SEASON 1: THE ADVENTURES OF ALEX IN EQUESTRIA

Chapter 6: Learning to Fly

Everything begins in the Sugarcube Corner bakery, and since it's morning, it's to be expected that we are all still asleep.

IN ALEX'S ROOM

I was curled up in my bed, with no intention of getting out of it, until some rays of sunlight started coming through my window. Little by little, the sun's rays reached my closed eyes, and due to the discomfort they caused me, I began to wake up.

-Alex: *yawn*

I opened my eyes with some effort until I finally opened them completely, I removed the blanket from on top of me and got out of bed.

I walked to the window to see how the town of Ponyville had awakened.

-Alex: Heh, it's a beautiful day outside, birds are singing, flowers are blooming, on days like this, kids like me... should be go for a walk

So I walked over to a closet, opened its doors, and observed the "great variety" of outfits it had (it was actually just a change of clothes), I took my usual style and left the room in a bit of a hurry.

THEN, ON THE GROUND FLOOR

I had already finished putting on my clothes and headed straight to the kitchen. From there, I took an apple and headed towards the exit, but first, I left a note on the counter saying that I would go for a walk for a while; I opened the store door and left while eating the apple.

OUTSIDE

The town of Ponyville looked very nice in the morning. There were still no ponies, but it looked very nice, calm, just the way I like to start a morning.

-Alex: - I took a deep breath through my nose - I like this atmosphere, it breathes tranquility, but it's time for a change of air... - I started to stretch my wings - it's time to fly!

I gave a great flap to shoot up into the heights, and once up there, I spread my wings and began to glide over the village. The ponies were starting to come out of their houses, some were opening their windows and others were setting up market stalls with various goods, apparently today was market day.

-Alex: I would like to go see the stalls *sigh* but I don't have any money... mmmmmm, in that case, I'd better get a job, but where?

BACKGROUND MUSIC: Sonic Unleashed "Spagonia Rooftop Run Day" Music

At that moment, my thoughts were interrupted by a strong gust of wind that swept me away and made me fall onto a nearby cloud; apparently, a pegasus was practicing its flight.

-Alex: Wow, that guy really knows how to fly, even though he almost killed me, I have to talk to him no matter what.

I stood up and took off again to start following the pegasus from a moment ago. He was going too fast for me to keep up, but at least he wasn't too far ahead; apparently, he was practicing his acrobatics more than his speed, so he wasn't getting too far from me.

-Alex: I'd better be careful with this crazy guy.

The pegasus began to ascend in a way I had never seen before, reaching a height I had never achieved, then starting to dive at full speed. I tried to get closer to see it better, but I got too close and was swept away by the current it generated.

-Alex: Damn! - he said as he began to fall at great speed - I have to stabilize myself!

But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't do it; I had never gone that fast before, so it was difficult to stabilize myself.

-¿?: Hey Alex!

-Alex: Do you know me?!

I looked closer at the pegasus, and I realized that all this time it was Rainbow Dash.

-Rainbow Dash: Of course I know you, if you want to stabilize at this speed you must do exactly what I tell you.

-Alex: Ok, what should I do first?

-Rainbow Dash: First, you should look in the direction where you are falling.

-Alex: Alright, here I go.

I fixed my gaze on where I was falling, but my body still felt strange.

-Rainbow Dash: Now bring your hooves as close to your body as possible and stretch your hind legs to take control.

Since I don't have hooves, I assumed he was referring to my arms. I brought them together to my body and stretched my legs, immediately I felt better.

-Alex: I already feel like I have control.

-Rainbow Dash: Now get ready to spread your wings when I tell you.

We were already close to touching the ground, but I still decided to wait for Dash. (50 meters until the impact)

-Rainbow Dash: Get ready... in three (30m)... two (20m)... one (10m)... Now!

Immediately, we spread our wings and soared with the wind's current just before crashing; a great amount of dust was raised behind our ascent.

-Alex: WUUUUUUUJUUUUUU... This is what I call speed! - she shouted while continuing to flap her wings to ascend higher -

-Rainbow Dash: I see you have human potential, with some training you could go far, not as far as me but you wouldn't do badly.

-Alex: Oh yes, that reminds me why I was following you, I want to ask you to train me in this flying thing.

-Rainbow Dash: Sounds like it'll be fun, I'll do it, in exchange for a favor I'll ask of you later.

-Alex: Sounds just right for me.

-Rainbow Dash: Alright, we start tomorrow first thing in the town square, don't be late.

-Alex: Very well, I'll be there.

Rainbow Dash kept ascending to continue practicing her stunts while I began to descend as she had taught me since I could no longer rise any higher. Once I was a certain distance from the ground, I opened my wings and flew towards Sugarcube Corner to rest a bit.

-Thought of Alex: "This is going to be difficult, but I will give it my all."

After a while flying, I finally arrived at the bakery where, apparently, they were already waiting for me.

-Mrs. Cake: Alex, you finally returned! - she ran to hug me -

I returned the hug without knowing the reason for it.

-Alex: Wow, I didn't think you would miss me so much, I was only gone for a little while.

-Mrs. Cake: We saw your note and thought it was a farewell letter *sniff* it really made me very sad to know that you were leaving forever

-Alex: Wait, what? Farewell? No, I just went for a walk and made it quite clear in the note.

-Pinkie Pie: Actually, the message isn't very clear.

-Alex: Ah!, Pinkie, where did you come from? And what do you mean the message isn't clear?

-Pinkie Pie: Yes, look - she hands me the note - your human handwriting is so strange that I had to guess what it said.

When I looked at the note, I immediately realized what the problem was.

-Alex: Pinkie, the note is upside down.

I flipped the note and handed it back to her so she could read it. When she read it correctly, she realized it was all a misunderstanding. The poor pony felt somewhat embarrassed for having misunderstood the message.

-Pinkie Pie: Oops, it seems I misunderstood it.

-Mrs. Cake: Pinkie, you have no idea the scare I just had! *sigh* I need to sit down

Pinkie brought her a chair while I helped her sit down.

-Alex's thought: "*sigh* I think I'm causing too much trouble here, as soon as I get a job I'll get my own place"

THE NEXT MORNING

It was six in the morning (the very early morning) and I was already at the agreed place, but I still couldn't see a trace of Rainbow Dash.

-Alex: *yawn* Wow, I really don't like getting up this early. Where could Rainbow Dash be? I mean, she was the one who chose the time and place to meet, she should have been here earlier... well, I guess I'll take a seat, looks like this is going to take a while.

I headed towards a bench by a fountain to sit and wait for Rainbow Dash.

3 HOURS LATER

It was already 9:00 a.m. and she still hadn't shown up.

-Alex: *sigh* Okay, this is too much, - I got up from the bench - if Rainbow didn't want to show me, she just had to say so. I'm going to go look for her.

I spread my wings and prepared to fly, but before that, I noticed from afar that Rainbow was already arriving.

-Rainbow Dash: Alex!...

-Alex: Rainbow! Where have you been?!

-Rainbow Dash: Get out of the way!

The Pegasus was coming in too fast, and judging by what he said, he didn't have enough room to land. I lifted up to avoid the impact, but Rainbow crashed into the bench I had been sitting on a moment ago.

-Alex: Rainbow! - I immediately went down and ran to where she was - Please tell me you're still alive...

-Rainbow Dash: Ugh... yeah, don't worry... - starts to get up - I've had better landings

-Alex: Where were you? I've been waiting for you for 3 hours.

-Rainbow Dash: I'm sorry, I forgot that I was supposed to help Applejack on the farm today; anyway, now that I'm here, it's time for your training. I'm sorry, I forgot that I was supposed to help Applejack on the farm today; anyway, now that I'm here, it's time for your training.

-Alex: Oh yes, the time has finally come.

Rainbow took flight towards Cloudsdale and I followed her immediately.

AFTERWARDS, IN CLOUDSDALE

When we arrived, Rainbow headed towards an obstacle course made of clouds, very similar to the one at the Wonderbolt Academy, and pulled out a whistle, a stopwatch, and a coach's cap.

-Rainbow Dash: Alright, your training will take place here, on the Cloudsdale obstacle course. Here I learned almost everything I know, and here is where you will train.

-Alex: Luxury, this will be fun.

-Rainbow Dash: Yes, we'll see. If you want to learn to fly like me, you'll need to exercise your wings and gain quite a bit of strength, so... Give me twenty, human!

-Alex: Yes sir, I mean ma'am!

BACKGROUND MUSIC: Survivor - Eye of the Tiger

I lay on the ground and flexed my wings and started to lift myself up, but it was much harder than I thought. After a moment, I fell exhausted.

-Rainbow Dash: Next test: Takeoff and acceleration

We started running down a long runway at full speed, spread our wings, and began gliding down the runway.

-Rainbow Dash: Good takeoff, now the acceleration

Rainbow began to flap her wings to gain a lot of speed and ascend, for my part, I tried to flap with all my might but I couldn't reach high enough.

-Rainbow Dash: Next exercise: Vertical takeoff

The pegasus reached a cloud and landed on it, then flexed its hooves and took off like a rocket, gaining great height. I tried to do the same, I landed on another cloud and tried to take off like Rainbow, but I couldn't ascend as much.

-Rainbow Dash: Next exercise: Self-defense

We stopped in mid-air and got on guard for some reason.

-Alex: Would you mind telling me how this will help me fly better? - I dodged a blow by a hair's breadth -

-Rainbow Dash: He won't, but you don't seem like the type who can defend themselves.

-Alex: Hey!

That made me angry, so I lunged at her, but no matter how much I tried to attack her, she evaded my blows. I threw one last punch with all my strength, which she stopped with just one hoof.

-Rainbow Dash: Now, this is how you throw a real punch.

Rainbow threw a direct punch at my face, but somehow I managed to anticipate it and dodge it. I grabbed Rainbow Dash by the hoof that stopped my punch and threw her with force, although the pegasus quickly flew back up.

-Alex: Wow, I don't know how it happened but wow

-Rainbow Dash: I must admit it wasn't bad, but I'm just starting to warm up.

We got back on guard and began to fight in the air. We fought for 20 minutes, and if you ask me, Rainbow Dash was winning.

-Alex: Very well... *pant* time out...

-Rainbow Dash: I can't believe that... *gasp* you got tired so... ugh, quickly

-Alex: Well... I'm not as fit as you...

-Rainbow Dash: Well, with this we can consider your first flight lesson concluded.

-Alex: First?! - I asked her surprised - wasn't this enough?

-Rainbow Dash: Nope, I still have many more things to teach you, for now, it would be better if you rest - starts to walk away -

-Alex: Hey, wait, where are you going?

-Rainbow Dash: I have to go clear the sky, it's boring but it's also my job, see you later

The Pegasus went to work, while I lay down on a cloud to rest.

-Thought of Alex: "So this was just the first part, that means I have a long way to go, but I'm sure that with some effort I can achieve it."

I was lost in my thoughts until a strange noise pulled me out of my trance; it was like a monster's growl but less fierce. Apparently, it was my stomach.

-Alex: Oh dear, I forgot I hadn't had breakfast.

-Stomach: Grrr... give me food... grrr

-Alex: Calm down - I gave him a few pats - you'll eat very soon, just let me get to Sugarcube Corner.

-Stomach: Grrr... don't want cake... want healthy food... grrr

-Alex: Ok, then let's go to Sweet Apple Acres.

-Stomach: Grrr... yes... grrr

Once I had decided what I was going to eat, I stood up and took off towards the outskirts of the town, heading towards Sweet Apple Acres.

AFTERWARDS, AT SWEET APPLE ACRES

I landed among the apple orchards very discreetly without anyone seeing me. The Apple family makes a living from the apple harvesting business, so I must assume they will want to sell me the apples, but I don't have any money (bits), besides, a missing apple won't bankrupt the farm.

-Thought of Alex: "Okay, let's see if I can handle this"

I kicked an apple tree hoping to knock down a few apples, but I didn't get anything.

-Alex: Damn, here we go again.

This time I prepared better: I stepped back a bit and ran towards the tree, I kicked it again with all my might and this time I succeeded, several apples, but not all, fell from the tree. I picked one up from the ground and leaned against the trunk of the tree to eat in peace, but before I could take a bite, I heard someone approaching.

-¿?: It would be better to harvest this garden before the pest returns.

-¿?: Eeyup

I panicked, so I hid in the only place I could think of: inside the branches of the apple tree.

-Thought of Alex: "Apples, what trouble have I gotten myself into this time?"

-Applejack: These pests are a nuisance, I wish we could get rid of them instead of dealing with these problems.

-Big Mac: Eeyup

-Applejack: It would also be nice to have a bit of help, even if it were just for a season - she places some baskets under the apple tree - but solutions don't grow on trees.

The farm pony hit the tree where I was, and all the apples started falling, just like me. I fell headfirst into one of the baskets they had placed, which got stuck on my head; Applejack and Big Mac were surprised to see me come out of nowhere.

-Applejack: Alex, what are you doing here?

-Alex: ... ... ...

I tried to respond to her, but I couldn't because of the basket I got stuck in. I tried to get it off me but I couldn't, however, Applejack did it as if it were nothing.

-Applejack: What were you saying?

-Alex: I said: I'm here because I'm starving, and I thought they wouldn't mind if I took an apple or two, but then I remembered they would kill me if I said so, so I kept quiet... unlike now...

-Applejack: Alex!

-Alex: I'm sorry, really, but I haven't eaten anything all day, and I was training with Rainbow Dash, and please don't hurt me.

-Applejack: Alex, if you wanted apples, you just had to ask.

-Alex: Seriously?

-Applejack: Sure, our apples are for everyone, but that doesn't mean I'll let it slide that you tried to steal from the family, you'll have to make it up to us somehow.

-Big Mac: Applejack?

-Applejack: Not now, Big Mac, I'm not done yet.

-Big Mac: But Applejack

-Applejack: I said not yet.

-Big Mac: Applejack!

-Applejack: - turns to look at her brother - What?!

-Big Mac: The plague!

A large group of fruit bats came out from among the apple trees in the northern orchard, apparently they had already finished with all the apples and were now heading for the eastern orchard, right where we were.

-Applejack: This is bad, if they eat another orchard we won't have apples for the cider season.

-Alex: Calm down, Applejack, I'll take care of these things.

I flew to the apple tree where I was a while ago and tore off a branch, flew until I was in front of the plague, and adopted a fighting stance like Link.

-Thought of Alex: "Alright, this is the dumbest and most fun thing I've ever done, but I'd rather face a swarm of bats than an angry Applejack."

-Alex: I'ts time, charge!

BACKGROUND MUSIC: Undertale OST: 096 - Last Goodbye

The swarm of fruit bats began to group together until they formed a great beast that let out a roar of pure fury. I charged at that thing and started hitting them one by one with my "sword."

-Alex: *gasp* *gasp* Enough, beast?

I was already a bit tired, but I hadn't even done anything to that swarm, I just knocked down a few bats; the swarm beast roared at me again and started lunging at me, I crossed my arms to shield myself but the beast didn't reach me as a few baskets hit it.

-Applejack: Come on, Big Mac, it's our chance to defend our farm.

-Big Mac: Eeyup - kicks another basket -

-Alex: Great, this is better - I get into a defensive stance - let's see how much they can do now.

I launched myself again towards the swarm, which split and began to attack me from all directions. The fruit bats were launching at me while I, with some difficulty, was hitting and knocking them down every time they tried to bite me. A few were stopped by Applejack and Big Mac, but it still wasn't enough since there were too many.

-Thought of Alex: "Come on Alex, you have to try harder, otherwise, the whole farm will be devoured."

I was already tired of fighting against the plague, but I couldn't give up, then I remembered something I had seen a long time ago on television.

-Alex: "If you can't win with strength, find another way"... I know! - I started provoking the bats by making various gestures - Hey juice sucker! I bet you couldn't catch me even if you tried!

They didn't like that at all, so they lunged at me. I closed my wings and began to dive at high speed while the entire swarm followed me.

-Alex: Applejack! Big Mac! Get ready to throw on my signal!

They nodded and took all the baskets that were nearby, getting ready for when I told them.

-Alex: I'ts time, again... Fire!

I quickly moved aside and half of the bats followed me easily, while the others couldn't keep up; Applejack was tossing baskets to Big Mac and he was kicking them in the air with great precision, they barely reached, but they managed to take down half of the bat army, the other half was following me towards the apple orchard.

MEANWHILE IN THE ORCHARD

I was flying among the apple trees in the orchard while the bats followed me. Some crashed while others collided with each other.

-Alex: Now, vertical ascent

I turned and positioned my feet on the ground to take a great leap into the sky, while below several bats crashed into the trees; some managed to follow me, but they couldn't ascend as high as I did. When we all reached the limit, the remaining bats gathered in a small group while I began to dive down with my fists in front of me.

-Alex: Dive attack!

I attacked the remaining bats with all my strength, and they started flying in all directions inside and outside the farm.

-Alex: Oh yes! Point for Team Apple!

I landed as softly as I could, though it wasn't much, and I saw the bats starting to rise and fly away in the same direction.

AFTERWARDS

The bats were leaving the farm, surely not all of them but a large number were leaving; Applejack, Big Mac, and I were at the barn entrance watching the beautiful scenery.

-Alex: That was... the most fun I've ever had in my entire life.

-Applejack: Well, I have to admit you didn't do bad.

-Big Mac: Eeyup

-Alex: So, does this mean I've paid off my debt?

-Applejack: That depends.

-Alex: Depends? On what?

-Applejack: Wouldn't you like to work here on the farm as a part-time pest exterminator?

-Alex: Pest exterminator? Well, that depends.

-Applejack: What?

-Alex: Will I be able to fight against the pests that try to destroy the apples again?

-Applejack: Sure

-Alex: So I accept.

-Applejack: So your debt is paid, and you can take as many apples as you want, of course in moderation.

-Alex: Thank you, Applejack, I'm glad to hear that...

-Stomach: Grrr... Give me food!...

-Alex: Because after this battle, I'm really starving, so with your permission

I quickly flew to a nearby tree and knocked down the apples with a kick, lay down, and took an apple, and this time, finally, I was able to take a bite.

-Alex: - I savor it - It's delicious!

TO BE CONTINUED...