Ok. I'm going to come out and say it. If there's something you don't like please either let me know in the comments why. Also. If you're going to be a jerk about it. Then don't expect anything more than being called out. If there's something you like or think should happen. Comments. Let's aim for a story that's 20% cooler.

Rainbow Dash was eager to learn something cool from the wolf. "Me first!" She said excitedly flying in place overhead.

"Really Dash? I think we should learn what we can about him first" Twilight groaned as she received an eye roll from the pegasus.

"Maybe you can do both at once. Just know that If you want to go past the basics. And you want more advanced lessons...We'll need to spend private time to do it." Phoenix said softly rubbing his chin in contemplation as he stood facing the library. After a moment he looked over at the girls.

The girls and Spike looked at each other for a moment before turning to him and nodding in agreement.

"Alright then. First we'll need an open space. Preferably on a hill or cliff." Phoenix said walking over to sit with the girls.

"Why is that darlen?" Rarity asked.

"You'll see." He replied with a knowing smile.

"How about the gorge?" Rainbow suggested.

Phoenix thought for a moment and nodded. "Perfect. Let's go."

"Now?" Rarity asked in shock.

"Why not? We're all together. And you do want to start your lessons. Right?"

Again the girls looked to each other before getting up and leading the way.

Phoenix looked over the side for a moment. "Perfect."

"Are you going to explain why you brought us here? And hopefully answer a few questions." Twilight asked.

"If you put away the clipboard you're trying to hide. I'll explain. " He replied, glancing back with a knowing smile which caused the alicorn to blush and her friends to giggle.

After she put her clipboard away the wolf had them line up as close to the edge as they could get.

"I want each of you to sit as close to the edge as you can comfortably, close your eyes and listen." He explained.

"That's it?" Applejack asked.

"You'd be surprised." Phoenix laughed.

Phoenix looked over each as they followed his instructions. There wasn't much surprise seeing Rainbow Dash at the edge of the cliff alongside Spike. Applejack sat a few feet farther. Then Twilight, Rarity and lastly Fluttershy.

He had seen all he needed to. With a nod he started planning their lessons in his head. "Ok. Now feel the air around you. Notice how it moves along your body. Smell the places it has been. Taste what it has experienced. Hear it's stories." He said softly as he walked past each of them. "The closer you get to the air. The more it will show you. And protect you."

The girls... mostly Twilight, concentrated as hard as they could. "Relax. You have to be patient. If you're not. You'll miss what the wind has to tell you." He said looking over them and smiled as the two pegasi and dragon sat upright spreading their wings.

Phoenix blinked at Fluttershy. It was the first time he saw anyone accept the wind so far from the edge. "Fluttershy. Keep your eyes closed and move forward till the wind says stop."

With a gulp and nod she stood as her friends turned and watched.
10 feet. Phoenix motioned for the others to stay quiet.
7 feet. Twilight looked to Phoenix in fear.
4 feet. Spike and Rainbow watched ready to jump into action.
1 foot. All eyes were on her as she neared the edge.
0. Fluttershy stopped at the edge much to everyone's relief.

"How do you feel?" Phoenix asked. As if to answer him she smiled before sitting.

"How did I do?" She asked.

"You're at the edge."

Fluttershy gasped before slowly opening her eyes. Looking back at her friends. They shared a smile.

"Good. The more you practice, the better you'll get." Phoenix said, flopping back in the grass.

"So what was this for?" Pinkie asked.

"To help you connect to the spirit of wind." Phoenix replied.

"What now?" Applejack asked, clearly confused.

"Spirits are all around us. What you call magic is only a drop of what they can provide."

"Like how pegasi can walk and kick clouds?" Rarity asked.

"That's exactly it. Each of you holds a small portion of the spirit's power. And with the proper teaching. You will be able to do wonders."

"Can it help Scootaloo fly?" Rainbow asked hopefully.

"I'd have to..." before Phoenix was able to finish his thought a young orange pegasus with a purple mane jumped from the nearby bushes.

"Hay Dash." Scootaloo said happily.

"Hay squirt. We were just talking about a possible way for you to fly." Rainbow said, patting Scootaloo on the head.

"Really?"

Phoenix looked Scootaloo over and rubbed his chin. "There are ways. Where's her..." He stopped seeing the looks on the girls' faces. "I see... that limits what I can do for her quite a bit."

"How come?" Twilight asked.

"Without her family there. I would need to get a noble's blessing. "

"Like... a princess?" Rarity asked, grinning at Twilight.

"Yes..." Phoenix replied, looking over at Twilight. "I take it by her actions you're a princess?" Twilight nodded. "Good. All that's left is to decide on the method."

"What are they?" Scootaloo asked, becoming even more excited by the second.

"Both will change you forever. But one is more widely accepted than the other."

"Why?" The girls asked in unison.

"Herd."

Silence passed over them as they considered what was said. "Like a pony or dragon herd?" Spike clarified.

Phoenix thought for a moment. "Well... if you're referring to being the alpha or partner. That's more up to the spirits."

"And the other one dear?" Rarity asked.

"In short, adoption."

"Meaning?"

"Scootaloo would be a member of my family and my pack." Phoenix said with a smile. "It's a rather special moment. Much like the other method. Just more painful... and bloody."

The girls looked at each other for a moment having second thoughts about this.

"Now you see why I asked about a... you know. And the princess."

"Can I ask a question?" Twilight asked

"Shoot."

"How did you do that rebirth thing?" Twilight asked.

"Magic." He laughed.

"Explain. Because I checked. Nothing about it makes sense."

"Ask the bird then."

"Peewee?" Spike asked. "What does he have to do with it?"

"And how did you know about Peewee?" Twilight added.

"I saw one of his feathers in the bush next to the tree." Phoenix shrugged. "He probably understands better than any creature about what it's like." Blinking he noticed the group circle around him. With a sigh he sat. "Fine, what else do you want to know?"

"Why did ya say farm pony like ya did?" Applejack asked. "Something wrong with farming?"

Phoenix chuckled. "Not at all. Back home it was a rather respected job. There wasn't much you were allowed to do if you didn't farm something at least once." The girls noticed the sad smile that crossed his face. But continuing it best they leave the topic alone.

After a few moments he noticed Applejack still wanted to know more. With a sigh he nodded. "You guessed it. Farmers are one of the weakest jobs in my village. But it's because of what they do that they're respected." He said looking at the others. "I'm going to guess her family runs the farm?"

"For about three generations." Twilight confirmed.

Phoenix nodded. "There you have it. True, I called you weak in one manner. But strong is the one that counts."

"I don't get it." Spike said, tilting his head.

Phoenix looked over to a lone bush. "Look there. Think of that as Applejack's family. Farmers working together and giving to others." He then looked at a tall tree. "And that is a worry. Big and strong. Ready to defend, protect and lay down his life in a moments notice." He then looked at the girls. "Witch do you think withstand a storm?"

"The bush right?" Applejack asked. And got a nod in reply "I reckon it got all them branches so close... and.. them... deep... roots..." just then she turned red.

"You're welcome." He said as it took a moment for the others to catch on.

The girls started to giggle as Applejack glared at them. "Just y'all wait. One of y'all are next."

"I'd say I already embarrassed Rainbow..." He started before said mare shoved her hoof over his mouth.

"You got me off guard. That's different."

With a smile he licked her hoof causing her to quickly pull away in shock. Before she was about to comment he smacked his lips. "Blueberry. Good choice." He said, making her blush.

"Now he got ya RD." Applejack teased.

The group laughed a bit about silly stuff they did before returning to either training or work.

Spike walked over and nudged Phoenix. "About my wings?"

"I'll need to gather a few things." He replied. "But I will help you."

Spike blinked seeing him walking in the forest. "Where are you going?"

"To set up camp." He replied as he walked. "Night."

"Night.." Spike shrugged as he rejoined his friends at the cliff. He had a feeling. Training was going to take a steep turn very soon.