//------------------------------//
// Look at the Blind Side of Life part 1 
// Story: A Filly named Alex 
// by Pegysus 
//------------------------------//

“He moved at sonic speeds as the whole air around him turned to lightning. His blue contrail looked like a lightning bolt shattering through the sky. He didn’t stop, he barely tried to slow down as he pulled up for a quick airbrake and smashed into the earth, lightning crackling around him, a good size crater left in his wake. I may be the best flier of all of Equestria but I’ve never seen such power or daringness to do such a dangerous landing!” Rainbow Dash retold for the fifsy-fifth time. “After all the mushy gushy stuff, that’s when I saw it, his cutie mark.” She gestured to my flank which now bared a heart-shaped golden shield that had the silhouettes of two ponies hoof bumping as I felt an embarrassed heat fill my face. I scowled at Rainbow and the rainbow-maned speedster smiled innocently.

“Wow, that’s awesome!!” Scootaloo buzzed.

“It wasn’t awesome, I had to keep two of my friends from killing each other. Nothing cool about it.” I dismissed.

“I don’t know, Alex. You were like one of those heroines in those old ponytales, coming to rescue her friends even though they got into a fight.” Sweetiebell said thoughtfully.

“Yeah, you're kinda like a superhero in those comics Spike reads.” Applebloom agreed.

It’s been more than a week since the incident with Applejack. Things have mostly gotten back to normal. Twilight and Fluttershy still give AJ some scowls here and there but they’re just being overprotective for no reason. They’re starting to feel like my mothers with how they treat me. I sighed, “Thanks girls but at the moment, it wasn’t as fun as it sounds.” I looked to Rainbow, “Was I really crackling with lightning.”

“Yup! Ask Twilight and Applejack, they saw the same thing I did. Did you think I’d lied to you?”

“No, but I do think you’re really good at embellishing a story.”

“Alex?” Applebloom called.

“Yes, sweetheart?” The two other crusaders snickered.

“I’m older than you!”

I’m tensy-three years old legally speaking. Nine years old in human numbers. Celestia had apologized for this wishing she could make me older but my appearance was still way too young, at best she could pass me off as a late bloomer. “Only if you count in pony years. Now, what is it?” A snort came out of every pony in the vicinity.

“Do you think you’ll be going to school soon?”

“I should be in next semester. Not sure what class I’ll be in, but they have a test set up for me tomorrow to test me on my knowledge.” I smirked. “The princess of overthinking has been trying to get me ready for the test. Actually, I’m here because Twilight is trying to make me study.”

The crusader treehouse door was bucked opened, “ALEXANDER!!!!”

I was already by the window, “Welp, that’s my cue, been fun, gotta go. Bye Twi.” And I zipped off, leaving a contrail in my wake.

“When I get my hands on that colt, I am going to teach him EVERY. SINGLE. THING!!!” Twilight roared at the azure sky.

“Luv ya too, Twi!”

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!”

Today was a pretty good day so far all considering. Sure, Twilight will probably kill me tonight when I get home and maybe I do have some big important test that will either place me with either intolerable children or somewhat tolerable children. The alphabet is the same thing as mine back home, and while the number system is a little odd to get used to it’s not that hard to figure out. My biggest problem is general knowledge and mouth writing. My mouth writing is more legible chicken scratch but still chicken scratch and my knowledge of Equestria history is a little shaky. And normally that wouldn’t be a big deal, I’m used to studying to learn new things but Twilight has been an obstacle. She um well she’s trying to teach me EVERYTHING, and well I don’t need to know everything just history. The mouth writing is gonna take some time to learn.

If all else fails on those fronts I’ll just claim that how thestrals teach history and how Equestrian ponies teach history are two different beasts. Not like anyone is out there to challenge my claim, and my claims will be somewhat truthful.

Everything looked a little too bright today. Actually, so bright that I didn’t see the tree as I smacked face-first into it. I’ll never know how I can survive unscathed the most dangerous stunts. It’s odd. I stood up and shook myself off the grass. I found myself staring at a dark blue thestral with light blue hair and a full moon cutie mark with a little fishing rod in the middle. “Hi Luna.” I dusted myself off.

“Hello, dear Alex! Thou look well today!”

“Well considering that Twilight was forcing me to study non-stop for the last few days, I can’t help but feel a little better with getting away from all of that.

“We see, dear Twilight means well but she has clear anxiety problems.”

“Considering the number of lists she makes, throw OCD into it.” I blocked the brightness of the day with a hoof. “Hey Luna, why is everything so darn bright?”

“Elementary, thestrals were designed to see in the dark.”

“Designed?”

“Yes, we designed them when we were but a youngling.”

I blinked, “I feel like I’m missing something here.”

“Oh, does thou not know that we alicorns are goddess?”

“You mean in the metaphorical sense, right?”

Luna chuckled and shook her head, “No, dear Alex, when we created the Nyxlio, we designed them to be mostly nocturnal with the exception of the Aldeer.”

“Uh, Nih-khee-lo?”

“Close, but to continue, we wanted something similar to our sister but something that was more unique and creative. This is why we created the Kirins, Thestrals, and Aldeer.”

“So you’re telling me that ponies and nyxlio were created by Celestia and you?”

Luna had a massive smile on her face, “Yes, dear Alex. Though Celestia didn’t create ponies, our mother did, Celestia only upgraded them. We also feel that we should find a spot. Maybe something to eat while we dive into this great lore.” The princess’s belly grumbled, “Thy princess desires food!”

“Fine, sheesh.”

It wasn’t long before we found ourselves in a restaurant, the princess gorging herself on a mini feast of food. I was already full after eating my hayburger. “So uh, Luna, what’s this about the nyxlio?”

“nishiwo?” Luna swallowed, “There is not much to the story really. Sister had taken the pony portfolio from mother and we wanted our own race portfolio so we created the nyxlio.”

“So you had a mother? What was she like?”

“Meh, we like to think our true mother is our big sister.” I guess even goddesses have family issues. “Don’t tell Tia we said that.”

I kept my hooves cross, “Of course.” I am so telling Tia that Luna said that.

“So, I already kinda get the thestrals but what about the other two.”

“Kirins are hard to describe. Kirins can be best described as a pony with a lion mane and tail with an odd sort of horn. We would turn into one if we could but we’re in public.”

The picture in my head looked more like a nightmare than anything, “Okay, what about Aldeer?”

“They are more deer but as strong and as stout as earth ponies.” Wow, very original, Luna. “Neither Kirin nor Aldeer have cutie marks we should mention.”

“And why do Thestrals have cutie marks?”

Luna had a guilty look on her face, “Well, we could not for the life of us figure out how cutie marks work until Kirins and Aldeer were already settled into this world. We feel somewhat bad but both races survived even after the War of the Long Night and my banishment, so we do not feel they need cutie marks to be any less special.” She ended on a strong note, looking very smug and adorable in her thestral disguise.

“So, what are the kirin and aldeer up to now? Do you know anything about their culture?”

“Well um we uh…” Luna lowered her head in shame, “No, we feel that they are better off without us being their goddess.”

“That isn’t true, maybe if you reconnect with them like you did with thestrals, they’ll accept you as their goddess again?”

“We do not know. We’re terrified that they will reject us, but thank you dear Alex. You are a true friend.”

“I try to be.”

“ALEXANDER!!!”

“Oh po-” Oh, ponyfeathers, I was paralyzed by magic.

Twilight came into view. Her eyes were twitching rapidly and her mane was an absolute mess. “I. FOUND. YOU! We’re going to have so much fun learning! EVERY. THING.” The pink pony princess of friendship cackled like a classic villain. “Now come, we have no time to waste.” She levitated me along, bringing me to my doom. I looked to Luna for help with my eyes but she was gorging herself on food. That bitch. 



I wasn’t unparalyzed until we got back to the castle’s library where Twilight put up magical barriers all along anywhere, I can fly or trotter out of. There was the damn desk that I’ve had to sit in for days now. I sighed and took a seat.

The purple pony princess of friendship was looking like she was about to have to be tranquilized and thrown in the asylum. “Uh Twilight, I get that you want me to pass the test and everything but why are you stressing? It’s just a placement test.”

“JUST a placement test?” Twilight grimace insanely, grinding her teeth in the process, “JUST a placement test?”

“Uh yeah?”

“There’s no such thing as a placement test! Don’t you realize that if you fail this you won’t get in!!!”

“I don’t think this is an ivy league, Twi.”

“Ivy… league?” Her madness halted out of curiosity.

“Yeah, Ivy league schools are universities that are prestigious and the best of the best. I used to live in Boston as a bartender for a while near the schools. You wouldn’t believe what kind of stuck up; snooty rich kids come to get hammered.” There was a pin and paper floating in the air, scribbling everything I just mentioned down. “Wait, are you writing this?”

“Go on.”

“Uh, I don’t know. I prefer to continue our study session even though it’ll be the most useless session alive.”

“STUDYING ISN’T USELESS!!!”

“I didn’t say studying is useless, I’m meaning that the content we’re studying is useless. I mean why are we studying etymology? I don’t think knowing about bugs will help me pass the placement test.”

Twilight deflated, “Oh.” Whatever madness that had taken her today was gone.

I sighed heavily, leapt out of my chair, and hugged the purple mare. “It’s okay, I know you’re just trying to help.”

The lavender eyes were heavy up with tears, “I just wanted you to pass and- and impress Celestia on how well I’m taking care of you.”

I rubbed her back with my wings, “Oh sweetheart, you already impress Celestia enough. She very proud of her and Luna says that when you’re mention she lights up more brilliantly than the sun itself.”

Twilight wiped away her tears, “Really?” Her voice was soft and child-like. She starred at me with those big lavender eyes with hope. Twilight may be a neurotic clutz with too much magic for her own good but she is adorable when she wants to be.

“Yup, if you don’t believe me, ask Luna herself. Celestia adores you. Actually, I think she’d love it if you come with me to the tea, we’re having on the third of the twensith.” I noticed that the barriers were down. I began taking hesitant steps towards the nearest window.

“That would be great!” I was smothered in purpleness, receiving a bunch of kisses all along my cheeks and forehead.

“Twilight!” I growled.

The purple mare hopped back, “Sorry.”

“Remember what we talked about?”

“That I’m not your mother and even if I have maternal feelings for you, I shouldn’t act on it because you feel incredibly uncomfortable even though you really enjoy cuddles and snuggles and you still can’t sleep properly after I called your snuggle punishment off?”

I scowled at her, “Yeah, that one.”

“Sorry!”

I sighed, “You were just excited, it’s fine.” I smiled, “If I was told that I was seeing Astrid, I would be dancing with joy.”

“Astrid?”

“Er nothing important. How ‘bout we get some ice cream or something to celebrate our meeting with Tia?”

“Sure- er wait.” I gave her a big smile and she glared at me. “We still have studying to do.”

“We do? I thought we decided that the content for the study session was useless?”

“Yes, but I can always make changes.” Twilight smiled maliciously.

I gulped, “%$#@!”



It was the afternoon, Twilight finally let me out of her study prison to stretch my wings and take a walk around. I decided to fly to the school since I kind of want to tour around the place to see what’s up.

It was a short flight, well short for me as my flying speed had gotten a boost since getting my cutie mark. Much be more magic nonsense again. Twilight tried explaining it to me but the best I could come up with was magical shmagical ‘it just works’ nonsense. It seems cutie marks are more than just showing your special talent, you gain some kind of advantage over those who don’t have your cutie mark. I haven’t been able to repeat breaking the sound barrier yet or the ‘crackling lightning’ that followed me around since a week ago. 

I landed softly in front of the entrance. The school was in construction it seemed. Twilight had mentioned a bit ago that when she first got here the school was just a single house but now it was bigger, better funded, and had more teachers than before to compensate for Ponyville’s growth and projected growth. Okay, maybe I listened in a little bit too long during one of Twi’s random lectures but it was interesting enough.

I entered and was greeted with the Ponyville flag and a picture of three familiar fillies at some kind of Olympics-like thing. At least I think it’s an Olympics-like thing. Anyway, the school was a little odd, some parts looked new while other parts looked older. This is so much better compared to the single schoolhouse I used to go to as a child. I mean it looks like it can actually hold up against the wind!

Voices echoed down the hall. Despite my awesome hearing, the echoes were too mixed together so I trotted down to get a better clue what I’m hearing.

“Paleo, I do appreciate you taking the time to meet me. I’ve been wondering what you’ve been doing since becoming the Royal Archeologist.” It was that uh purplish-red mare um what’s her name. She’s the school teacher that’s been here since the beginning, I think. Uuuh cherry? Sherry? No no, not right.

“I’m glad to be here, Cheerilee! It’s been a while since college. How have you been?” Mr. Paleo replied cheerfully. I guess I got here at the beginning of their conversation. How lucky am I.

“I’ve been fine, things between Zecora and me have been great! Since the school has been getting bigger, we’ve got all sorts of new fresh faces. What have you been up to lately?”

“Oh, just some assignment to investigate the Castle of the Two Sisters. You have no idea what kind of secrets the place has. Hidden rooms, disguised doors, the thing feels like they came out of those old horror flicks we used to watch when we were bored. Not to mention some of the oldest books still look like they had just been printed. Why we hadn’t taken a gander around that old castle, I’ll never know.”

“That’s amazing! I’m glad you’re having so much fun! I know that a while ago a massive aurora was over the Everfree and a few of the elements had done an investigation to find the source.”

“Did they ever? I know some of our mages have been really excited when they were searching the place for magic. Something about a new kind of magic that no one has ever seen before.”

“I can’t give you all the details but I do know on that day after the aurora happened Pinkie held a party for a thestral filly.”

“A thestral filly. What’s her name?”

I strolled in, “My name is Alexander and I’m a colt.”

The two jumped at my sudden entrance. “Oh hi, uh Alexander, I didn’t see you there.” Cheerilee sheepishly laughed. “What are you doing here?”

I gave her a big grin, “Decided to take a little scouting mission to get the idea of the place before I take that placement test.”

“So you’re the pony who we were just talking about?” A white stallion with a white mane and red-eye was eyeing me with curiosity.

“Yes, sir, I am. And as you can see, I am most definitely not a filly.” My voice coming off as syrupy sweet. “My name is Alexander by the way.” Putting a hoof out.

The albino stallion shook it, “Paleo. Pleased to meet you. Have you been in town long?”

“A week or so ago. I haven’t really been counting, been too busy doing other things.” I then deadpanned, “Like studying.”

“Ah, hitting those books, I’m sure you’ll be a fantastic scholar.”

“And I’m certain that I’m going to hit Twilight with a book if she so dares make me sit down for another one of her study sessions.” I grumbled.

“Now Alexander, that is not a nice thing to say. If someone said it to you what would you think?” Cheerilee scolded.

I snorted and gave a smug grin, “I’d say to bring it on and make sure you don’t miss your mark.” For some reason I was angry, I have no idea why I’m angry but I’m angry. Maybe it was stuck being in Twilight’s stupid study session or the fact someone called me a filly again or was it the blaring fucking sunlight that blinded me to the point that all I could do was use my ears. What the hell are all these rooms made of, mirrors? I’m sure the school teacher was glaring at me, “Hey, I’m not one to chicken out on a challenge. Friendship may be the Equestrian way and while I appreciate a good friend, but I don’t mind knocking some heads.” Shrugging. “Also, what in the world are these classrooms made of, I’m almost blind as a bat. Do any of you have sunglasses?”

Paleo, “Uh sorry, Alexander-”

“Alex is fine.”

Paleo, “Yes, sorry Alex, I don’t have any sunglasses.”

“Welp, I’m gonna go buy some, bye.” I flew off right into a wall. “I’m fine!” And picked myself up and flew off.

“Uh that was interesting. Is she- er he going to be at this school?”

“Yup.” Cheerilee realized two things about Alexander. First, he was not a filly and she felt guilty for calling him so. Second, the boy has a temper and a bit aggressive. She did hear about him being the one that caused the second sonic boom and the one who put that crater, and also picked and won a fight against both Rainbow Dash and Applejack, but he’s just a foal, there’s no way a foal can be that strong and the stories must be exaggerated. After all, it was Rainbow Dash who was telling them. Were they exaggerated? Cheerilee was about to find out next semester.




To be Continued