame flying someday.