"Ready..." The lunar guard began, staring down his associate as they pulled back on the small catapult. "Steady..." The rope strained as the guard operating it pulled back on it, lowering the bucket. "Fire!"

At his command, the rope was released and the bucket rose, launching an old table into the air. Before the payload could reach its peak, it is struck with a ball of magic, which causes it to combust as soon as they meet. Small wood splinters rain down, followed by soot and ash. The smell of burning wood fills the air around them once more.

Following the source of the magic, I quickly spotted the young colt responsible. He was standing a good distance from the mechanism and the guards. He wiped the small beads of sweat that were forming on his head. From the looks of it, he was asking the guard to load up yet another piece of forgotten furniture to be launched.

I allowed this process to repeat itself once more before making my presence known. As I stepped out into the open, my guards bowed to me and, upon my request moved the catapult to be put in storage for now. Of course, this caught Ebah's attention and he was soon making his way towards me.

"What gives?" He asked in an uncharacteristic tone, sounding more curious than upset. "I was just starting to enjoy myself."

"I can see that. You looked like you were having a lot of fun." I pointed out with a light giggle. It brought me a strange amount of joy watching him destroy things like this. Not due to the act itself, but moreover because of how much he seemed to genuinely enjoy it.

Ebah's eyes remained locked onto me as he nodded his head, "Duh..." He stares at me for a few seconds longer before inquiring further. "So whacha need, ma?"

Oh, how warms my heart hearing him finally call me this! I can't help but to smile every time. It doesn't happen as often as I'd like, but it's far better than the alternative of him address me as 'woman' day in and day out. "I've come here to discuss a new form a teaching for you." I could tell by the look on his face that was not amused in the slightest. "Hear me out for one moment, Ebah."

Ebah let out a sigh an planted his rump to the ground. "You have five minutes."

"Very well then!" I said, clearing my throat before continuing. "Your studies have been going well enough, and seeing as you've grown a significant amount of control over your magic since this little arrangement has been made, I believe it is time we moved forward!"

Ebah raised a brow at this. "In what way exactly? Aren't I already doing everything I'm supposed to?"

"Indeed you are! But, I couldn't help but notice something rather peculiar." I pointed a hoof toward him.

Ebah looked down to see what I was trying to point out. "You're not taking my vest..."

"What? No!" I walked closer to him and pointed once more, being sure he could see exactly what I was referring to. "Your wings. Since the moment I saw you, I have yet to witness you use them."

Ebah looked back at his wings and it was hard to believe that he was born with them. From the looks of it, he tried to move them, but was failing to do so. Occasionally, one would twitch. Aside from that, they didn't really move at all and there was no synchronicity whatsoever. It was almost disgusting. "You know, I keep forgetting I have these things..."

How can he forget something like that? "Ebah, it is very important that you learn to use your wings." I said, hoping I didn't come off as too demanding. "If you continue to neglect them it could stunt their growth."

"Hey! If God wanted us to fly then he wouldn't have taken our wings!" I felt my brow raise at this, my confusion being put on clear display. Judging from the look he was slowly developing, he was equally as confused. "Shit! That was wrong reference. God dammit, Howard!"

I let out a sigh and ignored his ramblings. Some battles you just have to pick and choose, especially with this child. "My point still stands. You need to start having flight lessons as soon as possible."

Ebah groaned at this. "Come on! I'm a magical fuckin' horse! Couldn't I just like...levitate myself or something?"

"Yes, but that is hardly an excuse to neglect your wings further!" I didn't like raising my voice at Ebah. He's strong in many ways, but still fragile with his temper. Taking a breath, I relaxed myself before I spoke further. "Please Ebah, don't make this harder than it has to be. I just want what's best for you. You trust me, don't you?"

Ebah gave me a conflicted looked, bobbing his head from side to side. "Ehhh, it's a rough fifty-fifty."

This child is going to send me to an early grave. As I said, I only want what is best for him. He's been much more easy going these last few weeks, but his stubborn streak knows no end; especially when it comes to introducing him to new things or ideas. Sometimes I feel like the only pony he really listens to is Garnette.

Wait a minute...

I stood up straight and let out a distressed sigh. "You win, Ebah. If you don't want to take flying lessons then you don't have to." Ebah threw up his front hooves and gave a victorious 'woo!' Nodding at him, I turned around and started heading back into the castle. "Garnette is going to be very disappointed..."

I could practically hear the record scratch in his brain. "Hold on a second!" It took everything in my power to hide the grin on my face as I stopped in my tracks, craning my neck so I could look back at him. "You wanna run that by me again?" I should have said this this from the start.

I turned around to fully face my suddenly curious child, who was all but glaring at me at this point. "Oh, it's nothing." I began, waving a dismissive hoof in his direction. "I simply spoke with Garnette on the matter and, not only does she agree with me, she even volunteered to assist you with the lessons." It is becoming increasingly difficult not to smile as I watch the gears turn in his little head. "It's just a shame that I'll have to tell her about your refusal."

Ebah stares on, his eyes never wavering, not even for a second. "You know, the funny thing is; I know you're playing me...But, well done." He stands up on all fours and makes his way over to me. "Let's get a move on, big blue."

I'm almost one hundred percent positive that everything the woman said was a lie, in regards to Garnette being involved with this, but if there's a chance I can to cling to that mare more often then I'm not gonna turn it down. For the time being though, it looks like it's just gonna be mommy and me.

Bleh...

I really don't see the point of this whole flight training thing. I mean, I've made it this far without them so why even bother? Hell, I made it almost two decades with only two legs, no wings and no voodoo dick in my skull. If I recall correctly, the one time I actually acknowledged them, was when the woman dropped me and I landed on my back. The words 'Ow, my fucking wings!' still sound weird when I hear them in my head.

The next couple of hours were spent in her room trying to get my wings to move properly. This was a rather awkward process, given that I have yet to use the damn things. Up until this point, they've just kinda been there and that was as far as it went. It figures that some shit like this would go down when I'm finally getting the hang of my highly combustible, yet insanely awesome, magic. I've even learned how to levitate things without causing them to explode or just melt into a puddle. It was a pain in the ass at first, but in a few weeks it became second nature. I do shit with magic without even thinking now.

If there is one thing I could give the woman props for, it is our little arrangement to let me blow things up regularly. In the beginning, I was just happy to have something to do as well as work off a lot of pent up frustration. I didn't realize how much it was actually helping me until these ponies started pointing out that I was being a lot less hostile. More specifically, the woman wouldn't shut up about how my mood has improved significantly.

On occasion I would even get a passing comment from Garnette about how calm I've been lately, which has worked out great for us in my opinion. Now I can spend as much time with her as I want without having to be afraid that I'm going to lash out and hurt her. I need to make it a point to see her today. I think I'm having vampire withdrawals. It's like she's permanently stained into my memory. I find it hard not to think about her every second of every day.

Is that weird?

"Ebah, you need to focus." Even with my improved mood, the woman has a way of getting under my skin. This is one of those moments. "Stretch both wings out as far as you can. Like this." The woman follows her own example and flares her wings, extending them to their limit. And here I am...Wings folded...

I'm trying to do it, I really am, but I can't get the fuckers more than an inch off of my body. They're not even that big so I don't see why this is an issue. They shouldn't be heavy. Maybe it's just because I wasn't born with them. I can't seem to work the muscles properly. To make a long story short; they might as well be tied down.

I strained against my own body as I tried to push out my wings, growling as I went on to try forcing them into the same position as hers. About two minutes in I gave up and let them go back to resting on my sides proper. "This isn't working..." I huffed, needing to speak between breaths. This has been surprisingly exhausting. "We might as well just cut the damn things off, they're useless!"

"Now, now, my son. We'll have none of that." Lowering her wings, the woman came to my aid. She stands beside me, lifting a hoof. She pauses, looking at me before continuing. The look she's wearing is almost fearful. Like she's scared of her own next move. "I'm going to touch your wings now, Ebah. Just try to relax."

At least she gave me a warning. I wish I knew why I never liked being touched or grabbed from behind, but it's just another forgotten memory. If I suppressed it, I'm sure it's for a good reason. But still, it just leaves me with unanswered questions. Steeling myself, I relaxed my body and nodded. Her movements are slow and predictable, which is making this a little more tolerable.

I can feel her hoof coming into contact with my left wing, gently tugging at it. Surprisingly enough, this proved to be just what it needed. As she carefully pulls back, my wing unfurls with only minor resistance. There's a pop as the once stationary appendage is made to stretch out for the first time ever and I'll be honest, it feels so good I might pop a boner if I'm not careful.

"Oh, dear God..." I mutter to myself as this strange feeling of euphoria hits me.

"Try to keep this wing stretched. I'm moving to the other now." She repeats the process with my right wing, gently pulling it from its resting place. This one pops a few times as well and I'm on the verge of collapsing. It's like when you've been sitting down too long and when you go to stand back up your back pops in nearly every spot. It's just a massive wave of relief that I didn't know I needed. "Good. Now hold that position."

"You don't need to tell me twice..." I will happily stand right here and soak in this weird fucking wave of relaxation that's just washing over me. The woman steps back as I just stand here doing literally nothing. I'm not even trying to keep my wings out, they're just staying in place on their own....and it's actually becoming a little uncomfortable now. "Are they supposed to feel all tingly?" The woman gives me an odd look as she seems to scan me with her eyes, leaning her head down to get a closer look at my wings.

God, even that sounds weird...

"I can't say that I'm surprised." She lifts her head back up and I can already feel the oncoming lecture. "Given their lack of use, their circulation must have been very poor. You'll need to keep them out like this until blood flow resumes proper."

"Great, so I'm just supposed to stand here like an idiot with my thumb in my ass..." I had to pause for a second to think over my word choice. "Hoof in my ass?" That one sounds so much worse. And just plain dirty. I feel unclean! "Either way, something is in my ass and I don't like it!" I stand corrected. That one was sooo much worse than the last. Why can't I learn to shut up when I've already fucked myself? "This monologue took a weird turn."

"Quite..." The woman just kinda stares at me for a few seconds after that, eventually shaking her head. She's probably trying to clear out the mental images I gave her. I know I am. "Moving on; if you could hold that position for a little while longer, I'm sure you'll be able to move your wings freely."

Oh joy...

"Aside from making sure these feathery assholes on my back aren't gonna fall off; what are you planning to teach me?" I asked with an expression that could only really be read as a mixture between curiosity and annoyance. "I get that this is supposed to be flying and all, but what exactly does that entail?"

"Oh, I won't be teaching you." I could hear something akin to a slight choking sound as those words left her mouth. It's almost as if she didn't want me to know that little tidbit. Not now, at least. She might have had a plan to help ease this information onto me later on. Clearly though, that's not happening.

Sucks to suck!

"You see! This shit is why I don't trust you!" I yell from my spot, mostly just to get a reaction out of her. I can't honestly say that I'm mad about it. If anything, I'm more upset that she didn't tell me this from the beginning. So my little outburst is both intentional and purely out of spite.

"I'm sorry, Ebah..." It's not often that she apologizes and doesn't sound all panicky. This time she seems just plain disappointed. Not so much in me, but more in herself for obvious reasons. "It's not that I don't want to, or that I am unable. I just thought it best for you to learn from a pony who's abilities exceed my own."

Exceed her own?

I don't give this woman credit for much, but I know where she stands both as a leader and as a person of power. So this is fucking with me a little bit. "Who could possibly exceed a demigod in anything?"

"Are you ready for your big day, Crash?" I get that we all have nicknames that don't exactly speak well for us, but it's still a little embarrassing to be addressed by it so openly. Then again, it's mostly just us Wonderbolts in here. It could be worse. Not to say that she hasn't called me this out in public. I know she's just teasing me and all, but it's still not something I like other ponies to hear about.

Free from my uniform, I close my locker and turn to face Spitfire. "As ready as I'll ever be, Captain!" I can see why the princess chose me of all ponies. I am the fastest around and it's no surprise that she'd want the best for her adopted son. "Teaching a pegasus his age how to fly properly should be a cakewalk."

Spitfire gives me an unsure look. It almost looks like she just ate something sour. This stirs up a few mixed feeling from me, but I can easily overlook them. "I don't know. I've heard a lot of stories about this colt. None of them pleasant."

Yeah, I've heard a few things myself from Twilight, but of course he'd be a hoof full for her. I can't stand listening to one of her lessons, let alone having to sit through over a dozen of them a day. At that point, I'd probably try to set the castle on fire too. "I'm sure he'll be cool being with somepony as awesome as I am."

Spitfire's expression didn't change even a little bit. "I'll admit, I was dreading that this day would come." It's so weird to see her talking like this. She's normally so authoritative. A real 'Take on the world' kind of mare. "To be honest, I'm glad she didn't pick me."

I couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes as I waved a dismissive hoof in her direction. "He's just a colt. Aside from whining about his wings being tired, I doubt we'll run into too many bumps." I'll admit, her own reaction to this news is taking a small toll on me. But, I refuse to let it deter me. I'm the best there is! "I'm sure he'll be taking to the skies in no time at all."

Spitfire smiled at me somewhat proudly, but I can still see the dread lingering in her gaze. "Your confidence is admirable." Said smile vanished just as fast as it appeared. "But remember, Not only do you need to do this and do it right, but you need to maintain a completely professional demeanor. This could mean big things for us if you can pull it off. Not many flight groups can go around saying that they taught a prince how to fly."

I raised my right hoof to my head in a salute. "You can count on me, Captain!"

"I sure hope so..." She all but mutters, "Believe me, I have no doubt in you or your skill. I'm just worried that something might happen."

"Come on, Captain..." I can't believe I have to say this again. I'll slow it down for her this time so she gets the point. "He's just a colt. What's the worst that could happen?"

Author's Notes:

I wanted to do the whole flight process here, but I felt like it would come off as rushed if I did. (Not to mention that I've gotten writers block more times than I can count while writing this chapter)
Seriously, this could have been done like a week earlier if my brain wasn't such a fucking dick!
As always: If you're enjoying this story, make sure to slap that LIKE button like a bitch! Feel free to share it with your friends and leave comments below! Comments make me feel special :P
A big 'Thank You' to Reggie for editing this chapter for me.