Beginnings of the Race Swapper

I look to my friend with a confused look on my face as she states.

“Doesn’t it just come naturally, have you even tried?” Gene Caster asked calmly. I shook my head and tried to figure it out. At first I tried moving the wings, but I couldn’t. Next I tried just picturing it, didn’t work either. Lastly, I tried moving my shoulder blades, which caused a reaction. I kept trying until I got a smooth rhythm, eventually lifting off the ground slightly. While I’m in the air I’m grinning happily.

“I’m hovering, thats a good start.” Gene looks up at me, watching me have fun.

“So how does it feel to be the first Earth pony to fly, that we know of?” She asked with a smirk.

“It feels great!.....How do I land?” I asked after some thought.

”Try not flapping?” She suggests with a shrug, which I then immediately try. I drop like a stone face first to the ground. After picking myself up, I look to her.

“Well, this is cool, but I don’t think mum and dad will appreciate their son coming home with wings.” Gene nods to me, as she goes to cast the counter spell. Nothing happens, I still have wings. She tries again, same result.

“Why isn’t it working? I did everything right…” Gene says, looking a little upset. I walk over and hug her.

“It’s alright Gene, you will figure it out, I know you will.” I say with confidence. Gene wipes away the beginnings of tears and looks to me.

“Your right Hex, until then, wear a vest or something alright?” I nod, and pull my jacket out of my bag. After putting it on, I slid my saddlebags on and started to leave the clearing, Gene right beside me. When we reached the centre of town we shared a quick hug and parted ways.

While I was walking, I felt how restricted my new wings felt, and didn’t like it. But of course I understood that it was for the best. When I got home, I smelled my mother cooking dinner, so I quickly head to my room, where I removed my bag.After doing so, I returned to the kitchen and hugged mum.

“Good day at school sweetie?”

“Yes mum, it was good, I had fun too.” I spend some time helping with dinner, once it is dished I head to the garage to grab dad. “Hey dad, dinner’s almost ready”

“I’ll be there in a second.” Once we sat down and ate dinner, we discussed our days, what I had learned, keeping my new wings a secret for now, what they had made or fixed for the other towns ponies, things like that. After dinner, I head to the shower, as my mother spoke up.

“Hexan, dear, why are you wearing your jacket to the shower?” I froze for a second before turning to face her.

“No reason mum, I will take it off before I get wet.” Once I’m in the bathroom, I take my jacket off and lock the door. Then I spread my wings wide to remove the cramps. “That feels better…” Then I turn the shower on and hop in. Once I am done, I wrap a towel around my barrel, covering my wings, take my jacket and head to my room. I dry myself off and throw the towel in a wash basket and hope into bed. “Goodnight mum! Goodnight dad!” Mum pops her head through the door.

“Goodnight sweetie, see you in the morning.” She closes the door and I head to sleep. When I wake up in the morning, I quickly hop out of bed and look to my sides, I find myself both happy and sad. Happy because I won’t have to hide them anymore, but sad because I don’t have wings any more. I walk to the mirror to brush my mane and I hit something solid. I look at the mirror confused and brush harder, thinking it is a knot. I hit it again. I look on top of my head in the mirror and i have a horn. I’m confused, because I know I don’t have a horn. I poke it and it is still there.

“Why do I have a horn?” I look around my room, thinking it is a trick. After a bit of searching, I decide it isn’t. Suddenly, I hear my mother.

“Hexan! Breakfast is ready!” I quickly look around in a panic, trying to think of a way to hide my horn. Suddenly, I spot a purple top hat with a orange ribbon tied around it. After deciding it is the best choice, I put it on and head for breakfast. For breakfast we had toast and peanut butter. During breakfast my mother noticed my hat and decided to ask about it. “Sweetie, why do you have a hat on?” I quickly try to think of an excuse.

“Well, I figured I’d try something new today.” She eyes me suspiciously but drops the subject as we eat. Once I’m done I head off to school, “See you guys later!” I start walking, my saddlebags at my sides.