…one-ninety-eight… one-ninety-nine… two hundred!
And that’s it for the rows. Not as thorough a workout as I would like, but that’s what I get for waking up late. I have an appointment to get to.
I have to tell you, it bothers me when ponies try to tell me how to work out. That’s the fifth time this month somepony’s told me that ‘I should try working my wings.' I usually just wave a hoof at them, and occasionally I tell them I know what I’m doing, but not much else. I know they’re just trying to be helpful, but still… If only they knew, Doc. If only I had the courage to tell them…
Tell them what, Bulk?
I… I don’t really like to talk about it…
I’m an intimidating pony; I don’t mean to be, but I am. It’s why I don’t talk much. When a pony approaches me with shaky legs, I feel like opening my mouth would just make them gallop away. It’d be nice to tell somepony that would understand, though. Then maybe I wouldn’t get those bothersome workout suggestions.
You know, there’s this filly that I see riding a scooter around town all the time. She’s got it, too. Ponies don’t say anything to her— I’m sure that’s because they think she just hasn’t grown into her wings yet, but I can tell that isn’t the case. It’s the buzzing— the buzzing gives it away. Sure, it’s a great form of propulsion on that scooter of hers, but if that filly really wants to fly, she’s gonna have to work herself. She’s gonna have to work herself like I did…
What is the ‘it’ you keep referring to, Bulk?
Her condition, of course. Our condition…
And what is that, exactly? You can talk to me about anything, Bulk. Nothing we speak about ever leaves this room.
Well… I wasn’t much older than that little filly when they told me I had it— stunted wing growth. The doctors tried giving me growth hormones, but that didn’t help. Sure, maybe it helped the rest of me, but that wasn’t what I was aiming for, and I didn’t know that would happen at the time. When I finally realized that my wings wouldn’t grow, I determined I should just work with what I had. The buzzing wasn’t ideal for actually flying, but I could get lift. After a lot of practice, I was finally able to get some kind of flight. It wasn’t fast, but it was still flight.
That was when I decided to challenge myself. If my wings wouldn’t grow, I could at least strengthen them. More body build meant more weight for my wings to lift, and more of a challenge. When I began my weekly workout regimen, my build developed much faster than I anticipated. A side effect of the hormones, I guess. It happened so fast— everypony thought I was on steroids. That bugged the hay out of me. They were hormones, not steroids! I tried to ignore them, but it just bothered me so much! It was the only time I ever raised my voice to anypony. They even started calling me ‘Roid Rage’! I mean, maybe if I didn’t appear so angry it wouldn’t have happened, but I only got angry because they thought I was on steroids in the first place! A chicken-or-egg situation, I guess… But after that, I just started keeping my mouth shut and going about my workouts without acknowledging anypony that tried to get a rise out of me, and it worked. Only problem is, now nopony acknowledges me at all, except for the shaky few with the workout suggestions… I didn’t want to ostracize myself, I just didn’t want ponies making fun of me.
You know, Bulk, it wouldn’t hurt to try opening up a bit on your own. Be the pony to make the first move. Maybe you could find a workout partner? If you find somepony you can trust, perhaps you could talk to them about your… condition. Then perhaps they wouldn’t question your methods?
Hmm… interesting idea, Doc. I’ll have to think about that. I just don’t know if I’m ready yet. I’ve kept my wing issue a secret for so long. I’m sure ponies don’t ask me about it directly because they’re too intimidated. If I started the conversation first, though… I don’t know. I’ll think about it.
You don’t have to make the decision now. It’s just an idea. There may be other options, but this one is good to think about.
Yeah, I guess you’re right…
That’s the spirit! So, Bulk, how is work?
You know, I think it really is a smart thing for me to just talk to somepony. It feels good to get some of that stuff off my chest, and he does have some good ideas…
“Calling all pegasus ponies! Meeting tonight!”
Hmm… what’s this? Mandatory meeting tonight for all Ponyville pegasi…
“Library tonight! Be cool, or be mule!”
Huh. Sounds important. Better make sure I’m not late…
I remember this film. I saw it in school a long time ago. Why are they showing it to us now?
“So, here’s the scoop. Cloudsdale has chosen our own highland reservoir as the source of the rainwater they need for all of Equestria…”
We were chosen for the water collection? Shoot! There goes my normal workout regimen. I guess I AM gonna have to train my wings after all…
“…but I think we can do better. I think we can get a top speed of over a thousand! IF each and every pony trains and trains HARD to get their wing power numbers up!”
You know, maybe it’s a good thing for me to start training my wings again. If nothing else, it’ll get some of those other ponies off my back about it. Actually, this might be the perfect opportunity for me to find a training partner. I’m sure there’s somepony out there that could use some help training their wings, too. What good timing! Let’s do it!
“So, are we gonna train hard?”
“Yeah!”
“Are we gonna be strong?”
“Yeah!”
“Are we gonna be fast?”
“YEAH!”
“Record-smashing fast?!”
“YEEEEAAAAAAAHHHH!”