That night the girls thought about what they were told that day and how they agreed to have a wolf they had only just met to teach them.

Twilight spent several hours looking over her notes with the new information. She hadn't thought that it was possible. But she was starting to rethink everything she knew about magic. "Once I know more." She decided. "I'll send the princess a letter about it." After taking notes on the day she went to bed.

Phoenix sat next to a large lake looking over the water. He half expected ponies to stop and stare or at the very least react in some way at seeing such a strange creature like him to be there.

However, reality had a much more interesting idea. Every now and then he'd catch a pony staring at him from the corner of his eye. A look of curiosity or intrigue on their face. A few times he'd see two mares whisper to each other as they looked at him.

His thoughts were pulled from them as a familiar voice called.

"See I told you he was real." Scootaloo beamed as her and two other fillies trotted over.

The two fillies looked like younger versions of the tan earth pony and white unicorn. It was easy to guess their relationship. And a small smile crossed his face upon seeing their shocked expressions.

"These are my friends. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle." Scootaloo said happily as she motioned to them. "Together we're the..." the last part the trio called in unison. "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!"

"You may call me Phoenix." He replied with a gentle bow of his head. "I take it these cutie marks are what the older ponies have on their flanks."

"Ya." Apple Bloom confirmed. "They're our special talent."

Phoenix thought about it and considered what he would be for a moment. But it was only for a moment. "I see. So. Did you come just for introductions or did you need me for something?"

Sweetie Belle spoke this time. "We wanted to see who was going to teach Scootaloo to fly." After a moment she added. "How are you going to teach her without wings?"

Phoenix laughed. "I noticed several pegasi live here. And one that would probably be a good teacher." He sighed looking over at Scootaloo. "But I can help her get ready for when that time comes."

A look of excitement crossed the young pegasus's face as Apple Bloom asked. "Who ya gonna do that?"

"She can join your sisters in their lessons."

The two fillies looked at each other in shock before looking at their excited friend. "Can we join?"

"You'll have to talk to your sisters first." He replied turning to Scootaloo who was now prancing in place. "You want to start now?"

Scootaloo gave an eager nod before turning to her friends. "I'll see you girls later." She said as they nod in understanding.

Scootaloo waved to them as they trotted off before turning to Phoenix. "So what's first?"

"Calm." He replied. "If you're going to be a great flyer you'll need to have patients." He taped the grass next to him. With a nod Scootaloo sat with him. "Close your eyes and feel the air around you." Scootaloo obeyed and shut her eyes. "Relax. Let the air tell and show you what it knows."

Without opening her eyes she asked. "How is this going to make me a better flyer?"

"In time you will be able to feel even the smallest changes in the air. It will tell you of the coming weather, approaching dangers... it'll even be there as a friend to comfort you when you have no one else to turn to." He replied, bringing a smile to her face.

After an hour passed he turned to her. "We'll have company soon. I want you to take some time each day to practice listening to the air."

Scootaloo nodded then looked to town in time to see Twilight and her friends approaching.

"Apple Bloom said ya'd be here." Applejack said with a smile as they joined the two. "What ya doin?"

"Getting ready for your next lesson." Phoenix replied as he looked at the water. "If you girls have the time that is."

"Thankfully my orders have been slow..." Rarity sighed before realizing what she said.

Rainbow shrugged. "I guess I can hold off on practicing for a bit."

"Big Mac got the chorus covered." Applejack said flatly.

"I'm eager to learn more." Twilight said happily receiving a badly covered 'egghead' from Rainbow as Spike shrugged.

Pinkie Pie just giggled as she bounced over as Fluttershy meekly walked over. "I have time... if it's ok with you."

"Ok then." Phoenix said getting up. "Line up in the water so it's brushing your belly." They all nodded and walked to the lake taking their places.

Phoenix sat in the water next to Scootaloo as the two closed their eyes. Seeing this, each of the others followed their example. "Like the spirit of wind, the spirit of water is a gentle comfort to those it cares for." He explained. "It is the life within us. It cleanses us and heals our bodies and souls. Allow it to wash over you. Feel it release you from tension. The spirit of water welcomes all to take from it's bounty. But in doing so we must remember our thanks and not take it's kindness and soft nature for weakness. For it holds no mercy for those who betray her trust or harm those under her protection. "

Everypony winked at the implications of his words. It didn't take long for them to start feeling the effects the water had. As Phoenix said, one by one they felt their stress and worries fade.

Soon Applejack let out a soft moan catching Phoenix who opened his eyes and smiled at seeing the smiles of his students. It didn't take long for Applejack to start lowering her body into the water. She was soon joined by Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie. With a chuckle he saw Spike nearly had his entire body in the water. The dragon's head being the only part of him that was out of the water.

"Good. You're all doing great." Phoenix said softly. "Each of the spirits have their own personality like each of you. Air or as most call it wind is normally calm and gentle. As water tends to be playful and mischievous. Each spirit grows close to those that are of similar nature. Though one may not think so. They are close to each other as well. Like you the Element spirits work together in harmony."

After a few minutes Phoenix got up and playfully flicked his tail at them spraying them with water. "Ok. Lesson over. The spirit of water would be upset if we spent all this time in it's water for lessons."

It didn't take long for the group to be lost in the fun. Teams were made and water was splashed in every direction. Spike, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie teamed up and at first thought they were winning their splash war against the team of Phoenix, Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. At least till Scootaloo joined and sided with her hopefully father.

They eventually stopped when the sound of hunger called from the wolf's stomach. "I should go." He said with a soft smile.

"Why don't we get something to eat in town?" Pinkie suggested. "Twilight might have a question for you."

Phoenix shook his head and started for the forest. "It's best I go. The rest of you have fun." After patting Scootaloo on the head he started for the forest.

I was thinking of how best to show the excitement Scootaloo has about getting to fly and having a potential father at the same time. Still working on that.

Coming up. Blood. Lots of blood.