I missed last week, and for that I'm sorry. Not sorry enough to double post, yet, but here's this. Hopefully this'll make up for it. Let's see… Yeah, it looks good.

Disclaimer: I, Lord Genesis Shadow, do hereby state that I do not own the rights to My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Thank you, and have a nice day.

I looked down at the crowd from the platform as the names were chosen. Some people thought they had the best seat in the house, because they saw things from the ground, but I found that being so high up made things better. They were picking the names out of the hat. The three ponies that were going to join in our acts were Rarity for a colorful display, followed by Applejack and a lasso trick display, and finally Rainbow Dash with some aerobatic tricks. She was the one Sky met, apparently, so it was bound to be a great act. The one thing that detracted from the night was that Twilight Sparkle hadn't shown up.

"Fillies and gentle Colts of all ages, the name draw begins, now." Horatio called. The crowd cheered. "In the display of magical lightshows, the Unicorn joining Miss Rarity is…" The crowd went silent as the hat was shaken for a few moments while the paper swirled with magic from Specs. "Our very own…" He pulled the slip out and set it down, looking at it. "Madam Rika!" The crowd cheered as the oddly dressed fortune teller and crystal ball reader walked out from the corner, and I knew she was smiling brightly.

"She deserves it." I said quietly. "Goodness knows she's mastered ambiance with her light tricks." Sky laughed from nearby. She was sitting on the ladder run beside me. A dangerous place to sit, but she could manage it.

"No kidding." She said. "I just wish you would have let us put your name in. You could have just done some tricks on the rope and, maybe swung on one."

"Well, if you had thought of that three hours ago, I would have been okay with that." I said. She laughed as I smiled. "Still, I don't like the spotlight unless I'm far enough away that it won't burn me."

"With that cloak?" She asked smugly. We both laughed until Horatio opened his wings to silence the crowd.

"Next, joining Miss Applejack's roping routine…" He called. The second hat floated up and began spinning rapidly, the papers flying out and spinning in four loops before going back in. "Is our esteemed…" He pulled the second name slip out and looked at it for a moment. "Skip Back-flip!" An Earth Pony did repeated backward somersaults toward the stage, jumping and landing with his front hooves out. The crowd cheered again as he bowed and landed on his hooves again.

"Good choice." Sky said. "If she does great lasso tricks, he'll be able to jump in and out when she's not doing it herself." I nodded.

"Yeah, he's worked hard." I said. "And he doesn't get dizzy from repeated flips." She laughed as I set my head on my forelegs. "But you'll be the one to join Rainbow Dash in the air tonight. I mean, I heard the others, and you're the only one brave enough. I think there are, three names in the hat."

"Well, if it is me, I'll show her the best moves I learned from you." She said. "And if you can somehow learn from her…"

"Then I'll see if I can make some new ones." I said. "Until then, I'll just stay on my post here, and enjoy the show from the best seat in the house." Horatio moved his wings out.

"Now, there were three candidates to fly with Miss Rainbow Dash tonight…" He called. "However, it has been decided that there were only two worthy, and one doesn't really like upstaging the other." The crowd murmured quietly. "So that means only one Pegasus can take a chance tonight at flying with a local legend." Sky got onto the platform and stood proudly. "Our circus' best flyer since myself, our very own, my pride and joy…" A spotlight shined up at us as she raised her head. "Sky Cloudrunner!" The crowd erupted in cheer as she jumped and glided down, landing on the stage as the three heroes walked on as well. I smiled as I watched.

"Good luck Sky." I said, somewhat proudly. If I was good at anything besides walking the rope and flying, it was helping Sky become better at the latter.

"Ace, over here." Specs said quickly. I slowly looked to the ladder. "We have a problem."

"What do you mean?" I asked. "What kind of problem would I be helpful with?"

"One of the animals got loose!" She said quickly. "Lionheart just told me, that one of the lion cubs got out of the cage, and the mother is really worried. They think it might have gone into town!"

"So, I'm useful with this, how?" I asked.

"Ace, you know how to track animals." She said. "Remember the time Kira got loose last time?" I sighed heavily.

"There goes my hope for watching Sky's routine…" I said. "Can you tell her why I won't be able to watch?" She nodded as she started going down. "Specs, by 'can', I meant 'tell her'." She laughed as she went down. I stood up and looked down and saw the crowd enjoying themselves. "The one time I get a chance to see something like this, and this happens. My luck just doesn't like me to have fun these days." I took flight quickly and left through the opening and stayed in the air for a few moments, looking at the town before flying down to the animal tent, quickly hiding my wings. I went in and saw Lionheart and his twin brother, Tiger Stripe, looking around behind crates. "Hey, Specs said you need my help?" They looked up.

"Yeah, we can't find Kira, again." Lionheart said. "Little guy's always getting into trouble. We think he might have gone toward the town, but we're checking around to make sure. Could you check the grounds? He likes you."

"More than he likes us." Tiger Stripe said. I sighed.

"And you can't just ask a few others." I said quietly. They laughed as I looked down and saw some paw prints, so I followed them, lowering my head. "What am I, some kind of animal tracker? A hunter? Some kind of, detective?" I walked along until I saw them turn toward, the town. "Yeah, it couldn't be he went to my tent again. Had to be they were right, and couldn't follow paw prints themselves…" I looked back and saw Tiger Stripe looking over, so I pointed at him. "You owe me big for this. Sky's going to yell at me."

"We'll tell her it was our fault." He called. "Sorry."

"You still owe me." I called back. I turned my head and began following the tracks. Maybe Kira was back there, but better to be safe than sorry. "Figures… Just, figures. Can't stay on the grounds, have to be lured out by books, a new cloak, and cheesecake. Can't enjoy my books, I have to fly, show off my wings, and go out to buy books, a cloak, and go to a party… Admittedly the last was fun… And now I'm talking to myself again, responding as well. Dandy." I looked up a little and saw the prints going toward, Sugarcube Corner. I whistled a few times and didn't see anything, so I sighed.

"Are you okay?" A female voice asked. I jumped up, high, and nearly flapped my wings out of surprise. When I landed and turned, it was, Twilight Sparkle.

"Uh, y-yeah…" I said. "And now, I'm not tired." She seemed confused, so I pointed at the tracks. "A lion cub got loose, again. Kira… Cute little guy, but he can't just stay with his mother and father, and his family. He has to be the explorer of his family." She looked around.

"Is he, dangerous?" She asked. "Lions aren't exactly common here, or, known to be, nice to ponies."

"Who, Kira?" I asked. "No, he's pretty much a kitten right now. Wouldn't hurt anypony. No, he and his family were raised in the circus, and they know me pretty well… I, help feed them from time to time. Just to help out, you know… That kind of thing."

"Can I help at all?" She asked.

"Um, actually, I was going to ask why you're even out here." I said. "Shouldn't you be at the big top right now, cheering your friends on?"

"Oh, I'm running kind of late, scheduling issues." She said. "But this is important."

"No, hardly important." I said. "Just, time consuming. Don't worry, I've found Kira before, and Celestia knows I'll find the little guy again." I looked over my shoulder. "He runs off, sometimes to my tent. One morning I woke up, and there he was, sitting beside me, looking at me, purring quietly. Needless to say, I woke up immediately and returned him to his family." She laughed. "Kira likes me for some reason. I keep whistling, I'm sure he'll come out and run up to me pretty quick. Probably might even lick my cheek and try to play while I take him back… Sad to say, I'm going to miss Sky flying with Rainbow Dash."

"Oh…" She said. "Maybe I should help, so it'll be faster." I shook my head.

"Don't worry about it." I said. "I'm sure Sky will give me such a vivid recall of the whole thing, it'll feel like I was there." She smiled a little. "Go on, I've got this. Lionheart and Tiger Stripe will be along if Kira isn't in the tent already."

"If you're sure." She said. I nodded.

"I'll be okay on my own." I said. "He's just a cub."

"Okay." She said. "But if there's any trouble, just come find me and my friends. I know Fluttershy would be able to help. She's really good with animals." She turned and walked when Spike ran over.

"Hold on Twilight, I've got short legs!" He called. She stopped as I turned.

"Spike, do you think you can help Mr. Stormrider?" She asked.

"Um, Ace will do, first of all." I said. I turned my head. "And second, I'll be fine. I don't want to keep either of you from the show."

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"A lion cub got loose." She said. "He's not dangerous, but, better to make sure he gets back safely."

"You can count on me." He said, saluting. He walked over as she looked at me, and I saw concern, so I sighed.

"Well, if you want to help." I said. He nodded and I turned. "The tracks lead toward the bakery. Hopefully he didn't get in, or it'll take a while."

I walked into the room and looked around slowly while Spike walked in behind me.

"Figures." I said.

"What figures?" He asked.

"Kira, hiding in the bakery." I said. "Good thing you had the key."

"Pinkie lets all of her friends have a key." He said. "The Cakes don't mind either. I bet she'll give you one if you ask. She thinks of everypony she meets as a friend."

"Well, from what I've heard, I bet everypony that meets her feels the same." I said. He laughed and I heard Kira.

"Wh-what was that?" He asked. I turned on the light and he jumped.

"Calm down, it's just Kira." I said. I turned a corner and saw the cub, licking an open container of frosting. I whistled and he looked over, and quickly jumped up, his tongue hanging out. "There you are. We've been looking for you for an hour. Do you know how hard it is to track your paw prints in the dark?" Spike yelled and jumped onto my back, making me stagger. "Spike, what's wrong? Hey… Watch the wing joints!" I moved a little and he shook. "Spike, what the heck are you doing?"

"Th-that's not a cub!" He said quickly. "That's a full grown lion!"

"And you're a dragon." I said. "You breathe fire."

"B-but, he's huge!" He said. "You said he was a cub!"

"He is." I said. Kira bounded over and nuzzled me, licking my cheek while I laughed. "He just has a big appetite, and he's big for his age. He's hardly one and a half." Spike shook a little before Kira purred.

"H-he's really, not dangerous?" Spike asked.

"He's like a big kitten." I said. I rubbed Kira's side and he rolled onto his back, letting me rub his belly. "He knows not to use his claws when he's feeling playful." Spike slowly dropped to the ground and I adjusted the cloak. "See? Rub his chin a little. He likes that." Spike slowly did so, and Kira purred with his eyes closed. "There, just a big kitten, like I said."

"Big is the key word." He said. "But, he sure seems tame."

"Yeah, he is." I said. "Big, but hardly any more dangerous than a little housecat." I stopped and Kira rolled over. "Come on big guy, let's get you home. I might still have time to catch Sky's flight with Rainbow Dash." Spike jumped back on as Kira licked my cheek again. I turned and walked out, and Spike looked back.

"He's following us." He said.

"I know." I said. "He's always happy to follow me. He actually likes me more than the lion tamer twins, Lionheart and Tiger Stripe. Strange, considering they're the ones that brought him into the world. I wasn't even there." He laughed as we walked outside, the light going out. As we walked, Kira purred quietly.

"So, uh, who got picked?" He asked.

"Rarity is doing a lightshow with Madam Rika." I said. "She's our fortune teller and crystal ball expert. She also handles opening night lightshows. Skip Back-flip, our acrobat, is doing a routine with Applejack… Those shows are done by now, I'm sure. And Sky's flying with Rainbow Dash. Hopefully we can catch that."

"Hey, you said you're a Pegasus." He said.

"Yeah, something I make sure everyone I meet knows, if I meet anyone." I said.

"Well, there's that hole up there, in the big top, right?" He asked.

"Yeah, I go in through that." I said. "I, get nervous around big crowds, so I can't enter through the main flap unless I do it before the crowd shows up. I was staying on a platform to watch from above."

"Do you think you could fly me up there?" He asked.

"Uh, sorry." I said. "I, don't let anyone see my wings. It's, a personal thing…"

"Oh…" He said. "What if I blindfolded myself and just hung on?"

"Uh, there, is a ladder…" I said. "But, it's dangerous being that high up, if you don't have wings. Trust me on that one."

"Aw, come on, I'll be careful." He said. "I'll just stay up here."

"As light as you are, you'd be better off sitting with Miss Sparkle." I said.

"But if your friend is flying with Rainbow Dash, the best seats would be high up." He said. "What's higher than the tightrope platform?" I was silent for a moment.

"Yeah, that's true." I said. "But it's still not safe. Heck, I'm going to look through the main flap first to make sure they're not up there yet. If they are, I'm not going up because it'd ruin the show, and everypony might see my wings."

"Wow, you're, really adamant about your wings." He said. He moved a little and I looked at him, stopping him as he had his hand on my cloak. "Uh, really adamant." He moved back.

"Only my closest friends are allowed." I said. "Nothing against you, I just… Have bad memories."

"It might help to talk about it." He said. I was silent as Kira bounded ahead to his tent, where he was greeted by the twins. I looked to the big top and saw shadows.

"Looks like they're flying already." I said. "I'll watch from the ground, I guess."

"Ace, are you alright?" He asked. "You're shaking a little."

"It, happens." I said. "Old memories coming up, nerves… Just, part of being me, I guess…" He patted my shoulder.

"Hey, come on, I may be young, but I can help." He said. "Talking might do something, a little at the very least." I sighed and walked when he moved a little. I looked back, stopping as he stretched.

"Maybe I should get you home." I said. "You're young, and tired. Past your bedtime?" He nodded slightly, yawning. I turned. "I'll tell Miss Sparkle."

"She doesn't mind being called Twilight." He said. I walked toward the library. "And, you don't have to, yet. You can watch your friend."

"Well, there should be other chances." I said. "After all, Sky likes competition. She might invite Rainbow Dash… And by invite, I mean challenge." He laughed. "I'll see a better show in private if I know Sky at all, and I do." He leaned forward a little as I walked.

"So, what's the story with your wings?" He asked. I sighed softly. "Did something happen to 'em?"

"N-no." I said. "Well, kind of. It's a little complicated, but, let's say, yes, and, before I was born." I shook my head. "Don't tell anyone, alright?"

"I can keep a secret." He said. "I keep a few for Twilight."

"Well, okay." I said. "When I was a little colt, before I joined the circus, my father made me fly, a lot. Every day, for three hours, I'd fly around and do tricks that he told me to do. I'd do my best, give it my all, and it just wasn't enough for him. It was always, tighten the turn another third of a degree, roll a fifth faster, do one more back flip before landing, and stop playing it so safe." He laughed at my impression. "My mom wanted me to focus on studying magic books. Figured I could get into Celestia's academy, in the alchemy classes."

"Twilight likes alchemy, but she's not that good at it yet." He said. "Could a Pegasus really do better?"

"With training, an Earth Pony, Pegasus, or Unicorn, could produce similar potions." I said. "It's all about the ingredients and how you prepare them, not that you can use magic." He yawned. "Anyway, my father, he'd take me out and show me off to all of his friends and their families, have me play with their kids and show them why I was better for being his son. When I did, the first time… They laughed at my wings, called me names… Made me feel like a freak. From then on, he became determined to make me show off even more."

"Sounds like a jerk." He said.

"Yeah, that's what I used to think." I said. "Mom kept saying he just wanted me to be the best I could be, that he was proud of me and wanted me to feel the same… Now, I think she was… Almost right. I like to think that he was proud of me, but he also saw me as more of an accomplishment than a son. Like, I was some trophy he'd yet to win, world's best father, best trainer, something like that."

"So, a jerk." He said. I laughed as I got to the door.

"Yeah, I guess." I said. "But, no one can take being called a freak for too long. Eventually, you either learn how to ignore it, or, you develop a complex, and you're scared of showing your wings."

"Sorry, for bringing it up then." He said.

"Well, I'm, working on it." I said. "Sky, Horatio, and Specs have seen my wings… I guess, eventually, I might get over it, but, it'll take a while." He leaned forward and unlocked the door and I walked in. "So, second floor?"

"Yeah." He said, yawning. "Thanks. I guess it saves Twilight the trouble… But, sorry for making you miss your friend's act."

"Well, I see her fly all the time, and sometimes I fly with her." I said. "Remember how she keeps praising my skill?"

"I don't think she'd let anyone forget." He said. I laughed.

"Exactly." I said. "She's seen me fly, so, maybe she's right… Maybe my dad's training paid off. It isn't something you ever really forget." I walked up the stairs. "Once you learn how to pull a tight turn at nearly sonic speed, you can do it until you're too old to pull it off. And once you pull off five back flips, a right hard angled barrel roll, followed by landing like a barn owl, you never really forget how to do it." He laughed.

"Barn owl." He said tiredly. I knelt by his bed and he rolled off, landing softly. I moved his blanket over him as he yawned. "Thanks Twilight." I laughed. "Good night."

"Good night Spike." I said. "Thanks for listening." I walked out, turning off the lights. 'Well, hopefully Sky won't yell at me for too long tomorrow.'